Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

effective site drainage. Required permits would be secured prior to any dredging or filling of waters of theU.S. under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. In addition, necessary permits would be secured prior tothe construction, excavation, or deposition of materials in, over, or under such waters, or any work whichwould affect the course, location, condition, or capacity of those waters as required under Section 10 ofthe Rivers and Harbors act.Vegetation management, including thinning, clearing, mowing, and prescribed burning, may havetemporary adverse impacts to water quality. Erosion from soil disturbance may occur with equipment useand tree removal. Erosion in riparian areas would be minimized by use of specialized equipment, such asa hydro-ax, which is designed to keep tree roots in place. The short-term impacts would be minor.Other LRAM activities would have beneficial impacts to water resources. Maintenance and repairactivities designed to reduce erosion would continue to have beneficial long-term impacts to waterquality. Erosion prevention projects include road and pad hardening, maneuver trail upgrades, gabioninstallation, streambank stabilization, low water crossing hardening, tactical bridge installation,revegetation, temporary and permanent stabilization practices, water bars, trail closure, and protectingexisting vegetation. Temporary minor adverse impacts may occur while the activities are taking place(approximately ten days). These impacts would result from minor erosion into waterways from vehicleuse and short-term soil disturbance. Long-term beneficial impacts would result from decreased erosioninto waterways.Installation of culverts would benefit water resources by enhancing or maintaining area hydrology whenroads or trails are constructed. Fish friendly culverts would be used as requested by Alaska Department ofNatural Resources. These culverts would create a more natural velocity flow of water that is better suitedfor small fish fry traveling up or down the streambed.Land grading and shaping would improve water quality by promoting adequate drainage. Installation ofpre-fabricated latrines would benefit water quality by keeping human waste from entering waterways.Restoration of wetlands would benefit water quality since wetlands act as natural filters for some waterpollutants and minimize flooding impacts.Best management practices (Appendix B) would be used to divert storm water in areas where runoff fromareas of higher elevation poses a threat of property damage or erosion. These practices would mitigate theimpacts from military training and construction projects and may include storm water conveyancechannels, level spreaders, outlet protection, paved flumes, gradient terraces, vegetated buffers, sedimenttraps, or check dams. Filter berms made of loose gravel, stone, or crushed rock would be used to slow,filter, and divert flow from exposed traffic areas. Storm drain inlets may be protected by gravel and cinderblocks or absorbent manufactured materials to prevent soil and pollutants from entering the storm watersewage system. For detailed descriptions of best management practices, see the USARAK ITAMManagement Plan.Alternative 2: Implement ITAM Program through a Management Plan (Proposed Action)Impacts to water resources from Alternative 2 would be similar to those described under Alternative 1.Standard procedures for all ITAM programs identified in the ITAM management plan will provideconsistent and efficient work practices. This would improve water quality by ensuring that contractorsperforming the work would adhere to the standard procedures designed to protect waterways._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan 36