QA_-_Attachment_G_-_WSMR_Final_WSMR_Environmental_Assessment.pdf

WSMR - AMENDMENT 0004

QA - ATTACHMENT G

WSMR FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Approved for Public Release - Distribution is Unlimited.

OPSEC review conducted on X October 2011.

FINAL

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

OF

THREE PROPOSED

CONTRACTOR OWNED / CONTRACTOR OPERATED

FUEL FACILITIES

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO

CONTRACT NO. B912BV-09-D-2026

TASK ORDER NO. 03

FEBRUARY 2012

Approved for Public Release - Distribution is Unlimited.

OPSEC review conducted on 07 November 2011.

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1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)

February 10, 2012

2. REPORT TYPE

Final Environmental Assessment

3. DATES COVERED (From - To) February 2011 – February 2012

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Final Environmental Assessment of Three Proposed Contractor Owned / Contractor Operated Fuel Facilities, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

B912BV-09-D-2026

5b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

6. AUTHOR(S)

Under Contract via US Army Corps of Engineers

5d. PROJECT NUMBER

5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

IMWE-WSM-PW-E-C

Bldg. 163 White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

Office of the Chief of Supply & Service Division Directorate of Logistics White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)

11. SPONSORING/MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

12. DISTRIBUTION AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Approved for Public Release-Distribution is unlimited. OPSEC review conducted on 07 November 2011.

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

14. ABSTRACT

The Environmental Assessment documents the results of an analysis of the potential for and magnitude of impacts from the construction and operation of three proposed contractor owned / contractor operated fuel facilities within WSMR.

This would include the preparation, construction of the fuel facilities and associated mechanical equipment installation, field integration and testing, operational test and evaluation, and modification for additional assessments.

The EA analyzes the environmental consequences of the proposed actions and alternatives. The areas of environmental consideration are air quality, airspace, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazardous materials and waste, health and safety, infrastructure, land use, noise, and water resources. No significant impacts have been identified. No cumulative impacts are expected.

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Environmental Assessment, environmental effects, environmental consequences, proposed action, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), White Sands Missile Range, WSMR, CO/CO Fuel Facilities Project.

16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF

ABSTRACT

18. NUMBER

OF PAGES

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Deborah Hartell

a. REPORT

b. ABSTRACT

c. THIS PAGE

19b. TELEPONE NUMBER (Include area code)

575-678-2412

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

OF

THREE PROPOSED

CONTRACTOR OWNED / CONTRACTOR OPERATED

FUEL FACILITIES

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO

CONTRACT NO. B912BV-09-D-2026

TASK ORDER NO. 03

PREPARED FOR

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

TULSA DISTRICT

1645 S. 101 E. AVE., TULSA, OK 74128

FEBRUARY 2012

Final EA - Three Proposed CO/CO Fuel Facilities, WSMR, NM February 2012 ii iv v

Environmental Assessment

For Three Proposed CO/CO Fuel Facilities

White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................... 1-1

1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED.......................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.3 SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE EA ................................................................................................... 1-2

1.4 DECISION(S) TO BE MADE ................................................................................................................. 1-2

1.5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ..................................................................................................................... 1-2

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .................................................................. 2-1

2.1 PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................................................................ 2-1

2.2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ........................................................................................................... 2-2

2.2.1 No Action Alternative: .............................................................................................................. 2-2

2.2.2 Preferred Action Alternative: ................................................................................................... 2-2

2.2.3 Alternatives Eliminated From Further Consideration ............................................................... 2-2

2.3 PREFERRED ACTION ALTERNATIVE ................................................................................................ 2-2

3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 LOCATION DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................... 3-2

3.1.1 Main Post ................................................................................................................................ 3-2

3.1.2 Rhodes Canyon ....................................................................................................................... 3-2

3.1.3 Stallion RC .............................................................................................................................. 3-2

3.2 LAND USE ............................................................................................................................................. 3-2

3.2.1 Main Post ................................................................................................................................ 3-4

3.2.2 Rhodes Canyon ....................................................................................................................... 3-4

3.2.3 Stallion RC .............................................................................................................................. 3-4

3.3 AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 3-5

3.4 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................ 3-5

3.5 NOISE ................................................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.6 GEOLOGY AND SOILS......................................................................................................................... 3-6

3.7 WATER RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 3-7

3.7.1 Surface Water ......................................................................................................................... 3-7

3.7.2 Groundwater Resources ......................................................................................................... 3-7

3.7.3 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................. 3-8

3.7.4 Floodplains .............................................................................................................................. 3-8 vi

3.8 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................. 3-8

3.8.1 Terrestrial Habitat .................................................................................................................... 3-9

3.8.2 Aquatic Habitat ........................................................................................................................ 3-9

3.8.3 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................... 3-9

3.8.4 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................... 3-10

3.8.5 Threatened and Endangered Species, Species of Concern.................................................. 3-10

3.9 CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................. 3-13

3.10 HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ......................................................................................................... 3-13

3.11 SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES ...................................................................................................... 3-14

3.11.1 Economy ............................................................................................................................... 3-14

3.11.2 Employment and Income ....................................................................................................... 3-15

3.11.3 Housing ................................................................................................................................. 3-15

3.11.4 Education .............................................................................................................................. 3-15

3.11.5 Environmental Justice Locations: .......................................................................................... 3-15

3.12 UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................. 3-16

3.12.1 Stormwater ............................................................................................................................ 3-16

3.12.2 Electricity/Natural Gas ........................................................................................................... 3-16

3.12.3 Potable Water ........................................................................................................................ 3-16

3.12.4 Sanitary Sewer ...................................................................................................................... 3-16

3.12.5 Industrial Wastewater ............................................................................................................ 3-17

3.12.6 Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 3-17

3.12.7 Solid Waste ........................................................................................................................... 3-17

3.13 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTES ........................................................................................ 3-17

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 LAND USE ............................................................................................................................................. 4-1

4.2 AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................... 4-1

4.3 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................ 4-1

4.4 NOISE ................................................................................................................................................... 4-2

4.5 GEOLOGY AND SOILS......................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.5.1 Geology ................................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.5.2 Soils ........................................................................................................................................ 4-3

4.6 WATER RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.6.1 Surface Water ......................................................................................................................... 4-3

4.6.2 Groundwater............................................................................................................................ 4-4

4.6.3 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................. 4-5

4.6.4 Floodplains .............................................................................................................................. 4-5

4.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................. 4-5

4.8 CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................... 4-5

4.9 HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY ........................................................................................................... 4-6

4.10 SOCIOECONOMICS ............................................................................................................................. 4-6 vii

4.11 INFRASTRUCTURE .............................................................................................................................. 4-7

4.12 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WASTE ............................................................................................ 4-7

4.13 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ....................................................................................................................... 4-7

4.14 IMPACT CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................................... 4-8

5. CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES AND PERSONS ............................................................................................... 5-1

5.1 LIST OF PREPARERS .......................................................................................................................... 5-1

6. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................. 6-1

FIGURES AND PHOTOS

FIGURE 1-1 PROPOSED FUEL FACILITY LOCATIONS, WSMR, NEW MEXICO

FIGURE 1-2 MAIN POST ENTRANCE, PROPOSED FUEL FACILITY LOCATION

FIGURE 1-3 RHODES CANYON PROPOSED FUEL FACILITY LOCATION

FIGURE 1-4 STALLION RC PROPOSED FUEL FACILITY LOCATION

PHOTOGRAPHS

PHOTO 1 MAIN POST CONDITIONS

PHOTO 2 STALLION RANGE CENTER CONDITIONS

PHOTO 3 RHODES CANYON RANGE CENTER CONDITIONS

viii

Abbreviations and Acronyms AST Aboveground Storage Tank BE Biological Evaluation BLM Bureau of Land Management BMPs Best Management Practices CFR Code of Federal Regulations COCO Contractor Owned/Contractor Operated DFIRM Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map DoD Department of Defense EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency GIS Geographic Information Systems IPED Institute for Policy and Economic Development NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 NMED New Mexico Environmental Department NMRPTC New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council NOx Nitrogen Oxides OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PPE personal protective equipment POLs Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants PST Petroleum Storage Tank RC Range Center RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ROI Region of Influence TDS Total dissolved solids USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency UXO Unexploded Ordnance VEC Valued Environmental Components WSMR White Sands Missile Range WSPG White Sands Proving Ground

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1. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 United States Code §§ 4321-4370d) and the Department of the Army Environmental Analysis of Army Actions: Final Rule (32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 651). This EA describes the purpose and need for the implementation and operation of three proposed new contractor owned/contractor operated (COCO) fuel facilities at three distinct and geographically separated locations (Main Post, Rhodes Canyon Range Center, and Stallion Range Center) within White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico. Two reasonable alternatives are considered: 1) the implementation and operation of three proposed COCO fuel facilities; and 2) the no action alternative which would involve the government continuing to operate the existing fuel facilities. Existing environmental conditions at each of the three proposed fuel facility locations on WSMR are described and the potential environmental consequences for each action are then analyzed.

WSMR was established July 9, 1945 as the White Sands Proving Grounds (WSPG) to be the testing area for America’s long range missile weapon systems during World War II. On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated within the WSPG at an area known as the Trinity Site (Court 2009). WSPG then became known as WSMR in April 1958. The mission of WSMR is to provide the Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD), and other customers with high quality services for experimentation, test, research, assessment, development, and training in support of the Nation at war. WSMR currently functions as an outdoor laboratory consisting of a large complex of test ranges, launch sites, impact areas, and instrumentation sites required to develop and test tactical and strategic weapons and weapons systems.

1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED

WSMR proposes to install three COCO fuel facilities at geographically separated and distinct locations. The purpose of these facilities is to dispense bulk (fueling trucks that supply remote storage tanks or provide remote on-site refueling) and retail (drive up service) fuels of unleaded gasoline, ultra-low sulfur diesel, E85, JP8, and B20 fuels. These fuels will be available to authorized WSMR personnel, who could be military, Army civilians, or base contractors.

The need for the new fuel facilities is to replace three aging facilities so that petroleum products can be dispensed safely and efficiently, and be received, stored, and issued with appropriate and current controlling technologies. The new facilities will help to ensure adequate fuel quality, inventory accuracy, operations, quality surveillance, organizational level maintenance, and training safety are conducted appropriately.

The three candidate locations are 1) Main Post, 2) Rhodes Canyon, and 3) Stallion Range Center (RC). Figure 1-1 includes a map depicting the position of the candidate locations within WSMR. Figures 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 provide aerial maps of all proposed fuel facility within each candidate location.

The Main Post and the Stallion RC fuel facilities will dispense both bulk and retail fuels of unleaded gasoline, ultra-low sulfur diesel, E85, JP8, and B20 biodiesel fuels. The Rhodes Canyon fuel facility will dispense retail fuels of unleaded gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel only.

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The implementation and operation of these fuel facilities may have environmental impacts;

therefore, an EA is required to undertake an examination of the data generated and assess the magnitude of potential impacts to determine if further study is required, via an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), or if a Finding of No Significant Impact is warranted.

1.3 SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE EA

The scope and content of the EA will focus on the impacts generated from actions necessary to implement and operate the three proposed fuel facilities. The 2009 WSMR EIS contains information concerning the base wide affected environment with regards to biological resources, physical resources, cultural resources, economics, population, hazardous materials and hazardous wastes which will be used as baseline data for the environmental conditions associated with the implementation and operation of the fuel facilities (WSMR 2009). As each proposed fuel facility requires only a small portion of WSMR land, only data pertinent to the potential impacts to the fuel facility locations and their respective Regions of Influence (ROI) will be included in the Proposed Fuel Facilities EA. The following actions will be discussed in the

EA:

• Preparing each proposed location for the facility installation activities, as necessary.

• Demolition of existing on-site structures at Rhodes Canyon (pending building materials assessment).

• Grading and compaction of exposed soils within the building area of each of the new fuel facilities.

• Installation of an asphaltic, concrete pad and associated concrete dispensing islands for each facility.

• Installation of the above ground storage tanks (ASTs) on their associated concrete pads and secondary containment vaults, as necessary.

• Installation of underground piping systems with secondary containments to attach the dispensing islands to their respective fuel ASTs.

• Installation of the contractor’s service/administrative/retail center building for each facility.

• Daily use of the facilities for vehicle fueling, retail sales, and public restrooms.

1.4 DECISION(S) TO BE MADE

The decision to be made on the basis of the analysis contained within the EA is whether to construct the three proposed COCO fuel facilities within WSMR, NM. The EA will provide data for analysis and consideration of potential environmental impacts. WSMR personnel will be responsible for approving any and all of the proposed fuel facilities at WSMR.

1.5 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A 30-day public comment period was conducted from November 19, 2011 to December 19, 2011 where the Proposed Fuel Facilities EA was available to the public for review and comment.

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Figure 1-1: Proposed Fuel Facility Locations at WSMR, New Mexico

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Figure 1-2: Main Post Proposed Fuel Facility Location

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Figure 1-3: Rhodes Canyon Proposed Fuel Facility Location

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Figure 1-4: Stallion RC Proposed Fuel Facility Location

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2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

2.1 PROPOSED ACTION

WSMR is proposing to implement, operate, and maintain three COCO fuel facilities at three distinct and geographically separated locations on WSMR. The fuel facilities will have the ability to dispense bulk and retail unleaded, diesel, E85, JP8, and B20 fuels via automated dispensing pumps and provide services for the receipt, storage and issuance of bulk and retail jet fuel.

Operations at the fuel facilities must be safely and efficiently conducted for receipt, storage, and issuing of petroleum products and have appropriate controls to ensure adequate fuel quality, inventory accuracy, operations, quality surveillance, organizational level maintenance, and training safety for each COCO facility. Furthermore, all installation, design, construction, and operations will follow New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) requirements as well as Department of Defense Military Handbook for Petroleum Fuel Facilities and American Petroleum Institute guidelines for new storage tanks systems as identified as well as any other applicable federal regulations.

The estimated storage capacity and acreage proposed for each of the three facilities is as follows:

Main Post - 32,000 gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel, 12,000 gallons of B20 biodiesel, 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, 12,000 gallons of E85, and 45,000 gallons of JP8 housed in approximately six above ground storage tanks (AST). The proposed Main Post location is approximately 10 acres.

Rhodes Canyon - 12,000 gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel and 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline housed in two ASTs. The proposed Rhodes Canyon location is 2 acres.

Stallion RC - 12,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline, 24,000 gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel, and 24,000 gallons of JP8 housed in approximately three ASTs. There will also be valve installed on the JP8 system for a future remote dispensing line to the airfield.

The proposed Stallion RC location is approximately 5 acres.

General construction activities consist of establishing access to the locations by constructing a basic access road. Once access is gained the sites are staked and areas where major components will be placed are marked. Next the sites are cleared of any obstructions using bulldozers or other heavy equipment. Following clearing the sites will be graded and any cut and fill necessary to level the construction area is performed. Roadways are then established via fully compacting the surface beneath the planned egress. Once the general site preparation activities are completed, utility infrastructure (including, electric, communications, water, etc.)

are brought on site and construction of the tank pads, berms and any structures is accomplished. These activities are anticipated to take four to six months to complete per location.

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2.2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

2.2.1 No Action Alternative:

The no action alternative would result in the three proposed fuel facilities not being implemented and operated within the boundaries of WSMR.

2.2.2 Preferred Action Alternative:

The preferred alternative is the proposed action that would result in the implementation and operation of the three proposed COCO fuel facilities at Main Post, Rhodes Canyon, and Stallion RC, within WSMR.

2.2.3 Alternatives Eliminated From Further Consideration

Alternative locations and sizes of fuel facilities were originally proposed, but were eliminated from further consideration and evaluation for the following reasons:

• Western Main Post Entrance Area – Originally, the implementation and operation of two independent fuel facilities (Eastern and Western) were proposed at the Main Post.

The fuel facility at the Western Main Post was proposed as a 5 acre facility, but was eliminated from further consideration because the location was within a 100-year Floodplain (FEMA 2010).

• Rhodes Canyon – This facility was originally proposed as a 5 acre facility but has been reduced to 2 acres. It was felt that a smaller facility would be sufficient to service the needs of the area.

Government constructed and government operation of the new Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants (POLs) facilities was an option considered but not analyzed in this EA. An economic analysis conducted by the Defense Logistics Agency determined that it would be more economical to operate the POL facilities as COCOs. This economic analysis was conducted prior to initiation of the EA and therefore the option was not viable during scoping and not included in the analysis (Cueto 2011).

2.3 PREFERRED ACTION ALTERNATIVE

The preferred alternative action, as stated in Sec. 2.2.2, consists of the establishment and operation of three new fuel facilities at the Main Post, Rhodes Canyon, and Stallion RC within

WSMR.

The three photos on the following page depict surface conditions at the proposed fuel facility locations were taken during a site visit on November 16 and 17, 2010.

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Photo 3 - Stallion Canyon Range Center

Photo 2 - Rhodes Canyon Range Center

Photo 1 - Main Post Area

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3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

This section describes the affected resources within and near each of the three individual candidate fuel facility locations. The assessment focuses on valued environmental components (VECs) or resources that are applicable to U.S. Army training ranges and can be impacted by combinations of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. Potentially useful Federal EISs and EAs prepared for WSMR over the past decade were identified and analyzed to establish regional issues, impacts, and their sources. In addition to actions and impacts useful references and potential mitigation measures were identified for possible inclusion. A total of eight highly relevant NEPA documents were reviewed that reflected a variety of projects in the local region along with their relevant natural, cultural, social and economic issues. Based on this approach the relationships between agency actions and their impacts on regionally important VECs were identified. The regionally important VECs at WSMR as characterized from the EISs and EAs were further screened to determine if detailed effects analysis is warranted. Based on the screening if significant impacts are not likely, no further analysis is needed however, many of the screening criteria could not be easily answered therefore more detailed analysis is warranted. The following VECs were identified for further analysis:

• Location,

• Land use,

• Aesthetics and visual resources,

• Air quality,

• Noise ,

• Geology and soils,

• Water resources including wetlands and floodplains,

• Biological resources including threatened and endangered species,

• Cultural resources,

• Human health and safety,

• Socioeconomics,

• Facilities including utilities, infrastructure, traffic and transportation systems, and

• Hazardous materials and wastes.

The only two common VECs not included in the analysis are airspace resources and energy.

Impacts to airspace resources are not anticipated as the development of these three fuel facilities do not affect previously designated airspace nor do they require the usage of airspace or designation of new airspace for the installation and it is understood that the established airspace resources are not over utilized. Impacts to energy consumption from the development of these three fuel facilities is not expected as they will replace three existing fuel facilities resulting in no net expansion of installation demands for regional energy.

Additional information about the environment of WSMR can be found in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Development and Implementation of Range-wide Mission and Major Capabilities the White Sands Missile Range NM, (WSMR 2009), the White Sands Missile Range

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Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (WSMR 2001), and the White Sands Missile Range Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (WSMR 2004).

3.1 LOCATION DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of this EA, location description at WSMR will be based on general descriptors, i.e., WSMR quadrant(s) with latitude and longitude attached to the center of each of the candidate locations.

WSMR has an arid to semi-arid climate with abundant sunshine, relatively low humidity, modest rainfall, and relatively mild winters typical of low latitude arid areas. The average rainfall at WSMR ranges from below 10 inches to around 20 inches. As with the general climatic conditions in New Mexico, precipitation totals vary with highest amounts on or near mountains

(WSMR 2009).

3.1.1 Main Post

The proposed Main Post fuel facility is located in the southwest quadrant of WSMR approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Main Post Entrance Area that connects WSMR and the City of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The proposed Main Post fuel facility location is situated on an undeveloped parcel, which contains a low elevation grade across its axis. The location is just beyond the Extended Cantonment Area along Range Road (WSMR Highway 213), (see Figure 3-1). The latitude and longitude for the location are 32.355278o North and longitude - 106.460911o West. The location extends about 750 feet along Range Road and is located about one mile southeast of the Skeet Range and about one-half mile northwest of the Motocross area. Both the Skeet Range and Motocross areas are also located along Range Road (Highway 213).

3.1.2 Rhodes Canyon

The proposed Rhodes Canyon fuel facility is located in the west central area of WSMR approximately 200 yards northwest of the intersection WSMR Route 7 with WSMR Route 6.

The latitude and longitude for the Rhodes Canyon location are 33.161653o North and 106.490975o West. The Rhodes Canyon location is situated on a previously developed parcel containing a metal storage building and tank structure.

3.1.3 Stallion RC

The proposed Stallion RC fuel facility is located about one mile south of WSMR Route 7 at its intersection with the Stallion Gate along WSMR’s northern border. The latitude and longitude for the location are 32.813392o North and -106.648244o West. The Stallion RC location has been previously graded.

3.2 LAND USE

Figure 3-1 provides the base-wide land use classifications as of November 2009 as presented in the Final EIS for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at WSMR and is the basis of the descriptions of each proposed fuel facilities.

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Figure 3-1: Current Land Use Classification

Source: Final EIS for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at WSMR, Volume I, Figure S-1, page S-4

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3.2.1 Main Post

Land use at the Main Post location is classified as “Land Use B - Range Camps and Built-Up Areas” (WSMR 2009). Adjacent uses are a “Skeet” range to the north and a “motocross track” to the south along Range Road (Highway 213) (WSMR 2011). No uses have been identified for the properties adjacent to north or east of the location.

The proposed location is a ten-acre, undeveloped parcel located immediately north of Range Road (WSMR Highway 213). Two diagonal unpaved roads (tank paths) form the borders on the east and west of the location and Range Road defines the southern boundary. Development and improvements in the vicinity include several small administrative structures about 1,000 feet to the west.

The proposed Main Post location is situated on Range Road (Highway 213) approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Main Post Entrance for WSMR (see Figure 1-2, Main Post Proposed Fuel Facility).

Historic aerial photographs covering the site from 1943, 1971, 1986, 1991, and 2003 were reviewed to determine previous changes in land use at the site. In each of the three aerial photographs, the site and adjacent properties remained undeveloped and largely unchanged, indicating that no change in land use has occurred since 1943 (USGS 1943, 1971a, 1986, 1991, and 2003a)

3.2.2 Rhodes Canyon

Land use at the Rhodes Canyon location is classified as ““Land Use B - Range Camps and Built-Up Areas” (WSMR 2009). Most of Rhodes Canyon’s military activities relate to monitoring of mid-range missile tests (WSMR 2001). The proposed location is situated approximately 200 yards northwest of the intersection of WSMR Rt. 6 and Rt. 7.

The Rhodes Canyon proposed location is a two-acre parcel that includes a small storage structure and a steel tank. Both structures are located on concrete pads. A sign on the tank lists “water” on one side and “diesel” on the other; however, it is unknown what substances have previously or still exist within the tank. Developments and improvements within the vicinity of the Rhodes Canyon location include administrative work center buildings on the adjacent property to the north and east of the location. A landing strip is located approximately 4 miles to the northwest of the proposed location.

Historic aerial photographs covering the site from 1971, 1984, and 2003 were reviewed to determine previous changes in land use at the site. The 1971 aerial photo indicates that the location is situated within an area of disturbed soil although the property is vacant. In the 2003 aerial photo, a structure has been constructed within the site which reflects the current layout of the site (USGS 1971b, 1984a, and 2003b)

3.2.3 Stallion RC

Land use at the Stallion RC location is classified as “Land Use B - Range Camps and Built-Up Areas” (WSMR 2009). Stallion Range Center is used primarily as a long range missile test monitoring location (WSMR INRMP 2001).

The proposed Stallion RC location is currently a vacant and undeveloped five-acre parcel on a previously graded and level location. Improvements in the vicinity of the proposed Stallion RC location include administration buildings, an airstrip located about 500 feet to the northeast, and wastewater treatment pits associated with Stallion RC’s wastewater treatment system to the southwest and northeast. Also located adjacent is a buried optic fiber cable running parallel to

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WSMR Route 7 (see Figure 1-4). The land elevation appears to have been modified to level to accommodate a former structure or storage area of some kind, but no information could be found to ascertain specific usage.

Historic aerial photographs covering the site from 1971, 1984, and 1996 were reviewed to determine previous changes in land use at the site. The 1971 aerial photo indicates that the location is vacant, but depicts the evaporation ponds to the southwest. The 1984 and 1996 aerial photos continue to depict the location as being vacant, indicating that land use within the site has not changed since 1971 (USGS 1971c, 1984b, and 1996b)

Stallion Gate is a popular entry onto WSMR for the public seeking to visit the Trinity Location, the location of the first atomic detonation. Trinity is located about 15 miles to the southwest along WSMR Route 7 and the general public is allowed entry onto WSMR for this purpose on specified dates.

3.3 AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES

WSMR has widespread visual resources both within and outside of its boundaries. The base area is predominantly characterized by desert lands and rocky geography. Mountains with steep rock cliffs deliver blunt contrasts with extensive, flat basins producing striking landscapes of substantial visual appeal. The majority of WSMR scenic views are not visible or viewable from areas accessible to the general public due to access restrictions.

None of the fuel facility candidate locations are proximal to WSMR administrative centers and are not located within a specific aesthetic or visual resource.

3.4 AIR QUALITY

The entire area within WSMR boundary and all the call-up areas are in an attainment area for National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The only nonattainment area in New Mexico is located 17 miles south of WSMRs southernmost boundary at Anthony in Doña Ana County, classified as moderate nonattainment for PM10. Even though the base is in attainment there are temporary periods with high levels of particulate matter, general contributed to natural sources, such as dust storms or high winds.

WSMR has a Title V Operating Air Permit (Permit no. P085R1) renewed in 2006 which identified WSMR as both a major and minor source of air pollutants (WSMR 2009). Under the New Mexico Administrative Code 20.2.70 WSMR is recognized as a major source for nitrogen oxides, total suspended particulate, and carbon monoxide with allowable emissions of each in excess of 100 tons per year. The minor source is identified for prevention of significant deterioration with regards to preconstruction permitting program. All sources of air emissions covered by WSMR’s air permit need to be added to WSMR’s air permit for annual determination of total air emissions reporting requirements stated therein (WSMR 2009).

Air quality in the area of each of the proposed fuel facility locations is affected by daily weather conditions, such as individual and common collective sources of air pollutants. Most emissions are primarily from vehicle exhaust and dust generated on dirt and gravel roads. Increased airborne particulate matter during times of high wind speeds, particularly in the spring, affects air quality on the main post. Prevailing wind direction is from the southwest with the strongest winds from late February through early May. Average wind speed is approximately six mph, but wind gusts of more than 30 mph have been recorded. Westerly winds during this time occasionally cause severe dust storms. These storms are a result of sparse vegetation and dry

3-6 loose soil. Dust storms occur most frequently in March and April and more rarely in other months (WSMR 2009).

3.5 NOISE

High level and infrequent noise across all of WSMR includes sonic booms from aircraft that occur approximately 25 times per month. Low level WSMR noise within the near vicinity of all COCO fuel facilities would include short term intervals of equipment transport, development activities, fuel truck delivery, and loading operation into on-site ASTs. Other general WSMR activities that will generate low-level noise would include ground maneuvers, off-road vehicle use, construction in proximity, and maintenance. WSMR activities that only have the potential for very short duration, high-level noise would be missile testing, surface-to-surface testing, surface-to-air testing, and air-to-surface testing in and around all proposed fuel facility locations

(WSMR 2009).

A general discussion of the noises found on WSMR is available in Section 3.10 of the WSMR

EIS (WSMR 2009).

3.6 GEOLOGY AND SOILS

In general, most soils on WSMR are well drained to excessively well drained with the depth to bedrock ranging from shallow (less than 10 feet) to very deep (greater than 50 feet). Thirty-one percent of the soils are rated as having moderate or severe susceptibility to water erosion; 54 percent have moderate to severe susceptibility to wind erosion (NRCS 2004). SSURGO Soil Map of WSMR graphically displays the areal extent of the major soils groups found at WSMR.

A legend providing soils group names is also provided.

Main Post: The soils at the Main Post location consist of piedmont alluvial deposits derived from exposed bedrock along the front of the Organ Mountains to the west. These soils are piedmont alluvial deposits mainly from upper and middle Quaternary; consisting of scattered lacustrine, playa, and alluvial deposits of gravel, sand and silt. Soils from this source are susceptible to moderate wind erosion and severe water erosion. Vegetation on this location allows the near surface soil materials to be trapped by the roots and kept in mounded positions near plant stalks and roots (WSMR 2009).

Rhodes Canyon: Soils at the Rhodes Canyon consist of alternating layers of clay, silty clay, sandy silt and gravel with colors ranging from moderate-brown, reddish-brown and light reddish-brown. The gravel encountered ranged from angular to sub-angular with a strong reaction to hydrochloric acid. Some soil contained organic matter (BAE 2003).

Stallion RC: The soils at the Stallion RC location consist of Berino and Dona ana which are comprised of Eolian deposits over fan alluvium derived from sandstone and shale. These soils have sand with very fine to medium gains and small gravel of volcanic rocks furthermore, they have been described in various documents as being thin and susceptible to severe wind erosion and slight water erosion (WSMR 2009).

3-7

3.7 WATER RESOURCES

3.7.1 Surface Water

Main Post: The Main Post location is situated within the southwestern portion of Tularosa Watershed (HUC 13050003) (WSMR 2009). Surface water in the vicinity of this location includes ephemeral washes, although no washes are present within its boundaries.

Photographs taken during the location visit show no surface water ponds, lakes, rivers, and/or streams on the proposed Main Post fuel facility location.

Rhodes Canyon: The Rhodes Canyon location is situated in the central portion of the Tularosa Watershed (HUC 13050003). Surface water in the vicinity of this location includes ephemeral washes, although no washes are present within its boundaries. The Salt Creek and Big Salt Lake are prominent surface water features within WSMR and are located approximately three miles east of the Rhodes Canyon location.

Photographs taken during the location visit show no surface water ponds, lakes, rivers, and/or streams on the proposed Rhodes Canyon fuel facility location.

Stallion RC: The Stallion location is located within the Jornada del Muerto watershed (HUC 13020210) (WSMR 2009). Surface water in the vicinity of the location consists of small ephemeral washes with the closest wash being located approximately 1,000 feet southwest of the location.

Photographs taken during the location visit show no surface water ponds, lakes, rivers, and/or streams on the proposed Stallion RC fuel facility location.

3.7.2 Groundwater Resources

Groundwater wells supply the majority of water resources for the WSMR facility. Groundwater wells within WSMR serve as a supply to the immediate vicinity of the well while remote locations are supplied by transporting water from water storage tanks that are continuously filled by a piping network from groundwater wells, both on and off-location.

Main Post: The Main Post location lies within the Tularosa watershed where large amounts of water are commonly found in the Tertiary to Quaternary unconsolidated basin-fill and alluvial deposits, commonly referred to as the “bolson” deposits in southern New Mexico. Groundwater wells from the “bolson deposits” typically produce large volumes of water that is sometimes high in total dissolved solids (TDS) and sulfates; however, some groundwater wells in the “bolson” may produce potable water at the western edge of the Tularosa Basin where alluvial fan deposits meet with the eastern slope of the San Andres Mountains. Eleven water wells in the Main Post produce sufficient amounts of potable water to supply the entire Main Post (WSMR 2009).

A Draft 2009 Potable Water Resources Report indicated that with some modifications to WSMR’s water supply infrastructure, wells on the Main Post and potential wells in Soledad Canyon can produce up to 717 million gallons per year of potable water, while limiting continuing aquifer drawdown enough to maintain the production yields of the wells and prevent saline water intrusion (WSMR 2009).

Rhodes Canyon: No groundwater wells are located within the Rhodes Canyon area. Potable water is supplied from the Jornada del Muerto aquifer from off-base groundwater wells through a permanent water withdrawal right with Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The wells are

3-8 located about 4 miles beyond WSMR boundaries and water from them is pumped via pipeline to a 1 million-gallon storage tank on WSMR for distribution. Potable water is then trucked loaded and hauled another 6 miles to Rhodes Canyon for storage in tanks attached to individual buildings (WSMR 1998).

Stallion RC: The Stallion RC location lies within the Jornada del Muerto watershed. The Jornada del Muerto aquifer produces large amounts of water in the Tertiary to quaternary unconsolidated basin-fill and alluvial deposits. Groundwater wells from this formation typically produce large volumes of water that is high in TDS and sulfates. Two groundwater wells in this formation produce water resources for the Stallion RC area. The waters produced are then piped to an on-location electrodialysis plant for treatment to make the water potable for humans (WSMR 2009). Total daily production is about 100,000 gallons of potable water.

3.7.3 Wetlands

Wetlands are unique locations that are saturated at various times in the year and can support a distinct ecosystem of plants and animals based on their soil saturation.

Review of the Wetlands Map for WSMR (WSMR 2009) did not identify any wetlands within the proposed Main Post, Rhodes Canyon or Stallion COCO fuel facilities.

3.7.4 Floodplains

Main Post: Review of the Flood Hazard Map of Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Map Panel #350012 and visual observations made during the location visit, identified no flood hazard area at the proposed Main Post.

Rhodes Canyon: Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) do not identify any special flood hazard area on the Rhodes Canyon candidate location, map panel #350070600B, Sierra County, NM (US FEMA 2011).

Stallion RC: US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in response to email request, stated that flood hazard maps of unincorporated areas of Socorro County were not published as part of their Community Database Book because no flood hazard area had been identified in Socorro County, NM (FEMA 2011). Based on FEMA communication and visual observations made during the location visit that found no evidence of flooding, no flood hazard area was identified at the proposed Stallion RC fuel facility location.

3.8 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

As part of this EA, a biological evaluation (BE) was completed for all the fuel facility candidate locations to determine any impacts or potential impacts to the natural resources. The BE included a site inspection conducted on April 18 and 19, 2011, with subsequent records and literature searches.

The BE identified the wildlife confirmed and expected to be present, the vegetation communities, and habitat suitability for special-status species at the three proposed fuel facility locations. With regards to special status species the level of impact expected to be incurred is determined based on the activities to be performed at the proposed locations, species ecology, and likelihood that the species will occur at the sites.

Eighty-four federal or state listed special status wildlife species were evaluated for their potential to occur within the proposed fuel facility locations.