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1 December 2005
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Draft Report
REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 2
ST. JOHNS BAYOU AND NEW
MADRID FLOODWAY
PROJECT, MISSOURI
December 2005
Draft Report
US Army Corps
of Engineers»
Memphis District
REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 2
ST. JOHNS BAYOU AND NEW
MADRID FLOODWAY
PROJECT, MISSOURI
REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NUMBER 2
FOR THE ST. JOHNS BAYOU-NEW MADRID FLOODWAY PROJECT
The responsible lead agency is the Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
ABSTRACT
The Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (2002 RSEIS) of the subject
project was completed and filed with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency on July 19,
2002. Subsequent to that final document filing. Clean Water Act, Section 401 Water Quality
(WQ) Certification was received from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
on June 9, 2003, and a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on August 25,2003. The decision
was to implement the recommended plan as described in the 2002 RSEIS and with additional
environmental requirements as stipulated in the WQ Certification. Since the filing and execution
of these documents, concems were raised regarding the project and adequacy of mitigation. As a
result, the ROD was withdrawn on June 23, 2005, and a decision was made to prepare this
Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Number 2 (RSEIS 2) to clarify and
address issues of concern.
These concems include but are not limited to consideration of: mitigation requirements for the
fishery and waterfowl resources, hypoxia, farmed wetlands (Swampbuster), and the cost-benefit
ratio. A list of concems is provided in Section 1.4.3. This RSEIS 2 addresses these concems
and analyzes additional mitigation techniques that demonstrate that all significant fish and
wildlife resources impacted by the flood damage reduction project are compensated.
The entire 2002 RSEIS will not be revisited. The RSEIS 2 will only supplement and re-examine
the concems and issues which have been identified and provide clarification on and correct
inconsistencies to the 2002 RSEIS.
There is no change to flood damage reduction features that were recommended in the 2002
RSEIS. Constmction of the St. Johns Bayou - New Madrid Floodway project would reduce the
duration and jfrequency of Mississippi River backwater flooding to the New Madrid Floodway
and headwater flooding to the St. Johns Bayou Basin. This reduction in flooding decreases the
adverse impacts to the area's infrastmcture and agriculture. Constmction of the project would
adversely impact fish and wildlife resources in the project area, primarily due to a reduction in
backwater inundation.
This document details changes that have been made to the overall compensatory mitigation
strategy that the 2002 RSEIS recommended. The 2002 RSEIS recommended reforestation of
fi-equently flooded cropland as the basic means to compensate for unavoidable impacts to mid-
season fish rearing habitat. This document demonstrates that all unavoidable impacts to
significant fish and wildlife resources can be compensated by implementing various
compensatory mitigation techniques, in addition to reforestation.
Draft RSEIS 2
Í
Compensatory mitigation entails a basic mitigation feature and a variety of additional mitigation
techniques. The basic mitigation feature consists of supplying Big Oak Tree State Park with
Mississippi River surface water, reforesting a minimum of 1,800 acres of cropland surrounding
Big Oak Tree State Park, reforesting 1,293 acres of cropland in the St. Johns Basin, reforesting
an additional 2,326 acres of cropland in the New Madrid Floodway, constructing modified moist
soil units on 765 acres of cropland, restoring vegetated buffer strips along 64 miles of New
Madrid Floodway channels, establishing a wildlife corridor that connects Big Oak Tree State
Park to the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area, and constructing 387 acres of borrow pits that are
modified to benefit floodplain fish. Additional mitigation techniques that supplement the basic
mitigation feature include methods that increase durations of flooding on mitigated tracts of
lands during the mid-season fish rearing period, restore/create permanent waterbodies that
benefit floodplain fish, and/or create spawning and rearing pools by modifying the gravity outlet
structure. It is anticipated that the basic mitigation feature and the additional mitigation
techniques would include the acquisition in fee of a minimum of 8,375 acres of real estate.
Copies of previous National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reports are available at the
District office and on the Internet at the following address;
http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil/StJohns/default.asp
Comments: Please send your comments to:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Engineer District, Memphis
Attn: Environmental Branch
167 North Main Street, B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Comments should arrive no later than January 23,2006, or within 45 days following publication
of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. For further information, please contact Mr.
Daniel D. Ward at daniel.d.ward@mvm02.usace.army.mil or (901) 544-0709.
Note: Unless otherwise noted or superseded by the clarification and information provided in this
RSEIS 2, all information contained in the September 2000 Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement and the July 2002 Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement is incorporated by reference in this Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement 2. In addition, unless otherwise noted, the format of this document will track the
format used in the June 2002 RSEIS.
Draft RSEIS 2
ii
SUMMARY
S.l MAJOR CHANGES FROM THE 2002 RSEIS
This RSEIS 2 does not make any changes to flood damage reduction features that were
recommended during the 2002 RSEIS. Additionally, there are no changes to the description of
impacts to fish and wildlife resources from the 2002 RSEIS. This RSEIS 2 does incorporate
changes to the overall mitigation strategy that the 2002 RSEIS recommended. These changes
include the following:
• Average Daily Flooded Acres (ADFAs) are used in determining compensatory mitigation
benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat. ADFAs were not used in determining
mitigation requirements in the 2002 RSEIS.
• Transition periods for reforesting cropland are accounted for in determining
compensatory mitigation benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat. Transition periods
were not calculated during the development of the 2002 RSEIS.
• Compensatory mitigation for impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat do not rely solely
on reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural lands. Additional techniques that
increase durations of flooding or create permanent waterbodies are analyzed.
• Reforestation techniques depend on site-specific conditions. The 2002 RSEIS
recommended reforesting all areas with 70% red oaks.
• The use of batture land as potential mitigation sites is analyzed. Benefits to mid-season
fish rearing habitat were not analyzed in the 2002 RSEIS by restoring batture land.
• The mitigation benefits from borrow pit construction are analyzed. Borrow pits were
recommended for construction in the 2002 RSEIS. However, potential benefits to mid-
season fish rearing habitat were not quantified.
No changes to acreage of wetland impacts have been made in this RSEIS 2. However, a
Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) analysis has been conducted to quantify direct impacts to
jurisdictional wetlands and indirect impacts to farmed wetlands.
Table S.l provides a description of project features that were recommended by the 2002 RSEIS
and recommendations and considerations made by this RSEIS 2.
Table S.l. Project features recommended by the 2002 RSEIS and this RSEIS 2
Feature
2002 RSEIS
RSEIS 2
Flood Damage Reduction
Channel Enlargement
4.5 miles St. Johns Bayou
No change
8.1 miles Setback Levee Ditch
No change
7.1 miles St. James Ditch
No change
New Madrid Floodway Closure
Located at the 1,500 - foot gap
at the lower end of the
Floodway
No change
Draft RSEIS 2
iii
Feature
2002 RSEIS
RSEIS 2
Pumping Stations
St. Johns Bayou - 1,000 cubic
feet per second (cfs)
No change
New Madrid Floodway- 1,500
cfs
No change
Gate Operation
Gate Operation
Allow headwater flooding
during spring flshery season up
to elevation of 282.5 feet
National Geodetic Vertical
Datum (NGVD) in the St.
Johns Basin
No change
Allow backwater flooding
during spring flshery season up
to elevation 284.4 feet NGVD
in the New Madrid Floodway
No change
Winter Waterfowl
Allow for waterfowl flooding
up to 286.0 feet NGVD in the
St. Johns Basin
No change
Allow for waterfowl flooding
up to 285.4 feet NGVD in the
New Madrid Floodway
No change
Compensatory Mitigation
In-stream mitigation features
One-sided construction
No change
Placement of riprap at channel
intersections
No change
Installation of 29 habitat
improvement structures
No change
Reforestation
1,317 acres in the St. Johns
Basin with 70% red oaks
1,293 acres with species
to be determined*
5,258 acres in the New Madrid
Floodway with 70% red oaks
2,326 acres with species
to be determined*
1,800 acres surrounding Big
Oak Tree State Park
No change
Moist Soil Units
765 acres
No change
Vegetated Buffer Strips
64 miles of New Madrid
Floodway channels
No change
Wildlife Corridor
Connect Big Oak Tree State
Park with Ten Mile Pond
Conservation Area
No change
Big Oak Tree State Park
Supply with a source of
Mississippi River surface
water
No change
Draft RSEIS 2
iv
Feature
2002 RSEIS
RSEIS 2
Borrow Pits
Not quantified
Constmct 387 acres that
would benefit floodplain
fish
Additional Mitigation Techniques
Additional reforestation
Not analyzed
Up to 3,000 acres
Increase Flood Durations on
Reforested Areas
Not analyzed
Up to 2,326 acres
Creation/Restoration/ Enhancement
of Large Waterbodies
Not analyzed
Up to 680 acres
Restoration of Small Waterbodies
Not analyzed
To be determined
Creation of a fish spawning and
rearing pool
Not analyzed
Up to 2,000 acres
*To be determined during the formulation of detailed site-specific mitigation plans with input
from the interagency mitigation team.
5.2 NEED FOR ACTION
During a State of Missouri WQ Certification Appeals process and a Federal court proceeding, an
inconsistency was recognized with regard to the method of calculation of mitigation impacts and
credits. The inconsistency is in the form of a transposition of units between an interim step in
the impact analysis, and the calculation of mitigation requirements. Specifically, ADFAs were
used to quantify impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat. However, ADFAs were not used in
calculating overall mitigation requirements. Additionally, other issues were raised conceming
several aspects of the 2002 RSEIS. These concerns are listed in Section 1.4.3. The ROD was
withdrawn due tp the inconsistency and the additional concems.
The Corps is committed to fully mitigating the unavoidable impacts of the project. This RSEIS 2
clarifies the inconsistency and addresses the issues of concem. The fisheries resource bears the
greatest impact, and as such, requires the greatest amount of mitigation. However, more
effective techniques for fisheries mitigation are explored in addition to a basic mitigation feature
in this RSEIS 2.
5.3 PROJECT OVERVIEW
Construction of the St. Johns Bayou - New Madrid Floodway Project would significantly
decrease headwater flooding in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and Mississippi River backwater
flooding in the New Madrid Floodway. Agriculture is the primary economic resource within the
project and accounts for 86 percent of the total land use in the two basins. The flood of record at
the New Madrid gauge occurred in 1937. The most significant flood event since 1937 occurred
in 1973, when over 56,500 acres of agricultural land in the New Madrid Floodway were
inundated. According to recent data, the 2-year backwater flood occurrence in the New Madrid
Floodway inundates 17,316 acres, of which 11,843 acres are agricultural lands. At high
Mississippi River stages, the St. Johns Basin control gates are closed to prevent backwater
Draft RSEIS 2
V
flooding. However, closing the gates prevents interior drainage and leads to headwater flooding.
The 2-year headwater flood event under these circumstances inundates approximately 10,056
acres, of which 6,312 acres are agricultural lands. Construction of the flood damage reduction
project would provide an annual benefit of $6,772,000 to the region and nation as well as locally
to East Prairie, Pinhook, and other communities.
Unavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife resources would be incurred by the reduction of
flooding. Environmental concems include impacts to the following:
• 102 acres of jurisdictional wetlands due to channel enlargement and levee closure,
• jurisdictional status to up to 520 acres of farmed wetlands due to a decrece in
flooding,
• 536 acres of forested areas due to clearing necessary for construction,
• shorebird habitat due to a likely change in agricultural practices,
• waterfowl habitat during February and March in the New Madrid Floodway due to a
reduction in flooding,
• in-stream fish habitat due to channel widening, and
• fish spawning and rearing habitat due to a reduction in flooding.
Compensatory mitigation entails a basic mitigation feature and a variety of additional techniques
that would fully compensate for all significant impacts to fish and wildlife resources from project
construction. The basic mitigation feature includes the following:
• Supply Big Oak Tree State Park with Mississippi River surface water. Big Oak Tree
State Park is experiencing drier hydrologie conditions due to adjacent facilitated
drainage. Restoring hydrology to the park would require construction of culverts
through the Mississippi River Mainline Levee System, water control structures at the
park, and a canal. This action would restore historic vegetation and prevent
additional damages to existing vegetation.
• Reforest 1,293 acres of cropland within the St. Johns Bayou Basin. There are
currently 2,210 acres of forested wetlands below an elevation of 300 feet NGVD (300
feet NGVD has been determined to be the upper limit of backwater inundation, which
is greater than the 30-year flood event) in the St, Johns Bayou Basin. Reforesting
1,293 acres of cropland would increase forested wetlands by 59% in areas below 300
feet NGVD.
* • Reforest 4,126 acres of cropland within the New Madrid Floodway, including 1,800
acres of cropland surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park. There are currently 3,854
acres of forested wetlands below an elevation of 300 feet NGVD in the New Madrid
Floodway. Reforesting 4,126 acres of cropland would increase forested wetlands by
107% in areas below 300 feet NGVD. Additionally, reforesting 1,800 acres of
cropland surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park would triple the size of existing
bottomland hardwoods within the park.
• Construct 765 acres of moist soil units. There are currently 1,391 acres of herbaceous
wetlands within the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway below an
Draft RSEIS 2
vi
elevation of 300 feet NGVD. Constructing 765 acres of moist soil units would
increase herbaceous wetlands by 55% and moist soil units can be managed to
maximize benefits to shorebirds and waterfowl.
• Provide vegetated buffer strips along 64 miles of New Madrid Floodway channels.
Intense agricultural production to top bank of existing channels is a common
occurrence throughout the New Madrid Floodway. These intense farming practices
result in a lack of available habitat for local fish and wildlife populations and
decreases in water quality. Decreases in water quality are attributed to increases in
suspended sediments and nutrient loads. Providing buffer strips along 64 miles of
channels would provide additional fish and wildlife habitat, improve existing runoff
water quality, would benefit detrital input (leaves, twigs, branches), and provide
shading in the littoral zone of streams and ditches.
• Create a wildlife corridor that connects Big Oak Tree State Park to the Ten Mile Pond
Conservation Area. Due to intense farming in the area, local wildlife populations are
isolated to relatively small tracts of bottomland hardwoods. There is little to no
movement of wildlife between tracts. Creation of a wildlife corridor would connect
two of the most significant isolated tracts of forested areas in the New Madrid
Floodway. Over time, this action would enhance populations of game animals such
as white-tailed deer and wild turkey, as well as populations of migratory songbirds.
• Construct 387 acres of borrow pits that would benefit floodplain fish. There are
currently 721 acres of open water habitat below elevation 300 feet NGVD within the
St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid Floodway. Constructing 387 acres of borrow
pits would result in an increase to open water habitat by 54% and would also provide
additional hunting and fishing opportunities to the local area.
The basic mitigation feature fully compensates impacts to all significant resource categories
except for impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat within the New Madrid Floodway.
Therefore, additional techniques would be implemented to compensate for the remaining losses.
This RSEIS 2 is not recommending one particular technique over another. Additional techniques
that supplement the basic mitigation feature are as follows:
• Additional reforestation within the St. Johns Bayou Basin, New Madrid Floodway, or
batture areas. This action would provide additional mid-season fish rearing credit by
restoring bottomland hardwoods (higher habitat value for fish) on cropland (low
habitat value for fish).
• Increase flood durations on reforested areas during the period April 1 to May 15.
This action would result in greater benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat by
providing higher habitat due to reforestation and increasing ADFAs.
• Creation, restoration, or enhancement of large waterbodies. This would be
accomplished by taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to restore floodplain
lakes in the project area. Riley Lake is used as an example throughout this RSEIS 2.
Restoring floodplain lakes would benefit mid-season fish rearing habitat by
increasing habitat value (large permanent waterbodies offer the highest value to
Draft RSEIS 2
vii
floodplain fish) and maximizing ADFAs (permanent waterbodies remain inundated
during April 1 to May 15 and beyond).
• Restoration of small waterbodies. Small waterbodies would be restored by removing
existing drainages and/or plugging existing ditches. This action would benefit mid-
season fish rearing habitat by increasing habitat value and maximizing ADFA.
• Creation of a spawning and rearing pool. Modifications could be made to the
operation of the outlet gates in the St. Johns Bayou and the New Madrid Floodway to
hold water during the period of April 1 to May 15. This action would result in
benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat by increasing habitat value (permanent
waterbody) and maximizing ADFAs.
It is anticipated that implementation of the basic mitigation feature and additional techniques that
supplement it would entail a minimum of 8,375 acres acquired in fee.
With the exception of the basic mitigation feature, this RSEIS 2 does not recommend one
specific technique that compensates for the remaining impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat.
However, this RSEIS 2 evaluates and recommends implementing a whole host of additional
mitigation techniques that demonstrate that impacts to significant fish and wildlife resources are
fully mitigated and that the project remains economically justified.
Mitigation credits would be calculated during the development of site-specific detailed
mitigation plans. These plans would be fully coordinated with the interagency mitigation team
(made up of MDNR, MDC, and the USFWS), the local sponsor, and adjacent landowners.
Cultural resources surveys would also be conducted on mitigation lands during the development
of the site-specific plans. These surveys would be coordinated with the Missouri State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO) and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. The mitigation goal
would ultimately be reached when habitat values are appropriately replaced, not when a certain
quantity of acres is procured and mitigation features implemented. Compensatory mitigation
would occur concurrently with constraction of flood damage reduction features. The New
Madrid portion of the project or the St. Johns Bayou portion of the project shall not be operated
until all mitigation lands for the respective portion of the project are acquired and all detailed
mitigation plans approved by MDNR. Mitigation sites would be monitored after the project is
operating to ensure success. Mitigation would be revised based on monitoring results.
S.4 CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions of this RSEIS 2 are provided in Table S.2.
Draft RSEIS 2
viii
Table S.2. Conclusions
Topic
Conclusion
National Economic
Development (NED)
The 2002 recommended plan is the NED plan.
Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act and
Section 404 (b)(1)
Guidelines
The project has been evaluated in accordance with Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act and the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines. The
project is in full compliance.
Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbor Act of
1899
The proposed work would not obstruct navigable waters of the United
States. The proposed action has been subject to a public notice,
a public hearing, and other evaluations normally conducted for
activities subject to the Act. The project is in full compliance.
Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act - (Water
Quality
Certification)
WQ Certification was issued via letter dated June 9,2003. The Corps
will continue to coordinate closely with MDNR in regard to the
existing WQ Certification. Ultimately, MDNR will make the
determination under its delegated authority whether the WQ
Certification requires modification.
Executive Order 11988,
Floodplain
Management
Findings
The proposed project is responsive to the planning objectives and is
consistent with the requirements of Executive Order 11988
Executive Order 11990,
Protection of
Wetlands Findings
Direct impacts to wetlands are avoided and/or minimized and
unavoidable impacts to jurisdictional wetland status are
compensated.
Cultural Resources
No impacts to cultural resources are anticipated firom construction of
the flood damage reduction features. Additional cultural
resources surveys would be required as compensatory mitigation
lands are acquired and developed.
Freshwater Mussels
The Corps will continue to work closely with the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC) and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) to determine avoid and minimize
measures and long term monitoring of fi-eshwater mussel
resources.
Endangered Species
No impacts to Federally endangered or threatened species are
anticipated.
Significant Fish and
Wildlife Resources
Impacts to significant fish and wildlife resources are fully
compensated.
Operation of the New
Madrid Floodway
No impacts to the operation of the New Madrid Floodway during
major flood events are anticipated.
Food Security Act of
1985 (Swampbuster
Provisions)
Construction of the project would not impact eligibility of farmland
that is currently enrolled in the farm program. Swampbuster
provisions do not impact the overall project economics.
Draft RSEIS 2
ix
ACRONYMS
2000 FSEIS
September, 2000 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
2002 RSEIS
June, 2002 Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
AAHU
Average Annual Habitat Unit
ADFA
Average Daily Flooded Acre
BLH
Bottomland Hardwood
BMP
Best Management Practices
CA
Conservation Area
CAR
Coordination Act Report (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality
cfs
cubic feet per second
CWA
Clean Water Act
DSEIS
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
DUDs
duck-use-days
EA
Environmental Assessment
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
EG
Executive Orders
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
ERDC
Engineer Research and Development Center
ECU
Functional Capacity Unit
FCA
Flood Control Act
FSA
Food Security Act
FSEIS
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
FONSI
Finding of No Significant Impact
GDM
General Design Memorandum
GEC
Gulf Engineers and Consultants, Inc.
GIS
Geographic Information System
HEP
Habitat Evaluation Procedures
HGM
Hydrogeomorphic
HSI
Habitat Suitability Index
HU
Habitat Unit
LID AR
Light Detection and Ranging
LMRCC
Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee
LRR
Limited Réévaluation Report
MDC*
Missouri Department of Conservation
MDNR
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
MOA
Memorandum of Agreement
MR&T
Mississippi River and Tributaries
MRL
Mississippi River Levees
NED
National Economic Development
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
NFSAM
National Food Security Act Manual
NGVD
National Geodetic Vertical Datum
NHPA
National Historic Preservation Act
DraftRSEIS2
X
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
RGL
Regulatory Guidance Letter
ROD
Record of Decision
ROW
Rights-of-Way
RPM
Root Production Method
RSEIS 2
Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement #2
SEIS
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
SHPO
State Historic Preservation Officer
USAGE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
use
United States Code
USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WAM
Waterfowl Assessment Methodology
WES
Waterways Experiment Station
WRDA
Water Resources Development Act
WQ
Water Quality
Draft RSEIS 2
xi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION 9
1.1 Study Purpose 9
1.2 Authority and Project History 10
1.2.1 Study Authority 10
1.2.2 Project History 11
1.3 Decisions Needed 12
1.4 Scoping Process 13
1.4.1 Notice of Intent 13
1.4.2 Interagency Meetings 13
1.4.3 Relevant Environmental Issues 13
1.4.4 Draft Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 2 14
1.4.5 Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 2 14
1.4.6 Mitigation Purchased to Date 14
1.4.7 New Record of Decision 14
2.0 OPTIONS CONSIDERED 15
2.1 Introduction 15
2.1.1 Wetlands 16
2.1.2 Terrestrial Wildlife 17
2.1.3 Shorebird Habitat 18
2.1.4 Waterfowl Habitat 18
2.1.5 Fisheries 18
2.2 Summary of the 2002 RSEIS Mitigation Methodology 19
2.3 Quantification of Mid-Season Fish Rearing Benefits from Mitigation Measures 21
2.3.1 Other Mitigation Techniques, in Addition to Reforestation 22
2.3.2 Transition Period 22
2.3.3 Average Daily Flooded Acres 23
2.3.4 Compensatory Mitigation Calculation 24
2.4 Preliminary Mitigation Features 25
2.5 Techniques Not Retained for Detailed Analysis 27
2.5.1 Permanent Waterbodies in Upper Floodway 27
2.5.2 Levee Realignment 27
2.5.3 Reconnection of Historical Waterways Through the Levee 28
2.5.4 Modified Closure Location 28
2.6 Compensatory Mitigation Options Considered in Detail for this RSEIS 2 29
2.6.1 Basic Mitigation Feature 30
2.6.1.1 Reforestation 32
2.6.1.2 Shorebird Areas 33
2.6.1.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips 33
2.6.1.4 Wildlife Corridor 34
2.6.1.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Water Supply 34
2.6.1.6 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition 35
2.6.1.7 Borrow Pits 36
Draft RSEIS 2
1
2.6.2 Additional Techniques That Supplement the Basic Feature and Compensate
for Remaining Impacts to Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat 38
2.6.2.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation 38
2.6.2.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration 38
2.6.2.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterbodies 39
2.6.2.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent
Waterbodies 41
2.6.2.5 Technique 5: Modified Gate Operation 41
2.6.2.5.1 Technique 5a: New Madrid Floodway Modified Gate Operation 42
2.6.2.5.2 Technique 5b: St. Johns Bayou Modified Gate Operation 43
2.7 Mitigation Scenarios 44
2.7.1 No Federal Action 46
2.7.2 Scenario A 46
2.7.3 Scenario B ! 46
2.7.4 Scenario C 46
2.7.5 Scenario D 47
2.8 Mitigation Summary 47
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 50
3.1 Physical Environment 50
3.1.1 Location, Climate, Land Use, Topography, Hydrology, Geology, Minerals,
and Soils 50
3.1.2 Water Resources 55
3.1.2.1 Wetlands 55
3.1.2.2 Hypoxia 55
3.1.2.3 Water Quality 55
3.2 Socioeconomic Profile 55
3.3 Biological F actors 58
3.3.1 Wildlife Resources 58
3.3.2 Waterfowl Resources 58
3.3.3 Shorebird Resources 59
3.3.4 Fishery Resources 59
3.3.5 Threatened and Endangered Species 60
3.3.6 Freshwater Mussels 60
3.4 Cultural Resources 60
4.0 • SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES RELATED TO ISSUES OF CONCERN 61
4.1 Introduction 61
4.2 Physical Factors 61
4.2.1 Wetlands 61
4.2.1.1 Forested Areas 62
4.2.1.2 Agricultural Areas 62
4.2.1.3 Wetland Impacts 63
4.2.2 Water Quality 64
4.2.2.1 Wetlands Loss Affects on Water Quality in the Mississippi River 66
4.2.2.2 Nutrient Loading to the Gulf of Mexico 66
DraftRSEIS2
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4.2.2.3 Restoration of Millions of Acres of Wetlands 66
4.3 Biological Factors 66
4.3.1 Fishery Resource Impact Analysis (HEP) 66
4.3.1.1 Area of Impact 67
4.3.1.2 Evaluation Species 69
4.3.1.3 Habitat Suitability Indices 70
4.3.1.4 Impact Quantification 71
4.3.1.5 2002 RSEIS Compensatory Mitigation 71
4.3.2 Compensatory Mitigation Issues and Concerns Related to Fish 73
4.3.2.1 Fish Passage Through Culverts 73
4.3.2.2 Permanent Waterbody Creation/Enhancement 74
4.3.2.3 Mississippi River Batture Areas 74
4.3.2.4 Creation of Spawning and Rearing Habitat by Modifying Gate Operations
75
4.3.3 Terrestrial Wildlife Resources 75
4.3.4 Waterfowl Resource 76
4.4 Economic Factors 81
4.4.1 Cost Sharing 81
4.4.2 Interest Rates 82
4.4.3 Loss of Benefits Due to Swampbuster IneUgibiUty 83
4.4.3.1 Swampbuster Ineligibility 83
4.4.3.2 Loss of Subsidies 84
4.4.4 " Update of Project Economics 85
4.5 Other Factors 85
4.5.1 Farmed Wetland Determinations 85
4.5.2 Civil Works Projects versus Regulatory Program Compensatory Mitigation.
86
4.5.3 Additional NEPA Requirements 88
4.5.4 Regulatory Guidance Letter 01-1 88
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 89
5.1 Introduction 89
5.2 Wetlands 90
5.2.1 No Federal Action 93
5.2.2 Basic Mitigation Feature 93
5.2.2.1 Reforestation 95
5.2.2.2 Shorebird Areas 95
5.2.2.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips and Wildlife Corridor 96
5.2.2.4 Big ôak Tree State Park Water Supply 96
5.2.2.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition 97
5.2.2.6 Borrow Pits 97
5.2.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement the Basic Feature and
Compensate for Mid-Season Fish Rearing Losses 97
5.2.3.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation 97
5.2.3.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration 97
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5.2.3.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterbodies 98
5.2.3.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent
Waterbodies 98
5.2.3.5 Technique 5; Modiñed Gate Operation 98
5.2.4 Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife
Resources 99
5.3 Water Quality 99
5.3.1 No Federal Action 99
5.3.2 Basic Mitigation Feature 99
5.3.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Mitigation Scenarios 101
5.4 Fisheries 102
5.4.1 No Federal Action ! 102
5.4.2 Basic Mitigation Feature 102
5.4.2.1 Reforestation 102
5.4.2.2 Shorebird Areas 105
5.4.2.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips 106
5.4.2.4 Wildlife Corridor 106
5.4.2.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Water Supply 107
5.4.2.6 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition 108
5.4.2.7 Borrow Pits 109
5.4.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement the Basic Feature and
Compensate for Mid-Season Fish Rearing Losses 110
5.4.3.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation 110
5.4.3.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration Ill
5.4.3.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterbodies 112
5.4.3.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent
Waterbodies 113
5.4.3.5 Technique 5: Modified Gate Operation 115
5.4.3.5.1 Technique 5a: New Madrid Floodway 115
5.4.3.5.2 Technique 5b: St. Johns Bayou Basin 115
5.4.4 Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife
Resources 115
5.5 Wildlife Resources 118
5.5fl No Federal Action 118
5.5.2 Basic Mitigation Feature 118
5.5.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Scenarios that Compensate for all
Significant Fish and Wildlife Resources 119
5.6 Waterfowl Resources 120
5.6.1 No Federal Action 120
5.6.2 Basic Mitigation Feature 120
5.6.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Scenarios that Supplement the Basic
Mitigation Feature and Compensate for all Significant Fish And Wildlife Resources....
121
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5.7 Freshwater Mussels 121
5.7.1 No Federal Action 122
5.7.2 Basic Mitigation Feature, Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement
the Basic Feature, and Scenarios that Compensate for all Signifícant Fish and Wildlife
Resources 122
5.8 Economics 122
5.9 Cultural Resources 129
5.9.1 No Federal Action 129
5.9.2 Basic Mitigation Feature, Additional Techniques, and Scenarios that
Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife Resources 129
5.10 Section 122 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1970 129
5.11 Section 404 of the Clean Water Act 129
5.12 Cumulative Impacts 130
6.0 MITIGATION IMPLEMENTATION 130
6.1 Introduction 130
6.2 Land Acquisition 131
6.3 Detailed Mitigation Plans 131
6.4 Mitigation Construction 131
6.5 Monitoring 132
6.6 Long T erm Management 133
7.0 PROJECT MONITORING 133
7.1 Jurisdictional Wetlands 133
7.2 Water Quality 133
7.3 Aquatic Biological Populations 134
7.4 Freshwater Mussels 134
7.5 Fish Passage 134
8.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 135
8.1 Scoping Process 135
8.2 Distribution 135
8.2.1 Federal 135
8.2.2 Federally Recognized Tribes 135
8.2.3 State 137
8.2.4 Local 138
8.2.5 Libraries 138
8.2.6 Other Organizations and Individuals 138
8.3 Coordination 140
8.4 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Planning Aid Letter 140
9.0 CONCLUSION 146
9.1 Relationshfp of Plan to Environmental Laws and Regulations 146
10.0 LIST OF PREPARERS/CONTRIBUTORS 147
11.0 LITERATURE CITED 149
FIGURES USED 153
APPENDIX A Summary and Application of EnviroFish 157
appendix B Coordination and Pertinent Correspondence 161
ATTACHMENT 1 Notice of Intent 169
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ATTACHMENT 2 Missouri Coalition for the Environment and Environmental
Defense 174
ATTACHMENT 3 Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma 176
ATTACHMENT 4 Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma 178
ATTACHMENT 5 Osage and Quapaw Tribes 180
ATTACHMENT 6 Memorandum For Record 182
ATTACEGVIENT 7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Planning Aid Letter 187
APPENDIX C Quantiñcation of Mid-season Fish Rearing Habitat And Mitigation
Calculations 193
APPENDIX D Hydrogeomorphic Analysis 201
APPENDIX E Cost Estimates 216
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1. Environmental Issues and References 13
Table 2.1. Preliminary Techniques for Providing Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat 26
Table 2.2. Expected Benefits of Basic Mitigation Feature 32
Table 2.3. Potential Floodplain Lakes 40
Table 2.4. Expected Surface acres of Riley Lake and mid-season fish rearing habitat value 41
Table 2.5. Fish AAHU gains for alternative modified gate operations, New Madrid Floodway 43
Table 2.6. AAHU gains for alternative modified gate operation, St. Johns Bayou 44
Table 2.7. Conceptual Mitigation Scenarios 48
Table 2.8. Real estate requirements for alternative mitigation scenarios 50
Table 2.9. Mitigation costs and overall benefit to cost ratios for alternative mitigation scenarios
50
Table 3.1. Landcover Types in St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid Floodway 51
Table 3.2. Landcover Types in Project Batture Lands 51
Table 3.3. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - New Madrid Floodway 52
Table 3.4. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - St. Johns Bayou 53
Table 3.5. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - Batture Land 54
Table 3.6. Socioeconomic Profile, New Madrid and Mississippi Counties, Missouri 56
Table 4.1. Wetland impacts and loss of fimctional capacity units, St. Johns Bayou Basin and
New Madrid Floodway 65
Table 4.2. Mid-Season Rearing Fish Evaluation Species 70
Table 4.3. Mid-Season Rearing HSl Values for Respective Habitat Types 70
Table 4.4. Mid-Season Fish Rearing Impacts, St. Johns Bayou Basin 72
Table 4.5. Mid-Season Fish Rearing Impacts, New Madrid Floodway .' 72
Table 4.6. Required Amount of Mitigation Based on Reforestation of Frequently Flooded
Agricultural Land 72
Table 4.7. Direct impacts to forested areas from levee construction and channel enlargement
(USFWS, 2000) 76
Table 5.1. Gain in functional capacity per 1000 acres of compensatory mitigation and mitigation
ratios to compensate impacts 91
Table 5.2. Expected functional benefits to wetlands from the basic mitigation feature..' 94
Table 5.3. Estimated Nutrient Loads to Mississippi River from New Madrid Floodway 101
Table 5.4. Expected surface acres and mid-season fish rearing habitat value for Riley Lake... 114
Table 5.5. Potential gains to mid-season fish rearing habitat from modifying the New Madrid
Floodway Gate Operation 116
Table 5.6. Potential gains to mid-season fish rearing habitat from modifying the St. Johns Bayou
Gate Operation 116
Table 5.7. Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for Losses to Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat
in the New Madrid Floodway 117
Table 5.8. AAHUs per 100 acres of reforested area (USFWS, 2000) 118
Table 5.9. Additional mitigation techniques and the potential impact on wildlife AAHU
calculations 119
Table 5.10. Duck-Use Days per Acre (USFWS, 2000) 121
Table 5.11. Expected Gains in Waterfowl Habitat from Basic Mitigation Feature 121
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Table 5.12. Economic Efficiency of Additional Mitigation 124
Table 5.13. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance,
and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario A October 2005 Price Levels, ($000).. 125
Table 5.14. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance,
and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario B October 2005 Price Levels, ($000).. 126
Table 5.15. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance,
and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario C October 2005 Price Levels, ($000). 127
Table 5.16. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance,
and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario D October 2005 Price Levels, ($000).. 128
Table 6.1. Monitoring Parameters 132
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Partial Basic Mitigation Proposed in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid
Floodway, MO 154
Figure 2. Additional Mitigation Techniques Proposed in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New
Madrid Floodway, MO 155
Figure 3. Landuse in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid Floodway, MO 156
DraftRSEIS2
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1.0
PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION
1.1 Study Purpose
This Draft Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 2 (RSEIS 2)
supplements the June 2002 Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(2002 RSEIS). This RSEIS 2 clarifies, both quantitatively and qualitatively, how the
Corps intends to compensate for imavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife resources from
the construction of the St. Johns Bayou-New Madrid Floodway Project. Additionally,
this RSEIS 2 clarifies other issues of concem that are listed in Section 1.4.3.
The 2002 RSEIS recommended reforesting a total of 8,375 acres of cropland to
compensate for mid-season fish rearing losses. Reforesting 8,375 acres of cropland
would have resulted in the overcompensation to wetlands, terrestrial wildlife, and
waterfowl. The 2002 RSEIS also reconunended compensating shorebird losses by the
construction of 765 acres of moist soil units.
Reforesting 8,375 acres of cropland without additional consideration for flood frequency
does not necessarily fully mitigate impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat due to the
difference in flood frequency between the period of analysis calculated using Average
Daily Flooded Acres (ADFAs) and the 2-year flood frequency on mitigated tracts of land.
This issue is further described in Sections 2.3.3 and 2.3.4. Therefore, this RSEIS 2
analyzes other options that compensate for mid-season fish rearing habitat. These
methods include but are not limited to creation or restoration of permanent waterbodies
or other methods that increase flood durations on mitigation tracts.
Creation or restoration of permanent waterbodies does not necessarily compensate for
impacts to other significant resources {e.g., wetlands, terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and
shorebirds). Therefore, a basic mitigation feature is proposed that fully mitigates for
these significant resources.
The basic mitigation feature would include the acquisition of a minimum of 7,121 actual
acres of land from willing sellers through fee title real estate purchases or restrictive real
estate easements. It is anticipated that the 7,121 acres would be jurisdictional wetlands
following mitigation implementation.
Additionally, the« basic mitigation feature includes the construction of 387 acres of
modified borrow pits that mitigates losses to mid-season fish rearing habitat. The 2002
RSEIS included costs of borrow pits but did not quantify the potential benefits to mid-
season fish rearing habitat. Rationale for why these benefits to the resource were not
calculated is provided in Section 2.6.1.7. This RSEIS 2 quantifies these benefits.
The implementation of the basic mitigation feature does not fully mitigate for losses to
mid-season fish rearing habitat in the New Madrid Floodway. Therefore, additional
techniques are analyzed in this RSEIS 2 that supplement the basic feature and fully
compensate for mid-season fish rearing habitat impacts. It is estimated that these
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9
additional techniques would entail additional real property acquisition through fee title
for a total of 8,375 acres of land.
All sections of the 2002 RSEIS with the exceptions of compensatory mitigation and
updated economics are incorporated in this RSEIS 2 by reference. Therefore, this RSEIS
2 will not address additional/new alternatives relating to the operation and construction of
flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Basin and the New Madrid Floodway
project. It has been determined that changes in mitigation would not affect alternative
plan selection. This RSEIS 2 shall be limited to aspects of the mitigation planning,
clarification to issues of concem, and updates to overall project economics due to the
additional compensatory mitigation.
This RSEIS 2, in conjunction with the 2002 RSEIS, shall be the basis for a new Record
of Decision (ROD). This future ROD will include or reference additional mitigation
measures that were not detailed extensively in the August 25, 2003 ROD, as well as
consider the clarifications and additional information provided in the RSEIS 2.
1.2 Authority and Project History
1.2.1 Study Authority
The Flood Control Act of 1954 (FCA 1954) authorized the closure of a 1,500-foot gap
and construction of a gated outlet in the Mississippi River levee at the lower end of the
New Madrid Floodway. The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986)
authorized channel modifications and pumping stations for the St. Johns Bayou Basin and
the New Madrid Floodway.
The First Phase of the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project (Alternative 2,
Authorized Project, 2002 RSEIS) includes channel enlargement and improvement in the
St. Johns Bayou Basin along the lower 4.5 miles of St. Johns Bayou, then continuing 8.1
miles along the Birds Point New Madrid Setback Levee Ditch and ending with 10.8 miles
along the St. James Ditch. The St. James Ditch work was reduced in the 2002 RSEIS to
7.1 miles due to presence of the golden topmirmow in the upper reach of the ditch. The
first item of work, consisting of selective clearing and snagging, has already been
completed along a 4.3-mile reach of the Setback Levee Ditch beginning at the confluence
with St. James Ditch. The impacts of this particular item of work were evaluated in the
Limited Réévaluation Report (LRR) and Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI)/Environmental Assessment (EA) completed in 1997.
The Authorized Project also includes a 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) pumping station
that would be located a few hundred feet east of the existing gravity outlet at the lower
end of St. Johns Bayou. The 1,500-foot gap in the Mississippi River levee at the lower
end of the New Madrid Floodway would be closed. A 1,500 cfs pumping station and
gravity outlet structure would be built in the levee closure at the lower end of the New
Madrid Floodway. The channel enlargement work and both pumping stations are
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10
features of the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project, and the levee closure
is a Mississippi River Levees Project feature.
1.2.2 Project History
A final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), entitled Mississippi Rivers and
Tributaries, Mississippi River Levees (MRL) and Channel Improvement, was prepared by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE), Vicksburg District, in February 1976. This
document was filed with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in April 1976. A
final EIS, entitled St. Johns Bayou/New Madrid Floodway Project Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement, was filed in 1982. A Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) was prepared to supplement botii of these
previous documents. The DSEIS was submitted for public review and comment in April
1999. The Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (2000 FSEIS) was filed
in September 2000.
The 2002 RSEIS documented the formulation and evaluation of additional alternatives to
address concerns expressed by various resource agencies and environmental advocacy
groups. The 2002 RSEIS included altemative levee closure locations for the New Madrid
Floodway; an array of pump and gate operation alternatives that increase connectivity of
the floodway with the Mississippi River to minimize impacts to fish habitat; significant
avoid and minimize measures to benefit fish and wildlife resources; and mitigation
measures that compensate for unavoidable impacts to wildlife habitat (bottomland
hardwoods and agricultural areas), shorebird habitat, waterfowl habitat during February -
March, and mid-season (April 1 to May 15) fish rearing habitat. The final 2002 RSEIS
was filed in August 2002.
The mitigation plans described in the 2000 SEIS and the 2002 RSEIS were developed to
compensate for impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat, the resource assessed to
experience the largest impact due to project implementation. Fish spawning habitat was
originally assessed as the basis for mitigation. Total mitigation, based on fish spawning
habitat, would have required reforestation of 3,300 acres. However, during negotiations
between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Corps, an agreement was
made to mitigate for mid-season fish rearing acres rather than spawning acres, which
resulted in almost tripling mitigation requirements. Since that agreement, the mitigation
for mid-season fish rearing habitat has served as the basis for all fishery impact
calculations. Tharesult of these calculations was the plan described in the 2002 RSEIS.
The 2002 RSEIS expressed the Corps' analysis of unavoidable impacts to mid-season
fish rearing habitat in Habitat Units (HU). In the 2002 RSEIS, those HUs were used to
calculate the required acres of compensatory mitigation. The compensatory approach set
out in the 2002 RSEIS was reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural areas.
Therefore, the 2002 RSEIS stated that reforestation of 8,375 frequently flooded acres
(1,317 acres in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and 7,058 in the New Madrid Floodway) would
mitigate for the unavoidable impacts to 4,213 mid-season fish rearing HUs (1,884 HUs in
the St. Johns Basin and 2,329 HUs in the New Madrid Floodway). Impacts were
Draft RSEIS 2
11
calculated based upon HUs, which is the product of habitat suitability and ADFAs, while
mitigation was expressed in terms of frequently flooded acres and habitat suitability.
This inconsistency was recognized subsequent to the execution of August 25, 2003,
ROD.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) issued (Water Quality) WQ
Certification on June 9, 2003, with the Settlement Agreement and Memorandum of
Understanding for the Protection of Big Oak Tree State Park. This WQ Certification was
appealed shortly thereafter. As outlined in the 2002 RSEIS, and consistent with the WQ
Certification, an interagency mitigation team was formed to discuss potential mitigation
tracts of land that could be used to compensate unavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife
resources. The interagency team was made up of representatives from the Memphis
District, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), USFWS, Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC), MDNR, and local interests. The first three tracts of
land, totaling 1,657 acres, were purchased on July 28, 2004.
Concerns have been expressed and legal challenges were filed over the amount of
mitigation acreage required in terms of ADFA. An inconsistency was identified among
the ROD, the WQ Certification, and the Administrative Record. The ROD was
withdrawn on Jime 23,2005.
1.3 Decisions Needed
This RSEIS 2 serves to clarify the acreage and types of compensatory mitigation required
in terms of HU and ADFA equivalents. The purpose is not to re-evaluate the calculation
of the impacts for the fishery resource. In fact, the calculation of impacts to this resource
was stipulated as being appropriate during the Missouri State Water Quality Appeal
Hearing in December 2003. This RSEIS 2 also clarifies and further details certain
assumptions related to the impact analyses, such as the use of the 2-year fioodplain.
Mitigation features that were not fully developed and quantified in the 2002 RSEIS are
developed and quantified, ensuring that both compensatory mitigation requirements for
the unavoidable impacts to fishery resource are met, as well as unavoidable impacts to
other resources, including wetlands, wildlife, shorebird, waterfowl, and mid-season fish
rearing. Finally, all issues listed in Section 1.4.3 of this RSEIS 2 are addressed.
The decision to sign a new ROD for this project will be based on the evaluation of
compensatory mitigation features, and an evaluation of the probable impact, including
cumulative impacts, of the activities on the public interest. That decision would reflect
the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The
potential benefits of the activity must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable
detriments. The ROD will consider all reasonably foreseeable direct, indirect, and
cumulative effects of the activity discussed in this RSEIS 2 and/or elsewhere in earlier
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for this project.
Draft RSEIS 2
12
1.4 Scoping Process
The scoping process included filing a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register; preparing
and sending scoping letters to applicable resource and regulatory agencies, government
officials. Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, non-govemmental organizations, and the
general public; and interagency meetings, teleconferences, and correspondences. A
summary of the scoping process is found in Appendix B.
1.4.1 Notice of Intent
A Notice of Intent to Prepare the RSEIS 2 appeared in the Federal Register on July 22,
2005. The purpose of this notice was to inform project stakeholders of the intent to
prepare supplemental NEPA documentation to clarify the record and address concerns
that have developed since the signing of the ROD.
1.4.2 Interagency Meetings
An interagency meeting was held on July 15, 2005, to discuss remaining environmental
concerns. Resource agencies in attendance included, the Memphis District, USFWS,
MDC, and MDNR.
Additional interagency meetings, teleconferences, and correspondences were made
throughout the formulation of this RSEIS 2.
1.4.3 Relevant Environmental Issues
Table 1.1 provides the relevant environmental issues that have been expressed since the
signing of the ROD and the sections(s) of this RSEIS 2 where a discussion can be found.
Table 1.1. Environmental Issues and References
Issue
Section(s)
Calculation of compensatory mitigation
2.3.4
Calculation of mitigation credit
2.6.1
Mid-season fish rearing HUs and how they relate to ADFAs
2.3.3,2.3.4 &
4.3.1
HypoxiaAVater quality
4.2.2, 5.3
Fish passage through culverts and timing access requirements
4.3.2.1
3-5 year floodplain impact analysis
4.3.1.1
Bottomland Hardwoods and 70% survivorship of red oaks on mitigated
tracts
2.3.3,2.6.1.1
& 5.5.2
Waterfowl benefits for diving versus dabbling ducks
4.3.4
Waterfowl units
4.3.4
Shorebird units
2.6.1.2
Selection of mitigation tracts
6.2
Monitoring of mitigation tracts
6.5
Draft RSEIS 2
13
Issue
Section(s)
Long term management of mitigation tracts
6.6
Additional mitigation techniques that compensate for mid-season fish
rearing habitat impacts
2.6.2
Project benefit to cost ratio
5.8
Interest rates
4.4.2
Cost sharing provisions
4.4.1
Farmed wetlands and 'Swampbuster' provisions
4.4.3 & 4.5.1
Transition period when calculating benefits of reforesting agricultural
lands
2.3.2
Appropriate use of the Mississippi River batture as mitigation lands
4.3.2.3
1.4.4 Draft Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 2
Federal, state, and local resource agencies; elected officials; Federally recognized Indian
Tribes; non-governmental organizations; the general public; and any other interested
parties are invited to review and comment on this Draft RSEIS 2. The purpose of this
public review period on the draft document is to provide an opportunity to determine if
the issues that have been raised since the completion of the ROD have been adequately
addressed. The public review period also invites comments on any aspect of the process.
1.4.5 Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 2
The Final RSEIS 2 will respond to comments that were raised during the public review of
this Draft RSEIS 2. The Corps will discuss any responsible opposing views that were not
adequately addressed in the draft statement or earlier NEPA documents for this project
and the Corps will respond to these issues.
1.4.6 Mitigation Purchased to Date
To date, the Corps has acquired 1,657 acres of land for mitigation purposes firom willing
sellers. With the exception of the Bogle Woods tract, acquired lands are remaining in
agriculture production to control black willow and other invasive species.
1.4.7 New Record of Decision
A concise public Record of Decision will be prepared following the issuance of the final
RSEIS 2. If the decision is to proceed with the project, the new ROD will prescribe a
recommended plan for the flood control project as well as the recommended mitigation
plan. The new ROD will be based on the RSEIS 2, the 2002 RSEIS, the WQ
Certification, and any other documents pertinent to this action.
Draft RSEIS 2
14
2.0 OPTIONS CONSIDERED
2.1 Introduction
This RSEIS 2 does not reexamine the flood damage reduction features outlined in the
2002 RSEIS, except where additional compensatory mitigation affects the overall
economics of the project or minimizes the overall impacts of the flood damage reduction
features. Therefore, no additional flood damage reduction altematives are analyzed for
the St. Johns Bayou Basin or the New Madrid Floodway. Changes in mitigation features
would not affect alternative flood damage reduction project selection except the overall
benefit to cost ratio of the project. In addition to clarifying the inconsistency concerning
the required amount of mitigation and the other issues listed in Section 1.4.3, this RSEIS
2 will also address mitigation techniques that could be used to compensate for the
unavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife resources and examines the restoration of Big
Oak Tree State Park.
Corps mitigation policy is to ensure that significant impacts to fish and wildlife resources
have been avoided or minimized to the extent practical, and that remaining unavoidable
significant impacts have been compensated to the extent justified by incorporating
reasonable measures. One goal of mitigation is to compensate for unavoidable impacts to
significant fish and wildlife resources from project construction. The planning objectives
to accomplish this goal are as follows:
• Ensure "no-net-loss" of jurisdictional wetlands that may be impacted by
backwater flooding
• Offset 100 percent of the terrestrial wildlife Average Annual Habitat Units
(AAHU) lost
• Offset 100 percent of the shorebird AAHUs impacted
• Offset 100 percent of the waterfowl Duck Use Days (DUDs) impacted during
spring migration
• Offset 100 percent of the mid-season fish rearing habitat impacted (ADFA
equivalent)
• Compensate for as many resource categories as possible on acquired
mitigation lands
Reforestation of frequently flooded cropland was selected as the recommended mitigation
strategy to compensate for multiple resources during the 2002 RSEIS. Impacts to mid-
season fish rearing habitat would require the greatest amount of reforestation acreage.
With the exception of shorebirds, all other resource categories would be compensated by
reforesting 8,375 acres. Impacts to shorebird habitat would be mitigated by flooding 765
acres of herbaceous wetlands. Most resource categories would be overcompensated.
This RSEIS 2 is analyzing different mitigation techniques, in addition to reforestation, to
compensate impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat. Permanent waterbody
creation/enhancement or methods that increase durations of flooding offer the highest
habitat value to the mid-season fish rearing resource. When ADFAs are factored and
compared to reforestation that was calculated in the 2002 RSEIS, creation or
Draft RSEIS 2
15
enhancement of permanent waterbodies would reduce the overall actual acres of
mitigation required to compensate for mid-season fish rearing habitat because permanent
waterbodies are of a higher habitat value than bottomland hardwoods due to a higher HSI
value. Permanent waterbodies remain flooded for the entire mid-season fish rearing
period, providing maximum ADFAs.
Creation or enhancement of permanent waterbodies does not necessarily compensate for
the other resource categories. Therefore, to ensure that these resource categories are
compensated, a basic mitigation feature is proposed. The basic mitigation feature would
include bottomland hardwood restoration, creation of herbaceous wetlands (shorebird
areas), creation of vegetated buffer strips, creation of a wildlife corridor, and construction
of borrow pits. The basic mitigation feature compensates for all resource categories
except for mid-season fish rearing habitat losses in the New Madrid Floodway.
Additional mitigation techniques are proposed that would supplement the basic
mitigation feature and fully compensate for mid-season fish rearing habitat in the New
Madrid Floodway,
Impacts firom project construction are analyzed in detail in Section 5 of the 2002 RSEIS.
The following paragraphs summarize the impacts and mitigation recommendations that
were made during the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS.
2.1.1 Wetlands
Permanent direct impacts to wetlands are discussed in Section 5.3 of the 2002 RSEIS and
Section 4.2.1 of this RSEIS 2. The 2002 RSEIS did not specifically recommend any type
of wetland mitigation because compensating for mid-season fish rearing habitat would
overcompensate all direct, indirect, and potential impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and
farmed wetlands. Temporary impacts to forested wetlands were quantified as impacts to
terrestrial wildlife.
No additional forested wetland determinations were made for the purpose of this RSEIS
2. However, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) updated farmed
wetland determinations. Additionally, a Hydogeomorphic (HGM) approach was used to
quantify impacts to wetlands from the construction of the project. Construction of flood
damage reduction features would permanently impact jurisdictional status on 92 acres of
forested wetlands at a total functional value of 622 Functional Capacity Units (FCU)
[based on the cumulative losses to the seven functional categories presented in Table 4,
Appendix DJ. Additionally, 10 acres of farmed wetlands would be directly impacted and
up to 520 acres of farmed wetlands would be indirectly impacted at a total functional
value of 342 FCU [based on the cumulative losses of 530 acres to the seven functional
categories presented in Table 3, Appendix Z)]. The basic mitigation feature would
mitigate the total wetland impact functional losses of 964 FCUs. The acquisition of
7,121 acres and implementation of mitigation listed in Table 5.2 provide more than
28,000 FCUs, indicating overcompensation for all seven functional categories.
Mitigation would include planting appropriate vegetation, constructing microtopography,
and restoring hydrology to the maximum extent practical.
Draft RSEIS 2
16
Following a thorough review of soil surveys, Mississippi River seepage information, and
precipitation data, a determination has been made that the project would not induce
clearing to forested wetlands due to a reduction of hydrology. These areas would retain
jurisdictional status due to factors other than backwater flooding. Therefore, these areas
would be regulated under the Clean Water Act and any permitted clearing would be
subject to compensatory mitigation. As stated in the WQ Certification, jurisdictional
forested wetlands below an elevation of 300-foot NGVD would be monitored.
During the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS, the Corps stated that the project would reduce
backwater flooding on 6,713 acres of agricultural lands that had the potential to be
classified as farmed wetlands. Using the NRCS estimate of 0.4% farmed wetlands; the
Corps computed 520 farmed wetland acres (Section 4.2.1.2). Regarding the use of 530
acres of farmed wetlands for impact calculations, 10 acres of direct impact to farmed
wetlands may be included in the 520 farmed wetland acres, but the Corps is counting
them separately since the NRCS has not provided certified determinations on this land.
The remainder of the 6,713 acres of agricultural lands is prior converted cropland. Based
upon the functional category with the highest mitigation ratio (Appendix D, Table 2 -
removal of compounds and elements, 1.53:1 for farmed wetlands and 2.9:1 for forested
wetlands), all impacts to forested and farmed wetlands could be mitigated by restoring
wetlands on 1,078 acres of cropland. However, direct impacts to wetlands would be
mitigated at a ratio of 4 acres of mitigation to every acre of impact (4:1) and indirect
impacts to agricultural lands, regardless of jurisdictional status, would be mitigated at a
ratio of 1:1. Therefore, 7,121 acres of mitigation would be required.
2.1.2 Terrestrial Wildlife
A discussion of the Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) methodology that was used to
quantify impacts to terrestrial wildlife resources is found in Section 5.4 of the 2002
RSEIS, Appendix C of the USFWS Coordination Act Report (CAR) (2000), and Section
4.3.3 of this RSEIS 2. Construction of flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin would directly impact 536 acres of forested areas at a habitat value of 1,993
AAHUs. Closure of the New Madrid Floodway would directly impact seven acres of
forested areas at a habitat value of 66 AAHUs. Impacts are attributed to clearing
vegetation in project rights-of-way (ROW).
The 2002 RSEIS recommended three potential methods of reforestation to mitigate for
terrestrial impacts. Planting acoms, seedlings, or root production method (RPM) trees
would yield an increase of 133.17, 116.73, or 197.26 terrestrial wildlife AAHUs per 100
acres, respectively.
Concerns have been raised regarding the potential indirect impact to forested areas that
may be cleared due to the construction of the flood damage reduction project. As
previously stated, the Corps maintains that these forested areas are jurisdictional wetlands
and these areas would retain jurisdictional status following completion of the project.
Further discussion is found in Section 4.2.1.3.
Draft RSEIS 2
17
2.1.3 Shorebird Habitat
An interagency team developed a HEP model to analyze impacts to shorebirds in the
project area. A description of the impacts to shorebird habitat are found in section 5.4 of
the 2002 RSEIS and Appendix D of the USFWS CAR (2000). Constructing flood
damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin would impact a total of 761.2
shorebird AAHUs. Recommended mitigation includes flooding 1,523 acres of cropland
that is shallowly flooded at a depth less than or equal to 18 inches during April and May
or 765 acres of herbaceous areas (moist soil areas).
2.1.4 Waterfowl Habitat
The Waterfowl Assessment Methodology (WAM) developed by the USFWS and the
National Biological Service was used to quantify waterfowl impacts associated with the
project. A description of the impacts to waterfowl resources is found in Section 5.5 of
the 2002 RSEIS, Appendix B of the USFWS CAR (2000), and Sections 3.3.2 and 4.3.4
of this RSEIS 2. Constructing the flood damage reduction project would result in an
increase of 545,856 and 53,374 DUDs in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid
Floodway, respectively. However, there would be a decrease in waterfowl habitat of
204,039 DUDs during February and March in the New Madrid Floodway. There are a
variety of methods that compensate for the impacts to waterfowl during February and
March. These methods include but are not limited to flooding fallow fields/moist soil
units, flooding agricultural fields (com, soybeans), or replanting bottomland hardwoods
on cropland with a variety of red oaks.
2.1.5 Fisheries
Impacts to fisheries are found in Section 5.6 and Appendix G (Killgore and Hoover,
2001) of the 2002 RSEIS, Appendix E of the USFWS CAR (2000), and Section 4.3.1 of
this RSEIS 2. The HEP was used to quantify impacts to fisheries. Constmcting flood
damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and closure of the New Madrid
Floodway would impact 145 HUs of riverine habitat (in-stream habitat due to channel
modifications) and 4,213 HUs of floodplain habitat (reduction in floodplain habitat that is
utilized for spawning and rearing).
Mitigation measures that compensate for losses to riverine habitat remain imchanged
from what was discussed in Sections 6.1.3 and Section 9.1 (3) of Appendix L of the 2002
RSEIS. In-stream impacts would be mitigated by the avoidance of channel work where
the state endangered golden topminnow exists, reducing channel enlargement bottom
widths by as much as 60% of what was originally authorized, reducing channel
enlargement reaches to less than 20% of the 144 miles that were originally authorized,
avoidance of bottomland hardwoods within the ROW (66 acres) by conducting work on
one side, placement of riprap at channel intersections, installation of in-stream habitat
improvement stmctures, and the avoidance of a 9-foot strip along the right descending
bank in the Setback Levee Ditch.
Draft RSEIS 2
18
Construction of the flood damage reduction project would result in the greatest impact to
mid-season fish rearing habitat. Therefore, the 2002 RSEIS recommended reforesting
8,375 acres of frequently flooded cropland as mitigation for the unavoidable impacts to
floodplain habitat.
2.2 Summary of the 2002 RSEIS Mitigation Methodology
The overall strategy recommended by the 2002 RSEIS to compensate for unavoidable
impacts to fish and wildlife resources w£is reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural
areas. This would have been accomplished by the acquisition in fee or in easement of a
total of 9,140 acres of land for mitigation. Compensatory mitigation for unavoidable
environmental impacts would have been accomplished by reforestation of approximately
8,375 acres, acquired in fee, with 1,317 acres (Section 6.1, 2002 RSEIS) required for St.
Johns Bayou Basin impacts and 7,058 acres (Section 6.2, 2002 RSEIS) required for New
Madrid Floodway impacts. The ROD stated that the primary goal for this alternative was
the reforestation of frequently flooded cleared lands to bottomland hardwoods. Most of
the compensation would involve planting prior converted croplands with bottomland
hardwoods. Therefore, mitigation activities would have resulted in a net gain to
jurisdictional wetlands and taken a significant amount of cropland out of production. The
creation of bottomland hardwoods would also have offset the potential project impacts to
farmed wetlands. Mitigation lands would have been obtained from willing sellers as
described in Appendix L of the 2002 RSEIS. Frequently flooded lands are the most
desirable lands to provide this compensation and would be the focus of the mitigation
lands acquisition efforts. Other desirable mitigation lands that are not within the 2-year
floodplain would have been pursued for acquisition, in particular, portions of the
approximate 1,800 acres immediately surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park. Resource
agencies may also desire acquisition of lands adjacent to Ten Mile Pond Conservation
Area (CA) or other areas where connectivity to the Mississippi River may be limited, but
overall enhancement for fish and wildlife resources could have been achieved.
Following the 2002 RSEIS methodology, reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural
lands would have been accomplished by planting high habitat valued tree species in a mix
of 85% acoms and 15% RPM trees. Actual species of trees to be planted would have
depended on site-specific land use, soils, and hydrology (pre- and post-mitigation
implementation). Acoms would have been hand or machine planted at a rate of 1,200
acoms/acre in rows to allow two seasons of mowing. Additionally, 15% of the area
would have been planted utilizing RPM trees. At each site planted, there would have
been a minimum of four tree species planted, none of which would exceed 30% of the
total. Plantings would have been morutored to ensure a 70% survival of planted species
after five years. Replanting would have occurred as needed. Potential species would
have included but were not limited to the following:
Draft RSEIS 2
19
Willow Oak
Sugarberry
Pin Oak
Hackberry
Nuttall Oak
Water Oak
Cypress
Cherrybark Oak
Southern Red Oak
Green Ash
Overcup Oak
Pecan
Tupelo
In addition to the acquisition of 8,375 acres, the 2002 RSEIS recommended the
acquisition of restrictive real estate easements or fee acquisition of 765 acres of
herbaceous lands that could be managed to benefit shorebirds. The flooding of 765 acres
of herbaceous wetlands (i.e., moist soil units) would have fully mitigated xmavoidable
impacts to shorebirds per the USFWS CAR (2000).
The 2002 RSEIS incorporated vegetated buffer strips along 64 miles (671 acres) of New
Madrid Floodway channels. Buffer strips would have been planted along various large,
medium, and small channels throughout the Floodway. Another feature incorporated into
the 2002 RSEIS was the establishment of a 300-foot (per side) riparian corridor between
Big Oak Tree State Park and Ten Mile Pond CA (266 acres). The total area that would
have been reforested v^th these two features was approximately 937 acres.
Mitigation measures were to be implemented prior to and concurrent with construction in
accordance with Section 906 of the WRDA of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) as referenced in
Section 6.3 of the 2002 RSEIS. Neither the New Madrid portion of the project nor the St.
Johns Bayou Basin portion of the project would have been operated until all mitigation
lands for each respective portion of the project were acquired and MDNR, MDC, and the
USFWS had an opportunity to review their .suitability.
Detailed mitigation plans would have been submitted for each tract of land purchased for
mitigation. Prior to and/or concurrent with construction of the recommended plan, the
Corps, in coordination with appropriate Federal and Missouri resource agencies and the
local sponsor, would have prepared these detailed mitigation plans to address site-specific
implementation details. The participating agencies included MDC, MDNR, and the
USFWS, as well as the local sponsor.
To assure and document the effectiveness of the mitigation, the Corps would have
developed and implemented a monitoring plan as stated in the 2002 RSEIS (Appendix L,
Section 11.1.2). As appropriate, adaptive adjustments to the mitigation measures would
have been made, if necessary, based on results of these monitoring efforts. However,
these adaptive adjustments would not have applied to the outlet gates or pumping stations
at either the New Madrid Floodway or the St. Johns Pump Stations unless such
adjustments could have been made without incurring additional impacts in the project
area and without increased costs for project operation and maintenance.
Draft RSEIS 2
20
A plan to monitor the effects of project implementation on existing jurisdictional
wetlands and waterway biological communities also would have been developed. This is
a requirement of the WQ Certification and is separate from mitigation monitoring. The
wetland monitoring plan would continue for five years after project operation begins. If
it were determined that project implementation impacted jurisdictional wetlands beyond
that described in the 2002 RSEIS, the Corps would have made every effort to mitigate or
otherwise ameliorate those impacts.
In addition to acquiring a portion of the mitigation lands in the vicinity of Big Oak Tree
State Park, water supply would have been made available from the Mississippi River and
water level management capability would be provided to the park complex. These
measures are detailed in the June 9, 2003, Memorandum of Understanding between
MDNR and Corps for the Protection of Big Oak Tree State Park. This plan would have
increased the size of and management opportunities for Big Oak Tree State Park. This
plan would have been developed in coordination with MDNR, and the specific details
would, at a minimum, have included a mechanism to supply the park with a supplemental
source of surface water, control structures, and berms.
The 2002 RSEIS recommended mitigation would have fully mitigated for the
unavoidable impacts to wildlife, waterfowl, and shorebird resources from project
construction. Additionally, the 2002 RSEIS recommended mitigation would have fully
mitigated for impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and the potential impacts to farmed
wetlands that are currently classified as prior converted cropland. However, the 2002
RSEIS recommended mitigation may not have compensated for all impacts to mid-season
fish rearing habitat. Therefore additional methods are needed to offset the impacts to
mid-season fish rearing habitat.
2.3 Quantification of Mid-Season Fish Rearing Benefits from Mitigation
Measures
The HEP was used to quantify impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat. Appendix G of
the 2002 RSEIS and Section 4.3.1 of this RSEIS 2 provide a discussion of the HEP
procedures and quantifies impacts of the flood damage reduction project. For the purpose
of this RSEIS 2, expected benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from mitigation
measures are also calculated by the same HEP methodology that was used to describe
impacts. However, to accurately quantify mitigation measures, methodologies were
slightly modified from what was developed during the 2002 RSEIS. The modifications
that were made include the following:
• Utilizing other mitigation techniques, in addition to reforestation
• Transition periods for bottomland hardwoods
• Average daily flooded acres
The following paragraphs provide a summary on the techniques used to quantify benefits
to mid-seasón fish rearing habitat from mitigation measures.
Draft RSEIS 2
21
2.3.1 Other Mitigation Techniques, in Addition to Reforestation
Reforestation of agricultural areas was selected as the overall compensatory mitigation
strategy in previous NEPA documents. One major difference between this RSEIS 2 and
the previous NEPA documents is that additional mitigation techniques are being analyzed
in addition to reforestation. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat can be achieved
by converting existing habitat to a higher-valued habitat (e.g., agriculture to bottomland
hardwoods, agriculture to permanent waterbody). The difference in habitat value is
reflected in the HSI values.
2.3.2 Transition Period
As previously stated, mitigation measures usually involve the alteration of one habitat
type to a different habitat type that is of higher value to the resource. This is reflected in
the different Habitat Suitability Index (HIS) values for each respective habitat type. For
instance, bottomland hardwoods are of higher HSI value for selected floodplain fishes as
compared to cropland. The 2002 RSEIS did not accoimt for the transition period needed
to change from one habitat type to another for mitigation purposes. However, this RSEIS
2 accounts for this transition period.
The HEP methodology usually involves calculating transition periods over the life of the
project to account for growth and other factors that provide gains to habitat suitability.
The 2002 RSEIS did not accoimt for this growth period. It would take many years for
reforested bottomland hardwoods to grow to a point that they reach maximum benefit for
floodplain fishes (bottomland hardwoods HSI value). Bottomland hardwoods provide
additional cover (trunk, leaves, twigs, etc.) to rearing fishes that are not found in
agricultural and fallow areas. Forest maturation is not a necessary precursor for the
provision of some benefits for floodplain fishes. Transition periods were broken into two
different types of bottomland hardwood reforestation {i.e., fast growing species and slow
growing species).
Black willow and cottonwood are representative of fast growing species. The Corps
estimated that it would take 10 years to achieve the maximum benefit for floodplain
fishes from planting fast growing species on agricultural areas.
Bald cypress and red oaks are representative of slow growing species. The Corps
estimated that it would take 20 years to achieve maximum benefit for floodplain fishes
from planting slow growing species on agricultural areas. Results from the WAM and
the terrestrial HEP indicate that red oaks provide the greatest benefits to waterfowl and
terrestrial wildlife.
Impacts from construction and gains from compensatory mitigation were calculated as
HUs, but the 2002 RSEIS did not account for transition periods. However, this RSEIS 2
accounts for the transition period. By utilizing the HEP methodology (USFWS, 1980),
HUs are annualized over the 50-year project life. Therefore, for the purpose of this
Draft RSEIS 2
22
RSEIS 2, impacts and gains to mid-season fish rearing habitat are now expressed as
AAHUs.
HEP requires assumptions about future without project conditions in order to annualize
habitat over the life of the project. These assumptions include the amount of habitat
(acreage) and the quality of habitat (HSI). Habitat unit gains and losses are annualized by
summing HUs across all years in the period of analysis and dividing the cumulative HUs
by the number of years in the life of the project. No major change to land use acreage
and value is expected under future without project conditions (see Sections 5.2.1, 5.3.1,
5.4.1, 5.5.1, and 5.6.1 of the 2002 RSEIS). Tlierefore, the values of the projected impacts
of the flood damage reduction project are the same after annualization (i.e., 1,884 and
2,329 AAHUs in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway,
respectively).
Additionally, there is no transition period from converting agricultural areas to fallow and
any habitat type to large or small waterbodies because the change in habitat would be
immediate. The only transition periods necessary to calculate are the conversion of
agricultural areas and/or fallow areas to bottomland hardwoods. Transition calculations
are available in Appendix C of this RSEIS 2.
In summary the 2002 RSEIS did not account for the transition period that it would take
bottomland hardwoods to grow. The 2002 RSEIS concluded that reforestation of
frequently flooded cropland would yield 1.43 HUs and 0.33 HUs per ADFA in the St.
Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway, respectively. However, gains to mid-
season fish rearing habitat fi-om reforestation are of lesser value when transition periods
are accounted for. This RSEIS 2 concludes that reforesting agricultural areas with 20-
year transition species would yield 1.21 and 0.27 AAHUs per ADFA in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway, respectively. Reforesting areas within
batture area or the New Madrid Floodway with 10-year transition species would yield
0.30 AAHUs per ADFA.
2.3.3 Average Daily Flooded Acres
Area of impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat firom project construction was
expressed in terms of ADFA. Therefore, area of mitigation lands for mid-season fish
rearing habitat must also be expressed in terms of ADFA. A description of ADFAs is
found in Section 4.3.1.1 of this RSEIS 2.
•
Since mitigation lands may not be flooded continuously during the mid-season period, a
duration correction factor must be used to determine the fraction of AAHUs gained
relative to ADFA. For example, if reforestation were selected as the compensatory
mitigation technique and continuous duration of flooding on a particular tract of land is
15 days (33% of tiie 45 days during the mid- season period), then the HUs gain would be
equivalent to 0.33 (duration) multiplied by acreage (area) multiplied by HSI (value).
Actual duration will vary depending on site-specific hydrologie conditions. By way of
contrast, mitigating with permanent waterbodies will usually provide 1 ADFA times the
Draft RSEIS 2
23
permanent waterbody HSI gained for every acre of mitigation, since lands are inundated
continuously, including the April 1 to May 15 timeframe (i.e., duration equals 100%).
Comments received by the Corps since the 2002 RSEIS express the opinion that the
proposed reforested mitigation tracts will generally be flooded only about a third (33%)
of the mid-season period, or for 15 days. However, it is clear that site-specific analyses
once tracts are acquired and on-site mitigation techniques are employed are needed to
determine actual inundation duration. However, if that general assumption of 33%
duration were used for planning purposes and mitigation was based solely on
reforestation, three times the amount of mitigation proposed in the 2002 RSEIS would be
required, plus the additional mitigation necessary to account for the transition period.
Reforesting cropland with bottomland hardwoods, in particular with 70% red oaks, is not
always feasible if the land is flooded for long periods during the growing season. The
flooding could cause excessive mortality of the trees. Tree species for specific mitigation
sites would be selected during the development of site-specific mitigation plans with
input from the interagency mitigation team.
2.3.4 Compensatory Mitigation Calculation
Determining unavoidable fish and wildlife habitat impacts is based on HUs, as originally
calculated in the 2002 RSEIS, and refined to AAHUs in this RSEIS 2. The goal of HEP
is to determine the functional value of landscapes expressed as AAHUs. Impacts and
mitigation are enumerated as AAHUs, and the difference between pre- and post-project
AAHUs is defmed as the impact of the project. Therefore, mitigation must compensate
for lost AAHUs, and the amount of mitigation required to fully compensate impacts
depends on the techniques used and their associated habitat value (i.e., HSI value) in the
mitigation plan. AAHUs, not ADFAs, are the key unit used to determine mitigation
requirements. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from mitigation measures
would be calculated by the following equations;
Habitat Gains = AAHUs per tract with mitigation - AAHUs per tract without mitigation
Where AAHUs are calculated by (50-year project life).
AAHUs = Cumulative HUs/50 years
and Cumulative HUs are calculated by.
Cumulative HUs = Z [(Tj - Ti) * (ADFA) *
HSIi + HSE
2
]
where
Draft RSEIS 2
24
T1 = first target year of time interval
T2 = last target year of time interval
ADFA = acres * % average duration of post project flooding from April 1 to May 15.
HSIi = HSI at beginning of time interval
HSI2 = HSI at end of time interval
Compensatory mitigation measures involve the altering of one habitat type to another
higher valued habitat type. This RSEIS 2 analyzes several mitigation techniques that
compensate impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat. Creation of large permanent
waterbodies provides the greatest habitat value per acre.
To reiterate, there are several differences regarding the methodology used to quantify
mid-season fish rearing habitat impacts from construction and benefits from
compensatory mitigation between the 2002 RSEIS and that used in this RSEIS 2. First,
the 2002 RSEIS utilized reforestation of frequently flooded cropland as the primary
means to compensate for the impact to 4,213 mid-season fish rearing HUs. This RSEIS 2
is utilizing several techniques in addition to reforestation that compensate for impacts to
mid-season fish rearing habitat. Second, the 2002 RSEIS expressed impacts and benefits
to mid-season fish rearing habitat as HUs because it did not account for the transition
period for reforestation. This RSEIS 2 accounts for the transition period. To account for
the transition period, impacts from construction and benefits from compensatory
mitigation to mid-season fish rearing habitat are expressed as AAHUs. Third, the 2002
RSEIS did not utilize ADFAs in calculating overall compensatory mitigation acres
required to compensate for the impact to mid-season fish rearing habitat. This RSEIS 2
accounts for ADFA in the calculation of mid-season fish rearing habitat mitigation
benefits.
2.4 Preliminary Mitigation Features
Reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural land remains one means of providing the
required compensatory mitigation. Mitigation is calculated in terms of habitat value,
expressed as AAHU. However, the Corps acknowledges that AAHU calculations must
utilize ADFA equivalence since the resource being used to establish requirements, the
fishery resource, is calculated using ADFAs. If reforestation of frequently flooded
agricultural lands was the only compensatory mitigation method employed, then the
actual acres required would be no less than 8,375 acres, and could conceivably be many
more to assure that the ADFA equivalent requirement is also met. Additionally,
reforesting 8,375 ADFAs does not account for the transition period.
In addition to reforestation of agricultural areas, other compensatory mitigation
techniques are formulated in the following sections. Techniques that provide the longest
duration of flooding during the mid-season fish-rearing period (April 1 to May 15) offer
the highest potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat.
Table 2.1 lists the preliminary techniques that were analyzed for providing mid-season
fish rearing habitat. Preliminary techniques were formulated by the Corps as well as the
Draft RSEIS 2
25
interagency mitigation team. A brief description of techniques that were not retained is
provided in Section 2.5. Techniques that were retained for detailed analysis are provided
in Section 2.6.
Table 2.1. Preliminary Techniques for Providing Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat
Techniques
Retain for
Analysis
(Y/N)
Reason
Shorebird Areas
Y
Already a compensatory mitigation
feature, no additional costs would be
associated.
Borrow Pits
Y
Already a project feature, additional costs
would be associated with increased
footprint.
Measures that Increase Duration
on Mitigation Tracts
Y
Increased flood durations maximize
habitat output.
Permanent Waterbody
Creation/Enhancement
Y
Creation and/or enhancement of
permanent waterbodies produce the
highest habitat output.
Permanent Waterbodies in
Upper Floodway
N
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat
would be difficult to justify in the upper
part of the floodway.
Levee Realignment
N
Construction costs of new levee system
are excessive.
Lower Mississippi River
Conservation Committee
(LMRCC) Identified Areas
Y
Implementation of features identified by
the LMRCC would significantly benefit
lower Mississippi River populations and
communities.
Reconnection of historical
waterways through the levee
N
Construction costs for additional culverts
and gates through the Mississippi River
Frontline Levee are excessive.
Modified Gate Operation
Y
Modifying the gate operation during the
mid-season fish rearing period has the
potential to significantly increase fish
spawning and rearing habitat.
Modified Closure Location
N
The recommended flood damage
reduction plan as outlined in the 2002
RSEIS maximizes national economic
development benefits and minimizes
environmental impacts.
Draft RSEIS 2
26
2.5 Techniques Not Retained for Detailed Analysis
The following paragraphs provide a description of compensatory mitigation techniques
not retained for detailed analysis. A rationale for exclusion from detailed analysis is also
provided.
2.5.1 Permanent Waterbodies in Upper Floodway
Creation of permanent waterbodies provides maximum gains to mid-season fish rearing
habitat. To claim benefits for mid-season fish rearing habitat, fish access would be
required for any type of permanent waterbodies created. The Mississippi River inundates
the lower portion of the New Madrid Floodway at a frequency that is beneficial at
maintaining overall floodplain fish populations (2-year event). Currently, fish have
access to the inundated lower portion of the New Madrid Floodway during flood events.
Fish would continue to have access to the lower portion of the New Madrid Floodway
through the box culverts once the proposed closure is constructed and the gates are
operated. Further information concerning fish access through the New Madrid closure
levee is found in Section 4.3.2.1 of this RSEIS 2.
Mississippi River backwater does not inundate areas in the upper part of the New Madrid
Floodway at a frequency that is beneficial to maintaining overall floodplain fish
populations (frequency is less than the 2-year event). Creation of permanent waterbodies
in the upper section of the floodway would require more frequent Mississippi River
flooding to these areas through a culvert or some other similar device through the
Mississippi River Mainline Levees System. It is likely that the culvert would not be as
large as the four 10-foot by 10-foot box culverts proposed for the New Madrid Floodway
closure. Therefore, the culvert would have to be designed to provide fish access.
Construction of additional culverts can be costly. There are additional costs to ensure
that floodplain fish would have access to the sites. Therefore, permanent waterbodies in
the upper part of the floodway were not considered as a viable mitigation technique due
to the high costs to provide regular fish access to the Mississippi River.
In contrast, creation of permanent waterbodies in the lower portion of the St. Johns
Bayou Basin, the lower portion of the New Madrid Floodway, and throughout the
Mississippi River batture area provide significant mid-season fish rearing habitat because
fish would have access to some or all of these areas during high Mississippi River stages.
Accordingly, these techniques have been retained for detailed analysis.
•
2.5.2 Levee Realignment
Within the project area, the Mississippi Mainline Levee System protects thousands of
acres of land from flooding. Removing existing levees and constructing new levees at
greater distances from the Mississippi River would create additional floodplain habitat
and thus provide fisheries benefits.
Draft RSEIS 2
27
It has been estimated, based on current construction costs, that new levee construction
within the project area would cost approximately $2.4 million per mile. It has also been
estimated that 12.8 miles of new levee construction would be required to create 16,750
acres (assuming 50% duration) of additional floodplain that could be reforested. Based
on this assumed length, the estimated construction costs would be approximately $30.7
million. There would also be additional real estate costs (acquisition or easements) of
approximately $33.5 million.
Realigning the Mississippi River Frontline Levee was deemed imfeasible due to the
expected cost of new levee construction.
2.5.3 Reconnection of Historical Waterways Through the Levee
Recoimection of historical waterways through the Mississippi Mainline Levee would
require the construction of a culvert or some other similar device. Based upon
preliminary planning and cost estimates developed for Big Oak Tree State Park,
reconnection of additional historical waterways through the levee is cost prohibitive.
Additionally, this technique would require the provision of fish access, which is not
assured depending on the nature of the water reconnection (see below). Therefore,
recoimection of historical waterways through the levee system was not considered in
detail.
An exception to not considering reconnection of historical waterways is the Big Oak Tree
State Park water supply feature that may reconnect the historical channel of St. James
Bayou through the levee. The Corps is evaluating this feature in detail. The Corps plans
to provide fish access into the park and 1,800 acres of surrounding lands. One additional
location other than through St. James Bayou has also been considered and is located
southwest of the park near the Mississippi and New Madrid County line. The water
delivery system has not been designed to date. Therefore, benefits to mid-season fish
rearing habitat caimot be quantified at this time. Fish passage would be considered
throughout the design of the water supply feature. The site would be monitored and
appropriate mitigation credits would be calculated if fish can obtain access to the park
and the surrounding 1,800 acres of lands acquired and reforested for compensatory
mitigation.
There is no evidence to support the assumption that the New Madrid Floodway box
culverts would impede fish access. Further information concerning fish access through
the New Madrid closure levee is found in Section 4.3.2.1 of this RSEIS 2.
2.5.4 Modified Closure Location
The 2002 RSEIS analyzed several closure locations to minimize damages to floodplain
fish habitat. The current location was selected because, unlike other locations analyzed
in that document, it maximizes economic benefits, compensates for all significant
impacts to fish and wildlife resources, and has a positive cost of construction to benefit
Draft RSEIS 2
28
ratio. The recommended closure location, as outlined in the 2002 RSEIS, is the National
Economic Development (NED) Plan.
2.6 Compensatory Mitigation Options Considered in Detail for this RSEIS 2
During the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS, the interagency team agreed that
reestablishing forested wetlands would be an effective measure to compensate impacts of
floodplain fisheries habitat, provided the site had significant access for riverine fish fi:om
March through June. Therefore, the 2002 RSEIS focused on the reforestation of 8,375
acres of fi-equently flooded cropland to compensate these impacts.
Reforesting cropland in the project area is not the most efficient means available in the
project area to mitigate fishery impacts. This is due to the expected low durations of
flooding on many of the mitigation tracts currently identified from potential willing
sellers. Therefore, other practical methods for compensating impacts to floodplain fishes
are desirable and are analyzed in this document. Options that create permanent water
habitat provide the most mid-season fish rearing AAHUs.
Creation or enhancement of permanent waterbodies would reduce the overall amount of
acreage required for compensatory mitigation purposes. However, creation or
enhancement of permanent waterbodies does not compensate direct impacts to wetlands
and indirect impacts to farmed wetlands. Furthermore, creation or enhancement of
permanent waterbodies may not fully compensate for impacts to terrestrial wildlife
habitat, shorebird habitat, and waterfowl habitat. Compensatory mitigation methods must
also account for these resources.
Direct impacts to wetlands and indirect impacts to farmed wetlands are discussed in
Section 5.3 of the 2002 RSEIS and Sections 4.2.1 and 5.2 of this RSEIS 2. In summary,
all direct impacts to forested wetlands, indirect impacts to farmed wetlands, and potential
impacts to agricultural lands that are classified as prior converted cropland would be
compensated by restoring or creating wetlands on 7,121 acres of land. Mitigation would
include reforestation of cropland (including 1,800 acres surrounding Big Oak Tree State
Park), constructing moist soil units, planting vegetative buffer strips, and the creation of a
wildlife corridor.
The 2002 RSEIS recommended several avoid, minimize, and compensatory mitigation
measures in which potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing were not quantified.
These measures consist of creation of shorebird areas, vegetated buffer strips, and a
wildlife corridor. Costs were determined for all of these measures for the purpose of
calculating the overall project benefit to cost ratio.
Due to the inconsistency concerning compensatory mitigation calculations in the 2002
RSEIS, the Corps reexamined all of its mitigation methodologies for the purposes of this
RSEIS 2. Overall mitigation calculations are revised in this RSEIS 2 to ensure that all
potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat are accounted for, including all of the
avoid and minimize measures.
Draft RSEIS 2
29
Additionally, the Corps did not calculate benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat fi-om
the construction of borrow pits required for the Setback Levee grade raise in the 2002
RSEIS (refer to Section 2.6.1.7 of this RSEIS 2). In this RSEIS 2, the Corps has
quantified benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat by the construction of 387 acres of
modified borrow pits.
For the purpose of this RSEIS 2, compensatory mitigation is divided into two categories:
(1) Basic Mitigation Feature - Entails most of the compensatory
mitigation features that were developed during the 2002 RSEIS.
Additionally, the basic mitigation feature entails the construction
of modified borrow pits. The basic mitigation feature fully
compensates all significant resource categories except the New
Madrid Floodway mid-season fish rearing habitat.
(2) Additional Techniques - Options that compensate for impacts to
New Madrid Floodway mid-season fish rearing habitat that are not
compensated by the basic mitigation feature.
2.6.1 Basic Mitigation Feature
The basic mitigation feature incorporates most of the mitigation features that were
described in the 2002 RSEIS, stipulated in the WQ Certification, and summarized in
Section 2.2 (Figure 1). The 2002 RSEIS recommended several additional measures for
which benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat were not quantified. Costs were
calculated for these additional measures. The benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat
fi-om these additional measures are included and quantified in the basic mitigation feature
in this RSEIS 2.
The basic mitigation feature entails acquisition of real property interests through purchase
of fee title or restrictive easements from willing sellers on a minimum of 7,121 actual
acres of land to fully compensate the unavoidable impacts to terrestrial wildlife,
waterfowl, shorebirds, the direct losses to wetlands, indirect losses to farmed wetlands,
and a reduction of backwater flooding to prior converted cropland. The 7,121 actual
acres of lands are included as part of the following measures that have been retained from
the 2002 RSEIS:
• Reforest 3,619 acres of cropland (this measure would result in gains to
terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and mid-season fish rearing habitat).
• Construct 765 acres of modified moist soil units on farmland (this measure
would result in gains to shorebirds, waterfowl, and potentially to mid-season
fish rearing habitat).
• Plant vegetative buffer strips on 671 acres of New Madrid Floodway chaimels
(this measure would result in gains to terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and mid-
season fish rearing habitat).
Draft RSEIS 2
30
• Create a 266-acre wildlife corridor between Big Oak Tree State Park and Ten
Mile Pond CA (this measure would result in gains to terrestrial wildlife,
waterfowl, and mid-season fish rearing habitat).
• Reforest 1,800 acres of cropland surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park (this
measure would result in gains to terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and mid-
season fish rearing habitat).
The basic mitigation feature also includes the following:
• Construct 387 acres of modified borrow pits. The modifications made to the
borrow pits would ensure fish usage and access.
• Provide Mississippi River surface water to Big Oak Tree State Park that
would mimic natural flooding conditions.
In reforested areas, species to be planted and survivorship rates would depend on site-
specific conditions (hydrology, soils, etc.) and determined during the development of
site-specific mitigation plans with input from the interagency mitigation team. Mitigation
sites would be monitored to verify success. Preservation of large tracts of existing
bottomland hardwoods may also be used to fulfill reforestation requirements. Notably,
the Corps has acquired the Bogle Woods tract that consists of approximately 1,000 acres
of bottomland hardwoods. The interagency mitigation team requested the acquisition of
this tract because of its high habitat value to multiple resources and the threat of it being
cleared for timber purposes.
Table 2.2 provides gains to significant resource categories by implementing the basic
mitigation feature. Since site-specific areas are required to accurately quantify gains in
each resource category. Conservative estimates have been made throughout this RSEIS 2
to verify economic viability. There would be coordination with the interagency
mitigation team throughout the planning, acquisition, and monitoring of compensatory
mitigation. Site-specific gains to significant resource categories would be quantified
during the development of the detailed site-specific plans. Compensatory mitigation
would be achieved when all significant resource categories are fully compensated.
Overall acreages of required lands may change during the mitigation process.
The basic mitigation feature also entails an extensive monitoring plan to ensure that
project impacts were adequately modeled and that expected gains to resource categories
from compensatory mitigation are achieved. Monitoring is discussed in Section 7 of this
RSEIS 2. •
The paragraphs in Section 2.6.1 describe mitigation techniques and summarize benefits to
fish and wildlife resources with respect to the basic mitigation feature. Subsequent
paragraphs in Section 2.6.2 describe additional mitigation techniques that supplement the
basic mitigation feature and fully compensate remaining impacts to mid-season fish
rearing habitat. Detailed descriptions concerning benefits to fish and wildlife resources
are found in Section 5 and specific calculations are found in Appendix C.
Draft RSEIS 2
31
Table 2.2. Expected Benefíts of Basic Mitigation Feature
Mitigation Measure
Habitat
Wetlands
Wildlife
Waterfowl
Shorebird
SJB Fish
NM Fish
Acres
ECU'
AAHU
DUD
AAHU
AAHU
AAHU
Project Impacts
-622
-964
-2,059
-204,039
-761
-1884
-2329
Reforestation SJB-1,293
acres (fee)
1,293
5,701
1,846
296,097
0
312
0
Reforestation NM - 2,326
acres (fee)
2,326
10,255
3,321
532,654
0
0
38
Modified Moist Soil Unit
- 765 acres (fee)
765
TBD
0
793,305
761
TBD
TBD
Vegetated Buffers - 671
acres (easement)
671
2,958
958
104,005
0
0
9
Wildlife Corridor - 266
acres (easement)
266
1,173
380
60,914
0
0
4
BOTSP Water Supply
0
TBD
0
0
0
0
TBD
BOTSP Perimeter Land
Acquisition -
1,800 acres (fee)
1,800
7,936
2,570
162,000
0
0
TBD
Borrow Pits - 387 acres
(fee)
0
0
0
0
0
1,571
0
TOTAL Basic Mitigation
7,121
28,023
9,075
1,948,975
761
1,884
51
NET CHANGE
6,499
27,059
7,016
1,744,936
0
0
-2,278
Represents the sum of all functional categories
SJB - St. Johns Bayou Basin
NM - New Madrid Floodway
BOTSP - Big Oak Tree State Park
TBD - To be determined during the development of site-specific mitigation plans
2.6.1.1 Reforestation
Approximately 1,293 and 2,326 acres of cropland would be reforested within the St.
Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway, respectively. This is in addition to
1,800 acres of land that would be reforested in the viciiuty of Big Oak Tree State Park.
Reforesting this amount of land would yield an increase of 312 and 38 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway,
•respectively. Specific calculations are found in Section 5.4.2.1 of this RSEIS 2. It is
anticipated that lands would be acquired in fee.
Reforestation would include, preparing the site (deep disking, sub-soiler), restoring
hydrology, planting trees, annual maintenance (mowing, weed control, etc.), and
monitoring to ensure survival. These activities would be described in site-specific
detailed mitigation plans that would be fully coordinated vrith the interagency mitigation
team. Specific species of trees to be planted, seeding/seedling rates, and survivorship
rates would also be addressed in the site-specific plans. If suitable, each tract would be
planted with at least 15% RPM trees.
Draft RSEIS 2
32
2.6.1.2 Shorebird Areas
The USFWS CAR (2000) stated that flooding cropland (209 acres in the St. Johns Bayou
Basin and 1,314 in the New Madrid Floodway) or flooding herbaceous wetlands (105
acres in the St. Johns Bayou Basin, 660 acres in the New Madrid Floodway) would fiilly
compensate for impacts to shorebird habitat from project construction. The 2002 RSEIS
recommended flooding herbaceous wetlands to compensate for the impacts to shorebird
habitat (104 Shorebird AAHUs in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and 657 Shorebird AAHUs
in the New Madrid Floodway) from project construction. These areas could be used to
offset a small portion of the habitat impacts to flsheries and waterfowl, depending on
water depth and access to the area (USFWS CAR, 2000). It is anticipated that lands
would be acquired in fee.
Moist soil units (flooded herbaceous wetlands) are typically used to mange shorebird and
waterfowl resources in the project area. Moist soil unit construction basically involves
building perimeter levees around the site, installing a water control device to precisely
manage water levels (e.g., stop log structure), and providing a source of water usually
through the use of groundwater pumps. This method of moist soil unit construction
would largely reduce or eliminate fisheries access to the site.
Construction of moist soil units can be modified to allow fish access to the site. These
modifications include locating potential areas adjacent to permanent water that supports
aquatic life (e.g., ditch, bayou, stream, etc.) and degrading portions of the perimeter levee
to allow surface water (and fish) to enter during flood events.
Moist soil units would remain flooded during portions of the year. It is highly likely that
portions of these areas would remain flooded from April 1 to May 15. Therefore, it is
likely that these areas would provide mid-season fish rearing habitat. However, benefits
to mid-season fish rearing habitat are not quantified for the purpose of this RSEIS 2
because of uncertainties. These uncertainties include but are not limited to the amount of
flooding on tracts, fish usage, and dissolved oxygen concentration. The Corps intends to
monitor the sites for fish usage. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat would be
quantified if monitoring reveals evidence of fish usage. Creation of modified moist soil
units have the potential to yield an increase of 75 qnd 238 mid-season fish rearing
AAHUs in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway, respectively.
Further discussion on the potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from the
construction of shorebird areas is found in Section 5.4.2.2 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.1.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips
The 2002 RSEIS incorporated vegetated buffer strips along 64 miles of New Madrid
Floodway channels. The 2002 RSEIS calculated habitat gains of buffer strips for in-
stream fish habitat. However, no calculations were made for the potential benefit to mid-
season fish rearing habitat when riparian zones are flooded. Forested riparian zones
provide habitat for fioodplain-spawning fishes similar to larger tracts of bottomland
Draft RSEIS 2
33
hardwoods, but also contribute to in-stream habitat quality by shading, sediment retention
and filtering during run-off from agricultural fields, and adding woody debris to the
stream that is utilized as cover by fish and attachment sites by invertebrates. Other
benefits of buffer strips include decreased stream nutrient loading and the removal of
cropland from production.
Buffer strips would be planted on 671 acres (260 acres of large streams, 233 acres of
medium streams, and 178 acres of small streams). These areas are currently in
agricultural production. Precise locations of buffer areas are not known at this time. A
5% duration of flooding is a reasonable estimate based on calculations that have been
made on tracts of land near Big Oak Tree State Park and Ten Mile Pond CA. Therefore,
assuming that the 671 acres would be immdated for 5% of the mid-season fish-rearing
period, 9 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs can be expected from the establishment of
vegetated buffers in the New Madrid Floodway. Vegetated buffer strips would be
monitored to ensure success of the sites and ensure that expected gains are achieved. It is
anticipated that lands would be acquired through a conservation easement.
It is important to note that a single day of flooding, regardless of depth, is suitable rearing
habitat, as opposed to spawning habitat that requires one foot of depth and eight
consecutive days of inundation. Further discussion on hydrologie requirements for fish
rearing habitat is found in Section 4.3.1.1.
Further discussion on the benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from the creation of
buffer strips is found in Section 5.4.2.3 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.1.4 WUdlife Corridor
Another feature incorporated into the 2002 RSEIS was the establishment of a 300-foot
riparian corridor on each side of a waterway connecting Big Oak Tree State Park and Ten
Mile Pond CA. The total area to be reforested is approximately 266 acres. Existing
habitat is farmland. Therefore, assuming that the 266 acres would be inundated for 5% of
the mid-season fish-rearing period, 4 mid-season fish-rearing AAHUs can be expected by
the establishment of a wildlife corridor in the New Madrid Floodway. The wildlife
corridor would be monitored to ensure success and ensure that expected gains are
achieved. It is anticipated that lands would be acquired through a conservation easement.
•
Further discussion on the benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from the creation of
the wildlife corridor is foimd in Section 5.4.2.4 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.1.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Water Supply
Under existing conditions. Big Oak Tree State Park is experiencing drier conditions than
historical conditions due to adjacent flood control practices in the area {i.e., Mississippi
Mainline Levee, channelization, farm drains and ditches). Historic vegetation consisted
of wetland species adapted to long durations of flooding. Historic vegetation is being
replaced with drier species of vegetation.
Draft RSEIS 2
34
The Corps is designing a water delivery system that would allow Mississippi River water
to ñood the park and mimic a natural flooding regime. Depending on Mississippi River
stages, the system would provide water to the park up to an elevation of 291 feet National
Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) and drain the park to an elevation of 288 feet NGVD.
A water delivery system to bring Mississippi River water into the park was not initially
included in the 2002 RSEIS. However, as part of the WQ Certification, MDNR
requested that the Corps design the system and implement it as a feature of the project. A
Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Corps and MDNR to implement
this feature and is included as Exhibit A to the June 9,2003, WQ Certification.
Supplying Big Oak Tree State Park with Mississippi River water would require a gated
culvert in the Mississippi Mainline Levee to allow for water to enter the park. The Corps
has identified two potential locations for a gated culvert. The first is located at the
historic mouth of St. James Bayou. The average Mississippi River elevation at that point
from 1943 to 1974 for April 1 through May 15 is 294.3 feet NGVD. The river at this
elevation would back into St. James Bayou if the frontline levee had not isolated the rest
of the Bayou from the river. Therefore, a gravity flow system can be designed to allow
river water to inundate the park in an average year. The second location for a gated
culvert is southwest of the park through an existing shallow ditch. MDNR maintains a
drainage easement on this ditch to drain the park.
Under existing conditions. Big Oak Tree State Park offers limited mid-season fish-rearing
habitat due to the infrequent flooding in the area. Existing Corps and local flood control
measures prevent or restrict backwater entrance into the park imtil the river stage at New
Madrid is approximately 297 feet NGVD. Depending on fish access, construction of a
water delivery system has the potential to yield an increase of 446 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs in the existing park.
Due to the complex nature of the water system, the detailed design will not be completed
imtil after a new ROD is signed and resource agencies, particularly MDNR, participate in
the design process with the Corps. Fish access would be considered throughout the
design and construction of the system. Potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing
habitat, as well as detailed plans for the system, would be furnished in a detailed site-
specific mitigation plan. The park would be monitored for fish usage and overall
mitigation would be modified, if necessary. The two potential locations for river water
supply vary in estimated construction costs from $2.8 million to about $5.3 million.
Further discussion of the benefits from supplying Big Oak Tree State Park with
Mississippi River water is found in Section 5.4.2.5 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.1.6 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition
As part of the WQ Certification and Memorandum of Agreement, the Corps has agreed to
acquire in fee approximately 1,800 acres of farmland from willing sellers surrounding
Big Oak Tree State Park and plant bottomland hardwoods to mimic the natural diversity
Draft RSEIS 2
35
of the park. It was anticipated that the 1,800 acres of land would be included in the
overall 8,375 acres of mitigation land during the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS.
Therefore, the potential benefits of acquiring and reforesting cropland around Big Oak
Tree State Park for mid-season fish rearing habitat were already accounted for in the
2002 RSEIS. However, the 2002 RSEIS did not account for ADFAs in mitigation
calculations or the supply to Big Oak Tree State Park of Mississippi River surface water.
Therefore, new analysis is required for this technique.
The cropland around Big Oak Tree State Park ranges in elevation from 285 feet NGVD
to 295 feet NGVD, and most falls below 292 feet NGVD. Due to the infi*equency of
flooding in the area, limited mid-season fish rearing habitat exists. Fish access must be
established to quantify benefits to mi-season fish rearing habitat. Portions of the existing
levee surrounding the park would be degraded to allow for connectivity between the park
and newly acquired lands. Where necessary, a new perimeter levee would be constructed
aroimd these newly acquired areas adjacent to the existing park to avoid causing flood
damages to surrounding croplands.
In the event that the water supply feature provides fish access to the park and the newly
acquired and reforested 1,800 acres of land, 504 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs (at
lands below 291 feet NGVD) may be gained. If applicable, mitigation credits would be
quantified during the development of detailed mitigation plans and verified through
monitoring.
Further discussion on the potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from
acquiring and reforesting 1,800 acres of cropland surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park
and supplying Mississippi River water is found in Section 5.4.2.6 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.1.7 Borrow Pits
The closure of the New Madrid Floodway and associated levee raises would require fill
material. It is assumed that material obtained from channel enlargement activities would
be used for closure of the levee gap. Levee grade raises would require an additional 2.4
million cubic yards of material. Impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat from project
construction can be mitigated by the proper construction of borrow pits.
Pie Corps and the USFWS agreed that construction of borrow pits that are accessible to
river and floodplain fishes during the spavming/rearing season was an appropriate
measure for compensating impacts of seasonally-connected permanent waterbodies in the
floodplain during the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS. In the 2000 SEIS, it was
acknowledged that construction of borrow pits is expensive (2000 SEIS, Page 86), and
mitigation planners did not realize an additional source of material was required for the
Setback Levee grade raise (2.4 million cubic yards). Therefore, borrow pits were not
quantified in the 2000 SEIS as a mitigation feature. Due to the costs, the 2002 RSEIS did
not specifically recommend construction of new borrow pits to compensate impacts to
fish. However, the Corps and the USFWS agreed to pursue opportunities for permanent
waterbody creation (2002 RSEIS, Section 6.2.3). The Corps still intends on using
Draft RSEIS 2
36
material obtained from enlargement of St. Johns Bayou for material to construct the levee
closure for the Floodway. However, there is a need for an additional 2.4 million cubic
yards of material to raise the Setback Levee (2002 RSEIS, various locations). The cost of
new borrow areas to provide this material was factored into the overall project benefit to
cost ratio during the 2002 RSEIS. The mitigation planners did not consider the use of
these areas as compensatory mitigation. This RSEIS 2 quantifies the potential benefits to
mid-season fish rearing habitat from borrow pit construction. Additional costs have been
added to the initial cost due to a change in borrow pit designs to maximize benefits to
fish.
Construction of borrow pits would follow the guidelines established by Aggus and
Ploskey (1986), which recommend some areas of deep water (e.g., 6-10 feet), a sinuous
shoreline, establishment of islands, and a variable bottom topography. Average depth of
borrow pits, like other permanent waterbodies, influences the fish assemblage. Shallow
areas are suitable for characteristic wetland fishes such as fliers, pirate perch, taillight
shiners, and young-of-year fishes. Deeper areas are more conducive for sport and
commercial fishes. Therefore, borrow pit construction will recognize the importance of
providing shallow and deep water to benefit the maximum number of species and life
stages. Borrow pits would be located in areas that would allow access for floodplain
fishes during flood events.
Based upon the amount of borrow required, the pit(s) could be designed so that half the
material would be taken from areas dug to an average depth of 6 feet and half taken from
areas averaging 3 feet deep. The total borrow pit area would be approximately 387 acres.
It is anticipated that it would take several different pits to total 387 acres. Site-specific
areas would be identified in detailed mitigation plans. Due to a desire to minimize the
hauling distance of the borrow material to the Setback Levee, it would be most desirable
to locate the borrow pit(s) in the downstream end of the St. Johns Bayou Basin.
Construction of 387 acres of borrow pits in the lower end of St. Johns Bayou Basin
would yield a net increase of 1,571 AAHUs. It is anticipated that lands would be
acquired in fee.
The lower end of the St. Johns Bayou Basin is the most desirable area to locate the
borrow pits for planning and construction purposes. However, it may be desirable to
locate pits in the New Madrid Floodway during construction. Benefits to mid-season fish
rearing habitat from borrow pits located in the floodway would be calculated utilizing
New Madrid Floodway HSI values. Site-specific locations and overall designs would be
addressed in the detailed mitigation plans.
# .
The estimated costs of creating uniform 8-foot deep borrow pits and constructing the
Setback Levee grade raise was mcluded in the recommended plan's construction cost in
the 2002 RSEIS. The additional cost is the incremental cost to change from a uniform 8-
foot deep borrow pit to a permanent waterbody that provides fishery habitat that is
described in Section 5.4.2.7.
Draft RSEIS 2
37
2.6.2 Additional Techniques That Supplement the Basic Feature and Compensate
for Remaining Impacts to Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat
These additional techniques are formulated to demonstrate that significant impacts to fish
and wildlife resources can be mitigated and demonstrate that the overall project is
economically justified (Figure 2). The compensatory mitigation features described in the
following paragraphs are techniques that may be utilized, but one technique is not
recommended to the exclusion of another. Mitigation plans typically incorporate a
variety of techniques to benefit different groups of organisms, improve the function and
value of the landscape and provide flexibility to address requirements of resource
agencies.
Additionally, other potential mitigation techniques that are not specifically mentioned in
this document may be explored as new lands and information become available. The
adequacy of these techniques would be coordinated with the interagency mitigation team.
There may be additional cases in which the interagency mitigation team would consider
trade-offs. Trade-offs could pursue mitigation techniques for a different resource at the
expense of the mid-season fish rearing habitat. An example would be restoring
Mississippi River side channel habitat. This action would significantly benefit
Mississippi River fishes, including adults that may eventually spawn in the floodplain.
However, it might not benefit floodplain mid-season rearing habitat of larval fish.
Another example of trade-offs would be to acquire/preserve high valued habitat that
would benefit the overall ecosystem. Bottomland hardwoods are critical to a wide variety
of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. However, these tracts may be
situated in higher elevation lands where mid-season floodplain fishes cannot access.
Lack of access precludes benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat, but there may be
indirect benefits associated with large, contiguous forests {e.g., improvement in water
quality, transport of organic carbon, and sediment retention). All additional mitigation
techniques would be fully coordinated with the interagency mitigation team. NEPA
documentation would be provided for these additional techniques, if required.
2.6.2.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation
Remaining impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat that were not compensated by the
basic mitigation feature would be mitigated by additional reforestation of agricultural
areas. Additional reforested areas could take place within the St. Johns Bayou Basin, the
New Madrid Floodway, or the batture land. Gains to mid-season fish rearing habitat
would be achieved by replacing cropland (low HSI value) with bottomland hardwoods
(higher HSI value). It is anticipated that lands would be acquired in fee.
2.6.2.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration
Reforestation was the basic mitigation strategy developed during the formulation of the
2002 RSEIS. Increasing flood duration on reforested areas during the period of April 1 to
May 15 would provide additional mid-season fish rearing habitat. Increased flood
durations can be achieved by holding water for longer durations on mitigation tracts.
Draft RSEIS 2
38
Increased flood durations would be possible due to the high clay content in existing soil
and the high water table within the project area. Flood duration in mitigation sites would
be increased by excavating deeper areas within the tract including connection charmels,
constructing perimeter berms, and installing water control devices (stop log structures,
screw gates). Floodplain fishes would enter the sites through natural flooding events
(mitigation sites would be located in areas that offer fish access through natural flooding).
Floodwaters could conceivably be held for the entire 45-day mid-season fish rearing
period. Species (i.e., bald cypress, túpelo, black willow) that are capable of withstanding
this type of flood duration would be planted on the sites. A 2-week period (31%
duration) could be desired on tracts that are predominantly planted with red oaks. Fish
would return as floods recede naturally or through the water control device.
Trees that can tolerate site-specific flooding would be planted on the tract. Species
would be selected during the development of the site-specific mitigation plan with input
fi-om the interagency mitigation team. Species to be used could include but are not
limited to bald cypress, túpelo, green ash, Nuttall oak, water oak, pin oak, and water
hickory.
As an example, a 100-acre tract of farmland with flood duration of 5% is reforested in the
vicinity of Ten Mile Pond CA. This action would yield a net increase of 1.33 AAHUs
due to duration of 5%. However, that same tract of land would yield a net increase of
17.9 AAHUs if duration were increased to 31% by the use of perimeter levees and other
water control devices. This calculation is provided in Appendix C, Calculations 1 and 2.
Fish clearly must have access to the site during flood events.
In addition to efforts to increase tract specific flood duration, prioritizing acquisition of
frequently flooded tracts will also improve fish habitat quality. This would include
reforesting low-lying areas that are firequently flooded, especially in the sump areas of the
flood damage reduction project. The Eagles Nest area (New Madrid Floodway sump
area) is one example. Reforesting these areas would increase gains to mid-season fish
rearing habitat compared to lands located at higher elevations. As an example, duration
of inundation in the Eagles Nest Area during April 1 to May 15 is approximately 37%, as
opposed to inundation of areas around Ten Mile Pond CA that is only 5%. Therefore, a
100-acre tract of farmland that is reforested in the Eagles Nest Area would yield a net
increase of 9.87 AAHUs, as opposed to a 100-acre tract in the vicinity of Ten Mile Pond
CA that would only yield a net increase of 1.33 AAHUs. This calculation is provided in
Appendix C, Calculations 1 and 2.
Further discussion on increasing flood durations on mitigated tracts of land is provided in
Section 5.4.3.2 of this RSEIS 2.
2.6.2.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterbodies
Riley Lake is a 36-acre lake located on Donaldson Point. Numerous floodplain lakes,
such as Riley Lake, exist in the batture. Normally, these lakes become very shallow or
Draft RSEIS 2
39
completely dewatered after floods recede. Larval fish abundance can be high in
floodplain lakes because many species concentrate in permanent waterbodies for feeding
and reproductive purposes. Maintaining suitable water depths after disconnection will
improve survival rate and contribute to overall recruitment of fish once the lakes become
reconnected to the Mississippi River during flood pulses. A weir could be designed that
would create increased permanent water area. Riley Lake is only one example of an
opportunity to reconnect or manage water levels of permanent waterbodies to enhance
survival of early life history stages of fish. A list of potential lakes and potential
increases to surface areas is provided in Table 2.3. The mitigation team may consider
restoring some of these permanent waterbodies as mitigation for the flood control project
in addition to or instead of the Riley Lake feature. It is anticipated that lands would be
acquired through a fiowage easement or fee title.
Table 2.3. Potential Floodplain Lakes
Description
Mississippi
River Mile
Existing Surface
Acres
Restored/Enhanced
Surface Acres
No. 3 Chute
930
133
201
Wolf Island Bend
930
149
270
Pecan Chute
880
24
78
Point Pleasant Chute
880
205
265
Williams Chute
870
23
176
Stewart Bar Chute
865
47
197
Robinson Lake
853
3
218
Mid-season fish rearing benefits to Riley Lake would be calculated by the conversion of
existing conditions (agricultural areas and bottomland hardwoods) to a permanent
waterbody. Table 2.4 provides expected benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat by
increasing the size of Riley Lake at various weir heights. Discussions of the benefits to
fisheries from the creation/restoration of floodplain lakes are found in Sections 4.3.2.2
and 5.4.3.3 of this document.
Restoration usually involves replacing the existing habitat with another habitat that is of
greater benefit to the target species. In this case, permanent water is of greater value to
mid-season spawning and rearing fishes than bottomland hardwoods and agricultural
^eas. No additional compensatory mitigation would be required from the mortality of
existing vegetation due to permanent inundation because this action would result in a net
increase to mid-season fish rearing habitat.
Draft RSEIS 2
40
Table 2.4. Expected Surface acres of Riley Lake and mid-season físh rearing
habitat value
Existing Conditions
(acres)
Mitigated Conditions
Elevation
Permanent
Water
Bottomland
Hardwood
(BLH)
Farmland
Permanent
Water (acres)
AAHU
Gain
285
36
112
97
245
399
286
36
150
145
333
577
287
36
180
216
432
774
288
36
228
274
538
992
289
36
295
349
680
1290
The LMRCC, made up of Federal and state resource agencies, has published a list of
backwaters in the Mississippi River floodplain that state and federal resource agencies
have identified as restoration sites. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat can be
calculated for these features as well.
Restoration of Chute # 7 is used as another example. Chute #7 is a 75-acre floodplain
lake located along the right descending bank of the Mississippi River just outside of the
New Madrid Floodway within the batture area. Concerns have been expressed regarding
the sedimentation rates in the lake because it is slowly filling in. Restoration of Chute #7
would consist of excavating/dredging out the historical channel to improve the 75-acre
lake. The existing habitat consists of a shallow (less than 3 feet) waterbody. The
restoration of Chute #7 would result in the expected gain of 126 mid-season fish rearing
AAHUs.
2.6.2.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent Waterbodies
Within the project area, historic stream conditions consisted of slow-moving meandering
streams, bayous, and small oxbows. Most of these natural conditions have been altered
by ditching, channelization, and leveling. Remnants of these historic channels remain
throughout the study area. These areas flood fi-equently but have brief durations due to
drainage features that have been constructed. Opportunities exist to restore hydrology to
these areas. Wetland fishes, amphibians, and other species that are adapted to smaller
waterbodies, and are relatively rare in the study area typically inhabit these habitats.
Techniques for restoring hydrology to areas can include but are not limited to, plugging
drains and ditches, excavating channels to reconnect historical oxbows, restoring
historical meanders, and removing small levees. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing
habitat would be calculated on a case-by-case basis.
2.6.2.5 Technique 5; Modified Gate Operation
The operation of gates in the New Madrid Floodway or St. Johns Bayou could be
modified to create a spawning and rearing pool during the mid-season period. Gates
could remain open to the maximum extent practical to allow fish access. During the mid-
Draft RSEIS 2
41
season the gates would be closed to pool water and create a spawning and rearing pool.
The gates would be reopened following the mid-season, thus allowing fish return access
to the Mississippi River.
The modified gate operation could occur in either the New Madrid Floodway or St. Johns
Bayou outlet structure, or both. The operation could be adjusted to operate at a range of
elevations that would vary the size of the spawning and rearing pool. Benefits to mid-
season fish rearing habitat firom the modified gate operation in one particular basin could
be counted towards mitigation credit for either or both basins. Respective HSI values
must be used. As an example, benefits to the New Madrid Floodway may be credited if
the St. Johns Bayou gate operation was modified. The New Madrid Floodway HSI
values would be used to calculate credit.
2.6.2.5.1 Technique 5a: New Madrid Floodway Modified Gate Operation
The recommended flood damage reduction plan as outlined in Section 2.3.2.1 of the 2002
RSEIS would allow flooding from the Mississippi River in the New Madrid Floodway up
to an elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD and a stop pump elevation of 283.4 feet NGVD
during the period April 1 to May 15. As the river elevation dropped below 284.4 feet
NGVD, the gravity gates could be opened allowing the interior stages to drop, as the river
stages fall. This avoid and minimize alternative was recommended because it reduced
impacts to fish spawning and rearing habitat.
The New Madrid Floodway gravity structure would remain open to allow water to reach
an elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD. At this point, the gates would be used to maintain a
maximum spawning and rearing pool elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD until May 15 even
when the Mississippi River stages drop well below elevation 284.4 feet NGVD.
Different spawning and rearing pool elevations can be maintained depending on overall
mitigation needs. Maintaining an elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD is used as an example.
Mississippi River stages would dictate how the spawning and rearing pool elevation is
maintained. The gates would remain open up to 284.4 feet NGVD, allowing Mississippi
River backwater to enter the spawning and rearing pool. The gates would be regulated to
allow interior events to drain when the Mississippi River is below an elevation of 284.4
feet NGVD. Pumps would be used to drain interior events when the Mississippi River is
above an elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD. This action would create a seasonal permanent
waterbody that would provide habitat for spawning and rearing fishes.
Table 2.5 provides different scenarios of spawning and rearing pool elevations, ADFAs,
and gains in mid-season fish rearing AAHUs. It is anticipated that real estate would be
purchased in fee for all lands at and below the spawning and rearing pool elevation.
Suitable vegetation that is tolerant to the flooding regime would be planted or would be
allowed to grow naturally. On any lands within or adjacent to the pooling area that are
not otherwise purchased in fee, flowage easements would be required due to soil
saturation and/or seepage.
Draft RSEIS 2
42
Table 2.5. Fish AAHU gains for alternative modifîed gate operations, New Madrid
Floodway
Gate Operation
Spawning
and Rearing
Pool Acres
Additional
Purchase/Easement
Acres
ADFA
AAHU
AAHU
Gain
Recommended Plan
(2002 RSEIS)
N/A
N/A
1,036
669'
-
284.4 feet NGVD
(April 1 - May 15)
2,000
850/664
1,531
3,368
2,699
283.4 feet NGVD
(April 1 - May 15)
1,420
580/0
1,131
2,488
1,819
284.4 feet NGVD
(April 1 - April 30)
283.4 feet NGVD
(May 1 - May 15)
2,000
850/664
1,384
3,045
2,376
282 feet NGVD ^
(April 1 - May 15)
853
362/0
707
1,555
1,145
N/A - not applicable
'This gain was already captured in the 2002 RSEIS as a reduction in impact.
^This elevation is below the stop pump elevation during high Mississippi River stages. Water
would recede below this elevation as the Mississippi River drops. Gains to mid-season fish
rearing habitat would be achieved by holding water at 282 feet NGVD until May 15 as opposed
to allowing the water to recede. Additionally, the existing condition of elevation 282 feet NGVD
provides 410 AAHU. Benefits to a spawning and rearing pool held at elevation 282 feet NGVD
was calculated by subtracting the existing condition (410 AAHU) from the mitigated condition
(1,555 AAHU).
In the period of record years 1943 to 1974, the existing conditions ponding elevation in
the New Madrid Floodway stayed above 284.4 feet NGVD in only 3 of the 32 years
(1944, 1951, and 1973) from April 1 to May 15 (See 2002 RSEIS, Appendix C, Plates
56-87). In many of the remaining years, the Mississippi River rose above an elevation of
284.4 feet NGVD for a portion of the April 1 to May 15 period but did not remain at that
elevation. The proposed gate operation, if it were utilized during the period from 1943 to
1974, would have allowed interior ponding to remain at elevation 284.4 feet NGVD in
those years. Additionally, the gates could have been operated to achieve a lower ponding
level in the years that 284.4 feet NGVD was not reached from April 1 to May 15.
2.6.2.5.2 Technique 5b: St. Johns Bayou Modified Gate Operation
The closure gates in the St. Johns Bayou could also be managed in a similar fashion as
proposed in the New Madrid Floodway. Table 2.6 provides one scenario of spawning
and rearing pool elevation, total acreage, flowage easement acreages, ADFAs, and gains
in mid-season fish rearing habitat. The table is divided into two sections based upon
respective basins that mitigation is intended to compensate.
Draft RSEIS 2
43
Table 2.6. AAHU gains for alternative modifíed gate operation, St. Johns Bayou
Gate
Operation
Spawning
and
Rearing
Pool
Acres
Additional
Purchase/Easement
Acres
ADFA
AAHU
AAHU
Gain
St. Johns
Bayou^
Recommended
Plan (2002
RSEIS)
N/A
N/A
427
667
283 feet
NGVD (1
April - 15
May)
986
168/1046
726
3,049
2,380
New
Madrid
Floodway^
Recommended
Plan (2002
RSEIS)
N/A
N/A
427
288
283 feet
NGVD (1 .
April-15
May)2
986
168/1046
726
1,597
1,309
N/A - not applicable
'This utilizes St. Johns Basin HSI values
^This utilizes New Madrid Floodway HSI values
In the period of record years 1943 to 1974, the existing conditions interior ponding
elevation in St. Johns stayed above an elevation of 283 feet NGVD in only 5 of the 32
years (1944^ 1945, 1951, 1962, and 1973) from April 1 to May 15 (See 2002 RSEIS,
Appendix C, Plates 3-34). In many of the remaining years, the St. Johns interior water
surface elevation rose above an elevation of 283 feet NGVD for a portion of the April 1
to May 15 period but did not remain at that elevation. The proposed gate operation, if it
were utilized during the period from 1943 to 1974, would have allowed interior ponding
to remain at 283 feet NGVD in those years. Additionally, the gates could have been
operated to maintain a lower ponding level in the yèars tiiat 283 feet NGVD was not
reached from April 1 to May 15.
•
2.7 Mitigation Scenarios
Two objectives of this RSEIS 2 are to demonstrate that compensatory mitigation is
attainable and that the project is still economically justified. The techniques discussed
vrithin Section 2.6 above are a variety of options that may be used to overcome the deficit
in mid-season fish rearing habitat. The basic mitigation feature would fully compensate
impacts to jurisdictional wetlands, terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and shorebirds. The
basic mitigation would also fully mitigate impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat in
the St. Johns Bayou Basin and partially mitigate impacts to mid-season fish rearing
Draft RSEIS 2
44
habitat in the New Madrid Floodway. There are numerous potential scenarios that could
be implemented that mitigate for the remaining impacts.
This RSEIS 2 is not recommending one specific scenario. However, this RSEIS 2 is
recommending a whole host of mitigation techniques that could be used to mitigate
impacts and provide for flexibility in mitigation development. Site-specific techniques
would be determined and formulated in the site-specific mitigation plans. Flexibility is
needed due to the following reasons:
• The provisions of WRDA 1986, 906(b)(1) state that the Corps of Engineers can
not condemn land for the purpose of compensatory mitigation. Mitigation must
be accomplished through willing sellers. Site-specific areas are required in order
to calculate precise mitigation benefits. Site-specific areas are not known at this
time.
• Tracts of land that have currently been identified as willing sellers may not still be
willing to sell at the time the Corps or local sponsor is ready to purchase or the
asking price of the land may be unreasonable. The mitigation plan must be
flexible to account for these potential issues.
• Additional tracts ofland may be identified as willing sellers in the future. These
tracts may be highly desirable for compensating fish rearing impacts. The
mitigation plan must be flexible to include these additional areas.
• Many of the additional techniques would require detailed analysis during the
development of the site-specific mitigation plan. For instance, it may be
determined during the development of a site-specific shorebird mitigation tract
that the site cannot hold water at durations suitable for shorebirds due to a sand
lens or other geological formation. Mitigation must be flexible to allow for a site-
specific appropriate plan.
Mitigation credits would be calculated during the development of site-specific detailed
mitigation plans. These plans would be fully coordinated with the interagency mitigation
team, the local sponsor, and adjacent landowners. The mitigation goal would ultimately
be reached when habitat values (AAHUs, DUDs, etc.) are appropriately replaced, not
when a certain quantity of acres is procured and mitigation features implemented.
Compensatory mitigation would occur concurrently with construction of flood damage
reduction features. The New Madrid portion of the project or the St. Johns Bayou portion
of the project shall not be operated imtil all mitigation lands for the respective portion of
the project are acquired • and all detailed mitigation plans approved by MDNR.
Conservative estimates regarding likely gains to habitat have been made for the purpose
of this RSEIS 2. Mitigation sites would be monitored after the project is operating to
ensure success. Mitigation needs would be revised accordingly based on monitoring
results. Revisions could include increases or decreases in overall acreages. However,
increases in mitigation acreages are not anticipated because conservative estimates have
been made throughout this RSEIS 2.
Draft RSEIS 2
45
Table 2.7 provides four conceptual scenarios for illustrative purposes that demonstrate
that mitigation fully compensates for impacts to all significant resource categories. Table
2.8 provides a summary of real estate requirements for each scenario. As stated above,
these are only conceptual scenarios. Table 2.9 provides the cost to implement the
different mitigation scenarios.
2.7.1 No Federal Action
The St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway would not be constmcted under the No
Federal Action option. Existing conditions (land use, flood fi-equency, etc.) would
remain the same. The recently acquired real estate for compensatory mitigation purposes
would most likely be transferred out of public ownership and would most likely revert to
without project conditions, primarily consisting of current agricultural uses.
2.7.2 Scenario A
Scenario A incorporates the basic mitigation feature, modifies the New Madrid Floodway
gate operation to create a spawning and rearing pool at an elevation of 283.4 feet NGVD
from April 1 to May 15, restores Riley Lake to an elevation of 286 feet NGVD, and
reforests an additional 200 acres of cropland in the batture area. Scenario A would fully
compensate the impacts to shorebird and mid-season fish rearing habitat in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin, and over-compensate for impacts to wetlands, wildlife, and mid-season fish
rearing habitat in the New Madrid Floodway. The associated costs of Scenario A
(including flood control features) is approximately $107,097,000. The overall project
benefit to cost ratio at the current interest rate of 5.125% is 1.03:1. Scenario A mitigates
impacts to all significant resource categories and is economically justified.
2.7.3 Scenario B
Scenario B incorporates the basic mitigation feature and modifies the New Madrid
Floodway gate operation to create a spawning and rearing pool at an elevation of 284.4
feet NGVD from April 1 to April 30 and decreases to 283.4 feet NGVD from May 1 to
May 15. Scenario B would fully compensate the impacts to shorebird and mid-season
fish rearing habitat in the St. Johns Bayou Basin, and over-compensate for impacts to
wetlands, wildlife, and mid-season fish rearing habitat in the New Madrid Floodway.
The associated costs of Scenario B (including flood control features) are approximately
$106,363,000. The overall project benefit to cost ratio at the current interest rate of
5.125% is 1.04:1. Scenario B mitigates impacts to all significant resource categories and
is economically justified.
2.7.4 Scenario C
Scenario C incorporates the basic mitigation feature, modifies the St. Johns Bayou gate to
create a spawning and rearing pool at an elevation of 283 feet NGVD, restores Riley
Lake to an elevation of 288 feet NGVD, and reforests an additional 1,050 acres of
cropland in the batture area. Mid-season fish rearing credit would be taken for the New
Draft RSEIS 2
46
Madrid Floodway by modifying the operation of the St. Johns Bayou gate. New Madrid
HSI values were used to calculate benefits. Scenario C fully compensates impacts to
shorebirds and mid-season fish rearing habitat in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and tiie New
Madrid Floodway. Additionally, Scenario C over-compensates for losses to wetlands,
terrestrial wildlife, and waterfowl. The associated cost of Scenario C (including flood
control features) is approximately $109,869,000. The overall project benefit to cost ratio
at the current interest rate of 5.125% is 1.01:1. Scenario C mitigates impacts to all
significant resource categories and is economically justified.
2.7.5 Scenario D
Scenario D incorporates the basic mitigation feature, modifies operation of the St. Johns
Bayou gate to create a spawning and rearing pool at 283 feet NGVD from April 1 to May
15, and modifies operation of the New Madrid Floodway gate to create a spawning and
rearing pool at an elevation of 282 feet NGVD from April 1 to May 15. Mid-season fish
rearing credit would be taken for the New Madrid Floodway by modifying the St. Johns
Bayou gate. New Madrid HSI values were used to calculate benefits. Scenario D fully
compensates impacts to shorebirds and mid-season fish rearing habitat in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin. Additionally, Scenario D over-compensates for losses to wetlands,
terrestrial wildlife, waterfowl, and mid-season fish rearing impacts in the New Madrid
Floodway. The associated costs of Scenario D (including flood control features) are
approximately $105,953,000. The overall project benefit to cost ratio at the current
interest rate of 5.125% is 1.04:1. Scenario D mitigates impacts to all significant resource
categories and is economically justified.
2.8 Mitigation Summary
As shown in Tables 2.7 and 2.9 there are several different scenarios that achieve
compensatory mitigation requirements and still show a positive benefit to cost ratio.
Actual mitigation credit would be determined during the development of site-specific
detailed mitigation plans. It is important to reiterate that the New Madrid portion of the
project or the St. Johns Bayou portion of the project shall not be operated until all
mitigation lands for the respective portion of the project are acquired and all detailed
mitigation plans are approved by MDNR. The Corps intends to construct the flood
damage reduction features concurrently with mitigation. However, operation of the
project (closing the new gates and operating the pumps) would not occur until all detailed
mitigation plans are approved. Monitoring would ensure that expected gains to resource
categories are achieved.
#
Draft RSEIS 2
47
Table 2.7. Conceptual Mitigation Scenarios
Scenario
Wei
tlands
Wildlife
Waterfowl
Shorebird
SJB Fish
NMF Fish
acres
ECU'
AAHU
DUD
AAHU
AAHU
AAHU
Project Impacts
-622
-964
-2,059
-204,039
-761
-1,884
-2,329
Basic Mitigation Feature
Reforestation SJB - 1,293 acres (fee)
1,293
5,701
1,846
296,097
0
312
0
Reforestation NM - 2,326 acres (fee)
2,326
10,255
3,321
532,654
0
0
38
Modified Moist Soil Unit - 765 acres (fee)
765
TBD
0
793,305
761
TBD
TBD
Vegetated Buffers - 671 acres (easement)
671
2,958
958
104,005
0
0
9
Wildlife Corridor - 266 acres (easement)
266
1,173
380
60,914
0
0
4
BOTSP Water Supply
0
TBD
0
0
0
0
TBD
BOTSP Perimeter Land Acquisition -
1,800 acres (fee)
1,800
7,936
2,570
162,000
0
0
TBD
Borrow Pits - 387 acres (fee)
0
0
0
0
0
1,571
0
TOTAL Basic Mitigation
7,121
28,023
9,075
1,948,975
761
1,884
51
NET CHANGE
6,499
27,059
7,016
1,744,936
0
0
-2,278
Scenario A
Additional Reforestation -
200 acres batture (fee)
200
882
159
18,000
0
0
19
Modified Gate - NMF 283.4 feet NGVD -
2,000 acres (fee)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
0
1,819
Riley Lake - 286 feet NGVD — 432 acres (fee)
0
0
0
0
0
0
577
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario A
7,321
28,904
9,234
1,966,975
761
1,884
2,466
NET CHANGE
6,699
27,940
7,175
1,762,936
0
0
137
Draft RSEIS 2
48
Scenario B
Modified Gate - NMF 284.4 to 283.4 feet
NGVD Combination - 2,850 acres (fee)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
0
2,376
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario B
7,121
28,023
9,075
1,948,975
761
1,884
2,427
NET CHANGE
6,499
27,059
7,016
1,744,936
0
0
98
Scenario C
Additional Reforestation -
1,050 acres batture (fee)
1,050
4,629
1,500
94,500
0
0
117
Modified Gate - SJB^ 283 feet NGVD -
1,154 acres (fee)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
0
1,309
Riley Lake - 288 feet NGVD - 680 acres (fee)
0
0
0
0
0
0
992
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario C
8,171
32,651
10,575
2,043,475
761
1,884
2,469
NET CHANGE
7,549
31,687
8,516
1,839,436
0
0
140
Scenario D
Modified Gate SJB^ 283 feet NGVD -
1,154 acres (fee)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
0
1,309
Modified Gate NMF 282 feet NGVD -
1,215 acres (fee)
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
0
1,145
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario D
7,121
28,023
9,075
1,948,975
761
1,884
2,505
NET CHANGE
6,499
27,059
7,016
1,744,936
0
0
176
TBD - To be determined during the development of site-specific detailed mitigation plans
'Represents the sum of all functional categories
^Credits would be taken for fish rearing impacts in the New Madrid Floodway. New Madrid Floodway HSI values were used.
Draft RSEIS 2
49
Table 2.8. Real estate requirements for alternative mitigation scenarios
Scenario
Terrestrial Lands
Terrestrial Lands
Permanent Water
Total Area
Acquired (Fee)
Acquired (Easement)'
(fee)
Acquired
A
8,384
937
817
10,138
B
9,034
937
387
10,358
C
8,388
937
1,087
10,412
D
8,553
937
387
9,877
figure does not include additional acreages required for flowage easements or winter waterfowl
ponding easements.
Table 2.9. Mitigation costs and overall benefit to cost ratios for alternative
Scenario
Total First Cost
Benefit:Cost'
A
$35,126,000
1.03:1
B
$34,392,000
1.04:1
C
$37,898,000
1.01:1
D
$33,982,000
1.04:1
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
This chapter describes the conditions in the project area. The overall project area can be
described as an intense agricultural area with limited and isolated tracts of bottomland
hardwoods. Chapter 4.0 describes the environmental resources associated vrith the issues
of concern.
3.1 Physical Environment
3.1.1 Location, Climate, Land Use, Topography, Hydrology, Geology, Minerals,
and Soils
There is no change to the description of the physical environment from the 2002 RSEIS.
In summary, land use in the area is predominantly agriculture (Table 3.1, Table 3.2, and
' Figure 3). Table 3.4 and Table 3.5 provide a description of land use by elevation in each
respective basin.
Draft RSEIS 2
50
Table 3.1. Landcover Types in St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid Floodway
St. Johns Bayou Basin Total
New Madrid Floodway Total
Landcover
Landcover
Total
Percent
Total
Percent
Land Use
Acres
Landcover
Land Use
Acres
Landcover
Forested
20,096
6.0
Forested
10,369
7.8
Scrub-shrub/Marsh
270
0.1
Scrub-shrub/Marsh
878
0.7
Cropland
280,290
86.5
Cropland
113,007
85.2
Pasture
1,277
0.3
Pasture
922
0.7
Herbaceous
21,121
6.5
Herbaceous
6,625
5.0
Open Water
944
0.3
Open Water
797
0.6
Sandbar
167
0.1
Sandbar
7
0.0
Urban
8
0.0
Urban
0
0.0
TOTAL
324,173
100
Total
132,605
100%
Table 3.2. Landcover Types in Project Batture Lands
Project Batture lands
Land Use
Total Acres
Percent Landcover
Forested
23,796
50.6.
Scrub-shrub/Marsh
1,083
2.3
Cropland
18,816
40.0
Pasture/Herbaceous
14
0.0
Open Water
2,123
4.5
Sandbar
1,027
2.2
Urban
188
0.4
TOTAL
47,046
100
Draft RSEIS 2
51
Table 3.3. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - New Madrid Floodway
Elevation
Large
Small
Feet (NGVD)
Cropland
Fallow
BLH
Waterbody
Waterbody
281 and below
143
40
215
69
72
282 and below
329
60
250
122
92
283 and below
603
76
289
134
113
284 and below
1,018
98
328
143
140
285 and below
1,541
139
386
171
179
286 and below
2,327
207
544
204
231
287 and below
3,423
310
850
235
295
288 and below
5,320
472
1,642
388
372
289 and below
8,206
729
2,506
572
453
290 and below
11,843
1,023
3,354
592
503
291 and below
16,160
1,347
4,067
603
549
292 and below
21,251
1,680
4,487
608
573
293 and below
27,205
2,134
4,863
614
592
294 and below
32,716
2,473
5,249
628
608
295 and below
38,185
2,878
5,655
643
626
296 and below
43,032
3,226
5,996
648
643
297 and below
47,690
3,589
6,295
652
663
298 and below
52,866
3,955
6,642
663
688
299 and below
57,485
4,297
6,979
670
713
300 and below
61,814
4,635
7,232
687
744
Draft RSEIS 2
52
Table 3.4. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - St. Johns Bayou
Elevation
Large
Small
Feet (NGVD)
Cropland
Fallow
BLH
Waterbody
Waterbody
281 and below
229
53
258
39
93
282 and below
310
64
306
45
101
283 and below
398
78
352
48
110
284 and below
494
92
400
50
118
285 and below
1,811
247
811
113
250
286 and below
2,143
317
1,086
120
305
287 and below
2,597
362
1,320
122
322
288 and below
3,056
416
1,556
123
340
289 and below
3,570
481
1,778
125
353
290 and below
6,067
693
2,464
144
486
291 and below
7,413
834
2,676
155
526
292 and below
8,764
910
2,807
163
540
293 and below
10,942
991
2,946
168
552
294 and below
13,401
1,143
3,089
203
566
295 and below
23,389
1,941
3,797
267
639
296 and below
26,851
2,255
4,107
269
673
297 and below
29,092
2,488
4,374
272
697
298 and below
31,700
2,746
4,648
273
707
299 and below
34,562
3,073
4,872
273
714
300 and below
44,546
3,960
5,478
274
741
Draft RSEIS 2
53
Table 3.5. Land Cover Type-Stage Area - Batture Land
Elevation
Feet (NGVD)
Cropland
Fallow
BLH
Large
Waterbody
Small
Waterbody
281 and below
12
343
255
636
0
282 and below
22
382
338
740
0
283 and below
37
429
424
820
0
284 and below
68
472
557
900
0
285 and below
131
527
724
967
1
286 and below
235
594
999
1,063
7
287 and below
361
658
1,340
1,131
9
288 and below
496
719
1,816
1,246
11
289 and below
687
765
2,464
1,311
13
290 and below
924
810
3,261
1,375
17
291 and below
1,253
855
4,131
1,445
20
292 and below
1,748
905
5,090
1,595
22
293 and below
2,243
955
6,005
1,637
23
294 and below
2,747
1,014
6,956
1,658
24
295 and below
3,291
1,079
7,966
1,679
25
296 and below
3,872
1,170
9,098
1,730
26
297 and below
4,542
1,267
10,324
1,803
26
298 and below
5,303
1,375
11,460
1,876
27
299 and below
5,959
1,475
12,450
1,900
27
300 and below
6,478
1,573
13,332
1,913
27
301 and below
6,895
1,659
14,193
1,927
27
302 and below
7,327
1,726
15,069
1,944
27
303 and below
7,931
1,795
15,957
1,972
27
304 and below
8,645
1,870
16,894
2,001
27
305 and below
9,685
1,933
17,873
2,024
27
306 and below
11,141
1,994
18,837
2,044
27
307 and below
12,803
2,047
19,772
2,060
27
308 and below
14,271
2,089
20,602
2,080
27
309 and below
15,356
2,122
21,262
2,104
27
310 and below
16,044
2,153
21,824
2,110
27
311 and below
16,611
2,186
22,322
2,114
27
312 and below
17,249
2,203
22,765
2,118
27
313 and below
17,773
2,218
23,125
2,120
27
314 and below
18,145
2,236
23,400
2,122
27
315 and below
18,392
2,251
23,571
2,123
27
316 and below
18,543
2,263
23,660
2,123
27
317 and below
18,684
2,270
23,711
2,123
27
318 and below
18,767
2,275
23,748
2,123
27
319 and below
18,800
2,281
23,775
2,123
27
320 and below
18,816
2,285
23,796
2,123
27
Draft RSEIS 2
54
3.1.2 Water Resources
3.1.2.1 Wetlands
There is no change to the description of wetlands from the 2002 RSEIS. However
impacts have been revised for the purpose of this RSEIS 2. Further discussion on
wetlands is found in Section 4.2.1 of this RSEIS 2.
3.1.2.2 Hypoxia
Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico has been attributed to excess nutrient loading from the
Mississippi River drainage system. Several factors contribute to the development of
hypoxia including the timing and magnitude of the nutrient load and the concentrations of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients. The interactions among these factors and the
development of hypoxia are still being studied. Several proposed methods of reducing
the extent of hypoxia (reduced input from terrestrial sources, wetland restoration,
establishment of riparian zones, etc.) are all designed to reduce the movement of nutrients
from the land to river conduits or to reduce concentrations once in the river conduits.
Two methods (transport from land cover or reduced runoff and retained by the land
cover/removed from the floodwater i.e., "river filtering") were considered in the
Supplemental Water Quality Analysis - St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway,
Ashby, Ruiz, and Deliman (2000) (page 4, paragraph 1 also in Appendix I Water Quality
of the 2002 RSEIS page 1-4 paragraph 1). Environmental consequences of mitigation
features and techniques are discussed in Section 5.3.
3.1.2.3 Water Quality
There is no change from the description of the Affected Environment with respect to
water quality from Section 3.10 in the 2002 RSEIS. A discussion regarding the
phenomenon of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico has been addressed above and additional
information can be found in Section 5.3.
3.2 Socioeconomic Profile
The Corps is aware of no significant changes to the socioeconomic profile of the project
area. TTie socioeconomic profile is located in Section 3.11 of the 2002 RSEIS. A
detailed socioeconomic analysis is contained in Appendix B of the 2002 RSEIS.
•
Executive Order 12898 requires the Federal government to achieve environmental justice
by identifying and addressing disproportionately high adverse effects of its activities on
minority and low-income populations, and by involving potentially affected minorities in
the public coordination process. It also requires the analysis of information such as race,
national origin, and income level for areas expected to be impacted by environmental
actions. Table 3.6 provides a description of the current socioeconomic profile of New
Madrid and Mississippi counties, Missouri.
Draft RSEIS 2
55
Table 3.6. Socioeconomic Profile, New Madrid and Mississippi Counties, Missouri^
People QuickFacts
New
Madrid
County
Mississippi
County
State of
Missomi
Population, 2004 estimate
18,969
13,697
5,754,618
Population, percent change, April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004
-4.0
2.0
2.8
Population, 2000
19,760
13,427
5,595,211
Population, percent change, 1990 to 2000
-5.6
-7.0
9.3
Persons under 5 years old, percent, 2000
6.6
7.2
6.6
Persons under 18 years old, percent, 2000
26.4
26.3
25.5
Persons 65 years old and over, percent, 2000
15.5
15.9
13.5
Female persons, percent, 2000
52.0
53.3
51.4
White persons, percent, 2000 (a)
83.2
77.9
84.9
Black or Afi-ican American persons, percent, 2000 (a)
15.4
20.5
11.2
American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2000 (a)
0.2
0.2
0.4
Asian persons, percent, 2000 (a)
0.1
0.1
1.1
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2000 (a)
Z
Z
0.1
Persons reporting some other race, percent, 2000 (a)
0.3
0.3
0.8
Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2000
0.8
0.9
1.5
White persons, not of Hispanic/Latino origin, percent, 2000
82.7
77.5
83.8
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2000 (b)
0.9
1.0
2.1
Living in same house in 1995 and 2000', pet age 5+, 2000
58.8
60.1
53.6
Foreign bom persons, percent, 2000
0.3
0.5
2.7
Language other than English spoken at home, pet age 5+, 2000
1.4
0.9
5.1
High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+, 2000
63.6
61.1
81.3
Bachelor's degree or higher, pet of persons age 25+, 2000
9.6
9.6
21.6
Persons with a disabihty, age 5+, 2000
4,431
3,449
973,637
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2000
18.1
19.7
23.8
Housing units, 2002
8,765
5,923
2,503,187
Homeownership rate, 2000
66.0
63.6
70.3
tJousing units in multi-unit stmctures, percent, 2000
11.9
10.7
20.0
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2000
$48,100
$47,000
$89,900
Households, 2000
7,824
5,383
2,194,594
Persons per household, 2000
2.48
2.44
2.48
Median household income, 1999
$26,826
$23,012
$37,934
Per capita money income, 1999
$14,204
$13,038
$19,936
Persons below poverty, percent, 1999
22.1
23.7
11.7
Draft RSEIS 2
56
Business QuickFacts
New
Madrid
County
Mississippi
County
State of
Missouri
Private nonfarm establishments with paid employees, 2001
344
283
144,071
Private nonfarm employment, 2001
6,022
2,871
2,404,489
Private nonfarm employment, percent change 2000-2001
-5.3
4.8
0.2
Nonemployer establishments, 2000
762
596
311,786
Manufacturers shipments, 1997 ($1000)
529,847
66,405
93,115,478
Retail sales, 1997 (SI000)
145,035
94,710
51,269,881
Retail sales per capita, 1997
$7,072
$7,021
$9,482
Minority-owned firms, percent of total, 1997
F
F
6.5
Women-owned fums, percent of total, 1997
38.0
25.3
25.2
Housing units authorized by building permits, 2002
41
8
28,255
Federal ftmds and grants, 2002 ($1000)
215,040
138,616
42,346,515
Geography QuickFacts
New
Madrid
County
Mississippi
County
State of
Missouri
Land area, 2000 (square miles)
678
413
68,886
Persons per square mile, 2000
29.1
32.5
81.2
FIPS Code
143
133
29
Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area
None
None
(a) Includes persons reporting only one race.
(b) Híspanles may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories.
FN: Footnote on this item for this area in place of data
NA: Not available
D: Suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information
X: Not applicable
S: Suppressed; does not meet publication standards
Z: Value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown
F: Fewer than 100 firms
'Source: US Census Bureau State & Coimty QuickFacts Data derived from Population Estimates, 2000
Census of Population and Housing, 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Small Area Income and
Poverty Estimates, County Business Patterns, 1997 Economic Census, Minority- and Women-Owned
Business, Building Permits, Consolidated Federal Funds Report, 1997 Census of Governments
The rural communities within the project area may be characterized by low income and
relatively high unemployment status. These populations are vulnerable to the effects of
the flooding on their communities such as closed roads which preclude the provision of
emergency services to isolated rural areas in anything other than by tractor or by boat.
Other effects of flooding include interruptions in water and sewage services, inundation
of roads and houses, toxic mold, and flooding of land and fields.
As noted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People,
Charleston Missouri Chapter of the effects of this project on Pinhook, Missouri:
"The residents of this small Afi-ican-American community have been forced to
endure the regular flooding of the Mississippi River, adversely affecting their
economic livelihood. ... To take no action means continued suffering and
Draft RSEIS 2
57
inconvenience for community residents. The proposal to build a levee around
East Prairie would increase the isolation of Pinhook residents.
The Bootheel suffers with the problem of poverty, and one of the main causes of
that poverty is the lack of economic development. Economic development is
hampered when there is a lack of economic stability, and that stability is
threatened each time thousands of acres of farmland stand under water and delay
planting. Pinhook is an agricultural community, and the farmers of the
community cannot sustain themselves into the future without the completion of
the St. Jolms Bayou-New Madrid Floodway Project by the Corps of Engineers."
Construction of the project is expected to generate additional employment for the area
and no adverse effects are expected on the area. Implementation of the project is
expected to greatly benefit the area as described in Appendix B of the 2002 RSEIS.
Furthermore, compensatory mitigation will provide quality of life improvements by
providing increased wildlife activity, aesthetics, and recreation areas.
3.3 Biological Factors
3.3.1 Wildlife Resources
There is no change to the description of existing wildlife resource from the 2002 RSEIS.
3.3.2 Waterfowl Resources
Much of the information concerning waterfowl in this RSEIS 2 (including Sections 4.3.4
and 5.6) is based on personal communications with Dr. Mickey Heitmeyer of the
University of Missouri Gaylord Laboratory and Mr. Rob Vinson of MDC Ten Mile Pond
CA. Much of their input is based on the general habitat and foraging depths studies of
Bellrose (1980), Heitmeyer (2002), and Heitmeyer (2005); and nutrition and food
availability studies of Neely (1956), Davis et al. (1961), Shearer et al. (1969), Mayeaux
et al. (1980), Fredrickson and Taylor (1982), Fredrickson and Reid (1988), and McAbee
(1994).
Waterfowl are present throughout the year in the project area. Wood duck and, to a lesser
extent, mallard, hooded merganser, and blue-winged teal breed in the project area.
During migration and winter the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway
are important areas for thousands of dabbling ducks {i.e., mallard, gadwall, green and
blue-winged teal, pintail, widgeon, shoveler, and black duck), coots and geese. A large
part of the waterfowl use occurs in and near the Ten Mile Pond Wildlife CA. Diving
ducks, such as lesser scaup, ring-necked duck and canvasback use deeper waters of the
project area, primarily backwaters and the mainstem of the Mississippi River. Diving
ducks tend to use the project area more during spring migration than during fall and
winter. Ring-necked duck are adapted to shallower depths than other diving ducks and
are more likely to use flooded backwater areas and occasionally are seen with mallards
and other dabbling ducks.
Draft RSEIS 2
58
Fall migration of waterfowl begins in mid-August when the first flocks of blue-winged
teal arrive, and continues through late December and early January as more winter-hardy
species continue south. Fall/winter migration has barely concluded before early spring
migrants fly north. Wintering may occur at various latitudes and is dictated by habitat
availability and freezeup. Spring migration through the project area generally concludes
by mid-March as the last of the shovelers and blue-winged teal depart.
Wetland habitat in the project area is very limited and is primarily restricted to the
remaining bottomland hardwoods, the Mississippi River and back channels, water
courses of the basins, and two significant state-owned and managed areas: Ten Mile Pond
CA, and Big Oak Tree State Park. Smaller wetland areas such as those around the
Eagle's Nest Area exist in a limited degree, but the preponderance of habitat in the
project area is prior converted croplands. These croplands, primarily in soybeans,
provide waterfowl feeding areas when they are flooded by backwaters of the Mississippi
River or from headwater flooding. Because of the importance of wetlands to waterfowl,
restoring wetlands, especially bottomland hardwoods, is a key objective of the Lower
Mississippi Valley Joint Venture, a subset of the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan. A primary focus of the Joint Venture is reforestation of croplands
into bottomland hardwoods, an extremely valuable wetland complex for waterfowl.
The waterfowl season in the project area, as analyzed in the USFWS Waterfowl
Assessment Methodology, extends for 151 days from November 1 to March 31. In most
years, lands at the lower ends of both basins are not normally flooded during fall and
early winter. During February through mid-March, high Mississippi River stages can
cause backwater flooding in the lower New Madrid Floodway and also cause the inability
to drain interior floodwaters from the St. Johns Bayou Basin. These spring flood events
create temporary feeding and resting areas for migrating and pre-migrating waterfowl.
At this time, waterfowl seek important invertebrate protein, particularly associated with
flooded bottomland hardwoods, for proper late winter molt, muscle mass, and pre-egg
laying conditions.
Waterfowl populations depend on a variety of habitat types. Wetlands of the project area,
particularly bottomland hardwoods, are important to wintering and migrating waterfowl.
Forested wetlands provide nutritious food for waterfowl, secure roosting areas, cover in
inclement weather, loafing sites, protection from predators, and isolation for pair
formation.
3.3.3 Shofebird Resources
There is no change to the description of shorebird resources from the 2002 RS EIS.
3.3.4 Fishery Resources
There is no change to the description of existing fishery resource from the 2002 RSEIS.
Draft RSEIS 2
59
3.3.5 Threatened and Endangered Species
There is no change to the description of threatened and endangered species from the 2002
RSEIS. The USFWS has been consulted concerning Federally threatened and
endangered species. This specifically included the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and the
USFWS did not deem that this document needed to address that issue.
3.3.6 Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are described in Section 4.7 of the 2002 RSEIS. Impacts are
discussed in Section 5.7 of the 2002 RSEIS. Additional investigations for the purpose of
monitoring and relocation efforts were conducted by the Corps and the USFWS during
the summer of 2005.
3.4 Cultural Resources
A literature search was conducted in the late 1970's on 170 miles of St. Johns Bayou and
New Madrid Floodway ditches and 2,500 acres of mitigation area in Scott, New Madrid,
and Mississippi counties, Missouri. The literature search concluded that all lands above
the 290 feet NGVD should be considered as high sensitivity zones for cultural resources.
In 1986, an intensive cultural survey of approximately 140 miles of drainage ditches in
this same area was conducted (Klinger et al, 1988). The survey resulted in the discovery
of 21 previously unrecorded archeological sites, nine of which were considered
potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1997, the
right bank of St. James Ditch in the St. Johns Bayou area was surveyed for cultural
resources. Eleven non-significant prehistoric artifact loci and five low-density late
nineteenth- and/or twentieth-century historic scatters were discovered (Albertson and
Büchner, 1997). All construction sites within the St. Johns portion of the project have
been surveyed for cultural resources. The results of all surveys were coordinated with the
Missouri State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The project was then designed to
avoid all potentially significant archeological sites.
In response to the SHPO's concems related to the St. John's Bayou and the New Madrid
Floodway, in the DSEIS issued in 1999 the District agreed to conduct a cultural history of
the entire project area. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was developed and signed
between the SHPO and the Memphis District in 1999. The study was to contain a brief
prehistory section and the remainder of the report would concentrate on the historic
aspects of the area. The report was completed in 2003, focusing mainly on the New
Madrid Floodway and its affects on the local history. A video presentation focusing on
the history of the area is currently being developed.
An inventory of historic properties (36 CFR §800) is not available at present for the
existing acquired mitigation lands (1,600 acres) and the area(s) where additional
mitigation land acreage may be acquired. An inventory of these areas would be made
concurrent with land acquisition. A number of significant cultural resources,
predominantly archeological sites, may exist in the Area of Potential Effect. The Corps is
Draft RSEIS 2
60
committed to continued implementation of the National Historic Preservation Act
(NHPA) planning process, seeking protection for this category of physical resources (see
discussion under Environmental Consequences).
4.0 SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES RELATED TO ISSUES OF
CONCERN
4.1 Introduction
This chapter describes the significant resources related to issues of concem. This chapter
is written to supplement the 2002 RSEIS and does not replace it. This chapter relates
only to the clarification of mitigation calculations, issues related to mitigation, the
addition of mitigation techniques that compensate for the unavoidable impacts to fish and
wildlife resources, and clarification of the remaining issues listed in Section 1.4.3. In
general, significant resources in the project area remain as described in Chapter 4 of the
2002 RSEIS. In some cases, language fi-om the 2002 RSEIS is provided if the previous
document's language is part of the clarification. The Corps is not aware of any
significant change in project area significant resources since the 2002 RSEIS. However,
significant resources within the batture area are discussed, in addition to the
aforementioned clarifications. This chapter is intended to state and describe the issues of
concem. If only clarification is required, the issue may be resolved in this chapter.
However, if there are questions about the results or outcome of mitigation techniques
with regard to particular issues, those are discussed in Chapter 5. This chapter is divided
by relevant physical, biological, socioeconomic, and other factors.
4.2 Physical Factors
4.2.1 Wetlands
Revisions to the wetland analysis have been made in this RSEIS 2. The revisions include
determinations of farmed wetlands that may be indirectly impacted by the project and a
functional assessment. The functional assessment is located in Appendix D of this
RSEIS 2.
A total of 18,120 acres of both agricultural and non-agricultural lands was estimated in
the project area that meets hydrologie criteria to be classified as wetlands or farmed
wetlands. This determination was based only on the effects of backwater flooding in the
project area at or below 300 feet NGVD (6,461 acres in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and
11,659 acres in the New Madrid Floodway). Approximately 54% of the area is in
agricultural production (9,700 acres), 33% are forested areas (6,064 acres), and 13% are
herbaceous lands, scmb/shrub/marsh, pasture, or open water (2,356 acres). The non-
agricultural areas were classified as wetlands.
Draft RSEIS 2
61
4.2.1.1 Forested Areas
Section 4.3.1 of the 2002 RSEIS describes methodologies used to assess impacts to
vegetated wetlands. Wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface
water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that, imder
normal circumstances, do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in
saturated soil conditions.
There is no change to the description of forested wetlands from the 2002 RSEIS.
4.2.1.2 Agricultural Areas
Section 4.3.2 of the 2002 RSEIS describes methodologies used to assess impacts to
agricultural lands that have the potential to be classifred as farmed wetlands. According
to an attachment to the NRCS letter dated April 7, 1998 (specifically at Administrative
Record Volume 43, pages 276, 277, and 279), farmed wetlands are lands that were
manipulated and used to produce an agricultural commodity prior to December 23, 1985,
but were not completely converted; that are not abandoned; and that would otherwise be
considered a wetland. According to this reference, farmed wetlands 1) have a
predominance of hydric soils; 2) have a 50 percent chance of being immdated or flooded
for at least 15 consecutive days or 10 percent the growing season (whichever is less). For
an area to be classified as a farmed wetland, it must meet both requirements.
No attempt has been made in this RSEIS 2 or any prior document to delineate farmed
wetlands in the project area. The determination whether the hydric soils criterion was
actually met for any particular site was also not made for this RSEIS 2. The NRCS is the
responsible agency for making farmed wetland determinations per the Food Security Act
ofl985 (FSA).
Previous NRCS wetland inventory classified 0.4 percent, or about 520 acres, of the
cropland in the project area (in both basins and affected by the project, i.e., at or below
elevation 300 feet NGVD) as farmed wetlands (NRCS letter dated May 29, 1998).
However, the NRCS did state that, "Use of current mapping conventions for agricultural
wetlands would result in an increase in the area designated as farmed wetlands" (NRCS
letter dated May 17,1999).
The Corps conducted analyses to determine the hydrologie impact of project
implementation on agricultural lands in the project area. The reduction of backwater
flooding is the primary impact. Therefore, impact assessment and mitigation planning
were based upon an inundation analysis, rather than the 0.4 percent estimate from NRCS.
This analysis is discussed in Appendix D of the 2002 RSEIS and the results are presented
in Tables 4.1 and 4.2 of the 2002 RSEIS.
The growing season used for the analysis presented in the 2002 RSEIS was March 20 to
November 12, or 238 days. Cropland that has the potential to be classified as farmed
wetlands was based on the analysis of continuous flooding for 15 consecutive days
Draft RSEIS 2
62
duration, which is the governing hydrological criterion for the project area. The
hydrological analysis using this 15 consecutive day criterion indicated that project
implementation would result in a reduction in backwater inundation on up to 1,296 and
5,417 acres of agricultural lands in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid
Floodway, respectively.
The Corps took into account that the reduction in backwater inundation is expected in the
project area with project implementation. This does not mean that these lands will lose
their wetland character. As stated in the 2002 RSEIS, there are factors other than
backwater inundation that support maintenance of wetlands in the project area. These
other factors include headwater flooding, interior precipitation, seepage, topography, and
soil conditions.
NRCS previously concurred with the basis of that analysis, stating "We feel that the
information you developed on agricultural wetlands in the project area is good for project
planning and impacts analysis." (NRCS letter dated May 17, 1999). To ensure that
agency's continued concurrence with the validity of that statement, the Corps requested
NRCS to reexamine that analytical basis.
Toward that end, NRCS has recently reviewed the project area utilizing current mapping
conventions to determine if application of these conventions would cause a significant
change in the amount of non-certified farmed wetlands in the project area due to the
backwater effect from the Mississippi River (NRCS letter dated October 5, 2005). NRCS
has verified that the 1998 estimate of 0.4 percent of the project area being farmed wetland
is still adequate for planning purposes. Therefore, there are about 520 acres of farmed
wetlands in the project area that have the potential to be impacted by the flood damage
reduction project. The remaining land is prior converted cropland.
4.2.1.3 Wetland Impacts
Wetland impacts are described in Section 5.3.3 in the 2002 RSEIS. Direct impacts to
jurisdictional wetlands from project construction in the St. Johns Bayou Basin for
channel and pump station construction would be 90 acres of wetlands (78 acres of
forested, seven acres of cropland, five acres of herbaceous vegetation, and less than one
acre of pasture). An additional 65 acres of wetlands would be temporarily impacted by
the temporary placement of dredged material from channel modifications.
Approximately 12 acres of wetlands (seven acres of forested, three acres of croplands,
and two acres of herbaceous) would be directly impacted by levee closure within the New
Madrid Fldodway. Construction of flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin and closure of the New Madrid Floodway would indirectly impact 520 acres
of farmed wetlands. The Setback Levee raise would not impact any wetlands. Borrow
pits would be located in non-jurisdictional areas.
Construction of flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin would
temporarily impact forested wetlands. Temporary impacts include clearing vegetation for
St. Johns Bayou Basin construction rights-of-ways. Some of these areas have been
Draft RSEIS 2
63
classified as forested wetlands. Furthermore, dredged material from channel
modifications would be temporarily stored in 65 acres of this area. Material would be
used for the closure levee. Therefore, these areas would be graded to pre-construction
conditions. No permanent impacts to jurisdictional wetland status are anticipated.
Temporary impacts to forested wetlands were quantified as impacts to terrestrial Avildlife.
Further discussion on these impacts and compensatory mitigation is found throughout
this RSEIS 2 as impacts and mitigation to terrestrial wildlife.
For the purpose of this RSEIS 2, an HGM functional assessment was used to quantify
direct impacts to wetlands and indirect impacts to farmed wetlands. The HGM
assessment is found in Appendix D. Table 4.1 provides a summary of the HGM analysis.
The proposed flood damage reduction project would also decrease backwater flooding on
554 and 3,426 acres of forested wetlands in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid
Floodway, respectively. The Corps maintains that these areas would remain
jurisdictional wetlands after project construction due to factors other than backwater
flooding such as headwater events, rainfall, and the high water table (see 2002 RSEIS,
Appendix D, Pages D-9 and D-10). The Corps will monitor these areas to ensure that
jurisdictional status remains.
4.2.2 Water Quality
Section 4.10 of the 2002 RSEIS describes existing water quality conditions. In summary,
water quality of streams and chaimels in the project area is characteristic of an intensively
farmed area. Surface waters contain elevated levels of agrichemicals, turbidity,
suspended solids, and nutrients.
Section 5.10 and Appendix I of the 2002 RSEIS describe impacts to water quality from
constructing flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and closure of
the New Madrid Floodway. Headwater inundation during winter months would result in
a benefit to water quality by increased retention of materials that would normally be
available for transport as runoff prior to the spring flooding seasons. The project would
potentially impact water quality by increased material loading during an extended
growing season.
Three distinct water quality issues have been identified since the 2002 RSEIS. They are:
1) the opinion that wetlands losses in the Mississippi River Basin have negatively
affected water quality; 2) significance of the project related to the amount of nutrients
that enter the Gulf of Mexico; and 3) the general recommendation published by the
National Science and Technology Council Committee that millions of acres of wetlands
be restored.
Draft RSEIS 2
64
Table 4.1. Wetland impacts and loss of functional capacity units, St. Johns Bayou Basin and New Madrid Floodway
Direct
(acres)
Indirect
(acres)
•
Detain
Floodwater
Detain
Precipitation
Cycle
Nutrients
Export
Organic
Carbon
Remove
Elements
And
Compounds
Maintain
Plant
Commimities
Provide
Wildlife
Habitat
Total
Farmed
Wetlands
10
520
0
13
40
7
282
0
0
342
Forested
Wetlands
92
-
92
92
92
92
92
92
70
622
Total
102
520
92
105
132
99
374
92
70
964
Draft RSEIS 2
65
4.2.2.1 Wetlands Loss Affects on Water Quality in the Mississippi River
The generally accepted opinion is that historical wetlands losses in the Mississippi River
Basin have negatively affected water quality. Most of the land in the project area is now,
and has been for decades, in agricultural production. Typically, wetland functions are
quite diminished on lands that have been cleared, drained, and put into crop production.
This is particularly true for water quality functions since much of the microbiological and
chemical processes change. The flood damage reduction project would directly impact
jurisdictional status on 102 acres of wetlands (9 acres farmed, 7 acres herbaceous, 85
acres forested, and 1 acre pasture-See Tables 4-1,4-2, 2002 RSEIS) and indirectly impact
jurisdictional status on 520 acres of farmed wetlands (Refer to Section 4.2.1.2).
4.2.2.2 Nutrient Loading to the Gulf of Mexico
There is a concern that the project will cause a loss of wetland functions resulting in an
increase in the amount of nitrogen that enters the Gulf of Mexico. Conclusions in the
Supplemental Water Quality Analysis - St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway
indicated that less than 1% of the annual load of the Mississippi River was available to
the project area. The total load of nitrogen to the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi
River has been estimated at 1.6 million metric tons in a year (National Science and
Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, 2000), while the
calculated loads from the project area range from less than 1 to 974 metric tons in a year
(Table 5.3).
4.2.2.3 Restoration of Millions of Acres of Wetlands
The last issue identified is the general recommendation that millions of acres of wetlands
be restored (National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources, 2000). This report also describes multiple approaches to reducing
nutrient loads to the Gulf and decreasing the extent of hypoxia. Some of the very
recommendations made in this report, such as removing croplands from production and
reforesting them, adding buffer strips, and expanding riparian zones, are in fact measures
included in this project's mitigation. In addition, the Committee advocates a diversified
mitigation approach. Such a diversified approach is recommended in this RSEIS 2.
4.3 Biological Factors
4.3.1 Fishery Resource Impact Analysis (HEP)
The USFWS (1980) developed HEP to document the non-monetary value of fish and
wildlife resources. HEP is a habitat-based approach for assessing environmental impacts
of proposed projects. HEP documents the quality and the quantity of available habitat for
selected species. To quantify impacts or benefits of a project, the follovdng information
is required:
Draft RSEIS 2
66
• Detennine the area of impact
• Select evaluation species
• Assign HSI values
• Quantify impacts
• Determine mitigation needs
4.3.1.1 Area of Impact
Loss of rearing habitat is the primary target for mitigation. The rearing period for fishes
includes yolk-sac and post yolk-sac larval phases. Larval fish can potentially use any
area of the inundated floodplain regardless of flood duration or depth, so no hydrologie
restrictions were used to delineate rearing habitat. This maximizes both the area of
impact and the required mitigation without regard to the relative importance of this phase
of fish reproduction. Therefore, rearing habitat consists of any flooded habitat regardless
of depth or duration. Floodplain rearing acres were determined by defining the upper
limit of the floodplain, incorporating variation in the hydroperiod during the rearing
season within the defined floodplain, and calculating ADFAs for each distinct floodplain
habitat. This is described in the following paragraphs.
A 2-year fi-equency flood was used to evaluate hydrology of land use of the floodplain.
In regard to flood fi-equency, the logic and justification for using a 2-year flood event was
provided in the 2002 RSEIS and appendices (See Page G-8, 2002 RSEIS) but reiterated
here. For any impact assessment, baseline conditions must be determined for the project
life, which is 50 years in this case. Therefore, analysis must consider elevations that
reflect regular flood regimes meaningful to fish reproduction over long periods. The 2-
year flood event is equivalent to the median (50%) value of a cumulative frequency
distribution of all stages during a defined season. Therefore, the 2-year floodplain is an
average condition. Life span and recruitment of fishes were also considered in the
decision to use 2-year flood frequencies rather than 3-5 year frequencies. The life span of
small-sized species is 2-3 years and some may only reproduce once. Thus, a flood
fi-equency less than 2-years may result in successive reproductive failures by species with
short life spans. Larger-sized species can live up to 10 years or greater, and also depend
on regular flooding regimes (e.g., 2-year flood) rather than more infrequent events to
maintain long-term population integrity.
Generally, flooding that occurs every 1-2 years regulates long-term population trends.
Thus, the HEP team agreed that frequent floods were more important than infrequent
events when evaluating baseline population levels over a 50-year period. The 2-year
flood was based on a flood-peak analysis. In addition to life span of fishes, selection of
the appropriate flood frequency in the analysis considered flooding patterns in the lower
Mississippi River Basin. High water years result in expansive flooding in the basin, and
the entire batture is often inundated for long periods. Therefore, spawning and rearing
habitat is not a limiting factor to reproductive success basin-wide, but can be a factor at
lower flood elevations. While an argument has been presented that the baseline
Draft RSEIS 2
67
populations are maintained by larger floodplains (such as ephemeral increases observed
in populations utilizing the 3-5 year floodplain events), both the Corps and the HEP team
concluded that the 2-year floodplain is the appropriate basis of evaluation as explained in
the previous paragraph.
The upper limit of the 2-year floodplain was determined by compiling the maximum flow
in each of a consecutive period of years, regardless of the time of year the maximum flow
occurred. These values were ranked in descending order of magnitude. The stage that
corresponded to the median flow (50*^ percentile) of the ranked data is the upper limit of
the 2-year frequency flood and the corresponding elevation was used as a maximum
flood stage in subsequent analyses.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) and satellite imagery were used by Gulf
Environmental Consultants, Incorporated (GEC) and the Corps to delineate floodplain
habitats based on their position, land use, vegetation, and elevation. The following
habitats were delineated:
• Agricultural Land
• Fallow Land
• Bottomland Hardwoods
• Large Permanent Waterbodies
• Small Permanent Waterbodies
ADFAs were computed within the 2-year floodplain for each habitat type for the mid-
season fish-rearing period. ADFA is a unit of measure of inundation. Average
inundation acreage values were calculated from daily stage elevations for the mid-season
rearing period (April 1 to May 15) over the period of record from 1943 to 1974. The
results of these analyses are discussed from Appendix C pages C-19 through C-22 in the
2002 RSEIS.
Since the expected 2-year flood was calculated from annual maximums, and not from the
maximums from the period of April 1 to May 15, the 2-year peak flood value is
conservative. Many of the peak flood values occurred prior to April 1 (January,
February, and March). Regardless, the calculated annual 2-year peak flood was used as
the basis of evaluation.
•
For mid-season fish rearing, one ADFA is equivalent to 1 acre of land inundated at any
depth for the period from April 1 to May 15. ADFA is not synonymous with "frequently
flooded" land except that both terms apply to lands within the 2-year floodplain. ADFA
does not necessarily equate to an actual acre of land.
Impacts were calculated in the 2002 RSEIS based upon both qualitative and quantitative
elements for the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway. The qualitative
aspects are discussed in Section 4.3.1.3 below. The quantitative aspect consists of the
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68
difference in ADFAs for each particular land cover type (defined above) between the
existing condition and the with-project condition. Tliese hydrologie analyses were
performed with the software program EnviroFish. The methodology of EnviroFish is
described in Appendix C, page C-6 of the 2002 RSEIS, and an explanation, process
flowchart, and example calculation are provided in Appendix A of this document. This
explanation not only describes how EnviroFish works, but also presents the assumptions
that were used during the development of the 2002 RSEIS and provides an illustration of
the mitigation acreage required if all mitigation was obtained through conversion of lands
fi-om agricultural to other singular land use types.
Although rearing has the highest measure of impacts, it does not necessarily follow that it
is the most significant impact. Duration of flooding must be considered in the calculation
of suitable fish spawning habitat to ensure adequate time for nest preparation and egg
incubation. Eggs will become desiccated if water levels drop suddenly. However,
duration is not a primary limitation to successful rearing assuming that movement and
survival of larval fish are not sensitive to daily fluctuations in flood stage elevation. For
calculation purposes, spawning habitat requires 1 foot of depth and 8 consecutive days of
inundation whereas there are no restrictions for rearing habitat (Appendix G, 2002
RSEIS). Because only a single day of flooding at any depth is needed for an acre to
"count" as rearing habitat, while 8 consecutive days of flooding of at least 1 foot deep is
needed for an acre to "count" as spawning habitat, rearing habitat acreage is much higher.
The Corps maintains spawning is the most appropriate habitat impact to measure.
However, the Corps agreed to provide the additional mitigation predicated upon mid-
season rearing impacts. To this end, flood duration over the 45-day fishery mid-season
rearing period is important, even though the inundation does not necessarily have to be
continuous. Any acre where water inimdates that acre for a day at any depth is counted
as rearing habitat.
4.3.1.2 Evaluation Species
Ninety-three species of fish have been collected in the project area. They are dominated
taxonomically by minnows (19 species), sunfishes (14 species), suckers (13 species), and
darters (13 species). Fish communities vary between the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the
New Madrid Floodway. Therefore, separate evaluation species are warranted for each
respective basin. Potential evaluation species were grouped into guilds based on
characteristic habitat used by larvae (Appendix C, Table 2, 2002 RSEIS). Twelve
evaluation species were selected representing over 91% of the fish species in the project
area. These species were further grouped into early, mid, and late rearing periods. Table
4.2 provides a list of selected fish evaluation species for the mid-season rearing period.
Draft RSEIS 2
69
Table 4.2. Mid-Season Rearing Fish Evaluation Species
Evaluation Species
St. Johns Basin
New Madrid Floodway
Smallmouth Buffalo
X
X
Pirate Perch
X
White Crappie
X
X
Largemouth Bass
X
Freshwater Drum
X
X
X - denotes use as evaluation species
4.3.1.3 Habitat Suitability Indices
The qualitative aspect of the analyses consisted of valuing the ADFAs of agricultural
land, fallow land, bottomland hardwoods, large waterbodies, and small waterbodies for
each of a set of representative fish species using a HSI. This was done for both the
existing condition and the with-projèct condition. The methodology for these analyses is
presented in Appendix G of the 2002 RSEIS firom page G-10 to G-15.
HSI VEdues range from 0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1 (optimal habitat). HSI values were
assigned to each species for each respective habitat type (Table 4.3). HSI values were
developed for each evaluation species by consensus of an interagency team comprised of
biologists fi-om the USFWS, MDC, and the Corps by utilizing fiie Delphi technique and
supplemented by field data from tributaries of the lower Mississippi River. The HSI
value for each species was summed to develop a cumulative HSI value for each
respective habitat type.
Table 4.3. Mid-Season Rearing HSI Values for Respective Habitat Types
Species
Agriculture
Fallow
BLH
Large
Water
Small
Water
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
Smallmouth
Buffalo
0.17
0.17
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
1.00
1.00
0.50
0.50
Pirate Perch
0.00
N/A
0.25
N/A
1.00
N/A
1.00
N/A
1.00
N/A
^Tiite Crappie
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
0.10
1.00
1.00
0.50
0.50
Largemouth Bass
0.15
N/A
0.25
N/A
0.25
N/A
1.00
N/A
1.00
N/A
Freshwater Drum
0.10
0.10
0.20
0.20
0.50
0.50
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20
Cumulative HSI
0.52
0.37
0.90
0.40
1.95
0.70
4.20
2.20
3.20
1.20
SJ - St. Johns Bayou Basin
NM - New Madrid Floodway
N/A - Not applicable
Draft RSEIS 2
70
4.3.1.4 Impact Quantification
The 2002 RSEIS calculated impacts based on HUs. This RSEIS 2 does not revisit project
impact calculations. The following paragraphs describe how impacts were calculated in
the 2002 RSEIS, Thus, impacts are expressed in HUs. This RSEIS 2 is accounting for
transition periods for reforested areas. Therefore, benefits are expressed in AAHUs.
Cumulative HSI values were multiplied by the impacts to area habitat to express habitat
values in terms of Habitat Units (HUs) according to the following equation. Impacts are
calculated by subtracting the HUs with-project conditions (recommended plan) from HUs
without-project conditions (existing).
HU Impacts = HSI * (Existing ADFAs - Recommended Plan ADFAs)
Impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat from construction of flood damage reduction
features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and closure of the New Madrid Floodway would
impact 1,884 and 2,329 HUs, respectively (Table 4.4 and Table 4.5).
4.3.1.5 2002 RSEIS Compensatory Mitigation
The 2002 RSEIS selected reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural lands as the
mitigation method to compensate impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat.
Reforestation requirements to mitigate impacts were calculated by dividing the difference
in cumulative HSI values between agricultural land and bottomland hardwoods into HU
lost (Table 4.6). The 2002 RSEIS recommended reforestation of 8,375 acres of
frequently flooded agricultural lands.
There are many important aspects of mitigation planning for this project. First, some
types of mitigation, such as the creation or the enhancement of permanent waterbodies
provides much more fishery habitat value than the primary approach stated in the 2002
RSEIS of reforesting agricultural lands. The 2002 RSEIS specifically mentioned
mitigating for impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat by the creation of permanent
waterbodies (Section 6.2.2 on Page 116 of the 2002 RSEIS). However, reforestation was
chosen as the overall methodology. This RSEIS 2 clarifies the benefits to mid-season
fish rearing habitat from all mitigation measures including the creation of permanent
waterbodies as originally considered in the 2002 RSEIS.
Second, any assessment of large-scale impacts relies on professional opinion because of
the uncertainty regarding ecological relationships. In this analysis, several decision
points can make large differences in the outcome. The period of record used to develop
stage-duration values "will directly affect ADFAs of usable habitat. If the period includes
major floods, higher ADFAs will result and vice versa for droughts. Therefore, the
magnitude of impacts is directly related to the period of record used in the analysis. The
period of record utilized for all analyses for this project included both drought and flood
conditions.
Draft RSEIS 2
71
Table 4.4. Mid-Season Fish Rearing Impacts, St. Johns Bayou Basin
HSI
Existing
ADFAs
Recommended
Plan ADFAs
HU
Impacts
Agriculture
0.52
2,357
1,161
622
Fallow
0.90
278
148 .
117
BLH
1.95
943
526
813
Large Water
4.20
45
33
50
Small Water
3.20
224
136
282
TOTAL
1,884
Table 4.5. Mid-Season Fish Rearing Impacts, New Madrid Floodway
HSI
Existing
ADFAs
Recommended
Plan ADFAs
HU
Impacts
Agriculture
0.37
3,766
606
1,169
Fallow
0.40
332
60
109
BLH
0.70
1,099
203
627
Large Water
2.2
203
79
273
Small Water
1.2
213
87
151
TOTAL
2,329
Table 4.6. Required Amount of Mitigation Based on Reforestation of Frequently
Flooded Agricultural Land
HSI Difference
HUs Lost
Acres Required
St. Johns Bayou
1.43
1,884
1,317
New Madrid Floodway
0.33
2,329
7,058
Third, HSI values for individual species range from 0.0 to 1.0, so the relative difference
between habitat types can vary by orders of magnitude depending on the assigned values.
The assigned values depend, at least in part, on the team's experience in floodplain
ecology and personal perspectives. In addition, the cumulative HSI value used in impact
and mitigation calculation is dependent on the group of fish species that are assigned to a
'specific time period, and in this case, it was the mid-season time period. Cumulative HSI
is sensitive to the number of species and their preference for specific habitat types.
The aspects stated above influence the outcome of compensatory mitigation,
demonstrating why it is important to obtain consensus on the approach and assumptions
fi-om an interagency and multidisciplinary team. It also indicates that predicted values
are subject to interpretation and should be considered approximate numbers for planning
purposes. Monitoring will be required to actually document biological responses to
mitigation measures employed to offset impacts. Monitoring requirements for individual
Draft RSEIS 2
72
mitigation tracts and areas will be developed in site-specific mitigation plans after
acquisition of tracts as described in Section 6.5,
4.3.2 Compensatory Mitigation Issues and Concerns Related to Fish
The following paragraphs describe several important issues and concems in relation to
compensating fishery impacts.
4.3.2.1 Fish Passage Through Culverts
The local sponsor, the St. Johns Levee and Drainage District, has the legal responsibility
to operate flood control structures in the project area. The gates in the gravity drainage
structures would be operated to allow fish periodic access into the floodway during
spring floods. Fish normally concentrate below water control structures, and if suitable
passage conditions exist, will move through the structure to access feeding and
reproductive sites.
As currently designed, closure of the New Madrid Floodway would consist of four 10-
foot by 10-foot gated box culverts across Mud Ditch. The culverts will be approximately
250 feet in length, placed along the channel bottom of Mud Ditch, and have nearly level
slope (6 inch rise in 250 feet). Few studies have been conducted on fish access through
culverts, and those studies that have shown impacts are related to small road crossing
culverts or geographically disparate regions. For example, Coffinan's (2005) predictive
models were used to predict fish passage through small diameter culverts in the Mid-
Atlantic Highlands region of the United States and are not applicable to large culverts
adjacent to the Mississippi River such as the 10-foot by 10-foot box culverts proposed in
the New Madrid Floodway.
Typical problems at culverts include a perched outlet, water velocities that exceed burst
swimming speeds of fish, shallow depths that hamper swimming, and long distances
between resting areas. None of these problems will exist for the New Madrid culverts for
the following reasons:
• Water will be flowing into the basin during most operational periods, so excessive
water velocity will not be an impediment to movement. In addition, those fishes
that were spawned or are rearing in the basin can be easily transported back to the
river when water direction is reversed during falling river stages.
• There will be no outlet or inlet drop in elevation.
• Culvert«slope is nearly level.
• A relatively short distance will be required for fish to access the backwater.
• Water depth will be equal to the river stage up to the 10-ft height of the culvert,
which is more than adequate for swimming fishes.
Draft RSEIS 2
73
An additional aspect of fish passage is the condition of the entrance canal. Mud Ditch
connects the Mississippi River to the New Madrid Floodway. The Ditch itself can be
classified as a slackwater backwater during high river stages with a well-developed
forested riparian zone. Therefore, fish will likely be attracted to the entrance canal and
move towards the structure. Once the structure is open, fish will follow the primary flow
paths into the basin. All of these reasons strongly indicate that fish passage conditions
will exist at the New Madrid Floodway culverts.
Relative high species richness and presence of riverine fishes in the St. Johns basin,
which has culverts similar to those planned for New Madrid, indicate that fish passage is
highly probable and that gate operation will be an important management tool for
managing fish populations in the floodway.
4.3.2.2 Permanent Waterbody Creation/Enhancement
The Mississippi River floodplain can be inimdated for prolonged periods between winter
and early summer. Fish respond to floods by moving laterally onto the floodplain to
feed, avoid predators, and seek suitable areas for reproduction. A pulsed hydrograph
(naturally rises and falls in water stage or elevation not necessarily synonymous with a
flood event) during the winter and spring provides numerous opportunities for fish to
access floodplain habitats where they may reside for extended periods to feed and
reproduce. Permanent waterbodies harbor both resident and transient fishes. Therefore,
construction and management of permanent waterbodies must allow opportimities for
periodic connection to the mainstem river to accommodate access and dispersal, while
maintaining suitable habitat for a variety of fish species.
Borrow pits are permanent waterbodies that provide high quality rearing habitat for a
variety of species (Baker et al. 1991; others). Adult fish are attracted to borrow pits
because of deep water and abundant forage fishes that often concentrate in permanent
waterbodies. Many of these adult fish will spawn in shallow, structurally complex littoral
areas of borrow pits. Plankton densities are usually high in permanent waterbodies, so
once eggs hatch, larval fish have an abundant food source. High densities of fish are
characteristic of borrow pits, and many of these individuals will eventually be transported
or move into the Mississippi River during subsequent floods.
• 4.3.2.3 Mississippi River Batture Areas
Concerns have been raised over utilizing batture land for compensatory mitigation. The
batture land offers valuable fish spawning and rearing habitat. However, there are
opportunities to restore batture areas that can provide additional fish spawning and
rearing habitat. Primarily, reforesting cropland or restoring floodplain lakes would create
additional habitat that is currently not available to the fishery resource.
Flooded batture land that is reforested will have physiochemical characteristics similar to
forested areas in the New Madrid Floodway: slackwater, structural diversity (habitat
Draft RSEIS 2
74
diversity such as scrub/shrub or cypress root areas that provide value to fish), and direct
accessibility to the river. Swales and ridges in the batture create habitat similar to
tributaries; deep, warm water that persists after floodwaters recede and a corridor for
movement within the floodplain. In addition, increased hydraulic circulation in the
batture will improve water quality in large backwaters during prolonged flooding in late
spring and early summer. Batture land is also directly accessible to fish and has
heterogeneous habitats suitable for fish spawning and rearing. Therefore, batture land is
suitable to use for mitigation purposes.
4.3.2.4 Creation of Spawning and Rearing Habitat by Modifying Gate Operations
Strategic operation of the culverts at the New Madrid or the St. Johns Bayou levee
closure would provide an opportunity to create and maintain a permanent waterbody. By
definition, a permanent waterbody is any area where water is intentionally or naturally
pooled and periodically cormected to the river during the reproductive season of fishes.
For example, backwater lakes {e.g., oxbows, former tributaries, swale-ridge formations)
in the batture may only be seasonally connected to the river, but retain water for longer
periods due to a naturally occurring sediment plug at the outlet or placement of a weir.
Structural solutions have the advantage of targeting and maintaining appropriate water
levels during crucial life stages of fish and other groups (shorebirds, ducks). The
importance of permanent waterbodies is reflected in the number of lakes targeted for
restoration by the LMRCC. Many of these lakes become prematurely de watered and
isolated. The New Madrid and/or St. Johns Bayou pool will overcome many of these
difficulties in maintaining high quality rearing habitat for fishes. Fish access would be
ensured by monitoring.
HSl values are higher for permanent waterbodies than seasonally flooded lands for three
primary reasons. In contrast to seasonally flooded lands such as bottomland hardwoods,
permanent waterbodies retain water during a defined time period without the probability
that flood elevations will decline during critical spawning and rearing phases. Secondly,
food availability for larval fishes is higher in permanent waterbodies. Plankton
abundance is usually higher in backwaters than seasonally flooded lands. Third, greater
food availability and deep water of permanent waterbodies contribute to higher growth
rates, and ultimately survival of fishes that are eventually transported back to the
Mississippi River. All of these conditions apply to the proposed New Madrid and/or St.
Johns Bayou pool, thus justifying the use of permanent waterbody HSl values as opposed
to lower values associated with seasonally or temporally flooded lands.
4.3.3 Terrestrial Wildlife Resources
A terrestrial HEP was used to evaluate the impacts of the St. Johns Bayou Basin and New
Madrid Floodway Project on the wildlife habitat of forested areas. The interagency team
selected eight HEP evaluation species to represent the overall wildlife population and
oversaw the HEP analyses. The USFWS and MDC took the lead in selecting the model
species, the sampling areas, and the number of sampling sites. Basically, the resource
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agencies determined species and sampling regimes; then the Corps and GEO performed
the sampling and calculated the results.
The evaluation species represented guilds of all mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles
that are found throughout the complete range of habitats in the project area. The team
developed assumptions for existing, future with-project, and future without-project
conditions to quantify habitat changes. The habitat changes to any one of the evaluation
species would be reflected on all the species within that particular guild. For example,
the bottomland hardwood forest required by the barred owl and fox squirrel and the
marshy and ditchbank wetlands required by the red-winged black bird and muskrat would
represent amphibians and reptiles normally associated with those habitats. In this way,
separate amphibian and reptile species evaluation were not required.
A discussion of the HEP methodology that was used to quantify impacts to terrestrial
wildlife resources is found in Section 5.4 of the 2002 RSEIS. Further details regarding
field data and the evaluation species selected are contained in the USFWS CAR, located
in Appendix E of the 2002 RSEIS.
Construction of flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the
closure of the New Madrid Floodway would result in the direct loss of 1,993 and 66
wildlife AAHUs, respectively. HEP was used to quantify impacts to the barred owl, fox
squirrel, pileated woodpecker, Carolina chickadee, and the mink (Table 4.7).
Table 4.7. Direct impacts to forested areas from levee construction and channel
enlargement (USFWS, 2000).
Species
St. Johns
AAHU
New Madrid Floodway
AAHU
Barred Owl
489
15
Fox Squirrel
282
11
Pileated Woodpecker
393
13
Carolina Chickadee
515
15
Mink
314
11
Total
1993
66
4.3.4 Waterfowl Resource
The WAM developed by the USFWS and the National Biological Service was used to
quantify waterfowl impacts associated with the project. It is contained in Appendix E of
the 2002 RSEIS.
In the St. Johns Bayou Basin, approximately 386 cumulative acres of primarily croplands
are ponded with water less than 24 inches deep during November 1 to March 31.
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Approximately 89,758 DUDS, are available over the entire waterfowl season, the
majority of which (84,307 DUDs) occur during the migration in February and March. In
the New Madrid Floodway, approximately 931 cumulative acres less than 24 inches deep
are available for waterfowl tiiat provide a total of 243,402 DUDs, but as with the St.
Johns Basin, the majority of these (238,392) occur during spring migration. The
cumulative acres of water impacted are spread over several thousand acres in both basins.
Based on WAM, project implementation could actually produce a net increase in DUDs.
This is because the project operation allows for the ponding of water on up to 6,400 acres
during December and January. WAM results showed potential net gains of 545,856
DUDs in the St. Johns area and 53,374 in the Floodway. These gains may not be
achieved every year because the operational plan would be altered to allow for the
greatest possible diversity of flood timing, duration, and depth to provide water as needed
for waterfowl and to consider bottomland hardwood health within the low elevation
areas. In the long term, this flexible operational plan would provide the best management
tool to benefit the ecosystem and waterfowl. Resource gains would be achieved over
existing conditions because the project affords the opportunity during the winter
waterfowl season to hold water where little currently exists.
The unavoidable impacts of project implementation that are associated with the
prevention of backwater flooding would be most evident during March. As stated earlier,
the majority of DUDs currently provided in each basin occurs during spring migration.
Though the project would likely create a net gain in DUDs, the Corps and the USFWS
believe it to be appropriate to mitigate this impact to spring migration duck habitat.
Based on WAM, the USFWS offered several scenarios for mitigating spring waterfowl
habitat impacts. Their recommended method was reforestation of agricultural lands. The
USFWS preferred reforestation for the following reasons: 1) Reforestation constitutes an
ecosystem approach to restore historic vegetation and wetland communities in the
Mississippi River floodplain; 2) It provides a stable, low maintenance, high reliability
mitigation feature; 3) Reforestation has a proven high value for waterfowl; 4) Landscape
ecology dictates the need to restore bottomland hardwoods - it is currently lacking in the
project area and it would benefit many fish and wildlife species in addition to waterfowl;
5) It would offset terrestrial and wetland impacts in addition to waterfowl; and 6)
Reforestation of farmlands or other cleared lands is technologically and economically
feasible.
The analysis indicated that reforestation of 891 acres (70 percent red oak) would fully
mitigate springtime waterfowl impacts. This was based on bottomland hardwoods
providing approximately 229 DUD/acre to compensate over 200,000 springtime DUDs.
The WAM report also stated that reforested areas should be subject to frequent and
sustained winter flooding 18 inches deep or less and that, ideally, the flooding regime
should mimic the historic flooding patterns in the area, including variability both within
and among years. Also, the report stated that benefits could be expected immediately due
to the presence and availability of native moist soil plants in the newly established
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"forest" and would gradually change to those benefits associated with forests dominated
by red oaks and the associated benthic invertebrate community.
Concerns have been raised subsequent to the 2002 RSEIS. One is that the area would
have to be flooded most of the time during the spring season to attain the projected
benefits, even though the WAM preparers stated that flooding is expected to be varied
among and within years. This presumption of constant flooding would be contrary to the
goal of reforesting with 70 percent red oak species. Generally, red oaks are less flood
tolerant than other oak species; however, their value to waterfowl is very high. It is often
the less frequent high rainfall or flood events that make these areas available to
waterfowl. High red oak production therefore would not equate to constant availability
for waterfowl. Based on DUD outputs per acre, the USFWS showed varying amounts of
bottomland hardwoods that would need to be reforested to mitigate project impacts, e.g.
1,191 acres if 50 percent red oak and 1,692 if 30 percent red oak. It is very likely that
some reforested areas will not be planted with 70 percent red oak (2002 recommended
mitigation) due to frequent flooding. To date, the interagency mitigation team has
identified potential reforestation sites throughout the lower New Madrid Floodway and
are investigating reforestation of the Donaldson Point area outside the Floodway that
would be subject to frequent springtime flooding. The project mitigation will include
reforestation of thousands of acres of bottomland hardwoods that will provide waterfowl
habitat at varying times of the year. One substantial tract of bottomland hardwoods has
already been acquired next to the Ten Mile Pond CA that is managed primarily for
waterfowl. Consistent with their current practice, it is anticipated that MDC will
ultimately decide to manage this bottomland hardwoods area primarily for waterfowl.
Another criticism of WAM was that it was focused on dabbling ducks and did not
consider diving ducks. One reason for this is because it was determined that the loss of
shallow flooded backwater habitat was more critical for dabbling ducks and they
comprise most of the waterfowl use of the project area. Although ring-necked ducks will
occasionally use flooded bean fields, other divers such as scaup and canvasback seldom
do. MDC biologists serving on the interagency mitigation team do not believe that loss
of backwater flooding in the immediate project area would be significantly detrimental to
diving ducks; but do believe that creation of more permanent water habitat for fish and
moist soil areas for shorebirds may be beneficial for diving ducks. The more permanent
water habitats would allow for production of aquatic insect larvae, fingernail clams, and
other invertebrate food sources necessary during pre-breeding conditions that are not
normally available on periodically flooded croplands. It should also be pointed out that
management of moist soil areas could allow for higher water levels during February to
mid-March during spring waterfowl migration to benefit diving ducks. Subsequently,
water levels could be lowered during peak shorebird migration to benefit the intended
resource.
Another concem pertains to the availability of bottomland hardwoods for waterfowl use
in the post-project condition due to decreases in backwater flooding. It is true that there
will be less flooding and there would be less waterfowl use for many areas than under
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existing conditions. However, this overlooks the management potential for these newly
created areas that would be used for compensatory mitigation. Compensatory mitigation
would include plugging existing farm drains and creation of microtopography to emulate
natural patterns of surface flooding in the Mississippi River floodplain. These actions
would restore hydrology to the maximum extent practical. Rainfall events would still
cause flooding and it would be possible to establish perimeter levees to hold water. For
example, the Ten Mile Pond CA is above the existing 2-year flood elevation and a series
of levees are used to control water and manage for a diversity of seasonally flooded
waterfowl habitats.
Another concern is that reforesting existing agricultural lands causes a loss of waterfowl
habitat based on a lowering of caloric production. Based on food production alone, this
might have been presumed true if considerable waste grain (soybeans) were left in fields
after harvest and crop seeds did not deteriorate quickly. However, recent research
indicates that little waste grain remains in southeast Missouri crop fields after harvest
because new varieties of crops mature earlier and harvest equipment is extremely
efficient and leaves little grain in fields (e.g., <70 lbs/acre rice, <40 lbs/acre soybeans, <
100 lbs/acre com). Further, not all waste grain is available to ducks, because other
animals (e.g., blackbirds, rodents, rails, songbirds, etc.) consume some grain, some grain
is covered with debris or soil, and seeds deteriorate rapidly after harvest. The latter is
especially tme with soybeans that decompose almost entirely within 90 days of harvest.
For example, if soybeans are harvested in early October and leave 40 lbs/acre waste
grain, by January <10 lbs/acre soybean grain is left for potential consumption by ducks
because of rapid decomposition and consumption by other species. It should also be
pointed out that soybeans (the primary crop of the project area) have digestive inhibitors
that actually reduce the amount of protein that a duck can metabolize fi-om eating it.
Cereal grains are high in carbohydrates, but should be considered as a supplement,
instead of a substitute for natural food sources for waterfowl. Waterfowl cannot fulfill
their nutritional requirements simply from ingesting grain. In contrast, natural foods
found in bottomland hardwoods are resistant to deterioration and different foods are
continually supplied throughout winter and spring including seeds, tubers, and rootlets of
herbaceous plants, hard mast from oaks and pecans, and diverse invertebrates associated
with detrital litter in bottomland hardwood areas. The argument of better value from
waste grain also runs contrary to the goals of the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture
to increase quality waterfowl habitat by reforesting large portions of the Lower
Mississippi Alluvial Valley to recover some historic habitat. Based on this idea of food
productivity, WAM preparers put forth one option of making available an 828-acre
soybean'area to mitigate project impacts. The area would need to be a harvested field
that is not fall plowed or burned and then managed to hold water. However, the
argument that fewer acres of soybeans would serve to better mitigate impacts than greater
acres of bottomland hardwoods relates to caloric output alone, dismisses the variety of
food sources available from bottomland hardwoods, and totally diminishes the overall
value of bottomland hardwoods to waterfowl resources. Therefore, the consensus among
resource agencies, including the USFWS and the Corps, is that the provision of highly
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valuable bottomland hardwoods as compensatory mitigation is far superior to a flooded
bean field.
Since the WAM was prepared, the Corps made a change in the recommended plan to
allow for spring flooding in the New Madrid Floodway up to elevation 284.4 each year
until May 15. The change in gate operation would allow flooding of about 2,000 acres in
the lowest elevation lands of the floodway. The change was made to benefit the fishery
resource, but would also increase flooded habitat that would benefit waterfowl.
Consequently, the project impacts to waterfowl in spring would be reduced and would
lower mitigation needs. Because the total project mitigation plan already exceeded
reforestation requirements for waterfowl, it was determined that a reassessment of
impacts and mitigation was not needed. Mitigation was based primarily on dabbler
habitat. But it should be noted that this change in gate operation, particularly if waters
are allowed to flood this area prior to April 1, which would likely be the case, would
result in substantial areas with deeper water (between 2 and 4 feet) that would provide
feeding habitat for diving ducks.
Another option provided by the WAM preparers was to mitigate springtime waterfowl
impacts by creation of a 202-acre moist soil area. This habitat, devoted exclusively to
managing waterfowl, had the highest value to waterfowl of 1,037 DUD/acre. It should be
noted that since preparation of the WAM, a shorebird analysis was completed that
demonstrated a need to develop and manage 765 acres of herbaceous wetlands for
shorebirds. As of November 2005, about 162 acres have already been acquired next to
Ten Mile Pond CA for this purpose. Also, another 40-acre track close to the conservation
area has been acquired and would likely be used for moist soil management. It is
possible that the shorebird areas could approximate the value of moist soil areas for
waterfowl. There is a large amount of data that shows complementary values for both
ducks and shorebirds in moist soil sites. Also, more recent studies, e.g., the Bayou Meto
area in east central Arkansas, suggest much higher values for waterfowl in herbaceous
(moist soil) habitats (1,704 DUD/acre) than were used in WAM analysis for this project.
Based on the lower value of 1,037 DUD/acre for herbaceous wetlands, shorebird
mitigation habitat could provide more than three times the mitigation required for
waterfowl. Another important aspect of the moist soil areas is that there would likely be
some areas that would, on occasion, provide habitat for diving ducks. Ring-necked ducks
have adapted to taking advantage of the shallower water habitats. They have been
documented in the Ten Mile Pond CA feeding on tubers and seeds (yellow nutsedge,
millets, and sprangletop) and will stay from December through early March (depending
on ice). Scaup, canvasback, and other diving ducks may use portions of moist soil areas
during the February to March migration period, although canvasbacks prefer deeper
waters, usually >36 inches.
An additional concern is the loss of frequent widespread flooding during the spring.
Following project construction, flooded areas would be more concentrated. Distribution
is an important factor for waterfowl as well as diversity of available food sources.
However, it should be pointed out that some flooding of agricultural lands from rainwater
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events and ephemeral ponding will still occur throughout the project area regardless of
project construction. Therefore, all waterfowl will not be concentrated within those areas
for which they are managed. Conversely, project mitigation areas such as bottomland
hardwoods, and shorebird moist soil areas will provide quality waterfowl habitat even in
dry years where little habitat currently exists. Also, additional avoid and minimize
measures such as establishing riparian corridors along 64 miles of Floodway streams and
ditches and establishment of a wildlife corridor between Ten Mile Pond CA and Big Oak
Tree State Park will improve the overall habitat diversity and food availability for
waterfowl.
In summary, although spring and summer backwater flooding would be reduced
following project construction, the ability to pond water during winter months plus the
environmental measures proposed for mitigation of fish and wildlife resources are
expected to increase waterfowl benefits in the project area.
4.4 Economic Factors
Four concerns have been raised with respect to project economics as described in the
2002 RSEIS. These include cost sharing, use of appropriate interest rates, the effect on
project area benefits if substantial areas become ineligible for farm subsidies based on
Swampbuster provisions, and general concerns with updating project economic analyses.
4.4.1 Cost Sharing
The cost sharing provisions of the 1986 WRDA, 33 USC §2213(a)(1) apply to any
project in which construction had not been initiated by 1986 and to separable elements of
older projects not constructed prior to 1986. Separable elements are defined as physically
separable from other parts of the project and achieving hydrologie effects or producing
physical and economic benefits which are separately identifiable from those produced by
other portions of the project. 33 USC §2213(f). The concern has been raised that the
portion of the project authorized as part of the MRL feature under the Flood Control Act
of 1954 should be cost-shared in accordance with the 1986 WRDA. This is unfounded.
The cost share provisions of the 1986 WRDA apply to authorized but unstarted separable
elements of the Mississippi River & Tributaries (MR&T) project and to MR&T elements
that are authorized in the WRDA 1986 and later authorization bills. Specifically, any
work authorized on the Mississippi River levees is exempted from new cost sharing
requirements. [Letter of Robert K. Dawson, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil
Works) to Hon. Russell B. Long, 132 Cong. Ree. S. 3704 (March 27, 1986)]
The levee closure is also not physically separable from other portions of the MRL
features of the MR&T Project. The levee closure acts to complete this section of the
Mississippi River Levee system as a single, continuous structure from Commerce to New
Madrid, Missouri, along the westem bank of the river. Furthermore, at the time of the
drafting of the 1986 WRDA cost-sharing provisions, separable elements were viewed as
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parts of the MR&T Project that are located along tributaries of the Mississippi River.
These parts are necessary to provide flood protection from Mississippi River flooding.
The Mississippi River Levees portion of the MR&T Project was a scheduled item and as
such, is inseparable from the MR&T Project element. Thus, the provisions of the 1986
WRDA do not apply to the levee closure.
4.4.2 Interest Rates
A concern has also been raised regarding the use of a 2.5% interest rate for the MRL
feature; the New Madrid closure levee and box culverts. The concern is that a more
recent and higher interest rate should be used for project evaluation of these MRL
features. The use of the 2.5% interest rate for certain project features under the Water
Resources Development Act of 1974 (WRDA 1974) is proper. Section 204 of Public
Law 95-28 (May 13, 1977, 91 STAT. 121) amended WRDA 1974 and states "[I]t is
hereby reiterated that the interest rates or rates of discount to be used...shall be those
interest rates or rates of discount established by Public Law 93-251... or by any prior law
authorizing projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers..." Accordingly, in
preparing the 2002 RSEIS, the Corps appropriately used the interest rate that was
established for the MRL feature of the project, (the New Madrid closure levee and
gravity outlet) which was authorized imder the Flood Control Act of 1954. This was the
interest rate used for project formulation in the supporting economic data presented to
Congress for the initial authorization by Congress.
The legislative history preceding enactment of Section 204 indicates that this provision
was specifically intended to preclude the application of higher interest rates to previously
authorized water resources development projects [See pages 3120 through 3138 of the
Congressional Record - Senate, March 10, 1977, for a discussion of Amendment No. 60
to Senate Bill No. S. 247 which became Section 204 of Public Law 95-28]. Congress
recognized that the appropriation of construction funds implies a commitment by the
Government and raises a strong and reasonable expectation that the project will be built,
and that non-Federal sponsors will often expend a portion of their cost-shared
commitment in reliance on continued appropriations for the project.
At the time of the issuance of the General Design Manual (GDM) No. 1 - New Madrid
Flpodway, in November 1957, the Corps had assurances from local interests that the local
interests would provide rights-of-way for construction and would pay for the operation
and management of the project after completion (GDM No. 1, November 4, 1957, Page
3). The St. Johns Levee and Drainage District, under provisions of assurances accepted
January 30, 1959, acquired flowage easements on about 57,000 acres of land in the New
Madrid Floodway. (Review Report - St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, May
1974)
Since the sponsor made this financial commitment in acquiring those flowage easements,
per the Section 204 of Public Law 95-28 stated above, the prevailing interest rate at that
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time is the proper rate for evaluation. That interest rate for the closure levee was 2.5%.
Corps policy supports this Congressional mandate and the use of 2.5%.
4.4.3 Loss of Benefits Due to Swampbuster Ineligibility
Two concerns have been raised concerning the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 USC
3822(f)(4)) (PSA). These concerns relate to the Swampbuster provisions.
4.4.3.1 Swampbuster Ineligibility
Producers in the area who are enrolled in the NRCS farm program are not subject to the
ineligibility provisions of the PSA. This is due to distinct provisions in the PSA and the
Clean Water Act (CWA), as explained below.
The PSA states that a person is exempt from the ineligibility provisions of that Act for
any action associated with the production of an agricultural commodity on a converted
wetland, or the conversion of a wetland, if the action was authorized by a permit issued
under Section 404 of the CWA and the wetland values, acreage, and functions of the
converted wetland were adequately mitigated.
The St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Ploodway Project is a Federal project specifically
authorized by Congress for which the Corps has prepared several previous environmental
impact statements and evaluated the project in accordance with the CWA Section
404(b)(1) Guidelines. The project actions that affect wetlands are, in effect, authorized
under Section 404 just as they would be by a Section 404 permit. The St. Johns Bayou
and New Madrid Ploodway Volume 1 Phase 1 GDM (September 1980) was presented to
Congress and included a Section 404 (b)(1) analysis (page 134). Subsequent NEPA
documents have also included Section 404(b)(1) analyses; most recently Appendix P of
the 2002 RSEIS. Per these analyses, and WQ Certification requirements, adequate
mitigation for wetland impacts is not only provided, it is assured through monitoring.
In 1998, NRCS made the determination that the Corps' mitigation for this project met the
requirements for retained eligibility under the PSA. Recently, the Corps requested that
NRCS verify this determination. To do so, NRCS requested that the Corps provide an
assessment of the functionality of lands within the project area to which this exemption
(farmed wetlands) may apply, as well as the functional value of the Corps mitigation.
Concurrently, NRCS examined the impact of applying current mapping conventions to
the project area. The NRCS team assembled Farm Service Agency "compliance slides"
including wet and dry years, soil surveys, wetland inventories. Farm Service Agency base
maps and color infrared photographs. Compliance slides are images used by the agency
to aid in wetland analyses. The team selected three one-mile wide transects/sample areas
(representing approximately 20 percent of the project area as outlined by the Corps) to
evaluate the accuracy and applicability to the Wetland Conservation provisions. The
sampling procedure verified that the original PSA wetland inventory is adequate for
Draft RSEIS 2
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estimating farmed wetlands in the project area. Use of new mapping conventions did not
yield greater amounts of wetlands in the sample. Therefore, wetland kinds and acres
provided in previous NRCS correspondence with the Corps (NRCS letter dated May 29,
1998) are valid. The new mapping conventions were developed under a 1994
Memorandum of Agreement among the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of the Army
concerning the delineation of wetlands for purposes of Section 404 of the CWA and
Subtitle B of the FSA.
NRCS's 1998 correspondence indicated the percentage of the project area that could be
classified as farmed wetlands was estimated to be 0.4 percent for both the St. Johns
Bayou and the New Madrid Floodway. Applying this percentage to the 130,000 acres
expected to have some decrease in fiood duration and/or firequency, 520 (or 530, See
Section 2.1.1.) acres of farmed wetlands could be impacted.
The Corps contracted with the ERDC to conduct an HGM assessment of potential project
impacts on farmed wetland functions. A description of the HGM assessment and the
mitigation ratios to offset the losses of the various functions is provided in Appendix D.
The mitigation ratio for the most impacted function of farmed wetlands is 1.53:1.
Applying this factor to the NRCS estimate of impacted farmed wetlands, approximately
800 acres would be needed to mitigate these impacts. The Corps wetland mitigation
described in Section 5.2.2 Avill provide more than eight times that derived from the NRCS
and HGM assessments.
NRCS confirmed (NRCS letter dated Oct. 5, 2005) their original estimate of inventoried
(non-certified) farmed wetlands in the project area (NRCS letter dated May 29, 1998)
using the current mapping conventions. Based upon the functionality of the estimated
farmed wetlands, and the NRCS quantity estimate of existing farmed wetlands in the
project area, NRCS concluded: "The COE's projections of the affected wetlands and the
resulting mitigation are more than adequate for NRCS wetland conservation provisions of
the Food Security Act." Therefore, producers who are enrolled in the farm program are
exempted fi-om the ineligibility provisions of the Food Security Act, as provided in 16
U.S.C. 3822(f)(4).
44.3.2 Loss of Subsidies
The second concern relates to the calculation of benefits of the project that could be
affected by the loss of subsidies if large amounts of acres lose "Farm Bill Program"
eligibility. In particular, this concern is that if participants in the Farm Bill program were
ruled ineligible due to Swampbuster viqlations, then they would lose benefits afforded
them in the form of price support subsidies and those losses of benefits should be
reflected in the economic analyses for this project. As stated previously, producers who
are enrolled in the farm program are exempted firom the ineligibility provisions of the
FSA.
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Furthermore, the calculations of benefits provided by the implementation of the project's
flood control features in the 2002 RSEIS did not include any direct benefit provided to
producers due to any agricultural subsidy programs. There is an indirect effect of
subsidies, but only firom the fact that price indices are affected by subsidies such as price
supports. The indices used for the economic analyses in the 2002 RSEIS are the
"Normalized Prices" developed by the Economic Research Service (See Page B-5, 2002
RSEIS). Therefore, even in the event that participants lose eligibility, there would be no
affect to the project's economic analyses.
4.4.4 Update of Project Economics
The economics of the recommended plan as presented in the 2002 RSEIS are revisited in
this study to affirm the project's justification under current economic conditions.
Agricultural benefits accoimted for approximately 90% of the recommended plan's
benefits and as such require an in-depth reanalysis to provide assurance of a reasonable
current benefit estimate. Since the other benefits are relatively minor, they require less
detailed scrutiny.
Pertinent data considered in the agricultural benefit reanalysis included land use, crop
yields, current crop prices, costs of production, crop varieties that are grown in the area,
and the interest rate used to discount the benefit streams. Of these factors, land use, crop
type, and crop yields have experienced relatively insignificant changes. Crop prices,
production costs, and the interest rate used to discount benefit and cost streams have
changed significantly. The crop prices used in this reanalysis are the fiscal year 2005
prices developed by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. The production costs were taken from crop budgets generated annually and
published by the University of Missouri. The interest rate used in the economic
reanalysis is the current (Fiscal Year 2005) Federal discount rate of 5 1/8 percent. This
current rate is used for presentation purposes only. The authorized rates of 2 1/2 percent
and 7 5/8 percent are used for formulation of the individual project features. The MRL
levee closure is formulated at the "grandfathered" interest rate of 2 1/2 percent while the
other features are formulated at 7 5/8 percent. See Section 4.4.2 for a discussion on
interest rates.
4.5 Other Factors
4.5.1 Farmed Wetland Determinations
•
A concern has been raised that NRCS did not provide certified farmed wetland
determinations. NRCS makes certified wetland determinations when requested by
individual landowners (NRCS Policy letter dated April 12, 1995), or a classification will
be made when a potential violation has been reported or other U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) programs require a certified determination (NRCS National Food
Security Act Manual (NFSAM) Section 514.11, dated September 2000). Revised
guidance to the NFSAM (dated June 15, 2005) maintains that NRCS will conduct
Draft RSEIS 2
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certified wetland determinations when a USDA program participant indicates that he or
she plans to conduct an activity that may affect program eligibility. There have been few
such requests and therefore, the NRCS has made very few certified farmed wetland
determinations in the study area.
NRCS provided estimates on the acres of farmed wetlands that have the potential to be
impacted by the project. NRCS concluded that there are approximately 520 acres of
farmed wetlands.
4.5.2 Civil Works Projects versus Regulatory Program Compensatory Mitigation
Concerns have been raised stating that the Corps does not mitigate Civil Works projects
in the same manner as it requires private applicants under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. The facts underlying these concerns are true, the Corps does not mitigate Civil
Works projects in the same manner it requires of applicants. These concerns have been
previously addressed and are available on the Corps's Internet website. The following
paragraphs have been copied directly from the website (USACE, 2005).
Question - Why doesn't the Corps hold itself to the same standards
for mitigation as is does private developers?
Answer - Mitigation as generally practiced by Corps planners affects a
much broader range of resources than does the Corps Regulatory program
which applies to aquatic resources. The most visible mitigation attributed
to the Corps regulatory program is the compensatory mitigation done for
wetlands impacts. To the extent a Corps Civil Works project impacts
wetlands, the Section 404 (b)(1) guidelines are applied to the project.
Those projects are treated in the same manner as a private developer's
project. The only difference in process comes about during the project
development phase. Private developers may use any reasonable standard
they wish to economically justify their choices concerning projects. The
Corps planning process requires the development of an NED project based
on a cost benefit comparison. Civil Works projects are therefore
developed in manner that places an emphasis on economics, which may
, differ from that required of the private sector. This means that the
proposed altemative is one that passes the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines
avoidance and least environmentally damaging altemative test as well as
the Corps public interest review after having already passed through an
economic based evaluation. For permit application, economics is only
viewed as a function of reasonable cost, rather than the more structured
and formal economic evaluation performed by the Corps. The same
resource evaluation that occurs during the regulatory process is also
required during the Civil Works process.
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The standards that private developers are held to are different because, the
cost and benefits for the project are borne by the private sector owner.
Business decisions made by the private sector may or may not result in
decisions similar to those made for Corps projects. The projects that the
Corps Civil Works program proposes are developed to be in the National
Interest. This means that no one person is benefiting fi"om the project, but
that there are benefits derived from the project that are benefiting the
nation. The Department of the Army - Environmental Protection Agency
1990 Memorandum of Agreement on Mitigation (1) establishes the
mitigation sequence, avoid, minimize, and then compensate to extent
practicable, for remaining unavoidable impacts; (2) reiterates that
significant degradation (loss of value) (40 CFR 230.10(c)) can be offset by
compensatory mitigation to the level of non-significance; and (3) reiterates
the requirement that the Corps should require mitigation to ensure no
significant degradation of the waters of the United States occurs. In the
Regulatory arena this strict sequence is a requirement, view of the project
being proposed. Changes to the proposed project are recommended to the
applicant for a permit. In the Civil works arena, the sequencing of
decisions is made only after the NED project is developed. The Federal
objective of water and related land resources project planning is to
contribute to the national economic development consistent with the goals
for protecting the Nation's environment.
Under the Corps Regulatory Program, quantifying impacts and compensatory mitigation
would generally not be required for impacts of a construction activity to terrestrial
wildlife, waterfowl, shorebirds, and fish rearing habitat. The Regulatory Program
primarily focuses on impacts to jurisdictional wetlands. The Corps is proposing to
mitigate for all significant impacts, not just jurisdictional wetlands.
Another important difference to mention is that the Corps Regulatory Program requires
compensatory mitigation for impacts to jurisdictional wetlands. Prior converted
croplands are not jurisdictional wetlands. Additionally, prior converted cropland is not
regulated under the Clean Water Act. Mitigation for this proposed project compensates
for decreased immdation on farmland, regardless of jurisdictional status. The Corps
Regulatory Program and the 404(b)(1) Guidelines would not require compensatory
mitigation for non-jurisdictional areas. The Corps is proposing to mitigate for impacts to
jurisdictional status on 622 acres (including 520 acres farmed wetlands indirect, 92 acres
jurisdictional wetlands and 10 acres farmed wetlands directly impacted) of wetlands by
restoring bottomland hardwoods and herbaceous wetlands on 7,121 acres of cropland. A
private applicant would most likely compensate the same impact with only 1,078 of
bottomland hardwood restoration, assuming results from the HGM analysis.
Draft RSEIS 2
87
4.5.3 Additional NEPA Requirements
This document is intended to supplement the 2002 RSEIS. Coordination with the
interagency team will occur regarding the suitability of potential mitigation tracts prior to
purchase. Additional coordination will occur with the interagency mitigation team during
the development of a site-specific detailed mitigation plans. Detailed mitigation plans are
discussed in Section 6.3. The detailed mitigation plans will be submitted to the
interagency mitigation team for review and comment prior to submittal for approval to
MDNR. Additional NEPA documentation, such as an environmental assessment, may be
required for particular mitigation plans. The Corps will make this determination and
consideration will be afforded the comments received from the interagency mitigation
team, applicable Federally recognized Indian Tribes, the Missouri SHPO, the non-Federal
sponsor, and the general public.
4.5.4 Regulatory Guidance Letter 01-1
A concern was raised regarding the requirements of Corps' Regulatory Guidance Letter
(ROL) 01-1 and potential issues raised by that RGL concerning temporal mitigation
losses and requirements for a permit applicant to submit a mitigation work plan. Besides
being superseded the following year by RGL 02-2, those concerns are misplaced and no
longer applicable under the new guidelmes.
Regarding mitigation ratios, RGL 02-2 is clear that wetland mitigation should focus on
one-to-one functional replacement rather than acreages. In some cases, this means that
replacing the functions lost from one wetland area can be achieved by another, smaller
wetland. A ratio will be lower than one-to-one mitigation for wetland acreage lost where
the functions associated v^th the area being impacted are demonstrably low and the
replacement wetlands are of a higher function. Furthermore, mitigation is to be guided
by the principle that compensatory mitigation must be practicable. "There may be
instances where permit decisions do not meet the 'no overall net loss of wetlands' goal
because compensatory mitigation would be impracticable...[and the goal] may not be
achieved for each and every permit action". Id. at 2c.
As for temporal losses, that same RGL notes that construction of mitigation features
should be concurrent with authorized impacts to the extent practicable and that advance
or concurrent mitigation can reduce temporal losses. However, it is acceptable to allow
impacts to aquatic resources to occur before accomplishing compensatory mitigation in
circumstances where legal or contractual requirements require otherwise. In the present
case, mitigation lands will be fully acquired, although full mitigation credit will be
subject to temporal reduction during the transition to complete restoration of the
mitigation lands. This is acceptable under the RGL guidelmes which state that "[ijnitial
physical and biological improvements in the mitigation plan generally should be
completed no later than the first full growing season following the impacts from
authorized activities." Id. at 2.n.
Draft RSEIS 2
88
Regarding a compensatory mitigation plan, RGL 02-2 requires a Corps-approved
mitigation plan, a secured mitigation site, appropriate financial assurances, and legally
protected, adequate water rights. Compensatory mitigation plans should include relevant
information such as baseline information, environmental goals and objectives, site
selection issues, a mitigation work plan, performance standards, contingency plans, and
monitoring and long-term management. Id. at 3.a-j. While mitigation work plans should
contain boundaries of proposed mitigation areas, the focus of the RGL concerning
mitigation indicates that such a specific plan would not be required in situations such as
large projects. Rather, an acreage surrogate could be relied upon (such as relying on the
minimum one-to-one acreage replacement ratio) or computing credits for the fimctional
changes to each mitigation site. See, id. at 2.d.3-4. Furthermore, compensatory
mitigation plans are not required as a matter of regulation before the Corps can issue a
public notice on a specific permit. 33 CFR §325.1(d)(9). Accordingly, if mitigation
plans are available, they are included to the extent available in the public notice. In the
present situation, the draft mitigation plan was included in the 2002 RSEIS and the
mitigation strategies that the Corps is evaluating are analyzed in detail in this RSEIS 2. If
later developments alter the practicability of these proposals, then subsequent NEPA
documents will be issued in accordance with Corps and 404(b)(1) guidelines.
Site-specific detailed mitigation plans would follow the general outline of the RGL to the
extent practical.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
5.1 Introduction
This chapter is written to supplement the 2002 RSEIS Section Environment
Consequences, not to replace it. Impact analysis of the recommended flood damage
reduction features is described in the 2002 RSEIS. This supplement section relates to the
clarification of mitigation calculations, issues related to mitigation, and the addition of
mitigation options to compensate for the unavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife
resources. The chapter is divided by relevant physical, biological, and social factors.
The environmental impact is described for the no Federal action, the basic mitigation
feature, additional mitigation techniques, and mitigation scenarios for each relevant
factor,
WRDA 1986 directs that acquisition of lands to mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife shall
be undertaken: (1) before any construction of the project commences; or (2) concurrently
with the acquisition of lands and interests in lands for project purposes; and (3) that
mitigation measures will generally be scheduled for accomplishment concurrently with
other project features in the most efficient way. Section 906(b) of WRDA 1986 provides
authority for the Secretary of the Army to mitigate damages to fish and wildlife without
further specific Congressional authorization but limits post authorization acquisition or
interests in lands for mitigation to willing sellers. Mitigation tracts must be purchased
Draft RSEIS 2
89
from willing sellers. Therefore, the precise location of the majority of actual mitigation
tracts is currently unknown.
One objective of this RSEIS 2 is to examine whether compensatory mitigation is
achievable and, if so, whether the project is economically justified. The values presented
in the paragraphs below are general in nature and show overall mitigation strategies.
Site-specific mitigation credits would be calculated during the development of detailed
site-specific mitigation plans. Mitigation credit would be verified through monitoring to
ensure that projected gains in habitat are met. Chapter 6.0 describes the acquisition,
development, monitoring, and long-term management of site-specific mitigation.
5.2 Wetlands
Impacts to wetlands from project construction are described in Section 5.3 of the 2002
RSEIS and 4.2.1 of this RSEIS 2. All significant wetland impacts from the St. Johns
Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project will be mitigated.
The HGM analysis (Appendix D of this RSEIS 2) indicated expected gains in functional
value from restoring forested wetlands on cropland. A summary is provided in Table 5.1.
A mitigation ratio of 1.53:1 would fully compensate the greatest functional impact to
farmed wetlands (1.53 x 530 acres of farmed wetland impacts = 811 acres of mitigation).
A mitigation ratio of 2.9:1 would fully compensate the greatest functional impact to
forested wetlands (2.9 x 92 acres of forested wetland impacts = 267). Therefore, all
functional losses to wetlands would be fully mitigated by restoring wetlands on 1,078
acres of cropland.
It is important to note that the HGM analysis made the following assumptions concerning
the mitigation areas:
• The mitigation areas will remain flooded at a frequency and duration sufficient to
qualify as jurisdictional wetlands. The pattem of flooding will be predominantly
backwater, or low-velocity flows of headwater, as described for the impact sites.
• Mitigation areas that will be reforested will be assumed to start as bare fields with
• the same characteristics as the farmed wetland impact sites. They will be site-
prepared to create microdepressional water storage at target levels established in
the Arkansas Delta HGM guidebook (the percent ponding under natural
conditions varies with the age and origin of the geomorphic surface - e.g., modem
meander belt features are more ponded than older Pleistocene outwash features),
and be planted with appropriate native tree species (again, the initial composition
must conform to the reference data presented in the Arkansas Guidebook).
Planting densities, monitoring, and maintenance procedures will follow
commonly accepted practices for wetland mitigation projects in the Corps'
Memphis District.
Draft RSEIS 2
90
Table 5.1. Gain in functional capacity per 1000 acres of compensatory mitigation and mitigation ratios to compensate impacts
Detain
Floodwater
Detain
Precipitation
Cycle
Nutrients
Export
Organic
Carbon
Remove
Elements
And
Compounds
Maintain
Plant
Communities
Provide
Wildlife
Habitat
Functional Gains
582
906
589
663
348
814
507 (small tracts)
640 (large tracts)
Farmed Wetland
Mitigation Ratios
No Impact
0.03:1
0.13:1
0.02:1
1.53:1
No Impact
No Impact
Forested Wetland
Mitigation Rations
1.7: 1
1.1 : 1
1.7: 1
1.5 : 1
2.9: 1
1.2: 1
1.5 : 1 (small
mitigation tracts -
250 acres average)
1.3 :'l (large tracts-
3000 acres average)
Draft RSEIS 2
91
• The composition variable (Vcomp) for the planted mitigation sites is assumed to
be less tíian optimal even thou^ the sites will be planted with appropriate
species. This is based on experience, where relatively short-lived or understory
species (e.g. box elder, dogwood) tend to invade and co-dominate with the
planted species in the early years. Over time, the Vcomp score improves, and by
the time trees are present, the replacement variable (Vtcomp) is assumed to be
fully functional (i.e., all dominants are target species for the site).
• Mitigation proposals other than reforestation of farm fields, such as development
of moist soil units and the establishment of shallow-water perimeter wetlands in
borrow pits, are not included in this assessment.
Construction of the flood damage reduction project would decrease inundation on a total
of 1,296 and 5,417 acres of agricultural lands tiiat meet the 15-day hydrologie criterion
for farmed wetlands within the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway,
respectively, according to the Corps statistic inundation analyses (2002 RSEIS Appendix
D). As previously stated, NRCS identified 0.4%, or about 520 acres, of this area as
farmed wetlands (see RSEIS 2 Section 4.2.1.2.). The remaining cropland is prior
converted cropland. The Corps is proposing to mitigate for all of the losses to
agricultural lands that meet the 15-day hydrologie criterion regardless of jurisdictional
status. The State of Missouri Compensatory Mitigation Guidelines were used to
determine appropriate mitigation. Direct impacts to wetlands would be mitigated at a
ratio of four acres of mitigation to every acre of impact (4:1). Indirect impacts to
agricultural areas that meet the 15-day hydrologie criterion for farmed wetlands
regardless of jurisdictional status would be mitigated at ratio of 1:1. Therefore, 7,121
acres would be provided to mitigate losses. Mitigation would include reforesting
cropland, constructing moist soil units, creating vegetated buffer strips, and establishing a
wildlife corridor. Functional wetland impacts would be overcompensated by the 7,121
acres of mitigation.
The Corps would monitor current jurisdictional wetlands within the New Madrid
Floodway and St. Johns Bayou Basin below 295 feet NGVD for five years after the flood
damage reduction features are built and are operated. This monitoring is separate from
the monitoring that would be conducted on all mitigation sites. The jurisdictional
wetland monitoring would ensure that all wetlands modeled by the Corps during the
formulation of the 2002 RSEIS, would retain their jurisdictional status. Monitoring
would include a comprehensive network of water level monitoring stations and physical
site evaluations to fully characterize temporal and spatial variation of surface and
subsurface water levels in the project area (or within the area having ground surface
elevations below 295 feet NGVD) at least to the extent that project operations impacts
can be determined for all wetlands within the project area. The exact number and
location of monitoring stations would be determined in an approved monitoring plan
submitted to MDNR.
Draft RSEIS 2
92
A condition of the WQ Certification states that no net loss to jurisdictional wetlands
would occur within the project area. Additionally, any drainage improvements conducted
as part of the St. Johns Bayou New Madrid Floodway Project must not degrade or reduce
adjacent wetlands. Additional mitigation may be required if monitoring results indicate a
net loss to jurisdictional wetlands. The basic mitigation feature provides a net increase of
6,499 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the project
would result in a net loss to jurisdictional wetlands. Monitoring results would be
coordinated with MDNR and the interagency mitigation team.
5.2.1 No Federal Action
Section 5.3.1 of the 2002 RSEIS describes the Without-Project Conditions. In summary,
all forested wetlands that can be reasonably cleared have already been cleared and
converted to agriculture. Any future impacts to wetlands would have to undergo Federal
and State permitting under the Clean Water Act and/or the Food Securities Act. No
wetland permitting requirements would be necessary for activities that impact prior
converted croplands.
5.2.2 Basic Mitigation Feature
The basic mitigation feature would entail wetland restoration/creation on 7,121 acres of
land. Table 5.2 provides expected benefits to wetlands from the basic mitigation feature
in terms of functional capacity units for the various parameters measured in the HGM
analysis. Wetland mitigation credits would be calculated during the development of tract
specific detailed mitigation plans. Additionally, the functional gains to wetlands would
be calculated from supplying Big Oak Tree State Park with Mississippi River surface
water. The basic mitigation feature more than compensates for wetland functional losses
and overall acreages.
Draft RSEIS 2
93
Table 5.2. Expected functional benefíts to wetlands from the basic mitigation
feature
acres
FCU
1
FCU
2
FCU
3
FCU
4
FCU
5
FCU
6
FCU
7
Total
FCU
Project Impacts
-622
-92
-105
-132
-99
-374
-92
-70
-964
Basic Mitigation
Reforestation SJB
1,293
753
1,172
762
857
450
1,053
655
Reforestation NM
2,326
1,354
2,108
1,370
1,542
809
1,893
1,179
Modified Moist Soil
Unit
765
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Vegetated Buffers
671
390
608
395
445
234
546
340
Wildlife Corridor
266
154
241
157
176
93
217
135
BOTSP Water Supply
0
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
BOTSP Perimeter Land
Acquisition
1,800
1,048
1,631
1,060
1,193
626
1,465
913
Borrow Pits
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL Basic
Mitigation
7,121
3,699
5,759
3,744
4,213
2,212
5,174
3,222
28,023
NET CHANGE
6,499
3,607
5,654
3,612
4,114
1,838
5,082
3,152
27,059
FCU 1 - Detain Floodwater
FCU 2 - Detain Precipitation
FCU 3 - Cycle Nutrients
FCU 4 - Export Organic Carbon
FCU 5 - Remove Elements and Compounds
FCU 6 - Maintain Plant Communities
FCU 7 - Provide Wildlife Habitat
Draft RSEIS 2
94
5.2.2.1 Reforestation
Forested wetland mitigation would include the following measures:
• Restore hydrologie functions to the maximum extent practical. This may
be accomplished by removing existing farm drains or plugging ditches.
Perimeter levees may have to be constructed to prevent flooding on
adjacent properties.
• Prepare the area for vegetation. This may involve deep disking or the use
of a sub-soiler.
• Create microtopography based on the geomorphic setting. Dimensions
would be based on patterns that occur in nearby reference sites.
• Plant appropriate vegetation dependent on site-specific hydrology and soil
conditions. Native genotypes common to the area would be planted to the
greatest extent practical. Reforesting areas with 70% red oaks may not be
practical.
• Plant each tract to the extent feasible with 15% RPM trees and 85%
acoms/seeds. However, depending on site-specific conditions, it may be
more appropriate to use seedlings. Planting would occur at appropriate
times of the year.
• Utilize native genotypes in the plantings on the 1,800 acres of land
surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park to mimic natural park conditions.
• Tree spacing, planting pattems, and maintenance requirements will be
developed in consultation with resource agencies.
The preservation of highly desirable bottomland hardwoods that are in danger of being
impacted by private individuals may also be pursued in lieu of reforestation. The
interagency mitigation team recommended purchasing the Bogle Woods tract for
preservation. This tract has been purchased. This specific tract of land was in danger of
being cleared for timber production. Preservation of bottomland hardwoods would not be
pursued unless the interagency mitigation team recommends it.
5.2.2.2 Shoreblrd Areas
Moist soil unit mitigation would include the following measures:
^ • Remove existing farm drains, if necessary.
• Construct a water control structure.
• Prepare the site. This may involve disking and terracing.
• Construct perimeter levees.
• Provide a source of water with sufficient capacity to flood the area.
Draft RSEIS 2
95
5.2.2.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips and Wildlife Corridor
Buffer strips and the wildlife corridor would include the following measures:
• Prepare the site.
• Plant appropriate vegetation
5.2.2.4 Big Oak Tree State Park Water Supply
McCarty (2005) provided a summary of hydrology by plant communities. Big Oak Tree
State Park can be broken into four distinct wetland zones. The zones are as follows:
• Zone II Wetlands - dominated by cypress swamp and shrub swamp exist
below 290 feet NGYD. The flood regime is described as "intermittently
exposed. Surface water is present throughout the year except in years of
extreme drought. The probability of annual flooding is nearly 100% and
vegetation is flooded or saturatedfor the entire growing season. "
• Zone III Wetlands - dominated by mixed cypress/hardwood stands or
cypress/cottonwood, dominate between 290 and 291 feet NGVD. Their
flood regime is describes as "semi-permanently flooded. Surface water or
soil saturation persists for a major portion of the growing season in most
years. Flooding frequency ranges from 51 to 100 years per hundred
years. Flooding duration typically exceeds 25% of the growing season. "
• Zone IV Wetlands - dominated by overcup oak, sweetgum, red maple,
green ash, and sugarberry; exist between 291 and 292 feet NGVD. Their
flood regime is described as ^''seasonally flooded. Surface water or
saturated soil is present for extended periods, especially early in the
growing season, but is absent by the end of the season in most years.
Flooding frequency ranges from 51 to 100 years per one hundred.
Typical duration is 12.5% to 25% of the growing season. "
• Zone V Wetlands - dominated by bottomland hardwoods exist in the
small portion of the park above 292 feet NGVD. Their flood regime is
described as ^'temporally flooded. Surface water or soil saturation is
present for brief periods during the growing season, but the water table
• usually lies well below the soil surface for most of the season. A typical
frequency of flooding is 11 to 50 years out of one hundred. Typical
duration is 2% to 12% of the growing season. "
A water delivery system is currently being designed that would allow Mississippi River
water to flood the park and mimic a natural flooding regime. Specifically, the regime
would allow for flooding of the park up to an elevation of 291 feet NGVD and to drain
the park to an elevation of 288 feet NGVD. The average Mississippi River elevation
from 1943 to 1974 at the likely historic source of river water to the park area, the mouth
of St. James Bayou, from April 1 through May 15 is 294.3 feet NGVD. The river at this
Draft RSEIS 2
96
elevation would back into St. James Bayou if the frontline levee had not isolated the rest
of the Bayou from the river. Therefore, it is very likely that a gravity flow system could
be managed to allow for inundation in an average year.
Constructing a water delivery system to Big Oak Tree State Park would restore wetlands
in the park to historic conditions.
5.2.2.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition
Mitigation would generally follow the recommendations of reforestation as stated in
Section 5.2.2.1. Native genotypes would be used to mimic natural park conditions.
Additionally, notches would be excavated in the existing perimeter levee surrounding the
park to allow for surface water connectivity from the existing parkland to newly acquired
areas. Depending on site-specific elevation, a new perimeter levee may have to be
constructed surrounding newly acquired lands.
5.2.2.6 Borrow Pits
No expected gains to wetlands are anticipated by the construction of modified borrow
pits. However, approximately 50% of each borrow pit constructed would have an
average depth of three feet. Depending on site-specific depths, these areas may result in
gains to wetland habitat. Potential gains to wetland credit would be determined during
the formulation of the site-specific detailed mitigation plans.
5.2.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement the Basic Feature and
Compensate for Mid-Season Fish Rearing Losses
5.2.3.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation
Additional areas within the St. Johns Bayou Basin, the New Madrid Floodway, or the
batture area could be reforested to benefit mid-season fish rearing habitat. These areas
would be jurisdictional wetlands after mitigation measures are implemented. Mitigation
measures would generally follow what was previously stated under Section 5.2.2.1.
Technique 1 would result in a greater amount of wetlands restored than with the basic
mitigation feature, and as a result, overall wetland impacts would be overcompensated.
5.2.3.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration
0
Flood durations between April 1 and May 15 would be increased on reforested areas by
removing farm drains, plugging existing ditches, and/or constructing perimeter levees and
water control devices. Increasing flood durations on mitigated areas would not change
overall wetland jurisdictional status. However, increasing duration of flooding on
mitigated tracts of land may change overall wetland ftmctional quality. Benefits to
wetland function would be determined during the development of site-specific detailed
mitigation plans.
Draft RSEIS 2
97
Excavating deeper areas in mitigation tracts, plugging existing drains, and construction of
perimeter levees and water control devices may be regulated by Section 404 of the CWA.
The applicability of additional Section 404 requirements would be addressed during the
development of site-specific detailed mitigation plans.
5.2.3.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterbodies
Creation, restoration, or enhancement of large permanent waterbodies would be achieved
by increasing depth by excavating historical channels to achieve the desired depth, or
constructing weirs in outlet channels to raise the water surface elevation. Both of these
methods may result in the conversion of jurisdictional wetlands to deepwater aquatic
habitat. Additionally, this action may result in the deposition of fill material into waters
of the United States. Deepwater aquatic habitat is defined as areas that are permanently
inundated at mean annual water depths > 6.6 feet or permanently inundated areas < 6.6
feet in depth that do not support rooted-emergent or woody plant species. However,
creation, restoration, or enhancement of permanent waterbodies may also result in an
increase in jurisdictional wetland habitat due to the creation of additional shoreline and
shallow water habitat.
The benefits and potential impacts to wetlands would be analyzed during the
development of the site-specific detailed mitigation plan. Overall mitigation would be
revised accordingly. For example, required acreage of wetland compensatory mitigation
may increase if it is determined that creation, restoration, or enhancement of permanent
waterbodies would result in an additional net loss to jurisdictional wetlands. However,
overall wetland compensatory mitigation may be reduced if it is determined that the
creation, restoration, or enhancement of a permanent waterbody would result in an
overall net gain to jurisdictional wetlands. The applicability of additional Section 404
requirements would be addressed during the development of detailed mitigation plans.
5.2.3.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent Waterbodies
Restoration or enhancement of small permanent waterbodies would result in an increase
in wetland habitat. As stated above, restoration of small permanent waterbodies may
involve deposition of fill material into waters of the United States to plug existing drains.
The applicability of additional Section 404 requirements would be addressed during the
development of detailed mitigation plans.
5.2.3.5 Technique 5: Modified Gate Operation
Modifications to gate operations in either the New Madrid Floodway or the St. Johns
Bayou Basin would result in an average increase in depth and duration of flooding within
the pool area during the period of April 1 to May 15 in the majority of years.
Draft RSEIS 2
98
It is anticipated that areas within the spawning and rearing pool would be acquired in fee.
Appropriate vegetation that can tolerate the expected flooding regime would be planted in
areas tiiat are currently in agricultural production. Non-cropped areas that are currently
vegetated have been classified as wetlands. No impact to jurisdictional status of these
areas is anticipated. Creation of a spawning and rearing pool would result in gains to
jurisdictional wetland acres through appropriate vegetative plantings on prior converted
cropland.
Pool creation would also significantly benefit fish spawning and rearing habitat.
However, vegetation that is present in the spawning and rearing pool elevation may be
distressed due to an increase in flood durations fi-om April 1 to May 15. This may result
in decreases to available terrestrial wildlife habitat. Further discussion on the potential
impact to terrestrial wildlife is found in Section 5.5.3 of this RSEIS 2.
There are approximately 3,775 acres of Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) lands in the
project area (NRCS letter dated August 17, 2005). Almost 800 acres of WRP land are
located within the New Madrid spawning and rearing pool at an elevation of 284.4 feet
NGVD. The NRCS did not plant any vegetation in this area. Revegetation occurred
naturally. No impact to jurisdictional status of these areas is anticipated. NRCS would
continue to be consulted with throughout the development of the site-specific detailed
mitigation plans.
5.2.4 Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife
Resources
Table 2.7 provides expected gains to wetland acreages and fimctions by implementing
several mitigation scenarios. Each scenario results in the overcompensation of
jurisdictional wetland acres and functions.
5.3 Water Quality
Project impacts were considered during the development of the 2002 RSEIS for each
option using methodology agreed upon by resource agencies (Supplemental Water
Quality Analysis- St. Jolms Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Ashby, Ruiz, and
Deliman (2000); Appendix I of the SEIS, page 1-3).
5.3.1 No Federal Action
Section 5.10.1 of the 2002 RSEIS describes without-project conditions. In summary,
water quality in both basins is expected to remain unchanged from present conditions.
5.3.2 Basic Mitigation Feature
The basic mitigation feature would improve water quality throughout the project area.
The conversion of cropland to bottomland hardwood is effective for reducing nutrient
Draft RSEIS 2
99
loading to the river. Moist soil units are functional wetlands and reduce nutrient loading
to the river. Additionally, the reforestation of thousands of acres of cropland concurrent
with their removal from crop production also logically leads to a reduction in
agrichemical use on those acres and a reduction in the bare soil/tilled conditions that exist
during bed preparation and planting times of the year, thus reducing both nutrient load
and turbidity/erosion/siltation.
Riparian buffer zone establishment, which was proposed in the 2002 RSEIS, also must be
taken into account and credited when general wetland impacts are considered with
respect to this project. These buffer zones or strips along streams have been shown to
reduce stream nutrient loading and bank erosion (Fischer and Fischenich, 2000).
Hydrologie improvements to 991 acres in Big Oak Tree State Park, which is the portion
of the existing park that would be inundated with the proposed hydrologie system, will
also provide increased wetland fimctions for water quality. These improvements were
not accounted for in the 2002 RSEIS. All these measures would reduce the export of
nitrogen from the project site.
Table 5.3 provides estimates of nutrient loads to the Mississippi River from the New
Madrid Floodway at various flow scenarios and project formulations. The estimates in
Table 5.3 show that the overall quantity of nutrient loading from the New Madrid
Floodway is an extremely small portion of the existing Mississippi River loading.
One of the features of the analysis included accounting for reduced runoff due to earlier
flood retention of primarily headwaters. This would result in a positive effect on hypoxia
by reducing the amount of nutrients entering the river conduits. Since the land cover
conditions tend to decrease in ability to retain nutrients as elevation increases (e.g.,
moving from wetland types to croplands), increased flooding increases the total amoimt
of nutrients available for processing. Relative efficiencies (% load retained/total load)
were used to compare the project options in the 2002 RSEIS. The use of total loads to
describe project impacts fails to normalize for the different volumes and mass of various
flood stages. In general, the 2002 RSEIS Recommended Plan alternative provided the
highest level of percentage material retention. The estimate calculated for the basic
mitigation (last row in the Table) was developed using mitigation of 765 acres for moist
soil units, 671 acres for buffer strips, and 266 acres for a wildlife corridor considering the
conversion of soybean land cover to riparian land cover. The estimates also took into
account converting 1,800 acres surrounding Big Oak Tree State Park and 3,619 acres
from soybean land cover to bottomland hardwood for the other reforestation mitigation.
Draft RSEIS 2
100
Table 5.3. Estimated Nutrient Loads to Mississippi River from New Madrid
Floodway
Loading
from NM
Floodway
discharge
(metric ton)
%of
Mississippi
River Load
References
Base Flow and runoff
275 feet NGVD
0.0426
2.66x10"^
Ashby, Ruiz,
and Deliman
(2000) Table CI
Moderate high flow
290 feet NGVD
(2 year flood)
120
7.5 X 10-'
Ashby, Ruiz,
and Deliman
(2000) Table CI
Extreme high flow
300 feet NGVD
(30+ year flood)
974
6.1 X 10"^
Ashby, Ruiz,
and Deliman
(2000) Table CI
2002 RSEIS Recommended Plan
280 and 282 feet NGVD
(reasonable expected annual
levels)
4
2.5 X lO"'
2002 RSEIS
BASIC MITIGATION
and other than Baseflow
285 and 280 feet NGVD
(2 Seasons)
58.3
3.64 X 10'^
Using the
spreadsheet in
Ashby, Ruiz,
and Deliman
(2000) Table CI
The basic mitigation feature increased nitrogen removal efficiency from 12.5% to 38.6%
from existing conditions (final loads went from about 120,880 kg to 58,322 kg - a 50%
increase in efficiency for nitrogen removal compared to existing conditions). Adding
increased material retention associated with the basic mitigation of 7,121 acres of
currently proposed wetland mitigation yielded an estimated load comparable to estimated
loads for a 2-year event with existing conditions.
5.3.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Mitigation Scenarios
Additional mitigation techniques that reforest cropland or create permanent waterbodies
also result in larger nutrient removals. Overall water quality would improve with
additional mitigation techniques. Therefore, each mitigation scenario that fully mitigates
for all significant fish and wildlife resources would result in additional improvements to
water quality.
Draft RSEIS 2
101
5.4 Fisheries
Impacts to fisheries are described in Section 5.6 of the 2002 RSEIS. Duration of flooding
events (with-project) is a significant factor in calculating mid-season fish rearing
mitigation credits. The 2002 RSEIS recommended reforesting 8,375 acres of frequently
flooded agricultural areas to compensate for impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat.
Calculations for mid-season rearing habitat utilize the same HSI values that were utilized
during the preparation of the 2002 RSEIS. The 2002 RSEIS did not include an ADFA
component in calculating mitigation. To calculate the ADFAs of mitigation tracts it is
necessary to know the percent average duration of flooding from April 1 to May 15. To
calculate mitigation benefits from selected tracts, the duration of flooding pre- and post-
mitigation must be known. Pre-mitigation flood duration must be based on post-flood
damage reduction hydrology. It is not appropriate to use existing flood durations (pre-
floodway closure conditions) to calculate mitigation benefits because these lands would
most likely experience shorter flood durations after the flood damage reduction measures
are in place and operating. The 2002 RSEIS accounted for all mid-season fish rearing
habitat impacts based upon a reduction in flooding.
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing can basically occur in two ways. The first is the
conversion of one type of habitat into another type of habitat that is of higher value to
mid-season rearing fishes. An example is converting agricultural areas (HSI value of
0.37 in the New Madrid Floodway) to bottomland hardwoods (HSI value of 0.7 in the
New Madrid Floodway). The other way to increase mid-season fish rearing is to increase
flood duration between April 1 and May 15. Therefore, it is possible to obtain benefits
from tracts of land if hydrology is introduced or extended during the mid-season period
with no other change in habitat conditions. Fish must have access to the site.
5.4.1 No Federal Action
Without-Project conditions are described in Section 5.6.1 of the 2002 RSEIS. In
summary, existing conditions would remain unchanged. The St. Johns Bayou structure
would continue to operate as it has since the late 1950's. Interior runoff would continue
to be trapped in the basin and flood adjacent lands when the control structure is shut
(Juring high Mississippi River stages. Floodwaters would continue to periodically
inundate 5,613 average annual rearing acres in the New Madrid Floodway.
5.4.2 Basic Mitigation Feature
5.4.2.1 Reforestation
Reforesting cropland with bottomland hardwoods provides benefits to numerous species
of fish and wildlife. Flood durations are required to calculate benefits to mid-season fish
rearing habitat.
Draft RSEIS 2
102
As an example, suppose there is a 100-acre tract of agricultural land within the New
Madrid Floodway that is purchased for reforestation. The HSI value of agricultural lands
for fish rearing is 0.37. After the closure of the levee, the tract only floods an average of
15% of the time from April 1 to May 15. Therefore, the pre-mitigation average annual
habitat unit value (with-project hydrology) is 5.6 AAHUs. Mitigation includes
reforesting the area with trees (20-year transition period) that are tolerant to site-specific
conditions. Therefore, the mitigated habitat unit is 9.6 AAHUs. Mitigation credit is
calculated by subtracting AAHUs of pre-mitigated conditions from AAHUs of mitigated
conditions. Therefore, the hypothetical 100-acre mitigation tract that was reforested
would yield a net increase of 4.0 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs. The following
equations are used to calculate mid-season fish rearing habitat gains of the hypothetical
100-acre mitigation tract.
Habitat Gains == AAHUs tract with mitigation - AAHUs tract without mitigation
Where AAHUs is calculated by (50-year project life).
AAHUs = Cumulative HUs/50
and Cumulative HUs are calculated by.
Cumulative HUs = Z (T2 - Ti) * (ADFAs) *
HSh + HSb
where
Ti = first target year of time interval
T2 = last target year of time interval
ADFAs = acres * % average duration of post project flooding from April 1 to May 15
HSIi = HSI at beginning of time interval
HSI2 = HSI at end of time interval
Without Mitigation
Agricultural Area: 277.5 Cumulative HUs = (50 - 0) * (15 ADFAs) * [(0.37 + 0.37)/2]
5.6 AAHUs = 277.5 Cumulative HUs/50 years
With Mitigation
Transition from Agriculture to Fallow: 5.78 HUs = (1-0) * (15 ADFAs) * [(0.37 + 0.4)/2]
Transition from Fallow to BLH: 156.75 HUs = (20-1) * (15 ADFAs) * [(0.4 + 0.7)/2]
Draft RSEIS 2
103
BLH for Remainder of Project Life: 315.00 HUs = (50 - 20) * (15 ADFAs) * [(0.7 +
0.7)/2]
477.53 Cumulative HUs = 5.78 HUs + 156.75 HUs + 315.00 HUs
9.6 AAHUs = 477.53 Cumulative HUs/50 years
Mitigation Benefits
4.0 AAHUs Gain = 9.6 AAHUs with mitigation - 5.6 AAHUs without mitigation
Location of mitigation areas is needed to calculate the percent average flood duration
from April 1 to May 15. To date the Corps has identified 1,157 and 6,413 acres of
potential mitigation areas from willing sellers in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New
Madrid Floodway, respectively. Duration of flooding from April 1 to May 15 has been
determined on each specific tract. For planning purposes only, average duration from
each respective basin has been calculated from the following equation:
y acreage of specific tract * percent flooded of specific tract
Average Flood Duration = — ^
total acres
With-project flood durations in the St. Johns Bayou Basin on identified tracts of land
range from 5% to 47%. The average duration of identified tracts of land is 20%.
Reforesting (20-year transition period) 1,293 acres of cropland in the St. Johns Bayou
Basin (basic mitigation feature) would yield an increase of 312 mid-season fish rearing
AAHUs.
With-project flood durations in the New Madrid Floodway on identified tracts of land
range from 0% to 42%. The average duration of all identified tracts of land is 6%.
Reforesting (20-year transition period) 2,326 acres of cropland in the New Madrid
Floodway (basic mitigation feature) would yield an increase of 38 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs.
These durations are only used for planning purposes for the completion of this RSEIS 2.
Çlood durations and mid-season fish rearing benefits would be revised during the
development of site-specific mitigation plans. Additionally, acquiring lands that have
long periods of flood duration from April 1 to May 15 is the focus of mitigation efforts.
Acquiring these lands would result in higher gains per acre to the fishery resource and
thus may lower overall acreage of land required. Flood duration may be increased to
maximize benefits on particular tracts. Regardless, a minimum of 7,121 acres of land
would be acquired for wetland compensation.
Draft RSEIS 2
104
5.4.2.2 Shorebird Areas
To compensate for the unavoidable impacts to shorebird habitat from project
construction, the Corps would construct 765 acres of moist soil units (105 acres in the St.
Johns Bayou Basin and 660 acres in the New Madrid Floodway). Moist soil unit tracts
would be developed to allow precise management of the tract to provide the proper
vegetation and water depths required for shorebird management. This would be
accomplished by constructing perimeter levees, water control structures, and supplying a
source of water (rain water, surface water, or groundwater pump). To provide benefits to
mid-season fish rearing habitat, moist soil units would be modified by degrading sections
of perimeter levees to create a connection to permanent water. This action would allow
fish access into shorebird areas during flood events.
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing can be calculated if certain conditions are met in the
shorebird tracts. These conditions are as follows:
1. The site allows for suitable fish passage into the area during flood events.
2. The site remains flooded during all or portions of the mid-season fish rearing
period (April 1 to May 15). Groundwater or surface water pumps may augment
water supply during dry years. However, fish passage must still be
accomplished.
3. The site allows for return access to a permanent waterbody (ditch, bayou,
stream, etc).
Shorebird tracts would be located adjacent to permanent water. These areas would most
likely be located in the vicinity of Ten Mile Pond CA in the New Madrid Floodway and
the lower portion of St. Johns Bayou near the outlet structure. Beginning in winter, water
would be held on shorebird tracts imtil late spring, generally early May through June.
Water levels will be dropped at a slow rate about one inch a day through stop log
structures or other water control devices. Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat may
be calculated because floodplain fishes will have access to the tract, water would remain
on the tract for portions of the mid-season fish rearing period, and fish would return to
the permanent water naturally, through the degraded perimeter levee, or through the
water control device.
Concerns have been expressed over the possibility of utilizing moist soil units to create
shorebird habitat and mid-season fish rearing habitat. These concerns primarily relate to
lack of water from April 1 to May 15, fish access, water temperature, and dissolved
oxygen concentrations. The USFWS stated in the 2000 CAR that shorebird areas may be
used to offset a small portion of the habitat impacts to fisheries and waterfowl, depending
on the depths of water and access to the area. Shorebird areas would primarily be
managed for shorebird habitat.
During the development of this RSEIS 2, the interagency mitigation team failed to reach
a consensus on benefits to floodplain fishes from modifying moist soil units. Therefore,
Draft RSEIS 2
105
calculation of any benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from the construction of
modified moist soil units is not included in this RSEIS 2. However, the Corps intends to
construct modified moist soil units that could benefit floodplain fishes. Sites would be
monitored for floodplain fish usage. Mid-season fish rearing mitigation credit would be
calculated for shorebird areas in the event that monitoring reveals fish usage.
Constructing 105 and 660 acres of moist soil units in St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New
Madrid Floodway have the potential to yield a maximum of 75 and 238 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs, respectively. This calculation is included in Appendix C, Calculation 3.
5.4.2.3 Vegetated Buffer Strips
Buffer strips would be planted along 64 miles of small to large streams in the New
Madrid Floodway. Forested riparian zones provide habitat for floodplain-spawning
fishes similar to larger tracts of bottomland hardwoods, but also contribute to in-stream
habitat quality by shading, filtering sediment-laden water from agricultural fields during
run-off, and adding woody debris to the stream that is utilized as cover by fish and
attachment sites by invertebrates.
Precise locations for vegetated buffer strips have not been identified. Duration of
flooding was estimated based upon determinations that were made on identified tracts of
land from willing sellers. These tracts of land are located within the New Madrid
Floodway and are adjacent to channels on which buffer strips are proposed.
Approximately 671 acres (260 acres of large streams, 233 acres of medium streams, and
178 acres of small streams) of existing agricultural areas would be planted in bottomland
hardwoods. For planning purposes, buffer strips would have a 20-year transition period.
Flood duration of these areas is approximately 5%. No significant change in flood
duration is expected from implementing mitigation features. Planting 671 acres of
vegetated buffer strips would yield an increase of approximately 9 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs within the New Madrid Floodway. This calculation is included in
Appendix C, Calculation 5.
A 20-year transition period was used in the above calculation. Depending on site-specific
conditions, buffer strips may be planted in species of trees that would have a 10-year
Ijansition.
5.4.2.4 Wildlife Corridor
A 300-foot wide riparian corridor would be developed along each side of an existing
waterway between Big Oak Tree State Park and the Ten Mile Pond CA. The total area to
be reforested is approximately 266 acres. Precise locations of the wildlife corridor have
not been identified. Duration of flooding was estimated from a tract of land from a
willing seller. This tract is located between Big Oak Tree State Park and Ten Mile Pond
CA and is adjacent to Wilkerson and St. James Ditches. Duration of flooding has been
determined to be approximately 5%.
Draft RSEIS 2
106
Approximately 4 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs are expected from converting 266
acres of agricultural areas (HSI = 0.37, duration = 5%) to bottomland hardwoods (HSI
0.7, duration = 5%) for a wildlife corridor. This calculation is included in Appendix C,
calculation 5.
5.4.2.5 Big Oak Tree State Park Water Supply
Under existing conditions. Big Oak Tree State Park does not offer any significant mid-
season fish-rearing habitat due to the infrequency of flooding in the area. Due to existing
flood control measures in the general vicinity, backwater is prevented or restricted from
entrance into the park until the river elevation at New Madrid is approximately 297 feet
NGVD (approximately 10 - 25-year flood event). This elevation is above the Mississippi
River 2-year floodplain (HSI = 0). Therefore, under pre-mitigation conditions the park
has a mid-season fish rearing habitat value of 0 AAHUs.
Based upon a review of Mississippi River stage data from 1943 to 2000, the water supply
feature would provide Mississippi River water to the park in about 90% of the years.
Therefore, the park complex would now offer suitable mid-season fish rearing habitat.
However, fish passage must be established. Fish passage measures would be considered
in the design of the water delivery system in consultation with the interagency mitigation
team. Potential measures could include but are not limited to the following:
1. The overall design would be gravity fed and would not rely on the use of
pumps.
2. The diameter/opening of the culvert would be as large as economically
justified and engineeringly feasible.
3. The culvert through the levee would have the smallest slope practical.
4. Hydraulic drops would be avoided to the maximum extent allowed.
5. Deep pools would be constructed at both ends of the culvert to provide areas
for fish to concentrate and rest.
6. The closure gate would remain open to the extent practical to provide fish
access during different periods of the year.
7. New channels constructed from the park to St. James Bayou would be
designed in ways to maximize fish usage. These measures include but are not
limited to:
• Provide meandering channels
• • Provide a low flow channel
• Provide a vegetated shelf
• Plant a riparian buffer strip
• Ensure permanent water
There are 991 acres of bottomland hardwoods within the park. Approximately 583 acres
are at or below elevation of 290 feet NGVD (Zone II Wetlands). Approximately 193
Draft RSEIS 2
107
acres of the park are within elevation 290 - 291 feet NGVD (Zone III Wetlands). The
water delivery system is being designed to allow water to enter the park up to an
elevation of 291 feet NGVD. Therefore, elevations within the park at or below 291 feet
NGVD would offer suitable habitat for mid-season rearing fishes, if fish access is
achieved (Zone II, BLH acres = 583 acres, HSI = 0.7, duration = 100% and Zone III,
BLH acres = 193 acres, HSI = 0.7, Duration = 25%). Therefore, 442 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs can be expected by the construction of a water delivery system and
providing suitable access and egress for fish to Big Oak Tree State Park within the New
Madrid Floodway.
5.4.2.6 Big Oak Tree State Park Perimeter Land Acquisition
The Corps is committed to purchasing 1,800 acres of farmland around Big Oak Tree
State Park and reforesting that land over a 20-year transition period with native genotypes
to mimic park conditions. This commitment has been made in the WQ Certification and
the Memorandum of Understanding with MDNR. Approximately 2,000 acres of land
have been offered for mitigation from willing sellers. The surrounding farmland ranges
in elevation from 285 to 295 feet NGVD. Approximately 697 acres fall below elevation
290 feet NGVD (potential Zone II Wetlands). Approximately 93 acres are between an
elevation of 290 to 291 feet NGVD (potential Zone III Wetlands). No mid-season fish
rearing habitat exists in these areas under pre-mitigation conditions due to the
infiequency of flooding.
Notches would be excavated into the existing park perimeter levee to allow for surface
water connectivity and access for fish between existing park land and newly acquired
lands. Therefore, if fish access is established, the 697 acres of potential Zone II wetlands
(BLH = 697 acres, HSI = 0.7, duration = 100%) and 93 acres of potential Zone III
wetlands (BLH = 93 acres, HSI = 0.7, duration = 25%) would now offer suitable mid-
season fish rearing habitat. Reforestation of 1,800 acres of land surrounding Big Oak
Tree State Park, supplying Mississippi River water, allowing surface water connectivity,
and providing fish access and egress would yield a net increase of 504 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs in the New Madrid Floodway. No mid-season fish rearing habitat is
expected by reforesting the remaining areas that are above an elevation of 291 feet
NGVD. These areas would more than likely be jurisdictional wetlands after reforesting
because of soil types, groundwater, and rainfall. Benefits to wetland, wildlife, and
waterfowl resources would be quantified for the lands above 291 feet NGVD.
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat can only be achieved if fish have access to Big
Oak Tree State Park. No benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat have been credited
for the acquisition and reforestation of these lands for the purpose of this RSEIS 2.
However, mitigation credit would be quantified if the Big Oak Tree State Park water
supply feature provides adequate fish passage.
Draft RSEIS 2
108
5.4.2.7 Borrow Pits
Borrow pits would be constructed on existing farmland in the lower areas of the St. Johns
Bayou Basin. Approximately 387 acres of borrow pits would be required to complete
associated levee raises.
If constructed properly, borrow pits are permanent waterbodies that provide high quality
rearing habitat for a variety of species (Baker et al 1991; others). When access is
available during flood events, adult fish are attracted to borrow pits because of deep
water and abundant forage fishes that often concentrate in permanent waterbodies. Many
of these adult fish will spawn in shallow, structurally complex littoral areas of borrow
pits. Plankton densities are usually high in permanent waterbodies, so once eggs hatch,
larval fish have an abundant food source. High densities of fish are characteristic of
borrow pits, and many of these individuals will eventually be transported or move into
the Mississippi River during subsequent floods.
Construction of borrow pits would follow the guidelines established by Aggus and
Ploskey (1986), which recommend some areas of deep water {e.g., 6-10 feet), a sinuous
shoreline, establishment of islands, and a variable bottom topography. Average depth of
borrow pits, like other permanent waterbodies, influences the fish assemblage. Shallow
areas are suitable for characteristic wetland fishes such as fliers, pirate perch, taillight
shiners, and young-of-year fishes. Deeper areas are more conducive for sport and
commercial fishes. Therefore, borrow pit construction will recognize the importance of
providing shallow and deep water to benefit the maximum number of species and life
stages.
Borrow pits would be constructed to ensure that the following conditions are met:
• 50% of each pit would have an average depth of at least six feet to provide
habitat for species that are commercially and recreationally valuable.
• 50% of each pit would have an average depth of at least three feet to
provide habitat for fishes that require shallower fioodplain habitat.
• Sites would be accessible to river and fioodplain fishes during flood
events.
• Islands and diverse topography would be created.
• Aquatic vegetation would propagate in shallow areas.
• Large trees would be preserved along the edges of borrow pits to the
« extent practical to control erosion, provide shade, and provide organic
input. Efforts would be made to locate borrow areas adjacent to reforested
areas.
• Structure would be placed within borrow pits where practical. Natural
structure would be obtained from cleared sites necessary for other project
purposes. No vegetation would be cleared for the sole purpose of
obtaining structure for borrow pits.
• Borrow pits would not be located in jurisdictional wetlands.
Draft RSEIS 2
109
• Connection with existing permanent waterbodies would be made to the
maximum extent practical.
• Public access would be made available to the extent practical.
Duration of flooding in areas proposed for borrow pit creation has been determined to be
approximately 27% (post-project hydrology) prior to those areas being converted to
borrow pits. Since they will be permanent waterbodies, the duration of flooding after the
borrow pits are created will be 100% during the mid-season rearing period. The 387
acres of farmland (HSI = 0.52) in St. Johns Bayou Basin provide 54.3 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs. Constructing 387 acres of large permanent waterbodies (HSI = 4.2, %
average duration = 100%) would provide 1,625.4 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs.
Therefore, constructing 387 acres of borrow pits within the lower end of St. Johns Bayou
Basin would yield an increase of 1,571 mid-season fish rearing AAHUs (1,625.4 AAHU
- 54.3 AAHU).
5.4.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement the Basic Feature and
Compensate for Mid-Season Fish Rearing Losses
5.4.3.1 Technique 1: Additional Reforestation
Reforestation remains one method to compensate for impacts to mid-season fish rearing
habitat. Reforestation must consider ADFAs and the transition period for growth. As
seen in Appendix C of this RSEIS 2, reforesting agricultural areas into bottomland
hardwoods provides 1.31 (10-year duration) or 1.21 (20-year duration) AAHUs per
ADFA in St. Johns Bayou Basin and .reforesting agricultural areas into bottomland
hardwoods in the New Madrid Floodway provides 0.30 (10-year duration) or 0.27 (20-
year duration) AAHUs per ADFA.
Additional reforestation would occur in areas within St. Johns Bayou Basin, New Madrid
Floodway, and the batture area. Reforestation would mimic natural conditions in species
composition to the maximum extent practical. Reforestation within St. Johns Bayou
Basin and the New Madrid Floodway would most likely be planted in bottomland
hardwoods that would have a 20-year transition period. Fast growing species such as
black willow or cottonwood are typically found within the batture areas. These types of
•trees would have a 10-year transition period.
The Basic Mitigation Feature does not fully compensate for impacts to mid-season fish
rearing habitat in the New Madrid Floodway. An additional 2,278 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs are necessary to fully compensate the impacts. Concerns expressed since
the 2002 RSEIS include the allegation that the acres are generally flooded only a third
(33%) of the period, or for 15 days. Approximately 25,578 acres of additional
reforestation (20-year transition, 0.27 AAHUs per ADFA, 33% flood duration) would be
required to fully mitigate the remaining impacts to mid-season fish rearing habitat if
mitigation was based solely on reforestation.
Draft RSEIS 2
110
Many areas within the batture lands offer suitable habitat for mid-season rearing fishes.
Donaldson Point is used as an example. There are numerous areas within the batture area
that could be reforested within the immediate study area. There are approximately 2,640
acres of agricultural areas (HSI = 0.37, utilizing New Madrid Floodway HSI values) on
Donaldson Point. The 2-year flood stage at river mile 900, which is adjacent to the
southern tip of Donaldson Point, is approximately 295.5 feet NGVD. Duration of
inundation at elevation 295.5 feet NGVD was determined to be 31%. Replanting
bottomland hardwoods (10-year transition period, 31% duration) on 2,640 acres of
agricultural areas (HSI = 0.37) would yield an increase of 243 mid-season fish rearing
AAHUs. This calculation is included as Appendix C, calculation 6.
To reiterate, areas that have the highest duration of flooding from April 1 to May 15 offer
the highest benefit to mid-season fish rearing habitat. These areas include the lower
portion of the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the Eagles Nest area of the New Madrid
Floodway.
5.4.3.2 Technique 2: Mitigation Measures That Increase Flood Duration
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat can be achieved by increasing habitat
suitability and by increasing duration of flooding. Converting agricultural areas to
bottomland hardwoods increases the habitat suitability of the area. Existing soil types
throughout the basin have high clay contents with very low permeability. Mitigation
tracts have the potential to maintain high durations of flooding during the mid-season fish
rearing period. However, most agricultural fields in the area have extensive drainage
features that limit the duration of flooding. There are several methods that can be
implemented to increase duration of flooding on the mitigation lands.
Many agricultural fields in the area have drainage features such as perimeter levees,
ditches, farm drains, and water control devices (screw gates, stop log structures, flap
gates). Areas within such tracts could be excavated to create variable topography (higher
and lower elevations). Excavated material can be placed along the perimeter levees
(required to ensure that adjacent landowners are not flooded) or used to plug existing
field drains. Portions of perimeter levees can be degraded in areas that are adjacent to
permanent water (ditches, sloughs, etc.) that supports aquatic life. During flood events,
the permanent water would spill into the mitigation area. Thus, fish would move onto the
floodplain. Floodwater would remain trapped in the mitigation area due to the altered
topography, natural soil properties, plugged farm drains, and the high water table. It is
conceivable that mitigation areas could retain water throughout most of the mid-season
fish rearing period (April 1 to May 15), resulting in an increased duration of flooding.
Water control structures would be left in place or constructed to hold water until May 15
and operated to allow floodplain fishes to return to the adjacent permanent waterbody.
These structures could also be used to precisely mange water levels during other parts of
the year {e.g. waterfowl season) or used to better manage the overall health of the
replanted forest.
Draft RSEIS 2
111
Species to be planted would depend on the constructed topography and expected
hydrology. Therefore, species to be used in the lower areas would consist of extremely
flood-tolerant species that could withstand high levels of inundation (bald cypress,
túpelo, green ash, Nuttall oak, water hickory). High frequencies of inundation from April
1 to May 15 could cause high mortality rates of recent plantings. Therefore, mitigation
sites could be managed for drier conditions (water control structures remain open to
allow drainage) during the first several years following initial planting to promote tree
growth. Higher frequencies of inundation could be introduced after the trees have
developed to the point that they could withstand higher flood frequencies. Increasing
durations of flooding to the frill 45-day period is conceivable. However, it is not
recommended on all tracts. Prolonged flooding stresses many species of trees unless
planted species can tolerate such conditions (such as bald cypress), A 2-week period
(31% duration) during April 1 to May 15 is practical for planning purposes.
As an example, suppose that mitigation on the same 100-acre tract that was used as an
example in Section 5,4.2,1 of this RSEIS 2 also includes removing farm drains,
constructing perimeter levees, and installing a stop log structure. The tract would be
managed to hold water for two weeks (31% duration) during the mid-season fish rearing
period. Reforestation without any increase in duration would yield an increase of 4,0
AAHUs, Reforesting and increasing flood duration from 15% to 31% would yield an
increase of 14,2 AAHUs (19,7 AAHUs - 5,5 AAHUs),
Site-specific detailed mitigation plan would reflect changes to mid-season fish rearing
habitat by implementing different management options. For example, appropriate flood
durations would be calculated for tracts that are managed for drier conditions to promote
tree growth during the first several years,
5.4.3.3 Technique 3: Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large Permanent
Waterhodies
There are numerous opportunities (see Table 2,3) within the batture area to create and
enhance permanent waterhodies. Gains in mid-season fish rearing habitat would be
realized from the conversion of existing habitat to permanent large waterhodies. The
creation of permanent waterhodies would also maximize duration of flooding (duration =
100%) from April 1 to May 15,
The Mississippi River floodplain can be inundated for prolonged periods between winter
and early summer. Fish respond to floods by moving laterally onto the floodplain to
feed, avoid predators, and seek suitable areas for reproduction, A pulsed hydrograph
during the winter and spring provides numerous opportunities for fish to access
floodplain habitats where they may reside for extended periods to feed and reproduce.
Permanent waterhodies harbor both resident and transient fishes. Therefore, construction
and management of permanent waterhodies must recognize opportunities to allow
periodic connection to the mainstem river to accommodate access and dispersal, while
maintaining suitable habitat for a variety of fish species.
Draft RSEIS 2
112
Numerous floodplain lakes, such as Riley Lake, exist in the batture. Normally, these
lakes become very shallow or completely dewatered after ftoods recede. Larval fish
abundance can be high in fioodplain lakes because many species concentrate in
permanent waterbodies for feeding and reproductive purposes. Maintaining suitable
water depths after discormection will improve survival rate and contribute to overall
recruitment of fish once the lakes become reconnected to the Mississippi River during
flood pulses. Riley Lake is but one example of opportunities to reconnect or manage
water levels of permanent waterbodies to enhance survival of early life history stages of
fish. For example, the Lower Mississippi River Resource Committee has published a list
of back\yaters in the Mississippi River floodplain that state and Federal resource agencies
have identified as restoration sites. The mitigation team may consider restoring some of
these permanent waterbodies as mitigation for the flood control project. As an example.
Table 5.4 lists the potential benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from implementing
Riley Lake measures.
5.4.3.4 Technique 4: Restoration or Enhancement of Small Permanent Waterbodies
Within the project area, historical stream conditions consisted of slow-moving
meandering streams, bayous, and small oxbows. Most of these natural conditions have
been altered by ditching, channelizing, and leveling. Remnants of these historical
chaimels remain throughout the study area. These areas flood frequently but have low
durations due to drainage features that have been constructed. Opportunities exist to
restore hydrology to these areas. Techniques for restoring hydrology to such areas can
include but are not limited to, plugging drains and ditches, excavating chaimels to
reconnect historical oxbows, restoring historical meanders, and removing small levees.
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing would result from the change in habitat (agriculture or
fallow areas to small permanent waterbody) and the increased duration of flooding. It is
not known how many acres of small waterbodies can be created. One 22-acre tract that is
currently farmland has been identified that could potentially be restored to a small
waterbody. Based on examination of 1-foot contours obtained from Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) data, the area appears to be a historic channel of Ten-Mile Pond Ditch.
Mitigation of this tract could potentially include removing existing farm drains and
excavating portions of the tract to reconnect it to Ten Mile Pond Ditch.
The creation of a small permanent waterbody on this specific tract (1.2 AAHUs per
ADFA, duration = 100%) on 22 acres of farmland (0.37 AAHU per ADFA, duration =
5%) in thç New Madrid Floodway would yield a net increase of 26 mid-season fish
rearing AAHUs (26.4 AAHUs - 0.4 AAHUs). Other similar tracts of land likely exist
throughout the area. The restoration of these areas would be considered in the
development of detailed mitigation plans.
Draft RSEIS 2
113
Table 5.4. Expected surface acres and mid-season fish rearing habitat value for
Riley Lake
Pre-Mitigation Gondii
ions
Mitieated Conditions
Elevation
Habitat
Acres
HSI
Per
acre
Duration
%
AAHU
Acres
HIS
Per
acre
Duration
%
AAHU
285
Agriculture
97
0.37
53
19
0.37
BLH
112
0.7
53
42
0.7
Water
36
2.2
100
79
245
2.2
100
539
Total
140
539
AAHU 399
GAIN
. 286
Agriculture
145
0.37
49
26
0.37
BLH
150
0.7
49
51
0.7
Water
36
2.2
100
79
333
2.2
100
733
Total
156
733
AAHU 577
GAIN
287
Agriculture
216
0.37
47
38
0.37
BLH
180
0.7
47
59
0.7
Water
36
2.2
100
79
432
2.2
100
950
Total
176
950
AAHU 774
GAIN
288
Agriculture
274
0.37
43
44
0.37
BLH
228
0.7
43
69
0.7
Water
36
2.2
100
79
538
2.2
100
1,184
Total
192
1,184
AAHU 992
GAIN
2£9
Agriculture
349
0.37
38
49
0.37
BLH
295
0.7
38
78
0.7
Water
36
2.2
100
79
680
2.2
100
1,496
Total
206
1,496
AAHU 1,290
GAIN
Draft RSEIS 2
114
5.4.3.5 Technique 5: Modified Gate Operation
Modifying operation of the gates in the St. Johns Bayou and the New Madrid Floodway
closure structures to hold water throughout the mid-season fish rearing period would
provide spawning and rearing habitat. As mentioned in previous sections, this action
would create a permanent waterbody that can be managed to enhance fish reproduction.
5.4.3.5.1 Technique 5a: New Madrid Floodway
Depending on the elevation of inundation, up to 2,699 AAHUs could be gained by
modifying gate operation in the New Madrid Floodway. Table 5.5 provides potential
gains to mid-season fish rearing habitat from modifying operation of the New Madrid
Floodway Gate.
HSI values for large, permanent waterbodies were used because of the intentional
management of water depth and duration, and the recognized importance of these habitats
for rearing, feeding, and survival of fishes. Once the gates are operational and depending
on Mississippi River elevations, water could be pooled to 284.4 NGVD during the mid-
season period. Continuous duration, therefore, will provide 1 ADFA for every 1 acre of
pooled habitat behind the structure. Constant water levels during the mid-season rearing
period provides permanent habitat during development of larval fishes, while adjacent,
unregulated lands may dewater prior to completion of the larval stage. Fish can enter the
regulated pool when gates are open allowing inflow of Mississippi River water through
the culverts. Fish passage is likely as explained in Section 4.3.2.1. In the absence of
flooding from Mississippi River backwater, gates will be opened after May 15^ to drain
interior lands and transport young fishes into the Mississippi River.
5.4.3.5.2 Technique 5b: St. Johns Bayou Basin
Table 5.6 provides expected benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from modifying
operation of the closure gates in the St. Johns Bayou Basin.
5.4.4 Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife
Resources
The basic mitigation feature compensates for all resource categories except for mid-
season fish rearing habitat in the New Madrid Floodway. An additional 2,278 mid-
season fish rearing AAHUs are required in the New Madrid Floodway. Table 5.7
provides four mitigation scenarios that fully mitigate for the remaining mid-season fish
habitat losses not compensated by the basic mitigation featured.
Draft RSEIS 2
115
Table 5.5. Potential gains to mid-season físh rearing habitat from modifying the
New Madrid Floodway Gate Operation
Existing'
284.4' NGVD
April 1 - May 15
283.4' NGVD
April 1 - May 15
Combination''
282 'NGVD
April 1 - May 15
Habitat
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
Agriculture
606
224.4
Fallow
60
24.1
BLH
203
142.4
Large Water
79
173.6
1,531
3,368
1,131
2,488
1,384
3,045
707
1,555
Small Water
87
104.8
TOTAL
1036
669.2
1,531
3,368
1,131
2,488
1,384
3,045
707
1,555
AAHU Gain
-
2,699
1,819
2,376
1,145^
IB). Data derived from 2002 RSEIS, Table 12, page C-22.
^Elevation"of 284.4 from April 1 to April 30 and drop to an elevation of 283.4 from
May 1 to May 15.
^The existing condition of elevation 282 feet NGVD provides 410 AAHU. Benefits
to a spawning and rearing pool held at elevation 282 feet NGVD was calculated by
subtracting the existing condition (410 AAHU) from the mitigated condition (1,555
AAHU).
Table 5.6. Potential gains to mid-season físh rearing habitat from modifying the St.
Johns Bayou Gate Operation
St. Johns Bayou
HSI Values
New Madrid Floodway
HSI Values
Existing'
283' NGVD
1 Apr - 15 May
Existing'
283' NGVD
1 Apr - 15 May
Habitat
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
ADFA
AAHU
Agriculture
172
89
172
64
Fallow
33
30
33
13
BLH
144
281
144
100
Large
Water
16
67
726
3,049
16
36
726
1,597
Small
Water
63
202
63
75
TOTAL
428
669
726
3,049
428
288
AAHU
Gain
2,380
1,309
Based on the 2002 RSEIS recommended plan (Alternative 3). Data presented is
consistent with selected gate operation scenario.
Draft RSEIS 2
116
Table 5.7. Mitigation Scenarios that Compensate for Losses to Mid-Season Fish
Rearing Habitat in the New Madrid Floodway
Mitigation Scenarios
New Madrid
Floodway
AAHU
Basic Mitigation
51
Scenario A
Additional Reforestation -
200 acres batture (fee)
19
Modified Gate - NMF 283.4 feet NOVO -
2,000 acres (fee)
1,819
Riley Lake - 286 feet NGVD - 430 acres (fee)
577
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario A
2,466
Scenario B
Modified Gate - NMF 284.4 to 283.4 feet
NGVD Combination - 2,850 acres (fee)
2,376
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario B
2,427
Scenario C
Additional Reforestation -
1,050 acres batture (fee)
117
Modified Gate - SJB' 283 feet NGVD -
1,154 acres (fee)
1,309
Riley Lake - 288 feet NGVD - 700 acres (fee)
992
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario C
2,469
Scenario D
Modified Gate SJB' 283 feet NGVD -
1,154 acres (fee)
1,309
Modified Gate NMF 282 feet NGVD -
1,215 acres (fee)
886
TOTAL Basic Mitigation and Scenario D
2,246
'utilizing New Madrid Floodway HSI values
Draft RSEIS 2
117
5.5 Wildlife Resources
Impacts to wildlife resources are described in Section 5.4 of the 2002 RSEIS. In
summary, construction of the flood damage reduction project would impact 2,163
terrestrial wildlife AAHUs.
5.5.1 No Federal Action
The without-project conditions are described in detail in Section 5.4.1 of the 2002 RSEIS.
In summary, no change to land use is expected. There may be declines to significant
habitat such as large tracts of bottomland hardwoods due to timber cutting (Bogle
Woods).
Big Oak Tree State Park would continue to experience drier conditions under the no
action option. Animal species represented would change as the forest composition
changes.
5.5.2 Basic Mitigation Feature
The basic mitigation feature calls for reforesting a total of 6,356 acres of cropland (671
acres of buffer strips, 266-acre wildlife corridor, 1,800 acres surrounding Big Oak Tree
State Park, and 3,619 additional acres). Table 5.8 provides a summary of mitigation
options that were developed during the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS.
Red oaks would be used to the maximum extent practical because they offer significant
habitat to a variety of wildlife. It is anticipated that species such as sugarberry and green
ash would recolonize areas naturally. Acorn plantings would be used if site conditions
allow. Additionally, 15% of reforested areas would utilize RPM trees or another similar
product. The basic mitigation feature calls for reforesting 6,356 acres of cropland (St.
Johns Basin - 1,293 acres. New Madrid Floodway = 2,326 acres, vegetated buffers = 671
acres, wildlife corridor = 266 acres. Big Oak Tree State Park perimeter land acquisition =
1,800 acres). Therefore, the basic mitigation feature provides 9,075 terrestrial wildlife
AAHUs.
Que to expected hydrology in mitigated tracts, acoms and red oaks may not suitable in all
cases. It may be appropriate to use seedlings in some cases. Tree spacing, planting
patterns, and maintenance requirements will be developed in consultation vsdth resource
agencies. Native genotypes would be used to the greatest extent practical to mimic
natural conditions. The gains in wildlife AAHUs may be modified depending on actual
species to be used and survivorship standards.
Draft RSEIS 2
118
Table 5.8. AAHUs per 100 acres of reforested area (USFWS, 2000)
Species
Acoms
Seedlings
RFM
Fox Squirrel
53.76
43.88
64.04
Pileated Woodpecker
0
0
21.89
Carolina Chickadee
56.81
54.65
61.72
Barred Owl
22.6
18.2
49.61
Mink
0
0
0
Total
133.17
116.73
197.26
5.5.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Scenarios that Compensate for all
Significant Fish and Wildlife Resources
Potential decreases in AAHUs are attributable to longer durations of flood water on
compensatory mitigation tracts. Percent canopy closure of trees that produce hard mast is
a variable in calculating fox squirrel suitability. Mitigated areas tiiat retain water for
longer periods of time would be made up of fewer hard mast producing species.
Therefore, the fox squirrel HSI may decrease.
Table 5.9Table 5.9 provides a summary of the additional mitigation techniques and the
potential impacts they would have on the wildlife AAHU calculations that were made
during the development of the 2002 RSEIS.
Potential decreases in AAHUs are attributable to longer durations of flood water on
compensatory mitigation tracts. Percent canopy closure of trees that produce hard mast is
a variable in calculating fox squirrel suitability. Mitigated areas that retain water for
longer periods of time would be made up of fewer hard mast producing species.
Therefore, the fox squirrel HSI may decrease.
Table 5.9. Additional mitigation techniques and the potential impact on wildlife
AAHU calculations
Mitigation Technique
Fox
Squirrel
Pileated
Woodpecker
Carolina
Chickadee
Barred
Owl
Mink
Additional Reforestation
+
+
+
+
+
Increasing Duration on Reforested
Areas
-
0
0
0
+
Large Permanent Waterbodies
0
0
0
0
+
Small Permanent Waterbodies
0
0
0
0
+
Modified Gate Operation
-
TED
TED
TED
TED
+
0
No impacts/benefits is expected
AAHU is expected to decrease from basic reforestation
Draft RSEIS 2
119
Potential increases in AAHUs are attributable to taking additional lands out of
agricultural production and reforesting them to benefit wildlife. Additional benefits to
mink would be attributable to mitigated areas that hold water for a minimum of nine
months of the year (Allen, 1983), or reforested areas that are adjacent to permanent water
(USFWS, 2000). TTiese areas provide optimum foraging habitat for this species. Areas
that only provide saturated soil conditions do not have any appreciable value as mink
habitat (Allen, 1983).
Modifying operation of either the St. Johns Bayou or the New Madrid Floodway outlet
gate may impact existing bottomland hardwoods due to the increase in flood duration
during the period of April 1 to May 15. Existing land use within the spawning and
rearing pool elevations would be evaluated during the development of the site-specific
detailed mitigation plan. It is anticipated that the basic mitigation feature would still
compensate for any additional impacts to bottomland hardwoods that are located within
the spawning and rearing pool elevation.
Additionally, restoring or creating a floodplain lake in the batture may impact existing
bottomland hardwoods. Impacts would be quantified during the development of the
detailed site-specific mitigation plan. It is also anticipated that the basic mitigation
feature would compensate for any additional impacts to terrestrial wildlife.
5.6 Waterfowl Resources
Waterfowl resources are described in Section 5.5 of the 2002 RSEIS. Construction of
flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and closure of the New
Madrid Floodway would impact 204,039 waterfowl AAHU. Waterfowl impacts are fully
mitigated as developed in the 2002 RSEIS and further clarified in Section 4.3 of this
document. The Corps still intends to provide winter waterfowl ponding on 6,400 acres of
land, acquired through easements, as described in Section 5.5 of the 2002 RSEIS.
5.6.1 No Federal Action
The without-project condition is described in Section 5.5.1 of the 2002 RSEIS. In
summary, there would be little change in DUDs without the project. Waterfowl gains
associated with the project implementation and mitigation and other environmental
features would not be realized.
5.6.2 Basic Mitigation Feature
The USFWS CAR (2000) provided various options to mitigate impacts to waterfowl
(Table 5.10). Utilizing the figures provided in Table 5.10, the basic mitigation feature
would fully mitigate impacts to waterfowl (Table 5.11).
Draft RSEIS 2
120
Table 5.10. Duck-Use Days per Acre (USFWS, 2000)
Habitat
Duck-use Days/acre
Moist Soil/Fallow Field
1,037
Com
970
Soybeans
253
30% Red Oak
90
50% Red Oak
155
70% Red Oak
229
90% Red Oak
302
Table 5.11. Expected Gains in Waterfowl Habitat from Basic Mitigation Feature
Mitigation
Acres
Duck-Use-Days
Modified Moist Soil Units
765
793,305
Vegetative Buffer Strips'
671
104,005
Wildlife Corridor''
266
60,914
Big Oak Tree State Park
Perimeter Land Acquisition^
1,800
162,000
Reforestation^
3,619
828,751
Assumes 50% red oaks
^Assumes 70% red oaks
^ Assumes 30% red oaks
5.6.3 Additional Mitigation Techniques and Scenarios that Supplement the Basic
Mitigation Feature and Compensate for all Significant Fish And Wildlife Resources
Any additional technique that provides more water to benefit fish would also provide
additional habitat for waterfowl. Diving ducks could benefit as well as dabblers,
depending primarily on the size and depth of the waterbody. Larger waterbodies are
generally more valuable for diving ducks. In addition, those areas cormected with the
Mississippi River would be particularly beneficial since over-water avenues that do not
require overland passage are preferable; particularly for scaup, canvasback, and
bufflehead.
5.7 Freshwater Mussels
Impacts to freshwater mussels are described in Section 5.7 of the 2002 RSEIS.
Deepening and widening existing channels in the St. Johns Bayou Basin would adversely
impact local mussel fauna; the most direct effect would be the physical removal and
destruction of mussels in the dredge path.
Draft RSEIS 2
121
5.7.1 No Federal Action
The without-project condition is described in Section 5.7.1 of the 2002 RSEIS. No
changes are anticipated to the mussel populations in either drainage basin.
5.7.2 Basic Mitigation Feature, Additional Mitigation Techniques that Supplement
the Basic Feature, and Scenarios that Compensate for all Signiñcant Fish and
Wildlife Resources
The Corps would coordinate with MDC and USFWS to determine measures to monitor
and relocate the freshwater mussel resource. Preliminary relocating and monitoring
measures include the following:
• Conduct a pre-construction quantitative survey of mussel populations
in the construction right of way of Setback Levee Ditch.
• Conduct a pre-construction quantitative survey in upper reaches of
Setback Levee Ditch in the same manner tö act as a control site.
• Relocate a percentage of the freshwater mussels along the construction
reach of Setback Levee Ditch. Preliminary locations suggest that
upper portions of Setback Levee Ditch above the construction zone
and outside the reference area may be suitable habitat.
• Relocate a percentage of mussels from the lower limits of St. James
Ditch. Relocation area, same as above.
• Conduct a post construction-quantitative survey one year after
construction to determine the impacts of channel widening on
freshwater mussel populations. Continue surveys over ten-years to
monitor recolonization.
• Monitor areas in the lower portions of St. Johns Bayou to determine
the impacts to mussel colonization from the construction of transverse
dikes and hard points (Avoid and Minimize Measures).
• Monitor relocated mussels to determine survivorship of relocation.
It is likely that results from this long term monitoring effort could be used to develop
avoid and minimize strategies for other projects.
•
5.8 Economics
The evaluation of economic aspects of the flood reduction features of the reconunended
plan have not changed from the 2002 RSEIS. Economic information was provided for
the evaluation interest rates in Table 29 of Appendix B of the 2002 RSEIS. Table 30 of
Appendix B of the 2002 RSEIS presented economic data for all project features,
regardless of authorization source, at the fiscal year 2002 interest rate - 6.125%.
Draft RSEIS 2
122
For this RSEIS 2, project costs have been updated from October 2002 to October 2005
price levels. The costs for construction activities were adjusted using the change in the
appropriate cost index for similar construction and using recent appraisals and land
purchase prices in the area. Cost tables based on October 2005 price levels are provided
in Appendix E.
Costs of ecological monitoring are included as a portion of the engineering and design
(E&D) project costs for both the flood control features and basic mitigation features
within Appendix E. The E&D feature costs range from less than three percent to more
than five percent of the overall feature costs from the costs of each Mitigation Scenario in
Appendix E. The only project costs which do not include some E&D costs are for land
acquisition.
Economic data for the additional mitigation techniques detailed in Section 2.7 of this
RSEIS 2 are provided in Table 5.12. Each technique is categorized according to the
project component to which the mitigation is attributable or required, either the MRL
feature or the St. Johns Phase 1. Additionally, the scenarios are presented at the fiscal
year 2005 interest rate (5.125%). The purpose of this table is to indicate the relative
efficiency in terms of habitat units per dollars of the additional mitigation techniques.
The difference in economic aspects between the Recommended Plan from the 2002
RSEIS and this RSEIS 2 is primarily the result of the price level update from October
2002 to October 2005 and the cost of additional mitigation techniques. The costs and
benefits for Project Construction, Operation and Maintenance, Basic Mitigation Feature,
and various fishery mitigation scenarios presented in this RSEIS 2 are presented in
Tables 5.13 through 5.16. Also, the project flood control features, regardless of
authorization, and basic mitigation feature are presented together at the fiscal year 2005
interest rate (5.125%) and are economically justified. Additional borrow pit costs
associated with mitigation have been included.
Draft RSEIS 2
123
Table 5.12. Economic Effîciency of Additional Mitigation
Fishery
AAHUs
New
Madrid
Fldwy
Armual
Cost
Data
($000)
Fishery
AAHUs
St Johns
Basin
Annual
Cost
Data
Cost Per
AAHU
Provided
(actual S)
Basin/Project
MRL
MRL
St Johns
St Johns
Remaining Required Mitigation (after basic)
2,278
0^
Interest Rate 1/
2.500%
7.375%
Excess Annual Benefit - Flood Control Features
and Basic Mitigation
431,000
829,000
Annual Cost of Additional Mitigation Techniques:
Additional Batture Reforestation (1,000 acres)
93
89,000
N/A
0
$960
Measures to Increase Flood Duration in NM Fldwy
(2,000 acres)
135
111,000
N/A
0
$822
Creation, Restoration, or Enhancement of Large
Permanent Waterbodies (Lake Riley to 287 ft NGVD)
774
79,000
N/A
0
$102
Additional NM Fldwy Reforestation (1,000 acres)
16
113,000
N/A
0
$7,062
Modified Gate Operation-NM Fldwy (284.4 pool)
2,699
106,000
N/A
0
$39
Modified Gate Operation-St. Johns Basin (283 pool)
to compensate New Madrid Floodway Impacts
1,309
177,000
$135
Modified Gate Operation-St. Johns Basin (283 pool)
2,380
177,000
$74
y Current interest rate for FY 2005 is 5.125%.
2/ See Table 2.7 Conceptual Mitigation Scenarios
Draft RSEIS 2
124
Table 5.13. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and
Maintenance, and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario A
October 2005 Price Levels, ($000)
St Johns Bayou
Basin & New
Madrid
Basin/Project
MRL Closure
Floodway Pump
Total Project
Interest Rate XJ
2.500%
7.375%
5.125%
Annual Benefit
Inundation Reduction
1,007
3,138
4,139
Intensification
1,004
905
1,887
Streets and Roads
165
522
683
Advanced Replacements
0
78
58
Betterments
0
5
5
Total
2,176
4,648
6,772
Annual Cost
Interest
1,541
3,876
5,833
Sinking Fund
632
114
523
Operation Maintenance
and Replacement
0
196
203
Total
2,173
4,186
6,559
Annual Excess Benefit
3
462
213
Benefit-Cost Ratios
1.00
1.11
1.03
y Current interest rate for FY 2005 is 5.125%.
Draft RSEIS 2
125
Table 5.14. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and
Maintenance, and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario B
October 2005 Price Levels, ($000)
St Johns Bayou
Basin & New
Madrid
Basin/Project
MRL Closure
Floodway Pump
Total Project
Interest Rate ]J
2.500%
7.375%
5.125%
Annual Benefit
Inundation Reduction
1,007
3,138
4,139
Intensification
1,004
905
1,887
Streets and Roads
165
522
683
Advanced Replacements
0
78
58
Betterments
0
5
5
Total
2,176
4,648
6,772
Aimual Cost
Interest
1,522
3,876
5,793
Sinking Fund
625
114
519
Operation Maintenance
and Replacement
0
196
203
•
Total
2,147
4,186
6,515
Annual Excess Benefit
29
462
257
Benefit-Cost Ratios
1.01
1.11
1.04
y Current interest rate for FY 2005 is 5.125%.
Draft RSEIS 2
126
Table 5.15. Annual Benefit-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and
Maintenance, and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario C
October 2005 Price Levels, ($000)
St Johns Bayou
Basin & New
Madrid
Basin/Project
MRL Closure
Floodway Pump
Total Project
Interest Rate \l
2.500%
7.375%
5.125%
Annual Benefit
Inundation Reduction
1,007
3,138
4,139
Intensification
1,004
905
1,887
Streets and Roads
165
522
683
Advanced Replacements
0
78
58
Betterments
0
5
5
Total
2,176
4,648
6,772
Annual Cost
Interest
1,612
3,876
5,985
Sinking Fund
662
114
536
Operation Maintenance
and Replacement
0
196
203
Total
2,274
4,186
6,724
Annual Excess Benefit
-98
462
48
Benefit-Cost Ratios
.96
1.11
1.01
y Current interest rate for FY 2005 is 5.125%.
• .
Draft RSEIS 2
127
Table 5.16. Annual Benefît-Cost Summary Project Construction, Operation and
Maintenance, and Basic Mitigation Feature and Mitigation Scenario D
October 2005 Price Levels, ($000)
St Johns Bayou
Basin & New
Madrid
Basin/Project
MRL Closure
Floodway Pump
Total Project
Interest Rate l!
2.500%
7.375%
5.125%
Annual Benefit
Inundation Reduction
1,007
3,138
4,139
Intensification
1,004
905
1,887
Streets and Roads
165
522
683
Advanced Replacements
0
78
58
Betterments
0
5
5
Total
2,176
4,648
6,772
Annual Cost
Interest
1,511
3,876
5,771
Sinking Fund
620
114
517
Operation Maintenance
and Replacement
0
196
203
Total
2,131
4,186
6,491
Annual Excess Benefit
45
462
281
Benefit-Cost Ratios
1.02
1.11
1.04
\J Current interest rate for FY 2005 is 5.125%.
Draft RSEIS 2
128
5.9 Cultural Resources
5.9.1 No Federal Action
The without-project conditions are described in Section 5.12.1 of the 2002 RSEIS.
5.9.2 Basic Mitigation Feature, Additional Techniques, and Scenarios that
Compensate for all Significant Fish and Wildlife Resources
The Memphis District will complete the NHPA Section 106 process as natural resources
mitigation lands are acquired and developed, and follow NHPA Section 110 as the lands
are operated. The process to be followed will be defined by a Programmatic Agreement
to be developed with the SHPO and consulting Federally Recognized Indian Tribes.
Identification and treatment of historic properties, in compliance with NHPA, will be
included in the development of detailed natural resources mitigation plans for each tract
of land as it is acquired. Each draft plan will be coordinated with the SHPO and
consulting parties prior to submittal to MDNR for approval. Cultural resources surveys
will be conducted at all mitigation sites to ensure that natural resources mitigation
features do not impact historic properties. Protection of unidentified cultural resource
sites will be incorporated into the natural resources mitigation plan and long term
management of the mitigation land(s).
5.10 Section 122 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1970
There is no significant change from the 2002 RSEIS to impact categories as specified in
Section 122 of the 1970 Rivers and Harbors Act. Section 122 items are found in Section
5.13 of the 2002 RSEIS.
5.11 Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
The CWA, 33 U. S. C. 1344, states that:
"The discharge of dredged or fill material as part of the construction of a Federal
project specifically authorized by Congress...is not prohibited by or otherwise
subject to regulation under this section...if information on the effects of such
discharge, including consideration of the guidelines developed under subsection
(b)(1) of this section, is included in an environmental impact statement for such
project pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and such
environmental impact statement has been submitted to Congress before the actual
discharge of dredged or fill material in connection with the construction of such
project..."
This project is a Federal project specifically authorized by Congress for which the Corps
has prepared several previous environmental impact statements and evaluated the project
in accordance with its 404(b)(1) Guidelines. A 404(b)(1) Evaluation was completed of
the impacts of discharging dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. The
Draft RSEIS 2
129
404(b)(1) Evaluation is found in Appendix F of the 2002 RSEIS. In summary, based on
the guideline, the project is specified as complying with the requirements of the 404(b)(1)
guidelines with the inclusion of appropriate and practical conditions to minimize
pollution or adverse effects to the affected aquatic ecosystem.
Some mitigation measures may require the discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States, For example, restoring hydrology to site-specific tracts of
land may involve plugging existing ditches with riprap. Mitigation activities will
generally not result in a significant impact to waters of the United States. Any revision to
tiie original 404(b)(1) Evaluation will be determined during the development of each site-
specific mitigation plan.
5.12 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts were described in Section 5.17 of the 2002 RSEIS. The
implementation of the additional mitigation measures would not significantly change the
conclusions as stated in Section 5.17.4 of the 2002 RSEIS. In summary, the St. Johns
Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway are highly altered landscapes and their
functional value has declined. Past activities have resulted in significant reductions in
forested lands and wetlands throughout the area. State parks and conservation areas have
been set aside to preserve the largest remaining stands of bottomland hardwood forests.
Legislative regulations have been implemented to restrict further loss of wetlands. The
proposed mitigation entails restoring and creating a significant amount of wetlands on
prior converted cropland. The proposed mitigation will certainly not restore the Missouri
Bootheel Region to its presettlement condition, but it will be an incremental improvement
over the present condition.
6.0 MITIGATION IMPLEMENTATION
6.1 Introduction
Compensatory mitigation is required to offset unavoidable impacts to significant fish and
wildlife resources. One purpose of this document is to identify the types and extent of
information that would be necessary to ensure success of mitigation. The 2002 RSEIS
stated that reforesting frequently flooded agricultural lands was the basic mitigation
strategy. Reforestation of firequently flooded agricultural areas remains a method to
mitigate some of the unavoidable impacts, but not necessarily the sole strategy.
WRDA of 1986 directs that acquisition of lands to mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife
resources shall be undertaken or acquired either (1) before any construction of the project
commences; or (2) concurrently with the acquisition of lands and interests in lands for
project purposes; and (3) that mitigation measures will generally be scheduled for
accomplishment concurrently with other project features the most efficient way. Section
906(b) of WRDA 1986 provides authority for the Secretary of the Army to mitigate
damages to fish and wildlife resources without further specific Congressional
Draft RSEIS 2
130
authorization but limits post authorization acquisition or interests in lands for mitigation
to willing sellers.
6.2 Land Acquisition
Acquisition of land must be made from willing sellers. Potential sites would be
determined by identifying willing sellers in the project area and ranking proposed sites by
the interagency mitigation team. Rankings would be based on the likelihood of success,
likely gains in habitat units, proximity to existing high value habitat (Big Oak Tree State
Park, Ten Mile Pond CA, and other bottomland hardwoods), and management potential.
6.3 Detailed Mitigation Plans
Detailed mitigation plans would be developed for each tract of land as it is acquired.
Mitigation plans would include a description of the site (hydrology, elevations, soils,
etc.), detailed construction plans, detailed planting plans, and calculations of potential
benefits to all resource categories. The plans would also include details on the
monitoring program for the site to verify gains in habitat and provisions for long term
management.
The interagency mitigation team would be consulted throughout the planning of the
mitigation features. A draft plan would be disseminated for review to the interagency
mitigation team prior to submittal to MDNR for approval.
Identification and treatment of historic properties, in compliance with NHPA, vsdll be
included in the development of detailed natural resources mitigation plans for each tract
of land as it is acquired. Each draft plan will be coordinated with the SHPO and
consulting parties prior to submittal to MDNR for approval. Cultural resources surveys
will be conducted at all mitigation sites to ensure that natural resources mitigation
features do not impact historic properties. Protection of cultural resource sites that may
be identified will be incorporated into the natural resources mitigation plan and long term
management of the mitigation land(s).
Relevant comments would be incorporated into the final mitigation plan. The mitigation
plan for each tract would be submitted to MDNR for approval. Implementation of
mitigation features can commence on some tracts while other tracts are being acquired.
Compensatory mitigation would occur concurrently with flood damage reduction features
construction. The New Madrid portion of the project or the St. Johns Bayou portion of
the project shall not be operated until all mitigation lands for that respective portion of
the project are acquired and all detailed mitigation plans approved.
6.4 Mitigation Construction
Construction of mitigation features on specific tracts would commence after MDNR
approves the site and all requirements of NHPA Section 106 are met. To control
Draft RSEIS 2
131
undesirable vegetation, acquired lands would most likely remain in agricultural
production until mitigation measures can be implemented.
6.5 Monitoring
Each mitigation tract would be monitored to ensure success. Table 6.1 includes
parameters that would be monitored. Monitoring requirements would be revised during
the development of detailed mitigation plans. Monitoring would be developed and
coordinated with the interagency mitigation team. Monitoring would be conducted
before mitigation measures are undertaken and until mitigation has been determined to be
successful. Post-mitigation surveys would be compared to pre-mitigation conditions to
measure success. Biological monitoring would entail appropriate fish and wildlife
surveys that would be determined on a site-specific basis. Monitoring of the hydrologie
regime would include flood frequencies, flood duration, and depth.
Table 6.1. Monitoring Parameters
Mitigation Type
Variable
Preservation
Vegetation Present
% Species Composition (Timber Cruise)
Hydrologie Conditions
Floodplain Fish Usage
Other Biological Monitoring
Bottomland Hardwood Restoration
Vegetation Present
% Species Composition
% Success of Planted Vegetation
Hydrologie Conditions
Floodplain Fish Usage
Other Biological Monitoring
Modified Moist Soil Units
Hydrologie Regime
Floodplain Fish Usage
Other Biological Monitoring
Vegetative Buffer Strip and
Wildlife Corridor
% Success of Planted Vegetation
Hydrologie Conditions
Floodplain Fish Usage
Other Biological Monitoring
Permanent Waterbody
Hydrologie Regime
Fish Usage
Other Biological Monitoring
Visual inspections of each tract would occur at least aimually to ensure the area is
functioning as it was designed. Corrective actions would be taken as necessary to ensure
success.
Draft RSEIS 2
132
6.6 Long Term Management
All tracts of land acquired for compensatory mitigation purposes would be protected in
perpetuity to benefit fish and wildlife resources. Under current authorities and policies,
mitigation acquired for the MRL features of the project would be turned over to the
USFWS once mitigation acquisition is completed. The Service could then turn the lands
over to state agencies for management. Acquired mitigation tracts may be temporarily
assigned by an appropriate instrument to a non-Federal agency prior to full completion of
the project. Management and transfer decisions will be coordinated with the interagency
mitigation team to facilitate turnover of mitigation lands to the most appropriate agencies
for management once mitigation acquisition is completed.
7.0 PROJECT MONITORING
In addition to monitoring each specific mitigation tract, the Corps would monitor several
variables throughout the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway to ensure
that predictions made during the formulation of the 2002 RSEIS and this RSEIS 2 are
accurate. All aspects of monitoring would be developed with input from the interagency
mitigation team. Financial assurance for monitoring is provided since the costs from
monitoring activities are included in the E&D costs for individual project flood control
and basic mitigation features (See Section 5.8). These are provided as a percentage of the
E&D costs, including some contingency.
7.1 Jurisdictional Wetlands
The Corps maintains that forested wetlands within the project area would retain
jurisdictional status after construction due to conditions other than backwater flooding.
The Corps would monitor these areas below an elevation of 295 feet NGVD for five
years after the project is completed to ensure that these areas do not lose jurisdictional
status. Monitoring would include a comprehensive network of water level monitoring
wells and physical site evaluations to fully characterize temporal and spatial variation of
surface and subsurface water levels in the project area.
Additionally, the Corps would take appropriate enforcement action if it is determined that
the Section 404/401 process has been evaded in the conversion of jurisdictional wetlands.
7.2 Water Quality
Water quality parameters would be monitored throughout the St. Johns Bayou Basin and
the New Madrid Floodway to ensure that predictions made concerning water quality are
valid. At a minimum, water quality parameters would include water temperature,
dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, conductivity, total suspended solids, and nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorous).
Draft RSEIS 2
133
7.3 Aquatic Biological Populations
The natural biological community within St. Johns Bayou and the New Madrid Floodway
waterways would be monitored for five years after construction impacts to ensure the re-
establishment of similar aquatic populations indigenous to the waterways prior to impact.
As part of the WQ Certification, populations will not be significantly different from the
original streams or existing reference streams. Remedial mitigation would be undertaken
if monitoring two years after construction reflects the development of aquatic
macroinvertebrate communities with taxonomic structure and feeding function classes
less than the 25*^ percentile of reference criteria.
7.4 Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussel populations within the St. Johns Bayou Basin would be monitored.
Monitoring would include the following:
• Conduct a pre-construction quantitative survey of mussel populations
in the construction right of way of Setback Levee Ditch.
• Conduct a pre-construction quantitative survey in upper reaches of
Setback Levee Ditch in the same manner to act as a control site.
• Relocate a percentage of the freshwater mussels out of Setback Levee
Ditch. Preliminary evaluations suggest that upper portions of Setback
Levee Ditch above the construction zone and outside the reference
area may be suitable habitat.
• Relocate a percentage of mussels from the lower limits of St. James
Ditch. Relocation area, same as above.
• Conduct a post construction-quantitative survey one year after
construction to determine the impacts of channel widening on
freshwater mussel populations. Continue surveys over ten-years to
monitor recolonization.
• Monitor areas in the lower portions of St. Johns Bayou to determine
the impacts to mussel colonization from the construction of transverse
dikes and hard points (Avoid and Minimize Measures).
^ • Monitor relocated mussels to determine survivorship of relocation.
7.5 Fish Passage
Fish passage through the New Madrid closure would be monitored by conducting a
mark/recapture study to determine the relative number and species that pass through the
culverts. The study would also include an assessment of spawning and rearing utilization
of mitigation tracts.
Draft RSEIS 2
134
8.0 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
8.1 Scoping Process
Appendix B of this RSEIS 2 describes the public involvement and scoping process that
was conducted for this RSEIS 2.
8.2 Distribution
This Draft RSEIS 2 heis been distributed to the following recipients, as well as to those
who provided comments on the June 2002 RSEIS. A copy of the Draft RSEIS 2 has been
placed on the Memphis District's Internet Homepage and can be viewed at the following
website: www.mvm.usace.army.mil
Additionally, a Notice of Availability was placed in the Federal Register.
8.2.1 Federal
Senator Christopher Bond
Senator James Talent
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson
Council on Environmental Quality
Environmental Protection Agency:
NEPA Compliance Division, Washington, D.C.
Regional Administrator, Kansas City
NEPA Team Leader, Kansas City
Wetlands Protection Section, Kansas City
Department of Interior:
Denver Federal Center
Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Washington, D.C.
USFWS, Columbia, MO Field Office
USFWS, Regional Office, Ft. Snelling
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
District Conservationist, Benton, MO
New Madrid Field Office
Charleston Field Office
State Conservationist
State Biologist
Department of Agriculture:
USDA/^IHS, Washington, D.C.
USDA-Rural Development, Columbia
8.2.2 Federally Recognized Tribes
Mr. Lee Edwards, Governor, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee, OK
Ms. Jennifer Makaseah, Tribal Representative, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee, OK
Draft RSEIS 2
135
Mr. Theodore R. Watson, Jr., Tribal Representative, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee,
OK
Ms. Augustine Asbury, Tribal Representative, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town,
Wetumka, OK
Mr. Tarpie Yargee, Chief, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Wetumka, OK
Mr. Richard Allen, Tribal Representative, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. Chad Smith, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, Ada, OK
Ms. Virginia Nail, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma,
Ada, OK
Mr. Terry Cole, Director, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, OK
Mr. Gregory E. Pyle, Chief, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, OK
Ms. Tamara Francis, Tribal Representative, Delaware Nation, Anadarko, OK
Mr. Edgar Francis, President, Delaware Nation, Anadarko, OK
Mr. Charles Enyart, Chief, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Seneca, MO
Ms. Janie Roark, Tribal Representative, Eastem Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Seneca,
MO
Ms. Evelyn Bucktrot, MEKKO, Kialegee Tribal Town, Wetumka, OK
Mr. Raul Garza, Chairman, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Eagel Pass, TX
Mr. Steve Caude, Chairman, Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, Horton, KS
Mr. Curtis Simon, Tribal Representative, Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, Horton, KS
Mr. Kenneth H. Carleton, Tribal Historie Preservation Officer, Mississippi Band of
Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS
Mr. Phillip Martin, Chief, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS
Ms. Joyce A. Bear, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Muscogee (Creek) Nation,
Okmulgee, OK
Mr. A. D. Ellis, Chief, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Okmulgee, OK
Mr. Tim Thompson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Muscogee (Creek) Nation,
Okmulgee, OK
Mr. Jim Gray, Chief, Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Pawhuska, OK
Mr. Anthony Whitehom, Tribal Representative, Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Pawhuska,
OK
Mr. C. Michael Harwell, Tribal Chairman, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, Red
Rock, OK
M§. Mildred Hudson, Tribal Representative, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, Red
Rock, OK
Mr. John P. Forman, Chief, Peoria Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Emmett E. Ellis, NAGPRA Representative Peroria Tribe, Tulsa, OK
Mr. Robert Thrower, Tribal Representative, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore, AL
Mr. Eddie L. Tullis, Tribal Chairman, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore, AL
Mr. Dwight Buffalohead, Chairman, Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, Ponca City, OK
Ms. Joyce Greenwood, NAGPRA Representative, Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, Ponca City,
OK
Mr. John Berrey, Chairman, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Quapaw, OK
Ms. Carrie Wilson, Tribal Representative, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Fayetteville, AR
DraftRSEIS2
136
Ms. Deanne Bahr, Tribal Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha, KS
Mr. Edmore Green, Tribal Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha,
KS
Ms. Sandra Keo, Chairwoman, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha, KS
Mr. Don Abney, Principal Chief, Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Stroud, OK
Ms. Sandra Massey, NAGPRA Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Stroud,
OK
Principal Chief, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Wewoka, OK
Mr. Emman Spain, NAGPRA Representative, Wewoka, OK
Mr. Mitchell Cypress, Chairman, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hollywood, FL
Mr. Willard Steel, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum,
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Clewiston, FL
Ms. Rebecca Hawkins, Tribal Representative, Shawnee Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Ron Sparkman, Chairman, Shawnee Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Charles Coleman, NAGPRA Representative, Thopthlocco Tribal Town, Weleetka,
OK
Mr. Brian McGertt, Chief, Thopthlocco Tribal Town, Okemah, OK
Ms. Dawena Pappan, Chief, Tonkawa Tribe, Tonkawa, OK
Mr. Anthony Street, Executive Director, Tonkawa Tribe, Tonkawa, OK
Mr. Earl Bafbry, Jr., Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of
Louisiana, Marksville, LA
Mr. Earl Barbry, Sr., Chairman, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, Marksville, LA
Ms. Mary Tidwell, Historic Preservation Officer, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee
Indians of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. George Wickliffe, Chief, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma,
Tahlequah, OK
8.2.3 State
Governor Matt Blount
Senator Peter Kinder
Representative Denny Merideth
Representative Lannie Black
Representative Peter Myers
Missouri Department of Conservation:
Office of the Director
Planning Section
Cape Girardeau Field Office
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Tenmile Pond Manager
Missouri Department of Natural Resources:
Office of the Director
Water Pollution Control Program
State Historic Preservation Office
Division of State Parks
DraftRSEIS2
137
»
Missouri Highway and Transportation Department
Missouri Department of Social Services, Mississippi County Director
Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
8.2.4 Local
Mayor, City of Sikeston, MO
Mayor, Village of Pinhook, MO
Mayor, City of New Madrid, MO
Mayor, City of East Prairie, MO
Mayor, City of Charleston, MO
Manager, City of Sikeston, MO
8.2.5 Libraries
Mississippi Coimty Library, Charleston, MO
Mississippi County Library, East Prairie, MO
New Madrid County Library, New Madrid, MO
Sikeston Public Library, Sikeston, MO
Missouri State Library, Jefferson City, MO
Riverside Regional Library, Benton, MO
Colorado State University Libraries, Fort Collins, CO
8.2.6 Other Organizations and Individuals
Mr. Jack Mcintosh, Superintendent, Reorganized School Dist No. 2, East Prairie, MO
Mr. David B. Brewer, Levee District No. 3, Mississippi County, Missouri, Wyatt, MO
Mr. John D. Story, Consolidated Drainage District, #1, Charleston, MO
Mr. Jim Blumenburg, President, Mississippi County Commission, Charleston, MO.
Consolidated Drainage District No 1 of Mississippi County, Missouri, Charleston. MO
Mr. Garland Buck, Levee District #2 of Scott County, Charleston, MO
Mr. Lynn Bock, St John Levee and Drainage District, New Madrid, MO
Mr. H. Riley Bock, St John Levee and Drainage District, New Madrid, MO
Ms. Caroline Puffalt, Conservation Chair, Ozark Chapter Sierra Club, St. Louis, MO
Ro,bin Mann, National Wetlands Working Group, Sierra Club, Rosemont, PA.
Mr. Ken Midkiff, Program Manager, Ozark Chapter, Sierra Club, Columbia, MO
Mr. Timothy D. Searchinger, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense Fund,
Washington, D.C
Ms. Yvoime Homeyer, Conservation Chairperson, Webster Grove Nature Study Society,
St Louis, MO /
Mr. Jim Holsen, President, St. Louis Audubon Society, Kirkwood, MO
Ms. Bea Covington, Executive Director, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, St.
Louis, MO
Ms. Liz Anderson, Editor, Enterprise-Courier, Charleston, MO
Mr. Dale R. Ludwig, Missouri Soybean Association, Jefferson City, MO
DraftRSEIS2
138
Mr. James E. French, President, French Implement Co., Charleston.
Mr. Charles E. Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Jefferson City
Mr. Lonnie Thurmond, Enterprise Community, East Prairie
Mr. Dwight Bird, Delta Growers Association, Charleston, MO
Dr. Martha Ellen Black, Enterprise Community, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Glenn Ault, Charleston, MO.
Mr. David Brewer, Wyatt, MO
Dr. Christopher Bamhart, SW Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Mr. John Besser, Columbia, MO
Ms. Celeste Koon, Jefferson City, MO
Ms. Mary Ratliff, NAACP, President, Missouri State Conference, Columbia, MO
Mr. Arthur Cassel, NAACP, Charleston Missouri Chapter, Charleston, MO.
Ms. Terri Treacy, Carbondale, IL
Ms. Cheryl Delashmit, Leslie, MO.
Mr. Alan Joumet, SE Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
Mr. Rene DeKriek, French Implement Co., Charleston, MO.
Dr. Mike Bames, Superintendent Reorganized School District #1, Enlarged, New
Madrid, MO.
Mr. Ronnie Jimerson, New Madrid, MO.
Mr. Donald Crawford, Harrisburg, AR.
Mr. William Dee Dill, East Prairie, MO.
Mr. Joe Sorrells, J-Mar Agri Group, East Prairie, MO
Mr. John E. Burke, Charleston, MO
Mr. Stephen T. Burke, Charleston, MO
Mr. Clyde Hawes, New Madrid County Commission, New Madrid, MO
Mr. Lester Goodin, Charleston, Mo
Mr. Donald R. Dann, Highland Park, IL
Ms. Patsy Tisher, New Madrid, MO
Mr. Michael V. Ganey, Greenway Network, Inc., St. Charles, MO
Ms. Rhonda Monroe, Carbondale, IL
Mr. George C. Grugett, Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, Collierville, TN
Mr. Ronald C. Gladney, Bartley, Goffstein, Bollato, and Lange, L.L.C., St. Louis, MO
Ms. Kathie Simpkins, East Prairie, MO
Mr. James Bogle, East Prairie, MO
Dr. Jack Grubaugh, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Mr. William D. Levalle, New Madrid, MO
Ms. Linda Frederick, Rolla, MO
Mr. R. D. James, New Madrid, MO
Dr. Mary Byrd Davis, Eastem Old Growth Clearinghouse, Georgetown, KY
Ms. Laraine Wright, Director, Publications Office, Southem Illinois University,
Carbondale, IL.
Ms. Judy Lincoln, Columbia, MO
Ms. Mary Collinge, Memphis, TN
Mr. Randy Sutton, Ducks Unlimited, Ten Mile Pond Chapter, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Teddy Bennett, East Prairie, MO
Draft RSEIS 2
139
Mr. Ricky Penrod, President, East Prairie Park Board, East Prairie, MO
Mr. James C. Moreton, President, Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, East Prairie,
MO
Ms. Brenda Brewer, Director, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, East Prairie, MO
Director, Mississippi County Health Department, East Prairie, MO
Ms. Silvey Barker, Chairperson, East Prairie Tourism Council, East Prairie, MO
Ms. Patsy Hutcheson, County Director, Missouri Department of Social Services, East
Prairie, MO
Mr. Martin Hutcheson, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Wendell Choate, East Prairie
8.3 Coordination
A coordination meeting with state and Federal agencies occurred on 15 July 2005
between Corps, USFWS, MDC, and MDNR personnel. A Memorandum for Record was
produced from this meeting and is included in Appendix B.
Coordination with the interagency mitigation team was maintained throughout the
development of this RSIES 2 by conducting additional meetings, teleconferences, and
other correspondences.
8.4 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Planning Aid Letter
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service submitted a Planning Aid Letter on 11 August 2005
(included in Appendix B). The following paragraphs state the Service's position on key
aspects of the project. The Service's comments are in bold and the Corps' response
follows.
Comment; The Corps grouped potential mitigation measures into two categories:
inside and outside the project area (¿e., St. Johns and New Madrid Basins). Inside
the project area, the Corps proposes to use redesigned borrow pits to provide
increased habitat value for físh, and thereby reduce the acreage that would need to
be reforested to offset fisheries habitat impacts. Throughout the previous planning
and NEPA processes, resource agencies and the Corps agreed that borrow pits
would be appropriate only to mitigate for impacts of permanent waterbodies. Even
then, borrow pits can only provide comparable floodplain habitats if they permit
fullfish access (including Mississippi River fishes) and have slack water conditions.
Response: Compensatory mitigation is based on the replacement of habitat that is
impacted from construction of the flood damage reduction features, not a certain quantity
of acres. In previous NEPA planning, reforestation of cropland was chosen as an
adequate method to mitigate impacts to fish rearing habitat because it offers higher
habitat value than agricultural or fallow lands and forested floodplains benefit many other
biological resources (wetlands, waterfowl, terrestrial wildlife, etc.). Previous NEPA
reports did not account for ADFA in calculating compensatory mitigation requirements.
Draft RSEIS 2
140
However, due to concerns, the Corps acknowledges that compensatory mitigation must
be based on ADFA. Analysis subsequent to the 2002 RSEIS has indicated that
reforesting agricultural areas is not an efficient means to provide benefits to mid-season
fish rearing habitat due to the infrequency of flooding. Creation of permanent
waterbodies provides significant habitat for floodplain fishes and maximizes ADFA.
Therefore, mitigation for fish rearing habitat is no longer based solely on reforestation.
Construction of flood damage reduction features in the St. Johns Bayou Basin and closure
of the New Madrid Floodway would impact 268 and 417 acres of permanent waterbodies,
respectively. Therefore, constructing 387 acres of modified borrow pits would be
suitable to mitigate the impact to permanent waterbodies.
The Corps recognizes that permanent waterbodies harbor both resident and transient
fishes. Therefore, construction and management of permanent waterbodies must allow
opportunities for periodic connection to the mainstem river to accommodate access and
dispersal, while maintaining suitable habitat for a variety of fish species. As currently
planned, the borrow pits would be located in the lower end of the St. Johns Bayou Basin.
Fish would have periodic access to the pits during high Mississippi River stages, or
during spawning and rearing pooling periods in the St. Johns Bayou Basin. With respect
to the phrase "full fish access," as stated in Section 4.3.2.1, fish respond to floods by
moving laterally onto the floodplain to feed, avoid predators, and seek suitable areas for
reproduction.
Borrow pits and other permanent waterbodies provide high quality rearing habitat for a
variety of species (Baker et al. 1991; others), and the HSI scores developed by the
interagency team clearly indicate that permanent waterbodies have higher rearing value
than reforested agricultural lands. Adult fish are attracted to borrow pits because of deep
water and abundant forage fishes that often concentrate in permanent waterbodies. Many
of these adult fish will spawn in shallow, structurally complex littoral areas of borrow
pits. Plankton densities are usually high in permanent waterbodies, so once eggs hatch,
larvd fish have an abundant food source. High densities of fish are characteristic of
borrow pits, and many of these individuals will eventually be transported or move into
the Mississippi River during subsequent floods.
Comment; Another fish mitigation measure being considered by the Corps uses the
shorebird mitigation areas to provide fisheries habitat. Such a proposal has two
important considerations. First, use of shorebird habitat to replace reforestation for
fish would not contribute to the significant forested wetland mitigation needs
considered during mitigation planning and as detailed in the Service's previous Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act reports. Second, many of the shorebird areas would
be actively managed for shallow water and wetted edge, minimizing suitable open
water habitat available for fish reproduction and rearing. Active water
management through water control structures, dikes, culverts, and other artificial
means (¿e., pumps) greatly reduces opportunities for successful fish ingress and
egress.
Draft RSEIS 2
141
Response: Creation of modified moist soil units would consist of flooding herbaceous
wetlands. Restoring herbaceous wetlands and flooding them would offset some impacts
to jurisdictional wetlands. No credits to terrestrial wildlife are provided from the
construction of modified moist soil units. The Corps no longer intends to compensate
impacts to fish habitat solely from reforestation. It is important to note that rearing
habitat consists of flooded habitat with no regard to depth or duration. Given the habitat
value for fish rearing that has been assigned to the current agricultural lands, construction
of modified moist soil units that provide access for fish would most likely provide
suitable rearing habitat. The sites would primarily be managed for shorebirds. The
Corps acknowledges that there are several concerns over the timing of flooding, duration
of suitable habitat, dissolved oxygen concentrations, and ingress and egress. Therefore,
no credits to mid-season fish rearing habitat were calculated for this RSEIS 2. The Corps
still intends to consider modification of moist soil units to allow for fish access. Sites
would be monitored and benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat would be calculated.
Overall mitigation would be adjusted, if necessary.
Comment; The fish HEP model used for the EIS focuses entirely on the value of an
area to support reproduction and does not measure fish access. Selected species
used in project impact analysis of the New Madrid Floodway include both
Mississippi River and fioodplain fish. The unique value of the New Madrid
Floodway as an open access backwater habitat is universally recognized. Therefore,
using the fish HEP model to estimate habitat value is valid only if mitigation sites
provide comparable access for Mississippi River fish as well as resident floodway
fish. Closure of the floodway during the spawning and rearing season will
significantly reduce, and potentially eliminate, this seasonal access. As proposed,
the culverts will be closed when fish normally move into the Floodway, thus
blocking access to the Floodway when habitat should be available and is most
needed by fish. In addition, the ability of Mississippi River fish to access the
Floodway and specific mitigation sites therein through open culverts is unknown.
Eliminating or reducing the movement of many species of fish through structures is
well documented in fisheries literature (Warren and Pardue 1988, Coffman 2005,
Behlke et aL 1991 (as cited in Coffman 2005)), and is a predictable outcome of water
control projects. Mitigation sites landward of other levees would have comparable
problems with meaningful fish access.
Response: The Corps acknowledges that closing the culverts in the New Madrid
Floodway at a Mississippi River elevation of 284.4 feet NGVD would prevent fish access
to higher elevation lands. Consequently, this was taken into account when impacts were
calculated and mitigation requirements were determined. However, the gates would
remain open at elevations below 284.4 feet NGVD. Therefore, there would be suitable
fish access to that portion of the floodway nearest the Mississippi River.
Corps fisheries biologists support the view that fish will move through the New Madrid
Floodway culverts. As currently designed, closure of the New Madrid Floodway would
consist of four 10-foot by 10-foot gated box culverts across Mud Ditch. The culverts will
Draft RSEIS 2
142
be approximately 250 feet in length, placed along the channel bottom of Mud Ditch, and
have a nearly level slope (6 inch drop in 250 feet). Few studies have been conducted on
fish access through culverts, and those studies that have shown impacts are related to
small road crossing culverts or geographically disparate regions. For example,
Coffinan's (2005) predictive models were used to predict fish passage through small
culverts in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands region of the United States and are not applicable
to large culverts like the proposed 10-foot by 10-foot box culverts.
Typical problems at culverts include a perched outlet, water velocities that exceed burst
swimming speeds of fish, shallow depths that hamper swimming, and long distances
between resting areas. None of these problems will exist for the New Madrid culverts for
the following reasons:
• Water will be flowing into the basin during most operational periods,
so excessive water velocity will not be an impediment to movement.
In addition, those fishes that were spawned or are rearing in the basin
can be easily transported back to the river when water direction is
reversed during falling river stages.
• There will be no free fall, or 'waterfall' condition at either the outlet or
inlet.
• Culvert slope is nearly level (6 inch elevation change over 250 linear
feet).
• The length of the culvert is a relatively short distance that fish will
need to travel to access the backwater.
• Water depth will be equal to the 10-foot height of the culvert, which is
more than adequate for swimming fishes.
An additional aspect of fish passage is the condition of the entrance canal. Mud Ditch
connects the Mississippi River to the New Madrid Floodway. The ditch itself can be
classified as a slackwater backwater during high river stages with a well-developed
forested riparian zone. Therefore, fish will likely be attracted to the entrance canal and
move towards the structure. Once the structure is open, fish will follow the primary flow
paths into the basin. All of these reasons strongly indicate that fish passage conditions
will exist at the New Madrid Floodway culverts.
The Corps will continue to work with the interagency mitigation team to develop best
management practices (BMP) for the New Madrid Floodway box culverts. These BMPs
will seek ways that enhance fish passage to the maximum extent practical and would be
included in the closure design and overall operation and maintenance plan. Additionally,
the Corps will conduct a mark/recapture study to determine the relative number and
species that pass through the culverts. The study will also include an assessment of
spawning and rearing utilization of mitigation tracts.
DraftRSEIS2
143
Comment; Providing accessible habitat for Mississippi River físhes at Big Oak Tree
State Park (BOTSP) presents a greater biological and engineering challenge. To
access the Park, fish will have to traverse a mile or more of pipe; in addition, it is
unknown how fish will return to the Mississippi River as fioodwaters recede. The
objectives for BOTSP mitigation focus on greater ability to manipulate water within
the Park to restore and enhance the native plant communities. The measures
proposed to restore ecological functions to BOTSP do not compensate for fishery
impacts.
Response: Supplying Big Oak Tree State Park is intended to restore ecological functions
to the park. However, this action has the potential to restore fish spawning and rearing
habitat. The conceptual plan consists of a gated structure through the Mississippi
Mainline Levee System and open channels. The only pipe that would have to be
traversed is at the structure itself. Estimates suggest that tíie structure would consist of
two 60-inch diameter concrete culverts. The Corps acknowledges that fish passage may
not be feasible from either an engineering or economic standpoint. However, every effort
would be made throughout the design and construction to provide fish access to the
maximum extent practical. The interagency team, as well as fish passage experts would
be consulted throughout the design of the water supply feature. Mid-season fish rearing
habitat credits would be calculated for supplying Big Oak Tree State Park and the
surrounding areas with water if it is determined that fish can access the site. If
applicable, credits would be calculated in the site-specific detailed mitigation plan and
verified through monitoring.
Comment: As stated in the Corps' list of potential additional fish mitigation options,
adequate fish passage is a requirement for sites to qualify for fish mitigation.
Therefore, a technically sound fish passage evaluation must be completed for each
alternative mitigation measure and site. We recommend that the Corps, Service,
and Missouri Department of Conservation collectively identify a panel of fish
passage experts to conduct these reviews during continued project planning.
Furthermore, the draft RSEIS II should fully discuss the critical issue of fish
passage and access, including how the Corps will rectify the current lack of
information on this topic for previous and future proposed fish mitigation measures.
The Service will provide additional input addressing mitigation monitoring needs
pending the results of those analyses.
Response: As stated above, the Corps will work with the interagency mitigation team
and any other individuals that are collectively identified in the development of fish
passage BMP, access to specific tracts, and monitoring fish passage and usage of
mitigated areas. The Corps recommends that this should occur during the development
of site-specific detailed mitigation plans. A discussion of fish passage is found in Section
4.3.2.1 of this RSEIS 2.
Comment: The Corps is exploring a number of potential enhancement projects
outside the Floodway as compensatory mitigation. Because this area has been
Draft RSEIS 2
144
highly modified through previous flood control, navigation, and agricultural
projects, opportunities exist to improve fisheries habitat along the river and batture
lands. However, the measures proposed by the Corps would not offset project-
related fisheries impacts in the floodplain. Main stem riverine habitat are
inherently different than floodplain habitat and both serve critical, yet
complementary, roles in supporting fish and wildlife resources in the project area.
On the floodplain, these conditions include low velocity water that warms relatively
early in the spring because it is shallower and off the main channel. In addition, the
floodplain provides a variety of macro and microhabitats that include diverse
depths, temperatures, substrates, vegetation, forage, and refuge, interspersed with a
stream/ditch network that fish can use to access the floodplain and can recede into
as floodwaters recede. At the same time, the potential riverine mitigation areas
proposed by the Corps currently provide significant fisheries habitat value without
further enhancement. Proposed enhancement features appear to be a conversion of
existing, valuable habitat to an alternative habitat, rather than a net increase in
habitat value.
Response: Restoration efforts along the river or within the batture area are expected to
significantly benefit multiple Lower Mississippi River Valley communities, including
offsetting mid-season fish rearing habitat impacts from construction of the flood damage
reduction project.
The Corps agrees with the USFWS that batture land is valuable to a variety of fishes and
other aquatic organisms. Flooded batture land that is reforested will have
physicochemical characteristics similar to forested areas in the New Madrid Floodway:
slackwater, structural diversity (habitat diversity such as scrub/shrub or cypress root areas
that provide value to fish), direct accessibility to the river. Swales and ridges in the
batture create habitat similar to tributaries: deep, warm water that persists after
floodwaters recede and a corridor for movement within the floodplain. In addition,
increased hydraulic circulation in the batturé will improve water quality in large
backwaters during prolonged flooding in late spring and early summer. Batture land is
also directly accessible to fish and has heterogeneous habitats suitable for fish spawning
and rearing.
The Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, through a series of state
meetings, has identified restoration and enhancement of floodplain lakes as a primary
goal of improving habitats in the lower Mississippi River. Therefore, the Corps does not
agree with the Service's statement that the existing areas in the batture cannot be further
improved and offset project impacts. The Corps maintains that reforesting agricultural
areas and restoring floodplain lakes provides much greater benefit to fisheries habitat
than agricultural lands and shallow or isolated lakes. In addition, there will be a net
increase in habitat value that is quantifiable using the existing habitat models developed
for this study, and mitigation credits will take into account the value of existing
conditions prior to restoration {i.e., mitigated AAHU - existing AAHU).
DraftRSEIS2
145
Comment; All alternative fîsh mitigation measures must be fully evaluated at the
planning stage through an independent scientifîc peer review to ensure that many of
the underlying presumptions, suppositions, and hypotheses driving mitigation for
this project are indeed valid. A key component of this peer review must be
validation of the assumptions pertaining to fîsh use and access to each area
proposed for compensatory mitigation credit. In consideration of the quality and
quantity of fîsh habitat lost, especially the magnitude of these impacts on the
regional and national signifîcance of the Mississippi River fîshery, such an
independent peer review is justified. That review would further the success of the
Corps in meeting its resource responsibilities and may help direct future mitigation
efforts, particularly for multiple species and habitats.
Response: This draft RSEIS 2 will undergo a 45-day comment period. The draft
document will be sent to all applicable regulatory and resource agencies, Federally
Recognized Indian Tribes, elected officials, municipalities, private businesses, non¬
governmental organizations, and the general public. Expected benefits to mid-season fish
rearing habitat from mitigation measures are calculated in the same manner that impacts
were calculated by the interagency team. The Corps has diligently sought peer review
from responsible resource management agencies such as USFWS, MDNR, and MDC.
The Corps is confident that the comments received from these agencies will reflect their
professional opinions regarding environmental safeguards. The Corps will respond to
any relevant comments in the Final Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement 2.
9.1 Relationship of Plan to Environmental Laws and Regulations
The relationship of the recommended plan to the requirements of environmental laws,
executive orders (EO), and other policies are presented below (Institute for Water
Resources, 1996):
9.0 CONCLUSION
Federal Policies and Acts
Compliance Status
Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970
Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended
Coastal Zone Management Act, as amended
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1984
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958
Foods Security Act of 1985
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Not Applicable
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Partial Compliance^
Full Compliance^
Full Compliance^
Draft RSEIS 2
146
Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 Full Compliance
Rivers and Harbor Flood Control Act of 1970 Full Compliance
Water Resources Planning Act of 1965 Full Compliance
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended. Full Compliance
^Additional cultural resources surveys would be conducted during the development of
site-specific detailed mitigation plans.
^Full compliance would be met following the issuance of the Final RSEIS 2 and ROD.
Executive Orders
Floodplain Management (E.O. 11988)
Protection, Enhancement of the Cultural Environment
(E.O. 11593)
Protection of Wetlands (E.O. 11990)
Environmental Justice (E.O. 1298)
Other Federal Policies
Prime and Unique Farmlands Full Compliance
Water Resources Council, Economic and Environmental Full Compliance
Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related
Land Resources Implementation Studies
10.0 LIST OF PREPARERS/CONTRIBUTORS
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
Full Compliance
LIST OF PREPARERS/CONTRIBUTORS
Name Discipline Experience Role
Steven Ashby, Ph.D.
Research Hydrologist
28 WES
Water Quality of
Surface waters
Larry Banks, P.E.
Supervisory Hydraulic
Engineer
35 years USAGE
Reviewer
David Berretta, P. E.
Supervisory Hydraulic
Engineer
31.5 years
Reviewer
Barry Bruchman, P.E.
Hydraulic Engineer
20 years USAGE
Hydrologie and
Hydraulic investigations
lead engineer
Mickey Heitmeyer,
Ph.D.
Biologist
7 years Univ. of
Missouri-Columbia,
Research Associate; 8
years Ducks Unlimited;
6 years additional
related work
Waterfowl Analysis
Dennis Kamper, P.E.
Supervisory Engineer
36 years USAGE
Reviewer
Thomas Keevin, Ph.D.
Aquatic Ecologist,
Environmental
Compliance
26 years USAGE, 1 year
DOD
Independent Technical
Review
Draft RSEIS 2
147
LIST OF PREPARERS/CONTRIBUTORS
Name Discipline Experience Role
Jack Killgore, Ph.D.
Fishery Biologist
25 years WES, ecology
of fi-eshwater fishes
impact assessment
Fishery analysis and
mitigation
recommendations
Charles Klimas, Ph.D.
Research Ecologist
28 years Federal
research and consulting
HGM Analysis
Jane Ledwin
Biologist
12 years USFWS; '/2
years LA Coastal
Management Division;
2.5 years OCS Office,
NC
Planning Aid Letter
Bobby Learned
Economics and Social
25 years USACE
Economic analysis
Jim McNeil
Archeologist
23 years USACE
Archeologist
Shawn Phillips, P.E.
Engineer
15 years Environmental
Engineering
Principal Author
Kevin Pigott
Fish and Wildlife
Biologist
3 yrs USACE; 4 yrs MS
Dept. of Env. Quality;
5.5 yrs WES
Principal Author
David Reece
Fish and Wildlife
Ecology
9 yrs. Chief,
Environmental Branch,
Memphis District COE;
5 yrs Policy Division,
HQ,USACE; 12 yrs
Environmental Branch,
New Orleans District,
COE; 4 yrs Florida
Game and Fish Comm.
Waterfowl analysis
Environmental review;
supervisory RSEIS 2
coordination, project
planning
James Reeder, P.E.
Engineer/Program
Manager
31 years USACE
Reviewer
Erwin Roemer
Archeologist
10+ years USACE
Archeologist
Larry Sharpe
Project Manager
33 yrs practicing
engineer, 28 yrs of those
with USACE
Senior Project Manager
Daniel Ward
•
Fish and Wildlife
Biologist
5 years. Environmental
Branch, Memphis
District USAGE;
1 Year, Tennessee
Department of
Environment and
Conservation
RSEIS 2 Coordinator
Jerry Welch, C.C.C.
Cost Engineer
33 years USACE, 6
years Army Combat
Engineer
Senior Cost Engineering
Draft RSEIS 2
148
11.0 LITERATURE CITED
Aggus, L. R., and G. R. Ploskey. 1986. Environmental Design Considerations for Main
Stem Borrow Areas along the Lower Mississippi River. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Lower Mississippi River Environmental Program, Report 4,
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Albertson, E. and C.A. Büchner. 1997. Intensive archaeological survey along the right
bank of St. James Ditch, St. Johns Boyou, Mississippi County, Missouri.
Panamerican Consultants, Inc, submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Memphis District. Memphis, Tennessee.
Allen, Arthur W. 1983. Habitat suitability index models: Mink. U.S. Department of and
vegetated buffer strips. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research
Design Center, Publication TM-EMRRP-SR-24. Vicksburg, Mississippi. 17 pp.
Baker, J. A., K. J. Kilgore, and R. L Kasul. 1991. Aquatic Habitats and Fish
Communities in the Lower Mississippi River. Aquatic Sciences 3(4):313-356.
Bellrose, P.C. 1980. Ducks, geese and swans of North America. Third ed. Stackpole
Books, Harrisburg, PA. 540pp.
Brown, B.L. 1977. Soil Survey of New Madrid County, Missouri. United States
Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in cooperation with
Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. U.S. Gov. Print. Office, Washington,
DC.
Buffler, R. T. 1991. Early Evolution of the Gulf of Mexico Basin. Pages 1-15 In D.
Golthwaite, ed.. An Introduction to Central Gulf Coast Geology. New Orleans
Geological Society, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Coffinan, J.S. 2005. Evaluation of predictive model for upstream fish passage through
culverts. MS Thesis. James Madison University. 104 pp.
Davis, J.P., C.H. Thomas, and L.L. Glasgow. 1961. Foods available to waterfowl in
fallow rice fields of southwestern Louisiana, 1960-61. Proceedings of the Annual
«Conference of Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners.
15:60-66.
Festervand, D.F. 1981. Soil Survey of Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, and Scott Counties,
Missouri. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in
cooperation with Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station.
DraftRSEIS2
149
Fredrickson, L.H. and T.S, Taylor 1982. Management of seasonally flooded
impoundments for wildlife. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Publication
148.
Fredrickson, L.H., and F.A. Reid. 1988. Nutritional values of waterfowl foods. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Leaflet 13.
Fischer, R.A. and J.G. Fischenich. 2000. Design recommendations for riparian corridors.
TM-EMRRP-SR-24, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center,
Environmental Laboratory. Vicksburg, Mississippi. 17 pp.
Heitmeyer, M.E. 2002. Waterfowl. Pages 209-223 in J.G. Dickson, ed. Wildlife of
southern forests. Hancock Publishing House, Blaine, WA.
Heitmeyer, M.E. 2005. The importance of winter floods to mallards in the Mississippi
Alluvial Valley. Journal of Wildlife Management (in press).
Institute for Water Resources. 1996. Civil Works Environmental Desk Reference.
Institute for Water Resources Policy and Special Studies Division, Policy Review
and Analysis Division Directorate of Civil Works, U.S. Army Coprs of Engineers.
IWR Report 96-PS-3. Washington, D.C.
Klinger, T. C., L. L. Ayres, D. B. Board, and J. E. Price. 1988. Cultural Resources
Surveys and Testing in Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid Counties, Missouri.
Submitted to Memphis District, Corps of Engineers, by Historic Preservation
Associates, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Contract No. DACW66-86-C-0083. 169 pp.
Lafferty, R.H., III and M. Hess. 1996. Archeological investigations in the New Madrid
Floodway, Volumes I, II, and III. Mid-Continental Research Associates, Inc.,
submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. Memphis,
Tennessee.
Mayeaux, M.M., J.G. Marshall, G. Baskin and P.R. Virine. 1980. Reducing soybean
harvest impacts. Louisiana Agriculture 23(4)18-20
•
McAbee, W.C. 1994. Waterfowl use and food availability on flooded croplands in
northeast Louisiana. M.S. Thesis, Louisiana Tech University. 49pp.
McCarty, K. 2005. Draft: Natural Resource Management Plan: Big Oak Tree State Park.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Jefferson City, Missouri.
National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources. 2000. An integrated assessment of hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of
Mexico. National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources. Washington, D.C.
DraftRSEIS2
150
Neely, W.W. 1956. How long do duck foods last underwater? Transactions of the North
American Wildlife Conference. 21:191-198.
Shearer, L.A., B.J. Jahn, and L. Lenz. 1969. Deterioration of duck foods when flooded.
Journal of Wildlife Management 33: 1012-1015.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1976. Final Environmental Impact Statement,
Mississippi River and Tributaries, Mississippi River Levees and Channel
Improvement. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District. Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1980. St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway,
Missouri, Phase I General Design Memorandum and EIS. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Memphis District. Memphis, Tennessee.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1986. St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway,
Missouri, Phase 11 General Design Memorandum 101. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Memphis District. Memphis, Tennessee.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1997. St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway,
Missouri, First Phase, Draft Limited Réévaluation Report, March 1997. Memphis
District, Memphis, Tennessee.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2000. Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
for the St. Johns Bayou - New Madrid Floodway Project. U.S.. Army Corps of
Engineers, Memphis District. Memphis, Tennessee.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2000. Supplemental Water Quality Analysis - St. Johns
Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, ERDC/EL SR-00-7. U.S. Army Engineer
Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2002. Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the St. Johns Bayou - New Madrid Floodway Project. U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. Memphis, Tennessee.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2005.
jittp://www.usace.armv.mil/civilworks/hot tonics/me fag .htm
U.S. Census Bureau State & County QuickFacts. 2005.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/afd/index.html
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Habitat Evaluation Procedures. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Ecological Services, Washington, D.C. Ecological
Services Manual 102.
DraftRSEIS2
151
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000. St. Johns and New Madrid Floodway Project, East
Prairie Phase, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Ecological Services Field Office. Columbia, Missouri. 124 pp.
«
Draft RSEIS 2
152
FIGURES USED
Draft RSEIS 2
153
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Potential Wildlife Corridor
Purchased Mitigation IVacts
Potential Riparian Buffer
Levee
Potential BOTSP Expansion ^
Existing State Land
o 0.5 1
^IMiles
■Kilometers
00.51 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
This map produced by the U. S. Army Corps of Engmeers-Memphis
District (USAGE) Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division,
Environmental Branch (PM-E) on 15 November 2005.
USACE-PM-E makes no warrenties, expressed or implied, as to the
accuracy, completeness, cuiientness, reliability, or suitability for any
particular purpose, of the data contained on this map.
Note: Reforestation Locations To Be Determined in both Basins
Borrow Pit Locations To Be Determined
Figure 1. St. Johns Bayou Basin - New Madrid Floodway Project, MO Partial Basic Mitigation Techniques
Draft RSEIS 2
154
Potential Fishery Ponding
Potential Fishery Ponding
Floodplain Lake
Purchased Mitigation Tracts
Existing State Land
Levee
0 12
0 1.252.5
8
7.5 10 12.5
¿ílliles
■Kilometers
15
This map produced by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers-Memphis
District (USAGE) Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division.
Environmental Branch (PM-E) on 15 November 2005.
USACE-PM-E makes no warrenties, expressed or implied, as to the
aecuracy, completeness, eurrentness, reliability, or suitability for any
particular purpose, of the data contained on this map.
) Figure 2. St. Johns Bayou Basin - New Madrid Floodway Project, MO Additional Mitigation Techniques
Draft RSEIS
155
V
This map produced by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers-Memphis
District (USAGE) Planning, Programs, and Project Management Division,
Environmental Branch (PM-E) on 15 November 2005.
USACE-PM-E makes no warrenties, expressed or implied, as to the
accuracy, completeness, currentness, reliability, or suitability for any
particular purpose, of the data contained on this map.
Figure 3. Land Use within the St. Johns Bayou Basin - New Madrid Floodway Project MO
Draft RSEIS 2
156
APPENDIX A
Summary and Application of EnviroFish
Draft RSEIS 2
157
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
i
EnviroFish was developed to incorporate depth and duration to define suitable
reproductive habitat. There are three main analytical components of EnviroFish:
hydraulics and hydrology, land uses, and biological response variables (See conceptual
model). EnviroFish calculates average daily flooded acres from stage-area relationships,
separates spawning from rearing acres using depth and duration of flooding, and
identifies the land use associated with each acre {e.g., agricultural, fallow, bottomland
hardwoods, permanent waterbodies). A Habitat Suitability Index score is then used to
weight each acre to reflect the biological value of the flooded landscape.
Parameterization of the model is based on existing data and professional opinion of the
FIEF Team. During meetings held with the interagency team, consisting of biologists,
hydrologie engineers and ecologists from the Corps' Memphis District, Engineer
Research and Development Center (ERDC), USFWS, MDC, MDNR, and local interests,
environmentally conservative assumptions were developed to parameterize the model.
These include:
1. The fish community is comprised of multiple guilds that have different modes
of reproduction and exhibit variable spawning chronologies. As a result, three
separate time periods were selected (early, mid, and late season spawning
fish), and the period having the greatest level of impacts (mid-season in this
case) was selected as the mitigation target.
2. Habitat Suitability Index values were assigned to each evaluation species by
the HEP Team using the Delphi Technique, which in this case, was assigning
the average of all scores as the final HSI value. Using professional opinion of
trained biologist in deriving scores will usually result in environmentally
conservative values to rate the importance of floodplain habitats to fishes.
3. The pattern of flooding in the New Madrid Floodway generally follows the
primary streams and ditches, so the upper limit of the 2-year flood is a
considerable distance from the Mississippi River. There were no attempts to
reduce the value of flooded lands as a function of distance from river. All
floodplain habitats within the 2-year peak flood frequency were considered of
equal value, although most spawning fish moving from the Mississippi River
onto the floodplain will spawn at the nearest suitable location to reduce travel
time and energy expended, and ensure that eggs do not become desiccated
during receding floods.
Draft RSEIS 2
158
Appendix A Figure 1
Draft RSEIS 2
159
Appendix A Figure 2,
Example of Impact and Mitigation Calculation Specific Scenario: New Madrid Floodway - Mid-Season Rearing.
IMPACT CALCULATION
A
B
C
D
E
Landcover
ADFAs
HSI
Species
HUs
type
I
2
3
Lost ^
Agricultural
3,766
0.37
Smallmouth
1,169
606
buffalo.
3,160
crappie, drum
Fallow
332
0.4
Smallmouth
108
-60
buffalo.
272
crappie, drum
Bottomland
1099
0.7
Smallmouth
626
Hardwood
-204
buffalo.
895
crappie, drum
Large
203
2.2
Smallmouth
275
Waterbodies
-78
buffalo.
125
crappie, drum
Small
213
1.2
Smallmouth
151
Waterbodies
- 87
buffalo.
126
crappie, drum
Total
4,576*
2,329
Mil
^IGATIO^
CALCULATION
F
G
H
I
Landcover type
HUs
HSI Gain
ADFAs
change
Needed
Required^
Agricultural
to
2,329
0.03
77,633
Fallow
(0.4-0.37)
Agricultural
Bottomland
to
2,329
0.33
(0.7-0.37)
7,058
Hardwood
Agricultural
Large
Waterbodies
to
2,329
1.83
(2.2-0.37)
1,273
Agricultural
Small
to
2,329
0.83
(1.2-0.37)
2,806
Waterbodies
2.
->
J.
4.
5.
(modified gate^)
Page C-22, Table 12, Mid-season Rearing, Existing minus Option
The HSl figures are the sum of the appropriate species HSI values on Table 6, page G-13
These representative species provided in Table 3, page G-7.
Calculation is Column B (ADFAs) times Column C (HSI for landcover type)
Calculation is Column G (HUs needed) divided by Column H (HUs gain by that particular mitigation approach).
* The total existing ADFAs in the floodway is 5,613 acres
(3,765.8 + 331.7 + 1,099.1 + 203.5 + 212.9) as opposed to
the 2002 Recommended Plan mitigation of 7,058. The
previous recommended plan with mitigation in ADFAs
would actually be increased flooding from the perspective
of ADFAs.
Draft RSEIS 2
160
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APPENDIX B
Coordination and Pertinent Correspondence
«
Draft RS EI S 2
161
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
The Scoping process for the RSEIS 2 included preparing a Notice of Intent (NOI)
published in the Federal Register; preparing scoping letters that were sent to applicable
resource and regulatory agencies, government officials, Federally Recognized Indian
Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and the general public; conducting an
interagency meeting; and funding the USFWS for a Planning Aid Fetter.
Notice of Intent
A NOI to prepare a revised supplemental environmental impact statement was published
in the Federal Register on July 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 140, Page 42312 - 42313).
The Notice of Intent also served as a National Environmental Policy Act Scoping
Document. The purpose of the NOI was to inform project stakeholders of the intent to
prepare a revised supplemental environmental impact statement and to solicit comments
concerning relevant issues of concern. A copy of the NOI is included as Attachment I.
Scoping Letters
Scoping Letters were prepared and sent to the following agencies and individuals;
Federal
Senator Christopher Bond
Senator James Talent
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson
Council on Environmental Quality
Environmental Protection Agency:
NEPA Compliance Division, Washington, D.C.
Regional Administrator, Kansas City
NEPA Team Leader, Kansas City
Wetlands Protection Section, Kansas City
Department of Interior:
Denver Federal Center
Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Washington, D.C.
USFWS, Columbia, MO Field Office
USFWS, Regional Office, Ft. Snelling
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
District Conservationist, Benton, MO
, New Madrid Field Office
Charleston Field Office
State Conservationist
State Biologist
Department of Agriculture:
USDA/RHS, Washington, D.C.
USDA-Rural Development, Columbia
Draft RSEIS 2
162
Federally Recognized Tribes
Mr. Lee Edwards, Governor, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee, OK
Ms. Jennifer Makaseah, Tribal Representative, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee, OK
Mr. Theodore R. Watson, Jr., Tribal Representative, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe, Shawnee,
OK
Ms. Augustine Asbury, Tribal Representative, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town,
Wetumka, OK
Mr. Tarpie Yargee, Chief, Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Wetumka, OK
Mr. Richard Allen, Tribal Representative, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. Chad Smith, Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, Ada, OK
Ms. Virginia Nail, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma,
Ada, OK
Mr. Terry Cole, Director, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, OK
Mr. Gregory E. Pyle, Chief, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durant, OK
Ms. Tamara Francis, Tribal Representative, Delaware Nation, Anadarko, OK
Mr. Edgar Francis, President, Delaware Nation, Anadarko, OK
Mr. Charles Enyart, Chief, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Seneca, MO
Ms. Janie Roark, Tribal Representative, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Seneca,
MO
Ms. Evelyn Bucktrot, MEKKO, Kialegee Tribal Town, Wetumka, OK
Mr. Raul Garza, Chairman, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Eagel Pass, TX
Mr. Steve Caude, Chairman, Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, Horton, KS
Mr. Curtis Simon, Tribal Representative, Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, Horton, KS
Mr. Kenneth H. Carleton, Tribal Historie Preservation Officer, Mississippi Band of
Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS
Mr. Phillip Martin, Chief, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Choctaw, MS
Ms. Joyce A. Bear, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Muscogee (Creek) Nation,
Okmulgee, OK
Mr. A. D. Ellis, Chief, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Okmulgee, OK
Mr. Tim Thompson, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Muscogee (Creek) Nation,
Okmulgee, OK
Mr. Jim Gray, Chief, Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Pawhuska, OK
Mr. Anthony Whitehorn, Tribal Representative, Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Pawhuska,
OK
Mr. C. Michael Harwell, Tribal Chairman, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, Red
Rock, OK
Ms. Mildred Hudson, Tribal Representative, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, Red
Rock, OK
Mr. John P. Forman, Chief, Peoria Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Emmett E. Ellis, NAGPRA Representative Peroria Tribe, Tulsa, OK
Mr. Robert Thrower, Tribal Representative, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore, AL
Mr. Eddie L. Tullis, Tribal Chairman, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Atmore, AL
Mr. Dwight Buffalohead, Chairman, Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, Ponea City, OK
Draft RSEIS 2
163
Ms. Joyce Greenwood, NAGPRA Representative, Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, Ponca City,
OK
Mr. John Berrey, Chairman, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Quapaw, OK
Ms. Carrie Wilson, Tribal Representative, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Fayetteville, AR
Ms. Deanne Bahr, Tribal Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha, KS
Mr. Edmore Green, Tribal Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha,
KS
Ms. Sandra Keo, Chairwoman, Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri, Hiawatha, KS
Mr. Don Abney, Principal Chief, Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Stroud, OK
Ms. Sandra Massey, NAGPRA Representative, Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, Stroud,
OK
Principal Chief, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Wewoka, OK
Mr. Emman Spain, NAGPRA Representative, Wewoka, OK
Mr. Mitchell Cypress, Chairman, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hollywood, FL
Mr. Willard Steel, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum,
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Clewiston, FL
Ms. Rebecca Hawkins, Tribal Representative, Shawnee Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Ron Sparkman, Chairman, Shawnee Tribe, Miami, OK
Mr. Charles Coleman, NAGPRA Representative, Thopthlocco Tribal Town, Weleetka,
OK
Mr. Brian McGertt, Chief, Thopthlocco Tribal Town, Okemah, OK
Ms. Dawena Pappan, Chief, Tonkawa Tribe, Tonkawa, OK
Mr. Anthony Street, Executive Director, Tonkawa Tribe, Tonkawa, OK
Mr. Earl Barbry, Jr., Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of
Louisiana, Marksville, LA
Mr. Earl Barbry, Sr., Chairman, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, Marksville, LA
Ms. Mary Tidwell, Historic Preservation Officer, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee
Indians of Oklahoma, Tahlequah, OK
Mr. George Wickliffe, Chief, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma,
Tahlequah, OK
State
Governor Matt Blount
Senator Peter Kinder
Representative Denny Merideth
Representative Lannie Black
Representative Peter Myers
Missouri Department of Conservation:
Office of the Director
Planning Section
Cape Girardeau Field Office
Duck Creek Conservation Area
Tenmile Pond Manager
Draft RSEIS 2
164
Missouri Department of Natural Resources:
Office of the Director
Water Pollution Control Program
State Historio Preservation Office
Division of State Parks
Missouri Highway and Transportation Department
Missouri Department of Social Services, Mississippi County Director
Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection
Local
Mayor, City of Sikeston, MO
Mayor, Village of Pinliook, MO
Mayor, City of New Madrid, MO
Mayor, City of East Prairie, MO
Mayor, City of Charleston, MO
Manager, City of Sikeston, MO
Other Organizations and Individuals
Mr. Jack Mcintosh, Superintendent, Reorganized School Dist No. 2, East Prairie, MO
Mr. David B. Brewer, Levee District No. 3, Mississippi County, Missouri, Wyatt, MO
Mr. John D. Story, Consolidated Drainage District, #1, Charleston, MO
Mr. Jim Blumenburg, President, Mississippi County Commission, Charleston, MO
Consolidated Drainage District No 1 of Mississippi County, Missouri, Charleston. MO
Mr. Garland Buck, Levee District #2 of Scott County, Charleston, MO
Mr. Lynn Bock, St John Levee and Drainage District, New Madrid, MO
Ms. Caroline Puffalt, Conservation Chair, Ozark Chapter Sierra Club, St. Louis, MO
Robin Mann, National Wetlands Working Group, Sierra Club, Rosemont, PA
Mr. Ken Midkiff, Program Manager, Ozark Chapter, Sierra Club, Columbia, MO
Mr. Timothy D. Searchinger, Senior Attorney, Environmental Defense Fund,
Washington, D.C
Ms. Yvonne Homeyer, Conservation Chairperson, Webster Grove Nature Study Society,
St Louis, MO
Mr. Jim Holsen, President, St. Louis Audubon Society, Kirkwood, MO
Ms. Bea Covington, Executive Director, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, St.
Louis, MO
Ms. Liz Anderson, Editor, Enterprise-Courier, Charleston, MO
Mr. Dale R. Ludwig, Missouri Soybean Association, Jefferson City, MO
Mr. James E. French, President, French Implement Co., Charleston, MO
Mr. Charles E. Kruse, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Jefferson City, MO
Mr. Lonnie Thurmond, Enterprise Community, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Dwight Bird, Delta Growers Association, Charleston, MO
Dr. Martha Ellen Black, Enterprise Community, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Glenn Ault, Charleston, MO
Draft RSEIS 2
165
Mr. David Brewer, Wyatt, MO
Dr. Christopher Barnhart, SW Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Mr. John Besser, Columbia, MO
Ms. Celeste Koon, Jefferson City, MO
Ms. Mary Ratliff, NAACP, President, Missouri State Conference, Columbia, MO
Mr. Arthur Cassel, NAACP, Charleston Missouri Chapter, Charleston, MO
Ms. Terri Treacy, Carbondale, IL
Ms. Cheryl Delashmit, Leslie, MO
Mr. Alan Journet, SE Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
Mr. Rene DeKriek, French Implement Co., Charleston, MO
Dr. Mike Barnes, Superintendent Reorganized School District #1, Enlarged, New
Madrid, MO
Mr. Ronnie Jimerson, New Madrid, MO
Mr. Donald Crawford, Harrisburg, AR
Mr. William Dee Dill, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Joe Sorrells, J-Mar Agri Group, East Prairie, MO
Mr. John E. Burke, Charleston, MO
Mr. Stephen T. Burke, Charleston, MO
Mr. Clyde Hawes, New Madrid County Commission, New Madrid, MO
Mr. Donald R. Dann, Highland Park, IE
Ms. Patsy Tisher, New Madrid, MO
Mr. Michael V. Ganey, Green way Network, Inc., St. Charles, MO
Ms. Rhonda Monroe, Carbondale, IL
Mr. George C. Grugett, Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, Collierville, TN
Mr. Ronald C. Gladney, Bartley, Goffstein, Bollato, and Lange, L.L.C., St. Louis, MO
Ms. Kathie Simpkins, East Prairie, MO
Mr. James Bogle, East Prairie, MO
Dr. Jack Grubaugh, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Mr. William D. Levalle, New Madrid, MO
Ms. Linda Frederick, Rolla, MO
Mr. R. D. James, New Madrid, MO
Dr. Mary Byrd Davis, Eastern Old Growth Clearinghouse, Georgetown, KY
Ms. Laraine Wright, Director, Publications Office, Southern Illinois University,
Carbondale, IE
Ms. Judy Lincoln, Columbia, MO
Mr. Randy Sutton, Ducks Unlimited, Ten Mile Pond Chapter, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Teddy Bennett, East Prairie, MO
Mr. Ricky Penrod, President, East Prairie Park Board, East Prairie, MO
Mr. James C. Moreton, President, Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, East Prairie,
MO
Ms. Brenda Brewer, Director, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, East Prairie, MO
Director, Mississippi County Health Department, East Prairie, MO
Ms. Silvey Barker, Chairperson, East Prairie Tourism Council, East Prairie, MO
Draft RSEIS 2
166
Ms. Patsy Hutcheson, County Director, Missouri Department of Social Services, East
Prairie, MO
Mr. Wendell Choate, East Prairie, MO
Responses
Missouri Coalition for the Environment and Environmental Defense
The Missouri Coalition for the Environment and Environmental Defense responded in
correspondence dated August 4, 2005 (Attachment 2). The Missouri Coalition for the
Environment and Environmental Defense have made an extensive presentation of alleged
flaws with the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project as planned, with the
underlying analysis, and the choice of alternatives. This presentation is set forth in
pleadings and evidence submitted to the Missouri Clean Water Commission and to the
United States District Court for the District of Columbia. This presentation is
incorporated by reference. The Missouri Coalition for the Environment and
Environmental Defense stated that the Corps has not fundamentally reevaluated project
purpose and alternatives.
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe responded in an email dated August 5, 2005 (Attachment 3).
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma is currently unaware of any documentation
directly linking Indian Religious Sites to the proposed construction. The Eastern
Shawnee Tribe has no objection to the proposed construction. However, if any human
skeletal remains and/or objects falling under NAGPRA are uncovered during
construction, the construction should stop immediately, and the appropriate persons,
including state and tribal NAGPRA representatives contacted.
Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma
The Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma responded by email dated August 9, 2005
(Attachment 4). The project area is outside the area of historic interest for the Sac and
Fox Nation of Oklahoma and therefore they have no comment.
• Osage and Ouapaw Tribes
The Osage and Quapaw Tribes responded by email dated August 11, 2005 (Attachment
5). It is difficult for the Osage and Quapaw Tribes to comment because of the similarities
and differences between this particular project and the operation of the New Madrid
Floodway. A briefing on the St. Johns and New Madrid Project was conducted on
October 19,2005.
Draft RSEIS 2
167
Interagency Meeting
A coordination meeting with state and Federal agencies occurred on July 15, 2005
between Corps, USFWS, MDC, and MDNR personnel. A Memorandum for Record is
included as Attachment 6.
Coordination with the interagency mitigation team was maintained throughout the
development of this RSEIS 2 by conducting additional meetings, teleconferences, and
other correspondences.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Planning Aid Letter
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service furnished a Planning Aid Letter on 11 August 2005
(Attachment 7). Responses to the Service's comments are found in Section 8.4 of this
RSEIS 2.
Draft RSEIS 2
168
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#
ATTACHMENT 1
Notice of Intent
#
Draft RSEIS 2
169
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[Federal Register: July 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 140)]
[Notices]
[Page 42312-42313]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID;fr22jy05-35]
[[Page 42312] ]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army
Intent To Prepare a Draft Revised Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement II (DRSEIS II), Flood Control, Mississippi River &
Tributaries, St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, MO, First Phase
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District.
ACTION: Notice of Intent and National Environmental Policy Act Scoping
Document.
SUMMARY: The DRSEIS II will supplement the final Revised Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (RSEIS) ~~Flood Control, Mississippi
River & Tributaries, St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, MO, First
Phase,'' prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis
District, filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 19
July 2002. The DRSEIS is being prepared to clarify the record and
address concerns that have developed since the signing of the Record of
Decision (ROD) on 23 August 2003. These clarifications relate primarily
to the calculation of compensatory mitigation requirements for mid-
season fish rearing habitat, but may include any other relevant
subjects or information such as hypoxia, cost-benefit analysis,
Swampbuster provisions, the applicable discount rate, cost-share issues
for levee closure, and potentially other issues.
This Notice of Intent also serves as a National Environmental
Policy Act Scoping Document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENT CONTACT: Mr. Danny Ward, telephone
(901) 544-0709, CEMVM-PM-E, 167 N. Main, Room B202, Memphis, TN 38103,
e-ma¿l daniel.d.ward0mvmO2.usace.army.mil, or Mr. Kevin Pigott,
telephone (901) 544-4309, address as above,
e-mail Itevin. r . pigott0mvmO2 .usace . army. mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Proposed Action
The Flood Control Act of 1954 authorized the closure of a 1,500-
Draft RSEIS 2
170
foot gap and construction of a gated outlet in the Mississippi River
levee at the lower end of the New Madrid Floodway. The Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 authorized channel modifications and pumping
stations for the St. Johns Bayou Basin and the New Madrid Floodway.
The First Phase of the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway
Project (Alternative 2, Authorized Project) consists of channel
enlargement and improvement in the St. Johns Bayou Basin along the
lower 4.5 miles of St. Johns Bayou, beginning at New Madrid, Missouri,
then continuing 8.1 miles along the Birds Point New Madrid Setback
Levee Ditch and ending with 10.8 miles along the St. James Ditch. The
first item of work, consisting of selective clearing and snagging, has
already been completed along a 4.3-mile reach of the Setback Levee
Ditch beginning at the confluence with St. James Ditch.
The Authorized Project also includes a 1,000 cubic feet per second
(cfs) pumping station that would be located a few hundred feet east of
the existing gravity outlet at the lower end of St. Johns Bayou. The
1,500-ft gap in the Mississippi River levee at the lower end of the New
Madrid Floodway would be closed. A 1,500 cfs pumping station and
gravity outlet structure would be built in the levee closure at the
lower end of the New Madrid Floodway. The channel enlargement work and
both pumping stations are features of the St. Johns Bayou and New
Madrid Floodway Project, and the levee closure is a feature of the
Mississippi River Levees Project.
A final EIS, entitled Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries,
Mississippi River Levees (MRL) and Channel Improvement, was prepared by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, in February 1976.
This document was filed with the Council of Environmental Quality in
April 1976. A final EIS, entitled St. Johns Bayou/New Madrid Floodway
Project Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, was filed in
1982. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) was
prepared to supplement both of these previous documents. The DSEIS was
submitted for public review and comment in April 1999. The Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) was filed in
September 2000.
The RSEIS documented the formulation and evaluation of additional
alternatives to address concerns expressed by various resource agencies
and environmental advocacy groups that environmental impacts were not
acceptable. The RSEIS included alternative levee closure locations for
the New Madrid Floodway; an array of pump and gate operation
alternatives that increase connectivity of the floodway with the
Mississippi River to minimize impacts on fish habitat; significant
avoid and minimize measures to benefit fish and wildlife resources; and
mitigation measures that compensate for impacts to wildlife habitat
(bottomland hardwoods and agricultural areas), shorebird habitat,
waterfowl habitat during February March, and mid-season (1 April to
15 May) fish rearing habitat. The final RSEIS was filed with EPA in
July 2002.
The RSEIS expressed the Corps' analysis of unavoidable impacts to
mid-season fish rearing habitat as Habitat Units (HU). The RSEIS used
those HU lost to calculate the required acres of compensatory
mitigation. The method set out in the RSEIS was reforestation of
agricultural areas. Therefore, the RSEIS stated that reforestation of
8,375 acres of agricultural areas (1,317 acres in the St. Johns Bayou
Basin and 7,058 in the New Madrid Floodway) would mitigate for the
unavoidable impacts to 4,213 mid-season fish rearing HU (1,884 HU in
Draft RSEIS 2
171
the St. Johns Basin and 2,329 HU in the New Madrid Floodway).
An inconsistency over required mitigation existed in the previous
Record of Decision, State of Missouri 401-Water Quality Certification,
and the Administrative Record. Therefore, the purpose of this DRSEIS II
is to clarify the mitigation required in terms of HU and Average Daily
Flooded Acres (ADFA). Additional mitigation features would also be
investigated to ensure that the ADFA compensatory mitigation
requirement, or its equivalent, is met and all habitat impacts for each
respective resource (e.g., wildlife, shorebird, waterfowl, and mid-
season fish rearing) are adequately compensated.
Other matters for the DRSEIS II may include, but are not limited
to, a review of: hypoxia, the cost-benefit analysis, Swampbuster
provisions, the 2.5% discount rate, cost-share issues for levee
closure, and other relevant subjects or information.
2. Reasonable Alternatives
The recommended flood damage reduction features as outlined in the
RSEIS would not be addressed in this DRSEIS. Therefore, no additional
flood damage reduction alternatives would be analyzed in the St. Johns
Bayou Basin or the New Madrid Floodway. In addition to clarifying the
inconsistency concerning the required amount of mitigation, the DRSEIS
II would also address additional mitigation features to compensate for
the unavoidable impacts to fish and wildlife resources.
Reforestation of frequently flooded agricultural land remains one
means of providing the required 8375 ADFA of compensatory mitigation.
If reforestation of agricultural lands were the only compensatory
mitigation method employed, then the actual acres
[ [Page 42313]]
required would be no less than 8375 acres (assuming each acre is an
ADFA) , and could conceivably be more in order to assure that the ADFA
equivalent habitat requirement is also met.
In addition to reforestation of agricultural areas, other
compensatory mitigation measures would also be formulated. These
measures include but are not limited to calculating expected benefits
to mid-season fish rearing habitat from the creation of shorebird areas
(moist soil units) and the Big Oak Tree State Park water supply
feature, creation and/or enhancement of permanent waterbody features,
and creation and/or enhancement of backwater flooding events. Measures
that provide the highest duration of flooding during the mid-season
fish rearing period (1 April to 15 May) offer the highest potential
benefits.
Other matters such as hypoxia, the cost-benefit analysis,
Swampbuster provisions, the 2.5% discount rate, cost-share issues for
levee closure, and other relevant subjects or information, may also be
explored in the DRSEIS II.
3. The Corps Scoping Process
Coordination with appropriate resource and regulatory agencies
would be maintained throughout the formulation of this DRSEIS II.
Comments and concerns that have been expressed since the signing of the
ROD will be used to identify significant issues. This Notice of Intent
Draft RSEIS 2
172
also serves as a scoping document. The purpose of this notice is to
advise all interested parties of the intent to supplement the RSEIS and
to solicit comments and information concerning compensatory mitigation,
hypoxia, the cost-benefit analysis, Swampbuster provisions, the 2.5%
discount rate, cost-share issues for levee closure, and other relevant
subjects or information. Comments would be used to determine
opportunities to develop additional compensatory mitigation strategies
and other strategies that relate to, but are not limited to, hypoxia,
the cost-benefit analysis, Swampbuster provisions, the 2.5% discount
rate, cost-share issues for levee closure, and any other relevant
subject or information, and to evaluate the probable impact (including
cumulative impacts) of compensatory mitigation, as well as the probable
impacts of such issues that may include, but are not limited to,
hypoxia, the cost-benefit analysis, Swampbuster provisions, the 2.5%
discount rate, cost-share issues for levee closure, and any other
relevant subjects or information. This notice is being circulated to
Federal, State, and local environmental resource and regulatory
agencies; Indian Tribes; non-governmental organizations, and the
general public.
Comments to this Notice of Intent are requested by 5 August 2005 at
the above address. It is anticipated that the DRSEIS II will be
available for public review in August 2005.
Vincent D. Navarre,
Major, Corps of Engineers, Deputy District Engineer, Memphis District.
[FR Doc. 05-14165 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 37I0-KS-P
Draft RSEIS 2
173
ATTACHMENT
Missouri Coalition for the Environment and
2
Environmental Defense
»
Draft RSEIS 2
174
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COtLITIllW FO» THE EPUOliEUT
llí? DeliTi' bivc, i W i31]0' ¡'^ ííJ üíí Fí.c íii ílJ-ifh • menviroriínofinirtí.f? ♦ •"'i"'í':i'vlron,: J
ilí? üeliTi' bIvc, i i - W i31]0' ¡'^ ííJ-íbíí Fi.c íii ílJ-ifh • menviroriínofinirtí.f? ♦ •"'i"'í':i'vlron,: J
VIA JiMA-K.
Duijny WûtI
CEMVNfTME
1Ä7 N, Main. Rtxmi Q202
Mcniphjs^ TN 2K)03
K« Scopios Notíce fer SL JoJiDK/new Madrid B«4yo<i Ptx>j«tt
Dear Mj. Ward:
TFk Miísouf i Coalition for the Environmcot and rnvironmetrtal Defense oñer
these airrments in response to the Coips* recent scoping notice on the above refereaced
project. Over the past sevctal years, we have mude an extensive presentation of fkws
with the above project »3 planned, wth the underiyiiig analysis, aitd the cboioe of
ahcToatives. This prtsentalion is set forth in pleadings and evidmjc aubmitled tn (he
Missouri Clean Water CommÍMitxn «nd tu the United ^tes restrict Court for the District
of ColurabÍH, which wc hereby incor{xuaie by reference,
The Corps has indicated in its latest scoping notice that it does not intend to
reevaluate its choice of project purpose nor its sclcctiim of altcnkOivetj, FnviroiiTrteDtil
Detfense and the Missouri Coalitioi) for the Hnvironineni have presented in our previous
papera serious flaw« with ihe Corpa' selectien of alternatives and definition of project
purposes. Tlie iruUhem^icai error that led the Coips to scriovsly linderestimuic
mitigatioD retjtriremciTts and oo-vK exacérbales 'he significftfice nf these errors and
strcngtticns the c^se ihr rocusing on alternatives that truly address the needs of people
nithcr thûn agricullutrkl drainage. The Corps is thcrdcic in error in not turxJamenUillj'
reevaluntitig [MViject purposes arwi alternatives,
thank yoti for coiisidcring Ibcse comipcohi-
Augvist 4, 2005
l.'ixeeuüve l>irector
Effective Cilizer Action hce 1969
Draft RSEIS 2
175
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ATTACHMENT 3
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Draft RSEIS 2
176
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEET BLANK
From: Eastern Shawnee Tribe Chief Enyart
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 3:26 PM
To: Ward, Daniel D MVM
Subject: REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (RSEIS 2)
August 5, 2005
RE: REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NUMBER 2
(RSEIS 2) ON THE ST. JOHNS BAYOU/NEW MADRID FLOODWAY PROJECT LOCATED
IN SOUTHEASTERN MO
To Whom It May Concern:
Thank you for notice of the referenced project(s). The Eastern Shawnee
Tribe of Oklahoma is currently unaware of any documentation directly
linking Indian Religious Sites to the proposed construction. In the
event any items falling under the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) are discovered during construction, the
Eastern Shawnee Tribe reguest notification and further consultation.
The Eastern Shawnee Tribe has no objection to the proposed
construction. However, if any human skeletal remains and/or any
objects falling under NAGPRA are uncovered during construction, the
construction should stop immediately, and the appropriate persons,
including state and tribal NAGPRA representatives contacted.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Beckham, Administrative Assistant
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Draft RSEIS 2
177
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«
ATTACHMENT 4
Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Draft RSEIS 2
178
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From: Sandra
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 3:34 PM
To: Ward, Daniel D MVM
Subject: Project in SE MO
bear Mr. Ward,
My apologies for not responding sooner. I realize this answer arrives after
the deadline date of August 5, 2005.
The project area is outside the area of historic interest for the Sac and Fox
Nation of Oklahoma and therefore we have no comment on this project.
Thank y oui
Sincerely,
Sandra Kaye Massey
NAGPRA Representative
Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma
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ATTACHMENT 5
Osage and Quapaw Tribes
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Original Message
From: Carrie V. Wilson
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 4:40 PM
To: Roemer, Erwin J MVM
Subject: St. John's
Re: reply to NEPA Notice of Intent
Please forward this to the appropriate parties.
Without having a good understanding of the St. John's project, and its
similarities and differences to the to the Bird's Point-St. John's
project it is really hard for me to comment. It would be most
appreciated if the MVM would make a presentation / briefing with
regards to the overall project in the near future. If you have any
questions or need to call please feel free to do so.
Carrie V Wilson
Osage and Quapaw Cultural Resources
223 E. Lafayette St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
phone: 479-442-7576
fax: 479-575-5453
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ATTACHMENT 6
Memorandum For Record
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To: MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
From: Kevin Pigott, USACE-MVM-PM-E
Date: 17 July 2005, revised after receiving input from participating agencies 08 August
2005
1. On 15 July 2005, Danny Ward and Kevin Pigott of the Memphis District met with
personnel from MDNR (Gail Wilson, Ken McCarty, Aimee Davenport), MDC
(Rob Vinson, Dawn Henderson, Janet Sternburg), and USFWS (Jane Ledwin,
Charlie Scott) in Jefferson City, Missouri.
2. The meeting was held to primarily discuss additional fishery mitigation measures
and monitoring issues for the NEPA document being prepared to clarify
mitigation for St. Johns/New Madrid Floodway Project.
3. The Water Quality (WQ) Certification (23 June 2003) required the Corps to
provide 8,375 Average Daily Flooded Acres (ADFAs) of mitigation if the sole
technique employed was reforestation of frequently flooded cropland with
bottomland hardwoods. The 2002 RSEIS calculated that within the St. Johns
Bayou Basin and closure of the New Madrid Floodway would impact 1,884 and
2,329 HUs of mid-season fish rearing habitat, respectively. Impacts and
mitigation are enumerated as HUs, and the difference between pre-and post
project HUs are defined as the impacts of the project. Therefore, mitigation must
compensate for lost HUs, and the amount of mitigation acreage to fully
compensate impacts depends on the techniques used and their associated habitat
value (i.e., HSI value) in the mitigation plan. HUs, not ADFAs, are the
"currency" used to determine mitigation requirements. Impacted HUs that were
calculated in the 2002 RSEIS were the product of HSI times ADFAs. Therefore,
mitigation credit (HUs gained) must also be expressed in the same terms (HSI
times ADFAs):
Habitat Gains = HU tract with mitigation features - HU tract without mitigation
features
Where HU is calculated by,
HU = HSlxADFA
ADFA = acres x % average duration of post project flooding during 1 Apr to 15
May.
• Due to the potential difficulty in acquiring acreage flooded from April 1 to May
15 on average every year (an ADFA), additional mitigation techniques are
required to provide the full number of fishery habitat units. These techniques
were briefly discussed in the 2002 RSEIS in various locations and included
creating or improving permanent waterbodies. Concerns have been expressed and
legal challenges were filed over the amount of mitigation acreage required in
terms of ADFA. An inconsistency over required mitigation in the ROD, State of
Missouri WQ Certification, and the Administrative Record was recognized.
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4. Major issues brought forth in the meeting by participants were related to fish
passage, fish access, and monitoring issues.
a. The 70% Red Oak survival issue was brought up by the Corps. It was
agreed by all participants that Red Oaks would probably not survive in
mitigation areas that will be flooded for fishes and that more suitable tree
species would be used. The use of different species and how this would
affect the overall mitigation numbers would need to be addressed in the
NEPA document.
b. There was some concern by USFWS and MDC that the Big Oak Tree
Water Management Plan would not allow Mississippi River fish access.
The Corps will provide fish access from the Mississippi River via ditches
and culverts as requested by MDC in previous interagency meetings.
c. There is no direct evidence that Lower Mississippi River fishes can or
cannot pass through culverts as designed in the New Madrid Floodway.
Therefore, the USFWS has taken the position that mitigation measures
undertaken within the New Madrid Floodway would not offer any mid-
season fish rearing habitat. However, the fact that no studies have been
performed on culverts of this size is significant. On the St. Johns Bayou
side, it appears Mississippi River species do readily pass through culverts.
d. An independent fish research project to monitor fish usage of the
floodway and Mississippi River was suggested by F WS and MDC with a
workshop of different agencies (USACE, USFWS, and MDC) to develop
this monitoring plan. Additional monitoring of reference sites should
utilize the use of reference sites, e.g., Bogle Woods, Big Oak Tree State
Park, WRP sites, and/or other sites across the river in Kentucky could
provide a representative biological community for comparison.
Monitoring will be addressed in the Coordination Act Report.
e. It was pointed out that fishery mitigation credits cannot be finalized
without monitoring on a tract by tract basis. A proposal was suggested by
USFWS and MDC to get feedback from the working group with the
various agencies input to develop this monitoring plan. Corps personnel
stated monitoring of tracts would be addressed in future specific detailed
mitigation plans.
5. A question was raised about verifying mitigation commitments for the life of the
project. How the Corps plans to address long term monitoring needs to be
addressed in the NEPA document being prepared.
6. MDNR asked the Corps about its progress in acquiring lands around Big Oak
Tree State Park. MDNR re-emphasized the importance of obtaining 1,800 acres
early on in the mitigation process before land prices continued to escalate.
7. The group discussed the 8,375 acres ADFA mentioned in the Section 401 Water
Quality Certification. MDNR explained that the 8,375 ADFA in the 401
Certification applies to impacted wetlands. MDNR further explained that
fisheries mitigation could be credited towards the 8,375 figure if wetland
functions were also achieved by the particular project.
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184
a. The Corps explained that impacts to mid-season fish rearing drove the
mitigation requirements. The Corps stated that the 8,375 figure was based
solely on impacts to the fishery resource. The Corps stated the direct
construction impact to wetlands was about 100 acres. The Corps stated
that the mitigation plan for fisheries impacts would also more than
compensate for the impact to potential indirect wetland loss. In addition,
the WQ Certification conditions still required the Corps to monitor and
mitigate for those potential.
b. There needs to be a break down of mitigation requirements-wetlands,
fisheries, etc. in the NEPA document and a discussion of how the Corps
plans to address these mitigation requirements.
8. The additional fishery mitigation ideas were of two main categories: outside the
levee and inside the levee system. No one at the table had major concerns with
the St. Johns mitigation, the focus of the discussions was on the New Madrid
mitigation measures.
a. Outside the Floodway (levee)
i. Donaldson Point/Batture Land. The USFWS stated that batture
land do not provide additional fishery benefits.
ii. Riley Lake. USFWS had concerns over fish passage in and out of
the lake due to the construction of the weir.
hi. Seven Island Restoration. This option has already been pursued by
the Corps and it is not economically feasible. However, possible
open water disposal of dredge spoil needs to be addressed with
MDNR (for possible Section 401 requirements) and MDC
(manager of the land) or possible using dredge spoil for a levee
between the lake and the Mississippi River will be analyzed by the
Corps.
iv. In-River Measures. Notching Dikes, creating Round Points, or
creating Chevrons in the Mississippi River as a tradeoff was
discussed. The USFWS acknowledged that these measures were
beneficial and encouraged the Corps to continue constructing
them, but these measures could not be used as mitigation for this
project.
V. Black Island WRP. A suggestion was made by MDC, which
would need further internal MDC review due to distance from
project area, was to enhance areas adjacent to Black Island WRP
(-2,100 acres) near Caruthersville, MO (or possibly other WRP
• sites). Some of these sites have low elevations that could flood
from the Mississippi River if the connection is restored. However,
if there is a deed restriction placed on the land, this is not an option
(especially true if on MDC land). Additionally, further discussion
would be required by the interagency team to discuss the suitability
of mitigation outside the immediate project area.
vi. LMRCC list. The Corps will also look at LMRCC areas. The
Corps will look at options both within the state and outside the
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185
State of Missouri. However, before going forward with these
options, the group thought additional discussion would be
necessary,
b. Inside the Floodway (levee)
i. Existing or potential mitigation tracts should be assessed for
connection for Mississippi River fishes.
ii. The USFWS maintains there is no proof of fish passage through
structures in the levee system; therefore the USFWS believes there
is no comiection to the Mississippi River.
iii. If land is purchased adjacent to existing managed lands, i.e. state
lands, then the Service maintains fishery mitigation credit cannot
be counted for those lands. For example, according to the Service,
mitigation credits cannot be calculated for BOTSP under its new
water management plan because it is already being managed. The
Corps pointed out the water management plan will re-connect the
park with the Mississippi River and create a potential for a fishery.
iv. There was a suggestion by the Service and MDC to re-evaluate
other levee closure locations further up the floodway or move the
frontline levee back. This was suggested to possibly reduce
fishery impacts and thus fishery mitigation the Corps must acquire.
V. MDC suggested a gate manipulation option 3.1 .c as noted in the
2002 RSEIS, which would leave the gate open to 288 feet every
third year. This gate operation would possibly reduce fishery
impacts and therefore the fishery mitigation acreage that the Corps
must acquire.
vi. Modify interior ditches (deepen holes making them more like
permanent waterbodies). This proposal was decided against
primarily because it would not count towards fishery mitigation.
vii. A suggestion by MDNR was made to improve historic lakebeds.
The Corps said this would be examined.
viii. MDNR stated that creation and or enhancement of permanent
waterbodies can not compensate for wetland impacts form project
construction.
9. Kevin Pigott will type a Memo for Record and pass to meeting participants for
comments. This MFR will be added to the NEPA document being created.
* 10. Draft sections of the NEPA document will be forwarded to the Agencies by the
end of July for their input.
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ATTACHMENT 7
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Planning Aid Letter
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Of .
United States Department of the Interior
nSH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Columbia Ecological Services Field Office
101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite A
Columbia, Missouri 65203-0057
Phone: (573) 234-2132 Fax: (573) 234-2181
August 11,2005
Mr. David Reece Chief
Environmental Analysis Branch
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
167 N. Main Street •
B202 Clifford Davis Building
Memphis, Tennessee 38103-1894
Dear Mr. Reece;
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is providing this preliminary Planning Aid
letter (PAL) for your use in preparing the Draft Revised Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement II by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for the St. Johns Bayou
and New Madrid Floodway Project, Mississippi and New Madrid Counties, Missouri.
Information used by the Service in preparing these comments includes: 1) your July 22,
2005, Federal Register Notice of Intent; 2) information exchanges during a July 15, 2005,
interagency meeting; 3) a July 17,2005, draft Memorandum for the Record of that
meeting; 4) the Corps' summary of the three options for project implementation and
mitigation; 5) our June 3, 2005, comments on the Corps draft Mitigation Plans; and 6)
previous documents related to this project. The Service submits this PAL pursuant to its
authorities and responsibilities under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA)(16
U.S.C. 661 et seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321-4347).
At the July 15 interagency meeting, the Corps explained that the purpose of the current
re-evaluation is three-fold: 1) to clarify inconsistencies relating to fish mitigation and
model results presented in the 2002 Revised Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (RSEIS) and to explore additional fisheries mitigation measures; 2) to address
hypoxia concerns related to the project; and 3) to re-evaluate the benefit/cost implications
of any necessary modifications to the proposed compensatory mitigation plan. At that
interagency meeting, the Corps summarized its revised approach to mitigation needs
based on a more accurate interpretation of the Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP)
model results used in project impact assessment and mitigation planning. Those models
measure habitat by factoring in both the quantity of flooded land and quality (reflected by
the basic cover type) for a particular species or group of species and are detailed in the
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2
2002 RSEIS. Although habitat function is traditionally quantified as annual average
habitat units in keeping with the Corps' project accounting system, the assessment
methodology for this project measured habitat value based on Average Daily Flooded
Acres (ADFA). Therefore, to derive mitigation habitat value, potential mitigation sites
must be analyzed using the same methodology to ensure they will produce the néeded
average daily flooded acres (i.e., fisheries mitigation would need 8,375 ADFA).
The Corps is proposing two approaches to provide the necessary ADFA to mitigate for
impacts to fisheries resources, which represents the largest loss from the project.
Reforestation of frequently flooded lands is the primary mitigation strategy recommended
by the resource agencies as detailed in the 2002 SEIS. The first approach would increase
the number of acres reforested to fully offset fish habitat losses. The Corps' re-
evaluation of the hydrologie requirements for fish mitigation, consistent with fish HEP
model assumptions, indicates that up to three times more reforested acres (i.e., 24, 000)
than the 8,375 acres noted in the RSEIS could be needed to adequately offset habitat
losses. That figure is based on the Corps' estimate of an average 30% inundation
frequency on potential mitigation sites in the Floodway once the project is built. The
second approach is to increase the duration of flooding on potential mitigation sites
through water manipulation or other construction methods, (i.e., borrow pits and other
constructed permanent waterbodies) to provide the additional ADFA.
The Corps summarized several specific mitigation proposals at our My 15 meeting and
in a My 29, 2005, email. The Corps' My 17,2005, Memorandum for the Record
summarized the Service's position on those proposals. The following comments provide
further clarification of several points that should be considered in die re-evaluation of this
project.
The Corps grouped potential mitigation measures into two categories; inside and outside
the project area (i.e., St. Johns and New Madrid Basins). Inside the project area, die
Corps proposes to use redesigned borrow pits to provide increased habitat value for fish,
and thereby reduce the acreage that would need to be reforested to offset fisheries habitat
losses. Throughout the previous plaiming and NEPA processes, resource agencies and
the Corps agreed that borrow pits would be appropriate only to mitigate for losses of
permanent water bodies. Even then, borrow pits can only provide comparable floodplain
habitats if they permit full fish access (including Mississippi River fishes) and have slack
water condidons.
Another fish mitigation measure being considered by the Corps uses the shorebird
mitigation areas to provide fisheries habitat. Such a proposal has two important
considerations. First, use of shorebird habitat to replace reforestation for fish would not
contribute to the significant forested wetland mitigation needs considered during
mitigation planning and as detailed in the Service's previous Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act reports. Second, many of the shorebird areas would be actively
managed for shallow water and wetted edge, minimizing suitable open water habitat
available for fish reproduction and rearing. Active water management through water
Draft RSEIS 2
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3
control structures, dikes, culverts and other artificial means (i.e., pumps) greatly reduces
opportunities for successful fish ingress and egress.
The fish HEP model used for the BIS focuses entirely on the value of an area to support
fish reproduction and does not measure fish access. Selected species used in project
impact analysis of the New Madrid Floodway include both Mississippi River and
floodplain fish. The unique value of the New Madrid Floodway as an open access
backwater habitat is universally recognized. Therefore, using the fish HEP model to
estimate habitat value is valid only i/mitigation sites provide comparable access for
Mississippi River fish, as well as resident floodway fish. Closure of the floodway during
the spawning and rearing season will significantly reduce, and potentially eliminate, this
seasonal access. As proposed, the culverts will be closed when fish normally move into
the Floodway, thus blocking access to the Floodway when habitat should be available and
is most needed by fish. In addition, the ability of Mississippi River fish to access the
Floodway and specific mitigation sites therein through open culverts is unknown.
Eliminating or reducing the movement of many species of fish through structures is well
documented in fisheries literature (Warren and Pardue 1998, Coffman 2005, Behlke et al.
1991 (as cited in Coffman 2005)), and is a predictable outcome of water control projects.
Mitigation sites landward of other levees would have comparable problems with
meaningful fish access.
Providing accessible habitat for Mississippi River fishes at Big Oak Tree State Park
(BOTSP) presents a greater biological and engineering challenge. To access the Park,
fish will have to traverse a mile or more of pipe; in addition, it is unknown how fish will
return to the Mississippi River as floodwaters recede. The objectives for BOTSP
mitigation focus on greater ability to manipulate water within the Park to restore and
enhance the native plant communities. The measures proposed to restore ecological
functions to BOTSP do not compensate for fishery losses.
As stated in the Corps' list of potential additional fish mitigation options, adequate fish
passage is a requirement for sites to qualify for fish mitigation. Therefore, a technically
sound fish passage evaluation must be completed for each alternative mitigation measure
and site. We recommend that the Corps, Service, and Missouri Department of
Conservation collectively identify a panel of fish passage experts to conduct these
reviews during continued project plaiming. Furthermore, the draft RSEIS II should fully
discuss the critical issue of fish passage and access, including how the Corps will rectify
the current lack of information on this topic for previous and future proposed fish
mitigation measures. The Service will provide additional input addressing mitigation
monitoring needs pending the results of those analyses.
The Corps is exploring a number of potential enhancement projects outside the Floodway
as compensatory mitigation. Because this area has been highly modified through
previous flood control, navigation, and agricultural projects, opportunities exist to
improve fisheries habitat along the river and batture lands. However, the measures
proposed by the Corps would not offset project-related fisheries losses in the floodplain.
Main stem riverine habitats are inherently different than floodplain habitats and both
Draft RSEIS 2
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4
serve critical, yet complementary, roles in supporting fish and wildlife resources in the
project area. On the floodplain, these conditions include low velocity water that warms
relatively early in the spring because it is shallower and off the main channel. In
addition, the floodplain provides a variety of macro and microhabitats that include
diverse depths, temperatures, substrates, vegetation, forage, and refuge, interspersed with
a stream/ditch network that fish can use to access the floodplain and can recede into as
floodwaters recede. At the same time, the potential riverine mitigation areas proposed by
the Corps currently provide significant fisheries habitat value without further
enhancement. Proposed enhancement features appear to be a conversion of existing,
valuable habitat to an alternative habitat, rather than a net increase in habitat value.
All alternative fish mitigation measures must be fully evaluated at the planning stage
through an independent scientific peer review to ensure that many of the underlying
presumptions, suppositions, and hypotheses driving mitigation for this project are indeed
valid. A key component of this peer review must be validation of the assumptions
pertaining to fish use and access to each area proposed for compensatory mitigation
credit. In consideration of the quality and quantity of fish habitat lost, especially the
magnitude of these impacts on the regional and national significance of the Mississippi
River fishery, such an independent peer review is justified. That review would further
the success of the Corps in meeting its resource responsibilities and may help direct
future mitigation efforts, particularly for multiple species and habitats.
At our July 15 meeting and in accompanying informational materials, you provided us
with conceptual altemative measures to mitigate for the fisheries impacts resulting from
this project. In this PAL we have tried to provide to you our technical recommendations
on this altemative mitigation.
If you have any questions regarding our comments, or if 1 can be of further assistance
please contact me at the number above.
Sincerely,
Charles M. Scott
Field Supervisor
cc: MDC, Jefferson City, MO (Steraburg)
MDNR, Jefferson City, MO (Butin)
0;\Ledwin\stjohns\stjnmfldwyIl.drft.rev2.doc
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5
Literature Cited
Behlke, C.D., D.L. Kane, R.F. McLean, and M.D. Travis. 1991. Fundamentals of
culvert design for passage of weak-swimming fish. Alaska DOT & PF Research Station.
FHWA-AK-RD-10;l-203.
Coffman, J.S. 2005. Evaluation of a predictive model for upstream fish passage through
culverts. MS Thesis. James Madison University. 104 pgs. + appendices.
Wanen, M.L., Jr., and M.G. Purdue. 1998. Road Crossings as barriers to small-stream
fish movement. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 127:637-644.
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APPENDIX C
Quantification of Mid-season Fish Rearing Habitat
And
Mitigation Calculations
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Quantification of Mid-Season Fish Rearing Habitat
Benefits to mid-season fish rearing habitat from mitigation measures would be calculated
by the following equation:
Habitat Gains = AAHU tract with mitigation - AAHU tract without mitigation
Where AAHU is calculated by (50-year project life),
AAHU Cumulative HU/50
and Cumulative HU is calculated by,
Cumulative HU = E{(T2 - Ti) * (ADFA) * HSIi + HSI2
where
T1 = first target year of time interval
T2 = last target year of time interval
ADFA == acres * % average duration of post project flooding from Apr 1 to May 15.
HSIi = HSI at beginning of time interval (Table 1)
HSI2 = HSI at end of time interval (Table 1)
Table 1
Mid-Season Rearing HSI Values for Respective Habitat Types
Species
Agriculture
Fallow
BLH
Large
Water
Small
Water
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
SJ
NM
Smallmouth
Buffalo
0.17
0.17
0.10
O.IO
O.IO
O.IO
1.00
1.00
0.50
0.50
Pirate Perch
0.00
N/A
0.25
N/A
1.00
N/A
1.00
N/A
TOO
N/A
White Crappie
O.IO
O.IO
O.IO
O.IO
O.IO
O.IO
1.00
1.00
0.50
0.50
Largemouth Bass
0.15
N/A
0.25
N/A
0.25
N/A
1.00
N/A
TOO
N/A
Freshwater Drum
O.IO
O.IO
0.20
0.20
0.50
0.50
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.20
Cumulative HIS
0.52
0.37
0.90
0.40
1.95
0.7
4.20
2.20
3.20
1.20
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Agriculture Habitat to Bottomland Hardwoods Habitat
The following assumptions were made to account for the transition period from
agricultural habitat to bottomland hardwood habitat:
• The life of the project is 50 years.
• It would take one year for agricultural habitat to transition to fallow habitat
following BLH planting.
• It would take 9 years for fallow habitat to transition to BLH habitat for fast
growing BLH species (cottonwood, black willow).
• It would take 19 years for fallow habitat to transition to BLH habitat for slower
growing BLH species (red oaks, cypress).
General Calculations (Assume lOOyo duration of flooding from April 1 to May 15)
St. Johns Bayou Basin
10-Year Transition Period
Without Reforestation: (0.52)*(50) = 26.00 HUs
With Reforestation Transition Period:
Transition from Ag to Fallow: ((0.52+0.90)/2)* 1 yr = 0.71 HUs
Transition from Fallow to BLH: ((0.90+1.95)/2)*9 yrs - 12.83 HUs
BLH for remainder of Project Life: 1.95*40 yrs = 78.00 HUs
Cumulative HUs with Reforestation: 0.71+12.83+78.00 = 91.54 HUs
Net Cumulative Habitat Unit Value: 91.54 (with) - 26.00 (without) = 65.54 HUs
Annualized:
AAHUs: 65.54 HUs/50 years = 1.31 AAHUs per acre
20-Year Transition Period
Without Reforestation: (0.52)*(50) - 26.00 HUs
With Reforestation Transition Period:
Transition from Ag to Fallow: ((0.52+0.90)/2)*l yr = 0.71 HUs
Transition from Fallow to BLH: ((0.90+1.95)72)* 19 yrs = 27.08 HUs
* BLH for remainder of Project Life: 1.95*30 yrs = 58.50 HUs
Cumulative HUs with Reforestation: 0.71+27.08+58.50 = 86.29 HUs
Net Cumulative Habitat Unit Value: 86.29(with)-26.00(without) == 60.29 HUs
Annualized:
AAHUs: 60.29 HUs/50 years = 1.21 AAHUs per acre
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195
New Madrid Floodway
10-Year Transition
Without Reforestation: (0.37)*(50 yrs) = 18.50 HUs
With Reforestation Transition Period:
Transition from Ag to Fallow: ((0.37+0.40)/2)*l yr = 0.39 HUs
Transition from Fallow to BLH: (0.40+0.70)/2*9 yrs = 4.95 HUs
BLH for remainder of Project Life: 0.70*40 yrs = 28.00 HUs
Cumulative HUs with Reforestation: 0.39+4.95+28.00 = 33.34 HUs
Net Cumulative Habitat Unit Value: 33.34 (with)-18.50 (without) = 14.84 HUs
Annualized:
AAHUs: 14.84 HUs/50 years = 0.30 AAHUs per acre
20-Year Transition
Without Reforestation: (0.37)*(50 yrs) = 18.50 HUs
With Reforestation Transition Period:
Transition from Ag to Fallow: ((0.37+0.40)/2)*l yr = 0.39 HUs
Transition from Fallow to BLH: (0.40+0.70)72*19 yrs = 10.45 HUs
BLH for remainder of Project Life: 0.7*30 yrs ===21.00 HUs
Cumulative HUs with Reforestation: 0.39+10.45+21.00 = 31.84 HUs
Net Cumulative Habitat Unit Value: 31.84 (with)-18.50 (without) = 13.34 HUs
Annualized:
AAHUs: 13.34 HUs/50 vears = 0.27 AAHUs per acre
Specific Calculations
Calculation 1: Reforesting 100 acres of cropland. Section 2.6.2.2
Ten Mile Pond Area
The duration of flooding between April 1 and May 15 in the Ten Mile Pond Area is
approximately 5%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50yrs)*(100 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.37)/2] = 92.50 HUs
• Annualized: 92.50 HUs/50 years = 1.85 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (20-year transition period)
crop to fallow: (1 year)*(100 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.40)72] = 1.93 HUs
fallow to forest: (19 years)*(100 acres*0.05)*[(0.40+0.70)72] = 52.25 HUs
forested: (30 years)*(100 acres*0.05)*[(0.70+0.70)72] = 105.00 HUs
Cumulative: 1.93 + 52.25 + 105.00= 159.18 HUs
Annualized: 159.18 HUs750 years = 3.18 AAHUs
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Mitigation Credit: AAHUs With Mitigation - AAHUs Without Mitigation
= 3.18 AAHUs - 1.85 AAHUs= 1.33 AAHUs
Eagles Nest Area
The duration of flooding between April 1 and May 15 in the Eagles Nest Area is
approximately 37%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(100 acres*0.37)*[(0.37+0.37)/2] = 684.50 HUs
Annualized: 684.50 HUs/50 years = 13.69 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (20-year transition period)
crop to fallow: (1 year)*(100 acres*0.37)*[(0.37+0.40)/2] =
fallow to forest: (19 years)*(100 acres*0.37)*[(0.40+0.70)/2]
forested: (30 years)*(100 aeres*0.37)*[(0.70+0.70)72]
Cumulative: 14.25 + 386.65 + 777.00 = 1,177.90 HUs
Annualized: 1,177.90 HUs/50 years = 23.56 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 23.56 AAHUs - 13.69 AAHUs - 9.87 AAHUs
Calculation 2: Reforesting 100 acres of cropland and increasing flood duration. Section
2.6.2.2
Reforest 100 acres of cropland in the New Madrid Floodway and increase duration of
flooding from 5% to 31% through mitigation.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(100 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.37)72] = 92.50 HUs
Annualized: 92.50 HUs750 years = 1.85 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (20-year transition period)
Crop to fallow: (1 year)*(100 acres*0.31)*[(0.37+0.40)72] =
Fallow to forest: (19 years)*(100 aeres*0.31)*[(0.40+0.70)72]
Forested: (30 years)*(100 acres*0.31)*[(0.70+0.70)72]
Cumulative: 11.94 + 323.95 + 651.00 = 986.89 HUs
Annualized: 986.89 HUs750 years = 19.74 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 19.74 AAHUs - 1.85 AAHUs = 17.89 AAHUs
14.25 HUs
= 386.65 HUs
= 777.00 HUs
M 1.94 HUs
- 323.95 HUs
= 651.00 HUs
Draft RSEIS 2
197
Calculation 3: Fish benefits of modified moist soil units. Section 5.4.2.2
St. Johns Basin
Convert 105 acres of cropland to flooded fallow habitat and increase duration of flooding
from 27% to 95%.
The duration of flooding between April 1 and May 15 in lower portion of St. Johns
Bayou is 27%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(105 acres*0.27)*[(0.52+0.52)/2] = 737.10 HUs
Annualized: 737.10 HUs/50 years = 14.74 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (fallow transition period of 1 year)
crop to fallow: (1 years)*(105 acres*0.95)*[(0.52+0.90)/2] = 70.82 HUs
fallow: (49 years)*(105 acres*0.95)*[(0.90+0.90)/2] = 4,398.98 HUs
Cumulative: 70.82+4,398.98 = 4,469.80 HUs
Annualized: 4,469.80 HUs/50 years = 89.40 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 89.40 AAHUs - 14.74 AAHUs = 74.66 AAHUs
New Madrid Floodway
Convert 660 acres of cropland to fallow habitat and increase duration of flooding from
5% to 95%.
The duration of flooding between April 1 and May 15 in the Ten Mile Pond Area is
approximately 5%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(660 acres*0.05)*[(0.37 + 0.37)/2] = 610.50 HUs
Annualized: 610.50 HUs/50 years = 12.21 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (fallow transition period of 1 year)
crop to fallow: (1 years)*(660 acres*0.95)*[(0.37 + 0.40)/2] = 241.40 HUs
• fallow: (49 years)*(660 acres*0.95)*[(0.40 + 0.40)/2] = 12,289.20 HUs
Cumulative: 241.40 + 12,289.20 = 12,530.60 HUs
Annualized: 12,530.60 HUs/50 years = 250.61 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 250.61 AAHUs - 12.21 AAHUs - 238.40 AAHUs
Draft RSEIS 2
198
Calculation 4: Convert 671 acres of cropland to vegetated buffer strips. New Madrid
Floodwav. Section 5.4.2.3
Duration of flooding is approximately 5%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(671 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.37)/2] = 620.68 HUs
Annualized: 620.68 HUs/50 years = 12.41 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (20-year transition period)
crop to fallow: (1 year)*(671 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.40)/2] =
fallow to forest: (19 years)*(671 acres*0.05)*[(0.40+0.70)/2]
forested: (30 years)*(671 acres*0.05)*[(0.70+0.70)72]
Cumulative: 12.92 + 350.60 + 704.55 = 1,068.06 HUs
Annualized: 1,068.06 HUs/50 years = 21.36 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 21.36 AAHUs - 12.41 AAHUs = 8.95 AAHUs
Calculation 5: Convert 266 acres of cropland to wildlife corridor. New Madrid Floodwav.
Section 5.4.2.4
Duration of flooding is approximately 5%.
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(266 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.37)72] = 246.05 HUs
Annualized: 246.05 HUs750 years = 4.92 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (20-year transition period)
crop to fallow: (1 year)*(266 acres*0.05)*[(0.37+0.40)72] = 5.12 HUs
fallow to forest: (19 years)*(266 acres*0.05)*[(0.40+0.70)72] = 138.99 HUs
forested: (30 years)*(266 acres*0.05)*[(0.70+0.70)72] = 279.30 HUs
Cumulative: 5.12 + 138.99 + 279.30 = 423.41 HUs
Annualized: 423.41 HUs750 years = 8.47 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 8.47 AAHUs - 4.92 AAHUs = 3.55 AAHUs
Calculation 6: Reforesting 2,640 acres of cropland in the batture, with lO-vear transition
trees. Section 5.4.3.1
Duration of flooding is approximately 31% and New Madrid Floodway HSI values used.
12.92 HUs
= 350.60 HUs
= 704.55 HUs
Draft RSEIS 2
199
Without Mitigation:
Cumulative: (50 years)*(2,640 acres*0.31)*[(0.37+0.37)/2] = 15,140.40 HUs
Annualized: 15,140.40 HUs/50 years = 302.81 AAHUs
With Mitigation: (10-year transition period used)
crop to fallow: (1 year)*(2,640 acres*0.31)*[(0.37+0.40)/2] = 315.08 HUs
fallow to forest: (9 years)*(2,640 acres*0.31)*[(0.40+0.70)/2] = 4,051.08 HUs
forested: (40 years)*(2,640 acres*0.31)*[(0.70+0.70)/2] = 22,915.20 HUs
Cumulative: 315.08 + 4,051.08 + 22,915.20 = 27,281.36 HUs
Annualized: 27,281.36 HUs/50 years = 545.63 AAHUs
Mitigation Credit: AAHUs with mitigation - AAHUs without mitigation
= 545.63 AAHUs - 302.81 AAHUs = 242.82 AAHUs
Draft RSEIS 2
200
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LETT BLANK
APPENDIX D
Hydrogeomorphic Analysis
Draft RSEIS 2
201
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
St. Johns Bayou-New Madrid Floodway Project
Functional Assessment of Farmed and Forested Wetlands Proposed as
Impact and Mitigation Areas Using the Hydrogeomorphic Approach
(HGM)
Charles V. Klimas
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Engineer Research and Development Center
Vicksburg Mississippi
October 17, 2005
INTRODUCTION
This document contains an assessment of anticipated project impacts to wetland functions due to
hydrologie changes within farmed wetlands, and direct construction effects on forested wetlands.
In addition, this analysis includes an estimate of the effectiveness of the proposed compensatory
mitigation for those impacts, also in terms of changes in wetland function. The assessment
approach used to conduct this work is the Hydrogeomorphic Approach to Assessment of Wetland
Functions, commonly known as HGM. Assessments conducted using the HGM Approach are
based on regionally-specific guidebooks - in this instance, the recently published guidebook
developed in the Delta Region of Arkansas (Klimas et al. 2004) was the reference work.
BACKGROUND: THE HGM ASSESSMENT APPROACH
The HGM assessment approach is described in detail in various documents (e.g. Smith et al.
1995) and the Arkansas Delta Regional Guidebook (Klimas et al. 2004) provides specifics
relevant to the models and reference data that are used in this report. However, the brief
overview below may be helpful for anyone unfamiliar with the terminology and process of the
HGM approach.
The HGM approach incorporates several components. Wetlands are first grouped into regional
subclasses based on functional similarities, as represented by hydrogeomorphic setting. Thus,
wetlands in isolated depressions function differently than wetlands on river floodplains in various
respects. For example, a functional riverine wetland exports organic materials to downstream
aquatic systems during floods, whereas a depression that lacks a surface connection to a stream
does not perform that function. Therefore, a group of functions can be identified for each regional
subdass, and other regional subclasses may not perform those functions, or may perform them to
different degrees.
In order to estimate the degree to which a wetland performs a particular function, HGM
represents each function in terms of a simple logic model made up of variables that can be
measured in the field or derived from existing information sources. Thus, for the example above,
the ability of a riverine wetland to export organic carbon can be represented by the equation
below.
Draft RSEIS 2
202
+ 1/ +1/ +y
UTTER ^ OHOR ^ H'D ^ SNAG
:)'
V +y +y
^THA ^ ^ SSD ^ GVC
FCI - X
In this case, a relative measure of functionality, the Functional Capacity Index (FCI), is
determined by 3 primary model terms.
1. Flood frequency (Vfreq) which represents how often the wetland is inundated by overflow
from a stream system, and provides the export mechanism for delivering organic carbon to the
stream;
2. Detrital pools, comprising litter (Vlitter), 0-horizon thickness (Vohor)> woody debris (Vwd),
and snags (Vsnag), represent the current and future availability of mobile particulate organic
matter and sources of dissolved organic matter; and
3. Organic production sources, represented by tree basal area (Vxba), shrub and sapling density
(Vssd), arid ground vegetation cover (Vgvc)) which represent the major sources of material that
will replenish the detrital pools.
In order to run the models, the variable values must be determined or estimated. The flood
frequency component can be estimated for a specific site based on gauge data, flood zone
mapping, and similar sources. Information on living and dead vegetation can be obtained using
standard forest sampling methods. Models used to assess all of the other functions use similarly
obtained information as model variables.
The FCI value generated by the assessment model is an index between zero and 1.0, where a
value of 1.0 represents a fully functional condition. Under HGM methodology, the FCI is
multiplied by a measure of the area of the wetland (e.g., acreage) to calculate the Functional
Capacity Units (FCU) present for the Carbon Export function. This is essentially the same
process used in the Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1980),
where indicators of habitat quality are combined into simple models to calculate a Habitat
Suitability Index (HSI) and multiplied by a measure of area to produce Habitat Units (HU).
There is one fundamental difference between these two assessment approaches, however.
Whereas the indicators employed in HEP models are calibrated based on literature and expert
opinion, the calibration curves for HGM indicators are derived from extensive field sampling of
reference wetlands.
The variables employed in the assessment models are calibrated based on field data collected in
,the applicable wetland subclass. The calibration curve (also called the "subindex curve") for each
variable in each subclass relates the variable value to an index between zero and 1.0, where the
maximum value is that found in wetlands that represent the least-disturbed examples of the
wetland subclass within the region. The shape of the calibration curve is established by sampling
a set of wetlands that represent a range of condition classes between least-disturbed and severely
disturbed. Figure 1 presents the calibration curves developed for the variables used in the
production component of the Organic Carbon Export model discussed above, for the Riverine
Backwater subclass in the Arkansas Delta Region. Similar sets of curves were developed for the
other variables and wetland subclasses in the region (Klimas et al. 2004), based on sampling of
more than 100 field sites.
Draft RSEIS 2
203
5 10 15 20 25 30
Tree Basal Area (m^/ha)
35
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Shrub/Sapling Density (stems/ha)
Figure 1. Subindex curves for 3 field indicators used as variables in the Organic Carbon
Export functional assessment model.
As with all of the HGM guidebook development efforts, the Delta Region models, calibration
curves, and application tools such as sampling methods and data summary spreadsheets were
developed by a team of regional experts. Users of the guidebooks apply this information to
specific assessment tasks, and can use the same models and reference data on various projects
throughout the region. The models and calibration curves are applied in an assessment scenario
by following detailed guidance presented in the Delta HGM Guidebook. The user collects field
dati from the assessment area, and compares that data to the calibration curve to derive a
subindex. The subindex values are inserted into the model, generating an FCl for the function
being assessed. Multiplying the PCI by acreage generates FCUs, which represent the functional
units associated with the assessment area, and which can be compared among assessment areas of
the same regional subclass. Pre- and post-project FCUs can be compared to determine impacts,
and project alternatives can be compared to help identify the alternative that will have the least
impact. However, in order to take into account the time required to recover functions following
an impact or restoration actions an additional set of curves representing recovery trajectories is
Draft RSEIS 2
204
required. Recovery trajectories were developed based on field studies and published as part of
the Delta Region Guidebook (Klimas et al. 2004) and their use is discussed in detail in Klimas
(2004). Figure 2 presents example recovery trajectory curves for the same three model variables
represented in Figure 1.
Figure 2. Recovery trajectories for 3 field indicators used as variables in the Organic
Carbon Export functional assessment model.
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
For the purposes of this study, the assessment was strictly limited to certain types of anticipated
impact and mitigation sites, the characteristics of which are described below. Because no field
work was performed, the site conditions were assumed to be uniform, and where they are likely to
be variable, the most conservative estimate of condition was adopted. In other words, the pre-
project condition of potential impact sites was assumed to be as functional as reasonably possible,
and the post-project condition assumed complete loss of function - both of these assumptions
8000
^ 7000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
w
ia
3
V)
20 40 60 80 100
Stand Age (years)
Draft RSEIS 2
205
likely overstate the actual situation. This approach assured that calculated mitigation ratios would
be sufficient to offset all possible losses.
The assessment was developed in terms of a generic unit area (e.g., a "typical acre") for each
impact and mitigation category. This allows calculation of mitigation ratios that can be applied
across a variety of potential impact and mitigation scenarios, as long as the sites affected meet the
criteria and assumptions enumerated below.
Assumptions adopted for this assessment are as follows:
1. The HGM Guidebook to the Delta Region of Arkansas is applicable for use in the project
area.
Generally, HGM guidebooks are considered to be applicable only to the areas where they
were developed, in this case the Delta Region of Arkansas. However, it is reasonable to
extend the applicability of the guidebook to the project area, which is near the state
border, and within the same general geomorphic settings as the majority of the Arkansas
Delta (that is. Pleistocene outwash and Holocene meander belt deposits). The age and
origins of most of the deposits are the same as those in the nearby St. Francis Basin of
Arkansas (Saucier 1994).
2. Pre-project condition: farmed wetland impact areas as well as the areas to be reforested
(mitigation areas) are assumed to have the following initial characteristics:
a. They are essentially bare fields without significant native vegetation, but with native
soils in place for the most part.
b. They have been significantly leveled, at least to the point where they no longer contain
major sand pond complexes, vernal pools, or microtopographic storage.
c. They currently flood during the growing season at a frequency and growing-season
duration sufficient to meet the criteria for jurisdictional wetlands. The flooding is
primarily backwater, flows in and out of the farmed wetlands are generally at low
velocity, and the floodwaters mostly originate in and return to stream channels.
Note that these assumptions, while they may not be universally true (e.g., there may be
some ponding in areas, or some fields may be pasture rather than rowcrops), are applied
equally to impact and mitigation areas to offset any associated error.
3. Pre-project condition: The forested wetland impact areas will be assumed to have the
following characteristics:
a. They are mature forests that meet all of the criteria (intact soils and microtopography,
complex vegetation structure, intact detrital storage compartments) of fully-functional
forested wetlands.
b. They currently flood at a frequency and duration sufficient to meet the criteria for
• jurisdictional wetlands.
Note that the first assumption is conservative, in that the impact forests may well be in a
degraded condition, but the assessment will assume that they are in good condition,
which translates into maximum functional loss due to project impacts.
4. Post-Project condition:
a. The impact areas (forested and farmed wetlands) will be assumed to have lost all
jurisdictional status, and therefore all wetland functions.
Draft RSEIS 2
206
b. The mitigation areas will remain flooded at a frequency and duration sufficient to
qualify as jurisdictional wetlands. The pattern of flooding will be predominantly
backwater, or low-velocity flows if headwater, as described for the impact sites.
c. Mitigation areas that will be reforested will be assumed to start as bare fields with the
same characteristics as the farmed wetland impact sites. They will be site-prepared to
create microdepressional water storage at target levels established in the Arkansas Delta
HGM guidebook (the percent ponding under natural conditions varies with the age and
origin of the geomorphic surface - e.g., modern meander belt features are more ponded
than older Pleistocene oiitwash features), and be planted with appropriate native tree
species (again, the initial composition must conform to the reference data presented in the
Arkansas Guidebook). Planting densities, monitoring, and maintenance procedures will
follow commonly accepted practices for wetland mitigation projects in the Memphis
District, CE.
d. The composition variable (Vcomp) for the planted mitigation sites is assumed to be
less than optimal even though the sites will be planted with appropriate species. This is
based on experience, where relatively short-lived or understory species {e.g. box elder,
dogwood) tend to invade and co-dominate with the planted species in the early years.
Over time, the Vcomp score improves, and by the time trees are present, the replacement
variable (Vtcomp) is assumed to be fully functional {i.e. all dominants are target species
for the site).
e. Mitigation proposals other than reforestation of farm fields, such as development of
moist soil units and the establishment of shallow-water perimeter wetlands in borrow
pits, are not included in this assessment.
5. Spatial characteristics
a. Based on a review of the willing-seller shapefile, it appears that two distinct spatial
patterns of mitigation are likely. In HGM terms, this influences the Wildlife Habitat
function with respect to 3 spatial variables. Tract Size, Connectivity, and Core Area. In
the vicinity of Big Oak Tree State Park, the targeted acreage, if most or all of it is
acquired, will form a large block of forest. Examination of the pattern of distribution
relative to the existing forests produced an estimate of Tract Size at 1500ha, Connectivity
at 50%, and Core Area at 50%. Elsewhere, in the project area, willing-seller mitigation
consists mostly of smaller, isolated tracts. An estimate of average conditions indicated
that, in these cases. Tract Size is approximately lOOha, and Connectivity and Core Area
will be approximately 10%. Note that these estimates affect only the Wildlife Habitat
model, and that they account for only a portion of the overall PCI for that function.
Therefore, if actual conditions vary from these general estimates, they will have only a
• small effect on the overall PCI score.
b. Por the forested impact sites, because no field sampling was conducted, a fully
functional condition was assumed for all functions except the Wildlife Habitat function.
Examination of the intersection of the proposed project footprint (shapefile:
Constructionjrieters.shp) indicated that the forests that will be eliminated consist of
small, narrow strips for the most part. The tract size of the impact area was estimated at
40 ha (based on information from Memphis District, CE), Connectivity was estimated at
20%, and Core Area was estimated as 0%.
The assumptions enumerated above were used to establish initial (pre-project) scores for the
impact and mitigation sites for each of the seven functions assessed, using the Riverine
Draft RSEIS 2
207
Backwater models and reference data from the Arkansas Delta HGM Guidebook (Klimas et al.
2004). The trajectory curves presented in that guidebook were then used to calculate model
variable scores at intervals over the 50-year life of the project (years 0, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50).
Those scores were used to re-run the models for each function at each interval. The results are
expressed as an Annualized FCI for each function, which is the same thing as Annualized FCU
for one acre (or any other unit of area). Annualized FCls were calculated using the basic HEP
formula (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1980), which is also specified as the method for
calculation of compensatory mitigation in the Draft RSEIS II (section 2.3.4).
RESULTS
Table I summarizes the results of the HGM assessment for the farmed wetland and forested
impact sites for the pre-project condition, in terms of Functional Capacity Indices (FCI) for each
function.
The post-project condition is zero for all functions, because the farmed wetland impact sites are
assumed to become non-wetlands (and therefore have no wetland functions) and the forested
wetlands will be destroyed. The assessment indicates that the farmed wetland sites are minimally
functional, or non-functional, except for the "Remove Elements and Compounds" function, which
is present at approximately 50% of potential, according to the HGM model. This level of
functionality is attributable primarily to the fact that native soils are present, and that they flood
regularly, allowing interaction between the soil particles and floodwaters. The forested impact
sites are assessed as fully functional for all but one function, based on the assumption that they
are all mature, intact systems. The only function that is assessed as less than optimal is the
"Provide Wildlife Habitat" function. The lower FCI for that function is due to the small size of
the forested tracts affected by the project, which is an important consideration in the assessment
of habitat conditions.
Note that the values presented in Table 1 reflect the pre-project condition, but are also the same
values that would be generated as the annualized loss under post-project conditions. This is
because neither the farmed wetlands nor the forested sites would be expected to change over the
life of the project.
The FCI values presented in Table I for the farmed wetland impact sites are also the initial (year
0) values for the proposed mitigation sites, because restoration of forests on farmed wetlands is
the planned mitigation approach. Using those initial conditions and applying the published
recovery trajectories (Klimas et al. 2004) to the mitigation sites allowed calculation of change in
FCI over time for each function (Figure 3).
Each of the response curves in Figure 3 is shaped differently, depending on the model variables
and how they are affected by the planned restoration. For example. The "Remove Elements and
Compounds" function, which has an initial condition of 0.5 FCI, rises slowly following
restoration as organic matter gradually accumulates on the site and in the soil to increase the
interaction between the substrate and dissolved materials in floodwaters. The "Detain
Precipitation" function, which is nearly non-existent prior to restoration, immediately responds to
restoration because this function is largely dependent on the presence of microtopographic
depressions, which will be restored as part of the initial site preparation on mitigation lands. For
most functions, however, the recovery curves are gradual, because they are dependent to some
degree on the growth of vegetation over time. Note that one function — "Provide Wildlife
Habitat" - is represented by two recovery curves reflecting different spatial patterns (tract sizes)
as discussed previously.
Draft RSEIS 2
208
TABLE 1 : FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY INDICES OF IMPACT SITES (PRE-PROJECT)
DETAIN
FLOODWATER
DETAIN
PRECIPITATION
CYCLE
NUTRIENTS
EXPORT
ORGANIC
CARBON
REMOVE
ELEMENTS
AND
COMPOUNDS
MAINTAIN
PLANT
COMMUNITIES
PROVIDE
WILDLIFE
HABITAT
FARMED WETLAND
IMPACT SITES
0.000
0.025
0.075
0.013
0.533
0.0
0.0
FORESTED IMPACT
SITES
(CONSTRUCTION
FOOTPRINT)
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.761
Draft RSEIS 2
209
Detain Precipitation
0 10 20 30 40 50
Year
Remove Bements & Compounds
Year
Maintain Plant Communities
0.0 ■' 1 1 i I I
0 10 20 30 40 50
Year
Figure 3. Changes in PCI on mitigation sites for each assessed function over the 50-year life of
the project.
Draft RSEIS 2
210
Table 2 presents the results of the entire assessment in terms of Annualized FCIs for each
function and mitigation scenario. The analysis indicates that, in order to offset losses of the most-
impacted function ("Remove Elements and Compounds"), mitigation ratios for forested wetlands
should be approximately 3:1, and for farmed wetlands approximately 1.5:1. However, mitigation
ratios for all other functions are less than 60% of the ratio for the most-impacted function for
forested wetlands, and less than 10% of the ratio for the most-impacted function for farmed
wetlands. In other words, any mitigation that offsets losses for the most-impacted function will
greatly over-compensate for losses of all other functions.
Tables 3 and 4 are alternative ways to illustrate the magnitude of the functional losses and gains
for farmed and forested wetlands. They present the mitigation ratios in terms of Functional
Capacity Units (FCUs) calculated for 1000 acres of impact and 1000 acres of mitigation. Thus,
Table 3 shows that a loss of 1000 acres of farmed wetland would cause a loss of 533 FCUs for the
"Remove Elements and Compounds" function, while 1000 acres of mitigation would recover
only 348 of those ECUs, thereby requiring a 1.5:1 mitigation ratio. However, for all other
functions, restoration of 1000 acres would result in net gains ranging from 507 to 876 FCUs after
deducting the losses due to a 1000 acre impact. A 1.5:1 mitigation ratio increases those gains by
50%. For the forested impact sites (Table 4) 1000 acres of mitigation provides no net gains over
1000 acres of impact, but the calculated 3:1 mitigation ratio fully offsets all losses.
SUMMARY
The St. Johns Bayou - New Madrid Floodway Project will have direct and indirect effects on
wetlands. The principal method proposed to offset those losses is reforestation of farmed
wetlands within the project area. An assessment of functional losses and gains associated with
the proposed actions was conducted using the Hydrogeomorphic Approach (HGM) to assessing
wetland functions. The specific locations of potential impact and mitigation sites have not been
determined; therefore, a generic HGM assessment was employed where annualized functional
losses and gains were calculated for a "typical acre" of impact and mitigation.
The HGM analysis of impacts to farmed wetlands indicated that only one of the seven assessed
functions is being performed to a significant degree on those sites under pre-project conditions.
A mitigation ratio of approximately 1.5:1 will fully offset the loss of that function due to indirect
project impacts, and produce large net gains in other functions over the life of the project. A
mitigation ratio of approximately 3:1 will offset all losses of function due to construction impacts
to forested wetlands.
A variety of assumptions were made in order to conduct this analysis without conducting field
studies. Most of those assumptions were intended to over-compensate for potential errors, and
prevent underestimation of mitigation requirements. However, HGM is designed to be a rapid
.assessment technique, and where detailed field studies exist {e.g., the extensive fish investigations
completed previously), those results should supersede the HGM analysis for the particular
functions that they address.
Draft RSEIS 2
211
•
TABLE 2: MITIGATION RATIOS FOR IMPACTS TO FARMED WETLANDS AND FORESTED WETLANDS
DETAIN
FLOODWATER
DETAIN
PRECIPITATION
CYCLE
NUTRIENTS
EXPORT
ORGANIC
CARBON
REMOVE
ELEMENTS
AND
COMPOUNDS
MAINTAIN
PLANT
COMMUNITIE
S
PROVIDE
WILDLIFE
HABITAT
FARMED
WETLAND S
0
(no impact)
0.03 :1
0.13:1
0.02 : 1
1.53 : 1
0
(no impact)
0
(no impact)
FORESTED
WETLANDS
1.7 ; 1
1.1 : 1
1.7 : 1
1.5 : 1
2.9 : 1
1.2 : 1
1.5 : 1 (small
mitigation
tracts - 250
acres average)
1.3 : 1 (large
tracts - 3000
acres average)
Draft RSEIS 2
212
TABLE 3: LOSS AND GAIN OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY UNITS PER 1000 ACRES OF IMPACT AND MITIGATION
FARMED WETLAND IMPACT AREAS
DETAIN
FLOODWATER
DETAIN
PRECIPITATION
CYCLE
NUTRIENTS
EXPORT
ORGANIC
CARBON
REMOVE
ELEMENTS
AND
COMPOUNDS
MAINTAIN
PLANT
COMMUNITIES
PROVIDE
WILDLIFE
HABITAT
FCUs lost
per 1000
acres of
impact
0
25
75
13
533
0
0
FCUs
gained per
1000 acres
of
mitigation
582
906
589
663
348
814
507
(small
mitigation
tracts)
640
(large
mitigation
tracts)
Draft RSEIS 2
213
TABLE 4: LOSS AND GAIN OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY UNITS PER 10
FORESTED WETLAND IMPACT A]
00 ACRES OF IMPACT AND MITIGATION
REAS
DETAIN
FLOODWATER
DETAIN
PRECIPITATION
CYCLE
NUTRIENTS
EXPORT
ORGANIC
CARBON
REMOVE
ELEMENTS
AND
COMPOUNDS
MAINTAIN
PLANT
COMMUNITIES
PROVIDE
WILDLIFE
HABITAT
FCUs lost
per 1000
acres of
impact
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
761
FCUs
gained per
1000 acres
of
mitigation
582
906
589
663
348
814
507
(small
mitigation
tracts)
640
(large
mitigation
tracts)
Draft RSEIS 2
214
LITERATURE CITED
Klimas, e.V. 2004. Development and application of functional recovery trajectories for wetland
restoration assessment. Draft report to the Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Water.
Klimas, C.V., E.O. Murray, J. Pagan, H. Längsten, and T. Foti. 2004a. A regional
guidebook for applying the hydrogeomorphie approach to assessing functions of
forested wetlands in the Delta Region of Arkansas, Lower Mississippi River
Alluvial Valley. ERDC/EL TR-04-16. US Army Engineer Research and
Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.
Saucier, R. T. 1994. Geomorphology and Quaternary geologic history of the Lower
Mississippi Valley. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Vicksburg, MS.
Smith, R.D., A.A. Ammann, C. Bartoldus, and M.M. Brinson. 1995. An approach for
assessing wetland functions using hydrogeomorphie classification, reference
wetlands, and functional indices. Technical Report WRP-DE-9. US Army
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP). ESM 102,
Division of Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington,
D.C.
Draft RSEIS 2
215
APPENDIX E
Cost Estimates
Cost estimates for the four scenarios in this RSEIS 2 are provided in this appendix. The
basis for these costs is as described in Section 5.8 Economics.
Draft RSEIS 2
216
TfflS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
Corps of Engineers, Memphis District
Mitigation Scenario A
22-nov-05
- itemdescriptionL^''
k: acres
Í st. johns
k'iFÊATURE:!;'-'
mrl.clos(j!rb^
m.FEATü8BTk
^wppsl total!
COMMENT
FLOOD CONTROL FEATURES
St. Johns Bayou Basin
$ 30,638,000
New Madrid Floodway
$ 15,014,000
$23,838,000
NMF Fishery Easements
$2,481,000
1^41,862,000
k.kk!,$7i;8ttoocl
BASIC MITIGATION FEATURES
SJBB Reforestation
1293
$ 3,914,000
NMF Reforestation'
4126
$11,029,000
Includes $3,900,000 for 1657 ac of NM
Total Reforestation
$3,914,000
$11,029,000
$14,943,000
mitigation purchased Jul 04
SJBB Shorebird Areas
105
$ 453,000
NMF Shorebird Areas
660
$2,909,000
Total Shorebird Features
$453,000
$2,909,000
$3,362,000
SJBB Waterfowl Easements
$2,835,000
NMF Waterfowl Easements
$2,628,000
Total Waterfowl Features
$2,835,000
$2,628,000
$5,463,000
SJBB Modified Borrow Pits
387
$ 593,000
Total Modified Borrow Pits
$ 593,000
$0
$593,000
NMF Vegetated Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total Basic Mitigation kt
'■'.í á£-»í2,7MSJOOO
BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK
BOTSP Water Supply
$2,838,000
Entry to west of park. Fish AAHU's TBD
Total TBÖTSPWöanSupplK^
•--w-.
aà^'-r .
Í kkiîi' $2,828,000
kikfr $2.838,000
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION FEATURES
Batture Reforestation
200
$505,000
$505,000
Riley Lake Restoration to 286
430
$1,782,000
$1,782,000
NMF 283.4 Fish Pool Fee Puchase
2000
$2,636,000
$2,636,000
Ponding to 283.4 1 Apr thru 15 May
Tot# /MMraonatMMgatton Features
? & r
$4,923j)60
ää,-84.823,000
TOTAL
8384
$ 53,447,000
$ 53,650,000
$ 107,097,000
* Includes preservation of 901 ac of existing woodlands and 1800 acin the vicinity of BOTSP. Fish AAHU's for 1800 ac TBD.
Total acres purchased In fee excludes permanent water bodies, including the SJBB modified borrow pits.
Draft RSEIS
217
Corps of Engineers, Memphis District
Mitigation Scenario B
22-NOV-05
•
^ ITEM DESCRIPTION í
4i^ST.JOHNSf}.,
«:ilfEATÜRE?í:"'
K!lWîtC|.QSURE
i'äf'lffiATURE
t>j(ÍRROatTC^L'
COMMENT
FLOOD CONTROL FEATURES
St. Johns Bayou Basin
$ 30,638,000
New Madrid Floodway
$ 15,014,000
$23,838,000
NMF Fishery Easements
$2,481,000
total. Plobd Qontroti'S} l
ltía.46.ti$2.Ó00
ri ■ $2«ä|9,(|ÖÖ
«::^3niè7i.0W)
BASIC MITIGATION FEATURES
SJBB Reforestation
1293
$ 3,914,000
NMF Reforestation*
4126
$11,029,000
Includes $3,900,000 for 1657 ac of NM
Total Reforestation
$3,914,000
$11,029,000
$14,943,000
mitigation purchased Jul 04
SJBB Shorebird Areas
105
$ 453,000
NMF Shorebird Areas
660
$2,909,000
Total Shorebird Features
$453,000
$2,909,000
$3,362,000
SJBB Waterfowl Easements
$2,835,000
NMF Waterfowl Easements
$2,628,000
Total Waterfowl Features
$2,835,000
$2,628,000
$5,463,000
SJBB Modified Borrow Pits
387
$ 593,000
Total Modified Borrow Pits
$ 593,000
$0
$593,000
NMF Vegetated Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
tpta! Bwic,Mitlgation1í^íÍA¿;!i;:í^
1MS?Í7^95¿000
ÂœiÂ.stô:ôiio
BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK
BOTSP Water Supply
$2,838,000
Entry to west of park. Fish AAHU's TBD
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION FEATURES
NMF 284.4 Fish Pool Fee Puchase
2850
$4,189,000
K 189,000
Pond to 284.4 1-30 Apr; Pond to 283.4 1-
15Mav
total Additional Mitigation têatyrçs^..
ÏSS?èOf-35$o
;UM9M0
TOTAL
9034
$ 53,447,000
$ 52,916,000
$ 106,363,000
* Includes preservation of 901 ac of existing woodlands and 1800 ac in the vicinity of BOTSP. Fish AAHU's on 1800 ac TBD.
Total acres purchased in fee excludes permanent water bodies, including the SJBB modified borrow pits.
Draft RSEIS
218
Corps of Engineers, Memphis District
Mitigation Scenario 0
22-NOV-05
x" ' AÎTEM OESCRIPllQN
AÙRES
ST» JOHNS
PEATURE
MRl^OkpSURE
FEATURE
p^lVÖSE.T!(yrAl;|
COMMENT
FLOOD CONTROL FEATURES
St. Johns Bayou Basin
$ 30,638,000
New Madrid Floodway
$ 15,014,000
$23,838,000
NMF Fishery Easements
$2,481,000
Fish AAHU's reflected in impact reduction
Total Wood Contrci » . Jv >
■;afra^8;(M)0
BASIC MITIGATION FEATURES
SJBB Reforestation
1293
$ 3,914,000
NMF Reforestation*
4126
$11,029,000
Includes $3,900,000 for 1657 ac of NM
Total Reforestation
$3,914,000
$11,029,000
$14,943,000
mitigation purchased Jul 04
SJBB Shorebird Areas
105
$ 453,000
NMF Shorebird Areas
660
$2,909,000
Total Shorebird Features
$453,000
$2,909,000
$3,362,000
SJBB Waterfowl Easements
$2,835,000
NMF Waterfowl Easements
$2,628,000
Total Waterfowl Features
$2,835,000
$2,628,000
$5,463,000
SJBB Modified Borrow Pits
387
$ 593,000
Total Modified Borrow Pits
$ 593,000
$0
$593,000
NMF Vegetated Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total pa?ic Mitigation; J.:: I
esri.
sr 7.T85.000
¿$£330^6.000
BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK
BOTSP Water Supply
$2,838,000
Entry to west of park. Fish AAHU's TBD
Tptal BOTSP water SúppÍKlS
■».J * iff
. Ik
• >f.i,
$2,838J0Ó
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION FEATURES
Batture Reforestation
1050
$2,651,000
$2,651,000
Riley Lake Restoration to 288
700
$2,784,000
$2,784,000
SJB 283 Fish Pool Fee Puchase
1154
$2,260,000
$2,260,000
Ponding to 283 1 Apr thru 15 May
Total AdditionafMitlgatiori Features^:
$0
TOTAL
8388
$ 53,447,000
$ 56,422,000
$ 109,869,000
* Includes preservation of 901 ac of existing woodlands and 1800 ac in ttie vicinity of BOTSP. Fisti AAHU's on 1800 ac TBD.
Total acres purchased in fee excludes permanent water bodies, including the SJBB modified borrow pits.
Draft RSEIS
219
Corps of Engineers, Memphis District
Mitigation Scenario D
22-NOV-05
ITEM DESCRIPTION ,
^T» JOHNS^.
, .FEASjREt-
MRl.^LaS,URE »
PMRIj^SÉtóAt
COMMENT
FLOOD CONTROL FEATURES
St. Johns Bayou Basin
$ 30,638,000
New Madrid Floodway
$ 15,014,000
$23,838,000
NMF Fishery Easements
$2,481,000
Fish AAHU's reflected in impact reduction
Total Flood
^ J " J . r
Liamesáíoóo"
BASIC MITIGATION FEATURES
SJBB Reforestation
1293
$ 3,914,000
NMF Reforestation*
4126
$11,029,000
Includes $3,900,000 for 1657 ac of NM
Total Reforestation
$3,914,000
$11,029,000
$14,943,000
mitigation purchased Jul 04
SJBB Shorebird Areas
105
$ 453,000
NMF Shorebird Areas
660
$2,909,000
Total Shorebird Features
$453,000
$2,909,000
$3,362,000
SJBB Waterfowl Easements
$2,835,000
NMF Waterfowl Easements
$2,628,000
Total Waterfowl Features
$2,835,000
$2,628,000
$5,463,000
SJBB Modified Borrow Pits
387
$ 593,000
Total Modified Borrow Pits
$ 593,000
$0
$593,000
NMF Vegetated Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
Total Buffer & Wildlife Corridor
$3,004,000
$3,004,000
total
!?|Sli-t,795.0ÖÖ
SIÂ'tSÊStÂOOO
BIG OAK TREE STATE PARK
BOTSP Water Supply
$2,838,000
Entry to west of park. Fish AAHU's TBD
total BOt5PVVáter:SuodirSÍÍ5íft^
mmmmmo
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION FEATURES
SJB 283 Fish Pool Fee Puchase
1154
$2,260,000
$2,260,000
Ponding to 283 from 1 Apr thru 15 May
NMF 282 Fish Pool Fee Purchase
1215
$1,519,000
$1,519,000
Ponding to 282 from 1 Apr thru 15 May
Total Additiotial Mitigation Faaturds|:j
î;:iBïSMt79,ooû
^ïï-î^i^3.m,(ioô
TOTAL
8553
$ 53,447,000
$ 52,506,000
$ 105,953,000
* Includes preservation of 901 ac of existing woodlands and 1800 ac in the vicinity of BOTSP. Fish AAHU's on 1600 ac TBD.
Total acres purchased in fee excludes permanent water bodies, including the SJBB modified borrow pits.
Draft RSEIS
220
^ Corps of Engineers, Memphis District
St. Johns Bayou Basin Alternative 3-1B
7-Sep-05
ITEM DESCRIPTION
QUANTITY
UNIT
UNIT PRICE
AMOUNT
CONTING.
Oct 2005 PRICE
LEVEL TOTAL
COMMENT
01 LANDS AND DAMAGES (w/ contin.)
21.3%
Item 1, Already Completed
0
AC
$0
item 2, New Madrid Pumping Station
AC
$187,200
Reflects sponsor appraisal on 3 tracts for closure
item 3, St Johns Bayou. Mile 0-3*
AC
$412,000
These Real estate Estimates are derived from
Item 4a, St. Johns Bayou Mile 3-4.5*
AC
$161,000
LRR, Appendix D, and merely Adjusted to
item 4b. BDNM Levee Ditch mile 0-8.1*
AC
$524,000
October 2005 Levels with some Channel
item 5. St. Johns Pumping Station*
AC
$661,000
Adjustments due to 200 foot to 120 foot and
item 6. St. James Mile 0-7*
AC
$772,000
Deletion of upper St. James (See markup of
individual
Total 01 Lands and Damages
Total Cost
$2,717,000
items from Appendix D)
02 RELOCATIONS
25%
item 4, St. Johns Bayou Mile 3-4.5
1
LS
$748.804
$749.000
$187.000
$936,000
item 4. BPNM Levee Ditch Mile 0-8.1
1
LS
$65.053
$65,000
$16.000
$81,000
item 5. Highway WW
1
LS
$144.221
$144.000
$36.000
$180,000
item 6. St. James Ditch Mile 0-7
1
LS
$2,476.925
$2.477.000
$619,000
$3,096,000
Total Relocation 02
$3,435,000
$858,000
$4,293,000
09 CHANNEL IMPROVEMENTS
item 1, BPNM Mile 8.1-12.4 Complete
item 3. Lower St. Johns Bayou Excavation
1
Contract
$763.846
$764.000
$76.000
$840,000
Item 3. Lower St. Johns Other tasks
1
Contract
$863,252
$863.000
$129.000
$992,000
Item 4a. Upper St. Johns. Excavation
1
Contract
$178,412
$178.000
$18.000
$196,000
Item 4a. Upper St. Johns other tasks
1
Contract
$230,046
$230.000
$35.000
$265,000
Item 4b. BPNM Mile 0-8.1. Excavation
1
Contract
$540.626
$541,000
$54.000
$595,000
Item 4b. BPNM Mile 0-8.1. Other Tasks
1
Contract
$297.840
$298,000
$45.000
$343,000
Item 6. St. James Ditch. Excavation
1
Contract
$447.044
$447.000
$67.000
$514,000
Based on 80% of LRR amount x 1.189 x 1.12
Item 6. St. James Ditch. Other Tasks
1
Contract
$297.560
$298.000
$45.000
$343,000
Based on 66% of LRR amount x 1.189 x 1.12
Total 09 Channel Items
$3,321,000
$424.000
$3,745,000
13 PUMPING PLANTS
St. Johns Pumping Station 1000 CPS
Pumps
1
EA
$1.810.430
$1,810.000
$272.000
$2,082,000
General
1
EA
$47.396
$47,000
$7,000
$54,000
Sitework
1
EA
$6.732.453
$6.732.000
$1,010.000
$7,742,000
Concrete
1
EA
$2.492.336
$2.492.000
$374,000
$2,866,000
Masonry. Metals. Woods. Plastics
1
EA
$603.023
$603.000
$90,000
$693,000
Doors/Finishes/Windows/Glass
1
EA
$85.944
$86.000
$13,000
$99,000
Thermal Protection
1
EA
$55.594
$56,000
$8,000
$64,000
Fumishings
1
EA
$1.460
$1.000
$0
$1,000
Mechanical
1
EA
$2.290.127
$2.290.000
$344,000
$2,634,000
Electrical
1
EA
$1.127.543
$1.128.000
$169,000
$1,297,000
Total 13-SL Johns Station
$15,245,000
$2,287,000
$17,532,000
30 PLANNING, E&D
1
LS
3.5%
Phase 1 St. Johns PED
$895,000
$895,000
31 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
1
LS
5.5%
02, 09, & 13 Accounts indexed from Oct 03 to Oct 05
Phase 1 St. Johns S&A
$1,456,000
$1,456,000
price levels using index in H 47 unless otherwise
noted
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS (Oct 05)
1
LS
$30,638,000
1.12
Draft RSEIS
221
New Madrid Floodway Alternative 3-1B
22-NOV-05
v sAr-ITEM DESCRIPTION
ÜNITPRICE
AMOUNT«
, J'
SSSÎ
:3.srP^p-;-
STATION,.
tipEAtÜRE.^
■ • 'r
MRLCÍ.OSURÉ
;::..Ffe^RE,-í
t'- i- '« COMMENTÉ-
01 LANDS AND DAMAGES (w/ contin.)
Lands and Damages
15
AC
$ 2,000
$ 30,000
$ 8,000
$ 38,000
$ 38,000
ROW for Levee Closure Construction
Lands and Damages
197
AC
$ 2,000
$ 394,000
$ 99,000
$ 493,000
$ 493,000
ROW for Setback Levee Grade Raise (Basic borrow only)
Non-Federal Acquisition
6
TR
$ 5,600
$ 34,000
$ 9,000
$ 43,000
$ 43,000
Federal Acquisition
6
TR
$ 2.400
$ 14,000
$ 4,000
$ 18,000
$ 18,000
',7- T ,iïv
ISSÎ
's ' 47¿íioip
,S»2^p
:SÍ3ÍÍ
Decrease in mitigation shown on Pump Station as a negative
cost
02 RELOCATIONS
Roads & Bridges
1
LS
$
$
$
$
$
Utilities
1
LS
$
$
$
$
$
mm
i
i
i
mmmmm
13 PUMPING PLANTS
New Madrid Pumping Station 1500
CFS & Gravity Outlet
1
EA
$ 25,194,080
$ 25,194,080
í'''lL"24'lqü:í»Bn
$
$ 25,194,000
$ 13,101,000
$ 12,093,000
This row reflects the bid price for the NM PS & gravity outlet;
sum of rows 20 & 24-27 is total bid price + 6% escalation.
Jf ■ M2,0P4»IW1
11 LEVEES and FLOODWALLS
Clearing & Grubbing
9
AC
$ 265
$ 2,000
$ 1,000
$ 3,000
$ 3,000
Levee Embankment
356,240
ECY
$ 3.71
$ 1,322,000
$ 331,000
$ 1,653,000
$ 1,653,000
Closure + Adjacent Frontline Levee Grade Raise.
Aggregate Surfacing
1,500
CCY
$ 29
$ 43,000
$ 11,000
$ 54,000
$ 54,000
Levee gravel toads, 12' wide, 6" compacted.
Turfing
9
AC
$ 1,272
$ 11,000
$ 3,000
$ 14,000
$ 14,000
Bermuda grass.
Setback Levee
$1,724,000
Clearing & Grubbing
387
AC
$ 280
$ 108,000
$ 27,000
$ 135,000
$ 135,000
Borrow + Levee ROW
Levee Embankment, Grade Raise
2,054,524
ECY
$ 2.80
$ 5,753,000
$ 1,438,000
$ 7,191,000
$ 7,191,000
Borrow pits within 1 mile.
Turfing
200
AC
$ 1,344
$ 269,000
$ 67,000
$ 336,000
$ 336,000
Bermuda grass.
í-i* «i, í iaM», puu
30 PLANNING, E&D
LS
3.5%
$ 1,145,000
$ 286,000
$ 1,431,000
$ 744,000
$ 687,000
E&D accounts for work already done on New Madrid Pump
Station.
31 CONSTRUCTION
1 LS
5.5%
$ 1,799,
450,000 $ 2,249,000 $ 1,169,000 $
1,080,000
02, 09, & 13 Accounts indexed from Oct 03 to Oct 05
price levels using index in J 45 unless otherwise
1.12
1
J L
±
1
Drafl RSEIS
222