Environmental Assessment Gold Digger Mining Plan of Operations

Environmental Assessment Gold Digger Mining Plan of Operations June 2016 i ;..-.I ' Lead Agency Responsible Official For Further Information, Contact: US Forest Service Seward Ranger District Francisco B. Sanchez Seward District Ranger 29847 Seward Highway Seward, Alaska 99664 Mike Johnson Seward Ranger District 29847 Seward Highway Seward, Alaska 99664

What action is proposed? Why? What other action would meet the same need? What would it mean to not meet the need? What factors will be used when making the decision between alternatives? Are there any ways to mitigate adverse effects? What monitoring is required? The Proposed Action is the mining plan of operations for the Gold Digger mining operation submitted by the claimant/operator. The plan of operations proposes placer exploration on Quartz Creek. The Forest Service has a regulatory obligation to analyze proposed plans of operation (36 CFR 228.5). The Forest Service has received a proposed plan of operations on Quartz Creek. None The Forest Service would not meet their regulatory obligation for plan of operations approvals.. The environmental assessment does not identify any significant environmental consequences of the Proposed Action. However, any adverse environmental consequences of the Proposed Action are weighed against the benefit of having a long-term plan for placer exploration in the project area and the reduction in annual environmental analysis and administration. Modifications to the proposed mining plan of operations will be developed to minimize any potential resources affected by the Proposed Action. The entire project area will be reclaimed and will return to natural conditions upon expiration or termination of any resulting authorization. The Forest Service will inspect operations regularly each year to determine if the operator is in compliance with their approved mining plan of operations. The Forest Service will monitor for non-native plant species one year after implementation and periodically thereafter.

Introduction The Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This EA discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and any alternatives. It also provides the supporting information for a determination to prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of project-area resources, can be requested or found in the project planning record located at the Seward Ranger District, Kenai Lake Work Center, Chugach National Forest. Background A request to approve a plan of operations was submitted for the Gold Digger mining operation, hereafter referred to as Gold Digger. This proposal requests a five year authorization for exploration on Quartz Creek. Location The project area is the Gold Digger mining operation and the associated access route, and is located adjacent to Quartz Creek. The legal land description is portions of Section 3, Township 5 North, Range 2 West, Seward Meridian. Proposed access to the operation is by pickup truck on the existing Jerome Lake road and brushing and clearing an old mining access trail to the creek level. Forest Plan Management Area Prescription The 2002 Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) provides a framework that guides day-to-day resource management operations on the Forest. Part of Forest Plan direction consists of management area prescriptions (MAP) which provide specific direction for managing different geographic areas of the Forest. The project area is located in the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-36). Backcountry management areas are managed to provide a variety of habitats for fish and wildlife species and year-round recreational opportunities. Locatable mineral activities are allowed in the Backcountry MAP, provided they are consistent with the management intent. Legal and Regulatory Framework Mining claim holders on National Forest System lands have certain rights related to their claims. Mining claim holders generally have the right to: (1) occupancy and use necessary for prospecting, mining, and processing; (2) reasonable access for purposes of prospecting, locating, and mining; and, (3) right to use timber from the claims for mining purposes and necessary clearing [FSM 2813.13(b) and FSM 2813.14] Mining claimant rights are subject to applicable Federal and State laws and regulations; including 36 CFR 228 Subpart A and the 1955 Multiple Use Mining Act (30 U.S.C. 612). "[All] operations shall be conducted so as, where feasible, to minimize adverse environmental impacts 3

on National Forest surface resources" (36 CFR 228.8). The 1955 Multiple Use Mining Act restricts mining operators to using reasonable methods of surface disturbance that are appropriate to the stage of operation (FSH2809.15, Section 10.1). Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to respond to the Forest Service's regulatory obligation to process, and modify and/or approve the operator's proposed plan of operations (36 CFR 228.5). The Forest Service has a responsibility to approve or require modifications to the proposed plan of operations in accordance with federal mining and environmental laws. Proposed Action The Proposed Action is the proposed plan of operations submitted for the Gold Digger operation. This proposal requests the approval of a five-year mining plan of operations for exploration on Quartz Creek. Decision Framework The Seward District Ranger is the authorized officer for this decision. This decision will determine under what terms and conditions the proposed plan of operations will be approved (3 6 CFR 228.5). Public Involvement The Forest Service placed legal notice in the Alaska Dispatch News on March 25, 2016, the newspaper of record for the Chugach National Forest, describing the proposed action and initiating the 30-day comment period. This project has been listed on the Chugach National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions. No comments or responses were received for this project. Issues, No significant issues have been identified by the interdisciplinary team for this proposal. Alternatives This section describes and compares the alternatives considered in this analysis. All alternatives are consistent with the Forest Plan and will not require a Forest Plan amendment. All applicable standards and guidelines, and Best Management Practices (BMP) have been incorporated in the design of these alternatives. Alternative 1 - No Action The No Action alternative is listed here as required by NEPA, the Forest Service has a regulatory obligation to approve or require modifications to a proposed mining plan of operations (36 CFR 228.5). The No Action alternative is not discussed further in this document because it would result in a violation of Forest Service responsibilities under 36 CFR 228.5. The "Affected Environment" section for each resource provides a discussion of the existing condition of the project area and serves for comparison between the Proposed Action and No Action Alternative. 4

Alternative 2 - Proposed Action The Proposed Action is the proposed plan of operations submitted for the Gold Digger operation. The Proposed Action is exploration on Quartz Creek and includes the following elements: Conducting exploration through the digging of several small test holes thoughout the claim by using a small excavator or backhoe to determine feasability of future operations Brushing and minor dirt work to re-establish an old 600 foot access trail to the creek level One camp consisting a a pickup truck camper Access will be by: Pickup on the existing Jerome Lake Road to the camp area Walking an small excavator or backhoe on an existing access trail The following equipment is proposed for use in exploration and access: One small excavator or backhoe Pickup truck and camper ATV Applicable Forest Plan Direction and Forest Service Policy The Proposed Action incorporates the following Forest Plan direction, Best Management Practices, and Forest Service Policy Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2509.22 - Soil and Water Conservation Handbook Sections 12 through 18. Forest Plan Standards for Wildlife (Forest Plan 3-28 through 3-33) Forest Plan Standards for Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Plant Species (Forest Plan 3-27) Forest Plan Standards for Soils (Forest Plan 3-22 through 3-23) Forest Plan Standards for Heritage Resources (Forest Plan 3-34) 244 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Area Management Area (Forest Plan 4-59 through 4-62) 512 Minerals Management Area (applied to approved mining plans of operations (Forest Plan 4-84)) Environmental Consequences This section provides a summary of the environmental impacts under each alternative. It discusses the effects relative to applicable physical, biological, and social environments within the project area. To address cumulative effects, the Forest Service examined the environmental impacts of each alternative in conjunction with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. The discussions of resources and potential effects incorporate existing information included in the Forest Plan, project specific resource reports and related information, and other sources as indicated. The planning record for this analysis contains these resource sources of information as well as results of any field investigations. The planning record is located at the Scward Ranger District, Kenai Lake Work Center, Chugach National Forest, in Moose Pass, Alaska, and is available for review during regular business hours. Information from the planning record is also available upon request.

Wildlife Resources Affected Environment Habitat The project area was surveyed by a Forest Service wildlife biologist. Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) No threatened, endangered, candidate, or sensitive species or their habitats occur in the project area. Management Indicator Species The project may cause some disturbance to individual management indicator species due to mining operation noise. Species of Special Interest The project may cause some disturbance to individual management indicator species due to mining operation noise. Migratory Birds The project may have some minor short term impacts on reproduction to individual migratory birds. Cumulative effects are expected to be minor due to the small scale of this project. Environmental Consequences Alternative 2 ~ Proposed Action The Proposed Action will primarily result in seasonal disturbance to wildlife in the project area from noise and mining activities. It is expected that wildlife utilizing habitat near the project area would continue to avoid the use of the project area as potential or existing habitat when mining activity is occurring. The mining activity proposed under Alternative 2 is not expected to be continuous or result in wildlife avoiding the project area permanently. The project area is not considered critical habitat or a travel or migration corridor for any of the species and is not expected to cause meaningful effect on any species population viability either generally or locally because of the small size of the project area relative to the size of the existing intact habitat for these species. Alternative 2 Findings for Wildlife Resources The proposed plan of operation is not likely to have an adverse effect on vertebrate endangered, threatened, or endangered species or their habitats. Ecology Resources Affected Environment A pre-field review of existing information concerning sensitive plant species was conducted for the project area. This review included the Regional Forester's Sensitive Species List, Alaska

Natural Heritage Program data base records, botanical literature, and consultation with the Alaska Regional Botanist and Forest Ecologist. There are no previously documented sightings of sensitive plants in or near the project area. Environmental Consequences Alternative 2 ^ Proposed Action hi the event that sensitive plants are located within an area where mining operations are intensive enough to cause ground disturbance, they may be destroyed. The most likely plants to exist near the project area are Piperia unalascensis and Romanzoffia unalaschcensis. Alternative 2: Findings for Ecology Resources The Proposed Action may adversely impact individuals, but is not likely to result in a loss of viability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing and will not likely result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to sensitive plants because they are unlikely to exist in the project area. Aquatics Resources Affected Environment ' No activities are proposed in the stream channel. Environmental Consequences Alternative 2 Proposed Action This mining plan of operation will have no effect to management indicator species such as Dolly Varden or anadromous species since to activities within the stream channel are proposed. Executive Order 12962 (Recreational Fisheries) No adverse effects to recreational fisheries on Quartz Creek are anticipated. Magnuson Stevens Act The Magnus on-stevens Fishery Conservation Act (the Act) requires that all federal agencies consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) when any project "may adversely affect" essential fish habitat (EFH). It has been determined that this request for a mining plan of operations will not cause any action that may adversely affect essential fish habitat as defined by the Act. Floodplain Management (E.O. U988), Protection of Wetlands (E.G. 11990 This activity is not located within a floodplain as defined by Executive Order 11988, and there are no wetlands in the project area as defined in Executive Order 11990. Therefore, there will be no effects to flood plains. Alternative 2 Findings for Fisheries Resources

The Proposed Action will not result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to aquatic resources because no activities within the stream channel are proposed. Chugach Land and Resource Management Plan 2002, (Forest Plan) The project area is located in the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-36). Backcountry management areas are managed to provide a variety of habitats for fish and wildlife species and year-round recreational opportunities. Heritage Resources Affected Environment All activities proposed for the operation were reviewed along with previous surveys of the operation area and known historic resources in the area. There are no new activities occurring and no known sites within the area of potential effect (APE) of the proposed activities. Environmental Consequences Alternative 2-Proposed Action The Proposed Action is not expected to have any adverse impacts to heritage resources because there are no known sites within the APE of the proposed activities. Alternative 2-Findings for Heritage Resources The Proposed Action will not result in direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to historic properties because no known heritage resources exist in the project area. Recommended Modifications to Mining Plan of Operations The following modifications to the proposed plan of operations are recommended to minimize adverse environmental consequences associated with the Proposed Action. Food, fuel, and garbage should be stored in bear proof containers. All garbage should be removed regularly (weekly) from the site. If any new historic features or artifacts are discovered during operations, they must be left in place and the Minerals Administrator will be contacted for further instruction. If any eagle or goshawk nests are discoved near the operation area, the Minerals Administrator will be contacted for further instruction. To reduce impacts to migratory birds and raptors and comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, avoid vegetation clearing or access route brushing during the breeding season of migratory birds, May 1 July 15, when practicable. Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations National Forest Management Act - The proposed action is consistent with the Forest Plan, and all proposed activities are allowable under the 210 Backcountry MAP (see Forest Plan pp. 4-34 through 4-3 6).

Endangered Species Act Biological evaluations were completed for threatened and endangered species. No threatened or endangered species would be affected by the action alternatives. Bald Eagle Protection Act ~ Management activities within bald eagle habitat will be in. accordance to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Forest Sen'ice and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sendee. No bald eagle nests are known in the project area. ANILCA Section 810, Subsistence Evaluation and Finding There is no documented or reported subsistence use that would be restricted by any of the action alternatives; none of the alternatives would result in a significant possibility of a restriction of subsistence use of wildlife, fish, or other foods. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966- Section 106 of the National Historic Presentation Act requires that all federal undertakings follow the regulations found at 36 CFR 800 to identify and protect cultural resources that are within the project areas and which may be effected by projects. The Programmatic Agreement between the Chugach National Forest, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) regarding management of the project area will be followed. Executive Order 12898 Environmental Justice implementation of this project is not anticipated to cause disproportionate adverse human health or environmental effect to minority or low-income populations because the proposed activities are not expected to cause any affects to human health or result in meaningful adverse environmental consequences. Clean Air Act - Emissions anticipated from the implementation of the Proposed Action would be of short duration and would not be expected to exceed State of Alaska ambient air quality standards (18 AAC 50). Executive Order 13112 Invasive Species Invasive species populations have the potential to spread in the project area; monitoring will be required to. reduce this potential and to determine effectiveness. Executive Order 11988 Floodplain Management and Executive Order 11990 Protection of Wetlands The project area is not located within a floodplain as defined by Executive Order 11988 and there will be no effect to wetlands as defined in Executive Order 11990. Inventoried Roadless Areas This project is located within an inventoried roadless area. Secretary's Memorandum 1042-154 reserves to the Secretary of Agriculture decision making authority over the construction and reconstruction of roads and the cutting, sale, or removal of timber in inventoried roadless areas. This proposal was reviewed by the Regional Forester for consistency with Secretary's Memorandum 1042-154. The Regional Forester determined that this decision is consistent with Secretary's Memorandum 1042-154 because this decision does not authorize any construction or reconstruction of roads or tree cutting, sale, or removal within the inventoried roadless area.

Executive Order 12962 ~ Recreational Fisheries - Federal agencies are required, to the extent permitted by law and where practicable, and in cooperation with States and Tribes, to improve the quantity, function, sustainable productivity, and distribution of U. S. aquatic resources for increased recreational fishing opportunities. As required by this Order, the effects of this action on aquatic systems and recreational fisheries have been evaluated and the effects relative to the purpose of this order have been documented. No impact to recreational fisheries is expected from the proposed project. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act., Public Law 94-265 -This project is not expected to result in any adverse effects to essential fisheries habitat as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act because it has been determined that this activity, individually, will not cause any action that may adversely affect essential fish habitat as defined by the Act. Agencies and Persons Consulted The Forest Sendee consulted an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists in the development of this environmental analysis. The Forest Service has also placed a legal notice describing the proposed action and soliciting comments in the Alaska Dispatch News on March 25, 2016. This project has been listed on the Chugach National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions. No comments or responses were received. 10