Glacier Northwest Mining Operation (previously known as Lone Star)

Maury Island Gravel Mine Draft EIS Table of Contents July 1999 (E98E0502)

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Table of Contents (71k)

Summary (156k)

Introduction 1
Proposal Objectives 1
Purpose and Need 2
Summary of Proposal and Alternatives 2

Description of the Proposed Action 2
Alternative 1- Reduced Barging Hours, Scenario 1 4
Alternative 2 - Reduced Barging Hours, Scenario 2 4
No-Action Alternative 5

Significant Areas of Controversy and Issues to be Resolved 6
Phased Review 6
Summary of Impacts, Mitigation, and Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 6

Chapter 1 Project Purpose and Background (464k)

1.1 Introduction 1-1

1.1.1 Why a Decision is Needed 1-1
1.1.2 The SEPA Process 1-1
1.1.3 Who is Preparing this EIS and Making the Decision 1-2

1.2 Overview of Applicant’s Proposal 1-2

1.2.1 Other Permits Required for the Applicant’s Proposal 1-3
1.2.2 Existing Permits 1-3
1.2.3 How Mitigation is Addressed in this EIS 1-4

1.3 Existing Site Characteristics 1-5

1.3.1 Geology/Mineral Resources 1-5
1.3.2 Topography 1-5
1.3.3 Vegetation 1-6
1.3.4 Land Use Designations and Zoning 1-6
1.3.5 Site Access and Utilities 1-6

1.4 Past and Current Mining Activity 1-6
1.5 Citations 1-7

Chapter 2 Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives (381k)

2.1 Introduction 2-1
2.2 Description of the Proposed Action 2-1

2.2.1 Scale of Operation 2-1
2.2.2 Clearing and Ground Preparation 2-3
2.2.3 Facilities and Equipment 2-4
2.2.4 Progression of Mining 2-8
2.2.5 Containment Procedures for Contaminated Soils 2-9
2.2.6 Trucking and Barging 2-11
2.2.7 Hours of Operation 2-11
2.2.8 Employment 2-11
2.2.9 Reclamation 2-12

2.3 Alternative 1- Reduced Barging Hours, Scenario 1 2-14

2.3.1 Scale of Operation 2-15
2.3.2 Clearing and Ground Preparation 2-16
2.3.3 Facilities and Equipment 2-16
2.3.4 Progression of Mining 2-16
2.3.5 Containment Procedures for Contaminated Soils 2-16
2.3.6 Trucking and Barging 2-16
2.3.7 Hours of Operation 2-17
2.3.8 Employment 2-17
2.3.9 Reclamation 2-17

2.4 Alternative 2 - Reduced Barging Hours, Scenario 2 2-17

2.4.1 Scale of Operation 2-18
2.4.2 Clearing and Ground Preparation 2-18
2.4.3 Facilities and Equipment 2-18
2.4.4 Progression of Mining 2-19
2.4.5 Containment Procedures for Contaminated Soils 2-19
2.4.6 Trucking and Barging 2-19
2.4.7 Hours of Operation 2-19
2.4.8 Employment 2-19
2.4.9 Reclamation 2-19

2.5 No-Action Alternative 2-20

2.5.1 No-Action Alternatives under SEPA 2-20
2.5.2 Facilities and Operation 2-21
2.5.3 Containment Procedures for Contaminated Soils 2-22
2.5.4 Trucking and Barging 2-22
2.5.5 Reclamation 2-22

Chapter 3 Air Quality (80k)

3.1 Primary Issues 3-1
3.2 Affected Environment 3-1

3.2.1 Regulatory Overview 3-1
3.2.2 Existing Air Quality 3-2

3.3 Impacts 3-3

3.3.1 Would fugitive dust resulting from the project exceed regulatory standards at the property line or at nearby residential locations? 3-3

3.4 Mitigation Measures 3-8

3.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 3-8
3.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 3-10
3.4.3 Cumulative Impacts 3-10
3.4.4 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 3-11

3.5 Citations 3-11

Chapter 4 Geology and Hydrogeology (158k)

4.1 Primary Issues 4-1
4.2 Affected Environment 4-1

4.2.1 Information Sources 4-1
4.2.2 Geology 4-3
4.2.3 Surface Water 4-6
4.2.4 Groundwater 4-6

4.3 Impacts 4-11

4.3.1 Would mining as proposed affect recharge of the aquifer system or affect the availability of water to residents on Vashon/Maury Islands? 4-11
4.3.2 Would mining affect groundwater quality? 4-14
4.3.3 Would the mining activity breach an aquifer or otherwise impact
adjacent groundwater wells being used by local residents? 4-15

4.4 Mitigation Measures 4-16

4.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by
Regulation 4-16
4.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 4-17

4.5 Cumulative Impacts 4-18
4.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 4-18
4.7 Citations 4-19

Chapter 5 Terrestrial Plants and Animals (73k)

5.1 Primary Issues 5-1
5.2 Affected Environment 5-2

5.2.1 Threatened, Endangered, and other Sensitive Animal Species 5-2
5.2.2 Plant Communities and Habitat 5-5

5.3 Impacts 5-7

5.3.1 Would the project adversely affect a plant or animal listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act, or any other species listed by the state, tribes, or King County as sensitive? 5-7
5.3.2 What would the loss of existing madrone imply in terms of (1) regulations, (2) functional values of madrone forest on the site, and (3) regional distribution of madrone? 5-10
5.3.3 Over the life of the mine, what is the overall effect on habitat of reactivating high-production mining on the site? 5-12

5.4 Mitigation Measures 5-15

5.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 5-15
5.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 5-16

5.5 Cumulative Impacts 5-18
5.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 5-19
5.7 Citations 5-19

Chapter 6 Marine Habitat and Fisheries (185k)

6.1 Primary Issues 6-1
6.2 Affected Environment 6-1

6.2.1 Physical Components 6-2
6.2.2 Biological Components 6-3
6.2.3 Other Considerations of the Marine Environment 6-6

6.3 Impacts 6-6

6.3.1 Would shading from barges at the dock adversely affect eelgrass or other marine biological communities? 6-6
6.3.2 Would accidental spillage of sand and gravel during barge loading adversely affect marine life under or near the dock and barges? 6-8
6.3.3 What would be the potential for petroleum spills from increased marine equipment activity? 6-9
6.3.4 Would an increase in turbidity and deposition of fine sediment from mining and barge traffic propeller wash affect marine organisms? 6-10
6.3.5 Would removing a portion of the bluff during mining change the deposition/erosion dynamics of the beach? 6-11
6.3.6 What effect would the project have on geoduck clam harvest by the Puyallup Tribe? 6-12
6.3.7 Would the noise and vibration from pile driving or barge loading affect salmon and other marine animals, including whales? 6-13
6.3.8 Would dock repairs alter salmon habitat or other marine habitats? 6-16

6.4 Mitigation Measures 6-17

6.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 6-17
6.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 6-18

6.5 Cumulative Impacts 6-19
6.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 6-19
6.7 Citations 6-19

6.7.1 Printed References 6-19
6.7.2 Personal Communications 6-21

Chapter 7 Noise (119k)

7.1 Primary Issues 7-1
7.2 Affected Environment 7-1

7.2.1 Background Information on Noise 7-1
7.2.2 Regulatory Overview 7-4
7.2.3 Existing Sound Levels 7-5

7.3 Impacts 7-5

7.3.1 Would noise levels resulting from the project exceed regulatory standards at nearby residences? 7-5

7.4 Mitigation Measures 7-9

7.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation.7-9
7.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 7-9

7.5 Cumulative Impacts 7-10
7.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 7-10
7.7 Citations 7-11

Chapter 8 Transportation (137k)

8.1 Primary Issues 8-1
8.2 Truck Traffik 8-1

8.2.1 Affected Environment 8-1
8.2.2 Impacts 8-2
8.2.3 Mitigation Measures 8-3
8.2.4 Cumulative Impacts 8-4
8.2.5 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 8-4

8.3 Marine Traffic 8-4

8.3.1 Affected Environment 8-4
8.3.2 Impacts 8-9
8.3.3 Mitigation Measures 8-12
8.3.4 Cumulative Impacts 8-13
8.3.5 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 8-14

8.4 Citations 8-14

8.4.1 Printed References 8-14
8.4.2 Personal Communications 8-14

Chapter 9 Land and Shoreline Use (68k)

9.1 Primary Issues 9-1
9.2 Affected Environment 9-1

9.2.1 Current Land Uses 9-1
9.2.2 Growth Management Act, King County Comprehensive Plan, and Vashon Community Plan 9-2
9.2.3 King County Zoning Code (Title 21A) 9-5
9.2.4 King County Grading Permit 9-11
9.2.5 Washington State Surface Mining Act (RCW Chapter 78.44) 9-11
9.2.6 Washington State Shoreline Management Act 9-11
9.2.7 King County Shoreline Master Program 9-12
9.2.8 Washington State Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Lands Lease 9-13

9.3 Impacts 9-14

9.3.1 Is the applicant’s proposal consistent with applicable land use policies and regulations? 9-14
9.3.2 What land use changes would occur directly or indirectly, to the project site and adjacent lands, as a result of the proposal? 9-16

9.4 Mitigation Measures 9-17

9.4.1 Measures Required or Already Proposed by the Applicant 9-17
9.4.2 Additional Suggested Measures 9-19

9.5 Cumulative Impacts 9-19
9.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 9-20
9.7 Citations 9-20

9.7.1 Printed References 9-20
9.7.2 Personal Communications 9-20

Chapter 10 Environmental Health and Safety (422k)

10.1 Primary Issues 10-1
10.2 Affected Environment 10-1

10.2.1 Background 10-1
10.2.2 Existing Contaminant Distribution 10-2

10.3 Impacts 10-4

10.3.1 Would mining remobilize the existing arsenic in the site topsoils as air contamination and dust? 10-4
10.3.2 Would mining remobilize the existing arsenic in the site topsoils as surface water contamination? 10-5
10.3.3 Would the arsenic be present in soils to be sold and exported from the site? 10-6
10.3.4 Would arsenic enter groundwater as a result of the proposal? 10-7
10.3.5 Would tug propeller wash stir up contaminated sediments and harm endangered fish species or other marine life? 10-8

10.4 Mitigation Measures 10-9

10.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 10-9
10.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 10-13

10.5 Cumulative Impacts 10-13
10.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 10-13
10.7 Citations 10-13

10.7.1 Printed References 10-13
10.7.2 Personal Communications 10-15

Chapter 11 Light, Glare, and Aesthetics (110k)

11.1 Primary Issues 11-1
11.2 Affected Environment 11-1
11.3 Impacts 11-3

11.3.1 What aesthetic changes would occur in the character of the existing landscape on the mine site? 11-3
11.3.2 How would the reintroduction of barging affect the visual environment? 11-7

11.4 Mitigation Measures 11-9

11.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 11-9
11.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 11-9
11.4.3 Cumulative Impacts 11-10
11.4.4 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 11-10

Chapter 12 Recreation (30k)

12.1 Primary Issues 12-1
12.2 Affected Environment 12-1

12.2.1 Existing Recreational Facilities in the Vicinity 12-1
12.2.2 Informal Recreational Use of the Project Site 12-2

12.3 Impacts12-3

12.3.1 Would the project interfere with the public use and enjoyment of any formal or informal recreational sites in the area? 12-3

12.4 Mitigation Measures12-5

12.4.1 Measures Already Proposed by the Applicant or Required by Regulation 12-5
12.4.2 Additional Measures for Consideration to Further Reduce Impacts 12-5

12.5 Cumulative Impacts 12-6
12.6 Significant Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 12-6

List of Acronyms (7k)

Distribution List (not yet available)

Federal Agencies 1
Tribal Entities 1
State of Washington 1
Regional Agencies 1
King County 1
Local Jurisdictions 2
Public Review Locations 2
Newspapers 2

Appendix A. Geology and Groundwater Report by Terra Associates, Inc. (762k)

Appendix B. Environmental Soil Sampling Memorandum by Terra Associates, Inc. (579k)

Appendix C. Mitigation Report for Contaminated Soils. (1.7M)

Attachment A (241k)

Appendix D. 2nd Addendum for 1998 Amendments to Comp Plan (10k)

Appendix E. Ground Water Monitoring Results by Associated Earth Sciences, Inc.

Notice of Draft Environmental Imapct Statement Availabilty

Updated: October 3, 2002