Final Environmental Assessment Addressing Riparian Restoration and Stabilization at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

Abstract : Under the Proposed Action, the 319 ABW proposes to restore and stabilize the portion of the riverbank of the Turtle River that runs through the northwestern portion of Grand Forks AFB, limit potential downstream impacts on natural and other resources, and manage and restore the adjacent riparian forest. Three alternatives for implementing the Proposed Action are evaluated in this EA, which are designated as Alternatives 1, 2, and 3. As part of all alternatives under the Proposed Action, the 319 ABW would improve the Turtle River's channel conditions and in-stream habitat by stabilizing and restoring critical areas of bank erosion repairing areas of minor bank erosion, maintaining and planting wide riparian forest buffers where they are narrow or absent, removing trash and other foreign debris from the channel, and monitoring erosion and channel features for changes. The Preferred Alternative (Alternative 1) would also include restoring and managing the riparian forest areas near the Turtle River by selectively cutting primarily unhealthy, diseased, and hazardous trees removing selective trees that need to be eliminated for bank stabilization and other natural resources management purposes; piling woody debris on the forest floor to create organic soils over exposed mineral soils where wood debris has been removed; creating wildlife habitat; interplanting of native saplings; limiting vehicle access; and removing trash and other debris. The EA evaluates the potential environmental consequences of the three alternatives under the Proposed Action, plus the No Action Alternative, on the following nine general impact topics: air quality, noise hazardous materials and wastes, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, transportation safety and occupational health, and geologic resources.