CEPOA-EN-CW-ERMEMORANDUM FOR RECORDSUBJECT: Environmental Compliance Status, 2006 FUDS and NALEMP Activities atGambell.1. This memorandum summarizes the environmental compliance review and NEP Astatus of the FUDS and NALEMP environmental cleanup activities planned in andaround Gambell for the summer of 2006.2. After a review of the FUDS and NALEMP 2006 work plans, Chris Floyd and GuyMcConnell ofCEPOA-EN-CW-ER determined that the proposed activities are acontinuation of recent previous work in the Gambell area and constitute only a minorexpansion ofthe activities covered by the 1998 EA. Two proposed activities notspecifically described in the EA include (a) the removal of scattered submerged debrisfrom nearshore areas ofthe Bering Sea and Troutman Lake, and (b) excavation ofdeeply-buried demolition debris from a site adjacent to the current village landfill.Debris removal from Troutman Lake and the Bering Sea will be a continuation of thedebris collection and removal that has occurred on immediately adjacent tidelands. Theremoval of submerged debris will be accomplished by hand, or by draglines attached tothe debris and hauled in to shore. The site adjacent to the landfill (Site 23) was a disposalarea for military metallic debris unearthed during the construction of Gambell HighSchool. The buried debris now threatens to interfere with the operation and expansion ofthe village landfill, and will be excavated and transported away from St. Lawrence Islandfor disposal. This activity is thus a direct continuation of previous debris removal effortsin the Gambell area.Chris Floyd contacted the Alaska Department ofNatural Resources, and informed themof the proposed work and of potential deviations from the EA. The OPMP initiated a 10day ACMP comment period on the proposed changes. No comments were received, andthe OPMP issued a letter (ID 2006-0651AA, dated 12 July 2006, signed by NicoleAllison) stating that no further ACMP consistency review is required.3. Chris Floyd consulted with CEPOA-CO-R-N (Don Rice and Alan Skinner) on CWASection 404(b)(l) requirements. Recent site photographs of the proposed project siteswere available from CEPOA-EN-EE (Lisa Geist). The Regulatory specialists concludedthat the proposed activities would not constitute discharge or fill-placement into waters ofthe United States pursuant to Section 404(b)(l), in that (a) most of the sites could not beconsidered wetlands due to sparse or absent vegetation and very coarse soils, and (b) nofilling is proposed for those areas that potentially could be wetland.4. CEPOA-EN-CW-ER determined that no species listed under the ESA will be affectedby the proposed project activities. The project sites are close to the village, and in areasalready significantly impacted by human activity. There are two Steller sea lion hauloutF10AK069603_01.20_0501_a200-1esites on St. Lawrence Island listed as Critical Habitat areas, but these sites are farremoved from the project areas. Marine mammals would not be affected by the proposedactivities. Chris Floyd contacted the NMFS for recommendations on Essential FishHabitat (EFH), in a letter dated 22 June 2006. The NMFS responded in an emailmemorandum (dated 6 July 2006, from Donna Graham), stating that it had determinedthat the proposed activities will not result in any adverse effect to EFH and further EFHconsultation is not necessary.5. CEPOA-EN-CW-ER archaeologist Margan Grover provided a letter (dated 22 June2006) to the State Historic Preservation Officer, listing the proposed project sites,describing the status of cultural resources at the sites, and requesting concurrence that nohistoric properties will be affected, and no historic properties will be adversely affected,by the proposed activities. The letter also states that an individual from the localcommunity will be selected by the Native Village of Gambell to monitor project activitiesfor possible impacts to cultural resources. The response period for this letter ends on 28July 2006; no response has yet been received from SHPO.6. The proposed activities are within the scope of activities addressed in the 1998 EAand FONSI. The additional activities are minor, local expansions of those activities, thathave no potential for significant effects to the environment.7. CEPOA-EN-CW-ER has concluded that NEPA planning and other environmentalcompliance and coordination requirements have been satisfied for the 2006 projectactivities, and that no further coordination or documentation is necessary. Projectactivities in areas of potential historical concern (e.g., Sites 8B and 21) will not proceeduntil the SHPO response period has ended, and any comments from SHPO addressed.The submerged debris removal and excavation of Site 23 will also be delayed until theSHPO response period has ended.CONCUR:McConnell C?r--J;:r GJVlCossaboom @--.CEPOA-OC ~DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYU.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, ALASKAP.O. BOX 6898Elmendorf AFB, ALASKA 99506.0898JUN 2 2 2006REPLY TOATTENTION OF:Environmental Resources SectionMs. Jeanne HansonNational Marine Fisheries Service222 West Seventh Avenue, Box 43Anchorage, Alaska 99513-0077Dear Ms. Hanson:The Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been involved in the continuingcleanup of debris and contaminated soil left by past military activities in and near the NativeVillage of Gambell on St. Lawrence Island (Figures 1 and 2). Cleanup activities underconsideration for the summer of 2006 include the removal of submerged metallic debris, such assteel matting, drums, and wire, from nearshore areas of the Bering Sea and Troutman Lake(shown as Areas 1C and 15, respectively, on Figure 2), as well as the excavation ofburied debrisand contaminated soil from several onshore sites (areas shaded in red on Figure 2). Scheduledcommercial barges landing at established barge landing sites at Gambell will be used to landequipment and supplies, and to transport debris and containerized waste material away from St.Lawrence Island.We request recommendations concerning potential impacts to Essential Fish Habitat. Wehave reviewed the information at the NMFS interactive EFH website, and find that Pacificsalmon is the only species for which EFH has been designated near the project area.Thank you for your cooperation. If you need more information, please contact Mr. ChrisFloyd at (907) 753-2700, or by e-mail at: Christopher.B.Floyd@poa02.usace. army.mil.Sincerely,u;;K#~Guy R. McConnellChief, Environmental Resources SectionEnclosure•' ~ ...-:;;~,.icGAMBELL.... t . . ..----·,.,. ~ --- - ·_,""!!'jJ""_,.,.C!J!1 '......,' ~'~-e - ·...~PROJECfLOCATION---"'·-l,rIINi.:!..-rI~-4TRAVIS/PETERSON ENVIRONMEM'ALCONSULTING, INC.3305ARcnCDOULEVARDSUfll: 102ANCIIORAGE. AlASKA 99503PROJECt' No: 1132-0SCFIGURE lLOCATION & VICINITYNATIVE VILLAGE OF GAMBELLFILE: 1132- Gambcll/058- Work Plan & 2006 Field Work/J4.'"....18' ~~.. . ..~:...- -- ~...5 -:;::""--:...·-1A/10-M21-==~....' I17H20 .;..-28r='.:s:::":"y.~K15___ _--...... :.1''·'.~..... ~_...___,.- ....;:....... ___.,-: !