St. Johns/New Madrid RSEIS - Endangered Species & Wetlands ...

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 Factors........................................................................................................ 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
Draft RSEIS 2
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