| Abstract |
The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Diamond Chuitna Coal Project was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The actions to be considered are the approvals of federal permits for the proposed project located on the west side of Cook Inlet in south central Alaska. The project would consist of a surface coal mine, haul road, a coal conveyor loading to a port facility on Cook Inlet, dock facilities, and other ancillary facilities. Three action alternatives and a No Action Alternative are discussed in detail. Rationale for eliminating various options are given. The preferred alternative would include construction of a port site at Ladd, an eastern transportation corridor, development of a housing facility at Lone Creek, and a conveyor system which would parallel the haul road and transport coal to the port site. The impacts of the proposed project are considered in terms of vegetation, fish, wildlife, wetlands, water quality and hydrology (both surface and subsurface), physical and chemical oceanography, air quality, visual resources, cultural resources, subsistence, socioeconomics, recreation, technical feasibility and future uses of facilities. The Final EIS includes responses to comments on the Draft EIS and revisions to the Draft EIS. The Final EIS was distributed for a 30-day review period. |
