Katmai Scientific Drilling Project : draft environmental impact statement

US National Park Service, Alaska Region

This draft environmental impact statement analyzes possible environmental impacts that could result from the proposed Operations Plan for the Katmai Scientific Drilling Project. The primary purpose of the project is to obtain scientific information about explosive volcanism. The project is proposed in designated wilderness of Katmai National Park and Preserve, and legislation would be required before the operation could be implemented. Four alternatives, including the no action alternative, are evaluated for impacts on : geology and topography, water resources, noise, vegetation, wildlife, subsistence, visual quality, recreation, wilderness and human health and safety. Alternative 1 No Action is the NPS preferred alternative that would allow existing levels of research and recreation to continue. Alternative 2 is proposed by an Interagency Coordinating Group composed of the US Geological Survey, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation. The drilling operation would core a total of three holes in two field seasons. Two holes would be at Novarupta, one each season, and one hole would be in Alternative 1 but the drilling operation would be compressed into one visitor season to minimize the period of impacts to recreation and wilderness. Alternative 4 is identical to alternative 2 except the operators camp facility would be located away from Novarupta to reduce exposure of personnel to the potential release of hazardous gases from the drilling operation.