Invasive Plant Control Project FSEIS, Carson and Santa Fe National
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United States Department of Agriculture Invasive Plant Control Project Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Forest Service Carson and Santa Fe National Forests May 2018 MB-R3-10-26 For More Information Contact: Sandra Imler-Jacquez, Forest NEPA Coordinator 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508 (505) 438-5443 [email protected] In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Note: We make every effort to create documents that are accessible to individuals of all abilities; however, limitations with our word processing programs may prevent some parts of this document from being readable by computer-assisted reading devices. If you need assistance with this document, please contact the Santa Fe National Forest at (505) 438- 5443. Cover photo: Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Invasive Plant Control Project Carson and Santa Fe National Forests Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Sandoval, and Taos Counties, New Mexico Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Officials: James Duran, Carson National Forest Supervisor 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571 James E. Melonas, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508 Abstract: This final supplemental environmental impact statement updates and corrects some analyses in the Forest Service’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Invasive Plant Control Project for the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests published in September 2005. It keeps the same purpose and need, proposed action, alternatives, adaptive strategy, and design features (also referred to as mitigation measures) as the final environmental impact statement. The following substantive updates are contained in this supplement: • The addition of aminopyralid as an herbicide proposed for use; • The acres and species of weeds in the forests; • The analysis of effects in chapter 3; and • The analysis of effects of the proposed amendment to the Santa Fe National Forest Plan. The pages in this supplement are intended to replace portions of the final environmental impact statement as noted in each section. If something is not addressed in this supplement, it means it was not updated. This final supplemental environmental impact statement and the draft record of decision are subject to objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.8, Subparts A and B. For more information on how to comment/file objections see the project website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=27249 or contact Sandra Imler- Jacquez, project team leader, at 505-438-5443. Contents Summary of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Invasive Plant Control Project .1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Need for Action ...........................................................................................................................1 Public Involvement and Issues ........................................................................................................................2 Proposed Action ..............................................................................................................................................4 Alternatives Considered in Detail ....................................................................................................................4 Forest Plan Amendment ..................................................................................................................................7 Environmental Consequences and Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................8 Preface ...............................................................................................................................................................12 Notes on This Document ...............................................................................................................................12 Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action .......................................................................................................13 Introduction and Setting ................................................................................................................................13 Definition of Invasive Plant ...........................................................................................................................13 Purpose and Need for Action .........................................................................................................................13 Background: Existing Condition ...................................................................................................................15 Management Direction – Desired Condition .................................................................................................21 Other Direction ..............................................................................................................................................21 Proposed Action ............................................................................................................................................22 Decision-making Framework ........................................................................................................................24 Public Involvement ........................................................................................................................................24 Issues .............................................................................................................................................................26 Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action....................................................................................27 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................27 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ......................................................................27 Alternatives Considered in Detail ..................................................................................................................27 Forest Plan Amendment ................................................................................................................................38 Permits and Authorizations Required ............................................................................................................39 Comparison of Alternatives ...........................................................................................................................40 Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ..............................................................43 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................43 Cumulative Actions for Cumulative Effects Analysis ...................................................................................43 Assumptions Common to the Analysis of Effects .........................................................................................51 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................................52 Wildlife Resource ..........................................................................................................................................66