Document Name
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
United States Department of Agriculture Payson Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Project Draft Environmental Assessment United States Forest Service Tonto National Forest, Payson Ranger District January 2018 For More Information Contact: Eric Oswald Payson Ranger District 1009 E Hwy 260 928 474-7900 [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. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Purpose and Need for Action ....................................................................... 3 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose and Need for Action .................................................................................................................... 3 Consistency with the Forest Plan and Other Statutes ................................................................................ 4 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................................. 4 Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................... 4 Issues ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2: Alternatives .................................................................................................... 6 Alternative 1 – No Action ......................................................................................................................... 6 Alternative 2 – Modified Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 6 Streamside Riparian Buffers ................................................................................................................. 6 OHV Staging Areas............................................................................................................................... 8 Pyeatt Draw OHV Campground ........................................................................................................... 8 Alternatives Considered but Dismissed from Detailed Analysis in this EA ........................................... 11 Buffer all Riparian Areas .................................................................................................................... 11 Alternative OHV Staging Area Locations .......................................................................................... 11 Alternative OHV Campground Locations .......................................................................................... 11 Chapter 3: Environmental Consequences .................................................................... 12 Assumptions ............................................................................................................................................ 12 Cumulative Effects.............................................................................................................................. 12 Recreation Opportunities ........................................................................................................................ 12 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 12 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 15 Water Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 17 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 17 Heritage Resources ................................................................................................................................. 18 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 18 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 19 Soil Resources ......................................................................................................................................... 20 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 20 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 20 Vegetation Resources .............................................................................................................................. 21 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 21 Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Species ................................................................................................ 23 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 23 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 27 Sensitive Plant Species ............................................................................................................................ 30 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 30 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 31 Cumulative Affects to Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife and Sensitive Plants ........................................ 33 Migratory Bird Species ........................................................................................................................... 34 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 36 Payson OHV Recreation Project EA 5 Invasive Plant Species ............................................................................................................................. 36 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 36 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 36 References ........................................................................................................................ 38 Appendix A: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Class Descriptions ........................ 41 List of Figures Figure 1: Payson OHV Recreation Project Area Overview, including Stream Segments and OHV Staging Area Locations .................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 2: Location of Proposed OHV Campground at Pyeatt Draw .................................................... 10 List of Tables Table 1: Migratory Bird Species of Concern by Nest Type within the Project Area ............................ 35 Table 2: Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Class Descriptions ..........................................................