Environmental Assessment Finding of No Significant Impact
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Environmental Assessment Finding of No Significant Impact United States Department of Agriculture Buford New Castle Project Forest Service Rifle and Blanco Ranger Districts February, 2017 White River National Forest Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties Colorado Portions of sections 29 and 32, Township 1S, Range 91W Portions of sections 5, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34, 35; Township 2S, Range 91W Portions of sections 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 30, 31; Township 3S, Range 91W Portions of sections 24, 25, 36; Township 3S, Range 92W Portions of sections 6 and 7; Township 4S, Range 91W 6th Principal Meridian, Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado For More Information Contact Brett Crary, Silviculturist Rifle Ranger District White River National Forest Service 0094 CR244, Rifle, CO 81650 [email protected] 970-328-5899 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: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………… 1 Background ……………………………………………………………………………. 1 Project Location………………………………………………………………………… 2 Purpose and Need for Action ………………………………………………………….. 3 Proposed Action ……………………………………………………………………….. 3 Treatment Area Selection………………………………………………………………. 3 Forest Plan Direction …………………………………………………………………... 5 Decision to be Made …………………………………………………………………… 7 Public Involvement …………………………………………………………………….. 7 Issues …………………………………………………………………………………… 7 CHAPTER 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVES ……………………… 11 Alternative 1: No Action ………………………………………………………………. 11 Alternative 2: Proposed Action ………………………………………………………... 11 Implementation Methods ……………………………………………………………….. 12 Silviculture Prescriptions ……………………………………………………………… 21 Other Opportunities …………………………………………………………………….. 22 Transportation ………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Project Design Features ………………………………………………………………… 23 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study …………………………. 31 Potential Sale Area Improvement Projects ……………………………………………... 31 CHAPTER 3: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES …………………………... 32 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ……………………………... 32 Physical Elements ………………………………………………………………………. 33 Soils ……………………………………………………………………………... 33 Hydrology ……………………………………………………………………….. 37 Biological ……………………………………………………………………………….. 41 Forest Vegetation………………………………………………………………… 41 Terrestrial Wildlife ……………………………………………………………… 49 Botany …………………………………………………………………………… 59 Aquatics …………………………………………………………………………. 61 Range and Invasive Species ……………………………………………………... 69 Fire and Fuels ……………………………………………………………………. 72 Social Elements ………………………………………………………………………….. 81 Scenery …………………………………………………………………………… 81 Recreation …………………………………………………………………………89 Heritage Resources ………………………………………………………………..95 Engineering ………………………………………………………………………. 99 Economics ………………………………………………………………………... 114 CHAPTER 4: FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ………………………… 119 CHAPTER 5: AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED …………………………………………. 124 APPENDIX A – LITERATURE CITED ……...………………………………………. 127 Buford New Castle Project List of Figures Figure 1.1 – Vicinity Map ………….…………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Figure 2.1 – Proposed Action Map 1 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 13 Figure 2.2 – Proposed Action Map 2 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 14 Figure 2.3 – Proposed Action Map 3 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 15 Figure 2.4 – Proposed Action Map 4 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 16 Figure 2.5 – Proposed Action Map 5 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 17 Figure 2.6 – Proposed Action Map 6 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 18 Figure 2.7 – Proposed Action Map 7 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 19 Figure 2.8 – Proposed Action Map 8 of 8 ………………………………………………………………………. 20 Figure 3.1 – Species Composition ………………………………………………………………………………….. 43 Figure 3.2 – Spruce-Fir Example …………………………………………………………………………………….. 45 Figure 3.3 – Aspen with Fir Encroachment …………………………………………………………………….. 45 Figure 3.4 – Spruce-Fir Examples …………………………………………………………………………………… 51 Figure 3.5 – Elk Calving Areas ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 52 Figure 3.6 – Aspen Habitat Example...…………………………………………………………………………….. 53 Figure 3.7 – Cutthroat Conservation Populations …………………………………………………………… 65 Figure 3. 8 – Seral Aspen Stand Example ………………………………………………………………………… 74 Figure 3.9 – Aspen 20-years Post Harvest ………………………………………………………………………. 88 Figure 3.10 – Sight Distance Example …………………………………………………………………………….. 111 Figure 3.11 – Portion of NFST2290 Proposed for Haul Route …………………………………………. 111 List of Tables Table 2.1 – Proposed Treatment Summary ……………………………………………………………………. 11 Table 2.2 – Proposed Haul Routes …………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Table 2.3 – Proposed Temporary Roads ………………………………………………………………………… 22 Table 2.4 – Design Features …………………………………………………………………………………………… 23 Table 2.5 – Sale Area Improvement (KV) Projects ………………………………………………………….. 31 Table 3.1 – Elements of the Human Environment ………………………………………………………….. 32 Table 3.2 – Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Projects ……………………………………. 32 Table 3.3 – Soils Series and Classification ………………………………………………………………………. 34 Table 3.4 – Watersheds in the Analysis Area ………………………………………………………………….. 37 Table 3.5 – Cumulative Harvest by Sub-Watershed ……………………………………………………….. 38 Table 3.6 – Proposed Treatment Acres by Management Area ……………………………………….. 42 Table 3.7 – Structural Stages within Project Area …………………………………………………………… 43 Table 3.8 – Cumulative Effects Projects for Forest Vegetation ……………………………………….. 48 Table 3.9 – Change in Structural Stage from Proposed Action ……………………………………….. 48 Table 3.10 – Comparison of Alternatives for Forest Vegetation …………………………………….. 49 Table 3.11 – Structural Stages for Analysis Area …………………………………………………………….. 50 Table 3.12 – Proportion of Structural Stage by Cover Type …………………………………………….. 50 i Table 3.13 – Sensitive Species Determinations ………………………………………………………………. 56 Table 3.14 – Cumulative Projects for Wildlife ………………………………………………………………… 57 Table 3.15 – Region 2 Sensitive Plant Species ………………………………………………………………… 60 Table 3.16 – Watersheds and Sub-Watersheds in Project Area ……………………………………… 62 Table 3.17 – Fire Behavior Predictions …………………………………………………………………………… 80 Table 3.18 – Potential Effects to Scenery from Proposed Action ……………………………………. 85 Table 3.19 – Alternate Routes during Proposed Road Closures ……………………………………… 93 Table 3.20 – Cultural Surveys Previously Completed………………………………………………………. 98 Table 3.21 – Estimated Road Maintenance Costs …………………………………………………………… 108 Table 3.22 – Total Estimated Road Maintenance Costs ………………………………………………….. 112 Table 3.23 – Economic Indicators …………………………………………………………………………………… 115 Table 3.24 – Economic Indicators for No Action Alternative …………………………………………… 117 Table 3.25 – Economic Indicators for Proposed Action …………………………………………………… 118 ii Buford New Castle Project CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION This environmental assessment (EA) is prepared to determine whether effects of the proposed activities may be significant enough to prepare an environmental impact statement. By preparing this environmental assessment, we are fulfilling Agency policy and direction to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This environmental assessment discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects that would result from the proposed action and no action (baseline) alternatives. The document is organized into four chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction: This section includes information on the history of the project proposal, the purpose and need for action, the Agency’s proposal for achieving that purpose and need, and applicable Forest Plan direction. This section also details how the Forest Service informed State, local, Tribal governments,