Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated Treatment of Noxious
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United States Department of Agriculture Final Environmental Impact Forest Service Statement for Integrated Southwestern Region Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests within Coconino, Gila, Mojave, and Yavapai Counties, Arizona The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA‘s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326- W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Printed on recycled paper • January 2005 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests within Coconino, Gila, Mojave, and Yavapai Counties, Arizona Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Officials: Nora B. Rasure, Forest Supervisor Coconino National Forest 1824 S. Thompson St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Michael R. Williams, Forest Supervisor Kaibab National Forest 800 S. 6th Street Williams, AZ 86046 Michael R. King, Forest Supervisor Prescott National Forest 344 South Cortez Street Prescott, AZ 86303-4398 For Information Contact: Charles F. Ernst 800 South 6th Street Williams, AZ 86046 Abstract: The Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests propose to implement a control program for noxious or invasive weeds within central Arizona. Alternative 1 is the Proposed Action; Alternative 2 is the No Action; Alternative 3 has no herbicidal weed treatments; and Alternative 4 is the Agency‘s preferred alternative with less herbicidal use than the Proposed Action. Map 1-1. Location map Contents Summary ............................................................................................................................ 1 Proposed Action........................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................................. 1 Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................... 2 Issues ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Proposed Action – Alternative 1 ...................................................................................................... 3 No Action – Alternative 2 ................................................................................................................ 4 No Herbicide Alternative – Alternative 3 ........................................................................................ 4 Preferred Alternative – Alternative 4 ............................................................................................... 4 Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts ......................................................................................... 5 Watersheds, Vegetation, Special Designation Areas, and Weeds .................................................... 5 Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, Sensitive, and Management Indicator Plant Species ............ 5 Endangered, Threatened, Proposed, Candidate and Sensitive Fish Species .................................... 6 Endangered, Threatened, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive and Management Indicator Wildlife Species ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Public Health, Access to Vital Services, Forest Service Recreation Sites, and Plant Collection .... 7 Agency Preferred Alternative ................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1 - Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................. 9 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Background ..............................................................................................................................................10 Purpose of and Need for Action ..............................................................................................................12 Weed Definitions and Regulations ..................................................................................................13 Proposed Action.......................................................................................................................................14 Management Direction ............................................................................................................................18 Tiering .............................................................................................................................................19 Permits and Agency Approvals Required .......................................................................................20 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................................20 Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................................21 Issues .......................................................................................................................................................22 Issue 1 .............................................................................................................................................23 Issue 2 .............................................................................................................................................23 Issue 3 .............................................................................................................................................24 Chapter 2 – Alternatives Including the Proposed Action .......................................... 25 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................25 Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................................................25 Alternative 1: Proposed Action .......................................................................................................25 Alternative 2: No Action .................................................................................................................26 Alternative 3: No Herbicide ............................................................................................................26 Alternative 4: Preferred ...................................................................................................................26 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ................................................................27 Integrated Weed Treatment Strategy .......................................................................................................28 Manual Control ...............................................................................................................................30 Mechanical Control .........................................................................................................................30 Cultural Control ..............................................................................................................................31 Final Environmental Impact Statement for Integrated Treatment of Noxious or Invasive Weeds i Contents Biological Control ...........................................................................................................................31 Herbicide Control ............................................................................................................................33 Consistency with the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests Plans ........................................38 Agency Preferred Alternative ..........................................................................................................38 Summary Comparison of Alternatives .....................................................................................................38 Chapter 3 - Affected Environment ................................................................................ 49 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................49