Ottawa National Forest

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ottawa National Forest 0614spj1 Ottawa National Forest United States Department of Agriculture Record of Decision Forest Service Eastern Region Final Environmental Impact Statement March 2006 To accompany the Land and Resource Management Plan Cover Photo: Burned Dam, Watersmeet Ranger District, Ottawa National Forest Final Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette, and Ontonagon Counties Responsible Official: Randy Moore, Regional Forester USDA Forest Service Eastern Region 626 E. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-297-3428 For Further Information Contact: Ottawa National Forest Forest Supervisor E6248 US Hwy. 2 Ironwood, MI 49938 Phone: 906-932-1330 Fax: 906-932-0122 TTY: 906-932-0301 Table of Contents PREFACE......................................................................................................................................................I RECORD OF DECISION ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................ 1 THE OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST .............................................................................................................. 2 A VISION OF THE FUTURE........................................................................................................................... 3 DECISION AND RATIONALE.................................................................................................................. 4 NEED FOR CHANGE .................................................................................................................................... 4 DECISION OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 5 DECISION SUMMARY AND RATIONALE....................................................................................................... 7 Sustaining Ecosystems, Conditions, and Uses....................................................................................................7 Invasive Species .......................................................................................................................................................7 Management Indicator Species .................................................................................................................................8 Vegetative Management ...........................................................................................................................................8 Research Natural Areas ..........................................................................................................................................10 Threatened and Endangered and Sensitive Species..................................................................................................10 Off-Highway Vehicle Management............................................................................................................................11 Roadless Area Inventory and Wilderness Recommendations..........................................................................13 Special Designations...........................................................................................................................................13 Water Resources................................................................................................................................................14 TRIBAL RIGHTS ........................................................................................................................................ 14 CHANGES BETWEEN THE DRAFT AND FINAL EIS....................................................................... 14 OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE MANAGEMENT.................................................................................................. 15 HARDWOOD MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 16 Management Areas 2.1 and 2.2 ........................................................................................................................16 ASPEN MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................................................. 16 Management Areas 1.1a and 3.1a....................................................................................................................16 SHORT-LIVED CONIFER MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................... 17 Management Areas 4.1a and 4.2a....................................................................................................................17 MONITORING AND EVALUATION .............................................................................................................. 17 ALLOWABLE SALE QUANTITY (ASQ) ...................................................................................................... 18 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 18 MEETINGS AND OPEN HOUSES ................................................................................................................. 18 Special Meetings Requested by Groups ............................................................................................................20 INFORMATION SHARING ........................................................................................................................... 20 Formal Correspondence/Personal Contacts .....................................................................................................20 Revision Newsletters/Briefing Papers ...............................................................................................................21 Ottawa National Forest Website.........................................................................................................................21 News Releases ....................................................................................................................................................21 Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) ...............................................................................................................21 CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ...................................... 21 LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS .......................................................................................................................... 21 CONSULTATION WITH TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS......................................................................................... 22 ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................................................................... 22 ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT.................................................................................................................. 22 ALTERNATIVES NOT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL .......................................................................................... 23 No Harvest Alternative ........................................................................................................................................23 Wilderness Alternative ........................................................................................................................................23 National Recreation Area Alternative.................................................................................................................24 No OHV Alternative..............................................................................................................................................24 Aspen Alternative ................................................................................................................................................25 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL .................................................................................................. 25 Alternative 1 ........................................................................................................................................................25 Alternative 2 ........................................................................................................................................................26 Alternative 3—Modified (The Selected Alternative) ...........................................................................................27 Alternative 4 ........................................................................................................................................................28 THE ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE............................................................................... 29 CONSISTENCY WITH NATIONAL POLICIES, LAWS AND AUTHORITIES .............................. 29 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT............................................................................................... 30 NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT................................................................................................... 30 Net Present Value and Net Public Benefit .........................................................................................................31 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA)..........................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • National Forests in Michigan
    OriqiMI from Digitized by Go gle UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NATIONAL FORESTS IN MICHIGAN UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE NORTH CENTRAL REGION • MILWAUKEE, WIS. ON THE COVER. —Great Conglomerate Falls on the Black River. p-3e«M ERRATA Page Line 5 3 97,000,000 should be 45,000,000. 7 4 Porcupine should not be listed vvilh fur bearers. 17 7 Si.o'jld read "the red pine by its ClUoLC"G Cf t»Vj". 44 2-3 Should read "4 rniies east of Munising". UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1941 sEr^ •*«$• . AU TRAIN FALLS ON THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST. Drama of Michigan Forests DRAMA of the forests of Michigan has been written in several acts THEeach with its colorful pageantry. The action has concerned the magni ficent woodlands of the redman, the rapid depletion of those forests in the last century, and their slow but sure rebuilding in the present. The elusive "northwest passage" to China, Indian furs and Indian souls, iron and land and copper brought the white men to Michigan. In 1621, only 1 year after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, young Etienne Brule, protege of Champlain, reached Lake Superior and was disappointed to find its waters fresh. Thirteen years later, Jean Nicolet, another protege of the French governor of Canada, entered the unknown Lake Michigan through the Straits of Mackinac. Though he never found the longed-for route to the Orient, Nicolet did initiate the French fur trade with the Indians in this territory. Heroic followers of Brule and Nicolet were the Jesuit fathers Jogues and Raymbault, who preached to the Ojibwas in 1641 at Sault Ste.
    [Show full text]
  • Supporting Analysis
    APPENDIX A Supporting Analysis Table of Contents A.1 PARK SETTING ................................................................................................................................................ 2 A.2 DEMOGRAPHICS ............................................................................................................................................ 4 A.3 HISTORY OF THE LUDINGTON AREA ........................................................................................................... 6 A.4 HISTORY OF LUDINGTON STATE PARK ....................................................................................................... 7 A.5 LAND OWNERSHIP AND ACQUISITIONS ................................................................................................... 10 A.6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER RECREATION RESOURCES ............................................................................. 13 A.7 LEGAL MANDATES ........................................................................................................................................ 19 A.8 NATURAL SYSTEMS AND NATURAL RESOURCES ..................................................................................... 23 A.9 CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 27 A.10 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION ......................................................................................................... 30 A.11 RECREATION RESOURCES .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • From the Gilbert Lake Project, Huron-Manistee National Forests
    BIOLOGICAL OPINION Effects to the Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) from the Gilbert Lake Project, Huron-Manistee National Forests Prepared by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Michigan Ecological Services Field Office East Lansing, MI Log # 18-R3-ELFO-03 July 19, 2018 INTRODUCTION This document transmits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Biological Opinion (BO) based on our review of the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) proposed Gilbert Lake Project on the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNF) and the Project’s effects on the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) in accordance with Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The HMNF determined that the proposed project was “likely to adversely affect” Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis, NLEB), and was “not likely to adversely affect” the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus, EMR). The HMNF’s request for formal consultation was received on January 24, 2018. Additional information about the proposed project and the project’s effects to listed species was provided on March 15, 2018. On March 2, 2006, the Service issued a programmatic Biological Opinion (programmatic BO) for the HMNF revised 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). In the programmatic BO, we evaluated the effects of HMNF Forest Plan activities on bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Kirtland's warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii), piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and its critical habitat, Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri), Indiana bat, and Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). We concurred that implementation of the Forest Plan was likely to adversely affect these species, but not likely to adversely affect piping plover critical habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Sylvania Wilderness for More Information, Contacatn: DERSON LAKE BIG DONAHUE LAKE Florence to Big Bateau Lake 34 Rods 36
    2 DAMON LAKE Watersmeet 3.5 miles 26 25 30 29 28 27 26 25 Sylvania 30 29 PIT LAKE Wilderness CUTTERS POND 28 ROSS LAKE ALBINO LAKE and Recreation RAVEN LAKE PORCUPINE LAKE HATTIE LAKE 35 Area BIG AFRICAN LAKE 36 31 32 RECORD LAKE 33 PARTRIDGE LAKE GOG-535 MAUD LAKE 34 DOYLE LAKE 35 36 31 32 33 BIG AFRICAN LAKE SNAP JACK LAKE CLEAR LAKE Sylvania RICKLES LAKE Entrance TRAIL LAKE Station HELEN LAKE Clark Lake Campground KERR LAKE WOLF DEER-1 LONG LAKE COYOTE LITTLE TRAIL LAKE 2 WEST BEAR LAKE DEER-2 1 EAST BEAR LAKE PILOT LAKE 6 5 KATHERINE LAKE PORCUPINE-2 4 HIGH LAKE 3 2 HILLTOP LAKE PORCUPINE-1 RACCOON 1 JENNINGS LAKE 6 5 GOG-535 4 BOBCAT LYNX-2 THOUSAND ISLAND LAKE ASH-1 LYNX-1 ASH-2 JAY LAKE ERMINE-2 ERMINE-1 BALSAM-1 COREY LAKE 6320 LILUIS LAKE BALSAM-2 MINK-1 MOUNTAIN LAKE CHICKADEE LAKE LOUISE LAKE MINK-2 BEAR-2 CEDAR-2 PINE-1 CHIPMUNK BEAR-1 11 CEDAR-1 BEAVER-1 12 PINE-2 7 SQUIRREL-2 8 CLARK LAKE 9 DOROTHY LAKEELSIE LAKE 10 SQUIRREL-1 BEAVER-2 LITTLE DUCK LAKE BIRCH 12 CROOKED LAKE FOX-1 7 MAPLE-2 11 8 MAPLE-1 9 FOX-2 MULE LAKE SISKIN LAKE BADGER-1 BADGER-2 DAISY LAKE FISHER-1 9 FISHER-2 3 5 - G HAY LAKE O DEVILS HEAD LAKE G PERCH-1 GERMAIN LAKE TRAPPER LAKE 14 13 PERCH-2 INDIAN LAKE 18 17 16 15 14 MALLARD-1 13 18 17 16 DREAM LAKE MALLARD-2 WHITEFISH LAKE EAST BAY LAKE PIKE-1 LOON LAKE PIKE-2 OSPREY-2 DUCK LAKE 23 BASS LOON 24 OSPREY-1 19 LOIS LAKE 20 DEER ISLAND LAKE 6320 21 22 EAGLE-2 23 24 19 20 Mic EAGLE-1 21 higan MOSS LAKE MAMIE LAKE Wilderness Campsites Wisc FISHER LAKE onsin Boat Landing JOHNSTON SPRINGS Portage Lengths
    [Show full text]
  • Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA)
    Schedule of Proposed Action (SOPA) 04/01/2020 to 06/30/2020 Huron-Manistee National Forest This report contains the best available information at the time of publication. Questions may be directed to the Project Contact. Expected Project Name Project Purpose Planning Status Decision Implementation Project Contact Projects Occurring Nationwide Locatable Mining Rule - 36 CFR - Regulations, Directives, In Progress: Expected:12/2021 12/2021 Nancy Rusho 228, subpart A Orders DEIS NOA in Federal Register 202-731-9196 EIS 09/13/2018 nancy.rusho@usda.gov *NEW LISTING* Est. FEIS NOA in Federal Register 11/2021 Description: The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes revisions to its regulations at 36 CFR 228, Subpart A governing locatable minerals operations on National Forest System lands.A draft EIS & proposed rule should be available for review/comment in late 2020 Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=57214 Location: UNIT - All Districts-level Units. STATE - All States. COUNTY - All Counties. LEGAL - Not Applicable. These regulations will be applicable to all NFS lands open to mineral entry under the United States Mining Law. Huron-Manistee National Forest, Forestwide (excluding Projects occurring in more than one Forest) R9 - Eastern Region Forest-wide Aquatic Organism - Wildlife, Fish, Rare plants Completed Actual: 01/08/2020 01/2020 Andrea Ania Passage - Watershed management 231-775-5023 x8763 CE - Road management aania@fs.fed.us *UPDATED* Description: Replace or remove road stream crossing structures such as bridges or culverts to allow for fish & other aquatic organism to pass under roads & restore natural stream flow. Web Link: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56111 Location: UNIT - Huron-Manistee National Forest All Units.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1464 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1132
    § 1132 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION Page 1464 Department and agency having jurisdiction of, and reports submitted to Congress regard- thereover immediately before its inclusion in ing pending additions, eliminations, or modi- the National Wilderness Preservation System fications. Maps, legal descriptions, and regula- unless otherwise provided by Act of Congress. tions pertaining to wilderness areas within No appropriation shall be available for the pay- their respective jurisdictions also shall be ment of expenses or salaries for the administra- available to the public in the offices of re- tion of the National Wilderness Preservation gional foresters, national forest supervisors, System as a separate unit nor shall any appro- priations be available for additional personnel and forest rangers. stated as being required solely for the purpose of managing or administering areas solely because (b) Review by Secretary of Agriculture of classi- they are included within the National Wilder- fications as primitive areas; Presidential rec- ness Preservation System. ommendations to Congress; approval of Con- (c) ‘‘Wilderness’’ defined gress; size of primitive areas; Gore Range-Ea- A wilderness, in contrast with those areas gles Nest Primitive Area, Colorado where man and his own works dominate the The Secretary of Agriculture shall, within ten landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where years after September 3, 1964, review, as to its the earth and its community of life are un- suitability or nonsuitability for preservation as trammeled by man, where man himself is a visi- wilderness, each area in the national forests tor who does not remain. An area of wilderness classified on September 3, 1964 by the Secretary is further defined to mean in this chapter an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its of Agriculture or the Chief of the Forest Service primeval character and influence, without per- as ‘‘primitive’’ and report his findings to the manent improvements or human habitation, President.
    [Show full text]
  • Non-Native Invasive Species: Eastern Region Program Accomplishments 2011 Cover Page
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Eastern Region Non-Native Invasive Species Eastern Region Program Accomplishments 2011 Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Goatsrue (Galega officinalis) Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) Title text hereUSDA Forest Service - Eastern Region Invasive Species Management 2011 Program Accomplishments CARING FOR THE LAND AND SERVING PEOPLE … the mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Further, the Forest Service advocates a conservation ethic in promoting the health, productivity, diversity, and beauty of forests and associated lands; to that end the control of non-native invasive species is paramount to the agency’s mission. On December 5, 2011 the Forest Service announced the publication of its first ever national-level direction on the management of invasive species across aquatic and terrestrial areas of the National Forest System. “Invasive species cost the American public an estimated $138 billion each year. They deplete water supplies, destroy recreation opportunities and damage landscapes across the country” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We are taking this bold approach to better protect our nation’s forest and water resources from the threat of invasive species.” As follows is a summary of this document. FSM 2900–Invasive Species Management. Amendment no. 2900-2011-1.Effective Date = 2/5/2011. This new chapter replaces FSM 2080 (noxious weed management). Management activities for aquatic and terrestrial invasive species are based upon an integrated pest management approach on all areas within the NFS and on areas managed outside of the NFS under the authority of the Wyden Amendment, prioritizing prevention and early detection and rapid response actions as necessary.
    [Show full text]
  • Huron-Manistee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan
    Huron-Manistee United States Department of National Forests Agriculture Forest Service Eastern Region Huron-Manistee National Forests March 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan (as Amended January 2012) Cooperating Agencies: United States Department of the Interior-Bureau of Land Management United States Department of the Interior-Fish and Wildlife Service United States Department of the Interior-National Park Service United States Environmental Protection Agency HURON-MANISTEE NATIONAL FORESTS Cadillac, Michigan September 2013 2006 FOREST PLAN, AMENDMENT NO. 1 Table 1. Guide to Page Numbers Where Amendment #1 has Resulted in Changes to the 2006 Forest Plan. WITH REPLACE Amendment #1 Replacement Page Original 2006 Forest Plan Page Numbers Numbers i through vi Same II-1 through II-2 Same II-11 through II-12 Same II-15 through II-24 Same II-29 through II-40 II-29 through II-41 Chapter III – Management Area Direction Same Table of Contents (not numbered) III-1 Same III-2.1-1 through III-2.1-2 Same III-4.2-1 through III-4.2-4 Same III-4.3-1 through III-4.3-2 Same III-4.4-1 through III-4.4-2 Same III-5.1-1 through III-5.1-2 Same III-6.1-1 through III-6.1-11 Remove all pages – no replacements. III-6.2-1 through III-6.2-2 Same III-7.1-1 through III-7.1-2 Same III-8.1-1 through III-8.1-4 Same III-8.2-1 through III-8.2-2 Same III-8.3-1 through III-8.3-2 Same III-8.4-1 through III-8.4-4 III-8.4-1 through III-8.4-14 III-9.1-1 through III-9.1-2 Same III-9.2-1 through III-9.2-2 Same Appendix A – Scenery Management System; Same A-13 through A-16 Appendix A – Scenery Management System; Same A-27 through A-30 Appendix B – Harvest Cutting Methods Table Same of Contents (not numbered) Appendix B – Harvest Cutting Methods; B-1 Same through B-23 Appendix D – Proposed and Probable Practices, Goods Produced and Other Same Information Table of Contents (not numbered) Appendix D – Proposed and Probable Practices, Goods Produced and Other D-7 through D-25 Information; D-7 through D-23 Table 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 5, Final Environmental Impact Statement Distribution
    Chapter 5 – FEIS Distribution Table of Contents FEIS RECIPIENTS................................................................................................................................................. 5-1 ELECTED OFFICIALS .............................................................................................................................................. 5-1 FEDERAL AGENCIES .............................................................................................................................................. 5-1 STATE AGENCIES................................................................................................................................................... 5-2 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES ................................................................................................................................... 5-2 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.......................................................................................................................................... 5-3 LIBRARIES ............................................................................................................................................................. 5-3 BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 5-3 INDIVIDUALS ......................................................................................................................................................... 5-3 Chapter 5 Final EIS Distribution Chapter
    [Show full text]
  • 06 MI HMNFLRMP.Pdf
    Biological Opinion for the Huron-Manistee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan March 2006 Prepared by: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service East Lansing Field Office 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101 East Lansing, Michigan 48823 CONSULTATION HISTORY • August 23, 2005: The Service received the Huron-Manistee National Forests’ (Forest) August 19, 2005 request for formal consultation on the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (proposed Plan). The request included a BA that described the proposed Plan and made determinations of “may effect, likely to adversely affect” for the Pitcher's thistle, Kirtland's warbler, bald eagle, piping plover, Karner blue butterfly, and Indiana bat. The Forest made a determination of “may effect, not likely to adversely affect” for designated piping plover critical habitat. • September 16, 2005: The Service responded to the Forest’s request for formal consultation, indicating that the information received in the BA constituted a complete initiation package. • September – December 2005: Jessica Hogrefe (USFWS) worked with Forest biologists via email and telephone to discuss the proposed Plan and effects to listed species. • December 20, 2005: The Service transmitted a Draft Programmatic Biological Opinion to the Forest for review. • January 2006: The Forest transmitted several sets of comments to the Service on the Draft Programmatic Biological Opinion. Jessica Hogrefe discussed these comments with the Forest biologists and incorporated changes, where appropriate. • February 6, 2006: The Service transmitted a Draft Final Programmatic Biological Opinion to the Forest for review. BIOLOGICAL OPINION DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION Proposed Action The U.S. Forest Service proposes to revise the 1986 Forest Land and Resource Management Plan for the Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNF, Forest, Forest Service).
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix C – Wilderness Evaluation
    Appendix C – Wilderness Evaluation Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. C-1 PART ONE - WILDERNESS EVALUATION PROCESS................................................................................. C-1 CAPABILITY, AVAILABILITY, AND NEED ...............................................................................................................C-2 Capability.........................................................................................................................................................C-2 Availability.......................................................................................................................................................C-5 Need .................................................................................................................................................................C-6 PART TWO – EHLCO WILDERNESS EVALUATION................................................................................... C-7 OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................................................C-7 CAPABILITY...........................................................................................................................................................C-9 AVAILABILITY .....................................................................................................................................................C-11
    [Show full text]
  • Mccormick​ ​WILDERNESS
    McCORMICK WILDERNESS Pre-trip​ ​ Packet 2 Getting Ready For Your Trip Payment - - - - X Now that you are enrolled in the program, please make the initial ​ $150 deposit in the next two days. ​ An additional $150 is due on ​ May 1st. The remainder of your fee is due two weeks before the trip. Medical Concerns - - - - X Please complete your health form two ​ weeks before your trip. This form ​ requires a physician’s signature, so don’t wait too long! The form, along with your health insurance card and immunization record can be scanned and uploaded to your account on our website. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. You can find the health form on our website, attached to this email and by clicking here. ​ If your participant has dietary restrictions or other health concerns, please let us know ASAP (even if you don’t have your health form done yet) so we can prepare accordingly. ​ ​ 3 The Former Crystalaire Headquarters, Moose Hall. She served us well. Drop-off and Pick-up - - - - X Our New Headquarters is located at 24 Bass Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685. All non-manitou ​ ​ trips start and end there. Here are the times: Drop-off: 10:30 am on the first day of the trip Pick-up: 5:00 pm on the last day of the trip. If you need special accommodations, let us know! 4 Packing List Quantity Item Comments ✓ 2 Water Bottle You should have ~2 liters of capacity. 1 Hiking Boots Break them in to avoid blisters! 5 Socks Thick wool socks are best.
    [Show full text]