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Chugach National Forest Land Management Plan: Final Environmental Impact Statement Volume 2

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Chugach National Forest Land Management Plan: Final Environmental Impact Statement Volume 2 United States Department of Agriculture Chugach National Forest Land Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement Volume 2: Appendix C and D Forest Service Chugach National Forest R10-MB-828d 2019 Cover photo: Copper River Delta, Chugach National Forest, by Ron Niebrugge. 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. Contents of Volume 2 Appendix C. Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Land Management Plan ................................................................................................................................... 1 Comment Period and Response ........................................................................................................... 1 Content Analysis Process ..................................................................................................................... 1 Concern Statements and Responses Organized by Topic .................................................................... 1 Comment Period ................................................................................................................................ 2 Public Outreach ................................................................................................................................. 4 Planning and Environmental Analysis .............................................................................................. 5 General Management Concerns ...................................................................................................... 11 Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Alternative A No Action ................................................................................................................. 12 Alternative B ................................................................................................................................... 13 Alternative C ................................................................................................................................... 15 Alternative D ................................................................................................................................... 16 Wilderness Recommendation .......................................................................................................... 18 Wild and Scenic Rivers Recommendation ...................................................................................... 28 Management Areas – MA 1 Wilderness Study Area ....................................................................... 29 Management Areas – MA 2 Wild and Scenic Rivers ...................................................................... 47 Management Areas – MA 4 Backcountry ....................................................................................... 48 Management Areas – MA 6 EVOS-Acquired Lands ...................................................................... 48 Geographic Areas – Prince William Sound .................................................................................... 52 Geographic Areas – Copper River Delta ......................................................................................... 53 Geographic Areas – Kenai Peninsula .............................................................................................. 54 Designated Areas ............................................................................................................................ 54 Inventoried Roadless Areas ............................................................................................................. 56 Suitable Uses ................................................................................................................................... 57 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) ........................................................ 63 Multiple Use .................................................................................................................................... 68 Monitoring ....................................................................................................................................... 73 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................... 77 Social and Economic Sustainability – Infrastructure and Travel Management .............................. 78 Social and Economic Sustainability – Lands .................................................................................. 81 Social and Economic Sustainability – Minerals .............................................................................. 82 Social and Economic Sustainability – Recreation ........................................................................... 87 Social and Economic Sustainability – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum .................................... 103 Social and Economic Sustainability – Social and Economic ........................................................ 108 Social and Economic Sustainability – Special Uses ..................................................................... 112 Social and Economic Sustainability – Subsistence ....................................................................... 115 Social and Economic Sustainability – Tribal and Cultural ........................................................... 124 Ecological Sustainability – Aquatic Habitats and Fish ................................................................. 134 Ecological Sustainability – Climate Change ................................................................................. 139 Ecological Sustainability – Fire and Fuels .................................................................................... 142 Ecological Sustainability – Invasive Species ................................................................................ 143 Ecological Sustainability – Species of Conservation Concern ...................................................... 144 Ecological Sustainability – Vegetation Management and Timber Suitability .............................. 145 Chugach National Forest Land Management Plan: Final Environmental Impact Statement – Volume 2 i Ecological Sustainability – Watershed ......................................................................................... 153 Ecological Sustainability – Wildlife ............................................................................................. 157 Appendix D: Comment Letters Received from Alaska Native Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, State of Alaska, Local Governments, and Federal Agencies ............................................................. 170 Letter from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe ............................................................................................. 171 Letter from the Native Village of Eyak ........................................................................................... 172 Letter from the Chenega Corporation ............................................................................................. 174 Letter from the Chugach Alaska Corporation ................................................................................. 185 Letter from the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. .......................................................................................... 199 Letter from the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources ................................................. 201 Letter from the Alaska State Legislature, Senate Resources Committee ........................................ 228 Letter from Alaska Senator Peter
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