DOCSLIB.ORG

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tenmile

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tenmile Tenmile – South Helena United States Department of Agriculture Project Forest S ervic e Draft Environmental Impact Statement February 2016 Helena Ranger District, Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest Helena, Montana 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. Draft Environmental Impact Statement Tenmile – South Helena Project Tenmile – South Helena Draft Environmental Impact Statement Lewis and Clark County, Montana Powell County, Montana Jefferson County, Montana Lead Agency: USDA Fore st Service Helena National Forest Service Helena Ranger District Cooperating Agencies: US Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Butte Field Office Responsible Official: Bill Avey, Forest Supervisor 2880 Skyway Drive Helena, MT 59602 For Information Contact: Heather Degeest, Helena District Ranger 2880 Skyway Drive Helena, MT 59602 (406) 449-5201 Abstract: This draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was developed by the US Forest Service Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management as a cooperating agency (36 CFR 1501.6). The DEIS considers three alternatives in detail. Alternative 1 is the no action alternative, which provides a baseline for comparing the magnitude of environmental effects of the action alternatives. Alternative 2 would treat approximately 24,308 acres in the project area with a combination of improvement harvest (2,483 acres), precommercial thinning (471 acres), regeneration harvest (4,234 acres), Shaded fuel Break (1,415 acres), Private Land Buffers (2,091 acres) and prescribed fire (13,614 acres). Connected actions for alternative 2 would include 43 miles of temporary road construction (all temporary road construction would be decommissioned when harvest activities have been completed), 15 miles of road decommissioning, 32 miles of road reconstruction, and 6 miles of road maintenance. Alternative 3 would treat approximately 18,112 acres in the project area with a combination of improvement harvest (1,382 acres), precommercial thinning (445 acres), regeneration harvest (2,450 acres), Shaded Fuel Breaks (1,282 acres), Private Land Buffers (2,283 acres) and prescribed fire (10,270 acres). Connected actions for alternative 3 would include 24 miles of temporary road construction (all temporary road construction would be decommissioned when harvest activities have been completed), 15 miles of road decommissioning, 28 miles of road reconstruction, and 4 miles of road maintenance. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the Final EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative or judicial reviews. Abstract i Tenmile – South Hel ena Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement SUMMARY Introduction _____________________________________ The Helena Ranger District of the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest (HLCNF) is proposing the Tenmile – South Helena Project. The Project is intended to maintain consistent quantity and quality of water within the City of Helena’s Tenmile municipal watershed, as well as improve conditions for public and firefighter safety across the landscape in the event of a wildfire. Additionally, the project is meant to move the resource area toward desired conditions and designed to respond to the goals and objectives outlined in the Helena National Forest Plan as amended (USDA, Forest Service 1986) as well as the Bureau of Land Management lands - Butte Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) (2009). The Tenmile – South Helena Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is a site-specific effects analysis of management activities proposed in the Tenmile – South Helena landscape on the Helena Ranger District of the Helena – Lewis & Clark National Forest and portions of the Butte Field Office Bureau of Land Management lands (BLM) publicly administered lands. The Forest Service in cooperation with the BLM (40 CFR 1501.6) has prepared this DEIS in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This DEIS discloses the direct, indirect, and Figure S -1. Tenmile - South Helena Project Vicinity Map cumulative environmental impacts that would potentially result from proposed activities on Forest Service and BLM lands under each alternative in addition to determining any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources that would result from the actions proposed to address forest health, watershed restoration, and fuels management goals of the Helena National Forest Plan, as amended (1986) and the BLM – Butte Field Office – Resource Management Plan (2009). This DEIS is prepared according to the format established by Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations to implement the NEPA found in 40 CFR 1500-1508. This includes ii Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest Draft Environmental Impact Statement Tenmile – South Helena Project establishing the Butte Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as a cooperating agency as specified by 40 CFR 1501.6. The Tenmile—South Helena Project area covers approximately 61,395 acres in Lewis and Clark, Powell, and Jefferson Counties. This includes approximately 49,546 acres of National Forest System (NFS), 1,043 acres of public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and remaining acres are private lands or other state and local jurisdictions. No treatments are proposed on private land or other jurisdictions in this project. The project area is also defined by two contiguous areas on the landscape: the western half of the project area, the Upper Tenmile watershed and the eastern half of the project area, the South Hills area of Helena, Montana. This proposal describes activities on Helena National Forest Service lands in the following drainages: Upper Tenmile Creek, Middle Tenmile Creek, Lower Tenmile Creek, Lump Gulch, Last Chance Gulch and Middle Prickly Pear Creek; and on BLM lands in Colorado Gulch and south of Helena in Last Chance Gulch. The project is located within all or part of sections T10N, R6W Section 36; T10N, R5W Section 31; T10N, R4W Sections 31, 32, 34, 35, 36; T9N, R6W Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35, 36; T9N, R5W Sections 1, 6-36; T9N, R4W Sections 1-24, 26-35; T8N, R6W Sections 1, 2, 11-14, 23-26; T8N, R5W Sections 1-12, 14-22, 29, 30; T8N, R4W Sections 5-8. Statutory and Regulatory Framework Several important laws, executive orders and policies form the statutory and regulatory framework applicable to managing the Helena National Forest and the Butte Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a partial list for both agencies follows. While most pertain to all Federal lands, some of the laws are specific to Montana. This framework is also an integral part of the purpose and need for action. In addition to the following laws and documents, each specialist report identifies the regulatory framework that is applicable to their analysis. Disclosures and findings required by these laws and orders are contained within each resource specialist report and in the project file. The National Forest
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana
    Report of Investigation 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg 2015 Cover photo by Richard Berg. Sapphires (very pale green and colorless) concentrated by panning. The small red grains are garnets, commonly found with sapphires in western Montana, and the black sand is mainly magnetite. Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology MBMG Report of Investigation 23 2015 i Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................1 Descriptions of Occurrences ..................................................................................................7 Selected Bibliography of Articles on Montana Sapphires ................................................... 75 General Montana ............................................................................................................75 Yogo ................................................................................................................................ 75 Southwestern Montana Alluvial Deposits........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Rock Creek sapphire district ........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Dry Cottonwood Creek deposit and the Butte area ....................................
    [Show full text]
  • June 19, 2021, During the Annual Territorial Days That Will Once Again Include the Designation of Being Montana Capital for a Day
    SIILVERLVER STTATEATE POOSTST This edition is for Jason Smith and the people of Powell County YEAR 135 • WEEK NO. 23 • June 9, 2021 • WWW.SSPMT.COM • 406.846.2424 • $1.50 Deer Lodge will once again be Montana Capital for the Day On June 19, 1921, the City of Deer Lodge celebrated the official opening of the new City Hall Building. The event included a proclamation from state of- ficials designating Deer Lodge as the Montana Capital for the Day. 100 Years to the day, the City of Deer Lodge will commemorate the event on Saturday, June 19, 2021, during the annual Territorial Days that will once again include the designation of being Montana Capital for a Day. Deer Lodge Mayor Diana Solle was thrilled to find out the 100th anniversary of City Hall coincided with Territorial Days and approached Montana Governor Greg Gianforte with the idea of another proclamation. She praised Gianforte for the proclamation they will receive on June 18 and his willingness to help com- memorate the 100th anniversary. Looking back at the inaugural event, Solle said al- though Deer Lodge had been an official government since 1888, they did not have a city hall and the huge celebration that included a ball. This year’s event will include tours of the Deer Lodge City Hall, and they also plan on making a vid- eo of the winding of the clock tower that will later be available for viewing. “This is just a great time to celebrate City Hall,” Solle said. The Territorial Days events on June 19 are sched- uled from 11 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • East Bench Unit History
    East Bench Unit Three Forks Division Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program Jedediah S. Rogers Bureau of Reclamation 2008 Table of Contents East Bench Unit...............................................................2 Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program .........................................2 Project Location.........................................................2 Historic Setting .........................................................3 Investigations...........................................................7 Project Authorization....................................................10 Construction History ....................................................10 Post Construction History ................................................15 Settlement of Project Lands ...............................................19 Project Benefits and Uses of Project Water...................................20 Conclusion............................................................21 Bibliography ................................................................23 Archival Sources .......................................................23 Government Documents .................................................23 Books ................................................................24 Other Sources..........................................................24 1 East Bench Unit Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program Located in rural southwest Montana, the East Bench Unit of the Pick Sloan Missouri Basin Program provides water to 21,800 acres along the Beaverhead River in
    [Show full text]
  • FISHING NEWSLETTER 2020/2021 Table of Contents FWP Administrative Regions and Hatchery Locations
    FISHING NEWSLETTER 2020/2021 Table of Contents FWP Administrative Regions and Hatchery Locations .........................................................................................3 Region 1 Reports: Northwest Montana ..........................................................................................................5 Region 2 Reports: West Central Montana .....................................................................................................17 Region 3 Reports: Southwest Montana ........................................................................................................34 Region 4 Reports: North Central Montana ...................................................................................................44 Region 5 Reports: South Central Montana ...................................................................................................65 Region 6 Reports: Northeast Montana ........................................................................................................73 Region 7 Reports: Southeast Montana .........................................................................................................86 Montana Fish Hatchery Reports: .......................................................................................................................92 Murray Springs Trout Hatchery ...................................................................................................................92 Washoe Park Trout Hatchery .......................................................................................................................93
    [Show full text]
  • Missoula County Weed District
    Partner Updates Big Horn Conservation District Maria Hopkins District Manager 724 West 3rd Street Hardin, MT 59034 Email: [email protected] Phone: 406-629-3229 Website: http://bighorncd.org/ AIS activity: Watercraft Inspection Station Location: Garrison Stoker Resort on Hwy 313, 7 miles South of Saint Xavier, MT and 12 miles North of Fort Smith, MT Year began doing this activity: 2019 Highlights: This year the Saint Xavier Station ran from July 18th to October 26th. The station’s hours were Thursday to Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm. The Big Horn Conservation District hired five part-time inspectors and one on-call inspector. The inspectors did a wonderful job checking watercrafts and educating the boaters. Inspected 1,320 watercraft. Plans/priorities for 2020: In 2020 the Saint Xavier Station hopes to run 7 days a week with 12-hour days. The Big Horn Conservation District will re-hire any 2019 staff that want to return and hire additional staff to cover the increased 2020 operating hours. In addition, the BHCD will focus on educating local boaters on the importance of check- stations and what they can do for a fast inspection. Bureau of Reclamation Jacob Bradford Natural Resource Specialist 2021 4th Ave N Billings, MT 59101 Email: [email protected] Phone: 406-247-7720 Website: usbr.gov The Bureau of Reclamation has provided approximately $4 million dollars to support Zebra/Quagga mussel management activities across the West since 2017, as part of the Department of Interior’s initiative to keep invasive dreissenid mussels out of the Columbia and Missouri River Basins and contain invasive mussels in the lower Colorado River.
    [Show full text]
  • FINAL Canyonferry Cover.Psd
    Revised Environmental Assessment Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Purpose and Need .............................................................1 Background ..................................................................2 Dam and Reservoir...........................................................2 Helena Valley Irrigation District ................................................3 Toston Irrigation District ......................................................5 City of Helena...............................................................6 Relationship of the Proposed Action of Other Activities ...............................7 Decisions to be Made...........................................................9 Issues.......................................................................9 Significant Issues..............................................................9 Other Resource Issues..........................................................9 Chapter 2: Alternatives Alternatives Considered in Detail................................................11 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................11 Irrigation ................................................................11 Municipal and Industrial Water ...............................................13 Mitigation Measures .......................................................13 Water Quality ...........................................................13 Riparian Habitat .........................................................14 Grebe Nesting...........................................................14
    [Show full text]
  • Hydrogeology of the North Hills, Helena, Montana
    HYDROGEOLOGY OF THE NORTH HILLS, HELENA, MONTANA MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY Open-File Report 544 Prepared in cooperation with the LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY WATER QUALITY PROTECTION DISTRICT HYDROGEOLOGY OF THE NORTH HILLS, HELENA, MONTANA by James P. Madison MONTANA BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY Open-File Report 544 Prepared in cooperation with the LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY WATER QUALITY PROTECTION DISTRICT Butte, Montana August, 2006 CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................................1 Purpose and Scope.......................................................4 Previous Investigations ...................................................5 Acknowledgments .......................................................5 Geography...................................................................5 Physiography...........................................................6 Climate................................................................6 Stream Flow............................................................7 Hydrogeology ................................................................8 General Geology ........................................................8 Aquifer Geometry and Hydraulic Characteristics .............................10 Potentiometric Surface and Direction of Ground-Water Flow ....................13 Ground-Water Recharge and Discharge .....................................14 Changes in Water Levels ................................................16 Nitrate in Ground Water .................................................19
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District
    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PETER FOX, NRMEDD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PROSPERA BUSINESS NETWORK Stuart Leidner, Executive Director Prospera Business Network U.S. Economic Development 2015 Charlotte Street, Suite #1 Administration, U.S. Department Bozeman, Montana 59718 of Commerce Phone: 406-587-3113 1401 Constitution Avenue, Fax: 406-587-9565 Suite 7800 Washington, DC 20230 STAFF SUPPORT Rob Gilmore, CDP, NRMEDD Executive Director Tom Rogers, AICP, Gallatin County Planning & Community Development Warren Vaughan, Gallatin County Planning & Community Northern Rocky Mountain Development Economic Development District Bozeman, MT 59715 David Fine, Park County (406) 763-4412 SPECIAL THANKS On behalf of the Staff a special thanks to members of the Report is hosted at: http://nrmedd.org/ NRMEDD Strategy Committee who provided guidance, support, outreach and technical knowledge to the creation of this Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. And to Mr. Earl Mathers, Gallatin County Administrator, who was instrumental in rejuvenating the NRMEDD. Finally, to all the dedicated individuals who make the District a vibrant and productive economy. 2 | P a g e Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction …….……………………………………………………………………………….………………………………….7 A. Background ........................................................................................................................................... 7 B. Who We Are .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Estimated Water Use in Montana in 2000
    In cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Estimated Water Use in Montana in 2000 Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5223 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey COVER PHOTOGRAPHS: View to the southwest showing Chessman Reservoir, Montana (lower left) and sprinkler irrigation of pasture in western Montana (upper right). Photographs by M.R. Cannon, U.S. Geological Survey, taken in July 2003. Estimated Water Use in Montana in 2000 by M.R. Cannon and Dave R. Johnson In cooperation with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5223 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2004 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ For additional information write to: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey 3162 Bozeman Avenue Helena, Montana 59601 Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. iii CONTENTS Glossary. .vi Abstract. 1 Introduction . 1 Purpose and Scope . 2 Sources of Data. 3 Methods of Analysis.
    [Show full text]
  • Lake Helena Wildlife Management Area Management Plan
    LAKE HELENA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN AUGUST 2003 LAKE HELENA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN Prepared by: Gayle Joslin August 2003 PLAN APPROVAL: Pat Flowers, Supervisor Date Region 3 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Don Childress, Administrator Date Wildlife Division Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................... 2 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 5 GOAL...................................................................................................................... 5 OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................ 7 OBJECTIVE 1: IMPROVE WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AND RECRUITMENT 7 OBJECTIVE 2: MAINTAIN/IMPROVE WATERFOWL RESTING AREAS...............9 OBJECTIVE 3: MAINTAIN/IMPROVE ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND STABILITY...........................................................................................................................10 OBJECTIVE 4: MAINTAIN WATERFOWL HUNTING ACCESS .............................11 APPENDIX A: HISTORY .................................................................................. 14 APPENDIX B: PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ................................................... 18 Legal Description ...............................................................................................................18
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Montana's Fisheries Division from 1890-1958
    A History ofMontana's Fisheries Division from 1890 to 1958 A History ofMontana 5 Fisheries Division from 1890 to 1958 Written by Bill Alvord 1991 Published in Helena, Montana by the ^WUaX^e CSiVatH^ o This History of Montana’s Fisheries Management activities has been assembled from many different sources. For this publication, an attempt was made to report the highlights of fisheries management in Montana in a general chronological order. Important information has no doubt been overlooked and some details of minor importance have been excluded in the interest of brevity. Admittedly, this is not a refined document. Its primary value will be as a reference. While most of the information was obtained from the biennial reports of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, other sources included log books of individual state fish hatcheries and records generously provided by the managers of the federal fish hatcheries at Creston, Ennis and the Fish Cultural Development Center at Bozeman. Harvey Willoughby, former Chief of Fish Hatcheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, furnished copies of early-day reports of the Bozeman station which are filed in Washington, D.C. Personal conversations with many of Montana’s residents have revealed points of interest. The assistance of these individuals is greatly appreciated. Special thanks are given to the late Dr. C. J. D. Brown for his earlier work in editing this material and for his interest and many suggestions that helped make completion of the project possible. And, for their efforts in editing and guiding this publication through the many steps necessary for its completion, thanks are given to George Holton, Arthur Whitney and Patrick Graham, and to Margie Peterson, who typed, formatted and proofread the publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Geology and Ground-Water Resources of the Helena Valley, Montana
    GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 83 April 1951 GEOLOGY AND GROUND-WATER RESOURCES OF THE HELENA VALLEY, MONTANA By Howard W. Lorenz and Frank A. Swenson With a Section on the CHEMICAL QUALITY OF THE WATER By Herbert A. Swenson Prepared as Part of a Program <O* of the Department of the Interior for Development of the Missouri River Basin UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director Washington, D. C. Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 25, D. C. GPO 82-800092 CONTESTS Page Abstract......................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................... 2 Purpose and scope of investigation........................... 2 Location and extent of .rea.................................. 3 Previous investigations 3 Acknowledgments.............................................. 3 History of the area.......................................... 5 Well-numbering system........................................ 6 Geography........................................................ 7 Physiography................................................. 7 Drainage..................................................... 7 Climate ...................................................... 10 Agriculture and vegetation................................... 12 History of irrigation.........................o.............. 13 Mining....................................................... 1^ Transportation...............................o............... 15
    [Show full text]