DAVIS FIRE RECOVERY PROJECT Final Environmental Impact Statement
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Davis Fire United States Department of Agriculture Recovery Project Final Environmental Impact Forest Service Statement August 2004 Volume 1 Crescent Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest Klamath and Deschutes Counties, Oregon DAVIS FIRE RECOVERY PROJECT Final Environmental Impact Statement United States Department of Agriculture – Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Deschutes National Forests Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service, Deschutes National Forest Responsible Official: Leslie Weldon Forest Supervisor Deschutes National Forest 1645 Hwy 20 East Bend, OR 97701 For Further Information Contact: Chris Mickle, IDT Leader Crescent Ranger District PO Box 208 Crescent, OR 97733 (541)433-3200 Abstract: This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) describes the effects of implementing 5 alternatives for the recovery of National Forest System lands that burned in the Davis Fire of 2003 on the Deschutes National Forest in Central Oregon. The fire burned approximately 21,000 acres of National Forest on the Crescent Ranger District. The proposed projects are focused on moving resource conditions closer to the desired future conditions identified in the Davis Late Successional Reserve Assessment, the Northwest Forest Plan, and the Deschutes National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The alternatives vary in the amount of salvage harvest that is proposed between 0 and 6355 acres. Fuels reduction and reforestation are included in varying amounts for each action alternative. Alternative B is the Forest Service’s Preferred Alternative. Emergency Situation Determination: The Forest Supervisor is in the process of seeking a determination from the Regional Forester that an emergency situation exists in the Davis Fire Recovery Project area pursuant to 36 CFR 215.10(b). This emergency situation exists because substantial loss of economic value to the Federal Government would occur if implementation of the decision were delayed. The final determination by the Regional Forester will be published in the Record of Decision, 36 CFR 215.10(d). Table of Contents Volume 1 CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND NEED............................................................................................................. 1-1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Document Organization ................................................................................................................................... 1-1 Changes Between Draft EIS and Final EIS...................................................................................................... 1-2 Purpose and Need for Action ........................................................................................................................... 1-2 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1-2 Purpose and Need...................................................................................................................................... 1-5 Planning Framework ........................................................................................................................................ 1-8 Local Assessments ......................................................................................................................................... 1-13 Project Record................................................................................................................................................ 1-14 Scope of Project and Decision Framework .................................................................................................... 1-17 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES.................................................................................................................... 1-19 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 2-20 Changes Between Draft EIS and Final EIS.................................................................................................... 2-20 Scoping and Public Involvement.................................................................................................................... 2-21 Identification of Issues ................................................................................................................................... 2-22 Key Issues ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-24 Analysis Issues ............................................................................................................................................... 2-25 Alternative Descriptions................................................................................................................................. 2-26 Alternative A........................................................................................................................................... 2-26 Actions and Design Elements Common to all Fully-Analyzed Action Alternatives............................... 2-26 Forest Plan Amendment.......................................................................................................................... 2-28 Alternative B........................................................................................................................................... 2-30 Alternative C........................................................................................................................................... 2-31 Alternative D........................................................................................................................................... 2-32 Alternative E ........................................................................................................................................... 2-33 Mitigation and Resource Protection Measures............................................................................................... 2-34 Sale Area Improvement Projects.................................................................................................................... 2-42 Comparison of Alternatives............................................................................................................................ 2-43 Alternatives and Design Elements Considered but not Fully Analyzed......................................................... 2-58 CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ............. 2-63 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 3-63 Changes Between Draft EIS and Final EIS.................................................................................................... 3-66 Soils................................................................................................................................................................ 3-64 Wildlife Habitat (Snags and Down Wood.................................................................................................... 3-100 Forested Vegetation...................................................................................................................................... 3-138 Fire and Fuels............................................................................................................................................... 3-171 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................................ 3-191 Threatened and Endangered Species..................................................................................................... 3-191 Regional Forester's Sensitive Species ................................................................................................... 3-224 Survey And Manage Species................................................................................................................. 3-232 Management Indicator Species ............................................................................................................. 3-238 Birds of Conservation Concern............................................................................................................. 3-242 Big Game - Deer and Elk ...................................................................................................................... 3-245 Fisheries ....................................................................................................................................................... 3-252 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................................... 3-296 Botany .......................................................................................................................................................... 3-318 i Noxious Weeds .............................................................................................................................................3-325 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................................................3-335