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Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Watershed Access and Travel

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Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Watershed Access and Travel United States Department Revised Environmental of Agriculture Assessment Forest Service January Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Watershed 2005 Access and Travel Management Plan and Forest Plan Amendment #20 Snoqualmie Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest For Information Contact: Team Leader: Doug Schrenk Snoqualmie Ranger District 42404 SE North Bend Way North Bend, WA 98045 (425) 888-1421, extension 233 [email protected] The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, 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 TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page i Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION................................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION -- BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................... 1 CHANGED CONDITIONS FROM MARCH 2002 EA............................................................................................................ 1 REVISED PROPOSED ACTION (ALTERNATIVE E)............................................................................................................. 2 Proposed Road Decommissioning, Selected Conversion to Trail............................................................................. 3 Access to Private Lands .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Access to Mining Claims ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Proposed Seasonal Trail Use.................................................................................................................................... 5 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION......................................................................................................... 6 Purpose..................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Need .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ............................................................................................................. 7 The Forest Plan ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 Land Allocations..................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Tier 2 Key Watershed ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Selected Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines....................................................................................................................... 9 Key Watersheds (1994 ROD, C-7):.............................................................................................................................. 9 Riparian Reserves (1994 ROD, C-31-37):.................................................................................................................... 9 Forest-wide Recreation, Trail Standards and Guidelines (1990 Plan, 4-84-91).......................................................... 10 Other Laws, Direction, and Analyses Considered .................................................................................................. 12 DECISION FRAMEWORK................................................................................................................................................ 13 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................................................. 13 First “Scoping” Letter............................................................................................................................................ 14 EA Released for Public Comment, April 2002........................................................................................................ 14 Decision Notice Signed September 2003 ................................................................................................................ 15 Decision Appealed .................................................................................................................................................. 15 MAJOR ISSUES .............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Soil, Water, Aquatic and Resources........................................................................................................................ 16 How measured....................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Access ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 How Measured ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Recreation............................................................................................................................................................... 16 How Measured ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES................................................................................................................................. 17 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................. 17 ALTERNATIVE NOT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL................................................................................................................ 17 Forest Service Maintain Road 5600 past the Proposed Closures for Private Landowner Access.......................... 17 Reason for Elimination from Detailed Analysis.................................................................................................................... 17 Seasonal Closure of Road 5600 with a Gate at the Taylor River Bridge (Included in 2003 Decision).................. 17 Reason for Elimination from Detailed Analysis.................................................................................................................... 17 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL ...................................................................................................................... 18 Alternative A – No Action ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Alternative B ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Road 5600 Retained as ML 2 Road, Open to Public Motorized Use; Middle Fork Trail Seasonally Open to Mountain Bikes .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Alternative C........................................................................................................................................................... 20 Road 5600 Gated at Dingford Creek, Closed to Public Motorized Use for 7.6 Miles; Middle Fork Trail Closed to Mountain Bikes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Alternative C, continued ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 Alternative D........................................................................................................................................................... 23 Road 5600 Gated just past Junction with Road 5640, near the Taylor River Bridge, Closed to Public Motorized Use for 14 Miles; First 6 Miles of Middle Fork Trail Closed to Mountain Bikes.................................................................................
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