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Final Environmental Impact Statement Uwharrie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan National Forests in North Carolina

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Final Environmental Impact Statement Uwharrie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan National Forests in North Carolina U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Region Final Environmental Impact Statement Uwharrie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan National Forests in North Carolina R8-MB-140B May 2012 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Final Environmental Impact Statement Uwharrie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan National Forests in North Carolina May 2012 Responsible Agency: USDA Forest Service Elizabeth Agpaoa Responsible Official: Regional Forester 1720 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta, GA 30309 404-347-4177 For more information contact: Forest Supervisor National Forests in North Carolina 160 Zillicoa Street Suite A Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 257- 4200 Abstract: Three alternatives for revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP or Forest Plan) for the Uwharrie National Forest are described, compared, and analyzed in detail in this Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Alternative A represents the current LRMP and is also referred to as the 1986 Plan. Alternative B is the alternative preferred by the Forest Service and was the foundation for the Proposed Plan that was available for review by the public during a 90‐ day comment period. Alternative C is a variation of Alternative B developed to address an unresolved issue with equestrian use of the national forest. The DEIS and Proposed Plan were published for comment in June of 2011. During the ninety‐day comment period two additional public meetings were held, including one targeting the equestrian community and the remaining concerns regarding proposals in the alternatives for equestrian management. The 54 comment letters received during the comment period resulted in minor changes to Alternatives B and C while creating no change in the thematic approach to management found in the draft. Table of Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ..................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING PROPOSED ACTION ......................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .............................. 28 Biological Resources ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 Botanical Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 28 Non‐Native Invasive Plants Species .......................................................................................................................... 53 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................................................. 56 Aquatic Wildlife ................................................................................................................................................................. 75 Forest Health ...................................................................................................................................................................... 97 Physical Resources ............................................................................................................................................................. 102 Air Quality ......................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Soils ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 107 Water Resources ............................................................................................................................................................ 115 Mineral Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 131 Climate Change ............................................................................................................................................................... 138 Social, Economic, and Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 142 Roads .................................................................................................................................................................................. 142 Recreation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 143 Scenery ............................................................................................................................................................................... 157 Wilderness ........................................................................................................................................................................ 163 River Corridors Eligible for Wild and Scenic River Status ............................................................................ 169 Forest Products .............................................................................................................................................................. 171 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................................................................ 176 Local Communities ........................................................................................................................................................ 182 Social and Economic Environment ......................................................................................................................... 185 Environmental Justice .................................................................................................................................................. 192 Programs and Plans of other Federal agencies, State and local governments and Indian Tribes 193 Other Effects .................................................................................................................................................................... 196 CHAPTER 4: LIST OF PREPARERS ............................................................................................................................... 199 CHAPTER 5: AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING DEIS ........................................................................ 201 CHAPTER 6: GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................... 203 References ............................................................................................................................................................................. 225 Uwharrie National Forest Final Environmental Impact Statement i Table of Contents INDEX ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 234 Appendix A The Public Involvement Process ............................................................................................................ 237 Appendix B: The Planning and Analysis Process ..................................................................................................... 294 Appendix C Evaluation of Potential Wilderness on the Uwharrie National Forest .................................. 317 Appendix D Wild and Scenic Rivers............................................................................................................................. 323 Tables Table 2‐1. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum classes on the Uwharrie NF .................................................. 13 Table 2‐2. Scenic Integrity Categories .......................................................................................................................... 15 Table 2‐3. Comparing the Types of Management Areas (MA) Specified in the Alternatives (Approximate acres). ..........................................................................................................................................................
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