South of Route 9 Integrated Resource Project Environmental Assessment for Public Comment
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United States Department of Agriculture South of Route 9 Integrated Resource Project Environmental Assessment for Public Comment Green Mountain Forest Service Manchester Ranger District April 2016 National Forest For More Information Contact: Jay Strand, Forest Planner/Environmental Coordinator Rochester Ranger District 99 Ranger Road Rochester, Vermont 05767 (802) 767-4261 x522 FAX (802) 767-4777 Email: [email protected] This document can be made available in large print. Contact Jay Strand (802) 767-4261 x522 or email: [email protected] 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. South of Route 9 Integrated Resource Project Environmental Assessment for Public Comment Contents Chapter 1. Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 South of Route 9 Project Area ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Forest Plan Direction .................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 Forest Habitat ...................................................................................................................... 3 1.3.1.1 Regenerating/Early-Successional Habitat ...................................................................... 3 1.3.1.2 Hardwood/Mixedwood/Softwood Habitat ..................................................................... 3 1.3.1.3 Aspen Habitat ................................................................................................................. 3 1.3.1.4 Oak Habitat ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1.5 Permanent Upland Openings .......................................................................................... 4 1.3.1.6 Extended Rotations ......................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1.7 Deer Wintering Areas ..................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1.8 Apple Trees .................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1.9 Areas of Special Significance ......................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Timber Resources ............................................................................................................... 5 1.3.3 Botanical Resources ............................................................................................................ 5 1.3.4 Fisheries and Water ............................................................................................................ 5 1.3.5 Soil and Wetlands ............................................................................................................... 5 1.3.6 Recreation ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.3.7 Visual Quality ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.8 Transportation (Roads) ....................................................................................................... 6 1.3.9 Heritage Resources ............................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Public Involvement and Collaboration ......................................................................................... 7 1.5 Public Issues .................................................................................................................................. 8 1.5.1 Unresolved Issues ............................................................................................................... 9 1.5.2 Other Issues......................................................................................................................... 9 1.5.2.1 Forest Habitat ................................................................................................................. 9 1.5.2.2 Timber Resources ......................................................................................................... 10 1.5.2.3 Wildlife Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species ............................................. 10 1.5.2.4 Plant Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species .................................................. 10 1.5.2.5 Fisheries and Water ...................................................................................................... 10 1.5.2.6 Soil and Wetlands ......................................................................................................... 10 1.5.2.7 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 11 1.5.2.8 Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 11 1.5.2.9 Visual Quality ............................................................................................................... 11 1.5.2.10 Heritage Resources ....................................................................................................... 11 1.6 Pre-Decisional Objection Process ............................................................................................... 11 1.7 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2. Description of Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Alternatives Considered For Detailed Analysis .......................................................................... 13 2.1.1 Alternative 1, No Action ................................................................................................... 13 2.1.2 Alternative 2, Proposed Action ......................................................................................... 13 2.1.2.1 Forest Habitat and Timber Resources .......................................................................... 15 2.1.2.2 Botanical Resources ..................................................................................................... 19 2.1.2.3 Fisheries and Water ...................................................................................................... 19 2.1.2.4 Soil and Wetlands ......................................................................................................... 21 2.1.2.5 Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 22 Green Mountain National Forest i Table of Contents 2.1.2.6 Visual Quality ............................................................................................................... 27 2.1.2.7 Transportation (Roads) ................................................................................................. 27 2.1.2.8 Heritage Resources ....................................................................................................... 31 2.2 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ............................................... 32 2.2.1 No Prescribed Fire at the Dome ........................................................................................ 32 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives .......................................................................................................