Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3, Appendices J Through N
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United States Department of Agriculture Santa Fe National Forest Draft Land Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Mora, and Los Alamos Counties, New Mexico Volume 3, Appendices J through N Forest Santa Fe Southwestern Region MB-R3-10-29 Service National Forest June 2019 Cover photo: Reflection of mountain peak and forest in Nambe Lake. 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Draft Land Management Plan – Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3, Appendices J through N Santa Fe National Forest Draft Land Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Mora, and Los Alamos Counties, New Mexico Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Cooperating Agencies: East Rio Arriba Soil and Water Conservation District; La Jara Ditch Association; Nacimiento Community Ditch Association; New Mexico Department of Agriculture; New Mexico Economic Development Department; New Mexico Environment Department; New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute; New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, State Forestry Division, Las Vegas District and Botany Programs; New Mexico Land Grant Council; Santa Fe – Pojoaque Soil and Water Conservation District; and Tierra y Montes Soil and Water Conservation District. Responsible Official: James E. Melonas, Forest Supervisor 11 Forest Lane Santa Fe, NM 87508 For Information Contact: Jennifer Cramer, Forest Planner 11 Forest Lane Santa Fe, NM 87508 Phone: (505) 437-5442 Abstract: To comply with the National Forest Management Act and address changes that have occurred over the past 30 years, the Santa Fe National Forest proposed to revise the current land and resource management plan (1987 Forest Plan). This programmatic draft environmental impact statement documents analysis of impacts of four alternatives developed for programmatic management of the 1.6 million acres administered by the Santa Fe National Forest. The analysis displays anticipated progress toward desired conditions as well as potential environmental and social consequences of implementing each alternative. Alternative 1 is the no-action alternative, which is the 1987 Forest plan, as amended. Alternative 2 is the draft forest plan and is reflected in the accompanying Draft Land Management Plan for the Santa Fe National Forest. This alternative addresses new information and concerns received since the 1987 Forest Plan was published, and it meets objectives of Federal laws, regulations, and policies. It provides for restoration and diverse ecosystem services. Alternative 3 maximizes natural processes, reducing human uses. Alternative 4 maximizes human uses through timber utilization, access, and infrastructure. Santa Fe National Forest i Draft Land Management Plan – Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3, Appendices J through N This page intentionally left blank Santa Fe National Forest ii Draft Land Management Plan – Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3, Appendices J through N — Contents Table of Contents Appendix J. Documentation of Wilderness Recommendation Process ........................................................ 1 Summary of Public Participation in Wilderness Process.......................................................................... 1 Tribal Engagement ................................................................................................................................ 2 Step 1: Inventory ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Inventory Criteria .................................................................................................................................. 3 Public Participation on Wilderness Inventory....................................................................................... 7 Wilderness Inventory Results ............................................................................................................. 11 Step 2: Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 14 Evaluation Process .............................................................................................................................. 14 Public Participation on Wilderness Evaluation ................................................................................... 23 Evaluation Results .............................................................................................................................. 29 Step 3: Analysis of Recommended Wilderness by Alternative ............................................................ 150 Alternative 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 150 Alternative 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 155 Alternative 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 166 Alternative 4 ...................................................................................................................................... 229 Areas not Recommended in any Alternative .................................................................................... 231 Step 4: Recommendation ...................................................................................................................... 231 Appendix K. Documentation of Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers Evaluation Process ............................ 233 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Background ............................................................................................. 233 Free-Flowing Determination ................................................................................................................ 233 Outstandingly Remarkable Value Determination ................................................................................. 234 Regions of Comparison ..................................................................................................................... 234 Criteria for Outstandingly Remarkable Values ................................................................................. 237 Classification of Eligible Rivers ........................................................................................................... 241 Public Engagement ............................................................................................................................... 241 Eligibility Evaluation Process............................................................................................................... 244 Interim Management of Eligible Rivers ............................................................................................... 244 Evaluating Suitability of Eligible Rivers .............................................................................................. 244 References for Appendix K .................................................................................................................. 248 Attachment A: Reviewed Streams ........................................................................................................ 249 Appendix L. Evaluation of Recommended Designated Areas - Cañada Bonita Research Natural Area . 279 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 279 Regional RNA Inventory