Environmental Assessment Rudyard
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Environmental Assessment Rudyard United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Eastern Region Hiawatha National Forest June 2013 Responsible Official: Stevan Christiansen W1900 West US 2 St. Ignace, MI 49781 (906) 643-7900 ext. 113 (906) 643-7611 (TDD) (906) 643-8759 (Fax) [email protected] Additional Information: Brad Cooper W1900 West US 2 St. Ignace, MI 49781 (906) 643-7900 ext. 111 (906) 643-7611 (TDD) (906) 643-8759 (Fax) i Cover picture: Rudyard vicinity map. The Rudyard Project Area is approximately 34,000 acres and is located on the Eastside of the Hiawatha National Forest in Mackinac and Chippewa Counties, Michigan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, status as a parent (in education and training programs and activities), because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or retaliation. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs or activities.) If you require this information in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD). If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the agency office responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call Toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The maps contained within this document are reproduced from geospatial information prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. By removing the contents of this package or taking receipt of these files via electronic file transfer methods, you understand that the data stored on this media is in draft condition. Represented features may not be in an accurate geographic location. The Forest Service makes no expressed or implied warranty, including warranty of merchantability and fitness, with respect to the character, function, or capabilities of the data or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. The Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace this geospatial information without notification. For more information, contact the Forest geographic information system (GIS) Coordinator, Hiawatha National Forest, Supervisor’s Office 906-428- 5800. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need for Action ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Document Structure ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Relation to Forest Plan ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Purpose and Need for Action ................................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Decision Framework ............................................................................................................................ 7 1.7 Tribal Consultation and Public Involvement ......................................................................................... 8 1.8 Issues .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 – Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action ....................................................................... 12 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Alternatives Considered in Detail ...................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Mitigation Measures (Design Criteria) Common to All Action Alternatives ....................................... 19 2.4 Comparison of Alternatives ............................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 3 – Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 30 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2 Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions .............................................................. 30 3.3 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 36 3.4 Fire Ecology and Fuels ........................................................................................................................ 38 3.5 Soils .................................................................................................................................................... 43 3.6 Water Quality and Quantity ............................................................................................................... 49 3.7 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................ 54 3.8 Vegetation ......................................................................................................................................... 60 3.9 Non-Native Invasive Plants ................................................................................................................ 71 3.10 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants ................................................................................ 82 3.11 Wildlife and Terrestrial Management Indicator Species ................................................................. 91 3.12 Fisheries .......................................................................................................................................... 102 3.13 Recreation ..................................................................................................................................... 104 3.14 Visual Quality ................................................................................................................................ 119 3.15 Heritage Resources......................................................................................................................... 131 3.16 Transportation ............................................................................................................................... 134 3.17 Socio-Economics ............................................................................................................................ 140 3.18 Environmental Justice .................................................................................................................... 144 iii Chapter 4 – Consultation and Coordination ......................................................................................... 147 4.1 Agencies Consulted.......................................................................................................................... 147 4.2 Persons Consulted ........................................................................................................................... 147 4.3 List of Preparers ............................................................................................................................... 147 References ........................................................................................................................................... 149 Glossary ............................................................................................................................................... 158 Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................. 166 Appendices Appendix A – Response to Scoping Comments Appendix B – Site-specific Activities and Design Criteria Appendix C – Silviculture and Transportation Appendix D – Laws and Policy Appendix E – Biological Evaluation Appendix F – Hiawatha National Forest Non-native Invasive Plant List Appendix G – Maps Vicinity Map Proposed Action Map Alternative 1 Map Watersheds Map Ecological Landtypes Map Management Areas Map Appendix H – Past, Present, and Foreseeable Future NEPA Projects Appendix I – Non-significant Forest Plan Amendments 1 & 2 iv CHAPTER 1 – PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION 1.1 Document Structure _______________________________________________________ The Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. This Environmental Assessment