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Middle Greys Motorized Travel Environmental Assessment

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Middle Greys Motorized Travel Environmental Assessment United States Department of Agriculture APRIL 2018 Middle Greys Motorized Travel Environmental Assessment Forest Service, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Greys River Ranger District, Lincoln County, Wyoming For More Information Contact: sid woods Greys River Ranger District 671 N Washington Afton, WY 83110 Phone: 307-886-5300 Email: [email protected] Fax: 307-886-5339 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. Middle Greys Motorized Travel Environmental Assessment Contents Acronyms & Abbreviations: ................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Location of the Proposed Project Area ....................................................................................... 1 Need for the Proposal .................................................................................................................. 3 What will be Decided? ................................................................................................................ 4 Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives ................................................................................. 5 Alternative 1: No Action ............................................................................................................. 7 Motorized Trail Best Management Practices Common to All Action Alternatives .................... 9 Design Features Common to Alternatives 2 and 3 .................................................................... 10 Alternative 2: Proposed Action ................................................................................................. 12 Description of Alternative 2 .................................................................................................. 12 Motorized Trail Best Management Practices and Design Features ....................................... 14 Phased Implementation under Alternative 2 ......................................................................... 15 Alternative 3 .............................................................................................................................. 17 Description of Alternative 3 .................................................................................................. 17 Motorized Trail Best Management Practices and Design Features ....................................... 19 Implementation under Alternative 3 ...................................................................................... 19 Alternative 4 .............................................................................................................................. 21 Description of Alternative 4 .................................................................................................. 21 Design Features for Alternative 4 .......................................................................................... 23 Implementation under Alternative 4 ...................................................................................... 24 Alternative Considered But Not Evaluated in Detail ................................................................ 26 Comparison of Alternatives ...................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 3. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action and Alternatives ............................... 29 RECREATION ......................................................................................................................... 29 Overview of Issues and Indicators Addressed ....................................................................... 29 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 30 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 33 INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREAS .................................................................................... 48 Overview of Issues and Indicators Addressed ....................................................................... 48 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 50 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 53 BOTANY .................................................................................................................................. 58 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 58 Overview of Issues and Indicators Addressed ....................................................................... 58 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 58 WILDLIFE ................................................................................................................................ 65 Elk, Mule Deer, and Moose ...................................................................................................... 69 Indicators Addressed ............................................................................................................. 69 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 70 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................... 76 Grizzly Bear (Sensitive), Wolverines (Proposed), and Gray Wolves ....................................... 95 Indicators Addressed ............................................................................................................. 96 Affected Environment ........................................................................................................... 96 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 101 Canada Lynx (Threatened) ...................................................................................................... 107 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................... 107 i Middle Greys Motorized Travel Environmental Assessment Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 109 Bald Eagles and Harlequin Ducks (Sensitive) ........................................................................ 111 Indicators Addressed ........................................................................................................... 111 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................... 112 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 114 Columbia Spotted Frog and Boreal Toad (Sensitive) ............................................................. 118 Indicators Addressed ........................................................................................................... 118 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................... 119 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................
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