DOCSLIB.ORG

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 3 United States Department of Agriculture Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Draft Land Management Plan Tonto National Forest Volume 3: Appendices Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties, Arizona Forest Service Tonto National Forest MB-R3-12-06 November 2019 Cover photo: Prickly poppy, credit: Mary Lata 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. Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Draft Land Management Plan Tonto National Forest Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Cooperating Agencies: Arizona Department of Agriculture Arizona Game and Fish Department Responsible Official: Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor Tonto National Forest 2324 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ. 85006 For Information Contact: Kenna Belsky, Forest Planner Tonto National Forest 2324 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ. 85006 602-225-5200 Intentional blank page Contents Appendix A. Response to Comments ........................................................................................................... 1 Appendix B. Description of the Analysis Process ........................................................................................ 2 Overall Assumptions ................................................................................................................................ 2 Resource Assumptions and Methods ........................................................................................................ 3 Recreation ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Lands, Special Uses, and Access ........................................................................................................ 10 Rangelands, Forage, and Grazing ....................................................................................................... 10 Cultural and Historic Resources ......................................................................................................... 11 Economic Contributions ..................................................................................................................... 14 Scenery ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Mining, Minerals, and Abandoned Mines .......................................................................................... 19 Roads................................................................................................................................................... 19 Facilities .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Salt River Horses ................................................................................................................................ 21 Vegetation Ecological Response Units and Fire and Fuels ................................................................ 22 Riparian Areas .................................................................................................................................... 36 Watersheds and Water Resources ....................................................................................................... 42 Wildlife, Fish, and Plants .................................................................................................................... 44 Invasive and Noxious Species............................................................................................................. 48 Soils..................................................................................................................................................... 53 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 59 Timber Suitability Analysis and Planned Timber Sale Program ............................................................ 61 Phase 1: Lands that may be suited for timber production ................................................................... 61 Phase 2: Lands suited and not suited for timber production based on compatibility with desired conditions and objectives .................................................................................................................... 63 Maps by Alternative ............................................................................................................................ 65 Planned Timber Sale Program ............................................................................................................ 69 Appendix C. Public Engagement and Coordination with Other Planning Efforts ...................................... 75 Public Engagement ................................................................................................................................. 75 Public Participation ............................................................................................................................. 75 Tribal Consultation ............................................................................................................................. 78 Coordination with Other Planning Efforts .............................................................................................. 80 Appendix D. Wilderness Recommendation Process ................................................................................... 81 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 81 Step 1: Inventory .................................................................................................................................... 81 Inventory Criteria ................................................................................................................................ 82 Inventory Results ................................................................................................................................ 87 Step 2: Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 95 Process for the Wilderness Evaluation ................................................................................................ 95 Evaluation Rank Determination Guide ............................................................................................... 98 Evaluation Results ............................................................................................................................ 106 Step 3: Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 113 Process for Step 3: Analysis.............................................................................................................. 113 Summary of Wilderness Analysis ..................................................................................................... 115 Alternative B Recommended Wilderness Areas ............................................................................... 128 Alternative C Recommended Wilderness Areas ............................................................................... 162 Step 4: Recommendation ...................................................................................................................... 311 Management of Recommended Wilderness Areas ........................................................................... 311 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tonto National Forest draft Land Management Plan i Contents
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Maricopa County Wildlife Connectivity Assessment: Report on Stakeholder Input January 2012
    The Maricopa County Wildlife Connectivity Assessment: Report on Stakeholder Input January 2012 (Photographs: Arizona Game and Fish Department) Arizona Game and Fish Department In partnership with the Arizona Wildlife Linkages Workgroup TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................ i RECOMMENDED CITATION ........................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................................. ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ iii DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................ iv BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................ 1 THE MARICOPA COUNTY WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY ASSESSMENT ................................... 8 HOW TO USE THIS REPORT AND ASSOCIATED GIS DATA ................................................... 10 METHODS ..................................................................................................................................... 12 MASTER LIST OF WILDLIFE LINKAGES AND HABITAT BLOCKSAND BARRIERS ................ 16 REFERENCE MAPS .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Saddlebrooke Hiking Club Hike Database 11-15-2020 Hike Location Hike Rating Hike Name Hike Description
    SaddleBrooke Hiking Club Hike Database 11-15-2020 Hike Location Hike Rating Hike Name Hike Description AZ Trail B Arizona Trail: Alamo Canyon This passage begins at a point west of the White Canyon Wilderness on the Tonto (Passage 17) National Forest boundary about 0.6 miles due east of Ajax Peak. From here the trail heads west and north for about 1.5 miles, eventually dropping into a two- track road and drainage. Follow the drainage north for about 100 feet until it turns left (west) via the rocky drainage and follow this rocky two-track for approximately 150 feet. At this point there is new signage installed leading north (uphill) to a saddle. This is a newly constructed trail which passes through the saddle and leads downhill across a rugged and lush hillside, eventually arriving at FR4. After crossing FR4, the trail continues west and turns north as you work your way toward Picketpost Mountain. The trail will continue north and eventually wraps around to the west side of Picketpost and somewhat paralleling Alamo Canyon drainage until reaching the Picketpost Trailhead. Hike 13.6 miles; trailhead elevations 3471 feet south and 2399 feet north; net elevation change 1371 feet; accumulated gains 1214 northward and 2707 feet southward; RTD __ miles (dirt). AZ Trail A Arizona Trail: Babbitt Ranch This passage begins just east of the Cedar Ranch area where FR 417 and FR (Passage 35) 9008A intersect. From here the route follows a pipeline road north to the Tub Ranch Camp. The route continues towards the corrals (east of the buildings).
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for the USA (W7A
    Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) Summits on the Air U.S.A. (W7A - Arizona) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S53.1 Issue number 5.0 Date of issue 31-October 2020 Participation start date 01-Aug 2010 Authorized Date: 31-October 2020 Association Manager Pete Scola, WA7JTM Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Document S53.1 Page 1 of 15 Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) TABLE OF CONTENTS CHANGE CONTROL....................................................................................................................................... 3 DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................. 4 1 ASSOCIATION REFERENCE DATA ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Program Derivation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 General Information ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Final Ascent
    [Show full text]
  • Arizona History AZT Passage 18-Reavis Canyon by Preston Sands
    Arizona History AZT Passage 18-Reavis Canyon by Preston Sands This passage of the AZT begins by the massive, fortress like Picketpost Mountain, which received its name from an old military camp on its northern slopes, Camp Picket Post. Around 1870, U.S. Army General George Stoneman established Camp Picket Post along Queen Creek in an attempt to protect the area from Apaches. Further east, in the Pinal Mountains at the site of today’s Top of the World village, Stoneman established another military post, Camp Pinal. To connect these two posts, Stoneman had his soldiers construct a trail, which came to be known as the Stoneman Grade. While Camp Pinal faded from the scene in 1871, the Stoneman Grade continued to be an important travel route in the area. To the east, nestled against the base of a cliff wall known as Apache Leap, is the historic mining town of Superior. Following the discovery of silver in 1875, the Silver Queen mine was born, and two small settlements, Hastings and Queen City, formed nearby. In 1897, miner and early Silver King resident George Lobb relocated to Hastings to develop a mine property there. Lobb sold his mining property to the Lake Superior and Arizona Mining Company in 1902, and the little community he had helped revive was renamed Superior after the company. Mining man Boyce Thompson and partner George Gunn purchased the old Silver Queen Mine holdings in 1910 and developed them into the Magma Mine, one of Arizona’s most productive early copper mines. A narrow gauge railroad, the Magma Arizona, was constructed in 1914 from the Florence area into Superior to serve the Magma Mine.
    [Show full text]
  • Table 7 - National Wilderness Areas by State
    Table 7 - National Wilderness Areas by State * Unit is in two or more States ** Acres estimated pending final boundary determination + Special Area that is part of a proclaimed National Forest State National Wilderness Area NFS Other Total Unit Name Acreage Acreage Acreage Alabama Cheaha Wilderness Talladega National Forest 7,400 0 7,400 Dugger Mountain Wilderness** Talladega National Forest 9,048 0 9,048 Sipsey Wilderness William B. Bankhead National Forest 25,770 83 25,853 Alabama Totals 42,218 83 42,301 Alaska Chuck River Wilderness 74,876 520 75,396 Coronation Island Wilderness Tongass National Forest 19,118 0 19,118 Endicott River Wilderness Tongass National Forest 98,396 0 98,396 Karta River Wilderness Tongass National Forest 39,917 7 39,924 Kootznoowoo Wilderness Tongass National Forest 979,079 21,741 1,000,820 FS-administered, outside NFS bdy 0 654 654 Kuiu Wilderness Tongass National Forest 60,183 15 60,198 Maurille Islands Wilderness Tongass National Forest 4,814 0 4,814 Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness Tongass National Forest 2,144,010 235 2,144,245 FS-administered, outside NFS bdy 0 15 15 Petersburg Creek-Duncan Salt Chuck Wilderness Tongass National Forest 46,758 0 46,758 Pleasant/Lemusurier/Inian Islands Wilderness Tongass National Forest 23,083 41 23,124 FS-administered, outside NFS bdy 0 15 15 Russell Fjord Wilderness Tongass National Forest 348,626 63 348,689 South Baranof Wilderness Tongass National Forest 315,833 0 315,833 South Etolin Wilderness Tongass National Forest 82,593 834 83,427 Refresh Date: 10/14/2017
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Map of the Goldfield Quadrangle and the Northern Part of the Superstition Mountains
    Geologic map of the Goldfield Quadrangle and the northern part of the Superstition Mountains. SW Quadrangle, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona Authors Skotnicki, S.J.; Ferguson, C.A. Citation Skotnicki, S.J. and Ferguson, C.A., 1995, Geologic map of the Goldfield Quadrangle and the northern part of the Superstition Mountains. SW Quadrangle, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona. Arizona Geological Survey Open File Report, OFR-95-09, 2 map sheets, map scale 1:24,000, 26 p. Publisher Arizona Geological Survey (Tucson, AZ) Rights Arizona Geological Survey. All rights reserved. Download date 03/10/2021 02:07:42 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/630781 GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE GOLDFIELD QUADRANGLE AND THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SUPERSTITTON MTS. SW QUADRANGLES, MARICOPA AND PINAL COUNTIES, ARIZONA by Steven J. Skotnicki and Charles A. Ferguson Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-9 August, 1995 Arizona Geological Survey 416 W. Congress, Suite #100, Tucson, Arizona 85701 Includes 26 page text and 1:24,000 scale geologic map (2 sheets). Jointly funded by the Arizona Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey STATEMAP Program. Contract #1434-94-A-1222 This report is preliminary and has not been edited or reviewed for conformity with Arizona Geological Survey standards INTRODUCTION The Goldfield Quadrangle and Superstition Mountains are located about 40 km due east of Phoenix, Arizona, and a few miles east of Apache Junction, and include part of the Superstition Wilderness Area (Figure 1). Aerially extensive exposures of welded tuff fonn steep, rugged cliffs in the Superstition Mountains and overlie tilted felsic and mafic volcanic rocks, pre-volcanic cconglomerate, and Precambrian granite and Pinal Schist.
    [Show full text]
  • Delisting of Agave Arizonica
    Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 117 / Monday, June 19, 2006 / Rules and Regulations 35195 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Weber described this species in the eastern Pinal County, and northeastern ‘‘Cactus and Succulent Journal’’ in 1970 Pima County. Agave toumeyana ssp. Fish and Wildlife Service (Gentry and Weber 1970). This bella is restricted to the eastern slope of perennial succulent has leaves growing the Bradshaw Mountains in eastern 50 CFR Part 17 from the base in a small basal rosette Yavapai to northwestern and central to RIN 1018–AI79 (i.e., an arrangement of leaves radiating southern Gila County, and northeastern from a crown or center), and is Maricopa to northern Pinal County. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife approximately 20–35 centimeters (cm) A comparison of plant characters and Plants; Delisting of Agave (8–14 inches (in)) high and 30–40 cm showed Agave arizonica to be arizonica (Arizona agave) From the (12–16 in) wide. The leaves are dark intermediate to the other two agave Federal List of Endangered and green with a reddish-brown to light gray species with which it is always found in Threatened Wildlife and Plants border extending nearly to the base, association (DeLamater and Hodgson approximately 13–31 cm (5–12 in) long 1986). Pinkava and Baker (1985) AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, and 2–3 cm (1 in) wide. The slender, suggested that plants recognized as Interior. branched flowering stalk is 2.5–4 meters Agave arizonica may be the result of ACTION: Final rule. (m) (8.2–13 feet (ft)) tall with urn- continuing production of hybrid shaped flowers 25–32 millimeters (mm) individuals rather than a distinct SUMMARY: We, the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Kaibab National Forest
    United States Department of Agriculture Kaibab National Forest Forest Service Southwestern Potential Wilderness Area Region September 2013 Evaluation Report 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 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 of communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Cover photo: Kanab Creek Wilderness Kaibab National Forest Potential Wilderness Area Evaluation Report Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Inventory of Potential Wilderness Areas .................................................................................................. 2 Evaluation of Potential Wilderness Areas ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Field Guide to the Copper Butte Area, Eastern Pinal County, Arizona by William R
    Geologic field guide to the Copper Butte area, eastern Pinal County, Arizona by William R. Dickinson Emeritus Professor of Geology University of Arizona Arizona Geological Survey Contributed Report CR-OI-C November 2001 16 pages Arizona Geological Survey 416 W. Congress St., #100, Tucson, Arizona 85701 The Wonders of Copper Butte Arizona Geological Society Fall Field Trip, 17 November 2001 William R. Dickinson Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Overview: Less than five miles southwest of the Ray open pit lies a geologic wonderland centered on the copper prospect at Copper Butte. Not only are the Tertiary stratigraphic and structural relationships wondrous - a microcosm of challenges faced in deciphering southern Arizona geology - but the copper deposit is wondrous in its own way, and you will have the opportunity on this trip to make up your own mind about its origin based on what you can see for yourself in the field. This excursion is a detective story and it is your job as a participant to solve the whodunit! To your own satisfaction, at least. Databank: Areal geologic relationships around Copper Butte have been depicted at various scales by Phillips (1976), Creaseyet al. (1983), Keith (1986), Dickinson (1995), and Richard and Spencer (1998). A geologic map (and legend) of the local Copper Butte area from the Dickinson (1995) report and a segment of the regional Richard and Spencer (1998) map are included in this field trip guide. Assembly Point [Tucson contingent]: Parking lot at Oracle and Magee. Assemble at 6 AM for the drive to the first stop at 8 AM.
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Canyon Council Oa Where to Go Camping Guide
    GRAND CANYON COUNCIL OA WHERE TO GO CAMPING GUIDE GRAND CANYON COUNCIL, BSA OA WHERE TO GO CAMPING GUIDE Table of Contents Introduction to The Order of the Arrow ....................................................................... 1 Wipala Wiki, The Man .................................................................................................. 1 General Information ...................................................................................................... 3 Desert Survival Safety Tips ........................................................................................... 4 Further Information ....................................................................................................... 4 Contact Agencies and Organizations ............................................................................. 5 National Forests ............................................................................................................. 5 U. S. Department Of The Interior - Bureau Of Land Management ................................ 7 Maricopa County Parks And Recreation System: .......................................................... 8 Arizona State Parks: .................................................................................................... 10 National Parks & National Monuments: ...................................................................... 11 Tribal Jurisdictions: ..................................................................................................... 13 On the Road: National
    [Show full text]
  • Field Guide for a Transect from Florence to Miami, Arizona April 20
    Field Guide for a Transect from Florence to Miami, Arizona Compiled by Stephen M. Richard Guidebook for the Arizona Geological Society Spring Field Trip April 20-21, 1996 Arizona Geological Society P.O. Box 40952 Tucson, AZ 85717 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION........ ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 ROAD LOG •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••.••••••••••••..•••..•.•••••••••••.••...•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••• 2 DAY ONE.......................................................... ................................................................................................................ 2 DAY ............................................................................. .......................................... ...... ....... ........ ......................... 7 Two GEOLOGIC BACKGROUND FOR STOPS.................................................... ................................................................ 9 STOP 1. GEOLOGY PROJECT OVERVIEW OF BHPFLORENCE (POSTONBU1TE) PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSIT, PINAL AND COUNTY, ARIzONA. By C. K. HOAG ... ...........................THE . ... ....................... ........ ........ ...... ................................ 9 STOPS 2 AND 3. OVERVIEW OF SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS ANDWHITLOW CANYON AREA. BY CHARLES A. FERGUSON ...... 17 STOP 4. NORMAL FAULTING IN WHITFORD CANYON AREA, NORTHWEST
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L
    Page 1517 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1131 (Pub. L. 88–363, § 10, July 7, 1964, 78 Stat. 301.) Sec. 1132. Extent of System. § 1110. Liability 1133. Use of wilderness areas. 1134. State and private lands within wilderness (a) United States areas. The United States Government shall not be 1135. Gifts, bequests, and contributions. liable for any act or omission of the Commission 1136. Annual reports to Congress. or of any person employed by, or assigned or de- § 1131. National Wilderness Preservation System tailed to, the Commission. (a) Establishment; Congressional declaration of (b) Payment; exemption of property from attach- policy; wilderness areas; administration for ment, execution, etc. public use and enjoyment, protection, preser- Any liability of the Commission shall be met vation, and gathering and dissemination of from funds of the Commission to the extent that information; provisions for designation as it is not covered by insurance, or otherwise. wilderness areas Property belonging to the Commission shall be In order to assure that an increasing popu- exempt from attachment, execution, or other lation, accompanied by expanding settlement process for satisfaction of claims, debts, or judg- and growing mechanization, does not occupy ments. and modify all areas within the United States (c) Individual members of Commission and its possessions, leaving no lands designated No liability of the Commission shall be im- for preservation and protection in their natural puted to any member of the Commission solely condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy on the basis that he occupies the position of of the Congress to secure for the American peo- member of the Commission.
    [Show full text]