NEPA--Environmental Assessment
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Final Environmental Assessment United States Upper Deschutes River Wildland Urban Department of Agriculture Interface Fuel Reduction Project Forest Service Bend-Ft. Rock Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest July 2016 Deschutes County, Oregon Legal Description The project area is comprised of a series of treatment units stretching north from Wickiup Reservoir to the city of Bend. Treatment units are located in the following sections (Willamette Meridian): T18S R11E Section 35 T19S R11E Sections 5,16,20,21, 27, 28, and 31 T20S R11E Sections 6, 29, and 32 T20S R10E Sections 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 26, 27, 32, and 35 T20S R9E Section 36 T21S R9E Sections 1, 13, 24, and 36 T21S R10E Section 31 T21S R11E Section 32 T22S R9E Sections 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 T22S R11E Sections 5, 7, 8, 17 and 18 USDA Non-Discrimination Policy Statement DR 4300.003 USDA Equal Opportunity Public Notification Policy (June 2, 2015) 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. 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 CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 CONTEXT FOR PURPOSE AND NEED .................................................................................................................................................. 6 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION .................................................................................................................................................. 12 PROPOSED ACTION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 12 PROJECT RECORD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 23 DECISION FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 OTHER GUIDING DOCUMENTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................................................................................................................................................. 26 ISSUES ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 2. ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION ..................................................................................... 28 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED STUDY .................................................................................................. 28 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL ........................................................................................................................................... 29 CONNECTED ACTIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 34 PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES .......................................................................................................................................................... 38 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 52 SALE AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ............................................................................................................................................. 53 CHAPTER 3. EXISTING CONDITIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................................................................ 54 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT FOR ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS .................................................................................................................... 54 VEGETATION ............................................................................................................................................................................. 58 FIRE AND FUELS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 94 AIR QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................................................... 104 WILDLIFE ................................................................................................................................................................................ 105 SOILS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 180 BOTANY THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE SPECIES .......................................................................................................... 210 BOTANY – INVASIVE SPECIES....................................................................................................................................................... 212 RECREATION ............................................................................................................................................................................ 218 SPECIAL USES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 222 HERITAGE RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................................... 226 WATERSHED AND AQUATIC RESOURCES........................................................................................................................................ 232 SCENIC RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................... 252 HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY, AIR QUALITY .................................................................................................................................. 261 WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAINS .................................................................................................................................................... 262 PRIME FARMLAND, RANGELAND, AND FORESTLAND ........................................................................................................................ 263 CIVIL RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ................................................................................................................................