Sioux Travel Management FEIS
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Final Environmental Impact United States Forest Department of Statement Service Agriculture Sioux Travel Management Sioux Ranger District Custer National Forest Carter County of Montana and Harding County of South Dakota June 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. SIOUX RANGER DISTRICT TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Final Environmental Impact Statement Custer National Forest - Sioux Ranger District Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Mary C. Erickson, Acting Forest Supervisor Custer NF, 1310 Main St. Billings, MT 59105 For Information Contact: Doug Epperly, Project Coordinator Custer NF, 1310 Main Street Billings, MT 59105 (406) 657-6205 ext. 225 Abstract: The Forest Service is proposing to designate routes for public motorized use within the Sioux Ranger District of the Custer National Forest. The new travel management decision would designate system roads and trails for public motorized uses and specify the type of vehicle and season of use for each route. Motorized off-route travel would be prohibited, except where designated for access to dispersed vehicle camping. Over-snow vehicle use is not part of the decision to be made in this analysis. The two action alternatives considered in this EIS represent a broad range of public sentiment regarding road and motorized trail management, and frame the significant issues related to the decision to be made. The alternative of taking no action is also considered in this EIS. The preferred alternative is Alternative B. Comments on this FEIS. Public review and comment was solicited on the “draft” environmental impact statement (DEIS), and utilized in the preparation of this final environmental impact statement (FEIS). No further public review nor public comment is being sought on this “final” EIS. Appeal of Decisions. Reviewers whom disagree with information presented in this FEIS may appeal any decision based upon it. Decisions based upon this FEIS are described in separate documents. It is the reviewer’s responsibility to obtain those decision documents and follow procedures described in them to appeal the decision(s). TABLE OF CONTENT Chapter 1: Purpose and Need, and Proposed Action 1.1 OVERVIEW OF CHANGES FROM THE DRAFT TO THE FINAL EIS ..........................................................1-1 1.2 BACKGROUND.........................................................................................................................................................1-1 1.2.1 AGENCY TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLANNING..........................................................................................1-1 1.2.2 DISTRICT TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PLANNING................................................................1-2 1.2.3 FOUR THREATS TO FOREST AND GRASSLAND HEALTH.......................................................................1-2 1.2.4 ROADS ANALYSIS .........................................................................................................................................1-2 1.2.5 GENERAL LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHIC SETTING...............................................................................1-3 1.2.6 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE ...........................................................................................................................1-4 1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED..............................................................................................................................................1-4 1.4 PROPOSED ACTION ...............................................................................................................................................1-5 1.5 SCOPE OF DECISION TO BE MADE ...................................................................................................................1-5 1.5.1 DECISIONS TO BE MADE............................................................................................................................1-5 1.5.2 DECISIONS THAT WILL NOT BE MADE.....................................................................................................1-5 1.6 LEGAL FRAMEWORK ...........................................................................................................................................1-5 1.6.1 AUTHORITY FOR TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLANNING...........................................................................1-6 1.6.2 EXECUTIVE ORDER 11644 AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11989............................................1-6 1.6.3 EXECUTIVE ORDER 13443..........................................................................................................................1-6 1.6.4 2005 MOTORIZED TRAVEL RULE ..............................................................................................................1-6 1.6.4.1 Designation Criteria.................................................................................................................................1-6 Access Needs ...........................................................................................................................................1-8 Accessibility.............................................................................................................................................1-8 Conflicts Among Uses of National Forest System Lands.........................................................................1-8 Safety .......................................................................................................................................................1-9 Montana State Law ...................................................................................................................................1-9 South Dakota State Law..........................................................................................................................1-10 Operator Responsibilities........................................................................................................................1-10 1.6.4.2 Administrative Use................................................................................................................................1-11 1.6.4.3 Public Rights-Of-Way Access...............................................................................................................1-12 1.6.4.4 Revised Statute (R.S.) 2477 Rights-Of-Way.........................................................................................1-12 1.6.5 MINIMUM ROAD SYSTEM (36 CFR 212.5(B)(1)) .....................................................................................1-12 1.6.6 REGIONAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLANNING GUIDANCE...............................................................1-13 1.6.6.1 Motorized Game Retrieval....................................................................................................................1-13 1.6.6.2 Motorized Cross-Country Areas............................................................................................................1-13 1.6.7 1986 CUSTER NATIONAL FOREST LAND AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN..........................1-14 Chapter 2: Public Participation, Issues and Alternatives 2.1 OVERVIEW OF CHANGES FROM DRAFT TO FINAL EIS.............................................................................2-1 2.2 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................................2-1 2.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................2-1 2.3.1 PUBLIC SCOPING ........................................................................................................................................2-1 2.3.2 NOTICE OF INTENT .....................................................................................................................................2-2 2.3.3 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FOR THE DEIS ...................................................................................................2-2 Table of Content TOC-i TABLE OF CONTENT 2.4 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES.............................................................................................................................................2-3 2.4.1 RECREATION ................................................................................................................................................2-3 2.4.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES .............................................................................................................................2-4 2.4.3 WILDLIFE......................................................................................................................................................2-4 2.5 OTHER ISSUES.........................................................................................................................................................2-4