Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Valley Conservation Easement Program
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Centennial Valley Conservation Easement Program Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan Environmental AssessmentAssessment Centennial Valley Conservation Easement Program Prepared by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge 27820 Southside Centennial Road Lima, Montana 59739 and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service RW-RE Branch of Planning P.O. Box 25486 - DFC Denver, Colorado 80225 March 2001 TTTable of ContentsContents Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action Introduction and Background .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Project Area ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of and Need for Proposed Action......................................................................................................................... 4 Decisions to be Made ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 Issues Identified and Selected for Analysis .................................................................................................................... 14 Biological Issues .................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Wildlife Habitat ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Water Resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 Grassland Habitat ........................................................................................................................................................ 15 Social and Economic Issues................................................................................................................................................ 16 Landownership/Land-Use .......................................................................................................................................... 16 Public Use ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Issues Not Selected for Detailed Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 16 Related Actions and Activities .......................................................................................................................................... 17 National Wildlife Refuge System and Authorities ......................................................................................................... 18 Guiding Principles of the National Wildlife Refuge System .................................................................................. 18 Goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System ......................................................................................................... 19 The Habitat Protection and Land Acquisition Process ................................................................................................. 20 Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Preferred Alternatives Alternative A. No Action ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Alternative B. Establish the Centennial Valley Conservation Easement Program (Preferred) ............................ 22 Alternatives Considered but not Studied ........................................................................................................................ 22 Voluntary Landowner Zoning .................................................................................................................................... 22 County Zoning .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 3. Affected Environment Biological Environment ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Habitat ........................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Uplands ................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Amphibians and Reptiles ..................................................................................................................................... 26 Mammals................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Birds ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Fishes ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Social and Economic Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 29 Agricultural Resources ............................................................................................................................................... 29 Landownership ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 Property Tax .......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Public Use and Wildlife-dependent Recreational Activities .......................................................................... 30 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................................................. 30 Contaminants and Hazardous Materials ................................................................................................................... 30 Chapter 4. Environmental Consequences Effects on the Biological Environment ............................................................................................................................ 31 Wildlife and Grassland Habitat .................................................................................................................................. 31 Water Resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Effects on the Social and Economic Environment ......................................................................................................... 33 Landownership/Land-Use .......................................................................................................................................... 33 Effects on Public Use .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts .......................................................................................................................................... 34 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ......................................................................................... 34 Short-term Uses Versus Long-term Productivity ......................................................................................................... 34 Cumulative Impacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 34 Environmental Assessment - Centennial Valley Conservation Easement Program - March 2001 i Chapter 5. Coordination and Environmental Review Agency Coordination .......................................................................................................................................................... 35 National Environmental Policy Act .................................................................................................................................