The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Project Environmental Assessment
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The National Forests and United States Department of Agriculture Grasslands in Texas Forest Service Non-Native Invasive Plant August 2008 Species Project Environmental Assessment The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas NEPA (short for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969) is the Where is this Forest Service decision-making process that provides opportunities for project in the interested parties to give their ideas and opinions about resource Forest Service management. This input is important in helping the Forest Service to NEPA process? identify resource needs, which will shape the alternatives evaluated and lead to the formation of a decision. The following explains the steps of the NEPA process, and where the attached proposal is in that process. ; Step One–Need for a Project. The Forest Service or some other entity may identify the need for a project. YOU may bring the need for a project to the attention of the Forest Service. ; Step Two–Develop Project Proposal. The Forest Service or a project proponent develops detailed, site-specific proposal. YOU may be proponent who develops proposal or YOU can share input and ideas. ; Step Three–Scoping (Public Input). The Forest Service solicits public input on the site- specific proposal to define the scope of environmental analysis and range of alternatives to be considered. YOU provide site-specific input on issues, alternatives, and mitigation measures. ; Step Four–Develop Reasonable Range of Alternatives. If scoping determines need for EA or EIS, the Forest Service develops alternatives. YOU suggest alternatives to the proposed action during the scoping process. Step Five–Information for Formal Public Comment Period. Forest Service performs analysis of environmental effects, identifies preferred alternative, and solicits formal public comment. YOU provide timely and substantive comments on the analysis during the comment period. Step Six–Environmental Analysis & Decision. Forest Service finalizes the EA and makes decision to implement one of the alternatives. YOU can review the decision; you can appeal if you disagree, and you have “standing.” Step Seven–Appeal. Forest Service allows public 45 days following legal notice of decision to appeal. YOU may file formal Notice of Appeal. Step Eight–Implementation. Forest Service implements the project. YOU may contribute labor, equipment, or funding to implement the project. Step Nine–Monitor and Evaluate. Forest Service monitors and evaluates project results. YOU provide feedback on the project to the Forest Service. 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The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Project Environmental Assessment Contents Crosswalk of Scientific and Common Names of Species Found in the Non-Native Invasive Plant Species EA ............................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 1—PURPOSE AND NEED .......................................................................... 11 Introduction....................................................................................................................11 Proposed Action........................................................................................................12 Adaptive Management.......................................................................................... 14 Treatment Areas.................................................................................................... 15 Project Location........................................................................................................15 Purpose and Need ..........................................................................................................23 USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Framework for Non-Native Invasive Plant Species............................................................................................23 What the NFGT Land and Resource Management Plan Says About NNIPS Management...........................................................................................................24 NFGT Desired Condition...................................................................................... 25 NNIPS Desired Conditions for all Management Areas on the NFGT.................. 26 How NNIPS Interfere with Management Area Goals .......................................... 26 Management Area Descriptions............................................................................ 27 Other Species to Watch For .................................................................................. 35 Proposed Action........................................................................................................35 Integrated Pest Management................................................................................. 35 Adaptive Management.......................................................................................... 37 Treatment Priorities and Schedule of Activities ................................................... 38 Types of Actions Considered................................................................................ 38 Cumulative Effects................................................................................................ 39 Decisions To Be Made..............................................................................................39 Public Involvement ...................................................................................................41 Tribal Consultation ...................................................................................................41 Issues..............................................................................................................................41 Non-significant Issues and Comments......................................................................42 Additional Comments Received During Public Involvement ..................................43 Significant Issues ......................................................................................................47 Issue 1: Herbicide Use .......................................................................................... 47 Issue 2: NNIPS Treatments in the Wilderness...................................................... 47 CHAPTER 2—ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................... 49 Alternatives....................................................................................................................49 Alternatives Eliminated from Detailed Consideration..............................................49 Alternative Suggestions from the Public Incorporated into the Alternatives Considered in Detail ..............................................................................................50 Alternatives Considered in Detail.............................................................................50 Alternative 1—No Action..................................................................................... 50 Alternative 2—Proposed Action........................................................................... 51 Alternative 3—Modified Proposed Action........................................................... 56 Alternative 4.......................................................................................................... 56 Alternative 5.......................................................................................................... 56 Comparison of Alternatives...........................................................................................57 1 The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Project Environmental Assessment Comparison of Alternatives by Forest Plan Direction, Needs, and Activities..........57 Comparison of Alternatives by Issues ......................................................................57 Issue 1: Herbicide Use .......................................................................................... 57 Issue 2: NNIPS Treatments in the Wilderness...................................................... 57 Comparison of Alternatives by Summary of Resource Effects................................57 CHAPTER 3—DIRECT/INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ........................ 69 Detailed Analysis Introduction ......................................................................................69 Alternative 1—No Action.........................................................................................69 References to Direct/Indirect and Cumulative Effects .............................................69