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Copper Creek Allotment Grazing Authorization Preliminary Environmental Assessment

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Copper Creek Allotment Grazing Authorization Preliminary Environmental Assessment United States Department of Agriculture Copper Creek Allotment Grazing Authorization Preliminary Environmental Assessment Forest Service Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District February 2017 For More Information Contact: Tyna Yost, South Zone NEPA Coordinator Mesa Ranger District 5140 E. Ingram Street Mesa, AZ 85205 480-610-3100 [email protected] 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. Environmental Assessment Contents Chapter 1: Purpose Of and Need for Action ................................................................................................. 5 Allotment Description and Location ........................................................................................................ 5 Allotment Management History ............................................................................................................... 9 Coordinated Resource Management Plan ............................................................................................. 9 Grazing Management Prescribed by the Coordinated Plan ................................................................ 10 Grazing Permit and Annual Operating Instructions ............................................................................ 10 Existing and Desired Conditions ............................................................................................................ 11 Range .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Soils..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Watersheds .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Water Quality and Quantity ................................................................................................................ 19 Purpose Of and Need for Action ............................................................................................................ 23 Proposed Action ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Decision Framework ............................................................................................................................... 24 Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 2: Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action ............................................................................ 27 Alternative A – Proposed Action ............................................................................................................ 27 Grazing Authorization......................................................................................................................... 27 Range Improvements .......................................................................................................................... 32 Adaptive Management: Native Fish Introductions ............................................................................. 38 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 39 Management Practices and Mitigation Measures ............................................................................... 42 Forest Plan Amendment ...................................................................................................................... 46 Alternative B – No Grazing .................................................................................................................... 46 Grazing Authorization......................................................................................................................... 46 Range Improvements .......................................................................................................................... 46 Adaptive Management: Native Fish Introductions ............................................................................. 47 Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Forest Plan Amendment ...................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 3: Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ........................................................ 49 Range ...................................................................................................................................................... 49 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 49 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 53 Hydrology, Riparian, and Watershed Resources .................................................................................... 62 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 62 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 63 Soil Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 68 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 68 Environmental Effects......................................................................................................................... 72 Recreation Resources ............................................................................................................................. 78 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 78 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 79 Fire and Fuels ......................................................................................................................................... 81 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 81 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 83 Wildlife Resources ................................................................................................................................. 87 Threatened and Endangered Wildlife, Plants, and Fish .......................................................................... 87 Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 87 3 Copper Creek Allotment Grazing Authorization Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................. 89 Forest Service Sensitive Wildlife, Plants, and Fish ................................................................................ 91 Sonoran Desert Tortoise.....................................................................................................................
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