Camp Tatiyee Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement
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United States Department of Agriculture Camp Tatiyee Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Coronado National Forest, Prescott National Forest, and Tonto National Forest, Arizona U.S. Forest Service Southwest Region January 2017 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, status as a parent (in education and training programs and activities), because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or retaliation. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) If you require this information in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD). If you require information about this program, activity, or facility in a language other than English, contact the agency office responsible for the program or activity, or any USDA office. To file a complaint alleging discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call Toll free, (866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Camp Tatiyee Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement Navajo County, Arizona Responsible Agency: United States Forest Service Responsible Official: M. Stephen Best, Forest Supervisor Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 30 S. Chiricahua Drive P.O. Box 640 Springerville, Arizona 85938 For Information Contact: Edward W. Collins, District Ranger Lakeside Ranger District Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 2022 West White Mountain Boulevard Lakeside, Arizona 85929 Phone: (928) 368-2100; fax: (928) 368-6476 Email: [email protected] Abstract The United States Forest Service (USFS) is proposing a land exchange between the Apache- Sitgreaves (ASNFs), Coronado (CNF), Prescott (PNF), and Tonto (TNF) National Forests in Central and Southern Arizona, and Lawyer’s Title of Arizona, Inc. The proposed exchange includes the transfer of one 344.24-acre parcel of federal land into private ownership and 18 parcels, totaling 1,719.32 acres, of private land into federal ownership. The land to be transferred to the USFS includes one 110.57-acre parcel to the ASNFs; eleven parcels totaling 1,153.18 acres to the CNF; one 11.15-acre parcel to the PNF; and five parcels totaling 444.42 acres to the TNF. The proposal to exchange lands responds to the USFS’s need for consolidation of federal land ownership patterns. Non-federal lands within national forests that are included in this exchange proposal are surrounded by national forest system lands and contain special features and habitats such as wildlife species habitat and perennial waters. The non-federal lands are also classified as desirable for acquisition because they contribute to an undesirable ownership pattern across the forests, making management of surrounding national forest system land more challenging. U.S. Forest Service i Camp Tatiyee Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... i Acronyms and Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... ix Document Structure ..................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................1 Purpose and Need .........................................................................................................................1 Decision Framework ....................................................................................................................1 Applicable Laws, Regulations, Policy, and Agency Direction ....................................................2 Forest Plans Compliance ..........................................................................................................4 Additional Documents/Requirements for Implementation ..........................................................8 Tribal Consultation .......................................................................................................................8 Public Involvement ......................................................................................................................9 Environmental Assessment Scoping Period ...........................................................................11 Environmental Impact Statement Scoping Period ..................................................................11 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comment Period ......................................................11 Issues ..........................................................................................................................................11 Issue 1: Recreation and Access ...............................................................................................12 Issue 2: Land Values and Socioeconomics .............................................................................12 Issue 3: Retention of Utility Easements ..................................................................................13 Issue 4: Loss of Cultural Resources ........................................................................................13 Other Related Efforts .................................................................................................................14 Other USFS Real Estate Activities in the Geographic Region ...............................................14 Chapter 2. Alternatives Including the Proposed Action ...........................................................15 Introduction ................................................................................................................................15 Alternatives Considered in Detail ..............................................................................................15 Alternative 1: No Action ........................................................................................................15 Alternative 2: The Proposed Action .......................................................................................15 Comparison of Alternatives .......................................................................................................44 Summary of Alternatives Comparison ...................................................................................44 Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ...................................49 Introduction ................................................................................................................................49 Projects & Actions Analyzed for Cumulative Effects................................................................49 Land Use ....................................................................................................................................51 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................51 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................61 Recreation and Public Access ....................................................................................................65 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................65 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................66 Socioeconomics ..........................................................................................................................69 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................69 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................78 Plants, Fish, and Wildlife ...........................................................................................................82 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................82 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................86 U.S. Forest Service iii Camp Tatiyee Land Exchange Final Environmental Impact Statement Grazing .......................................................................................................................................98 Affected Environment ............................................................................................................98 Environmental Consequences ...............................................................................................101 Wetlands and Floodplains ........................................................................................................102