Final Record of Decision
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United States Department of Agriculture FINAL RECORD OF DECISION Motorized Vehicle Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for the greatest good June 2016 VicinityVicinity Map Map OREGON Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest High Cascades Powers 5 ¨¦§ Grants Pass Wild Rivers Gold Beach Medford I Siskiyou Mountains Wild Rivers OREGON CALIFORNIA The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 Lead Agency: TARGET CenterUSDA at Forest(202) 720 Service-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaintIn accordance of discrimination, with Federal write civil to rights USDA, law Director, and U.S. Office Department of of Civil Rights,Rogue 1400 River-Siskiyou Independence Avenue,National S.W., Forest Washington,Agriculture D.C. 20250 -(USDA)9410, or civilcall (800)rights 795 regulations-3272 (voice) and or policies, (202) the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on Responsible Official: Robert G. MacWorter race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender Forest Supervisor expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or For Further Information David Krantz, Project Manager activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Forest Supervisor’s Office 3040 Biddle Road Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication Medford, Oregon 97504 for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Phone: (541) 618-2082 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. 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] . 2016 FINAL RECORD OF DECISION MOTORIZED VEHICLE USE ON THE ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST Pacific Northwest Region Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, Curry, Coos, and Josephine Counties in Oregon Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties in California Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Responsible Official: Robert G. MacWhorter Forest Supervisor For Further Information: David Krantz, Project Manager Forest Supervisor’s Office 3040 Biddle Road Medford, Oregon 97504 Phone: (541) 618-2082 Project Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=33404 2016 Final Record of Decision MOTORIZED VEHICLE USE ON THE ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Location ................................................................................................................................................. 1 MY DECISION .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Modifications to Alternative 5 .............................................................................................................. 2 Modifications Resulting From the Objection Resolution Process ........................................... 6 Description of Modified Alternative 5 ............................................................................................... 10 Forest-wide Management Direction of Modified Alternative 5 ................................................ 10 District Specific Management Direction of Modified Alternative 5 ......................................... 13 Mitigation Measures and Monitoring Strategy ................................................................................. 15 Required Mitigation Measures .................................................................................................... 15 Monitoring ..................................................................................................................................... 15 DECISION RATIONALE ............................................................................................................................. 16 Response to Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................ 16 Implement Subpart B of the Travel Management Rule ............................................................ 16 Eliminate General Cross-country Travel ................................................................................... 16 Improve Public Safety.................................................................................................................. 16 Amend National Forest Plans ..................................................................................................... 17 Preserve a Diversity of Motorized Recreation Opportunities .................................................. 17 Establish Provisions for Motorized Access for Dispersed Camping ..................................... 17 Response to Significant Issues ......................................................................................................... 17 Water Quality and Erosion (FSEIS page III-9) ........................................................................... 18 Botanical Areas and Special Plant Habitats (FSEIS page III-23) ............................................. 18 Public Safety (FSEIS page III-26) ................................................................................................ 18 Motorized Opportunities (FSEIS page III-30) ............................................................................. 18 Roadless Character within Inventoried Roadless Areas (FSEIS page III-43)......................... 19 Other Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Implementation ................................................................................................................................... 19 Authority .............................................................................................................................................. 20 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ............................................................................................................... 21 ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE .............................................................................. 22 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................................................................ 22 CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND OTHER LAWS ........................................................... 23 Forest Plan Consistency (NFMA) ...................................................................................................... 23 Significance Determination: Forest Plan Amendments ........................................................... 23 Other Legal Requirements and Policies ........................................................................................... 25 IMPLEMENTATION DATE ......................................................................................................................... 28 AUTHORIZATION ...................................................................................................................................... 28 ATTACHMENT A - FOREST PLAN AMENDMENTS .................................................................................. 1 ATTACHMENT B - REQUIRED MITIGATION MEASURES ....................................................................... 1 ATTACHMENT C - MONITORING PLAN .................................................................................................... 1 ATTACHMENT D - MODIFIED ALTERNATIVE 5 MAP .............................................................................. 1 2016 Final Record of Decision MOTORIZED VEHICLE USE ON THE ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST INTRODUCTION Over the past year (2015), I have been involved in field visits