Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository) Depository) 11-2005 Richfield Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs Part of the Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons Recommended Citation U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, "Richfield Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment" (2005). All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository). Paper 461. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs/461 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository) at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository) by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management RICHFIELD FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT UT-050-04-045 November 2005 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) # UT – 050- 04 -045 Richfield Fire Management Plan EA This unsigned FONSI and the attached EA #UT- 050- 04 -045 for the Richfield Fire Management Plan are available for public review and comment for 30 days beginning on January 17, 2006. Based on the analysis of potential environmental impacts in the attached EA and consideration of the significance criteria in 40 CFR 1508.27, I have determined that with required and proposed protection measures the Richfield Fire Management Plan would not result in significant impacts on the human environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required. The decision to approve or deny the Richfield Fire Management Plan, and if appropriate a signed FONSI with rationale, will be released after consideration of public comments and completion of the EA. ___________________________________ _______________ State Director Date TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1 . PURPOSE AND NEED ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.3 NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION.................................................................................................................. 1-3 1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED ACTION.................................................................................................... 1-3 1.5 CONFORMANCE WITH BLM LAND USE PLANS................................................................................... 1-4 1.6 RELATIONSHIP TO STATUTES, REGULATIONS, OR OTHER PLANS ............................................. 1-5 1.7 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES.......................................................................................................................... 1-5 1.8 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-7 CHAPTER 2 . DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES .................................................................... 2-1 2.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 PROPOSED ACTION......................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.6 Overall Goals.................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.2.7 Fire Management Actions for the Proposed Action ..................................................................... 2-3 2.2.8 Resource Protection Measures.......................................................................................................... 2-5 2.3 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE.......................................................................................................................... 2-5 2.4 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM FURTHER ANALYSIS.......................... 2-8 2.4.6 Historical Fire Alternative ................................................................................................................... 2-8 2.4.7 Non-Fire Treatment Alternative........................................................................................................ 2-8 CHAPTER 3 . AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 GENERAL SETTING ........................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RESOURCES BROUGHT FORWARD FOR ANALYSIS..................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3.1 Air Quality............................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3.2 Areas Of Critical Environmental Concern...................................................................................... 3-4 3.3.3 Cultural Resources................................................................................................................................ 3-6 3.3.4 Invasive, Noxious and Non-Native Plants ...................................................................................... 3-7 3.3.5 Native American Religious Concerns............................................................................................... 3-8 3.3.6 Special Status Species............................................................................................................................ 3-9 3.3.7 Water Quality ......................................................................................................................................3-11 3.3.8 Wetlands and Riparian Zones ..........................................................................................................3-12 3.3.9 Wild and Scenic Rivers.......................................................................................................................3-15 3.3.10 Wilderness Study Areas.....................................................................................................................3-16 3.3.11 Livestock Grazing ................................................................................................................................3-18 3.3.12 Woodlands and Forestry...................................................................................................................3-18 3.3.13 Vegetation..............................................................................................................................................3-20 3.3.14 Fish and Wildlife...................................................................................................................................3-25 3.3.15 Soils .........................................................................................................................................................3-30 3.3.16 SocioEconomics ...................................................................................................................................3-31 3.3.17 Wilderness Characteristics ...............................................................................................................3-32 CHAPTER 4 . ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES................................................................ 4-1 4.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 4-1 November 2005 Table of Contents/Richfield i 4.2 PROPOSED ACTION......................................................................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.1 Air Quality............................................................................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.2 Areas Of Critical Environmental Concern...................................................................................... 4-4 4.2.3 Cultural Resources................................................................................................................................ 4-6 4.2.4 Invasive, Noxious and Non-Native Species..................................................................................... 4-7 4.2.5 Native American Religious Concerns............................................................................................... 4-7 4.2.6 Special Status Species............................................................................................................................ 4-8 4.2.7 Water Quality ......................................................................................................................................4-12