Environmental Assessment United States Department of Agriculture Wilson Peak Land Exchange Forest Service Norwood and Gunnison Ranger Districts Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests April 2015 and Dolores Ranger District San Juan National Forest San Miguel, Dolores, Gunnison and Saguache Counties Wilson Peak Summit (summitpost.org) For Information Contact: Dee A. Closson, Lands/Minerals Staff Officer Norwood Ranger District PO Box 388 Norwood, CO 81423 (970) 327-4261 [email protected] 1 (Intentionally left blank) 2 Summary The following Environmental Assessment (EA) examines the environmental consequences of the proposed Wilson Peak Land Exchange. Non-Federal Parties propose to convey five separate parcels of non-federal land containing a total of approximately 681 acres to the United States in exchange for four federal properties containing a total of approximately 301 acres of equal value. Land from two additional non-federal equalization parcels may be included if necessary. This EA was prepared by the United States Forest Service and includes recommendations from third-party consultants as well as extensive public input. 3 (Intentionally left blank) 4 Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Document Organization ...................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Project Location .................................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................................ 11 1.5 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................................ 12 1.6 Consistency with Approved Plans and Key Laws ............................................................................ 12 Forest Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Land Ownership Adjustment Strategy ................................................................................................ 14 Uncompahgre National Forest Travel Plan ......................................................................................... 14 Key Federal Laws and Executive Orders ............................................................................................ 14 1.7 Decision Framework ......................................................................................................................... 15 1.8 Public Involvement ........................................................................................................................... 15 1.9 Issues ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Key Issues Identified Through the Scoping Process ........................................................................... 16 Additional Effects to Consider ............................................................................................................ 17 2.0 Alternatives Including the Proposed Action ......................................................................................... 19 2.1 Alternatives Considered in Detail ..................................................................................................... 19 Activities Common to all Alternatives (Mineral Withdrawal) ........................................................... 19 Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................... 19 Activities Common to Alternatives 2 and 3 (Appraisal) ..................................................................... 19 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ......................................................................................................... 19 Alternative 3 – Proposed Action with Mountain Bike Trails ............................................................. 21 2.2 Alternatives Not Considered in Detail .............................................................................................. 21 Purchase Option .................................................................................................................................. 21 Deed Restrictions on the Federal Parcels ............................................................................................ 21 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives .............................................................................................................. 22 3.0 Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................... 25 3.1 Hazardous Materials ......................................................................................................................... 25 Exis ting Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 25 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 26 5 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 26 3.2 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................................. 26 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 26 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 27 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 28 3.3 Forest Service Sensitive Species ....................................................................................................... 28 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 28 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 30 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 32 3.4 Management Indicator Species (MIS) ............................................................................................... 32 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 32 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 33 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 33 3.5 Wetlands and Floodplains ................................................................................................................. 34 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 34 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 34 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 34 3.6 Water Rights and Water Resources .................................................................................................. 34 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 34 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 36 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 37 3.7 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................ 37 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 37 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 38 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 38 3.8 Minerals ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Existing Condition (No Action Alternative) ....................................................................................... 38 Environmental Consequences (Proposed Action and Alternative 3) .................................................. 39 Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................