United States Forest Department of Service Agriculture CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Purpose of the Assessment .................................................................................................................................. 5 Structure of the Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 5 Public Involvement and the Living Assessment ................................................................................................. 6 Maps of the Assessment Area ............................................................................................................................. 7 Assessment Area, History and Distinctive Features ........................................................................................ 9 RESOURCES MANAGED AND EXISTING PLAN OBJECTIVES .................................................................... 11 BEST AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION .............................................................................................. 14 FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Chapter 1: Terrestrial, Aquatic, and Riparian Ecosystems ............................................................................ 16 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 16 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Trends .............................................................. 16 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ..................... 52 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 53 Chapter 2: Assessing Air, Water and Soil Resources ..................................................................................... 54 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 54 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 58 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 63 Chapter 3: Assessing System Drivers and Stressors ...................................................................................... 63 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 63 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 64 Contribution the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ....................... 77 Information gaps ........................................................................................................................................ 78 Chapter 4: Assessing Carbon Stocks ................................................................................................................ 78 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 78 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 79 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ..................... 81 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 82 Chapter 5: At-Risk Species ................................................................................................................................. 82 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................... 82 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 83 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 105 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 106 Chapter 6 Assessing Social, Cultural and Economic Conditions ............................................................... 106 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 106 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 109 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 116 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 119 Chapter 7 Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 120 1 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 121 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 121 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 122 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Water .................................................................................................................... 123 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Fish, Plants and Wildlife ................................................................................... 123 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 123 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ............................................... 124 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 129 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses-Range ..................................................................................................................... 129 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 129 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ............................................... 129 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Timber .................................................................................................................. 133 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................. 133 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ............................................... 133 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social, or Economic Sustainability .................. 137 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 137 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses-Wildland Fire Management ................................................................................. 71 Chapter 9: Recreation Settings, Opportunities and Access, and Scenic Character .................................. 138 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................. 138 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 138 Contribution the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social, or Economic Sustainability .................... 152 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 153 Chapter 10: Energy and Minerals ................................................................................................................... 153 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 153 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ............................................... 153 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social, or Economic Sustainability .................. 156 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 156 Chapter 11: Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................ 157 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 157 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ............................................... 157 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social, or Economic Sustainability .................. 165 Information Gaps 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