BLM Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2015-0034-EA Blue Wing Complex Gather Humboldt River Field Office /Nevada September 2016 Prepared by: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Humboldt River Field Office 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd. Winnemucca NV 89445-2921 It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2015-0034-EA BLM/NV/WN/EA/16-06+1792 Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. ix Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................ x Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................. 5 1.3 Decision to be Made .......................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Scoping, Public Involvement and Issues ........................................................................... 6 Chapter 2.0 Alternatives ................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Summary of Alternatives ................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Project Descriptions Common to Alternatives A-D ........................................................ 10 2.3 Alternative A. Fertility Control and/or Spaying, with or without Gathers ...................... 15 2.4 Alternative B. (Preferred Alternative) Multiple Gathers and Removals with Fertility Control Vaccine and/or Spaying/Gelding ................................................................ 19 2.5 Alternative C. One-time Removal with Multiple Gathers and Fertility Control. .................................................................................................................................. 21 2.6 Alternative D. One-time Gather and Removal to AML. ................................................. 22 2.7 Alternative E. No Action Alternative .............................................................................. 22 2.8 Alternatives Considered but not Analyzed in Detail ....................................................... 22 2.8.1 Gathering and Removing Excess Wild Horses and Burros to High AML .............. 22 2.8.2 Control of Wild Horse and Burro Numbers by Natural Means ............................... 23 2.8.3 Raising the Appropriate Management Levels for Wild Horses and Burros ................................................................................................................................ 23 2.8.4 Remove or Reduce Livestock within the Blue Wing Complex ............................... 23 2.8.5 Make Individualized Excess Wild Horse and Burro Determinations Prior to Removal ........................................................................................................................ 24 2.8.6 Use of Alternative Capture Techniques Instead of Helicopter Capture .................. 25 2.8.7 Designation of the HMAs to be Managed Principally for Wild Horses and Burros (Sanctuaries) ................................................................................................... 26 2.8.8 Sex Ratio Adjustments ............................................................................................. 26 2.9 Land Use Plan Conformance ........................................................................................... 26 2.10 Relationship to Laws, Regulations and other Plans....................................................... 29 2.11 Conformance with Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines .................................. 30 Chapter 3. Affected Environment: ................................................................................................ 31 3.1 General Description of the Affected Environment .......................................................... 31 3.2 Supplemental Authorities and Additional Affected Resources ....................................... 32 3.2.1 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................... 35 3.2.2 Invasive, Nonnative Species .................................................................................... 35 3.2.3 Migratory Birds ........................................................................................................ 36 iv 3.2.4 Native American Religious Concerns ...................................................................... 37 3.2.5 Public Health and Safety .......................................................................................... 38 3.2.6 Threatened and Endangered Species ....................................................................... 38 3.2.7 Water Quality (Surface and Ground) ....................................................................... 39 3.2.8 Wetlands and Riparian Zones .................................................................................. 39 3.2.9 Wilderness................................................................................................................ 41 3.2.10 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics .................................................................. 42 3.2.11 Rangeland Management ......................................................................................... 42 3.2.12 Recreation .............................................................................................................. 46 3.2.13 Soils........................................................................................................................ 47 3.2.14 Special Status Species ............................................................................................ 48 3.2.15 Vegetation .............................................................................................................. 51 3.2.16 Wild Horses and Burros ......................................................................................... 51 3.2.17 Wilderness Study Areas ......................................................................................... 61 3.2.18 Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 62 Chapter 4. Environmental Effects ................................................................................................. 64 4.1 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................... 64 4.1.1 Impacts from Actions Common to Alternatives A-D .............................................. 64 4.1.2 Impacts from Alternative A ..................................................................................... 64 4.1.3 Impacts from Alternative B ..................................................................................... 64 4.1.4 Impacts from Alternative C ..................................................................................... 65 4.1.5 Impacts from Alternative D ..................................................................................... 65 4.1.6 Impacts from Alternative E ...................................................................................... 65 4.2 Invasive, Nonnative Species ............................................................................................ 65 4.2.1 Impacts from Actions Common to Alternatives A-D .............................................. 65 4.2.2 Impacts from Alternative A ..................................................................................... 65 4.2.3 Impacts from Alternative B ..................................................................................... 66 4.2.4 Impacts from Alternative C ..................................................................................... 66 4.2.5 Impacts from Alternative D ..................................................................................... 66 4.2.6 Impacts from Alternative E ...................................................................................... 66 4.3 Migratory Birds ............................................................................................................... 67 4.3.1 Impacts from Actions Common to Alternatives A-D .............................................. 67 4.3.2 Impacts from Alternative A ..................................................................................... 67 4.3.3 Impacts from Alternative B ..................................................................................... 67 4.3.4 Impacts from Alternative C ..................................................................................... 67 4.3.5 Impacts from Alternative D ..................................................................................... 68 4.3.6 Impacts from Alternative E ...................................................................................... 68 4.4 Native American Religious Concerns ............................................................................. 68 v 4.4.1 Impacts from Actions Common