Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revised United States Department of Agriculture Land and Resource Forest Service Management Plan Southern Region Cherokee National Forest Management Bulletin R8-MB 114B January 2004 Supervisor’s Office P.O. Box 2010 Cleveland, TN 37320 2800 N. Ocoee Street. Cleveland, TN 37312 Office: (423) 476-9700 Fax: (423) 339-8650 Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District Nolichucky/UnakaRanger District Rt. 1, Box 348-D 4900 Asheville Highway, SR70 Benton, TN 37307 Greeneville, TN 37743 Office: (423) 338-5201 Office: (423) 638-4109 Fax: (423) 338-6577 Fax: (423) 638-6599 Tellico Ranger District Watauga Ranger District 250 Ranger Station Road P.O. Box 400 (4400 Unicoi Drive) Tellico Plains, TN 37385 Unicoi, TN 37692 Office: (423) 253-2520 Office: (423) 735-1500 Fax: (423) 253-2804 Fax: (423) 735-7306 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Abstract The Forest Service proposes to revise the Land and Resource Management Plan (1986) for the Cherokee National Forest. The proposal updates the management goals, objectives, standards, and monitoring requirements for the ten-year planning period beginning when the revised LMP is approved. Revised management direction is developed for all of the lands resources on the Cherokee National Forest and is coordinated with that of the National Forests in Alabama, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, and the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................i List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................iii List of Tables..................................................................................................................................................iv Chapter 1: Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................ 1 Proposed Action......................................................................................................................................... 2 Need to Change Forest Plans ................................................................................................................... 2 Forest Plan Decisions................................................................................................................................ 4 Forest Profile.............................................................................................................................................. 5 Public Involvement .................................................................................................................................... 7 Preliminary Issues ...................................................................................................................................10 Significant Issues.....................................................................................................................................10 Planning Process .....................................................................................................................................12 Draft EIS...................................................................................................................................................13 Planning Process Records ......................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Alternatives...............................................................................................................................14 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................14 Consistency Across Forests/State Lines................................................................................................14 Alternative Development.........................................................................................................................15 Consistency with Renewable Resource Planning Act............................................................................16 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study...............................................................16 Alternatives Considered in Detail ...........................................................................................................20 Changes to Alternative I ..........................................................................................................................27 Comparison of Alternatives.....................................................................................................................28 Chapter 3: Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences....................................................43 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................43 Physical Elements....................................................................................................................................43 Biological Elements .................................................................................................................................91 Resource Management Programs....................................................................................................... 304 Social and Economic Environment...................................................................................................... 398 Unavoidable Adverse Effects ............................................................................................................... 432 Relationship between Short-term Uses and Long-term Productivity................................................. 433 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT I CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST Irreversible/Irretrievable Commitment of Resources......................................................................... 434 Incomplete or Unavailable Information............................................................................................... 435 Environmental Justice .......................................................................................................................... 436 Chapter 4: Preparers............................................................................................................................... 437 Core Interdisciplinary Team ................................................................................................................. 437 Interdisciplinary Team Members ......................................................................................................... 437 Leadership Team.................................................................................................................................. 438 Other Specialists................................................................................................................................... 439 Chapter 5: Distribution List..................................................................................................................... 441 Individuals............................................................................................................................................. 441 Associations, Businesses, Federal Agencies, State, City, and County Agencies, and Organizations ............................................................................................................................................................... 442 Chapter 6: Glossary................................................................................................................................. 445 II ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1- 1. Cherokee National Forest vicinity map with Ranger Districts. 7 Figure 3-1. Fifth level watershed within the CNF 54 Figure 3-2. Total nitrogen oxide emission (tons) in 1990 and location of point sources of nitrogen oxides greater than or equal to 10,000 tons per year (SAMI, 2002). 82 Figure 3-3. Area that could possibly be designated nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard based upon using 1998 through 2000 data. 83 Figure 3-4. Changes in total nitrogen oxide emission (tons) in 2040 and location of point sources of nitrogen oxides greater than or equal to 10,000 tons in 1990 (SAMI, 2002). 83 Figure