United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests REVISED DRAFT Forest Assessments: Scenic Character March 2018 The fall colors and snow covered mountains of Mount Sneffels Wilderness exhibit the scenic character found on the mountainous areas of the GMUG. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] (link sends e-mail). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests REVISED DRAFT Forest Plan Assessments: Scenic Character Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ i Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Key Issues for Scenic Character on the GMUG ........................................................................................ 1 Summary Public Input ............................................................................................................................... 2 Use of Best Available Science .................................................................................................................. 2 Information Evaluated for Scenic Character .......................................................................................... 3 Information Gaps ................................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2. Condition and Trends .............................................................................................................. 3 General Description of Scenic Character of the GMUG ............................................................................ 3 Existing Conditions of Scenic Character ................................................................................................... 5 Concern Levels and Landscape Visibility .............................................................................................. 5 Scenic Attractiveness ............................................................................................................................ 5 Scenic Classes ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Existing Scenic Integrity ......................................................................................................................... 6 Potential Scenic Character ...................................................................................................................... 11 Trends Affecting Scenic Character .......................................................................................................... 11 Social and Economic Trends ............................................................................................................... 11 Environmental Trends .......................................................................................................................... 12 Social, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability of Scenic Character .............................................. 13 Scenic Character Contribution to the Socioeconomic Landscape .......................................................... 14 Chapter 3. Current Forest Plan and its Context within the Broader Landscape ................................ 16 Existing Forest Plan Management Direction for Scenic Character ......................................................... 16 Forest Plan Consistency with External Plans for Scenic Character ........................................................ 17 Issues in the Broader Landscape ........................................................................................................ 17 Chapter 4. Potential Need for Plan Changes to Respond to Scenic Character Issues ..................... 17 References Cited ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Appendix: Maps ........................................................................................................................................ 20 List of Figures Figure 1. West Elk Wilderness viewed from Kebler Pass Road ..................................................................................... 7 Figure 2. View from East Dallas Road of Mt Sneffels Wilderness. This area exhibits high scenic integrity in the foreground and middleground and very high existing scenic integrity in the background distances .............................. 8 Figure 3. Island Lake. The lake and views beyond have high existing scenic integrity .................................................. 8 Figure 4. Past vegetation management in the West Beaver Creek area meets moderate existing scenic integrity ....... 9 Figure 5. Island Lakes Campground meets moderate existing scenic integrity .............................................................. 9 Figure 6. Past regeneration harvests with noticeable unit edges, seen from Middle Quartz Road 7767, meet low existing scenic integrity ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Figure 7. Utility corridors with right-of-way clearing typically meet very low existing scenic integrity ........................... 10 Figure 8. Concern Levels, public concern for naturally appearing scenery .................................................................. 20 Figure 9. Grand Mesa Geographic Area – Landscape Visibility and Sensitivity based on concern level, distance zone and potential seen area. (Fg = Foreground, Mg = Middleground, Bg = Background, ss = Seldom Seen) ................... 21 Figure 10. Gunnison Basin Geographic Area – Landscape Visibility and Sensitivity based on concern level, distance zone and potential seen area. (Fg = Foreground, Mg = Middleground, Bg = Background, ss = Seldom Seen) ........... 22 i USDA Forest Service Figure 11. North Fork Valley Geographic Area – Landscape Visibility and Sensitivity based on concern level, distance zone and potential seen area. (Fg = Foreground, Mg = Middleground, Bg = Background, ss = Seldom Seen) ........... 23 Figure 12. San Juans Geographic Area – Landscape Visibility and Sensitivity based on concern level, distance zone and potential seen area. (Fg = Foreground, Mg = Middleground, Bg = Background, ss = Seldom Seen) ................... 24 Figure 13. Uncompahgre Plateau Geographic Area – Landscape Visibility and Sensitivity based on concern level, distance zone and potential seen area. (Fg = Foreground, Mg = Middleground, Bg = Background, ss = Seldom Seen) ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Figure 14. Grand Mesa National Forest – Scenic Attractiveness. Mapping reflects scenic attractiveness dominant for most of the year ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Figure 15. Gunnison National Forest – Scenic Attractiveness. Mapping reflects scenic attractiveness dominant for most of the year ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 16. Uncompahgre National Forest – Scenic Attractiveness. Mapping reflects scenic attractiveness dominant for most of the year .....................................................................................................................................................