United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2016-0031-EA September 2016 The Recapture Canyon ATV Trails System, San Juan County, Utah Location: San Juan County, Utah Applicant/Address: San Juan County 117 South Main Street P.O. Box 9 Monticello, Utah 84535 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office 435 North Main Monticello, UT 84535 Phone: 435-587-1522 FAX: 435-587-1518 This Page Intentionally Left Blank The Recapture Canyon ATV Trails System, San Juan County, Utah DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2016-0031-EA TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Purpose & Need ............................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Need for the Proposed Action .................................................................................... 6 1.4 Purpose of the Proposed Action ................................................................................ 6 1.5 Conformance with BLM Land Use Plan ..................................................................... 7 1.6 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or Other Plans ............................................... 8 1.7 Authorizing Actions ...................................................................................................10 1.8 Identification of Issues ..............................................................................................10 1.8.1 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................12 1.8.2 Paleontology .............................................................................................................12 1.8.3 Private Residences ...................................................................................................12 1.8.4 Public Safety .............................................................................................................12 1.8.5 Recreation ................................................................................................................12 1.8.6 Riparian Vegetation, Wetland and Floodplain Resources ..........................................12 1.8.7 Soils ..........................................................................................................................12 1.8.8 Water Resources ......................................................................................................12 1.8.9 Wildlife including Special Status Species ..................................................................12 1.9 Issues Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis ..........................................13 1.10 Summary ................................................................................................................13 2.0 Description of Alternatives, Including Proposed Action ..........................................14 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................14 2.2 Alternative A Proposed Action ......................................................................................14 2.2.1 Trail Segments ..........................................................................................................15 2.2.1.1 Segment 1 ..........................................................................................................17 2.2.1.2 Segment 2 .........................................................................................................18 2.2.1.3 Segment 3 .........................................................................................................18 Environmental Assessment i Recapture Canyon ATV Trail System 2.2.1.4 Segment 4 ..........................................................................................................19 2.2.1.5 Segment 5 ..........................................................................................................19 2.2.1.6 Segment 6 ..........................................................................................................19 2.2.2 Trailheads .................................................................................................................19 2.2.2.1 Lem’s Draw Trailhead ...................................................................................19 2.2.2.2 Browns Canyon Trailhead .............................................................................20 2.2.2.3 Blanding Visitor Center Trailhead..................................................................20 2.2.3 Land Requirements ...................................................................................................20 2.2.4 Trail Construction ......................................................................................................21 2.2.4.1 Trail Construction Procedures ............................................................................21 2.2.4.2 Construction Schedule .......................................................................................22 2.2.4.3 Construction Workforce ......................................................................................23 2.2.4.4 Fueling and Hazardous Materials .......................................................................23 2.2.4.5 Erosion and Sediment Control ............................................................................23 2.2.5 Visitor Control, Signing, Interpretation and Law Enforcement ..............................23 2.2.5.1 Visitor Control .....................................................................................................23 2.2.5.2 Signing and Interpretation ...................................................................................24 2.2.5.3 Enforcement .......................................................................................................24 2.2.6 Public Health and Safety ...........................................................................................25 2.2.6.1 Emergency Response ........................................................................................25 2.2.6.2 Human and Solid Waste Handling and Disposal .................................................25 2.2.7 Fire Control ...............................................................................................................25 2.2.8 Noxious and Invasive Species Control ......................................................................25 2.2.9 Monitoring and Maintenance .....................................................................................25 2.2.10 Post-Construction/Reclamation ...............................................................................26 2.2.11 Estimated Cost of Project and Bonding ...................................................................26 2.2.12 Right of Way Administration ....................................................................................27 2.2.13 Additional Design Features and Environmental Protection Measures .....................27 2.2.13.1 Cultural Resources ...........................................................................................27 2.2.13.2 Paleontology .................................................................................................27 2.2.13.3 Riparian Vegetation ......................................................................................28 2.2.13.4 Soil and Water ..............................................................................................28 2.2.13.5 Recreation ........................................................................................................28 Environmental Assessment ii Recapture Canyon ATV Trail System 2.2.13.6 Visual Resources ..........................................................................................29 2.2.13.7 Mule Deer and Elk .......................................................................................29 2.2.13.8 Raptors and Migratory Birds .........................................................................29 2.3 Alternative B ................................................................................................................29 2.4 Alternative C ................................................................................................................31 2.4.1 Trail Segments ..........................................................................................................33 2.3.1.1 Segment 1 ....................................................................................................36 2.3.1.2 Segment 2 ....................................................................................................36 2.3.1.3 Segment 3 ....................................................................................................36 2.3.1.4 Segment 4 ....................................................................................................37 2.3.1.5 Segment 5 ....................................................................................................37 2.3.1.6 Segment 6 ....................................................................................................37 2.3.1.7 Segment 7 ....................................................................................................37