Alsea Falls Recreation Area Management Plan Environmental Assessment October 9, 2012 United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, Salem District Responsible Agency: USDI – Bureau of Land Management Responsible Official: Rich Hatfield, Field Manager Marys Peak Resource Area 1717 Fabry Road SE Salem, OR 97306 (503) 315-5968 For further information, contact: Tim Fisher, Project Lead (541) 574-3142 Environmental Assessment Number: DOI-BLM-OR-S050-2013-0001-EA As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering economic use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interest of all people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. administration. BLM/OR/WA/AE-10/094+1792 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction and Background ..............................................................................1 1.1 Summary of Planning Area ...............................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................4 1.3 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................5 1.4 Conformance with Land Use Plan, Statutes, Regulations, and other Plans ......................7 Relevant Statutes and Authorities .....................................................................................7 1.5 Public Involvement and Identification of Relevant Issues ...............................................8 Relevant Issues and Concerns ...........................................................................................8 1.6 Decisions to be Made ........................................................................................................9 1.7 Land Classification .........................................................................................................10 Chapter 2 Alternatives ...........................................................................................................11 2.1 Management Goals and Objectives ................................................................................11 2.2 Description of Alternatives .............................................................................................12 2.3 Alternative A: Continuation of Existing Management (No Action Alternative) ............13 Theme 1: Overnight Use (Figure 3) ................................................................................13 Theme 2: Day-Use ...........................................................................................................16 Theme 3: Trail System Management ..............................................................................18 Theme 4: Visitor Information and Interpretation ............................................................18 2.4 Alternative B: Increased Demand Emphasis (Proposed Action) ....................................20 Theme 1: Overnight Use .................................................................................................20 Theme 2: Day-Use ...........................................................................................................27 Theme 3: Trail System Management ..............................................................................28 Theme 4: Visitor Information and Interpretation ............................................................31 2.5 Management Actions ......................................................................................................33 All Themes ......................................................................................................................33 2.6 Project Design Features ..................................................................................................34 Project Design Features (PDFs) Common to All Management Actions .........................34 2.7 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail .....................................................39 2.8 Comparison of Management Alternatives ......................................................................41 Chapter 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Effects ..........................................44 3.1 Recreation, Rural Interface, and Visual Resource Management ....................................44 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................44 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................47 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................49 3.2 Air Quality, Fire Risk, and Fuels Management ..............................................................50 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................50 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................50 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................51 3.3 Fisheries and Aquatic Systems .......................................................................................51 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................51 Environmental Consequences .........................................................................................52 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................56 3.4 Hydrology and Water Quality .........................................................................................56 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................56 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................58 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................60 3.5 Soils.................................................................................................................................60 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................60 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................61 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................62 3.6 Vegetation .......................................................................................................................62 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................62 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................63 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................64 3.7 Wildlife ...........................................................................................................................65 Affected Environment .....................................................................................................65 Environmental Effects .....................................................................................................67 Cumulative Effects ..........................................................................................................70 Chapter 4 Aquatic Conservation Strategy Compliance .....................................................71 Chapter 5 Contacts and Consultation ..................................................................................75 5.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .......................................................................................75 5.2 National Marine Fisheries Service ..................................................................................76 Chapter 6 List of Preparers and Major Sources .................................................................77 6.1 List of Preparers ..............................................................................................................77 Major Sources ..................................................................................................................77 6.2 Interdisciplinary Team Reports .......................................................................................77 6.3 Citations ..........................................................................................................................78 Appendix A Alsea Falls RAMP - Water Quality Management Plan ................................................. A-1 DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT