Environmental Assessment United States Horseshoe Loop Department of Agriculture Forest Service Caney Ranger District, Corney Unit Southern Region Kisatchie National Forest April 2017 Claiborne Parish, Louisiana Kisatchie National Forest Horseshoe Loop Caney Ranger District Environmental Assessment 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]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Printed on recycled paper April 2017. Kisatchie National Forest Horseshoe Loop Caney Ranger District Environmental Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................v CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED ..........................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................1 1.3 Project Location ................................................................................................................3 1.4 Decision to be Made .........................................................................................................3 1.5 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................5 1.6 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ..........................................................................6 1.7 Monitoring ........................................................................................................................6 1.8 Public Involvement ...........................................................................................................7 1.8.1 Scoping .................................................................................................................7 1.8.2 Issues .....................................................................................................................7 1.8.3 Resource Areas Considered in Detail ...................................................................8 CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................................10 2.1 Alternatives Considered But Not Addressed in Detail ...................................................10 2.2 Alternatives Considered in Detail ...................................................................................10 2.2.1 Alternative A: No Action ....................................................................................10 2.2.2 Alternative B: Proposed Action ..........................................................................10 2.2.3 Alternative C .......................................................................................................15 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives and Proposal Objectives ....................................................16 CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES.....................................................................................................18 3.1 Measure of Environmental Effects .................................................................................18 3.1.1 Cumulative Impact Scenario ...............................................................................19 3.2 Soils.................................................................................................................................20 3.2.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................20 3.2.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................24 3.2.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................24 3.2.4 Impacts of Alternative C .....................................................................................27 3.2.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................27 3.3 Water Resources (including wetlands and floodplains)..................................................28 3.3.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................28 3.3.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................28 3.3.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................29 3.3.4 Impacts of Alternative C .....................................................................................32 3.3.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................33 3.4 Air Quality ......................................................................................................................36 i Kisatchie National Forest Horseshoe Loop Caney Ranger District Environmental Assessment 3.4.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................36 3.4.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................36 3.4.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................37 3.4.4 Impacts of Alternative C .....................................................................................39 3.4.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................39 3.5 Vegetation (including special status species) .................................................................40 3.5.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................40 3.5.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................45 3.5.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................46 3.5.4 Impact of Alternative C ......................................................................................51 3.5.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................52 3.6 Wildlife (including special status species) ......................................................................52 3.6.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................52 3.6.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................62 3.6.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................66 3.6.4 Impacts of Alternative C .....................................................................................72 3.6.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................72 3.7 Public Health and Safety .................................................................................................73 3.7.1 Affected Environment .........................................................................................73 3.7.2 Impacts of Alternative A: No Action ..................................................................73 3.7.3 Impacts of Alternative B: Proposed Action ........................................................74 3.7.4 Impacts of Alternative C .....................................................................................76 3.7.5 Cumulative Effects..............................................................................................76 3.8 Recreation .......................................................................................................................76