United States Department of Environmental Assessment: Agriculture Forest Service SILVICIDE December 2013 For More InformationContact: Paul Hancock, Grand River Ranger District, th 1005 5 Ave. W. Lemmon, SD 57638. (605) 374-3592 Dakota Prairie Grasslands Billings, Slope, Golden Valley, Sioux, Grant, McHenry, McKenzie, Ransom and Richland Counties in North Dakota Corson, Perkins and Ziebach Counties in South Dakota Data Accuracy - The Forest Service uses the most current and complete data available. Geographic information system (GIS) data and product accuracy may vary. They may be developed from sources of differing accuracy, accurate only at certain scales based on modeling or interpretation, incomplete while being created or revised, etc. Using GIS products for purposes other than those, for which they were created, may yield inaccurate or misleading results. The Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace, GIS products without notification. For more information, contact: Dakota Prairie Grasslands GIS shop, 240 W. Century Ave., Bismarck, ND 585003 (701)250-4443. EEO Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 USDAs TARGET Center at (202) 720- 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Cover Photo: Russian olive at stockpond in Halverson Allotment, Cedar River National Grassland, Sioux Co., ND. 9 June 2009. Photo by Dan Svingen. Environmental Assessment Table of Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................2 Document Structure ..................................................................................................................................2 Background ...............................................................................................................................................2 Project Area...............................................................................................................................................3 Need for the Proposal ................................................................................................................................4 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................................6 Management Direction ..............................................................................................................................6 Laws Regulation and Policy......................................................................................................................6 Decision Framework .................................................................................................................................8 Public Involvement ...................................................................................................................................8 Issues .........................................................................................................................................................8 Alternatives, including the Proposed Action .................................................................................................8 Alternatives ...............................................................................................................................................8 Mitigation and Design Features Common to All Alternatives ..................................................................9 Comparison of Alternatives ....................................................................................................................11 Environmental Consequences .....................................................................................................................12 Consultation and Coordination ....................................................................................................................14 List of Tables Table 1. Comparison of Alternative Effects on Desired Conditions and Issues. ........................................11 List of Figures Figure 1. Map of Project Area .......................................................................................................................4 i Project Name Introduction Document Structure The Forest Service has prepared this environmental assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This environmental assessment discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and alternatives. Background The use of herbicides for control of certain noxious weed species has already been approved under the Record of Decision for the Noxious Weed Management Project, Dakota Prairie Grasslands (USDA FS 2007). That decision authorized an integrated, adaptive approach to continue to treat existing and future infestations of noxious weed species. That decision did not address the use of herbicides for the control of undesired trees and shrubs. There is a need, in order to accelerate restoration projects on the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, to remove invasive trees and shrubs. DEFINITIONS: Noxious Weeds: Those plant species designated as weeds by federal or state laws. Noxious weeds generally possess one or more of the following characteristics: aggressive and difficult to manage, poisonous, toxic, parasitic, a carrier or host for serious insects or diseases, and generally non-native [Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plant pp. 35]. Invasive Plant: A species that displays rapid growth and spread, free from natural controls and enhanced by abundant seed production and germination [Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan pp. 26]. Note: invasive plants may or may not be listed as noxious, but generally have similar ecological impacts. 2 Environmental Assessment Project Area The project area (Figure 1) for the proposed use of the silvicides would be the same area analyzed for the 2007 Noxious Weed Management FEIS, and includes the following areas: Medora, McKenzie, Grand River, and Sheyenne Ranger Districts and the Denbigh and Souris Experimental Forests. These areas are collectively known as the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. The Dakota Prairie Grasslands are located in both North and South Dakota and encompass portions of Billings, Slope, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Sioux, Grant, McHenry, Ransom and Richland Counties, North Dakota; and Corson, Perkins and Ziebach Counties, South Dakota. Portions of the project area are within the boundaries of the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Indian Reservations. The project area consists of National Forest System (NFS) lands. Proposed treatments would occur throughout the project area. 3 Project Name Figure 1: Map of project area. 4 Environmental Assessment Purpose and Need for the Proposal The purpose of this proposal is to authorize the use of silvicides. This action is needed because individual trees and shrubs removed using only mechanical or cultural methods can re-sprout (Figures 2-3), necessitating additional treatments. Figure 2: Russian olive trees in Hoopie Allotment, Cedar River National Grasslands prior to being cut down. June 2008. Photo by Jordan Kvale. Treating the cut stumps of these trees, shrubs, and brush would reduce the need for retreatment. This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the 2002 Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan (as amended), and helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in that document. Those desired conditions as described in the Land and Resource Management Plan include: Goal 1.a: Improve and protect watershed conditions to provide the water quality and quantity and soil productivity necessary to support ecological functions and intended beneficial water uses. Objective 2: Move at least 80 percent of riparian areas and woody draws toward self- perpetuating plant and water communities that have desired diversity and density of understory and over story vegetation within site capability. Figure 3: Russian olive trees, Hoopie Allotment, Cedar River National Grassland, Goal 1.b: provide ecological conditions to resprouting after mechanical treatment. sustain viable populations of native and desired non- October 2008. Photo by Dan Svingen. 5 Project Name native species and to achieve objectives for management Indicator Species (MIS). Goal 1.c: Increase the amount of forests and grasslands restored to or maintained in a healthy condition with reduced risk and damage from disturbance processes, both natural and human-controlled. Objective 7: within 10 years, implement