Invasive Plant Management United States Draft Environmental Impact Department of Agriculture Statement for the Bridger- Forest Service Teton National Forest Intermountain Region Bridger-Teton National Forest Bridger-Teton National Fremont, Lincoln, Park, Sublette and Teton Counties, Wyoming Forest March 2019 Cheatgrass infestation on the Bridger-Teton National Forest The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) 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Persons with Disabilities Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). Reviewers Comments It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Pg. i Invasive Plant Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Bridger-Teton National Forest Fremont, Lincoln, Park, Sublette and Teton Counties, Wyoming Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Tricia O’Connor, Forest Supervisor P.O. Box 1880, 340 N. Cache Jackson, WY 83001 For Information Contact: Chad Hayward, Natural resource Manager Bridger-Teton National Forest P.O. Box 218, 10418 S US Hwy 189 Big Piney, WY 83113 Abstract: This Draft Environmental Impact Statement presents the analysis concerning three alternatives for treating invasive plant species on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Alternative 1 is a continuation of current invasive species management. Alternative 2, the preferred alternative, would treat thousands of acres annually using a combination of manual, mechanical, biological, aerial and ground herbicide applications. Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 but does not utilize aerial herbicide application. The proposed treatments would occur over the next 10-15 years and would utilize adaptive and integrated invasive plant treatment. Comments: The DEIS is available on the Bridger-Teton National Forest website. Use the link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52791 to download the document. Information concerning the deadline for comments and methods to submit those comments will be published in the Federal Register and posted at the website address listed above. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency’s preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent administrative review or judicial review. Individuals and entities (non-governmental organizations, businesses, partnerships, state and local governments, Alaska Native Corporations and Indian Tribes) who submit timely, specific written comments regarding this project during this comment period or who have submitted timely, specific written comments during previous comment periods may subsequently file an objection when the draft record of decision is published. All timely, specific written comments that have been received during previous comment periods are filed in the project record, have been considered in the preparation of this document and will be considered again by the deciding officer before a decision is made. These previously submitted comments need not be resubmitted. Submit comments to: [email protected] Pg. ii Table of Contents Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Invasive Plant Management on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.......... 5 Background ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 Purpose and Need for Invasive Plant Management on the Bridger-Teton National Forest ...................................... 7 Proposed Action ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Public Involvement .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Issues ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action ........................................................................................ 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................................................................ 14 Alternative 1 – No Action ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Alternative 2 – The Proposed Action ....................................................................................................................... 16 Alternative 3 – No Aerial Application of Herbicides ................................................................................................ 23 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ................................................................................. 23 Comparison of Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ................................................................. 28 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 28 Issue #1 Native Vegetation and Invasive Species .................................................................................................... 28 Issue #2: Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive Species and Their Habitats (Plants and Wildlife) ........................