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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. Francis Marion National Forest Final Environmental Impact Statement For the Revised Land Management Plan January 2017 Berkeley and Charleston Counties, South Carolina Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Rick Lint, Forest Supervisor 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29212 For Information Contact: Mary Morrison, Project Leader 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29212 Phone: 803-561-4000 Abstract: Three alternatives for revision of the 1996 Francis Marion National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan) are described, compared and analyzed in detail in this final environmental impact statement. Alternative 1 represents no change from the current forest plan. Alternative 2 is the alternative preferred by the Forest Service and is the foundation for the revised forest plan. Alternative 3 is a variation of alternative 2 and considers less prescribed burning near communities and major roads. The notice of intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2014 (Vol. 79, No. 83, FR, pp. 24372 to 24375). The notice of intent asked for public comment on the proposal from May 1, 2014 to June 16, 2014. A 90-day comment period was initiated on August 14, 2015 with the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (Vol. 80, No. 157, FR, p. 48854). Approximately 37 letters and emails were received during the comment period. The letters were reviewed and concern statements were developed. Specialists addressed these concern statements and their responses are provided in the response to comments. Public input was also used to update the revised forest plan and its associated final environmental impact statement. All changes were considered minor and were within the scope of the analysis in the draft environmental impact statement. Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................... viii S.1 Proposed Action .................................................................................................................... 1 S.2 Issues Addressed ................................................................................................................... 1 S.3 Alternatives ........................................................................................................................... 1 S.4 Summary of Effects Analysis ................................................................................................ 1 S.5 Scope of the Decision ............................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 1. Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Document Structure ............................................................................................................ 5 1.2 Background ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................ 10 1.4 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................ 13 1.5 Decision Framework ......................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Public Involvement ........................................................................................................... 15 1.7 Issues ................................................................................................................................. 17 1.7.1 Significant Issues ........................................................................................................ 17 1.8 Relationship to Other Documents ..................................................................................... 20 1.9 Other Related Efforts ........................................................................................................ 20 Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action ............................................................... 21 2.1 Alternative Development .................................................................................................. 21 2.1.1 How Alternatives 2 and 3 Were Developed ............................................................... 22 2.2 Alternatives Considered in Detail ..................................................................................... 25 2.2.1 Alternative 1. No Action (1996 Forest Plan).............................................................. 25 2.2.2 Alternative 2. Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) ............................................. 25 2.2.3 Alternative 3 ............................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .......................................... 26 2.4 Comparison of Alternatives .............................................................................................. 27 2.4.1 Alternative 1. No Action (1996 Forest Plan).............................................................. 27 2.4.2 Alternative 2. (Proposed Action) ................................................................................ 31 2.4.3 Alternative 3 ............................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ........................................... 46 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 47 3.2 Physical ............................................................................................................................. 47 3.2.1 Soils ............................................................................................................................ 47 3.2.2 Geology and Groundwater ......................................................................................... 57 3.2.3 Air Quality .................................................................................................................. 71 3.2.4 Climate Change .......................................................................................................... 74 3.2.5 Watershed and Water Resources ................................................................................ 85 3.3 Biological Environment .................................................................................................. 101 3.3.1 Ecosystems ............................................................................................................... 101 3.3.2 Threatened and Endangered Species ........................................................................ 140 3.3.3 Species of Conservation Concern ............................................................................. 170 3.3.4 Forest Health and Protection .................................................................................... 205 3.4 Economic and Social Environment ................................................................................. 227 3.4.1 Forest Products and Timber Harvesting ................................................................... 227 3.4.2 Community Wildfire Protection Planning ................................................................ 233 3.4.3 Infrastructure ...........................................................................................................