U.S. DepartmentoftheInterior Bureau of Land Management South Steptoe Valley Watershed Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-NV-L020–2011–0013–EA September 26, 2011 PREPARING OFFICE U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Schell Field Office 702 N. Industrial Way HC33 Box 33500 Ely, NV 89301 (775) 289–1800 South Steptoe Valley Watershed Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment: DOI-BLM- NV-L020–2011–0013–EA September 26, 2011 This page intentionally left blank South Steptoe Valley Watershed iii Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Identifying Information ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1. Title, EA number, and type of project .................................................................... 1 1.1.2. Location of Proposed Action ................................................................................. 1 1.1.3. Name and Location of Preparing Office ................................................................ 1 1.2. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................ 3 1.4. Relationship to Planning ................................................................................................... 6 1.5. Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or other Plans ....................................................... 7 1.6. Scoping, Public Involvement and Issues .......................................................................... 8 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives .......................................................................................... 11 2.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 13 2.2. Adaptive Management .................................................................................................... 13 2.3. Proposed Action ..............................................................................................................13 2.3.1. Treatment Restrictions Common to All Treatment Methods ............................... 15 2.3.1.1. Timing Restrictions ................................................................................... 15 2.3.1.2. Treatment Design Restrictions .................................................................. 15 2.3.1.3. Visual Resource Restrictions .................................................................... 16 2.3.1.4. Cultural Restrictions ................................................................................. 16 2.3.1.5. Mineral Restrictions .................................................................................. 17 2.3.1.6. Travel Restrictions .................................................................................... 17 2.3.1.7. Grazing Restrictions .................................................................................. 18 2.3.1.8. Hydrology Restrictions ............................................................................. 18 2.3.1.9. Cadastral Restrictions ............................................................................... 19 2.3.1.10. Private Land Restrictions ........................................................................ 19 2.3.1.11. Air Quality Restrictions .......................................................................... 19 2.3.1.12. Non-Native Invasive and Noxious Species ............................................. 19 2.3.1.13. Right-of-way Restrictions ....................................................................... 20 2.3.1.14. Wilderness Restrictions ........................................................................... 20 2.3.2. Treatment Methods .............................................................................................. 20 2.3.2.1. Methods for tree removal or woodland restoration ................................... 20 2.3.2.2. Mechanical Methods for Sagebrush Restoration ...................................... 22 2.3.2.3. Chemical Treatments ................................................................................ 23 2.3.2.4. Prescribed Fire .......................................................................................... 26 2.3.2.5. Non-Native Seedings ................................................................................ 27 2.3.2.6. Aspen Restoration ..................................................................................... 28 2.3.2.7. Seeding ...................................................................................................... 28 2.3.2.8. Fencing ...................................................................................................... 29 2.3.2.9. Wildland Fire for Resource Benefit and the Fire Management Plan ........ 30 2.3.3. Treatment Units .................................................................................................... 31 2.3.3.1. Treatment Unit 1 ....................................................................................... 31 2.3.3.2. Treatment Unit 2 ....................................................................................... 34 2.3.3.3. Treatment Unit 3 ....................................................................................... 37 September 26, 2011 Table of Contents iv South Steptoe Valley Watershed Restoration Plan Environmental Assessment 2.3.3.4. Treatment Unit 4 ....................................................................................... 40 2.3.3.5. Treatment Unit 5 ....................................................................................... 45 2.3.3.6. Treatment Unit 6 ....................................................................................... 48 2.3.3.7. Treatment Unit 7 ....................................................................................... 51 2.3.4. Monitoring ........................................................................................................... 55 2.3.5. Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 55 2.4. No Action Alternative ..................................................................................................... 55 2.5. Alternatives Considered but not Analyzed in Detail ...................................................... 56 2.5.1. No Chemical Alternative ..................................................................................... 56 2.5.2. Native Seed Only Alternative .............................................................................. 56 2.5.3. Natural Fire Only Alternative .............................................................................. 56 2.5.4. Passive Restoration Alternative ........................................................................... 56 2.5.5. Hand Cutting Only Alternative ............................................................................ 57 3. Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 59 3.1. Air Quality ...................................................................................................................... 61 3.2. Soil Resources ................................................................................................................. 62 3.3. Vegetation ....................................................................................................................... 62 3.3.1. Rangeland Vegetation .......................................................................................... 62 3.3.2. Forest and Woodland Vegetation ......................................................................... 63 3.3.3. Special Status Plant Species ................................................................................. 64 3.3.3.1. Pennel Beardtongue .................................................................................. 64 3.3.4. Non-native Invasive and Noxious Species .......................................................... 64 3.4. Vegetative Products ......................................................................................................... 65 3.5. Fish and Wildlife Resources ........................................................................................... 65 3.5.1. Fish and Wildlife .................................................................................................. 65 3.5.2. Migratory Birds and Raptors ............................................................................... 66 3.5.2.1. Migratory Birds ......................................................................................... 66 3.5.2.2. Raptors ...................................................................................................... 67 3.5.3. Special Status Animal Species ............................................................................. 68 3.5.3.1. Greater Sage-grouse .................................................................................. 68 3.5.3.2. Pygmy Rabbits .......................................................................................... 72 3.6. Wetlands and Riparian Areas .........................................................................................