United States Department Biggie Vegetation Management of Agriculture and Fuels Reduction Project Fore st Service Environmental Assessment Pacific Southwest Region June 2016 Tahoe National Forest American River Ranger District Biggie Vegetation Management and Fuels Reduction Project 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. Cover photo: Giant Sequoias in the Placer County Grove of Big Trees, Tahoe National Forest. Photo courtesy of Roy Bridgman, Tahoe National Forest Biggie Vegetation Management and Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE, NEED AND PROPOSED ACTION ....................................................... 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACT ION .................................................................................................2 PROPOSED ACTION (ALTERNATIVE 1)...........................................................................................4 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION AND DECISION FRAM EWORK ...............................................................5 PUBLIC INVOLVEM ENT ................................................................................................................6 ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................6 CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED ACT ION ...........................................................................................7 CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 8 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL .......................................................................................8 Alternative 1, Proposed Action ............................................................................................... 8 Management Requirements .................................................................................................. 18 Alternative 2, No Action ....................................................................................................... 29 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED STUDY ...................................... 29 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES................................................................................................ 29 CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .... 32 FOREST VEGETATION ................................................................................................................ 33 Methodology for Analysis and Prescription Development ....................................................... 33 Affected Environment........................................................................................................... 35 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2 (No Action and Existing Condition)....................... 36 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 38 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 41 FIRE AND FUELS........................................................................................................................ 45 Background......................................................................................................................... 45 Tools Used to Predict Effects................................................................................................ 45 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 46 Direct and Indirect Effects for Alternative 2 .......................................................................... 48 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 48 SOIL PRODUCTIVITY .................................................................................................................. 51 Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 51 Soil Existing Conditions ....................................................................................................... 51 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 52 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2............................................................................ 54 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 54 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ........................................................................................... 56 Background......................................................................................................................... 56 Affected Environment........................................................................................................... 56 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 57 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2............................................................................ 58 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 58 AIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................................ 63 Background......................................................................................................................... 63 Current Conditions and Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2........................................ 63 Methodology for Estimating Emissions ................................................................................. 64 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 64 Biggie Project Environmental Assessment i Biggie Vegetation Management and Fuels Reduction Project Environmental Assessment Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 66 RECREATION, LANDS, AND VISUAL QUALITY.............................................................................. 67 Affected Environment........................................................................................................... 67 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 69 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2............................................................................ 72 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................... 72 RANGE RESOURCES ................................................................................................................... 73 Affected Environment........................................................................................................... 73 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 1............................................................................ 73 Direct and Indirect Effects of Alternative 2............................................................................ 74 Cumulative Effects for Alternative 1...................................................................................... 75 Cumulative Effects for Alternative 2...................................................................................... 75 WILDLIFE SPECIES....................................................................................................................