DERCUM MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FEBRUARY 2014 USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Dillon Ranger District 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 USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................................................. 1-1 A. Document Structure ..................................................................................................................................... 1-1 B. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 C. The NEPA/EA Process ................................................................................................................................ 1-3 D. Purpose and Need for Action ...................................................................................................................... 1-4 E. Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 1-8 F. Identification of Issues ................................................................................................................................ 1-8 Human Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 1-9 Physical and Biological Environment ............................................................................................................ 1-10 G. Consistency with the WRNF’s 2002 LRMP ............................................................................................. 1-12 H. Other Necessary Permits, Licenses, Entitlements and/or Consultation ..................................................... 1-13 2. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................... 2-1 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2-1 B. Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................................. 2-1 Alternative 2 – the Proposed Action ................................................................................................................ 2-3 Modifications Made to The Proposed Action ................................................................................................... 2-7 C. Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................................................................... 2-7 D. Management Requirements Designed to Minimize/Avoid Environmental Effects ................................... 2-13 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................... 3-1 A. Recreation ................................................................................................................................................... 3-2 Scope of Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 3-2 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................................... 3-2 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 3-8 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-11 B. Scenery Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 3-12 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-12 Management of the Scenic Envrionment on National Forest System Lands .................................................. 3-12 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-14 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-17 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-19 C. Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................................... 3-20 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-20 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-20 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-21 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-21 D. Economic Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 3-22 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-22 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-23 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-28 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-30 E. Wildlife and Aquatic Species .................................................................................................................... 3-32 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-32 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-32 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................ 3-46 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-55 F. Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................. 3-62 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-62 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-62 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................ 3-67 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-70 Keystone Resort Dercum Mountain Improvements Project Environmental Assessment i Table of Contents G. Soil Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 3-71 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-71 Forest Plan Direction .................................................................................................................................... 3-71 Existing Conditions .......................................................................................................................................