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Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Land and Resource Management Plan National Forests in Mississippi Forest Supervisor’s Office – Jackson, Mississippi Bienville National Forest – Forest, Mississippi Delta National Forest – Rolling Fork, Mississippi De Soto National Forest – Chickasawhay Ranger District – Laurel, Mississippi De Soto Ranger District - Wiggins, Mississippi Holly Springs National Forest – Oxford, Mississippi (Includes the Yalobusha Unit) Homochitto National Forest – Meadville, Mississippi Tombigbee National Forest – Ackerman, Mississippi (Includes the Ackerman and Trace Units) Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Elizabeth Agpaoa, Regional Forester Southern Region 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30309 Cooperating Agency: USDI Bureau of Land Management Eastern States, Southeastern States Field Office Bruce E. Dawson, Field Manager 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404 Jackson, MS 39206 For Information Contact: Margrett L. Boley, Forest Supervisor National Forests in Mississippi 200 South Lamar St., Suite 500-N Jackson, MS 39201 Telephone: (601) 965-1629 Abstract: Five alternatives for revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP or Forest Plan) for the National Forests in Mississippi are described, compared, and analyzed in detail in this Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Alternative A provides analysis of custodial management to address minimum legal management requirements. Alternative B represents no change from the current LRMP. Alternative C is the alternative selected by the Forest Service and was the foundation for the Revised Plan. Alternative D addresses an increased emphasis on restoration of historical forest conditions. Alternative E addresses an emphasis on improving forest health. Land Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement This page intentionally left blank National Forests in Mississippi Land and Resource Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement Table of Contents SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................ XI PROPOSED ACTION ........................................................................................................................................................ XI ISSUES ADDRESSED ........................................................................................................................................................ XI ALTERNATIVES............................................................................................................................................................... XI EFFECTS ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................................................... XI Soils ....................................................................................................................................................................... xi Air ........................................................................................................................................................................ xii Water ................................................................................................................................................................... xii Ecological Systems ............................................................................................................................................... xii Species Diversity .................................................................................................................................................. xii Forest Health and Protection .............................................................................................................................. xiii Fire Management ............................................................................................................................................... xiii Outdoor Recreation ............................................................................................................................................ xiii Scenery ................................................................................................................................................................ xiv Recreational Fisheries Management .................................................................................................................. xiv Wilderness .......................................................................................................................................................... xiv Wild and Scenic Rivers ........................................................................................................................................ xiv Special Areas ....................................................................................................................................................... xiv Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................................. xiv Forest Products .................................................................................................................................................... xv Minerals ............................................................................................................................................................... xv Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................................... xv Land Use and Ownership .................................................................................................................................... xvi Other Effects ....................................................................................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 PLANNING PROCESS ............................................................................................................................................ 1 1.4 SCOPE OF FOREST PLAN REVISION AND DECISIONS TO BE MADE .................................................................................. 2 1.5 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................................... 2 1.6 LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AREA .................................................................................. 4 1.7 SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FORESTS .............................................................................................................. 4 1.8 IDENTIFYING THE ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.9 SUMMARY OF ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.9.1 Native Ecosystem Restoration ............................................................................................................... 6 1.9.2 Biodiversity and Species Viability ........................................................................................................... 6 1.9.3 Forest Health .......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.9.4 Vegetation Management for Timber ..................................................................................................... 7 1.9.5 Fire Management .................................................................................................................................. 7 1.9.6 Old Growth ............................................................................................................................................. 7 1.9.7 Watersheds and Water, Soils, Aquatic Resources, Riparian Environments ........................................... 8 1.9.8 Access Management