UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Field Office DOI-BLM-ID-B010-2010-0024-EA Proposed Action: To restore forest health Applicant (if EA No.DOI-BLM-ID- and vigor, increase resilience to wildland any): B010-2010-0024-EA fire, and decrease wildland fire potential. State: County: District: Field Office: Authority: Idaho Boise Boise Four Rivers NEPA, FLPMA Prepared By: Report Date: Title: Pumpkin-Brainard Forest Restoration ID Team LANDS INVOLVED Meridian Township Range Sections Acres Boise 8 N 3 E 14, 2-27, 34-35 2,120 N/A or Applicable or Discussed Consideration of Critical Elements Not Present Present, No Impact in EA Air Quality X Areas of Critical Environmental Concern X Cultural Resources X Environmental Justice (E.O. 12898) X Farm Lands (prime or unique) X Floodplains X Migratory Birds X Native American Religious Concerns X Invasive, Nonnative Species X Wastes, Hazardous or Solid X Threatened or Endangered Species X Social and Economic X Water Quality (Drinking/Ground) X Wetlands/Riparian Zones X Wild and Scenic Rivers (Eligible) X Wilderness Study Areas X Pumpkin Brainard Forest Restoration DOI-BLM-ID-B010-2010-0024-EA Page i DOI-BLM-ID-B010-2010-0024-EA PUMPKIN-BRAINARD FOREST RESTORATION Table of Contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Purpose and Need of Action............................................................................................. 7 1.2 Summary of Proposed Action .......................................................................................... 7 1.3 Location and Setting......................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plan ................................................................. 7 1.5 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, and Other Requirements ...................................... 8 1.6 Scoping and Development of Issues ................................................................................ 9 2 Description of the Alternatives ............................................................................................. 10 2.1 Alternatives Considered But Not Analyzed in Detail .................................................... 10 2.1.1 Land Exchange Alternative ..................................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Broadcast Burn Alternative ..................................................................................... 10 2.1.3 Helicopter Harvest Alternative ............................................................................... 10 2.1.4 No Road Construction/Reconstruction Alternative ................................................ 11 2.2 Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives .......................................................... 11 2.2.1 Alternative A - No Action/Continue Present Management .................................... 11 2.2.2 Alternative B - Proposed Action ............................................................................. 11 2.2.2.1 Project Design Features ................................................................................... 13 3 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ................................................... 18 3.1 Soil ................................................................................................................................. 18 3.1.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 18 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 19 3.1.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 19 3.1.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 19 3.2 Vegetation – Including Noxious Weeds and Special Status Species ............................. 19 3.2.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 19 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 27 3.2.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 27 3.2.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 30 3.3 Riparian Areas/Stream Channels ................................................................................... 34 3.3.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 34 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 35 3.3.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 35 3.3.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 35 3.4 Water Quality ................................................................................................................. 35 3.4.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 35 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 36 3.4.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 36 3.4.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 36 3.5 Livestock Grazing Management .................................................................................... 37 3.5.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 37 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 37 Pumpkin Brainard Forest Restoration DOI-BLM-ID-B010-2010-0024-EA Page ii 3.5.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 37 3.5.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 38 3.6 3.6 Wildlife..................................................................................................................... 38 3.6.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 38 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 41 3.6.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 41 3.6.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 43 3.7 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 45 3.7.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 45 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 46 3.7.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 46 3.7.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 46 3.8 Air Quality...................................................................................................................... 46 3.8.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 46 3.8.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 48 3.8.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 48 3.8.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 48 3.9 Recreation....................................................................................................................... 49 3.9.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 49 3.9.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 50 3.9.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 50 3.9.2.2 Alternative B.................................................................................................... 51 3.10 Visual Resource Management (VRM) ....................................................................... 51 3.10.1 Affected Environment ............................................................................................. 52 3.10.2 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 52 3.10.2.1 Alternative A ................................................................................................... 52 3.10.2.2 Alternative B...................................................................................................