Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Croatan National Forest United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Region FEIS for the Croatan LRMP 1 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communications 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, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250- 9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice Or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Management Bulletin Number R8-MB-108C December 2002 2 FEIS for the Croatan LRMP Final Enviromental Impact Statement for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Croatan National Forest December 2002 Carteret, Craven, and Jones Counties of North Carolina Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Bob Jacobs Regional Forester Southern Region 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, GA 30367-9102 For More Information: John Ramey Forest Supervisor USDA Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina P.O. Box 2750 Asheville, NC 28802 828-257-4200 Abstract: Six alternatives for revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Croatan National Forest are described and compared in this Final Environmental Impact Statement. The alternatives are labeled A, B, C, C-modified, D and E. Alternative E is the alternative preferred by the Forest Service. The Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Croatan National Forest is a companion document that provides the detailed direction of the preferred alternative. The Record of Decision for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Croatan National Forest is also a companion document that gives the rationale for the preferred alternative. FEIS for the Croatan LRMP 3 This page intentionally left blank. 4 FEIS for the Croatan LRMP Table of Contents SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................................. 11 ISSUES ADDRESSED............................................................................................................................ 11 1. Biological Diversity.................................................................................................................. 11 2. Recreation Opportunities. ......................................................................................................... 12 3. Special Land Allocation............................................................................................................ 12 4. Silviculture, Forest Products and Forest Health. ...................................................................... 12 5. Fire Management. ..................................................................................................................... 12 6. Access. ...................................................................................................................................... 13 7. Local Communities................................................................................................................... 13 RESPONDING TO ISSUES..................................................................................................................... 13 Alternative A---Current Management Direction .......................................................................... 13 Alternative B................................................................................................................................. 13 Alternative C................................................................................................................................. 14 Alternative C-Modified................................................................................................................. 14 Alternative D................................................................................................................................. 14 Alternative E (Preferred)............................................................................................................... 14 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL ................................................................ 14 1. Biological Diversity.................................................................................................................. 14 2. Recreation Opportunities .......................................................................................................... 16 3. Special Land Allocations .......................................................................................................... 17 4. Forest Products and Forest Health ............................................................................................ 18 5. Fire Management ...................................................................................................................... 19 6. Access ....................................................................................................................................... 21 7. Local Communities................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE AND NEED ......................................................................................................... 23 1.1: Proposed Action.................................................................................................................... 23 1.2: Purpose and Need for the Forest Plan Revision ................................................................... 23 1.3: Public Participation............................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 2: ALTERNATIVES FOR MANAGING THE CROATAN NATIONAL FOREST................................ 27 2.1: AN ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED BUT NOT STUDIED IN DETAIL.................................................. 27 2.2: ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND STUDIED IN DETAIL ............................................................. 27 2.2.1: Alternative A---Current Management Direction ............................................................... 28 2.2.2: Alternative B...................................................................................................................... 29 2.2.3: Alternative C...................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.4: Alternative C- Modified..................................................................................................... 33 2.2.5: Alternative D...................................................................................................................... 34 2.2.6: Alternative E (preferred).................................................................................................... 36 2.3: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES BY ISSUE ................................................................................ 38 2.3.1: Biological Diversity........................................................................................................... 38 2.3.2: Recreation Opportunities ................................................................................................... 42 2.3 3: Special Land Allocations................................................................................................... 45 2.3.4: Forest Products and Forest Health..................................................................................... 47 2.3.5: Fire Management ............................................................................................................... 49 2.3.6: Access ................................................................................................................................ 51 2.3.7: Local Communities............................................................................................................ 52 FEIS for the Croatan LRMP 5 2.4: COMPARISON OF MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION BY ALTERNATIVE ........................................... 54 CHAPTER 3: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................. 69 3.1: PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 69 3.1.1: AIR QUALITY.......................................................................................................................... 69 Affected Environment................................................................................................................... 69 Environmental Effects of Alternatives.......................................................................................... 76 3.1.2. SOILS ...................................................................................................................................... 78 Affected Environment................................................................................................................... 78 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................................