86 600044 United States Draft Environmental Department of Agriculture Forest Impact Statement, Service Southwestern Region Proposed Mt. Graham October, 1986 Astrophysical Area, Pinaleno Mountains, Coronado National Forest Alm .2",` To Phoenix Dublin Thatcher Safford A/ .1 CORONADO C • Roper Lake 4/ Mt Graham DEIS Ares`' NATIONAL Webb' Peak 4 Riggs 4 Old WE Ptak Prison \ Flat • Columbine' Camp s, , High Peak Emerald FOREST s,Hospita Flat Noon Creek Treams• Park a • Angel Orchard silarrkP n Wet ° , Sno.Flat Canyon a k," •Arcadia Intersection of He,h•Oranh 607 & 386 • P,eak I7n' • Toi':key Flat Fort Grant • d yb u g A Peak 7 -,:,-Powerline Corridor I Stodkto,n _ AZ 266 0 II 2 3 I MILES LOCATION MAP WILDERNESS STUDY AREA PROPOSED MOUNT GRAHAM To I-10 ASTROPHYSICAL AREA and Willcox FIGURE 1. VICINITY MAP OF THE CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST PINALENO MOUNTAINS Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Mt. Graham Astrophysical Area Pinaleno Mountains, Graham County, Arizona, Coronado National Forest DEIS #03-05-86-2 Type of Action Administrative Lead Agency USDA Forest Service, Coronado National Forest 300 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701 Responsible Sotero Muniz, Regional Forester Official For Further R. B. Tippeconnic, Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest Information 300 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701. (602) 629-6483 Abstract A Forest Service Preferred Alternative and 6 alternatives for managing the 3500 acre proposed Mt. Graham Astrophysical Site on the Coronado National Forest are described and compared. The Forest Service Preferred Alternative and other alternatives are: PA (Forest Service Preferred Alternative): PA places emphasis on simultaneously addressing all issues and concerns, and providing a mix of recreational opportunities including an addition to wilderness and a zoological/botanical area. Astrophysical development is recommended at a level that will provide for this research opportunity while protecting the unique natural environment. A Alternative A is the continuation of management as described in the Forest Plan. (No Action alternative). It emphasizes motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation opportunities and other compatible activities. No astrophysical development occurs. Alternative B emphasizes motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation opportunities related to wildlife values. No astrophysical development occurs. Alternative C emphasizes a natural environment and more opportunities for nonmotorized recreation. An addition to wilderness and a zoological/botanical area are recommended. No astrophysical development occurs. Alternative D provides for astrophysical development on up to 15 acres. An addition to wilderness and a zoological/botanical area are recommended. Motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation opportunities related to wildlife values are also emphasized. Alternative E provides for astrophysical development on up to 31 acres. A zoological/ botanical area is recommended. Motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation opportunities related to wildlife values are also emphasized. Alternative F is Steward Observatory's (the proponent) preferred alternative. It provides for astrophysical development on up to 60 acres. Motorized and nonmotorized dispersed recreation opportunities related to wildlife values are also emphasized. PA constitutes the Forest Service preferred alternative. Upon approval, it will become part of the Coronado National Forest Plan and will guide management of that area for the next 10 to 15 years. Comments must be received by the Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress, Tucson, Arizona 85701 by JAN 2 0 1987 . SUMMARY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT of the PROPOSED MT. GRAHAM ASTROPHYSICAL AREA. PINALENO MOUNTAINS, CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST THE CORONADO NEEDS YOUR OPINION ON A IMPORTANT ALLOCATION OF LAND RESOURCES Although the broad goals and objectives are set by higher levels of Forest Service management, the Coronado National Forest does have a range of choices in meeting these goals. For example, these choices can emphasize one resource, such as recreation or another such as astrophysical development or both, it that is an important concern of local people. This is why public involvement is so important in this process. Already many individuals and agencies have helped pinpoint issues of special importance to them. Various interest groups, including Steward Observatory, Earth First!, Coalition for the Preservation of Mt. Graham, and the Sierra Club have expressed their viewpoints and ideas. These issues have been incorporated into this process and taken into consideration when alternative management choices were developed. You are asked to remain involved by reviewing this document and by submitting your written comments to the Forest Supervisor, Coronado National Forest, 300 W. Congress, Tucson, Arizona 85701. Development of the Final Environmental Impact Statement will be based in part on your comments. PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATFAFAT This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes a Forest Service Preferred Alternative and 6 other alternatives for the management of the land and resources of 3500 acres of high elevation country in the Pinaleno Mountains, commonly known as Mt. Graham. Each alternative furnishes a different way of addressing issues; each provides for the use and protection of resources and meets all legislative requirements. Every alternative generates a different mix of goods and services. The EIS also describes the affected environment and discloses environmental consequences of each potential decision. The guidelines set by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) were followed. Included in the range of alternatives is the astrophysical development proposal made by Steward Observatory. Also included in the range of astrophysical development and nondevelopment alternatives are specific suggestions from the public. Each alternative addresses public issues and management concerns specific to this proposal; responds to identified resource management opportunities; and provides for use and protection of resources. NATURE OF DECISION/RELATIONSHIP TO FOREST PLAN The decision to be made by the Forest Service is to choose the appropriate allocation (management direction) for the 3500 acre site. While other mountains may be suitable sites for astronomical development, only the suitability of Mt. Graham for astronomical development is being considered. Consequently, consideration of alternative locations is outside the scope of this analysis and decision. Many thanks are expressed for the comments and information offered by individuals, organizations, and public agencies which have helped Forest managers develop a list of items to be considered in each alternative. These have been organized and are included below under a general heading called ISSUES. CONCERNS, and OPPORTUNITIES (IC0s). ISSUES, CONCERNS, and OPPORTUNITIES (IC0s) Management concerns and issues are termed "issues" and described below. They establish the scope of the EIS (40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.25). The issues were grouped into nine subject matter areas. Additional detail on scoping, Forest Service policies and goals, and these issues can be found in Chapter 1 under the heading "F. ISSUES". These issues can be tracked through Chapters 2 and 3 under the same headings listed on the following pages. Issue Description 1. PLANT AND ANIMAL DIVERSITY Forest Service policies and goals are to sustain or improve floral and faunal diversity by: 1) providing for the conservation or recovery of all threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant and animal species and their respective habitats; 2) developing and implementing management practices to ensure that species do not elevate to a higher listing status, nor significantly impact the habitat capability of any species, because of Forest Service actions or lack of protection; 3) maintaining viable populations of all native and desired nonnative flora and fauna in habitats distributed throughout their geographic ranges on National Forest System lands; 4) maintaining special or unique habitat features or structures and habitat types to ensure ecological diversity (e.g., old growth, riparian zones, cienegas, etc.). The Arizona (Apache) trout is a federally listed Threatened Species and the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel is proposed for listing as an Endangered Species. Other wildlife species of particular concern include the black bear and spotted owl. The Issue Is: How will plant and animal species, communities, and habitat diversity be affected by management alternatives? 2. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Water quality in the Pinalenos is high. Testing for fecal coliform bacteria indicates that levels of contamination are well within the standards for all except domestic uses. Simple purification methods would allow achieving those standards. Astrophysical construction and development could increase the potential for water runoff and soil erosion, thus impacting water quality. Impacts to flora and fauna along stream channels could also occur. Water is limited on Mt. Graham and competition for it may increase. Most of the surface water is appropriated. Questions of water rights must be resolved including the actual transfer of such rights, if necessary. Construction may impact cienegas, springs, and baseflows in creeks. An estimate of changes in water yield and timing of runoff during and following construction is needed. Frye Canyon Watershed is closed to camping, summer homes, resorts,