NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of the Interior Forest Service Bureau of Land Management Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment Sawtooth National Forest, Sawtooth National Recreation Area Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls District, Challis Field Office October 25, 2017 For More Information Contact: Kit Mullen, Forest Supervisor Sawtooth National Forest 2647 Kimberly Road East Twin Falls, ID 83301-7976 Phone: 208-737-3200 Fax: 208-737-3236 Mary D’Aversa, District Manager Idaho Falls District 1405 Hollipark Drive Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Phone: 208-524-7500 Fax: 208-737-3236 Photo description: Castle Peak in the White Clouds Wilderness In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). 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Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations AFWA Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies ATV all-terrain vehicle BLM Bureau of Land Management CFR Code of Federal Regulations EA environmental assessment EIS environmental impact statement EO Executive Order ESA Endangered Species Act FEIS final environmental impact statement Forest Plan Land and Resource Management Plan FSH Forest Service Handbook FSM Forest Service Manual GPS Global Positioning System IDFG Idaho Department of Fish and Game IDEQ Idaho Department of Environmental Quality IDT Interdisciplinary Team IMPROVE Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments LAU Lynx Analysis Unit MA Management Area MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act MIS Management Indicator Species MIST minimum impact suppression tactics MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPC Management Prescription Category MRA Minimum Requirements Analysis NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NFS National Forest System NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NRHP National Register of Historic Places NRA National Recreation Area ORV Outstandingly Remarkable Values i Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment RMP Resource Management Plan RNA Research Natural Area ROS Recreation Opportunity Spectrum SAR Search and Rescue SGCN Species of Greatest Conservation Need SHPO State Historic Preservation Office USC United States Code USDA United States Department of Agriculture USDI United States Department of Interior USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service UTV utility vehicle WAQV Wilderness Air Quality Values WMP Wilderness Management Plan WSA Wilderness Study Area (BLM designation) ii Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................1 1.1. Scope of the Wilderness Management Plan ....................................................................................... 1 1.2. Purpose of and Need of the Wilderness Management Plan ............................................................... 2 1.3. Decision to be Made .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.4. Public Involvement and Tribal Consultation ..................................................................................... 3 1.5. Issues .................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.5.1. Issues Not Analyzed in Detail ..................................................................................................... 4 1.6. Document Organization ..................................................................................................................... 5 2. Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................6 2.1. Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ...................................................... 6 2.2. Management Direction Common to all Alternatives ......................................................................... 6 2.2.1. Sawtooth National Recreation Area General Management ........................................................ 6 2.2.2. Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ................................................................................................. 7 2.2.3. Recreation Resources .................................................................................................................. 7 2.2.4. Rangeland Resources .................................................................................................................. 7 2.2.5. Forest Service–specific Direction ............................................................................................... 7 2.3. Management Direction Common to Alternatives A and B ................................................................ 8 2.3.1. Wilderness ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.2. Wildlife Resources ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.3. Recreation Resources .................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.4. Scenic Environment .................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.5. Heritage, Archaeological and Cultural Resources .................................................................... 10 2.3.6. Rangeland Resources ................................................................................................................ 10 2.3.7. Fire Management ...................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.8. Lands and Special Uses ............................................................................................................. 10 2.3.9. Wilderness Education and Interpretation .................................................................................. 10 2.3.10. Search and Rescue .................................................................................................................. 10 2.3.11. Management Zones ................................................................................................................. 11 2.4. Management Direction Common to Alternatives A and C .............................................................. 11 2.4.1. Recreation Resources ................................................................................................................ 11 2.5. Alternative A—Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 11 2.5.1. Wildlife Resources .................................................................................................................... 11 2.5.2. Recreation Resources ................................................................................................................ 12 iii Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wilderness Management Plan Environmental Assessment 2.6. Alternative B—Natural-Focus ......................................................................................................... 12 2.6.1. Wildlife Resources .................................................................................................................... 12 2.6.2. Recreation ................................................................................................................................