CHAPTER 3 Existing Condition and Environmental Consequences Introduction This chapter summarizes the affected physical, biological, social, and economic environments of the project area and the effects of implementing each alternative. The scientific and analytic basis is presented for the comparison of alternatives listed in Chapter 2. The effects disclosed are based on the effectiveness of the mitigation measure outlined in Chapter 2. Each resource identified indicators and measures for the analysis, based on management direction, research, or field practice. The effects resulting from each action are described in terms of their context and intensity. Other activities occurring in the same area over time, under certain circumstances, may have incremental effects that contribute to cumulative effects. Each resource identified the spatial and temporal boundaries appropriate for the analysis. The analyses disclose the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of each alternative. Past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects that may contribute to cumulative effects are identified. Many of the effects discussed in this chapter are not easily quantified. It should be kept in mind that many of the values presented are modeled or estimated predictions of effects, and that the actual effects may not occur exactly to the degree presented. In some cases, the value of the analysis is in the comparison of the estimated effects between alternatives, rather than in the absolute values of the effects shown. Each environmental component is discussed in terms of the consequences of implementing each of the alternatives listed in Chapter 2. This allows the reader interested in specific resources to find the effects related to that resource in one place. The following format is used for each environmental component: Existing Condition describes the environment of the area to be affected by the alternatives, that is, the baseline environment, thus including past actions. It provides background for understanding the discussion that follows. Environmental Consequences of implementing each alternative are discussed. There are three types of effects considered: • Direct Effects are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place [40 CFR 1508.8(a)]. • Indirect Effects are caused by the action but occur later in time or further removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable [40 CFR 1508.8(b)]. • Cumulative Effects result from the incremental impacts of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonable foreseeable actions [40 CFR 1508.7]. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Travel Management Draft EA 3-1 June 2016 Consistency Finding is a statement for each resource area that demonstrates how the action alternatives are consistent with the amended Forest Plan. The Chapter begins with a discussion of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions that may affect the project area. Environmental components are detailed as above. This EA hereby incorporates by reference the Recreation, Hydrology/Fish, Wildlife, Botany, Invasive Species, Heritage, and SocioEconomics specialist reports in the Analysis file [40 CFR 1502.21] all of which are summarized in this chapter. The referenced reports are located in the corresponding resource section of the Analysis file. All specialist reports contain the detailed data, methodologies, analyses, conclusions, maps, references and technical documentation (best available science) that the resource specialists relied on to reach conclusions. Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions The project interdisciplinary team (IDT) identified past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, that might have cumulative impacts with the proposed action. Those actions in and adjacent to the project area are listed below. Each resource specialist considered different mixes of these actions, depending on the cumulative effects boundary for the resource area and the resource affected. Only those past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions that overlap the geographic analysis area boundary for each particular resource are considered, and only if those other actions have or are expected to have overlapping effects (spatially and temporally) with Travel Management. Some past projects may still be having effects on one resource, but not another. Past Actions In order to understand the contribution of past actions to the cumulative effects of the proposed action and alternatives, this analysis relies on current environmental conditions as a proxy for the impacts of past actions. This is because existing conditions reflect the aggregate impact of all prior human actions and natural events that have affected the environment and might contribute to cumulative effects. The Council on Environmental Quality issued an interpretive memorandum on June 24, 2005 regarding analysis of past actions, which states, “agencies can conduct an adequate cumulative effects analysis by focusing on the current aggregate effects of past actions without delving into the historical details of individual past actions.” The cumulative effects analysis in this EA is also consistent with Forest Service National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (36 CFR 220.4(f)) (July 24, 2008), which state, in part: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Travel Management Draft EA 3-2 June 2016 CEQ regulations do not require the consideration of the individual effects of all past actions to determine the present effects of past actions. Once the agency has identified those present effects of past actions that warrant consideration, the agency assesses the extent that the effects of the proposal for agency action or its alternatives will add to, modify, or mitigate those effects. The final analysis documents an agency assessment of the cumulative effects of the actions considered (including past, present, and reasonable foreseeable future actions) on the affected environment. With respect to past actions, during the scoping process and subsequent preparation of the analysis, the agency must determine what information regarding past actions is useful and relevant to the required analysis of cumulative effects. Cataloging past actions and specific information about the direct and indirect effects of their design and implementation could in some contexts be useful to predict the cumulative effects of the proposal. The CEQ regulations, however, do not require agencies to catalogue or exhaustively list and analyze all individual past actions. Simply because information about past actions may be available or obtained with reasonable effort does not mean that it is relevant and necessary to inform decision making.” (40 CFR 1508.7) For these reasons, the analysis of past actions in this section is based on current environmental conditions although the effects of past actions will be aggregated with present and reasonably foreseeable future actions in determining whether the effects from the outfitter-guide activities included in this document are significant. Present Actions Present and ongoing actions were considered in the cumulative effects analysis. There are many actions occurring at any given time on National Forest System land. Those that have a cumulative effect with the alternatives are discussed in the individual resource sections. The main routine present and ongoing actions are listed below. • Road Maintenance • Trail Maintenance • Developed Campground Maintenance • Respect the River (Improved Site) Maintenance • Firewood and other Special Forest Products Gathering • Livestock Grazing on Grazing Allotments • Noxious Weed/Invasive Species Control • Mining Operations • Recreation and Non-Recreation Special Use Permits • Fire Suppression Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Travel Management Draft EA 3-3 June 2016 Ongoing and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions Reasonably foreseeable future actions are defined as: Those Federal of non-Federal activities not yet undertaken, for which there are existing decisions, funding, or identified proposals. Identified proposals for Forest Service actions are…[proposals for which the] Forest Service has a goal and is actively preparing to make a decision on one or more alternative means of accomplishing that goal and the effects can be meaningfully evaluated. 36 CFR §220.3 and 36 CFR §220.4(a)(1) The list of the actions the Forest Service or other landowners are currently implementing that could potentially interact with the effects of the Motorized Travel Management Project is included in Table A- 1 in Appendix A. Also included are those actions for which the Forest Service has decisions that have not been implemented, or an identified proposal, in addition to proposals by other landowners, that could potentially interact with the effects of the Motorized Travel Management Project. The following table includes the categories of these actions and key assumptions used in the cumulative effects analysis. A general assumption for all projects is that they will comply with all applicable laws and forest plan standards and guidelines. Table 3.0-1. Ongoing and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions Type of Project Agency Key Assumptions Restoration and Fuels Forest Service The Forest will complete Forest Restoration and Fuels Reduction Reduction on approximately 140,347 acres and close or decommission 218.5 miles of road. Projects will improve forest health, and reduce fuel loading. Projects will comply with all Forest Plan standards and guidelines, and all laws,