HUNTER CREEK-SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN COOPERATIVE PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT April 2014 USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Aspen and Sopris Ranger District The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 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HUNTER CREEK-SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN COOPERATIVE PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO APRIL 2014 Proposed Action: Responsible Official: Further Information: Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain Karen Schroyer David Francomb Cooperative Plan EA Aspen and Sopris District Ranger Deputy District Ranger White River National Forest (970) 963-2266 x3136 Location: Carbondale, CO White River National Forest Pitkin County, Colorado Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service White River National Forest Pitkin County, Colorado Abstract: This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze a proposal presented by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), Pitkin County, and the City of Aspen to implement projects outlined in the Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain Cooperative Plan (Hunter-Smuggler Plan). The purpose of the Hunter- Smuggler Plan is to improve recreational opportunities, forest health, and wildlife habitat in the study area. The study area includes 4,681 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands on Smuggler Mountain and in the Hunter Creek Valley, east of the city of Aspen. The Action Alternatives include projects to: improve the navigability, condition, and management of the trail network in the study area; expand the trail network; improve the health of lodgepole pine, mixed conifer, aspen, Gambel oak, mountain shrub, and sagebrush stands; and improve educational opportunities and public awareness on NFS lands. This EA discusses the Purpose and Need for the proposal, the process used to develop alternatives, potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of implementing the No Action Alternative (Alternative 1), the Proposed Action (Alternative 2), Alternative 3, and project design criteria (PDC). Table of Contents Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................................................. 1-1 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1-1 B. Background ................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 C. Relationship to Previous Analyses and Approvals ...................................................................................... 1-3 D. Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action ................................................................................................. 1-4 E. Summary of the Proposed Action ................................................................................................................ 1-9 F. Public Involvement ..................................................................................................................................... 1-9 G. Issues and Indicators ................................................................................................................................. 1-10 H. Issues Not Carried Forward for Detailed Analysis .................................................................................... 1-14 I. Scope of Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 1-14 J. Forest Service Policy and Direction .......................................................................................................... 1-14 Forest Plan Direction .................................................................................................................................... 1-15 Colorado Roadless Areas ............................................................................................................................... 1-17 K. Decision to be Made .................................................................................................................................. 1-17 L. Other Necessary Permits, Licenses, Entitlements and/or Consultation ..................................................... 1-18 2. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................... 2-1 A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2-1 B. Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................................. 2-1 Alternative 2 – The Proposed Action ............................................................................................................... 2-1 Alternative 3 ................................................................................................................................................... 2-12 C. Comparison of Alternatives ....................................................................................................................... 2-15 D. Alternatives and Design Components Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ...................... 2-16 Increasing Size of Patch Cuts ........................................................................................................................ 2-16 E. Management Requirements and Project Design Criteria ........................................................................... 2-16 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................... 3-1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 3-1 A. Recreation ................................................................................................................................................... 3-3 Scope of Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 3-3 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................................... 3-3 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences........................................................................................... 3-6 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-10 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ............................................................................ 3-12 B. Scenery ...................................................................................................................................................... 3-13 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-13 Management of the Scenic Environment on National Forest System Lands .................................................. 3-13 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-16 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-16 Cumulative Effects ......................................................................................................................................... 3-19 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources ............................................................................ 3-20 C. Cultural ....................................................................................................................................................... 3-21 Scope of Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 3-21 Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 3-21 Direct and Indirect Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 3-22 Cumulative Effects ........................................................................................................................................