United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Elk Smith Project Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment Rocky Mountain Ranger District Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Lewis and Clark County, Montana Responsible Official: Michael Muñoz, District Ranger September 2020 1 For More Information Contact: Michael Muñoz Rocky Mountain Ranger District Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest PO Box 340 or 1102 Main Avenue NW Choteau, MT 59422 Phone: (406) 466-5341 Fax: (406) 466-3214 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). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. 2 Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need ..................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 8 Background ................................................................................................................................................. 11 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 12 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................ 13 Regulatory Framework Common to All Resources .................................................. 13 Regulatory Framework by Resource ....................................................................... 14 Decision Framework ................................................................................................................ 35 Public Involvement .................................................................................................................. 35 Key Issues ................................................................................................................................ 36 Chapter 2 – Alternatives ............................................................................................................................. 37 No Action ................................................................................................................................ 37 Proposed Action ...................................................................................................................... 37 Design Features ....................................................................................................... 38 Resource Protection Measures ............................................................................... 42 Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 43 Chapter 3 – Existing Condition and Environmental Consequences ............................................................ 45 Fire, Fuels, and Air Quality ...................................................................................................... 45 Technical Terms ...................................................................................................... 45 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 46 Environmental Consequences ................................................................................. 67 Proposed Action ...................................................................................................... 74 Air Quality ............................................................................................................... 80 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................... 87 Existing Condition .................................................................................................... 87 No Action Alternative .............................................................................................. 91 Proposed Action ...................................................................................................... 92 Sensitive Plants ....................................................................................................................... 95 Existing Condition .................................................................................................... 95 No Action Alternative .............................................................................................. 99 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 100 Range .................................................................................................................................... 102 3 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 102 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 103 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 103 Noxious Weeds/Invasive Plants ............................................................................................ 104 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 104 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 107 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 107 Soils ....................................................................................................................................... 108 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 109 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 112 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 113 Watershed/Hydrology ........................................................................................................... 117 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 118 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 121 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 122 Fisheries ................................................................................................................................ 126 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 126 No Action .............................................................................................................. 137 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 138 Recreation ............................................................................................................................. 143 Existing Condition .................................................................................................. 143 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 145 Proposed Action .................................................................................................... 145 Heritage ................................................................................................................................ 146 Existing Condition .................................................................................................