Chapter 2 – Alternatives Abbott Lakes United States Department of Restoration Project Agriculture Forest Environmental Service September 2015 Assessment Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest Monterey County, California Township 19S, Range 4E, Section 36 of Monterey County For Information Contact: Monterey Ranger District 406 South Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 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. (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). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2 Abbott Lake Restoration EA TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY…………………..…………………………………………………………..………5 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 8 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................. 8 DOCUMENT STRUCTURE .............................................................................................................. 9 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ................................................................................................ 9 PROPOSED ACTION..................................................................................................................... 10 DECISION FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................. 11 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ............................................................................................................... 11 ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Non-key Issues.................................................................................................................................................... 12 Key Issues ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................................... 12 ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................................................... 12 Alternative 1 - No Action.................................................................................................................................... 12 Alternative 2 - Proposed Action ......................................................................................................................... 13 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION AND MITIGATION MEASURES .......................................................... 15 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................... 27 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................................................ 27 RISK OF DAMAGE FROM CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE ................................................................... 27 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 28 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Direct/Indirect Effects ........................................................................................................................................ 30 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................................................. 31 Conclusion/Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 32 AIR QUALITY ............................................................................................................................. 32 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 32 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 33 Direct/Indirect Effects ........................................................................................................................................ 34 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Conclusion/Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 35 HERITAGE .................................................................................................................................. 35 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 35 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 36 Direct/Indirect Effects ........................................................................................................................................ 36 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................................................. 36 Conclusion/Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 37 HYDROLOGY/SOILS ................................................................................................................... 37 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 38 Direct/Indirect Effects ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Conclusion/Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 41 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES ..................................................... 42 Background and Species Accounts ..................................................................................................................... 42 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 48 Effects Analysis ................................................................................................................................................. 50 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, SENSITIVE BOTANICAL SPECIES ................................................. 56 Background and Species Accounts ..................................................................................................................... 56 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 60 3 Direct/Indirect Effects ........................................................................................................................................ 60 Cumulative Effects ............................................................................................................................................. 61 Determinations ................................................................................................................................................... 61 NON-NATIVE INVASIVE PLANTS(NOXIOUS WEEDS) ................................................................... 62 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 62 Mitigation Measures .........................................................................................................................................