Final Environmental Impact Statement TABLE OF CONTENTS – Chapter 3 LOCATION AND SETTING......................................................................................................................... 1 John Muir Wilderness........................................................................................................................ 1 Ansel Adams Wilderness.................................................................................................................... 1 Dinkey Lakes Wilderness................................................................................................................... 2 THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................................... 2 CLIMATE ................................................................................................................................................ 2 GEOLOGY ............................................................................................................................................... 2 SOILS ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 WATER RESOURCES................................................................................................................................4 Water Quality.................................................................................................................................... 4 WEATHER MODIFICATION....................................................................................................................... 5 SNOW MEASUREMENT ............................................................................................................................ 6 AIR QUALITY.......................................................................................................................................... 6 Current Monitoring Program ............................................................................................................ 6 VISUAL RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................... 7 FIRE ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Western Sierra................................................................................................................................... 7 Eastern Sierra ................................................................................................................................... 7 Fire History....................................................................................................................................... 7 MINERALS .............................................................................................................................................. 8 THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT.................................................................................................. 8 VEGETATION .......................................................................................................................................... 8 Botanical Resources .......................................................................................................................... 8 WILDLIFE ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Mule Deer ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Black Bear....................................................................................................................................... 11 Birds ............................................................................................................................................... 12 Fisheries ......................................................................................................................................... 12 THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 14 RECREATIONAL USE ............................................................................................................................. 14 John Muir Wilderness...................................................................................................................... 14 Ansel Adams Wilderness.................................................................................................................. 14 Dinkey Lakes Wilderness................................................................................................................. 15 Day Use .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Winter Use ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Rock Climbing and Mountaineering ................................................................................................15 Fishing and Hunting........................................................................................................................ 16 Camping.......................................................................................................................................... 16 Wilderness Permits and Quotas....................................................................................................... 16 Group Size....................................................................................................................................... 17 Commercial Activities ..................................................................................................................... 17 Education........................................................................................................................................ 19 Law Enforcement / Search and Rescue ............................................................................................ 19 VISITOR USE IMPACTS .......................................................................................................................... 19 Dogs................................................................................................................................................ 20 Campsites........................................................................................................................................ 20 Campfires........................................................................................................................................ 20 Trails............................................................................................................................................... 21 RECREATIONAL STOCK USE.................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 3 – page i – Affected Environment Wilderness Management Direction Stock Use Specific To Each Wilderness ...........................................................................................23 Recreational Stock Grazing............................................................................................................. 23 Historic Rangeland ......................................................................................................................... 26 Rangeland Capability and Suitability .............................................................................................. 28 Grazing At Large ............................................................................................................................ 30 Ecological State and Transition....................................................................................................... 30 FACILITIES ........................................................................................................................................... 32 HERITAGE RESOURCES ......................................................................................................................... 33 Significance of Heritage Resources ................................................................................................. 34 Native American Tribal Issues......................................................................................................... 34 Tribal Relations............................................................................................................................... 34 ECONOMIC ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 36 Regional Economic Conditions........................................................................................................ 36 Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 39 Affected Industries........................................................................................................................... 40 SOCIAL................................................................................................................................................