Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Black Hills
redbelly snake
(Storeria
occipitomaculata
pahasapae)
Mountain sucker
(Catostomus
platyrhynchus)
NOTE: also a
Forest MIS
Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species
Direct and Indirect Effects
Reductions in canopy density may Potential direct impacts. Potential habitat
cause surface temperature and soil disturbance or loss may occur from road
moisture (drying) changes that reconstruction. Reductions in canopy density
would not favor this species may cause surface temperature and soil
moisture (drying) changes that would not
favor this species. Noxious weed treatments
may potentially affect water quality and plant
species diversity. Expected to enhance
habitat by providing protection to riparian
areas.
Cumulative Effects
May be directly impacted by livestock grazing and recreationists in suitable habitat.
Timber harvesting, fuel treatments, and thinning where this species is present (den
sites) may adversely alter site conditions (e.g. warming, drying, soil compaction, and
den disturbance). Recreation is expected to continue and would negatively impact
this species. Livestock overgrazing in riparian areas degrades potential suitable
habitats through trampling, sedimentation, loss of vegetation, and effects to water
quality, chemistry, and temperature. Additional levels of these impacts to riparian
areas are not expected from the proposed action. The proposed action is expected to
offset some of the adverse effects of past and present fire suppression by reducing
the potential risk of fire and insects.
Summary
The No Action alternative would have “No Impact”.
The proposed action ‘may adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result
in a loss of viability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal
listing’.
The proposed action would meet the intent of Objectives 213 and 221, and continue
to provide habitat for the redbelly snake.
Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Direct and Indirect Effects
No direct or indirect effects Slight potential for direct effects.
Indirect effects resulting from changes to
aquatic/riparian habitat are anticipated to be
negligible.
Proposed road crossing on French Creek
would result in some streambank disturbance
and sediment input/mobilization. Potential
adverse indirect effects would largely be
avoided by installing a temporary bridge
rather than culverts and fill, to minimize
sediment input into French Creek. Adverse
effects are further reduced because of the
small area of disturbance, approximately 30
feet of stream length, resulting from the
crossing.
Cumulative Effects
No cumulative effects The proposed action is likely to have a
discountable cumulative effect. Inwater
construction activities at the road-stream
crossing on French Creek may have a minor
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