Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
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Vestal <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Statement</strong> Chapter 3<br />
Demand Species<br />
Rocky Mountain Elk (Demand Species)<br />
Alternative Effects Summary<br />
The No Action alternative would increase early successional vegetative stages the most,<br />
which would provide more forage for elk. The proposed action would provide more SS<br />
4B, 4C, and 5 (although on a small scale), which is needed for cover. Additionally, more<br />
SS 4A, which would be expected to become cover in the long-term, would be created and<br />
would provide for more cover in the long-term. The proposed action implements<br />
treatments that may conserve larger trees that hopefully remain in groups that could<br />
provide potential cover, even if it is a 4A stand overall. The proposed action includes<br />
prescribed burning which may decrease hiding and calving cover, which is limited in<br />
areas of the project. However, prescribed burning may increase forage quantity and<br />
quality for elk. Aspen acreage is increased through the proposed action due to hardwood<br />
conversion. An increase in forage with a similar decrease in cover is expected with both<br />
alternatives, although the proposed action would retain more dense habitat conditions.<br />
Screening cover along the arterial and collector roads would be sufficient under either<br />
alternative because of topography, although the proposed action includes some design<br />
criteria to retain small trees along certain roads after vegetation treatments have occurred.<br />
Guideline 3203 is currently being met on all arterial and collector roads within the project<br />
area and would be met following implementation. Miles of open road does not change by<br />
alternative.<br />
Assuming Forest Plan standards are met, both alternatives would allow the Forest-wide<br />
elk population to remain stable, and would allow for the attainment of Forest Plan<br />
Objective 217.<br />
Cumulative Effects<br />
The No Action alternative would not have adverse cumulative effects on this species as<br />
no direct or indirect effects would occur.<br />
Many of the private land in-holdings in the project area are currently used for summer<br />
livestock grazing and the grass is considered livestock forage. By the end of the grazing<br />
season, little usable herbaceous cover remains on these private lands. Livestock grazing<br />
on the Forest lands also affects habitat for elk by decreasing forage in riparian areas and<br />
meadows, thereby resulting in competition between livestock and wild ungulates.<br />
Habitat loss or degradation adds cumulatively to other effects influencing elk in the<br />
project area. Fire suppression and forest succession have increased the amount of pine<br />
across the landscape and decreased meadows, riparian areas, and hardwood stands over<br />
the last 100 years. Logging, thinning, pine beetle activity, prescribed burns and wildfires<br />
have resulted in a general increase in preferred forage habitat over time. These activities<br />
have opened up the pine overstory creating openings, enhancing and expanding<br />
hardwood understories and riparian areas. However, these same activities have<br />
decreased cover.<br />
Roads within the project area are used for multiple uses (e.g. ranchers, allotment<br />
monitoring, weed control, recreational use, logging, etc.). Disturbance and potential road<br />
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