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 />
effects of prescribed burning are not well known for most rare plants (USDA Forest<br />
Service 2005a) it is presumed that a large-scale wildfire would be more detrimental to<br />
individuals and their habitat than would fire burned under specific prescription. There is<br />
always a possibility of noxious weed infestation when an area burns, but again, effects<br />
are considered to be lessened when an area is burned under prescription rather than<br />
wildfire. There are design criteria in place that would require the involvement of the<br />
district botanist when developing burn plans so that the habitat requirements of rare<br />
plants in the area would be considered.<br />
Indirect effects from any of the proposed treatments would be the increased potential for<br />
noxious weed infestations in disturbed areas. This can be detrimental to rare plant<br />
species, as noxious weeds and invasive species have the ability to out-compete desired<br />
native and rare plant species. The herbicides used in noxious weed control can also be<br />
detrimental to rare species if the individuals are inadvertently exposed to the herbicides.<br />
While unknown individuals may exist on these sites and may be damaged during<br />
operations, the overall effect should be neutral to beneficial.<br />
The effects to R2 Sensitive Species are discussed in detail in the Vestal Biological<br />
Assessment/Biological Evaluation. In summary, all alternatives have a determination of<br />
“May adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a loss of viability in the<br />
Planning Area, nor cause a trend for federal listing.” for the three species which occur<br />
or may occur in the Vestal project area.<br />
There is currently one known location of Viola selkirkii within the project area that may<br />
be impacted by the treatments. There is a potential for other suitable habitat that contains<br />
unknown individuals. This known location is however surrounded by rock outcrops and<br />
is located in a highly inaccessible area. Prescribed fire is proposed in a known occurrence<br />
of Viola selkirkii.<br />
It is believed that applying prescribed fire within the project area would help prevent a<br />
high intensity wildfire that may occur due to the large amount of mountain pine beetlecaused<br />
mortality. It may also increase the water and nutrients available to Viola selkirkii,<br />
Cypripedium parviflorum and Platanthera orbiculata habitat, thus enhancing the habitat.<br />
There is always a possibility of noxious weed infestation when an area burns, but again,<br />
effects are considered to be lessened when an area is burned under prescription rather<br />
than wildfire. Because Viola selkirkii, Cypripedium parviflorum and Platanthera<br />
orbiculata habitat occurs in Picea glauca stands and it is often protected by large granite<br />
outcrops, it is unlikely the area would carry a fire when burned under prescription.<br />
However these areas may burn in a large-scale wildfire that is likely to have much more<br />
severe conditions. In addition, there is design criteria in place that would require the<br />
involvement of the district botanist when developing burn plans so that the habitat<br />
requirements of Viola selkirkii would be considered, including the exclusion of small<br />
areas.<br />
The known occurrence of Viola selkirkii would be protected from any mechanized<br />
treatment activities under the design criteria for riparian and wetlands. Suitable habitat<br />
for Viola selkirkii, Cypripedium parviflorum, and Platanthera orbiculata is typically<br />
avoided by equipment conducting treatment activities due to topography (rock outcrops,<br />
etc.) and riparian areas. Riparian areas would receive protection with application of the<br />
watershed design criteria “All applicable Best Management Practices (BMPs) and R2<br />
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