Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Watershed Conservation Practices (WCPs) will be implemented”. Overall riparian vegetation is expected to benefit from the removal of ponderosa pine on adjacent sites as more moisture becomes available in treated areas. Considering all the above, any unknown occurrence will be protected through design criteria and should not have any negative effects from the proposed treatments. Indirect effects from any of the proposed treatments would be the increased potential for noxious weed infestations in disturbed areas. This can be detrimental to sensitive plant species, as noxious weeds and invasive species have the ability to out-compete desired native and sensitive plant species. The herbicides used in noxious weed control can also be detrimental to sensitive species if the individuals are inadvertently exposed to the herbicides. While unknown individuals may exist on these sites and may be damaged during operations, the overall effect should be neutral to beneficial. In addition to the effects as discussed above, there is the potential for additional, thus-far undiscovered occurrences of Viola selkirkii, Cypripedium parviflorum and Platanthera orbiculata in the project area. Viola selkirkii habitat (Picea glauca alluvial areas and granite outcrops) and Cypripedium parviflorum and Platanthera orbiculata habitat is expected to benefit indirectly from the treatments proposed in Alternative 2 due to the reduction in potential for large-scale fire and the possible increase in water available due to the removal of Pinus ponderosa. It is unlikely there would be direct effects to unknown occurrences and Viola selkirkii, Cypripedium parviflorum and Platanthera orbiculata habitat in Alternative 2. Suitable habitat, such as aspen and spruce stands, would receive beneficial treatments by removing conifer encroachment (long-term positive impact). However, short-term impacts associated with the disturbance may arise. This alternative would be consistent with Objective 221 With the proposed treatments, this alternative would move reduce fire hazard and would be consistent with Objective 234. Range Ponderosa pine encroachment in grassland/meadow areas is problematic in the area. As well, numerous areas that had been probable open pine savanna sites now have mostly closed canopies leading to reduced forage production. This alternative would increase the overall amount of forage available by decreasing ponderosa pine density in the grasslands/meadows, uplands, and aspen stands. Decreasing pine density may also open areas up that were previously inaccessible to livestock. The treatments may allow for more even distribution of livestock throughout the pastures and reduce utilization in more critical areas such as meadows and grasslands. Design criteria are in place to protect rangeland improvements. However, conflict with permitted uses may occur if water system components are damaged, fences are left down or gates are left open. With the proposed treatments for removing conifer encroachment, this alternative would move towards Objectives 301 and 302. 130
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Noxious Weeds Noxious weed infestations are expected to increase under this alternative, in the short term. Commercial and non-commercial timber harvest activities and prescribed fire often provide mechanisms for the introduction, establishment, and spread of noxious weeds. Anywhere there has been some form of soil disturbance, the potential for the establishment of noxious weeds exists. The potential for noxious weed establishment is even greater in disturbed areas adjacent to existing weed populations. The movement of equipment in and out of these areas also facilitates weed establishment. Roads and skid trails create a network of corridors through which seed dispersal can occur. There is a potential for up to 25,449 acres being disturbed from mechanical vegetation treatments, fuels treatments, and prescribed fire. Skid trails, landings, burn piles and areas where machinery is working could create conditions in favor of seedbeds for noxious weeds. Design criteria is included to minimize bare ground and the potential for spread of weeds. The actual amount of disturbance is dependent on the scope and amount of acres infested with mountain pine beetle, type of equipment used, and the time of year the disturbance occurs. A ten-year review of timber sales estimated that between 2.0 and 3.5 percent of the acres in a timber sale are likely to develop weed infestations (USDA Forest Service, 1996, p.III-192). For the purpose of this analysis, 3.0 percent of all treatment activities with the exception of acres of prescribed fire were used to estimate the acres of infestation that are likely to result from harvest activities. New road construction and reconstruction would result in approximately 0.12 acres of new weed infestation per mile of road (USDA Forest Service, 1996 p. III-194). Based on this analysis, Alternative 2 may lead to approximately 800 acres of new infestation, in the short term (1 year following disturbance). However, treatment of noxious weeds would continue and the total acres of infestation would be expected to decrease below current levels within 4-5 years, if weed treatments are fully funded each year. Additional acres may be infested by noxious weeds as a result of prescribed fire activities. Dozer line, hand lines, staging areas, and areas burned so that mineral soil is exposed are susceptible to weed infestation. At this time, there is no formula to estimate how many acres of infestation might result from such activities. A number of variables including soil temperature, fire intensity, and time of year can influence the effect that prescribed fire can have on noxious weeds. While beneficial to forest health, fire can also be conducive to the spread of noxious weeds. Broadcast burning is proposed to be low-intensity, but there would probably be pockets of higher intensity fire that could result in exposure of mineral soil and loss of understory herbaceous species. At highest risk would be areas containing larger fuel loads and downed timber which create a place for past seed accumulation and would burn with much higher intensities. The loss of existing grasses and forbs provides an opportunity for weeds to become established. Many noxious weed species are very competitive and may prevent re-establishment of desirable grasses and forbs. Pre-treatment of weed infestations prior to prescribed fire implementation is included as design criteria and would reduce the risk of spread. Again, movement of equipment needed during fire operations can contribute to the spread of weeds. There is a risk of new species being introduced to the area when equipment is brought in from out of the local area. It should be noted that fire managers plan to use 131
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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