Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 existing roads and control lines wherever possible, which should considerably reduce the need to construct line on previously undisturbed ground. It is critical that the proposed post-harvest activity of using herbicides for noxious weed control be implemented to mitigate the spread of invasive plant species. Monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment, and retreatment as needed, is essential. Funding estimates for noxious weed mitigation are based on the Knutson-Vandenburg cost guides. Currently, the average cost per acre to treat through conventional herbicide application is $194.00 per acre. Monitoring would be required as well, at a cost of $10 per acre. By following the design criteria associated with this alternative, noxious weeds will be managed. With the design criteria, this alternative would be consistent with objective 230 and 231. Cumulative Effects The cumulative impact area for this analysis is the identified project area and areas immediately adjacent to the project area. Activities beyond the project area have a diminished effect on rangeland and botany resources as well as the noxious weeds within the project area. Impacts and effects to vegetation resources are similar to botany, rangelands, and noxious weeds. Therefore, any cumulative effects are alike for all three resources and will be jointly analyzed. The timing limit for the cumulative effects analysis is estimated at 20 years, ten years prior to present and ten years in to the future, which allows for an adequate length of time to record vegetative changes. Past, present and reasonably foreseeable activities within the Vestal project area include timber harvest, timber thinning, limited mining, wildfire, prescribed burning, grazing, road construction and maintenance, noxious weed control, wildlife habitat improvement projects, and dispersed recreational use on both the public land and private land in the area. A list documenting known past and planned future activities for this area is included in the project record. Any past, present or foreseeable future activity that causes soil disturbance has the potential to introduce and increase the rate of spread of noxious weeds and other exotic plants. This includes, but is not limited to: previous timber sales, fire (both planned and unplanned), legal and illegal off-highways vehicle use, and livestock grazing. This can be detrimental to rangeland resources and rare plant species, as invasive species have the ability to out-compete desired native plants. The herbicides used in noxious weed control can also be detrimental to rare plant species if the individuals are inadvertently exposed to the herbicides and have low tolerance levels to the specific herbicide. There are large weed populations on private lands adjacent to National Forest land within the project boundary. Conversely, there are private lands that are weed free which are adjacent to National Forest lands which contain weeds. The potential for seed dispersal between both private and Forest Service lands exists. This may lead to increased weed populations to both the Forest Service and/or the private landowner. Treatment of weeds on both National Forest and private lands is occurring and would continue. These treatments would be beneficial in reducing weed infestations in the project area. 132
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Noxious weed infestations are expected to increase under both alternatives. Commercial and non-commercial timber harvest activities, on both Forest Service and on adjacent private lands, 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 vehicles, equipment, and other motorized vehicles in and out of these areas also facilitates weed establishment. Roads create a network of corridors through which seed dispersal can occur. Roads and trails would continue to be avenues for spread of noxious weeds. Off highway use of vehicles on roads and trails would continue to promote the spread of noxious weeds by providing a means of transport. Seeds can collect in wheel-wells and grills of off-highway vehicles and may be dispersed as they travel. In areas where bare soil is exposed or natural vegetation is diminished, opportunities exist for the establishment of new infestations. The grazing in the Vestal project area would continue as identified in the Allotment Management Plans for the grazing allotments within the project area. Under the action alternative, creation of transitory range would have a positive cumulative effect on those allotments by reducing the time livestock spend in preferred areas. Broadcast burning proposed under the action alternative would work against the cumulative effect of fire suppression by killing small trees and setting back succession, though it is expected to have limited effects on overstory canopy. All of the effects to rangeland resources presented here would be limited in intensity and duration. Any negative impacts would be minimal and are directly related to livestock management in the short term as they are impacted by treatment activities. All of the above uses are limited in intensity and duration and therefore when combined with the alternatives analyzed, including the No Action alternative, do not result in adverse cumulative impacts to the rare plant species or their habitat, the range resource or noxious weeds. Minerals and Geologic Resources Affected Environment The potential for development of mineral commodities within the project area is moderate to high. Specifically, potential exists for development of salable mica and feldspar resources from numerous schist units and pegmatites, and for locatable gold in placer deposits. Carbonates are not widespread in the project area; consequently, cave or karst resources have not been identified. Invertebrate and vertebrate fossils are unlikely to be present within project area. Environmental Consequences Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects for All Alternatives Existing transportation conditions within the project area are adequate to facilitate activities related to exploration and development for either salable or locatable minerals. 133
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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