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 />
Noxious weed infestations are expected to increase under both alternatives. Commercial<br />
and non-commercial timber harvest activities, on both Forest Service and on adjacent<br />
private lands, often provide mechanisms for the introduction, establishment, and spread<br />
of noxious weeds. Anywhere there has been some form of soil disturbance, the potential<br />
for the establishment of noxious weeds exists. The potential for noxious weed<br />
establishment is even greater in disturbed areas adjacent to existing weed populations.<br />
The movement of vehicles, equipment, and other motorized vehicles in and out of these<br />
areas also facilitates weed establishment. Roads create a network of corridors through<br />
which seed dispersal can occur.<br />
Roads and trails would continue to be avenues for spread of noxious weeds. Off highway<br />
use of vehicles on roads and trails would continue to promote the spread of noxious<br />
weeds by providing a means of transport. Seeds can collect in wheel-wells and grills of<br />
off-highway vehicles and may be dispersed as they travel. In areas where bare soil is<br />
exposed or natural vegetation is diminished, opportunities exist for the establishment of<br />
new infestations.<br />
The grazing in the Vestal project area would continue as identified in the Allotment<br />
Management Plans for the grazing allotments within the project area. Under the action<br />
alternative, creation of transitory range would have a positive cumulative effect on those<br />
allotments by reducing the time livestock spend in preferred areas. Broadcast burning<br />
proposed under the action alternative would work against the cumulative effect of fire<br />
suppression by killing small trees and setting back succession, though it is expected to<br />
have limited effects on overstory canopy. All of the effects to rangeland resources<br />
presented here would be limited in intensity and duration. Any negative impacts would<br />
be minimal and are directly related to livestock management in the short term as they are<br />
impacted by treatment activities.<br />
All of the above uses are limited in intensity and duration and therefore when combined<br />
with the alternatives analyzed, including the No Action alternative, do not result in<br />
adverse cumulative impacts to the rare plant species or their habitat, the range resource or<br />
noxious weeds.<br />
Minerals and Geologic Resources<br />
Affected Environment<br />
The potential for development of mineral commodities within the project area is<br />
moderate to high. Specifically, potential exists for development of salable mica and<br />
feldspar resources from numerous schist units and pegmatites, and for locatable gold in<br />
placer deposits. Carbonates are not widespread in the project area; consequently, cave or<br />
karst resources have not been identified. Invertebrate and vertebrate fossils are unlikely<br />
to be present within project area.<br />
<strong>Environmental</strong> Consequences<br />
Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects for All Alternatives<br />
Existing transportation conditions within the project area are adequate to facilitate<br />
activities related to exploration and development for either salable or locatable minerals.<br />
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