Final Environmental Impact Statement

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.
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