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 />
No adverse effects are expected to occur as a result of any alternative provided that the<br />
design criteria are followed and the site specific recommendations are implemented.<br />
Because there would be no direct or indirect effect to cultural resources, there will be no<br />
cumulative effects associated with the Vestal project.<br />
Scenery<br />
Affected Environment<br />
Existing Scenic Integrity represents the current status of a landscape. It is determined<br />
on the basis of visual changes that detract from the scenic quality of the area. Direct<br />
human alterations may be included if they have become accepted over time as positive<br />
landscape character values. Existing scenic integrity is the current visual state, which is<br />
measured in degrees of deviation from the natural appearance of the landscape character<br />
type. These ratings give an indication of the present level of visual quality and visual<br />
evidence of management activities. The frame of reference for measuring achievement of<br />
scenic integrity levels is the valued attributes of the existing landscape character unit<br />
being viewed. In natural or natural appearing character, this is limited to natural or<br />
natural appearing vegetative patterns, features of water and rock, and landforms.<br />
Apparent human alterations in the form of recreation facilities (such as Bismarck Lake<br />
Campground & Bob Marshall Camp), open roads that (such as the Peter Norbeck Scenic<br />
Byway, Mickelson Trail, US, State, & County Highways) provide access for commerce,<br />
to homes & recreation facilities, have generally been accepted over time as part of the<br />
positive cultural landscape character attributes. Within the planning area, forested areas<br />
are predominantly populated by ponderosa pine communities, aspen and other<br />
hardwoods, and Spruce communities generally limited to streams and wet areas. Water<br />
features are limited to narrow, quiet, low-flow intermittent streams and Bismarck Lake.<br />
Mountain pine beetle activity has rapidly expanded in the Black Hills National Forest and<br />
is now at epidemic levels within the Vestal project area. Generally, the MPB killed trees<br />
were mostly evident from county and Forest roads. Within the past few years this<br />
activity has become more evident from Federal, State, County highways, recreation areas,<br />
Mickelson Trail, communities and private lands surrounding them. Large groups of trees<br />
attacked by the MPB are highly evident in this portion of the planning area.<br />
The northern portion of the planning area has a combination of steep slopes, rocky<br />
terrain, and dense conifer stands, as well as gently rolling forest areas. The vegetation in<br />
the area has been managed for wildlife, grazing, and timber, depending upon the location.<br />
Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIO)<br />
Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs) are management objectives for forest scenic resources<br />
on National Forest lands. A High SIO means that human activities are not visually<br />
evident and that activities should repeat attributes of form, line color or texture found in<br />
the existing landscape. A Moderate SIO is where activities remain visually subordinate<br />
to the landscape character. The Low SIO applies to landscape which appear moderately<br />
altered. Within the Vestal project area, the following percentages of area apply 24% High<br />
SIO, 49% Moderate SIO, and 27% Low SIO. A map of SIOs in the Vestal project area,<br />
and Concern level 1 and 2 roads, is included in Appendix A. Refer to Map 17.<br />
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