Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 No adverse effects are expected to occur as a result of any alternative provided that the design criteria are followed and the site specific recommendations are implemented. Because there would be no direct or indirect effect to cultural resources, there will be no cumulative effects associated with the Vestal project. Scenery Affected Environment Existing Scenic Integrity represents the current status of a landscape. It is determined on the basis of visual changes that detract from the scenic quality of the area. Direct human alterations may be included if they have become accepted over time as positive landscape character values. Existing scenic integrity is the current visual state, which is measured in degrees of deviation from the natural appearance of the landscape character type. These ratings give an indication of the present level of visual quality and visual evidence of management activities. The frame of reference for measuring achievement of scenic integrity levels is the valued attributes of the existing landscape character unit being viewed. In natural or natural appearing character, this is limited to natural or natural appearing vegetative patterns, features of water and rock, and landforms. Apparent human alterations in the form of recreation facilities (such as Bismarck Lake Campground & Bob Marshall Camp), open roads that (such as the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, Mickelson Trail, US, State, & County Highways) provide access for commerce, to homes & recreation facilities, have generally been accepted over time as part of the positive cultural landscape character attributes. Within the planning area, forested areas are predominantly populated by ponderosa pine communities, aspen and other hardwoods, and Spruce communities generally limited to streams and wet areas. Water features are limited to narrow, quiet, low-flow intermittent streams and Bismarck Lake. Mountain pine beetle activity has rapidly expanded in the Black Hills National Forest and is now at epidemic levels within the Vestal project area. Generally, the MPB killed trees were mostly evident from county and Forest roads. Within the past few years this activity has become more evident from Federal, State, County highways, recreation areas, Mickelson Trail, communities and private lands surrounding them. Large groups of trees attacked by the MPB are highly evident in this portion of the planning area. The northern portion of the planning area has a combination of steep slopes, rocky terrain, and dense conifer stands, as well as gently rolling forest areas. The vegetation in the area has been managed for wildlife, grazing, and timber, depending upon the location. Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIO) Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs) are management objectives for forest scenic resources on National Forest lands. A High SIO means that human activities are not visually evident and that activities should repeat attributes of form, line color or texture found in the existing landscape. A Moderate SIO is where activities remain visually subordinate to the landscape character. The Low SIO applies to landscape which appear moderately altered. Within the Vestal project area, the following percentages of area apply 24% High SIO, 49% Moderate SIO, and 27% Low SIO. A map of SIOs in the Vestal project area, and Concern level 1 and 2 roads, is included in Appendix A. Refer to Map 17. 138
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Mountain pine beetle caused mortality continues to alter views of the landscape within the project area. Management activities which have occurred in the project area generally meet the assigned SIOs. Environmental Consequences Alternative 1 No direct effects to visual quality would occur. Existing conditions and natural processes of trees growing and regenerating would continue. The mountain pine beetle outbreak is predicted to impact the entire planning area by 2018. The vegetation pattern on the landscape would change from densely closed with few openings, to an open landscape with possibly a few clumps and scattered trees. Within 10 years the dead trees would snap off, or fall, creating openings in the forest. In the foreground and middleground, the color and texture of the down trees would dominate the landscape. In the background, the forms of these open areas would be dominant in the landscape. The remaining trees would likely provide the seed source for new trees. Seedlings would sprout over time. Long term as the new forest grows up through the down trees, and the down trees decay, the new growth would help these areas to blend into the landscape. A high to very high fire hazard would occur throughout the project area. Wildfires would likely have the ability to rapidly spread during hot and dry conditions. When fires have a long residence time in one area, the concentrated heat can break down the structure of the soil. This damaged structure allows the soil to be easily eroded, inhibiting future plant growth. Areas of eroded soil and lack of plant life can be evident in the landscape, and can be detrimental to the scenic integrity of an area. Alternative 2 Under this alternative, trees of all sizes would be removed. Any treatments would result in fewer trees across the landscape – but the risk of MPB infestation and fire to the remaining trees would be reduced. The treatments should enhance the large tree component, when present, by reducing competition for nutrients. A variety of vegetation structure, smaller and larger trees, increasing numbers of hardwoods, grasses and shrubs should result. Overall, the variety of vegetation, at the stand level, should be very positive from a scenery standpoint. The resulting more open forest structure should promote views into the forest to view large diameter trees, spring and fall color, and wildlife. The variety of treatments should produce a natural appearing forest – but one that has fewer trees – as if fire had continued to play its natural role all along. Due to the insect activity and fuel treatments adjacent to private land, the current view of the forest from these locations would likely change from their current condition. Views of these treatments would be limited from Concern Level 1 or 2 roads outside the planning area, due to the topography surrounding the planning area. The SIOs achieved following treatments would vary in the short and long term. Immediately following implementation, management activities are generally very evident. Over time, as understory vegetation grows, activities become less evident. 139
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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