Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Global positioning systems, aerial photos, and the forest road data base were used during the inventory process to correct any inconsistencies in the existing GIS and tabular data. To summarize, the transportation system within the Vestal project area is comprised of approximately 192 miles of existing roads. The breakdown of the existing transportation system is listed below in Table 46. Table 46. Existing Transportation System in the Vestal Area Length in Road Density Road System Classification Miles (Miles/Square Mile) County Roads 28 0.4 National Forest System Roads 125 1.8 Unauthorized Roads* 39* 0.6* Total 192 2.8 *All unauthorized roads were administratively closed with the May 07, 2010 Record of Decision for the Forest Travel Management project. There are no motorized trails within the Vestal project area. Roads within the project area which are open to the public were designated by the May 07, 2010 Record of Decision and later depicted on the December 1, 2010 Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The travel management designation of the National Forest System Roads within the project area and road density (miles of road per square mile) is depicted in Table 47 below. Table 47. Travel Management Designation Miles and Density within the Vestal Area Length in Road Density Travel Management Designation Miles (Miles/Square Mile) Roads Closed to All, Yearlong 48 0.7 Roads Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Only, Seasonal (May 15 to Dec 15) 35 0.5 Roads Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Only, Yearlong 42 0.6 Total 125 1.8 Environmental Consequences Alternative 1 Under Alternative 1 there would be no effects from a proposed action. There would be no change in the transportation system due to a proposed action. Scheduled annual and grid maintenance would continue as it has in the past. Road densities would remain the same under this alternative. Alternative 2 This alternative proposes to utilize the existing transportation system to accomplish project activities. Approximately 0.1 mile of new system road would be constructed to gain access to an existing system road blocked by private property. Also, approximately 144
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 0.6 miles of non-system road would be converted to National Forest System Road (NFSR) and approximately 2 miles of open system road would be closed (see Map 8 in Appendix A). The converted system road segment was identified as needed for current and future resource management access. The proposed road closures (approximately 2 miles total) are in three separate segments and would protect wildlife values and prevent resource damage. An estimated 34 miles of road would be reconstructed which may include, but is not limited to, structural improvements, typically rolling dips or culverts, surface reconditioning or realignment. An additional 91 miles of road would require maintenance to complete proposed activities. Existing unauthorized roads that are used as temporary roads with the project would be closed after use as part of the timber operations. Remaining unauthorized roads not used for the proposed activities are already administratively closed and may be physically closed in the future when funds become available. Temporary roads may also be used to access portions of proposed treatments units. The intent after use for all temporary road construction is that they shall be closed or decommissioned during post resource management activities. Temporary roads utilize existing unauthorized roads or are constructed in locations approved by the Forest Service. The average road density for the Black Hills National Forest is 4.4 miles per square mile as shown in the Forest Plan (Phase II Amendment). The minor changes to the transportation system proposed in Alternative 2 do not result in an overall change to road density. A simple comparison of road densities for the Vestal project area is listed below in Table 48. Table 48. Road Mileage and Density by Alternative Existing Conditions/Alt.1 Alternative 2 Miles Miles/Mile 2 Miles Miles/Mile 2 Open Roads 42 0.6 41 0.6 Seasonal Roads 35 0.5 35 0.5 Closed Roads 48 0.7 50 0.7 Total 125 1.8 126 1.8 Cumulative Effects Alternative 1 – No Action Alternative 1 would have no direct or indirect effects; therefore no cumulative effects would occur. Alternative 2 This alternative would not increase open road density for the project area. Therefore, no negative cumulative effects to open road density would occur. These activities along with the Vestal project have the potential for the following cumulative effects on the transportation system. 145
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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