Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
forests throughout the United States” (USDA Forest Service 2003a). This evaluation
shows that BMPs are effective. Since this evaluation has been completed field audits
were completed in 2004 and 2009 in SD (Black Hills Forest Resource Association 2005,
2009). Results showed application of BMPs were 92% in 2004, 95% in 2009, compared
to 82% in 2001 and effectiveness of the BMPs was 95% in 2004, 95% in 2009, compared
to 84% in 2001. This additional information shows the continued application and
effectiveness of BMPs in SD. “The audit results from 2001, 2004 and 2009 have
established a positive trend of on the ground BMP improvement” (Black Hills Forest
Resource Association 2009).
Additional BMP/WCP monitoring was completed on the Hell Canyon Ranger District,
for 2002 through 2010. A summary report and subsequent yearly reports show that the
BMP/WCP are being implemented and are effective and states, “Logging practices on the
Hell Canyon Ranger District have not had any negative impact on the watershed and
streams and that they do comply with the requirements of the CWA” (USDA Forest
Service 2008, 2009 & 2010).
The Vestal project would have WCPs and BMPs prescribed and implemented. This
would protect the water quality of the streams and creeks in the project area and the
activities that are planned would meet the requirements of the CWA.
Climate Change
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future
generations. The agency recognizes that climate change is an important emerging issue.
To help guide agency actions in addressing this challenge, the Forest Service has
developed the Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change (USDA Forest
Service 2008b). One of the stated goals in this framework is to promote the management
of forests and grasslands to reduce the buildup of greenhouse gasses, while sustaining the
multiple benefits and services of these ecosystems. This project contributes toward
meeting the agency’s goal of mitigating the buildup of greenhouse gasses by managing
the forest landscape within the project area so that it is more resilient to deforestation or
catastrophic loss. Thereby maintaining or increasing its ability to sequester carbon.
Socio-Economics
This section discusses the pertinent existing social and economic conditions and potential
consequences resulting from the Vestal Project.
Forest resources provide economic components of community sustainability by providing
for a wide variety of uses, values, products, and services. The resources within the Black
Hills National Forest have provided an economic array of benefits to the residents of the
Black Hills area. These resources range from sustenance for American Indian tribes, logs
used to construct early mining camps, towns and mines, ties used for railroad
construction, and the lumber harvested by the timber industry, which remains active
today.
The Black Hills National Forest is annually one of the top timber‐producing forests in the
National Forest System. The Black Hills have exhibited an outstanding ability to produce
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