Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Short Term Uses and Long Term Productivity
NEPA requires consideration of “the relationship between short-term uses of man’s
environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity” (40 CFR
1502.16). As declared by Congress, this includes using all practicable means and
measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster
and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and
nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other
requirements of present and future generations of Americans (NEPA, Section 101).
Please refer to the Silviculture and Soils sections in Chapter 3 for discussions related to
short-term uses and long-term productivity. The proposed actions in this project include
design criteria (see Appendix B) to protect soil productivity. These short-term actions
would generally not damage or diminish long-term resource productivity.
As provided for by the Forest Plan, minimum management requirements guide
implementation of the action alternative. Adherence to these requirements ensures that
long-term productivity of the land is not impaired by short-term uses. Monitoring
specified in this EIS and the Forest Plan validates that the management requirements and
mitigation are effective in protecting long-term productivity.
Unavoidable Adverse Effects
The following is a description of adverse effects that are unavoidable with
implementation of the action alternative. For further discussion of the effects on the
resources listed below, see Chapter 3 under the respective resource topics.
Forest Insect and Disease – will continue in the project area, at epidemic levels in some
areas, and endemic levels in others.
Wildlife Habitat – for certain species may be adversely affected to varying levels with
implementation of the action alternatives. The Wildlife section of this EIS discloses
those effects.
Air Quality – may be adversely affected on a temporary/seasonal basis as a result of
planned prescribed burning and dust from roads and activities.
Scenic Quality – may be affected adversely for some observers by the various levels of
vegetation treatment and other actions planned.
Fire/Fuels Hazard – may be increased during the short-term in some areas as result of
slash created from vegetation treatment. With disposal treatment this hazard will be
reduced. There exists a higher long-term potential for large-scale wildfire under
Alternative 1 versus Alternative 2.
Soils – can be eroded wherever vegetation and soils are disturbed. Compaction can occur
where vehicles and equipment are used.
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources
Irreversible commitments of resources are those that cannot be regained, such as the
extinction of a species or the removal of mined ore. Irretrievable commitments are those
that are lost for a period of time such as a temporary loss of timber productivity in
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