Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 1
Table 2. Management Area Direction in the Vestal Project Area-on National Forest System
Lands Only (60% of total lands within the project boundary)
Percent
Acres in (%) of
Management Project Project
Management Emphasis and
Area Area Area
Management Theme
Big Game Winter Range: These areas are managed
5.4 10,723 42%
to provide high-quality winter and transitional habitat
for deer and elk, high-quality turkey habitat, habitat for
other species, and a variety of multiple uses.
Resource Production: These areas are managed for
wood products, water yield, and forage production,
5.1 10,325 40% while providing other commercial products, visual
quality, diversity of wildlife and a variety of other
goods and services.
Limited Motorized Use and Forest Products
(Buckhorn Mountain): These areas are managed for
non-motorized recreation, while providing for timber
4.1 4,472 17% production, forage production, visual quality and a
diversity of wildlife. Roads provide intermittent
commercial access, but are normally closed to other
than administrative use.
Developed Recreation Complex (Bismarck Lake):
8.2 303 1%
These areas are managed for recreational opportunities
and visual qualities adjacent to developed recreation
sites and bodies of water.
Forest Plan Goals and Objectives
The Forest Plan establishes eleven multiple use goals and associated objectives for
management of the Forest. The goals and objectives, applicable to specific resource
management issues needing resolution, provide the basic direction for defining the
purpose and need and subsequently developing the project proposal. The eleven Forest
Plan goals are discussed in Chapter I of the Forest Plan. The Responsible Official for the
Vestal Project has chosen to propose resource management actions that respond to Forest
Plan Goals 2, 4, and 10.
Goal 2: Provide for a variety of life through management of biologically diverse
ecosystems.
Objective 201: Manage for a minimum of 92,000 acres of aspen, and
16,000 acres of bur oak during the life of the Plan. The highest priority
for hardwood restoration is where conifers (e.g., spruce and pine) have
out-competed aspen adjacent to riparian systems that once supported
beaver.
• Opportunity exists to increase/maintain hardwood communities by
reducing pine competition within these stands. In addition,
opportunities exist to enhance and expand hardwood inclusions by
opening stand canopies and removing conifers.
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