Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES,
INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION
This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered in detail for the Vestal
project, including the No Action alternative (Alternative 1) and the Proposed Action
(Alternative 2). It also briefly describes alternatives not considered in detail and provides
rationale for why they are not considered in detail. The alternatives are also presented in
comparative form, defining the differences between each alternative and providing a clear
basis for choice among options by the decision maker and the public.
Alternatives Considered in Detail
The Forest Service developed two alternatives: a no action and a proposed action
alternative. The alternatives considered in detail by the IDT are discussed below. This
section provides the summary of activities proposed to occur during implementation of
the action alternative. Exact figures, such as acres, miles, or other numerical units of any
particular activity, may vary slightly. These figures, which are based on inventory and
survey estimates, may vary during preparation of a timber sale, prescribed burn, or other
project based upon various site factors such as topography, non-uniform site structure,
fuels, refinement of the standard of road needed, etc.
The Vestal project is an authorized hazardous fuels project pursuant to Section 102 (a)(4)
of the HFRA. Section 104 of the HFRA provides guidance on the range of alternatives
studied in detail and disclosed in the NEPA document.
Alternative 1 – No Action
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the study of the ‘No Action’
alternative as a basis for comparing effects of the proposed action and other alternatives.
Under the No Action alternative, current management plans would continue to guide
management of the project area. This alternative represents no attempt to actively
respond to the purpose and need for action or the issues presented during scoping. No
effort would be made to modify existing vegetation or related fuel conditions within the
project area. No vegetation treatments, fuels treatments, or prescribed burning would be
implemented.
Alternative 2 – Proposed Action
This alternative was developed to meet the purpose and need for action. It would also
move conditions within the project area toward desired future conditions as described in
the Forest Plan. The proposed action would treat vegetation within the project area on a
broad landscape scale to reduce the threat to ecosystem components, including forest
resources, from the existing insect and disease (mountain pine beetle) epidemic and
reduce the potential for large-scale, high intensity wildfire.
Strategies proposed to reduce mountain pine beetle (MPB) caused mortality include,
mechanical thinning to reduce basal area, and sanitation which removes green trees that
have live beetle brood in them. Reducing stand basal area is a preventative treatment and
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