Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact South Fowl ...

increase in impacts to those visitors traveling during that timeframe since there
are sounds of vehicles at the start of their trip near McFarland Lake and possible
sounds of motors on the Fowl Lakes. Use at McFarland and Fowl Lakes is highly
variable and predominantly on weekends. Again, impacts that fit within Forest
Plan Desired Conditions for MA 5.2 (pg 3-45).
Average
Permits per
year
5 Year Average Entry Point Use
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Border Route
Trail east
1 5 9 13172125293337414549
Entry Points
John
Lake
Pine
Lake
Duncan
Lake
Figure 8, Table of average number of summer overnight permits used at
entry points for Gunflint and Tofte Districts (Superior National Forest
Data).
Long-term effects might be from the very remote possibility that a canoeist would
see that a trail exists on the bench half way up the cliffs. I walked the northern
route and mentally judged the brush and few trees that would need to be cut, the
minor heavy equipment necessary on the west end of the bench area, the small
amount of rock that might be moved or logs set up to level the trail near the talus
and the few trees that would need to be cut on the east end of the route. I then
walked onto Royal Lake and River and looked up toward the potential route.
Conifer trees blocked the view for nearly the entire route (see Figures A-7, A-8,
A-11 and A-14 in Appendix A). This is a time when leaves are off the deciduous
trees and brush. In the summer those would only add to the screen. Since I knew
where the route would be placed and I couldn’t see the brush in the winter, I am
confident it cannot be seen in summer.
Similarly as the route passes across the talus area, there are enough conifers to
cover the actual trail (see Figures A-8 and A-14 in Appendix A). In the winter,
the view may be open enough to see a snowmobile from Royal Lake, but
particularly in the summer the trail will not be visible.
3. There is also a question of “What if the ATV closures are not effective?” My
decision includes criteria listed under “Decision” that we either have effective
32