Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

LRAM activities under Alternative 1 would benefit subsistence by improving habitat for importantwildlife and fish subsistence resources. Habitat improvements would be made through vegetationmanagement, wetlands restoration, and streambank stabilization projects. Improvement of roads and trailswould also improve access for subsistence resources. Trail closures due to repair would reduce certainareas for subsistence access until the area is restored. This is considered a minor adverse impact sinceother areas equal in subsistence value would remain open for access.LRAM projects involving road maintenance and upgrades would also improve access to subsistenceresources. However, increased human activity during maintenance and repair projects would temporarilydisturb wildlife.Alternative 2: Implement ITAM Program through a Management Plan (Proposed Action)Cultural resource impacts from Alternative 2 would be the same as those described under Alternative 1.While the standard procedures for all ITAM programs identified in the USARAK ITAM Management Planwould provide consistency and efficient work practices, these are not expected to create noticeablydifferent affects to cultural resources or subsistence.Alternative 3: Suspend ITAM ProgramUnder Alternative 3, ITAM activities would not continue on USARAK lands. This action would haveadverse impacts to cultural resources and subsistence. Soldiers would not be educated about theimportance of avoiding cultural sites and the proper notification for newly discovered sites under the SRAprogram. TRI would not ensure that mission requirements do not interfere with cultural resources. GISwould not exist to provide spatial data to support cultural resources programs. Suspending RTLA wouldnot affect cultural resources or subsistence.LRAMMaintenance and repair activities under the LRAM program would not take place under Alternative 3.Discontinuing LRAM programs could benefit cultural resources by reducing the amount of grounddisturbance. Discontinuing road improvement, however, may increase risk to cultural resources. Ifadequate roads do not exist, soldiers and the recreating public would be more likely to drive off-road andincrease areas disturbed.Subsistence would be adversely impacted from discontinuing the LRAM program because training landswould not undergo repair after damage. This would greatly degrade habitat for species important forsubsistence. Additionally, roads and trials would not be repaired or upgraded. This would hinder access tomany areas for subsistence resources.The following table represents a summary of qualitative impacts to cultural resources that would resultfrom each alternative. Descriptions of the qualitative terms are provided in Chapter 2, Description ofProposed Action and Alternatives._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan 58