Sparta Appendix D Cumulative Effects Analysis Process and Project Area Activities

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1 Sparta Appendix D Analysis Process and Area Activities The following process and assumptions were used by the Sparta ID Team in their analysis of the effects of actions proposed in this document on their resources. A. Analysis Area - In general, the analysis area will be the project area. If the resource being analyzed necessitates extending the analysis area outside the project area for an appropriate analysis then the extent of the analysis area is documented under each resource area. B. - The specific effects of each action alternative on the environment, including the No Action alternative are to be analyzed by each resource area. Actions to be analyzed by ALL resources are: 1. Commercial timber harvest (HTH,HOR) include logging systems (tractor, skyline, forwarder) 2. Non-commercial treatments without harvest (PCT, underburning, grapple piling, hand piling) include removal method 3. Post-Harvest treatments (grapple piling, underburing, hand piling, hand piling, precommercial thinning) 4. Prescribed Fire including mechanical pre-treat 5. Mechanical Control lines for burning 6. Treatments within RHCAs 7. OFMS restoration to OFSS 8. Connective Corridors 9. Snag Retention and Snag Creation 10. Temporary Road Construction (on existing wheel tracks and not) 11. Closed Roads Re-opened for Administrative Access (and reconstruction work to open) 12. Road Decommissioning 13. Roadside Hazard Tree 14. Mitigation Measures 15. Aspen treatments 16. Bridge Replacement/Reconstruction work 17. Bridge Abutment Reconstruction 18. Culvert Replacement 19. Road ROW Acquisition Show the cause and effect for Direct, Indirect, and effects, defined as follows: Direct : Explain the direct effects the implementation of the alternatives would have on the environment. These include effects which are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place as the action. Indirect : Describe indirect effects of alternatives on the environment. Indirect effects include those which are caused by the action but are later in time or farther removed in distance what are still reasonable foreseeable. : The cumulative effects analysis will include: Past Actions + Present Actions + Proposed Actions + Reasonably Foreseeable Present actions will incorporate all know activities. Reasonably foreseeable future is approximately 5 years within which we are reasonably certain our proposed actions would occur. Appendix D - 1

2 Note: should you change any of these parameters, the change is documented in the effects writeup for that resource. C. Analyze the effects in terms of: 1. Differences from the present condition: How do each of the alternatives (include all actions under each) change the environment based on what is there now? What are the specific differences between alternatives? What is the direction of the effect (increase or decrease)? 2. Duration: How long will the impacts last? 3. Significance: Analyze in terms of context and intensity. Context: Analyze whether effects are local, regional, national, or affect society as a whole. Intensity: Analyze in terms of severity of impacts. write-ups need to disclose what these actions WILL DO to the environment. Avoid relative measurements such as "minimal, substantial, etc". Talk about the specific differences between alternatives in units of measure that are relevant, quantifiable, and descriptive. the Key Indicators to describe the effects on the key issues. tables graphs, drawings, etc. when appropriate and available. references to relevant scientific studies to back up statements when appropriate and available. In addition, identify where there are information gaps, incomplete or unavailable information. IMPORTANT: Include a section on Forest Compliance in your reports which describes how the project complies with the goals, standards, and guidelines for your resources. Include your Literature Cited at the end of your report using the 2012 EMC Publishing Arts Style Guide format. Sign and date your report can be electronic signature but needs to be done. D. Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions The following is a list of present and reasonably foreseeable future activities within the project area, and on immediately adjacent public and private lands. This list will serve as a guide for resource specialists as they define their Analysis areas for their resource and identify the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of implementing the Sparta Vegetation project alternatives. Reasonably foreseeable future is defined as within the next 5 years for this analysis. To understand the contribution of past actions to the cumulative effects of the proposed action and alternatives, this analysis relies on current environmental conditions as a proxy for the impacts of past actions. This is because existing conditions reflect the aggregate impact of all prior human actions and natural events that have affected the environment to the present. Appendix D - 2

3 Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions in the Sparta Area Name SWS Year Activity W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD None Brooks Ditch Eagle Creek Wild and Scenic River Developed Sites Lily White-FS Maintained Structures Vegetation Continue prevention and treatment strategies for known All Ongoing noxious weed sites from the 1994 W-W. Implement the W-W Invasive Species ROD, which All Pending includes an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Litigation strategy for addressing new sites, along with strategies for preventing the spread of and treating known sites. Fuels Reduction and Prescribed Burning All Little Eagle Creek Paddy Creek- Eagle Creek and Little Eagle Creek None Paddy Creek- Eagle Creek Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Special s Irrigation water diversion from Little Eagle Creek Recreation Eagle Creek Wild and Scenic River Fire training, fire camp, dispersed camp site Hiking Trails Martin Bridge Trail #1878 All Ongoing Non-motorized hiking trail. Dispersed Camping All Ongoing Dispersed camping occurs primarily during hunting season and can occur throughout the project area since there is currently no restriction on cross-country motorized travel. Firewood Snowmobiles Routes All Ongoing OHV Current All Ongoing District-wide personal use firewood None Forshey-#S-7000E, Empire Gulch- #S-7015, Lily White- #S-7020, Little Eagle- #S No designated OHV trails within the project area. OHV use is permitted on most roads within project area and cross-country. Travel (TMP) All Roads & Trails To comply with the 2005 Travel Rule (TMR) the WWNF began a planning effort to designate roads, trails, and areas for public motor vehicle use in The 2012 WWNF TMP FEIS displays a range of alternatives meeting the intent of the TMR and the effects of implementing them. Because this planning effort is ongoing and expected to occur within the reasonably Appendix D - 3

4 Name SWS Year Activity Danger Tree removal All On going foreseeable future (next 5 years), the range of alternatives from the TMP FEIS was considered the best representation of a reasonable range of potential effects that could occur upon implementation for use in this analysis. While a specific number of miles of designated routes (roads and trails) will not be known until a decision is made, the analysis from the WWNF TMP FEIS indicates that designated routes could range from a potential high of approximately 6,700 miles (Alternative 4) to a potential low of approximately 2,600 miles (Alternative 6) and x-country motor vehicle use would be managed. Once a final decision is made, the roads, trails, and areas designated for motor vehicle use by the public will be displayed on an MVUM and x-country motor vehicle travel will be regulated. The no action alternative will not be considered in this analysis as it does not meet of the purpose and need for compliance with the TMR. Fall and remove Danger Trees as prescribed in:toupin, R., Filip, G., Erkert, T., & Barger, M. (2008). Field Guide for Danger Tree Identification and Response. Portland, OR: USDA For. Ser. Pac. NW Reg. and USDI Bur. Land Mgt. Road Maintenance All Ongoing 7700 and 7015 yearly surface maintenance. Goose Creek Range Allotments Ongoing 8,167 acres; 495 cow/calf pairs; 6/1-10/20; Term permit; Deferred rotation. Eagle Valley Ongoing 20,096 acres; 485 cow/calf pairs; 6/1-10/30; Term permit; Deferred rotation. None Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area All Water Quality and Fisheries Wildlife Enhancement Period of Restriction: Dec. 1 through Apr. 15, 2016 Ongoing Winter Range Closure Ongoing There are no approved plans of. The area is open to mineral entry. Private Land Activities Commercial Harvest All None known at this time. Fuels Reduction None Private structuresrecreation cabins and 3 known year round All Ongoing Various locations throughout the project area. residences. Grazing None None None Roads None None No known new road construction planned. Appendix D - 4

5 Determination Tables Silviculture/Vegetation W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Brooks Ditch Sparta Ditch No Name Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Reduction of invasive species competition Impacts to Aspen Yes Yes Yes While these activities would improve vegetative health and sustainability due to removal of competition from invasive species, it would be difficult to measure at the landscape level. Some limitations on vegetation management within the corridor, but in general with ORVs being Recreation and Scenic prescriptions meet the requirements so doesn t limit options. Aspen has the potential to be impacted by grazing; fencing will be used to mitigate this potential effect. No approved plans of Private Land Activities Appendix D - 5

6 Old Growth W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences No approved plans of Appendix D - 6

7 Big Game W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition Yes Yes Yes Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Yes Yes The future TMP in combination with the postsale road management plan in this project could reduce road densities and will manage cross-country motor vehicle use thereby reducing disturbance from motorized vehicles, off-trail OHV s and subsequently increasing security habitat for elk. Provides additional security habitat during critical winter range period for deer and elk. No approved plans of Appendix D - 7

8 Fire and Fuels W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition Larger Analysis area for smoke impacts Reduced for human caused fires. Increased response time. Decreased response time. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes for smoke impacts; however, these are managed under air quality standards for all projects. Human caused fires are a minor part of the fire starts within the area. There are many dispersed camp sites, thus the potential for fire starts from vehicles, campfires, and smoking exist. Increasing access by opening up stands and roads may contribute to an increased potential for human caused fires. Implementation of the travel management rule designating roads, trails, and areas for public motor vehicle use would manage cross-country motor vehicle use and provide a means of enforcement on roads and trails not designated for motor vehicle use. Slight potential to improve response times due to better maintained road surfaces. Appendix D - 8

9 Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Reduction in fine fuel loadings Yes Yes Yes Grazing reduces the fine fuel loading in the natural openings improving the efficacy of fuel reduction actions. Active allotments may have the grass reduce to a level that reduces fire spread rates. Livestock grazing is not expected to impede progression toward historic fire return intervals. No approved plans of Appendix D - 9

10 Socio-Economics W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Yes Yes Yes Increases public safety. No approved plans of Timber harvest and noncommercial thinning activities on private land contribute to the support of timber industry jobs in Baker County. Appendix D - 10

11 Water Quality, Fisheries Habitat, and Populations W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Effect/Risk /Low /Low /Low /Low Weed treatments within RHCAs pose a risk to aquatic habitat and species and BMPs are used to minimize potential effects. Mitigation measures that include type of chemical treatments (using only herbicides that are labeled for use adjacent to aquatic areas), application rates, area treated, timing, and buffers on streams significantly reduce the risk of effects from this activity. Therefore, ongoing noxious weed treatment activities are rated as having a low risk of cumulative effects with the activities proposed under the action alternatives for the Sparta on watershed processes, and aquatic species and their habitat. Road improvements, road decommissioning and LWD additions as a result of the Sparta result in incremental improvement in watershed processes and aquatic habitat. Limited amounts of pile burning has a low risk of resulting in increases in erosion rates due to small patches of burned areas surrounded by large unburned areas. Typically ground cover returns to burned patches 3 to 5 years after burning occurs. The Brooks Ditch and diversion diversion for the Brooks Ditch is located on Little Eagle Creek outside of the project area. The diversion captures most of the flow of Little Eagle Creek during the irrigation season and delivers it to farm and ranchland in the Eagle Valley. As a result, flows in lower Little Eagle Creek are reduced by about 75% during late summer. The loss of water to Little Eagle Creek results in a significant reduction in aquatic habitat for redband trout and other aquatic species. Water withdrawals also may be a contributing factor for high Appendix D - 11

12 Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Effect/Risk /Low /Low /Low water temperatures in Little Eagle Creek (see Beschta, 1997). Other streams where significant water withdrawals occur during the low water period are: 1) Ethel Creek, 2) Conundrum Creek, and Twin Bridges Creek. These streams are all tributaries to Little Eagle Creek and flow is diverted into the Brooks Ditch. Proposed thinning and burning activities are unlikely to result in a significant increase in ECA in the project area therefore it is unlikely that the proposed activities will result in changes in water yield or streamflows. Short-term measurable increases in fine sediment would occur as the result of bridge and culvert replacement activities. There is a low risk of cumulative effects with the diversion of irrigation water in the analysis area. Water withdrawals also may be a contributing factor for high water temperatures in Little Eagle Creek during low flows when water is diverted. However, direct/indirect effects to aquatic habitat from activities proposed under the action alternatives for the Sparta Vegetation are limited to short-term immeasurable increases in fine sediment and water temperature. ECA would not exceed 15%; therefore, water yield and streamflow are unlikely to be affected by proposed activities. Dispersed camp sites are located adjacent to fish-bearing streams. Dispersed camp sites adjacent to streams are a source of fine sediment and camp wood cutting can reduce future LWD to stream channels. Harvest of these products is not permitted in Appendix D - 12

13 Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7745 Roads Grazing Allotments Yes Yes Effect/Risk Yes No No Yes Yes Yes/Low Yes Yes Yes/ Moderate /Low damage to riparian areas and water quality. Yes Yes Yes/ Moderate administratively prohibited areas such as developed campgrounds or within 100 feet of wet areas, seeps springs, bogs, and standing or flowing water. No trees are permitted to be cut within 300 feet of perennial fish-bearing streams. Compliance with these regulations is monitored by USFS Special Forest Product Coordinators and Law Enforcement Officers. See travel management Not detectable at subwatershed scale, the Wallowa-Whitman Travel is planned for completion within the next 5 years. OHV use will be regulated and will prevent or minimize direct and indirect effects to water quality and fisheries resources resulting in beneficial effects. Road management in the Sparta project in combination with the travel management plan may result in a decrease in fine sediment levels. effects would have an overall benefit on water quality and aquatic habitat. The short-term effects from road maintenance activities are minimized by following INFISH standards and guidelines, and road maintenance BMPs. In the long-term, road maintenance activities reduce adverse effects to aquatic habitat by reducing overall erosion rates on the road system. Danger trees within RHCAs are cut but left on site. Harvest, fuels reduction work, and prescribed burning has the potential to make areas not previously accessible to cattle accessible; therefore, there is an increased potential for impacts to riparian areas and water quality. INFISH S&Gs and WWNF utilization levels Appendix D - 13

14 Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Effect/Risk /Low minimize cattle impacts to aquatic habitat. No approved plans of Erosion rates from logged areas on private lands likely increased during and after logging activities. Impacts from these timber sales have likely abated since majority of the harvest activities occurred around 11 years ago. Appendix D - 14

15 Soils Veg Reduction of invasive species competition Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7745 Roads Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Yes Yes Yes Does not create any ground disturbance. for some disturbance but primarily would occur within already disturbed areas. Some disturbance from skidding trees and driving off road to retrieve wood but generally very limited where occurs and minor in nature. Would manage cross-country motor vehicle use and limit use to designated roads, trails, and areas which would allow user built roads and trails to recover and grow back over. This in combination with the decommissioning or roads and the obliteration of temporary roads on existing wheel tracks would provide for a long term beneficial effect to soils. Already disturbed Minor, same as firewood. additional access of cattle into units previously inaccessible. No approved plans of Don t overlap in time and space because units are all on NFS lands. Appendix D - 15

16 PETS Wildlife W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Grazing Allotments Reduction of invasive species competition Reduction of snag habitat Increased grazing impacts Yes Yes Yes Temporarily opening roads for harvest activities can result in a temporary increase in firewood cutting along the roads reducing habitat for Lewis woodpecker, white-headed woodpecker and fringed myotis in those areas. No Yes Yes Yes Reducing canopy cover will increase forage availability, increasing grazing activities. Heavy grazing activities reduce food availability for the intermountain Sulphur and Western bumblebee. Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area No approved plans of Appendix D - 16

17 Private Land Activities Decreased habitat Harvest activities on private lands may result in decreased habitat for any PETS species that occurs on those lands. Appendix D - 17

18 PETS ts W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Reduction of invasive species competition Yes No No Yes No No Slight potential No No Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Grazing Allotments Yes Yes Yes If invasive species are in area/habitat of sensitive species potential to decrease competition for site resources. Ongoing activities like recreation and fuelwood gathering have the potential to impact the Carex cordillerana populations and habitat, thus cumulative impacts are possible. Impacts from these actions are expected to be low, as recreation impacts have not been noted in the past, and the area would serve poorly for fuelwood gathering. Grazing impacts could occur if the timing of grazing was during late spring or early summer. It is possible that Sparta project activities such as harvest and prescribed burning could open up suppressive vegetative cover and promote the plant s growth, abundance and vigor making it both more available and desirable to livestock. As with the majority of sensitive plant species, conclusive information as to their growth habits and how various influences (natural Appendix D - 18

19 Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences and human) may benefit or negatively impact is largely unknown. Timing of grazing is an activity within the control of grazing allotment administration and can be incorporated into annual operating instructions if monitoring indicates an adverse impact. No approved plans of Appendix D - 19

20 Access and Transportation W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Increased number of users on fewer roads Improved road conditions and other resource protection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Will not affect road surfaces. May have some traffic on road system for ditch maintenance but will not be measurable. Some traffic on road system anticipated for firewood gathering but not expected to be measurable to road system. for conflicts, more wear on designated routes, increase in maintenance needed (and associated funding), roads grow in, change in how roads used for administrative use. Minor scattered occurrence, not expected to have measurable effect to transportation system; however, will improve public safety and reduce the need for logging down trees out of roads. Area No approved plans of Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Appendix D - 20

21 Indicator Species Terrestrial Goshawk and Pileated Woodpeckers (see also LOS) W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Reduction of invasive species competition No No Private Land Ongoing and future livestock grazing is expected to have minimal effect on suitable habitat, Additional grazing may occur in treated stands within the project area but is not expected to alter suitable habitat as cattle do not impact down wood, canopy cover or snag levels. No approved plans of Appendix D - 21

22 Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Appendix D - 22

23 Indicator Species Terrestrial American Marten (see also LOS) W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition No No Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences No marten habitat located within the Sparta project area. No approved plans of Appendix D - 23

24 Indicator Species Terrestrial Primary Cavity Excavators W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition Yes Yes Slight No No Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Firewood cutting continues to reduce available snags and logs, but the effect is limited to areas adjacent to open roads and gentle topography. Roads that are temporarily open for harvest activities could temporarily increase firewood cutting activities and snag densities in those areas would go down, though it is illegal to take snags > 21 inch dbh. No approved plans of Appendix D - 24

25 Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences PCT treatments are expected to have a long term effects on average diameter size within a stand and eventually, create larger snags (70 years+) Appendix D - 25

26 Neotropical Migratory Birds (NTMB) W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition No No Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences No approved plans of Appendix D - 26

27 Rangeland Resources/Grazing W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Reduction of invasive species competition Yes Yes Yes This project focuses on invasive non-native vegetation treatment to reduce impacts to native vegetation and soil resources. Reducing or preventing establishment of invasive species will allow native plants to maintain dominance, providing forage for native species, cover for migratory birds and small mammals, and protect soil from surface erosion. Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Possible trespass and recreation conflicts Possible harassment Reduction of livestock harassment Fuel reduction activities would remove barriers to cattle passage making areas now accessible creating the potential for trespass and recreation conflicts with cattle in recreation areas. Fuel reduction activities and opening previously closed roads would make remove barriers to OHV use allowing OHVs into areas not previously accessible which may create livestock harassment issues. Implementation of the travel management plan would restrict motor vehicle use to designated roads, trails, and areas. Managing cross-country travel and keeping motor vehicle use to a designated system would reduce potential Appendix D - 27

28 Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences Improved forage and maintenance of fine fuel reduction. Yes Yes Yes livestock harassment. Improved available forage quantity and quality throughout the project area as well as access to forage. Grazing helps to reduce fine fuel loadings. No approved plans of Appendix D - 28

29 s Irrigation Ditch Dispersed Camping/Cabins Recreationx-Country Skiing /Snowmobiles Recreation Hiking Trail Reduction in the extent and spread of invasive plant populations Ground disturbance or transportation of non-native plant material Movement and introduction of invasive plant material No potential effects due to timing of activity Movement and introduction of invasive plant material Movement and introduction of invasive plant material Movement and introduction of invasive plant material Yes Yes Yes Reduces the extent and amount of invasive plant sites throughout the project area through on-going treatments of existing invasive populations. Yes Yes Yes Maintenance and repair of most Special use facilities can create situations that favor the establishment and spread of invasive plants by disturbing ground and carrying seeds to un-infested areas. Regional standards along with noxious weed requirements which are part of the special use permits would help to reduce the risk of this potential effect. Sparta activities overlap many of these sites and would increase the potential for spread of invasive species. Minimal risks involved with dispersed camping due to the movement and spread of invasive plant material by people and equipment. This risk is further minimized by a focused treatment of invasive plants in and around camping and gathering areas. Winter use is unlikely to create ground disturbance or to spread invasive plant material; therefore, there are no measurable cumulative effects. Minimal risks involved with firewood gathering due to the limited nature of the activity and the location near already established roads. This risk is further minimized by a focused treatment of invasive plants in commonly used gathering areas. Minimal risks for potential movement and spread of invasive plant material by hiking recreationists. Yes Yes Yes Unregulated use of off highway vehicles poses a risk to the establishment and spread of non-native species due to the movement of plant material on equipment and Appendix D - 29

30 Travel Road Maintenance Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Decrease in possibility of spread and new introduction Increase in possibility of spread and new introduction Ground disturbance or transportation of non-native plant material Reduction in road use during critical winter range period No approved plans of Equipment and materials travelling on road systems shared by project. the ability to introduce these materials to random areas that are difficult to identify for treatment. Re-opening roads and opening up stands with fuel reduction treatments in the Sparta project increases the potential for introduction and spread of invasive plant material. Yes Yes Yes Designating roads, trails and areas has the potential improve the compliance with the Sparta post-sale road management plan because use will only be allowed on designated roads and trails. Limiting this use will minimize the potential introduction and spread of noxious weeds. Yes Yes Yes Ongoing road maintenance creates situations that favor the spread of invasive plants by disturbing roadsides and can increase the establishment by carrying seeds to un-infested areas. Yes Yes Yes Cattle are vectors for invasive plant seeds. Opening up the forest with fuel reduction practices along with creating seed beds through ground disturbance increases the potential for cattle to transport noxious weed seeds into new areas and increase spread. No approved plans of Yes Yes Yes for weed seeds to be carried from private land which may not have an active invasive plant management program to locations that intersect with project activities. Appendix D - 30

31 Recreation W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7745 Roads Reduced motor vehicle opportunities Travel delays, increased dust and noise Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No effect on non-motorized recreation activities. Postsale road management in combination with the management of motor vehicle use under TMP has the potential to impact motor vehicle access within the project area reducing the use of motor vehicles for gathering berries, firewood, big game retrieval, etc. Possibly access to dispersed camping sites. Maintenance of these two major roads within the project area along with haul activities has the potential to increase dust and noise in dispersed camping areas and to increase travel delays for short periods during maintenance and harvest activities. Appendix D - 31

32 Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences No approved plans of Appendix D - 32

33 Scenery/Visuals W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Reduction of invasive species competition Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7745 Roads Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences River is classified as Recreational and Scenic recreation activities meet the ORVs and would not measurably impact the scenery/visuals resource. No firewood cutting is permitted within RHCAs which would protect the Eagle Creek and firewood gathering is limited by steep slopes within the area along major roads. No approved plans of Appendix D - 33

34 Wilderness, IRAs, and Undeveloped Areas W-W Invasive Species Treatment ROD Veg Fuels Reduction & Rx Burning Brooks Ditch Creek Wild & Scenic River Dispersed Camping Recreation Lilly White Guard Station Travel Road Maintenance 7700 & 7015 Roads Reduction of invasive species competition No No Grazing Allotments Wildlife Enhancement Eagle Creek Cooperative Closure Area Private Land Activities Private Structures 3 Year round Residences No approved plans of Appendix D - 34