Chapter 1. Proposed Action and Purpose and Need

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1 Chapter 1. Proposed Action and Purpose and Need 1.1 Introduction The Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Project is designed to promote desired wildlife habitat and vegetation conditions outlined in the 2005 White Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan); improve recreational opportunities and watershed conditions; provide a sustained yield of high quality sawtimber and other forest products; and manage the transportation system to meet administrative and public needs. The project is located on the Pemigewasset Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), in the towns of Easton, Landaff and Bath in Grafton County, New Hampshire. This document provides the details of an environmental analysis of the Proposed Action as well as No Action, which were analyzed for this project. This document, based on and tiered to the 2005 White Mountain National Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), analyzes the effects from implementation of the proposed Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management Project to physical, biological, and social resources. Chapters 1 and 2 of this document provide background information, public involvement, issues, and a detailed description of the Proposed Action and other alternatives considered for the project. The effects of alternatives analyzed in detail, including the Proposed Action, on recreation; scenery; soils; water; fisheries; wildlife habitat, including Federal Threatened, Endangered, and Proposed (TEP) species (TEP), Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS); social/economic resources and heritage resources are described in Chapter 3. Forest Plan goals, objectives, standards and guidelines provide resource management direction for the White Mountain National Forest (USDA Forest Service. 2005c). Applicable Forest Plan goals, objectives and standards and guidelines were used to design the Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management Project. The proposed action for Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management Project includes implementation of the following site-specific activities: Managing forest vegetation to improve wildlife habitat and forest health conditions on approximately 2,101 acres, with an estimated million board feet (MMBF) of associated timber harvest; Post-harvest site preparation treatments in about 775 acres of timber harvest units, including use of prescribed fire on about 193 acres; Post-harvest release treatments in about 287 acres of timber harvest units; 1

2 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District Constructing a new, non-motorized trail segment, approximately 0.5 miles long, that would connect 2 segments of the proposed Cooley-Cole Hill Trail located on the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest; Relocating an estimated 0.7 miles of the South Landaff Connector snowmobile trail from the South Landaff Road onto the Petty Brook Road (FR 353), including installing temporary bridges at 3 stream crossings; Constructing a small parking area, approximately ¼ acre in size (50 X 50 ft), near the western intersection with South Landaff Road; Constructing a small parking area, approximately ¼ acre in size (50 X 50 ft), on the Jericho Road (FR 480) located approximately 0.5 miles west of the intersection with NH State Highway 116, and installing a kiosk; Upgrading the segment of the Jericho Road (FR 480) located between this new parking area and the intersection of NH State Highway 116, approximately 0.5 miles, from a Maintenance Level 2 (High Clearance) to a Maintenance Level 3 (passenger) Relocating the existing Forest Service gate on the Jericho Road (FR 480) to an area just west of the new proposed parking area; Installing 2 new gates on the Petty Brook Road (FR 353), one at each intersection with the South Landaff Road, and removing the gate located west of the National Forest boundary on the South Landaff Road; Replacing two undersized culverts on Petty Brook Road (FR 353); and Maintaining and/or reconstructing approximately 10 miles of existing Forest roads within the Project Area. The majority of these proposed project activities would be implemented over the next 5 to 15 years. This project incorporates a variety of project design features to minimize impacts to air quality and public health from prescribed burning, reduce adverse impacts to scenic quality from timber harvest activities, protect cultural resource areas, minimize impacts to forest visitors recreating in the project area, protect trail integrity and maintain high quality wildlife habitat features. All proposed project activities would be undertaken within the scope of the Forest Plan s standards and guidelines. Chapter 2 of this document describes additional details on the Proposed Action and other alternatives analyzed for this project. 2

3 The Proposed Action alternative for the Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management project, as well as the analysis of its effects described in this document, are confined in scope to the area of the White Mountain National Forest within which they are contained. Neither the environmental assessment, nor the eventual decision document will apply to or set precedent for any area outside of this project. 1.2 Description of the Bowen Brook Project Area The Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management project area is located within the Wild Ammonoosuc North Habitat Management Unit (HMU), and includes approximately 8,672 acres of National Forest lands located primarily within the Headwaters Wild Ammonoosuc and Wild Ammonoosuc watersheds, in the towns of Bath, Easton and Landaff, New Hampshire (Figure 1.1). The southern boundary of the project area generally follows the Wild Ammonoosuc River and New Hampshire State Highway 112. The project area is bounded to the north and west by the National Forest boundary and to the east by New Hampshire State Highway 116 and private lands. The terrain within the project area is variable but ranges from flat to moderately steep. Elevations range from about 900 feet at the Wild Ammonoosuc River to 2,485 feet at the summit of Cooley Hill. The project area encompasses Young Mountain, Moody Ledge, Cobble Hill and the lower south-facing slopes of Cooley Hill and Green Mountain. Perennial and intermittent streams, ponds, small seeps and wetlands occur within the project area. Sections of the Wild Ammonoosuc River located within and adjacent to the project area are potentially eligible for Congressional designation as a Recreational River Area under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Perennial tributaries of the Wild Ammonoosuc River located within the project area include Bowen Brook, Petty Brook, Dearth Brook, Jones Brook and Morning Brook. A small section of the Ham Branch of the Gale River, which drains into the Ammonoosuc River, also occurs within the northeast portion of the project area. A forest inventory was recently completed for the Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Project Area. Forest stand data from the inventory indicates that this area consists primarily of mature northern hardwoods, spruce-fir and mixed wood forest types, though a diversity of forest types are present, including the less common hemlock, aspen-birch and oak-pine. Past forest management has contributed to the presence of high quality, mature hardwood in some parts of the project area. Timber harvesting that has occurred within the project area in the past 20 years included the Cooley Tower, Cole Hill, Moody Ledge, Bungie Corner I and II timber sales. 3

4 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District Figure 1.1 Project Location 4

5 Soil types and current regeneration indicate good opportunities for spruce/fir regeneration in much of the project area. The project area contains a large portion of the Bowen Brook deeryard and supports other wildlife species, such moose, black bear, coyote, fisher, fox, snowshoe hare, beaver, porcupine, woodland bats, turkey, ruffed grouse, songbirds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The project area contains numerous historic cultural remnants from the farming community of South Landaff, which was abandoned in the early 1950 s. Historic remnants from this community found within the project area include cellar holes from farm houses, barns and outbuildings, as well as numerous stone walls, old roads and scattered wells. The project area is less frequented than many parts of the WMNF in terms of recreation visitation; however it does contain ample and varied recreation opportunities. The Wild Ammonoosuc River is a popular destination for fishermen, picnickers, swimmers and gold panners. Hunters in search of a variety of game species frequent the project area. Recreation opportunities within the project area include the Cobble Hill and Jericho Road hiking trails, and sections of the South Landaff Connector, Cobble Hill, Jericho Lake and Lisbon StumpjumpersC5 snowmobile trails. Several of the management activities proposed in this project are located immediately adjacent to these recreation facilities. In addition to hiking and snowmobile trails, the project area includes scenic forest roads, coldwater streams, vernal pools, several permanent wildlife openings and old apple orchards, and numerous heritage resources. The project area does not contain any Congressionally-designated wilderness areas. Pemigewasset is the closest designated wilderness area to the project area, and is located approximately 7.5 miles away. The project area does not include any lands that were identified as Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRA) under the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (RACR), or any areas with roadless characteristics inventoried in the Forest Plan. The Mt Wolf-Gordon Pond IRA, as well as the overlapping Forest Plan inventoried area of the same name, border the eastern edge of the project area, i.e. NH State Highway 116. More information on the affected environments for specific resources and recreation uses within the analysis area can be found in Chapter 3 of this document. 5

6 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District Tiering to the Forest Plan The analysis for this project is tiered to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service. 2005a; 2005b). Tiering is described in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) as a process of summarizing and incorporating by reference from other environmental documents of broader scope to eliminate repetitive discussions of the same issues and to focus on the actual issues ripe for decision (USDA-Forest Service. 2008). The Forest Plan is a programmatic document which sets management direction for the White Mountain National Forest through the establishment of short term (10 15 years) and long-range goals and objectives. It also prescribes the standards and practices used to achieve these goals and objectives, along with guidelines for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of our actions. The Forest Plan divides the Forest into Management Areas (MA), each with its own goals and objectives. Each MA also has a set of standards and guidelines that sets parameters on activities to ensure protection of the character and resources of the land. The estimated 8,672 acre Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management Project Area includes two Forest Plan Management Area allocations as shown in Figure 1.2: MA 2.1: General Forest Management (8,547 acres) allows for a range of uses and activities, including timber harvest, prescribed fire, roads, motorized recreation such as snowmobiling, and developed areas such as campgrounds. MA 2.1 is described in the Forest Plan on pages 3-3 through 3-8. All activities proposed in this project, except the construction of about 0.5 miles of new non-motorized trail, would occur within Forest Plan MA 2.1. MA 6.2: Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized Recreation (125 acres) emphasizes semiprimitive non-motorized recreational opportunities. Motorized trails are prohibited. Development levels are kept low and scheduled commercial timber harvest and new Forest roads are not allowed. MA 6.2 is described in the Forest Plan on pages 3-23 through The proposed construction of about 0.5 miles of new, non-motorized trail to connect 2 segments of the proposed Cooley-Cole Hill Trail located on the Cooley- Jericho Community Forest would occur within lands allocated to MA

7 Figure 1.2 Bowen Brook Project Management Areas 7

8 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District The Bowen Brook project proposes wildlife habitat, vegetation, recreation, watershed and transportation system management activities designed to meet the following Forest Plan goals and objectives for MA 2.1: Provide a balanced mix of habitats for all wildlife species. Provide high quality hardwood sawtimber and other timber products on a sustained yield basis. Provide opportunities for a full mix of recreational opportunities and meet Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) objectives for the project area. Manage the Forest Transportation System to provide the minimum road system necessary for safe and efficient travel and facilitate use and management of the Forest. Manage high-use or highly developed recreation areas to acceptable social and ecological standards; manage to retain some low-use and less developed areas. Manage streams at proper functioning condition to dissipate stream energy associated with high water flows, thereby decreasing erosion, reducing flood damage, and improving water quality. Maintain and/or improve water quality to protect existing and designated instream water uses such as aquatic life. Vegetation management is proposed in the Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Management project to meet the following Forest Plan wildlife habitat management goals and objectives (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, pp. 1-20): Manage forest composition for the broad habitat types of northern hardwood, mixed hardwood-softwood, and spruce-fir forest, consistent with Ecological Land Type capability. Maintain less common habitat types, such as aspen-birch where ecologically feasible and desirable to provide for native and desired non-native wildlife and plant species. Maintain high quality mature forest and old forest habitats on a majority of the forest. Provide regeneration age forest and open habitats to sustain biological diversity and support species that prefer those habitats. 8

9 Proposed vegetation management and associated timber harvest in the Bowen Brook IRM Project is confined to MA 2.1 lands that are considered suitable for commercial timber harvest. Lands that are considered suitable for timber harvest are typically located in areas below 2,500 feet in elevation. Non-suitable lands include wetlands and riparian areas, steep terrain, and areas that are inaccessible for vegetation management. 1.3 Need For Action The purpose of this project is to move toward vegetation, wildlife habitat, watershed, transportation and recreation goals and objectives identified in the WMNF Forest Plan for the project area (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, pp.3-4 to 3-8). This project includes ecosystem management within an approximate 8,672-acre project area, which is located almost entirely within Management Area (MA) 2.1, as delineated by the Forest Plan. The need for the project is identified by comparing the existing conditions on the ground with the desired conditions as established in the Forest Plan for MA 2.1. Proposed management activities were designed to either maintain existing desirable conditions or help move the land closer to those desired conditions. This project would promote a sustainable, healthy forest using relevant, current scientific knowledge and address known concerns associated with other resource areas. Detailed descriptions of purpose and need for each resource area are described below. Vegetation Management and Wildlife Habitat Improvement Management of vegetation within the project area and across suitable lands on the WMNF is intended to use an ecological approach to provide both healthy ecosystems and a sustainable yield of high quality forest products (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-17). The Forest is also guided to use sustainable ecosystem management practices to provide a diversity of habitats across the Forest, including various forest types, age classes, and non- forested habitats (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-20). Activities proposed in the Bowen Brook Integrated Resource Project Area reflect our efforts to achieve these goals on this landscape. Vegetation Composition and Structure The Bowen Brook Project Area is composed of a diversity of tree species and varying stand conditions. The majority of the project area consists of northern hardwood and mixed hardwood forest with varying amounts of sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech, red maple, paper birch, white ash, black cherry, trembling aspen and bigtooth aspen. The project area also has numerous mixedwood and spruce-fir stands that contain a much larger component of balsam fir, red spruce, eastern white pine, and eastern hemlock. A number of oak-pine stands also occur within the project area. Most stands in 9

10 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District all of these forest types are mature; there is a lack of regeneration age forests (tree age class: 0 to 9 years old) in all forest types across the project area. Some of the stands in the project area are mature and well-stocked and either contain trees of low timber quality, are approaching an age where mortality is imminent, or have some damaged component within the stand. Silvicultural guides and past experience in these forest types indicate that harvesting trees and controlling stocking in these stands would improve the quality and vigor of remaining trees. Thinning, improvement cutting, single tree selection, shelterwood, and group selection treatments are proposed in these stands to create better growing conditions, resulting in improved forest health and higher quality wood products in the future. Many of the stands in the project area have seen past management intended to improve stand quality and vigor. As a result, average tree diameter and the sawlog component in these stands have increased. Past management such as thinning and improvement cutting has helped to generate high quality sawlogs that are ready for harvest. Sustainable timber harvesting would provide a high value product for the local economy, meet the Forest Plan objective of providing high-quality sawtimber and other timber products on a sustained-yield basis (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 3-3) while establishing and releasing forest regeneration and perpetuating future high quality forest stands, and maintain overall forest resiliency due to projected changes in climate. Group and single tree selection, seed tree, improvement cuts, shelterwood establishment, overstory removal, thinning, clearcut, and patch clearcut treatments are proposed in these stands to meet these objectives. In conjunction with some even and uneven aged regeneration treatments (ie. clearcutting, patch clearcutting, group selection and overstory removal treatments) we propose precommercial tree release and weeding treatments if necessary, after the harvest is completed. Tree release and weeding is a silvicultural treatment where understory vegetation that is competing with desirable tree seedlings or saplings are cut or pulled and left to decompose on site. As a result, the remaining desirable tree seedlings and saplings would have access to more nutrients, growing space and sunlight, allowing them to grow with less immediate competition for resources. Oak-pine and aspen-birch forest types are dependent on disturbance in order to regenerate. Regeneration of oak-pine forest type is generally more successful when the organic layer on the ground is scarified so seeds can more easily reach mineral soil. If timber harvest alone does not adequately regenerate white pine and/or oak, prescribed fire may be used to help reduce competing vegetation and stimulate oak and pine regeneration. 10

11 The purpose of the proposed vegetation management in the Bowen Brook Project Area (Project Area) is to address the site-specific conditions determined by resource specialists as described in this document, to achieve forest health objectives, and to manage for commercial products using well-integrated prescriptions that protect biotic and abiotic resources and are compatible with the high level of recreation use on the Forest (USDA Forest Service. 2005c., p. 1-17). Based on the current and desired conditions in the project area and Forest goals and objectives, there is a need to implement appropriate forestry management practices on this landscape. Harvest treatments in the project area will improve future stand quality, promote growth on high value timber, ensure future healthy forest conditions, increase habitat diversity, establish and release forest regeneration, develop uneven-age stand structure and provide wood products for the economy (see Appendix B for Proposed Stand Treatments). Wildlife Habitat Types and Age Class Diversity One of the most important wildlife issues today in New England is the decline of earlysuccessional habitats and the species associated with them (DeGraaf et al. 2006). This habitat is comprised primarily of tree species that require an open canopy and high levels of light and that typically colonize an area after stand-replacing disturbance (e.g. aspenbirch forest). Many wildlife species on the Forest use this habitat for all or part of their life cycle. The Forest Plan goal for wildlife habitat management is to provide a diversity of habitats across the Forest, including various forest types, age classes, and non forested habitats (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, pp.1-20 to 1-21). The Proposed Action would help move the Project Area towards Forest Plan wildlife habitat management goals and objectives (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, pp to 1-22). Wildlife habitat needs for the Project Area were identified by examining specific stands and considering land capability, existing age, composition, and condition. The mature age class dominates all the wildlife habitat types in the Project Area, and in the Wild Ammonoosuc North Habitat Management Unit 1 (HMU) in which the Project Area is located (Figure 1.2). One habitat objective in the Forest Plan is to provide regeneration age forest and open habitats to sustain biological diversity and support species that prefer those habitats (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-20). There is a lack of regeneration age class (0 to 9 years old) forest in all habitat types that occur within the Wild Ammonoosuc North HMU, as well as in the Project Area. There is a need to maintain and improve wildlife habitat diversity across the Project Area and in the 1 A Habitat Management Unit is a block of Forest land in which habitat composition and age class objectives will be established to help ensure that habitats are well distributed across the Forest and provide a framework for analyzing project impacts to wildlife habitat at a local scale. HMUs vary in size from about 6,000-49,000 acres, and contain a variety of habitat types and land in a mix of Management Areas 11

12 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District Wild Ammonoosuc North HMU landscape. Opportunities to move towards the desired age class and habitat composition objectives through treatment of individual stands have been identified and incorporated into the Proposed Action. Field visits by WMNF staff also identified a need to promote oak-pine and aspen-birch regeneration in stands and soil conditions that support this habitat type. A wildlife habitat objective in the Forest Plan is to maintain less common habitat types, such as aspen-birch and oak-pine, where ecologically feasible and desirable (Forest Plan, p. 1-20). Harvest prescriptions have been designed to promote both aspen-birch and oak- pine regeneration in suitable stands. If timber harvest does not result in successful regeneration of oak-pine and aspen- birch in these stands, mechanical site preparation and/or prescribed fire may be used to encourage this desired regeneration (see Appendix B, Proposed Stand Treatments). Also, there are other opportunities to improve wildlife habitat diversity in the Project Area, particularly in and near an important area used by deer in the winter (deer yard). Retaining dense softwood cover would maintain the deer yard, and using group selection and overstory removal treatments would release young softwoods to grow into future cover. The deer wintering area is heavily browsed, and the proposed groups, clearcuts and patch clearcuts would increase browse availability in the Project Area for deer, as well as moose and snowshoe hare, when they need it most in the winter to survive. Watershed, Aquatic Habitat and Riparian Improvements The WMNF aims to manage streams at proper functioning condition to dissipate stream energy associated with high water flows, thereby decreasing erosion, reducing flood damage, and improving water quality (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-18). Surface waters on the White Mountain National Forest are considered outstanding resource waters, and water quality is maintained or improved to protect existing and designated instream water uses such as aquatic life (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-17). An associated Forest Plan objective is to improve watershed and soil condition on at least 25 acres a year (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-18). The following proposal to replace two undersized culverts would help meet these goals and objectives. Replacing undersized culverts One crossing on a perennial stream (Petty Brook) in the project area is deteriorating and does not meet the current guidance for properly designed stream crossings. This crossing consists of two steel culverts, river rock and steel mesh gabions, and is located on the Petty Brook Road (see photo below). Forest Plan Standard S-5 for Water Resources states: 12

13 Permanent stream crossings must be designed to pass the bankfull discharge unimpeded, (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 2-31). Guideline G-4 under Stream Crossings (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 2-31) also states, Culverts and bridges should be designed to pass bedload and woody material. There is a need to replace this double culvert with a structure of a proper size and alignment. Minor changes in road elevation or alignment near the crossing may also be necessary. Replacing these two culverts will primarily benefit stream channel function, with a small increase in aquatic habitat connectivity. Undersized and deteriorating culverts on Petty Brook Road (FR 353) By allowing high flows and material to pass through the crossing, the integrity of both the stream channel and the road will be protected. By extension, recreational and administrative uses that rely on this access will also be preserved. A Forest Plan objective is to improve watershed and soil condition on at least 25 acres a year (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-18). The proposed undersized culvert replacements and snowmobile trail relocation would help meet this objective. Recreation, Public Access and Transportation System Improvements Improve recreation and public access via the South Landaff Road Access for recreation activities, including snowmobiling and hunting, from the west side of the Bowen Brook Project area is provided primarily via the South Landaff Road, also known as Cable Hill Road or Brill Road. There is a Forest Service gate located on the South Landaff Road located just west of the Forest boundary, which is in disrepair. This project proposes to remove this gate, and install a new gate at the western entrance to Maintenance Level I Petty Brook Road (FSR 353) to control access by motorized vehicles onto Petty Brook Road in the non-winter season. Another Forest Service gate is proposed at the 13

14 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District eastern junction of Petty Brook Road and South Landaff Road to control non-winter season motorized access onto Petty Brook Road from that end as well. Maintenance Level I roads are closed to public motorized use because these roads lack necessary erosion control structures to protect water and soil resources. In addition, there is currently a small turnout area located on the South Landaff Road, just east of the Forest boundary at the intersection with Petty Brook Road (FR 353), where vehicles park and turnaround. This project proposes to improve and establish a constructed parking area at this location that would be designed to hold 3-4 vehicles. This parking area would improve access to the western side of the project area for hunters and other Forest users. Reroute a segment of the South Landaff Connector Snowmobile Trail Non-winter all-terrain vehicles (ATV) access this area of the Forest via the South Landaff Road, which is both a Class VI (non-maintained) road with jurisdiction by the Town of Landaff and part of the South Landaff Connector Snowmobile Trail. The South Landaff Road is no longer maintained by the Town; however non-winter motor vehicle use, including ATVs, is permitted on Class VI Town roads. The South Landaff Road is not included in the Forest Transportation System; however the snowmobile connector trail is. The Forest Plan prohibits all non-winter motorized trail use, however considering the Town of Landaff s jurisdiction of the South Landaff Road, this project does not propose any changes to this road. The South Landaff Connector Snowmobile Trail currently passes over two stone culverts on the old South Landaff Road. These culverts are both failing and frequently get plugged with debris due to their small diameter. The snowmobile trail has been difficult to maintain in this area due to these failing culverts, as well as a section of trail which ascends a steep slope and is prone to washouts. This project would reroute an approximately 0.7 mile section of the South Landaff Connector Snowmobile Trail from the South Landaff Road onto Petty Brook Road (FR 353) in order to bypass these areas. Installing snowmobile trail bridges over three water crossings located on the Petty Brook Road is also included in this proposed snowmobile trail reroute. Construct a segment of trail on NFS lands to join 2 segments of the proposed Cooley- Cole Hill Trail The Cooley-Jericho Community Forest has requested construction of an approximately 0.5 mile segment of non-motorized trail on National Forest System (NFS) lands located in the northern end of the project area boundary. The Community Forest currently contains a partially developed trail network, which is likely to expand in the future. The proposed trail segment would abut the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest, and serve to connect two 14

15 segments of the proposed Cooley-Cole Hill Trail. Construction of the proposed connecting trail segment at an alternative location within the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest is not feasible due to terrain limitations. This connector trail segment would be managed for non-motorized use, primarily for mountain biking, and is needed to provide connectivity for a larger mountain bike trail system within the Community Forest. Maintain and reconstruct Forest Service Roads During project planning, field reconnaissance provides additional information regarding Forest roads status and needs. Forest managers are guided to maintain and update the Forest road inventory and index during this process (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-17). The Forest Roads program should provide a safe, seamless and efficient transportation and parking network that allows for current, continued, and projected management, use and enjoyment of the Forest with a variety of challenge levels (USDA Forest Service. 2005c, p. 1-17). An interdisciplinary team reviewed roads in the project area to evaluate which ones are needed to provide access for current and future management activities, as well as for public use and enjoyment. Based on this evaluation, no new road construction is proposed in the Bowen Brook Project Area. Maintenance and reconstruction is proposed on approximately 10 miles of existing road needed for forest management. These activities will include techniques such as recontouring, resurfacing and widening road surfaces, installing drainage dips, waterbars, and/or temporary bridges, replacing culverts, cleaning ditches and culverts, and clearing roadside vegetation. 1.4 Decision Framework The purpose of the Environmental Assessment is to provide the Responsible Official with sufficient information and analysis to make an informed decision about the Bowen Brook IRM Project. In addition to the information in the EA and project record, the Responsible Official will consider public comments to decide: If the analysis and project record adequately address the issues and the Forest Plan objectives. Which of the alternatives best addresses the relevant issues raised by the public and the interdisciplinary team? Which of the alternatives would best move the project area toward desired future conditions outlined in the Need for Action? 15

16 White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset Ranger District Would the Proposed Action and its alternatives pose a significant environmental impact that would warrant the need for an environmental impact statement? 1.5 Public Involvement Scoping for this project was initiated in December An Invitation to Comment was published in the North Country News on December 5, A letter inviting public comments on the project was mailed to more than 100 elected officials, federal, state and local government agencies, permittees, persons and groups who have expressed interest in other WMNF vegetation management and recreation projects and numerous private landowners with properties located adjacent to the project area. The Responsible Official, District Ranger Jon Morrissey, as well as several members of the project interdisciplinary team (IDT), also personally met with selectboards for the towns of both Easton and Landaff to present project information. A Scoping Report for the project, complete with maps, was posted on the Internet at the WMNF website. Hard copies of the project Scoping Report were distributed to those who requested them. This project has been listed in the WMNF Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) since April About two dozen responses expressing comments were received in response to project scoping efforts. About half of these responses were supportive; however the other half of the commenters expressed concerns over the environmental effects of proposed timber harvest and road management activities. All comments received in response to scoping were analyzed and used to identify the issues and environmental effects analyzed in the EA for this project. The original comments are included in the project record. 1.6 Issues An issue is a point of debate, dispute, or disagreement regarding anticipated effects of implementing the proposed action. Issues were identified by the interdisciplinary team from comments received in response to project scoping. Some issues were identified as being outside the scope of the project or were resolved through the incorporation of project design features; others are addressed by management direction provided by law, regulation, or the Forest Plan. 16

17 Issues addressed by Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines The following issues are addressed by project design features and the environmental effects analysis described in Chapter 3 of this document. Concern that proposed timber harvest would remove old growth forest in the project area. Concern that proposed timber harvest would adversely affect scenery viewed from roads and trails. Concern that the project will cumulatively affect scenery in the far western White Mountains. Concern that proposed timber harvest and associated road management activities would increase motor vehicle traffic and facilitate unauthorized motor vehicle and OHV access to abutting private lands. Concern that proposed project activities would damage historic properties located in the project area. Concern about the potential effects of project activities on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage. Concern that increased logging traffic would affect bicyclist and pedestrian safety on NH State Highways 116 and 112. Concern that increased logging traffic will generate noise levels that will disturb wildlife, as well as nearby residents and businesses. Concern that proposed road management activities will further restrict public access to the project area. Concern that proposed project activities will compact soils and cause soil erosion. Concern about the effects of project activities on wildfire potential in the project area. Since these issues are limited in context, duration and intensity, and would be addressed through implementation of Forest Plan standards and guidelines during project design and implementation (CEQ (c)(d)), they were not selected to generate alternatives. These concerns are addressed in the effects analysis in Chapter 3. 17