Final environmental impact statement for the lower White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River management plan

374 Pages·1991·23.2 MB·English

by  United States. Forest Service. Pacific Northwest Region

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

Final Environmental Impact Statement
United States
Department of
Agriculture for the
Forest Service
LOWER WHITE SALMON
Pacific
Northwest
Region National Wild and Scenic River
Management Plan
November 1991
KLICKITAT ATNP WHITE SALMON
United States
Department off
Agriculture
I " I
National Agricultural Library
r ijivir i1 ederai Land Management Plan
FS Forest Service
HPA Hydraulics Project Approval
LAC Limits of Acceptable Change
LEIS
Legislative Environmental Impact Statement
LWA Land & Water Associates
MBF Thousand board feet
MIS Management Indicator Species
MMBF Million board feet
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NFMA National Forest Management Act
NPPC Northwest Power Planning Council
NRHP National Register of Historic Places
OHWM Ordinary High Water Mark
OR Outstandingly Remarkable
PILT Payment in lieu of taxes
PL Public Law
PP&L Pacific Power and Light Company
RCW Revised Code of Washington
RLZ Resource Lands Zone
RM River Mile
ROS Recreation Opportunity Spectrum
ROW Right-of-way
RVD Recreation visitor-day
SCS Soil Conservation Service
SDS SDS Lumber Company
SEPA
Washington State Environmental Policy Act
SMP Shorelines Master Plan
SOHA Spotted Owl Habitat Area
T&E Threatened and Endangered (Species)
TES
Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive (Species)
use
United States Code
USDA
United States Department of Agricultural
USGS United States Geological Survey
VQO Visual quality objective
WDW
Washington Department of Wildlife
WNHP Washington Natural Heritage Program
W&SR Wild and Scenic River
White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River
Management Plan - FEIS
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the
Lower White Salmon River Management Plan
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River, OR. 970.31
November 1991
Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service
Responsible Official: Arthur J. Carroll, Area Manager
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
USDA Forest Service
902 Wasco, Suite 200
Hood River, Oregon 97031
Telephone: [phone]
For Further Information Steve Mellor, Project Manager
Contact: USDA Forest Service
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
902 Wasco Avenue
Hood River, Oregon 97031
Telephone: [phone]
ABSTRACT
The USDA Forest Service, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, is
presenting six alternative ways of managing the 7.7 mile White Salmon National Wild and Scenic
River.
1. Continue management under current federal, state, and county authorities.
2. Manage to enhance all Wild and Scenic River values and increase the natural character of
the area. Administration would be by the Forest Service with an advisory committee of local,
regional, national, and tribal interests.
3. Manage to maintain the river’s current character. Administration would be by a cooperative
management committee of county, state, and federal agencies (including the National Park
Service) with an advisory committee, as in Alternative 2.
4. Manage to minimize effects on private landowners while protecting outstandingly remarkable
resource values. Administration would be by the Forest Service with a cooperative agreement
with the county and an advisory committee, as in Alternatives 2 & 3.
5. Manage for a high level of recreational use, while minimizing effects on landowners and
protecting outstandingly remarkable values. Recommend designating the river as a State
Scenic River. Administration would be by cooperative management committee, including the
Forest Service.
6. Maintain the current character of the river area and provide long-term protection and
enhancement of its outstandingly remarkable values (OR). Administration would be by the
Forest Service with an agreement with Klickitat County and an advisory committee as in
Alternatives 2 & 3.
Alternative 1 is the "No Action" alternative, describing the current management authorities on the
lower White Salmon River. Alternative 6 is the Preferred Alternative.
u S DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY
JUL 2 31992
CATALOGING PREP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY.S-l
CHAPTER I - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
Introduction.1-1
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.1-2
The Planning Process.1-2
Issues.1-8
CHAPTER II - THE ALTERNATIVES
Introduction.II-1
Development of Alternatives.II-2
Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Detailed Study.II-3
Alternatives Considered in Detail .II-6
Overview of Alternatives.II-6
Detailed Description of Alternatives.II-10
Outputs and Effects.11-38
Resource Management Techniques .11-40
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum.11-40
Limits of Acceptable Change.11-42
Visual Management System.11-44
Implementation Considerations.11-45
Monitoring.11-45
Acquisition of Land or Rights.11-46
Funding.11-46
CHAPTER III - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Regional Setting.Ill-1
Geology.TTT-4
Hydrology.III-6
Fish.Ill-11
Plants and Animals.III-13
Cultural Resources.III-30
Recreation .III-35
Landscape Character.III-45
Land Ownership and Uses.III-49
Socioeconomics.HI-55
Land Use Controls.III-59
White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River
Management Plan - FEIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
CHAPTER IV - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Water Quality and Quantity.IV-1
Resident Fish.IV-5
Plants and Animals.IV-8
Cultural Resources.IV-14
Recreation .IV-19
Landscape Character.IV-26
Land Uses .IV-34
Socioeconomics.IV-43
Summaiy Table of Effects ..IV-48
Adverse Effects that Cannot be Avoided.IV-50
Short-Term Uses Versus Long-Term Productivity.IV-50
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources.TV-50
Coordination With Other Plans.IV-51
REFERENCES.REF-1
LIST OF PREPARERS .L-l
LIST OF RIVERS TASK FORCE MEMBERS.L-2
APPENDICES
A - Summary of Wild and Scenic River Regulations
B - Summary of Additional Land Use Controls
C - Anadromous Fish
D - Public Comments and Forest Service Responses
E - Management Plan
MAPS OF ALTERNATIVES
PHOTO CREDITS
The photograph on page III-22 is by Mary Maj. All other photographs are by Jacqueline Moreau.
White Salmon National Wild and Scenic River
Management Plan - FEIS

SUMMARY