Table Of Content

Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. ; -y \M ...v^ A P// <25 USDA United States^ Hoonah Ranger Department of Agriculture Forest Service Access and District Tongass National Forest R10-MB-430 Management Travel June 2001 Plan Environmental Assessment u;= - ' !'C . .1: CTJ C3 “T* mCO r~^ oC -o '-dm oIi oC co^ > > d3C CX) rTT: pa r- cn C -O i ,v‘v^\ Viu'» ‘^r :V'' '.)^\<X^‘ -f,. ttl lA-y:;, .A ' i.- i ,•;r * -x"". ‘^ ;.V »'f'-’^•' ^ '•i: f-'" i>V' 'ii X. :•/; . 'm.V -0' MiS :‘fk&. - .iV^-.J. Hoonah Ranger Access and District Management Travei Pian Environmentai Assessment Table Contents of Chapter 1 1-1 Introduction 1-1 Proposed Action 1-1 Project Area Description 1-4 Decision Framework 1-5 Public Involvement 1-5 Issues 1-6 Federal and State Permits, Licenses, and Certifications 1-9 Applicable Laws andExecutive Orders 1-9 Planning Record 1-10 Chapter2 2-1 Introduction 2-1 Alternatives ConsideredbutEliminated from Detailed Analysis 2-1 Actions Commonto All Alternatives 2-1 Alternatives Considered in Detail 2-3 Mitigation and Monitoring 2-5 Chapter 3 3-1 Hoonah Road System 3-1 Topography 3-2 Watershed 3-3 Vegetation 3-4 Wildlife 3-4 Recreation 3-6 Community ofHoonah 3-6 Chapter4 4-1 Issue 1: Brown Bear Habitat 4-1 Issue2: Soil Stability and Water Quahty 4-4 Issue 3: Old-Growth Habitat Integrity 4-6 Issue4: Motorized Access for Subsistence 4-8 Issue5 Motorized Access for Recreation 4-10 : Economics 4-11 Fisheries 4-13 Heritage Resources 4-16 Karst and Cave Resources 4-17 Subsistence 4-18 Wetlands 4-20 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species 4-21 Chapter5 5-1 Lists 5-1 Interdisciplinary Team 5-1 Literature Cited 5-2 A Appendix Road Management Objectives A-1 Road Cards A-2 Appendix B Alternative MaintenanceLevels B-1 AccessandTravel ManagementPlan,Environmental Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS i TABLE OF CONTENTS Access andTravel ManagementPlan, Environmental Assessment ii Chapter 1 Purpose and Need Introduction TheForest Service prepared this environmental assessment (EA) to evaluatethe management oftheroad system on the Hoonah Ranger District (Fig. 1-1) ofthe Tongass National Forest. TheForest Serviceperiodically reviews road management decisions made inprevious NEPA documents. PubUc comments, resourceconcerns, and present and anticipated access needs are considered during this review. The Tongass Land and ResourceManagement Plan (Forest Plan) identifies the parameters ofmotorized access andresource conditions. EA This is not associated withthe nationwide Roadless Area ConservationProject. No roads areproposed for construction within inventoriedroadless areas delineatedin theForestPlan (TLMP FEIS, “Roadless Inventory” map, 1997). Classified roads proposed for closure inthis analysis would bemanaged so they could bereopenedto meetfutureneeds. No new roadless area wouldresult fromthis EA. The EA is consistent withthe Road Management Pohcy (January 12, 2001). Proposed Action The Hoonah District Rangerproposes anAccess and Travel Management (ATM) plan in which all main (arterial) roads wouldremainopen and maintained for passenger vehicleuse. Several changes to previous road closure decisions areproposed. With some minor exceptions, the Game Creek and lyouktug road systems would be open (Fig. 1-2). The Suntaheen Road 8533 and Freshwater Bay Roads 8514 and 8518 would be opened forpublic traffic. This proposal closes the Seal Creek and SaltLake Bay/Portageroad systems. Forest Road 8530, pastthepatented Gypsum Creekmining claim, would be closed and Neka Road 8582 would be closed following the next timber sale (approximately 2006). Amore detailed description oftheproposed action is found in Chapter 2. A frameworkto evaluate and maintainthe minimal road system required for forest managementis also proposed. Purpose and Need The Hoonah Ranger Districtroad system is essential for forestuse, andprovides access for recreation, subsistence, and commodity uses. The road system needs to provide access thatbest serves the current and anticipated land management objectives andpublic uses. It also needs to be managed within current and expected funding levels, andto promote environmental protection and values. Accessand Travel Management Plan, Environmental Assessment CHAPTER 1 1-1 Hoonah Ranger Distdct Access and Tcavel Managetrent