Vegetation treatment on BLM lands in thirteen western states : final environmental impact statement

332 Pages·1991·91 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management

BLMLIBRARY
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior
BureauofLandManagement
Wyoming May1991
Final
Environmental Impact Statement
Vegetation Treatment on BLM Lands
in Thirteen Western States
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TheBureauofLandManagementisresponsibleforthebalancedmanagementofthepubliclands
andresourcesandtheirvariousvaluessothattheyareconsideredinacombinationthatwill
bestservetheneedsoftheAmericanpeople.Managementisbasedupontheprinciplesof
multipleuseandsustainedyield;acombinationofusesthattakesintoaccountthelongterm
needsoffuturegenerationsforrenewableandnonrenewableresources.Theseresourcesinclude
recreation,range,timber,minerals,watershed,fishandwildlife,wildernessandnatural,scenic,
scientificandculturalvalues.
BLM-WY-ES-91-022-4320
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DENVER,CO 80225-00" Impact
.Statement
Vegetation Treatment
BLM
on Lands
in Thirteen Western States
Preparedby
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior
BureauofLandManagement
1991
mr-
VEGETATION TREATMENT ON BLM LANDS
IN 13 WESTERN STATES
( )Draft (X)Final
U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior
BureauofLandManagement
Abstract
ThisFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement(FEIS)assessestheenvironmental
consequencesofFederalapprovalofimplementingavegetationtreatment
programtomanageavarietyofvegetationspecieson publiclandinthe
WesternUnitedStates.TheprogramwouldapplytoBLM-administeredpublic
lands in the 13contiguousWestern StatesofArizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana,Nevada,NewMexico,NorthDakota,Oklahoma,easternOregon,
SouthDakota,Utah,Washington,andWyoming.
Basedontheissuesandconcernswithinthestudyareaidentifiedduringthe
publicscopingprocessandinternalreview,thisBISfocusesanalysisinthe
followingareas:
• Howeachvegetationtreatmentmethodaffectsvegetationonaregional
basis
• Howeachmethodaffectsfishandwildlifeandtheirhabitats
• Howmechanicaltreatmentsandprescribedburningaffectsoils
• Howallnaturalresourcesmaybeaffectedpositivelyaswellasnegatively
• Howherbicidesandprescribedburningaffecthumanhealthandsafety
The FEIS analyzes direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to various
resourcesfromtheproposedvegetationtreatmentprojectandalternatives.It
incorporates, and insomeplacesmodifies, analysisforthe DraftEIS. In
apdudbiltiiconc,omitmmeanktessofracetxupallaicnosrrwehctyiocnosmfmreonmttshedodrnafottdwoacruramnetntf,urtrheesrpoangdesnctyo
response.ThisFEISisnotadecisiondocument.RecordsofDecisionswillbe
providedforeachstateafterthefinalEISisdistributed.
EISContact
CommentsonthisEISshouldbedirectedto:
WyomingStateDirector
BureauofLandManagement
c/oJimMelton,TeamLeader
1701 East"E"Street
Casper,Wyoming82601
DateEISMadeAvailabletoEPAandthePublic
Final: June5,1991

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
CHAPTER1-PROPOSEDACTIONANDALTERNATIVES 1-1
Introduction 1-3
PurposeandNeedforAction 1-3
ProgramObjectives 1-3
LegalMandatesfortheProgram 1-13
NEPARequirementsoftheProgram 1-13
PublicInvolvement 1-13
ProgramAreas 1-15
ProposedActionandAlternatives 1-17
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAeorsieadlAApcptliiocnationofHerbicides 11--1177
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 1-17
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 1-17
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 1-19
StandardOperatingProcedures 1-19
TreatmentMethodDescriptions 1-20
InertIngredients 1-32
Mitigation 1-33
ProjectDesignFeatures 1-33
HerbicideTreatments 1-33
OtherTreatments 1-33
SpecialPrecautions 1-35
SummaryofimpactsbyAlternative 1-37
Implementation 1-37
Monitoring 1-37
RequirementsforFurtherEnvironmentalAnalysis 1-42
Interrelationships 1-42
OtherFederalEntities 1-42
StateandLocalGovernments 1-43
PrivateLandovt/ners 1-44
LimitationsofThisDraftEIS 1-44
CHAPTER2-AFFECTEDENVIRONMENT 2-1
GeneralDescription 2-3
AnalysisRegionDescriptions 2-6
Vegetation 2-6
Climate 2-17
AirQuality 2-21
GeologyandTopography 2-26
Soils 2-27
AquaticResources 2-30
FishandWildlife 2-39
CulturalResources 2-47
RecreationandVisualResources 2-50
Livestock 2-52
WildHorsesandBurros 2-52
SpecialStatusPlantandAnimalSpecies 2-53
WildernessandSpecialAreas 2-54
HumanHealthandSafety 2-55
SocialandEconomicResources 2-57
CONTENTS
CHAPTER3—ENVIRONMENTALCONSEQUENCES 3-1
Introduction 3.3
SECTION1-IMPACTSOFTHEVEGETATIONTREATMENT
METHODS 3.5
Vegetation 3.7
ManualMethods 3.9
MechanicalMethods 3.9
BiologicalMethods 3.13
PrescribedBurning 3.14
ChemicalMethods 3.22
ClimateandAirQuality 3-29
ManualandMechanicalMethods 3-29
BiologicalMethods 3.3O
PrescribedBurning 3,30
ChemicalMethods 3.3I
GeologyandTopography 3.31
Soils 3.31
ManualMethods 3.3-1
MechanicalMethods 3.3I
BiologicalMethods 3.36
PrescribedBurning 3.37
ChemicalMethods 3.4O
AquaticResources 3_41
ManualMethods 3.41
MechanicalMethods 3.41
BiologicalMethods 3.42
PrescribedBurning 3.43
ChemicalMethods 3.43
FisiiandWildlife ".!!.!.!.!.". 3-46
ManualMethods 3.47
MechanicalMethods 3.47
BiologicalMethods 3.50
PrescribedBurning 3.5I
ChemicalMethods 3.53
ChemicalTreatmentRiskAnalysis 3-57
CulturalResources 3.53
ManualMethods 3.53
MechanicalMethods 3.53
BiologicalMethods 3-59
PrescribedBurning 3.59
ChemicalMethods 3.59
RecreationandVisualResources 3.59
ManualMethods 3.6O
MechanicalMethods 3.60
BiologicalMethods ^ 3.ei
PrescribedBurning 3.g-|
ChemicalMethods 3-6I
LMiavneusatlocMkethods \ 33._gg--jj
MechanicalMethods 3.g1
BiologicalMethods 3.g-j
PrescribedBurning 3.g2
ChemicalMethods 3.g2
WildHorsesandBurros 3.g2
ManualMethods 3_g2
MechanicalMethods 3.g2
ii
CONTENTS
BiologicalMethods 3-62
PrescribedBurning 3-62
ChemicalMethods 3-63
SpecialStatusPlantandAnimalSpecies 3-63
WildernessandSpecialAreas 3-63
ManualMethods 3-63
MechanicalMethods 3-63
BiologicalMethods 3-64
PrescribedBurning 3-64
ChemicalMethods 3-64
HumanHealthandSafety 3-64
ManualMethods 3-64
MechanicalMethods 3-65
BiologicalMethods 3-65
PrescribedBurning 3-65
ChemicalMethods 3-67
SECTION2-IMPACTSBYALTERNATIVE 3-95
Vegetation 3-97
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAeorsieadlAAcpptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--19800
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-102
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-104
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-106
ClimateandAirQuality 3-107
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAeorsieadlAAcpptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--110077
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-107
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-108
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-108
GeologyandTopograpliy 3-108
Soils 3-108
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAeorsieadlAAcpptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--110088
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-109
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-109
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-109
AquaticResources 3-109
FisiiandWildlife 3-109
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAeorsieadlAApcptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--111110
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-111
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-112
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-113
CulturalResources 3-113
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee12::PNroopAeorsieadlAAcpptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--111133
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-113
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-113
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-113
RecreationandVisualResources 3-113
AAlltteerrnnaattiivvee21::PNroopAoersieadlAAcpptliiocnationofHerbicides 33--111144
Alternative3:NoUseofHerbicides 3-114
Alternative4:NoUseofPrescribedBurning 3-115
Alternative5:NoAction(ContinueCurrentManagement) 3-115
Livestock 3-115
iii
. . 8
CONTENTS
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WildernessandSpecialAreas 3.^^7
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SocialResources 3-119
EconomicResources ' 3-119
EUnneavrogiydaRbelqeuiArdevmeernstesEnvironmentalEffects 33.-.1,2212
IirrrreevveerrssiibblleeaRnesdoIurrrceetriCeovambmlietCmoemnmtitmentofResources . 33--112222
IrretrievableResourceCommitment 3-122
Short-TermUsesVersusLong-TermProductivity 3-122
SPCuuHbmAlmiPcaTrIEynRvo4lv-eCmOenNtSULTATIONANDCOORDINATION 44.-_"I3-
PublicParticipation................................'. /^\
Issues/Cohcerns 4I5
SpecificCommentsandResponses 4.I4
CHAPTER5-LISTOFPREPARERSANDREVIEWERS 5-I
REFERENCES
p^,..,
Tables
Table1-1. EstimatedAverageAnnualAcreageTreatedby
Table1-2.PEsrtoigmraatmedAlAtveerrnaatgieveAnannudalTrAecartemsenTtreMaettehdobdyState: 1-5
Table1-3.AElstteirmnaatteivdeA1verageAnnualAcresTreatedbyState- ^g
Table1-4.AElstteirmnaatteivdeA2verageAnnualAcresTreatedbyState- .|.y
Alternative3 .|.g
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