environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Aesthetics / Visual Resources Analysis Framework: Statute, Regulation, Forest Plan and Laws This section evaluates potential impacts to the aesthetic character and visual resources as a result of implementation of the Proposed Action or No Action alternatives. Direction relevant to the proposed action as it affects visual resources includes: National Forest Management Act (NFMA) The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and its implementing regulations, required the inventory and evaluation of the forest’s visual resource, addressing the landscape’s visual attractiveness and the public’s visual expectations. Management prescriptions for definitive lands areas of the forest are to include Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs). Wilderness Areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers Two wilderness areas are within two miles of the Project site, the Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness and the South Fork of the San Jacinto Wilderness. These areas were designated to assure extensive natural open space and a variety of wildlife habitats will be preserved. The South Fork San Jacinto area is the closest in proximity, located approximately 1.1 miles to the northwest, and it supports similar habitat type to the proposed Project area. Bautista Creek has been designated a Wild and Scenic River. The portion of the Creek that is designated comes within 0.25 miles of the Project site and would provide both habitat and a wildlife corridor through the area. Impacts around the Creek would be restricted and subject to more critical examination. San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan The LMP contains Forest-wide management direction in the form of Scenic Integrity Objectives for visual resources and identification of “Key Places” for visual management emphasis. Part 2 and 3 of the LMP outlines the following landscape aesthetics and character management objectives and standards: Manage landscapes and built elements to achieve scenic integrity objectives using best environmental design practices to harmonize changes in the landscape and advance environmentally sustainable design solutions. Design management activities to meet the scenic integrity objectives (SIO) for the Anza “Place” which is “High”. Affected Environment The Project area is located in a rural setting. Visual resources in the area include mountains and topography, rock outcrops, trees and vegetation, as well as panoramic views of Anza Valley. Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 37 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects No Action: The No Action Alternative would result in no changes to the current visual quality of the Project area, and would have no direct, indirect or cumulative effect on visual resources, wilderness areas or view points. Proposed Action: The Proposed Action alternative is not expected to significantly alter the visual quality of the landscape as the road already exists and is in use as an unpaved access road. Views from the nearest residences, the Cahuilla Wilderness and other nearby viewpoints would not be significantly affected. The Proposed Action is therefore anticipated to have a less than significant effect on visual resources. Biological Resources Species accounts are incorporated by reference from the San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan (USDA 2006). Detailed species accounts are available on-line at: http://www/fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/Projects/lmp/read.htm. For more detailed information, including plant and animal species lists and applied methodology, please reference the Biological Evaluation/Assessment for Plants and Animals, Botany and Wildlife Report, Management Indicator Species Report, and Weed Risk Assessment for the Ramona Indian Reservation Access Road Improvement Project (the BE/BA) (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009) which is part of the Project record and available upon request. Affected Environment Vegetation and Habitat The Proposed Action would take place entirely within an existing, regularly graded and cleared dirt road, with the exception of 6500 square feet (sf) (0.15 acres.) (the boxed culvert area). In general, flora in the area of the Proposed Action consists of species that occur in red shank-chamise chaparral, California buckwheat scrub, Interior live oak scrub communities, and dry washes. The Project impact area consists of an unvegetated, graded dirt road and 0.15 acres of red shank-chamise chaparral (the boxed culvert area). The Project area is surrounded by vast, open and relatively undisturbed habitat for these species. Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 38 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Page 1 and 2: FINAL FRANK SPRINGER & ASSOCIATES,
Page 3 and 4: LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Mitigation
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