Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact South Fowl ...

as orienteering, hunting, fishing, berry picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing,
and trapping, would also occur.
• D-LR-10 (pg 3-11) Many people may use this area, mostly along waterways,
roads, and trail. In these more highly used areas it is common to encounter
others engaged in a wide variety of activities. In the remainder of the MA,
contacts between users will generally be less frequent. Vehicles associated with
timber harvesting may be encountered on roads an in the woods throughout the
year.
Finding: Alternative 2 and 4 are not inconsistent with management of the BWCAW in
this location.
• The project area also includes the adjacent MA 5.2b Semi-Primitive Non-
Motorized Wilderness. MA 5.2b is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness and has the ROS classification of Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized
(Forest Plan pg. 3-45). This designation is comparatively (to MA 10.2) more
restrictive to reduce the impacts on recreation and to reduce interaction between
users. Semi-Primitive Non-motorized Wilderness provides visitors with a semiprimitive
experience in a moderately unmodified natural environment. MA 5.2b
is generally located along the main wilderness travel routes, where a visitor can
expect to encounter others and solitude is not one of their highest expectations.
Some, but not a high degree of challenge, risk and freedom is provided here.
• Desired Resource Conditions (pg 3-45) …Natural conditions in some locations
may be moderately affected by action of visitors. The effects of visitors are
relatively noticeable along major travel routes and portages, and near major
entry points. Impacts often persist from year to year. There may be moderate
vegetation loss and soil disturbance at some sites. Impacts are apparent to most
visitors.
• Desired Social Conditions (pg 3-45) Opportunities for experiencing isolation
and solitude are moderate to low. The frequency of encountering others in the
area is moderate. The challenge and risk associated with recreational
opportunities is moderate to low.
Finding: Alternatives 2 and 4, including mitigation are consistent with other Desired
Conditions, Objectives, Guidelines and Standards for the Forest Plan.
• D-RWA-1 (pg 2-44) The Forest provides a range of water access sites with
related recreation opportunities on lakes and river segments.
• O-RWA-1 (pg 2-44) Associated recreational, subsistence, and commercial
water uses at water access sites will enhance or maintain water quality, TES
species, and viable populations of native species and desirable non-native
species.
• O-TS-4 (pg 2-49) Road and trail crossings of streams, wetlands, and riparian
areas adjacent to lakes and streams will be minimized.
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