Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation ...

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Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project 1.5 Purpose of and Need for Action Figure 1.4-1. Rio de los Pinos Analysis Area The purpose of this action is to implement the Forest Plan by making live and dead timber available to the timber industry as part of the Rio Grande National Forest’s timber sale program. This proposal has been initiated because existing conditions vary from the Desired Conditions defined in Forest Plan MAP 5.13. This disparity indicates a need for the salvage of dead trees before they lose economic value, provision of wood products to benefit the local and regional economy, reforestation of areas severely impacted by spruce beetle, reduced long-term fuel buildup in areas severely impacted by spruce beetle, and improved forest stand condition. When seeking to reduce the standing dead fuel component, the goal is to reduce the duration and intensity of a potential wildland fire, thus influencing the severity of its impact. Standing dead fuel is expected to become heavy down fuel within 20-50 years. The Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project is designed to achieve Regional and Forestwide Objectives identified in Chapter II of the Forest Plan. These objectives are displayed Chapter 1 – Purpose & Need Page 1-4
Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project below in Table 1.5-1. Table 1.5-1. Relevant Regional and Forestwide Objectives. Forestwide Objective 2.2 – Manage the Forest to maintain or improve the health and vigor of all native plant associations (Forest Plan p. II-2). Forestwide Objective 2.10 – Use appropriate vegetative-management methods (e.g., Prescribed Natural and Management Ignited Fires, timber harvesting, grazing, etc.) to modify unacceptable fuel profiles and reduce potentially unacceptable future high-intensity wildfires. Regional Objective 3 – Provide for multiple uses and sustainability of National Forests and Grasslands in an environmentally acceptable manner (Forest Plan p. II-3). Forestwide Objective 3.2 – Emphasize long-term sustainable production of resources for economies, communities, and people (Forest Plan p. II-3). Forestwide Objective 3.3 – Use a range of silvicultural prescriptions to achieve ecosystem management objectives. These objectives may include supplying forage for wildlife, reducing insect and disease infestations, maintaining or improving aspen stands, or enhancing scenery (Forest Plan p. II-3). Forestwide Objective 3.4 – Use existing roads, instead of constructing new ones (Forest Plan p. II-3). 1.6 Governing Management Direction All land management decisions are governed by an array of law and policy which direct or provide bounds for those decisions. While some law and policy provide constraints, others provide intent and direction for certain actions to occur. This is a general overview of such guidance which gives intent or direction for the proposed action. Where consistent with other Forest Plan goals and objectives, there is Congressional intent to allow timber harvesting on suitable lands (Organic Administration Act of 1897, Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960; Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974; Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; National Forest Management Act of 1976). Intent is also expressed to allow the salvage of dead timber and to protect against and prevent the spread of insects and disease (Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974). Such actions are also directed and authorized by Federal Regulation (36CFR221.3; 36CFR223). In keeping with these intents, it is Forest Service policy to provide timber resources to the local and regional economy (Forest Service Manual [FSM] 2402; Forest Plan, pp. II-3 Chapter 1 – Purpose & Need Page 1-5
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