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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
different route and the road number for the upper part of the road was changed to match the new
road. The mid-portion of the road has been decommissioned because of it's proximity to the
stream. The trail head is now located on FSR 118.2 which is accessed off of FSR 118.1C.
Forest Service sponsored timber sales in this area began in the late 1950s and the local road
system was constructed to accommodate those sales in the 1960-70s. Many of these roads were
not classified (i.e. included in the Forest road system) and so have not received recurrent
maintenance and are grown over with vegetation.
Existing Condition
The Analysis Area is accessed by a system of Forest roads from State Highway (SH) 17 between
Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Public vehicle access terminates within or beyond
the area at a closed gate at the end of FSR 118.1C. It also terminates at the unimproved trailhead
of non-motorized Forest System Trail (FST) 736, and at a physical road closure on FSR 118.1D.
The main travel destinations within the Analysis Area are the trailhead and the closed gate. The
logging roads beyond this closed gate are used by some individuals for indirect non-motorized
access to FST 813, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Forest System Roads 118 and 118.1C are maintained to allow use by passenger cars. Other
authorized roads in the Analysis Area are maintained for high clearance vehicles. Natural road
closure measures are in place in several locations to control access to many of the timber roads
that are unauthorized for motor vehicle travel. Non-motorized uses are accepted on roads with
travel restrictions. Several miles of old unclassified roads were constructed in the past to
facilitate timber harvest. These road templates are now grown in with vegetation and are crossed
with down timber. One or more of these old roads may be reconstructed to a minimal standard
to permit passage by logging equipment and log trucks. When harvest activities are complete,
decommissioning will occur to bring the unclassified roads back into resource production.
Several areas located along some Forest System Roads are contributing to erosion and
sedimentation concerns. As part of all action alternatives, prior to harvesting, culverts or other
cross drains will be installed on roads to disconnect road drainage from streams and divert it into
buffer strips.
The existing local road system within the analysis area is generally well located and adequate to
serve the majority of the proposed project needs.
Table 3.15-1. Roads Information Table
ROAD
NUMBER
MAINT-
ENANCE
LEVEL
LENGTH
In
MILES
CURRENT STATUS COMMENTS
118 3 1.8 OPEN MAINTAIN 1.75 MILES
118.1A 1 1.8 DECOMMISSIONED NO USE
118.1C 3 3.2 OPEN SPOT RECONSTRUCTION
118.1H 1 0.5 CLOSED NO USE / LEAVE CLOSED
118.1J 1 0.4 CLOSED RECONSTRUCT / LEAVE CLOSED
118.1K 1 0.2 CLOSED RECONSTRUCT / LEAVE CLOSED
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-80