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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
through II-4), salvage dead trees (FSM 2435), and treat stands experiencing insect or disease
infestations or to prevent infestations (Forest Plan IV-25 through IV-28).
Specific management direction for the RGNF is provided in the Forest Plan and its
accompanying Record of Decision (1996). The Forest-wide Desired Condition for timber
resources, as provided in the Forest Plan, states: “The vegetative structure on the RGNF is
capable of sustaining timber harvesting that supplies wood products for humankind while
providing for the biological diversity of those forested areas.”
The rationale for the proposed action is tiered to both the Forest Plan and the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan
(USDA Forest Service 1996). The Forest Plan FEIS addresses concerns about forest health and
the potential for spruce beetle epidemics (FEIS pp. 3-219 to 3-221). Forestwide objectives
include reducing insect and disease infestations and using a range of silvicultural prescriptions to
achieve ecosystem management objectives (Forest Plan p. II-3). The Forest Plan FEIS also
addresses the demonstrated and ongoing demand for wood and miscellaneous forest products
such as firewood and poles (FEIS p. 3-159).
Any regulated timber harvest activities would occur on lands classified as suitable for timber
production, as amended by the Timber Suitability amendment to the Forest Plan (3/2/2000).
1.7 Forest Plan Management Area Prescriptions
As mentioned above, specific management direction for the Rio Grande National Forest is given
through the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, 1996. Within this plan, lands are
delineated and managed for a particular emphasis or theme known as a Management Area
Prescription (MAP). Each MAP in the Forest Plan has a description of the theme and physical
setting for the area, a description of the desired future conditions for the area, and a list of
standards and guidelines that apply to the area. Figure 1.7-1 shows the relevant MAPs for the
Rio de los Pinos Analysis Area.
Chapter 1 – Purpose & Need Page 1-6