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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
Alternative 1 – No Action
Alternative 1 was not included in the analysis because the No Action alternative does not
generate revenues through the sale of commercial forest products. If an analysis were completed
for this alternative, it would result in a negative net present value due to costs associated with
this Environmental Analysis, and administrative costs for the Forest Service to manage the lands
within the Analysis Area.
The benefit-to-cost ratio for this alternative would be essentially 0. This alternative would create
a negative cash flow for the Forest Service. Additionally, this alternative does not provide means
for site reforestation in timber production areas (Management Area Prescription 5.13) that are
infested with spruce beetles and lack advanced regeneration, nor does it assist with road
maintenance or other needed road improvements. This alternative may cause future economic
degradation to areas managed for forest products because of the abundant downfall that would
make future harvest activities more expensive.
Alternative 2 – Full Salvage Harvest
Alternative 2 generates a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.44 under the currently proposed harvests.
Since the benefit-to-cost is greater than 1.0, this alternative is economically feasible. The net
present value of this alternative is $176,810. The present value benefit of the forest products
being offered under this alternative is $582,590; these benefits include sawtimber volume sold
and personal use firewood. The present value cost associated with implementing this alternative
is $405,779; these costs include timber sale preparation, road work needed to access the sale
areas, timber sale administration, slash disposal, reforestation, and monitoring. Under this
alternative, approximately 13.1 MMBF of sawtimber could be offered.
This alternative has the largest benefit-to-cost ratio and greatest net present value of the
alternatives analyzed. Based on experience with recent salvage sales on the Conejos Peak
District, there is a good possibility that the benefit-to-cost ratios may be higher than analyzed due
to bid premiums.
Alternative 3 – Reduced Salvage Harvest
Alternative 3 has a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.14, and is thus an economically feasible alternative.
This alternative has an estimated net present value of $49,746. The present value benefit of the
forest products offered under this alternative is $417,875, and the present value cost associated
with offering this material is $368,129; these costs include timber sale preparation, road work
needed to access the sale areas, timber sale administration, slash disposal, reforestation, and
monitoring. Under this alternative, approximately 9.8 MMBF of sawtimber could be offered. It is
likely that the benefit-to-cost ratio for this alternative may increase due to bid premiums.
Cumulative Effects:
There are no cumulative effects associated with this analysis
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-89