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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
3.18 Social
Scope of Analysis
The social effects analysis primarily focuses on Conejos County, Colorado and to a certain
extent on Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The surrounding communities include Antonito and
La Jara, Colorado as well as Chama, New Mexico due to its proximity to the Rio de los Pinos
Analysis Area. The discussion specific to the timber industry focuses on the State of Colorado.
Past Actions that have affected the Existing Condition
Most of the early settlers in Conejos County used the surrounding lands for logging, mining,
sheep grazing, and cattle grazing. Much of the population lived in rural areas where the National
Forest lands were important for gathering firewood for heating and cooking, collecting medicinal
plants such as osha, gathering food such as mushrooms, and for hunting, trapping, and fishing. A
large portion of the population in Conejos County has historically been dominated by individuals
of Hispanic origin, with many of the residents being descendents of the original Spanish settlers.
The influence of the Spanish culture is evident in the local architecture and in the names of
towns and geographic features of Conejos County, Colorado and Rio Arriba
County, New Mexico.
The first notable timber harvest activity in the analysis area was a single tree selection harvest
that took place in the early- to mid-1950’s. This is likely the time period in which many of the
roads in the analysis area were constructed for timber purposes. Because of this past timber
harvest and road construction, access for certain recreational and commercial opportunities that
are evident at the current time have been enhanced.
Existing Condition
Conejos County is approximately 825,700 acres; the Rio Grande National Forest makes up about
35.5% (293,000 acres) of the land base (based on Rio Grande NF GIS data), so it is apparent that
National Forest lands are important to the local population. The U.S. Census Bureau (2008)
shows that a majority (nearly 55%) of the local population is still comprised of individuals of
Hispanic or Latino in origin, and that 19.9% of households in Conejos County utilize wood as
home heating fuel (U.S. Census Bureau 2000). Many of the people who are employed have
relatively low paying jobs, with a median household income of $27,077 in 2004 (U.S. Census
Bureau 2008), which makes Conejos County one of the poorest counties in Colorado.
The local economy in Conejos County has changed over time as recreation has become more
important. This is particularly true in areas close to the Rio de los Pinos Analysis Area, with the
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Caminos de los Antiguos Scenic Byway, the CDNST,
and the South San Juan Wilderness Area located nearby. There are many local outfitter guide
services, cabins, second homes, campgrounds, and businesses catering to area visitors. The area
offers excellent opportunities for site seeing, hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding,
snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and wildlife viewing. All of the recreational
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-90