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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
less equipment and activities in the area will also lessen opportunities for noxious weed spread
and/or introduction.
There is still a low risk of spread and/or introduction of noxious weeds in the Analysis Area,
even without the implementation of the project. The existing road infrastructure within, and
leading to the Analysis Area will still be maintained. This will allow for periodic soil disturbance
along roadways and heavy equipment activities that may be hosts for weed seed transport.
Established noxious weed infestations, if not treated will likely continue to spread and provide a
seed source for new infestations. Other activities and users of the area may also be carriers of
weed seed and may cause soil disturbance that may contribute to the establishment and/or spread
on noxious weeds within the Analysis Area and the proposed haul route. There will also be a
certain amount of natural soil disturbance from trees falling, wildlife digging, etc. and natural
seed dispersal from wind and wildlife. Additionally, without the project implementation,
monitoring of the area would be of lower priority and additional funding that would have been
generated by the project would not be available for noxious weed control.
Alternative 2 – Full Salvage Harvest
This alternative will have a moderate risk for noxious weed spread and/or introduction. There
have been infestations of Canada Thistle in and near the Analysis Area. This elevates the
potential for noxious weed seed to be available in the soil. Additional soil disturbance besides
the normal road maintenance will also occur with the upgrading of the current roads and
possibility of borrow material and gravel being hauled in for use on the roads. The increased
activity with haul trucks, pickups and heavy equipment will heighten the possibility for transport
of weed seed. Soil disturbance from the log skidding operation could be a seed transport
possibility and soil disturbance possibility. Log skidding may also present an opportunity for
noxious weed establishment in areas out of site from the main roads, which makes it difficult to
locate infestations early on.
Factors that are contributing to the project presenting moderate risk instead of high risk are:
• Canada Thistle is the only noxious weed known to be in or near the Analysis Area.
• Canada Thistle is not very common in the Analysis Area
• Canada Thistle is very treatable and easy to control if caught early
• Project design criteria are in place to lessen the introduction of new weed species and the
spread of Canada Thistle.
• KV funds are planned for monitoring and treatment of the area after the project is
completed
Alternative 3 – Reduced Salvage Harvest
This alternative will have the same effects as Alternative 2 but with a low moderate risk for
noxious weed spread and/or introduction. By not harvesting timber in the wettest areas, the risk
is reduced primarily because of these factors:
• The wettest areas provide the greatest risk for noxious weed establishment and spread
because of the excellent growing conditions
• Often times, wet areas or riparian areas preclude the use of many herbicides due to label
restrictions, which makes eradication very difficult and expensive
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-100