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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
Figure 3.6-1
Past Actions that have affected the Existing Condition
The sixth level watershed has MAP’s that have allowed timber harvest activities and associated
road building in the past. The Rio de los Pinos analysis area was previously analyzed as part of
the County Line Vegetation management project. Other activities that have caused impacts
include livestock grazing and recreational use, including Truijillo Meadows reservoir and
campground.
Roads are causing minor localized impacts to stream health. Project work completed in 1998
included removal of culverts and closing of several roads. Several closed roads in the upper part
of the watershed now have good vegetative cover and have a minimal impact to stream health at
road intersections.
Existing Condition
Watershed condition is evaluated by adding up acreage of surface disturbance, according to a
method described in the Forest Plan FEIS, pages 3-265 through 3-269. Tables showing types
and amount of disturbance in each watershed are provided in Appendix D. Regional guidance
designated watershed assessments for revised Forest Plans to be focused on the 6 th level.
Therefore, watershed analysis on the RGNF is focused on the 6 th level, but watersheds with high
acreages where disturbances could be masked or where known disturbances were high were
broken down to the 7 th level to ensure watershed protection. The Rio de los Pinos is one such
watershed.
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-14