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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
Road work is included in all the action alternatives and some surface disturbances would occur
during pre-haul road maintenance, during old road reconstruction and during construction of new
temporary road. The short-term impacts during these activities would be offset by correction of
drainage concerns that would benefit the area for the long-term.
Effects from livestock grazing, road construction and previous timber sales in the general area
have recovered well and there are no significant impacts noted. Some riparian zones within the
analysis area do receive recreational use such as hiking, camping, vehicle use, and fishing.
These activities can lead to loss of riparian vegetation and increased sedimentation resulting
from this use, especially camping and vehicle use within riparian areas, and can result in
degraded fish habitat.
Increased sediment into streams from timber harvest and associated activities, as well as the
large scale loss of trees due to beetle activity, can impact instream fish habitat as well as provide
suitable habitat for fish disease and disease vectors such as whirling disease. Colorado Division
of Wildlife has implemented an extensive outreach program informing anglers about aquatic
nuisance species and diseases which is aimed at reducing the spread of the species/diseases by
outdoor users. Currently, whirling disease is not known from any of the streams within the
analysis area. Stocking of trout within the watershed can impact the existing fishery if diseases
are introduced and also have an impact on the native fish if nonnative fish are stocked.
Currently, most streams and riparian areas within the project area are in good to robust
conditions and any fish habitat concerns within the analysis area tend to be site specific and not
an overall threat to the fish populations throughout the drainage, although some segments of the
populations may not be at full potential due to habitat limitations. With any timber harvest
operation there is a chance of impacting streams, but with full compliance with Forest Plan
standards and guidelines, project design criteria, and Watershed Conservation Practices
Handbook impacts from timber harvest to the stream systems are expected to be minimal. Some
population segments may be impacted for short periods of time due to possible increases in
runoff and siltation but the impacts would not be expected to result in loss of viability of trout in
the project area.
Alternative 1 – No Action
Under the No Action alternative, natural processes would be allowed to occur without additional
human intervention. No salvage of beetle infested or killed timber would occur, new trees would
not be planted, and system roads would be maintained through normal maintenance schedules.
Current activities such as livestock grazing and dispersed recreation would continue.
No new surface disturbances would occur in any watersheds. Watersheds, stream channels, and
riparian areas would be left in their existing condition. No pre-haul maintenance or road
reconstruction would occur and no roads would be put to long-term rest under this alternative.
Road density would remain unchanged from the current condition and road drainage concerns
would be left until they can be dealt with through normal maintenance operations.
With no management action it is likely that the scope and intensity of spruce beetle activity
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-63