Accessed online - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Alternative 4
(No Action)
Columbia River
by natural
processes.
(Preferred)
EFFECTS TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Effects to Neutral effect Minor positive effect locally through improved water management and
Hydrology
allowing reconnection of Post Office Lake to the Columbia River via
natural processes, but no significant effect to the Columbia watershed.
Effects to Neutral effect Minor local negative effects from herbicide, pesticide or larvicide
Water
(mosquito control) use on croplands, restored uplands, riparian, and
Quality
aquatic areas. Minor improvements in clarity and temperature
resulting from increased acreage of riparian vegetation.
Effects to Neutral effect Possible minor negative effects due to prescribed burns in limited
Air Quality
habitat areas, if burning permit obtained. Minor negative effect from
increased vehicle emissions associated with increased visitation.
Effects to Neutral effect Minor to interme- Minor negative Minor to intermediate
Visual
diate negative impact from negative impact from
Quality
impact from additional additional facilities (bridge
additional facilities facilities (2 lane and 2 lane paved road on
(bridge/2-lane bridge at site of north end of River ‘S’
road on north end current bridge to Unit).
of River ‘S’ Unit). River ‘S’ Unit).
EFFECTS TO SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
Overall Minor rise due Minor to
Minor to
Minor positive effect.
visitation to demographic intermediate intermediate Intermediate rise in visita-
trends and positive effect. positive effect. tion due to easier public
rising demand Intermediate rise Intermediate rise access, demographic trends,
for outdoor in visitation, due in visitation due to rising demand for outdoor
recreation to easier public easier public recreation, and some refuge
access, demo- access, demo- actions to improve facilities
graphic trends, graphic trends, and programs. Access
rising demand for rising demand for improvements could
outdoor recreation, outdoor recreation, increase visitation, but
and refuge actions and refuge actions seasonal auto tour closure
to improve to improve may reduce the rate of
facilities and facilities and visitation increases
programs. programs. compared to Alternatives 2
and 3.
Opportunities Neutral effect- Neutral to minor Neutral to minor Minor negative effect in
for Quality no increase in positive effect. positive effect. winter; neutral to minor
Wildlife the number of Slight increase in Slight increase in positive effect in summer.
Observation acres available the number of the number of Slight increase in number of
and for wildlife acres available for acres available for acres available for wildlife
Photography observation and wildlife
wildlife
observation and
photography; observation and observation and photography during spring
habitat photography. photography. and summer; decrease in
management Actions may Actions may acres available in fall and
same as increase habitat increase habitat winter due to seasonal
present. quality within quality within closure of south end of auto
7-4 Chapter 7. Environmental Effects