WSP09652

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 3/1/1994
• Author: USFS
• Title: Snowmass Ski Area - Final Environmental Impact Statement - White River National Forest - Aspen Ranger District - Volume I
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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under the Full Mit~gation scenario (Table S-9), impacts would be expected to be
less severe in all alternatives. It is not anticipated that all mitigation
measures would be fully implemented or successful, and the long-term reduction
in the elk herd would be expected to fall somewhere between the Partial and FUll
Mitigation scenarios. A viable, but reduced, elk herd would be expected to be
maintained in the long term under all action alternatives, except possibly under
Alternative E.

Table 5-9: Potential Reductions to the MB-SW Elk Herd by Alternative, Full Mitigation Scenario'

Alternative

%
Reduction

% of Current
PODulation Remainin2

% Reduction Due
To NFSL tievelooments

Current Situation
A
B
E
F
G
H

100
70-80
70-80
2D-40
60-70
55-6S
65-75

>0'
>0'
50-60
10-20
15-25
5-15

20-30
20-30
60-80
3D-40
35-45
25-35

I Expeaed reductions in the size of the elk herd which spends at least a portion of the year within the pennit area, due to cumulative impactS associated
with full implementation of each of the alternatives and full mitigation applied
a Recreational activities on NFSL arc expected to increase under al1 altemativC$. These impacts do not affect habitat directly but will result in
disturbances and potential displacement from suitable habitat. The level of these impacts cannot be quantified at this time.

Impacts on the mule deer herd would be expected to be similar but much less
severe. Although deer are considered to be more tolerant of disturbance, the PA
deer population would be expected to be reduced some unquantifiable amount due
to actions associated with the alternatives.

Other Mammals

Bighorn Sheep would not be expected to be significantly affected under any of the
alternatives.

Development activities in all alternatives would render both NFSL and private
lands less valuable as black bear foraging habitat. Some changes to available
food sources would r,esult from the conversion of forest habitats to man-made
openings. Full buildout of private lands would render them unsuitable for black
bear summer foraging. Black bears are considered to be secure as a species
within the RA and none of the alternatives would jeopardize the overall species
viability.

Martens, voles and other small mammals would be most adversely affected by the
conversion of forest habitats to man-made openings (Table S-20l.

Avian Soecies

Impacts to avian species would likely be most significant in riparian habitats,
particularly for those species dependent upon large homogeneous blocks of
forested habitats and for snag-dependent species. Impacts would be least adverse
in Alternatives B, H, and F; and most adverse in G and E, respectively.

Residential development within the PA would render much of the private land
unsuitable for nesting by raptors in all alternatives.

Construction and maintenance of new lifts and ski trails would temporarily
displace most raptor species from foraging habitats adjacent to construction

Summary . 19