EIS Arapahoe & Roosevelt National Forest, Pawnee National Grassland

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Chapter 3- Affected Environment and Consequences htential adverse effects due to recreation management and activities will not vary between alternatives. Overall, recreation is projected to increase on all public tands. Proper manage- . ment, use of Best Management Practices and Revised Plan standards and guidelines will reduce potential impacts to the water resource. Effects from Snowmobiles - Adverse effects from snowmobiles are generally limited to areas of concentrated use such as roads near access areas. When conditions are right, compacted snow can remain on roads and act as a barrier to spring runoff which can cause erosion. The degree of potential erosion is dependent on many site specific factors such as slope, aspect, elevation, adjacent vegetation, level of use and weather conditions. Because of this variability, and because the areas affected are generally too small and scattered to have detectable effects at the forest scale, specific problem areas will be identified and addressed during project level analysis. The use of riparian areas by developed and especially dispersed recreation has a potential for impacts. Popular riparian areas receive a lot of use from camping, fishing and hiking. Impacts may range from vegetation reduction, soil compaction and streambank trampling from overuse. Specific problems are identified and managed during project level analyses. Solutions may range from closing the area to revegetation or hardening of the site. The effects are similar for =?- ,,. all the alternatives. Effects from Ski Areas - The development of the ski area has changed the hydrology on 1- Mount Werner. Permanent clearings created for ski trails following the fall line affect hydrology differently than other management activities. In some places, stream courses have been moved _ and/or put into culverts to provide for lift terminals and trails, eliminating riparian vegetation and '?e natural drainageway. Unlike many other management activities on the Forest, additional .)turbance is expected which will be more permanent. Unlike silvicultural treatments in which .. crees grow back and occupy the site, ski runs have been converted to grass. - The effects of Steamboat Springs Ski Area on water quality, and overall watershed potential, will not vary by alternative. Potential effects of management of this area will be a function of the master plan, annual operating plan and construction projects proposed under these plans. In ;.? most cases, area expansion or major proposals will require separate environmental impact statements or analyses in which decisions will be tiered to the Revised Plan. In addition to the Steamboat. Springs Ski Area, the Lake Catamount Ski area is proposed for constnuction 7 miles south of Steamboat Springs. No ground disturbing activities will take place until all of the Lake Catamount planning documents are approved by the Forest Service and ? Routt County. The proposed Lake Catamount Ski Area will be treated similarly, and implementa- i tion of any of the altematives in the Revised Plan will not affect development. ??? Effects from Dams and Water Diversions - Dams and water diversions can change channel dimensions, alter aquatic and riparian habitat, and obstruct fish migration in streams. When they occur, these impacts are both local (directly below the reservoir or diversion) and far reaching. Wh t bi i d h h i th l en com e projec ne w t t e cumu ons, ative effects of the many other dams and divers contributes to downstream dewatering with adverse effects to some threatened and endangered species. The Forest Supervisor has the authority and duty to assure that permits are consistent with the forest plan. As permits are amended, renewed, or issued, the Forest will analyze environmental effects and ascertain if mitigation or new terms and conditions are required to meet the loposed forest plan standards and guidelines. The degree of effects are currently unknown. 3-50 RouK Natlonal Forest - EIS (WateNRipar/an/Wet/ands)