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<br />002S31 <br /> <br />Minimum Level Benchmark <br /> <br />(219.12(e)(1)(i) <br />(FEIS Benchmark Nos. 1) <br /> <br />Purpose: This benchmark determines the minimum costs (with resultant outputs <br />and effects) necessary to retain the National Forest lands in Federal <br />ownership, subject to certain minimum environmental constraints and protection <br />of life, health and safety of incidental users. No resource management <br />programs are conducted. <br /> <br />Assumptions: Only those activities necessary to protect the Forest and public <br />will be undertaken. Management for resource output production will not occur. <br /> <br />--The minimum level, resource protection (no harvest), prescription was <br />applied to analysis areas. <br /> <br />--Costs reflect only the fixed costs of Federal ownership. This includes <br />costs associated with preventing damage to lands or resources of adjoining <br />ownerships, administering unavoidable special uses, and not allowing <br />significant impairment of the productivity of the land. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />--Outputs include only uncontrollable outputs and uses, such as recreation, <br />wildlife and fish. <br /> <br />--Costs for a transition "close down", necessary if this were to be <br />implemented, were not included. <br /> <br />Significant features and results: This benchmark was not analyzed in FORPLAN. <br />The nature of this benchmark is such that those outputs which depend on active <br />management programs (timber production, developed recreation) drop to zero. <br /> <br />Minimum Level is inexpensive in terms of direct costs, but it is expensive in <br />terms of opportunity cost, primarily because of the loss of recreation <br />benefits. Additionally, there are no costs or receipts from harvesting timber <br />or livestock grazing. <br /> <br />211 <br />