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f\ " . ') c:.? ;, ~ I, _ , 0.... .J ~ '-" "-'" resulting in an annual loss of 7.5 MBP of commercial timber per year being available for harvest. Impacts from Wlldllre Habitat ManagemenL Restrictions on timber harvests from May 1 to June 30 in elk calving areas would shorten the usual six-month harvest season by one-third. Restricting harvest of ponderosa pine stands by 30% for non-game habitat management would remove 1,000 acres from the timber base resulting in 30 MBP of Ponderosa Pine per year being unavailable for harvest. Protective stipulations for goshawk neets, if present, would result in suitable commercial forest lands being unavailable for harvest. If an estimated 10 goshawk nests are located, 1,260 acres would be removed from the timber base resulting in 38 MBP per year being unavailable for harvest. Protecting other raptor nest sites would remove 500 acres from the timber base resulting in 15 MBP per year being unavailable for harvest. Limiting road construction to 1.5 miles per square mile to reduce stress on calving elk in unit B.12 would preclude harvest on approximately 500 acres of suitable commercial forest lands which would result in 20 MBP per year being unavailable for harvest. Impaets from Livestock Grazing Management. Livestock utilization and trampling of approximately 400 acres would continue on lands needing reforestation, that is, on lands classified as poorly stocked. Impacts from Recreation Management. Increasing recreational use on High Mesa would create a serious safety hazard along the switchbacks on the High Mesa Road because of logging trucks going downhill meeting recreational vehicles going uphill. Restrictions on timber harvests to enhance recreation and ROS settings in units B.1 and B-2 would eliminate harvest on 14,527 acres of commercial timber, resulting in an annual harvest reduction of 435 MBP. ALTERNATIVE B IMPACTS Impacts from Visual Resource ManagemenL Managing the High Mesa area under VRM Class II objectives would limit harvest methods to only selective cuts. Opportunities to harvest bug-killed areas or burned over areas would be eliminated. Implementing commercial timber harvests to meet VRM class II objectives in unit B-7 would remove about 1,500 acres from the commercial timber base resulting in 45 MBP being unavailable for harvest annually. Impacts from Disposal of Public Lands. A total of 153 acres of suitable commercial forest lands would no longer be in public ownership. This would result in 5 MBP per year being unavailable for harvest. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON FOREST MANAGEMENT Restrictions on timber harvests would eliminate sustained yield harvest on 19,670 acres of suitable commercial forest lands resulting in 590 MBP per year being unavailable for harvest. A total of 39,442 acres of suitable commercial forest lands would be managed for sustained yield production which would result in an annual harvest of 1,180 MBP. An additional 5,143 acres of suitable woodlands would be available for harvest annually (24,405 acres total), potentially increasing annual harvest by 105 cords, for a total of 505 cords annually. Other forest products would also be available for harvest (Christmas trees, wildings, etc.). IMPACTS ON RECREATION IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts from Recreation Management. Additional and improved campground facilities, improved hiking trails, and increased visitor contacts would enhance visitor use, enjoyment and understanding of resources in the Planning Area. If a joint BLMlUSFS visitor center is eventually constructed in Lake City, recreation management effectiveness and general public education and awareness of BLM management would be greatly improved in the Planning Area, especially in the south and west portions. 4-23