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FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT <br />Based on my review of the EA, including appendices and supporting documents, it is my <br />conclusion that the selected alternative is not a major federal action that would significantly affect <br />the quality of the human environment as defined in 40 CFR 1508:27. Therefore, an environmental <br />impact statement will not be prepared. <br />Consideration for the context of the project. The context is local to Gunnison and Saguache <br />Counties in, Colorado, with implications for the local area only. <br />Consideration of both beneficial and adverse impacts. I conclude that the impacts of the <br />selected action are not significant in context of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects. <br />Consideration of the effects on public health and safety. This exchange will not affect public <br />health or safety. <br />Consideration for effects to the unique characteristics of the geographic area, including <br />historical or cultural resources, parklands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers or <br />ecologically critical areas. This exehange,will have no effect on historic or cultural resources. <br />The affected Indian tribes were consulted and no concerns were raised. This exchange will <br />not affect prime farmlands, or timberlands. No wild and scenic rivers are affected. The FP <br />lands contain 0.99 acres of wetlands, but those lands to be acquired contain 3.02 acres of <br />wetland for a net gain in 2.03 acres of wetlands. The 0.99 acres of wetlands on the FP land are <br />comprised of all or a portion of three small fens, which are a groundwater dependent wetland <br />ecosystem. I have concluded that the exchange will have no direct, indirect, or cumulative <br />effects upon the fens, simply a change in ownership with no expected change in land use. The <br />transaction meets the requirements of Executive Order 11990 and Forest Service policy. <br />Consideration of the degree to which the effects are likely to be highly controversial. This <br />land` exchange is consistent with many other exchanges. There are no scientific disputes over <br />the likely effects of the project. Therefore, I conclude that the environmental effects of the <br />decision are not highly controversial. <br />Consideration of the degree to which effects are uncertain or unknown. The exchange is not <br />likely to result in effects on the human environment that are highly uncertain or involve unique <br />risk. It is similar to other past land conveyance actions that have occurred on the Grand Mesa, <br />Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The probable effects are well understood and <br />have been disclosed. <br />Consideration of the degree to which this action will set a precedent for future actions with <br />significant effects. Neither the land exchange nor this decision will set a precedent. Similar <br />exchanges have occurred in the past, nationally and locally. They are completed by the Forest <br />Service and by other public land management agencies with the objective of consolidating <br />public land ownership, while preserving the public interest. Each exchange is evaluated on a <br />Fossil Ridge I Land Exchange Decision Notice and FONSI 9 <br />