REV15111 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

shows that this alternative would result in'eonstruction of about 5.4•~miles of new temporary road, improvement of about 1.8 miles of existing roads, and about 0.25'°miles of spot trail improvement in Hubbard Canyon (EA, Section 3.1.2), and includes about 3~ -acres of disturbance for drill pads: The analysis shows that activities associated with this alternative would impart minor decreases in elk habitat effectiveness but these decreases would remain within Forest Plan standazds, and the minimal disturbance would will not effect the habitat capability for other species (EA, page 3-17). Further, the analysis shows that there is potential for short-term sedimentation to effect aquatic species, but that these effects could easily be mitigated (EA, page 3-18). The effects to riparian habitat, especially in Hubbard Canyon, were also found to be minimal given the short duration of use in the area and the minimal disturbance proposed (EA, page 3-19). The analysis also shows that the activities are unlikely to disrupt the natural riparian mechanism as long as mitigation measures are implemented (EA, page 3-19). The analysis shows only small scale impacts to visual quality (EA, page 3-30 and 3-36), minimal impacts to surface and ground water resources (EA, page 3-35), and low potential for soil erosion (page 3-45). "'With specific regazd to allowing a helicopter hole (IP99-3) in Hubbazd Canyon with ATV access, allowing this activity allows BRL to further understand the coal reserves in the area, and affords the Forest Service the opportunity to implement trail improvements in Hubbazd Canyon, so that the trail can be made safe for the intended uses of the trail. A` The analysis in ffie EA shows that the impacts in Hubbazd Canyon aze expected to be minimal. About 0.25 mile of spot trail construction would be needed to afford safe access to IP99-3 (EA, Section 2.2), this improvement would occur along the former road prism (EA, page 3-35) and would be made along the existing Hubbard Canyon trail alignment, some of which already lies within azea defined as being within the riparian zone (EA, page 3-3 and Figure 3-2). The spot trail improvement will not appreciable degrade the riparian habitat in Hubbard Canyon. Improvement of the trail would in turn provide a safe trail for other Forest users and reduce potential resource impacts with installation of erosion control devices in the trail(EA, page 3-27). Hubbard Canyon has been a place of historical use (the former road was the primary access route to the Forest, EA, page 3-3) and natural activity has modified the landscape in the canyon (EA, Section 3.7.1). The canyon has absorbed impacts from the past activities, and the minimal disturbance associated proposed for the drilling and trail upgrade will not appreciably alter the existing landscape. The level area-sited for the location of Hole IP99-3 reduces the risk for erosion potential (EA, page 3-35) and is in an area of low to medium soil erosion potential (EA, page 3- 45). There also is minimal risk for new rockfalls or geologic hazazds (EA, page 3-46). Further, the CDOW considers Hubbard Creek a poor fishery (EA, page 3-27). The analysis in the EA shows very little risk to resources in Hubbard Canyon including the drilling of 1P99-3. The Forest Service is imposing extraordinary mitigation measures at this site.