GENERAL42732

• Permit No: M1976032
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 6/5/1996
• From: USFS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

The environmental analy documented in this Environmen• Assessment is
` _ ~ tiered to the Riparian Management Prescription (9A) of the Pinal Environmental
Imoac[ Statement for The Grand Mesa. Uncomaahere and Gunnison Land and Resource
' Management Plan Amendment. approved in September, 1991.
The proposed action is not °connected" to or dependent upon any other action in
this same area. It does not establish a precedent for other actions which may
result in significant environmental effects. The proposed project and plan
design has been planned with the intent to make the restoration of the river
independent of affects from upstream land owners.
The primary or underlying need for the proposed action is to rehabilitate the
affected parts of the South Fork and mainstem San Miguel Rivers and restore
these reaches to a stable, functioning system.
III. Decision to be Made
The decisons to be made using the analysis documented in this EA aze the
specific actions to undertake to rehabilitate those portions of the San Miguel
River (south Fork and mainstem above confluence) that have been impacted by
gravel extraction operations at the confluence of these two streams. The
decision coming out of this analysis and documented in a Decison Notice will
specifically identify rehabilitation and restoration measures to be undertaken,
by location.
IV. Scooin¢ and Environmental Iesu
There are some important environmental issues to consider in determining how
best to restore the South Fork and mainstem San Miguel Rivers. Forest Service
resource specialists identified some of the issues, and members of the general
public identified others or helped to better define these issues.
One of the first steps in the scoping process for the San Miguel River
Restoration Project was to identify members of the public who could be affected
by the proposed project, or who might have an interest in the decisions made
for this proposed project. Other federal, state and local governmental
agencies were informally consulted during this process.
These people and organizations were notified that a river restoration and
rehabilitation project was proposed far the San Miguel River confluence area of
the Forest, and weze informed about the kinds of decisions to be made. They
were asked to comment on or involve themselves in the analysis of the proposed
project and its alternatives.
Comments from the public were requested in a public news release dated January
31, 1996, other agencies and/or individuals have been consulted with or
contacted through normal interagency channels.
An Interdisciplinary Team reviewed Forest Planning documents and other
available literature on river restoration projects. Based on this information,
and after reviewing opportunities to improve management of the land and
resources, a list of major issues involved in the action has been developed.
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