2008-06-12_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007 (3)

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Summary • 17egetati.ore Alternative A There would be no effect on sensitive plants, no increased need for noxious weed treatment, and no impacts on upland and riparian vegetation. Alternative B Rocky Mountain thistle may be beneficially impacted. There would be no impact on Colorado tansy-aster. Sixty acres of disturbed area may be susceptible to weed invasion, but would be reclaimed and noxious weeds would be treated. Upland vegetation would be impacted by 60 acres of disturbance, and reclaimed. Riparian vegetation may be affected if water losses occur. Alternative C Rocky Mountain thistle may be beneficially impacted. There would be no impact on Colorado tansy-aster. 43 acres of disturbed area may be susceptible to weed invasion, but would be .reclaimed and noxious weeds treated. Upland vegetation would be impacted by 43 acres of disturbance, and reclaimed. Riparian vegetation would not be affected. Wildlife Alternative A Wildlife resources would remain in their current condition under this alternative. Natural ecological processes would continue to be the predominant factor influencing populations. Alter native B Management indicator species would not be impacted by subsidence. However, the associated methane drainage wells (MDWs) and roads would temporarily disturb animals and may result in temporary displacement. Alternative B may impact individuals and habitat but would not indicate a local or regional change in habitat quality or population status. Threatened and endangered species would not be impacted by the subsidence. The associated roads and MDWs will result in some disturbance and temporary habitat loss. Canada lynx is the only threatened species with the potential to occur within the project area. With implementation of identified stipulations, lynx utilizing the project area or lynx habitat may be affected, but would not likely be adversely affected. There are a number of sensitive species that are either known to occur or have suitable habitat within the project area. With the exception of Northern Leopard frogs, Townsend's big-eared bats, and spotted bats, all of the impacts associated with the proposed alternatives are a result of post- leasing activities. Northern Leopard frogs, Townsend's big-eared bats, and spotted bats have the potential to be impacted by both the leasing and post-leasing surface use. The sensitive species within the project area may be impacted by Alternative B, but this alternative would not likely contribute to a trend toward Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species. Alternative C Alternative C would have the same impacts as Alternative B, with the exception that there would be no subsidence under Deep Creek and there would be a reduction in the amount of surface area disturbed resulting in fewer disturbances to wildlife resources in the project area. Land Use and Recreation Alternative A There would be no changes in livestock grazing activities or management, and no subsidence effects on existing land uses, including recreation, livestock management, water conveyance facilities, and other Forest Service-authorized special uses. Alternative .l3 There would be no changes in livestock grazing activities or management, with the exception of potential livestock exclusion from reclaimed areas during establishment of vegetation. Post-lease surface use such as exploration or methane drainage S-g Dry Fork Lease-By-Application FEIS