2008-06-09_REVISION - C1980007 (3)

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tion '• • _:.. preparation methods to keep fertile topsoil intact, revegetating areas disturbed during road construction, and design mitigations and restoration to ensure that 80 percent original. ground cover occurs within 5 years after disturbance. The approved grass/forb seed mix (Table 3-7) would establish quickly in prepared soils, providing adequate cover to limit soil erosion within a few years after seeding. Additionally, the mountain brush. seed mix provides valuable forage for both wildlife and livestock; providing increased. foraging opportunities for up to 10 to 20 years in Gambel oak types (see Fish and Wildlife and Livestock Management sections). This would increase plant species diversity and community edge and contrast to improve wildlife habitat, in line with Forest Plan goals for vegetation and wildlife management. These areas would eventually convert to surrounding vegetation types, in most cases. Site conversion to pre-disturbance vegetation type would vary based environmental, vegeta- tive and disturbance factors. Proposed design criteria would minimize the short-term distur- bance effects on vegetation. Although minimal, the potential for long-term vegetation community alteration exists. If spruce or subalpine fir is removed, these slow- growing trees would likely take several decades to dominate the site again. Following seeding, reintroduction of trees into well established herbaceous vegetation may be delayed due to resource competition among species, further slowing tree development. Vegetation losses in these communities would be long term despite the comprehensive reclamation and revegeta- tion that would. follow well abandomnent. Mitigation design criteria stipulate 11 staging areas would be created to stockpile rnaterials and equipment during project implementation to reduce vegetation disturbance. Two of the staging areas already exist; five other areas would also be MDW pads, resulting in four newly disturbed staging areas. Disturbance at new and existing staging areas would be ap- proximately 4 acres (Table 3-6). Soil com- paction and vegetation clearing and trampling would be the major forms of disturbance. These impacts would be short-teen and full reclama- tion would occur when the sites are no longer needed. Riparian Vegetation If the Forest Service grants relief to the no surface occupancy lease stipulation, riparian ecosystems would be affected by soil. disturbance and vegetation damage and loss resulting from new access road construction. During construction vegetative ground cover would be damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, disturbance in riparian areas would increase the likelihood of noxious weed invasion into the disturbance area. Approximately 10 acres of riparian vegetation fall within potential road corridor in the project area (Table 3-8). Design criteria state riparian vegetation would be avoided wherever possible; however, the potential exists for some road building effects on riparian vegetation. These areas are primarily associated with stream crossings and roads located along the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek. Where riparian habitats could not be avoided, road building would result in vegetation loss and disturbance. Soil erosion would be mitigated by use of silt fences or other erosion control devices in the 100-foot WIZ. Disturbed vegetation would recover quickly due to favorable site conditions such as highly productive soils and available water found in riparian habitats. Riparian vegetation loss would be short-teen; lasting the life of the project as riparian habitat would recover relatively quickly following road decommissioning and revegetation. Long-term loss of riparian habitat is not expected. Approximately three acres of willow and alder cover types fall within MDW pad windows. These windows are located along the upper Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek in the proximity of the Poison Gulch confluence, and along Lick Creek in the southern end of the project area. Deer Creek Ventilation Shaft and E Seam Methane Drainage Wells FEIS 87