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BLM Uncompahgre Field Office Sunset Trail Area Coal Exploration Plan EA <br />the remaining cover. Aspen and mountain shrub are not considered commercial timber types. The <br />spruce -fir type may require merchantable sized trees to be removed. <br />These disturbed acres would be considered a long -term vegetation loss. <br />After the project is completed, the roads and drilling pads will be reclaimed as described in Sections <br />2.2.4 and 2.2.5. <br />Cumulative Effects <br />The cumulative effects analysis area for vegetation is the Mount Gunnison Lynx Analysis Unit <br />(LAU) boundary and totals 47,904 acres of National Forest. Approximately 2,550 acres of <br />vegetation have been disturbed through past activities within the past ten years, associated primarily <br />with big game wildlife habitat improvement projects, with the majority occurring in oak and juniper <br />habitats. These acres reflect some re- treatment of areas due to multiple entries for a single project, <br />as well, so that less than 2,550 acres of the landscape have been actually treated. <br />Other federal actions which have occurred in the past and are expected to occur in the future which <br />impact vegetation include additional wildlife habitat improvement projects, permitted livestock <br />(currently cattle) grazing. Water development (reservoirs, ditches) occurs on both federal and <br />private lands in the area, including three irrigation reservoirs totaling about 30 surface acres. <br />On private lands, single family habitation, ranching including hay production, mining activities, and <br />livestock grazing are the primary uses within the area. <br />The addition of 30 acres of disturbance within the cumulative impacts analysis area is minor. <br />3.5.2.2 No Action <br />No additional vegetation will be disturbed due to selection of the No Action alternative. <br />3.6 Invasive, Non - Native <br />3.6.1 Affected Environment <br />There is no site - specific information available regarding invasive, non - native plants or noxious <br />weeds in the area that would be disturbed. There are known populations of Canada thistle, musk <br />thistle, houndstongue, and hoary cress (white top) near the project site. <br />3.6.2 Environmental Consequences <br />3.6.2.1 Proposed Action <br />Direct and Indirect Effects <br />Approximately 30 acres of ground- disturbing activities may create opportunities for infestations of <br />noxious weeds. Canada thistle, musk thistle, houndstongue, and hoary cress (white top) seeds can <br />be air -born, vehicle -born or transported by wildlife and livestock. Any area where the existing <br />vegetation is removed and bare soil is left exposed creates a potential site for noxious weed <br />infestations (FEIS, page 157) (USFS, 2012a). <br />Cumulative Effects <br />Noxious weeds already occur in the area from past activities. Cumulative impacts would be similar <br />to direct and indirect effects, with the creation of disturbed areas that may become infested with <br />noxious weeds. <br />June 2013 19 <br />