Table Of ContentBLM LIB1 RIARIYI HI
1111
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
88074247
Eastern Interior
February 2012
Draft Resource Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement
The Bureau of Land Management Today
Our Vision
To enhance the quality of life for all citizens through the balanced
stewardship of America’s public lands and resources.
Our Mission
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands
for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
BLM Library
Denver Federal Center
Bidg 50, OC-521
P.O. Box 25047
Denver, CO 80225
BLM/AK/PL-12/006+1610+F000
BLM Cover Photos:
1. Alpenglow on the White Mountains, Beaver Creek
Wild and Scenic River, Alaska.
2. Steele Creek Roadhouse, Fortymile Wild and
Scenic River, Alaska.
3. Dali Sheep at mineral lick near Lime Peak, White
Mountains National Recreation Area, Alaska.
4. Mining operation on Walker Fork in Fortymile
mining district, Alaska.
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Eastern Interior
Draft Resource Management Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement
Volume 2
Chapter 4: Environmental Consequences
Chapter 5: Consultation and Coordination
Prepared by the
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management-Alaska
Eastern Interior Field Office
February 2012
■
Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS i
Contents
Volume 2
CONTENTS
4. Environmental Consequences.395
4.1 How to Read This Chapter.397
4.2 Introduction. 397
4.2.1 Analytical Assumptions. 398
4.2.1.1 General Assumptions. 398
4.2.1.2 Resource Assumptions.398
4.2.1.3 Resource Use Assumptions.401
4.2.1.4 Special Designation Assumptions.407
4.2.1.5 Social and Economic Assumptions .407
4.2.2 Types of Effects. 408
4.2.3 Incomplete or Unavailable Information. 409
4.2.4 Cumulative Effects. 409
4.2.4.1 Activities Considered in the Cumulative Case. 409
4.2.4.2 Past and Present Land Use and Activities. 409
4.2.4.3 Reasonably Foreseeable Future Land Use and Actions. 412
4.2.4.4 Actions Not Considered in the Cumulative Case. 415
4.3 Impacts Common to All Subunits. 416
4.3.1 Resources. 416
4.3.1.1 Air and Atmospheric Values. 416
4.3.1.2 Cave and Karst Resources. 420
4.3.1.3 Cultural and Paleontological Resources. 421
4.3.1.4 Fish and Aquatic Species. 426
4.3.1.5 Non-Native Invasive Species. 443
4.3.1.6 Soil and Water Resources. 447
4.3.1.7 Special Status Species. 458
4.3.1.8 Vegetative Communities. 461
4.3.1.9 Visual Resources . 472
4.3.1.10. Wilderness Characteristics. 482
4.3.1.11 Wildland Fire Ecology and Management. 485
4.3.1.12 Wildlife. 486
4.3.2 Resource Uses. 507
4.3.2.1 Forest and Woodland Products. 507
4.3.2.2 Land and Realty Actions. 512
4.3.2.3 Fluid Leasable Minerals. 515
4.3.2.4 Solid Leasable Minerals. 518
4.3.2.5 Salable Minerals. 519
4.3.2.6 Recreation .521
February 2012 Table of Contents
ii Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS
4.3.2.7 Travel Management. 524
4.3.3 Social and Economic Conditions. 528
4.3.3.1 Economics .528
4.3.3.2 Environmental Justice. 533
4.3.3.3 Social Conditions. 534
4.3.3.4 Subsistence. 540
4.4 Impacts Specific to the Fortymile Subunit. 545
4.4.1 Resources. 545
4.4.1.1 Cultural and Paleontological Resources Fortymile Subunit. 545
4.4.1.2 Fish and Aquatic Species Forty mile Subunit. 549
4.4.1.3 Invasive Species Fortymile Subunit. 555
4.4.1.4 Soil and Water Resources Fortymile Subunit.560
4.4.1.5 Visual Resources Fortymile Subunit .564
4.4.1.6 Wilderness Characteristics Fortymile Subunit. 583
4.4.1.7 Wildlife Fortymile Subunit.585
4.4.2 Resource Uses.592
4.4.2.1 Locatable Minerals Fortymile Subunit. 592
4.4.2.2 Recreation Fortymile Subunit. 595
4.4.2.3 Travel Management Fortymile Subunit. 605
4.4.3 Special Designations. 612
4.4.3.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers Fortymile Subunit. 612
4.4.4 Social and Economic Conditions. 616
4.4.4.1 Economics Fortymile Subunit. 616
4.4.4.2 Environmental Justice Fortymile Subunit. 621
4.4.4.3 Social Conditions Fortymile Subunit. 622
4.4.4.4 Subsistence Fortymile Subunit. 624
4.5 Impacts Specific to the Steese Subunit. 633
4.5.1 Resources. 633
4.5.1.1 Cultural and Paleontological Resources Steese Subunit. 633
4.5.1.2 Fish and Aquatic Species Steese Subunit. 638
4.5.1.3 Invasive Species Steese Subunit. 645
4.5.1.4 Soil and Water Resources Steese Subunit. 652
4.5.1.5 Visual Resources Steese Subunit. 656
4.5.1.6 Wilderness Characteristics Steese Subunit. 678
4.5.1.7 Wildlife Steese Subunit. 679
4.5.2 Resource Uses. 689
4.5.2.1 Locatable Minerals Steese Subunit. 689
4.5.2.2 Recreation Steese Subunit. 691
4.5.2.3 Travel Management Steese Subunit. 711
4.5.3 Special Designations. 717
4.5.3.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers Steese Subunit. 717
4.5.4 Social and Economic .721
4.5.4.1 Economics Steese Subunit. 721
4.5.4.2 Environmental Justice Steese Subunit... 724
4.5.4.3 Social Conditions Steese Subunit. 725
4.5.4.4 Subsistence Steese Subunit . 727
February 2012 Table of Contents
Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS iii
4.6 Impacts Specific to the Upper Black River Subunit. 735
4.6.1 Resources. 735
4.6.1.1 Cultural and Paleontological Resources Upper Black River Subunit. 735
4.6.1.2 Fish and Aquatic Species Upper Black River Subunit. 736
4.6.1.3 Invasive Species Upper Black River Subunit. 740
4.6.1.4 Soil and Water Resources Upper Black River Subunit. 745
4.6.1.5 Visual Resources Upper Black River Subunit. 747
4.6.1.6 Wilderness Characteristics Upper Black River Subunit. 755
4.6.1.7 Wildlife Upper Black River Subunit. 756
4.6.2 Resource Uses. 759
4.6.2.1 Locatable Minerals Upper Black River Subunit. 759
4.6.2.2 Recreation Upper Black River Subunit. 761
4.6.2.3 Travel Management Upper Black River Subunit. 766
4.6.3 Special Designations. 769
4.6.3.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers Upper Black River Subunit. 769
4.6.4 Social and Economic. 772
4.6.4.1 Economics Upper Black River Subunit. 772
4.6.4.2 Environmental Justice Upper Black River Subunit. 773
4.6.4.3 Social Conditions Upper Black River Subunit. 774
4.6.4.4 Subsistence Upper Black River Subunit. 774
4.7 Impacts Specific to the White Mountains Subunit. 780
4.7.1 Resources. 780
4.7.1.1 Cultural and Paleontological Resources White Mountains Subunit. 780
4.7.1.2 Fish and Aquatic Species White Mountains Subunit. 783
4.7.1.3 Invasive Species White Mountains Subunit. 787
4.7.1.4 Soil and Water Resources White Mountains Subunit. 793
4.7.1.5 Visual Resources White Mountains Subunit. 796
4.7.1.6 Wilderness Characteristics White Mountains Subunit. 815
4.7.1.7 Wildlife White Mountains Subunit. 816
4.7.2 Resource Uses. 822
4.7.2.1 Locatable Minerals White Mountains Subunit. 822
4.7.2.2 Recreation White Mountains Subunit. 823
4.7.2.3 Travel Management White Mountains Subunit. 832
4.7.3 Special Designations. 840
4.7.3.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers White Mountains Subunit. 840
4.7.4 Social and Economic. 843
4.7.4.1 Economics White Mountains Subunit. 843
4.7.4.2 Environmental Justice White Mountains Subunit. 844
4.7.4.3 Social Conditions White Mountains Subunit. 845
4.7.4.4 Subsistence White Mountains Subunit. 845
5 Consultation and Coordination. 849
5.1 Specific Consultation and Coordination Activities.851
5.1.1 Tribes. 851
5.1.2 Intergovernmental. 852
5.1.3 Federal Agency. 852
February 2012 Table of Contents
IV Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS
5.1.4 Interest Groups. 853
5.1.5 Mailing List. 853
5.2 Public Outreach .854
5.3 List of Preparers. 855
Volume 1
Dear Reader
Abstract xxiii
Executive Summary xxv
1. Introduction . . 1
1.1 How to Read this Chapter. . 1
1.2 Background. . 1
1.3 Purpose and Need for the Plan. . 1
1.4 Planning Area Description . .2
1.4.1 Fortymile Subunit. .4
1.4.2 Steese Subunit. .5
1.4.3 Upper Black River Subunit . .5
1.4.4 White Mountains Subunit... .5
1.5 Scoping Issues... . 6
1.5.1 Issues Addressed. .6
1.5.1.1 Climate Change... . 6
1.5.1.2 Water Quality. .6
1.5.1.3 Fisheries Management. .7
1.5.1.4 Wildlife Management. . *7
/
1.5.1.5 Subsistence... .7
1.5.1.6 Minerals Management. 7
1.5.1.7 Travel Management. 8
1.5.1.8 Recreation and Visitor Services. .8
1.5.1.9 Rights-of-Way Management. 8
1.5.1.10 Wilderness Characteristics. 8
1.5.2 Issues Considered, But Not Analyzed Further .8
1.6 Planning Criteria. .9
1.7 Relationship to BLM Plans. 10
1.8 Collaboration. 10
1.9 Related Plans. 11
1.10 Policy and Legislation... 11
2. Alternatives.15
2.1 How to Read This Chapter...17
2.2 General Description of Alternatives. 17
2.2.1 Alternative A - No Action Alternative.17
2.2.2 Alternative B.18
2.2.3 Alternative C.18
February 2012 Table of Contents
Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS v
2.2.4 Alternative D.19
2.3 Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail.20
2.3.1 Livestock Grazing .20
2.3.2 Leasing of Hard Rock Minerals in the White Mountains NRA.20
2.3.3 Recommending Wilderness Designation by Congress.21
2.4 Management Common to All Subunits and All Action Alternatives. 21
2.4.1 Resources.21
2.4.1.1 Air and Atmospheric Values.21
2.4.1.2 Cultural Resources .22
2.4.1.3 Fish and Aquatic Species.23
2.4.1.4 Non-Native Invasive Species.28
2.4.1.5 Paleontological Resources.29
2.4.1.6 Soil Resources .30
2.4.1.7 Special Status Species.31
2.4.1.8 Vegetative Communities .32
2.4.1.9 Visual Resources.33
2.4.1.10. Water Resources.34
2.4.1.11 Wilderness Characteristics.35
2.4.1.12 Wildland Fire Ecology and Management.37
2.4.1.13 Wildlife. 39
2.4.2 Resource Uses.41
2.4.2.1 Forest and Woodland Products.41
2.4.2.2 Land Tenure.42
2.4.2.3 Land Use Authorizations.44
2.4.2.4 Renewable Energy.46
2.4.2.5 Minerals.47
2.4.2.6 Recreation .50
2.4.2.7 Travel Management .55
2.4.2.8 Withdrawals.57
2.4.3 Special Designations .57
2.4.3.1 Wild and Scenic Rivers.57
2.4.4 Social and Economic .58
2.4.4.1 Hazardous Materials .58
2.4.4.2 Subsistence .59
2.5 Fortymile Subunit.60
2.5.1 Alternative A: No Action Alternative.60
2.5.1.1 Resources.60
2.5.1.2 Resource Uses .62
2.5.1.3 Special Designations .64 ,
2.5.2 Action Alternatives: Fortymile Subunit.65
2.5.2.1 Alternative B: Fortymile Subunit .65
2.5.2.2 Alternative C: Fortymile Subunit.74
2.5.2.3 Alternative D: Fortymile Subunit.82
2.5.3 Comparison of Alternatives: Fortymile Subunit.90
2.6 Steese Subunit .94
February 2012 Table of Contents
VI Eastern Interior Draft RMP/EIS
2.6.1 Alternative A: No Action Alternative.94
2.6.1.1 Resources.94
2.6.1.2 Resource Uses .97
2.6.1.3 Special Designations .100
2.6.1.4 Subsistence .101
2.6.2 Action Alternatives Steese Subunit.101
2.6.2.1 Alternative B: Steese Subunit.101
2.6.2.2 Alternative C: Steese Subunit.112
2.6.2.3 Alternative D: Steese Subunit .124
2.6.3 Comparison of Alternatives: Steese Subunit .134
2.7 Upper Black River Subunit .139
2.7.1 Alternative A: No Action Alternative...139
2.7.2 Action Alternatives: Upper Black River Subunit .139
2.7.2.1 Alternative B: Upper Black River Subunit .139
2.72.2 Alternative C: Upper Black River Subunit .145
2.7.23 Alternative D: Upper Black River Subunit.150
2.7.3 Comparison of Alternatives: Upper Black River Subunit.153
2.8 White Mountains Subunit .156
2.8.1 Alternative A: No Action Alternative.156
2.8.1.1 Resources.156
2.8.1.2 Resource Uses .159
2.8.1.3 Special Designations .163
2.8.1.4 Subsistence .163
2.8.2 Action Alternatives White Mountains Subunit .164
2.8.2.1 Alternative B: White Mountains Subunit.164
2.8.2.2 Alternative C: White Mountains Subunit .176
2.8.2.3 Alternative D: White Mountains Subunit.186
2.8.3 Comparison of Alternatives: White Mountains.196
2.9 Comparison of Impacts .200
2.9.1 Impacts Common to All Subunits.200
2.9.2 Comparison of Impacts Fortymile Subunit.213
2.9.3 Comparison of Impacts Steese Subunit .225
2.9.4 Comparison of Impacts Upper Black River Subunit.238
2.9.5 Comparison of Impacts White Mountains Subunit.244
3. Affected Environment.........253
3.1 How to Read This Chapter .255
3.2 Resources 255
3.2.1 Air and Atmospheric Values ...255
3.2.1.1 Air Quality . 255
3.2.1.2 Climate and Meteorology. 256
3.2.1.3 Climate Change .257
3.2.2 Cave and Karst Resources.259
3.2.2.1 Laws, Regulations, and Policies.259
3.22.2 Significant Caves .260
3.2.3 Cultural and Paleontological Resources .261
February 2012 Table of Contents
