Emerald Bay timber sale : final supplemental environmental impact statement and record of decision

2005·43.4 MB·English

by  United States. Forest Service. Alaska Region

Historic, Archive Document
Do assume
not content reflects current
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USDA
Emerald Bay
United States
Department of
Timber
Sale
Agriculture
Forest Service
Tongass National Forest Final Supplemental Environmental
R10-MB-552
Impact Statement and
November 2005
Record of Decision
United States
Department of
Agriculture
National Agricultural Library
United States Forest Alaska Region 648 Mission Street
AK
Department of Service Tongass National Ketchikan, 99901
Agriculture Forest 907-225-3101
FAX [phone]
File Code: 1950
Date: September 30, 2005
Dear Planning Participant:
Here is your copy ofthe Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS) and
Record ofDecision (ROD) for the Emerald Bay Timber Sale on the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords
Ranger District, Tongass National Forest.
The Emerald Bay Timber Sale Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of
Decision (ROD) were published in October 2001. On February 14, 2002, the Tongass Forest
Supervisor’s decision was reversed on appeal to the Regional Forester because the FEIS did not
adequately consider the potential effects ofthe project on roadless area values and wilderness
characteristics. The Draft SEIS and Final SEIS include more detail on the potential effects ofthe
project alternatives on these resources.
The ROD explains my decision to select Alternative B and the factors considered in reaching this
decision. The effective date ofimplementation and the Notice ofRights ofAppeal are also
ROD.
specified in the
Copies ofthis Final SEIS and Record ofDecision are available for review at Forest Service
offices throughout the Tongass. For more information, contact the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords
Ranger District at 907-225-2148.
I want to thank those ofyou who took the time to review and comment on the Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Your interest in the management ofthe Tongass
National Forest is appreciated.
Sincerely,
FORREST COLE
Forest Supervisor
DEC 0 7 2005
Caring for the Land and Serving People PrintedonRecycledPaper
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Emerald Bay Timber Sale
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and
Record of Decision
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service Alaska Region
Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service
Tongass National Forest
Responsible Official: Forest Supervisor
Tongass National Forest
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
For Further
Information Contact: Lynn Kolund, District Ranger or
Pat Haley, Team Leader
Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District
Tongass National Forest
3031 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Abstract
The USDA Forest Service analyzed timberharvest alternatives ranging from no harvest to approximately 32,749
CCF (16,373 MBF) (CCF = hundred cubic feet; MBF = thousand board feet) oftimber in the Emerald Bayproject
area, Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District, TongassNational Forest. The Emerald Bay project area is on the
west side ofthe Cleveland Peninsula. Timbervolume from this projectwould be sold in one sale. The actions
analyzed in this Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Final SEIS) are designed to implement
direction contained in the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
The Emerald Bay Timber Sale Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record ofDecision (ROD) were
published in October2001. On February 14, 2002, the Tongass Forest Supervisor’s decision was reversed on appeal
to the Regional Forester because the FEIS did not adequately considerthe potential effects ofthe project on roadless
area values and wilderness characteristics. The availability ofthe Draft SEIS was published in theFederalRegister
on October 15, 2004 and included more detail on the potential effects ofthe project alternatives on these resources.
The Final SEIS describes four alternatives, which provide different combinations ofresource outputs and spatial
locations ofharvest units. Alternatives B and D propose roading through a Medium Old-growth Reserve (MOGR)
and construction ofa log transfer facility. The alternatives include: A) No Action, proposing no harvest orroad
construction in the project area at this time; B) maximizing the contribution to the timber products industry through
application ofpredominantly even-aged management and construction of5.8 miles ofnew classified road and 0.4
mile oftemporary road; C) minimizing impacts to a Medium Old-growth Habitat Reserve through uneven-aged
management and 100 percent helicopteryarding; no roads would be constructed; D) balancing timber economics
and resource protection through use ofuneven-aged management and 3.8 miles ofnew road. Roads in Alternatives
B and D would be constructed to minimize impacts. Roads and the log transfer facility would be closed upon
completion ofthe timber sale.

Record
of Decision
Table of Contents