Lincoln National Forest Land Management Plan Revision and Environmental Impact Statement

 

FAQs

High-country aspens in the fall

High-country aspens in the fall

1. Will the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS address ecosystem maintenance?

Yes, the Draft LMP Revision has direction for maintaining ecosystems and all of their essential components (plant density, species composition, structure, coarse woody debris, and snags), processes (disturbance and regeneration), and functions (nutrient cycling, water infiltration, and carbon sequestration).

2. How does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS address climate change?

The forest is vulnerable to drought and increasing temperatures. Vulnerability assessments indicate high probabilities that some forest and woodland types (Spruce-Fir and Ponderosa pine-Evergreen oak-100%, Pinon-juniper grassland-99%, Mixed conifer with Aspen-96%, and Ponderosa pine-94%) will shift to some other known or new and different ecological types.

All action alternatives include plan components to manage vulnerability to drought and rising temperatures through refugia (aka an area in which a population of plants and animals can survive through a period of unfavorable conditions), restoration including planting disturbed sites, preservation, and maintenance strategies.

There are specific desired conditions, standards and guidelines designed to lessen the effects of climate change in the following resource areas:

  • All Vegetation

  • Terrestrial Species

  • Aquatic Species

  • Forest Products

  • The Proposed Research Natural Area

  • And the monitoring plan

3. How does the Draft LMP Revision manage for rare and at-risk Species?

The Draft LMP Revision provides direction to provide sustainable habitat for all species naturally occurring on the Lincoln National Forest. It additionally provides direction to protect sensitive and unique habitats.

4. Does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS promote water for multiple uses?

The Draft LMP Revision contains an objective to improve two watersheds over the life of the plan. There is also a standard to minimize forest project impacts to water quality or the degradation of water sources. Plan components balance multiple uses like grazing, timber, and recreation, while maintaining ecological sustainability.

5. Will the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS address wildfire hazards?

Yes, for example the Draft LMP Revision has guidelines stating that, wildfires should be managed to meet multiple resource management objectives where and when conditions permit, that wildland fire activities should be used to move ecosystems towards vegetation desired conditions, and that response to wildland fire should mitigate fire effects to non-fire adapted ecosystems.

6. Does the Draft LMP include collaboration and partnerships?

The Draft LMP Revision contains the following desired condition, that the Forest and the diverse communities and partners it serves are engaged and able to create a shared understanding of resource issues; successfully implement programs and projects; and promote the social, economic and ecological benefits that the national forest provides.

7. Does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS provide for sustainable recreation?

The Draft LMP Revision continues the current balance between developed and dispersed recreation providing access to all manner of visitors with provisions for natural resource protection.

8. Does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS address a Travel Management Plan?

The Draft LMP Revision does provide for a safe transportation while providing protections for natural resources. Travel management analysis is not part of the LMP revision process. The Forest is using the current motor vehicle use map with current designated system of roads and trails. The Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS do not added, closed, or changed specific roads or trails.

9. Does the Draft LMP Revision have provisions for available Forest Products?

Yes, the Draft LMP Revision has support for forest products and associated provisioning ecosystem services (timber products, Christmas trees, herbs, fuelwood, medicinal plants, piñon nuts, teepee poles, etc.) provided in a sustainable manner.

10. Does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS change grazing?

There is no change to the number of available allotments or the number of animal units.

11. Does the Draft LMP Revision and Draft EIS include Recommended Wilderness?

Yes, in revising a LMP the responsible official shall identify and evaluate lands that may be suitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System and determine whether to recommend any such lands for wilderness designation. (36 CFR 219.7(c)(2)).

 The Draft EIS alternatives include a range of recommended wilderness acres.

  • Alternative A has no recommended wilderness including the designated Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness Study Area.

  • Alternative B has 40,500 acres (21 areas an additional 4% of the forest)

  • Alternative C has 402,000 acres (51 areas an additional 36% of the forest)

  • Alternative D has 40,500 acres (same as alternative B)

  • Alternative E has 21,900 acres (11 areas an additional 2% of the forest)

12. What uses can occur in Recommended Wilderness?

There are no proposed changes to grazing (AUM) and primitive recreation in recommended wilderness. The Draft LMP Revision includes language for administrative access for search and rescue, allotment permittees, and Department of Game and Fish employees. Vegetation treatments may occur in recommended wilderness provided they support the values for which the area was designated. Existing mineral rights are recognized. Other motorized uses or developments are prohibited.

13. What uses can occur in Cave Management Areas?

Most multiple uses will continue in cave management areas including dispersed recreation and grazing. New construction of facilities or roads must not introduce pollution such as sewage or chemicals. They will be recommended for withdrawal from mineral, geothermal or oil and gas development. Rights-of-way will not be authorized for new transmission lines, commercial energy sites, and major pipelines 10-inch in diameter or greater.

 

Return to Home Page

For more information on the project or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Diane Prather at (575-649-9405) or diane.prather@usda.gov.