ABSTRAC T 

The Payette National Forest Travel Management Plan 

Final Environmental Impact Statement 

USDA- Forest Service 

Payette National Forest 

Adams, Idaho, Washington, and Valley Counties, Idaho 

May 2007 

Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service 

Responsible Official: Suzanne C. Rainville, Forest Supervisor

 Payette National Forest

 800 West Lakeside Avenue 

 McCall, Idaho 83638 

(208) 634-0700 

Information Contact: Bill Gamble or Boyd Hartwig 

 Team Leader Public Affairs Officer 

 (208) 253-0100 (208) 634-0700 

Abstract: This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) describes the alternatives for 

summer and winter travel management on the Payette National Forest. There are five 

alternatives under consideration in this analysis: the No Action Alternative (Alternative A), 

which would continue travel management under the current plan; the Proposed Action 

(Alternative B), which is the Agency’s original proposal for travel management; Alternative C 

which responds to internal and external comments requesting more motorized opportunities; 

Alternative D which responds to internal and external comments requesting more non-motorized 

opportunities, and Alternative E, which responds to comments the Agency received on the DEIS. 

The Payette National Forest is located in the west central mountains of Idaho. The project area 

includes all lands administered by the Payette National Forest with the exception of the Frank 

Church River of No Return Wilderness. 

Payette National Forest Travel Plan FEIS 1 
ABSTRAC T 

2 Payette National Forest Travel Plan FEIS 
PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

Table of Contents 

Summary 

Introduction 1 

Purpose and Need 1 

Purpose 1 

Need 1 

Decisions to be Made 3 

Public Involvement 4 

Cooperating Agencies 5 

Issues 5 

Significant Issues 6 

Alternatives 8 

Introduction 8 

Changes between the Draft and Final EIS 8 

Alternative Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study 9 

Opening portions of the Secesh and Needles Recommended Wilderness Areas to Oversnow Vehicle Use 9 

Alternatives Considered in Detail 10 

Features Common to All Action Alternatives 10 

Project Design Features 13 

Monitoring and Evaluation 14 

Description of the Alternatives 15 

Alternative A – No Action 16 

Alternative B – Proposed Action 17 

Alternative C – Additional Motorized Opportunities 17 

Alternative D – Additional Non-Motorized Opportunities 20 

Alternative E – Response to Internal and External Comment on the Draft EIS 21 

Comparison of Alternatives 23 

Recreation 23 

Roadless Character and Wilderness 30 

Soil and Water 31 

Fisheries 34 

Wildlife 36 

Chapter 1. Purpose and Need 

1.1 Introduction 1 

1.2 Background 1 

1.3 Purpose and Need 3 

1.3.1 Purpose 3 

1.3.2 Need 3 

1.4 Proposed Action 4 

1.5 Project Scope 5 

1.6 Decisions to be Made 5 

1.7 Management Direction 5 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

1.7.1 Payette National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 5 

1.8 Public Involvement 7 

1.9 Cooperating Agencies 8 

1.10 Issues 8 

1.10.1 Significant Issues 8 

1.10.2 Non-Significant Issues 11 

1.11 Legal Requirements and Required Disclosures 20 

1.12 Project Record 23 

1.13 Availability of the Final EIS 24 

Chapter 2: Alternatives 

2.1 Introduction 1 

2.1.1 Changes between the Draft and Final EIS 1 

2.2 Alternative Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study 2 

2.2.1 Opening portions of the Secesh and Needles Recommended Wilderness Areas to 

Over-snow Vehicle Use 2 

2.3 Alternatives Considered in Detail 3 

2.3.1 Features Common to All Action Alternatives 3 

2.3.2 Project Design Features 6 

2.3.3 Monitoring and Evaluation 8 

2.4 Description of the Alternatives 8 

2.4.1 Alternative A – No Action 9 

2.4.2 Alternative B – Proposed Action 10 

2.4.3 Alternative C – Additional Motorized Opportunities 11 

2.4.4 Alternative D – Additional Non-Motorized Opportunities 13 

2.4.5 Alternative E – Response to Internal and External Comment on the Draft EIS 14 

2.5. Alternative Descriptions by Management Area 16 

2.5.1 Management Area 1, Hells Canyon – 35,060 acres 17 

2.5.2 Management Area 2, Snake River – 151,590 acres 18 

2.5.3 Management Area 3, Weiser River – 299,990 acres 21 

2.5.4 Management Area 4, Rapid River – 62,140 acres 26 

2.5.5 Management Area 5, Middle Little Salmon River – 35,580 acres 28 

2.5.6 Management Area 6, Goose Creek/Hazard Creek – 77,120 acres 30 

2.5.7 Management Area 7, Payette Lakes – 100,730 acres 33 

2.5.8 Management Area 8, Kennally Creek – 34,300 acres 35 

2.5.9 Management Area 9, Lake Creek/French Creek – 83,740 acres 37 

2.5.10 Management Area 10, Fall Creek/Warren Creek – 105,830 acres 40 

2.5.11 Management Area 11, Upper Secesh River – 83,570 acres 42 

2.5.12 Management Area 12, South Fork Salmon River – 359,560 acres 44 

2.5.13 Management Area 13, Big Creek/Stibnite – 100,270 acres 48 

2.6 Management Requirements 50 

2.7 Comparison of Alternatives 57 

2.7.1 Recreation 57 

2.7.2 Soil and Water 64 

2.7.3 Fisheries 67 

2.7.4 Wildlife 69 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

2.8 Winter Area Management 72 

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences 

3.1 Introduction 1 

3.2 Recreation 1 

3.2.1 Scope of the Analysis 1 

3.2.2 Changes between Draft and Final EIS 4 

3.2.3 Forest Plan Direction 4 

3.2.4 Existing Condition 5 

3.2.5 Environmental Consequences 23 

3.2.6 Cumulative Effects 63 

3.3 Recommended Wilderness and Inventoried Roadless Areas 67 

3.3.1 Scope of the Analysis 67 

3.3.2 Forest Plan Direction 67 

3.3.3 Existing Condition 68 

3.3.4 Environmental Consequences 70 

3.3.5 Cumulative Effects 75 

3.4 Soil and Water 76 

3.4.1 Scope of the Analysis 76 

3.4.2 Changes between Draft and Final EIS 79 

3.4.3 Forest Plan Direction 80 

3.4.4 Existing Condition 81 

3.4.5 Environmental Consequences 100 

3.5 Fisheries 140 

3.5.1 Scope of the Analysis 140 

3.5.2 Forest Plan Direction 142 

3.5.3 Existing Condition 143 

3.5.4 Environmental Consequences 148 

3.5.5 Cumulative Effects 170 

3.6 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat 173 

3.6.1 Scope of the Analysis 173 

3.6.2 Changes between Draft and Final EIS 175 

3.6.3 Forest Plan Direction 177 

3.6.4 Existing Condition 179 

3.6.5 Environmental Consequences 193 

Chapter 4. Public Involvement 

4.1 Public Involvement Summary 1 

4.2 List of Recipients 2 

4.2.1 Media 2 

4.2.2 State and County Officials 2 

4.2.3 Federal Agencies and Officials 2 

4.2.4 Tribal Governments 2 

4.2.5 Organizations 3 

4.2.6 State Agencies 3 

4.2.7 Individuals 4 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

Chapter 5. List of Preparers 

5.1 List of Preparers 1 

5.1.1 Interdisciplinary Team Members 1 

5.1.2 Forest Support 2 

Chapter 6. Public Comments and Responses 

6.1 Comments from Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Officials 2 

6.2 Travel Management Plan DEIS – Public Comment and Response Summary 41 

Appendices 

Appendix A. Glossary A-1 

Appendix B. References B-1 

Appendix C. Best Management Practices C-1 

Appendix D. Past, Ongoing, and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions D-1 

Appendix E. Monitoring Plans E-1 

Appendix F. Project Proposals F-1 

Tables 

Summary 

Table S-1. Forest Summary – Travel Opportunities by Alternative 22 

Table S-2. Recreation Issue 1 23 

Table S-3. Recreation Issue 2 24 

Table S-4. Recreation Issue 3 27 

Table S-5. Recreation Issue 4 28 

Table S-6. Recreation Issue 5 29 

Table S-7. Roadless Character and Wilderness Issue 1 30 

Table S-8. Soil & Water Issue 1 31 

Table S-9. Fisheries Issue 1 34 

Table S-10. Wildlife Issue 1 36 

Table S-11. Wildlife Issue 2 37 

Table S-12. Wildlife Issue 3 37 

Table S-12. Wildlife Issue 4 38 

Table S-13. Wildlife Issue 5 38 

Table S-14. Wildlife Issue 6 38 

Chapter 2 

Table 2-1. Forest Summary – Travel Opportunities by Alternative 15 

Table 2-2. MA 1 - Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 17 

Table 2-3. MA 1 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 17 

Table 2-4. MA 2 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 18 

Table 2-5. MA 2 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 19 

Table 2-6. MA 3 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 21 

Table 2-6. MA 3 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 22 

Table 2-8. MA 4 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 26 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

Table 2-9. MA 4 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 27 

Table 2-10. MA 5 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 28 

Table 2-12. MA 6 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 30 

Table 2-13. MA 6 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 31 

Table 2-14. MA 7 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 33 

Table 2-15. MA 7 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 34 

Table 2-16. MA 8 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 35 

Table 2-17. MA 8 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 36 

Table 2-18. MA 9 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 37 

Table 2-19. MA 9 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 38 

Table 2-20. MA 10 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 40 

Table 2-21. MA 10 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 41 

Table 2-22. MA 11 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 42 

Table 2-23. MA 11 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 43 

Table 2-24. MA 12 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 44 

Table 2-24. MA 12 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 45 

Table 2-26. MA 13 – Travel Management Proposals by Alternative 48 

Table 2-21. MA 13 – Road and Trail Proposals by Alternative 48 

Table 2-27. Management Requirements 51 

Table 2-28. Recreation Issue 1 57 

Table 2-29. Recreation Issue 2 58 

Table 2-30. Recreation Issue 3 61 

Table 2-31. Recreation Issue 4 62 

Table 2-32. Recreation Issue 5 63 

Table 2-33. Roadless Character and Wilderness Issue 1 63 

Table 2-34. Soil & Water Issue 1 64 

Table 2-35. Fisheries Issue 1 67 

Table 2-36. Wildlife Issue 1 69 

Table 2-37. Wildlife Issue 2 70 

Table 2-38. Wildlife Issue 3 70 

Table 2-39. Wildlife Issue 4 71 

Table 2-40. Wildlife Issue 5 71 

Table 2-41. Wildlife Issue 6 71 

Table 2-42. Winter Motorized Closures by Main Purpose, Acres, and Alternative 72 

Chapter 3 

Table REC-1: Forest Plan Direction for Recreation Pertinent to the Travel Management 

Analysis. 4 

Table REC-2: Acres of ROS Classes on the PNF. 12 

Table IRA-1: Forest Plan direction for Recommended Wilderness and Inventoried 

Roadless Areas Pertinent to the Travel Management Analysis. 67 

Table IRA-2. Inventoried Roadless Areas by MA and MPC*. 68 

Table SW-1. The Number of Subwatersheds by Vulnerability and Integrity Ratings and 

Subwatersheds with 303(d) listed streams, TMDLs, and Public Water Systems by MA 82 

Table SW-2. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 1 84 

Table SW-3. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 2 85 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

Table SW-4. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 3. 86 

Table SW-5. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 4. 88 

Table SW-6. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 5. 89 

Table SW-7. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 6. 90 

Table SW-8. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 7. 91 

Table SW-9. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 8 93 

Table SW-10. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 9. 94 

Table SW-11. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 10. 95 

Table SW-12. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 11. 97 

Table SW-13. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 12. 98 

Table SW-14. Existing Condition of Soil and Water Indicators for MA 13. 100 

Table SW-15. Effects on the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 1 103 

Table SW-16. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 2 105 

Table SW-17. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 3 108 

Table SW-18. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 4 111 

Table SW-19. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 5 114 

Table SW-20. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 6 116 

Table SW-21. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 7 119 

Table SW-22. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 8 122 

Table SW-23. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 9 125 

Table SW-24. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 10 127 

Table SW-25. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 11 130 

Table SW-26. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 12 133 

Table SW-27. Effects to the Soil and Water Indicators for MA 13 135 

Table F-1: Forest Plan Direction for Fisheries Pertinent to the Travel Management 

Analysis. 142 

Table F-2. Existing Condition of Relevant Fish Habitat Indicators for Affected 

Watersheds and Combinations of Watersheds 145 

Table F-3. Effects of Alternative A on the Fish Habitat Indicators in Affected 

Watersheds or Combinations of Watersheds Based on Whether Conditions Would Be 

Improved (I), Maintained (M), or Degraded (D) 150 

Table F-4. Effects of Alternative B on the Fish Habitat Indicators 156 

Table F-5. Effects of Alternative C on the Fish Habitat Indicators 160 

Table F-6. Effects of Alternative D on the Fish Habitat Indicators 164 

Table F-7. Effects of Alternative E on the Fish Habitat Indicators 167 

Table W-1: Forest Plan Direction for Wildlife Pertinent to the Travel Management 

Analysis. 177 

Table W-2. Wildlife Species Analyzed, the Rationale for Analysis, and a Brief 

Description of their Habitats. 180 

Table W-3: Recent (2004-2006) Bull Elk and Adult Bull Elk Population Estimates and 

Objectives for the Payette National Forest Big Game Hunting Units 192 

Table W-4. Change in Miles of Groomed Routes and Areas Open and Closed to Oversnow Vehicle Use in Lynx Habitat on the PNF (outside of the FC-RONR Wilderness) for 

each Travel Plan Alternative 208 

Table W-5. Change in Acres Open to Over-snow Vehicle Use in Lynx Habitat by LAU 

(Outside of Wilderness) by Alternative 210 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

Table W-6. Change in Miles of Groomed Routes in Lynx Habitat by LAU on the PNF for 

each Travel Plan Alternative 212 

Table W-7. Change in Miles of Groomed Routes in Lynx Habitat in combination by 

adjacent LAUs for each Travel Plan Alternative 212 

Table W-8. Acres of Wolverine Denning Habitat Open and Closed to Over-snow Vehicle 

Use in the Project Area (Wilderness not included) by Alternative. 227 

Table W-9. Acres of Wolverine Denning Habitat Open and Closed to Over-snow Vehicle 

Use on the entire Payette National Forest (FC-RONR Wilderness included) by 

Alternative 227 

Table W-10. Acres of Wolverine Denning Habitat Closed to Motorized Over-snow Use 

by Management Area. 227 

Table W-11. Summary by Alternative of the Amount of Potential Denning Habitat 

Closed to Over-snow Motorized Use in the Project Area (Wilderness not included) and in 

the Cumulative Effects Area (Wilderness included). 228 

Table W-12: Acres Open to Cross-country Motor Vehicle Use under Alternative A 239 

Table W-13. Watersheds Where Summer Road and Motorized Trail Densities Exceed 

Two Miles per Square Mile by Alternative. 240 

Table W-14: Acres and Percent of Elk Winter Range Open to Over-snow Motor Vehicle 

Use by Alternative 243 

Figures 

Summary 

Figure S-1. Project Area for the Payette National Forest Travel Plan 2 

Chapter 1 

Figure 1-1. Project area for the Payette National Forest Travel Plan 2 

Figure 1-2. Watersheds on the Payette National Forest with densities of roads and 

motorized trails greater than one mile per square mile. 13 

Chapter 2 

Figure 2-1. Winter Motorized Closure Areas 73 

Figure 2-2. Winter Motorized Closure Areas Alternative A 74 

Figure 2-3. Winter Motorized Closure Areas Alternative B 75 

Figure 2-4. Winter Motorized Closure Areas Alternative C 76 

Figure 2-5. Winter Motorized Closure Areas Alternative D 77 

Figure 2-6. Winter Motorized Closure Areas Alternative E 78 

Chapter 3 

Figure W-1. Projected Wildlife Travel Corridors in Winter for Alternative D 206 

Figure W-2. Projected Wildlife Travel Corridors in Winter for Alternative E 207 

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PAYETTE NATI ONAL FORE ST TRAVEL PLAN FEI S 

VIII