RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM USE 

AND LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY 

CHAPTER 8 
8.0 Relationship Between Local Short-term Uses of the Human 

Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of 

Long-term Productivity 

The vertical line in the margin identifies text that has been modified in this Final EIS and

differs from the corresponding text in the Draft EIS 

Effects on resources often are characterized with respect to their being short or long duration. This chapter is 

not intended to repeat analyses already provided. Rather, the intent is to present tradeoffs in the relationship 

between short-term uses of the environment and maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity of 

resources. That is, an important consideration when analyzing the effects of the proposed project is whether it 

will result in short-term environmental effects (adverse or beneficial) to the detriment of achieving long-term or 

maximizing productivity of these resources. 

Short-term is defined as the construction phase of the project plus 4 years (total of 5 years). Long-term is 

defined as the remaining life of the project through abandonment and reclamation. Many of the impacts 

associated with this pipeline would be short-term and would cease to be adverse impacts following ROW 

rehabilitation. No significant decreases in the productivity of the project area due to construction activities 

would be expected. 

The proposed project would result in various short-term adverse impacts, such as the temporary disturbance 

to soil and vegetation in the construction zone, temporary disruptions to traffic, increased noise, increased 

fugitive dust, and social and economic impacts to the local infrastructure. These impacts are expected to end 

upon completion of operations and would be minimized through implementation of applicant-committed 

measures (see Appendix A and POD). Revegetation of disturbed areas is expected to stabilize disturbed 

surfaces and control erosion. 

Adverse visual impacts would lessen with time as vegetation becomes established. The aboveground facilities 

would continue to alter the local landscape and views in the long term. 

There may be short-term impacts to surface water and aquatic habitat during the construction phase. 

Applicant-committed measures would minimize these short-term impacts. Exceptions would include the Hams 

Fork and Blacks Fork (RP 18.9) river crossings, where trenching could result in long-term significant effects on 

aquatic habitat as a result of changes to channel morphology, potential scouring, and increased sedimentation 

if the stream channel is not properly restored. 

No significant impacts are anticipated for the routine operation of the project. Upon completion of the 

construction phase, the aquatic environment generally would be expected to remain or return to its normal 

long-term productivity levels. Exceptions could occur at the Hams Fork and Blacks Fork river crossings. 

Project mitigation measures would be incorporated to attempt to minimize long-term productivity effects. Minor 

short-term effects would be minimal compared with long-term benefits under the Proposed Action. 

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