TABLE OF CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................................. S-1 

Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................... S-1 

Purpose of and Need for Revising the Plan ............................................................................................................... S-1 

Decisions From This Plan............................................................................................................................................S-1
 

Issues.............................................................................................................................................................................. S-1 

Planning Issue ........................................................................................................................................................... S-1 

Desired Future Conditions ........................................................................................................................................ S-2 

Overview of the Alternatives....................................................................................................................................... S-3 

Alternative A – No Action ........................................................................................................................................ S-3 

Alternative B – Preferred Alternative ....................................................................................................................... S-3 

Alternative C ............................................................................................................................................................. S-4 

Alternative D............................................................................................................................................................. S-4 

Environmental Consequences..................................................................................................................................... S-4 

Issue 1: Vegetation Communities ............................................................................................................................. S-4 

Issue 2: Wildlife, Wildlife Habitat, Special Status and Priority Plant and Animal Species.....................................S-6 

Issue 3: Travel Management and Access.................................................................................................................. S-8 

Issue 4: Recreation .................................................................................................................................................. S-10 

Issue 5: Special Designations including ACEC, National Trails, Wild and Scenic Rivers and WSAs .................S-11 

Preferred Alternative............................................................................................................................................... S-11 

CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................................................1
 

Overview ...........................................................................................................................................................................1 

Purpose of and Need for Revising the Plan ...................................................................................................................1 

Description of the Planning Area ...................................................................................................................................2 

Planning Process ..............................................................................................................................................................2 

Scoping and Planning Issues ...........................................................................................................................................4 

Scoping Process.............................................................................................................................................................4 

Planning Issues..............................................................................................................................................................6 

Issues Considered But Not Further Analyzed.............................................................................................................12 

Planning Criteria and Regulatory Requirements.......................................................................................................13 

Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs..................................................................................................13 

Land Use Plans and Amendments...............................................................................................................................14 

Other National, Statewide, and Field Office Plans .....................................................................................................14 

Related Plans ..................................................................................................................................................................14 

Policy ...............................................................................................................................................................................14 

Collaboration..................................................................................................................................................................14 

CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................................................................................15 

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................15 

Developing the Range of Alternatives..........................................................................................................................15 

Overview of the Alternatives.........................................................................................................................................15 

Alternative A – No Action ..........................................................................................................................................16 

Alternative B – Preferred Alternative .........................................................................................................................16 

Alternative C ...............................................................................................................................................................16 

Alternative D...............................................................................................................................................................16 

Goals Common to All Alternatives For All BLM Activities ......................................................................................16 

Vegetation Communities ...............................................................................................................................................17 

Wildlife, Fish, Wildlife Habitat, Special Status and Priority Plant and Animal Species ...........................................40 

Travel Management and Access ...................................................................................................................................46 

Field Office Level .......................................................................................................................................................46 

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Activity Level Planning for Five High Priority Travel Planning Areas .................................................................... 51 

Transportation and Facilities...................................................................................................................................... 59 

Recreation Management............................................................................................................................................... 60 

Recreation Sites.......................................................................................................................................................... 63 

Special Recreation Management Areas (SRMAs) ..................................................................................................... 63 

Special Designations...................................................................................................................................................... 65 

ACECs........................................................................................................................................................................ 65 

National Trails............................................................................................................................................................ 76 

Wild and Scenic Rivers .............................................................................................................................................. 76 

Wilderness Study Areas ............................................................................................................................................. 79 

Management Concerns ................................................................................................................................................. 80
 

Air Quality.................................................................................................................................................................. 80 

Soil Resources ............................................................................................................................................................ 81 

Water Resources......................................................................................................................................................... 81 

Visual Resources ........................................................................................................................................................ 82 

Cultural Resources, Traditional Cultural Properties and Paleontological Resources................................................ 83 

Lands and Realty ........................................................................................................................................................ 85 

Land Use Authorizations............................................................................................................................................ 85 

Withdrawals................................................................................................................................................................ 87 

Land Ownership Adjustment...................................................................................................................................... 87 

Access......................................................................................................................................................................... 89 

Unauthorized land use ................................................................................................................................................ 89 

Energy and Minerals .................................................................................................................................................. 89 

Leasable Solid Minerals ............................................................................................................................................. 90 

Leasable Fluid Minerals ............................................................................................................................................. 90 

Locatable Minerals ..................................................................................................................................................... 94 

Salable Minerals ......................................................................................................................................................... 96 

Abandoned Mine Lands ............................................................................................................................................. 97 

Hazardous Materials Management............................................................................................................................. 97 

Social and Economic Environment ............................................................................................................................ 97 

Environmental Justice (EJ)......................................................................................................................................... 98 

Tribal Treaty Rights ................................................................................................................................................... 98 

Alternatives Considered but Not Analyzed in Detail................................................................................................. 98 

Increased Motorized Access....................................................................................................................................... 98 

Construction of a Campground and Motorized Trailhead in the Marysville Area .................................................... 98 

Additional ACEC Nominations.................................................................................................................................. 98 

Moratorium on Land Exchanges ................................................................................................................................ 99 

Reduced Livestock Grazing ....................................................................................................................................... 99 

Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................................................................................... 99 

Comparison of Impacts................................................................................................................................................. 99
 

CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................... 209 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 209 

How To Read This Chapter...................................................................................................................................... 209 

Resources...................................................................................................................................................................... 209 

Air Quality................................................................................................................................................................ 209 

Geologic Resources.................................................................................................................................................. 211 

Soil Resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 211 

Water Resources....................................................................................................................................................... 212 

Vegetative Communities .......................................................................................................................................... 216 

Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................... 226 

Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................................... 231 

Special Status Species .............................................................................................................................................. 239 

Wildland Fire Management...................................................................................................................................... 251 

Cultural Resources.................................................................................................................................................... 253 

Paleontological Resources........................................................................................................................................ 256 

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Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................................256 

Resource Uses ...............................................................................................................................................................257 

Forest and Woodland Products .................................................................................................................................257 

Livestock Grazing .....................................................................................................................................................258 

Minerals.....................................................................................................................................................................259 

Leasable Fluid Minerals............................................................................................................................................260 

Recreation..................................................................................................................................................................263 

Travel Management, Access and Facilities...............................................................................................................267 

Travel Management...................................................................................................................................................268 

Lands and Realty.......................................................................................................................................................288 

Renewable Energy.....................................................................................................................................................289 

Communication Sites and Utility Corridors..............................................................................................................293 

Special Designations.....................................................................................................................................................293 

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.................................................................................................................294 

National Trails...........................................................................................................................................................294 

Wild and Scenic Rivers.............................................................................................................................................294 

Wilderness Areas.......................................................................................................................................................294 

Wilderness Study Areas ............................................................................................................................................294 

Social and Economic ....................................................................................................................................................296 

Tribal Interests...........................................................................................................................................................296 

Public Safety .............................................................................................................................................................296 

Social and Economic Environment...........................................................................................................................297 

CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ..............................................................................................307 

How to Read This Chapter..........................................................................................................................................307 

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................307 

Types of Effects ............................................................................................................................................................308 

Analysis Terminology for Butte RMP........................................................................................................................308 

Scope of the Analysis....................................................................................................................................................308 

Available Data and Incomplete Information.............................................................................................................308 

Critical Elements..........................................................................................................................................................309 

Analysis Assumptions and Guidelines .......................................................................................................................309 

General Assumptions ................................................................................................................................................309 

Resource Assumptions ..............................................................................................................................................309 

Effects on Resources ....................................................................................................................................................317 

Air Quality.................................................................................................................................................................317 

Soil Resources...........................................................................................................................................................318 

Water Resources........................................................................................................................................................323 

Vegetative Communities...........................................................................................................................................331 

Wildlife......................................................................................................................................................................356 

Fish ............................................................................................................................................................................377 

Special Status Species ...............................................................................................................................................389 

Wildland Fire Management.......................................................................................................................................413 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources ...................................................................................................................416 

Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................................419 

Effects on Resource Uses .............................................................................................................................................422 

Forestry and Woodland Products..............................................................................................................................422 

Livestock Grazing .....................................................................................................................................................428 

Energy and Minerals .................................................................................................................................................430 

Recreation..................................................................................................................................................................440 

Travel Management and Access ...............................................................................................................................448 

Transportation Facilities............................................................................................................................................452 

Lands and Realty.......................................................................................................................................................453 

Special Designations.....................................................................................................................................................458 

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Areas of Critical Environmental Concern................................................................................................................ 458 

National Trails.......................................................................................................................................................... 459 

Wild and Scenic Rivers ............................................................................................................................................ 460 

Wilderness Study Areas ........................................................................................................................................... 460 

Effects on Social and Economic Conditions ............................................................................................................. 462 

Economic.................................................................................................................................................................. 462 

Tribal Treaty Rights ................................................................................................................................................. 474 

Cumulative Effects ...................................................................................................................................................... 474 

Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions ................................................................................................. 475 

Cumulative Effects on Resources .............................................................................................................................. 480 

Air Quality................................................................................................................................................................ 481 

Soil Resources .......................................................................................................................................................... 481 

Water Resources....................................................................................................................................................... 481 

Vegetative Communities .......................................................................................................................................... 482 

Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................................... 483 

Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................... 484 

Special Status Species .............................................................................................................................................. 484 

Wildland Fire............................................................................................................................................................ 485 

Cultural Resources.................................................................................................................................................... 485 

Paleontological Resources........................................................................................................................................ 486 

Visual Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 486 

Cumulative Effects on Resource Uses ....................................................................................................................... 486 

Forestry and Woodland Products ............................................................................................................................. 486 

Livestock Grazing .................................................................................................................................................... 486 

Energy and Minerals ................................................................................................................................................ 486 

Recreation................................................................................................................................................................. 487 

Travel Management and Access............................................................................................................................... 487 

Lands and Realty ...................................................................................................................................................... 487 

Cumulative Effects on Special Designations............................................................................................................. 487 

Cumulative Effects on Social and Economic Conditions ........................................................................................ 488 

Social and Economic ................................................................................................................................................ 488 

Tribal Treaty Rights ................................................................................................................................................. 488 

Irretrievable or Irreversible Commitment of Resources ........................................................................................ 488 

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts ................................................................................................................................... 489 

VOLUME II 

CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES (CONTINUED) ................................................................. 491 

Environmental Consequences of Five Site-Specific Travel Plans .......................................................................... 491 

Analysis Assumptions .............................................................................................................................................. 491 

Helena TPA.................................................................................................................................................................. 491 

Soils .......................................................................................................................................................................... 492 

Water Resources....................................................................................................................................................... 494 

Vegetative Communities – Forest Resources and Forest and Woodland products ................................................. 496 

Vegetative Communities – Noxious Weeds............................................................................................................. 497 

Vegetative Communities – Riparian Vegetation...................................................................................................... 500 

Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................................... 501 

Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................... 505 

Special Status Plants................................................................................................................................................. 507 

Wildland Fire Management...................................................................................................................................... 508 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources................................................................................................................... 510 

Visual Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 510 

Livestock Grazing .................................................................................................................................................... 511 

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Minerals.....................................................................................................................................................................511 

Recreation..................................................................................................................................................................512 

Travel Management and Access ...............................................................................................................................513 

Transportation Facilities............................................................................................................................................517 

Lands and Realty.......................................................................................................................................................517 

Special Designations .................................................................................................................................................518 

East Helena TPA ..........................................................................................................................................................518 

Soils...........................................................................................................................................................................518 

Water Resources........................................................................................................................................................520 

Vegetative Communities – Forest Resources and Forest and Woodland Products..................................................524
 

Vegetative Communities – Noxious Weeds .............................................................................................................525 

Vegetative Communities – Riparian Vegetation ......................................................................................................527 

Wildlife......................................................................................................................................................................529 

Fish ............................................................................................................................................................................533 

Cumulative Effects on Fish.......................................................................................................................................535 

Special Status Plants .................................................................................................................................................536 

Wildland Fire Management.......................................................................................................................................537 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources ...................................................................................................................539 

Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................................539 

Livestock Grazing .....................................................................................................................................................539 

Minerals.....................................................................................................................................................................540 

Recreation..................................................................................................................................................................541 

Travel Management and Access ...............................................................................................................................542 

Transportation Facilities............................................................................................................................................545 

Lands and Realty.......................................................................................................................................................546 

Special Designations .................................................................................................................................................547 

Lewis and Clark County NW TPA.............................................................................................................................547
 

Soils...........................................................................................................................................................................547 

Water Resources........................................................................................................................................................549 

Vegetative Communities – forest resources and forest and woodland products ......................................................552 

Vegetative Communities – Noxious Weeds .............................................................................................................553 

Vegetative Communities – Riparian Vegetation ......................................................................................................556 

Wildlife......................................................................................................................................................................558 

Fish ............................................................................................................................................................................564 

Special Status Plants .................................................................................................................................................567 

Wildland Fire Management.......................................................................................................................................568 

Cultural and Paleontological .....................................................................................................................................570 

Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................................570 

Livestock Grazing .....................................................................................................................................................571 

Minerals.....................................................................................................................................................................571 

Recreation..................................................................................................................................................................572 

Travel Management and Access ...............................................................................................................................573 

Transportation Facilities............................................................................................................................................576 

Lands and Realty.......................................................................................................................................................577 

Special Designations .................................................................................................................................................578 

Boulder/Jefferson City TPA........................................................................................................................................578 

Soils...........................................................................................................................................................................578 

Water Resources........................................................................................................................................................580 

Vegetative Communities – Forest Resources and Forest and Woodland Products..................................................584
 

Vegetative Communities -Noxious Weeds ...............................................................................................................585 

Vegetative Communities -Riparian Vegetation ........................................................................................................587 

Wildlife......................................................................................................................................................................589 

Fish ............................................................................................................................................................................594 

Special Status Plants .................................................................................................................................................597 

Wildland Fire Management.......................................................................................................................................598 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources ...................................................................................................................600 

Visual Resources.......................................................................................................................................................600 

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Livestock Grazing .................................................................................................................................................... 601 

Minerals.................................................................................................................................................................... 601 

Recreation................................................................................................................................................................. 602 

Travel Management and Access............................................................................................................................... 603 

Transportation Facilities........................................................................................................................................... 605 

Lands and Realty ...................................................................................................................................................... 606 

Special Designations ................................................................................................................................................ 606 

Upper Big Hole River TPA......................................................................................................................................... 606 

Soils .......................................................................................................................................................................... 607 

Water Resources....................................................................................................................................................... 609 

Vegetative Communities – Forest Resources and Forest and Woodland Products ................................................. 612 

Vegetative Communities – Noxious Weeds............................................................................................................. 614 

Vegetative Communities –Riparian Vegetation....................................................................................................... 616 

Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................................... 618 

Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................... 623 

Special Status Plants................................................................................................................................................. 626 

Wildland Fire Management...................................................................................................................................... 627 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources................................................................................................................... 629 

Visual Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 629 

Livestock Grazing .................................................................................................................................................... 630 

Minerals.................................................................................................................................................................... 630 

Recreation................................................................................................................................................................. 631 

Travel Management and Access............................................................................................................................... 632 

Transportation Facilities........................................................................................................................................... 635 

Lands and Realty ...................................................................................................................................................... 636 

Special Designations ................................................................................................................................................ 636 

Cumulative Effects of Travel Plans at the Planning Area Scale ............................................................................ 636 

Soils .......................................................................................................................................................................... 636 

Water Resources....................................................................................................................................................... 637 

Vegetative Communities – Forest Resources and Forest and Woodland Products ................................................. 638 

Vegetative Communities -Noxious Weeds .............................................................................................................. 639 

Vegetative Communities –Riparian Vegetation....................................................................................................... 640 

Wildlife..................................................................................................................................................................... 641 

Fish ........................................................................................................................................................................... 647 

Special Status Plants................................................................................................................................................. 649 

Wildland Fire Management...................................................................................................................................... 650 

Cultural and Paleontological Resources................................................................................................................... 651 

Visual Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 651 

Livestock Grazing .................................................................................................................................................... 652 

Recreation................................................................................................................................................................. 652 

Travel Management and Access............................................................................................................................... 653 

Transportation Facilities........................................................................................................................................... 656 

CHAPTER 5 CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ........................................................................................ 659 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 659 

Scoping and Public Involvement Prior To the Draft RMP/EIS ............................................................................. 659 

Travel Management Planning .................................................................................................................................. 659 

Collaborative Efforts................................................................................................................................................... 659 

Travel Management Working Groups...................................................................................................................... 659 

Formal Consultation ................................................................................................................................................... 660 

Fish and Wildlife Service Consultation ................................................................................................................... 660 

State Historic Preservation Office Consultation ...................................................................................................... 661 

Tribal Consultation................................................................................................................................................... 661 

Informal Consultations............................................................................................................................................... 661
 

Plan Distribution ......................................................................................................................................................... 661
 

List of Preparers.......................................................................................................................................................... 664 

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REFERENCES CITED....................................................................................................................................................669 

GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................................................................................679 

INDEX .........................................................................................................................................................................699 

APPENDICES 

Appendix A – Travel Planning ...........................................................................................................................................701 

Appendix B – Visual Resource Management (VRM)........................................................................................................709 

Appendix C – SIMPPLLE Model.......................................................................................................................................711 

Appendix D – Best Management Practices ........................................................................................................................715 

Appendix E – Land Health Standards ................................................................................................................................719 

Appendix F – Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................................727 

Appendix G – Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS)...................................................................................................767 

Appendix H – Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) ..................................................................................................................769 

Appendix I – Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC)......................................................................................795 

Appendix J – Cultural .........................................................................................................................................................847 

Appendix K – Lands and Realty.........................................................................................................................................869 

Appendix L – Fluid Minerals..............................................................................................................................................879 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1-1 Planning Process ..................................................................................................................................................2 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1-1 Lands Within the Butte Planning Area ...............................................................................................................2 

Table 1-2 Steps in the BLM Land Use Planning Process....................................................................................................4 

Table 1-3 Scoping Meeting Summary.................................................................................................................................5 

Table 1-4 Travel Planning Meeting Summary ....................................................................................................................5 

Table 1-5 Planning Issues/Management Concerns, their Desired Future Conditions/Visions, and Goals ........................9 

Table 2-1 Alternative A Fire Polygons..............................................................................................................................26 

Table 2-2 Grazing Availability For Special Allotments Varying By Alternative.............................................................32 

Table 2-3 Alternative B Fire Polygons by Watershed.......................................................................................................33 

Table 2-4 Alternative C Fire Polygons by Watershed.......................................................................................................37 

Table 2-5 Alternative D Fire Polygons by Watershed ......................................................................................................40 

Table 2-6 Field Office Level Route Management Summary ............................................................................................47 

Table 2-7 Alternative A Field Office Wide Acres of Open, Closed and Limited Area Designations..............................49 

Table 2-8 Acres of Open, Closed and Limited Area Designations for All Action Alternatives (B, C, and D) ...............49 

Table 2-9 Helena TPA Miles of Road By Proposed Management Category For All Alts. .............................................52 

Table 2-10 East Helena TPA Miles of Road by Proposed Management Category for All Alts. ......................................53 

Table 2-11 Lewis & Clark County NW TPA Miles of Road By Proposed Management Category For All Alts. ..........55 

Table 2-12 Boulder/Jefferson City TPA Miles Of Road by Proposed Management Category For All Alts. ..................56 

Table 2-13 Upper Big Hole TPA Miles Of Road By Proposed Management Category For All Alts. ............................58 

Table 2-14 Alternative B Proposed ROS............................................................................................................................63 

Table 2-15 Alternative C Proposed ROS............................................................................................................................63 

Table 2-16 Alternative D Proposed ROS ...........................................................................................................................63 

Table 2-17 Management of Special Recreation Management Areas .................................................................................64 

Table 2-18 Potential ACECs...............................................................................................................................................66 

Table 2-19 Eligible Wild and Scenic River Segments .......................................................................................................76 

Table 2-20 Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Available or Not for Fluid Mineral Leasing ................................................90 

Table 2-21 Oil and Gas Lease Terms and Stipulations by Alternative ..............................................................................93 

Table 2-22 Areas Proposed For Withdrawal From Mineral Entry in Alternatives B and C.............................................95 

Table 2-23 Comparison of Alternatives ...........................................................................................................................100 

Table 2-24 Summary Comparison of Effects by Alternative ...........................................................................................151 

Table 3-1 Background Criteria Air Pollution Data .........................................................................................................210 

Table 3-2 Sampling of Climate Data in Planning Area...................................................................................................211 

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Table 3-3 Impaired Water Bodies by 4th Level Hydrologic Unit Code 2005 Survey ................................................... 212 

Table 3-4 Acres and Percent by Vegetation Zones in the PA and Decision Area.......................................................... 217 

Table 3-5 Size Class and Density of Dry Forest Types in the Decision Area................................................................ 221 

Table 3-6 Size Classes and Density of Cool and Moist and Subalpine Fir Forest Types in the Decision Area ............ 222 

Table 3-7 Acres of Noxious Weeds by 4th Code Watershed in the Decision Area in 2005 ........................................... 226 

Table 3-8 Miles of Streams and Rivers and Acres of Lakes and Reservoirs ................................................................. 227 

Table 3-9 Current Condition and Trend by 4th Field HUC............................................................................................. 228 

Table 3-10 Stream Miles of Fish Species of Interest in the PA and Decision Area by 4th Field HUC........................... 229 

Table 3-11 Westslope Cutthroat Trout Introgression Within the Planning and Decision Areas .................................... 230 

Table 3-12 Corridor Quality in the Planning and Decision Areas................................................................................... 234 

Table 3-13 Total Road Density for the Decision Area in BLM Elk Winter Range by Big Game Analysis Area .......... 235 

Table 3-14 Acres of Elk Security Habitat by Watershed................................................................................................. 236 

Table 3-15 Special Status Wildlife Species in the PA..................................................................................................... 241 

Table 3-16 Special-Status Plants Known or with Potential to Occur in the PA.............................................................. 250 

Table 3-17 Historic Fire Regimes.................................................................................................................................... 251 

Table 3-18 Fire Management Zones ................................................................................................................................ 252 

Table 3-19 Fire Management Categories......................................................................................................................... 254 

Table 3-20 Summary of Forested Acres in the Decision Area ........................................................................................ 257 

Table 3-21 Summary of Woodland by County, Butte DA .............................................................................................. 257 

Table 3-22 2005 Decision Area Visits and Visitor Use Days by Recreation Management Area ................................... 264
 

Table 3-23 2005 Decision Area Visits and Visitor Use Days by Primary Recreation Activities ................................... 266 

Table 3-24 Developed BLM Recreation Sites within the Butte Decision Area ............................................................. 267 

Table 3-25 Butte Decision Area Road System ................................................................................................................ 267 

Table 3-26 Public Land by County in the Decision Area................................................................................................ 289 

Table 3-27 Land Ownership Adjustment Actions Since July 1984 in the Decision Area .............................................. 291 

Table 3-28 Existing Land Withdrawals in the Decision Area ......................................................................................... 292 

Table 3-29 Communication Sites and Locations in the DA ............................................................................................ 293 

Table 3-30 Wilderness Study Areas ................................................................................................................................ 295 

Table 3-31 Activities and Associated Hazardous Materials............................................................................................ 297 

Table 3-32 Race and Ethnicity, 2000............................................................................................................................... 298 

Table 3-33 Per Capita Income by County, 1990 and 2000.............................................................................................. 299 

Table 3-34 Percentage of Persons Below Poverty by County, 1999............................................................................... 299 

Table 3-35 Study Area Employment by Sector, 1990 and 2000 ..................................................................................... 302 

Table 3-36 Number of Visitors and Visitor Days by Type of Site, 2003........................................................................ 303 

Table 3-37 Travel-Related Employment, 2001 ............................................................................................................... 304 

Table 3-38 Number of Farms and Average Farm Size by County, 1997 ........................................................................ 305 

Table 3-39 Animal Unit Months by County, 2003.......................................................................................................... 305 

Table 3-40 Mining Employment by County, 2001.......................................................................................................... 306 

Table 4-1 Acres of Forested and Non-Forested Areas in SMZs or RMZs by Watershed and Alternative.................... 340 

Table 4-2 Alternative B Comparison of Acres of Grassland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment .............. 344 

Table 4-3 Alternative B Comparison of Acres of Shrubland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment.............. 344 

Table 4-4 Alternative C Comparison of Acres of Grassland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment .............. 349 

Table 4-5 Alternative C Comparison of Acres of Shrubland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment.............. 350 

Table 4-6 Alternative D Comparison of Acres of Grassland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment.............. 354 

Table 4-7 Alternative D Comparison of Acres of Shrubland Treated Versus Rate of Conifer Encroachment.............. 354 

Table 4-8 Acres Affected by Oil and Gas Wildlife Stipulations .................................................................................... 363 

Table 4-9 Acres of Riparian Management Areas in Non-Forest and Total Riparian Acres by Alternative .................. 381 

Table 4-10 Acres of Riparian Management Areas in Forest Lands per Watershed by Alternative ................................ 382
 

Table 4-11 Miles of Fish Bearing Streams within ACECs by Alternative...................................................................... 383 

Table 4-12 Oil and Gas Stipulations and Acres Protected for Special Status Wildlife Species...................................... 395 

Table 4-13 Oil and Gas Stipulations/Acreages Covered for Special Status Fish Species Decision Area-wide ............. 397 

Table 4-14 Alternative B – Acres by VRM Class ........................................................................................................... 421 

Table 4-15 Alternative C – Acres by VRM Class ........................................................................................................... 422 

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Table 4-16 Alternative D – Acres by VRM Class............................................................................................................422 

Table 4-17 Alternative A – Decadal Forest Products Output...........................................................................................424 

Table 4-18 Alternative B – Decadal Forest Products Output...........................................................................................425 

Table 4-19 Alternative C – Decadal Forest Products Output...........................................................................................426 

Table 4-20 Alternative D – Decadal Forest Products Output...........................................................................................427 

Table 4-21 Summary of Acres Available for Grazing by Alternative .............................................................................428 

Table 4-22 Alternative A – Approximate Acres of Federal .............................................................................................432 

Table 4-23 Alternative A – Acres Affected by Oil and Gas Stipulations ........................................................................432 

Table 4-24 Alternative A – Approximate Acres of Federal .............................................................................................433 

Table 4-25 Locatable Mineral Analysis of Federal Surface Mineral Estate ..................................................................434 

Table 4-26 Alternative B – Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing..............................434 

Table 4-27 Alternative B – Acres Affected by Oil and Gas Stipulations ........................................................................435 

Table 4-28 Alternative B – Acres Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing in Potential Development Areas .....................436 

Table 4-29 Alternative C – Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing................................436 

Table 4-30 Alternative C – Acres Affected by Oil and Gas Stipulations ........................................................................437 

Table 4-31 Alternative C – Acres Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing in Potential Development Areas .....................438 

Table 4-32 Alternative D – Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing...............................439 

Table 4-33 Alternative D – Acres Affected by Oil and Gas Stipulations ........................................................................439 

Table 4-34 Alternative D – Acres Available for Fluid Mineral Leasing in Potential Development Areas ....................440 

Table 4-35 SRMAs by Alternative ...................................................................................................................................442 

Table 4-36 Proposed Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) by Alternative ..............................................................443 

Table 4-37 Field Office Level Acres of Open, Limited, and Closed Area Designations.................................................450 

Table 4-38 Acres of Potential ACECs and WSAs Designated in Each Alternative .......................................................459 

Table 4-39 Estimated Outputs by Alternative ..................................................................................................................463 

Table 4-40 Fire Suppression Average Acre Cost by Fire Size Class ...............................................................................464 

Table 4-41 Average Annual Employment by Program by Alternative............................................................................466 

Table 4-42 Average Annual Labor Income by Program by Alternative ..........................................................................466 

Table 4-43 Forest Products Removal History ..................................................................................................................477 

Table 4-44 Present and Foreseeable Mining Activity ......................................................................................................478 

Table 4-45 Land Ownership Adjustment Actions Since July 1984 ................................................................................480 

Table 4-46 Percent of Each Watershed Managed by BLM..............................................................................................481 

Table 4-47 BLM Acres and Percent of PA Totals by Vegetation Zones Treated Per Decade in the PA ........................482 

LIST OF TABLES IN VOLUME II 

Table 4-48 BLM Road Miles in Erosion Impact Categories for the Helena TPA ...........................................................492 

Table 4-49 BLM Acres in Road Density Categories for the Helena TPA .......................................................................495 

Table 4-50 Miles of Road on BLM Lands Near Perennial Streams for the Helena TPA ................................................495 

Table 4-51 Miles of Road/Trail by Alternative Near All Streams in the Helena TPA ....................................................500 

Table 4-52 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range in the Helena TPA ..............................................501 

Table 4-53 Decision Area Acres of Big Game Security Habitat in the Helena TPA ......................................................502 

Table 4-54 Access to Mineral Potential Areas in Helena TPA ........................................................................................512 

Table 4-55 Helena TPA Route Management Summary...................................................................................................514 

Table 4-56 Helena TPA Route/Trail/Maintenance Costs.................................................................................................517 

Table 4-57 Helena TPA ROWs/Leases ............................................................................................................................518 

Table 4-58 BLM Road Miles in Soil Erosion Impact Categories for the East Helena TPA............................................519 

Table 4-59 Acres of BLM Land in Road Density Categories by Alternative for the East Helena TPA..........................521 

Table 4-60 Miles of Road on BLM Lands Near Perennial Streams for the East Helena TPA ........................................521 

Table 4-61 Miles of BLM Road by Alternative Near All Streams in the East Helena TPA ...........................................528 

Table 4-62 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range in the East Helena TPA ......................................528 

Table 4-63 Decision Area Acres of Big Game Security Habitat in the East Helena TPA...............................................530 

Table 4-64 Access to Mineral Potential Areas in East Helena TPA ................................................................................540 

ix 
 

Table 4-65 East Helena TPA Route Management Summary .......................................................................................... 542 

Table 4-66 East Helena TPA Route/Trail/Maintenance Costs ........................................................................................ 546 

Table 4-67 East Helena TPA ROWs/Leases ................................................................................................................... 546 

Table 4-68 BLM Road Miles in Erosion Impact Categories for the Lewis/Clark County NW TPA ............................. 547 

Table 4-69 BLM Acres in Road Density Categories for the Lewis and Clark County NW TPA................................... 550 

Table 4-70 Miles of Road on BLM Lands Near Perennial Streams for the Lewis and Clark County NW TPA............ 550 

Table 4-71 Miles of BLM Road by Alternative Near All Streams in the Lewis and Clark County NW TPA............... 556 

Table 4-72 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range in the Lewis and Clark County NW TPA........... 558 

Table 4-73 Decision Area Acres of Big Game Security Habitat in the Lewis and Clark County NW TPA ................. 558 

Table 4-74 Road Density in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Distribution Zone of Grizzly Bear .............. 559 

Table 4-75 Access to Mineral Potential Areas in Lewis and Clark County NW TPA.................................................... 572 

Table-4-76 Lewis & Clark TPA Route Management Summary ..................................................................................... 574 

Table 4-77 Lewis & Clark County NW TPA Route/Trail/Maintenance Costs ............................................................... 577 

Table 4-78 Lewis and Clark TPA ROWs/Leases ............................................................................................................ 578 

Table 4-79 BLM Road Miles in Erosion Impact Categories for the Boulder/Jefferson City TPA ................................. 579
 

Table 4-80 BLM Acres in Road Density Categories for the Boulder/Jefferson City TPA ............................................. 581 

Table 4-81 Miles of Road on BLM Lands Near Perennial Streams for the Boulder/Jefferson City TPA...................... 582 

Table 4-82 Miles of BLM Road Near All Streams in the Boulder/Jefferson City TPA ................................................. 588 

Table 4-83 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range in the Boulder-Jefferson City TPA..................... 589 

Table 4-84 Access to Mineral Potential Areas in Boulder/Jefferson City TPA .............................................................. 602 

Table 4-85 Boulder/Jefferson City TPA Route Management Summary........................................................................ 603 

Table 4-86 Boulder/Jefferson City TPA Route/Trail/Maintenance Costs....................................................................... 605 

Table 4-87 Boulder/Jefferson City TPA ROWs/Leases .................................................................................................. 606 

Table 4-88 BLM Road Miles in Erosion Impact Categories for the Upper Big Hole River TPA .................................. 607 

Table 4-89 Acres of BLM Land in Road Density Categories by Alternative for the Upper Big Hole River TPA. ....... 610 

Table 4-90 Miles of Road on BLM Lands Near Perennial Streams in the Upper Big Hole River TPA......................... 610 

Table 4-91 Miles of BLM Road Near All Streams in the Upper Big Hole River TPA .................................................. 616 

Table 4-92 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range in the Upper Big Hole River TPA ...................... 617 

Table 4-93 Decision Area Acres of Big Game Security Habitat in the Upper Big Hole River TPA.............................. 618 

Table 4-94 Access to Mineral Potential Areas in Upper Big Hole River TPA ............................................................... 631 

Table-4-95 Upper Big Hole TPA Route Management Summary................................................................................... 632 

Table-4-96 Upper Big Hole Route/Trail/Maintenance Costs.......................................................................................... 635 

Table 4-97 Upper Big Hole TPA ROWs/Leases ............................................................................................................. 636 

Table 4-98 Acres of BLM Land in Road Density Categories for All Decision Area Lands........................................... 637 

Table 4-99 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range by Big Game Analysis Area - Alternative A...... 641 

Table 4-100 Decision Area Acres of Big Game Security Habitat Field Office-wide by Alternative .............................. 642
 

Table 4-101 Core and Subcore Areas – Approximate Acres by Road Density Category............................................... 642 

Table 4-102 High and Moderate Quality Corridors - Approximate Acres by Road Density Category.......................... 643 

Table 4-103 Low Quality Corridors - Approximate Acres by Road Density Category................................................. 643 

Table 4-104 Decision Area Road Densities Within Elk Winter Range by Big Game Analysis Area - Alternative B .... 644 

Table 4-105 Decision Area Road Densities within Elk Winter Range by Big Game Analysis Area - Alternative C .... 645 

Table 4-106 Decision Area Road Densities Within Elk Winter Range by Big Game Analysis Area - Alternative D... 646 

Table 4-107 Decision Area Acres in Road Density Categories by Alternative by Watershed ....................................... 647 

Table 4-108 Miles of Open Roads within 300 Feet of Streams – Decision Area ............................................................ 648 

Table 4-109 Miles of Closed Roads within 300 Feet of Streams – Decision Area .......................................................... 648 

Table 4-110 Comparison of Past/Present Travel Management For Butte Field Office TPAs with Recent Travel Plans 654 

Table 4-111 Comparison of Past/Present Travel Management for the North Belts TPA on Helena National Forest ..... 654 

Table 4-112 Summary of Summer Opportunities by Road/Trail Miles, Gallatin National Forest ................................. 654
 

Table 4-113 Summary of Winter Opportunities by Miles, Gallatin National Forest ....................................................... 654 

Table 4-114 Status of Transportation System at the Field Office Scale by Alternative................................................... 655 

Table 4-115 Field Office Wide Route/Trail Annual Maintenance Costs ........................................................................ 656 

Table 5-1 List of Contributors ...................................................................................................................................... 664 

x 
LIST OF MAPS 

Located in the EIS document. 

Map 1 – Project Location Map .............................................................................................................................................3 

Map 33 – Elkhorn Mountains Proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern – Alt. B .............................................69 

Map 34 – Elkhorn Mountains Proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern – Alt. C ..............................................73 

Map 35 – Ekhorn Mountains Proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern – Alt. D...............................................75 

Map 36 – National Wild and Scenic River System – Eligible Segments.............................................................................78 

Located in the map packet. 

Map 2 – Fire Management Unit Designations – Alternative A 

Map 3 – Fire Management Unit Designations – Alternative B 

Map 4 – Fire Management Unit Designations – Alternative C 

Map 5 – Fire Management Unit Designations – Alternative D 

Map 6 – Helena TPA – Alternative A 

Map 7 – Helena TPA – Alternative B 

Map 8 – Helena TPA – Alternative C 

Map 9 – Helena TPA – Alternative D 

Map 10 – East Helena TPA – Alternative A 

Map 11 – East Helena TPA – Alternative B 

Map 12 – East Helena TPA – Alternative C 

Map 13 – East Helena TPA – Alternative D 

Map 14 – Lewis and Clark TPA – Alternative A 

Map 15 – Lewis and Clark TPA – Alternative B 

Map 16 – Lewis and Clark TPA – Alternative C 

Map 17 – Lewis and Clark TPA – Alternative D 

Map 18 – Boulder-Jefferson City TPA – Alternative A 

Map 19 – Boulder-Jefferson City TPA – Alternative B 

Map 20 – Boulder-Jefferson City TPA – Alternative C 

Map 21 – Boulder-Jefferson City TPA – Alternative D 

Map 22 – Upper Big Hole TPA – Alternative A 

Map 23 – Upper Big Hole TPA – Alternative B 

Map 24 – Upper Big Hole TPA – Alternative C 

Map 25 – Upper Big Hole TPA – Alternative D 

Map 26 – Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Classifications – Alternative B 

Map 27 – Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Classifications – Alternative C 

Map 28 – Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Classifications – Alternative D 

Map 29 – Special Recreation Management Area Designations – Alternative A 

Map 30 – Special Recreation Management Area Designations – Alternative B & C 

Map 31 – Special Recreation Management Area Designations – Alternative D 

Map 32 – Existing and Proposed Area of Critical Environmental Concern Designations – Alternative C 

Map 37 – Visual Resource Management Designations – Alternative B 

Map 38 – Visual Resource Management Designations – Alternative C 

Map 39 – Visual Resource Management Designations – Alternative D 

Map 40 – Right-of-Way Exclusion and Avoidance Areas, Utility Corridors, Communication Sites and Potential 

Wind Energy Development Areas – Alternative B, C and D 

Map 41 – Areas of Disposal and Retention Alternatives B, C and D 

Map 42 – Oil and Gas Leasing Restrictions – Alternative A 

Map 43 – Oil and Gas Leasing Restrictions – Alternative B 

Map 44 – Oil and Gas Leasing Restrictions – Alternative C 

Map 45 – Oil and Gas Leasing Restrictions – Alternative D 

Map 46 – Lands Proposed for Withdrawal from Locatable Mineral Entry – Alternatives B and C 

xi