Contents

Chapter 1 - Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose of the Proposed Action .................................................................................................................................... 1

Need for the Proposed Action ....................................................................................................................................... 1

Goals.............................................................................................................................................................................. 3

Scope of the Analysis .................................................................................................................................................... 3

Decisions to be Made .................................................................................................................................................... 5

Applicable Legal and Regulatory Restraints and Coordination .................................................................................... 6

Additional Relevant BLM Policy and Plan/Agreements .............................................................................................. 6

Chapter 2 - Alternatives Including the Proposed Action................................................................................................ 9

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 9

History of the Planning and Alternative Development Process .................................................................................... 9

Alternative Design, Evaluation, and Selection Criteria ................................................................................................ 9

Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .................................................................................... 10

Description of the Alternatives ................................................................................................................................... 11

Summary Comparison of Alternatives ........................................................................................................................ 20

Identification of the Preferred Alternative .................................................................................................................. 20

Chapter 3 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ...................................................................... 23

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 23

Vegetation ................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Air Quality (BLM Critical Element) ........................................................................................................................... 35

Soils ............................................................................................................................................................................. 37

Water Quality (BLM Critical Element) ...................................................................................................................... 39

Aquatics Habitats and Species .................................................................................................................................... 40

Terrestrial Habitats and Species .................................................................................................................................. 45

Federally Threatened, Endangered, and Proposed Species (BLM Critical Element) ................................................. 55

Cultural (BLM Critical Element) and Paleontological Resources .............................................................................. 64

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (BLM Critical Element) ........................................................................... 65

Prime or Unique Farm Lands (BLM Critical Element) .............................................................................................. 65

Floodplains (BLM Critical Element) .......................................................................................................................... 67

Invasive and Non-Native Species (BLM Critical Element) ........................................................................................ 67

Native American Religious Concerns (BLM Critical Element) ................................................................................. 67

Wastes, Hazardous or Solid (BLM Critical Element) ................................................................................................. 67

Wetlands/Riparian Zones (BLM Critical Element) .................................................................................................... 67

Wild and Scenic Rivers (BLM Critical Element) ....................................................................................................... 67

Recreation and Visual Resources ................................................................................................................................ 67

Wilderness (BLM Critical Element) and Wilderness Study Areas ............................................................................. 68

Environmental Justice (BLM Critical Element).......................................................................................................... 70

Social, Human Health and Safety ............................................................................................................................... 70

Economics ................................................................................................................................................................... 71

Relationship Between Short-term Uses and Long-term Productivity ......................................................................... 72

Chapter 4 - Consultation and Coordination .................................................................................................................. 73

Public Notices, External and Internal Input ................................................................................................................ 73

Consultation and Coordination.................................................................................................................................... 73

Initial Public Input ....................................................................................................................................................... 74

Public Comments on the Fire Management Plan/Plan Amendment Environmental Assessment .............................. 74

Public Comment on Revised EA ................................................................................................................................. 77
Glossary .............................................................................................................................................................................79

References .........................................................................................................................................................................85

Appendices

A. Maps of Fire Management Zones Under the Proposed Action ............................................................................93

B. Wildlife Design Features Under the Proposed Action .......................................................................................103

C. Resource Management Plan Amendments Under the Proposed Action ............................................................105

D. Description of the Riparian Protection Zone Strategy (Proposed Action) .........................................................107

Finding of No Significant Impact ..................................................................................................................................109
Acronyms and Chemical Symbols

ACEC Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

AQRV Air Quality Related Values

ASQ Allowable Sale Quantities

BFO Billings Field Office

BLM Bureau of Land Management

BMPs Best Management Practices

BuFO Butte Field Office

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response,

 Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DEQ Department of Environmental Quality

DFO Dillon Field Office

DIO Department of Interior

EA Environmental Assessment

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EO Executive Order

ESA Endangered Species Act

ESR Emergency Site Rehabilitation

FMZ Fire Management Zone

FO Field Office

FS Forest Service

FWFMP Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy

HRV Historic Range of Variation

ID Interdisciplinary

IDT Interdisciplinary Team

IMP Interim Management Policy

LFO Lewistown Field Office

MBF Board Feet

MMBF Million Board Feet

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act

MCFO Miles City Field Office

MDFW & P Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

MFO Malta Field Office

MFP Management Framework Plan

MiFO Missoula Field Office

MIST Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics

MOA Memorandums of Agreement

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MT-GAP Montana Gap Analysis

NDFO North Dakota Field Office

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NFP National Fire Plan

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide

NRHP National Register of Historic Places

OHV Off Highway Vehicle

ONA Outstanding Natural Areas

PF Prescribed Fire

PM10 Particulate Matter

PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RMP Resource Management Plan

ROW Rights of Way

SDFO South Dakota Field Office

SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer

SMT State Management Team

SMZ Streamside Management Zone

SO2 Sulfur Dioxide

SRMA Special Recreational Management Areas

SSS Special Status Species

T & E Threatened and Endangered Species (federal)

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load

UMNWSR Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

VRM Visual Resource Management

WA Wilderness Areas

WAFWA Western Association of Fish and Wildlife

 Agencies

WFSA Wildland Fire Situation Analysis

WSA Wilderness Study Areas

WUI Wildland Urban Interface