travel management tonto national forest draft migratory...

Prepared by:

Reviewed by:

Travel Management Tonto National Forest

Draft Migratory Bird Report

Logan Simpson Design Inc. (Contractor) 51 East 3rd Street, Suite 450

Tempe, AZ 85281

t> 50 / .r .;:<o/r , Ac mg Wildlife Program Lead, Tonto National Forest

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Table of Contents Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Alternative A (no action) ...................................................................................................................... 5

Alternative B ......................................................................................................................................... 5

Alternative C ......................................................................................................................................... 5

Alternative D ........................................................................................................................................ 5

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) ..................................................................................................... 6

Summary of Determination of Effects .................................................................................................. 7

Alternative A (no action) ...................................................................................................................... 7

Alternative B ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Alternative C ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Alternative D ......................................................................................................................................... 9

Methodology for Analysis .................................................................................................................................................... 9

Data Limitations and Inaccuracies ...................................................................................................... 10

Description of Actions ......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Alternative A – No Action .................................................................................................................. 11

Alternative B ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Alternative C ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Alternative D ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Species Accounts .................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Cordilleran Flycatcher ........................................................................................................................ 17

Flammulated Owl ............................................................................................................................... 17

Red-faced Warbler .............................................................................................................................. 17

Band-tailed Pigeon .............................................................................................................................. 17

McGillivray’s Warbler ........................................................................................................................ 17

Lewis’ Woodpecker ............................................................................................................................ 17

Gray Flycatcher .................................................................................................................................. 18

Juniper Titmouse ................................................................................................................................ 18

Gray Vireo .......................................................................................................................................... 18

Black-chinned Sparrow....................................................................................................................... 18

Gilded Flicker ..................................................................................................................................... 18

Costa's Hummingbird ......................................................................................................................... 18

Purple Martin ...................................................................................................................................... 18

Phainopepla ......................................................................................................................................... 18

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Bendire’s Thrasher .............................................................................................................................. 18

Canyon Towhee .................................................................................................................................. 18

Yellow Warbler .................................................................................................................................. 18

Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo .......................................................................................................... 19

Bell's Vireo ......................................................................................................................................... 19

Lucy's Warbler .................................................................................................................................... 19

Yuma Clapper Rail ............................................................................................................................. 19

Golden Eagle ...................................................................................................................................... 19

Grace’s Warbler .................................................................................................................................. 19

Olive Warbler ..................................................................................................................................... 19

Pinion Jay............................................................................................................................................ 19

Black-throated Gray Warbler .............................................................................................................. 19

Swainson’s Hawk ............................................................................................................................... 20

Prairie Falcon ...................................................................................................................................... 20

Peregrine Falcon ................................................................................................................................. 20

Gilded Flicker ..................................................................................................................................... 20

Elf Owl................................................................................................................................................ 20

Gila Woodpecker ................................................................................................................................ 20

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet ........................................................................................................... 20

Common Black-Hawk ........................................................................................................................ 20

Bald Eagle ........................................................................................................................................... 20

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ........................................................................................................ 21

Important Bird Areas and Overwintering Areas ................................................................................. 21

Effects ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Assumptions of Effects of Vehicle Travel to Migratory Bird Habitats .............................................. 21

Analysis of Effects .............................................................................................................................. 24

Pinyon-juniper Chaparral Species ....................................................................................................... 25

Desert Community Species ................................................................................................................. 27

Semi-desert Grassland Species ........................................................................................................... 30

Ponderosa Pine Mild Species .............................................................................................................. 33

Interior Chaparral Species ................................................................................................................... 36

Pinyon-juniper Grassland Species ...................................................................................................... 39

Mixed Conifer with Aspen Species .................................................................................................... 41

Madrean Encinal Woodland Species .................................................................................................. 44

Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest Species ..................................................................................... 47

Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian Forest Species ........................................................................ 49

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Water Species ...................................................................................................................................... 52

Important Bird Areas .......................................................................................................................... 55

Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek ........................................................................................ 55

Cave Creek Ecosystem........................................................................................................................ 57

Salt and Verde River Riparian System................................................................................................ 59

Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................................................................... 62

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Summary Tonto NF is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of the motorized

travel management plan in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. In addition, the

agency must consider management impacts to migratory birds to further the purposes of the Migratory

Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other laws. The intent of this Migratory Bird

Report is to identify whether unintentional take would occur, and if so, whether such take would have a

measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations from the implementation of the motorized travel

management plan.

There are four travel management alternatives being considered in the EIS. The following summarizes the

potential effects for the migratory bird species of concern from each alternative:

Alternative A (no action) Some unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) may occur, but this alternative would have no

measurable population effect on migratory bird species of concern.

Some negative effects from routes could occur to Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and their

occupants because the frequency of use may increase over the life of the plan.

The annual effects from an estimated 1,500 permits to remove dead and downed wood and dead

standing juniper/cypress/pine would be spread over approximately 1,345,998 acres.

Alternative B Some unintentional take (birds, eggs, nests) may occur, but this alternative would have no


This alternative would reduce public roads from current baseline conditions, although some

negative effects from routes in IBAs could occur to IBAs and their occupants because the

frequency of use may increase over the life of the plan, this alternative would have a beneficial

effect from the currnet baseline conditions.


standing juniper/cypress/pine would be spread over approximately 132,568 acres.

Alternative C Some unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) may occur, but this alternative would have no


This alternative would pemit the use of motorized vehicles for big game retrieval and

dispersed camping and may have a measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations

and habitat quality.


standing juniper/cypress/pine would be spread over approximately 161,785 acres.

Alternative D Some unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) may occur, but this alternative would have no


In addition to adding substantial miles of public roads (22 miles) in the Salt Verde IBA,

combined with the current number of roads (12 miles), there could be some negative effects from

routes in the Salt Verde IBA.


standing juniper/cypress/pine would be spread over approximately 1,345,998 acres.

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Introduction The Tonto National Forest proposes changes to motorized use on roads, trails, and areas to meet

requirements of Executive Order 11644, as amended by Executive Order 11989, and in the Travel

Management Rule regulations (36 Code of Federal Register [CFR] 212, Subpart B). Routes and areas not

designated for motorized use would be prohibited from motorized travel unless authorized under an

exemption in the Travel Management Regulations. This involves amending the Tonto National Forest

Plan to restrict cross-country motorized travel in all nondesignated areas and amending other direction

related to motorized use that does not comply with the Travel Management Rule. Tonto National Forest

(Tonto NF) proposes to designate a system of motorized roads, trails, areas, zones, and corridors within

Tonto NF, Arizona in order to develop a motorized travel management plan.

The Forest Service is legally required to comply with a number of federal laws, regulations, and policy,

including the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (as amended), Executive Order 13186 (migratory birds),

and the Tonto NF Land and Resource Management Plan, 1987 (as amended).Executive Order 13186

(January 10, 2001) requires federal agencies to consider management impacts to migratory birds to

further the purposes of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other

laws. Federal agencies need to identify whether unintentional take will occur from project

implementation, and if so, whether such take would have a measurable negative effect on migratory bird

populations. Take is defined to mean “… to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or

attempt to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” (50 CFR 10.12). Removal or

destruction of vegetation is not considered a taking.

The Tonto NF is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to disclose the effects of a motorized travel management plan. This

Migratory Bird Report summarizes existing conditions and effects from all the EIS travel management

plan alternatives to migratory bird priority species that may occur or may have habitat within the project

area. The project area is identified as the Tonto NF. This specialist report was developed in consideration

of the best available science and most current Tonto NF data, and the information contained in the report

will be included in the EIS

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) Executive Order 13186 (January 10, 2001) requires federal agencies to consider management impacts to

migratory birds to further the purposes of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle

Protection Act, and other laws. Federal agencies need to identify whether unintentional take will occur,

and if so, whether such take would have a measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations. Take

is defined to mean “… to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to pursue,

hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” (50 CFR 10.12). Removal or destruction of vegetation

is not considered a taking. Executive Order 13186 imposes procedural requirements on project level

analyses for migratory birds. The Tonto NF is required to:

evaluate the effects of agency actions and plans on migratory birds, with emphasis on species of

concern;

identify where unintentional take, reasonably attributable to agency action, is having, or is likely

to have, a measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations

The Tonto NF will fulfill these requirements by 1) analyzing and disclosing the project’s effects on Tonto

NF migratory bird species of concern, 2) identifying any Important Bird Areas (IBA) or overwintering

areas that exist within or in proximity to the project area and analyzing and disclosing effects as

appropriate, 3) identifying opportunities to restore or enhance migratory bird habitat or mitigate negative

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project effects and include these activities in the project plan, 4) retaining adequate levels of snags and

dead & downed wood.

Summary of Determination of Effects A summary disclosure of the potential effects that each action alternative could have on migratory birds

including "priority species" and important bird areas that may occur from amendments of the Tonto

National Forest Plan that would be necessary to implement an action alternative is presented below.

Alternative A (no action) Unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) is highly unlikely to occur at a level that would have a

measurable effect on migratory bird populations or habitat quality. Alternative A is

considered as the baseline for comparison to all action alternatives. Across all PNVTs

Alternative A would have an average road density of 1.16 miles of road open to public

motorized vehicle travel per square mile of MBTA habitat. The relatively low density of

open public roads to MIS habitats suggest that although some level of impact occurs to

migratory birds and habitats wherever motorized vehicle travel is allowed, Alternative A

would have no measurable negative effect on migratory bird species of concern populations

or habitat quality above current baseline conditions.

No effects would occur to IBAs because Alternative A is considered as the current baseline

condition that all action alternatives are compared. Under Alternative A roads and trails open to

public use would remain unchanged from current baseline conditions. Road densities with the

IBAs vary from 0.47 miles of road per square mile of IBA habitat in the Boyce-Thompson

Arboretum/Arnett IBA, to 2.62 miles in the Cave Creek Ecosystem IBA and 4.29 in the Salt and

Verde River Riparian System IBA. Motorized big game retrieval, dispersed camping and

motorized cross country travel is not permitted in any IBA. Fuelwood gathering would be

permitted in the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek IBA. Alternative A would have no

measurable negative effect on IBAs above current baseline conditions.

No effects would occur to snags and dead and downed wood because Alternative A is considered

as the baseline for comparison to all action alternatives. Under Alternative A personal wood

gathering and roads and trails open to public use would remain unchanged from current baseline

conditions. Alternative A would have no measurable negative effect on snags and dead and down

wood above current baseline conditions.

Alternative B Unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) is highly unlikely to occur at a level that would have a

measurable effect on migratory bird populations or habitat quality. Although some level of impact

occurs to migratory birds wherever motorized vehicle travel is allowed, across all PNVTs

Alternative B reduces areas of potential affects by reducing road density in all PNVTs to 0.63

miles of open public road to per square mile of MBTA habitats. Similar to Alternative A,

Alternative B would not allow for motorized big game retrieval, or motorized cross-county travel.

Alternative B would reduce acres of areas available to dispersed camping and fuelwood gathering

from current baseline conditions. Consequently, this alternative would have a beneficial effect on

migratory bird species of concern populations and habitat quality compared to the current

baseline conditions.

Alternative B would have a beneficial effect to IBAs because Alternative B reduces miles of

roads and trails open to public use in all IBAs. Alternative B would reduce road densities within

the IBAs to 0.39 miles of road per square mile of IBA habitat in the Boyce-Thompson

Arboretum/Arnett IBA, to 0.38 miles in the Cave Creek Ecosystem IBA and 1.75 miles in the

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Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBA. Alternative B would not permit motorized big game

retrieval, and motorized cross country travel in any IBA. Alternative B would permit dispersed

camping within a 0.18 designated camping site within the Salt and Verde River Riparian System

IBA. Alternative B would have a beneficial effect on migratory bird species of concern

populations and habitat quality compared to the current baseline conditions.

Alternative B would have a positive effect to snags and dead & downed wood because

Alternative B in all PNVTs would reduce personal use fuelwood gathering an average of 88

percent across all PNVTs. Alternative B would reduce the likelihood of potential impacts to

cavity and snag nesting birds, as permitted access to these areas would be reduced. Alternative B

would have a beneficial effect on snags and down logs forestwide in all PNVTs compared to the

current baseline conditions.

Alternative C Unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) is highly unlikely to occur that would have a measurable

effects on migratory bird populations or habitat quality. Although some level of impact occurs to

migratory birds wherever motorized vehicle travel is allowed, across all PNVTs Alternative C

reduces areas of potential affects by reducing road density in all PNVTs to 0.86 miles of open

public road per square mile of MBTA habitats reducing dispersed camping by 87 percent and fuel

wood gathering by 90 percent. However, Alternative C would increase motorized big game

retrieval by 83 percent. Consequently, this alternative would have a beneficial effect on migratory

bird species of concern populations and habitat quality compared to the current baseline

conditions.

Some effects would occur to IBAs if Alternative C is implemented. Alternative C does reduce

miles of roads and trails open to public use in all IBAs. Alternative C would reduce road densities

within the IBAs to 0.39 miles of road per square mile of IBA habitat in the Boyce-Thompson

Arboretum/Arnett IBA, to 0.38 miles in the Cave Creek Ecosystem IBA and 1.96 miles in the

Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBA. Alternative C would not permit motorized cross

country travel in any IBA consistent with current baseline conditions. Alternative C would permit

dispersed camping, motorized big game retrieval, in the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett

Creek IBA, and limit fuelwood gathering to 140 acres of the 2,583 acre Boyce-Thompson

Arboretum/Arnett Creek IBA available for fuel wood gathering under Alternative A. Alternative

C would result in an 89 percent reduction in these elements from current baseline conditions in

the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek IBA. Alternative C would permit motorized big

game retrieval and dispersed camping in the Cave Creek and Salt and Verde River System IBAs.

Areas open to motorized big game retrieval and dispersed camping is currently not permitted.

Alternative C would permit motorized big game retrieval and dispersed camping on 328 acres (24

percent) of Cave Creek IBA acres and 281 acres (21 percent) of the Salt and Verde River

Riparian System IBA acres. Alternative C would not permit fuelwood gathering in the Cave

Creek and Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBAs. Areas open to dispersed camping,

motorized big game retrieval, and fuelwood gathering is less than 10 percent of the Boyce-

Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek IBA, 24 percent of the Cave Creek Ecosystem IBA and 21

percent of the Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBA. Some unintentional take could occur in

each IBA, and may have a measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations and habitat

quality within the Cave Creek Ecosystem and Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBAs.

Alternative C would have a positive effect to snags and dead & downed wood because

Alternative C would not permit personal use fuelwood gathering in the Cave Creek Ecosystem

and Salt and Verde River Riparian System IBAs and would decrease areas permitted for

fuelwood gathering by 95 percent from current baseline conditions in the Boyce-Thompson

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Arboretum/Arnett Creek IBA. Alternative C would reduce the likelihood of potential impacts to

cavity and snag nesting birds, as permitted motorized vehicle access to these areas would be

reduced. Alternative C would have a beneficial effect on snags and down logs forestwide in all

PNVTs compared to the current baseline conditions.

Alternative D Unintentional take (bird, eggs, nest) may occur at a level that would have a measurable effect on

migratory bird populations or habitat. Some level of impact occurs to migratory birds wherever

motorized vehicle travel is allowed. Across all PNVTs Alternative D would not increase potential

affects from roads and trails designated for motorized vehicle use due to in all PNVTs permitting

1.11 miles of open public road per square mile of MBTA habitats, similar to current forestwide

baseline conditions. Within all PNVTs Alternative D would permit 2,068,208 acres (194 percent

increase) to motorized big game retrieval, a near threefold increase over current baseline

conditions and would reduce habitat quality for migratory birds. Alternative D would decease

dispersed camping by 52 percent from current baseline conditions and would be the same as

alternative A in permitted personal fuelwood gathering areas. Consequently, this alternative

would have a negative effect on migratory bird species of concern populations and habitat quality

compared to the current baseline conditions.

Some effects would occur to migratory birds and habitat quality in IBAs if Alternative D is

implemented. The density of roads and trails permitted for public use are similar to Alternative A

in the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett IBA and Cave Creek Ecosystem IBAs, and reduced

from 103 miles of open roads under current baseline conditions to 71.68 (reduction of 30 percent)

in the Salt and Verde River Riparian IBA. Alternative D would not permit motorized cross

country travel in any IBA consistent with current baseline conditions.

Alternative D would permit 16,114 acres of motorized big game retrieval and dispersed camping

in all IBAs, which is not permitted under current baseline conditions. Alternative D would be

similar to Alternative A permitting 1,345,998 acres available for personal fuel wood gathering

only in the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett IBA. Alternative D would not permit personal

fuel wood gathering in the Cave Creek Ecosystem or the Salt and Verde River Riparian System

IBAs. Alternative D would increase areas available for motorized big game retrieval and

dispersed camping. Some unintentional take could occur in each IBA, and may have a measurable

negative effect on migratory bird populations within all IBAs.

Alternative D would not affect snags and dead and down wood because Alternative D would be

the same as Alternative A for permitted personal fuelwood gathering at the current baseline area

and acres. Alternative D would not have a measurable effect to snags and down logs forestwide in

all PNVTs compared to the current baseline conditions.

Methodology for Analysis To determine the species of concern within TNF, migratory bird species were compiled from two sources:

Arizona Partners in Flight (AZPIF; Latta and others 1999) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS; 2008).

Those bird species were selected from three Biological Conservation Regions: 33 (Sonoran & Mojave

Desert), 34 (Sierra Madre Occidental), and 16 (Southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau). Species of

concern were finally determined from those species that occurred on TNF based on the TNF bird

checklist (U.S. Forest Service 2009).

To evaluate the effects of the agency action on particular migratory bird species, the species habitat was

used as a basis for the analysis. Migratory bird species of concern were analyzed if their habitat is within

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the action area. Corman and Wise-Gervais’s (2005) habitat classifications were used and a determination

was made for a species associated habitat by its most common occurrence in 1-4 habitat types. Because

certain species were found in more than one type of habitat, many bird species were classified in multiple

habitat types.

The Forest Service uses five maintenance levels (ML) to classify roads, ranging from ML 1 indicating

intermittent service roads closed to vehicular use, to ML 5, indicating roads that provide a high degree of

user comfort and convenience. ML 3, 4, and 5 roads are those suitable for passenger cars. Some of these

roads are dirt, some are gravel, and some are paved. ML 3, 4, and 5 roads are subject to the Highway

Safety Act; therefore, they generally receive more maintenance than level 1and 2 roads. This report will

refer to passenger car roads (ML 3, 4, and 5 that a typical sedan could drive down) and high clearance

roads (ML 2) that are maintained for high clearance vehicles.

Whenever possible, species-specific habitat and locality data were used for analysis. The recently revised

Forest-specific Geographic Information System (GIS) data were used for riparian and wetland habitat.

Additionally, using species-habitat relationships, data were queried by Potential Natural Vegetation Type

(PNVT) to help with analysis of effects to species’ habitats. Within the Forest boundary, PNVTs were

derived from aggregated Forest Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES) Ecological Units on the Forest and

Southwest Regional Gap Analysis Project (SWReGAP). PNVTs are ecological units based biophysical

settings and depict the potential vegetation type that would dominate a site under historic fire regimes and

biological processes. Avian wildlife habitat within the Tonto National Forest can be divided into 15

wildlife habitat categories based on the Tonto NF’s PNVT layer. These habitat types represent wildlife

habitat that can generally be associated with a particular wildlife species or suite of species (see table 2).

Extent and density of roads by type is derived from the Forest GIS database and reflects the on the ground

road length and design. Forest road miles by road type used in this analysis reflect GIS data processing

that was performed in November 2010. Roads under Forest Service authorization were analyzed as effects

to PNVT; however roads within the Tonto NF not under Forest Service authorization such as federal and

state highways were considered outside the scope of this analysis. Additionally many unauthorized roads

are not digitized into the Forest GIS data layer. It is unknown how many more miles of unauthorized user

created routes are present above those currently identified in the Forest GIS layer, but it is estimated to be

expanding each year due to increased motorized vehicular use on the Forest.

Calculating the miles of designated road or acres of potential affects from motorized vehicle travel within

each PNVT was completed by computing the ratio of miles or acres of areas designated for motorized

vehicle travel by each alternative to the miles or acres permitted for motorized vehicle travel by the No

Action alternative. The resulting ratio provides the amount of change within each PNVT.

Data Limitations and Inaccuracies The PNVT analysis was originally conducted during an analysis conducted in 2010 as a basis for the

initial NEPA process as part of the preparation of an Environmental Assessment. After initiating

compliance with the Travel Management Rule under an EA, the Tonto NF determined that the level of

significance reached a point that environmental analysis for travel management under an EIS would be

more appropriate. During the continuing analyses there may have been assumptions made that are not

fully documented and embedded in all analyses in the PNVT and species data layers. For instance in not

all locations do the boundaries of the PNVT layer match the forest boundary data layer. Additionally

during the analysis timeline riparian areas, water bodies, and perennial streams layers have been updated.

As the acreage and boundaries of these vegetation types shifted, ecotones between adjacent upland

vegetation types did not reflect this realignment in all cases. As an example the revised acres of riparian

habitat and original acres of upland habitat may not match acres of riparian or upland habitat dependent

avian species utilized in previous analyses. However, the data reviewed and utilized in this analysis is the

best available data the Tonto NF has currently. GIS data and habitat modeling conducted for this analysis

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is a representation of what is actually occurring on the ground and as such, there is always the likelihood

of error.

Description of Actions The four travel management plan alternatives from the EIS being analyzed in this Migratory Bird Report

are described as follows:

Alternative A – No Action The NEPA requires the no action alternative to be included as a baseline for comparison to all action

alternatives. This alternative proposes no change to the existing management of motorized travel on the

Tonto NF. Current management plans would continue to guide management of the project area. No

changes would be made to the current National Forest transportation system. The Travel Management

Rule would not be implemented and no Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) would be produced.

Alternative B Alternative B was developed in response to public comments during the NEPA scoping process. It would

include approximately 2,367 miles of roads for decommissioning which would designate the fewest miles

of roads and motorized trails to be open for public use and would propose the most miles of roads for

decommissioning than other alternatives. Alternative B provides approximately 894 miles of designated

roads and 1,666 miles of motorized trails open to public use. It would be the only alternative that would

not allow motor vehicle use for big game retrieval except for those individuals that qualify for the

Arizona Game and Fish Department CHAMP hunting permit, and motor vehicle use for dispersed

camping to designated sites only. This alternative would allow for cross-country travel, up to 300 feet

from both sides of all designated motorized routes, for fuelwood gathering within designated areas.

Alternative C Alternative C is a modification of the proposed action scoped in February 2013. It proposes

approximately 1,290 miles of roads for decommissioning, resulting in approximately 1,340 miles of

designated roads and 2,230 miles of motorized trails open to public use. This alternative would prohibit

cross-country motorized travel except in eight proposed OHV areas totaling approximately 6,791 acres. It

would also allow motorized access for retrieval of legally harvested elk and bear (totaling approximately

1,293,178 acres), a corridor of 100 feet on both sides of designated roads and motorized trails for

dispersed camping, and a corridor of 300 feet on both sides of designated roads and motorized trails for

personal use fuelwood gathering in permitted areas.

Alternative D Alternative D was developed in response to public comments received on the proposed action and would

provide the highest level of motorized recreation opportunities and access across the forest. This

alternative proposes approximately 194 miles of roads for decommissioning, resulting in approximately

3,347 miles of designated roads and 1,520 miles of motorized trails open to public use. Alternative D

would prohibit cross-country motorized travel except in eight proposed OHV areas totaling approximately

6,791 acres and for the retrieval of legally harvested elk, bear, and deer (totaling approximately 2,248,279

acres). It would also allow motorized access in a corridor of 300 feet on both sides of designated roads

and motorized trails for dispersed camping and for personal use fuelwood gathering in permitted areas.

For comparison purposes, the four alternatives are organized by six analysis factors to help the reader

understand the differences and similarities among them. These elements are:

Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle use (including inventoried unauthorized user

created routes)

Areas Open to Motorized Cross-country Travel

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Permit Zones

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles

Additional Information Pertaining to Motor Vehicle Use Designation1

Table 1: Comparison of Alternatives by Analysis Factor Roads and Trails Designated for Motor Vehicle Use (miles)

Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads Open to

Passenger

Vehicles (ML 3-

5)

644.72 353.38 544.47 546.97

Roads Open to

High Clearance

Vehicles (ML 2)

2,307.67 540.13 795.70 2,798.91

Motorized Trails

(Single Track) 0.00 1.12 78.42 102.74

Motorized Trails

(General) 0.00 1,664.95 2,150.94 1,410.72

Open Routes

(ML Unknown) 2006.20 0.00 0.00 0.00

Administrative

Use Only Road

(ML 2 – ML 5)

0.00 144.30 165.79 49.27

Administrative

Use Only 0.00 355.04 398.58 296.54

Motorized Trail

Closed (ML 1) NA* 0.00 0.00 0.00

Decommissioned

Routes NA* 2,367.03 1,289.80 201.22

Open Routes

(ML unknown) 2,006.20 NA* NA* NA*

Unauthorized

(User created) 672.34 0.00 0.00 0.00

Total Open to

Public Miles 4958.58 2559.57 3569.52 4859.34

Total Miles 6510.14 6512.37 6512.37 6512.37

Inventoried Unauthorized (User Created) Routes1 Proposed for Inclusion (Miles)


Roads (ML3-

ML5) NA 4.12 4.12 4.77

Roads (ML2) NA 6.45 6.45 131.20

Motorized trails

(Single Track) NA 0.00 72.59 96.22

Motorized trail

(General) NA 0.00 206.71 320.26

1 This element includes a discussion about the use of motor vehicles for fuelwood gathering off of designated roads and motorized trails.

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Administrative

Use Only Road

(ML 2 – ML 5)

NA 10.34 10.75 0.11

Administrative

Use Only

Motorized Trails

NA 29.53 29.53 30.97

Decommissioned

Routes NA 559.31 279.59 21.59

Non-motorized

trails NA 59.11 59.11 63.75

NA NA 3.48 3.48 3.48

Total miles Open

to Public NA 10.58 289.88 552.45

Total Miles NA 50.44 330.16 583.52

Areas Open to Motorized Cross-country Travel


Name of Area

(Total acres)

Payson and

Pleasant Valley

Ranger Districts

(703,618)

300 feet both sides

of all designated

roads and trails

within fuelwood

cutting permit

areas

(132,568)

Bartlett Lake (922);

Golf Course (17);

Roosevelt Lake

(4,508); Sycamore

(1,333) four tot Lots

(11)

(6,790)

Same as

Alternative C

(6,790)

Permit Zones (Acres)


Name of Area

(Total acres)

Bulldog Canyon

(34,720)

Bulldog Canyon

(34,720); Desert

Vista (33,479);

The Rolls

(24,144); St. Clair

(24,455);

Sycamore (34,127)

(150,925 total)

Bulldog Canyon

(34,720); Desert

Vista (33,479); The

Rolls (24,144); St.

Clair (24,455)

(116,798 total)

Same as

Alternative A

(34,720 total)

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles (Acres)


Total Acres

Available

(including Width

of Corridor)

(Species Allowed)

703,618

(elk, bear, mule

deer, whitetail

deer)

No motorized big

game retrieval

would be allowed

1,293,178

(1 mile both sides of

all designated

routes)

(elk, bear)

2,068,208

(1 mile both sides

of all designated

routes)

(elk, bear, mule

deer, whitetail

deer)

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles (Acres)


Distance from

Designated Routes

(Total Acres)

Driving off-road

has been

permitted in

northern districts,

prohibited in

southern districts

unless posted

open

(703,618 total)

414 Designated

Sites (Buffered 50

feet from center

point)

(65 total)

100 feet both sides

of all designated

routes

(91,391 total)

300 feet both

sides of all

designated routes

(336,038 total)

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Additional Information Pertaining to Motor Vehicle Use2


Wood Gathering

(Total Acres)

Permitted to

gather wood in

designated

woodcutting

permit areas

(1,345,998 total)

Within 300 feet of

all designated

routes within a

designated

woodcutting

permit areas

(132,568 total)

Within 300 feet of

all designated routes

within designated a

woodcutting permit

areas

(161,785 total)

Same as

Alternative A

(1,345,998 total)

Collection of

Forest Resources

by Tribal Members

Only allowed on

designated routes.

Same as

Alternative A

Same as Alternative

A.

Same as

Alternative A

Need to Amend

Forest Plan

Not necessary Would Require

Forest Plan

Amendment3

Would Require

Forest Plan

Amendment4

Would Require

Forest Plan

Amendment5

*NA =If there is no data for a particular PNVT for either an element or an alternative then there is no action occurring

within that area. 1Since 2007, the Tonto National Forest has collected or received geographic information about unauthorized routes

that are either obvious on the ground or are being used for motorized travel, totaling approximately 672 miles to date. 2 This element includes a discussion about the use of motor vehicles for fuelwood gathering off of designated roads and

motorized trails.

3 The amendment would include striking language allowing cross-country travel on the entire Payson and Pleasant

Valley Ranger Districts and modifying the current Recreation Opportunity Spectrum.

4 Ibid

5 Ibid

Species Accounts The following table shows the migratory bird species of concern that may occur in the project area

because their habitats also are within the activity area.

Table 2: Tonto National Forest Migratory Bird Species of Concern

Species Nest Substrateb Nest type

b Usual nest

height rangeb

(feet)

Nesting

Periodc

Mixed Conifer with Aspen: Douglas fir, white fir, ponderosa pine, often some aspen and

Gambel’s oak occurs in all alternatives

Flycatcher,

Cordillerana

deciduous tree,

cliff, ground cavity 0 to 30 May to Aug

Flycatcher, olive-

sideda

conifer cup 5 to 75 May to Aug

Goshawk,

northerna

conifer,

deciduous tree platform 20 to 60 May to Aug

Kinglet, golden-

crowned conifer pendant 4 to 60 May to Aug

Owl, flammulateda snag cavity no information May to Jul

Owl, Mexican

spotteda

conifer, cliff

cavity,

platform,

scrape

80 May to Sep

Pigeon, band-

taileda

conifer,

deciduous tree platform 6 to 30 May to Sep

Sapsucker, red-

napeda

deciduous tree cavity 10 to 20 May to Jul

Warbler, red-

faceda

ground cup 0 May to Jul

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b Usual nest

height rangeb

(feet)

Nesting

Periodc

Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian Forest: cottonwoods, maple, box elder, alder, willow,

some Gambel’s oak, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, while fir, and aspen occur in all

alternatives

Beardless-

tyrannulet,

northerna

deciduous tree sphere 4 to 50 Apr to Aug

Black-hawk,

commona

deciduous tree platform 20 to 30 Mar to Aug

Flycatcher,

Cordillerana

deciduous tree,

cliff, ground cavity 0 to 30 May to Aug

Sapsucker, red-

napeda

deciduous tree cavity 10 to 20 May to Jul

Warbler,

MacGillivray’s shrub, ground cup 2 to 3 May to Jul

Warbler, red-

faceda

ground cup 0 May to Jul

Warbler, yellowa shrub, tree cup 1 to 14 Apr to Aug

Ponderosa Pine Mild: primarily pure pine forests occurs in all alternatives

Flycatcher, olive-

sideda

conifer cup 5 to 75 May to Aug

Goshawk,

northerna

conifer,


Owl, flammulateda snag cavity no information May to Jul

Owl, Mexican

spotteda

conifer, cliff

cavity,

platform,

scrape

80 May to Sep

Pigeon, band-

taileda

conifer,

deciduous tree platform 6 to 30 May to Sep

Warbler, Grace'sa conifer cup 20 to 60 May to Aug

Warbler, olivea conifer cup 30 to 65 Apr to Jul

Woodpecker,

Lewis'sa

deciduous tree,

snag cavity 5 to 100 May to Aug

Pinyon-juniper grasslands: occurs in all alternatives

Eagle, bald tree platform 30 to 60 Dec to Jul

Goshawk,

northerna

conifer,


Owl, Mexican

spotteda

conifer, cliff

cavity,

platform,

scrape

80 May to Sep

Flycatcher,

southwestern

willow

shrub,

deciduous tree cup 2 to 10 Jun to Aug

Cuckoo, western

yellow-billed

deciduous tree,

shrub platform 4 to 8 Jun to Sep

Pinyon-juniper Chaparral: Juniper woodlands occur in all alternatives

Eagle, goldena cliff, tree platform 10 to 100+ Mar to Jul

Falcon, peregrinea cliff, tree scrape 50 to 200+ Mar to Jul

Flycatcher, gray shrub cup 2 to 9 May to Aug

Jay, pinyon conifer cup 3 to 26 Apr to Aug

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b Usual nest

height rangeb

(feet)

Nesting

Periodc

Titmouse, juniper deciduous tree,

snag cavity 3 to 10 Apr to Jul

Vireo, gray shrub cup 2 to 6 Apr to Aug

Warbler, black-

throated graya

conifer,

deciduous tree cup 5 to 50 Apr to Aug

Madrean Encinal Woodland: Madrean evergreen oaks, juniper, pinyon pine occurs in all

alternatives


Warbler, black-

throated graya

conifer,

deciduous tree cup 5 to 50 Apr to Aug

Interior Chaparral: Shrub live oak, manzanita, mountain-mahogany, cliffrose occurs in all

alternatives

Sparrow, black-

chinned shrub cup 1.5 to 3 Apr to Aug

Semiarid grassland: Often with scattered sotol, agaves, burroweed, snakeweed, yucca,

mesquite occurs in all alternatives

Ealge, goldena cliff, tree platform 10 to 100+ Mar to Jul

Hawk, Swainson’s cliff platform 20 to 30 Apr to Aug

Desert communities: palo verde, ironwood, mesquite, catclaw, acacia, saguaro, cholla,

barrel cactus, prickly pear, creosote bush, jojoba, crucifixion thorn occurs in all alternatives


Falcon, peregrinea cliff, tree scrape 50 to 200+ Mar to Jul

Falcon, prairie cliff scrape, crevice 30 to 40 Mar to Jun

Flicker, gilded snag cavity 6 to 15 Mar to Jul

Hummingbird,

Costa’sa

shrub cup 3 to 5 Feb to Jul

Martin, purple snag cavity 5+ May to Aug

Owl, elf cactus cavity 15 to 35 Apr to Jul

Phainopeplaa

deciduous tree,

shrub cup 4 to 50 Feb to Aug

Thrasher,

Bendire's shrub cup 2 to 4 Mar to Aug

Towhee, canyon bush, tree cup 4 to 12 Mar to Oct

Woodpecker, Gila cactus,

deciduous tree cavity 15 to 30 Mar to Aug

Vireo, Bell'sa shrub cup 1 to 5 Mar to Sep

Warbler, Lucy’s snag cavity 3 to 11 Apr to Jul

Cottonwood Willow Riparian: Primarily cottonwood, willow, mesquite, tamarisk (salt

cedar), some ash, walnut, and hackberry, occurs in all alternatives

Beardless-

tyrannulet,

northerna

deciduous tree sphere 4 to 50 Apr to Aug

Black-hawk,

commona

deciduous tree platform 20 to 30 Mar to Aug

Cuckoo, western

yellow-billed

deciduous tree,

shrub platform 4 to 8 Jun to Sep

Eagle, bald tree platform 30 to 60 Dec to Jul

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b Usual nest

height rangeb

(feet)

Nesting

Periodc

Flycatcher,

southwestern

willow

shrub,

deciduous tree cup 2 to 10 Jun to Aug

Vireo, Bell'sa shrub cup 1 to 5 Mar to Sep

Warbler, yellowa shrub, tree cup 1 to 14

Apr to Aug

Water: bulrush, sedges, pondweeds, cattail, duckweed, saltgrass occurs in all alternatives

Rail, Yuma

clapper ground platform 0 Mar to Aug

a Species occur in other habitat categories also

b Source: Ehrlich and others 1988 c Source: Corman and Wise-Gervais 1995

Cordilleran Flycatcher Cordilleran flycatchers are considered a common summer resident and uncommon transient (Corman and Wise

2005). They are associated with snags and high overstory canopy closure. Stands of old growth ponderosa pine and

closed canopy forest within the project area occur in small patches, on steep slopes, or in pine stringers in small

drainages. Cordilleran flycatchers are considered to be on the increase, but at risk due to concerns about loss of

suitable habitat and habitat components such as snags, downed logs, and loss of closed canopy. Within the project

area, it is expected that this species is static to increasing.

Flammulated Owl These owls nest in old growth coniferous forests including ponderosa pine, pine/oak, and mixed conifer,

where they nest in natural cavities of live trees, snags, and dead limbs or abandoned cavities of flickers

and sapsuckers. Flammulated owls arrive mid-April, with breeding occurring into July. Migration south

occurs from August through October.

Red-faced Warbler This warbler occurs in high elevation riparian areas, usually shaded canyons, where mixed conifer forests

occur in the uplands.

Band-tailed Pigeon The band-tailed pigeon is listed as a priority species in madrean oak woodlands, which on the Tonto NF ,

fall within pinyon-juniper communities. They occur in flocks where they feed on seeds and acorns.

McGillivray’s Warbler This warbler occurs in patches of dense and brushy deciduous riparian areas at higher elevations.

Lewis’ Woodpecker Lewis’ woodpeckers are found in open ponderosa pine (including pine/oak) forests and riparian

woodlands from about 6,200 to 8,900 feet in elevation. They use brushy understories, snags for perching,

and open areas for foraging; all of which is frequently provided in burn areas. Lewis’ woodpeckers nest

in the abandoned cavities of other woodpeckers, in natural cavities, or make their own cavities. They nest

most frequently in ponderosa pine or cottonwood trees. While most Lewis’ woodpeckers are resident

some migrate to lower elevations.

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Gray Flycatcher Gray flycatchers primarily occupy pinyon pine and juniper, or ponderosa pine with an open overstory.

These birds may need some ground cover to support insect populations for foraging. Larger taller stands

of sagebrush and greasewood are also used.

Juniper Titmouse The Juniper titmouse inhabits dry open juniper woodlands and feed on seeds and small insects. They are

cavity nesters built of tree bark and grass.

Gray Vireo Gray vireos breed in open and mature juniper woodlands where there is an understory of broadleaf

shrubs. They are insectivorous during the breeding season and frugivorous during the winter. They nest

low in a small tree or shrub and are known hosts to brown-headed cowbirds.

Black-chinned Sparrow This sparrow occurs on arid hillsides with brushy chaparral vegetation.

Gilded Flicker The gilded flicker is found mainly in desert scrub with large amount of cactus. It feeds primarily on ants

and other small insects. It nests primarily in saguaro cactus by digging a hole in its side.

Costa's Hummingbird The Costa's humming bird is found within desert habitats, with brushy foothills and meadows. It nests

primarily in shrubs, building a cup shaped nest.

Purple Martin Montane populations of purple martins typical nest in pine cavities are an uncommon summer resident in

open forested areas (Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005).

Phainopepla The phainopepla is commonly found in riparian, desert, and woodland habitats. It feeds on mistletoe

berries, and small flying insects. It nests in trees made of woven twigs and tree debris commonly placed at

the fork of a branch.

Bendire’s Thrasher This thrasher is found across the state in open habitat from brushy grasslands with scattered mesquite and

yucca, to desert scrub, and even rural areas. Breeding birds were detected in the Verde Valley. In the

south and central portions of Arizona, this species is a resident and much more abundant than in northern

Arizona. They arrive in the north around March to April and nest mainly in mid June, although nesting is

possible later into the monsoon period. Thrashers build stick nests in shrubs, trees, and cacti.

Canyon Towhee The canyon towhee is found in desert scrub and desert riparian areas.

Yellow Warbler The Yellow warbler is found in open woodland and prefers streams and riparian areas where willows

occur. They nest in shrubs and are typically made of bark and grass which are found within ten feet of

ground.

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Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo Western Yellow-billed cuckoo is commonly found in dense wooded areas near wetlands with cottonwood

willows and mesquite present. They primarily eat caterpillars but will sometimes eat a variety of moths if

their primary food source is low. They construct a nest where a branch forks in a bush or small tree but

have known to create nests up to 90 feet above the ground.

Bell's Vireo Bell's vireo is often found in areas with low dense habitat with large amounts of shrubs as well as fields

and chaparral. They feed on insects, primarily insects and spiders. They nest in shrubs, building a cup nest

out of grass and leaves, and decorate the outside of their nest with spider egg nests.

Lucy's Warbler Lucy's warbler is found in mesquite woodlands. They feed on insects such as caterpillars. They are cavity

nesters, often using nests created by verdins.

Yuma Clapper Rail The Yuma clapper rail is a marsh bird found in wetland areas with dense vegetation. They feed primarily

on crayfish, small amphibians and small fish. They nest along the edges of marshes, building a cup nest in

the grasses along wetlands.

Golden Eagle The Golden Eagle can adapt to a variety of habitat types and can be found throughout the world. They can

be found in open areas, with native vegetation and avoid urban and agricultural areas. They nest primarily

on cliffs found in canyons or in high remote areas.

Grace’s Warbler Grace’s warblers primarily occur in ponderosa pine forests, but are occasional found in mixed conifer and

pinyon-juniper woodlands. Grace’s warblers arrive mid to late April, nest mainly in mid-June and mid-

July, with nesting occurring as late as the end of July. These warblers place their compact, cups-like nests

well away from the trunk in the cluster of needles at the end of branches. Their range within Arizona is

mainly along the Mogollon rim, with some occurrences in the northeast, southeast, and northwest portions

of the state.

Olive Warbler Distribution of olive warblers in the state extends along the Mogollon rim but they also occur in south

eastern Arizona. Olive warblers are found primarily in open ponderosa pine forests, including those

forests with a Gambel oak component. They are also found regularly in mixed-conifer forests. In

southeastern Arizona, they occur in madrean pine-oak forests characterized by an overstory of ponderosa

pine with an understory of several species of evergreen oaks and alligator juniper. Sub-communities of

madrean pine-oak occur on the Forest within pinyon-juniper and desertscrub; such exist in Oak Creek

Canyon and Towel Creek. The migratory birds arrive in March to nest and have been heard singing

through July. Cup nests are built in conifers. These birds have been document hosts for brown-headed

cowbirds in Arizona.

Pinion Jay The pinion jay is found in pinion-juniper woodland, scrub oak and chaparral communities. They are

omnivorous feeding primarily on juniper berries and insects. Their nests can be found in trees.

Black-throated Gray Warbler Phillips et al. (1964) described black-throated gray warblers as common summer residents in pinyon pine-

juniper woodlands. This species favors open woodlands and is commonly encountered nesting in pinyon

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pine-juniper woodlands. This species is encountered much more frequently in tall stands with a higher

density of mature pinyon pine. During Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas surveys, they were frequently absent

in drier stands primarily composed of juniper (Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005). This species is thought

to be stable or slightly increasing in Arizona.

Swainson’s Hawk These hawks occur in large expanses of open grasslands that may have interspersed shrubs and trees.

They nest in trees such as cottonwoods, acacia, and junipers. They eat a wide variety of items; insects,

reptiles, birds, and small mammals.

Prairie Falcon The prairie falcon occurs in grasslands, shrub-steppe, deserts and open areas and feeds primarily on

ground squirrels and other small mammals. They nest primarily on overhanging cliffs with ledges,

crevices and potholes of canyon walls. Prairie falcons are stable in Arizona with good reproductive

success (Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005).

Peregrine Falcon Peregrine Falcon is found throughout Arizona from the Colorado River Valley to over 9000 feet in

elevation in the White Mountains (Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005) with some being local residents in

Arizona (Rappole 2000) primarily in areas of substantial cliff habitats used for nesting. Peregrine falcons

breed throughout Arizona where sufficient prey is available in proximity to cliff habitats. The Grand

Canyon and Colorado Plateau region of Arizona have the highest concentration of nesting peregrine

falcons. Peregrine falcons occupy pinyon-juniper chaparral and desert communities habitats where an

open expanse is critical for foraging (Glinski 1998, Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005, Rappole 2000).

Although the distribution of peregrine falcons within Arizona has not likely changed in the past century

breeding density has increased. Arizona Game and Fish Department recent estimates suggests there may

be 300 or more occupied breeding areas in Arizona (Corman and Wise-Gervais 2005).

Gilded Flicker The gilded flicker is found mainly in desert scrub with large amount of cactus. It feeds primarily on ants

and other small insects. It nests primarily in saguaro cactus by digging a hole in its side.

Elf Owl The elf owl is found in desert riparian in chaparral. They commonly use nests from abandoned Gila

woodpeckers found in saguaros, sycamores, or cottonwood trees.

Gila Woodpecker The Gila woodpecker is found in desert communities with large cactus and trees for nesting. They mainly

feed on insects, seeds and small lizards.

Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet The northern beardless-tyrannulet is found in desert scrub with large amounts of mesquite thickets that

border woodlands.

Common Black-Hawk The common black-hawk is most often found in woodland and riverside woodland habitats. They feed

primarily on aquatic animals such as frogs, small fish, and crayfish.

Bald Eagle The bald eagle is found throughout North America and relies on wetland and water habitat. They nest in

trees and snags and feed primarily on fish, small mammals and other birds.

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Southwestern Willow Flycatcher The southwestern willow flycatcher is found in riparian areas that have cottonwoods and tamarisk for

nesting. They feed primarily on insects found in the riparian areas.

Important Bird Areas and Overwintering Areas

There are 3 IBAs located within Tonto NF. They are the Cave Creek IBA, Salt and Verde Riparian

Ecosystem IBA, and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Arnett-Queen Creeks IBA. There is also a

designated overwintering area at Roosevelt Lake.

Effects Within the NEPA process, the evaluation of the potential effects of agency actions on migratory birds first

focuses on species of management concern along with their priority habitats and key risk factors.

Evaluation also considers balancing long-term benefits of projects against any short- or long-term adverse

effects when analyzing, disclosing, and mitigating the effects of actions to migratory birds.

This section will describe general potential impacts to migratory birds and describe long-term benefits of

each alternative against any short- or long-term adverse effects of each alternative.

Assumptions of Effects of Vehicle Travel to Migratory Bird Habitats Some level of impact is occurring to wildlife wherever motorized vehicle travel is allowed. Factors such

as habitats and species present, density of species, location of travel in relation to important habitats, time

of year or even time of day, amount of vehicle travel, and a myriad of other factors could apply in

determining what and to what extent impacts are occurring.

Vehicle use can affect migratory birds through; 1) loss of habitat due to conversion of native vegetation to

a particular road/trail surface (paved, gravel, dirt); 2) fragmentation of habitats due to a road and trail

system development; 3) interruption in migratory patterns of avian wildlife to reach breeding habitat or

winter range habitat; and 4) lack of habitat use by avian wildlife due to disturbance caused by vehicle use.

Under any alternative the direct loss of habitat from the conversion of native vegetation to roads and trails

is generally minor. Currently, the Tonto NF has management jurisdiction for approximately 5,000 miles

of system roads spread across the approximate 4,632 square miles of forest system lands. Currently road

density is approximately 1.07 miles of forest road per square mile of forest system lands. While the totals

of direct habitat loss are relatively low, avian wildlife would also avoid using the undisturbed habitat

adjacent to the road due to disturbance while the road is in use.

Each alternative includes “permit zone(s)” which are a discrete area where effects from OHV use could

negatively impact resources, but complete exclusion to the area by OHV use would not be desirable. In a

permit zone, cross-country travel is not allowed. Instead, motorized vehicle users are required to obtain a

permit to access the area, which would have locked gates and barriers restricting non-permitted access.

The potential effects to migratory birds are assessed by the addition or decommissioning of roads within

each specific PNVT within each permit zone in relation to the total miles of designated road within each

permit zone in total with all designated roads. This would not have a singular unique effect due to the

permit zone designation. Currently there is one permit zone on the Tonto NF.

Each alternative allows for some degree of vehicle use for fuelwood gathering for personal use. The

Tonto NF generates 400,000 to 500,000 cubic feet of available dead and down fuelwood. The Tonto NF

allows for the harvest of dead standing juniper and cypress up to 18 inch diameter at the base and dead

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standing pine up to 12 inch diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground annually. It is expected that snags and

dead and downed wood would be found mostly in the forested PNVTs.

Available fuelwood is the result of both natural occurring events and Tonto NF management activities.

Natural events or disturbances that result in the creation of fuelwood include but are not limited to

wildfire, insect outbreaks, droughts and heavy snowfalls. These typically occur to varying degrees across

the forest in an extremely random pattern. Areas affected can range from small scattered patches to large

landscape scales. Resulting fuel loads are also extremely variable, ranging from high concentrations of

mortality and breakage to very light and scattered accumulations.

Management activities that generate available fuelwood include prescribed fire, range improvement

cuttings, timber stand improvement cuttings and restoration activities. After these treatments are

completed, slash and associated breakage becomes available for fuelwood gathering. Treatment areas

range in size from 50 to 1,000 acres or more in size. Treatments are usually followed several years later

by prescribed fire to reduce the increased fuel load to more manageable levels reducing the intensity of

the prescribed fire making it easier to manage. Access to fuelwood gathering areas is currently provided

by both system and non-system roads and often extends for great distances away from roads and trails.

Fuelwood gathering during the spring and summer is concentrated near system roads where

concentrations of fuelwood can be seen from the vehicle. Available fuelwood in these areas can quickly

become depleted requiring fuelwood gatherers to scout the surrounding terrain to find wood. As areas

where disturbances have occurred are located, fuelwood gatherers begin to move off roads and trails to

take advantage of these concentrations.

Under Alternatives A and D fuelwood gathering practice would continue, allowing personal use fuelwood

gatherers to spread out across the permitted areas to obtain their wood. Alternatives B and C would

restrict the use of motorized vehicles for fuelwood gathering to within 300 feet on both sides of

designated roads and trails. This can lead to concentrated use in some areas, effectively removing all

available dead and down and dead standing fuelwood. In areas further away from the roads and trails,

concentrations of dead and down fuel would start to accumulate over time, increasing the risk of

uncharacteristically intense fire behavior. Historically, forest system roadsides are mostly cleared of dead

and down fuelwood each year by late August, five months into the nine month season, coinciding with the

primary nesting season of neotropical birds. This analysis assumes that wood cutters will rarely physically

haul wood over 100 feet from a vehicle and frequently use old skid trails or gaps in the forest to work

their vehicles into the forest a considerable distance where they can load wood directly into their vehicles.

While most of the wood cutters that receive a fuelwood permit would stay within 300 feet of designated

routes, the more experienced cutters rarely cut near the road, and regularly venture beyond 300 feet. A

conservative estimate of these wood cutters would be 30 percent of regular permit holders or

approximately 300 individuals.

All alternatives would include some allowances for the use of motorized vehicles for dispersed camping.

Use of motor vehicles off forest system roads to access campsites is a popular activity on the Tonto NF.

In some instances, forest visitors park their vehicles at trailheads or roadside locations and hike to their

camping spots. Others will drive cross-country to their desired camping spot, often with a recreational

vehicle or camping trailer. Frequently-used dispersed campsites, where evidence of past use exists, are

located along both forest system roads and unauthorized routes throughout the Tonto NF.

Currently, the distance traveled from existing roads to frequently-used dispersed campsites can vary

depending on the terrain and proximity to water and shade trees. Based on knowledge from Forest Service

law enforcement officers and Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Managers, most of these

dispersed campsites are within 300 feet of an existing road, including sites on the four ranger districts

where cross-country travel is currently prohibited. On the northern two ranger districts (Payson and

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Pleasant Valley), driving cross-country has been permitted regardless of the distance from an existing

road. On the four southern ranger districts (Cave Creek, Globe, Mesa, and Tonto Basin), driving off road

is prohibited unless posted open. Fuelwood gathered for campfires within the immediate areas of

dispersed campsites reduce logs and snags. Prolonged and persistent pedestrian and vehicle presence at

dispersed campsite could reduce grass and shrub understories and prevent natural vegetation regeneration.

Each alternative would include some level of motorized vehicle use for big game retrieval. Within

Motorized Big Game Retrieval corridors, hunters who have legally killed particular game species are

allowed to travel off-road from a designated public route to retrieve their harvest. Several considerations

determine where and how many acres are potentially impacted by motorized big game retrieval: 1) where

hunters are allowed to hunt (game management units), 2) proposed and existing public roads, 3) the

distance hunters would be allowed to drive cross-country to pick-up their harvest, and 4) elk, bear, and

mule deer and whitetail deer habitat within game management units where big game hunts are authorized.

There are portions of seven game management units totaling 2,883,757.87 acres within the Tonto NF. Elk

hunts are permitted in four game management units with open hunting seasons beginning in August with

various specific hunts occurring through December. These game management units are comprised of

2,242458 acres with elk habitat located primarily in the northern portions of the game management units.

Mule deer and whitetail deer hunts occur in all seven game management units with archery hunts

authorized in August and December and firearms seasons occurring in late October through portions of

November and December. It is assumed that deer hunters would hunt in essentially all habitats within the

game management units. Bear hunts are permitted in five game management units comprised of

2,844,394 acres with black bear habitat located primarily in the northern portions of the game

management units. Bear hunts could occur in August through December of each year. AGFD has

estimated the number of annual, motorized harvests for these four big game animals under consideration

for motorized big game retrieval in for each action alternative. These estimates rely on the assumption

that 30percent of successful hunters would use their motor vehicle to retrieve their harvest. Arizona Game

and Fish Department estimates the total number of trips annually would be 193 for elk and 15 for bear,

135 for mule deer and 206 for whitetail deer. The general hunting season for elk, bear, mule deer and

whitetail deer occurs from August to December. Consequently, motorized big game retrieval is not

anticipated to disturb breeding birds, which is generally April through August each year. It is also

anticipated that a hunter would make one to two passes through a route to retrieve big game. One to two

passes is not expected to destroy many annual plants. Webb (1983) found that after a single pass, annual

plants on an OHV route remained intact, but most were destroyed after ten passes. It is expected that

perennial plants are more robust and are likely to also sustain the one to two passes that a hunter would

make to retrieve their harvest. The habitat will likely recover from one to two passes from a motorized

vehicle.

Disturbance related to travel management is largely a result of human intrusion and modification of

existing habitats. Disturbance may be in the form of noise, human presence, or anything that causes

displacement, avoidance, stress or other behavioral responses such as chainsaw noise, gunshots that create

a startle response, consistent intrusions that alter foraging patterns, temporary intrusions that cause

avoidance. It can also include disturbance to habitat features or loss of habitat for some species, such as

occurs when rutting in wet meadows changes hydrology, compacts soils or injures or kills individual

plants or animals. Roads and trails facilitate human access into wildlife habitats. People who use open

routes, habitat adjacent to open routes, and cross-country travel areas could incidentally trample or

dislodge nestlings or eggs of some breeding bird species that nest on the ground or shrubs. Alternatives

that have more closed routes, fewer open routes, and smaller cross-country travel areas are expected to

have less direct impact to migratory birds. Open routes can lead to more fuelwood harvesting, which

could decrease the amount of dead and downed wood affecting cavity nesting habitat and habitat for

raptor prey species. Human presence, and human-created unfamiliar or proximate noise disturbance, may

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displace migratory birds from preferred habitats. Resident birds could be exposed to high levels of traffic

noise, visual disturbance from passing vehicles, and the risk of collision with motorized vehicles. Traffic

noise can reduce the distance over which acoustic signals such as song can be detected, an effect known

as acoustic interference or masking (Parris and Schneider 2008). Consequently, less motorized vehicle

use means fewer direct impacts (nesting disturbance, adult, fledgling and egg mortality) and indirect

impacts (habitat degradation due to camping and wood gathering).

Wildlife is directly affected by excessive noise (decibel levels/noise durations well above those of typical

background noise) and other disturbances associated with OHV activities. Disturbance effects range from

physiological impacts—including stress and mortality due to breakage of nest-supporting vegetation,

collapsed burrows, inner ear bleeding, and vehicle-animal collisions—to altered behaviors and population

distribution/dispersal patterns, which can lead to declines in local population size, survivorship, and

productivity (Ouren et al 2007). Additional indirect effects of motorized vehicle travel include habitat

fragmentation. Creating roads and trails (of any kind) diminishes habitat connectivity, increases the

proportion of edge to interior habitat, decreases patch size of habitats including OHV routes, and

represents a principal factor contributing to habitat fragmentation at various scales. Both paved roads and

OHV routes—ranging from 4-lane paved highways to two-track routes less than 3 m (3.3 yards) wide—

that separate once-continuous habitat can disrupt the movement and dispersal of many wildlife species

between and within habitats ((Reed and others1996; Forman and others, 2003 Meffe and Carroll, 1997

Swihart and Slade, 1984; Brody and Pelton, 1989; Yanes and others, 1995; Lovallo and Anderson, 1996;

Clevenger, 1998; Forman and Alexander, 1998; Jackson and Griffen, 1998 as cited in Ouren et al 2007).

The measurement of disturbance impacts to migratory birds resulting from human intrusion is driven by

the frequency and location of human activity. The presence of roads and trails does not necessarily

correspond to the level of recreational human use. For this analysis, the action alternatives with fewer

roads and trails open to motorized use would likely concentrate human disturbance impacts into smaller

areas, which could increase disturbance impacts in those areas (especially in popular camping areas or on

motorized trails) but would decrease disturbance impacts in other areas of the Tonto NF.

In general, those alternatives with more miles of open roads and motorized trails create more opportunity

for adverse impacts to migratory birds from roads. These impacts include human disturbance caused by

noise and physical intrusion. Impacts to hunting may occur due to increased hunter access further into

game habitat on open roads and trails. Harvest of dead log and snags by Forest visitors will increase at

higher road densities.

Designated motorized vehicle use corridors of 300 feet from roads for dispersed camping, big game

retrieval and personal use fuelwood gathering would increase the direct and indirect disturbance and

habitat fragmentation effects of roads, as discussed above. Assuming a relatively constant number of

campers, fewer miles of designated corridors would mean more concentrated areas of camping and a

continued proliferation of dispersed campsites in those areas. More miles of designated corridors would

mean the campers could be more widely dispersed. Therefore, the magnitude of impacts from camping

corridors depends in part on the miles or acres of designated camping corridors under each alternative.

Motorized big-game retrieval corridors would have similar effects as open roads, motorized trails and

open areas including disturbance and intrusion into habitat, possibly reducing areas of secure habitat for

some species.

Analysis of Effects This section focuses on the effects of major changes to designated motorized vehicle travel by alternative

to migratory bird species of concern within each PNVT to five evaluation factors: Roads and Trails

Designated for Motor Vehicle use (including inventoried unauthorized (user created routes); Areas Open

to Motorized Cross-country Travel; Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles; Access of Dispersed

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Camping Using Motor Vehicles and Motorized Vehicle Use for Fuelwood gathering. A summary of

potential affects to migratory bird species of concern from changes in the designated road system for each

alternative and each PNVT is presented below.

Pinyon-juniper Chaparral Species

Table 3: Effects to Pinyon-juniper Chaparral Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open motorized

travel (miles)

964.60

721.47 425.52 616.90

703.87

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

814,777.88

271,584.35

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

814,777.88

271,584.35

NA 340,423.39 374,607.87

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

814,777.88

271,584.35

609

12,640.21

48,485.13

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

814,777.88

329,724.25 23,689.81 31,556.84

329,724.25

Five species are considered migratory bird species of concern birds with priority habitats within pinyon-

juniper woodland PNVT. They include golden eagle, peregrine falcon, gray flycatcher, pinyon jay,

juniper titmouse. gray vireo. and black-throated gray warbler. Approximately 814,777 acres of pinyon-

juniper habitat exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 27percent of the acreage on the

forest.

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 721.47 miles of roads or 75 percent of the

Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in pinyon-

juniper chaparral habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly

increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Cross country motorized travel would continue to be authorized forest-

wide on approximately 271,584 acres of pinyon-juniper habitat. Motorized use within or adjacent to

habitat for pinyon-juniper woodland habitat types has the potential to influence behavior, survival,

reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current level of impact is

expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and

Alternative A is implemented.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Big game retrieval would continue to be authorized only in Pleasant

Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 703,618 acres and is currently allowed in 271,584

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acres of pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat type. Alternative A would not alter pinyon-juniper chaparral

habitat open for motorized retrieval of all game species since there would be no change in baseline

conditions of motorized vehicle use for big game retrieval. Current conditions would continue under

Alternative A.

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Dispersed camping would continue to be

authorized only in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 703,618 acres and is

currently allowed in 271,584 acres of pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat type. The current level of impact is



Additional Information Pertaining to Motor Vehicle Use for Fuelwood Gathering - Under this alternative,

fuelwood gathering would be permitted within all permitted fuelwood gathering areas on approximately

329,724 acres of pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and

possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented

Alternative B Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 425.52 miles of roads would be open to

motorized travel if this alternative was implemented. There are currently 721.47 miles of open roads and

motorized trails in pinyon-juniper habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 42 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within the

forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Cross country motorized travel would not be allowed under this

alternative.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - MBGR would not be allowed under this alternative.

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Currently there is 271,584 acres of dispersed

camping access within pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately 6 acres at designated camping sites, reducing the amount of motorized

camping areas to less than 0.01 percent of currently available motorized camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 329,724 acres to 23,689 acres of pinyon-

juniper chaparral, a reduction of 91percent. This would reduce the likelihood of potential impacts to

cavity and snag nesting birds, as permitted access to these areas is reduced.

Alternative C Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 616.9 miles of roads would be open to



roads within the PNVT type by 15 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within

the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to pinyon-juniper

chaparral habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, MBGR would be increased from approximately

271,584 acres to 340,423 acres, an increase of approximately 21 percent within the pinyon-juniper

chaparral habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk and bear. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are generally late fall through early winter after

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primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and

shrub nesting birds as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage nesting habitat.

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately 12,640 acres on pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat types. Motorized camping

would be allowed within 100 feet of designated routes. This alternative would reduce motorized camping

areas by approximately 95 percent reducing the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 329,724 acres to 31,557 acres of pinyon-

juniper chaparral, a reduction of 90 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag

nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.

Alternative D Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 703.87 miles of roads would be open to



roads with the PNVT type by 3 percent, which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within the

forest.


chaparral habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, MBGR is increased from approximately 271,584

acres to 374,608 acres, an increase of 28 percent within the pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat type. This

alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, bear, mule

deer, and whitetail deer. Hunting seasons for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear are generally late fall

through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This alternative may increase the

potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitat as the increase of vehicle travel may crush

or damage their nesting habitat while retrieving game.

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Under this alternative, access to dispersed

camping sites is restricted to approximately 12,640 acres on pinyon-juniper chaparral habitat types.

Motorized camping would be allowed within 100 feet of all designated routes. This alternative would

reduce motorized camping areas by approximately 95 percent reducing the likelihood of impacts to

ground and shrub nesting birds and nesting habitat.


fuelwood gathering would stay the same as Alternative A.

Desert Community Species

Table 4: Effects to Desert Community Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (Miles)

810.23

581.57 246.49

476.94

520.48

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

725,990.92 1,316.76

NA 1,403.92

1,403.92

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

725,990.92 1,316.76

NA 32,665.11

240445.02

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Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

vehicles (acres)

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

725,990.92 1,316.76

10.64

10,191.79

36,880.41931

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

725,990.92 71,843.67 7,057.36

8,566.65

71,843.67

Eleven species are considered migratory bird species of concern birds with priority habitats within the

desert communities’ PNVT. They include golden eagle, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, gilded flicker,

Costa's hummingbird, purple martin, elf owl, phainopepla, Bendire's thrasher, canyon towhee, Gila

woodpecker, Bell's vireo, and Lucy's warbler. Approximately 725,990.92 acres of desert communities

habitat exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 24 percent of the acreage on the forest.

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 581.57 miles of roads would be open to

motorized travel if this alternative continued to be implemented in desert communities habitat. The

current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public

use increases and Alternative A is implemented

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Cross country motorized travel would continue to be authorized

forests-wide on approximately 1,317.76 acres of desert communities habitat. Motorized use within or

adjacent to habitat for desert communities habitat types has the potential to influence behavior, survival,



Alternative A is implemented

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, MBGR would be restricted to 1,316.76 acres of

desert communities habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger

Districts. Alternative A would not alter desert communities’ habitat open for motorized retrieval of all

game species since there would be no change in baseline conditions of motorized vehicle use for big

game retrieval. Current conditions would continue under Alternative A.

Access to dispersed camping using motorized vehicles - Dispersed camping would continue to be

authorized only in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 703,618 acres and is

currently allowed in 1,316.76 acres of desert communities’ habitat type. Current conditions would

continue under Alternative A


fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted fuelwood gathering areas on approximately

71,843.67 acres of desert communities habitat type. Current conditions would continue under Alternative

A



motorized trails in desert communities habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the amount

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of roads with the PNVT type by 58 percent, which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within

the forest.


alternative.


Access to dispersed camping using motorized vehicles - Currently there is 1,316.76 acres of dispersed

camping access within desert communities habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately 10.64 acres at designated camping sites, and would reduce the amount of

motorized camping areas to less than 0.01 percent of currently available motorized camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 71,843.67 acres to 7,057.36 acres of desert

communities, a reduction of 91 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag

nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas would be reduced.



motorized trails in desert communities habitats on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 18 percent, which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within the

forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, motorized cross country travel would increase

from approximately from 1,316 acres to 1,403.92 acres, an increase of approximately 7 percent within the

desert communities habitat type. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting

birds as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nests while driving cross country.


1,316.76 acres to 32,665.11 acres, an increase of approximately 2,381percent within the desert

communities habitat type. Currently, MBGR is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts

which includes minimal desert communities habitat. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1

mile from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within desert communities habitats that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are

generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase

the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may

crush or damage their nesting habitat structure while retrieving game.

Access to dispersed camping using motorized vehicles - Under this alternative, access to dispersed

camping using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 1,316.76 acres to 10,191.79

acres on desert communities habitat types, an increase of approximately 674 percent. Currently,

motorized camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts which includes minimal

desert communities habitat. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub

nesting bird habitats which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated

routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 71,843.67 acres to 8,566.65 acres of desert

communities, a reduction of 88 percent. This would lessen the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag

nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas would be reduced.

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motorized trails in desert communities habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 11 percent, which would reduce vehicle traffic for the PNVT within the

forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, motorized cross country travel would be

increased from approximately from 1,316 acres to 1,403.92 acres, an increase of approximately 7 percent

within the desert communities habitat type. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and

shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting structure

while driving cross country.


1,316.76 acres to 240,445.02 acres, an increase of approximately 18,000 percent within the desert

communities habitat type. Currently, MBGR is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts

which includes minimal desert communities habitat. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1

mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within desert communities

habitats that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk,

deer and bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds.

This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitat as the increase of

vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitat structure while retrieving game.



acres on desert communities habitat types, an increase of approximately 2,700 percent. Currently,


desert communities habitat. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub

nesting birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.



Semi-desert Grassland Species

Table 5: Effects to Semi-desert Grassland Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (Miles)

376.91

277.00 169.77

232.21

274.63

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

39,4195.66 9,353.35

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

394,195.66 9,353.35

NA 43,468.11

94,612.74

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

394,195.66 9,353.35

4.86

4,835.76

17,154.51

Additional

information

394,195.66 63,352.21

8092.00

9,867.08

63,352.21

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pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

Two species are considered migratory bird species of concern birds with priority habitats within semi-

desert grassland PNVT. They include golden eagle and Swainson's hawk. Approximately 391,195.66

acres of semi-desert grassland habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 13 percent

of the acreage on the forests.


Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in semi-

desert grassland habitat. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the

future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented


forests-wide on approximately 9,353.35 acres of semi-desert grassland habitat. Motorized use within or

adjacent to habitat for semi-desert grassland habitat types has the potential to influence behavior, survival,





semi-grassland habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts.

This would stay the same as it is the current condition. Alternative A would not alter desert communities’



Alternative A.

Access to dispersed camping using motorized vehicles - Dispersed camping would continue to be

authorized only in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 9,353.35 acres of semi-

desert grassland habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in

the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented. Current conditions

would continue under Alternative A.


fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted fuelwood gathering areas on approximately

63,352.21 acres of semi-desert grassland habitat types. Alternative A would not alter desert communities’



Alternative A.



motorized trails in semi-desert grasslands habitats on the forests. This alternative reduces the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 39 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within the

forest.

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alternative.


Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Currently there is 9,353.35 acres of dispersed

camping access within semi-desert grassland habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately 4.86 acres at designated camping sites, reducing the amount of motorized

camping areas to less than .01 percent of currently available motorized camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 63,352.21 acres to 8,092.00 acres semi-desert

grassland, a reduction of 87 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag




motorized trails in semi-desert grassland habitats on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount

of roads with the PNVT type by 17 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT within

the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to semi-desert

grassland habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.


9,353.35 acres to 43,468.11 acres, an increase of approximately 364 percent within the semi-desert

grassland habitat types. Currently, MBGR is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts

which includes minimal semi-desert grassland habitat. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to

1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within semi-desert grassland habitats that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are





camping using motorized vehicles would be decreased from approximately 9,353.35 acres to 4,835.76

acres on semi-desert grasslands habitat types, a decrease of approximately 48 percent. Currently,


semi-desert grassland habitat. This alternative would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and

shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated

routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 63,352.21 acres to 9,867.08 acres of semi-

desert grassland, a reduction of 84 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and

snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in semi-desert grassland habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount

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of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 1 percent which would reduce vehicle traffic for the

PNVT within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to semi-desert

grassland habitat types due to the removal of OHV areas with the PNVT.


9,353.35 acres to 94,612.74 acres, an increase of approximately 911 percent within the semi-desert

grassland habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within semi-desert grassland habitats that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk, deer and bear are






acres on semi-desert grassland habitat types, an increase of approximately 83 percent. Currently,


semi-desert grasslands habitat. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and

shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated

routes.



Ponderosa Pine Mild Species

Table 6: Effects to Ponderosa Pine Mild Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

2,097.97

1,764.47 857.25

1,317.27

1,725.44

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

250,220.91 371,855.52

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

250,220.91 371,855.52

NA 388,939.49

402,943.85

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

250220.91 371855.52

24.50

24,495.67

104,934.91

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

250,220.91 192,151.48

28,887.13

34,832.02

192,151.48

Eight species are considered migratory bird species of concern and are considered with priority habitats

with ponderosa pine mild PNVT. They include olive-sided flycatcher, northern goshawk, flammulated

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owl, Grace's warbler, olive warbler, Lewis' woodpecker, Mexican spotted owl and band-tail pigeon.

Approximately 250,220.91 acres of ponderosa pine mild habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents

approximately 8 percent of the acreage on the forests.


Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented within the

ponderosa pine mild habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly

increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented


forests-wide on approximately 371,855.52 acres of ponderosa pine mild habitat. Motorized use within or

adjacent to ponderosa pine mild habitat types has the potential to influence behavior, survival,





ponderosa pine mild habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger

Districts. Current conditions would continue under this Alternative A.


authorized only in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 371,855.52 acres of

ponderosa pine mild habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly

increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented Current

conditions would continue under this Alternative A.


fuelwood gathering would be allowed within all permitted areas on approximately 192,151.48 acres of

ponderosa pine mild habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly

increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented Current

conditions would continue under this Alternative A.


motorized travel if this alternative was implemented. There are currently 1,764.47 miles of open roads

and motorized trails in ponderosa pine mild habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the

amount of roads with the PNVT type by 51 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT

within the forest.


alternative.


Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Currently there is 371,855.52 acres of

dispersed camping access within ponderosa pine mild habitat types. Under this alternative, access would

be restricted to approximately 24.50 acres that allow a 50 foot buffer from designated camping sites, and

would reduce the amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01 percent of currently available

motorized camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 192,151.48 acres to 28,887.13 acres ponderosa

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pine mild habitat, a reduction of 85 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and


Alternative C Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 1,317.27 miles of roads would be open to


and motorized trails in ponderosa pine mild habitats on the forest. This alternative would reduce the


within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to ponderosa pine

mild habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas.


371,855.52 acres to 388,939.49 acres, an increase of approximately 5 percent within the ponderosa pine

mild habitat types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to

retrieve elk and bear within ponderosa pine mild habitats that were previously restricted in Alternative A,

the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are generally late fall through early winter after


shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitat

structure while retrieving game.



acres on ponderosa pine mild habitat types, a decrease of approximately 93 percent. Currently, motorized

camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts. This alternative would decrease the

likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to

camping areas along designated routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 192,151.48 acres to 34,832.02 acres of

ponderosa pine mild, a reduction of 82 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and


Alternative D Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 1,725.44 miles of roads would be open to


and motorized trails in ponderosa pine mild habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the

amount of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 2 percent which would reduce vehicle traffic for

the PNVT within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to ponderosa pine

mild habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.


371,855.52 acres to 402,943.85 acres, an increase of approximately 8 percent within the ponderosa pine

mild habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to

retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within ponderosa pine mild habitats that were previously

restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and

bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may

increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle

travel may crush or damage their nesting habitat structure while retrieving game.

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camping using motorized vehicles would be decreased from approximately 371,855.52 acres to

104,934.91 acres on ponderosa pine mild habitat types, a decrease of approximately 71 percent. This

alternative would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be

impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.



Interior Chaparral Species

Table 7: Effects to Interior Chaparral Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

364.03

210.81 105.32

165.28

210.12

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

28,0763.30 8,105.13

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

280,763.30 8,105.13

NA 83038.16 93604.62

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

280,763.30 8,105.13

1.00

3,373.60

13,178.38

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

280,763.30 60,441.98

4,184.27

5,979.93

60,441.98

One species of bird is considered a migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the

interior chaparral habitat PNVT. This is the black-chinned sparrow. The constituent habitat preferred by

the black chinned sparrow is tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral PNVT.

Approximately 280,763.30 acres of interior chaparral habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents

approximately 9 percent of the acreage on the forests.

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 210.81 miles of roads and trails or 45

percent of the Tonti NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented

in interior chaparral habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and

possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.


forests-wide on approximately 8,105.13 acres interior chaparral habitat. Motorized use within or adjacent

to habitat for interior chaparral habitat types has the potential to influence behavior, survival, reproduction

and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current level of impact is expected to

continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is

implemented

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interior chaparral habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger

Districts. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if

demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.



interior chaparral habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase

in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.


fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 60,441.98 acres of interior

chaparral habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the

future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented



motorized trails in interior chaparral habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 50 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the PNVT including

the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the PNVT preferred by the black chinned

sparrow.


alternative.



camping access within interior chaparral habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be restricted

to approximately 1.0 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated camping sites, reducing the

amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01percent of currently available motorized camping

areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 60,441.98 acres to 4,184.27 acres of interior

chaparral habitat, a reduction of 93 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and

snag nesting birds, and would have a beneficial effect to the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the

interior chaparral of the PNVT preferred by the black chinned sparrow, as allowed access to these areas is

reduced.



motorized trails in interior chaparral habitats on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by 22 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect to the tall dense shrub

slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the PNVT preferred by the black chinned sparrow for the


Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to interior chaparral

habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.

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8,105.13 acres to 83,038.16 acres, an increase of approximately 925 percent within the interior chaparral

habitat types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to

retrieve elk and bear within interior chaparral habitats that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the

current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are generally late fall through early winter after

primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on the tall dense

shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the PNVT preferred by the black chinned sparrow, as

the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.



acres on interior chaparral habitat types, a decrease of approximately 58 percent. This alternative would

decrease the likelihood of impacts to the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the

PNVT preferred by the black chinned sparrow and other shrub nesting birds which may be impacted

while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 60,441.98 acres to 5,979.93 acres of interior

chaparral, a reduction of 90 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag

nesting birds, and to the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the PNVT preferred

by the black chinned sparrow as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in interior chaparral habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by less than 1 percent which would have a minimal impact change to the


Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to interior chaparral

habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.


8,105.13 acres to 93,604.62 acres, an increase of approximately 1,054 percent within the interior

chaparral habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within interior chaparral habitats that were previously

restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and

bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may

increase the potential for impacts to the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the

PNVT preferred by the black chinned sparrow and other shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of

vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.



acres on interior chaparral habitat types, an increase of approximately 63 percent. Currently, motorized

camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts. This alternative would increase the

likelihood of impacts to to the tall dense shrub slopes and ridges of the interior chaparral of the PNVT

preferred by the black chinned sparrow and other shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while

vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.



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Pinyon-juniper Grassland Species

Table 8: Effects to Pinyon-juniper Grassland Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

361.26

285.74 177.86

268.59

279.68

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

20,4136.68 53,,162.35

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

20,4136.68 53,162.35

NA 63,069.28 93,521.70

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

20,4136.68 53,162.35

2.30

5,640.58

19,164.07

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

20,4136.68 88,257.26

11,215.39

13,950.02

88,257.26

Five species are considered migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within pinyon-juniper

grassland PNVT. These species include southwestern willow flycatcher, Mexican spotted owl, yellow-

billed cuckoo, northern goshawk, and bald eagle. Approximately 204,136.68 acres of pinyon-juniper

grassland habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 6 percent of the acreage on the

forests.


percent of Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in

pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and



forests-wide on approximately 53,162.35 acres of pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat. Motorized use within

or adjacent to habitat for pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat types has the potential to influence behavior,

survival, reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current level of

impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and



pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson

Ranger Districts. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if




pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly

increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.

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Additional information pertaining to motor vehicle use for fuelwood gathering - Under this alternative,

fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 88,257.26 acres of pinyon-

juniper grasslands habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase




motorized trails in pinyon-juniper grasslands habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the


within the forest.


alternative.



camping access within pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately 2.30 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated camping sites,

reducing the amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01percent of currently available motorized

camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduce from approximately 88,257.26 acres to 11,215.39 acres pinyon-

juniper grasslands, a reduction of 87 percent. This reduces the likelihood of potential impacts to cavity

and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the


within the forest.


grasslands habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.


53,162.35 acres to 63,069.28 acres, an increase of approximately 18 percent within the pinyon-juniper

grasslands habitat types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated

routes to retrieve elk and bear within pinyon-juniper grasslands habitats that were previously restricted in

Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are generally late fall through early

winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on

ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting

habitats while retrieving game.



acres on pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat types, a decrease of approximately 89 percent. This alternative

would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while


of 62


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 88,257.26 acres to 13,950.02 acres of pinyon-

juniper grasslands, a reduction of 84 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag




motorized trails in pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the

amount of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 2 percent which would have a minimal effect to



grassland habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.


53,162.35 acres to 93,521.70 acres, an increase of approximately 75 percent within the pinyon-juniper

grasslands habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within pinyon-juniper grasslands habitats that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk, mule deer, whitetail


This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of




acres on pinyon-juniper grasslands habitat types, a decrease of approximately 64 percent. Currently,

motorized camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts. This alternative would

decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while




Mixed Conifer with Aspen Species

Table 9: Effects to Mixed Conifer with Aspen Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

506.57

286.34 137.91

227.70

257.04

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

58385.76

144130.17

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

58385.76

144130.17

NA 103095.21

117697.66

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

58385.76

144130.17

0.72

3166.15

14721.38

Additional 58385.76 50305.85 2969.17 3199.41 50305.85

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information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

Nine species are considered migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the mixed

conifer with aspen habitat. These species include Cordilleran flycatcher, olive-sided flycatcher, northern

goshawk, golden-crowned kinglet, flammuated owl, Mexican spotted owl, band-tailed pigeon, red-naped

sapsucker, and red-faced warbler. Approximately 58,385.76 acres of mixed conifer with aspen habitats

exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 2 percent of the acreage on the forests.


percent of the Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was

implemented in mixed conifer with aspen habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to

continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is

implemented.


forests-wide on approximately 144,130.17 acres of mixed conifer with aspen habitat. Motorized use

within or adjacent to mixed conifer with aspen habitat types has the potential to influence behavior,

survival, reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current level of




mixed conifer with aspen habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson





mixed conifer with aspen habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly



fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 50,305.85 acres of mixed

conifer with aspen habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly




motorized trails in mixed conifer with aspen habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the


within the forest.


alternative.


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Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Currently there is 144,130.17 acres of

dispersed camping access within mixed conifer with aspen habitat types. Under this alternative, access

would be restricted to approximately 0.72 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated camping

sites, reducing the amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01percent of currently available



fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 50,305.85 acres to 2,969.17 acres mixed

conifer with aspen, a reduction of 94 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of potential impacts to

cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in mixed conifer with aspen habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the


within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to mixed conifer with

aspen habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in OHV areas.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, MBGR would be decreased from approximately

144,130.17 acres to 103,095.21 acres, a decrease of approximately 28 percent within the mixed conifer

with aspen habitat types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated

routes to retrieve elk and bear within mixed conifer with aspen habitats that were previously restricted in


winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may decrease the potential for impacts on

ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the decrease of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting




acres on mixed conifer with aspen habitat types, a decrease of approximately 98 percent. This alternative

would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while



fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 50,305.85 acres to 3,199.41 acres of mixed

conifer with aspen, a reduction of 94 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to cavity and

snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas would be reduced.



motorized trails in mixed conifer with aspen habitat on the forest. This alternative reduces the amount of

roads with the PNVT type by approximately 10 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the


Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to mixed conifer with

aspen habitat types since the PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas.


144,130.17 acres to 117,697.66 acres, a decrease of approximately 18 percent within the mixed conifer

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with aspen habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within mixed conifer with aspen habitats that were



This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of




acres on mixed conifer with aspen habitat types, a decrease of approximately 90 percent. Currently,


decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be impacted while


Additional Information Pertaining to Motor Vehicle Use for Fuelwood Gathering Under this alternative,


Madrean Encinal Woodland Species

Table 10: Effects to Madrean Encinal Woodland Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (Miles)

69.90

62.81 30.66

50.82

58.47

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

48181.76

18186.98

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

48181.76

18186.98

NA 20647.21

20929.68

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

48181.76

18186.98

0.35

996.60

3549.79

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

48181.76

19479.61

1866.32

2566.50

19479.61

Two species are considered migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the madrean

encinal woodland PNVT. These species include golden eagle, black-throated gray warbler which prefers

the open woodlands of pinyon-pine, juniper or oak woodland associations. Golden eagles select these

habitats in proximity to tall cliffs and canyons. Approximately 48,181.76 acres of madrean encinal

woodland habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 2 percent of the acreage on the

forests.

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 62.81 miles of roads and trails or 90 percent

of the Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in

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madrean encinal woodland habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and



forests-wide on approximately 18,186.98 acres of madrean encinal woodland habitat. Motorized use

within or adjacent to habitat for madrean encinal woodland habitat types has the potential to influence

behavior, survival, reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current

level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use

increases and Alternative A is implemented.


madrean encinal woodland habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and Payson





madrean encinal woodland habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly



fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 19,479.61 acres madrean

encinal woodland habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase




motorized trails in Madrean encinal woodland habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the

amount of roads with the PNVT type by 51 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect to the open

woodlands of the PNVT within the forest.


alternative.



camping access within Madrean encinal woodland habitat types. Under this alternative, access would be

restricted to approximately .35 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated camping sites, and

would reduce the amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01percent of currently available



fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 19,479.61 acres to 1,866.32 acres madrean

encinal woodland, a reduction of 90 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of impacts to the open

woodlands of the PNVT and also to cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is

reduced.



motorized trails in madrean encinal woodland habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the

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within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to madrean encinal

woodland habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas.


18,186.98 acres to 20,647.21 acres, an increase of approximately 13 percent within the madrean encinal

woodland habitat PNVT. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated

routes to retrieve elk and bear within madrean encinal woodland habitats that were previously restricted in


winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts to the

open woodlands habitats of the PNVT as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting



camping using motorized vehicles would be decreased from approximately 18,186.98 acres to 996.60

acres on madrean encinal woodland habitat types, a decrease of approximately 95 percent. This

alternative would decrease the likelihood of impacts to to the open woodlands habitats of the PNVT

which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 19,479.61 acres to 2,566.50 acres of madrean

encinal woodland, a reduction of 87 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to the open

woodlands habitats of the PNVT and to cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is

reduced.



motorized trails in madrean encinal woodland habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the

amount of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 7 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect

for the PNVT within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to madrean encinal

woodland habitat types since the PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas.


18,186.98 acres to 20,929.68 acres, an increase of approximately 15 percent within the madrean encinal

woodland habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes

to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear within madrean encinal woodland habitats that were



This may increase the potential for impacts on to the open woodlands habitats of the PNVT as the

increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.



acres on madrean encinal woodland habitat types, a decrease of approximately 80 percent. Currently,


decrease the likelihood of impacts to the open woodlands habitats of the PNVT which may be impacted

while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.

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Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest Species

Table 11: Effects to Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

488.95

444.29 197.48

291.21

393.59

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

41,228.82

361.68

NA 1,203.52

1,203.52

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

41,228.82

361.68

NA 7,433.39

83,545.95

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

41,228.82

361.68

24.38

5,685.39

20,150.43

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

41,228.82

15232.85

3,074.44

4,322.90

15232.85

Seven species are considered migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the

cottonwood willow riparian forest PNVT. These species include northern beardless-tyrannulet, common

black hawk, western yellow-billed cuckoo, bald eagle, southwestern willow flycatcher, Bell's vireo,

yellow warbler. Approximately 41,228.82 acres of cottonwood willow riparian forest habitats exists on

the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 1 percent of the acreage on the forests.


percent of the Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was

implemented in cottonwood willow riparian forest woodland PNVT on the forests. The current level of




forests-wide on approximately 361.68 acres of cottonwood willow riparian forest. Motorized use within

or adjacent to habitat for cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat types has the potential to influence

behavior, survival, reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The current

level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use

increases and Alternative A is implemented.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, MBGR would be restricted to 361.68 acres of

cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and

Payson Ranger Districts. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the

future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.

of 62


authorized only in Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts on approximately 361.68 acres of

cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and



fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 15,232.85 acres of

cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and




motorized trails in cottonwood willow riparian forest habitats on the forests. This alternative would

reduce the amount of roads with the PNVT type by 55 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for



alternative.


Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Currently there is 361.68 acres of dispersed

camping access within cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat types. Under this alternative, access

would be restricted to approximately 24.38 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated camping

sites, reducing the amount of motorized camping areas by 93 percent of currently available motorized

camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 15,232.85 acres to 3,074.44 acres cottonwood

willow riparian forest, a reduction of 80 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag




motorized trails in cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce

the amount of roads with the PNVT type by 34 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the



increased from approximately from 361.68 acres to 1,203.52 acres, an increase of approximately 232

percent within the cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat type. This may increase the potential for

impacts on ground and shrub nesting birds as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their

nests while driving cross country.


361.68 acres to 7,433.39 acres, an increase of approximately 1955 percent within the cottonwood willow

riparian forest habitat PNVT. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated

routes to retrieve elk and bear within cottonwood willow riparian forest habitats that were previously

restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are generally late fall

through early winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for

of 62

impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage

their nesting habitats while retrieving game.


camping using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 361.68 acres to 5,685.39 acres

on cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat types, a increase of approximately 1,470 percent. This

alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be



fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 15,232.85 acres to 4,322.90 acres of

cottonwood willow riparian forest, a reduction of 72 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to

cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce

the amount of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 11 percent which would lead to a beneficial

effect for the PNVT within the forest.


increased from approximately from 361.68 acres to 1,203.52 acres, an increase of approximately 232

percent within the cottonwood willow riparian habitat type. This may increase the potential for impacts on

ground and shrub nesting birds as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nests while

driving cross country.


361.68 acres to 83,545.95 acres, an increase of approximately 23,000 percent within the cottonwood

willow riparian forest habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from

designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear within cottonwood willow riparian

forest habitats that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for

elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting

season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird

habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving

game.


camping using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 361.68 acres to 20,150.43

acres on cottonwood willow riparian forest habitat types, an increase of approximately 5,471 percent.

Currently, motorized camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts. This

alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be




Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian Forest Species

Table 12: Effects to Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian Forest Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

337.82

262.74 166.51

223.25

256.91

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use (miles)

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

17,731.1

33,825.25

NA 0.0 0.0

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

17,731.1

33,825.25

NA 31,018.73

43,281.90

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

17,731.1

33,825.25

3.74

4,345.57

14,381.01

Additional

information

pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

gathering) (acres)

17,731.1

25,846.11

5,777.20

7,118.00

25,846.11

Three species are considered migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the mixed

broadleaf deciduous riparian forest PNVT. These species include northern beardless-tyrannulet, common

black hawk, and yellow warbler. Approximately 17,731.1 acres of mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian

habitats exists on the Tonto NFs. This represents approximately 1 percent of the acreage on the forests.


percent of the Tonto NF would be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in mixed

broadleaf deciduous riparian habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue,

and possibly increase in the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.


forests-wide on approximately 33,825.25 acres mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian habitat. Motorized use

within or adjacent to habitat for mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian habitat types has the potential to

influence behavior, survival, reproduction and distribution of these species, as well as to alter habitat. The

current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand for public

use increases and Alternative A is implemented.


mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian habitat type and would only be authorized in Pleasant Valley and

Payson Ranger Districts. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the




mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian habitat type. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and



fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 25,846.11 acres of mixed

broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and


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motorized trails in mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitats on the forests. This alternative

would reduce the amount of roads with the PNVT type by 37 percent which would lead to a beneficial

effect for the PNVT within the forest.


alternative.



camping access within mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat types. Under this alternative,

access would be restricted to approximately 3.74 acres that allows a 50 foot buffer from designated

camping sites, reducing the amount of motorized camping areas to less than 0.01 percent of currently

available motorized camping areas.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 25,846.11 acres to 5,777.20 acres mixed

broadleaf deciduous riparian forest, a reduction of 78 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of

impacts to cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat on the forest. This alternative would

reduce the amount of roads with the PNVT type by 15 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for


Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact to mixed broadleaf

deciduous riparian forest habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas


33,825.25 acres to 31,018.73 acres, a decrease of approximately 8 percent within the mixed broadleaf

deciduous riparian forest types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from

designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitats that

were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk and bear are



crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.



acres on mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat types, a decrease of approximately 87 percent.

This alternative would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be



fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 25864.11 acres to 7,118 acres of mixed

broadleaf deciduous riparian forest, a reduction of 72 percent. This would reduce the likelihood of

impacts to cavity and snag nesting birds, as allowed access to these areas is reduced.

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motorized trails in mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat on the forest. This alternative

reduces the amount of roads with the PNVT type by approximately 2 percent which would lead to a

beneficial effect for the PNVT within the forest.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact mixed broadleaf

deciduous riparian forest habitat types since this PNVT is not represented in the OHV areas.


33,825.25 acres to 43,281.90 acres, an increase of approximately 28 percent within the mixed broadleaf

deciduous riparian forest habitat type. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from

designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear within mixed broadleaf deciduous

riparian forest habitats that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting

seasons for elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear are generally late fall through early winter after


shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats

while retrieving game.



acres on mixed broadleaf deciduous riparian forest habitat types, a decrease of approximately 57 percent.

Currently, motorized camping is restricted to Pleasant Valley and Payson Ranger Districts. This

alternative would decrease the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds which may be




Water Species

Table 13: Effects to Water Species by Forest and Alternative Analysis Factor Forest wide Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails

open to public

use (miles)

25.77

24.01 13.47

5.48

23.54

Areas open to

motorized cross-

country travel

(acres)

28989.16

0.0 NA 10984.43

10984.43

Big game

retrieval using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

28,989.16

0.0 NA 7.10

79,943.05

Access of

dispersed

camping using

motorized

vehicles (acres)

28,989.16

0.0 0.0 368.34

2,202.42

Additional

Information

Pertaining to

motor vehicle use

(personal use

fuelwood

28,989.16

210.93

44.57

49.72

210.93

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gathering) (acres)

There is one species considered as a migratory bird species of concern with priority habitats within the

water PNVT. This species is the Yuma clapper rail. The Yuma Clapper Rail inhabits fresh water marshes

dominated by bulrush, cattails and sedges. Yuma Clapper Rail constructs a platform nest over sshallow

water in densely vegetated marshes. Approximately 28,989.16 acres of water habitats exists on the Tonto

NFs. This represents approximately 1 percent of the acreage on the forests.

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel – Approximately 24.01 miles of roads and trails or 93 percent

of the Tonto NF would continue to be open to motorized travel if this alternative was implemented in

water habitat on the forests. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in

the future if demand for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.

Cross Country Motorized Travel – Under this alternative, there would be no impact water types since no

areas are open to cross country travel within the PNVT.

Motorized Big Game Retrieval - Under this alternative, there would be no impact water types since no

areas are open to MBGR travel within the PNVT

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Under this alternative, there would be no

impact water types since no areas are open to dispersed camping within the PNVT.


fuelwood gathering is permitted within all permitted areas on approximately 210.93 of water habitat

types. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if demand

for public use increases and Alternative A is implemented.



motorized trails in water habitats on the forests. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with

the PNVT type by 44 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for marshland habitats in the PNVT

within the forest.


alternative.


Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles - Under this alternative, there would be no

impact water types since no areas are open to dispersed camping within the PNVT.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from 210.93 acres to 44.57 acres of water habitats, a reduction of

79 percent. Although fuelwood gathering would have a low occurrence in this PNVT, this alternative

reduces the likelihood of impacts to marshland habitats in the PNVT as allowed access to these areas is

reduced.



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motorized trails in water habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with the

PNVT type by 77percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the Yuma Clapper Rail in the PNVT

within the forest.


increased from approximately from 0.0 acres to 10,984.43 acres within the water habitat type. This may

increase the potential for impacts on marshland habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or

damage Yuma Clapper Rail habitat while driving cross country.


0.0 acres to 7.10 acres within the water types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile

from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within water habitats that were previously restricted in


winter after primary nesting season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on

Yuma Clapper rail habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their habitats while

retrieving game.


camping using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 368.34 acres on

water habitat types. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to marshland habitats which

may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 210.93 acres to 49.72 acres of water habitat, a

reduction of 76 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to Yuma Clapper Rail habitat, as allowed

access to these areas is reduced.



motorized trails in the water habitat on the forest. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with

the PNVT type by approximately 2 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the Yuma Clapper

Rail in the PNVT within the forest.


increased from approximately from 0.0 acres to 10,984.43 acres within the water habitat type. This may

increase the potential for impacts on the Yuma Clapper Rail as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or

damage their habitat while driving cross country.


0.0 acres to 79,943.05 acres within the water types. This alternative would allow hunters to travel up to 1

mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear within water habitats that

were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for elk, mule deer,

whitetail deer, and bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting season of

migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on marshland habitats as the increase of

vehicle travel may crush or damage Yuam Clapper Rail habitats while retrieving game.

Access to Dispersed Camping Using Motorized Vehicles -- Under this alternative, access to dispersed

camping using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 2,202.42 acres on

water habitat types. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to the Yuma Clapper Rail


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Important Bird Areas

Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek

Table 14: Effects to Boyce-Thompson Arboretum/Arnett Creek by Alternative Analysis Factor IBA acres Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D

Roads and trails open to

public use (Miles)

4.04

1.90 1.57 1.57 1.84

Areas open to

motorized cross-country

travel (acres)

2583.07

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Big game retrieval using

motorized vehicles

(acres)

2583.07

0.0 0.0 94.14

2555.37

Access of dispersed

camping using

motorized vehicles

(acres)

2583.07

0.0 0.0 46.73

189.89

Additional Information

Pertaining to motor

vehicle use (personal use

fuelwood gathering)

(acres)

2583.07

2583.07

140.08

140.08

2583.07

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel -Under Alternative A, road densities the Boyce Thompson

IBA would continue to provide motorized access within these areas. There are 1.90 miles of road within

this IBA. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if


Areas Open to Motorized Cross-country Travel - Under Alternative A, areas open to motorized cross-

country travel in the Boyce Thompson IBA would not be permitted.

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles- Under Alternative A, MBGR in the Boyce Thompson IBA

would not be permitted.

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles - Under Alternative A, areas open to motorized

dispersed camping in the Boyce Thompson IBA would not be permitted.


fuelwood gathering is allowed within all permitted areas on approximately 2,583.07 acres within the

Boyce Thompson IBA. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the


Alternative B Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel - Approximately 1.57 miles of roads would be open to


motorized trails in the Boyce Thompson IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads within

the PNVT type by 17 percent which would lead to reduced vehicle traffic and would lead to a beneficial

effect for the IBA.

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Areas Open to Motorized Cross-country Travel - Under this alternative, motorized cross country travel

would not be allowed.

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles - Under this alternative, MBGR would not be allowed.

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles - Under this alternative, there would be no impact to

the Boyce Thompson IBA due to the fact that use of motorized vehicles for dispersed camping would not

be permitted within the IBA.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 2,583.07 acres to 140.08 acres of the Boyce

Thompson IBA, a reduction of 95 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag


Alternative C Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel - Approximately 1.57 miles of roads would be open to


motorized trails in the Boyce Thompson IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads within

the PNVT type by 18 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.

Areas Open to Motorized Cross-country Travel - Under this alternative, there would be no impact to the

Boyce Thompson IBA due to the use of motorized vehicle for motorized cross-country travel would not

be permitted within the IBA.

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles - Under this alternative, MBGR would be increased from

approximately 0.0 acres to 94.14 acres within the Boyce Thompson IBA. This alternative would allow

hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within the IBA that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. This may increase the potential for impacts

on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their

nesting habitats while retrieving game.

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles - Under this alternative, access to dispersed camping

using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 46.73 acres in the Boyce

Thompson IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting

birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.


fuelwood gathering would be reduced from approximately 2,583.07 acres to 140.08 acres of the Boyce

Thompson IBA, a reduction of 95 percent. This reduces the likelihood of impacts to cavity and snag


Alternative D Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel - Approximately 1.84 miles of roads would be open to


motorized trails in the Boyce Thompson IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with the

PNVT type by 3 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.


Boyce Thompson IBA due to due to the use of motorized vehicle for motorized cross-country travel

would not be permitted within the IBA.


approximately 0.0 acres to 2,555.37 acres within the Boyce Thompson IBA. This alternative would allow

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hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer and bear

within the IBA that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. Hunting seasons for

elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear are generally late fall through early winter after primary nesting

season of migratory birds. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird

habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving

game.

Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles- Under this alternative, access to dispersed camping

using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 189.89 acres in the Boyce

Thompson IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting




Cave Creek Ecosystem

Table 15: Effects to Cave Creek Ecosystem by Alternative Analysis Factor IBA acres Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D


public use (Miles)

2.09

5.47 0.80 0.80 5.28

Areas open to


travel (acres)

1337.64

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0


motorized vehicles

(acres)

1337.64

0.0 0.0

321.36

1000.2

Access of dispersed

camping using

motorized vehicles

(acres)

1337.64

0.0 0.0 6.63 222.41


Pertaining to motor


fuelwood gathering)

(acres)

1337.64

0.0

0.0 0.0 0.0

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel - Under Alternative A, authorized roads within the Cave

Creek IBA would continue to provide motorized access within these areas. There are 5.47 miles of road

within this IBA. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the future if



Cave Creek IBA due to cross country travel within the IBA would not be permitted.

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles- Under Alternative A, MBGR in the Cave Creek IBA would

not be permitted.


dispersed camping in the Cave Creek IBA would not be permitted.


fuelwood gathering is not permitted within the Cave Creek IBA.

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motorized trails in the Cave Creek IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with the





Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles - Under this alternative, there would be no impact to

the Cave Creek IBA due to the fact that use of motorized vehicles for dispersed camping would not be

permitted within the IBA.


fuelwood gathering is not allowed within the Cave Creek IBA.



motorized trails in the Cave Creek IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with the



Cave Creek IBA due to motorized cross country travel would not be permitted within the IBA.


approximately 0.0 acres to 321.36 acres within the Cave Creek IBA. This alternative would allow hunters

to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within the IBA that were previously

restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. This may increase the potential for impacts on ground

and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats

while retrieving game.


using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 6.63 acres in the Cave

Creek IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds






motorized trails in the Cave Creek IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with the IBA

by 3 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.


Cave Creek IBA due to the use of motorized cross country travel would not be permitted within the IBA.


approximately 0.0 acres to 1000.20 acres within the Cave Creek IBA. This alternative would allow

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hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and bear

within the IBA that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. This may increase


crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.


using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 222.41 acres in the Cave

Creek IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting birds




Salt and Verde River Riparian System

Table 16: Effects to Salt and Verde River Riparian System by Alternative Analysis Factor IBA acres Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D


public use (Miles)

23.89

102.50 42.14 46.82 71.68

Areas open to


travel (acres)

15288.8

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0


motorized vehicles

(acres)

15288.8

0.0 0.0 20.37

10738.79

Access of dispersed

camping using

motorized vehicles

(acres)

15288.8

0.0 0.18

261.01

1407.67


Pertaining to motor


fuelwood gathering)

(acres)

15288.8

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Alternative A Roads and Trails Open to Motorized Travel - Under Alternative A, authorized road within the Salt and

Verde River IBA would continue to provide motorized access within these areas. There are 102.5 miles of

road within this IBA. The current level of impact is expected to continue, and possibly increase in the



Salt and Verde River IBA due to motorized cross country travel within the IBA would not be permitted.

Big Game Retrieval Using Motor Vehicles - Under Alternative A, MBGR in the Salt and Verde River

IBA would not be permitted.


dispersed camping in the Salt and Verde River IBA would not be permitted.


fuelwood gathering is not allowed within the Salt and Verde River IBA.



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motorized trails in the Salt and Verde River IBA. This alternative reduces the amount of roads by

59percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.




Access of Dispersed Camping Using Motor Vehicles- Under this alternative, access to dispersed camping

using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 0.18 acres in the Salt and

Verde River IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting






motorized trails in the Salt and Verde River IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads by

54 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.


Salt and Verde River IBA due to motorized cross country travel would not be permitted within the IBA


approximately 0.0 acres to 20.37 acres within the Salt and Verde River IBA. This alternative would allow

hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk and bear within the IBA that were

previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. This may increase the potential for impacts

on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle travel may crush or damage their

nests while retrieving game.


using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 261.01 acres in the Salt and

Verde River IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub nesting






motorized trails in the Salt and Verde River IBA. This alternative would reduce the amount of roads with

the IBA by 30 percent which would lead to a beneficial effect for the IBA.


Salt and Verde River IBA due to the use of motorized cross country travel would not be permitted within

the IBA.


approximately 0.0 acres to 10,738.79 acres within the Salt and Verde River IBA. This alternative would

allow hunters to travel up to 1 mile from designated routes to retrieve elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, and

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bear within the IBA that were previously restricted in Alternative A, the current condition. This may

increase the potential for impacts on ground and shrub nesting bird habitats as the increase of vehicle

travel may crush or damage their nesting habitats while retrieving game.


using motorized vehicles would be increased from approximately 0.0 acres to 1,407.67 acres in the Salt

and Verde River IBA. This alternative would increase the likelihood of impacts to ground and shrub

nesting birds which may be impacted while vehicles travel to camping areas along designated routes.



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Literature Cited Corman, T. and C. Wise-Gervais, editors. 2005. Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas. University of

New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 636 pages.

Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin, D. Wheye. 1988. The birder’s handbook: a field guide to the natural

history of north American birds. Simon and Schuster, New York, New York. 785 pages.

Latta, M.J., C.J. Beardmore, and T.E. Corman. 1999. Arizona Partners in Flight Bird

Conservation Plan. Version 1.0. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report

142. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.

Glinski, Richard L., ed. 1998. The Raptors of Arizona. University of Arizona Press.

Parris, K. M., and A. Schneider 2008. Impacts of traffic noise and traffic volume on birds of

roadside habitats. Ecology and Society 14(1): 29. [online] URL:

http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss1/art29/

Phillips, A.R.; Marshall, J.; and Monson, G. 1964. The birds of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona.:

University of Arizona Press.

Rappole, John H. 2000. Birds of the Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico Southern California and

Southern Nevada. Texas A and M University Press. College Station.

U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Tonto National Forest Plan, as amended. USDA Forest Service, Tonto

National Forest

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern 2008. United States

Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management,

Arlington, Virginia. 85 pp. [Online version available at <http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/>]

U.S. Forest Service. 2009. Birds of the Tonto National Forest: A checklist. MR-R3-12-4.

Webb, R. H. 1983. Compaction of desert soils by off-road vehicles. In R. H. Webb and H. G.

Wilshire (Eds.), Environmental effects of off-road vehicles: Impacts and management in arid

regions (pp. 50-79). New York, Springer-Verlag.

Ouren, D.S., Haas, Christopher, Melcher, C.P., Stewart, S.C., Ponds, P.D., Sexton, N.R., Burris,

Lucy, Fancher, Tammy, and Bowen, Z.H., 2007, Environmental effects of off-highway vehicles

on Bureau of Land Management Lands: A literature synthesis, annotated bibliographies,

extensive bibliographies, and internet resources: U.S.Geological Survey, Open-File Report 2007-

1353, 225 p.

travel management tonto national forest draft migratory...

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