ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

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ALTERNATIVE A: NO ACTION

This section evaluates the potential impacts of the no-action alternative.

Threatened And Endangered Species And Species of Concern

Under the no-action alternative, the threatened northern spotted owl activity center located approximately 900 meters north of the highway near the west entrance (within or across the deep Castle Creek Gorge) is screened from the highway by dense forest and has been active over many years while the highway has been in operation. There would be no change to threatened and endangered species from the no-action alternative. Continued use and maintenance activities associated with the road is not likely to adversely affect threatened and endangered species. There is no designated critical habitat present.

Cumulative Impacts. Past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that could have an effect on threatened and endangered species include fire management using prescribed burning and construction projects related to waterlines and lagoons in Munson Valley. Prescribed burns would emulate a natural occurrence under controlled conditions that could affect threatened and endangered species and/or their habitat; however, the long-term effect from prescribed burns would be beneficial as the health of plant communities would improve and habitat would be more diverse. Construction in the Munson Valley could result in impacts on threatened and endangered species within a localized site. The effects to the northern spotted owls occupying the activity center located approximately 900 meters north of Highway 62 West, taken in context with other activities on the park, may affect, but would not likely adversely affect, threatened and endangered species.

Conclusion. There would be no change to threatened and endangered species from the no-action alternative. The northern spotted owl activity center, screened from Highway 62 West by dense forest and the Castle Creek Gorge, would continue to be occupied and would not likely be adversely affected by highway maintenance and public use. The cumulative effect of the no-action alternative may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, threatened and endangered species.

Because there would be no major adverse impacts to a resource or value whose conservation is (1) necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the park’s establishing legislation, (2) key to the natural or cultural integrity of the park or to opportunities for enjoyment of the park, or (3) identified as a goal in the park’s General Management Plan or other relevant National Park Service planning documents, there would be no impairment of park resources or values related to threatened and endangered species or special concern species at Crater Lake National Park.