I. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
This section describes the beneficial and adverse impacts to the environment that would occur if the alternatives were implemented. Estimated effects are discussed in terms of environmental changes from the current situation and include qualitative as well as quantitative assessments of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects.
1. Recreation
Alternative A (No Action)
Recreation use patterns and activities will continue as is under this
alternative (except those noted in the Action Common To All Alternatives
section), with an upward trend (associated with population increasing in Central
Oregon) in the amount of visitors seeking the caves along China Hat Road.
Existing regulations (Appendix A Current Cave Restrictions) would continue to be
enforced. However, these plus past management actions have had limited effect on
deterring harmful or damaging activities/impacts from occurring at some caves.
Where visitation would continue and increase, impacts to surrounding vegetation will eventually result into a system of hardened trails and roads. Some of these trails would be redundant, in that where there are several trails leading to a single destination, likely only one is needed.
More likely, vandalism and other destructive behavior would continue to occur in all areas of the cave (see Existing Conditions section), from litter and trash at the entrances, to areas further back in the caves where graffiti and campfires occur sporadically throughout the year at several caves.
Visitors would continue to access the caves as per current conditions: parking (where available) near the cave entrances themselves (Boyd, Skeleton, Arnold and Wind caves). With the parking areas remaining in their current locations, visitors would be able to quickly access the caves without having to hike 1/8 to 1/2 mile. Because there is little to no site definition at the four major caves off of Road 18 (Boyd, Skeleton, Wind and Arnold Ice caves), impacts from motor vehicle traffic would continue, and in some cases, expand to unaffected areas. Some motorists park outside of previously impacted areas, which leads to soil compaction, and potentially the spread of noxious weeds. In the case of Arnold Ice Cave, the topography of the parking area funnels much of the runoff directly into the cave entrance. This occurs to a lesser degree at Skeleton Cave, where vehicles sometimes traverse or park all around the cave opening.
Since the parking areas are very close to the cave entrances at Boyd, Skeleton, Arnold Ice and Wind caves, motor vehicles and private property are less likely to be vandalized or broken into. The uncertainty of when someone would exit the cave is a possible deterrent to vandals and thieves at these locations.
The continued restriction on the use of hand-drying agents, in conjunction with the removal of all bolts from the caves, would affect the amount of bouldering and sport climbing use. (See discussion on sport climbing and bouldering in Action Common to All Alternatives section, page 18). Where hand-drying agents do provide for a safer situation to boulder (chalk/hand-drying agents reduce/remove moisture from the hand to give the climber a better gripping surface), it isn't essential under certain conditions. On a given day, dry and/or non-humid weather conditions can be conducive to bouldering without the use of these agents. Even so, the amount of bouldering days available to these recreationists would be reduced under this alternative.
With the bolt restriction (Action Common to All Alternatives, page 18), sport climbing would be eliminated under this alternative. It's possible that some sport climbers may find other caves in Central Oregon to engage in this activity. It is more likely that sport climbers would participate in their sport at more traditional use areas, such as nearby world-renown Smith Rock State Park. The removal of bolts would have the most effect through the elimination of sport climbing as these caves. However, it is possible that some future technology may devise another less or non-impactive system that would be more consistent with the FCRPA.
However, because the bolted routes are technically quite difficult to attempt and complete, it's been suggested that less than two-dozen people in the local area are able to make use of the available routes at Hidden Forest Cave (personal communication with members of the local climbing community). Therefore, the effect of removing bolts is limited in the amount of people that would be displaced.
Bouldering currently occurs at only Skeleton Cave. This type of activity would continue to impact the cave habitats by removing molds and lichens that species feed on from the cave walls, moving rocks and other obstacles, and by disturbing nesting/denning wildlife species.
Alternative B
This alternative would have the most effect on access and types of activities
that would be allowed at the caves. Parking area relocations at Boyd, Skeleton
and Wind caves would require visitors to hike approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile to
access the cave itself. This could result in less use at the caves by all user
types. It has the potential to limit those that would have difficulty, or could
not travel the distance to access the caves, such as the elderly or disabled.
The relocation of Boyd parking area would still allow this site to be used by
visitors with large motor homes or those pulling horse trailers. Equestrians
would still be able to use this site, giving them shorter trail loop
opportunities than those at the Horse Butte Trailhead.
The parking area relocations should help reduce vandalism and other impacts at the caves (littering, spray painting, partying, etc.). It's less likely that individuals or groups would make the effort to drive cross-country to access and vandalize the caves. Enforcement of parking area breaches should also be made easier since tire tracks going around the parking barriers and/or bollards would be readily apparent. Also, defining the Arnold Ice Cave parking area would improve the scenic integrity of the area as well as reduce the amount of seasonal runoff that currently funnels into the entrance.
The relocated Skeleton and Wind parking areas would not be visible from either the cave entrance itself, or from Road 18. This could potentially put private property (motor vehicles and/or trailers) at risk of vandalism or break-ins, which does occur occasionally in isolated areas. This is more likely to occur at the proposed Skeleton and Wind cave parking areas, which would be more isolated and less visible than the new Boyd Cave parking area. It is still possible for break-ins or vandalism to occur at Boyd, though it is less likely since the parking area is within sight of Road 18, where traffic passing by would help deter illegal activities at this site.
The same effects would apply to bouldering and sport climbing opportunities as described in Alternative A.
Alternative C
This alternative provides the least effect on access and types of activities
allowed. Whereas Skeleton and Wind cave parking areas would still be relocated,
and the effects would be the same as Alternative B, the Boyd Cave parking area
would remain in the same location. Site definition there would allow this area
to continue to be used by equestrians as a trailhead to access the adjacent
horse trail, while deterring impacts off the designated pathway.
The authorization of the existing completed routes at Hidden Forest Cave (approximately 10) would occur in this alternative. No new routes or bolting would be allowed in any other cave. Climbing would only be allowed at the bolted routes at the entrance. There would be no climbing allowed on the warm up wall to the south. Furthermore, due to the technical difficulty rating of these routes, sport-climbing use at this cave would likely remain low when compared to Smith Rock State Park. However, with Smith Rock State Park being world renown for its climbing opportunities, it makes the increase in use by upper-end climbers at Hidden Forest Cave a distinct possibility. Owing to the uniqueness of this type of sport climbing, and the availability of it nowhere else in the western United States, that use could increase in the future.
The installation of gates on Wind, Charlie-the-Cave and Bat caves would change the recreation use patterns here. The gates would reduce disturbance to the threatened Western big-eared bat during their hibernation period. The gate would be closed during the annual hibernation period, 10/15 to 5/1. Similarly, the same seasonal closure would be implemented at Skeleton Cave, but without a gate. Visitors who come to these caves during this seasonal closure would be displaced to Arnold Ice and Boyd caves. However, because the closures are at a time of year when use is low, there should be few if any detrimental effects (ex. crowding, expansion of parking areas or trails) to resources or conditions at Arnold or Boyd caves. There would be some inconvenience to visitors that want to visit these restricted access caves.
2. Wildlife
Big Game
Alternative A - With this alternative, access to caves would remain the same
on the current road system. Habitat conditions for wintering big game would
remain unchanged.
This alternative does propose to remove all bolts from caves. This may reduce the amount of vehicle traffic by reducing climbers who prefer to use bolts. No direct, indirect, or cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Alternative B (Proposed Action) - With this alternative, parking areas at Boyd, Skeleton, and Wind caves would be moved away from the caves. Boyd and Skeleton Cave parking areas would be moved 1/8 of a mile, and Wind Cave parking area would be moved 1/2 mile from the cave for a total of 3/4 of a mile. Although this is not a high amount of road mileage, it may potentially reduce the number of vehicles and recreationists (those who do not wish to walk to the caves) within the project area during the winter months.
Activities associated with re-constructing the parking areas may disturb wintering big game during the winter months (mitigation measure would apply).
This alternative also proposed to remove all bolts from caves. This may also reduce the amount of vehicle traffic by reducing climbers who prefer to use bolts. No cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Alternative C - Impacts associated with this alternative would be similar to alternative B, but to a lesser degree. Vehicle traffic would not be reduced as much because authorized bolts would remain at Hidden Forest Cave and less road miles would be closed (5/8 of a mile) because the parking area at Boyd Cave would remain at its current site. No cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Raptors
Alternatives A and B (Proposed Action) - With these alternatives, all bolts
would be removed at all caves (Hidden Forest and Charcoal Caves are the only
known caves with bolts. Most of the bolts at Charcoal Cave have already been
removed). This may reduce the use that occurs at Hidden Forest Cave. This could
potentially prompt future use of the trees within and adjacent to this cave to
kestrels. No direct or cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Alternative C - This alternative would allow the use of existing routes at Hidden Forest Cave. Use at this cave by climbers would continue to increase, making use of the trees that provide habitat for kestrels unlikely. No direct or cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Woodpeckers
Alternatives A and B (Proposed Action) - With these alternatives, all bolts
would be removed at all caves (Hidden Forest and Charcoal Caves are the only
known caves with bolts. Most of the bolts at Charcoal Cave have already been
removed). This may reduce the use that occurs at Hidden Forest Cave. This could
potentially prompt future use of the trees within and adjacent to this cave to
woodpeckers and other cavity nesters. No direct or cumulative adverse impacts
are expected.
Alternative C - This alternative would allow the use of existing routes at Hidden Forest Cave. Use at this cave by climbers would continue to increase, making use of the trees that provide habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity nesters unlikely. No direct or cumulative adverse impacts are expected.
Special Habitats/Ecological Indicators
Alternative A - Bouldering would continue at Skeleton and Hidden Forest
Caves, but the current ban on the use of hand-drying agents would also continue,
possibly reducing the amount of people participating in this activity. The
chemical make-up of the hand-drying agents is unknown, and if used could
possibly accumulate externally or be ingested by cave dwellers that utilize
habitat near the entrances of caves. Not allowing them would remove any
potential health risk to these species. The bouldering activity that would
continue to occur would continue to impact cave habitats by removing molds and
lichens that species feed on from the cave walls, by moving rocks and other
obstacles, and by disturbing nesting/denning wildlife species. Sport climbing
would not occur at Hidden Forest Cave, which would reduce these impacts at this
cave.
Alternative B (Proposed Action) - Impacts to caves and cave dwellers would be similar to those found in alternative A. A gate would be placed at Charlie-the-Cave. Placing a gate within a cave could disturb cave dwellers with the noise and the fumes from welding. This disturbance would be short-term. It may cause some insects and rodents to abandon that particular portion of the cave. They would eventually come back after the disturbance has ceased.
Alternative C - Impacts to caves and cave dwellers would be similar to those found in alternatives A and B. Sport climbing would continue to take place at Hidden Forest Cave, which would increase the total amount of area impacted in combination with the bouldering that takes place. The molds and lichens that occur within the designated routes would eventually be rubbed off.
Bats
Alternative A
Bat prey species are strongly associated with several shrub species near cave
entrances. By encouraging foot traffic into designated areas, impacts to shrub
species by trampling would be reduced.
Bouldering would continue at Skeleton and Hidden Forest Caves, but the current ban on the use of hand-drying agents would also continue, possibly reducing the amount of people participating in this activity. The chemical make-up of the hand-drying agents is unknown, and if used could possibly accumulate externally or be ingested by bats that roost near the entrances of caves. Not allowing them would remove any potential health risk to the bats.
Sport climbing (with bolts) would not be allowed at any caves. Hidden Forest cave is currently the only cave that it is occurring at. This cave is not a high use roosting cave, but bats are known to use it for night roosting, so the current activity of sport climbing during the day would have no impact to bat species. Not allowing this type of use at any other cave would most likely prevent disturbance from occurring to day roosting bats, or hibernacula or maternity colonies.
The parking areas at Skeleton, Wind, and Boyd Caves would remain at their current locations. According to Nieland (2000), roads should not be constructed over cave systems, within 300 feet of cave passages or within a 1/4 mile visual proximity of a cave. Road construction should not cause erosion, alter the climate, or the flow of water in or around caves. Other inappropriate activities include those that compact soils or any other activities or projects that contribute to the alteration of water percolation above and into the caves. Having parking areas so close to caves increases the risk of percolation of fluids that may leak from vehicles. These types of impacts would continue to occur with this alternative.
The current year around closure at Charcoal Cave would remain in place and provide continued protection for day and night roosting bats and the big brown bat maternity colony that occurs here.
The current seasonal closure during the hibernation period, which occurs from November 1 through April 15, would be changed to October 15 through May 1 to provide multi-agency consistency with the BLM. This would lengthen the seasonal closure by one month, which would benefit hibernating bat species that may begin hibernating in these caves earlier in the season and those that may stay later in the season. The lack of enforcement personnel and education kiosks would contribute to continuation of breaches of the administrative closure.
This alternative would not provide for 100% security on public access to any known bat hibernacula sites. Continued public access and use of caves during this critical period is expected to continue to contribute to a decline in use of hibernacula sites by western big-eared bats and other bat species populations within the project area. Loss of the population of western big-eared bats in this portion of the Deschutes National Forest may drastically decrease the local population and gene pool in Central Oregon.
Alternative B (Proposed Action)
Bat prey species are strongly associated with several shrub species near cave
entrances. By encouraging foot traffic into designated areas, impacts to shrub
species by trampling would be reduced.
Bouldering would continue at Skeleton and Hidden Forest Caves, but the current ban on the use of hand-drying agents would also continue, possibly reducing the amount of people participating in this activity. The chemical make-up of the hand-drying agents is unknown, and if used could possibly accumulate externally or be ingested by bats that roost near the entrances of caves. Not allowing them would remove any potential health risk to the bats.
The parking areas at Skeleton, Wind, and Boyd Caves would change from their current locations to areas where recreationists would have to walk 1/8 to 1/2 a mile to reach the caves (mitigation measure would apply). This would follow direction provided by Nieland (2000) stating that roads should not be constructed over cave systems, within 300 feet of cave passages or within a 1/4 mile visual proximity of a cave. Moving the parking area would reduce erosion around the caves, rehabilitate compacted soils and reduce the alteration of water percolation (and possible fluid leakage from vehicles) above and into the caves. Moving the parking areas further away from the caves may also potentially reduce the number of recreationists (those who do not wish to walk to the caves) within the project area.
The current year around closure at Charcoal Cave would remain in place and provide continued protection for day and night roosting bats and the big brown bat maternity colony that occurs here.
The current seasonal closure during the hibernation period, which occurs from November 1 through April 15, would be changed to October 15 through May 1 to provide multi-agency consistency with the BLM. This would lengthen the seasonal closure by one month, which would benefit hibernating bat species that may begin hibernating in these caves earlier in the season and those that may stay later in the season. Education kiosks would be provided to inform the public about these closures. This may help reduce the number of recreationists ignoring the closures.
This alternative would provide for a strengthened restriction on public access during the hibernation period at Charlie-the-Cave. The other known hibernation sites would see continued public access and use of caves during this critical period (see Table 2, p. 24). This would continue to contribute to a decline in use of hibernacula sites by western big-eared bats and other bat species populations within the project area. Loss of the population of western big-eared bats in this portion of the Deschutes National Forest may possibly be devastating to the local population and gene pool in Central Oregon.
The Deschutes National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan states that if "monitoring determines that human disturbance is having a detrimental effect on significant numbers of this species, restrictions would be imposed on human visitation to reduce disturbance to an acceptable level." These restrictions may require an entrance closing structure permeable to bats. Gating is considered a serious undertaking, and should only be done when less impacting alternatives are unworkable, or have failed. Alternative techniques include seasonal closures and signing, public education, limiting road access, and non-disclosure of the cave locations. These alternative techniques have been used, but seasonal closure periods continue to be ignored by a small segment of the public. As a last resort, to protect bats and their habitat, one cave that provides habitat conditions for hibernating western big-eared bats and other bat species is proposed for gating (to strengthen the closure) (a seasonal restriction mitigation measure would apply). The cave proposed for gating (Lower Charlie Cave) provides the second highest wintering population of western big-eared bats within the project area (an 11-year average of 10).
The purpose of the gate construction is to restrict public entry during the hibernation period in an effort to protect habitat and promote historical levels of use by western big-eared bats that hibernate in the cave. This restriction of public entry during this seasonal closure would also protect other bat species such as the small-footed myotis, California myotis, and long-legged myotis.
The gate would be designed to permit passage by the bats and to prevent human access. The gate would be closed seasonally between October 15 and May 1 during the bat hibernation period. It would be open to access by the public between May 2 and October 14. The cave proposed for gating is currently closed to all public entry during the hibernation period. (October 15 to May 1). An interpretive sign placed near the cave entrance would explain why the cave has been closed for part of each year and when it would be open. It would help educate the public about their sensitivity to disturbance. Without the sign, the public would have no understanding of the cave closure. Both the gate and sign would be designed to deter vandalism.
The gate installed would be an American Cave Conservation Bat Gate, which has been used successfully in hundreds of locations to protect bat colonies. The design of this gate allows laminar airflow between bars, and virtually no turbulence. These are important factors for maintaining optimal temperature and humidity. Vertical supports can be placed up to ten-feet apart, providing wide horizontal openings for bat passage. The gate must be constructed to allow access to the cave for monitoring. The bat gate design includes an access door, and lock mechanism. The door opening is usually kept small but scaled to allow a stretcher to pass though, in the event of an accident or rescue.
The location selected for placement of the gate would determine both its effectiveness and acceptance by bats. The gate would be placed near the edge of the dark zone, to reduce the chances of predation and placed in an area that doesn't restrict airflow.
Gate construction would be timed when hibernating bats are absent (May through September). Construction creates noise, fumes, and increased traffic, all of which can create disturbance. Welding creates clouds of fume that may be noxious. Selection of welding rod with low toxicity, and which can be used in damp conditions would be a priority.
After installation, the cave would be monitored for effectiveness of the gate in reducing disturbance of western big-eared bats and other bat species, and to monitor the effects of the gate on use of the caves by bats. After the gate is installed, bat acceptance of the gate would be established. Surveys would occur annually for the first three years and then bi-annually after that.
It is expected with the absence of any human disturbance during the hibernation period that populations of western big-eared bats and other bat species in this cave would increase.
Alternative C
Bat prey species are strongly associated with several shrub species near cave
entrances. By encouraging foot traffic into designated areas, impacts to shrub
species by trampling would be reduced.
Bouldering would continue at Skeleton and Hidden Forest Caves, but the current ban on the use of hand-drying agents would also continue, possibly reducing the amount of people participating in this activity. The chemical make-up of the hand-drying agents is unknown, and if used could possibly accumulate externally or be ingested by bats that roost near the entrances of caves. Not allowing them would remove any potential health risk to the bats.
Sport climbing (with bolts) would still be allowed at Hidden Forest cave only. This cave is not a high use roosting cave, but bats are known to use it for night roosting, so the activity of sport climbing during the day would have no impact to bat species.
The parking areas at Skeleton and Wind Caves would change from their current locations to areas where recreationists would have to walk 1/8 to 1/2 a mile to reach the caves. This would follow direction provided by Nieland (2000) stating that roads should not be constructed over cave systems, within 300 feet of cave passages or within a 1/4 mile visual proximity of a cave. Moving the parking areas would reduce erosion around the caves, rehabilitate compacted soils and reduce the alteration of water percolation (and fluid leakage from vehicles) above and into the caves. Moving the parking areas further away from the caves may also potentially reduce the number of recreationists (those who do not wish to walk to the caves) within the project area.
The parking area at Boyd Cave would remain at its current location, but barriers to eliminate motor vehicles driving near the cave entrance and over vegetation would be improved. Although it doesn't follow along with Nieland's recommendations (as in alternative B), barriers placed at the parking area would place it 50-75 feet away from the cave entrance. Having the parking area at this distance may still reduce erosion around the caves, rehabilitate compacted soils and reduce the alteration of water percolation above and into the caves, but not as effectively as completely moving the parking area.
The current year around closure at Charcoal Cave would remain in place and provide continued protection for day and night roosting bats and the big brown bat maternity colony that occurs here.
The current seasonal closure during the hibernation period, which occurs from November 1 through April 15, would be changed to October 15 through May 1 to provide multi-agency consistency with the BLM. This would lengthen the seasonal closure by one month, which would benefit hibernating bat species that may begin hibernating in these caves earlier in the season and those that may stay later in the season. Education kiosks would be provided to inform the public about these closures. This may help reduce the number of recreationists ignoring the closures.
With this alternative, an administrative seasonal closure would be placed at Skeleton Cave during the hibernation period from October 15 through May 1. This cave currently has very few hibernating bats (an 11 year average for western big-eared bats is 4 bats). Historically, this cave was known to have numbers in the 20's. Having an administrative closure on this cave, which is a high use cave, especially during the winter months, may be tough to get compliance. Ignorance of the closure by some recreationists would be expected, but as a whole, disturbance to hibernating bats would decrease. It is expected, than even with just an administrative seasonal closure during the hibernation period, population numbers of western big-eared bats and other bat species may increase.
As a last resort, to protect bats and their habitat, three caves (Bat, Wind and Charlie-the-Cave) that provides habitat conditions for hibernating western big-eared bats and other bat species are proposed for gating (to strengthen the closure) (a seasonal restriction mitigation measure would apply). The three caves proposed for gating provide approximately 17% of the wintering population in Deschutes County. These caves include Bat Cave, which provides the fourth highest wintering population of western big-eared bats within the project area (an 11 year average of four), Lower Charlie Cave, which provides the second highest wintering population of western big-eared bats within the project area (an 11 year average of 10), and Wind Cave, which contains the highest wintering population of western big-eared bats within the project area and on the Deschutes National Forest (an 11 year average of 62) (see the attached graphs). The proposal to restrict public access to Wind, Charlie, Bat, and Skeleton (seasonal restriction) Caves under this alternative has a high potential to benefit local and regional bat populations. A reduction in the level of human disturbance within these caves would likely result in increased use of hibernacula habitat.
All other information regarding the placement of bat gates is given in alternative B.
3. Scenic Quality
Alternative A - No Action
Under this alternative, the effect on the scenic resource would remain
unchanged from the existing scenic condition. No improvements to the existing
landscape character would be made. The degradation of cave resources and the
environment would continue. The desired scenic condition of "natural
appearing landscape" would not be met.
Alternatives B and C
Under alternatives B and C, the effect on scenic resource would be improved
over the existing scenic condition. Site improvements would be made to the
existing landscape character. The degradation of cave resources and the
environment would be reduced, if not eliminated by the proposed actions. The
site would be moving closer toward the desired scenic condition of "natural
appearing landscape." The proposed new facilities and structures, such as parking, information
kiosks, and interpretive signs, would be designed to meet or exceed the desired
scenic condition and ADA. This would improve and facilitate foot and vehicular
traffic to these caves and thus improve scenic quality and reduce environmental
impacts.
4. Proposed, Endangered Threatened, and Sensitive (PETS) Plants
Alternative A (No Action)
Under this alternative, there would be no direct effects on PETS plants.
Alternatives B and C:
There would be no indirect, direct or cumulative effects on TES plants. No Lichens or Bryophytes are listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive
Plant Species on the Deschutes National Forest.
All the lichen and bryophyte species found at the caves, either at the entrances, or in the areas above the caves, are common species on the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District. It should be noted, however, that these small plants add greatly to the diversity of the plant species at the caves and the scenic value of the rocks and rocky outcrops. Retaining the prohibition against campfires within and at the entrances to the caves would be beneficial for most lichens. Some activities, such as installing a gate at Wind Cave, may result in the loss of some lichens and bryophytes. Foot traffic and climbing would cause additional loss of lichens and bryophytes, if new routes were established. These losses are unlikely to affect the total populations of the lichen and bryophyte species on the district, but they may detract from the scenic value of the caves.
5. Noxious Weeds
There is a high risk of spreading cheatgrass due to the extent of existing
populations near the caves. Any soil disturbance from project work would likely
allow cheatgrass to spread and proliferate. All activities involve a risk of
spreading noxious weeds into the areas where there is bare soil. Visitors may
accidentally carry noxious weed seeds into the areas on their shoes and clothing
and any activities that involve any ground disturbance, such as relocating the
parking areas, may allow non-native plants (cheat grass) to spread and noxious
weeds to invade.
6. Cultural Resources
Alternative A - No Action
Within the Arnold Cave complex, which includes Arnold, Charcoal and Hidden
Forest Caves, there would be no new authorized ground disturbance. Existing
footpaths system would be used.
Alternatives B and C
An appropriate inventory has been conducted for this undertaking and
property(s), which may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of
Historic Places (NRHP), have been located. Avoidance measures would be
implemented per Stipulation III. B.2 (a-d). The hand-drying agent restriction
and no climbing on the warm-up wall at Hidden Forest Cave would alleviate any
cultural impacts caused by climbing. Therefore the undertaking meets the
criteria given in Stipulation III.B.W of the Programmatic Agreement (PA).
The parking lot located adjacent to Arnold Cave would not be expanded or graded, but improved by bringing in fill to reduce the slope towards the cave.
There are no cultural concerns with the proposed bat gates at Wind, Charlie-the-Cave and Bat caves.
II. OTHER EFFECTS
All alternatives are in compliance with relevant Federal, State and local
laws, regulations, and requirements designed for the protection of the
environment. None of the alternatives establishes a precedent for future
actions, or a decision in principle about a future consideration.
1. Consumers, Civil Rights, Minority Groups, and Women
Effects on consumers, minorities and women are within the scope of effects
described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Deschutes Land and
Resource Management Plan (LRMP 8/90).
2. Unique Landforms/Geologic Hazards
Under alternatives B and C there would be some modification to Wind,
Charlie-the-Cave and Bat caves due to gate installations. There would be no
effect to unique characteristics of the geological or ecological resources of
the caves.
3. Effects on Noise
There would be some noise associated with this project during parking lot
relocation and gate construction in alternatives B and C, but it would be short
term, less than three months.
4. Effects on Water Quality
None as there are no water sources, streams or lakes within the project area.
There would be no effect to water quality or resources of the caves.
5. Public Health and Safety
No adverse effects to public health or safety have been identified. There is
some concern that chalk and hand-drying agents are essential for climbing
activities to occur at Skeleton and Hidden Forest caves. Without the use of
these aids, climbers who boulder at Skeleton Cave, as well as sport climbers at
Hidden Forest Cave would not be able to participate in this activity. Or, would
be limited to those days where temperatures and humidity levels would allow the
sport to occur without chalk/hand-drying agents. Although climbing is sport
inherent with risk of injury with or without climbing aids, some climbers may be
at greater risk of injury if they choose to participate in climbing activities
without the use of these aids.
6. Irretrievable/Irreversible Resources
There would be some irretrievable commitments of resources due to the
proposed parking lot relocations included in the action alternatives.
7. Roadless
There are no inventoried roadless areas within or adjacent to the project
area. There would be no change to the unroaded or undeveloped character as
defined by the current proposed rule for roadless areas.
GOTO:
Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests Website
http://www.fs.fed.us/centraloregon/manageinfo/nepa/documents/bendfort/caves/chapter3.html
Last Update: 6/6/01
R.A. Jensen