Protecting a Legacy  Overview Environmental Conservation Services (ECS Inc.), a locally owned and operated consulting firm, has been contracted by the Southern Idaho Resource and Conservation District (RC&D) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to conduct an EA on approximately 44,000 acres in the Boise Foothills. The purpose of this EA is to assess the impacts of proposed future treatment program that would be developed to help protect and enhance areas in the foothills that are currently considered high risk to wildfire disturbance. Management concerns related to the area and the EA include, but are not limited to, introduction and spread of invasive and noxious weeds, loss of native vegetation, soil erosion, and reduced viability of winter mule deer habitat. Need for and Purpose of Proposed Action Between 1957 and 2006, wildfires burned approximately 37,600 acres (75%) of the area between Bogus Basin Road and Lucky Peak Reservoir with approximately 52% of that having burned two or more times. Vegetation in burned areas has changed from deep-rooted perennial plants that stabilize soils and provided habitat for wintering mule deer to shallow-rooted annual plants that provide minimal stabilization or habitat. About 5,000 acres in the Foothills are currently dominated by annuals, but bitterbrush, an important food for mule deer, is absent from a large area. The Four Rivers Field Office (FRFO) proposes to maintain, improve and restore healthy vegetation in the Boise Foothills Project Area to minimize the effects of wildland fires, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments in meeting these objectives. Project Area The project area is approximately 44,000 acres and is located in portions of northern Ada County and southwest Boise County, Idaho, partially encompassed by and adjacent to the City of Boise, in the east portion of the Boise Foothills. The project boundaries are roughly defined by the west rim of Lucky Peak Lake canyon to the south, Warmsprings Avenue to the west, Bogus Basin Road to the north, and Boise Ridge Road to the east extending to the canyon of Lucky Peak Lake. The Foothills are characterized as a transition between the valley floor, recognized by the arid lowlands surrounding the verdant ribbon of the Boise River, and the coniferous peaks of the Boise ridge. Indigenous vegetation includes bunchgrasses and sagebrush, interspersed with ribbons of riparian vegetation in drainages. Elevations of the project area range from approximately 2,650 to 6,950 feet. The topography of the project area ranges from little topographical relief near the city limits to moderately and severely steep slopes. The topography of the Boise Front is a result of several main drainages, including Dry Creek, Stewart Gulch, Hull’s Gulch, and Maynard Gulch, and their tributaries. Public involvement and comment is an essential part the process. Identifying areas important to you, areas you think need management changes, or areas you think should be left alone. For your convenience a brief description of access points to view the project area are listed below. There are several trails and roads available throughout the area. Please take this opportunity to explore the project area. For more information, visit the link below: Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Field Office Public Comment Public comment is welcomed and appreciated. Send your comments via email to: foothillsea@ecs-services.com  |
