Management of the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway does not change substantially across alternatives; therefore, all impacts are common to all alternatives.
Under all alternatives, the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway continues its existing designation. Management of cultural and environmental interpretation and education along the byway would continue according to the Red Gulch/Alkali National Back Country Byway Interpretive Master Plan (BLM 1994a). Existing adverse and beneficial impacts from the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway, Hyattville Logging Road, and the Hazelton (33-Mile) Road will continue under all alternatives regardless of designation and are considered negligible. Long-term adverse impacts from the current Type III and IV character of the roads (see Glossary ) are the same as impacts from similar primitive roads in the Planning Area and include habitat fragmentation, fugitive dust, increased erosion, and potential spread of invasive, nonnative plant seeds and/or parts.
Developing educational materials for the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway may result in beneficial impacts by increasing knowledge and appropriate use of the area. Beneficial impacts from the Red Gulch/Alkali Road Back Country Byway include maintaining a viable transportation route, back country access, and recreation, wildlife, and scenic viewing opportunities. These benefits allow a positive change for residents and visitors, providing the opportunity to experience aesthetic appreciation, identify with a special place, improve perception of the quality of life, and improve the image of the area and its recreational opportunities. Environmental benefits include creating a sense of “ownership” and stewardship of the area, while protecting natural habitats and open space by reducing the temptation for recreationists to travel off-road. Economic benefits include retaining recreational spending in local areas, increased contributions to local economies, and increased attractiveness of the area.
Potential adverse impacts from maintaining the back country byway include increased use of Red Gulch/Alkali Road and potential increases in soil erosion, road maintenance, and fugitive dust from traffic. In addition, increased human presence and activity in the area may adversely affect biological and cultural resources due to litter, unauthorized plant collection, the spread of invasive species, vandalism, and wildlife disturbance.
Alternative A does not designate other back country byways.
Alternative B would designate two additional back country byways, the Hyattville Logging Road and the Hazelton (33-Mile) Road.
Developing interpretive facilities (including interpretive pull-outs, parking areas, trailheads, etc.) on all back country byways (including the Red/Gulch Alkali Back Country Byway), and publishing educational brochures displaying the multiple uses, resource values, and unique character of each byway would result in beneficial impacts by enhancing users’ experiences and encouraging appropriate use that does not degrade the byways. Beneficial and adverse impacts from designating the additional two back country byways would be similar to those under Alternative A. However, the extent of impacts under Alternative B would be greater as the designations affect more areas, possibly including areas outside the Planning Area’s jurisdiction, such as the Casper and Buffalo Field Offices, due to the influence and connectivity of the Hazelton (33-Mile) Road.
Developing educational materials for the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway would result in the same beneficial impacts as Alternative A.
Alternative C does not designate other back country byways.
Alternative D would designate the Hyattville Logging Road Back County Byway in addition to retaining the Red Gulch/Alkali Road National Back Country Byway. Beneficial and adverse impacts from designating the Hyattville Logging Road Back Country Byway would be similar to, but greater than, those described under Alternative A and less than those under Alternative B. Alternative D also considers the designation of new back country byways on a case-by-case basis, which may expand the extent of impacts described under Alternative A if more byways are designated.
Similar to alternatives A and C, this alternative does not require the BLM to develop interpretive facilities. However, Alternative D does allow the BLM to consider developing such facilities (including interpretive pull-outs, parking areas, trailheads, etc.) on the Hyattville Logging Road Back Country Byway and the Red/Gulch Alkali National Back Country Byway and publishing educational brochures displaying the multiple uses, resource values, and unique character of each byway, which may result in impacts similar to those under Alternative B, but to a lesser extent.