Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Commuter Rail And The Landscape: Alternative Futures For Planning In Southeastern Box Elder County, C. Michael Gottfredson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This thesis analyzes the impact the FrontRunner commuter-rail service would have on Southeastern Box Elder County, Utah, using both anticipated future and alternative future scenarios created in a geographic information system (GIS). These alternative future scenarios include having the FrontRunner developed at anticipated stops and a transit-oriented development (TOD) scenario. Using techniques and methods developed by scholars in the bioregional planning field, these alternative future scenarios were compared against impact-data models addressing residential land-use suitability and landscape risk.

Outcomes: from this analysis, the TOD alternative future scenario had the least impact on landscape risk impact-data model. The TOD model …

Inventory, Assessment And Preliminary Management Planning For Utah's Sovereign Land Along The Bear River, Matthew Coombs

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

ABSTRACT

Inventory, Assessment and Preliminary Management Planning for

Utah’s Sovereign Land along the Bear River

by

Matthew S. Coombs

Master of Science in Bioregional Planning

Utah State University, 2017

Major Professor: Richard E. Toth

Department: Environment and Society

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) is responsible for the management of state-owned sovereign land in Utah, which includes the bed and banks of the Bear River in Cache and Box Elder Counties. The purpose of this project is to provide relevant background information and data to support the future development of a comprehensive management plan for the …

A Social–Ecological Approach To Conservation Planning: Embedding Social Considerations, Natalie C. Ban, Morena Mills, Jordan Tam, Christina C. Hicks, Sarah Klain, Natalie Stoeckl, Madeleine C. Bottrill, Jordan Levine, Robert L. Pressey, Terre Satterfield, Kai M. A. Chan

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Many conservation plans remain unimplemented, in part because of insufficient consideration of the social processes that influence conservation decisions. Complementing social considerations with an integrated understanding of the ecology of a region can result in a more complete conservation approach. We suggest that linking conservation planning to a social–ecological systems (SES) framework can lead to a more thorough understanding of human–environment interactions and more effective integration of social considerations. By characterizing SES as a set of subsystems, and their interactions with each other and with external factors, the SES framework can improve our understanding of the linkages between social and …

Alternative Futures For The Upper Colorado River Ecosystem: Phase Ii, Temis G. Taylor

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Wildlife habitat and biodiversity in the Upper Colorado River Ecosystem are threatened by growth of urban areas, subdivision of rural lands, and exploitation of natural resources. The White-Yampa, Colorado Headwaters, and Gunnison River Watersheds within the region were investigated to discover areas supporting high biodiversity that would be possible candidates for conservation efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Using an alternative futures planning process and principles of landscape ecology, development of energy of the resources in the region was found to be the primary driver for land use and impacts to wildlife habitat. Through application of geospatial modeling …

Planning For Closure Of The Logan City/Cache County Landfill And Surrounding Landscape, Kristofor Lee Kvarfordt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Planning for closure requires in depth analysis into many operational, environmental, and social factors. Ideally, the planning process should resolve as many of the technical, social, and aesthetic requirements as possible by systematically addressing the various elements that influence the final design. This research identified the significant issues related to planning for the end use of the current Logan landfill after it reaches capacity in 18-20 years and the associated lagoons and wetlands. The current closure plan calls for simply recontouring the landfill to stabilize the slopes, then revegetating. The location of the site has serious implications for environmental impact …

Richfield Field Office Planning Area - Proposed Resource Management And Final Environmental Impact Statement, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Final environmental Impact Statements (UT)

The Proposed RMP was crafted primarily from the Preferred Alternative presented in the DRMP/DEIS (Alternative B) and includes other decisions within the range of alternatives (Alternatives N, A, C, and D) in response to public comments and internal review. The No Action Alternative (Alternative N) reflects current management. The BLM has removed the DRMP/DEIS Alternative B (Preferred Alternative) from the PRMP/FEIS. The other DRMP/DEIS Alternatives (Alternatives N, A, C, and D) and analyses are carried forward in the PRMP/FEIS only for comparative purposes and to correct some mistakes that were identified during the public comment period.

Moab Field Office Planning Area Proposed Resource Management Plan And Final Environmental Impact Statement, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Final environmental Impact Statements (UT)

This Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes and analyzes the Proposed Plan and draft alternatives for the planning and management of public lands and resources administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Field Office. The Moab planning area is located in southeastern Utah and includes approximately 2.5-million acres of land in Grand and San Juan Counties. Within the Moab planning area, the BLM manages approximately 1.8-million acres of BLM-administered public land surface as well as about 29,000 acres of federal mineral estate.

Long-Range Transportation Planning In Utah: Summary Of Research Results From Interviews And Focus Groups, Joanna Endter-Wada, Judith Kurtzman, Michael Butkus, Dale Blahna, Christina Klien, Steve Burr, Douglas Gibbons, Douglas Reiter

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

This is the final Report from Phase II of the 2003 Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Benchmark Study. The study involved two phases and the USU research team produced two final reports, one for each phase of the research project, and an overarching Executive Summary. The purposes of the 2003 UDOT Benchmark Study conducted by Utah State University (USU) were to provide the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) with information for use in its statewide, long-range transportation plan and to provide benchmark data for tracking trends over time. The study was conducted jointly by the Institute for Outdoor Recreation and …

Long-Range Transportation Planning In Utah: Executive Summary, Dale Blahna, Joanna Endter-Wada, Steve Burr, Michael Butkus, Douglas Gibbons, Christina Klien, Judith Kurtzman, Douglas Reiter

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

This is the Executive Summary of the 2003 Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Benchmark Study. The study involved two phases and the USU research team produced two final reports, one for each phase of the research project, and an overarching Executive Summary. The purposes of the 2003 UDOT Benchmark Study conducted by Utah State University (USU) were to provide the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) with information for use in its statewide, long-range transportation plan and to provide benchmark data for tracking trends over time. The study was conducted jointly by the Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism and the …

Decision Record For The Environmental Assessment For Coal Planning Decisions In The Carbon Basin Area Of The Great Divide Resource Area, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Record of Decisions (WY)

The Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 requires that Federal coal lands to be considered for leasing must be identified in a comprehensive land use plan. At the time the Great Divide Resource Management Plan (GDRA RMP, 1990) was prepared, approximately 60% of the Federal coal lands in the Carbon Basin Coal Area were leased and exempt from the coal screening/planning process. Subsequently, development of this lease was never pursued and the lease expired. In addition, the coal screening/planning process was not conducted on the remainder of the Federal coal lands in the Carbon Basin area during the RMP …

Record Of Decision And Finding Of No Significant Impact For The Shirley Mountain Planning Review Travel Management, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Record of Decisions (WY)

The planning review was conducted to analyze and weigh the affects of retaining or changing the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) designation for the BLM-administered public lands within the Shirley Mountain Planning Review Area. The proposed decision considers comments received during public scoping and the 45-day comment period for the Shirley Mountain Planning Review Travel Management Environmental Assessment (EA).

Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Guidebook For Natural Ignition Fire Planning And Implementation, United States Bureau Of Land Management

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The RCBR Natural Ignition Fire (NIF) Guide establishes procedures for implementing fire management activities within the planning area. The RCBR NIF Guide follows direction established in the Ruby Canyon/Black Ridge Integrated Resource Management Plan and the Grand Junction Resource Management Plan (RMP). This guide will be incorporated into the Grand Junction District's Fire Management Action Plan, which is the document that implements overall fire management based on direction derived from the the RMP.

Environmental Assessment For Coal Planning Decisions In The Carbon Basin Area Of The Great Divide Resource Area, United States Department Of The Interior Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (WY)

In 1982, a federal coal lease was issued for approximately 60% of the federal coal lands located in the Carbon Basin. Because this lease was still in effect at the time the current BLM land use plan (the Great Divide Resource Area Resource Management Plan-RMP-1990) covering the Carbon Basin area was prepared, it was exempt from the coal screening/planning requirements. However, development of this lease was never pursued and the lease expired in 1992. Also at the time the Great Divide RMP was prepared, there was no other interest expressed by industry in obtaining federal coal leases in the area. …

Shirley Mountain Planning Review Travel Management Environmental Assessment, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (WY)

The purpose of conducting the planning review is to analyze and weigh the benefits/consequences of changing the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) designation for the Shirley Mountain Planning Review Area from "limited to all existing roads and trails" to "limited to designated roads and trails only." Recommendations to reduce road density in the planning review area were made in the Shirley Mountain Habitat Management Plan, written in 1985 and also in the Wyoming Game and Fish (WGFD) Shirley Mountain Habitat Analysis, written in 1994. The BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the private land owners on Shirley Mountain formed a …

Enhanced Planning Review Of The Salt Lake And Ogden Metropolitan Area, Melissa M. Laube, William Lyons, Robert Dial, D. Tilly Chang, U.S. Department Of Transportation, U.S. Department Of Commerce, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

ISTEA significantly changed the law governing metropolitan transportation planning. In response to the changes introduced by ISTEA, FHWA and FTA issued revised planning regulations on October 28, 1993, setting new requirements for the transportation planning processes. The requirements are presented in 23 CFR Part 450 and 49 CFR Part 613, Statewide and Metropolitan Planning Final Rule. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) also imposed rigorous new transportation planning requirements in metropolitan areas, particularly those that are designated nonattainment or maintenance areas for air quality. In support of the implementation of the revised regulations, FHW A and FTA jointly …

Final Environmental Impact Statement, Grass Creek Planning Area Resource Management Plan, Volume 1 Of 2, United States Department Of The Interior Bureau Of Land Management

Final Environmental Impact Statements (WY)

This final environmental impact statement (EIS) describes the proposed Grass Creek Resource Management Plan (RMP) and its environmental consequences. This proposed plan is for the future management of public lands in a portion of the Bighorn Basin Resource Area of the Worland District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The planning area comprises approximately 968,000 acres of BLM-administered public land surface and 1,171,000 acres of BLM-administered federal mineral estate. (BLM-administered public land surface is referred to as "public land" in this document.)

Final Environmental Impact Statement, Grass Creek Planning Area Resource Management Plan, Volume 2 Of 2, United States Department Of The Interior Bureau Of Land Management

Final Environmental Impact Statements (WY)

The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the balanced management of the public lands and resources and their various values so that they are considered in a combinatlon that will best serve the needs of the American people. Management is based upon the principles of multiple use and sustained yield: a combination of uses that take into account the long term needs of future generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources. These resources include recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness and natural, scenic, scientific and cultural values.

Price - San Rafael Rivers Unit, Utah, Planning Report / Final Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program / Colorado River Salinity Control Program, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation And United States Department Of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This integrated Planning Report/Final Environmental Impact Statement (PR/FEIS) presents an analysis of the planning process and the environmental impacts of the proposed Price-San Rafael Rivers Unit (Unit) of the Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program (CRWQIP) and the Colorado River Salinity Control Program (CRSC). The document has been jointly prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) to address the full range of potential environmental impacts, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The CRWQIP/CRSC programs provide for projects upstream of Imperial Dam (near Yuma, Arizona, on the Arizona-California border) that are necessary …

Utah Multihazards Planning Demonstration Project - A Case Study Report, United States Federal Emergency Management Agency

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This report is intended to describe, document, and evaluate the approach used in the Utah Multihazards Mitigation Project (UMP) which culminated in the Utah Plan, and to make that project experience available for use by other State and local governments throughout the nation. The report summarizes the planning and decision-making process followed, describes the specific mitigation measures identified, and assesses the transferability of the Utah approach and requirements for its replication by other State and local governments.

Planning For Rural Human Services: The Western Energy-Impact Experience, United States Department Of Health And Human Services, Office Of Human Development Services

Fuel Sources

Beginning in the mid-1970's, the development of energy resources in the western United States created significant changes in the small, rural communities of this area. Many of the changes were the result of the rapid influx of population associated with industrial activities. It has long been recognized that communities subject to rapid growth have difficulty meeting the physical facility needs of their residents, such as housing, shopping and school facilities, and sewer and water services. In recent years, a growing recognition of the importance of the social effects of rapid community growth has also developed. These effects include the deterioration …

Mountain Valley Planning Area, Rangeland Program Summary, United States Bureau Of Land Management

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to implement an improved rangeland program in the Mountain Valley Planning Area of central Utah. The program will be initiated during a five year period and will be followed by periodic updates. The program's benefits include improved watershed conditions through increased vegetation cover which will consequently reduce erosion. There will be an increase in the amount of rangeland in good condition and a decrease in the amount in poor condition. The rangeland's capacity ot sustain grazing by livestock and big game will also be increased. Wildlife habitat will be maintained or improved throughout …

Computer Simulation Of The Hydrologic And Salinity Flow Systems Within The Bear River Basin, Robert W. Hill, Eugene K. Israelsen, J. Paul Riley

Reports

Accompanying the increased use of water resources is an increases accumulation of chemical pollutants. Te prevent degradation of the water resources beyong useful limits, pollution inputs from additional uses must be quite accurately predicted prior to implementation of the new use. The model described in this report was formulated to provide the required predictive capability for the Bear River Basin. Modeling concepts of the hydrologic system are based upon the development of basin relationships describing the hydrologic processes which are linked together by the countinuity-of-mass principle. The salinity flow system is then linked to the hydrologic system based on the …

Water Resources Planning And Social Goals: Conceptualization Toward A New Methodology, D. Peterson, H. Caulfield, R. D'Arge, D. Gordon, M Marts, T. Roefs, R. Roelofs

Reports

A modeling concept relating water resource use to