I. PROPOSED ACTION

A. The Proposed Actions The Forest Service proposes to add limestone sand using a helicopter to headwater streams of St. Mary's River within St. Mary's Wilderness. Since the project occurs in a designated wilderness, we intend to use the helicopter during low use times and seasons (ie: mid-winter, midweek) over an approximately three-day period.  No helicopter landings would take place in the Wilderness.  Following chemical treatment of the waters, indigenous aquatic species would be allowed to recolonize naturally in areas  where waterfalls do not restrict their movement, and reintroduced to their historic distribution if natural recolonization does not occur. The proposal also includes amending the revised Forest Plan to waive application of a visual quality standard.

A total of 140 tons of limestone would be added to the following waters: Sugartree Branch (15 tons), Mine Bank Branch (10 tons), Bear Branch (10 tons), Chimney Branch (15 tons), Hogback Branch (20 tons) and the upper St. Mary's River (70 tons).

The project area is located entirely within the St.Mary's Wilderness (Management Area 8, 1993 George Washington National Forest Final Revised Land and Resource Management Plan).  The wilderness is about 18 miles south of Staunton, Virginia in Augusta County.  The map in Appendix C shows the location of the St. Mary's Wilderness and locations of the liming sites.

B. Need for the Proposed Action(s)

1. Desired Future Condition

The project area is located entirely within the St.Mary's Wilderness (Management Area 8, 1993 George Washington National Forest Final Revised Land and Resource Management Plan).  The St. Mary's Wilderness is to be administered to maintain or achieve a naturally functioning ecosystem. The desired future condition is for the wilderness to consist of ecosystems that are the result of natural succession and processes. Yet, the wilderness character is to be protected and perpetuated (Revised Plan, Management Area 8, page 3-35). The acid deposition problem in wildernesses was recognized in the Forest Plan Revision.  Plan Standard 8-46 (page 3-40) allows for mitigation of acid deposition effects on a case by case basis.