Files. Forest Service. Idaho Panhandle National Forests. United States Department of Agriculture

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Idaho Panhandle National Forests St. Joe Ranger District 222 S. 7 th St. Suite 1 St. Maries, ID (208) File Code: 1950 Date: September 30, 2010 Subject: St. Joe Remedial Bridge Repair Projects #2 To: Files I have decided to approve the repairs of four bridges on National Forest System land in Shoshone County, Idaho. Bridge locations and required repair work are listed below: Road 320 across Heller Creek (Section 17, T43N, R10E, Boise Meridian) consisting of removing existing timber rail and replacing existing timber curb; removing and replacing all existing timber abutment post (8); replacing eight wing wall posts; installing new object markers at bridge ends; installing rock gabion armor along timber sill; cleaning the deck; removing existing running planks and installing treated timber running planks; reshaping approaches and placing four inches of crushed aggregate surface on the full width of the existing travel way. Road 320 across Red Ives Creek (Section 20, T43N, R9E, Boise Meridian) consisting of removing existing timber rail and replacing existing timber curb; installing new object markers at bridge ends; repairing settlement and undermining at sill #1 by first installing pancake jacks to lift the downstream end of sill and leveling the bridge; then installing anchor rods and grout under undermined portions of sill #1; and placing 12 cubic yards of Class 6 riprap armoring at upstream corner of the bridge. Road 715 across the St. Joe River (Section 26, T43N, R10E, Boise Meridian) consisting of removing existing timber rail and replacing existing timber curb; removing and replacing all existing timber abutment post (8); replacing 12 wing wall posts; installing new object markers at bridge ends; installing rock gabion armor along timber sill and wing walls; installing Class 5 riprap armoring along the wing wall and bank; cleaning the deck; removing existing running planks and installing treated timber running planks; reshaping approaches and placing four inches of crushed aggregate surface on the full width of the existing travel way. Road 301 on the Little North Fork Clearwater River (Section 17, T43N, R5E, Boise Meridian) consisting of removing existing timber rail and replacing existing timber curb; strengthening two upstream timber abutment posts; installing new object markers at bridge ends; cleaning the deck; removing existing running planks and installing treated timber running planks; repairing pier by replacing upstream post and adding new backing planks on each face; reshaping approaches and placing four inches of crushed aggregate surface on the full width of the existing travel way. Public Involvement On February 8, 2010 former District Ranger Chuck Mark sent a letter describing the proposed action for the St. Joe Remedial Bridge Repair Projects to individuals on the district mailing list who expressed interest in all Forest Service projects on the St. Joe Ranger District including five people representing the Coeur d Alene Tribe. I also posted the letter on the IPNF website. Acting District Ranger, Kimberly Johnson, met with representatives of the Coeur d'alene Tribe Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 on June 2, 2010 and discussed the bridge repairs. They did not express any concerns about the projects. We received comments on the St. Joe Remedial Bridge Repair projects from Charles Corsi of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game; Jonathan Oppenheimer of Idaho Conservation League; Jeff Cook of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation; Jack Buell, Benewah County Commissioner; Charles Corsi, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, supports the repairs of the bridges and reminded us to apply the Inland Native Fish Strategy for streams to protect water quality and fish habitat. Jonathan Oppenheimer, Idaho Conservation League, had concerns with potential impact to designated or eligible Wild River segments along the St. Joe and Little North Fork Clearwater Rivers. He stated that proposals for repair must be consistent with any approved river management plan and the FS should consider whether the ongoing and potential increased use of the bridges may potentially affect the outstandingly remarkable values for which the rivers were designated and indentified as eligible. On March 22, 2010 Cornie Hudson, IDT Leader and Environmental Coordinator, talked with Mr. Oppenheimer on the phone. He is okay with us moving forward with the bridge repair proposals because the projects are consistent with the IPNF Forest Plan and the St. Joe Wild & Scenic River Development & Management Plan. Jeff Cook, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation encouraged the St. Joe Ranger District to move forward with the repair projects and to use the media to notify visitors of the bridge work activities and timing. Jack Buell, Benewah County Commissioner, supports the projects. Jeff Juel of The Lands Council and Michael Garrity of Alliance for the Wild Rockies wanted to be sure that bridge improvements are done only on the roads that are necessary, that is those that meet the criteria for the minimal road system as per FSM They also asked how the projects would be funded. The bridges are on main access routes and are main Forest system roads which provide access to a variety of recreational uses on the St. Joe Ranger District. Bridge inspections show that bridge repair is necessary. The repair work will be funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Timing of Work Bridge repair work may be implemented immediately, but it will not occur between April 15 th and July 1 st. In-stream work will only occur between July 15, 2011 and September 1, The in-stream work for each bridge will be completed within one week once in-stream work begins. Category and Finding of No Extraordinary Circumstances These projects fall within a category of actions excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement as outlined in 36 CFR 220.6(d) (4) (Repair and maintenance of roads, trails, and landline boundaries). I considered all the elements of this proposal in my determination; and there will be no extraordinary circumstances or significant direct, indirect or cumulative effects based on the scale of the proposed activities and the low risk of environmental impact. Remedial Bridge Repair Projects #2 2 September 30, 2010

3 These actions are consistent with the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Plan. Repairs will occur on roads which are part of the IPNF National Forest Road System and meet criteria of FSM There are no atypical situations or resource conditions that would result in extraordinary circumstances as documented below (see project file for further details): 1. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species: Threatened and Endangered Species: These projects, which are within bull trout occupied habitat, are likely to adversely affect bull trout; however, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurs that these activities are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the bull trout. Effects would be minimized due to the timing restrictions and design features. Bridge repair activity on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is included under the August 25, 2010 Addendum to the Biological Assessment for Stream Crossing Structure Replacement and Removal Activities Affecting ESA-listed Species in Idaho National Forests and Idaho/Nevada BLM Public Lands dated June 9, On August 26, 2010 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the determination that the addition of proposed Program activities on the IPNF are within the scope of effects and limits of incidental take exempted by the Service in the August 14, 2006 formal consultation. Consistent with the conclusion of the August 14, 2006 Biological Opinion, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that addition of the IPNF Program activities is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the bull trout. For gray wolf the projects are not likely to jeopardize the continues existence of the species or result in destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. The projects may impact but are not likely to adversely affect Canada lynx. The projects will have no effect on the following threatened or endangered species: water howellia, Spalding s catchfly, woodland caribou, and grizzly bear. Sensitive Species: The projects may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability to the population of western cutthroat trout. The projects will not impact the following sensitive wildlife species: American peregrine falcon, bald eagle, black-backed woodpecker, black swift, common loon, flammulated owl, harlequin duck, pygmy nuthatch, fisher, fringed myotis, North American wolverine, northern bog lemming, Townsend s big-eared bat, and Coeur d Alene salamander, western toad. There will be no impact to sensitive plant species. 2. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds: The projects are within flood plains; however, minimal vegetation damage will occur. In-stream work will be conducted at lower water levels, enclosed BMPs will be followed, and minimal vegetation damage will occur. The projects are not within typical wetlands and are not within municipal watersheds, so wetlands and municipal watershed will not be affected. Remedial Bridge Repair Projects #2 3 September 30, 2010

4 3. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas: The Red Ives Creek Bridge (to be repaired) on Road 320 is located within the "Recreation" portion of the St. Joe Wild and Scenic River Corridor; and the Heller Creek Bridge on Road 320 and the St. Joe River Bridge on Road 715 are located within the "Wild" portion of the St. Joe Wild and Scenic River Corridor. All activities are consistent with the St. Joe Wild & Scenic River Development & Management Plan (USDA Forest Service IPNF Forest Plan Appendix Z). 4. Inventoried roadless area or potential wilderness area: The projects are not within inventoried roadless areas or a potential wilderness areas, so roadless characteristics will not be affected. 5. Research natural areas: Project activities will not occur in a research natural area. 6. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites: Initial proposals for repair work and a request for comments were sent to five people associated with the Coeur d Alene Tribe. They did not provide comments on the proposals. An appropriate inventory has been conducted for the projects, and cultural properties are known to be located within the area of potential effect. The projects will have No Adverse Effect to the properties because the projects are designed to avoid significant effects. The bridges do not meet the National Register criteria. While some of the bridges are immediately adjacent to or within previously recorded historic sites, maintenance activities will have no adverse effect since impacts will be confined to the bridges themselves and the immediately adjacent running surfaces located on maintained roads. 7. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas: An appropriate inventory has been conducted for the projects, and cultural properties are known to be located within the area of potential effect. The projects will have No Adverse Effect to the properties because the projects are designed to avoid significant effects. The bridges do not meet the National Register criteria. While some of the bridges are immediately adjacent to or within previously recorded historic sites, maintenance activities will have no adverse effect since impacts will be confined to the bridges themselves and the immediately adjacent running surfaces located on maintained roads. The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office agreed with this determination. Findings Required by Laws and Regulations Endangered Species Act: The projects comply with the Endangered Species Act. Repair of bridges fall under the US Fish and Wildlife Service's August 14, 2006 Biological Opinion (p. 7). All general mitigation measures and fish species-specific measures, identified in the Programmatic BO, apply to these projects. See previous discussion on Threatened and Endangered species. Clean Water Act and Idaho Water Quality Laws: No effect to water quality is expected because design features and best management practices (BMPs) will be followed. The projects will comply with the Clean Water Act and Idaho water quality laws. The National Historical Preservation Act (NHPA): The projects are consistent with Section 106 of the NHPA. The project areas have been thoroughly inventoried, and there will be no adverse effects to cultural resources due to these projects. The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office agreed with this determination. The St. Joe Ranger District met with representatives of the Remedial Bridge Repair Projects #2 4 September 30, 2010

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