Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project Scoping Notice

Transcription

1 Introduction Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project Scoping Notice USDA Forest Service Helena National Forest Helena Ranger District Lewis and Clark County, Montana The Helena Ranger District of the Helena National Forest is initiating public scoping for the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project. This notice supports requirements for 36 CFR 220.4(e) where scoping is required for all Forest Service proposed actions, including those that would appear to be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. Purpose and Need The intent of this project is to reduce ongoing resource damage from unauthorized user-created roads and dispersed camping, and to protect sensitive areas (meadows, wetlands, and riparian areas). Monitoring completed by Helena National Forest personnel has identified several unauthorized routes within the project area which are in violation of the Department of Agriculture s regulations regarding travel management and motor vehicle use on National Forest System lands (36 CFR 295). Additionally, monitoring has identified dispersed sites that are causing damage to soil productivity, wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and meadows, as well as causing erosion and delivery of sediment to streams. These routes and dispersed sites will likely continue to see unauthorized use and increased resource damage unless they are more effectively managed (e.g. by site restoration and/or installation of barriers). Specific goals of this project: Restore natural hydrologic processes and soil productivity by decompacting impacted surfaces; Reduce erosion and sedimentation caused by user-created routes and dispersed sites; Provide protection to riparian areas, wet meadows, aspen stands, and other sensitive resource areas; and Discourage further unauthorized off-road motorized vehicle use. Proposed Action Activities included in the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project would take place on public land administered by the Helena Ranger District of the Helena National Forest. The project area extends south from Priest Pass to Highway 12 and from Highway 12 south to the Rimini area. The legal description for this project includes; Township 8N Range 6W, Township 8N Range SW, Township 9N Range 5W, Township ion Range 5W and Township ion Range 6W. Lower Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 1

2 The project proposes treatments in two specific areas: Priest Pass Project Area and Tenmile Project Area. Treatment activities include decommissioning of 8.8 miles of unauthorized routes, access restriction on 1.4 miles of unauthorized routes, and restoration of twenty highly disturbed dispersed sites (see attachment A for Maps and route specific treatment details). Activates associated with this project include but are not limited to: Decommission road segments or dispersed sites, which may include ripping, recontouring, seeding, and/or slashing; Construct barriers as necessary to prohibit unauthorized use; Reshape and decompact roads and dispersed sites to reduce erosion; and Maintain access to dispersed sites where excessive resource damage is not occurring. Resource Protection Measures The following resource protection measures would be implemented as part of the proposal. Fisheries: Instream activities would be compliant with the Montana Stream Protection Act, and all permits would be obtained prior to work. Fuels: Implementation activities would be coordinated to avoid conflicts with fuels treatments. Turn arounds would be constructed or maintained to accommodate wildland fire equipment. Equipment shall operate in compliance with fire restrictions. Heritage: Heritage staff would survey proposed decommissioned roads and project implementation would only proceed with clearance from Helena National Forest Heritage staff. If cultural sites are identified by Heritage staff prior to implementation, those sites would not be disturbed. If cultural sites are identified during implementation, actions would be halted until cleared by Heritage staff. Hydrology: Activities would be restricted to avoid winter, rain, or wet periods. For cut/fill roads, the cut material would be used to fully recontour the slope to pre-construction conditions. All drainage features on decommissioned routes would be restored to natural contours. All National Core Best Management Practices would be followed on road construction and reconstruction, route decommissioning, and any in-stream work. Prior to activities, applicable permits would be obtained in compliance with the Clean Water Act and the Montana Stream Protection Act. A designated Forest Service representative responsible for maintenance of water quality within appropriate state standards would oversee implementation within the municipal watershed. Minerals: Road decommissioning may be delayed to accommodate mine mitigation activities. Sensitive Plants: Sensitive plant populations would be protected from ground disturbance; prior to commencement of project implementation, the boundaries of all populations of sensitive plants within or near the project area would be clearly identified and a buffer would be established for each plant population as a no-entry zone for equipment. Soils: For two-track restoration, the entire road bed would be ripped where needed to restore soil productivity to the roadbed. Native material would be laid over the freshly disturbed sites to shield Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 2

3 against erosion and deter unauthorized use by motorized vehicles. Entrances would be blocked using trees, boulders, etc. where feasible to deter subsequent use by motorized vehicles. Where required, scarified and disturbed soils would be seeded with grasses for short-term erosion protection. Only Forest Service approved weed-free native seed mix would be used. Timber/Vegetation: All cut vegetation would remain on site and some cut vegetation would likely be used to improve road closures. Decommissioning activities would minimize damage to live trees and creation of hazard trees. Any tree damaged (roots or stem) during the process would be cut to eliminate presence of hazard trees. Weeds: In areas of invasive species infestation, weed control would occur before and after decommissioning to prevent the spread and return of invasive species (Helena National Forest Noxious Weed Treatment ROD, 2006). All equipment would be washed prior to entering Forest Service land to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Equipment would be cleaned prior to leaving the project areas if operation in areas infested with new invaders. Helena National Forest personnel would monitor implementation effectiveness following treatments, and recommend follow up treatments as needed. Wildlife: If goshawks are detected during implementation, a wildlife biologist would be consulted. If an active nest is located in the project vicinity, a work restriction period from April 15 to August 15 would be imposed. To minimize disturbance to elk (and hunters) during the general hunting season, decommissioning activities would not take place between October 15 and December 1. Management Considerations and Extraordinary Circumstances Pursuant to 36 CFR 220.6, a proposed action may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an EA or an EIS if there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the action and if: 1. The proposed action is within one of the categories established by the Secretary at 7 CFR part lb.3; or, 2. The proposed action is within a category listed in (d) or (e). After review and analysis it is my preliminary determination that this project meets the category of actions referenced above and listed at 36 CFR 220.6(e)(20): Activities that restore, rehabilitate, or stabilize lands occupied by roads and trails, excluding National Forest System roads and National Forest System trails to a more natural condition that may include removing, replacing, or modifying drainage structures and ditches, reestablishing vegetation, reshaping natural contours and slopes, reestablishing drainage-ways, or other activities that would restore site productivity and reduce environmental impacts. Examples include but are not limited to: (i) Decommissioning a road that is no longer a National Forest System road to a more natural state by restoring natural contours and removing construction fills, loosening compacted soils, revegetating the roadbed and removing ditches and culverts to reestablish natural drainage patterns; Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 3

4 (ii) Restoring an unauthorized trail to a natural state by reestablishing natural drainage patterns, stabilizing slopes, reestablishing vegetation, and installing water bars; and (iii) Installing boulders, logs, and berms on an unauthorized road segment to promote naturally regenerated grass, shrub, and tree growth. Preliminary analysis indicates that no extraordinary circumstances to resource conditions have been identified as outlined at 36 CFR 220.6(b) that would warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or EIS. Resource reports and conclusions will be available in the project record. The following resource conditions identified in Agency procedures have been considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances might exist and have been accounted for: Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. 1. Plants There are no federally listed threatened, endangered, or proposed plant species known to occur on the Helena National Forest (HNF) or suspected in the project area (USD1 Fish and Wildlife Service 2014). Whitebark pine is a federal candidate species and is also a Region 1 sensitive species. With no effects expected for federally listed plants, this report is limited to Region 1 sensitive species and their habitats. The preliminary Biological Assessment for sensitive plants indicate the proposed project may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species; therefore, no extraordinary circumstances exist. 2. Wildlife - Threatened and endangered wildlife species listed for the Helena National Forest in the Divide area include the lynx and grizzly bear. Activities are not expected to have any adverse effects on either of these species. Therefore, a No Effect/Impact determination is expected pertaining to federally listed threatened or endangered species, designated critical habitat, or species proposed for listing or proposed critical habitat. Based on preliminary assessments, no extraordinary circumstances exist. A No Effect/Impact determination is expected pertaining to sensitive wildlife species of the Helena National Forest. The appropriate Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluations for wildlife are being completed. 3. Fisheries - Activities proposed are not expected to have any adverse effects on threatened, endangered, or sensitive species. The appropriate Biological Evaluations for fish are being completed. A No Effect/Impact to Fisheries determination is expected, therefore, no extraordinary circumstances exist. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds - Project work would occur within the Tenmile Creek watershed, which is part of the municipal watershed for the City of Helena. The City of Helena and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality are included on scoping and comment to ensure that the proposed project would enhance water quality in the Tenmile Creek watershed. Project work is Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 4

5 specifically designed to improve watershed function and water quality by removing vehicle traffic from riparian areas and reducing sediment to surface water. Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas Project work would occur across one section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST). Impacts to the CDNST would only include temporary closure or detour to provide public safety while adjacent road decommission work is in progress. The duration of work impacting the CDNST is anticipated not to exceed two days. The project is anticipated to have a long-term beneficial impact to the scenic quality of the CDNST. Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas Portions of the proposed project are within the Jarico Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) and adjacent to the Lazyman IRA. No work is planned within the Lazyman IRA however; road decommissioning adjacent to the area is anticipated to help deter future unauthorized route development within the IRA. The project proposes to decommission 0.4 miles of unauthorized roads in the Jarico Mountain IRA. The project is anticipated to have a long-term beneficial impact to overall wilderness characteristics of the inventoried roadless areas. Research natural areas There are no research natural areas in or near the project area and therefore no extraordinary circumstances exist. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites - There are no known sites in the proposed area. If unknown sites were encountered during implementation, these sites would be subject to appropriate Tribal Historic Preservation Officer review and comment, as per the 36 CFR 800 compliance process. Archeological sites, or historic properties or areas Portions of the project area have been previously surveyed for archeological resources (Historic Power line Road). Surveys would continue and would be completed prior to implementation according to the National Historic Preservation Act. Any undocumented archeological resources found during project implementation would be reported to a Forest Service archaeologist and, if necessary, project design would be modified to avoid any impacts to those resources. Findings and Consistency with Laws, Regulation, and FS Policies The proposed project is consistent with Forest Plan management direction, standards, and guidelines. No potential effects to Helena National Forest Management Indicator Species (MIS) have been identified in our preliminary analysis. The project meets the requirements found in but not limited to the National Forest Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 5

6 Public Involvement This project appears on the Helena National Forest webpage and is listed in the schedule of proposed actions (SOPA) quarterly report. Input has been considered from an interdisciplinary team and through preliminary project analysis. The following interested and affected agencies, organizations, and persons are being contacted regarding the proposal: local landowners, City of Helena and agency partners. All comments received during the public comment period will be considered and analyzed before a final decision is made. The comment period provides those interested in or affected by this proposal an opportunity to make their concerns known prior to a decision being made by the responsible official. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and will be available for public inspection. Please share your comments, concerns, or ideas with Heather Degeest, Helena District Ranger, at the District Office at 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT or by phone at (406) Office hours are 8:30AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. If you prefer, send your comments electronically to comments-northern-helena-helena@fs.fed.us. Thank you for your interest! Sincerely, thc4li4jl HEATHER DEGEEST Helena District Ranger Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 6

7 Attachment A Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project Map and Treatment Details Project Overview Map Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 7

8 Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 8

9 Priest Pass Project Area Treatment Details Unauthorized Route Length (miles) Treatment 335NS Barrier 335NS No Treatment 1846Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 1846NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 1846NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 1846NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335B1NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335-NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335-NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335-NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 335NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash U205-NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 9

10 Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 10

11 Tenmile Project Area Treatment Details Unauthorized Routes Length (miles) Inventoried Roadless (miles) Treatment 299Ns Barrier 299NS Barrier 695NS No Treatment 695NS No Treatment 1866Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 1866Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 299Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 299Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 299Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 299Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 527Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 527Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695NS Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695Ns2 0.5 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash 695Ns Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 11