DECISION MEMO PAYETTE LAKES SKI CLUB BEAR BASIN AMENDMENT U.S. FOREST SERVICE PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST MCCALL RANGER DISTRICT ADAMS COUNTY, IDAHO

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1 ,:::-:;;;;;;; a DECISION MEMO PAYETTE LAKES SKI CLUB BEAR BASIN AMENDMENT U.S. FOREST SERVICE PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST MCCALL RANGER DISTRICT ADAMS COUNTY, IDAHO BACKGROUND The purpose of this project is to respond to a request put forth by the Payette Lakes Ski Club (PLSC) as a modification to their existing Special Use Authorization. The action is necessary in order for PLSC to have a suitable location to place their temporary warming structure each operating season. The PLSC allows recreationists to enjoy several miles of groomed cross country (Nordic) ski routes on the Payette National Forest. In addition to providing a recreational opportunity that is enjoyed by the public, the Bear Basin trail system is also used by the PLSC to provide Nordic ski lessons to local school children. The temporary warming structure serves as base of operations, as well as a facility to store equipment. The project is located at the Bear Basin Parking Lot near Idaho Highway 55, 2 miles west of McCall, Idaho. The Legal land description is Township 19 North, Range 2 East, SESE Section 36, Boise Meridian, Valley County, Idaho. DECISION I have decided to approve the modification to an existing special use authorization for Payette Lakes Ski Club (PLSC) to allow use of a temporary warming structure to be used at their assigned site at Bear Basin Nordic Area. Use of the structure would be seasonal, with the structure brought in at the start of the operating season and removed after the cross country ski season ends. This structure is 12' X 40'. The design has been approved by Regional Office Facility Engineers. Use of this temporary structure will require modification to the existing parking lot, enlarging it to accommodate a location for the temporary structure. The following modifications to the existing Bear Basin parking lot are approved to accommodate the structure: Prior to work taking place, the area of disturbance identified in the site plan will be flagged off, indicating where the site work will take place. This area of disturbance is directly adjacent to the existing parking lot on the north/northeast side. Dimensions for disturbance are approximately 40' x 20'. A backhoe or small mini-excavator will be used to complete the site excavation work. If a large basalt outcrop is encountered, a larger track hoe may be required. After rough excavation, a pad of 12" deep, 3" basalt base "shot rock" or angular rock will be prepared. Page 1 of 7

2 ,:::-:;;;- D A 3" deep topping of%" road mix will be prepared. The prepared pad will drain to the north east at approximately 1 //' per foot. Figure 1. Vicinity Map USDA Forest Service. Payette Nat,onal Forest iic:::=======-... MMs o-....,.,.,..,.,.,.,_.,.l"'ih:ol"'"',..._...,.o,~--'-..._iil,-- ~-._..,_. ;t1>;,c11- _J,... ( '.~ [~,,..c._,,,....,.,,. t,,a... B...,..,~,-i,.,,...,. _ -"''"' -$, -.u-o..._.,...,... «...-. c=-::... _, _II'_..,,,,,_.,..~.._ ""'"'1~1.,, r.t-... ~.. c O._,,,..,,o,.e,a:"'M'J r,..,...,.,...,...d -fllt'""'icj:tt.,...,.c_... r.t ro.v--..:,-. - i.t'i..., "'"""" « ! ot-«. llf,...r«cv.c...,.,~ Tl,o,,.,.,-..,,-~... let..:t -, P1t Mp,tac Page 2 of 7

3 -:--::::t a This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA). The applicable category of actions is identified in agency procedures as 36 CFR 220.6(e)(03)- "Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres ofland." This category of action(s) is applicable because the action is a reasonable modification to existing Special Use Authorization #MCC187, issued December 17, Figure 2. Site Map, triangle is approximate location of temporary structure USDA Forest Service. Payette National Forest...,...,...,.,...,,, 111,,,4.,w,,r,-...:,.,.., l" r ' ' "'"_-' r,,,,.. -._,,._ -... <.n,._,..,.,,......,_, ==---Mles T c. S ~n;,,tc,:q,,c.,~ ro"cm~.«1m:sn:ne11a.rt::rt.-c:«p~1:~...,.o. C,64.-_..-.:,:,w.u,=,-«, rw, r,....,..., :.~.-dhnior.., d :ii,:m.,ao:.n,c,1,xv',&::,c'.yats(f".s tc.1;-,,...,:,i,11 Xl""0t ::-:n::alotl n:rgl,,4,o~~-q-.:c:s~ ~ i..w.;os;r.d,qb~111t,o,t,. roto:b'-"41tqtot-:~~..., rr"jf'('tl.-jc::sno~..;nii nc r~5«,oc:'tt,'. 0 1'C1t'Cr,Tl"ctffXtrodi."ttte::--X1:G.SOf:d..C:l..r.>).f."C'blo", Page 3 of 7

4 ~ a I find that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or EIS. I took into account resource conditions identified in agency procedures that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances might exist: Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species - This project would have no effect on listed plants, wildlife, or fish species or critical habitat. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds - This project is a dry site and would not impact flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas - This project is not located in a Congressionally designated area. Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas - This project is not located in an inventoried roadless area or potential wilderness area. Research natural areas - This project is not located in a Research Natural Area. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites - The project was discussed in detail with staff of the Nez Perce Tribe at a regularly scheduled Quarterly Staff to Staff meeting on June 7, Government to Government Consultation was conducted through the Wings and Roots Native American Campfire program with the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes on May 11, 2017, and individual scoping packages were also forwarded to representatives of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on April 21, No concerns were raised during Tribal consultation. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas - The State Historic Preservation Officer was consulted and concurred with a finding of no effect, as described in the Determination of Significance and Effect (PY ). PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT This action was originally listed as a proposal on the Payette National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions and updated periodically during the analysis. The project website was set up in March 2017 and published in the Schedule of Proposed Activities on April 1, Public scoping was opened on May 10th and closed on June 8th. Scoping letters were mailed to 50 addresses and electronic delivery was made to another 273 project subscribers through Gov Delivery. Comments were collected online in the Comment Analysis and Response Application as well as through hardcopy, fax, , or verbal delivery. One comment was received and it expressed general support of the project. FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS This decision is consistent with the 2003 Payette National Forest Land Management Plan. The project was designed in conformance with the following Forest Plan goals and objectives: Page 4 of 7

5 c:-= 1Wtl u Goals REG007 - Ensure that recreation operations, under or being considered for special use authorizations, provide opportunities, facilities, and services that respond to a demonstrated public need while mitigating conflicts with other users and resources, where possible. Goal REGOO 1 - Manage, operate, and maintain a year-round recreation program and recreation resources to meet established standards to provide for health and cleanliness, safety and security, facility conditions, responsiveness to customers, environmental setting, and permit administration. Objective REOB16 - Foster and strengthen partnerships between public and private sectors to effectively and efficiently manage recreation and tourism facilities. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW (APPEAL) OPPORTUNITIES This decision is not subject to administrative review, appeal, or objection. The procedures for legal notice (Sec ) and opportunity to comment (Sec ) do not apply to projects and activities which are categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to FSH , Chapter 30, section 31. (Sec ). IMPLEMENTATION DATE Project implementation is anticipated to begin in summer 2017 for the permit modification, with the proposed parking lot work to be completed during the snow free season of 2017 in preparation for the winter /18 operating season. CONTACT For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Susan Jenkins, McCall/New Meadows Districts Recreation Program Manager, 102 West Lake Street McCall, Idaho 83638, sjenkins02@fs.fed.us, phone: McCall District Ranger Date Page 5 of 7

6 ,::-= n ~ In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture {USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a publ ic assistance program, po litical beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at {202) (voice and TIY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call {866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Ass istant Secretary for Civi l Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: {202) ; or (3) emai l: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender Page 6 of 7

7 ,:-:;;;;;;- D APPENDIX A: PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES In addition to Forest Plan standards and guidelines designed to mitigate impacts, the following measures are required to reduce or prevent undesirable effects resulting from proposed management activities. 1. All earth disturbing equipment will need to be inspected by Forest Service Personnel to make sure it has been weed washed prior to entering NFS lands. 2. If gravel sources are used they need to be inspected by Recreation Staff, Range Staff, or other qualified personnel (County or State Weed personnel) for noxious weeds. Inspection should be done prior to Forest Service use and should be conducted annually during the growing season. If noxious weeds are found another source should be used. 3. Gravel or borrow material source sites with noxious weed species present shall not be used, unless effective treatment or other mitigation measures are implemented (Forest Plan p. III- 37, NPST08). 4. Disturbed areas will be seeded with a Forest Service approved certified noxious weed free native seed mixture. Disturbed areas having bare ground will be covered with certified weed free straw to a depth of 2 inches and 80% coverage. 5. If any cultural materials are encountered during the course of the project, then all ground disturbing activities will cease until a qualified archaeologist is consulted. Page 7 of 7