Decision Memo 2014 TRINITY RIDGE WHITEBARK PINE RESTORATION PROJECT

Transcription

1 Decision Memo 2014 TRINITY RIDGE WHITEBARK PINE RESTORATION PROJECT USDA Forest Service Mountain Home Ranger District, Boise National Forest Elmore County, Idaho July 2014

2 DECISION It is my decision to implement the 2014 Trinity Ridge Whitebark Pine Restoration Project. Under my decision about 150 acres within the 2012 Trinity Ridge wildfire boundary will be planted with whitebark pine seedlings (Figure 2). Whitebark pine will be planted in clumps, i.e, trees that will eventually have intertwined crowns, of 3-6 seedlings within individual burned clumps or in groups, i.e. trees that are planted in a related cohort but would not necessarily have intertwined crowns, of 2-4 seedlings spaced feet apart along outside edges of continuous conifer cover in the Trinity Recreation Area. Hand held tools, such as a hoedad, would be used to plant seedlings. Scalping site preparation will be required prior to planting seedlings. Scalped areas will generally be 24 by 24 inches in size. Scalping is clearing planting spots of limbs, debris, ash, duff, snow, frost, bark, rotten wood, rocks, and root crowns to expose bare moist mineral soil. Scalping prior to planting aids seedling survival by reducing vegetative competition and provides an area free of shrubs and debris in which to place seedlings. Existing NFS roads designated for motorized use on the Mountain Home Ranger District motor vehicle use map (MVUM) will be used to access the areas being planted. Fall planting is planned for the whitebark pine seedlings. Planting will occur near campgrounds in the Trinity Recreation Area, but outside campsites and trails where the public may inadvertently trample them. Aspen clones are found within the proposed planting area and it is expected that natural revegetation (by sprouting) will occur, potentially expanding extent of those clones. Seedling planting will not occur within approximately 100 feet of aspen sprouts to reduce potential future shading of the clones from the conifers. Appendix A of this decision outlines the design features that will be implemented to minimize effects to resources. PROJECT AREA The project area is located in Elmore County on the Mountain Home Ranger District (Figure 1). The legal locations for the activities are Township 3N, Range 8E, Sections 1 and 12, Township 3N, Range 9E, Townships 6 and 7, and Township 4N, Range 9E, Section 31. The project area is situated near the Trinity Recreation Area. 2

3 Figure Trinity Ridge Whitebark Pine Restoration Project Vicinity Map. 3

4 Figure 2 Whitebark Pine Planting Units. 4

5 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION Whitebark pine is a slow-growing, long-lived tree that occurs at high elevations of the western United States and Canada. Whitebark pine is a candidate species for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is a species of concern on the Boise National Forest. Whitebark pine occurrence is directly associated with the presence of fire. The heavy wingless seeds of whitebark pine are dispersed mainly by the Clark s nutcracker which preferentially cache seeds in recently burned areas. Whitebark pine is perpetuated by periodic fires that reduce competition from other less fire-resistant and more shade-tolerant conifer species. Whitebark pine generally do not produce cones until 30 years of age, and do not reliably produce cones until tree canopy volume increases at around years of age (Keane et al. 2012). Surveys conducted in 2012 and 2013 for cones indicated very poor cone crops those years. Wildlife habitat is one of the greatest values that whitebark pine provides (Arno and Hoff 1989). The seed is a primary food for Clark s nutcracker and squirrels. Chipmunks and mice also eat the seed. In addition, black bears may eat seeds from squirrel cone caches. Whitebark pine also provides perch sites for olive-sided flycatchers. Whitebark pine on the Mountain Home Ranger District generally grows at elevations higher than 7,600 foot elevation. Approximately 48% of the whitebark pine habitat on the Mountain Home District has been affected by the Trinity Ridge and Elk Complex wildfires. The larger whitebark pine sustained higher mortality rates due to encroachment of subalpine fir that created ladder fuels causing the whitebark pine to burn more readily. The loss of these cone producing trees could reduce natural regeneration as the remaining cone producing trees become more valuable as a food source for Clark s nutcrackers, squirrels, and chipmunks. Within MPC 5.1, about 146 acres burned at moderate to high intensity. There are two main objectives of this project: 1. Reestablish whitebark pine, a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), where it sustained high levels of mortality due to the Trinity Ridge Wildfire. 2. Improve wildlife habitat by accelerating whitebark pine restoration REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THIS ACTION The Chief of the Forest Service has identified specific actions that may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) if there are no extraordinary circumstances. Category Applicability: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(5) states that regeneration of an area to native tree species, including site preparation that does not involve the use of herbicides or result in vegetation type conversion may be categorically excluded from documentation in an EIS or EA provided that no extraordinary circumstances exist. My decision is consistent with this description. Therefore I have determined that this project falls within Category 5. Extraordinary Circumstances: 36 CFR 220.6(b)(2) discloses that the mere presence of a resource condition does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is (1) the existence of a cause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential effect on these resource conditions and (2) if such a relationship exists, the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1) discusses those resource conditions that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action warrant further analysis and documentation in an EIS or EA. A summary of the effects of my decision on these resource conditions is provided below, with detailed information contained in the project record. Based upon these findings, and public involvement efforts discussed below, I have determined that no extraordinary circumstances are associated with my decision. 5

6 1. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on ESA threatened, endangered, and proposed species and their habitats. Evaluations concerning Region 4 Sensitive are also summarized below. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 USC et seq. 1988) provides for the protection and conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animal species. The Proposed Action was assessed in biological assessments (BAs) to determine the effects on threatened and endangered plant and animal species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provided the Forest with a list of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species to consider in project planning. This list is updated and published for the State of Idaho on the USFWS Web site ( ). Table 1 summarizes the threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species for Elmore County, Idaho (USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service 2014) and the determination of effects for the project activities. Table 1 Summary of Determinations for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Candidate (TEPC) Species for the 2014 Trinity Ridge Whitebark Pine Restoration Project. Species Scientific Name Status 1 Determination2,3 Common Name Proposed Action Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis T NE Wolverine Gulo gulo P NLTJ Yellow-billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus P NLTJ Bliss Rapids Snail Taylorconcha serpenticola T NE Snake River Physa Haitia (Physa) natricina E NE Greater Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus C NI Bull trout/critical habitat Salvelinus confluentus T NE Whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis C BE Slickspot Peppergrass/proposed critical habitat Lepidus papilliferum P/PCH NE 1 Status: E = endangered; T = threatened; P = proposed; and C = candidate. 2 Determination language for TEPC species: BE = Beneficial Effect, NE = no effect ; NLAA = not likely to adversely affect ; NLTJ = not likely to jeopardize proposed species or modify proposed critical habitat. Fish and Wildlife Species Sensitive fish and terrestrial wildlife species are designated by the Regional Forester based on a concern for population viability as evidenced by significant current or predicted downward trend in population numbers or density, or significant current or predicted downward trend in habitat capability that would reduce a species existing distribution (FSM ). Twenty one fish and terrestrial wildlife species are currently designated as R4 Sensitive species for the Boise National Forest (USDA R4 2013). No impacts to R4 Sensitive wildlife and fish species were determined for project activities. Detailed analysis is provided in the Fish and Wildlife Technical Reports/BAs (Project Record). Botanical Species Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), an ESA Candidate and R4 Sensitive species, and Pacific onion (Allium validum), a Forest Watch species, are known to occur in the 2014 Trinity Ridge Whitebark Pine Restoration Project Area. Table 1 summarizes the determinations for TEPC plant species in Elmore County. The 2014 Trinity Ridge Whitebark Pine Restoration Project may impact individuals (MII) of Sacajawea s bitterroot (Lewisia sacajaweana), Bryum Moss (Bryum calobryoides), Idaho dwarf primrose (Douglasia idahoensis), and small phacelia (Phacelia minutissima), but is not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to potential populations or individuals. There would be no impacts to populations or potential habitat for any other R4 Sensitive plant species. Detailed analysis of R4 Sensitive Species and Forest Watch species is available in the Botany Specialist Report and Biological Evaluation in the project record. 6

7 Appropriate mitigations have been included to minimize impacts to TEPCS plant species, refer to Appendix A, Design Features 6, 7, and 8 (Botany Specialist Report and Biological Evaluation, Project Record). 2. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on wetlands and floodplains. My decision is expected to have short and long term benefits to wetlands and floodplains. Floodplains within the project area consist of riparian settings adjacent to streams and lakes. No wetlands or spring sources area known to occur within the project area based on Boise National Forest GIS data and field reconnaissance (Hydrology and Soils Resource Memo, Project Record). No temporary effects (0-3 years) to wetlands will occur with application of Design Feature 9 (Appendix A). Reforestation activities will have immeasurable short to long-term benefits on floodplain as tree seedlings mature providing vegetative canopy, and stabilizing root systems (Hydrology and Soils Resource Memo, Project Record). The project area does not occur within a municipal watershed and therefore municipal watersheds will not be affected by this project. Please refer to Municipal Watershed Map in the project record. 3. Proposed activities will not occur within or immediately adjacent to any congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas and therefore will have no effect on these resources. Additionally, no designated, suitable, or eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers occur within the project area therefore this project will have no effect on Wild and Scenic Rivers. Please refer to Congressionally Designated and Wild and Scenic Rivers Maps in the project record. 4. Two Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs)(Sheep IRA and Rainbow IRA) are located immediately adjacent to the project area and a small portion (less than 20 acres) of the Rainbow IRA occurs within the project area. No project activities were proposed or will occur in the IRAs and therefore project implementation will not affect the Sheep or Rainbow IRA. Please refer to Inventoried Roadless Area Map in the project record. 5. There are no Research Natural Areas located within or immediately adjacent to the project area therefore implementation of this project will not affect Research Natural Areas. Please refer to Research Natural Area Map in the project record. 6. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. Tribal notification and/or consultation have not identified effects to tribal interests or rights associated with this project. The project was presented to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes at the agreed upon consultation Wings and Roots process in November The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe was notified of the action following the Agency s MOU procedures in March 2014 and they did not respond with any concerns with implementation of this project (Project Record). 7. No effects to archaeological sites, historic properties or areas are anticipated. The Forest Archeologist has determined that no known historic properties would be affected by the proposed project. The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has reviewed the cultural resources report prepared for this project and concurred with the No Effect determination (Project Record). In the event that previously unidentified cultural resources are encountered during project implementation, all ground disturbance in the immediate vicinity of the discovery will cease until the Forest Archeologist is notified (refer to design features 3 & 4 in Appendix A). Public Involvement: The scoping package describing the Proposed Action and soliciting comments was mailed and/or ed to interested individuals and/or groups on March 4, In addition, the scoping information was posted to the project webpage on March 4, 2014 and a legal notice was published in the Idaho Statesman (newspaper of record) on March 8, This project has been listed on the Boise National Forest schedule of proposed actions (SOPA) since April Four comment letters/ s were received in response to these scoping efforts. The project record documents the scoping comments received and the Interdisciplinary Team s responses to those comments. 7

8 Other Information Considered in Determination of Extraordinary Circumstances: In addition to the above, I have considered other elements of the analysis in my determination that there are no extraordinary circumstances, as defined by NEPA, or other adverse effects associated with this project that will necessitate documentation in an EIS or EA. I have also considered the potential for cumulative effects and arrived at the conclusion that without notable direct or indirect effects, there will be no cumulative effects. My conclusion is based on (1) the short duration of the project, (2) comments received during public involvement efforts, and (3) the minimal environmental effects expected as a result of my decision. FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS National Historic Preservation Act This project complies with this Act. Refer to discussions under Archaeological sites and/or historic properties or areas resource condition above, for supporting information concerning this determination. American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Executive Order The United States Government has a unique relationship with federally recognized American Indian tribes. Decisions concerning management of lands administered by the Federal government can affect tribal community well-being. As Federal agencies undertake activities that may affect tribes rights, property interests, or trust resources, care must be taken to implement agency policies, programs, and projects in a knowledgeable and sensitive manner respectful of tribes sovereignty and needs. The intergovernmental consultation process serves as the primary means for Federal agencies to carry out their tribal trust obligations. This project complies with these Acts and Executive Order. Refer to discussions under American Indian Religious or cultural sites resource condition, above, for supporting information concerning this determination. Endangered Species Act This project complies with this Act. Refer to discussions under wildlife, fisheries, and plant resource conditions, above, for supporting information concerning this determination. National Forest Management Act My decision has been determined to be consistent with standards and guidelines associated with the Forest Plan as amended in 2010; refer to Forest Plan Consistency Checklist in the project record. My decision does not include any commercial timber harvest activities and will comply with the applicable requirements found at 36 CFR (b). Clean Water Act and State Water Quality Standards This project complies with appropriate State water quality standards and the Clean Water Act. Refer to discussions under floodplains and municipal watersheds resource conditions and the Forest Plan Consistency document in the project record. Executive Orders and Wetland and floodplain communities support a unique variety of vegetation that provide food and cover for many mammals, birds, and amphibians, and have an important influence on aquatic habitat conditions. Protection of these areas is required by direction in the Forest Plan, as well as Executive Orders and Refer to discussions under floodplains and municipal watersheds resource conditions and the Forest Plan Consistency document in the project record. Clean Air Act and National Ambient Air Quality Standards My decision does not include any burning activities and will meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and will comply with the Clean Air Act. Environmental Justice In accordance with Executive Order 12898, implementation of this action will not disproportionately impact minority or low income populations. Idaho Roadless Rule The project area is located immediately adjacent to two-idaho Roadless Areas; Sheep and Rainbow IRAs, classified as primitive. There is a small portion (less than 20 acres) of the Rainbow Roadless Area within the Project Area however no project activities were proposed or will occur within either Idaho Roadless Area. Therefore this project will not affect Idaho Roadless Areas and it has been determined that this project is consistent with the Idaho Roadless Rule (36 CFR 294 Subpart C (b)((1)(v); 73 FR [October 16, 2008]). 8

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10 Appendix A Project Design Features 1. No planting activities will occur within the Inventoried Roadless Areas located adjacent to the project area. 2. Only existing county and state roads or designated Forest Service roads and trails will be used to access the project area. No cross country travel of motorized equipment will be authorized to access the planting units. 3. All known known historic properties will be avoided and protected during project implementation. 4. Design contracts implementing this Project to prevent adverse impacts to any unknown cultural sites discovered during Project implementation. In the event that new cultural sites are discovered, ground-disturbing activities will stop until a qualified archaeologist is consulted. 5. Pre-planting rare plant surveys will be conducted in the planting units to verify proximity of known rare plant populations (i.e. Pacific onion) and identify any previously undocumented populations. Rare plant populations in close proximity to planting units will be marked and mapped for avoidance. 6. Conifer planting will not occur within approximately 100 feet of aspen sprouts. 7. Contract Administrators shall report noxious weed populations in the Project area to the District Weed Specialist for inclusion in noxious weed treatment plans. 8. All equipment and vehicles, as per Forest Plan standard NPST03 (USDA Forest Service 2010a, p. III-38), (Contract and USFS) will be cleaned prior to entry on to the project area and again upon leaving the project area, if the project area has noxious weed infestations. Staging of equipment and/or rehabilitation materials will not be allowed in known noxious weed infestation sites. 9. All potential springs (water point) or wetland features identified within the treatment units during implementation will be avoided, i.e. re-vegetation activities will not occur. 10