DECISION MEMO Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement February 2010

Transcription

1 DECISION MEMO Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement February 2010 U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Hood National Forest Hood River Ranger District Hood River County, Oregon This project will replace the Middle Fork Hood River Bridge on Red Hill Drive, which provides access to lands administered by the Hood River Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest. The original bridge built in 1949 was washed away during the flood event in the Fall of Only parts of the west abutment remain, and no other parts of the bridge were found. During the flood, a debris torrent originating at the approximately 6000-foot elevation on Mt. Hood in Eliot Branch flowed down the Middle Fork Hood River, depositing enormous volumes of sediment and wood and aggrading the channel in the location of the bridge by approximately 10-feet. Immediately after the flood, land owners on the east side of the Middle Fork Hood River just upstream from the bridge used heavy equipment to move native materials transported to the area by the flood (mainly boulders 2 to 4 feet in diameter) and placed them into a dike along the east stream bank. The dike extends from the bridge crossing approximately 500-feet upstream and 100-feet downstream. The stream has shifted several times since the flood, and currently approximately 42 percent of its flow is in a side channel that now flows over the remains of the road on the east side, with an approximately four-foot drop on the downstream side of the road. In January 2009, a bankfull event caused approximately 25 percent of the main channel to shift into the side channel. This side channel extends upstream from the bridge crossing, and splits from the stream above the upstream end of the dike. Also, some water flows under the dike at the bridge location and is captured by the side channel. Purpose and Need for Action Red Hill Drive connects with Forest Service Road 16 which provides access to National Forest System lands, popular recreational sites and is used as a biking route by members of the public. Replacing the bridge and reconnecting the road system provides opportunity for more efficient access to Forest administrative, recreation, and vegetation management activities. Forest Administrative management activities include safe, timely fire suppression and access to Dollar Quarry. Vegetation management activities may include management of existing plantations and previously harvested areas in the Red Hill and Bear Creek areas of the Forest. Current public and Administrative access to these areas is provided by driving around using the 18 and 16 Roads, which takes an additional 1.5 hours to the other side of the bridge. The overall purpose of this project is to replace the Red Hill Drive Bridge in order to provide efficient and economic access to National Forest System lands for management and recreational

2 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 2 activities, and restore the functional floodplain of the stream in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. In order to meet this purpose, there is an underlying need to build a bridge capable of withstanding a 100-year flood event while allowing fish passage and able to carry heavy vehicle traffic, such as fire engines and log trucks. Proposed Action The proposed bridge design has three spans and is long enough (315-feet) to span the functional floodplain, since the stream continues to shift. The new bridge design will be an improvement over the original bridge, which was a 61.5-foot-long single-span bridge. The longer span will allow the stream to access its floodplain within the area spanned by the bridge, allowing the stream to meander, dissipate energy, and transport bedload laterally. The new bridge is designed to avoid another bridge structure failure, thus potentially reducing the impacts of future flood or debris torrents on listed fish and their critical habitat. Restorative actions are particularly needed on the east side of the Middle Fork of Hood River, where the side channel is currently flowing over the remains of the asphalt-surface road (passage for aquatic organisms is impeded or nonexistent there) and where an artificial boulder dike constructed after the flood event is constricting the main channel. The project will include three major components of work: 1) constructing the bridge substructure; 2) constructing the bridge superstructure; and 3) completion of final grading and traffic safety elements. The work will be performed in one eight-month-long construction season, requiring six weeks of in-water work. Implementation of the bridge replacement project could begin as early as April 1, 2010 and be completed as late as November 30, Some preparatory work for the pier construction will need to occur from June 21 through July 1, prior to the In Water Work Window extension period. Access is needed to the small island for this activity. Work below the ordinary high water mark will only consist of driving along the existing paved roadway over which water may be flowing up to six inches deep. The in-water work, however, will begin no earlier than July 1, 2010 and will end no later than August 15, The legal description of the project is T10N, R10E, Section 31 SW ¼ at milepost 0.8 of the Red Hill Drive (Forest Service Road ). The proposed replacement bridge design will be able to withstand a 100-year flood event with debris flow. The proposed location will be close to the old bridge site. Construction will include clearing of flood debris, hazard trees, and any additional trees needed, drilling pile, placement of steel or concrete girders, deck and rail, placement of approach fills and approach rail, paving and signing. General project elements include the following: The proposed project will require large equipment to cross the stream channel approximately 12 times in the vicinity of the old bridge crossing to complete excavation, ferry materials (boulders) and to access the west pier site. An erosion control plan, including the installation of sandbag berms and sediment fencing, will be implemented during construction. Construction areas within ordinary high water will be isolated from surface water flow and ground water will be removed (pumped out and filtered by some method such as bladder bags) before it is returned to the river. 2

3 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 3 In general, all other work areas will be isolated from any waterways by means of sediment barriers placed on dry ground and/or sandbags. Upstream and downstream fish passage will be maintained in the main channel throughout construction. In addition to the general project elements, the proposed action includes the following specific design elements. The new single-lane bridge will have an approximately 12-foot grade above the existing road, and approximately 10-feet of clearance for fish passage and future debris flows. The bottom of the bridge girders in the span will be five-feet above estimated 100-year flood elevation. The total bridge length (315-feet) will be 255-feet longer than the former bridge and will span the functional floodplain (2.2 times the active channel width or ordinary high water lines). The pile cap elevations of all piers will be constructed below the stream bottom elevation. Pier 2 (the eastern intermediate pier) will permanently add five cubic yards of fill below ordinary high water. Pier 1 (the western intermediate pier) will be located on a higher island and will have no permanent impact below ordinary high water. Above ground, the piers will consist of a two-foot thick by approximately 16.5-foot wide concrete pier wall, topped by a concrete cap that will support the roadway deck superstructure. Abutment 2 (at the east end of the bridge) will permanently add 75 cubic yards of fill below ordinary high water. Abutment 1 (at the west end of the bridge) and its associated roadway fill will be completely outside of ordinary high water and therefore will have no permanent impact below ordinary high water. Boulder armoring of piers and abutments and fill material below ordinary high water will be comprised of materials available on-site (previously excavated native sands, gravels/cobbles, and boulders). Some pier and abutment toe protection (consisting of large native boulders present on the project site and selected from previously excavated materials or the existing 2006 stream modification) will be within the general scour prism. The resulting clear channel width of the new span, however, will be 290 feet, over 2.5 times as great as the total of the active channel widths of the main and side channels combined. Approach fills will be raised to match proposed bridge grade and protected using U- shaped wing walls and boulder material. The existing asphalt road and associated fill, the remains of the west abutment from the old bridge, and a portion of the artificial boulder dike that was constructed immediately after the 2006 flood (approximately 563 cubic yards total below ordinary high water) will be removed from the functional floodplain during project implementation. The approaches to the bridge are located on private land to the south and Bonneville Power Administration lands to the north. Hood River County and Forest Service will be working with the land owners to perfect the easements for bridge construction as part of this project. 3

4 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 4 Project Design Features/Mitigation Measures The National Environmental Policy Act defines mitigation as avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing, eliminating or compensating project impacts presented in the proposed action. These project design features are used to minimize the environmental impacts of the proposed actions. The following are a required component of the proposed action to address resource management concerns and to guide the removal of trees for restoration projects. The preferred Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in-water work period is July 15 to August 15 for the Middle Fork Hood River. The Hood River Ranger District is seeking an extension to complete the work from July 1 to August 15. This will keep the project to one construction season instead of two. The contractor will secure the project area at the end of every work day in an effort to stabilize the project area to minimize impacts in case a high water event occurs. Erosion control measures will be implemented to keep sediment from entering both the main and side channel with rain events. An erosion control plan, including the installation of sediment fencing and sandbag berms, will be implemented during construction. The contractor will not discharge contaminated or sediment-laden water or water contained within an isolation barrier directly into any Waters of the State until it has been satisfactorily treated (e.g., by bioswale, filter, settlement pond, pumping to vegetated upland locations, biobag, or dirt-bag). The contractor will minimize alteration or disturbance of streambanks and existing riparian vegetation. The project area will be revegetated after project completion to minimize sedimentation. Forest Service approved native seed and weed free straw mulch will be used. Spill clean-up kits approved by the Forest Service will be present at all work areas during all phases of construction. The contractor will inspect and clean all equipment prior to operating it within 150-feet of the Regulated Work Area. All equipment will be checked for fluid leaks. External oil, grease, dirt, and caked mud will be removed. Untreated wash and rinse water will not be discharged into the Regulated Work Area. Temporary impoundments to catch water from equipment cleansing at least 150-feet from the Regulated Work Area will be established and will be in locations so as not to contribute untreated wastewater to any flowing stream. Should site conditions make it impossible to clean equipment more than 150-feet from the Work Area, containment measures will be implemented to prevent contaminants from entering the water. The contractor will locate areas for non-work shift storage of equipment and vehicles, other than track-mounted vehicles, at least 150-feet away from the Regulated Work Area. Should site conditions make it impossible to store equipment more than 150-feet from the Work Area, containment measures will be implemented to prevent contaminants from entering the water. 4

5 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 5 The contractor will locate areas for storing fuels and other potentially hazardous materials, and areas for refueling and servicing equipment and vehicles, at least 150-feet away from the Regulated Work Area. Should site conditions make it impossible to locate fuel storage and refueling areas more than 150-feet from the Work Area, containment measures will be implemented to prevent contaminants from entering the water. For track-mounted equipment, large cranes, and other equipment whose limited mobility makes it impractical to move for refueling, the contractor will take precautions to minimize the risk of fuel reaching the Regulated Work Area. Implement spill prevention measures and provide fuel containment systems designed to completely contain a potential spill, as well as other pollution control devices and measures adequate to provide containment of hazardous material. Perform refueling operations to minimize the amount of fuel remaining in vehicles stored during non-work times. The contractor will maintain hazardous material containment booms and spill containment booms onsite to facilitate the cleanup of hazardous material spills. Install hazardous material containment booms in instances where there is a potential for release of petroleum or other toxicants. Fish rescue will occur in the main channel where the old west abutment will be removed. Fish removal will be carried out by ODFW or other qualified fish biologists (Forest Service) in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ODFW fish salvage guidelines. Standard noxious weed prevention measures require that machinery be washed before entering the project area to reduce the risk of spreading and or introducing species that are not currently present in the area. Imported gravel should come from a certified weed-free pit/quarry. Mulch must be certified weed-free. Consult a Forest Service botanist or soil scientist for a list of available sources of native seed or non-persistent non-native grass seed that are acceptable for erosion control. Scoping and Pubic Involvement The Forest Service conducted public scoping to identify any concerns with the proposed activities. Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement was listed in the Mt. Hood National Forest quarterly planning newsletter (Schedule of Proposed Actions [SOPA]) in October No comments were received through that effort. In December 2008, scoping letters were sent to 28 individuals and organizations, including federal and state agencies and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) responded to the scoping letter, and the comments received supported the proposed project. ODF also informed the Forest Service of a required permit and written plan required under the Forest Practices Act. These requirements are being completed as part of the project implementation. 5

6 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 6 Decision I have decided to implement this project as proposed. It is my decision to replace the Red Hill Drive Bridge, to restore the functional floodplain of the stream in the immediate vicinity of the bridge, and to perfect the easements for bridge construction as described in the Proposed Action section of this Decision Memo. Reasons for Categorical Exclusion I find the proposed action for Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement can be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact State because the bridge work for this project action fits into Category [36 CFR 220.6(d)(4)], described in Forest Service Handbook , April 17, This category states: Repair and maintenance of roads, trails, and landline boundaries. Also, I find the restoration work for this project can be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact State because the action fits into Category [36 CFR 220.6(e)(7)], described in Forest Service Handbook , April 17, This category states: Modification or maintenance of stream or lake aquatic habitat improvement structures using native materials or normal practices. Lastly, I find the easement work for this project can be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact State because the action fits into Category [36 CFR 220.6(d)(7)], described in Forest Service Handbook , April 17, This category states: Sale or exchange of land or interest in land and resources where resulting land uses remain essentially the same. I find the proposed action can be categorically excluded because there are no extraordinary circumstances identified by the interdisciplinary team of resource specialists that analyzed this proposal. Resource conditions that were considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstance related to the proposed action warrant further analysis and documentation are listed below (A-F). As stated in Section 30.3 of the handbook, the mere presence of one or more of these resource conditions does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist (FSH ). A. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. The Endangered Species Act requires that federal activities do not jeopardize the continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, or result in adverse modification to such species designated critical habitat. Biological Evaluations were prepared for threatened or endangered wildlife, fish and botanical species. Since the proposed project is located on private land not managed by the Forest Service, analysis of the project s effect on species included on the Regional Forester s Special Status Species List, including species listed as sensitive, is not required. These are available in the project record, located at the Hood River Ranger District in Parkdale, Oregon. There are no federally threatened or endangered wildlife species in the project area. 6

7 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 7 Therefore, there is no effect to federally listed species. Also, there are no known sites for botanical species. Consultation is not required for wildlife or botanical species. The proposed action may affect, and is likely to adversely affect (LAA) Lower Columbia River steelhead trout, Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon, Lower Columbia River coho salmon, and Columbia River bull trout. Also, the proposed action may affect, and is likely to adverse affect (LAA) designated critical habitat for Lower Columbia River steelhead, Lower Columbia River Chinook, and Columbia River bull trout. Over the long term, the project will have a beneficial effect on the listed fish populations as well as the designated critical habitat within the Middle Fork Hood River. The LAA effects are caused by actual disturbance of fish during construction activities (direct effects). Adverse effects will also be caused by trapping juvenile fish or adult resident bull trout in the work isolation areas, stressing these fish during the fish salvage activities and habitat disruption when the side channel is diverted and then placed in its new channel across Red Hill Drive. Lastly, sedimentation could have a small long-term effect on fish spawning success, survival of young, and food sources. These are short-term adverse impacts to the listed species. Over the long term, the restored side channel would provide locations for juvenile and adult fish to rest, feed and find refuge from high, turbid flows in the main channel of the Middle Fork Hood River. Also the replacement of the bridge with one that spans the functional floodplain is much less likely to fail in a future debris torrent or high water event, thus preventing potential harm to individual fish and impacts to their critical habitat that could result from such a failure. Thus, the project could have a long-term beneficial effect on the size of the fish populations. The effects of project construction may result in unavoidable temporary increases in turbidity and temporary modifications of in-stream habitat. Thus, it is determined that the project would have adverse effects on Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) in the Middle Fork Hood River, as established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Project Design Features/Mitigation Measures, however, are designed to avoid, mitigate, or offset the impact of the proposed action on EFH, and the proposed restoration of the functional floodplain and the side channel will result in a long-term improvement of EFH in the immediate area of the project. As stated above, Forest Service Handbook , Section 30.3 does not preclude the use of a categorical exclusion because of the mere presence of one or more extraordinary circumstance. Rather, it is (1) the existence of a cause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential affect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. A categorical exclusion can be used for projects where long-term beneficial effects to the species outweigh short-term impacts and the degree of the potential effect of the proposed action on other resources in (30.3) does not preclude the use of the categorical exclusion. The other resources are discussed in this section. Based on the analysis contained in the Fisheries Biological Evaluation and Biological Assessment contained in the project record, it was determined that the long-term effects of improved stream connectivity and habitat conditions outweigh the short-term adverse effects associated with sedimentation, ground disturbance, and other environmental consequences of these actions. Most importantly, these long-term benefits are expected to strengthen the survival and recovery of listed fish species. As such, I find the 7

8 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 8 degree of the potential short-term effects acknowledged in the Biological Evaluation, Biological Assessment, and Biological Opinion is limited and does not preclude use of the appropriate categorical exclusions. A Biological Assessment has been completed for this project and was submitted in October 2009 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for consultation on the fisheries species, critical habitat and Essential Fish Habitat. Also, this project would be implemented consistent with the species and activity category-appropriate design criteria in 2008 SLOPES (Standard Local Operating Procedures for Endangered Species) IV programmatic Biological Opinion for Roads, Culverts, Bridges and Utility Lines for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Oregon. This project will not be implemented until the consultation process is completed. Once consultation has been completed, a letter to the project file summarizing consultation will be included. B. Floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. Analysis for the effects of the project on floodplains, wetlands and municipal watersheds is included in the Fisheries Biological Evaluation contained in the project record. This project will maintain or improve the function of floodplains. The proposed project would not impair floodplain function because the new bridge would span the functional floodplain. Floodplain conditions would improve given the removal of the old west abutment, the artificial dike, and the road and associated fill on the east side of the river. C. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. The project is not located in congressionally designated areas. D. Inventoried roadless areas. The project is not located in inventoried roadless areas. E. Research natural areas. The project is not located in research natural areas. F. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites / Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. No historic were located during the survey for this project. The project can proceed with no historic properties and no effect to heritage resources. Should any additional historic or precontact properties be discovered during project implementation, work must stop in that area and Heritage Resource personnel should be notified immediately. Consultation with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was not required. Findings Required by Other Laws National Forest Management Act and Aquatic Conservation Strategy: Since the proposed project is located on private land not managed by the Forest Service, compliance with the National Forest Management Act including the requirements under the Mt. Hood Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan, is not required. As such, an Aquatic Conservation Strategy analysis is not required. Clean Water Act and State Water Quality Laws: The Fisheries Biological Evaluation have determined that this project complies with the Clean Water Act and state water quality laws, which will protect beneficial uses. Because the proposed project would have minimal, short-term 8

9 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 9 impacts on waterways this project complies with the Clean Water Act and Oregon State water quality laws. There would be minimal increases in sedimentation and no increase in water temperature as a result of these projects. With project design features and Best Management Practices, water quality will be maintained through implementation of this proposed action. Other Laws or Requirements: Finding associated with the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and National Historic Preservation Act are discussed under the Reasons for Categorical Exclusion section of this document. The proposed action is consistent with all other Federal, State, or local laws or requirements for the protection of the environment and cultural resources. Implementation Implementation of this decision may occur immediately. Implementation of the bridge replacement project could begin as early as April 1, 2010 and be completed as late as November 30, The in-water work, however, will begin no earlier than July 1, 2010 and will end no later than August 15, While this decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 215.8(a)(4), I encourage you to discuss this project with either of me if you have any concerns about implementation. Contact Person Detailed records of this environmental analysis are available for public review at the Hood River Ranger District. For further information about this decision, please contact Stewart Fletcher at the Hood River Ranger Station, 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, Oregon 97041; Phone: x616; Fax: ; or sjfletcher@fs.fed.us. For further information about the Forest Service appeal process, please contact Michelle Lombardo at Phone: ; or mlombardo@fs.fed.us. SIGNATURE OF DECIDING OFFICER /s/ Daina L. Bambe February 4, 2010 Daina L. Bambe Date District Ranger, Hood River Ranger District 9

10 Red Hill Drive Bridge Replacement CE 10 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 10