Scoping Document. Sardine/Cloudburst Meadow Restoration Project. United States Department of Agriculture. Forest Service.

Transcription

1 Scoping Document United States Department of Agriculture Sardine/Cloudburst Meadow Restoration Project Forest Service March, 2017 Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Bridgeport Ranger District Mono County, California Page 1 of 12

2 Comments Welcome The Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest welcomes your comments on the proposed Sardine/Cloudburst Meadow Restoration Project, which is located on National Forest System land within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This project proposes to conduct meadow restoration in three meadows (Upper Sardine, Lower Sardine, and Cloudburst, see Figure 1) within the West Walker River watershed on the Bridgeport Ranger District. For detailed information on how to provide comments please refer to the Comment Process section of this document. This document initiates the scoping process pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR Background In 2013, American Rivers completed meadow assessments on meadows within the Walker River watershed. The goal of these assessments was to inform and accelerate restoration by identifying meadows that were in the greatest need. In 2014, the Walker River Working Group was formed, which brought together interested parties within the Walker River watershed to prioritize meadow restoration. Lower Sardine, Upper Sardine, and Cloudburst meadows within the West Walker River watershed were identified for restoration. All three have various types and stages of headcuts that are contributing to erosion and lowering the water table within the meadows, as well as, road issues that are impacting the meadows. At some point, prior to 1990, Sardine Creek downcut in some places as much as 10 feet along an approximately three mile stretch of the creek. This, along with historic and current land use, has contributed to headcutting throughout meadows adjacent to Sardine Creek. At Cloudburst Meadow, Forest Service Road 062 was constructed right at the slope break between the meadow and the canyon into which the meadow drains. The culvert that was installed under the road changed the base level elevation of the meadow on the uphill side, leading to headcutting above the culvert. Location The Sardine/Cloudburst Meadow Restoration Project is in the area of California State Route 108 within the Bridgeport Ranger District in the Walker River watershed and includes three meadows: Lower Sardine Meadow (T.6N R.21&22E S.1&6), Upper Sardine Meadow (T.6N R.21E S.36), and Cloudburst Meadow (T.6N R.22E S.20)(Figure 1). Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to arrest and repair the currently existing headcuts in three meadow systems to improve meadow and hydrologic function. Two of the meadows (Upper and Lower Sardine) are within critical habitat for Yosemite toad, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Section 7(a)2 of the ESA directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species. Without Page 2 of 12

3 meadow restoration and enhancement, important toad breeding habitats could degrade further and this population could be lost. At the third meadow, the culvert that was installed under the road changed the base level elevation of the meadow on the uphill side, leading to headcutting above the culvert. If left unchecked, headcutting will continue which will ultimately lead to further loss of meadow and hydrologic function. Proposed Action The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest proposes to conduct meadow restoration at three meadows within the West Walker River watershed: Upper Sardine, Lower Sardine, and Cloudburst meadows. The proposed restoration would improve meadow and hydrologic function and create and enhance Yosemite toad habitat. Implementation for these meadows is expected between summer of 2017 and fall of The proposed action is to restore surface and subsurface hydrologic function and reduce or eliminate disturbance-caused channelized flow within the meadow systems by recontouring swale features to a more natural shape and function. A more in depth description of restoration actions follows: Restore meadow function: Channelized features will be treated by raising the grade of existing eroded features to mimic their former shape and function. Two types of channelized features will be treated. o The larger swales will be treated by salvaging existing sod where it occurs within the swale and stockpiling the material adjacent to the swales for later use. Fill material of similar composition to the native alluvium will be imported from a source as near as possible and placed then compacted within the swale. The salvaged sod will then be replaced into the swale and pressed into place. In some instances, vegetation plugs may need to be propagated and transplanted to speed the vegetative recovery. Jute fabric (fine mesh) will then be placed over sod and plugs and staked to resist erosion from surface flow until root masses are reestablished. Depending on moisture conditions, placed sod and plugs may need to be briefly watered in initially to help encourage the establishment of root systems. o The smaller, narrow channels (slotted channels; < two feet wide) will be filled with jute wrapped sediment. An additional layer of jute will be placed across the top of the wrapped fill to prevent erosion along the contact between the wrapped fill and the native meadow soil. The first layer will consist of jute fabric that will be placed perpendicular to the channels, and extend out onto the floodplain for a few feet and staked into the sod. The second layer, will be placed within the channel, and then filled with native soil. Once the soil is placed and compacted, the fabric will be folded back over the top of the placed fill and staked. Fill material for the smaller channels will be transported to the nearest swale aggradation site and the remainder of the work will be completed by hand. Designate and establish borrow sites for this project: The process of borrowing material will consist of using a loader and/or excavator to remove material from Page 3 of 12

4 one or more of the proposed borrow sites. The material will then be transported by dump truck to the proposed material staging area. The borrow site will be certified weed free prior to borrowing. Stablize headcuts at Sardine Creek: o At Lower Sardine, the headcut area will be treated by building grade control structures from rock, sod, and willow stakes. The preferred slope of the structure is 5% or less. o At Upper Sardine, the headcut area will be treated by building grade control structures from rock, sod, and live willow cuttings. The slope of the structure will be set at a maximum of 50% slope. The headcut treatment will consist of importing a mix of rock size and mixing it with existing sod. Larger rock will be used to dissipate energy from flow in the higher sloped portions of the structure, and smaller rock will be mixed with sod along the margins and floodplain. Rock will be brought to the headcuts via access routes and by traveling on the swale areas that are being restored. Rehabilitate existing closed road: o At Lower Sardine, the road will be rehabilitated from CA-108 to where the road connects to the proposed new foot trail. The sod will be dug up and lightly lifted, uprooting portions but not all of material. This process has the result of decompacting soil and promoting vegetative recovery. The material is then put back to where it was lifted and lightly pressed back into place. This process is repeated so that the shallow depressions no longer occur. Portions of the road may remain untreated and be used as a foot path for future use, while the rest will no longer receive foot or vehicle traffic. At the creek crossing, willows will be staked and jute fabric would be staked to reduce erosion and encourage vegetation growth. Relocate existing foot trail and establish a dedicated trailhead: o At Lower Sardine, there is an existing trail that currently follows the former road and crosses through a very wet portion of the meadow. The new alignment of the trail would preserve foot access to Sardine Falls, would be located to minimize impacts to meadow habitat, and would direct foot traffic to a more resistant stream crossing to the extent practicable. The new foot trail would then meet back up with the existing road on the south side of the creek. o At Lower Sardine, a dedicated parking area would be created within the existing disturbed footprint where the road to be decommissioned intersects CA-108. Barriers will be installed to denote the boundaries of the parking area and an interpretive sign will be installed. Provide additional Yosemite toad breeding area: o At Lower Sardine, a limited amount of sod would be removed and stockpiled. Soil would be removed to a depth of about 6-12 inches and the Page 4 of 12

5 sod would be replaced into the newly created depression. Excavated soil would be used as top soil at other treatment locations or distributed around the meadow adjacent to the pond so the soils blended into existing vegetation without covering it. Culvert installation and modification o At Lower Sardine, two new culverts would be installed to reconnect historic drainage patterns. The construction of CA-108 concentrated three swales into one culvert, rather than maintaining continuity of flow above and below the road. Grade control structure repair: o At Cloudburst, the existing structure is compromised and slowly unraveling. The new structure would be constructed from rock, sod, and willow stakes and be made to look more natural. The slope of the structure will be set between 35-45%. At all three meadows, restoration will be completed by working towards the road. This allows for the equipment to remain on the construction area, and once an area has been treated, it no longer needs to be used. Use of machinery and hand crews will be optimized to minimize the effect of restoration activities on existing, relatively undisturbed soils and vegetation. Timing of implementation would be scheduled to limit the impacts of weather-related conditions on operations and resources while providing as much time as possible for vegetative recovery prior to subsequent spring melt. A FS biologist will be present during restoration activities to minimize encounters with Yosemite toads. State and federal water quality control permitting will be obtained and water quality laws will be adhered to as appropriate. The treated meadows will be rested from grazing for two growing seasons post-restoration. The treated portion of the meadow will be avoided if applicable or a temporary fence will be erected while livestock are on the allotment and taken down at the end of the grazing season of use. Forest Plan Compliance This meadow restoration project is consistent with the Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USFS 1986 as amended) in that it meets the soil and water Goal #2 to improve water quality and manage riparian areas to satisfactory condition and it moves the Upper and Lower Sardine and Cloudburst meadows toward the desired condition by arresting the decline and restoring productivity in this watershed (USFS 1986, IV-6). Expected Analysis A proposed action may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) only if there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action and the proposed action is with a category listed in 36 CFR section The preliminary assessment is that this proposed action fits within the following category Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities which do not include the use of herbicides Page 5 of 12

6 or do not require more than one mile of low standard road construction.(36 CFR 220.6(e) 6) If during scoping or the subsequent analysis it becomes apparent that an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is required the Forest would reassess the project and adjust the analysis as necessary. The following impacts have been identified as potentially occurring. This information is provided to give the public an initial understanding of the project effects and is subject to change as the Forest Service completes its analysis: Resource Condition Aquatics Wildlife Botany and vegetation Municipal Watersheds Water quality Public Health and safety Air Quality Cultural resources Potential impacts A portion of the project area is currently occupied by Yosemite toads and is within Yosemite toad critical habitat. The goal of the proposed project in Upper and Lower Sardine meadows is to enhance and restore Yosemite toad habitat. While there may be short term impacts, they will be short in duration and lead to long term benefits to the species and habitat. Minimal impacts are expected because of the limited nature of the work. Some individual animals may be displaced into adjacent areas while the work is being performed. Minimal impacts are expected. There may be localized disturbance. The work proposed is not within an identified municipal watershed. Minimal impacts are expected because of the limited nature of the work, the low gradient of treatment areas, and the distance from surface water that most treatments would occur. Proposed work is designed to prevent or sufficiently minimize degradation of surface water quality during construction including the use of Best Management Practices, consistent with Federal and State requirements, and is expected to improve surface water quality in the future. No impact. Project ensures community safety in the longterm. No impact. Existing cultural survey data establish that there are one or more sensitive archaeological sites in or adjacent to the project units, as well as, sites that do not possess significant National Register values. Site specific surveys still need to be completed as the project has the potential to affect surface and subsurface resources. Appropriate measures will be taken to avoid affecting any National Register eligible historic property or unevaluated site, with the Page 6 of 12

7 Wilderness, and other special designated areas Recreation preferred method being exclusion of earth-disturbing activities within 100 feet of these sites. There will be no impact to wilderness or inventoried roadless areas. Part of the project area is within the Bridgeport Winter Recreation area. Because the implementation of this project will occur in the summer/fall, there will be no impact to the Winter Recreation Area. There is currently no officially designated trailhead or designated trail. This project would create a more formal trailhead and reroute the trail to a drier location to facilitate recreation. There may be short term impacts to recreation during implementation. Analysis Time Frames Analysis of the project will occur during the winter and spring A Decision Memo is expected by July of Comment Process The Forest Service encourages your comments on this proposed action, along with supporting reasons that the responsible official should consider in reaching a decision. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record for this project, will be available for public inspection, and will be released if requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be most helpful if submitted within 30 calendar days following the date of this mailing. Comments must be submitted to: District Ranger, Bridgeport Ranger District, HC62, Box 1000, Bridgeport, CA, or fax The office business hours for those submitting comments in person are: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc) to FS-commentsintermtn-humboldt-toiyabe-bridgeport <comments-intermtn-humboldt-toiyabebridgeport@fs.fed.us Comments must have an identifiable name attached or verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic comments. A scanned signature may serve as verification on electronic comments. To be most effective, comments should be submitted before April 10, For further information please visit our website at or contact, Rachel Van Horne, Project Coordinator at (775) , or rvanhorne@fs.fed.us. Page 7 of 12

8 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, and marital and familial 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 (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 all (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page 8 of 12

9 Figure 1: Location Map Page 9 of 12

10 Figure 2: Lower Sardine project design Page 10 of 12

11 Figure 3: Upper Sardine project design Page 11 of 12

12 Figure 4: Cloudburst project design Page 12 of 12