DECISION MEMO ROSS FORK/BITTERROOT DIVIDE TRAILS REHABILITATION AND RELOCATION

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1 Page 1 of 6 BACKGROUND DECISION MEMO ROSS FORK/BITTERROOT DIVIDE TRAILS REHABILITATION AND RELOCATION USDA Forest Service Pintler Ranger District Granite County, Montana The purpose of this project is to correct the current deficiencies of the Ross Fork Trail from Cow Camp Meadows to Cougar Creek. The trail is located adjacent to Ross Fork Rock Creek in the Rock Creek watershed. Rock Creek and all its tributaries are designated important habitat for bull trout, and figures prominently in the recovery plan for this species listed under the Endangered Species Act (Forest Plan p. 251). The project area falls within the Sapphire Mountain Wilderness Study Area Management Area within Upper Rock Creek Landscape. This area is managed to protect Wilderness character, and to provide dispersed recreation and other activities consistent with the designation (Forest Plan p. 261). The Ross Fork Trail # 8019 is a non-motorized trail located in the Ross Fork Rock Creek drainage, a tributary of Rock Creek. It is a lightly used trail partially due to its poor condition. The trail is approximately 12 miles long and begins at the lower reaches of the Ross Fork approximately 4 miles from the forest boundary at T4N, R16 W section 6. It travels along the valley bottom through numerous wet areas and climbs to Abundance Lake, Abundance Saddle, and the Bitterroot Divide. The first 4-5 miles were reworked in 2008 and the remaining 7-8 miles need additional work. This proposal includes trail sections in T4N, R17 W Sections 15, 16, 20, 29, 30 and 31 from Cow Camp Meadows to Cougar Creek, approximately 4.5 miles. Lack of and/or little maintenance has resulted in gullying, mud holes, and braided stream crossings. In one particular section, Fox Creek runs down the trail approximately 25 feet. DECISION I have decided to approve the rehabilitation and relocation of approximately 4.5 miles of the Ross Fork Trail from Cow Camp Meadows to Cougar Creek. This decision includes 1) Relocating approximately 1 ½ miles of trail 2) Installing up to 25 turnpikes 3) Building and installing a native stringer bridge over Fox Creek 4) Installing up to 3 culverts 5) Clearing the trail and maintaining drainage and tread the length of the project 6) Installing rolling dips where needed and 7) Rehabilitating portions of the abandoned trail

2 Page 2 of 6 All work will be completed to Forest Service Trail Standards for a non-motorized class 3 trail. No fill material will be removed from creeks and streams. All fill locations will be approved by the Contracting Officer. A motorized trail machine will be permitted to be used in trail construction. Use of motorcycles may be used to access the project and for emergencies only between the Point Lookout trailhead and Cougar Creek. Any use of motorcycles outside of these parameters is not allowed. The project is located in the Upper Rock Creek Landscape and the Sapphire Mountain Wilderness Study Area Management Area as defined by the 2009 Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Plan and is consistent with the standards and objectives for this area. MITIGATION AND DESIGN FEATURES REQUIRED BY THIS DECISION: Aquatics/Hydrology Trail will be out sloped to get water off the trail. A portion of the trail will be rehabilitated to redirect Fox Creek to a more natural channel. All streamside or in-channel work shall be completed in an expeditious manner to avoid unnecessary impact to the stream. This work may occur from July 1 to September 1. Existing precautions shall be taken to preserve existing riparian vegetation. Existing woody vegetation should be preserved to the maximum extent possible. Shrubs should be pruned rather than completely removed where practicable. Any excavated material or debris associated with construction activities should not be placed in or near the stream. Such material should be stockpiled so it will not encroach, drain or erode into the stream. No fuel storage or fueling of equipment will occur within RHCA s. All stored fuel will be placed in a containment devise to prevent leaks and spills. Wildlife Use of two wheeled motorcycle to access trail project may occur only from the Point Lookout Trailhead to Cougar Creek. Use will be minimized to avoid disturbance to wildlife. Heritage If cultural resource sites or artifacts are discovered during project implementation the Forest Archeologist will be notified immediately. Recreation Use of two wheeled motorcycle to access trail project may occur only from the Point Lookout Trailhead to Cougar Creek. Use will be minimized to avoid disturbance of other recreationists. All tracks will be naturalized upon completion of the project. Noxious Weeds Noxious weeds will be controlled following procedures in the Noxious Weed Control Program ROD (2002) for the. REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION An action may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) if it is within one of the categories identified by the USDA in 7 CFR part 1b.3 or a category identified by the Chief of the

3 Page 3 of 6 Forest Service in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) Section or 32.2, and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative effect on the quality of the human environment. This project has been reviewed in accordance with FSH I have determined the project fits within the following category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1) Construction and reconstruction of trails. My decision is based on a review of the project record that shows a thorough review of relevant scientific information, a consideration of responsible opposing views, and the acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information. The record includes the following resource specialist reports: Biological Assessment/Evaluation Checklist for Fish and Amphibian Species Heritage Program Project Completion Memo Aquatics/Amphibian Report Soils Report Hydrology Report Wildlife Report Botany Report A Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Permit No. SPA R-2 will be added to the project record when completed. By definition, categorical exclusions do not individually or cumulatively have significant effects on the human environment (40 CFR ). Resource specialists considered direct and indirect effects from the proposed action coupled with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. I have examined the proposed action and the effects analyses disclosed in the above resource specialist reports and have concluded that without notable individual effects from the proposed action, there would be no discernable cumulative effects. The interdisciplinary team reviewed the resource conditions listed in FSH , 30.4 and other concerns applicable to this project to determine whether any extraordinary circumstances exist. The mere presence of one or more of the resource conditions listed below does not preclude the use of a categorical exclusion. It is the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on one or more of these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. The resource specialist reports have provided the necessary information to make a determination on the cause-effect relationship between the proposed action and the resource conditions listed below and thus the presence of extraordinary circumstances, as summarized below:

4 Page 4 of 6 RESOURCE CONDITION Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. Floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas Inventoried Roadless Areas Research Natural Areas American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas APPLICABILITY TO PROJECT Threatened or Endangered Species: Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) occur within the analysis area. No impact is projected based on the September 13, 2010 specialist report. Sensitive Species: No Impact is projected for the west slope cutthroat trout, and boreal toad based on the September 13, 2010 specialist report. The northern leopard frog and the Fluvial Arctic Grayling are absent from the project area. Threatened or Endangered Species: Not likely to adversely affect the Gray wolf; however motorized trail use for project access may cause added disturbance and displace individuals. Sensitive Species: May Impact individuals or habitat. Temporary disturbance for wolverine and fisher may occur but no long term increase in disturbance. No Impact all other Sensitive terrestrial, aquatic, and plant species No municipal watersheds are present in the project area. Impacts to wetlands and RCA s that will be crossed will be negligible and mitigated with project design features including culverts and turnpikes. This project is in the Sapphire Mountain Wilderness Study area. Activities will protect the Wilderness character of the area. The project lies within an Inventoried Roadless Areas. Trail rehabilitation and reconstruction will have no impact on the Inventoried Roadless Area, will enhance public safety and correct resource deficiencies. There are no Research Natural Areas within the project area. Therefore, no negative impacts to any research natural areas are projected. There are no sites located within the project area. Therefore, no negative impacts to any American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites or Archaeological sites, or historic properties are projected. A categorical exclusion is appropriate in this situation because the proposed action fits within the category described above and there are no extraordinary circumstances present.

5 Page 5 of 6 SCOPING AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT The proposal was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during a scoping period from February 9, 2009 through March 9, 2009, and in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on October 1, No responses or inquiries were received. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires the development of long-range land and resource management plans. The Plan was approved in 2009 and provides guidance for all natural resource management activities on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. NFMA also requires that all projects and activities be consistent with the plans. The decision is consistent with Forest Plan direction including all applicable standards. Forestwide Goals and Objectives: Wilderness Study Areas: Wilderness Study Areas are managed to protect Wilderness character according to Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 (Forest Plan, p. 29). Trails Maintain motorized and non-motorized trails to standard. Reconstruct trails that do not meet standards based on the following Region One priorities: a. Safety hazards to users b. Actual or potential resource damage, especially in key watersheds, c. Level of use (Forest Plan, p. 31). Recreation Sites: Developed sites, dispersed sites and trails are designed, constructed and maintained in a manner which achieves desired stream function (RM 1) (Forest Plan, p. 16). FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS National Forest Management Act - The Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) was approved in 2009, as required by this Act. The Forest Plan has been reviewed in consideration of this project and the project meets all applicable management direction found in the 2009 Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest Plan including consistency with all applicable standards. Endangered Species Act - See Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Proposed Action Section of this document for a thorough discussion of the effects of this project to Endangered, Threatened, or Candidate Species. This project is consistent with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Sensitive Species (Forest Service Manual 2670) - This direction requires analysis of potential impacts to sensitive species the Regional Forester has identified population viability as a concern. On October 28, 2004, the Regional Forester approved the sensitive species list. Our review of the potential effects of this decision upon the sensitive species has been completed and the analysis documented in the project file and Section IIa of this document. Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898) - This Order requires consideration of whether projects would disproportionately affect minority or low-income populations in or around the project area. Based on internal review and public scoping, the proposed action did not identify any adversely impacted local minority or low-income populations. Clean Water Act The intent of the Act is to restore and maintain the integrity of waters. The Forest Service complies with this Act through the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs). This decision

6 Page 6 of 6 incorporates Best Management Practices to ensure protection of soil and water resources and complies with the Clean Water Act and State water quality standards. Clean Air Act Under this Act, areas of the country were designated as Class I, II or III airsheds for Prevention of Significant Deterioration purposes. Impacts to air quality have been considered for this decision. All burning will be conducted under the guidelines of the Idaho/Montana State Airshed group. Burn permits will be obtained per Montana DEQ regulations. The National Historic Preservation Act- As discussed earlier in this document and in detail in the project file, no impacts to cultural resources are expected. Migratory Bird Treaty Act There will be no known substantial losses of migratory bird habitat expected from the implementation of this proposal. National Environmental Policy Act - This Act requires public involvement and consideration of potential environmental effects. This document and the project record provide documentation for this decision which supports compliance with this Act (See Section II of this document). Other Laws or Requirements The proposed action is consistent with all other Federal, State, and/or local laws or requirements. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OR APPEAL OPPORTUNITIES This decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215. IMPLEMENTATION DATE Consistent with 36 CFR 215, implementation may begin immediately, and is expected to commence in June of CONTACT PERSON Supporting documentation for this decision is available for public review at the Pintler Ranger District, 88 Business Loop, Philipsburg, MT Further information about the decision can be obtained from the Pintler Ranger District during normal office hours (weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at Philipsburg, Montana; by phone: ; by mail at 88 Business Loop, Philipsburg, MT or by to Jennifer Blake at jbblake@fs.fed.us RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL /s/cfbuchagentry CHARLENE F. BUCHA GENTRY Date Pintler District Ranger