State Line Cove Vault Restroom 2011

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "State Line Cove Vault Restroom 2011"

Willis Norman Gilbert
5 years ago
Views:

1 Environmental Assessment State Line Cove Vault Restroom 2011 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Ashley National Forest Flaming Gorge Ranger District Daggett County, Utah Section 18, T3N, R21E, S.L.M., Daggett County, Utah The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. For information contact: D. Ross Catron, PO Box 279, Manila, Utah 84046,

2 INTRODUCTION Document Structure The Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This Environmental Assessment discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and alternatives. The document is organized into four parts: Introduction: The section includes information on the history of the project proposal, the purpose of and need for the project, and the agency s proposal for achieving that purpose and need. This section also details how the Forest Service informed the public of the proposal and how the public responded. Comparison of Alternatives, including the Proposed Action: This section provides a more detailed description of the agency s proposed action as well as alternative methods for achieving the stated purpose. These alternatives were developed based on significant issues raised by the public and other agencies. This discussion also includes possible mitigation measures. Finally, this section provides a summary table of the environmental consequences associated with each alternative. Environmental Consequences: This section describes the environmental effects of implementing the proposed action and other alternatives. This analysis is organized by significant issues. Within each section, the affected environment is described first, followed by the effects of the No Action Alternative that provides a baseline for evaluation and comparison of the other alternatives that follow. Agencies and Persons Consulted: This section provides a list of preparers and agencies consulted during the development of the environmental assessment. References: This section provides a list of the references noted in the document. Background The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (FGNRA) provides outdoor recreation opportunities to approximately two million people each year. Recreational activities are primarily associated with the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and consist of camping, boating, fishing, water sports, picnicking, sightseeing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. One of the most popular dispersed sites along the reservoir is the State Line Cove and Swim Beach areas which are located approximately seven miles east of Manila, Utah, and approximately one mile northwest of the Lucerne Valley Campground (refer to Figure 1, Google image on following page). The State Line Cove is located in both Sweetwater County, Wyoming and Daggett County, Utah. Swim Beach is located in Daggett County, Utah.

Figure 1, Google image of the recreational use of State Line Cove just to the north of the proposed restroom installation, August 30, 2003 The State Line Cove is characterized by gradually sloping

3 Figure 1, Google image of the recreational use of State Line Cove just to the north of the proposed restroom installation, August 30, 2003 The State Line Cove is characterized by gradually sloping beaches where RVs and campers can be parked near the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This allows for easy access to Flaming Gorge Reservoir and is a highly desirable location for many visitors. It is not unusual to have thousands of people camping at the State Line Cove on holidays or weekends during the summer. Adjacent to State Line Cove is an area referred to as Swim Beach. This area is managed for swimming and day use only. Thousands of visitors come to this location every summer because of its gradually sloping sandy beach and its close proximity to State Line Cove and the Lucerne Valley Recreation Complex. State Line Cove does not currently have adequate restroom facilities. Two permanent restrooms are located near the northern end of the area but no restrooms are located along the southern end. Swim Beach has no permanent restroom facilities. Consequently human waste being left at both sites is a problem even with portable enclosed toilets ( portapotties ) being used on weekends and holidays to help reduce the amount of human waste left at both areas. Purpose and Need for Action Human waste being left on site is a problem at State Line Cove and Swim Beach. The use of porta-potties has helped to reduce this problem but human waste being left on site continues to be a problem in both areas. This has resulted in a risk to human health and has also diminished the recreational experience of visitors. The installation of additional restrooms in this area would help to reduce a human health risk by reducing the amount of human waste being left on site. The elimination or reduction of the human waste left at these sites would also improve the recreational experience of FGNRA visitors. 2

4 The desired condition is to avoid or minimize human waste in the area, and to provide sanitary and pleasing facilities, consistent with the direction given by the Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Providing a more durable and sanitary vault restroom in a relatively convenient location would improve facilities and more effectively avoid or minimize groundwater contamination. Proposed Action Consequently it is proposed that a pre-fabricated vault restroom be installed in Section 18, T3N, R21E, S.L.M., Daggett County, Utah (refer to map, page 5). The vault restroom is proposed to be a concrete 7 feet by 15 feet Gunnison model CXT brand 1,000 gallon vault toilet. No new road building is needed for this project. As with any vault toilet, it would need to be periodically pumped out. This toilet can accommodate approximately 15,000 uses between pumping. The operation and maintenance of this restroom is expected to be accomplished through a concessionaire permit. It is estimated that a 105 square foot plot of ground would be impacted. Excavation would be required to accommodate the vault. The work is expected to be done by Forest Service personnel. The proposed restroom would have form and colors similar to existing restrooms in the area. Public Involvement This proposal was first listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions in April The proposal was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during the scoping period beginning March 23, In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the Forest Service published a scoping notice in the Vernal Express on March 23, No public comments were received. Issues The interdisciplinary team separated the issues into two groups: 1) Issues analyzed in depth, and 2) issues not analyzed further. Those issues not analyzed further are identified as those:1) outside the scope of the proposed action; 2) already decided by law, regulation, Forest Plan, or other higher level decision; 3) irrelevant to the decision to be made; or 4) conjectural and not supported by scientific or factual evidence. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations require this delineation in Sec : identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec ). The Forest Service identified the following issues to analyze in depth: Possible effects to human health, and Possible effects to the recreational experience of FGNRA visitors. Issues not analyzed in depth included soils, watershed, Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) species, wildlife, aquatic (including fish) and plant species and cultural resources. These issues were not analyzed in depth because they were considered 2) already decided by law, regulation, Forest Plan, or other higher level decisions, such as laws regulating effects to 3

5 TES species; or because they were considered 3) irrelevant to the decision to be made. Soil and watershed concerns do not exist because of the minimal foot print of the proposed restroom and existing uses of the site. Biological Assessments and Evaluations (BABE) were prepared and documented for terrestrial wildlife, aquatic and plant species (Forest Service, Terrestrial Wildlife BABE, April 11, 2011; Forest Service, Aquatic Species BABE, April 8, 2011; and Forest Service, Plants BABE, July 14, 2011). All indicate that there would be no effects or no impacts with either the implementation of Alternative 1 or 2. Cultural resources were reviewed and a determination of no effects made (Forest Service, Ashley National Forest Heritage Project #AS , March 28, 2011). This determination was also concurred with by the Utah State Historical Preservation Office (State of Utah, State History, Lori Hunsaker, April 7, 2011). No stipulations were identified. Project Record This EA hereby incorporates by reference the Project Record (36 CFR 220.7). The Project Record contains Specialists Reports and other technical documentation used to support the analysis and conclusions in this EA. The use of Specialists Reports and the Project Record meets provisions of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations to reduce NEPA paperwork (40 CFR ). The objective is to furnish enough site-specific information to demonstrate a reasoned consideration of the environmental impacts of the alternatives and how these impacts can be mitigated, without repeating detailed analysis and background information available elsewhere. The Project Record is available for review at the Flaming Gorge Ranger District, Ashley National Forest, Manila, Utah. ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered for the project. It includes a description of each alternative considered. This section also presents the alternatives in comparative form, sharply defining the differences between each alternative and providing a clear basis for choice among options by the decision maker and the public. Alternative 1, No Action No new restrooms would be installed. The use of porta-potties would continue. Alternative 2, The Proposed Action The Forest Service would install one pre-fabricated concrete 7 feet by 15 feet Gunnison model CXT brand 1,000 gallon vault (~15,000 uses) restroom near State Line Cove at the approximate location shown on the following page (Figure 2). The restroom would be handicapped accessible. The use of porta-potties would continue as needed. The restroom would be similar in appearance and construction to those already in place on the northern end of State Line Cove. Design Features of the Proposed Action 1. The location be at least 50 feet from high water, and 2. The vault be at least two feet above the water table. 4

6 Figure 2. State Line Cove Google image of approximate location of proposed vault restroom installation (image taken December 31, 2005). Comparison of Alternatives This section provides a summary of the effects of implementing each alternative. Information in the table below is focused on activities and effects where different levels of effects or outputs can be distinguished quantitatively or qualitatively among alternatives. Table 1. Comparison of Alternatives Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Public Health Recreational Experience Human waste continuing to be left at site, continued public health risk Reduced with continuing human waste and view of porta-potties Reduced human waste left at site, reduced public health risk Improved with less human waste and fewer porta-potties 5

7 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES This section summarizes the pertinent issues of the affected project area and the potential direct and indirect changes to those environments due to implementation of the alternatives. The cumulative effects of the alternatives, when considered with other activities known or possible activities are also considered. It also presents the scientific and analytical basis for comparison of alternatives presented in the chart above. The proposed restroom is to be located in an area that receives a substantial amount of recreational use from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day (refer to Figure 1, page 2). It is not unusual to have thousands of people camping at the State Line Cove on holidays or weekends during the summer. Use throughout the rest of the calendar year is common with winter use being the least. Thousands of visitors also come to Swim Beach every summer because of its gradually sloping sandy beach and its close proximity to State Line Cove and the Lucerne Valley Recreation Complex. Activities that occur on site include dispersed camping in RVs, camp trailers, and tents, ATV use, music playing, campfires, games, swimming, fishing, parties, boating, jet skiing, and most other forms of outdoor recreational activities. RVs and campers can be lined up side to side across most of the State Line Cove. Most of this use occurs below the high water mark of the reservoir which is a substantial area during lower levels of the reservoir which have been common over the last ten years. There are numerous roads available for travel and below the high water mark of the reservoir travel is unrestricted due to the controlling effect of high water on the area s vegetation. The vegetation at the site is characterized as tamarisk, fox-tail and cheatgrass. Wyoming sagebrush is also present beginning at the proposed location of the restroom and extending west of the site. All but Wyoming sagebrush are primarily influenced by fluctuating reservoir water levels. State Line Cove does not currently have adequate restroom facilities. Two restrooms are located near the northern end of the area but no restrooms are located along the southern end. Swim Beach has no restroom facilities. Consequently human waste being left at both sites is a problem even with portable enclosed toilets ( porta-potties ) being used on weekends and holidays to help reduce the amount of human waste left at both areas. Possible airborne vectors such as flies, direct physical contact and potential impacts to ground and surface water quality make this a human health risk. Possible effects to human health This issue can be summarized in the following way. Human waste left on site can lead to human health issues. Human health issues may result from possible airborne vectors such as flies, direct physical contact and potential impacts to ground and surface water quality. Alternative 1, No Action Without the addition of an additional restroom, the risk to human health remains the same. The continued use of porta-potties will help to maintain this risk at the current level. However, human waste would continue to be present as is currently the case. Alternative 2, Restroom installation With the installation of an additional restroom at the proposed approximate site an expected decline in human waste left on site is expected. This 6

8 would lead to a reduction in the potential risk to human health. The continued use of fewer porta-potties is expected to continue. The Tri-county Health Department (Daggett, Uintah and Duchesne Counties) has been contacted and requires any vault toilet installation to meet the following requirements: 1) The location be at least 50 feet from high water, and 2) the vault be at least two feet above the water table. These requirements would be followed if this alternative is selected. If the selected site does not meet these requirements then the site would be moved to where they could be met. The cumulative effects of this alternative, when combined with other activities that have occurred or may reasonably be expected to occur within or near the project area, are expected to result in a beneficial effect helping to reduce the risk to human health risk by reducing the amount of human waste being left on site. Other activities are the renovation of the Lucerne Campground, other improvements to the Lucerne Marina that may include that development of an RV Park, and changes in the water level of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Lucerne Marina and campground are located approximately 1.2 miles to the southeast of the project area. Possible effects to the recreational experience of FGNRA visitors... The enabling legislation for the FGNRA directed the Secretary of Agriculture to administer, protect, and develop the FGNRA in a manner to best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits. The Ashley National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1986 (Forest Plan), Appendix A, Flaming Gorge NRA Supplemental Direction, also provides the following direction: 1. Provide sanitary and pleasing facilities (Forest Plan A-1). 2. Provide minimum standard, approved sanitation facilities throughout the NRA in remote undeveloped areas where use is encouraged (Forest Plan A-7). 3. Place special emphasis on providing for boat and water-oriented sanitation needs (Forest Plan A-7). Alternative 1, No Action Without the addition of an additional restroom, recreational use of the State Line Cove dispersed camping area is expected to remain at its current substantial level. The expectation of a quality visit is apparently being met for many visitors are return visitors. Many visitors come to the area with self-contained sanitation facilities on their RVs and campers. As required, most have these facilities on their boats also. Most visitors use their own sanitation facilities, existing Forest Service provided restrooms, or the temporary portapotties when present and when convenient to do so. For these visitors there is mostly a positive recreational experience. However, even to these visitors and to those who leave human waste behind, the recreational experience is lessened when human waste is left on site. The use of porta-potties while functional is not in line with a high quality recreational experience. The continued use of porta-potties will help to maintain the current level of recreational experience. The continued use of porta-potties is expected to have only a minor effect on the visual qualities of State Line Cove since they are mostly present when many visitors and vehicles are at the State Line Cove. When porta-potties are not present and the State Line Cove is not 7

9 crowded then the area has a more undeveloped look at the landscape level. However, the presence of human waste and toilet paper very much distracts from the visual qualities of the area. Alternative 2, Restroom installation With the installation of an additional restroom the recreational experience is expected to be improved. The use of a permanent restroom is a more pleasing experience than a porta-pottie and certainly more pleasant than a trip to the tamarisk. The form and appearance of the proposed restroom model is similar to the two other restrooms at State Line Cove and elsewhere on the FGNRA and Ashley National Forest. However, the presence of a permanent restroom during times of little or no visitor use such as during the winter is expected to distract from the visual setting of the area. As human waste is reduced then the visual qualities of the area is also improved. The cumulative effects of this alternative, when combined with other activities that have occurred or may reasonably be expected to occur within or near the project area, are expected to continue to have a positive effect to the recreational experience of FGNRA visitors. Other activities are the renovation of the Lucerne Campground, other improvements to the Lucerne Marina that may include that development of an RV Park, and changes in the water level of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The Lucerne Marina and campground are located approximately 1.2 miles to the southeast of the project area. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION The Forest Service consulted the following individuals, Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes and non-forest Service persons during the development of this environmental assessment: ID TEAM MEMBERS: Mark Sprague Team Leader / Recreation Specialist Valton Mortenson Civil Engineer Dave Olsen Wildlife Biologist Troy Osborne Fisheries Biologist Jeff Rust Forest Archaeologist D. Ross Catron NEPA Writer-Editor FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES: Tri-County Health Department, Vernal, Utah Bureau of Reclamation, Dutch John, Utah Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Vernal, Utah 8

10 Daggett County, Manila, Utah Manila Town Council, Manila, Utah Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Green River, Wyoming REFERENCES Forest Service, Aquatic Species Biological Assessment Biological Evaluation, Troy Osborne, April 8, Copy contained in project record. Forest Service, Ashley National Forest Heritage Project #AS , Clay Johnson, March 28, 2011). Copy contained in project record. Forest Service, Biological Assessment and Evaluation for Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants, Sherel Goodrich, July 14, Copy contained in project record. Forest Service, Terrestrial Wildlife Biological Assessment Biological Evaluation, Dave Olsen, April 11, Copy contained in project record. State of Utah, State History, Lori Hunsaker, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, April 7, 2011). Letter contained in project record. 9

Environmental Assessment

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service May 2009 Environmental Assessment Powder River Campground Decommissioning Powder River Ranger District, Bighorn National Forest Johnson and Washakie