IDT Discussions on HRM Expansion Compiled on April 10, 2014

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1 IDT Discussions on HRM Expansion Compiled on April 10, 2014 IDT identified that Alternative 4 would fully address the cross-country skiing issues that were raised. The alternative locations suggested in the scoping comments were proposed so as not to impact the Hanel and Little loops (9/21/2011 IDT notes). Three locations were considered, including an expansion of the Hood River Meadows (HRM) Parking Lot First preference would be to build out the existing HRM parking lot. The new parking lot could be 8-acres, plus storm water management and snow removal, in the existing plantations. This first preference is the same general location of Joe s proposal (see Map 1). After field work had been completed, the IDT discussed the alternatives again to minimize the impacts to cross-country skiing on 11/9/2011: HRM Parking Lot Expansion Alternative: Perhaps we could analyze this alternative in detail if dropping Alternative 4 (Bear Grass Loop Alternative). However, the drain field potentially would have to be moved or the new parking lot would have be located outside the drain field area. The drain fields are located on the eastside of the parking lot, outside the current proposal (see attached Map 2). Monitoring wells are co-located with the drain field. This alternative was concerned, but eliminated from detailed study. EIS section states: This alternative would build out the existing Hood River Meadows (HRM) parking lot to improve parking capacity, rather than constructing a separate parking lot. The parking lot could be expanded into the existing plantations. This alternative would minimize the new disturbance because it would utilize the snow storage and storm water management associated with the existing parking lot. The existing parking lot is 8.0 acres, plus an additional 4.2 acres for snow storage and storm water management. The parking lot has a capacity of 976 vehicles (122 vehicles per acre). This alternative was proposed by both the interdisciplinary team as well as members of the public during the scoping period that was conducted in August Field reviews and discussions with MHM revealed that the area proposed for the parking lot include a septic drainage field, consisting of three or four drain lines that are snaked through the trees. This septic system services the current Nordic skier services building septic tank. Moving the drainage field to accommodate this alternative would be cost prohibitive, and would result in additional acres of disturbance because the drainage field would have to be relocated. As such, this alternative is not reasonably feasible or viable and was not considered in detail. In reviewing Joe s proposal, issues were raised related to wildlife, cultural resources, recreation, and aquatics. The primary resource concern is related to northern spotted owls. 1

2 HRM Expansion Consideration 2 The entirety of proposed parking areas 1 and 2 are within the nest patch and disruption distance. Parts of 3 and 4 are also within the nest patch and disruption distance (see attached Map 3). When consultation for this project was completed, the Responsible Official made a conscious decision to remain outside the disruption distance, and not work inside the nest patch. Removing habitat within the nest patch is not consistent with either the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan nor the Northwest Forest Plan. Other identified resource concerns in Parts 3 and 4 include the following: Parts 3 and 4 overlap with the Riparian Reserve for Meadows Creek (see attached Map 4). Part 3 overlaps with a small section of the Umbrella Falls hiking trail which would need to be re-located (see attached Map 2). Part 4 is immediately adjacent to a large wet meadow that is unique habitat for the Forest. The parking proposal would likely degrade this complex of wetlands. Also, this area likely is habitat for Survey and Manage and/or sensitive species. Part 4 is not ideal in such close proximity to the large meadow for big game thermal, calving/fawning habitat, and security habitat for our MIS species. Part 4 includes a high density of huckleberry plants, which are located on ceded lands and culturally significant to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Additional government-to-government consultation would be required. Part 4 includes the stormwater management system for the HRM parking lot (see attached Map 5). This would need to re-sized to accommodate additional parking or would need to be re-located. Part 5 of the proposal is adjacent to and includes the ODOT maintenance yard. The expansion of the ODOT maintenance yard was considered, but eliminated from detailed study. EIS section states: This alternative would utilize the ODOT maintenance yard as additional parking, rather than constructing the new Twilight Parking Lot. The maintenance yard could be expanded to allow for some additional parking and/or provide for storm water maintenance and snow storage. The ODOT maintenance yard would be relocated to a different location outside MHM Permit Area. One commenter suggested it move to the east side of Highway 35 further North, but still within a few miles of the current location in the center of the recreation zone. This alternative was formally proposed during the notice and comment period that was conducted in May The special use permit includes the operations and maintenance associated with a sandshed and two maintenance buildings to be used for winter sanding. The permit also

3 HRM Expansion Consideration 3 includes 0.1 mile of access road to the site from old Highway 35 (Forest Service Road 3545). The facility is closed to public access during the winter from November 1 through May 1 for public safety reasons. The use at this site was established in 1967 via special use permit. The original purpose of the permit was the construction of sand shed and maintenance of facilities needed to facilitate winter maintenance for Highway 35 and road to Hood River Meadows ski area. The purpose of the permit has not changed since its inception. The maintenance yard is approximately three acres located at T3S, R9E, Section 11. Two other special uses permit overlap with the ODOT maintenance yard. First, the Oregon Nordic Club has a special use permit administered by the Teacup Chapter for a storage shed located in the maintenance yard. Also, the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort Permit Area overlaps with part of the maintenance yard. In order to implement this alternative, the use at this site as ODOT maintenance yard would need to be terminated. ODOT has made no indications that this site is no longer needed for winter operations. Similarly, the Oregon Nordic Club special use permit would need to be terminated at this site and they have made no indications that this site is no longer needed. Also, the MHM permit area boundary would have to be expanded to include the entire ODOT maintenance yard as well as the surrounding area needed for proper storm water management and snow removal associated with parking lots in order to implement this alternative. Terminating special use permits does not meet the purpose and need for action for this project. The primary purpose of this project is to serve the design capacity for parking, including area for snow storage, and maintenance facilities that was conceptually approved while minimizing environmental impacts from parking lot construction and maintenance, as was outlined in the Master Plan in 1997 (see Section 1-3). Also, relocating these uses to other areas of the Forest and/or expanding the MHM permit area to accommodate the parking lot is outside the geographic scope of the project. The geographic scope of the project includes the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort permit area and access road to the permit area (see Section 1-3). As such this alternative is outside the scope of this project and was not considered in detail.

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5 Legend Existing Umbrella Falls Trail Hrm_Parking_Lot_Drain_Field_ Miles Project Location Map - Twilight and Sunrise Improvements Mt. Hood Meadows Hood River Ranger District, Mt. Hood National Forest T3S, R9E, Sections 10 and 11

6 Hood River Meadows Parking Lot Highway 35 Legend Stream_LLID Consultation_action_area Chainsaw_65yds_disruption

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8 Hood River Meadows Parking Lot Stormwater Management 2004 Monitoring Season HRM Parking Lot Concrete Ditch Sand Filter Meadows Creek