Travel Management on the Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras Ranger Districts Carson National Forest Soil, Watershed and Air Effects

Transcription

1 Travel Management on the Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras Ranger Districts Carson National Forest Soil, Watershed and Air Effects _/s/ Zigmund Napkora July 26, 2010 ZIGMUND NAPKORA Date Forest Zone Hydrologist

2 Consistency with Travel Management Rule Section Criteria for designation of roads, trails, and areas. (b) (1) damage to soil, watershed, vegetation, and other forest resources. Focus on Change The purpose of this analysis is to focus on the effects of the proposed changes from the existing designated motor vehicle use system. The scope of this analysis is limited to the effects of the proposed designated road and trail system that would be open to motor vehicle use by the general public. The proposed action does not include physical road closures, decommissioning, or obliteration. A major assumption of the effects analysis is that most motorized Forest users would adhere to the travel management plan, and, as a result, closed roads would begin to become revegetated, with a corresponding reduction of roadbed runoff and erosion. For the Soil, Water and Air analysis, road mileage includes only those roads that occur on National Forest System Lands. All mileage and acreage estimates presented in this analysis are based on these data. Alternative 1 is the proposed action and Alternative 2 represents the minimum road system, with the addition of managed access routed to existing dispersed recreational sites. Road networks affect the way water is captured, stored and routed within a watershed. Sediment generated from road surfaces and adjacent hillslopes can be routed through the road network and transported into streams. High turbidity and sediment loads can adversely affect aquatic life and damage facilities (such as water pumps). Motorized traffic affects soil health through compaction, displacement, rutting and removal of stabilizing vegetation. Motorized traffic can damage riparian-wetland areas and streambanks by damaging or removing understory and overstory vegetation, which helps to stabilize soils. Travel management can directly and indirectly affect water temperature, if potential shade-producing vegetation is removed during road construction or if motorized recreation reduces streamside vegetation. Another indirect effect would be sediment, which is related to turbidity. High turbidity can increase stream water temperature because the particles held in suspension can absorb more solar radiation than the clear water column. Evaluation Criteria Table SWA-1 describes the criteria used to evaluate effects of the alternatives. The criteria were chosen to represent effects to soil health, riparian-wetland areas, stream channels, floodplains and water quality. Table SWA-1. Soil, Water and Riparian-Wetland Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Criteria Metric Description Stream miles in 300-ft corridor Stream miles in 150-ft corridor miles miles Potential for motorized use to affect stream bank stability, floodplains, associated riparian-wetland areas and water quality. Corridor extends 300 ft from each side of a road segment for a total width of 600 feet. Potential for motorized use to affect stream bank stability, floodplains, associated riparian-wetland areas and water quality. Corridor extends 150 ft from each Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 1

3 Evaluation Criteria Metric Description side of a road segment for a total width of 300 feet. Potential for the transportation system to affect water Number of Stream count quality, primarily by routing runoff and sediment into a Crossings stream course. Open Road Density miles/miles 2 characteristics within a watershed. Potential for the transportation system to affect water quality, primarily Potential for transportation system to alter runoff Road density/drainage density Road miles within 200 ft of stream Sedimentation Erosion Hazard Severe ORV Limitation Severe Road miles in Potential Riparian Areas Potential Riparian Area within 300 ft Corridor Potential Riparian Area within 150 ft Corridor ratio miles tons per year acres, < 45% slope acres, < 45% slope miles acres, < 45% slope acres, < 45% slope by routing runoff and sediment into a stream course. Potential for transportation system to alter runoff characteristics within a watershed. Potential for the transportation system to affect water quality, primarily by routing runoff and sediment into a stream course. Default width needed as input to a sediment model (see below). Assumes that road surfaces within 200 feet of a stream contribute sediment to the stream channel. Relative amount of sediment transported to stream channels via the road network. Model results are for comparison of alternatives only. Model developed as part of the Roads Analysis Plan for the Jicarilla Ranger District. Sediment (tpy) = ( X road length, ft) ; Correlation coefficient (r 2 ) = 0.99 Potential for motorized use to cause soil compaction, displacement, rutting and disturb stabilizing vegetation. Carson National Forest terrestrial ecosystem unit interpretation for surface erosion. Soil units with a severe erosion hazard if ground cover is removed. Assumes vehicle use occurs primarily on slopes < 45%. Potential for motorized use to cause soil compaction, displacement, rutting and disturb stabilizing vegetation. Carson National Forest terrestrial ecosystem unit interpretation for off road vehicle use. Soil units with a potential hazard of severe erosion due to off road vehicle use. Assumes vehicle use occurs primarily on slopes < 45%. Potential for motorized use to cause soil compaction, displacement, rutting and eliminate stabilizing vegetation in riparian-wetland areas. Carson National Forest terrestrial ecosystem mapping units that have a riparian component. Potential for motorized use to cause soil compaction, displacement, rutting and disturb stabilizing vegetation in riparian-wetland areas. Carson National Forest terrestrial ecosystem mapping units that have a riparian component. Assumes vehicle use occurs primarily on slopes < 45%. Potential for motorized use to cause soil compaction, displacement, rutting and disturb stabilizing vegetation in riparian-wetland areas. Carson National Forest terrestrial ecosystem mapping units that have a riparian component. Assumes vehicle use occurs primarily on slopes < 45%. Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 2

4 Summary of Proposed Action - Canjilon District (Table SWA-2) The proposed action would: provide 308 miles of motorized routes provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval within 150 feet along 200 miles of road provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval within 300 feet along another 38 miles of road close approximately 53 miles of roads to motorized use Winter closure (Jan 01 - April 30) on 195 miles of road in vicinity of Mesa de los Viejas, Mesa Juan Domingo and Mesa Montoso change of use - 6 miles of full-size vehicle use changed to ATV (vehicles < 50 wide) close 98,656 acres to cross-country motorized vehicle travel Summary of Proposed Action - El Rito District (Table SWA-5) The proposed action would: provide 552 miles of motorized routes provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval allowed within a 150 foot corridor along 77 miles of road provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval allowed within a 300 feet corridor along another 229 miles of road add 6 new miles of motorized routes close an additional 205,857 acres to cross-country motorized vehicle travel Winter closure (Jan 01 - April 30) on 107 miles of road in vicinity of Comanche Canyon and roads south of FR137 Summary of Proposed Action-Tres Piedras District (Table SWA-8) The proposed action would: provide 489 miles of motorized routes provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval allowed within a 150 foot corridor along 182 miles of road provide motorized use for camping and big game retrieval allowed within a 300 feet along another 224 miles of road close approximately 172 miles to motorized use add 9 new miles of motorized routes close an additional 152,133 acres to cross-country motorized vehicle travel Winter closure (Jan 01 - April 30) of 224 miles on all roads south of FR97 Wildlife closure (May 01 Jul 25) on an additional 8 miles (FR 80) Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 3

5 Table SWA-2. Canjilon District Summary of Alternatives National Forest System Lands Only Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Roads (-53; -6 use change) (+ 9, -206) Motorized Trails ft corridor 361 (1) 38 0 (Roads only) 150-ft corridor (Roads only) Managed Access - miles (1) 200 (4) 0 4 (in corridors) Managed Access - sites 152 (2) 62 (in corridors) 125 Open to Cross Country Travel 117, Closed to Cross Country Travel 19, , ,024 Winter Closure, miles 138 (3) (Jan 01-Apr 15) (FR124, 125, 137) Same as Existing Same as Existing Winter Closure, miles (Jan 01-Apr 30) (5) --- (1) most of the District is open to cross country travel and the miles of corridor are for comparison of alternatives (2) area open to cross country travel, all inventoried sites included for comparison of alternatives (3) closures of main roads by default include arterials (4) includes 4 miles removed in Goshawk PFAs (5) closures on Mesa de los Viejas, Mesa Juan Domingo, Mesa Montoso Table SWA-5. El Rito District Summary of Alternatives National Forest System Lands Only Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Roads (-102; +6) (-173: +8) Trails ft corridor (Roads only) 150-ft corridor (Roads only) Managed Access - Miles (620) (1) (620) (1) (FR406A) 5 (FR559) 3 (in corridors) Managed Access - Sites 84 (2) 16 (FR559) 43 (in corridors) 4 (FR406A) Open to XC Country 205, (+8) Closed to XC Country 34, , ,626 Winter Closure, miles (Jan 01-Apr 15) Winter Closure, miles (Jan 01-Apr 30) 72 (FR 97) (3) 9 (FR 559) (4) --- Same as Existing (CC) (5) 37 (FR137) Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 4

6 (1) area open to cross country travel, miles of corridor are for comparison of alternatives (2) area open to cross country travel, all inventoried sites included for comparison of alternatives (3) closure of the main roads, by default includes arterials (4) FR 559 is maintained by the county and not a Forest Service system road (5) closure only on Comanche Canyon and south of FR 137 Table SWA-8. Tres Piedras District Summary of Alternatives National Forest System Lands Only Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Roads (-172, +9) (-346, +9) 300-ft corridor (398) (1) (-36, +77) (-191) 150-ft corridor (398) (1) 182 (+182) Managed Access - Miles Managed Access - Sites 136 (2) 93 (in corridors) Open to XC Country 152, (+9) Closed to XC Country 203, , ,424 Winter Closure, miles (Jan 01-Apr 15) Winter Closure, miles (Jan 01-Apr 30) Elk Calving Closure, Miles; (May 01-Jul 25) (FR 97) (3) (4) (FR1893) 5 (FR 795) 4 (FR1893) 5 (FR 795) 8 (FR 80) Same as Existing (1) area open to cross country travel, miles of corridor are for comparison of alternatives (2) Stream miles are within the area open to cross country travel, for comparison of alternatives (3) all inventoried sites included, whether or not in existing corridors or area open to cross country travel (4) Although closure is FR97 only, it effectively closes the road system extending from FR97 (4) Area-wide restriction south of FR 97 Affected Environment Canjilon District The Canjilon District includes 137,024 acres in 6 watersheds. The Canjilon District contains approximately 39 miles of perennial streams, 315 miles of intermittent and ephemeral channels and 842 acres of potential riparian-wetland habitat. Water quality limited streams (CWA Sec 303d/305b waters) account for 27 miles. Stream miles and flow regime are based on cartographic feature files prepared by the US Geological Survey, as depicted on USGS 1:24000 quadrangle maps. Riparian-wetland acres are based on the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Carson National Forest. The TES is the basis for interpreting soil characteristics, vegetation and landforms. The TES identifies 7 mapping units in the analysis area which may contain riparianwetland soils, landforms and habitats. The percentage of riparian-wetland features in a given map unit ranges from 5% to 100%. The total acres of potential riparian-wetland vegetation represent the fractional percent of the aggregated mapping units. About 23 percent of the analysis area has a severe erosion hazard rating and over 68 percent of the analysis area has a potential hazard of severe erosion due to off road vehicle use, as modeled for the terrestrial ecosystem survey. Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 5

7 El Rito District The El Rito District includes 264,329 acres in 7 watersheds. The El Rito District contains approximately 76 miles of perennial streams, 794 miles of intermittent and ephemeral channels and 2,015 acres of potential riparian-wetland habitat. Water quality limited streams (CWA Sec 303d/305b waters) account for 38 miles. Stream miles and flow regime are based on cartographic feature files prepared by the US Geological Survey, as depicted on USGS 1:24000 quadrangle maps. Riparian-wetland acres are based on the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Carson National Forest. The TES is the basis for interpreting soil characteristics, vegetation and landforms. The TES identifies 9 mapping units in the analysis area which may contain riparianwetland soils, landforms and habitats. The percentage of riparian-wetland features in a given map unit ranges from 5% to 100%. The total acres of potential riparian-wetland vegetation represent the fractional percent of the aggregated mapping units. About 41 percent of the analysis area has a severe erosion hazard rating and over 76 percent of the analysis area has a potential hazard of severe erosion due to off road vehicle use. Tres Piedras District The Tres Piedras District includes 355,424 acres in 14 watersheds. The Tres Piedras District contains approximately 138 miles of perennial streams, 1,119 miles of intermittent and ephemeral channels and 6,225 acres of potential riparian-wetland habitat. Water quality limited streams (CWA Sec 303d/305b waters) account for 48 miles. Stream miles and flow regime are based on cartographic feature files prepared by the US Geological Survey, as depicted on USGS 1:24000 quadrangle maps. Riparian-wetland acres are based on the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Carson National Forest. The TES is the basis for interpreting soil characteristics, vegetation and landforms. The TES identifies 6 mapping units in the analysis area which may contain riparianwetland soils, landforms and habitats. The percentage of riparian-wetland features in a given map unit ranges from 5% to 100%. The total acres of potential riparian-wetland vegetation represent the fractional percent of the aggregated mapping units. About 23 percent of the analysis area has a severe erosion hazard rating and over 44 percent of the analysis area has a potential hazard of severe erosion due to off road vehicle use. Effects to Soil, Water and Riparian-Wetland Resources Canjilon District The pollutants of primary concern from the transportation system on the Canjilon District are sediment and stream water temperature. The largest concerns of motorized travel to soil resources are compaction, erosion and sedimentation. Effects of the alternatives to soil, water and riparian-wetland resources are based on the parameters listed in Table SWA-1 and summarized in Table SWA-3. El Rito District The pollutants of primary concern from the transportation system on the El Rito District are sediment and stream water temperature. The largest concerns of motorized travel to soil resources are compaction, erosion and sedimentation. Effects of the alternatives to soil, water and riparian-wetland resources are based on the parameters listed in Table SWA-1 and summarized in Table SWA-6. Tres Piedras District The pollutants of primary concern from the transportation system on the Tres Piedras District are sediment and stream water temperature. The largest concerns of motorized travel to soil resources are compaction, erosion and sedimentation. Effects of the alternatives to soil, water Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 6

8 and riparian-wetland resources are based on the parameters listed in Table SWA-1 and summarized in Table SWA-9. Table SWA-3. Canjilon District - Summary of Soil and Water Effects Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Canjilon RD All WQL All WQL All WQL Stream miles in 300-ft corridor 74 (1) Stream miles in 150-ft corridor 42 (1) Stream miles in Cross Country area Number of Stream Crossings Road miles within 200 ft of stream Sedimentation (tons per year) 1,537 1, Erosion Hazard Severe (acres < 45% slope) 16, ORV Limitation Severe (acres < 45% slope) 62,659 5, Road miles in Potential Riparian Areas Managed Access Sites In Potential Riparian Areas 11 3 (in corridors) 10 Potential Riparian Area within 300 ft Corridor (acres < 45% slope) Potential Riparian Area within 150 ft Corridor (acres < 45% slope) 547 (2) (2) Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 7

9 (1) Stream miles are within the area open to cross country travel (2) Acres are within the area open to cross country travel WQL = Water Quality Limited stream segments (sedimentation/siltation, turbidity, specific conductance) Table SWA-6. El Rito District - Summary of Soil and Water Effects Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 El Rito RD All WQL All WQL All WQL Stream miles in 300-ft corridor 9 (202) (1) 0.1 (1.6) (1) Stream miles in 150-ft corridor Stream miles in Cross Country area Number of Stream Crossings 211 (1) Road miles within 200 ft of stream Sedimentation (tons per year) 9,095 7,893 6,691 Erosion Hazard Severe (acres < 45% slope) 74,320 3, ORV Limitation Severe (acres < 45% slope) 142,634 10, Road miles in Potential Riparian Areas Managed Access Sites in Potential Riparian Areas 41 (2) 13 (in corridors) 41 Potential Riparian Area within 300 ft Corridor (acres slope < 45%) 1,629 (3) Potential Riparian Area within 150 ft Corridor (acres slope < 45%) 1,629 (3) (1) Stream miles are within the area open to cross country travel, for comparison of alternatives (2) inventoried sites (3) Acres are within the existing corridor and the area open to cross country travel Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 8

10 WQL = Water Quality Limited stream segments (sedimentation/siltation, turbidity, specific conductance, temperature, aluminum) Table SWA-9. Tres Piedras District - Summary of Soil and Water Effects Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Tres Piedras RD All WQL All WQL All WQL Stream miles in 300-ft corridor 56 5 (113) (1) (1.5) (1) Stream miles in 150-ft corridor Stream miles in Cross Country area Number of Stream Crossings 73 (1) Road miles within 200 ft of stream Sedimentation (tons per year) 7,736 5,855 3,659 Erosion Hazard Severe (acres < 45% slope) ORV Limitation Severe (acres < 45% slope) 17,088 (2) (3,092 existing corridor) 38,464 (2) (6,606- existing corridor) 3, , Road miles in Potential Riparian Areas Managed Access Sites in Potential Riparian Areas 16 4 (in corridors) 14 Potential Riparian Area within 300 ft Corridor (acres slope < 45%) Potential Riparian Area within 150 ft Corridor (acres slope < 45%) 1,990 (2) (3) (1) Stream miles are within the area open to cross country travel (2) Acres are within the area previously open to cross country travel and 300-ft corridor (3) Acres are within the area previously open to cross country travel; WQL = Water Quality Limited stream segments (sedimentation/siltation, turbidity, specific conductance, temperature, aluminum) Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 9

11 Alternative 1 Canjilon District Under alternative 1, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan. The proposed 150-ft and 300-ft motorized travel corridors would occur within the areas previously designated for cross-country travel. Potential effects within the proposed corridor area would remain unchanged. The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by 72% the overall amount of stream segments and 91% of potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, with a 31% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 15% reduction under Alternative 1. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. The Carson National Forest Travel Analysis Process Report (TAP) identifies about 153 miles of routes that have become rutted and have a high potential to transport sediment when wet. These roads occur on Mesa de los Viejas, Mesa Juan Domingo and Mesa Montoso. Alternative 1 would close access from January 1 April 30. Combined with the existing closure of 138 miles, > 90% of the system roads would be closed to motorized use from January 01 April 15. The District would retain the management flexibility to extend the closures for longer time periods, if resource conditions warrant a closure. The TAP identifies 5 other road segments (15 miles) that have a high risk of contributing sediment to streams (Table SWA-4). About 4 miles would be closed in Alternative 1. Route 125 is the main access route to Trout Lakes and would be maintained to Forest standards per the District s maintenance schedule. To minimize erosion from FR724A into Canjilon Creek, the native surface roadbed would be hardened with crushed stone on the approaches to the stream. El Rito District Under alternative 1, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan. The proposed 150-ft corridors occur within the same area previously designated for cross-country travel. Most of the 300-ft motorized travel corridors would occur within the same area previously designated for cross-country travel or within the previously designated 300-ft corridor areas. Potential effects of motorized travel corridors within the former cross-country area and former 300-ft corridor area would remain unchanged from the current condition. The proposed action would eliminate 300-ft corridors from 3 miles of previously designated corridor area (FR 666). The removal of 3 miles of road would eliminate potential motorized travel in riparian areas from about 8 acres along upper El Rito Creek. The proposed action would include dispersed camping at existing sites along FR559 (5 miles along El Rito Creek) and along FR406A (6 miles). Effects to soil resources from managed access would continue to occur along access routes and at dispersed camping sites. Effects include loss of soil of productivity due to compaction and displacement. The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by 51% the overall amount of stream segments and 84% of potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, with a 13% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 13% reduction under Alternative 1. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 10

12 from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. The TAP identifies 20 road segments (56 miles) that have eroding road surfaces and/or have a high risk of contributing sediment to streams (Table SWA-7). About 7.5 miles would be closed in Alternative 1, 2 miles (FR 173A1) is already physically closed, 0.5 miles near Kiowa Lake (FR 110A) are not eroding sediment, 1 mile (FR 406A) does not occur in the sections indicated in the TAP and 9 miles (FR 137 and 172) are closed seasonally. The remaining 34 miles of road would be maintained to Forest standards per the District s maintenance schedule. Tres Piedras District Under alternative 1, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan. The proposed 150-ft corridors occur within the same area previously designated for cross-country travel. Most of the 300-ft motorized travel corridors would occur within the same area previously designated for cross-country travel or within the previously designated 300-ft corridor areas (160 and 64 miles, respectively). Potential effects of motorized travel corridors within the former cross-country area and former 300-ft corridor area would remain unchanged. The proposed action would eliminate 300-ft corridors from 23 miles of previously designated corridor area and include 300-ft corridors along 9 miles of roads outside of the previously designated corridors and cross-country travel area. The removal of 23 miles of corridor would eliminate potential motorized travel in riparian areas from about 70 acres along the Rio San Antonio, 25 acres of along upper Buckhorn Canyon (Rio Tusas) and 3 acres along Barela Canyon. Adding 300-ft corridors along 9 miles of road would potentially allow motorized access into about 2 acres of riparian areas along upper Mallette Canyon. The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by 82% the overall amount of stream segments and 76% of potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, with a 21% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 24% reduction under Alternative 1. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce (76%) potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. The Travel Analysis Process identified 163 miles of road as having potential concerns for water quality and/or riparian health (Table SWA-10). Alternative 1 would close 56 miles to public use. The remaining 107 miles of road would be maintained to Forest standards per the District s maintenance schedule. Alternative 2 Canjilon District Under Alternative 2, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan and motor vehicle use would be permitted only on the road surface, with no motorized travel corridors adjacent to roads. Access to dispersed recreation sites would occur along 9 miles of existing routes to 125 existing sites. About half of the sites (62) would be within the 300 or 150 foot corridors proposed in Alternative 1, 62 sites occur as short extensions (most < ¼ mile) off of roads with proposed corridors, and 1 site occurs along FR 129 (Canjion Lakes road). The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by nearly 100% the overall amount of stream segments and potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 11

13 with a 51% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 59% reduction under Alternative 2. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. Effects to soil resources from managed access would continue to occur along access routes and at dispersed camping sites. Effects include loss of soil of productivity due to compaction and displacement. Field inventory of managed access routes and sites in 2008 found that 11 routes occurred within or across riparian areas, streams and/or floodplains. The most highly impacted routes/sites occur along Canjilon Creek, near the corral in Section 02. These 5 sites would be excluded from Alternative 2. Sites inventoried in 2006 occurred mainly along main access routes and effects included soil compaction and vegetation loss along routes and in the immediate vicinity of the sites. The TAP identifies about 153 miles of route that become rutted and have a high potential to transport sediment when wet. These roads occur on Mesa de los Viejas, Mesa Juan Domingo and Mesa Montoso and would remain open to motorized use year round (no change from the existing condition). The TAP identifies 5 other road segments (15 miles) that have a high risk of contributing sediment to streams (Table SWA-4). Management actions would be the same as in Alternative 1. El Rito District Under Alternative 2, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan and motor vehicle use would be permitted only on the road surface, with no motorized travel corridors adjacent to roads. Access to dispersed recreation sites would occur along ~ 8 miles of existing routes to 82 existing sites. About half of the sites (43) would be within the 300 or 150 foot corridors proposed in Alternative 1, 9 sites occur as short extensions (< 0.1 mile) off of roads with corridors proposed in Alternative 1, 16 sites along FR 559 (El Rito Creek), 4 sites along FR406A, and 16 sites off of non-corridor roads (Alternative 1 corridors). The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by nearly 100% the overall amount of stream segments and potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, with a more than 25% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 26% reduction under Alternative 2. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. Effects to soil resources from managed access would continue to occur along access routes and at dispersed camping sites. Effects include loss of soil of productivity due to compaction and displacement. Field inventory of managed access routes and sites in 2008 found that 15 routes occurred within or across riparian areas, streams and/or floodplains. Alternative 2 would remove 2 sites that occur east of El Rito Creek in section 10. Sites inventoried in 2006 occurred mainly along FR559 (El Rito Creek) and effects included soil compaction and vegetation loss along routes and in the immediate vicinity of the sites. The TAP identifies 20 road segments (56 miles) that have eroding road surfaces and/or have a high risk of contributing sediment to streams (Table SWA-7). Mitigations and maintenance would be the same as for Alternative 1, in addition to 1 mile of closure of FR 44. Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 12

14 Tres Piedras District Under Alternative 2, motorized cross-country travel is removed from the travel management plan and motor vehicle use would be permitted only on the road surface, with no motorized travel corridors adjacent to roads. Access to dispersed recreation sites would occur along about 9 miles of existing routes to 132 existing sites. Almost ¾ of the sites (93) would be within the 300 or 150 foot corridors proposed in Alternative 1, 27 sites occur as short extensions (< 0.1 mile) off of roads with corridors proposed in Alternative 1and 12 sites off of non-corridor roads (Alternative 1 corridors). The elimination of motorized cross-country travel would reduce by nearly 100% the overall amount of stream segments and potential riparian-wetland areas accessible to vehicular travel, with a more than 50% reduction in road crossings. Sediment modeling indicates a potential 53% reduction under Alternative 2. Elimination of cross-country travel would greatly reduce potential adverse impacts to soil resources, especially to soils with a severe erosion hazard. Overall effects to water quality from potential sedimentation are described under Water Quality and Beneficial Uses, in a watershed context, rather than on a District specific basis. Effects to soil resources from managed access would continue to occur along access routes and at dispersed camping sites. Effects include loss of soil of productivity due to compaction and displacement. Field inventory of managed access routes and sites in 2008 found that 9 sites occurred within riparian areas or floodplains along the Rio de Los Pinos in the vicinity of the campground. Use of these sites would continue to impair soil productivity and impact riparian vegetation. Sites inventoried in 2006 occurred mainly along main access routes and effects included soil compaction and vegetation loss along routes and in the immediate vicinity of the sites. The Travel Analysis Process identified 163 miles of road as having potential concerns for water quality and/or riparian health (Table SWA-10). Alternative 2 would close 80 miles to public use. The remaining 83 miles of road would be maintained to Forest standards per the District s maintenance schedule. SWA-4. Canjilon District Roads of Concern from TAP Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road 124A3 2.1 Crosses Dulce Spring Creek, Canada del Closed in Alt 1 and 2 Bano and Amador Creek; ascends steep hillslope; TAP recommends close and gate Trout Lakes access route; needs spot surfacing Spot surfacing at stream crossings; improve cross drains Accesses Canjilon Creek Campground, Closed in Alt 1 and 2 delivering sediment to stream; riparian issues 130T4 0.3 Steep, rutted, delivering sediment to stream Closed in Alt 1 and 2 724A 0.8 Lower portion rutted and connected to Canjilon Creek Harden approaches to Canjilon Creek SWA-7. El Rito District Roads of Concern from TAP Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road Erosion first mile (south end) Routine maintenance Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 13

15 Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road Washouts and sedimentation to arroyos; route mostly in or across arroyos Alt 1 routine maintenance; Alt 2 closes 1.0 mile along lower Arroyo Seco Erosion when wet, first 3 miles on east Spot surfacing, water bars side, also between 45I and 45B10 and between 4502 and E 0.8 Erosion when wet Routine maintenance Erosion between 110 and 104A and Routine maintenance 104A and 104H1 104B 0.4 Erosion at intersection with 110 and 104 Spot surfacing 104F 1.3 Rocky and rough, erosion problems Road surface is rocky 106G1 3.0 Road is bermed and closed Closed in Alt 1 and 2 106G2 0.6 Road is bermed and closed Closed in Alt 1 and 2 110A 0.5 Erosion at Kiowa Lake Recent field recon indicates roadbed is stable and not contributing sediment Washouts and ruts between 95E and 749 (5 miles); due to Pine Canyon Fire Seasonal closure; Grading, water bars and spot surfacing Erosion at south end due to vehicle Seasonal closure; route will be signed crossing meadow to connect to Runs along Hachita Canyon Closed in Alt 1 and 2 173A1 2.0 Road is closed and bermed, with culvert Road is already physically closed across Gurule Canyon removed 173B1 1.7 Runs along Salvador Canyon; Upper 0.7 miles is closed Alt 1 and 2 would terminate route on east side of El Rito Watershed issues near Jarosita Canyon Spot surfacing, water bars 274A 0.9 Erosion in Sec 11 (Ritito Canyon) Closed in Alt 1 and 2 406A4 0.9 Erosion problems S15,16, 9, 4 Road does not occur in these sections; error in TAP ATV damage; close last 1.5 miles east side of El Rito Alt 1 and 2 close the portion east of El Rito Erosion western half (2 miles) Spot surfacing SWA-10. Tres Piedras District Roads of Concern from TAP Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road 111A 0.2 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 2 111A2 0.5 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 111C 0.6 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 133D (1) 0.3 Sediment to Rio Tusas (Section 18) Closed in Alt 1 and 2 133D1 1.7 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 285Q 5.4 Muddy when wet, sediment into Canada Closed in Alt 2 Embudo Sediment to Rio Tusas Routine maintenance Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Parallels Atencio Canyon; flow filters into irrigated pasture Road bed badly eroded Closed in Alt 1 and 2 64B 4.6 Road thru wet areas and sediment to Rio Closed in Alt 1 and 2 Brazos tributaries 64D 1.7 Sediment to Rio Brazos tributaries Closed in Alt 2 64D1 0.2 Sediment to Rio Brazos tributaries Closed in Alt 2 64D2 6.5 Sediment to Rio Vallecitos tributaries Closed in Alt 2 64D3 0.9 Sediment to Rio Vallecitos tributaries Closed in Alt 2 Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 14

16 Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road Sediment to Arkansas Creek and Rio de Spot surfacing los Pinos 686A 0.8 Sediment to Rio Brazos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 686A1 0.7 Sediment to Rio Brazos Closed in Alt 2 686A2 0.5 Sediment to Rio Brazos Road not hydrologically connected to drainages 686B 0.2 Sediment to Rio Brazos Road not hydrologically connected to drainages 712A 3.2 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 712B 2.0 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 712C 1.8 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 2 712D 0.3 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 2 712D1 0.1 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 2 712E 1.3 Sediment to Willow Creek Closed in Alt 1 and Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 718B 0.9 Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and Sediment to Rio Brazos and los Pinos Main road into Rio Grande National Forest; needs surfacing 75A 2.4 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 75A1 1.0 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 75A2 0.8 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and Gully erosion near FR87; sediment to Road runoff dissipates into meadow Rio San Antonio 78A 4.9 Sediment to Laguna Larga Closed in Alt 2 78A1 1.4 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 78A2 1.7 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 78A3 1.0 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 78A4 2.4 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 78C 0.8 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 78D 1.7 Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and Sediment to Rio Tusas Closed 5/01 7/25; stock tank below road crossing Sediment to Little Tusas River 8 miles Closed 5/01 7/25; stock tank below road crossing Sediment to Rio San Antonio, Brazos, Conejos and Cruces Basin tributaries Connects to Rio Grande National Forest; not maintained past Lagunitas 87AA 0.8 Sediment to Tio Grande and Rio San Comment does not match mapped route Antonio 87C 0.9 Sediment to Rio San Antonio and Lagunita Lakes near Field recon indicated little runoff from road to lakes 87DD 0.4 Sediment to Rio San Antonio and Closed in Alt 2 Lagunita Lakes 87H 1.7 Sediment to Osier Fork Needs maintenance 88A 2.1 Sediment to Rio San Antonio Closed in Alt 1 and Road crosses wet meadows Rerouted in Maquinta Decision 91BC 0.7 Sediment to Cleveland Gulch; was Closed in Alt 1 and 2 fishery in 1930s 93B 2.3 Crosses wet meadows Closed in Alt 1 and 2 B Sediment to Little Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 15

17 Forest Miles TAP Concerns/Comments Maintenance or Mitigation Road H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 1 and 2 H Sediment to Rio de los Pinos Closed in Alt 2 I Sediment to Rio San Antonio Closed in Alt 1 and 2 I Sediment to Rio San Antonio Closed in Alt 1 and 2 I Sediment to Rio San Antonio Closed in Alt 1 and 2 J Sediment to Little Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 J Sediment to Little Tusas Closed in Alt 1 and 2 K Sediment to Canada Tanques Closed in Alt 1 and Total 56 Closed in Alt 1 80 Closed in Alt 2 (1) FR133D has 2 segments (segment in Sections 16 and 21 to remain open) Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 16

18 Water Quality and Beneficial Uses The State of New Mexico Environment Department has identified water quality standards and beneficial uses for waters of the State (NMED 2008a). All perennial and intermittent streams have designated uses for aquatic life, livestock watering, wildlife habitat, and secondary contact. All ephemeral streams have designated uses for livestock watering, wildlife habitat, limited aquatic life and secondary contact. Waterbodies that do not meet water quality standards with implementation of existing management measures are listed by the State of New Mexico as impaired under section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). To ensure that New Mexico s water quality standards are met and designated uses are attained for impaired waters, the allowable pollutant load (total maximum daily load, TMDLs) is allocated to potential sources (i.e. point or nonpoint sources) for each of the pollutants in question. It is the responsibility of the Forest Service, as a federal land management agency, through implementation of the CWA, to protect and restore the quality of public waters under its jurisdiction. Protecting water quality is addressed in several sections of the CWA, including sections 303 and 319. Best management practices (BMPs) are used to meet water quality standards (or water quality goals and objectives) for nonpoint source pollution under Section 319. TMDLs are implemented for nonpoint source pollution by organizing local watershed groups to develop Watershed Improvement Plans (a.k.a. Watershed Restoration Action Strategies, WRAS) with the assistance of the NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau Watershed Protection Section. The WRAS for the Lower Rio Chama (Rio Tusas, Rio Vallecitos) watershed focuses on prevention and remediation for nonpoint source pollution. The watershed approach calls for all stakeholders to participate. The Carson National Forest is a stakeholder in the Lower Rio Chama watershed. The implementation plan indicates that proper road maintenance practices and drainage controls, relocation of recreation trails away from riparian areas, plantings along streams and hydrogeomorphic river restoration will contribute to a reduction in turbidity. The Rio Chama WRAS (NMED 2005) identified off-highway vehicle use and recreation in riparian areas as contributing to soil erosion and increased turbidity in El Rito, with the implementation of BMPs needed to reduce impacts. Strategies for addressing the turbidity TMDL for the Rio Nutrias and Rio Vallecitos and Canjilon Creek were directed toward livestock management and stabilizing streambanks. The WRAS for the Conejos Watershed (Rio de Los Pinos and Rio San Antonio; NMED 2006) indicates that Forest Service and BLM roads could be redesigned and improved, to reduce erosion. Figures SWA-1, SWA-2 and SWA-3 display the watershed boundaries and water quality impaired streams, as contained within the Canjilon, El Rito and Tres Piedras Districts, respectively. Table SWA-11 summarizes the watersheds and streams by district. Table SWA-11. Summary of watersheds and impaired waters by district. District Subbasin (HUC 4) Watershed (HUC 5) 303(d) Stream Canjilon Rio Chama ( ) Rio Vallecitos El Rito-Rio Chama Abiquiu Reservoir Arroyo Seco Rio Cebolla Rio Gallina-Rio Chama Rio Vallecitos Canjilon Creek Rio Cebolla Rio Nutrias El Rito Rio Chama Rio Tusas Rio Tusas Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 17

19 Tres Piedras ( ) Rio Ojo Caliente Rio Vallecitos El Rito El Rito-Rio Chama Abiquiu Reservoir Arroyo Seco Conejos River ( ) Upper Rio Grande ( ) Rio Chama ( ) Rio de Los Pinos Rio San Antonio South Branch-Rio San Antonio Rio Grande-below Conejos River Latir Creek-Rio Grande Red River-Rio Grande Rio Pueblo de Taos-R. Grande Arroyo Aguaje de la Potaca Rio Chama-Rio Grande Rio Tusas Rio Ojo Caliente Rio Vallecitos Chavez Creek Chavez Creek-Rio Chama Rio Ojo Caliente Rio Vallecitos El Rito Rio Chama Rio de Los Pinos Rio San Antonio Rio Tusas Rio Ojo Caliente Rio Vallecitos Jaroso Creek Placer Creek East Fork Rio Brazos West Fork Rio Brazos The following watershed scale analyses present four tables per subbasin, if applicable: (1) New Mexico Environment Department beneficial use status of streams (NMED 2009) (2) Water quality impairment and total maximum daily load summaries (3) Percent of watershed area managed by the Carson National Forest a. This comparison illustrates the potential influence of Forest Service management on a watershed scale. b. Individual stream reaches are managed through direct application of BMPs (such as surfacing and grading of roads) and indirect BMPs (such as range allotment management plans). (4) Road density to drainage density comparison of alternatives a. The road density to drainage density ratio is an indicator of the potential for the drainage network to expand via the road network. b. A RD/DD near 1 or greater raises a red flag, because the higher the road density, the greater potential to route water and sediment more quickly through a watershed and into a stream. Affected Environment Rio Grande Drainage - Alamosa-Trincheria Subbasin (HUC ) The Alamosa-Trincheria subbasin contains 1 watershed which occurs in the Tres Piedras District and does not contain any perennial streams or CWA Section 303(d) impaired waters in the analysis area. Under both alternatives, open road density and the road-to-stream density ratio would be reduced similarly. The net effect would be a reduction in the potential transfer of sediment from a hillslope to a road to a stream channel. Table SWA-12(3). Carson National Forest Watershed Area, Rio Grande Drainage Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 18

20 Name (HUC5) Area (ac) Area FS (ac) % FS Rio Grande below Conejos Reservoir ( ) 161,896 2, Table SWA-12(4). Carson National Forest Road and Drainage Density, Rio Grande Drainage Existing Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Watershed DD RD RD/DD RD RD/DD RD RD/DD Rio Grande below Conejos Reservoir Conejos Drainage Conejos River Subbasin (HUC ) The Conejos River Subbasin contains 4 watersheds which occur on the Tres Piedras District. The impaired streams are listed for water temperature, with the primary source being livestock grazing along streams. Table SWA-13(1). Beneficial Use Support, Conejos Drainage Domestic Water Supply Fish Culture High Quality Cold Water Aquatic Life Irrigation Livestock Watering Secondary Contact Rio de Los Pinos AU NM-2120.A_900 Fully Fully Not Fully Fully Not Assessed Rio San Antonio (Colorado border to Montoya Canyon) AU NM_2120.A_902 Fully Fully Fully Not Not Not Assessed Assessed Assessed Rio San Antonio (Montoya Canyon to headwaters) AU NM_2120.A_901 Fully Fully Not Fully Not Not Assessed Assessed Wildlife Habitat Fully Not Assessed Fully Table SWA-13(2). Water Quality Impairment and Total Maximum Daily Load Analyses, Conejos Drainage Waterbody Impairment Probable Source TMDL Schedule TMDL Comment Rio de Los 39% increase in Temperature Rangeland grazing Temperature-2004 Pinos shade needed Rio San --- None listed None listed Not scheduled Antonio(902) Rio San Antonio(901) Temperature Rangeland grazing Temperature-2004 Table SWA-13(3). Carson National Forest Watershed Area, Conejos Drainage Name (HUC5) Area (ac) Area FS (ac) % FS Rio de Los Pinos ( ) 99,162 57, Rio San Antonio ( ) 74,060 61, South Branch-Rio San Antonio ( ) 66,561 1, Outlet Conejos 166, % increase in shade needed Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 19

21 ( ) Table SWA-13(4). Carson National Forest Road and Drainage Density, Conejos Drainage Existing Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Watershed DD RD RD/DD RD RD/DD RD RD/DD Rio de Los Pinos (1) Rio San Antonio South Branch-Rio San Antonio Outlet Conejos DD = Drainage Density (mi/mi 2 ); RD = Road Density;RD/DD = ratio (1) Watershed contains 26,940 acres of roadless area and wilderness Upper Rio Grande Subbasin (HUC ) The Upper Rio Grande subbasin contains 5 watersheds which occur in the Tres Piedras District These watersheds do not contain any perennial streams or CWA Section 303(d) impaired waters in the analysis area. Under Alternative 1 and Alternative 2, open road density and the road-tostream density ratio would be reduced. The net effect would be a reduction in the potential transfer of sediment from a hillslope to a road to a stream channel. Table SWA-14(3). Carson National Forest Watershed Area, Upper Rio Grande Drainage Name (HUC5) Area (ac) Area FS (ac) % FS Latir Creek-Rio Grande ( ) 182, Red River-Rio Grande ( ) 144,251 1, Rio Pueblo de Taos-Rio Grande ( ) 205,387 5, Arroyo Aguaje de la Petaca ( ) 158,474 91, Rio Chama-Rio Grande ( ) 177,912 11, Table SWA-14(4). Carson National Forest Road and Drainage Density, Upper Rio Grande Drainage Watershed DD Existing Alternative 1 Alternative 2 RD RD/DD RD RD/DD RD RD/DD Latir Creek- Rio Grande Red River- Rio Grande Rio Pueblo de Taos- Rio Grande Arroyo Aguaje de la Petaca Rio Chama- Rio Grande DD = Drainage Density (mi/mi 2 ); RD = Road Density;RD/DD = ratio Soil, Watershed and Air Effects Page 20