Riparian Conservation Objective Consistency Analysis for French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project March 2015

Transcription

1 Riparian Conservation Objective Consistency Analysis for French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project March 2015 Prepared by: /s/ Keith Andrew Stone March 6, 2015 Keith Andrew Stone Date District Hydrologist, Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest /s/ Alex Wilkens March 25, 2015 Alex Wilkens Date Forest Fisheries and Aquatics Program Manager for the Sierra National Forest /s/ Joanna Clines March 6, 2015 Joanna Clines Forest Botanist, Sierra National Forest Date Aquatic, Riparian, and Meadow Ecosystems and Associated Species Summary This report follows the direction and Standards and Guidelines specified in the Sierra National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan (LRMP) 1992 and the 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) for Aquatic, Riparian and Meadow Ecosystems. This includes standards and guidelines for Riparian Conservation Areas and Critical Aquatic Refuges. The French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project (FRRP) alternatives were analyzed for compliance to the Forest LRMP and the SNFPA. The Proposed Action (Alternative 2) and Alternative 3-5 are consistent with the Riparian Conservation Objectives Standard and Guides. Goals The strategy for aquatic management provides broad goals (listed below), which are endpoints toward which management moves watershed processes and functions, habitats, attributes, and populations. The goals provide a comprehensive framework for establishing desired conditions at larger scales, including river basin, watershed, and landscape scales. Moving ecosystem conditions toward these goals will restore and maintain the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the region s waters as mandated by the Clean Water Act, and will support the Forest Service s mission to provide habitat for riparian and aquatic-dependent species under the National Forest Management Act, Organic Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Electric Consumers Protection Act. The following goals are part of the Aquatic Management Strategy: French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 1 of 11

2 Water Quality Plant and Animal Community Diversity Watershed Connectivity Watershed Condition Stream Banks and Shorelines Species Viability Special Habitats Floodplains and Water Tables Streamflow Patterns and Sediment Regimes Riparian Conservation Areas and Critical Aquatic Refuges Designation Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) widths are described below. RCA widths shown below may be adjusted at the project level if a landscape analysis has been completed and a site-specific RCO analysis demonstrates a need for different widths. Perennial Streams: 300 feet on each side of the stream, measured from the bank full edge of the stream. Seasonally Flowing Streams (includes intermittent and ephemeral streams): 150 feet on each side of the stream, measured from the bank full edge of the stream. Streams in Inner Gorge: top of inner gorge. Special Aquatic Features or Perennial Streams with Riparian Conditions extending more than 150 feet from edge of streambank or Seasonally Flowing streams with riparian conditions extending more than 50 feet from edge of streambank: 300 feet from edge of feature or riparian vegetation, whichever width is greater. Other hydrological or topographic depressions without a defined channel: RCA width and protection measures determined through project level analysis. There are approximately 4,880 acres of RCA in the FRRP area (this figure was generated from GIS analysis for streams and meadows in the project subdrainages). This includes the entire RCA in the subdrainage, which is larger than the treatment unit area alone. This figure is believed to represent a conservative approach by assigning seasonally flowing designation to 3 rd -Order and 2 nd -Order and stream channels (i.e., at the elevation of the project area, 2 nd -Order channels may only flow in response to storm events and are unlikely to exhibit riparianassociated vegetation). Like 2 nd -Order streams, 1 st -Order streams are even less likely to contain riparian-associated vegetation and thus have not been assigned a RCA buffer, only an SMZ buffer (see hydrology specialist report in the project EIS for an SMZ map and designations). Desired Conditions The standards and guidelines were developed to eventually achieve the following conditions: Water quality meets the goals of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act; it is fishable, swimmable, and suitable for drinking after normal treatment. Habitat supports viable populations of native and desired non-native plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate riparian and aquatic-dependent species. New introductions of invasive species are prevented. Where invasive species are adversely affecting the viability of native species, the appropriate State and Federal wildlife agencies have reduced impacts to native populations. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 2 of 11

3 Species composition and structural diversity of plant and animal communities in riparian areas, wetlands, and meadows provide desired habitat conditions and ecological functions. The distribution and health of biotic communities in special aquatic habitats (such as springs, seeps, vernal pools, fens, bogs, and marshes) perpetuates their unique functions and biological diversity. Spatial and temporal connectivity for riparian and aquatic-dependent species within and between watersheds provides physically, chemically and biologically unobstructed movement for their survival, migration and reproduction. The connections of floodplains, channels, and water tables distribute flood flows and sustain diverse habitats. Soils with favorable infiltration characteristics and diverse vegetative cover absorb and filter precipitation and sustain favorable conditions of stream flows. In-stream flows are sufficient to sustain desired conditions of riparian, aquatic, wetland, and meadow habitats and keep sediment regimes as close as possible to those with which aquatic and riparian biota evolved. The physical structure and condition of stream banks and shorelines minimizes erosion and sustains desired habitat diversity. The ecological status of meadow vegetation is late seral (50 percent or more of the relative cover of the herbaceous layer is late seral with high similarity to the potential natural community). A diversity of age classes of hardwood shrubs is present and regeneration is occurring. Meadows are hydrologically functional. Sites of accelerated erosion, such as gullies and headcuts are stabilized or recovering. Vegetation roots occur throughout the available soil profile. Meadows with perennial and intermittent streams have the following characteristics: stream energy from high flows is dissipated, reducing erosion and improving water quality, streams filter sediment and capture bedload, aiding floodplain development, meadow conditions enhance floodwater retention and groundwater recharge, and root masses stabilize stream banks against cutting action. Critical Aquatic Refuges Critical aquatic refuges (CAR s) are watersheds, generally ranging between 10,000 to 40,000 acres, with some as small 500 acres and some as large as 100,000 acres, that contain either: known locations of threatened, endangered, or sensitive species, highly vulnerable populations of native plant or animal species, or localized populations of rare native aquatic- or riparian-dependent plant or animal species. There are no CAR s in the FRRP sub-drainages. Management Standards and Guidelines French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 3 of 11

4 Management direction for carrying out this Decision includes standards and guidelines for project design and implementation. Note that some standards and guidelines apply to specific land allocations while others apply forest-wide (across all land allocations). Standards and Guidelines not Applicable to the FRRP The following Standards and Guidelines do not apply (Table 1): Table 1. Standard Rationale & Guide 93 This is not a landscape analysis or a permit re-issuance project. 95 There are no 303(d) listed streams in the project area. 104 No stream reaches occupied by Lahontan cutthroat trout, Paiute cutthroat trout, or Little Kern golden trout are within, adjacent to, or influenced by any project alternative. 106, 107 Hydroelectric power generation is not part of any project alternative 109 There will be no prescribed fire in an identified CAR for any alternative. 111 Prescribed fire is not part of any project alternative. 115 This project does not involve fire suppression activities or pre-suppression planning. 116 OHV and dispersed recreation are not part of the project, but are considered as part of the project CWE analysis. 117 Meadows are exclusion zones in the project area and rangeland readiness is not part of any alternative. 118 No project activity will occur in or adjacent to bog or fen ecosystems. 119, 120, Grazing related activities and are not part of any project alternative Meadow or riverine restoration is not part of any project alternative, although reforestation restoration will move the watersheds and their drainage networks to a more stable condition. 123, 124 Mining is not part of any project alternative. Forest-wide Standards and Guidelines Standards and guidelines described in this section apply to all land allocations (other than wilderness areas and wild and scenic river areas) unless stated otherwise. Only those that apply to the FRRP area are evaluated. The evaluation of the consistency of each of the five alternatives relative to each applicable Riparian Conservation Objective (RCO) Standard and Guideline (S&G) from the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (USDA 2004) is presented in table form. Table 2 shows the rationale for each determination. These tables contain evaluations of only the applicable S&Gs. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 4 of 11

5 Table 2. Standards and Guidelines for Riparian Conservation Areas and Critical Aquatic Refuges, consistency determination, and rationale for each alternative. Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCAs and CARs 91. Designate Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) widths as described in Part B of the appendix. The RCA widths displayed in Part B may be adjusted at the project level if a landscape analysis has been completed and a site-specific RCO analysis demonstrates a need for different widths. 92. Evaluate new proposed management activities within CARs and RCAs during environmental analysis to ensure consistency with the RCOs at the project level and the AMS goals for the landscape. Ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are enacted to (1) minimize the risk of activity-generated sediment entering aquatic systems and (2) minimize impacts to habitat for aquatic-and riparian-dependent plant and animal species. 94. As part of project-level analysis, conduct peer reviews for projects that propose grounddisturbing activities in more than 25 percent of the RCA or more than 15 percent of a CAR. Rationale: RCAs were designated as described in Part B of the SNFPA ROD (USDA 2004) and were used in the analysis of each alternative. Rationale: RCAs and CAR s were designated as described in Part B of the SNFPA ROD (USDA 2004) and were used in the analysis of each alternative. There are no CAR s presents in the FRRP area. Site-specific design criteria and adherence to BMP s outlined in the best management practices (BMP s) described in the FSM Soil and Water Conservation Handbook Chapter 10 - Water Quality Management Handbook, (USDA, 2011) will minimize the risk of activity-generated sediment impacts to water quality and aquatic systems and impacts to aquatic habitat within RCA s. Rationale: Peer (IDT) review was conducted for all project activity in the FRRP. An analysis of ground disturbance in relation to the subdrainage RCA s showed that ground-disturbing activities do not exceed more than 16% of the project RCAs. There are no CAR s present in the project area. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 5 of 11

6 Riparian Conservation Objective #1: Ensure that identified beneficial uses for the water body are adequately protected. Identify the specific beneficial uses for the project area, water quality goals from the Regional Basin Plan, and the manner in which the standards and guidelines will protect beneficial uses. Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO#1 96. Ensure that management activities do not adversely affect water temperatures necessary for local aquatic and riparian-dependent species assemblages Rationale: It is anticipated that the majority of trees would be retained within Streamside Management Zones as part of the design measures. With no reduction in riparian canopy cover, there would be no anticipated change to water temperatures. Wilkerson et al. (2006) found that a 23 m (75 feet) buffer resulted in no change to water temperature. Project activities are not anticipated to contribute to major changes in water temperature when following design criteria and BMPs. 97. Limit pesticide applications to cases where project level analysis indicates that pesticide applications are consistent with RCOs. 98. Within 500 feet of known occupied sites for the California red-legged frog, Cascades frog, Yosemite toad, foothill yellow-legged frog, mountain yellowlegged frog, and northern leopard frog, design pesticide applications to avoid adverse effects to individuals and their habitats. 99. Prohibit storage of fuels and other toxic materials within RCAs and CARs except at designated administrative sites and sites covered by a Special Use Authorization. Prohibit refueling within RCAs and CARs unless there are no other alternatives. Ensure that spill plans are reviewed and up-todate. Rationale: No pesticides will be used. Rationale: Riparian areas / species requiring riparian and aquatic habitat are identified and will be protected with appropriate buffers during spraying operations. BMPs will limit the risk to water quality. Additional design criteria have been developed to eliminate or minimize direct effects to species or indirect effects to habitats Rationale: No pesticides will be used. Rationale: Project design and aquatic species design criteria outlined in the Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation includes application of pesticides that avoid application to occupied or potentially occupied habitats for the Yosemite toad to prevent adverse effects to individuals and their habitats. Rationale: All actions involving the use of equipment needing refueling and fuel storage will follow BMP 2.11, which incorporates the direction in this S&G. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 6 of 11

7 Riparian Conservation Objective #2: : Maintain or restore: (1) the geomorphic and biological characteristics of special aquatic features, including lakes, meadows, bogs, fens, wetlands, vernal pools, and springs; (2) streams, including in-stream flows; (3) hydrologic connectivity both within and between watersheds to provide for the habitat needs of aquatic-dependent species. Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO# Maintain and restore the hydrologic connectivity of streams, meadows, wetlands, and other special aquatic features by identifying roads and trails that intercept, divert, or disrupt natural surface and subsurface water flow paths. Implement corrective actions where necessary to restore connectivity Ensure that culverts or other stream crossings do not create barriers to upstream or downstream passage for aquatic-dependent species. Locate water-drafting sites to avoid adverse effects to in stream flows and depletion of pool habitat. Where possible, maintain and restore the timing, variability, and duration of floodplain inundation and water table elevation in meadows, wetlands, and other special aquatic features. Not Rationale: in their current condition, system roads in the project area have the potential to contribute water and sediment to streams. As part of the Timber Sale contract (BMP 2.4), roads needed for project activities will be brought to current engineering standards of alignment, drainage, and grade before use, and will be maintained through the life of the project. Roads will be inspected at least annually to determine what work, if any, is needed to keep ditches, culverts, and other drainage facilities functional and the road stable. Not Rationale: No culverts would be installed or replaced under the No Action Alternative (Alt. 1). Rationale: Alternatives 2-5 require that any new crossings, either temporary or permanent, be reviewed by the District Hydrologist or Aquatic Biologist early in the design phase. Current aquatic passage would not be reduced under any alternative. BMP 2.5 (Water Source Development Consistent with Water Quality Protection) addresses the location of water drafting sites and methods of water removal Prior to activities that could adversely affect streams, determine if relevant stream characteristics are within the range of natural variability. If characteristics are outside the range of natural variability, implement mitigation measures and short-term restoration actions needed to prevent further declines or cause an upward trend in conditions. Evaluate required long-term restoration actions and implement them according to their status among other restoration needs. Streams in the project area were evaluated using the Pfankuch and S-star survey protocols as well as general field observations (see hydrology specialist report for more details). The characteristics of all but three of the project subdrainages evaluated are within the range of natural variability. Subdrainages , , and showed either poor channel condition or S-Star values not meeting Desired Condition. Site-specific design criteria have thus been developed to mitigate any project-related impacts to these subdrainages and channel systems (see Design Criteria section of the EA or in the soils and hydrology specialist reports). French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 7 of 11

8 Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO# Prevent disturbance to streambanks and natural lake and pond shorelines caused by resource activities (e.g., livestock) from exceeding 20% of the stream reach or 20% of the natural lake and pond shoreline. Disturbance includes bank sloughing, chiseling, trampling, and other means of exposing bare soil or cutting plant roots. This standard does not apply to developed recreation sites, sites authorized under Special Use Permits, and designated offhighway vehicle routes At either the landscape or project-scale, determine if the age class, structural diversity, composition, and cover of riparian vegetation are within the range of natural variability for the vegetative community. If conditions are outside the range of natural variability, consider implementing mitigation and/or restoration actions that will result in an upward trend. Actions could include restoration of aspen or other riparian vegetation where conifer encroachment is identified as a problem. Consistent Consistent Consistent Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) buffers have been established for all streams in the project area. SMZ width is based on stream class and follows the prescription as set out by FSH Sierra National Forest Supplement No.1. As such, no stream banks should be disturbed by project activities. In the event that a crossing is required, then consultation with a hydrologist and/or fisheries biologist will be required (BMP 2.8), and if any disturbance does occur to a stream bank, complete restoration will be required. There are no wet meadows in the project area and no evidence of conifer encroachment beyond the range of natural variability. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 8 of 11

9 Riparian Conservation Objective #3: Ensure a renewable supply of large down logs that (1) can reach the stream channel and (2) provide suitable habitat within and adjacent to the RCA. Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO# Determine if the level of coarse large woody debris (CWD) is within the range of natural variability in terms of frequency and distribution and is sufficient to sustain stream channel physical complexity and stability. Ensure proposed management activities move conditions toward the range of natural variability. Rationale: No effect. Coarse woody debris would be retained at Rationale: The Project could reduce CWD recruitment in some areas. However, given the quantities of large fire-killed trees that exist along streams in the Project area, there is still a high level of anticipated future recruitment of CWD, and little potential for modification of its role in any sub-drainage is likely to result. current levels. Riparian Conservation Objective #4: Ensure that management activities, including fuels reduction actions, within RCAs and CARs enhance or maintain the physical and biological characteristics associated with aquatic- and riparian-dependent species. Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO# Use screening devices for water drafting pumps. (Fire suppression activities are exempt during initial attack.) Use pumps with low entry velocity to minimize removal of aquatic species, including juvenile fish, amphibian egg masses and tadpoles, from aquatic habitats. Rationale: Water Source Development Consistent with Water Quality Protection (BMP 2.5): If water-drafting sites are needed, a screening device and pumps with low entry velocity will be used Post-wildfire management activities in RCAs and CARs should emphasize enhancing native vegetation cover, stabilizing channels by non-structural means, minimizing adverse effects from the existing road network, and carrying out activities identified in landscape analyses. Post-wildfire operations shall minimize the exposure of bare soil. Rationale: Project design criteria have been established to protect soil by maintaining a minimum of 50% ground cover on slopes of less than 35%, and 70% ground cover on slopes over 35% including SMZ s. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 9 of 11

10 Applicable Standards and Guidelines for RCO# Allow hazard tree removal within RCAs or CARs. Allow mechanical ground disturbing fuels treatments, salvage harvest, or commercial fuel wood cutting within RCAs or CARs when the activity is consistent with RCOs. Utilize low ground pressure equipment, helicopters, over the snow logging, or other non-ground disturbing actions to operate off of existing roads when needed to achieve RCOs. Ensure that existing roads, landings, and skid trails meet BMPs. Minimize the construction of new skid trails or roads for access into RCAs for fuel treatments, salvage harvest, commercial fuelwood cutting, or hazard tree removal As appropriate, assess and document aquatic conditions following the Regional Stream Condition Inventory protocol prior to implementing ground disturbing activities within suitable habitat for California redlegged frog, Cascades frog, Yosemite toad, foothill and mountain yellow-legged frogs, and northern leopard frog. The proposed treatments are consistent with RCOs. Existing roads, skid trails and landings that are used would be re-opened and closed following BMPs. Rationale: No ground disturbing Rationale: No ground disturbing activities will occur in suitable habitat for the aforementioned species. activities would be implemented under Alternative 1. Determination: The Proposed Action (Alternative 2) and Alternatives 3-5 are consistent with the SNFPA Riparian Conservation Objectives Standard and Guides. There may be an increase in hydrologic connectivity and watershed impact from roads under Alternative 1 (No Action), which would not be consistent with RCO Standard and Guide 100 and 101. All other applicable RCO Standards and Guides are consistent with all Alternatives. French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 10 of 11

11 REFERENCES CITED: Wilkerson, E., J.M. Hagan, D. Siegel, and A.A. Whitman The effectiveness of different buffer widths for protecting headwater stream temperature in Maine. Forest Science 52(3) French Fire Recovery and Reforestation Project, RCO Consistency Analysis Report p. 11 of 11