Storrie and Rich Fire Area Watershed Improvement and Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project

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1 Notice of Proposed Action Opportunity to Provide Scoping Comments Storrie and Rich Fire Area Watershed Improvement and Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project Mt. Hough Ranger District Plumas National Forest Plumas County, California

2 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) program.intake@usda.gov USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

3 Where is this project in the NEPA process? NEPA (short for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969) guides the Forest Service decisionmaking process and provides opportunities for interested parties to give their ideas about resource management. Input during the scoping period (step 3 in the checklist below) is important in helping the Forest Service identify resource needs which will shape the alternatives that are evaluated and lead to the formation of a decision. The Storrie and Rich Fire Area Watershed Improvement and Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project falls under the provisions of the Plumas National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA 1988) as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (USDA 2004a, 2004b). Public notice, comment, and administrative review for this project are governed by 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B regulations that provide for a pre-decisional objection process for projects documented in a Record of Decision or Decision Notice. The checklist below shows the steps of the NEPA process for this proposed project. The checked line indicates where the attached proposed action is in that process. Checklist items with bold outline are public involvement opportunities offered during the planning process. Step One - Need for a Project Step Two - Develop Project Proposal Step Three - Scoping (Public Input) Step Four - Develop Issues and Alternatives Step Five Environmental Effects Analysis Step Six Preliminary Environmental Analysis for Comment (public input, 30 days) Step Seven Response to Comments Step Eight - Final EA and Draft Decision Notice (objection filing period, 45 days) Step Nine - Objection Resolution (45 days) Step Ten Decision Notice 1

4 Introduction We (the USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough Ranger District) are initiating environmental review and analysis of the proposed Storrie and Rich Fire Area Watershed Improvement and Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project (called the Project hereafter). We are proposing road realignment and decommissioning to reduce sedimentation of, and reduce temperature in streams that resulted from changed hydrological conditions following the Storrie, Rich, and Chips Fires. This would create a more sustainable transportation network and restore watershed conditions in areas affected by the Storrie, Rich, and Chips fires by reducing inputs of sediment from roads to streams in the project area. We encourage interested persons, state and local governments, and tribes to participate now and throughout the development of this project. See the project scoping letter for details about how you can comment on this project. Project Location The project is located in areas burned by the Storrie, Rich, and Chip Fires on National Forest System Lands in the Plumas National Forest, Mount Hough Ranger District, in Plumas County, California. The project area is near the south end of the Butt Valley Reservoir. It ranges approximately 10 to 12 air miles west southwest of Greenville, California, and approximately 14 to 16 air miles north northwest of Quincy, California. The project includes activities in T26 N, R7E, Sections 10, 15, 16, 17, and 25; and T26N, R8E Sections 8, 17, 30, 31, 32, and 35, Mount Diablo Principal Meridian. See figure 1 for the general project vicinity and figure 2 for the locations of the proposed activities. Management Direction The proposed action is designed to be consistent with the direction, standards and guidelines for land management activities described in the Plumas National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (the Forest Plan) (USDA Forest Service 1988) as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (USDA Forest Service 2004a, 2004b). The following objectives, standards and guidelines apply: Reduce the impact of roads on soils and water quality (17a) (page 4-53). Identify and implement restoration actions to maintain, restore or enhance water quality and maintain, restore, or enhance habitat for riparian and aquatic species. (SNFPA ROD, page 34) Recommend restoration practices in: (1) areas with compaction in excess of soil quality standards, (2) areas with lowered water tables, or (3) areas that are either actively down cutting or that have historic gullies. Identify other management practices, for example, road building, recreational use, grazing, and timber harvests, which may be contributing to the observed degradation (SNFPA ROD, page 66). Purpose and Need for Action Roads that are not properly maintained or that were originally constructed with insufficient drainage features may have the potential to cause profound impacts to streams. This can be further exacerbated by the effects of wildfire and associated fire suppression activities. The Storrie, Rich, and Chips Fires impacted streams in the area by reducing forest canopy cover, which decreased water uptake by trees and increased the amount of water running across soils and into streams. Seasonal flooding and the incidental sediment transport from spring runoff increased due to post-fire hydrological changes and unusual amounts of rain and snow. The effects of these fires and the consequent flooding damaged roads and increased sedimentation throughout the project area. In addition, fire suppression, post-fire salvage activities, and planting activities further damaged roads in this area. 2

5 Figure 1. Vicinity map of Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project 3

6 Figure 2. Overview of proposed decommissioning and realignment 4

7 Forest Road 26N67, a major system road that provides access to Rush Creek Hill, is contributing to watershed effects in the project area. According to the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map, this road is open to all motor vehicles, but as a maintenance level 2 road it is intended for use by high clearance vehicles. This road was constructed in the bottom of a drainage channel. Runoff thus remains on the road and saturates the sub-grade in lower road sections. In addition, the road grade is steeper than design standards in many locations, causing vehicle tires to slip and spin, trenching the road surface. Fire and post-fire traffic, as well as related activities, have exacerbated these conditions. For example, the road was plowed while wet in the spring of 2010 to open the Rich Fire area for post-fire planting. This damaged the road and drainage structures (USDA 2014). We have made several attempts to repair and maintain the road, but these have failed due to the road s location in the drainage channel. Therefore, we need to move Forest Road 26N67 to a new alignment to reduce resource effects and provide a safe and efficient transportation system. In addition, our Forest staff have conducted a travel analysis process, pursuant 36 CFR 212, Subpart A. This process reviewed national forest system roads and identified the risks and benefits of the roads. Based on this analysis, our District interdisciplinary team made recommendations for roads that were likely needed or those that were not likely needed for future use, recreational opportunities, and forest management. Some of these not needed roads occur in the project area and are delivering sediment into project area streams (Forest Roads 26N67F4, 26N67F4A, and 27N17C). Additionally, two roads we previously identified as likely needed (26N42Y and 26N33D) are washed out and causing impacts to local streams. Forest Road 26N33D is also a barrier to aquatic organism passage. Our District interdisciplinary team did further site-specific review of these roads and concluded they are not likely needed for future use. They have been washed out and unusable for some time, and there are no known public access concerns. Therefore, we also need to decommission these roads to reduce their effects on watersheds and other project area resources. In summary, the purpose of the Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project is to address watershed impacts caused by road location and exacerbated by fire effects, fire response, and related activities. The desired condition is to have Forest Road 26N67 located outside of riparian areas other than at appropriately designed crossings, and to close and decommission unnecessary road segments that contribute sediment to streams in the project area. Proposed Action To reduce impacts to the watersheds affected by the Storrie, Rich, and Chips Fires, we propose to realign and reconstruct Forest Road 26N67, and decommission several other national forest system routes (see figure 2 and figure 3). Forest Road 26N67 Road Realignment We are proposing two possible routes for the 26N67 road realignment. Under both options, we would construct a new route for the road, with the new alignment designed to place the road outside of the existing drainage path. Each route includes a 200-foot-wide design and construction corridor for planning purposes. The final road would be constructed somewhere within that 200 foot corridor. The new route would be constructed or reconstructed to meet road design standards. If needed, we would also surface the new road with aggregate. After the realignment we would decommission approximately one mile of the original Forest Road 26N67, removing the culverts, breaking up compressed soil under the old road grade, outsloping, re-contouring, and revegetating. Route Option 1: This more northern route generally follows the alignment of Forest Trail 8M36, which is a trail open to all vehicles. By following the existing trail, there would be less new disturbance. However, this route has tighter radius curves which would make it difficult for large 5

8 vehicles such as logging equipment to use the road. In addition, although this is an existing trail, it would require reconstruction, which would include disturbing ground cover and removing trees. This route includes approximately 0.3 miles of new construction and approximately 1.19 miles of reconstruction. Route Option 2: The southern route starts near the existing road intersection but reroutes the road outside of the existing drainage. While this route has better radius curves for larger trucks, there would be approximately 0.86 miles of new construction in a location that currently has no road or trail. However, the existing ground cover on this route is minimal and the route does avoid most large trees. We would install one cross-drain culvert. System Road Decommissioning We have identified 7.3 miles of national forest system roads in the project area that are delivering sediment to streams, and we can decommission (figure 2 and figure 3). System road decommissioning would accomplish travel management directions for a minimum road system (36 CFR Part 212, Subparts A, B, and C). Decommissioning would include, at a minimum, blocking the ends of the roads to traffic or removing roads from the corporate database after they have been naturally reclaimed. Decommissioning may include: removing culverts, breaking up compressed soil under the old road grade, outsloping, recontouring, revegetating, and removing fill from stream crossings. According to the current Plumas National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map, the roads proposed for decommissioning are currently open to all motor vehicles, so decommissioning these roads would change the public transportation system. However, some of these roads are washed out and may not be passable in their current condition. Decommissioning would officially close them to public use and remove them from the motor vehicle use map. Table 1. Roads proposed for decommissioning Road Number Miles Current Designated Use 26N33D 3.4 Open to all vehicles 26N42Y 1.9 Open to all vehicles 26N67F4 0.7 Open to all vehicles 26N67F4A 0.6 Open to all vehicles 27N17C 0.7 Open to all vehicles 6

9 Figure 3. Larger scale view of proposed realignment 7

10 Next Steps Responsible Official Micki Smith, Mt. Hough District Ranger is the Responsible Official. Nature of Decision to be Made After review of the environmental analysis and public comments, the Responsible Official will decide to implement one of the route alignment options presented in this proposal, implement an alternative that moves the area towards the desired condition, or not to implement any project at this time. Anticipated timeline We will use your scoping comments to develop issues or alternatives for analysis in an Environmental Assessment. We anticipate publishing an environmental analysis for public comment in fall After we review the public comments on the Environmental Assessment, we anticipate a draft decision in late fall At that time, we will provide a notice for the objection filing period in accordance with 36 CFR 218. If we receive no objections, we could implement the project as early as January How to Provide Scoping Comments We encourage you, interested persons, state and local governments, and tribes to participate now and throughout the development of this project. To assist us in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, your comments should be as specific as possible. In order for your comments to be most useful, and considered timely, we need to receive them by June 2, In an effort to reduce paper use, we will emphasize electronic correspondence throughout this project. Please submit your comments via to: comments-pacificsouthwest-plumas-mthough@fs.fed.us Comments you submit electronically need to be in plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Word (.doc or.docx), or an message. Please put Storrie/Rich Fire Area Watershed Improvement and Forest Road 26N67 Re-alignment Project in the subject line. Your hard copy comments may be: Mailed to the attention of Micki Smith, District Ranger, c/o Plumas Fire Restoration Comments, Mt. Hough Ranger District, Highway 70, Quincy, CA 95971; Hand delivered weekdays (except holidays) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to the Mt. Hough Ranger District, Highway 70, Quincy, CA 95971; Faxed to Please be aware that your names and contact information submitted with your scoping comments become part of the public record and may be released under the Freedom of Information Act. We will provide additional notification regarding opportunities for you to review and comment via mail and to all of you who respond to this scoping document or otherwise request to remain on the project mailing list. Our future project documents will be posted on the Plumas National Forest website and will also be mailed upon request. Unless you tell us otherwise, if you use electronic mail to submit comments we will notify you via when documents are available on the website. If you submit comments via US Postal Service, we will mail notifications to the address you supplied. 8

11 Objection Regulations (36 CFR 218) The proposed project is subject to the pre-decisional review (or objection) regulations of 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. only those who submit timely and specific written comments (defined by 36 CFR 218.1) during a designated public comment period established by the responsible official will have eligibility to file an objection (36 CFR 218.5). For this scoping comment period, comments will be considered timely if submitted by June 2, For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments must either sign the comment or verify identity upon request. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements in (a) (3). Contact Information If you need additional information about this proposal or have questions about the comment procedures, please contact Christine Handler, Project Leader at (559) ; cahandler@fs.fed.us. Project information is available online at: References Cited USDA Plumas National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. USDA Forest Service Plumas National Forest, Quincy, CA. USDA 2004a. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. Vallejo, CA. USDA 2004b. Record of Decision Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, CA. USDA Storrie and Rich Fire Restoration Strategy. USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest, Quincy, CA. 9