Childs Meadow Fence Project Almanor Ranger District, Lassen National Forest

Transcription

1 Childs Meadow Fence Project Almanor Ranger District, Lassen National Forest Tehama County, California April 6, 2015 Introduction The Almanor Ranger District (ALRD) of the Lassen National Forest (LNF) proposes to protect sensitive riparian areas and habitat by constructing 0.51 miles of fence on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The proposed fencing would connect to two sections of fence constructed by The Nature Conservancy and complete a fence line intended to exclude livestock grazing from sensitive areas within the lower portion of the Childs Meadow Pasture. The proposed fence location is shown on the map below. Management Direction The proposed action is designed to be consistent with the 1992 Lassen National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) and 1993 Record of Decision (ROD) as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) FSEIS and ROD (2004), the Sierra Nevada Forests Management Indicator Species Amendment FEIS and ROD (2007), and the LNF Motorized Travel Management ROD (2010). The LRMP standard used to assess the management category of the Childs Meadow Project area is V-View/Timber (LRMP Ch. 4, Sec. F, p. 4-73, D, RG #1). Applicable management direction for this category emphasizes building fences and other range structural improvements with natural-appearing materials. Forest Plan direction for water-riparian-fish (Anadromous Watersheds) resources includes standards and guidelines described in the 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) FSEIS and ROD (page 65). Standards and guidelines number 117 and 118 pertain to special aquatic features and hydrological processes. An overall objective for this proposal includes retaining or restoring the natural values of the lower Childs Meadow area. The proposal is also designed to implement and be consistent with the 2007 Allotment Management Plan (AMP) for the Deer Creek Allotment, as amended. This AMP includes an adaptive management system that was developed during National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the Deer Creek Allotment that was also completed in The Deer Creek Allotment Decision and AMP provide for new improvements to be initiated as part of an adaptive management system based on information derived from monitoring. It is anticipated this proposed action will fall within categories of actions listed in the Forest Service Handbook (FSH) that are excluded from documentation in an Environmental assessment (EA) or Environmental impact statement (EIS) where there are no extraordinary circumstances that would preclude the use of these categories. Specifically the category from 36 CFR 220.6(e)(6)) which authorizes: Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities that do not include the use of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction. Proposed Action Childs Meadow Fence Project p. 1 of 5

2 Project Area Childs Meadow is a large, meadowed valley surrounded by a mixed-conifer forest. The existing vegetation is a mosaic of forest, riparian stringers, and meadows. The Childs Meadow complex has a rich supply of water through a number of springs that create small ponds, many of which may only be a few feet across and several inches deep. NFS lands within Childs Meadow are comprised of scattered parcels. Surrounding private lands are owned by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Collins Pine, and lands of other ownership in the upper pasture area. Gurnsey Creek drainage flows through the pasture and TNC lands. A fence across TNC-owned lands in the central portion of the meadow was recently completed. The project area consists of two portions of NFS lands east and west of the central portion of Childs Meadow. The proposed fence would tie to existing fencing on Highway 36 on the east side and natural barriers on the west side. The project area lies within the Upper Deer Creek Management Area (MA#36) near the headwaters and upper tributaries of Deer Creek. Elevations average 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet above sea level and the forest consists of mixed conifers. The project area is located within Township 29 North, Range 4 East, Sections 36 and 31, of the Mount Diablo Meridian in Tehama County, northwest of Chester, California. Proposed Action Childs Meadow Fence Project p. 2 of 5

3 Purpose of and Need for the Project The Lassen National Forest includes the most southern populations of Cascades frogs (Forest Sensitive Amphibian Species) in California. Cascade populations in the forest have been in decline over the last few decades and only a few remnant populations remain. The population located within Childs Meadow was discovered in 2011 and is a known Cascades frog breeding site. The purpose of this project is to provide long term protection to this breeding site, as well as other sensitive resources and habitats in NFS lands within the Childs Meadow area in cooperation with private landowners, while continuing livestock operations in the remaining Childs Meadow pasture area within the Deer Creek Allotment. Monitoring has shown that bank stability and riparian vegetation cover levels remain a concern in sensitive habitat areas. If the additional fence sections are not completed, cattle may continue to access the larger pasture area, going around TNC fencing and traversing NFS lands. There is a need to exclude livestock grazing within sensitive riparian areas and occupied habitat for Cascades frogs, as well as reduce the continued risk of trampling, reduction of riparian vegetative cover, and degradation of stream banks from livestock grazing in sensitive areas in the southern portion of the pasture. Proposed Action The Forest Service, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, proposes to authorize the construction and maintenance of a fence located in the Childs Meadow that would tie in with fence on TNC lands. The fence on NFS lands would be known as Childs Meadow Pasture Division Fence (FEDC5). Western Portion: The western portion of fence on NFS lands would be approximately 2,200 feet and end at the forest boundary along Forest road 28N88A. Eastern Portion: The eastern portion of fence on NFS lands would be approximately 500 feet long and connect to existing fence along California State Highway 36. Project Specifications Design: The desired fence type is cedar split rail, but barbed wire or a combination of designs may be used. Barbed wire may also be used towards the ends of the two portions where there may be lighter livestock pressure. Standards of construction and specifications for materials and installation, as recommended in agency technical references and handbooks, are included in the project file. Fence construction specifications that may be used for the project are: Split Rail: Rails would be western red cedar, 10 feet or longer. Split members would have a minimum cross-sectional area at small end of 10 inches. Rails would be 8 to 10 inches in diameter and the length would allow for 1 foot of overhang on each end. A minimum of 3 rails per section would be used for a fence height of 4.6 to 5 feet. Rails may be notched or nailed. Chocks would be used to keep the bottom rails 12 inches off the ground. Material for the rails would be obtained from private sources. Barbed Wire: Four strands would be used with standard spacing of 14, 25, 36, and 48 (inches above Proposed Action Childs Meadow Fence Project p. 3 of 5

4 ground). Where there are established deer routes, the spacing would be 14, 22, 30, 42 inches. If three wire spacing is used the bottom and top wire would be spaced at 18 and 42 inches above ground with the middle wire in between. The bottom wire would be smooth. Two stays would be placed between posts, three feet apart. Posts or live trees (if used for support) would be spaced 16.5 feet apart. Corner braces, H braces, and water gaps would be installed where needed. Where the fence crosses depressions, extra wires would be added and wires may be weighted down to take strain off surrounding fence. Staples would not be driven tight except at end or corner posts. Steel posts may be used, but every fifth post would be wood for greater strength. Holes would be inches deep depending on rocks. An H brace would be installed every quarter mile. Posts would extend 58 inches above ground. Posts would be installed within hand-dug holes. For let-down portions, (Davidson) fence clips would be used instead of staples. Stays would be placed to the side of supporting posts. Pivot belts would replace the lower wire loop. Gates: Gates, where needed, would be 8 feet wide or wider. Gates may be constructed from the same material used for the fence, or a combination of designs would be used. Clearing: A four to six foot swath may be cleared by hand along the line in areas that have been surveyed and marked with flagging, to allow for construction access for crews, equipment, material, and future maintenance. Some trees along the line may be used as supports or posts. Rocks, brush, or debris which might block or fall on the fence may be removed. Ground cover would be left undisturbed as much as possible. The total area of potential disturbance would be approximately less than 1 acre. The following resource protection measures would be required: Soil and Water Quality Protection Measures: Work would be carried out during conditions which would allow the least detriment to the resources. Soil moisture conditions would be evaluated using Forest established visual indicators for soil dryness before operations proceed. Botanical Integrated Design Features: Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive (TES) Plant Species: New occurrences of Threatened, Endangered, or Sensitive (TES) plant species discovered before or during ground-disturbing activities would be protected through flag-and-avoid methods. Noxious Weeds: All off-road equipment would be weed-free prior to entering the Forest. Staging of equipment would be done in weed-free areas. New small infestations identified during project implementation would be evaluated and treated according to the species present and project constraints and avoided by project activities. If larger infestations are identified, they would be isolated and avoided by equipment, or equipment used would be washed after leaving the infested area and before entering an uninfested area. Post-project monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of weed treatments and control of new infestations would be conducted as soon as possible and for a period of two years after completion of the project. Proposed Action Childs Meadow Fence Project p. 4 of 5

5 If project implementation calls for mulches or fills, they would be certified weed-free. Heritage Resources: If an unanticipated discovery is made during the course of project implementation, work shall stop in the vicinity of the discovery until the District Archaeologist assesses the situation. Transportation/Safety: Materials would be hauled in by pickup trucks and then carried by hand or by vehicle the work site. No new Forest transportation roads would be constructed with this project. Access to NFS lands would be limited to the area along the fence line. Wildlife: Clearing of any aspen or willows along the line would be avoided. Felled log or brush debris may be scattered or piled along the line to provide cover. Wire spacing may be modified for wildlife routes by reducing the total height or using different construction types or features to allow free passage of big game. Recreation: Gates would be placed to provide for visitor access. General/Operations: Any excess fence material would be removed from the project site. Trash would be removed and disposed of at a licensed landfill. The project does not include storage or use of hazardous materials except for small amounts (of less than 55 gallons) of fuel and oil contained in equipment and supplies associated with range improvements. Disposal, burial, or use (as dust control, etc.), of petroleum products, or wastes, and/or contaminated soils is not authorized. No pesticide use, for plants or animals, is proposed. There would be no explosives, or pyrotechnics involved. Maintenance: The Forest Service would incorporate the Childs Meadow fence into the Deer Creek Allotment Management Plan (AMP) and grazing permit and the permittee would be assigned responsibility for future maintenance. Maintenance activities would be performed annually or as needed on an emergency basis to provide continuous containment of livestock and keep fences at, or as near as possible to the standards to which they were constructed. Some portions of the fence may be periodically replaced for maintenance and breaks, as necessary. The work would be identified as light maintenance, heavy maintenance or reconstruction. The fence would be maintained at appropriate intervals to the following maintenance standards: Badly rotted or broken sections of wood posts or cedar rails would be replaced. Broken wires would be spliced and restretched as needed and posts, staples, or broken ties would be replaced. All trees and logs, which have fallen on the fence, would be removed. Let down fences would be unhooked and let down each winter by a certain date (November 15, or would coincide with stock leaving the allotment). Decision to be Made: The decision to be made is whether to construct the fence as described above, modify the proposal in response to an unresolved issue, or not take any action. Proposed Action Childs Meadow Fence Project p. 5 of 5