Environmental Assessment

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service September 2010 Environmental Assessment Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Medicine Bow Routt National Forests Routt County, Colorado For Information Contact: Kent Foster Hahns Peak Bears Ears Ranger District

2 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2

3 Project Columbine Access Summary i Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Document Structure...1 Background...1 Purpose and Need for Action... 2 Proposed Action...4 Decision Framework...4 Public Involvement...5 Issues...5 Alternatives, including the Proposed Action... 6 Alternatives...6 Environmental Consequences Consultation and Coordination iii

4 SUMMARY In 1944, the Forest Service was issued an easement on what is now known as National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 490. NFSR 490 goes through the community of Columbine. Ever increasing conflicts between private landowners and Forest users has compelled the Medicine Bow Routt National Forests to propose moving the groomed trail off NFSR 490 to a route on National Forest System (NFS) lands and provide year-round parking further away from Columbine. This proposal maintains current groomed snowmobile trail access from Steamboat Lake State Park to NFSR 550. The project area for this proposal is located in the vicinity of Columbine, Colorado and is within the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests, Colorado. This action is needed to: Reduce user conflicts between the existing groomed route and private property access on NFSR 490. Reduce safety concerns of mixed uses on the narrow road. Reduce impacts and conflict at the Quarry Lot between private landowners and Forest users. In addition to the proposed action, the Forest Service also evaluated the following alternatives: Alternative 1 - The Forest Service would do nothing to improve the existing condition. Alternative 3 - Improving an existing parking lot and create a new parking lot and create a trail south of Columbine to eliminate grooming on the road easement. Based upon the effects of the alternatives, the responsible official will decide whether or not to approve the Proposed Action, in part or in its entirety and she will determine under what terms and conditions the project would continue. Additionally, mitigation measures, design criteria, and monitoring requirements necessary for project implementation would be determined. i

5 INTRODUCTION Document Structure The Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. This Environmental Assessment discloses the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and alternatives. The document is organized into four parts: Introduction: The section includes information on the history of the project proposal, the purpose of and need for the project, and the agency s proposal for achieving that purpose and need. This section also details how the Forest Service informed the public of the proposal and how the public responded. Alternatives, including the Proposed Action: This section provides a more detailed description of the agency s proposed action as well as alternative methods for achieving the stated purpose. These alternatives were developed based on significant issues raised by the public and other agencies. This discussion also includes possible mitigation measures. Finally, this section provides a summary table of the environmental consequences associated with each alternative. Environmental Consequences: This section describes the environmental effects of implementing the proposed action and other alternatives. This analysis is organized by resource area. Within each section, the affected environment is described first, followed by the effects of the No Action Alternative that provides a baseline for evaluation and comparison of the other alternatives that follow. Agencies and Persons Consulted: This section provides a list of preparers and agencies consulted during the development of the environmental assessment. Appendices: The appendices provide more detailed information to support the analyses presented in the environmental assessment. Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of project-area resources, may be found in the project planning record located at the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District Office in Steamboat, CO. Background Trailhead access to the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (HPBE) of the Routt National Forest (the Forest) in winter is limited to county roads that intersect with the Forest boundary, or areas where private landowners have granted easements to the public. In the North Routt area including Clark, Hahn s Peak Village, and Columbine public access points and parking areas have changed as development or conflicts have occurred. 1

6 Winter recreational activities continue to increase and parking at winter trailheads across the HPBE is limited. Just north of Columbine an old gravel pit, commonly known as the Quarry Lot, has been used as a winter trailhead and parking lot since the pit was developed. Used in both winter and summer, the pit was not designed as a parking lot; it was created by the public utilizing a flat area on the side of the road. Winter parking at the Quarry Lot began when Routt County Road (RCR) 129 was plowed to Columbine as it became a year-round community. In winter, weekend parking needs are frequently exceeded resulting in overflow onto RCR 129, inhibiting access and blocking driveways. Routt County prohibits parking on RCR 129. In summer, the Quarry Lot is used frequently for parking for off highway vehicles (OHV). This is due to a lack of parking at trailheads for nearby motorized trails. However, this puts OHV riders on NFSR 550 to access motorized trails to the north. NFSR 550 is a major access road to the Forest with fast moving vehicles in close proximity to these OHV riders. This is creating mixed use concerns on the road. The use of the Quarry Lot by visitors negatively impacts some of the adjacent landowners in both summer and winter. These impacts are due to noise from generators, smoke from vehicles and snowmobiles, and a lack of sanitation facilities. Snowmobile trails in the North Routt area have been maintained on the Forest by various groups since the 1980s. The marking and grooming of trails in the Columbine area is currently accomplished by the Steamboat Lake Snow Club (SLSC) under a special use permit from the Forest Service. A portion of the current permitted groomed trail is on NFSR 490 across private lands accessed by an easement granted in 1944 to the Forest Service. Landowners have, and want to continue to plow the road to access their private property. Plowing on the road results in multiple uses on this small section of narrow road. Continued use of this segment of the existing groomed route is resulting in social and safety conflicts, and trespassing. Changes need to be considered to maintain safe access for private landowners and recreationists access to the Forest. A proposal to develop a trail around the eastern edge of Columbine to a newly created parking area away from the community was scoped with the public in 2008 through Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this initiative is to maintain groomed and marked snowmobile trail access and connectivity from Steamboat Lake State Park to the Routt National Forest area north of Columbine and to create parking on NFS lands away from residential areas and to reduce conflicts with private land owners. This action is needed to remove Forest Service sponsored snowmobile trail grooming on the portion of NFSR 490 across the private land easement and to reduce conflicts over parking near the community of Columbine. The Routt County Master Plan has defined Columbine as a residential area. 2

7 This action is consistent with the goals and objectives outlined in the Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1997 Revision (Forest Plan). The Forest Plan gives direction that applies Forest-wide, unless more restrictive direction is found in more site specific Management Areas and Geographic Areas. The following references from the Forest Plan are applicable to this analysis: Forest Goals and Objectives (Forest Plan, p. 1-2) Goal 2 - Provide a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities and experiences to meet the full range of visitor expectations. Objectives Identify appropriate programs and compatible levels of use for Forest recreation and resource programs in collaboration with user groups, communities, and other agencies. Provide Forest visitors with a full range of interpretive experiences. Provide recreation opportunities to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Geographic Areas Geographic areas link the Forest Plan to management at a landscape or watershed scale. The is located in portions of both the Little Snake and the Sand Mountain Geographic Areas. The Forest Plan describes desired conditions for these Geographic Area s on pages 3-49 and 3-60, respectively. From the Geographic Area descriptions, both identify motorized year-round trail access and dispersed motorized and non-motorized opportunities will be available. Management Areas This analysis falls within two management areas (MA), Forest Plan, page 3-1: MA 5.11 General Forest and Rangelands Forest Vegetation Emphasis-Standards and Guidelines: Recreation Guidelines 1. Manage for a Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) class of semi-primitive motorized, roaded natural, roaded modified, or semi-primitive non-motorized. 2. Coordinate construction of new recreation facilities with other resource management objectives. MA 7.1 Residential/Urban Interface Standards and Guidelines: General Guideline 1. Coordinate management activities with adjacent Landowners. Recreation Guideline.Manage for an ROS class of semi-primitive motorized or roaded natural 3

8 Proposed Action The Forest Service proposes to change the location of winter snowmobile trail grooming currently under special use permit for the SLSC. A new winter trailhead and parking lot will be created approximately 1.5 miles north of Columbine on NFSR 550, near its intersection with NFSR 413, and trail This location is currently designated as a summer trailhead, with no improved parking facilities. NFSR 550 will be plowed from the Quarry Lot to a proposed winter trailhead and parking area. The new parking lot will increase the existing dispersed summer parking by approximately two acres, designed to accommodate both winter and summer motorized parking. This size should accommodate approximately vehicles with trailers. Facilities can be installed commensurate with use. The existing Quarry Lot may be closed after establishment of the new lot, especially for overnight parking. The proposed groomed trail will be approximately 2.5 miles long, and will connect the trailhead and parking lot with intersection of NFSR 410 and 490, southeast of Columbine (See Figure 2). From the proposed trailhead and parking area, the trail south will utilize approximately one-half mile of NFSR and the entire one mile length of NFSR 413.1A. From this terminus, the trail will utilize old logging skid trails to access a meadow just below NFSR 418.1A, follow NFSR 418.1A for approximately.25 mile, then uphill onto NFSR 418, heading south to the intersection of NFSR 410/490. Scattered trees will need to be cut to get from NFSR 413.1A to NFSR 418.1A and along NFSR 418 to establish a clearing limit suitable for the groomer to pass, approximately 20 feet wide. The terrain around the proposed trail is commonly known as Columbine Meadows, an easily accessible area used historically by non-motorized backcountry enthusiasts. Snowmobiling is not prohibited in this vicinity. With other quality terrain in the north Routt area many snowmobilers respect this non-motorized use, and as a result of cooperation, conflict between uses is low compared to other areas on the HPBE. The existing voluntary separation of uses in this area will be supported by the Forest Service through information, maps and signs. Ground disturbance will be restricted to only those areas of steep side slopes. Overall ground disturbance including both trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. The entire trail and parking will be on National Forest. If overnight camping or overall use warrants, a toilet will be installed. Decision Framework Given the purpose and need, the deciding official reviews the proposed action and the other alternatives in order to make the following decisions: Whether or not to approve the Proposed Action, in part or in its entirety, and if so, under what terms and conditions. Mitigation measures, design criteria, and monitoring requirements necessary for project implementation. 4

9 Public Involvement The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on October 1, The proposal was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during scoping throughout the winter of and spring of In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the Forest Service hosted a public meeting on July 25, 2009, 9:30 AM, beginning at the North Routt Fire Station #2, RCR 129, Clark, Colorado. Presentations at the meeting included No Action, the Forest Service Proposed Action, and alternatives presented by Friends of the Routt Backcountry and Routt Powder Riders. The 30-day comment period began after the legal notice for the was published in the newspaper of record, the Steamboat Pilot on July 26, The comment period ran through August 25, Using the comments from the public and other agencies (see Issues section), the interdisciplinary team developed a list of issues to address. Issues The Forest Service separated the issues into two groups: significant and non-significant issues. Significant issues were defined as those directly or indirectly caused by implementing the proposed action. Non-significant issues were identified as those: 1) outside the scope of the proposed action; 2) already decided by law, regulation, Forest Plan, or other higher level decision; 3) irrelevant to the decision to be made; or 4) conjectural and not supported by scientific or factual evidence. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations require this delineation in Sec , identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec ) A list of non-significant issues and reasons regarding their categorization as non-significant may be found at the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District office in the project record. As for significant issues, the Forest Service identified three topics raised during scoping. These issues include: Plowing for private landowner access - The Forest Service currently allows the SLSC to groom NFSR 490. Landowners want to continue to plow the road. This results in multiple uses of this small section of narrow road. Continued use of this segment of the existing groomed trail is resulting in social and safety conflicts; and trespass. Private landowner concerns and disturbances from Forest users impacts of proposed Forest Service system trail development, grooming adjacent to private property and smoke and excessive noise in residential areas: Adequate parking at trailhead The use of the Quarry Lot by visitors negatively impacts some of the adjacent landowners. These impacts are due to noise from RV generators, smoke from vehicles and snowmobiles, and a lack of sanitation facilities. 5

10 ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered for the Columbine Access project. It includes a description and map of each alternative considered. This section also presents the alternatives in comparative form, defining the differences between each alternative and providing a clear basis for choice among options by the decision maker and the public. Some of the information used to compare the alternatives is based upon the design of the alternative (i.e. trail location on Forest land in relation to residences) and some of the information is based upon the environmental, social and economic effects of implementing each alternative (i.e., potential for trespass). Alternatives Alternative 1 - No Action Under the No Action alternative, current management would continue for the project area. Winter snowmobile grooming will occur on the same route as it has for several years; on NFSR 490 and along RCR 129, approximately 1.5 miles through private land on the existing permitted easement. No proposed changes to the special use permit would occur and the status quo maintained. Conflicts on NFSR490 between the trail grooming and plowing will continue. Safety, recreation conflicts, and overflow parking issues would continue. As the community grows with more residents and recreational use trends continue to increase, conflicts will increase commensurately. 6

11 Figure 1. Alternative 1 No Action Alternative 2 - The Proposed Action - Access trail east of Columbine; west of Hahn s Peak use of NFSR 418, NFSR 418.1A A new parking lot will be created approximately one and one half miles north of Columbine on NFSR 550, near its intersection with NFSR 413, and FST NFSR 550 from RCR 129 to the trailhead and parking area will be plowed in winter. The new parking lot will be approximately two acres in size, designed to accommodate both winter and summer motorized parking. See Figure 2. 7

12 The proposed groomed trail will be approximately two and one half miles long, to connect the proposed parking area with intersection of NFSR 410/490, southeast of Columbine. From the proposed trailhead and parking area, the trail south will utilize approximately onehalf mile of NFSR and the entire one mile length of NFSR 413.1A. From this terminus, the trail will utilize old logging skid trails to access a meadow just below NFSR 418.1A, follow NFSR 418.1A for approximately one quarter mile, then uphill to NFSR 418, and south to the intersection of NFSR 410/490. Trees along NFSR 418 will need to be cut to establish a clearing width to allow the groomer to make it through without hitting any trees. Trees along this road are scheduled to be cut and removed under the Roadside Hazard Tree Removal project currently underway on the HPBE. The decision to cut and remove trees was analyzed in a forest wide analysis for public safety. All but approximately one half mile of trail will be on existing NFS roads where trees to be considered in this analysis will be cut to establish a 20 to 25 foot corridor for the groomer to pass. The proposed trail will pass through an area commonly known as Columbine Meadows. an easily accessible area used historically by non-motorized backcountry enthusiasts. Snowmobiling is not prohibited in this vicinity. With other quality terrain in the north Routt area many snowmobilers respect this non-motorized use, and as a result of cooperation, conflict between uses is low compared to other areas on the HPBE. The existing voluntary separation of uses in this area will be supported by the Forest Service through information, maps and signs. The map shown in Figure 2 shows this area of historical non-motorized use. The boundaries use existing easily distinguishable features on the ground to identify the area. To allow adjacent private landowners who wish to use snowmobiles to access the Forest directly from their private properties, a buffer of approximately 100 to 200 feet is identified on maps for the area. A winter snowmobile groomed trail going through a historically used non-motorized area will create a cherry stem of motorized use in an area where this use has been minimal, and creates potential for impacts to other users. Through information, education, signing and collaboration with user groups, the Forest Service s intent is to ensure a mutual respect for the various user groups so everyone has a quality recreation experience. 8

13 Figure 2. Alternative 2 Proposed Action 9

14 Alternative 3 - Routt Powder Riders (RPR) Proposal - access trail south of Columbine and along RCR 129. At the intersection of NFSR 410 and 490, develop a groomed snowmobile route along the alignment of the Prospector Trail (Trail 1156). Approximately one mile of new trail will be designed and trees cut to establish a 20 to 25 foot corridor for the groomed trail. At the intersection of Trail 1156 and RCR 129, near Trilby Flats, develop a small multi-use parking area. From the parking area north, the groomed route would follow one and one half miles of the right-of-way along RCR 129 to an expanded Quarry Lot. Most of this portion of trail runs through private property on the RCR 129 right of way. The existing Quarry Lot will be expanded, and material extracted will be used to build a berm to shield the private property owners adjacent to the lot from noise. NFSR 550 will be plowed approximately 300 to 400 feet north to allow for parking on the road. Figure 3. Alternative 3 10

15 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study Federal agencies are required by NEPA to rigorously explore and objectively evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives and to briefly discuss the reasons for eliminating any alternatives that were not considered in detail (40 CFR ). Friends of Routt Backcountry (FORB) Proposal access trail east of Hahn s Peak; motorized parking at Steamboat Lake State Park Visitor Center This proposal uses all existing trails. Steamboat Lake State Park Visitor s Center will be the main trailhead (fee parking). From the Visitor s Center use existing Qualey Trail to NFSR 410, turn south on currently maintained trail to behind Hahn s Peak Village, then east on NFSR 409 to the Forest. The existing Quarry Lot will become parking for non-trailered vehicles. The west slopes of Hahn s Peak and area west of Columbine on Forest Service lands will be designated quiet use, non-motorized areas. NFSR 550 from Columbine to NNFSR 413 will no longer be groomed. This alternative was eliminated from detailed study because it proposed actions outside the scope of this analysis. It designated motorized parking at Steamboat Lake State Park (SLSP), at an existing non-motorized parking area. Changes to management at SLSP were not included in this analysis. It did not meet the purpose and need to improve parking on NFS lands. Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA) - access trail south and west of Columbine At the intersection of NFSR 410 and NFSR 490, develop a groomed snowmobile route along the alignment of the Prospector Trail (Trail 1156). Approximately one mile of new trail will be designed and trees cut to establish a 20 to 25 foot corridor for the groomer to pass. Approximately one half mile of trail is adjacent to private property. At the intersection of FST 1156 and RCR 129, near Trilby Flats, develop a small multi-use parking area. To access NFS lands north of Columbine, a groomed route would be developed west of private land and accessing the Quarry Lot from the west. This trail is approximately one and three-quarter miles in length adjacent to private property and avoids grooming through Columbine. Material extracted in the expansion will be used to build a berm to shield the private property owners adjacent to the lot from noise. This alternative also proposes to plow NFSR to 400 feet north to allow for parallel parking on the road. Ground disturbance will be restricted to only those areas of steep side slopes and where it is necessary to cut trees to create the appropriate corridor. Overall ground disturbance including both trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. The entire route and parking will be on NFS lands. 11

16 This alternative was eliminated from detailed study because the proposed trail on the west side of Columbine is too close to private property. Landowner concerns with disturbance and increased trespass potential were analyzed as key issues. FORB Proposal MODIFIED This proposal uses all existing trails. Steamboat Lake State Park Visitor s Center will be the main trailhead (fee parking). From the Visitor s Center, use existing Qualey Trail to NFSR 410, turn south on currently maintained trail to behind Hahn s Peak Village, then east on NFSR 409 to the Forest. The existing Quarry Lot will become parking for non-trailered vehicles and Forest Service proposed parking on NFSR 550 will be constructed. The west slopes of Hahn s Peak and area west of Columbine on NFS lands will be designated quiet use, non-motorized areas. NFSR 550 from Columbine to NFSR 413 will no longer be groomed. This alternative was eliminated from detailed study because it proposed actions outside the scope of this analysis. It designated motorized parking at SLSP at an existing non-motorized parking area. Changes to management at SLSP are outside of the scope of this analysis. True North Trail - Access trail east of Columbine, west of Hahn s Peak The proposed groomed trail will be approximately three and a half miles long, and will connect the proposed parking area with intersection of NFSR 410 and NFSR 490, southeast of Columbine. While this trail is similar to the Forest Service Proposed Action by a designed route staying in a forested corridor it differs in the alignment of the trail. The groomed trail will be adjacent to private property for approximately two miles, connecting with NFSR 413.1A approximately one half mile from the junction with NFSR This alternative is designed to maintain a peaceful non-motorized experience by designing groomed trail crossing near the Quarry Lot. Crossings in this manner impact the non-motorized use closer to the Quarry Lot, so potential interactions with snowmobilers occurs closer to the trailhead, an already congested area. This will provide for a higher quality experience for the nonmotorized user. Trees will be cut to establish a 20 to 25 foot corridor for the groomer to pass. The terrain east of the proposed trail is commonly known as Columbine Meadows a popular area with non-motorized backcountry enthusiasts. Most snowmobilers respect this as a quiet use non-motorized area, and as a result of cooperation, conflict between uses is low compared to other areas on the HPBE Ranger District. The existing voluntary separation of uses in this area will be supported by the Forest Service through information, maps and signs. As with the Forest Service Proposed Action, a new parking lot will be created approximately one and one half miles north of Columbine on NFSR 550, near its intersection with NFSR 413, and FST The new parking lot will be approximately three acres in size, designed to accommodate both winter and summer motorized parking. Ground disturbance will be restricted to only those areas of steep side slopes and where it is necessary to cut trees to create the appropriate corridor. Overall ground disturbance including both trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. The entire route and parking will be on NFS lands. 12

17 This alternative was eliminated from detailed study because the proposed trail on the east side of Columbine is too close to private property. Landowner concerns with disturbance and increased trespass potential were analyzed as key issues. Design Criteria Common to All Action Alternatives In response to public comments on the proposal, mitigation measures or design criteria were developed to ease some of the potential impacts the various alternatives may cause. The design criteria may be applied to any of the action alternatives. Project Specific Design Criteria Increase signing to make users aware of new grooming routes and areas of historical use. Locate groomed trail 200 feet from stream channels where possible. Delay grooming until unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 18 inches. If any historical artifacts or properties are located during trail development, stop clearing and consult the District Archeologist. Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive species and Raptors: If specific impacts from the permitted activities to raptor species or threatened, endangered, & sensitive species and/or their habitats (e.g. breeding sites) are identified, then management will be adjusted as necessary in annual operating plans to reduce or eliminate those impacts. Snowmobile trail grooming season of use will be December 1 st through May 1 st. Clean all equipment before entering project area to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Establish quantitative vegetation monitoring (and measured) for at least three years on trail locations, once established. Maintain Forest Service Road closure during spring break-up, approximately May 1 to June 15, except as authorized by permit. 13

18 Comparison of Alternatives This section provides a summary of the effects of implementing each alternative. Information in the table is focused on activities and effects where different levels of effects or outputs can be distinguished quantitatively or qualitatively among alternatives. Table 1. Comparison of Alternatives to be Considered in Detail. Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Purpose & Need Does not meet purpose and need Meets purpose and need Meets purpose and need Landowner access - plowing Private property concerns Does not change current conditions Doe not change current concerns No grooming on NFSR 490, benefits landowner access Proposed trails located away from private lands No grooming on NFSR 490, benefits landowner access Proposed trails are close to private property, creates impacts Adequate Parking Does not improve parking Creates more parking, away from residentail area Improves parking, Quarry Lot does not move away from residential area Trilbey Lot dispersed parking ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES This section summarizes the physical, biological, social and economic environments of the affected project area and the potential changes to those environments due to implementation of the alternatives. It also presents the scientific and analytical basis for comparison of alternatives presented in the chart above. Watershed (Soil and Water) Affected Environment Existing Condition The existing route and the proposed groomed trail and parking lot are located in the Independence Creek 6 th level watershed. Less than one percent of this watershed is a sourcewater area or municipal watershed. A proposed trail from NFSR 410 to RCR 129 is in the Willow Creek Lake 6 th level watershed. A portion of a proposed trail will cross zone 1 and zone 2 sourcewater areas. The winter activities proposed will have little potential to affect the soil resource. With implementation of the project specific design criteria and the small amount of ground disturbance proposed, no direct effects to floodplains or wetlands are expected. Minor effects to riparian vegetation and possibly wetland vegetation may occur, but these effects would not affect overall riparian or wetland function. 14

19 Effects to the hydrologic regime and water quality are the primary concerns associated with the activities proposed under the changes to grooming. Grooming of the proposed snowmobile trail has the potential to affect the hydrologic regime and water quality by compacting the snow resulting in the groomed areas having denser snow than the surrounding snowpack. The difference in snow densities can affect runoff patterns during spring melting. Potential effects to water quality include sanitation at the parking lots, fuel spills and leaks, and the release of unburned fuel and lubricant from two-stroke snowmobile engines that can lead to pollutant deposition into the top layer of snow and subsequently surface waters during snowmelt (Adams, 1975; NPS, 2002). In addition, high levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion are also emitted from two-stroke engines (McDaniel, 2002). Effects to water quality are of greatest concern where motorized use occurs on or within 200 feet of water bodies. Concentrated motorized use immediately adjacent to the stream channel has the greatest potential to effect water quality. While any area open to winter motorized use is susceptible to impacts, marked snowmobile routes on or within 200 feet of stream courses are considered the most likely to affect water quality since they receive the highest concentrated use. Environmental Consequences Alternative 1 No Action Direct and indirect effects: Under this alternative there would be no change from the existing condition. The current permitted location would be used and grooming would occur along RCR 129 and across Independence Creek. The crossing on Independence Creek is the area of greatest possible effect to riparian vegetation from grooming operations and general snowmobile use. This area is already being used and no adverse effects to riparian or wetland functions were observed during field review. Leakage from fuel tanks or fuel tank spills can affect water quality. Implementation of Forest Plan Standards and Design Criteria would minimize these risks and ensure compliance with state water quality regulations and the Clean Water Act. Parking would continue at the existing quarry site on NFSR 550 and no improvement would be done at this site. This is an already disturbed site, and no additional ground disturbance or soil compaction would occur. Cumulative effects: Implementation of this alternative will not contribute to significant cumulative effects. Other activities that may occur in this area include the Little Snake and Little Snake North Timber Sales, livestock grazing, dispersed recreation, and motorized use on designated trails. This alternative is consistent with Forest Plan direction, and would not result in irreversible or irretrievable effects to the soil, water, wetland, floodplain, or riparian resources. 15

20 Alternative 2 (Proposed Action) Direct and indirect effects: This alternative would have little potential to affect the hydrologic regime and channel stability. The majority of the groomed access route would be located on existing roads and through aspen stands and open meadows, and there would be no groomed trails crossing major stream courses. Existing groomed trail across Independence Creek will not be maintained. Ground disturbance to create the new trail will be limited to areas of steep side slopes. The new parking lot has already been disturbed during logging operations and very little new ground disturbance would occur at this site. The proposed parking lot is in an area that has been impacted through roadside hazard tree removal. This area contained a log deck, which has already caused some soil compaction. Creating a designated parking area would affect long-term soil productivity, but on less than one tenth percent of the watershed. Overall ground disturbance including the trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. The area of greatest concern along the proposed groomed trail is a small section that parallels an unnamed tributary to Independence Creek for a short distance (approximately one onehundreth miles). This area of the creek has a narrow corridor of dense willows and a wider area containing isolated wet depressions with riparian plant communities. The trail would avoid these areas, but may be close to them and affect a small number of riparian plants. Ensuring adequate snow cover before allowing grooming would minimize ground disturbance, and protect soils and riparian vegetation in this area. From a chemical contaminant standpoint, the greatest concern would be from fuel spills or leaks, as well as release of unburned fuel and lubricant along the stream corridor. Since the activities would occur during the winter, any contaminants either spilled or leaked into the snowpack would remain in the snowpack until spring melt. Once spring melting began, all of the contaminants would be released at once in a sudden pulse. This is different from a summer operation where spills or leaked contaminants are washed away during the next storm event, and do not accumulate over time. Project specific design criteria including locating the trail approximately 200 feet from the stream channel will reduce effects to water quality associated with concentrated motorized use along the stream corridor. Implementation of Forest Plan Standards and Design Criteria would minimize these risks and ensure compliance with state water quality regulations and the Clean Water Act. In order to create the trail approximately 50 trees, the majority of which are aspen, will need to be cut. This will be done by hand and the trees will be lopped and scattered. There is little to no potential for this to affect the water, riparian or wetland resources. Effects to riparian areas and water quality would be similar to Alternative 1. A portion of the marked trail will cross zone 1 and zone 2 sourcewater areas, however this small amount of impact will not affect community water supplies. Cumulative effects: With implementation of the Design Criteria, this alternative will not contribute to significant cumulative effects. Other past, present and future activities in this area contributing to cumulative effects are the same as those in Alternative 1. 16

21 Alternative 3 Grooming will include the current permitted location and the additional one mile along RCR 129, and approximately one mile from NFSR 410 to RCR 129. This alternative adds one trail crossing of Independence Creek to the existing crossing. These crossings are areas of greatest possible effect to riparian vegetation from grooming operations and general snowmobile use. The crossing near the Quarry Lot is already being used and no adverse effects to riparian or wetland functions were observed during field review. Ground disturbance to create the new trail will be limited to areas of steep side slopes. Enlargement of the existing Quarry Lot and creation of the new parking lot in Trilbey Flats will result in more ground disturbance than Alternative 2. Overall ground disturbance including the trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. In addition to the stream crossings, a portion of the proposed trail from NFSR 410 to RCR 129 parallels an unnamed tributary to Willow Creek for a short distance (approximately one quarter mile). This area of the creek has a narrow corridor of dense willows and a wider area containing isolated wet depressions with riparian plant communities. The trail would avoid these areas, but may affect riparian plants. Ensuring adequate snow cover before allowing grooming would minimize ground disturbance, and protect soils and riparian vegetation in this area. From a chemical contaminant standpoint, the greatest concern would be from fuel spills or leaks, as well as release of unburned fuel and lubricant along the stream corridor. Since the activities would occur during the winter, any contaminants either spilled or leaked into the snowpack would remain in the snowpack until spring melt. Once spring melting began, all of the contaminants would be released at once in a sudden pulse. This is different from a summer operation where spills or leaked contaminants are washed away during the next storm event, and do not accumulate over time. A portion of the marked trail will cross zone 1 and zone 2 sourcewater areas, however this small amount of impact will not affect community water supplies Project specific design criteria including locating the trail approximately 200 feet from the stream channel will reduce effects to water quality associated with concentrated motorized use along the stream corridor. Implementation of Forest Plan Standards and Design Criteria would minimize these risks and ensure compliance with state water quality regulations and the Clean Water Act. In order to create the trail approximately 200 trees will need to be cut. Some of this proposed route is located in a timber sale unit. Harvested trees are not included in this tally. Trees not included in the sale will be cut by hand and lopped and scattered. There is little to no potential for this to affect the water, riparian or wetland resources. The proposed parking lot in Trilbey Flats and the expanded Quarry Parking Lot will impact more ground than Alternative 2. Creating a designated parking area would affect long-term soil productivity of these sites, but on less than one tenth percent of the watershed. These lots are also near to riparian areas, so design criteria of 200 feet from stream channels need to be applied here also. This alternative would have little potential affect to riparian areas, water quality, hydrologic regime and channel stability if all design criteria and forest Plan Standards are implemented. 17

22 Cumulative effects: With implementation of the Design Criteria, this alternative will not contribute to significant cumulative effects. Other past, present and future activities in this area contributing to cumulative effects are the same as those in Alternative 1 and 2. With monitoring and implementation of the Design Criteria, this alternative is consistent with Forest Plan direction, and would not result in irreversible or irretrievable effects to the soil, water, wetland, floodplain, or riparian resources. Wildlife Affected Environment Existing Condition Forest Cover The area is located in the northwestern portion of the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District of the Routt National Forest. The most dominant cover types in the project area include aspen and grasslands. Small amounts of dead lodgepole pine, rock, shrublands, and bare soil are also present. Implementation of this project will require less than two acres of tree removal. In the last five years, the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, including the project area, have experienced a pine beetle outbreak of epidemic proportions. The area around the proposed parking lot and also parts of the reroute, have beetle killed lodgepole pine. The new parking area was part of a roadside hazard tree unit and was harvested in Only about 50 trees along sections of the re-route and in the parking lot are expected to be cut. Wildlife Animal species that occur in the cover types found in the project area are likely typical for those cover types on the Routt National Forest. The Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) Wildlife database contains no observations within a quarter mile buffer of proposed trails or new parking areas. Several species are likely to occur in the area, although are not recorded in the database or observed during the field survey. A brief summary of the animals that may occur in the area are listed below. More detail on some of these species can be found in the Biological Evaluation (BE) and Biological Assessment (BA). Animals that may occur in the analysis area include: Mammals: American marten, pygmy shrew Birds: vesper sparrow 18

23 Environmental Consequences The effects of the alternatives to wildlife will vary greatly depending upon the species, type of activity/disturbance and the scale (time and/or landscape level), that the effects are measured against. The effects of the alternatives on wildlife are evaluated as positive or negative and as direct, indirect, and cumulative. Effects of the no-action alternative, Alternative 1, and action alternatives are compared in order to evaluate the change in condition. Two types of actions primarily influence wildlife: disturbance actions and changes to habitat. Either of these actions may result in multiple types of effects that may influence individual species or populations. Effects include: immediate, short-term, mid-term and long-term. Although this section touches on threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate and sensitive species (TEPCS), a more detailed discussion on the effects of implementation of the project to TEPCS species can be found in the animal BE and BA prepared for this project. Alternative 1 - No Action With the no-action alternative, the groomed snowmobile trail on NFSR 490 as well as parking at the Quarry Lot would remain in place. The current trail location and the proposed re-route are the same length, both are one and sixtenths miles. The current route goes through approximately 20 percent other lynx habitat, approximately 50 percent non-lynx habitat, and approximately 30 percent unsuitable lynx habitat. The re-route goes through 100 percent other lynx habitat. This change is insignificant due to the fact that the new trail will be in low quality other lynx habitat and will be used in the winter. The low quality other habitat is primarily used in the summer by snowshoe hare. With a no-action alternative, there is no benefit to lynx habitat as the proposed action will not be a significant change. There are no anticipated adverse direct, indirect or cumulative effects caused by this action. Alternative 2 Proposed Action Management Indicator Species (MIS) The MIS analysis prepared for this project indicates that implementation of the proposed action is anticipated to have no-impact to the six Routt National Forest Management Indicator Species: golden-crowned kinglet, northern goshawk, Wilson s warbler, vesper sparrow, Colorado River cutthroat trout and brook trout. Please refer to the MIS report prepared for this project for more detail. Sensitive Species Implementation of the proposed action may impact individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing or a loss of viability for the American marten and pygmy shrew. The proposed action would have No impact on all other Region 2 terrestrial animal sensitive species. Additional detail on these findings can be found in the Biological Evaluation (BE) prepared for this project. 19

24 Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) A Biological Assessment (BA) was prepared for federally listed species for Alternative 2. The BA reached the following determinations for listed terrestrial species: Canada lynx May effect, but is not likely to adversely affect Yellow-billed cuckoo No Impact (Animal Biological Evaluation determination) Mountain Plover No Effect The BE prepared for this project reached a conclusion of no impact for the western yellowbilled cuckoo based on the criteria that the project area has a lack of available habitat. Canada lynx habitat exists in the project area and would be affected by implementation of Alternative 2. This project has been designed in association with the SRLA (USDA Forest Service 2008) and is consistent with the SRLA guidance. Potential impacts to lynx habitat could occur as a result of implementation as described in the BA. However, project implementation should not adversely affect the ability of an individual lynx to survive within the Little Snake River Lynx Analysis Unit (LAU). Please refer to the BA for additional detail regarding the project s effects to threatened and endangered species. Raptors The Routt National Forest Plan directs that all raptor nest sites should be protected. No raptor species are documented as occurring in the project area. The proposed action is not expected to impact any of these species. Project design criteria have been developed to ensure protection of raptor nest areas should any be discovered during the implementation of the proposed action. Elk The proposed action is not expected to affect elk summer range because the trails will only be groomed during the winter from December 1-May 1 st. The proposed re-route of the trail as well as the proposed site for the new parking area do not occur in elk winter range, so no disturbance is expected to occur within the project area. The proposed action is consistent with TES standard #1, thus design criteria are unnecessary to maintain consistency with this standard. Two Forest Plan standards address habitat effectiveness for native ungulates. TES Standard #3 states: Provide adequate cover to maintain screening, through time, along roads where timber management activities are taking place to minimize disturbance and harassment of deer and elk. TES Standard #10 states: In forested ecosystems, maintain habitat effectiveness for deer and elk at 50 percent or greater, as measured at the Geographic Area scale. Elk habitat effectiveness is driven by changes in the hiding cover index as well as the road density index. The proposed action will not affect either of these variables. Birds In 2008, the Forest Service Chief signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fish and Wildlife Service to promote the conservation of migratory birds. The purpose of the MOU is to strengthen migratory bird conservation by identifying strategies that promote conservation and avoid or minimize adverse impacts on migratory birds. 20

25 The MOU outlines that the Forest Service shall: Evaluate the effects of agency actions on migratory birds within the NEPA Process with a focus on species of management concern along with their priority habitats and key risk factors. An evaluation of effects of the proposed action to bird species of management concern is included in the BE and MIS report prepared for this project. The project has been designed to the extent practical to minimize an incidental take through project design criteria. These criteria protect raptor breeding sites that may be discovered. Cumulative Effects Implementation of the proposed action will add to the other activities and actions affecting wildlife in the analysis area. The cumulative nature of these effects is currently not anticipated to significantly affect wildlife populations. Alternative 3 Management Indicator Species This MIS analysis prepared for this project indicates that implementation of the proposed action is anticipated to have no-impact to the six Routt National Forest Management Indicator Species: golden-crowned kinglet, northern goshawk, Wilson s warbler, vesper sparrow, Colorado River cutthroat trout and brook trout. Please refer to the MIS report prepared for this project for more detail. Sensitive Species Implementation of the proposed action may impact individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing or a loss of viability for the American marten and pygmy shrew. The proposed action would have No impact on all other Region 2 terrestrial animal sensitive species. Additional detail on these findings can be found in the Biological Evaluation (BE) prepared for this project. Threatened and Endangered Species A BA was prepared for federally listed species for Alternative 2. The BA reached the following determinations for listed terrestrial species: Canada lynx May effect, but is not likely to adversely affect Yellow-billed cuckoo No Impact (Animal Biological Evaluation determination) Mountain Plover No Effect The BE prepared for this project reached a conclusion of no impact for the western yellowbilled cuckoo based on the criteria that the project area has a lack of available habitat. Canada lynx habitat exists in the project area and would be affected by implementation of Alternative 3. This project has been designed in association with the SRLA (USDA Forest Service 2008) and is consistent with the SRLA guidance. Potential impacts to lynx habitat could occur as a result of implementation as described in the BA. However, project implementation should not adversely affect the ability of an individual lynx to survive within the Sand Mountain LAU. Please refer to the BA for additional detail regarding the project s effects to threatened and endangered species. 21