DECISION MEMO Clay Butte Radio Repeater Relocation Project

Transcription

1 Background DECISION MEMO Clay Butte Radio Repeater Relocation Project USDA FOREST SERVICE Rocky Mountain Region (R2) Shoshone National Forest Park County, Wyoming The Shoshone National Forest, Clarks Fork Ranger District, proposed to upgrade/construct or relocate the existing radio repeater currently located in the historic Clay Butte fire lookout. The current radio facility is located in the Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower at T57N R105W and Section 1, SWSW (southwest of the southwest of section 1) in the Beartooth Mountains and would be relocated at or near its present location or a suitable alternative site. Public scoping and an environmental analysis was conducted to evaluate the issues and concerns specific to the potential effects of the proposed action on resources or other values or concern associated with the proposal or within the project area, including extraordinary circumstances or other opportunities to help decide the best project design and implementation. Photo 1. Existing radio shelter, mast, antenna, and solar panels on Clayton Mountain, Shoshone National Forest. Notice the minimal footprint and lack of soil disturbance for the building site. 1

2 The Proposed Action originally scoped was to remove the radio equipment from the historic fire tower and relocate the equipment to a new location in a radio shelter building somewhere near Clay Butte. The Clay Butte project area, which is accessed via a gravel road just west of Beartooth Lake, is approximately 22 miles east of Cooke City and 42 miles west of Red Lodge, Montana. Clay Butte is north of the Beartooth Highway at about 9,800 feet in elevation. Public scoping and environmental analysis was conducted to evaluate the issues and concerns specific to the potential effects of the proposed action on resources or other values or concern associated with the proposal or within the project area, including extraordinary circumstances or other opportunities to help decide the best project design and implementation. Scoping indicated that an analysis to determine the best location and implementation would be ongoing and that the final location and methods for implementation would be determined at a later date based on public input and potential effects. The results of public comment indicated numerous issues and concerns with the Clay Butte location, which can best be summarized as strong opinions/opposition concerning any impacts to visual and historic resource values near Clay Butte. Because of these concerns, alternatives were evaluated, specifically several high points located near Sec. 16, T57N, R105W. The new preferred location near Meadow Lake is accessed via open road #149.1B southwest of Island Lake. It is approximately 27 miles east of Cooke City and 37 miles west of Red Lodge, Montana and is south of the Beartooth Highway at about 10,000 feet in elevation. Purpose and Need The existing radio facility on Clay Butte in its present condition needs improvement. New facility upgrades are proposed, including relocation and a new shelter to house the radios. As described above, the Shoshone National Forest proposed to upgrade/move the radio repeater near Clay Butte, as part of implementing the Radio Replacement Plan for the Forest wide radio system/network (see Project File). Unreliable, outdated radio equipment and unreliable repeater sites are limiting necessary radio communications and compromising safety. In some cases, Forest personnel are not able to effectively communicate in many areas by radio; this is critical in the event of emergencies such as fire and the need to communicate with interagency dispatch centers or district offices. Similar radio repeater sites were upgraded in the recent past (Clayton Mountain [See Photo 1], Carter Mountain, Cyclone Pass [See Photo 3], and Indian Ridge). Construction at these sites was completed safely and without unacceptable environmental impacts. Radio networks and radio repeater sites are common and ordinary actions and are necessary for maintaining safety and effective radio communications. Routine maintenance would be accomplished by walking in, heavier maintenance such battery replacement could require periodic ATV/UTV access via open road 149.1B. There is a need to establish better radio communications and improve safety. The intent of the project is to meet these project goals by upgrading the radio repeater site at Clay Butte or a final preferred location in order to have reliable radio service per the existing radio replacement plan. Other project objectives include: There is a need to provide a radio network that enhances the Forest s program delivery and provides for personnel safety There is a need to implement the radio upgrades in the least impacting manner to visual and historic resource values 2

3 Photo 2. The radio buildings can be located with minimal soil or vegetation disturbance. The proposal is for a 6 by 6 foot nonglare building located to minimize visual intrusion. Decision Based upon review of the project file and public comment, I have decided to relocate the Clay Butte radio repeater to near Meadow Lake T57N, R105W, NW of NW Sec. 16. (Map Enclosed). This location will establish better radio communications and improve safety and meet the project objectives above. The installed radio building will be similar to that shown in Photo 2 and 3. The final decision is this Meadow Lake location; the site actually provides better radio network coverage than the Clay Butte location. My rationale for the decision and in choosing this Meadow Lake location over a Clay Butte location is: The existing Clay Butte Radio Repeater site is currently housed in the Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower, which is eligible for the National Historic Register. The Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower is popular with the visiting public and tourists on the nearby Beartooth All-American Road, and serves as a visitor center/interpretive site for the historic tower. By moving the radio repeater facility totally away from the fire lookout viewshed, the historic values will be enhanced and the viewshed protected. Originally, the proposal for primary access was to use a helicopter to transport the radio building to a new location. Currently, helicopter is still a viable method to locate the building, but other alternatives that are possibly safer or less expensive may be evaluated. Because of the need to 3

4 perform maintenance on the radios year round, helicopter and/or snowmobile access will be necessary in the winter. Although helicopter use would increase safety risks and expense, sometimes it is the best tool and helicopter use, as needed, is permitted in my decision for installation and maintenance. All work/ improvements will be constructed as described below. Target completion date is July 15, Periodic maintenance will need to occur once the radio shelter and radio repeater are in place. Power would be provided by a solar power generation to improve reliability and survivability. The relocation would have these actions: The upgrade of the existing site entails installation of a small radio communications shelter with approximate dimensions of 6 by 6 feet. (See Figure 1). The shelter will require a relatively level surface, so some ground leveling by hand may be needed. Total soil disturbance could be up to twice the building dimension or approximately 12 by 12 feet. The exterior surface of the shelter will be non-glare. Most shelter manufacturers offer a variety of color choices and the Forest can specify the desired paint finish to blend with the surroundings. As proposed, a mast will extend up from the building approximately 8 feet high to accommodate the proper mounting of the VHF antenna. The antenna is 20 feet tall, but depending on the location of the building a 40-foot antenna could be needed. Three solar panels (approximately 25 inches x 57 inches each) will be mounted on the exterior south wall or roof of the shelter. Depending on the final location, it is anticipated the radio shelter (and possibly personnel, tools, and materials) will be ferried to and from the site via helicopter during installation. Under reasonable conditions, the installation would be completed in three days. All sites will require periodic maintenance. Although a separate action, the historic fire tower is scheduled to undergo a rehabilitation project in 2010 to aid in historic preservation, along with the installation of a replacement toilet. Coordination of this decision with the fire tower action will need to occur. 4

5 . Photo 3. The radio buildings can be located with minimal visual intrusion in a mountainous landscape. The radio repeater site above is on Cyclone Ridge, Washakie Ranger District, Shoshone National Forest. Project Design Features Preliminary stipulations for implementation and project design features to minimize environmental effects have been identified. These operational and procedural requirements include: Aviation safety will be a priority. Minimize impacts to the overall scenic nature of the mountain setting (Photo 3) and the Beartooth Highway Scenic Byway. To maintain/protect aesthetics, project design includes: o The color and pattern of the structures will be specified to match the naturally occurring colors of the area, and placed below the skyline with mountainous terrain for a backdrop if possible. o Minimize impacts and the amount of surface disturbance/excavation needed for relocation and minimize potential visual impacts by minimizing the amount of disturbance from tree removal (if needed). o Placement and coloring of the building and antenna would minimize visual impacts. No new temporary or permanent roads will be constructed. All persons involved with this contract/operation would comply with the requirements of the Grizzly Bear Special Orders in effect for this area in the conduct of all activities authorized. 5

6 o A cultural resource survey and State Historic Preservation officer coordination must be completed for the sites if not already surveyed o If inadvertent subsurface discovery of cultural resources occurs, stop work provisions will be implemented and the Forest archaeologist contacted. Photo 4. Solar panels can be mounted either on the roof or on the side of the building. Rocks are used to anchor the radio shelter and the building and t is painted to blend into the surroundings with non-reflective paint. Again, note the lack of disturbance. Scoping and Public Involvement Public scoping and an environmental review were conducted to evaluate the issues and concerns specific to the potential effects of the proposed action on resources or other values within the project area. Decision Rationale and Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Proposed Action This action falls under Category 3, in Section 31.2 of the Forest Service Handbook Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of National Forest System lands. Based on internal and external scoping, field reviews, specialist s input and past experience, and project design measures, the effects of implementing this action will be of limited context and intensity and will result in little or no environmental effects to either the physical, biological, or social components of the environment. 6

7 In my decision, I have included the identified project design features for implementation to minimize any environmental effects or for site enhancement. These operational and procedural requirements (design features) are listed above. Forest Plan Direction/Findings Required by Other Laws This decision is consistent with laws, regulations, and policy, as well as standards and guidelines in the Shoshone Forest Plan, as amended. The project area is within the 10A Management Area, where the primary management direction is to provide for Research Natural Areas where research, study, observations, monitoring, and educational activities, which are nondestructive and non- manipulative, are allowed in an area with unmodified conditions. The radio repeater will be near an existing road/trail and would not preclude or impair research or educational values. Finding of No Extraordinary Circumstances Under Forest Service Handbook definition, extraordinary circumstances exist only when conditions associated with the Proposed Action are identified as potentially having effects which may significantly affect the environment. Scoping was conducted to identify any conditions associated with a normally excluded action as potentially having effects that may significantly affect the environment. Extraordinary circumstances include, but are not limited to, steep slopes or highly erosive soils, threatened and endangered species or their critical habitat, wetlands and flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds, inventoried roadless areas, Congressionally designated areas (such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or National Recreation Areas), Research Natural Areas, or Native American religious or cultural sites, archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. Summary An evaluation of potential effects to extraordinary circumstances was completed; this analysis indicated that no extraordinary circumstances listed above will be adversely affected. I have reviewed the proposal and determined that no significant effects will occur from its implementation. The effects of the actions are not highly controversial and are similar to other actions that have been implemented in the area. The effects on the human environment are not highly uncertain and do not involve unique risks. The Forest Service has been operating radio repeater facilities for years with predictable results. Normal procedures will be followed; the methods and techniques used for implementation are neither new nor experimental. No significant adverse effects on the physical, biological, economic, or social elements of the human environment were identified at this time. The action is not related to any actions that would result in significant cumulative impacts when viewed with ongoing and reasonably foreseeable actions. 7

8 Implementation This decision can be implemented immediately. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to administrative appeal pursuant to 36 CFR (a) (4). Contacts For further information on this decision, contact Terry Root, District Ranger or Marty Sharp, North Zone NEPA Coordinator, 203A Yellowstone Ave., Cody, Wyoming 82414, telephone /s/ Terry A. Root 12/8/10 Terry A. Root Date District Ranger The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 8