BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

Transcription

1 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST Antonio Saldivar California State University, Fresno August 11, 2015 A final report submitted to Water Resources Institute/ UEC at California State University, San Bernardino, and USDA Sierra National Forest Service Positions: Hydrology Intern Supervisor: Elwood Cliff Raley (Forest Hydrologist)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Acknowledgements 1 Abstract 2 Introduction 3-4 Objective 5-13 Results & Conclusion 14 Bibliography 15

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I d like to take some time to give thanks to everyone that provided me with an excellent opportunity to learn what it takes to be a part of the United States Forest Service. This project was supported by Hispanic-Serving Institution s Education Program Grant no from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Thanks again to WRI, Sierra National Forest, CSU San Bernardino, CSU Fresno, Cliff Raley, Julissa Gonzalez, Nichole Barnhart, Sandra Jimenez, Dr. Riadh Munjy, and Hernan Maldonado. I d also like to thank the Sierra National Forest staff including the fellow interns that treated me like family and made my internship unforgettable. Page 1

4 Abstract This report written by Antonio Saldivar, hereafter hydrology intern, discusses best management practices (BMP s) and how they are used to implement and manage water quality consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA). BMP s were developed to improve water quality, restore impaired waters and to reduce the amount of non-point source pollution caused by erosion, construction, and maintenance projects. All BMP s discussed in this report were conducted within the Sierra National Forest. A few BMP s that the hydrology interns inspected prescribed fires, trail and operations maintenance, road and crossing maintenance, in-channel construction practices, service and refueling station evaluations, baseline monitoring, among many others. Page 2

5 Introduction Over a 9 week period, the hydrology intern conducted several evaluations on randomly selected areas in the Sierra National Forest. The selected sites were assigned based on their potential to impact water quality including the integrity of the waters physical, chemical, and visual state. Page 3

6 The locations evaluated were Maxson Trail Head located next to Courtright Reservoir, Road 10S69 near Pine Flat, Road 5S19 situated North of Oakhurst, Caltrans Refueling station near Huntington Lake, Radio Camp near Shaver Lake, French Trail near Mammoth Pool Reservoir, and the Barnes South Project in Blue Canyon located south-east of Shaver Lake. Page 4

7 Objective The purpose of the National and Regional Best Management Practices (BMP) Program is to establish a uniform direction for Best Management Practices implementation to control nonpoint and point source pollution on all National Forest Service lands. Point source pollution consists of pollutants going directly into a stream, river, lake, or other water body. Non- point source pollutants would be of those that indirectly pollute a water body due to water contacting it. Most of non-point source pollutants are located near a water body and when it rains or when tides change the water elevation, the pollutants reach the water bodies.bmps are conducted in order to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to soil, water quality, and riparian resources that will meet the intent of the Federal and State water quality laws and regulations, Executive orders, and USDA and Forest Service directives. It also deals with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA) in order to provide clean water for the nation's waters by restoring and maintaining its chemical, physical, and biological integrity. The BMP system helps establish a consistent and creditable process to document and report agency BMP implementation and effectiveness. In order for a site to be included for a random BMP monitoring they must meet three requirements. Those requirements are that they must have a prepared NEPA document (CE, EA or EIS), they must adhere to contract requirements, and at least one winter must have passed (but not more than 3 winters) since contract requirements were met. Page 5

8 Roads 10S69 & 5S19 For 10S69 & 5S19, the hydrology intern performed 3 Regional and 1 National BMP dealing in road surface, drainage, slope protection, stream crossings, control of sidecast material, and road operation and maintenance. The main objective was to make sure no erosion was present that could potentially pollute local water bodies in the area. Throughout the evaluation, the hydrology intern looked for material build up in culverts, rillings on the road way, or any areas susceptible to ponding. Page 6

9 Barnes South Project Just south of Barnes Mountain, the hydrology intern conducted a regional and national BMP that dealt with a prescribed fire that was performed in November of The purpose of a prescribed fire is to sustain a healthy forest, reduce the intensity of a wildfire and also allow for easier wildlife passage. The objective was to make sure that the prescribed fire had positive effects within the research area and to determine whether the effects benefited local wildlife and vegetation. Page 7

10 Road 7S05D The 7S05D evaluation consisted of just one regional BMP which was In-Channel Construction Practices. For this BMP, the hydrology intern made sure that the timber stockpiles were safely placed above the apparent high water line and also making sure that no construction materials were located near or inside the stream channel. Page 8

11 French Trail The French Trail evaluation consisted of only one national BMP which was, Motorized or Non-motorized Trail Operation and Maintenance. French Trail was a long, 12.7 mile trail that suffered extensive wildfire damage a few years back. The main objective was to determine whether motorist and hikers could safely navigate on the trail. This evaluation was tough due to plenty of remnants from the fire that occurred in July of Burned trees, overgrown vegetation, and slippery slopes made this evaluation one of the most dangerous and challenging. Page 9

12 Caltrans Service and Refueling Station The Caltrans Project located in Huntington Lake focused on a Servicing and Refueling site. During the inspection the objectives were to determine what types of fuels were stored at the station, whether they had a Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Plan, and if Caltrans implemented techniques to contain spills in the storage area. The hydrology intern also verified that no chemicals or materials present were affecting nearby water bodies. Page 10

13 Maxson Trail Head During the inspection of the Maxson Trail Head situated next to Courtright Reservoir, the hydrology intern conducted a Regional BMP evaluation on Stock Facilities/ Holding Stations. The purpose of this evaluation was to determine if the animal waste near the holding stations created any pollution problems for the nearby water bodies. Page 11

14 Green Cabin Flat Green Cabin Flat Camp Ground situated near Kings River; was evaluated for a Regional BMP and a National BMP which dealt with Developed Recreation Sites. The intern observed the general conditions of the campground s area and sanitation facilities and whether it polluted the nearby river. Page 12

15 Radio Camp The hydrology intern also conducted a Regional BMP and a National BMP on Radio Camp which is South East from Shaver Lake for Dispersed Recreation Sites. For this survey the evaluations included groundcover, sedimentation, and the stream management zone. The interns were looking for any signs of erosion activity as well as any sources of pollution. Page 13

16 Results and Conclusion Concluding the work this summer, the hydrology intern determined that best management practices are succeeding in their goal of improving water quality and reducing the amount of non-point source pollution in local water bodies located within the Sierra National Forest. After evaluating nine different sites, recommendations were only proposed for one location, which was the French Trail near Mammoth Pool Reservoir. July of 2014, the French Fire caused extensive damage that burned through the entire length of the trail. Presently, overgrown brush and severely burned and fallen trees have covered most of the trail. The trail is currently inaccessible for day uses such as hiking and backpacking. All other sites have met or exceeded maintenance requirements for this year. The only way to continue to progress in improving water quality is to be consistent with best management practices and to be aware of what corrective measures must be applied to at-risk water bodies receiving high amounts of pollution. Page 14

17 Bibliography 1. Raley Cliff, Forest Hydrologist, Sierra NF. Best Management Practices Evaluation Program 2014 Monitoring Report June 30, National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands. Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical Guide. United States Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. FS 990a, April National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands. Volume 2: National BMP Program Interim Database User s Guide. United States Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. FS 990a, September Water Quality Management Handbook. USDA Forest Service Handbook Southwest Region 5 CA. December 2011 Page 15