Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley Trail Construction (42414) Decision Memo Stanislaus National Forest Calaveras Ranger District Alpine County, CA This decision memo provides documentation, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), related to the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT) project, located on the Calaveras Ranger District in Alpine County, CA. Purpose and Need The Forest Service completed the Stanislaus National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) on October 28, 1991. The Forest Plan Direction (USDA 2010) 1 presents the current direction, based on the original Forest Plan, as amended. The project location is within the Pacific Valley Management Area (p.120). This area meets the Forest Service criteria for the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) class of Semi-primitive Non-motorized (p.119). This ROS is managed to provide a range of semi-primitive non-motorized recreation opportunities and experiences (p.53). Trail construction is contained within the SE1/4 of Sec.29, T8N, R19E; Mount Diablo Base Meridian. This section of trail is a portion of the MCCT that, when completed, will begin on the Pacific Coast in the San Francisco Bay Area and terminate on the Sierra Crest at Ebbetts Pass. Proposed Action In response to the purpose and need described above, the Forest Service proposes the following action: Construct approximately one mile of hiking/equestrian trail from 19E94 (Heiser Lake Trail) to 19E43 (Pacific Valley Trail). Trail construction will be to design parameters indicated within FSH 2309.18 Sec. 23.11 Trail Class 3 non-wilderness, single lane. Detailed Actions and Requirements 1. The project area covers a linear distance of approximately one mile. Trail construction will begin on the south side of Mosquito Lakes adjacent to the Heiser Lake Trail (19E94), continue southeast and join the Pacific Valley Trail (19E43) in the southeast quarter of section 29. 2. Design parameters are as follows: a. Design Tread Width: 18 36 b. Design Surface: Native material with some onsite borrow where needed for stabilization and occasional grading. c. Design Grade: i. Target Grade: 3% - 12% ii. Short Pitch Maximum: 25% iii. Maximum Pitch Density: 10% - 20% of trail 1 USDA 2010. Stanislaus National Forest, Forest Plan Direction. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Stanislaus National Forest. Sonora, CA. April 2010. 196 p. 1
d. Design Cross Slope: i. Target Cross Slope: 5% - 10% ii. Maximum Cross Slope: 15% e. Design Clearing: i. Height: 7 8 ii. Width: 3 5 iii. Shoulder Clearance: 1 1½ f. Design Turn Radius: 3 6 3. Tree removal will be avoided but, if required, will be limited to trees of less than 12 dbh. Slash generated by tree removal will be lopped and scattered on site. 4. There are a number of unnamed drainages that flow into Pacific Creek. The Forest Plan Direction for Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) would be followed (USDA, Forest Service 2010: pg 191). 5. The R-5 Soil Quality Analysis Standards (USDA, Forest Service 1995b), and the Stanislaus National Forest Plan Direction (USDA, Forest Service 2010) provide standards that guide soil management, and are the basis for recommending soil management practices (SMPs) to minimize potential impacts. Decision My decision is to implement the Proposed Action as described above including the detailed actions and requirements, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) included in the Hydrology Report. Trail construction will begin during the 2015 field season. This action falls within a category of actions that are excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and no extraordinary circumstances 2 would preclude use of the category: Construction and reconstruction of trails [36 CFR 220.6(e)(1)], and, Appendix A which includes a Review of Extraordinary Circumstances supporting my determination that no extraordinary circumstances exist. Resource specialists provided input covering botany, heritage, recreation, watershed and wildlife. Their reports are included in the project file. I considered their recommendations, along with all public comments, in making this decision. Public Involvement The Forest Service listed the MCCT Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley project in the Stanislaus National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) in April, 2013. The Forest distributes the SOPA to about 160 parties and it is available on the internet [http://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/forest-level.php?110516]. The proposed action was developed in collaboration with the Amador-Calaveras Consensus Group (ACCG), which is a local collaborative that works to create healthy forests and watersheds, fire-safe communities, and sustainable local economies. ACCG fosters partnerships among private, nonprofit, state, and federal entities with a common interest in the health and well-being of the landscape and communities in the Mokelumne and Calaveras watersheds. The group is advancing an All-Lands strategy to create a heightened degree of environmental stewardship, local jobs, greater local economic stability, 2 The mere presence of one or more of these resource conditions does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion (CE). It is the existence of a cause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential effect on these resource conditions and if such a relationship exists, the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determine whether extraordinary circumstances exist. (36 CFR 220.6(b)) 2
healthy forests and communities. ACCG principles reflect the group s emphases on balancing environmental, social and economic goals. Recreation residence owners (Special Use Permitted individuals that maintain recreation residences on Federal Land) within the Pacific Heights and the Pacific Valley Tracts were notified of the trail building activities to be implemented in the vicinity of their residences. In addition, the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail Committee has been included as an active participant in the trail layout aspect of the project. Findings Required by Other Laws This action is consistent with the Forest Plan; the National Historic Preservation Act; and, all other applicable laws and regulations. Implementation Date The procedures for legal notice and opportunity to comment do not apply to this project; therefore, implementation of the decision may begin immediately. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to administrative appeal. 3 Contact Person For additional information about this project, contact David Vosti; Calaveras Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest; P.O. Box 500 Hathaway Pines, CA 95233; or, call (209) 795-1381 ext. 322. Signature and Date TERESA MCCLUNG Calaveras District Ranger Stanislaus National Forest Date 3 The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-76; January 17, 2014) directs that the 1992 and 2012 legislation establishing the 36 CFR 215 (post-decisional appeals) and 36 CFR 218 (pre-decisional objections) processes shall not apply to any project or activity implementing a land and resource management plan that is categorically excluded under NEPA. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-79; February 7, 2014) repealed the Appeals Reform Act (P.L. 102-381) and directs that the pre-decisional objection process established in the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2012 shall not apply to categorically excluded projects or activities. 3
Figure 1: MCCT Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley Trail Construction 4
APPENDIX A Review of Extraordinary Circumstances In accordance with FSH 1909.15 Section 30.3(2), the Responsible Official considered the following resource conditions in determining whether extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action would warrant further analysis and documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 1. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. No federally listed threatened or endangered terrestrial wildlife species (TES) or habitats exist within the project area. Although the project area does not contain habitat for California spotted owls and northern goshawks (both Forest Service sensitive species), protocol surveys for both were conducted from May through August 2013. Neither species was detected. The nearest spotted owl and goshawk protected activity center (PAC) is approximately eight miles south southwest of the project area. (Benton: Wildlife Specialist Report & Biological Assessment & Evaluation, December 2014.) Mule Deer is the only Management Indicator Species (MIS) whose habitat may be affected by the Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley Trail Project. Visual habitat inspection during May through August 2013 determined that the change in habitat of 0.36 acres (trail width times length) is too small to alter the existing trend in the habitat, nor will it lead to a change in the distribution of mule deer across the Sierra Nevada bioregion. (Benton and Bawdon: Project Management Indicator Species Report, December 2014.) Results from sensitive plant surveys indicated that there were no federally listed TES occurrences within the project area, therefore, no effects are anticipated for sensitive plants from the proposed trail construction project. (Young: Letter to File, July 2013.) The project area is within the geographic and elevation range of the Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi), but contains no suitable habitat for this federally listed aquatic TES. Therefore, it was determined that the project will not affect suitable habitat for the Lahontan cutthroat trout (Bawdon: Aquatic Biological Evaluation, March 2015). The project contains a small amount of upland dispersal habitat (< 1 acre) within the geographic and elevation range the Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus) and the Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog (Rana sierra). In addition, the project will modify a very small amount (<0.25 acre) of dry upland in proposed critical habitat for these two species. Therefore, it was determined that the project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect the Yosemite toad and the Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog (Bawdon: Aquatic Biological Evaluation, February 2015). The MCCT, Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley trail project was analyzed in the programmatic biological opinion. The US Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that activities on National Forests in the Sierra Nevada are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Yosemite toad or the Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog when project activities implement conservation measures as described in the biological assessment and the programmatic biological opinion (USFWS, Appendage of Projects in Seven Forest Programs in Nine National Forests in the Sierra Nevada to the Programmatic Biological Opinion for the Endangered Sierra Nevada Yellowlegged frog, Endangered Northern Distinct Population Segment of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, and the Threatened Yosemite Toad (FF08ESMF00-2014-F-557). 5
2. Floodplains, wetlands or municipal watersheds. The project is not expected to result in any adverse direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to water quality or beneficial uses. The project involves a small area of potential disturbance that would not contribute substantially to increased risk of adverse cumulative watershed effects. The trail travels through mostly rocky areas that are stable and not susceptible to significant surface erosion or mass wasting. The trail is located outside riparian areas (including floodplains and wetlands) except at crossings of ephemeral and intermittent streams. Streambanks at crossings are rocky and resistant to erosion. Management requirements that incorporate BMPs would be integrated into project implementation and would ensure that water quality and beneficial uses are protected. (Croyle: Hydrology Report, August 2013.) 3. Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or national recreation areas. No congressionally designated Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers or National Recreation Areas exist within the project area. (Vosti: Review of available documentation and applicable USDA GIS data set, January 2015.) 4. Inventoried Roadless Areas. This project does not propose any road construction or reconstruction and therefore will have no impact on IRAs. (Vosti: January 2015.) 5. Research Natural Areas. No existing or proposed Research Natural Areas exist within or adjacent to the project area. (Vosti: Review of the Pacific Southwest Research Station s listing of RNAs, January 2015.) 6. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. Local Native American tribal representatives were consulted on May 2, 2013 and May 9, 2014. No culturally significant or religious sites were indicated as being within the project area. (Wong: January 2015) 7. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) was inventoried and no Heritage resources of interest were located. (Strain: Mosquito Lakes Cultural Resource Management Report, October 2013.) 6