Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Transportation Report Prepared by: Chris Bielecki Logging Engineer for: Seeley Lake Ranger District Lolo National Forest 7/11/11
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Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Table of Contents Introduction... 1 Overview of Issues Addressed... 1 Affected Environment... 1 Existing Condition... 1 Desired Condition... 2 Environmental Consequences... 2 Methodology... 2 Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis... 2 Alternative 1 No Action... 3 Alternative 2 Proposed Action... 3 Monitoring Recommendations... 7 References and Literature Cited... 8 Appendix A: Maps... 9 Appendix B: Definitions... 15 Appendix C: Road Unit Costs... 18 Appendix D: Lolo Road Closure Levels... 19 Appendix E: Summary of Road Actions... 23 List of Tables Table 1. Horseshoe West Project roads summary by land ownership... 2 Table 2. Roads proposed for use to implement vegetation treatments... 4 Table 3. Proposed long-term road treatment categories, associated road numbers, and mileage summary... 4 Table 4. Closure levels and associated treatments for project roads... 5 Table 5. Project road segments requiring access agreements... 5 Table 6. Before and after project road mileage and density by Forest Plan management area... 7 Table C 1. Unit costs for road treatments... 18 Table E 1. Summary table of road actions... 23 List of Figures Map A 1. Horseshoe West roads existing condition... 10 Map A 2. Horseshoe West vegetation treatment roads... 11 Map A 3. Horseshoe West long-term road treatments... 12 Map A 4.Horseshoe West road closure treatments... 13 Map A 5. Horseshoe West roads on State and private lands... 14 Figure D-1a. Lolo National Forest road closure levels... 20 Figure D-1b. Lolo National Forest road closure levels... 21 Figure D-1c. Lolo National Forest road closure levels... 22 i
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Introduction The Lolo National Forest (LNF) is proposing the Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project (Horseshoe West Project) to reduce hazardous fuels, restore vegetative conditions, and improve wildlife habitat on lands acquired from Plum Creek Timber Company in 2007. Located 3 miles southeast of the town of Seeley Lake, the project area contains lands that are now managed for big game winter range and timber. The area is located within the wildland-urban interface directly adjacent to the Double Arrow and Big Sky Lake subdivisions and is under the Seeley-Swan Fire Plan. The proposal is to thin overstocked stands, favoring ponderosa pine and western larch whenever possible, and introduce prescribed fire, with some slashing to provide continuity of fuels for the underburning. The existing roads are being evaluated for their use as National Forest System (NFS) roads, and unneeded roads would be decommissioned. Approximately 7 miles of temporary roads are proposed; all are existing and no new road construction is proposed. The project area is 5,142 acres and contains gentle to steep terrain dominated by mostly Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine forest. Drier forested sites support stands of ponderosa pine, while the more mesic sites have a mixed conifer composition, adding western larch, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce to the mix. The driest sites are open, south-facing slopes with very little tree cover, often dominated by spotted knapweed and other weeds. This report focuses on road treatments within the Horseshoe West Project area. Road activities to accomplish the proposed vegetation and restoration treatments will be addressed, in addition to activities to implement long-term road management objectives informed by the Horseshoe West roads analysis. Overview of Issues Addressed Issue Indicators Existing road mileage and road density within the project area and Forest Plan management areas (MAs) Proposed changes to existing road network for project implementation and long-term management Proposed road mileage and road density within the project area and Forest Plan MAs Affected Environment Existing Condition An extensive road network was built within the project area to support past timber management activities during private ownership. When the land was acquired by the Forest Service, the LNF inventoried the roads and assigned them road identification numbers for tracking, and classified the assigned system as undetermined. Based on the current construction standard of these roads, they were likely used historically for timber haul and product removal using traditional stinger-steered log trucks. There are currently 48.8 miles of existing road within the project boundary, which equates to a road density of 6.1 miles per square mile. There are an additional 3.9 miles of inventoried road adjacent to and accessing the project area, which are located on NFS, State, and private lands. 1
Transportation Report Table 1. Horseshoe West Project roads summary by land ownership Road Mileage Property Ownership 0.78 Private 2.61 State of Montana 49.30 Forest Service All project roads are currently closed to public vehicular use, except for 3.8 miles of road (roads 46929, 46930, 46942, 60368) available to motor vehicle use outside of gated areas. See map A-1 in appendix A for existing condition and appendix E for a complete list of project roads. Desired Condition According to 36 CFR 212.5, the desired minimum road system is that which is needed for safe and efficient travel and for administration, utilization, and protection of National Forest System lands. The LNF Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 1986) states that Roads will be kept to the minimum number and size needed to support resource management; most roads will be closed when projects are completed to protect resource values. In addition to this general guidance, the plan also provides direction for the four individual management areas which contain roads within the project area: MA 13, Riparian; MA 16, Timber; MA 18, Winter Range with Timber; MA 24, Retention Timber. A more specific desired condition was provided by the LNF through the Roads Analysis Process for the Horseshoe West Project (USDA Forest Service 2009). Through this science-based process, the LNF staff determined a minimum road system and also identified unneeded roads, in accordance with 36 CFR 212.5. Each road within the analysis area was recommended for either keep/maintain, storage, or decommissioning (see appendix B for definitions). Keep/maintain and storage result in roads being added to the Forest transportation system as NFS roads. Through the scoping process, it was also identified that the public has been, and wishes to continue utilizing, certain routes within the Horseshoe West Project Area for non-motorized uses including hiking. Environmental Consequences Methodology Geographic information systems (GIS) tools were used to track and analyze road location mileage and density within the analysis area. The LNF transportation atlas (USDA Forest Service 2011) was used for the analysis, which includes the inventory of routes. On-the-ground reconnaissance was completed on most project routes to observe current conditions and determine needs for short- and long-term treatments. Incomplete and Unavailable Information There was no incomplete or unavailable information identified. Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis Spatial analysis boundaries for transportation systems are limited to the project area boundary and approximately 3.9 miles of road outside, but adjacent to and accessing, the project boundary. A total of 52.7 miles of roads will be included in analysis for the Horseshoe West Project. 2
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Short-term timeframes for this project cover the timeframe for implementation of the prescribed vegetation and fuels treatment. This is estimated to take up to 10 years from decision date. Long-term timeframes extend from the completion of the vegetation treatments into the foreseeable future, approximately 50 years from the decision date. The transportation system changes included in this project will be described accordingly. Connected Actions, Past, Present, and Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis Within the analysis area, recurrent road maintenance is expected to occur for National Forest System roads by the Forest Service, and for other non-nfs routes by the applicable owner and users. Alternative 1 No Action Direct and Indirect Effects Under the no-action alternative, no changes would be made to the existing transportation network on and adjacent to the project area. Roads would continue to exist on the ground as unauthorized routes, and no changes would be made to the Forest transportation system. No roads would be maintained to comply with best management practices (BMPs). Roads would continue to deteriorate and vegetation would continue to grow into the roadways, limiting future access. The recommendations made in the Horseshoe West preliminary roads analysis would not be implemented or carried forward. Without maintenance, including compliance with BMPs, roads would continue to deteriorate and erode. This could lead to increased sedimentation into local streams. Cumulative Effects Under the no-action alternative, there would be no cumulative effects or impacts on the project transportation network. Since the no-action decision would result in project area roads continuing to be categorized as unauthorized roads, any future management would likely also involve determination of which roads would become NFS roads and which would be decommissioned. Travel management decisions may also involve minor changes in public vehicular access into the area. Compliance with Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans The no-action alternative complies with the LNF Forest Plan and State and Federal law. Alternative 2 Proposed Action Design Features and Mitigation Measures Hazard trees would be removed approximately one and one-half tree lengths from roadway, as needed, along roads used for project implementation. Where desirable to provide for pedestrian access on roads proposed for storage or decommissioning, the roads would be closed and rehabilitated in a manner that retains a pathway for nonmotorized use. Roads used for vegetation treatment and material haul would be maintained in accordance with the contract requirements. Temporary traffic control in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) would be utilized for roads open to public motor vehicle use. Temporary traffic control is particularly important at the intersection with MT-83 and project road 46942. 3
Transportation Report Underground utilities shall be located and precautionary measures shall be taken to avoid them before beginning any roadwork activities involving digging or excavation work. Identify, avoid, and protect overhead utility lines during road improvement, maintenance, and closure work, as well as during material haul and equipment transport. Direct and Indirect Effects Road Treatments for Vegetation Treatment Implementation Under the proposed action, approximately 43.4 miles of existing routes would be utilized to implement the proposed vegetation treatments. Where necessary, these roads would have gates opened, berms removed, and would be brushed-out as necessary to provide personnel, vehicle, and equipment access to vegetation treatment units. Approximately 26.7 miles of access roads would also have improvements to accommodate haul vehicles including log trucks. These roads would have surface blading, brush clearing, drainage installation and reshaping, turnout and turn-around construction to allow for safe and efficient use of haul vehicles and trailers. Curve-widening would also be needed for certain road curves and switchbacks if longer trailers are used for project implementation. See table 2 and map A-1 (appendix A) for more information on roads needed for vegetation treatment access. A complete list of project roads, including 9.3 miles of road not needed for vegetation treatment access, is included in appendix E. Table 2. Roads proposed for use to implement vegetation treatments Road Treatments Road Numbers Miles Vegetation Treatment Access without Removal Vegetation Treatment Access with Removal Haul Routes 46929, 46930, 46932, 46933, 46941, 46943, 46944, 56079, 56084, 56110, 56112, 56114, 56115, 56116, 56117, 56118, 56120, 56124, 56128, 56129, 56130, 56133, 56135, 56138, 56141, 56278, 56279, 56282, 60368, 60448, 60460 46929, 46930, 46931, 46942, 46960, 56110, 56111, 56113, 56114, 56124, 56125, 56131, 56132, 56133, 56134, 56135, 56136, 56137, 56138, 56139, 56140, 56277 16.7 26.7 The proposed action would add 43.2 miles to the LNF transportation system as National Forest System roads; the remainder (9.5 miles) would be decommissioned. Since several of the roads (7.0 miles) proposed for decommissioning would first be used to implement the proposed action, they would be considered temporary roads during vegetation treatment implementation. All temporary roads proposed for this project currently exist on the ground. See table 3 and maps in appendix A for more information. Table 3. Proposed long-term road treatment categories, associated road numbers, and mileage summary Road Treatments Road Numbers Miles Maintained (levels 2 and 3) 46929, 46930, 46931, 46942, 46943, 46944, 56079, 56084, 56111, 56112, 56113, 56114, 56117, 56123, 56125, 56131, 56132, 56133, 56136, 56138, 56278, 56280, 60368, 60448, 60460 Stored( level 1) 46931, 56114, 56116, 56118, 56119, 56120, 56124, 56125, 56130, 56133, 56134 10.1 Decommissioned a 56124, 56126, 56128, 56129, 56133, 56135, 56137, 56139, 56140, 56141, 56277, 9.5 46932,46933, 46941, 46960, 56048, 56110, 56113, 56115, 56117, 56121, 56122, 56279, 56281, 56282, 56366 a - Decommissioned roads in bold would be decommissioned after the vegetation treatment are implemented (7.0 miles total). 33.1 4
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Table 4 displays the summary of proposed road treatments by LNF closure level. See appendix D for closure level definitions. Proposed road closures are also spatially displayed on map A-4 (appendix A). Table 4. Closure levels and associated treatments for project roads Road Closure Level & a Typical Treatment Associated Roads Mileage Open: 3.8 miles Not closed 46929, 46942, 46930, 60368 1: 29.4 miles 3-S: 10.1 miles (5.7 miles with path) Storage 3-DN: 0.3 miles Natural Decommission 3-D: 2.4 miles (1.5 miles with path) Decommission 5: 6.7 miles (1.2 miles with Path) Decommission Gate at entrance; blade, seed, install normal drainage for BMPs as needed; treat for noxious weeds. Address drainage features; light scarify and seed as needed. No treatment needed; naturally revegetated and stabilized. Address drainage features; scarify or rip 6 12 ; seed, scatter slash on slopes. Recontour entire prism; address drainage features; seed; scatter slash on slopes. 46929, 46930, 46931, 46942, 46943, 46944, 56079, 56084, 56111, 56112, 56113, 56114, 56117, 56123, 56125, 56130, 56131, 56132, 56133, 56136, 56138, 56278, 56280, 60448, 60460 46931, 56114, 56116, 56118, 56119, 56120, 56124, 56125, 56130, 56133, 56134 56133 46933, 46941, 56110, 56277 46932, 46960, 56048, 56113, 56115, 56117, 56121, 56122, 56124, 56126, 56128, 56129, 56135, 56137, 56139, 56140, 56141, 56279, 56281, 56282, 56366 a - To provide for non-motorized access, pathways would be left on some roads that would be stored or decommissioned. These are indicated in bold. Segments of roads 46930, 46931, 46942, 56084, 56124, 56125, 60448, and 60460 are located on State and private lands and proposed for project use. These segments would require landowner access agreements prior to Forest Service project use. In addition, long-term access agreements would be needed before road segments located on State and private lands are added to the Forest transportation system as National Forest System roads. Road segments requiring access agreements are listed in table 5. Also see map A-5 in appendix A for locations and land ownership. Table 5. Project road segments requiring access agreements Road # Length (miles) Jurisdiction Need (Long-term or Project) 46930 a 1.06 State of Montana Long-term 46931 0.17 State of Montana Long-term 46942 1.37 State of Montana Long-term 56084 0.34 Private Long-term 56124 b 0.01 Private Project 56125 0.22 Private Long-term 60448 0.01 c Private Long-term 60460 0.01 c Private Long-term a - Three separate segments are on State lands. b - Agreement only needed if accessing from west via private property. c - Only includes the portion included in project analysis; additional length necessary to access NFS lands. 5
Transportation Report Road Treatments for Long-term Management Roads needed for long-term vehicular access would be maintained under this project to provide safe, efficient access, and to meet water quality BMPs. Maintenance activities would include surface grading, ditch reshaping, installation of drain dips and cross drains for surface erosion control, minor culvert cleaning or installation, roadside brushing, and seeding and fertilizing of disturbed areas. Because most of the roads in the project area are restricted yearlong to motorized vehicles (except snowmobiles), maintenance would be conducted only to the level needed to provide access for the project vegetation management treatments and to provide long-term road stability. In accordance with the Road Maintenance Management System (FSH 7759.60), roads being added to the Forest transportation system would be maintained at maintenance levels 2 and 3. The western segment of road 46942 would remain open to public motor vehicles and would be managed at maintenance level 3. Proper route identification, regulatory, and warning signing would be necessary before the road would be categorized at this level. The remainder of roads would be categorized and managed at maintenance level 2; no additional work would be necessary for this change. Roads needed for long-term access, but not in the immediate to near future, would be stored (maintenance level 1). Storage treatments would put these roads into an environmentally benign condition until future needs warrant reopening. Storage treatments would include a combination of blocking or recontouring the entrance, scarification of the road surface where needed, placement of woody debris on the road, removal of structures (such as drainage crossing culverts) and reshaping of stream crossings, installation of water bars, and seeding. Although the road prism would remain partially intact after these treatments, it would not be useable without reconstruction. Roads not needed for long-term management or recreation would be decommissioned. Approximately 7.0 miles of road identified for decommissioning would be used to access and remove products from the proposed vegetation units (see bold roads in table 3). These roads would function as temporary roads and would be decommissioned after the associated vegetation activities have been implemented. Decommissioning levels would range from natural decommission, with no treatment needed beyond entrance closures, to recontouring of the entire road prism, placement of woody debris on the recontoured surface, removal of structures, reshaping of stream crossings, and seeding. Road closures to implement storage and decommissioning treatments would not occur until the vegetation treatments are complete. When implemented, approximately 8.5 miles of roads being closed with scarification measures would have a pathway left free of debris to allow for continued non-motorized recreational use. The long-term road treatments would reduce the project road mileage within the analysis area from 48.8 to 39.5 miles, reducing the project road density from to 4.9 miles per square mile. Roads open to public vehicular access would remain the same, with 3.8 miles available. Before and after project road densities are described by Forest Plan MAs in table 6. Two existing culverts at stream crossings would be replaced on Road 56138 to better facilitate aquatic organism passage and to simulate a natural channel within the structure. The new crossings would be sized to accommodate 100-year stream flow events and also to provide safe alignment for vehicle traffic. 6
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Table 6. Before and after project road mileage and density by Forest Plan management area Forest Plan Management Area (MA) MA Size (mi 2 ) Existing Road Mileage Post- Project Road Mileage Existing Road Density (mi/mi 2 ) Post- Project Road Density (mi/mi 2 ) Open Road Density a (mi/mi 2 ) 13: Riparian 0.68 4.52 3.22 6.65 4.74 0.25 16: Timber Management 0.11 1.36 1.00 12.36 9.09 0.00 18: Big Game Winter Range and Timber 5.47 29.77 25.45 5.44 4.65 0.34 24: Timber and Retention Visual Quality Objective 1.74 13.10 9.85 7.53 5.66 0.00 Water 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Totals 8.04 48.75 39.52 6.06 4.92 0.25 a - There is no change in open road density under the proposed action. Ground-based weed spraying would be conducted along roads prior to and following maintenance, storage, and decommissioning treatments. Herbicides would be applied along 20 feet on both sides of the each road, treating approximately 227 acres. Landings and other areas disturbed by project activities would also be sprayed for weeds. See the Sensitive Plants and Noxious Weeds report for more information on weed treatments. Under this alternative, roads being added to the Forest transportation system and serving as haul routes would be maintained to comply with Montana BMPs. This would be expected to reduce erosion and sedimentation along these routes, improving the watershed condition. Road closures would be also be implemented to reduce erosion and sedimentation, in particular at stream crossings. Cumulative Effects Under the proposed action alternative, cumulative effects of past, present, and foreseeable actions are expected to have minor impacts on the project transportation network. In addition to the direct and indirect effects from the Horseshoe West Project, road maintenance activities would also occur on NFS roads and also on adjacent State and private roads. Compliance with Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans The Proposed Action complies with the LNF Forest Plan and State and Federal law. The road system would be managed and minimized in accordance with the identified minimum road system under the Horseshoe West roads analysis. Unneeded roads would be decommissioned. The proposed action would also bring the project area road densities closer to the average road densities described in the Forest Plan. Summary of Effects See appendix E for a summary table of project roads and applicable travel management changes. Monitoring Recommendations Roads within the project area should be surveyed as needed to comply with Forest Service-assigned road condition surveys requirements for deferred maintenance needs and real property inventory. Monitoring should be conducted to determine if illegal off-highway vehicle use is occurring in areas where treatments have been performed. If monitoring reveals this is occurring, steps should be taken to prohibit the use (i.e., signing, barrier installation, increased law enforcement, etc.). 7
Transportation Report References and Literature Cited Federal Highway Administration. 2009. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. USDOT FHWA. [Available online @ http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/; accessed April 5, 2011]. Forest Service Directive System. 2010. Forest Service Manuals and Handbooks, 7700 Series: Travel Management. USDA Forest Service. [Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/; accessed December 6, 2010]. Logan, R. 2001. Water Quality Best Management Practices for Montana Forests. Montana State University Extension Service. Available online @ http://dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/assistance/practices/documents/2001waterqualitybmpguide.pdf, accessed 3/8/2011. Lolo National Forest. 1986. The Lolo National Forest Plan. USDA Forest Service, Missoula, MT. Lolo National Forest. 2011. Lolo National Forest Transportation Atlas: GIS Corporate Data (spatial) and Infra Travel Routes Records (tabular). USDA Forest Service, Missoula, MT. Seeley Lake Ranger District. 2009. Horseshoe West Preliminary Roads Analysis. USDA Forest Service, Seeley Lake, MT. Travel Routes Road User Board. 2009. Forest Service Travel Routes Data Dictionary. USDA Forest Service. U.S. Government. 2010. Title 36, Part 212, Code of Federal Regulations. Government Printing Office. [Available online @ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectioncfr.action?collectioncode=cfr; accessed December 20, 2010]. 8
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Appendix A: Maps Map A-1: Horseshoe West Roads Existing Condition Map A-2: Horseshoe West Vegetation Treatment Roads Map A-3: Horseshoe West Long Term Road Treatments Map A-4: Horseshoe West Road Closure Treatments Map A-5: Horseshoe West Roads on State & Private Lands 9
Transportation Report Map A 1. Horseshoe West roads existing condition 10
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Map A 2. Horseshoe West vegetation treatment roads 11
Transportation Report Map A 3. Horseshoe West long-term road treatments 12
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Map A 4.Horseshoe West road closure treatments 13
Transportation Report Map A 5. Horseshoe West roads on State and private lands 14
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Appendix B: Definitions Closure method ~ Method of blocking a roadway to restrict motor vehicle traffic and implement the desired road management objective. See appendix D for more information on LNF road closure methods. Forest road ~ A road wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources. Forest transportation atlas ~ A display of the system of roads, trails, and airfields of an administrative unit. Forest transportation system ~ The system of National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and airfields on National Forest System lands. Maintain ~ For the purposes of this project, maintain is used as a general long-term management proposal in which a road will be kept in condition available for motor vehicle use and assigned maintenance level 2 5. See maintenance definition for more information. Maintenance ~ The upkeep of the entire Forest transportation facility including surface and shoulders, parking and side areas, structures, and such traffic-control devices as are necessary for its safe and efficient utilization. Maintenance levels ~ Defines the level of service provided by, and maintenance required for, a specific road, consistent with road management objectives and maintenance criteria. Level 1. These are roads that have been placed in storage between intermittent uses. The period of storage must exceed 1 year. Basic custodial maintenance is performed to prevent damage to adjacent resources and to perpetuate the road for future resource management needs. Emphasis is normally given to maintaining drainage facilities and runoff patterns. Planned road deterioration may occur at this level. Appropriate traffic management strategies are prohibit and eliminate all traffic. These roads are not shown on motor vehicle use maps. Roads receiving level 1 maintenance may be of any type, class, or construction standard, and may be managed at any other maintenance level during the time they are open for traffic. However, while being maintained at level 1, they are closed to vehicular traffic but may be available and suitable for nonmotorized uses. Level 2. Assigned to roads open for use by high clearance vehicles. Passenger car traffic, user comfort, and user convenience are not considerations. Warning signs and traffic control devices are not provided with the exception that some signing, such as W-18-1 No Traffic Signs, may be posted at intersections. Motorists should have no expectations of being alerted to potential hazards while driving these roads. Traffic is normally minor, usually consisting of one or a combination of administrative, permitted, dispersed recreation, or other specialized uses. Log haul may occur at this level. Appropriate traffic management strategies are either to: a. Discourage or prohibit passenger cars, or b. Accept or discourage high clearance vehicles. 15
Transportation Report Level 3. Assigned to roads open and maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car. User comfort and convenience are not considered priorities. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is applicable. Warning signs and traffic control devices are provided to alert motorists of situations that may violate expectations. Roads in this maintenance level are typically low speed with single lanes and turnouts. Appropriate traffic management strategies are either encourage or accept. Discourage or prohibit strategies may be employed for certain classes of vehicles or users. Level 4. Assigned to roads that provide a moderate degree of user comfort and convenience at moderate travel speeds. Most roads are double lane and aggregate surfaced. However, some roads may be single lane. Some roads may be paved and/or dust abated. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is applicable. The most appropriate traffic management strategy is encourage. However, the prohibit strategy may apply to specific classes of vehicles or users at certain times. Level 5. Assigned to roads that provide a high degree of user comfort and convenience. These roads are normally double lane, paved facilities. Some may be aggregate surfaced and dust abated. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is applicable. The appropriate traffic management strategy is encourage. National Forest System road ~ A forest road other than a road which has been authorized by a legally documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public road authority. Objective Maintenance Level ~ The maintenance level to be assigned at a future date considering future road management objectives, traffic needs, budget constraints, and environmental concerns. The objective maintenance level may be the same as, or higher or lower than, the operational maintenance level. The transition from operational maintenance level to objective maintenance level may depend on reconstruction or disinvestment (FSH 7709.59, 62.3). Operational maintenance level ~ The maintenance level currently assigned to a road considering today s needs, road condition, budget constraints, and environmental concerns. It defines the level to which the road is currently being maintained (FSH 7709.59, 62.3). Reconstruction ~ Improvement and/or realignment of a travelway. Road ~ A motor vehicle route over 50 inches wide, unless identified and managed as a trail. Road decommissioning ~ Activities that result in the stabilization and restoration of unneeded roads to a more natural state. Storage ~ Used to describe an intermittent use road during the time it is closed to vehicular use. When referring to a National Forest System road, storage is synonymous with a maintenance level 1. Temporary road ~ A road necessary for emergency operations or authorized by contract, permit, lease, or other written authorization that is not a forest road or a forest trail and that is not included in a forest transportation atlas. Unauthorized road or trail ~ A road or trail that is not a forest road or trail or a temporary road or trail and that is not included in a forest transportation atlas. Unauthorized roads are categorized 16
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project into two types and recorded in the SYSTEM linear event in the Infra Travel Routes database. The two types are: Undetermined Roads where long-term purpose and need has yet to be determined, and Not needed Roads not needed for long-term management of national forest resources as determined through an appropriate planning document. 17
Transportation Report Appendix C: Road Unit Costs Note: See Economic Resource Report for more information. Table C 1. Unit costs for road treatments Closures Treatment Cost Per Mile Comments 1 $0 Assumes already gated 3-D $3,000 3-D P $3,500 3-DN $1,950 3-S $3,000 3-S P $3,500 5 $6,500 5 P $7,000 Vegetation Treatments Non-Haul Route $500 Haul Route $3,500 Culvert Replacements Road 56138 Culverts (2 crossings) $40,000 Cost to remove berms and open gates, minor brushing, and surface clearing Cost to blade, brush, reshape drainage, install turnouts and turnarounds (does not include reconstruction excavation) Construction cost for replacing each crossing to accommodate 100-year flood events and provide for aquatic species passage Additional Long-term BMP Treatments (for roads being added to the Forest transportation system) ML3 $7,000 Only western portion of 46942 road ML2 (haul route) $4,000 ML2 (non-haul route) $7,800 18
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Appendix D: Lolo Road Closure Levels 19
Transportation Report Figure D-1a. Lolo National Forest road closure levels 20
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Level Typical Device Site specific situation dependent 1 Gate 2 3-SN Natural Storage 3-S Storage 3-DN Natural Decommission 3-D Decommission 4 Decommission 5 Decommission Gate, guardrail, concrete, earth barrier or re-contour intersection Re-contour intersection or rock/earth barrier as needed. Re-contour intersection or rock/earth barrier as needed. Re-contour intersection or rock/earth barrier Re-contour Figure D-1b. Lolo National Forest road closure levels Typical Treatment All treatments are as-needed. -Blade, seed, fertilize; Normal drainage (BMP s) -Treat noxious weeds -Type III dip, waterbars OR outslope -Scarify, seed, fertilize -May scatter slash -Treat noxious weeds No treatment needed, Naturally revegetated and stabilized. -Waterbar or outslope -Remove CMP s & restore watercourse -Ditch relief pipes can remain w/ waterbars -Light scarify, seed,as needed -Treat noxious weeds No treatment needed, Naturally revegetated and stabilized. -Waterbar or outslope -Remove CMP s & restore watercourse -Scarify or Rip 6-12, seed, fertilize as needed -Scatter slash on slopes, -Treat noxious weeds. -Waterbar, outslope or selective re-contour -Remove all CMP s & restore watercourse -Rip 12-18, seed, fertilize -Scatter slash on slopes -Treat noxious weeds -Re-contour entire prism -Remove all CMP s and restore watercourses -Seed and fertilize -Scatter slash on slopes -Treat noxious weeds Status Remains as NFSR as either long-term or intermittent term service. Remains as NFSR as either long-term or intermittent term service with gate, or intermittent term service with barrier. S- Remains as NFSR as intermittent stored service. D- Road is not needed for long term use. Remove from NFSR by route status change to decommissioned. Effectiveness monitored. Road is not needed for long term use. Remove from NFSR by route status change to decommissioned. Effectiveness monitored. Road is not needed for long term use. Remove from NFSR by route status change to decommissioned. Effectiveness monitored. Road closure levels with a P designate a pathway will be left on scarified roadway for non-motorized use 21
Transportation Report Natural Recovery Value Definitions Natural Recovery Value 0% Road may be driven with passenger vehicles. Road surface contains little vegetation due to routine grading and use. Cuts and fills have exposed soil, light grass, and brush with little protection against erosion. Natural Recovery Value 15% Road may be driven with high clearance vehicles with normal driver observation. Road surface contains grass sod or sparse brush and trees. Cuts and fills have little exposed soil, are vegetated with grass and brush and young trees, and have adequate protection against erosion. Natural Recovery Value 20% Road may be driven with high clearance vehicles with moderately-high driver observation. Road surface is well vegetated with grass sod. Road center and shoulders are vegetated with young brush and trees. Cuts and fills have no exposed soils and are well vegetated with brush and young trees with good protection against erosion. Natural Recovery Value 30% Road may be driven with high clearance vehicles or OHVs with high driver observation. Road surface is well vegetated with grass sod and brush. Wheel tracks are still compacted with only grass or sparse brush vegetation. Road center and shoulder are vegetated with mature brush and young trees. Cuts and fills have no exposed soil and are well vegetated with brush and trees with very good protection against erosion. Natural Recovery Value 45% Road may not be driven by any vehicles. Road surface, is well vegetated with brush and young trees. Wheel tracks are still evident yet are fully vegetated with brush and young trees. Cuts and fills have no exposed soil and are well vegetated with trees and brush with very good protection against erosion. Natural Recovery Value 65 or 90% Road may not be driven by any vehicles. Road surface is very well vegetated with trees and brush and shallow humus layer established. Road profile is deteriorating and road surface is less visually dominant. Cuts and fills have trees and other vegetation like adjacent forested environment. Natural Recovery Value 75 or 100% Road may not be driven by any vehicles. Road surface and cuts and fills have humus, trees and other vegetation like adjacent forested environment. Road profile has deteriorated and road profile is no longer visually dominant. Figure D-1c. Lolo National Forest road closure levels 22
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Appendix E: Summary of Road Actions Table E 1. Summary table of road actions Route # Length (miles) Vegetation Treatment Access Road? Haul Road? Travel Management Action 46929 0.048 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 Open 46929 0.475 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46929 0.101 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46930 4.170 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 46930 0.452 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 Open 46930 0.424 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46930 0.229 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46931 1.764 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 46931 0.501 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 46932 0.182 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 46933 0.483 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D P 46941 0.692 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D P 46942 5.589 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 46942 3.263 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML3 Open 46943 0.893 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46943 0.177 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46944 0.260 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 46960 0.553 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56048 0.080 No No Decommission 5 56079 0.711 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56079 0.367 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56079 0.317 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56084 1.439 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56110 0.729 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D 56110 0.216 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D 56111 0.479 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56112 1.804 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56113 0.294 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56113 0.329 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56114 0.104 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56114 0.523 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56114 0.226 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56115 0.319 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56116 0.618 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56117 0.157 No No Decommission 5 56117 0.714 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 Road Closure Level 23
Transportation Report Route # Length (miles) Vegetation Treatment Access Road? Haul Road? Travel Management Action 56117 0.539 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56118 0.464 No No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56118 0.249 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56119 0.165 No No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56120 1.383 No No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56120 1.058 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56121 0.351 No No Decommission 5 56122 0.041 No No Decommission 5 56123 0.133 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56124 0.202 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56124 0.842 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 P 56125 0.899 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56125 0.382 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56126 0.539 No No Decommission 5 56128 0.160 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56129 0.232 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56130 1.935 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56130 0.290 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56130 0.692 No No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56131 0.996 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56131 0.455 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56132 0.517 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56133 0.337 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56133 0.321 Yes No Add NFSR, ML1 3-S P 56133 0.312 No No Decommission 3-DN 56133 0.186 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56134 0.236 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML1 3-S 56135 0.334 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 P 56135 0.244 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56135 0.069 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 P 56136 1.319 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56137 0.382 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56138 1.176 Yes Yes Add NFSR, ML2 1 56138 0.602 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56139 0.258 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56140 0.233 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56141 0.069 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56277 0.196 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D P 56277 0.110 Yes Yes Temporary road, decommission after use 3-D P 56278 0.738 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 Road Closure Level 24
Horseshoe West Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project Route # Length (miles) Vegetation Treatment Access Road? Haul Road? Travel Management Action 56278 0.463 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56279 0.168 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56280 1.078 No No Add NFSR, ML2 1 56281 0.320 No No Decommission 5 56282 0.274 Yes No Temporary road, decommission after use 5 56282 0.202 No No Decommission 5 56366 0.412 No No Decommission 5 60368 0.011 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 Open 60448 0.118 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 60448 0.200 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 60460 0.112 Yes No Add NFSR, ML2 1 Road Closure Level 25