Dodge Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (50375) Decision Memo

Transcription

1 Dodge Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (5375) Decision Memo Stanislaus National Forest Summ Ranger District Tuolumne County, CA This decision memo provides documentation, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) related to the nstruction of mountain bike trails within the Dodge Ridge Winter Sports Area (Dodge Ridge). Dodge Ridge has operated as a ski resort since 195 under a Special Use Permits (SUP) on National Forest System (NFS) lands in California within the Stanislaus National Forest on the Summit Rauger District. The 2,2 acre permit area includes eight chairlifts, four surface lifts, and related ski resort facilities. It is located within the 7,6 acre Pinecrest Basin which includes the heavily-used Pinecrest Lake with au extensive recreation mplex of campgrounds, picnic/day use area, mmercial center, resort, marina, recreation residences, aud organization camps. Purpose and Need Mountain biking is a popular outdoor activity which appeals to women, men, children, and families alike for exercise, mountain recreation, aud family fun. This sport inrporates cross untry trail riding, bike parks with nstructed features, downhill urses, and various mbinations of each niche. The nnection between mountain biking aud ski resorts is acknowledged by ski resorts leading to development of mountain bike parks at many ski resorts throughout North America. In those areas, trails were developed on ski runs with chair lifts used to transport riders aud bikes to the top of the runs. Resort facilities provide needed guest services, aud the mmunity benefits from year round recreation opportunities. Mountain bike use increased in this region of California, leading to a demand for the mountain bike trails in Pinecrest and the need to develop a managed area for the mountain bike trails and associated facilities. Based on the needs described above along with the Forest Plan goal (USDA 21, p. 6) 1 to: "Provide a wide range of recreation opportunities directed at various experience levels to meet current and projected demand, including campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, OHV trails, etc." the overall purpose and need for this project is to: Allow nstruction, maintenance and operation of1.5 miles ofmountain bike trails. Proposed Action The Proposed Action for the Dodge Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (Dodge Ridge MBT) project is to modify the Dodge Ridge Ski Area permit allowing nstruction, maintenance aud operation of 1.5 miles of mountain bike trails. The project includes nstruction, operation and maintenance of nine liftaccessible downhill mountain bike trails (about 1.5 miles total) over a 5-year phased timeframe (Exhibit 1). Trail nstruction would be divided into phases where phase one would nstruct Trail I, a 3. mile easy (difficulty rating) trail aud Trail 2, a 1.65 mile more-difficult trail. Trails would be built using heavy equipment to establish the trail tread aud hand tools for nstruction of specific trail features. The mountain bike trails design, nstruction, and maintenance would inrporate Forest Service Trail Fundamentals for trail management, which sets standards for Trail Type, Trail Class, Managed Use, Designed Use, and Design Parameters. The trails (Exhibit I) would have a 1 foot centerline buffer to allow for landscape features to be integrated into the trail riding experience, to divert around and retain 1 USDA 21. Stanislaus National Forest, Forest Plan Direction. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Stanislaus National Forest. Sonora, CA. April p.

2 Decision Memo specific landscape features, and to protect natural and cultural resources. The mplete trail system would be accessed from the top of Chair 3 and terminate at the resort base lodge at Chair 3. The Proposed Action also includes the following requirements. Requirements I. Implement the Best Management Practices (BMPs) Implementation Checklist as provided by the Forest Hydrologist Tracy Weddle (8/23/216). 2. Developed trail system will inrporate Forest Service Trail Fundamentals for non-motorized bicycle 'I trails: FSH Trails Management Handbook, Chapter 1 Trail Planning, Section 14 Trail Fundamentals. 3. Designed trails will inrporate FSH Trails Handbook Fundamentals, Chapter 2 Trail Development, Section Bicycle Design Parameters 4. Develop trail system within the proposed buffered 1 foot centerline rridor. Decision My decision is to implement the Proposed Action as described above and shown in Exhibit 1. This action falls within categories of actions that are excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and no extraordinary circumstances 2 would preclude use of the category: Construction and renstruction of trails [36 CFR 22.6(e)(I)]; and, Approval, modification, or ntinuation of minor special uses of NFS lands that require less than five ntiguous acres of land [36 CPR 22.6(e)(3)]. Appendix A ntains a "Review of Extraordinary Circumstances" supporting my determination that no extraordinary circumstances exist. Resource specialists input vering heiitage, hydrology, and terrestrial and aquatic wildlife are included in the project file. I nsidered their remmendations in making this decision. Reasons for the Decision This decision provides overall benefits to the individuals and mmunities served by these trails. This project is nsistent with Dodge Ridge Master Development Plan (April 26). Section 8, Table 7 identifies the development of mountain bike trails for lift-accessed downhill recreational riding and mountain bike events. This project is nsistent with Forest Service Manual (FSM) for additional seasonal and year-round recreation at ski areas. Paragraph 2 specifically cajls out mountain bike terrain parks and trails may be authorized. This project is nsistent with Forest Plan direction for Winter Sports Sites (USDA 21, p ). Public Involvement The Forest Service first listed this project in the Stanislaus National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) in October 216. The Forest distributes the SOPA to about 16 parties and it is available on the internet [ I I 516]. Prior to that listing, the Forest presented this project proposal to interested stakeholders, partners, and groups through discussions and informal meetings. These members included: I I I II 2 The mere presence of one or more of these resource nditions 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 nditions and if such a relationship exists, the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource nditions that determine whether extraordinary circumstances exist. (36 CFR 22.6(b)) 2

3 Dodge Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (5375) Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center Aspen Meadows Packstation Pinecrest Permitte Association Pinecrest Lake Resort Local MTB group members Tuolumne County government agencies and uncils The Pinecrest Hub International Mountain Bike Association Within the public mment petiod, there were 39 mments received. No significant issues or mments were received regarding the project mponents on NFS lands. Findings Required by Other Laws This action is nsistent with the Forest Plan; the National Historic Preservation Act; and all other applicable laws and regulations (Appendix A). Implementation Date The procedures for legal notice and opportunity to mment do not apply to this project; therefore, implementation of the decision may begin immediately upon modification of the SUP. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to administrative review 3 This decision is not subject to appeal by holders, operators and solicited applicants under 36 CFR 214 since it is not expressly set forth in 36 CFR as a decision subject to appeal (36 CFR 214.5) Contact Person For additional information about this project, ntact Miguel Macias at the Summit Ranger District office, l Pinecrest Lake Rd, Pinecrest CA 95364, or ext Signature and Date Date 3 The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 214 (P.L ; January 17, 214) directs that the 1992 and 212 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 214 (P.L ; February 7, 214) repealed the Appeals Reform Act (P.L ) and directs that the pre-decisional objection process established in the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 212 shall not apply to categorically excluded projects or activities. 3

4 CD c;; 6' ::::J CD 3 m g l? a. CD ::n a: (1) s:: c ::::l ii> 5 OJ --i. u; "'tl "'O (/) a..;. 5 ::::l _., (.Ii'..._....,.. 'f>"" WT... r_: -? g'e... idge MTB Trails " P.pject ---.._ [I Permit Boundary '',,,',,,'@, = Recreation Sites - USFS ' ' -.. / 1:1 ----?' =:;;::-- 1BDc"19.o t -- :::-.-., -;;:,,.r- --= N A TRAIL.HEAD ' I Cl PACK STATION - F.S. Exhibit 1 DOWNHILL SKI AREA Transportation ROAD. LIGHT DUTY. PAVED - ROA D. LIGHT DUTY. GRAVEL = ROAD, LIGHT DUTY. DIRT Miles ---- ROAD. UN IMPROVED. DIRT 9/28/ TRAIL 1 :12, M.Macias '"'"" ROAD/TRAIL, 4-WHEEL DRIV E

5 Dodge Ridge Mountain Bike Trails (5375) APPENDIX A Review of Extraordinary Circumstances In acrdance with FSH Section 3.3(2), the Responsible Official nsidered the following resource nditions 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. The project area is within potential habitat of the Mountain Yellow Legged Frog and the Yosemite Toad, both of which were recently listed as threatened species. The closest critical habitat where these species are present is about.5 miles from the ski area. A biologist has been nsulted and there is no critical habitat within the project area. This project would not affect California red-legged frog, Sie1rn Nevada yellow-legged frog, Yosemite toad, western pond turtle, foothill yellow-legged frog, or hardhead nor would the project(s) affect the habitats these species rely upon (Steve Holdeman, Forest Aquatic Biologist, Stanislaus National Forest; 1/26/216). There will be no effect on federally listed threatened, endangered or sensitive terrestrial species (Adam Rich, Biologist, Summit Ranger Disttict; Biologic input 8/24/216). 2. Floodplains, wetlands or municipal watersheds. Floodplains: Executive Order defines floodplains as,"... the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and astal waters including flood prone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that area subject to a one percent [ 1-year recurrence] or greater chance of flooding in any one year." The Project will not modify or occupy floodplains; as such, there will be no adverse impacts to floodplains, thereby mplying with Executive Orders (EO) CA Department of Water Resources (DWR) Best Available Map used to display the latest floodplains in a web viewer [ was reviewed for this project. Wetlands: Executive Order 1199 defines wetlands as,"... areas inundated by surface or ground water with a frequency sufficient to support and under normal circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil nditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas such as sloughs, potholes, wet meadows, river overflows, mud flats, and natural ponds." The Project does not propose to modify or destroy wetlands. None of the existing features were located in a wetland. As such, the Project will not adversely affect wetlands; thereby mplying with EO Municipal Watersheds: FSM defines municipal watersheds as: "A watershed that serves a public water system as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3f, et seq.); or as defined in state safe drinking water statutes or regulations." No municipal water supplies exist within the project area. An erosion ntrol plan will be put in effect employing strict soil and watershed best management practices; as such, this Project is not expected to negatively affect beneficial uses of water. 5

6 Decision Memo 3. Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or national recreation areas. No ngressionally designated Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, or National Recreation Areas exist within the project area. 4. Inventoried Roadless Areas. No existing or proposed Inventoried Roadless Areas exist within or adjacent to the project areas. 5. Research Natural Areas. No existing or proposed Research Natural Areas (RN As) exist within or adjacent to the project areas. 6. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. No existing American Indian or Alaska Native religious or cultural sites exist within the proposed project areas and trail rridors. Prior to project implementation, sites located nearby will be identified and avoided (Lisa DeHart, Summit Ranger District, Cultural Resources input 1/16/216). 7. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. See item 6 (American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites) above. The area has been surveyed for archaeological sites and historic properties; all known sites will be avoided and protected. Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office is mplete. 6