Pole Mountain Travel Management Scoping Document

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pole Mountain Travel Management Scoping Document Laramie Ranger District Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Albany County, Wyoming November 2015 T14-15N R71-72W Responsible Official: For Information Contact: Frank E. Romero District Ranger Monique Nelson, Interdisciplinary Team Leader (307)

2 Disclaimer: The Forest Service uses the most current and complete data it has available. GIS data and product accuracy may vary. They may be: developed from sources of differing accuracy, accurate only at certain scales, based on modeling or interpretation, incomplete while being created or revised, have represented features not in accurate geographic locations, etc. The Forest Service makes no expressed or implied warranty, including warranty of merchantability and fitness, with respect to the character, function, or capabilities of the data or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. The Forest Service reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace this geospatial information based on new inventories, new or revised information, and if necessary in conjunction with other federal, state or local public agencies or the public in general as required by policy or regulation. Previous recipients of the products may not be notified unless required by policy or regulation. For more information, contact the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Supervisor's Office (2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070, ). In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Cover Photo: View from National Forest System Road (NFSR) 703, looking out at NFSR 712 and 714 in the northwest corner of Pole Mountain. The proposed action would leave NFSRs 703, 712, and 714 in their current, open status.

3 Introduction Pole Mountain Travel Management Scoping Document Proposal Development The Laramie Ranger District began gathering information for this proposal in the summer of In collaboration with the University of Wyoming Ruckelshaus Institute, the Forest Service held a pair of public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie in July 2015 to provide information about travel management to the public and to learn from the public about how they use the Pole Mountain road, important access points for recreation activities, and places that they consider to be in need of management attention. Following the first pair of public meetings, the project interdisciplinary team discussed in detail the comments and locations shared by the public and took a field trip to look at areas of high interest and concern. The team used this information to develop a series of issues and management options specific to Pole Mountain. The Forest Service and the Ruckelshaus Institute held a second pair of public meetings in September 2015 to ask the public to weigh in on management considerations on Pole Mountain and how to best manage the road. Attendees discussed such topics as impacts to aquatic habitat and water quality, road density in big game winter range, designation of dispersed camping sites, and seasonal road closures. Several of these issues were presented as videos on the Pole-mt-roads.org website to make people aware of the management considerations for the Pole Mountain Road in anticipation of the second meetings. Following the second pair of meetings, the interdisciplinary team discussed public input from meetings as well as web-based, , and mail-in comments, and determined a Proposed Action for each road segment on Pole Mountain. Those proposals are presented in this document. The Forest Service expects to either modify this Proposed Action or develop and analyze alternatives to the Proposed Action that may better meet the needs and desires of groups and individuals that travel and recreate on the Forest. Your comments will be the primary basis for modifying the proposal or developing those alternatives. Specific comments that describe road or route locations, access needs, and solutions to perceived issues are most useful to this process. Please see pages 17 and 18 for instructions on how and when to submit comments and suggestions for how to prepare comments useful for alternative development. Please come to our open houses and help improve this proposal! November 12, 2015, 6 pm 8 pm Laramie Plains Civic Center Ballroom (upstairs) 710 East Garfield St, Laramie WY November 17, 2015, 6 pm 8 pm Laramie County Public Library, Cottonwood Meeting Room 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne WY 1

4 This Scoping Document, maps, and other project information are available on the Forest web site at Information on the summer 2015 public information gathering effort can be found at Pole-mt-roads.org, maintained by the Ruckelshaus Institute. Project Location The Pole Mountain Travel Management project analysis area is located in Albany County, approximately 30 miles west of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 12 miles east of Laramie Wyoming. It encompasses approximately 55,000 acres of National Forest System land, the entirety of the Pole Mountain unit of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Laramie Ranger District (Map 1). Forest Plan Direction The Medicine Bow National Forest 2003 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan 1 guides natural resource management activities and provides an overall strategy for managing the Medicine Bow National Forest. Direction for management is provided at the forest-wide, geographic area, and management area levels, and is implemented with the most site-specific (management area) direction superseding the more general direction. The analysis area comprises the Pole Mountain Geographic Area and contains portions of six different management areas (Table 1 and Map 2). The Forest Plan contains direction at all three management levels pertinent to this analysis and to the specific activities identified for the analysis area. To the best of the knowledge of the Forest Service interdisciplinary team, the proposal is in compliance with all Forest Plan direction. Table 1. Management Areas and management themes within the Pole Mountain unit. Management Area and Theme 1.31 Backcountry Recreation Year-round Nonmotorized: These areas are managed to provide recreation opportunities in a natural-appearing landscape. 4.3 Dispersed Recreation: These areas are managed to provide undeveloped recreation opportunities in landscapes that are natural or have a natural appearance General Forest and Rangeland, Rangeland Vegetation Emphasis: These areas are managed to sustain values associated with areas of woody vegetation and open grassland and to provide habitat and forage for livestock and wildlife Deer and Elk Winter Range: Deer and elk winter or transition ranges are managed to provide adequate amounts of quality forage, cover, and solitude for deer, elk, and other species in a winter motorized setting Developed Recreation: These areas are managed to provide a variety of recreation opportunities in highly developed multiple-site, recreation complexes. 8.6 Administrative Site: These areas include office buildings, parking lots, work centers, guard stations and storage facilities. Acres in project area (% of project area) 8,981 (16%) 14,637 (26%) 14,120 (25%) 16,661 (30%) 747 (1%) 69 (<1%) 1 USDA Forest Service Medicine Bow National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, Chapters 1, 2, and 3. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. Available at 2

5 Map 1. Pole Mountain Travel Management project vicinity. 3

6 Map 2. Pole Mountain Forest Plan Management Areas and existing roads open to public use. This information is consistent with the current Pole Mountain Motor Vehicle Use Map. 4

7 Purpose and Need The purpose of the Pole Mountain Travel Management project is to identify a sustainable motorized transportation that will: Provide diverse motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities, Provide adequate access to manage natural resources, recreation, and permitted uses on the forest, and Minimize user conflicts and impacts to the environment. This project is needed because: There is increasing demand for a variety of both motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities on the Forest; Some existing roads and unauthorized routes are causing negative impacts to terrestrial and aquatic ecos; and The Forest Service is required to administer and designate roads, trails, and areas for motor vehicle use according to Federal Regulations (36 CFR Part 212, Travel Management; 36 CFR Part 295, Use of Motor Vehicles Off Forest Service Roads). Project Scope The initial environmental analysis will be documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA). The scope of the Pole Mountain Travel Management EA will include: Geographic extent of all of Pole Mountain; Analysis of existing roads to determine if they should be kept as part of the road, converted to trail or other designation, decommissioned, or otherwise managed; Analysis of unauthorized routes to determine if they should be designated as part of the motorized transportation, decommissioned, or otherwise managed; Analysis of designated seasonal closing and opening dates for the Pole Mountain unit. Analysis of designating dispersed campsites as a management tool for heavily used dispersed camping areas. The analysis will not include non-motorized uses. Cross-country travel by bike, foot, and horseback will continue to be allowed on all of Pole Mountain. Unauthorized (user-created) routes have been considered as part of this proposed action to disclose the impacts they have on natural resources, discuss options for restoration or management, and allow some well-located routes to be added to the National Forest road or trail. The Forest Service will continue to decommission unauthorized routes in the analysis area to protect resources outside of this project analysis or decision. Existing Travel System There are currently 167 miles of designated roads in the project area and approximately 117 miles of unauthorized (user-created, decommissioned, or undesignated) routes (Appendix A). There are not any 5

8 motorized trails open only to off-highway vehicles (OHVs) or motorcycles, but these vehicles are allowed to drive on all designated Forest Service roads on Pole Mountain. The current authorized travel is depicted on the Pole Mountain Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is available at Forest and District offices, at kiosks on Pole Mountain, and online at < The MVUM provides a minimal level of detail, but does present the designated of open roads. Map 2 presents the same information as the MVUM, plus information on management areas, streams, recreation sites, and topography. Proposed Travel System The Forest Service proposes to leave the majority of roads on Pole Mountain in their current, open status. In order to address access and resource concerns, other management proposals include truncating (shortening) roads before they arrive at sensitive resource areas, closing roads to public use, and decommissioning and restoring roads. Additionally, the Forest Service proposes to add select unauthorized routes to the to provide recreation and administrative access on routes that are located outside of sensitive areas and are not causing negative resource impacts or resource concerns. The Forest Service also proposes to use seasonal closures and designated dispersed camping as management tools to provide access to users while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Map 3 represents the proposed of roads open to the public, similar to what a future MVUM would look like. Map 4 presents the proposed action for each road segment. Table 2 provides a summary of road miles affected by each proposal. Appendix B provides rationale for each proposal. Table 2: Summary of proposed actions for the Pole Mountain road and motorized trail. Seasonal closures and designated dispersed camping are described in detail in the paragraphs below. Proposed Action Road miles Maintain Roads in Current, Open Status (Level 2-5 Roads) 121 Maintain Roads in Current, Closed Status (Level 1 Roads) 2 Construct New Level 2 Road <1 Add Unauthorized Route as Level 2 Open Road 2 Add Unauthorized Route as Level 1 Closed Road 4 Convert Open Road to Closed Road 8 Decommission Open Roads 28 Decommission Closed Level 1 Roads 3 Truncate Roads to protect water resources 5 Convert to OHV trail 6 Build new OHV trail 1 Reroute road to better location <1 6

9 Map 3. Proposed of roads and trails open to the public. 7

10 Maintain Roads in Current Status The majority of open roads, 121 miles, are proposed to be left in their current, open status. Map 3 presents the open road that would result from this proposal, similar to what the future MVUM would look like. There are 5 miles of Level 1 roads on Pole Mountain that are open for administrative use but closed to the public (see Appendix A). Most of these roads provide access to communication sites, water infrastructure, or range improvements. Approximately 2 of these 5 miles would remain open for administrative use; the other 3 miles would be decommissioned. These roads are identified on Map 4. Add High-Use Unauthorized Routes to the Designated Road System and Construct New Road There are several unauthorized routes that provide access to dispersed camp sites and other recreation locations and are not causing direct impacts to natural resources. Approximately 2 miles of these routes are proposed to be added to the designated road. Some routes that access administrative needs such as communication and meteorological sites would be designated as an official part of the road. Approximately 3 miles of these routes would be added as Level 1 roads closed to the public. These roads are identified on Map 4. One new road segment of less than 1 mile would be added to connect NFSR 712 to NFSR 712.AA. This would create new driving loop opportunities by connecting the 712 and 714 road s. In September 2015, the Forest Service presented the concept of adding high use unauthorized routes to the public at two public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie. The Forest Service asked if attendees thought that all, some, or none of these routes should be added to the road (Table 3), and considered this feedback as part of proposal development. This unauthorized route is marked on Map 3 as 708.D. It is in an upland location and is not currently causing resource damage. It is proposed for addition to the road. 8

11 Table 3. Public opinions about adding unauthorized routes to the designated road. Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Add all or portions of high-use unauthorized routes to the road. Add some, but not all, high-use-unauthorized routes to the road. Cheyenne attendee votes* Laramie attendee votes* 47% 19% 41% 56% Do not add unauthorized routes to the road. 12% 25% *Based on 17 attendees in Cheyenne and 32 attendees in Laramie. Close or Decommission Roads to Protect Resources Approximately 9 miles of roads that are currently open to the public would be closed to public motorized use and left open only for administrative use. These roads are necessary for forest management activities such as access to range improvements or water infrastructure, but are proposed to be closed to public use due to their proximity to water or access to areas that have seen repeated damage to natural resources. NFSR 707.AA, which has been closed under an emergency closure for several years, is one road proposed to be closed. Closed roads are open to nonmotorized uses such as biking and horseback riding, but are not open for motorized travel. NFSR 702.A parallels Lodgepole Creek and duplicates access with NFSR 712 and NFSR 714. It is proposed for decommissioning. Approximately 28 miles of roads that are currently open to the public are proposed for decommissioning. These roads would not be open for motorized travel by the public or the Forest Service, but would be restored to natural conditions over time as staff time and budgets allow. Roads proposed for decommissioning generally parallel streams, are located in high road density areas that provide duplicative access to dispersed recreation areas, provide motorized access to wetlands, or are in locations that have seen repeated abuse through activities such as unauthorized route creation. Some roads are designated as Level 1 roads but are no longer needed for administrative access. Approximately 3 miles of Level 1 roads that are currently closed to the public are proposed for decommissioning. In September 2015, the Forest Service asked the public their thoughts on closing roads that are less used in deer and elk winter range or parallel streams. Attendees provided feedback on each of these ideas on 9

12 Number of Votes a scale of 1-5, with 1 representing the most support and 5 the least support for his type of management. (1=I fully support this option, 2=I like it good enough, 3=I have mixed feelings about this option, 4=I don t really like this option, 5=I cannot support this option). The Forest Service considered this feedback as part of proposal development. Do you support closing roads in deer & elk winter range that are less used or parallel streams? Cheyenne Laramie Fully Support---> Do Not Support Figure 1. Public opinions on closing roads that are less used or parallel streams in deer and elk winter range, based on September 2015 public meetings. The end of NFSR 700.RA is steep and braided until it reaches Middle Crow Creek. This road is proposed to be truncated. Truncate and Reroute Roads to Protect Resources Many roads lead directly to streams, wetlands, or ponds, and have direct impacts on water resources. Others lead to areas where unauthorized routes proliferate and upland vegetation and soil resources are being degraded. Several of these roads are proposed to be truncated to limit impacts to water and other resources while still allowing use of some of the road. Total mileage lost due to truncating is 5 miles. These roads are identified on Map 4. NFSR 708 is proposed to be rerouted around an aspen grove to a more upland location where an unauthorized routes exists to improve access and protect the wet soils in the aspen grove. 10

13 In September 2015, the Forest Service presented 700.R, 700.RA, and 700.A as roads that are impacting water resources, and asked for public input on these roads as an example of how to manage roads that directly impact streams and wetlands. The Forest Service asked if attendees of public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie thought the roads should be truncated, truncated with a loop road added to connect them, closed, or left in their current condition. The Forest Service considered this feedback as part of proposal development. Table 4. Public opinions about truncating some roads that are impacting water resources. were asked to choose the option they supported most. Attendees Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Cheyenne attendee votes* Laramie attendee votes* Truncate 700.R, 700.RA, and 700.A. 41% 41% Truncate 700.R, 700.RA, and 700.A and create new loop road. 35% 22% Close one or more of these roads. 0% 19% Leave roads in current locations. 24% 19% *Based on 17 attendees in Cheyenne and 32 attendees in Laramie. Designate an OHV-only trail on Pole Mountain The proposal includes one motorized trail loop opportunity that would connect the 701.GA to the 701.DC and 701.D, with new trail construction on the west side of the loop connecting the 701.D to the 701.G (Maps 3 and 4). This trail would be available to Type 1, 2, and 3 vehicles as described by the Wyoming State Trails Program ORV rules and regulations ( These include vehicles 50 inches or less (including ATVs), motorcycles, and ORVs such as side-by-sides. Motorized trails do not allow use by full-size, street-legal cars and trucks, such as 4-wheel drive vehicles and pickups, regardless of their width. Those vehicles may only be used on roads designed and designated as Maintenance Level 2 or higher (open). In all cases, motorized travel is restricted to designated roads or trails; cross-country motorized travel is prohibited. Adequate parking would be provided at motorized trailheads, and specific trailhead designs will be developed after the Forest Service receives feedback on this proposal. In September 2015, the Forest Service presented the concept of adding OHV-only trails to the public at two public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie. The Forest Service asked if attendees thought some roads should be converted to OHV-only loops, if new OHV-only trails should be built, or if no OHV-only trails should be designated, and considered this feedback as part of proposal development. 11

14 Table 5. Public opinions about adding OHV-only trails on Pole Mountain. Attendees were asked to choose the option they supported most. Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Cheyenne attendee votes* Laramie attendee votes* Convert some existing roads to OHV-only trails; create loops. 31% 31% Build new OHV-only trails. 31% 9% Do not create any OHV-only trails. 38% 59% *Based on 16 attendees in Cheyenne and 32 attendees in Laramie. Designate Seasonal Closing and Opening Dates for the Pole Mountain Road System The Laramie Ranger District proposes to designate annual, seasonal closing and opening dates for the Pole Mountain road to protect resources during the spring snowmelt period. Each year, the District would restrict motorized access to Pole Mountain roads on February 1. Each year, the roads south of the Happy Jack Highway / Wyoming Highway 210 (access to Vedauwoo, Blair, and other areas) would reopen on the Thursday before Memorial Day to provide access at the start of the peak season. The roads north of the Happy Jack Highway would open on June 15 to allow extra time for drying. If needed due to high moisture, roads may be closed for a longer duration by emergency closure order. In September 2015, the Forest Service presented the concept of unit-wide seasonal closures to the public at two public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie. The Forest Service asked if attendees thought that there should be unit-wide seasonal closures with flexible start and end dates, seasonal closures with firm start and end dates, or no unit-wide seasonal closures at all, and considered this feedback as part of proposal development. Table 6. Public opinions about unit-wide seasonal closures. Attendees were asked to choose the option they supported most. Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Cheyenne attendee votes* Laramie attendee votes* Flexible start and end dates. 50% 21% Firm start and end dates. 25% 38% Firm start date; flexible end date. 19% 26% No unit-wide seasonal closures. 6% 15% *Based on 16 attendees in Cheyenne and 34 attendees in Laramie. 12

15 NFSR 712.A, like many of the Pole Mountain roads, can get wet and muddy after the soil thaws in spring. It is easy to damage roads, soils, and vegetation during this time. This road is proposed to remain open. Designate Dispersed Camping along the Vedauwoo Road (NFSR 700) and Spurs The Laramie Ranger District proposes to manage dispersed camping along the Vedauwoo Road (NFSR 700) and all 700-road spurs (e.g., 700.A, 700.E, 700.N, etc.) through designation of dispersed camp sites. The purpose of this proposal is to limit development of more hardened sites along these corridors, mitigate direct and indirect impacts to resources, including streams, riparian areas, and upland vegetation, and maintain a positive user experience. Currently, people are allowed to drive up to 100 feet off the center line of these roads to disperse camp and retrieve game. Off road travel for these purposes would no longer be allowed along NFSR 700 and spurs. Under this proposal, people would only be allowed to drive to camp at designated locations. Dispersed sites would be marked on the ground and identified on a map. Sites would not have amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, toilets, or trash collection, but would look much like they do currently. Fees would not be charged to use the sites as part of this proposal. The District anticipates designating currently existing hardened sites that are not causing direct resource impacts. In September 2015, the Forest Service presented the concept of designated dispersed camping to the public at two public meetings in Cheyenne and Laramie. The Forest Service asked if attendees thought 13

16 Number of Votes Number of Votes that designated dispersed camping would be a good management tool along NFSR 700 (Vedauwoo Road), along all roads south of Highway 210 (Happy Jack Road), or on all of Pole Mountain, and considered this feedback as part of proposal development. Attendees provided feedback on each of these ideas on a scale of 1-5, with 1 representing the most support and 5 the least support for his type of management. (1=I fully support this option, 2=I like it good enough, 3=I have mixed feelings about this option, 4=I don t really like this option, 5=I cannot support this option). Table 7. Public opinions about using designated dispersed camping as a management tool. Attendees rated each option from 1 to 5. Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Cheyenne Laramie Designate dispersed camping along Forest Road 700 (Vedauwoo Road) Fully Support ---> Do Not Support Designate dispersed camping south of Highway 210 (Happy Jack Hwy) Fully Support ---> Do Not Support 14

17 Number of Votes Number f Votes Management Options Presented at Public Meeting Cheyenne Laramie Designate dispersed camping on all of Pole Mountain Fully Support ---> Do Not Support Do not change current management for dispersed camping Fully Support ---> Do Not Support *1=I fully support this option, 2=I like it good enough, 3=I have mixed feelings about this option, 4=I don t really like this option, 5=I cannot support this option). 15

18 Map 4. Proposed actions to achieve the proposed of open roads and trails. 16

19 Opportunity to Comment This Scoping Document is intended to disclose adequate information to allow the public to provide substantive comments on the proposed changes to the travel on Pole Mountain. A 30-day public comment period will start when a legal notice is published in the Laramie Boomerang, the newspaper of record (36 CFR 218.2), on or around November 4, This will be the first of two formal comment periods. The public will also have an opportunity to comment on the environmental analysis, expected to be completed in the spring of Those who provide timely and specific comments during either comment period may be eligible to file an objection to the Environmental Assessment and Draft Decision Notice pursuant to regulations at 36 CFR Part 218. Comments can be submitted by mail, fax, over the phone, in person, or by . For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. The Predecisional Administrative Review Process outlining objection regulations was published in March 2013 and is documented at 36 CFR 218. Written comments should be submitted to the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Laramie Ranger District, Attn: Frank Romero, 2468 Jackson St, Laramie, WY 82070, or fax: Oral and handdelivered comments must be provided at the Responsible Official s office during normal business hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays). Telephone comments can be submitted to the Responsible Official at Electronic comments must be submitted to comments-rocky-mountain-medicine-bowlaramie@fs.fed.us in an message, or attached in portable document format (.pdf) or Word (.docx) format. Comments, names, and contact information of those who comment will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, the District will not be able to send subsequent environmental documents to anonymous commenters. Suggestions for Commenters Commenting is a process that allows individuals, organizations, agencies, and businesses to provide input on proposed environmental decisions. Public comments can strengthen an environmental decision by providing the Forest Service with facts or perspectives that were lacking in the original proposed action. The most useful comments suggest specific changes or additions to the proposed action or the analysis process: Let us know if you find any potential issues with the information we provide or the process we have used to produce the proposed action. Use specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and offer solutions where possible. 17

20 State what you support as well as what you disagree with. Organize your comments so that they are clear, concise, and easy to follow, and please be respectful. The Laramie Ranger District wants to fully understand your comments and suggestions. Specific comments might address: Do you support creating a new ORV-only trail that would enable families with children less than 16 years of age to ride together, but would restrict use of motorized vehicles on these trails? Why or why not? Is the proposed location appropriate, or can you think of a better location? Do you think the decrease in road densities in select areas would have a favorable impact on your user experience? Why or why not? Are the proposed locations appropriate? Are there roads that you value that are being proposed to be closed or decommissioned? Which roads are they, and why are they of value to the road? Are there existing motorized routes that you value that are not shown on the maps and that you recommend as additions to the authorized road or trail? Which routes are they, and why are they of value to the road? Are there roads that you propose to reroute, close, or decommission to improve your experience or reduce resource damage? Which roads are they, and what is your concern? Would the proposed action affect your recreational experience in the project area? Are there locations that you think should be treated differently? Where are they and why should the action be changed? For More Information For more information concerning the proposal, or to receive a hard copy of the Scoping Document, please contact Monique Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, at (307) or moniquelnelson@fs.fed.us. Please come to our open houses and help improve this proposal! November 12, 2015, 6 pm 8 pm Laramie Plains Civic Center Ballroom (upstairs) 710 East Garfield St, Laramie WY November 18, 2015, 6 pm 8 pm Laramie County Public Library, Cottonwood Meeting Room 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne WY 18

21 Appendix A: Forest Service Road Maintenance Levels Designated roads are categorized by the Forest Service according to maintenance level. Five maintenance level designations are used to describe the accessibility, level of service provided, and maintenance requirements of Forest Service roads 2 : Level 1: These roads are closed to motorized vehicle use, except for administrative use. When needed, closed roads may be used by Forest Service employees, livestock grazing permittees, special use permittees, and other members of the public to access grazing allotments, private inholdings, or other privately-owned facilities on National Forest lands. Level 2: These roads are open for public use. High clearance vehicles are strongly encouraged, and some Level 2 roads may not be suitable for passenger cars. User comfort and convenience are not priorities for these roads, and some road hazards often exist. These roads are typically very low speed with native surface and receive infrequent maintenance. Some may have stream fords instead of culverts or bridges. Level 3: These roads are open for public use. They are suitable for all vehicles, including passenger cars, although user comfort and convenience are lower priorities. These are typically low speed roads with gravel or native surface, 1 1½ lanes, and turnouts. Level 4: These roads are open for public use and suitable for passenger cars with a moderate degree of user comfort. They are usually aggregate/gravel surfaced, up to two lanes wide, and allow moderate travel speeds. Level 5: These roads are open for public use and suitable for passenger cars with a high degree of comfort. They have a smooth road surface (often paved), are almost always two lanes, and allow for high traffic volume and driving speeds. On Pole Mountain, only part of the Vedauwoo Rod (NFSR 700) is a Level 5 road. Table A-1. Existing proposed roads and trails in the Pole Mountain Travel Management Project Analysis Area. Private roads and roads managed by other entities (including Highway 210) are not included in the analysis. Current Miles Proposed Miles* Current Maintenance Level Level 1 (Closed to Public Use) 5 5 Level 2 (High Clearance Vehicles) Level 3 (Suitable for Passenger Cars) Level 4 (Moderate Degree of User Comfort) Level 5 (High Degree of User Comfort) <1 <1 Total Open Roads Total Closed Roads 5 5 Motorized Trail 0 8 *Six miles of level 1 and 2 roads would be added from existing unauthorized routes. 2 USDA Forest Service Guidelines for Road Maintenance Levels (7700-Transportation Management SDTDC). USDA Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program. San Dimas, CA. 19

22 Appendix B: Specific Road Recommendations and Rationale Road Proposed Rationale for Proposed Action Segment Action 700 Keep open Vedauwoo Road 700.A Truncate This road runs along Middle Crow Creek and has gullies leading runoff and sedimentation directly to Middle Crow Creek. Area has seen extensive resource damage from illegal route creation, trash, and stream crossings. Truncating this road would reduce erosion, help improve water quality and reduce E. coli levels in Middle Crow creek, part of the City of Cheyenne municipal water supply. The beginning of the road and some campsites would be retained to allow recreational use of the area. 700.B Convert to L1/Closed to Public Motorized Use This road can be wet year round and has seen significant resource damage due to off-road travel. 700.BA, 700.BB, 700.BB-1, 700.BB-3, 700.BC Decommission This area has seen extensive resource damage from illegal route creation. In the past, illegal off-road driving and poor road placement has resulted in substantial damage to aquatic and terrestrial habitat as well as erosion on slopes and sedimentation into streams and wetlands. 700.C Keep open Provides access to range improvements and Plumb Line crag climbing area. 700.CA Convert to L1/Closed to Public Motorized Use This road is already blocked to public use by rock barricades and is not needed as part of the open road. Public access would not change. 700.CB Add route to Add portion of unauthorized route that leads off of 700.C to provide legal access and parking for Plumb Line crag and adjacent areas. 700.D Decommission Beyond the parking area for Devil's Playground and Reynolds Hill, 700.D is open for administrative access only. Proposal would be to maintain as a level 1 road to provide access to Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities pipeline, but decommission the end of the road where it is not needed as part of the road. 700.DA Keep as L1/ Closed to Public Motorized Use 700.DC Decommission Level 1 road This road is open for administrative access for range improvements and Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities pipeline. Public access would not change. This road is currently closed to the public. Administrative access is no longer needed, so proposal is to remove this route from the road and decommission. Public access would not change. 20

23 Road Proposed Rationale for Proposed Action Segment Action 700.E Truncate Truncating would allow access to popular campsites but prevent further damage to wetlands and use of mud holes at the end of the 700.EA. 700.E spur Add route to A loop route has formed that provides access to several camp sites. 700.EA Decommission This road leads to an aspen wetland with mud holes, user routes, and significant resource damage. 700.F Keep as L1/Decommis sion This road is currently closed to public use, but provides administrative access to the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities pipeline. Proposal is to maintain this road as Level 1 to the pipeline, then decommission it after the pipeline because it is not needed as part of the road. Public access would not change. 700.G Keep open Provides access to Poland Hill 700.H Keep open No change 700.K Keep open No change 700.KA Keep open No change 700.L Truncate This road is already gated and access is not needed past the gate. Public access would not change. 700.M Keep open No change 700.N Truncate Slightly truncate this road so that it ends before the rocks. Dispersed campsites would still be accessible. Public access would not significantly change. 700.NA Truncate Slightly truncate this road so that it ends before the wet spring in the roadbed that causes people to get stuck. Maintain access to several dispersed camp sites. Public access would not significantly change. 700.NB Truncate Truncate so that road ends at a good turnaround point, then decommission to minimize road and campsite erosion to stream. Deep gullied erosion leads from current road terminus and dispersed campsite down to nearby stream. 700.N-loop Add route to Add new route through center of rocks to provide access to dispersed camp sites. 700.O Keep open No change 700.OA Add route to Provide access to dispersed camp sites. 700.P Truncate This road has seen significant resource damage, including extensive offroad travel and illegal route creation, burned rocks, shooting at trees, and dumping of household, construction, and human waste. Would maintain access to several dispersed camp sites. 21

24 Road Proposed Rationale for Proposed Action Segment Action 700.R Truncate Truncate road before it heads downhill towards Middle Crow Creek, after 700.RB spur. This decommissioning would help to minimize impacts to Middle Crow Creek, including decreasing runoff and sedimentation to stream, decreasing indirect impacts of camping and human waste, and decreasing the extensive illegal off-road use that occurs in this area. The beginning of the road and campsites would be retained to still allow recreational use of the area. 700.RA Truncate Truncate at large hardened site before road heads downhill to Middle Crow Creek. This decommissioning would help to minimize impacts to Middle Crow Creek, including decreasing runoff and sedimentation to stream, decreasing indirect impacts of camping and human waste, and decreasing the extensive illegal off-road use that occurs in this area. The beginning of the road and campsites would be retained to still allow recreational use of the area. 700.RA-1 Add route to Add short route to dispersed camp site. 700.RA-2 Add route to Add short route to dispersed camp site. 700.RB Truncate Truncate road after first dispersed camp site and decommission to minimize impacts to Middle Crow Creek, including decreasing runoff and sedimentation to stream, decreasing indirect impacts of camping and human waste, and decreasing the extensive illegal off-road use that occurs in this area. The beginning of the road and campsites would be retained to still allow recreational use of the area. 700.RB spur 700.RD Add route to Add route to Add short route to dispersed camp site. Add short route to dispersed camp site. 700.S Truncate There is already a fence at the proposed truncation point for this road. Wet areas along this road cause braiding, erosion, and sedimentation to stream. Road provides access to illegal routes in wetlands. Since road is already fenced, public access to this area would not change. 700.T Keep open No change 700.U Keep open No change 700.Z Add route to This route is located just north of the 700.R and leads to a large dispersed camp site. 701 Keep open No change 701.B Keep open No change 701.C Keep open No change 701.CA Truncate Truncate at trees near end of road to provide turnaround and prevent illegal access to Hwy 210. All dispersed campsites along this route would still be accessible along open road. 22

25 Road Proposed Segment Action 701.D Convert to OHV only trail Rationale for Proposed Action 701.DA Decommission Road encroaches on wetland. 701.DC Convert to OHV only trail Close road to full size vehicles and create OHV loop that ties in to 701.GA via 701.DC. Would need to build connector trail along 701 between D and G. Close road to full size vehicles and create OHV loop that ties in to 701.GA and 701.D. Would need to build connector trail along 701 between D and G. 701.E Truncate Shorten road so that it ends at large turnaround area. Illegal routes that go uphill from this point to camp site and parking for Roof Ranch climbing area are causing erosion and sedimentation to South Branch Crow Creek. Truncating road would prevent future access to illegal routes and decrease erosion and denuding of vegetation. 701.F Keep open Provides access to dispersed camp sites. 701.F spurs Add routes to 701.G Convert to L1/Closed to Public Motorized Use 701.GA Convert to OHV only trail Add unauthorized routes at end of 701.F to provide access to dispersed camp sites. Road is poorly located at the wetland margin. Close to public use, and allow administrative access only when use would not damage wetland resources. Close road to full size vehicles and create OHV loop that ties in to 701.DC and 701.D. Would need to build connector trail along 701 between D and G. 701.GB Keep open No change 701.J Decommission Road parallels stream in valley bottom and comes as close as 15 feet to the water. Several hundred yards of the road directly encroach on riparian habitat. 702 Camping area Add routes to This dispersed camping area is located along the 702 near the intersection of 712. Routes proposed to be added to the to provide legal access to dispersed camping. 702.A Decommission Parallels stream in valley bottom, and parallels both 712 and 714, which provide access to area. 702.B Truncate Road parallels stream in area of high road density. The road is already fenced at proposed truncation point to prevent steep eroding hill climb, so public access would not change. 702.BA Decommission Road runs along stream/riparian area. 702.D Decommission Marked as 712.C on current MVUM. Located in area of high road density. Other nearby spurs provide access to fishing/ponds/stream. 703 Keep open No change 703.A Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.B Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.BA Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 23

26 Road Proposed Rationale for Proposed Action Segment Action 703.BB Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.BC Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.C Keep open No change 703.E Update database Correct map location to match road. Road would remain open. 703.F Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.FA Keep open No change. Leads to communication site. 703.FE Add as Level 1 Add as Level 1 road for administrative access only. Provides access to communication sites. 703.FE-1 and FE-3 Add as Level 1 Add as Level 1 road for administrative access only. Provides access to communication sites. 703.G Keep open No change 705 Keep open No change 705.A Keep open No change 705.C Keep open No change. Parking area at Wallis picnic ground. 705.F Keep open No change 705.G Keep open No change 705.H Truncate Keep open for approximately 1/4 mile for access to fishing and dispersed camp site. Close after this point because the road parallels stream within riparian area. 705.I Keep open No change 705.J and JA Truncate Decommission road beyond parking area for the Beehive climbing area. 705.JA does not exist on the ground and will be removed from the map. 705.K Decommission Low water crossing and wetland crossing at entrance to this road are negatively impacting water quality and aquatic habitat in Middle Crow Creek (City of Cheyenne municipal water supply). There are no known dispersed campsites along this road. 705.KA Decommission Low water crossing and wetland crossing at entrance to this road are negatively impacting water quality and aquatic habitat in Middle Crow Creek. This road has not seen much use in (fenced before water crossing) and is naturally revegetating without use. This road contributes to high road density but is not popular with the public. There are also no known dispersed campsites along this road. 705.L Keep open No change 707 Keep open No change 707.A Keep open Forest Service plans to repair/reconstruct road at washout. 24

27 Road Segment 707.AA Proposed Action Convert to L1/Closed to Public Motorized Use Rationale for Proposed Action This road is located within a wetland and some users have caused extensive wetland damage. This road would be available for administrative access and public access via foot, bike, and horse. 707.AB Keep open No change 707.AD Truncate and convert to Level AE Keep open No change 707.AF Truncate/Add unauthorized routes to Road crosses wetland margin. Close most of the road to public use, and allow administrative access only when use would not damage wetland resources. Truncate the designated road where it heads east; this portion of the road is not being used by the public. Designate a portion of the unauthorized route that continues south to provide camping access, but decommission the unauthorized route that heads east before it approaches riparian areas. 707.AG Truncate This steep spur has many resource concerns including negative riparian impacts and damage from illegal off-road travel. Driving access would be maintained to first dispersed campsite, parking and walk-in access would be provided to other dispersed sites farther down the road. 707.B Keep open No change 707.BA Keep open No change 707.BB Keep open No change 707.C Decommission Road is located within riparian area and is redundant with D Keep open No change. Provides access to dispersed camping and corrals. 707.H Update database 707.J Add route to This road is currently closed to the public. Need to update database records to reflect decommissioned status. Add route to SNOTEL site as level 1 road for administrative access only. 707.JA Decommission Road is not currently open to public use. Update database to reflect decommissioned status. 708 Keep open/reroute 708.D Add route to 709 Keep open No change Reroute so that road goes around aspen on unauthorized route to avoid spring time snow berm. This is the well-established route that leads to old gravel pit with popular dispersed camp site. 25

28 Road Proposed Rationale for Proposed Action Segment Action 709.A Keep open No change 710 Keep open No change 710.A Decommission This road has significant resource damage from driving along creek, crossing creek, proliferation of illegal routes. Some users are extending the road along the creek to access dispersed camp sites. 710.B Keep open No change 712 Keep open No change 712.A Keep open No change. Provides access for driving loops. 712.AA Keep open Provides access to Coyote Rocks. 712.AB Decommission Extensive off-road use in this area. 712.AC Keep open No change 712.B Keep open No change 712.C Truncate This road is already fenced at proposed truncation point to minimize motorized impacts to stream. Public access would not change. 712.D Keep open No change 712.E Truncate Truncate after dispersed camp sites, then decommission to keep vehicles out of creek. This would allow recreation access to campsites but decrease damage to riparian areas. 712.F Keep open No change 712.G Truncate Road is currently fenced at proposed truncation point after dispersed camp site to keep vehicles out of creek. Public access would not change. 712.H Keep open No change 713 Keep open No change 713.A Keep open No change 713.B Decommission Road parallels stream and wetlands and is very muddy much of the year. Closing and decommissioning the road would lower road density and improve habitat for big game. 713.C Keep open No change 713.CA Truncate Prevent access to creek. 713.D Keep open No change 713.DA Decommission Proposal is to decommission this road that heads down to the creek to minimize rutting, erosion, sedimentation. Several other spurs that lead to this area would remain open. 713.DB Keep open No change 713.DC Keep open/decom mission This is a loop road. Proposal is to close only the east side of loop due to rutting, erosion, and sedimentation into the wetland. 26