Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan Sargents Purchase Coos County, New Hampshire

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service April 2011 Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan Sargents Purchase Coos County, New Hampshire Scoping Report Prepared By Saco Ranger District, White Mountain National Forest Resolution Shelter For Information Contact: Dylan Kinsella Alden Saco Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 33 Kancamagus Highway Conway, NH

2 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202/ (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write the USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC, or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Printed on Recycled Paper

3 Project Area Map Map 1 Presidential-Dry River Wilderness with site location identified Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 1

4 Introduction The Saco Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is initiating a public scoping for the removal of Resolution Shelter, located along the Montalban Ridge within the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness. The proposed project site is located within Sargents Purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire, on the Davis Path, 3.7 miles from the Davis Path trailhead on Route 302. This report includes the Purpose and Need for the project, the Proposed Action, the Decisions to be Made and How you can submit comments to the Forest Service. The map included in the report displays the project area. Background The Resolution Shelter is located on the historic Davis Path 3.7 miles north of the Davis Path trailhead on Route 302, approximately 6 miles northwest of the town of Bartlett, NH. The Davis Path was constructed in 1845 as the longest bridle path on Mt. Washington. The trail fell into disuse in 1854 and was reopened for hiking by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in According to US Forest Service records, the Resolution Shelter was built in 1912 by the AMC and was rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The AMC first applied for a special use permit to maintain and operate the shelter in Although the Davis Path is the shortest route to the shelter, the shelter is also accessible from multiple trailheads, including the trails of Rocky Branch, Dry River, Mt. Langdon and Mt. Parker, as well as trails that traverse the alpine areas south of Mt. Washington. The shelter is located at the end of a spur path (approximately 350 feet in length) which leaves the west side of the Davis Path at the intersection of the Mt. Parker Trail. This approach is a steep gully of eroded rotten rock and granite slab that can be quite hazardous especially when wet. Due to its age and deteriorating condition, the shelter has become a health and safety hazard and is currently closed to the public. It has been recommended for demolition or reconstruction by a White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) facilities engineer. Purpose and Need The removal of this shelter would address the health and safety concerns associated with the deteriorating structure, as well as bringing the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness into closer alignment with the values of the 1964 Wilderness Act and the standards and guidelines of the Wilderness Management Plan within the WMNF 2005 Land and Resource Management Plan (from here forward referred to as the Forest Plan). Engineers report and recommendations Summer 2008 The health and safety issues pertaining to the shelter are best depicted in the engineers report: Resolution Shelter was found to be in overall poor condition... It appears that the primary mechanism holding the structure on the slope at this point is an unhealthy birch tree in the northeast section of the north wall The north side was significantly more decayed than any other portion of the structure Demolition and removal of the Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 2

5 structure is recommended in an effort to prevent potential injury to occupants during collapse. If demolition is not feasible, the structure should be carefully monitored and closed to use if excessive movement is noted. This full report is contained in the project file. The shelter site is located alongside a branch of Sleeper Brook with many hardened, user- created campsites above and beside the shelter. The site itself poses only slight resource concerns (site compaction, human waste), however, the access to the shelter is limited to an extremely steep trail which has become increasingly eroded and wide. Trail relocation options in this area are not viable due to steep grades and loose soils. Permanent structures such as shelters are generally considered to be inconsistent with Wilderness management objectives and are used as a management tool only when absolutely necessary. Removing this structure which requires extensive repair would eliminate these inconsistencies and restore the area s wild character. Removing the shelter, rehabilitating the site and lowering the development level of the area would be more consistent with the character and recreational opportunities desired in Wilderness. Forest Plan compliance and Management Direction Wilderness In 1975, Congress designated the area now known as the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness (PL ). This designation created protected land which is defined as an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable The proposed project site lies in Management Area 5.1 (Wilderness). The project is designed to be compatible with the standard and objectives for Wilderness found in the Forest Plan (p ) including the Wilderness Plan (Appendix E). Overnight Facilities for Management Area 5.1 are specifically mentioned Existing overnight facilities that are not identified in area-enabling legislation must be removed if they can no longer meet health and safety standards without full replacement (Forest Plan p 3-14). The WMNF Wilderness management strategy includes areas within our wilderness areas that have been broken down into zones. Zone A being the most pristine to Zone D being the most heavily used. Within these zones there are slightly different management directions. The area under consideration for a new designated site will be zone C or D, within which designated campsites may be present (Forest Plan E-9). Currently the area around the shelter is Zone D. Heritage According to the Forest Plan, man-made structures in place when Wilderness designation occurred should be looked at with an eye toward historical or cultural significance when determining whether the structure warrants removal or retention, particularly facilities that are determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (Forest Plan S-4, p3.14). Forest Plan heritage guidelines state the exception being where they threaten public safety or resource protection (Forest Plan G-1, p 3.13). While the Resolution Shelter does retain historic significance and has Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 3

6 been determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the location (on a sloping granite slab) and physical structure (built of untreated native materials 80 years ago) is not sustainable and retaining it may require complete reconstruction rather than solely maintenance. As an alternative to retaining the structure, mitigation measures to retain the historic values of the shelter after it has been removed are proposed. These measures include documentation of the shelter within a historic context study of hiking shelters on the White Mountain National Forest that is currently in progress; measured line drawings and photo documentation of the structure; and the placement of a professionally developed interpretive sign near the trailhead of the Davis Path depicting the history of the area, including the history of the Davis Path and the construction of the Resolution Shelter during the development of the shelter system along it. Recreation Facility Analysis In 2008, an assemblage of Forest Service staff created a document called the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA). The purpose of the (RFA) and its associated 5-year Program of Work was to provide direction to assure that developed recreation sites are consistent with the Forest recreation niche, bring sites up to Regional standards for health and safety, and to maintain them over the long term within expected budgets. As part of this analysis, Resolution Shelter was slated to be decommissioned. North side shelter against tree north side shelter with tree south east corner dry masonry resolution shelter in winter Proposed Action The Saco Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is proposing to remove Resolution Shelter, close the spur trail accessing the shelter, rehabilitate and naturalize the impacted shelter and spur trail area, and possibly establish a new designated campsite in the vicinity of the Davis Path to accommodate the potential displaced use if it is deemed necessary based on the results of informal campsite impact monitoring. This would not only be aligned with wilderness character objectives, but would also improve soil and water conditions which are now adversely affected by compaction and severe erosion on both the spur path and at the shelter site. Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 4

7 The removal of the shelter would consist of separating logs and removing all metal, asphalt and other non-organic material from the site by backpack and packboard. Native logs would be scattered well away from current impacted areas or used in the rehabilitation efforts. Compacted soil around the site and the spur path would be aerated by roughing up the surface with hand tools, young saplings would be transplanted from the forest, and leaf litter, boulders, and logs would be placed and scattered to retain moisture and naturalize the site. Erosion control design features include placing brush below any disturbed areas and planting logs to decrease water flow would be implemented along the bank of the stream to mitigate erosion during the rehabilitation effort. The entire portion of the spur path would be well brushed-in by placing dead and down woody debris in the tread way in order to deter continued use. If monitoring shows evidence that a designated site is needed in order to accommodate overnighters and avoid resource damage, efforts will be made to establish a suitable designated campsite in the area along the Davis Path. The designated campsite would be located at least 200 from trails and running water, away from wet bog areas, and would not be located within chronically disturbed stands of dense, stunted fir on exposed ridgelines or along edges of openings or regenerating fir waves (wave-like regeneration of fir trees), a preferred breeding habitat of the Bicknell s Thrush. These sites would be identified with a native wood post and wooden camp symbol, matching the design of the other existing designated sites in the Wilderness, and would be created with very little to no ground disturbance, using a site which has natural boundaries and a simple, sustainable access path. There are currently two known hardened sites at the edge of the Davis Path, in the vicinity of the Mt. Parker Trail, which could be used as designated sites until a more suitable location was found. Prior to any permanent site designation, final review and recommendation from the resource specialists would be solicited for site specific feedback. Waste management facilities are not provided at any designated campsites in the Presidential-Dry River Wilderness and would not be provided at the proposed site. Visitors would be expected to use Leave No Trace practices for disposal of human waste. This is standard for the other Wildernesses on the WMNF and is quite effective when paired with a strong education effort. Increased backcountry patrols and educational efforts in the area will be incorporated to monitor the ongoing rehabilitation of the shelter site, and to assure camping impacts are not proliferating. Completion of the field work of this project, done with USFS staff and potentially with a partner, is expected to take 1-2 weeks in late field season of Findings of Preliminary Analysis Preliminary reviews and surveys of project area indicate the following resource conditions exist: 1) Due to its elevation and surrounding habitat there are Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS) that may occur in the area around the Resolution Shelter site. Northern Comandra (Geocaulon lividum) has no known occurrence in the immediate Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 5

8 area of the shelter; another known and recorded population of a single RFSS, White Mountain Silverling (Paronychia argyrocoma) is located to the south and east of the site on rocky outcroppings, outside of the shelter area. Areas of dense softwoods, the Bicknell s thrush (Catharus bicknelli) preferred breeding area, and moist areas where the northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis sphagnicola) may be found, will not be affected by shelter removal, dispersal of materials, or the possible creation of a campsite due to careful planning of site location, project timing, and continued communication with resource specialist staff. 2) The project is not expected to have an extraordinary adverse effect on floodplains, wetlands, or any municipal water supply. 3) The project lies within the Presidential Range-Dry River Wilderness, a congressionally designated area. This project entails the manual removal of an existing structure and is not expected to have an extraordinary adverse effect on Wilderness. 4) The Resolution Shelter is recorded as a cultural site in the WMNF Cultural Resources Atlas and is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The New Hampshire State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has determined that the removal of the shelter will be an Adverse Effect to a historic property. To retain the historic values of the shelter, the WMNF proposes the mitigation measures described above. The SHPO has concurred with this proposed mitigation. What Decision Will Be Made? After considering your input, the recommendations of an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists, and the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the District Ranger of the Saco Ranger District will determine whether additional environmental analysis and documentation is warranted. The District Ranger will also decide whether to remove Resolution Shelter, decommission the spur path, rehabilitate the site, and create a designated site to take its place, or to investigate another suitable management action. How Are You Involved In The Decision? We are seeking your comments to help in the final design of the project and to identify issues or concerns associated with the proposal to remove Resolution Shelter. How Can You Comment? In order for your comments to be considered in project design, they should be received by May 17th, 2011 and submitted in one of the following ways: Send your comments to (comments-eastern-white-mountain-saco@fs.fed.us), and include an identifiable name. Comments submitted as electronic documents must be in plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rft) or Word (.doc) format. You should receive an automated electronic acknowledgement as confirmation of receipt of your comments. If you use electronic mail to submit comments during this Scoping Period, we will assume that you will accept electronic notification of the completion of additional documents and their availability on our web site. Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 6

9 Mail: Send written comments to District Ranger Attn: Resolution Shelter, Saco Ranger Station, 33 Kancamagus Highway, Conway, NH Letters can be hand delivered Monday 9:00am-4:30pm and Tuesday through Sunday, 8:00am- 4:30pm. Fax: Send to Attn: Dylan Oral comments may be submitted Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, by phone at (603) x107 or in person at the Saco Ranger District at the address listed above. Comments should include the following information: Your name, address, and if possible, your phone number and address. The title of the project you are commenting on. Your specific concern and reasons the concern may lead to environmental effects. Please be aware that your name, address and comments will become part of the public record and may be available for public inspection. If this is a concern, please contact us at your earliest convenience. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to respond to this notice within the established time period. References USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service). 2005a. Land and Resource Management Plan. Laconia, NH: USDA-FS, Eastern Region, White Mountain National Forest. Resolution Shelter Removal and Site Plan page 7