Decision Memo for Desolation Trail: Mill D to Desolation Lake Trail Relocation

Transcription

1 for Salt Lake County, Utah Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Salt Lake Ranger District 1. Background The present location of the Desolation Trail (#1159) between Mill D and Desolation Lake follows old sections of trail originating in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This trail is extremely popular with mountain bikers as it is a key segment of the Wasatch Crest trail and also with hikers heading to Desolation Lake. These old routes were designed to either remove timber or to get to the nearest mining claim rather than providing sustainable recreation opportunities. As such, they are steep, located close to streams and gullies and are difficult to maintain, all of which reduce the quality of the recreation experience. These sections are severely eroded and contribute sedimentation into Big Cottonwood Creek. The location of the proposed project is just east past the junction of the Mill D to Dog Lake and Mill D to Desolation Lake trails towards Desolation Lake. This section of the trail winds up the base of the drainage and has excessive grades (+35%) and poor side cast drainage. The object of the re-route (approx. 1,500 ft./0.34 acres) is to move the trail to a location close to the original route, but up on the side slope to improve the grades (<10%) and drainage of the trail. This would help reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve the recreation experience for all users, as well as control future costs of trying to maintain the old route. The old trail will be closed and rehabilitated. 2. Decision and Rationale I have reviewed the environmental analysis and have decided to approve the relocation of the Mill D to Desolation Lake section of the Desolation Trail. The relocated trail will provide a sustainable trail that reduces the potential for erosion and sedimentation to Big Cottonwood Creek and improves the recreation experience for both hikers and bikers by providing a trail at an improved grade. Reducing the grade of this section of trail will also improve public safety. Currently, mountain bikers are carrying excessive speeds and jumping over the existing erosion control devices. They are not yielding to foot traffic as they should. It is only a matter of time before a hiker traveling uphill is struck and injured by a descending mountain biker. In relocating the trail at a sustainable grade, much of the speed in the trail will be reduced by design. This will better provide for multiple use, for which the trail is designed and will help to reduce user-conflict between bikers and hikers. 3. Mitigation Measures Mitigation measures, which are part of my decision, are required on National Forest System lands. Trail Work: 1. Best management practices will be used in all trail construction, reconstruction and closure/rehabilitation activities. Trail construction/reconstruction all new and reconstructed trails will be designed and

2 constructed in accordance with the Forest Service Trails Handbook (FSH ). Trail rehabilitation Erosion control devices such as waterbars and check dams will be constructed at appropriate locations, as needed; and the rehabilitated sites will be covered with native woody materials. Control the timing of construction activities by scheduling them when it is relatively dry, shut down site disturbing activities during and following runoff-producing storms. The area will be signed to educate users of the relocation/rehabilitation to improve compliance and improve watershed education. Vegetation and Weed Management: 2. The Forest Service will conduct surveys of construction areas pre- and 3 years post implementation for weeds, and treat any weeds in construction areas before disturbance, and treat of any weeds discovered post construction for 3 years. 3. Trail construction equipment will be washed prior to any work on the National Forest. Cultural Resources: 4. Notify the Forest Service archaeologist immediately if and when any historic or prehistoric resources are exposed during construction activities. 4. Scoping and Public Involvement On January 23, 2014, the SLRD circulated a public scoping notice that included this project at the Great Western Trail in Lambs Canyon and solicited public input. The notice was mailed to individuals, organizations, and agencies on the SLRD mailing list and posted on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (UWCNF) website at: The project was also included in UWCNF s Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). A 30-day scoping period was provided. One comment letter was received from Salt Lake City Corporation: Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) in regards to this project. The comments received during the public scoping period, and how I considered them, are discussed below: Comment: Please ensure that ground disturbance is limited, and that restoration of disturbed lands is conducted to avoid sedimentation, invasive species introduction and overall watershed degradation Forest Service Response: I am committed to protection of Salt Lake City s municipal watershed. Accordingly, implementation of the BMPs that in the past have proven successful in limiting ground disturbance, sedimentation, the introduction of invasive species and overall watershed degradation are required as part of my approval of the project. They are discussed above under Mitigation Measures. Comment: SLCDPU supports the trail reroutes as these reroutes minimize sediment transport and runoff as well as moving them out of the riparian corridor. Forest Service Response: The SLRD is thankful for your support and values our partnership. Documentation of this public scoping process is in the project file and available for review through the SLRD. 2

3 5. Reason for Categorically Excluding the Proposed Action I have determined that the proposed project, as described above, is consistent with the types of actions described under 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1) - Construction and reconstruction of trails. The potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the projects were reviewed and considered in my decision. In regard to extraordinary circumstances, the Forest Service Handbook lists several topics that should be considered (CFR (b)). Forest Service resource specialists have visited the project area on numerous occasions, reviewed relevant studies and other published information, and documented their findings regarding these and other potential extraordinary circumstances in the project file and are summarized below. i. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. Surveys and analysis of potential impacts on these special status species in the project area were completed. A biological assessment (BA) was prepared for these projects. The determination reached was that no federally listed or candidate plant or animal species will be affected. A biological evaluation (BE) was also prepared, concluding that the projects will not impact any Forest Service sensitive plant or animal species. Based on these considerations, threatened and endangered species or their critical habitat, and sensitive species do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for these actions. ii. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. The project area lies in Salt Lake City s municipal watershed. Implementation of mitigation measures above will preclude any notable adverse impacts on the watershed. The projects will not involve wetlands. Based on these considerations, flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for these proposed actions. iii. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. The project areas do not include any designated wilderness, wilderness study area, or National Recreation Area, so such areas do not constitute and extraordinary circumstance for these proposed actions. iv. Inventoried roadless areas. The entire trail, including the project area, is within the Mount Olympus inventoried roadless area. However, with design criteria and mitigation measures properly implemented, including the restoration of the highly eroded section of closed trail, the area should resort to a more natural character and in the long term, potentially improving the roadless character as a result of this project. The trail will continue to be managed as nonmotorized and the proposed action will improve resource conditions and recreation experience. This project was reviewed by the Region 4 Office and is supported by their concurrence. An official letter of concurrence from the Region 4 Office is included in the project file. As such roadless areas do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for these proposed actions. v. Research Natural Areas. The project areas do not include any Research Natural Areas, so such areas do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for these proposed actions. vi. American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. No Native American sites have been found in or near the project area. The two relevant Tribes in the area were contacted during the scoping period, and neither responded to identify any concerns regarding the projects. Based on these considerations, American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance for these proposed actions. 3

4 vii. Archeological sites, historic properties or areas. The project area does not include any archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. Mitigation measure number 4 identified above will protect any archaeological resources discovered during construction. Based on the findings summarized above, I am categorically excluding this decision from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. Based on experience with management activities similar to this, and upon the environmental analysis conducted for these projects, the effects of implementing these actions will be limited in context and intensity. Connected and cumulative actions have been appropriately addressed, an appropriate category for exclusion has been established by law and documented in the Forest Service Handbook, and our review indicates no extraordinary circumstances to preclude its application. 6. Findings Required by Other Laws The proposed actions have been evaluated for consistency with the goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines of the 2003 Revised WCNF Forest Plan as required by the National Forest Management Act. The project area is located within a 3.1 Management Area, where management emphasis is on maintaining or restoring aquatic/watershed and terrestrial habitat integrity. Thus, the proposed action is consistent with the management area prescription. In terms of more specific Forest Plan direction, my review indicates that the proposed action, with required mitigation measures in place, is consistent with all applicable standards and guidelines. 7. Administrative Appeal Decision memos are no longer subject to the post-decision appeal regulations formerly found at 36 CFR 215. On January 17, 2014, the president signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014, Section 431 of which directs that the 1992 and 2012 legislation establishing the post-decision appeals process and the pre-decisional objection process shall not apply to any project or activity implementing a land and resource management plan that is categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act. 8. Project Implementation Implementation may begin once all mitigation measures are in place. For further information contact Matt Zumstein at: Salt Lake Ranger District, 6944 South 3000 East Cottonwood Heights, Utah (801) mzumstein@fs.fed.us /S/ Catherine H. Kahlow 06/23/2014 CATHERINE H. KAHLOW District Ranger Date 4

5 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 5