White Mountain National Forest United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Eastern Region Boles Brook Snowmobile Bridge Decision Memo Boles Brook Snowmobile Bridge Project Town of Woodstock Grafton County, NH Decision Memo Prepared by the Pemigewasset Ranger District October, 2010 For Information Contact: Kori Marchowsky Pemigewasset Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 71 White Mountain Drive Campton, NH 03223 Phone: 603 536-6108 Fax: 603 536-3685 www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain
Boles Brook Snowmobile Bridge Decision Memo This document is available in large print. Contact the Pemigewasset Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 603-536-6100 TTY 603-536-3665 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and 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) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Printed on Recycled Paper
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1 Summary 2 Background After careful consideration of public input, the recommendations of appropriate resource specialists, and the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, I have decided to authorize construction of a snowmobile bridge across Boles Brook along State Snowmobile Trail 153 (Murray s Trail) in Woodstock, NH. 2.1 Project Area The Boles Brook crossing and proposed bridge site is along State of NH Primary Snowmobile System Trail 153, as identified in the 2009-2010 State Snowmobile Trails Map. Trail 153 is approximately 20 miles long, beginning in Warren, NH and ending approximately three miles east of this proposed crossing, in North Woodstock, NH. It is an important link between Snowmobile Corridor Trails 5 and 11, the two primary north-south snowmobile trails in Grafton County and in east-central New Hampshire. This segment of trail is groomed regularly and maintained by the White Mountain Snowmobile Club out of Lincoln, NH. Different segments of Trail 153 have various names on local snowmobile club maps; this section of trail is locally known as Murray s Trail. The proposed bridge site is 0.6 miles northwest of the North Woodstock Reservoir and 0.1 miles east of the major powerline that passes through the Kinsman Range. From the Boles Brook crossing, the trail travels east, leaving WMNF lands, crosses the Pemigewasset River and ends at the Corridor 11 Trail just south of Franconia Notch State Park. West from the brook crossing, Trail 153 travels southwest to NH Route 112, crosses the highway, and generally parallels Route 118 on what is known as the Warren to Woodstock Trail, terminating at its intersection with the Corridor 5 Snowmobile Trail in Warren. 2.2 Purpose and Need Snowmobiling is an important component of winter recreation and tourism in New Hampshire. Local snowmobile clubs work hard to maintain trails, applying for grants and matching funds to keep their local trail systems well constructed, drained, and stable. It is part of the WMNF goals and objectives to provide winter motorized recreation opportunities on NFS lands in areas designated appropriate for such use. This trail is an important component for the statewide 4
snowmobile trail system, and is located in Management Area 2.1, General Forest Management, which is suitable for winter motorized recreation. The existing ford does not reliably freeze to allow for safe snowmobile passage for much of the season. Boles Brook opens very early in the spring, and in some seasons the crossing never freezes adequately to provide a safe crossing for snowmobiles. Repeated use of this ford by snowmobiles also contributes to erosion of the stream banks. The absence of this crossing prevents snowmobilers from connecting many popular routes and limits access on the State trail system from Lincoln and Woodstock to points west. 2.3 Alternative Actions Considered But Dismissed I considered two alternatives for this project: constructing a bridge at the location of the existing ford, or relocating this trail approximately 100 feet upstream of the ford at another location potentially feasible for a bridge. Using the existng ford is not an option because the power company occasionally utilizes this crossing for powerline maintenance. A snowmobile bridge would not be constructed to the standards suitable for use by heavy powerline equipment. The higher crossing location has low banks and a poor crossing angle. This location would require a longer bridge and is less desirable. Based on input from resource specialists including the Forest hydrologist and trails specialist, I believe that the best decision, from the perspective of all resources, is to construct this bridge in the location just upstream of the existing ford. I dismissed a no action alternative because it does not address the purpose and need erosion due to the existing ford from repeated snowmobile use and a compelling safety concern on an important snowmobile trail in the area. 3 Decision to Be Implemented My decision is to authorize the White Mountain Snowmobile Club to construct a 30-foot bridge across Boles Brook along the Murray s Trail (Trail 153) in Woodstock, NH. The bridge will be constructed to Forest Service standards, will be 12 feet wide, and will support snowmobile grooming equipment. The bridge will be approximately 20 feet upstream from the current crossing, a ford in the brook. The proposal is consistent with the WMNF Land and Resource Management Plan s (Forest Plan) goals, objectives, standards and guidelines. Implementation is expected to occur during fall of 2010, when soil conditions are favorable for all soil disturbing activities. It is expected that this project would be completed prior 5
to winter, 2010. This decision is based on my review of the project record, including input from the public and appropriate resource specialists. The record shows a thorough review of relevant scientific information, a consideration of responsible opposing views, and the acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and risk. My decision is also based on my past experiences with similar activities on the White Mountain National Forest. 4 Rationale for Categorically Excluding the Decision Based on information in the project record and experience with similar activities on the WMNF, I have concluded that this decision can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. Decisions may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment when they are within one of the categories found at 36 CFR 220.6(d) and (e), and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision. 4.1 Category of Exclusion I have determined that the selected action is a routine activity within the following category of exclusion found at 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1): Construction and reconstruction of trails. 4.2 Finding that No Extraordinary Circumstances Exist Based on information presented in this document and the entirety of the project record, I have evaluated the resource conditions listed in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1) and determined there are no extraordinary circumstances related to this project. As indicated in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(2), the mere presence of one or more of the listed resource conditions does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is the degree of the potential effects of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. As long as the potential effects on these resources are minor or non-existent, there are no extraordinary circumstances (Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 30.4). A summary of the project s potential effects on each resource condition follows. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest 6
Service sensitive species. The Endangered Species Act requires that federal activities not jeopardize the continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, or result in adverse modification to such species designated critical habitat. As required by this Act, potential effects of this decision on listed species have been analyzed and documented in a Biological Evaluation (project record). As detailed in the Biological Evaluation (BE), this decision will have no effect on listed species or designated critical habitats because no listed species or critical habitats have the potential to occur in the area that would be affected by this project. As discussed in the BE, Canada lynx is not considered to be present on the WMNF south of Route 2, and there is no critical habitat for this species on the Forest. Potential effects of this decision on Regional Forester sensitive species (sensitive species) also have been analyzed and documented in a BE (project record). Based on known occurrence records and habitat conditions, one sensitive species, the Eastern small-footed myotis, has very low potential to occur in the area that would be affected by this project. For the reasons indicated in the Biological Evaluation, the project would have no impact on this species. This project also would have no impact on any other sensitive species because they do not occur in the project area. Floodplains, Wetlands, or Municipal Watersheds Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 direct federal agencies to avoid adverse impacts to floodplains or wetlands, which are defined in the executive orders. This project will improve the condition of Boles Brook by replacing a ford with a bridge spanning bankfull width. All necessary wetlands permits will be granted prior to project implementation. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas The project area is not within any congressionally designated areas. The nearest congressionally designated area is the Pemigewasset Wilderness, on the opposite side of Interstate 93 from the project area. Impacts from this project would be limited to the immediate area of activity and will not affect any congressionally designated areas. 7
Inventoried roadless area or potential wilderness area This project is not within any inventoried roadless or potential wilderness area nor will it have any effect on these areas. Research Natural Areas There are no Research Natural Areas in or near the project area. This decision, with impacts limited to the immediate area of activity, will not affect Research Natural Areas. American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites; and archaeological sites, and historic properties or areas This decision complies with the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The Forest Archaeologist reviewed the project site and historic records for the area and determined that this project has no potential to affect historic properties. 5 Public Involvement This project was proposed by the White Mountain Snowmobile Club. The Club has applied for a grant from the State of NH to purchase materials for the bridge; the State of NH Department of Recreation and Economic Development (DRED) must review and accept this proposal in order for implementation to proceed. The project was listed on the WMNF Schedule of Proposed Actions beginning October 1, 2010. 6 Findings Required By and/or Related to Other Laws and Regulations My decision will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. I have summarized some pertinent ones below. National Environmental Policy Act This Act requires public involvement and consideration of potential environmental effects. The entirety of documentation for this decision supports compliance with this Act. 8
Forest Plan Consistency (National Forest Management Act) The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires that all site-specific project activities be consistent with direction in the applicable Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). This project implements the WMNF Forest Plan. As required by NFMA Section 1604(i), I find this project to be consistent with the WMNF Forest Plan including goals, objectives, desired future conditions, and Forest-wide and Management Area standards and guidelines. 7 Administrative Review or Appeal This type of activity is not covered by the 2005 Earth Island Institute v. Ruthenbeck court ruling. Therefore this decision is not subject to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR 215. 8 Implementation Date and Contact Implementation of this decision may begin immediately. For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Kori Marchowsky at email: kmarchowsky@fs.fed.us, or by phone (603-536-6108), or by FAX (603-536- 3685). Additional information about this decision also can be found on the White Mountain National Forest web page at: <www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain>. /s/ Thomas J. Giles for MOLLY FULLER 10/18/2010 Date Pemigewasset District Ranger Responsible Official 9