decision lewis and clark county, montana decision memo for...

USDA United States Forest Service Helena National Forest 2880 Skyway DriveDepartment of Agriculture Helena Ranger District Helena, MT 59602

(406) 449-5201

- Decision Memo for the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project

U.S. Forest Service, Helena National Forest

Helena Ranger District

Lewis and Clark County, Montana

DecisionI have decided to implement the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project as oringinally proposed.This decision will decommission and/or close unauthorized routes including related vehicle disturbancearound dispersed campsites. Project activities will occure from Rimini downstream to the forestboundary and the area along Sweeney Creek from the forest boundary to Priest Pass. The unauthorizedroutes in this decision were identified as redundant or have resulted in ongoing resource damage, andwill be closed and reclaimed. Decommissioning activities will include recontouring, ripping, seeding,and slashing as well as the placement of large woody debris and boulders, and/or construction of jack-leg fence to prevent motorized access. Some unathorized routes associated with dispersed campsites thatare encroaching on sensitive areas will not be decommissioned, but will have boulders installed todiscourage site expansion into the sensitive areas.

A total of approximately 9 miles of user-created routes will be decommissioned and an additional 1.5miles will be closed with barriers to motorized vehicles (see Attachemnt A for maps and routes andtreatment details).

This project will not include any new travel management decisions. All routes proposed fordecommnissioning are unauthorized user-created routes and are not included on the Helena NationalForest Visitor Map as designated system routes. Order Number H-01-05 signed June 27, 2001 prohibitsoff-route motorized use on the Helena National Forest.

Additionally, resource protection measures as listed below are incorporated into this decision forimplementation.

• Fisheries: Instream activities will be compliant with the Montana Stream Protection Act, and allpermits will be obtained prior any in-channel work.

• Fuels: Implementation activities will be coordinated to avoid conflicts withfuels treatments andfuturesuppression access. Equipment shall operate in compliance with fire restrictions.

• Heritage: Heritage staff will survey proposed decommissioned routes and project implementation willonly proceed with clearance from Helena National Forest Heritage staff If cultural sites are identifiedby Heritage staffprior to implementation, those sites will not be disturbed. If cultural sites are identifiedduring implementation, actions will be halted until cleared by Heritage staff

• Hydrology: Project activities will occur only when soil is dry. For cut/fill roads, the cut material will beused to fully re-contour the slope to pre-construction conditions. All drainage features ondecommissioned roads will be restored to natural contours. All National Core Best ManagementPractices will be followedfor road decommissioning, and any in-stream work. Prior to activities,applicable permits will be obtained in compliance with the Clean Water Act and the Montana StreamProtection Act. A designated Forest Service representative responsible for maintenance of water qualitywithin appropriate state standards will oversee implementation within the municipal watershed.

Caring for the Land and Serving People


(406) 449-5201

• Minerals: Road decommissioning may be delayed or completed by the EPA to accommodate mine wasteremoval activities. Road decommissioning may also be delayed to allow EPA to remove abandonedwells.

• Sensitive Plants: Several sensitive plant species are known to exist in the areas. To mitigate any impactsto whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), ailfive-needle pines will be avoided and/or left undisturbed.Analysis of this project area for sensitive plants and habitat will occur prior to project implementationduring the 2015 field season. Should any sensitive plants be found in project area, a buffer would beestablished around each plant population as a no-entry zone for equipment. A 100-foot no-herbicidebuffer would be established around known populations.

• Soils: For two-track, the disturbed area will be ripped where needed to restore infiltration capacity andsoil productivity to the roadbed. Native material will be laid over the freshly disturbed sites to shieldagainst erosion and deter additional unauthorized use by motorized vehicles. Entrances will be blockedusing trees, boulders, etc. where feasible to deter use by motorized vehicles. Scarified and disturbedsoils will be seeded with a certified-weed-seed-free native seed mixfor short-term erosion protection.

• Timber!Vegetation: All cut vegetation will remain on site and some cut vegetation will likely be used toimprove road closures. Decommissioning activities will minimize damage to live trees and creation ofhazard trees. Any tree damaged (roots or stem) during the process will be cut to eliminate presence ofhazard trees.

• Weeds: In areas of invasive species infestation, weed control will occur before and afterdecommissioning to prevent the spread and return of invasive species (Helena National Forest NoxiousWeed Treatment ROD, 2006). All equipment will be washed prior to entering Forest Service land toprevent the spread of noxious weeds. Equipment will be cleaned prior to leaving the project areas ifoperating in areas infested with new invaders. Helena National Forest personnel will monitorimplementation effectiveness following treatments, and recommendfollow-up treatments as needed.

• Wildlife: If goshawks are detected during implementation, a wildlife biologist will be consulted. If anactive nest is located in the project vicinity, a work restriction periodfrom April 15 to August 15 will beimposed. Ifpreviously unidentified elk calving and nursery areas are located prior to or during projectimplementation, these areas will be protectedfrom disturbance (late May through July unless surveysindicate areas are no longer being used). Ifpreviously unidentified bighorn sheep lambing and nurseryareas are located prior to or during project implementation, these areas will be protectedfromdisturbance (April 15 through June 30 unless surveys indicate areas are no longer being used). Tominimize disturbance to elk and hunters during the general hunting season, decommissioning activitieswill not take place between October 15 and December 1.

This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or anenvironmental assessment (EA). The project area and actions have been reviewed by an interdisciplinary teamthat identified and documented the potential environmental effects and determined that these actions fall withinthe category 36 CFR 220.6(e)(20) (Activities that restore, rehabilitate, or stabilize lands occupied by roads andtrails, excluding National Forest System Roads and National Forest System Trails, to a more natural conditionthat may include removing, replacing, or modifying drainage structures and ditches, reestablishing vegetation,reshaping natural contours and slopes, reestablishing drainage-ways, or other activities that would restore siteproductivity and reduce environmental impacts.).

I find that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would warrant further analysis and documentation in anEA or ElS. Under 36 CFR 220.6(b) and FSH 1909.15(3 1.2), extraordinary circumstances are defined as those

Decision Memo for the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project I 2

USDA United StatesDepartment of Agriculture

Forest Service Helena National ForestHelena Ranger District

2880 Skyway DriveHelena, MT 59602(406) 449-5201

resource conditions that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances related to aproposed action warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or an EIS and that the mere presence ofone or more of these resource conditions does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is the existence of acause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential effect on these resource conditionscoupled with the degree of the potential effect that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist.

I took into account resource conditions (identified next) as listed under 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1) and FSH1909.15(31.2), the anticipated effects of the proposal and the input received during ‘scoping’ in determiningwhether extraordinary circumstances might exist:

• Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposedfor Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species.

A. Plants —there are no threatened or endangered species listed on the Helena National Forest, andalthough project implementation may impact individual sensitive plant species (listed below) orhabitat, it will not likely contribute to a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability to thepopulation or species.

Table 1: Sensitive Species — PLANTS (Note: No TIE! plants listed for Helena N.F.)

. Present In Project Area Effect On Habitat ImpactSpecies

Arnerorchis rotuizdifolia No None NI

Aguilegia brevistyla No None NI

Astragalus lackschewitzii No None NI

Botrychium crenulatum Potential MIIH MIIH

*Bot,.ychium paradoxum No None NI

**Cypripedium parviflorum No None NI

Cypripedium passerinum No None NI

*Drosera anglica No None NI

*Drosera linearis No None NI

Epipactis gigantea No None NI

Grindella howellii No None NI

Goodyera repens No None NI

*Juncus hallii Potential MIIH MIIH

Oxytropispodocarpa No None NI

*phlox kelseyi var inissoulensis No None NI

*Pi,lus albicaulis No None NI

*polygonum douglassii ssp. austinae Potential MIIH MIIH

Saxifraga tempestiva No None NI

Decision Memo for the Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration Project 3




*Scjrpus subterminalis No None NI

Thalictrurn alpinum No None NI

Veratrum californicu,n No None NINOTES: NLAA = Not likely to adversely affect MIIH = May impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contributeto a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species LAA = Likely to adversely affect WIFV =

Will impact individuals or habitat with a consequence that the action may contribute to a trend towards federal listing or causea loss of viability to the population or species.*hdicates species known to occur on the Forest; others are suspected to occur.**Species listed in MNHP database but location unconfirmed.

B. Wildlife — A No Effect/Impact determination has been made pertaining to federally listed T&Especies, designated critical habitat, or species proposed for listing or proposed critical habitat.

Table 2: Threatened and Endangered Species of the Helena National Forest

StatusEndangere

Not LikelyLikely To

Present In ToSpecies d (E) Effect On Habitat No Effect Adversely

Project Area AdverselyThreatened

AffectAffect

(T)

Any incidental grizzly thatmay move through the

project area would not beGrizzly bear Potential affected because it is

T NoUrsus arctos Transient narrow in scope and

grizzlies would be able toadjust accordingly without

an effect.

Occupied lynxhabitat is present inthe project vicinity; Lynx are not disturbed by

Canada Lynxno removal of these types of project

Lynx T Potentialcanadensis

potential multi- activities. See thestoried or stand NRLMD.initiation hare

habitat

Critical lynxhabitat is present in

Lynx criticalthe project area; no

Yes removal of multi- Xhabitat

storied or standinitiation hare

habitat


USDA United States Forest Service Helena National Forest 2880 Skyway DriveDepartment of Agriculture Helena Ranger District Helena, MT 59602 -

(406) 449-5201

A No Effect/Impact determination has been made pertaining to all but one sensitive species ofthe Helena National Forest. Based on an assessment of impacts to the Boreal toad, this projectmay impact individual or habitat in the short-term but is unlikely to add to a trend for federallisting or loss of viability to the population or species. The long-term effects from road closureand/or restoration are anticipated to improve Boreal toad habitat. Regarding wildlife, noextraordinary circumstances exist.

Table 3: Sensitive Species of the Helena National Forest

May ContributePresent In May ImpactTo Trend ToStatus No

Species Sensitive Project Effect On HabitatImpact

IndividualsListing Or LossArea Or Habitat(S) Of Viability

Wolverine Potential No denning habitatS xGilo gilo transient present

Peregrine falconNo suitable nesting

Falco peregrinus S No Xhabitat presentanaturnBald eagle No known nests orHaliaeetus S Possible foraging! roosting Xleucocephalus habitatCommon loon

S No No habitat present XGavia immerHarlequin duckHistrionicus S No No habitat present XhistrionicusFlammulated owl No removal of

S Possible XhabitatOtusfiammeolus

Black-backed No habitat presentwoodpecker S No

due to lack ofrecently burned

Picoides arcticus areas

Northern boglemming

S No No habitat present XSynaptornysborealis

Bighorn SheepS No No habitat present XOvis canadensis

Townsend’s bigeared bat S No No habitat present X

Plecotus townsendi

FisherS No No habitat present X

Martes pennantiPossible No den or

Gray wolf S Xtransient rendezvous sites



(406) 449-5201

Boreal toad

Plains spadefoottoad S No No habitat present XSpea bombifronsNorthern leopardfrog S No No habitat present X

Rana pipiens

Bufo boreasS Possible Potential habitat x

C. Fisheries - A No Effect/Impact to Fisheries determination has been made, therefore noextraordinary circumstances exist. Westslope cutthroat trout and western pearishell mussels donot occur in the project area, nor does western pearlshell habitat exist within the drainage. Theproposed project area is located outside of the natural range of bull trout.

• Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds — Resource protection measures will minimize short-term negative effects to wetlands or riparian areas. Road decommissioning implemented with the listedresource protection measures should benefit the Tenmile Municipal Watershed by reducing road densityand eliminating potential sources of sediment to the stream system. No extraordinary circumstancesexist for floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds related to this project.

• Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or nationalrecreation areas — The project area is not within or adjacent to a wilderness area or wilderness studyarea. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) is adjacent to the project. If any disruptionto the trail is to occur, temporary detours will be put in place and will not exceed more than two days.Project work is not anticipated to negatively impact the long-term scenic quality of the CDNSTtherefore no extraordinary circumstances exist.

• Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas — Proposed activities will remove 0.25 milesof road from inventoried roadless areas (IRA) in the Jerico Mountain IRA (see maps in Attachment A).The presence of these roads affects the naturalness and solitude of the inventoried roadless area. Projectactivities are not anticipated to negatively impact the long-term roadless characteristics therefore noextraordinary circumstances exist.

• Research natural areas — There are no research natural areas in or near the project area, and thereforeno extraordinary circumstances exist.

• American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites - There are no known sites in theproposed area. If unknown sites were encountered during implementation, these sites would be subjectto appropriate Tribal Historic Preservation Officer review and comment, as per the 36 CFR 800compliance process.

• Archeological sites, or historic properties or areas — Portions of the project area have been previouslysurveyed for archeological resources. Surveys would continue and would be completed prior toimplementation according to the National Historic Preservation Act. Any undocumented archeologicalresources found during project implementation would be reported to a Forest Service archaeologist and,if necessary, project design would be modified to avoid any impacts to those resources.


USDA United States Forest Service Helena National Forest 2880 Skyway DriveDepartment of Agricukure Helena Ranger District Helena, MT 59602

(406) 449-5201

Findings and Consistency with Laws, Regulation, and FS PoliciesThis project is consistent with Forest Plan management direction, standards, and guidelines. No effects toHelena National Forest Management Indicator Species (MIS) were identified in our analysis. This project meetsrequirements found in but not limited to the National Forest Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, theClean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Public InvolvementThis project was originally listed as a proposal on the Helena National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions(SOPA) report. Input has been considered from an interdisciplinary team and through project analysis.Comments received during the public scoping period were considered in this decision.

Supporting documentation for this decision is available for public review at the Helena National Forest, HelenaRanger District Office, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 59602.

ImplementationThis project is not subject to administrative review procedures. Implementation is anticipated to begin in July2015. For specific project information, please contact Dave Callery, Forest Hydrologist address: 2880 SkywayDrive, Helena MT 59602; phone: (406) 495-3710

HEATHER DEG EST bateHelena National Forest, Helena District Ranger

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, geneticinformation, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not allprohibited 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 ofdiscrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TOD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.




Attachment A — Tenmile and Priest Pass Restoration and Treatment Details






Priest Pass Restoration Project Area

Dispersed Camps

• No Treatment

• Oblit

Non-System RoadsBarrier

— No Treatment

Oblit

NHD Streams

—NHD Streams



(406) 449-5201

Priest Pass Project Area Treatment Details

Unauthorized Route Length (miles) Treatment335NS1 0.04 Barrier335NS11-02 0.06 No Treatment1846Ns1 0.44 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash1846N53 0.05 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash1846NS5 0.14 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash1846NS6 0.11 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash33SB1NS1 0.22 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335Ns10 0.42 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash335Ns1 1 0.25 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335Ns12 0.10 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335Ns13 0.26 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335-NS14 0.40 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335-NS15 0.11 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335-NS16 0.04 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS2 0.14 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS3 0.25 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS4 0.33 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS5 0.49 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash

335NS6 0.29 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS7 0.08 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS8 0.21 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash335NS9 0.53 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash

U205-NSO1 0.11 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash





Tenmile Project Area Treatment Details

*No tree cutting or slashing will occur in Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRA) or unroaded areas adjacent to the IRA

. . InventoriedUnauthorized Routes Length (miles) . Treatment

Roadless (miles)

299Ns13 1.43 Barrier

299NS20 0.03 Barrier

695NS1-02 0.07 No Treatment

695 NS2-01 0.05 No Treatment

1866Ns1 0.31 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash

1866Ns2 0.15 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash

299Ns10 0.14 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash —

299Ns11 1.12 0.24 Recontour/Rip/Seed *






695NS1-01 0.06 Recontou r/Rip/Seed/Slash

695NS1-03 0.07 Recontou r/Ri p/Seed/SI ash

695NS16 0.09 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash

695NS17 0.2 Recontour/Rip/Seed/Slash







Tenm ile Restoration Project AreaRecreation Site Type Non-System Roads

Developed Campground Barner

Dispersed Camps — No Treatment

• No Treatment — Obkt

• Oblit NHD Streams

—NHD Streams

Inventoried Roadless

0.5

e- is,

r

Moose Creek Campgro

Lazyman GulchInventoned

Roadless Area

F.


decision lewis and clark county, montana decision memo for...

Documents