small nepa scoping letter – march...

Small NEPA Scoping Letter – March 2017 Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests

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Information Regarding Public Comments

Please review the following proposals and submit your site-specific comments, as described below, for inclusion in our analyses for the projects.

Comments should be submitted as an email attachment, in Word (preferred) or PDF format, to: [email protected].

If you choose to comment on the proposals, please include the following:

(1) Your name, address, phone number, email address, and organization, if any; (2) Title of project; and, (3) Specific facts and relevant rationale you feel should be considered.

Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and will be available for public inspection.

Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request this Agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. The Forest Service will inform the requester of the Agency's decision regarding the request for confidentiality and the options available (see 7 CFR 1.27 for further information).

Please note that this opportunity for comment is primarily for you to make statements regarding why the project should or should not proceed as described below. If you have questions about any details regarding an individual project, we encourage you to please contact the project proponent, listed with each project on the pages below, to possibly get answers (including requests for more detailed project maps) before submitting your comments.

If you have any questions regarding comment submission, please contact Lois Hill, 208-935-4258 (work), 208-935-4275 (FAX); or, mail inquiries to: Supervisor’s Office, Nez Perce-Clearwater NFs, 903 3rd

Street, Kamiah, ID, 83536.

Please submit your comments by April 23, 2017, for full consideration.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender


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Project Proposals

1) Big Creek Bridge Replacement [Red River Ranger District (RD)]

Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18): Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian areas or other water bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 26 North, Range 7 East, Section 18. Background: The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Nez Perce Tribe, is proposing to replace the existing timber bridge crossing Big Creek on Road 311 at mile 10.5. The bridge currently has an abutment leaning in toward the creek indicating the abutment and embankment could fail in the near future. The bridge needs to be replaced for public safety and to prevent impairment of aquatic resources. Project Design / Equipment: A contractor would remove the existing timber bridge and construct a new 60 ft. span by 18 in. usable width steel girder bridge with a glue-laminated timber (Glulam) deck and concrete beam foundation. Activities include, but are not limited to: structure excavation, placement of riprap and/or geocell soil stabilization strips, installing concrete grade beams, erecting a new steel girder bridge with a Glulam deck and timber running-planks, backfilling, installation of glue-laminated curb, embankment and excavation of roadway approaches, and placement of new crushed aggregate surfacing. Road 311 would be reconstructed for approximately 500 ft. surrounding the bridge site to build up and correctly align the bridge approaches to the new bridge. Road 311 would be closed during bridge removal and construction, and signs and/or barricades placed on both sides of the bridge at a distance to warn the public of the road closure. Equipment used for the project include an excavator, backhoe, roller compactor, road grader, and dump trucks. Most of the ground disturbance would be associated with the removal of the old bridge and excavating the roadbed to the grading limits of the new bridge. All design criteria and BMPs for water quality standards and weed management would be implemented. All required permits such as an Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit would be obtained prior to initiating project work. Project Implementation: The project would start either in the summer or early fall of 2017 or 2018, pending funding availability. The work window would be from July 15 to September 30 in compliance with the Programmatic Biological Opinion for Habitat Restoration Projects in Idaho. The project would likely take two weeks, but could possibly take up to six weeks to complete, depending on conditions. Project Information: Chris Wolffing, South Zone Engineer, (208) 983-5153, [email protected]


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Map of Big Creek Bridge Replacement Project


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2) Brushy Fork Face Road Decommissioning (Lochsa-Powell RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(20): Activities that restore, rehabilitate, or stabilize lands occupied by roads and trails, excluding National Forest System roads and National Forest System trails to a more natural condition that 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 site productivity and reduce environmental impacts. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 37 North, Range 15 East, Sections 8 and 10 Background: This project is adjacent to the 2016 South Brushy Road Decommissioning project in the ‘checkerboard’ part of the Forest. ‘Brushy Fork Face’ consists of jammer logging road systems built in the mid-1960s. Typical of that era, the low volume roads were built to minimum haul specs and with log culverts at stream crossings. The primary objective for the project is to reduce watershed impacts by reclaiming roads that are not necessary for and were never part of the Forest's transportation system. Many of these roads have been identified as currently causing chronic erosion into streams due to slumping fill slopes and saturated areas, and log or metal culverts plugged or failing. In addition, most of the roads proposed for decommissioning are on dissected Breaklands land types, with some on mass wasting land types, both of which are subject to landslides. As such, the roads have a high potential to catastrophically deposit large amounts of sediment into fish bearing streams as occurred during the floods of winter 1995-1996. Even though many of the roads were unused and revegetated with brush and young trees – conditions still present – the roads were still unstable and failed. The resulting landslides delivered large amounts of sediment to the streams below. Project Design / Equipment: The Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forest , in partnership with the Nez Perce Tribe, proposes to decommission and recontour up to 20 miles of non-system, harvest legacy roads north and south of Forest System Road 5669. Access to the project area would be via FSR 5669. Using heavy equipment, a contractor would clear the roads of vegetation, decompact the road and inboard ditch, and recontour the road by pulling up the fill slope and reshaping the ground close to its original contour. In addition, the operator would clump plant native vegetation on the recontoured slopes, and pull duff and organic material from the adjacent uphill side to enhance revegetation. When completed, an opening at the top of the road cut-slope would be left to allow foot access. Where the roads cross streams, the excavator operator would remove the existing culvert (log or metal), reestablish the grade of the stream, and where necessary, construct log or rock grade control structures in the stream bed to mimic a typical step-pool stream system found in the area. In areas where subsurface flow has been interrupted and caused ponding and soil saturation, the contractor would excavate a shallow depression to ensure drainage, then plant appropriate wet-site vegetation perpendicular to the flow path to help reestablish subsurface flow.


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BMPs for water quality would be applied to maintain slope stability, and minimize soil disturbance from road decommissioning work. In addition, clump planting and scattering the removed vegetation (slash) on the recontoured surface would help limit erosion and provide microsites for revegetation. BMPs for invasive plant management (e.g., equipment cleaning and inspection) would be implemented to reduce the threat of non-native invasive species (plants) establishment and/or increase on the recontoured roads. The roads would be treated for invasive plants before decommissioning, and monitored, post-decommissioning, for weed infestations and treated accordingly. Mechanical support would follow BMPs for fuel storage and fueling to minimize the risk of a fuels spill into live water. The contractor would have fuel spill containment supplies onsite in the event of a fuel spill and their employees would be trained in the proper application and use of those materials. Road treatments would include the following design features and mitigation measures:

1. Any hardened road segment or surface area shall be de-compacted to promote water infiltration and establish vegetation.

2. After required decompaction of the roadway, the fill material shall be pulled up and placed on the roadbed between the top of cutslope and original ground forming a slope approximating natural contours. No ditches, water traps, or berms shall remain, nor any structures that require maintenance.

3. Log or metal culverts, other drainage structures and associated fills shall be removed from stream channels, followed by restoring channels to natural grade and sideslope contour.

4. Vegetation shall be preserved and placed on top of re-contoured road segments and completed channel side slopes in stable positions not interfering with stream channel flow.

5. Roughness and diversity elements shall be added at culvert removal sites, such as rock or log weirs, rootwads and live plant transplants to dissipate energy and support channel grade and bank stability in the newly restored stream channels.

6. All seeps and springs encountered shall have drainage channels or swales provided. 7. Clumps of available vegetation and associated soil shall be transplanted onto disturbed areas for

erosion protection and long-term site productivity. 8. The disturbed area shall be 40% to 60% covered with natural slash when available from roadway. 9. Decommissioning activities shall be coordinated to avoid impacting fish spawning windows and

locations. 10. A narrow (2’ wide) break in slash and woody debris would remain at the top edge of the

decommissioned road to accommodate foot and wildlife traffic. 11. At completion, the decommissioned roads would no longer require maintenance and would not be

accessible to motorized vehicles. The following design features would be used to minimize sediment delivery and other impacts to streams during culvert removal and road decommissioning:

1. Work during wet conditions shall cease if rutting and erosion cannot be controlled. Prior to

leaving the site, any rutted areas and other damaged areas shall be smoothed, sloped and graded to drain, and all erosion control features shall be constructed and functional.

2. When working adjacent to live water or streams a buffer of vegetation, a brush barrier, or straw dike would be maintained to prevent direct sedimentation to the stream.


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3. Stream diversions or dewatering would be required while work is being done in the channel. Settling basins or other methods would be used to ensure that muddy water does not return to the stream. Diversions would be installed, operated and removed such that erosion and sedimentation is minimized.

4. Fill material would be placed in stable areas outside of stream channels and floodplains. 5. The contractor would dispose of removed culverts and other structural materials off National

Forest System land. 6. Prior to arriving at the project site, equipment used for instream work shall be cleaned of external

oil, grease, dirt, mud, plant parts, and any leaks would be repaired. This cleaning would remove all dirt and plant parts to ensure that noxious weeds and aquatic invasive species are not brought to the site. All equipment would be inspected by the COR before unloading at site. Equipment would be inspected daily for leaks or accumulations of grease, and identified problems corrected before entering streams or areas that drain directly to streams or wetlands.

7. Mechanical support would follow BMPs for fuel storage and machine fueling to minimize the risk of a fuels spill into live water. The contractor would have fuel spill containment supplies onsite in the event of a fuel spill and their employees would be trained in the proper application and use of those materials.

Project Implementation: The project is expected to be implemented in early summer 2017, and would be completed within 5 – 6 weeks, depending on conditions. Project Information: Rebecca Lloyd, Central Zone Soil Scientist, (208)-942-0350, [email protected]


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Map 1 of the Brushy Fork Face Road Decommissioning Project


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Map 2 of the Brushy Fork Face Road Decommissioning Project


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3) Center Star Mining [Red River RD]

Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e) (8) Short-term (1 year or less) mineral, energy, or geophysical investigations and their incidental support activities that may require cross-country travel by vehicles and equipment, construction of less than 1 mile of low standard road, or use and minor repair of existing roads. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 29 North, Range 7 East, Section 35. Background: The project area is located within the Center Star Creek drainage. The surrounding area is forested with upland vegetation and timber of mixed species. The project site is at the upper end of the canyon which contains Center Star Creek. The purpose of the proposed action is to test for gold values on unpatented mining claims to determine if sufficient quantities of valuable minerals exist to warrant further exploration or development. Project Design / Equipment: The claimant proposes to reopen the main portal of the Center Star Mine in order to assess the potential for remaining precious metal reserves. The main portal would be reopened using a track mounted excavator, end loader, and bulldozer as appropriate. Other support vehicles include pickup trucks, trailers, and ATVs. Once reopened, the adit would be stabilized and underground work, which consists of hand sampling and mechanized drilling, would commence. An existing approximately 0.5-acre waste dump at the portal entrance would serve as an equipment staging area and would contain any waste material produced during excavation. Once the main portal was successfully opened a second portal, connected to the main portal, may be opened as a safety exit. The second portal, located southeast and upslope of the main portal, is also accessible by existing road templates. The second portal would be opened in the same manner as the main portal. The project area would be accessed by taking State Highway 14 from Grangeville, Idaho 37 miles to the Santiam Bridge, then taking FS Road #492 approximately six miles to FS Road #1110, turning onto and taking FS Road #1110C to its terminus. Approximately 2400 feet of old existing skid trails and mining roads would require reconditioning, beginning at the terminus of FSR #1110C. Reconditioning would consist of blading and leveling the trails and roads only to the extent needed for equipment to gain access to the main and second portals. In addition, approximately 20 trees up to 6”-7” DBH and a larger number of small (approximately 2’-12’ tall) trees would be removed from the trail/road prisms. Reconditioned trails and roads would be reclaimed once work has completed. Ground disturbance would be limited to the reconditioned trail/road prisms and the areas around the portals. Once the work was completed, all disturbed areas would be reclaimed, seeded and mulched as necessary; the access trails/roads would be stabilized, water-barred or other drainage structures installed as appropriate, then seeded and mulched. Disturbed areas would be monitored for weeds until revegetation had satisfactorily occurred. A reclamation bond, to be submitted by the claimant before any work begins, would be calculated to cover the amount required for site rehabilitation. The


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bond would be refunded once all required reclamations were satisfactorily completed. There would be no changes to access restrictions as the result of this project. Forest Road #1110 is a gated road which is closed year-round to full sized motorized use. The gate would be closed and locked by the claimant when the road was not in use. Use of the road would be permitted as a condition of formal approval of this proposal. Personnel involved may include two geologists and a work crew of up to eight persons. They would not live on site but would occupy a dispersed campsite at the start of FSR #1110. It is not anticipated that any additional permits would be required for this project. If they are required, it would be the claimant’s responsibility to obtain them, and all required permits would need to be in place before work could begin. All activities would follow both State of Idaho Mining BMPs and standard mitigation measures for mineral projects developed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (and incorporated into the operator’s permit), including, but not limited to:

• notifying the District Ranger or minerals administrator 48 hours before any work is to begin; • not beginning operations until a field review is conducted by appropriate Forest Service

personnel to verify placement of sump/ infiltration gallery and temporary access trails and ensure that acceptable conditions exist (no excessive saturation, high water, etc.);

• washing all vehicles and equipment used at the site before being brought onto National Forest System (NFS) lands to prevent the spread of noxious weeds;

• utilizing suitable erosion control devices, placed between the pond and live waters; • avoiding disturbances of wetlands and stream riparian zones; • avoiding working on saturated soils; • not discharging water into any live stream or wetland; • not removing large vegetation without prior authorization of the District Ranger; • developing a hazardous material and spill prevention plan and submitting it to the District

Ranger prior to operations; not storing more than 30 gallons of fuel or oil in the project area; • Prior to October 1, removing all equipment, garbage and trash from NFS lands as a result of the

operations; and, • using and maintaining a sanitary facility at the project area while operations are ongoing.

Project Implementation: This project is proposed to begin during the 2017 work season, and is anticipated to take a year or less to complete. Project Information: Marty Jones, Minerals Administrator, (208) 983-5158, [email protected].


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Map of Center Star Exploration Project


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4) Five Mile ATV Bridge Replacement (Red River RD)

Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18) Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 28 North, Range 7 East, Section 36 Background: The Crooked River bridge off of County 233 road (milepost 10.5) is approaching a dilapidated state with the existing bridge pilings below the ordinary high water elevation. Approved for use by ATVs and snowmobiles (but not full sized vehicles) the CR bridge connects a major snowmobile loop trail (NF Trail 821). The trail is intended to be groomed; however, the existing bridge does not currently support the weight of a snow groomer, or a fire suppression engine in the event of a wildfire near the community of Orogrande. In addition, an unauthorized and unimproved ford has been created immediately downstream of the existing bridge. This has led to stream bank erosion and degradation of water quality and fish habitat. Replacement of the existing bridge and rehabilitation of the user-created ford are consistent with the travel planning (DRAMVU) preferred alternative. The project would have long-term benefits on water quality and fish habitat since the ford is causing stream bank erosion, and the pilings are constricting the flow of the river, increasing water velocity. Project Design / Equipment: The Forest Service is proposing to remove the existing timber bridge and gabion pilings and replace them with a new 16-foot wide steel stringer bridge with a timber deck and concrete pilings that would span the entire channel. The new bridge would be designed to pass a 100 year flood event with adequate freeboard (two foot minimum). A hydraulic analysis would be completed and used for preliminary and final bridge design. Bridge replacement activities include: excavation of the existing structure, installation of new abutment walls, excavation and embankment of roadway approaches, installation of new bridge, placement of riprap, and the placement of aggregate surfacing on the trail. Approximately 100 feet of NFT 821 would require minor reconstruction to align the approaches to the new bridge. A barrier (to be determined) would be installed to restrict full-sized vehicle access to the bridge/trail. The bridge site would be closed during removal and construction. After the bridge was replaced, the unauthorized ford would be rehabilitated by transplanting clumps of native vegetation taken onsite and spreading certified weed free seed. Access to the ford would then be closed/blocked using native material and transplanted vegetation. Heavy equipment to be used includes an excavator, dump trucks, backhoe, roller compactor, road grader, and possibly a crane for bridge removal and placement. Materials may be stockpiled and equipment stationed temporarily within the Fivemile Pond recreation area. All non-native waste materials would be removed from the site.


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Ground disturbance would primarily be from removing the old bridge and trail reconstruction. All Terms and Conditions and Design Criteria in the Stream Crossing Programmatic Biological Assessment (with US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA fisheries) would be implemented to minimize impacts to the stream and fish habitat. Construction specifications would meet the Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-03. The consultant would use the Forest Service Standards modified and customized for the Crooked River ATV Bridge at Fivemile. BMPs for Roads, Trails, Water Quality and Weed Management would be implemented during all phases of the project. National Core BMPs and Terms and Conditions and Design Criteria in the Stream Crossing Programmatic would also be followed, including but not limited to:

• All road equipment shall be cleaned and have a weed free inspection before entering the project site.

• Sediment barriers will be installed to provide erosion control. • Rock will be placed on the road surfaces and along ditches as needed to protect fish habitat. • Rock used for surfacing shall be free of noxious weed seed. • The contractor will be required to submit and implement a Spill Prevention Control and

Countermeasure Plan Project Implementation: Pending funding, project activities would be implemented in 2018 during the instream work window. The contract could take up to six weeks but would probably be less. Project Information: Anne Connor, Watershed Restoration Program Lead, (208) 476-8235, [email protected]


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Map of the Five Mile ATV Bridge Replacement Project


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5) Gold Dust Mines (Palouse RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e) (8) Short-term (1 year or less) mineral, energy, or geophysical investigations and their incidental support activities that may require cross-country travel by vehicles and equipment, construction of less than 1 mile of low standard road, or use and minor repair of existing roads. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 43 North, Range 1 West, Section 31 Background: The project area has many claims in the area, and has been heavily mined in the past. The purpose of the proposed action is to test for gold values on unpatented mining claims to determine if sufficient quantities of valuable minerals exist to warrant further exploration or development. Project Design / Equipment: The four proposed drilling sites – Gold Dust 2 Lode, NE Ext. Gold Dust 2, Gold Quartz 5, and King of the Hill – are collectively known as the Mountain Gulch Claims. The actions described below would occur at all four sites. The claimants propose to test lodes and areas of interest by drilling core holes (4” wide or less and up to 200 ft. deep) with a portable (6HP) drill, testing vein material and testing old tailings. Approximately 10 holes would be drilled, with each hole reclaimed upon completion, usually the same day. Nothing would be left open past November 15, 2017. All ore collected will be processed off-site on private property. Water used for the drilling process would be brought in by the claimants. If water is used from Forest Service lands, a water use permit would be obtained from the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the water withdrawal site reviewed by Forest Service specialists before water is taken from any stream. The drill water would be dispersed over the ground per the design criteria listed below. Equipment expected on site includes a car or pickup, portable core drill, hand tools, and ATVs. No temporary roads or trails would be built or improved. Access to the project sites are as follows:

• Gold Dust 2 Lode: Accessed by FS Rd 767 and 767B • NE Ext Gold Dust 2: Accessed by Rd 767 and 767B • Gold Quartz 5: Accessed by Rd 767 and 767B • King of the Hill: Accessed by Rd 767, 767B, and 377G

FS Road 767-B road has a locked gate. The gate would be double locked with the operator’s lock and an FS lock. The gate would be closed and locked when not in use. The claimant would not be camping on the sites during the season. The project area would be monitored for noxious weeds yearly and if found, appropriate measures would be taken for removal and control.


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All activities would follow both State of Idaho Mining BMPs and standard mitigation measures for mineral projects developed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (and incorporated into the operator’s permit), including, but not limited to:

• notifying the District Ranger or minerals administrator 48 hours before any work is to begin; • washing all vehicles and equipment used at the site before being brought onto National Forest

System (NFS) lands to prevent the spread of noxious weeds; • backfilling and reclaiming each drill hole as soon as testing has been completed for that site; • avoiding disturbances of wetlands and stream riparian zones; • avoiding working on saturated soils; • not discharging water into any live stream or wetland; • discharging of water from operations shall not occur within an RCHA; • obtaining prior approval from the Forest Service for cutting or removal of trees or other large

live vegetation. Downfall may be removed as needed; • developing a hazardous material and spill prevention plan and submitting it to the District

Ranger prior to operations. Store all fuel or oil in a secondary containment system that limits spills to the environment;

• not storing more than 30 gallons of fuel or oil in the project area; • prior to November 15, removing all equipment, garbage and trash from NFS lands as a result of

the operations; • using and maintaining a sanitary facility at the project area while operations are ongoing; • complying with all applicable Federal and State fire laws and regulations and take all reasonable

measures to prevent and suppress fires on the area of operations and require employees, contractors and subcontractors to do likewise (36 CFR 228.11);

• reclaiming each phase of the operation concurrently during mining; • during operations, inspect and clean sediment control structures to maintain their efficiency; • surface mining operations/sites should be re-contoured to the approximate original contour,

topsoil replaced and seeded. In addition to the drilling operations proposed above, the claimants would remove the excess wood, metal debris, etc. from three previous operations completed prior to 2010 – Gold Dust 1 (T42N R2W, Sections 1 and 12), Hayden Lode (T42N R2W, Sections 1 and 12) and Mining City 2 (T42N R2W, Section 1). The outhouse at Gold Dust 2 would be removed and the hole filled-in and re-contoured. The claimant would use a back hoe or track hoe to fill-in the adit on Gold Dust 2 with tailings from the existing waste pile. Project Implementation: The work will start on or around May 15 (depending on the accessibility) and end by November 15th, 2017. All reclamation will be done by November 15, 2017. Project Information: Rebecca Anderson, Acting Minerals/Geology Program Manager, 208-476-8351, [email protected]


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Map of the Gold Dust Mines Project


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6) Hungry Ridge Riparian Area Restoration (Salmon River RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18) Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian):

Background: Riparian Management Areas (MA 10s) in American, Upper Mill, and Merton prescription watersheds were field evaluated and all were found to be degraded. The Nez Perce Tribe has attempted several times to establish riparian shrubs in Upper Mill Creek without success. American Creek’s Buck Meadows water is visibly turbid, even at low flow. Riparian shrubs in Buck Meadows and Upper Mill are dying due to their roots being exposed to air. In Merton Creek, stream banks are deeply undercut, and the dominant plant species is a facultative wetland grass. For America’s Buck Meadows, Merton, and Upper Mill, the degradation appears to be due to a drop in the water table causing the soil to be drier than it likely was during floodplain formation. The stream channels are incised such that the energy during peak flow is contained within the channel instead of dissipating out onto the floodplain. Consequently the banks must deal with the additional force and are either deeply undercut or sloughing into the channel as a result. Some meadows within Upper Mill Creek, Merton Creek, and American’s Buck Meadows are fenced to protect them from grazing. While the exclosures have revegetated with grasses and herbaceous plants, the vegetation has still not prevented the stream from continuing to degrade. Upper American Creek meadow does not have a cattle exclosure fence. Although the riparian component is wider here than at the other project sites, its banks are currently unstable as well. Over time, the meadow is at risk of more bank erosion and channel incision due to active grazing pressure. The purpose and need of the project is to move the selected systems toward Forest Plan objectives of restoring riparian habitat characteristics in the designated Riparian Management Areas (MA 10s). This would be done by installing beaver dam analogs to decrease water velocity, thereby reducing bank instability and incision. Over time, as sediment is deposited, the channel bed’s elevation would increase, elevating the water table, and restoring necessary soil moisture characteristics for riparian vegetation. Since beaver dam analogs are porous, the existing fine sediments would be transported through the system, while spawning sized gravels, for example, would be trapped and recruited. The project also supports Amendment 20 of the Forest Plan Resource Management Objectives (RMO) by restoring riparian vegetation to regulate water temperatures. In addition, slower water velocities,

Location Township Range Section

Upper Mill Creek 27N 3E 12, 13, 14 27N 4E 6, 7

Merton Creek 28N 4E 32, 33 American Creek 28N 4E 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33


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via the beaver dam analogs, would reduce further bank erosion and downcutting, thereby meeting Forest Plan Appendix A guidelines of managing fine sediment load and the RMO on bank stability. Project Design / Equipment: The USFS and Nez Perce Tribe proposes to construct beaver dam analogs in Merton, Mill, and American Creeks. Sites would be selected and materials collected from within the Riparian Management Areas (see attached map). Site selection would focus on stream reaches that are over-steepened or have head-cuts. Structures would be placed every five to seven channel widths for a total of five to 20 structures. The structures would be built using chainsaws, handsaws, clippers, loppers, hand shears, and a hydraulic post driver. The sites would be accessed on existing Forest System Roads and Trails. Post-sized trees would be cut and carried to the site by hand, live cuttings taken from riparian vegetation, and holes dug in the stream bed. Recent field visits suggest the posts are likely to be Lodgepole pine, and cuttings would likely come from Alders. Willows, if available, would also be utilized. The actual species used would ultimately be determined by what’s available near the site, especially for the live cuttings. Slash from post cuttings would be used, if an insufficient supply of riparian shrubs is not available. USFS, Nez Perce Tribe, and a labor workforce, such as a conservation corps crew, would build the structures. All work would be done during the NOAA and USFWS fish window. Any required permits, such as Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit, Idaho Department of Water Resources Stream Alteration Permit, would be obtained prior to initiating work. All appropriate BMPs for Water Quality and Weed Management would be applied during project implementation. Additional design criteria include but are not limited to:

• All equipment and vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned to mitigate for the spread of weeds. • A spill kit will be on-site to mitigate for fuel spills. • Structure design and installation would insure that any scour and redistribution of sediment do

not undermine stream banks or cause headcutting. • Posts would be cut to a height to provide effective dam function but not trap excessive debris at

high flows. • Site selection would consider distance to culverts, private property, and other infrastructure. • No material would be used that is too large to pass through the nearest downstream culvert. • Willow and alder cutting should be postponed as late in the project window as possible,

preferably after August 1, to avoid potential disturbance/destruction of active nests (bird). • If an active nest is found the occupied tree as well as any immediately adjacent trees should be

left uncut, and the area avoided during project implementation. Project Implementation: The project would be implemented over a period of 3 to 10 years. The crew would focus on one or two sites during the time available for instream work and then move on to the next site the next year, and so on. The number of total ‘BDAs’ constructed in any one year would depend on the site, available funding, work force experience, and available material. Site selection, structure design, labor coordination, etc. would occur during the months outside the work window. Project Information: Anne Connor, Watershed Restoration Program Lead, (208) 476-8235, [email protected]


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Map of the Hungry Ridge Riparian Area Restoration Project


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7) Mill Creek Bridge #1 Replacement (Salmon River RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18) Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled.

Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 29 North, Range 4 East, Section 27 Background: The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Nez Perce Tribe, is proposing to replace the existing bridge crossing Mill Creek on the 309 Road at Mile 0.90. The timber stringer and deck bridge has some rotten stringers and abutment posts, and damaged guard rails. The bridge currently constricts the flow of Mill Creek, which allows debris to build up under the bridge from time to time. The bridge is structurally deficient and needs to be replaced for safety reasons and to allow for natural flow regimes. Project Design / Equipment: A contractor would remove the existing timber bridge and construct a new 65’-0” span by 14’-0” usable width concrete bulb tee bridge with a concrete grade beam foundation. Activities include, but are not limited to: structure excavation, placement of riprap, installation of concrete grade beams, installation of bulb tee beams with a concrete curb, installation of foundation fill, embankment and excavation of roadway approaches, and placing new crushed aggregate surfacing. Road 309 would be reconstructed for approximately 310’ surrounding the bridge site to build up and correctly align the approaches to the new bridge. Road 309 would be closed during bridge removal and construction, and signs and/or barricades placed on both sides of the bridge at a distance to warn the public of the road closure. Equipment used for the project include an excavator, crane, backhoe, roller compactor, road grader, and dump trucks. Most of the ground disturbance would be associated with the removal of the old bridge and excavating the roadbed to the grading limits of the new bridge. All design criteria and BMPs for water quality standards and weed management would be implemented. All required permits such as an Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit would be obtained prior to initiating project work. Project Implementation: The project would start either in the summer or early fall of 2017 or 2018, pending funding availability. The work window would be from July 15 to September 30 in compliance with the Programmatic Biological Opinion for Habitat Restoration Projects in Idaho. The project would likely take two weeks, but could possibly take up to six weeks to complete, depending on conditions. Project Information: Chris Wolffing, South Zone Engineer, (208) 983-5153, [email protected]


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Map of the Mill Creek Bridge #1 Replacement Project


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8) Pocket Gopher Control (Lochsa-Powell RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(5) Regeneration of an area to native tree species, including site preparation that does not involve the use of herbicides or result in vegetation type conversion. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 33 North, Range 6 East, Sections 23, 25, 26, and 36 and Township 33 North, Range 7 East, Section 9 Background: The Lochsa-Powell Ranger District is proposing to conduct pocket gopher population control in recently harvested stands planted with conifer seedlings (77acres; 2 stands) in the spring of 2015 and stands to be planted with conifer seedlings (32 acres; 2 stands) in the spring or fall of 2017. During site visits in the fall of 2016 it was determined that significant gopher activity was occurring. Damage to conifer seedlings by pocket gophers is a major factor limiting reforestation success in the western U. S. Regeneration surveys have found that stocking levels can be reduced by as much as 50% to 75% in stands with high pocket gopher activity. This project is needed to improve nursery grown seedling survival; reduce the loss of reforestation investments; and to meet the National Forest Management Act requirement to adequately reforest within five years following final harvest. Project Design / Equipment: The project would treat approx. 109 acres (4 stands; see Table below) for pocket gopher population suppression. Treatments would take place when soil conditions were still moist but not saturated. Treatment would be suspended when soils were wet or heavy rain is predicted. Treatment would not occur within INFISH/PACFISH RHCA buffers of 50 to 300 feet.

Township Range Section Activity Unit, Forest, District & Stand No. Acres Currently

Planted? County

33N 6E 23, 25, 26 50520090251 38 Yes Idaho 33N 6E 25, 36 50520090252 39 Yes Idaho 33N 7E 9 505A200100138 5 No Idaho 33N 7E 9 505A120900060 27 No Idaho

Total acres 109 The EPA approved rodenticide for treating pocket gophers below ground is 0.5% strychnine alkaloid treated steam-rolled oats (EPA Registration Number 56228-20). One teaspoon of the oat bait would be deposited below ground directly into the gophers’ burrows through a hole made in the top of the burrow using a steel probe which is immediately covered up. Application rates of 1/8th to one pound of bait/acre is typically adequate but may be increased up to two pounds/acre in heavily infested stands. Experience and research have shown that below ground hand baiting is the safest, most effective, and practical means of controlling pocket gopher populations in the forest environment. Strychnine does not accumulate in living organisms and breaks down rapidly in the environment, where it is subject to decomposition by microorganisms into non-toxic chemical elements. Research suggests a half-life for the strychnine in the bait lasts from two weeks to one month. Strychnine treated bait begins to mold within 10 to 14 days under average soil moisture conditions and after that time period the bait becomes unpalatable to rodents.


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Bait would be kept in a well-marked locked container while not in use. No bait would be stored within 200 feet of any water source. Transferring bait to dispensing containers would be done over plastic sheets or within a self-contained bait storage bin. Bait dispensers would be covered to prevent spillage. The treatments would be done by contract and the contractor must be licensed by the State of Idaho as a professional pesticide applicator. Most contractors can treat between 50 – 100 acres per day depending on unit size and the amount of pocket gopher activity. The Forest has had 20 + years of experience using the proposed pocket gopher treatment method to reduce seedling mortality and achieve reforestation objectives. Similar success is expected with the current treatments proposed for this project. Design Criteria (FSH 2509.25-Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook, Ch. 10, 15.3 - Measure (17):

• Favor pesticides with half-lives of three months or less when practicable to achieve treatment objectives.

• Apply at lowest effective rates as large droplets or pellets. • Follow the label directions. • Favor selective treatment.

Project Implementation: Treatments would be implemented between June 15th through July 31st, beginning in 2017 and extending to 2022. The stands would be treated for approximately two years during this timeframe Project Information: Clare Brick, Forest Culturist, (208) 963-4208, [email protected]; Samantha Brown, Forester/Silviculture Trainee, (208) 963-4219, [email protected]


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Map of the Pocket Gopher Control – Lochsa-Powell Project


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Map 2 of the Pocket Gopher Control – Lochsa-Powell Project


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9) Pocket Gopher Control (North Fork RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(5) Regeneration of an area to native tree species, including site preparation that does not involve the use of herbicides or result in vegetation type conversion. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 39 North, Range 9 East, Section 3 Background: The North Fork Ranger District is proposing to conduct pocket gopher population control in recently harvested stands planted with conifer seedlings in the spring of 2016. Damage to conifer seedlings by pocket gophers is a major factor limiting reforestation success in the western United States. Pocket gophers can seriously affect conifer regeneration for up to 10 years after planting, with the most serious damage occurring within the first, second, or third years. Regeneration surveys have found that stocking levels can be reduced by as much as 50 to 75% in stands with high levels of pocket gopher activity. Gophers commonly injure seedlings by pruning the roots and girdling or clipping the stems. When stems are 0.5 inches or less in size, gophers may pull entire seedlings into their tunnels from below, leaving little evidence of the tree’s existence above ground. Root pruning in plantations may go unnoticed until the tops turn brown from summer drought or until normal appearing seedlings tip over at odd angles. This project is needed to improve nursery grown seedling survival; reduce the loss of reforestation investments; and to meet the National Forest Management Act requirement to adequately reforest within five years following final harvest. Project Design / Equipment: The project would treat approx. 78 acres (1 stand; see Table below) for pocket gopher population suppression. Treatments would take place when soil conditions were still moist but not saturated. Treatment would be suspended when soils were wet or heavy rain is predicted. Treatment would not occur within INFISH/PACFISH RHCA buffers of 50 to 300 feet.

Township Range Section Activity Unit, Forest, District & Stand No. Acres County Watershed Subwatershed

39N 9E 3 050346070057 78 Clearwater UNFClw Cold Springs Creek

The EPA approved rodenticide for treating pocket gophers below ground is 0.5% strychnine alkaloid treated steam-rolled oats (EPA Registration Number 56228-20). One teaspoon of the oat bait would be deposited below ground directly into the gophers’ burrows through a hole made in the top of the burrow using a steel probe which is immediately covered up. Application rates of 1/8th to one pound of bait/acre is typically adequate but may be increased up to two pounds/acre in heavily infested stands. Experience and research have shown that below ground hand baiting is the safest, most effective, and practical means of controlling pocket gopher populations in the forest environment. Strychnine does not accumulate in living organisms and breaks down rapidly in the environment, where it is subject to decomposition by microorganisms into non-toxic chemical elements. Research suggests a half-life for the strychnine in the bait lasts from two weeks to one month. Strychnine treated bait begins to mold within 10 to 14 days under average soil moisture conditions and after that time period the bait becomes unpalatable to rodents.


29

Bait would be kept in a well-marked locked container while not in use. No bait would be stored within 200 feet of any water source. Transferring bait to dispensing containers would be done over plastic sheets or within a self-contained bait storage bin. Bait dispensers would be covered to prevent spillage. The treatments would be done by contract and the contractor must be licensed by the State of Idaho as a professional pesticide applicator. Most contractors can treat between 50 – 100 acres per day depending on unit size and the amount of pocket gopher activity. The Forest has had 20 + years of experience using the proposed pocket gopher treatment method to reduce seedling mortality and achieve reforestation objectives. Similar success is expected with the current treatments as proposed for this project. Design Criteria (FSH 2509.25-Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook, Ch. 10, 15.3 - Measure (17):





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Map of the Pocket Gopher Control – North Fork Project


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10) Pocket Gopher Control (Palouse RD) Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(5) Regeneration of an area to native tree species, including site preparation that does not involve the use of herbicides or result in vegetation type conversion. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 40 North, Range 1 West, Sections 2 and 3; Township 41 North, Range 1 West, Sections 15 and 16; Township 40 North, Range 2 East, Sections 27 and 34 Background: The Palouse Ranger District is proposing to conduct pocket gopher population control in recently harvested stands that have been planted or will be planted with conifer seedlings. Damage to conifer seedlings by pocket gophers is a major factor limiting reforestation success in the western United States. Pocket gophers can seriously affect conifer regeneration for up to 10 years after planting, with the most serious damage occurring within the first, second, or third years. Regeneration surveys have found that stocking levels can be reduced by as much as 50 to 75% in stands with high levels of pocket gopher activity. Gophers commonly injure seedlings by pruning the roots and girdling or clipping the stems. When stems are 0.5 inches or less in size, gophers may pull entire seedlings into their tunnels from below, leaving little evidence of the tree’s existence above ground. Root pruning in plantations may go unnoticed until the tops turn brown from summer drought or until normal appearing seedlings tip over at odd angles. This project is needed to improve nursery grown seedling survival; reduce the loss of reforestation investments; and to meet the National Forest Management Act requirement to adequately reforest within five years following final harvest. Project Design / Equipment: The project would treat approx. 518 acres (9 stands; see Table below) for pocket gopher population suppression. Treatments would take place when soil conditions were still moist but not saturated. Treatment would be suspended when soils were wet or heavy rain is predicted. Treatment would not occur within INFISH/PACFISH RHCA buffers of 50 to 300 feet.

Township Range Section Activity Unit, Forest, District & Stand No. Acres County Watershed Subwatershed

40N 1W 3 050264040036 129 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 40N 1W 2 050264050001 72 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 40N 1W 2 050264050023 25 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 41N 1W 15 050277030019 153 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 41N 1W 15 050277030023 40 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 41N 1W 16 050277030024 10 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 41N 1W 16 050277030025 10 Latah Clw Hog Meadow Crk – Potlatch Crk 40N 2E 27 050290020008 63 Clearwater Clw Bull Run Creek 40N 2E 34 050290020058 16 Clearwater Clw Bull Run Creek

518 The EPA approved rodenticide for treating pocket gophers below ground is 0.5% strychnine alkaloid treated steam-rolled oats (EPA Registration Number 56228-20). One teaspoon of the oat bait would be deposited below ground directly into the gophers’ burrows through a hole made in the top of the


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burrow using a steel probe which is immediately covered up. Application rates of 1/8th to one pound of bait/acre is typically adequate but may be increased up to two pounds/acre in heavily infested stands. Experience and research have shown that below ground hand baiting is the safest, most effective, and practical means of controlling pocket gopher populations in the forest environment. Strychnine does not accumulate in living organisms and breaks down rapidly in the environment, where it is subject to decomposition by microorganisms into non-toxic chemical elements. Research suggests a half-life for the strychnine in the bait lasts from two weeks to one month. Strychnine treated bait begins to mold within 10 to 14 days under average soil moisture conditions and after that time period the bait becomes unpalatable to rodents. Bait would be kept in a well-marked locked container while not in use. No bait would be stored within 200 feet of any water source. Transferring bait to dispensing containers would be done over plastic sheets or within a self-contained bait storage bin. Bait dispensers would be covered to prevent spillage. The treatments would be done by contract and the contractor must be licensed by the State of Idaho as a professional pesticide applicator. Most contractors can treat between 50 – 100 acres per day depending on unit size and the amount of pocket gopher activity. The Forest has had 20 + years of experience using the proposed pocket gopher treatment method to reduce seedling mortality and achieve reforestation objectives. Similar success is expected with the current treatments as proposed for this project. Design Criteria (FSH 2509.25-Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook, Ch. 10, 15.3 - Measure (17):





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Map 1 for the Pocket Gopher Control – Palouse Project


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35



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11) Sing Lee Bridge #2 Replacement (Red River RD)

Proposed Category: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18): Restoring wetlands, streams, riparian areas or other water bodies by removing, replacing, or modifying water control structures such as, but not limited to, dams, levees, dikes, ditches, culverts, pipes, drainage tiles, valves, gates, and fencing, to allow waters to flow into natural channels and floodplains and restore natural flow regimes to the extent practicable where valid existing rights or special use authorizations are not unilaterally altered or canceled. Legal Coordinates (Boise Meridian): Township 29 North, Range 7 East, Section 8. Background: The Forest Service is proposing to replace the existing timber bridge crossing West Fork Newsome Creek on Road 440A at mile 0.50. The bridge currently has some rot in the stringers and extremely rotten log abutments with several portions completely rotted out. The bridge is at the end of its design life and needs to be replaced with a new bridge. Project Design/Equipment: A contractor would remove the existing timber bridge and construct a new timber or steel stringer bridge with a timber deck. Activities include: structure excavation, placement of riprap, installing new abutment walls, embankment and excavation or roadway approaches and placement of new aggregate surface. Road 440A would be reconstructed for approximately 100 ft. surrounding the bridge site to build up and correctly align the approaches to the new bridge. Road 440A would be closed during bridge removal and construction, and signs and/or barricades placed on both sides of the bridge at a distance to warn the public of the road closure. Equipment used for the project include an excavator, backhoe, roller compactor, road grader, and dump trucks. Most of the ground disturbance would be associated with the removal of the old bridge and excavating the roadbed to the grading limits of the new bridge. All required permits such as an Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit would be obtained prior to initiating project work. All design criteria and BMPs for water quality standards and weed management would be implemented. Specific criteria includes but is not limited to:

• All road equipment shall be cleaned and inspected before entering the project site. • Sediment barriers would be installed to provide erosion control. • Rock would be placed on the road surfaces and along ditches as needed. • Rock used for surfacing shall be free of noxious weed seed. • The contractor would be required to submit and implement a Spill Prevention Control and

Countermeasure plan Project Implementation: The project would start either in the summer or early fall of 2017 or 2018, pending funding availability. The work window would be from July 15 to September 30 in compliance with the Programmatic Biological Opinion for Habitat Restoration Projects in Idaho. The project would likely take two weeks, but could possibly take up to six weeks to complete, depending on conditions. Project Information: Chris Wolffing, South Zone Engineer, (208) 983-5153, [email protected]


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Map for the Sing Lee Bridge #2 Replacement Project

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