Decision Memo Verde Mine Trail Relocation

USDA Forest Service Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin Carbon County,

T.13N R.85W, Sections 29 & 32, 6th PM

Background The proposed action is to move the portion of National Forest System Trail (NFST) 858 (the Verde Mine Trail) that lies north of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 809.1B approximately ½ mile to the northwest. The project is located south of WY Highway 70, and is accessed from NFSR 550, off of NFSR 809.

A portion of the existing Verde Mine Trail crosses private land and the Forest Service does not have legal access across it. The private landowner will not provide the Forest Service legal access through his property at the current location; however, he has offered an easement across his land ½ mile to the northwest of the existing trail. The relocated trail will tie into the top end of the existing Verde Mine Trail, which eventually accesses the Huston Park Wilderness. The new route will parallel the existing trail (see attached Exhibit A).

The full length of the relocated trail is approximately .69 miles; approximately .12 miles is across private land; approximately .36 miles is within the Huston Park Addition Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA); the remaining .21 miles is not in an IRA. A portion of the existing NFST 858 is also located within the IRA. No ground disturbance will take place other than marking the relocated trail with posts and cairns every 50 yards; a directional sign will be placed at the junction of the relocated trail and the existing trail to direct people away from the trail that leads to private land.

Decision It is my decision to move the portion of NFST 858, the Verde Mine Trail, that lies north of NFSR 809.1B approximately ½ mile to the northwest. Relocation of the trail will allow the Forest Service to continue providing nonmotorized public access to the Huston Park Wilderness.

Reasons for Categorical Exclusion I find the proposed action can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment for the following reasons: 1) The proposal fits category 32.2 (1), described in Forest Service (FS) Handbook 1909.15, chapter 30 (36 CFR 220.6(e)(1): construction and reconstruction of trails; and,

______Decision Memo DM-1 Verde Mine Trail Relocation 2) there were no extraordinary circumstances identified by the interdisciplinary team of resource scientists that analyzed this proposal, including: Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or FS sensitive species; flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds; Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas; inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas; research natural areas, American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites; archeological sites or historic properties or areas. Although a portion of the relocated trail is in an inventoried roadless area, no ground disturbance will take place other than marking the relocated trail with posts and cairns, which will have little to no effect on the IRA.

Public Involvement This project was listed on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Schedule of Proposed Actions in July 2011 and each quarter thereafter. In addition, a 30-day public comment period was provided and announced through publication of a legal notice in the paper of record, the Rawlins Daily Times, on April 28, 2012. As a result of the public comment period, no comments were received.

Findings Required by Other Laws This decision is consistent with the Medicine Bow National Forest 2003 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan as required by the National Forest Management Act. The project was designed in conformance with Forest Plan standards and incorporates appropriate Forest Plan guidelines. The Proposed Action complies with other laws and regulations such as the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215.12 – ‘Decisions and actions not subject to appeal’ for the following reason: No public comments were received in response to the outreach effort(s) described above.

Implementation Date Project implementation may occur immediately, following publication of a legal notice announcing the decision in the Rawlins Daily Times.

Contact Person For additional information concerning this decision, contact Diana Hood, Realty Specialist, Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District, PO Box 249, Saratoga WY 82331, or phone 307-326- 2532.

/s/ Paula M. Guenther 07/13/2012 PAULA GUENTHER Date Acting District Ranger

______Decision Memo DM-2 Verde Mine Trail Relocation The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication 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 to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

______Decision Memo DM-3 Verde Mine Trail Relocation