Decision Memo USDA Forest Service

Thomes Backcountry Trails Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone Ranger District Tehama County,

Decision I have decided to implement this project, which consists of conducting restoration activities within the Thomes Creek Backcountry Area (10,235 acres) on unauthorized off highway vehicle trails. Motorized use is prohibited but continues to occur, damaging these trails and reducing the solitude desired within these areas. The actions include closure devices that would prevent access of motorized traffic into the Thomes Creek Backcountry. Also, signs would be posted at the backcountry boundary and at the junction of major roadways to notify the public of proper backcountry uses. Some of the trails would require the installation of water-bars to help with proper trail drainage. Informational signs will also be posted at Kingsley and Sugarfoot Glade Campgrounds. The Thomes Creek Backcountry Area closest border is roughly 7 air miles West of Paskenta, California. Table 1 represents the legal of the backcountry area. Refer to Appendix A for detailed project specifications and Appendix B for environmental protection measures. Table 1. Legal for Thomes Creek Backcountry (Mt. Diablo Meridian) Township Range Sections 23N 7W 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20

23N 8W 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 24N 8W 34,35

This project implements the following Forest Plan direction: • It is located in Management Area 43 - Thomes Creek Backcountry Area. Backcountry Areas are set aside for management of the undeveloped forest environment in such a way that a diversity of plant and animal life is maintained and an opportunity for the enjoyment of primitive and/or semi-primitive recreational activities is provided. Access to the backcountry area is limited to foot and horse trail.

• It contributes to the following Forest Goals:

> RECREATION - Access to the backcountry area is limited to foot and horse trail. The proposed action will provide recreational experiences for the public suitable for backcountry areas. > SOILS & GEOLOGY - The proposed action will improve slope stability by keeping motorized use out of the backcountry. This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement, pursuant to 36 CFR §220.6(d)(4) Repair and maintenance of roads, trails, and landline boundaries.

Page 1 of 7 A decision memo is not required for documenting a decision under this category. However, I elected to do so in this case in order to accommodate the State's need for complete environmental compliance documentation to satisfy their CEQA responsibilities related to grant funding. Also, all actions fall under the "Treatment of Unauthorized Trails" District policy dated January 6, 2010 included in the project file. Pursuant to 36 CFR §220.6(b), I have determined that no extraordinary circumstances exist regarding the following resource conditions: a) Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. The proposed action will have no negative effects on any threatened, endangered, or Forest Service sensitive species and/or their critical habitat using established management requirements located in Appendix B. b) Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. The proposed action would not occur within any identified flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. BMPs established to protect watershed resources can be found in Appendix B. c) Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas.

N/A d) Inventoried roadless areas.

N/A e) Research natural areas.

N/A f) American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. Refer to g) below. g) Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. Archaeological sites have been identified within the Thomes Backcountry Area. The actions tied to this decision will have no negative effect on these sites using established management requirements located in Appendix B.

Public Involvement This project was listed in the Chico Enterprise Record December 10, 2009. No comments were received from the public. We also met with Ryan Henson with the California Wilderness Coalition, December 17, 2009. Mr. Henson had many comments of support for this project and did not identify any extraordinary circumstances or likely significant effects.

Findings Required by Other Laws This action complies with all applicable Forest Plan direction, as documented in

Page 2 of 7 > First Amended Regional Programmatic Agreement for Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for Undertakings on the National Forests of the Pacific Southwest Region (2001) (RPA)" dated January 28, 2010. > "Wildlife Prefield Form and Biological Assessment/Evaluation; Thomes Creek Backcountry Project" dated January 26, 2010. > "Hydrologic Analysis, Thomes Backcountry Trails" dated January 12, 2010. > "Mendocino National Forest Documentation Form for Minor Projects: Grindstone Ranger District, Fishery and Botany Report, Thomes Backcountry Trails Project" dated January 7, 2010.

Appeal Opportunities and Implementation Date My decision is not subject to appeal, pursuant to 36 CFR §215.4(a). Implementation of this proposal may occur immediately.

Contact Person For further information, please contact Robert Sanchez at 530-934-1196 or email at rfsanchez(g)fs.fed.us .

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INSERT NAME Date District Ranger

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Page 3 of 7 Appendix A

Project Specifications

Management Direction The Forest Plan provides the overarching direction for management activities on the Mendocino National Forest. Forest-wide management goals, as well as specific management area direction represent the desired future condition that management actions are designed to achieve. The proposed action is within the Thomes Creek Backcountry Area (#43) Management Area. Proposed treatments are consistent with the standards and guidelines for these management areas.

Backcountry Areas are set aside for management of the undeveloped forest environment in such a way that a diversity of plant and animal life is maintained and an opportunity for the enjoyment of primitive and/or semi-primitive recreational activities is provided. Access to the backcountry area is limited to foot and horse trail. The following list identifies the Forest Plan management direction and associated standards and guidelines that are specific to this project (see Forest Plan pp. IV-79).

1. Protect habitat for all species of wildlife, fish, and plants found within this area. 2. Limited fish, wildlife and watershed improvements may be approved in a case by case basis, where needed to maintain or enhance fish and wildlife habitat and watershed conditions. Structural improvements will be designed and implemented consistent with other management objectives for the area (i.e., maintenance of un-roaded and undeveloped character, etc.) 3. Manage to provide opportunities for primitive and/or semi-primitive non motorized recreational activities in an undeveloped setting. 4. Meet adopted Visual Quality Objectives of retention and partial retention. 5. Permit no timber harvest, road construction, or other land disturbing management activities except in those situations which pose a serious threat to life, private property, or significant resource loss. 6. Continue established use by livestock at the current level, provided such use does not result in long term degradation of the area. Maintain existing improvements needed for proper management of livestock use, but do not authorize additional improvements.

There is also direction to manage the road that enters the Thomes Creek Backcountry Area in section 4, T23N, R8W, via a special use permit which limits use of this road to the private land owner whose property the roads accesses. All other motorized use of this road shall be excluded and watershed damage that has occurred along this road should be rehabilitated (LRMP IV-249).

Action The actions include closure devices that would prevent access of motorized traffic into the Thomes Creek Backcountry. Also, signs would be posted at the backcountry boundary and at the junction of major roadways to notify the public of proper backcountry uses. Some of the trails would require the installation of water-bars to help with proper trail drainage.

Page 4 of 7 Length Trail (miles) Action Install closure device at junction with 24N01, install sign "Private TBC-1 0.11 Access Use Only"

TBC-2 0.37 Install closure device at junction with 24N01 TBC-3 0.35 Install sign at junction with 24N35 "Private Access Use Only" Install closure device at junction with TBC-3, and at private TBC-4 1.4 property boundary TBC-5 0.36 Install closure device at junction with TBC-3 TBC-6 1.0 Install closure device at junction with 24N07, remove 2 culverts TBC-7 3.0 Install closure device at junction with 24N07, stabilize first 1.0 mile TBC-8 0.89 Install closure device at backcountry boundary end of 24N107 Install closure device at backcountry boundary, install backcountry TBC-9 0.51 use sign Install closure devices at junction with 23N40 and at junction with TBC-11 2.3 24N20, install backcountry use signs Install closure device at 8W04 trailhead junction with 23N48, install TBC-12 0.81 backcountry use sign

TBC-13 0.48 Restore natural surface drainage TBC-14 0.35 Install closure device at private property boundary TBC-15 0.06 Install closure at junction with TBC-3 7W10 5.6 Install closure on trail

Closure devices include but not limited to logs/brush, bollards, rail-road ties, or gates. Closure devices on designated horse and foot trails would not limit horse and foot access to the backcountry (TBC-9, TBC-12 (8W04), and 7W10).

Stabilizing and restoration of natural surface drainage includes the installation of drainage features and using slash and/or mulch to disguise the trail. Identified work will not be completed within any known archaeological sites. TBC-13 would require an evaluation of an identified archaeological site priorto the restoration of natural surface drainage.

Informational signs will also be posted at Kingsley and Sugarfoot Glade Campgrounds. These signs will post proper backcountry uses and proper ATV uses on the National Forest.

A vicinity map, a map of the project area, is included for reference.

Page 5 of 7 Appendix B

Management Requirements

Archaeology

The district archaeologist will be contacted just prior to implementation so sites can be flagged for avoidance. All cultural resources within this project will be protected. These sites will be protected through avoidance flagging (red paired with white with red polka dot flagging), closure devices and, in the case of 05-08-51-332, through evaluation. This site will be flagged and avoided until it can be evaluated. The restoration of the natural surface drainage (TBC-13) will either avoid the site or go through it if it is determined not-eligible from the National Register of Historic Places. Specific protection measures are listed in the table below. If new cultural resources should be discovered during project implementation, the Eastside Zone Archaeologist should be notified immediately, and all ground disturbing activities ceased in the immediate area.

Site# Type Threat Protection Measures 05-08-51-57 midden TBC-7 Closure Device Flag and Avoid 05-08-51-247 lithic scatter TBC-7-trail stabilization Flag and avoid Closure/ Restore natural surface 05-08-51-331 midden, housepits TBC-13-trail access drainage 05-08-51-332 Lithic scatter TBC-13-road decom. Flag & avoid/evaluate

Watershed and Fish

General BMPs

The following BMPs apply generally throughout the project area where ever the particular activity or feature occurs.

BMP# TITLE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS Operating period should be limited to the dry season, and no operation occuring during the wet period. Limiting the Operating 1.5 Remove culverts at low or no flow to minimize the Period of Activities amount of sediment delivered and prevent effects to steelhead. Mulch constructed waterbars, and the restoration of Special Erosion natural surface drainage on TBC-13. Also, mulch 1.14 Prevention Measures on other areas of disturbed soil within 40ft. of stream Disturbed Land channels. 1.17 Erosion Control on Trails See 1.14 1.19 Streamcourse Protection Divert drainage off the trail surface and away from 2.7 Control of road drainage the streamcourse. Servicing and refueling of 2.12 equipment When removing culverts control the movement of soil Controlling In-Channel and lay back the banks to near natural state. This 2.14 Excavation can be done by looking up stream of the culvert to identify similar natural bank features. Traffic control during wet 2.24 Limittraffic during wet periods periods 2.26 Obliteration or Unauthorized trails should be effectively blocked to

Page 6 of 7 BMP# TITLE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS Decommission of Trails prevent motorized access, including motorcycles. Natural drainage should be restored. Revegetate or mulch disturbed areas if less than 50% groundcover of vegetation, litter, duff, branches, Revegetation of surface 5.4 stumps and logs is retained to prevent erosion until disturbed areas vegetation becomes re-established.

Improve groundcover of disturbed areas, improve 7.1 Watershed Restoration infiltraion, and stabilizr stream banks at locations where culverts are to be removed

Wildlife

Spotted Owl

The Spotted Owl limited operating period (LOP) for noise disturbance will be from February 1st to July 15th in the following locations (map located in the project file): T23N R8W Sec7, SE Va Sec 8, S1/2 Sec 9, SW Va Sec 10, NW Va Sec 15, NE Va Sec 15, SE Va Sec 15, SW Va Sec 14, NE Va Sec 22, N Vz Sec 23, N 1/2 Sec24, and T24N R8W, S 1/2 Sec 34.

California Red-Leaaed Frog

California red-legged frog LOP along Thomes Creek within the project boundary will be from October 15th orthe first significant rain (whichever comes first) to March 31st.

Elderberry

No elderberry bushes one inch in diameter and greater would be removed or disturbed.

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