Proposed Action Redfish to Stanley Trail Sawtooth National Recreation Area, , Custer County, February, 2014

For Information Contact: Responsible Official: Matt Phillips, Landscape Architect Barbara Garcia, Deputy Area Ranger Sawtooth National Recreation Area Sawtooth National Recreation Area 5 North Fork Canyon Road HC64, Box 9900 Ketchum, ID 83340 Stanley, ID 83278 (208) 727-5025 (208) 774-3034 [email protected] [email protected]

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Under this proposed action, approximately 4.44 miles (includes 1.5 miles on the Forest Service Piva trail easement) of non-motorized multi-purpose trail (pedestrian, bike, and equestrian) would be adopted into the Sawtooth NRA trail system.

The project will include the following: • Designate the new trail between the Stanley’s Pioneer Park and the entrance station (roadside pull-off) off of Forest Road #214. • Gates, bike-friendly cattle guards, and road crossings. • Interpretive opportunities. • Close and, depending upon the segment, either obliterate or repurpose as a section of the new trail, a segment of the Stanley Administrative Site south access road. • Relocate the Alpine Way trailhead and convert 0.46 miles of trailhead access road (and trailhead) to single-track trail. • Obliterate and rehabilitate 0.63 miles of sewer line access road. • Relocate the current snow machine route from along Highway 75 at the base of the adjacent moraine to follow along an approx. 1,000’ section of the new trail route along the new proposed trail route.

Proposed Trail The proposed trail will be a consistent 78” (6’-6”) wide to accommodate passing bike traffic. The goal is to maintain a non-motorized trail user experience while accommodating multi-uses (bicyclists/pedestrians/equestrians) = Trail Class 4 (Forest Service trail classification system). The proposed trail surface will be either natural surface or compacted angular gravel – depending upon the segment. A natural surface trail is proposed for the trail segment (~1.2 miles) that traverses the moraine slope and for trail segments that are located with adequate cross-slope drainage. A low-profile, compacted, angular gravel surface (1-2” max. above adjacent grade) trail will be developed in the ‘sage flats’ and ‘roads-to-trails’ segments (~3.2 miles). The trail will connect to: the Stanley Pioneer Park internal trails system and parking, the Stanley Ranger Station public parking area sidewalk, the Alpine Way trailhead via a short connector trail, and the Redfish entrance station via the existing glu-lam wood bridge over Redfish Lake Creek.

Trail clearing (i.e. removal of woody plants/debris) shall be kept to within 12” from the edge of the trail maximum in the sage flats plant community areas. In forested sections, trail clearing widths shall be 24” max. from the edge of trail and 12’ vertically to accommodate equestrian use and snow machines. Additionally, trail tread construction on the moraine, including the sloped trail sections leading up to the moraine on both sides, will include a minimum 10’-6” wide bench (approx. 2’-0” either side of the 6’-6” trail for approx. 1,000) with sufficient cross-slope for drainage in order to accommodate the re-routed snow machine trail segment through this area. The trail tread width in this section will be 6’-6”, but the trails bench cut width will be 10’-6” with the remaining 4’ (outside of the trail tread) re-vegetated with grasses/forbs. Tree and shrub clearing width for the 1,000 moraine trail section will be 12’-0” wide to allow for passage of the snow machine groomer.

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Trail construction will include installing proper drainage and a fully accessible grade, up to 8.333% max. (per Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines), to meet resource and safety needs. This work would be completed using a trail dozer, hand crews, or similar equipment. Trees will be fallen by hand.

An approximately 100’ section of trail will require turnpike trail construction as it traverses a broad wet swale at the base of the hill south of the Piva private land boundary (* Note: There’s a similar section that will require turnpike construction on the Piva easement section – see map). A culvert (or culverts) will be installed here beneath the turnpike trail tread (built to project standards) in order to accommodate seasonal flow through this area.

Trail regulatory signage will be placed at the four primary access points (Pioneer Park, Redfish Entrance Station, Stanley Ranger Station, and the Alpine Way Trailhead) and at the south end of the trail easement public/private boundary.

Gates, Bike-Friendly Cattle Guards and Road Crossings Fence lines for public/private lands grazing will cross the proposed trail alignment at three locations: 1. Stanley Pioneer Park/Piva private property boundary; 2. Piva private property/Forest Service lands boundary; and; 3. at the Alpine Way allotment boundary/Stanley Administrative Site adjacent to the sewer ponds. In order to accommodate the proposed trail uses and ensure that the fencing remains effective, a raised ramp up/down cattle guard and swing-gate combination will be developed at these fence/trail crossings. The 6’ wide self- closing, spring-hinge gates (with accessible latches) will open towards the private lands at crossings 1 & 2 and towards the Alpine Way allotment at crossing 3 and will be placed directly in line with the trail. Directly adjacent to the gate (on the most grade level side) will be a 6’ wide ramped ‘bicycle friendly’ cattle guard. The trail will be developed at a sufficient width at these crossings to amply accommodate access to/from these features. In addition, a 12’-0” wide section of ‘let-down’ fence will be located directly adjacent to the gate/cattle guard at crossing #2 in order to accommodate the snow machine trail during winter months.

At the proposed trail’s closest section to Highway 75, the existing logworm fence will be relocated toward the highway (but still outside of the highway R/W) to accommodate the trail along the existing gravel road through this section (approx. 375’) – also crossing over an existing culvert on the road that drains the meadow to the west. This will not affect the presence/use existing ‘U’ shaped highway pullout in this vicinity.

There are two proposed road crossings along the proposed trail alignment. Both occur within the Stanley Administrative Site. One occurs across the sewer dump station access road and the other occurs just south of the Stanley Ranger Station – crossing the administrative road. Road crossings will be signed along the road for vehicles and along the trail for trail users. Due to the low speed/open setting/limited use/proposed trail alignment at the dump station road, the proposed trail crossing will be diagonal to better follow the actual trail direction. However, due to the higher road speed and more limited visibility along the administrative road, the trail crossing here will depart from its general direction of travel and be made perpendicular to the road for safety concerns.

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Boulder or bollard vehicular barriers may be placed at these two road crossings with a maximum 42” opening to physically exclude ATVs/UTVs from accessing the trail at these points. The snow machine trail will not be impacted by these barriers because it is located outside of the ‘summer’ trail alignment in these areas.

Potential Interpretive Opportunities This trail has numerous potential future interpretive opportunities to be considered during the final layout stage. Examples include:

• Strategically aligning the trail around landforms to develop a reveal/viewshed of the . One potential location for this type of alignment could be at the forest/sage interface just north of the sewer ponds. • Deliberately route the trail around and between the glacial erratic boulders to force their recognition and create a unique and interesting trail alignment in an otherwise open area. • Route the trail adjacent to sage flats badger/rodent mound(s) for an interpretive opportunity. • Several very large glacial erratic boulders are present along the moraine trail segment. Routing the trail by these will create a memorable experience and a future interpretive opportunity. • The prehistoric rock shelter, by which the proposed trail will pass, would benefit from new and/or expanded interpretive exhibits. • Additional interpretive subject matter may be developed once the trail is constructed. Interpretive facilities may include signs and wider ‘pull-outs’ at select locations along the trail route. At a minimum, 3’ wide by 6’ long pull-outs/rest areas will be located, on- average, every ½ mile along the trail route.

SAS Access Road and Alpine Way Trailhead The secondary (‘back’ or southern) paved access road (#433) to the ranger station from State Highway 75 will become an Alpine Way trailhead access/egress only. This new compacted gravel/aggregate surface trailhead (with space for approximately 5 vehicles/1 trailer) may have an information board and will also serve as an intermediate access point for the adjacent Redfish to Stanley trail as it will intersect the Alpine Way trail in the vicinity of this trailhead. The existing Alpine Way trailhead will be relocated and that trailhead and access road will be obliterated except for what’s required for a single track trail along the same alignment. The remainder of the access road, from the new trailhead to the section of road which will become the trail, will be obliterated and re-graded to pre-existing contours. The new trailhead will be located within an existing disturbed area that currently informally serves as a secondary Alpine Way trailhead. A section of the reclaimed FS #433 road will be converted to a section of the Redfish to Stanley trail – constructed to the trail standards identified above.

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Road Decommission/Rehabilitation Two roads (non-FS Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM roads) will be obliterated and reclaimed as a result of this project.

• The two-track route between the southern ranger station access road and the moraine will be removed and land rehabilitated. Any portion of this route that also contains the new trail will be reclaimed and the trail will then be developed to the previously described trail standards. Proposed trail development standards will allow for the Sawtooth NRA to use the new trail alignment to access the sewer lines along this section for emergency/maintenance in lieu of the existing two-track road which will be obliterated as a result of this project. Access to this section of trail would occur from the new Alpine Way trailhead. A removable bollard will be placed to control authorized/service access to the trail here.

• The 2-track route between the rock shelter and the moraine will be fully converted to a trail which will also accommodate emergency/service vehicle access as needed. Proposed clearing widths will accommodate vehicular access along the trail with tire tracks using the shoulders. A standard Forest Service pipe gate will be installed at the existing access point along the highway to control access to this section of road converted to trail to authorized vehicles only.

Proposed Project Standards/Mitigations • Wetland/riparian, stream crossings, and stream and lakeside areas are the most sensitive. REST02 requires that, where reasonable and practical location alternatives exist, new trails be located outside of RCAs.

• Other guidance that may apply: SWST08, SWST10, FRST02, FRGU01, REGU16, REOB19, REOB20, REOB21

• The sewer ponds provide a migration stopover for birds. Signs will be installed instructing people to stay on the trail and to keep dogs away from the ponds.

• A hazard tree evaluation will be conducted prior to construction and trees with obvious visual defects within falling distance of the improved surface of the trail will be removed. This includes standing dead trees, and leaning trees with structural damage and/or other significant visual defects.

• The following document will guide project managers in evaluating and reducing hazard tree concerns within the project area. USDA, Forest Service, Forest Pest Management, Tree Hazards: Recognition and Reduction in Recreation Sites.

• Self-closing gates and/or livestock cattle-guards or other… should be used to ensure fenced boundaries remain effective.

• Adaptively manage potential conflicts between dogs and cattle where needed.

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• If new fencing is necessary it will be constructed to be wildlife passable year-round.

• Vegetation removal for road and trail construction would occur after Aug. 15 to avoid nesting birds.

• Fuel storage and/or refueling will not occur within RCAs (300 ft. buffer). Engine and hydraulic fluids will be monitored for leaks.

• Where live conifer trees are utilized for project objectives, they will generally be between 7 and 12 inches dbh. Standing trees with cavities or with raptor or raven nests will not be cut/used for these objectives.

• Signing may be developed to mitigate issues with wildlife and private lands.

• Where construction occurs in the RCAs, standard sediment prevention and retention practices would be utilized (e.g. silt fences, wattles) unless an aquatic specialist determines natural filters are clearly sufficient.

• For new construction activities or rehabilitation in wet environments (wetland), activities would occur in late summer and fall when site conditions are at their driest.

• Source material for turn pike construction or bridge fill, if necessary, would be gathered from a location approved by the FS trail manager. Sites would be outside areas free of noxious weeds.

• Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive and Watch plant species populations would be avoided or mitigations to minimize adverse effects to individuals and their habitats would be implemented consistent with TEST06, TEST08, BTST01 and BTGU01. • 5-needle pines will be avoided during implementation. Proposed Action activities would avoid exposing five needled pine roots, including those near the soil surface. Five needled pine seedlings that can’t be avoided would be salvaged and transplanted by hand to a suitable location. • In the event Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive and Watch plant species are identified in the project area during implementation, a forest Service Botanist would be consulted to ensure effects to individuals would not occur or be minimized.

• Projects that may contribute to the spread or establishment of noxious weeds shall include measures to reduce the potential for spread and establishment of noxious weed infestations consistent with NPST10 - • Existing populations of non-native invasive and noxious plant species within and adjacent to the project area would continue to be inventoried and treated under The Sawtooth National Forest Integrated Weed Management Program using mechanical and biological control agents, and herbicide applications covered in the “Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation of Effects from Noxious and Invasive Weed Management Program on Fisheries, Terrestrial Wildlife and

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Rare Plant Species, Fairfield Ranger and Ketchum Ranger Districts, and Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Sawtooth National Forest, April 6, 2012”. • 5 years post implementation monitoring the project area would continue for the invasion of new non-native invasive and noxious plant species. If located these species would be treated as described above.

• To prevent invasion/expansion of noxious weeds, the following provisions will be included in all special use authorizations, tree removal contracts, service contracts, or operating plans where land-disturbing activities are associated with the authorized land use (additional direction may be found in timber sale and service contract provisions and in Forest Service handbooks): Consistent with NPST03 - • Revegetate areas, as designated by the Forest Service, where the soil has been exposed by ground-disturbing activity. Implement other measures, as designated by the Forest Service, to supplement the influence of re-vegetation in preventing the invasion or expansion of noxious weeds. Potential areas would include: construction and development sites, underground utility corridors, skid trails, landings, firebreaks, slides, slumps, temporary roads, cut and fill slopes, and travel ways of specified roads. •Earth-disturbing equipment used on National Forest System lands--such as cats, graders, and front-loaders--shall be cleaned to remove all visible plant parts, dirt, and material that may carry noxious weed seeds. Cleaning shall occur prior to entry onto the project area and again upon leaving the project area, if the project area has noxious weed infestations.

• Contractors shall be required to clean earth-disturbing, construction, and road maintenance equipment, of all sizes, to remove all plant parts, dirt, and material that may carry noxious weed seeds, prior to entry onto the Forest, or movement from one Forest project area to another. Consistent with NPST04.

• To comply with the USFS 1996, “Weed Free Hay Order, “ Noxious-Weed-Free Forage and Straw Rules (IDAPA 02.06.31), and the Final Supplementary Rules to Require the Use of Certified Noxious-Weed-Free Forage and Straw (Federal Register Volume 76, Number 140 (8/21/2011). Restoration, rehabilitation, and stabilization projects also will be required to use weed-free straw bales and mulch for project work. Consistent with NPST06.

• Source sites for gravel and borrow materials shall be inspected for noxious weeds before materials are processed, used, or transported from the source site into the project area or onto the National Forest. Consistent with NPST07.

• Gravel or borrow material source sites with noxious weed species present shall not be used, unless effective treatment or other mitigation measures are implemented. Consistent with NPST08.

• Revegetation objectives would occur using native species, and would be implemented on all disturbed areas to prevent the colonization of non-native species. A Forest Service Botanist would be consulted to ensure appropriate species are used.

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• Staging areas, when required, would be located in previously disturbed areas that are free of noxious weeds. Rehabilitation/revegetation of such areas would occur following completion where/as necessary.

• Wild and Scenic Rivers (Redfish Lake Creek and Fishhook Creek - Recreational classification). Applicable standards and guidelines include: Manage the eligible Wild and Scenic River corridors to their assigned classification standards, and preserve the outstandingly General remarkable values and free-flowing status, until the rivers undergo a PC 2.1 0214 Eligible Wild and Standard suitability study and the study finds them suitable for designation by Scenic Rivers Congress or releases them from further consideration as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

MPC 3.2 Management actions, including salvage harvest, may only degrade aquatic, terrestrial, and watershed resource conditions in the Active Restoration General 0228 temporary (up to 3 years) or short-term (3-15 years) time periods, and Maintenance of Standard Aquatic, Terrestrial, and must be designed to avoid degradation of existing conditions in and Hydrologic the long-term (greater than 15 years). Resources

Sawtooth National Forest Plan Guidance Recreation Use and Facilities Complete recreation complex plans for high use areas with attention to lakeshore activities, parking, boat launches, and day uses. Complete plans for Pettit Lake, Alturas Lake, Stanley Lake, and Grandjean, including identification of development levels and Objective 0276 vegetation management. Evaluate compatibility of sites at Alturas Inlet and Stanley Lake Inlet with riparian objectives. Revise Redfish Lake Complex Plan, including boating restrictions and carrying capacity. Maintain developed recreation sites around morainal lakes at full Objective 0277 standard level. Recreation Rehabilitate or physically barrier roads or routes that are closed to Resources Objective 0282 vehicle or ORV use. Barriers are to be rustic in design and appearance.

Manage recreation site developments at morainal lakes to provide for a variety of recreation opportunities and levels of site modification. Care should be taken not to over-develop. Keep development at the following levels: a) Redfish Lake – Usually not to exceed Level 4, heavy site modification. Some Level 5 development by the private sector Objective 0286 may be allowed. Some facilities may be at Level 3. b) Limit single-family recreation development at the Redfish Lake complex to not exceed 1,010 PAOT. A group camping area may be developed. c) , Alturas Lake, Stanley Lake – Development Level 3, moderate site modification.

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Manage recreation use in key wildlife, fish, and rare plant habitats, including TEPCS and MIS species habitat to avoid or minimize recreation use impacts to these habitats. Key habitats include, but Objective 0289 are not limited to, mountain goat habitat, wolverine denning habitat, big game winter range, guardian buckwheat and Stanley whitlow- grass habitat, and fish spawning habitat. Allow increase in, or new construction of, recreation facilities to provide for expanding recreation demands within the established recreation development levels. Ensure that recreational development Standard 0299 does not prevent attainment of other resource desired conditions, including conditions for aquatic, riparian, soil-hydrologic, botanical, and wildlife resources. Recreation use shall not be allowed to significantly impact other Standard 02100 SNRA values. Management activities on National Forest System lands should meet desired recreation settings. Impairment of the recreation values may occur when an action creates a change in the desired recreation setting by one ROS class of any area on the SNRA and occurs over a time period of greater than six months cumulatively. Substantial impairment of the recreation values may occur when an action Standard 02108 creates a long term or permanent change in the desired recreation setting by one or more ROS class and that effects 2 percent or more of the acreage in that individual ROS zone. Substantial impairment may also occur when cumulatively an ROS classification across the entire SNRA is altered by more than 1 percent as a result of smaller changes within individual ROS zone designations. Maintenance or rehabilitation of existing recreation sites should be Guideline 02109 considered before committing to construction of new sites. Construction of new facilities adjacent to lakeshores and streams Guideline 02110 should be avoided to avoid degradation of scenic, soil-hydrologic, riparian, and aquatic resources.

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Chapter III, Forest-wide Management Direction for Recreational Resources, Management Direction for Recreation Resources Number Direction Description General Recreation Manage, operate, and maintain a year-round recreation program that offers a broad range of developed and dispersed recreation opportunities and experiences in a range of settings as

REGO01 reflected by the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (see Appendix F for descriptions of ROS classes). REGO02 Plan and manage the recreation program and recreation resources to meet established standards (e.g., Meaningful Measures) to provide for health and cleanliness, safety and security, facility conditions, responsiveness to customers, environmental setting, and permit administration. Goals REGO03 Address current and emerging recreation conflicts, while maintaining recreation opportunities when possible. REGO04 Manage recreation uses and facilities to mitigate degrading effects from recreation to other resources. Recreation Access Manage motorized and non-motorized travel and travel-related facilities to: a) Provide for public safety, REGO05 b) Meet resource objectives and access needs, c) Mitigate road and trail damage, and d) Minimize maintenance costs and user conflicts. General Recreation During fine-scale analyses in areas where recreation facilities are identified as a potential concern or problem contributing to degradation of water quality, aquatic species, wildlife REOB01 species of concern or occupied sensitive or Watch plant habitat, evaluate and document the location of the facilities causing degradation and prioritize opportunities to mitigate effects. (Modified as part of 2012 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.) Utilize the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) to evaluate and tailor proposed REOB02 projects and activities in order to maintain desired recreation opportunities and the quality of recreation experiences. REOB04 Maintain the necessary data to determine the individual and/or cumulative changes in ROS classes relative to the management area ROS strategy. REOB07 Inform the public in a timely manner about management actions affecting their recreation Objectives opportunities at appropriate locations, including roads, trails, and at developed sites. REOB11 Collaborate with other government agencies, recreation partners, volunteer organizations, and the recreation and tourism industry in recreation planning and delivery efforts to: a) Provide support to local economies, b) Promote management efficiency, and c) Improve recreation opportunities and experiences available to the public.

Developed Recreation REOB13 Continue to improve accessibility on the Forest in compliance with all federal laws and agency guidelines. REOB15 Foster and strengthen partnerships between public and private sectors to effectively and efficiently manage recreation and tourism facilities.

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Developed Recreation When new recreation facilities and trails must be located in RCAs, they shall be developed REST02 such that degrading effects to RCAs are mitigated. Where reasonable and practical location alternatives exist, new recreation facilities and trails should be located outside of RCAs. Recreation Access Access will be managed in accordance with the existing travel management maps and REST03 amendments, or as authorized by permit, contract, or special-use authorization. General Recreation

Recreation strategies and developments should be coordinated with State and local REGU01 recreation resource planning efforts. Where the recreation demand exceeds resource capabilities or significantly changes the REGU03 recreation experience available to users, alternative management strategies should be evaluated and management should be adjusted as appropriate. Local Forest Service resource managers should facilitate and encourage involved user groups to resolve use conflicts among themselves. When resolution is accomplished by the involved user groups, the Forest Service should strongly consider recommendations and REGU04 implement within the laws, regulations and policies that govern management of the National Forests. When resolution is not accomplished by the involved user groups, the Forest Service should work to resolve the conflict based on the agency mission. Guidelines Management activities and facility development in Scenic Byway corridors with REGU05 management plans should be sensitive to the goals contained within the corridor management plans. All projects and activities should maintain or enhance the adopted ROS classes as displayed REGU08 on the Forest ROS strategy maps. Facilities identified as necessary should blend with the surrounding landscape character and REGU12 the ROS setting. ROS descriptions in Appendix F should be used to help guide facility development and REGU15 recreation activity management within each ROS class.

Trailhead facilities should be provided and managed commensurate with the appropriate REGU20 level of use, resource effect, and local priority. These facilities may be public or private, depending on their location.

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