2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report 1. Introduction

Report Summary

This report outlines the applicable direction under state and federal authority for the 2008 Bolam/Deer Creek TSI & Fuelbreak Construction Project areas. This report evaluates the effects of proposed activities on water quality, aquatic and riparian environments within the Project area.

The proposed action will integrate pre-commercial thinning and pruning treatment over a five to eight year period; fuelbreaks will be constructed to reduce the risk of wildfire spread. No riparian areas will be treated in the Bolam TSI. Riparian areas will be treated in the Deer Creek TSI with no ground-disturbing activities, on 0 to 20 percent slopes, during periods of no flow in the channel. Any channel crossings will be designated by a soil scientist or hydrologist; therefore these activities are neutral in attaining the Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives as outlined in the Northwest Forest Plan.1

Significant wet areas exist within and adjacent to plantations in the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project area. Darlingtonia bogs, seeps that cause bank failure onto roads and seeps that cross roads at Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) locations occur. One site of Port-Orford-cedar root disease, (Phytohphthora lateralis) was identified in the Scott Creek drainage and treated, this site lies within ½ mile of a plantation.

Because there will be no ground disturbing activity; soil concerns are limited to turning of equipment and are addressed under Best Management Practices (BMPs). Best Management Practices are identified for project activities. If BMPs are implemented effectively, then no direct, indirect, or cumulative watershed effects or measurable impacts to water quantity or quality should occur. Site visits will occur before and during project implementation to verify the location of streams and to ground verify slope considerations within some of the units.

1a. State and Federal Direction

Management direction comes from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LMP) as well as State of California Water Quality Control Board, both of which have best management practices to guide implementation of activities to be in compliance with the Clean Water Act.2,3 The State of California has agreements with

1 USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, including Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late- Successional and Old-Growth Related Species.

2 USDA Forest Service, Land and Resource Management Plan (Shasta-Trinity National Forests, 1995).

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 2 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report the U.S. Forest Service to control non-point source discharges by implementing control actions certified by the state Water Board as best management practices (BMPs).

The Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) is the designated Water Quality Management Agency for National Forest System lands in California (WQMA). The agency has developed and is implementing its Water Quality Management Plan, entitled Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California.4 This plan, which is part of the State of California's Non-point Source Management Plan, outlines Forest Service Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have been certified by the State Water Quality Control Board and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It is through the proper application, monitoring, and revision of these BMPs that the agency meets requirements of various provisions of the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and fulfills its obligations as a WQMA.

Best Management Practices are designed to protect the beneficial uses of water in the drainage, and will be implemented for each management practice. Because of these measures, no irreversible or irretrievable impacts to water quality are expected to occur, thus meeting Clean Water Act requirements. The Regional Water Board enforces compliance with BMP implementation and may impose control actions above and beyond what is specified in the agreements if the practices are not applied correctly or do not protect water quality.5

1b. Forest Direction

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP guides management of water resources on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.6 Direction for water resources is provided in the context of Forest Goals, Standards and Guidelines, and more specific Management Area direction.

Additional Guidelines for Water Resource Management are described in Chapter 4 – Management Prescriptions under Riparian Reserves and Key Watersheds. All of the guidelines in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP are based on the Standards and Guidelines from the Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (ROD, 1994).7 Riparian Reserves are areas as defined by the 1994 ROD.

3 California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, The Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region Fourth Edition, the Sacramento River Basin and the San Joaquin river Basin, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00.

4 USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Sept. 2000. Water Quality Management for Forest System Lands in California Best Management Practices. 5 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00. 6 USDA Forest Service, LMP Shasta-Trinity NF, 1995, Ch. 4.

7 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD 1994.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 3 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report The 1994 ROD was recently amended in order to clarify provisions related to the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS, ROD, 2004).8 The 2004 Record of Decision regarding provisions for the Aquatic Conservation Strategy amending the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan clarifies that “...no project-level finding of consistency with the ACS objectives is required.”9 This direction has returned to finding project-level consistency with the ACS objectives.10 The 2004-ROD automatically amends the Shasta-Trinity Land and Resource Management Plan. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP provides direction using the following: 1. Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives (LMP 4-53); 2. Watershed Analysis (LMP 4-53); 3. Riparian Reserves (LMP 4-53); 4. Standards and Guidelines for Resource Activities (LMP 4-55):

There are no key watersheds on the Shasta-McCloud Management Unit identified within the LMP for this area.

Forest Goals

Water • Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to meet fish habitat requirements and domestic use needs (LMP 4-6). • Maintain water quality to meet or exceed applicable standards and regulations (LMP 4-6).

Riparian Areas • Maintain or improve riparian habitat (LMP 4-5).

Forest Standards and Guidelines

Water • Implement Best Management Practices for protection or improvement of water quality, as described in “Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California,” for applicable management activities. Determine specific practices or techniques during project level planning using information

8 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, Record of Decision Amending Resource Management Plans for Seven Bureau of Land Management Districts and Land and Resource Management Plans for Nineteen National Forests Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, March 2004).

9 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD, March 2004, p. 1. 10 AQS, 2007 letter.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 4 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report obtained from on-site soil, water, and geology investigations (LMP 4-25). 11 • Identify and treat areas with a degraded watershed condition in a cost-effective manner and according to beneficial use priorities. High priority items include domestic use, anadromous fish habitat, and sensitive species habitat. Improvement activities will be designed to meet Management Area objectives (LMP 4-25).

Riparian Reserves Two categories out of the five Riparian Reserve categories are known to occur within the Deer Creek TSI project area:

1. Fish-Bearing Stream (LMP 4-53, Category 1). Riparian Reserves in this category extend to the top of the inner gorge, or to the outer edges of the 100-year flood plain, or to the outer edges of riparian vegetation, or to the height of two site- potential trees, or 300 feet slope distance, whichever is greatest. 5. Seasonally Flowing or Intermittent Streams, Wetlands Less than 1 Acre, and Unstable and Potentially Unstable Areas (LMP 4-54, Category 4). This category applies to features with high variability in size and site-specific characteristics. At a minimum, the Riparian Reserves must include: The extent of unstable and potentially unstable areas (including earth flows), the stream channel and extend to the top of the inner gorge, The stream channel or wetland and the area from the edges of the stream channel or wetland to the outer edges of the riparian vegetation, and Extension from the edges of the steam channel to a distance equal to the height of one site-potential tree, or 100 feet slope distance, whichever is greatest.

1c Water Quality Considerations

Beneficial Uses and Water Quality Objectives: The designated beneficial uses for streams within and downstream of the project area are established in the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Valley Region and are listed in Appendix A.12 The basin plan states “The beneficial uses of any specifically identified waterbody generally apply to its tributary streams…”13 These parameters must be maintained within acceptable ranges as specified in the basin plan. 14 As a Water Quality Management

11 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00. 12 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. II-1.00. 13 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. II-2.00. 14 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 5 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Agency the Forest Service must demonstrate that the activity proposed will not further degrade local and regional water quality. Water Quality Concerns (Limiting Factor Analysis): Water quality concerns are existing, or potential water quality problems, i.e., impairments of beneficial uses, or, degradations of water quality. At any given time, water quality problems generally reflect the intensity of activities of key discharge sources and the volume, quality, and uses of the receiving waters affected by the discharges. 15

The water quality parameters specified for the basin in the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Valley Region were reviewed in each area to identify the dominant water quality concern, or limiting factor, for aquatic and riparian resources in the area most critical to beneficial uses and water quality uses. No water quality concern, or limiting factor, is currently found for both Bolam and Deer Creek areas.

2. Background Description of the Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Project Area

Watershed: Upper Shasta River (1801020701).

There is no watershed analysis for this area, therefore under the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, all riparian reserve widths as defined in the LMP must be applied in the Bolam area.16 Although the project area lies within the Upper Shasta River watershed, due to the intermittent nature of the streams and extremely high infiltration rates in the channels, there is no surface connectivity with the Shasta River. Because these channels are relatively young, post-glacial, runoff patterns may change from precipitation event to event, making it difficult to predict where runoff may occur. To prevent disruption to channels still forming their runoff character, the identification of a channel is based on recognizable channel form and does not rely on the occurrence of annual scour. In addition, due to computer model generation of elevation and resulting contour intervals, field observations indicate that some channels depicted on the latest published maps do not always exist on the ground; therefore, these channels would be treated as non-riparian reserves.

Climate: The area is located in the extreme northern end of the Mediterranean Highland Climate Region and is characterized by warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Warm summer temperatures provide rapid snowmelt conditions that influence runoff.

Geology, Geomorphology and Soils: Located on the northern volcanic flank of Mount Shasta, the area is a very young landscape where processes of erosion and deposition are

15 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004 16 USDA Forest Service, LMP (STNF, 1995), pp. 4-53, 54.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 6 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report easily observed. Glacial processes are active in the upper portions of the watershed and debris flows are relatively common events that occur between the lower flanks and downstream of Highway 97, and have been known to rapidly fill channels and block roads with muddy debris. Past volcanic flows are evident on the landscape and eruption events, landslides and glacial activity are expected in the future.

Water Quality: Heavily sediment laden water with high turbidity during times of stream flow.

Runoff: Glacial melt-water and seasonal snowpack melt contributes to stream flow. Base-flow infiltrates into the channel bottom becoming intermittent and ephemeral. For a given precipitation event or thermal warming of the snowpack, surface runoff may stay within the obvious channels, but can easily move across the landscape depending upon the discharge from a particular event and the interception of flow by roads.

Debris flows may occur with any significant rainfall or thermal snowmelt event, commonly in the summer. Debris flows in the past have crossed Hwy 97 reaching agricultural lands extending beyond Lake Shastina. It is part of the definition of a debris flow to have periods of apparent quiescence, while the flow is blocked and the debris is building, alternating with the blockage being released and the accumulated material suddenly released. The power of these debris flows, their unpredictable nature and their potential to change course at any time presents considerable personal safety concerns that should not be underestimated.

Creek Descriptions: All creeks originate from the northern flanks of Mount Shasta and flow in response to snowmelt, perennial flow is associated with the Whitney and Bolam Glaciers. The channels in the project area are intermittent or ephemeral in nature, as well as many being the product of debris flows and are considered unstable. All channels in the project area require a 100 foot riparian reserve. No treatment within the riparian reserve will occur under this project, however, channel crossings are permitted as outlined under the BMPs outlined below.

Past Practices and Current Management: Past practices include silviculture, logging, fuel- wood cutting, recreation and railroad construction.

Description of the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak Project Area

Watershed: The Deer Creek Project falls within the Box Canyon (HUC 1802000501) and the Upper Sacramento River (HUC 1802000502) fifth field watersheds. The project area is included in the Headwaters Watershed Analysis of the Upper Sacramento River.17 The project area drains generally mountainous terrain and includes the three upper branches of the Sacramento River (South, Middle, and North Forks), and Scott Camp, Castle Lake, Wagon, Ney Springs, and Stink Creeks. The South Fork of the Sacramento River flows into Lake Siskiyou.18

17 Headwaters Sacramento River Watershed Analysis, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou County, CA, Version 2, January 2001. 18 Headwaters Sacramento River WA, S-T NF, Siskiyou Co., CA, Ver. 2, January 2001, p 2.

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Climate: The area is located in the extreme northern end of the Mediterranean Highland Climate Region and is characterized by warm dry summers and cool wet winters. The climate is temperate with an average annual precipitation of 40 to 60 inches. Approximately 80 percent of this precipitation occurs between October and May, mostly in the form of snow. The average snowline lies between 4,000 to 5,000 feet.19

Geology and Geomorphology: Briefly, the area lies within the Trinity ultramafic sheet. This is the easternmost ophiolite of the Klamath Mountains province and is the oldest and perhaps largest in the Pacific Coast region.20 The significance of this geology to the project is that mass wasting of hill slopes occurs in the project area. Local features of bogs, springs, seeps and swales are the result of rotational slumps in the Morgan Meadows area. In some locations, road-cuts placed across these features activate the toe of the slumps and roads receive material from the slump. Mass wasting is an active process on these slopes creating unstable slopes and is especially prevalent on the central reaches of the Middle and North Forks of the Sacramento River.

The area has experienced varying degrees of glaciation; glacial influenced topography includes moraines and a range of gentle to steep slopes.

Soils The Headwaters Analysis area was stratified into four major types of landforms, each with distinct associations of soils; these will be briefly mentioned here with respect to their erosion hazard.21

Non-Glaciated Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by steep mountain side-slopes with a complex array of soils of varying depths and textures. Glacial and Periglacial Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by ridge tops, glacial cirque basins, scree slopes, and mountain meadows. Erosion hazards are generally low due to the gentle slopes and high proportion of rock outcrop. Colluvial Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by mountain side slopes, colluvial hill slopes, and stream terraces. Soils have a moderate to high erosion hazard on mountain side slopes and colluvial slopes and a low hazard on foot slopes, terraces and floodplains.

Water Quality: There are no impacts to water quality from management activities anticipated from this project. Road use from this project is not anticipated to influence water quality.

Runoff: These streams generally drain shallow, impermeable soils with low water storage capacities. Water stored within the soil profile provides base flow to streams throughout the year. Precipitation that is not stored in the soil profile is released quickly

19 HSW p. 3. 20 For more discussion see the HSW p. 36. 21 For more discussion see the HSW p. 37.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 8 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report as surface runoff. The quick response of the watershed to precipitation results in high flows during snowmelt and peak flows during large precipitation events. The limited soil water storage after snowmelt has ceased results in low base flows.22

Creek Descriptions: The proposed project units lie within drainages that share the following waters. 1. North side of project area: a. Tributaries to the North Fork of the Sacramento River including Morgan Meadows. b. Deer Creek and its tributaries. 2. Central project area: a. Middle Fork of the Sacramento River and tributaries. 3. South side of project area: a. Scott Camp Creek, South Fork of the Sacramento River and its tributaries. b. Castle Lake Creek, Lake Siskiyou. c. Ney Springs Creek and other tributaries to the Sacramento River.

All of the streams discussed above drain into Lake Siskiyou with the exception of Ney Springs Creek and Stink Creek which enter the Sacramento River below Box Canyon Dam.

Historical Activities: A Forest Service easement for the Hammond Ranch right of way and water conveyance system, from a diversion on the North Fork of the Sacramento River, was transferred in perpetuity to the Colorado Ditch Bill authority in 1998.

Past Practices: Past logging practices and associated road construction intercepted seeps, Darlingtonia bogs, and streams. Old logging roads, and skid trails continue to divert water from these features. One road crossing failure on a tributary to the North Fork of the Sacramento River isolates two manual treatment units (7-1 and 7-3).

2b. Riparian Reserves and the Aquatic Conservation Strategy

The width of the Riparian Reserve for intermittent streams is based on the site-potential tree height representative of stands in the area.23 The site-potential tree height for Riparian Reserves is based on the average maximum height of the tallest dominant trees (200 years or older) for a given site class (Shasta-Trinity LMP, 4-54).

22 For more discussion see the HSW p. 40.

23 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD, March 2004.

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The Effects of Proposed Management Activities in Riparian Reserves

Because activities are proposed for Riparian Reserves the proposed action is evaluated to determine how planned activities would affect implementation of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy.:24

Objective 1. Maintain and restore the distribution, diversity, and complexity of watershed and landscape-scale features to ensure protection of the aquatic systems to which species, populations and communities are uniquely adapted.

Objective 2. Maintain and restore spatial and temporal connectivity within and between watersheds. Lateral, longitudinal, and drainage network connections include floodplains, wetlands, upslope areas, headwater tributaries, and intact refugia. These network connections must provide chemically and physically unobstructed routes to areas critical for fulfilling life history requirements of aquatic and riparian-dependent species.

Objective 3. Maintain and restore the physical integrity of the aquatic system, including shorelines, banks, and bottom configurations.

Objective 4. Maintain and restore water quality necessary to support healthy riparian, aquatic, and wetland ecosystems. Water quality must remain within the range that maintains the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of the system and benefits survival, growth, reproduction, and migration of individuals composing aquatic and riparian communities.

Objective 5. Maintain and restore the sediment regime under which aquatic ecosystems evolved. Elements of the sediment regime include the timing, volume, rate, and character of sediment input, storage, and transport.

Objective 6. Maintain and restore instream flows sufficient to create and sustain riparian, aquatic, and wetland habitats and to retain patterns of sediment, nutrient, and wood routing. The timing, magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution of peak, high and low flows must be protected.

Objective 7. Maintain and restore the timing, variability, and duration of floodplain inundation and water table elevation in meadows and wetlands.

Objective 8. Maintain and restore the species composition and structural diversity of plant communities in riparian areas and wetlands to provide adequate summer and winter thermal regulation, nutrient filtering, appropriate rates of surface erosion, bank erosion, and channel migration and to supply amounts and distributions of coarse woody debris sufficient to sustain physical complexity and stability.

24 Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1994, 4-53.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 10 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Objective 9. Maintain and restore habitat to support well-distributed populations of native plant, invertebrate and vertebrate riparian-dependent species.

Effect from proposed activities on the ACS objectives:

No effect from the proposed action is expected to prevent the attainment of ACS objectives. Minor to no ground disturbing activities are expected to occur, and opportunities to remedy past placement of conifer seedlings within riparian areas exist in the Deer Creek TSI.

Some past logging activities and establishment of plantations crossed drainages and were established in these same locations leaving access only by crossing these drainages. Where opportunities exist to restore the above features, activities associated with the TSI and fuel break activity will support the above ACS objectives.

Perennial and intermittent channels in this area provide valuable habitat for species that move into perennial streams and reaches.25 Connectivity within and between watersheds is interrupted by some plantation lay-out. All plantation activity will support connectivity of streams to their watershed.

Extensive shade discourages riparian plant communities from developing under dense conifer canopy. This is evidenced by areas lacking shrubs and forbs in the understory. In the Deer Creek TSI, entry into riparian reserves within plantations to remove or thin plantation trees may occur at the discretion of the hydrologist or soil scientist for the objective of increasing sunlight to promote riparian plant community development.

4. Best Management Practices

A complete description of each best management practice is provided in the publication 'Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California' (USDA, 2000). While all applicable BMPs should be applied to each proposed activity, the following BMPs are emphasized in order to protect aquatic and riparian resources in and adjacent to Riparian Reserves.

Deer Creek TSI & Fuelbreak Construction

Riparian reserves will be entered within the Deer Creek TSI project to treat dense conifer over-story and to reduce plantation trees that were planted within riparian reserves. Channel crossings to access units shall be minimal and can only occur during dry conditions and with prior approval from the unit soil scientist or hydrologist.

25 L.M and R.R. Ziemer. 1994.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 11 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report The use of the following best management practices and site specific measures will be followed during the implementation of the proposed action or action alternatives in and around Riparian Reserves within the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak treatment to prevent negative impacts to Riparian Reserves.

• All equipment shall access plantations via dry roads. In the Deer Creek TSI, Port- Orford-cedar (POC) occurs at seeps that cross roads. Because of the risk of the spread of the POC fungus along waterways, the wet crossings must be rocked or crossed during dry periods. In addition, all precautions to limit the spread of POC fungus including washing equipment before entry at an appropriate washing station must be implemented.

1-4: Use of Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water Quality Protection Needs. The objective of this practice is to ensure recognition and protection of areas related to water quality protection.

Site specific measures: Project area and/or contract maps will be used to designate water quality protection needs and riparian reserves.

1-6: Protection of Unstable Lands. The objective is to provide special treatment of unstable areas to avoid triggering mass slope failure with resultant erosion and sedimentation.

Site specific measures: Small pockets of rotational slides associated with saturated serpentine soils and bogs occur in the watershed. Plantations and fuelbreaks will be checked by specialists trained and qualified to identify unstable areas. Areas of saturated soils and unstable soils will be field verified on the ground and will be avoided.

1-8: Streamside management zone designation. The objective is to designate a zone along riparian areas, streams and wetlands that will minimize potential for adverse effects from adjacent management activities.

Site specific measures: All Riparian Reserves have been field verified; sensitive areas are excluded from treatment. Riparian Reserves to be treated are identified on the project/contract maps. A 20-foot equipment exclusion zone extending from the center of the channel is specified for units containing Riparian Reserves that will be treated in the Deer Creek TSI.

1-19: Stream course and aquatic protection. The objective is:

1) To conduct management actions within these areas in a manner that maintains or improves riparian and aquatic values. 2) To provide unobstructed passage of storm flows. 3) To control sediment and other pollutants entering stream courses.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 12 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report 4) To restore the natural course of any stream as soon as practicable, where diversion of the stream has resulted from timber management activities.

Site specific measures: All mastication and thinning generated debris will be removed from stream courses, unless otherwise agreed to by the COR and in an agreed upon manner that will cause the least disturbance. All mechanized equipment will limit turning in riparian areas to maintain soil quality objectives. All designated stream crossings in riparian reserves will minimize turning.

2-12: Servicing and refueling of equipment. The objective is to prevent pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens and other harmful materials from being discharged into or near rivers, streams and impoundments, or into natural or man-made channels.

Site specific measures: Having the project administrator designate the location, size and allowable uses of service and refueling areas will implement this practice.

5-2: Slope limitation for mechanical equipment operation. The objective is to decrease sediment production and stream turbidity while mechanically treating slopes.

Site specific measures: Tractor operation will be limited to slopes where corrective measures such as water bars can be effectively installed. As a general guideline, tractors should not be used on slopes exceeding 30 percent. Onsite evaluations of soil stability indicate that areas prone to instability will be avoided.

5-6: Soil moisture limitations for mechanical equipment operations. The objective of this method is to prevent compaction, rutting, and gullying, with resultant sediment production and turbidity.

Site specific measures: Mechanical treatments are permitted when soil moisture is dry enough to prevent compaction, rutting and gullying. The COR will implement this practice.

6-1: Fire suppression and fuels management activities. The objective is to reduce public and private losses and environmental impacts that result from wildfires and/or subsequent flooding and erosion by reducing or managing the frequency, intensity and extent of wildfire.

Site specific measures: Hand piling of all fuels within 50 feet of all Riparian Reserves is recommended versus machine piling.

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The use of the following best management practices and site specific measures will be followed during the implementation of the proposed action or action alternatives in and around Riparian Reserves within the Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak treatment to prevent negative impacts to Riparian Reserves.

Riparian reserves will not be treated within the Bolam TSI project and no wet stream crossings of any kind will occur in this project. All equipment shall access plantations via dry roads. Channel crossings to access units shall be minimal and can only occur during dry conditions. To prevent damage to any dry channel crossings accessing a treatment unit, each crossing must be approved by either the management unit soil scientist or hydrologist.

1-4: Use of Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water Quality Protection Needs.

Site specific measures: Project area and/or contract maps will be used to designate water quality protection needs and riparian reserves.

2-12: Servicing and refueling of equipment. The objective is to prevent pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens and other harmful materials from being discharged into or near rivers, streams and impoundments, or into natural or man-made channels.

Site specific measures: Having the project administrator designate the location, size and allowable uses of service and refueling areas will implement this practice.

5-2: Slope limitation for mechanical equipment operation. The objective is to decrease sediment production and stream turbidity while mechanically treating slopes.

Site specific measures: As a general guideline, tractors should not be used on slopes exceeding 30 percent. Onsite evaluations of soil stability indicate that areas prone to instability will be avoided.

5-6: Soil moisture limitations for mechanical equipment operations. The objective of this method is to prevent compaction, rutting, and gullying, with resultant sediment production and turbidity.

Site specific measures: Mechanical treatments will begin when soil moisture is dry enough to prevent compaction, rutting and gullying. The COR will implement this practice.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 14 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Appendix A

Upper Sacramento River – California Basin Plan26 Existing Uses: • Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) • Agricultural Supply (AGR) • Hydropower Generation (POW) • Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) • Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) • Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) • Cold Water Spawning Habitat (SPWN) • Wildlife Habitat (WILD)

North Coast Water Quality Control Plan27 There is no surface connectivity from the Bolam project area to the Shasta River which does have connectivity to the Klamath River; therefore falling under jurisdiction of the North Coast Water Quality Control Plan. The following beneficial uses include, but are not limited to: Existing Beneficial Uses • Groundwater Recharge (GWR) • Freshwater Replenishment (FRSH) • Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) • Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR) • Wildlife Habitat (WILD) • Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)

In addition, under the Colorado Ditch Bill, waters from the Upper Sacramento River drainage (Central Valley Region, Water Quality Control Board) are diverted from the North Fork of the Sacramento River, via the Hammond Ditch, into the Hammond Reservoir Irrigation system, which drains into Hammond Reservoir. Hammond Reservoir falls within the North Coast Region, Water Quality Control Board.28

26 The Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the California Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region, Fourth Edition, 2006. The Sacramento River Basin and the San Joaquin River Basin. Ch.II, p. 1 and p.5. 27Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast, 2001. California State Water Resources Control Board. Ch.2-5. 28 Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast, 2001. California State Water Resources Control Board. Ch.2-5.

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• Agricultural Supply (AGR) - Uses of water for farming, horticulture, or ranching including, but not limited to, irrigation (including leaching of salts), stock watering, or support of vegetation for range grazing. • Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM) - Uses of water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes. • Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) - Uses of water that support cold water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including vertebrates. • Hydropower Generation (POW) - Uses of water for hydropower generation. • Freshwater Replenishment (FRSH) - Uses of water for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quantity or quality. • Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN) - Uses of water that support high quality aquatic habitats suitable for reproduction and early development of fish. • Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) - Uses of water for recreational activities involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. These uses include, but are not limited to, swimming, wading, water-skiing, skin and scuba diving, surfing, white water activities, fishing, or use of natural hot springs. • Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR) – Uses of water that support habitats necessary for migration or other temporary activities by aquatic organisms, such as anadromous fish. • Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) - Uses of water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but where there is generally no body contact with water, nor any likelihood of ingestion of water. These uses include, but are not limited to, picnicking, sunbathing, hiking, beachcombing, camping, boating, tide pool and marine life study, hunting, sightseeing, or aesthetic enjoyment in conjunction with the above activities. • Wildlife Habitat (WILD) - Uses of water that support terrestrial or wetland ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of terrestrial habitats or wetlands, vegetation, wildlife (e.g., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates), or wildlife water and food sources. • Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) - Uses of water for community, military, or individual water supply systems including, but not limited to, drinking water supply. • Industrial Service Supply (IND) - Uses of water for industrial activities that do not depend primarily on water quality including, but not limited to, mining, cooling water supply, hydraulic conveyance, gravel washing, fire protection, or oil well repressurization. • Industrial Process Supply (PROC) - Uses of water for industrial activities that depend primarily on water quality. • Groundwater Recharge (GWR) - Uses of water for natural or artificial recharge of groundwater for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting of saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. • Navigation (NAV) - Uses of water for shipping, travel, or other transportation by private, military or commercial vessels. • Aquaculture (AQUA) - Uses of water for aquaculture or mariculture operations including, but not limited to, propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvesting of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption or bait purposes. • Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE) - Uses of water that support habitats necessary, at least in part, for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state or federal law as rare, threatened or endangered.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 16 of 16 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report 1. Introduction

Report Summary

This report outlines the applicable direction under state and federal authority for the 2008 Bolam/Deer Creek TSI & Fuelbreak Construction Project areas. This report evaluates the effects of proposed activities on water quality, aquatic and riparian environments within the Project area.

The proposed action will integrate pre-commercial thinning and pruning treatment over a five to eight year period; fuelbreaks will be constructed to reduce the risk of wildfire spread. No riparian areas will be treated in the Bolam TSI. Riparian areas will be treated in the Deer Creek TSI with no ground-disturbing activities, on 0 to 20 percent slopes, during periods of no flow in the channel. Any channel crossings will be designated by a soil scientist or hydrologist; therefore these activities are neutral in attaining the Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives as outlined in the Northwest Forest Plan.1

Significant wet areas exist within and adjacent to plantations in the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project area. Darlingtonia bogs, seeps that cause bank failure onto roads and seeps that cross roads at Port Orford cedar locations occur. One site of Port Orford root disease, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, was identified in the Scott Creek drainage and treated, this site lies within ½ mile of a plantation.

Because there will be no ground disturbing activity; soil concerns are limited to turning of equipment and are addressed under Best Management Practices (BMPs). Best Management Practices are identified for project activities. If BMPs are implemented effectively, then no direct, indirect, or cumulative watershed effects or measurable impacts to water quantity or quality should occur. Site visits will occur before and during project implementation to verify the location of streams and to ground verify slope considerations within some of the units.

1a. State and Federal Direction

Management direction comes from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LMP) as well as State of California Water Quality Control Board, both of which have best management practices to guide implementation of activities to be in compliance with the Clean Water Act.2,3 The State of California has agreements with

1 USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, including Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late- Successional and Old-Growth Related Species.

2 USDA Forest Service, Land and Resource Management Plan (Shasta-Trinity National Forests, 1995).

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 2 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report the U.S. Forest Service to control non-point source discharges by implementing control actions certified by the state Water Board as best management practices (BMPs).

The Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) is the designated Water Quality Management Agency for National Forest System lands in California (WQMA). The agency has developed and is implementing its Water Quality Management Plan, entitled Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California.4 This plan, which is part of the State of California's Non-point Source Management Plan, outlines Forest Service Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have been certified by the State Water Quality Control Board and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It is through the proper application, monitoring, and revision of these BMPs that the agency meets requirements of various provisions of the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and fulfills its obligations as a WQMA.

Best Management Practices are designed to protect the beneficial uses of water in the drainage, and will be implemented for each management practice. Because of these measures, no irreversible or irretrievable impacts to water quality are expected to occur, thus meeting Clean Water Act requirements. The Regional Water Board enforces compliance with BMP implementation and may impose control actions above and beyond what is specified in the agreements if the practices are not applied correctly or do not protect water quality.5

1b. Forest Direction

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP guides management of water resources on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.6 Direction for water resources is provided in the context of Forest Goals, Standards and Guidelines, and more specific Management Area direction.

Additional Guidelines for Water Resource Management are described in Chapter 4 – Management Prescriptions under Riparian Reserves and Key Watersheds. There are no key watersheds on the Shasta-McCloud Management Unit identified within the LMP for this area. All of the guidelines in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP are based on the Standards and Guidelines from the Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the

3 California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, The Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region Fourth Edition, the Sacramento River Basin and the San Joaquin river Basin, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00.

4 USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Sept. 2000. Water Quality Management for Forest System Lands in California Best Management Practices. 5 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00. 6 USDA Forest Service, LRMP Shasta-Trinity NF, 1995, Ch. 4.

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Northern Spotted Owl (ROD, 1994).7 The 1994-ROD was recently amended in order to clarify provisions related to the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS, ROD, 2004).8 The 2004 Record of Decision regarding provisions for the Aquatic Conservation Strategy amending the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan clarifies that “...no project-level finding of consistency with the ACS objectives is required.”9 This direction has returned to finding project-level consistency with the ACS objectives.10 The 2004-ROD automatically amends the Shasta-Trinity Land and Resource Management Plan. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest LMP provides direction using the following: 1. Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives (LMP 4-53); 2. Watershed Analysis (LMP 4-53); 3. Riparian Reserves (LMP 4-53); 4. Standards and Guidelines for Resource Activities (LMP 4-55):

Forest Goals

Water Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to meet fish habitat requirements and domestic use needs (LMP 4-6). Maintain water quality to meet or exceed applicable standards and regulations (LMP 4-6).

Riparian Areas Maintain or improve riparian habitat (LMP 4-5).

Forest Standards and Guidelines

Water Implement Best Management Practices for protection or improvement of water quality, as described in “Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California,” for applicable management activities. Determine specific practices or techniques during project level planning using information obtained from on-site soil, water, and geology investigations (LMP 4-25). 11

7 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD 1994. 8 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, Record of Decision Amending Resource Management Plans for Seven Bureau of Land Management Districts and Land and Resource Management Plans for Nineteen National Forests Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, March 2004).

9 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD, March 2004, p. 1. 10 AQS, 2007 letter. 11 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. IV-3.00.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 4 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Identify and treat areas with a degraded watershed condition in a cost-effective manner and according to beneficial use priorities. High priority items include domestic use, anadromous fish habitat, and sensitive species habitat. Improvement activities will be designed to meet Management Area objectives (LMP 4-25). When watering roads for dust abatement, follow the following rules (LMP 4-25): 1.Allow drafting from fishery streams only where immediate downstream discharge is maintained at 1.5 cfs or greater; 2. Allow drafting from ephemeral streams, intermittent stream, wetlands or constructed ponds provided that sufficient water quantity and quality remains to support associated wildlife species and riparian values. Never allow drafting to remove more than 40 percent of any stream discharge or 75 percent of constructed pond water.

Riparian Reserves Two categories of Riparian Reserves are known to occur within the Deer Creek TSI project area: Fish-Bearing Stream (LRMP 4-53, Category 1). Riparian Reserves in this category extend to the top of the inner gorge, or to the outer edges of the 100-year flood plain, or to the outer edges of riparian vegetation, or to the height of two site-potential trees, or 300 feet slope distance, whichever is greatest. 1. Seasonally Flowing or Intermittent Streams, Wetlands Less than 1 Acre, and Unstable and Potentially Unstable Areas (LRMP 4-54, Category 4). This category applies to features with high variability in size and site- specific characteristics. At a minimum, the Riparian Reserves must include: The extent of unstable and potentially unstable areas (including earthflows), the stream channel and extend to the top of the inner gorge, The stream channel or wetland and the area from the edges of the stream channel or wetland to the outer edges of the riparian vegetation, and Extension from the edges of the steam channel to a distance equal to the height of one site-potential tree, or 100 feet slope distance, whichever is greatest.

1c Water Quality Considerations

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 5 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Beneficial Uses and Water Quality Objectives: The designated beneficial uses for streams within and downstream of the project area are established in the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Valley Region and are listed in Appendix A.12 The basin plan states “The beneficial uses of any specifically identified waterbody generally apply to its tributary streams…”13 These parameters must be maintained within acceptable ranges as specified in the basin plan. 14 As a Water Quality Management Agency the Forest Service must demonstrate that the activity proposed will not further degrade local and regional water quality. Water Quality Concerns (Limiting Factor Analysis): Water quality concerns are existing, or potential water quality problems, i.e., impairments of beneficial uses, or, degradations of water quality. At any given time, water quality problems generally reflect the intensity of activities of key discharge sources and the volume, quality, and uses of the receiving waters affected by the discharges. 15

The water quality parameters specified for the basin in the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Valley Region were reviewed in each area to identify the dominant water quality concern, or limiting factor, for aquatic and riparian resources in the area most critical to beneficial uses and water quality uses. No water quality concern, or limiting factor, is currently found for these areas.

2. Background Description of the Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Project Area

Watershed: Upper Shasta River (1801020701).

There is no watershed analysis for this area, therefore under the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, all riparian reserve widths as defined in the LRMP must be applied in the Bolam area.16 Although the project area lies within the Upper Shasta River watershed, due to the intermittent nature of the streams and extremely high infiltration rates in the channels, there is no surface connectivity with the Shasta River. Because these channels are relatively young, post-glacial, runoff patterns may change from precipitation event to event, making it difficult to predict where runoff may occur. To prevent disruption to channels still forming their runoff character, the identification of a channel is based on recognizable channel form and does not rely on the occurrence of annual scour. In addition, due to computer model generation of elevation and resulting contour intervals, field observations indicate that some channels depicted on the latest published maps do

12 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. II-1.00. 13 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. Ch. II-2.00. 14 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004. 15 CRWQ Control Board Central Valley Region, Basin Plan, 2004 16 USDA Forest Service, LRMP (STNF, 1995), pp. 4-53, 54.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 6 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report not always exist on the ground; therefore, these channels would be treated as non-riparian reserves.

Climate: The area is located in the extreme northern end of the Mediterranean Highland Climate Region and is characterized by warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Warm summer temperatures provide rapid snowmelt conditions that influence runoff.

Geology, Geomorphology and Soils: Located on the northern volcanic flank of Mount Shasta, the area is a very young landscape where processes of erosion and deposition are easily observed. Glacial processes are active in the upper portions of the watershed and debris flows are relatively common events that occur between the lower flanks and downstream of Highway 97, and have been known to rapidly fill channels and block roads with muddy debris. Past volcanic flows are evident on the landscape and eruption events, landslides and glacial activity are expected in the future.

Water Quality: Heavily sediment laden water with high turbidity during times of stream flow.

Runoff: Glacial melt-water and seasonal snowpack melt contributes to stream flow. Base-flow infiltrates into the channel bottom becoming intermittent and ephemeral. For a given precipitation event or thermal warming of the snowpack, surface runoff may stay within the obvious channels, but can easily move across the landscape depending upon the discharge from a particular event and the interception of flow by roads.

Debris flows may occur with any significant rainfall or thermal snowmelt event, commonly in the summer. Debris flows in the past have crossed Hwy 97 reaching agricultural lands extending beyond Lake Shastina. It is part of the definition of a debris flow to have periods of apparent quiescence, while the flow is blocked and the debris is building, alternating with the blockage being released and the accumulated material suddenly released. The power of these debris flows, their unpredictable nature and their potential to change course at any time presents considerable personal safety concerns that should not be underestimated.

Creek Descriptions: All creeks originate from the northern flanks of Mount Shasta and flow in response to snowmelt, perennial flow is associated with the Whitney and Bolam Glaciers. The channels in the project area are intermittent or ephemeral in nature, as well as many being the product of debris flows and are considered unstable. All channels in the project area require a 100 foot riparian reserve. No treatment within the riparian reserve will occur under this project, however, channel crossings are permitted as outlined under the BMPs outlined below.

Past Practices and Current Management: Past practices include silviculture, logging, fuel- wood cutting and recreation.

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Description of the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak Project Area

Watershed: The Deer Creek Project falls within the Box Canyon (HUC 1802000501) and the Upper Sacramento River (HUC 1802000502) fifth field watersheds. The project area is included in the Headwaters Watershed Analysis of the Upper Sacramento River.17 The project area drains generally mountainous terrain and include the three upper branches of the Sacramento River (South, Middle, and North Forks), and Scott Camp, Castle Lake, Wagon, Ney Springs, and Stink Creeks. The South Fork of the Sacramento River flows into Lake Siskiyou.18

Climate: The area is located in the extreme northern end of the Mediterranean Highland Climate Region and is characterized by warm dry summers and cool wet winters. The climate is temperate with an average annual precipitation of 40 to 60 inches. Approximately 80 percent of this precipitation occurs between October and May, mostly in the form of snow. The average snowline lies between 4,000 to 5,000 feet.19

Geology and Geomorphology: Briefly, the area lies within the Trinity ultramafic sheet. This is the easternmost ophiolite of the Klamath Mountains province and is the oldest and perhaps largest in the Pacific Coast region.20 The significance of this geology to the project is that mass wasting of hill slopes occurs in the project area. Local features of bogs, springs, seeps and swales are the result of rotational slumps in the Morgan Meadows area. In some locations, road-cuts placed across these features activate the toe of the slumps and roads receive material from the slump. Mass wasting is an active process on these slopes creating unstable slopes and is especially prevalent on the central reaches of the Middle and North Forks of the Sacramento River.

The area has experienced varying degrees of glaciation; glacial influenced topography includes moraines and a range of gentle to steep slopes.

Soils The Headwaters Analysis area was stratified into four major types of landforms, each with distinct associations of soils; these will be briefly mentioned here with respect to their erosion hazard.21

Non-Glaciated Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by steep mountain side-slopes with a complex array of soils of varying depths and textures. Glacial and Periglacial Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by ridge tops, glacial cirque basins, scree slopes, and mountain meadows. Erosion hazards are generally low due to the gentle slopes and high proportion of rock outcrop.

17 Headwaters Sacramento River Watershed Analysis, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Siskiyou County, CA, Version 2, January 2001. 18 Headwaters Sacramento River WA, S-T NF, Siskiyou Co., CA, Ver. 2, January 2001, p 2. 19 HSW p. 3. 20 For more discussion see the HSW p. 36. 21 For more discussion see the HSW p. 37.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 8 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Colluvial Areas: This segment of the analysis area is characterized by mountain side slopes, colluvial hill slopes, and stream terraces. Soils have a moderate to high erosion hazard on mountain side slopes and colluvial slopes and a low hazard on foot slopes, terraces and floodplains.

Water Quality: There are no impacts to water quality from management activities anticipated from this project. Road use from this project is not anticipated to influence water quality.

Runoff: These streams generally drain shallow, impermeable soils with low water storage capacities. Water stored within the soil profile provides base flow to streams throughout the year. Precipitation that is not stored in the soil profile is released quickly as surface runoff. The quick response of the watershed to precipitation results in high flows during snowmelt and peak flows during large precipitation events. The limited soil water storage after snowmelt has ceased results in low base flows.22

Creek Descriptions: The proposed project units lie within drainages that share the following waters. 1. North side of project area: a. Tributaries to the North Fork of the Sacramento River including Morgan Meadows. b. Deer Creek and its tributaries. 2. Central project area: a. Middle Fork of the Sacramento River and tributaries. 3. South side of project area: a. Scott Camp Creek, South Fork of the Sacramento River and its tributaries. b. Castle Lake Creek, Lake Siskiyou. c. Ney Springs Creek and other tributaries to the Sacramento River.

All of the streams discussed above drain into Lake Siskiyou with the exception of Ney Springs Creek and Stink Creek which enter the Sacramento River below Box Canyon Dam.

Historical Activities: A Forest Service easement for the Hammond Ranch right of way and water conveyance system, from a diversion on the North Fork of the Sacramento River, was transferred in perpetuity to the Colorado Ditch Bill authority in 1998.

Past Practices and Current Management: Logging and associated road construction: of particular note is the interception of streams by old logging roads, railroad grades and skid trails. One road crossing failure on a tributary to the North Fork of the Sacramento River creates foot-only access to one manual release unit (7-3). Other plantations can only be accessed by foot to prevent disturbance to seeps and Darlingtonia bogs impacted from past treatment activities.

22 For more discussion see the HSW p. 40.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 9 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report

2b. Riparian Reserves and the Aquatic Conservation Strategy

The width of the Riparian Reserve for intermittent streams is based on the site-potential tree height representative of stands in the area.23 The site-potential tree height for Riparian Reserves is based on the average maximum height of the tallest dominant trees (200 years or older) for a given site class (Shasta-Trinity LMP, 4-54).

The Effects of Proposed Management Activities in Riparian Reserves

Because activities are proposed for Riparian Reserves the proposed action is evaluated to determine how planned activities would affect implementation of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy.:24

Objective 1. Maintain and restore the distribution, diversity, and complexity of watershed and landscape-scale features to ensure protection of the aquatic systems to which species, populations and communities are uniquely adapted.

Objective 2. Maintain and restore spatial and temporal connectivity within and between watersheds. Lateral, longitudinal, and drainage network connections include floodplains, wetlands, upslope areas, headwater tributaries, and intact refugia. These network connections must provide chemically and physically unobstructed routes to areas critical for fulfilling life history requirements of aquatic and riparian-dependent species.

Objective 3. Maintain and restore the physical integrity of the aquatic system, including shorelines, banks, and bottom configurations.

Objective 4. Maintain and restore water quality necessary to support healthy riparian, aquatic, and wetland ecosystems. Water quality must remain within the range that maintains the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of the system and benefits survival, growth, reproduction, and migration of individuals composing aquatic and riparian communities.

Objective 5. Maintain and restore the sediment regime under which aquatic ecosystems evolved. Elements of the sediment regime include the timing, volume, rate, and character of sediment input, storage, and transport.

Objective 6. Maintain and restore instream flows sufficient to create and sustain riparian, aquatic, and wetland habitats and to retain patterns of sediment, nutrient, and

23 USDA-FS; USDI-BLM, ROD, March 2004. 24 Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1994, 4-53.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 10 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report wood routing. The timing, magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution of peak, high and low flows must be protected.

Objective 7. Maintain and restore the timing, variability, and duration of floodplain inundation and water table elevation in meadows and wetlands.

Objective 8. Maintain and restore the species composition and structural diversity of plant communities in riparian areas and wetlands to provide adequate summer and winter thermal regulation, nutrient filtering, appropriate rates of surface erosion, bank erosion, and channel migration and to supply amounts and distributions of coarse woody debris sufficient to sustain physical complexity and stability.

Objective 9. Maintain and restore habitat to support well-distributed populations of native plant, invertebrate and vertebrate riparian-dependent species.

Effect from proposed activities on the ACS objectives:

No effect from the proposed action is expected to prevent the attainment of ACS objectives. Minor to no ground disturbing activities are expected to occur, and opportunities to remedy past placement of conifer seedlings within riparian areas exist in the Deer Creek TSI.

Some past logging activities and establishment of plantations crossed drainages and were established in these same locations leaving access only by crossing these drainages. Where opportunities exist to restore the above features, activities associated with the TSI and fuel break activity will support the above ACS objectives.

Perennial and intermittent channels in this area provide valuable habitat for species that move into perennial streams and reaches.25 Connectivity within and between watersheds is interrupted by some plantation lay-out. All plantation activity will support connectivity of streams to their watershed.

Extensive shade discourages riparian plant communities from developing under dense conifer canopy. This is evidenced by areas lacking shrubs and forbs in the understory. In the Deer Creek TSI, entry into riparian reserves within plantations to remove or thin plantation trees may occur at the discretion of the hydrologist or soil scientist for the objective of increasing sunlight to promote riparian plant community development.

4. Best Management Practices

A complete description of each best management practice is provided in the publication 'Water Quality Management for National Forest System Lands in California' (USDA,

25 L.M and R.R. Ziemer. 1994.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 11 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report 2000). While all applicable BMPs should be applied to each proposed activity, the following BMPs are emphasized in order to protect aquatic and riparian resources in and adjacent to Riparian Reserves.

Deer Creek TSI & Fuelbreak Construction

Riparian reserves will be entered within the Deer Creek TSI project to treat dense conifer over-story and to reduce plantation trees that were planted within riparian reserves. Channel crossings to access units shall be minimal and can only occur during dry conditions and with prior approval from the unit soil scientist and hydrologist.

The use of the following best management practices and site specific measures will be followed during the implementation of the proposed action or action alternatives in and around Riparian Reserves within the Deer Creek TSI and Fuelbreak treatment to prevent negative impacts to Riparian Reserves.

All equipment shall access plantations via dry roads. In the Deer Creek TSI, Port Orford Cedar (POC) occurs at seeps that cross roads. Because of the risk of the spread of the POC fungus along waterways, the wet crossings must be rocked or crossed during dry periods. In addition, all precautions to limit the spread of POC fungus including washing equipment before entry at an appropriate washing station must be implemented.

1-4: Use of Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water Quality Protection Needs. The objective of this practice is to ensure recognition and protection of areas related to water quality protection.

Site specific measures: Project area and/or contract maps will be used to designate water quality protection needs and riparian reserves.

1-6: Protection of Unstable Lands. The objective is to provide special treatment of unstable areas to avoid triggering mass slope failure with resultant erosion and sedimentation.

Site specific measures: Small pockets of rotational slides associated with saturated serpentine soils and bogs occur in the watershed. Units will be checked by specialists trained and qualified to identify unstable areas. Areas of saturated soils and unstable soils will be field verified on the ground and will be avoided.

1-8: Streamside management zone designation. The objective is to designate a zone along riparian areas, streams and wetlands that will minimize potential for adverse effects from adjacent management activities.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 12 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Site specific measures: All units will have field verified Riparian Reserves, sensitive areas will be excluded from proposed units, and those portions of Riparian Reserves where thinning activities could be accomplished without negatively impacting the soil and water resource will be identified. A 20-foot equipment exclusion zone extending from the center of the channel is specified for units containing Riparian Reserves that will be treated in the Deer Creek TSI.

1-19: Stream course and aquatic protection. The objective is

1) To conduct management actions within these areas in a manner that maintains or improves riparian and aquatic values. 2) To provide unobstructed passage of storm flows. 3) To control sediment and other pollutants entering stream courses. 4) To restore the natural course of any stream as soon as practicable, where diversion of the stream has resulted from timber management activities.

Site specific measures: All mastication and thinning generated debris will be removed from stream courses, unless otherwise agreed to by the COR and in an agreed upon manner that will cause the least disturbance. All mechanized equipment will limit turning in riparian areas to maintain soil quality objectives. All stream crossings in riparian reserves will have no ground disturbing activity. All mechanized equipment will limit turning in riparian areas to maintain soil quality objectives.

2-12: Servicing and refueling of equipment. The objective is to prevent pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens and other harmful materials from being discharged into or near rivers, streams and impoundments, or into natural or man-made channels.

Site specific measures: Having the project administrator designate the location, size and allowable uses of service and refueling areas will implement this practice.

5-1: Slope limitation for mechanical equipment operation. The objective is to decrease sediment production and stream turbidity while mechanically treating slopes.

Site specific measures: Tractor operation will be limited to slopes where corrective measures such as water bars can be effectively installed. As a general guideline, tractors should not be used on slopes exceeding 30 percent. Onsite evaluations of soil stability indicate that areas prone to instability will be avoided.

5-6: Soil moisture limitations for mechanical equipment operations. The objective of this method is to prevent compaction, rutting, and gullying, with resultant sediment production and turbidity.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 13 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report Site specific measures: Mechanical treatments will begin when soil moisture is dry enough to prevent compaction, rutting and gullying. The COR will implement this practice by notifying the unit soil scientist if ground conditions appear too wet for operations. The soil scientist will ground verify soil moisture conditions in order to determine if operations can proceed.

6-1: Fire suppression and fuels management activities. The objective is to reduce public and private losses and environmental impacts that result from wildfires and/or subsequent flooding and erosion by reducing or managing the frequency, intensity and extent of wildfire.

Site specific measures: Hand piling of all fuels within 50 feet of all Riparian Reserves is recommended versus machine piling.

Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Construction

The use of the following best management practices and site specific measures will be followed during the implementation of the proposed action or action alternatives in and around Riparian Reserves within the Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak treatment to prevent negative impacts to Riparian Reserves.

Riparian reserves will not be treated within the Bolam TSI project and no wet stream crossings of any kind will occur in this project. All equipment shall access plantations via dry roads. Channel crossings to access units shall be minimal and can only occur during dry conditions. To prevent damage to any dry channel crossings accessing a treatment unit, each crossing must be approved by either the management unit soil scientist or hydrologist.

1-4: Use of Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water Quality Protection Needs.

Site specific measures: Project area and/or contract maps will be used to designate water quality protection needs and riparian reserves.

2-12: Servicing and refueling of equipment. The objective is to prevent pollutants such as fuels, lubricants, bitumens and other harmful materials from being discharged into or near rivers, streams and impoundments, or into natural or man-made channels.

Site specific measures: Having the project administrator designate the location, size and allowable uses of service and refueling areas will implement this practice.

Hydrology Report; Deer Creek – Bolam TSI & Fuelbreak Project 14 of 17 2008 Bolam TSI and Fuelbreak Construction Project Hydrology Report 5-2: Slope limitation for mechanical equipment operation. The objective is to decrease sediment production and stream turbidity while mechanically treating slopes.

Site specific measures: As a general guideline, tractors should not be used on slopes exceeding -30 percent. Onsite evaluations of soil stability indicate that areas prone to instability will be avoided.

5-6: Soil moisture limitations for mechanical equipment operations. The objective of this method is to prevent compaction, rutting, and gullying, with resultant sediment production and turbidity.

Site specific measures: Mechanical treatments will begin when soil moisture is dry enough to prevent compaction, rutting and gullying. The COR will implement this practice by notifying the unit soil scientist if ground conditions appear too wet for operations. The soil scientist will ground verify soil moisture conditions in order to determine if operations can proceed.

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Appendix A

Upper Sacramento River – California Basin Plan26 Existing Uses: Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) Agricultural Supply (AGR) Hydropower Generation (POW) Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) Cold Water Spawning Habitat (SPWN) Wildlife Habitat (WILD)

North Coast Water Quality Control Plan27 There is no surface connectivity from the Bolam project area to the Shasta River which does have connectivity to the Klamath River; therefore falling under jurisdiction of the North Coast Water Quality Control Plan. The following beneficial uses include, but are not limited to: Existing Beneficial Uses Groundwater Recharge (GWR) Freshwater Replenishment (FRSH) Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR) Wildlife Habitat (WILD) Water Contact Recreation (REC-1)

In addition, under the Colorado Ditch Bill, waters from the Upper Sacramento River drainage (Central Valley Region, Water Quality Control Board) are diverted from the North Fork of the Sacramento River, via the Hammond Ditch, into the Hammond Reservoir Irrigation system, which drains into Hammond Reservoir. Hammond Reservoir falls within the North Coast Region, Water Quality Control Board.28

26 The Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the California Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region, Fourth Edition, 2006. The Sacramento River Basin and the San Joaquin River Basin. Ch.II, p. 1 and p.5. 27Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast, 2001. California State Water Resources Control Board. Ch.2-5. 28 Water Quality Control Plan for the North Coast, 2001. California State Water Resources Control Board. Ch.2-5.

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Agricultural Supply (AGR) - Uses of water for farming, horticulture, or ranching including, but not limited to, irrigation (including leaching of salts), stock watering, or support of vegetation for range grazing. Commercial and Sport Fishing (COMM) - Uses of water for commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or other organisms including, but not limited to, uses involving organisms intended for human consumption or bait purposes. Cold Freshwater Habitat (COLD) - Uses of water that support cold water ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation or enhancement of aquatic habitats, vegetation, fish, or wildlife, including vertebrates. Hydropower Generation (POW) - Uses of water for hydropower generation. Freshwater Replenishment (FRSH) - Uses of water for natural or artificial maintenance of surface water quantity or quality. Spawning, Reproduction, and/or Early Development (SPWN) - Uses of water that support high quality aquatic habitats suitable for reproduction and early development of fish. Water Contact Recreation (REC-1) - Uses of water for recreational activities involving body contact with water, where ingestion of water is reasonably possible. These uses include, but are not limited to, swimming, wading, water-skiing, skin and scuba diving, surfing, white water activities, fishing, or use of natural hot springs. Migration of Aquatic Organisms (MIGR) – Uses of water that support habitats necessary for migration or other temporary activities by aquatic organisms, such as anadromous fish. Non-contact Water Recreation (REC-2) - Uses of water for recreational activities involving proximity to water, but where there is generally no body contact with water, nor any likelihood of ingestion of water. These uses include, but are not limited to, picnicking, sunbathing, hiking, beachcombing, camping, boating, tidepool and marine life study, hunting, sightseeing, or aesthetic enjoyment in conjunction with the above activities. Wildlife Habitat (WILD) - Uses of water that support terrestrial or wetland ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of terrestrial habitats or wetlands, vegetation, wildlife (e.g., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates), or wildlife water and food sources. Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) - Uses of water for community, military, or individual water supply systems including, but not limited to, drinking water supply. Industrial Service Supply (IND) - Uses of water for industrial activities that do not depend primarily on water quality including, but not limited to, mining, cooling water supply, hydraulic conveyance, gravel washing, fire protection, or oil well repressurization. Industrial Process Supply (PROC) - Uses of water for industrial activities that depend primarily on water quality. Groundwater Recharge (GWR) - Uses of water for natural or artificial recharge of groundwater for purposes of future extraction, maintenance of water quality, or halting of saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. Navigation (NAV) - Uses of water for shipping, travel, or other transportation by private, military or commercial vessels. Aquaculture (AQUA) - Uses of water for aquaculture or mariculture operations including, but not limited to, propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvesting of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption or bait purposes. Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE) - Uses of water that support habitats necessary, at least in part, for the survival and successful maintenance of plant or animal species established under state or federal law as rare, threatened or endangered.

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