2018 Recreation Residence Projects Odell Lake Preliminary Decision Memo _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Preliminary Decision Memo 2018 Recreation Residence Projects – Odell Lake USDA Forest Service Crescent Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest Klamath County, Oregon Background The Crescent Ranger District maintains 66 recreation residence permits on Odell Lake and 72 on Crescent Lake. Each year, permittees may submit applications for repairs and alterations to their privately owned structures to ensure safety, accessibility and compliance with regulations, as well as upgrades as permitted under conditions outlined in the recreation residence special use permit language. Upon acceptance of these project requests, the Forest Service is required to conduct a National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) analysis on any project that may alter the character of a residence or that includes any ground-disturbing activity. This Preliminary Decision Memo covers six recreation residences and their associated projects1 on Odell Lake: G-17, T-2, T-4, T-5, X-5, and Y-9. Purpose and Need There is a need to maintain the private recreation residence structures and associated improvements in a safe condition that provides for accessibility, ensures compliance with County, State and Federal regulations, and allows for upgrades as permitted under conditions outlined in the recreation residence special use permit language. Proposed Action The Forest Service proposes the following actions to meet this purpose and need: Cabin G-17: Storage shed replacement: Remove old shed that is rotting (currently sits on old wood as foundation) and replace with a 13’ X 10’ storage shed on a pier block foundation. Material for roofing, siding, and door and roof pitch will mimic that of the primary structure. Roofing material is to be metal, siding is to be half-round logs both in a brown tone. Storage shed divided into two section with one section serving as a tool storage and the other to store firewood. Will use standard construction tools. No heavy equipment proposed. Cabin T-2: Shingle replacement: Remove existing wood shingle siding and replace with Hardie Plank lap siding (sample seen at jameshardie.com) and Class B fire rated treated tapersawn shakes in gable area. Lap siding will be painted dark brown and shakes will be left the natural color. Standard construction tools will be used to cut the siding and shakes for gable ends. Shared Well Connection to T-2: Proposes to dig a trench that measures 20” W x 36” D x 152’ L from Lot T-2’s pump house to Odell Lake Lot T-3’s garage to connect to an existing water system (well). The trench will hold water and electrical lines. Site plan attached. Will use a mini excavator w/rubber tracks. Route of existing electrical line shown for reference. Cabin T-4: New Storage shed with safety light: Construct a new 10’ x 13’ storage shed using a pier block foundation system. Proposes to install two windows and a door. Siding to be either half log siding or constructed out of logs itself depending on cost. Roofing material is be brown metal roofing. Roof pitch to match that of cabin. Site is staked. Also proposes to install an outside safety light onto storage 1 Some recreation residences have more than one project. Page 1 of 7 2018 Recreation Residence Projects Odell Lake Preliminary Decision Memo _____________________________________________________________________________________________ building. Will connect the electrical line from the box attached to cabin directly to storage shed. Trench is 12” W x 24”D x 50” L. See route is provided on site plan. Satellite dish: Proposes to install a single satellite dish on lot in location shown on site plan. The dish will be installed on a metal pole set in a hole that measures 12” in diameter approximately 2’ in depth. Distance from cabin to satellite dish is approximately 30’ and will hand trench to a depth of six inches to bury cable. Width is that of a shovel. Will need to trim branch from adjacent tree for reception. Gravel on driveway and parking area: Place ¾ minus gravel over existing surface to assist in winter run-off that is causing erosion in the driveway and to adjacent tree roots. The gravel will be purchased from an approved provider. Proposes to use dump truck to deliver gravel, and equipment determined by contractor, such as backhoe to spread, shovel, rakes, and wheel-barrow. Cabin T-5: Gravel driveway: Proposes to place ¾ gravel on the driveway at a depth of two inches. The gravel will be purchased from an approved provider. Drive way is 8’ W and is approximately 200’ in length. Proposes to use dump truck to deliver gravel and backhoe will be used to spread the gravel. Cabin X-5: New Storage shed: Proposes to construct a new 10’ X 13’ storage shed behind cabin on new pier block foundation. Pier blocks will require leveling. Current regulations state additional outbuilding must mimic the look, style and appearance of primary structure. Porch and stair repair: Proposes to replace flooring of the porch with new in-kind wood material. Also propose to repair the stairs by replacing elements of the stairs that are deteriorated with in-kind wood material. Chimney removal: Remove the remaining section of the old chimney on north side of the cabin and seal the hole in the roof with matching shingles. The chimney is held by four wood posts used to brace brick foundation. Brick foundation has fallen apart and is causing the roof to sag. Picture of remaining chimney chase and of the cabin are provided in project file. New well/water & electrical lines: Proposes to install a new well and associated water and electrical lines. Footprint for well is approximately 2’ X 2’ in diameter and at a depth determined by water table. Well location is currently undetermined because it needs to be 100’ from neighboring septic systems. The west side of the cabin, and particularly area circled on the attached area needs to be reviewed. Trench is to be approximately 12” W X 3’ deep X up to 50’ L. Final trench length would be determined upon placement of well. Cabin Y-9: Septic tank: Propose to replace old metal septic tank that has developed a crack in the structure as it failed inspection upon transfer of ownership. New tank to be located in same location as old septic tank. New tank measures 60” W x 100” L x 60” H. Hole dug will measure approximately 63” W x 105” W x 63” D. No mention of material new tank will be. Small backhoe will be needed to remove old tank and set new tank. Site can be accessed using existing routes. The projects are located in Klamath County, Oregon, with a legal description of T23S, R6E, Sections 7, 14, and 18 Willamette Meridian (Figure 1). Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Decision Decisions may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment when they are within one of the categories listed in 36 CFR 220.6(e), and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative effect on the quality of the human environment. Category of Exclusion The appropriate category of exclusion is found in the Forest Service National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations at 36 CFR 220.6(e)(3). This category is appropriate because the project involves Page 2 of 7 2018 Recreation Residence Projects Odell Lake Preliminary Decision Memo _____________________________________________________________________________________________ “…approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land.” Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances In determining the appropriateness of using the categorical exclusion, a determination of the potential impact to the resource conditions identified in FSH 1909.15 Section 30.3(2) must be made. The following is the list of the potential effects to the resource conditions from the project activities. 1. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. Wildlife: It is anticipated that this project would have “No Effect” to any threatened or endangered species and “No Impact” to any R6 Sensitive wildlife species. A Biological Evaluation (BE) would be completed before issuance of a final Decision Memo to document any potential effects, and any design criteria or mitigation measures will be added to that decision. Plants: It is anticipated that this project would have “No Effect” to any threatened, endangered, and “No Impact” R6 Sensitive plant species. A Biological Evaluation (BE) would be completed before issuance of a final Decision Memo to document any potential effects, and any design criteria or mitigation measures will be added to that decision. Fisheries: It is anticipated that this project would have no disturbance or “No Effect” to fisheries as a result of this decision. 2. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds Executive Order 11988 provides direction to avoid adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains. Executive Order 11990 provides direction to avoid adverse impacts associated with destruction or modification of wetlands. The project is consistent with both executive orders. This project would have no effect to either floodplains or wetlands. There would be no adverse effects to a municipal watershed because the project is not located within or adjacent to a municipal watershed. 3. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas The proposed project is not within a Wild and Scenic River corridor. The closest is the Crescent Creek Wild and Scenic River corridor, which is approximately three miles to the southeast of the closest recreation residence on Odell Lake, and would not be impacted by the proposed actions.