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Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

This document is available in large print. Contact the Androscoggin Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 603-466-2713 Federal Relay 711

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Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

Introduction

The Androscoggin Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) is seeking your input on a proposal to relocate approximately 0.5 mile of hiking trail and to maintain a hiking trail bridge in the Wild River Valley area. Sections of the Highwater Trail were consumed by the Wild River during Tropical Storm Irene in August of 2011. Following Irene and again after Tropical Storm Sandy in October of 2012, the riverbank supporting the southeastern abutment of the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge crossing the Wild River showed an increased extent of erosion. The proposal includes relocating and reconstructing segments of the Highwater Trail and placing rock along the eroded riverbank adjacent to the southeastern abutment of the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge. The proposal does not include any project work within the Wild River Wilderness. This report includes the purpose and need for the project, a description of the proposed action, the decision to be made, and information on how you can submit comments on this project to the Forest Service.

Background

In August of 2011 the higher peaks of the Wild River watershed received as much as 14 inches of rainfall from Tropical Storm Irene, causing flooding and substantial resource and infrastructure damage along several streams including the Wild River. The flood water from these streams washed trees, boulders, and gravel downstream. Stream water overflowed onto adjacent trails, eroded stream banks, and inundated bridges and culverts. The Highwater Trail and the riverbank at the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge sustained extensive damage from the overwhelming waters of the Wild River. Segments of the Highwater Trail were washed away completely. The riverbank supporting the southeastern abutment of the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge was heavily scoured and eroded during this event and again as a result of Tropical Storm Sandy in October of 2012. The Highwater Trail follows along the northwestern flank of the Wild River from the trail bridge crossing at Hastings near the intersection of ME State Rt. 113 and Forest Road 12 (Wild River Rd.) for 9.7 miles to it’s junction with the Black Angel

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report and Wild River Trails in the Wild River Wilderness. At 5.3 miles the Highwater Trail intersects the Shelburne Trail and at 6.7 miles intersects the Moriah Brook Trail at the suspension bridge. From a point 200 feet southwest of the suspension bridge to the junction with the Black Angel and Wild River trails, the Highwater Trail is within the Wild River Wilderness. Use of the trail is low, mainly used by anglers and by hikers of the Shelburne, Black Angel, or Wild River trails seeking an alternate route to cross the Wild River at the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge during periods of high water. The Highwater Trail is also occcaisionally used by mountain bike enthusiasts. It is a scenic ride along the banks of the Wild River when combined with the Wild River Road in a loop tour with 2 radically different experiences: the Highwater Trail is a rough-and-tumble, physically demanding single track (including several feeder streams with unrideable washouts requiring the rider to carry a bike across those sections) while the gentle Wild River Road courses along easy grades suitable for all ability levels. Each end of the loop is a crossing over the Wild River, the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge and the newly reconstructed Hastings bridge.

Highwater Trail along the Wild River following Tropical Storm Irene – September 2011

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

The Moriah Brook Trail begins at an intersection with the Wild River Trail approximately 0.3 mile southwest of Wild River Campground. At about 200 feet to the west the trail crosses over the Wild River on the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge and conjoins with the Highwater Trail for 0.3 mile. The trails then diverge and the Moriah Brook Trail climbs northwest another 5.2 miles to the Carter-Moriah Trail (part of the Appalachian Trail) between North Carter Mountain and Mt. Moriah. From a point 200 feet southwest of the suspension bridge to 200 feet south of the junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail, the Moriah Brook Trail is within the Wild River Wilderness. The trail follows the footprint of an old railroad bed and sees moderate use by backpackers and day hikers. Several dispersed campsites are located along the trail and the scenic Moriah Gorge is accessed just over 1.0 mile up the trail and is visited by many hikers. Opportunities exist for backpackers to hike different loops within the Wild River Wilderness using this trail. The trail’s close proximity to Wild River Campground affords campers a scenic day hike opportunity to explore the gorge or experience the solitude of the Wild River Wilderness.

Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge southeastern abutment area – November 2013

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

The 140 foot long Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge crossing the Wild River was constructed in 1985. It is located approximately 0.3 mile southwest of Wild River Campground and less than 100 yards west from the Moriah Brook Trail’s intersection with the Wild River Trail. This bridge and the trail bridge at Hastings are the only bridged trail crossings of the Wild River; all other trail crossings require fording the river, which can be difficult or impossible when the river level is elevated. In addition to providing access to hiking trails and the Wild River Wilderness on the northwestern side of the river, the bridge itself provides a scenic viewpoint of the river and nearby mountains.

Project Area

The project area includes:  6 segments (totaling 0.5 mile) of the Highwater Trail along a distance of approximately 2.5 miles heading northeast from its junction with the Moriah Brook Trail toward the crossing of Martins Brook.  The Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge and approximately 150 feet of the Wild River bank adjacent to the eastern bridge abutment. To allow for equipment access to the suspension bridge, the following areas are also included:  Approximately 200 feet of the Moriah Brook Trail from the suspension bridge to the Wild River Trail.  0.3 mile of the Wild River Trail along the old railroad bed from the junction with the Moriah Brook Trail to the vehicle turnaround at the end of the Wild River Campground road.

According to the Forest Plan, Appendix C, the Wild River is potentially eligible for designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Within the project area, segments of the river are eligible to be classified as Wild or as Recreational.

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

Management Direction

The project area is composed of lands that are administratively designated by the WMNF Land and Resource Management Plan as Management Area 2.1— General Forest Management. Part of the purpose of lands under this designation is to:

1. Provide high quality sawtimber and other timber products on a sustained yield basis. 2. Provide a balanced mix of habitats for wildlife species.

3. Provide opportunities for a full mix of recreation opportunities, from low-use hiking trails to highly developed campgrounds, and ROS (Recreation Opportunities Spectrum) objectives, varying from urban to semi-primitive motorized in different locations and sometimes varying by season or presence of management activities.

4. Manage high-use or highly developed recreation areas to acceptable social and ecological standards; manage to retain some low-use and less developed areas.

Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for Management Area 2.1 that are applicable to this project include:

 Recreation management activities will match the ROS Class objectives provided in this management area. Recreation management activities themselves should not drive the ROS Class from a less developed to a more developed Class.

Purpose and Need for Action

The Highwater Trail and Moriah Brook Trail sustained major damage caused by the flood waters of the Wild River as a result of heavy rains from Tropical Storms Irene and Sandy. Several segments of the Highwater Trail were washed away completely making navigation difficult along unstable areas of eroded and undercut riverbank. The riverbank supporting the eastern abutment of the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge crossing over the Wild River was heavily eroded, leaving the abutment’s stability susceptible to any future occurrences of

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report elevated river levels. In addition, observations of the Wild River and the suspension bridge by resource specialists noted the river will likely continue to scour and erode its banks in the vicinity of the bridge, leaving in question the bridge’s viability in its current condition. The repair of the Highwater Trail and the stabilization and protection of the suspension bridge abutment are needed in order to maintain sustainable trail access to recreation opportunities within the Wild River valley, to increase visitor safety, and to minimize further soil erosion.

Proposed Action

Since Tropical Storms Irene and Sandy, resource specialists have evaluated the project area and options for relocating portions the Highwater Trail and maintaining the Moriah Brook Trail suspension bridge. Based on identified needs, input from Forest Service resource specialists and resource management partners, as well as guidance in the Forest Plan, a proposed action was developed to:

1. Highwater Trail: Relocate and construct a series of 6 trail segments totaling approximately 0.5 mile to new spots 15 to 30 feet from the trail’s location prior to being consumed by the river. The constructed segments are to replace the missing sections of trail to reconnect the remaining sections. Hand tools would be used to construct the new trail segments. All construction work would meet Forest Service standards and guidelines under the Forest Plan.

2. Moriah Brook Trail Suspension Bridge: Place rock along approximately 150 feet of the southeastern riverbank adjacent to the abutment to alleviate further erosion. Heavy equipment would be used to place the rock. Equipment would access the bridge utilizing existing trails and the old railroad bed which are currently wide enough to support heavy equipment and only minor brushing would be needed. Specifically, access would be along the original Wild River Trail following the old railroad bed from the vehicle turn around at the end of the Wild River Campground, then continuing along the railroad bed and the existing Wild River Trail to its junction with the Moriah Brook Trail and then to

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

the bridge. Two temporary bridges would need to be placed over two unnamed tributaries just past the end of the campground. No new road would be constructed. All maintenance work would meet Forest Service standards and guidelines under the Forest Plan as well as follow New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services permitting requirements.

Decision to be Made

This decision is expected to be a routine activity that can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment pursuant to: 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1), Construction and reconstruction of trails, and; 36 CFR 220.6(d)(4) Repair and maintenance of roads, trails, and landline boundaries. A preliminary review of impacts to resources listed in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1) by resource specialists indicates there are not any extraordinary circumstances associated with this project.

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

How are you involved in this decision?

The purpose of soliciting your comments during this 30-day comment period is to collect additional information regarding the project or possible extraordinary circumstances, identify any unresolved concerns regarding this proposal, and confirm the proposed level of analysis. Comments should be specific to the proposed action and include supporting rationale. Please be aware that your name, address and comments will become part of the public record and may be available for public inspection. If you provide input during this comment period, you will be notified when a decision is made on this project.

In accordance with the March 19, 2012 court ruling in Sequoia Forestkeeper v. Tidwell, this project is subject to public notice, comment, and opportunity for administrative appeal. This is the official 30-day comment period for the project. Comments concerning this project must be postmarked or received within 30 calendar days following the publication of the legal notice in the New Hampshire Union Leader. The publication date in the Union Leader is the exclusive means for calculating the comment period. Individuals and organizations wishing to be eligible to appeal this decision must provide their name, address, comments, and signature (or other verification of identity upon request) during this 30-day comment period. Postal or hand delivered comments must be submitted to Katherine W. Stuart, District Ranger at: 300 Glen Road, Gorham, New Hampshire, 03581. Oral comments may be provided to Travis Pellerin at the above address or by phone to 603-466-2713 (ext. 216) or by Federal Relay 711. The office hours for submitting comments in person are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M-F, excluding holidays. Comments may be faxed to 603-466-2856. Electronic comments should include an identifiable name and must be submitted as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), Word (.doc) or portable document format (.pdf) document to [email protected]. In your comments, please include the following information:  Your name, address, and telephone number.  The project you are commenting on: Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project.

Wild River Valley Trails Repair Project – 30-Day Comment Report

 Site-specific comments about the project, along with supporting information you believe will help the Forest Service identify issues or predict the environmental effects of our proposal.

This document is available for review at the Androscoggin Ranger Station, 300 Glen Road, Gorham, New Hampshire, 03581; or on our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/whitemountain/landmanagement/projects. For further information contact Travis Pellerin at 300 Glen Road, Gorham, NH 03581; (603) 466-2713 (ext. 216); Federal Relay 711; or by email at [email protected].