Decision Notice and FONSI Falls Creek Falls Trailhead Upgrade

Falls Creek Falls Trailhead Upgrade Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact

USDA Forest Service Mt. Adams Ranger District Gifford Pinchot National Forest Skamania County, Sections 20 and 21, T5N, R7E, Willamette Meridian

Decision and Reasons for the Decision

Background The Falls Creek Falls Trailhead and the adjacent Falls Creek Trailhead are some of the most popular trailheads for day use on the Mt. Adams Ranger District. The trailheads are located at the end of Forest Service Road 3062 and 3062-057. These roads are accessed from the Highway (Highway 30), about 10 miles north of Stabler, Washington and are located due east of the .

In the summer months, parking is inadequate for the heavy use of these trails. Users heading to Falls Creek Falls park along Forest Road 3062-057 causing congestion, damage to roadside vegetation and roadside foot traffic. This mix of foot traffic, moving vehicles and parked cars is a safety concern and is inconvenient for recreational users. With a reconfigured parking area at the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead the safety risk is reduced.

Currently, hikers in spring and fall have no access to toilet facilities. Hikers utilize the shrubs at the trailhead causing concentrations of human waste and toilet paper which is as much a sanitation hazard as it is unsightly. In the summer months rental toilet units are purchased by the Forest Service providing simple facilities for the peak season. With a reconfigured parking area, sanitation facilities would be improved with a new vault toilet.

The Ranger District on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze a proposal that would improve the user experience at the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead.

The proposed action is to expand the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead to allow for more parking while decommissioning and rehabilitating the nearby Falls Creek Trailhead. The Falls Creek Trail (Trail #152) would be extended to tie into the consolidated trailhead. Portions of the existing connector trail (informally referred to as 152B) would be rehabilitated. Both trails would be accessed from the same reconfigured trailhead.

There would be no change in type of use for any of group who typically use the trails and trailheads.

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Decision Based upon my review of the environmental analysis, and comments I have received from the public and other agencies, I have decided to implement the proposed action (Alternative B) as described in the EA because it best meets the purpose and need described in the environmental analysis.

My decision will expand the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead to allow for more parking and decommission and rehabilitate Falls Creek Trailhead.

To facilitate the trailhead consolidation, the decision includes:

Increasing parking at the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead (Site B on Figure 1) from 15 to 50 sites. This will involve clearing vegetation on about one-sixth of an acre. Trees that have commercial value (approximately 100 Douglas-fir trees smaller than 14 inches in diameter) will be put up for bid in a small timber sale. Installing a vault toilet at the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead (Site B). Decommissioning and revegetating the Falls Creek Trailhead including the parking area and old ford/stream crossing site on Falls Creek (Site A). This will involve using an excavator or similar equipment to decompact the hardened surfaces, importing excavated soil, mulching and seeding the area, and planting with a mix of species including Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock seedlings at an eight foot by eight foot spacing. Decommissioning the last 0.25 miles of Forest Road 3062 which accesses and ends at the Falls Creek Trailhead (Site A). The same decompacting and revegetation described above will be applied to the road surface. Extending the Falls Creek Trail (Trail #152) from where it crosses Falls Creek south-east to the newly expanded Falls Creek Falls Trailhead (Site B). This extension will utilize a portion of the creekside trail (informally referred to as 152B) and allow for equestrian access to the Falls Creek Trail. The extension will be open to horses, mountain bikers, and hikers. Two small trees that are smaller than 4 inches in diameter, and about 20 saplings and brush smaller than 3 inches in diameter will need to be cut to construct the trail extension. Decommissioning the remaining creekside trail that will not be used for the extension of Trail 152 because of its unsuitability for equestrian use. This will involve blocking the trail ingress and egress with on site debris, mounding soil and re-naturalizing areas with logs and organic debris and “ice-berging” (burial of rocks except for sharp tips), creating an irregular surface.

The trailheads will be closed for a period of time to allow for tree removal, parking lot expansion and vault toilet installation.

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The following mitigation measures will apply to the project: 1) No in-stream work will be performed, and no heavy equipment will cross Falls Creek. 2) There would be sediment catchments (i.e. hay bales, silt fences) in place along the parking lot’s perimeter that lies adjacent to Falls Creek during all ground-disturbing activities in order to intercept any fine sediment before it reaches the creek. The USFS hydrologist and/or the USFS fish biologist will determine the location of these sediment catchments, but they will be at least placed at the stream/parking lot edge where equipment has forded the stream in the past. These sediment catchments will be checked and cleaned (silt rinsed from the bales/fencing onto the forest floor away from any waterbody) at least once a week during, and immediately upon completion of, the parking lot decommissioning activities. 3) Decompaction activities done near Falls Creek will be done by hand, using small machinery (eg., small Bobcat), and/or by situating an excavator away from the streambanks and using its 25-30 foot extensible arm to reach the trail and make small depressions and mounds on its surface. 4) Prior to project work, place straw bales or erosion fencing at key points of potential sediment travel to Falls Creek. Adjust the location of these features as needed to maintain their effectiveness throughout the project. The objective is to intercept and slow down movement of surface water runoff to encourage filtering and deposition of fine sediments before they reach Falls Creek. 5) Scarify, plant and place boulders on the south side of the old driveway that crosses Falls Creek. Also plant the north side of the stream where the driveway is still evident. The objectives are to accelerate revegetation and tree growth in this area, to reduce erosion from the driveway surface, and to obstruct any vehicular access. 6) Mulch all disturbed surfaces immediately after equipment has completed work there. The objective is to limit erosion from the disturbed soil surface from splash erosion and overland flows. 7) Seed and plant all disturbed areas as soon as practical following project work. The objective is to establish desired plant species before invasives occupy the site, and to begin development of forest cover in the riparian areas. 8) Scatter all excess tree limbs and other organic debris on disturbed areas following work. The objective is to add roughness and organic litter to the decompacted surface that will help slow the movement of any overland water flows, and provide microclimate, organic materials and nutrients for newly planted vegetation. Placement of forest debris on the decompacted surface will also help discourage use of off road vehicles on the newly planted area. 9) Construct effective closures of the decommissioned trail, road and parking lot. The objective is to ensure no subsequent vehicular access occurs on the newly decompacted and revegetated surface. 10) To prevent the introduction of noxious weeds into the project area, all heavy equipment, or other off- road equipment used in the project is to be cleaned to remove soil, seeds,

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vegetative matter or other debris that could contain seeds. Cleaning should be done before entering National Forest Lands, and when equipment moves from or between project sites or areas known to be infested into other areas, infested or otherwise. Cleaning of the equipment may include pressure washing. An inspection will be required to ensure that equipment is clean before work can begin. (Equipment cleaning clause Wo- C6.35) (Standard 2, Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Program Record of Decision, 2005). 11) Inspect active gravel, fill, sand stockpiles, quarry sites, and borrow material for invasive plants before use and transport. Treat or require treatment of infested sources before any use of pit material. Use only gravel, fill, sand, and rock that is judged to be weed free by District or Forest weed specialists (Standard 7, Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Program Record of Decision, 2005). 12) Use weed-free straw and mulch for all projects, conducted or authorized by the Forest Service, on National Forest System Lands (Standard 3, Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Program Record of Decision, 2005). 13) Native plant materials are the first choice in re-vegetation for restoration and rehabilitation where timely natural regeneration of the native plant community is not likely to occur. For re-vegetation of the decommissioned road and parking area, utilize locally adapted native plant materials (seed and trees) (Standard 13, Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Program Record of Decision, 2005). 14) Treat invasive plant infestations along roadsides for ½ mile adjacent to the project prior to project commencement. If these species have mature flowers or seeds at the time that control work is undertaken, bag and discard plants outside of Forest Service lands. These actions will reduce seed dissemination into areas newly disturbed by project activities. 15) Consider inter-planting red alder (Alnus rubra) among conifers during re-vegetation of decommissioned road and parking lot. 16) Prior to contract implementation, the contracting officer’s representative will work with a Gifford Pinchot archaeologist to ensure proper compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 17) Include inadvertent discovery language into any contract for implementation to ensure that any archeological sites found during implementation would be protected.

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Figure 1. Map of the Activities Included in the Decision

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Rationale for the Decision I believe that the action described in Alternative B will best meet the purpose and need described in the EA, and our objective to improve the user experience at the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead.

Falls Creek Falls Trailhead and the adjacent Falls Creek Trailhead are some of the most popular trails used on the Mt Adams Ranger District. The parking does not accommodate the heavy use of these trails. The lack of sufficient parking forces visitors to park along Forest Road 3062057 which causes congestion, damage to vegetation, and safety concerns with roadside foot traffic. Decommissioning and rehabilitating Falls Creek Trailhead, and expanding Falls Creek Falls Trailhead to allow for more parking will increase safety to the visitors, better accommodate the heavy use during the peak season, as well as protect vegetation along the road. The installation of a vault toilet at Falls Creek Falls Trailhead will allow for visitors to have access to toilet facilities. The forest will also no longer need to purchase rental toilets units for the peak summer season.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest defined a “Niche Emphasis” for developed recreation. This niche emphasis was a method to begin to capture the settings, traditions and uses of the recreating public. Falls Creek Falls Trailhead was categorized as “Front Country,” which are areas that are located near urban communities and along key paved travel ways. Front Country areas provide easy access for urban visitors that are less familiar with the outdoors, and day use activities are the primary focus. Alternative B is consistent with this setting. Extending Falls Creek Trail from where it crosses Falls Creek southeast to the newly expanded Fall Creek Falls Trailhead would utilize a portion of the creekside trail and allow for equestrian access to the trail. The trail would be open to horses, mountain bikers, and hikers.

I recognize that recreationists have favorite or regular areas that they use and even if the use at a particular area is small, it affects them. The decommissioning of Falls Creek Trailhead and the last 0.25 miles of Forest Road 3062 is a bi-product of combining two adjacent trailheads that cost the taxpayers to maintain. The decision will mean more efficient maintenance, increased sanitation, less potential for erosion into Falls Creek, and increased user safety. There will be some inconvenience for users while the trailhead is closed during construction. The elimination of the Falls Creek Trailhed is expected to improve the visitor experience.

Other Alternatives Considered During scoping two suggestions from the public were made. The first suggestion was to widen the access road from the junction of Forest Service Road 3062 and Forest Service Road 3062- 056 and provide more frequent passing pull offs as part of this project. Widening the access road was evaluated, but it was determined that there are enough existing pull-outs for passing vehicles.

The other suggestion was to consider putting the trailhead on the Wind River Highway (Highway 30) in order to attract more use and eliminate a bridge over Ninemile Creek. This comment was evaluated during the interdisciplinary process and it was decided not to move forward with

Page 6 Decision Notice and FONSI Falls Creek Falls Trailhead Upgrade consideration at this time due to increased resource impacts, trail distance and potential impacts on the highway.

Public Involvement The proposal was listed in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s Schedule of Proposed Actions (a quarterly planning newsletter). A description of the proposal was sent to the Forest mailing list including interested individuals, organizations, agencies, and tribes on September 10, 2010.

During the initial scoping period, the Forest Service received one email and one phone call from individuals regarding the proposed action. Both individuals supported the project and had minor suggestions for an improved proposal. A letter was also received from the Cultural Resources Department of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The Tribe recommended adding Inadvertent Discovery Plan language to the contract. This requirement is included in the Project Design Features in Chapter 2.

A legal notice announcing the availability of the Falls Creek Falls Trailhead Upgrade Preliminary Analysis for review and comment was published in the Columbian newspaper (newspaper of record) on April 22, 2011. A letter announcing its availability was also sent to the Forest mailing list. Four comment letters were received during the comment period. Copies of these letters are in the Falls Creek Trailhead Upgrade analysis file. Comments received are listed along with Forest Service responses in Appendix A of the EA. For the most part, comments received were supportive of the project. There was concern expressed by one individual that decommissioning the end of Forest Service Road 3062 would cut off access to the stream and flat, old railroad grade for those individuals who are mobility impaired. I understand this concern and did not come to the decision to close trailhead and road access without serious consideration for the other factors involved.

Finding of No Significant Impact After considering the environmental effects described in the EA, I have determined these actions will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment taking into account the context and intensity of impacts (40 CFR 1508.27). Thus, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. I base my finding on the following:

1. Adverse and beneficial impacts have been assessed and found not significant. The analysis considered not only the direct and indirect effects of the projects but also their contribution to cumulative effects (EA, Recreation, page 18-19; Aquatics, pages 21-25; Wildlife, pages 32; Sensitive Botanical Species, page 33) Adverse effects from the proposed action have been minimized or eliminated through project design and mitigation measures (EA, pages 15-16). My finding of no significant environmental effects is not biased by the beneficial effects of the action. Past, present and foreseeable future actions have been included in the analysis. No significant cumulative or secondary effects were identified.

2. I find there will be no significant effects to public health and safety. No public health and safety issues were raised during scoping.

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3. I find there will be no significant effects on unique characteristics or ecologically critical areas, including historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, rangelands, wetlands, or Wild and Scenic Rivers. No effects to heritage resources are anticipated as a result of implementation of this project. There are no other unique characteristics or ecologically critical areas in the planning area. There are no park lands, farmlands, or rangelands or Wild and Scenic Rivers within the planning area. There will be no significant impact to wetlands because there are none in the area. The trail segment proposed for closure and rehabilitation lies in part within the floodplain of Falls Creek, and the proposed treatement will improve floodplain function. The project complies with Executive Orders 11988 and 11989 regarding Wetlands and Floodplains. (EA, page 34).

4. The effects on the quality of the human environment are not likely to be highly controversial. No comments were received from the public concerning the scientific controversy over the impacts of the project (EA, Appendix A, Response to Comments).

5. I have determined the effects are not uncertain, and do not involve unique or unknown risk. All of the types of activities included in the decision have been implemented in the past on this district.

6. I find this action is one of several similar actions undertaken on National Forest System lands and is not likely to establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects, or represent a decision in principle. The decision implements the Gifford Pinchot Forest Plan, as amended (EA, page 5).

7. I find the cumulative impacts are not significant. Cumulative impacts are addressed by issue in Chapter 3 of the EA (EA, Recreation, page 19; Aquatics, page 23-24; Wildlife, pages 32).

8. I find the action will have no significant adverse effect on districts, sites, highways, structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. No adverse effects to historic resources are anticipated as a result of implementation of this project. (EA, page 35).

9. I have considered the degree to which the actions will adversely affect endangered or threatened species or their habitat that have been determined to be critical under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The project will be noise-generating activity in dispersal Northern Spotted Owl habitat during the early nesting season, but wil not occur within the disturbance threshold for effects in suitable habitat. Therefore, the project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect spotted owls. The project will permanently remove about one- third acre of conifer habitat adjacent to the existing Falls Creek Falls Trailhead access road. The effect of the loss however is minimal. There would be no loss of suitable habitat, and the immediate loss of dispersal habitat would have discountable effect that would be offset in the long-term by decomissioning the other trailhead. The project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect Critical Habitat. The project will remove a small amount of Northern Spotted Owl dispersal habitat, but barriers will not be created, and the ability to move

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through the stand by the owls will not be affected. Lower Steelhead and Lower Columbia River Chinook are present in the reach of lower Falls Creek. However, the project will have no effect to fish, as well as no effect to Critical Habitat at the immediate site-scale or the watershed scale (EA, pages 24-25). For all other listed fish species there will be no effect from the project activities. The project is consistent with Section 7 ESA Consultation with both US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Science (NMFS). Wildlife effects are covered under the the Forest Service and USFWS Programmatic Agreement (March 2001). There would be no effect to any Federally-listed species as a result of this project; therefore, consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service is not required (EA, page 35).

10. I find the actions will not violate Federal, State, and local laws or requirements for the protection of the environment. Applicable laws and regulations were considered in the EA. The action is consistent with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan as amended.

Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations As required by the National Forest Management Act, this decision is tiered to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1990) as amended by the Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (1994) (EA, page 5).

There will be no significant adverse effects to Forest Service, Region 6 sensitive species. No sensitive wildlife or fish species would be impacted by the project (Fisheries Biological Assessment and Wildlife Biological Evaluation). There are no sensitive botanical species found in the project area (EA, page 33).

I have considered the effects to management indicator species (MIS) as disclosed in the Wildlife Biological Evaluation and Fisheries Biological Assessment. MIS on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest include pileated woodpecker and other cavity excavating and late- successional species, pine marten, elk, deer, wood duck, goldeneye duck, cutthroat trout/steelhead trout, and bull trout. None of these species would be adversely affected.

The project is consistent with the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) objectives. A complete ACS evaluation that includes a description of the existing condition, important physical and biological components of the watersheds within the planning area, and how the action maintains the existing condition or moves it within the range of natural variability was included in the EA (EA, pages 25-27). As a result of that analysis I find that the project “meets” or “does not prevent attainment” of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives.

I find this action is consistent with the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-267) (which amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act).

I find all applicable state and federal requirements associated with State water quality laws and the Clean Water Act (CWA) will be met through planning, application, monitoring and

Page 9 Decision Notice and FONSI Falls Creek Falls Trailhead Upgrade adjustment of Best Management Practices in conformance with the CWA and Federal guidance and management direction.

I find this action does not violate other Federal, State, or local laws designed for the protection of the environment.

Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is subject to administrative review (appeal) pursuant to 36 CFR Part 215. The written appeal must be filed (regular mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, or express delivery) with the Appeal Deciding Officer at:

Forest Supervisor, ATTN: 1570 Appeals Gifford Pinchot National Forest 10600 NE 51st Circle Vancouver, WA 98682

Fax (360) 891-5045; email: [email protected].

The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered appeals are: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Electronic appeals must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Word (.doc), or portable document format (.pdf). In cases where no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will be required. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification. E-mails submitted to email addresses other than the one listed above, or in formats other than those listed or containing viruses, will be rejected. It is the responsibility of the appellant to confirm receipt of appeals submitted by electronic mail.

Appeals, including attachments, must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of the legal notice of this decision in the Columbian, the newspaper of record. Attachments received after the 45 day appeal period will not be considered. The publication date in the Columbian is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal. Those wishing to appeal this decision should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source.

Implementation Date If no appeals are filed within the 45-day time period, implementation of the decision may occur on, but not before, 5 business days from the close of the appeal filing period. When appeals are filed, implementation may occur on, but not before, the 15th business day following the date of the last appeal disposition.

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Contact For additional information concerning this decision or the Forest Service appeals process, contact Erin Black, South Zone Planning Team Leader, during normal office hours (weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Mt Adams Ranger District (Address: 2455 Hwy 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650; Phone: (509) 395-3411; Fax: (509) 395-3424; e-mail: [email protected].

Nancy Ryke NANCY RYKE District Ranger Mt. Adams Ranger District

6/17/2011 Date Signed

6/18/2011 Date Decision Notification Published in the Columbian Newspaper

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