Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan, Coconino National Forest, January 12, 2016

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FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan, Coconino National Forest Executive Summary

Watershed Name and HUC Middle Fossil Creek, HUC # 150602020508 and Lower Fossil Creek, HUC # 150602020511.

General Location Southwestern part of the Coconino National Forest. See vicinity map on cover page. The project analysis area boundary includes Middle and Lower Oak Creek watershed as well as the perennial stream portion up through West Fork of Oak Creek in the Upper Oak Creek watershed.

Total Watershed Area

(Middle Oak Creek) 39,923 total acres. 32,666 acres (or 81%) are on Coconino National Forest System lands. (Lower Oak Creek) 28,823 total acres. 18,566 acres (or 64%) are on Coconino National Forest System lands. A very small portion of the Oak Creek valley plain extends north of Middle Oak Creek into Upper Oak Creek 6th HUC watershed since essential projects are expected to be implemented in the Oak Creek valley plain to improve water quality. General Physiography

These watersheds are located on the Red Rock Ranger District within and below the Mogollon Rim in the transition zone province between the Colorado Plateau to the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south. Elevation ranges from about 6900 feet on north end of the watershed near Wilson Mountain to 3200 feet on south end of the watershed where Oak Creek joins up with the Verde River. Oak Creek is the major perennial stream bisecting and draining both watersheds. The only other perennial stream is Sheepshead Creek and is a short perennial reach joining Oak Creek in the Lower Oak Creek watershed. There are several other intermittent and ephemeral streams tributary to Oak Creek.

The watersheds are dominated by volcanic, basalt mountains, steep canyons and hills on the north portion of Middle Oak Creek, sedimentary sandstone and in central and southern portions (Coconino sandstone, Supai sandstone, mudstone, shale and siltstone) of Middle Oak Creek as well as northern portions in Lower Oak Creek. Verde Formation limestone, hills, mountains and alluvial plains dominate the central and southern portions of Lower Oak Creek. The physiography of the perennial stream Oak Creek and its tributaries are valley plains formed in alluvium derived from sandstone, limestone and basaltic soils. Water generally flows from the higher elevation, northern portions of both watersheds in a

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest southwestern direction where tributaries to Oak Creek join Oak Creek and eventually Oak Creek meets up with the Verde River at the very southern tip of Lower Oak Creek.

The riparian forest in Oak Creek is Mixed Broadleaf dominated by willow and sycamore and its tributaries in Lower Oak Creek are Cottonwood-Willow riparian forests dominated by cottonwood and willow. The perennial streams offer habitat for threatened native fish and aquatic biota. A very small amount of Ponderosa Pine exists in north and northeastern portions at higher elevation of the Middle Oak Creek watershed. The remainder of Middle Oak Creek is dominated by Pinyon-Juniper woodlands and Juniper-Semidesert Grasslands to the south. Lower Oak Creek is dominated by Juniper-Semidesert Grasslands, Semidesert Grasslands and Desert shrublands in central and southern portions. A limited amount of desert soils (TEUI map unit 280) are present in central and southern portions of the watershed. The watershed is nested within the Oak Creek 5th HUC watershed (1506020205).

The Oak Creek Watershed provides a truly distinct landscape where monumental buttes, soaring multihued cliffs, fantastic towering spires, and rugged canyons bombard the eye and inspire the spirit. Unified by Oak Creek, the vital riparian link between the Mogollon Rim and Verde Valley, the landscape is a museum of life with no other region on earth exactly like it. This landscape has long been celebrated nationally and internationally as a year- round destination. The Oak Creek Watershed is valued for its world renowned scenic integrity, lush riparian areas and streams, historic and prehistoric resources, and ample recreational experiences. Cool shady pools of water provide an ideal setting for water-based recreation activities and a refuge from the dry hot landscape that surrounds them (Legacy of the Oak Creek Watershed, 2014).

The Oak Creek watershed drains a portion of the Verde River Basin beginning in the Colorado Plateau and into the transition zone between the Colorado Plateau and Sonora desert in north central Arizona. Oak Creek is located within the Oak Creek 5th Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watershed # 150602020. Within the larger 5th code HUC are ten smaller 6th code HUC watersheds including Upper Oak Creek, Middle Oak Creek and Lower Oak Creek.

The headwaters of Oak Creek begin at about 5700 feet in elevation, in steep escarpments below the edge of the Mogollon Rim from the Colorado Plateau. Oak Creek is a valuable perennial stream that originates at the confluence of Sterling Springs Canyon and Pumphouse Wash and generally flows south to its confluence with the Verde River at about 3200 feet in elevation. Sterling Spring discharges in a tributary to Oak Creek Canyon and is the start of perennial flow for Oak Creek. The spring source has been developed and most of the surface flow is diverted to Sterling fish hatchery located downstream from the source. Spring flow used in the fish hatchery reenters the channel downstream of the source.

Climate and Precipitation Due to its elevation and proximity to the Colorado Plateau and the Mogollon Rim, the northern portion of Oak Creek watershed receives much more precipitation than the southern portion at around 20 inches per year. The southern portion is at the lowest elevation and receives about 12 inches/year. The distribution of precipitation along the Mogollon Rim and within the Oak Creek watershed is bimodal with about half of

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

the precipitation coming in cyclonic winter storms and half in summer monsoon especially in July and August.

Summer precipitation usually comes from monsoon showers and thunderstorms that are the result of convective events originating from the Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of California. These showers are typically small in aerial extent, but rainfall intensities can be very high. The Mogollon Rim can give rise to large and intense storms due to the orographic effect it imposes on air masses that drain into Oak Creek. Warm, humid air moving north rises rapidly when it encounters the rim. Storms from December through March are usually cyclonic in nature, large in aerial extent, relatively long in duration, and of low to moderate intensity.

Middle Oak Creek climate is a little moister than Lower Oak Creek due to its geographic location at higher elevations. Middle Oak Creek annual precipitation ranges from about 15 inches to 20 inches. Lower Oak Creek annual precipitation ranges from about 12 inches at the lowest elevations on the desert soils to about 16 inches at higher elevation on juniper– semidesert grasslands.

Climate Change Vulnerability Latest information on vulnerability to climate change (USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, December, 2015) for each watershed ranks them both as Moderate vulnerability. The assessment categorizes climate change vulnerability based on individual plant communities and the projected difference between contemporary climate and projected climate conditions. Moderate vulnerability to climate change indicates the projected changes in climate could influence and change exiting vegetation types shifting to dryer vegetation types with less protective vegetative ground cover more typical of lower elevations.

Land Use Eighty one percent of Middle Oak Creek and 64% of Lower Oak Creek is owned and managed by the Coconino National Forest. The City of Sedona and Village of Oak Cree own and its outlying residential areas manage most of non-Forest System lands in the Middle Oak Creek watershed while the City of Cornville and its outlying residential areas own and manage most non Forest system lands in the Lower Oak Creek watershed. Oak Creek has been designated as an Outstanding Arizona Water. Livestock grazing, dispersed and developed recreation, hunting, wildlife habitat and personal use firewood are major land uses on forest system lands. Residential and commercial development are land uses on non- forest system lands including numerous wells to supply potable water to its inhabitants.

General Overview of Concerns (Forest Service, September, 2010, July 2011, and March, 2013): Both watersheds are in impaired functional condition. Major concerns include the following; Non-attaining, impaired water quality in Oak Creek due to exceedances in E. coli pathogens, poor soil conditions leading to accelerated erosion and loss of soil productivity, poor riparian vegetation condition leading to loss of aquatic biota (native fish) and habitat, high road and trail (including social) network contributing sediment into connected streams including Oak

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Creek and streamside disturbances contributing excessive sediment into Oak Creek which may perturbate E. coli. Excessive social trails and some roads are not maintained or are poorly maintained posing risk to water quality (sediment and E. coli). At least a portion of the E. coli issue is related to recreation as irresponsible recreationists leave fecal matter on the streamside and this washes into the Creek adding to the E coli problem.

Important Ecological Values Water quality and streamflow, native fishery and other aquatic species, wildlife habitat, proper functioning riparian condition, soil productivity, fire adapted pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine forests. From its headwaters to its confluence with the Verde River, Oak Creek has been designated as an Outstanding Arizona Water by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Oak Creek is also proposed critical habitat for the recently listed northern Mexican gartersnake and the narrow-headed gartersnake. A portion (approximately 14 miles) of Oak Creek is an eligible Wild and Scenic River.

Current Condition Class Class 3 (Impaired for both). Ratings are generated from on-Forest and Regional data and displayed in Forest GIS. Ratings processed in WCATT model (WCATT, 2010).

Target Condition Class Class 1 (Functioning Properly). With implementation of essential projects, Travel Management and improved grazing on the Windmill and West Windmill allotment, the target class should be Class 1. However, it may take several years following implementation to reach Class 1 but should improve to Class 2 first and move towards Class 1.

Reference Information Electronic copies of all maps, tables, and specialists reports can be found at this location on the Forest Service internal weblink:

O:\NFS\Coconino\Program\2500WatershedAirMgmt\2510WatershedPlanning\so\watershed \WRAP\mid lower Oak Creek wrap

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Key Watershed Problems/Issues of Concern

Key watershed problems or issues of concern are listed by resource attribute below by watershed. Middle Oak Creek Watershed

Table 1. Attributes/Indicators within FS control to affect and outside of FS control. Watershed Resource Rating Rationale for Rating and Key Problems/Issues Within Forest Attributes Good/Fair/ Service Control? Poor Water Quality 3 (Poor) Perennial stream (Oak Creek), no lakes in GIS. Creek Activities on FS monitored by ADEQ (Cat 5 Not Attaining All uses due lands, Yes. No, on (Impaired/Water to E. Coli.) and impaired waters. Problem on-going and non-FS lands. Some Quality Problems) has past problems with sediment (turbidity). sources of E. coli likely on non-forest lands e.g. leaky septic systems, recreation/swimming along Oak Creek and at Slide Rock State Park Water Quantity 1 (Good) No significant reservoirs/ dams affecting intermittent Mostly Yes. No on or perennial water flow downstream. Just several (more non FS lands. Some (Flow Characteristics) than 17) small earthen stocktanks on uplands and wells on non-FS many in ephemeral and intermittent drains that may lands may reduce have some affect reducing flows downstream during streamflow low flow (baseflow) time periods but probably not measurable. Aquatic Habitat 2 (Fair) Downstream of Tlaquepaque has diversions causing Yes on FS lands. No some dewatering. Fish populations and habitat mapped on non-FS lands (Habitat and some fragmentation and some limited diversions Fragmentation, are present. Perennial stream reaches have a few road Large Woody Debris, crossings including functional bridges and low water Channel Shape & crossings but may block aquatic passage. Oak Creek Function) mapped as riparian and observed to be about 75% PFC and 25% At Risk so may not contain adequate large woody debris in its entirety. Oak Creek mapped as riparian with most of reaches having PFC data collected. An At Risk reach is at risk from recreation and road impacts and upper watershed vulnerability to wildfire so likely has a poor channel geometry,

Aquatic Biota 2.7 (Poor) Not all life forms present. Populations of native frogs Yes and other aquatic species are reduced. No recent (Life Form Presence, detections of lowland leopard frogs. Aquatic non- Native Species, native species present and pose risk to natives in Exotic and/or stream. Native lowland leopard frogs and native trout Invasive Species) (Gila) lacking in streams. Native Gila trout were extirpated, but recently

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

reestablished in West Fork of Oak Creek, but presence of nonnatives precludes reoccupation of mainstem Oak Creek. Bullfrogs and crayfish present and pose risk to natives. Riparian Vegetation 2 (Fair) Creek mapped as riparian with about 25% at risk and Yes on FS riparian 25% veg condition not in proper functioning condition. area lands. No on (Vegetation non-FS lands. Condition)

Road & Trail Network 2.8 (Poor) Road density is 3.52. BMP's for road maintenance Yes on FS lands and applied but funding limited so only about 50% no on non FS lands. (Open Road Density, maintenance occurs when needed. Roads intersect Road Maintenance, Perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams with Proximity to Water, many portions within 100 meters of all stream types. Mass Wasting) Widespread mass wasting potential or observed on about 20% of road network. Soil 2.7 (Poor) Satisfactory soils equal about 24%, Sat. inherently Yes Unstable equals 30%, Impaired equals 44% and (Soil Productivity, Unsatisfactory equals 2%. About 46% are not meeting Soil Erosion, veg and soil productivity potential but 54% are. Soil Contamination) Localized overstocked pine in patches reducing nutrient cycling function. Most impaired soils are located in semidesert Grasslands and juniper transitions and pinyon –juniper woodlands while unsatisfactory soils are located in semidesert grassland/juniper transitions. Much evidence of accelerated rill and sheet erosion especially in impaired sandstone soils. Soil contamination a non-issue and rated based on average of resources.

Fire Effects & Regime 2 (Fair) FRCC is 1.97. Yes

(Fire Condition Class, Wildfire Effects) Forest Cover 1 (Good) Forested cover areas not cut-over, de-nuded, or Yes deforested. (Loss of Forest Cover) Rangeland 2 (Fair) No Forest information that rates range condition class Yes so unknown. Litter cover and plant productivity is (Vegetation estimated to be within about 40-69% of potential. Condition) About 15-20% of watershed is under PJ/semidesert grassland transitions and those areas are in impaired or unsatisfactory soil condition and observed to be in less than satisfactory or good range condition evidenced by invading and increaser type grasses and forbs in unacceptable condition. Terrestrial Invasive 3 (Poor) Known non-native invasive species probably cover a Yes on FS lands and Species little more than 25% of watershed evidenced by forest no on non-FS lands information or high road density. Risk of spread is (Extent and Rate of high. Species include those listed as Category A Spread) species with high risk of spread and potential impact. Forest Health 1.5 (Good) Currently, About 15-20% of trees are estimated Yes infected or dying due to insects, drought and disease. (Insects & Disease, All forest watersheds are rated as good by R3 Ozone) information provided by the National Forest Health

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Monitoring Program. Since biomass growth is not affected, none of the watersheds are affected. Therefore, ozone does not contribute to watershed condition or affect the quality, quantity or timing of water flow and is therefore not rated. Rating based on average of resource attributes that are present. Non USFS Condition 3 (Poor) 81% on USFS lands. Dozens of wells on private lands No and Impacts likely reducing flow to Oak Creek. Creekside soil and riparian condition is in lower watershed condition than Forest uplands that are in better soil condition. Probably leaky septic systems on non FS lands contributing to water impairment.

Overall Watershed 2.5 (Poor) and in Impaired Condition Score and Condition

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Lower Oak Creek Watershed Table 2. Attributes/Indicators within FS control to affect and outside of FS control. Watershed Resource Rating Rationale for Rating Within Forest Attributes Good/Fair/Poor Service Control? Water Quality 3 (Poor) Two perennial streams (Lower Oak Creek Activities on FS dominates), no lakes in GIS. Creek monitored lands, Yes. No, on (Impaired Water, by ADEQ (Cat 5 Not Attaining All uses due to non-FS lands. Some Water Quality E. Coli.) and impaired waters. Continued sources of E. coli Problems) turbidity problems in past and present also. likely on non-forest lands e.g. leaky septic systems, recreation/swimming along Oak Creek Water Quantity 2 (Fair) No significant reservoirs/ dams affecting Mostly Yes. No on intermittent or perennial water flow non FS lands. Some (Flow downstream. Diversions exist that probably wells on non-FS Characteristics) reduces downstream flow. However, page Fish lands may reduce Hatchery is present with several holding ponds streamflow diverting and putting water back to oak Creek. Several (more than 13) small earthen stocktanks (2 relatively large next to Oak Creek) on uplands and many in ephemeral and intermittent drains that may have a very limited but not measurable affect reducing flows downstream. Aquatic Habitat 2.3 (Poor) Upstream diversions may partially fragment Yes on FS lands. No habitat. Perennial stream reaches have a few on non-FS lands (Habitat road crossings including functional bridges and Fragmentation, low water crossings but not enough to block Large Woody Debris, aquatic passage. Oak Creek and other stream Channel Shape & mapped as riparian and observed to be about Function) 40% PFC and 60% At Risk so may not contain adequate large woody debris in its entirety. Creeks mapped as riparian with 60% at risk so channel geometry likely not functioning properly where width depth ratios are altered.

Aquatic Biota 3 (Poor) Not all life forms present. Snakes, leopard Yes frogs, some native fish and toads reduced or (Life Form Presence, absent. Aquatic non-native species present and Native Species, may pose risk to natives in stream. Bullfrogs Exotic and/or and crayfish are present at riparian areas and Invasive Species) pose risk to natives.

Not all life forms present. Populations of native frogs and other aquatic species are reduced. No recent detections of lowland leopard frogs. Aquatic non-native species present and pose risk to natives in stream. Native lowland leopard frogs lacking in streams. Bullfrogs and crayfish present and pose risk to natives. Riparian Vegetation 3 (Poor) Creeks mapped as riparian with about 60% at Yes on FS riparian risk and veg condition not in proper functioning area lands. No on (Vegetation condition. non-FS lands.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Condition)

Road & Trail 2.5 (Poor) Road density is 3.26. BMP's for road Yes on FS lands and Network maintenance applied to about 50-75% roads and no on non FS lands. water crossings due to limited funding. Roads (Open Road Density, intersect Perennial, intermittent and ephemeral Road Maintenance, streams with many portions within 100 meters Proximity to Water, of all stream types. Widespread mass wasting Mass Wasting) potential or observed on about 10-30% of road network.

Soil 2.3 (Poor) Satisfactory soils equal about 1%, Sat. Yes inherently Unstable equals 34%, Impaired (Soil Productivity, equals 55% and Unsatisfactory equals 10%. Soil Erosion, About 65% of soils are not meeting veg and soil Soil Contamination) productivity potential (impairments in soil functions) while 35% are. Most impaired and unsatisfactory soils are located in Semidesert Grasslands and juniper transitions and desert soils. These soils exhibit accelerated erosion, compaction or nutrient cycling reduced functions. . Much evidence of accelerated rill and sheet erosion and gully erosion on desert soils. No known soil contamination.

Fire Effects & 1 (Good) FRCC is 1.44. Yes Regime

(Fire Condition Class, Wildfire Effects) Forest Cover NA NA. No Ponderosa pine forest cover Yes

(Loss of Forest Cover) Rangeland 3 (Poor) No Forest information is available that rates Yes range condition class is available. Litter cover (Vegetation and plant productivity is estimated to be less Condition) than 40% of potential. About 70% of watershed is under Desert or PJ/semidesert grassland transitions and those areas are in impaired or unsatisfactory soil condition and observed to be in less than satisfactory or good range condition evidenced by invading and increaser type grasses and forbs in unacceptable condition. Terrestrial Invasive 1 (Fair-Good) Known non-native invasive species probably Yes on FS lands and Species cover less than about 10% of watershed. Risk of no on non FS lands. spread is minimal. (Extent and Rate of Spread) Forest Health 2 (Good) Currently, many junipers are stressed and Yes estimated infected or dying due to insects, (Insects & Disease, drought and disease. All forest watersheds are Ozone) rated as good by R3 information provided by

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

the National Forest Health Monitoring Program. Since biomass growth is not affected, none of the watersheds are affected. Therefore, ozone does not contribute to watershed condition or affect the quality, quantity or timing of water flow and is therefore not rated. Rating based on average of resource attributes that are present. Non USFS Condition 3 (Poor) 64% on USFS lands. Private lands dozens of No and Impacts wells probably reducing downstream streamflow and have major areas of concrete and man-made impermeable features. This reduces soil productivity and the function of water infiltration and movement through the soil profile. Leaky septic systems on non FS system lands may also be contributing to water impairment.

Overall Watershed 2.7 (Poor) and in Impaired Condition Score and Condition

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

2. Watershed Characteristics and Conditions

General Context/Overview for both Watersheds

Middle Oak Creek 6th HUC watershed is rated as Impaired because aquatic biological, terrestrial physical and terrestrial biological processes and attributes are not properly functioning. Water quality, soil productivity and erosion, aquatic biota, road and trail network, and terrestrial invasive species are in poor condition and are currently not functioning properly. Aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation, rangeland and fire effects and regime are in fair condition and not functioning as well as possible. Water quantity and forest cover are in good condition and functioning properly.

Lower Oak Creek 6th HUC watershed has similar characteristics, conditions and impacts as Middle Oak Creek. It is also rated as Impaired because aquatic biological, terrestrial physical and terrestrial biological processes and attributes are not properly functioning. Water quality, soil productivity and erosion, aquatic biota and aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation, road and trail network, rangeland are in poor condition and are currently not functioning properly. Water quantity and terrestrial invasive species are in fair condition and not functioning as well as possible. Forest health for pinyon-juniper woodlands is in good condition and functioning properly.

Water quality in Oak Creek is impaired for E. coli. The road and trail network is extensive with a high density and is contributing sediment to connected streamcourses and Oak Creek posing risk to water quality. Not all native life forms are present and exotic species pose risk to natives. There is aquatic habitat fragmentation and riparian vegetation condition (Lower Oak Creek only) is not fully functional. Three are extensive non-native populations of terrestrial invasive species with risk of spread. About 50-70% of soils are in impaired or unsatisfactory condition with some localized soil disturbances from recreational activities along Oak Creek. Accelerated erosion is common on these soils causing sediment delivery to connected streamcourse and Oak Creek posing risk to water quality, soil productivity and watershed function. Three may be overstocked pinyon-juniper or encroached juniper in woodlands that reduce soil function and increases wildfire risk.

Middle and Lower Oak Creek 6th HUC watersheds (figures 1, 2 and cover page) are nested within the Oak Creek 5th HUC. Oak Creek runs from the NE to the south and basically bisects both watersheds and drains into the Verde River at the very southern point of the Lower Oak Creek watershed. This watershed was selected as a priority in FY 2015 for several reasons. Oak Creek has been listed as impaired for over 20 years with exceedances in E. coli believed to be caused by excessive recreational swimming activities and poor sanitation facilities, leaky septic systems and animal defecation. Recreation demand along Oak Creek and its tributaries has exploded and high density of roads and trails have resulting in degraded riparian, aquatic species and habitat, reduced soil conditions and water quality threatening watershed function. Much interest and many collaborative efforts from many groups in the watershed are ongoing including a forest

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

partnership with the Oak Creek Watershed Council which is a watershed based group aimed at improving the watershed condition of Oak Creek.

This partnership has created special interest in collaborative planning and implementation including identification of essential projects in this WRAP and triggered a need to implement watershed based projects to improve water quality, native species and habitat, riparian function, soil condition and overall restoration of watershed function. There is also expressed interest from the Northern Arizona Forest Foundation to provide funding for project implementation following NEPA. Focusing agency and outside partnership funding on watershed restoration efforts on this watershed is timely and beneficial to many interests.

The Oak Creek 5th HUC watershed is an identified forest priority landscape and is in the process of identifying projects to include in the 5 year landscape restoration plan. Oak Creek is designated Arizona Outstanding Water and has additional antidegradation implications for water quality and therefore, management activities require special considerations to maintain and not degrade water quality. The larger Oak River 5th HUC watershed was selected for priority landscape restoration in 2013 and will be a forest centerpiece of restoration for the next 5 years. The forest has the ability to improve overall watershed condition from Impaired to Functioning at Risk or Functioning Properly when NEPA is completed and essential projects are implemented.

Several key essential projects for watershed improvement are identified in the Essential Project section 3d, Projects. There are a total of 16 essential projects identified that when implemented, should move both watersheds up a class from Impaired to Functioning at Risk and through time, towards Functioning Properly. Eleven of the projects involve minor ground disturbance while 6 do not. The ground disturbance is associated with rehabilitation and restoration of Creekside disturbed camping or day use areas and social trails and road closing, naturalization or drainage improvements including construction of an aquatic organism passage across Spring Creek. In addition, a number of toilet facilities and trash receptacles are proposed for installation and widespread riparian woody invasive species reduction.

Non-ground disturbing essential projects are derived from collaboration with partners including the Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) and include a water quality education campaign, water clean-up by the Oak Creek Ambassadors and others. For a complete list and details on essential projects, descriptions, implementation timeframes and estimated costs, see tables 11 and 12 in section 3d. Widespread collaboration and partnership is ongoing and opportune. Implementation would be consistent with Forest Service direction, policy, national and state law and local priority. Watershed Resource Existing Conditions to Assess by Watershed Indicator for Middle and Lower Oak Creek

Overall, both the Middle and Lower Oak Creek watersheds are rated as Impaired. The rationale is detailed below by resource attributes and associated indicator.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Uplands/Hillslope Conditions

Soil Condition, Productivity and Erosion (Middle Oak Creek)

Figure 1 is the map of soil conditions on the Middle Oak Creek watershed and figure 2 Lower Oak Creek watershed.

Figure 1. Middle Oak Creek Soil Conditions

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Soil condition, erosion and productivity are rated as poor and soil contamination good. Approximately 24% are in Satisfactory, 30% are Satisfactory but Inherently Unstable condition, 2% Unsatisfactory and 44% Impaired so about or about 46% not meeting veg and soil productivity potential on all lands within the watershed. There is widespread evidence of accelerated rilling and sheet erosion. On forest system lands about 38% of soils are impaired or unsatisfactory. Therefore, about 8% of impaired and unsatisfactory soils are outside Forest Service management authority (see Appendix A Supplement Soil Information for tables).

Unsatisfactory, 2% Satisfactory, 24% Impaired, 44%

Satisfactory, but inherently unstable, 30%

About 54% of soils are meeting vegetation and soil productivity potential and are in satisfactory condition or satisfactory but inherently unstable conditions (also see soil condition map, figure 1).

Soil Condition, Productivity and Erosion (Lower Oak Creek)

On all lands within the watershed, soil condition, erosion and productivity are rated as poor and soil contamination good. Approximately 1% is in Satisfactory, 34% are Satisfactory but Inherently Unstable condition, 10% Unsatisfactory and 55% Impaired so about or about 65% are not meeting veg and soil productivity potential on all lands within the watershed while 35% are. There is widespread evidence of accelerated rilling and sheet erosion. On forest system lands about 59% of soils are impaired or unsatisfactory. Therefore, about 6% of impaired and unsatisfactory soils are outside Forest Service management authority (see Appendix A Supplement Soil Information for detailed soil information and tables and Steinke, November, 2015).

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 2. Lower Oak Creek Soil Conditions

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Unsatisfactory, Satisfactory, 1% Satisfactory, 10% but inherently unstable, 34%

Impaired, 55%

Discussion On satisfactory soils, indicators signify that soil function is being sustained and soil is functioning properly and normally. The ability of the soil to maintain resource values and sustain outputs is high (USDA, 2013, Regional Supplement Cover Letter interim Direction).

Satisfactory soils have adequate vegetative ground cover to protect against accelerated erosion and have good soil structure that infiltrates water properly. Soil nutrient cycling functions properly and the vegetative community generally has good species composition, diversity, productivity and vegetative ground cover. Satisfactory but inherently unstable soils have natural erosion exceeding tolerable limits. Based on the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) these soils are eroding faster than they are renewing themselves but are functioning properly and normally. Satisfactory but inherently unstable soils are located on steep slopes escarpments and mountains (generally greater than 40%) and are eroding faster than they are renewing themselves. However, these naturally erosive soils have limited anthropogenic disturbance (including livestock grazing) and are functioning within their inherently capability. Impaired soils signify a reduction in soil function. The ability of the soil to function properly and normally has been reduced and/or there exists an increased vulnerability to degradation. An impaired category indicates there is a need to investigate the ecosystem to determine the cause and degree of decline in soil functions. Changes in land management practices or other preventative measures may be appropriate.

Unsatisfactory soils signify that a loss of soil function has occurred. Degradation of vital soil functions result in the inability of the soil to maintain resource values, sustain outputs or recover from impacts. Unsatisfactory soils are candidates for improved management practices or restoration designed to recover soil functions. Most impaired soils are located in semidesert Grasslands and juniper transitions and pinyon – juniper woodlands on flat slopes or hills while unsatisfactory soils are located in semidesert

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

grassland/juniper transitions on flat slopes an on desert soils (map unit 280) with extensive gully erosion in Lower Oak Creek. On unsatisfactory and impaired soils, the protective vegetative ground cover layer on these soils is generally less than what would be expected in the potential plant community and not adequate to protect the soil against accelerated erosion or maintain organic matter sufficient to promote functional soil nutrient cycling.

In addition, flat slopes show evidence of compaction with poor water infiltrating resulting in increased runoff, erosion and sediment delivery into connected streamcourses. There is evidence of accelerated rill and sheet erosion especially on impaired sandstone soils. There are some localized, encroached and overstocked juniper trees in the juniper/semidesert in patches (also see forest health report information) reducing nutrient cycling function, protective vegetative ground cover and contributing to accelerated erosion. Accelerated erosion and the associated sediment delivery on impaired and unsatisfactory soils pose risk to long term soil productivity and to water quality where connected to streamcourses and perennial streams.

Roads and Trails (hydrologic and sediment regimes connectivity to streams) Middle Oak Creek watershed overall road density is 3.52 (forest GIS analysis, 2010). BMP's for road maintenance are applied but funding limited so only about 25% maintenance occurs when needed. Only 3 major roads are maintained every year. Roads intersect Perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams with many portions within 100 meters of all stream types. Widespread mass wasting potential or observed on about 20% of road network. There are a high number of roads on non-forest lands outside of our control but still a high number on forest lands. See tables 1 and 2 for road mile details and watershed size. Middle Oak Creek watershed

1. The roads density including all lands as indicated in the watershed classification is 3.52 miles/sq. mile rated as poor since it is very high. 2. Road density on just forest lands is 1.51 for all roads present (GIS analysis (designated and not designated. It probably misses many user-created routes. 3. Road density on just forest lands on designated open MVUM is 1.07 miles/sq. mile.

Lower Oak Creek road density is 3.26. BMP's for road maintenance are applied to about 25% of roads and water crossings due to limited funding. Roads intersect Perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams with many portions within 100 meters of all stream types. There is widespread mass wasting potential or observed on about 10-30% of road network. There are a high number of roads on non-forest lands outside of our control but still a high number on forest lands.

For detailed road data, please see the excel spreadsheet Road Density MidLowOakCreek 2015WRAP (December, 2015) found on the forests’ weblink at: O:\NFS\Coconino\Program\2500WatershedAirMgmt\2510WatershedPlanning\so\watershed\WR AP\mid lower oak creek wrap\roads

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Lower Oak Creek 1. The roads density including all lands as indicated in the watershed classification is 3.26 miles/sq. mile rated as poor since it is very high. 2. Road density on just forest lands is 1.54 for all roads present (designated and not designated. It probably misses many user-created routes. 3. Road density on just forest lands on designated open MVUM is 1.46 miles/sq. mile.

Table 3. Forest Road Miles by Road Type – Middle and Lower Oak Creek

HUC_NAME Status Miles

Lower Oak Creek Closed unless re-opened with NEPA 2.92 Decommissioned or converted 2.74 Limited FS admin use only 16.20 MVUM-open, all vehicles, yearlong 18.76 MVUM-open, hwy-legal vehicles, yearlong 4.77 MVUM-open, public roads or highways 23.87 Private, limited, or restricted access road 0.11 Lower Oak Creek Total 69.37 Middle Oak Creek Closed unless re-opened with NEPA 4.00 Decommissioned or converted 14.46 Limited FS admin use only 17.37 MVUM-open, all vehicles, seasonal 3.13 MVUM-open, all vehicles, yearlong 9.89 MVUM-open, hwy-legal vehicles, yearlong 9.68 MVUM-open, public roads or highways 31.85 Private, limited, or restricted access road 3.32 Middle Oak Creek Total 93.69 Grand Total 163.07

Table 4. Watershed Size in Square Miles WRAP Watersheds Sq. HUC_NAME Miles Lower Oak Creek 45.01 Middle Oak Creek 62.34 Grand Total 107.35

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Trail Network for Both Watersheds

The trails network is 110.88 miles of existing designated trails in the Project Boundary for both watersheds with the vast majority located in the Middle Oak Creek watershed. Fire Regime or Wildfire (potential for altered sediment & hydro regimes due to departures)

The fire condition class score is 1.97 (fair) for the Middle Oak Creek watershed. Rounded up, the FRCC rating of 2 represents a moderate ecological departure from reference (historic) conditions of 33-66 percent.

Pinyon-Juniper Evergreen Shrub Potential Natural Vegetation Type (PNVT) dominates the watershed. Portions of this PNVT currently has fairly high tree density and medium (class 2) Fire Regime Condition Class that poses a risk to watershed function following unmanaged wildfires. Unmanaged and uncharacteristic wildfires in this watershed could result in some areas of high burn severity resulting in accelerated soil erosion, sediment delivery to connected streamcourses posing localized, short-term risk to soil productivity, water quality, aquatic habitat and biota. A recent analysis of forest cover is provided in the next section (forest cover) and indicates there are not substantial acres overstocked in the juniper-semidesert grassland transition vegetation types. The fire regime for Lower Oak Creek is rated as good (1.44) representing low ecological departure form reference conditions. Please see Silvicultural report (A. Stevenson, December 11, 2015) for information on fire history and acres in both watersheds. Forest Cover (potential for altered sediment & hydrologic regimes due to cover loss)

Forested cover is rated as good for the Middle Oak Creek watershed. Areas of ponderosa pine are not cut-over or denuded so would not contribute to accelerated soil erosion or impairment of water quality. In addition, recent analysis of forest cover including juniper-semidesert grassland vegetation types indicates there are about 1018 acres (table 3) of overstocked canopy cover in the juniper- semidesert grassland vegetation types. Overstocked areas can lead to accelerated erosion since the protective vegetative ground cover may be reduced form tree and shrub plant competition. An analysis of pinyon-juniper woodlands was not made and select ponderosa pine vegetation types located in the northern portion of the watershed are slated for thinning and hazardous fuel reduction under the 4 Forest Restoration Initiative Record of Decision. Overall, the amount of vegetation exceeding the potential plant community is minor and would not appreciably contribute to accelerated erosion or impairment of water quality.

Forest cover is not rated in Lower Oak Creek since the rating is centered on ponderosa pine or mixed conifer forests and this watershed does not have quantifiable acres of either.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Table 1. TEU Map Units Where Canopy Cover Exceeds Potential Plant Community in TES Acres Middle Oak Creek 1018.3 402 709.3 403 72.1 404 139.6 420 97.4

Figure 3 displays locations in both watershed where canopy cover exceeds Potential Plan Community (PPC) identified in the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey of the Coconino National Forest, 1995 (TES).

Figure 3. TES Map Units Exceeding Climax Canopy Cover

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Please see the Lower and Middle Oak Creek WRAPS Silvicultural Assessment report (A. Stevenson, 12/11/2015) for additional details and maps including vegetation types acres in the project area, forest plan management areas and 4FRI planned treatments in the ponderosa pine. The location of the geodatabase for this information can be found internally at this location.

T:\FS\NFS\Coconino\Project\SO\WRAP\GIS\2015_OakCreek\Data\2015_OakCreek_WRAP.gd b

There are several different sources of data for vegetation communities that occur in these watersheds. First is the Ecological Response Units (which is the Potential Natural Vegetation Type developed as part of the Coconino NF land management plan planning process. This was a land scape level assessment based off of using the Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES) with some modifications made based on local knowledge. Figure 4 shows the vegetation types or ecological response units (ERU’s).

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 4. Ecological Response Units

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Forest Health

Forest health in both watersheds is rated as good. In the Middle Oak Creek watershed, currently, about 15-20% of trees are estimated infected or dying due to insects, drought and disease. Currently, some junipers are stressed and estimated infected or dying due to insects, drought and disease. All forest watersheds are rated as good by R3 information provided by the National Forest Health Monitoring Program. Since biomass growth is not affected, none of the watersheds are affected. Therefore, ozone does not contribute to watershed condition or affect the quality, quantity or timing of water flow and is therefore not rated. Rating based on average of resource attributes that are present.

Several forest health issues have been identified in the riparian vegetation along Oak Creek (Stevenson, 2015). First is Sycamore Anthracnose which is a foliage disease. It causes discoloration and defoliation of Arizona sycamores. This disease does not normally cause mortality and most trees will recover. Second is bagworms on the sycamore trees. The infestation is located in the canyon just north of Sedona and occurred once before in the 1990’s. Third is the pinyon needle scale which is located in the canyon north of Sedona. The pinyon needle scale is a new infection and may become a chronic infection. A request has been make to the Forest Health Group to conduct an assessment of the forest health issues affecting the vegetation within the WRAPs assessment area. This report will likely be produced sometime in 2016. One issue that we are aware of but have very little data is the issue of non-native invasive woody species in the riparian area. Tamarisk and Russian Olive have been identified in the riparian area. It is not known the extent of the area these species occupy and effect they are having on the riparian ecosystem. A more recent forest health report was requested and is pending. Rangeland Vegetation (effects on soil and water due to rangeland health)

Neither watershed has a complete range condition survey. Therefore, in addition to local knowledge, soil condition is used as a proxy to assess rangeland vegetation. Rangeland vegetation is rated in fair condition with minor effects on soil and water. A substantial portion of this watershed (figure 5) is not currently grazed and likely trending towards good condition.

Litter cover and plant productivity is estimated to be within about 40-69% of potential. A substantial portion of this watershed is under PJ or Juniper/semidesert grassland transitions and those areas are generally in impaired soil condition and observed to be in less than satisfactory or good range condition evidenced by invading and increaser type grasses and forbs in unacceptable condition.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 5. Grazing Allotments on Both Watersheds

Terrestrial Invasive Species in both Watersheds

Overall, Middle Oak Creek is rated as poor and Lower Oak Creek is rated fair to good. Known non-native invasive species probably cover a little more than 25% of watershed evidenced by forest information or high road density. Risk of spread is high. Species include those listed as Category A species with high risk of spread and potential impact.

There are about 2012 infestations of invasive species (Moser, email communication, 2015) within the project area 1760 of which are very small populations along lower Oak Creek totaling about 200 acres. Middle Oak Creek has much fewer riparian woody infestations than Lower Oak Creek. There are about 230 infestations for about 50 acres. There are large populations of toadflax on Wilson Mountain from the Brins fire fall within this watershed bringing the total acreage of weed infestations in this watershed up to 947 acres. Overall initial treatments have been completed on about 40% of riparian area woody species in these two watersheds.

Riparian Conditions Riparian vegetation, condition, function of streams, wetlands and springs

Riparian vegetation and functional condition in the Middle Oak Creek watershed is rated in fair condition with about 25% Functional at Risk and not properly functioning as assessed on-site. Riparian vegetation and functional condition in the Lower Oak Creek watershed is rated in poor condition with about 60% Functional at Risk and not properly functioning as assessed on-site. Please see the Water Specialist report (A. Sena, December, 2015) for more details in this section.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Discussion for Both Watersheds

Riparian areas are easily distinguished by the band of lush green vegetation that grows along wet drainages and around springs and seeps. Riparian habitats are among the most critical elements of biodiversity within the landscape. In Arizona and New Mexico, 80 percent of all vertebrate species use riparian areas for at least half their life cycles, and more than half of these are totally dependent on riparian areas (Chaney et al. 1990). According to the Arizona Riparian Council 60 to 70 percent of the state’s wildlife species depend on riparian areas to sustain their populations, even though riparian habitats occupy less than half a percent of the land area (Arizona Riparian Council 1995).

In addition to providing critical wildlife habitat, riparian areas are the focal point for many recreational activities.

Wildlife species are heavily dependent on riparian areas, particularly in water-scarce arid areas such as those adjacent to Oak Creek. The high diversity, moderated climate, vertical layering, and structural complexity of riparian systems allow them to support higher densities and diversities of flora and fauna than the surrounding uplands (Adamus et al., 1991; Johnson et al., 1977; Johnson and Lowe, 1985). Riparian zones also serve as migration corridors for neotropical migratory birds and migratory bats and as travel corridors for large animals like mountain lions and historically jaguar.

Despite their importance, riparian habitat in the American Southwest and in these two watersheds has been heavily impacted by development and management activities. Degradation occurs when upland conditions within the watershed are altered by not properly managed grazing, recreation, off-road driving, proliferation of roads and trails, or catastrophic wildfires. When vegetation in the upland watershed is reduced and soils are compacted, soil runoff increases and the ability for soils to absorb rainfall is reduced. This results in increased runoff, exacerbated flooding, and increased sedimentation into stream channels. This in turn, causes loss of riparian vegetation, altered macroinvertebrate assemblages, lowering of groundwater tables and decreased perennial flows, increased stream temperature, larger peak flows, and changes in channel form (Belsky et al. 1999; Fleischner 1994).

Dominant riparian tree species in the upper portions of Oak Creek include alder (Alnus oblongifolia), box elder (Acer negundo), big-tooth maple (Acer grandidentatum), sycamore (Platanus wrightii), and velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina). Understory species include coffee-berry (Rhamnus californica), red and arroyo willow (Salix laevigata and S. lasiolepis), grape (Vitis arizonica), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus inserta). Other water loving species include horsetails (Equisetum arvense), scouring rush (Equisetum hiemale), river sedge (Carex senta), watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), and yellow monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus). As the canyon widens and slope gentles, sycamore becomes the dominant tree with cottonwood (Populus fremontii), and Arizona walnut (Juglans major), along with alder and box elder. In the lower elevations, cottonwood becomes dominant with other species appearing such as net leaf hackberry, (Celtis reticulata), and mesquite (Prosopis juliflora).

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Healthy riparian areas provide many very important functions including enhancing water quality, stabilizing stream banks, dissipating stream energy, cooling stream temperatures and providing water storage for sustainable stream flows. Water quality is improved when herbaceous riparian vegetation filters pollutants from the water including; sediment, contaminants and metals that runoff from the watershed during storm events.

Within the project area are 55.57 miles of riparian which roughly equates to approximately 2362.81 acres. The three springs within the project area include Sterling Spring, Pine Flat Spring, Banjo Bill Spring and Cave Springs. All four of these springs are highly developed. Non USFS Condition and Impacts

Pumping of private wells and groundwater depletion is a threat from the Taylor Wells which is a city source of water for Flagstaff. Leaky septic tanks and leach fields that are not adequately built also pose a threat to fecal coliform levels. In rare circumstances, inadequate and/or overloaded commercial septic systems discharge seepage water to Oak Creek that exceeds the E. coli standard. Inappropriate animal waste management (e.g. horse manure) may introduce E. coli to Oak Creek. Roads that cross the creek via a low water crossing that are not appropriately designed. Nonnative plants introduction including but not limited to Ailanthus and Arundo otherwise known as Tree of Heaven and Giant Reed.

Storm water runoff from urban areas, including the City of Sedona, and a lack of low impact development infrastructure and storm water detention basins to slow and purify the storm runoff before it enters Oak Creek. Also a lack of BMP that slow water down on private property within the city boundaries, including rain barrels and detention basin landscape designs that slow storm water runoff onsite.

Water Quality and Quantity Water quality condition (chemical, physical and biological component alteration) for Both Watersheds

Water quality is rated as poor in the Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds. Oak Creek is impaired for E. coli bacteria and is and has been on the not impaired or more recently on the not attaining list (Cat 5 Not Attaining All uses) for several years. There are no lakes in either watershed. Creek monitored by ADEQ and impaired waters. Problem on-going and has past problems with sediment (turbidity).

As designated by the ADEQ pursuant to A.C.C. R18-11-112, Arizona Surface Water Quality Standards classify Oak Creek as having exceptional recreational or ecological significance and/or providing habitat for threatened or endangered species. They are designated Tier III Outstanding Arizona Waters (OAW), which are subject to special protection and standards. As an OAW, Oak Creek and West Fork are classified as a Tier 3 waters under the antidegradation language included in the Water Quality Standards (A.A.C. R18-11-106 and 107), which calls for maintaining and protecting the existing water quality and no new or expanded point source discharge directly to an OAW. Any upstream discharge or discharge to a tributary needs to demonstrate that it will not degrade water quality.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Since 1973, Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in the water of Oak Creek have been a concern. Oak Creek is not attaining water quality standards for E. coli and has repeatedly exceeded the state water quality standard for full body contact. The water quality standards for Escherichia coli (E. coli) are expressed in colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water (cfu/100ml) or as a Most Probable Number for Full Body Contact. The geometric mean (minimum of four samples in 30 days) should not exceed 126 and a single sample should be under the maximum of 235. The presence of E. coli in stream water is a concern because it is an indicator of the likely presence of fecal contamination. When surface waters contain fecal contaminants, people can come in contact with pathogens such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Shigella spp., norovirus and E. coli 0517:H7 when recreating in the stream, which may cause human health problems that include skin, ear, eye, gastrointestinal, urinary tract, respiratory, neurologic and wound infections.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) determination was completed and approved by both ADEQ and EPA in 1999. In the 1999 TMDL, probable E. coli pollution sources causing impairment in the Slide Rock State Park (SRSP) segment of Oak Creek were listed as sediment, wildlife, recreational uses and rangeland grazing. More recent research (Southam, 2000) and (Crabill, 1999) found that when a sediment reservoir was in place, high fecal coliform counts were found. Furthermore, when sediment is disturbed, either by recreation or by turbulent, higher-velocity storm flows, the sediment is lifted into the water column where increased contact between sediment particles and water causes entrainment of E. coli in the water, thereby increasing aqueous E. coli concentrations (Oak Creek Watershed Council Watershed Improvement Plan). Therefore, it is prudent to manage non-point source pollution of sediment with the objective to reduce soil erosion and sediment delivery into Oak Creek which exacerbates E. coli concentrations. Therefore, the majorities of identified essential projects strive to control or reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek to improve water quality. (See water specialist report, A. Sena, December, 2015 for more details and water quality data compiled by sampling site).

In addition to the issues mentioned above, septic effluent contamination (outside forest control and authority) is particularly a concern in Oak Creek Canyon where soils may not be sufficient for onsite sewage treatment. In 1993, about 150 homes in Oak Creek Canyon utilized septic leach field systems (Stafford 1993) some of them likely on lots with rapid percolation. Please see (Sena, 2015) for more details in this section. Water Quantity (changes to the natural flow regime)

Water quantity is rated as good for the Middle Oak Creek watershed. There are no significant reservoirs/ dams affecting intermittent or perennial water flow downstream. There are about 17 mall earthen stocktanks on uplands and many in ephemeral and intermittent drains that may have some affect reducing flows downstream during low flow (baseflow) time periods but probably not measurable.

Water quantity is rated as fair for the Lower Oak Creek watershed. There are no significant reservoirs/ dams affecting intermittent or perennial water flow downstream. Diversions exist that 28

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

probably reduces downstream flow. However, page Fish Hatchery is present with several holding ponds diverting and putting water back to Oak Creek. There are several (more than 13) small earthen stocktanks (2 relatively large next to Oak Creek) on uplands and many in ephemeral and intermittent drains that may have a very limited but not measurable affect reducing flows downstream. Discussion for Both Watersheds

Within this project boundary 52.88 miles of perennial waters exist, on the main Oak Creek corridor as well as on perennial tributaries. Basin runoff and ground water discharge from springs provide reliable perennial flows in Oak Creek year round. Perennial streamflow begins in Oak Creek Canyon from springs just above Sterling Springs Fish Hatchery. Numerous springs within Oak Creek Canyon issuing from the Coconino Aquifer, which includes the Coconino Sandstone, Supai Formation, and Redwall Limestone (Dryden 1998), provide base flow that increases from 5 cfs near the headwaters, to 24 cfs at the Sedona gage and 21 and the USGS gage near Cornville. Oak Creek is characterized by gaining reaches where springs are located and losing reaches between each major set of springs (Pool 2011). Major tributaries include West Fork Oak Creek, Munds Canyon and Spring Creek which all have perennial stream flow in their lower reaches and Pumphouse Wash and Dry Creek which flow only during snowmelt or storm events. The largest recorded flood on Oak Creek was in 1993 and the stream was 20 feet high measured on the stream gage and flowing at 23,200 cfs. See water specialist report, A. Sena, December, 2015 for more details.

According to the USGS Northern Arizona Regional Groundwater Flow model groundwater declines of more than 100 feet would occur in the vicinity of cottonwood, Near Sedona, and along Dry Beaver Creek near the Village of Oak Creek from groundwater (well pumping) . There are many diversions existing on Oak Creek from the headwaters to the confluence with the Verde River. There are also many places that roads cross over Oak Creek in the form of a bridge or Low Water Crossings. Some of the ditches existing on Oak Creek reduce water flow the main perennial stem of Oak Creek. Please see (Sena, 2015) for more details in this section.

In Channel Conditions for Both Watersheds Aquatic Biota (distribution, structure & density of native & introduced aquatic fauna)

Aquatic biota for both watersheds is rated as poor. Not all life forms are present. Populations of native frogs, toads, and other aquatic species (gartersnakes in particular) are reduced. No recent detections of lowland leopard frogs or Arizona toad. Aquatic non-native species (fish, crayfish, bullfrogs, and turtles) are present and pose risk to natives in Oak Creek. Native lowland leopard frogs and Arizona toads (for both watersheds) and native trout (Gila) are lacking in Oak Creek within the Middle Oak Creek watershed. The threatened narrow-headed gartersnake population in Oak Creek is reduced to only the canyon with viable populations found only in the upper and middle portion of the canyon. As recent as the late 1980’s narrow-headed gartersnakes occurred from the headwaters downstream to Red Rock State Park in middle Oak Creek. Known viable populations of Mexican gartersnakes are on state lands (Bubbling Ponds) and private lands in

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

lower Oak Creek. Native Gila trout were extirpated, but recently reestablished in West Fork of Oak Creek. However, presence of nonnatives will hinder the long-term reoccupation of the mainstem Oak Creek. Bullfrogs and crayfish are present and pose risk to natives. . Please see (Agyagos, 2015) for more details in this aquatic biota and habitat section.

Fish Refer to Table 4 for a list of fish species occurring or having historically occurred in Oak Creek from the headwaters downstream to the confluence with the Verde River. Oak Creek in the Canyon is considered a cold water fishery and supports cold water salmonids, along with native suckers and minnow species. In the fall of 2015, Gila trout were reintroduced into West Fork of Oak Creek after being extirpated around the turn of the 20th century. Gila trout are native to the upper Oak Creek and West Fork Oak Creek area and any Gila Trout the emigrate out of West fork Oak Creek will assimilate into the existing trout population in Oak Creek proper and may establish and persist (most likely in the catch and release section of the stream).

Management of Oak Creek proper will not be affected by Gila trout moving and establishing into Oak Creek. Non-native salmonids in Oak Creek Canyon include brown trout and rainbow trout. Brown trout are self-sustaining in the canyon and therefore persist as a breeding population. A catch and release section occurs from Call of the Canyon downstream to Junipine. Rainbow trout that were stocked in Oak Creek over five years ago were capable of reproduction, but since 2011, only sterile triploid trout have been stocked. With the change to stocking only triploid rainbow trout, self-sustaining rainbow trout in Oak Creek were rarely detected during the most recent fisheries surveys.

Middle Oak Creek (roughly from Grasshopper Point through Sedona downstream to Hidden Valley area) and lower Oak Creek are managed by Arizona Game and Fish Department for trout (which are stocked and persist during the cooler months) and secondarily for native aquatic species. However, there are more non-native fish in middle and lower Oak Creek than in Oak Creek Canyon. Refer to Table 4 for a list of fish species detected in Oak Creek. Species listed as uncommon have been detected at some point in the past but are not established in Oak Creek and haven’t been detected since at least 2000.

AZGFD conducted fish surveys in 2014 and 2015 to determine the effect of the 2014 Slide Fire on the fish community. Fortunately catastrophic flooding did not occur and fish survey results showed no difference in the fish community pre and post fire.

Table 5. Fish Species Known to Occupy Oak Creek Table 4: Fish Species Known to Occupy Oak Creek

Common Name Scientific Name Ecological Status Presence Colorado Endangered Extirpated pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius Razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus Endangered Extirpated Gila trout Oncorhynchus gilae Threatened Reintroduced Rhinichthys [=Tiaroga] Endangered, Critical Extirpated Loach minnow cobitis Habitat

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Endangered, Critical Extirpated Spikedace Meda fulgida Habitat Roundtail chub Gila robusta Proposed Threatened Present desert sucker Catostomus clarki FS Sensitive Present Sonora sucker Catostomus insignis FS Sensitive Present Longfin dace Agosia chrysogaster State Tier 1B Present Speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus State Tier 1B Present Brown trout Salmo trutta Non-native Present Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Non-native Present Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui Non-native Present Yellow bullhead Ameiurus natalis Non-native Present Black bullhead Ameiurus melas Non-native Present Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Non-native Present Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris Non-native Present Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Non-native Present Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas Non-native Present Red shiner Cyprinella lutrensis Non-native Present Common carp Cyprinus carpio Non-native Present Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis Non-native Uncommon Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki Non-native Uncommon Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Non-native Uncommon Rockbass Ambloplites rupestris Non-native Uncommon Warmouth Lepomis gulosus Non-native Uncommon Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Non-native Uncommon

Herpetofauna Oak Creek supports various herpetofauna (reptile and amphibian) species. Threatened species include the narrow-headed gartersnake and Mexican gartersnake; both were listed with proposed critical habitat. Oak Creek historically supported one of the largest populations of narrow- headed gartersnakes in the United States. Now, however, narrow-heads occur only in the canyon with the healthiest numbers in the upper third of the canyon.

In the summer and fall of 2014 Northern Arizona University (NAU) researchers conducted surveys for narrow-headed gartersnakes in Oak Creek Canyon. Gartersnake detection rates in 2014 were comparable to pre-fire detection rates (based on 1999 – 2013 monitoring surveys led by Dr. Nowak). There was successful reproduction by wild gartersnakes: recently-born gartersnakes were observed during surveys between July and September 2014. These are all very positive signs that the narrow-headed gartersnake population in Oak Creek survived the initial year following the Slide Fire. Major threats to this species include a change in its prey base from native fish and amphibians to nonnative fish, predation by nonnatives (bullfrogs and nonnative fish), people and pets killing snakes, and possibly an increase in E. coli (that causes infection in snakes, especially those who have had incisions for transmitter insertion. A recent presentation by Erika Nowak, NAU research scientist and species expert, revealed that there is a definite downward decline and that the detection rate of this species has decrease significantly between 2008 and 2015 down to Midgely Bridge. The cause of this is unknown and whether there is a

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest decline in snakes in the canyon (from human and non-native predation, siltation, E.coli infections, etc.) or whether snakes are hiding more (and foraging less) to escape the increase in recreation is unknown. Nowak suggests that instead of continued monitoring it is important to begin to address these stressors. Reducing E. coli (educating public, providing toilets, fixing toilets), reducing and controlling recreation numbers (installing guard rails canyon wide to reduce road side parking), reducing and rehabilitating social trails (which will reduce sedimentation), are all key to protecting the population of narrow-headed gartersnakes in Oak Creek.

Figure 6. Preliminary Analysis of Narrow-Headed Garter Snakes Detected per Person Hour

The only known viable population of Mexican gartersnake occurs around the fish hatcheries in middle Oak Creek where emergent aquatic vegetation creates marshy habitat. Other native gartersnakes in Oak Creek include wandering and black-necked. There are no longer any native ranid frogs in Oak Creek although there are recent historical records for northern leopard frogs in Oak Creek Canyon and for lowland leopard frogs in middle and lower Oak Creek. Non-native bullfrogs persist in Oak Creek at least up through lower and middle Oak Creek and are a contributing factor (in addition to non-native crayfish and non-native fish) to the extirpation of native ranid frogs in Oak Creek. The only native amphibians observed in Oak Creek are treefrogs (canyon, western chorus, and mountain) toads (red-spotted, spadefoot, woodhouse and possibly Arizona although it is likely extirpated), and barred tiger salamander. The only native turtle is the Sonoran mud turtle. Other turtles such as Texas spiny, painted, and pond sliders are non-native and present only because unethical aquarium owners released them and they have established breeding populations.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

By far the most detrimental impact to native aquatic biota (frogs, toads, highly aquatic gartersnakes, and fish) is from the introduction and spread of non-native aquatic invaders. Crayfish, bullfrogs, and many species of non-native fish are extremely predaceous on native species which did not evolve with such efficient predators and therefore have limited coping mechanisms to avoid predation.

Macroinvertebrates

The diversity of macroinvertebrates in Oak Creek is high, especially in the cold water reach were the major groups of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Tricoptera (EPT) are represented. Oak Creek has the largest number of caddisfly species reported in any drainage in Arizona.

Along its length, Oak Creek supports various assemblages of Pyralid moths, of particular interest are the aquatic and semi-aquatic genera as they have been shown to be good indicators of habitat recovery after both natural and human-caused impacts to Oak Creek aquatic habitats. The aquatic and semi-aquatic genera in Oak Creek include; Petrophila [formerly Paragyractis]) and Usingeriessa, whose immature stages are entirely aquatic, and Synclita with semi-aquatic immature stages. Petrophila avernalis is the only species that occurs at the top of Oak Creek Canyon, three species (P.avernalis, longipenis, and keifertalis) are known from Manzanita Campground in Oak Creek Canyon and four species (P.avernalis, longipenis, keifertalis, and cappsi) are known from Indian Gardens.

The greatest diversity occurs at the Tlaquepaque Bridge in Sedona, with five species of Petrophila occurring (P.avernalis, longipenis, capsi, jaliscalis, and keifertalis) plus members of the genera Synclita and Usingeriessa. Diversity decreases south of Sedona, with only three species found at Red Rock Crossing in middle Oak Creek and further down river at Page Springs. (P.longipenis, capsii, and keifertalis). It has been demonstrated that increased habitat complexity and good water quality are associated with greater species diversity of Petrophila. Currently seven species of Petrophila are known from Arizona, five of which can be found sympatrically in Oak Creek.

Special status macroinvertebrate species include one mayfly and two caddisflies. The mayfly Moribaetis mimbresaurus is a large baetid mayfly listed as critically imperiled (G1) by NatureServe (2013). It was collected from Oak Creek at Pumphouse Wash in 1984, and is believed to be a disjunct population from known Mexican and Central American populations.

The caddisfly Lepidostoma knulli is listed as imperiled (G2) by NatureServe (2013). It is rare in Oak Creek, and has been found primarily in the upper portions of the stream (Sedona to Pumphouse Wash; Blinn and Ruiter 2009). Adults are likely short-lived and do not feed (Stevens and Ledbetter 2012). Lepidostoma larvae occupy cool water springs, streams, and rivers, and occasionally occur in lacustrine habitats (Holzenthal et al. 2007).

The Balmorhea Saddle-case caddisfly Protoptila balmorhea is listed as imperiled (G2) by NatureServe (2013). The species is known only from Balmorhea, Texas, and from two spring complexes in lower Oak Creek, Arizona: Bubbling Ponds Page Springs. They are firmly attached under rocks. Adult Protoptila balmorhea are tiny (0.15 in, 3.4-4 mm), tan/pale brown

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

caddisflies, with antennae that are less than half the length of the body (Stevens and Ledbetter 2012). Moulton et al. (1994) report that larvae occupy “…swift, spring outfalls with sufficient cobble substrate to support [their] algal grazing habits…” However, other authors report that larvae occupy slow-lotic, relatively warm sand-floored, spring-fed channels (Blinn and Ruiter 2006, 2009; Holzenthal et al. 2007). Stevens and Ledbetter (2012) note that larvae are more common in areas that have relatively low embeddedness. Larvae are classified as facultative scrapers by Merritt et al. (2008), clinging to rock surfaces to feed on periphyton and detritus. Adult P. balmorhea are small and were rare at two spring-supported sites during two years of ultraviolet light trapping by Blinn and Ruiter (2009).

The Redrock stonefly (Anacroneuria wipukupa) is a rare macroinvertebrate in Oak Creek. The Redrock stonefly was originally thought to occur only in Oak Creek; Redrock stonefly nymphs were first collected in Oak Creek at Page Springs, Yavapai County, in 1975 and 1977 and the first adult was collected from Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. The species has since been collected from Wet Beaver, Tonto and Spring Creeks, and Campbell Blue River in 2010. State water quality analysis at all Redrock stonefly sites found that five of the ten sites showed no impairment. The impairment at some sites was only due to high E. coli (bacteria) levels, which are not a concern for the stonefly. The tolerance of similar stoneflies (in the genus Anacroneuria) to sediment and organic pollution is well-documented in Central and South America. The Service concluded that water quality is currently not a threat to this species. Due to additional sites being discovered and no water quality concerns for this species, the Fish and Wildlife Service, in August 2011, concluded that the Redrock stonefly did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Another rare invertebrate, the Page springsnail (Pyrgulopsis morrisoni), is a small aquatic snail endemic to a complex of ten sites on private and state lands mainly along Oak Creek but also Spring Creek. No Page springsnails are known to occur on NFS lands along Oak Creek and they are not expected to occur since there are not any known suitable sites (springs) on Forest Service lands suitable for Page springsnail. In October of 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the Page springsnail does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

May (1972) identified macroinvertebrates (species, percent composition, and abundance) in West Fork Oak Creek. A total of 45 genera were represented; 8 of the 45 genera were undetermined. The greatest variety of genera were found in rock-gravel substrates. Rock-gravel supported the greatest densities of inverts during both winter and summer.

As a group, aquatic macroinvertebrates are identified in the Coconino Land and Resource Management Plan (as amended) as Management Indicator Species (MIS) for high and low elevation late-seral riparian areas. The Monitoring Plan for the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan specifies monitoring with a systematic field sampling method for aquatic macroinvertebrate species diversity and biomass on selected streams. The riparian ecosystems targeted for monitoring are those associated with lotic or flowing water conditions. The forest largely depends on ADEQ for macroinvertebrate monitoring.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

In ADEQ’s Statewide Assessment of Arizona Streams from July 2007 to June 2010, total macroinvertebrate taxa at one sample site in upper Oak Creek (cold water reach) was 25 with 4 caddisfly taxa, 3 mayfly taxa, 0 stonefly taxa, 7 diptera taxa, 7 scrapper taxa, resulting in an IBI score of 46 (inconclusive) and EPA Narrative of Intermediate. Riparian Dependent, Terrestrial Wildlife

Oak Creek’s riparian corridor supports a high diversity of wildlife species. There are various riparian dependent, bird and mammal species in Oak Creek watersheds that have special status such as threatened, endangered, Forest Service sensitive, or state Tier 1 B species of greatest conservation need (SGCN).

Special status bats include Townsend big-eared bat, Allen’s lappet-browed bat, Western red bat, Arizona myotis, Yuma myotis, Mexican free-tailed bat, and possibly Spotted bat and greater Western mastiff bat. These bats depend on a variety of structures for roosting and hibernating. Natural structures include under loose bark on snags, among tree foliage, in snag cavities, in caves and sinkholes, and in the cracks and crevices of cliffs. Bats also roost in man-made features such as buildings and bridges. Since roosting bats can lose up to one third of their body weight in water each 12 hour roosting period, water is critical. Oak is not only important to bats for water but also for foraging on the high diversity of insects along Oak Creek. All of these bat species are insectivorous.

Arizona Game and Fish Department also lists the Arizona gray squirrel, beaver, and river otter as Tier 1B mammal species. Arizona gray squirrels are riparian-dependent tree squirrels that form their nests in the canopy of deciduous riparian trees. These squirrels are declining range-wide as a result of the loss of riparian habitat. Beaver, once largely extirpated through over-harvesting, and are abundant in Oak Creek. Instead of building lodges, beaver in the Verde Valley den in the banks. Where stream flows are strong and swift, beaver are incapable of building dams. A few known areas where beaver do construct dams on Oak Creek include West Fork, Cave Springs, and a side channel near Crescent moon. Where beaver are capable of building dams, the resulting pools support a higher diversity of invertebrate, fish, amphibian, and bird species. Otter occur in Oak Creek as far upstream as Rainbow Trout Farm in the canyon. While the endemic southwestern river otter occurred in Oak Creek, that species is thought to be extinct. The species of otter currently in Oak Creek is a Louisiana subspecies introduced into the Verde River by Arizona Game and Fish in the 1980’s.

Special status riparian dependent birds include peregrine falcons, yellow-billed cuckoo, common black-hawks, and bald eagles. The sensitive peregrine falcon nests along West Fork and Oak Creek and feed on swifts, swallows, and waterfowl. Their main threats include disturbance from recreation (hiking, rock climbing, use of drones, and helicopter tours. The threatened yellow- billed cuckoo nest along Oak Creek in the overstory of deciduous riparian trees. They forage both in riparian, but also in the adjacent mesquite bosques. The decline in the amount of both riparian habitat and mesquite bosques are contributing to this species’ decline. Resident bald eagles nest along Oak Creek. Their man food sources are waterfowl and large fish. A second subset of bald eagles migrate south from the colder latitudes of North America to winter here from mid-October through mid-April; they largely feed on carrion, but also waterfowl and fish. Arizona Game and Fish Department list numerous Tier 1B bird species that occur along Oak

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Creek: American dipper, Bell’s vireo, Gila woodpecker, wood duck and yellow warbler. Once common, American dippers are less regularly sighted; recent breeding bird surveys for the Arizona atlas ranked them as uncommon. These birds prefer the clear and swift perennial streams with an abundance of boulders and waterfalls where they forage on aquatic invertebrates that cling to submerged rocks. Bell’s vireos nest mainly in mesquite bosques adjacent to riparian areas. The acreage of mesquite bosques in mid and lower Oak Creek is much reduced due to settlement, agriculture, and development. Wood ducks are rare but have been sighted nesting along Oak Creek at various locations. Gila woodpeckers and yellow warblers are quite common in the canopy of deciduous riparian trees.

Aquatic Habitat (aquatic habitat condition with respect to fragmentation, large woody debris, channel shape and function)

Overall aquatic habitat is rated as fair for the Middle Oak Creek watershed. Downstream of Tlaquepaque there are diversions causing some dewatering. Fish populations and habitat mapped and some fragmentation and some limited diversions are present. Perennial stream reaches have a few road crossings including functional bridges and low water crossings but may block aquatic passage. Oak Creek mapped as riparian and observed to be about 75% PFC and 25% At Risk so may not contain adequate large woody debris in its entirety. Oak Creek mapped as riparian with most of reaches having PFC data collected. At Risk reach is at risk from recreation, road and trail impacts. Overall aquatic habitat is rated as poor for the Lower Oak Creek watershed. Upstream diversions may partially fragment habitat. Perennial stream reaches have a several road crossings including functional bridges and low water crossings but not enough to block aquatic passage. Oak Creek and other stream mapped as riparian and observed to be about 40% PFC and 60% At Risk so may not contain adequate large woody debris in its entirety. Creeks mapped as riparian with 60% at risk so channel geometry likely not functioning properly where width depth ratios are altered. At Risk reach is at risk from recreation, road and trail impacts. Discussion for Both Watersheds

Oak Creek has a complex mosaic of different valley and channel morphology characteristics. In a very general sense the upper reaches of Oak Creek are dominated by a Rosgen B stream type with substrates typically boulder dominated with common bedrock outcrops. Lower reaches are diverse but typically dominated by a C stream type with a range of substrates from bedrock to fine sands and silts. Slopes vary from very steep in the headwaters to around 2 percent in Oak Creek Canyon and less than 1 percent before the confluence with the Verde River.

Oak Creek is dominated by a Rosgen B3 stream type with slope gradient of about 2% and a cobbly substrate. Some reaches are Rosgen B1 stream types with bedrock substrates. Some portions of the channel are confined by steep, escarpments. The width to depth ratio is appropriate for a B stream type with some channel confinement.

In the summer and fall of 2014 Northern Arizona University (NAU) researchers measured habitat parameters before and after flooding post-Slide fire to assess possible effects on the

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest gartersnakes and their prey in Oak Creek Canyon. NAU detected significantly increased silt levels in Oak Creek after monsoon rains began compared to levels measured before the rains; especially at Pine Flat, West Fork, and in Forest Houses Resort. Despite this, it appears that fish and gartersnake populations were comparable to pre-Slide fire but it will take a few more years to assess post-fire effects on stream conditions, fish, and gartersnake survival. In a November 2015 presentation, Erika Nowak reported that high silt levels, along with non-native species at Grasshopper Flat and Midgely Bridge are the main factors in why narrow-headed gartersnakes populations are lower in this portion of the canyon.

Geomorphological evaluations were conducted by ADEQ in the Verde River basin in 1999 and in 2002. Geomorphology surveys were collected following the Rosgen approach and using ADEQ Geomorphology surveying procedures (Spindler, 2003). In addition, habitat measurements including embeddedness, canopy cover (ADEQ, 2001), Proper Functioning Condition of Riparian Areas (USDI-BLM, 1998), Pfankuch Channel Stability Evaluation (Pfankuch, 1975) were collected concurrently with the macroinvertebrate samples.

Table 6. Oak Creek Reaches Samples by ADEQ in 1999 basin Stream reach Stream Type Strahler Stream Order Verde Oak Creek downstream of Page Springs C3 4 Verde Oak Creek at Red Rock State Park B4c 4

Study reaches of both Verde tributary and mainstem streams included Rosgen Bc and C type channels. The average percent fines and percent cobble of tributary study reaches was comparable to mainstem Verde River reaches. However small cobble was the median particle size of tributary streams, whereas medium gravel was the median particle size of the mainstem Verde River study reaches. Strahler stream order was similar among tributary and mainstem study reaches of the Verde River basin, although drainage areas of tributary study reaches (111 to 350 mi2 ) were an order of magnitude smaller than the mainstem Verde River sites, ranging from 3200-4350 square miles. Mean embeddedness in tributary streams was 45 percent, also comparable to the mainstem Verde River. Pfankuch stability scores were similar for tributary and mainstem Verde River basin study reaches, all within the low to moderate sediment supply category by stream type. The average riparian condition, as indicated by the PFC score, was Functional at Risk-Upward trend in both tributary and mainstem Verde River study reaches. Mean canopy density of tributary streams was 37%, five times greater than in the mainstem 3. Restoration Goals, Objectives, and Opportunities

Goal Identification The overall goal is to improve watershed conditions from functioning at risk to functioning properly within a 5 year timeframe by implementing all essential projects. The objectives are to improve water quality, riparian function, aquatic biota and habitat, soil condition, reduce road and trail density and invasive weeds to improve water quality to sustain native plants and animals that rely on it for their survival while providing recreation opportunity and multiple use.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

The following are local goals and soil and water Best Management Practices to consider in project design.

• Sanitary and trash facilities shall be provided where needed to avoid problems with human waste and trash, and protect Oak Creek water quality and its tributaries. • Water quality in Oak Creek complies with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards, the Clean Water Act and attains and supports beneficial uses. • Improve riparian areas that are not in properly functioning condition towards properly functioning condition with active restoration techniques. • Prevent, if possible, or minimize the adverse impacts to streams, other surface waters on NFS lands from ground water withdrawal. • Decommission socially created user trails. As long as there are social trails to decommission, try to decommission at least half a mile per year. • Dispersed camping sites and parking areas that are not designated for use located in the Oak Creek corridor shall be rehabilitated or naturalized where accelerated erosion occurs. • Non designated roads should be decommissioned, obliterated or closed with priority given to roads intersecting stream courses to reduce soil and riparian disturbance. System roads provide adequate drainage so as not to deliver excessive sediment into stream courses. • Motorized vehicles, bicycles, and equestrians shall remain on designated roads and trails. • Manage for visitor capacities by through the use of capacity management tools such as parking design, gate closures or area closures. • Leave No Trace Principles should be followed, human waste is properly disposed of and trash is packed out. • At least 80 percent of stream bank total linear distance should be maintained in stable condition to limit physical impacts to alterable stream banks and greenlines. • The annual impacts to seedling and sapling riparian woody species should be minimized by managing for 20 % woody vegetation utilization. • At least 80 percent of streambank total linear distance should be maintained stable condition. • Stream cover should be managed towards potential (as defined by terrestrial ecosystem soil survey or best available science) and at least 80 percent of the potential overstory crown coverage should be maintained. Desired Conditions

The watershed will exhibit high geomorphic, hydrologic and biotic integrity relative to its potential natural condition.

Water Quality

Oak Creek water quality is improved from Category 5 (not attaining beneficial uses) to attain all beneficial uses. The desired condition for the water quality of Oak Creek would be to maintain

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

State Water Quality Standards and to provide for the assigned designated beneficial uses. Water quality is maintained or enhanced to conform to the creek’s classification as an Outstanding Arizona Water. To support maintaining this overall water quality desired condition, the more specific water quality measures defined in table 5 will be managed toward the stated desired condition.

Table 7. Measurable Indictors for Water Quality Desired Conditions Indirect and Direct Water Desired Condition/ Defined Threshold Quality Measures

Escherichia coli (E. coli) The geometric mean should not exceed 126 and a single sample should be under the maximum of 235 (cfu/100ml). (cfu/100ml)

Trash with the potential to add Manage for minimal trash presence throughout the corridor to the levels of Escherichia coli and help maintain Arizona Department of Water Quality (E. coli). Standards including E. coli and trash indicators.

Suspended sediment Less than 80 (mg/L) expressed as a median value from a concentration minimum of four samples collected at least seven days apart.

Numeric Bottom Deposits The percentage of fine sediments in all stream habitats of a Standard wadeable, perennial stream with an A&Ww designated use, as determined by a reach level pebble count, is equal to or less than 50 percent.

Biocriteria standard determined A wadeable, perennial stream shall support and maintain a using the Index of Biological community of organisms having a taxa richness, species Integrity scores. composition, tolerance, and functional organization comparable to that of a stream with reference conditions in Arizona.

Trash presence and amount in A minimal number of incidents of trash occur in the water the water with the majority of trash being removed and reduced through management. Arizona Department of Water Quality Standards are maintained.

Water Quantity

The creek exists with a natural range of flows that provide optimum conditions for native fish and wildlife as well as riparian vegetation recruitment and maintenance. Human disturbances minimally affect volume or rates of spring recharge and/or discharge. Human disturbances minimally affect watershed runoff, timing and magnitude of flood flows. Stream flows are protected and sufficient to provide for the instream flow water right that provides for a natural flow regime including peak flows. There is minimal evidence of reduced base surface flows that is attributed to groundwater withdrawals or other human caused reductions or consumptive uses.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

New and existing instream water rights are maintained or procured in the Oak Creek corridor to ensure that enough water is guaranteed to provide for habitat needs of federally listed and Forest sensitive aquatic species.

Aquatic Biota

All native aquatic communities, species and life histories appropriate to the site and watershed are present and self-sustaining. The status of rare species is improving, contributing to recovery of species. Species recovery actions are being implemented for species with approved recovery plans or conservation strategies. Special status species populations are not adversely affected by land use and land management activities. Populations of native aquatic species are diverse, abundant, and are expanding into suitable habitats, reflecting the amount and distribution of high quality habitats within the area. Native aquatic species populations continue to thrive. Successfully re-introduced populations of native fish species are self-sustaining and future re-introductions of native fish and other native species may occur. The Arizona Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) as a measure for macroinvertebrates is rated as attaining for all sampled sites in Oak Creek.

Aquatic Habitat

The watershed supports large continuous blocks of high-quality aquatic habitat and high-quality functional steam channel conditions.

A broad diversity of native plants representing all the plant groups (bryophytes, ferns and their allies, and seed plants including grasses and other monocots, forbs, vines, shrubs, and trees) are present and provides suitable upland, streamside, and aquatic habitat (food, water, cover, and arrangement) for a diversity of native and endemic faunal species.

Riparian vegetation provides habitat at optimum conditions as determined by vertical and horizontal cover, plant density, and species composition of naturally occurring vegetation unaffected by forest uses. Springs are protected from human-caused activities.

Riparian areas are in Proper Functioning Condition and are improving where issues have been identified. MIMs riparian monitoring shows upward trend for indicators not at proper functioning condition. Stream bank stability and sedimentation levels fluctuate within natural parameters. Human-caused sources of sediment input to Oak Creek are minimized. The creek meets ADEQ standards for stream bottom deposits in relation to embeddedness.

Oak Creek corridor provides adequate wildlife refugia from human activities and resulting disturbances. In the refugia areas in between designated recreation areas, recreation is not encouraged and social trails are obliterated. Where there are recreation incursions into refugia areas resulting in impacts to habitat, habitat is restored and enhanced.

Retardant, foam, or gel used in fire suppression is not applied within 300 feet of any water source. Approved methods are used to clean and decontaminate equipment in order to prevent the spread of terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants and animals as well as disease. Research on rare species and aquatic habitat continues. New and existing instream water rights are maintained

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

or procured in the Oak Creek corridor to ensure that enough water is guaranteed to provide for habitat needs of federally listed and Forest sensitive aquatic species.

Visitors and other members of the public have knowledge and understanding of Oak Creek and the importance of aquatic and riparian habitats to native endemic fauna. There is respect for these resources, and great care is taken by visitors to protect and enhance habitats by recreating responsibly. Visitors understand the consequences of introduction and spread of nonnative plants, animals, and diseases, and take preventative measures to inspect, remove, and clean water-based equipment before entering Oak Creek. Riparian Vegetation and Function Native vegetation is in or moving towards properly function condition throughout the steam corridor. Riparian areas and associated stream courses are resilient to natural disturbances and changing climate conditions and are functioning properly across the landscape.

Woody vegetation and other riparian plant species along stream reaches and springs are increasing towards potential based on reference site potential. The canopy cover of herbaceous species is maintained or increased and composition is managed towards potential. Stream channel stability and bank stability are protected by maintaining or improving riparian vegetation.

All three functions including the hydrology, vegetation, and erosion deposition are in Proper Functioning Condition or making improvements towards Proper Functioning Condition. Riparian areas and associated stream courses are resilient to natural disturbances, changing climate conditions and are functioning properly in the Oak Creek corridor. Sedimentation and vegetation loss is reduced by eliminating trails on wetted soils and reducing trailing are on fine, erosive soils (clay, loam, etc.). Damage to riparian trees, shrubs and protective soil litter is not caused by rope swings, shelter construction, ‘dead and down’ and live wood collection.

Soil

Soil productivity and function is sustained and functions normally and properly to maintain resource values and sustain outputs in the majority of the watershed. Soil stores water and infiltrates and dispersed properly. Soil withstands accelerated erosion, and recycles nutrients. Organic ground cover and herbaceous vegetation provide protection of soil, moisture infiltration, and contribute to plant and animal diversity and to ecosystem function. Herbaceous vegetative cover is maintained or improved at levels that contribute to suitable hydrologic function, soil stability and nutrient cycling. Compaction and erosion is minimized due to a diversity of grass and forb species and presence of plant litter and grass, forb, shrub and tree basal area surface cover.

Roads and Trails

The density, location and distribution of roads and trails within the watershed indicate that the hydrologic regime is substantially intact and unaltered. Roads are properly draining water from upslope and underneath culverts flows are energy dissipating structures to reduce erosion offsite

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

and into stream corridors. Adjacent spring flow is drained properly to maintain function of spring habitat.

Roads and trails are sustainably designed and are not producing accelerated rates of erosion into Oak Creek and its tributaries. Road and trail maintenance is active in the watershed and water is drained off frequently using appropriate storm water management BMPs. All roads and trails slated as closed or decommissioned under TMR are effectively closed and are not being used by the public.

Forest Cover and Health

Forest cover supports the watershed hydrologic and sediment regimes over the vast majority. There is minimal loss of forest cover from disturbances and insect and disease and the densities and canopy covers are within the PPC.

Invasive Weeds

Woody, invasive species are absent or greatly reduced along riparian areas so that riparian vegetation and function is in properly functioning condition. Upland invasive weeds are reduced so that vegetative composition and diversity approximates the PPC.

New invasive exotic species are prevented from being introduced or established in the Oak Creek riparian corridor through public education, signage, and law enforcement. Known invasive species are contained, their spread is controlled, and populations are declining. Species that are the most invasive and pose the greatest threat to biological diversity, forest health, and watershed condition are eradicated. Natural population dynamics and predator-prey relationships, previously damaged by non-native species, have been re-established, such as between native leopard frogs, garter snakes, and fish.

Fire Regime

There are low departures from the historical fire regime in variability in vegetation, fuel composition, fire frequency, severity and patter. There is low likelihood of alteration of hydrologic and sediment regimes in the watersheds due to the fire regime. Non USFS Condition and Impacts Ground water withdrawal is minimized to avoid adverse impacts to streams, other surface waters on NFS lands. Leaky septic tanks and leach fields that are not adequately built are replaced up to code within the watershed especially those close to perennial waters. Overloaded commercial septic systems do not discharge and seep into Oak Creek or any of its tributaries. Animal waste is managed appropriately. Low water crossing are appropriately designed and nonnative plants are controlled. Storm water is managed mostly on site and urban runoff is minimized and managed with low impact development designs where possible.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Objectives

Alignment with National, Regional, or Forest Priorities

This action plan aligns with National, Regional and Forest priorities in 4 of 5 Regional strategic action items that are also part of National and Forest objectives. Assist Communities Adjacent to Forests (R3 Goal #1) and also aligns with National Strategic Goal #1).

Implementation of essential projects will result in the following; restoration of disturbed areas, rehabilitation of unneeded social trails and roads, maintenance of trails and roads, waste cleanup adjacent to Oak Creek, control of invasive weeds and education of public on water quality assists local communities (Sedona and outlying residential areas) in water quality improvement and for an improved recreational experience (hiking, motorized travel, camping, swimming and clean water). Consequently, implementation of essential projects will improve and conserve our lands and improve our water quality and quantity making them more resilient to climate change for local communities to benefit. This aligns with the National USDA Strategic Plan 2015-2020 to strengthen communities by delivering benefits to the public. Contribute to Economic Vitality (R3 Goal #2) and aligns with National Strategic Goal #1.

Implementation of essential projects will result in improved recreational experience and predicted increased visitation leading to increased spending and capital for Sedona and outlying residential businesses contributing to economic vitality. Forest and Rangeland Restoration (R3 Goal #3) and aligns with National Strategic Plan Goal #2: Implementing essential projects will restore or naturalize disturbed areas, social trails and unneeded roads, improve riparian area function, aquatic habitat and biota, water quality and soil productivity, all essential to improve and maintain watershed function, and restore forest and rangelands. Invasive weed control aligns with goal to control invasive weeds on the forest.

Also aligns with the national and forest goal to restore, sustain and enhance the nation's forests and grasslands and the objective to restore and maintain healthy watershed and diverse habitats and sustain and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities and ensure our national forest and private working lands are conserved, restored and made more resilient to climate change while enhancing our water resources. Safety and Health (R3 Goal # 4). Implementation of essential projects will result in improved water quality and cleaner and safer water to swim in safer roads to drive on and safer trails to hike on. Alignment with State or local goals

State goals include sustaining clean water, forest resources, wildlife habitat and TES species all of which are included in the Forest Service strategic plan of restoration of forest and rangelands

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

and USDA goal #2. Implementation of essential projects in this action plan aligns with State and local goals.

Opportunities Partnership Involvement The following partners either have been or are expected to be involved in planning, implementation and monitoring efforts; Oak Creek Watershed Council, Sedona Friends of the Forest, AZ Game and Fish department, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Verde Watershed Coalition, Native Plant Society for Survey, National Forest Foundation for funding opportunities and Coconino Rural Environmental Corps for implementation. Outcomes/Output Performance Measure Accomplishment The expected Performance Measure Accomplishments to be achieved due to the completion of the implementation of this action plan are listed below by project (tables 6 and 7) and well as in the description of essential projects expected accomplishment section.

Table 8. Ground Disturbing Essential Projects Expected Accomplishments Essential Expected Accomplishment Project # 1 Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 2 miles of stream enhanced, 20 acres of aquatic habitat restored T&E recovery (estimated). 2 Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 1/2 mile of stream enhanced, 5 acres of aquatic habitat restored T&E recovery (estimated). 3 Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 1/2 mile of stream enhanced, 5 acre of terrestrial habitat restored. 4 Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 2 miles of steam enhanced 5 Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 2 miles of steam enhanced. 6 About 947 acres of invasive weed removal and several miles of stream enhanced. 7 Improvement of water quality. .5 miles of stream water quality/trailhead. 8 Improvement of water quality and recreational experience. 9 Water quality improved, about 1 mile of stream enhanced and habitat/biota acres. 10 Water quality improved, about 5miles of stream enhanced and other habitat/biota acres restored. 11 Water quality and aquatic habitat and biota improved, up to about 22 miles of system roads and up to about 10 miles of user-created routes.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Table 9. Non-Ground Disturbing Essential Projects Expected Accomplishments Essential Expected Accomplishment Project # 12 Improved water quality, aquatic habitat and biota. 13 Brochures, new signs, kiosks, other literature. 14 Improved rangeland, improved aquatic habitat, biota and soil condition. One Environmental Decision Notice on Windmill Allotment. 15 Improved water quality, aquatic habitat and biota. 16 Improved water quality. 17 One Environmental Decision Notice. Socioeconomic Considerations

The following socioeconomic impacts are expected as a result of implementation and completion of the restoration plan.

Implementation of essential projects may impact archaeological resources. Considerations will be made to maintain and protect cultural values at risk:

The watershed does not serve any Tribal, Land Grant, or small historical non-incorporated communities except for the town of Cornville. Essential, ground disturbing projects will not be located in Cornville. However, on forest administered lands, there are several hundred archaeological sites present within the Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds, including half a dozen large prehistoric pueblos with 20 or more rooms. Numerous sites not located in large pueblos contain numerous scatters of flaked and ground stone tools that reflect the hunting and gathering lifeways of different cultural groups, some of which date as early as 9,000 B.C.

Implementing essential watershed restoration projects only after they have received archaeological clearance should protect these sites where ground disturbance is necessary.

The watershed is located south of Flagstaff, through the City of Sedona , north of Camp Verde and Cottonwood, northwest of Phoenix and extensively for recreation including hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, driving and livestock grazing. Implementing essential projects will improve and protect water quality, aquatic biota and habitat and soil, riparian and watershed function.

Supports local infrastructure

The watershed is not a municipal watershed and does not supply water for the local community however dozens of domestic wells use the local groundwater adjacent to Oak Creek for domestic purposes. Streamflow eventually connects off-Forest to the Verde River and Salt River where SRP uses the water for domestic (in major reservoirs) and irrigation use in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Stockponds in the watershed can be used as a water source for fire suppression and road maintenance. The watershed does not support agriculture or other local industries that require high water utilization.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Utilizes local contractors, workforce and resources Contracting may be required to complete project implementation for invasive weed control and possible for road obliteration, vegetation treatments and disturbed site rehabilitation. These contracts will be solicited and awarded to successful bidder. Most contractors are located in the immediate vicinity of the watershed including in Flagstaff and Sedona. Since there are no incorporated towns. It is likely the contractor awarded may reside in nearby cities including Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde or other neighboring cities and may include the Coconino County Rural Environmental Corps (CREC) or ACE crews.

Riparian maintenance, weed control, disturbed site rehabilitation and native fish and frog restoration will involve purchasing local materials that should somewhat stimulate local economy. Contractors awarded for this restoration will probably come from the local County or other group and benefit those employees and associated agencies financially.

Road obliteration and closure will likely be accomplished through IDIQ contracts or local county CREC crews which should stimulate those companies and their employees financially. Some in house road closure work may occur by force account.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Specific Project Activities (Essential Projects)

Tables 10 and 11 list the identified essential projects, timelines and tasks necessary to improve watershed condition. All costs and timelines associated with the essential projects are estimates.

Table 10. Ground Disturbing Essential Projects Essential FY Task Project # 1 17, 18 Oak Creek Canyon Informal Roadside Parking Reduction Project 2 18-22 End of Chavez Road Dispersed Sites Day Use Rehabilitation and Toilet Facility 3 19-20 89B/Angel Valley Oak Creek Dispersed Campsite Closure/Rehabilitation/Toilet facility 4 18-22 Social Trail Management/Reduction and Narrow Headed Gartersnake Habitat Improvement 5 19-20 Spring Creek Willow Point Road Crossing and Drainage Improvement for Aquatic Organism Passage 6 18-22 Riparian Woody Invasive Species Reduction in Middle and Lower Oak Creek 7 17-20 Continuation of Pet Waste Stations Near Perennial Water and Expansion to Trailheads 8 20 Pumphouse Wash Camp Area Toilet Facility Addition on FR 237 9 18-21 Protection and Riparian Restoration Project at Molina Homestead 10 19-20 Lower Oak Creek Motorized Social Trail Closure and Restoration 11 18-22 Archaeological Clearance and Naturalize/Close TMR Non-designated Roads.

Table 11. Non-Ground Disturbing Essential Projects Essential FY Task Project # 12 16-22 Continue Oak Creek Ambassador Project 13 16-22 Educational Campaign and Literature for Water Quality Concerns (E. coli) and Oak Creek Canyon 14 16-22 Implementation of Improved Grazing Strategies on West Windmill Final Decision and Windmill Allotment (pending Decision Notice). 15 16-22 Continue Implementation of Forest Travel Management Rule Decision (Patrols/Education/Signage/Changes 16 16-22 Identify locations where additional facilities including restrooms and trash receptacles are essential to meet water quality standards 17 16-17 Complete NEPA Analysis for WRAP Projects in Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds

The following is a brief description with photographs of both ground disturbing and non-ground disturbing essential projects necessary to improve watershed condition.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Essential Project # 1: Oak Creek Canyon Informal Roadside Parking Reduction Project

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network and soil.

Project Description: The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation, function and aquatic habitat and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat. This will be accomplished by working with partners to reduce informal roadside parking along SR89A through Oak Creek Canyon.

There are many places in Oak Creek where the public’s use of informal roadside parking has resulted in the creation of social trails that lead down to the creek. These social routes and creek access points funnel sediment into the creek increasing stream bottom deposits above natural levels. Increased stream bottom deposits reduce habitat for macroinvertebrates which are the base of the biotic food chain. Lowered macroinvertebrate indices result in reduced conditions for amphibians, native fish, aquatic reptiles, and terrestrial predators. There are numerous informal recreation areas that are not developed or engineered and that need restoration or mitigation measures, such as closing poorly located social trails and replacing with designed creek access routes that are on hardened surfaces. Various methods to limit the use of established social trails and to eliminate the creation of new social trails include restricting roadside parking in non-developed areas of the canyon.

There are many methods to accomplish the elimination of roadside parking including, but not limited to, installing curb and gutters, guardrails, fencing, boulders, etc. Areas of concern include trails connected to the West Fork of Oak Creek and Oak Creek confluence, Manzanita campground and informal pullout, Halfway Picnic Area, Schnebly Hill Trailer Park above Tlaquepaque. The result of these actions is to reduce social trail connection to Oak Creek resulting in natural vegetative recovery and decreased sediment delivery into Oak Creek improving water quality, riparian vegetation, aquatic habitat and aquatic biota and improve public safety by eliminating dangerous traffic/parking encounters. One option, the placement of roadside guard rails, is outside of Forest control or authority and depends on partner collaboration and funding especially the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Partners Involvement: Arizona Department of Transportation, Oak Creek Watershed Council.

Timeline: FY17-FY18.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR – $100,000 plus partner collaboration Oak Creek Watershed Council, ADEQ, and ADOT – total $250,000 (cost of guardrails materials with no labor is $140,000 per half mile).

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Expected Accomplishment: Improved water quality, aquatic biota, aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation and public safety: 2 miles of stream enhanced, 20 acres of aquatic habitat restored T&E recovery (estimated). Essential Project # 2: End of Chavez Road Dispersed Sites Day Use Rehabilitation and Toilet Facility Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network and soil.

Project Description: Develop the user-created Chavez area into a designated/dispersed recreation site. This would involve: shrinking, grading, and paving the existing parking area using low impact development strategies; installing a toilet and dog waste station; installation of a kiosk, picnic table and trash receptacles, designating route(s) down to bedrock section of Oak Creek; rehabilitating disturbed areas (parking, trails, creek side, etc.); and installing structures to eliminate roadside parking along the road approaching the designated parking area. Area regularly exceeds E. coli standards during regular base flow water sampling. Installation of vault toilet and a dog waste station will curb contaminants into Oak Creek. Once completed, this site would be proposed to RAC as a fee site.

The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation and function and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat.

Partners Involvement: Sedona Friends of Forest, Oak Creek Watershed Council, Forest Foundation, ADEQ.

Timeline: October, 2018-December, 2020.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRW/NFRR $100,000 Partners - $200,000.

Expected Accomplishment: 1/2 mile of stream enhanced, 5 acres of aquatic habitat restored T&E recovery (estimated).

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 7. Photos are End of Chavez Road - Local Dispersed Day Use Sites, Social Trails and Water Quality Impacts

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Essential Project # 3: 89B/Angel Valley Oak Creek Dispersed Campsite Closure/Rehabilitation/Toilet facility

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network and soil.

Project Description: Address unmanaged vehicles and camping within the riparian and flood zone by reinforcing an existing designated parking area, installation of a toilet, closing the area to overnight use, restore denuded areas, and designate creek access routes. Currently, this area along 89B has campsites that are in the riparian/flood plain that have motorized access. The proposal is to close the yellow section to motorized use as shown in the red box below in Figure 9 of 89B and create a parking area outside of the riparian area.

The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation, function, and aquatic habitat and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat.

Partners Involvement: The Friends of the Forest, Oak Creek Watershed Council, National Forest Foundation.

Timeline: January, 2019-December, 2020.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRW/NFRR - $ 25,000 Northern Arizona Forest Foundation Fund and Oak Creek Watershed Council Partner Contribution: $35,000.

Expected Accomplishment: 1/2 mile of stream enhanced, 5 acre of terrestrial habitat restored.

Figure8. Highway 89B Angel Valley Project Area of Concern

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 9. Dispersed Camp Area at End of Angel Pass Road

Essential Project # 4: Social Trail Management/Reduction and Listed Gartersnake Habitat Improvement Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network.

Project Description: Closure, reduction and restoration of social trails and informal pullouts accessing Oak Creek and Narrow-Headed Gartersnake habitat at several locations and construction of stable trails to armored Creekside areas with drainage features designed. Locations include, but are not limited to, trails connected to the West Fork of Oak Creek and Oak Creek confluence, Manzanita campground and informal pullout, Halfway Picnic Area , Schnebly Hill Trailer Park above Tlaquepaque, end of FR 9833 to Oak Creek and FR 119D/White Hills/Cornville motorized single track closure. In order to effectively close West Fork confluence, a fence will need to be constructed between the historic site and the basking area to protect and a closure order implemented.

The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation, function and aquatic habitat and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Partners Involvement: Friends of the Forest, Oak Creek Watershed Council, National Forest Foundation, Fish and Wildlife Service.

Timeline: January, 2018 – December, 2022.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item. NFRW/NFRR - $50,000 Northern Arizona Forest Foundation Fund Partner Contribution: $150,000.

Expected Accomplishment: 2 miles of steam enhanced.

West Fork of Oak Creek and Oak Creek confluence. There are a myriad of social trails around the West Fork and Oak Creek confluence. These social trails lead down to West Fork where a wide expanse of bedrock provides optimal basking for the threatened narrow-headed gartersnake. It is desirable to close these social trails.

Figure 70. Trails at West Fork of Oak Creek and Oak Creek Confluence

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 81. Informal Pullout with Steep Trail Oak Creek Access at Manzanita Campground

Figure 92. Social Trail from Halfway Picnic Area to Oak Creek and Bootlegger to Oak Creek

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 103. Oak Creek Riparian Area Social Trails from Schnebly Hill Trailer Park

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 14. Social Trail Closure/Restoration at end of FR 9833 to Oak Creek

9833: The area in the red box has a ¼ mile motorized social route that emanates from the end of the open 9833 road. We would need to either close the final leg of 9833 and put a trailhead with boulders or fence there to still provide non-motorized access to the creek or we could put the closure at the end of the current open designation. Area in red box above is area in question:

Figure 115. FR 119D/Whitehills/Cornville Motorized Trail Closure

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Whitehills/Cornville is a large area with some big motorized impacts. There are many motorized social trails in this area and a comprehensive ATV loop and motorcycle trail are necessary (not proposed in this project) with full closure of illegal roads which are proposed in this analysis. Gap fences were placed in key areas along Oak Creek that need to be repaired and possibly shored up with boulder work. The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation, function and aquatic habitat and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat. Essential Project # 5: Spring Creek Willow Point Road Crossing and Drainage Improvement for Aquatic Organism Passage

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat and aquatic biota, road network.

Project Description: Remove existing structure, construct aquatic organism passage feature at Spring Creek Crossing and improve road drainage adjacent to crossing and before and after approaches. The purpose is to improve aquatic organism passage and reduce sediment delivery into Spring Creek which impairs water quality and aquatic biota.

Partners Involvement: Friends of the Forest, Oak Creek Watershed Council.

Timeline: January, 2019-December, 2020. Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR/NFWF/$100,000, $300,000 from partners/grants.

Expected Accomplishment: 2 miles of stream enhanced.

Figure16. Spring Creek FR 796 Crossing

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 127. Willow Point Road Crossing at Spring Creek

Willow Point Road Crossing of Spring Creek; needs Aquatic Organism Passage and sediment stabilization on approaching roads: Essential Project # 6: Riparian Woody Invasive Species Reduction in Middle and Lower Oak Creek

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Invasive species, wildlife habitat, natural range of fire effects

Project Description: Riparian Woody Invasive Species Removal. We already have the NEPA and archaeological clearance done for this, we are halfway through updating the USFWS consultation, and we have a very strong partner. VWRC has already finished the survey of the area and we have completed initial treatment of about 40% of the riparian area woody invasive species on FS lands in these two watersheds. On national forest lands we have mapped 2012 infestations of invasive species within this project area 1760 of which are very small populations along Lower Oak Creek totaling about 200 acres. Middle Oak Creek has much fewer riparian infestations (~230) for about 50 acres, but the large populations of toadflax on Wilson Mountain from the Brins fire fall within this HUC6 bringing the total acreage of weed infestations in the project up to 947 acres. The purpose is to reduce invasive weed population that can affect stream fluvial geomorphology and withdraw water.

Partners Involvement: Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition (VWRC) and Friends of Verde River Greenway. This year they are spending a little over $200,000 doing initial treatment of woody riparian invasive species (primarily Arundo) on private lands in lower and middle Oak Creek watersheds. Currently they have grants through FY17 to continue treatments but would like to coordinate more with FS treatments as they move up into middle Oak Creek watershed.

Timeline: 5 years (January 2018-December, 2022).

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: FS funds $15,000/ per year for first 3 years and $10,000 per year for last two; not including coordination time to work with partners. $200,000 from partners is expected in FY 16 and 17.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Expected Accomplishment: About 947 acres of invasive weed removal and several miles of steam enhanced. Essential Project # 7: Continuation of Pet Waste Stations near Perennial Water and Expansion to Trailheads Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality.

Project Description: Expansion of dog waste stations to the following USFS trail heads: West Fork/ Call of the Canyon, Bootlegger, Cave Springs, Manzanita, Encinoso, Banjo Bill, Pine Flat, Half Way, Huckaby Trailhead, Crescent Moon Day Use Area, Chavez Campground, Bell Rock, Bell Trail, Cathedral Rock, Chapel Cross, and Chavez Ranch Road. Creation of comprehensive pet waste station map including City, private and USFS owned stations (not proposed in this project). Work with the City of Sedona and the Oak Creek Watershed Council to help maintain these dog waste stations. The purpose is to improve water quality impairment of E. coli.

Timeline January, 2018 – December, 2022.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR = $2,000. Oak Creek Watershed Council and AZ Department of Environmental Quality: $10,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Improvement of water quality at about .5 miles of stream/trailhead.

Essential Project # 8: Pumphouse Wash Camp Area Toilet Facility Addition on FR 237

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality.

Project Description: Area now designated as four separate camp grounds of USFS Road 237 located just north of the 89A switchbacks into Oak Creek Canyon. Designated spurred from wildfire concerns via the Friends of 237 and Kachina Village residents. Camp ground has 75 designated sites, with reports of up to 500 people on high use weekends. OCWC Ambassadors and Friends of 237 have noted various make shift toilet areas, citing the increased concentration. Pumphouse wash directly flows into Oak Creek. Currently no fee is charged to use the area. Recommend a study to determine use of the area (not proposed in this project) and installation of 1 to 2 vault toilets (proposed). Toilets cost 20K with 15K installation each. The purpose is to improve water quality impairment of E. coli.

Timeline: 2020.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRW/NFRR $20,000 and Oak Creek Watershed Council and ADEQ $70,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Improvement of water quality and recreational experience.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Essential Project # 9: Protection and Riparian Restoration Project at Molina Homestead

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network and soil.

Project Description: Convert the end of FR 9845 past the pasture fence line into a trail that allows access to Oak Creek without going through the Molina Homestead Site. The current road alignment should be restored in a way that protects the cultural resources and includes cultural interpretation at this site coupled with riparian restoration. The roads in this area when no longer accessed via motor vehicular traffic would be ripped and seeded with native vegetation. Use BMPs to increase vegetative cover while reducing sedimentation into Oak Creek.

The purpose is to improve and protect riparian vegetation, function and aquatic habitat and biota and reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek that impairs water quality, aquatic biota and habitat.

Timeline January, 2018-December, 2021

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item. NFRW/NFRR $15,000. Northern Arizona Forest Foundation Fund Partner Contribution: $90,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Water quality improved, about 1 mile of stream enhanced and habitat/biota acres.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 18. Molina Homestead below Crack Axle and Kachina Trails Creek Crossings

Essential Project # 10: Lower Oak Creek Motorized Social Trail Closure and Restoration

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network and soil.

Project Description: Closure and restoration of motorized social roads leading across Oak Creek from FR 9813 to FR 119B. A portion would require some augmentation to existing gap fencing. One social road from FR9813 needs to be closed (via burrito) and restored before the gap fencing area. The social road between gap fences needs to be restored by ripping, seeding, and mulching. To help close the roads, area trees (juniper, crucifixion thorn) and shrubs (mesquite, acacia, catclaw) would be cut and used.

Timeline: January, 2019-December, 2020.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRW/NFRR $10,000. /Northern Arizona Forest Foundation Fund Partner Contribution: $30,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Water quality improved, about 5 miles of stream enhanced and other habitat/biota acres restored.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Figure 19. Lower Oak Creek Road Closure and Restoration (both photos)

Essential Project # 11: Archaeological Clearance and Naturalize/Close TMR Non-designated Roads.

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, road network and roads within close proximity to streamcourses.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Project Description: After acquiring archaeological clearance, close and/or naturalize road footprint on roads not designated on TMR motor vehicle use map. Up to about 6.6 miles of currently closed unless re-opened routes with NEPA and up to about 15.2 miles of currently decommissioned or converted would be closed or naturalized to reduce sediment delivery into Oak Creek. In addition, up to about 10 miles of user-created routes would be closed or naturalized. Closure may include placing boulders, vegetative slash and camouflage initial entry points, ripping and seeding on the entire footprint or the beginning portion, end or both. Table 10 lists possible roads and routes proposed for closure or naturalization.

Table 12. Roads and Routes to Close or Naturalize Closed Decommissioned User-Created Unless Re- or Converted Routes Opened With NEPA

Route Miles Route Number Miles Route Number Miles Number 119F 0.5 9205M 1.3 216B 1.1 9457P 0.3 X and 9000’s and About 10 others 216C 0.3 9457Q 0.4 9205E 0.4 9458X 0.2 9205F 0.7 9459Y 0.4 9205H 0.3 9493F 0.2 9205R 0.5 9806F 9457N 0.3 9845L 0.3 9806B 0.2 9845Q 0.2 9816B 0.1 9845S 0.1 9827B 0.2 9870 0.9 9845D 0.1 9871A 0.1 9845E 0.1 9871B 0.1 9845J 0.3 9875 0.1 9865 0.4 9875A 0.9 9896 0.4 9875B 0.1 9696A 0.2 9875C 0.1 9897 0.3 9875D 0.1 9950C 0.2 9880 0.7 9880A 0.3 Total 6.6 9880B 0.2 9881 0.7 9882 0.5 9882A 0.1 9883 0.9 9883A 0.2 9884 0.7

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

9885 0.1 9885A 0.1 9885B 0.3 9885C 0.1 9900A 0.2 9901 0.2 9901A 0.2 9927 1 9927A 0.1 9927B 0.3 9928 0.1 9929 0.2 9929A 0.1 9933A 0.1 9935 0.1 9935B 0.1 9936 0.1 9938 0.3 9940 0.3 9941 0.6 9946 0.5

Total 15.2

Timeline: January, 2018-December, 2022.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: CMRD/NFRR $15,000 to $30,000. NFRR/Northern Arizona Forest Foundation Fund Partner Contribution: $54,000 to $160,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Water quality and aquatic habitat and biota improved, up to about 22 miles of system roads and up to about 10 miles of user-created routes.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Non-Ground Disturbing Essential Projects (Not for inclusion into a proposed action)

Essential Project # 12: Continue Ambassador Project

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation and road and trail network.

Project Description: This project is not an essential project proposed action and is outside of control and authority of the forest. Continuation and expansion of current Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) Ambassador Program across the Oak Creek Watershed, and into the Verde River Watershed . This project uses Ambassadors to clean up trash, feces and educates public visitors along Oak Creek Canyon and has been funded by a State Water Quality Improvement Grant administered by the OCWC. Recommend at least 2 full time, year-round, Ambassadors who regularly patrol, clean up trash/feces, monitor recreational activities, water sample and do education/outreach to public/schools.

Timeline: February, 2016 – December, 2017.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: Funded through State Grant only (cost through 2022 is not assured but could be $25,000 to $100,000/year estimated).

Expected Accomplishment: Improved water quality, aquatic habitat and biota. Non Essential Project # 13: Educational Campaign and Literature for Water Quality Concerns (E. coli) and Oak Creek Canyon

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network, invasive species and soil.

Project Description: No NEPA required so would not be a proposed activity. Participate and collaborate with the Oak Creek Watershed Council in an education campaigns for water quality protection in Oak Creek Canyon. Include information on the Kiosks, in all visitor contact offices, create new signs where needed, with more Leave No Trace (LNT) ethics. Give out a LNT card with every Red Rock Pass sold. Possibly use Oak Creek water quality grant funds to purchase cards. Each pass will be sold to a visitor and the time used to sell the pass can be used as match for the grant.

Timeline: January, 2016-2022.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR/NFRW $15,000. Partners (Oak Creek Watershed Council, ADEQ, City of Sedona, AZ Game and Fish) $25,000 to $125,000.

Expected Accomplishment: Brochures, new signs, kiosks, other literature.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Essential Project # 14: Implementation of Improved Grazing Strategies on West Windmill Final Decision and Windmill Allotment (pending Decision Notice).

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Soil, Range, water quality, aquatic habitat and biota.

Project Description: Not a proposed essential project action. Continue implementation (permittee compliance and annual operation of instructions) of West Windmill allotment Decision Notice for improved grazing and implement new grazing strategy on Windmill allotment when environmental analysis is complete.

Timeline: Now through 2022 and beyond.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRG ($80,000).

Expected Accomplishment: Improved rangeland, improved aquatic habitat, biota and soil condition. One Environmental Decision Notice on Windmill Allotment.

Non Essential Project # 15: Continue Implementation of Forest Travel Management Rule Decision (Patrols/Education/Signage/Changes

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Road and trail network, water quality, aquatic habitat and biota.

Project Description: Not a proposed essential project action. Continue implementations of the forest Travel Management Rule including enforcement, education to the forest Motor Vehicle Use Map that protects and improves water quality, aquatic habitat and biota.

Timeline: December, 2016-2022 and beyond.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR/CMRD ($40,000/yr.) Expected Accomplishment: Improved water quality, aquatic habitat and biota. Non Essential Project # 16: Identify locations where additional facilities including restrooms and trash receptacles are essential to meet water quality standards

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, and aquatic biota.

Project Description: Not a proposed essential project activity. Collaborate with Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) to help identify locations and seek funding for additional needed restroom facilities and trash receptacles to meet water quality standards. Establish a collaborative agreement with OCWC City of Sedona and other partners for a more collaborative approach to fund maintenance to dog waste stations, restrooms and trash receptacles.

Timeline: July, 2016-December, 2020.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRW $2,000, Partners: $12,000. Expected Accomplishment: Improved water quality. Essential Project # 17: Complete NEPA Analysis in Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds

Attribute/Indicator Addressed: Water quality, aquatic habitat, aquatic biota, riparian vegetation, road and trail network, invasive species and soil.

Project Description: Conduct analysis of environmental effects in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act on selected essential project proposed actions.

Timeline: February, 2016 – December, 2017.

Estimated Costs and associated Budget Line Item: NFRR/NFPN ($225,000).

Expected Accomplishment: One Environmental Decision Notice.

Project Costs (Estimated planning, design, and implementation costs from both Forest Service and partner’s contributions are listed in essential project descriptions and tables 11 and 12 below.

Monitoring costs are associated with project soil and water Best Management Practices implementation and effectiveness monitoring for ground disturbing projects and total about $5000/project.

Given additional outside forest program priority watershed stabilization funding, all projects and associated targets could be accomplished within the 5 year timeframe as described in the Essential Projects. Timelines and Project Scheduling These are tasks necessary to complete the project including any additional planning, design, permitting and implementation) and the expected contribution by the responsible party (FS or Partner).

Table 13. Ground Disturbing Essential Projects, Tasks, Timelines and Estimated Costs Essential FY Task FS Cost Partner cost Project # 1 17-18 Oak Creek Canyon Informal Roadside 100,000 250,000 Parking Reduction Project 2 18-22 End of Chavez Road Developed Day Use $100,000 $200,000 Recreation Site 3 19-20 89B/Angel Valley Oak Creek Day Use Site $25,000 $35,000 and Toilet Installation 4 18-22 Social Trail Management/Reduction and $50,000 $150,000 Listed Gartersnakes Habitat Improvement 5 19-20 Spring Creek Willow Point Road Crossing $100,000 $300,000 69

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

and Drainage Improvement for Aquatic Organism Passage 6 18-22 Riparian Woody Invasive Species $65,000 $200,000 Reduction in Middle and Lower Oak Creek 7 17-20 Continuation of Pet Waste Stations Near $2,000 $10,000 Perennial Water and Trailheads 8 20 Pumphouse Wash Camp Area Toilet $20,000 $70,000 Facility Addition on FR 237 9 18-21 Protection and Riparian Restoration Project $15,000 $90,000 at Molina Homestead 10 19-20 Lower Oak Creek Motorized Social Trail $10,000 $30,000 Closure and Restoration 11 18-22 Archaeological Clearance and $15,000 $54,000- Naturalize/Close Non-system Roads. -$30,000 160,000

Table 14. Non-Ground Disturbing Essential Projects, Tasks, Timelines and Estimated Costs Essential FY Task FS Cost Partner cost Project # 12 16-22 Continue Oak Creek Ambassador Project $1,000 $25,000 - per year $100,000 per year 13 16-22 Educational Campaign and Literature for Water $15,000 25,000 - Quality Concerns (E. coli) and Oak Creek $125,000 Canyon 14 16-22 Implementation of Improved Grazing Strategies $80,000 None on West Windmill Final Decision and Windmill Allotment (pending Decision Notice). 15 16-22 Continue Implementation of Forest Travel $250,000 $15,000 to Management Rule Decision per year $75,000 per (Patrols/Education/Signage/Changes) year 16 16-22 Identify locations where restrooms and trash $2,000 $12,000 receptacles are essential to meet water quality standards 17 16-17 Complete NEPA Analysis for WRAP $250,000 None Projects in Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds

Restoration Project Monitoring and Evaluation

The forest will monitor Implementation of ground disturbing activities and Best Management Practices (BMPs) identified in the Environmental Assessment. The National BMP protocol will be used to monitor and document soil and water ground disturbing projects. Other monitoring may be required depending on any required monitoring for status or listed wildlife species or as determined in the Environmental Assessment.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Monitoring may be done in cooperation with The Friends of Forest (for Oak Creek water quality), Arizona Game and Fish and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Action Plan Date: January 11, 2016

Reviewing Official and Title: Laura Jo West, Coconino National Forest Supervisor

Electronic signature, /s/ Laura Jo West

Forest Contact Information: Kit McDonald, 928-527-3451

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

References

Agyagos, J. USDA Forest Service. Southwestern Region. December, 2015. Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan Aquatic Biota and Aquatic Habitat. 26 pp.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality 2012/2014. Chapters I through VIII. Arizona’s Integrated 305(b) Assessment and 303(d) Listing Report. Website at http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/assessment/assess.html

Burns J. USDA Forest Service. Southwestern Region. December 8, 2015. Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan. Recreation Assessment Report (2 pages) and Photo Appendix, 6 pp.

May, Bruce E. 1972. An Examination of the Aquatic Insect Populations of Oak Creek, Arizona. A thesis presented to the graduate faculty of Northern Arizona University. 182 pp. plus Appendix.

Moser, L. USDA Forest Service. (communication on outlook express mail system). December 16, 2015, FW: initial Middle & Lower Oak Creek WRAP Report and Essential Projects List O Drive Location #6 Riparian Woody Invasive Species Reduction in Middle and Lower Oak Creek.

Sena, A, USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. December, 2015. Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan for Water Specialist Report. 35 pp. and Copy of Oak Creek Water Quality data in excel.

Steinke, R. USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region. November 4, 2015. Middle and Lower Oak Creek 6th HUC Watersheds Forest Cover PJ and Semi Desert Grassland TEUI Soil Types &Veg Canopy Cover Attributes. 3 pages and Excel Spreadsheet for all TEUI Map Units.

Stevenson, A. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. December 11, 2015. Lower and Middle Oak Creek WRAPS Silviculture Assessment. 13 pp.

USDA, Forest Service, 1989, Riparian Area Survey and Evaluation System.

USDA Forest Service. 1995. Terrestrial Ecosystems Survey of the Coconino National Forest. Southwestern Region. 405 pp.

USDA Forest Service. September, 2010. Watershed Condition Classification Guide. Potyondy et. al. 85 pp.

USDA Forest Service, Washington, D.C. Forest Service Manual 2500 – Watershed and Air Management, November, 2010.

USDA Forest Service, Natural Resource Information Service (NRIS). March, 2011. Watershed Classification and Assessment Tracking Tool (WCATT) web based application. Website found at http://apps.fs.fed.us/nris/wcatt/ 72

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

USDA Forest Service, File Code 2550. January 16, 2013. Technical Guidance for Soil Quality Monitoring in the SW Region and Interim directive 6 pages. Originally from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Service Handbook 2509.18-SOIL MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK, R3 Supplement No. 2509.18-99-1, 1999 (now redacted).

USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, December, 2015.

USDI, BLM, National Applied Resource Sciences Center, 1998. Technical Reference 1737-15, Riparian Area Management. A User Guide to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas. 126 pages.

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Appendix A – Supplemental Soil Information All lands refers to all acres within the watershed both forest system and non-forest system lands. The percent of HUC refers to all acres within the watershed. The percent of the Project Boundary refers to the acreage percent within both watersheds. Most meaningful watershed specific information are data within each watershed listed as percent of HUC.

Table 135. TEUI Map Units, Acres and Relative Percent in Middle and Lower Oak Creek Watersheds Within Project Boundary - All Lands Within Project Boundary - All Lands Percent of HUC Map Acres Percent of Percent of HUC Percent HUC Map Unit Acres Project Unit Project of HUC Boundary Boundary Lower Oak Middle Creek 280 1,116.3 2% 4% Oak Creek 350 29.0 0% 0% 33 543.0 1% 2% 402 709.3 1% 2% 34 1,178.3 2% 4% 403 1,779.1 3% 4% 350 6,765.7 10% 23% 404 139.6 0% 0% 381 6,712.7 10% 23% 420 283.5 0% 1% 382 192.2 0% 1% 430 1,565.5 2% 4% 383 260.8 0% 1% 45 278.7 0% 1% 385 4,189.9 6% 15% 457 5,114.2 7% 13% 402 1,322.4 2% 5% 458 8,138.8 12% 20% 403 485.2 1% 2% 46 1,098.2 2% 3% 404 695.6 1% 2% 462 760.0 1% 2% 414 146.6 0% 1% 463 871.4 1% 2% 417 38.7 0% 0% 470 1,425.8 2% 4% 418 364.3 1% 1% 471 5,214.0 7% 13% 420 1,111.3 2% 4% 474 3,561.4 5% 9% 430 1,414.9 2% 5% 475 5,044.8 7% 13% 447 279.2 0% 1% 492 409.8 1% 1% 448 1,633.5 2% 6% 493 181.2 0% 0% 74

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

46 54.8 0% 0% 495 1,426.5 2% 4% 462 109.0 0% 0% 520 1,101.4 2% 3% 463 190.2 0% 1% 530 129.1 0% 0% Lower Oak Creek Total 28,804.7 41% 100% 55 9.7 0% 0% 555 240.0 0% 1% 578 220.9 0% 1% 582 98.3 0% 0% 584 65.9 0% 0% Middle Oak Creek Total 39,896.3 57% 100%

Table 16. Soil Condition on All Lands Within Project Boundary - All Lands Percent Of Percent of HUC Soil Condition Acres Project HUC Boundary Lower Oak Creek Impaired 15,986.1 23% 55% Satisfactory 54.8 0% 0% Satisfactory, but inherently unstable 9,814.1 14% 34% Unsatisfactory 2,949.7 4% 10% Lower Oak Creek Total 28,804.7 41% 100% Middle Oak Creek Impaired 17,506.2 25% 44% Satisfactory 9,698.4 14% 24% Satisfactory, but inherently unstable 11,853.3 17% 30% Unsatisfactory 838.3 1% 2% Middle Oak Creek Total 39,896.3 57% 100%

FY 2016 Watershed Restoration Action Plan Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest

Table 17. Soil Condition on Forest Service Managed Lands Only Within Project Boundary - FS Managed Lands Percent of Percent of HUC Soil Condition Acres Project HUC Bounndary Lower Oak Creek Impaired 8,689.3 17% 47% Satisfactory 46.7 0% 0% Satisfactory, but inherently unstable 7,527.3 14% 41% Unsatisfactory 2,299.5 4% 12% Lower Oak Creek Total 18,562.7 35% 100% Middle Oak Creek Impaired 11,746.7 22% 36% Satisfactory 8,360.0 16% 26% Satisfactory, but inherently unstable 11,807.9 23% 36% Unsatisfactory 649.4 1% 2% Middle Oak Creek Total 32,564.0 62% 100%