Y-Camp Low Echo

United States Organizational Camp Project Department of Agriculture Special Use Permit KLA643

Environmental Assessment Forest Service February 2017 Klamath Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest

Klamath County, Oregon T. 37S. R. 5E. Section 15 Willamette Meridian

Existing Beaver Lodge looking South from shoreline of Lake of the Woods (June 2014)

For more information contact: Mike DeSmit, Project Leader Klamath Ranger District 2819 Dahlia Street Suite A Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601 (541) 885-3404 [email protected]

Prepared by: Rabe Consulting for the USDA Forest Service In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. INTRODUCTION

Use and occupancy of Camp Low Echo, an organizational camp, on National Forest System Lands is authorized by an existing special use permit (KLA643) under the authority of the Act of March 4, 1915, 16 U.S.C. 497. The permit holder (Ashland Family YMCA) for Y-Camp Low Echo has requested authorization to raze and replace several structures and upgrade facilities at the existing organizational camp. Upgrades would be designed with the historic character in mind and would provide improved, year-round facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Organizational Camp Special Use Permit (2016), applicable elements of the Recreation Residence Operating and Maintenance Plan Lake of the Woods and Recreation Creek Tracts Fremont-Winema National Forests (March 2007), applicable elements of the Fremont-Winema Design Guidelines for Recreation Residential Tracts (2007), and Memorandum of Agreement between the Oregon State Historic Office, Fremont-Winema National Forest and Ashland Family YMCA (2013). See Figure 1 for vicinity map. The following are specific conditions needing to be addressed related to the major structures at Camp Low Echo. • Beaver Lodge: The building lacks a proper foundation with no footings below the frost line and has suffered from severe settling. The floor of the main dining area is more than 5" out of level in places. Settlement has resulted in racked doors, inoperable windows and related interior cracking. The kitchen wing is significantly out of level and has multiple issues that complicate its utility and function. Kitchen facilities are substandard, with severe deterioration. There is no insulation in any of the building cavities; even if the settlement issues were addressed, insulation would require significant deconstruction, damaging the existing character. • Small Administrative Buildings: These include the Infirmary (Band Aid), Rovejo, Staff Restroom and Tree House buildings. Though of smaller scale, these buildings all have similar settlement and foundation issues as the Beaver Lodge, having been constructed upon stacked stone or concrete pier blocks. "This has resulted in sloping floors, doors and windows that are out of plumb, and compromised structural integrity of the floor structure" (ORW, 2014). There is additional evidence of mold and rot, particularly around penetrations. As noted, due to existing conditions and proximity to the proposed new Lodge construction, the Tree House and Rovejo are proposed for removal. The Band Aid (Infirmary) building would be restored on-site and the Staff Restroom would be relocated and used for storage. The proposed project is designed in conformance with the Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended (USDA Forest Service, 1990) and is consistent with the goals, objectives and standards for Management Area 2 and Management Intensities - Management Area 2D: Developed Recreation, Special-Use Permit Areas. The project location is within matrix lands covered under the Forest Plan Amendment for Management of Habitat for Late-successional and Old Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, also known as the Northwest Forest Plan (USDA & USDI, 1994). The Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment 16 administratively withdrew the recreational area around Lake of the Woods from Late Successional Reserve (USFS 2004) designation and reclassified the recreational area as matrix lands. This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared by a third party contractor and has been reviewed by resource specialists of the Fremont-Winema National Forest. This document

1 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and alternatives. The Responsible Official for this project is Heather Berg, District Ranger Klamath Ranger District. In making her decision, the Responsible Official will review the purpose and need, the Proposed Action and other alternatives, the environmental consequences, and public comments.

Figure 1. Vicinity Map

2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

The permit holder (Ashland Family YMCA) has requested to improve some structures, raze several other existing structures and replace them with new structures constructed with modern materials and conveniences. This includes utilities and plumbing to meet current health and safety building codes, adding septic fields to accommodate the permitted capacity of the camp, and creating accessibility for disabled persons. These proposed actions are consistent with the parameters within the facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Organizational Camp Special Use Permit (2016), applicable elements of the Recreation Residence Operating and Maintenance Plan Lake of the Woods and Recreation Creek Tracts Fremont-Winema National Forests (March 2007), applicable elements of the Fremont-Winema Design Guidelines for Recreation Residential Tracts (2007), and Memorandum of Agreement between the Oregon State Historic Office, Fremont-Winema National Forest, and Ashland Family YMCA (2013). Replacing and improving structures is a permissible action under the Organizational Camp Permit. All the forest stands in the project area and the surrounding parcel are overstocked with trees, to a point that restricts the growth of healthy vegetation. The canopy is closed with virtually no understory vegetation present. Trees are stressed; and many conifers are dying from insect infestation and disease. Many have already fallen (approximately 75 trees) on the ground nearly striking and damaging existing structures. Growth rates for trees are low as they compete for water, nutrients, and growing space. Heavy accumulations of needle fall, dead twigs, branches, and downed trees are contributing to high fuel loading. The Camp Low Echo Project proposes to remove all trees within new building footprints and hazard trees that threaten new or existing structures or areas of concentrated human use as part of a 10 year vegetation management plan to address tree hazards and improve forest health by increasing the vigor of existing trees, and facilitating tree, shrub, and forb regeneration. There are 2 purpose and needs for the project: • Ensure that facilities comply with current health and safety codes and provide Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility to allow camp use at its permitted capacity of 250 people. This will be accomplished either by improving or razing and replacing structures. • The need to provide a safe recreational experience for campers utilizing the organizational camp and protect structures by actively managing hazard trees.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND TRIBAL CONSULTATION

This project was listed in the Fremont-Winema National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions starting in July 2016. The project was listed on the Forest’s website at http://data.ecosystem- management.org/nepaweb/nepa_project_exp.php?project=46726. Scoping for this project was conducted by Rabe Consulting, a third-party consultant, contracted by the Ashland Family YMCA. Instructions and oversight for conducting scoping were provided by Heather Berg (District Ranger) and Mike DeSmit (Special Uses Permit Administrator), Klamath Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest.

3 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

Scoping included contacting by email or letter the President of the Cabin Owners Association (who then contacted all cabin permit holders), other permittees in the Lake of the Woods area including Camp Ester Applegate, Boy Scout Camp, Lake of the Woods Resort, the State Historic Preservation Society, the Lake of the Woods History Association, the Klamath Tribe and the YMCA Board of Directors. Scoping began on July 13, 2016, and concluded on August 13, 2016. Twenty-four responses were received. Emails and letters received in response to scoping are contained in the project record. Comments from the letters and emails received and responses to those comments are summarized below. Multiple comments were made regarding public support of the proposed project and are noted in the project file. Comments Response Comment 1: A cultural resource survey A surface survey for cultural resources will be should be completed prior to ground completed and any cultural resources discovered will disturbing activities. be protected. Comment 2: The current plan should Earlier versions of this proposed project did show a include the proposed trail by the connecting trail through Camp Low Echo; however, Historical Society, which would connect the USFS has decided to analyze the trail in its the homeowner road to the existing entirety as a separate project, so the trail was snowmobile trail through the Low Echo removed from the Camp Low Echo proposal. camp. Comment 3: Several commenters The Ashland YMCA has decided to remove the thought the FS should require the permit boardwalk from their original proposal eliminating holder to incorporate Best Management direct wetland impacts. The proposed action Practices including: includes Best Management Practices or Project Design Criteria that minimize or eliminate the • protect intact native plant potential for indirect impacts to wetlands and communities on site incorporates measures to prevent weed introduction • protect all wetlands on site and or spread to the site. Term and Condition 8.G in the minimize impacts to adjacent Special Use Permit addresses treatment of the known wetlands weed populations on-site by the Ashland YMCA. • protect wetland soils and plants when designing and constructing The proposed action includes a Vegetation the board walk Management Plan which serves to promote healthy • avoid/minimize removal of large trees and a healthy forest over time. It includes trees planting vegetation for regeneration and • incorporate measures for weed sustainability of vegetation in the area as well as for prevention and removal for the visual screening. Tree removal will not occur unless entire permit term necessary for building construction or upgrading or if • protect riparian areas, water deemed a hazard to life or property (see Field Guide quality and environment for Hazard Tree Identification and Mitigation on Developed Sites in Oregon and Washington Forests • plant vegetation for visual screening. (R6-NR-TP-021-2013 USDA FS, Forest Health Protection, PNW Region, Portland, OR).

4 Comment 4: One commenter expressed The Forest Service prepared a Financial Ability concerns about where the financing will Determination regarding the Ashland Family come from for the project and ongoing YMCA’s financial capability to implement and costs for YMCA staff and maintenance. maintain the Terms and Conditions of the Special Use permit prior to issuing the permit. The Ashland Family YMCA was deemed financially able to meet those terms. Comment 5: Supports the refurbishment The analysis contained herein finds no significant of the camp, but hopes that the focus will effects to the lake or environmental hazards to be on environmental care. neighboring residents. Comment 6: Structures should blend The design of the structures would be consistent with with the rustic environment and continue Terms and Conditions set forth in Special Use Permit the basic “camp” aesthetic. Structures and Fremont-Winema Design Guidelines for should be single story or no more than Recreation Residential Tracts. None of the proposed two-story. structures are 2-story buildings. Comment 7: One commenter Visual and auditory impacts to neighbors were expressed concern regarding noise and considered in the design and layout of the camp. The visual impacts to neighbors from proposed location of lodge was shifted slightly south, mechanical systems at the new lodge, away from the north property boundary and Cabin trash collection and loading/unloading A1. No deck would be constructed on the north side areas. of the lodge to discourage campers presence near the northern property boundary. Comment 8: Septic drainfield #3 on the The design and location of the septic drainfields map – located uphill from lots A-1 and would meet Klamath County standards. A-2 – could affect water quality for the wells on these properties. Comment 9: Three commenters noted The primary entrance to the Camp is from Dead that it was unclear how traffic will enter Indian Memorial Road and would not change. The the camp; the plan shows what appears to existing access to the camp from recreation residence be a new access road through the road would be slightly realigned and maintained for residential area. They preferred the safety, but is not a primary access entrance. primarily access be from Dead Indian Memorial Road. Comment 10: Two commenters were Noise and traffic associated with camp activities concerned about noise associated with generally occur during the daytime. The camp has a camp use and the impacts to recreational camper-curfew limiting outdoor noise to specific residents. hours minimizing disturbance to neighbors. The total occupancy of the camp would not change. Comment 11: The USFWS noted that Human presence in the area likely precludes gray gray wolves have been documented wolf denning in or nearby the project site. Therefore, (dispersing) in the Lake of the Woods there would be no effect to gray wolf. area but denning is not expected there. Comment 12: The USFWS commented There are no known nesting bald eagles within 660- that a seasonal restriction on construction feet of the project site. activities during eagle nesting periods may be needed if a nest is found nearby.

5 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

Comment 13: The USFWS suggest Northern spotted owl surveys occur annually in the protocol surveys for northern spotted owl area and no owls have been detected within 0.5 miles along with seasonal restrictions during of the camp. Therefore, there is no need for a nesting the season. The recommended seasonal restriction. Snags outside of the minimization measures for vegetation concentrated use area near the lodge and cabins and treatments where possible to retain downed logs would be maintained where possible. habitat elements such as snags and down logs. Comment 14: RV sites are shown on There is no specific Term and Condition for RV site the plan; does the camp have the same use in this Special Use permit; however, the capacity restrictions for RVs (14 days per year) as of the site is 250 people and RV use contributes to cabin owners? They are close to adjacent the capacity of the site. Between scoping and this cabins and could increase noise/activity draft, the number of RV sites was eliminated. near neighbors. Comment 15: There should not be any Currently, there are lights at the basketball and artificial lighting for the basketball or volleyball areas. These lights would be maintained volleyball areas that would detract from for safety reasons, but their use is minimal, as these the night sky. are generally day-time activities. Lighting would be consistent with section 3.B.9 of the Design Guidelines which requires lighting to be pointed downward. Comment 16: Two comments asked if Use of the site by other groups is allowed in the this permit allowed commercial activity, Terms and Conditions of the Special Use Permit; such as renting of facilities for weddings, however, this use must be in line with the mission, conferences, events, that are intended for philosophy and values of the Ashland Family fund-raising rather than camp-based YMCA. activities.

In 2013, in anticipation of the proposed action communication with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was initiated. In December 2013, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office reconfirmed its earlier Determination (2003) that multiple structures within the 32-acre Camp Low Echo site were eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and that removal would be an adverse effect to those historic properties. To address the adverse effect of the proposed action, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Ashland Family YMCA consulted with the Oregon SHPO pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f). The result of that consultation was a Memorandum of Agreement between the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Oregon SHPO, and the Ashland Family YMCA signed August 11, 2015 that stipulates certain actions and activities that will be undertaken by the owners to mitigate the adverse impacts, including retaining the Cook House (Treehouse) in place and converted to a museum/interpretive center documenting the history of the camp. In September 2016, the Ashland Family YMCA requested modification to this agreement asking to swap retention of the Infirmary (BandAid) building instead of the Cook House (Treehouse). The SHPO and FS agreed to the modification. Letters of agreement are contained in the project file. This project was presented to the Klamath Tribes at Quarterly SOPA meetings in April and September 2016. Letters were also sent to several directors and the Tribal Chairman. No concerns were raised.

6 PROJECT LOCATION

Lake of the Woods Recreation Area comprises 2,050 acres, 1,227 of which are lake, and 823 are forested lands, located on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Klamath County, Oregon. This mountain lake situated near the crest of the Cascade Mountains, at an elevation of 4,949 feet, is the most popular destination on the Forest and is easily accessed from the cities of Medford and Ashland to the west and the city of Klamath Falls to the east via State Highway 140. Lake of the Woods Recreation area is currently managed as a developed recreation area with two campgrounds, three day-use areas, the Visitor/Work Center, a resort facility, three organizational camps and a recreation resident tract of 218 occupied and 11 unoccupied lots. Y-Camp Low Echo is located in the F-Block of recreation residents on the southeastern shoreline of Lake of the Woods in Klamath County, Oregon. The lot is approximately 32.16 acres, and is identified on Klamath Couth Assessor’s Map 37-5, Detail #7, as Lot 5 (T.37S., R.5E., Section 15, SE1/4, W.M.) shown in Figure 2 below. Although the project parcel encompasses approximately 32 acres, most of the development is confined to around 14 acres.

Figure 2. “F-Block” Lake of the Woods Vicinity Map, Klamath County, Oregon

7 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

The proposed action and no action have been analyzed in detail. Other alternatives were considered but not analyzed in detail. All are described in this section. No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the Special Use Permit reissued to the Ashland Family YMCA in 2016 would continue with no change from existing management scenario. Upgrade and modification of the existing buildings within their existing footprints would occur to address the range of structural shortcomings and damage. This alternative would raise the buildings and install entirely new foundations above frost level, work to improve interior systems and invasive modifications to allow for the insulation and weatherization of structures that were not designed for those elements. This alternative would involve extensive modification to the existing structures yet still would retain reliance upon the existing substandard and mismatched materials. The total capacity of the camp, 250 individuals, would not change. Heavy accumulations of ground fuels from fallen trees would be removed and potential hazard trees would be abated in accordance with conservation plans for Survey and Manage Fungi that occur on the site. Proposed Action The Klamath Ranger District proposes to approve the Ashland Family YMCA Master Development Plan (MDP) as described below and consistent with applicable elements of the terms and conditions of the Organizational Camp Special Use Permit (2016), applicable elements of the Recreation Residence Operating and Maintenance Plan Lake of the Woods and Recreation Creek Tracts Fremont-Winema National Forests (March 2007), applicable elements of the Fremont-Winema Design Guidelines for Recreation Residential Tracts (2007), and Memorandum of Agreement between the Oregon State Historic Office, Fremont-Winema National Forest and Ashland Family YMCA (2013). The Ashland Family YMCA proposes to replace (remove existing structure and replace with a new structure in the same location), construct (new structure) or upgrade (maintain, repair, improve an existing structure or feature), nearly all of the facility components at the camp to bring facilities up to current building and safety codes. Energy efficient features would also be incorporated. All structures and features would continue to be repaired and maintained through the life of the permit. The specific materials and colors would meet the Fremont-Winema Design Guidelines for Recreation Residential Tracts and would be approved by the Authorized Officer prior to construction. Combined, these facilities would allow for continued summer season “camp” use, would facilitate winter-season use and would provide accessibility to handicapped persons. The total capacity of the camp, 250 individuals, would not change. The actions are proposed to occur over the next 10 years in 2 phases as YMCA funds and resources allow. The proposed phases of implementation are identified below. All proposed actions identified in the phases below occur within a 14-acre Project Area, which includes all areas potentially impacted by the proposal building footprints, footpaths, parking lots, and areas of concentrated use.

Figure 3 shown below is a conceptual drawing of the proposed master site plan.

8

Figure 3. Conceptual Drawing of Proposed Y-Camp Low Echo Master Site Plan, Lake of the Woods (ORW - Ogden Roemer Wilkerson Architecture, October 12, 2016)

9 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

Phase One: Would start in late fall 2016 or early 2017 and would take approximately 1.5 years to complete. 1. Remove concentrations of downed trees in the permit area. See additional information below under the heading regarding Tree and Downed Wood Removal. 2. Remove approximately 200 trees located in the footprint of the new structures or expanded existing structures and an additional 150 – 200 hazard trees. See additional information below under the heading Tree and Downed Wood Removal. 3. Remove the following structures and haul refuse offsite: Beaver Lodge, Tree House, Rovejo, 5 bunk cabins, 3 outhouses, 1 shower house, and 6 storage sheds. Structure removal would be accomplished using heavy machinery and hand labor. Some woody material may be burned on site consistent with Klamath County and Forest Service restrictions. 4. Renovate the Infirmary (Band Aid) building and convert to a museum utilizing components of the current Beaver Lodge for repairs to preserve historic character, as required by the SHPO agreement. 5. Replace Beaver Lodge with a new approximately 9,000 square-foot (sf) lodge that would include dining hall, kitchen, cook quarters and office and staff quarters and office and meet all American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for disabled accessibility (see Figure 4 below for conceptual drawing of new lodge). Structure removal would be accomplished using heavy machinery and hand labor. Some woody material may be burned on site consistent with Klamath County and Forest Service restrictions.

Figure 4. Conceptual Drawing of Proposed New Lodge, Lake of the Woods 6. Construct 2 cabin clusters. The cabins clusters are shown in the building envelope (blue lines) on Figure 3. The total number of structures and their precise location may change but all cabins would be constructed within this building envelope. Each cabin cluster would contain 1 new restroom/shower facility and 7 cabins, 5 of which would be approximately 700 square feet (sf) and 2 cabins would be approximately1,200 sf. The southernmost cabin cluster is proposed in the location of 5 existing bunkhouses and outhouse which would be removed.

10 7. Construct 4 new storage buildings approximately 350-450 square feet each, 2 near the main entrance parking lot and 1 east of new lodge and 1 near the dock. 8. Replace the dock with a new approximately 2,600 sf dock and install swimming marker system. 9. Construct a covered, open-sided pavilion between the Lodge and cabins for gathering, camper orientation and registration, and education space. 10. Develop an outdoor amphitheater consisting of a large fire ring and circular seating for fireside gatherings. 11. Construct the septic, water, electrical, and propane infrastructure to support all buildings and activities proposed in Phase One and Two (see information below under the heading Utilities). 12. Construct parking areas near Dead Indian Memorial Road, staff parking near the new lodge, visitor parking area, and realign the access/service road on the northeastern perimeter. Parking areas would be leveled using heavy equipment and graveled. Trees in the parking area footprints would be removed as part of item 2. 13. Maintain existing well and pump house structures. 14. Maintain footpaths/service roads and minimize soil compaction outside paths. Paths and roads would remain as natural appearing as possible but would be leveled for accessibility and graveled in places for firmness, erosion and dust control. 15. Rehabilitate compacted areas such as roads, paths and parking areas not used and plant native vegetation as recommended in Vegetation Management Plan (Appendix A). Phase Two: Projected 2019-2020 – this would take approximately one year to complete. Phase 2 would be contingent on funds being raised, need for additional improvements, and is contingent upon approval of Ashland YMCA Board of Directors. 1. Renovate and expand the existing 4 bunk houses for use as educational program rooms. 2. Clear brush in existing locations of archery range, basketball court, and volleyball court to maintain these sites for Camp games/activities as shown on the site plan drawings (Figure 3). 3. Construct climbing wall and challenge course, a system of ground and tree-based ropes, bridges, pulleys and buoys. 4. Remove 9 existing cement platforms from previously removed bunkhouses. 5. Develop both of the proposed tipi camping areas/tent sites with fire ring and shower house (summer use only and with tipis stored on site during the off season). This would be done by clearing brush and debris in the areas where tents are proposed and creating/clearing a fire ring in the center of the site. 6. Plant and maintain native vegetation as recommended in Vegetation Management Plan (Appendix A).

Utilities Existing utilities would be repaired, replaced, and upgraded to meet current code requirements. All new utilities would be placed underground. New utilities would include water, propane, electric, phone, and septic to new structures and features throughout the permit area. Water is provided from an existing well certified by Oregon DEQ as a public Drinking Water source. New Lines would be run to structures requiring water and old line no longer needed would be removed. An underground water storage tank with an approximate 15,000-gallon capacity would be installed northeast of the new lodge.

11 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

There are no propane tanks currently on site; they were removed prior to the permit reissuance to the Ashland Family YMCA. Propane would be available from two underground storage tanks with a combined capacity of 16,000 gallons. Tanks would be installed east of the new lodge consistent with National Fire Protection Association safety standards and guidelines. Electricity is provided by Pacific Power Corporation. There would be a 150 kilowatt propane powered backup generator installed to ensure that lighting, refrigeration and fire suppression systems in the lodge would operate if the power fails. This backup generator system would be housed in an enclosure approximately 12 foot by 20 foot on the north side of the new lodge. The septic system would be completely new. The new system utilizes Alternative Treatment Technology, which produces cleaner effluent than standard systems to protect nearby drinking wells and groundwater via an anaerobic process of microorganisms that breakdown the sewage efficiently. This system includes holding tanks with pumps and warning devices for overflow, and would be developed to meet the rules of Klamath County. Three drain fields are identified on the Figure 3 and are located away from the lake near Dead Indian Memorial Road. Drain field lines would be approximately 15 feet apart. Drain field 1, the drain field closest to the proposed new cabins, is approximately 2,240 linear feet, and is the primary or active drain field. The two other drain fields are identified for development; however, they may not be necessary. Drain field 2 and 3 are space allocations for ‘reserve’ or ‘back up’ space required for the septic system. These spaces would not be developed until such a time, if ever, the active field fails. For the purposes of this analysis, it is assumed all 3 drain fields would be developed. Drain field installation can work around most of the existing trees, however, there may be some tree clearing as approved and coordinated with the US Forest Service. Tree and Downed Wood Removal Approximately 200 trees located within the footprint of new structures, expansion areas of existing structures or within footprints of septic fields would be removed. Approximately one quarter or 40 trees of those proposed for removal are larger than 18” diameter-at-breast height (dbh; Roninger, Personal Observations, 2016). An additional 150 to 200 hazard trees may be identified and removed. Hazard tree identification would be conducted by a Forest Service employee or approved Arborist certified in Hazard Tree identification using the Field Guide for Hazard Tree Identification and Mitigation on Developed Sites in Oregon and Washington Forests (R6-NR-TP-021-2013 USDA FS, Forest Health Protection, PNW Region, Portland, OR). Tree removal would be accomplished by commercial contractors with a timber sale contract. Timber receipts would be used to offset slash disposal. Any proceeds would go to the US Treasury and any short fall would be offset by the permittee. Trees would be felled, limbed and bucked using chainsaws or mechanical harvesters. Logs would be tractor skidded to a central log landing located in the vicinity of the new Pavilion on Figure 3. Logs would be hauled from the site using the primary access road to the Dead Indian Memorial Road. Depending on construction timing needs, slash may be piled and burned on site, removed off-site to Fourmile Quarry and burned there, or removed entirely from National Forest Lands. Regardless of slash disposal method, minor amounts of slash would remain on site that would be piled and burned consistent with Klamath County and Forest Service regulations. There are at least 75 trees of various sizes currently on the ground that fell in recent years. 30-50 of these tress would be removed because they are interfering with access, structures, utilities or are creating a downed fuel hazard. The remaining downed trees have substantial rot and decay and would be retained on site for wildlife, fungi, and insect habitat or used on site for access controls and lining roads and paths within the permit area.

12 Following Phase I activities the permit area would be annually evaluated for hazard trees. The number of trees that may be identified is unknown but estimated to be 0 – 10 based on experience with other parcels and permit areas around Lake of the Woods. The permittee would be responsible for the costs associated with tree removal and slash clean up. Trees may be sold by the FS if commercially viable or made available for firewood. Planting of native shrubs and trees would also occur on-site to preserve naturalness of the area. The end result would be more structural diversity and better overall health of the forest within the project area. Project Design Criteria The proposed action would include the following project design and mitigation measures to meet project objectives and/or to reduce or minimize unwanted effects (all replacement and construction would comply with the following): • Implement all terms and conditions specified in the August 2015 Memorandum of Agreement (available in project file) between the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Oregon SHPO and Ashland Family YMCA. • All work would comply with federal, state, and local building codes. All designs would meet applicable elements in the Design Guidelines for Recreation Residential Tracts and the Operating and Maintenance Plan for Residential Tracts (March 2007). • The following Best Management Practices would be implemented: o Install temporary erosion control measures, such as a silt fence or wattle, to prevent work site runoff from entering the lake during demolition and construction (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-2. Facility Construction and Stormwater Control; USDA Forest Service 1988 BMP R-2. Erosion Control Plan). o Timing of construction activities shall correspond with time periods when probabilities for rain and runoff are lowest (USDA Forest Service 1988; BMP R-3. Timing of Construction Activities), which for this area that would be the summer and fall months. o Consider applying erosion control (jute netting or mulch) to disturbed areas when the project is completed (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-2. Facility Construction and Stormwater Control). Base the decision on observations of disturbance, recovery, and erosion potential. o Designate limits of the work area, as well as areas for stockpiling materials, staging equipment, and parking. Confine disturbance to the designated areas (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-2. Facility Construction and Stormwater Control and BMP Road-8. Parking and Staging Areas). Keep the work area as far away from the lake shore as possible and no closer than 25 feet from the shoreline o Control materials at the work site to prevent trash from blowing into the lake or neighboring land. For example, use trash containers with lids, use durable tarps that are weighted down rather than thin plastic sheeting or weathered tarps that produce plastic fragments (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-5. Solid Waste Management). o During construction, domestic and household type rubbish will be removed from the site daily or stored in a closed dumpster. o Refuel and service equipment as far away from the water as possible. Store hazardous materials in spill-proof containers in a location where they will not be introduced to the lake. Store these materials only in the quantities needed for the work (USDA Forest Service BMP Road-10. Equipment Refueling and Servicing).

13 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

o Avoid the potential for soil and water resource contamination by hazardous materials by preventing release (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-6. Hazardous Materials). Keep a spill kit on site for responding to unexpected leaks and spills (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Road-10. Equipment Refueling and Servicing). o Inspect equipment regularly for leaks. Repair leaky equipment (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Road-10. Equipment Refueling and Servicing). o Sanitation facilities must be in compliance with State and local regulations to prevent degradation of water quality in groundwater and surface water resources and for the protection of public health. (USDA Forest Service 2012 BMP Fac-4. Sanitation Systems; USDA Forest Service 1988 BMP Rec-3. Management of Sanitation Facilities). o All heavy equipment necessary for operations and maintenance will be washed prior to entering National Forest lands to reduce the potential introduction of noxious weeds or invasive plant species (2012 BMP Fac-7. Vehicle and Equipment Wash Water). o Abatement will occur prior to project implementation and continue in accordance with the Vegetation Management Plan when noxious or invasive plants are encountered. o Native plant materials are required for use in re-vegetation for restoration and rehabilitation and plant mixtures/sources must be supplied and/or approved by a FS botanist prior to use. o Sensitive plant and fungi (mushroom) populations, including Survey and Manage species, will be flagged prior to implementation. No construction shall occur in these sites; however, hazard tree felling may occur within sites of survey and manage fungi species. Trees proposed for removal would be evaluated to determine if they are host trees for existing mycorrhizal fungi, and if so, some trees within 75 feet of fungi population centers will be considered for potential conservation depending on specific risk assessments to human safety and property. Tree felling within 75 feet of fungi population sites would be directed away from population centers if possible. Portions of fallen trees within 75 feet of fungi population centers would be left in place unless jack-strawing becomes excessive. Portions of trees falling further than 75 feet from population centers will generally be removed. o To reduce the risk of spreading Annosus root disease, all freshly cut white fir and Douglas-fir stump surfaces, 18 inches and larger, would receive a light coating of borax within 24 hours of being cut (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) (EPA Reg. No.1624-94). o All ground disturbing activities will be monitored by a qualified archeological professional unless their presence is waived by the West Zone or Forest Archeologist. o Building demolition will be avoided between April 1through September 30 to protect bats. This limited operating period may be waived if site specific investigation by a wildlife biologist indicates bats are not present or bat exclusion efforts are successfully implemented and alternate habitat (bat house) is provided. o Any new spotted owl nest sites located during project implementation will be protected to LRMP standards (USDA Forest Service 1990, 4-48) with a half-mile buffer and a seasonal restriction from March 1-September 30 or until any young are no longer dependent on the adults, as determined by a qualified wildlife biologist, for the life of the project. If a potential nest is found prior to June 1, the nest site will be assumed active until June 1. If monitoring has shown that no nesting attempt has been initiated or that a nesting attempt has failed by June 1, the nest site will be considered inactive, and the nest site restrictions may be waived. Monitoring will be supervised and evaluated by a qualified wildlife biologist.

14

Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study In order to create a functional, code-compliant, multi-season organizational camp, various options for the Y-Camp Low Echo site were considered in an effort to minimize impact on the historic character of the site or to otherwise maintain it as an element representing the original development period at the Lake of the Woods. 1. Remove and Replace Beaver Lodge and Rehab Other Buildings: This alternative would remove and replace Beaver Lodge with new, functional, construction that meets the program goals while retaining and rehabilitating the smaller structures for other necessary functions. Because the proposed building occupies a larger footprint than the existing lodge, so as to adequately provide for authorized capacity and an on-site caretakers residence, this alternative is not possible within the existing site arrangement nor does it address the goal of providing lodging facilities to better utilize the property on a year-round basis or provide ADA accessibility to existing structures. Because this alternative does not adequately address the existing structural issues in the existing buildings to comply with current health and safety codes or provide for ADA access to existing facilities, it does not meet the Purpose and Need for the project and was dropped from consideration.

15 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Cultural and Heritage Resources As documented in the under the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, Level of Effect process (SHPO Case No.13-1796; May 2014, updated September 2015), a description of the historic property in the Administrative Area of Camp Low Echo follows: Development of the camp began in 1946 when a group of Girl Scout fathers led by the noted hydroelectric engineer John C. Boyle secured salvaged materials by dismantling one or more wood-frame buildings from… US Army Cantonment George A. White (Camp White), located in what is now White City, in Jackson County, OR. In 1947-1948 by volunteer labor using materials salvaged from Camp White, Beaver Lodge, the major structure at Camp Low Echo [was constructed and] is a single story gable volume with projecting gable front porch. Re-used siding from Camp White is evident in the regular nailing pattern remaining from the original military construction. A kitchen wing, to the rear, was possibly a later addition although this cannot be documented and it is made of seemingly similar material. A free-standing walk-in cooler is located to the rear (east), was added later and is not considered significant. During the 1950s a group of detached buildings was located to the south of Beaver Lodge, consisting of small wood-framed gable building of 1 and 1 1/2 stories, creating the ‘Administrative Area’, providing for camp services as distinct from the scouts sleeping areas to the south. The small wood-frame structures of the Administrative Area are designated by their use; The Infirmary, Camp Office, Staff Restroom and Cook's Quarters. All four structures were on-site by 1956. Beaver Lodge, the first and major building on the site, is approximately 100' x 25' in the main volume plus the rear kitchen extension. It sits upon a post-and-pier foundation with perimeter masonry support. Wall framing is of light wood (2x4) with horizontal drop siding and 8/8 wood sash double hung windows that line the front (west) elevation facing the lake. Concrete block chimneys (non-original construction) are located at either gable end. Roofing is of green-painted corrugated metal, assumed to have replaced the original material of similar design. The smaller structures of the Administrative Area are dated circa 1956. Varying in size, but generally 20' wide one or one and one half story gable volumes, the Infirmary, known as "Band-Aid," the Camp Office (known as Rovejo), the Staff Restroom and the Cook's Quarters (known as Treehouse) are located to the south of Beaver Lodge in a small grouping of two rows. Siding on these buildings is mixed, with both horizontal wood and wooden board & batten. Roofing is all of the standard green corrugated metal, none of which is believed to be original. Windows and doors are also mixed, with some wood- sash of varying designs, horizontal aluminum sliders and both flat and paneled doors, all of which exhibit varied degrees of damage. Like much of Camp Low Echo, the four administrative buildings are believed to have been built from salvaged or donated materials, by volunteer labor, and lack quality. Interiors have been significantly modified and in no situation is there any obviously original or significant design beyond the simple ‘camp architecture’ character of the facility, primarily evidenced through the use of Knotty Pine paneling and, in some cases, fir paneled doors, also believed to be Camp Surplus. As a result, each of the buildings in the Administrative Area has multiple issues

16 related to lack of maintenance, poor, almost temporary, construction methods, and the effects of severe weather conditions. Beyond this core area, the remaining acreage at Camp Low Echo is largely open, with small clusters of small seasonal buildings used to house multiple camping units during the summer camp occupancy during the Girl Scout use period. The structures of these groups (Breezeway, Pioneer, Highland, built c1956, and Sunnydale and Tall Timbers, built c2000), are termed ‘tent cabins’ or ‘platforms’. They are essentially open sided gable roof structures with an elevation plank floor, designed as summer shelters. Most are of substandard frame construction, with mixed support systems, considerable modification. Remaining service structures, including storage facilities, restrooms, showers and similar elements, are of minor scale. Largely undated, none is believed to have been constructed prior to 1970 and so are considered outside the period of significance. No action affecting any of the tent cabins is proposed at this time beyond general maintenance and repair. They will continue to provide additional summer lodging opportunities as they did during the Girl Scout use period. As the architect's report on Camp Low Echo's built resources notes, ‘Despite their obvious charm and historical qualities, all of the buildings at Camp Low Echo suffer the same set of problems that are the result of age, deferred maintenance, and poor construction.’ Cultural resource surveys were conducted in October 2016. No cultural resources were identified. In 2013, in anticipation of the proposed action communication with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was initiated. In December 2013, the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office reconfirmed its earlier Determination (2003) that multiple structures within the 32-acre Camp Low Echo site were eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and that removal would be an adverse effect to those historic properties. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Alternative Under this alternative, renovation or upgrade of the existing structures at Y-Camp Low Echo would occur within their current building footprint; therefore, this alternative would preserve the historic character of the camp or cause any new ground disturbance. Therefore, there would be no effect to historic properties or cultural resources. Direct and Indirect Effects of the Proposed Action This statement of finding is made pursuant to the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800), Executive Order 11593, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. To address the adverse effect of the proposed action to historic structures, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Ashland Family YMCA consulted with the Oregon SHPO pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f). The USDA Fremont-Winema National Forest, in concurrence with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office has determined that the proposed Camp Low Echo Upgrade Project will have an effect on a National Register eligible property, Camp Low Echo, at Lake of the Woods. An application of the Criteria of Adverse Effect indicates that implementation of the project as described includes the removal of three structures, Beaver Lodge, Tree House and the Camp Office, that have each been previously determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This project will result in loss of multiple resources considered significant in the

17 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

history of the property. As a result, the project as proposed results in a finding of "Historic Properties Adversely Affected," according to the criteria set forth in 36 CFR 800.5. Note that finding that the loss of historical resources evaluated as significant in the development of the area and history of the property the criteria set forth in 36 CFR 800.5, is not the same as “significance” as defined under the NEPA, which includes the consideration of context and intensity (40 CFR, §1508.27). To address the adverse effect of the proposed action, the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Ashland Family YMCA consulted with the Oregon SHPO pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f). The result of that consultation was a Memorandum of Agreement between the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Oregon SHPO, and the Ashland Family YMCA signed August 11, 2015 that stipulates certain actions and activities that would be undertaken by the owners to mitigate the adverse impacts. These mitigations include the rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of the Band Aid building using salvage materials from the razed structures to preserve historic character and its conversion to museum/interpretive center documenting the history of the Lake of the Woods and the Girl Scout period at Camp Low Echo. However, in September 2016, the Ashland Family YMCA requested modification to this agreement asking to swap retention of the Infirmary (BandAid) building instead of the Cook House (Treehouse). The modification was agreed to by the SHPO and FS. Letters of agreement are contained in the project file. The site was evaluated and inventories for cultural resources. No sites were identified. A findings of No Effect to Cultural Resources has been submitted to SHPO for their concurrence. Surveys were conducted at an intensive level, it is not considered likely that undiscovered sites would be found within proposed impact areas; however, in the event of an unanticipated discovery during ground disturbing activities, the special permit clause, which provides for the protection of newly discovered sites, would be enforced. Given these mitigation measures, the Proposed Action will have no effect on significant cultural resources.

Hydrology Lake of the Woods is located near the crest of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon, 7 miles (11 km) southeast of Mount McLoughlin. It is a natural lake and is situated in a linear valley oriented north-south, the orientation and genesis of which has been determined by regional faulting. The west side of the lake is located adjacent to the fault plane itself with the entire lake located on the down-thrown block, known as the footwall (Mertzman 2011). Lake of the Woods covers 1,146 acres (4.64 km2) and is approximately 2.75 miles (4.43 km) long and 0.75 miles (1.21 km) wide. The lake has an average depth of 27 feet (8.2 m) with a maximum depth of 55 feet (17 m) near the western shore. The water levels in Lake of the Woods only fluctuate about 2 feet (0.61 m) during a normal year. The surface water normally warms to the low 70s °F (low 20s °C) in the summer and freezes in the winter. Three tributary creeks flow into Lake of the Woods: Rainbow Creek, a year-round perennial tributary; Billie Creek and Dry Creek have only seasonal flows. Historically, the entire watershed of Billie Creek contributed flows to Lake of the Woods. However, with the completion of the Cascade Canal (RRVID 2016) in 1924, which transfers water from Four Mile Lake in the Upper Klamath Lake basin to the Fish Lake basin in the Rogue River Watershed, intercepts Billie Creek flows. As a result, inflow to Lake of the Woods has been reduced and likely reduces the outflow from the lake via Seldom Creek.

18 Today, most of Lake of the Wood’s water comes from groundwater. The Lake of the Woods area receives approximately 23-30 inches of groundwater recharge annually (Gannett el al. 2012). The lake's only outlet flows into Great Meadow, a wetland at the northeast end of the lake. Great Meadow drains into Seldom Creek, which flows into Upper Klamath Lake. Lake of the Woods only discharges water in the spring. During the drier summer and fall months, lake water is lost only through groundwater seepage and evaporation. The watershed that drains into Lake of the Woods covers 26 square miles (67 km2) and is covered by a mixed conifer forest that receives an average of 30–44 inches (760–1,120 mm) of precipitation annually. The primary tree species in the watershed are Douglas-fir and white fir. The watershed also has some ponderosa pine, sugar pine, lodgepole pine, and aspen. Much of the watershed is covered by a dense forest canopy. Lake of the Woods currently has approximately 218 recreations residences, two campgrounds containing a total of 122 campsites, two day use areas for swimming and picnicking, three boat launches, three organizational camps and a resort that is in operation year-round. Most of the residences and facilities likely contain onsite septic tank/soil absorption systems that allow for the infiltration of domestic wastewater to the shallow groundwater. Y-Camp Low Echo has 3 pit toilets/outhouses on site and two septic drain fields located near Dead Indian Memorial Road, set back approximately 700 feet from the shoreline of the lake. Onsite treatment of wastewater effluent can lead to health risks to humans and water quality problems if treatment systems are not designed and constructed properly or not maintained. Water quality parameters include fecal coliform bacteria, viruses and nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphorus. For example, nitrate levels in shallow groundwater are increasing in the La Pine, Oregon area due to contamination from residential septic systems (USGS 2007). Past water sampling for bacteria in Lake of the Woods has resulted in positive hits for fecal coliform; however, levels were not considered hazardous to human health. Positive counts of fecal contamination indicate untreated wastewater is reaching the lake. On-shore and water-based recreational activities coupled with high-density residential structures in close proximity to the lake shore can lead to increased erosion of the shoreline and introduction of contaminates to the water body. Ford (2004) has reported significantly increased sedimentation rates since the early 1980s in two deep-water sediment cores from Lake of the Woods. However, the report concluded that anthropogenic activities appear “to be leaving only a small paleolimnological footprint.” In other words, the development around Lake of the Woods is within the bounds of what the lake can tolerate. Water quality of Lake of the Woods appears to be good, but slowly decreasing through time (RCC 2008). Rogue Community College has monitored water quality from 1992 through at least 2007. Parameters monitored include: depth; temperature; pH; dissolved oxygen; conductivity; transmissivity; turbidity; Secchi depth; red, blue, green, and white light penetration; chlorophyll; 14C productivity; bacteria; phytoplankton assemblages; total phosphorus; orthophosphate; nitrate/nitrite nitrogen; silica; ammonia; alkalinity; and total dissolved solids. Results from these studies indicate that there is slight to moderate variability in the lake’s trophic state, but that the lake is oligotrophic to mesotrophic. Data suggests a slow decrease in water quality through time indicated by a slow but steady increase in total phosphorus concentrations in the lake, the slow decrease in lake clarity as measured by the Secchi disk, and the overall increase in the average trophic state index for the lake.

The State of Oregon searchable well log database (http://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/gw/well_log/Default.aspx) shows a well log for the camp. The well log (number KLAM 2198) for the Winema Girl Scout Council, dated 7/30/77, shows a new

19 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

well dug to a depth of 355 feet. The well was dug for domestic use, sealed with cement and with a casing installed to a depth of 33 feet. An application for a groundwater permit (G-8491) was submitted on October 12, 1977 and a Certificate of Water Right (48605) was issued on October 5, 1979 by the State of Oregon. This well replaced the prior water system that utilized two nearby springs north of the current well site. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Under the No Action Alternative, the Special Use Permit reissued to the Ashland Family YMCA in 2016 would continue with no change from existing management scenario. Upgrade and modification the existing buildings within their existing footprints would occur to address the range of structural shortcomings and damage. The total capacity of the camp, 250 individuals, would not change. The current septic system would not be upgraded and additional septic facilities would not be added to support the current capacity of the camp. The septic system is antiquated and new technologies are available that produce cleaner effluent to protect groundwater and nearby drinking water wells. There would be no additional impacts on hydrologic conditions resulting from development activities. Direct and Indirect Effects of Proposed Action The Y-Camp Low Echo proposal at Lake of the Woods includes improving existing structures and constructing new facilities in order to bring it up to code for safety and energy efficiency and restore fully-functional organizational camp within the terms of their Special Use Permit. The existing and proposed structures are set back 25 feet of the edge of water. The slope of the site is gradual. There is little vegetation along the edge of water near the lodge. There are no activities proposed in the riparian areas. The new proposed septic system utilizes Alternative Treatment Technology, which produces cleaner effluent than the current standard system protecting nearby drinking wells and groundwater, and an anaerobic process of microorganisms that breakdown the sewage quickly. It requires less space overall for the system. This will be a beneficial impact. Due to its proximity to the lake shore, hydrology design measures are recommended based on site conditions. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are essential to maintaining high water quality and meeting State Water Quality Standards. The USDA Forest Service (2012) BMPs provides a component of the basis for compliance with State Water Quality Standards through a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Oregon (2014). The 1988 Pacific Northwest Region BMPs provide the grounds for compliance and consistency with the Standards and Guides of the Winema Land Management Plan. Best Management Practices for this project include silt fencing placement along the shoreline near the activity center to prevent any sedimentation from entering the lake due to runoff of any rain events. Any equipment that is used onsite shall have the fuel contained and refueling of large equipment shall be accomplished away from the lake shore. All equipment shall be washed prior to being brought to the lake shore to prevent the spread of any invasive plant or aquatic species. See the ‘Project Design Criteria’ section for complete details as to what BMPs shall be implemented during planning, construction and operation of this project. Based on implementing these recommendations, direct and indirect impacts to shoreline condition are expected to be confined to the actual project site. Based on implementation of these hydrology design measures (see Project Design Criteria), this project does not present extraordinary or significant circumstances related to water, soil, or riparian values.

20 Vegetation including Botany and Invasive Plants The forest surrounding Lake of the Woods can currently be characterized as old growth trees ranging in age from 80 to 800 years. A few Douglas-fir with diameters in excess of 60 inches still exist. The stand structure is two-storied, but the lower canopy is typically 16” diameter-at-breast height (dbh) or greater. Canopy closures average between 70% and 95%, although some openings are present at the heart of recreation developments such as Rainbow Bay. Early seral species, such as ponderosa pine are being lost, which is characteristic of late seral reserve. The shrub component is minimal because of the high canopy closure, but is dominated by golden chinquapin, a shrub that can tolerate high levels of shade. Additional associated vegetation within the parcels includes numerous species of grasses/sedges, shrubs and forbs such as long-stolen sedge, prince’s pine, and big huckleberry, as well as locally isolated woody brush or tree species such as bitter cherry and aspen. The stands immediately around Lake of the Woods, including within the recreational residence tract and Camp Low Echo, are generally in a late-successional condition dominated by Douglas- fir. However, the shrub community is minimal to non-existent in many areas, even in openings where shrubs would otherwise be expected to occur. This is due to impacts from recreational activities, such as hiking, raking and removing tree needles and trampling vegetation. The insect and disease mortality factors present in the area include Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe, Douglas-fir beetle, Annosus root disease, and Indian paint fungus. These diseases are stressing trees and resulting in standing dead or dying trees. A large windstorm in the winter of 2015 created substantial blowdown and similar events have a high potential to occur in the future. The 2015 Region 6 Sensitive Species Plant List and Survey and Manage List was reviewed to determine if there would be potential impacts to any sensitive or survey and manage vascular plants, fungi, bryophyte and lichen species from project activities (USDA Forest Service 2016). A sensitive vascular species, Carex lasiocarpa, is also present near, but outside of the project area, at the south end of the site about 350 feet from the nearest building structure. This project has also been reviewed for compliance with the 2001 Record of Decision and Standard and Guidelines for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines. This project utilizes the December 2003 species list. This list incorporates species changes and removals made as a result of the 2001, 2002, and 2003 Annual Species Reviews (ASR) with the exception of the red tree vole (USDA 2014). Pre-disturbance surveys for Survey and Manage Category A & C species are not strictly required because the site does not occur in designated wilderness or late seral reserves. Additionally, the 14 acres on which proposed project disturbances would occur project is mainly in disturbed, compacted, maintained (litter and woody debris removed) ground in the immediate proximity of the cabins and driveways that are not habitat for Category A and C fungi. No lichens have been found in this area. The project area and Forest Service GIS Survey and Manage layer (Camp Echo-TESP; USDA Forest Service 2016) has also been reviewed for species listed as manage known sites and manage high priority sites (Category B, D, or E). Surveys for sensitive and Survey & Manage fungi were conducted in the Spring and Fall of 2010 and 2011, as well as the fall of 2016 in order to update the current distribution of two Category B Survey and Manage fungi known to occur on the Camp Low Echo site, Ramaria largentii and Pollozellus multiplex, although P. multiplex occurs outside of the area proposed project disturbances. Ramaria largentii is also listed as a US Forest Service Strategic Species (USDA 2015). Two additional fungi species, Gyromitra

21 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment montana and Chromosera cyanophylla were also found, but were delisted as Survey & Manage species in 2003. The project area and the Forest Service GIS invasive species layer were reviewed. Two species of invasive plants, oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) have been documented within the project site. These species are small populations which have been part of ongoing invasive plant treatment efforts concentrated in more extensively invaded areas immediately north of Camp Low-Echo as well as other portions of the Forest. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Alternative Under the no-action alternative, the permit holder would be authorized to upgrade the existing structures within the existing building footprints. Hazard trees that threaten existing structures or areas of concentrated use would be removed and the heavy concentrations of fallen trees and down wood would be cleared in accordance with conservation measures for Survey and Manage fungi. Although some adverse impacts to fungi would be unavoidable, detailed assessments of trees proposed for cutting and down wood removal would be evaluated to minimize impacts to as great an extent as possible. These actions would create soil disturbances and increase the potential for invasive weed establishment, which would be evaluated and controlled under existing weed control programs. The Vegetation Management Plan would not be implemented to improve forest health and late-successional stand conditions would progress. Direct and Indirect Effects of Proposed Action Botanical Project Design Criteria are recommended based on current site conditions. These include cleaning of heavy equipment prior to entering the site to reduce the potential introduction of noxious weeds or invasive plant species, use of “weed free” material and use of native plant materials for revegetation, and keeping ground-disturbing activities within already disturbed areas such as previous structure footprints and driveways. Weed control will occur prior to project implementation and continue in accordance with the Vegetation Management Plan when noxious or invasive plants are encountered. This project will remove a number of trees; approximately 350 - 400 for initial (10 year) project development of which 20% of the trees removed are mature, large diameter (greater than 18 dbh) conifers. Trees proposed for removal would be evaluated to determine if they are host trees for existing mycorrhizal fungi, and if so, they will be considered for potential conservation depending on specific risk assessments to human safety and property. Downed trees would also be removed from the 14 acre concentrated use area. There are at least 75 trees of various sizes currently on the ground that fell in recent years. Approximately 1/3 of these trees have commercial value and would be removed as part of the timber sale. Approximately 1/3 of these trees have substantial rot and decay and would be retained on site for wildlife, fungi, and insect habitat. The remaining trees would be used on site for access controls and lining roads and paths within the permit area, which could also provide value to wildlife and fungi species. In general, overall tree removal for development and the additional removal of hazard trees would result in: reduced risk of property damage and human safety concerns from danger trees, reduced stress and competition among remaining trees, and a more open canopy which would result in more understory growth of shrubs and herbaceous layers, as well as increased growth of younger conifer trees. The end result would be more structural diversity and better overall health of the forest within the project area. Although the project parcel encompasses approximately 32 acres, tree removal is confined to 14 acres. Project Design Criteria state that special status fungi sites would be flagged prior to implementation. The 3 fungi sites are in close proximity to one another and will be buffered by an additional 75 feet. No construction is proposed to occur in these buffered sites; however,

22 hazard tree felling may occur with additional evaluations as discussed above. Hazard trees would be directionally fallen away from fungi population centers if possible. Once hazard trees are fallen, portions of trees within fungi population perimeters will be left on site, and tree portions that extend beyond perimeter may be cut and removed. Falling hazard trees will create some soil disturbance which would stimulate mushroom growth. Leaving down wood within the site perimeter could provide additional habitat for fungi in the future. Stumps of trees felled within buffer areas will be boraxed to prevent Annosus fungi from damaging other trees and perpetuating hazardous conditions, but this should not adversely affect the Survey and Manage fungi. Despite these mitigation efforts, it is likely that some fungi sites may be adversely effected, which will be unavoidable for the sake of maintaining human safety and property. Nonetheless, existing populations will be conserved to as great an extent as possible with reasonable assurances of preserving the species on site. However, if individuals or habitat are impacted, this would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species. Additionally, the Vegetation Management Plan would work to achieve a Desired Future Condition of vegetation at the Camp Low Echo site that is a healthy, mature, forested ecosystem throughout the Camp, while addressing fire and safety issues in the developed areas. Desired Future Condition includes utilizing native plants to increase the visual buffer between Camp facilities and neighboring residential areas; control of noxious and invasive plants; increased diversity of understory plants; growth of replacement trees on site; and a defensible space around structures. Wetland vegetation would remain intact in the meadow areas and along the lake shore, which support the sensitive sedge species Carex lasiocarpa.

Wildlife Lake of the Woods provides habitat for a wide variety of bird species. Grebes, ducks, geese, and occasionally common loons can be observed on the lake. The lake also attracts fish-eating birds including osprey and bald eagles. In the forest around the lake, there are mountain chickadees, western tanagers, red-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler, red crossbills, hermit thrush, golden-crowned kinglet, Steller's jays, gray jays, Vaux's swifts, common nighthawk, hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, and accipiters, including northern goshawks, a Winema National Forest Management indicator species. The forest is also home to a number of owl species including great horned owls, great gray owls, northern spotted owls (a federally threatened species), northern saw-whet owls, and northern pygmy-owls. The fir dominated forest around Lake of the Woods is also home to numerous mammals, both large and small. The large mammals include black-tailed deer, elk, black bears, coyotes, bobcats, and cougars. Some of the small mammals include porcupines, western spotted skunks, striped skunks, minks, long-tailed weasels, snowshoe hares, yellow-bellied marmots, golden-mantled ground squirrels, Douglas squirrels, bushy-tailed woodrats, creeping voles, deer mice, and northern pocket gophers. The insect and disease mortality factors present in the area include Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe, Douglas-fir beetle, Annosus root disease, and Indian paint fungus, creating standing and fallen large dead or dying trees. These trees provide nesting and foraging opportunities for pileated woodpeckers, a Winema National Forest Management Indicator Species. Pileated woodpeckers forage on dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood. The structures also provide habitat for wildlife. Bats species, such as fringed myotis (a Region 6 USFS Sensitive Species), use a wide variety of structures such as caves, mines, and buildings as well as snags as day roosts during the summer months. At Lake of the Woods, bats were heard

23 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

roosting and guano was noted on several structures including Rovejo and the sheds near Beaver Lodge at Camp Low Echo; the species of bat were not determined (Trisha Roninger, personal observation, July 29, 2016). The proposed project is located within designated critical habitat for the northern spotted owl and is also classified as dispersal habitat. Dispersal habitat for northern spotted owls lacks one of the three essential functions (nesting, roosting and foraging) that are required within a home range of a northern spotted owl. Dispersal habitat allows for the movement of young owls between larger habitat patches that provide all 3 nesting, roosting and foraging habitat features. Stands of spotted owl dispersal habitat have more than 40% canopy closure, with trees at least 11-inch diameter-at-breast height (DBH) and provide shelter from weather and predators, and minimal foraging opportunities (USFWS 2012). Critical habitat does not include manmade structures and the land on which they are located (USFWS 2012). As the Klamath Ranger District falls within the lands covered by the Northwest Forest Plan, known sites of wildlife species listed in the 2001 Record of Decision (ROD) must be protected from disturbing management activities, known as the Survey and Manage provisions. There are no known sites pertaining to listed wildlife species within the project area (Howard, personal communication, 2016). Pre-disturbance activities are not required as the planned activities are not “likely to have a significant negative impact on the species’ habitat, its life cycle, microclimate, or life support requirements” (USDA, USDI 2001). Most of the animals listed in the Survey and Manage category are included in the R6 Sensitive Species List or on other lists already discussed in this report. Other wildlife species are also discussed in the NWFP, primarily animals associated with snags and old growth mixed conifer or ponderosa pine forests. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Alternative Under the no-action alternative, the permit holder would upgrade the existing structures within their current footprints. Hazard trees that threaten existing structures and areas of concentrated use by campers would be removed and the heavy concentrations of fallen trees and down wood would be cleared. Removing fallen trees would reduce foraging opportunities for pileated woodpeckers, although their current use of the developed recreation area is likely very limited. Based on the lost foraging opportunities for pileated woodpeckers, this project may impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species and will not result in significant impacts as defined by NEPA. There would be no additional impacts on wildlife or habitat conditions resulting from this alternative. Direct and Indirect Effects of Proposed Action The 2015 Region 6 Sensitive Species Wildlife List was reviewed for this project. This list was reviewed to determine if there would be any potential impacts to any terrestrial wildlife species from project activities (USDA Forest Service 2016). The biological evaluation concludes this project would have no impact to R6 Sensitive Species, except the fringed myotis, a bat species that roosts in structures. This project would remove a number of trees from the 14-acre developed area. Additionally, several structures including the Beaver Lodge, Rovejo, and sheds would be razed and replaced. Project Design Criteria include a seasonal restriction on the timing of which building demolition could occur. This timing restriction will ensure that bats have migrated to their hibernaculum and would not be present roosting on the building when they are demolished. However, the razing of the building would remove roosting habitat currently used by bats, although new structures would be built in their place the new structures likely would not provide desirable roosting habitat for bats. The proposed project may impact roosting habitat, but would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species.

24 Tree removal including standing and downed trees also has the potential to impact two Winema National Forest Indicator Species, the pileated woodpecker and northern goshawk. The standing and downed tree removal would change the amount of habitat in the 14-acre developed area by removing standing dead and downed trees that provide foraging and nesting opportunities for pileated woodpeckers and goshawks, although their current use of the developed recreation area is likely very limited due to human presence. The project area would also retain the features of pileated woodpecker and northern goshawk habitat across the larger 32-acre site and in the surrounding forest. Additionally, approximately 1/3 of the existing downed trees of various sizes and stages of decay would be retained which may provide foraging opportunities for pileated woodpeckers. This project may impact individuals or habitat for pileated woodpeckers or northern goshawks, but would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species. Although the permit area encompasses 32-acres mapped as dispersal habitat within the northern spotted owl critical habitat designation, most of the development is confined to 14-acres, which was developed in the 1940’s prior to the listing of the northern spotted owl and designation of critical habitat. Dispersing owls are unlikely to have been historically or currently utilizing this area due to the residential and camp development and human activity that has existed at this location since the 1940s. Disturbance also comes from adjacent recreation residences, recreational activities on the lake, and nearby vehicle traffic on Dead Indian Memorial Road. In these 14 acres, openings in the canopy occur, but the surrounding forest is almost 100% canopy closure. The average canopy closure within the 14-acre project area is 95% (Andréa Rabe, personal observation, August 15, 2016). This project would remove a number of trees from the 14-acre developed area. Downed trees would also be removed from the project developed area. In general, overall tree removal for development and the additional removal of hazard trees would result in: reduced risk of property damage and human safety concerns from danger trees, reduced fire risk in this developed area, reduced stress and competition among remaining trees, and a more open canopy which would result in more understory growth of shrubs as well as increased growth of younger conifer trees. The end result would be more structural diversity and better overall health of the forest within the project area. Greater understory diversity has the potential to attract a greater number and diversity of bird and insect pollinators. The project area would maintain the features of dispersal habitat across the remainder of the 14- acre project site and would not affect the surrounding forest. The 14-acre developed recreation area would continue to function as dispersal habitat similar to the existing condition or quality, which is marginal due to human presence. The tree removal also does not change the amount of available designated critical habitat in the project area or across the larger Critical Habitat Unit. Based on the factors listed above, this project would have an insignificant effect to northern spotted owl dispersal habitat and designated northern spotted owl critical habitat. A more detailed analysis of effects to spotted owls and associated designated critical habitat can be found in the Biological Assessment for this project. Based on the factors listed above, this project may impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species and will not result in significant impacts as defined by NEPA.

Fisheries Lake of the Woods was stocked with fish for the first time in 1913. This introduced hatchery- breed rainbow trout into the lake, which produced a decade of good trout fishing. In 1922, the

25 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

Oregon State Game Commission (a predecessor to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) stocked the lake with largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, warmouth, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullheads, carp, and perhaps suckers. The yellow perch quickly became the lake's dominant species, out-competing the trout for both food and habitat. Between 1925 and 1935, brook trout, cutthroat trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and steelhead were also introduced into the lake. No additional rainbow trout were stocked until 1946. The trout population remained relatively stable until about 1938 when the salmonid populations began to decline, probably due to competition from the warm water species combined with limited spawning areas and increased fishing. Despite the Game Commission's efforts to control the warm water species, their population continued to proliferate while the salmonid species declined. In 1955, the entire lake was poisoned with rotenone, killing all the fish in the lake. The lake was then restocked with rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee salmon. Today, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the Lake of the Woods fishery. It used both natural production and stocking to maintain and balance of fish populations. Brook trout, black crappie, brown bullheads, yellow perch, largemouth bass, blue chub, and tui chub have self-sustaining populations while the kokanee salmon, brown trout, and hatchery rainbow trout populations are supplemented by stocking. The 2015 Region 6 Sensitive Species List was reviewed for this project to determine if there would be any potential impacts to any federally listed or regionally sensitive aquatic species, including fish and aquatic invertebrates from project activities (USDA Forest Service 2015). Currently, no sensitive aquatic species populations have been identified within the lake; therefore, there will be no effect to aquatic species including fish or invertebrates. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Alternative Under the no-action alternative, the permit holder would upgrade the existing structures within their current footprints. Hazard trees that threaten existing structures and areas of concentrated use by campers would be removed and the heavy concentrations of fallen trees and down wood would be cleared. There would be no additional impacts on hydrologic conditions or fish resulting from development activities. Direct and Indirect Effects of Proposed Action The Y-Camp Low Echo proposal at Lake of the Woods includes improving existing structures and constructing new facilities in order to bring it up to code for safety and energy efficiency and restore fully-functional organizational camp within the terms of their Special Use Permit. The existing and proposed structures are set back 25 feet of the edge of water. The slope of the site is gradual. There is little vegetation along the edge of water near the lodge. There are no activities proposed in the riparian areas. Best Management Practices or Project Design Criteria for this project include silt fencing placement along the shoreline near the activity center to prevent any sedimentation from entering the lake due to runoff of any rain events. Any equipment that is used onsite shall have the fuel contained and refueling of large equipment shall be accomplished away from the lake shore. All equipment shall be washed prior to being brought to the lake shore to prevent the spread of any invasive plant or aquatic species. See the ‘Project Design Criteria’ section for complete details as to what BMPs shall be implemented during planning, construction and operation of this project. Based on implementation of Project Design Criteria (see Project Design Criteria section above), this project does not present extraordinary or significant circumstances related to water, fish, soil, or riparian values. Based on implementing these recommendations, direct and indirect impacts to shoreline condition are expected to be confined to the actual project site and would not affect the lake or aquatic species.

26 Social The Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended (USFS, 1990) identifies the area around Lake of the Woods as Management Area 2 and Management Intensities - Management Area 2D: Developed Recreation, Special-Use Permit Areas. The boundary of this land use designation is Dead Indian Memorial Road to the east and south, State Highway 140 to the north, and FS Rd 3691to the west of the lake. Lake of the Woods Developed Recreation Area includes roads and trails around the lake, two campgrounds, three day-use areas, the Visitor/Work Center, a resort facility, three organizational camps (Camp Low Echo, Camp Esther Applegate and Camp McLaughlin) and a recreation resident tract of 218 occupied and 11 unoccupied lots. During summer months the lake area is heavily used by visitors for such activities as boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, berry picking, etc. Winter activities in the recreation area include snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, snow camping, etc. Use and occupancy of Camp Low Echo is authorized by a current special use permit (KLA643) under the authority of the Act of March 4, 1915, 16 U.S.C. 497, which authorizes the camp’s capacity of 250 individuals. The primary access to Camp Low Echo is from Dead Indian Memorial Road, with secondary access from the recreational residences tract. Direct and Indirect Effects of No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative, the Special Use Permit reissued to the Ashland Family YMCA in 2016 would continue with no change from existing management scenario. Upgrade and modification the existing buildings within their existing footprints would occur to address the range of structural shortcomings and damage. This alternative would involve extensive modification trades to the existing structures yet still would retain reliance upon the existing substandard and mismatched materials. This alternative would raise the buildings and install entirely new foundations above frost level, work to improve interior systems and invasive modifications to allow for the insulation and weatherization of structures that were not designed for those elements, allowing some limited wintertime use. Accessibility for handicapped persons would be added to the building exteriors, but there would be limitations to changing the interior of structure to accommodate ease of movement for individuals in wheel chairs. Amenities like new restroom ADA facilities and showers inside cabins would be not be available. This would have a negative impact on handicapped persons utilizing the camp. The total capacity of the camp, 250 individuals, would not change and does not change the recreation use of the larger Lake of the Woods Recreation Area. Traffic patterns and noise levels generated by camp use would not change. Direct and Indirect Effects of Proposed Action The Y-Camp Low Echo proposal at Lake of the Woods includes improving existing structures and constructing new facilities in order to bring it up to code for safety and energy efficiency and restore fully-functional organizational camp within the terms of their Special Use Permit. The total capacity of the camp, 250 individuals, would not change and does not change recreational use of the Lake of the Woods Developed Recreation Area. Combined, these facilities would allow for continued summer season camp use and would facilitate winter-season use. This alternative would provide accessibility to handicapped persons to all structures within the camp and provide ADA bathrooms and showers within designated cabins. This would be a beneficial to handicapped persons utilizing the camp.

27 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

Visual and auditory impacts to neighbors were considered in the design and layout of the camp. The proposed location of lodge was shifted slightly south, away from the north property boundary and Cabin A1. No deck would be constructed on the north side of the lodge to discourage camper’s presence near the northern property boundary, limiting noise and disturbance to the neighbors. This would beneficial impact. The primary entrance to the Camp is from Dead Indian Memorial Road and would remain unchanged. The existing access to the camp from recreation residence road would be slightly realigned onto the Camp Low Echo permit area, but is not a primary access entrance. This realignment shifts the road further away from the recreation residences, further reducing noise and disturbance to the neighbors during times of limited use of this entrance, which is beneficial.

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

The CEQ regulations define cumulative effects as “…the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such actions” (40 CFR 1508.7), and are those projects and actions and effects from those actions that overlap in time and space with the proposed action and its associated effects. Past projects around Lake of the Woods include the development of the roads and trails around the lake, and a developed recreation area with two campgrounds, three day-use areas, the Visitor/Work Center, a resort facility, three organizational camps (Camp Low Echo, Camp Esther Applegate and Camp McLaughlin) and a recreation resident tract of 218 occupied and 11 unoccupied lots. During summer months the lake area is heavily used by visitors for such activities as boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, etc. Winter activities in the recreation area include snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, snow camping, etc. Recreation use at Lake of the Woods began in the early 1900s when the Forest Service took over management of the area. As access from the Rogue Valley improved, recreation use, primarily hunting, fishing, and berry picking, increased. The first special use permit for a summer residence was issued in 1916. Construction of the Aspen Point Campground was completed in 1923. A use permit for the construction of Lake of the Woods Resort was issued in 1927 and for the Boy Scout Camp in 1929. Development continued through the 1930s with the construction of Rainbow Bay Campground and the construction of roads to the summer home tract by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC also constructed the Visitor/Work Center complex, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. All of the current developments were in place after World War II and use levels are assumed to have increased gradually over the ensuing decades. By the 1950s, the recreation complex was fully developed with nearly all of the summer homes, campgrounds, resort, administrative site, and group camps that are currently present. In 2008, the Klamath Ranger District re-issued 218 modified Recreation Residence Term Special Use Permits to the same people holding the 218 permits at Lake of the Woods. Those permits will expire December 31, 2029 (USDA Forest Service 2008). The Permit EA also states: “No new

28 developed recreation activities, e.g. campground or resort expansions, are anticipated within the next 10 years in the vicinity of Lake of the Woods. If these actions are considered by the Forest Service, their effects will be addressed in a separate assessment” (USDA Forest Service, 2008). Ongoing actions include: road, trail, and USFS facilities maintenance; the maintenance and operations of power lines, State highways 140 and 62; seasonal use and occupancy of Lake of the Woods Resort, Recreation Residences, Organization Camps and Forest Service campgrounds; and annually occurring recreation events (Special Use Permits) including Fire Works Display, a triathlon, fun runs, and biking events. Human presence, noise, access roads, traffic, use of watercraft and snow machines, and structures which are inherently part of developed recreation use will continue in the developed areas, similar to the current situation. Future actions identified in the Fremont-Winema National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions include cabin replacement projects proposed in the Cabin C9 and F7 in the recreational residences at Lake of the Woods, and Lake of the Woods Vegetation Management Project, currently on hold indefinitely. There is also the potential for a footpath/trail to circumvent the lake in the future; however, this project is not developed enough to have a proposed action. Only the Lake of the Woods vegetation management project and the footpath projects have the potential to spatially overlap the project area in the future. However, these projects are not developed enough to be analyzed and are not reasonably certain to occur. The presence of the camp and its use are a permitted activity along the lakeshore and are part of the baseline condition. There are no other projects or activities within Camp Low Echo or in adjacent lots that would overlap in time and space. Therefore, there are no cumulative effects.

REFERENCES

Ford, M.S.J. 2004. Preliminary studies of the recent Paleolimnology of Lake of the Woods, Oregon. Unpublished report submitted to the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sept. 2004. 26 pp. Gannett, M.W., Wagner, B.J., and Lite, K.E., Jr. 2012. Groundwater simulation and management models for the upper Klamath Basin, Oregon and California. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5062, 92 p. Howard, Ethan. Personal Communication. September 9, 2016. Email correspondence regarding database searches for information on sensitive wildlife or plant sightings at Camp Low Echo. GIS specialist for Fremont-Winema National Forest. Mertzman, Stanley A. Preliminary geologic map of the Lake of the Woods north 7.5' quadrangle, Klamath County, Oregon. 1 CD-ROM, input scale 1:52,000. Portland, Or.: Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries, Open-file report no. O-11-03, pub. 2011. OCLC: 712605845 Rabe, Andréa, Personal Observation. August 15, 2016. Field visit to Camp Low Echo. Botanist for Rabe Consulting. Rogue Community College (RCC). 2008. A Cascade Lakes Limnological Survey in the Winema National Forest – Lake of the Woods, 2007. Report, CAS-0108. 104 pp. Rogue River Valley Irrigation District (RRVID). 2016. Rogue Basin Water users Council, Inc. Fact Sheet for Facilities and Operations. Web link visited July 29, 2016: http://www.rrvid.org/index.php/district-info/rbwuci-fact-sheet. Roninger, Trisha. Personal Observation. July 22, 2016. Field visit to Camp Low Echo. Wildlife biologist and NEPA specialist for Rabe Consulting.

29 Y-Camp Low Echo Project Environmental Assessment

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]. 2012. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. USDA Forest Service. 1988. General Water Quality Best Management Practices, Pacific Northwest Region, November 1988 USDA Forest Service. 1990. Land and Resource Management Plan, Winema National Forest. USDA Forest Service. 1994. Record of Decision for amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management planning documents within the range of the Northern spotted owl, Standards and Guidelines for management of habitat for late-successional and old-growth forest related species within the range of the Northern spotted owl. USDA Forest Service 2008. Environmental Assessment for Lake of the Woods Recreation Residence Permit Reissuance. Fremont-Winema National Forest. Web link visit September 6, 2016: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=3468 USDA Forest Service 2010. Environmental Assessment for Westside Fuels Reduction Project. Fremont-Winema National Forest. Web link visit October 3, 2016: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=7302 USDA Forest Service. 2012. National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forests System Lands. Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical Guide. FS-990a. April 2012. USDA Forest Service 2014. Regions 5 and 6. Direction Regarding the Survey and Manage Standards and Guidelines. May 13, 2014. Enclosures: Enclosure 1-NEPA Language; Enclosure 2 Table 1-1, January 2001; Enclosure 3 Table 1-1, December 2003 with Red Tree Vole. USDA Forest Service 2015. Region 6 Sensitive Species Suspected or Documented on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Unpublished document on file. Klamath Ranger District, Klamath Falls, OR. Fremont-Winema National Forest. USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management 2012. Survey & Manage Category B Fungi Equivalent-Effort Survey Protocol. Version 1.0. February 2012. USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management. 2001. Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures Standards and Guidelines. US Geological Survey (USGS). 2007. Questions and Answers about the Effects of Septic Systems on Water Quality in the La Pine Area, Oregon. Prepared in cooperation with Deschutes County and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. USGS Fact Sheet 2007-3103. 8 pp.

30 APPENDIX A - Vegetation Management Plan

31