USDA

DECISION MEMO APS BUILDING REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF A SECURITY FENCE WITHIN THE NORTH MINGUS COMMUNICATION SITE. U.S. FOREST SERVICE NORTH MINGUS COMMUNICATION SITE, AZ VERDE RANGER DISTRICT, COUNTY,

BACKGROUND APS has proposed to replace their aging shelter with a new 16ft x 20ft prefabricated equipment shelter, and add a 35ft x 54ft security fence within the boundaries of the existing North Mingus Communications Site. Existing structures at the APS site include one 120ft self supporting tower, one generator, and one 500 gallon propane tank. The project was scoped with the site users for 30 days in accordance with the Mingus Mountain Improvement Association Constitution and Bylaws dated 7/15/1998. A site visit was conducted on 8/23/2011, with all adjacent site owners. The Mingus Mountain communication site is located within T15N, R2E, Section 2, and has been under development since 1951.

DECISION I have decided to amend the APS Communications Use Lease VER401907, to allow for installation of the 16ft x 20ft equipment shelter, and a 35ft x 54ft security fence. This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA). The applicable category of actions is identified in agency procedures as "Approval, modification, or continuation of minor specials uses of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land" FSH 1909.15_30; 32.2(3) and 36 CFR 220.6(e)(3). This category of action(s) is applicable because this action constitutes routine communication site management activities. I find that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or EIS. I took into account resource conditions identified in agency procedures that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances might exist: Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species - PNF biologists have determined that installation of new communication site improvements and infrastructure has no effect on TES or their critical habitat, or their proposed critical habitat. See BA&E dated 5/1/2007. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds - There are no flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds located within the Mingus Mountain Communication Site. Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas -The Mingus Mountain Communication Site is not within a Congressionally designated area such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas - The Mingus Mountain Communication Site is not within a roadless or potential wilderness area. Research natural areas - There are no research natural areas within the Mingus Mountain

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Communication Site. • American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites - 18 acres of the communication site were surveyed and no sites were found. See archaeological clearance AR-03-009. • Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas - 18 acres of the communication site were surveyed and no sites were found. See archaeological clearance AR-03-009.

Public Involvement This action was advertized to the Mingus Mountain Improvement Association, and the Prescott National Forest Telecommunications Specialist on 7/20/2011, and no conflicts or concerns were noted. This project was entered onto the Schedule of Proposed Actions on 10/1/2011. In addition, APS coordinated with Yavapai County to secure a building permit.

FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS This decision is consistent with the Prescott National Forest Land Management Plan. The project was designed in conformance with the Prescott National Forest Plan, page 42; Title V of FLMPA; and the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW (APPEAL) OPPORTUNITIES This decision can be implemented immediately and is not subject to appeal under 36 CFR 215.12(f) and is not subject to the notice and comment procedures pursuant to 36 CFR 215.4(a).

Implementation Date Expected implementation date is 09/13/2011.

CONTACT For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Sheila Sandusky, Realty Specialist, Prescott National Forest, Verde Ranger District, 928-567-1120.

BETTY MfTHEWS I Date Forest Supervisor

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