White Mountain National Forest 71 White Mountain Drive Campton, NH 03223 Phone: 603 536-6108 Fax: 603 536-3685

Swan’s Way Trail Relocation – Decision Memo Gale River Trail Relocation

United States Project Department of Agriculture Towns of Bethlehem and Franconia

Forest Grafton County, NH Service

Eastern Decision Memo Region Prepared by the Pemigewasset Ranger District August, 2010

Mountain National Forest National Mountain

For Information Contact: Kori Marchowsky Pemigewasset Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 71 White Mountain Drive Campton, NH 03223 Phone: 603 536-6108 Fax: 603 536-3685 www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain

White White

This document is available in large print. Contact the Pemigewasset Ranger District White Mountain National Forest 603-536-6100 TTY 603-536-3665

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2 Gale River Trail Relocation Project – Decision Memo

Table of Contents

1 Summary...... 5 2 Background ...... 5 2.1 Project Area ...... 5 2.2 Purpose and Need ...... 5 2.3 Alternative Actions Considered But Dismissed ...... 5 3 Decision to Be Implemented ...... 6 4 Rationale for Categorically Excluding the Decision ...... 7 4.1 Category of Exclusion ...... 7 4.2 Finding that No Extraordinary Circumstances Exist ...... 8 5 Public Involvement ...... 9 6 Findings Required By and/or Related to Other Laws and Regulations ...... 10 7 Administrative Review or Appeal ...... 10 8 Implementation Date and Contact ...... 11

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4 Gale River Trail Relocation Project – Decision Memo

1 Summary

After careful consideration of public input, the recommendations of appropriate resource specialists, and the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, I have decided to authorize relocation of an approximately one-mile section of the Gale River Hiking Trail off of the Gale River Loop Road in the towns of Franco- nia and Bethlehem, NH. 2 Background

2.1 Project Area

The Gale River Trail is a four mile long hiking trail connecting the Gale River Loop Road to the Garfield Ridge Trail (part of the Appalachian Trail) between Mount Garfield and Galehead Mountain. This trail provides the most direct access to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Galehead Hut, several 4000-foot summits with excellent views, is an important link for a popular day-hiking loop, and receives high use from both day-hikers and overnight backpackers.

The Gale River Trail follows the course of the North Branch of the Gale River up- stream and southward to the ridgeline; it currently crosses the river 1.7 miles from the trailhead and recrosses the river at 2.5 miles. A bridge spanning the lower crossing washed out in 2005; this crossing now utilizes large boulders and is very difficult in moderately high water. The upper crossing is also difficult in high water.

2.2 Purpose and Need

In an effort to improve the safety of river crossings on the Gale River Trail, a bridge was constructed across the more difficult of the two significant crossings. This bridge washed out in a high water event in 2005. The primary purpose of and need for this project is to address the safety concerns posed with this difficult crossing. Due to the ‚flashiness‛ of steep, small upland catchments such as this one (the river responds very quickly to a rain or spring melt event, and then subsides relatively quickly), odds are that another bridge at the same location would eventually meet the same fate as the former bridge and wash away. During field visits in June 2009, resource specialists also observed that

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some segments of the trail between the two crossings are in undesirable locations due to stream flow and bank stability concerns. District personnel concluded that the best long-term solution with the least environmental impacts would be to relocate the trail and eliminate both crossings of the North Branch of the Gale River.

2.3 Alternative Actions Considered But Dismissed

I considered leaving the trail in its current location and reconstructing the bridge that washed out in 2005. The Purpose and Need section describes my rationale for dismissing this alternative. 3 Decision to Be Implemented

My decision is to authorize relocation of approximately one mile of the Gale Riv- er Trail, keeping the trail along the west side of the North Branch of the Gale River. Trail relocation would require new construction largely across the slope of the drainage above the river. The new trail segment would cross one smaller tributary to the North Branch; this crossing is safer than either of the two crossings to be eliminated and would not require a bridge.

Trail construction will entail clearing saplings, brush, debris and few small diameter trees from the proposed route. Much of the new route passes through dense, small-diameter red spruce and balsam fir and limited larger tree removal is anticipated. Hand tools would be used to construct the new trail segment.

Below the North Fork tributary, the new trail will ascend a small bench, and then becomes nearly flat. Short stretches of steeper grades up to the bench will be mitigated with soil retaining steps as needed. The grade then remains flat until the relocation side-hills off the bench to approach a tributary crossing at about four tenths of a mile from the beginning of the relocation. Grades then approach ten percent and will be mitigated with erosion control structures as necessary.

The tributary crossing will be on large boulders and brings hikers to a steady cross-slope climb with grades averaging 12 percent. While some short sections bear off a direct line to mitigate slope, and the entire section of trail bends in a slight dogleg to avoid wet areas, there will be no constructed switchbacks. Grades will be kept to a minimum as the terrain allows. Reaching a height of land, the relocation descends briefly to rejoin the existing trail approximately one

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tenth of a mile past the current second crossing of the North Fork of the Gale River. The Forest Soil Scientist confirmed that the soils are stable, and water bars will be installed at regular intervals.

The old segment of trail will be permanently closed and rehabilitated. Erosion problems on the old segment of trail will be addressed with erosion control structures as necessary.

The proposal is consistent with the WMNF Land and Resource Management Plan’s (Forest Plan) goals, objectives, standards and guidelines. Implementation is expected to occur during late summer or fall of 2010, when soil conditions are favorable for all soil disturbing activities. It is expected that this project would be completed prior to late fall, 2010. The Pemigewasset Ranger District Trail Crew, supervised by the Trails Supervisor, will complete all trail work.

This decision is based on my review of the project record, including input from the public and appropriate resource specialists. The record shows a thorough review of relevant scientific information, a consideration of responsible opposing views, and the acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and risk. My decision is also based on my past experiences with similar activities on the White Mountain National Forest. 4 Rationale for Categorically Excluding the Decision

Based on information in the project record and experience with similar activities on the WMNF, I have concluded that this decision can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment.

Decisions may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment when they are within one of the categories found at 36 CFR 220.6(d) and (e), and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision.

4.1 Category of Exclusion

I have determined that the selected action is a routine activity within the follow- ing category of exclusion found at 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1): Construction and recon- struction of trails.

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4.2 Finding that No Extraordinary Circumstances Exist

Based on information presented in this document and the entirety of the project record, I have evaluated the resource conditions listed in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1) and determined there are no extraordinary circumstances related to this project. As indicated in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(2), the mere presence of one or more of the listed resource conditions does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is the de- gree of the potential effects of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. As long as the potential effects on these resources are minor or non-existent, there are no extraordinary circumstances (Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 30.4). A summary of the project’s potential effects on each resource condition follows.

Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species.

The Endangered Species Act requires that federal activities not jeopardize the continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, or result in adverse modification to such species’ designated critical habitat. As required by this Act, potential effects of this decision on listed species have been analyzed and documented in a Biological Evaluation (project record).

As detailed in the Biological Evaluation (BE), this decision will have ‘no effect’ on listed species or designated critical habitats because no listed species or critical habitats have the potential to occur in the area that would be affected by this project. As discussed in the BE, Canada lynx is not considered to be present on the WMNF south of Route 2, and there is no critical habitat for this species on the Forest.

Potential effects of this decision on Regional Forester sensitive species (sensitive species) also have been analyzed and documented in a BE (project record). Based on known occurrence records and habitat conditions, one sensitive species, the Eastern small-footed myotis, has very low potential to occur in the area that would be affected by this project. For the reasons indicated in the Biological Evaluation, the project would have ‚no impact‛ on this species. This project also would have ‚no impact‛ on any other sensitive species because they do not occur in the project area.

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Floodplains, Wetlands, or Municipal Watersheds

Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 direct federal agencies to avoid adverse impacts to floodplains or wetlands, which are defined in the executive orders. This project does not occur in any floodplains or wetlands, and should not have any effect on floodplains or wetlands. In general, this project will relocate the trail further upslope from the North Branch of the Gale River, minimizing impacts to the streamcourse.

Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas

The project area is not within or adjacent to any congressionally designated areas. The nearest congressionally designated area is the Pemigewasset Wilder- ness, on the opposite side of the ridge from this trail. Impacts from this project would be limited to the immediate area of activity and will not affect any congressionally designated areas.

Inventoried roadless area or potential wilderness area

This relocation is within the WMNF Forest Plan inventoried Pemigewasset Road- less Area. This project should improve the roadless quality and character of this area and is not expected to have any negative impacts to roadless characteristics.

Research Natural Areas

There are no Research Natural Areas in or near the project area. This decision, with impacts limited to the immediate area of activity, will not affect Research Natural Areas.

American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites; and archaeological sites, and historic properties or areas

This decision complies with the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeo- logical Resources Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The Forest Archaeologist and State Historic Preservation Of- fice reviewed the project site and historic records for the area and determined that this project has no potential to affect historic properties. 5 Public Involvement

This project was listed on the quarterly White Mountain National Forest Sche- dule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) beginning in January, 2010, and will remain on

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the SOPA until after a decision is made. Public involvement also included send- ing a scoping report on June 11, 2010 to nine potentially interested and/or affected parties, including the Appalachian Mountain Club and New Hampshire Fish and Game. The Forest Service received three responses (in project file). All responses were in support of the project, and each had some specific recommendations pertaining to rehabilitation of the old trail segment (using soil retaining structures to mitigate erosion) and layout of the new trail (specifically pertaining to width and grade of trail for purposes of accessibility and considerations for skiers). Most of these suggestions are incorporated into the details of this decision. 6 Findings Required By and/or Related to Other Laws and Regulations

My decision will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. I have summa- rized some pertinent ones below.

National Environmental Policy Act

This Act requires public involvement and consideration of potential environmental effects. The entirety of documentation for this decision supports compliance with this Act.

Forest Plan Consistency (National Forest Management Act)

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires that all site-specific project activities be consistent with direction in the applicable Land and Re- source Management Plan (Forest Plan). This project implements the WMNF For- est Plan. As required by NFMA Section 1604(i), I find this project to be consistent with the WMNF Forest Plan including goals, objectives, desired future conditions, and Forest-wide and Management Area standards and guidelines. 7 Administrative Review or Appeal

This type of activity is not covered by the 2005 Earth Island Institute v. Ruthen- beck court ruling. Therefore this decision is not subject to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR 215.

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8 Implementation Date and Contact

Implementation of this decision may begin immediately.

For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Kori Marchowsky at email: [email protected], or by phone (603-536-6108), or by FAX (603-536- 3685).

Additional information about this decision also can be found on the White Mountain National Forest web page at:

_/s/ Molly Fuller August 17, 2010

MOLLY FULLER Date

Pemigewasset District Ranger

Responsible Official