Wayne National Forest Upstream Rock Run Watershed Restoration Project Introduction The Forest Service is proposing a watershed restoration project in the upper portion of the Rock Run drainage, which is a major tributary of Monday Creek in Hocking County, Ohio. The Upstream Rock Run basin is located in T14N, R15W, Section 28, in Coal Township of Hocking County, approximately 1 mile east of New Straitsville along SR 93 (see Map 1 attached). This project is in keeping with the goals and objectives in the Wayne National Forest’s 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan Goal 2.1 and Objectives 2.1a, 2.1b, and 2.1c) Purpose and Need The Forest Service is proposing to treat this site-specific location at this time for several reasons. The primary purpose for proposing this activity is to continue the ongoing effort to clean up, reduce, and where possible eliminate, sources of acid mine drainage in the Monday Creek watershed. This specific area is at the upper end of the Rock Run drainage and covers about 25% of the entire Rock Run watershed. Opening the blocked drainages in the headwaters of Rock Run would prevent water from seeping down into the underground mines beneath this area and allow the water to flow from the site and help dilute poorer quality water further downstream. This proposed project is located near the major highway connecting the nearby towns of New Straitsville and Shawnee. The highway gives good access to the proposed project area. Both of the adjacent towns are highly interested in cleaning up the old mining areas and encouraging more avenues for economic development in the area. The Forest Service and our State and private partners recognize this as an opportunity to create a highly visible site enabling us to explain and interpret the need for continued cleanup of these old acid mine drainage producing sites as well as the local history of the area. The Upstream Rock Run drainage is a 300 acre sub-watershed that is heavily impacted by old mining activities. The drainage is blocked by piles of old mine waste and soil that was removed so the area could be strip mined for coal in the mid 1900’s. The blockages have created a sort of bowl which traps any precipitation falling in the drainage and prevents it from flowing out of the area as a stream. In some parts of this drainage, the old underground mines have collapsed causing fairly deep, bowl shaped dips on the surface of the land (called subsidences). Precipitation in this area averages 40 inches/year. Based on the average rainfall estimate and the size of this upstream Rock Run watershed, it is projected that 60 million gallons of water falls here in an average year. Between the subsidences and blockages, none of the rainfall that currently falls in this drainage flows out of the area; instead, it seeps into the old underground mines and is released elsewhere as acid mine drainage. This proposed project would re-establish a more natural drainage pattern, keeping runoff out of the mine voids, and reducing acid mine drainage in the Monday Creek drainage. Proposed Action There are many possible ways that the purpose and need could be addressed for this area. Based on numerous trips to this specific site to determine the current conditions, and on past experience, the following proposed actions have been developed. A map of the proposed actions is attached (Map 2). The Forest Service proposes to: 1. Open approximately 16 blockages by re-grading the material to a more natural slope so they no longer block water from flowing downhill. To safely do this, we would need to clear the vegetation off of approximately 37 acres of land. 2. Improve the existing road off of Highway 93 that accesses this area. 3. Beyond the well pad, construct approximately 4,000 linear feet of temporary road to access the blocked drainages. 4. Line approximately 4,750 linear feet of the three major side drainages with an impervious material and with limestone to create a positive downhill flow in the stream bottoms. 5. Create a small pond by lining the bottom of the existing bowl shaped valley with impervious material. 6. Create ephemeral pools as amphibian habitat in two of the three major side drainages. 7. Create a meadow area by lowering the height of the pile of mine waste on the north side of where the three side drainages join together. 8. Create a parking area for visitors. 9. Construct a handicap accessible trail that goes around the pond and the ephemeral pools. 10. Create trail access up the Room and Pillar side drainage (the SW side drainage) for interpretation. 11. Create drainage out of the new pond to help the wet area below the pond become a small wetland. 12. Build a low-head dam across the wetland to funnel the water back into the stream before it reaches Highway 93 (study shows that the culvert under Highway 93 is of appropriate size to accommodate the increase in runoff that this project would create). 13. Once the project is complete, permanently close the temporary roads. 14. Treat non-native invasive species that are already established on the site, and any new infestations that may arise after the project is complete. 15. Close any illegal OHV/ATV trails in the area. 16. Place benches and interpretive signs in areas where wildlife may be viewed. 17. Replant disturbed areas to stabilize soils and to promote wildlife habitat utilizing native species where possible and appropriate. Design Criteria Design criteria are guidelines that the Forest Service would follow to ensure this project is done in a responsible way. The following design criteria would be part of the proposed action: A. All Forest Plan standards and guidelines that apply to this type of activity would be followed. B. Project planning and implementation should minimize the area disturbed: Reclamation measures should be designed to be safe and efficient, but should not clear any more area than needed. C. Maintain access to the oil and gas well located on the site. D. Do not move any material off-site. E. Prepare an effective monitoring and evaluation plan to be a part of the decision. F. Take every opportunity to incorporate new technology into this project. However, this does not mean to consider new technology where it has little chance of success. G. Include clean up of any trash piles and/or debris in the project area. H. Clean all equipment prior to its arrival on site to prevent transport of non-native invasive species from where-ever the equipment might have been working before. I. Provide brush piles designed to provide habitat for small animals. .