Prescott National Forest Forest Plan Revision EIS United States Department of Agriculture Forest Hydrology and Soils Service Southwestern Specialist Report Region Prescott National Forest December 2011 Revised May 2014 Submitted by: ___________________________ Jules Riley Hydrologist VMS Enterprise Unit ___________________________ Dustin Walters Soil Scientist TEAMS Enterprise Unit ___________________________ Christopher J. Brown Natural Resource Planner Prescott National Forest Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Need for Change .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Affected Environment ................................................................................................................................ 3 River Basins .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Surface Waters ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Watershed Conditions ................................................................................................................................... 11 Riparian and Wetland Resources ................................................................................................................... 14 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Groundwater .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Water Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Soils ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 Summary of Alternatives ......................................................................................................................... 30 Methodology and Analysis Process ......................................................................................................... 33 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................................................. 33 Vegetation Management................................................................................................................................ 34 Roads and Trails ............................................................................................................................................ 36 Mining ........................................................................................................................................................... 37 Watershed Integrity ....................................................................................................................................... 37 Recreation ..................................................................................................................................................... 39 Grazing .......................................................................................................................................................... 41 Climate Change ............................................................................................................................................. 42 Cumulative Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 44 References .................................................................................................................................................. 47 Appendix A - 5th level HUC Watershed Map ................................................................................................ 50 Appendix B – Watershed Condition Framework Assessment....................................................................... 51 i List of Tables Table 1. Hydrologic Unit Code terms and examples .................................................................................... 4 Table 2. Hierarchy of hydrologic units intersecting with the Prescott NF .................................................... 4 Table 3. Bill Williams watersheds (5th level HUC) extent and perennial stream miles ............................... 5 Table 4. Verde watersheds (5th level HUC) extent and perennial stream miles .......................................... 7 Table 5. Agua Fria – Lower Gila watersheds (5th level HUC) extent and perennial stream miles .............. 8 Table 6. Overall Watershed Condition Assessment .................................................................................... 12 Table 7. Sub-watershed conditions, by indicator ........................................................................................ 12 Table 8. Springs and seeps, by watershed (5th level HUC) ........................................................................ 16 Table 9. ADEQ Water Quality Attainment Categories ............................................................................... 18 Table 10. Water Quality Summary ............................................................................................................. 19 Table 11. Soil types for PNVT.................................................................................................................... 26 Table 12. Soil Condition ............................................................................................................................. 28 Table 13. Comparison of Alternatives: Watershed Integrity ...................................................................... 38 Table 14. Comparison of Alternatives: Recreation ..................................................................................... 40 Table 15. Prescott NF 4th level HUC .......................................................................................................... 44 Table 16. HUC-12 conditions (Appendix B) .............................................................................................. 51 Table 17. Select condition indicators aggregated at the HUC-10 scale (Appendix B) ............................... 55 ii Introduction The purpose of this report is to evaluate the potential environmental consequences to water and soil resources that may result with the adoption of a revised land management plan. It examines the consequences of taking no action to revise the existing plan and of three alternative actions: the proposed revision of the Forest Plan, an alternative that emphasizes vegetation and wildlife habitat restoration, and an alternative that emphasizes dispersed recreation opportunities. The Prescott National Forest Analysis of the Management Situation (Forest Service 2009a) report identified the need to maintain/improve watershed integrity. The Prescott National Forest determined that a combined water and soil resource report would best address the need for change. This report describes: The laws that are relevant to water resources management on the Prescott National Forest The hydrologic and soils environment affected by the alternatives The needs for change identified in revising the existing plan The sections of each proposed alternative that are relevant to water and soils The environmental consequences of the alternatives The relationship between the short-term and long-term consequences of the alternatives The cumulative consequences to the environment of the alternatives Relevant Laws, Regulations, and Policy that Apply The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-500) as amended in 1977 (Public Law 95-217) and 1987 (Public Law 100-4), also known as the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA): CWA Sections 208 and 319: recognize the need for control strategies for non-point source pollution. Non-point is the primary pollution source for grazing activities. CWA Section 303(d): requires water bodies with water quality determined to be either impaired (not fully meeting water quality standards) or threatened (likely to violate standards in the near future), to be compiled by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in a separate list which must be submitted to EPA biannually. These waters are targeted and scheduled for development of water quality improvement strategies on a priority basis. CWA Section 305(b): require that states assess the condition of their waters and produce a biannual report summarizing the findings. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968) – The outstandingly remarkable values of rivers eligible or suitable to be included in the system must be carefully managed. Any management activities that could negatively impact these values should not be conducted. Hydrology and Soils Specialist Report – Prescott National Forest 1 Pertinent Executive Orders: Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management: Floodplains come under special considerations under Executive Order 11988. The purpose of the Order is "…to avoid to the extent possible the long and short term impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains…"