R3 SUPPLEMENT 2500-91-12520
EFFECTIVE 1/31/91Page 1 of 12
2521.03 - Policy.
Manage terrestrial ecosystems and NFS watersheds to protect soil productivity and hydrologic function. Implement soil and water conservation measures with management activities to maintain satisfactory or optimum watershed conditions.
2522.02 - Objective.
Improve all terrestrial ecosystems and watersheds to Watershed Condition Class I by the year 2020.
2522.11 - Watershed Condition Improvement.
Base the sequence of watershed condition improvements on watershed priority (FSM 2531.2, R-3 Supplement), watershed condition (FSM 2531.03, R-3 Supplement), and multiple-use needs. Emphasize improvement of high-priority watersheds in watershed condition Class II or III.
1. Improve all Class III terrestrial ecosystems and NFS watersheds to watershed condition, Class I or II generally in the order of watershed priority.
2. Where cost effective, improve Class II terrestrial ecosystems and NFS watersheds to watershed condition Class I generally in the order of watershed priority.
3. Maintain watershed condition Class I where it already exists.
2522.12 - Water Yield Enhancement.
Where compatible with multiple use objectives and when cost effective, schedule water yield improvement projects in State identified basins where recoverable increases exceed 0.5 inches per year. Consider water yield designs in appropriate management prescriptions. Emphasize water yield increases in multiple-use prescriptions for chaparral.
2522.21 - Watershed Improvement Needs Inventory.
Develop a complete watershed analysis and improvement schedule for each NFS watershed.
2523.04d - District Rangers.
District Rangers shall:
1. Based on the reconnaissance survey, assess the need for a resource advisor or a field survey on all wildfires.
2. Document reasons for not dispatching a resource advisor or doing a field survey on any Class E or larger fire.
3. Dispatch the resource advisor with the Forest fire team, to ensure that proper soil and water protection measures are prescribed for suppression.
4. Ensure that the resource advisor include the input of the burned-area survey team for rehabilitating soil and water damages during the containment period.
2523.21 - Financing.
1. If a need for more money arises while treatments are being installed, submit a revised form FS 2500-8.
2. Charge reforestation and the monitoring and evaluation of rehabilitation projects to benefiting program funds, not FFF.
3. Charge fencing, not strictly needed to restrict use of burned areas, to benefiting program funds, not FFF.
4. Charge revegetation species to restore forage condition to benefiting program funds, not FFF.
2526.05 - Definitions.
1. Riparian Ecosystem. Terrestrial ecosystems characterized by hydric soils and plant species that are dependent on the water table or its capillary fringe zone.
2. Perennial Water Body. Surface water is present throughout the year, at least 9 years out of 10.
3. Interrupted Water Body. Surface water alternates between perennial and ephemeral segments. During dry seasons, water occurs alternately on and below the surface, commonly as perennial pools separated by dry reaches.
4. Exotic Riparian Ecosystems. Ecosystems dominated by introduced phreatophytes, such as Tamarix pentandra and Elaeagnus angustifolia, that may have displaced native riparian vegetation.
5. Induced Riparian Ecosytems. Ecosystems created strictly by cultural work of man, such as irrigation channels, stockponds, wells, and reservoirs, which have concentrated water and promoted the establishment of riparian vegetation where it would not naturally exist.
2526.1 - Inventory and Analysis. Map, describe, and analyze riparian areas in the Forest planning process. File riparian area maps and descriptions for reach numbered NFS watershed. Cross-reference under appropriate file designations.
Map riparian areas to include all riparian ecosystems, all floodplains, and all other lands within 100 horizontal feet of the annual high-water edge of perennial or interrupted water bodies.
Describe riparian areas using ecological factors that reflect major resource capabilities and suitabilities. Describe vegetation, soils, channels, water, wildlife, fisheries, and resource capabilities and uses for each riparian mapping unit. Analyze whether conditions for riparian-dependent resources are satisfactory or unsatisfactory in each mapping unit.
2526.2 - Monitoring.
Assess trends in condition in each mapping unit and select a benchmark site for each unit. Manage each benchmark site for climax vegetation to help assess achievement of satisfactory conditions.
2527.04c - Forest Supervisors.
Manage the use of all facilities to reduce flood hazards to users.
For example:
- limit the use of certain facilities in floodplains to
nonflood seasons or daylight hours only.
- provide identified escape routes for high hazard areas.
- design facilities to avoid situations that entrap users
during flood events.
The combined effect of all existing and proposed developments must not increase the 100-year flood level more than 1 foot.
Assure that benefits exceed costs plus risk over the design life of the facility.
2527.05 - Definitions.
1. Natural and Beneficial Values. The ability of floodplains to dissipate flood flows and moderate flood peaks, and the ability of wetlands to produce abundant and diverse biota, regulate water flow and quality, and recharge ground water.
2. Mapable Floodplains. An area having a total width of at least 200 feet, inundated to a depth of 1 foot or more by the 100-year flood. Two hundred feet equals 0.1 inch at a map scale of 1:24,000.
3. Mapable Wetlands. A 1:24,000 scale map area of at least 0.05 square inches (a square 0.22 inches per side or a circle with a diameter of 0.25 inches). Include smaller wetlands providing habitat for threatened, endangered or sensitive species.
2527.1 - Identification of Floodplains and Wetlands.
For Forest plans (FSM 1920.84) and land exchange, use approximate (moderately detailed or general) study methods (FSH 2509.17, chapter 20, section 21.22 and 21.23) to identify floodplains and wetlands in concert with riparian areas.
1. Identify all mappable floodplains.
2. Consult with other federal and state agencies to help identify mappable wetlands, including only those delineated lands meeting the wetland definition in FSM 2527.05.
Identify all mappable floodplains and wetlands for specific projects involving capital investments or critical actions. Use detailed study methods (FSH 2509.17, chapter 20, section 21.21) to determine 100-year floodplains and appropriate 500-year floodplains. Use plant and soil indicators to identify wetlands. Exhibit 1 lists useful references that discuss floodplain mapping and management.
2527.1 - Exhibit 1
FLOODPLAIN REFERENCES
Federal Emergency Management Agency. 1979. Guidelines and specifications for study contractors. 500 "C" Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20472.
James, L. D., D. T. Larson, D. H. Hoggan, and T. L. Glover. 1980. Flood damagemitigation in Utah. Utah Water Research Lab, Water Resources Planning Series UWRL/P-80-01, Logan, UT 84322.
Potyondy, J. P. 1979. Technical guide: recommended methods for peak flowdetermination. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Soil and Water Management.
U.S. Army. 1972. Flood proofing regulations. Document EP-11652314, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Water Resource Council. 1978. Floodplain management guidelines forimplementing Executive Order 11988. 43 FR 6030, Federal Register 43(29), Feb. 10, 1978, 52 p.
U.S. Water Resource Council. 1979. A unified national program for floodplain management. Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 052-045-00058-4.
U.S. Water Resources Council. 1981. Guidelines for determining flood flow frequency. Bulletin 17B of the Hydrology Committee.
Witala, S.W., K. R. Jetter, and A. J. Sommerville. 1961. Hydraulic and hydrologicaspects of floodplain planning. USDI Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 1526, 69 p., Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.
2527.3 - Analysis and Evaluation of Proposed Actions and Practicable Alternatives.
Use the following steps in land exchange evaluations. Exhibit 1 illustrates these steps.
2527.3 - EXHIBIT 1 IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT
1. Floodplains. Evaluate downstream and on-site flood hazards. Acceptable exchanges must meet the downstream criteria (a) and at least one of the on-site criteria (b, c, or d).
a. If expected future uses of the selected lands will not significantly increase downstream flood hazards, proceed with the evaluation 1b. If they will increase flood hazards, and no practical options exist to reduce the hazards, withhold enough selected lands to prevent the increased hazard, then continue the evaluation (1b).
b. If selected lands qualify for federal flood insurance (exhibit 2), document that local regulations pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) apply to the selected floodplains and proceed with the exchange. If selected lands do not qualify, continue the evaluation lc.
c. If expected future uses of the selected floodplains will clearly not violate NFIP standards (exhibit 3), insert a restriction statement in the conveyance document. If future expected uses will clearly violate NFIP standards, go to (1d).
d. Evaluate whether practical options exist to reduce flood hazards. If options exist, exercise these options and document the analysis and decision process used. If no practical options exist withhold the floodplains from the exchange and document the rationale for this action.
2. Wetlands. Evaluate downstream and on-site effects. Acceptable exchanges must meet the downstream criteria (a) and at least one of the on-site criteria (b, c, d, or e).
a. If expected future uses of the selected lands will not significantly disrupt water regimes in downstream wetlands, continue the evaluation in 2b. If they will disrupt water regimes, and no practical options exist to mitigate the impacts, withhold enough selected lands to prevent the disruption, then continue the evaluation, 2b.
b. If the natural and beneficial values of wetlands on offered lands equal or exceed those on selected lands, document this fact and proceed with the exchange. If such values will be significantly degraded, continue the evaluation, 2d.
c. If expected future uses of the selected wetlands will not significantly degrade their natural and beneficial values, document why the exchange should still preserve the wetlands' values and proceed with the exchange. If such values will be significantly degraded, continue the evaluation, 2d.
d. If degradation of the selected wetlands will not significantly reduce local wetland values overall, document why the exchange should still preserve overall wetland values and proceed with the exchange. If such values will be reduced, continue the evaluation, 2e.
e. Evaluate if practical options exist to preserve wetland values. If options exist, exercise these options, document the analysis and decision process used, and proceed with the exchange. If no practical options exist, withhold sufficient wetland acreage from the exchange until values on the remaining selected wetlands are balanced with those on the offered wetlands. Document the rationale for withholding.
3. Overriding Public Interest. The Regional Forester may decide that the overall public interest served by the exchange overrides floodplain and wetland concerns (FSM 2527.04b). The exchanges may then proceed except where conflicts exist with other applicable laws. Document the decision following Forest Service NEPA procedures (FSM 1950).
2527.3 - Exhibit 2
CITIES AND COUNTIES QUALIFYING FOR FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 1983
ARIZONA
All Arizona counties qualify for Federal Flood Insurance. Only the following counties and communities in New Mexico qualify.
NEW MEXICO
Communities Counties
Alamogordo La Mesilla Bernalillo Otero
r3 Supplement 2500-91-1EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/31/1991
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed / 2520
Page 1 of 12
FSm 2500 – watershed and air management
Chapter 2520 – watershed protection and management
Albuquerque Las CrucesChavesRio Arriba
ArtesiaLas VegasColfaxSan Juan
AztecLoganDona AnaSanta Fe
BayardLordsburgEddySierra
Belen Los LunasLos AlamosTaos
BernalilloLos RanchosLunaValencia
BloomfieldLovingtonMora
Bosque FarmsMilan
CentralMoriarty
CimarronPortales
ClaytonRaton
ClovisRed River
CorralesRoswell
DemingRuidoso
EspanolaRuidoso Downs
EstanciaSan Jon
EuniceSanta Fe
FarmingtonSilver City
Ft. SumnerSocorro
GallupSpringer
GrantsTaos
HatchTatum
HobbsTijeras
HurleyTruth or Consequences
JalTucumcari
Jemez SpringsWilliamsburg
Zuni
OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS
None of the counties in Oklahoma or Texas containing land administered by Region 3 qualify for Federal Flood Insurance. The Oklahoma community of Cheyenne does qualify, however.
2527.3 - Exhibit 3
SUMMARY OF MINIMUM NFIP STANDARDS
FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION
1. Elevate residential buildings (including basements) to or above the 100-year flood level.
2. Elevate, or floodproof watertight, other buildings.
3. Anchor buildings, including mobile homes, to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement.
4. Construct buildings using methods and practices that minimize flood damage, and materials and utility equipment resistant to flood damage.
5. Design water supply, sewage, and septic systems to avoid infiltration of or impairment by flood waters, or contamination of flood waters.
6. Provide drainage and locate utilities in subdivisions to reduce flood hazards.
7. The sum of all existing and future developments must not increase the 100-year flood level more than one foot.
2527.5 - Posting of Past and Probable Flood Heights.
In areas of concentrated public use, sign (Exhibit 1) record-high and 100-year flood levels if flood height exceeds one foot. Document the initial signing and the procedures used to estimate flood levels. Schedule periodic sign inspection and maintenance. Include all signing costs in program plans and budgets.
2527.3 - Exhibit 1
SEE THE PAPER COPY OF THE MASTER SET
FOR 2527.3 - EXHIBIT 1
2527.5 - Exhibit 1
SEE THE PAPER COPY OF THE MASTER SET
FOR 2527.5 - EXHIBIT 1