PROJECT PROPOSAL
Date of Request: April 7, 2015
Respond by: August 3, 2015
Project Name: Wyoming Trail-CDNST Reroutes
Location: Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, MBRTB
Project Contact Person:
Reports Due: August 3, 2015
Planned Project Implementation: Early fall 2015.
Project Area Description: Near Lake Elmo and Fishhook Lake
Legal Description: T6N, R83W, Sec. 25, 36
Management Areas: 1.32- Backcountry recreation, non-motorized w/ limited motorized use in winter
Geographic Areas: Middle Yampa
Roadless Areas: Long Park CRA
Purpose/Need: This segment of the Wyoming Trail, National Forest System Trail (NFST) 1101, is designated as the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) in the project area. Current alignment of the trail runs through wetlands and riparian areas with limited cross drainage opportunities. Spring runoff stays on the trail eroding the trail tread, resulting in incised trail. Poorly aligned stream crossings allow water from the stream channel to flow down the trail in places. As erosion continues and the incised trails become unusable, braided trails form as users create parallel paths. To reduce resource impacts to wetlands and watershed condition and to improve the overall condition of the trail, there is a need for minor realignments of sections of NFST 1101.
Implementation of this project is consistent with direction in the Routt National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to provide for multiple-use and sustainability of National Forests in an environmentally acceptable manner (Forest Plan, 1-1). Furthermore, Forest-wide guidelines for Dispersed Recreation directs management to give priority to congressionally designated trails (Forest Plan, 1-20, #7), such as the CDNST.
Project documents and photographs of current conditions are located at: O:\NFS\MBRTB\Project\HPBE\WyomingTrailCDNSTReroutes
Project Description/Proposed Action: Approximately 1.1 mi of the NFST 1101 from the Base Camp trailhead to the intersection with the Fish Creek Trail (NFST 1102) would be rerouted and rehabilitated to restore natural conditions (Figure 1). Rerouted segments of trail would be properly aligned out of wetland and riparian areas on sideslopes allowing for adequate drainage off of the trail surface. Stream crossings would be hardened, and new trail orientation would minimize water leaving the stream channel and flowing onto the trail. Changes to the overall trail alignment would be minor, and scenic qualities of the area and trail would be maintained. Implementation would likely occur early fall 2015, following a decision on the proposal.
Decision to be Made: If no Extraordinary Circumstances are identified the responsible official will determine if this action may be categorically excluded from further NEPA documentation as provided for in FSH 1909.15, Section 32.2 – Categories of Actions for Which a Project or Case File and Decision Memo Are Required, under Category 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1) Construction and reconstruction of trails.
Specialist Input: Submit specialist reports, if appropriate, to the project leader. Sign and date the project CE checklist located at: O:\NFS\MBRTB\Project\HPBE\WyomingTrailCDNSTReroutes\ 06CECHECKLIST
Project Timeline:
· SOPA Publication: January 1, 2015
· IDT meeting/ project introduction: January 29, 2015
· Roadless Review
o Pre-scoping: April 15, 2015
o Pre-decision: July 15, 2015
· Specialist reports due: August 3, 2015; if there are no issues, an email to the project leader stating so is sufficient
· Decision Memo: August 17, 2015
· Implementation: Early fall 2015
District Ranger Signature/ Date:
ROUTE TO:
√ / Position/Role / Name / Email / Ext.x / Interdisciplinary Team Leader
Trails
Botany
Fisheries
Heritage Resources
Hydrology
NEPA
Timber Mgmt./Silviculture
Transportation/Engineering
Wildlife
Visuals
Soils
Figure 1. Proposed reroutes on the Wyoming Trail-CDNST.
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