Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impacta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akam… · 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service Intermountain Region

January 2013

Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact

Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites Reconstruction Project

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests, Clark County, Nevada

For further information, contact:

Frank Leoni, Project Manager Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89130

Phone: 218-365-7630

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Table of Contents

Decision Summary................................................................................................................................... 1

Appendix A – Map of the Project Area ................................................................................ Appendix-15 Appendix B – Design Criteria .............................................................................................. Appendix-16 Appendix C – Vegetation Management Plan ....................................................................... Appendix-20

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 1 Location............................................................................................................................................... 1 Background and Existing Conditions.................................................................................................. 1

Old Mill Picnic Area........................................................................................................................ 1 Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds ....................................................................................... 2

Desired Future Conditions................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose and Need .................................................................................................................................... 3 Decision and Rationale ............................................................................................................................ 3

Decision ............................................................................................................................................... 3 Actions Common to All Recreation Sites ........................................................................................ 4 Old Mill Picnic Area........................................................................................................................ 4 Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds ....................................................................................... 5 Construction Activities .................................................................................................................... 6

Rationale for the Decision................................................................................................................... 6 Design Criteria .................................................................................................................................... 8

Public Involvement .................................................................................................................................. 9 Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation .................................................................................... 9 Alternatives Considered ......................................................................................................................... 10

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 10 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 10 Alternative 3 – Maintain Tent Camping at Old Mill ......................................................................... 10

Climate Change ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Finding of No Significant Impact .......................................................................................................... 11 Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations .............................................................................. 13 Public Notification, Administrative Appeal Process, Implementation .................................................. 14

Contact Information .......................................................................................................................... 14 Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities .............................................................................. 14 Implementation .................................................................................................................................. 14

Old Mill, Dolomite, McWilliams Recreation Sites Reconstruction Project

Decision Summary This Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) documents my decision to authorize the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites Reconstruction Project, with modifications, which include implementing the design criteria in the Environmental Assessment (EA), as well as additional conservation and mitigation measures described in the Biological Assessment (BA) for Wildlife. Complete project design criteria are outlined in Appendix B to this decision.

The Forest Service (FS) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. The EA discloses the environmental impacts that would result from implementation of the Proposed Action. An action alternative to maintain tent camping at Old Mill and a No Action alternative were also analyzed in the EA to compare the impacts of taking no action with the impacts of the action alternatives. I have decided to implement the Proposed Action Alternative, with modifications.

As a component of this decision, the Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds were combined into one and renamed McWilliams Campground; however, to maintain consistency with the EA, Dolomite and McWilliams will still be referred to separately in this DN/FONSI.

Introduction

Location The project area is located in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) on the Toiyabe National Forest (see map, Appendix A). More specifically, the Old Mill Picnic Area is located in the lower part of Lee Canyon on State Route (SR) 156 (Lee Canyon Highway), adjacent to the Lee Canyon Guard Station, approximately 43 miles from Las Vegas, at a general elevation of approximately 8,400 feet. The Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds are adjacent to one another and located approximately one half mile south of the Old Mill Picnic Area on Lee Canyon Highway.

Background and Existing Conditions

Old Mill Picnic Area The name for the Old Mill Picnic Area is derived from a sawmill that was constructed on Forest Road (FR) 072 in 1906 by the Lincoln County Lumber Company. The picnic area is located a few hundred feet west of the old sawmill historic site. The picnic area was opened to tent campers in 2007. It is managed by a concessionaire and consists of walk-in units served by nine centralized parking lots with footpaths serving individual units. The design capacity of the site is for about 435 people who can be seated at 74 tables. The picnic sites have pedestal grills and below-ground fire rings. Some picnic units are designed for small groups, with two tables that accommodate approximately 6 to 12 people. Some units are located away from parking spurs on the far side of drainages that carry running water during snowmelt and rain storms. Visitors must cross these drainages from the parking spurs to reach facilities. In many parts of the picnic grounds there are thick stands of trees that are growing too close together to be healthy and reach their full potential. In other areas the ground is denuded. Near the entrance of the picnic grounds off of SR 156 are a public pay telephone, the historic Lee Canyon Guard Station, and three trailer pads used for living quarters for concessionaire employees. There are five restroom buildings with flush toilets and sinks. Numerous water hydrants are scattered throughout the site. Asphalt paths connect picnic sites to the parking areas, restrooms, water hydrants, and play

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areas. An abandoned equestrian trail winds through the picnic ground but there are no nature or interpretive trails. Although the site is closed to vehicle access in the winter, visitors use the site for cross-country skiing and snow play.

At the time of its construction in 1974 the Old Mill Picnic Area was a state-of-the-art recreation site; however, today its units are outdated and deteriorated, with most of the asphalt paths cracked and broken up. Restrooms, paths, and site furnishings do not meet current FS accessibility standards for outdoor recreation. The water system is plagued by leaks. Inadequate water pressure to the restrooms and hydrants poses health and safety issues. The entire picnic ground, facilities, and associated accommodations for concessionaire and seasonal employees are in need of refurbishing since they currently do not meet user expectations, have a backlog of maintenance, and do not meet accessibility standards.

Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds Together, the Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds have 61 single campsites (each with a capacity of 8 people at one time) and 9 double sites (each with a capacity of 16 people at one time). There are also four host sites. The Dolomite Campground has three flush toilets; the newest of these was constructed in 2002. The McWilliams Campground has four vault toilets and one flush toilet. Together the campgrounds allow for up to approximately 636 people to be present at any time. Dolomite Campground is closed in the winter. Some sites in McWilliams are open in the winter and visitors use these sites for cross-country skiing and snow play. A concessionaire operates and maintains the Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds.

The Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds were last renovated in the early 1970s. In their current state they do not satisfy the needs of the ever-increasing and diverse recreating public, nor do they meet Forest Service health, safety, and accessibility standards. With the exception of a new restroom built in Dolomite in 2002, the campgrounds have received minimal improvements and are now in a deteriorated condition with many of their facilities in need of total replacement.

Desired Future Conditions The SMNRA General Management Plan (GMP), an Amendment to the Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1996), outlines Desired Future Conditions that would be expected for these types of recreation sites and these conditions are described in the EA and summarized below.

New summer and winter recreational facilities meet administrative needs, are cost effective, increase management presence, and provide for public safety and customer satisfaction, while reducing user conflicts. Facilities are constructed using low maintenance materials, maintained regularly to minimize resource damage, and meet or exceed the FS goals for sustainability. Adequate restroom facilities are provided.

Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites incorporate barrier-free design features to ensure accessibility for users with disabilities. An increased number of trails are designed, located, and maintained to FS accessibility standards, making them available to people with disabilities.

New roads and entrances within the facilities provide for public safety and respond to resource management objectives. Ingress, egress, and traffic flow patterns provide safe use and minimize congestion on SR 156.

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Water quality meets or exceeds State water quality standards. New recreation facilities use a groundwater source and are designed for conservation to meet current standards and FS best management practices. To improve ecosystem health and increase habitat for species of concern, surface water is not piped directly from the source.

Vegetation provides a natural, visually appealing setting and screens sights and sounds between individual picnic and campsites. Vegetation is resistant to visitor use impacts.

Recreation opportunities are market-supported and environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable. A variety of activities for families and kids are available and provide for adventure, a sense of wonderment, entertainment, developing motor skills, and learning opportunities. Public information is available to orient users to the SMNRA, what activities are available, where activities are located, and on how to have a safe recreation experience.

Managed snow play areas and off-highway parking are provided at suitable locations for winter snow play activities. Parking areas are surfaced to accommodate snow plowing. The snow play areas are engineered for safety.

Purpose and Need The staff of the SMNRA, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, identified the following needs for action:

Reconstruct deteriorating recreation facilities at Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams campgrounds and picnic facilities to meet FS standards, conserve natural resources in the area, and meet current and future public expectations.

Provide managed recreation opportunities and parking for winter recreation.

Provide safe ingress and egress designed to move vehicles in and out of the sites and orchestrate traffic flow at the entrances to the recreation sites.

Provide information, environmental education, and activities that enhance the recreation experience and better connect the public to surrounding resources and the SMNRA.

Decision and Rationale

Decision I have selected Alternative 2, the Proposed Action Alternative, with modifications. My decision includes implementing the Project Design Criteria detailed in the EA and additional conservation and mitigation measures outlined in the Biological Assessment for Wildlife. The Design Criteria for the project are measures developed by specialists and intended to reduce impacts from the Proposed Action during implementation. I am authorizing the Project Design Criteria as outlined in Appendix B of this Decision Notice.

I believe my decision will meet the need to safely accommodate site traffic and parking, provide improved site facilities with access for people with disabilities, enhance snow play and day use opportunities, and provide more interpretative features. The recreation sites are designed to provide

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facilities configured for safer camping. The redesigned recreation sites will ensure impacts to site resources and at-risk species are minimized.

The elements of my decision are as follows:

Actions Common to All Recreation Sites 1. Demolish, remove, and replace all roads, parking areas, utilities, restrooms, picnic tables,

grills, asphalt pads, and asphalt trails.

2. Situate fee stations to reduce traffic backup onto SR 156.

3. Provide for traffic flow and sufficient line of sight distance at site entrances and exits.

4. Provide accessible parking stalls in required numbers.

5. Provide accessible units as required by law.

6. Provide pay phones for the public near recreation site entrance stations.

7. Provide restrooms, where necessary, commensurate with the PAOT (persons-at-one-time) capacity for the site. Design all restrooms to meet accessibility standards.

8. Construct paved internal trails throughout the sites.

9. Provide trail access points within the recreation sites for access to the Bristlecone Trail.

10. Provide interpretive information at several locations.

11. Implement the vegetation management plan recommendations (Appendix C) to promote site screening and scenic opportunities, remove hazard trees, restore trees and shrubs where practicable, and improve the overall health of existing vegetation.

Old Mill Picnic Area1

12. Reconstruct and manage the site as a day-use picnic area only.

13. Reconstruct and reconfigure all picnic units, roads, and parking areas to meet current design and accessibility standards.

14. Use existing road alignments as practicable.

15. Provide parking that optimizes use of the area and promotes user convenience.

16. Construct a new fee station.

17. Provide at least 70-80 picnic sites to accommodate a mix of single- and double-family-use picnic sites, emphasizing double sites and small group use.

18. Construct hardened surfaces for picnic tables and grills.

19. Construct all new water distribution system and tank for sanitary drinking water.

1 The Forest Service administrative facilities and the Nevada Division of Forestry facilities located near the entrance to the Old Mill Picnic Area are not included in this project.

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20. Provide accessible toilets, hydrants, and site furniture.

21. Provide a new host site with sewer and water hookups.

22. Develop an activity and play area(s).

23. Construct a trailhead at the entrance of Old Mill Picnic Area and SR 156 that provides parking for as many cars as can fit – probably not more than 15.

24. Construct an interior nature trail with interpretive features to link the Bristlecone Trail to new trailhead parking by the highway.

25. Provide interpretive signs and information kiosks to educate, inform, and direct visitors.

Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds 26. Combine Dolomite and McWilliams campgrounds into one recreation site with a new road

alignment between the sites.

27. Use existing road alignments as practicable.

28. Provide a separate entrance and exit, except in the winter where one entrance/exit would be used.

29. Design loops for one-way traffic.

30. Replace road barriers where needed; add new road and parking barriers as appropriate.

31. Install new gates as appropriate.

32. Reconstruct campsite parking spurs to accommodate a full range of vehicle types including RVs.

33. Provide overflow parking areas throughout the recreation site as practicable.

34. Provide at least 60-70 campsites to accommodate single- and double-family use.

35. Level campsites and make all furnishings level with each other as practicable and construct appropriately leveled and surfaced areas as tent pads at all sites. Replace all unit number posts.

36. Construct hardened surfaces for picnic tables and grills.

37. Provide one or more host sites that can be used year round with sewer and water hookups.

38. Replace all hydrants, toilets, septic tanks, and leach fields.

39. Provide accessible toilets, hydrants, and site furniture.

40. Develop activity and play areas.

41. Provide additional paved parking areas that can be plowed in the winter to accommodate snow play and cross-country skiing.

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42. Provide snow play and winter camping areas near the entrance area of McWilliams campground and include parking for approximately 50 cars in addition to a loop for vehicles to exit at McWilliams in the winter.

43. Provide for adequate drainage throughout the site.

Construction Activities All construction activities will occur within existing site boundaries. Sites will not be cleared and grubbed, except for locations where a new pad, site furniture, or other facility will be placed in a previously undisturbed area. All above grade features will be demolished (i.e., roads, parking areas, utilities, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, asphalt pads, asphalt trails). Asphalt from demolition will be recycled and reused on site as appropriate. Heavy equipment used for site preparation will likely include a small bulldozer, bobcat, and compactor. The majority of new facilities will be pre-fabricated and may require some staging and onsite construction. Heavy equipment for use during construction will likely include: mini excavator, bobcat, bulldozer, grader, concrete truck, and a small crane for lifting pre-fabricated units into place.

Construction, including demolition, will commence immediately after publication of the Legal Notice of Decision in the newspaper of record in January 2013, and following pre-construction requirements as outlined in the Design Criteria. The project is expected to be completed by December 2014. The construction schedule will be subject to potential limited operating period restrictions for raptors and migratory birds as outlined in the Design Criteria. An accelerated construction schedule is anticipated to minimize the overall construction time required to complete the project. If implemented, an accelerated schedule will involve construction activities occurring between 6:00 AM and midnight, seven days per week. The effects from implementing this construction schedule were included in the analysis; artificial lighting restrictions are defined in the Design Criteria.

Rationale for the Decision My responsibility as the decision maker is, in summary, to provide for appropriate recreation opportunities and to protect the natural and cultural resources found on the SMNRA. These are my first considerations when making a decision regarding a project. I believe that my decision is in the best interest of the recreating public and minimizes the impacts to species and other resources.

Major factors that influenced my decision to select Alternative 2 in comparison to Alternative 1, No Action, were the needs to reduce deferred maintenance, improve restrooms and water systems, and meet FS accessibility standards. The current facilities have exceeded their functional lifespan and do not meet FS accessibility standards. These accessibility standards include the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and specific guidelines developed by the Forest Service in cooperation with the U.S. Access Board to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The guidelines are listed in the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines.

My decision also responds to the public’s demonstrated desire for winter snow play areas in Lee Canyon. The McWilliams Campground will provide expanded parking areas, located to facilitate snow plowing, for access to winter recreation activities such as winter camping or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through the internal roadways and trails within the site. Additional parking in McWilliams for alternative types of winter recreation will complement the winter recreation opportunities available at the Foxtail Recreation Site, located across from the Old Mill Picnic Area on State Route 156.

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I believe that my decision will provide the public with safe, attractive facilities constructed to FS accessibility standards, with improved ingress and egress and adequate parking, which will contribute to enjoyable year-round recreation opportunities. The new infrastructure will be compatible with the natural environment and will harmonize with the landscape. This project will ensure that facilities at the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams recreation sites are operationally cost effective to maintain.

One key issue relative to Alternative 2, the Proposed Action, was identified during public scoping. The issue was that there is not enough camping in Lee Canyon and the proposal to return Old Mill to day use only would have an adverse effect on the number of people that can camp in the canyon. Returning Old Mill to day use only would eliminate the current allowance for tent camping at the site, resulting in an approximate 51 percent reduction in the number of overnight camping sites retained in Lee Canyon. This issue led to the development and analysis of Alternative 3, which would allow a limited amount of tent camping at Old Mill.

I did not select Alternative 3 in comparison to Alternative 2 for several reasons:

The majority of visitor demand on the SMNRA is for day-use type activities. The Market, Financial and Operational Analysis for the SMNRA completed by Pricewaterhouse Coopers in 2008 recommended an expansion of day-use recreation opportunities. The report cited that the changing demographics of SMNRA recreation users would be better accommodated by providing for recreation opportunities that are in high demand, such as day-use areas, and it outlined the need for more picnic sites on the SMNRA. The report assumed picnic demand growth would be commensurate with the growth of the Las Vegas population.

In addition, the SMNRA 2011 National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) Report demonstrates developed day-use sites experience a greater rate of use than developed overnight camping sites. The 2011 NVUM report reflects a substantial increase in day-use activities when compared to the numbers specified in previous NVUM surveys.

The selected alternative, Alternative 2, does offset a portion of the foregone tent camping opportunity at Old Mill by providing a minor increase in camping sites in the combined McWilliams and Dolomite site. I also took into consideration actions authorized under the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Middle Kyle Complex project, which provided for increased camping opportunities on the SMNRA. The ROD authorizes construction of a commercial-style campground and a traditional Forest Service-style campground. At this time, lack of funding precludes construction of these facilities; however, should means become available in the future these projects could be advanced.

The Old Mill Picnic Area was originally designed and designated as a picnic site; however, beginning in 2007 tent camping was unofficially allowed by the concessionaire who managed the site for the FS. Retaining tent camping at this site raises a public safety concern. The McWilliams (which includes Dolomite) and Old Mill recreation sites are located in identified floodplains. The 2012 Revised Floodplain Study hydrologic analysis for these recreation sites indicates Old Mill Picnic Area would experience peak flows substantially higher than McWilliams Campground in a 50- or 100-year flood event. The specialist reports also disclose that the Old Mill Picnic Area has relatively large areas of exposed bedrock that would inhibit infiltration, and steep rocky slopes adjacent to the site that would concentrate flows and result in larger runoff volume than would be experienced in McWilliams during a flood event.

The staff of the SMNRA evaluated FS criteria for minimizing potential adverse impacts and practicable alternatives to construction in the identified floodplains. They developed engineering

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designs for McWilliams that made improvements to the dry-wash channel function within the campground. This improvement along with the hilly topography of McWilliams allowed for relocation of camping units outside of the floodplain.

On the other hand, in Old Mill, there was no practicable way to locate potential campsites out of the floodplain because of the flatter and rockier terrain, the predicted peak flows during a flood event, and the limited area available for development. Should a flood event occur, the limited alertness of sleeping campers and their reaction time versus those of daytime users creates an unacceptable risk, and does not meet current FS policy for development in identified flood zones. The Forest Service is revising its policy as a result of a night time flash flood on the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, which claimed the lives of 20 people camping in a recreation area. The policy requires minimizing risks to human safety, health and welfare from flood events and identifying the full range of potential direct or indirect adverse impacts associated with the occupancy or modification of a floodplain. The FS is required to evaluate mitigating measures that would minimize potential adverse impacts and to evaluate practicable alternatives to construction in floodplains (FSM 2527.02 and 2527.06). The staff of the SMNRA evaluated practicable alternatives using the criteria listed in FSM 2527.31 and determined that based on the topography and limited area available, there was no practicable way to locate campsites out of the floodplain mapped for the Old Mill Picnic Area.

My decision is consistent with NEPA and its implementing regulations. I considered the range of alternatives, assessed their impacts both beneficial and adverse, and determined the impacts of the selected alternative, Alternative 2 with modifications, to be beneficial or minor to non-existent. The modification to my decision includes not only authorizing the project Design Criteria detailed in the EA, but the additional conservation and mitigation measures outlined in the Biological Assessment for Wildlife. The project is not a connected action to other projects because the activities included in this decision are stand-alone and intended to provide improved site amenities, traffic safety and parking, and interpretive facilities, and are not interdependent on other activities.

Design Criteria Project Design Criteria, as outlined in Appendix B to this Decision, will provide short- and long-term measures to reduce the potential for impacts to wildlife and plants and other resources. Some design criteria will be followed in all cases, such as in noxious weed prevention, while other criteria will be implemented “where possible,” meaning, if a preferred option might result in impacts to resources of concern, alternate options that will result in fewer or no impacts will be considered. The goal is to employ the least impactful method to accomplish tasks during implementation. In all cases, design criteria to reduce impacts to resources will employ Best Management Practices, as outlined in the FS manuals and handbooks or in compliance with state standards.

All practical means to avoid or minimize environmental harm have been adopted in the design of this project. I have included all of the project design features and mitigation measures that I believe are necessary to avoid, minimize, or rectify impacts on resources affected by implementation of this project. My conclusion is based on a review of the record that analyzed impacts from project activities using best available science. The resource analyses identify effects analysis methodologies, reference scientific sources that informed the analyses, and disclose limitations of the analyses. I based my findings on information contained in the following specialists’ reports:

BA of Wildlife, December 3, 2012.

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Biological Assessment and Evaluation (BA/BE) and Wildlife Specialist Report, September 28, 2012.

BA/BE of Plant Species, September 28, 2012.

Biological Specialist’s Report (Plants), April 25, 2012.

Non-native/Invasive Species Report for Plants, March 22, 2012.

Cultural Resource Management Report, January 23, 2012, and subsequent submittals to the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office.

Recreation Specialist’s Report, September 27, 2012.

Soils Specialist’s Report, August 28, 2012.

Hydrology Specialist’s Report, March 22, 2012.

Revised Floodplain Study for Foxtail Picnic Site, Old Mill Picnic Site, McWilliams Campground, Dolomite Campground; Caldwell, Richards, Sorenson and USDA FS Intermountain Region, 2012.

Public Involvement The proposal to reconstruct the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites was published in the Fourth Quarter (July-September 2011) Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). The scoping period was from July 19, 2011 to September 30, 2011. In response to public comments, SMNRA staff extended the original 30-day public scoping period to 60 days. A scoping notice describing the Proposed Action was mailed to addressees on the SMNRA mailing list (maintained in the project file). This list includes individuals, organizations, Tribal governments, and other agencies.

Comments were received from 157 individuals, groups, or agencies (in the form of letters or conversation records). The public comments along with FS responses to comments are summarized in Appendix A of the EA.

The EA was provided to the public on October 12, 2012, for review during a 30-day notice and comment period, as required by 36 CFR 215 Notice, Comment, and Appeal Procedures for National Forest System Projects and Activities. Members of the public, federal agencies, tribal governments, and state and local governments were notified of the availability of the EA and opportunity to comment. The mailing lists are available and on file in the project record. The comment period ended on November 11, 2012. No comments were received; therefore, this decision is not subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR 215.12 (e)(1).

Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation On January 12, 2012, letters containing a summary of the Foxtail Group Picnic Area Reconstruction Project, Mahogany Grove Group Campground Reconstruction Project, and the Old Mill/Dolomite/McWilliams Reconstruction Projects were sent to the Tribal chairs and cultural representatives of Nuwuvi Nations, who are all culturally affiliated with the Spring Mountains landscape. These nations include the Chemehuevi Indian Tribes, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Kaibab

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Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Pahrump Paiute Tribe, and the Paiute Indian Tribes of Utah.

Follow-up phone calls were made to the cultural representatives (Working Group) by the tribal liaison, the weeks of January 16 and 23, 2012.

The Working Group members were supportive of all of the projects and generally felt that the projects were needed to improve the quality of developed recreation on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

Alternatives Considered A description of the alternatives and a comparison of alternatives and potential environmental consequences can be found on pages 9-12 in the EA, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Alternative 1 – No Action Under the No Action alternative, current facilities, configurations, and use patterns for each recreation site would remain the same. Operations and management of each site would continue unchanged.

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action The Proposed Action, with minor modifications, is the alternative I have elected to authorize. A detailed description of the Proposed Action is outlined in the Decision and Rationale section of this document.

Alternative 3 – Maintain Tent Camping at Old Mill This alternative would be the same in all respects to the Proposed Action except that tent camping use would remain and be accommodated by redesign at the Old Mill Picnic Area. Under this alternative, the following actions would differ from those proposed for the Old Mill Picnic Area under the Proposed Action:

Provide at least 30 picnic sites to accommodate a mix of single- and double-use picnic sites, emphasizing double sites.

Provide at least 30 tent campsites to accommodate single and double use.

Level campsites and make all furnishings level with each other as practicable and construct appropriately leveled and surfaced areas as tent pads at all sites.

Climate Change The heavy equipment used for excavation proposed for this project will be operated by commercial contractors; heavy equipment will be licensed to comply with state air quality standards. Given the small scope of this project, it is not possible to quantify or qualify the direct or indirect effects from heavy equipment emissions, nor establish a cause-effect relationship between this single project and global climate change. Improved forest health due to implementation of vegetation management practices will improve the forest’s ability to withstand climate change stresses.

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Finding of No Significant Impact After considering the environmental effects described in the EA, I have determined that this project will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment considering the context and intensity of impacts (40 CFR 1508.27). Consequently, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. I base my finding on the following:

1. Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse.

The EA identifies no direct, indirect, or cumulatively significant effects associated with any of the actions. My finding of no significant environmental effects is not biased by the beneficial effects of the selected action.

2. The degree to which the Proposed Action affects public health or safety.

The new site design will improve traffic flow and visual clearance at entrances and exits and prevent traffic backup onto SR 156. Combining the existing Dolomite and McWilliams campgrounds will create a one-way traffic flow and a single entrance and exit to improve traffic along SR 156. The construction of loop roads and a road connecting the two campgrounds will help to reduce traffic congestion in the campgrounds and picnic area. Additional trailhead parking at Old Mill and parking areas for environmental education and snow play at the combined campground will also relieve some of the parking congestion in the developed canyons.

The new site design and layout for the Dolomite and McWilliams campgrounds will locate camp sites out of the 100-year floodplain. This will reduce safety hazards to overnight campers. Redesignating Old Mill as a day-use picnic area will eliminate overnight camping in the floodplain and reduce safety hazards, since day-use visitors are alert and much less likely than overnight campers to be caught by flood flows.

3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area.

There will be no significant effects on unique characteristics of the geographic area. Archeological surveys for historic cultural resources indicated no adverse effects from project activities and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurred with the findings. The project area is not located in an ecologically critical area, although in the project area there are FS sensitive species, species of concern as listed in the Conservation Agreement (CA) between federal and state agencies, including the FS, and covered species as listed in the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Resource specialists determined there will be no significant effects to any of these species. The project area is not located in or near park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, or wild and scenic river corridors.

4. The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be highly controversial.

Based on the involvement of forest resource specialists and members of the public, I do not expect the effects of the Proposed Action on the quality of the human environment to be highly controversial in a scientific context. The EA did not disclose any significant adverse effects on the quality of the human environment that would result from the project.

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5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.

The effects on the human environment are not uncertain, nor involve unique or unknown risks because the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites have been in use many years, since at least the early 1970s. Uncertainties relating to effects to sensitive species do not exist, based on determinations outlined in the BA, BA/BE, and Specialists’ Reports for the project; therefore, there are no unique or unknown risks associated with the project. Uncertainties relating to noxious weeds will be reduced through weed prevention practices set out in the FS and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Weeds Best Management Practices manuals. Weeds will be monitored and, if necessary, treated for three years post-implementation.

6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration.

The action is not likely to establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects. As a stand-alone decision, the action is not dependent on past projects, nor is it likely to establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects, nor does it represent the potential for future decisions.

7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts.

The effects analysis in the EA discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the Action and No Action alternatives, as directed by FS NEPA procedures (36 CFR part 220). The cumulative impacts of the selected action, when added to those of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions will not be significant (see EA, Environmental Consequences, pp. 19-47, and project record). The action is not related to other actions with individually insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts. There are no connected actions associated with this project.

8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, structures, or objects listed in the National Register of Historic Places or may cause loss or destruction of significant cultural or historical resources.

The action will have no significant adverse effect on districts, sites, highways, structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. In a letter dated March 27, 2012, the SHPO concurred with the FS determination that no historic properties would be affected. The action will have no significant adverse effect on the cultural resources in the area. The staff of the SMNRA consulted with the Tribal chairs and cultural representatives of Nuwuvi Nations, who are all culturally affiliated with the Spring Mountains landscape. The Tribal chairs and representatives were supportive of the project.

9. The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered Species Act.

By letters dated December 18 and December 19, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with FS findings contained in the following documents: 1) BA of Wildlife; 2) BA/BE and Wildlife Specialist Report; 3) BA/BE of Plant Species; and 4) Biological Specialist’s Report of Plants. These documents evaluate impacts to the following species: all

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federally listed threatened, endangered, and proposed species; Region 4 – Regional Forester’s sensitive species; SMNRA 1998 CA species of concern; covered species listed under the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP 2000), Management Indicator Species listed in the General Management Plan; and species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Executive Order 13186.

The BA/BEs, and Specialists’ Reports indicated the project may impact individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability for some species, and have no effect or impact to other species, listed by Region 4 as sensitive species, nor to SMNRA CA species of concern, based on project area knowledge, analysis, design criteria, conservation measures, and restoration and mitigation measures.

10. Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, State, or local law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment (40 CFR 1508.27).

As outlined in the section on Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations of this DN/FONSI, the selected action will not violate Federal, State, and local laws or requirements for the protection of the environment. Applicable laws and regulations were considered for this project. The action is consistent with the GMP for the SMNRA.

Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations My decision is consistent with and meets requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 USC 4321-4347; 40 CFR 1500, et seq.) and all laws, regulations, and FS policies. The most relevant of these include the following:

National Forest Management Act, as amended (16 USC §§ 1600-1614)

National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470) and its parallel authority, Protection of Historic Properties (36 CFR 800) (EA, pp. 46-47)

Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531-1543) (EA, pp. 27-37)

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended (16 USC 703-712) and Executive Order 13186 (EA, pp. 23-24, 26)

Noxious Weed Act, as amended (7 USC. 2801, et seq.) (EA, pp. 23-25)

General Management Plan for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (10/1996), an amendment to the Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (EA, pp. 4, 9)

Other laws, regulations and FS policies and guidance that were considered in the EA relating to the implementation of this project include:

Executive Order 12898, Environmental Justice (Feb. 11, 1994, 59 Fed. Reg. 7629) The physical effects to surface resources from the ground disturbance itself would be localized to the disturbance footprint; therefore, there will be no disproportionately high or adverse human health or environmental effects that would fall disproportionately on low-income, minority populations, American Indian tribes, women, or affect the civil rights of any United States citizen.

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Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA)

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Act (16 U.S.C. §460hhh; Pub. L. 103-63, Aug. 4, 1993, 107 Stat. 297)

FS Handbooks and Manuals

Conservation Agreement for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, 4/13/1998

Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan

Public Notification, Administrative Appeal Process, Implementation

Contact Information Copies of the EA and DN/FONSI are available at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130, at the Mt. Charleston Public Library, or on the web site http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/htnf/projects. For additional information concerning this decision or the Forest Service administrative review process, contact Frank Leoni, 218-365-7630.

Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities The EA was published October 12, 2012, for review during a 30-day notice and comment period, as required by 36 CFR 215 Notice, Comment, and Appeal Procedures for National Forest System Projects and Activities. The comment period ended on November 11, 2012. No comments were received; therefore, this decision is not subject to administrative appeal, pursuant to 36 CFR 215.12(e)(1).

Implementation Construction can commence immediately after the publication of the Legal Notice of Decision, expected to be published within three days of signing this Decision (36 CFR 215.9(c)(1)).

For further information concerning the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites Reconstruction Project, please contact Frank Leoni, 218-365-7630 during normal business hours.

s/Randall G. Swick January 28, 2013 RANDALL G. SWICK Date Area Manager Spring Mountain National Recreation Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

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http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/htnf/projects


Appendix A – Map of the Project Area

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Appendix B – Design Criteria

DESIGN CRITERIA POTENTIAL IMPACTS ADDRESSED

Soils and Water

Groundcover: Apply forest chipping residue to tent pads and hardened surfaces within recreation picnic and camping sites.

Emphasize foliage rich forestry chip residue and limit chip depth to less than 6 inches where natural forest occurs outside of the picnic and camping sites.

Optimize soil function while protecting against runoff.

Sheet wash: Aprons of suitable-sized gravel will be placed on the down slope of tent, trailer, and picnic table pads.

Dissipate the energy of sheet wash, and allow water to infiltrate into the soil.

Curbs: Do not build curbs or speed bumps on roadways and parking lots.

Avoid concentration and ponding of intercepted rainwater and reduce subsequent erosion.

Culverts: To the extent possible, culverts will be replaced with rolling dips and/or low water crossings.

Crossings afford greater cross-sectional area and reduce concentrated flows and subsequent erosion.

Equipment Use and Staging: Follow BMPs to minimize physical disturbance as much as possible when determining where to place Minimize soil equipment, what type of equipment to require, etc. Limit forest machinery compaction and operations outside of administrative footprints to periods outside of spring disturbance. melt due to saturated soils for the major drainage within the Old Mill site.

Topsoil: Remove topsoil (4 – 6 inches) from areas to be heavily disturbed, such as new road construction and either deposit directly to another site in need or stockpile for later reapplication. As delineated in these design criteria as post-construction restoration, the top 2 inches of topsoil will be salvaged in areas identified as habitat for Torrey’s milkvetch and the success of this measure will be monitored for three field seasons.

Preserve topsoil and native seed bank, allowing a quicker recovery of the native species.

Plants and Wildlife Limiting Operating Periods for Raptors and Other Migratory Birds: Construction activities will occur between July 21 and May 19 to avoid bird breeding season (May 20 – July 20). If an exception is requested, it may be granted if a nest search is conducted and substrates (i.e., trees or bushes) upon which nests are found are avoided until nestlings fledge. Appropriate buffers will be designated for any nests located based on the species habitat requirements by a SMNRA wildlife biologist.

Prevent nest abandonment and loss of young for northern goshawk, flammulated owl, other migratory birds, and bats.

Minimize disturbance to

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DESIGN CRITERIA POTENTIAL IMPACTS ADDRESSED

If construction activities occur before July 20, raptor surveys will be initiated within the project area and within 0.5 mile of the project boundaries. Trained observers will conduct surveys using standard USFS protocols.

If northern goshawks, or flammulated owls exhibiting breeding behaviors are detected in the project area, a localized nest search will be conducted. If a nest is found, a limited operating period (LOP) will be initiated from March 15-July 20 during which no vegetation removal or parking lot construction will be conducted within 0.5 mile of the nest until nestlings fledge (based on SMNRA GMP Guideline # 0.60). If nests are not located, but territorial individuals are found, then the 0.5 mile buffer will be set around the locations of the recorded individual(s) March 15-July 20.

foraging bats and nocturnal raptors.

Building Demolition:

Buildings will be inspected for bat guano prior to demolition. If bat guano is observed, and a qualified biologist determines that the buildings are currently in use by bats, then buildings will only be demolished between August 15 and November 15. If demolition must occur outside of these dates, the FS may proactively exclude bats from structures that are free of bat guano the previous year. If these exclusionary structures are maintained, and a qualified biologist determines that no sensitive bat species are roosting in the buildings, demolition may proceed after July 20.

Reduce impacts to sensitive bat species.

Artificial Lighting: For operations occurring outside of normal daylight hours, artificial lighting will be limited to small arrays of down-shielded lighting and reasonable lighting attached to moving equipment (such as bulldozers, pavers, trucks, etc.). In addition, no construction or demolition activities will occur from 12:00 am to 06:00 am.

Reduce impacts to bats and other nocturnal species.

Posts: Hollow posts of any material or color, used to mark boundaries at construction sites, will be capped if open-ended. Exposed holes near the top of posts will be closed to prevent raptor talons and birds’ feet from being trapped.

Building Construction: Holes, gaps, or hollow spaces in the facilities or structures as small as 0.75-inch in diameter will be closed during construction to prevent bird, bat, and small mammal entry.

Escape Structures in Trenches: Construction trenches will be equipped with escape structures with a textured surface for gripping and a slope of less than 45 degrees spaced no greater than 500 linear feet for use by small mammals and reptiles. Escape routes will be installed in all construction trenches for the period the trench remains open. Check trenches, holes, or other confining spaces prior to infilling to ensure entrapment of small mammals and reptiles has not occurred.

Reduce loss of individuals of Palmer’s chipmunk, birds, bats, and other small animals.

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Demolition and Construction Activities

Pre-work Meeting: A FS biologist or botanist will attend the pre-work meeting with the contractor’s crews to explain the rationale behind all project design criteria.

FS Biologist or Botanist on Site: The project Contracting Officer Representative will notify the FS biologist or botanist assigned to the project when activities are scheduled to occur.

Temporary Fencing for Torrey’s Milkvetch: Temporary fencing will be installed around some areas occupied by Torrey’s milkvetch, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the BA of Wildlife, prior to the start of construction. The purpose of the fencing is to avoid construction-related impacts within the fenced areas. The fencing will be maintained throughout construction in the vicinity of the identified areas.

Construction Boundaries and Trail Layout: Impacts to R4 Sensitive plant species and Torrey’s milkvetch (host plant for Mt. Charleston blue butterfly) will be minimized during the layout of any trails. A FS botanist or trained biologist will assist in locating and minimizing impacts to occurrences of R4 Sensitive plant species and Torrey’s milkvetch during the layout of nature trails. The area of analysis will be fenced and shown on construction drawings.

Staging areas: As much as is reasonably practical, temporary equipment staging areas will be located within the area of analysis and in previously disturbed areas (e.g., roads, parking areas).

Post-construction Restoration

Plant Materials: Contractors will follow Forest Service Policy (FSM 2070) and use genetically appropriate native materials for rehabilitation and restoration when possible. To comply with 2070.3(5) of the policy, a qualified FS Botanist or Ecologist will be involved in development, review, and/or approval of plant materials selected for use in this project. Refer to the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites Reconstruction Project Vegetation Management Plan for suggested species and revegetation guidelines. If needed, the use of sterile, nonnative grasses will be limited to the most erosive areas. Interpretive materials for the area will include R4 Sensitive species, CA Species of Concern, and Torrey’s milkvetch.

Torrey’s milkvetch:

Under guidance from district botanist, contractors will salvage the top 2 inches of topsoil, store separately from other soils, then place back on site as the topmost layer of soil. Topsoil salvage will be done in targeted locations where it is likely to have a restoration benefit and may not be done in areas subject to heavy use. Areas identified for Torrey’s milkvetch topsoil salvage are depicted in Figure 3 of the BA for Wildlife.

The FS will monitor the success of salvaging the top 2 inches of topsoil for three field seasons to assess the future utility of this minimization measure.

Ensure successful implementation of design criteria for plants and wildlife.

Minimize loss of individuals and degradation of suitable habitat.

Reduce long-term loss of individuals, habitat, and plant diversity.

Reduce long-term loss of individuals, habitat of Torrey’s milkvetch.

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Weed Prevention: FS and Humboldt-Toiyabe NF Weeds Management Best Management Practices (BMPs) (Humboldt-Toiyabe Supplemental FSM 2080) will be employed during construction and reclamation activities.

Weed Prevention Monitoring: Post-implementation, the project area will be monitored for 3 years for introduced weeds. Any introduced weeds observed will be treated.

Reduce the potential risk from introduction and spread of weeds.

Reduce the risk of alteration and degradation of native habitats.

Erosion Control: FS Soil and Water BMPs (including FSH 2509.22 Region 4 Amendment No. 1) will be employed during construction and reclamation activities.

Minimize degradation of suitable habitat, soils, and water.

Recreation

Design: Design all new facilities to follow the SMNRA Built Environment Image Guidelines.

Maintain visual consistency.

Vegetation: Retain as many large Ponderosa pine trees as possible. Maintain shade and visual aesthetics.

Health and Safety: Provide animal resistant trash containers and recycling containers at appropriate locations throughout the area to promote recycling and reduce trash and litter.

Reduce potential human/animal interactions and on-site litter.

Accessibility: Ensure that all facilities will meet Forest Service accessibility standards.

Provide access.

Heritage

Unanticipated Resources: If unanticipated heritage resources are discovered during project implementation, all work will stop in the vicinity until evaluated by the SMNRA district archaeologist or designated professional cultural resources manager. The SHPO will also be notified.

Reduce loss of unknown heritage resources.

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Appendix C – Vegetation Management Plan

Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams, Recreation Site Reconstruction

Project

Vegetation Management Plan

Prepared by: Tom Lowell, Forester/Silviculturist

Bruce Davidson, Botanist Matt Boisseau, Landscape Architect TEAMS Planning Enterprise Unit

for: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

March 24, 2012

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Desired Condition ....................................................................................................................... 1 Current Condition ....................................................................................................................... 1

Old Mill Picnic Area ............................................................................................................... 2 Overstory Condition ............................................................................................................ 3 Hazard Trees........................................................................................................................ 4

Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds ................................................................................ 4 Overstory Condition ............................................................................................................ 5 Hazard Trees........................................................................................................................ 5

Understory Condition For All Sites.......................................................................................... 6 Screening Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 9 Ground Vegetation .............................................................................................................. 9

Recommended Treatments and Considerations .......................................................................... 9 Silviculture .............................................................................................................................. 9 Planting Guidelines for Visual Considerations ..................................................................... 10 Planting Guidelines for Revegetation.................................................................................... 10 Plant Species Recommended for Revegetation ..................................................................... 12 References ............................................................................................................................. 16

List of Tables

Table 1. Tree attributes for Old Mill Picnic Area............................................................................ 3 Table 2. Tree attributes for Dolomite Campground ........................................................................ 5 Table 3. Tree attributes for McWilliams Campground ................................................................... 5

List of Figures

Figure 1. Site Orientation Map ........................................................................................................ 2 Figure 2. Old Mill Picnic Area, existing site condition (typical). ................................................... 3 Figure 3. Typical hazard trees in Old Mill Picnic Area. Photo on the right depicts Indian paint

fungus conk on dead white fir. ................................................................................................ 4

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Introduction The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA), Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, is proposing to reconstruct the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams Recreation Sites in Lee Canyon. The Lee Canyon area is both a popular recreation destination and a biodiversity hotspot, supporting a number of species found only in the Spring Mountains. SMNRA has identified a need to “manage vegetation for a healthy, attractive, and sustainable forest environment”, and has noted that “visitors will create impacts wherever they recreate; therefore, in keeping with direction in the General Management Plan, emphasis would be placed on protection of native species, ecological processes, and heritage resources.”

The objectives are to manage over the long term for vegetation that is resilient to human impact, maintains an attractive setting, and provides screening to minimize visual intrusions, noise, and dust.

This Vegetation Management Plan is considered part of the Proposed Action that is analyzed in the Environmental Assessment for this project. The Plan discusses in detail the current condition and makes treatment recommendations. It will serve as a guide during and after project implementation.

Desired Condition The desired condition of the setting for these developed recreation sites is to provide a multi- storied forested environment where trees provide shade at individual sites and understory vegetation provides visual buffers for privacy. Further, vegetation will be resilient to the impacts of increasing visitor use and will minimize excessive erosion. Where practicable, attractive views of mountains in the background will be framed or enhanced.

This desired condition may occur immediately in some units, but may not be achieved in others for over 20 years as stands regenerate and understory vegetation grows in height and diameter to provide the desired recreation setting.

Current Condition The current stand condition at all three sites is similar. This is due to the similarity in recreational purpose and use of the sites, close proximity to each other, and similar evaluations and aspect.

Stand conditions and attributes are based on stand exam quick plots and walk throughs conducted in August of 2011 by a certified Forest Service silviculturist. Stand exams were modeled using the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) Version 6.21, Utah (UT) 2011 variant.

Existing coniferous vegetation within the sites has a dominant layer of mature ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Interspersed with the older ponderosa pine are a few old white fir (Abies concolor). Scattered amongst the older dominant layer of ponderosa pine and white fir, and occurring in several smaller pockets, there is a co-dominant layer of smaller ponderosa and some white fir. Underlying the dominant and co-dominant trees is a cohort of smaller suppressed pine and fir.

The following site orientation map (Figure 1.) depicts the location of the recreation areas studied along State HWY 156 and their proximity to one another.

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Figure 1. Site Orientation Map

Old Mill Picnic Area The Old Mill Picnic Area is located in the lower part of Scout Canyon on Forest Road (FR) 072 near the Lee Canyon Guard Station, just off State Route 156 (Lee Canyon Highway) (Figure 1), approximately 43 miles from Las Vegas, at a general elevation of approximately 8,400 feet. The site is located approximately 1/2 mile northeast of the McWilliams and Dolomite Campgrounds.

Old Mill’s recreation facilities are densely spread over three loops under a stand of old growth ponderosa pine and white fir with an understory of smaller pine and fir. The facility is attractive with some sites having spectacular views of Mt. Charleston in the background. Figure 2 is representative of the existing coniferous vegetation condition for the campground. As can be seen in the photo, the overstory vegetation is moderately dense in a park-like condition. The there is little ground cover vegetation in many areas.

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Figure 2. Old Mill Picnic Area, existing site condition (typical).

Overstory Condition Stand exam data for the Old Mill Picnic Area shows a dominant layer that consists of old mature ponderosa pine that average 517 years of age, with an average 16 trees per acre and old mature white fir that are approximately 270 years of age with 2 trees per acre. In groups under the dominant trees the co-dominant layer consists of smaller ponderosa and some white fir that average 248 years of age and 82 trees per acre. Underlying the dominant and co-dominant trees is an extensive cohort of smaller suppressed pine and fir that is approximately 78 years of age and 103 trees per acre.

The following major tree size classes are used for a general and qualitative description of the area tree vegetation (Table 1).

Table 1. Tree attributes for Old Mill Picnic Area

Size Class Average Age AverageTrees per Acre

Average DBH* Average Canopy

Understory (0 – 4” DBH) < 78 23 2.3 1

Understory (4 – 8” DBH) 78 80 5.9 11

Co-Dominant (8 – 18” DBH) 248 82 11.2 22

Dominant (18”+ DBH) 517/248 16 PP** 2 WF*** 24 14

* DBH – Diameter Breast Height. A point where tree diameter is measured 4 ½ feet above the root collar

** PP – Ponderosa pine

***WF – White Fir

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Hazard Trees Several hazard trees were identified in the Old Mill Picnic Area . Mortality in these trees was due to drought and exacerbating agents such as red turpentine (Dendroctonus valens) and fir engraver (Scolytus ventralis) beetles as well as Indian paint fungus (Echinodontium tinctorium) and dwarf mistletoe (Acerthobium abietinum). Currently these damaging agents are present at endemic levels within the picnic area and are causing occasional mortality.

Figure 3. Typical hazard trees in Old Mill Picnic Area. Photo on the right depicts Indian paint fungus conk on dead white fir.

Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds are adjacent to one another and located approximately 1/2 mile south of the Old Mill Picnic Area on Lee Canyon Highway.

As shown in Figure 4, the campgrounds have an overstory of open ponderosa pine and fir in an open park-like condition. Walkthroughs of the campgrounds identified several small areas (< 0.1 acres) of small diameter (2 – 6” DBH) pine trees in the stem exclusion stage. Both campgrounds offer several sites with magnificent views of Mt. Charleston (Figure 5).

Figure 4. Existing tree attributes for Dolomite Campground (A) and McWilliams Campground (B).

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Figure 5. Examples of scenic view potential from McWilliams and Dolomite Campgrounds.

Overstory Condition Stand exam data detailing the timber attributes for Dolomite and McWilliams campgrounds are displayed in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively. As those tables and Figure 4 confirm; like the Old Mill picnic area, the current overstory and understory are consistent with the desired future condition of an open and park-like appearance for the campgrounds.

Table 2. Tree attributes for Dolomite Campground

Size Class Average Age

Average Trees per Acre Average DBH

Average Canopy

Understory (0 – 4” DBH) < 78 86 1.9 3

Understory (4 – 8” DBH) 78 30 4.1 3

Co-Dominant (8 – 18” DBH)

248 57 13.5 20

Dominant (18”+ DBH) 517/248 14 PP 2 WF 22.1 12

Table 3. Tree attributes for McWilliams Campground

Size Class Average Age

Average Trees per Acre

Average DBH

Average Canopy

Understory (0 – 4” DBH) < 78 34 1.6 1

Understory ( 4 – 8” DBH) 78 56 5.0 7

Co-Dominant (8 – 18” DBH)

248 26 13.5 10

Dominant (18”+ DBH) 517/248 16 PP 3 WF 24.0 15

Hazard Trees Walk throughs of the Dolomite and McWilliams campgrounds identified several hazard trees (Figure 6). As with the Old Mill Picnic Area, mortality in these trees was due to drought and exacerbating insect and disease agents. Currently these damaging agents are present at endemic levels within the campgrounds and are causing occasional mortality.

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Figure 6. Ponderosa Pine hazard tree in McWilliams Campground.

Understory Condition For All Sites The plant communities throughout the area are similar (Abies concolor-Pinus ponderosa v. scopulorum-Cercocarpus ledifolius v. intermontanus association), with both Old Mill and Dolomite/McWilliams being located along the mouths of major side canyons within Lee Canyon. The natural vegetation here is already light. High cover values for rock, bare ground, and detritus are common in this dry, harsh environment. Recreationists have trampled much of the area for many years, and still only the most heavily used paths and picnic/camp sites are actually devoid of vegetation because of the foot traffic.

The coniferous overstory is generally open, allowing moderate cover of shrubs and ground vegetation. Many areas (mainly south-facing slopes and ridges, Figure 8) have a naturally open tree canopy and low ground cover.

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Figure 8. Naturally low plant cover, with heavily compacted areas in the shaded picnic sites.

Draw bottoms with ephemeral streambeds, and low, east-west trending ridges are the dominant features influencing the available soil moisture in this dry environment. Soil moisture can help determine desired species to regenerate or plant for rehabilitation or site improvement. The project area can be divided into two planting zone categories for this purpose:

1) Dry- Dry, open areas along ridges and south-facing slopes.

2) Dry-Mesic:-Areas that retain a little extra soil moisture, supporting higher tree canopy cover and understory cover, such as north-facing slopes and draw bottoms.

Figure 9 shows the approximate locations of these two environments within the project area.

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Figure9. General locations of planting zones.

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Screening Vegetation Scattered throughout these recreation sites are clumps of curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), and wax currant (Ribes cereum) which would be appropriate for screen plantings as needed during or after the campground reconstruction (see Figure 10). These shrubs require 20 years or more of growth from seed to provide a mature, screening form.

Figure 10. Mountain mahogany (A) providing effective screening from road. Rocky Mountain maple (B) providing visual screen between site units.

Ground Vegetation The rocky limestone substrate and dry climate do not allow development of heavy ground cover vegetation. The dominant plants are grasses and usually small, well-spaced perennials amid high cover of rock and plant litter.

The native plant community includes several species of concern, because of rarity or because they function as host plants for several butterfly species of concern. Many of these plants are locally common and would be well-suited for recovery efforts, either through seeding or planting stock. The importance of Lee Canyon as a biodiversity hotspot is one reason to include species of concern in revegetation efforts. The native plant community is more fully addressed in the botany report for this project.

Recommended Treatments and Considerations

Silviculture It is the judgment of the project silviculturist, landscape architect, and botanist that the

existing overstory vegetation of the Old Mill, Dolomite, and McWilliams recreation sites already meets the desired condition of an open and park-like stand that is visually pleasing to visitors. As such, with the exception of treating the small areas that are in the stem exclusion stage and trees that are considered hazards and should be removed (now or in the future), no additional overstory vegetation treatments are necessary at this time.

We recommend that before any hazard tree removal or tree thinning occurs, highly qualified personnel including a forester, landscape architect, and recreation specialist collectively determine specifically what trees are to be retained or removed.

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It is recommended that the overstory and understory vegetation be reexamined every 10 years. The purpose of these reexaminations is to maintain and promote the existing open and park-like conditions and identify additional scenic vista opportunities and to determine whether further treatments are warranted.

Planting Guidelines for Visual Considerations For future management with regard to screening near site units, thin the smallest diameter

trees within clumps, retaining the largest diameter trees within clumps such that the crowns are just touching. Retaining some small diameter trees between larger ones will improve visual screening.

To encourage natural regeneration, break up compacted areas of soil by ripping 6-8 inches deep to provide a good seedbed for natural regeneration. These areas should include only those that are heavily compacted and bare from use.

Within the campsite or picnic area perimeters, planting seedlings is often preferred over natural regeneration in order to quickly establish plants desired for future screening and shading. Plants should use locally acquired seed following regional seed zone guidelines and collection procedures. Planting should be done in the spring following the final tree removals, and both ground temperature and soil moisture content are adequate.

To prevent trampling of seedlings, locate plants 10 - 15 feet away from active use areas, rope the vegetated area off and use logs or other means to funnel traffic away from these sensitive areas.

Transplanting existing vegetation often requires more maintenance than can generally be provided on a large campground scale in order for the plants to survive. Transplanting should only be considered where regular watering and protection can be provided (e.g., pumpers or engine crews).

Sites that would benefit from additional vegetative screening and those with potential to frame background mountain views should be identified at the design stage of the project. Space between sites is an influencing factor when determining the need for additional vegetative screening. A planting plan should be included that details where and how the vegetative screening and buffers will be implemented. This plan should be reviewed and approved by the Forest Landscape Architect.

Planting Guidelines for Revegetation Following the reconstruction of these recreation sites, there will likely be a need to rehabilitate or enhance the recovery of vegetation, especially in heavily disturbed areas. Much of the natural erosion control in this area is from needle mulch, rock/gravel, and other litter and detritus. Native plant species would eventually reclaim disturbed areas on their own, but this would be a slow process. Quick reestablishment of native species would help to deter the increase of non-native invasive plants. Because of the high amount of recreation use at these sites, vegetation recovery would likely be hampered by trampling. Successful recovery of ground cover and establishment of screening vegetation may require additional protection efforts. Many measures could be taken to help achieve the vegetation recovery goal:

The quickest and most resilient recovery/rehabilitation method would be provided by retaining as much of the existing vegetation as possible.

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o Avoid physical disturbance as much as possible when determining where to place equipment, what type of equipment to require, etc.).

o Identify and retain existing, well-placed individual shrubs/trees that provide current or future screening.

o Preserve native seed bank. Remove topsoil (4 – 6 inches) from areas to be heavily disturbed, such as new road construction (see Figure 11) and either deposit directly to another site in need or stockpile for later reapplication. This will save and redistribute a portion of the native seed bank, allowing a quicker recovery of the native species.

The second method for recovery/rehabilitation would be the seeding and protection of new recruits.

o Seed may be collected and sown directly at the desired locations or grown as nursery stock for further seed production or planting.

o With the ecological emphasis in Management Area 11, locally-collected seed and plant material sources are highly recommended in order to retain the naturally site-adapted gene pools in these unique communities.

o Use protective measures such as roping, log placement, temporary fencing (be consistent with the Forest Service Built Environment Image Guidelines, 2001), staking, or other means, in combination with interpretive or educational messages, to prevent damage to recovering vegetation.

Additionally, the planting and/or protection of native shrubs and tree saplings may also be used as needed to ensure screening between campsites.

o Where possible, to help control erosion and speed vegetation recovery, place screening and ground cover plantings near the main outflow points from the various paved/hardened surfaces, in order to capture additional runoff moisture and sediment.

o This harsh and variable environment would require any plantings be watered, weeded and otherwise maintained for at least the first dry season until established, much like landscape plantings. There may be potential for engine crews, pumpers, campground hosts, or contractors to provide the required supplemental watering. Supplemental watering through the second summer season is highly recommended to protect the effort and investment of resources. Faster development and greater survival of screening vegetation could be attained by watering the plantings for 3-5 additional summers.

o A more labor- and resource-intensive option is to salvage existing plants (grasses, herbs, shrubs) from currently vegetated sites that must be heavily disturbed (i.e., new construction of roads or facilities), perhaps as topsoil is removed. Plant them in other areas immediately or store them appropriately for use later. Major drawbacks of native transplanting are low survival rate, high cost and commitment to water resources. Advantages are the local site adaptation and the plants that do survive will be further developed than those starting from seed.

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Figure 11. Approximate location of new connector road between Dolomite and McWilliams Campgrounds (probably upslope of photo). Topsoil could be salvaged and various plants could be transplanted. The green patch in the middle ground is goldenrod.

Plant Species Recommended for Revegetation Those plants that are currently common species in the area will make the best choices for establishing natural-looking and low maintenance flora for these sites. The most common and highly recommended tree and shrub species are shown in bold in Table 4 below and include ponderosa pine, white fir, Rocky Mountain maple, wax currant, curl-leaf mountain mahogany, Wood’s rose, and mountain snowberry. Common ground cover plants include Indian ricegrass, squirreltail, penstemons, Charleston pinewood lousewort, Torrey’s milkvetch, Nuttall’s linanthus, lobeleaf groundsel, bearded cinquefoil, and many others.

Most of the native plants that are present, including many that are not in Table 4, would also be suitable for revegetation purposes, by natural recruitment, seeding, or container-grown plantings. Once established in the specific desired locations, these native species will require no additional water and only occasional protective measures. For the first few years following reconstruction, vegetation recovery will proceed slowly, and it may be two decades before new screening plants fully function at the desired size and configuration.

Table 4 also indicates the suitability of each species for use as screening, and on dry or dry-mesic sites.

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Table 4. Plant Species Recommended for Revegetation

Species Notes Screening Dry

sites

Dry-mesic sites

Trees

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Plantings and natural recruitment can be managed to provide screening while growing replacement overstory trees.

X X X

White fir (Abies concolor)

Plantings and natural recruitment can be managed to provide screening while growing replacement overstory trees.

X X X

Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum var. diffusum)

Rocky Mountain maple is present in the upper portion of McWilliams/Dolomite, and could be planted in similar locations as described above for aspen.

X X

Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)

Uncommon in the recreation sites, but more common further down the canyon, in the pinyon-juniper belt.

X X

Shrubs

Wax currant (Ribes cereum)

Currently a common shrub in the project area, natural recruitment should be high. 15-20 years from seed to mature shrub. Mature shrub is broad and up to 6 feet tall.

X X X

Mountain snowberry

(Symphoricarpos oreophilus)

Currently a common shrub in the project area, natural recruitment should be high. 10-15 years from seed to mature shrub. Mature shrub is only 1-3 feet tall and loosely spreading.

barrier X X

Curl-leaf mountain mahogany (Cerecocarpus ledifolius var. intermontanus)

A common shrub or small tree, up to 10-15 feet tall.

X X X

Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana)

Common small shrub. Plants are armed with small thorns – a natural protective character. The familiar wild rose flowers are attractive.

X X

Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis)

Utah serviceberry is currently present in a limited area. It is suitable for use throughout the area, providing white flowers in the spring. Observed larval host plant for Nevada admiral in the nearby Sheep Range.

X X X

Blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea)

This can grow to be a large shrub, with heavy clusters of creamy white flowers and blue berries.

X X

Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)

Short shrubs with yellow flowers, nectar plants for some of the rare butterflies. Rabbitbrush species often regenerate well on their own.

barrier X X

Spring Mountains goldenbush

Short shrub/sub-shrub similar to rabbitbrushes.

barrier X

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Species Notes Screening Dry sites

Dry-mesic sites

(Ericameria compacta) R4 Sensitive species.

Buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.)

Short shrubs/sub-shrubs with attractive foliage and flower clusters. E. umbellatum is reported as larval and nectar host plant for Spring Mountains dark blue butterfly.

X

Ground Cover - Grasses

Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides)

This is a thin, wispy grass well-suited to dry sites.

X X

Squirreltail (Elymus elymoides)

Short grass with “bottlebrush” seed heads. X X

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)

A small grass more common in short grass prairies.

X X

Ground Cover - Forbs

Rosy pussytoes (Antennaria rosea)

Small clumps of silvery leaves with short flower stalks. Suitable for rehabilitation of heavily disturbed areas.

X X

Rosy king sandwort (Arenaria kingii ssp. rosea)

Short, loosely clustered plant with long, thin leaves and small pink flowers. R4 Sensitive species.

X X

Nuttall’s linanthus (Leptosiphon nuttallii)

A very attractive plant with white flowers topping multiple leafy stems.

X X

Lewis flax (Linum lewisii)

Pretty blue flowers, but scant foliage. Observed nectar host plant for Spring Mountains icarioides blue butterfly.

X X

Lobeleaf groundsel (Packera multilobata)

A small, attractive plant with yellow flowers. Observed nectar plant for Acastus checkerspot.

X X

Charleston pinewood lousewort (Pedicularis semibarbata var. charlestonensis)

These small plants occur throughout the recreation sites. Currently MSCHP covered, but locally common.

X X

Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii ssp. eatonii) (P. leiophyllus var. keckii, R4 Sensitive) (P. thompsoniae ssp. jaegeri, R4 Sensitive)

A few Penstemon species are present in the area. These plants would add attractive flowers and diversity to recovering areas. Some are species of concern and/or nectar host plants.

X X

Charleston phacelia (Phacelia hastata var. charlestonensis)

Herbaceous perennial with silvery foliage and purplish flower heads.

X X

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Species Notes Screening Dry sites

Dry-mesic sites

Bearded cinquefoil (Potentilla crinita)

Yellow flowers and foliage with compound leaves.

X X

Torrey’s milkvetch (Astragalus calycosus var. calycosus)

This is a very small, low-growing, grey-green plant common in dry sites in the area. It has been observed to tolerate moderate trampling in the campground, and seems to regenerate in disturbed areas as well. It is the larval host plant for the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly,

X

Douglas dusty maiden (Chaenactis douglasii)

Silvery foliage, flowers provide nectar for some rare butterflies.

X

Desert wallflower (Erysimum capitatum)

Herbaceous perennial with very attractive yellow flowers. One of the observed nectar host plants for Morand’s checkerspot.

X

Hoary tansyaster (Machaeranthera canescens ssp. canescens)

Purple flowers on open stems. X

Pennyroyal (Monardella odoratissima)

Pennyroyal forms loose clumps with attractive purple flower heads.

X

Dwarf phlox (Phlox condensata)

This plant forms dense mats with attractive flowers.

X

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod is rhizomatous, forming large patches of bright green foliage with yellow flower clusters. See Figure 11.

X

Charleston violet (Viola charlestonensis)

Small plant with pretty yellow flowers. R4 Sensitive species and suspected larval host plant for Carole’s silverspot.

X

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References FVS Staff. 2011. Version 6.21, Utah variant

[http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/ftp/fvs/docs/overviews/UT.pdf]

USDA Forest Service. 2001. The Built Environment Image Guide for the National Forest and Grasslands, FS 710.

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http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/ftp/fvs/docs/overviews/UT.pdf

Documents

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