r5 nepa compliance checklist for appropriate use...

— Monterey Trails - On-Going Level 1 and Level 2 Maintenance — of 26

R5 NEPA COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST FOR APPROPRIATE USE OF CEs

Los Padres National Forest

Name of Project: Monterey Trails - On-Going Level 1 and Level 2 Maintenance

Decision to be Implemented:

The action is to complete level 1 and 2 trail maintenance on National Forest System Trails in the Monterey Ranger District as described in Appendix A, and including the resource protection measures in Appendix B. An accompanying project map displays the locations of the trails in question.

Mitigations and Design Criteria:

Resource protection measures designed to mitigate impacts to resources are listed in Appendix B and are required for implementation.

Description of Public Involvement:

The project was originally listed on the Los Padres National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions on March 31, 2014, and project information has been updated periodically during the analysis. A scoping letter and a project map were made available on the project web site on September 5, 2014, and the scoping letter was distributed by email and post to 94 individuals, organizations, and agencies that same day. Eight individuals or organizations expressed interest in the project, and seven of them submitted comments. Two comments identified errors in the project map, which have been corrected, and one comment resulted in exclusion of the portion of the portion of the Little Sur Trail that is on private land from the scope of the project. None of the comments identified potential effects that could result in an extraordinary circumstance. A scoping comment analysis report is included in the project record.

Findings required by other laws:

A land management plan consistency review has been completed (LMP Consistency Checklist in the project record). This project is consistent with the Los Padres National Forest Land Management Plan (LMP) as required by the National Forest Management Act. A Plant BE, a Fish and Wildlife BA/BE, a Migratory Bird Treaty Act analysis report, and heritage reports have been completed, and mitigations stipulated therein have been carried forward into Appendix B. Thus, this project is also consistent with the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Birds Treaty Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Purpose of Checklist: For projects categorically excluded under NEPA, document that there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action that warrant further analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.


1. Check the CE(s) that apply to the project and provide a brief rationale behind that determination:

Applicable Categorical Exclusions. For full description of each category and examples refer to FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30. 32.11 Categories Established by the Secretary

32.12 Categories Established by the Chief

32.2 Categories for Which a Project Case File & Decision Memo is Required

7 CFR 1b.3(a)(1) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(1) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(2) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(2) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(3) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(3) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(3) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(4) X 36 CFR 220.6(d)(4) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(5) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(5) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(5) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(6) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(6) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(6) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(7) 7 CFR 1b.3(a)(7) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(7) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(8) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(8) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(9) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(9) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(11) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(10) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(12) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(13) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(14) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(15) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(16) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(17) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(18) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(19) 36 CFR 220.6(e)(20) 32.3 Categories Established by Statute 42 USC 15942 – Energy Act 2005 – Oil and Gas Leases 16 USC 6554 – HFRA – Silvicultural Assessments 16 USC 6591 – HFRA – Insect and Disease Infestation 32.4 Statutory NEPA Exception 16 USC 6236 – Organization Camp Special Use Authorization

Rationale supporting use of the category: The action is to complete routine

maintenance on existing National Forest System trails.


Name of Project: Monterey Trails - On-Going Level 1 and Level 2 Maintenance Determination of Extraordinary Circumstances for the Proposal (36 CFR 220.6(a))

Resource Conditions (36 CFR 220.6(b))

Resource Condition Present?

For Resource Conditions that are Present, the following Findings are made:

Reference material used to support finding of no extraordinary circumstance Yes No

Proposed, Threatened, or Endangered Terrestrial Wildlife Species or Their Designated or Proposed Critical habitat, or FS

sensitive wildlife species

X

The resource protection measures in Appendix B ensure that the project is not

likely to jeopardize the continued existence any federally listed species or species proposed for listing, is not likely

to result in adverse modification to designated or proposed critical habitat, and is not likely to contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability for any Forest Service sensitive species.

Therefore no extraordinary circumstances exist for this resource condition.

FWS BO – August 30, 2013; FWS BO – Sept. 4, 2013

Wildlife BABE – K. Malengo September 30, 2014

Proposed, Threatened, or Endangered Aquatic Species or Their Designated or Proposed Critical habitat, or FS sensitive

aquatic species .

X

The resource protection measures in Appendix B ensure that the project is not

likely to jeopardize the continued existence any federally listed species or species proposed for listing, is not likely

to result in adverse modification to designated or proposed critical habitat, and is not likely to contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability for any Forest Service sensitive species.

Therefore no extraordinary circumstances exist for this resource condition.

NMFS BO – August 2, 2013; FWS BO – Sept. 4, 2013

Wildlife BABE – K. Malengo September 30, 2014

Proposed, Threatened, or Endangered Plant Species or Their Designated or Proposed Critical habitat, or FS sensitive

plant species

X

The project will not affect any federally listed plant species or any plant species proposed for listing, nor will it result in adverse modification to designated or proposed critical habitat for any such species. It may affect individuals of certain Forest Service Sensitive plant

species but is not likely to contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of

viability for any such species. Therefore no extraordinary circumstances exist for

this resource condition.

Plant BE – C. M. Heard November 7, 2014


Name of Project: Monterey Trails - On-Going Level 1 and Level 2 Maintenance Determination of Extraordinary Circumstances for the Proposal (36 CFR 220.6(a))

Resource Conditions (36 CFR 220.6(b))

Resource Condition Present?

For Resource Conditions that are Present, the following Findings are made:

Reference material used to support finding of no extraordinary circumstance Yes No

Floodplains, wetlands or municipal watersheds X

No wetlands were identified within the project area, and no designated municipal

watersheds are within the project area. The trail system does intersect floodplains at stream channel crossings. Maintenance work can cause short-term impacts owing

to temporarily increased sedimentation, but such effects will be minimized by adhering

to the established best management practices stipulated in Appendix B. In the long term, maintenance work will reduce impact of the trail system on water quality

and watershed function by breaking hydrologic connectivity, removing sources of sediment on or near trails, and diverting

surface flow off the trail onto vegetated surfaces that are capable of reducing the

water energy and causing overland flow to release suspended sediments or infiltrate before entering water courses. Therefore no extraordinary circumstances exist for

this resource condition.

Hydrology Report – K. Anderson

November 13, 2014

Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness

study areas, or National Recreation Areas

X

Many of the trails in the Monterey Ranger District lie within designated wilderness, and some lie within wild and scenic river

corridors. The trails predate the designation of those areas and are being

managed to provide historic access to the areas. The proposed action complies with

applicable management direction in the Forest Service Manual (FSM 2323.13,

FSM 2354), the Forest Service Handbook (FSH 1909.19 Chapter 82), the Big Sur

River Comprehensive Management Plan, and the Los Padres National Forest Land Management Plan, and is consistent with

purpose of providing “outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive form of recreation” as directed by the Wilderness Act of 1964. The project

design entails no change to the existing trail system and does not adversely affect

wilderness character or outstandingly remarkable values of wild and scenic rivers. Therefore no extraordinary

circumstances exist for this resource condition.

Special Designation Area Report – C. M. Heard

October 31, 2014

Appendix A - Proposed Action


The proposed action is to perform level 1 and 2 trail maintenance as specified below on the following National Forest System trails (or trail segments) in the Monterey Ranger District:

TRAIL NUMBER TRAIL NAME

TRAIL / TRAIL SEGMENT ENDPOINTS

TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

1E02 TURNER CREEK

Skinner Ridge Trail to Long Ridge Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

1E03 LITTLE SUR

USFS Property Boundary to Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trail to Pico Blanco Public Camp. The portion of this trail between the Old Coast Road and the USFS property boundary is outside the scope of this proposed action.

1E04 SKINNER RIDGE

Bottcher’s Gap to Ventana Double Cone Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trail to Comings Camp.

2E01 SAN CLEMENTE

Skinner Ridge Trail to Ponciano Ridge TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

2E03 BIG PINE

Skinner Ridge Trail to Carmel River Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Commonly known as Big Pines Trail. Includes spur trail to Big Pines Camp.

2E04 VENTANA DOUBLE CONE

Big Pine Trail to Ventana Double Cone TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Ventana Trail. Includes spur trail to Lone Pine Camp.

2E06 MT.MANUEL

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to Little Sur Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Manuel Peak Trail.





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

2E07 DE ANGULO

Highway 1 / Partington Ridge Road to North Coast Ridge Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

2E08 JACKSON CAMP

Little Sur Trail to Jackson Camp TC2

PACK AND SADDLE

2E09 LITTLE SUR CAMP

Pico Blanco Road to Little Sur Camp TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

2E10 DANISH CREEK

Big Pine Trail to Rattlesnake Creek Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Danish Camp Trail.

2E11 RATTLESNAKE CREEK

Danish Creek Trail to Ventana Double Cone Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Little Pines Trail.

2E14 VENTANA CAMP

Pine Ridge Trail to Ventana Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E03 CARMEL RIVER

Los Padres Dam to Pine Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trail to Round Rock Camp.

3E04 MILLER CANYON

Carmel River Trail to Jeffery Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E05 CHURCH CREEK

Tassajara Road to Pine Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E06 PINE RIDGE

Big Sur Station to China Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trails to Divide Camp, Pine Ridge Camp, Redwood Camp, and Barlow Flat Camp.





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

3E07 BIG SUR

Cold Spring Camp to Pine Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E08 PUERTO SUELO

Carmel River Trail to Ventana Double Cone Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E09 SOUTH FORK

Big Sur Trail at Rainbow Camp to Marble Peak Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E10 NORTH COAST RIDGE

Cone Peak Road to Carrizo Trail TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

TMOs set to Class 2 Hiker / Pedestrian to comply with stipulations in the Cone Peak Gradient RNA Establishment Record.

3E10 NORTH COAST RIDGE

Carrizo Trail to North Coast Ridge Road TC4

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trail to Cook Spring Camp.

3E11 BEAR BASIN

Pine Ridge Trail to Pine Valley Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E13 BEE CAMP

North Coast Ridge Trail to Upper Bee Camp TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

The portion of this trail between Upper Bee Camp and Lower Bee Camp is outside the scope of this proposed action.

3E14 BLACK CONE

South Fork Trail to Pine Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trails to Mosquito Spring and Black Cone Camp.





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

3E16 BEAR BASIN CONNECTOR

Bear Basin Trail to Pine Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

3E22 TERRACE CREEK

North Coast Ridge Road to Pine Ridge Trail TC4

PACK AND SADDLE

4E04 ROCKY CREEK

Arroyo Seco-Indians Road to Rocky Creek Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

4E05 HORSE PASTURE

Marble Peak Trail to Tassajara Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

4E06 TONY

Marble Peak Trail to Tassajara Road TC3

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Also known as Hot Springs Trail

4E07 MARBLE PEAK

North Coast Ridge Road to Arroyo Seco-Indians Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Includes spur trail to Indian Valley Camp.

4E08 LOST VALLEY

Escondido Campground to Marble Peak Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

4E09 LOST VALLEY CONNECTOR

North Coast Ridge Trail to Lost Valley Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Summit Trail.

4E10 ARROYO SECO

Santa Lucia Sportsman’s Club to North Coast Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

4E11 GAMBOA

North Coast Ridge Trail to Ojito Saddle TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN


4E11 GAMBOA

Ojito Saddle to South Fork Devil's Creek TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Commonly known as Ojito Camp Trail. TMOs set to Class 2 Hiker / Pedestrian to comply with stipulations in the Cone Peak Gradient RNA Establishment Record. The portion of this trail between South Fork Devil's Creek and Ojito Camp is outside the scope of this proposed action.

4E11 GAMBOA Ojito Saddle to Goat Camp TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Commonly reckoned as a segment of the Stone Ridge Trail. TMOs set to Class 2 Hiker / Pedestrian to comply with stipulations in the Cone Peak Gradient RNA Establishment Record.

4E12 CONE PEAK

Cone Peak Road to Cone Peak Lookout TC3

PACK AND SADDLE





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

4E12 CONE PEAK

Wilderness Boundary to Trail Spring Camp TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

TMOs set to Class 2 Hiker / Pedestrian to comply with stipulations in the Cone Peak Gradient RNA Establishment Record

4E13 STONE RIDGE

Goat Camp to Vicente Flat Camp TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN


4E13 STONE RIDGE

Vicente Flat Camp to Cone Peak Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Commonly known as Vicente Flat Trail.

4E17 KIRK CREEK

Highway 1 to Vicente Flat Camp TC3

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

4E21 KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND

Kirk Creek Campground South to Beach TC4

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

4E24 CAMP CAWATRE

Arroyo Seco Gorge Campground to Santa Lucia Creek Trail TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Also known as The Lakes Trail.

4E26 RODEO FLAT

Arroyo Seco Trail to North Coast Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

4E27 CARRIZO

Avila Ranch Road to North Coast Ridge Trail TC3

PACK AND SADDLE





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

5E03 SANTA LUCIA CREEK

Milpitas Road to Arroyo Seco Gorge Campground TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Commonly known as Santa Lucia Trail. Includes spur to Arroyo Seco-Indians Road.

5E04 SAN ANTONIO

Cone Peak Road to Salsipuedes Ranch Boundary TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

5E06 PREWITT LOOP

Pacific Valley Station to Highway 1 TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

5E08 WILLOW CREEK

Sycamore Flat Campground to South Coast Ridge Road TC3

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Includes 4.3 miles of former road 23S14 (Kindermine Road) converted to trail.

5E09 BUCKEYE

Salmon Creek Station to Alder Creek Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

5E10 CRUICKSHANK

Highway 1 to South Coast Ridge Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

5E12 MILL CREEK

Nacimiento-Fergusson Road to Mill Creek Tributary TC2

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Only the lower 1.4 miles of this trail is within the scope of this proposed action. The upper portion of the trail is outside the scope of this proposed action.

5E13

SAND DOLLAR/JADE COVE

Sand Dollar Day Use Area / Highway 1 to Beach TC4

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN





TRAIL CLASS

DESIGNED USE NOTES

5E17 SODA Highway 1 to Buckeye Trail TC3

HIKER / PEDESTRIAN

Commonly known as Soda Springs Trail.

5E20 SLICK ROCK

Slick Rock Road to Ponderosa Campground TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

6E01 SANTA LUCIA PEAK

Santa Lucia Creek Trail to Santa Lucia Peak TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

6E09 DUTRA

South Coast Ridge Road to Dutra Flat Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as Three Peaks Trail.

6E10 SPRUCE CREEK

Salmon Creek Trail to Baldwin Ranch Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

6E11 SALMON CREEK

Highway 1 to South Coast Ridge Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

7E01 LOTTIE POTRERO

South Coast Ridge Road to Baldwin Ranch Road TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

7E01 LOTTIE POTRERO

Baldwin Ranch Road to Elk Camp TC3

PACK AND SADDLE

Also known as San Carpoforo Trail.

Three trails in the inventory (2E05 - Tin House, 4E22 - Kirk Creek Spur, and 4E29 - Zigzag Camp) and segments of three other trails (3E13 - Bee Camp, 4E11 - Gamboa, and 5E21 – Mill Creek) noted in the table above are outside the scope of this proposed action because routine Level 1 and Level 2 maintenance would be insufficient to restore them to an acceptable condition.

Trail Maintenance Descriptions and Specifications

Specifications for maintenance activities conducted within the Forest Service Trail System are described in USDA Forest Service (1996) Standard Specifications for Construction and Maintenance of Trails, EM-7720-103. Trail maintenance is categorized into three separate levels



based upon the extent of ground and vegetation disturbance. Levels 1 and 2 are considered routine maintenance, and consist of activities within the existing trailway and clearing limit that do not expand the route outside its current location.

The trailway is defined in Section 902 of EM-7720-103 as “the portion of the trail within the limits of the excavation and embankment”.

The trail tread is defined in Section 902 of EM-7720-103 as “the surface portion of the trail upon which traffic moves”.

Clearing limits for trimming vegetation are defined generally in Section 911 of EM-7720-103, and include provisions for vertical clearance, upslope and downslope limits based upon the steepness of slope, and are generally areas within 1 foot of the fillslope and backslope catch points.

Tread width and clearing limits depend on the trail class, which represents the intended level of development, and designed use, which is the most demanding use for which the trail is managed. The trail management objectives (TMOs) for both wilderness and non-wilderness segments are listed in the tables below. These specifications may be exceeded depending on slope and terrain, but actual parameters should fall within the trail class design parameters at FSH 2309.18 chapter 20.

HIKER/PEDESTRIAN DESIGN PARAMETERS

TRAIL CLASS TREAD WIDTH

CLEARING HEIGHT

CLEARING WIDTH

TC2 - MODERATELY DEVELOPED 12-18" 6-7' 3-4'

TC3 - DEVELOPED 18-24" 7-8' 3-4' TC4 - HIGHLY DEVELOPED 24" 8' 4'

PACK AND SADDLE DESIGN PARAMETERS

TRAIL CLASS TREAD WIDTH

CLEARING HEIGHT

CLEARING WIDTH

TC2 - MODERATELY DEVELOPED 12-18" 8-10' 6' TC3 - DEVELOPED 18-24" 10' 8' TC4 - HIGHLY DEVELOPED 24" 10' 8'

Level 1 Trail Maintenance Level 1 is considered Light Trail Maintenance, and is defined as "no disturbance to the existing trail surface". Work will generally be accomplished using non-motorized hand tools; however, chain saws or brush knives may be used outside of wilderness or when justified by a minimum tool analysis. It consists of activities such as:



Removing slide and slough material; Clearing and grubbing; Brushing and logging out; and Clearing debris from water bars.

These activities are conducted within the established trailway and clearing limits as defined in the trail guide. Work consists of clearing, grubbing, trimming, removing, and treating trees, logs, limbs, branches, and other vegetation, to within the clearing limits as defined in the trail guide (Clearing Limits found in Section 911 in EM-7720-103). Work may be performed along all sections of trail as long as the work does not result in any new ground disturbance outside of the established trailway. Slough, berm, and slide material removed from the trail way may be used as fill for gully and rill repair within the trail bed. Work will generally be accomplished using non-motorized hand tools; however, chain saws or brush knives may be used outside of wilderness or when justified by a minimum tool analysis. All equipment operators will be certified in accordance with Forest Service policy. Level 2 Trail Maintenance Level 2 is considered Tread Maintenance, and is defined as “the reestablishment of the trail way within previously established routes” (Earthwork, Section 910, 911, 912 in EM-7720-103). Work may be carried out only in areas that have received an archaeological survey (or where the slope exceeds 30%) and where no documented cultural resources are present. Ground-disturbing activities are limited to the existing trail way; reroutes are not permitted under this category. Work will generally be accomplished using non-motorized hand tools; however, chain saws or brush knives may be used outside of wilderness or when justified by a minimum tool analysis. All equipment operators will be certified in accordance with Forest Service policy. Level 2 work includes:

Constructing and repairing water bars; Repairing shallow creek fords and rock retaining walls; Cleaning draining dips and other drainage structures; Shaping trail tread, trail bed repair, and filling gullies and rills in the trail bed with

minimal barrow from the trail way; Removing obstacles/debris from the trail tread; Embankment work that may consist of extending the trailway into the existing back-slope

where necessary to achieve a full bench trail bed.

APPENDIX B – RESOURCE PROTECTION MEASURES


All Trails: Heritage Resources: o Level 2 trail maintenance requires consultation with the Forest Heritage Program to

identify where avoidance measures for documented cultural resources are required. The heritage reports (project record) identify which trails have been surveyed for archeological properties and those without survey data, and note the existence of locations on surveyed trails where ground-disturbing activities are to be avoided.

a. The project manager shall coordinate with the Heritage Program prior to any level 2 trail maintenance on unsurveyed trails to determine if further analysis by the Heritage Program is needed.

b. Ground disturbance should be avoided in known cultural resource sites. If ground disturbance activities are required within a cultural resource site, the project manager shall consult with the Heritage Program prior to any work being implemented. Further analysis shall be conducted by the Heritage Program to determine if proposed activities are likely to have an adverse effect to the identified cultural resources. If adverse effects are not avoidable, consultation with the SHPO is required.

Wildlife and Water Quality:

o Implement BMPs from the Soil and Water Conservation Handbook in accordance with the Steelhead Biological Opinion (BO) and agency water quality policy. The applicable BMPs are listed at the end of this Appendix.

o A Forest Service biologist shall be consulted prior to initiating any in-stream work. o Workers shall avoid direct-interaction with wildlife while performing project activities. o Prior to conducting project activities, workers shall receive training on avoiding

unnecessary impacts to breeding birds and other wildlife species. o When possible, avoid conducting maintenance work during the breeding season for

migratory birds (March 15-July 31). o Vegetation removal for a particular trail shall not exceed the prescribed clearing limits

defined in the Trail Management Objectives for that trail. o Workers shall avoid cutting plants of the Asclepias (milkweed) genus unless they are

physically within the trailway. A Forest or District Resource Specialist familiar with the milkweed genus shall train workers on the appearance of and suitable habitat for milkweed and workers shall GPS large stands (> 25 plants) of milkweed and provide locations to the Forest Biologist.

o The District will implement the California condor avoidance and mitigation measures described in Appendix C.

Noxious Weeds

o Use weed prevention practices such as cleaning of boots and tools prior to entering the project area. Maintain staging areas and landings in a weed-free condition. Clean tools and boots when moving from a trail segment with invasive weeds to an area without weeds. If livestock are used to help move equipment, assure that they are weed free, and use only weed-free livestock feed.



o Monitor distribution and abundance of encountered weeds to determine if additional weed control measures are needed. If new occurrences of noxious weeds are detected after project implementation, initiate control measures immediately and attempt to eradicate any incipient infestations.

Specific Trails: Certain threatened, endangered, and and sensitive species identified in the Fish and Wildlife Biological Evaluation and Assessment for this project require specific avoidance and mitigation measures beyond those listed above and/or compliance with terms and conditions described in the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Biological Opinion (BO) for the Los Padres National Forest's Ongoing Activities, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Biological Opinion for Ongoing Activities Associated with Hiking Trail use and Maintenance, Los Padres National Forest, California, the USFWS Biological Opinion on the Effects to Smith’s Blue Butterflies of Ongoing Activities Occurring in the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest, or successor documents. Before implementing trail work where those species or their habitats are located, the project manager must coordinate with a Forest or District biologist to review the work plan, where it will occur, identify potential wildlife and plant issues, where field recon will be necessary, and identify any additional site specific mitigations tiered from the BO terms and conditions. The species in question and the affected trails are listed below. Avoidance measures and terms and conditions are listed in Appendix C. California Red-Legged Frog The following trail segments are adjacent to documented occurrences of this threatened species or pass through suitable habitat: TRAIL NUMBER TRAIL NAME TRAIL SEGMENT 1E02 TURNER CREEK Skinner Ridge Trail to Long Ridge Road 2E01 SAN CLEMENTE Skinner Ridge Trail to Ponciano Ridge 2E03 BIG PINE Skinner Ridge Trail to Carmel River Trail

2E04 VENTANA DOUBLE CONE Big Pine Trail to Skinner Ridge Trail

2E10 DANISH CREEK Big Pine Trail to Rattlesnake Creek Trail 2E11 RATTLESNAKE CREEK Danish Creek Trail to Ventana Double Cone Trail 3E03 CARMEL RIVER Los Padres Dam to Pine Ridge Trail 3E04 MILLER CANYON Carmel River Trail to Jeffery Road 3E08 PUERTO SUELO Carmel River Trail to Ventana Double Cone Trail



Smith’s Blue Butterfly Seacliff buckwheat, which is one of two obligate host species for this endangered insect, has the potential to occur within coastal scrub and grassland vegetation communities from sea level to approximately 2,600 feet on the coastal slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains. It either is known to occur or has the potential to occur adjacent to the following trail segments: TRAIL NUMBER TRAIL NAME TRAIL SEGMENT 1E03 LITTLE SUR USFS property boundary to T18S/T19S boundary 2E06 MT.MANUEL Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to 2,600 ft elevation

2E07 DE ANGULO Highway 1 / Partington Ridge Road to 2,600 ft elevation

4E13 STONE RIDGE Goat Camp to Vicente Flat Camp 4E17 KIRK CREEK Highway 1 to Vicente Flat Camp

4E21 KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND Kirk Creek Campground South to Beach

5E06 PREWITT LOOP Pacific Valley Station to Highway 1 5E08 WILLOW CREEK Sycamore Flat Campground to 2,600 ft elevation 5E09 BUCKEYE Salmon Creek Station to Alder Creek Camp 5E10 CRUICKSHANK Highway 1 to 2,600 ft elevation 5E12 MILL CREEK Nacimiento-Fergusson Road to Mill Creek Tributary

5E13 SAND DOLLAR/JADE COVE Sand Dollar Day Use Area / Highway 1 to Beach

5E17 SODA Highway 1 to Buckeye Trail 6E11 SALMON CREEK Highway 1 to 2,600 ft elevation

Monarch Butterfly The following trail segments are near or adjacent to documented overwintering sites for this sensitive species: TRAIL NUMBER TRAIL NAME TRAIL SEGMENT

4E21 KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND Kirk Creek Campground South to Beach

5E13 SAND DOLLAR/JADE COVE Sand Dollar Day Use Area / Highway 1 to Beach



Soil and Water Conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) Inspections (BMP 2.4):

1. Inspect drainage structures and runoff patterns after major storm events and snowmelt, and perform any necessary maintenance. Major storm events include all storm events for which the National Weather Service issues a local flood watch, advisory, or warning.

a. Determine the extent of hydrologic connectivity during and/or just after major storm events, including the connectivity of disturbed areas directly adjacent to the trail network. Use this information to prioritize and plan improvements to trail drainage.

b. Immediately clean out, repair, or reconstruct waterbars, inside ditches, and other drainage features that are not functioning in order to hydrologically disconnect trails from surface waters and prevent discharges of sediment and other pollutants to water bodies.

2. Regularly inspect trails during all operations. a. Restrict operations if impact or imminent threat of impact to water quality is

occurring. b. Consider restricting operations if damage such as surface displacement or active

rutting is occurring. Maintenance Activities (BMP 2.4; National BMP Rec-4):

1. Maintain trail surfaces to dissipate intercepted water in a uniform manner along the trail by outsloping with rolling dips or waterbars, insloping with drains, or crowning with drains. Utilize outsloping and rolling the grade (rolling dips) as the primary drainage technique.

2. Adjust surface drainage structures to minimize hydrologic connectivity by: a. Discharging runoff to areas of high infiltration and high surface roughness. b. Armoring drainage outlets to dissipate energy dissipater and to prevent gully

initiation. 3. Clean ditches and drainage structure inlets only as often as needed to keep them

functioning. Prevent unnecessary or excessive vegetation disturbance and removal on features such as swales, ditches, shoulders, and cut and fill slopes.

4. Address risk and consequence of future failure at the site when repairing trail failures. Use vegetation, rock, and other native materials to help stabilize failure zones.

5. Maintain trail surface drainage by removing berms, unless specifically designated otherwise.

6. Use and maintain surfacing materials suitable to the trail site and use to withstand traffic and minimize runoff and erosion.

Stream Crossing Maintenance (BMP 2.8): 1. Remove all project debris from the stream or creek in a manner that will cause the least

disturbance. 2. Dispose of unconsolidated spoil outside of the Stream Management Zone (SMZ)1.

1 A Stream Management Zone is also known as a Riparian Conservation Area. See Appendix E of the Los Padres National Forest Land Management Plan.



3. Clean equipment used for in-stream work prior to entering the stream/creek. a. Remove external oil, grease, dirt and mud from the equipment, and repair leaks

prior to arriving at the project site. b. Inspect all equipment before unloading at site. c. Inspect equipment daily for leaks or accumulations of grease, and correct

identified problems before entering streams or areas that drain directly to waterbodies.

d. Remove all dirt and plant parts to ensure that noxious weeds and aquatic invasive species are not brought to the site.

4. Fuel and service equipment used for in-stream or riparian work (including chainsaws and other hand power tools) only in designated areas (see BMP 2.10).

5. Maintain and remove buildup of sediment and debris in switchback drains, rolling dips, and waterbars to ensure they are functioning properly, and do not contribute to the hydrological connectivity of the trail.

Staging Areas (BMP 2.10): 1. Design and locate staging areas of appropriate size and configuration to accommodate

expected equipment and to prevent damage to adjacent water, aquatic, and riparian resources.

a. Avoid sensitive areas such as riparian areas, wetlands, meadows, bogs, fens, inner gorges, overly steep slopes, and unstable landforms to the extent practicable.

b. Designate specific locations for equipment fueling so that water-quality impacts are minimized.

2. Provide signage or flagging to designate staging and refueling areas and to minimize impacts to sensitive areas

3. Limit the size and extent of temporary staging areas. 4. Take advantage of existing openings, sites away from waterbodies, and areas that are

apt to be more easily restored. 5. Rehabilitate temporary staging areas immediately following use. 6. Effectively prevent access to the area once site restoration activities have been

completed. Equipment Refueling and Servicing (BMP 2.11):

1. Plan for appropriate equipment refueling and servicing sites during project planning and design.

2. Allow temporary refueling and servicing only at approved locations, which are well away from water or riparian resources.

3. Develop or use existing fuel and chemical management plans (for example, spill prevention control and countermeasures (SPCC), spill response plan, emergency response plan) when developing the management prescription for refueling and servicing sites.

4. Use liners as needed to prevent seepage to groundwater. 5. Provide training for all personnel handling fuels and chemicals in their proper use,

handling, storage, and disposal. 6. Avoid spilling fuels, lubricants, cleaners, and other chemicals during handling and

transporting.



7. Prohibit excess chemicals or wastes from being stored or accumulated in the project area.

8. Remove service residues, waste oil, and other materials from NFS land and properly dispose them following completion of the project.

9. Clean up and dispose of spilled materials according to specified requirements in the appropriate guiding document.

10. Report spills and initiate appropriate clean-up action in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws, rules and regulations. The forest hazardous materials coordinator’s name and phone number shall be available to Forest Service personnel who administer or manage activities utilizing petroleum-powered equipment.

11. Remove contaminated soil and other material from NFS lands and dispose of this material in a manner according to controlling regulations.

APPENDIX C – AVOIDANCE/MITIGATION MEASURES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS


California Condor Source: Biological Opinion 8-8-12-F-57 (September 4, 2013) Avoidance and Mitigation Measures

The U.S. Forest Service will prohibit or restrict management activities and human uses within 1.5 miles of active California condor nest sites and within 0.5 miles of active current condor roosting, nesting, and feeding activity localities.

The U.S. Forest Service will examine Global Positioning System (GPS) information daily to determine current condor roosting, nesting and feeding activity localities on the Los Padres National Forest.

The U.S. Forest Service will coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and modify management decisions if a potential conflict with condors arises.

If California condors seem to be attracted to any hiking trail, the U.S. Forest Service will close the trail temporarily and re-direct hikers to other areas until the cause of the attraction is eliminated.

The U.S. Forest Service will postpone maintenance work or implement alternative maintenance techniques to avoid disturbing roosting or nesting condors.

The U.S. Forest Service will remove hazard trees in the vicinity of hiking trails only if they are a hazard to human life.

The U.S. Forest Service will not remove hazard trees within 0.5 miles of roosting condors.

California Red-Legged Frog Source: Biological Opinion 8-8-12-F-57 (September 4, 2013) Avoidance and Mitigation Measures

A U.S. Forest Service biologist will survey suitable breeding habitat along trails in advance of the work and will flag off areas that have breeding or otherwise active California red-legged frogs present.

The U.S. Forest Service may also postpone maintenance work until a time of year when the potential for adversely affecting this species is lessened, such as doing the work during the dry season to avoid California red-legged frogs.

Using hand tools without mechanized equipment when maintenance work area is or near riparian habitats to reduce disturbance.

Terms and Conditions (To be exempt from the prohibitions of Section 9 of the ESA, the U.S. Forest Service must comply with the following):

1) California red-legged frogs will be relocated from maintenance project areas within and

around all areas where project activities could adversely affects individuals. Captured animals will be relocated to suitable habitat nearby.



a) Only qualified biologists1 authorized under biological opinion 8-8-12-F-57 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2013), will handle, survey for, capture and relocate California red-legged frogs and will do so in areas where unavoidable injury may occur as a result of proposed project activities.

b) When capturing and removing California red-legged frogs from work sites, the biologist will minimize the amount of time that animals are held in captivity. During this time, they will be maintained in a manner that does not expose them to temperatures or other environmental conditions that could cause injury or undue stress. California red-legged frogs will be hand captured and transported in buckets separate from each other and other species.

c) The biologist will follow the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force Fieldwork Code of Practice (Fish and Wildlife Service 2013a) during the course of surveys and handling to avoid transferring disease or pathogens between aquatic habitats. The qualified biologist must ensure equipment (e.g., boots and/or heavy equipment) used for maintenance activities are not able to spread disease or pathogens between waterways by either using the aforementioned Code of Practice or substituting a bleach solution (0.5 to 1.0 cup of bleach to 1.0 gallon of water) for the ethanol solution. Care must be taken so that all traces of disinfectant are removed before entering the next aquatic habitat.

2) Take2 of California red-legged frogs during hiking trail maintenance activities will be reduced by implementing surveys, worker education programs, and well-defined operational procedures with the co-operation of a qualified biologist.

a) The qualified biologist will determine the boundaries or work, storage, access and staging sites. Habitat that will be disturbed will be restricted to the minimum necessary to accomplish vegetation clearing activities along hiking trails.

b) The qualified biologist will perform presence/absence surveys for California red-legged frogs prior to the start of any maintenance activities. Survey results will be submitted to the Service upon completion.

c) The boundary of work, storage, access and staging sites will be clearly marked by flagging or temporary fencing. Vehicles and all maintenance activities will remain within the well-defined project boundaries, designated access roads and staging areas.

d) Vehicles will not be driven within 25 feet of any open water to minimize erosion and sediment transport into waters that may be occupied by California red-legged frogs.

1 The USFS must request USFWS approval of any biologist it wishes to employ to capture and move arroyo toads and/or California red-legged frogs from the specified work area. The request must be made to the Service at least 15 days prior to any such activities being conducted by the biologist. Possession of a 10(a)(l)(A) permit for the covered species does not substitute for the implementation of this measure. 2 Endangered Species Act Section 9 prohibits “take” (i.e., harass. harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct) of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife (see Regulatory Framework – Endangered Species Act of 1973 section below).



e) A qualified biologist will conduct a training session for all project personnel prior to the onset of any ground-disturbing activities within the action area. At a minimum, the training will include a description of the California red-legged frog and their habitat(s);; the general provisions of the Endangered Species Act;; the penalties associated with violating the provisions of the Act;; the specific measures that are being implemented to conserve this species during maintenance activities;; the boundaries within which the specific actions may be accomplished;; and the restrictions and guidelines that must be followed by all project personnel to reduce or avoid effects to this species during project implementation.

f) Special care will be taken within 100 feet of any open water to avoid stepping on, trampling or crushing of California red-legged frogs found outside of the water.

Smith’s Blue Butterfly Source: Biological Opinion 8-8-12-F-35R (August 30, 2013) Avoidance and Mitigation Measures The Forest Service will conduct a pre-project survey of any maintenance areas to determine whether seacliff buckwheat is present. If the species is present, the Forest Service will mark (with flagging) areas where seacliff buckwheat grows so they are visible to maintenance workers. Prior to commencement of maintenance work, the Forest Service will instruct maintenance workers on the following measures to reduce impacts to the seacliff buckwheat plant:

Avoid removing plants, whenever possible, unless it would prevent meeting project objectives.

When plants cannot be avoided, cut them at the base and place them as close as possible

to, but not on top of, seacliff buckwheat plants in an area that will not be affected by maintenance activities.

If duff under seacliff buckwheat plant that have been cut will be compacted, removed, or

otherwise altered, collect and scatter duff in a thin layer on the ground as close as possible to, but not directly under, living seacliff buckwheat plants that will not be affected by maintenance activities.

Keep track of the number of plants removed on each day in a written log for end of year

reporting. Make note of the number of plants that were trimmed, rather than completely removed, as well.



Reasonable and Prudent Measures and Terms and Conditions (To be exempt from the prohibitions of Section 9 of the ESA, the U.S. Forest Service must comply with the following):

1) The Forest Service must monitor the recovery of habitat removed and take steps to

replace habitat that does not recover naturally. a) The Forest Service has proposed to monitor the effects of its maintenance activities

on Smith’s blue butterfly habitat, including keeping a count of all seacliff buckwheat plants removed during each project. In addition, for any project where more than 20 seacliff buckwheat plants are removed, the Forest Service will re-visit the project site within 3-6 years to determine if the removed plants have re-sprouted or re-colonized the area. Any information on re-sprouting or re-colonization (or lack thereof) will be included in the annual report submitted by the Forest Service in accordance with this biological opinion.

b) If the monitoring prescribed in Term and Condition 1a indicates a net loss in the number of occupied areas of host plants within the Action Area, then the Forest Service will, in consultation with the Service, design a project(s) to remove invasive plants from otherwise suitable Smith’s blue butterfly habitat and establish seacliff buckwheat within the restored area.

2) The Forest Service must use well-defined operational procedures, education programs,

and qualified personnel to minimize the incidental take of Smith’s blue butterflies.

Only qualified individuals authorized under this biological opinion will survey for seacliff buckwheat, remove seacliff buckwheat plants, and collect and place duff. Katherine Malengo and Kevin Cooper are hereby authorized to conduct these activities. The Forest Service must supply the credentials of any additional proposed qualified individuals to the Service for our review and approval at least 15 days prior to the onset of the activities for which authorization is being sought.

3) The Forest Service must ensure that the level of incidental take that occurs during the

project implementation is commensurate with the analysis in this biological opinion. a) To ensure that the measures proposed by the Forest Service are effective and are

being properly implemented, the Forest Service must contact the Service immediately if it becomes aware that more than 10 Smith’s blue butterflies or 300 total seacliff buckwheat plants have been killed due to the ongoing activities addressed in this biological opinion. At that time, the Service and the Forest Service must review the circumstances surrounding the mortality to determine whether additional protective measures are required. Project activities may continue pending the outcome of the review, provided that the Forest Service’s proposed protective measures and any appropriate terms and conditions of this biological opinion have been and continue to be fully implemented.



Monarch Butterfly Source: Project Fish and Wildlife Biological Evaluation (September 30, 2014) Avoidance and Mitigation Measures A Forest Service biologist will be consulted prior to trail maintenance activities occurring near Pacific Valley (including Plaskett or Kirk Creek Campgrounds or Sand Dollar Day Use Area) prior to commencement of trail maintenance activities to ensure that vegetation clearing and grubbing are set back from overwintering groves and protective vegetative cover is maintained or enhanced.

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