Decision Memo Monday Lick.pdf

Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System Project

DECISION MEMO

Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System

Categorically Excluded (CE)

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Eastern Region, R-9

Monongahela National Forest

Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District

I.DECISION TO BE IMPLEMENTED

A. Location

The project area is located approximately 0.3 miles south of Marlinton, WV in Pocahontas

County, WV. The proposed trail system extends south and east of the town. (Figure 1)

B. Summary Description of Project

The proposed Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System Project includes 27 miles of single-track trail and would be in support the Forest Plan’s desired conditions and goals for Recreation

Resources Consistent with direction for Management Prescription (MP) 6.1, trails can provide abundant opportunities for semi-primitive non-motorized recreation, including mountain biking and wildlife viewing. This project would also support several goals and objectives for the desired conditions of the Forest’s recreation resources. This includes support for Objective RC04 and

Goal RC26 by providing trail maintenance/reconstruction and increasing our trail system’s ability to provide a wide variety of recreation opportunities and settings.

C. Purpose and Need

For more than three years, the Monongahela National Forest has been actively participating in the Snowshoe-Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC) to document our trails, amenities, and recreational assets in a shared effort to become the first International Mountain

Bicycling Association (IMBA) Ride Center in West Virginia. This process has been an important part of our collaborative work to enhance communities through sustainable recreation on public lands. The Snowshoe-Highlands Ride Center was designated a bronze-level award by the IMBA in 2019 and received a silver-level designation in 2020. Since that time, the collaborative has begun developing a strategic plan for achieving the gold-level designation by 2025 which is largely dependent on the creation of bike-optimized, multiple-use single track trails which are currently absent on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District. This designation will have a substantial impact on economic and business development across the Mon Forest Towns Region which will contribute to the USDA Strategic Goal of facilitating rural prosperity and economic development.

In addition to contributing to the desired conditions of the Forest Plan and contributing to the achievement of a gold-level ride center, this project will also directly benefit the community of

Marlinton, WV. By creating accessible, inclusive, and diverse trails close to downtown, the

Monday Lick project will improve the quality of life for residents, provide the opportunity for introducing young people to the sport of mountain biking, and improve visitor experience for those traveling to the area. The multiple-use loops of progressive difficulty will effectively disperse visitors and provide a range of opportunities. Connecting directly to the Greenbrier State

Trail, Marlinton youth, families, and tourists will have easy access to the Forest’s plentiful natural beauty and outdoor recreation.

D. Description

This project will construct a 27-mile sustainable multiple-use singletrack trail system outside

Marlinton, WV in the Monday Lick area. The proposed trails were field designed by IMBA Trail

Solutions. Trail Solutions utilized contemporary experience-based recreational planning concepts to develop a vision for an engaging and low-impact trail system. Trail Solutions applied sustainable trail design principles which consider drainage, cohesion and durability of soils, and visitor impacts during layout. “Rolling contour” alignments with consistently spaced grade reversals, carefully selected water crossings, and attention to trail grade were employed during design.

Care was taken during trail layout to minimize the number of water crossings. Where stream crossings were determined to be unavoidable:

• The most erosion-resistant locations, such as rocky banks with soils that provide durable surfaces for water crossings were selected.

• Crossing points were selected so that the trail descends into and climbs out of the stream crossing, preventing stream water from flowing down the trail. (Figure 4)

• Grade reversals were applied to divert water off the trail near stream crossings and prevent large volumes of water and sediment from flowing down the trail into the stream.

This also allows trailside organic litter, vegetation, and soils to slow and filter water.

The trail system is primarily designed for mountain bikers, also known as bike-optimized trails, and includes stacked loops of trail that vary in distance and difficulty. A bike-optimized trail maximizes the fun and efficiency of riding a bicycle on a natural surface trail. A stacked loop approach (loops within loops) provides progressive levels of challenge in varying degrees of trail density and mileage. Trail riders will also use FR 304 and FR 1002 to connect between trail segments. These aspects of trail design are intended to accommodate riders with varying degrees of skill and time to ride. A sustainable trail system discourages off-trail travel and creation of user-created trails by providing a more desirable user experience which avoids areas in need of protection. See graphics for more detail. While optimized for bicycles, these trails will also be enjoyable for hikers and wildlife viewers.

All applicable federal laws and regulations will be followed.

Figure 1:Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System Project Area Map

E. Activity Descriptions

• Trail types: All trail construction shall be compatible with the Recreation Opportunity

Spectrum (ROS) setting of the area (as required under Standard 6117).

o Approximately 1 mile of the trail will be constructed to a standard that would accommodate two-way multiple-use (bicycling and hiking) of easiest skill difficulty.

o Approximately 17.8 miles will be constructed to a standard that will accommodate two-way multiple-use (bicycling and hiking) of more-difficult skill difficulty.

o Approximately 8.3 miles will be constructed to a standard that will accommodate two-way multiple-use (bicycling and hiking) of most-difficult skill difficulty.

o Trails conform generally to Forest Service Trail Class 3 (developed) standards.

• Construction Specifications o Construction will require a trail corridor width ranging 48 to 120 inches. Two to three years after construction, the active trail surface width (trail tread) will range from 12 to 36 inches (after vegetation has become reestablished along the edges of the trail). The soil disturbance and the actual width of excavation will be greater on side slopes to accommodate full-bench trail construction in some areas

(Appendix A).

o Vegetation will be cleared and maintained to a maximum height (trail ceiling) of

12 feet and a maximum width (trail corridor) of 10 feet to accommodate trail construction. Except as described below in rhododendron and laurel slicks.

o Where the trail passes through rhododendron and laurel slicks, the maximum height (trail ceiling) and a maximum width (trail corridor) should be reduced to the maximum extent practical to maintain the natural experience of a “green tunnel”.

o In some locations the sideslope of the natural hill is very steep. In locations where the sideslope of the natural hill is over 50%, careful design and layout has been utilized to reduce the probability of erosion, slumping, and sliding. Full bench-cut construction will ensure a durable trail tread in longevity, while consistent grade reversals spaced no more than 150-feet apart will ensure proper drainage of the trail tread (see appendix a).

o Instances where greater than 50% sideslopes are within proximity to streams, extra native filtering and buffering will be employed. Laying slash and found dead logs parallel to the trail alignment, below the bench cut, and adding organic matter excavated during construction, will create filter strips to prevent sedimentation of streams.

o Specialized mechanized equipment, including small excavators designed to maneuver between trees, and hand tools will be used to construct the singletrack trail. A range of techniques will be applied as appropriate where streams and wet areas must be crossed, including, but not limited to bridges, boardwalks, puncheons, culverts, and rock armor (from nearby upland surfaces). All crossings will be constructed to maintain instream movement of aquatic organisms. Natural channel width will be maintained at all crossings.

o Wheel-friendly open rock culverts or wood-construction bridges will be used to cross the three identified streams.

o Hardened crossings, wheel-friendly open rock culverts or properly sized buried drainage culverts will be used to cross smaller intermittent streams and drainages.

o Rock armor will be used to harden areas where soils remain too wet to provide a stable sustainable trail tread, as well as banks where the trail approaches streams.

Rock excavated for trail bench construction elsewhere on the trail will be used, as well as rock acquired from nearby (within 75 feet of the trail centerline) upland areas. This material will be moved by small excavators operating within the trial corridor, or hand-carried to sites for use in construction. No rock will be removed from within the bed and banks of water courses, and no rock will be hauled in from other sources.

o Construction typically does not require the cutting of trees over four inches diameter at breast height (DBH). Any cut trees will remain along the trail route.

o Construction is estimated to require cutting of two standing live tree over five inches DBH per mile of trail construction.

o Construction will be completed in phases depending upon funding availability.

• Signs and Information o Mile marker posts will be placed along each trail segment, and directional markers will be placed at trail intersections. Trail intersection signs will also identify the managed users, skill difficulty, and trail mileage for the intended for the trail segment.

o Signs will be placed along the trail system that would identify approaches to open forest roads.

o Signs will be placed along open roads to warn motorists that bicycle riders may cross nearby.

o Kiosks that present trail maps and other information about the trail system and the area will be constructed at the trailhead parking areas and in downtown

Marlinton.

o Design and placement of signs will be consistent with Forest Service standards and relevant handbook guidance.

• Parking/Access o The existing parking area at the FR 1002 gate and parking along FR 304 will be utilized for visitors.

F. Design Criteria

• Prior to implementation of the undertaking, the District Ranger shall coordinate with the

Heritage Program Manager to ensure that protection measures for identified historic properties are carried out prior to ground disturbing activities. The coordination should be initiated, at a minimum, 120 calendar days prior to the undertaking or one full quarter of the fiscal year in advance.

• The District Ranger shall notify the Heritage Program Manager when implementation has been completed so that monitoring can be conducted to ensure that protection measures were effective.

• Upon completion of the undertaking, the Heritage Program Manager will ensure that documentation of the protection measures and monitoring events are included in an annual report to consulting parties.

• Any contract or agreement associated with this undertaking shall include an unanticipated discovery clause which clearly establishes expectations of conduct and the appropriate line of communication in the event of unanticipated effects to historic property. In such an event, the District Ranger shall be notified immediately. The District Ranger shall ensure all work cease in the vicinity of the historic property and notify the Heritage

Program Manager of the discovery. Reasonable efforts must be taken to avoid or minimize harm to the property until the Heritage Program Manager can conduct a damage assessment. The Heritage Program Manager shall notify the Natural Resource

Group Leader and Forest Supervisor of the discovery, conduct a damage assessment, and initiate appropriate consultation in accordance with 36 CFR 800.13. An internal After-

Action Review (AAR) shall be conducted within 10 calendar days of the discovery. At a minimum, the AAR must include participation from the District Ranger, the Heritage

Program Manager, the Natural Resource Group Leader, and the South Zone

Archaeologist. The AAR will provide a structured approach for reflection on the work of a group to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The findings of the

AAR shall be shared with the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer during consultation and will be included within the annual report to all consulting parties.

• All trees will be cut during hibernation period for bats to eliminate potential direct impacts. Any cut trees will remain along the trail route.

• Project activities that fall within a High Probability Zone for the rusty patched bumblebee will only be conducted during May 15-September 30 when the species is absent from wintering and spring foraging habitat.

II. REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THE DECISION

A. Category of the Proposed Action and Rational

I have concluded that this decision is appropriately categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment consistent with Forest

Service Handbook (FSH) 1909.15 National Environmental Policy Act Handbook FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30 - Categorical Exclusion from Documentation, 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1): Construction and reconstruction of trails.

Based on Forest Service interdisciplinary resource specialists’ reviews for the following resource conditions (per FSH 1090.15, Section 31.2), no extraordinary circumstances related to my decision exist that might cause the action to have significant environmental effects. My decision is based on the information presented in this document and the entirety of the project file.

B. Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances

Resource Condition Review Results

(i) Federally listed threatened or endangered species plants or designated critical habitat;

Species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat; and

Forest Service sensitive plant species

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants – A botanical survey was conducted of the entire project area during the 2021 field season, and no TES plants were found. Therefore, the project would have no effect on threatened and endangered plants, and it would have no impacts on Regional Forester’s Sensitive

Species plants. Many of the stands to be treated are young sapling stands that were impacted by timber harvest less than 40 years ago. Therefore, TES plants associated with late successional habitats will not be affected. Due to the dense sapling canopy, TES plants associated with early successional habitats are unlikely to occur. If any do occur, they could experience a temporary benefit from the partial canopy openings created by the project. TES plants associated with mid-successional, closed-canopy forests could occur, but likely would not be harmed by the activity.

endangered terrestrial wildlife species or designated critical habitat; species proposed for

Federal listing or proposed critical habitat; and Forest

Service Regional Forester’s

Sensitive Wildlife Species

Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) - There are no hibernacula or known roosts within the project area. The narrow linear nature and small number of trees removed would not significantly alter or fragment foraging or roosting habitat. Due to the time of year restrictions, the small scope of the project, and lack of Indiana bat captures within 2.5 miles of the activity area, affects to the species from project activities would be discountable and therefore there will be “No Effect” to the Indiana bat.

Northern long-eared bats (NLEB) (Myotis septentrionalis) - There are no hibernacula or known roosts within the project area.

Project activities would remove trees greater than 3-inch dbh. All trees would be cut outside of the bat’s activity period. Project activates would require approximately 65 acres of linear trail to be cleared with approximately 20 acres of the cleared trail to be permanently converted. Trees greater than 5-inch dbh would not be cut during bat activity period. One NLEB roost tree was found

2.46 miles away from closest proposed trail in 2017. For these reasons, the project “may affect but is not likely to adversely affect” the NLEB, such take is not prohibited consistent with the final northern long-eared bat 4(D) Rule. Determination was made in conjunction with IPaC streamlined NLEB consultation tool.

Rusty patched bumblebee (RPBB) (Bombus affinis) - has not been found in the project area. The USFWS maps areas of high probability and low probability of occurrence based on recent and historic occurrence information. The town or Marlinton falls within a high probability area and approximately 1.3 miles or proposed trail that would connect the town to the new trail system also falls within the high probability area. The remaining 25.7 miles of trail falls within the low probability area. Surveys of wildlife openings within the low probability zone of the project area conducted in 2021 did not detect RPBB. Presence is assumed within the High Probability Zone.

Upland forests which provide winter and spring habitat are present within the project area. Project activities that fall within the High Probability Zone of the project area would be limited to

May 15-September 30 when the species is absent from the wintering and spring foraging habitat; therefore, there would be

“No Effect” to the RPBB.

“Seventy-six animal species are listed as Regional Forester’s

Sensitive Species on the Monongahela National Forest. Based on field surveys and existing records, there are no known occurrences of any sensitive animal species in the project area.

Based on the Likelihood of Occurrence (LOO) table, potential habitat exists for the following RFSS species: Diana Fritillary, West Virginia White, Noctuid Moth, Eastern Small-footed bat, Little brown myotis, Tri-colored bat, Timber rattlesnake, Allegheny woodrat, red headed woodpecker, and cerulean warbler.”

Due to the relatively small scope and scale of the proposed project it is unlikely that activities will impact individuals or lead to a loss of viability or a trend toward federal listing for these species.

Therefore, the project “may impact individuals but not likely to cause a trend to federal listing or a loss of viability" for the species.”

endangered aquatic species or designated critical habitat;

species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat; and Forest Service

Regional Forester’s Sensitive aquatic Species

The analysis area for this project is contained primarily within the

Swago Creek (050500030405) 6thlevel HUC, with some project actions also falling in the Stamping Creek (050500030406) and

Outlet of Knapp Creek (050500030203) watersheds. All 27 miles of single-track mountain bike trail sare expected to be new ground disturbance and do not occur on existing legacy features, such as old woods roads. Short-term adverse effects could occur during initial trail construction within stream crossings and associated buffers of channel crossings. Although, hardened areas were pre-selected to reduce the potential for the effect. The crossings on

Stillhouse Run and two tributaries of Monday Lick are the only proposed crossings of perennial streams. Because trails will be designed to standards described in the project description, most long-term effects of sediment delivery with trail use would be mitigated.

Candy darter (Etheostoma osburni): Trail construction of 2.3 miles occurs within the watershed where candy darter are present;

however, this section of trail is limited to high in the watershed along ridgetop positions. Following trail design conditions, adverse effects are expected to be discountable, therefore, there would be “no effect” to candy darter or designated critical habitat.

New River Shiner (Notropis scabriceps): Only one RFSS aquatic species (New River Shiner) has a known occurrence within the spatial analysis area. The new river shiner is found within the

Greenbrier River and no suitable habitat is expected within the tributaries within the project area. It is unlikely that effects of this action would extent to the Greenbrier River to suitable habitat, therefore, there would be “no impact” to New River Shiner.

(ii)Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds

All 27 miles of single-track mountain bike trails are expected to be new ground disturbance and do not occur on existing legacy features, such as old woods roads. Short-term adverse effects could occur during initial trail construction within stream crossings and associated buffers of channel crossings. Although, hardened areas were pre-selected to reduce the potential for the effect.

Small excavators would be utilized to create the trail surface to a maximum extent of 10 feet. Compaction caused by equipment to create a trail corridor would be expected to compact soils and reduce water infiltration. Out-sloping of the trail surface will help shed rainwater and not allow it to travel down the linear surface of the trail, causing erosion. Wetlands would be avoided during project implementation.

The municipal water intake for the town of Marlinton occurs within the outlet of Knapp Creek watershed. However, actions of this project are approximately 9 river miles from the water uptake point. Therefore, no municipal water intake sources are expected to be affected by this action.

The actions of this project will have no effect to any downstream municipal water intakes.

(iii)Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas or national recreation areas.

The area does not contain nor is it adjacent to any Wilderness, Wild and Scenic River, or Wilderness Study Areas.

For Recreation, the construction specifications and techniques within the proposed action align with Forest Service

Trail Construction and Maintenance standards as well as the most recent sources adopted by the Forest Service.

(iv) Inventoried roadless areas

The area is not within an inventoried roadless area.

(v) Research Natural Areas

The area is not within a Research Natural Area.

(vi) American Indians and

Alaska Native religious or cultural sites and (vii)

Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas

The Monday Lick Contemporary Trail System proposal has been reviewed for effects to historic property. A determination of no adverse effect has been made for the proposed undertaking as long as the design criteria are followed and met. The conditions are consistent with the Programmatic Agreement among

Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia Division of

Culture and History.

III. INTERESTED/ AFFECTED AGENCIES, ORGANIZATION AND PERSONS

CONTACTED

This project was developed in consultation with the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors

Bureau, Town of Marlinton, Poca Trails, West Virginia University, Pocahontas County Parks and

Recreation, International Mountain Bicycling Association, IMBA Trail Solutions, Snowshoe

Highlands Recreation Area Collaborative, and Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Forest Service and public scoping was conducted for this project and was included in the

Schedule of Proposed Actions for the following timeframe (08/26/2021 to present). The following Forest Service employees were contacted regarding this proposal:

Monongahela National Forest Staff

Project Leader: Stanley Greidinger

Archeology: Gavin Hale

Botany: Amy Lovell

Recreation: Matt Edwards

Silviculture: Jane Bard/Justin Quick

Watershed: Kyle Tasker

Wildlife: Keith VanGorden

GIS: Tiffany Verlander

Forest Service employees took field trips to the project area during project development and design to identify and address any issues or concerns. Specialist input on this project is contained within the project record. No other extraordinary circumstances related to this project were identified.

IV. FINDINGS REQUIRED BY AND/OR RELATED TO OTHERS LAWS AND

REGULATIONS

My decision will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. I have summarized some pertinent laws and regulations below. All applicable federal laws and regulations will be followed.

Forest Plan Consistency (National Forest Management Act) - This decision is consistent with the standards and guidelines contained in the 2006 (updated 2011) Monongahela

National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

Endangered Species Act - See Section II, Item B (i) of this document.

Clean Water Act - This decision is compliant with the Clean Water Act.

Floodplains (Executive Order 11988) - See Section II, Item B (ii) of this document.

Wetlands (Executive Order 11990) - See Section II, Item B (ii) of this document.

Federal Cave Resources Protection Act - No known cave resources will be affected by this decision.

National Historic Preservation Act - See Section II, Item B (vii) of this document.

Archaeological Resources Protection Act - See Section II, Item B (vii) of this document.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act - See Section II, Item B (vii) of this document.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act - See Section II, Item B (iii) of this document.

Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898) - This decision complies with this Act.

This decision is not expected to adversely impact minority or low-income populations.

National Environmental Policy Act - The entirety of documentation for this decision supports compliance with this Act (see documentation in the project record).

V. REFERENCES

USDA Forest Service. 2012. National Best Management Practices for Water Quality

Management on National Forest System Lands, Vol. I: National Core BMP Technical Guide.

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, FS-990a, April 2012. 165 pp.

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. 2016. Erosion and Sediment Control

Best Management Practice Manual. Division of Water and Waste Management. Revised. 3.21.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION DATE

My decision may be implemented immediately.

VII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OR APPEALS OPPORTUNITIES

This decision is not subject to an administrative review or appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 218.

VIII. CONTACT PERSON

Further information about this decision can be obtained by contacting Stanley Greidinger, Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District, during normal business hours (weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to

4:30 p.m.) at 1627 Cemetery Road, Marlinton, WV, 24954; Phone: (304) 799-4334 ext. 7995533;

Fax: (304) 799-6820; email: stanley.greidinger@usda.gov.

IX. SIGNATURE AND DATE

KODY MESSERSCHMIDT Date

Acting District Ranger

Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District

Monongahela National Forest

APPENDIX A –

Examples of rock armor that could be used to harden areas where soils remain too wet to provide a stable sustainable trail tread

Example of Wheel-friendly open rock culvert