5-5 USFS Decision Memo Bountiful Trails - UWC DecisionMemo Final signed.pdf

Decision Memo –Mueller Park/North Canyon Trail Network

Decision Memo

Mueller Park/North Canyon Trail Network

Project number in the Planning, Appeals, and Litigation System database: 62489

United States Forest Service

Salt Lake Ranger District, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Salt Lake County, UT

July 2022

This decision incorporates all information in this document and included in the project file.

1.0 DECISION AND RATIONALE

This document details my decision to authorize the proposal for the Mueller Park/North Canyon Trail Network. Including:

• Building up to 10.4 miles of new shared use trail with emphasis on optimizing directional travel for bikes and minimizing user conflicts, starting Phase I with Eric’s Hollow 120 and 130

Ridgeline.

• Area management and construction that minimizes disrupting wildlife seasonal ranges and nesting sites.

• Bridge construction over Millcreek and Lower Kenny Creek after approval of design drawings by Forest Engineer.

• Support trail connectivity to parking lot and trailhead at the base of trails 112 & 113

• Trail signage approved by the Forest Service and installed by Bountiful City that includes a combination of informational, regulatory, directional, warning, and educational signs.

• Bountiful City’s responsibility for future maintenance and collaboration with the Forest Service on management objectives.

This decision memo does not approve the following trails (they may be revisited later if adjacent landowners and partners come to agreement; these trails would be subject to a separate evaluation and decision):

▪ 262: reroute of the Grandview Trail.

▪ 312: Improvement and adoption of the Burro Mine (mill creek) Trail.

▪ 302, 301, 303, 304: Picnic Loops above Mueller Park and a connector path

▪ 310, 311: Signs should aim to keep recreators outside of the Picnic area to the extent possible.

Based on environmental analysis and input from an interdisciplinary team of Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest resource specialists, I have determined that this action may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. In particular, this action falls under 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1): Construction and Reconstruction of Trails.

The interdisciplinary team’s review of the project supports my finding that no extraordinary circumstances exist, along with findings required by other applicable laws and regulations to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory framework for the activities authorized by this decision. Specifically, the National Forest Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, Clean Water Act, Congressional designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or National Recreation Areas, Inventoried Roadless Areas, Research Natural Areas, Native American religious or cultural sites, archaeological sites, or historical properties or areas, Migratory Bird Treaty

Act; Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898).

Decision Memo– Mueller Park/North Canyon Trail Network

I find that the proposed action is fully consistent with the 2003 Revised Forest Plan for the Wasatch-

Cache National Forest, as well as in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Specifically, the project falls within management prescription 4.2 Emphasis on Recreation Non-motorized

Settings, and 4.4 Emphasis on Recreation Motorized Settings. Both management prescriptions state: “new recreation development and new trail construction are allowed” and “visitors can expect various levels of regulation”.

1.1 Design Criteria - The following Design Criteria will be required as part of this decision:

• Engineering:

• Detailed design drawings that include site plan, plan/profile sheets, drainage details, and/or other structural details will be submitted.

• Bridges or large retaining walls, drawings must be stamped by the Professional Engineer and Architect responsible for the design and must comply with all current building codes (IBC, IPC, IMC, NEC, etc.), standard, and other safety requirements.

• Retaining walls taller than three feet and trail bridges require coordination with engineering. Site plans, structural drawings in plan and profile, drainage details, accessibility compliance and schedules should be provided and approved in advance of construction.

• Submit Structural Calculations for any bridges or large retaining walls. Structural calculations must be stamped by the structural engineer responsible for the design.

• Indicate approximate starting date for construction of the improvement(s) and/or related infrastructure. Provide a construction schedule for all elements that will be built.

• Fire and Fuels:

• Lop and scatter any cut or rearranged vegetation in such a way as to not create piles or connective jackpots of fuels.

• Stumps should be flush cut and no taller than 6 inches on the uphill side. Limbs should be removed from the bole of the tree, so it is in contact with the ground.

• Scattered limbs should not be taller than 2 feet in height from the ground.

• Fisheries and Amphibians

• Any structures built over stream should allow adequate downstream movement of medium/large woody debris.

• Bridges need to protect natural stream bottom in such a way that aquatic organism passage up/downstream is preserved.

• Hydrology:

• Structures should be well above existing depositional surfaces, with no less than 3 feet of clearance above the bank full flow elevation.

• Hazard trees should be assessed and mitigated at the bridge locations. Numerous large, potentially decadent cottonwood trees were observed. These could threaten the structures.

• Stream Alteration Permits will be obtained (by the proponent).

• Recreation:

• Structures including bridges, puncheon and walls >3 feet in height require approval from engineers. See engineering design criteria.

• Trail should meet design criteria as described in the Forest Service Handbook 2309.18 for each type of trail, as identified in the trail index (for example, class III biking trail, class

III hiking trail, etc). Particular attention should be paid to target and maximum trail grades, and to switchback turning radius. Unless specifically approved by trails manager:

▪ Parameters match Forest Service Handbook standards.

▪ Flag line must be reviewed before construction begins.

▪ All tread should be full-bench construction.

▪ Trail grade will not exceed ½ the side slope (avoid fall-line construction).

▪ Any structures will be of rock construction, and rock retaining walls will be used where dirt is not stable.

▪ All trail elements will follow design standards provided by Forest Service.

▪ Signs will meet Forest Service design standards.

▪ Grade reversals and dips should shed water at least every 50 feet.

▪ Large roots will not be exposed in trail, and trees with heavily damaged roots will not be left along corridor.

▪ Sight distances and natural speed reducers will enhance safety where trails turn sharply or where they cross other trails, roads, or structures.

▪ Signs will meet Forest Service standards and be approved by Forest Service.

• When new trail construction crosses user trails where increasing use is likely to lead to substantial resource damage efforts should be taken to block/hide/rehab them.

• Bountiful City is approved to manage and sign trail 320 as hiking only, and trail 140 as downhill biking only.

• Phasing must be approved by trail program manager before construction can begin.

Considerations include:

▪ Mitigating impacts to Mueller Park Picnic Area concessionaire operations

▪ Timing of bridge approvals and installation.

▪ Technical difficulty of trail build.

• Where construction crosses jurisdictional or ownership boundaries, survey/confirmation of boundary lines will be completed prior to beginning construction.

• Scenery:

• Trails should contour terrain rather than cutting straight across it, and structures should blend in with the shapes and colors of the landscape. It is expected that visual impact caused during trail construction will subside after 2-3 years.

• Wildlife:

• Mule Deer: construction while snow is on the ground will be avoided to mitigate for impacts to Mule Deer habitat and user created routes should be repaired.

• Educational signs about big game in the area and keeping dog on leash should be placed at trail heads.

• Trail densities should be considered in mule deer crucial winter and summer ranges.

• Closing some of the user created trails to reduce trail densities.

• If trail construction occurs between April 1st and July 15th, goshawk surveys should be conducted before the construction. Mitigation for construction if an active goshawk nest is found is a 30-acre buffer inside which all activities will be avoided during that time.

No surveys are requited if construction occurs between July 16th and March 31st.

▪ Notify the biologist of any other active raptor nests that are found during the goshawk surveys if conducted. An appropriate buffer area between April 1st and

July 15th will be placed around active nest of wildlife concern.

2.0 AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS & PERSONS CONTACTED

The project was reviewed by an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists and posted to the forest website via the Planning, Administrative Reviews and Litigation System in July of 2022. Coordination with external partners included Alta and the Alta Environmental Center.

3.0 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW PROCESS AND IMPLEMENTATION

Decisions that are categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are not subject to an administrative review process (Agriculture

Act of 2014 [Pub. L. No. 113-79], Subtitle A, Sec. 8006). The project may be implemented immediately.

4.0 CONTACT PERSON

For additional information about the project, contact Zinnia Wilson (zinnia.wilson@usda.gov) 385-377-

7/13/2022

Ben Kraja Date

Acting District Ranger

Salt Lake Ranger District, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

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mailto:zinnia.wilson@usda.gov