S-10-0164 Attachment 1 Integrated Design Features - Alternative 1.pdf

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Integrated Design Features Integrated Design Features IDFs are elements of the project design that are applied in treatment areas and are developed to reduce or avoid adverse environmental effects of the proposed action to forest resources.

Two different sets of IDFs were created for the actions. The two sets of IDFs are Alternative 1 IDFs previously and IDFs Common to Alternative 3, 4 and 5. The need for two sets of IDFs resulted from eliminating a portion of the Merrill wetlands in Alternative 1 but not in the other alternatives. Although many of the IDF’s are common to all alternatives there are IDFs that are unique to Alternative 1 and Alternatives 3, 4 and 5.

Alternative 1 IDFs ________________________________ The following features are generally listed in phases. For those features that overlap phases, this overlap is noted. Riparian Conservation Area (RCA) designated as a 300 feet buffer surrounding Merrill wetlands.

Aquatics

1. A “75 foot” no mechanical equipment” buffer would be designated around the delineated wetlands within Little Merrill Flat during Phase I timber removal [Phase I].

The following would apply within the RCAs for the Merrill wetlands:1

2. Landings would be located outside the seasonal wetlands and the RCA.

3. Conifers would be removed with feller-bunchers that have 24-inch or greater track widths.

4. Skid trails would be kept to a minimum (no more than one every 150 feet) and no water bars would be installed after treatment on slopes that are gentle (1-2%). Where slopes are gentle, water bars are more likely to interfere with natural flow paths than their intended purposes, which, is to disperse concentrated flows away from skid trails

5. Ground-based equipment would be used to remove timber using one-end suspension.

6. Skid trails within the RCA of Little Merrill Flat would require 90 percent of existing ground cover2

7. Slash piles within the RCA would be hand-piled and burned in the outer 225 feet of the RCA of Little Merrill Flat. Machine piles would be located completely outside the RCA.

on bare soil on the trails; slash would be spread over these open areas.

Botany

8. Deleted3

1 IDF’s 2 – 7 would apply even if timber operations lasted a single year. Therefore, the originally sentence was change to what is stated. The original sentence stated, If Phase I is not completed in a single year and has to over-winter, then the following would apply within the RCA for the wetlands within Little Merrill Flat between Phase I and Phase II:

2 Using “existing cover” rather than a predefined quantity allows site-specific application of this IDF to better approximate pre-activity conditions across a heterogeneous landscape.

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9. New occurrences of Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) plant species, discovered before or during ground-disturbing activities within the 14-acre thinning unit, would be protected through flag and avoid methods. Avoidance buffer widths would be based on the requirements of the TES species present [Phase I].

9a. All fencework in the south and east margins of the project area, including the installation of permanent chain-link fence around the treatment facility, would occur when soils are dry, so that plants of Mimulus pygmaeus would have completed their annual life cycle [Phases I and IV]. (this Design Feature was inadvertently excluded from the Design features in the scoping process)4

10. All equipment would be weed-free prior to entering the Forest. Staging of equipment would occur in weed-free areas [Phase I].

11. Certified weed-free mulches or fill would be used in all phases as necessary [Phase I].

11a. If, prior to ground-disturbing activities, new noxious weed infestations are identified within thinning units or on access roads, the infestations would be evaluated, then dug up or pulled by hand and avoided by project activities [Phase I].

12. If, prior to ground-disturbing activities, new noxious weed infestations are identified outside of thinning units or on access roads, and they cannot be eliminated through hand-pulling, tarping, or other cultural methods such as seeding with competitive native species, topsoil infested with these weeds would not be respread into impacted areas of the project [Phase IV].5

13. Post-project monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of weed treatments, control of new infestations and borrow site re-vegetation would be conducted as soon as possible and as needed [post Phase IV].

Silviculture – Thinning Area

14. All conifer stumps greater than 14 inches in diameter would be treated with SPORAX® within the thinning area. No Sporax would be applied within 25 feet of known Sensitive and Special Interest Plants or applied within 25 feet of the RCA [Phase I].

Soils – Thinning Area

15. Deleted and addressed by a Forest Plan Amendment. (See Decision to be Made)6

16. Existing landings and skid trails would be used as much as possible to minimize new disturbance [Phase I].

17. Deleted for the following reason. Subsoiling will not be used in this area as the soil texture type is prohibitive to ripping activities – i.e. high percentage of rock fragments in soils. Furthermore, detrimental soil compaction is not anticipated to be permanent in the

3 IDF 8 deleted and replace with IDF 11a. IDF 8 stated, Known noxious weed infestations would be identified, flagged, and mapped for this project. Isolated patches with small plant numbers would be hand pulled or dug prior to ground-disturbing activities. Prior to ground-disturbing activities, all infestations identified would be evaluated and treated according to the species present and project constraints [Phase I].

4 In the original scoping document 9a was inadvertently omitted.

5 IDF 12 was modified to work in conjunction with IDF aa1. IDF 12 originally stated. If possible, noxious weed-infested topsoil would not be re-spread into impacted areas of the project, unless weed infestations can be eliminated through hand-pulling, tarping, or other cultural methods such as seeding with competitive species [Phase IV].

6 The areal extent of detrimental soil disturbance would not exceed 15 percent of the area dedicated to growing vegetation [Phase I].

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project area due to the presence of coarse textured soils and high amounts of rock fragments. Past timber operations in the area have not had permanent negative impacts on soil compaction (i.e. these soils recover naturally as a result of bioturbation. 7

18. Outside the RCA, Lassen NF Wet Weather Operations and Wet Weather Haul Agreement, and Lassen NF Timber Waiver permit from Lahontan would be followed during all operations. When a conflict exists between the Wet Weather Operations and Wet Weather Haul Agreement, and Lassen NF Timber Waiver permit the most stringent requirements shall apply. [All phases].

19. Soil would be dry to a depth of 12 inches prior to mechanical work commencing the outer RCA boundary (75-300 ft), and work would occur when risk of precipitation is minimal.

This period is usually between May 1 and October 15. Work in the RCA would temporarily halt when the National Weather Service forecasts a 30% or more chance of precipitation, then continue again once soils are dry to 12 inches. (BMP 2-3 Timing of Construction Activities) [Phases I, II and III]

20. Landings constructed for timber operations supporting borrow site development would be located within the perimeter of the borrow site [Phase I].

21. Any activity-generated surface fuels would be piled and burned on project landing areas in order to limit the distribution of the sterilizing effects of fire on soil microbiota.8

22. If trees are pushed over in the pond expansion area and borrow area to facilitate stump removal, then soil would be dislodged on site [Phase I].

[All phases].

23. Runoff from source areas would be diverted away from the project site, including spoil sites. Before ground-disturbing activities, site-specific erosion and sediment control devices would be installed to prevent sediment movement. These devices will include, one of the following at a minimum, silt fencing, straw bales, coir logs (i.e., straw waddles), plant cover, and mulch. (BMP 2-11 Control of Side-Cast Material During Construction and Maintenance; BMP 2-13 Control of Construction; BMP 2-19 Disposal of Right of Way and Roadside Debris; BMP 2-15 Diversion of Flows around Construction Sites; BMP 2-18 Regulation of Borrow Areas) [All Phases].

24. Provide visible delineations around construction and borrow sites. Also delineate wetlands areas that would remain free of machinery operations and materials storage.

Materials would be stored on flat slopes at least 100 feet from the Merrill wetlands on private lands. (BMP 2-18 Regulation of Borrow Areas) [Phases II and III]

25. The size of the borrow site would be designed to be the minimum area necessary to complete the sewer pond construction such that soil productivity would be maximized.

Excavation would not occur below the water table. Monitoring Well #4, developed in October of 2009, would be used to verify groundwater level before excavation. (BMP 2- 18 Regulation of Borrow Areas) [Phases II and III]

26. Mulch, chips, and/or organic material would be spread in the borrow site area to provide a minimum of 50 percent surface coverage, to reduce soil erosion and overland flow, and to maintain soil moisture. Fifty percent ground cover has been demonstrated to provide adequate cover for minimizing erosion, for allowing vegetative understory recovery and

7 What was originally stated: ” Subsoiling operations on detrimentally compacted landings determined not to be needed for future operations and detrimentally compacted skid trails would be assessed on a site-specific basis [Phase I]. ”

8 The following was deleted from IDF 21. “….such that the intensity and duration of the fire minimizes soil sterilization.)

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for minimizing fuel accumulation in thinning operations in the eastside pine ecotype.

[Phase IV].

27. Retain up to three logs per acre of downed large woody material during borrow site development for surface replacement after the borrow site is no longer needed [Phase

IV].

Transportation System

28. Develop and implement a dust abatement plan along the road in the project area. Logging and vegetation management activities would be dust abated where rubber-tired vehicles are operating on haul routes. Water for dust abatement would be trucked-in, or a dust palliative may be approved which may include magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, lignin sulfate, or an approved equal. Dust palliatives would not be used within 25 feet of the RCA. Dust palliatives would be stored and mixed outside of the RCA [Phases I and

II].

Water Quality

29. Applicable Best Management Practices (BMPs) as described in Water Quality

Management for Forest System Lands in California would be implemented All applicable BMPs are listed in Appendix 2 [All Phases].

30. . At a minimum the contractor would have on site at all times sufficient absorption materials and tools to cleanup and properly dispose of any size oil or oil products spill.

Additionally the contractor would maintain storage facilities for oil or oil products in the project area and would take preventative measures to ensure that any spill would not enter the Merrill wetlands. If the total oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons in containers of 55 gallons or greater, then the contractor would prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. In addition, these BMPs would be followed: BMP 2- 12 Servicing and Refueling of Equipment; BMP 7-4 Forest and Hazardous Substance Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan [All Phases].

31. Berms would be constructed with slopes less than 25 percent, unless sound structure cannot be achieved. In the event a sound structure cannot be achieved a Profession Geotechnical Engineer would provide the design for a slope that would have a sound structure. (BMP 2-4 Stabilization of Slope Surfaces and Spoil Disposal Areas; BMP 2-28 Surface Erosion Control at Facility Sites) [Phases II and III]

32. To the extent practicable, use organic materials and rocks generated from the project to back fill the borrow site. (BMP 2-27 Restoration of Borrow Pits) [Phase IV]

Wildlife

33. To the extent practicable, disturbed areas would be seeded, with a variety of locally adapted native plants. These plants should provide food value to wildlife in the form of browse, fruits and seeds, possibly including but not limited to such plants as elderberry, serviceberry, chokecherry, Scouler’s willow, and native grasses. Any substitute locally-adapted plants would be similar or better than those listed plants at providing food value.

Newly constructed or reconstructed berms around the sewage ponds would be stabilized with a mix of native grasses (possibly including but not limited to Poa secunda, one-sided bluegrass; Elymus glaucus, blue wild rye; and Bromus carinatus, California brome) to prevent wind and soil erosion. Any substitute locally-adapted plants would be similar or better than those listed plants at preventing wind and soil erosion (BMP 2-4 Stabilization of Slope Surfaces and Spoil Disposal Areas; BMP 2-28 Surface Erosion Control at Facility Sites). [Phase IV]

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IDFs Common to Alternative 3, 4 and 5 ______________ The RCA of the Merrill wetlands extends 300 ft horizontal from the edge of the wetlands. The RCA is divided into two zones. The inner RCA extends from the edge of the wetlands to 75 feet and the outer RCA extends from 75 feet to 300 feet. The RCA would be impacted by the sewer pond expansion operations in the following ways.

Description of the Sewer Pond Expansion Operations in the RCA Zones

a. A temporary access route up to 16 feet in width from the base of a pond berm would be utilized for work related to pond relining. A temporary access route up to 16 feet from the fence line would be utilized for work related to fence removal and replacement.

Additionally, where berms are breached a work area up to 20 feet in width would be utilized for the installation of monitoring and or functionality features for the facilities.

b. Mechanical equipment may be utilized on temporary access routes described in “a” above within the inner RCA as long as dry soil conditions are met. Dry soil conditions are met when soils within the RCA are dry to a depth of 12 inches prior to entrance. Mechanical equipment would be excluded from the inner RCA areas that are not part of the temporary access routes described in “a” above.

c. The following types of work may occur within the RCA’s of the Merrill wetlands and are outside the existing access roads on the top of the pond berms.

i. Installation of pond liners

ii. Installation of pond monitoring facilities

iii. Installation of piping and other materials to improve the sewer system functionality.

iv. Installation of fences

v. Hauling of dirt, sand and or other aggregates and or dirt for berm related work.

vi. Short term storage of construction materials (not to exceed one week)

d. An erosion control plan (BMP 2.2) would be implemented to protect the wetlands and reduce sedimentation. At a minimum the erosion control plan would include anchored sediment fencing and straw waddles placed between the construction area and the wetland.

e. None of the above described access areas would intrude on the actual Merrill wetlands as defined in the 2009 wetlands delineation study.

The following features are noted as timber operations (timber) or sewer pond expansion operations. (ponds) For those features that overlap both operations it is noted as (both). The descriptions of access routes and work that may occur within the RCA’s apply to all operations involving sewer pond expansion. (ponds)

Aquatics

1. A “no mechanical equipment” buffer would be designated around the inner RCA zone

(within 75 feet of the delineated wetlands as described in the 2008 wetlands delineation study) within Little Merrill Flat during timber removal. (timber)

2. Landings would be located outside the seasonal wetlands and the RCA zones. (timber)

3. Conifers would be removed with feller-bunchers that have 24-inch or greater track widths. (timber)

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4. Skid trails would be kept to a minimum and no water bars would be installed after treatment within the RCA zones. (timber)

5. Skid trails within the RCA zones of Little Merrill Flat would require 90 percent of existing ground cover on bare soil on the trails; slash would be spread over these open areas (timber).

6. Ground-based equipment would be used to remove timber using one-end suspension outside the inner RCA zone. (timber).

7. Hand thinning and timber removal would be allowed within the inner RCA zone. Trees will be felled away from water bodies. (timber)

8. Slash piles within the RCA would be hand-piled and burned in the outer RCA zone (75 feet to 300 feet) of the RCA of Little Merrill Flat. Machine piles would be located completely outside the RCA. (timber)

Botany

9. New occurrences of Threatened and Endangered Species (TES) plant species, discovered before or during ground-disturbing activities within the thinning area, would be protected through flag and avoid methods. Avoidance buffer widths would be based on the requirements of the TES species present. (both)

10. All fencework in the south and east margins of the project area, including the installation of permanent chain-link fence around the treatment facility, would occur when soils are dry, so that plants of Mimulus pygmaeus would have completed their annual life cycle.

(both)

11. All equipment would be weed-free prior to entering the Forest. Staging of equipment would be done in weed-free areas. (both)

12. Certified weed-free mulches or fill would be used as necessary. (both)

13. If, prior to ground-disturbing activities, new noxious weed infestations are identified within thinning units or on access roads, the infestations would be evaluated, then dug up or pulled by hand and avoided by project activities. (both)

14. If, prior to ground-disturbing activities, new noxious weed infestations are identified outside of thinning units or on access roads, and they cannot be eliminated through hand-pulling, tarping, or other cultural methods such as seeding with competitive native species, topsoil infested with these weeds would not be respread into impacted areas of the project. (both)

15. Post-project monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of weed treatments, control of new infestations, and borrow site revegetation would be conducted as soon as possible and as needed. (both)

Silviculture

16. All conifer stumps greater than 14 inches in diameter would be treated with SPORAX® within the thinning area. No Sporax would be applied within 25 feet of known Sensitive and Special Interest Plants or applied within 25 feet of the of the wetlands as described in the 2009 wetlands delineation study. (timber)

Soils

17. Existing landings and skid trails would be used as much as possible to minimize new disturbance. (timber)

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18. Outside the RCA, Lassen NF Wet Weather Operations and Wet Weather Haul Agreement, and Lassen NF Timber Waiver permit from Lahontan would be followed during all operations. When a conflict exists between the Wet Weather Operations and Wet Weather Haul Agreement, and Lassen NF Timber Waiver permit the most stringent requirements shall apply. (both)

19. In construction zones, manual wetting of soils to enhance soil aggregation properties is permissible as is mechanical operations on soils that are manually wetted for this purpose. (ponds).

20. Any activity-generated surface fuels would be piled and burned such that the intensity and duration of the fire minimizes soil sterilization. In thinning areas, this would be achieved by limiting piling and burning to landing areas in order to minimize the areal extent of burning. In RCAs, this would be accomplished by limiting pile size to hand-piles only (i.e. no mechanical piling). (both).

21. If trees are pushed over in the pond expansion area and borrow area to facilitate stump removal, then soil would be dislodged on site. (pond)

22. Potential sedimentation to RCA zones from project areas, including from currently forested areas that are being harvested for pond expansion procedures (i.e. borrow site, sludge drying site), would be prevented by installing site-specific erosion and sediment control devices. These devices may include, but are not limited to, silt fencing, straw bales, coir logs (i.e., straw waddles), plant cover, and mulch. (BMP 1-18 Meadow Protection During Timber Harvesting; BMP 2-11 Control of Side-Cast Material During Construction and Maintenance; BMP 2-13 Control of Construction; BMP 2-19 Disposal of Right of Way and Roadside Debris; BMP 2-15 Diversion of Flows around Construction Sites; BMP 2-18 Regulation of Borrow Areas). (both)

23. Provide visible delineations around construction and borrow sites. Delineated wetland (as described in the 2008 wetlands delineation study) areas would remain free of mechanical equipment that must be driven. Examples of mechanical equipment that may be used in the wetlands are small generators, a gas power post hole digger etc.

Mechanical equipment would not be left unattended on the ground in order to minimize ground contamination by fuels. Refueling of mechanical equipment would be prohibited in the RCA zones. Materials that need to be stored for more than 7 days would be stored outside the outer RCA zone. (ponds)

24. In addition to the revegetation of borrow sites, the area encompassed by the borrow area would be covered at the time of revegetation with mulch, pine needles, or rice straw so that at least 50 percent of the soil would be covered. (pond)

25. Maintain at least three logs per acre of downed large logs in all currently forested areas.

(both)

Water Quality

26. All temporary access roads within the RCA zones would be evaluated for possible sub-soiling, recontoured, seeded with native vegetation, and have 90% of the existing groundcover following completion of the sewer pond expansion operations. (ponds)

27. Mechanical equipment may be utilized in the outer RCA zone as long as dry soil conditions are met. Soil must be dry to a depth of 12 inches before mechanical equipment is allowed to enter the outer RCA zone. (timber)

28. Mechanical equipment is prohibited from entering the inner RCA zone with the exception of the existing access road on the pond berm of Evaporation Ponds 2 and 3 and the

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evaporation ponds themselves with the exception of work allowed in the RCA’s previously discussed. ( Ponds)

29. Hand thinned material within the RCA may be dispersed using lop and scatter with the stipulation that fuel objectives are met following treatment. (timber)

30. Contractors would maintain storage facilities for oil or oil products in the project area and would take preventative measures to ensure that any spill would not enter the Little Merrill Flat wetlands. If the total oil products storage exceeds 1,320 gallons in containers of 55 gallons or greater, then the contractor would prepare a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC). In addition, these BMPs would be followed: BMP 2-12 Servicing and Refueling of Equipment; BMP 7-4 Forest and Hazardous SPCC. (both)

31. Treatment pond berms would be constructed with slopes less than 25 percent, unless sound structure cannot be achieved and or the following exists. (BMP 2-4 Stabilization of Slope Surfaces and Spoil Disposal Areas; BMP 2-28 Surface Erosion Control at Facility Sites). (ponds)

a. The 25 percent slope does not apply to existing berms.

b. In the event the 25 percent slopes increase the cost of the project substantially and/or there are other issues identified that make a 25 percent slopes impractical a steeper slope would be used in the design with approval. A Profession Geotechnical Engineer would provide an approved design.

Additionally, berms would be seed with native vegetation.

32. Use organic materials and rocks (not considered to be boulders) generated from the project to back fill the borrow site. When the borrow site is not longer needed contour the site, spread topsoil and seed the site with native vegetation. (BMP 2-27 Restoration of Borrow Pits). (ponds) (BMP 2-27 Restoration of Borrow Pits). (ponds)

33. The well installed for dust abatement will be constructed according to California Standards (Bulletin 74-90). With seals and casing placed to prevent migration of soil and ground water from the soil layer to deeper bedrock formations. (both)

Wildlife

34. To the extent practicable, disturbed areas would be seeded, with a variety of locally adapted native plants. These plants should provide food value to wildlife in the form of browse, fruits and seeds, possibly including but not limited to such plants as elderberry, serviceberry, chokecherry, Scouler’s willow, and native grasses. Newly constructed or reconstructed berms around the sewage ponds would be stabilized with a mix of native grasses (possibly including but not limited to Poa secunda, one-sided bluegrass; Elymus glaucus, blue wild rye; and Bromus carinatus, California brome) to prevent wind and soil erosion. (BMP 2-4 Stabilization of Slope Surfaces and Spoil Disposal Areas; BMP 2-28 Surface Erosion Control at Facility Sites). (ponds)

Transportation System

35. Install appropriate safety signs per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

(MUTCD) at locations on NFSR 31N07 and at the intersection of NFSR 31N07 and County Road A-1 to inform the public of construction activity. (both)

36. Contractor would obtain all required permits from all government agencies for oversize (length and or width) and overweight loads. (both)

37. NFS road 31N07 would be used for timber haul and would receive pre, during, and post haul maintenance as per Forest Service Road Maintenance Specifications for Timber Sale

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Contracts. A surface replacement deposit collection would be required based on haul volume on approximately 2 miles of NFS road 31N07. (timber)

Facilities:

The following items would be included in the sewer pond expansion contract(s) and are subject to acceptance by the Contracting Officer:

38. Implementation of an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Erosion

Control Plan. (ponds)

39. Protection of existing landscape and vegetation outside of the construction zone (ponds).

Upon completion of the project areas that show signs of rutting would be scarified to a depth of 6 six inches. Scarified areas would be contoured and seeded with native vegetation. (ponds)

40. Site-specific erosion and sediment control devices would be installed around stockpiled materials to prevent sediment movement. These devices at a minimum would, silt fencing, straw bales, coir logs (i.e., straw waddles), plant cover, and mulch. (BMP 2-11 Control of Side-Cast Material During Construction and Maintenance; BMP 2-13 Control of Construction; BMP 2-19 Disposal of Right of Way and Roadside Debris; BMP 2-15 Diversion of Flows around Construction Sites; BMP 2-18 Regulation of Borrow Areas).

(both)

Air Quality:

41. Prescribed burning would only be conducted on permissive burn days as defined by the

California Air Resources Board (CARB) and follow the constraints of a Smoke Management Plan (SMP) approved by the Lassen County Air Quality Management District. (both)

42. Develop and implement a dust abatement plan along the road in the project area. Logging and vegetation management activities would be dust abated where rubber-tired vehicles are operating on haul routes. Water for dust abatement would be, obtained onsite, trucked-in, or a dust palliative may be approved which may include magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, lignin sulfate, or an approved equal. Dust palliatives would not be used within 25 feet of the RCA. Dust palliatives would be stored and mixed outside of the RCA. (both)

Range

43. Coordinate of cattle movement and usage within the project area would be conducted.

(both)

44. When need a temporary fence would be placed and maintained around the project area to keep cattle trespassing to a minimum. (both)

45. A temporary cattle guard would be place at the entrance to the project area to prevent cattle from entering the site during thinning and sewer pond expansion activities. (both)

Heritage

46. Sites FS05-06-58-499 and FS05-06-58-982 need to be evaluated for National Register eligibility. If the sites are determined to be ineligible for the inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places no further management of the sites would be required and the project may proceed. If the sites are determined to be eligible for the inclusion into the inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places then additional consultation with

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the SHPO and Indian tribes would be needed before project implementation can occur.

(both)

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