Attachment 7. Mitigation Measures.pdf

GAOA Sawmill Bear Campground Renovations MITIGATION MEASURES for Resource Impacts

Biology / Botany

1. Prior to construction activities, a Corps qualified biologist (or the environmental monitor) shall conduct pre-construction environmental training for all construction crew members. The training shall focus on required avoidance/minimization measures, conditions of regulatory agency permits and a summary of sensitive species/habitats and invasive plant occurrences within and adjacent to the project site. Personnel will be reminded that harassment, handling, or removal of wildlife from the site is not permitted, and any wildlife encountered during the course of project implementation should be given the opportunity to evacuate the site.

2. A qualified USFS approved biological monitor will conduct surveys no more than a week prior to commencement of project activities and will be present during all phases of the construction and restoration activities to ensure avoidance of impacts to wildlife, aquatic, and botanical resources and to ensure project implementation is in compliance with all requirements of the contract. Pre-disturbance surveys for special status wildlife species will include the project area and associated stream stretch. Surveys of the stream will include efforts to detect amphibians including egg masses, tadpoles, larvae and metamorphs.

3. If a T&E species is observed in the project area at any time, work will halt, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will be notified immediately. In the event of the discovery of a non-listed, special-status ground-dwelling animal or special-status reptile or amphibian (egg masses), Corps Biologist/Monitor may attempt to recover and relocate the animal to the nearest adjacent suitable habitat outside of the project site at least 200 feet from the limits of construction activities.

4. Project activities must either be implemented outside the nesting season for California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) [February 15 – September 15], or USFWS protocol surveys for the species need to be conducted that year with negative results. If protocol surveys result in no California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) detections, project activities can be implemented without any restrictions for these species. If this/these species is/are confirmed within the project area, the Angeles National Forest will consult with the USFWS before any project activities are implemented.

5. For the protection of nesting songbirds, the priority is to implement project activities outside the bird breeding season (February 15 to September 15). If construction cannot be performed outside the breeding season and protocol SWWF and LBVI surveys have been conducted that year with negative results, a qualified biological monitor must be present and must conduct a nesting bird survey no more than 48 hours prior to implementation of construction activities.

Nesting bird surveys must continue for the duration of the bird breeding season as long as construction activities are underway, and work continues to progress into new areas of disturbance. If a songbird nest is found, a no-disturbance buffer will be established. The buffer size will be based on a range of factors including species, type of activity, duration of activity, nesting chronology, and bird behavior. If a raptor nest is present in the project area, notify the Forest biologist and they will determine the appropriate buffer size.

6. If excavations are to be left open and unattended for more than 12 hours, they must either be covered or an escape ramp will be constructed to the bottom of the pit with less than a 2 to1 slope to provide an escape route for small wildlife species such as lizards and rodents. To the extent feasible, excavations will not be left open at the end of the day and will be covered after confirming absence of trapped individuals. Prior to commencement of work activity each day, staff will check excavations to make sure no animals are trapped. Before backfilling or permanently closing any excavation, it must be checked to make sure no wildlife is present within the excavated area. If wildlife has become trapped, backfilling cannot begin until the individual has either been removed or exited the excavation.

7. Work will be allowed during the hours of 6am to 6pm. If night work is to occur, a lighting plan must be approved by the USFS and USACE Lead Biologist.

8. The site will be kept clear of garbage. Trash and food shall be stored in closed containers and removed daily.

9. All project materials will be properly stored and secured. Materials that are in any type of liquid, granule or powder form must be stored in sealed leak-proof containers.

10. All appropriate BMPs shall be implemented to minimize damage to surface soil structure and to reduce potential for erosion and sediment transport to drainages due to project activities. All ground disturbing activities with the potential for erosion must be consistent with FSH 2509.22 – Soil and Water Conservation Practices Handbook and Best Management Practices and in compliance with the Erosion Control Plan developed for the project. All construction will remain within the existing site footprint.

11. Work and parking/staging areas along with ground and vegetation disturbance will be limited to the minimum necessary.

12. Wildlife encountered during the course of work activities should be avoided or given the opportunity to evacuate the site. Personnel will be reminded that harassing, harming, or feeding wildlife is not permitted. This includes venomous species such as rattlesnakes. If needed, reptile species, including rattlesnakes, can be moved from the project site using non-lethal means such as sticks, shovel handles, buckets, or similar containers.

13. All parked vehicles/equipment will be kept free of leaks, particularly anti-freeze since this could be fatal if consumed by wildlife.

14. Prior to implementation, a pre-construction plant survey must be completed and will include all areas potentially impacted by project activities, including the actual work site, access roads, and staging areas. Adjacent to construction areas and within the TCE, trees and native vegetation not identified for removal will be flagged for protection in place (PIP). If rare plants are found, design features such as flagging and marking of areas to avoid or limited operating period may be implemented, as determined by the USFS botanist. If invasive species are found within the project footprint, design features such as pre-project removal, weed wash station on site, post-implementation weed monitoring and removal from the Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) may be needed, as determined by the USFS botanist.

15. If construction deviates from the final approved plans during construction, the ANF botanist must be informed. This is to ensure unexpected construction changes are cleared by existing surveys or that new surveys are conducted as needed. If these changes will result in the pruning or removal of native trees, FS approval will be required. Impacts to native trees will be recorded regardless of size and will include the following at a minimum: The species and number of individuals cut, their diameter at breast height (DBH) (1.3 meters from ground), location, photo documentation and potential impact type. If a tree/oak identified for protection in place is impacted by construction activities such as equipment traffic or staging within the drip zone, root pruning/cutting, or excessive branch pruning (greater than 25 percent in one year), the tree/oak shall be mitigated. The appropriate mitigation ratio will be determined by ANF botanist.

16. All project activities must remain within the designated Construction areas and the designated TCE, which includes the proposed five (5) foot buffer area for clearing and grubbing as needed.

Project activities, vehicle/heavy equipment traffic, parking and staging must remain within the identified project disturbance area and outside the dripline of trees identified for protection in place.

17. For trees identified for protection in place, when not within the designated paths of travel, fencing around the dripline will be required, and tree padding and the placement of matting under the tree dripline may also be required during construction activities as necessary.

18. The construction contractor shall keep grading activities to a minimum and avoid damaging existing root systems. Outside of roadways and designated project areas, grading will not occur within the dripline of trees identified for protection in place.

19. To limit the introduction and spread of new invasive plants, all tools and equipment that will be used for ground disturbance and vegetation removal (including hand tools) must be cleaned prior to entering USFS land. All vehicles/heavy equipment engaged in off-road travel must also be cleaned prior to entering USFS land, and before leaving the project area. Due to the high density of invasive plants within the project area, a weed washing station will be staged on-site.

The USFS botanist will determine the location of the on-site weed washing station and approve the washing station design and installation. Washing of tools, equipment and vehicles will be done in a manner that will effectively remove seeds and propagules and would not further enhance the spread of invasive plants through improper disposal of rinse water. Washing of equipment and vehicles must include tires/tracks, wheel wells, bumpers, fuel/skid pans and undercarriages. The form to be used for certification of equipment washing will be provided by the USFS. Personnel transport vehicles are exempt from this requirement as long as they have not engaged in off-road travel.

20. Project activities will generate a small amount of soil debris. If soil and debris collected contains target invasive plant species with a rating “high” from the California Invasive Plant Council (CAL- IPC), it must be deposited to a proper disposal facility.

21. All plant material (e.g., straw, mulch, seeds, etc.) used for erosion control and/or road maintenance must be certified weed-free. If not available, only weed-free rice straw or rice mulch shall be allowed. All erosion control material must be biodegradable. Wattles wrapped in “photodegradable” plastic are not acceptable.

22. All fill material (soil, sand, gravel, rock) must be from an ANF approved material site.

23. Construction personnel will strictly limit their activities, vehicles, equipment, and construction materials to the TCE including construction areas, staging areas or routes of travel. The construction area(s) will be the minimal area necessary to complete the Proposed Project and will be specified in the construction plans and marked on the ground with visible boundaries, including but not limited to flagging. These barriers will be maintained until the completion of all construction activities.

24. Post-project monitoring and removal of invasive plants within the project impacted area is required. The intent is to focus on occurrences of new species or an expansion of existing species that can be attributed to project activities. Post-project monitoring for invasive plants will be conducted by a qualified botanist on an annual basis for two years. If no new species are detected and there is no documented expansion of existing species that can be attributed to project activities, the requirement to monitor and remove weeds ends after two growing seasons post-project. If the botanist detects target invasive plant species within project disturbance areas during the first two years post-project implementation, the Forest botanist will determine what invasive plant removal/treatments are necessary. Treatments will be completed within that growing season and follow the requirements listed in the Plan for Invasive Plants, Angeles National Forest, and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Environmental Assessment (2016). Monitoring and treatment will be implemented until the Forest botanist has determined that eradication of target invasive species has been accomplished.

Heritage

1. The project is located within the boundaries of a National Register eligible archaeological site.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site and the potential for cultural materials to be present, a modification in the installation methods of the food storage lockers has been agreed upon and a no-dig approach will be utilized without the need for further consultation. The Heritage program manager has determined, however, that the installation of the Forest Service gate at the entrance of the campground will require archaeological monitoring due to the degree of ground disturbance which is necessary during installation. Resource Protection Measures (2018 PA, Appendix E): (1.5) Monitoring by heritage program specialists will be used to enhance the effectiveness of protection measures. A professional archaeological monitor will be required to be on site during the installation of the Forest Service gate. The archeological monitor will be present to ensure any visible surface manifestations of the site are avoided during gate installation.

2. If archaeological resources and/or historic properties are inadvertently discovered or affected during project activities, all work shall cease within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the find, and the ANF Heritage Program Manager shall be notified. They will evaluate the significance of the resource, whether the resource has been affected, and recommend the appropriate action. If determined eligible to the NRHP, potential effects shall be assessed with appropriate mitigation measures developed and implemented to reduce or avoid adverse effects. Guidance shall be provided to construction workers for required actions if archaeological resources (sites, features, or artifacts) are discovered during ground disturbing activities.

3. The discovery of human remains is always a potential during ground disturbing activities. If human remains are discovered, a protocol defined by California state law (California Health & Safety Code 7050.5 and California Public Resources Code [PRC] 5097.98) is required to determine if the uncovered remains are modern or archaeological. All work within a minimum of 200 feet of the discovery must immediately stop and the county coroner must be contacted.

Additionally, the Angeles National Forest must be notified including the federal land manager, federal law enforcement, and a federal archaeologist. If it is determined by the coroner that the human remains are of Native American origin, proper procedures must be followed by the federal archaeologist under the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), including procedures described in NAGPRA 43 CFR 10.4 “Inadvertent Discoveries.”

Silviculture

1. Felled trees used for project will be marked by COR or designated Forest Service employee.

Access to felled trees will be reviewed with construction contractor prior to work to limit damage to resources and landscape.

Hydrology

2. The construction contractor shall implement sediment control practices to divert flows from exposed soils, temporarily store flows, or otherwise limit runoff and the discharge of pollutants from exposed areas of the site. Implement sediment control practices prior to soil disturbance and prior to creating areas with concentrated flow during the construction process to minimize erosion and sediment laden runoff. Include the following devices: silt fence, temporary diversion dikes, and/or storm drain inlet protection. Location and details of installation and construction are indicated on the drawings. Sediment barriers (e.g., sandbags, silt fence, temporary containment dam) must be placed downstream of each major construction operation to prevent downstream sedimentation.

3. Unless an authorized source is permitted by the Forest Service prior to the start of construction, all water required for construction and project activities must be obtained from a source outside the Forest. Drafting water from Forest streams and springs is not permitted.

4. Rumble strips would be placed at ingress and egress locations or at locations where haul routes transition from unpaved to paved roads.

5. Trucks hauling sediment will be required to utilize haul covers.

6. Hazardous Materials Management Plan and Emergency Response Plan. A project specific hazardous materials management and hazardous waste management plan would be developed prior to initiation of construction and submitted to the USFS for approval. The plan would identify types of hazardous materials to be used during construction and the types of wastes that would be generated. All project personnel would be provided with project-specific training to ensure that all hazardous materials and wastes are handled in a safe and environmentally sound manner. This plan shall include an emergency response program to ensure quick and safe cleanup of accidental spills.

7. Water quality permits. Prior to engaging in any soil-disturbing activities, the construction contractor shall document compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 and 402 NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities and any necessary permits for dewatering activities, as applicable.

8. To avoid impacts to stream and water clarity, all softbottom stream crossings will be protected during project implementation (via temporary bridges, steel plates, etc.) to prevent vehicles and heavy equipment from driving directly on them. The temporary protection measures will not impact flows except when necessary, during the construction of the low flow crossing at Elizabeth Creek.

9. If there are flows during the low flow crossing work, waters will be diverted within Ordinary High-Water Mark (OHWM) to allow for construction and reduce turbidity downstream.

10. Staging will only occur in the designated area, and protective mats will be installed to protect the existing ground surface within that designated area.

11. Permanent impact areas should be designed to avoid or minimize the potential to increase fine-grained sediment delivery to nearby water bodies.

12. All equipment maintenance, staging, and dispensing of fuel, oil, coolant, or any other toxic substances will occur in developed or designated non-sensitive upland areas at least 100 feet from any drainage. These areas will implement BMPs to prevent runoff carrying toxic substances from entering Elizabeth Creek and associated drainages. If a spill occurs outside of a designated area, the cleanup will be immediate and documented in the spill prevention plan.

13. All equipment must contain appropriate spill containment kits to respond to leaks and spills.

Personnel must have training on proper response to any type of hazmat situation. All hazmat situations must be reported to the USFS Hazmat Coordinator according to the ANF San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Hazard Communication Plan (2016).