Kanab creek riparian restoration project - coconino county

Background:

The project area encompasses 13,500 acres of BLM-managed public land along Kanab Creek and

associated drainages. Project activities would only occur in the riparian zone where tamarisk and

Russian olive are present (approximately 806 acres). Kanab Creek forms the boundary line between

Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona and project activities would take place in both counties. The

north end of the project area is approximately 8.6 miles southwest of Fredonia, Arizona. Included are

21.6 miles of Kanab Creek and approximately 21 miles of ephemeral drainages: Bitter Seeps Wash,

Bulrush Wash, Rock Canyon, Gunsight Canyon, Water Canyon, and several smaller unnamed drainages.

Much of the Kanab Creek riparian corridor has become dominated by non-native tamarisk (Tamarix sp.)

(Also referred to as salt cedar) and Russian olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia}. Tamarisk is a shrub or

tree that grows in dense stands at springs, ponds, and along rivers and streams. Tamarisk, introduced

into the U.S. in the 19th century as an erosion control agent, spread throughout the west and has

caused major changes to riparian ecosystems. This prolific non-native displaces native vegetation and

increases fire frequency and severity. Tamarisk spreads by seed and can propagate from buried or

submerged stems. It can replace or displace native woody species, such as cottonwood, willow, and

mesquite, which occupy similar habitats, especially when timing and amount of peak water discharge,

salinity, temperature, and substrate texture have been altered by human activities such as dams or

water diversion. Monotypic stands of tamarisk generally have lower wildlife values compared to stands

of native vegetation. Russian olive, while not as aggressive and disruptive as tamarisk, can displace

native vegetation, especially where it grows in monotypic stands. The purpose of this project is to

remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native plant recovery, reduce fire risk,

and improve riparian ecosystem function.

Scope of Work.

This contract would require personnel to remove tamarisk and Russian olive at various sites along a

21.6-mile stretch of Kanab Creek from the Kaibab-Paiute Reservation/BLM boundary in the north to the

confluence with Snake Gulch in the south, and possibly along short sections of side drainages as deemed

necessary. One or more of the following methods would be used for removal, depending on the age of

individual stems, the density of stands, and the degree of intermingling with native vegetation.

Hand-pulling: Personnel could hand pull smaller shrubs and stems from the ground. Hand tools,

including picks, pulaskis, and shovels may be used to loosen the soil surrounding the larger plants and

then the entire root system would be removed.

Basal-bark: This treatment will primarily be used on immature trees under one year in age and up to 3

meters tall. Private contractor employees under the supervision of a person certified by BLM's course

9000-1 will apply Triclopyr- Garlon 3a (near water) or Garlon 4 (away from water on terraces) - using

hand-applicators to the base of the tree at manufacturer-recommended rates.

Cut-stump: This treatment will primarily be used on mature stems. Shrubs and trees along the banks

and on the terraces would be cut or lopped at or near ground level and herbicide will be applied within a

few minutes of cutting. Crews will use chainsaws, hand saws and/or loppers. Private contractor

employees under the supervision of a person certified by BLM's course 9000-1 will apply TriclopyrGarlon

3a or Garlon 4 (depending on distance from water) - using hand-applicators to the cut stems at

manufacturer-recommended rates.

Cut material will be scattered in those areas where only small amounts of material were treated. In

areas of heavier concentrations, cut material will be cut into smaller pieces to facilitate handling. The cut

material will be piled along the edge of the riparian corridor, to be burned after it has cured by BLM

firefighters.

The purpose of this project is to remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native

plant recovery, reduce fire risk, and improve riparian ecosystem function.

Special Requirements:

Crews will hike in to Kanab Creek carrying tools and supplies. Pack animals could be utilized to get

supplies into the project area. If necessary, crews are allowed to camp at existing disturbed sites in or

near the project area.

Project activities will be conducted in a manner that would minimize disturbance to existing native

vegetation.

Any cultural {historic/prehistoric site or object) or paleontological resource (fossil remains of plants or

animals) discovered during project activities will immediately be reported to the Arizona Strip Field

Office Manager or his/her designee. All operations in the immediate area of the discovery will be

suspended until written authorization to proceed is issued. An evaluation of the discovery will be made

by a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist to determine appropriate actions to prevent the loss of

significant cultural or scientifically important paleontological values.

If in connection with this work any human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects or objects of

cultural patrimony as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act {P.L. 101-

601; 104 Stat. 3048; 25 U.S.C. 3001) are discovered, operations in the immediate area of the discovery

would stop, the remains and objects would be protected, and the ASFO Manager would be immediately

notified. The immediate area of the discovery would be protected until notified by the ASFO Manager

that operations may resume.

Herbicide application will not occur within¼ mile of an occupied California condor nest, roost, or

release site.

Those involved with project activities will stop work and notify the BLM wildlife team lead if California

condors visit the worksite while project activities are underway. BLM wildlife biologists would determine

if project activities would need to be halted, delayed, or modified in order to avoid any adverse effects

to condors.

The project site and any camping or parking area would be cleaned up at the end of each day the work is

being conducted (e.g., trash removed, scrap materials picked up) to minimize the likelihood of condors

visiting the site. BLM staff may conduct site visits to the area to ensure adequate clean-up measures are

taken.

Project personnel will receive a briefing on the goals and objectives of the treatment, to include

information on sensitive cultural and biological resources in the area. The briefing will include

information on employee and visitor safety.

Project activities will be limited to daylight hours to minimize impacts to wildlife.

Background:

The project area encompasses 13,500 acres of BLM-managed public land along Kanab Creek and

associated drainages. Project activities would only occur in the riparian zone where tamarisk and

Russian olive are present (approximately 806 acres). Kanab Creek forms the boundary line between

Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona and project activities would take place in both counties. The

north end of the project area is approximately 8.6 miles southwest of Fredonia, Arizona. Included are

21.6 miles of Kanab Creek and approximately 21 miles of ephemeral drainages: Bitter Seeps Wash,

Bulrush Wash, Rock Canyon, Gunsight Canyon, Water Canyon, and several smaller unnamed drainages.

Much of the Kanab Creek riparian corridor has become dominated by non-native tamarisk (Tamarix sp.)

(Also referred to as salt cedar) and Russian olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia}. Tamarisk is a shrub or

tree that grows in dense stands at springs, ponds, and along rivers and streams. Tamarisk, introduced

into the U.S. in the 19th century as an erosion control agent, spread throughout the west and has

caused major changes to riparian ecosystems. This prolific non-native displaces native vegetation and

increases fire frequency and severity. Tamarisk spreads by seed and can propagate from buried or

submerged stems. It can replace or displace native woody species, such as cottonwood, willow, and

mesquite, which occupy similar habitats, especially when timing and amount of peak water discharge,

salinity, temperature, and substrate texture have been altered by human activities such as dams or

water diversion. Monotypic stands of tamarisk generally have lower wildlife values compared to stands

of native vegetation. Russian olive, while not as aggressive and disruptive as tamarisk, can displace

native vegetation, especially where it grows in monotypic stands. The purpose of this project is to

remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native plant recovery, reduce fire risk,

and improve riparian ecosystem function.

Scope of Work.

This contract would require personnel to remove tamarisk and Russian olive at various sites along a

21.6-mile stretch of Kanab Creek from the Kaibab-Paiute Reservation/BLM boundary in the north to the

confluence with Snake Gulch in the south, and possibly along short sections of side drainages as deemed

necessary. One or more of the following methods would be used for removal, depending on the age of

individual stems, the density of stands, and the degree of intermingling with native vegetation.

Hand-pulling: Personnel could hand pull smaller shrubs and stems from the ground. Hand tools,

including picks, pulaskis, and shovels may be used to loosen the soil surrounding the larger plants and

then the entire root system would be removed.

Basal-bark: This treatment will primarily be used on immature trees under one year in age and up to 3

meters tall. Private contractor employees under the supervision of a person certified by BLM's course

9000-1 will apply Triclopyr- Garlon 3a (near water) or Garlon 4 (away from water on terraces) - using

hand-applicators to the base of the tree at manufacturer-recommended rates.

Cut-stump: This treatment will primarily be used on mature stems. Shrubs and trees along the banks

and on the terraces would be cut or lopped at or near ground level and herbicide will be applied within a

few minutes of cutting. Crews will use chainsaws, hand saws and/or loppers. Private contractor

employees under the supervision of a person certified by BLM's course 9000-1 will apply TriclopyrGarlon

3a or Garlon 4 (depending on distance from water) - using hand-applicators to the cut stems at

manufacturer-recommended rates.

Cut material will be scattered in those areas where only small amounts of material were treated. In

areas of heavier concentrations, cut material will be cut into smaller pieces to facilitate handling. The cut

material will be piled along the edge of the riparian corridor, to be burned after it has cured by BLM

firefighters.

The purpose of this project is to remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native

plant recovery, reduce fire risk, and improve riparian ecosystem function.

Special Requirements:

Crews will hike in to Kanab Creek carrying tools and supplies. Pack animals could be utilized to get

supplies into the project area. If necessary, crews are allowed to camp at existing disturbed sites in or

near the project area.

Project activities will be conducted in a manner that would minimize disturbance to existing native

vegetation.

Any cultural {historic/prehistoric site or object) or paleontological resource (fossil remains of plants or

animals) discovered during project activities will immediately be reported to the Arizona Strip Field

Office Manager or his/her designee. All operations in the immediate area of the discovery will be

suspended until written authorization to proceed is issued. An evaluation of the discovery will be made

by a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist to determine appropriate actions to prevent the loss of

significant cultural or scientifically important paleontological values.

If in connection with this work any human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects or objects of

cultural patrimony as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act {P.L. 101-

601; 104 Stat. 3048; 25 U.S.C. 3001) are discovered, operations in the immediate area of the discovery

would stop, the remains and objects would be protected, and the ASFO Manager would be immediately

notified. The immediate area of the discovery would be protected until notified by the ASFO Manager

that operations may resume.

Herbicide application will not occur within¼ mile of an occupied California condor nest, roost, or

release site.

Those involved with project activities will stop work and notify the BLM wildlife team lead if California

condors visit the worksite while project activities are underway. BLM wildlife biologists would determine

if project activities would need to be halted, delayed, or modified in order to avoid any adverse effects

to condors.

The project site and any camping or parking area would be cleaned up at the end of each day the work is

being conducted (e.g., trash removed, scrap materials picked up) to minimize the likelihood of condors

visiting the site. BLM staff may conduct site visits to the area to ensure adequate clean-up measures are

taken.

Project personnel will receive a briefing on the goals and objectives of the treatment, to include

information on sensitive cultural and biological resources in the area. The briefing will include

information on employee and visitor safety.

Project activities will be limited to daylight hours to minimize impacts to wildlife.