Agriculture Owl Creek Gravel Pit Expansion...The pit was developed in 1988 to provide aggregate for surfacing the Owl Creek-Cimarron Road (National Forest System Road (NFSR) 858) from

Environmental Assessment Owl Creek Gravel Pit Expansion

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United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service July, 2016

Environmental Assessment

Owl Creek Gravel Pit Expansion Ouray Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Ouray County, Colorado T.45N, R.7W, Section 3, N.M.P.M.


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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] . USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html

mailto:[email protected]


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Owl Creek Gravel Pit Expansion Environmental Assessment

Ouray County, Colorado

Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service

Responsible Official: Tamera Randall-Parker Ouray District Ranger 2505 S. Townsend Montrose, CO 81401 For Information Contact: Liz Mauch Lands and Minerals Staff 2505 S. Townsend Montrose, CO 81401 970-240-5405 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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Contents Chapter 1. Purpose Of and Need for Action ................................................................................................. 8

Background ............................................................................................................................................... 8

Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................................ 8

Purpose and Need for Action .................................................................................................................... 9

Authorizing Actions ................................................................................................................................... 9

Laws ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Regulations............................................................................................................................................ 9

Policy ..................................................................................................................................................... 9

Forest Plan Consistency .......................................................................................................................... 10

Decision Framework ............................................................................................................................... 11

Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................. 11

Issues ....................................................................................................................................................... 11

Additional permits and authorizations that may be required ................................................................ 12

Chapter 2. Alternatives, including the Proposed Action ............................................................................. 13

Alternative A. Expand existing pit-Proposed Action ............................................................................... 13

Removing and disposing of vegetation ............................................................................................... 13

Removing and stockpiling the organic soil horizon for reclamation .................................................. 13

Excavating, Crushing and Stockpiling the Mineral Material ............................................................... 14

Gravel Pit Restoration ......................................................................................................................... 14

Dispersed Campsite Restoration ......................................................................................................... 14

Yearly Monitoring ............................................................................................................................... 14

Timing .................................................................................................................................................. 14

Pit Development Plan ......................................................................................................................... 14

Estimated Costs to Forest Service ....................................................................................................... 15

Design Features of the Proposed Action ............................................................................................ 15

Alternative B. Haul material from a commercial pit ............................................................................... 17

Estimated costs to Forest Service ....................................................................................................... 18

Alternative C. No Action.......................................................................................................................... 18

Alternatives Not Carried Forward in Analysis ......................................................................................... 19

Developing a new pit on NFS land. ..................................................................................................... 19

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Effects ................................................................... 20


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Geology and Mineral Materials .............................................................................................................. 20

Affected Environment ......................................................................................................................... 20

Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................................ 20

Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................................................. 20

Soils and watershed ................................................................................................................................ 21




Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................... 21




Recreation: .............................................................................................................................................. 22

Affected environment ......................................................................................................................... 22


Cumulative effects .............................................................................................................................. 23

Transportation System ............................................................................................................................ 23




Range, Vegetation and Noxious Weeds .................................................................................................. 24


Environmental consequences ............................................................................................................. 24

Cumulative effects .............................................................................................................................. 25

Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................... 25


Environmental consequences ............................................................................................................. 25


Heritage Resources ................................................................................................................................. 26





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Chapter 4. Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................................. 27

ID Team Members:.............................................................................................................................. 27

Federal, State and Local Agencies ....................................................................................................... 27

Appendix A. Maps and photos .................................................................................................................... 28

Figure 1. Location map ............................................................................................................................ 28

Figure 2. Pit floor looking north. Existing crushed stockpile (left); small pile of boulders (behind green truck); pile of 12” minus fractured rock (right) ....................................................................................... 29

Figure 3. Access road, looking north from pit toward NFSR 858. ........................................................... 30

Figure 4. Existing pit, looking south from top of crushed stockpile. Rhyodacite-granodiorite outcrop; and timbered area where pit would be expanded ................................................................................. 31

Figure 5. One foot minus pile, northeast colluvial material on hillside to be removed for a source of fines to mix with crushed rock. ............................................................................................................... 32

Figure 6. View of rhyodacite-granodiorite outcrop from Vista Point. Pit is located to left on photo. ... 33

Figure 7. Dispersed campsite looking east. To be used temporarily for staging and storage. ............... 34


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Chapter 1. Purpose Of and Need for Action The Ouray Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. The EA discloses the direct, indirect and cumulative environmental effects that would result from the proposed action and alternatives.

The document is organized into four chapters:

Chapter 1- Purpose Of and Need for Action

Chapter 2- Alternatives, including the Proposed Action

Chapter 3-Affected Environment and Environmental Effects

Chapter 4- Consultation and Coordination

Appendix A-Maps and Photos

Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of project-area resources, may be found in the project planning record located at the Ouray Ranger District Office.

Background The Owl Creek Gravel Pit, also known as the Spruce Ridge Pit, is located in Ouray County in T.45N, R.7W, section 3, N.M.P.M., as shown in Figure 1 (Appendix A). The pit is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the forest boundary, and south of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 858.

The pit was developed in 1988 to provide aggregate for surfacing the Owl Creek-Cimarron Road (National Forest System Road (NFSR) 858) from Owl Creek Pass, west to the Forest Boundary, and including another 1.10 miles west of the boundary where the U.S. was granted an easement for the road in 1986. The road is a “Maintenance Level 4” (ML4) road suitable for passenger vehicles. The Forest Service (FS) manages the pit but works cooperatively with Ouray County’s Road and Bridge Department under a Cooperative Road Use Agreement, to maintain the road and use the rock from for projects along the NFSR. Over the past several years, NFSR 858 has deteriorated as a result of rain events, heavy traffic, lack of adequate drainage structures, and surface aggregate reduction to the point that, in places, the road surfacing is gone and subgrade is exposed.

There is an access road from the NFSR to the pit floor (Appendix A, Figures 2-5). The pit floor is rocky and well drained, and is also used for dispersed camping.

This EA analyzes the Proposed Action (Alternative A), an Alternative to the Proposed Action (Alternative B) and the No Action Alternative (Alternative C). The Action Alternatives includes Design Features to protect health and public safety and natural resources. If the analysis indicates that an adverse effect would result from implementing an alternative, possible mitigation measures and their effectiveness will be discussed.

Proposed Action The FS proposes to expand the existing Owl Creek gravel pit, by crushing additional aggregate material. The material would be used by the agency and Ouray County for public works projects, chiefly the


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maintenance of NFSR 858. Details about the Proposed Action are covered in Chapter 2. See map of the project area in Appendix A (Figure 1).

Purpose and Need for Action

The Ouray Ranger District has identified the need for additional rock to meet ongoing road maintenance of NFSR 858 from the top of Owl Creek Pass, west to the Forest Boundary, plus the additional 1.1 miles of road west of the FS boundary held under an easement. Rock could also be used on the NFSR on the east side of the pass. The road needs the template restored to a smooth uniform grade, and needs to be resurfaced with additional aggregate material to return it to the desired passenger car, ML4.The existing pit has provided a suitable source, but has an insufficient quantity of stockpiled rock to meet the current need. Therefore, it is desirable to excavate, crush and provide a stockpile sufficient to meet the current need, as well as to provide reserves for future surface rock replacement needs and to assure compliance with FS policy found for road maintenance.

Authorizing Actions

Laws The Mineral Materials Act of July 31, 1947 (aka Mineral Sale Act of 1947) provides for disposal of low value, common variety (e.g., sand and gravel, etc.) mineral materials. The Multiple Surface Use Mining Act of July 23, 1955 (aka Common Varieties Act of 1955, Surface Resources Act of 1955) amended the Mineral Materials Act and gave the Secretary of Agriculture disposal authority.

Regulations 36 CFR Chapter II § 228 Subpart C sets forth rules and procedures for the disposal of mineral material on NFS lands. 36 CFR Chapter II § 228 Subpart C Section 228.43 further describes policy to make mineral materials available to public, local, State and Federal agencies where reasonable protection of, or mitigation of effect on, other resources is assured.

Policy FSM 2852 and 2853 provides direction on managing mineral material sites used for free and in-Service uses. Section 2853 describes the requirements for development and operating plans needed for sites proposed for in-Service use. These requirements specify that operating plans include reclamation measures, incorporate Forest Plan direction and be responsive to the findings of an environmental analysis.

In addition, it is the FS’s mineral program policy to make mineral materials available to local and Federal agencies, and to use National Forest System lands- derived materials for Forest Service projects whenever feasible.

Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2850.3 provides direction on managing mineral materials as follows:

• Dispose of mineral materials only when the Authorized Officer determines that the disposal is not detrimental to the public interest and that the benefits to be derived from a proposed disposal exceed the total cost and impacts of resource disturbance.

• Maintain an inventory of mineral materials at all times.


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• Estimate demand for mineral materials annually for at least the next 10-year period. Do not allow disposals of mineral materials for external use if there are not enough probable reserves to meet estimated in-Service demand.

• After March 1985, an approved development plan must cover mineral materials for in-Service use, except as noted in FSM 2853.21.

• Use mineral materials from in-service sites for FS projects unless the authorized officer provides written justification to the effect that it is more economical to purchase commercial supplies.

FS policy is to manage and operate all NFS roads to prevent road damage; whether for commercial, public or administrative use. Road damage may be caused by either natural occurrences or traffic. Long term damage occurs when the road has not been maintained to the original design, thereby shortening the life of the road. Road maintenance includes the repair or upkeep of a road necessary to perpetuate the road and provide for its safe use.

FSM 7732.03 specifies maintaining NFS roads to accommodate their intended use safely and in accordance with maintenance criteria documented in their RMOs (FSM 7714). Maintenance1 standards describe how a road is to be maintained. The criteria includes: 1) requirements for the protection of adjacent resources or improvements such as streams, lakes vegetation, and facilities. 2) Smoothness required for desired operating speed and for user comfort and convenience. The level of smoothness should be consistent with the road design. 3) Acceptability of dust. 4) Season of use and approximate volumes and types of traffic. 5) Current and future road operation and maintenance strategies.

FSM 7705, concerning Forest Transportation System Management, specifies many activities related to the road system and include scheduling, reconstructing, and maintaining roads to achieve environmentally sound, safe, and cost-effective access for the use, enjoyment, protection, administration, and management of NFS lands.

Forest Plan Consistency

The Proposed Action is consistent with the GMUG’s Amended Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), dated September 1991. The Forest Plan guides natural resource management activities and establishes management standards and guidelines.

The project area is located in Management Area 5A, with an emphasis on big game winter range in non-forest areas. Semi-primitive non-motorized and motorized, and roaded natural recreation opportunities are provided. Motorized recreation on local roads is managed to prevent unacceptable stress on big 1 Maintenance that is not performed when it should be or is delayed for a future period is called deferred maintenance. When allowed to accumulate without limits or consideration of useful life, deferred maintenance leads to deterioration of performance, increased costs to repair, decrease in asset value, and public safety concerns. Deferred maintenance needs may be categorized as critical or non-critical at any point in time. Continued deferral of non-critical maintenance will normally result in an increase in critical deferred maintenance. Code compliance (e.g. life safety, ADA, OSHA, environmental, etc.), Forest Plan Direction, Best Management Practices, Biological Evaluations, other regulatory or Executive Order compliance requirements, or applicable standards not met on schedule are considered deferred maintenance. (Financial Health - Common Definitions for Maintenance and Construction Terms, July 22, 1998).


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game animals during primary big game use season. Vegetation treatment enhances plant and animal diversity. Livestock grazing is compatible, but managed to favor wildlife habitat.

General direction for Management Area 5A includes the following:

• Visual Resource Management: Design and implement management activities to blend with the natural landscape.

• Dispersed recreation management: provide semi-primitive motorized recreation opportunities with a low to moderate incidence of contact with other groups and individuals within ½ mile of designated local roads with primitive surfaces and trails open to motorized recreation use.

Decision Framework

The Ouray District Ranger is the Responsible Official for this project and will decide whether or not to authorize expansion of the gravel pit, including vegetation removal, excavation, reclamation of the pit and use of a dispersed campsite for a project staging and storage area. If the Responsible Official determines, after evaluating the analysis, that there are no significant impacts, she may then decide whether or not to select the Proposed Action or other alternative, and whether any additional conditions are required to protect resources. The decision would be documented in a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact.

Public Involvement

The project has been listed on the GMUG Schedule of Proposed Actions since October 1, 2015. A Notice of Opportunity to Comment was published in the Montrose Daily Press, the newspaper of record on January 17, 2016. Public comment on the proposal was requested by February 18, 2016. The District Ranger sent the Notice of Scoping/Opportunity to Comment to local landowners, water rights holders, grazing permittees, the Cities of Ridgway and Ouray, Ouray County Commissioners, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, Uncompahgre Valley Trail Riders, and others who have expressed interest in the area or the type of activity. One comment letter was received from the CPW.

Issues

Key issues are defined as those directly or indirectly caused by implementing the proposed action.

The following issue was identified during scoping: Dispersed camping opportunities during big game hunting season will be reduced at the temporary staging area and at the gravel pit. This issue is addressed in Chapter 3, Recreation.

Other issues identified by the Interdisciplinary Team of Forest Service specialists have been addressed with Design Features listed in Chapter 2 and include:

• New ground disturbance could result in the spread of noxious weeds. • The staging area soils have poor drainage and are prone to rutting. • Maintain visual buffer at Vista Point so the pit expansion is not visible.


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Additional permits and authorizations that may be required There are no Federal, State or local permits that would be required. Design Features are incorporated into the Action Alternatives to protect resources and are listed in Chapter 2.


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Chapter 2. Alternatives, including the Proposed Action This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered, defining the differences between the alternatives and providing a basis for choice among options by the decision maker. Information used to compare the alternatives is based on the environmental, social and economic effects of implementing each alternative.

Alternative A. Expand existing pit-Proposed Action The FS proposes to expand the existing gravel pit to the south and west, with a small expansion on the north edge of the, as shown on Figure 1. Up to an additional 25,000 bank cubic yards (BCY) of in-place rock (30,000 CY loose material) would be removed. The work would entail the following phases, described in more detail below: a) removing and disposing of vegetation; b) removing and stockpiling the organic soil horizon for reclamation; c) excavating, crushing and stockpiling; d) restoring the site; and e) continued yearly monitoring of vegetation establishment and control/prevention of noxious weeds. The expanded pit would have a loop at the end of the road to provide a turn-around for gravel trucks (see Figure 1). The pit would be left in a condition where it could be re-entered at some future date when additional crushed aggregate is needed (the last entry was in 1988). Details of the proposal include the following:

Removing and disposing of vegetation

Vegetation in the project area is mostly oak brush with scattered aspen, and lesser amounts of Douglas fir over an approximately 2 acre area. A vegetative screen will be preserved on the east side of the pit to protect the scenic view from Vista Point. Vegetation will be removed for the new loop road, along the west and south edge of the pit, and at the northeast end of the pit. Disposal of the timber could include a combination of chipping, commercial firewood cutting, free use firewood, using aspen logs for a corduroy road in the dispersed campsite staging/storage area, using limbs/slash along the pit perimeter for erosion control, and possibly burning slash piles on the pit floor. Chips may either be stockpiled and used during reclamation, or could be blown onto the soil in the disturbed area and outside the perimeter of disturbance. Stumps would be buried in a designated location at the staging/storage area, or in the pit near the burial area for the first pit entry.

Removing and stockpiling the organic soil horizon for reclamation

The next step involves removing stumps and scraping off and stockpiling the surficial organic horizon for later use during reclamation. Topsoil at the pit floor expansion areas on the south and west side of the pit would be stored on the south perimeter of the pit. Mancos Shale and topsoil at the northeast end of the pit at a fine grained colluvial material site will also need to be removed and would be stockpiled for reshaping slopes during reclamation. This material can be commingled and would be stored to the north side of the colluvial source. If insufficient space exists for stockpiles, they may be trucked to the staging/storage area. If the stockpiled soil must sit for more than one field season, an annual, sterile seed will be spread to stabilize the soil until reclamation during the next field season.


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Excavating, Crushing and Stockpiling the Mineral Material

A crushing contractor will crush the small existing piles of 12” minus rock and boulders. Then, they will excavate the fractured rock along the east and south sides of the pit, and excavate and mix it as needed with the fine grained, colluvial material on the north side of the pit during the crushing operation. Fine material is needed to provide binder to hold the aggregate together on the road surface. The crusher equipment will occupy an approximately 200 ft x 200 ft area on the pit floor.

Gravel Pit Restoration

Site restoration includes placing the stumps in the northeast colluvial source location, then pulling back the stockpiled Mancos shale/topsoil material to restore slopes to a 3:1 grade. At the pit floor, the stockpiled topsoil will be spread around the pit perimeter to sufficient depth for forbs and grass establishment. In both areas, grading will leave an irregular, pock-shaped surface to create low spots to collect moisture, thus aiding in seed establishment. The area will then be re-seeded by hand using the seed mix and rates shown in the Design Features section, below. The pit floor and the new loop road (with graveled surface) will be left un-reclaimed and available for future hauling and for dispersed camping use.

Dispersed Campsite Restoration The project would also entail temporarily closing off a dispersed campsite and using it for equipment staging and stockpiling. After the project is done, the following will be done: a) establish better drainage, including the intersection with NFSR 858; b) grade the camping sites and access road; c) harden the native surface access road. Hardening would likely consist of using gravel or cobble sized material from the pit and placing it on the native surface; and d) the campsite area will then be re-seeded by hand using the seedmix and rates shown in the Design Features section, below.

Yearly Monitoring

The pit and the dispersed campsite would be inspected at least once each field season to monitor the success of vegetation establishment for the presence of noxious weeds. Depending on the prevalence of noxious weeds, they would be either hand pulled or sprayed. The pit would also be monitored for any signs of vandalism.

Timing

This would be a single pit entry and would likely occur over one field or two field seasons, depending on crew, equipment, and funding availability. The project will likely begin in 2016. Hauling of aggregate from the site would occur after stockpiling to bring NFSR 858 up to a ML4 and infrequently thereafter, as needed for ongoing maintenance of the road or other, future FS projects such as trail maintenance or hardening dispersed campsites (no future projects have been identified to date).

Pit Development Plan

A Pit Development Plan will tier to this EA, including a detailed description of the phases of work and the Design Features identified below, plus any other site-specific measures identified to mitigate any effects. The Plan will identify the party responsible for performing each phase of the project.


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Estimated Costs to Forest Service Costs include prepping the site for gravel pit expansion (vegetation removal, stockpiling topsoil), excavating the rock, crushing, and mobilizing/demobilizing from the site. Some tasks would be accomplished by the FS Road Crew (site restoration), the Delta Prison Crew (vegetation removal), and FS weeds crew (seeding and weed control). An estimated cost to the government of $200,000 for the project as a whole is anticipated. This is based on mob/de-mob costs and crushing costs for a similar project on NFS land in 2012, and on known daily rates for the FS Roads Crew, FS weeds crew and Delta Prison Crew.

Design Features of the Proposed Action

Health and Public Safety • Construction cones will be placed at the entrance to the pit and at the entrance to the

staging/storage area to block the entrance during all project phases using these sites. • The FS will sign a temporary Forest Closure Order for the pit and the staging/storage area. It will

be lifted one field season after the sites have been reclaimed. Signs may need to be posted in reclaimed areas to prohibit off road travel over seeded areas.

• During mobilization of the crusher to the site, and during hauling operations, traffic control and warning devices such as flagmen or MUTCD compliant signing will be placed above and below the pit and the staging/storage area.

• Contractor is responsible for site security to keep the public away from excavation, and crushing operations. Contractor shall be Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) compliant.

• Operator (County or Contractor), when scheduling project prep or crushing work at the site, shall notify the GMUG Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at least 48 hours in advance. The FS shall notify other nearby FS and BLM offices, Ouray County, Gunnison County, Cities of Ouray and Gunnison, Ouray Visitors Center, and prepare a news release for local newspapers and radio stations.

• The Contractor shall provide portable toilets for employee use and shall dispose of all garbage in an approved landfill. Contractor may set up a camp trailer nearby at a site approved by the FS during crushing operations.

Dust Fugitive dust may require the use of water tenders to reduce air-borne dust and improve visibility2.

Erosion Control and Reclamation

• To reduce surface storm water flow from the site, a permanent berm shall be constructed on the northwest end of the current pit, continuing as a rolling dip across the access road. One or two additional rolling dips will be constructed on the access road immediately below, as needed, to disperse water from the road surface.

• Harden the roadside ditch at the staging/storing area access point with pit run or crushed aggregate from the pit. Install temporary straw wattles in the ditch below the access point.

• Harden the loop road, the dispersed site road, and temporary staging/storage area.

2 This is a requirement under MSHA.


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• Pre-work grading will be done to improve drainage at the temporary staging/storage area. • Roadside ditches and culverts will be kept clear of vegetative and rock debris, and will be kept in

serviceable condition. • Topsoil shall be stripped and stockpiled at the end of the pit floor. Mancos shale and topsoil

maybe commingled at the north end of the northeast colluvial source. The pit, northeast colluvial source area, and staging/storage area will be reclaimed and topsoil will be returned to the reclaimed surface as quickly as possible and seeded.

• If the project will extend over two field seasons: stabilize cut and fill slopes and spread a sterile annual seed on areas that will remain un-reclaimed over the winter.

Reclamation seed mix:

Common name Scientific name and symbol % Pure Live Seed (PLS)

Pounds of PLS

Mountain Brome Bromus marginatus (BRMA4) 30 9-10

Blue wild rye Elymus glaucus (ELGL) 30 9-10

Slender wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus (ELTR7) 25 6-7

Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda (POSE) 15 2-3

Total 100 26-30

• The recommended seeding rate is 15 pounds per acre (30 pounds for the 2 acre project area). Locally sourced seed is preferred. All seed, mulch and straw (if used) should be certified weed-free.

• Re-seeding will be done on reclaimed slopes around the project perimeter, the northeast colluvial source area, and at the staging/storage area.

• Successful revegetation is achieved when the perennial vegetation reaches site potential based on climate conditions and any future disturbances within a 5 year period.

Noxious Weeds • Weed surveys should be conducted in the summer of 2016 to inventory perennial plants and

noxious weeds. If noxious weeds are present, a treatment and mitigation plan will be developed prior to commencement of work.

• All construction equipment and trailers hauling equipment, shall be power washed to remove mud and weed seeds prior to entering the project area. If the equipment is removed from the project area, it shall be cleaned again before returning. Prior to mobilization, the contractor shall notify the FS at least 48 hours in advance for equipment inspection.

• Conduct yearly monitoring and control of noxious weeds in the project area.

Vegetation removal • Chipped material can be scattered to an average depth of 2 inches so as to avoid inhibiting

vegetation, up to a maximum of 6 inches in isolated spots.


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• Limbed trees will be chipped or hauled to the staging/storage area for temporary storage. Branches can be chipped, used along the pit perimeter or the dispersed site perimeter for erosion control, or temporarily stored at the staging/storage area.

• Vegetative material remaining at the staging/storage area will be disposed of per FS timber program direction.

• Stumps shall be buried in the staging/storage area at a site identified by the FS. The pile shall be reclaimed and seeded.

Visuals A 20’ wide vegetative buffer will be left in place around the perimeter of the site within view of the Vista Point area.

Wildlife Food and other garbage shall be stored in bear-proof containers and shall be removed from the project area on a weekly basis.

Cultural Resources

• A cultural resource inventory was conducted prior to implementing the project. No Cultural Resources were located.

• Should any cultural resources be located during site preparation or excavation, please contact the FS COR before proceeding.

Hazardous Materials

• All lubricants, diesel fuel and gasoline (all fuels) will be stored in accordance with EPA and DOT requirements. If spills from tanks occur or equipment leaks, the contractor shall remove contaminated soil from National Forest system lands, properly dispose of it, and notify the Forest Service of the spill.

• Refueling and lubricating are not allowed within 100 feet of wetlands, water bodies and drainages.

Miscellaneous

• All equipment with an external combustion engine shall have a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in working order meeting either USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-a (as amended) or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J3353(b) and J350(a). Operators will come equipped with fire extinguishers and shovels.

• Operators shall abide by all FS and County wildfire restrictions or seek exemption from the authorized agency. Depending on the stage of fire restrictions, prohibited activities may include smoking, welding or using an acetylene or similar torch with open flame, operating a chainsaw.

• Timing restrictions: crushing operations are permitted seven days a week from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. No crushing will occur July 2-4 or September 3-5.

Alternative B. Haul material from a commercial pit An alternative to expanding the existing gravel pit, is to haul aggregate from an existing commercial pit and stockpile it at the existing pit. The material would then need to be hauled and spread on NFSR 858.


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No site preparation or vegetation removal would be needed. No reclamation would be needed. The temporary staging area would not be needed.

Estimated costs to Forest Service Two local commercial gravel pits were contacted; the United Company pit3 near Colona, and the Sako4 pit north of Ouray. Cost estimates were obtained for 24,000 tons of road base and haul costs to the existing pit. Costs ranged from $460,400 (without appropriate plastic fines (PI)) to $512,000 (with appropriate plastic fines (PI)).

Alternative C. No Action Consideration of the No Action Alternative is required by CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1502.14) and serves as a baseline for comparing effects from the action alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, no gravel source would be obtained. The existing stockpile is insufficient for the current road re-surfacing need and would quickly be depleted. NFSR 858 would continue to deteriorate and would eventually turn into a high clearance native surface road (Maintenance Level 2 (ML2)). The native surface is Mancos shale derived, clay rich material. Culverts would need to be pulled, and rolling dips installed to drain water from the road surface. The road would no longer be suitable for timber hauling, trailers hauling horse trailers, boats, RV’s or passenger cars.

Estimated costs to Forest Service:

There would be no costs for developing and reclaiming the pit or hauling road base from a commercial pit. Costs would be borne by the FS or Ouray County for periodic maintenance of the ML4 road. Because of road conditions and accessibility, recreational traffic volumes and associated income to the communities of Ouray and Ridgway would decrease during the summer through fall, as recreational users would choose to go elsewhere, or would access the Silver Jack Reservoir, Uncompahgre Wilderness and Cimarron area trails from Highway 50, travelling south on the Big Cimarron Road. Some minimal maintenance may occur by FS personnel or Ouray County. Costs5 for the FS Road Crew for road maintenance are estimated to be $15,000/year; No estimate is available for additional costs to Ouray County under this scenario.

3 United Company, Colona Pit: ¾ inch road base*, @ $11.85/ton x 24,000 ton = $284,400; Hauling requires travel on approximately 10 miles of Highway 550 (cement), then approximately 12 miles on County Road 8 (gravel), and 1 mile of NFSR 858 (gravel). United has 5 axle dump trucks with 30 ton capacity, with an estimated roundtrip of 2 hours at $110/hr. (800 loads x $220/load = $176,000); Total cost to FS= $460,400 Note: Road base is from a river gravel deposit and has no PI. Wouldl need to find and mix in, at unknown additional cost 4 Sako Excavation, north of Ouray: Hauling road base from the Sako pit north of Ouray, would require travel on approximately 5 miles of Highway 550 (cement), then approximately 15 miles on County Roads 12, 10 and 8 (graveled) and 1 mile of NFSR 858 (graveled); 1 inch road base, mixed with binder to FS specifications, 15 ton hauled per trip for 1600 trips; Total cost to FS = $512,000 5 FS Road Crew: Annually, $1500/day x 10 days=$15,000 including personnel and equipment (equipment USE rates and FOR)


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Alternatives Not Carried Forward in Analysis Developing a new pit on NFS land. This alternative is not considered for the following reasons: There are limited exposures of suitable material for road base in the vicinity. Most of the rock is Mancos shale-derived landslide material which is unsuitable for a road material. The rhyodacite-granodiorite outcrop at the existing pit has proven to have suitable specifications for grainsize, plastic fines and durability. A new pit would require surface disturbance in a new location, as opposed to expanding the boundaries of the existing pit. A new road would need to be built to access a new pit.


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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Effects This chapter summarizes the physical, biological, social and economic environment of the project area and the effects of implementing each alternative on that environment.

Geology and Mineral Materials Affected Environment

A small pile of boulders, a small pile of 12 inch minus fractured rock, and crushed aggregate are stockpiled on the pit floor. Existing volumes/tonnage are approximately:

Boulders: 33 cubic yards (40 tons).

12 inch minus fractured rock: 622 cubic yards (870 tons)

Crushed: 1,067 cubic yards (1707 tons)

The pit is excavated into a Cretaceous rhyodacite-granodiorite dike which forms a prominent outcrop along Spruce Ridge. The dike is intruded into Cretaceous age Mancos Shale.

The proposed temporary staging area is located on Quaternary age landslide/slump/earthflow deposits derived primarily from the Mancos Shale. Much of NFSR 858 is constructed on this Quaternary age landslide deposit, and has been prone to slope failure since the road was built.

Other gravel pits in the region include commercial pits north of Ouray and at Colona. Currently inactive gravel pits on NFS land are located on the Middle Fork Cimarron Road and the East Fork Cimarron Road. The East Fork Cimarron Road pit is located in the bottom of the stream valley and consists of Quaternary aged river gravels. Being a washed river gravel deposit, it has no plastic fines. It is now a popular dispersed camp area and is located approximately 8 miles downhill and east/southeast of Owl Creek Pass. The Middle Fork pits are excavated into Cretaceous intrusive rhyodacite and granodiorite, and are located approximately nine-ten miles downhill and east/southeast of Owl Creek Pass. Use of these pits would require an 8-10 mile uphill haul route, over Owl Creek Pass to reach the starting point where aggregate is needed.

Environmental Consequences

Alternative A will result in a slight depletion of the mineral material resource at the pit, however, there will still be material remaining for future pit entries by lowering the pit floor. Cost savings to the FS estimated at $300,000 would result from expanding the pit, compared to hauling aggregate from a commercial pit under Alternative B.

Alternative B would result in the pit becoming a temporary stockpile area for aggregate being trucked in from a private pit. Pit reserves would remain unchanged, and the pit could be expanded in the future.

Alternative C would have no effect on the pit or the available mineral material resource.

Cumulative Effects The need for a rock source to support projects such as surface rock replacement, campground improvements, or trailhead reconstruction will continue to exist into the future.


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Soils and watershed Affected Environment The project area is located on Spruce Ridge, a topographic high between Nate Creek to the north, and Owl Creek on the south. The pit is west and south facing and is well drained. It is isolated from both of these drainages, being approximately 0.3 miles away from Nate Creek and approximately 0.6 miles from Owl Creek. The staging/storage area is located in a flat meadow on Mancos derived soil. It is a poorly drained site. A road drainage ditch is located at the intersection of the native surface access road with NFSR 858.

Environmental Consequences Alternative A would result in an increase in surface disturbance of approximately three acres at the gravel pit, due to construction of the loop road and expanding the pit to the south and west. The expanded area would be reclaimed and re-seeded around the border, but for the most part would become a rocky, porous surface with little revegetation, thus creating more surface runoff potential than currently exists.

At the temporary staging area, heavy equipment and stockpile storage would occur on Mancos shale-derived soils. The area of surface disturbance would be the same as currently exists at this dispersed campsite. The clay rich soils do not drain well, thus, there is the potential to cause deep rutting on water saturated soils if the site is not prepared and maintained during the project for proper drainage. The design of Alternative A calls for improving the drainage and hardening the native surface access road. Expanding the surface hardening area to include pullouts or anywhere heavy equipment travels, and would help to reduce rutting. This work on surface drainage and hardening of the site will have a positive benefit when the site is returned to dispersed camping use.

Because neither Alternative B nor C would make use of the temporary storage/staging area and would not expand the existing gravel pit, there would be no change to the soil resource.

Alternative C would result in more erosion of sediment from the road surface onto adjacent land and drainages.

Cumulative Effects Past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions with the potential for cumulative impacts to soil and watershed resources in the general area include existing road and trail use, livestock grazing, and wildfires. Periodic mass wasting of the Mancos shale slopes will continue to occur and will contribute to topographic changes and soil erosion in the area. The temporary staging area would return to use for dispersed camping, and vehicles using the site will contribute to soil compaction and rutting.

Air Quality

Affected Environment Fugitive dust created by vehicles travelling on NFSR 858 and the adjoining County Roads occurs during dry times of year, especially in June and in the fall, after monsoonal moisture has abated.


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Environmental Consequences Under Alternative A, more fugitive dust will result from crushing operations, and from heavy dump truck traffic hauling aggregate from the pit to NFSR 858. The Design Feature to apply water for dust control will help to reduce this effect.

Under Alternative B, there will be a large increase in the number of dump trucks hauling rock from a private pit. The trucks would make roundtrips over both County Roads and NFSR 858. Depending on the number of dump trucks available, this would result in several days or even weeks of dusty conditions along the roads. Alternative C would result in the least amount of dust.

Cumulative Effects

A general observation of the use of NFSR 858 and other FS arterial routes indicates year over year increases in the number of vehicles, primarily recreation-oriented traffic. Grazing permittee and water rights holder use of the roads are steady. This increasing use contributes more fugitive dust. The crushing and hauling operation will add more dust for a short amount of time.

Recreation: Affected environment The Vista Point overlook is located approximately 0.3 miles west of the pit. Looking east toward the pit, the outcrop is visible above the pit (on Spruce Ridge), but not the pit itself. Vegetation obscures the site, as shown in Figure 6. The Vista Point overlook receives heavy use as a parking/staging area for an ATV trail system located to the south and east, and during the winter as a snowmobile parking area.

The gravel pit is currently used by dispersed campers during the summer and particularly during big game hunting season. The dispersed campsite east of NFSR 858 approximately 0.5 mile down the pass is located on Mancos shale derived soil and is shown in Figure 7. The lower portion of the campsite has a rutted access road, and leads up to a bench with a pond in a meadow with additional campsites. The vegetation is mostly oak brush and sage brush.

Environmental Consequences For the visual resource, under Alternative A, dust from the crushing operation will be visible from the Vista Point overlook and while driving along the road, especially from the west, for several miles away from the Forest boundary. Under Alternative B, the increased gravel hauling truck traffic making roundtrips would be quite noticeable, both on and off NFS land. Alternative C has no effect on visual resources.

For recreational users, Alternative A will result in a short-term (one or two season) loss of the dispersed campsite and the gravel pit for campsites. These sites are particularly popular during the big game hunting seasons. When the crushing project is completed, these spots will be available for campers to use again. The temporary loss of those two camping areas will displace campers to one of several alternative locations: further east on the road (and thus, at a higher elevation), or to a lower elevation site such as Ridgway State Park or Billy Creek State Wildlife Area. When the project is complete, site reclamation and the surface hardening that is done at the dispersed campsite will result in improved surface conditions at the site. Camping at the gravel pit would eventually be a similar experience to the current experience, although in the short term, the size of the stockpile will be much larger than is there


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now. The stockpile will decrease in size as material is hauled by the county for road work, over the next three years. Alternative B would result in several days/weeks of heavy truck haul traffic along NFS 858 and would be more disruptive/noisy to motorized users of the road and nearby motorized trails, and could present more public safety concerns. Camping would not be allowed at the gravel pit, although the dispersed site would still be available for camping. Alternative C would result in degradation of the road to point that it could only be travelled in high clearance trucks, thus changing the nature of the recreating public able to travel safely on the road.

Alternative C would contribute to a long-term change in the way the area is used and travelled. It would contribute to fewer users travelling from the Ouray and Ridgway side, and may affect the local tourism economy of those communities.

Cumulative effects Visitors will continue to use the area heavily until their desired recreation experience is changed. Some users may prefer a more primitive experience if roads are less maintained while others may want to have higher maintenance level to enhance their access to the area. A variety of recreational pursuits including camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, ATV and dirt bike riding, big game hunting and fall color viewing will remain regardless of activities proposed in the vicinity.

Transportation System Affected Environment

NFSR 858 is maintained as a major arterial, ML4 road for passenger vehicles. It provides access to the Uncompahgre Wilderness via roads into the East, Middle and West Forks of the Cimarron, and to the Silver Jack Reservoir area. NFSR 858 continues north beyond the reservoir to Highway 50 thus providing the opportunity for a scenic loop drive. It receives heavy use from summer through fall by providing access to camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, ATV and dirt bike riding, big game hunting and fall color viewing. NFSR 858 from the West Fork of Cimarron Creek to the western Forest Boundary also provides access to water rights holders of the Owl Creek ditch and the Cimarron Feeder of the Garnet Ditch, and to grazing permit holders. Snow machines use the road during the winter, which is groomed by the Uncompahgre Valley Trail Riders from approximately December 15 to April 15.

A traffic counter installed on the Ridgway side of Owl Creek Pass over 123 days during the summer of 2014 registered 15,014 vehicles, for an average of 121 vehicles per day. A traffic counter installed on the Cimarron side of the pass for 189 days during the summer of 2014 registered 19,421 vehicles, for an average of 102 vehicles per day.

West of the Forest Boundary, NFSR 858 connects to County Roads 8 and 10 which extend to Highway 550 and provide access to several parcels of private land, mostly large ranches.

Environmental Consequences

Alternatives A and B would improve safety, drivability, lessen future maintenance costs and restore the asset value of the road. It would result in a return to compliance with the Road Management Objective (RMO) for the road, to a Level 4 operating standard. Alternative B would result in more gravel hauling


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traffic over greater distances of paved highway and gravel surfaced county roads. This would increase wear and tear on those roads, and increase traffic volume and public safety concerns.

Alternative C would not comply with FS policy at FSM 7732.03: Maintain NFS roads to accommodate their intended use safely and in accordance with maintenance criteria documented in their RMOs (FSM 7714). The Road Management Objective for NFSR 858 is to maintain the road to Level 4 standards. If the road is not maintained, it would reach the point of critical deferred maintenance and would be prone to noncompliance with the MUTCD, OSHA, public health and safety, protection of resources (i.e. soil erosion, introduction of sediment into Waters of the U.S.).

Implementation of Alternative C would require a Decision to change the Road Maintenance Level of NFSR 858 from a ML4 to ML2 Road resulting in the road becoming restricted to high clearance vehicles.

Cumulative Effects The popular loop route from the Ridgway side to the Big Cimarron side would become inaccessible to low clearance vehicles. This could have a long term effect on the tourism industry in Ridgway and Ouray.

Range, Vegetation and Noxious Weeds

Affected Environment The project area is within the Green Mountain Cattle and Horse (C&H) grazing allotment; adjacent C&H allotments are Lou Creek, Baldy and Big Cimarron. Noxious weeds in the pit are scattered bull thistle. Vegetation in the area of the pit is predominantly oak brush and scattered aspen and Douglas fir.

Environmental consequences Alternative A would result in little disruption to the grazing permittees. There could be temporary road closures during mobilization/demobilization of the crusher, and while gravel hauling from the pit is occurring. Vegetation at the dispersed campsite (approximately 1 acre in size) would be trampled and not available for forage. Design features to control the noxious weed population include: development of a noxious weed treatment plan, power washing all contractor vehicles prior to entering the National Forest, and monitoring and treating noxious weeds in future years. Stockpiling topsoil, re-seeding and monitoring re-vegetation success will also reduce the occurrence of noxious weed infestations.

Woody vegetation at the pit would be removed over an area of approximately three acres. Some of it could be made available as firewood to individuals or contractors, used as erosion control slash, or chipped. Any chipped material could be stockpiled for use during reclamation, or scattered offsite.

Alternative B would result in heavier haul traffic of aggregate from an off-forest gravel pit. There would be more opportunity for a run-in with cattle on the allotments along the roadway. This alternative would result in no change to noxious weeds from the existing condition. There would be no vegetation removal at either the pit or the staging area under this alternative.

Over the long term, Alternatives A and B result in a good road for hauling livestock and having daily access to the allotments, which will allow them to maintain those allotments more successfully than if the road is allowed to deteriorate further. The area where the woody vegetation is removed at the pit under Alternative A, will become a gravel/rocky surface and would likely only support scattered grasses or forbs in the future. The northeast colluvial source area would eventually return to a steep, oakbrush-dominant covertype.


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Alternative C would result in grazing permit holders having more difficulty in accessing the allotments and managing their livestock as the road deteriorates. There would be no change to current noxious weed populations, and there would be no vegetation removal under this alternative. Alternative C has a long term negative effect on access to grazing land, and could result in the need to trail cattle to allotments rather than hauling them in trailers as is currently done. Future spread of noxious weeds could be reduced, as fewer vehicles are able to travel over the road and thus introduce non-native seed in the area.

Cumulative effects Vegetation resources would continue to be affected by vegetation treatments, natural infestations, recreational use, grazing and the spread of noxious weeds though any number of ground disturbances and numerous vectors of transporting seeds. Dust from roads may also impact vegetation growth and vigor.

Wildlife Affected Environment The project area is located in winter range and a winter concentration area for elk, black bear and mountain lion overall range, mule deer summer range, winter range and a winter concentration area, and wild turkey winter range. The area is used heavily by hunters, and the gravel pit and proposed temporary staging area are used for dispersed camping by big game hunters from late August until the middle of November.

A Biological Evaluation ,Biological Assessment (BABE) and Management Indicator Species (MIS)assessment , and a Canada lynx screening analysis was completed by the Interdisciplinary Wildlife Biologist and are in the project record. The following summarizes the findings:

Environmental consequences Threatened, Endangered and Proposed Species: Alternative A has an indirect effect on Canada lynx due to noise disturbance during site preparation, crushing, reclamation and applying aggregate to the road. The activities are temporary and may displace lynx in the vicinity during those activities. Expanding the pit would result in n loss of lynx habitat, as it sits outside of any habitat. Alternative B has indirect effects due to noise from heavy equipment hauling gravel. This would be a temporary disruption. Alternative C has no effect.

Overall, Alternative A and B may affect but are not likely to adversely affect Canada lynx as a result of the short duration and magnitude of the project. Alternative C will have no effect on the Canada lynx.

Sensitive Species: Sensitive species that are known or suspected to occur in the project area include: American Marten, Hoary Bat, Boreal Owl, Flammulated Owl, Northern Goshawk, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. Alternatives A and B may adversely impact individuals, but are not likely to result in a loss of viability in the planning area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing for the American marten, hoary bat, boreal owl, flammulated owl, northern goshawk, and olive-sided flycatcher due the short duration and low impact of the actions. Alternative C will have no impact on all of the sensitive species.

Management Indicator Species: Alternatives A, B and C would have immeasurable to no effect on all management indicator species including: Abert’s squirrel, American marten, Rocky Mountain elk, red-


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naped sapsucker, northern goshawk, Merriam’s turkey, brewer’s sparrow, and common trout. Temporary displacement would be the greatest effect from the proposed activities.

Cumulative Effects Because there are no or immeasurable effects on wildlife there would be no cumulative effects.

Heritage Resources

Affected Environment A cultural resource survey of the proposed action was conducted in 2015, in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the Colorado State Protocol Agreement, and other Federal law, regulation, policy and guidelines regarding cultural resources. Expected prehistoric resources within the project area include isolated debitage, prehistoric limited activity sites, prehistoric campsites, and prehistoric resource processing sites. Expected historic material includes ranching-related resources such as fences, corrals, cow camps, and mining related resources.

Environmental Consequences Literature searches and the 2015 field survey resulted in no cultural resource sites identified in the project area, and no historic properties affected. Section 106 documentation is located in the project file.

Because no archeological sites were identified, no tribal consultation is needed.

Cumulative Effects Because no archaeological sites were identified, it is unlikely that there would be cumulative effects to heritage resources.


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Chapter 4. Consultation and Coordination The Forest Service consulted the following individuals, Federal, State and local government agencies during the development of this EA:

ID Team Members: Liz Mauch, Lands and Minerals Staff, Project Lead, Writer/editor, Minerals, Soil and Watershed, Air Quality

Niccole Mortenson, NEPA Coordinator/technical reviewer

Kate Doran, Civil Engineering Technician. Transportation System and Pit development

Luke Holguin, Ouray District Wildlife Biologist

Beth Anderson, Soil Scientist (consulted for technical review of Soils and Watershed)

Kris Wist, Ouray District Acting Recreation Staff

Clare Hydock, Range Program Manager

Sean Brown, Ouray District Range Staff

Brian Haas, Ouray District Archeologist

Todd Gardiner, Ouray District Silviculturist

Federal, State and Local Agencies:

Ouray County Road and Bridge attended a site visit and contributed to development of the proposed action. Ouray County Commissioners, the Cities of Ouray and Ridgway, the Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife received scoping/notice of opportunity to comment letters. The State Historic Preservation Officer was consulted.

Distribution of the EA: The EA will be distributed to those who responded to the scoping/notice of opportunity to comment and to Ouray County Road and Bridge as a partnering agency. The EA will be available on the GMUG Schedule of Proposed Actions website for download.


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Appendix A. Maps and photos

Figure 1. Location map

Staging/storage area


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Figure 2. Pit floor looking north. Existing crushed stockpile (left); small pile of boulders (behind green truck); pile of 12” minus fractured rock (right)


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Figure 3. Access road, looking north from pit toward NFSR 858.


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Figure 4. Existing pit, looking south from top of crushed stockpile. Rhyodacite-granodiorite outcrop; and timbered area where pit would be expanded


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Figure 5. One foot minus pile, northeast colluvial material on hillside to be removed for a source of fines to mix with crushed rock.


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Figure 6. View of rhyodacite-granodiorite outcrop from Vista Point. Pit is located to left on photo.


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Figure 7. Dispersed campsite looking east. To be used temporarily for staging and storage.

Documents

Agriculture Owl Creek Gravel Pit Expansion...The pit was developed in 1988 to provide aggregate for surfacing the Owl Creek-Cimarron Road (National Forest System Road (NFSR) 858) from