AQUATIC ORGANISM EFFECTS REPORT for TRAVEL …a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akam… · QRD Travel Mgt EA Page 2 of 24 use motor vehicles for activities

AQUATICORGANISMEFFECTSREPORT

for

TRAVELMANAGEMENTANALYSIS

ontheQUESTARD

CarsonNationalForest.

by

_/s/GeorgeLong__________9/26/2011_______________GEORGELONGDATEWildlifeBiologist,EASTZoneCarsonNationalForest

Page 1 of 24

AQUATICORGANISMS

DescriptionofProject:

Implementation of the Travel Management Rule1 on the Questa Ranger District, Carson National Forest requires the Forest to designate a system of roads, trails, and areas open for motor vehicle use by class of vehicle, and if appropriate, by time of year. The designated roads, trails, and areas will be published on a motor vehicle use map (MVUM), which will be available to the public. After routes and areas are designated and the motor vehicle use map published, motor vehicle use not in accordance with these designations will be prohibited. The Travel Management Rule also addresses the use of vehicles to access campsites and retrieve big game. Under the Travel Management Rule, national forests that do not already restrict motorized travel to designated roads, trails, and areas must do so.

The Travel Management Rule implements Executive Orders 11644 and 11989 regarding the off-road use of motor vehicles on National Forest System lands. The intent of the Travel Management Rule is to provide motorized access to National Forest System lands in a sustainable manner.

Under the Travel Management Rule, the Questa Ranger District of the Carson National Forest will continue to provide access to the forest for activities such as camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and driving for pleasure. Questa Ranger District and Carson National Forest staff, recognizing the culture of northern New Mexico is tied closely to the land, understands the importance of maintaining traditional and cultural uses of the forest. The gathering of forest products such as firewood, vigas, latillas, and piñon nuts, as well as providing access to rangelands, will be ensured through the Carson National Forest permit system, other written authorization as allowed for under the Travel Management Rule, or by access remaining open to public use.

AnalysisArea:

The Questa Ranger District (RD) (271,555 acres) of the Carson National Forest is located in north central New Mexico. The Valle Vidal Unit (101,794 acres) is not included in this analysis; therefore the size of the analysis area used in this environmental assessment is 169,761 acres.2 Red River, Questa, La Lama, San Cristobal, and the Village of Taos Ski Valley are communities adjacent to or within the district’s boundary. Taos, New Mexico is about 12 miles south of the district boundary.

People use motor vehicles to access the Questa RD for a number of activities, such as driving for recreation, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, camping, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, fishing, collecting firewood, harvesting vigas and latillas, and cutting down a Christmas tree. People also 1 On November 9, 2005 the Forest Service published final travel management regulations governing off-highway vehicles and other motor vehicles on national forests and grasslands except over snow vehicles. The new regulations amended Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 212, 251, 261, and removed part 295. These regulations together are referred to as the Travel Management Rule throughout this document. When referenced, the citation has been shortened for convenience. For example, 36 CFR 212.50 will be referenced as section 212.50. 2 The current transportation restrictions on Valle Vidal remain in effect. Any potential changes to the transportation system on the Valle Vidal Unit are being addressed in the land management plan amendment analysis and are not included in this environmental assessment. All comments received during the travel management scoping period that were specific to this unit have been forwarded to the project’s interdisciplinary team.

G. Long, Wildlife Bio. East Zone Carson NF Aquatic Organisms Report QRD Travel Mgt EA

Page 2 of 24

use motor vehicles for activities such as forest product removal, grazing management, traditional product gathering, and utility (e.g., telephone and power lines) maintenance. Roads on the Questa RD are mostly used by the public between May 1 and December 31. From Memorial Day to Labor Day roads are used to access certain areas for camping, picnicking, family reunions, and recreational fishing. Roads are also used by hunters during turkey (April-May) and deer and elk (September-December) hunting seasons.

The Carson forest plan, as amended, identifies travel routes and areas designated for motor vehicle use (USDA 1986c). The Questa RD has 158 miles of NFS roads and 23 miles of trails where motor vehicle use is allowed. In 1997, motor vehicle use on the Questa RD was restricted with a Forest Supervisor special order that ended motorized cross-country travel and allowed motor vehicle use on designated roads and trails only. This designation was put in place to protect forest resources (soils, vegetation, watersheds), public safety (vehicle accidents and human injury on hazardous terrain), and minimize conflict with other users. The order also identifies approximately 34 miles of designated road where motor vehicle use is permitted within 100 feet either side of the road for camping, parking, and firewood gathering. These roads are in the vicinity of Midnight Meadows, Pioneer Canyon, Goose Lake, Middle Fork Lake, and Taos Ski Valley.

Several roads currently have seasonal designations to protect wintering and calving habitat. Motor vehicle use is allowed as follows: on Forest Road (FR) 134 (upper Cabresto Canyon and Midnight Meadows) between June 16 and December 31; on FR 597 (Sawmill Road) and the 54 series3 (Greenie Peak) between Memorial Day weekend in late May and December 31; on FR 485 (Pioneer Creek Rd) between May 1 and December 31; and in the Flag Mountain area between August 17 and December 31.

The road transportation network occurs over a variety of broad vegetation types from piñon-juniper/sagebrush habitat in Garrapata Canyon through ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation types to subalpine spruce/fir forests at the edge of alpine grasslands. This analysis focus is upon aquatic organisms, specifically cold water fish species and their habitats and includes aquatic macro-invertebrate. Subsequently this analysis only looks at roads that occur within the FS transportation system that has the potential to have an impact upon aquatic organism populations and habitats. This analysis area examines the impacts of these roads based upon the proximity of aquatic habitats and drainage channels that would receive road borne sediment originating from FS roads. Activities associated with road crossings (culvert installation, cleaning, low water crossings) can also accelerate the input of fine sediments to streams. The analysis area includes both perennial and ephemeral stream channels. Although ephemeral stream channels may not have aquatic organisms or aquatic habitat; these drainage channels can act as conduits to deliver road borne sediment into aquatic habitats and subsequently impact populations of fish and macro-invertebrates. The effects analysis in alternative 1 will include and contrast the existing condition to the proposed action.

3 “54 series” refers to a group of roads off FR 597 in the Greenie Peak area. Each road is numbered “54” followed by a letter (ex. “54C”).


Page 3 of 24

DescriptionoftheAlternatives:

Alternative1–ProposedActionasModified(Preferred)

Table 1.

QuestaExistingCondition

Alt1

Total miles of open roads 158 158

Miles of road where motor vehicle use is restricted to administrative use only (closed to public motor vehicle use)

-- 15

*Miles of unauthorized route added to the system

-- 15

Miles of unauthorized route segments added to the system (included above) <300’ long

-- 2

Number of unauthorized route segments added to system that lead to dispersed campsites

-- 33

Miles of overall road use change -- 0

Total miles of 100’ corridors 34 0

Miles of 100’ corridor removed -- 34

Total miles of road with no corridors 124 158

Total miles of motorized trail 23.2 28.2

*Miles of motorcycle and <50” motorized trails added to system

-- 5

Areas (acres) open to motorized cross-country travel

0 0

*These are existing roads and trails on the landscape. They would be added to the district designated transportation system.

Restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only on approximately 15 miles of existing open road in the Midnight Meadows, Greenie Peak, Bitter Creek, Middle Fork Lake, El Rito (north of Questa), Lama, Garrapata, and San Cristobal areas. These roads would not be available for general public use and would not be displayed on the MVUM.

Add approximately 13 miles of unauthorized route as National Forest System (NFS) roads open to all vehicles in the Questa, Lama, and San Cristobal areas.

Add approximately 2 miles of unauthorized routes (<300 feet long) as NFS roads open to all vehicles off FR 134 (Cabresto Canyon, Bonito Canyon, and Midnight Meadows), FR 597 (Greenie Peak and Mallette Canyon), FR 488 (Foster Park), and NM 578 (upper Red River Canyon).


Page 4 of 24

Add approximately 2 miles of unauthorized routes to the existing Elephant Rock motorcycle trail system as a NFS trail open to motorcycles in the vicinity of Cabresto Canyon and Sawmill.

Convert approximately 2 miles of NFS road to NFS trail and add 1 mile of unauthorized route to the existing motorized trail system as an NFS trail in 4th of July Canyon, for vehicles 50 inches wide or less (3 miles total).

Remove all 34 miles of existing 100-foot corridor along designated roads.

Allow motor vehicle use between May 1 and December 31 on NFS roads in the Foster Park/4th of July area (FR 488 and 490), Placer Creek/Goose Lake area (FR 486), San Cristobal/Cerro Negro area (FR 7), and Cebolla Mesa (except FR 9, where motor vehicle use allowed year-round). The district ranger may modify these seasonal designations to allow vehicles on roads up to two weeks prior to May 1, if dry conditions exist, or extend a seasonal closure into May, if conditions continue to be too wet.


Page 5 of 24


Page 6 of 24

Alternative2–MotorizedEmphasis

Table 2.


Alt2



-- 11


-- 22


-- 0.5


-- 9

Miles of overall road use change -- +11



Miles of 100’ corridor added -- 60



*Miles of motorcycle and <50” motorized trails added to system

-- 0


0 0


Restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only on approximately 11 miles of existing open road in the Midnight Meadows, Bitter Creek, El Rito (north of Questa), Lama, and San Cristobal areas. Existing corridor would be removed from 2 miles. These roads would not be available for general public use and would not be displayed on the MVUM.

Add approximately 21 miles of unauthorized route as NFS roads open to all vehicles in the Midnight Meadows, Mallette Canyon, Bonito Canyon, Foster Park, Questa, Lama, and San Cristobal areas.

Add approximately 0.5 mile of unauthorized route (<300 feet long) as NFS roads open to all vehicles off FR 134 (Cabresto Canyon).


Page 7 of 24

Add approximately 2 miles of unauthorized routes to the existing Elephant Rock motorcycle trail system as a NFS trail open to motorcycles in the vicinity of Cabresto Canyon and Sawmill.

Add a 100-foot corridor (100 feet from each side of the road’s running surface) along approximately 60 miles of NFS road in Greenie Peak, Mallette, Cebolla Mesa, Lama, San Cristobal areas to be used solely for the purposes of motorized dispersed camping or retrieval of a downed big game animal (elk or deer) by an individual who has legally taken that animal.

Allow motor vehicle use between May 1 and December 31 on NFS roads in the Foster Park/4th of July area (FR 488 and 490), Placer Creek/Goose Lake area (FR 486), San Cristobal/Cerro Negro area (FR 7), and Cebolla Mesa (except FR 9, where motor vehicle use allowed year-round). The district ranger may modify these seasonal designations to allow vehicles on roads up to two weeks prior to May 1, if dry conditions exist, or extend a seasonal closure into May, if conditions continue to be too wet.


Page 8 of 24


Page 9 of 24

Alternative3‐Non‐MotorizedEmphasis

Table 3.


Alt3



-- 35


-- 1


-- 0


-- 0

Miles of overall road use change -- -34



Miles of 100’ corridor added -- 0



*Miles of motorcycle trails added to system -- 0


0 0


Restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only on approximately 35 miles of existing open road in the Midnight Meadows, Mallette Canyon, Bitter Creek, Pioneer Creek, Placer Creek, 4th of July Canyon, Middle Fork Lake, El Rito (north of Questa), Lama, Garrapata, and San Cristobal areas. These roads would not be available for general public use and would not be displayed on the MVUM.

Add approximately 1 mile of unauthorized route as NFS roads open to all vehicles in the Midnight and Questa areas.

Close approximately 4 miles of motorcycle trail connecting Pioneer Creek Canyon and Placer Creek Canyon.

Remove all 34 miles of existing 100-foot corridor along designated roads.


Page 10 of 24

Allow motor vehicle use between July 1 and December 31 on NFS roads in Midnight Meadows (upper FR 134). Allow motor vehicle use between May 1 and December 31 on NFS roads in the Foster Park/4th of July area (FR 488 and 490), Placer Creek/Goose Lake area (FR 486), San Cristobal/Cerro Negro area (FR 7), and Cebolla Mesa (except FR 9, where motor vehicle use allowed year-round). The district ranger may modify these seasonal designations to allow vehicles on roads up to two weeks prior to May 1, if dry conditions exist, or extend a seasonal closure into May, if conditions continue to be too wet.

THREATENEDandENDANGEREDSPECIES

The U.S. Dept. of Interior (USDI) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provided a list of Federal “Listed” species that occur in Taos County for consideration of analysis for this action (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2010 and 2010a). Of listed aquatic species Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) and Arkansas River shiner (Notropis girardi) did not warrant further analysis due to the absence of species occurrence and absence of species habitat within the analysis area.

FORESTSENSITIVESPECIES

Three aquatic species listed on the Southwestern Regional Forester’s sensitive species list (USDA Forest Service 2010) warrant further analysis:

Rio Grande chub (Gila pandora)

Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius)

Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis)

RioGrandeChub–AffectedEnvironment

The Rio Grande chub (Gila pandora) occupies habitat in both riverine and lacustrine habitats and is usually found in pools with overhanging banks and brush (Rinne 1995). Platania (1991) found the Rio Grande chub to prefer cool, fast-flowing reaches with gravel or cobble substrate. In a review of the scientific literature Rees et al. (2005) found Rio Grande chubs are typically found at sites where cobble, gravel, sand, and silt were the most common substrate types, but were mostly found at sites where sand was the dominant substrate and least often found at sites with cobble substrate. Rio Grande chub will also utilize undercut banks in association with aquatic macrophytes, (i.e., Potamogeton sp.)

Rees et al. (2005) found very little information exists on the feeding habits of the Rio Grande chub. Citing other sources Rees et al. (2005) stated this species is an omnivore that is known to feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, other small invertebrates, small fish, plankton, and some vegetation. In laboratory experiments, the Rio Grande chub was shown to prey more successfully on caddisfly larvae (Limnophilus frijole) with smaller cases than larger cases.


Page 11 of 24

RioGrandeChub‐Directandindirecteffects

Road borne sediment as related to the implementation of the Travel Management Rule is the primary impact associated with the Forest Service transportation system. Inputs of road borne sediment into streams frequently occur during spring runoff and summer storm events. Once in the watershed, increased sediment loads can cover substrate, decrease pool depth, diminish suitable spawning habitat, and reduce fitness by decreasing the nutritional value of the food base (Rees et al. 2005).

Suitable habitat for the Rio Grande chub is found in the Rio Grande. Implementation of any alternative for roads in the Cebolla Mesa area (with seasonal closure) would have no affect on habitat for this species with the exception of the proposed access in the Garrapata Canyon (FR 9709R0). Garrapata Canyon is an ephemeral drainage channel with an existing road that extends for 1.75 miles to the edge of the Rio Grande gorge. Of this 1.75 miles only .5 miles is on the 1st terrace bench above the drainage channel; the remainder of the road 1.25 miles is in the bottom of the drainage channel. The drainage bottom, side banks and associated floodplain is unstable and down cutting due to OHV/ATV traffic in the drainage bottom. This drainage channel only flows during summer storm events suspending fine sediments and delivering these sediments to the Rio Grande.

Alternatives 1 and 3 would restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only in the lower portion (0.8 mi) and the entire (1.8 mi) length of Garrapata Road, respectively. Alternative 2 would not change the current condition FR 9709R0, which is designated on the system. Restricting motor vehicle use in alternatives 1 and 3 would reduce sediment derived from this area that would be transported into Garrapata Canyon and into the Rio Grande. Decreased sediment delivery to the Rio Grande would increase pool depth and available spawning habitat at the confluence of Garrapata Canyon and the Rio Grande.

Adding 30 miles of 100-foot corridor for dispersed camping and big game retrieval on Cebolla Mesa would not have an impact on the Rio Grande chub, since motor vehicle use is not possible near and adjacent to this species’ habitat on the Rio Grande.

All three alternatives would apply a seasonal designation between May 1 and December 31 on FR 9709R0 (Garrapata Road), which would have little benefit for chub habitat, since the drainage channel would not stabilize during the remainder of the year when motor vehicle use is prohibited.

These actions are consistent with direction in the Carson Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 1986) Forest-wide prescription for Wildlife (specifically as it addresses “Road Management/Wildlife Integration”, page 10; “Travel Management/Wildlife Integration, page 11; and “Restrict Vehicle Access”, page 14).

RioGrandeSucker–AffectedEnvironment

The Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius) is an obligate riverine species (Calamusso et al. 2002). In a survey of several New Mexico streams, Calamusso (1996) found that this species preferred pool and glide habitat, but suggested that riffles may be ecologically important at certain times. Swift-Miller et al. (1999a) captured Rio Grande sucker in all major habitat types (i.e., pools, riffles, glides) in Hot Creek, Colorado. Surveys in New Mexico determined that this


Page 12 of 24

species avoided stream reaches with a gradient greater than 3.2 percent (Calamusso et al. 2002), suggesting an inverse relationship between abundance and gradient (down to at least 0.8 percent). Calamusso (1996) found adult Rio Grande suckers within the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests of New Mexico preferred low gradient habitats with cobble and small boulder substrate (2.5-19.7 in). Velocity was usually less than 0.7 ft/sec, but could be as high as 3.7 ft/sec. Preferred depth ranged from 3.9 to15.7 inches.

Diet of the Rio Grande sucker consists of periphyton (algae) and benthic macroinvertebrates that are scraped from rocks, gravel, or boulders (Sublette et al. 1990). In a review of the available scientific literature Rees and Miller (2005) found the diet of the Rio Grande sucker in a New Mexico stream with a high sediment load; found that the dominant prey item in gut samples from adult Rio Grande suckers shifted between benthic macro-invertebrates and periphyton, depending on sampling time and location. Gut samples of 145 Rio Grande suckers in Jemez Creek, New Mexico contained algae, aquatic invertebrates, larval fish, organic detritus, and sand and silt.

RioGrandeSucker‐DirectandIndirectEffects

The deposition of fine sediments has been found to negatively impact the abundance and condition of Rio Grande suckers (Swift-Miller et al. 1999b). The amount of sand/silt substrate was inversely related to fish density in each habitat unit in Hot Creek (Swift-Miller et al. 1999a). Similarly, Rio Grande sucker condition was negatively related to the proportion of fine sediment in streams that were surveyed in Colorado and New Mexico (Swift-Miller et al. 1999b). The Rio Grande sucker may have an affinity for larger substrate because the stability associated with coarse substrate provides a greater opportunity for algal growth and macroinvertebrate production (Calamusso and Rinne 1996).

Suitable habitat for this species is found in the Rio Grande. Implementation of any alternative (with seasonal closure) would have the same impacts as described for Rio Grande chub specifically for 1.25 miles of the Garrapata Canyon Road (FR 9709R0) at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Garrapata Canyon.

RioGrandeCutthroatTrout–AffectedEnvironment

Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis) (RGct) prefer clear, cold streams with deep pools and consistent water flow. Population densities are regulated mostly by stream size and morphology (Koster 1957). In an exhaustive review of available scientific literature Pritchard and Cowley (2006) indicate Rio Grande cutthroat trout need areas of suitable gravels that are well-oxygenated by flowing water and relatively free of fine sediment for` successful spawning and egg development. Deeper pools that provide and over-wintering, cool summer habitat, and consistent in-stream flows are important for survival. Beaver dams which create pool structure are important for overwinter survival for Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Stream bottom substrates with clean gravels of various sizes, little embeddedness and low pollution (sedimentation) provide for aquatic macro-invertebrate production for a consistent food source. Clean gravel substrates are also important for successful reproduction. Preferred water temperatures for the RGCT are between 41 and 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Citing other sources Pritchard and Cowley (2006) found Rio Grande cutthroat trout population are affected by a variety of conditions including stream channel morphology, competition with other fish, condition of the riparian corridor, deposition of fine sediments on the stream bottom,


Page 13 of 24

hydrology, and water quality. Alterations individually or in combination with any of these elements will modify the stream character, altering the total abundance of food items and the composition of the aquatic macro-invertebrate community, and may also potentially affect the foraging efficiency of resident trout. At higher elevations where many extant populations of Rio Grande cutthroat trout are found, streams are typically less productive than those at lower elevations, and leaves and dead wood from riparian vegetation are the primary sources of energy for aquatic invertebrates (Sublette et al. 1990). Deciduous plant tissue, which decomposes more rapidly than coniferous plant tissue, may be a particularly important nutrient source (Romero et al. 2005). At certain times of the year a large proportion of the diet may come from terrestrial invertebrates, the availability of which will also depend on the riparian vegetation condition.

The effect of deposited sediment upon developing fish embryos and sac fry in salmonid (trout) spawning beds is severe. A major problem is the source of oxygen reaching the beds is in the downwelling water of the stream. Suspended sediment carried by stream water enters the bed, where velocities are slowed in the interstitial spaces and sediment particles settle. The flow of water containing oxygen through the bed is impeded or stopped. The salmonid spawning bed functions as a sediment trap and the oxygen required for embryo survival and development is prevented. In addition, the filling in of interstitial spaces in the cobble substrate decreases available aquatic macro-invertebrate habitat. This in turn leads to a reduction of macro-invertebrate productivity which provides a substantial part of the prey base for salmonid fish species.

Another major problem occurs when sedimentation on the streambed or in the upper strata of the spawning bed produces a consolidated layer through which the emerging sac fry cannot penetrate. Even though development and hatching may be successful, entombment occurs resulting in reproductive failure. Sediment also results in a loss of juvenile rearing and adult habitat by filling of pools. In addition, salmonid fry require the protection of stream roughness conditions for winter survival. Reductions in fry can occur when they are faced with stream riffles heavily embedded by sediment deposits.

Increasing concentrations of deposited fine sediment has been shown to decrease growth and survival of juvenile steelhead trout. It is suggested there is no threshold below which exacerbation of fine sediment delivery and storage in gravels will be harmless, and also that any reduction could produce immediate benefits for salmonid restoration. While this refers to steelhead, it is likely applicable to other juvenile salmonids.

Rio Grande cutthroat populations have been found in Cabresto Creek, Jiron Creek, Lake Fork Creek, Bitter Creek, Columbine Creek, San Cristobal Creek, and Rio Hondo tributaries.

RioGrandeCutthroatTrout‐DirectandIndirectEffects

Almost any type of land disturbance has the potential for producing excessive sediment transported to streams. A wide variety of activities have been demonstrated to negatively impact Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat by increasing the deposition of fine sediments, including road construction and improper road maintenance. Logging roads produce the most sediment generated by forest management practices. The density and length of logging road distribution can be a major factor in determining the level of sediment production (Pritchard and Cowley 2006). Activities associated with road crossings (culvert installation, cleaning, low water crossings) can also accelerate the input of fine sediments to streams. Removal of riparian


Page 14 of 24

vegetation associated with motor vehicle use and access to dispersed campsites in riparian areas can also increase deposition of fine sediments by eliminating the effectiveness of vegetation buffer width or by not having the right type of vegetation that can efficiently remove suspended sediments.

Most of the roads on the Questa RD are associated with either historic or fairly recent logging or mining practices. In many instances roadbeds created during implementation are still in place. Many of these roadbeds, as well as system roads, now serve to support recreational and other permitted activities on the Questa RD. They are closed to motor vehicle use, but still contribute sediment to streams. Moreover, many system roads are located within riparian areas adjacent to streams. Higher levels of activity (including motor vehicle use) along designated roads and within designated corridors adjacent to streams may increase the amount of sediment input. Activities associated with roads and road crossings (culverts, cleaning, improper road maintenance, low water crossings) can accelerate the input of fine sediments to streams. Erosion from user-created footpath use (dispersed along streams, trail cutting) and recreational trails for foot, horseback, bicycle, and motor vehicle use can have localized, but severe effects, primarily due to location and terrain characteristics.

Table 4 lists all the stream segments where Rio Grande cutthroat trout exist on the Questa RD, excluding Valle Vidal, and provides rationale as to why they would not be affected by the alternatives.

Table 4.

Stream Segment Comments

Cabresto Creek

From headwaters to Bonito Canyon

RGct only exist from the Cabresto Creek headwaters down to confluence with Bonito Canyon. Cabresto Creek is far enough away from FR 134 (Cabresto Ck Road) that sediment from FR134 is adequately filtered & does not impact RGct from headwaters to confluence with Bonito Canyon, so RGct would not be impacted by any alternative.

Jiron Creek Headwaters to Cabresto Creek

Actual RGct population is limited by channel morphology about 50 yards downstream at FR 54H crossing. RGct only exist from confluence with Cabresto Creek to reach, before crossing FR 54H. Where FR 54H crosses Jiron Creek is too far up into the headwaters & not passable for RGct, so would not be impacted by any alternative. Note: RGct population extends from Jiron Creek into Cabresto Creek.

Lake Fork Creek

Headwaters to Cabresto Lake

Pure populations of RGct are only found 1/2 mile below confluence of Bull Fork Ck & Lake Fork Creek. Within Latir Wilderness & would not be affected by any alternative.

Bitter Creek Headwaters to Red River

Perennial flow does not always occur from headwaters to Red River except under extended summer thunderstorm events or from exceptional groundwater recharge from snowmelt. Pure RGct population primarily 2 to 3 miles from headwaters. Ponds on private lands have exotics and


Page 15 of 24

Stream Segment Comments

high potential to impact the native RGct population, since no barrier exists. Effects analysis below.

Columbine Creek

Headwaters to Red River (Columbine Campground)

Exotics exist from Red River to natural barrier located 0.3 mi. above campground. Within Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area & would not be affected by any alternative.

San Cristobal Creek

Headwaters to San Cristobal

Within Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area & would not be affected by any alternative.

Rio Hondo tributaries

Long Canyon, Gavilan, Italianos, Manzanita, South Fork & Yerba

All tributaries within Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area & would not be affected by any alternative.

There are known populations of Rio Grande cutthroat in the upper reaches of Bitter Creek. Forest Road 54E is located on a ridge above Bitter Creek and receives intensive summer and fall recreational OHV/ATV use. This road is in fair condition, entrenched, without proper drainage design, and drains directly toward Bitter Creek along its length. Typically during spring runoff and summer storm events, road borne sediment is generated and is exacerbated by motor vehicle use, causing sediment to be delivered into Bitter Creek and impacting native trout habitat. Heavy vehicle traffic (associated with summer time recreational and woodcutting access) along FR 54E was identified by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (2002) as a source of concern for road borne sediment flows that are negatively impacting Bitter Creek native RGct population and habitat.

Alternatives 1 and 3 would restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use on 0.5 mile of the upper reaches of FR 54E. In addition, alternatives 1 and 3 would remove the existing 100-foot corridor, while alternative 2 would maintain the corridor for the purpose of dispersed camping and big game retrieval. Restricting a portion of FR 54E to motor vehicle use under alternatives 1 and 3 would reduce the potential for sediment to reach Bitter Creek. Alternatives 1 and 3 would benefit RGct habitat by decreasing soil disturbance and allowing vegetation along the creek to grow back over time, thus reducing the amount of sediment reaching Bitter Creek.

The steep topography of the Questa Ranger District substantially limits the opportunity for motor vehicle use off designated roads, especially to areas adjacent to RGct habitat. Alternatives 1 and 3 would remove the existing 100-foot corridors that occur along many of the district’s streams. In some of these areas, alternative 1 would add to the transportation system some of the unauthorized road segments that lead to historic campsites. Since these road segments already occur on the landscape and are currently being used for dispersed camping, they would likely have little effect on RGct habitat. Alternative 2 would maintain the 100-foot corridors for the purpose of dispersed camping and big game retrieval. Motor vehicle use in the corridors is limited by topography, season (summer and fall), and purpose, which would constitute a light impact to the landscape and not likely to leave lasting surface disturbance.


Page 16 of 24

ManagementIndicatorSpecies–AquaticOrganisms

Two aquatic species groups (shown immediately below) are found to have the potential of being affected by implementation of the Travel Management Rule (Table 5):

Resident Trout —Riparian (perennial stream)

Aquatic macro-invertebrates — Riparian (perennial stream)

Table 5. Management Indicator Species – aquatic organism habitat on the Questa Ranger District.

Management Indicator Species

MIS Habitat Component for

Quality Habitat

Forest Plan Management Area

Resident trout perennial stream, riparian

MA 14 - Riparian

Aquatic Macro Invertebrates

perennial stream, riparian

MA 14 - Riparian

Resident trout species are used as management indicator species for quality perennial stream and riparian vegetation (USDA 2007). Resident trout species include Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus virginalis clarki), brown trout (Salmo trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Resident trout is the MIS for activities occurring in Management Area 14 – Riparian.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates or aquatic insects are also management indicator species for quality perennial stream and associated riparian vegetation. For the purpose of analyzing the effects of forest management activities, the primary habitat requirement for aquatic macroinvertebrates is perennial water in streams that contain resident trout (USDA 2007). Like resident trout, aquatic macroinvertebrates are MIS for activities occurring in Management Area 14 – Riparian.

The total number of stream miles suitable for resident trout has not changed since 1986 and has been refined due to better mapping capabilities to contain approximately 444 miles of suitable habitat on the Carson National Forest. There are approximately 130 miles of suitable resident trout habitat on the Questa RD. Aquatic macroinvertebrates occur within all 130 miles of suitable fish habitat on the Questa RD. Some stream segments may overlap with private lands. The Questa RD represents about 30 percent of resident trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat on the Carson National Forest.

Stocking programs supplement trout populations on the Carson National Forest. A number of stocked fish do survive in the stream habitats to become resident trout. The habitat and population trends for resident trout on the Carson National Forest are currently stable (USDA 2007).


Page 17 of 24

Based on ongoing inventory data since 1986 on most areas of the Carson National Forest, the physical condition of aquatic habitat appears to have improved. The habitat and population trend for aquatic macroinvertebrates appears to be stable.

ResidentTroutandMacro‐Invertebrates‐DirectandIndirectEffects

Alternatives 1 and 2 would result in an additional 1 and 2 miles of road within 200 feet of a stream, respectively. Alternative 3 would result in a decrease of 15 miles within 200 feet of a stream. As compared to alternatives 1 and 2, alternative 3 would result in more miles of road where motor vehicle use would be restricted. Over time, these roads would revegetate, soils would stabilize, less sediment would enter the streams, and resident and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat would improve.

Table 6. Effects by alternative on perennial streams with resident trout and macroinvertebrate populations adjacent to forest roads

Road&AquaticLocation

Alternative1 Alternative2 Alternative3

FR 54C – Bitter Creek (at Bitter Ck road crossing)

FR 54C – Bitter Creek tributary (at Anderson Park Ck road crossing)

Removing 100-foot corridors would eliminate motor vehicle use off FR 54C, which would decrease sediment in Bitter Creek. Impacts to resident trout & macroinvertebrate populations & habitats would be restricted to the area downstream of the crossing. Macroinvertebrate population & habitat would be impacted locally, but would not be more than existing levels of impact.

Alternative 1 would have no impact to existing forest-wide resident trout or aquatic macroinvertebrate population & habitat trends.

No change. Same as alternative 1.

FR 54E- Bitter Creek

Motor vehicle use would be restricted on approximately ½ mile of FR 54E. This would reduce sediment delivery to Bitter Creek & provide some improvement to the current use of this road by reducing impacts associated with unrestricted motor


Page 18 of 24



vehicle use for dispersed camping in the area.

Impacts to resident trout & macroinvertebrate populations & habitats would be restricted to the area downstream of the crossing. Macroinvertebrate population & habitat would be impacted locally, but would not be more than existing levels of impact.

Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 would have no impact to existing forest-wide resident trout or aquatic macroinvertebrate population & habitat trends.

FR 485 – Pioneer Creek

Removing 100-foot corridors would eliminate motor vehicle use off FR 485, which would decrease sediment in Pioneer Creek.

Alternative 1 would reduce road borne sediments & limit motor vehicle access with seasonal designation, during periods when the road surface is subject to damage due to soil saturation conditions. Alternative 1 would not change forest-wide resident trout & aquatic macro invertebrate population & habitat trends.

No change. Alternative 3 would restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only on FR 485 (Pioneer Creek Rd); however, it would still be used under special use permits to serve the Town of Red River & upstream private land owners. Expected level of road use would be much lower than existing use & road sediment levels would be expected to decrease over the long term.

Alternative 3 would not change forest-wide resident trout & aquatic macro invertebrate population & habitat trends.

FR 486-Placer Fork Creek (1st 0.3 mile adjacent perennial stream Placer Fork Creek).

Existing 100-foot corridor would be removed and 4 unauthorized route segments would be added along FR 486. This alternative would restrict motor vehicle use to designated roads, allowing adjacent disturbed areas to recover from motor vehicle use damage. Improving resident trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat,

No change. Alternative 3 would restrict motor vehicle use to administrative use only on FR 486 (Placer Creek Rd); however, it would still be used under special use permits to serve the upstream private land owners. Expected level of road use would be much lower than existing use & road sediment levels would be expected to decrease over the long


Page 19 of 24



locally.

Alternative 1 would not change forest-wide habitat & population trends of resident trout & macroinvertebrate.

term.


FR 58 – Upper Red River Canyon

Existing 100-foot corridor would be removed and 3 unauthorized route segments would be added along FR 58. This alternative would restrict motor vehicle use to designated roads, allowing adjacent disturbed areas to recover from motor vehicle use damage. Improving resident trout and aquatic macroinvertebrate habitat, locally.

Alternative 1 would not change forest-wide habitat & population trends of resident trout & macroinvertebrate.

Same as alternative 1. Removing 100-foot corridors would eliminate motor vehicle use off FR 58, which would decrease sediment in upper Red River. Alternative 3 would reduce road borne sediments & limit motor vehicle access with seasonal designation, during periods when the road surface is subject to damage due to soil saturation conditions. Alternative 3 would not change forest-wide resident trout & aquatic macro invertebrate population & habitat trends.

FR 487 - Middle Fork Road

Motor vehicle use would be restricted to administrative use only on FR 487. Expected level of motor vehicle use would be much lower than existing use & road sediment levels would be expected to decrease over the long term.


No change. Same as alternative 1.


Page 20 of 24



In summary, none of the alternatives would change the habitat or population trend for resident trout or aquatic macroinvertebrates on the Carson National Forest. Under alternatives 1 and 3, restricting motor vehicle use to administrative use only and eliminating 100-foot corridors may improve habitat conditions and increase population trends over the long term.

CumulativeEffects:

Permitted livestock grazing on national forst allotments adjacent perennial streams would add stress to native Rio Grande cutthroat trout, resident trout and macroinvertebrate habitats. Grazing removal of riparian vegetation providing shade and bank stability and breaking down of stream banks due to livestock trampling can contribute and add to the sediment load from nearby roads to aquatic species habitats. Application of prescribed fire events would only have a short term impact to sediment contributions to aquatic species habitats since prescriptions typically have cool to moderate fire intensity and do not result in lasting sources sediment beyond one or two years after the prescribed burn. The incidence of catastrophic wildfire (forest stand removal) would cause the complete loss of macroinvertebrate and resident trout habitats for the long term since wildfires typically burn at high intensity and destabilize the watershed. Subsequent debris flows from wildfires may last three to five years or longer depending upon the severity of the event and would preclude resident trout and macroinvertebrate populations until the watershed and associated drainage channels stabilized.


Page 21 of 24

LITERATURECITED

Calamusso, R., J.N. Rinne, and P.R. Turner. 2002. Distribution and abundance of the Rio Grande sucker in the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 47:182-186.

Calamusso, R., and J.N. Rinne. 1996. Distribution of Rio Grande cutthroat trout and its co-occurrence with the Rio Grande sucker and Rio Grande chub on the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. Pages 157-167 in D.W. Shaw and D.M. Finch, tech. coord. Desired future conditions for southwestern riparian ecosystems: bringing interests and concerns together. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mt. Forest and Range Exp. Sta. General Technical Report RM-GTR-272. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_rm/rm_gtr272.pdf (09/02/2009).

Koster, W. J. 1957. Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Univ. of NM Press. Albuquerque, NM.

New Mexico Dept of Game and Fish. 2002. Long range plan for the management of Rio Grande cutthroat trout in New Mexico. New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, Fisheries Mgmt. Div. w/ maps & appendices. Santa Fe, NM. 64p.

Platania, S. P. 1991.Fishes of the Rio Chama and Upper Rio Grande, New Mexico, with preliminary comments on their longitudinal distribution. The Southwestern Naturalist 36:186-193.

Pritchard, V. L. and D. E. Cowley. 2006. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mtn. Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/riograndecutthroattrout.pdf

Rees, D. E., R. J. Carr and W. J. Miller. 2005. Rio Grande Chub (Gila pandora): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/riograndechub.pdf [09/02/2009].

_____. and W.J. Miller. 2005. Rio Grande Sucker (Catostomus plebeius): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/riograndesucker.pdf [09/02/2009].

Rinne, J. N. 1995. Reproductive biology of the Rio Grande chub, Gila Pandora (Teleostomi: Cypriniformes), in a montane stream, New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 40:107-110.

Romero, N., R.E. Gresswell, and J.L. Li. 2005. Changing patterns in coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) diet and prey in a gradient of deciduous canopies. Canadian J. of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62:1797-1807.

Sublette, J.; M. D. Hatch, and M. Sublette. 1990. The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM., Univ. NM. Press. 393p.

Swift-Miller, S.M., B.M. Johnson, R.T. Muth, and D. Langlois. 1999a. Distribution, abundance, and habitat use of Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius) in Hot Creek, Colorado. The Southwestern Naturalist 44:42-48.

Swift-Miller, S. M., B. M. Johnson and R. T. Muth. 1999b. Factors affecting the diet and abundance of northern populations of Rio Grande sucker (Catostomus plebeius). The Southwestern Naturalist 44:148-156.

USDA Forest Service. 2010. Region 3 Forest Sensitive Species List (10/01/2007, modified 01/15/2010) for Carson National Forest. Carson National Forest, Southwest Region.

USDA Forest Service. 2007. Management Indicator Species Assessment, Carson National Forest, Southwestern Region. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/plans/mis%20assessment/2007_mis_assessment.shtml

. 1986. Carson National Forest Plan. U.S. Dept. of Agric., Forest Service, Taos, NM. 386p.


Page 22 of 24

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Listed and Sensitive Species in Taos County. [Online]. Fish & Wildlife Service, Southwest Region Ecological Serv. Available: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/NewMexico/SBC_view.cfm?spcnty=Taos 12/16/2010.

Documents

AQUATIC ORGANISM EFFECTS REPORT for TRAVEL …a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akam… · QRD Travel Mgt EA Page 2 of 24 use motor vehicles for activities