File Code: 2720/1950 Date: January 6, 2017

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest Sawtooth National Recreation Area 5 North Fork Canyon Road Ketchum, ID File Code: 2720/1950 Date: January 6, 2017 Dear Sir/Madam, The purpose of this letter is to inform you of a special use on National Forest that may be of interest to you, and for you to have an opportunity for comments or questions. Your input is important to us as we review the existing permit and new proposal relative to this special use. Background: An existing fish trap structure was installed in the 1950s and operates as both a juvenile and adult trapping structure. The current facility is operated by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) as part of the Snake River Sockeye Salmon captive broodstock program. The Snake River Sockeye Salmon program is now entering a new phase. This new phase relies on increased smolt production to increase the number of returning, anadromous adults. The biological goals are to increase the number of adults spawning naturally in Redfish Lake and other Sawtooth Valley Lakes and transition the captive broodstock to an integrated hatchery program that uses anadromous adults collected at the Sawtooth Valley adult traps as broodstock. As part of this phase, the program has made great strides in expanding the program to release up to 1 million smolts per year and anticipates ~ 3500 adults returning from the hatchery smolt releases in 2018 and 5,000 adults returning in As part of this strategy, a new adult trap is needed on Redfish Lake Creek to accommodate the expected increase in adults returning to Redfish Lake. The current adult trap on Redfish Lake Creek is designed to trap and hold adults per night (depending on water flows) before mortalities associated from overcrowding may occur. In addition to the possibility of mortality associated with overcrowding, the current trap design may also result in adults that are reluctant to enter the overcrowded trap and begin to stack up below the weir making them vulnerable to predation or causing adults to stray from the trap site. To avoid any potential negative impacts to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed Endangered Snake River Sockeye Salmon population, a new trapping facility is needed to accommodate the expected increase in adult returns to Redfish Lake. The special use permit (SUP) authorizing this use of NFS lands was issued in November, 1996 and expires on December 31, The existing SUP authorizes the occupancy of 0.01 acres and use of two miles of road. The current SUP also includes the parking of 2-3 self-contained 18 foot travel trailers and associated vehicles to pull them during the season to accommodate a fish workup area/sleeping area. Permitted access to the site includes the paved FS road #214, and two un-surfaced, non-system spur roads leading from road #214; one to the weir site, another accessing a smolt release location approximately 250 feet downstream of the weir site. Both of these non-system roads have US Forest Service (USFS) approved gates. The current SUP allows the use of these roads prior to their opening for the general public. IDFG personnel typically enter the facility in early spring (typically April) to set up the trapping operations and begin trapping emigrating sockeye salmon smolts. A single lane road is plowed in early April to allow access to the trap site (see Section for details on this permitted Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 operation). Juvenile trapping continues through mid-juneand then the trap is configured to collect adults through late October. The trap is checked daily to ensure that all fish are collected safely. Juveniles collected in the trap between April and June are enumerated and released back into Redfish Lake Creek. A subsample of juveniles are PIT tagged and released upstream of the trap to evaluate trap efficiency. Adults collected at the trap are either released directly upstream of the trap or transported daily to the Eagle Fish Hatchery to determine their final disposition (spawned in the hatchery or released into Redfish Lake). One to three IDFG personnel are present each day during juvenile and adult trapping. Occasionally, additional personnel are present during facility tours and meetings. The facility is closed during the winter season (typically November-March). Project Area: The Redfish Collection Facility is located on Redfish Lake Creek in the Upper Salmon Watershed (HUC ) in the upper reaches of the Salmon River south of Stanley Idaho (Figure 1). It is located on National Forest System lands within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, on the Sawtooth National Forest (SNF). Redfish Lake Creek flows from its headwaters in the Sawtooth Mountains to Redfish Lake and from there through the Action Area to Little Redfish Lake then on to its crossing beneath Idaho State Highway 75 near its confluence with the Salmon River. Figure 1 Redfish Collection Facility Location

3 Proposed Action: Idaho Fish and Game is proposing the replacement of the weir at the Redfish Collection Facility (hereinafter, weir ), construction of a dormitory/fish work-up building, and toilet; and the continued authorization of the use and maintenance of these facilities on National Forest System (NFS) lands, Custer County, Idaho for the next 20 years. Bonneville Power Association, (BPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are also federal action agencies but will be making separate decisions. BPA is funding construction of a dormitory that will be integrated into the overall facility, and is providing technical support in the form of preparing biological analyses and assisting the Sawtooth National Forest in completing this consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USACE will be issuing a Clean Water Act Section 404 dredge and fill permit for the weir reconstruction. Figure Redfish Collection Facility Action Area, location of existing weir, current associated permitted activities and temporary weir location for summer Proposed Structure Construction/Reconstruction: Weir/Trap The Proposed Action would authorize construction/reconstruction of a new fish barrier (weir), fish ladder, and adult holding pool within and on the banks of Redfish Lake Creek as specified in Figure 2.1, above. This facility fits within the footprint of the currently occupied and disturbed area.

4 The weir will be constructed on a concrete sill spanning the bed of Redfish Lake Creek and will incorporate trap features for both smolts and adults. It will be fabricated from weathered steel to have the appearance of a rusted brown color that adheres to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (PL ) visual requirements. Key features of the adult trap include a concrete fish ladder leading from the eastern end of the weir up to an adult holding pond atop the streambank. The adult holding will be an off channel holding pool located on the west bank and will require construction of a concrete structure adjacent to the west bank. The structure would have a small diversion incorporated to draw surface water from the creek into the vault for adequate flow through the vault. The holding area will need to accommodate the 400 adult fish with a minimum of 400 cubic feet volume and a 5 foot water depth. During construction, access to the east bank will be through the creek and the disturbed area will be minimized and scaled to the footprint of the construction equipment. Any disturbed or impacted areas will be rehabilitated following construction. Fencing for safety and security (approximately 6 feet high and 50 feet long) will span the length of the holding area. Security gates will be installed for the protection of both the public and the fish at the weir at both ends of the fencing. The color and type of fencing will comply with PL visual requirements. Dormitory/Fish Evaluation Structure In support of the operation of this weir/trap, the Proposed Action would authorize the construction of a 16 by 48 building that will serve as a dormitory and fish evaluation facility. The building will be divided equally between dormitory uses (west half) and fish evaluation uses (east half). It will be located adjacent to Redfish Lake Creek on a pre-existing graveled parking area and will be oriented in an east to west manner with the fish evaluation area on the east end immediately adjacent to the weir s concrete fish holding pool. The fish evaluation area consists of an enclosed 16 by 16 room and a 16 by 8 exterior covered working area that extends to the holding pool to provide protected working space during fish evaluation. Access to the interior portion of the fish evaluation areas will be from an exterior door on the south wall and from a roll-up garage-style door connecting the interior and exterior portions of the fish evaluation area. The roll-up door will allow the public to view the fish as biological data while biological data is being collected. The 16 by 24 dormitory will be located on the west half of the structure. The dormitory will share a wall with the fish evaluation area but there will be no direct access between the two areas. The dormitory would consist of a 12-foot by 16-foot common/kitchen area and two 8 by 12 bedrooms would be located directly off the common area. The dormitory and fish evaluation area will have electricity but no running water or sanitary sewer connections. The fish evaluation area will use water transported by bucket from Redfish Lake Creek. The dormitory and fish evaluation area will have an outdoor collection tank for the disposal of gray water on site and pumped when the CXT is pumped. The outdoor collection

5 tank for the gray water will also meet PL visual requirements and most likely be buried with manhole type access for waste removal. Parking will be on the south side of the dorm. Fish trucks will access the trap holding area on the north side of the dorm. The existing island in the trap site will be removed to grant easier truck access and turn-around space. The island currently has three trees of the following species (Lodgepole, Doug Fir) and area approximately in diameter. There may be an opportunity in the future for the permittee to plant trees under the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for future screening but this will be discussed and coordinated between the permittee and the USFS yearly as needed. Electricity would be extended from a pre-existing underground single-phase line that services the Glacier View campground to the south. A junction box will be inserted where this line runs beneath the pre-existing access road approximately 575 feet from the main Redfish Lake road. Salmon River Electric has granted permission for IDFG to connect a junction box where the underground line crosses the road and access power from that location. This change will eliminate the current use of travel trailers that are moved in and out and are not meeting PL visual regulations. The new dormitory and fish evaluation structure will operate as a travel trailer would but will meet PL Vault Toilet The proposal includes authorization to construct a singlevault toilet in support of the dormitory occupants. The CXT location will be south of the dormitory area and the final orientation of the CXT will be determined to allow for adequate ventilation. This toilet will be constructed using the Forest Service s Sweet-Smelling Technology (SST) and will be consistent in design and standard with those currently in place throughout the Redfish Lake recreation complex. The exterior of the CXT will have the Everlog design, which is currently in place at Stanley Lake. Furthermore, a bird screen will be installed over the vent pipe according to USFS standards. The CXT will comply with the guidelines of the 2004 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and have a large doorway, more space in the interior, and an accessible walkway (i.e. meets grade requirement under ADA). The CXT vaults and the gray water disposal tank will be pumped periodically as needed. The waste will be taken by the septic contractor off of NFS lands to a waste water/sewer location where it can be properly processed. Proposed Road Maintenance The proposal includes routine road maintenance as necessary to maintain user safety and protect natural resources. This maintenance would include periodic grading and installation of small culverts to resolve current seasonal drainage issues. No realignment, widening, or impervious surfacing of the road is proposed. No re-design of the junction with the Redfish Lake Road is proposed. In the spring, plowing of the spur road and main road will be needed to gain access.

6 IDFG will coordinate with USFS to install delineators as required by the USFS. The permittee will be responsible for the installation in the fall to demarcate the road for the snow plows in the spring. This is to be done for the duration of this permit. Specifications for this plowing are included in the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) but in general describe a light blade approach maintaining a good base of snow; one lane only; and protection of the groomed snowmobile and ski trail along Road 214. There will not be a large berm created from the plowing to ensure that the snowmobiles and skiers are safe. The plowing will be coordinated yearly with the USFS designated special use permit administrator and/or the Stanley Ranger Station. Design and reconstruction of the gravel-surfaced parking area/turn-around at the new weir and dormitory/fish evaluation building will be sufficient to accommodate the 10-wheel trucks necessary to transport trapped fish. Road base and all materials brought onsite to reinforce the road will be certified noxious weed free. Construction equipment and material will be staged within the existing disturbed parking area at the pump house along the weir access road. No additional vegetation will be cleared or impacted for staging purposes. Appropriate containers for proper disposal of construction materials will be maintained in this staging area. All construction waste will be taken to an approved facility off National Forest System lands. Proposed Occupancy and Use of the Authorized Facility The proposed action would authorize the seasonal occupancy of the dormitory for IDFGauthorized personnel to set-up, operate, take-down, and repair/maintain the weir trap for the purposes of trapping smolt and adult salmonids. The proposed action includes additional periods of occupancy and use as necessary for the repair and maintenance of the facility outside of the trapping period. Plowing or grooming outside of the normal operating window (December- March annually) will not be a part of this proposal. Access to the site outside of the normal operating window is authorized but means of access is limited to that available to the general public at that time. Temporary Weir Location at Little Redfish Lake A temporary weir necessary for continued adult sockeye trapping operations during weir reconstruction is to be located in a reach of Redfish Lake Creek below Little Redfish Lake downstream approximately 1250 feet. This will go in July 2017 and come out October of Nothing permanent and lasting will be left after October of Figure 2.2 above. Timeline for Construction The trap and holding pool is desired tobe operational by mid-july In-river work would occur starting the second week of June through November. In order to take advantage of the limited work windows, it is anticipated that the Contractor begin the first phase of construction starting in July, It is the Contractor s responsibility to phase the design and construction enough to utilize both 2017 and 2018 construction seasons to complete an operational trap by mid-july Public safety will be taken into consideration and the appropriate signs and education will be implemented by the permittee and contractor as appropriate and necessary. The

7 instream work and dormitory/fish workup construction is further described and analyzed within the Biological Assessments submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service for compliance with ESA-listed fish and wildlife and associated designated critical habitat. Mitigations from the regulatory agencies will be incorporated into the construction and AOP as required. Your thoughts would be most helpful if received by the project leader, Arthur Fisher, by February 6, Please be aware that comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record and will be available for public inspection. address: Sawtooth National Recreation Area 5 North Fork Canyon Road Ketchum, Idaho phone: comments-intermtn-sawtoothnra@fs.fed.us Please indicate Redfish Lake Collection Facility and Weir in the subject line. Sincerely, BARBARA A. GARCIA Deputy Area Ranger, Sawtooth National Recreation Area