PUBLIC SCOPING WEST FORK SMITHS FORK COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT ENHANCEMENT

Transcription

1 PUBLIC SCOPING WEST FORK SMITHS FORK COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT ENHANCEMENT EVANSTON-MOUNTAIN VIEW RANGER DISTRICT UINTA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST SUMMIT COUNTY, UTAH 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, in cooperation with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, proposes to treat the streams in the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage including some waters within the High Uintas Wilderness and High Uintas Inventoried Roadless Area with rotenone to remove non-native fish species and enhance habitat for native Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT). A Conservation Strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout has been developed by cooperating state and federal agencies in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. The Forest Service and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are parties to this Conservation Strategy and Agreement. The removal of non-native fish to restore and enhance habitat for CRCT populations is identified as a major activity to meet Conservation Strategy objectives. 2.0 BACKGROUND Biologists have long been aware that cutthroat trout populations throughout the west have declined significantly. The cutthroat trout represents a diverse species, which has been divided into several subspecies. Three cutthroat trout subspecies, the Bonneville cutthroat trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout are native to Utah, meaning they existed in Utah prior to European settlement. Cutthroat trout face many threats including habitat fragmentation and degradation, non-native competitors, and hybridization with rainbow trout and other cutthroat subspecies. The Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus), is a race, or subspecies, of the cutthroat trout that is native to the upper Colorado River drainage of Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Pure CRCT are now very rare throughout their historic range. In fact, pure CRCT now naturally occur only in isolated high-elevation headwater streams. CRCT currently occupy an estimated 14 percent of historically occupied habitat (Hirsch et al. 2006). Threats and factors contributing to the decline of CRCT populations from historic levels include the introduction and subsequent proliferation of non-native trout species and habitat loss (i.e. fragmentation and alteration), predation by and competition with non-native fishes, and hybridization with non-native trout, such as the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). It is generally believed that the introduction of non-native salmonids may have had the greatest effect on CRCT (Hirsch et al. 2006). Colorado River cutthroat trout have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act though July 2017 Page 1

2 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has determined that listing is not warranted at this time. The CRCT is designated as a species of special concern by the states of Colorado and Wyoming, and as a Tier I species by the state of Utah. A Tier I species is defined as a species that is either federally listed or for which a conservation agreement has been implemented. The CRCT is classified as a sensitive species by the Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) and the Intermountain Region (Region 4) of the U.S. Forest Service and by the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. The Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ( Forest Service ) and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) are committed to maintenance and restoration of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife populations in Utah within the jurisdictions of their respective agencies. The UDWR was created under the laws of the State of Utah to manage, protect, maintain, enhance, rehabilitate, and extend the fish and wildlife populations of the State, and the Forest Service is authorized by Acts of Congress and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to administer the multiple use management of National Forest System (NFS) lands in the State of Utah, including fish and wildlife habitats. It is mutually beneficial to work in harmony for the common purpose of maintaining, developing, and managing the fish and wildlife populations and associated habitats and other related resources on NFS lands. Such cooperation is in the best interests of the wildlife and fish resources on NFS lands and also in the best interest of the people of Utah and the United States. Non-native salmonids have been stocked in the historical range of Colorado River cutthroat trout for over 100 years. Rainbow trout were first stocked in 1915 in the Smiths Fork, a tributary to the Green River in Wyoming (M. Fowden, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, pers. comm.). In order to fulfill its mission with respect to fish and wildlife management, the UDWR has been working to restore pure CRCT to historic areas in Utah. Since 1999, large numbers of CRCT have been raised in hatcheries and then released into lakes in the Uinta Mountains, in the northeastern part of Utah. However, expanding populations of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout hybrids continue to threaten populations of native CRCT throughout their historic range including populations within the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage on the UWC National Forest. Rainbow trout and cutthroat trout hybrids continue to compete with and compromise the genetic integrity of native CRCT populations. The cool, clear water of high-elevation streams and lakes, such as those located within the High Uintas Wilderness, is the preferred habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout. The High Uintas Wilderness was designated for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System on September 28, 1984 (Utah Wilderness Act of 1984; Public Law ). In designating the High Uintas Wilderness, Congress found that it possessed outstanding natural characteristics and on the basis of its ecosystem [and] associated wildlife helped to fulfill the national forest system s share of a quality National Wilderness Preservation System. The identified purpose of the legislation is to preserve the wilderness character and other values of the land for the benefit of the American people. The legislation also provides specific provisions, including section 302(c) which states that as provided in section 4(d)(8) of the Wilderness Act of 1964, nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State of Utah with respect to wildlife and fish in the national forests in Utah. However, concern over state wildlife and fish management in wilderness persists. The House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs issued a report (House Report , Appendix B Wildlife Management Guidelines (February 21, 1990), accompanying the bill enacted as Public Law ), which provides detailed guidance on the committee s statement of congressional intent regarding state agency activities for fish and wildlife management within wilderness. It includes guidance to state and federal personnel for the management of fish and wildlife in wilderness in accordance with the Wilderness Act. The general policy states that fish and wildlife management activities will emphasize the protection of natural processes. Management activities will be guided by the principle of Page 2

3 doing only the minimum necessary to manage the area as wilderness. Specific policies from House Report which are pertinent to the West Fork Smiths Fork Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Enhancement project include: Threatened and endangered species Actions necessary to protect or recover threatened or endangered species, including habitat manipulation and special protection measures, may be implemented in wilderness. But such actions must be necessary for the perpetuation of recovery of the species and it must be demonstrated that the actions cannot be done more effectively outside wilderness (section B4). Chemical treatment Chemical treatment may be necessary to prepare waters for the reestablishment of indigenous species, to protect or recover federally listed threatened or endangered species, or to correct undesirable conditions resulting from the influence of man. Species of fish traditionally stocked before wilderness designation may be considered indigenous if the species is likely to survive (section B7). Fish stocking Fish stocking may be conducted by the state agency in coordination with the administering agency, using means appropriate for wilderness, when either of the following criteria is met: (a) to reestablish or maintain an indigenous species adversely affected by human influence; or (b) to perpetuate or recover a threatened or endangered species (section B9). In furtherance of fish and wildlife management, the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region and State of Utah have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU; Agreement No. 09-MU ), the purpose of which is to describe the terrestrial and aquatic species conservation programs on NFS lands and to recognize agency responsibilities and areas of cooperation and coordination. The Forest Service recognizes that the determination of when to apply registered piscicides to remove unwanted aquatic species from waters located on NFS lands, and the application of piscicides consistent with label requirements, are state actions to be conducted by the UDWR. When action is required by the Forest Service to permit the use of piscicides in water bodies located on NFS land, or ancillary activities, where a specific piscicide proposal or ancillary activities will require more than minor, short-term uses of NFS land, or where there are extraordinary circumstances related to the proposal (e.g., presence of Endangered Species Act-listed species or designated critical habitat, congressionally designated areas such as wilderness) the MOU provides for Forest Service cooperation with the UDWR to ensure that the appropriate level of environmental analysis is completed when State activities on NFS land require Forest Service authorization or there are other federal actions implicated which trigger requirements for compliance with NEPA and other federal environmental laws. General Location: The West Fork Smiths Fork Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Enhancement project includes approximately 16 miles of stream in the project area that occurs in the Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ( UWC National Forest ). The project area lies within Summit County, Utah and is approximately 22 miles south of the city of Mountain View, Wyoming. The project area is entirely National Forest System (NFS) land and includes portions of the High Uintas Wilderness and High Uintas Inventoried Roadless Area. Legal Description: Township 3 North, Range 3 East, sections 28, 32, and 33 and Township 2 North, Range 3 East, sections 4, 6-9, 15-22, 27, 28, and 33. (Figure 1). Primary access into the area includes Forest Service Road (FSR) 075 (Gilbert Creek Road). Project number in the Planning, Appeals, and Litigation System database: Page 3

4 3.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION The purpose of the project is to permit the UDWR, having jurisdiction by law, to manage, protect, maintain, enhance, rehabilitate, and extend the fish and wildlife populations of the State of Utah, to conduct activities in order to protect known populations of indigenous species (i.e., CRCT) that could become threatened or endangered where necessary for their perpetuation and to aid in their recovery in previously occupied habitat. The Forest Service purpose and need is centric to responding, where necessary, to UDWR s proposal to use piscicide in wilderness as necessary to conduct fish removal prior to restocking with CRCT. The UDWR s activities are conducted under State wildlife management authority. The purpose of this project is to establish Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) populations free of competing and hybridizing fish species (rainbow trout) in streams in the West Fork Smiths Fork drainages on the Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District of the UWC National Forest. Removal of competing and hybridizing non-native fish is necessary to enhance habitat and restore genetically pure native CRCT populations to suitable habitats within the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage. Therefore, the primary objective is to remove rainbow and hybridized cutthroat trout that occur within these waters. The upper reaches of the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage is within the High Uintas Wilderness and considered by state and Forest Service fisheries biologists to be critical and essential habitat in the watershed. Moreover, a wilderness is to be "protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions" meaning that wilderness ecological systems are substantially free from the effects of modern civilization. To preserve this quality, it is necessary to take action to correct unnatural conditions and address the scenic and conservation public purposes of wilderness, even if they were present at the time of wilderness designation. Any impacts resulting from the influence of modern civilization (such as the effects on indigenous CRCT from historic stocking of non-native rainbow trout) affect the natural quality of wilderness character. In order to preserve the natural conditions within the wilderness and conserve the native CRCT and repopulate West Fork Smiths Fork with native CRCT the presence of the non-native hybridized CRCT and rainbow trout must be addressed in upper reaches of the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage. Limiting the project to the stream segments outside wilderness (i.e., downstream of the wilderness boundary and upstream of the fish barrier) is not sufficient due to stream connectivity; the existing rainbow and hybridized CRCT within wilderness would continue downstream progression in the absence of a migration barrier. This action is being considered at this time because these non-native fish species continue to threaten CRCT populations through competition and hybridization. This action is important to meet the objective identified in the CRCT Conservation Strategy to secure or enhance CRCT populations by removing non-native fish species. Once hybridization and repeated backcrossing of CRCT populations has begun, options for restoring a genetically pure stock are few. If mating between CRCT and rainbow trout or nonnative cutthroat trout is nonselective (which it may not be; see Baumsteiger et al and Ostberg and Rodriguez 2006 for examples of assortative mating) and continues for a number of generations and if hybrids do not show reduced fitness, then the genes of non-native stocks will pervade virtually all remaining individuals to produce a hybrid swarm within a particular area (Allendorf et al. 2001). Although removals of obvious hybrids have been conducted with the aim of reducing the rate of transmission of non-native genes to future generations of salmonid populations (Busack and Gall 1981, Dowling and Childs 1992), these efforts have failed (in the absence of a thorough and sustained campaign; Campbell et al. 2002) for two reasons. First, whereas it is often possible to recognize first- Page 4

5 generation hybrids between rainbow trout and cutthroat trout visually, backcrosses and later-generation individuals can be indistinguishable from genetically pure adults without the aid of genetic testing (Leary et al. 1996). Second, if introgressive hybridization has progressed through several generations, nearly all individuals will carry at least some introduced genes, and reducing this influence to undetectable levels is probably futile (Allendorf et al. 2001). Establishing populations of indigenous CRCT free from the threats from non-native trout would greatly benefit CRCT recovery efforts within the species historic range, which includes portions of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. The project would contribute to the conservation of the species and reduce the potential need for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. This action is tiered to the 2003 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan [for the] Uinta-Wasatch- Cache National Forest, as amended through September 2015 Plan (USDA 2003)( Forest Plan ), and helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan. The UDWR and Forest Service want to ensure the persistence of the CRCT within its historic range. This includes preserving genetic integrity and providing adequate populations to maintain intrinsic and recreational values. This proposed project would not require a Forest Plan amendment. A Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) as well as a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit approved by the Regional Forester would be required to allow application of the piscicide to targeted waters within the High Uintas Wilderness. 3.1 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN The 2003 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan [for the] Wasatch-Cache National Forest, as amended through September 2015 (USDA 2003)( Forest Plan ) sets forth direction for managing the land and resources and describes management goals, subgoals, standards, guidelines, management prescriptions, and desired future conditions for the Wasatch-Cache portion of the UWC National Forest. The Forest Plan is a programmatic document that provides the desired balance of multiple uses to meet society s needs while protecting, restoring, and enhancing our natural resources. The High Unitas Wilderness Wilderness Management Plan is incorporated as management direction in the Forest Plan. This action responds to the following management direction outlined in the Forest Plan, and helps move the project area toward desired conditions described in the Forest Plan: Forestwide Subgoal Biodiversity and Viability 3f. Maintain or restore species composition, such that the species that occupy any given site are predominantly native species in the kind and amount that were historically distributed across the landscapes. (Forest Plan, p. 4-19) 3i. Maintain viability of species-at-risk (including endangered, threatened and sensitive species and unique communities). (Forest Plan, p. 4-19) 3j. Manage Forest Service sensitive species to prevent them from being classified as threatened or endangered and where possible provide for delisting as sensitive. (Forest Plan, p. 4-19) 3n. Maintain or restore aquatic riparian habitats, through recognition and management of Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas for metapopulations of cutthroat trout, recognizing the relative degree to which these fish depend on National Forest lands and conditions of these habitats off Forest. (Forest Plan, p. 4-20) Page 5

6 Forestwide Subgoal Recreation in Undeveloped Areas 6e. Manage recreation use of undeveloped areas on the forest to provide for desirable opportunities while preventing or reducing resource impacts and social conflicts. (Forest Plan p. 4-22) Forestwide Subgoal Wilderness 13a. Manage Wilderness recognizing differences in population proximity and consequent role in providing wilderness experiences for more people. (Forest Plan p. 4-25) The project area is located within the Eastern Uintas Management Area. Management prescriptions in the project area include a mix of Existing Wilderness 1.2 Opportunity Class II, Special Management Area 2.6 Undeveloped Areas, and Protection, Maintenance or Restoration of Biophysical Resource Multiple Resource 3.1a Aquatic Habitat Emphasis. Biodiversity/Viability Desired Future Condition for Aquatic Conditions The importance of the National Forest in the conservation of Colorado River cutthroat trout will be recognized. Work will continue with the states of Utah and Wyoming in pursuit of restoration efforts to maintain and expand Colorado River cutthroat trout. Restoration efforts will emphasize consideration at the watershed scale. (Forest Plan p ) Roadless Areas Desired Future Conditions Management in about half of this portion of the High Uintas Raodless Area, primarily in the East, Middle, and West Blacks Fork areas, will maintain or mostly maintain roadless values. The remaining portion will be managed to allow development. (Forest Plan p ) Recreation Desired Future Conditions Dispersed recreation activities and areas will meet a wide variety of user preferences. (Forest Plan p ) The following management direction is specific to the High Uintas Wilderness: Management Goals Allow natural processes to shape terrestrial and aquatic habitats. (Forest Plan p. VI-1) Cooperate with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in managing fish and wildlife resources. (FSM2323.3) (Forest Plan p. VI-1) Standards (S) and Guidelines (G) MA (G) Fish stocking activities meet wilderness resource objectives and provide for a range of wilderness depended recreation opportunities. MA (S) Re-introduction of species is considered appropriate only if species is indigenous and was extirpated by human induced events. Transplants are limited to indigenous species as determined by UDWR. (FSM a) Indigenous species, which are classified as threatened, endangered or sensitive receive priority for transplant. (Forest Plan p. IV-2) Page 6

7 4.0 PROPOSED ACTION The Evanston-Mountain View Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ( Forest Service ) proposes to permit the UDWR, being the agency responsible for the management of fish populations, to treat target waters with piscicide (rotenone) to remove competing and hybridizing nonnative trout species within the proposed project area. Target streams are located within the West Fork Smiths Fork drainage including some areas within the High Uintas Wilderness and High Uintas Inventoried Roadless Area (Figure 1). The waters proposed for treatments includes approximately 12 stream miles (approximately 4 miles outside of wilderness and 8 miles within wilderness) on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains. Implementation would potentially begin during the summer or fall of The piscicide is effective in killing most species and life stages of gill-breathing animals and a second treatment is necessary to remove any fish that may have hatched from eggs present during the first treatment. A third treatment may be necessary depending on results of post treatment surveys. Therefore, treatments of all identified target waters is expected to take place over the course of 2 to 3 years. The proposed action alternative to treat target waters with piscicide would first require a Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) pesticide use permit from the Utah Division of Water Quality. The following sections are a summary of the proposed suite of activities for the West Fork Smiths Fork Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Enhancement project. The UDWR would take the lead in implementing the treatment project within target waters of the proposed project area. The Forest Service would assist as the agency responsible for management of fish habitat. Page 7

8 Figure 1. Waters proposed for treatment to enhance habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout in the High Uintas Wilderness. Area being proposed for treatment is upstream (south) of the existing barrier. Page 8

9 4.1 TRANSPORTING CREW MEMBERS, EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES The proposed project area encompasses the upper West Fork Smiths Fork drainage within the High Uintas Wilderness. Within this drainage selected streams would be treated to remove all fish. No aircraft would be used to transport equipment and supplies. Equipment and supplies required to accomplish project goals would be transported by pack stock. Implementation of the proposed treatment project would require small crews to camp near the target waters. All prohibitions and special orders applying to the High Uintas Wilderness would be adhered to. This includes but is not limited to special orders related to group size, camp locations and areas closed to campfires. Crew members, equipment, and supplies will be brought into the High Uintas Wilderness by foot and pack stock using designated trails; mechanical transport will not be used. Crew members would set up base camp(s) in the wilderness to stay overnight. Activity in the area during the piscicide application would not exceed that currently permitted by public wilderness recreationists. The actual dispensing of rotenone, which would require the most man-power (approximately 8-10 people), would occur over a short one to two day period in the late summer or fall of each year. On those days, crew members would disperse (using game trails and social trails where available) along the stream corridors and would be spread out at approximately one-half mile intervals along streams targeted for piscicide application; crew members would return to camp after the application has concluded for the day. On the final day crew members, equipment, and supplies would be hiked out and/or removed with pack stock using designated trails. During the neutralization stage which would occur outside the High Unitas Wilderness, continuous use of the auger and gas powered generator to dispense potassium permanganate during this one to two week period would require that crew members set up a base camp at the Hewinta Guard Station. 4.2 PISCICIDE APPLICATION ( TREATMENT ) AND NEUTRALIZATION The proposed project would be implemented during a two week period in July through September of each year. All amphibian (e.g., frog and salamander) species should have metamorphosed into adult life forms reducing their chance of exposure to rotenone during the proposed treatment. The prescribed time period is also a period of low base stream flow, allowing for less chemical to be used. Rotenone liquid would be applied up to a concentration of 1.0 parts per million (ppm) of product (5 percent active ingredient). However, the minimum concentration needed to remove target species would be used. All target waters to be treated that year would be treated with rotenone during a one to two-day period. Streams would be treated a minimum of two times. This would likely be completed in consecutive years but could be within the same year. If two treatments occur within the same year, a one to two months resting period would occur between treatments. Liquid emulsifiable rotenone would be used to treat the flowing water sections following procedures outlined in the Rotenone Standard Operating Procedures Manual (Finlayson et al. 2010). Rotenone would be applied at the rate of ppm of product from drip stations located at approximately mile intervals for a 6-hour period. Pressurized backpack sprayers would also be used to apply rotenone to springs and backwater areas containing fish not effectively treated by drip stations; motorized transport would not be used during the piscicide application process. A small amount of sand and gelatin mixed with powdered rotenone (7.5 percent active ingredient), may be used to treat small side tributaries or standing water. Florescent dye (non-toxic) may be added to the water as the dripping begins to determine distribution and timing of rotenone reaching the next station or the bottom of the treatment area and Page 9

10 neutralization station. Sentinel fish would be placed in live cages at strategic locations along the stream to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. A bioassay would be run on the rotenone prior to the treatment to verify its degree of toxicity. Some adjustments may occur during the treatment depending on site conditions and observations. Procedures outlined in the Rotenone Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be followed for neutralizing rotenone-treated waters. Potassium permanganate would be dispensed at or near the fish migration barrier at the downstream end of the project area (outside of the High Uintas Wilderness). Potassium permanganate would be dispensed at a concentration ratio of approximately 2 to 1 (2 parts potassium permanganate to 1 part rotenone) to neutralize rotenone and prevent mortality of non-target organisms beyond target treatment areas. Powdered potassium permanganate (Cariox, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Registration Number ) would be used as a neutralizing agent for the rotenone. The application rate of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) would be determined after the pre-treatment factors of water temperature and hardness are measured. As identified in the Rotenone SOP, the application rate of potassium permanganate applied at the bottom of the target treatment area would range between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm. The neutralization zone for the project would be approximately the 30-minute travel distance downstream from the location potassium permanganate is dispensed into the stream. Neutralization of rotenone would take an estimated one to two weeks. The rate of neutralization is dependent on temperature and other factors such as stream gradient and water chemistry. Continuous use of the auger and gas powered generator would be necessary to effectively dispense potassium permanganate during this one to two week period (occurs outside of the High Uintas Wilderness). 4.3 FISH RECOVERY Dead fish would be washed downstream, consumed by scavenging wildlife or provide needed nutrients for repopulating aquatic macroinvertebrates. As this area does not have high visibility or receive lots of use by the general public, dead fish would not be collected. 4.4 PUBLIC ACCESS AND AREA CLOSURES Public access into the High Uintas Wilderness would remain open to the public during the treatment, however closures for public access to the target stream(s) during the treatment would occur. Fishing will not be allowed on stream segments while the piscicide application is in effect. The actual closure would only be in effect for 1-2 days. UDWR would post signs warning of the upcoming treatment prior to starting and actual closure signs would be posted along the trail(s) during the treatment. These temporary signs would be removed at the conclusion of each treatment. Public access would be allowed during the neutralization phase. 4.5 FISH STOCKING UDWR would be the entity responsible for reintroducing/stocking fish species; fish would be released throughout the drainage. Buckets required to carry fish for restocking would be transported by small crews using designated trails and disperse (using game trails and social trails where available) along the stream corridors. Trucks would transport fish to the project area; no aircraft or mechanical transport would be used in wilderness. Fish reintroduction/stocking would occur a few weeks after the last treatment (year two). Treated waters would be restocked with CRCT, sculpin, mountain sucker, speckled dace, and tiger trout. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid that would be stocked in the project area to provide Page 10

11 fishing opportunities while the CRCT population is expanding following the last treatment of the selected water. Once CRCT are well established, tiger trout will no longer be stocked and will disappear from the system over 4-5 years. 4.6 MONITORING Monitoring will occur after both the first and second treatments to ensure all fish are removed from the West Fork Smiths Fork throughout the proposed project area. Once the treatment is completed and CRCT, sculpin, mountain sucker, speckled dace and tiger trout are stocked back in the drainage, populations will be monitored every 5-10 years to ensure the native populations are well established. 5. HOW TO COMMENT The public scoping period will begin when the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement is published in the Federal Register. The publication date is anticipated to be in early August The exact publication date can be obtained by checking the Federal Register website at: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be postmarked or received within 30 days from date of publication in the Federal Register. The publication date in the Federal Register is the exclusive means for calculating the public scoping period for this proposal. Those wishing to comment should not rely on information provided by any other source. The NOI, this public scoping document, information, and updates for this project are available on the project-specific information page on the Uinta-Wasatch- Cache National Forest website at: Please mail your written comment on the proposed project to: Logan Ranger District Attn: West Fork Smiths Fork CRCT Enhancement 1500 East Highway 89 Logan, UT The office business hours for submitting hand-delivered comments are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an message or attached to an in a format such as portable document format (.pdf), plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or word (.doc or.docx) to comments-intermtn-wasatch-cache-evanstonmtnview@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be faxed to Please include West Fork Smiths Fork CRCT Enhancement in the subject line. Scoping meetings are not being considered at this time. We encourage you to review the proposal and submit your comments on this project. Your comments are most helpful to the Forest Service when they include specific changes or ideas, including a supporting reason for an alternative or option that helps to address your comment. This project is subject to the objection process described in 36 Code of Federal Regulations ( CFR ) 218, subparts A and B. Individuals and organizations who wish to be eligible to object must meet the information requirements described in those subparts. Only those who submit timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project during any designated opportunity for public comment are eligible to file an objection under 36 CFR 218. There will be an additional opportunity to comment on the West Fork Smiths Fork Colorado River Cutthroat Trout project during the comment period on the draft Page 11

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