ROSS LAKE

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Ross Lake National Recreation Area Washington

Summary of Impacts

Impact Analysis Methods

The types of impacts evaluated include those that are direct, indirect, and cumulative in nature and extent. Cumulative impacts are described by combining the anticipated impacts of each alternative with other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions. Impacts are described in terms of their spatial (i.e. site-specific, local, regional) and temporal (short-term vs. long-term) context.

The discussion of direct impacts is limited to the immediate impacts of management actions. The discussion of indirect and cumulative impacts focuses on how the various elements in each impact category would respond to management actions. For example, a direct, adverse impact to vegetation would be cutting down a tree to construct a trail. An indirect impact would be release of understory vegetation due to a gap in the canopy.

When possible, quantitative measures are included to provide an objective and measurable approach to assessing impacts. Impacts are also described qualitatively according to the following four categories of intensity and duration:

1. Negligible: The impact is at the lowest level of detection and of very short duration (Less than one year).
2. Minor: The impact is slightly detectable and of short duration (1 to 10 years). Individual species would be harmed or killed, but there would be no measurable impacts to the population.
3. Moderate: The impact is readily apparent and of some duration (10-50 years). Individual species would be harmed or killed, with slightly measurable impacts to the population or surrounding community.
4. Major: The impact is either severely adverse or exceptionally beneficial and/or long or permanent duration. Entire communities of species would be measurably affected.

Impairment

The legislation the established the National Park Service in 1916 (commonly referred to as the Organic Act) directed the service to manage NPS units so as to leave them "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations (emphasis added)." Subsequent legislation and court rulings have reaffirmed this mandate, and the NPS is now required to evaluate in NEPA documents whether impacts would constitute impairment. Impairment determinations are provided for each alternative.

Impact Topics Dismissed from Further Analysis

Several impact topics were identified through scoping, or require consideration according to federal laws, policies or executive orders. Some impact topics were dropped from further analysis because they are not relevant to this project. The following section includes a brief justification for why certain impact topics were dismissed from further analysis in this EA.

Environmental Justice

Executive Order 13898 directs all federal agencies to determine whether their proposed actions would have disproportionately high and/or adverse impacts on human health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations. This topic was eliminated from further study because the project would take place entirely within the Complex. Implementing any of the alternatives would have no detectable impact on any of the surrounding communities.

Prime and Unique Agricultural Lands

The Department of Agriculture defines these lands as having soils that are best suited for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. These lands do not exist in the project area, so this category was eliminated from further analysis.

Alternative A. Construct the Desolation-Hozomeen Trail (No Action)

Trail construction would probably take three summer seasons. Construction activities that would have an adverse impact include rock drilling and blasting and clearing of vegetation, rock and soil.

Blasting and rock drilling would be limited to unavoidable bedrock outcrops and large rocks. The duration of blasting would be very brief, though the number of potential blast site would be widespread along the length of the proposed trail given the steep, rocky terrain.

Vegetation

Trail construction would also require the use of rock drills and explosives around unavoidable bedrock outcrops, talus slopes and other obstacles. The impact of drilling and blasting would include permanent destruction of rock outcrops and damage to nearby vegetation (trees and shrubs) from flying debris. Careful placement of charges would be used to minimize flying debris. Impacts to vegetation from blasting would be restricted to a few areas along the proposed route. Understory vegetation, downed wood and other debris would be cleared with various hand tools to construct the trail. Assuming a trail length of 8 miles and an average width of 6 feet, approximately 6 acres of understory vegetation and debris would be cut or cleared. While individual species of plants would be damaged from blasting and trail clearing, no discernable impact to plant populations would be expected. Therefore, direct impacts to vegetation would be minor.

Following trail construction, the disturbed conditions could enhance recruitment of non-native weeds. The impact of weed invasion would be minimized to through periodic monitoring and control of weeds following construction. Given the relatively small area of disturbance (6 acres, spread out over 8 miles) and post construction m,onitoring and control, indirect impacts to vegetation from weed recruitment would have a negligible impact.

Wildlife

Construction noise, including blasting and crew noise, would harass and temporarily displace wildlife. Blasting could injure or kill wildlife near blast zones. Wildlife most sensitive to blasting would be those species that inhabit talus slopes and rocky areas, such as pikas, marmots and various small mammals. To mitigate the impacts of blasting, the following mitigation measures would be employed:

• Bedrock outcrops, talus slopes and other barriers would be avoided whenever possible by adjusting and lengthening the alignment of the trail;
• Blasting would be performed late in the summer season to minimize impacts on breeding wildlife;
• No blasting would be performed during high use times (weekends, holidays).

With these mitigation measures, individual species of wildlife could still be harmed or killed, but the impact to populations would be negligible to minor. Blasting would occur during prime foraging season for bears. The extent of impacts to bears (e.g. disturbance) would be difficult to determine.

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species

Grizzly Bears

Activities from trail construction that could directly impact grizzly bears would include blasting and the disturbance from construction crews. The disturbance from blasting would be very brief. Construction crews would occupy the area for at least two seasons. The routine presence of construction crews would be a chronic disturbance to grizzly bears if they were present. Unlike blasting, the scale of disturbance (distance of noise/scent travel) would be much more limited. Blasting and construction crews could displace any grizzlies in the immediate area of construction. Since grizzly bears could be present in the area, construction activities would be likely to adversely affect grizzly bears.

The indirect impact to grizzly bears from loss of core area habitat would be of potentially greater concern than the direct impacts of trail construction. Discussion of indirect impacts requires a brief overview of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). The IGBC was established to develop and implement recovery efforts for grizzly bears in the United States. The IGBC has designated the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in Washington as one of six grizzly bear recovery zones in the contiguous states. NOCA comprises approximately 10% of the total area of the NCE and contains about 25% of the designated wilderness within the zone.

The proposed Desolation-Hozomeen trail would traverse 1,700 acres of core area habitat in the Pasayten Bear Management Unit (BMU). This 183,146 acre BMU encompasses portions of the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and Ross Lake National Recreation Area. To mitigate the loss of this core habitat, a trail of comparable size in similar habitat would have to be closed to ensure no net loss of the Pasayten BMU. No trails of similar habitat exist within the park or on adjacent Forest Service lands, so trail construction would take away 1,700 acres core habitat in the Pasayten BMU. Given the precarious status of grizzly bears within the North Cascades ecosystem, loss of 1,700 acres core habitat for grizzlies would violate the interim "no net loss" policy for protecting grizzly habitat.

According to Canadian biologists, the grizzly bear population in southern British Columbia is the most threatened population in Canada. Recovery efforts are currently proposed to augment the grizzly bear population with bears taken from stable populations in Northern B.C. Should this occur, protection of core habitat within the Complex would be especially important because bears released near the border would probably enter the Complex. Increased visitor use of the area could permanently displace grizzly bears and/or increase the risk of bear/human conflicts. This could result in the death of a visitor and/or the death of a grizzly bear. Either of these scenarios would be an adverse, significant impact.

In summary, the direct impact to grizzly bears from constructing the Desolation-Hozomeen trail would be potential displacement of bears in or near the construction area. The indirect and cumulative impacts to grizzly bears would include (1) loss of important core habitat due to the lack of suitable replacement or mitigation options; and (2) the elevated risk of bear/human conflicts due to increased use of an area with high quality, late season habitat. This potential for conflict could lead to the displacement or perhaps even death of a bear. If this occurred, it would be a significant impact to the grizzly bear population since so few bears are currently present in the North Cascades ecosystem.

Medium and Large Sized Carnivores

In addition to providing high-quality habitat for grizzly bears, this section of the Complex also has potential habitat for a variety of medium and large carnivores of conservation significance, including the gray wolf (federally endangered), lynx (federally threatened), and wolverine (Species of Concern). If these animals were present, they could be displaced during trail construction and in summer months during periods of relatively high human use.

Determination: This action may affect and is likely to adversely affect grizzly bear, gray wolf, lynx, and wolverine through displacement and loss of potential habitat.

Cultural Resources

The alignment of the trail has not been surveyed for cultural resources. Trail construction could impact undocumented cultural resources including precontact archeological sites. To minimize impacts, the entire alignment of the trail would be surveyed prior to construction. Any sites discovered would be assessed for significance in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and NPS policies.

The Desolation-Hozomeen trail would slightly alter the visual landscape by adding a linear feature to the viewshed of Desolation Peak. Trail construction could also affect prehistoric archeological resources. Cultural resource surveys and assessments would be performed in advance of ground disturbance to avoid impacts.

Recreation and Visitor Use

During trail construction, visitors within earshot of blasting would also be adversely impacted, though the duration of impact to visitor experience would be very brief.

The hike from Hozomeen to Desolation Peak is currently 16.2 miles. If the Desolation-Hozomeen were constructed, it would reduce the one-way hike from Hozomeen to Desolation Peak from 16.2 to 8 miles, and create an arduous 16 mile round trip hike that could be done in one long day. It would also create a 24.2-mile loop hike around and over the peak. Providing a day hike or a loop hike from Hozomeen to Desolation Peak would be a positive impact to the recreational experience of some visitors. Assuming the trail would double current use and enjoyment of Desolation Peak, then the trail would have a beneficial impact on about 400 additional people per year.

Use of the trail would also cause trampling vegetation in spots favorable for rest breaks. These minor impacts would be localized.

The Desolation-Hozomeen trail could increase hunting access to the area. This could benefit some hunters.

The Desolation-Hozomeen trail would increase visitation from Hozomeen to Desolation Peak, particularly in the summer months. Increased use of the area could have a negative impact on the wilderness value of solitude. The magnitude of this impact is difficult to determine because (1) the amount of increased use of the area is difficult to predict, and (2) the wilderness value and expectation of solitude varies among individuals.

Cumulative Impacts

The Desolation-Hozomeen trail would traverse approximately 480 acres (54%) of the 890 acre Starvation Ridge "Cross Country II" zone. As defined in the Wilderness Management Plan (NPS, 1989), "Cross Country II" zones are to be managed as the most "pristine" part of wilderness in the Complex. Little or no evidence of human presence is acceptable in these zones. If the Desolation-Hozomeen trail were constructed, it would change the wilderness use designation from "Cross Country II" to "Trailed/Established Camp Area". This would reduce the size of the Starvation Ridge Cross Country Zone to 510 acres and result in a net loss of 0.12% of untrailed wilderness (393,709 total acres) in the Complex.

The landscape around the project area has been impacted by trail construction, fire management, reservoir construction, and human use primarily in the summer season. Addition of an 8-mile trail would cause and incremental, cumulative increase in human disturbance to the area, though the magnitude of additional disturbance would be minor given the type of use of the trail, its relatively small area, and the minimal potential for additional development as a result of trail construction.

Conclusions

In summary, the impacts of Alternative A would range from negligible to moderate. Trail construction would have moderate impacts on bedrock outcrops from blasting, and on vegetation and wildlife near blast zones. Implementation of Alternative A could adversely affect grizzly bears and other federally listed carnivores through long term displacement and loss of untrailed habitat. Recreation and visitor use would experience minor, positive impacts. There would be negative, short term impacts to wilderness values during trail construction. In the long term, impacts to wilderness values and wilderness character would be negative.

Impairment

The various impacts of this project would not be of sufficient intensity or duration to cause impairment of park resources and values.

Alternative B. Construct the Happy Creek Falls Millsite Trail

Various types of mechanical equipment including chainsaws, power tools and gas-powered toters would be used to construct this 0.5-mile trail. Due to the uneven terrain and steep slopes, the trail would not be handicapped accessible. Construction would take one to two summer seasons. The tread for the trail would be 2 feet wide with 6 feet of clearance from surrounding vegetation.

Soils and Vegetation

The direct impacts of trail construction would include removal of vegetation and organic material, blasting of bedrock outcrops and boulders and filling of depressional areas. Approximately 0.1 acres of topsoil and 0.4 acres of understory vegetation would be impacted. Whenever possible, vegetation and topsoil would be salvaged and used to rehabilitate disturbed sites (e.g. the Ross Dam Trailhead) near the project area. The trail would be routed around large trees and shrubs to minimize impacts to overstory vegetation. Mineral fill for depression areas would be gathered from borrow pits (around the roots of wind toppled trees) near the site, or from weed free sources of gravel outside the project area. Prior to construction, the park's Plant Ecologist would survey the alignment of the trail for rare or unique plant species. If plants of concern are found, the alignment would be adjusted to minimize impacts.

The vegetation in this area is sensitive to disturbance because the soils are thin and underlain in many places by bedrock outcrops that limit root development. Use of the trail would result in trampling of understory and ground layer vegetation, and could have a limited effect on long term recruitment of trees adjacent to the trail. These measurable but minor impacts would be unlikely to cause permanent changes to the forest community.

Wildlife

Some small species of wildlife (e.g. insects, salamanders, small mammals) would be displaced, harmed or killed by construction activities. More mobile species of wildlife (e.g. birds, mammals) would be temporarily displaced from the project area due to disturbance from construction. Given the small scale of construction, the impacts to wildlife populations would be minor and short term.

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species

Construction noise and disturbance from blasting could displace northern goshawks from the project area. No spotted owls or nests have been observed during surveys, so impacts would probably be limited to temporary disturbance. Various other species of birds and bats could also be temporarily displaced during construction. To mitigate these impacts, loud noise producing activities would be performed outside the breeding season (April-June). Other listed species of wildlife, if present, would be temporarily displaced. Subsequent use of the trail would be unlikely to impact listed species because of the close proximity of the trail to the highway and the poor quality habitat the trail would traverse.

No rare or listed plant species have been found in the project area.

Determination: This alternative may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect spotted owls, grizzly bears, lynx or gray wolves.

Cultural Resources

The alignment of the trail has yet to be surveyed for cultural resources. Prior to construction, archeological surveys and assessments would be performed along the trail alignment. The millsite would also be assessed for its potential historic significance. If it is determined to be significant, there would need to be an assessment of the effects of this project to those characteristics contributing to the site's significance.

Recreation and Visitor Use

Ninety percent of all visitors in Ross Lake NRA stay within the highway corridor. One goal of the General Management Plan is to encourage visitors to "stop and spend some time in the environments they are passing through" (NPS, 1988). To help achieve this goal, the Happy Creek Falls Millsite trail would provide several recreational amenities including a short hike with scenic views of Ross Lake and Happy Creek Falls. It would also help to interpret the era of mining that occurred at the turn of the century, an important chapter in the cultural heritage of North Cascades.

Cumulative Impacts

The landscape around the project area has been affected by the Happy Creek Falls Sawmill, the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20), and most recently, construction of the Happy Flats boardwalk trail. Of these developments, Highway 20 is by far the most substantial. The cumulative ecological impact of this 0.5-mile trail would be negligible because Highway 20 has already impacted the biological integrity of the area and probably displaced any species that might be sensitive to trail construction and use.

Conclusions

In summary, the impacts of the Happy Creek Falls Millsite Trail would range from negligible to minor. Trail construction would have minor, short-term impacts to understory vegetation, wildlife and visitors in the area. Recreation and visitor use would be positively impacted. Impacts to cultural resources would be contingent upon the results of surveys and assessments. Cumulative impacts would be negligible. No impairment of resources or values would occur.

Impairment

The negligible to minor impacts from this project would not cause impairment of park resources or values.

Alternative C. Reroute the Panther Creek Trailhead

Construction to reroute the Panther Creek trailhead would include (1) building a footbridge over Panther Creek (upstream of the Panther Creek Highway bridge), and (2) constructing a 0.25-mile spur trail from the footbridge to the Panther Creek trail. The trail would follow a series of switchbacks up the rocky ravine of Panther Creek to the existing Panther Creek trail, about 150 yards south (upslope) of the current trailhead. Most of the new trail would follow the area previously disturbed during highway construction. The abandoned portion of the Panther Creek trail between the road and the proposed spur trail (about 0.1 mi.) would be rehabilitated.

Water Resources

Bridge construction would require excavation of rock and soil to pour concrete footings on both sides of Panther Creek. Sediment fencing and straw bales would be used to prevent sediment from entering Panther Creek. The footbridge would be built well above the median high water line to avoid impacts to the creek during construction, and to prevent harm to the bridge during floods. The concrete footings for the bridge would be built in areas previously disturbed by construction of the highway bridge. Taken together, impacts to Panther Creek would be negligible.

Vegetation

The impacts of construction on vegetation would include removal of approximately 2,640 square feet of vegetation and organic debris. Much of the area where this would take place has been previously disturbed from construction and maintenance of State Route 20. Following construction, native vegetation would be planted to stabilize disturbed areas and to prevent invasion of non-native plants. While individual plant species would be removed during construction, no plant populations would be measurably affected. Therefore, impacts to vegetation would be minor.

Wildlife

Blasting materials and helicopters would probably be used to construct the 0.25-mile spur trail from the east side of the bridge to the intersection with the existing Panther Creek trail. These activities would cause short term disturbance of wildlife in the project area, but the duration of disturbance would be very limited. Some small species of wildlife such as insects, small mammals and herpetofauna would be killed or displaced by trail construction. The area of potential disturbance from construction would be very limited, and the habitat in the area is already compromised to some degree due to the close proximity of State Route 20. Taken together, the impacts to wildlife from construction would be minor given (1) the previously disturbed conditions found along the length of the proposed trail, (2) the poor habitat (wildlife, plant) next to the highway.

Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species

No listed wildlife species have been documented in the project area. Their presence is possible but unlikely given the close proximity of the highway and the marginal habitat quality.

There are no federally listed plant species in the project area, and no rare, sensitive or state listed species were found in recent surveys.

Determination: This alternative may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect spotted owls, grizzly bears, lynx or gray wolves.

Recreation and Visitor Use

This alternative would eliminate most safety concerns associated with the current condition of hikers walking along the shoulder of Highway 20 and across the Panther Creek bridge. This would be a beneficial impact to visitor safety for about 200 people per year. No increase in visitor use of the trail would be anticipated as a result of improved trailhead access.

Cultural Resources

The alignment of the trail has yet to be surveyed for cultural resources. Prior to construction, archeological surveys and assessments in undisturbed portions of the trail alignment would be performed.

Cumulative Impacts

This project would eliminate the need for the current Panther Creek trailhead and consolidate all parking and access to the East Bank Trailhead. This consolidation would be a minor beneficial impact to roadside aesthetics by consolidating parking areas.

Conclusions

In summary, the impacts of rerouting the Panther Creek Trailhead would range from negligible to minor. Trail construction would have minor, localized impacts on nearby vegetation, wildlife and visitors. Federally listed species would be unlikely to be adversely affected since they have not been documented in the area. There would be minor, positive impacts to recreation and visitor use; visitor safety would also be improved. Archeological resources, if found along the proposed trail, would be avoided. Cumulative impacts would be positive and minor.

Impairment

Impacts would range from negligible to minor, therefore no impairment of resources or values would occur under Alternative C.

Alternative D. Construct a Loop Trail Around Roland Point

The 2-mile loop trail around Roland Point would be constructed to foot trail standards. In accordance with the NOCA trails handbook, the trail would be 18-24 inches wide, with a slope not to exceed 20% except for short distances. Due to the steep, rocky terrain of the Point, the trail would not be handicapped accessible.

Mechanical equipment including chainsaws, rock drills and toters would be used to construct the trail around Roland Point. Most construction would take place during the "shoulder seasons" (early spring and late fall), though some work during the mid-summer months might occur. Construction would take approximately 2 seasons to complete.

Vegetation

The direct impacts to vegetation from trail construction would include removal of understory species and organic material, blasting of bedrock outcrops and filling of low areas. Assuming a 6-foot width and 2-mile length, approximately 1.4 acres of understory vegetation and organic material would be disturbed. Whenever possible, vegetation would be salvaged and used to rehabilitate disturbed sites (such as borrow pits and the campgrounds) near the project area. To minimize the impacts of construction on vegetation, the trail would be routed around large trees, shrubs and sensitive vegetation. Fill for low areas would be gathered from areas along the trail where excess material is available.

Wildlife

Impacts to wildlife would be limited to small, less-mobile terrestrial species. Some small species of wildlife, e.g., insects, salamanders, small mammals, could be harmed or killed directly or by loss of habitat, such as logs or burrows. Larger, more mobile species of wildlife (e.g. birds, large mammals) might be temporarily displaced from the project area due to disturbance from construction.

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species

The trail would traverse potential habitat for bald eagle, spotted owl and northern goshawks. Wildlife surveys have not found any eagle aeries, northern goshawk nests, or spotted owl nests. No spotted owls have been found in the project area, and the nearest potential habitat along the Roland Creek drainage is at least 1/4 mile from the closest point of the trail alignment. This location makes disturbance from construction noise a negligible concern. No potential nesting trees would be cut, so disturbance to these species would be limited to construction noise and subsequent trail use.

Determination: This alternative may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect spotted owls, bald eagles, grizzly bears, lynx or gray wolves.

There are no federally listed plant species found in the project area. The trail alignment would be surveyed prior to construction. If any rare or sensitive plant species were found, the trail would be realigned to avoid impacts or minimize impacts to those species.

Cultural Resources

The alignment of the trail has yet to be surveyed for cultural resources. Prior to construction, archeological surveys and assessments would be performed along the trail alignment. Following construction, increased use of the area could cause loss of artifacts and loss of site integrity to the Tommy Rowland Homestead and the lookout site, and possibly precontact-age archeological sites. Neither of the historic sites has been assessed for eligibility for listing on the National Historic Register. Assessments of significance would be performed in advance of any construction activities. These assessments would identify appropriate measures for mitigating impacts, including loss of artifacts.

Recreation and Visitor Use

Impacts to visitors would be limited to noise from trail crews and mechanical equipment during construction. Types of noise would include equipment noise (shovels, rock drills, gas-powered toters), and blasting. Noise would be heard at one or all campgrounds surrounding the point. The duration of noise from construction would be short term and intermittent. To mitigate construction noise, crews would avoid work on weekends. When working within earshot of occupied campgrounds, work would be limited to between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No campgrounds would need to be closed during construction. With these mitigation measures in place, adverse impacts to visitor use would be minor.

After construction, the trail would provide short day hiking opportunities for visitors camped at each of the boat in campgrounds, the Roland Creek campground, or boaters out for the day on Ross Lake, particularly those from the Ross Lake Resort. About 1,000 people per year camp in the various campgrounds around the point. We assume about 10% of these visitors would use the trail. We also assume that an additional 100 people per year from other locations would use the trail. Given these assumptions, the trail would enhance recreational opportunities for approximately 200 people per season.

Cumulative Impacts

Previous human impacts in the vicinity of Roland Point include the Tommy Rowland homestead, the U.S. Forest Service lookout, two boat-in campgrounds and Ross Lake reservoir. Several acres around the Tommy Rowland homestead were logged, and today the homestead is slowly being reclaimed by second growth forest. The U.S. Forest Service lookout site is also being reclaimed by forest. The original footprint of the lookout site was very small, so there is little visible evidence of previous impacts. the campgrounds occupy a very small portion of the point, and disturbance from vistor use is generally limited to their immediate vicinity. Ross Lake reservoir has resulted in permanent loss of low elevation forested habitat, and has also reshaped the Roland Point by creating a peninsula or "Point" out of an area that was once merely a knoll next to the Skagit River.

If constructed, the Roland Point trail would cumulatively impact the vicinity of Roland Point by providing trailed access to areas of the point that are currently undisturbed by human use. However, relative to the other impacts around Roland Point, the effects of the trail would be negligible.

Conclusions

Impacts from the Roland Point Loop Trail would range from negligible to moderate. Trail construction and subsequent use would have minor, localized impacts on nearby vegetation, wildlife and visitors. The trail would not be likely to adversely affect federally listed species. Cultural resources could be impacted, and mitigation measures would be enacted depending upon results of cultural resource surveys prior to construction. Recreation and visitor use would experience minor, positive impacts.

Impairment

Impacts from the Roland Point Loop Trail would range from negligible to moderate, therefore, no impairment of resources or values would occur.

Alternative E. Hozomeen Lakeshore Trail and Campground Road Realignment

The following management actions would directly impact the environment:

1. Clearing the realigned roadbed of trees, shrubs and understory plants; removal of downed woody debris, soil and rock
2. Noise from construction crews and equipment.
3. Road rehabilitation including revegetation of the old road.

Various measures would be used to minimize or mitigate the impacts of realigning the 0.25 mile section of the Hozomeen Campground. These mitigation measures would include:

• Using the old roadbed material (ballast, gravel) to construct the new road;
• Chipping the second growth vegetation that would need to be cut and removed to build the new road. The chips would be used as tread for the Lakeshore trail, and to amend the rocky, mineral soil with organic matter to rehabilitate the old roadbed.
• Aligning a portion of new road along an old roadbed to an abandoned water system;
• Carefully realigning the road to avoid a larger, older cohort of Douglas fir and Western red cedar trees interspersed among the younger trees;
• Rehabilitating the untrailed portion of the abandoned road with various native plants, trees and organic materials salvaged from the new roadbed.

Geologic Resources

A 33 foot wide, 0.25 mile section of new road would be constructed between the A-frame ranger station and Winnebago Flats. Given these dimensions, the area of new road impact would be approximately 1 acre. Surface soil and rock within this area would be excavated down to a suitable bedrock or compact mineral substrate. This material would be separated into topsoil, mineral soil and rock fractions and used to rehabilitate the grade and soils of the abandoned roadbed. This would be a moderate, long term impact to surficial geologic resources.

Water Resources

There are no aboveground water resources along the length of the road realignment. However, the realigned road would intersect with the existing road a short distance north of Howlett Creek. Standard management practices⁸ (BMP's) would be required during road construction to avoid impacts to water quality from sediment release. BMP's would include sediment barriers and silt fences along the periphery of the disturbed ground to trap and filter sediment from surface runoff. These materials would remain in place until the exposed mineral soil were stabilized with native vegetation. With these measures in place, impacts to water resources would be negligible.

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⁸BMP's are various measures to control or eliminate nonpoint or diffuse pollution.

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Vegetation

Approximately 1 acre of second growth forest vegetation (trees, shrubs and plants) would be cut and removed to realign the Hozomeen Campground road. According to data from recent silvicultural surveys of the area (Mehmel, 1997), the Douglas-fir dominated stand has an average basal area 130 ft²/acre and diameter at breast height (dbh) of 11 inches. These data indicate that approximately 200 Douglas fir trees would need to be cut to construct the road. Less common overstory trees that would also need to be cut and removed would include alder, western red cedar, cottonwood and birch. Smaller tree and shrub species that would be cut would include vine maple and red osier dogwood. Understory species would include tree seedlings/saplings, Oregon grape, ferns and devils club. This would cause a moderate, long-term impact to vegetation.

To mitigate impacts to vegetation, topsoil, small plants, shrubs and trees would be salvaged and used to rehabilitate the former roadbed. The realigned road would also be carefully sited to avoid cutting a small number larger Douglas-fir and western red cedar trees that are interspersed among the younger trees.

Wildlife

Impacts to wildlife would include loss of habitat, short-term noise and disturbance from construction, and long-term disturbance and displacement in summer months during use of the road and campground. Small, less mobile species such as amphibians and small mammals would be permanently displaced or killed by construction. Larger, more mobile species inhabiting the area would be displaced during construction. The area affected by road construction would be small (1 acre). This area has diminished ecosystem functions because it is second growth forest and already subject to disturbance from the existing road, located approximately 75 yards to the west. Given these conditions, impacts to common species of wildlife under both options would be minor.

Threatened or Endangered Species

Recent surveys of the affected area have found no rare, threatened or endangered species. None were expected because the area consists of previously disturbed, second growth forest adjacent to a road.

Determination: The proposed actions may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect, grizzly bears, bald eagles, gray wolves or Canada lynx.

Recreation and Visitor Use

Impacts to visitors from road construction would include noise and potential safety concerns with associated with construction equipment. Construction activities would be minimized around peak use periods, including weekends and holidays, and equipment use would be limited to the hours of 8-5 p.m. No road closures would be required, and if possible, construction would be performed on the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when visitor use is lowest and/or Hozomeen is closed. With these timing restrictions, impacts to visitors from construction would be negligible.

Following construction, visitors walking between Winnebago Flats and International Point would be able to travel on a trail as opposed to a dusty road. This would have a beneficial impact for up to 8,200 visitors per year.

The current amphitheater would need to be relocated to provide space for the realigned road. For the past few seasons, NPS and B.C. Parks interpretive staffs have held interpretive programs at International Point, using a solar powered generator mounted on a trailer⁹ for slides shows and presentations. The trailer has given interpreters the freedom to hold evening programs away from the existing amphitheater, so there would be no impact to visitors from closing the existing amphitheater.

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⁹Recently funded by a grant by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission

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The road realignment would change the access and character of the eight roadside campsites between the Ranger Station and Winnebago Flats. Two of the sites would be closed to accommodate the new road. According to Hozomeen rangers, the 8 campsites are rarely full at the same time, so loss of 2 sites would have a negligible impact on campsite capacity. The remaining 6 sites would be converted into walk-in sites. This change in access would improve camping conditions and aesthetics of the six walk-in sites, and also provide a lakeside camping alternative for non-RV enthusiasts.

Cultural Resources

Although no cultural resources have been recorded in the area of potential effect (Mierendorf et. al. 1998), it is possible for unrecorded resources to be present. A cultural resources inventory and assessment would be conducted along the proposed route prior to ground disturbance. If cultural resources were found, they would be treated in accordance with NPS policies and procedures for complying with the National Historic Preservation Act.

Cumulative Impacts

The project would lengthen the road distance in Hozomeen by 0.05 mile and increase the amount of cleared area by 0.2 acre (Table 3).

The Hozomeen area has been previously disturbed by a variety of activities, including reservoir construction, logging, road construction, and various types of development for visitors and administrative use. These proposed actions would take place entirely within an area of previous logging disturbance and limited road disturbance, so adverse cumulative impacts to natural resources from additional clearing and road construction would be minor.

Realigning the road would require closing the existing amphitheater. To replace the amphitheater, the NPS would work with British Columbia's Ministry of Land, Water and Air Protection (formerly BC Parks) to establish a common amphitheater on the Canadian portion of International Point. If a new amphitheater were constructed at International Point, it would provide evening programs and children's programs in a comfortable environment. The new amphitheater would enhance education and interpretation, and encourage greater attendance at programs. Though not part of this proposal, this connected action would be a beneficial impact to the visitor experience.

The existing A-frame ranger station, located a short distance north of the proposed road, is very run down and needs to be replaced. Should this management action be implemented, the north end of realigned road would begin immediately adjacent to a site proposed for new ranger station. Placement of the road in this location would benefit visitor use by providing visitors with a convenient place to get additional information.

Conclusions

The impacts of Alternative E would range from negligible to moderate. Road construction would have moderate, adverse impacts on geologic and vegetation resources. This proposed action may affect, but would be unlikely to adversely affect any Rare, Threatened and Endangered species. There would be positive impacts to recreation and visitor use for approximately 8,200 visitors per year.

Impairment

The minor to moderate impacts would occur under Alternative E. would not cause impairment of park resources or values.

Alternative F. Construct Newhalem Creek Trail and Boardwalk

Various hand and power tools including toters, a small front-end loader and perhaps a backhoe would be used to build the trail. No rock drilling or blasting would be needed. The equipment would remain within or immediately adjacent to the prism of the previously disturbed logging road. Hand tools would be used to construct the floodplain portion of the trail. Construction would take place from April-November. The timeframe could potentially be extended through spring of the following season, depending upon personnel and equipment availability.

Vegetation

The trail from the visitor center to the floodplain edge of Newhalem creek would follow an old logging road for approximately 0.3 mile. Along the logging road, downed logs, plants and small trees that have become established would be removed using various hand and power tools to expose a suitable mineral substrate for trail construction. The impact to native vegetation along the trail would be negligible.

Small diameter crushed aggregate would be used to surface the trail. To prevent importing weeds, the aggregate would be obtained from weed free sources, or steam sterilized on site. Use of weed-free materials would mitigate the potential impacts of weed recruitment to a negligible level.

The boardwalk portion of the trail would be approximately 6 feet wide and would traverse about 600 feet of the Newhalem Creek floodplain. The boardwalk would be elevated on steel posts anchored to the ground on approximately one-foot diameter concrete footings. The surface of the boardwalk would be constructed from either cedar or recycled plastic lumber. No treated wood would be used. Direct impacts from construction of the boardwalk would be limited to (1) clearing of large obstacles (e.g. downed trees) along the boardwalk alignment, (2) digging of small holes about 8 feet apart to place concrete footings, and (3) clearing of vegetation and downed woody debris at the terminus of the boardwalk near Newhalem Creek. These actions would have a minor impact on about 0.83 acres of riparian forest.

Riparian Zone Resources

The boardwalk portion of the trail would traverse the floodplain terrace, 500-year and 100-year portions of the Newhalem Creek floodplain. The boardwalk would be elevated on small cement pilings, and its terminus would be carefully placed along a boulder-strewn portion of the bank of Newhalem Creek. The footprint of the project would be less than one acre and linear in shape. No overstory trees would be cut, and the elevated design would allow passage of floodwaters under the boardwalk during spates. Adverse impacts to riparian zone functions would be limited to (1) minor, temporary displacement of certain wildlife species in the vicinity of the trail during periods of high use, and (2) negligible effects on hydrology during flood events.

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species

Bald eagles are frequently seen feeding along the Skagit River in the winter, though no roosting or nesting activity has been documented near the project area. The forest around the project area has potential habitat for spotted owls, but surveys to date have only identified barred owls. Bull trout and salmon are known to inhabit Newhalem Creek, but this project would cause no disturbance to the creek. Other listed species including lynx, wolverine, gray wolf or grizzly beardo not inhabit the project area, but could travel through the area along the riparian corridor. The vicinity of the project area is already disturbed by various developments and human use, so the probability of these species traveling through the area is very low.

Determination: This alternative may affect but is not likely to adversely affect bald eagles, spotted owls, bull trout, lynx, wolverine, gray wolf or grizzly bear.

Harlequin ducks (Federal Species of Concern) have been documented on the Skagit River near Newhalem Creek, and low gradient creek provides good habitat. Construction and subsequent high use of the trail could displace ducks from the creek near the trail terminus, though displacement would probably be a negligible impact given the limited area of disturbance near the creek and the large amount of undisturbed habitat in the area. To mitigate potential impacts during breeding, work near the creek would be avoided during the critical breeding period of April-June.

Visitor Use and Experience

Noise: The project area already experiences some noise from vehicle traffic to the visitor center. Natural sounds from the Skagit River and from Newhalem Creek also contribute to a baseline noise level in the area. Trail construction would generate some additional noise including vehicle sounds, construction crew activity and noise from use of hand and power tools. The additive effect of construction noise would result in a minor, short term impact.

Recreational Impacts: Approximately 62,000 people visit the Visitor Center each year, and there is high demand for short hiking opportunities leading directly from the Visitor Center. This alternative would help satisfy such demand by providing a short hiking opportunity for visitors of all ages and physical abilities, including handicapped persons. It is estimated that about 10% of the visitors (6,200 people) would use the trail. This project would enhance recreation and visitor by facilitating public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of a low elevation forest and cascading creek--an important hallmark of the North Cascades ecosystem. Therefore, impacts to recreation would be long-term and beneficial.

Cultural Resources

No cultural resources have been recorded during surveys of the area (Mierendorf and Harry 1993), but there is the potential for them to exist. If they were found during project implementation, they would be assessed for significance and for effects in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Cumulative Impacts

Low elevation, undisturbed habitat in riparian areas is very limited throughout the Skagit River drainage. Downstream of Ross Lake NRA, most riparian habitat has been significantly affected by various human activities including agriculture, logging, road construction and development. Within Ross Lake NRA, these impacts (excluding agriculture) are also apparent but greatly limited in extent. The most widespread impacts to riparian zone functions and values near the project include the widespread, low elevation riparian zone losses from inundation of Gorge, Diablo, and Ross reservoirs.

The riparian zone for this project is currently undisturbed, so this project would contribute to the cumulative loss of undisturbed riparian habitat in the upper Skagit River watershed. However, unlike the lasting impacts othe reservoirs, State Route 20, and various other developments, the cumulative impacts of this project would be very limited in scale. The footprint of the project would be less than one acre and linear in shape. No overstory trees would be cut, and the elevated design would have a negligible impact on floodplain hydrology. Taken together, the cumulative impacts of this project would be minor.

Conclusions

The impacts of Alternative F range from negligible to moderate. Trail construction would have negligible impacts on vegetation and wildlife. Riparian zone functions would experience minor impacts through fragmentation of a currently undisturbed floodplain. Implementation of Alternative F would result in negligible impacts to wildlife. Federally listed species would not be likely to be adversely affected. Recreation and visitor use beneficially impacted. No impairment of resources or values would occur under Alternative F.

Impairment

The impacts of Alternative F would range from negligible to moderate, and therefore would not result in impairment of park resources and values.

Alternative G. Improve the Desolation Peak Boat-in Trailhead (Environmentally Preferred Alternative)

Construction of the bulkhead and mooring area would be limited to the shoreline around the trailhead and the upper portions of the drawdown. Construction activities would include (1) placement of large boulders, rock, gravel, and wood for a bulkhead; (2) blasting, drilling and pinning the bulkhead to the bedrock outcrops; (3) stabilizing the shoreline with rock; (4) placement of a pit toilet a short distance up the spur trail; and (5) construction of a wayside interpretive display. Equipment used for construction would include a backhoe, boat, and various power/hand tools.

Geologic and Water Resources

Bedrock and soil along the shoreline and in the drawdown would be permanently impacted by construction of the bulkhead. These geologic resources are already being slowly degraded by wave erosion and seasonal inundation from the reservoir, so the net effect would be negligible. However, following construction the bulkhead would prevent further erosion of soil along the shoreline. This would be an indirect benefit to soil resources and to water quality (turbidity in particular) through reduced sedimentation.

Vegetation

A negligible amount of vegetation along the shoreline would be damaged inadvertently by construction of the bulkhead. Damage would include cutting of branches, stems and roots to establish rock footings and walls. Damage to vegetation would be mitigated through careful use of equipment and through revegetation of the site following construction. In time, the impacts to vegetation would be minor and beneficial because erosion would be halted and visitor use would be directed along an established trail.

Wildlife

Terrestrial wildlife residing in the immediate area might be temporarily displaced by the noise of construction and by the presence of construction crews. This displacement would be a minor, indirect impact. Construction would take place during the seasonal drawdown, so fish and other forms of aquatic life would not be affected by construction activities. However, following construction fish might be displaced by disturbance from boats. Given the large amount of undisturbed habitat surrounding the trailhead, the impact of fish displacement would be negligible.

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species

Construction would cause short-term increases in noise and disturbance in the immediate project area. Within this area, gray wolves, grizzly bears, bald eagles, wolverine, lynx and northern goshawk have not been documented and the habitat is marginal given the proximity of the reservoir. Subsequent use of the area would not cause any changes in current amounts of use or disturbance.

Determination: The actions in this alternative may affect but are not likely to adversely affect gray wolves, grizzly bears, bald eagles, California wolverine, Canada lynx or northern goshawk.

Recreation and Visitor Use

Approximately 400 visitors hike to the summit of Desolation Peak each year. As visitors become aware of improved mooring conditions at the boat-in trailhead, the pattern of access to Desolation Peak might shift. Those who dock at Lightning Creek might choose to shorten their hike via the more easily accessible boat-in trailhead. While the pattern of access might change, no impact to visitor use of Desolation Peak would be expected from this action. This is based on the assumption that other factors such as weather and time available for recreation have the overwhelming influence on visitor use of the trail.

Providing safe mooring would have a positive impact on the visitor experience by reducing the stress of disembarking from and/or mooring a boat, especially during high winds and waves. These improvements would be a beneficial impact on recreation and visitor safety for approximately 400 people per year.

Cultural Resources

Implementation of this project could affect cultural resources. Construction of the bulkhead and the associated boat dock would not likely have a direct effect on cultural resources, as none appear to be present at the proposed location of these facilities. There is, however, the potential for indirect effects to cultural resources in areas outside of, but in the vicinity of the boat dock. Such indirect effects stem from the patterns of visitor use likely to be associated with this boat dock and its intended purpose. Indirect effects include the development of social trails, the development of waiting areas where visitors and their gear are temporarily stationed while hiking gear is arranged, or while some hikers necessarily wait to be picked up by the Ross Lake Resort water taxi. The impacts of these activities would essentially be the same as under current conditions, and could potentially be an improvement over current conditions because use would be concentrated around the dock as opposed to dispersed.

If this management alternative were implemented, there would be a cultural resources inventory of the area of potential effect and an assessment of effect to any cultural resources recorded. Indirect effects could potentially be mitigated through limited bank stabilization, revegetation of banks and social trails with native plants, and limited trail design changes that direct the focus visitor activity to specific places.

Cumulative Impacts

This project would take place entirely within an area that has been previously disturbed by visitor use and the fluctuating levels of Ross Lake reservoir. Therefore, cumulative impacts resulting from this development would be negligible.

Visitor use of the area is not expected to increase from this project, because the facilities are intended to address deficiencies such as unsafe access and erosion that would probably have no bearing on whether or not visitors use the area. Improving visitor safety and curbing further shoreline erosion would be positive, cumulative impacts.

Conclusions

Construction would have short-term, minor impacts and long-term, minor benefits on geologic and water resources. There would be minor impacts to during construction and minor positive impacts after construction. Implementation of Alternative G would result in minor impacts to wildlife and would be unlikely to adversely affect federally listed species. Recreation and visitor use would experience minor, positive impacts through improved access and safety. No impairment of resources or values would occur under Alternative G. To the contrary, this alternative presents the least amount of impact and is considered the Environmentally Preferred Alternative in this EA.

Impairment

The impacts of Alternative G would range from negligible to moderate, and therefore would not result in impairment of park resources and values.