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:! S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOR=S? ".RVIGE
ADMINISTRATIVE SITE
ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
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statement in FSH 1909.15, section 3L Land 31.2, except as noted in 215.7 (b).
Implementation of this decision may begin immediately.
Contact Person
For further information or questions about this project, contact:
Mark L. Martin
Canyon Lakes Ranger District
1311 So. College Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
(970) 498-2731
Responsible Official
v
Ellen L. Hodges, District 3Qger
Fort Collins Administrative Site 7
this project includes these facilities located outside of the 100-year flood plain and near the
500-year flood plain. Under this site plan there will be no effect on Ute ladies -tresses. If
the site plan changes and these facilities are to be located within the 100-year floodplain, to
comply with FWS interim requirements and guidelines to determine presence or absence of
Spiranthes diluvialis, surveys will need to be done prior to construction, and in the
appropriate season.
Wetlands and Floodplains
The Forest Hydrologist has determined that the proposed projects will meet the intent of
Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 for the protection of floodplains and wetlands.
Water Quality
Any consumptive use of water in the Platte River basin may affect a variety of riparian
dependent endangered species in the Platte River in central Nebraska. Consultation with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is required for any federal action to authorize
consumptive use of water. Construction and future use of these facilities is a federal action
that will result in consumptive use of water. Water for the Fort Collins site will be provided
by the City of Fort Collins municipal water system. Depletions at this site should be
covered by existing consultations for the City's east -slope and west -slope water facilities.
The USFWS has been notified of this project (See 2670 memo from James S. Bedwell to
Lee Carlson, December 13, 2000) and written concurrence with this finding has been
received.
Clean Air Act
Implementation of this project as described in this document will allow the proposed action
to be in compliance. with State and Federal Air Quality Regulations and Laws.
Heritage Resources
The Forest Archeologist has determined that this project would result in a no effect
determination for impacts to any cultural resources at the Fort Collins Administrative Site.
Decision
Based on the analysis presented above and the recommendations of the resource specialists
on the interdisciplinary team, it is my decision to authorize the Fire Facilities Improvement
Projects at the Fort Collins Administrative site in Fort Collins, Colorado. There are no
extraordinary circumstances that may result in a significant environmental effect related to
this proposed action. There are no irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources
anticipated with this project.
Implementation Date
This action falls within a category of actions that are not subject to appeal, 36 CFR 215.8 (a)
(4), Decisions Not Subject To Appeal. Decisions for actions that have been categorically
excluded froin documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact
Fort Collins Administrative Site 6
construction of barracks and storage facilities will have no impact on any Forest Service
sensitive plant species:
Findings Required by NFMA
Based on field examinations, analysis, consultation with resource specialists, and the details
of the proposed action, there are no irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources
associated with this project. This project is located on lands that have been dedicated to
administrative purposes since the early 1960s. The land was purchased in 1960 and under
current law the land is exempt from mining claims and other uses common to public lands.
The proposed improvement to the existing condition within the administrative site is within
the bounds of acceptable change for this site.
Endangered Species Act
Threatened or endangered animal species or their critical habitat and Category 2 listed
species have been considered and these resources will not be adversely affected. The
District Biologist has concluded that this project would result in a "no effect" determination
to all federally listed animal species. The Forest Sensitive Species List was reviewed to
determine potential impacts to animal species on this list. No sensitive species or habitat
occurs within the project area. Therefore the determination for this project is "no impact."
The Forest Service sensitive species list was reviewed to determine potential impacts to
Forest Service sensitive animal species. No sensitive species or habitat occurs within the
project area. Therefore this project results in a determination of no impact.
Water depletions are discussed in the hydrology report for this project. Domestic water for
the barracks and other facilities will be municipal water from the City of Fort Collins, so no
additional depletions are. anticipated and there will be no effect on downstream populations
of federally threatened plants, namely: Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neoinexicana ssp.
coloradoensis); Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara); and Ute ladies' -
tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis).
Potential habitat exists adjacent to the project area for one plant species listed as threatened,
Ute ladies' -tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis), but it is not known to exist in the project area.
The Cache La Poudre River is a tributary of the South Platte River and is located
immediately south of the project area. In August 1993, 13 Ute ladies' -tresses orchids were
found in a wetland area on the northwestern edge of Fort Collins in the Cache La Poudre
River drainage (FWS BO for Twin Lakes, 2000). The proposed barracks site is located
immediately adjacent to, but outside the 500-year floodplain identified by the City of Fort
Collins.
In addition to the construction of barracks and related facilities, construction of parking area
and a helicopter -landing pad is planned for this project. If these facilities are located in the
500-year floodplain, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for erosion control and
containment are adhered to, there will be no effect on Ute ladies' -tresses. The site plan for
Fort Collins Administrative Site 5
A Biological Evaluation prepared by the District Wildlife Biologist indicates that there are
no Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive animal species affected by this proposed action. A
Biological Evaluation prepared by the Forest Botanist indicates that there are no Threatened,
Endangered or Sensitive plant species affected by this proposed action. The Forest
Archeologists has determined that the proposed action would not result in adverse effects on
any cultural resource site, archaeological site or historic property or area. During field
surveys, no new sites were found in the area proposed for new construction. A "no historic
properties" determination is recommended for this proposed project.
There are no significant floodplains affected by the proposed activities. There are no
Congressionally designated areas, inventoried roadless areas or Research Natural Areas
within the project area boundaries. All issues that might be regarded as representing
extraordinary circumstances have been addressed and resolved through project design,
surveys and clearance, or mitigation measures. Because this action has been shown to fit
within several categories of actions that individually or cumulatively do not result in
significant environmental. effects and includes no extraordinary circumstances that may
result in a significant environmental effect, it can be excluded from further documentation in
an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement (FSH 1909.15, 30.3).
Findings Required by NFl_VIA and Other Laws
Forest Plan Consistency
The analysis is tiered to the 1997 Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for
the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Final Environmental Impact Statement that
accompanies the Forest Plan, and incorporates by reference all goals, direction, objectives,
and standards and guidelines included in the Plan.
The Revised Forest Plan has been reviewed and a determination made that this decision is
consistent with the Revised Forest Plan. The actions in this project comply fully with the
direction in the Revised Forest Plan, including that contained under the Facilities and
Administrative Sites section of the Final EIS. The legal and administrative framework for
the project site is found in FSM7300 and FS:Y1 1341 that requires a Facility Master Plan to
ensure proper planning and programming for buildings and related facilities. The Arapaho.
and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Facility Master Plan
identifies direction and priorities for building needs and related capital improvements for
Forest Administrative Sites over a 10-year period. The complete Forest and Grassland
Facility Master Plan is available for review at the Supervisor's Office in Fort Collins.
The District Biologist has determined that this project is consistent with the Forest Plan
direction for wildlife, biological diversity, Proposed Endangered, Threatened, or Sensitive
Species (PETS), and Management Indicator Species (MIS).
An examination of the environment in the project area based on elevation, and habitat
requirements indicates no habitat exists for any plant species listed as sensitive by the
Regional Forester. There are no known populations of sensitive plant species in the vicinity
of the project area, so no indirect or cumulative effects are anticipated. Based on the type of
activities associated with this project and the condition of the affected environment, the
Fort Collins Administrative Site 4
Soils: Normal construction erosion prevention measures would be required around the site
during the construction process. Best Management Practices (BMP's) to control and contain
potential erosion would be incorporated in to construction plans.
Botanical: All structures and construction activities are to be kept out of the 100-year
floodplain as shown on project area maps to protect potential habitat that may exist at the
site for Ute ladies' -tresses.
Categorical Exclusion
There are categories of routine actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the quality of the human environment (40 CFR 1508.4). This proposed
action falls within several categories listed in the Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 -
Environmental Policv and Procedures Handbook that may be excluded from documentation
in an EIS or an Environmental Assessment (EA). Specifically, activities may be
categorically excluded unless scoping indicates that extraordinary circumstances exist that
may result in a significant environmental effect. This project contains elements of several of
these categories, but is still considered to be within the bounds of routine, administrative and
maintenance actions normally done by the Forest Service within designated Administrative
Sites.
This proposed action falls within the following categories: Category 31.lb (3), Repair and
Maintenance of Administrative Sites for building up -grades and additions to the existing
administrative compound; Category 31.1b (5), Repair and Maintenance of Recreation Sites
and Facilities for the grading and paving of the drive way and parking areas; Category 31.2
(3), Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of National Forest System
Lands that requires less than five contiguous acres of land. This category is the most
applicable for this project. This project and associated activities represent a continuation of
normal and historic administrative use on this National Forest System land. The project
would take place on and affect less than four acres of land. In the examples presented in the
Forest Service Handbook, that provide guidance for use, construction of site facilities is
implied to be an acceptable action covered by the categories of actions that can be excluded.
This proposal simply adds to the existing facilities and represents a,continuation of a normal
and approved use at this site.
Extraordinary Circumstances
An action may be categorically excluded from documentation in an EIS or an EA only if the
proposed action falls within the categories of actions listed in section 31.1b or 31.2 of FSH
1909.15 and when there are no extraordinary circumstances that may result in a significant
environmental effect.
Extraordinary circumstances include, but are not limited to, the presence of steep slopes or
highly erosive soils; threatened and endangered species or their critical habitat, flood plains,
wetlands, or municipal watersheds; Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness,
wilderness study areas, or National Recreation .Areas; inventoried roadless areas; Research
Natural Areas; or Native American or cultural sites, archaeological sites, or historic
properties or areas.
Fort Collins Administrative Site 3
new structures would be located within the Administrative Site boundary to the south of the
existing storage structures and would include parking for 35 to 40 vehicles.
Also included in this proposal is a new engine storage and equipment storage building, a
new fire cache facility, a training facility, a helicopter landing pad for intermittent and
emergency use, and a flammable substance (paint, pump and saw gas, and burning fuel)
storage building, all to be constructed within the Administrative Site boundary. This
proposal may include the removal of one or more of the old existing storage buildings due to
their poor condition and small size and the replacement of current temporary storage (trailers
and storage containers) with permanent storage.
Purpose and Need
These facilities are needed in order to improve our ability to implement activities associated
with the National Fire Plan such as firefighting, restoration of landscapes and rehabilitation
of burned areas, reducing the risk of fire and assisting surrounding communities in
suppression and fuels reduction projects. The facilities are needed to ensure greater initial
attack success to reduce the number of small fires that become large, to better protect natural
resources, to reduce the threat to adjacent communities and reduce fire suppression costs.
The purpose for these improvements is to provide adequate facilities to implement an
aggressive fuel management program combined with providing a larger, better equipped
initial attack force that will be able to respond to wildfires more quickly. This would result
in lower fire suppression costs and reduced damage to natural resources and property.
Analysis Process and Public Involvement
An Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) made up of Forest Service specialists including heritage
resources, wildlife biology, botany, engineering, fire, and recreation, was formed to analyze
the environmental effects of the proposed action. A public scoping process was included in
this analysis. Approximately sixty letters.were sent to interested and effected parties
describing the proposed action, purpose and need and preliminary issues associated with the
proposed action. Two letters were received in support of the project. No other comments
were received. The DDT analyzed the proposal and consequences to the proposed action and
determined that there was no impact to the quality of the human environment and no risk of
a significant environmental effect.
Mitigation 1Vleasures
The following mitigation measures are included in the proposed action to eliminate any risk
of adverse impacts associated with this proposed action.
Flood Plains: Construction of the new facilities at the Fort Collins Administrative Site are to
be located out of the 500-year flood plain for the Cache la Poudre River. The 100 and 500-
year flood plain lines run through the southwest corner of the Administrative Site.
Fort Collins Administrative Site 1)
Decision Memo
Fire Facilities Improvement Projects
Fort Collins Administrative Site
USDA Forest Service
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Canyon Lakes Ranger District
Township 7 North, Range 69 West, Section 2
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (ARNF)
is proposing a variety of facility construction projects in support of the National Fire Plan.
The National Fire Plan was developed from a report by the Secretaries of Agriculture and
Interior for the President in response to the wildfires of 2000. The Canyon Lakes Fire
Facilities Improvement Projects (FFIP) at the Fort Collins Administrative Site are proposed
to support the long-term goals of the National Fire Plan by upgrading facilities necessary to
support activities that reduce catastrophic wildfire threats along the Front Range. The
Canyon Lakes FFIP Projects would upgrade and improve firefighter living and work
facilities necessary to strategically locate personnel and equipment to support wildfire
suppression activities. These facilities and improvements are supported through an
emergency appropriations bill signed by President Clinton to provide additional Forest
Service funds for fire prevention and suppression in the wake of last summer's devastating
fire season.
The Fort Collins Administrative Site, located at 300 Hemlock Street, Fort Collins, Colorado,
is an existing work center, fire cache and administrative site on approximately 11 acres of
National Forest Land located within the Fort Collins city limits. The site was acquired in
January of 1960 to serve administrative purposes. Four buildings were placed on the site at
about the same time. Currently the administrative site serves as a work center and storage
facility for the ARNF and the Rocky Mountain Research Station. During emergency
situations, the site serves as a staging area for wildfire suppression activities.
Proposed AjAion
Management actions are needed to improve Forest Service facilities in order to effectively
implement the on -the -ground activities associated with the National Fire Plan. Construction
activities are proposed for the Fort Collins Administrative Site at Fort Collins, Colorado.
All activities would take place at an administrative use site on National Forest System lands
as identified in the 1997 Revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan and the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District proposes to construct 2 ten -person bunkhouse buildings
to be used by the new Fort Collins Hot Shot Crew in support of suppression and fuel
reduction activities on the Forest and at other locations throughout the United States. The
Fort Collins Administrative Site