Aquatics Program Accomplishment Report
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- Best Management Practice’s (BMP) Reviews
- Battle Park Allotment Management Plan Revision
- Beaver Creek Allotment Management Plan Revision
- Hunter Trailhead and Campground Relocation
- Lily Lake Trailhead Relocation
- Little Bitmore Timber Sale
- Piney Allotment Management Plan Revision
- Southwest Fuels Vegetation Management
- Spanish Point Timber Sale
- Student Career Employment Program (SCEP)
- Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring – NR 16
- Other Trainings Professional Meetings
MINERALS AND GEOLOGYDunkin/Labbe MineEfforts continued towards the removal of property on the Dunkin/Labbe colloidal clay mine. A claim was filed on the Dunkin/Labbe site in the 1930s, for the extraction of bentonite clay, in the South Paintrock Creek drainage. The original claimant willed the claim to his heirs, who no longer continued to mine the claim, but continue to use it for recreational purposes. In 2001, the claimants were notified that they were in potential trespass on NFS land, as there was no obvious active mining, no Notice of Intent, and no approved Plan of Operation. As little action had taken place in the previous five years, the Aquatics Program worked with Powder River Ranger District and Regional Office personnel and Law Enforcement to resolve the issue through official notifications to the claimant. Resolution through removal of all property on the site is expected to occur in 2007. PROGRAM MANAGEMENTBest Management Practice’s (BMP) ReviewsTwo BMP reviews of timber sales were conducted on the Forest this year. Both reviews focused on a post-project review for the Bald Mountain Beetle Infestation and Riley Point Fire salvage timber sales. Range reviews and a review of the Cold Springs timber sale will be conducted in 2007. No issues were found related to the Riley Point sale with regards to soil and water impacts. The contractor did a good job of scattering slash around temporary roads and the spacing of water bars appears adequate. Vegetation is already evident on the temporary roads and skid trails. Harvesting was allowed within 100 feet of an intermittent stream course, but no heavy equipment entered this water influence zone as directed by the Timber Sale Administrator. Minor soil displacement was encountered in the review of the Bald Mountain sale, and was estimated at no more than 15% of the project area. Aquatics Program personnel worked closely with the Timber Program during unit boundary layout in order to avoid seeps, wet areas, and stream courses that are common throughout the sale area. These areas were avoided at an acceptable level. A culvert was identified as being improperly placed along a closed road, used for hauling logs during the sale. The culvert was not installed at the proper grade to match the existing channel. The Timber Sale Administrator was aware of the issue and worked with the contractor to alleviate the problem through reconstruction. A formal review, by the Wyoming BMP audit team will be conducted during the summer of 2007.
Conservation EducationKid’s Fishing DayAquatics personnel assisted with two community events to promote kid’s fishing. The first event was held in June at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds pond and was attended by approximately 100 children and their parents. This event is a cooperative effort between numerous individuals and groups including Wal-mart, WG&F, Trout Unlimited, Tongue River Bait, Bighorn N.F., and Hooked on Fishing International. The second event was held in July at the Porcupine Ranger Station pond and was attended by approximately 25 children and their parents from the Lovell and Greybull areas. This event is a cooperative effort between WG&F and the Bighorn NF. WG&F stocks several hundred 6 to 8 inch Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the pond several days prior to the event and the Forest provides organization support and prizes. SMARTY BusAquatics personnel participated in two interactive events on the SMARTY Bus. On both occasions, aquatic macroinvertebrates were the topic of the presentation. Insects were collected at two sites, the Tongue River at Dayton and Goose Creek near the work center, prior to the presentations. We assumed that the Goose Creek sample would have poorer water quality indicators than the Tongue River sample, because of the higher level of development in the watershed and channelization of Goose Creek for flood control. The poorer water quality would be shown by the presence of more pollution tolerant species. After a brief introduction the students were encouraged to pick as many bugs out of the samples, in large trays, as they could using forceps. The students were directed to take turns picking and rotated through each sample and questions were answered during that activity. After 30 to 40 minutes, the students were asked questions about what they saw in the samples and if they noticed any difference between the two. Based upon their answers and their ages the presenters then talked about topics ranging from using macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality to form and function as well as the food chain. Woodland Park SchoolThe Aquatics Program Manager was contacted by teachers from the Woodland Park School, and was asked to make a presentation to 2nd graders at Kendrick Park in early November regarding aquatic ecosystems. It was decided that we would attempt to capture macroinvertebrates, as the students watched from the bank. During this activity we talked about a wide range of subjects and how they related to ecosystems. Topics included how macroinvertebrates fit into aquatic ecosystems and lager ecosystem context, and how the presence of certain species are indicators of water quality and ecosystem health. MiscellaneousFire Program SupportThe Aquatics Program provided support to the wildland fire and prescribed burning programs both on and off Forest in 2006. On Forest, personnel assisted with prescribed burns and suppression and support of the Tongue fire in August. 
Figure 11. Prescribed fire in Salt Creek. Program Leader, Dan Scaife, assisted with prescribed burning in Texas while on a 14-day detail on the Angelina NF. The Program Leader also provided BEAR support for a team on the Nebraska NF, during the Dawes County Complex fire, near Chadron, Nebraska. Seasonal technicians assisted with wildfire suppression on the Purdy and Little Venus fires, on the Shoshone NF. The lead Fisheries Biologist assisted the Shoshone NF with the Homestead prescribed burn, outside of Lander, WY. NEPA Project SupportThe Aquatics Program provides support to all NEPA projects on the Forest. On a typical project either the Program Leader or Lead Fish Biologist will be assigned to the team and are responsible for representing air, soils, geology, minerals, hydrology, and fishery resources. The following are the projects worked on in 2006. Babione Timber SaleThe Babione timber sale is located east of Dome Lake and includes portions of the Babione and Antler creek drainages. The project area originally included roadless area south of Weston Reservoir, however; this area was dropped from the project with the reinstatement of the roadless rule. The purposes of this timber sale are: Move vegetation distribution toward desired conditions. Improve wildlife habitat (elk security). Reduce wildfire hazard. Produce forest products. Manage motorized travel. This project was initiated in April and field work was conducted throughout the summer. No major issues were found with in the proposed units or with the proposed actions upon initial review. Effects analysis and reporting for the Environmental Assessment (EA) will be completed in 2007. Battle Park Allotment Management Plan RevisionThe Aquatics Program had little activity associated with the Battle Park AMP revision EA in 2006. Fifty cumulative width measurements (50 widths) were taken on Buckskin Ed Creek below the crossing of trail #360. This site coincides with monitoring established by range personnel. Specialist’s reports are due in 2007 and a decision is expected to be signed in 2007. Beaver Creek Allotment Management Plan Revision2006 saw the initiation of the Beaver Creek AMP revision EA project. Aquatics personnel were involved with preliminary meetings. A majority of the bulk of fieldwork and reporting is expected to occur in 2007. Hunt Mountain Travel Management PlanConsiderable activity occurred associated with the Hunt Mountain Travel Management Plan EA in 2006. Numerous site visits occurred throughout the summer and fall in addition to working on specialists report. This project was finished and ready for decision; however, the roadless rule was reinstated and caused the project to be halted. Much of the project area is located within inventoried roadless and an additional alternative had to be developed that accounted for this. It is expected that the IDT will reconvene early in 2007 to discuss this alternative further and update individual specialist’s reports. Upon re-completion of specialist’s reports, it is expected a decision will be reached and implemented in 2007. Hunter Trailhead and Campground RelocationNEPA was completed in 2006 associated with the relocation of Hunter Trailhead and Campground. The existing facility is located within the riparian zone of Hunter Creek. The revised Forest Plan indicates that facilities should not be located within this zone (Water Influence Zone) and the relocation of the facility to the North alleviates this problem. The new facility is located within one half mile of the existing facility and also involves the decommissioning of several roads and the construction of a new road along a ridge to connect with the Soldier Park road. This project is scheduled for implementation in 2007, but recent decision regarding the Roadless Rule may affect the project. Lily Lake Trailhead RelocationThis project falls under the Categorical Exclusion (CE) category and involves the relocation of the trailhead northwest approximately one mile and construction of new trail. A site visit was conducted to outline a potential location for the new parking area. The new trailhead is located next to a meadow with a robust population of carex species growing. Recommendations were made to the deciding official on how to prevent or limit ORV use in the meadow. Recommendations included the placing of large boulders and use of natural features such as rock outcrops. Little Bitmore Timber SaleThe Little Bitmore timber sale is located in the headwaters of Granite Creek, a tributary to Shell Creek. This project was done under the HFRA/HFI CE authority. Approximately 250 acres of timber will be treated with various methods to reduce the risk of wildfire and reduce the threat of insect (pine beetle) damage and spread. Due to very little water and prior entry into the area there were no significant effects found to be associated with the project. The Aquatics program and Wildlife biologist both recommended that this be the last entry into this area for 25 or more years. Piney Allotment Management Plan Revision2006 saw the completion of the Piney Allotment Management Plan EA. Personnel collected field data, analyzed data, worked on specialist reports and sections of the draft and final EA. The decision will be signed in 2007 implementing a strategy using adaptive management. As part of the decision a greenline and 50 cumulative width/depths will be the responsibility of the Aquatics Program to monitor. These sites are located on North Piney Creek above the Penrose Guard Station and on Little Piney Creek at Cow Park. These sites are to be monitored on a five year basis. Southwest Fuels Vegetation ManagementThe Southwest Fuels project is located on the south edge of the forest in the Canyon and Leigh creek drainages. This project has undergone several revisions due to the reinstatement of the roadless rule and a decision is expected to be signed in 2007. The project involves timber harvest and prescribed fire use. Aquatics personnel were requested to visited the project area several times to assist with timber unit layout in the summer of 2006. The project area contains several areas where ephemeral streams and wetlands are present. Aquatics personnel provided input to the placement of unit boundaries, buffers and SMZ’s. A pocket guide to help unit layout personnel was developed in conjunction with the timber shop. This guide is intended to help answer questions that may arise during unit layout and is intended for use by hydrologists and experienced timber personnel. It is not to be used by seasonal crews marking boundaries. Direction regarding which buffer or SMZ to use and how to identify wetlands, ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial channels are included. A more detailed version will be refined at a later date.
Dry Medicine Lodge Creek contains one of the few genetically pure Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations on the forest. A 300’ stream buffer was requested and included as one of the design criteria to help protect aquatic habitat. It was decided by Aquatics personnel that this buffer could be adjusted to be closer to the stream after a site visit with the team’s wildlife biologist. The site visit found that there were terraces and benches above the stream in several locations (within the 300’ zone) that would serve as a buffer. Due to high fuel loadings and concerns about high intensity fire within the riparian zone it was decided that some fuel treatments should be done within the zone. It was recommended to the deciding official that the edge of the units along the stream be laid out with the help of a hydrologist. Student Career Employment Program (SCEP)The SCEP position is occupied by Amy Nowakowski and she is attending Colorado State University to obtain a Master of Science. Amy’s project involves characterizing large woody debris in streams that have different practices and levels of land management. In 2006 Amy attended classes in Fort Collins and completed her field work during the summer. She collected data at numerous sites within the South Tongue and Rock Creek watersheds. Amy expects to complete her degree in 2007 and begin working full time for the Aquatics Program. TrainingAquatic Ecosystem Monitoring – NR 16Dan Scaife and Will Young attended the Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring in North Bonneville, WA in May. The intent of this four day training was to provide information on how, where, when, and why to monitor. Lectures also included the use and application of statistics and development of monitoring reports. This training was well organized and provided considerable information, but would best be attended by individuals that have limited experience with establishing, implementing, and reporting associated with monitoring. Stream SimulationDan Scaife and Will Young attended a class in Ogden, UT in March. This five day class focused on assessing and developing road – stream crossings that are passable to all life stages of aquatic dependent organisms at various flows. Class time was spent between lectures and exercises designed to walk an individual through the process of assessing and designing a fish friendly crossing. The class also stressed the need for engineers, hydrologists, and fisheries biologists to work together during the entire process. This training was well organized and would best be attended by individuals that have a strong background in surveying as well as a fundamental knowledge of hydrology, and fisheries biology. I-Web Minerals ModuleProgram Leader, Dan Scaife, Tongue RD Recreation Specialist, Cheri Jones, and Medicine/Wheel Paintrock RD Recreation Specialist, Loren Poppert attended the I-Web Minerals Module training in Fort Collins, CO. The module is used by the District personnel to issue sale permits for mineral materials such as sand and gravel, landscape rock, etc... The Program Leader in the Aquatics Shop has oversight of the Minerals and Geology Program for the Forest and serves as database manager for the module and a point of contact for the District personnel for any mineral material permit issues. Other Trainings & Professional MeetingsColorado – Wyoming Chapter of American Fisheries Society. Cheyenne, WY. Pre-retirement. Cody, WY. Yellowstone cutthroat trout interagency working group. Bozeman, MT. Directory: Internet -> FSE DOCUMENTS FSE DOCUMENTS -> Applications and limitations FSE DOCUMENTS -> Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard FSE DOCUMENTS -> Downloading gps gr-3 Surveys Summary of Procedure FSE DOCUMENTS -> All applications must be submitted by 12/01/2015 to be eligible FSE DOCUMENTS -> Indiana Conservation Programs for Copperbelly Water Snake Habitat FSE DOCUMENTS -> Administrator’s Corner FSE DOCUMENTS -> United States Department of Agriculture • Natural Resources Conservation Service FSE DOCUMENTS -> United States Department of Agriculture Soule River Hydroelectric Project FSE DOCUMENTS -> Ottawa national forest: checklist of the vascular flora of the mccormick wilderness Download 4.81 Mb. Share with your friends:
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