ARTHUR CARHART NATIONAL WILDERNESS TRAINING CENTER …a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic... · 2019. 3. 14. · Explain: To locate earthquakes, you need at least 4

MRDG STEP 2: 1

ARTHUR CARHART NATIONAL WILDERNESS TRAINING CENTER

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS DECISION GUIDE

WORKBOOK “…except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act…”

-- The Wilderness Act of 1964

MRDG STEP 1

Determine if Administrative Action is Necessary

Description of the situation. What is the situation that may prompt administrative action? Mt. Hood is a potentially active volcano close to popular recreation areas, the growing communities of Sandy, Zig Zag, and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Currently, several thousand people live within a 35 km distance of the volcano along the channels and on the flood plains that currently drain Mt. Hood. Because of the volcano’s proximity to these communities and recreation areas, future eruptions have been regarded as a potential threat by geologists (Crandell, 1980). Being a potentially active volcano, Mt. Hood poses significant volcano, landslide, flood, channel migration, and earthquake hazards to the nearby communities and community assets (Burns et al, 2010). The most likely widespread and hazardous consequence of a future eruption will be for lahars to sweep down the Sandy and White River valleys and deposit debris on top of older lahar deposits and within existing streams causing severe damage to infrastructure and property along the river banks (Scott et al 1997). The lahars can be generated by hot volcanic lava flows that melt the snow and ice or by landslides generated on the steep upper unstable and poorly consolidated flanks of the volcano. During the past 2000 years, growth and destruction of earlier lava domes at the current site of Crater Rock on the south side of Mt. Hood, produced hundreds of pyroclastic flows, avalanches of hot volcanic rock, gas and air moving at hurricane speed, that swept down the volcano’s southwest flanks far as 11 km (Brantley et al, 1993). These debris avalanches created the smooth sloping surface upon which the Historic Timberline Lodge, the Timberline Ski Area, the community of Government Camp and Highway 26 now sit on. A dome building eruption at Mt. Hood that started in A.D. 1781 and lasted until ca. 1792, produced dome collapse lithic pyroclastic flows that triggered lahars and intermittently fed 108 m3 of coarse volcanoclastic sediment to reservoirs in the headwater canyons of the Sandy River (Pierson et al, 2011). Past debris avalanches and lahars generated on the flanks of Mt. Hood have traveled up to distances of 90 km down the Zig Zag and Sandy River valleys approximately 1,500 years ago (Scott et al, 1997).

Project Title: USGS Volcanic Monitoring – Mt. Hood Wilderness

Description of the Situation What is the situation that may prompt administrative action?

USGS Volcanic Monitoring – Mt. Hood Wilderness MRDG

MRDG STEP 2: 2

To address the hazards posed by Mt. Hood, the United States Geological Survey/Cascades Volcano Observatory (USGS/CVO), as part of its mandate to mitigate volcanic hazards, has proposed to install and maintain three volcanic monitoring stations (Lamberson Butte, Barrett Spur and Yocum Ridge) (seismic and Global Positioning Systems) on the flanks of Mt. Hood, and one continuous gas monitoring station on the north side of Crater Rock, all located within the Mt. Hood Wilderness boundary. The proposed volcanic monitoring stations are intended to provide USGS scientists with early and adequate warnings of any changes in seismicity activity and ground deformation, that may signal an increase in volcanic activity on Mt. Hood in real time on a 24 hour 7 days a week basis. The volcanic monitoring stations will utilize new digital technology combining both broadband seismic and dual frequency GPS receivers to detect very small earthquakes and the associated very subtle ground deformation at the volcano prior to and during a potential eruption at Mt. Hood. The Continuous Volcanic Gas monitoring station would be to measure rations of volcanic gases and the temperatures at fumaroles on a weekly basis via a satellite data communication system. Primary volcano landforms, like that of Mt. Hood, are created by the ascent and eruption of magma. Prior to eruptions, ascending magma displaces and interacts with surrounding rock and fluids as it creates new pathways, flows through cracks or conduits, vesiculates, and accumulates in underground reservoirs. The formation of new pathways and pressure changes within existing conduits and reservoirs stress and deform the surrounding rock. The deformed region varies with the depth of the source, be it an inflating magma chamber or a dike propagating to the surface, and the amount of deformation decays rapidly with distance from the source (Dzurisin, 2007). In the Cascades, magma tends to accumulate in reservoirs at depths from 5 to 10 km. Vertical deformation from an inflating magma chamber is concentrated directly above the chamber, whereas the horizontal deformation is concentrated at a distance of 2/3 of the magma chamber depth. (Lisowski, M. L., personal communication 2014). Modeling of inflation at Mt. Hood from a magma intrusion with a volume of 50 million cubic meters at a depth of 6 km in to a spherical magma chamber shows that vertical displacement at the summit of Mt. Hood would show 333 mm of vertical uplift and 127 mm of radial displacement at a distance of 5 km and there would be little to no observable deformation at distances greater than 10 to 15 km form the source. The proposed 3 volcanic monitoring stations are located on the east, north and west flanks of the volcano at about the 6000 foot level of the volcano, all within 5 to 10 KM of the summit of Mt. Hood and within the Wilderness boundaries of Mt. Hood. It is necessary that the volcanic monitoring stations have a clear line of site for digital data telemetry to existing receive stations located outside of the, so the sites are located above tree line. The stations include a fiberglass enclosure mounted with solar panels, a buried seismometer, a cable connecting the seismometer to the enclosure, a 5 to 6 foot tall antenna mast with a GPS antenna and digital panel antenna attached to it and is supported by a 1 foot diameter concrete pier that extends in to the ground up to 3 feet and extends above the ground to a height of 4 feet. Materials to be transported to volcanic monitoring sites include:

• Fiberglass hut, 5x5x5 feet (500 lbs), mounted with 4 - 40 watt solar panels to recharge the batteries.

• 50 Feet of cable and hand tools (80 lbs) • Electronic equipment includes a dual frequency GPS, a broadband seismometer, a digital radio

(80 lbs) • 20, 70 lbs lead acid batteries (1400 lbs) • Galvanized Antenna Mast (60 lbs) • GPS and Digital Antennas (30 lbs) • Concrete (500 lbs) • Water for concrete (250 lbs)

Due to the significant power draw of the digital equipment to be installed at each site (GPS receiver, seismic digitizer, digital radio, and digital control switch) and the need for a hardened enclosure that can remain waterproof and survive the extreme ice and snow loads common on Mt. Hood, the


MRDG STEP 2: 3

proposed equipment is larger than antiquated analog seismic only stations that have been previously installed by the USGS at Mt. Hood in non-wilderness areas and other volcanoes in the Three Sisters and Glacier Peak Wilderness areas. The sites have also been designed so that routine maintenance (such as equipment swaps) can be done by accessing the site on foot and battery swaps, that could require helicopter support, would occur once every 3 years. The proposed Continuous Volcanic Gas monitoring station is located at about the 10,500 foot level of the volcano, north of Crater Rock, within the Wilderness boundary. The gas monitoring station will record and transmit gas concentration and composition data on a weekly basis via a satellite short burst data communication system. The station would be a 3X5X3 (feet) painted aluminum enclosure mounted with hand driven earth anchors, there is no solar panel or antenna mast Materials to be transported to gas monitoring site include: Aluminum box, 3x5x3 (feet) (100 lbs). Earth anchors, cable and hand tools (100 lbs) Electronic equipment (100 lbs) 5 - 20 lbs Air Cell batteries (100 lbs) This site has been designed so that routine maintenance and battery swaps can be done with accessing the site by foot every year.

☐ YES STOP – DO NOT TAKE ACTION IN WILDERNESS

☒ NO EXPLAIN AND COMPLETE STEP 1 OF THE MRDG Explain:

To locate earthquakes, you need at least 4 seismic stations when an earthquake occurs. Since most volcanic earthquakes occur around the magma reservoir under the summit of the volcano and are small (Magnitude 1), the 4 stations need to be located relatively close to the volcano, particularly to locate earthquakes that are less than Magnitude 1. Many of the earthquakes accompanying the 2004 to 2008 Mt. St. Helens eruption did not even show up stations less than 3 km from the crater (S. Moran, personal communication, 2014). For shallow earthquakes, the ability to determine earthquake depth is extremely limited if there are an inadequate number of stations close to the summit and not directly over the magma reservoir. For example, a station at a distance of 10 km doesn’t see much difference in the Primary (P) wave generated by earthquakes that are 1 km vs 2 km deep, and a station that is 5 km from the hypocenter won’t see much difference between earthquakes with 0 vs 1 km depth. Thus, in order to be able to detect earthquake hypocenters that get shallower with time as magma ascends closer to the summit prior to an eruption, more seismic monitoring stations need to be located as close to the volcano summit as possible. Additionally, very long period (VLP) earthquakes, earthquakes that occur at very low frequencies over a period of several seconds and are typical at volcanoes, are typically not recorded at broadband seismic stations that are less than 5 km away from the summit of the volcano. Thus, in order to detect VLPs generated by the volcano prior to and during an eruption, at least two broadband stations within 5 km are needed, and to accurate location of the VLP events, at least 5 broadband stations are needed at distances within 5 km of the summit of the volcano. Currently, at Mt. Hood, there is only one USGS operated seismic station located within 5 to 10 km of the summit. It is paramount that additional stations be installed on Mt. Hood to improve the USGS/CVOs monitoring ability. The three proposed stations would complement the one existing USGS operated seismic and one GPS stations located within the Timberline Ski Area (within 5 km from

Options Outside of Wilderness Can action be taken outside of wilderness that adequately addresses the situation?


MRDG STEP 2: 4

summit distance). The purpose of the gas monitoring station is to measure the ratios of volcanic gases and the temperature of the active fumaroles. Mt. Hood emits a mixture mainly composed of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide from boiling point fumaroles located high on the mountain.

A. Valid Existing Rights or Special Provisions of Wilderness Legislation

Is action necessary to satisfy valid existing rights or a special provision in wilderness legislation (the Wilderness Act of 1964 or subsequent wilderness laws) that requires action? Cite law and section.

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain: This MRDG proposes a prohibited use identified in the Wilderness Act. Section 4 (c) of the Wilderness Act states that there shall be “…no structure or installation within any such [wilderness] area. However, Section 4 (d) (1) of the Act does include special provision where “such measures may be taken as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases, subject to conditions as the Secretary deems desirable.” While special provisions are not specific to volcanic eruptions or landslides, the Wilderness Act contemplated natural events occurring within the area that could have detrimental effects on life or property outside of the wilderness boundary, and authorized necessary measures for their control.

B. Requirements of Other Legislation Is action necessary to meet the requirements of other federal laws? Cite law and section.

☒ YES ☐ NO Explain: The Disaster Relief Act (P.L. 93-288, known as the Stafford Act) designates the USGS as the lead Federal agency with responsibility to provide notification for earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides to enhance public safety and to reduce losses through effective forecasts and warnings based on scientific information. Under 36 CFR Part 293.6(c), “The Chief, Forest Service, may authorize occupancy and use of National Forest land by officers, employees, agencies, or agents of the Federal, State, and county governments to carry out the purposes of the Wilderness Act and will prescribe conditions under which motorized equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, aircraft landing strips, heliports, heliports, installations, or structures may be used, transported, or installed by the Forest Service and its agents and by other Federal, State, or county agencies or their agents, to meet the minimum requirements for authorized activities to protect and administer the Wilderness and its resources.

Criteria for Determining Necessity Is action necessary to meet any of the criteria below?


MRDG STEP 2: 5

The Chief may also prescribe the conditions under which such equipment, transport, aircraft, installations, or structures may be used in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons, damage to property, or other purposes”. See FSM2324.34 – Other Agency Structures.

C. Wilderness Character Is action necessary to preserve one or more of the qualities of wilderness character, including: Untrammeled, Undeveloped, Natural, Outstanding Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation, or Other Features of Value? UNTRAMMELED

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain: The four monitoring stations were not determined “necessary” to preserve the untrammeled quality of wilderness. UNDEVELOPED

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain:

The four monitoring stations were not determined “necessary” to preserve the undeveloped quality of wilderness

NATURAL

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain:

The four monitoring stations were not determined “necessary” to preserve the natural quality of wilderness.

SOLITUDE OR PRIMITIVE & UNCONFINED RECREATION

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain: The four monitoring stations were not determined “necessary” to preserve solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation.


MRDG STEP 2: 6

OTHER FEATURES OF VALUE

☐ YES ☒ NO Explain: The four monitoring stations were not determined “necessary” to preserve or protect the ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical use.

Decision Criteria

A. Existing Rights or Special Provisions ☐ YES ☒ NO

B. Requirements of Other Legislation ☒ YES ☐ NO

C. Wilderness Character

Untrammeled ☐ YES ☒ NO

Undeveloped ☐ YES ☒ NO

Natural ☐ YES ☒ NO

Outstanding Opportunities ☐ YES ☒ NO

Other Features of Value ☐ YES ☒ NO Is administrative action necessary in wilderness?

☒ YES EXPLAIN AND PROCEED TO STEP 2 OF THE MRDG

☐ NO STOP – DO NOT TAKE ACTION IN WILDERNESS Explain:

Mt. Hood was designated as a Very High Threat volcano by the Consortium of U.S. Volcano Observatories in its 2005 National Volcanic Early Warning System (NVEWS) assessment of volcanic threat and monitoring abilities in the United States. This was based on many factors including, the number of eruptions, lahars, and debris flows generated by Mt. Hood in the last 10,000 years, as well as by exposures factors such as the size of the population downslope of the volcano, aviation exposure to commercial and military aircraft that fly in the vicinity of the volcano, threat to transportation services and the proximity to major developments and sensitive areas within the flowage hazard zones. Based on the Very High Threat classification, the USGS further recommends that Mt. Hood be monitored at the highest of four monitoring levels as established by Moran et al 2008. This level of monitoring recommends 12- 20 seismic instruments located within 20 km of the summit, 2 to 3 of which are located with 5 km of the summit in addition to at least 2 more broadband seismometers located within 5 km, as well as 8 continuous mode GPS stations located within 5 to 10km of the summit.

Step 1 Decision Is administrative action necessary in wilderness?


MRDG STEP 2: 7

Seismic unrest is commonly observed before eruptions because magma movement usually generates some form of seismic energy rock breakage (earthquakes), fluid or gas flow through cracks (earthquakes, tremor), and other phenomena (Moran et al, 2008). Increases in the occurrence and size of earthquakes have long been known to precede volcanic eruptions, and at volcanoes diverse in both size, geochemistry and eruptive style as Kilauea, Mt. St. Helens and Redoubt Volcano (Moran et al, 2008). Commonly, precursory seismic sequences may be composed of smaller (less than Magnitude 2.0) earthquakes, as seen at Mt. Spur (Alaska) during the 1992 eruption, (Power and others, 1995) , thus, detection and tracking of seismic activity at volcanoes for accurate eruption forecasting and tracking ongoing eruptions is very critical. Locating seismic and GPS equipment within 5 KM of the summit is essential to detect and accurately locate the depth of very low magnitude earthquakes, typical of volcanic earthquakes at or near the surface above the magma chamber of stratovolcanoes like Mt. Hood.


MRDG STEP 2: 8

MRDG STEP 2 Determine the Minimum Activity

☐ YES DESCRIBE DOCUMENTS & DIRECTION BELOW

☒ NO SKIP AHEAD TO COMPONENTS OF THE ACTION BELOW Describe Documents & Direction:

Component X: Example: Transportation of personnel to the project site

Component 1: Transportation --Helicopter (by sling) and/or pack animal transportation of equipment and materials to and from the four project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds per volcanic monitoring sites and 400+ pounds for the gas monitoring site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

Component 2: Tool Use -- Use of hand-portable motorized equipment or hand tools.

Component 3: On Site Conditions -- Installation of four monitoring stations. Camping may be necessary.

Component 4: Yearly maintenance – Transportation by foot and the use of small battery powered hand-carried devices or hand tools.

Component 5: Three year maintenance – Pack animal/porter or helicopter transportation of 20, 35 pound batteries and additional equipment as needed. Use of small battery or gas powered hand-carried devices as needed for maintenance.

Component 6: Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400+ pounds. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds.

Other Direction Is there “special provisions” language in legislation (or other Congressional direction) that explicitly allows consideration of a use otherwise prohibited by Section 4(c)?

AND/OR Has the issue been addressed in agency policy, management plans, species recovery plans, or agreements with other agencies or partners?

Components of the Action What are the discrete components or phases of the action?


MRDG STEP 2: 9

Proceed to the alternatives.

Refer to the MRDG Instructions regarding alternatives and the effects to each of the comparison criteria.

http://www.wilderness.net/MRDG/documents/MRDG_instructions.pdf


MRDG STEP 2, ALT 1: 10

MRDG STEP 2: Alternative 1 Alternative 1: No Action – No monitoring stations within the Mt. Hood Wilderness

Under this alternative, no monitoring stations would be installed within 5 to 10 km of the summit within the Mt. Hood Wilderness. Monitoring of volcanic activity at Mt. Hood would be conducted at existing monitoring stations located outside of wilderness. The ability to detect earthquake hypocenters that get shallower with time as magma ascends closer to the summit prior to an eruption, may become impossible to detect in real time using monitoring stations outside of wilderness.

Component of the Action Activity for this Alternative

X Example: Transportation of personnel to the project site

Example: Personnel will travel by horseback

1 Transportation -- Helicopter (by sling) and/or pack animal transportation of equipment and materials to and from the three project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

No Activity

2 Tool Use -- Use of hand-portable motorized equipment or hand tools.

No Activity

3 On Site Conditions -- Installation of three permanent monitoring stations. Camping may be necessary.

No Activity

4 Yearly maintenance -- Transportation by foot and the use of small battery powered hand-carried devices or hand tools.

No Activity

5 Three year maintenance – Pack No Activity

Description of the Alternative What are the details of this alternative? When, where, and how will the action occur? What mitigation measures will be taken?

Component Activities How will each of the components of the action be performed under this alternative?



animal/porter or helicopter transportation of 20, 35 pound batteries and additional equipment as needed. Use of small battery or gas powered hand-carried devices as needed for maintenance.

6 Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400 pounds. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds.

No Activity

UNTRAMMELED Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect

X Example: Personnel will travel by horseback ☐ ☐ ☒

1 Transportation --Helicopter (by sling) and/or pack animal transportation of equipment and materials to and from the three project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

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2 Tool Use --Use of hand-portable motorized equipment or hand tools.

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3 On Site Conditions -- Installation of three monitoring stations. Camping may be necessary.

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5 Three year maintenance – Pack animal/porter or helicopter transportation of 20, 35 pound batteries and additional equipment as needed. Use of small battery or gas powered hand-carried devices as needed for maintenance.

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6 Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400 pounds.

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Wilderness Character What is the effect of each component activity on the qualities of wilderness character? What mitigation measures will be taken?



Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds.

Total Number of Effects NE

Untrammeled Total Rating 0 Explain: Under this scenario, no stations would be constructed and the USGS would be unable to improve its monitoring capabilities of Mt. Hood. Under this scenario, there would be no effects on the qualities of wilderness character.

UNDEVELOPED Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Undeveloped Total Rating 0



Explain: The locations would not be developed or modified if the stations are not installed.

NATURAL Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Natural Total Rating 0 Explain: Not installing the stations would not hinder the natural processes that occur in the wilderness.



SOLITUDE OR PRIMITIVE & UNCONFINED RECREATION Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Solitude or Primitive & Unconfined Rec. Total Rating 0 Explain: Not installing the stations would have no effect on the solitude or primitive and unconfined type of recreation in the wilderness.



OTHER FEATURES OF VALUE Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Other Features of Value Total Rating 0 Explain: No effect.



MAINTAINING TRADITIONAL SKILLS Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Maintaining Traditional Skills Total Rating 0 Explain: The absence of the monitoring stations in wilderness will have no effect on maintaining traditional skills.

Other Criteria What is the effect of each component activity on other comparison criteria? What mitigation measures will be taken?



SPECIAL PROVISIONS Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Total Number of Effects 0 NE

Special Provisions Total Rating Explain: None identified.



ECONOMICS & TIME CONSTRAINTS Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Economics & Time Constraints Total Rating 0 Explain: None identified.



SAFETY OF VISITORS & WORKERS Component Activity for this Alternative Positive Negative No Effect



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Safety of Visitors & Workers Total Rating 6 Explain: Without stations being installed in the wilderness, the USGS would be unable to precisely locate and determine the magnitude of volcanic earthquakes that occur under the summit of the volcano. Thus, the USGS could not offer any advice to the USFS to protect visitors during periods of volcanic unrest. Workers will not be exposed to hazards associated with travel, construction, and maintenance.

Safety of Visitors & Workers What is the effect of each component activity on the safety of visitors and workers? What mitigation measures will be taken?



Wilderness Character

Untrammeled 0

Undeveloped 0

Natural 0

Solitude or Primitive & Unconfined Recreation 0

Other Features of Value 0

Wilderness Character Summary Rating 0

Other Criteria

Maintaining Traditional Skills 0

Special Provisions 0

Economics & Time Constraints 0

Other Criteria Summary Rating 0

Safety

Safety of Visitors & Workers 6

Safety Summary Rating 6

Summary Ratings for Alternative 1



MRDG STEP 2: Alternative 2 Alternative 2: Installation of three volcanic monitoring stations and one gas

monitoring station using non-mechanical transportation, hand tools, and/or motorized and battery power tools.

Under this alternative, the USGS will install four monitoring stations within the Mt. Hood Wilderness, with locations at Lamberson Butte (6,600 ft. elevation), Barrett Spur (6,800 ft. elevation), Yocum Ridge (6,300 ft. elevation) and Crater Rock (10,500 ft. elevation). Three stations will consist of continuously operating seismic, GPS and tiltmeters to measure and detect subtle deformation of the edifice of Mt. Hood and low magnitude earthquakes and one will measurement of ratios of volcanic gases at fumaroles. Under this alternative, all equipment would be transported to the three volcanic monitoring sites (Lamberson Butte, Barrett Spur, Yocum Ridge) with the use of stock animals traveling along the existing trails within the wilderness to points where off trail travel to each location would be required. From these points, hikers would backpack the gear the remaining distance up the mountain to each location. On site, the combined station will consist of both seismic and GPS equipment located inside and outside of a fiberglass enclosure. The enclosure has dimensions of 5x5x5 feet and weighs approximately 500 pounds and can be broken down into smaller sections. The trail tread surface is generally uneven with numerous protruding roots, overhanging limbs and narrow passages between trees. Special techniques would be needed to secure bulky items to backpacks and transport the fiberglass enclosure to protect stock and people from injury. A minimum of 3 days would be needed to haul the equipment to each project site. With camping gear and project supplies the support party is estimated to include 4 pack animals, a wrangler, support crew of 6 people (for camp gear and supplies) and another 10 people or more to shuttle equipment to the site form the point where travel on existing trails is no longer possible. Total party size (horse packers, construction workers, and equipment backpackers) would be between 17 and 20 people. Work would occur during the months of August and September and would take approximately 6 weeks to complete (including travel time) the installation of all four stations. Lamberson Butte site – Access to the site is a10 mile round trip hike from the Elk Meadows Trailhead (3,800 ft. elevation) along trails #667C and #645 to the intersection of the Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 (5,280 ft. elevation). At Lamberson Butte, at the 6,300 ft. elevation head off trail up a talus slope to the site at 6,600 ft. Tools, equipment, and materials will then need to be backpacked the last .25 miles/300 ft. elevation gain to the site.




Barrett Spur site – Access to the site is a 9 mile round trip hike from the Vista Ridge Trailhead (4,600 ft. elevation) along Trail #626 for the first 2.5 miles to the junction of Trail #600 and is suitable for pack stock. Access beyond this point is along a steep, rocky, exposed user-trail not suitable for horses. Tools, equipment, and materials will then need to be backpacked the last 2 miles/1,000 ft. elevation gain to the 6,800 ft. elevation. Yocum Ridge site – Access to the site is a 17.5 mile round trip hike from the Ramona Falls Trailhead (2,400 ft. elevation) along Trail #797; at 4 miles (3,900 ft elevation) you reach the junction of the Yocum Ridge Trail #771. Access to the 6,290 ft. elevation is along a steep and narrow trail not designed for stock use. Tools, equipment, and materials may need to be backpacked at some point to the 6,300 ft. elevation if trail conditions are not suitable and may require more than one day to complete transportation. On site, the combined seismic and GPS stations enclosure is a fiberglass enclosure that will house all electronics (GPS receiver, seismic digitizer, digital radio, solar panel voltage regulator) and 10 silicone sealed gel cell batteries. Solar panels are mounted to an angled side of the hut and the GPS antenna mast is located a few feet away from the enclosure. The seismometer is buried in the ground in a 1 foot diameter hole dug by hand to a depth of up to 3 feet approximately 10 to 15 feet away from the enclosure. The GPS antenna mast is installed by drilling a three inch diameter vertical hole in bedrock with a chisels, star-bit, and sledge hammer, inserting the pipe in the hole and then filling the pipe and hole with epoxy or cement to couple it to the ground. The GPS mast typically extends 5 to 6 feet above the ground surface. For GPS mounts where there is no bedrock at or near the surface, a three foot diameter hole is dug down to a depth of four feet by hand and the 2” galvanized mast is placed in the center of the hole. Once the mast is installed in the large hole, it is filled with cement, rock and rebar to form a solid plug around the mast. Once the cement dries, dirt and sand excavated from the hole are placed over the top of the cement and graded by hand to match the preconstruction ground surface. The radio telemetry antenna is mounted inside the hut or outside the hut. Power to all the equipment inside the hut is provided by 10 silicone sealed lead-acid batteries inside the hut and solar panels mounted on the south facing side of the hut. Camping would be permitted. Crater Rock site -- The gas monitoring station would be transported over snow with the use of a sno-cat/snowmachine within the Timberline Ski Area and then using a sled to transport the 100 pound aluminum box using a rope system at the wilderness boundary. Batteries and monitoring equipment could be carried up the mountain. It is estimated that a 12-person team of climbers would be necessary to haul the 400 pounds of equipment and tools to the site in two days. A two person crew would assemble and anchor the station in a minimum of two 8 hour days. The box itself would be anchored to the ground using earth anchors driven into the rock or unconsolidated ground by hand.






1 Transportation -- Pack animal/porter transportation of monitoring equipment and materials to and from the three project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds of gear per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

Combination of pack animals and a pack crew of 2 to herd the animals will be used to shuttle the gear along trails until the point where off trail travel is required and not a safe option by the pack animals. At the point where off trail travel is required, a crew of 6 to 10 USGS field staff will shuttle gear between trail junctions and sites.

2 Tool Use -- Use of hand tools only. Hand tools will be used to construct all stations.

3 On Site Conditions -- Installation of three monitoring stations. Camping will be necessary. Several working groups totaling 17 to 20 people.

Construction at each site would take approximately 2 weeks to complete including round trip travel time by pack and field crews.

4 Yearly maintenance -- Transportation by foot and the use of hand tools.

A USGS field crew of 6 will shuttle gear form the trails to each location.

5 Five year maintenance – Pack animal/porter transportation of 20, 35 pound batteries and additional equipment as needed. Use of hand tools.

Combination of pack animals and a crew of 2 to herd the animals will be used to shuttle the gear along trails until the point where off trail travel is required and not a safe option by the pack animals. At the point where off trail travel is required, a crew of 6 to 10 USGS field staff will shuttle gear between trail junctions and sites.

6 Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400 pounds, using a 12 person team. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds, using a five person team.

12-person climbing team using a combination of a sled with a rope system and backpacking components; haul equipment and tools over snow to the site at 10,500 feet. Heaviest single item is 100 pounds. Two person team to assemble gas monitoring station over a minimum of two 8 hour days. Five person team to do yearly battery replacement.






1 Transportation --Pack animal/porter transportation of monitoring equipment and materials to and from the three project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds of gear per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

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2 Tool Use -- Use of hand-tools only. ☐ ☐ ☒

3 On Site Conditions -- Installation of three monitoring stations. Camping will be necessary. Two weeks of construction per site

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Untrammeled Total Rating 0 Explain: Construction of these stations is a form of trammeling, and these stations will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The area occupied by a station will not exceed 30 square feet. The scale of the resulting trammeling should be considered minimal in impact.







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Total Number of Effects -1 NE

Undeveloped Total Rating -1 Explain: The individual station locations will degrade the undeveloped wilderness character of the localized area. However, stations will be painted to reduce their visibility and placed to minimize being detected by the casual visitor.



1 Transportation --Pack animal/porter transportation of monitoring equipment and materials to and from the three project sites. Estimated at 2,000+ pounds of gear per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site

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by foot.



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Natural Total Rating -1 Explain: The installation and maintenance of the stations will not hinder or alter the natural processes which occur in the area.




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use of hand tools.


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Solitude or Primitive & Unconfined Rec. Total Rating -4 Explain: There will be obtrusive encounters with the stations and with their construction and maintenance schedules, but the opportunity for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation in the larger setting would not be impacted. Stations will be painted to reduce their visibility and placed to minimize being detected by the casual visitor. Hikers and climbers could have short term encounters with pack stock and USGS porters along trail access points.




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Other Features of Value Total Rating 0 Explain: The four monitoring stations will not alter the ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical use




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6 Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400 pounds,

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using a 12 person team. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds, using a five person team.


Maintaining Traditional Skills Total Rating 6 Explain: Use of stock animals and porters to transport materials will help perpetuate the use of traditional skills. The use of hand tools such as star-bits will help to maintain traditional tool skills. Search and Rescue techniques will be necessary to transport the 100 pound box enclosure and equipment using a rope system.




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Special Provisions Total Rating 0



Explain: None identified.




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Economics & Time Constraints Total Rating -3 Explain: The use of stock animals and crews to transport gear to and from each site during the installations will significantly increase the time and personnel costs required to install all of the volcanic monitoring stations. A minimum of 3 days would be needed to haul the equipment to each project site. With camping gear and project supplies the support party is estimated to include 4 pack animals, a wrangler, support crew of 6 people (for camp gear and supplies) and another 10 people or more to shuttle equipment to the site form the point where travel on existing trails is no longer possible. Total party size (horse packers, construction workers, and equipment backpackers)



would total between 17 and 20 people. Work would occur during the months of August and September and would take approximately 6 weeks to complete (including travel time) the installation of all stations. Personnel costs, 10 porters at $150 per day/porter for 9 total days ($13,500). The cost of a pack string of 6 animals and 1 wrangler at $2,500 per day, 3 days total ($7,500). Support crew/construction crew of 6 people at $150 per day/crew member for 20 days total ($18,000). Additionally, the delicate and expensive seismic and geodetic equipment may be damaged by the jarring incurred during the two to three days of transport needed to pack the extensive amount materials to each site For the gas monitoring station, a 12-person climbing team using a combination of a sled with a rope system and backpacking components, equipment and tools over snow to the site at 10,500 feet in one 8 hour day; personnel costs for-12 climbers at $150 per day ($1,800). Two person team to assemble gas monitoring station over a minimum of two 8 hour days; four person days ($600).




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3 On Site Conditions -- Installation of three monitoring stations. Camping will be necessary. Several working groups totaling 17 to 20 people. Two weeks of construction per site

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4 Yearly maintenance -- Transportation by foot and the use of hand tools..

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5 Five year maintenance – Pack animal/porter transportation of 10, 70 pound batteries and

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additional equipment as needed. Use of hand tools.

6 Technical climbing to Crater Rock area – Transportation of equipment and tools to gas monitoring station location, estimated at 400 pounds, using a 12 person team. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds, using a five person team

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Safety of Visitors & Workers Total Rating -3 Explain: Due to the steep nature of the trail, bulky and awkward equipment, the risk of injury to stock and personnel maneuvering up the mountain to each location is substantial. The risks of trips, falls and accidents associated with these actions could significantly delay the project, as well as additional costs if a rescue effort was needed to address an injured stock animal or crew member carrying a heavy load (e.g. 35lb battery plus personal gear). Additionally, dodging branches and trees would be difficult with the large heavy and bulky items. The large fiber glass enclosure is an unstable item to backpack or transport with stock. Transport of the 35 pound batteries would require special packing techniques to protect both people and animals from potential trips and falls. Transportation over snow will require technical climbing techniques to transport the 100 pound enclosure to the 10,500 ft. elevation. Safety concerns are risks from slips, falls, and the potential of loads breaking free and materials colliding with crew members. A safety zone will be closed to wilderness visitors during this time.



Wilderness Character

Untrammeled 0

Undeveloped -1

Natural -1

Solitude or Primitive & Unconfined Recreation -4

Other Features of Value 0

Wilderness Character Summary Rating -6

Other Criteria

Maintaining Traditional Skills 6

Special Provisions 0

Economics & Time Constraints -3

Other Criteria Summary Rating 3

Safety

Safety of Visitors & Workers -3

Safety Summary Rating -3

Summary Ratings for Alternative 2



MRDG STEP 2: Alternative 3 Alternative 3: Installation of monitoring equipment using assistance of a helicopter

to transport material and equipment and use of motorized and battery powered tools.

Under this alternative, the USGS will install three volcanic monitoring stations with locations at Lamberson Butte, Barrett Spur and Yocum Ridge and the Continuous Volcanic Gas monitoring station located north of Crater Rock. The volcanic monitoring stations will consist of continuously operating seismic, GPS and tiltmeters to measure and detect subtle deformation of the edifice of Mt. Hood and low magnitude earthquakes that occur at volcanoes. The gas monitoring station will record and transmit gas concentration and composition data. All four stations are within the Mt. Hood Wilderness boundary. Under this alternative, all equipment would be transported to each location via sling loads by a Type 3 (light) helicopter. There will be no more than 4 slings to transport the enclosure, batteries, tools and all other materials to each site and no more than 2 slings to remove tools and equipment from the locations when installations are complete. The helicopter would sling each load from within the Mt. Hood National Forest. The flight paths would cross the wilderness boundary at an elevation of about 5000 feet and gradually ascend to the project sites. Maximum flight time over the wilderness and at the project site would be 15-30 minutes. All material for the project would be contained in a cargo sling and the helicopter would not land in the wilderness. A ground crew of 3 people (2 people/gas monitoring site) will be needed at each site to install the equipment. Use of helicopter would allow for the slinging of all gear to all of the locations in less than two days and removal of all excess materials and tools in less than one day after installations are complete without any unexpected weather delays. Total time to install each station would take no more than 3 days and each station would be installed simultaneously. By utilizing a helicopter, many of the components can be prebuilt and mounted in the enclosure prior to slinging to save time on installation. Total time expected to install all stations, including travel to and from each location would be no more than 7 days. Work would be performed in September, after the Labor Day holiday, in order to minimize the number of encounters visitors would likely have in the wilderness with the helicopter. On site, the combined seismic and GPS stations enclosure is a fiberglass enclosure that will house all electronics (GPS receiver, seismic digitizer, digital radio, solar panel voltage




regulator) and 10 silicone sealed gel cell batteries. Solar panels are mounted to an angled side of the hut and the GPS antenna mast is located a few feet away from the enclosure. The seismometer is buried in the ground in a 1 foot diameter hole dug by hand to a depth of up to 3 feet approximately 10 to 15 feet away from the enclosure. The GPS antenna mast is installed by drilling a three inch diameter vertical hole in bedrock with an electric drill powered by a small gas powered portable generator, inserting the pipe in the hole and then filling the pipe and hole with epoxy or cement to couple it to the ground. The GPS mast typically extends 5 to 6 feet above the ground surface. For GPS mounts where there is no bedrock at or near the surface, a three foot diameter hole is dug down to a depth of four feet by hand and the 2” galvanized mast is placed in the center of the hole. Once the mast is installed in the large hole, it is filled with cement, rock and rebar to form a solid plug around the mast. Once the cement dries, dirt and sand excavated from the hole are placed over the top of the cement and graded by hand to match the preconstruction ground surface. The radio telemetry antenna is mounted inside the hut or outside the hut. Power to all the equipment inside the hut is provided by 10 silicone sealed lead-acid batteries inside the hut and solar panels mounted on the south facing side of the hut. The proposed Continuous Volcanic Gas monitoring station is located at about the 10,500 foot level of the volcano, north of Crater Rock, within the Wilderness boundary. The station would be a 3X5X3 (feet) painted aluminum enclosure mounted with hand driven earth anchors, there is no solar panel or antenna mast. Power to the equipment is provided by 5 batteries inside the enclosure. Camping would be permitted. Installation would be the summer of 2015.




1 Helicopter transportation of equipment and materials to and from the three project sites by sling. Estimated at 2000+ pounds per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.

A helicopter will make 4 trips to sling gear to each location and no more than 2 slings at each location to remove tools when the station installations are complete. The helicopter will not land in the wilderness and a USGS crew of 3 will hike to and from each site.

2 Use of hand portable motorized equipment Small gas powered generators will be used




and hand tools. Tools would be transported by helicopter in sling.

to power drills to install the GPS antenna mount. Battery operated tools will be used to speed up the rate of installation. Assistance of helicopter and tools will enable stations to be installed in less than 3 days.

3 Installation of three permanent monitoring stations. Camping by crews may be necessary.

A crew of 3 USGS staff will install a permanent volcanic monitoring station. Installs of the 3 stations will occur simultaneously.

4 Yearly maintenance – Transportation by foot and use of small battery hand carried devices or hand tools.

A crew of 2 USGS field personnel will hike in to each installation on a yearly basis to make modifications to equipment as needed. No gas powered motorized equipment will be used for routine maintenance. Battery powered tools may be used as needed.

5 Five year maintenance – Helicopter transportation by sling of 20, 35 pound batteries and materials as needed. Use of small battery powered hand carried devices or hand tools may be used as needed.

The 20, 35 pound batteries that will power equipment at each location will need to be replaced every 3 years. A helicopter will perform two sling loads to transport the batteries in to each site and two sling loads to remove the old batteries. Battery powered tools may be needed for maintenance purposes.

6 Helicopter transportation to Crater Rock area – Helicopter transportation of equipment and materials to and from the project sites by sling. Estimated at 400 pounds. Yearly battery replacement, estimated at 100 pounds. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot. Yearly battery replacement will be carried in by climbers.

A helicopter will make one trip to sling enclosure and batteries to the location. The helicopter will not land in the wilderness and a USGS crew of 2 will climb to and from the site. A crew of five field personnel will climb to the installation on a yearly basis to replace 5, 20 pound batteries.







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2 Use of hand portable motorized equipment and hand tools. Tools would be transported by helicopter in sling.

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3 Installation of three monitoring stations. Camping by crews may be necessary.

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5 Five year maintenance – Helicopter transportation by sling of 20, 35 pound batteries and materials as needed. Use of small battery powered hand carried devices or hand tools as needed.

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Untrammeled Total Rating -5 Explain: Construction of these stations is a form of trammeling, and these stations will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The area occupied by a station will not exceed 30 square feet. The scale of the resulting trammeling should be considered minimal in impact.






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Undeveloped Total Rating -6 Explain: The individual station locations will degrade the undeveloped wilderness character of the localized area. However, stations will be painted to reduce their visibility and placed to minimize being detected by the casual visitor



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to and from the three project sites by sling. Estimated at 2000+ pounds per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.


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Natural Total Rating -6 Explain: The installation and maintenance of the stations will not hinder or alter the natural processes which occur in the area. Additionally, the USGS will work with USFS biologists to ensure that the helicopter sling activity will not occur during any periods of nesting and migration of any sensitive species in the wilderness.




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Solitude or Primitive & Unconfined Rec. Total Rating -6 Explain: There will be obtrusive encounters with the stations and with their construction and maintenance schedules, but the opportunity for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation in the larger setting would not be impacted. Stations will be painted to reduce their visibility and placed to minimize being detected by the casual visitor. Helicopter operations will have impacts of noise and visuals but will be of limited and short duration. By utilizing a helicopter, many of the components can be prebuilt and mounted in the enclosure prior to slinging to save time on installation. Total time expected to install all stations, including travel to and from each location would be no more than 7 days. In contrast, the use of a helicopter will reduce construction party size and number of days for construction when compared with the alternative of non-mechanical transportation and hand tools of 6 weeks.



1 Helicopter transportation of equipment and materials to and from the three project sites by sling. Estimated

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at 2000+ pounds per site. Personnel will arrive at the project site by foot.


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Other Features of Value Total Rating 0 Explain: The four monitoring stations will not alter the ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical use



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Maintaining Traditional Skills Total Rating -5 Explain: The use of a helicopter to transport materials, equipment and gear; and the use of portable motorized equipment does not maintain wilderness or traditional tools and skills




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Special Provisions Total Rating 0 Explain: None identified.




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5 Five year maintenance – Helicopter transportation by sling of 20, 35 pound batteries and materials as

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Economics & Time Constraints Total Rating 4 Explain: The use of the helicopter will significantly speed up the time required to transport all gear and equipment to and from each site, as well as the time required to complete all of the installations. Total time of slinging and installations would take no longer than 7 days, depending on weather and aircraft availability. This alternative will reduce personnel costs (including per diem); reducing the total number of persons from 17 people over a period of 6 weeks (non-motorized) to 9 people for 7 days (helicopter/motorized tools). Helicopter costs are estimated at $1,500 - $2,100 per hour, 5 hours total ($10,000 estimated cost). Support crew/construction crew of 9 people at $150 per day/crew member for 7 days total ($9,450).




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