Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design

Final Environmental Assessment

Santa Lucia Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest

Santa Barbara County, California

February 2012

Prepared By:

Alicia Sanchez

Assistant Recreation Officer

1616 N. Carlotti Drive

Santa Maria, CA 93454

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Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design

Environmental Assessment

Santa Lucia Ranger District

1616 N. Carlotti Drive

Santa Maria, CA 93454

Tables of Contents

I. Proposal, Need, Issues……………………………………………………………….2

A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….2

B. Purpose and Need …………………………………………………………………...2

C. Proposed Action ………………………………………………………….……….....4

D. Decision to be Made………………………………………………………………....4

E. Public Involvement…………………………………………………………………..5

F. Issues………………………………………………………………………………....5

II. Alternatives………………………………………………………………………......6

III. Environmental Consequences………………………………………………………..8

A. Issues Related Consequences………………………………………………………...8

B. Consequences Relative to Significant Elements……………………………………..13

IV. Appendices…………………………………………………………………………..18

A. Conceptual Site Design………………………………………………………………18

B. List of Reference Materials…………………………………………………………..19

C. Consultation with Others…………………………………………………………….21

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I. PROPOSAL, NEED, ISSUES

A. Introduction

Navajo Flat Staging Area is located in the Pozo/ La Panza area 26 miles from Santa Margarita,

California, San Luis Obispo County in the Los Padres National Forest. Records show that the

Navajo Flat Staging Area existed prior to the 1960s. This site lies on approximately 12 acres

along Fernandez Road and McGinnis Creek. The project area legal description includes portions

of: Sections 20, 29, 30 T29S R16E SBBM; and Sections 23-25 T29S R15E SBBM.

Map of Project Area

B. Purpose and Need

Navajo Flat Staging Area provides no delineation of uses along the east side of the restroom and

gives OHV (off-highway vehicle) users the opportunity to stage their vehicles at a parking lot

while they ride on nearby trails. Presently, the staging area is used to park, stage, and practice

riding OHV’s, camp, and picnic all in the same area; while through traffic crosses the site to

connect Burnout Trail and McGinnis Creek Trail. Although Navajo Flat Staging Area has never

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been designated or developed as a campground or picnic site, this use has continued to grow

because of OHVs staging from this site. There is no designated camping area or separation of

uses from parking and riding. There is also a lack of protective barriers along the creek which

invites recreational activity and damage to this area.

Safety has continued to be an issue at the Navajo Flat Staging Area. Vehicles and OHVs travel

through the staging area to reach trails to the north and south of the staging area and as a result,

compromise the safety of other recreationists. People freely ride OHVs within the staging area

creating unsafe conditions for other users. The uses of camping, day use, novice OHV training,

and a link between Burnout Trail and McGinnis Creek Trail need to be designed and separated

from the staging area in order to provide a safe mix of uses. There is a concern that off trail use

along the first 0.65 miles of Burnout Trail will damage cultural resources in the vicinity

(Crowheart-Zavalla 2009).

Currently, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds do not meet Forest sanitation guidelines. They include

pit toilets which do not comply with county health and safety codes. These two campgrounds

receive little to no use the majority of the year and include a total of 5 camping sites. Cultural

resources have also been found in the vicinity of Navajo Campground (Strickland 2010).

The area adjacent to Friis Road has historically been used by the wild horse herd, but use by the

herd has stopped due to OHV disturbance. OHV riders trespass on the Fernandez non-motorized

trail and decommissioned Black Widow OHV Trail, from Friis Road.

There is also a small meadow adjacent Friis campground that people drive on, which compacts

the soil and degrades the meadow. About three acres of deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)

meadow is adjacent to Fernandez Creek and has yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven

infestations (Cruz 2011).

The purpose of this project is to:

Provide safe OHV and dispersed recreational opportunities at Navajo Flat Staging Area.

Protect and conserve soils, water, plant, animal, and cultural resources at Navajo Flat

Staging Area, Burnout Trail, and Navajo and Friis Campgrounds.

Reduce deferred facility maintenance costs at Friis and Navajo Campground.

This action is needed because:

OHV user conflicts are increasingly hazardous in the Navajo Flat Staging Area, as it is

not designed to safely accommodate the recreation use it receives.

Riparian areas, roadless areas, meadows and cultural sites are being damaged by OHV

trespass.

Yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven invasion.

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Pozo-La Panza is located in a High Impact Recreation Area, HIRA, which requires the

public to pay a fee for any day use or overnight use in the area. All facilities in the fee

area are required to be meet health and safety codes that are to standard with forest

guidelines. Currently, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds do not meet this standard. The low

levels of use of these campgrounds do not justify upgrading facilities.

This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Los Padres Land and Resource

Management Plan, to move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan

(USDA Forest Service. 2005b and USDA Forest Service. 2007).

C. Proposed Action

The US Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest proposes to:

1. Design and construct a campground and day use area that will accommodate

approximately 30 PAOTS (people at one time) at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The design

will include:

a. protective barriers

b. informational signs

c. an entrance gate

d. 6 overnight/day use sites with fire rings and picnic tables

e. shade structures for each site

f. a beginners riding area

g. a designated through trail route to link Burnout and McGinnis Creek Trails, and

h. designated parking for approximately 20 vehicles.

2. Install smooth wire fencing in sections along both sides of Burnout Trail for 0.65 miles.

3. Decommission Friis and Navajo Campgrounds to consolidate camping use at Navajo Flat

Staging Area which will be developed to standard. Both sites will remain available for

dispersed camping.

4. Close the last half mile of Friis Road to motorized access north of the Navajo Bypass

Trail turnoff by gating the road and extend fencing on each side to prevent vehicles from

driving around the closure. Maintain the road for four wheel drive administrative use so

the spring can be maintained.

D. Decision to be Made

The decision will be to either implement the proposed action or another alternative that meets the

purpose and need, or to take no action at this time. In making the decision, the Responsible

Official will consider the environmental effects of each alternative, and how well each

alternative achieves the purpose and need for action. Either of these actions are consistent with

the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 2005.

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E. Public Involvement

The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on March 12, 2009. The proposed

action was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during scoping from March

11, 2009 thru April 9, 2009 and a second scoping period was from September 21, 2009 thru

October 26, 2009. In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the agency met with

local land owners, local tribal groups and OHV stakeholders in the Pozo- La Panza area to

discuss the project. The project has been discussed at quarterly OHV meetings in Goleta,

California with State OHV Division representatives, OHV stakeholders, and the agency.

Using the comments from the public, other agencies, and local tribes (see Issues section), the

interdisciplinary team developed a list of issues to address and a range of alternatives for this

analysis.

F. Issues

Public comments were separated into issues that are used to drive alternatives and mitigations;

and comments that are resolved in the proposed action, analysis or are outside of the scope of the

project, 40 CFR 1502.7 (3). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations

require this delineation in Sec. 1501.7, “…identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues

which are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec.

1506.3)…” Those comments not used to drive alternatives or mitigations are summarized and

may be found at the District Office in the project record. (40 CFR Parts 1501-1506, 1986).

The Forest Service identified the following issues statements from public comments raised

during scoping:

Issue 1: The proposed action will lead to a lack of campground sites and areas, resulting in user

conflict, greater fire risk, and sanitation problems.

Unit of Measure: The indicators used to measure different alternatives are number of

developed camp sites; number of developed and dispersed campgrounds; and sanitation

standards met.

Issue 2: The proposed closure of the last half mile of Friis Road will reduce motorized access to

dispersed recreation.

Unit of Measure: The indicators used to compare different alternatives are miles of road

closed to public motorized use by alternative.

Issue 3: The proposed action will draw more people into the area and result in more lawlessness

and trespass.

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Unit of Measure: The indicators used to compare alternatives are PAOT (People At One

Time) between alternatives for campsites provided; and if the alternative improves

directional signs.

II. ALTERNATIVES

Proposed Action (Alternative 1)

The proposed action is described on page 1 of this document to meet the purpose and the need in

providing safe OHV and dispersed recreation facilities, protect and conserve cultural and natural

resources, and reduce deferred maintenance costs in the Pozo – La Panza area.

No Action (Alternative 2)

Under the No –Action Alternative, Alternative 2, Navajo Flat Staging Area would not be re-

designed, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds will remain without any improvements to the facilities,

Burnout Trail will remain unfenced, and Friis Road will remain open to motorized access.

Modified Proposal (Alternative 3)

Alternative 3 was developed in response to public comments during scoping and is the same as

the Proposed Action, except that it identifies ways to control trespass, prevent resource damage

in the meadow, remove non-native invasive plant species in the project area, and control target

shooting at Friis Campground by leaving Friis Road open to motorized use.

1. Design and construct a day use/campground that will accommodate approximately 30

people at one time (PAOTS) at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The facility will include

parking, barriers, informational signs, and entrance gate; 6 use sites, fire rings, stoves,

tables, and shade structures. The facility will also include a beginner’s riding area,

designated through trail route to link Burnout and McGinnis Creek trails, and additional

parking for an additional 20 vehicles.

2. Install smooth wire fencing (approximately 0.65 miles) along both sides of Burnout Trail

to protect sensitive resource values.

3. Remove all facilities at Navajo Campground (2 campsites) and leave facilities at Friis

Campground (3 campsites).

4. Leave Friis Road open to Friis Campground and close the road with one gate past the

campground.

o Install 130 yards of pipe fence along the road and campground to keep vehicles on

Friis Road.

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o Provide one pipe walk-through for the public to access the picnic tables and one step-

over for horses to access the Fernandez Trail.

o The last 0.2 mile of Friis Road will be open to non-motorized public use and gated for

motorized administrative access for maintenance of improvements.

o Install informational signs at the Friis Campground explaining restoration efforts in

this area, requiring use of personal port-a-potties, and make shooting regulations clear

(i.e. discharging a firearm is prohibited in or within 150 yards of a campsite,

developed recreation site, or occupied area.)

o Remove the pit toilet at Friis Campground and require the use of personal port-a-

potties.

5. Restore meadow at Friis Campground by:

o Pulling berm approximately 180 feet back along the creek and use the soil to fill in

the ruts caused by vehicles racing along the berm.

o Smoothing the road cut through the meadow 100 feet up to Friis Road and use the soil

to rehabilitate the road.

o Creating a flatter parking area before the gate to provide a turn-around, trailhead, and

campground parking (approximately 70 feet x 100 feet).

o Removing the non-native cactus garden under the large oak tree at the southeast

corner of the meadow by the waterfall.

o Digging out all Tree-of-Heaven plants and roots at Friis Campground and near the

water trough at the end of Friis Road to prevent sprouting. Spot spray Tree-of-Heaven

and any re-sprouts with Triclopyr according to manufacturer’s directions to

completely kill this invasive non-native species. Spot spray yellow starthistle sprouts

with Clopyralid.

o Manually controlling yellow starthistle during early flowering stage to remove it from

the meadow along Fernandez Creek and within the restored area. Detach all above

ground stem material while minimizing soil disturbance. If re-sprouting continues a

mower will be used to remove the invasive plant.

o Gathering and spreading Mulenbergia spp. seeds over the disturbed soil and rake

lightly.

o Moving the southeastern fire ring so it is adjacent to the pedestrian opening and

install a picnic table for an accessible campsite.

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All construction activities will follow the Regional Water Quality Management standards for

watershed restoration plans signed December 5, 2011.

Comparison of Alternatives

Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Proposed Action No Action Modified Proposal

Issue #1

a) # of Developed Campsites 6 5 9

b) # of Developed Campgrounds 1 2 2

c) # of Dispersed Camp areas 2 1 1

d) Meets Sanitation Standards YES NO YES

Issue #2

a) # of Miles of Motorized Access Reduced 0.5 miles 0 miles 0.2 miles

Issue #3

a) PAOTs (People At One Time) 30 25 45

b) Number if Directional Signs Added 5 0 5

Purpose and Need

a) Safety of Navajo Flat Staging Area Improved YES NO YES

b) Trespass Prevented in Non-Motorized areas YES NO YES

c) # of Acres in Riparian Area Improved 0.3 0 0.3

d) Acres of yellow starthistle / Tree-of-Heaven 0 0 3

in Meadows Controlled

e) # of Cultural Sites Protected 3 0 3

f) Cost of Campground Deferred $0 $295,500 $32,000

Maintenance Remaining

III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

This chapter shows the differing effects between the alternatives. It also describes the factors of

significance as described in Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the

National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, section 1508.27, 1986).

A. Issue – Related Consequences

Issue 1 - Lack of campground sites and areas, resulting in user conflict, greater fire risk,

and sanitation problems. Measure - The indicators used to measure different alternatives are

number of developed camp sites; number of developed and dispersed campgrounds; and

sanitation standards met.

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No Action: Under this alternative, no change in facilities would occur. Use would still be

accommodated at Navajo Flat Staging Area, Navajo Campground, and Friis Campground.

Navajo and Friis Campgrounds would remain open with a total of five camp sites and Navajo

Flat Staging Area will continue to be designated as a dispersed campsite. Safety of users will

continue to be compromised as Navajo Flat Staging Area is not designed to accommodate

multiple uses. Riders will continue to be at risk, especially young, inexperienced riders, from

traffic mixing with experienced riders and staging activities. Fire restrictions are implemented

forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and policy. Hazard reduction at

campgrounds further reduces risk of wildfires. Sanitation facilities at all campgrounds will

remain unchanged and not meet sanitation standards.

Proposed Action: The separation of uses in the actual design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area

under this alternative will separate camping, day use, experienced riding and through traffic,

therefore minimizing user conflict. The design will provide for several recreation uses and will

improve the safety and use of the area for families and inexperienced riders. Navajo and Friis

Campgrounds would be open for dispersed camping and Navajo Flat Staging Area will be

designed to accommodate 6 developed camp sites, one more than Friis and Navajo Campgrounds

combined together. Beginner riders will have an area set aside to practice and a through trail

route will be designed to connect Burnout Trail and McGinnis Trail within the staging area. Fire

restrictions are implemented forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and

policy. Hazard reduction at campgrounds further reduces risk of wildfires. Current sanitation

facilities at all Friis and Navajo Campgrounds will be removed, meeting sanitation standards.

Modified Proposal: The separation of uses in the actual design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area

under this alternative will separate uses and therefore reduce possible conflicts as described

above in Alternative 2. Navajo Flat Staging Area will be designed to accommodate 6 developed

camp sites. A successful design will provide opportunity for several recreation uses in the same

site. This alternative provides a safe facility by separating uses and offering traffic control

through fences, barriers, signing and placement of facilities. This alternative will provide 3

developed sites at Friis Campground and dispersed camping at Navajo Campground.

Fire use will not be allowed at Navajo Campground or in any dispersed camping area during

high fire season. Hazard reduction at campgrounds is completed annually before June 30th

which

further reduces risk of wildfires. Current sanitation facilities at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds

will be removed, meeting sanitation standards. Users will be required to carry personal port-a-

potties when at Friis Campground.

Interpretation and Conclusion: As Navajo Flat Staging Area is not designed to accommodate

camping, the Proposed Action would allow for 5 more PAOTS than the No Action alternative.

The Modified Proposal would allow for an increase in 20 PAOTs than that of the No Action

Alternative. Dispersed camping will be allowed at Navajo Campground.

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The Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would correct the user conflict that already

exists at Navajo Flat Staging Area between the different experience levels of OHV riders,

campers, and day users. User conflict with OHV riders between hikers and horseback riders will

be improved on Fernandez Trail as closing off the last 0.2 miles of Friis Road to motorized

access will provide for the appropriate recreational opportunity in the area. The area past Friis

Campground is a roadless area that is not open to motorized use.

Fire restrictions are implemented forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and

policy. Providing appropriate facilities at Navajo Flat Staging Area will lessen the possible fire

risk than the Proposed Action or Modified Proposal. The Proposed Action and Modified

Proposal will provide for the best benefit in increasing sanitation standards with the removal of

the pit toilets at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds. The Modified Proposal will require the use of

personal port-a-potties at Friis Campground.

The conclusion is that the Modified Proposal provides for the greatest increase in campsites.

There will be a decrease in the number of campgrounds; however operational costs and deferred

maintenance costs will provide a benefit in the management of Navajo Flat Staging Area than the

No Action alternative. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would also benefit the

greatest for providing a facility that separates conflict between multiple users and provide

facilities that lessen fire risk than the No Action alternative. The Proposed Action and Modified

Proposal would improve sanitation standards at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds.

Issue 2 - Closure of the last half mile of Friis Road will reduce motorized access to

dispersed recreation. Measure – The indicators used compare different alternatives are miles of

road closed to motorized use by alternative.

No Action: Friis Road will be open to all uses and OHV trespass will continue on the

decommissioned Black Widow OHV Trail and Fernandez hiking trail. Riparian and meadow

habitats will continue to be impacted at the Navajo Flat Staging Area and Friis Campground.

Yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will continue to invade three acres of deer grass stringer

meadows along Fernandez Creek and near the water trough at the end of Friis Road.

Proposed Action: Closing off 0.5 miles of Friis Road to motorized access will eliminate a point

of illegal trespass on the Fernandez non-motorized trail and closed Black Widow OHV Trail.

The closure of Friis Campground and Friis Road at Navajo Bypass OHV Trail will give the wild

horse herd an opportunity to return to the area and allow meadow grasses to recover. Yellow

starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will continue to invade meadows along Fernandez Creek and near

the water trough. Dispersed camping will still be allowed past Friis Road.

Modified Proposal: The last 0.2 miles of Friis Road will be closed to motorized traffic as it is a

roadless area. 0.2 miles of road maintenance will be reduced. There will be additional costs

needed for fencing, fence maintenance and road maintenance to keep 0.3 miles of Friis Road

open to the public.

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Fencing along Friis Campground, removing berms along Fernandez Creek and controlling the

yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will allow for greater restoration of the meadow at Friis

Campground and deer grass meadows along Fernandez Creek and near the water trough. The

meadow at Friis Campground will be closed to public motorized access. The closure of the last

0.2 miles of Friis Road should increase the use of the area around the water trough by the wild

horse herd and provide for a pleasant hiking experience at Fernandez non-motorized trail.

Interpretation and Conclusion: The Proposed Action would decrease the most amount of miles

of Friis Road at 0.5 miles reducing the maintenance costs as well. The Modified Proposal would

reduce 0.2 miles of Friis Road by fencing along Friis Campground and across the road, as the

area past the campground is within a roadless area and is restricted to motorized access.

Pedestrians will continue to use the area past the fence to camp dispersedly. Planned mitigations

under both the Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would benefit closing off a section of

roadless area to motorized access, thus saving in road maintenance costs.

Issue 3 - More people will be drawn into the area resulting in more lawlessness and

trespass. Measure – The indicators used to compare alternatives are PAOT (People At One

Time) between alternatives for campsites provided; and if the alternative improves directional

signs.

No Action: The sites at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds will accommodate 25 PAOTs total and

deferred maintenance costs will remain $295,500 for Navajo and Friis Campground and Navajo

Flat Staging Area. No progress would be made in decreasing the backlog of deferred

maintenance at the campgrounds. The campgrounds will continue to deteriorate because of the

lack of staff support and resources, such as signs, to maintain these facilities which could

encourage lawlessness and trespass.

Burnout Trail and Navajo Campground will continue to receive OHV trespass that could

negatively affect and compromise cultural resources. OHV trespass along Burnout Trail, Friis

Road, and Navajo Flat Staging Area may disturb Western pond turtles nesting sites and Coast

horned lizard habitats. Oak trees and chaparral along McGinnis Creek and Burnout Trail will

continue to be vandalized and damaged by OHV activities. There will continue to be reoccurring

soil erosion issues related to OHV activities at Navajo Flat Staging Area, the meadow at Friis

Campground, and 0.65 miles along Burnout Trail. Compaction of soils around sycamores and

oaks at Navajo Flat Staging Area will continue to threaten the survival of the trees.

Proposed Action: The developed recreation capacity in terms of PAOTs will increase to 30 at

Navajo Flat Staging Area. The 25 PAOTs at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds will be eliminated.

Operational costs will be reduced by 60%, saving $6,000/year and $124,000 in deferred

maintenance costs for all 5 sites which will be eliminated. The total backlog of deferred

maintenance costs that will be eliminated is $295,500 to include Navajo Flat Staging Area. With

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the removal of these campgrounds, focus on providing improved amenities in this area that meet

the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) guidelines while better responding to the Forest Niche

identified in the RFA will be reached creating safer and desirable facilities, thus discouraging

lawlessness. Navajo and Friis Campgrounds are available for dispersed camping.

OHV impacts and trespass, especially erosion, will be reduced with the installation of barriers

along Burnout Trail, throughout the Navajo Flat Staging Area, and along Friis Road by closing

the last 0.5 miles of Friis Road to public motorized access. Continual up-keep and enforcement

efforts will be needed to be efficient. Resource impacts, sedimentation and erosion, along the

creeks and along trail segments will be repaired and prevented from re-occurring by the

placement of fences and boulders.

Impacts to the habitats of the western pond turtle, coast horned lizard, California legless lizard

and Camatta Canyon amole will be reduced with the closure of Friis Road, Friis and Navajo

Campgrounds and the fencing along Burnout Trail. Oak trees surrounding McGinnis Creek will

be protected from vandalism and chaparral will grow back in areas where OHV activities have

removed vegetation along roads and trails. Sycamore trees and riparian habitats in the Navajo

Flat Staging Area will be protected with barriers. Cultural resources near Navajo Flat Staging

Area, Navajo Campground, and Burnout Trail will continue to be protected. Speed limit,

directional and informational signing will be installed at Navajo Flat Staging Area.

Modified Proposal: The amount of PAOTs in the area will increase from 25 to 45 with the

decommissioning of Navajo Campground. Since Navajo Flat Staging Area is not a designated

campground, the amount of PAOTs remains at zero for this site. Once developed, the staging

area will provide designated camp sites increasing the amount of PAOTs for overnight use and

by consolidating the PAOTs that were at Navajo Campground which will be moved to the

staging area. The level of developed recreation available to the public increases and the reduction

of the backlog of deferred maintenance is 89% less of the No Action alternative. Eliminating

Navajo Campground will discourage campers from disturbing nearby cultural sites.

The level of unauthorized OHV use of the area should be greatly reduced by the installation of

barriers to lessen the impact on habitats and species in the area. Fencing along Burnout Trail,

along Friis Road, and Friis Campground will need continual up-keep and enforcement efforts to

be efficient. Resource impacts, sedimentation and erosion, along the creeks and along trail

segments will be repaired and prevented from re-occurring by the placement of fences and

boulders.

Access to trails will be improved at the Navajo Flat Staging Area through the re-routing of

vehicle traffic which improves safety to and from McGinnis Creek Trail and Burnout Trail.

Speed, directional and information signing will be installed at Navajo Flat Staging Area and Friis

Campground.

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Interpretation & Conclusion: The decrease in deferred maintenance costs for Navajo Flat

Staging Area, Navajo Campground, and Friis Campground will be greatest with the Proposed

Action alternative. The Forest would benefit the most by decreasing operation costs and backlog

of deferred maintenance of Navajo and Friis Campground while providing a well organized

facility at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The Modified Proposal provides the highest about of

PAOTs as well as protecting cultural and natural resources from trespass and lawlessness and

removing invasive plants. The construction of Navajo Flat Staging Area will not bring in more

users, but provide for a safer facility for multiple uses. The Proposed Action and Modified

Proposals would provide the most benefit in signing the facilities to educate the public. The

Purpose and Need for this project would best be met though the Modified Proposal.

B. Consequences Relative to Significant Elements

In 1978, the Council on Environmental Quality promulgated regulations for implementing the

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508)

include a definition of “significantly” as used in NEPA. The eleven elements of this definition

are critical to reducing paperwork through use of a finding of no significant impact when an

action will not have a significant effect on the human environment and is therefore exempt from

requirements to prepare an environmental impact statement.

(a) Context- …the significance of an action must be analyzed in several contexts such as

society as a whole (human, national). The affected region, the affected interests, and the

locality. Significance varies with the setting…in the case of a site-specific action,

significance would usually depend upon the effects in the locale rather in the world as a

whole. Both short- and long-term effects are relevant.

The context of this proposal is limited to the locale of the Pozo – La Panza area of the Los Padres

National Forest. This proposal would not pose any short- or long-term effects. The small scale of

this proposal limits the effects to a minor level for recreation and other natural resource values

and uses. Mitigations included in this proposal minimize and avoid adverse impacts to the extent

that such impacts are almost undetectable and unmeasurable, even at the local level.

(b) Intensity- …the severity of impact…more than one agency may make decisions about

partial aspects of a major action.

1. Impacts may be beneficial and adverse. A significant effect may exist even if the

Federal agency believes that on balance the effect will be beneficial.

The Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would have beneficial impacts on recreation

activities at Navajo Flat Staging Area by creating an organized riding, day use and camping area

for intermediate, inexperienced riders and an array of other users. The closure of Friis and

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Navajo Campgrounds could displace users to other areas in the Forest; however there is an

overall gain in the number of campsites and PAOTS with the re-design of the staging area long-

term. Effects of this proposal on sensitive species, communities, and habitats are not projected to

be significant.

Under the Modified Proposal, the meadow at Friis Campground would be protected and restored

to its original state providing beneficial impacts through eliminating trespass with the installation

of the fence.

2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health and safety.

Under the Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal, the re-design of Navajo Flat Staging

Area should improve overall safety in a benefit to the human environment by separating multiple

uses. The construction of the facility could pose a short-term negative impact to public health

and safety in the form of dust and noise. During construction, traffic control will be handled

through signing around the project area and public notices will be sent out to local landowners.

Law enforcement Officers, Fire Prevention Technicians, Recreation Technicians, and Forest

Patrol Officers will be available to enforce the area during and after construction.

Under the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal, public health and safety will be improved

with the removal of the wilderness toilets at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds. The Modified

Proposal and Proposed Action would not negatively affect public health and safety. The

Modified Proposal mitigates this concern by requiring the use of personal port-a-potties.

3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or

cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers,

or ecologically critical areas.

There are no other remarkable geological features within the Navajo Flat Staging Area, Navajo

and Friis Campgrounds, along Friis Road, and Burnout Trail. The project is not near park lands,

farmlands, or wild and scenic rivers. Parts of the project area are within US Fish and Wildlife

Services designated critical habitat for the Camatta Canyon amole, but the project area does not

contain the soils this endemic species is found on, so there will be no significant impact to

ecologically critical areas.

The project will not affect culturally significant features. Any recorded historic sites in the

vicinity of the project area are already protected with fence barriers and would not be affected

with this project. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would protect cultural resources

within the vicinity of Navajo Campground and Burnout Trail. Under the Modified Proposal, the

meadow area located at Friis Campground would improve function and condition by eliminating

motorized use through the installation of a fence around the campground and by closing the last

0.5 miles of Friis Road, as stated in the Proposed Action.

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4. The degree to which the effects on the human environment are likely to be highly

controversial.

Legitimate controversy under environmental law must be based on credible scientific evidence.

There are no controversial issues in relation to the Proposed Action or Modified Proposal. The

public scoping comment period revealed objections to the Proposed Action based on personal

values which include; the lack of campsites available to the public, the closure of Friis Road, and

the amount of lawlessness and trespass this project will bring to the area. But analysis of

alternatives and mitigations indicate that effects would be minimal and non-significant.

Extensive public involvement efforts have not revealed any other significant controversies

regarding environmental effects of this proposal or its alternatives.

5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly

uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.

There are no uncertain risks associated with this project. Navajo and Friis Campgrounds receive

low levels of use and would remain available for dispersed camping. Low use campgrounds have

been decommissioned in the past and are still being used as dispersed camping on the District.

The nature and magnitude of the effects to the human environment from implementing the

Proposed Action or Modified Proposal are understood and do not pose highly uncertain, unique

or unknown risks. It is unlikely that the re-designing of Navajo Flat Staging Area will bring in

more users to the area. However, under the No Action alternative, the continued mixture of

multiple uses at Navajo Flat Staging Area could pose uncertain risks to OHV riders and other

users.

6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with

significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future

consideration.

The re-designing of Navajo Flat Staging Area has been a proposed project since 2005. With

much analysis and discussion with local landowners, OHV users, and specialists, it is understood

that the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal do not pose significant effects or represent a

decision in principle about a future consideration. The decommissioning of Friis and Navajo

Campgrounds as stated in the Proposed Action are within the management objectives of the

Recreation Facility Analysis of October 2007. These management practices, as well as the

project objectives, are envisioned by the goals of the Los Padres National Forest Land and

Resource Management Plan as amended and are consistent with applicable standards and guides.

Neither the alternatives analyzed here, nor any of their individual components, would establish a

precedent for future actions, nor would they represent a decision in principle about a future

consideration.

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7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but

cumulatively significant impacts. Significance exists if it is reasonable to anticipate

a cumulatively significant impact on the environment. Significance cannot be

avoided by terming an action temporary or by breaking it down into smaller

component parts.

Neither of the action alternatives is related to other actions with cumulatively significant impacts.

Neither of the action alternatives is a component of any larger action.

Cumulative Watershed Effects: The Navajo Flat Staging Area falls within the Upper Salinas

watershed. Existing disturbance takes place within the McGinnis Creek which is mostly caused

by OHVs riding through the creek bed between the south end of Navajo Flat Staging Area and

Navajo Road. The proposed project will take place on an existing flat that has been used as a

parking lot for many years. The re-designing of the staging area will include design and

installation requirements from Best Management Practices (BMPs) to adequately treat and

infiltrate runoff from a storm event and would minimize the risk of adverse cumulative

watershed impacts as a result of construction.

The meadow at Friis Campground is along the Fernandez Creek where vehicles park and ride

through the riparian area. The Modified Proposal includes removing a berm that is located in the

meadow and leveling the ground. Fencing will be installed to protect this area from vehicle use.

With the decommissioning of the two campgrounds, the closing of a portion of Friis Road and

the concentration of OHV activity at Navajo Flat Staging Area, the encroachment of the species

listed on pg. 6 of the Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation (BA/BE) will be lessened

(Murphey 2010). The same would be true under the Modified Proposal with installing fencing

around Friis Campground and closing the last 0.2 miles of road to protect wetland and riparian

habitats.

Cumulative Wildlife Effects: The BA/BE for Threatened or Endangered and Sensitive Plant and

Animal Species for the Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-design considered potential cumulative

impacts of this proposal on habitat for wildlife and plants. Those documents (available for

review, incorporated by reference) support the findings that this project would not cause

significant cumulative effects on biological resources. Cumulative impacts for the Forest Service

sensitive wildlife species, western pond turtle, coast horned lizard and California legless lizard,

would be no different than what was mentioned in the Threats portion of Section III – Species of

Potential Occurrence (pg. 6-7) and in Section IV – Effects of the Proposed Action, Direct and

Indirect Effects (pg. 7) of the BA/BE (Murphey 2010).

The re-design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area and the fencing along Burnout Trail will not

impact the critical habitat for the Camatta Canyon amole as the area does not contain the soils

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this plant is found growing on. The incremental impacts from the Proposed Action and Modified

Proposal upon Camatta Canyon amole and Camatta Canyon amole Critical Habitat will be of a

favorable nature with use concentrated in the redesigning staging area and the reduced impacts to

the Critical Habitat from fenced of portions of Burnout Trail (Murphey 2010).

8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways,

structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of

Historic Places, or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural,

or historic resources.

Archeological field surveys were conducted at all project sites. No significant cultural resources

were discovered and there are no objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register

of Historic Places. Cultural resources are within the vicinity of Navajo Campground and Burnout

Trail. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would allow for the protection of cultural

resources along these project areas by decommissioning Navajo Campground and installing

fencing along Burnout Trail to prevent OHV trespass from adversely effecting cultural resources.

9. The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened

species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered

Species Act of 1973.

No threatened or endangered species have been documented to occur within the project areas

Resource surveys have been conducted and initial analysis indicates that the Proposed Action

would not adversely affect any listed plants or animals (Murphey 2010).

10. Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, state, or local law or

requirements imposed for the protection of the environment.

Neither of the action alternatives would threaten a violation of applicable Federal, State or local

environment protection laws or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment. The

effects of the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal are consistent with the Los Padres

National Forest Land Management Plan 2005.

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IV. APPENDICES

Appendix A. Conceptual Site Design of Navajo Flat Staging Area

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Appendix B. List of Reference Materials

The following documents were used in preparing this Environmental Assessment. Additional

references are found in the project record on file at the Santa Lucia Ranger District.

Code of Federal Regulations. 1986. Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of

the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). 45 p.

Crowheart-Zavalla, Pete. 2009. Los Padres National Forest Native American Consultation.

Goleta, CA. Los Padres National Forest. November 2009. 1 p.

Cruz, George. 2008. Hydrologist Field Trip to Friis Camp to Refine Meadow Restoration

Proposal. Porterville, CA: Sequoia National Forest, CA. February 2011. 1-2 p.

DiTomaso, J.M., G. B. Kyser, and M. J. Pitcairn. 2006. Yellow starthistle management guide.

California Invasive Plant Council, Berkeley, CA. Cal-IPC Publication #2006-03.

DiTomaso, J. M., G. B. Kyser, W. T. Lanini, C. D. Thomsen. September, 2009. How to Manage

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes, Yellow Starthistle.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7402.html. February 25, 2011.

Murphey, Tom. 2010. Biological Assessment/ Evaluation for Federally Listed, Proposed, and

Sensitive Species and Management Indicator Species and Migratory Bird Evaluation, Navajo

Flat Staging Area. Santa Maria, CA: Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia Ranger District.

October 2010. 5-11 p.

Poff, Roger. 2011. Soils Report, Friis Road Campsite, Potential Meadow Restoration. Nevada

City, CA: R.J. Poff & Associates. January 2011. 1 p.

Public Law 91-190. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 1970, January 1. 42 USC 4321-

4347 (note).

Sanchez, Alicia. 2009. Recreation Specialist Report, Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design

Project. Santa Maria, CA: Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia Ranger District. December

2009. 2-5 p.

Strickland, Robert. 2010. Cultural Resources Report, Navajo Flats OHV Design. King City,

CA: Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District. February 2010. 2 p.

Swearingen Jil M., Philip D. Pannill. July 7, 2009. Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant

Working Group, Tree-of-Heaven. http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm. July 2011.

USDA Forest Service. 2005a. Land Management Plan Part 1, Los Padres National Forest. R5-

MB-074-A. September 2005. Los Padres National Forest. [Online]. Available:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/Imp/read.html.

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USDA Forest Service. 2005b. Land Management Plan Part 1, Los Padres National Forest. R5-

MB-074-A. September 2005. Los Padres National Forest. [Online]. Available:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/Imp/read.html.

USDA Forest Service. 2007. Recreation Facilities Analysis, 5-year Program of Work and

Programmatic Results of Implementation. Goleta, CA: Los Padres National Forest. October

2007. Pg 14.

USDA Forest Service. 2011. Water Quality Management Handbook: R5 FSH 2509.22 - Soil and

Water Conservation Handbook. Vallejo, CA: Regional Office. December 2011.

Yellow starthistle Management Guidelines, UC IMP Online.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7402.html. February 25, 2011.

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Appendix C. Consultation with Others

The Forest Service consulted the following individuals, Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes

and non-Forest Service persons during the development of this environmental assessment:

ID TEAM MEMBERS:

Project Official: Kathleen Phelps

Alicia Sanchez: ID Team Leader/ Recreation

Thomas Murphey: Wildlife Biologist

Bob Strickland: Archeologist

Steve Galbraith: Archeologist

Pete Crowheart: Tribal Relations

OTHER SPECIALISTS CONSULTED:

Lloyd Simpson: Forest Botanist

Kevin Cooper: Forest Biologist

Roger Poff: Soils Scientist

George Cruz: Hydrologist

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES:

US Fish and Wildlife Services

San Luis Obispo County

TRIBES:

Elders Council

Molon Tribe

San Luis Chumash

Owl Clan Consultants

Saline Tribe

Northern Chumash Council

Red Wind Foundation

OTHERS:

Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen’s Association

Backcountry Horsemen

Santa Maria 4 Wheelers

Dirt First Motorcycle

Gold Coast 4x4

Central Coast Motorcycle Association

Los Padres Forest Watch