Draft Environmental Assessment Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project December 6, 2007 Cover Sheet Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Proposed Action: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to reestablish public motorboat access on Crystal Lake in Lincoln County, Montana. There are three potential locations on FWP property around Crystal Lake for consideration of developing a fishing access site (FAS). There are six different access routes to these potential locations. The FAS would include a boat launch, parking area (6-10 spaces), and a latrine. The proposed action would be implemented as early as spring 2008 and may not be completed until fall 2008. These dates are approximate. Type of Document: Environmental Assessment Lead Agency: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Responsible Official: Dave Landstrom Regional Parks Manager Montana FWP, Region 1 490 North Meridian Road Kalispell, MT 59901 406-751-4574 Comment Period: There will be a 30-day comment period through January 7, 2008. Please direct questions or comments to R-1 Parks Manager Dave Landstrom at the above address or phone number, or e-mail to [email protected]. Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project 1-i How to read this EA (Environmental Assessment) To read this EA more effectively, carefully FAS, potential site locations, and study this page. This EA has been designed potential access routes. The chapter and written (1) to provide the Project then explains three key things about Decision Maker with sufficient information to the project: (1) the decisions that the make an informed, reasoned decision Project Decision Maker must make concerning the proposed Crystal Lake concerning this project, (2) the Fishing Access Site Development Project relevant environmental issues, and and (2) to inform members of the affected (3) the relevant laws, regulations, and and interested public of this project so that consultations with which FWP must they may express their opinions to the comply. Project Decision Maker. • Chapter 2 serves as the heart of this This EA follows the organization and content EA. It provides detailed descriptions established by the EQC Regulations (ARM of Alternative A: No Action and 12.2.428-12.2.453). The EA consists of the Alternatives B through G: Develop an following chapters and appendices: FAS at one of three different 1.0 Purpose and Need for Action locations on Crystal Lake, each with 2.0 Alternatives, Including the Proposed two different access routes. Most Action important, it includes a summary 3.0 Affected Environment comparison of the predicted effects 4.0 Environmental Consequences of these alternatives on the human 5.0 Public Participation environment, providing a clear base 6.0 List of Individuals Associated with the for choice among the alternatives for Project the Project Decision Maker and the 7.0 List of Agencies Consulted Public. 8.0 References Appendix 1 HB 495 Project Qualification • Chapter 3 briefly describes the past Checklist and current conditions of the relevant Appendix 2 Tourism Report resources (issues) in the project area Appendix 3 Best Management Practices that would be meaningfully affected, Appendix 4 Public Comments Received establishing a part of the baseline During Public Scoping Process used for the comparison of the Appendix 5 Alternative Cost Estimates predicted effects of the alternatives. Chapters 1 and 2 together serve as an • Chapter 4 presents the detailed, Executive Summary. These two chapters analytic predictions of the were written so that nontechnical readers consequences of implementing one can understand the potential environmental, of the Alternatives A through G. technical, economic, and social These predictions include the direct, consequences of taking and of not taking indirect, and cumulative effects of action. implementing the alternatives. • Chapter 1 introduces the proposed Crystal Lake FAS. It provides a very brief description of the Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project 1-ii 1.0 Purpose of and Need for Action 1.1 Proposed Action: Develop a Fishing Access Site on Crystal Lake: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to reestablish public motorboat access on Crystal Lake in Lincoln County, Montana, by constructing a fishing access site (FAS). There are three potential locations on FWP property around Crystal Lake for consideration of developing an FAS. There are six different access routes to these three potential site locations. The development of the FAS would include a boat launch, parking area (6-10 spaces), and a latrine. The proposed action could be implemented as early as spring 2008 and may not be completed until fall 2008. These dates are only estimates. 1.1.1 Funding: Agency Name Funding Amount FWP Boat-in-Lieu of Tax Account Funds $25,000 (25%) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Wallop-Breaux $75,000 (75%) Motorboat Funds Total $100,000 (100%) 1.1.2 Estimated Timeline: Estimated Construction/Commencement Date: Spring 2008 Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2008 Current Status of Project Design (percentage complete): 50% 1.2 Location: Crystal Lake is part of a larger recreation area known as the Thompson Chain of Lakes Fishing Access Site complex off Highway 2 approximately 50 miles west of Kalispell in Lincoln County. FWP owns two parcels of land on Crystal Lake. On the east side of the lake, FWP owns 72.27 acres in Township 27 North, Range 27 West, Section 19 (FWP East Shore property). On the west side of the lake, FWP owns 162.89 acres in Township 27 North, Range 28 West, Section 25 (FWP West Shore property). 1.3 Project Authority and Need: 1.3.1 Authority for the Proposed Action: The 1977 Montana Legislature enacted Statute 87-1-605 MCA, which directs Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to acquire, develop, and operate a system of fishing access sites. The legislature established a funding account to ensure that this function would be accomplished. Sections 23-1-105, 23-1-106, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, and 87-1-303, MCA, authorize the collection fees and charges for the use of state park system units and fishing access sites, and contain rule-making authority for their use, occupancy, and protection. Section 23-1-101 MCA allows FWP to plan and develop outdoor recreational resources in the state and receive and expend funds, including federal funds. The opportunity for public comment regarding the Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-1 proposed project is provided under MCA Section 23-1-110. See Appendix 1 for HB 495 qualification. The Boat Fee in Lieu of Tax revenue includes 20% of all fees in lieu of tax collected by the county treasurer, and FWP uses the money collected to improve regional boating facilities under the control of FWP (Section 23-2-518, MCA). The Dingell-Johnson bill was passed in the U.S. Legislature August 9, 1950, and was amended to the Wallop-Breaux bill in 1984. A percentage of funds spent on fishing equipment and motorboat-associated fuel are apportioned back to the states based on the land and water area and the number of fishing licenses sold. This bill requires that 15% of these funds be spent on motorboat access projects. Twenty-five percent of the total project cost must be from nonfederal funds. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service administers Wallop-Breaux funds, which will be requested for use in this project. 1.3.2 Need for the Proposed Action: Currently, there is no public motorboat access to Crystal Lake. Prior to 2007, public access to Crystal Lake was permitted at Happy’s Inn, a private boat launch. This public access had been permitted for many years. In 2006, the private landowners of Happy’s Inn sold their property, which included the boat launch. The new landowners closed the boat launch to public use. Happy’s Inn boat launch on Crystal Lake had been a popular destination for anglers and other motorboat recreationists from the Libby and Kalispell areas. In addition, residents of the lake had annually used the Happy’s Inn boat launch to put their boats into the water in the spring and remove them in the fall. With the loss of public access to this boat launch, many residents of the lake, visitors, and recreationists have asked FWP to reestablish public boat launching on the lake. Reestablishing public motorboat access to Crystal Lake is a priority for FWP. 1.4 Project Objectives: In order to meet the goals of developing and managing FASs, FWP has set the following specific project objectives: 1.4.1 Objective 1: To establish a public motorboat access through a FWP FAS on Crystal Lake in Lincoln County, Montana. 1.4.2 Objective 2: To develop a public FAS within established budget limitations. 1.5 Relevant EAs, Plans, and Other Documents: 1.5.1 Thompson Chain of Lakes (TCL) Management Plan Update (FWP 2006): The TCL mission as stated in Thompson Chain of Lakes Management Plan Update (FWP 2006) is to provide recreational and fishing opportunities, while protecting the resource. The area is developed to the minimal level necessary to make it usable to the public, while protecting the resource from degradation. In Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-2 addition, TCL has a commitment to management of wildlife habitat, based on the use of Wildlife Mitigation funding in the land trade with Plum Creek in 1998 (Environmental Assessment for the Thompson Chain of Lakes Land Exchange/Purchase between Plum Creek Timber Company, L.P. and Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks 1998). Therefore, care must be taken during planning, development, and routine operations to consider impacts to wildlife on an equal footing with recreational needs. This is particularly true around Upper Thompson Lake and the areas on the back of Crystal and Horseshoe Lakes. 1.5.2 Environmental Assessment Decision Notice & Finding of No Significant Impact, Thompson Chain of Lakes Inventory and Guidelines for Recreational Planning (FWP 1996): Prior to 1996, dispersed camping was permitted on FWP West Shore property. In 1996, the Decision Notice for Thompson Chain of Lakes Site Specific Environmental Assessment closed camping on FWP West Shore property and established funding for development of a campground (3 sites) on FWP East Shore property of Crystal Lake (FWP 1996). The campsites on FWP West Shore property were closed due to wildlife and environmental concerns (FWP 1996). The campground on FWP East Shore property was never created. 1.5.3 Thompson Chain of Lakes Fisheries Management Plan (FWP 1997): Fisheries management on Crystal Lake has changed dramatically since the first stocking of Chinook salmon, bass, and sunfish into the lake in 1924 (FWP 1997). Several species were stocked from 1924 until 1960 including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, coho salmon, and arctic grayling. None of these stockings was successful due to the large population of largescale suckers. In 1960, the lake was treated with toxaphene to kill the unwanted suckers. In 1964, Crystal Lake was able to support fish and was stocked with rainbow trout and kokanee. In the early 1970s yellow perch and pumpkinseed were illegally planted into the lake. Since 1965 kokanee and rainbow trout have been stocked almost annually (no kokanee were stocked in 1969 through 1975, 1985, and 1988). Annual stocking rates of kokanee and rainbow trout are based on annual monitoring of the populations in Crystal Lake. 1.6 Decisions to Be Made: The Decision Maker will determine the following from this EA: • Determine if alternatives meet the project objectives. • Determine which alternative should be selected. • Determine if the selected alternative would cause significant effects to the human environment, requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). 1.7 Scope of the Environmental Assessment: Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-3 1.7.1 History of the Planning and Scoping Process Public Involvement – Agencies, Individuals, or Groups Contacted: The scoping process began in 2006 when FWP Design and Construction Bureau visited Crystal Lake on September 20 to locate potential sites for a boat launch. The shoreline on both FWP West Shore property and FWP East Shore property were walked to determine potential boat launch sites based on engineering feasibility. Three potential sites were identified: the West Shore site, Turtle Cove site, and East Shore site. On May 3, 2007, these three sites were revisited by FWP Parks and FWP Design and Construction personnel. This same day a public meeting was held at the Fisher River Fire Hall, Happy’s Inn, Montana. Information regarding the potential sites was presented. Public comments were collected in written form regarding the potential for an FAS on Crystal Lake and specifically regarding these three sites. Comments were collected from May 3 through May 17. Please see Appendix 4 for a summary of these comments. The following resource specialists were involved in the project design, assessment of potential impacts and development of mitigation measures: Bardell Mangum, Landscape Architect, FWP; Dave Landstrom, Region One Parks Manager, FWP; Darlene Edge, Land Conservation Specialist, FWP; Amy Grout, Region One Parks Personnel, FWP; Allan Kuser, FAS Coordinator, FWP; Mark McNearney, Civil Engineer Specialist, FWP; Gael Bissell, Region One Wildlife Biologist, FWP; Kent Laudon, Region One Wolf Management Specialist, FWP; Jim Vashro, Region One Fisheries Manager, FWP; and Mike Hensler, Region One Fisheries Biologist, FWP. 1.7.2 Issues Studied in Detail: 1.7.2.1 Land Resources (Issue 1): Constructing an access road, parking area, and boat launch can impact geologic substructure, soil stability, and productivity. In addition, construction of a boat launch or bridge can alter the siltation, deposition, and erosion patterns on the shore of a lake. 1.7.2.2 Air Quality (Issue 2): Establishing a new FAS can alter air quality, which at times can conflict with federal or state air quality regulations. Constructing an access road, a parking area, and a boat launch can alter air quality from creation of dust. Increasing traffic on residential roads can cause dust to increase. Installing a vault latrine can increase odors. 1.7.2.3 Water Quality (Issue 3): Establishing a new FAS can alter water quality, which at times can conflict with federal or state water quality regulations. Construction on the shore of a lake can increase discharge into the lake, alter surface water quality, alter drainage patterns, increase Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-4 the risk of contamination of surface water, and affect designated floodplains. 1.7.2.4 Vegetation (Issue 4): Constructing roads, parking areas, and boat launches in an area that has not received development can alter plant communities. 1.7.2.5 Wetlands (Issue 5): New construction can impact wetlands. 1.7.2.6 Prime and Unique Farmland (Issue 6): New construction can impact prime and unique farmland. 1.7.2.7 Weeds (Issue 7): Construction of a new access road, parking area, and boat launch in an area that has not been developed will often increase the spread of weeds. In addition, increasing traffic and access can increase the spread of weeds. 1.7.2.8 Fisheries (Issue 8): Developing a new FAS on a lake can impact the fisheries in the lake. 1.7.2.9 Wildlife (Issue 9): Developing a new FAS can impact wildlife (game and nongame) in the area. 1.7.2.10 Threatened and Endangered Species (Issue 10): 1.7.2.10.1 Bald Eagle Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to bald eagles. 1.7.2.10.2 Canada Lynx Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to Canada lynx. 1.7.2.10.3 Gray Wolves Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to gray wolves. 1.7.2.10.4 Bull Trout Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to bull trout. 1.7.2.11 Sensitive Species (Issue 11): 1.7.2.11.1 Common Loon Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-5 Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to common loons. 1.7.2.11.2 Westslope Cutthroat Trout Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to cutthroat trout. 1.7.2.11.3 Brush-tipped Emerald Developing a new FAS and associated activities can alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to brush-tipped emerald dragonfly. 1.7.2.12 Noise Effects (Issue 12): Developing a new FAS and establishing motorboat access to a water body can increase noise on the land and in the water. 1.7.2.13 Land Use (Issue 13): Developing an FAS can impact existing land use productivity and profitability. In addition, developing an FAS on undeveloped public land can impact neighboring residences or residences along the access route. 1.7.2.14 Risk of Human Health Hazards (Issue 14): Developing and managing a new FAS and establishing motorboat access to a water body can increase the risk of release of hazardous materials including herbicides and petroleum products. In addition, increasing access to undeveloped land can increase the risk of wildland fire. Finally, establishing motorboat access can increase the risk of water safety hazards. 1.7.2.15 Community Impact (Issue 15): Developing a new FAS and establishing motorboat access to a water body can alter the human population, social structure of a community, and traffic safety hazards. 1.7.2.16 Public Services (Issue 16): Developing a new FAS and establishing motorboat access to a water body can alter public services of an area including, emergency response plans, FAS enforcement routines, county road maintenance, and FAS maintenance, 1.7.2.17 Aesthetics (Issue 17): Developing a new FAS on undeveloped land could alter a scenic vista or create an aesthetically offensive site. 1.7.2.18 Recreation (Issue 18): Developing a new FAS will alter recreation and tourism in an area. 1.7.2.19 Cultural and Historical Resources (Issue 19): Developing a new FAS on undeveloped land can impact cultural and historical resources. Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-6 1.7.2.20 Public Controversy (Issue 20): Developing a new FAS and establishing motorboat access to a water body can generate public controversy. 1.7.3 Issues Eliminated from Further Study: 1.7.3.1 Prime and Unique Farmland (Issue 6): All areas that would be altered by Alternatives A through G (Chapter 2) were determined not to be prime and unique farmland based on soil type and irrigation. • Alternative B: The access road and site location under this alternative would be on Tamarack-Crystalex complex, 4-15% slopes (691D, listed by SSURGO soil mapping web site http://maps2.nris.state.mt.us/mapper/PLSSSearch.asp). This soil is listed as a farmland of local importance in Lincoln County (http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Report.aspx?Survey=MT083&UseSt ate=MT). • Alternative C: The access road under this alternative would be on Tamarack-Crystalex complex, 4-15% slopes (691D) and Tamarack- Crystalex complex, 15-30% slopes (691E, listed by SSURGO soil mapping web site http://maps2.nris.state.mt.us/mapper/PLSSSearch.asp). The site location under this alternative would be on Tamarack-Crystalex complex, 4-15% slopes (691D, listed by SSURGO soil mapping web site http://maps2.nris.state.mt.us/mapper/PLSSSearch.asp). The soil classification 691B is listed as a farmland of local importance in Lincoln County and 691E is not listed as a prime or other important farmland in Lincoln County (http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Report.aspx?Survey=MT083&UseSt ate=MT). • Alternative D: The entrance road and access road under this alternative would be on the following soils: Tamarack-Crystalex complex, 0-4 % slopes (691B); Tamarack-Crystalex complex, 4-15% slopes (691D); Glacier Creek - gravelly, ashy, silty loam, cool, 2-8% slopes (67C); Glacier Creek - gravelly, ashy, silty loam, 8-30% slopes (867E); Black Lake, mucky peat, 0-1% slopes (72A); Loon Lake - gravelly, ashy, silty loam, 4-15% slopes (71D, listed by SSURGO soil mapping web site http://maps2.nris.state.mt.us/mapper/PLSSSearch.asp). The site location under this alternative would be on Upsata - gravelly, ashy, silty loam, 30-60% slopes (68F) and Glacier Creek - gravelly, ashy, silty loam, 4-15% slopes (867E, listed by SSURGO soil mapping web site Crystal Lake Fishing Access Site Development Project Chapter 1 Purpose of and Need for Action 1-7