S Helena m 333.784 Snowdrifters P2hsst Snowtaobile Trail 1996 Systemt envi ronmental (& VarlQ Visli/Wtidlife 1400 So. 19th Bozeman,MT 59715 November4. 19% TO: Governor's Office, Glenn Marx, Room 204, State Capitol, P.O.200801, Helena, MT 59620-0801 Environmental Quality Council, Capitol Building, Room 106, P.O Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620 Dept. Environmental Quality, MetcalfBuilding, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901 & Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks rii Director's Office Parks Division Fisheries Division Wildlife Division Lands Section & Design Construction Bureau Legal Unit FWP Commissioners MT Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office, POB 201202 Helena, MT 59620-1202 MT State Parks Association, P.O. Box 699, Billings, MT 59103 MT State Library, 1515 E. Sixth Ave., POB 201800, Helena, MT 59620 i JamesJensen, Montana Environmental Information Center, POB 1 184, Helena, MT 59624 JanetEllis, MontanaAudubon Council, POB 595, Helena, MT 59624 GeorgeOchenski, POB 689, Helena, MT 59624 MT Madison County Commissioners, Courthouse, Virginia City, 59755 Jerry DiMarco, P.O. Box 1571, Bozeman, MT 59771 WildlifeFederation, P.O. Box 1175, Helena, MT 59624 Wayne Hurst, P.O. Box 728, Libby, MT 59923 MT Glen Hockett, 745 Doane Road, Bozeman, 59715 H| Ladies and Gentlemen: The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the Helena ^" Snowdrifters SnowmobileClub's groomedsnowmobiletrails, and is submittedforyourconsideration. QuestionsandcommentswiUbeacceptedfromNovember 4 through 5 p.m.. December 3 . 1996. Ifyou MM havequestions,feelfreetocontactme at994-4042. All comments should be senttothe FWP office at 1400 S. 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59715 STATE DOCUMENTS COLLUCTION Sincerely, JUN ? ^ 1997 JtifL^ ^- >JL^ MONTANA STATUE UBRARV Stephen L. Lewis HELENA. Montana 59620 Regional Supervisor i o! P\ /(F^, ^^^^ ^"T ^-r.ftr-.-^ »j »} r:r^:^, i: i MONTANASTATEUBRAR^ 3 0864 0009 9672 1 SNOWMOBILE GROOMING PROGRAM MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW HELENA SNOWDRIFTERS The EA document will be submitted to the Environmental Quality Council upon signing of the DecisionNotice, following the 30 day comment period. A description ofthe proposed action is provided in the EA document along with maps identifying location ofthe groomed trails. The benefits ofthe proposed action are to provide grooming for the sport ofsnowmobiling, as well as snowmobile safety, education, enforcement and positive economic benefits. Groomed trails are located on U. S. Forest Service, Bureau ofLand Management and private lands. All clearances are provided and included with the EA document. All impacts are evaluated and mitigation identified in the Public Awareness Plan included with the EA document. The key issues evaluated are: 1. Administration - all federal and state environmental analyses requirements are being met. 2. Air Quality - no negative impacts. 3. Topography, Soils, Hydrology - Normally during the grooming season, there are no trails completely bare ofsnow. Should insufficient snowcover areas become apparent on the trail system, the grooming map will be revised to reflectthese areas and the trail will be closed. There are no wet meadow areas being groomed. 4. Wildlife - Wildlife clearance has been provided, however, the club plans to provide fiirther mitigation by making the public aware and to further reduce impacts, confrontations and protect habitat, preserve natural behavioral traits and population distribution. Trails will continue to avoid or skirt with vegetation shields ungulate wintering areas. For fiirther details, referto further mitigation in Public Awareness Plan included with the EA document. 5. Vegetation - All trails are on existing roads ortails. The club will work with land managing agencies in an attempt to control noxious weeds in the area ofthe groomed trail system. 6. Socioeconomic - The club hosts two aimual events that include approximately 300 participants. They also host monthly group rides which involve 10 to 15 participants. The club's Safety Officer actively participates in all events. Clubs signing strategies place a great deal ofemphasis onpublic events. . 7. Cultural - All groomed trails are located on existing roads or trails. There are no cultural impacts. 8. Safety/Private Property - Clubs signing strategies address safety concerns, hazards, private property and other pertinent concerns and issues. Further details are provided in the EA document. 9. Wilderness Areas - There are no groomed trails near a wilderness boundary, designated non-motorized areas, wilderness study areas or ski trails. 10. Law Enforcement - No snowmobiling violations have been issued by the Helena or Deerlodge National Forests. 1 1 Changes in Aesthetic Values - Clubs signing strategy includes "Pack-it-in Pack-it-out" signs. Litter remediation plan included with EA document. Analysis ofreasonable alternatives include: Alternative 1 - No change - continue grooming as in the past with no changes. Alternative 2 - Discontinue any further grooming. Snowmobiling would continue on ungroomed trails, no signing or safety program would be provided, nor would information be provided regarding imgulate winter ranges or other sensitive issues. Alternative 3 - Continue grooming with modifications. Additional information and education will be provided to the public to minimize all impacts as much as possible, through a enhanced signing and safety program. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: ALTERNATIVE 3 The EA evaluates mitigation, stipulation and other control measures. Referto the Public Awareness Plan for details. The cover letter lists distribution ofdocument and notice ofpublic comment period. Montana Fish, Wildlife &. Parks contact person is: Ray Heagney & Montana Fish, Wildlife Parks 1400 South 19th Bozeman,MT 59715 (406)-994-4042 This EA evaluation is the adequate level ofanalysis based on the fmdings ofthe Snowmobile Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. This EA evaluation is the adequate level ofanalysis based on the findings ofthe Snowmobile Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. HELENA SNOWDRIFTERS SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW