Information and United States Department of Comment...

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service February 2014

Information and Comment Packet Eureka Gravel Source Development Project

Washburn Ranger District Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Bayfield County, Wisconsin Townships 45 North, Range 8 West, Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34

For Information Contact: Greg Knight

850 N. 8th Street, Medford, WI

715-748-4875 ext. 26

(TTY, National Relay System, 711)

[email protected]

Information Packet for Comment: Eureka Gravel Source Development Project

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I. Introduction

The Forest Service is proposing to develop a gravel source, known as the Eureka site, on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF). The site is located on the west side of FR394 (Pigeon Lake Road), between Pigeon Lake and Mountain Lake west of Drummond, Wisconsin. The Forest Service is preparing an Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations for this action. This Environmental Assessment will disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action. In addition to this analysis, a development plan for the gravel pit will be completed. The development plan outlines how the gravel resource will be managed in order to: mitigate or prevent environmental impacts, ensure health and safety, and provide direction for future re-forested land use through progressive and final site reclamation.

Legal description: portion of the Northeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 33, portion of the Southeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 28, portion of the Southwest quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 27, portion of the Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of 34, T45N, R8W, Bayfield County, WI.

II. Background

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest maintains a system of gravel sources which provide material for maintenance of National Forest system roads and for cooperative road maintenance work with the Townships. They also supply material for maintenance of recreation sites, boat landings, trails, timber sale roads, and road culvert replacement. Forest Service regulations under 36 CFR 228.43 and policies in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2850 require National Forests to maintain an inventory of mineral materials for internal use and use by cooperators to maintain National Forest infrastructure.

Developed gravel sources are needed across the Forest because hauling distance is a significant cost factor for gravel material. As older, developed gravel sources become depleted, new sources are identified and developed to maintain a supply of gravel material at reasonable haul distances. By policy, developed gravel sources operated by the CNNF do not compete on the private market with private pit operators to sell raw or crushed gravel. Presently, the Forest Service and local cooperating Townships are faced with a lack of developed gravel sources in this area.

The Eureka gravel deposit was discovered around 1987. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in 1992 to develop this gravel deposit. The 1992 decision selected the No Action


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Alternative to not develop the Eureka pit, because the gravel needs could be met by local private pits. It was estimated that the private pits could meet the gravel needs for 10 years. The 1992 decision also highlighted that it would not preclude development of the gravel resources at the Eureka site in future years as gravel is depleted from the private pits, or if the costs change significantly.

The local sources of gravel are near depletion and a new gravel source for the National Forest is needed in this area. In 2009, the Forest Service conducted the Washburn Gravel Source Prospecting Project to search for gravel sources. The Eureka site is the best site for development because its characteristics include: (a) high quality gravel material, suitable for crushing; (b) considerable volume of material to last several decades; (c) good location to serve this area of the National Forest, haul distances about 10-15 miles; (d) close proximity of site to roads suitable for hauling and traffic safety; and (e) will not require the removal of Forest cover or motorized trail relocation.

III. Purpose and Need

The purpose of this initiative is to provide raw gravel suitable for crushing for road maintenance and other uses on National Forest land in the southern portion of the Washburn Ranger District. This action is needed, because the Forest Service and local cooperating Townships are faced with a lack of gravel sources.

This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the 2004 Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), and helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan. The Forest Plan directs the Forest to “contribute toward satisfying demand for mineral and energy resources through environmentally sound responsible development on National Forest System lands” and to “ensure that reclamation provisions and environmental protection measures of operating plans and surface use plans of operation are completed to standard in field operations” (Forest Plan, page 1-6). The Forest Plan also provides a goal to maintain capital infrastructure; “Build and maintain safe, efficient, and effective infrastructure that supports public and administrative uses of National Forest system lands”(Forest Plan Goal 3.1). Forest Service direction advises the Forest to base pit management strategy on projected demand for the next 20 years (Region 9 Supplement, FSM 2850). As a major landowner in the Township of Drummond, the CNNF is required to provide sources of gravel when it can do so …”where reasonable protection of, or mitigation of effects on, other resources is assured, and where removal is not prohibited” (36CFR Chapter 2, 228.43). There are currently only two operating gravel pit sites on the National Forest land on the Washburn Ranger District; Rogers Lake and Bonanza pits. Rogers


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Lake is the only pit located in the southern third of the Washburn District and is becoming depleted. The Bonanza pit is located in the Delta area and this location requires a haul distance that is too far north to serve the southern third of the Washburn District.

The Eureka site is the best source of gravel in the southern third of the Washburn Ranger District. Gravel prospecting confirmed that this source is suitable for use as raw gravel and for crushing into road gravel. Additionally, it has sufficient volume and quality to operate for several decades. Past inventories of gravel resources in the southern third of the Washburn District have not located better sources in terms of quantity and quality of the gravel material, road access, and other conflicts.

IV. Proposed Action

The action proposed by the Forest Service to meet the purpose and need is to develop the Eureka gravel deposit into a gravel pit source for the excavation of raw gravel and for crushing of raw gravel into road gravel. The following activities are proposed:

• Development of a 15 acre gravel pit in three phases as the gravel source is excavated. Specific activities include:

o establishment of working area for gravel crushing equipment o stockpiling of crushed material; o controlling storm water runoff; o sloping the pit working face for safety after each excavation activity; and o controlling non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) establishment.

• Construction and maintenance of an access road off of FR394 (Pigeon Lake road); • Installation of a locked gate; • Establishment of a 100 foot vegetation visual buffer on the west side of FR394; • Reclamation techniques to establish vegetation cover; and • Development of a gravel pit management plan that provides direction for the

management, site development, and progressive and final reclaimed land use.

The location of the Eureka gravel deposit is in an open area on the west side of FR394 (Pigeon Lake road) that was salvaged logged and planted to red pine around 2005. The gravel deposit ranges from about 6 feet to 13+ feet in thickness. Top soil and vegetation would be removed and saved for future reclamation of excavated areas. Access to the developed gravel pit would be controlled with a locked gate.

The initial site development would be approximately 3 acres and eventually excavate up to 15 acres over the life span of the gravel pit. Estimated life span could be 30 to 40 years depending on the rate of use of the gravel material and based on the average life span for other CNNF


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gravel pit developments. National Forest gravel pits are typically used a limited number of days each year to excavate and/or haul gravel. Crushing operations would usually occur once every 3 to 5 years. Once started, crushing operations are typically completed within a two-week timeframe.

All gravel would be stockpiled on site until used. Stockpiles usually last on average 3 to 5 years depending on funds available for road maintenance activity; therefore crushing operations in any CNNF pit do not occur every year. Gravel crushing operations may occur more frequently than 3 years or longer than 5 years but that would be unusual for CNNF gravel pit operations.

An integral component of the gravel pit development is progressive and final reclamation after the site is depleted to insure environmentally sound and productive future land use of the site. Progressive reclamation activities occur as the gravel pit site is developed. Final reclamation work is completed when the gravel pit site is finally depleted.

Reclamation activities include:

• Reshaping slopes to reduce erosion and maintain internal drainage, • Stock piling top soil and re-spreading topsoil over reclaimed areas, • Temporary seeding or natural re-vegetation of disturbed areas,

o Planting in areas where natural re-vegetation is unlikely to occur, and • Treatments to minimize the spread of NNIS would continue until the sites have

completely re-vegetated.

V. Decision Framework and Responsible Official

The Washburn District Ranger is the Forest Service official responsible for this decision. An Environmental Assessment is being prepared for this project. Based on the environmental analysis, the Ranger will make the following decisions:

• Should proposed activities occur on the Eureka site as proposed, as modified by an alternative, or not at all?

o If it proceeds; what, if any, specific design features should be required?

• Does the proposed action pose significant risks that should be addressed in an Environmental Impact Statement?


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VI. Preliminary Alternatives

Alternative 1 - No Action:

The Eureka site would not be developed. There would be a continued shortage of gravel in National Forest land in this area as well as higher costs to maintain road infrastructure.

Alternative 2 - Proposed Action:

Under the proposed action, a gravel pit management and operations plan would be developed to guide the excavation and development of the Eureka site. The initial site development would be 3 acres, eventually progressing up to 15 acres over the gravel pit life span. Initial activities also include: installation of the access road, and 100 ft. visual buffer on the west side of FR394. The estimated life span could be 30 to 40 years depending on the rate of use of the gravel material. The project would include progressive and final reclamation to a re-forested future land use.

VII. Common Concerns with Developing Gravel Pits

The purpose of this information packet is to provide a description of our proposal for the public and to solicit comments. Our desire is to engage the public early and provide meaningful involvement prior to a decision. Public comments are most helpful when they are within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider. A number of concerns have been brought to our attention. The concerns are listed below followed by a description on how the National Forest normally addresses the concern. The public is encouraged to submit ideas for mitigating undesired effects that the proposed action may cause.

1. How is the gravel used and would the public have access to the gravel?

Questions have been raised on public use of the gravel and pit area. Questions were also raised on the availability of gravel material to the public for purchase.

Addressed by: General public access to the gravel pit or material will not be allowed. The site would be gated to control access to provide public safety, prevent un-authorized uses, and mitigate environmental impacts i.e. establishment of NNIS. Public motorized access (including ATV and Snowmobile use) will not be allowed. Forest Service gravel pits are for internal use and for cooperative road maintenance agreements with government entities. The goal of any Forest Service gravel pit is to meet the current and future demand of the Forest. Their main use


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is for maintenance of Forest Service roads within the National Forest proclamation boundary. The Forest can deny requests from local governments, if the use is not located within the forest boundary.

CNNF gravel pits generally do not supply sand and gravel for private or commercial use. Crushed material cannot be sold or given away to the general public, unless the requester can show that they don’t have access to any other gravel source. There are rare situations where community use pits are created on Federal lands; traditionally these types of pits are found in the western states where the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) own large acreages of land. For example, there are a few locations in the area such as Milestone Materials Pit (6 miles south of Drummond) where the public can access gravel.

2. Estimate use of the site:

The public requested estimates of the amount of use the Eureka pit may have due to the lack of gravel sources in the vicinity. At this time, the Forest Service does not see any reason why this pit would see more activity than others across the National Forest as there are other private sources and this pit will not be open for public use. For detailed information about Forest gravel pit use see Appendix A: Mineral Material General Statistics for Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

3. Concern about visual , noise, dust, and truck traffic impacts from gravel pit operations:

Public concerns have been received about the development of the Eureka gravel pit effects to the characteristics of the area including decreased visual appeal, increased noise from gravel pit crushing operations, increased traffic on FR 394, and increased dust from crushing and gravel trucks hauling on FR 394.

Addressed by: Gravel pit development would produce some noise, dust, and truck traffic. However, due to the typical limited times or crushing and hauling, the effects are normally less than anticipated. The proposed pit development is located in an open area of tree sapling and shrub regeneration that was salvage logged after a wind event about 10 years ago. The pit development would require the removal of a few remaining trees. The driveway and gate would be visible from FR 394. Initial development of the Eureka pit site would be about 3 acres. The east edge of the initial development would be about 400 feet away from FR 394. Natural topography would partially hide the excavation of the pit and a 100 foot undisturbed vegetation buffer would be maintained.

Once initiated, gravel crushing operations to produce a stockpile typically take about two weeks. Because stockpiles will last an average of 3 to 5 years, crushing operations will not occur every year. The number of hauling days per year depends on gravel needs and budget.


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Hauling from other Forest Service pits averages 4 to 10 days a year. The easiest access to the proposed Eureka pit site would be south on FR 394 to CTH N (less than one mile). This southern route is expected to be the most commonly used route for hauling.

A gravel pit development and management plan would be completed. These plans include final land use objectives and progressive and final reclamation goals. The Eureka pit would be reclaimed to a condition that mitigates the visual impacts during the life of the pit and achieves the final forested condition of the reclaimed site.

The following design feature is proposed to be included in the Eureka gravel pit development and operations plan. The public is encouraged to submit comments for the Forest Service to consider when determining what time of year crushing would occur.

• Maintain a 100 foot undisturbed vegetation buffer on the west side of FR 394 to mitigate the ability to see pit operations from FR 394.

4. Storm water runoff control:

Excavation of gravel materials exposes soils to erosion and transport of sediment. Sediment produced from gravel pit areas can leave the pit area and potentially enter water bodies and wetlands.

Addressed by: The State of Wisconsin Chapter NR216 , requires all gravel pit developments over one acre in size to have a Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit and to control storm water runoff so that sediment does not leave the established pit development area and potentially enter wetlands or water bodies. All CNNF gravel pit developments are covered by a WPDES nonmetallic mining operations general permit. This general permit requires all CNNF gravel pit developments to be internally drained pits as they are excavated. This means that safeguards must be in place to ensure storm water runoff cannot leave the established pit development area. The proposed Eureka gravel pit development would be covered under the CNNF WPDES general permit and therefore would be subject to the requirements to control storm water runoff. The following design features would be included in the Eureka gravel pit development and operations plan:

• To be in compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Storm Water Control General Permit, the pit will remain internally drained as it is developed and gravel is excavated. (WPDES general permit WI-0046515-5)

• Utilize progressive reclamation techniques to establish vegetation cover to reduce or eliminate the potential for erosion.


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5. Ground water impacts from gravel pit excavation and development:

Public concerns have been received about the development of the Eureka gravel pit and the effects to ground water; in particular water table levels and potential effects to surrounding Mountain and Pigeon Lakes. Both lakes receive inflow from ground water but are seepage lakes without an inlet or outlet. This indicates they are exposures of the ground water table rather than concentrated discharge points. As a result, their lake levels historically have experienced large (5-7 ft), gradual fluctuations in response to changes in ground water levels caused by long term (years rather than weeks or months) wet and dry cycles. The shore lines of these lakes are habitat to one Federally Threatened plant and two Regional Forester Sensitive Plant Species. These plants appear to be dependent on these natural lake level fluctuations to maintain their habitat.

There are 3 small ponds adjacent to the Eureka pit gravel sources that appear to be ground water exposures. Their water surface levels also appear to fluctuate in response to changing ground water levels.

Addressed by: The elevation of the gravel deposit is above the elevation of the ground water table. Test holes to estimate the quantity and quality of the gravel deposit did not intersect the ground water table, and the proposed development does not include excavation within the ground water table. Therefore, any gravel pit development that would excavate gravel within a water table would be outside the scope of this proposal. Because the proposed gravel pit development would not intersect the water table, the Forest does not foresee any potential effects to ground water flows and surrounding lakes and ponds. A full analysis of the proposed gravel pit development on the known rare plants and rare plant habitat will be included in the Biological Evaluation Report of the Environmental Assessment.

6. Gravel pit development impacts on non-native invasive species (NNIS):

Development and excavation of a gravel pit source would remove the surface cover and soil making the disturbed area more receptive to the establishment of NNIS. Equipment and vehicle traffic during gravel pit operations have the potential to introduce and spread NNIS seeds.

Addressed by: This project would be designed to meet Forest Plan requirements to reduce the importation and movement of NNIS, therefore no issue is anticipated. In addition, whenever a known location of NNIS is discovered within the developed pit area, measures to treat and control NNIS infestation would be required. The following design features would be applied in addition to the Forest Plan guidelines:


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• All off-road equipment and haul trucks used in the development and operation of this gravel pit shall be cleaned before moving into the pit to ensure that the equipment and hauling trucks are free of foreign soil, or other debris that could contain or hold NNIS seeds. Equipment and haul trucks would be considered clean when visual inspection does not reveal soil or plant material.

• Require inspection for NNIS and treatment of NNIS infestations within the developed pit area to control the establishment and spread of NNIS. Utilize progressive reclamation techniques to establish vegetation cover to reduce the establishment of NNIS.

7. Future land use (progressive and final reclamation):

Gravel pits that are depleted and no longer needed are required to be reclaimed. Depleted gravel pits that are not properly reclaimed can become unsightly and can attract potential detrimental social use.

Addressed by: The proposed future land use of the Eureka pit development is a forested condition. The CNNF collects a fee for resource recovery & reclamation on every cubic yard of raw gravel taken out of gravel pits. These funds are available to fund gravel pit reclamation costs. Progressive and final reclamation actions are a part of the pit management and development plan and will be fully described in the Environmental Assessment.

VIII. How to Comment on the Proposal

The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Pursuant to 36 CFR 218.25, comments on this proposed project will be accepted for 30 days beginning on the first day after the date of publication of the legal notice in The Daily Press, Ashland, Wisconsin. If the comment period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday; comments will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. Comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider (36 CFR 218.2).

Only individuals or entities (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) who submit timely and specific written comments (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) about this proposed project or activity during this or another public comment period established by the responsible official will be eligible to file an objection. Other eligibility requirements are defined by 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(3) and include name, postal address, title of the project and signature or other verification of identity upon request


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and the identity of the individual or entity who authored the comments. Individual members of an entity must submit their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR 218.25 (a)(4). It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any comments submitted.

In order to be considered when making the final decision, submit comments to the Responsible Official who is the Washburn District Ranger, by one of the following methods; mail: 113 E. Bayfield St., P.O. Box 578, Washburn, WI 54891; telephone: (715) 373-2667; facsimile (715) 373-2878; or email: [email protected] (please put “comments on Eureka Gravel Source Development Project” in the subject line). Office hours, for those who wish to hand deliver their comments, are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday (except Federal holidays). Acceptable formats for electronic comments are text or html e-mail, Adobe portable document format, and formats viewable in Microsoft Office applications.

IX. Maps

The following maps display the location of the 15 acre Eureka gravel site proposed for development as a gravel pit; detailed elevations and development phases are included.

• Map1 Eureka Gravel Source Topographic Map: This map prints Black & White to show existing detailed topographic elevations of the proposed project area and adjacent surface water elevations.

• Map2 Eureka Gravel Source Development Phases: This map prints Color to show existing detailed topographic elevations of the proposed pit development. This map also shows the approximate boundaries for Phases 1, 2, and 3 where excavation and reclamation would progressively take place over the life of the development. This map shows the pit access road and 100 foot vegetation visual buffer along FR 394.

• Map3 Eureka Gravel Source Location: This map shows the 15 acre pit development boundary on a larger view of the surrounding area and lakes where the gravel pit development would be located.

mailto:[email protected]


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Appendix A: Mineral Material General Statistics for Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

General statistics about National Forest mineral material pits sites taken from the Natural Resource Manager (NRM) I-web Mineral Material data base for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest gravel pit sites - Data from 2006 to 2012:

• 55 gravel pit sites are listed in the NRM data base as “active” that we consider mineral material sources (this is the total number of sites listed as active; the Forest has many “inactive” sites across the CNNF)

• 29 gravel pit sites listed in the NRM data base actually produced mineral material from 2006 to 2012.

• 26 gravel pit sites listed in the NRM data base did not produce any mineral material from 2006 to 2012(but they are listed as “active” sites.)

Average of active pits that produced mineral material across the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

• From 2006 to 2012 the number of active pits that actually produced mineral material ranged from a low of 3 pits in one year to a high of 16 pits in one year with an average of 10 pits per year over 6 years. Source: MMGS004L Production by Site, I-web MM.

Contracts and Permits for mineral material across the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

• Total of 14 gravel crushing contracts from 2006 to 2012; The range was zero contracts in 2007 to 4 contracts in 2010 with an average of 2.3 crushing contracts per year.

• Total of 81 mineral material permits issued from 2006 to 2012; range of 6 to 25 permits with an average of 7.4 permits per year.

• Source: MMGS0007L Production by Sale Contracts/Free Use Permits

Washburn Active gravel pit sites - Data from 2006 to 2012:

Rogers Lake pit: One crushing contract @ 5000 cubic yards, 5 mineral material permits @ 250 cubic yards pit run each..

Bonanza pit: Three crushing contracts @14,000, 12,000, and 9,000 cubic yards pit run each. 10 mineral material permits: 200, 3900, 300, 1000, 500, 1000, 1000, 300, 500, 300 cubic yards of pit run.

Source: MMGS001L Mineral Materials Site Report, I-web MM.

MAP 3: EUREKA GRAVEL SOURCE LOCATION Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestWashburn Ranger District

T.45 N. R.8 W. Sections 27, 28, 33, & 34

Legend =-==- Major Roads 6 ----- Local Road N

1::] Forest & District Boundary

CJ Forest Service Ownership

c=J Private Ownership

8 Project Location

EUREKA GRAVEL SOURCE PROJECT AREA OUTLINED IN BLACK

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