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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. Reserve aTN997 G3G37 . 2001 St. Joe Ranger District United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library AdvancingAccess to Global Information for Agriculture Garnet Stars And Sands Draft Environmental Impact Statement Idaho Panhandle National Forests St. Joe Ranger District Latah, Shoshone and Benewah Counties, Idaho Responsible Official: Ranotta McNair 3518 Schrieber Way Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 For Further Information Contact: Tracy Gravelle Avery Ranger Station HC Box 1 Avery, ID 83802 Abstract: The Garnet Stars and Sands Draft Environmental Impact Statement analyzes the effects of expanding the recreational garnet digging area and allowing testing for leasable garnets in several drainages in the St. Maries River Basin. Alternative A is the no action alternative. Recreational digging would eventually run out in currently developed areas and lease applications would be denied. Alternative B is the proposed action. The project would test and develop future recreational garnet digging opportunities and address whether to approve the twelve pending garnet sands or gemstone lease renewals, lease applications, permit applications and /or extensions. Garnets would be commercially mined. Alternative C was developed to address potential effects of Alternative B on water quality, fisheries and riparian habitats. This alternative would allow the same recreational development and lease renewals, applications and permit applications and extensions, except that potential commercial sand mining activities would occur at least 30 feet from the East Fork and West Fork of Emerald Creeks. The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agencyto the reviewer’s position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1973). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City ofAmgoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45- day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are maae available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should De as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisicyig c^^^^jtjp^^yjifg^mental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. National Agricultural Library NOV 2 8 2014 Received Acquisitions and Metadata Branch i-Garnet Stars and Sands DEIS - TOC - m ’*ii.m\'A : ' 'j 'Mi if :• n ]/\ ii - Garnet Star and Sands DEIS - TOC Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Purpose and Need 1-1 The Purpose and Need 1-2 Proposed Action 1-4 Scope of the Project 1-7 Chapter 2 - Alternatives 2-1 Alternative Development 2-1 Alternatives Considered in Detail 2-3 Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 2-6 Alternatives Considered But Not studied in Detail 2-13 Comparison of Alternatives 2-15 Chapter 3 - Affects Environment and Environmental Consequences 3-1 AIR QUALITY 3-1 FISHERIES RESOURCE 3-5 HERITAGE RESOURCES 3-63 MINERALS AND GEOLOGY 3-65 NOXIOUS WEEDS 3-75 RANGE 3-78 RECREATION 3-83 SOIL AND WATER 3-97 Soils 3-99 Water 3-106 SCENIC QUALITY 3-119 THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SENSITIVE PLANTS 3-125 WILDLIFE 3-131 Forest Structure 3-140 Old Growth 3-143 Riparian Habitat 3-145 Access/Disturbance 3-150 Connectivity 3-152 Cavity Habitat ....3-154 Management Indicator Species 3-156 Old Growth Associated MIS 3-156 Elk 3-159 Moose 3-162 Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Species 3-163 Bald Eagles 3-164 Gray Wolf 3-166 Sensitive Wildlife Species 3-167 Fisher (and Marten) 3-168 Wolverine 3-172 Northern Goshawk 3-174 Black-backed Woodpecker 3-177 Flammulated Owl 3-178 Coeur d’Alene Salamander 3-179 Boreal Toad 3-180 Northern Leopard Frogs 3-182 i-Garnet Stars and Sands DEIS - TOC - LITERATURE CITED LIST OF PREPARERS LIST TO WHOM COPIES OF THE DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN SENT APPENDIX A - PHOTOS OF EMERALD CREEK ACTIVITIES & RECLAMATION APPENDIX B - AUTHORITIES & SELECTED STATE OF IDAHO BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES List of Tables and Figures Table 2-1 - Meeting the Purpose and Need 2-15 Table 2-2 - Alternative Driving issue - Water Quality 2-15 Table 2-3 - Alternative Driving Issue - Fish Habitat 2-15 Table 3-1 - Fish Distribution Based on Various Survey Methodologies 3-17 Table 3-2 - Stream channel conditions 3-18 Table 3-3 - Fisheries Issue Indicators 3-34 Table 3-4 - Activities Analyzed 3-41 Table 3-5 - Activities analyzed in Strom Gulch 3-43 Table 3-6 - Activities analyzed for East Fork Emerald Creek 3-44 Table 3-7 - Activities Analyzed for Tributary to the West Fork Emerald Creek ....3-50 Table 3-8 - Activities analyzed for West Fork Emerald Creek 3-50 Table 3-9 - Activities Analyzed In Bechtel Creek 3-52 Table 3-10 - Activities Analyzed for Cat Spur Creek 3-53 Table 3-1 1 - Activities analyzed for Wood Creek 3-55 Table 3-12 - Activities analyzed for West Fork St. Maries River 3-58 Table 3-13 - Activities analyzed for Lower St. Maries River 3-59 Table 3-14 - Summary Issue Indicators for Fisheries 3-62 Table 3-15 - Landtypes 3-99 Table 3-16 - Rare plant habitat that may be disturbed through digging or testing 3-127 Table 3-17 - Screening Process and Results for the Stars and Sands Project 3-134 Table 3-18 - Indicators and Measurement of effects for Wildlife 3-139 Table 3-19 - Existing Vegetation by Size Class Group 3-140 Table 3-20 - Potential Cumulative Impacts on Forest Structure 3-143 Table 3-21 - Allocated Old Growth 3-144 Table 3-22 - Condition and Impacts of Riparian Habitat 3-147 Table 3-23 - Cumulative Changes in Riparian Conditions 3-148 Table 3-24 - Existing Cavity Habitat Potential 3-155 Table 3-25 - Wildlife MIS for the St. Joe District 3-156 Table 3-26 - Listed Wildlife Species 3-163 Table 3-27 - Sensitive Wildlife Species and Habitats 3-168 Table 3-28 - Existing Condition and Guidelines for Forest Structure 3-170 Table 3-29 - Existing Condition for Goshawk Assessment Areas/Home Ranges 3-176 Figure 3-1 - Wildlife Analysis Area 3-132 Figure 3-2 - Distribution of the old growth, mature, immature and multistoried stands 3-141 Figure 3-3 - Wider riparian zones with more open conditions 3-146 Figure 3-4 - Narrower riparian zone with more vegetated conditions 3-147 Figure 3-5 - Pileated Woodpecker Home Ranges 3-158 Figure 3-6- Elk Evaluation Areas 3-160 Figure 3-7 - Goshawk Assessment Areas 3-175 ii - Garnet Star and Sands DEIS - TOC Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences CHAPTER PURPOSE AND NEED 1 - This Environmental Impact Statement for the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests addresses recreational digging and leasing of garnet mineral resources in the Emerald, Hidden, Wood and Cat Spur Creek drainages (see Map 1-1 - Vicinity and Project Area Map on page 1-9). Decisions need to be made whether to test and develop future recreational garnet digging opportunities and whether to approve the twelve pending garnet sands or gemstone lease renewals, lease applications, permit applications and /or extensions. The responsible official for this decision is the Forest Supervisor, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815. Project Area and Background The Garnet Stars and Sands Project Area is approximately 32,000 acres located in Latah, Shoshone and Benewah Counties of Idaho; approximately 65% is National Forest land. The Project Area includes Emerald, Wood, Hidden and Catspur Creek drainages (T42N, R1E, R2E and R1W, Boise Meridian). These areas are defined by the same underlying geology. The project area drains into the West Fork of St. Maries River. In the past, the infrequent prospecting permits and subsequent lease applications for this project area were handled on a case-by-case basis. More recently, a higher level of interest in the garnet mineral resource has resulted in more minerals applications. In addition, the recreational garnet area is possibly nearing the end of digging at the present site in 281 Gulch. Forest Service land managers decided that National Forest land overlying the garnet resource should be reviewed as a whole, i.e. the big picture should be reviewed. A comprehensive management plan for the area should help avoid conflicts and conserve the garnet resource for future generations. A cooperative study of the garnet resource was conducted with US Geological Survey geologists (USGS and FS, 2000). Its information has provided a basis from which to begin this analysis. The underlying geology of the project area contains garnet sands and gemstones. Garnet size varies directly with location in the drainage, with larger garnets found in upper valleys, closer to the parent material. Garnet sand concentrations sufficient for commercial mining are found in the Emerald Creek basin. The garnet sands have a durability and hardness that allow the garnet to be successfully milled into many grades (sizes) of product that are then recycled numerous times in most industrial applications. The various grades of sands are considered high quality for oil well fracking and packing, oil pipelines, water filtration, water jet cutting, abrasive blasting and polishing. There is world-wide demand for these products. Like all mineral resources, garnets are a finite resource. The Project Area also produces extraordinary quality and quantity of large garnets, with some of the drainages producing star garnets. Emerald Creek is the only site in the United States and is one of only two places in the world (the other is India) where star garnets are found. These gemstones are used commercially for jewelry and are sought after by recreationists. Much of the Emerald Creek drainage, on public and private lands, has been commercially mined for garnet in the past. Two lease renewals, one new lease application, one prospecting permit extension, and eight new prospecting permit applications have been Purpose and Need submitted. In addition, the Forest Service currently manages a public digging area (by fee permit) in 281 Gulch, a tributary to Emerald Creek. People come from all over the world to visit the Emerald Creek Garnet Area and dig for gemstones. THE PURPOSE AND NEED The purpose and need for this project is based on Forest Service policy and direction given in - the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s Forest Plan (1987 referred to as the Forest Plan from here on). Forest Service Policy for Acquired Lands Most of the National Forest system lands within the project area were either acquired through land donations or land exchanges (Weeks Law, Clarke -McNary, General Exchange Act and Administrative Sites Act) (see Map 3-2 on page 1-10). These acquired lands are not open to mineral entry under the General Mining Laws as are most other National Forest system lands in the West. Whether or not to develop minerals in these acquired lands is a discretionary decision. These minerals are subject mineral leasing laws and procedures (For more detail on laws and authorities, see the Minerals Section in Chapter 3 and Appendix B). Mineral development is also authorized (Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of July 16, 1946) and allows development when it will not interfere with the primary purposes for which the land was acquired and only in accordance with such conditions as specified by the Secretary of Agriculture in order to protect such purposes. - The lands acquired within the Project Area were mostly acquired in the 1930s and 1960 1970s. (See Map 1-2 on page 1-11) In general, the lands acquired in the 1930s were acquired for the purposes of land consolidation and forestry. The references indicate that the thinking at the time was that land consolidation made land management more efficient. The project area land exchanges in the 1960-70s were acquired for the purposes of garnet collecting and land consolidation. These exchanges received a great deal of publicity and subsequent comment from the public. The public demonstrated enormous support to maintain opportunities for recreational gem- collecting. In fact, in July 1969, Congressman James McClure introduced a Bill, H.R. 13141, to establish the Idaho Star Garnet National Recreation Area (Project Files Background Document). These pieces of land were considered key to consolidating National Forest land and improving recreation management of rock hound activities for removal of gem -quality garnets. Land appraisals for the exchanges included garnet sands, timber and land valuations. Congress reiterated its intent to allow mineral development under appropriate circumstances when it enacted the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1876; 30 USC 21, a). The act states; ‘The Congress declares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government in the national interest to foster and encourage private enterprise in (1) the development of economically sound and stable domestic mining, mineral, metal and mineral reclamation industries, (2) the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources, reserves, and reclamation of metals and minerals to help assure satisfaction of industrial, security and environmental needs...” 1-2 - Garnet Star and Sands DEIS