Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 as a protected stream course. The WIZ distance is from the high water mark and is on each side of the stream for a total of at least 200 feet. Table 51 displays the streams by name. Table 51. Stream Mileages within the Vestal Project Area Name Perennial Intermittent Ephemeral Private Total Bugtown Gulch ----- ----- 0.17 ----- 0.17 Crow Creek ----- ----- 0.75 1.27 2.02 East Fork Ruby Creek ----- ----- ----- 2.45 2.45 French Creek 3.29 ----- ----- 10.39 13.68 Glen Erin Creek 1.32 0.55 0.75 1.82 4.44 Graveyard Gulch ----- ----- 0.58 0.28 0.86 Laughing Water Creek 0.43 ----- 0.13 6.15 6.71 Loues Creek 0.04 ----- ----- 0.81 0.85 North Fork French Creek ----- 0.16 ----- 1.24 1.40 Ruby Creek 0.41 1.24 0.41 4.65 6.71 Sidney Creek ----- ----- ----- 2.68 2.68 Tenderfoot Creek ----- 0.45 0.05 3.58 4.08 Tenderfoot Gulch 0.02 ----- 0.03 1.63 1.68 Toe (Joe) Gulch 0.87 ----- 0.33 0.08 1.28 Willow Creek 1.33 ----- 0.22 4.84 6.39 Unnamed 6.75 2.63 20.87 48.91 79.16 Total Miles 14.46 5.03 24.29 90.78 134.56 Beneficial Uses The South Dakota (SD) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assigns water quality standards based on the beneficial uses of each water body. All streams and lakes in SD are assigned the beneficial uses of fish and wildlife propagation, recreation and stock watering. Streams are also assigned the beneficial use of irrigation. Within the Vestal project area the streams in Table 52 have additional designated beneficial uses, as noted. 158 Table 52. Vestal Stream with Additional Beneficial Uses Beneficial Uses SD Beneficial Uses Coldwater Marginal Limited Fish Life Contact Immersion Water Body Propagation Recreation Recreation Bismarck Lake Creek X X French Creek X X Glen Erin Dam Creek X X Laughing Water Creek X X Loues Creek X X Ruby Creek X X Willow Creek X X Bismarck Lake X X X (South Dakota Legislature 2011)
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Streamflow Regime Streamflows throughout the Black Hills have been reduced over the last century. This has been a result of fire suppression. There has been an increase of woody biomass. Higher leaf areas from increased woody biomass will increase evapotranspiration and interception, resulting in lower streamflows and the drying of springs (USDA Forest Service 2003b). Peak flows data has been collected for a limited time on several streams in an around the Vestal project area. The streams include; French Creek, three (3) sites, two (2), six (6) and 19 years; Laughing Water Creek, six (6) years; and Ruby Creek, six (6) years. Peak flows on these creeks occurred from March to October with the most occurring in June (USGS 2011). Stream Health Perennial and intermittent streams within the project area were reviewed to determine Stream Health Rating (SHR). Stream health is defined as “ The condition of a stream versus reference conditions for the stream type and geology, using metrics such as channel geometry, large woody debris, substrate, bank stability, flow regime, water chemistry and aquatic biota” (USDA Forest Service 2006b), is an indicator of water quality. It is a good way to give an overview of a stream and a means to compare them to each other. Many streams have the majority of their length on private lands. Those perennial and intermittent streams with very minor amounts on National Forest lands were not assigned a SHR. The remaining streams were assigned SHR as discussed below: French Creek – Is a major tributary to the Cheyenne River. The entire length is 86.2 miles. Sixteen percent (16%), or 13.7 miles, of this stream is in the Vestal project area. Of that portion, 76% is on private land and 24% is on National Forest. There are two distinct reaches, above Stockade Lake and below Stockade Lake. The reach above Stockade has many impacts with a significant amount of stream crossings, significant grazing on private land, and channelization in the City of Custer, to highlight some impacts. The reach below Stockade Lake had significantly less impacts with a few road/stream crossings that could be improved. Most crossings are on county roads. The SHR for French Creek above Stockade Lake would be diminished and French Creek below Stockade Lake would be At-Risk. Glen Erin Creek – Approximately 98% (4.5 miles), is within the Vestal project area. Only 0.1 miles is outside the project area. Forty percent (40%) is on private land. There are two distinct reaches on National Forest. One reach has had CCC activity on it, building dams and building restoration structures in the stream. Two of the dams are no longer functioning and one is holding water and creating a nice pond. The restoration work has created wonderful wetlands along the stretch that was restored. The SHR for this reach would be At-Risk. The other reach, or lower reach, has been acquired recently and the stream has not been grazed for a number of years. This reach has a SHR of Robust. Ruby Creek – The entire length of this stream, 6.7 miles, is within the Vestal project area, however 69% of this stream is located on private land. Two (2) 159
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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