Page 1 of 4 DRAFT DECISION MEMO Hansell Water Transmission ...
Page 1 of 4 DRAFT DECISION MEMO Hansell Water Transmission ...
Page 1 of 4 DRAFT DECISION MEMO Hansell Water Transmission ...
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<strong>DRAFT</strong> <strong>DECISION</strong> <strong>MEMO</strong><br />
<strong>Hansell</strong> <strong>Water</strong> <strong>Transmission</strong> Pipeline Special Use Permit<br />
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE<br />
FOREST SERVICE<br />
Pacific-Southwest Region<br />
Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District<br />
Klamath National Forest<br />
Siskiyou County, California<br />
BACKGROUND<br />
This permit renewal will authorize the maintenance and operation <strong>of</strong> a water transmission pipeline to<br />
Arlene R. <strong>Hansell</strong>. The purpose <strong>of</strong> this permit is to authorize the conveyance <strong>of</strong> water from National<br />
Forest lands to private property for domestic use. This special use has been authorized to Arlene R.<br />
<strong>Hansell</strong> since 2003. The water system has been in place since 1992, then authorized to property owner<br />
Josephine Aubrey. This authorization will permit the holder to use National Forest Lands under the<br />
authority found in 36 CFR 251.53. Site inspections and environmental analysis reveal that no<br />
extraordinary circumstances exist that might cause the action to have significant effects upon the human<br />
environment. The permit holder is in full compliance with the terms and conditions <strong>of</strong> their current special<br />
use authorization.<br />
<strong>DECISION</strong><br />
I have decided to authorize a special use permit to Arlene R. <strong>Hansell</strong> for the ongoing use, maintenance<br />
and operation <strong>of</strong> a water system right <strong>of</strong> way <strong>of</strong> minimum essential width (4 feet) and approximately 1600<br />
feet long <strong>of</strong> 1- ½ inch PVC pipeline from an unnamed spring. This permit covers 0.15 acres, and/or 0.30<br />
miles and is described as: Section 3, T.16 N., R.7 E., Humboldt Principal Meridian on the Happy<br />
Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District (see attached site map).<br />
Protection <strong>of</strong> resources is a requirement <strong>of</strong> the permitted use. Conditions or stipulations are included as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the permit which require the holder to meet environmental protection measures or face termination<br />
<strong>of</strong> the permit and or civil or criminal penalties. The term <strong>of</strong> this permit will be for ten years. The permit will<br />
expire on December 31, 2023.<br />
This action is excluded from further documentation in either an environmental assessment or<br />
environmental impact statement. The applicable category <strong>of</strong> actions is identified in agency procedures as:<br />
Issuance <strong>of</strong> a new special use authorization for a new term to replace an existing or expired special use<br />
authorization when the only changes are administrative, there are no changes to the authorized facilities<br />
or increases in the scope or intensity <strong>of</strong> authorized activities, and the applicant or holder is in full<br />
compliance with the terms and conditions <strong>of</strong> the special use authorization (36 CFR 220.6(e)(15), as<br />
described in Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 32.2).<br />
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[An interdisciplinary team <strong>of</strong> specialists is currently reviewing the project area and proposed activities.<br />
Extraordinary circumstances are not anticipated. The language below is drafted in preparation for<br />
decision.]<br />
I find that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would warrant further analysis and<br />
documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. I took into account<br />
resource conditions identified in agency procedures that should be considered in determining whether<br />
extraordinary circumstances might exist:<br />
• No Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species<br />
proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species will be<br />
adversely impacted by the reissuance <strong>of</strong> this permit or the use <strong>of</strong> land authorized by the permit.<br />
There is no need for additional analysis or implementation <strong>of</strong> protective measures under the<br />
Endangered Species Act <strong>of</strong> 1973.<br />
• No flood plains, wetlands or municipal watersheds are present within the permit area.<br />
• No congressionally designated areas such as Wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national<br />
recreation areas are present within the permit area.<br />
• No inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas are present within the permit area.<br />
• No Research Natural Areas are present within the permit area.<br />
• No American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural areas are present within the permit<br />
area. No archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas are located within the permit area<br />
(Klamath National Forest Heritage Exemption Form, dated xxxx 2013).<br />
• This action is a screened undertaking pursuant to the Programmatic Agreement among the<br />
U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, California State Historic Preservation Officer,<br />
and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regarding the Identification, Evaluation and<br />
Treatment <strong>of</strong> Historic Properties Managed by the Pacific Southwest Region, California, dated<br />
February 6, 2013.<br />
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND SCOPING<br />
This action was listed as a proposal on the Klamath National Forest Schedule <strong>of</strong> Proposed Actions dated<br />
April 1, 2013. Individual scoping notices to other agencies or individuals were not posted. The following<br />
resource specialists reviewed the project: Jon Grunbaum (Fisheries Biologist), Erin Rentz (Botanist), Tim<br />
Burnett (Wildlife Biologist), Zachariah Rodriguez (Heritage Specialist), and Kim Crider (NEPA<br />
Coordinator). Specialists’ input was documented on the Klamath National Forest Special Use Internal<br />
Scoping Form dated XXXX XX, 2013.<br />
FINDINGS REQURED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS<br />
This decision is consistent with the 1995 Klamath National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan,<br />
as amended. This permitted area is within a “Riparian Reserve”. The Riparian Reserve will not be<br />
adversely affected by the maintenance and operation <strong>of</strong> the water transmission line. In reference to the<br />
KNF Land and Resource management Plan, Chapter 3 page 3-6. “Wetlands and riparian areas are<br />
currently managed to provide for wildlife, fish, water and other riparian dependent resources. Other<br />
management activities are permitted if riparian-dependent resources are not adversely affected”.<br />
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Executive Order 12898 relating to Environmental Justice requires an assessment <strong>of</strong> whether<br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> this decision will disporportionately affect minority or low-income populations. This<br />
project will not disproportionately affect any minority or low-income populations.<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OR APPEAL OPPORTUNITY<br />
[The language below about appeal opportunity is drafted in preparation for decision, and may be modified<br />
following the reciept <strong>of</strong> comment period comments. If no comments are received during the comment<br />
period, then this Decision Memo (DM) is not appealable. Following the comment period this section will<br />
be updated with the appropriate languaged based upon whether or not comments were received.]<br />
A comment period was provided for this project pursuant to the March 19, 2012 order issued by the U. S.<br />
District Court for the Eastern District <strong>of</strong> California in Case No. CV F11-679LJO DLB. Only supportive<br />
comments were received. Since only supportive comments were received OR Since no comments were<br />
received during the comment period, this decision is not appealable pursuant to 36 CFR 215.12(e).<br />
OR<br />
A comment period was provided for this project pursuant to the March 19, 2012 order issued by the U. S.<br />
District Court for the Eastern District <strong>of</strong> California in Case No. CV F11-679LJO DLB. Only those<br />
individuals and organizations that submitted written or oral comments during the comment period are<br />
eligible to appeal. An appeal, including attachments, must be filed (regular mail, fax, e-mail, handdelivery,<br />
or express delivery) with the appropriate Appeal Deciding Officer (36 CFR 215.8) within 45 days<br />
following the publication date <strong>of</strong> the legal notice <strong>of</strong> the decision. Notices <strong>of</strong> appeal must meet the specific<br />
content requirements <strong>of</strong> 36 CFR 215.14. Names and addresses <strong>of</strong> appellants will become part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
public record.<br />
Appeals must be submitted to [For forest-level decisions add: Regional Forester, Attn: Appeals and<br />
Litigation, USDA Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592. Appeals may be submitted by FAX<br />
[707-562-9091] or hand delivered to the Regional Office, at the address above, during normal business<br />
hours (Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm).] OR [For district-level decisions add: Appeals must be<br />
submitted to Forest Supervisor, Klamath National Forest, 1711 South Main Street, Yreka, CA 96097.<br />
Appeals may be submitted by FAX [530-841-4571] or by hand-delivery to the KNF Supervisor's Office at<br />
the address above, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).] Electronic<br />
appeals must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf),<br />
Word (.doc or .docx), or portable document format (.pdf) to: [for forest-level decisions: appealspacificsouthwest-regional-<strong>of</strong>fice@fs.fed.us]<br />
OR [for district-level decisions: appeals-pacificsouthwestklamath@fs.fed.us]<br />
with Subject: “[add project name]” The appeal must have an identifiable name<br />
attached or verification <strong>of</strong> identity will be required. A scanned signature may serve as verification on<br />
electronic appeals. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means (36 CFR<br />
215.6(a)(4)(iii)).<br />
IMPLEMENTATION<br />
[The language below about implementation is drafted in preparation for decision, and may be modified<br />
following the reciept <strong>of</strong> comment period comments. If no comments are received during the comment<br />
period, then this DM is not appealable and may be implemented immediately following decision.<br />
Following the comment period this section will be updated with the appropriate languaged based upon<br />
whether or not comments were received.]<br />
Implementation may occur immediately pursuant to 36 CFR 215.9(c) since the project is not subject to<br />
appeal.<br />
OR<br />
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If no appeal is filed, implementation <strong>of</strong> this decision may begin on, but not before, the 5th business day<br />
following the close <strong>of</strong> the appeal-filing period. If an appeal is filed, implementation may occur on, but not<br />
before, the 15th business day following the date <strong>of</strong> the [last] appeal disposition.<br />
CONTACT<br />
For further information contact: Jim Main, Lands and Minerals Administrator at the Happy Camp/Oak<br />
Knoll Ranger District, P.O. Box 377, Happy Camp, California 96039 or by phone at 530-493-1768.<br />
________________________________________________<br />
PATRICIA A. GRANTHAM<br />
Forest Supervisor<br />
________________________<br />
Date<br />
The U.S. Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the<br />
basis <strong>of</strong> race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital<br />
or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require<br />
alternative means for communication <strong>of</strong> program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should<br />
contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).<br />
To file a complaint <strong>of</strong> discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office <strong>of</strong> Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten<br />
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and<br />
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.<br />
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