United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch Environmental Assessment Hidden Springs Ranger District, Shawnee National Forest, Pope County, Illinois March 2017 Responsible Official: Tim Pohlman, District Ranger Contact: Heather Carey Shawnee National Forest 602 N. First Street, Vienna, Illinois 62995 Phone: 618-658-2111, Fax: 618-658-1300, Email: [email protected]
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United States Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch
Environmental Assessment Hidden Springs Ranger District, Shawnee National Forest, Pope County, Illinois
March 2017
Responsible Official: Tim Pohlman, District Ranger Contact: Heather Carey Shawnee National Forest 602 N. First Street, Vienna, Illinois 62995 Phone: 618-658-2111, Fax: 618-658-1300, Email: [email protected]
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USDA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................ i Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Proposed Project Location .......................................................................................................... 1 Need for Action ............................................................................................................................... 2 Public Involvement .......................................................................................................................... 3 Issues ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Key Issues and Indicators............................................................................................................ 3 Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Proposed Action .......................................................................................................................... 4 Design Criteria and Monitoring .................................................................................................. 6 No Action Alternative ................................................................................................................. 7
Table 1. Design Criteria for Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch ...................................................... 6 Table 2. Monitoring for Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch ............................................................ 7 Table 3. Animal Species Selected for Further Analysis ................................................................ 14
Figure 3. Collapsed bridge abutment armoring the stream bank ................................................... 11 Figures 4 and 5. Uplsope of old bridge abutment, upstream of proposed launch site. .................. 11 Figure 6. Daily gage height for January 2014-January 2015 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. ... 12 Figure 7. Daily gage height for January 2015-January 2016 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. ... 12 Figure 8. Daily gage height for January 2016-January 2017 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. ... 13
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Introduction The USDA Forest Service Shawnee National Forest, in cooperation with the Lusk Creek Conservancy District, is proposing to construct a small canoe/kayak launch on Lusk Creek on the Shawnee National Forest in Pope County, Illinois.
This environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared to determine whether constructing a
developed canoe/kayak launch on Lusk Creek may significantly affect the quality of the human
environment and thereby require the preparation of an environmental impact statement. By
preparing this EA, we are complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
EA will summarize the findings of the team of resource specialists concerning this proposal.
Additional documentation concerning this project, including specialist’s working papers, is filed
in the project record located at the Hidden Springs-Mississippi Bluffs District Office, 602 N. First
Street, Vienna, Illinois, as well as on the Forest’s website: www.fs.usda.gov/Shawnee
Proposed Project Location The project area is located along the west side of County Road 5 (Eddyville Blacktop) near the
bridge over Lusk Creek, approximately two miles southeast of Eddyville, Pope County, Illinois.
The site is located in Section 16 Township 12S Range 6E on the USGS 7.5’ Waltersburg Quadrangle
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Figure 1. Vicinity map
Need for Action The purpose of this action is to develop access to Lusk Creek, in order to launch non-motorized
watercraft. There are currently no public developed access points on Lusk Creek upstream from
the State Recreation Area Marina at Golconda, Illinois. Forest visitors have developed a user
created launch and parking area at the proposed site but it is difficult to use and does not consider
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the natural, biological, and cultural resources of the area. Access to Lusk Creek is reached only
via a steep embankment, making the activity of launching non-motorized watercraft difficult and
unsafe. A developed canoe/kayak launch would provide for improved public recreation
opportunities, minimize effects to resources, and improve forest visitor safety.
Public Involvement Public scoping for this project began on July 24, 2016, for a 30 day period. Notice of the project
was advertised in The Southern Illinoisan newspaper, as well as the Shawnee National Forest’s
Schedule of Proposed Actions. Interested persons were directed to more information on the Forest
website: www.fs.usda.gov/projects/shawnee/landmanagement/projects for public review and
comment. In addition, a scoping letter concerning the project was mailed to all private individuals
and state and municipal entities owning land adjacent to Lusk Creek, downstream from the
proposed launch site. The Forest Service consulted with the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, and worked closely with the Lusk Creek Conservancy District
throughout the planning phase of this project. Two comments were received concerning the
proposed action and are included in the project file.
Issues Issues are points of debate, disagreement, or dispute about the environmental effects of a
proposed action. Following our scoping of the public and other agencies, the interdisciplinary
team identified issues related to the proposal and divided them into two groups, key and non-key.
Key issues are those directly or indirectly caused by implementing the proposed action or
alternatives. The content and issues analysis was reviewed and approved by the responsible
official.
Key Issues and Indicators The construction of a canoe/kayak launch on the east bank of Lusk Creek may have effects upon
a designated natural area, including impacts to soil, water, plants, and wildlife.
Soil and Water Quality Indicator: We will discuss the predicted amount of soil erosion
that will result from construction activities.
Plant Community Indicator: We will discuss the response of the plant community in
terms of potential effects to native and non-native plant species.
Wildlife Community Indicator: We will discuss the response of Regional Forester’s
Sensitive Species and species with viability evaluation in terms of potential changes in
the habitat resultant from project activities.
Alternatives NEPA requires that, at a minimum, two alternatives be considered: the Proposed Action and No
Action. Alternatives beyond these two are driven by public input during project scoping. Of the
public comments received, none identified issues that would have formed the substance of a third
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alternative. Therefore, the interdisciplinary team or resource specialists considered only the
Proposed Action and No Action Alternatives.
Proposed Action The Shawnee National Forest, in cooperation with the Lusk Creek Conservancy District, proposes
to construct a developed canoe/kayak launch on Lusk Creek. Site development includes the
construction of a single lane road that initially follows an existing two track road and then departs
into a historic road depression that served as the original bridge approach. The single lane with
turnout would lead to a newly constructed loading/unloading zone that would allow users to pick
up/drop off their watercraft and gear. A short gravel access path from the loading/unloading zone
would provide access to a small staging area at the top of the launch, which would be constructed
immediately downstream from the collapsed stone bridge abutment on the east side of the creek.
The launch itself would consist of a ramp that projects downstream from the abutment. Retaining
walls would be constructed for slope retention and to stabilize the structure during times of high
water flow. Recreational development at the site would be minimal and it would be classified as a
day use site. The proposed launch area is intended for loading/unloading watercraft and
entering/exiting the creek only. Camping at the launch would be prohibited and no amenities (e.g.
picnic tables, grills, or toilets) would be provided. In order to deter vandalism and increase public
safety, brushy vegetation between the Eddyville blacktop and the loading/unloading zone and
launch would be removed to provide for better visibility. In addition, a minimal number of small
diameter trees will be removed in order to construct the loading/unloading zone. Parking would
be available at the existing user made parking area that lies within the existing graded/graveled
ROW adjacent to Eddyville blacktop.
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Figure 2. Proposed Launch Design
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Design Criteria and Monitoring Design criteria and monitoring have been built into the action alternative so as to meet Forest
Plan standards and guidelines, comply with the Forest Plan Biological Opinion, to protect
biological diversity, and to reduce the potential for adverse effects to aquatic resources.
Table 1. Design Criteria for Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch
Resource Design Criteria Rationale/Effectiveness
Botanical Ensure that rare plant resources, including state-listed threatened and endangered species, are protected from mechanical or chemical treatments.
Rare plant resources will be protected and habitat enhanced. Known locations of state-listed plant species will be protected by request of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Clean all equipment before entering and leaving project sites. Workers should inspect, remove and properly dispose of plant parts found on clothing and equipment before entering or leaving the project area. Minimize soil disturbance to avoid creating favorable conditions that encourage invasive establishment and/or spread.
Minimizes spread of noxious weeds from one site to the next (USDA-FS 2004). Guide to Noxious Weed Prevention Practices (2001).
Engineering Design and construction must be in accordance with Forest Service design standards
Launch must conform to Forest Service Standards as it is located on Forest Service lands
Watershed Erosion control practices are necessary when work is being done along the stream
To reduce sediment loads into aquatic areas, restore and enhance healthy aquatic habitat conditions and maintain aquatic diversity in Lusk Creek
Best management practices should be followed for road construction to prevent unnecessary compaction and to prevent soil loss and increased discharge into nearby waterways
To protect riparian resources, downstream aquatic resources, and to maintain integrity of riparian filter strips
Gabion baskets and/or other erosion control structures should be used in areas where disturbed soils or where stream banks are susceptible to erosion
To reduce sediment loads into aquatic areas from high water events and to maintain aquatic diversity in Lusk Creek
Add erosion control surfacing to the bed of the launch pathway
To decrease risk of sedimentation during precipitation or high water events
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Resource Design Criteria Rationale/Effectiveness
Wildlife No removal of any potential bat roost tree, dead or alive, between April 1 and September 30 unless non-use has been determined by a biologist
USFWS BO for the Forest Plan, p. 66 – Protection of potential TES bat maternity roost habitat
No instream work upstream of launch site between March 15 and April 15
Minimize potential effects to spawning least brook lamprey
Table 2. Monitoring for Lusk Creek Canoe/Kayak Launch
No Action Alternative In the No Action alternative the launch and accompanying features would not be constructed and
the site will remain in its existing condition. In this alternative users would continue to access
Lusk Creek via the steep embankment and would park their vehicles in the existing graveled area
adjacent to County Road 5 (Eddyville Blacktop).
Environmental Effects This section of the EA summarizes the potential effects of the proposed action and the alternative
for each resource. It will consider the direct and indirect effects of the project as well as how the
project may interact with other actions occurring in the same area (if any).
Botanical Resources The following is a summary of the effects and impacts of project alternatives on botanical
resources. No federally threatened or endangered (T or E) plant species are known to occur within
or adjacent to the project area. No suitable habitat is present for the only federally threatened
plant known to occur on the Forest, Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii). Only one Regional
Forester Sensitive (RFSS or sensitive) plant species, Turk’s-Cap Lily (Lilium superbum), has
been recorded within the proposed project area. None of the five plant species with Viability
Evaluations (SVE) have been recorded within the project area. There are no known State of
Illinois T or E species known to occur at the proposed boat launch site.
Resource Monitoring Description Location and Timing
Botanical Monitor known rare plants to ensure no adverse effects.
Selected locations would be monitored during and after implementation
Heritage Monitor that heritage resources are protected and preserved during and after project implementation
Annual Forest Plan monitoring will assess the thoroughness of inventory methods and protection measures
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One Forest natural area is within the project area. The Lusk Creek Zoological Area1 is a bank to
bank natural area located within the project area.
In addition, a number of non-native invasive species have been found within the project area
during past vegetation surveys. Invasive plant infestations within the project area will only be
treated if they are included within the Non-native Invasive Species Management EA (2014).
Individual invasive plant species will not be analyzed for this project.
Proposed Action – All Effects
No T or E plants are known to be present or likely to be present within the proposed project area.
Therefore, there will be no direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to any T or E plants as a result of
the proposed action. There is one RFSS plant species within the project area, Turk’s-Cap Lily
(Lilium superbum). The proposed action may cause a direct affect to individual plants but is not
likely to result in a loss that causes a trend towards federal listing or a loss of viability.
Another direct effect of implementing the proposed action is that there may be an
acceleration of the spread of invasive species within the project area due to the increased
influx of people, equipment, supplies, vehicles, etc. Should this occur, plant infestations
covered under the Non-Native Invasive Species Management EA will be treated according
to the methods outlined in the document.
No Action Alternative – All Effects
There will be no direct, indirect or cumulative effects on T or E species or RFSS species as a
result of the implementation of a No Action Alternative because the road and launch will not be
constructed and there will be no earth-disturbing activities.
The spread of invasive plant species will stay the same. Due to past land use the majority of
native plant species have been replaced by non-native plant species. The current location is near
a highway and the land on the top of the creek bank has a roadway already in place. These have
served as corridors for the movement of invasive species.
Heritage Resources The primary issue is the preservation and protection of heritage resources and the assurance that
significant heritage resources will not be affected by project implementation. Archaeological sites
are located on and in the ground and are affected by any activity that disturbs the soil. The project
area has been inventoried in the past as part of other projects and re-inventoried using the most
current field methods to ensure that all sites located within the area were recorded. There are two
archaeological sites recorded within or near the project area, a prehistoric lithic scatter and the
remains of a nineteenth century bridge.
The prehistoric lithic scatter has been determined to be potentially eligible for inclusion on the
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is located near, but not in, the area of potential
effects. The remains of the nineteenth century stone bridge abutments are not considered to be
eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. The historic bridge over Lusk Creek no longer exists and has
been replaced with a more modern iron bridge located approximately 50 meters upstream. The
1 Zoological areas possess authentic, significant and interesting evidence of the national
heritage as it pertains to fauna. These areas are meaningful because they embrace animals, animal groups, or animal communities that are natural and important due to occurrence, habitat, location, life-history, ecology, environment, rarity, or another feature.
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stone abutment on the east bank of Lusk Creek (the side of the creek that the canoe/kayak launch
will be located on) has collapsed and no longer retains its original form.
Proposed Action – All Effects
There will be no direct effects on heritage resources as a result of the implementation of the
proposed action. The prehistoric lithic scatter is near but not included in the area of potential
effects and will not be impacted by project activities. The remains of the stone bridge abutments
are not considered to be eligible for inclusion on the NRHP.
No indirect effects to the prehistoric site located near the project area will result from the
implementation of the proposed action because the planned one-lane access road is located within
the existing two track and nineteenth century bridge access road. These discrete areas are already
highly disturbed.
Because there are no direct or indirect effects to the archaeological resources as a result of the
proposed action, there would be no resulting cumulative effects.
No Action Alternative – All Effects
There will be no direct, indirect or cumulative effects on heritage resources as a result of the
implementation of a No Action Alternative because the road and launch will not be constructed
and there will be no earth-disturbing activities.
Recreation Resources The general project area is currently being used by the public in order to access Lusk Creek,
although the use is minimal. There are currently no public developed access points on Lusk Creek
upstream of this site. Primary recreational activities include launching watercraft and fishing. The
existing creek access points are opportunistic and can often be difficult due to steep and muddy
banks.
In 1982 a portion of Lusk Creek that includes the project area was designated as a Candidate
Wild and Scenic River under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System created by Congress in
1968 (PL 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.). A Wild and Scenic River Evaluation was carried out
on Lusk Creek as part of the 2006 Shawnee National Forest (SNF) Land and Resource
Management Plan. It was determined that the portion of Lusk Creek below the Eddyville
Blacktop, in which the project area is located, receive a Recreational classification as the highest
potential category. This classification criteria allows for some shoreline development and readily
accessible river access points. The proposed action is consistent with this law.
The project lies two miles south of the Lusk Creek Wilderness boundary therefore wilderness
character will not be affected.
Proposed Action – All Effects
A direct effect of providing a developed canoe/kayak access point on the creek is that the public
can launch watercraft easier and more safely. Opportunities exist for short floats of a day or less
to multi-day floats, with Forest Service lands adjacent to Lusk Creek available for overnight
dispersed camping. With the enhanced recreational opportunities provided by implementation of
the project, as well as a growing interest in paddle sports locally, it is expected that public use of
this area will increase.
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No Action Alternative – All Effects
The public is currently accessing Lusk Creek in a dispersed fashion within and near the general
project area, therefore there will no direct, indirect, or cumulative effects if no action is taken.
Visual Quality The project area is located adjacent to a major county road (Eddyville Blacktop). The SNF Land
and Resource Management Plan dictates the Visual Quality Objective (VQO) for the national
forest lands immediately adjacent to this county road as Retention, meaning minimal of the
closest canopy is preferred. Aesthetic concerns that were brought up during scoping and project
planning include the visual effects of increasing site distance by cutting underbrush. This would
be done to reduce the potential for vandalism at the launch site. Because this activity is not
expected to change the Forest canopy it will not adversely affect the VQO of Retention. It is
believed the sensitivity/concern level for landscape aesthetics at this site is low. The scenic
integrity level (state of naturalness) of the site appears moderately altered due to the nearby road,
bridge and existing access to river, therefore the existing condition of the project site is in the
“low” scenic integrity category.
Proposed Action – All Effects
There is currently a two-track dirt access road from the county road to Lusk Creek. Direct effects
to the visual character of the project area include the improvement to a portion of the two-track
dirt access road that leads to Lusk Creek, and the creation of a loading/unloading area to be
constructed adjacent to the road and near the landing site. Natural stone materials will be
incorporated into the design of the launch in order for it to blend into the natural setting.
The improvement of the site as described in the proposed action will not increase the degree of
naturalness of the site but the removal of the underbrush and the improvements to the road,
parking and launch area will create a slightly more “park-like” look which should be aesthetically
pleasing. Overall, aesthetic and scenic features should be maintained or improved with the
implementation of this project.
No Action Alternative – All Effects
There will be no direct, indirect or cumulative effects on visual quality as a result of the
implementation of a No Action Alternative because the road and launch will not be constructed
and there will be no activities altering the site’s present condition.
Watershed Resources The proposed project is located in silt loam soils. The soil that is adjacent to the creek is
Granstburg silt loam (moderately well drained, loess soils) and the soil along the stream bank is
Sharon silt loam (silty alluvium). The soils become saturated or inundated at times of high flow.
According to the NRCS Web Soil Survey and based on slope measurements and erosion factor
(k), soils adjacent to the stream banks have moderate erosion hazard from unsurfaced trails. If the
off-road/off-trail soils become exposed from disturbance, the NRCS Web Soil Survey rates them
with a slight erosion hazard. The proposed project area is most suitable for paths and trails (rated
“somewhat limited”) compared to the surrounding soils to the project area (rated “very limited”).
Stone from the old bridge appears to be acting as bank armoring, keeping the bank stabilized
(Figure 3). Figures 4 and 5 show the immediately upstream bank of the proposed launch, above
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the armoring. Erosion has occurred, as can be seen in the tree roots and will continue to occur in
high flows without erosion control structures.
Figure 3. Collapsed bridge abutment armoring the stream bank.
Figures 4 and 5. Upslope of old bridge abutment, upstream of proposed launch site.
Though sedimentation is not a primary concern currently in Lusk Creek, erosion control practices
are necessary when work is being done along the stream. Taking necessary steps to reduce
erosion will help keep streams healthier for biota and more aesthetically pleasing for recreation
uses.
A USGS stream gaging site is located at the current bridge upstream from the project area.
Looking at the past 3 years data, multiple storm events through the years caused peak stream
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depth to increase above average stream depths (Figures 6-8), in some cases overtopping the banks
and flooding the surrounding soils.
Figure 6. Daily gage height for January 2014-January 2015 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. Average gage height was 3.333 feet.
Figure 7. Daily gage height for January 2015-January 2016 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. Average gage height was 3.436 feet.
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Figure 8. Daily gage height for January 2016-January 2017 at the Lusk Creek gaging station. Average gage height was 3.478 feet.
Proposed Action – All Effects
The direct and indirect effects of installation on air quality are expected to be minimal from
equipment during installation, and insignificant after installation. Constructing a single-lane road
with a turn-around spot for users will create easier access to the launch area. There is an old road
bed that the new, single-lane road can follow, allowing for less excavation than would occur if
there was no road bed. Best management practices should be followed for road construction to
prevent unnecessary compaction and to prevent soil loss and increased discharge into nearby
waterways (USFS 2006; Holzmueller & Deizman 2012). A forested buffer exists between the
single-use road and the stream to help keep sediment and runoff from road construction out of the
stream.
The gravel access trail from the loading/unloading zone to the staging area will encourage users
to stay on the designated path, allowing vegetative cover in surrounding areas to grow without
disturbance and therefore reducing erosion. During construction it is anticipated that a slight
increase in soil erosion and sedimentation would occur as construction activities temporarily
create bare soil conditions. Disturbed soils should be reseeded with native vegetation and/or
covered in straw to reduce raindrop erosion and to anchor soil in place with plant roots
(Holzmueller & Deizman 2012), and to protect soil and accelerate plant growth (Department of
Environmental Conservation 2016).
The canoe launch itself will be located at the collapsed stone abutment along the stream. Best
management practices for creating and managing watercraft launches should be followed to
minimize impacts to soil and water quality (USFS 2012). Gabion baskets and/or other erosion
control structures should be used in areas where disturbed soils or where stream banks are
susceptible to erosion. The launch area will be under water in some high flow events as USGS
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data shows (Figures 6-8). Field observations also show that the area experiences flash flooding.
The launch ramp will be stabilized by retaining walls made from gabion baskets. The launch will
enter the water on the downstream side of the bridge abutment. The stones from the old bridge
provide armoring on the right, with the launch going into a slower flowing, deeper pool for easier
entrance to watercraft. Adding rock or other erosion control measures on the surface of the launch
area pathway will decrease erosion on the surface.
Cumulative watershed effects consider the additive changes for constructing the launch for the
entire watershed. Users would use the established road and launch area, resulting in fewer user-
made access points on the creek. User-made launches may not consider the impacts to water and
soil quality. Less stream bank erosion would be expected from user-made launches once the
project is complete.
No Action Alternative – All Effects
There would be no direct or indirect effect to air quality by not implementing the proposed action.
Because of the lack of access sites at or upstream of this location, the public would continue to
establish user-created launches. User footpaths could encourage less infiltration and preferential
flow, increasing erosion.
Cumulative watershed effects consider the additive changes of the watershed if the proposed
launch is not constructed. Users would continue to use the user-made launch area or find
alternative areas in the watershed, further increasing erosion on banks where launch areas are
created. At the existing use levels, which would be expected to remain the same in the No Action
Alternative, it is not anticipated that effects to watershed and soil resources would be measurable.
Therefore, cumulative effects are not anticipated.
Wildlife Resources There are three primary habitat types that are present at the project location - an old field-
shrub/sapling habitat, a wooded riparian forest area, and the creek. The project area was analyzed
for the potential effects to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. There are no known occurrences of any
federally threatened-endangered, regionally sensitive (TES), or state listed animal species in or
directly adjacent to the project area.
Table 3. Animal Species Selected for Further Analysis. Listing status codes are FE=Federally Endangered, FT=Federally Threatened, RFSS=Regional Forester Sensitive Species, ST=State of Illinois Threatened