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Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design
Final Environmental Assessment
Santa Lucia Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest
Santa Barbara County, California
February 2012
Prepared By:
Alicia Sanchez
Assistant Recreation Officer
1616 N. Carlotti Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
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Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design
Environmental Assessment
Santa Lucia Ranger District
1616 N. Carlotti Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Tables of Contents
I. Proposal, Need, Issues……………………………………………………………….2
A. Introduction………………………………………………………………………….2
B. Purpose and Need …………………………………………………………………...2
C. Proposed Action ………………………………………………………….……….....4
D. Decision to be Made………………………………………………………………....4
E. Public Involvement…………………………………………………………………..5
F. Issues………………………………………………………………………………....5
II. Alternatives………………………………………………………………………......6
III. Environmental Consequences………………………………………………………..8
A. Issues Related Consequences………………………………………………………...8
B. Consequences Relative to Significant Elements……………………………………..13
IV. Appendices…………………………………………………………………………..18
A. Conceptual Site Design………………………………………………………………18
B. List of Reference Materials…………………………………………………………..19
C. Consultation with Others…………………………………………………………….21
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I. PROPOSAL, NEED, ISSUES
A. Introduction
Navajo Flat Staging Area is located in the Pozo/ La Panza area 26 miles from Santa Margarita,
California, San Luis Obispo County in the Los Padres National Forest. Records show that the
Navajo Flat Staging Area existed prior to the 1960s. This site lies on approximately 12 acres
along Fernandez Road and McGinnis Creek. The project area legal description includes portions
of: Sections 20, 29, 30 T29S R16E SBBM; and Sections 23-25 T29S R15E SBBM.
Map of Project Area
B. Purpose and Need
Navajo Flat Staging Area provides no delineation of uses along the east side of the restroom and
gives OHV (off-highway vehicle) users the opportunity to stage their vehicles at a parking lot
while they ride on nearby trails. Presently, the staging area is used to park, stage, and practice
riding OHV’s, camp, and picnic all in the same area; while through traffic crosses the site to
connect Burnout Trail and McGinnis Creek Trail. Although Navajo Flat Staging Area has never
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been designated or developed as a campground or picnic site, this use has continued to grow
because of OHVs staging from this site. There is no designated camping area or separation of
uses from parking and riding. There is also a lack of protective barriers along the creek which
invites recreational activity and damage to this area.
Safety has continued to be an issue at the Navajo Flat Staging Area. Vehicles and OHVs travel
through the staging area to reach trails to the north and south of the staging area and as a result,
compromise the safety of other recreationists. People freely ride OHVs within the staging area
creating unsafe conditions for other users. The uses of camping, day use, novice OHV training,
and a link between Burnout Trail and McGinnis Creek Trail need to be designed and separated
from the staging area in order to provide a safe mix of uses. There is a concern that off trail use
along the first 0.65 miles of Burnout Trail will damage cultural resources in the vicinity
(Crowheart-Zavalla 2009).
Currently, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds do not meet Forest sanitation guidelines. They include
pit toilets which do not comply with county health and safety codes. These two campgrounds
receive little to no use the majority of the year and include a total of 5 camping sites. Cultural
resources have also been found in the vicinity of Navajo Campground (Strickland 2010).
The area adjacent to Friis Road has historically been used by the wild horse herd, but use by the
herd has stopped due to OHV disturbance. OHV riders trespass on the Fernandez non-motorized
trail and decommissioned Black Widow OHV Trail, from Friis Road.
There is also a small meadow adjacent Friis campground that people drive on, which compacts
the soil and degrades the meadow. About three acres of deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)
meadow is adjacent to Fernandez Creek and has yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven
infestations (Cruz 2011).
The purpose of this project is to:
Provide safe OHV and dispersed recreational opportunities at Navajo Flat Staging Area.
Protect and conserve soils, water, plant, animal, and cultural resources at Navajo Flat
Staging Area, Burnout Trail, and Navajo and Friis Campgrounds.
Reduce deferred facility maintenance costs at Friis and Navajo Campground.
This action is needed because:
OHV user conflicts are increasingly hazardous in the Navajo Flat Staging Area, as it is
not designed to safely accommodate the recreation use it receives.
Riparian areas, roadless areas, meadows and cultural sites are being damaged by OHV
trespass.
Yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven invasion.
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Pozo-La Panza is located in a High Impact Recreation Area, HIRA, which requires the
public to pay a fee for any day use or overnight use in the area. All facilities in the fee
area are required to be meet health and safety codes that are to standard with forest
guidelines. Currently, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds do not meet this standard. The low
levels of use of these campgrounds do not justify upgrading facilities.
This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Los Padres Land and Resource
Management Plan, to move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan
(USDA Forest Service. 2005b and USDA Forest Service. 2007).
C. Proposed Action
The US Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest proposes to:
1. Design and construct a campground and day use area that will accommodate
approximately 30 PAOTS (people at one time) at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The design
will include:
a. protective barriers
b. informational signs
c. an entrance gate
d. 6 overnight/day use sites with fire rings and picnic tables
e. shade structures for each site
f. a beginners riding area
g. a designated through trail route to link Burnout and McGinnis Creek Trails, and
h. designated parking for approximately 20 vehicles.
2. Install smooth wire fencing in sections along both sides of Burnout Trail for 0.65 miles.
3. Decommission Friis and Navajo Campgrounds to consolidate camping use at Navajo Flat
Staging Area which will be developed to standard. Both sites will remain available for
dispersed camping.
4. Close the last half mile of Friis Road to motorized access north of the Navajo Bypass
Trail turnoff by gating the road and extend fencing on each side to prevent vehicles from
driving around the closure. Maintain the road for four wheel drive administrative use so
the spring can be maintained.
D. Decision to be Made
The decision will be to either implement the proposed action or another alternative that meets the
purpose and need, or to take no action at this time. In making the decision, the Responsible
Official will consider the environmental effects of each alternative, and how well each
alternative achieves the purpose and need for action. Either of these actions are consistent with
the Los Padres National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 2005.
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E. Public Involvement
The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on March 12, 2009. The proposed
action was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during scoping from March
11, 2009 thru April 9, 2009 and a second scoping period was from September 21, 2009 thru
October 26, 2009. In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the agency met with
local land owners, local tribal groups and OHV stakeholders in the Pozo- La Panza area to
discuss the project. The project has been discussed at quarterly OHV meetings in Goleta,
California with State OHV Division representatives, OHV stakeholders, and the agency.
Using the comments from the public, other agencies, and local tribes (see Issues section), the
interdisciplinary team developed a list of issues to address and a range of alternatives for this
analysis.
F. Issues
Public comments were separated into issues that are used to drive alternatives and mitigations;
and comments that are resolved in the proposed action, analysis or are outside of the scope of the
project, 40 CFR 1502.7 (3). The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations
require this delineation in Sec. 1501.7, “…identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues
which are not significant or which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec.
1506.3)…” Those comments not used to drive alternatives or mitigations are summarized and
may be found at the District Office in the project record. (40 CFR Parts 1501-1506, 1986).
The Forest Service identified the following issues statements from public comments raised
during scoping:
Issue 1: The proposed action will lead to a lack of campground sites and areas, resulting in user
conflict, greater fire risk, and sanitation problems.
Unit of Measure: The indicators used to measure different alternatives are number of
developed camp sites; number of developed and dispersed campgrounds; and sanitation
standards met.
Issue 2: The proposed closure of the last half mile of Friis Road will reduce motorized access to
dispersed recreation.
Unit of Measure: The indicators used to compare different alternatives are miles of road
closed to public motorized use by alternative.
Issue 3: The proposed action will draw more people into the area and result in more lawlessness
and trespass.
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Unit of Measure: The indicators used to compare alternatives are PAOT (People At One
Time) between alternatives for campsites provided; and if the alternative improves
directional signs.
II. ALTERNATIVES
Proposed Action (Alternative 1)
The proposed action is described on page 1 of this document to meet the purpose and the need in
providing safe OHV and dispersed recreation facilities, protect and conserve cultural and natural
resources, and reduce deferred maintenance costs in the Pozo – La Panza area.
No Action (Alternative 2)
Under the No –Action Alternative, Alternative 2, Navajo Flat Staging Area would not be re-
designed, Friis and Navajo Campgrounds will remain without any improvements to the facilities,
Burnout Trail will remain unfenced, and Friis Road will remain open to motorized access.
Modified Proposal (Alternative 3)
Alternative 3 was developed in response to public comments during scoping and is the same as
the Proposed Action, except that it identifies ways to control trespass, prevent resource damage
in the meadow, remove non-native invasive plant species in the project area, and control target
shooting at Friis Campground by leaving Friis Road open to motorized use.
1. Design and construct a day use/campground that will accommodate approximately 30
people at one time (PAOTS) at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The facility will include
parking, barriers, informational signs, and entrance gate; 6 use sites, fire rings, stoves,
tables, and shade structures. The facility will also include a beginner’s riding area,
designated through trail route to link Burnout and McGinnis Creek trails, and additional
parking for an additional 20 vehicles.
2. Install smooth wire fencing (approximately 0.65 miles) along both sides of Burnout Trail
to protect sensitive resource values.
3. Remove all facilities at Navajo Campground (2 campsites) and leave facilities at Friis
Campground (3 campsites).
4. Leave Friis Road open to Friis Campground and close the road with one gate past the
campground.
o Install 130 yards of pipe fence along the road and campground to keep vehicles on
Friis Road.
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o Provide one pipe walk-through for the public to access the picnic tables and one step-
over for horses to access the Fernandez Trail.
o The last 0.2 mile of Friis Road will be open to non-motorized public use and gated for
motorized administrative access for maintenance of improvements.
o Install informational signs at the Friis Campground explaining restoration efforts in
this area, requiring use of personal port-a-potties, and make shooting regulations clear
(i.e. discharging a firearm is prohibited in or within 150 yards of a campsite,
developed recreation site, or occupied area.)
o Remove the pit toilet at Friis Campground and require the use of personal port-a-
potties.
5. Restore meadow at Friis Campground by:
o Pulling berm approximately 180 feet back along the creek and use the soil to fill in
the ruts caused by vehicles racing along the berm.
o Smoothing the road cut through the meadow 100 feet up to Friis Road and use the soil
to rehabilitate the road.
o Creating a flatter parking area before the gate to provide a turn-around, trailhead, and
campground parking (approximately 70 feet x 100 feet).
o Removing the non-native cactus garden under the large oak tree at the southeast
corner of the meadow by the waterfall.
o Digging out all Tree-of-Heaven plants and roots at Friis Campground and near the
water trough at the end of Friis Road to prevent sprouting. Spot spray Tree-of-Heaven
and any re-sprouts with Triclopyr according to manufacturer’s directions to
completely kill this invasive non-native species. Spot spray yellow starthistle sprouts
with Clopyralid.
o Manually controlling yellow starthistle during early flowering stage to remove it from
the meadow along Fernandez Creek and within the restored area. Detach all above
ground stem material while minimizing soil disturbance. If re-sprouting continues a
mower will be used to remove the invasive plant.
o Gathering and spreading Mulenbergia spp. seeds over the disturbed soil and rake
lightly.
o Moving the southeastern fire ring so it is adjacent to the pedestrian opening and
install a picnic table for an accessible campsite.
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All construction activities will follow the Regional Water Quality Management standards for
watershed restoration plans signed December 5, 2011.
Comparison of Alternatives
Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3
Proposed Action No Action Modified Proposal
Issue #1
a) # of Developed Campsites 6 5 9
b) # of Developed Campgrounds 1 2 2
c) # of Dispersed Camp areas 2 1 1
d) Meets Sanitation Standards YES NO YES
Issue #2
a) # of Miles of Motorized Access Reduced 0.5 miles 0 miles 0.2 miles
Issue #3
a) PAOTs (People At One Time) 30 25 45
b) Number if Directional Signs Added 5 0 5
Purpose and Need
a) Safety of Navajo Flat Staging Area Improved YES NO YES
b) Trespass Prevented in Non-Motorized areas YES NO YES
c) # of Acres in Riparian Area Improved 0.3 0 0.3
d) Acres of yellow starthistle / Tree-of-Heaven 0 0 3
in Meadows Controlled
e) # of Cultural Sites Protected 3 0 3
f) Cost of Campground Deferred $0 $295,500 $32,000
Maintenance Remaining
III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
This chapter shows the differing effects between the alternatives. It also describes the factors of
significance as described in Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the
National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, section 1508.27, 1986).
A. Issue – Related Consequences
Issue 1 - Lack of campground sites and areas, resulting in user conflict, greater fire risk,
and sanitation problems. Measure - The indicators used to measure different alternatives are
number of developed camp sites; number of developed and dispersed campgrounds; and
sanitation standards met.
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No Action: Under this alternative, no change in facilities would occur. Use would still be
accommodated at Navajo Flat Staging Area, Navajo Campground, and Friis Campground.
Navajo and Friis Campgrounds would remain open with a total of five camp sites and Navajo
Flat Staging Area will continue to be designated as a dispersed campsite. Safety of users will
continue to be compromised as Navajo Flat Staging Area is not designed to accommodate
multiple uses. Riders will continue to be at risk, especially young, inexperienced riders, from
traffic mixing with experienced riders and staging activities. Fire restrictions are implemented
forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and policy. Hazard reduction at
campgrounds further reduces risk of wildfires. Sanitation facilities at all campgrounds will
remain unchanged and not meet sanitation standards.
Proposed Action: The separation of uses in the actual design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area
under this alternative will separate camping, day use, experienced riding and through traffic,
therefore minimizing user conflict. The design will provide for several recreation uses and will
improve the safety and use of the area for families and inexperienced riders. Navajo and Friis
Campgrounds would be open for dispersed camping and Navajo Flat Staging Area will be
designed to accommodate 6 developed camp sites, one more than Friis and Navajo Campgrounds
combined together. Beginner riders will have an area set aside to practice and a through trail
route will be designed to connect Burnout Trail and McGinnis Trail within the staging area. Fire
restrictions are implemented forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and
policy. Hazard reduction at campgrounds further reduces risk of wildfires. Current sanitation
facilities at all Friis and Navajo Campgrounds will be removed, meeting sanitation standards.
Modified Proposal: The separation of uses in the actual design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area
under this alternative will separate uses and therefore reduce possible conflicts as described
above in Alternative 2. Navajo Flat Staging Area will be designed to accommodate 6 developed
camp sites. A successful design will provide opportunity for several recreation uses in the same
site. This alternative provides a safe facility by separating uses and offering traffic control
through fences, barriers, signing and placement of facilities. This alternative will provide 3
developed sites at Friis Campground and dispersed camping at Navajo Campground.
Fire use will not be allowed at Navajo Campground or in any dispersed camping area during
high fire season. Hazard reduction at campgrounds is completed annually before June 30th
which
further reduces risk of wildfires. Current sanitation facilities at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds
will be removed, meeting sanitation standards. Users will be required to carry personal port-a-
potties when at Friis Campground.
Interpretation and Conclusion: As Navajo Flat Staging Area is not designed to accommodate
camping, the Proposed Action would allow for 5 more PAOTS than the No Action alternative.
The Modified Proposal would allow for an increase in 20 PAOTs than that of the No Action
Alternative. Dispersed camping will be allowed at Navajo Campground.
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The Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would correct the user conflict that already
exists at Navajo Flat Staging Area between the different experience levels of OHV riders,
campers, and day users. User conflict with OHV riders between hikers and horseback riders will
be improved on Fernandez Trail as closing off the last 0.2 miles of Friis Road to motorized
access will provide for the appropriate recreational opportunity in the area. The area past Friis
Campground is a roadless area that is not open to motorized use.
Fire restrictions are implemented forest wide to reduce campfire risk through existing laws and
policy. Providing appropriate facilities at Navajo Flat Staging Area will lessen the possible fire
risk than the Proposed Action or Modified Proposal. The Proposed Action and Modified
Proposal will provide for the best benefit in increasing sanitation standards with the removal of
the pit toilets at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds. The Modified Proposal will require the use of
personal port-a-potties at Friis Campground.
The conclusion is that the Modified Proposal provides for the greatest increase in campsites.
There will be a decrease in the number of campgrounds; however operational costs and deferred
maintenance costs will provide a benefit in the management of Navajo Flat Staging Area than the
No Action alternative. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would also benefit the
greatest for providing a facility that separates conflict between multiple users and provide
facilities that lessen fire risk than the No Action alternative. The Proposed Action and Modified
Proposal would improve sanitation standards at Friis and Navajo Campgrounds.
Issue 2 - Closure of the last half mile of Friis Road will reduce motorized access to
dispersed recreation. Measure – The indicators used compare different alternatives are miles of
road closed to motorized use by alternative.
No Action: Friis Road will be open to all uses and OHV trespass will continue on the
decommissioned Black Widow OHV Trail and Fernandez hiking trail. Riparian and meadow
habitats will continue to be impacted at the Navajo Flat Staging Area and Friis Campground.
Yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will continue to invade three acres of deer grass stringer
meadows along Fernandez Creek and near the water trough at the end of Friis Road.
Proposed Action: Closing off 0.5 miles of Friis Road to motorized access will eliminate a point
of illegal trespass on the Fernandez non-motorized trail and closed Black Widow OHV Trail.
The closure of Friis Campground and Friis Road at Navajo Bypass OHV Trail will give the wild
horse herd an opportunity to return to the area and allow meadow grasses to recover. Yellow
starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will continue to invade meadows along Fernandez Creek and near
the water trough. Dispersed camping will still be allowed past Friis Road.
Modified Proposal: The last 0.2 miles of Friis Road will be closed to motorized traffic as it is a
roadless area. 0.2 miles of road maintenance will be reduced. There will be additional costs
needed for fencing, fence maintenance and road maintenance to keep 0.3 miles of Friis Road
open to the public.
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Fencing along Friis Campground, removing berms along Fernandez Creek and controlling the
yellow starthistle and Tree-of-Heaven will allow for greater restoration of the meadow at Friis
Campground and deer grass meadows along Fernandez Creek and near the water trough. The
meadow at Friis Campground will be closed to public motorized access. The closure of the last
0.2 miles of Friis Road should increase the use of the area around the water trough by the wild
horse herd and provide for a pleasant hiking experience at Fernandez non-motorized trail.
Interpretation and Conclusion: The Proposed Action would decrease the most amount of miles
of Friis Road at 0.5 miles reducing the maintenance costs as well. The Modified Proposal would
reduce 0.2 miles of Friis Road by fencing along Friis Campground and across the road, as the
area past the campground is within a roadless area and is restricted to motorized access.
Pedestrians will continue to use the area past the fence to camp dispersedly. Planned mitigations
under both the Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would benefit closing off a section of
roadless area to motorized access, thus saving in road maintenance costs.
Issue 3 - More people will be drawn into the area resulting in more lawlessness and
trespass. Measure – The indicators used to compare alternatives are PAOT (People At One
Time) between alternatives for campsites provided; and if the alternative improves directional
signs.
No Action: The sites at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds will accommodate 25 PAOTs total and
deferred maintenance costs will remain $295,500 for Navajo and Friis Campground and Navajo
Flat Staging Area. No progress would be made in decreasing the backlog of deferred
maintenance at the campgrounds. The campgrounds will continue to deteriorate because of the
lack of staff support and resources, such as signs, to maintain these facilities which could
encourage lawlessness and trespass.
Burnout Trail and Navajo Campground will continue to receive OHV trespass that could
negatively affect and compromise cultural resources. OHV trespass along Burnout Trail, Friis
Road, and Navajo Flat Staging Area may disturb Western pond turtles nesting sites and Coast
horned lizard habitats. Oak trees and chaparral along McGinnis Creek and Burnout Trail will
continue to be vandalized and damaged by OHV activities. There will continue to be reoccurring
soil erosion issues related to OHV activities at Navajo Flat Staging Area, the meadow at Friis
Campground, and 0.65 miles along Burnout Trail. Compaction of soils around sycamores and
oaks at Navajo Flat Staging Area will continue to threaten the survival of the trees.
Proposed Action: The developed recreation capacity in terms of PAOTs will increase to 30 at
Navajo Flat Staging Area. The 25 PAOTs at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds will be eliminated.
Operational costs will be reduced by 60%, saving $6,000/year and $124,000 in deferred
maintenance costs for all 5 sites which will be eliminated. The total backlog of deferred
maintenance costs that will be eliminated is $295,500 to include Navajo Flat Staging Area. With
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the removal of these campgrounds, focus on providing improved amenities in this area that meet
the Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) guidelines while better responding to the Forest Niche
identified in the RFA will be reached creating safer and desirable facilities, thus discouraging
lawlessness. Navajo and Friis Campgrounds are available for dispersed camping.
OHV impacts and trespass, especially erosion, will be reduced with the installation of barriers
along Burnout Trail, throughout the Navajo Flat Staging Area, and along Friis Road by closing
the last 0.5 miles of Friis Road to public motorized access. Continual up-keep and enforcement
efforts will be needed to be efficient. Resource impacts, sedimentation and erosion, along the
creeks and along trail segments will be repaired and prevented from re-occurring by the
placement of fences and boulders.
Impacts to the habitats of the western pond turtle, coast horned lizard, California legless lizard
and Camatta Canyon amole will be reduced with the closure of Friis Road, Friis and Navajo
Campgrounds and the fencing along Burnout Trail. Oak trees surrounding McGinnis Creek will
be protected from vandalism and chaparral will grow back in areas where OHV activities have
removed vegetation along roads and trails. Sycamore trees and riparian habitats in the Navajo
Flat Staging Area will be protected with barriers. Cultural resources near Navajo Flat Staging
Area, Navajo Campground, and Burnout Trail will continue to be protected. Speed limit,
directional and informational signing will be installed at Navajo Flat Staging Area.
Modified Proposal: The amount of PAOTs in the area will increase from 25 to 45 with the
decommissioning of Navajo Campground. Since Navajo Flat Staging Area is not a designated
campground, the amount of PAOTs remains at zero for this site. Once developed, the staging
area will provide designated camp sites increasing the amount of PAOTs for overnight use and
by consolidating the PAOTs that were at Navajo Campground which will be moved to the
staging area. The level of developed recreation available to the public increases and the reduction
of the backlog of deferred maintenance is 89% less of the No Action alternative. Eliminating
Navajo Campground will discourage campers from disturbing nearby cultural sites.
The level of unauthorized OHV use of the area should be greatly reduced by the installation of
barriers to lessen the impact on habitats and species in the area. Fencing along Burnout Trail,
along Friis Road, and Friis Campground will need continual up-keep and enforcement efforts to
be efficient. Resource impacts, sedimentation and erosion, along the creeks and along trail
segments will be repaired and prevented from re-occurring by the placement of fences and
boulders.
Access to trails will be improved at the Navajo Flat Staging Area through the re-routing of
vehicle traffic which improves safety to and from McGinnis Creek Trail and Burnout Trail.
Speed, directional and information signing will be installed at Navajo Flat Staging Area and Friis
Campground.
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Interpretation & Conclusion: The decrease in deferred maintenance costs for Navajo Flat
Staging Area, Navajo Campground, and Friis Campground will be greatest with the Proposed
Action alternative. The Forest would benefit the most by decreasing operation costs and backlog
of deferred maintenance of Navajo and Friis Campground while providing a well organized
facility at Navajo Flat Staging Area. The Modified Proposal provides the highest about of
PAOTs as well as protecting cultural and natural resources from trespass and lawlessness and
removing invasive plants. The construction of Navajo Flat Staging Area will not bring in more
users, but provide for a safer facility for multiple uses. The Proposed Action and Modified
Proposals would provide the most benefit in signing the facilities to educate the public. The
Purpose and Need for this project would best be met though the Modified Proposal.
B. Consequences Relative to Significant Elements
In 1978, the Council on Environmental Quality promulgated regulations for implementing the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508)
include a definition of “significantly” as used in NEPA. The eleven elements of this definition
are critical to reducing paperwork through use of a finding of no significant impact when an
action will not have a significant effect on the human environment and is therefore exempt from
requirements to prepare an environmental impact statement.
(a) Context- …the significance of an action must be analyzed in several contexts such as
society as a whole (human, national). The affected region, the affected interests, and the
locality. Significance varies with the setting…in the case of a site-specific action,
significance would usually depend upon the effects in the locale rather in the world as a
whole. Both short- and long-term effects are relevant.
The context of this proposal is limited to the locale of the Pozo – La Panza area of the Los Padres
National Forest. This proposal would not pose any short- or long-term effects. The small scale of
this proposal limits the effects to a minor level for recreation and other natural resource values
and uses. Mitigations included in this proposal minimize and avoid adverse impacts to the extent
that such impacts are almost undetectable and unmeasurable, even at the local level.
(b) Intensity- …the severity of impact…more than one agency may make decisions about
partial aspects of a major action.
1. Impacts may be beneficial and adverse. A significant effect may exist even if the
Federal agency believes that on balance the effect will be beneficial.
The Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal would have beneficial impacts on recreation
activities at Navajo Flat Staging Area by creating an organized riding, day use and camping area
for intermediate, inexperienced riders and an array of other users. The closure of Friis and
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Navajo Campgrounds could displace users to other areas in the Forest; however there is an
overall gain in the number of campsites and PAOTS with the re-design of the staging area long-
term. Effects of this proposal on sensitive species, communities, and habitats are not projected to
be significant.
Under the Modified Proposal, the meadow at Friis Campground would be protected and restored
to its original state providing beneficial impacts through eliminating trespass with the installation
of the fence.
2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health and safety.
Under the Proposed Action and the Modified Proposal, the re-design of Navajo Flat Staging
Area should improve overall safety in a benefit to the human environment by separating multiple
uses. The construction of the facility could pose a short-term negative impact to public health
and safety in the form of dust and noise. During construction, traffic control will be handled
through signing around the project area and public notices will be sent out to local landowners.
Law enforcement Officers, Fire Prevention Technicians, Recreation Technicians, and Forest
Patrol Officers will be available to enforce the area during and after construction.
Under the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal, public health and safety will be improved
with the removal of the wilderness toilets at Navajo and Friis Campgrounds. The Modified
Proposal and Proposed Action would not negatively affect public health and safety. The
Modified Proposal mitigates this concern by requiring the use of personal port-a-potties.
3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or
cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers,
or ecologically critical areas.
There are no other remarkable geological features within the Navajo Flat Staging Area, Navajo
and Friis Campgrounds, along Friis Road, and Burnout Trail. The project is not near park lands,
farmlands, or wild and scenic rivers. Parts of the project area are within US Fish and Wildlife
Services designated critical habitat for the Camatta Canyon amole, but the project area does not
contain the soils this endemic species is found on, so there will be no significant impact to
ecologically critical areas.
The project will not affect culturally significant features. Any recorded historic sites in the
vicinity of the project area are already protected with fence barriers and would not be affected
with this project. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would protect cultural resources
within the vicinity of Navajo Campground and Burnout Trail. Under the Modified Proposal, the
meadow area located at Friis Campground would improve function and condition by eliminating
motorized use through the installation of a fence around the campground and by closing the last
0.5 miles of Friis Road, as stated in the Proposed Action.
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4. The degree to which the effects on the human environment are likely to be highly
controversial.
Legitimate controversy under environmental law must be based on credible scientific evidence.
There are no controversial issues in relation to the Proposed Action or Modified Proposal. The
public scoping comment period revealed objections to the Proposed Action based on personal
values which include; the lack of campsites available to the public, the closure of Friis Road, and
the amount of lawlessness and trespass this project will bring to the area. But analysis of
alternatives and mitigations indicate that effects would be minimal and non-significant.
Extensive public involvement efforts have not revealed any other significant controversies
regarding environmental effects of this proposal or its alternatives.
5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly
uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.
There are no uncertain risks associated with this project. Navajo and Friis Campgrounds receive
low levels of use and would remain available for dispersed camping. Low use campgrounds have
been decommissioned in the past and are still being used as dispersed camping on the District.
The nature and magnitude of the effects to the human environment from implementing the
Proposed Action or Modified Proposal are understood and do not pose highly uncertain, unique
or unknown risks. It is unlikely that the re-designing of Navajo Flat Staging Area will bring in
more users to the area. However, under the No Action alternative, the continued mixture of
multiple uses at Navajo Flat Staging Area could pose uncertain risks to OHV riders and other
users.
6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with
significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future
consideration.
The re-designing of Navajo Flat Staging Area has been a proposed project since 2005. With
much analysis and discussion with local landowners, OHV users, and specialists, it is understood
that the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal do not pose significant effects or represent a
decision in principle about a future consideration. The decommissioning of Friis and Navajo
Campgrounds as stated in the Proposed Action are within the management objectives of the
Recreation Facility Analysis of October 2007. These management practices, as well as the
project objectives, are envisioned by the goals of the Los Padres National Forest Land and
Resource Management Plan as amended and are consistent with applicable standards and guides.
Neither the alternatives analyzed here, nor any of their individual components, would establish a
precedent for future actions, nor would they represent a decision in principle about a future
consideration.
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7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but
cumulatively significant impacts. Significance exists if it is reasonable to anticipate
a cumulatively significant impact on the environment. Significance cannot be
avoided by terming an action temporary or by breaking it down into smaller
component parts.
Neither of the action alternatives is related to other actions with cumulatively significant impacts.
Neither of the action alternatives is a component of any larger action.
Cumulative Watershed Effects: The Navajo Flat Staging Area falls within the Upper Salinas
watershed. Existing disturbance takes place within the McGinnis Creek which is mostly caused
by OHVs riding through the creek bed between the south end of Navajo Flat Staging Area and
Navajo Road. The proposed project will take place on an existing flat that has been used as a
parking lot for many years. The re-designing of the staging area will include design and
installation requirements from Best Management Practices (BMPs) to adequately treat and
infiltrate runoff from a storm event and would minimize the risk of adverse cumulative
watershed impacts as a result of construction.
The meadow at Friis Campground is along the Fernandez Creek where vehicles park and ride
through the riparian area. The Modified Proposal includes removing a berm that is located in the
meadow and leveling the ground. Fencing will be installed to protect this area from vehicle use.
With the decommissioning of the two campgrounds, the closing of a portion of Friis Road and
the concentration of OHV activity at Navajo Flat Staging Area, the encroachment of the species
listed on pg. 6 of the Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation (BA/BE) will be lessened
(Murphey 2010). The same would be true under the Modified Proposal with installing fencing
around Friis Campground and closing the last 0.2 miles of road to protect wetland and riparian
habitats.
Cumulative Wildlife Effects: The BA/BE for Threatened or Endangered and Sensitive Plant and
Animal Species for the Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-design considered potential cumulative
impacts of this proposal on habitat for wildlife and plants. Those documents (available for
review, incorporated by reference) support the findings that this project would not cause
significant cumulative effects on biological resources. Cumulative impacts for the Forest Service
sensitive wildlife species, western pond turtle, coast horned lizard and California legless lizard,
would be no different than what was mentioned in the Threats portion of Section III – Species of
Potential Occurrence (pg. 6-7) and in Section IV – Effects of the Proposed Action, Direct and
Indirect Effects (pg. 7) of the BA/BE (Murphey 2010).
The re-design of the Navajo Flat Staging Area and the fencing along Burnout Trail will not
impact the critical habitat for the Camatta Canyon amole as the area does not contain the soils
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this plant is found growing on. The incremental impacts from the Proposed Action and Modified
Proposal upon Camatta Canyon amole and Camatta Canyon amole Critical Habitat will be of a
favorable nature with use concentrated in the redesigning staging area and the reduced impacts to
the Critical Habitat from fenced of portions of Burnout Trail (Murphey 2010).
8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways,
structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places, or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural,
or historic resources.
Archeological field surveys were conducted at all project sites. No significant cultural resources
were discovered and there are no objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register
of Historic Places. Cultural resources are within the vicinity of Navajo Campground and Burnout
Trail. The Proposed Action and Modified Proposal would allow for the protection of cultural
resources along these project areas by decommissioning Navajo Campground and installing
fencing along Burnout Trail to prevent OHV trespass from adversely effecting cultural resources.
9. The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened
species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973.
No threatened or endangered species have been documented to occur within the project areas
Resource surveys have been conducted and initial analysis indicates that the Proposed Action
would not adversely affect any listed plants or animals (Murphey 2010).
10. Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, state, or local law or
requirements imposed for the protection of the environment.
Neither of the action alternatives would threaten a violation of applicable Federal, State or local
environment protection laws or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment. The
effects of the Proposed Action and Modified Proposal are consistent with the Los Padres
National Forest Land Management Plan 2005.
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IV. APPENDICES
Appendix A. Conceptual Site Design of Navajo Flat Staging Area
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Appendix B. List of Reference Materials
The following documents were used in preparing this Environmental Assessment. Additional
references are found in the project record on file at the Santa Lucia Ranger District.
Code of Federal Regulations. 1986. Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). 45 p.
Crowheart-Zavalla, Pete. 2009. Los Padres National Forest Native American Consultation.
Goleta, CA. Los Padres National Forest. November 2009. 1 p.
Cruz, George. 2008. Hydrologist Field Trip to Friis Camp to Refine Meadow Restoration
Proposal. Porterville, CA: Sequoia National Forest, CA. February 2011. 1-2 p.
DiTomaso, J.M., G. B. Kyser, and M. J. Pitcairn. 2006. Yellow starthistle management guide.
California Invasive Plant Council, Berkeley, CA. Cal-IPC Publication #2006-03.
DiTomaso, J. M., G. B. Kyser, W. T. Lanini, C. D. Thomsen. September, 2009. How to Manage
Pests in Gardens and Landscapes, Yellow Starthistle.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7402.html. February 25, 2011.
Murphey, Tom. 2010. Biological Assessment/ Evaluation for Federally Listed, Proposed, and
Sensitive Species and Management Indicator Species and Migratory Bird Evaluation, Navajo
Flat Staging Area. Santa Maria, CA: Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia Ranger District.
October 2010. 5-11 p.
Poff, Roger. 2011. Soils Report, Friis Road Campsite, Potential Meadow Restoration. Nevada
City, CA: R.J. Poff & Associates. January 2011. 1 p.
Public Law 91-190. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 1970, January 1. 42 USC 4321-
4347 (note).
Sanchez, Alicia. 2009. Recreation Specialist Report, Navajo Flat Staging Area Re-Design
Project. Santa Maria, CA: Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia Ranger District. December
2009. 2-5 p.
Strickland, Robert. 2010. Cultural Resources Report, Navajo Flats OHV Design. King City,
CA: Los Padres National Forest, Monterey Ranger District. February 2010. 2 p.
Swearingen Jil M., Philip D. Pannill. July 7, 2009. Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant
Working Group, Tree-of-Heaven. http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/aial1.htm. July 2011.
USDA Forest Service. 2005a. Land Management Plan Part 1, Los Padres National Forest. R5-
MB-074-A. September 2005. Los Padres National Forest. [Online]. Available:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/Imp/read.html.
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USDA Forest Service. 2005b. Land Management Plan Part 1, Los Padres National Forest. R5-
MB-074-A. September 2005. Los Padres National Forest. [Online]. Available:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/Imp/read.html.
USDA Forest Service. 2007. Recreation Facilities Analysis, 5-year Program of Work and
Programmatic Results of Implementation. Goleta, CA: Los Padres National Forest. October
2007. Pg 14.
USDA Forest Service. 2011. Water Quality Management Handbook: R5 FSH 2509.22 - Soil and
Water Conservation Handbook. Vallejo, CA: Regional Office. December 2011.
Yellow starthistle Management Guidelines, UC IMP Online.
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7402.html. February 25, 2011.
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Appendix C. Consultation with Others
The Forest Service consulted the following individuals, Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes
and non-Forest Service persons during the development of this environmental assessment:
ID TEAM MEMBERS:
Project Official: Kathleen Phelps
Alicia Sanchez: ID Team Leader/ Recreation
Thomas Murphey: Wildlife Biologist
Bob Strickland: Archeologist
Steve Galbraith: Archeologist
Pete Crowheart: Tribal Relations
OTHER SPECIALISTS CONSULTED:
Lloyd Simpson: Forest Botanist
Kevin Cooper: Forest Biologist
Roger Poff: Soils Scientist
George Cruz: Hydrologist
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES:
US Fish and Wildlife Services
San Luis Obispo County
TRIBES:
Elders Council
Molon Tribe
San Luis Chumash
Owl Clan Consultants
Saline Tribe
Northern Chumash Council
Red Wind Foundation
OTHERS:
Santa Maria Valley Sportsmen’s Association
Backcountry Horsemen
Santa Maria 4 Wheelers
Dirt First Motorcycle
Gold Coast 4x4
Central Coast Motorcycle Association
Los Padres Forest Watch