DARA to US Forest ServicePage 1

Photo by Shari Brewer

Darrington Area Resources Advocates

Post Office Box 1061

Darrington, WA 98241

An Action Committee of the Darrington Area Business Association

DARA to US Forest ServicePage 1

May 21, 2014

DARA to US Forest ServicePage 1

Peter Forbes

Darrington District Ranger

1405 Emens Avenue North

Darrington, WA 98241

RE: Forest Service Road No. 2703 (Circle Creek Road)

Dear Peter,

On September 21, 2013 a meeting was held to discuss the future of the Circle Creek Road. The meeting was attended by you, Forest Service (FS) staff, Sauk-Suiattle Tribe representatives and Darrington community members (Enclosure I). The meeting included a drive to the end of Circle Creek Road that most of the participants joined. The meeting was prompted by the Decision Notice issued by the FS in 2012 that provided "5 years for the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and other entities the opportunity to develop a funding source for road repair and upgrade to meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines."

The approximately 7-mile Circle Creek Road was constructed/reconstructed in the 1980's and is estimated to have cost $3.7 million to build (2013 dollars).[1]It provides access to several areas of cultural importance to the Sauk-Suiattle tribe. The Circle Peak Trail, traditionally accessed near the end of Circle Creek Road, provides access to magnificent mountain meadows and superlative views of the North Cascade Mountains.The Forest Service has closedthis road due to lack of funding for maintenance.

Darrington Area Resources Advocates (DARA) has organized to partner with the FS and a constituency of users who will support (with action and votes) efforts to fund maintenance of roads such as the Circle Creek Road . DARA is comprised of community members, representatives of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, Hampton Mills, and others whose goals include publicizing the recreational opportunities that exist in the Darrington area. DARA is coordinates its efforts with Friends for Public Use (FFPU), a grass roots organization that is now volunteering with the FS to clear ditches, conduct routine culverts checks, remove road debris, brush roads and keep FS roads clean. In addition to volunteer work on forest roads, FFPU sends regular communications toForest staff to keep them up to date on road conditions, snow levels and pending problems.

DARA believes that business opportunities in Darrington and other communities will increase if people in nearby urban areas are madeaware of the magnificent resources in their backyard. The joint goal of DARA and FFPU is to preserve the existing network of drivable roads on the Darrington District based on the belief that once it is known what resources this network of roads accesses, there will be increased interest and public support for funding to keep them open. Many of us believe that the future of Darrington as a viable community is linked closely with the preservation of this network which is at the heart of a truly world class natural landscape. This area has been known and enjoyed by the climbing and hiking communities for decades, our goal is to expand the base of users to include people with families too young for more than day hikes and to those who would enjoy simply driving these roads on day trips from nearby urban centers.

It is estimated that repair of Circle Creek Road would total $100,000 and annual maintenance costs would range between $4,000-$5,000 (Enclosure I). It is our view that investing this amount of money to preserve use and enjoyment of the road consistent with other resource protection goals is a trivial expense compared to the amount already invested in the road and the resources it accesses. That said, we recognize that these costs presently represent a significant portion of an increasingly smaller Forest Service budget for such work. DARA proposes to reopen and maintain the road using alternative funding.

As described in the September 21, 2013 Meeting Notes, the immediate need is to brush-out the road so that a more detailed assessment can be madeof needed repairs. The assessment of repairs and maintenance will be designed to FS standards that provide long term and safe public access. Towards that end, DARA proposes to undertake the initial work as described in Enclosure I – Phase 1 Work Proposal. This work will be accomplished by experienced equipment operators at no cost to the FS other than for administration expenses of FSstaff to oversee the work. We anticipate the initial brushing of the road will take 1-2 days.If needed, this first phase will include work necessary to ensure that road culverts and other drainage features are operating properly. Any repairs would be the minimum needed to prevent damage or loss of road segments while the more detailed assessment is undertaken.

Our organization has contacted qualified individuals that have experience with FS road construction and maintenance. These individuals gained this experience as Forest Service employees or as managers/equipment operators working on FS road contracts. We will work closely with the FS to assure that anyproposed work meets your standards.

We look forward to working with you to get this project underway as soon as weather conditions are favorable. We are availableto meet with you and your staff at your convenience

to explain our proposal further. We are eager to prepare and finalize agreements or other documents needed for the FS toallow us to proceed with the first phase of the project. We view this first phase as not only an opportunity to assess the repair needs of the road but also to show the FS that our organization can be trusted to provide a quality service. In the meantime we are working to secure funding for known repair and maintenance costs and for other costs that may be identified during the assessment.

We believe this collaborative effort will benefit the FS, the Darrington community, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, and the general public by providing alternative solutions to National Forest access and recreation opportunitiesthat current budgets do not allow. We look forward to working with your agency.

Very sincerely,

_/s/______

Walter A. Dortch

DARA

_/s/______

Martha Rasmussen

FFPU

_/s/______

Tim Johnson

Hampton Affliates

Enclosures

cc: Mailing List

Road 2703 Field TripNotes -September 21, 2013

Participants: USFS- Peter Forbes, Jim Mitchell, Amy Lieb and Phyllis Reed, Sauk-Suiattle Staff – Norma Joseph, Thomas DeCoteau, Kevin Lenon, Janice Mabee, April Moses - Tulalip elder (office orientation only), and community members: Ron and Shari Brewer, Bob and Diane Boyd, Frank Urbanski, Paul Wagner, and Randy Rankin (office orientation only).

Office orientation: Peter Forbes, District Ranger, went over the process the District went through with the Suiattle Access and Travel Management Environmental Assessment (2010). This EA process identified Road 2703 as a road of interest to the Sauk-Suiattle Tribes for access to yellow cedar, berries and other native plant gathering. The assessment process also identified a concern from USFS and staff from the Upper Skagit Tribe and the Skagit River System Cooperative with the road location across unstable soils in close proximity to Circle Creek. The road 2703 location and current road condition raised concerns for sediment delivery to Circle Creek resulting in impacts to fisheries and water quality. In 2012, there was a Decision Notice signed that provided 5 years for the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and other entities the opportunity to develop a funding source for road repair and upgrade to meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines. There are approximately 3 years remaining since this decision. The objective of the field trip was to review the key problem sites along Road 2703 with discussion of the concerns at those sites and repair options, and potential steps to proceed with collaboration on the road situation.

Questions in the office included what information was currently available on Road 2703, number of culverts, other sites. Amy Lieb has a road inventory for Road 2703 in electronic format, but added that updates on this inventory would be advisable. Road is a Level 2 maintenance level road on the Forest inventory.

Field review:The group stopped three locations: 1. MP 3.6 (Carsonite post), 2. The end of the road, and 3. Slumping shoulder locations along the road between MP 3.6 and MP 4.7 (switchback)

MP 3.6 Problem: Slide has narrowed the road in a location where the backslope is armored with large rock. The narrow road is a safety concern for drivers being able to negotiate the tight passage without going over the edge or contributing to erosion and sediment delivery to Circle Cr. Currently the ditch (which is carrying flowing water) is being used as the roadway to navigate around the shoulder washout.

MP3.6 Options – Jim described that this site is similar to the Soil Nail Wall fix that is currently being used for a road repair on the MBRD – Roads 31 & 39 that might be a potential option at this site. The cost of that project is $131,000 (the Rd 31 site is a little longer site). (Jim can provide plans for this type of repair). The Soil Nail repair was briefly described as 1-1/2” diameter steel rods that are 20’ in length. The rods are drilled into the soil on 4’ square patterns, grouted in, then welded wire and rebar cage placed over the rod pattern, then grouted in place. An underdrain (sheet drain) is installed along the slope behind the rebar. Then a vertical reinforced brick wall placed over a concrete footing is constructed with geotextile layered soil as backfill between the new vertical wall and drilled slope.

  • Question: Can a fix include moving into the hillside? Response: This would entail moving the current rock armoring the hillslope, fillslope removal, road reconstruction, and then replacing the rock armour. This disturbance could create further instability to an already steep side slope. Peter Forbes indicated a preference for a solution that would move toward the creek vs. into the hillslope.
  • Question: Could a metal plate be placed over the roadway be used to span across the narrow road section? Response: A metal plate would not meet Forest road standards.
  • Question: Could a fix include rock gabions? Response: Gabions were used in a similar situation on the Illabot Road at MP 10.2 to widen the road. Gabions might work at this site, but Jim would want to consult with a bridge engineer, a hydrologist and possibly geotechnical engineer for advice on any wall structure for this site. A gabion wall type repair was estimated to cost approximately $10,000., with cost dependent on rock source availability (near junction of Road 2703 and spur road to the north), and who does the work. It is possible that a riprap type wall could be installed as well. The cost of that would run approximately $8,000 as there is a similar repair currently ongoing at this time on the MBRD.

Other discussion along Road 2703

  • Need to look at condition of Road 2703 in its entirety, including road crossing of streams and failed and slumped road edges for estimates of road reconstruction costs. To do this a comprehensive and detailed road assessment would be required where sufficient data would be gathered and used to determine actual costs and repair types. There is a need to have the road open short term (no public access) and a need for road brushing so one can adequately see road and road side conditions. Jim and Peter re-iterated that they would want the road open for only a short term (potential gate) and brushing to assess road repair needs. If a gate is allowed to be installed, the gate would need close monitoring due to high gate vandalism that occurs in this area. Who would be responsible for the monitoring and immediate repairs or replacement if vandalism occurs?
  • Question: Where would the funding come from to brush the road? The USFS estimate of cost for road brushing, log out and minimal culvert clean-out work initially started at $10,000, but was doubled to $20,000 as the road was reviewed and by the end of the trip the current condition was estimated at $30,000. The $30,000 would entail, clearing and grubbing with an Excavator, then mowing the brush, then drainage work to reconstruct ditch lines and culverts as needed to match specifications. Jim made it clear that the $30,000 does not cover repair items as found along the road today, such as shoulder slumping and cracking, narrow road repair at the Carsonite post, and culvert repairs. Jim and Peter explained that this amount would be a sizable portion of the total funds available for the DRD road maintenance work in FY 14, and not a reasonable expectation given the other higher use roads on the District. Once road was repaired to a minimal level, estimate is it would take $4,000 to $5,000/year to maintain the 5.1 miles of road from MP 1.7 to 6.8.
  • Question: What type of agreements can USFS entertain for this work? Response was that to use outside funding, the USFS would need an agreement to ensure the work completed meets the Forest Service standards.
  • Question: Are there any Salmon Recovery Board (SRFBoard) Funding for this decommission work in the basin? Response: Amy shared that we have no more SRFBoard funding to decommission roads in the Suiattle basin (Added Correction: Reconfiguration of the Sulphur Creek Campground Road will be completed in part using SRFBoard Funding). As a general rule the SRFBoard funds restoration projects and work associated with improving fish habitat. Road related projects would need to demonstrate that there is a direct benefit to fish/fish habitat. Because potential projects are so competitive, it is unlikely that we would be successful competing as a SRFBoard project.
  • Question: Does the culvert case with the state have a bearing on federal roads? Response: Amy shared that the Forest Service is not a party to the culvert case. During the course of the state culvert case, the Forest Service demonstrated that National Forests have already upgraded fish barrier culverts so there is such a small portion of the culverts on forest lands that are barriers. We still have the responsibility to upgrade culverts to 100 year flows on this road.
  • Question: Are the fords in Road 2703 OK? Response: Need is to get water across roads (and keep water off roads). Fords are OK in non-fish bearing streams – need to keep fords wide.
  • Question: What latitude does the USFS have in working with Collaborative groups and volunteers? Peter responded that the USFS is currently working with volunteers who use hand tools for road maintenance activities and has not crossed over from volunteers with hand tools to volunteers with equipment. To utilize volunteers with equipment to perform maintenance work Jim added that the group should put their offer of help in a formal letter to the District Ranger. The request should be explicit in terms of what work they are willing to do, so that we can approach our Regional Office with such a request. Groups interested in doing the work themselves would likely need 501 c status in order for us to sign an agreement with them, otherwise private entities would have to bid on a contract that would be awarded to the lowest bidder.
  • Question: Can the USFS use volunteers who are licensed and bonded with equipment to do work with equipment on site? Can the Tribe use their equipment on site? Response: We will need to explore that with the Regional Office after we get a written request from the Tribe describing the type of activities they propose to do. Potential issues are: safety, liability, and Fair Labor Act. There may be a potential for cost-share agreement with the Tribe to brush the road (maintenance type work).
  • Question: Has some other entities done these types of agreements or volunteer work in other parts of the Region or other States? Response: Not known if there are examples
  • Question: If Road 2703 is listed as a Tribal road with the BIA, how might that influence funding for the road? Response: Currently there are 10 miles of the Suiattle Road and the Boundary Bridge listed with the BIA. The BIA does have some latitude for funding maintenance on tribal roads. Peter noted that there is a need for linkage between identified tribal road pieces.
  • Task: The USFS could provide GIS clips of desired road system to the appropriate BIA staff with request from the Sauk-Suiattle tribal staff.
  • Question: Kevin asked, how long will the Forest Service leave the road open? Peter answered that he was willing to leave the road open until mid-October (week of October 21.)

How to move forward with short term assessment of Road 2703 conditions and the development of repair options? Response:

  1. Written Letter - Need a letter from the Tribe to the District Ranger with:
  2. What is desired – access up road 2703, use of tribal equipment, etc.
  3. What the tribe and other entities can bring to getting the road brushed and assessed:
  4. Funding
  5. Equipment
  6. Volunteers hours
  7. Duration and expectations
  8. Responsibilities Short Term and Long Term
  9. Lead partner needs identified
  10. FS agreed to leave the road open until the week of Oct. 21 for the Tribe to have time to further evaluate the road and to develop repair options, cost estimates, and/or an agreement proposal.
  11. The Tribe will immediately move the 2’x3’ rock at approx. MP 5.8 so that anyone driving the road does not use the unstable shoulder to drive around the rock.
  12. District Ranger will forward letter to Regional Office to determine if/how the request can move forward and an agreement can be crafted.
  13. District Ranger to get back to the group what options the USFS has with working in agreements and cost-share, responding to request.

End of Road 2703 - Discussion that the upper road system has some cracking and roadway slumping along road shoulders, but Road 2703 from the switchback at MP 5.2 to terminus is not a major road maintenance problem. Frank Urbanski (former TSA for the District) provided some background on the timber sale in the upper drainage.