Forest
Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
USDA
Forest Service
Before
the House Committee on Resources
United
States House of Representatives
Concerning
“Jarbidge
River Population of Bull Trout – Truly Threatened?”
Saturday
July 27, 2002
Elko,
Nevada
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
Thank
you for the opportunity to be with you today to discuss the management of the
Jarbidge watershed in the Jarbidge Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe
National Forest. My name is Bob
Vaught. I am the Forest
Supervisor for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
I
will defer to the Fish and Wildlife Service to address your questions
concerning the listing of the bull trout.
Today, I will focus my comments on the management of National Forest
System lands in the Jarbidge watershed, home to the southern most population
of bull trout. I will also
comment on the Forest Service’s efforts to work with Elko County and local
individuals concerned about the management of the National Forest.
Prior
to the 1999 listing of the bull trout as a threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act, the Forest Service had undertaken several management
actions aimed at improving the aquatic habitat in the Jarbidge River
watershed. These actions
included:
1.
Implementation of vegetative
utilization standards on all nine grazing allotments within Jarbidge River
sub-watersheds;
2.
Replacement of a culvert with a
bridge to restore fish passage between the West Fork of the Jarbidge River and
Jack Creek;
3.
Fencing of several upland springs
and portions of river and creek bottoms to protect riparian areas from the
impacts of cattle;
4.
Implementation of reclamation and
erosion control measures for ceased mining operations; and
5.
Collaboration with Elko County to
close the Jarbidge municipal landfill and issuance to the County of a special
use permit for a transfer station that comports with regulatory requirements
of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
In
1995, a high water event in the Jarbidge River canyon washed out portions of
the South Canyon Road and caused the river to cut a new channel where the road
once ran. This event stimulated
much discussion concerning the future of the road, access to portions of the
National Forest and the general health of the aquatic ecosystem.
In
1997, the Regional Forester reviewed on appeal a decision to rebuild the road
and remanded the decision to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for further
analysis on the effects to the bull trout and other aquatic species from road
construction and from possible future road failure.
The Fish and Wildlife Service in April 1999 listed the bull trout as a
threatened species. The listing
requires the Forest Service to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service on
agency action, such as construction or reconstruction.
In
November 1999, when the House Committee on Resources Subcommittee on Forests
and Forest Health conducted a field hearing in Elko, the United States and
Elko County were engaged in discussions concerning the fate of a washed-out
portion of the South Canyon Road along the West Fork of the Jarbidge River.
Today, following a federal district court settlement agreement signed
in April, 2001, I am please to inform you Mr. Chairman that the Forest Service
and Elko County are diligently working together to implement the provisions of
this agreement.
The
Settlement Agreement spells out the working relationship between the parties
to the Agreement: John Carpenter, Elko County, the State of Nevada’s
Division of Environmental Protection, and the agencies of the United States,
the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and USDA
Forest Service. The Agreement
provides Elko County with the opportunity to submit a proposal to the Forest
Service to reestablish the South Canyon Road and requires the completion of
certain watershed improvement projects. The
Agreement further provides that the Forest Service study the road
reconstruction and watershed projects following established agency procedures
for environmental analysis.
Let
me give you an example of how committed Elko County and the Forest Service are
to working together. A portion of
the Settlement Agreement identifies the need for interim work on the South
Canyon Road to prevent erosion. Last
Saturday, citizen volunteers, Elko County Commissioners and staff, and Forest
Service workers, nearly 20 people in all, worked side-by-side on a short-term
measure to armor stream banks in an effort that will reduce the amount of
sediment reaching the West Fork of the Jarbidge River.
During
the fall of 2001, contract biologists, hydrologists and soil scientist,
collected data on the condition of the Jarbidge watershed.
These inventories represent the most recent and complete data available
to the Forest Service and will be used during the environmental analysis.
In March 2002, the Forest Service issued a Notice of Intent to evaluate
the effects of several alternatives for road reconstruction, and watershed and
aquatic habitat improvement projects. A
series of public meetings were held this spring and work has begun on a draft
Environmental Impact Statement. Elko County as a cooperating agency is working
closely with the Forest Service in the environmental analysis process.
They submitted a proposal for road reconstruction to the Forest Service
this past June. A Final
Environmental Impact Statement expected next spring.
As
required by law (the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest
Management Act, and the Endangered Species Act, and others) and regulations,
the Forest Service will consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to
guarantee that any action in the South Jarbidge Canyon will not jeopardize the
continued existence of the listed bull trout.
The Forest Service asked the Fish and Wildlife Service to be a
cooperating agency during the environmental analysis process.
The Service agreed. Working
closely in this manner will ensure the Service fully understands the project
and potential impacts to the listed species, and allow them to provide input
to the alternatives to be evaluated.
In
conclusion, the Forest Service remains committed to working with the
cooperating agencies and keeping the interested publics informed of the
progress we are making on the environmental analysis and we are also committed
to following the laws and regulations governing the environmental analysis.
Mr.
Chairman, this concludes my statement. I
will be happy to answer any questions you may have.