**NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION**

## 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI)

# 1. Introduction

Northern Arizona University proposes to construct and operate the
Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) in collaboration with and on
property leased from The Arboretum at Flagstaff. This project is funded
by the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is the federal lead
agency for the environmental review process. The environmental review
process was conducted in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable federal laws, including the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), and each statute's applicable implementing regulations. The
proposed research station will provide facilities for visiting
researchers, students, instructors, and agency personnel. This FONSI
sets forth the NSF consideration of environmental and other factors
associated with construction of the MPRS at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to evaluate the potential
environmental effects from the construction and operation of the
proposed MPRS. The environmental review process was conducted in
accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's procedural
requirements for implementing NEPA at *40 Code of Federal Regulations*
(CFR) Parts 1501--1508, and NSF regulations at *45 Code of Federal
Regulations* (CFR) Part 640, *Compliance with NEPA*. The NSF sought
public involvement in the NEPA process by publicizing the Draft EA and
soliciting comment. The EA was finalized after the consideration of
comments on November 18, 2005.

NSF also initiated and completed numerous consultations for the MPRS
project. NSF engaged in informal consultation with the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service, pursuant to Section 7 of the ESA, and
obtained that agency's concurrence with NSF's determination that the
MPRS project "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect" the
Mexican Spotted Owl. NSF also consulted with several Native American
Tribes, the Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and
other interested entities under Section 106 of the NHPA. All responsive
parties including the SHPO and five tribes concurred with NSF's
determination that the undertaking would have no adverse effect on
historic properties. All consulting parties were extremely supportive of
the project.

Based on the analysis in the EA and the above-described consultations,
NSF has decided to fund the preferred alternative -- the Arboretum
alternative.

# 2. Purpose and Need

The Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) of Northern Arizona
University provides facilities for researchers and students carrying out
fieldwork in Northern Arizona in partnership with The Arboretum at
Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University's Centennial Forest. In an
effort to increase research activity and research partnerships in
Northern Arizona, the MPRS plans to construct a facility that will allow
it to house researchers and students in a supportive environment that
encourages interaction among individuals and institutions. MPRS will use
this hub of activity to promote connections of researchers with area
agencies and non-profit organizations concerned with the environment.
The planned MPRS housing facility is expected to support researchers
working on NAU's Centennial Forest, Arboretum land, Coconino National
Forest, and Diablo Trust Lands.

By providing facilities conducive to field research and education
Northern Arizona University will be filling an unmet need in Northern
Arizona. NSF will be fulfilling its mission of federal support for basic
science by funding an activity that will provide the infrastructure for
contemporary research in biology. Field stations are crucial to
efficient field research and education because they drastically reduce
the logistical problems associated with housing, board, equipment
storage and access to field sites. These MPRS facilities are tailored to
the needs of field researchers and courses. For instance, every room
does not need a private bath, and single beds are more in demand than
double beds. On the other hand, having storage for field equipment, a
place to cook, and computer access are usually very important to field
researchers. Finally, by concentrating research and education users at a
field station, a small, and highly interactive, academic community is
developed. In the case of MPRS and NAU, this community will help engage
colleagues from the region and the world in research collaborations.

The Final EA contains site‑specific analyses of potential environmental
effects that could result from installation and operation of the MPRS at
the Arboretum at Flagstaff. The Final EA also analyzes the no-action
alternatives for comparison purposes. Based on the analyses contained in
the Final EA, as well as on the information resulting from the
consultations under the ESA and the NHPA, NSF has determined that no
significant environmental impact would result from implementation of the
proposed action at any of the alternative sites. NSF has decided to fund
the preferred alternative -- the Arboretum alternative.

The MPRS will obtain a permit from the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality for the design and operation of the septic system.
A FONSI is warranted for this action in accordance with NEPA. Copies of
the Final EA may be obtained by written or email request to:

Amy Whipple

Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research

Northern Arizona University

PO Box 5640

Flagstaff, AZ 86011

or

Amy.Whipple@nau.edu

# 3.Decision and Order

The NSF has carefully considered its goals and objectives in relation to
construction of the MPRS at the Arboretum at Flagstaff, as discussed and
evaluated in the Final EA, this FONSI, and all related NHPA and ESA
documentation. This consideration includes the purpose and need for the
MPRS, possible alternative sites, information on possible impacts
collected during the environmental and cultural resource review process,
and mitigation measures to eliminate or reduce possible environmental
effects. Under the authority delegated to me by the Director of the NSF,
I find that construction of the MPRS at the preferred site on the
Arboretum at Flagstaff will not result in significant environmental
impacts. Therefore, preparation of an environmental impact statement is
not necessary.

The availability of this FONSI and the Final EA is announced in the
Federal Register, and the documents are available on the NSF website
(<http://www.nsf.gov/bio/pubs/reports/ea_mprs.doc>) or by request to Amy
Whipple at the above address.

Machi F. Diworth, Ph.D. Date: November 18, 2005

Director

Division of Biological Infrastructure

Directorate for Biological Sciences

National Science Foundation

**FINAL**

**Environmental Assessment for Northern Arizona University's
Merriam-Powell Research Station**

National Science Foundation

November 18, 2005

**[PURPOSE AND NEED]{.underline}**

The Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) of Northern Arizona
University provides facilities for researchers and students carrying out
fieldwork in Northern Arizona in partnership with The Arboretum at
Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University's Centennial Forest. In an
effort to increase research activity and research partnerships in
Northern Arizona, the MPRS plans to construct a facility that will allow
us to house researchers and students in a supportive environment that
encourages interaction among individuals and institutions. MPRS will use
this hub of activity to promote connections of researchers with area
agencies and non-profit organizations concerned with the environment.
The planned MPRS housing facility is expected to support researchers
working on NAU's Centennial Forest, Arboretum land, Coconino National
Forest, and Diablo Trust Lands.

The planned MPRS housing facility consists of a \~3500 sq. ft. housing
structure with bunk rooms, bathrooms, great room, kitchen, mudroom, and
an attached 2 bedroom "apartment" (Appendix A). The MPRS expects the
facility to house 20-30 people through most of the peak field season of
May-September. Use will be more sporadic through the off-season.
Build-out for the MPRS housing may lead to a doubling of the currently
planned capacity. Laboratory and greenhouse spaces are being provided in
existing Arboretum structures.

The proposed construction site is on the property of The Arboretum at
Flagstaff which owns \~200 acres southwest of the City of Flagstaff on
Woody Mountain Road (Appendixes B-D). The site is owned by The Arboretum
at Flagstaff, which is a §501 c(3) non-profit organization governed by a
board of directors. The Arboretum will enter into a long-term lease with
the Arizona Board of Regents of approximately 5 acres for the purpose of
constructing and running the MPRS facility. The Arboretum property is
surrounded, primarily, by the Coconino National Forest and by Arizona
State Trust land that is also designated as NAU's Centennial Forest. The
planned construction site is adjacent to: 1) a City of Flagstaff well,
2) The Arboretum at Flagstaff's maintenance building, 3) The Arboretum's
greenhouse, and 4) The Arboretum's Nature Trail.

By providing facilities conducive to field research and education the
MPRS will be filling an unmet need in Northern Arizona. Field stations
are crucial to efficient field research and education because they
drastically reduce the logistical problems associated with housing,
board, equipment storage and access to field sites. These MPRS
facilities are tailored to the needs of field researchers and courses.
For instance, every room does not need a private bath, and single beds
are more in demand than double beds. On the other hand, having storage
for dirty field equipment, a place to cook, and computer access are
usually very important to field researchers. Finally, by concentrating
research and education users at a field station, a small, and highly
interactive, academic community is developed. In the case of MPRS and
NAU, this community will help engage colleagues from the region and the
world in research collaborations.

MPRS housing use estimates have been developed based on survey returns
and other expressed interest in use of the MPRS. Because of the
incomplete distribution and potential for lack of response from
interested, but busy, individuals the MPRS feels that the use estimates
based on the survey are conservative. The MPRS expects that within a few
years of opening, the housing facility will have 2500 user nights per
year. The MPRS also expects users to include: summer researchers
(graduate student and faculty), short-term researchers, undergraduate
researchers, university courses (visiting and NAU), and mission-related
workshops. The MPRS plans to have all station use be mission related.
This would include research, education, and outreach on environmental or
field research topics. Thus, the MPRS will not run into issues of
competing with local businesses.

**[ALTERNATIVES]{.underline}**

*Alternatives eliminated from detailed study*: The originally proposed
location for the MPRS was to the east of the current site on State Trust
Land operated as Northern Arizona University's Centennial Forest
(Appendix D). This alternative was eliminated from detailed study
because: 1) it was closer to a Mexican Spotted Owl Protected Activity
Center, 2) it was more costly both in money and environmental footprint
because supporting infrastructure was less available and utilities had
to be extended further, and 3) a local land owner and State Trust Land
lessee was concerned about impacts to his property and activities.

Another proposed location on State Trust Land south of Woody Mountain
Road was deemed by the NAU administration to not to meet the project
goals due to the cost of extending infrastructure and the distance from
Arboretum resources.

*No action alternative*: The no action alternative provides a baseline
with which to compare proposed activities. Under the no action
alternative the proposal would be withdrawn and housing facilities for
the MPRS housing facility would not be constructed.

*The Arboretum* *alternative:* In the Arboretum alternative NAU will
construct and operate the 3500 square foot MPRS housing facility on land
leased from The Arboretum at Flagstaff on Woody Mountain Road, southeast
of Flagstaff.

The Arboretum alternative is the preferred alternative.

**[Environmental Consequences]{.underline}**

**NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE:**

There would be no impacts to any of the below resources. This would
include the absence of potential benefits to the environment from
research and education promoted through the MPRS housing facility.

**ARBORETUM ALTERNATIVE:**

**Air Quality/Transportation:**

The only air quality concerns are the dust associated with construction
and transportation. The site is small and well protected and dust is not
expected to be a significant construction problem. Any environmental
impact due to dust during construction will be mitigated by controlling
the dust with water as needed. Dust associated with traffic on Woody
Mountain Road is a concern for Coconino County. Dust created by MPRS
users of Woody Mountain Road will be mitigated via participation in a
formalized dust mitigation plan for the road with The Arboretum at
Flagstaff and other users as requested by the county and written into
the recently obtained conditional use permit for the site. Currently,
The Arboretum contributes to dust mitigation with occasional watering.

**Light Pollution:**

Flagstaff is a Dark Skies city, in part, in order to minimize light
pollution impacts on area observatories. All MPRS lighting will be
shielded as recommended by City of Flagstaff guidelines to avoid impacts
even thought the project is not in the city. The site has additional
shielding from the many surrounding trees that will be left in place.

**Heritage Resources and Environmental Justice**:

The Cultural Resource report found no indication of historical or
archeological artifacts and no evidence of eligible sites within the
area of potential effect. The NSF has issued a finding that the proposed
project will have "no effect" on historic resources, and received
concurrence with this finding from the Arizona State Historic
Preservation Officer. NSF is similarly seeking concurrence from several
federally recognized Indian Tribes. The Fort Apache, Hopi, Navajo,
Yavapai-Prescott, and Zuni tribes responded positively and no negative
responses were received. The cultural resource report, letter to SHPO
office, letter to tribes, and tribal distribution list can be found as
Appendixes E-H.

The project area is surrounded by non-residential properties and is not
foreseen to have differential impacts on minority or disadvantaged
populations.

**Recreation and Socioeconomic:**

The project will not adversely impact recreational use of the area.
Users of MPRS may make use of existing and future trails described in
the Environmental Assessment for the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration
Project. Research conducted at MPRS will be interpreted for the public
at The Arboretum at Flagstaff and thus contribute to visitor
experiences. As most of the users of the MPRS are expected to be new
users of Northern Arizona research and education resources, and all use
will be mission related, there will not be a negative impact on area
businesses.

**Water Resources:**

Significant effects on surface water are not expected. The area of
ground disturbance will be less than one acre. Fencing will be installed
to ensure construction vehicles stay within this area. The site has only
a very slight slope and crosses no drainages. Disturbed areas will be
covered with pine needle and/or bark mulch upon the completion of
construction.

The septic system is designed to meet or exceed Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality's requirements to protect water quality. An
Aquifer Protection Permit will be obtained for installation and
operation of the system. The distance of the septic system from the City
of Flagstaff well is over 400 feet, four times the 100-foot separation
required by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality standards. In
addition, the septic system is down-slope of the wellhead.

**Vegetation:**

The area of ground disturbance from this project will be less than one
acre. The existing vegetation is a Ponderosa Pine overstory and a sparse
grass and forb understory. The driveway, building, parking and leach
field are being located to minimize cutting of trees, especially larger
trees. Areas of ground disturbance will be restored with pine
needle/bark mulch. Invasive species importation will be minimized by
using weed-free fill, should importation of fill be required, and by
rinsing construction vehicles before they come to the site.
Post-construction, invasive species will be hand-pulled from the area if
present. The only plant species of concern in the area that is known to
occur on Arboretum property (according to the Arboretum Flora compiled
by Paul Boucher and J.M. Rominger from collections in 1975-6 with
updates in 1983 by A. Neas and in 2000 by Joanne Baggs and Jan Busco;
Appendix I) is *Astragulus rusbyi*. Plant species of concern are defined
as those listed in the Environmental Assessment for the Woody Ridge
Forest Restoration Project (USDA, 2004a) which covers the Arboretum
area. *Astragulus rusbyi* is a Region 3 Forest Service Region sensitive
species. It is not a threatened or endangered species. A couple of
*Astragulus sp.* individuals were found within the construction area,
though the species could not be determined because there were no flowers
or fruits present. *Astragulus sp*. individuals within the construction
site will be dug up prior to construction, maintained in a greenhouse,
and replanted after construction. Additional *Astragulus rusbyi* will be
included in post-construction plantings.

**Visual Quality:**

The building is designed to blend with the surroundings and existing
architectural styles at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. Neutral colors and
malpais rock will be used to help the structure blend with its
surroundings. It will be surrounded by ponderosa pine forest and be
unseen except from limited locations on State Trust land operated as
NAU's Centennial Forest and a small portions of the Arboretum's Nature
Trail. Even from these small areas the view is partially shielded by
trees. This is not deemed significant because existing buildings at The
Arboretum at Flagstaff could also be seen from these locations.

**Wildlife:**

As advised by Shaula Hedwall of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
office in Flagstaff, Arizona, the only Threatened or Endangered Species
of concern for this project is the Mexican Spotted Owl (*Strix
occidentalis lucida*) (MSO). A section 7 consultation was undertaken,
and a Biological Assessment submitted to the USFWS requesting
concurrence with a finding that this project "may affect, but is not
likely to adversely affect" the MSO. The Arboretum alternative site is
just over 500 meters from the Dry Lake Protected Activity Center (PAC)
for the MSO.

The MSO was designated as a threatened species under the endangered
species act in 1993. Protected Activity Centers for the MSO are areas of
preferred nesting and roosting habitats around sites where owls are
known to occur. While any impact to the PAC should be avoided, breeding
season disturbances are of greatest concern. MSO's are thought to breed
during the period of March 1 to August 31, although they do not nest
every year and may reproduce sporadically. MSO's most commonly nest and
roost in mixed-conifer forests, dominated by Douglas fir and/or white
fir, and in canyons with varying degrees of cover (Ganey and Balda 1989,
USDI 1995). They also nest and roost in ponderosa pine-Gambel oak
forest, where they are typically found in stands containing
well-developed understories of Gambel oak (USDI 1995).

The MPRS project lies within that portion of the MSO\'s distribution
referred to as the Upper Gila Mountains Recovery Unit (RU) (Williams
1986 in USDI 1995). Ganey et al. (2000) estimated 2,950 +/- 1,067 (SE)
MSO\'s occur in the Upper Gila Mountains RU. One of the MSO PACs in the
Gila RU is the 1,106-acre Dry Lake PAC, which includes the ridgelines
east, north, and west of The Arboretum at Flagstaff property. This PAC
includes U. S. Forest Service, Arizona State Trust (including Centennial
Forest), and U.S. Navy lands in an arc following the steeper slopes
surrounding Montoya Meadow (Appendix D).

MSO's have been observed in the Dry Lake PAC. A pair of MSO's may have
been detected on or near the Naval Observatory by the Arizona State Land
Department (ASLD) on June 28, 1994. Solitary MSO detections were
reported in 1994, 1995, and most recently, in 2001 in the eastern
portion of the Dry Lake PAC. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
speculates, based on a 1995 radio-telemetry study, that MSO may use the
area as an east-west dispersal corridor.

The distance from the construction site to the Dry Lake PAC on State
Trust Land is approximately 500m. The septic leach field may be as close
as 450m to the PAC while the building will be 500m away. The intervening
land is a combination of ponderosa pine forest with small
clearings/areas of meadow. Due to the fact that the building will occur
on an already developed site and will not remove/impact MSO habitat, we
have been mainly concerned with the potential for noise to disturb MSO
associated with the PAC. The planned construction site is adjacent
to: 1) a City of Flagstaff well, 2) The Arboretum at Flagstaff's
maintenance building, 3) The Arboretum's greenhouse, and 4) The
Arboretum's Nature Trail. Due to the existing uses by the Arboretum and
the visiting public and due to the distance from the PAC, increases in
day-to-day human activity in the area are not expected to significantly
increase noise disturbance to owls in the PAC. Any recreational use of
the area by visitors will be directed toward official trails to avoid
disturbance of owls in the PAC.

Two safety margins will be built into the construction plan for the MPRS
housing facility to ensure that impacts of construction activity on MSO
will not be significant. First, the construction site will be \~500 m
from the PAC (beyond the 320m and 400m thresholds for flushing and
evidence of response to road maintenance equipment, Delaney et al. 1999
and Delaney and Grubb 2003). Additionally, heavy and loud construction
machinery will only be used outside of the breeding season.

With the conservation measure of restricting heavy construction
activity, and its associated noise, to the non-breeding season the NSF
concludes that this project "may affect, but is not likely to adversely
affect" the MSO. The USFWS has concurred with this finding. Appendix J
is the Biological Assessment sent to USFWS for review.

**[Cumulative Impacts:]{.underline}**

**PAST ACTIONS:**

**Arboretum site development and restoration** since founding in 1981
have included:

1.  Horticulture Center Constructed

2.  Visitor Parking Lot Created

3.  Pond liner installed

4.  Public restrooms constructed

5.  Gardens and pathways expanded (ongoing)

6.  Woody Mountain Well constructed (City of Flagstaff)

7.  Nature trail constructed

8.  Constructed wetlands wastewater system installed

9.  Arizona Dept. of Transportation research greenhouse constructed

10. Log House Relocated to property

11. Facilities Building Constructed

12. Greenhouse constructed adjacent to facilities building

13. Ponderosa forest thinning

14. Grassland restoration

15. Various off-site plant conservation and restoration projects

**Centennial Forest activities** include the development of camping
facilities south of Woody Mountain Road and research project going on
across Centennial Forest.

**Woody Ridge Forest Restoration project:** The Coconino National Forest
and Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership's cooperative Woody Ridge
Forest Restoration project covers the Forest Service lands near the
proposed site for the MPRS housing facility. This plan includes forest
restoration activities such as thinning and burning designed to protect
wildlife and threatened and endangered species, as well as reduce the
risk of catastrophic wildfire. Thinning and broadcast burning on the
Coconino Forest parcel directly south of the proposed site has already
occurred as has thinning in the Dry Lake MSO PAC area north of the
Arboretum. These forest restoration projects may be the subject of
research by users of the MPRS and may result in better application of
forest restoration techniques in the future. Otherwise, they are not
expected to have any cumulative impacts with this construction project
since noise and dust creating activities are separated by multiple
years.

**Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions:**

**Woody Ridge Forest Restoration project:** A desired listed project was
to build a new, low impact trail for public access to Dry Lake. Dry Lake
is on the east side of the Dry Lake MSO PAC and east of the Arboretum.
This trail will reduce impacts from current informally trails to Dry
Lake vegetation and to the MSO.

**Arboretum, MPRS and Centennial Forest:** These three partner
institutions have tentative plans for growth depending on future levels
of use. As a result of this project, MPRS may eventually wish to double
housing capacity at the site and may collaborate with the Arboretum to
increase research support capabilities at the site by building a science
and administration building. Independently of this project, The
Arboretum at Flagstaff has plans for potential development to improve
visitor services and research capability though addition of a visitor
center and a science and administration building. The adjacent
Centennial Forest is developing research support infrastructure and
youth camp facilities.

**CUMMUALTIVE IMPACTS:**

**Air Quality/Transportation:**

Past development of the Arboretum site has probably increased traffic on
Woody Mountain Road and hence increased dust production. While each
additional use probably has insignificant effects there may be
cumulative impact of this increase. Hence the Coconino County is
requiring, through the conditional use permit for the Arboretum site,
that mitigation measures be taken in the form of dust abatement that
take in to account all the major users of the road.

**Light Pollution:**

No cumulative impacts are expecting as lighting on the sites is minimal,
most uses besides MPRS are daytime activities, and any added lighting
for MPRS or the Centennial Forest will be shielded.

**Heritage Resources and Environmental Justice**:

Cultural resource effects, in this case, would be specific to the site
of a development activity and not be cumulative. The project area is
surrounded by non-residential properties and is not foreseen to have
differential impacts on minority or disadvantaged populations.

**Recreation and Socioeconomic:**

Cumulatively the Woody Ridge trail development, Arboretum growth, and
NAU activities could significantly increase public visitation in a
manner that protects environmental resources. These visitors could have
positive impacts on the area economy.

**Water Resources:**

The Arboretum uses significant water resources for their gardens.
Research common gardens could use significant water in the future.
Residential uses are very small in comparison. Mitigation of both
run-off and water use are being achieved at the Arboretum through
rooftop water collection from the Arboretum's maintenance building. To
prevent any cumulative impacts MPRS will invest in such a system before
any additional building.

**Vegetation:**

Cumulative impacts on vegetation are expected to be, on balance,
slightly positive when Woody Ridge Restoration, Arboretum, Centennial
Forest, and Arboretum activities are considered together. While small
areas of vegetation are lost to development, more acreage is restored to
conditions that favor greater diversity of native plants. Many Arboretum
projects work towards the maintenance or recovery of threatened or
endangered plant species.

**Visual Quality:**

The future proposed developments cannot be seen from the same locations.
Only the Arboretum core site construction activities have the potential
for being visible over medium distances. The other projects are shielded
by trees and by land contour. The proposed project is near some existing
Arboretum buildings and will not significantly detract from the visual
quality of the area due to the design and generally low visibility due
to partially screening trees.

**Wildlife:**

As the construction activity is limited to the non-breeding season, is
500m from the Mexican Spotted Owl Protected Activity Center, and is of
restricted duration it should not act in a cumulative way with other
construction or forest thinning activities. The other potential for
cumulative impact would be through impact of increased levels of
research and recreation. Recreation should be directed to planned
trails, like those in the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project
Environmental Assessment (USDA, 2004a). Researchers coming to the area
to use the MPRS will be made aware of the Protected Activity Centers and
potential restrictions on activities in these areas.

**[CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION]{.underline}**

This document was drafted by Amy Whipple (NAU's MPRS) and edited by
Charisse Carney-Nunes and Gerald Selzer (NSF); and Michael Wagner and
Jonathan Smith (NAU's Centennial Forest).

The supporting Cultural Resource Evaluation was conducted by Lynn Neal
of Envirosystems Management Inc, Flagstaff. The NSF issued a finding
that the proposed project will have "no effect" on historic resources,
and received concurrence with this finding from the Arizona State
Historic Preservation Officer. The Fort Apache, Hopi, Navajo,
Yavapai-Prescott, and Zuni tribes responded positively to a request to
review the project and no negative responses were received from Indian
Tribes.

The Biological Assessment was drafted by Amy Whipple, Jonathan Smith,
and Matthew Clark in consultation with Shaula Hedwall of the US Fish and
Wildlife Service Flagstaff Office. It was reviewed and edited by
Charisse Carney-Nunes and Gerald Selzer (NSF), and was sent to USFWS,
which concurred with a Section Seven consultation determination of "may
affect, but is not likely to adversely affect". Shaula Hedwall of USFWS
was also consulted on general environmental concerns in the area of the
proposed project and on the original (now eliminated) alternative site.

Jonathan Smith and Michael Wagner discussed the eliminated alternative
sites extensively with Arizona State Trust Land personnel.

The Arboretum at Flagstaff is involved in all major decisions about the
Arboretum alternative and was involved in discussions of the eliminated
alternatives.

Coconino County has been engaged through their "Conditional Use Permit"
process and has approved the conditional use permit for the proposed
site. Building Permits will also be obtained from the county before
construction begins.

An Aquifer Protection Permit will be obtained from the Arizona
Department of Environmental Quality for the septic system before its
construction begins.

Input related to programmatic use of MPRS has been received from NAU
researchers and faculty, researchers and faculty around the country, and
from the local National Park Service office.

A public open house on the Centennial Forest on December 19, 2003,
included information on the MPRS.

The Environmental Assessments for the Lowell Observatory's Discovery
Channel Telescope (USDA, 2004b) and the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration
Project (USDA, 2004a), both on the Coconino National Forest were used as
additional guides for potential concerns in the area. Web addresses for
these documents are in the reference section.

**[REFERENCES CITED]{.underline}**

Delaney, David K., T.G. Grubb, P. Beier, L. L. Patter, and M. H. Reiser.
1999. Effects of helicopter noise on Mexican spotted owls Journal of
Wildlife Management 63(1):60-76.

Delaney, D.K., T.G. Grubb, 2003. Sound Recordings of Road Maintenance
Equipment on the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. A Report to San
Dimas Technology and Development Center. Rocky Mountain Research
Station.

Ganey, J.L, G.C. White, A.B. Franklin, J.P. Ward, Jr., and D.C. Bowden.
2000. A pilot study on monitoring populations of Mexican spotted owls in
Arizona and New Mexico: second interim report. 41 pp.

Ganey, J.L. and R.P. Balda, 1989. Distribution and habitat use by
Mexican spotted owls in northern Arizona. *Condor* 92:485-490.

US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2004a. Environmental Assessment
for the Woody Ridge Forest Restoration Project. Coconino County,
Arizona.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/publications/woody-ridge/index.shtml

US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2004b. Final Environmental
Assessment: Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope. Coconino
County, Arizona.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/nepa/2004/final-ea-telescope-complete.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior (USDI), Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995.
Recovery Plan for the Mexican spotted Owl. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

**[LIST OF Appendixes]{.underline}** **[Page]{.underline}**

Appendix A: Proposed Building Floor Plan 11

Appendix B: Overall Arboretum Site Plan 12

Appendix C: Proposed MPRS Site Plan 13

Appendix D: Area Overview 14

Appendix E: Cultural Resource Survey 15

Appendix F: Letter to Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer 18

Appendix G: Letter to Consulted Federally Recognized Indian Tribes 21

Appendix H: MPRS Distribution List of Tribes Consulted 24

Appendix I: Arboretum Plant List 25

Appendix J: Biological Assessment 31

Appendix A: Proposed Building Floor Plan

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height="8.488194444444444in"}

Appendix B: Overall Arboretum Site Plan

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height="5.2652777777777775in"}

Appendix C: Proposed MPRS Site Plan

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height="8.651388888888889in"}

Appendix D: Area overview

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height="4.4562992125984255in"}

Appendix E: Cultural Resource Survey

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height="8.624305555555555in"}

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height="8.372222222222222in"}

Appendix F: Text of Letter to Arizona State Historic Preservation
Officer

**NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION**

### 4201 Wilson Boulevard

**ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230**

September 23, 2005

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL -- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

## James Garrison

## State Historic Preservation Officer

## Arizona State Parks

## 1300 West Washington

**Phoenix, Arizona 85997**

Dear Mr. Garrison:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is undertaking a process pursuant
to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the planning, construction and
operation of the Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) pursuant to a
proposal from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in collaboration with,
and on property leased from, The Arboretum at Flagstaff. The proposed
project is funded by NSF.

The proposed research station will provide facilities for visiting
researchers, students, instructors, and agency personnel. It will
leverage productive collaborations involving NAU researchers and the
numerous field research opportunities in Northern Arizona, including the
adjacent NAU Centennial Forest. The two alternative sites considered for
the MPRS were on undeveloped land on the NAU Centennial Forest and
adjacent to existing development at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. We
expect construction to be completed by May of 2006.

NSF hereby invites your comments on the enclosed the MPRS historical and
archaeological resources report for the proposed Arboretum location for
the MPRS. This report was prepared by a consultant meeting the Secretary
of Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Historic
Preservation. Please be advised that we are also initiating consultation
with the federally recognized Indian tribes listed in the enclosed
service list for the MPRS project. The historical and archaeological
resources report information will also be included in a Draft
Environmental Assessment that is in preparation pursuant to NEPA. The
report describes cultural considerations and analysis culminating in the
the NSF's determination with required to potential effects on historic
resources.

In conformance with consultation requirements in Section 106 of the
NHPA, NSF requests your comments or concerns on the proposed project.
*Specifically, NSF requests your concurrence with the Foundation's
determination that the proposed construction and operation of the MPRS
at The Arboretum at Flagstaff will have no effect on historic
resources*.

Please let us know within 30 days of your receipt of this letter if you
have any comments concerning the MPRS's potential to affect cultural or
Native Indian Tribal resources at The Arboretum at Flagstaff.

NSF hereby designates Amy Whipple as its authorized representative to
receive your comments and to resolve any concerns that you may have. If
further consultation is required under the regulations, Ms. Whipple is
further authorized to negotiate on NSF's behalf. NSF will closely
oversee Ms. Whipple's communications with you and will be legally
responsible for making all required findings and determinations under
Section 106 of the NHPA. Ms. Whipple's contact information is:

> Amy V. Whipple\
> Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research\
> P.O. Box 5640\
> Northern Arizona University\
> Flagstaff, AZ 86011\
> Fax: 928-523-8223\
> Phone:(w) 928-523-8727\
> (h) 928-714-0409\
> e-mail: <amy.whipple@nau.edu>

Assistant General Counsel Charisse A. Carney-Nunes of my staff has been
assigned to oversee this matter for NSF. You may also contact Ms.
Carney-Nunes directly with any communications, comments or concerns
regarding the consultative process at 703-292-5056.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Rudolph

General Counsel

Appendix G: Sample Text of Letter to Consulted Federally Recognized
Indian Tribes

**NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION**

### 4201 Wilson Boulevard

### ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230

September 23, 2005

Carmelita Chavez

Pueblo of Zuni

PO Box 339

Zuni, NM 87327

Dear Carmelita Chavez:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is undertaking a process pursuant
to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the planning, construction and
operation of the Merriam-Powell Research Station (MPRS) pursuant to a
proposal from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in collaboration with,
and on property leased from, The Arboretum at Flagstaff. The proposed
project is funded by NSF.

The proposed research station will provide facilities for visiting
researchers, students, instructors, and agency personnel. It will
leverage productive collaborations involving NAU researchers and the
numerous field research opportunities in Northern Arizona, including the
adjacent NAU Centennial Forest. The two alternative sites considered for
the MPRS were on undeveloped land on the NAU Centennial Forest and
adjacent to existing development at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. We
expect construction to be completed by May of 2006.

NSF hereby invites your comments on the enclosed the MPRS historical and
archaeological resources report for the proposed Arboretum location for
the MPRS. This report was prepared by a consultant meeting the Secretary
of Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Historic
Preservation. The historical and archaeological resources report
information will also be included in a Draft Environmental Assessment
that is in preparation pursuant to NEPA.

In conformance with consultation requirements in Section 106 of the
NHPA, NSF requests your comments or concerns on the proposed project.
*Specifically, NSF requests your concurrence with the Foundation's
determination that the proposed construction and operation of the MPRS
at The Arboretum at Flagstaff will have no effect on historic
resources*.

Please let us know within 30 days of your receipt of this letter if you
have any comments concerning the MPRS's potential to affect cultural or
Native Indian Tribal resources at The Arboretum at Flagstaff. At that
time we will proceed with the project if we have not heard from you.

NSF hereby designates Amy Whipple as its authorized representative to
receive your comments and to resolve any concerns that you may have. If
further consultation is required under the regulations, Ms. Whipple is
further authorized to negotiate on NSF's behalf. NSF will closely
oversee Ms. Whipple's communications with you and will be legally
responsible for making all required findings and determinations under
Section 106 of the NHPA. Ms. Whipple's contact information is:

> Amy V. Whipple\
> Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research\
> P.O. Box 5640\
> Northern Arizona University\
> Flagstaff, AZ 86011\
> Fax: 928-523-8223\
> Phone:(w) 928-523-8727\
> (h) 928-714-0409\
> e-mail: <amy.whipple@nau.edu>

Assistant General Counsel Charisse A. Carney-Nunes of my staff has been
assigned to oversee this matter for NSF. You may also contact Ms.
Carney-Nunes directly with any communications, comments or concerns
regarding the consultative process at 703-292-5056.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Rudolph

General Counsel

Appendix H: MPRS Distribution List of Tribes Consulted

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Ak-Chin Indian Community Council

  Apache Cultural Program (Camp Verde Tribal Building)

  Chemehuevi Tribal Council

  Cocopah Tribal Council

  Colorado River Tribal Council

  Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (Cultural Development Department)

  Fort Mojave Tribal Council

  Fort Sill Apache Tribe

  Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe

  Gila River Indian Community

  Havasupai Tribal Council

  Hualapai Tribal Council

  Kaibab-Paiute Tribe

  Mescalero Apache Tribe

  Mohave Elders Committee

  Navajo Nation

  Pascua Yaqui Tribe

  Pueblo of Zuni

  Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

  San Carlos Apache Tribe

  San Juan Southern Paiute Council

  The Hopi Tribe

  Tohono O\'odham Nation

  Tonto Apache Tribe

  White Mountain Apache Tribe

  Yavapai Cultural Program (Camp Verde Tribal Building)

  Yavapai-Apache Nation

  Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix I: Arboretum Plant List

# Flora of The Arboretum at Flagstaff

Update by Joanne Baggs and Jan Busco

May 16, 2000

Originally complied by Paul Boucher and J.M. Rominger from collections
of 1975-76 with 1983 update by A. Neas.

\* Indicates 1998 discovery of indigenous or naturalized plants.

[Family]{.underline} [Scientific Name]{.underline} [Common
Name]{.underline}

Alismataceae *Alisma triviale* Water Plantain

Amaranthaceae *Amaranthus retroflexus* Rough Pigweed

Apiaceae *Pseudocymopterus montanus* Mountain Parsley

Ascelpiadaceae *Asclepias subverticillata \** Poison Milkweed

Asteraceae *Achillea millefolium* var*. lanulosa* Western Yarrow

*Agoseris glauca* Mountain Dandelion

*Agoseris glauca* var. *laciniata* Mountain Dandelion

*Antennaria parvifolia* Rocky Mountain Pussytoes

*Antennaria rosulata* Little Pussytoes

*Artemesia carruthii* Wormwood

*Aster adscendens* Aster

*Aster arenosus* Aster

*Aster falcatus \** White Aster

*Aster foliaceus \**

*Bahia dissecta* Yellow Ragweed

*Bidens ferulaefolia* Spanish Fleabane

*Chrysothamnus nauseosus* Rubber Rabbit Brush

*Cirsium wheeleri* Wheeler Thistle

*Conza canadensis* Horseweed

*Coreopsis tinctora* Calliopsis, Tickseed

*Erigeron concinnus \** Fleabane

*Erigeron divergens* Fleabane

*Erigeron flagellaris* Spreading Fleabane

*Gnaphalium exifolium* Cudweed

*Gutierrezia microcephala* Snakeweed

*Haplopappus croceus* Goldenweed

*Helianthella quinquenervis \** Aspen Sunflower

*Helianthus annuus \** Annual Sunflower

*Hymenopappus mexicanus* Mexican Woollywhite

*Hymenoxys richardsonii* Richardson's Goldenweed

*Kuhnia eupatoria \** False Boneset

*Lactuca serriola* Wild Lettuce

*Machaeranthera canescens* Aster

*Machaeranthera gracilis* Yellow Spiny Daisy

*Senecio actinella* Groundsel

*Senecio longilobus \** Threadleaf Goundsel

*Senecio multilobatus* Axe Butterweed

*Senecio spartioides* Broom Groundsel

*Solidago sparsiflora* Sparse-flowered Goldenrod

*Sonchus oleraceus* Annual Sowthistle

*Tanacetum vulgare* Tansy

*Taraxacum officinalis* Common Dandelion

*Tragopogon dubius* Goatsbeard

*Viguiera multiflora \** Golden-eye

*Wyethia arizonica \** Arizona Mules Ears

Boraginaceae *Lappula redowski* Stickweed

*Lithospermum multiflorum* Puccoon

*Plagiobothrys scouleri* var. *penicellatus* Bloodweed

Brassicaceae *Arabis fendleri* Rockress

*Descurainia richardsonii* var. *sonnei* Tansy Mustard

*Erysimum capitatum* Wallflower

*Lepidium densiflorum* Peppergrass

*Sisymbrium altissimum* Tumble Mustard

*Thlaspi montanum* var. *fendleri* Wild Candytuft

Caryophyllaceae *Arenaria fendleri* Sandwort

*Arenaria lanuginosa* Sandwort

*Stellaria* sp. \* Chickweed, Starwort

Chenopodiaceae *Chenopodium berlandieri* Goosefoot

*Chenopodium murale* Netleaf Goosefoot

*Salsola iberica* Russian Thistle

Convolvulaceae *Convolvulus arvensis* Field Bindweed

Cupressaceae *Juniperus scopulorum \** Rocky Mountain Juniper

Cyperaceae *Carex occidentalis* Sedge

*Carex subfusa* Sedge

*Elocharis acicularis* Spike Rush

*Elocharis macrostachya* Spike Rush

*Scripus validus* Softstem Bulrush

Ericaceae *Pterospora andromedea* Pinedrops

Euphorbiaceae *Euphorbia albomarginata* Rattlesnakeweed

*Euphorbia incisa* Spurge

Fabaceae *Astragalus humistratus* Milkvetch

*Astragalus rusbyi* Milkvetch

*Astragalus troglodytus* Milkvetch

*Coronilla varia* Crown Vetch

*Lathyrus leucanthus* Peavine

*Lotus wrightii* Deervetch

*Lupinus argenteus* Silver Lupine

*Lupinus kingii* King's Lupine

*Lupinus palmeri* Palmer Lupine

*Melilotus albus* White Sweet Clover

*Melilotus officinalis* Yellow Sweet Clover

*Psoralea tenuiflora* Scurf pea

*Trifolium hybridum* Alsike Clover

*Vicia americana* Vetch

*Vicia pulchella* Vetch

Fagaceae *Quercus gambelii* Gambel Oak

Gentianaceae *Gentiana affinis* Pleated Gentian

Geraniaceae *Erodium cicutarium* Filaree

*Geranium caespitosum* Wild Geranium

Hydrophyllaceae *Phacelia fremontii* Fremont Phacelia

Iridaceae *Iris missouriensis* Wild Iris

Juncaceae *Juncus interior* Rush

Lamiaceae *Glechoma hederacea* Ground Ivy

*Moldavica parviflora* Dragonhead Mint

Liliaceae *Allium geyeri* Pink Onion

*Calochortus nuttallii* Sego-lily

Linaceae *Linum aristatum* Flax

*Linum lewisii* Blue Flax

Malvaceae *Malva neglecta* Cheeseweed

Marsileaceae *Marsilea vestita* Hairy Pepperwort

Nyctanginaceae *Mirabilis linearis* Four-O'clock

Onagraceae *Epilobium paniculatum* Willowweed

*Gaura coccinea* Scarlet Gaura

*Gayophytum nuttallii*

*Oenothera flava* Evening Primrose

*Oenothera laciniata* Evening Primrose

*Oenothera taraxacoides* Evening Primrose

Oxalidaceae *Oxalis decaphylla* Wood-sorrel

Pinaceae *Pinus ponderosa* var. *scopulorum* Ponderosa Pine

Poaceae *Aegilops cylindrica* Jointed Goatgrass

*Agropyron cristatum* Creasted Wheatgrass

*Agropyron elongatum* Tall Wheatgrass

*Agropyron intermedium* var. *intermedium \** Intermediate Wheatgrass

*Agropyron intermedium* var. *trichophorum \** Intermediate Wheatgrass

*Agropyron smithii \** Western Wheatgrass

*x Agrositanion saundersii* Wheatgrass

*Agrostis stolonifera* Red Top

*Alopecurus aequalis* Short-awn Foxtail

*Alopecurus geniculatus* Water Foxtail

*Arisitida arizonica* Arizona Three-awn

*Aristida purpurea* var*. longiseta* Purple Three-awn

*Avena fatua* Wild Oat

*Blepharoneuron tricholepis* Hairy Dropseed

*Bouteloua gracilis* Blue Grama

*Bouteloua simplex* Mat Grama

*Bromus inermis* Smooth Brome

*Bromus racemosus* Bald Brome

*Bromus richardsonii* Fringed Brome

*Bromus tectorum* Cheat Grass

*Echinochloa colonum* Jungle Rice

*Eragrostis pectinacea* Lovegrass

*Festuca arizonica* Arizona Fescue

*Hordeum jubatum* Foxtail Barley

*Hordeum leporinum* Wild or Rabbit Barley

*Koeleria nitida (K. pyramidata)* Junegrass

*Muhlenbergia minutissima* Minute Muhly

*Muhlenbergia montana* Mountain Muhly

*Muhlenbergia richardsonis \** Mat Muhly

*Muhlenbergia rigens* Deer Grass

*Muhlenbergia wrightii* Spike Muhly

*Munroa squarrosa* False Buffalograss

*Panicum bulbosum* Bulb Panicum

*Poa compressa* Canada Bluegrass

*Poa fendleriana* Muttongrass

*Poa pratensis* Kentucky Bluegrass

*Schizachyrium scoparium* Little Bluestem

*Setaria viridis* Green Bristletail

*Sitanion hystrix* Squirreltail

*Stipa robusta* Sleepygrass

*Triticum aestivum* Wheat

Polemoniaceae *Ipomopsis aggregata* Sky Rocket

*Navarretia propinqua*

*Phlox woodhousei* Pink Phlox

Polygonaceae *Eriogonum alatum* Wild Buckwheat

*Eriogonum racemosum* Redroot Buckwheat

*Polygonum amphibium* Water Smartweed

*Polygonum aviculare* Prostrate Knotweed

*Rumex crispus* Curley Dock

Portulacaceae *Claytonia lanceolata \** Spring Beauty

*Portulaca oleracea* Common Purslane

Potamogetonaceae *Potamogeton foliosus* Leafy Pondweed

Primulaceae *Androsace septentrionalis* Rock Jasmine

Ranunclulaceae *Ranunculus aquitilis* Buttercup

*Thalictrum fendleri* Meadowrue

Rhamnaceae *Ceanothus fendleri* Buckbrush

Rosaceae *Geum triflorum var. ciliatum* Oldman Whiskers

*Potentilla crinita* Feather Silverweed

*Potentilla hippiana* Cinquefoil

*Potentilla norvegica* Cinquefoil

*Potentilla pensylvanica \** Cinquefoil

*Potentilla subviscosa* Clubleaf Cinquefoil

*Rosa arizonica* Arizona Rose

Rubiaceae *Hedyotis pygmaea (Houstonia wrightii)* Bluets

Scrophulariaceae *Castillega integra* Indian Paintbrush

*Linaria genistifolia* ssp. *dalmatica \** Toadflax, Butter and Eggs

*Mimulus rubellus* Monkey Flower

*Orthocarpus purpureo-albus* Owl Clover

*Pedicularis centranthera* Woodbetony

*Penstemon barbatus* Scarley Beardtongue

*Penstemon virgatus* Beardtongue

*Verbascum thapsus \** Mullein

*Veronica peregrina* ssp*. xalapensis* Speedwell

Solanaceae *Physalis pubescens* Ground Cherry

Verbenaceae *Verbena bracteata* Prostrate Vervain

*Verbena macdougallii* New Mexican Vervain

Appendix J: Biological Assessment

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height="8.995138888888889in"}