Appendix A: Vegetation Treatments

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1 Appendix A: Vegetation Treatments In general, the proposed actions for the Light Restoration project focuses on establishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological processes necessary to make terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems sustainable, resilient, and healthy under current and future conditions. There are four main tools that are being proposed for restoring upland vegetation in the Light PLTA: Commercial harvest to reduce stocking levels, reduce crown density, reduce crown connectivity, remove diseased trees, and create openings in which early seral species may become established; Ladder fuel reduction to remove trees too small to be of commercial value in order to reduce live ladder fuels, to reduce competition with larger diameter trees, to reduce shade within created openings, and to reduce stocking levels; Pre-commercial thinning to expedite growth of desired species during the seedling and sapling stage; and promote fire resilient species Underburning, which reduces ground fuels, increases live crown heights, reduces young conifer stocking levels [and therefore extends the duration of Stem Exclusion, Open Canopy (SEOC); Stem Exclusion, Closed Canopy (SECC); and Old Forest Single Story (OFSS) structure], and invigorates native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Commercial Harvest - There are several types of commercial harvest planned that vary as to objective and intensity. No trees over 21 inches DBH nor any trees needed for their contribution or near term potential to contribute to late and old structure or Forest Plan Old Growth (15 18 inch DBH trees per acre) would be harvested. Where possible, while meeting fuels objectives, heterogeneity (a combination of individuals, clumps and openings) would be maintained or promoted in order to provide or restore forest resilience (Churchill, Larson, D Aghlgreen, Franklin, Hessburg, Lutz 2013). Pine Restoration Harvest- Ponderosa pine trees of various sizes up to 24 inches diameter compose from 5 to 25% of these stands. They are surrounded by small to medium sized Douglas-fir and western larch of various levels of dwarf mistletoe infections. These stands are dry forest within 1.5 miles of the forest boundary. The current canopy closure is from 10 to 40% with an average of 30%. The objective is to allow the fire resilient ponderosa pine trees within these stands to thrive and propagate, while reducing canopy closure and connectivity in the wildland/urban interface (WUI). This would be accomplished by removing nearby (within 40 feet) Douglas-fir trees as well as dwarf mistletoe infected Douglas-fir and western larch within 200 feet of cone bearing ponderosa pine trees. This harvest treatment would result in canopy cover ranging from 10 to 20%, with an average of 15%. This would be followed by ladder fuel reduction and underburning, with the objective to reduce ground fuels, increase live crown heights, and increase pine seedling establishment opportunities. Although regeneration is desired and expected, this prescription would not be considered a regeneration harvest treatment because expected openings would be less than three acres in size and the overall stands would be considered sufficiently stocked post treatment. 1

2 Commercial Thin Harvest and Ladder Fuel Reduction with Underburn or Excavator Pile and Burn - Most of these stands are in dry forest, with the exception of a few stands of cold forest. They all have multiple canopies with total canopy cover above 50%, and in most cases, 70% or higher. Most of these stands have enough dwarf mistletoe infections in the Douglas-fir and western larch that together with high crown cover and multiple canopies have moderate to high risk of crown fire. The objective for these stands is to reduce crown cover and stand conditions that increase the risk of crown fire in the WUI as well as to maintain and promote larger trees. This would be accomplished by removing the understory and the more heavily diseased and less dominant trees in the overstory and reducing ground fuels amounts to acceptable levels. The largest and healthiest trees would be the most likely to remain in the stand after harvest. Stocking levels would range from 0 to 100 feet square of basal area with an average of 60 square feet. Few, if any openings would be created and those would be less than one acre in size. On 111 acres in units that are partially within the Mt. Bonaparte IRA, the average basal area would be 80 square feet and the larger diameter trees (16 inches DBH or larger) would be left in the stand regardless of health except where large, low hanging mistletoe brooms would compromise the ability to use the road for fire suppression support. Where existing ground fuels are within acceptable ranges, the dry forest stands would be underburned after harvest and ladder fuel treatments. Where existing ground fuels are within acceptable ranges and well defined burn boundaries are available, 1,566 acres dry forest stands would be underburned after harvest and ladder fuel treatments. In stands that have heavy fuel loadings and have poorly defined burn boundaries, existing ground fuels and slash from harvest and ladder fuel treatments would be piled and burned. Commercial Thin and Sanitation Harvest with Ladder Fuel Reduction and Underburning - Most of these stands are in dry forest, with the exception of a few stands of cold forest. They all have multiple canopies with total canopy cover above 50%, and in most cases, 70% or higher. Most of these stands have enough dwarf mistletoe infections in the Douglas-fir and western larch that together with high crown cover and multiple canopies have moderate to high risk of crown fire. The objective for these stands is to reduce crown cover and stand conditions that increase the risk of crown fire in the WUI as well as to maintain and promote larger trees. This would be attained by harvesting the smaller and more dwarf mistletoe infected trees and the trees in root disease pockets. Stocking levels would range from 0 to 100 feet square of basal area with an average of 60 square feet. Where there are no large trees and either dwarf mistletoe infections are heavy or there is root disease, openings up to three acres in size may be created. The ladder fuels would be fell and either piled and burned or underburned together with activity slash and natural fuels. Rarely, created openings over three acres may take place, which would then be subject to monitoring for natural regeneration. Late and Old Structure Thinning and Release Harvest- These stands either qualify as Forest Plan Old Growth or are candidate stands for recruiting Forest Plan Old Growth (Replacement Old Growth). The objective is to reduce competition to large diameter trees by removing non-commercial and smaller commercial sized trees in their vicinity as well as to reduce the threat of fire caused mortality by reducing crown cover, ladder fuels connectivity and ground fuels amounts. Aspen Release In the units identified for Aspen Release aspen trees and sprouts would be released from conifer encroachment by removing all conifers up to 18 inches dbh) from within 100 feet of living aspen trees or sprouts. Where aspen trees and sprouts are not present, no treatment would take place. Where aspen patches are found in 2

3 other commercial harvest treatment units, conifers up to 21 inches DBH (this may be lower depending on unit specific objectives) would also be removed within 100 feet of live aspen trees and sprouts. In stands identified for non-commercial activity, aspen would be released from conifers up to 9 inches DBH within 100 feet of live aspen trees and sprouts. The resulting slash associated with aspen release in commercial and non-commercial units would be managed according to the ground fuels treatment of each unit. Stand Initiation Consolidation Harvest During the landscape analysis it was determined that the average size of stand initiation patches is so small that they are outside the historical range of variability. The stands proposed for this treatment were identified for treatment because they are heavily diseased and are adjacent to stand initiation patches thus providing an opportunity to consolidate and enlarge stand initiation patches. Most of the overstory would be removed, leaving healthy small and large clumps and individual trees for legacy and stand diversity. Ladder fuels would be felled and underburned with the existing ground fuels with the intent to provide site preparation (exposed soil) that would facilitate regeneration. Where there is root disease (units 12 and 53), western larch and/or ponderosa pine would be planted because they are more resistant to root disease and defoliators than the predominant Douglas-fir, Western larch, which is more resistant to root disease, and/or ponderosa pine, which is both resistant to root disease and less likely to be infected with dwarf mistletoe, would be planted. There would be no resulting openings larger than 60 acres in size. Biomass Removal - If biomass is removed from the project area, it would be from tops and un-utilizable portions of felled trees that may be left in landing piles. There would be no additional coarse woody debris or snags that would be made available for removal. If there is a market for biomass, or it is determined from a fuels management standpoint that removal of biomass is desirable, it may be removed. At this time, biomass removal is not expected. Non-Commercial Vegetation Management There are several types of non-commercial harvest planned that vary as to objective and intensity. Underburn Underburning is planned for most of the dry forest stands in the Light project area. Underburning is intended to reduce ground fuels amounts to within historical levels, reduce stocking in the lowest diameter classes, raise live crown heights and invigorate or encourage grass, forb, and shrub species that are dependent on fire to thrive on the landscape. Where underburning is prescribed for site preparation for regeneration, a more intense fire behavior is desired that exposes mineral soil for natural seedlings and planting sites. Underburning would be performed in the spring or fall, when fuel moistures and weather conditions are such that objectives can be met. In many stands, stocking levels and/or ground fuels amounts may need to be reduced before underburning can be implemented to meet objectives. In these stands, a combination of timber harvest and/or ladder fuel reduction and/or ground fuel piling and burning would take place first. In stands where live fuel heights are higher and ground fuels amounts are low enough that underburning would not likely cause damage to residual stands or soils, underburning would be the only treatment applied. Ladder Fuel Reduction Ladder fuel reduction is the term used to fell understory trees that connect to overstory trees increasing the risk of crown fire. Generally these are non-commercial sized trees (up to 7 inches in diameter at breast height). Depending on stand conditions, all or part of this size class may be felled. In most cases ladder fuel 3

4 reduction is in combination with timber harvest and/or underburning. In the case where most of the stand is made up of younger trees that do not have thick bark to protect them from underburning the resulting slash would be piled and burned. Incidental Riparian Underburn and Incidental Upland Underburn - Underburning is most cost effective when applied to large blocks of land at a time and when stands can be underburned together with neighboring stands. Another way to keep costs down and reduce impacts to soil is to locate fire control lines where strategic prescribed firing patterns and holding operations can be used to accomplish underburning where it is the most beneficial. However, when these strategies are employed there are places that may receive incidental amounts of prescribed fire. Pre-commercial Thinning There are natural and planted stands of young trees that are stocked too heavily to meet stand objectives. The objective is to reduce competition to and thin ponderosa pine and western larch seedlings and saplings on dry sites, allowing them to grow more quickly to a fire resistant size class. Stocking would be reduced by felling excess or undesirable seedlings and saplings. Resulting slash would be piled and burned or underburned Roadside Ladder Fuel Reduction Conifers up to 9 inches DBH within 300 feet of the 3230 road would be thinned to reduce ladder fuels and decrease crown canopy connectivity. Resulting slash would be handpiled and burned or underburned. Biomass Removal If there is a market for biomass or it is determine from a fuels management standpoint that removal of biomass is desirable, it may be removed. At this time, biomass removal is not expected. 4

5 Table Alternative 2, Commercial and Non-commercial Treatments and Surface Fuels Treatments by Stands Stand (Acres 1 ) Fuel Treatment Acres 2 Treated Ponderosa Pine Restoration 48(173) Aspen Release Harvest 62(12), 64(116) Late and Old Structure Thinning and Release Harvest 28(264), 29(23), 30(61) fuels and underburn. Leave tops attached to the last log, fell all noncommercial conifers within 100 feet of live aspen stems, hand pile slash and burn piles Fell ladder fuels and underburn or hand pile and burn Commercial Thin Harvest 19(12), 23(30), 26(8), 32(17), 35(44) Commercial Thin Harvest 06(35), 07(51), 10(29), 18(145), 24(315), 36(19), 38(43), 40(49), 41(53), 44(134), 46(65), 49(49), 51(294), 67(156), 71(38), 72(53), 77(36), 86(13) Sanitation/Thin Harvest 09(156), 13(34), 59(20), 68(57), 70(78), 81(34), 82(82), 84(193), 88(525) Stand Initiation Consolidation Harvest 03(145 4 ), 12(126 4 ), 25(35), 53(58), 58(45), 60(57), 75(18) fuels. Excavator Pile and burn piles. 111 fuels, either underburn, hand pile or excavator pile 3 1,577 and burn piles. Pile burning may be fuels, either underburn, hand pile or excavator pile 3 1,179 and burn piles. Pile burning may be Whip Felling, underburn; or hand pile and burn piles or excavator pile 3 and burn piles for site 484 preparation for planting and/or natural regeneration Total Commercial (Includes some ladder fuel (non-commercial)) 4,000 Ladder Fuel Reduction 15(21), 16(48), 52(121), 56(27) Ladder Fuel Reduction, handpile, and burn piles 217 Ladder Fuel Reduction Pile and Burn and Underburn Ladder Fuel Reduction, handpile, burn piles, 39(21), 45(14), 54(16) 51 Ladder Fuel Reduction and Underburn 02(13), 04(70), 05(178), 08(33), 14(47), 17(72), 69(40), 78(27), 83(39) Ladder Fuel Reduction followed by underburn 519 Underburn 55(54), 89(512) Underburn. Future underburn 566 Low Intensity Riparian Underburn 11(15), 21(5), 37(43), 42(8), 43(16), 50(14), 65(194) Low Intensity Upland Underburn 01(119), 47(39), 80(18) Pre-commercial Thin 20(31), 22(58), 27(13), 31(14), 33(35), 34(6), 57(84), 61(25), 66(38), 73(21, 74(68), 76(36), 79(14), 85(49), 87(24) Fire control lines would be established around perimeters and prescribed fire allowed to creep into these stands from adjacent treatment units. Fire control lines would be established around perimeters and prescribed fire allowed to creep into these stands from adjacent treatment units. Hand pile and burn piles or lop and scatter and underburn Roadside Ladder Fuel Reduction 63(146) Handpile and burn piles 146 Total Non-Commercial Only 2,487 1 Unit locations are shown on the Alternative Two Vegetation Management Map, in Appendix A, Maps, Figure A-1. 2 Acres are the summation of rounded acres for each unit. Acres are only estimates. Actual acres are determined during layout based on ground conditions. 3 In areas where fuel loading is high, excavator piling would be used as the last option Some acres would remain in forested condition (at least 10% crown cover) to comply with Region 6 guidelines that do not allow openings larger than 60 acres in size. 5

6 To improve clarity, the map is displayed in two pieces (a north portion and a south portion). To view all vegetation treatments on a single map please refer to the alternative description in the EA 6

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8 Table Alternative 3, Commercial and Non-commercial Treatments and Surface Fuels Treatments by Stands Stand (Acres 3 ) Fuel Treatment Acres 4 Ponderosa Pine Restoration 48(173) Aspen Release Harvest 62(12), 64(116) Late and Old Structure Thinning and Release Harvest 28(264) Commercial Thin Harvest 06(35), 07(51), 10(29), 18(145), 24(315), 36(19), 38(43), 40(49), 41(53), 44(134), 46(65), 49(49), 51(294), 67(156), 71(38), 72(53), 77(36), 86(13) Sanitation/Thin Harvest 09(156), 13(34), 59(20), 68(57), 70(77), 81(35), 82(82), 84(193), 88(525) Stand Initiation Consolidation Harvest 03(145 4 ), 12(126 4 ), 25(34), 53(58), 58(44), 60(57), 75(18) fuels and underburn. Leave tops attached to the last log, fell all noncommercial conifers within 100 feet of live aspen stems, hand pile slash and burn piles Fell ladder fuels and underburn or hand pile and burn. Treated fuels, either underburn, hand pile or excavator pile and burn piles. Pile burning may be fuels, either underburn, hand pile or excavator pile and burn piles. Pile burning may be Whip Felling, underburn; or hand pile and burn piles or excavator pile 3 and burn piles for site 484 preparation for planting and/or natural regeneration Total Commercial (Includes some ladder fuel (non-commercial)) 3,804 Ladder Fuel Reduction 15(21), 16(48), 52(121), 56(27) Ladder Fuel Reduction, handpile, and burn piles 216 Ladder Fuel Reduction Pile and Burn and Underburn Ladder Fuel Reduction, handpile, burn piles, 39(21), 45(14), 54(16) 51 Ladder Fuel Reduction and Underburn 02(13), 04(70), 05(178), 08(33), 14(47), 17(72), 69(40), 78(27), 83(39) Ladder Fuel Reduction followed by underburn 519 Underburn 55(54), 89(512) Underburn. Future underburn 566 Fire control lines would be established around Low Intensity Riparian Underburn 11(15), 21(5), 37(43), perimeters and prescribed fire allowed to creep 42(8), 43(16), 50(14), 65(194) into these stands from adjacent treatment units. 295 Low Intensity Upland Underburn 01(119), 47(39), 80(19) Fire control lines would be established around perimeters and prescribed fire allowed to creep into these stands from adjacent treatment units. 176 Pre-commercial Thin 57(84), 61(25), 66(38), 73(21, Hand pile and burn piles or lop and scatter and 74(68), 76(36), 79(14), 85(49), 87(24) underburn 360 Roadside Ladder Fuel Reduction 63(146) Handpile and burn piles 146 Total Non-Commercial (Only) Unit locations are shown on the Alternative Two Vegetation Management Map, in Appendix A, Maps, Figure A-1. 2 Acres are the summation of rounded acres for each unit. Acres are only estimates. Actual acres are determined during layout based on ground conditions. 3 In areas where fuel loading is high, excavator piling would be used as the last option. 4 Some acres would remain in forested condition (at least 10% crown cover) to comply with Region 6 guidelines that do not allow openings larger than 60 acres in size. 8

9 To improve clarity, the map is displayed in two pieces (a north portion and a south portion). To view all vegetation treatments on a single map please refer to the alternative description in the EA 9

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