Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project Visuals Report

Transcription

1 Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project Visuals Report Prepared by: Shannon Winegar Recreation Specialist for: Prairie City Ranger District Malheur National Forest April 27, 2017

2 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

3 Contents Introduction... 2 Regulatory Framework... 2 Malheur Forest Plan Objectives:... 2 Forest-Wide Standards:... 2 Resource Elements, Indicators, and Measures... 4 Affected Environment... 7 Desired Condition... 8 Existing Condition Resource Element Indicators Resource Element Indicators Environmental Consequences Methodology Incomplete and Unavailable Information Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis Past, Present, and Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis Alternative 1 No Action Direct and Indirect Effects Cumulative Effects Alternative 2 Proposed Action and Alternative Direct and Indirect Effects Alternative 2 and Cumulative Effects Alternative 2 and Summary of Environmental Effects Compliance with Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans References Appendix Project Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures List of Tables Table 1. Comparison of scenic integrity levels and visual quality objectives that apply to the project area... 5 Table 2. Viewing zones that apply to visual/scenery management... 6 Table 3. Visual objectives and acres for each visual feature and distance zone... 7 Table 4: Resource elements, indicators, and measures for assessing effects... 7 Table 5: Acres of treatment by visual corridor and distance zone for both action alternatives 20 Table 6. Summary of resource indicators and measures by alternative

4 Introduction The Summit Project is a landscape restoration project to improve the Forest s fire-resistance and fire-resilience, forest health, and diversity on approximately 38,000 acres located on the Prairie City Ranger District within the Malheur National Forest. The purpose is to begin restoration and maintain healthy, resilient landscapes, rich in biodiversity, with a greater capacity to adapt and thrive in the event of natural disturbances and large scale threats to sustainability. To move species composition, density, and structure towards historic range of variability while maintaining or improving the health of the Forest. This section describes scenery values and effects associated with the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project. Viewing scenery is one of the most popular recreation activities on the Malheur National Forest (National Visitor Use Monitoring 2009). Scenery is a primary public value and legacy within the National Forests benefitting people through improved quality of life, recreational enjoyment, and tourism economics. The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project will help achieve the Malheur Forest Plan s desired conditions for scenery; to perpetuate ecologically established scenery, and minimize visual disturbance (meet the Forest s minimum Visual Quality Objective (VQO) thresholds). There are three visual corridors located within the Summit Creek planning area. The Glacier Loop and Wilderness Loop visual corridors are located along portions of Forest Service Road 16 and County Road 62, which provide primary access into the Summit Creek planning area. The Malheur Wild and Scenic River visual corridor is evaluated for the visible or potentially visible landscape as viewed from the Malheur Wild and Scenic River. The corridors include all of the foreground and middleground (Table 2) area visible (and potentially visible) from the roads and river described above. The proposed project lies in a sensitivity level I and II corridors which have the primary consideration given to their scenic quality and the growth of large diameter trees with a visual quality objective of retention and partial retention in foreground and partial retention in middleground. Visitor sensitivity is significant along these routes because they provide access to the Summit and Logan Valley areas and popular recreation sites. Regulatory Framework Malheur Forest Plan Objectives: Emphasize visual quality along sensitivity level I and II on County Road 62 and FSR 16 under retention and partial retention in the foreground and partial retention in the middleground VQO as they loop around the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness and portions of the Malheur Wild and Scenic River. The VQO is retention located in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor, however structures and facilities necessary to meet the objectives of this management area may meet partial retention. Forest-Wide Standards: Forest-wide Standard 25: The minimum visual quality objective for the Forest is maximum modification. The visual quality objective would be applied and met in the general forest areas. Evidence of proposed harvest activities would be visible in general forest areas including skid rails, skyline corridors, temporary roads, and landings. 2

5 Activities would meet the maximum modification standard which allows management activities to dominate the natural landscape. Forest-wide Standard 27: Rehabilitate landscapes containing negative visual elements. Visual corridors along Forest Road 16, County Road 62 and Malheur Wild and Scenic River were impacted by harvest activities prior to the 1990 Forest Plan. Proposed activities would help restore the large tree component of historically present tree species. Encouraging large-tree components, gap and clump structure, reduced surface and ladder fuels, and a more historic species composition would improve landscape visual elements over time. This evaluation applies current National Forest Scenery Management methodology in conjunction with existing Malheur Forest Plan direction (USDA Forest Service 1990). This includes scenery sustainability concepts described in SMS Handbook Appendix J (Mattson et al. 2007). It relies on field studies and photography from inventoried sensitive viewpoints and other views of the project area, as well as coordination with project interdisciplinary team members, and consideration of public preferences for scenic quality. Cumulative scenic quality was evaluated within the geographic scope of roadways and other sensitive public viewpoints within and adjacent to the project. Integration of this scenery analysis assures the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project is consistent with scenery-related Malheur National Forest direction, USFS policies, and applicable elements of USFS Visual Management and Scenery management systems. Visual resources are defined in the Forest Plan as the composite of basic terrain, geologic features, water features, vegetative patterns, and land use effects that typify a land unit and influence the visual appeal the unit may have for visitors. In other words, managing visual resources is managing the scenic views visitors expect within specific areas. The Malheur Forest Plan specifies the desired level of management based on physical and sociological characteristics of a management area. This is the visual quality objective (VQO)/Scenic Integrity and it refers to the degree of acceptable alteration of the characteristics of the landscape. Additionally, this section will also evaluate the scenic stability of the visual resource. Scenic stability measures sustainability of the valued scenic character and its attribute using six levels from very high where all attributes are sustainable to no stability where no dominant attributes are sustainable through time. Scenic stability recognizes the often subtle, incremental changes that can severely diminish or eliminate valued scenic character it uses historical range of variation as a reference baseline for sustainability (Mattson 2012). Concern or Sensitivity Levels are a measure of people's concern for the scenic quality of the National Forests (USDA Forest Service 1974). Constituent analysis serves as a guide to perceptions of attractiveness, helps identify special places, and helps to define the meaning people give to the subject landscape. Constituent analysis leads to a determination of the relative importance of aesthetics to the public; this importance is expressed as a concern level. Sites, travel routes, special places, and other areas are assigned a concern level value of 1, 2, or 3 to reflect the relative High, Medium, or Low importance of aesthetics (USDA Forest Service 1995). In the Malheur Forest Plan, visual corridors are ranked by these concern (sensitivity) levels. The Malheur Wild and Scenic River, Glacier and Wilderness Loop visual corridors as they loop around Strawberry Mountain Wilderness are sensitivity level I. Portion of the Malheur Wild and Scenic River visual corridor is sensitivity level II. 3

6 Resource Direction within the Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor The Malheur River was designated as a wild and scenic river in the Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act directed the Forest Service to develop a comprehensive management plan for the designated river corridor which will preserve the free flowing character of the river corridor, protect water quality, and provide for protection or enhancement of the outstanding remarkable values it contains. On August 7, 1992 Decision Notice was signed that designates a management strategy for the Malheur Wild and Scenic River. This management strategy was incorporated into the Malheur Wild and Scenic River management Plan through a Forest Plan amendment (Amendment 14 to the Malheur Forest Plan). The decision established a new Management Area, MA 22b (Wild and Scenic River). This new Management Area replaced Management Area 22 in the Malheur Forest Land and Resource Management Plan for the Malheur River Corridor. The Malheur Wild and Scenic River is 12 miles long with 6 miles designated as wild and 6 miles designated as scenic. The Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor is comprised of 2,961 acres designated wild and 797 acres designated scenic totaling 3,758 acres. There is 24,900, which includes the foreground and middleground acres within the planning area. Forest Goal Protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable scenic, geologic, wildlife habitat and historic values of the river corridor. Preserve the free-flowing conditions of the river. Provide facilities for recreation use and access which do not detract from the recreation opportunity settings provided. Provide for improvements in water quality and native fish habitat. Use the corridor for interpreting area history and natural history to visitors. Standards and Guides 1. The visual quality objective is retention; however, structures and facilities necessary to meet the objectives of this management plan may meet partial retention. Desired Condition The wild and scenic rivers on the Malheur will provide a river setting where future generations can still experience a feeling of being in an area unaffected by development activities. This will be an area where one can enjoy the scenic beauty of a river corridor. The scenic river segment of the corridor has a natural or near natural appearance. Where timber harvest has occurred, trees are in clumps, groups, or naturally spaced. Stumps are flush-cut to the ground and, therefore, not evident. Ponderosa pine is still the dominant overstory tree species within the river corridor. Large-diameter pine are common, but less evident than in the past. A mixture of fir or lodgepole pine is dominant on some sites. The river corridor continues to provide an old-growth character setting. Resource Elements, Indicators, and Measures The three indicators used to measure the effects to scenery resources are scenic integrity, scenic stability and protection of large old growth ponderosa pine trees in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor. These three indicators evaluate the intensity and duration of effects as well as the degree to which the alternatives would affect the resiliency of scenery attributes over the longterm. Scenic integrity is a measure of the degree to which the scenery is free from visible disturbances that detract from the existing scenic character that people value, including disturbances due to human activities or extreme natural events inconsistent with the historic range of variability (USDA Forest Service 2007). The Malheur Forest Plan has standards and guides which utilize the visual management terms (i.e., visual quality objectives). 4

7 This analysis will disclose the effects in these terms to verify whether or not the project alternatives will meet the standards and guides, as well as translate to the scenic integrity terminology. Table 1 displays the two sets of terminology. Scenic integrity is measured on the Malheur National Forest through six graduated levels defined by the visual quality objectives (VQOs) (see Table 1 below) within the U.S. Forest Service Visual Management System, Agricultural Handbook 462 (USDA Forest Service 1974). These scenic integrity levels can be applied in two ways: (1) to describe a degree of existing scenic integrity/disturbance or (2) to describe a minimum threshold for future integrity to be achieved. These levels and descriptors of how people perceive them are shown below. Table 1. Comparison of scenic integrity levels and visual quality objectives that apply to the project area Scenic Integrity Levels (Scenery Mgt. System) High (Appears Unaltered) Moderate (Slightly Altered) Low (Moderately Altered) Description HIGH scenic integrity refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern common to the landscape character so completely and at such scale that they are not evident. MODERATE scenic integrity refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character appears slightly altered." Noticeable deviations must remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. LOW scenic integrity refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears moderately altered." Deviations begin to dominate the valued landscape character being viewed, but they borrow valued attributes such as size, shape, edge effect and pattern of natural openings, vegetative type changes or architectural styles outside the landscape being wed. They should not only appear as valued character outside the landscape being viewed but compatible or complimentary to the character within. Visual Quality Objective (Forest Plan) Retention Partial Retention Modification The analysis considers the landscape character of the project area, the existing condition (existing scenic integrity), and the objectives for scenery (SIOs) assigned by the Forest Plan. Scenic Integrity Objectives represent the level of integrity (degree of acceptable alteration) to be achieved within the natural and cultural features of the area. Although management activities may alter the scenic integrity of the landscape, proposals must be consistent with the SIOs assigned in the Forest Plan. Scenic stability is the degree to which the desired scenic character can be sustained through time and ecological progression (USDA Forest Service 1995). For the project planning area, the existing scenic stability analysis focuses on the scenery attribute of vegetation, addressing its ecosystem conditions. Scenic stability of other minor scenery attributes, such as landform, rock features, wildlife sightings, and atmospheric clarity are not involved in this evaluation, since they are not as critical to the Summit area s scenic character and will change relatively little over time, regardless of ecosystem and human influences. 5

8 The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project scenic stability evaluation addresses current ecosystem conditions and stresses identified by field observation, data on vegetation and fire history, and interdisciplinary input from the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project silviculture and fuels specialists. Assessing scenic stability for vegetation in the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area is guided by methods described in Appendix J Recommended SMS Refinements (USDA Forest Service 2007), a supplement to the U.S. Forest Service Scenery Management System to sustain socially valued scenery within an ecosystem stewardship context. The six scenic stability levels described below can be directly correlated to this vegetation information for the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project area. The following are the scenic stability levels: Very High Stability All dominant and minor scenery attributes of the valued landscape character are present and are likely to be sustained. High Stability All dominant scenery attributes of the valued landscape character are present and are likely to be sustained. However, there may be scenery attribute conditions and ecosystem stressors that present a low risk to the sustainability of the dominant scenery attributes. Moderate Stability Most dominant scenery attributes of the valued landscape character are present and are likely to be sustained. A few attributes may have been lost or are in serious decline. Low Stability Some dominant scenery attributes of the valued scenic character are present and are likely to be sustained. Known scenery attribute conditions and ecosystem stressors may seriously threaten or have already eliminated the others. Very Low Stability Most dominant scenery attributes of the valued scenic character are seriously threatened or absent due to their conditions and ecosystem stressors and are not likely to be sustained. The few that remain may be moderately threatened but are likely to be sustained. No Stability Dominant scenery attributes of the valued scenic character are absent or seriously threatened by their conditions and ecosystem stressors. None are likely to be sustained, except relatively permanent attributes such as landforms. Table 2. Viewing zones that apply to visual/scenery management Distance zone Foreground Middleground Background Description The portions of a view between the observer and up to ¼ to ½ mile distant. The visible terrain beyond the foreground where individual trees are still visible, but do not stand out distinctly from the stand (approximately ½ mile to 4 miles) The visible terrain beyond the foreground and middleground where individual trees are not visible, but are blended into the total fabric of the stand (approximately 4 miles to horizon). As stated above, visual objectives were set in the Forest Plan (page L-1 Appendix L) for the portions of three visual corridors located within project area. Table 3 summarizes the key visual features, distance zones, visual objectives and acres present in the project area. These are the 6

9 areas that are addressed in the visual/scenery effects analysis for the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project. Table 3. Visual objectives and acres for each visual feature and distance zone Visual Feature Distance Zone Visual Quality Objective/Scenic Integrity Level Acres in the Project Area Malheur Wild and Scenic River Visual Corridor (Forest Plan MA 22b). Foreground Retention (High Scenic Integrity Level) 693 Middleground Retention (High Scenic Integrity Level) 1361 Glacier Loop Visual Corridor (Forest Plan MA 14) Foreground Partial Retention (Moderate Scenic Integrity Level) 684 Wilderness Loop Visual Corridor (Forest Plan MA 14) Foreground Retention (High Scenic Integrity Level) 3714 Middleground Partial Retention (Moderate Scenic Integrity Level) Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor (Forest Plan MA 22b) Foreground and middleground Retention; however, structures and facilities necessary to meet the objectives of this management area may meet partial retention 531 Effects to the scenic resources are discussed in general terms and whether or not the proposed activities would meet the prescribed SIOs, Scenic Stability and Protection of large old growth ponderosa pine trees in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor. Resource indicators and measures are listed below in Table 4 for the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project. Table 4: Resource elements, indicators, and measures for assessing effects Resource Indicator Indicators/Measures Purpose and Need Statement or Key Issue? Scenic Integrity (SIO)/Visual quality objective state Change in VQO. Scenic Integrity Objectives high, moderate, low. Are SIOs measures met, considering proposed activities, design features, and mitigation measures FSM 2380 and Handbook 701 USDA FS HB 701, Landscape Aesthetics, A handbook for Scenery Management Scenic Stability Change in scenic stability level Purpose and Need Handbook 701 Protection of large old growth ponderosa pine trees in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor Non-commercial thinning, commercial, and underburning in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor (acres) Purpose and Need; Land and Resource Management Plan 1990 Affected Environment The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area s dominant scenic identity is its largely continuous conifer forest overlaying Clarno formation and Columbia River Basalt 7

10 landforms, accented by meadows and a few rock features. The project planning area offers both close-up and distant views from Glacier, Wilderness Loops and Malheur Wild and Scenic River visual corridors in and around the project planning area. The major scenery attributes of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area are its diverse conifer-dominant forest vegetation with occasional large tree character, its riparian meadows, aspen, and its single large geological area. The forest canopy includes mixed conifer species stands as well as stands dominated by red fir or white fir. Lower elevation portions of these stands are often interspersed by attractive wet and dry meadows, aspen trees/groves, and shrubs and forbs (e.g., Summit Prairie and Logan Valley). Patterns of this vegetative mosaic are typically fine-scaled, with forest canopy openings typically being less than an acre, while the meadows and geologic areas are typically much larger (25 to 185 acres). Minor scenery attributes include small scattered rocks and outcrops, fall colors, wildlife sightings of birds and mammals, and consistent atmospheric clarity. Research shows that such diversity of scenery attributes supports a positive viewing experience for people traveling through or recreating within the project planning area, and supports the quality of life for local residents and visitors (Ryan 2005). Desired Condition The optimal scenic character for the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area would display a more open and diverse forest canopy representative of historical ecosystem conditions, typically displaying more large conifers (>30 inches DBH) and more wildfire-adapted species such as Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch, as well as more aspen trees/groves and meadows interspersed within the project planning area s existing conifer stands, meadows and riparian areas. The presence of existing small and intermediate-sized trees would be greatly reduced, especially the many trees that crowd and weaken the more attractive larger trees, meadows and aspen. Small and moderate sized irregularly shaped openings/grass-forb meadows up to ¼ acres in size would be more frequent, and often bounded by diverse, historical canopies including full-crowned, mature conifer and aspen trees. Lastly, re-introduction of wildfire is desired, primarily resulting in fine-scaled, irregular shaped and low- to moderate-intensity burn patterns that would better reflect historical conditions. These scenic attributes would be distributed through time and space to offer increased attractiveness in terms of vegetative forms, colors, canopy texture, and immediate foreground spatial variety, while improving and restoring the overall scenic character. These conditions would also increase the ecological resilience and stability of vegetation scenery attributes that are central to the project planning area s historical scenic character, image, and identity. Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor Scenic Integrity/VQO Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor (MA-22b): The visual quality objective for the river corridor is retention (high scenic integrity level) in the foreground and middleground. Management activities are permitted but deviations must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern that is common to the landscape character of the area. Activities on the natural landscape are not evident. All management activities will be conducted according to the concepts of landscape ecology and scenic resource planning, and will meet visual quality objectives. Projects will be designed to blend with the natural terrain and avoid stark contrast with the surrounding landscape. The desired condition of the Malheur Wild and Scenic River is to maintain or enhance scenery to meet the scenic integrity levels (visual quality objectives). 8

11 Malheur Wild and Scenic River (MA-22b): Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor: The visual quality objective is retention; however, structures and facilities necessary to meet the objectives of this management area may meet partial retention High scenic integrity (retention) refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern common to the landscape character so completely and at such scale that they are not evident. Restoring forest composition to historic characteristics could help meet that objective. The primary visual characteristic associated with ponderosa pine is a concept of relatively large, yellow-bark trees in an open, park-like stands with a grassy ground cover. Scenic Stability There are unique old growth and ecosystem values involved throughout the corridor; the scenic and wildlife old-growth habitat will continue to provide the connectivity value of the corridor, thus provides for high levels of habitat protection and provide for total ecosystem sustainability for future generations and long-term protection and enhancement of outstandingly remarkable value for scenery. Scenic Character Variety Classes The Forest Plan describes a desired future condition (DFC) in 10 and 50 years. The following summarizes the DFC that apply to the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor; 1. Visitors continue to see large-diameter trees, some multi-storied forests, and grasslands bisected by the shrub-lined, clear-flowing Malheur River 2. The scenic river segment of the corridor has a natural or near natural appearance. Where timber harvest has occurred, trees are in clumps, groups, or naturally spaced. Stumps are flush-cut to the ground and, therefore, not evident. 3. A natural-appearing mosaic of vegetation, with varying textures and openings created through natural cycles, is evident. Only subtle changes in the appearance of the landscape are noticeable. 4. Ponderosa pine is still the dominant overstory tree species within the river corridor. Large-diameter pine are common, but less evident than in the past in 50 years. A mixture of fir or lodgepole pine is dominant on some sites. The river corridor continues to provide an old-growth character setting. Glacier and Wilderness Loop Corridors (Forest Road 16 and County Road 62) Scenic Integrity The visual quality objective for the Glacier Loop is partial retention (moderate scenic integrity level) in the foreground. Management activities are permitted, and the results of the activities on the natural landscape can appear slightly too moderately altered to the average viewer as viewed from the road. The visual quality objective for the Wilderness Loop is retention (high scenic integrity level) and partial retention (moderate scenic integrity level) in the middleground. Management activities are permitted, and the results of the activities on the natural landscape can appear slightly altered to the average viewer as viewed from the road. 9

12 The desired condition of the Wilderness and Glacier Loop visual corridors is to maintain or enhance scenery to meet the scenic integrity levels (visual quality objectives): High scenic integrity (retention) refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern common to the landscape character so completely and at such scale that they are not evident. Moderate scenic integrity refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character appears slightly altered." Noticeable deviations must remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. Low scenic integrity refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears moderately altered." Deviations begin to dominate the valued landscape character being viewed, but they borrow valued attributes such as size, shape, edge effect and pattern of natural openings, vegetative type changes or architectural styles outside the landscape being viewed. They should not only appear as valued character outside the landscape being viewed but compatible or complimentary to the character within. Restoring forest composition to historic characteristics could help meet that objective. The primary visual characteristic associated with ponderosa pine is a concept of relatively large, yellow-bark trees in an open, park-like stands with a grassy ground cover. To meet partial retention (slightly altered) standard in the foreground treatments of commercial and pre-commercial thinning would be applied to leave a natural appearing forest character when viewed from the road: Enhance aspen stands to provide for fall color and texture. Decrease tree densities to decrease crowns touching, which would reduce the likelihood that fires in the area could transition into a stand-replacing event eliminating the scenic quality and diversity having a long term effect. Use of the design features developed specifically for this project would prevent and/or reduce and short-term negative elements from treatment activities. The Malheur Forest Plan has standards and guides for the Scenic Integrity goals: 1. General Forest (MA-1): Retention to Modification 2. Rangeland (MA-2): Retention to Modification 3. Riparian Areas (MA-3): Riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCAs): Retention to Modification 4. Semi-primitive motorized recreation area: Retention 5. Old Growth (MA-13): Manage for visual quality objective consistent with adjacent lands 6. Visual Corridors (MA-14) Forest Road 16 and County Road 62: Retention and partial retention Scenic Stability The Malheur Forest has standards and guides for Scenic Stability goals as developed in Forest Service Handbook 701. The goal is to begin an upward trend towards the moderate stability for the planning area. 1. Most dominant scenery attributes of the valued landscape character are present and are likely to be sustained. Some attributes may have been in decline or lost. 10

13 Scenic Character Variety Classes The following scenic character goals would move ecosystem conditions towards an optimal and more sustainable desired scenic character. 1. Retain and restore the historical ecologically established vegetation scenery attributes by reducing vegetation density, thereby increasing large tree (>30 inches DBH) prominence, vitality and their presence, and increasing overall vegetation diversity (size/age, species composition that increases in fire-adapted species such as aspen, pine, and Douglas-fir; and more diverse canopy spatial/patch patterns, openings, and edge densities). 2. Increase ecological resiliency and scenic variety within the forest canopy by shifting vegetation and fuels conditions towards the project planning area s ecologically established, historical range through wildfire cycle restoration (resulting in more open canopies with spatial/species diversity with more larger and more fire-adapted trees present). Existing Condition Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor Resource Element Indicators Scenic Integrity/VQO There are 693 acres within the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project foreground visual corridor and 1,361 acres in the middleground visual corridor. The lands within the corridor are considered entirely within Management Area 22b. There is noticeable deviations that remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. Within the Summit Project area, 3.8 miles of the Malheur River is a designated Wild and Scenic River. The Wild and Scenic River was established to preserve the free-flowing condition, provide appropriate recreational facilities for ROS, provide for improvements in water quality and native fish habitat, interpret area history and natural history, and to protect four Outstanding Remarkable Values: Scenic Spectacular scenic vistas from the canyon rim and from the river Geologic rugged, steep canyons, talus slopes and rock outcrops Wildlife Habitat Relatively undisturbed with a diversity of high-quality components including old-growth tree stands Historic Values Early day logging, evident by logging camps and high stumps, and traditional uses by Native American populations. Scenic integrity is measured from the river corridor as identified in the Malheur Forest Plan, and as supplemented by project level analysis. Views occur from the river and within the river corridor. The project s thresholds for scenery disturbance (Malheur Forest Plan VQOs) apply only to views from these locations. The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration s existing scenic integrity as viewed within the river corridor typically meets the retention in foreground and middleground. There are occasional disturbances such as localized high stumps from past logging, clearings, and roadways; however, the overall landscape is appear intact. 11

14 The river corridor generally appears natural with the exception of the denser forest structure altered only slightly by human activities which includes past timber harvest, and adjacent to the river corridor roads. The scenery of the river corridor is composed of combinations of water, landform, variety and color of vegetation, and old-growth tree stands. The canyon geology is evident in the various rock outcrops, talus slopes and cliffs. The geologic formations of the corridor contribute to the scenic diversity of the landscape. The wildlife habitat of the corridor is unique and important because of relatively undisturbed conditions, and the location which provides connectivity between the Blue Mountains and Great Basin. The historic value of the river corridor centers around early logging practices with remains of old splash dams, logging camps and numerous high stumps that indicate the early economic importance of the river corridor to the settlers. Some of the attractions that make the Malheur scenic values standout are below Logan Valley to Malheur Ford, that begins at the edge of a wide, grass valley with gently rolling, thinly forested hills paralleling the river. There is a striking view to the north of Strawberry Mountain from the upper end of this segment. A characteristic feature is the clear water that flows through a series of riffles and few pools, cutting a shallow, narrow canyon. Although the canyon is shallow, the walls are steep with exposed jagged rock surfaces and scattered vegetation. Access for recreationists is limited to the north, as there is no trail along this section of the river. There is great variety of vegetation, from flowers in the meadows to scattered shrubs (sage brush, willows, dogwood, alders, etc.) and trees consists primarily of green, forested areas of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and larch. Scenic Stability Currently, there are numerous trends in this planning area that indicate that the scenic stability is in decline or could be rated low. The coniferous forest is generally overstocked in both ponderosa pine types as well as mixed fir types, with excess ground and ladder fuels. Natural processes associated with fire exclusion in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River has played a role in the decrease of old growth pine and the resulting increase in Douglas-fir and grand fir understory throughout the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor. These conditions will make it difficult to keep wildfire starts from expanding rapidly and burning intensely. Fire suppression has resulted in a change in species and structural stage composition. These conditions pose a high risk of losing key components of the ecosystem and dominant scenic attributes such as the open, park-like stands of ponderosa pine and minor scenic attributes such as the aspen stands. Fifty-four percent of the planning area has the potential to experience fire behavior that would result in moderate to high severity. The WUI escape corridors, strategic road corridors, wildlife corridors, and RHCAs has the potential to be impacted by moderate to high severity fire behavior. The desired fire behavior in these areas is low to moderate severity. The Malheur Wild and Scenic River area is inconsistent with, and trending away from, vegetation conditions that are more sustainable in this fire-adapted ecosystem. There is noticeable deviations that remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. The landscape within the project area had a historical fire regime of frequent low-intensity fires, which limited the presence of fire-intolerant white fir trees, favored greater numbers of shade-intolerant trees and meadows with aspen, and regularly removed understory woody debris. Many decades of fire exclusion have allowed white fir stands to intrude on aspen, meadow, and pine vegetation, and transform these diverse vegetation scenery attributes into a much more uniform Scenic integrity objective is high (appears unaltered) where the landscape character appears intact. 12

15 Protection of large Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Trees Malheur Wild and Scenic River Corridor The coniferous forest is generally overstocked in both ponderosa pine and mixed fir types, with excess ground and ladder fuels. These conditions will make it difficult to keep wildfire starts from expanding rapidly and burning intensely affecting the outstanding remarkable value of scenery in the Malheur Wild and Scenic River corridor. Fire suppression has resulted in a change in species and structural stage composition. These conditions pose a high risk of losing key components of the ecosystem and dominant scenic attributes such as the open, park-like stands of ponderosa pine and minor scenic attributes such as the aspen stands. Glacier and Wilderness Loop Corridors (Forest Road 16 and County Road 62) Resource Element Indicators Scenic Integrity Scenic integrity is a measure of the degree to which the scenery is free from visible disturbances that detract from the existing scenic character that people value. Integrity is used to manage the attributes of landscape character vegetative pattern, form, line, color, texture, and scale. Scenic integrity is measured from sensitive viewpoints inventoried by the Malheur Forest Plan. The existing scenic integrity viewed from Glacier and Wilderness Loop is largely undisturbed foreground scenery that cumulatively meets the VQO retention and partial retention level, with some minor or unnoticed contrasts such as existing roads, old skid roads, and scattered stumps that may individually meet VQO retention and partial retention. The less frequent and more distant ½ to 4 mile middleground views available are largely natural appearing, overall meeting the VQO partial retention level (Table 3). The existing visual quality is evaluated by looking at the scenery from the routes and sites that were utilized in assigning the visual quality objectives for the Malheur Forest Plan. An evaluation of the existing condition considers the degree of visual disturbances of past activities to the natural appearing scenery that is derived by the contextual landscape and the historic range of variability. There are 684 acres foreground within the Glacier Loop and within the Wilderness Loop corridor there is 3,714 acres foreground and 18,448 middleground visual corridor. Glacier foreground areas would be managed for partial retention and retention in the Wilderness Loop visual quality objective (VQO) (Table 3). Management activities in foreground areas may be evident to the viewer, but must remain visually subordinate to the surrounding landscape. The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area s dominant scenic character is its largely continuous conifer forest overlaying Clarno formation and Columbia River Basalt landforms, accented by Summit Prairie meadow and a few rock features. The project planning area offers both close-up and distant view from Glacier Loop visual corridor. The Wilderness Loop on Forest Road 16 is inconsistent with, and trending away from, vegetation conditions that are more sustainable in this fire-adapted ecosystem. There is noticeable deviations that remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. The landscape within the project area had a historical fire regime of frequent low-intensity fires, which limited the presence of fireintolerant white fir trees, favored greater numbers of shade-intolerant trees and meadows with aspen, and regularly removed understory woody debris. Many decades of fire exclusion have allowed white fir stands to intrude on aspen, meadow, and pine vegetation, and transform these diverse vegetation scenery attributes into a much more uniform Scenic integrity objective is moderate (slightly altered) where the landscape character appears slightly altered. 13

16 The major scenery attributes of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area are its diverse conifer-dominant forest vegetation with occasional large tree character, its riparian meadows, aspen, and its single large geological area. The forest canopy includes mixed conifer species stands as well as stands dominated by red fir or white fir. Lower elevation portions of these stands are often interspersed by attractive wet and dry meadows, aspen trees/groves, and shrubs and forbs (e.g., Summit Prairie). Patterns of this vegetative mosaic are typically finescaled, with forest canopy openings typically being less than an acre, while the meadow and geologic area are typically much larger (25 to 185 acres). Minor scenery attributes include small scattered rocks and outcrops, fall colors, wildlife sightings of birds and mammals, and consistent atmospheric clarity. Research shows that such diversity of scenery attributes supports a positive viewing experience for people traveling through or recreating within the project planning area, and supports the quality of life for local residents and visitors (Ryan 2005). Landscape character vegetation, as the major scenery attribute of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration project planning area, offers opportunities for both scenery and ecosystem improvement. The Summit Creek Landscape Restoration project planning area s dense conifer vegetation often obscures views of existing scenery attributes within and below the understory, and restricts or prevents the presence of many potential scenery attributes. Among the many potential scenery attributes that are under-represented are large trees 26 to 36 inches or more diameter at breast height (DBH) (USDA Forest Service 1990a, page IV-110), diverse and mature forest structures (especially Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, both as individual trees and within stands), and small intra-stand openings or meadows with shrubs, grasses, and forbs. The existing dense and homogenous conifer vegetation also obscures forest floor accents, as well as outward openings to adjacent forests and landforms. In addition, logging, fire exclusion, and road construction on national forest and adjacent private lands have interrupted and diminished scenic vegetation attributes throughout the project planning area. These actions have made the forest canopy uniform in some places; in other places, the canopy is fragmented in patterns and shapes inconsistent with historical, ecologically established scenery. Scenic Stability Scenic stability is the degree to which the desired scenic character can be sustained through time and ecological progression (USDA Forest Service 2007). For the project planning area, the existing scenic stability analysis focuses on the scenery attribute of vegetation, addressing its ecosystem conditions. Some of the Summit Creek Project s vegetation scenery attributes are considered ecologically unstable because they have departed from the stability of historical reference conditions. The predominant ecosystem stress influencing the vegetation scenery attributes is the uncharacteristic white fir encroachment throughout the project planning area, resulting from almost a century of wildfire exclusion. This stress has impaired or eliminated many important scenery attributes (diverse, spacious and fire-adapted forest canopies, large trees, meadows, and aspen) within widespread portions of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area. Continued stress from white fir encroachment will further impair and eliminate these socially valued scenery attributes. Other stressors such as pests, disease, drought, wildfire, and climate change are currently less significant, but also have potential to further impair valued scenery. Collectively, current ecosystem stress upon scenery attributes is considered to be at the high end of moderate for the project planning area, within a potential range of minor, moderate, or severe. 14

17 There is increasing risk to forested areas by insect and disease epidemics and greater fuel loads increasing the risk of large stand replacement fires. Sustainability of long term scenery resources would continue to diminish over time. The objective along Forest Road 16 and County Road 62 safety corridor is to manipulate the existing vegetation in a way that moderates fire behavior, allowing safe travel for the public and suppression forces should the need arise to escape from an emerging wildland fire. In the event of a wildland fire in the project planning area, the Grant County CWPP has identified Forest Road 16 and County Road 62 as a potential escape route/safety corridor. Stands are over stocked and species composition that is not within the historical range, thus visibility is limited with views into stands. Some of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project vegetation scenery attributes are considered ecologically unstable because they have departed from the stability of historical reference conditions, especially within the project area visual corridors and project area. There is noticeable deviations that remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. The landscape within the project area had a historical fire regime of frequent low-intensity fires, which limited the presence of fire-intolerant white fir trees, favored greater numbers of shadeintolerant trees and meadows with aspen, and regularly removed understory woody debris. Many decades of fire exclusion have allowed white fir stands to intrude on aspen, meadow, and pine vegetation, and transform these diverse vegetation scenery attributes into a much more uniform pattern. Much of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area is inconsistent with, and trending away from, vegetation conditions that are more sustainable in this fire-adapted ecosystem. Much of the project planning area is departed from historical vegetation conditions and departed from historical wildfire cycle conditions (see Silviculture Report and Fire, Fuels, and Air Quality Report). Because the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project planning area s two major scenic attributes (diverse forest canopy with large canopy with large trees and meadows and aspen) share a typically moderate risk based on their condition and ecosystem stress, the scenic stability of these major vegetation scenery attributes correlates best with the low scenic stability level definition below: Low stability some dominant scenery attributes of the valued scenic character are present and are likely to be sustained. Known scenery attribute conditions and ecosystem stressors may seriously threaten or have already eliminated the others. Numerous trends in the Summit Creek planning area indicate scenic stability is in decline or could be rated low. The coniferous forest is generally overstocked in both ponderosa pine and mixed fir types, with excess ground and ladder fuels. Natural processes associated with fire exclusion are obvious. These conditions will make it difficult to keep wildfire starts from expanding and burning intensely. Fore suppression has resulted in a change in species and structural stand composition. These conditions risk losing key components of the ecosystem and dominant scenic attributes (scenic character) such as open park-like stands of ponderosa pine, larch and stands of aspen. In conclusion, the existing scenic stability of the Summit Creek Landscape Restoration Project major vegetation scenery attributes is low. 15