Proposed Action Blue Spring West Project Conecuh National Forest

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1 Proposed Action Blue Spring West Project Conecuh National Forest November 14, 2017 PROJECT AREA The Blue Spring West Project Area is located on the Conecuh National Forest in Covington County, Alabama, west of Highway 137, between the communities of Pleasant Home and Beda (Map 1). The project area is comprised of national forest Compartments 19, 20, 21, 31, 32, 33, and 49. The project area encompasses approximately 8,886 acres of national forest land. All but the southern portions of Compartments 32 and 49 are within the Blue Spring Wildlife Management Area, which is an area of national forest managed cooperatively with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to enhance game habitat and hunter opportunity. Approximately 6 miles of the Conecuh Trail traverses the project area. PURPOSE AND NEED The U.S. Forest Service proposes to implement forest and habitat management actions on national forest land in the Blue Spring West Project Area to restore and maintain desired conditions of fire-maintained longleaf pine forest and to improve early-successional habitat for wildlife species that are dependent on these conditions. This proposal also includes adjustments to the road system aimed at reducing road maintenance costs while providing good access to national forest visitors. The Blue Spring West Project is designed to implement the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for National Forests in Alabama (2004). This Forest Plan describes desired conditions, goals and objectives, and management standards for the Conecuh National Forest, and assigns management prescriptions to areas of the Forest. The general desired condition of the Conecuh National Forest (Forest Plan, pages 4-10 to 4-12) is described as: a mosaic of forest stands representing a diversity of tree species, ages, and opening sizes; upland pine communities dominated by mature longleaf pine, an open grass and herbaceous understory, sparse mid-story, and an oak component of scattered individual trees or small clumps; wet pine flatwoods with sparse longleaf and slash pines, grasses, and sedges; closed-canopy bottomland hardwoods within the river floodplains; Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 1 of 21

2 fire-dependent ecosystems with frequent prescribe fire that imitates the natural role of fire in these ecosystems; water quality that meets or exceeds state standards, providing for aquatic biodiversity and beneficial downstream uses; abundant native wildlife, including deer, turkey, and quail, and non-game species, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, gopher tortoises, and indigo snakes; a variety of recreational opportunities, developed and dispersed, supported by a road system that provides adequate motorized access to most areas of the Forest. Forest Plan goals relevant to this project are: Goal 1: Manage forest and woodland ecosystems in order to restore and/or maintain native communities to provide the desired composition, structure, and function. Goal 3: Manage existing forest communities to reduce risks from insects and disease. Goal 4: Manage and/or restore watersheds to provide resilient and stable conditions to support the quality and quantity of water necessary to protect ecological functions and support intended beneficial water uses. Goal 11: Substantially contribute to the recovery of federally-listed threatened and endangered species, and provide for the conservation of sensitive species. Goal 16: Provide habitats to support desirable levels of species with special habitat needs such as large, contiguous forested landscapes, species commonly trapped/hunted, or species of special interest. Goal 35: Provide a transportation system that supplies safe and efficient access for forest users while protecting forest resources. Compartments 19, 20, 21, and 31 (56% of the Blue Spring West Project Area) are zoned for the Early Successional Habitat Emphasis Prescription of the Forest Plan (page 3-34), which emphasizes providing optimal to suitable habitat for a variety of upland game species and plant and animal populations associated with early-successional habitats. These compartments are also within a primary core area for ecosystem restoration, making them a priority for maintaining frequent prescribed fire. The restoration and maintenance of early-successional vegetation is important for many birds, reptiles, mammals, and plant communities. These conditions provide fawning cover and browse for white-tailed deer; quality brooding, nesting, and foraging habitats for northern bobwhite and wild turkey; and habitat for various non-game species like Bachman s sparrow, Henslow s sparrow, and prairie warbler. This prescription s emphasis on providing habitat for game species is especially appropriate given its location within the Blue Spring Wildlife Management Area. Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 2 of 21

3 Compartments 32, 33, and 49 (44% of the project area) are zoned for the Restoration of Coastal Plain Longleaf Pine Forests Prescription of the Forest Plan (page 3-38), which emphasizes restoring open longleaf pine forest communities with herbaceous understories and supporting populations of plants and animals associated with these communities. This management prescription is compatible with multiple-use management that includes sustained yield of timber harvest and recreational uses such as public hunting and motorized access. The longleaf pine ecosystem provides habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and many other rare and declining plant and animal species. Although red-cockaded woodpeckers do not currently inhabit the project area, the proposed treatments would move forest structure and composition toward conditions consistent with red-cockaded woodpecker habitat requirements, so the area may be used by the species in the future. These areas will continue to be burned periodically to promote fine fuels and to maintain ecosystem function and desirable structure and composition. Some areas of Compartment 49 are swamps and are not included in blocks that are regularly burned. PROPOSED ACTIONS 1. Mature Pine Thinning (Maps 2 & 3). Approximately 2,379 acres supporting mature longleaf and slash pine forest would be thinned through commercial timber harvest to achieve more open forest structure and favor longleaf pine on upland sites. Thinning would be to approximately ft 2 of basal area per acre. Proposed stands are generally years of age, and include a mixture of southern yellow pine species, but are primarily dominated by longleaf and slash pine with a minor hardwood species component. Hardwood trees would be harvested with pine where feasible and appropriate for achieving desired ecological conditions. Scattered individual hardwood trees and small clumps would be retained to provide diversity. The thinning is designed to improve health and vigor of residual trees, increase the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor, improve diversity and composition of the understory flora, and enhance beneficial effects of prescribed burning. These changes would improve habitat for many species featured in this area, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and gopher tortoise. Compartment/Stand Acres* Stand Age (years) 19/ / / / / / / / / / / / / Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 3 of 21

4 20/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Total Acres* 2,379 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 2. Young Pine Thinning (Maps 2 & 3). Approximately 586 acres of young pine forest are proposed for thinning to a basal area of ft 2 of basal area per acre using commercial timber harvesting. These stands are generally years of age and represent longleaf or slash pine plantations that have not been previously thinned. Hardwood trees would be thinned with pine where feasible and appropriate for achieving desired ecological conditions. Scattered individual hardwood trees and small clumps would be retained to provide diversity. The thinning is designed to improve stand health and growth of remaining trees by providing more space and resource availability. Doing so would reduce risk of a stand-replacing fire and accelerate development of mature forest. This action would open the forest canopy, improve understory plant diversity and vigor, enhance effects of prescribed burning, and improve habitat for featured species of wildlife. Compartment/Stand Acres* Stand Age (years) 19/ / / / / / / / / Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 4 of 21

5 Compartment/Stand Acres* Stand Age (years) 49/ / / Total Acres* 586 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 3. Pre-commercial Thinning, Release, and Overstory Removal (Maps 2 & 3). Precommercial thinning and release is proposed for approximately 1,244 acres (28 stands), with pine overstory tree removal proposed in addition on approximately 363 of these acres (7 stands). These stands represent existing longleaf pine plantations or shelterwood or seed tree regeneration areas where adequate numbers of longleaf pine saplings have been established, but tree composition or density could be improved to help guide the developing forest toward desired conditions of open mature longleaf pine forest. Where overstory removal is proposed, some mature longleaf pine would be retained indefinitely, scattered or in clumps, at a rate of 6-10 trees per acre. Use of herbicides for release is included if needed to achieve desired conditions. Active ingredients in herbicides proposed for use in release treatments may include glyphosate, imazapyr, hexazinone, metsulfuron methyl, and triclopyr. Where feasible and effective, fire would be the preferred and sole method of release. After proposed treatments have been accomplished, spot planting of longleaf pine seedlings may be done to fill any large gaps in longleaf regeneration (generally over 0.5 acres) if present. The purpose of this action is to improve health and growth of young trees, reduce risk of a stand-replacing fire, and accelerate development of mature longleaf pine forest. This action also would open the forest canopy, improve understory plant diversity and vigor, enhance effects of prescribed burning, and improve habitat for featured species of wildlife. Two stands included are longleaf pine progeny test sites, which need maintenance to fulfill their purpose for testing tree growth genetics in support of a regional longleaf tree improvement program. Compartment/ Stand Acres* Stand Age (years) Treatment 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 19/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 20/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 20/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 20/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 20/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Progeny Test Maintenance 20/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Progeny Test Maintenance 21/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 21/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 21/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 21/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 5 of 21

6 21/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 31/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release; Overstory Removal 31/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 33/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 49/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 49/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 49/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release 49/ Pre-commercial Thin and Release Total Acres* 1,244 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 4. Longleaf Pine Restoration (Maps 4 & 5). Approximately 1,017 acres are proposed for restoring longleaf pine on suitable sites currently occupied by tree species less suited or offsite. These stands are currently dominated by slash or loblolly pine (542 acres), or hardwoods (475 acres). Proposed actions include commercial timber harvest of off-site tree species (pine and hardwood), with retention of some residual trees (clearcut with reserves). Clearcut with reserves is the optimal method for regeneration because none of these stands have enough mature longleaf pine to provide for reliable natural regeneration of this desired species. Reserve trees would include 1) well-spaced healthy longleaf pine, where they occur, to provide age and structural diversity in the restored stand; 2) scattered individual or small clumps of mature fire-adapted hardwoods, where they occur, to provide diversity and mast production for wildlife; and 3) up to 40 ft 2 of basal area per acre of off-site pine to provide needle cast to facilitate effective use of prescribed fire. Some reserved pine (off-site and longleaf) may be commercially harvested at a later date once overstory and understory conditions are restored sufficiently to sustain effective fire. Where present, some mature longleaf pine would be retained indefinitely, scattered or in clumps, at a rate of 6-10 trees per acre. Retention of reserve trees would result in these areas not appearing as traditional clearcuts in which most or all mature trees are removed. Longleaf pine would be restored to these sites by planting longleaf pine seedlings. As needed, sites may be prepared for planting and seedlings released through a combination of herbicide use, mechanical treatments (including roller drum chopping), and prescribed fire. Active ingredients in herbicides proposed for use in site preparation and release treatments for this action may include glyphosate, imazapyr, hexazinone, metsulfuron methyl, and triclopyr. Where feasible and effective, fire would be the preferred and sole method of site preparation and release. Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 6 of 21

7 Upland hardwood stands proposed for restoration to longleaf represent areas that once supported longleaf pine, but have converted to hardwood typically as a result of past timber harvest and inadequate use of fire. They are primarily ridges surrounded by hardwood dominated bottoms; therefore, restoration of open fire-maintained longleaf pine habitats in these stands would increase local edge and diversity for early-successional species. (See Action 7 below for more on hardwood management.) This action is designed to increase the acreage of longleaf pine forest, which is the native condition of upland forests in this area, is the preferred habitat of the red-cockaded woodpecker, and is more compatible with presence of periodic fire. It will also create earlysuccessional habitat, which is the Forest Plan emphasis for much of this project area. Compartment/Stand Acres* Stand Age Current Forest Type 19/ Slash Pine 19/ Mixed Oak-Hickory 19/ Slash Pine 19/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 20/ Slash Pine 21/ Slash Pine 21/ Slash Pine 21/ Slash Pine 21/ Slash Pine 31/ Slash Pine 31/ Slash Pine-hardwood 31/ Slash Pine 31/ Slash Pine-hardwood 31/ Mixed Oak-Hickory 32/ Laurel oak-willow oak 32/ Laurel oak-willow oak 32/ Slash Pine-Hardwood 33/ Scrub oak yellow pine 33/ Slash Pine-hardwood 33/ Slash Pine-hardwood 33/ Southern red oak yellow pine 33/ Mixed Oak-Hickory 33/ Southern red oak yellow pine 49/ Southern red oak yellow pine 49/ Mixed Oak-Hickory 49/ Southern red oak yellow pine 49/ Mixed Southern Yellow Pine 49/ Laurel oak-willow oak 49/ Mixed Oak-Hickory Total Acres* 1,017 Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 7 of 21

8 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 5. Natural Regeneration of Longleaf Pine (Maps 4 & 5). Approximately 44 acres of mature longleaf pine forest are proposed for natural regeneration using the shelterwood method. Overstory longleaf pines would be reduced in density through commercial timber harvest to ft 2 of basal area per acre. Overstory longleaf pine would be retained to provide seed for natural regeneration. Hardwood trees would be harvested with pine where feasible and appropriate for achieving desired ecological conditions. Stands proposed for these treatments are years old and already support significant numbers of young longleaf pine in the understory. Where adequate regeneration is already in place and understory fuel conditions are favorable, lower densities of overstory would be retained. Prescribed fire would be the primary method for preparing sites and releasing seedlings; however, use of herbicides (active ingredients of glyphosate, imazapyr, hexazinone, metsulfuron methyl, and triclopyr as conditions indicate) or manual treatments are included in this proposal in case they are needed. Similarly, the need for planting longleaf pine seedlings is not expected, but is included to allow supplementing planting if natural regeneration is not continuous or doesn t meet Forest Plan standards within required time frames. Some retained shelterwood trees may be commercially harvested at a later date once desired regeneration and understory conditions are achieved. Some mature longleaf pine would be retained indefinitely, scattered or in clumps, at a rate of 6-10 trees per acre. Compartment /Stand Acres* Stand Age 33/ / Total Acres* 44 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 6. Road Construction, Reconstruction, and Maintenance. Access for proposed timber harvest may require construction of temporary roads in a few instances; therefore, this proposal includes construction of less than 3 miles of temporary roads. These roads would typically be within the footprint of historically used woods roads and would be rehabilitated and closed following use. No construction of new permanent roads is proposed. Existing system roads would be maintained and reconstructed as needed to support timber harvest. Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 8 of 21

9 7. Hardwood Management. Hardwoods are an important and desirable element of ecological diversity within the project area. The project area includes a relatively high abundance of hardwood, with more than 40 percent of the total acreage supporting stand-sized areas of hardwood forest. These hardwood stands primarily occur on lower slopes and bottomlands, but also occur on upland sites. In addition, hardwood trees occur as scattered clumps or individuals in upland pine forests. Where fire frequency in upland areas has been insufficient historically, some species of hardwood that inhibit fire (water and laurel oaks for example) can become established at densities that suppress understory development and effective use of fire. These areas have become unsuitable for bobwhite quail and other featured species. This proposal includes reducing hardwood densities in areas proposed for upland pine management treatments (Actions 1 through 5) where needed to restore effective use of fire, understory composition, and ecosystem function. Hardwood densities may be reduced using commercial harvest, manual cutting, or selective herbicide treatment (active ingredients of glyphosate, triclopyr, or imazapyr as best suited to conditions). Where such treatments are done, scattered clumps and individual hardwood trees would be retained to provide ecological diversity, where they do not compromise longleaf ecosystem and fuels restoration objectives. Hardwood species preferred for retention are post oak, southern red oak, turkey oak, white oak, blue jack oak, and hickory. These species are preferred due to their hard mast production and ability to withstand and support regular fire. Flowering and fruiting species such as eastern red bud, flowering dogwood, southern magnolia, and persimmon would also be retained where appropriate to maintain diversity. Approximately 475 acres currently supporting upland hardwood would be restored to longleaf pine, as described under Action 4 above (Maps 4 & 5). These sites previously supported longleaf pine. This area represents less than 15% of current hardwood stand acreage in the project area. Additionally, five upland hardwood stands are proposed for thinning to enhance upland mast production (Maps 2 & 3). Thinning in these stands will favor fire tolerant hardwoods and any existing longleaf pine. These stands would remain hardwood dominated and be managed long-term as upland hardwood stands. Other upland hardwood stands (449 acres) and bottomland hardwood stands (2,600 acres) in the project area would not be treated as part of this proposal. Compartment/ Stand Acres* Stand Age Desired Basal Area (ft 2 /acre) 19/ / / / / Total Acres* 58 Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 9 of 21

10 *Acres listed are computer mapped stand acres. Actual acres may vary due to inoperable and resource protection areas that may be removed from treatment area or other small adjustments to stand boundaries during implementation. 8. Wildlife Opening Management (Map 6). This project includes a proposal to restore and maintain 25 existing wildlife openings throughout the project area, and create and maintain new linear wildlife openings along national forest and private lands boundaries. Restoration and maintenance activities may include clearing, mowing, disking, planting, and removal of encroaching trees. In addition to mechanical and hand tool maintenance, selective herbicide applications (glyphosate, triclopyr, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, or hexazinone as best suited to conditions) within openings, around the edges of the openings, and along wildlife opening access roads, also would be used as needed. This maintenance is needed to control unwanted vegetation in and around the openings and will allow for a feathering of the early-successional habitats around the openings. All of these openings may be burned during prescribed fire operations in the burn unit in which they are located. Some wildlife openings would be managed primarily to benefit native game species. These openings would continue to be planted with a multi-year rotation of varying spring and winter food plot crops. Some of the openings would be restored and/or maintained to native warm season grasses, forbs, legumes and other understory plants. Strip openings established along national forest boundaries would be up to 50 feet wide and total approximately 7 linear miles or less. These boundary strips typically border private land fields and pastures. These strips would be maintained using mechanical or hand tool methods, or selective herbicide applications. Overstory trees may be removed in these strips, using manual or commercial timber harvest methods. These boundary openings would serve as early-successional habitats and fire breaks, would help control the spread of invasive species from private lands, and would improve the efficiency and safety of prescribed burning. In addition, as timber sale operations are completed, some landings and skid trails may be maintained as temporary wildlife openings. Wildlife opening management is designed to enhance game habitat and hunter experience and is especially appropriate for this project area due to its occurrence within the Wildlife Management Area and the Forest Plan s Early Successional Habitat Emphasis Prescription. 9. Road System Changes (Maps 7 & 8). The Forest Service makes periodic adjustments to the road system on the Conecuh National Forest in order to maintain the lowest-cost system that meets core visitor needs for access and safety, while avoiding unacceptable environmental impacts. An analysis of all roads associated with the Blue Spring West Project Area was done to identify proposed changes. In summary, proposed changes would reduce Open All Year Roads from 12.6 to 11.5 miles (reduction of 1.1 miles), and Seasonal Roads from 14.3 to 12.1 miles (reduction of 2.2 miles). Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 10 of 21

11 Some road status changes may impact access to adjacent private land. Changing a road to remove open access to the public, but allowing for landowner special-use access would require application for a special use permit and/or temporary right-of-way authority by the landowner. Any adjacent landowners potentially affected by proposed road status changes will be notified that a proposal for changes to forest roads is being considered. I. Roads to remain open with no changes (Table A, Maps 7 & 8) Based on historical use and needs, these roads would remain open at the current maintenance level status. They provide recreational opportunity to visitors throughout the year and are critical to maintaining and managing natural resources. Road maintenance and repairs have been performed over the years on these roads to allow safe travel. Table A. Roads remaining open with no change. ROAD NUMBER CURRENT LENGTH* CURRENT MAINTENANCE LEVEL CURRENT STATUS Open all year 330B Open all year 330A Seasonal 330D Seasonal 330I Open all year 330F Seasonal Open all year 329B Seasonal Seasonal 305C Seasonal Seasonal 349A Seasonal Open all year 327A Seasonal Open all year Total Miles* 20.8 *Computer mapped miles; actual mileage may vary. II. Change from open all year to closed, or selected portions closed (Tables B and C, Map 7 & 8) These roads are proposed for either closing the entire road or a selected portion of the road. These roads were selected based on low historic visitor use and limited need for management access. Road repairs and maintenance have not been performed on these road unless a major hazard is identified. These roads have had limited brush control to allow adequate view of the roadbed for safe travel. These roads Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 11 of 21

12 would be available for visitors to use on foot for recreation without disturbance from motor vehicle traffic. Table B. Roads proposed for closing entire length. CURRENT PROPOSED ROAD CURRENT CURRENT PROPOSED PROPOSED MNTCE MNTCE NUMBER LENGTH* STATUS LENGTH* STATUS LEVEL LEVEL 330E Open Closed 330H Seasonal Closed 330J <0.1 2 Seasonal Closed 330G Open Closed 329A Open 0.0 N/A Decom 349B Seasonal Closed 305D Seasonal Closed Total miles* *Computer mapped miles; actual mileage may vary. Table C. Roads proposed for closing selected portions. ROAD NUMBER CURRENT LENGTH* CURRENT MAINTENANCE LEVEL CURRENT STATUS PROPOSED LENGTH* MILES REDUCED 330C Seasonal A Seasonal B Seasonal A Seasonal Total Miles* *Computer mapped miles; actual mileage may vary. III. Add new seasonal road (Table D, Maps 7 & 8) Adding this road would allow visitors to access a large area of land for recreation. This currently unclassified road has been used by the public historically and currently appears to visitors to be an open road. Adding this road as a system road also would allow the Forest Service to have access for fire, timber, and wildlife activities in the future. Also, road maintenance can be performed to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, as well as provide safe travel for users. Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 12 of 21

13 Table D. Proposed new seasonal road. PROPOSED ROAD CURRENT CURRENT PROPOSED PROPOSED MNTCE NUMBER LENGTH* STATUS LENGTH* STATUS LEVEL 327C 0.0 None Seasonal Total miles* *Computer mapped miles; actual mileage may vary. IV. Installation of ten (10) gates on seasonal and closed roads (Table E) Installation of gates would identify roads that are seasonal and/or closed to visitors. Gates would regulate public access and also allow safer access for Forest Service personnel to perform fire, wildlife management, and timber activities. Utilizing gates instead of dirt berms would reduce the amount of soil disturbance and allow better signage to be attached to the gate notifying visitor of the road status. Table E. Proposed road gate installation. ROAD NUMBER PROPOSED STATUS NUMBER OF GATES TO INSTALL CURRENT STATUS 330E Close 2 Open 330H Close 1 Seasonal 305D Close 1 Seasonal 305C Seasonal 2 Seasonal 327B Seasonal 1 Seasonal 327C Seasonal 1 None 330D Seasonal 1 Seasonal 329B Seasonal 1 Seasonal PREVIOUSLY-APPROVED ACTIONS In addition to actions proposed here, other actions are ongoing in the Blue Spring West Project Area based on previous analyses and decisions. These actions include: 1. Prescribed burning of all acres on a 1-5 year cycle; 2. Control of non-native invasive plants using herbicides, with special emphasis on cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, privet, and Chinese tallow tree. 3. Wildlife opening management on existing permanent openings. Blue Spring West Project, Proposed Action Page 13 of 21

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