Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project

Transcription

1 Notice of Proposed Action United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Opportunity to Comment Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project January 5, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at () - (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 3-W, Whitten Building, th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 5- or call () -5 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2 Background The Richfield Ranger District of the Fishlake National Forest is proposing to conduct an ecosystem restoration project in proximity to the mountain community of Acord Lakes. Ecosystems being addressed include pinyon/juniper, sagebrush/grass/forbs, Gamble oak, Ponderosa pine, aspen, and spruce/fir. Improving these ecosystems near Salina Creek and Acord Lakes will result in multiple benefits, which include but are not limited to, improving native species diversity, improving wildlife habitat and reducing hazardous fuel loadings that occur within and adjacent to areas designated as Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). These hazardous fuel treatments are needed to decrease the quantity and arrangement of fuel loads within mixed conifer, Ponderosa pine, pinyon/juniper and mountain shrub fuel types. In the current condition, these available fuel loads have the potential to support large scale, intense, stand replacing fires which increases the risk to important wildlife habitat, private lands, and adjacent improvements. Large scale stand replacing fires could result in the overall mortality of these vegetation types. A more detailed description of the project area and proposed action follows. The Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project is located in a series of units adjacent to the private land in-holdings of Salina Creek/Acord Lakes. The proposed project treatment units include approximately, acres of National Forest Systems lands in all or portions of the following sections. TS, R E, Section ; TS, R3E, Sections 5, 3, 3, 35, 3; TS, RE, Sections, 8, 3, 33, 3; TS, RE, Sections 3,, 5, ; and TS, RE, Sections,, 3,,, and. Please see Map on the next page for a vicinity map of the area.

3 Oak City Fillmore Ranger District 5 8 Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Richfield Ranger District Fishlake National Forest Vicinity Map 5 Miles Fillmore 8 Salina Project Location 5 Fillmore Ranger District Richfield Richfield Ranger District 8 58 Marysvale Richfield Ranger District Koosharem 5 Fremont River Ranger District 5 Beaver Ranger District Loa Beaver 53 Teasdale Circleville Fremont River Ranger District Map : Vicinity map of the Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project. 3

4 Historic, Existing, and Desired Condition (Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial) In 8 the Fishlake National Forest, with public involvement, approved a Fishlake National Forest Prescribed Natural Fire Plan. This Prescribed Natural Fire Plan (PNFP) provides a general assessment of fire s importance and historic role and contains a strategy for returning fire to specific ecosystems. Within the PNFP, the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial) is one of several subsections analyzed. The Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial) (8, acres) is east of Salina including both sides of the I- corridor (Map ). The Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project occurs entirely within the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial). The majority of ecosystems within the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (WPS) developed with fire as a historical disturbance factor and much of these ecosystems are currently outside properly functioning condition (PFC). A key indicator that these ecosystems are outside PFC is the conversion of historical cover types to other cover types. Sustainability of these diverse fireadapted ecosystems will depend on the successful reintroduction of fire on the landscape. The Fishlake National Forest recognizes prescribed natural fire as an appropriate tool to achieve ecosystem restoration and to help achieve resource goals and objectives. Fire Ecology Ogle and DuMond () documented the historical vegetation for National Forest lands in the Intermountain Region and the historical role of fire on those landscapes. Detailed, site-specific fire history data are generally lacking for southern Utah. However, a fire history study of the Monroe Mountain subsection does provide solid data about historical fire patterns and dramatic reductions in the occurrence of fire on landscapes throughout that subsection (Chappell ). The fire return interval prior to European settlement was as frequent as -3 years at midelevations and 5- years at some elevations near, feet. In most areas within the Monroe Mountain Subsection it has been 5- years since the last recorded fire. Fire history and fire behavior have commonalities across all subsections occurring on the Fishlake National Forest. General weather patterns affecting fire behavior are common across subsections. With similar weather patterns and given the close proximity of the WPS to the Monroe Mountain Subsection, the District assumes the WPS had similar fire frequencies as the Monroe Mountain Subsection. Several studies (Fishlake National Forest ; Mrowka and Campbell ; Bartos and Amacher 8; Bartos and Campbell 8a; Bartos and Campbell 8b; O Brien and Waters 8) report the decline of the aspen cover type on the Fishlake National Forest. Estimates indicate that the aspen cover type shrank from about 3, acres to some, acres (55% decline) on the Forest during the past to years. Lack of fire on the landscape is the primary cause of this cover type conversion. Extensive overbrowsing may have also been a contributor in some areas. Loss of aspen forests results in lower water yields, less forage production, and greatly reduced biodiversity.

5 In addition, absence of fire has resulted in most of these fire adapted ecosystems being outside PFC. The result is that many acres of these systems are now at risk. Aspen, in particular those over years old are being impacted by pathogens that put entire clones at risk of dying without any hope of returning them to the area. Pinyon/juniper woodlands now dominate thousands of acres that at one time were occupied by grasses and forbs (O Brien and Waters 8). The nature of fuels has also changed to a condition more conducive to high intensity destructive wildfires during especially dry periods accompanied by strong winds. The major cover types where fire should be reintroduced are mixed-conifer/aspen and pinyon/juniper (PNF 8). Vegetation Cover Types and the Role of Fire: The vegetation cover data are from Geospatial Analysis Process (GAP) satellite mapping done by Utah State University. The fire frequency data are generic for each cover type and not specific to the Wasatch Plateau Subsection. Vegetation Cover Type Spruce/Fir Complex Aspen Ponderosa Pine Gambel Oak Mountain Brush Pinyon/Juniper Complex Sagebrush/Grass/Forb Complex Fire Frequency -8 years - years 5-5 years -5 years - years -3 years - years The spruce/fir complex is comprised of various amounts of Engelmann spruce, blue spruce, subalpine fir, white fir, and Douglas-fir. Fire frequencies of mixed severity for spruce/fir may be divided into two groups: -5 years for white fir/douglas-fir and 5-8 years for spruce/subalpine fir. Unless the area has been harvested and/or burned, the co-dominant trees in the area would generally be more than years old. If aspen is the species mix, the area is considered to have been an aspen cover type historically. The aspen vegetation cover type includes communities dominated by aspen or communities that have a mixture of aspen and some conifer. The aspen type is found at elevations ranging from,5 to,. Generally, fire frequencies for aspen may be - years at elevations below, feet and - years at elevations above, feet. The pinyon/juniper complex is well represented throughout the Wasatch Plateau Subsection. Data from the U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station s Forest Inventory and Analysis Project indicate a 3--fold increase in the amount of pinyon/juniper occupied lands in the past 5 years. Areas with trees less than 5 years old were historically most likely in another vegetation cover type unless these areas have been burned, chained, or otherwise treated (O Brien and Waters 8). 5

6 The sagebrush/grass/forb complex has great range in elevation because of the several species and subspecies of sagebrush represented by this complex. There is some variation in fire frequency depending on the species of sagebrush. However, the variations generally occur within the - year range. The existing ponderosa pine cover type is not well-represented (3%) across the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (Tables, & 3). Relatively speaking, the ponderosa pine cover type is a greatly diminished, unique ecosystem within this subsection. Historic logging practices removed most stands. Fires burned historically every 5-5 years in this cover type. Gamble oak and mountain brush communities: Very little is known about the historic role of fire and the mean fire return interval. However, the District suspects fires burned every -5 years in the oak type and every - years in the mountain brush type. Several vegetation types that are not abundant in the subsection are lumped into a category called other. This category includes alpine, mountain mahogany, riparian and tall forb cover types. Fire Regimes: Historically, fire was a dominant force on the landscape. Many of the plant communities were maintained in fire-induced disclimaxes that did not complete the successional path to the climax community stage. Specific examples of these disclimax plant communities include grass-forb dominated ranges, parklands and aspen communities. Historical fire patterns changed dramatically beginning at the time of European settlement in the mid-8 s when fire suppression activities began and when livestock started grazing the valleys and mountain ranges. Some wildlife numbers have also increased substantially in the Wasatch Plateau Subsection in the past years. As a result of historic heavy grazing and too few fires, grass-forb communities have converted to lands dominated with sagebrush or pinyon-juniper communities. Also, aspen communities have converted to mixed-conifer or sagebrush. Properly Functioning Condition: The Bureau of Land Management developed the concept of proper functioning condition in 3 and applied it to the management of riparian areas. The U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Region expanded this concept in to PFC. Regional and subregional assessments included PFC criteria for all major cover types (USDA Forest Service ). Properly functioning condition exist when all plants, animals, and physical parts of an area are sustainable. This occurs when the soil, water, plants, and animals are dynamic and resilient; their existence is sustained following disturbances. The assessments also used the concept of risk to describe situations where there is a chance that the soil, water, plants, and animals will be degraded to the point that they are neither resilient nor sustainable (USDA Forest Service ). PFC and Risk Factors for Vegetation Cover Types: Parts of the Region s assessments provide criteria that can be used to determine if portions of a vegetation cover type are in PFC. Other factors based on resource specialists experience help to understand situations that place vegetation cover types at risk. Factors indicating landscapes at risk are separated by the

7 dominant species. The factors below apply to areas where these vegetation cover types only occurred historically, not their present distribution. The following risk factors listed are indicators of when specific fuel types may not be in PFC. Spruce/Fir Complex Factors are listed below for both spruce and Douglas-fir dominated cover types. Stands with these risk factors may not be sustainable. Spruce is the dominant:. Less than % of the stands have multiple canopies. Less than % of the trees are Engelmann spruce Douglas-fir is the dominant:. More than 5% of the stands have multiple canopies. White fir and/or subalpine fir composition is more than 5% Aspen Any one of these factors may indicate that a landscape with an aspen cover type is at risk:. Conifer cover is greater than 5% (including the understory). Sagebrush cover is greater than % 3. Aspen canopy cover is less than %. Dominant aspen trees are more than years old 5. Aspen regeneration (5-5 feet tall) is less than 5 stems/acre. Ground cover is less than 5% Pinyon/Juniper Complex Either of these factors may indicate that landscapes with pinyon and/or juniper are at risk:. Shrub, grass, and forb cover is less than %. Bare ground is greater than % (cover from rock is not included) Sagebrush/Grass/Forb Complex Any one of these factors may indicate that landscapes with the sagebrush/grass/forb cover type are at risk:. % plus of the area has more than 5% sagebrush crown cover. Bare ground is more than % 3. More than pinyon and/or juniper over 3 feet tall per acre Gambel Oak Complex Any one of these factors may indicate that landscapes with the Gambel Oak cover type are at risk:. The herbaceous layer is not well developed or persistent.. Bare ground is more than % 3. Lacks a mix of structural age classes, greater than 5% same age class.

8 Pie and Bar Charts for the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (Tables and ): With the absence or reduction of fire during the past 5- years, some areas of the landscape have converted from one vegetation cover type to other cover types. A series of three pie charts (Table ) is used to display the magnitude of change from one type to another and what might be possible to manage for in the future. The historical condition represents landscapes of -5 years ago. The existing condition within the chart is the present distribution of the cover types as of the year. Desired condition depicts what might be attainable in the next 5- years. Considering the risk factors described above and using PFC criteria outlined in the USDA Forest Service Regional Assessment, the Richfield Ranger District staff estimated the number of acres for each existing cover type that are in PFC. Properly functioning condition for Desired Conditions is assumed to be %. This conveys the idea that, though a worthy goal, it is not realistic to have % of the cover type in PFC in the next 5 years. These pie and bar charts were initially created in 8, and then were updated in. Historical: Fire planning team estimated amounts based on successional patterns and concepts from the Ricky Mountain Station s Forest Inventory and Analysis project Existing: Intermountain Region s subregional assessment which used Utah State University Geospatial Analysis Process (GAP) Desired: Provided by Richfield Ranger District staff with input from the public Historical PFC: All areas assumed to be in PFC Existing PFC: Estimated by Richfield Ranger District staff Desired PFC: % of the desired area rounded to the nearest a acres Columns in the Fire Plan Analysis Table for Each Subsection (Table ): As described above, Richfield Ranger District staff estimated the number of acres for each existing cover type that are in PFC. Properly functioning condition for Desired Conditions is assumed to be %. This conveys the idea that, though a worthy goal, it is not realistic to have % of the cover type in PFC in the next 5 years. Fire Frequencies: R Subregional Assessment; Monroe Mountain Fire History Area in Existing Condition: R Subregional Assessment and GAP analysis Net Change: Difference between historical and existing areas Area of Desired Condition: Determined by Richfield Ranger District staff with input from the public Area in PFC: Determined by Richfield Ranger District staff Area not Suitable Rx Fire: Determined by Richfield Ranger District staff with input from the public Area Available for Rx Fire: Calculated Range of Area to Burn: Calculated Monitoring: Forest and District Records 8

9 Once again, these columns were initially created in 8 and then updated in. Existing Vegetation Cover Types within the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial) (Tables & ): The pinyon/juniper, Gamble oak, and Other cover types dominate this subsection with a component of aspen, spruce/fir, and sagebrush/grass/forbs vegetation types. The pinyon/juniper type has increase substantially. In contrast, the sagebrush/grass/forbs have decreased substantially along with a decrease in the amount of ponderosa pine, aspen, and Gamble oak. Total acres for this subsection are spread among seven important cover types. The Other category is a combination of the following cover types: alpine, mountain mahogany, riparian, and tall forb. Major Vegetation Types at Risk within the Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial): Fire frequencies in this subsection dropped sharply in the past 5 years. As a result, the cover types most at risk are the aspen and sagebrush/grass/forb types. The areas with the greatest need for treatment are the mixed conifer/aspen and pinyon/juniper types. Such treatments would convert these areas to the cover types that existed prior to European settlement. Although not abundant, 5% of the existing Ponderosa pine cover type is considered at risk. Management Implications (Tables & ): For the WPS, in the year the Richfield Ranger District staff estimated, acres are in PFC, zero acres were considered not suitable for prescribed fire, with some mitigation, and 8, acres are available for either management ignited or prescribed natural fire, and other treatments. Since the District has treated approximately 5, acres in the WPS therefore leaving approximately 55, acres currently available for either management ignited or prescribed natural fire, and other treatments. The District with public input suggested that it could be ecologically acceptable to burn or otherwise treat from, to 58, acres in a 5-year period.

10 8 Salina Gooseberry The Rocks Oldwoman 33 Rex Reservoir 8 Windstorm Peak W Johnson 5 Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Richfield Ranger District Fishlake National Forest Legend Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial) 3 Proposed Prescribed Fire B Acres Proposed Mechanical Treatment and Prescribed Fire - Acres Rx - Previous 5 Prescribed Fires Wildfires Other - Previous Mechanical Treatments Miles 3D 5 Land Ownership BLM Forest Service Systems Lands Private State Map : Wasatch Plateau Subsection (partial), previous wildfires and previous fuel treatment areas.

11 Table : Historic, Existing and Desired Conditions for the Wasatch Plateau Subsection and Area in PFC by Vegetation Cover Type for the Wasatch Plateau Subsection.

12 Table : Analysis by Vegetation Cover Type for the Wasatch Plateau Subsection.

13 Existing and Desired Condition (Salina Creek Project Analysis Area) Pinyon/Juniper Pinyon/juniper is the dominant cover type in the western third of the analysis area. It also occurs as scattered small groups throughout the analysis area as a secondary species to Gambel oak, ponderosa pine, and occasionally aspen at the lower elevations. It is also present in many of the sagebrush/grass/forb areas and has increased its presence within this cover type tremendously compared to historic conditions. The majority of this pinyon/juniper is not in PFC. Much of the PFC pinyon/juniper type has decreasing understory vegetation and a relatively closed canopy. These areas present a unique fire hazard as they typically will only carry fire at higher wind speeds and are also likely to consume the entire stand at high intensities. Historical fire behavior in these stands is probably small groups (one to five trees) burning without spreading to adjacent trees. Utah juniper is a surface feeder with a shallow, spreading root system making it highly competitive with other plants. It can fully occupy a site with only percent juniper canopy cover. Associated forbs, grasses and shrubs decline rapidly as pinyon-juniper canopy cover exceeds percent. Soil erosion increases after a reduction of or loss of the forb, grass and shrub component. After the shrub and herbaceous layers are lost, recovery is very slow even if pinyon/juniper trees are removed. Re-seeding with desirable perennial grasses and forbs may be necessary to avoid site occupancy dominated by invasive species such as cheat grass. (Region PFC Assessment ). Rocky Mountain juniper is also present within the proposed project area. Less is known about Rocky Mountain juniper competition with associated forb, grass and shrub vegetation than Utah juniper. It appears that the more mesic sites dominated by Rocky Mountain juniper are able to sustain more herbaceous and shrub vegetation than Utah juniper dominated sites. However, the shrub, grass and forb component in over mature and dense stands of Rocky Mountain juniper is still reduced. Watershed conditions also deteriorate as the shrub, grass and forb component is lost affecting soil cover. (Region PFC Assessment ). On sites where the oldest trees are less than 5 years of age, pinyon-juniper canopy cover should not exceed percent to maintain the grass, forb and shrub community. In areas where the oldest trees exceed 5 years of age; canopy cover may be higher than percent and such sites are a lower priority for treatment. (Region PFC Assessment ). Pinyon-juniper stands with mature trees less than 5 years old generally represent areas that historically were dominated by other vegetation types such as grassland, sagebrush or mountain brush. Sites with mature trees greater than 5 years old historically had some pinyon-juniper present. Tree densities on such sites are often quite stable and may not have changed appreciably in + years. Some areas may have been transitional areas; historically subject to periods of pinyon-juniper dominance and then stand replacing fires remove the pinyon-juniper for many years until seed from stands located on fire-safe topography returned to start another 3

14 cycle of pinyon-juniper dominance until another stand replacing fire event. (Region PFC Assessment ). The risk associated with this cover type is high because of accelerated erosion caused by reduced herbaceous ground cover. Unbalanced structures, compositions, and patterns are all indicators of improperly functioning conditions. This results in diminished value as wildlife habitat. (Region PFC Assessment ). Upon completion of these proposed mechanical and prescribed fire treatment units, restored habitat for sagebrush/grass/forbs wildlife dependent species will be attained, and move the District slightly closer to accomplishing desired conditions for the entire WPS. Sagebrush/Grass/Forb Complex The sagebrush/grass/forb communities are inhabited by mature basin big sagebrush and declining populations of grass and forbs. Pre-settlement fires in the area carried through fine fuels and created structural and age class diversity in the sagebrush. Much of the sagebrush/grass/forb complex is not in PFC. Fire exclusion and historic grazing has resulted in mature sage with increasing dead to live woody material ratios and decreasing understory grasses and forbs. Infrequent fires in the last 5 years have allowed pinyon and juniper to encroach into these once open meadows. Historically, frequent (- year interval) low to mixed severity fires would have helped maintain these ecosystems in PFC by reducing the influx of pinyon and juniper into the valleys and maintaining a patchwork of uneven aged sagebrush with a sustained understory of perennial grass and forbs. Average fuel loads in this type are currently in the neighborhood of 3 tons per acre. Under the historic fire regime, these loads would have been kept to around to.5 tons per acre (Ottmar et.al., 8). Historic photos of this fuel type show very little pinyon/juniper occurring in the valley (Kay, ). This vegetative transition is shifting the historic mixed severity fire regime to one of higher severity, stand replacement type. The desired condition for this vegetation type is to have approximately % of the sagebrush/grass/forbs community in PFC. The sagebrush/grass/forbs risk factors described above related to sagebrush canopy cover, bare ground, and pinyon/juniper trees would not be seen. The desire is to remove encroaching pinyon/juniper trees, decrease the dense, mature stands of sagebrush, and have an increased and sustained understory of grass and forbs, thus reducing the amount of bare ground. Accomplishing this desired condition will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values, it will restore habitat for sagebrush/grass/forbs wildlife dependent species, and move the District slightly closer to accomplishing desired conditions for the entire WPS. Ponderosa pine Because of past management practices and the occurrence of large stand replacing fires, current structural conditions are dominated by mainly mid to mature-aged classes and seedling/sapling size classes with overly dense stands, creating conditions susceptible to bark beetle population increases. Much of the Ponderosa pine is not in PFC. These Ponderosa pine stands have many

15 other fuel types intermixed within the stand. The understory areas are dominated by Curl-leaf Mountain mahogany, White Fir, Manzanita, and a variety of mountain shrub species. Manzanita within the Ponderosa pine is very dense with a high component of dead. Grass, forb and shrub production is declining with the exception of areas void of overstory within the sagebrush communities that have already received a Dixie harrow treatment to open the sagebrush canopy cover and stimulate grass/forb production. Ponderosa Pine systems have probably been studied more than any fire-adapted system in the west today (Arno, ). It is commonly accepted that a typical fire return interval in this cover type is from 5-5 years. This means that on the outside, the southeastern portion of this analysis area should have burned approximately - times in the last years. This isn t to imply that the whole area would burn during each fire, but rather that a mosaic of various aged vegetation would be created. These fires were historically low intensity ground fires that consumed forest floor litter and small branches, recycling nutrients and preparing the forest floor for regeneration of Ponderosa pine. These fires maintained open, low-density stands. A limited sample of three fire-scarred trees was taken within the analysis area midway down Eldridge Hollow along the edge of a rocky canyon. This sample consisted of two live Ponderosa pine trees and one Ponderosa stump remaining from past logging activity. All the samples were within a 5-foot radius from one another. Based on these samples, Stanley Kitchen of the Rocky Mountain Research Station estimated the mean fire interval for this site to be.3 years. Besides the prescribed fire of 55 acres of Ponderosa pine in, the last recorded fire in this area and fuel type was in 8. This is longer than that typically referenced for Ponderosa pine, but the site is probably more influenced by the sagebrush flat to the northwest for fire spread than the Ponderosa pine along the drainage (Kitchen, ). Exclusion of frequent non-lethal fires for the last years has allowed much of this cover type to progress to latter successional stages such as Douglas-fir and true firs on sites historically dominated by Ponderosa/Jeffrey Pine. This exclusion of fire has also allowed a variety of species to dominate the understory. Ladder fuels are well developed and contribute to wildfires outside of the historical range in intensity and size. In addition to ladder fuels, there is an increase of forest litter increasing potential fire hazard and lethal effects of fires on vegetation by concentrating heat on the upper soil layers and around the stems of trees and shrubs (Region Properly Functioning Condition ). The desired condition for this vegetation type is to have approximately % of the existing Ponderosa pine in PFC and to add some additional acres of ponderosa pine to the existing acres. Characteristics of a Ponderosa pine forest in PFC are having multiple trees of all size classes and ages. Stands occur in even-aged groups or clumps. Stands will also have an open appearance (like those created with periodic surface fires) with long sight distances under the forest canopy. Pre-settlement ponderosa pine forests were irregularly spaced, uneven-aged stands with trees growing together in small even-aged groups and grassy meadows between the groups. Historically, fire regimes were typically dominated by low severity surface fires and mean intervals of 5 to 5 years. Frequent, low intensity fires created a diversity of vegetative 5

16 structures by creating gaps, thinning seedlings, releasing nutrients, encouraging light-intolerant pine germination, and reducing the invasion of fire-intolerant, shade tolerant species (Hood and Miller, ). Accomplishing this desired condition will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values, it will improve habitat for ponderosa pine wildlife dependent species, and move the District slightly closer to accomplishing desired conditions for the entire WPS. Aspen The aspen within the Salina Creek area historically dominated the higher elevations. Many of these areas that were once pure aspen stands now have less aspen due to the effects of fire suppression and historic grazing. Aspen is being overtaken by subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce throughout most of the analysis area. Many of these stands that have been overtaken occur on the steep slopes of the North Horn formation. Fire return intervals in this fuel type have been estimated at to years (Fishlake National Forest, 8). These areas would have typically been categorized in a low to mixed severity fire regime depending on the amount of conifer present in the understory. Historic fuel loads for these types of stand conditions were 3 to tons per acre. However, today they are more likely to burn under a high severity regime due to the higher presence of conifer in both the understory and overstory, potentially leading to a higher incidence of soil movement following fire. During the field season data collected within the aspen/mixed conifer treatment areas indicated fuel loads at an average of 5.3 tons per acre which includes - hour, litter, and duff. Aspen data collected in also show an average of 8 medium and mature aspen stems per acre. Within Unit 5 most of the aspen is being overtopped by mixed conifer and is not considered to be in PFC. The aspen component within this unit is considered to be at risk due to abundance of conifer species present. The desired condition for this vegetation type is to have approximately % of the aspen community in PFC. This would include having multi-aged aspen stems in the stand, adequate regeneration to perpetuate the stand, predominant age classes less than years old, good undergrowth beneath the canopy, and big sagebrush cover of less than 5%. The aspen risk factors described above related to conifer and sagebrush cover, aspen canopy, age classes, regeneration, and bare ground would not be seen. Accomplishing this desired condition will result in having a fuel loading more aligned with historical values, it will improve habitat for aspen ecosystems wildlife dependent species, and move the District slightly closer to accomplishing desired conditions for the entire WPS. Spruce/fir Complex Mixed conifer types occur in the Salina Creek project area at the higher elevations primarily on north facing slopes. These stands consist mainly of older age class Engelmann spruce or Douglas-fir trees intermixed with aspen, white fir, subalpine fir, and mountain shrub. Fire return intervals in this type are typically in the -8 year range (Fishlake National Forest, 8). In those areas where Douglas-fir and white fir are the dominant conifers, fire return intervals are estimated at -5 years (Fishlake National Forest, 8). Where spruce and subalpine fir

17 occurs, return intervals are believed to be 5-8 years (Fishlake National Forest, 8). In areas where spruce occurs without an aspen component, fire return intervals have been documented in the 5 to 3 year range (Bradley, et al., ). Pure spruce stands do not occur within the analysis area. These mixed conifer areas have fairly high fuel loading ranging from 5 to tons per acre (Fishlake Data Collection). As a result of this excessive fuel loads it puts the stands in a higher intensity, stand replacing fire regime condition. Many of these mixed Douglas-fir and spruce stands in the project area are falling victim to insect and disease attacks, increasing the concentration of dead woody material and contributing to increased fire risk. Fuel loadings during historical times were probably no more than to 8 tons per acre (Dieterich, J. H., 83). Much of the spruce/fir complex is not in PFC. The desired condition for this vegetation type is to have approximately % of the spruce/fir complex in PFC. This would include returning these stands back to earlier stages of succession and to see the spruce/fir complex more diverse in spatial and vertical structure, containing openings and only patches of mature, late successional species. Some patches would be very open and late successional species would be represented predominately in seedling and sapling size class. Understory vegetation would be more abundant and diverse in these patches. The desire is to also remove the more shade-tolerant species in the understory and leave species in the overstory, such as Douglas-fir, which can withstand periodic fires. The spruce/fir risk factors described above related to canopy character and tree species diversity would not be seen. Some of these stands of mixed conifer have a component of aspen present; therefore, the creation of openings to also allow aspen regeneration is desired. Aspen can re-occupy these areas, creating an effective fuel break. Within these patches being re-occupied by aspen, the desire is to have approximately % of the aspen in PFC. This would include having multi-aged aspen stems in the stand, adequate regeneration to perpetuate the stand, age classes mostly less than years old, good undergrowth beneath the canopy, and big sagebrush cover is less than 5%. The aspen risk factors described above related to conifer and sagebrush cover, aspen canopy, age classes, regeneration, and bare ground would not be seen. Accomplishing this desired condition for spruce/fir and aspen will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values, it will improve habitat for spruce/fir and aspen wildlife dependent species, and move the District slightly closer to accomplishing desired conditions for the entire WPS. Gambel Oak Both the shrub and tree form of gambel oak are present in the analysis area. The shrub form is primarily present as understory throughout the Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir stands. The tree form appears as isolated even aged stands in the open and meadow areas. In moist years oak may act as a barrier to fire spread due to the high live fuel moisture content and rapidly decomposing litter. In dry years oak brush is a flammable and explosive fuel type and will propagate fire spread on windy days. Stands consist of mature plants with declining or absent

18 perennial grasses and forbs. Amundson et al. () estimated that mixed severity fires burned in this fuel type every -5 years prior to Euro-American settlement. Oak re-sprouts vigorously following fire and attains pre-burn heights in an average of 5 years (Evers, 8). This re-sprouting works to keep the fire hazard lower for a short term until the oak begins to again approach its pre-burn stand conditions. Fuel loads are typically in the to 3 tons per acre range for young stands, while older stands, such as those present in the analysis area, approach 5 tons per acre with almost 5% of the stems dead (Ottmar et.al., ). This dead component is present throughout the entire vertical profile of the stands, readily moving a fire from the surface and into the crowns. Purpose and Need By comparing the existing condition with the desired condition the District has determined there is a need to restore to properly functioning condition; pinyon/juniper, sagebrush/grass/forbs, Ponderosa pine, Gamble oak, aspen, and spruce/fir ecosystems across approximately 55, acres within the WPS. This project is placing an emphasis and giving priority to approximately, acres of ecosystems near Salina Creek and Acord Lakes. Restoring these ecosystems to PFC includes restoration of process, function and structure. The Richfield Ranger District has identified the Salina Creek and Acord Lakes areas as a priority because under the existing condition, the Salina Creek and Acord Lakes areas have a high risk of property loss due to wildfire. Many developments have been built in the Salina Creek and Acord Lakes areas and development is ongoing. Many of these homes are at risk from wildfires that could move from National Forest onto private property. As described above, historically, fire was a dominant force on the landscape. Many plant communities were maintained in fire-induced disclimaxes that did not complete the successional path to the climax communities. These historical patterns changed dramatically with the advent of livestock grazing in the mid 8 s and fire suppression efforts in the mid s. As a result of historic heavy grazing and too few fires, grass/forb communities have converted to lands dominated by sagebrush and/or pinyon/juniper. Areas containing aspen have become dominated by mixed conifer species, majority of the Ponderosa pine is becoming more susceptible to catastrophic fire as a result of the increase in available fuels and the fuel strata that will support high intensity stand replacement fire. Many of these ecosystems are currently not in PFC. Within the Salina Creek proposed treatment areas, for the following reasons the Richfield Ranger District does not feel that current grazing is an underlying cause of why many of the ecosystems in this area are not in PFC: the proposed treatment units occur in a cattle pasture that only gets grazed approximately week each year, due to slope and distance from water, most of the project area gets little to no grazing use, and permittees in the area have consistently been meeting Fishlake Forest Plan grazing standards and guidelines. Of the, acres for this project, riparian/wetland areas cover a small percentage; approximately acres (.3%). 8

19 Restoring the ecosystems in these areas will result in multiple benefits, which include but are not limited to, improving habitat for wildlife dependent upon these various ecosystems, improving native species diversity, reducing hazardous fuel accumulations, reducing the risk for large scale, intense wildland fires, which in turn creates an environment with less risk to public and firefighter safety. This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Fishlake National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (8) (LRMP). The desired conditions described above and the purpose and need for this project are consistent with Fishlake National Forest goals and objectives found in Chapter IV of the Forest Plan, Fishlake Fire Amendment, and the Utah Fire Amendment. The proposed treatment units are within management areas B - Habitat for Management Indicator Species, B - Livestock Grazing, and F - Improved Watershed Condition. The relevant goals and objectives are listed below: Ecosystems are restored and maintained, consistent with land uses and historic fire regimes, through wildland fire use and prescribed fire (Utah Fire Amendment, pg. A-) Manage forest cover types to provide variety in stand sizes shape, crown closure, edge contrast, age structure and interspersion (Fishlake LRMP p. IV-) Prescribed fire is authorized forest wide (Utah Fire Amendment, pg. A-). Use prescribed fire to reduce fuel buildup and meet resource objectives (Fishlake LRMP p. IV-5) Reduce hazardous fuels; the full range of reduction methods is authorized, consistent with forest and management area emphasis and direction (Utah Fire Amendment, pg. A- ). Identify and improve habitat for sensitive, threatened and endangered species including participation in recovery efforts for both plants and animals. (Forest Plan IV-) Improve or maintain the quality of habitat on big game winter ranges. (Forest Plan IV-) Proposed Action Prescribed Fire (Units, 3,, 5, and ) (Maps 3 & ) Proposed prescribed fire treatments would be implemented within approximately, acres utilizing aerial and/or hand ignition techniques to target mixed conifer/aspen, pinyon/juniper, Ponderosa pine, and gamble oak fuels. Prior to ignition, control lines may need to be constructed around the perimeter of proposed prescribed fire treatment areas using mechanical techniques i.e. chainsaws and hand tools. The area most likely to need control lines is located on the north and west sides of Unit 5. In an effort to reduce visual impacts and effects to areas designated as Inventoried Roadless and Unroaded/Undeveloped, efforts will be made to cut trees flush with the ground and feather the control lines. This will reduce the chances of seeing straight fire lines with sharp edges. Control line construction would be implemented to protect improvements,

20 keep fire within proposed units, protect adjacent private and federally managed lands, and create a safe environment for fire personnel during burn implementation. To meet the desired conditions outlined above, within Units, 3,, 5, and the Richfield Ranger District proposes to reintroduce fire across multiple ecosystems using aerial and/or ground based prescribed fire techniques. Mosaic burn patterns are desired. Mosaic burn patterns break up continuous fuel beds that support high intensity stand replacing fire. Reintroducing fire will aid in getting these ecosystems back into PFC. The reintroduction of fire will help address encroaching pinyon/juniper in the area, it will improve age class and species diversity, it will improve habitat for wildlife species dependent upon the various ecosystems in this area, it will improve sagebrush, grass, forbs, aspen, Ponderosa pine, and other ecosystems in the area, and the reintroduction of fire will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values for the various vegetation types. This will improve firefighter safety, reduce the threat to adjacent private property and structures, and will reduce the threat of high intensity stand replacing wildfires. The District will monitor vegetation responses in Units, 3,, 5, and after the prescribed fire is implemented. If vegetation responses are slow, aerial and or tractor reseeding may occur. The District anticipates that the pinyon/juniper areas that currently have very little understory will most likely need to be reseeded. If reseeding needs to occur, the District proposes to re-seed with a mix of sagebrush, grass and forbs. Areas that are already in PFC would be avoided. For example, areas of pure aspen that are already in PFC would be avoided. The sagebrush areas that have a good understory of grasses and forbs that don t have encroaching pinyon/juniper and are in PFC would also be avoided. The District does not feel the aspen will need to be fenced for protection following implementation. During summer the District looked at previous aspen treatments and pure aspen stands (areas not fenced) in the near vicinity. These other aspen stands appear to be doing well; multi-aged stems with successful regeneration are occurring and good undergrowth beneath the canopy was seen. Based on the success and condition of these other aspen stands in the vicinity, the District is not proposing to fence any aspen as a part of this project. Mechanical and Prescribed Fire (Unit ) (Maps 3 & ) Proposed prescribed fire treatments would be implemented within approximately acres of Unit utilizing aerial and hand ignition techniques targeting mixed conifer/aspen, pinyon/juniper, and gamble oak fuels. Prior to ignition control lines may be constructed around the perimeter of the proposed prescribed fire treatment areas through mechanical or hand tool treatments. To reduce visual impacts and effects to areas designated as Inventoried Roadless and Unroaded/Undeveloped, attempts will be made to cut trees flush with the ground and feather the control lines. This will reduce the chances of seeing straight fire lines with sharp edges.

21 Control line construction would be implemented to protect improvements, protect adjacent private and federally managed lands, and create a safe environment for burn implementation. In Unit, within a portion of the sagebrush fuel type, the Richfield Ranger District proposes to mechanically reduce fuels within approximately acres of encroaching pinyon/juniper. The mechanical fuels reduction treatments will target the encroaching pinyon/juniper within this unit. The District considered the alternative of using a skid-steer loader with a mulching fecon head to accomplish the pinyon/juniper removal. This technique may be possible although not in all the areas where pinyon/juniper encroachment occurs. In discussion with District staff a combination of hand cutting and skid-steer fecon is possible. Special attention would be paid to minimize soil disturbance with mechanical equipment. Areas that are inaccessible to skid-steers would be cut by hand using chainsaws. To reduce visual impacts, efforts will be made to cut trees flush with the ground. After the pinyon/juniper trees are cut and have cured, the Fishlake National Forest fire personnel will target and burn the cut/cured pinyon/juniper trees within these acres using prescribed fire. This proposal and treatment method will help maintain the existing sagebrush and grass/forb communities in the area and it will allow for additional acres of sagebrush/grass/forbs to be restored. This will also help improve age class and species diversity, it will improve habitat for wildlife species dependent upon sagebrush/grass/forbs, and this will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values. This will improve firefighter safety, reduce the threat to adjacent private property and structures, and will reduce the threat of high intensity stand replacing wildfires. For clarification pinyon/juniper will only be targeted in the areas where encroachment is occurring. Areas that historically contained pinyon/juniper will not be targeted with the above mentioned mechanical fuels reduction treatments. To meet the desired conditions outlined above for the remainder of Unit, the Richfield Ranger District proposes to reintroduce fire across the other ecosystems using aerial and/or hand based prescribed fire techniques. Mosaic burn patterns are desired. Mosaic burn patterns break up continuous fuel beds that support high intensity stand replacing fire. Reintroducing fire will aid in returning these ecosystems back into PFC. The reintroduction of fire in these other areas will help improve age class and species diversity, it will improve habitat for wildlife species dependent upon the other ecosystems in this area, it will improve aspen, and other ecosystems in the area, and the reintroduction of fire will result in having a fuel loading more aligned to historical values for the various vegetation types. This will improve firefighter safety, reduce the threat to adjacent private property and structures, and will reduce the threat of high intensity stand replacing wildfires. The District considered the alternative of not mechanically cutting the pinyon/juniper in this unit and just using prescribed fire techniques to accomplish desired conditions. The option of using only prescribed fire techniques in this unit was dismissed for several reasons. Some of the fuels in Unit within the pinyon/juniper fuel type lack the continuity of understory fuels to carry the prescribed fire. To get the pinyon/juniper trees to burn as they currently stand, the District would

22 need to burn this Unit on a hot and windy day to get the fire to carry from one tree to the next. This would be dangerous and difficult for firefighters to successfully implement. The chance of having an escaped wildfire also increases. Undesirable impacts to other ecosystems in the area could also occur. By cutting the pinyon juniper trees first and waiting for them to cure, firefighters can be more selective in when they burn this unit and they can better target the pinyon/juniper trees and avoid the remaining sagebrush/grass and forbs in the area. This will help maintain the existing sagebrush and grass/forb communities in the area. The District will monitor vegetation responses in Unit after the mechanical and prescribed fire is implemented. If vegetation responses are slow, aerial, ATV and or tractor reseeding may occur. The District anticipates that the pinyon/juniper areas that currently have very little understory will most likely need to be reseeded. If reseeding needs to occur, the District proposes to re-seed with a mix of sagebrush, grass and forbs. Areas that are already in PFC would be avoided. For example, the sagebrush areas that already have a good understory of grasses and forbs that don t have encroaching pinyon/juniper and are in PFC would be avoided. Design Features Design features and resource protection measures incorporated into the proposed action would include: Treated areas would be rested from grazing for at least growing seasons post implementation, and possibly 3 to allow for new vegetation to become established. Equipment would be washed and inspected prior to entering National Forest System lands to remove any soil and debris that may contribute to the spread of noxious weeds. Invasive and noxious weeds are not known to occur within the project area; however, treatment areas will be monitored post implementation. If noxious and/or invasive weeds are detected, the District will take the appropriate actions to control spread and eliminate the noxious and/or invasive weeds from the treatment areas.

23 UNIT 53 5 UNIT UNIT UNIT 8 UNIT Legend Salina Creek Ecosystem Salina Creek Proposed Treatment Analysis Areas Roads and Trails 3 8 Prescribed Fire (only) - 33 Acres Highway Restoration Project 8 Mechanical Treatment and Prescribed Fire- Acres Paved Road 5 Richfield 5Ranger District 3 Fishlake National Forest Boundary Gravel Road, Suitable for Passenger Car Fishlake National Forest Land Ownership Dirt Road, Suitable for Passenger Car BLM Road, Not Maintained for Passenger 3 Car Forest Service Systems Lands Non-Motorized Trails Miles Private 5 State Map 3: Salina Creek Proposed Treatment Units. 5 UNIT

24 UNIT 53 Created by: Jeff Jager 5 UNIT 3 5 UNIT Map : Salina Creek Vegetation Types. Prescribed Fire (only) - 33 Acres Mechanical Treatment and Prescribed Fire - Acres Aspen/Perennial Grasses - Acres 5.5 Miles Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany/Douglas Fir - Acres 3 Gambel Oak- 5 Acres 8 Mountain Big Sagebrush/Perennial Grasses - 55 Acres Mountain Shrubs/Grasses - 8 Acres Riparian/Wetlands - Acres UNIT 8 UNIT 5 UNIT Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Richfield Ranger District Fishlake National Forest Proposed Action Treatment Areas Fishlake National Forest Boundary Existing Vegetation Gambel Oak/Aspen - 5 Acres Gambel Oak/Mountain Big Sagebrush - 35 Acres Gambel Oak/Rocky Mountain Juniper - 8 Acres Mixed Conifer/Aspen - 53 Acres Perennial Grasses - Acres PJ - Acres PJ/Gambel Oak - 5 Acres Ponderosa Pine/Curlleaf Mtn. Mahog./Manzanita - 3 Acres

25 Proposed Action Brief Summary of Significant Impacts The affected resources and potential impacts of the proposed action are summarized for consideration in Table 3. Table 3 Affected Resources and Potential Impacts Affected Resource Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive, and MIS Wildlife Species Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive, and MIS Plant Species Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRA)/ Draft Unroaded/Undevleoped Areas (UUA) Air Quality Vegetation/Silviculture Noxious and Invasive Weeds Brief Summary of Impacts No threats to Threatened or Endangered or Sensitive or Candidate. MIS habitat for deer and elk may need to be seeded. There are no known TES plant locations within the Project area. Surveys within the treatment areas confirmed the lack of potential habitat. Minimal short term effects to IRA/UUA may be experienced. The positive improvements to vegetation and habitat will outweigh the effects. The mechanical treatment effects within the IRA will be small due to the limited amount of vegetation treated. Some short term effects to air quality are anticipated with the implementation of prescribed fire operations; however, implementation will be in compliance with State Air Quality Standards and Requirements. Therefore, no long term negative effects are expected to occur. Special attention will be paid to minimize smoke impacts to air intakes of Sufco Canyon Coal Mine. There would be no significant effects to the vegetation/silviculture or timber resource. Commercial harvesting is not feasible in this area. Impacts to the vegetation would be short term as the vegetation is set back to younger successional stages which are lacking in the area. Aspen will be regenerated by the prescribed burning. No noxious or invasive weeds are known to occur within the proposed treatment areas; therefore, no significant negative impacts from noxious and/or invasive weeds are expected to occur. Treatment areas will be monitored post implementation. If noxious and/or invasive weeds are detected, the District will take the appropriate actions to control spread and eliminate the noxious and/or invasive weeds from the treatment areas. 5

26 Hydrology There are a few streams both located within and used as the project boundaries. However, significant effects to watershed values and resources are not expected. There may be some general effects on water quality in Quitchupah and Salina Creeks, but nothing that would lead to impairment of beneficial uses and effects might last for a short duration of a few years following treatment and subsequent vegetation recovery of disturbed soils. Following large storms is when the greatest impacts would likely occur. Direct ignition near riparian areas should be avoided. Lizonbee and Duncan Draw springs are located near the project boundary of two units. General negative effects are not expected from treatment in the vicinity of the springs, but ignition in the direct area of these spring should be avoided to avoid directly impacting riparian vegetation and any improvements. Fire & Fuels Range There will not be any effects to municipal watersheds, and will not likely be effects to floodplains. The proposed treatments within the Salina Creek project will result in a reduction of current fuel loads. Therefore reducing the opportunity for catastrophic wildfire. A reduction in fuel loads and mosaic burn patterns will increase opportunies to safely and effectivly suppress natural ignition wildfires. Short term smoke impacts will occur but adherance to Utah Department of Air Quality standards will be followed. Completion of this proposed action would increase ecosystem resielance, no long term negative impacts are expected. It is proposed that on the Salina Creek Allotment, the pastures receiving treatment would be rested for at least growing seasons post implementation, and possibly 3 to allow for new vegetation to become established. Implementation of this project will indirectly benenfit range conditions. No long term negative effects to range are expected to occur.

27 Recreation Heritage Resources Soils Mining Operations It is anticipated that there would be some temporary short term effects during project implementation as areas become inaccessible for public safety. Smoke and noise impacts may occur but would be short in duration. Therefore, no long term negative impacts are expected to occur. There are only 3 sites within the project area and all are found in Unit. Two sites are nonsignificant. The third, SV3, is a small rock shelter that lies just off of the table. There are minimal amounts of fuel near the site therefore, the shelter should not be impacted by fire. The areas being treated with Prescribed Fire may exhibit water-repellent ground conditions for a few months to a year; this would result in a temporary increase in soil erosion on strongly sloping to moderately steep ( 8 to 5 % slopes ) terrain. The ( sandy ) site most susceptible to hydrophobic conditions is Unit # under the Ponderosa Pine. The location considered most susceptible to ( potential ) erosion losses is Unit # 5 under the Mixed Conifers. Apply prescribed fire across the landscape in a mosaic pattern to mimic historic natural fire, to minimize the detachment and transport of soil material. Any adverse impacts to NFS Lands would be relatively short in duration. Mining Operations Underground coal mining has occurred on or is planned for the area associated with Units 5 &. No mining activity is occurring or is currently planned for areas associated with Units,, 3, or. Surface structures such as powerlines and fences associated with ongoing mining may be located within the units. These structures should be protected. Employees of the mine should also be contacted prior to project implementation. No significant impacts on mining operations are anticipated. See Map 5 on the next page for Inventoried Roadless Areas and Unroaded/Undeveloped Areas.

28 UNIT 5 UNIT UNIT 3 UNIT UNIT Created by: Jeff Jager 8 UNIT Salina Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project Richfield Ranger District Fishlake National Forest Miles DRAFT - The Unroaded & Undeveloped Areas Data Layer is a working draft and in no way should be considered final. Final Undeveloped and Unroaded Areas will come with the completion of the Forest Plan. Regional protocols were used to develop the Unroaded and Undeveloped Areas Data Layer. This layer was ONLY created to evaluate areas for potential wilderness during the forest plan revisions process. Legend 3 Inventory Roadless Areas Land Ownership Unroaded & Undeveloped Areas BLM Proposed Action Forest Service Systems Lands Prescribed Fire (only) - 33 Acres Private 3 Mechanical Treatments and Prescribed Fire- Acres State 8 Fishlake National Forest Boundary Roads and Trails 5 Highway Paved Road Gravel Road, Suitable for Passenger Car Dirt Road, Suitable for Passenger Car Road, Not Maintained for Passenger Car Non-Motorized Trails Map 5: Salina Creek Areas Designated as Inventoried Roadless and Draft Unroaded/Undeveloped. 8