BLUEJ JAY SPRINGS RESTORATION VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT RECREATION RESOURCES COMPLETED BY JEREMY SUGDEN NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST RECREATION

Transcription

1 BLUEJ JAY SPRINGS RESTORATION VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT RECREATION RESOURCES COMPLETED BY JEREMY SUGDEN NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST RECREATION DATE COMPLETED: NOVEMBER 2013APRIL 2014

2 Project Basic Info The Bluejay Vegetation Management planning area encompasses approximately 65,000 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest. The unit is located on the Chiloquin Ranger District in Klamath County, Oregon. The project area primarily consists of ponderosa pine forests with lodgepole pine and a few areas of sugar pine at higher elevations. The area also contains remnant aspen stands in meadows and wet drainages. Of the 64,797 National Forest System acres of this unit, 62,322 (96%) are forested, and 2,475 (4%) are non-forested. Of the forested acres, 45,588 are ponderosa pine, 16,693 are lodgepole pine vegetation type, and 41 are mixed conifer/pine associated. The project area includes portions of the following Williamson River sub-watersheds: Aspen Creek, Deep Creek, Haystack Draw, Klamath Marsh, Long Prairie, and Wildhorse Ridge. Also within the project are portions of the Skellock Creek and Yoss Creek subwatersheds. The Blue Jay Spring Research Natural Area and the Klamath Tribes traditional camping area are contained within the project area. There are two grazing allotments within the project planning area, Yamsi and Applegate. Several miles of the upper Williamson River pass through the eastern boundary of the planning area. The Bluejay Vegetation Management project planning area encompasses approximately 65,000 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands managed by the USDA Forest Service. The project is located in T30S R9E, Sec 27, 28, 33-36; T30S R10E, Sec 15,16, 19-23, 26-36; T31S R9E, Sec 1-4, 9-17, 20-29, 33-36; T31S R10E, Sec 2-36; T31S, R11E, Sec 7, 8, 17-20, 29-32; T32S, R9E, Sec 1-3, 9-14; T32S, R10E, Sec 1-18; T32S, R11E, Sec 5-8, 18 Klamath County, Oregon. Project Area Background/History Developed Recreation The project area contains no developed recreation sites or trails managed by the Fremont- Winema National Forest. The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) setting for the project area is Roaded Natural or Roaded Modififed. There are two developed recreation sites located approximately five miles from the project boundary. Jackson Creek campground located approximately five miles north of the project area s east border. Jackson Creek is a lightly developed campground with 12 campsites available in a large ponderosa pine setting. The site has minimal constructed features including 1960 s era steel vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. The site is in a Roaded Natural setting of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) ROS. The vault toilets in this site are proposed to removed and replaced with one SST style vault that meets current accessibility requirements, as part of the Red Knight Restoration Project. Near the entrance to Jackson Creek Campground there is a small two room cabin used by cross country skiers in the winter. There is a single 1960 s vault north of the cabin, fire ring and picnic table in close vicinity to the cabin. These developments are scheduled to be removed to reduce impacts to aquatic resources in the area as part of the Red Knight Restoration project. Head of the River Campground is located five miles south of the project s east border. Head of the River Campground is lightly developed with five sites, trash cans, picnic tables, fire rings and one Romtec Vault toilet. Currently 98 percent of the project area is located within a half mile of a route designated for use on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. This means that a forest visitor can legally drive within a half Comment [AT1]: This is all proposed for removal as part of the Red Knight EA, and we should mention this. Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-2

3 mile of any point within the project area. Vehicular access into the project area is important to both tribal and non tribal members for the purpose of hunting. The Williamson River meanders along the east edge of the project area and enters and leaves Forest Service managed land for ten segments with an approximate river frontage of 11 miles. The Williamson River is quite popular for fishing by outfitters and guides and various private ranches located along its shore. There are approximately ten different outfitters with websites that offer fishing trips along the Williamson River. The Williamson River waterway and wildlife are managed by the State of Oregon. Outfitters and guides for these waterways are also administered by the State of Oregon. The Forest Service does not have any public boat launching facilities which it currently operates on the Williamson River. The Forest Service does not provide any public boat launching or developed fishing facilities on the stretch of the Williamson River that is within the project area. The agency does not have any method of measuring the use of private or individual fishing use along this stretch of the river other than observation by Forest Service staff. Project Area Current Conditions Statistically valid use figures are unavailable since there are no fees charged, or any other methods used to track use. Dispersed campsites have not been inventoried for this project, though it s known that many dispersed camps exist throughout the planning area. Forest service staff observations indicate that the overall recreation use in the area is light, with the majority of use occurring during hunting seasons and on weekends. The project area is located within the Sprague Hunting Unit 33 managed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The largest hunts in the area are Deer Centerfire (Hunt 133) October 4 through October 15, Elk Centerfire X (Hunt 233x) Oct 29-Nov 2, Elk Centerfire Y (Hunt 233y) November 8- November 16. For further information see the 2014 ODFW Big Game Regulations. Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-3

4 The project area is entirely within the former reservation land of the Klamath tribes. The tribes Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-4

5 have a Memorandum of Understanding for seasonal tribal camps along the Williamson River on the east edge of the project area. In the past, the Klamath Tribes have been issued a Special Use Permit for Traditional/Cultural Use; Traditional Cultural Youth Training; Subsistence Activities. Part of these activities includes the use of summer camp sites located primarily along the west edge of the Williamson River. Many of these camps are used during the entire summer season. These camps have been traditionally used by tribal members and their families for many generations. Tribal camps differ from other forms of dispersed camping because they generally have some rudimentary small non-permanent structures present in the camp and they generally tribal campers stay for longer periods of time. The Forest Service records show that there are has records of 32 tribal member campsites within the project boundary. The Klamath tribes use this area primarily during the summer months to pursue treaty rights. Comment [AT2]: Shouldn t we expand on what this means? What type of activities are occurring, etc? Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-5

6 Statistically valid use numbers for the entire forest are available from the National Visitor Use Monitoring Survey; the last complete set of data available is Figure 1 Average Length of Visit by Site Type for the Winema National Forest (NVUM 2008) Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-6

7 Figure 2 Percentage of Annual Visits to the Winema National Forest Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-7

8 Figure 3 Activity Participation for Visits to the Winema National Forest Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-8

9 Figure 4 Percentage of visits based on Main Activity Data Collection/Methodology Use levels and general recreation patterns were observed during the summer of 2013 while forest service staff was performing other responsibilities. For information on data collection performed through the NVUM process visit Regulatory Framework Land and Resource Management Plan Winema National Forest FSM 2330 Publicly Managed Recreation Opportunities Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) The actions analyzed and resulting effects are consistent with all regulations and direction listed above. Alternative(s) Description(s) All vegetation management and follow up fuels treatments activities are being analyzed in this report. The changes to the transportation system, aquatic, spring and fisheries treatments are also being analyzed. There is a special focus on the treatmentsthis analysis will first analyze all actions occurring around the Williamson River Tribal Camping area, and then will analyze actions outside of this area. This approach is being used because treatments around the Williamson River Tribal Camping area have the most potential due to these treatments are the most likely to affect the recreation resources within the project area. Resource Effects Measurement Indicators The measurement indicator for recreation resources is the amount of visits and satisfaction with the recreation experience. The amount of visits to a recreation site is quantitative while the satisfaction with a recreation experience is highly qualitative and can change from one person to another.change in the recreation setting. This measurement is qualitative in nature but some basic guidance is provided through the use of the ROS system. The ROS system recognizes that the Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-9

10 recreation experience and benefits from participating in it is a combination of the settings, the activities, other resources present, activities by managers, and by the values, expectations and other characteristics of the recreationists (ROS Users guide, 1982). Buist and Hoots (1982) provided a succinct explanation of how the ROS system is implemented The planner does not attempt to inventory experiences directly, but rather applies five indicator criteria to the setting where the experience takes place: remoteness, size of area, evidence of humans, user density, and amount and noticeability of managerial regimentation or control. These characteristics of the setting are used to indicate the kinds of experiences the recreationisits most likely to obtain. Effects Analysis Effects Analysis Assumptions This effects analysis is being completed with the best knowledge and information we currently have available for use in this project. We recognize that this analysis is not all inclusive. Recreation is social in nature and based on making decisions to reach desired outcomes. Researchers have recognized that the process of making choices is inherently complex, and prediction is exceedingly difficult with present knowledge (Clark and Downing 1985). How individuals and groups react to changes in the recreation setting is dependent on a number of factors including biophysical, social, and managerial changes. Recognizing this allows us to provide a general prediction of how recreationists will respond to the implementation of the proposed action, but does not allow us to predict the response of all individuals. Direct & Indirect Effects The spatial boundary of this analysis is the project area boundary and extending out to Jackson Creek and Head of the River campgrounds. Although these campgrounds are located outside of the project boundary there is the potential for these sites to be effected during the implementation due to their proximity to major travel routes which access the project area and could be potentially used as haul routes for implementation. Temporal bounds are approximately three to ten years after the start ofinitial implementation. This timeline was selected based on the amount of time that would be required to complete all follow up treatments such as burning activities. Alternative 1 No Action Alternative Under the No Action Alternative no restoration actions would be taken and the landscape would continue to develop on its current path. Recreational use of developed sites and the greater project area would continue as described in the current conditions. The number of visits to the project area would remain relatively the same and the quality of the experience would only change by natural disturbance causes (fire, downed trees ect). The recreational setting would remain relatively the same with a similar level of area, remoteness, evidence of humans, user density and managerial presences. Recreational motorized access would remain the same per the current Motor Vehicle Use Map. Alternative 2 Modified Proposed Action Alternative Effects to Tribal Camping Areas Vegetation Treatments Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5" Formatted: Font: Not Bold, Underline Formatted: Font: Not Bold, Not Italic Comment [AT3]: But campgrounds OUTSIDE of the project area are discussed on pg 1 Comment [AT4]: Describe what this is Comment [JS5]: I don t know what you re looking for? I described what would happen to recreation resources in the next sentence. Comment [AT6]: Except tribal users whose treaty rights exempt them from MVUM. Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic Formatted: Font: Bold Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-10

11 There are 32 tribal campsites located with the project boundary, 20 of the sites are in No Treatment Areas, 11 are in Riparian-Aspen-Meadow Treatment Areas and one site is in Small Tree Thinning to Increase Heterogeneity. Effects in the Tribal Camping Areas will be analyzed for the maximum effect although it is likely the effects will be less due to project design criteria in which all treatments will be coordinated with Tribal Member registered at the campsite, within. Within the historic tribal special use area (see Map XX), restoration treatments would be coordinated with Klamath Tribal members. ). Treatments may range from no treatment, to hazard tree removal, to full restoration as described above under ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer restoration, lodgepole pine restoration, and aspen, meadow, riparian, and other hardwood restoration. During implementation there is the potential that some visitors will be displaced from their tribal camping areas. This will be necessary for the safety of Tribal campers, forest visitors, and work crewscrews and forest visitors. Vegetation treatments within tribal camping areas will could reduce the density of trees around the site, this wouldill reduce the screening between sites and will also make some sites easier to access with larger vehicles. The reduced vegetation density would be based on current conditions in coordination with the Tribal Camper registered at the site. The Tribal Camping areasrecreation site will still provide a roaded natural ROS setting. Based on past vegetation treatments, the treatments generally occur during fall through spring due to fire danger. This treatment window typically falls outside or at ends of the tribal typical tribal camping Throughseason. Through implementation of the project design criteria it is expected that permanent actual displacement will be unlikely and that short term displacement will be less likely. Aquatic Restoration Aquatic restoration treatments along the Williamson River will be coordinated with the tribal members. In general deep pools near tribal camps which are desired for tribal practices are also desirable for aquatic habitat. Since these treatments will be coordinated with tribal members it is anticipated that effect to these recreation resources will be minimal. Coordination with tribal members will be essential in reducing overall effects across all actions (vegetation, aquatic, and transportation) to recreation resources in these areas for users. Transportation Changes Tribal member s treaty rights exempt them from following the designation of routes identified on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. Because of being exempted from this the changes to the transportation system will have little effect to tribal members accessing their camping area. It is possible that tribal members could experience more solitude in these areas from other users due to some reduced access. There is a small potential, but unlikely, that some areas might not be available to access for tribal members by vehicle if a route is proposed for full decommissioning and is no longer drivable. Treatment Units Outside of Tribal Camping Area Vegetation Treatments Effects to recreation resources outside the tribal camping area will be similar across all treatment types. The effects are similar because they occur primarily during implementation. There is the Comment [AT7]: A map would be great! Where is it? Maybe a photo? Comment [JS8]: Made a comment about this in the last IDT. How far from the tribal camps are we going to coordinate for? Comment [UFS9]: Brief ranger on the IDT discussion 02/05/14. Is it in coordination or consideration or? Comment [AT10]: Has this been done? Comment [JS11]: Yes Mike said Coordinate Formatted: Normal Comment [JS12]: I am trying to be concise as possible. Because we are cooridinating with the tribes Comment [AT13]: Generally, I feel that there should be more here. A lot that could be expanded on., Bold, Italic Formatted: Font: Italic Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic Formatted: Font: Bold Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-11

12 potential that some users will be displaced during implementation due to closure or change in the recreation setting. Individuals would be temporarily displaced if a closure is needed for visitor and work crew safety. A Change tochange to the recreation setting due to the presence of noise (chain saws, skidding equipment) and smoke has the potential to temporarily displace some users. The displacement is dependent on the season of implementation. Implementation during major hunting seasons is more likely to displace users than if implementation were to occur outside of these seasons. These effects are likely to be short term and users would likely accept short term inconveniences to their accustomed habits.during this time it is possible that some users will change the nature of their recreation experience through substitution. Substitution is defined by Brunson and Shelby (1993) as the interchangeability of recreation experiences such that acceptably equivalent outcomes can be achieved by varying one or more of the following: the timing of the experiences, the means of gaining access to the setting, and the activity. For some recreation users it is possible that their recreation experience could be enhanced through viewing and observing project implementation of forest management. The main long term effect which recreationists will observe is a slight change of character of vegetation within the project area. Currently a large portion of the project area is densely covered with small diameter treesth trees both standing and down. Through the proposed action many of these areas would be opened up through removal of primarily small diameter trees. It is difficult to predict how users will react to this change of setting. Some users might find the treated areas more preferable due to longerarger sight distances, while other users prefer could prefer the more enclosed setting. Aquatic Restoration There is the potential that some outfitter and guides and their clients could be temporarily displaced during implementation of Aquatic Restoration activities. Some temporary displacement might be necessary during large wood placement, especially if helicopter placement is used. The displacement would last approximately two to three days for helicopter depending on the area treated. If helicopter placement is used it would require that all people not associated with the project be excluded from the area during the flight time for the safety of flight crew and visitors. With tree placement using an excavator some displacement could occur. This would be localized to the vicinity of the excavation work. Displacement during this time would occur for a longer period of time but would shift to different locations as the excavator worked its way down the river. Approximate total time required for excavator tree placement would be up to two weeks. Aquatic Restoration treatments are coordinated with ODFW. Before implementation information is sent out to affected parties. Allowing adequate time of notification of project implementation the overall effects from aquatic restoration activities would be minimal. Transportation Changes Comment [AT14]: No cumulative effects? Formatted: Font: Not Italic Formatted: Font: Not Bold Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-12

13 Under current conditions 98 percent of the project area is accessible within a half mile of a designated route on the Motor Vehicle Use Map. With implementation of the proposed action 96 percent of the project area will be within a half mile of a road. Overall vehicle access to the area will be slightly reduced. It is predicted that most recreationists will still be able to reach their desired area. It is possible that some dispersed camps might become inaccessible by vehicle due to decommissioning or road closure, but the extent of this is expected to be minimal. With decreased road density within the project area there will be more opportunities for individuals to experience solitude. Formatted: Normal The travel analysis which was completed in conjunction with the preparation of the project made changes to Motorized Access to Dispersed Camping (MADC). The 2010 Travel Management decision designated areas where MADC would be allowed. MADC is allowed on existing routes to existing dispersed campsites, where permitted within 300 feet of roads. The travel analysis completed for this project changes MADC for approximately 18 miles of roads within the project. MADC was removed from approximately 13 miles as identified in the 2012 Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) and added to approximately 5 miles of roads identified on the 2012 MVUM. It is difficult to predict how this change will affect users, though based on our best knowledge it is expected that the overall effect to recreationists will be minimal. While the overall effect is expected to be minimal there is the potential that some users could be displaced if they had a dispersed site located in an area where MADC is being removed. Cumulative Effects The spatial bounds for cumulative effects analysis is the project boundary of Bluejay, Red Knight, Lower Jack, Modoc and Oatman, and actions taking place on the private property of the Long Bell Tract east of the project boundary. The temporal bound for this analysis is approximately 25 years for completion of all forest service projects listed above. These bounds for both spatial and temporal were selected because much of this area provides the same type of roaded natural ROS setting and for the majority share adjacent boundaries. The above listed projects are planned to be completed in the near future. The potential for cumulative effects is minor. The cumulative effects analysis area contains very few developed recreation sites. The lack of developed sites, and distance from populated areas lead to low recreation use across the analysis area. There is the potential that individuals could be displaced from the analysis area if implementation were to occur at the same time across multiple projects leading the individual with few choices for substitution. With current Forest Service budgets it is unlikely that all planned projects could or would be implemented at the same time across the analysis area. Temporary displacement would most likely occur during the implementation phase of projects and users would be able to return once implementation is complete. Recreationists are likely to accept minor inconvenience and substitute their recreation activity. To reduce impact to recreationists, public notification of projects will provide the proper expectation so recreationists can adapt to the situation. MA 3 Screening Requirements Vegetation and Limited Treatment Comment [JS15]: How do I appropriately cite the travel management decision? Formatted: Normal Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic Formatted: Normal, Italic Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-13

14 Lifting the requirements of Standard and Guideline 9 form MA 3 would have little effect of on recreation resources. Visuals are a related resource the recreation setting, but due to the relatively small area contained within MA3, which is not adjacent to any developed recreation sites or to tribal camping area the effect of this amendment would be minimal. Formatted: Font: Not Bold, Not Italic Design Criteria Public notification prior to (signing and/or news release) implementation. Monitoring Requirements None References Buist, L. J., & Hoots, T. A. (1982). Recreation opportunity spectrum approach to resource planning. Journal of forestry, 80(2), Brunson, M.W.,&Shelby,B. (1993). Recreation substitutability: A research agenda. Leisure Sciences, 15(1), Formatted: Font: Not Bold, Not Italic Clark, R. N., & Downing, K. B. (1985). Why here and not there: the conditional nature of recreation choice. In: Proceedings-symposium on recreation choice behavior, Missoula, Montana, March 22-23, General Technical Report, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service, (INT-184), USDA Forest Service The 1986 ROS Book (compilation of information), Washington, DC:Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Resources. II-30-II-33 p. USDA Forest Service ROS users guide. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Bluejay Springs Restoration Vegetation Management Project-14