Scenery Report Salmon Reforestation Project

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service May 12, 2014 Scenery Report Salmon/Scott River Ranger District, Klamath National Forest Siskiyou County, California For Information Contact: Bob Talley Northern California Resource Center P. O. Box 342 Fort Jones, CA (530)

2 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. (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 (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2

3 Executive Summary A scenery assessment of project activities was conducted using field and office review, professional expertise, and on-the-ground knowledge. Five potentially affected sensitivity viewpoints were identified; one with no visibility of project activities and four with visibility. There would be No Effect to Red Bank Campground. Some treatments would be visible from the NF Salmon River road and North Fork Salmon Wild and Scenic River at distances of ½ to two miles, Blue Ridge lookout at a distance of 4-5 miles, and the Garden Gulch trail in the foreground. All treatments would meet their assigned Visual Quality Objective (VQO) of Partial Retention from these viewpoints. Cumulative scenic quality effects were evaluated in a larger context than the individual project activities themselves - the potentially affected viewsheds as a whole. The scenery analysis area included the multitude of viewsheds throughout the project area. When viewed from multiple viewpoints, past and proposed management activities in all viewsheds would be natural or near-natural appearing and cumulatively appear visually subordinate to the characteristic landscape. Cumulatively all viewsheds would meet the Partial Retention VQO. The would help achieve the Klamath Forest Plan s (USDA Forest Service 1995) desired conditions for Partial Retention areas to provide attractive forested scenery by speeding up recovery of burned areas. Methodology Overview of Methodology This evaluation applies current National Forest Landscape Management methodology in conjunction with existing Klamath Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) direction. It relies heavily on previous field studies of similar types of projects, as well as field observations from sensitive viewpoints, and consideration of public preferences for scenic quality. This evaluation relies on the following assumptions: ASSUMPTION 1: Based on my previous Klamath National Forest scenery evaluation experience of 25 years (33 years total Federal experience), as well as post evaluations of completed similar past projects, I believe this project has an 85-90% probability to successfully meet Visual Quality Objectives as predicted. ASSUMPTION 2: The North Fork Salmon River road (1C01) was used as a proxy for visibility from the North Fork Salmon Wild and Scenic River. Differences in elevation, adjacent vegetation, topographic screening, slope position, and horizontal alignments were factors considered in determining visibility and effects from the river perspective. The general process for a scenery evaluation follows: 1) Determine high or moderate sensitivity viewpoints located within or adjacent to the project area from which the project may be visible from. These are identified in an inventory maintained in the Forest Supervisor s office. 2) Extensive/intensive office review of project descriptions and maps; assessing project activity locations (orientation, slope position, distance from viewer, etc), logging systems, combined with on-the-ground knowledge of topography and vegetation. 3) A field review was conducted of the project area. 3

4 4) Individual project activities were evaluated for their visibility from high or moderate sensitivity routes. Noticeable changes from project activities to existing landforms and vegetation are evaluated in terms of form, line, color, and texture contrasts. Utilizing professional expertise, the overall visual dominance and degree of noticeable contrast to the existing scenic character is then compared against the VQO which defines the level of acceptable visual change. 5) If needed to meet VQOs or minimize scenery effects, Project Design Features (PDFs) were developed. Cumulative effects for scenic quality were evaluated within a larger context than the individual project activities themselves, considering the potentially affected viewsheds as a whole. Ongoing and reasonably foreseeable future actions were considered. Analysis Indicator Visual Quality Objectives (VQO) - define levels of acceptable visual change, and are identified in the LRMP. The project area is located in an area with the following VQOs: Partial Retention VQO management activities may be noticeable, but are subordinate to the characteristic landscape. Modification VQO management activities appear altered and may dominate, but reflect natural features. Spatial and Temporal Context The spatial analysis boundaries for scenery include the viewsheds from LRMP identified sensitive viewing locations. Scenery Standards and Guidelines (S & Gs) require that scenery assessments be conducted from these viewpoints. Temporal bounding is three years for short term effects, at which time projects are required to meet their assigned VQOs. These timeframes are again as required by LRMP S & Gs. Long term effects would be ten years or longer. Affected Environment Scenic Quality of or within National Forests is valued for the aesthetic enjoyment and physiological benefits it offers. Viewing Natural Features and Viewing Wildlife are the second and third respectively, most popular recreation activities of visitors to the Klamath National Forest (USDA 2012). Scenic quality within the project area is important to the people who live and work in the area and to Forest visitors. Both of these groups travel through the area enjoying views from the North Fork (NF) Salmon River road corridor, float or fish the NF Salmon River (National Wild & Scenic River), and recreate on National Forest lands or roads. The scenery of the area contributes a small but important part to the Klamath National Forest s scenic resources. Recreational use in the project area consists of dispersed-type recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hunting, and woodcutting. Scenery is an important component that affects these recreational uses, settings, and the recreation experience. Existing Scenic Character: Scenic Character is the overall visual impression or image that gives a geographical area its identity. The North Fork Salmon River drainage is isolated, vast, and rugged with lush forest vegetation and beautiful rushing mountain streams with unbelievably clear, cold 4

5 water. These creeks are flanked by mid-elevation, very steep, rugged mountainous terrain which is bisected by numerous smaller side drainages. There are numerous breaks in the forest canopy from previous wildfires, older harvest units, roads, rock outcrops, and meadows. In the background, more open higher elevation ridges and peaks provide a visual backdrop. Vegetation is diverse in both pattern and species, with the Douglas Fir/White Fir mixed conifer forest being most dominant. Conifer species include Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Incense Cedar, and White Fir. Also common is the Douglas Fir/Tanoak community where Douglas Fir dominates the overstory with hardwoods found in the understory such as Canyon Live Oak, Black Oak, White Oak, Pacific Madrone, and Big Leaf Maple. Some forested areas are extremely dense, where wildfires have been artificially suppressed for at least 50 years. This density of vegetation not only obstructs in-canopy views to the forest floor, but also provides ladder fuels thereby increasing the risk of extreme wildfire events. Historically numerous wildfires have burned in the area creating small openings in the forest canopy. The recent (2013) Forks Complex, where it burned with high intensity, has created some large openings or stands of dead trees. Streams display extremely high water clarity. Air quality is high, with coastal moisture occasionally adding clouds and haze to the typical clear views under bright blue skies. Scenic Character Expectations of Current User Groups (Sense of Place): Both the very low population density and the distance from larger human population centers contribute to an independent, rural residential lifestyle. Some local Sawyers Bar residents use National Forest lands as a means of employment such as in logging or commercial guiding. Other local activities include sight-seeing, hunting, gathering activities (firewood, mushrooms, and other special forest products) and just getting in touch with the land. Local residents form a unique interest group that want a healthy and sustainable watershed in what they consider their backyard. Existing Scenic Integrity: Scenic integrity is the relative degree of natural appearance displayed by a landscape. See Appendix A for representative photos of the project area. In the project area, current Scenic Integrity as viewed from inventoried sensitive viewpoints is as follows: The project area has some limited evidence of existing roads, fire breaks, plantations, and past logging units. Vegetation and/or topography screen most of these management activities except when in the immediate vicinity of the activity. Cumulatively, across the project area as a whole, the alterations are minor, and generally a near-natural appearance dominates. Therefore the project area has Moderate Scenic Integrity and meets a Partial Retention VQO as defined in the LRMP. Viewsheds, Visual Sensitivity Levels, and Viewer Position: The table below represents a list of all the potential viewpoints located in on near the project area, their visual sensitivity, and the viewer position that project activities could be visible from. The visual assessment of project activities utilized these viewpoints. These viewpoints are taken from the inventoried sensitivity level map (USDA Forest Service 2009) maintained on file in the Supervisors Office. Sensitive viewpoints include a National Wild & Scenic River, one Forest highway, a fire lookout, a hiking trail, and a dispersed camping area. 5

6 Table 1: Potential viewsheds, visual sensitivity levels, and viewer position Potential Viewpoint(s) Visual Viewer Position Sensitivity Level North Fork Salmon River Moderate Inferior (National Wild & Scenic River) Forest Highway 102 (North Fork Salmon River Road) Moderate Inferior Blue Ridge Lookout Moderate Superior Red Bank Campground Moderate Inferior Garden Gulch Trail Moderate Superior Visual Sensitivity Level: High = high level of interest in scenery, Moderate = secondary County or Forest road, recreation site or area, moderate use. Viewer Position: Inferior = activity is viewed looking up, Superior = activity is viewed looking down. -Scenic Attractiveness: This landscape s attractiveness is Distinctive A along the river, streams, lakes, meadows, high elevation ridges and Common - B scenery, typical of the Salmon Mountains on the midslopes. -Community of Interest: Local residents, highway travelers, rafters and fishermen from out-of-the-area, and Wilderness visitors. Desired Scenic Character: More sustainable and open forest canopy with large tree character, as well as increased species diversity. Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action Direct Effects and Indirect Effects The following table displays the units proposed for site prep and/or planting by Visual Quality Objective. See Appendix B for VQO map of the project area. Table 2: Units by acres by Visual Quality Objectives (VQOs) Unit # Partial Retention Modification Grand Total

7 Grand Total Source: GIS data sort (05/12/14) A generalized description of the project and associated effects to scenery follows: Site Preparation and/or Planting: The short-term visual impacts from clearing brush, hardwoods, and dead trees and then burning would create color and texture contrasts by exposing the soil. Planting only in areas previously stocked with conifers, combined with rocky and unplantable sites, would provide spatial variability across the project area. Tree species used for planting will roughly correspond with historical stand composition, varying by forest type. A recovery time of three years would allow revegetation or greening up of many of the site preparation effects. At that point, any residual effects would appear as a natural occurrence, consistent with the many wildfires that have occurred throughout this area. This activity would easily meet the Partial Retention VQO and help achieve the Klamath Forest Plan s (USDA Forest Service 1995) desired conditions for Partial Retention areas to provide attractive forested scenery. North Fork Salmon River road (1C01)/ North Fork Salmon River Viewshed: It is probable that a portion of unit 308 would be visible from both the North Fork Salmon road and Wild & Scenic River at a distance of approximately ½ mile. The narrow winding nature of both the road and the river would offer brief glimpses of this plant only unit. Unit 308, which is located within the Wild and Scenic River corridor, would easily meet a Partial Retention VQO. Further downriver several other units located outside the river corridor would likely be occasionally visible at a viewing distance of approximately two miles. Any visible units would mimic other recently burned areas or more open stands found in the landscape and would appear near-natural in the long term and meet or exceed a Partial Retention VQO. 7

8 Garden Gulch Trail Viewshed: Plant only unit #345 and site prep & plant unit #286 would be visible to hikers in the foreground distance zone from the Garden Gulch trail. Immediately upon project completion, the use of vexar tubes, vegetation mats, and/or shade blocks would be noticeable to hikers. However after three years of greening up, the irregularly shaped unit, combined with the retention of live trees would be near-natural appearing and meet a Partial Retention VQO. Blue Ridge Lookout Viewshed: It is probable that some of the site preparation and plant units would be visible from the Blue Ridge Lookout at a background distance zone (> 4 miles). These areas would mimic other recently burned areas or more open stands found in the landscape and would appear near-natural in the long term and meet or exceed a Partial Retention VQO. Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA): Three units (297, 298, 323) are proposed for planting only (no site prep) in the IRA. The use of tree species consistent with historic stand composition and planted only in plantable locations, would create a mosaic and retain the natural appearance of the scenery. There would be a negligible indirect long term beneficial effect to landscape character from reforestation. As there are no hiking trails in the IRA, and it is relatively inaccessible, there are no identified visual sensitivity viewpoints in the IRA. Should these units be visible from the North Fork Salmon River, they would easily meet a Partial Retention VQO. Field review determined that because of topographic and/or vegetative screening, no project activities would be visible from one sensitivity viewpoint Red Bank Campground. Consequently there would be No Effect to this viewpoint. Cumulative Effects Individually all project activities would meet or exceed their assigned VQO of Partial Retention. However cumulative scenic quality effects are evaluated in a larger context than the individual project activities themselves - the potentially affected viewsheds as a whole. The scenery analysis area includes the multitude of viewsheds throughout the project area. When viewed from multiple viewpoints, past and proposed management activities in all viewsheds would be natural or near-natural appearing and cumulatively appear visually subordinate to the characteristic landscape. Cumulatively all viewsheds would meet or exceed the Partial Retention VQO. Compliance with law, regulation, policy, and the Forest Plan This reforestation project would help achieve the Klamath Forest Plan s (USDA Forest Service 1995) desired conditions for Partial Retention areas to provide attractive forested scenery by speeding up recovery of burned areas. Literature Cited USDA, Forest Service Land and resource management plan: Klamath National Forest. Yreka, CA. USDA, Forest Service Natural Resource Manager National Visitor Use Monitoring Program Visitor Use Report, Region 5 Klamath National Forest. USDA, Forest Service Scenery Sensitivity Levels Map, Klamath National Forest Westside. (on file at the Klamath National Forest Headquarters, Yreka, CA). 8

9 Appendix A - Scenery Photos View from North Fork Salmon River road near Kanaka Gulch looking west. High intensity burn areas in middleground (photo center) are units 298 and 350 and in background units 303 and 304 located on Yellow Jacket Ridge. View from Forest road 40N50 looking northeast of site prep and plant unit 326 and plant only unit 353 in photo center. Unit 326 is in the foreground and unit 353 is the large trees on ridgeline. 9

This area is part of the Portuguese 1 - Roadless Area and is not

10 Appendix A - Scenery Photos View from Forest road 40N51 near Pollocks Gulch looking east into Murders Gulch. This area is part of the Portuguese 1 - Roadless Area and is not proposed for planting. View from Forest road 40N51 looking west at site prep and plant unit

11 Appendix B Salmon Reforestation VQO Map 11

3.14 VISUAL RESOURCE (SCENERY)

3.14 VISUAL RESOURCE (SCENERY) 3.14.1 INTRODUCTION The Lower West Fork analysis area lies in the Bitterroot Mountain Range and is bisected by the West Fork Road (State Highway 473). The Lower West Fork