Ragged Ruby Project. Pre-Scoping Planning Area Information. Prepared by: Blue Mountain Ranger District Malheur National Forest

Transcription

1 Ragged Ruby Project Pre-Scoping Planning Area Information Prepared by: Blue Mountain Ranger District Malheur National Forest May 2016

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3 Introduction We are seeking input toward developing a proposed action for landscape restoration activities in the Ragged Ruby planning area. This document summarizes the existing conditions, landscape challenges, desired conditions, and potential project types that the Forest Service Ragged Ruby interdisciplinary team has identified. Any input is welcome, however the more specific your comments are, the more helpful they will be in shaping this project. Suggestions include (but are not limited to): Information on existing conditions in the planning area Specific areas you would like to see treated, or not treated (e.g., areas you would like to see thinned or prescribed burned, or not; roads you frequently use, or roads you have concerns about) Project types you would like to see included (e.g., huckleberry restoration) Please keep in mind that activities need to be consistent with the Malheur Forest Plan, as amended (USDA Forest Service 1990a, 1995b, 1995d; USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management 1995), and all other laws, regulations, and policies that apply to the management of national forest system land (e.g., National Forest Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Clean Air Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc.). We are currently at the first stages of proposal development, which will aid us in developing the purpose and need for action, the driving statement that will determine the proposed action. Planning Area Context The name Ragged Ruby comes from a combination of Ragged and Ruby Creeks. Elevations range from 3,480 to 8,120 feet. Private land along County Road 20 splits the planning area in half, and includes approximately 3,000 acres within the Balance Creek and Granite Boulder Creek subwatersheds (which make up approximately 9 percent of the Ragged Ruby planning area). The legal description for the planning area is (Township, Range, Sections): T. 10 S., R. 33 E., sec. 7-10, 13, and 15-36; T. 10 S., R. 34 E., sec and 27-33; T. 11 S., R. 33 E., sec. 1-5, 9-15, and 23-26; T. 11 S., R. 34 E., sec., 5-9, 16-21, and 28-30, Willamette Meridian. Figure 1. Ragged Rocks U.S. Forest Service managed lands in the planning area are predominately Big-Game Winter Range Maintenance, General Forest and Rangeland, and Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas management areas under the Malheur Forest Plan, as amended. Portions of two inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) are located in the planning area: the Greenhorn Mountain IRA (3,900 acres within the planning area), and the Dixie Butte IRA (3,100 acres within the planning area). A small portion of the planning area (approximately 700 acres) is located on the Umatilla National Forest, North Fork John Day Ranger District within the Vinegar Hill Indian Rock Scenic Area (see Map 1). 1

4 Forest Vegetation, Fuel Loading, and Wildlife Habitat Existing Conditions The planning area is approximately 33,500 acres, of which 32,800 acres are located on the Malheur National Forest. Approximately 94 percent of the planning area is forested, and six percent is non-forested. Of the forested acres, the three main plant association groups (PAGs) are: Warm Dry (16,010 acres), Cool Moist (8,090 acres), and Cold Dry (4,420 acres); other PAGS are present in smaller acreages. PAGs are groupings of plant associations that represent similar ecological environments (temperature and moisture conditions). These numbers are preliminary data, and may change slightly due to field work this summer. Past projects in the Ragged Ruby planning area include the Balance Project, the Plantation Maintenance - Lower Middle Fork Project, and the Summit and Reed Fire Restoration Project. These projects are in various stages of completion. Approximately 27 percent of the planning area burned in the 1994 Reed Fire or the 1996 Summit Fire. These fires burned intensely with most burning as a stand replacement fire. Fuel loading in the planning area has increased over what would have been seen historically (1 to 3 tons per acre in pine stands and variable tons per acre in fir stands), to approximately 7 to 20 tons per acre on average (excluding the Summit and Reed fire areas). The planning area has the highest known densities of pine marten on the Malheur National Forest. The forest also contains elk calving and rearing habitat, big game winter range, and elk summer range. Landscape Challenges Past management actions and wildfires have altered the forest, for example: species compositions, structure, and density across the planning area. Due to current forest density, a wildfire in the area would burn with high rates of spread and severity. The potential danger to fire fighters would necessitate using indirect methods that would increase the area burned and would restrict the ability to safely protect private property, access to major roadways, and public safety. Wildlife habitat is currently fragmented. Providing for wildlife connectivity corridors and pine marten habitat. Dedicated Old Growth areas (3245MM, 3332PP, and 3252MM) currently lack associated Replacement Old Growth areas (as required by the Malheur Forest Plan). Figure 2. View of one of many plantations present in the planning area Figure 3. Fuel loading on the south side of the Middle Fork John Day River 2

5 Desired Condition Forest structure, density, and species composition that is resilient to changes as the result of episodic events (e.g., wildfire) and progressive events (e.g., climate change). Fuel loading that is consistent with the forest type and fuel load of Fire Regime 1 that had frequent low and mixed severity fires that historically maintained low fuel loadings. Increased abundance and structural complexity of hardwood communities. Seamless connectivity of wildlife habitats. Resilient riparian ecosystems Potential Projects Employ silvicultural treatments to reduce forest density and shift species composition to a greater proportion of early seral species, creating greater resiliency. Thinning to reduce stocking and increase crown base height and reduce crown bulk density; hand thinning and piling and mastication. Reduction of fuels along roads identified in the Grant County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Forest Service. Enhance huckleberry patches and other traditional foods. Create a road system compatible with resource and social needs. Develop Replacement Old Growth areas as refugia for late seral species. Designate wildlife connectivity, tying into what has already been designated within the surrounding Middle Fork John Day landscapes (Galena, Big Mosquito, Magone, and Camp Lick planning areas). Continue restoration projects that support local economy and industry. Implement aspen, white bark pine, and western white pine restoration projects with an emphasis on creating resilient stands for the future. Soils, Watershed, and Fisheries Existing Conditions Soil types present in planning area include: ash, clay, Mollic, and scab soils. Much of the planning area to the west or at mid-to-low elevations lies on the Clarno formation (approximately 40 percent of the planning area), which is naturally prone to landslides when saturated. An extensive, still-active, landslide has been mapped in the vicinity of Balance Lake and probably contributed to its initial creation. Altered hydrology and erosion processes have resulted in the erosion of valley floors, entrenched stream channels, disconnection of floodplains and streams channels, erosion of natural stream substrate, and loss of stream bank integrity and well-defined banks. One short reference reach (approximately 80 feet long in a valley length of 60 feet) has been identified in a topographically protected area of Sunshine Creek. The planning area includes federally listed Mid-Columbia River steelhead, Columbia River bull trout, and their designated critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. Other aquatic species within the planning area listed as either Malheur Forest Plan Management Indicator Species or Region 6 Sensitive Species include Interior redband trout, Pacific lamprey, Columbia spotted frog, and the California floater (a freshwater mussel). Habitat is present for one or more of these species in the Sunshine, Ragged, Ruby, Butte, Sulphur, Bennett, Coyote, Dry, Beaver, Granite Boulder, and Lemon creeks, and the Middle Fork John Day River. Riparian areas are overstocked (from fire suppression), and are affecting tree growth for large wood recruitment. 3

6 Landscape Challenges Granodiorite and Clarno derived soils are particularly susceptible to erosion. A large portion of the planning area exhibits geology from the Clarno formation, which is high in clay and prone to landslides when saturated. This landslide-prone terrain can be affected by management activities. Degraded roads in or around riparian areas are causing aquatic resource damage due to sediment runoff. Some roads are also restricting aquatic organism passage at stream crossings. Historical mining activity is causing ongoing environmental impacts. Simplified/straightened/incised stream channel networks and degraded meadows. Overstocked stands are over-utilizing available water and creating non-typical stands (.e.g. juniper encroachment). Current and historical fire suppression and ungulate browsing is causing detrimental effects on riparian vegetation communities. Desired Condition Figure 4. Example of issues associated with resource damage concerns on saturated clayey soils A properly functioning watershed, with restored natural processes and functions that allow the watershed to maintain diversity and complexity. The ability of the landscape to capture, store, and safely release water. High water quality and species diversity as a result of stable soils and thriving life stages of aquatic organisms. A planning area where all life stages of aquatic organisms have access to potential habitats unimpaired by human-caused barriers. Vegetative conditions which allow resiliency to changing environmental factors. Potential Projects Reduce sediment inputs into streams from roads. Review long-term management objectives for roads affected by landslides (e.g., Balance and Beaver Creek areas). Silvicultural treatments to reduce stocking, improve stands to a resilient condition, and promote large wood recruitment into streams (upland and riparian). Projects that address aquatic resource damage, impaired aquatic organism passage, emulate fire as a disturbance process on the landscape, and promote natural potential vegetative communities. Projects that assist in developing high organic matter on highly erodible hillslopes in the vicinity of Vinegar Hill, with the intent of increasing water holding capacity, reducing cumulative overland flow, enhancing vegetative cover, and stabilizing soils. 4

7 Native and Non-Native Invasive Plants and Rangeland Resources Existing Conditions There are three Region 6 Sensitive plant species with 38 documented rare plant sites in the planning area, and a variety of plant community types that are uncommon in the southern Blue Mountains. White bark pine (Region 6 sensitive species and a candidate for Federal listing as threatened or endangered) is present in the Dixie Butte and Indian Rock areas. There are many species of non-native, invasive plants present within the Ragged Ruby planning area, including bull thistle, Canada thistle, spotted knapweed, diffuse knapweed, St. Johnswort, houndstongue, Dalmatian toadflax, sulphur cinquefoil, oxeye daisy, North Africa grass, medusahead, and cheatgrass. Livestock grazing permits are currently issued to four allotments that overlap the planning area: Upper Middle Fork (54,040 acres), Lower Middle Fork (55,062 acres), Camp Creek (610 acres), and Balance (152 acres). These allotments are managed under a deferred rotation schedule. Landscape Challenges The spread of invasive plants to the detriment of native plant communities and the ecosystems they support. The decreased forage availability within most areas of the planning area due to past fire suppression and lack of vegetative treatments. The current density of the timber canopy structure restricts the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor, thereby reducing available forage. Desired Condition Resilient native plant populations. Reduced invasive plant acreage and density. Increased forage availability. Potential Projects White bark pine restoration projects with an emphasis on the removal of encroaching conifers. Projects that reduce the spread of invasive plant species and maintain vigorous native plant communities. Silvicultural treatments and prescribed burning that generates forage and allows for recovery of native plant communities. Figure 5. White bark pine on Dixie Butte Figure 6. Bull thistle invading a landing pile 5

8 Roads, Recreational Opportunities, and Heritage Resources Existing Conditions The Ragged Ruby planning area transportation system consists of 218 miles (342 roads) under Forest Service jurisdiction: 0.25 miles (2 roads) are maintenance level 3 (open) roads, 117 miles (152 roads) are maintenance level 2 (open) roads, and 101 miles (188 roads) are maintenance level 1 (closed) roads (closed under previous NEPA decisions). The road density is 4.21 miles per square mile for maintenance level 1, 2, and 3 roads. Most of the Forest road system is in a downward or deteriorating condition, and this is particularly true for many maintenance level 2 roads, which remain open despite receiving little routine maintenance. Recreational use in the planning area includes driving for pleasure, dispersed camping (mostly during seasonal hunting), and access to the Vinegar Hill-Indian Rock Scenic Area. The Sunshine Guard Station is located along County Road 20, and is a recreation rental. Portions of the Davis Creek (#244), Blackeye (#243), Tempest Mine (#256), and Princess (#251) trails are located in the planning area. There are 85 heritage sites within the planning area, including 46 historic sites, 29 prehistoric sites, and 10 sites with both historic and prehistoric components. Twenty-three (23) sites are deemed eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, 29 sites are considered not eligible, and 34 are undetermined; one multi-component site has one eligible and one noneligible component. Previously recorded sites are predominately historic era sites and pre-contact lithic scatters. Historic era sites are often refuse scatters, artifacts, or features associated with mining, homesteading, and logging activities. Lithic scatters are surface assemblages that contain debitage (waste flake from stone tool manufacturing), formed stone tools (e.g., projectile points or bifaces) or occasionally ground stone. Landscape Challenges Limited funding to maintain the existing road system. Most roads have adequate drainage features and are in a good condition. However, some roads may be chronic sediment sources that fill pools and degrade water quality. Roads on this soils type are prone to erosion from traffic during certain times of the year. Existing trails with long-term issues associated with trailheads and adverse impacts to streams. Environmental factors and ground visibility hindering the ability to identify archaeological sites. Possible discovery of unidentified cultural resources within the planning area. Desired Condition A road system that is safe, affordable, has minimal ecological impacts, and meets immediate and projected long-term public and resource management needs. A planning area that contributes to recreational opportunities on the Malheur National Forest. Maintenance of existing heritage sites for the future. Potential Projects Open roads that would create recreational opportunities, but would not cause resource damage; and decommission, relocate, or close and stormproof roads causing resource damage. Relocate, realign, and connect existing trails in the planning area. Interpret and develop recreational and heritage opportunities in the area. 6

9 References USDA Forest Service General Water Quality Best Management Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. USDA Forest Service. 1990a. Malheur National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. Available online: USDA Forest Service 1990b. Malheur National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. Available online: USDA Forest Service. 1990c. Malheur National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Record of Decision. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. Available online: USDA Forest Service. 1995b. Decision notice for the revised continuation of interim management direction establishing riparian, ecosystem and wildlife standards for timber sales (Eastside Screens). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 6: Colville, Deschutes, Fremont, Malheur, Ochoco, Okanogan, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Winema national forests in Oregon and Washington. Available online: USDA Forest Service. 1995c. Revised environmental assessment for the continuation of interim management direction establishing riparian, ecosystem and wildlife standards for timber sales (Eastside Screens). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 6: Colville, Deschutes, Fremont, Malheur, Ochoco, Okanogan, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Winema national forests in Oregon and Washington. Available online: USDA Forest Service 1995d. Revised interim management direction establishing riparian, ecosystem and wildlife standards for timber sales. Regional Forester s forest plan amendment #2 (Eastside Screens). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Region 6. Available online: USDA Forest Service Malheur National Forest Roads Analysis Report. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. USDA Forest Service National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical Guide. FS-990a. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Available online: pa/2237_fsplt3_ pdf USDA Forest Service Malheur National Forest Fire Management Plan. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. 7

10 USDA Forest Service. 2014a. Aquatic Restoration Environmental Assessment. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. 203 p. Available online: USDA Forest Service. 2014b. Decision Notice for Aquatic Restoration Project. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. 47 p. Available online: USDA Forest Service. 2015a. Malheur National Forest Site-Specific Invasive Plants Treatment Project Final Environmental Impact Statement. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. Available online: pa/77803_fsplt3_ pdf USDA Forest Service. 2015b. Final Record of Decision Malheur National Forest Site-Specific Invasive Plants Treatment Project. John Day, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Malheur National Forest. Available online: pa/77803_fsplt3_ pdf USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management Decision Notice/Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment for the Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-Producing Watersheds in Eastern Oregon and Washington, Idaho, and Portions of California (PACFISH). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Available online: 8