GREENWOOD VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service GREENWOOD VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST STEARNS RANGER DISTRICT PULASKI AND MCCREARY COUNTIES, KENTUCKY January 2017 For More Information Contact: John Hull, Silviculturist Stearns Ranger District Daniel Boone National Forest 3320 Highway 27 North Whitley City, KY, Phone: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA s TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

2 Contents Introduction...1 Decision to be Made...1 Purpose and Need for the Proposal...1 Background...1 Forest Plan Direction...2 Proposed Project Location...4 Alternatives...5 Alternative 1 No Action...5 Alternative 2 Proposed Action...5 Design Criteria Alternative 3 No Herbicide Action Comparison of Alternatives Alternatives Considered and Eliminated From Detailed Study Environmental Impacts of the Proposal Issues and Development of Alternatives Resources Considered and Unaffected by the Proposal Effects Relative to Finding of No Significant Impacts Significance Factors Context Factors Intensity Factors Public Involvement Consultations United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office and Federally Recognized Tribes Appendix A - Preparers Appendix B - References Separate Appendices Appendix C Air Resources Report ii

3 Appendix D Cultural Resources Report Appendix E Herbicide Risk Assessment Appendix F Issue Analysis Appendix G Recreation Resources Report Appendix H Scenery Resources Report Appendix I Soil and Water Resources Report Appendix J Vegetation Report Appendix K Wilderness Character Report Appendix L Wildfire and Fuels Report Appendix M Wildlife Resources Report Tables Table 1: Forest Plan prescription areas within the Greenwood Project Area...1 Table 2: Summary of the Proposed Actions in the Greenwood Project Area...6 Table 3: Individual Acreages for Standalone and Overlapping Actions: Silviculture = Actions 1-9 and 17, Prescribed Fire = Action 13, Wildlife Openings = Actions 10 and Table 4: Weather criteria for herbicide treatment at ground level Table 5: Gross Costs and Revenues and Net Costs and Revenues for each Alternative in Today s Dollars for full implementation: prescribed fire costs only account for one burn on 10,627 acres Table 6: Net Present Value and Benefit-Cost Ratio for each Alternative. Assumptions: 4 percent discount rate over a period of 10 years, implementation of all non-commercial treatments (e. g. crop tree release) would occur in year 1*, revenue generated from harvests would occur in year 3**, prescribed fire costs only account for one burn on 10,627 acres Table 7: Opportunity Cost for each Alternative. Note: opportunity cost is the difference in NPV between two given alternatives and represents the cost of selecting one alternative over another Table 8: Resource Indicators and Measures for Assessing Effects, Greenwood Vegetation Management Project 45 Figures Figure 1. Greenwood Project Area Vicinity...5 iii

4 INTRODUCTION The Stearns District Ranger is proposing to diversify wildlife habitat, improve forest health, increase hard mast production, restore shortleaf pine, and provide forest products for public use in two Kentucky counties containing national forest system (NFS) lands on the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF). Resource specialists from the DBNF prepared this environmental assessment to help the Stearns District Ranger determine whether implementation of a proposal to conduct vegetation management may significantly affect the quality of the human environment and thereby require the preparation of an environmental impact statement. By preparing this environmental assessment, the DBNF is fulfilling agency policy and direction to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed project is an activity implementing a land management plan and is subject to pre-decisional objection process at 36 CFR 218 Subparts A and B. DECISION TO BE MADE The Stearns District Ranger will decide whether to implement an action alternative or take no action at this time. The Stearns District Ranger will also determine if a Forest Plan amendment would be needed. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSAL BACKGROUND The Land and Resource Management Plan for the Daniel Boone National Forest (Forest Plan) was revised and approved for implementation April 16, Since the approval of the Forest Plan, the DBNF implemented an Integrated Resource Management Strategy (IRMS), a systematic process for determining resource conditions and developing projects at the landscape level, based on the goals and objectives from the Forest Plan. This process includes an inventory process and an assessment process. The Beaver Creek Analysis Area (BCAA) in McCreary and Pulaski Counties, Kentucky was analyzed using IRMS protocols. The BCAA is 53,564 acres; however, 21,415 acres are outside national forest system land (NFS land) leaving the BCAA with 32,149 acres of NFS land. The Greenwood Project Area includes 32,149 acres of NFS lands analyzed in the BCAA. The key Forest Plan prescription areas within the Greenwood Project Area are identified in Table 1. Table 1: Forest Plan prescription areas within the Greenwood Project Area Forest Plan Prescription Area Acres 1.C. Cliffline Community 4,004 1.E. Riparian Corridor 8,754 1.J. Significant Bat Caves K. Habitat Diversity Emphasis area 16,727 2.B. Beaver Creek Wilderness 4,816 3.A. Developed Recreation Areas 6 1

5 Forest Plan Prescription Area Acres 3.H.1. Ruffed Grouse Emphasis area 2,000 Hemlock Conservation Areas 131 Based on IRMS inventory and assessment of the existing condition in the Greenwood Project Area, there are several opportunities for moving the project area from its current condition towards the desired future condition identified in the Forest Plan. Some of these opportunities include wildlife habitat improvement, forest health improvement through thinning overstocked and unhealthy stands of trees that currently provide the opportunity for future insect and disease infestation, forest fuels reduction through prescribed burning, control/eradication of non-native invasive plant species (NNIPS), and cultural resource maintenance, protection, and interpretation. The Stearns Ranger District has had some natural disturbances in the recent past that have impacted forest resources on the district. These include heavy wet snows, ice storms, wind events, drought, and wildfires that have caused varying amounts of damage to vegetation resources. Additionally, during , yellow pine stands within the Greenwood Project area were severely impacted by a major southern pine beetle epidemic. In approximately 82% of the stands that once had a pine component greater than or equal to 30%, the shortleaf pine component was decimated. The scarcity of shortleaf pine-bluestem ecosystems on the landscape was identified as another opportunity for shortleaf pine restoration in the Greenwood Project area. Management actions specific to moving NFS land in the Greenwood Project Area from existing conditions towards desired future conditions described in the Forest Plan are being proposed. These management actions are proposed to diversify wildlife habitat, improve forest health by reducing competition, increase hard mast production, restore shortleaf pine as a component in the ecosystem, and provide forest products for public use. FOREST PLAN DIRECTION The Forest Plan establishes goals and objectives for the Forest as a whole and specifically for the management of each prescription area such as the 1.K. Habitat Diversity Emphasis prescription area. These goals and objectives define what types of vegetative cover are desired on the Forest. While many goals and objectives are defined in the Forest Plan, this project is not designed to address all of them. The purpose of this proposed project is to bring the project area closer to the desired condition by working towards accomplishing the following goals and objectives: Goal 1. Maintain a variety of life and recover native and desirable non-native populations that are rare and declining Actions 2, 7, 9, 10, 13 Goal 1.1. Protect and/or enhance current and potential habitat for Proposed, Endangered, Threatened (PET) species, or Sensitive (S) species and Conservation species. Evaluate habitats to determine those capable of supporting re-introduction of [Protected, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive] (PETS) species Actions 1-13, 17. Objective 1.1.F. On appropriate land type phases, restore and maintain percent of forest acreage in forest types having a significant (>30%) component of yellow pine Actions 7-9, 13. 2

6 Goal 1.2 Create and maintain water sources with a mixture of temporary/seasonal and permanent shallow water pools throughout the Forest Action 12. Objective 1.2.A. Establish water sources adjacent to mature forest and/or woods road corridors Action 12. Objective 1.2.B. Establish upland water sources (e.g., seasonal or permanent waterholes) within five miles of significant Indiana bat hibernacula at a frequency of one every half mile, in upland areas and along ridgetops Action 12. Goal 1.5 Provide for grassland habitat Actions 10, 11, 13, 17. Objective 1.5.A. Provide for 2,200 acres of grassland habitat in various Prescription Areas. Promote native warm season grasses and associated forbs in upland grassy openings Actions 10, 11, 13, 17. Goal 1.7 Provide adequate habitat to support populations of Management Indicator Species Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 13, 17. Objective 1.7A. Provide adequate habitat to support populations of the following Management Indicator Species: See Forest Plan p. 2-9 Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 13, 17. Goal 2 Improve the ability of the Forest s ecosystems to withstand and recover from disturbance (Forest Health), especially catastrophic disturbance, either naturally occurring or introduced. Reduce the compounding impacts of catastrophic events (Forest Plan p. 2-10) Actions 1-9, 11, 13, 17. Goal 2.1 Increase the amount of forested land where stand growth equals or exceeds loss; improve stand structure and function such that stands are more resistant to catastrophic loss Actions 1-4, 6-9, 11, 13, 17. Objective 2.1.A. Within each stand, the relationship of basal area (as defined in the Forest Plan), number of trees, and average tree diameter is below the 80 percent stocking level, as shown in Figure 2 2 (Forest Plan p. 2-10) Actions 1-4, 6-9, 11, 17. Objective 2.1.B. Regeneration occurs in the understory of old-age stands, which consists of the desired type (species), condition, and quantity capable of dominating an area following wildland fire, insect and disease epidemics, and other disturbances that can alter the landscape Actions 1, 4, 5. Goal 2.3 Reduce outbreak populations of invasive species, or eradicate isolated infestations of invasive species from becoming established Actions 10, 11, 13. Objective 2.3.B. Manage isolated occurrences of invasive species to avoid outbreak conditions Actions Objective 2.3.C. Reduce the risk of damage from native and non-native invasive species through integrated pest management strategies Actions 10, 11, 13. Goal 2.4 Re-introduce fire use across the landscape to increase biodiversity and improve resilience and stability of ecosystems Action 13. Objective 2.4.A. Move acres from Fire Regime Condition Classes 3 and 2 into Classes 2 and 1 Action 13. Objective 2.4.B. Reduce/eliminate white pine and other fire-intolerant species from upland, firemediated areas Actions 1-4, 6-9, 13. Objective 2.4.C. Annually increase the number of acres to be prescribed burned, based on the following schedule: See Forest Plan p Action 13. Goal 8. Provide renewable products on a sustainable basis when such provision is compatible with Desired Future Conditions Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 17. 3

7 Goal 8.1 Emphasize utilization based on market conditions Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 17. Goal 8.3 Select leave trees first to accomplish habitat objectives, then to improve the stand s survivability and potential timber value Actions 1-4, 6-9, 11, 17. Goal 11 Provide habitat to sustain wildlife populations suitable for recreational pursuits such as viewing, photographing, hunting, and fishing Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 13, K- Goal 1 Maintain a variety of habitat conditions in the area based on both composition and structure Actions 1-4, 7-9, 11, 13, K-Objective 1.A. Maintain 5 to 6 percent within each 5th level watershed in the 0-10 age class, including the effects of catastrophic events. Site-specific stand conditions will determine timing of harvest. Rotations are expected to normally range between 140 and 190 years. Stands with a predominance of trees that have a shorter life expectancy or are in poor condition should have shorter rotations. Stands with a predominance of trees that have a longer life expectancy and are in good condition should have longer rotations Actions 3, 7, 9. 1.K-Objective 1.D. Maintain five percent within each 5th level watershed in stands thinned to basal areas Actions 1, 4, 6, 8. 1.K-Objective 1.E. Maintain 10 percent within each 5th level watershed in relatively closed canopy forest at least 60 years old with dense shrub/sapling layer and little to no midstory Actions 1, 4-5, K-Objective 1.G. Restore upland white pine plantations to hardwood, yellow pine, or mixed forest types where needed to meet other objectives Action 7. 1.K-Objecive 1.K. Manage for 120, ,000 acres of dry-mesic oak forest within the Prescription Area. (Goal 2 includes these acres.) Actions 1-6, K-Objective1.L. Manage for 18,000-22,000 acres of dry-xeric oak forest within the Prescription Area. (Goal 2 includes these acres.) Actions 1-6, K.-Objective 1.N. During the creation and maintenance of woodlands in which overstory cutting occurs, create, or retain when available, a minimum of one snag per acre of at least 16 inch diameter at breast height (DBH), larger where possible (see Forest Plan for definition of DBH) Action 2. 1.K-Goal 2 Develop and maintain 120,000 to 160,000 acres of yellow pine and oak forest, woodland, and wooded grassland/shrubland in various mixtures of species and habitat within a fire-meditated system Actions 1-9, 13, K-Objective 2.A. Manage distinct blocks, ranging from ,000 acres in size as fire influenced or fire-mediated communities Action K-Objective 2.F. Establish and maintain 5,320 to 6,970 acres of hardwood and hardwood- yellow pine woodland in the 1st decade. This should be developed within management areas on both dry-mesic and dry-xeric sites based on the following: See Forest Plan p Actions 2, 13 1.K-Objective 2.G. Maintain with fire, 31,500 to 42,000 acres in upland oak and upland oak-yellow pine forest. This should be developed on both dry-mesic and dry-xeric sites Action 13. In conclusion, the purpose and need of the proposed action is to move the existing condition towards the desired condition by working to accomplish one or more of the aforementioned goals and objectives. Each action is described under Alternative 2 Proposed Action. PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATION 4

8 The proposed Greenwood Vegetation Management Project is located on the north portion of the Stearns Ranger District of the DBNF in McCreary and Pulaski Counties, Kentucky (Figure 1). Figure 1. Greenwood Project Area Vicinity ALTERNATIVES ALTERNATIVE 1 NO ACTION No action would be taken at this time. Present management activities would continue. Environmental impacts would still occur if action is not taken because the existing environment is not static. The no action alternative provides a baseline from which to compare the impacts of implementing an action alternative. ALTERNATIVE 2 PROPOSED ACTION The Stearns Ranger District of the DBNF is proposing the following actions in the Greenwood Project Area (Table 2). These proposed actions would work towards meeting the goals, objectives, and desired future conditions established in the Forest Plan for the key prescription areas in the Greenwood Project Area. Large scale detailed maps can be found on the DBNF website: 5

9 Table 2: Summary of the Proposed Actions in the Greenwood Project Area Action Proposed Action Estimated Acreage Action 1 Low Thinning (Thinning from Below) 409 acres Action 2 Woodland Establishment 674 acres Action 3 Two-aged Management (Hardwoods) 74 acres Action 4 Shelterwood Preparatory Cut 245 acres Action 5 Midstory Control 1,228 acres Action 6 Crop Tree Release 2,347 acres Action 7 Conversion of Upland White Pine to Shortleaf Pine 80 acres Action 8 Pine Thinning 447 acres Action 9 Shortleaf Pine Restoration 663 acres Action 10 Herbicide use associated with Wildlife Opening Maintenance 222 acres Action 11 Wildlife Opening Stand Improvement 286 acres Action 12 Establish Upland Wildlife Water Sources 38 upland water sources Action 13 Prescribed Fire 10,627 acres Action 14 Temporary Road Construction 4.1 miles Action 15 Action 16 Road Easement Acquisition for National Forest System Road (NFSR) Road Reconstruction on NFSR-5104 and McCreary County Road # miles 1.6 miles Action 17 Pine Wooded Grassland Establishment 22 acres Action 1 Low Thinning (409 acres) A low thinning, also known as thinning from below, is proposed on approximately 409 acres of upland hardwoods in 17 stands. This treatment would cut and remove suppressed, intermediate, and a few codominant trees from lower positions in the canopy. Trees remaining on site would be dominant and codominant, vigorous, healthy, long-lived, fire resilient, large trees that are well spaced. Leave tree species in order of retention priority would be: shortleaf pine, white oak, chestnut oak, hickory, yellow poplar, and then 6

10 other species. Red maple, scarlet oak, and black oak would be targeted for removal, unless they are Indiana bat immediate roost trees. Trees to be removed would be cut using a chainsaw or mechanical equipment such as a feller-buncher and removed from the site using ground based equipment such as skidders. This action would leave a basal area of 60 to 70 square feet per acre. Any temporary roads, log landings, skid trails, or other disturbed areas would be brushed in or seeded with a mixture of native and annual grasses and/or forbs to minimize erosion. This would be applicable to all harvest operations described below such as woodland establishment, two aged management, and so forth. Action 2 Woodland Establishment (674 acres) A woodland establishment treatment is proposed on approximately 674 acres in 20 stands. This treatment would retain an overstory canopy of dominant and co-dominant, vigorous, healthy, long-lived, and fire resilient trees, (e. g. shortleaf pine, chestnut oak, and white oak). The target leave basal area would be 30 to 50 square feet per acre. Trees designated for cutting would be sold through a harvest, cut using a chainsaw or mechanical equipment such as a feller-buncher, and removed from the site using ground based equipment such as skidders. Following the harvest, a midstory control treatment (Action 5), and prescribed burning (Action 13) is proposed. Because a portion of the midstory would be harvested (6 to 8 inch DBH trees), midstory control would be conducted on an as needed basis in these areas. Action 3 Two-aged Management (Hardwoods) (74 acres) A shelterwood treatment is proposed in 3 hardwood stands totaling approximately 74 acres. These stands would be regenerated using a two-aged management regeneration method in which 10 to 20 square feet of basal area per acre would be retained. Trees to be retained would be long lived species that are dominant, vigorous, exhibit healthy crowns, and ideally have a DBH of 14 inches or greater with a species preference as follows: shortleaf pine, white oak, chestnut oak, hickory, other hardwoods. Immediate and potential roost trees as defined in the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Daniel Boone National Forest (Forest Plan) would also be retained. All other merchantable trees would be designated and removed through a harvest. Following the harvest, site preparation for natural regeneration would be conducted in which any remaining nonmerchantable stems would be cut manually (chainsaw or similar tool) and left on the ground. Action 4 Shelterwood Preparatory Cut (245 acres) A shelterwood preparatory cut, also known as an irregular shelterwood (Stringer 2006b), is proposed on approximately 245 acres in nine stands. This type of cut is essentially a thinning to leave ft 2 of basal area/acre, preferably the lower part of this range. Trees favored for retention would be healthy, dominant, codominant, long lived, and fire-resilient species such as shortleaf pine, white oak, chestnut oak, and hickory with the best crowns. Trees to be removed would be designated and sold through a harvest. Chainsaws or fellerbunchers would be utilized to cut the trees, and skidders used for moving cut trees to a log landing where they would be loaded and hauled to be utilized as forest products. Action 5 Midstory Control (1228 acres) 7

11 Midstory control is proposed on 674 acres proposed for woodland establishment, on 101 acres of the 245 acres proposed for shelterwood preparatory cuts in order to facilitate desired regeneration (e. g. oak), and on 158 acres of the 409 acres proposed for low thinning for the same purpose (Stringer 2006a). Additionally, midstory control is proposed on 295 acres in closed canopy stands 60 years of age to facilitate the development of desired regeneration. Midstory control is a treatment in which 1-8 inch trees in the midstory that are preventing sunlight from reaching desired regeneration on the forest floor are manually cut and left on the ground. Undesirable trees (e. g. red maple, sassafrass) are trees capable of out competing desired tree species. One 29 acre stand included in the 295 acres mentioned in the preceding paragraph is proposed for felling up to 11.9 stems because of the large amount of red maples in the midstory of this stand (Compartment 5050, Stand 08). Action 6 Crop Tree Release (2,347 acres) This action proposes manual crop tree release on 2,192 acres in 78 stands ranging from years of age, and mechanical (e. g. masticator) and manual crop tree release on 155 acres in 17 stands approximately 15 years of age (Miller et al. 2007). Both methods would release desired trees in the dominant and co-dominant crown classes that are vigorous and exhibit healthy crowns and good form. The number of crop trees would be determined on a stand by stand basis as older stands generally have a lower number of crop trees per acre than younger stands. The species preference for crop trees in order is as follows: shortleaf pine, white oak, northern or southern red oak, chestnut oak, post oak, black oak, hickories, black walnut, other species. Undesirable competing vegetation within four feet of the crowns of desired trees would be manually or mechanically felled and left on the ground. Manual felling would be done with a chainsaw. In the mechanical (e. g. masticator) method of crop tree release, all undesirable competing vegetation around the crowns of desired trees and between desired trees would be mechanically treated reducing the amount of sumac, greenbrier, red maple, sassafras, and other undesirable woody stems, in order to create open conditions between desired trees where more native grasses, forbs, and wildflowers would be present. This treatment may have to occur more than once to be effective. Action 7 Conversion of Upland White Pine Plantations to Shortleaf Pine Ecosystems (80 acres) A clearcut is proposed on approximately 80 acres in 5 stands of off-site white pine plantations occupying upland sites more suited for shortleaf pine ecosystems. Healthy, dominant and codominant shortleaf pines 10 dbh that exhibit good crown form would be retained, not to exceed 15 square feet of basal area per acre. The remaining existing overstory would be completely removed leaving only non-merchantable trees (trees less than 6.0 dbh). This would be accomplished through a harvest. A site preparation prescribed burn would be conducted. If a window of opportunity for conducting a site preparation prescribed burn is not available, or if the burn does not adequately prepare the site for planting, the clearcut areas would be site prepared mechanically (e. g. masticator) on slopes up to 35%. On slopes exceeding 35%, undesirable, non-merchantable stems would be cut manually and left on the ground. The site prepared areas would be planted in shortleaf pine seedlings on a 16 X 16 spacing (approximately 170 per acre). Based on current data, natural hardwood regeneration would be expected to occur through hardwood seedlings already present, stump sprouting, or 8

12 acorn and nut germination from remaining overstory trees. Over 300 total seedlings (shortleaf pine and hardwoods) per acre would be present within five years of the harvest (Gingrich 1971). A manual release of planted seedlings would be conducted within five years of the planting. Prescribed burning (Action 13) is proposed to maintain open conditions in the stands once saplings reach a suitable size. Action 8 Pine Thinning (447 acres) A low thinning, also known as a thinning from below, is proposed on approximately 447 acres in 19 young pine stands to a basal area range of square feet per acre, or to no less than ½ of their current basal area. These stands would be thinned and felled trees would be removed through a harvest. Trees favored for retention would be vigorous dominant or co-dominant crown class trees that exhibit healthy crowns. Action 9 Shortleaf pine restoration (661 acres) Shortleaf pine restoration is proposed on 661 acres in 32 different stands. Shortleaf pine restoration would be accomplished using two-aged management. In two-aged management, most trees would be removed from the site, leaving approximately square feet of basal area per acre to provide structural habitat. Trees favored for retention would be healthy, dominant, codominant, long lived, and fire-resilient species such as shortleaf pine, white oak, chestnut oak, and hickory with the best crowns. The retained basal area would also be comprised of immediate roost trees or live potential roost trees for Indiana and northern long-eared bats. All other merchantable trees would be removed through a harvest. Following the harvest, site preparation for planting would be conducted by mechanical methods (e. g. masticator) on slopes up to 35%. On slopes exceeding 35%, site preparation would be conducted manually. Following the mechanical or manual site preparation, a prescribed burn would be conducted. Firebreaks for prescribed fire containment could be constructed within the perimeter of some stands during site preparation activities. Following the prescribed burn, stands would be planted with shortleaf pine seedlings on a 16 X 16 spacing (approximately 170/acre). Based on current data, natural hardwood regeneration would be expected to occur through hardwood seedlings already present, stump sprouting, or acorn and nut germination from remaining overstory trees. Over 300 total seedlings (shortleaf pine and hardwoods) per acre would be present within five years of the harvest (Gingrich 1971). Some native grasses and pollinator species are also proposed for planting in these areas, as well as pitch pine seedlings if seedlings are available. A manual release of planted seedlings would be conducted within 5 years after planting. Prescribed burning (Action 13) is proposed to maintain open conditions in the stands once saplings reach a suitable size. Action 10 Herbicide Use Associated with Wildlife Opening Maintenance (222 acres) Site preparation with herbicide is proposed to prepare areas to be planted with wildlife plot mixtures, native grass stands, and pollinator plots in 75 existing wildlife openings and to implement no-till planting methods as a preferred method on site prepared areas within portions of the 75 existing wildlife openings. Herbicides would also be applied to NNIPS to help control/eradicate any populations occurring in the wildlife openings. It is also proposed to eradicate NNIPS on the 286 acres within 100 feet of the wildlife openings using spot treatments of glyphosate or triclopyr amine. Proposed herbicide treatments would be done according to label directions for 9

13 the target species. Treatment would be done using one of the following methods: directed foliar spray of 2% glyphosate solution, basal stem application of 30% triclopyr amine solution, or cut stump treatment using 20% glyphosate solution. Herbicide would be applied directly to target plants. Wildlife Plots These areas would be prepared and are expected to last anywhere from a year to 5 years. 1) Year 1 Prepare opening for planting of wildlife plot mixes, native grasses or pollinator mixes by treating the existing ground cover. This would be accomplished with a broadcast application of glyphosate (2% solution) using ground-based application equipment for a directed foliar application. 2) Year 1 - Seed would be planted using seed-drilling equipment. 3) Year 1 - Plants would be allowed to mature and would be left standing. 4) Year 2-5 The field would be allowed to go fallow. Mowing may occur. Native Grass Stand Site preparation with herbicide would be conducted in openings in need of supplemental seeding of native grass mixtures. This would be accomplished with a broadcast application of glyphosate (2% solution) using groundbased application equipment. Treated areas would be planted with a no-till grass drill the same year. Native grass seed would be spaced wide enough to allow open areas between clumps of grass for forbs and native wildflowers. Native grass stands would be maintained through periodic mowing and prescribed fire. Pollinator mixtures Site preparation with herbicide (2% glyphosate solution) would be conducted in these areas. Treated areas would then be planted with native wildflower mixtures. Some native wildflower mixtures may be planted along with native warm season grasses in the native grass stand openings. Areas planted with wildflower mixtures would be maintained with periodic mowing and fire until other vegetation out-competes the wildflowers. Action 11 Wildlife Opening Stand Improvement (286 acres) Wildlife opening stand improvement is proposed in which chainsaws would be used to thin approximately 100 feet (approximate height of mature forest) back from the edge of the wildlife openings mentioned in Action 10 to create a staggered or feathered edge leaving soft mast trees and native shrubby plants. Where no soft mast exists, species such as crabapple, persimmon, dogwood and wild plum would be planted. Where openings are adjacent to early successional or younger forest, woody plant species that are of little value to wildlife may be felled leaving more favorable species. Where timber harvest is proposed abutting wildlife openings, the edge treatment would be accomplished through a harvest, when feasible. Action 12 Establish Upland Wildlife Water Sources Thirty eight (38) upland wildlife water sources would be constructed where soils are suitable for water retention. Some of these water sources would be constructed adjacent to log landings, temporary roads, and/or primary skid trails, after proposed timber harvest has occurred. The size of these upland water sources would average 0.1 acres, dependent on the site and suitability of the soil. The pools would be shaped to physically 10

14 appear and function like natural wetlands. They would be built with heavy equipment, such as a small dozer, or excavator. They would be filled from rainwater. Aquatic plants are expected to grow naturally in these pools from seed transported from animals. If needed, live trees, typically those less than six inches in diameter, would be removed to build the upland water sources. No trees suitable for roosting by the Indiana bat would be removed. Snags may be created close to the upland water sources for potential bat roosting areas. Any areas of exposed soil created by the proposed action would be seeded with a mixture of native and annual grasses and forbs to minimize erosion. Action 13 Prescribed Fire (10,627 acres) Approximately 10,627 acres in 37 different burning blocks and 71 wildlife openings are proposed for treatment with prescribed fire. Stands where prescribed burning is needed as a treatment to obtain desired future conditions, or is required for ecosystem restoration, maintenance, and wildlife habitat diversity, have been given a higher priority for burning. This includes stands where shortleaf pine restoration, conversion of white pine plantations to shortleaf pine ecosystems, and woodland establishment is proposed. Prescribed burn blocks would be positioned to minimize machine constructed fireline. Where possible, stands included in proposed Actions 7 and 9 would have lines constructed within the perimeter of their boundaries in order to provide for exclusion from larger burns, or allow for ignition of the area as a stand-alone prescribed burn. In stands where timber harvest, mechanical, or manual treatments are proposed that would leave woody biomass on the ground and up against the boles of residual trees, prescribed burning would not be scheduled for a period of 2-3 years to allow for some decomposition of this woody material. Existing and/or natural barriers such as roads, watercourses, and railroad right-of-ways would be utilized as firebreaks whenever possible. Approximately 37.4 miles of machine-constructed line and approximately 45 miles of hand constructed line for prescribed burn control lines. In areas where fireline is constructed, suitable erosion control measures (e. g. brushing, water bars, seeding) would be implemented in areas of concern (e. g. steep slopes), as needed, to minimize erosion. Action 14 Temporary Road Construction (4.1 miles) Approximately 4.1 miles (29 segments) of temporary roads up to 0.5 miles in length would be constructed. Old road templates would be utilized as much as possible for temporary road locations. The roads would be constructed with heavy equipment (e. g. dozer). The road surface would be native material with spot gravel as needed. The roads would be closed with an earthen berm after proposed harvests are completed and seeded with a mixture of native and annual grasses and forbs to minimize erosion. Action 15 Road Easement Acquisition for NFSR-5104 A road easement would be acquired for FSR-5104 across approximately 0.4 miles of private land. Action 16 Road Reconstruction on NFSR-5104 and McCreary County Road #845 (1.62 miles) Approximately 0.4 miles NFSR 5104 would be reconstructed. Approximately 1.22 miles of road reconstruction is proposed on McCreary County Road 845 in Compartment Action 17 Pine wooded grassland establishment (22 acres) 11

15 Approximately 22 acres of pine wooded grassland would be established in 1 area. Mechanized equipment (e. g. masticator, bush-hog) would be used to mulch/mow an abandoned strip mine that is dominated by undesired vegetation, including NNIPS. After mulching/mowing, NNIPS that re-sprout would be treated with herbicides. Proposed herbicide treatments would be done according to label directions for the target species. Treatment would be done through broadcast (2% solution-glyphosate), directed foliar (2% solution-glyphosate), basal stem (30% solution-triclopyr amine), or cut stump treatment (20% solution-glyphosate) directly on the target plant(s). Treated areas would be regenerated with desired grasses and forbs. Pollinator plants (species of benefit to butterflies and bees) and soft mast species would be planted within this area if they are available at the time of implementation. Any Virginia pine would be cut and left or if commercially feasible at the time of implementation, cut and removed, leaving any and all shortleaf pine. Prescribed fire would be used to work towards establishment and maintenance of a pine wooded grassland with approximately ft 2 of basal area per acre. The site would be maintained using mechanical treatment, herbicide, and prescribed fire as needed. Note on Action/Treatment Overlap As is described above, all actions would not occur in separate areas and there would be overlap of some treatments within the same area (Table 3). Actions 12, and are excluded from the table due to the following reasons: Action 12 would be of negligible (less than 5 acres) acreage; Action 14 would be a temporary action that overlaps other actions and would be of negligible acreage; Action 15 would be an administrative action in which no resources would be physically impacted; Action 16 would be reconstruction of existing roads and as such, the use of those areas would remain unchanged. Table 3: Individual Acreages for Standalone and Overlapping Actions: Silviculture = Actions 1-9 and 17, Prescribed Fire = Action 13, Wildlife Openings = Actions 10 and 11. Standalone Acres Only this type of treatment would occur here Treatment Acres Prescribed Fire 6,616 Silviculture 1,378 Wildlife Opening Improvement 269 Overlapping Acres Treatment Acres Silviculture and Prescribed Fire 3,795 Silviculture and Wildlife Opening 26 Wildlife Opening and Prescribed Fire 155 Silviculture, Wildlife Opening, and Prescribed Fire 61 Total Acres Proposed for Management 12,300 DESIGN CRITERIA 12

16 The following design criteria are forest plan standards (contain DB identifiers or similar) included as part of the proposed action to provide for necessary levels of environmental protection and/or public safety. Adherence to these standards is mandatory. Additional design criteria that are not forest plan standards (no identifiers) are also listed that would be included as part of the proposed action. Wildlife DB-WLF-1. No snags equal to or greater than six inches in DBH and equal to or greater than 10 feet in height are to be intentionally felled within timber harvest, regeneration, and thinning projects, unless identified as an immediate threat to human safety. This standard does not apply to salvage or sanitation projects. DB-WLF-2. Retain or create at least three snags per acre equal to or greater than 9 inches DBH within all timber harvest, regeneration, sanitation, salvage, or thinning project units when available. When 9-inch DBH snags are not available or cannot be created to meet a minimum of 3 snags per acre, snags of at least 6 inches DBH may be retained or created to provide snag habitat (1.K-VEG-1.). DB-WLF-3. Retain enough live trees to provide partial shading of about one-third of all snags equal to or greater than 12 inches DBH and equal to or greater than 10 feet in height that are suitable for roosting by Indiana bats. DB-WLF-4. In the two-aged shelterwood method, retain a minimum of 10 to 15 square feet of basal area per acre (average in stand) of live potential roost trees (Indiana bat). DB-WLF-5. In harvest units equal to or greater than 10 acres that prescribe the two-age or even age systems, leave some clumps or strips averaging at least 50 square feet of basal area (of trees equal to or greater than 9 inch DBH) per acre, or the density of the original stand if less. Leave areas such as the Cliffline Community and Riparian Corridor Prescription Areas can provide this habitat based on site-specific conditions. DB-WLF-6. In regeneration or thinning project areas, retain all shagbark, shellbark, and red hickories that are (equal to or greater than 6 inch DBH), unless the removal of these trees is specifically designed to improve habitat for Protected, Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive (PETS) or Conservation species. DB-WLF-7. During implementation of vegetation management, retain any immediate roost trees (Indiana bat) that are equal to or greater than 6 inches DBH. These trees must be designated prior to project implementation. This standard does not apply to salvage or sanitation projects. DB-WLF-8. Tree cutting may not be conducted within 2.5 miles of any Indiana bat maternity colony from May 1 through August 15. DB-WLF-11. Timber harvest will not occur on the DBNF within one mile of a known significant bat cave, or PETS bat staging cave (with the exception of the wooded grassland/shrubland habitat association), if this activity would result in more than 120 acres of forest less than 10 years of age on all ownerships (public and private). DB-WLF-12. Within five miles of a significant Indiana bat hibernaculum, tree cutting is not to be conducted from September 1 through December 1. 13

17 DB-WLF-13. Where caves exist outside Cliffline Community Prescription Area a minimum zone of 200 feet is to be maintained around openings to caves and mines suitable for supporting cave-associated species, as well as any associated sinkholes and cave collapse areas, except for designated recreational caves. Prohibited activities within this protective area include use of motorized wheeled or tracked equipment (except on existing roads and trails), mechanical site preparation, recreation site construction, tractor-constructed fire lines for prescribed fire, herbicide application, and construction of new roads, skid trails, or log landings. Vegetation in this buffer zone may be managed only to improve habitat for PETS or Conservation species. DB-WLF-15. Create, or retain where available, at least one snag 12 inches DBH or greater per acre in any area in which overstory trees are cut as part of habitat creation or maintenance, sanitation or salvage. Vegetation DB-VEG-1. Hazard trees (dead or alive) considered to be an immediate threat to human safety may be removed any time. This supersedes all other standards. DB-VEG-2. Chopping, shearing, or soil scarification is not to be prescribed on sustained slopes greater than 35 percent or on slopes greater than 20 percent with highly erodible or failure prone soils. Mowing (e.g., shredder, Hydro Axe,) may occur on any slope where the equipment can be operated safely. DB-VEG-3. Logging or site preparation equipment, rubber-tired or tracked, is not to be used on plastic soils when the water table is within 12 inches of the surface or when soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit. Soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit if the soil can be rolled to pencil size (approximately ¼ -inch diameter and 6 inches long) without breaking or crumbling. DB-VEG-4. Equipment used for site preparation must be operated so that furrows and soil indentations are aligned on the contour (with grades less than 5 percent). DB-VEG-5. Determine location and designate landings and skid roads prior to beginning of operations in each unit. DB-VEG-6. Do not permit use of stream channels for skid roads or trails. DB-VEG-8. Herbicides would be applied at the lowest rate effective in meeting project objectives and according to the guidelines for protecting human and wildlife health. Application rate and work time must not exceed levels that pose an unacceptable level of risk to human or wildlife health. The USDA Forest Service, Southern Region standard for acceptable level of risk requires a Margin of Safety >100 or, Hazard Quotient <1.0. DB-VEG-9. Monitor weather and suspend project if temperature, humidity, or wind becomes unfavorable according to the table below: Table 4: Weather criteria for herbicide treatment at ground level Ground Temperatures Higher Than (F ) Humidity Less Than (%) Wind (at Target) Greater Than (MPH) Hand (cut surface) n/a n/a n/a 14

18 Hand (other) Mechanical (liquid) Mechanical (granular) n/a n/a 10 DB-VEG-10. Use only nozzles that produce large droplets (mean droplet size of 50 microns or greater) or streams of herbicide. Nozzles that produce fine droplets may be used only for hand treatment, where distance from nozzle to target does not exceed 8 feet. DB-VEG-11. Areas treated with herbicides are to be clearly posted with notice signs to warn visitors of the treatment. DB-VEG-12. No herbicide is to be applied aerially. DB-VEG-13. No soil-active herbicide would be applied within 30 feet of the dripline of non-target vegetation specifically designated for retention (e.g. roost trees, inclusions, adjacent stands) within or next to treated area. DB-VEG-14. Do not apply triclopyr within 60 feet of known occupied gray, Virginia big-eared, or Indiana bat hibernacula or known maternity tree. DB-VEG-15. Do not apply 2,4-D or 2,4-DP. DB-VEG-16. No broadcast treatment using herbicide is to be applied within 60 feet of any known PETS plant species. DB-VEG-17. No soil-active herbicide is to be applied within 60 feet of any known PETS plant species. DB-VEG-18. Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothing worn during treatment, and skin are not to be cleaned in open water or wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply and be transported in separate labeled containers. DB-VEG-19. No herbicide would be applied within 30 horizontal feet of lakes, wetlands, perennial or intermittent springs (seeps) and streams. However, herbicides approved for aquatic use may be used when such treatment is required to control invasive plants. DB-VEG-20. Necessary buffer zone areas must be designated before making herbicide treatments so applicators can easily recognize and avoid the buffer area. DB-VEG-21. Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are not to be located within 200 feet of private land, open water or wells, or other sensitive areas. DB-VEG-22. The maximum size of a temporary opening created by even-aged or two-aged regeneration treatments is 40 acres. These acreage limits do not apply to areas treated as a result of catastrophic conditions such as wildland fire, insect outbreak, or windstorm. Areas managed as woodland, wooded grassland/shrubland, or non-forested areas (e.g., rights-of-way and grassy openings) are not subject to these Standards and are not included in calculations of opening size, even when within or adjacent to created openings. DB-VEG-23. Temporary openings created by even-aged or two-aged regeneration treatments will be separated from each other by a minimum of 330 feet. Such openings may be clustered closer than 330 feet as long as their 15

19 combined acreage does not exceed the maximum opening size. An even-aged or two-aged regeneration area will no longer be considered an opening when the certified re-established stand has reached an age of five years. DB-VEG-24. Regeneration cuts on lands suitable for timber production must be done only where adequate stocking of desirable species (based on management objectives) is expected to occur within five years after the final cut. In two-aged systems, the final cut is the establishment cut which leaves a residual overstory. The newly established regeneration must meet the minimum stocking levels as described below. This Standard applies to both artificial and natural means of stand regeneration and applies to all silvicultural systems. Minimum Seedling Restocking Standards for the DBNF. Management Type Minimum Trees Per Acre Yellow pine or yellow pine-hardwood 300 Hardwood, white pine, and others 150 DB-VEG-25. Within a possible old-growth stand, do not initiate management that could alter the stand s potential status as old-growth until the stand has been inventoried for old-growth criteria and its status determined. Possible old-growth is an area, within any Prescription Area, that has a high probability of being oldgrowth based on its community type and stand age (USDA-FS 1997). Identification of a stand as possible oldgrowth or old-growth implies no land management decision. This standard is intended to address possible oldgrowth stands outside the 1.I. Designated Old-Growth Prescription Area, which was designed to promote, enhance, and maintain old-growth communities and attributes. See the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Forest Plan for further clarification. DB-VEG-26. No more than 10 percent of a harvest area should be in landings, skid roads, or exposed soil. DB-VEG-27. Resource management activities that may affect soil and/or water quality must follow applicable Kentucky Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control and Kentucky s Best Management Practices for Forestry (BMPs) as a minimum to achieve soil and water quality objectives. When Forest Plan standards exceed Kentucky BMPs or water quality standards, Forest Plan standards shall take precedence. DB-VEG-28. Within the scoured ephemeral stream zone, a minimum of 15 square feet of basal area will be left following silvicultural activities. DB-VEG-29. The removal of coarse woody debris from within the scoured ephemeral stream zone will be allowed only if it poses a risk to public safety or water quality, degrades habitat for aquatic or riparianassociated species, or when it poses a threat to private property or Forest Service infrastructures. DB-VEG-30. No herbicide may be broadcast within 100 feet of private land or 300 feet of a private residence, unless the landowner agrees to closer treatment. Water Quality and Riparian Corridors 16