State Forests Salmon Protection Policy

Transcription

1 General File # State Forests Salmon Protection Policy January 25, 2002 History, Purpose and Need In June 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adopted rules under Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the conservation of 14 groups of threatened salmon and steelhead. These rules prohibit anyone from taking a listed salmon or steelhead, except in cases where the take is associated with a program approved under the 4(d) rules as a limit on the take prohibition. Additionally, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission's 1999 listing of lower Columbia River coho salmon as endangered species extends special protection requirements to this distinct population of coho salmon. Measures intended for protection of the 14 groups of salmon and steelhead that are federally listed as threatened will also be applied to lower Columbia River coho salmon. These measures meet or exceed survival guidelines in Oregon Administrative Rule for lower Columbia River coho salmon. The purpose of the state forests salmon protection policies is to avoid take of salmonid species listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Take means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. Further, harm is defined by regulation to include significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or injures listed fish by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, spawning, rearing, migrating, feeding, or sheltering. Six threatened salmon population groups, known as "Evolutionarily Significant Units" (ESUs), use habitats on Oregon state forests for part or all of their life history, or use habitats downstream from state forests that may be influenced by state forest management. All Oregon Department of Forestry Districts, with the exception of Klamath-Lake District in eastern Oregon, are associated with threatened ESUs. These policies are meant to fulfill the need to avoid take of threatened or endangered salmon during the period when habitat conservation plans (HCPs) are being developed or revised for western Oregon state forests. HCPs will further refine the policies and standards described here. Approach It is anticipated that the policies and standards identified in current forest management plans applied in conjunction with the other approaches described in the State Forests Salmon Protection Policy will meet and generally far exceed the 4(d) Rule requirements. 1

2 This policy summarizes those approaches and provides a checklist to describe the specific approaches that will be applied during operations. To avoid take of threatened or endangered fish species, all operations on state forests will be conducted to meet the goals associated with federal guidance on take avoidance. State forest management is also guided by Oregon laws and administrative rules, the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, and comprehensive landscape and aquatic-riparian strategies found in state forest management plans. In applying these mandates and policies, field managers will work with natural resource specialists, including Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) fish biologists, and in some situations, biologists from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The information in this document expands on the take avoidance guidelines and on the laws, rules, and plans that provide the basic concepts and strategies for take avoidance. NMFS Take Guidance The 4(d) rule lists categories of activities that may be most likely to result in injury or harm to listed salmonids. This is not a list of prohibited activities. Based on available information, NMFS believes these are activities that as a general rule are most likely to harm listed fish. The potential for these activities to harm fish depends entirely upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Forest management related activities described in the rule include: constructing or maintaining barriers that eliminate or impede access to habitat or ability to migrate; discharging pollutants into a listed species habitat; removing, poisoning, or contaminating plants, fish, wildlife, or other biota required by the listed species; removing or altering rocks, soil, gravel, vegetation or other physical structures essential to the integrity and function of a listed species habitat; removing water or otherwise altering streamflow when it significantly impairs essential behavioral patterns; constructing, maintaining, or using inadequate bridges, roads, or trails on stream banks or unstable hill slopes adjacent to or above a listed species habitat; conducting timber harvest, grazing, mining, earth-moving, or other operations which result in substantially increased sediment input into streams; constructing land-use activities in riparian areas and areas susceptible to mass wasting and surface erosion, which may disturb soils and increase sediment delivered to streams, such as logging, grazing, farming, and road construction; various streambed disturbances such as vehicles or equipment being driven across or down the streambed (as well as any similar physical disruptions); altering lands or waters in a manner that promotes unusual concentrations of predators; 2

3 shoreline and riparian disturbances that retard or prevent the development of essential habitat characteristics (e.g., removing riparian trees, floodplain gravel mining, or armoring shorelines); filling or isolating side channels, ponds, and intermittent waters. NMFS does not intend to concentrate enforcement efforts on activities that are permitted under state and or federal processes. If the regulatory program does not provide adequate protection for salmonids, NMFS intends to work with the responsible agency to make necessary changes in the program. An activity that is likely to injure or kill protected fish should be adjusted to avoid take or adequately limit any impacts on the species. Alternatives are: (1) apply for an incidental take permit under ESA Section 10, (2) request a Section 7 consultation to develop more protective restrictions, or (3) request a limit on the take prohibitions provided in the 4(d) rule. Until the department establishes one or more of these protective measures in cooperation with NMFS, the following in-place policies and standards will be applied as take avoidance measures. Policy Framework for State Forestlands Policies for avoiding take on state forests are embodied in four main components: statutes; regulations, including forest management plans; voluntary measures; and a field-level check for specific forest operations. Each component supports the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) take avoidance policy. This set of policies adapts and incorporates new and changing directions that are developed in draft habitat conservation plans and other, activity-specific planning such as the road management policies written into the ODF Forest Roads Manual (July 2000) and current watershed assessment and recreation planning processes. Taken together, these statutory, regulatory, planning, and voluntary measures form the policy framework for state forest operational take avoidance standards. Statutes Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 530 sets overarching direction for state forests. ORS Chapter 527, the Forest Practices Act, sets baseline standards for carrying out forestry operations. ORS 530 Under ORS , the State Forester is directed to manage state forests so as to secure the greatest permanent value of such lands to the state, and to that end may: Permit the use of the lands for other purposes, including fish and wildlife environment, protection against floods and erosion, recreation, and protection of water supplies when, in the opinion of the board [Board of Forestry], such use is not detrimental to the best interest of the state. ORS 527 The Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA) sets baseline standards for carrying out forestry operations to meet basic watershed protection requirements. As new scientific information has become available and new laws have been enacted, these baseline 3

4 standards, first set in 1972, have been adapted to meet the needs of salmon and other species. Such was adaptation of the FPA to the (1972) Clean Water Act. Relative to scientific information and environmental laws, the FPA represents an overall state regulatory policy based on best management practices. Regulations State Forest Plans State forests are managed under forest management plans approved by the Board of Forestry and the State Land Board, and adopted as administrative rules. Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 629, Division 35, Management of State Forest Lands, provides direction on management of state forest lands to achieve greatest permanent value as specified in ORS 530. OAR specifies that the Board of Forestry s approval of a forest management plan represents its determination that the plan meet the obligation to secure the greatest permanent value to the state, as defined in OAR According to this rule, greatest permanent value means healthy, productive, and sustainable forest ecosystems that over time and across the landscape provide a full range of social, economic, and environmental benefits to the people of Oregon. Specifically, state forest lands must be managed within a broader management context that results in a high probability of maintaining and restoring properly functioning aquatic habitats for salmonids, and other native fish and aquatic life ; protects, maintains, and enhances native wildlife habitats; and protects soil, air, and water. Management must consider the landscape context, be based on the best science available, and incorporate an adaptive management approach that applies new management practices and techniques as new scientific information and results of monitoring become available. Forest management plans include strategies that manage forest conditions to result in a high probability of maintaining and restoring properly functioning aquatic habitats for salmonids, and other native fish and aquatic life, and protecting, maintaining, and enhancing native wildlife habitats, recognizing that forests are dynamic and that the quantity and quality of habitats for species will change geographically and over time. (OAR ) State forest management plans incorporate the most current multi-disciplinary scientific information available. These comprehensive plans go beyond Forest Practices Act requirements by setting detailed policies and procedures for securing the greatest permanent value to the citizens of Oregon. Further, detailed within these plans are specific requirements that ensure perpetuation of the kinds of landscapes that contribute to properly functioning aquatic systems. Two plans approved in January 2001 (Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan and Southwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan) cover most state forests in western Oregon, approximately 630,000 acres in 12 counties. These plans use a blended approach that applies the concepts of landscape ecology to manage riparian and aquatic habitats at both the landscape level and through site-specific prescription. This type of two-tiered approach was cited by the Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) as 4

5 necessary to achieve a high likelihood of restoring and maintaining properly functioning aquatic systems (Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team 1999). On the landscape level, the plan strategies will, over time, create forest conditions that will more closely emulate historic conditions and processes relative to aquatic systems. The second component of this blended approach is a set of more site-specific or prescriptive strategies designed to protect key resource elements or provide for specific functional elements not directly addressed by the landscape strategies. The aquatic and riparian strategies are designed to maintain and restore properly functioning aquatic habitats for salmonids and other native fish and aquatic life. Additionally, the Elliott State Forest, covering approximately 93,000 acres in the Oregon Coast Range, in Coos and Douglas counties, is guided by the Elliott State Forest Management Plan, approved in 1994, and the 1995 Elliott State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan. Revision of these plans has recently been initiated through a public issue development process. Watershed assessment and analysis is critical to the evaluation and refinement of both the landscape level and site-specific approaches. ODF and ODFW have historically compiled data on streams, fish populations, high-risk areas, roads, fish passage, etc. Currently, the department is developing a more formal, integrated process to collect and synthesize key watershed information. Watershed assessments will be coordinated with adjoining private and federal landowners, as well as with the broader public. State forest management plan strategies are described in Appendix 2. Forest Practices In addition to setting state regulatory requirements for harvesting, road construction and maintenance, and reforestation, the Forest Practices rules prescribe standards for water protection in six divisions of Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 629. Division Water Protection Rules: Purpose, Goals, Classification and Riparian Management Areas This rule describes a process to determine if additional watershed specific rules are needed for watersheds that have been designated as water quality limited or for watersheds containing threatened or endangered aquatic species. Division Water Protection Rules: Vegetation Along Streams The purpose of this rule is to describe how the vegetation retention measures for streams were determined, their purpose and how the measures are implemented. Division Water Protection Rules: Riparian Protection Rules and Protection Measures for Significant Wetlands The purpose of these rules is to protect the functions and values of significant wetlands, including wetlands larger than eight acres, estuaries, bogs and important springs in eastern Oregon forestlands. 5

6 Division Water Protection Rules: Riparian Management Areas and Protection Measures for Lakes The purpose of this rule is to protect the functions and values of lakes. Division Water Protection Rules: Protection Measures for Other Wetlands, Seeps and Springs This rule clarifies that protection requirements take effect when operating in other wetlands greater than one-quarter acre. The rule encourages green tree and snag retention around other wetlands. Division Water Protection Rules: Specific Rules for Operations Near Waters of the State This rule aims at preventing unapproved stream channel alterations. Additionally, it prohibits unauthorized beaver dam removal and it encourages amphibian habitat protection. The Oregon Plan As part of its stewardship commitment, ODF has committed to the more than sixty voluntary forestry-related measures in the Oregon Plan. State forest commitments to the Oregon Plan add a voluntary component to the statutory, regulatory, and planning components of the take avoidance policies outlined above. The voluntary component, aimed at achieving Oregon Plan goals quicker than through laws, regulations, and plan requirements alone, is detailed in the Oregon Department of Forestry and State and Private Forestry Community Oregon Plan Statewide Work Program (June 7, 2000). The Oregon Plan Statewide Work Program documents state forest management commitments to the Oregon Plan. In addition to featured measures such as interagency integration, watershed analysis, monitoring, and adaptive management, the statewide work plan outlines broad sets of measures devoted to state forests management activities. These targeted measures outline the backgrounds, goals, objectives, action items, funding, work schedules, and monitoring for six state forest-specific initiatives: 1. State Forest Lands Road Erosion and Risk Project protocol completed, assessments on-going. 2. Northwest State Forest Lands Management Plan plan approved January Site-Specific Plans for Vegetation Retention within Riparian Management Areas (RMAs) on Oregon State Forest Lands strategies approved as part of forest management plans. 4. Wildlife Tree Placement on State Forest Lands strategies approved as part of forest management plans. 5. State Forestlands Stream Habitat Assessment and Instream Projects in progress. 6. Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan in progress. 6

7 Field Evaluation of Operations Field-level plans and operations are documented in annual operations plans (AOPs). AOPS ensure conformance, consistency, and integration with higher order forest management plans, habitat conservation plans, and district implementation plans. AOPs describe the operational details of management activities, including the measures for compliance to standards for protecting fish. A 4(d) Rule for Salmon Take Avoidance Checklist is in Appendix 3 of this policy. Beginning with the 2003 AOP, the checklist will be used as the framework to generate discussion during AOP reviews. The purpose of the discussion is to ensure compliance with the 4-(d) rule. For evaluation of individual operations the following questions are posed: 1. Is the operation in proximity to streams in which listed fish are present? 2. How has the operation been designed or modified to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects on a listed fish? (What specific prescriptions have been incorporated to reduce risk, i.e. RMAs, road standards, etc.) 3. Are any further adjustments or modifications to the operation necessary in order for ODF to conclude that the operation is not likely to injure or kill listed fish? What specific modifications are necessary and how will they be accomplished? Question 3 is intended to be a final check to determine if extraordinary site specific conditions or resource sensitivities exist that would require measures over and above those normally contemplated and described in response to Question 3. Specific protection measures included in each operation will be documented in the AOP or through the use of the checklist. Protection measures draw not just upon standards in forest management plans, HCPs, and implementation plans, but also from the aquatic and riparian standards in Recreation Design Standards and Management Guidelines (1999) and in the Forest Roads Manual (2000). Adherence to these standards will ensure the maintenance or improvement of riparian vegetation, minimization of sedimentation, prevention of streambed disturbances, prevention of barriers to fish passage, and prevention of chemical pollution. Procedures 1. District AOPs will include descriptions of the measures that will be included in each operation to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of injuring or killing fish. 2. For all timber sales that have not yet been sold - when timber sales are submitted to Salem for processing, the checklist in Appendix 3 or equivalent documentation will be included in the timber sale package submitted to the Assistant State Forester for the Forest Management Division. The checklist or equivalent, and the approval by the Assistant State Forester will be filed in the Salem contract file for the operation. 3. For timber sales that have been sold and have not been completed by the contractor, districts must complete and forward the checklist to the State Forests Planning Coordinator at Salem Headquarters. The Assistant State Forester for the Forest Management Division will review the documentation. The checklist or equivalent, and 7

8 the approval by the Assistant State Forester will be filed in the Salem contract file for the operation. 4. For service contracts that could impact streams such as pesticide or fertilizer applications, certain recreation projects such as trail building on steep slopes or bridge construction, or road maintenance districts must complete the checklist in Appendix 3 or similar documentation of applicable protection measures. The checklist or equivalent other documentation do not require review by the Assistant State Forester but will be retained in the district contract file. Districts must complete the checklist or equivalent documentation for all new contracts and for existing contracts that have not been completed. Conclusion The State Forests Salmon Protection Policy pulls together all the state forest statutory, regulatory, planning, and voluntary salmon take avoidance measures. The adaptive nature of the measures outlined in this policy statement will ensure that state forests salmon protection and take avoidance policies will be current right up to the time that habitat conservation measures (HCPs) may be developed and approved. References Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) Recovery of Wild Salmonids in Western Oregon Forests: Oregon Forest Practices Act Rules and the Measures in the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Technical Report to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, Governor s Natural Resources Office, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Elliott State Forest Management Plan. Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Elliott State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan. Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Design Standards and Management Guidelines. Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Clatsop State Forest Recreation Management Plan. Astoria District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Astoria, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Roads Manual. State Forests Program, Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Oregon Department of Forestry and State and Private Forestry Community Oregon Plan Statewide Work Program (June 7, 2000) Oregon Department of Forestry Santiam State Forest Recreation Management Plan. Clackamas-Marion District, Santiam Unit, Oregon Department of Forestry, Lyons, OR. 8

9 Oregon Department of Forestry State Forests Program Draft Policy for Avoiding Take of Listed Salmonids. State Forests Program, Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR. Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation Tillamook State Forest Comprehensive Recreation Plan. Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove, OR. January

10 APPENDIX 1 Listed Salmonids Habitat and Biology Six threatened salmon population groups, or ESUs, use habitats on Oregon state forests for part or all of their life history, or use habitats downstream from state forests that may be influenced by state forest management. These listed ESUs are: lower Columbia River steelhead, Oregon Coast coho, Columbia River chum, upper Willamette River steelhead, lower Columbia River chinook, and upper Willamette River chinook. (An ESU is an evolutionarily significant unit. It refers to a distinctive group of stocks or populations that: 1) are substantially reproductively isolated from other population units of the same species, and 2) represent an important component in the evolutionary legacy of the species.) Habitat on State Forests Anadromous salmonid populations are generally depressed throughout western Oregon for a variety of reasons, including reduced survival in the ocean, reduced productivity and access to freshwater habitats, and fishing levels. In general, surveys of the northwest Oregon planning area s instream habitat conditions indicate that current freshwater productivity may be at a low point. This result was not unexpected, given the area s history of large fires and other disturbances, and the young age of the forest. Habitat attributes such as large wood abundance and key pieces of large wood can be addressed on a short-term basis through stream habitat enhancement actions. More specific assessments are needed to determine the potential success of actions to reduce fine sediments. Long-term management should restore the landscape s ability to produce desirable habitat conditions on its own. For example, when large conifers are more abundant in riparian zones, the trees will eventually fall into streams and provide key pieces, and in turn abundant large wood should help create and maintain abundant pools. Therefore, a longterm management goal is to grow large conifers in riparian zones. Watershed assessments will eventually provide more detailed, site-specific assessment of current conditions, and will guide appropriate management to achieve the desired instream conditions. Listed Salmonids Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Adult coho salmon return to freshwater to spawn at about 3 years of age, and usually weigh between 6 and 12 pounds. Coho spawn between November and February, generally in smaller, low gradient streams. Each female coho deposits about 2,500 eggs into a redd formed in the stream bottom. The fry emerge the following spring. Juvenile coho spend one year in freshwater. After emergence, the fry inhabit shallow stream margins and backwater pools. During the summer they move to deeper pools. In the winter they inhabit side channels, alcoves, beaver ponds, dam pools with complex cover, and other areas sheltered from the strongest currents. Because coho prefer smaller streams, winter floods and summer droughts can cause significant mortality. The young fish survive best in structurally complex streams that offer cover during floods and maintain water flow during droughts. 10

11 Approximately one year after emergence, the young coho begin their transformation to the smolt stage as they prepare to move to the ocean environment. Most smolts migrate downstream to the ocean between February and May, often traveling during a spring freshet. Coho will rear within the ocean environment for approximately 1½ years. After the second summer of ocean growth, coho salmon mature and return to freshwater, to spawn and begin the cycle again. Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) The chinook salmon, also known as the king salmon, is the largest of the Pacific salmon species. Adult chinook usually weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, and historically, some chinook stocks produced fish as large as 100 pounds. Chinook salmon exhibit diverse life history patterns, including variations in timing of return and spawning, average age at maturity, age and timing of juvenile ocean entry, and ocean migration patterns, among others. There are two major races of chinook in Oregon, spring and fall. Adult spring chinook return to freshwater in the spring or early summer, and hold for several months in deep pools in rivers before spawning. Spring chinook generally spawn from September through November. Fall chinook return to freshwater during late summer through fall months, and generally spawn from October through December. In both races, the typical age of maturity is three to six years, though some males mature at an age of two years. Chinook salmon tend to spawn in dense concentrations in larger streams and rivers, although some fish use smaller tributaries. They may also use deeper water and larger substrate than other salmonids during spawning. Each female generally deposits between 3,000 and 6,000 eggs, depending on her age and body size. The eggs incubate over the winter, and the fry emerge during spring and early summer. The juvenile life stage of chinook is highly diverse. This species exhibits significant variation in spatial and temporal use of rearing habitats, and migration timing. This variation exists both within and between populations. In coastal systems, chinook fry may rear in riverine reaches for periods ranging from about 3 to 6 months, and may rear in estuarine reaches for up to 5 months. Some juvenile chinook have been observed to spend the winter in freshwater. However, most coastal chinook enter the ocean during their first year of life. Chinook salmon will generally rear in the ocean environment from one to five years before maturing. During this time, growth is relatively rapid. Because of the extended ocean rearing time before reaching maturity, older age fish (5 or 6 years) can reach very large sizes before returning to their natal streams to spawn. Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Chum salmon return to freshwater and typically spawn in November and December. The age at maturity for this species is primarily 3 to 5 years, and they typically weigh 8 to 12 pounds. Chum salmon usually spawn near the head of tidewater in small coastal streams. Each female deposits an average of 2,400 to 3,000 eggs, though large females may release up to 4,000 eggs. Chum salmon fry emerge from the spawning gravels the following spring. Chum salmon juveniles migrate seaward immediately after emerging, and rear in estuarine waters. The juveniles may rear in the estuary reaches for up to several months while they 11

12 feed and grow. During this time they complete the physiological transition necessary for survival in salt water, and migrate to oceanic waters. Chum salmon generally rear in the ocean for 1 to 5 years while they grow to maturity. Once mature, they return to their natal streams to spawn. Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) There are two main races of steelhead, winter and summer. Summer steelhead typically return to freshwater from late spring through summer, but do not mature and spawn until the following winter or spring (January through May). Winter steelhead typically return to freshwater between November and March, and spawn from January through May. Unlike Pacific salmon, which die after spawning, adult steelhead may migrate back to the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn again. The proportion of steelhead that successfully spawn multiple times is low, however, and is often restricted to the females of the population. The age of sexual maturity is variable in steelhead. As juveniles, steelhead may rear in freshwater for 1 to 4 years before entering the ocean. The fish then rear for 1 to 3 years in the ocean before returning to freshwater to spawn. With so much variation in the years spent reaching maturity, the age and size of spawning steelhead vary considerably. Steelhead that exhibit extended ocean rearing tend to return as larger adults. The average steelhead weighs from 5 to 10 pounds, but some grow as large as 40 pounds. Most juvenile steelhead rear in freshwater from 2 to 3 years. After emergence in late spring, steelhead fry move to the shallow margins along streams where they actively feed. By summer, they are larger and move into the faster portions of pools, or into glides and riffles. Winter rearing occurs within both fast and slower freshwater habitats. Juvenile steelhead (like many other salmonids) prefer complex winter habitat formed by accumulations of large woody debris. After reaching the smolt stage, steelhead migrate downstream towards the ocean in the spring. Smolts spend little time in estuaries before entering the ocean environment. Smolts grow rapidly in the ocean, and may reach a size of 16 to 20 inches by fall. As mentioned, steelhead may rear in the ocean from a few months to up to 4 or 5 years before maturing and returning to their natal streams to spawn. 12

13 APPENDIX 2 State Forests Operational Standards Harvesting and Precommercial Thinning Harvesting, precommercial thinning, and other forest management activities on state forests are conducted in a landscape and regional context to meet the overall goals of forest management plans and habitat conservation plans. Strategies differ between the western Oregon state forests and Elliott State Forest, however, and are summarized separately in the discussion below. Northwest and Southwest Oregon State Forests Management Plans Landscape management These plans call for active management to produce a desired array of stand structure types across the landscape. Long-range desired future condition will maintain approximately 50% of the forest in complex stands (Layered and Older Forest Structure stands) that include large trees, diverse understory vegetation, snags, down wood, and other key habitat features. Riparian areas Management strategies within riparian areas will maintain and restore properly functioning aquatic habitats for salmonids and other native fish and aquatic life. For areas that do not meet the desired condition, management strategies will be designed to move stands towards these conditions. Riparian areas that meet desired conditions will be maintained in that state with limited or no management activity. Riparian management areas will be established adjacent to all streams according to standards described in Appendix J of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan and Appendix C of the Southwest Oregon State Forest Management Plan. Riparian management areas contain four zones: aquatic zone, stream bank zone, inner RMA zone, and outer RMA zone. Applicable management standards are based on a classification system which groups streams based on the presence or absence of certain fish species (Type F or Type N), and by size (estimated annual average flow). Small non-fishbearing streams (Type N) are further classified as perennial or seasonal, according to flow pattern in normal water years. Some seasonal Type N streams are seasonal high energy streams or potential debris flow track reaches. Fish-bearing streams (Type F) and large/medium non-fish-bearing streams (Type N) The goal of management along fish-bearing streams and larger non-fish-bearing streams is to grow and retain vegetation so that, over time, riparian and aquatic habitat conditions become similar to those associated with mature forest stands. For sites conducive to growth of conifers, these are generally the conditions associated with conifer stands of approximately 80 to 200 years of age or older. For sites where hardwoods are expected to be the natural plant community, mature hardwood stands are the desired condition. Hardwood stands are often more common on riparian sites because of the presence of saturated soils (high water table) or periodic floods. Mature conifer or hardwood forest conditions are expected to support a high proportion of the functions and processes associated with properly functioning aquatic habitats. 13

14 Small non-fish-bearing streams (Type N) Along small non-fish-bearing streams, the goal is to grow and retain vegetation sufficient to support important stream functions and processes, and to contribute to achieving properly functioning conditions in downstream fish-bearing waters. The functions of these streams will be supported by the presence of adjacent stands grown to meet landscape-level desired conditions, and by vegetation retained in riparian areas during harvest activities. Management strategies will be designed and implemented to maintain water quality, supplement wildlife habitat, and contribute to the overall supply of instream large wood within a watershed. A variety of small Type N streams exist across the forest landscape. These streams differ in their physical characteristics, dominant functional processes, and contribution to watershed-level processes. The strategies for small Type N streams vary according to which functions and processes are dominant within an individual stream. Perennial streams Perennial streams are characterized by their potential ability to influence water temperature in downstream reaches. Riparian vegetation protects stream bank stability, provides leaf litter input, and maintains water temperature to provide cool water to downstream reaches. Steeper gradient perennial streams may influence downstream reaches by periodic transport of large woody debris and coarse sediments. Fine sediment and leaf litter (nutrient) storage processes are limited in steeper streams, which usually transport smaller materials. The presence of large wood may enhance nutrient storage processes and substantially affects the morphology of steep channels, primarily through the storage of coarse sediments. Steeper gradient perennial streams often provide important habitats for sensitive amphibian species. Lower gradient perennial streams generally lack the hydrologic force necessary to transport large woody debris or coarse sediments, but may transport fine sediments during normal storm events. These streams are often sites where large wood and coarse sediments settle out and are stored during flood events. Fine sediment and leaf litter (nutrient) storage processes are dominant in these streams during most times of the year. The presence of large wood enhances these processes, and can directly influence channel morphology in non-confined reaches. Seasonal high energy streams The presence of a relatively wide active channel on these seasonally flowing streams indicates that periodic high flows can be a prevalent channel-forming feature. The relatively steep gradient and potential for high flows means these streams may potentially transport coarse sediment and large wood. Large wood transport events are usually limited to infrequent high flow events and debris flows. Lack of perennial flow minimizes the influence of these streams on water temperature in downstream fish-bearing reaches. Management along these streams will focus on providing large, durable (conifer) woody debris to maintain a stepped profile channel form, and to create habitat for aquatic species. The down wood will function to sort and store coarse sediments within the stream, and will provide a source of large wood for downstream reaches during periodic transport events. Seasonal potential debris flow track reaches These reaches have a high probability of large wood delivery to downstream fish-bearing waters should slope failure events occur. After slope failure, large trees retained along the debris flow track 14

15 may either reduce the energy of the event and cause the materials to become temporarily stored within the channel, or become entrained within the debris wedge for delivery to downstream reaches. Management will focus on maintaining large trees that can provide the functional habitat-forming elements of these natural disturbance events. During periods when debris flows do not occur, the presence of vegetation along channels supports stream functions and processes. Riparian vegetation provides nutrient (leaf litter) input. The presence of large wood contributes to sorting and storage of coarse sediments and influences channel morphology. This material also enhances nutrient storage and processing. The lack of perennial flow minimizes influences on summer water temperature in downstream fish-bearing reaches. Other seasonal streams These streams are assumed to have limited overall influence on watershed-level aquatic conditions due to their small size, flow pattern, and morphological characteristics. The major functions of these waters are assumed to be the recruitment, routing, and processing of leaf litter, and transport, sorting, and storage of fine sediments. The majority of these streams will be maintained in a forested condition for significant time periods. Management will be designed to maintain functions associated with leaf litter and sediment storage and routing. Retention of trees and understory vegetation will provide leaf litter and large wood input. In-channel large wood originating from retained trees and snags enhances the processes of leaf litter and fine sediment storage, routing, and processing. Other aquatic habitats: wetlands, lakes, ponds, estuaries, bogs, seeps, and springs The management objectives for these waters are similar to the objectives for streams, but specific prescriptions may differ. The strategies for other aquatic habitats will maintain the productivity of these habitats, maintain hydrologic functions, and contribute to conditions needed for maintaining other native wildlife species of concern. The prescriptions for other aquatic habitats are presented in Appendix J of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. Slope stability management The Department of Forestry will use a three-level approach to manage slope stability concerns in forest planning and operations on state forest lands. This approach is described in more detail in the forest management plans for Northwest and Southwest Oregon state forests. This strategy involves utilizing watershed assessment to assess landslide hazards; evaluate alternatives to minimize, mitigate, or avoid risk in high and moderate hazard areas; and design of operations to minimize, mitigate for, or avoid identified risks. Elliott State Forest Management Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan Management basins The Elliott State Forest is divided into 17 management basins. The basins average 5,500 acres each, with individual basin sizes ranging from 4,200 acres to 7,779 acres. The average basin size approximates the median home range size for spotted owls in the Oregon Coast Range. Most basins contain the drainage of one or two primary streams. 15

16 The forest is managed on a mix of 240, 200, 160, 135, and 80 year rotations. Over time, from 0-66% of each management basin will be maintained in suitable habitat for the northern spotted owl. Suitable habitat is defined as stands 80 years or older. This percentage of owl habitat is in addition to reserves also present in the basins, as described below. Dispersal habitat for northern spotted owls is provided across the forest, with a target of maintaining at least 50% of each management basin in forest stands where the trees average 11 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger, and the canopy closure is 40% or greater. Number of Management Basins Rotation Age Acres , , , , ,662 Reserves Habitat Conservancy Areas (HCAs) have been established on the Elliott State Forest in each management basin. These HCAs are designed to protect sensitive habitat areas for northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, or salmonids. The acreage in the HCAs varies by basin, and ranges from 3 to 25% of the basin. The HCAs total about 6,961 acres. No clearcut harvesting is allowed in these reserves. Some normal forest management activities are conducted within HCAs, including vehicle traffic on forest roads, wildfire suppression and control, reforestation, precommercial thinning, slash burning, application of herbicides, hand release, road maintenance, sales of minor forest products, forage seeding, pruning, harvest unit guylines or tailholds, stream rehabilitation work, stream surveys, and wildlife surveys. Within HCAs, stands that do not contain owl or murrelet activity centers are available for thinning and related silvicultural treatments. The main objective of these treatments is to help develop the structural conditions found in late successional forests. Treatments can take place in stands 0-80 years old, with an emphasis on stands less than 40 years old. Approximately 5,890 acres or 7.3% of the matrix lands on the Elliott (outside the habitat reserves) are in no-touch riparian areas. The Elliott State Forest also has reserves for scenic areas, high-risk areas, etc. All reserves combined total 18,063 acres, or 19% of the forest. Riparian management Riparian management areas (RMAs) are 100 feet, measured from the edge of the active channel, for fish-bearing perennial streams; 75 feet for fishbearing intermittent streams; and 50 feet for non-fish-bearing perennial streams. No harvest is permitted in these RMAs, except for specific habitat enhancement. Harvest is allowed along non-fish-bearing intermittent streams. Shrubs and forbs are retained. 16

17 The riparian strategies include standards for yarding and line corridors, yarding suspension over stream banks, protection of slope hazard areas, and rehabilitation of stream structure. No road construction is permitted in any RMA, except crossings. All wetlands adjacent to streams are protected. Road Construction and Maintenance The road system on the state forests will be managed to keep as much forest land in a natural, productive condition as possible; prevent water quality problems and associated impacts on aquatic resources; minimize disruption of natural drainage patterns; provide for adequate fish passage where roads cross fish-bearing streams; and minimize exacerbation of natural mass-wasting processes. This strategy will be accomplished by completion of a comprehensive inventory of existing roads on state forest lands; development and updating of district implementation plans and transportation planning; forest road design, construction, improvement and maintenance in accordance with processes and standards in the Oregon Department of Forestry s Forest Roads Manual (2000); and identifying and prioritizing roads for closure and/or abandonment. Forest Chemical Application Reforestation and young stand management The western Oregon state forests have some of the best tree-growing areas in the world. These same lands also support some of the most competitive native and introduced vegetation in the world. Site preparation may be needed before tree-planting in cases where the site is already occupied with existing or sprouting competing vegetation that will prevent or delay tree establishment. Site preparation by prescribed fire, mechanical means, or chemicals is appropriate in these cases. Vegetation management is also usually needed to allow conifers to reach full stocking within Oregon Forest Practices Act time frame requirements. Competing vegetation is managed with chemical applications and/or hand release. If forest chemicals are used, they are applied consistent with Forest Practices Act standards and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency label requirements. Forest health strategies - The aim of forest health strategies is not to eliminate or eradicate pests on state forests (except perhaps in the event of an introduced exotic pest), but rather to manage the forest in such a way that pest effects are within acceptable ranges, which vary over time and space with changing objectives and constraints. In some cases pest populations and associated damage can exceed desired levels. In these cases suppression might be appropriate. Any suppression activities on state forest lands must adhere to the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). IPM is a coordinated decision-making process that uses the most appropriate of all reasonably available means, tactics, or strategies, blended together to minimize the impact of forest pests in an environmentally sound manner to meet site-specific management objectives. IPM techniques may include the use of natural predators and parasites, genetically resistant hosts, environmental modifications, and, when necessary and appropriate, chemical pesticides or herbicides. 17

18 Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Aquatic habitat restoration - Strategies for aquatic habitat restoration call for completion of assessments to identify factors that could be contributing to undesirable aquatic habitat conditions, or that could be limiting the recovery of aquatic habitats. Road inventories and risk assessments, and aquatic habitat inventories, will contribute to this strategy. Apply alternative vegetation treatment to achieve habitat objectives The term alternative vegetation treatment refers to the application of silvicultural tools and management techniques in riparian management areas, using standards that differ from general riparian management standards, for the purpose of changing the vegetative community to better achieve the plan s aquatic and riparian habitat objectives. Potential projects include silvicultural treatments such as the conversion of hardwood stands to conifer species, selective removal of hardwoods from mixed-species stands and establishment of shade-tolerant conifer seedlings, the creation of gaps in hardwood stands to establish conifer seedlings (shade-intolerant and shade-tolerant), or other similar practices not specifically described in the management standards for riparian areas. These projects will be implemented in ways that maintain diverse riparian plant communities (heterogeneity) at the landscape and basin scales and that minimize potentials for adverse effects to aquatic resources, including depressed salmonid populations. Recreation Recreation management on state forests is described in forest management plans and in three recreation management plans: Tillamook State Forest Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan (updated in 2000), and the Clatsop State Forest and Santiam State Forest recreation management plans (approved in 2000). Recreation is managed with the goal of minimizing adverse impacts to other resources, including fish and aquatic-riparian habitats. Both motorized and non-motorized activities affect other forest resources. Some of the effects are increased water turbidity, soil compaction, erosion, sanitation problems, litter, reduction of understory vegetation, and reduced site productivity. Designating activity zones helps minimize these effects across the forest, and focuses recreational use in areas that are most suitable for the particular activity. Activity zones include three categories, non-motorized, motorized, and not designated. Motorized use is confined to officially designated, signed trails in a motorized zone, and to gravel roads in all zones. Recreation facilities, such as trails and campgrounds, are designed and maintained according to the Oregon Department of Forestry s Recreation Design Standards and Management Guidelines (1999). 18

19 Appendix 3 State Forests Salmon Protection Policy EVALUATION GUIDANCE/4D CHECKLIST Draft: January 25, 2002 Background It is anticipated that the policies and standards identified in current forest management plans applied in conjunction with the other approaches described in the State Forests Salmon Protection Policy will meet and generally far exceed the 4(d) Rule requirements. The purpose of this checklist is to: 1. Provide an additional check to determine if extraordinary site specific conditions or resource sensitivities exist that would require measures over and above those normally contemplated. 2. Promote discussion about or describe specific approaches that will be applied during operations or forest activities and that will meet or exceed the 4(d) requirements. The 4(d) rule lists categories of activities that may be most likely to result in injury or harm to listed salmonids. This is not a list of prohibited activities. Based on available information, the National Marine Fisheries Service believes these are activities that as a general rule are most likely to harm listed fish. The potential for these activities to harm fish depends entirely upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Forest management related activities described in the rule include: constructing or maintaining barriers that eliminate or impede access to habitat or ability to migrate; discharging pollutants into a listed species habitat; removing, poisoning, or contaminating plants, fish, wildlife, or other biota required by the listed species; removing or altering rocks, soil, gravel, vegetation or other physical structures essential to the integrity and function of a listed species habitat; removing water or otherwise altering streamflow when it significantly impairs essential behavioral patterns; constructing, maintaining, or using inadequate bridges, roads, or trails on stream banks or unstable hill slopes adjacent to or above a listed species habitat; conducting timber harvest, grazing, mining, earth-moving, or other operations which result in substantially increased sediment input into streams; 1