Dear Interested Public,

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina Nantahala National Forest Cheoah Ranger District 1070 Massey Branch Rd Robbinsville, NC File Code: 1950 Date: April 23, 2009 Dear Interested Public, The Cheoah Ranger District is conducting a multi-resource analysis of a proposed project, called the Upper Santeetlah Project, in the western part of Graham County, North Carolina. This project focuses on vegetative management activities designed to enhance wildlife habitat and restore and maintain a healthy forest ecosystem. The proposed project includes activities such as: regenerating stands through commercial timber sales, road construction, site preparation for forest regeneration, stand improvements, prescribed burning, and wildlife habitat improvement activities. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to comment on this proposed project and help identify issues, concerns, or opportunities associated with the project. Your comments could result in the development of new or modified alternatives, the identification of potential effects from a proposed action, or mitigation measures. The Upper Santeetlah Project Scoping Letter and associated maps can be accessed at the following internet address: If you wish to receive a hard copy (paper) version of these materials or if you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Dave Casey, Project Team Leader, at the Tusquitee Ranger District, 123 Woodland Drive, Murphy, NC (telephone: ). We ask that you provide comments on the proposed actions by May 28, 2009 to Dave Casey at the above address or via (comments-southern-north-carolina-nantahala-cheoah@fs.fed.us). All responses received (including names and addresses) will become part of the public file. This information will be made available to the public upon request. Sincerely, /s/ Steve Lohr STEVE LOHR District Ranger Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 Upper Santeetlah Scoping Letter April 2009 The Cheoah Ranger District is conducting an environmental analysis for a proposed project, referred to as the Upper Santeetlah Project, in Graham County, North Carolina. The project area is located on National Forest lands in the Santeetlah watershed west of Robbinsville (see the attached map). The area encompasses approximately 12,638 (GIS) acres of National Forest land located in twelve Forest Service administrative units called Compartments (C.43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54) Elevations range from 2,200 feet on Santeetlah Creek to over 5,400 feet on Huckleberry Knob. Vegetation varies by elevation, topography, and aspect, but is typical of the forests of Western North Carolina, including eastern white pine/hemlock forests, sparse yellow pine, upland and cove hardwoods, and northern hardwoods. The area has a long history of use for timber, grazing, hunting, and isolated subsistence farming. More recently the area has been used for a combination of uses such as hunting, fishing, hiking, gathering of special forest products, timber, and wildlife management. Only 21 acres or about 0.2% of the forested land in the project area is in an early successional stage of development (stands of trees from 1 to 10 years old). Seventy eight percent of the forested land is in trees greater than 50 years old, 21% is between 20 and 50 years old, and the remaining 1% is less than 20 years old. Public Involvement This proposed project is being considered by the Forest Service and it is anticipated that a document disclosing the environmental effects (Environmental Assessment, or EA) will be prepared and made available to the public within the next 6 months. With this Scoping Letter, I am asking for your input concerning the proposal. Your comments will help us determine the significant environmental issues and public concerns associated with this project. To be most helpful, please make you comments as specific to the proposal as possible, and include the following: your name, address, title of the project (Upper Santeetlah), and specific facts or comments along with supporting reasons for me to consider in evaluating the proposal. I am posting this letter and the associated maps of the proposed activities on the National Forests in North Carolina website, at To give us ample time to analyze your comments, please provide them to us by May 28, 2009 by mailing them to the Cheoah Ranger District, 1070 Massey Branch Road, Robbinsville NC, Or you may your comments to dmcasey@fs.fed.us. For additional information, please contact Dave Casey, Project Team Leader, at the Murphy office at Purpose and Need for the Proposal Management activities in the project area are guided by management direction taken from the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan, referred to Upper Santeetlah Project 1 April 23, 2009

3 simply as the Forest Plan. This Forest Plan describes the levels of management practices, production, and protection that may take place on specific Management Areas (MA s) designated across the Forest. The Forest Plan allocates each MA unique goals along with appropriate management direction and standards to achieve these goals. The National Forest lands in the Upper Santeetlah Project have been designated as Management Areas 2, 4, 5, 13, and 18. The table below describes the emphasis which is placed on each MA in the project area. Land Allocation in the Upper Santeetlah Project Area Acres in Management Areas and Resource Emphasis Project Area In the Upper Santeetlah Project Area 2A These areas are scenic travelways with an emphasis on providing pleasant scenery for people who experience the forest by driving or boating through it. Timber 955 production is permitted, but modified to meet visual quality objectives. 2C Like MA 2A, these areas are scenic travelways with an emphasis on providing pleasant scenery for people who experience the forest by driving or boating through it. 2,239 Unlike MA 2A these lands are not suitable for timber production. 4A Emphasis is on managing for quality scenery, opportunities for nonmotorized recreational uses, and habitat for animals that prefer older vegetation and limited disturbance. Timber production is permitted, but modified to emphasize visual quality 301 objectives and wildlife habitat needs. 4C Emphasis is on visually pleasing scenery and nonmotorized recreation use. This 173 MA is classified as not suitable for timber production. 4D Emphasis is on high quality wildlife habitat (particularly for black bear) and nonmotorized recreation use. Like MA 4A, timber production is permitted, but modified 8,237 to emphasize visual quality objectives and wildlife habitat needs. 5 Emphasis is on a semi-primative recreational setting and nonmotorized recreation 242 use. This MA is classified as not suitable for timber production. 13 Santeetlah special interest area managed to protect and foster public use and enjoyment of unique attributes. Not classified for timber production and all other resource management activities are modified to be compatible with the special attributes of the area. Identified for registration by the NCNHP of the State of North 491 Carolina. 18 *These are riparian lands consisting of aquatic ecosystems, riparian ecosystems and associated plant and animal communities. MA 18 lands are embedded in the other Management Areas. They include perennial streams and lakes, wetlands, and * 100-year floodplains. 12,638 Total Acres of National Forest System Lands in the Upper Santeetlah Analysis Area. These proposed actions also address the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Ecological Restoration Focus Areas. These focus areas were developed as a collaborative effort between the Forest, partner organizations, and research scientists in August of This effort provides the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests specific restoration goals that are both timely and ecologically sound. The proposed activities address the following restoration focus areas: 1. Restore Stream Systems and Watersheds to a Healthy Condition. 2. Restoration of Rare Native Communities; Threatened and Endangered Species. 3. Restore Fire-Dependent Ecosystems. 4. Restoration of Diversity in Low-Diversity Forest Stands. 5. Restoration of Viable Native Plant Communities by Controlling Invasive Species. 6. Wildlife Habitat. Upper Santeetlah Project 2 April 23, 2009

4 The purpose of this project is to improve the existing condition of the following: wildlife habitat, timber resource, watershed conditions, recreational safety and access, and fish passage within the Upper Santeetlah Project area, in accordance with the Forest Plan goals, objectives and direction. The proposed activities move this vicinity of the Forest toward the desired conditions established in the Forest Plan. Direction in the Forest Plan reads, in part, to Assure a regular and sustained flow of habitats across the Forests through space and time for diversity and viability of plant and animal populations. The project area contains minimal amounts of early successional habitat. Early successional habitat provides conditions for a suite of wildlife species, including game animals and neotropical migratory birds, that regularly use young forests for cover, browse, or to feed on the insects, fruits and berries that are more abundant in very young forest conditions. The following table provides a summary of the purpose and need for the proposed actions. Upper Santeetlah Project 3 April 23, 2009

5 Purpose Resource to Treat Existing Condition Desired Future Condition Proposed Actions To improve wildlife habitat - particularly for golden-winged warbler and cerulean warbler. Forest stands. There are 21 acres of early successional habitat. To provide additional early successional habitats for greater wildlife productivity. Early successional habitat needs to be created on both north and south facing slopes for varying species. The Land Management Plan allows for the creation of up to 1239 acres of early successional habitat in the Analysis Area. * 443 acres of Shelterwood with Reserves harvest. * 19 acres of group selection harvest and associated activities. * Site Preparation. * Prescribed Burn in a portion of harvested areas. * Herbicide Skid Trails. * Establish & Maintain Wildlife Openings To retain mast producing tree species, overall species diversity; and to encourage vigorous tree growth. Forest stands. The mast producing species that are in young stands are being overtopped by other species, e.g. poplar. Also, some mature stands that contain oak species are suffering from oak decline. To retain a viable and prevalent component of mast producing tree species. In addition, to retain/produce a wide range of tree species across the landscape. These species should also be healthy enough to reproduce and have enough resources to develop into mature trees. * Shelterwood with Reserves harvest. * Group Selection harvest. * Site Preparation. * Artificial Regeneration. * Seedling Release. * Stand Improvement. * Prescribed Burning. * Red Spruce Planting. * Non-native Invasive Treatment. * Oak Pre-Harvest. * Vine Control. Upper Santeetlah Project 4 April 23, 2009

6 Purpose Resource to Treat Existing Condition Desired Future Condition Proposed Actions To increase wildlife browse and keep white pine regeneration controlled, while allowing opportunities for scattered yellow pine regeneration. (Also to restore ecosystem function by restoring the Pre-Columbian fire return interval) Forest stands (southfacing slopes). Upper reaches of the southfacing slope are not easily accessed for treatments and contain areas of lowquality timber and low basal area. There are scattered white pine and yellow pine along with mixed hardwoods. Area has been damaged in the past by wildfire and the southern pine beetle. White pine is regenerating in the understory of some hardwood stands. To provide additional browse opportunities for wildlife species and reduce the amount of white pine that is invading the understory of hardwood stands. Portions of this slope are areas that yellow pine would naturally occur - burning would provide an appropriate seed bed for yellow pine regeneration in existing "holes" in the canopy of these stands. * Prescribed burn approximately 578 acres of the south facing slope. To improve northern flying squirrel habitat. Forest stands above 4,000 feet. The eastern hemlock is dying/dead from the hemlock woolly adelgid. This reduces the confier component which is a part of northern flying squirrel habitat. Also, the Cherohala Skyway has interferred with the squirrel utilizing all the available habitat. (the State has installed artificial launch sites to encourage crossing the Skyway) To reintroduce red spruce as a component of the forest at high elevations in the analysis area. The red spruce would also provide natural launch sites for the squirrel to cross the Cherohala Skyway. * Red Spruce Planting To restore fish passage and streamflow. Streams/Roads. There are culverts within the existing road system that do not allow fish passage. Also, there is a debris dam that is redirecting stream flow. To allow fish passage under roads and prevent resource damage from debris dams. * Fish Passage * Streamflow Restoration Upper Santeetlah Project 5 April 23, 2009

7 Purpose Resource to Treat Existing Condition Desired Future Condition Proposed Actions To maintain and restore balds as unique vegetative communities and scenic vistas. To reduce tree damage/competition from grapevines Provide access to harvest units, and to provide access to recreation facilities on FS property. Maintain and Restore existing roads. Existing Balds. Forest Stands with grapevines. Roads. Woody vegetation is encroaching on the balds. Some stands have grapevines that are tangled in the crowns of the overstory trees. These vines reduce tree growth and the vines break out limbs of the crown, particularly when there is ice involved. Currently there is no access to a few harvest units. Also, the road that currently accesses the Swan Cabin crosses private property. Some roads that will be used to harvest timber are in need of reconstruction. To restore balds to their "orginial" extent and maintain them with only fire, or a combination of fire and mowing. To keep grapevines present in the stands for the wildlife benefit, but to reduce the negative impact to tree growth. To provide access to harvest units and access to the Swan Cabin that doesn't cross private property. * Bald Maintenace. * Vine Control. * Specified Road. Construction. * Road Reconstruction. * Temporary Roads. * Road Daylighting. To prevent further damage from concentrated water flows. To reduce safety hazards from dead and dying trees. Roads and drainages. Area around roads and recreation sites. Concentrated water flows created by the Cherohala Skyway have caused erosion and sedimentation problems. Most of the eastern hemlock trees in this area are either dead or dying, which poses a safety risk to recreational users of the area. To repair these damaged areas and provide for a long-term solution for these concentrated water flows. To reduce the risk of bodily harm from falling trees in areas that are used for recreation. * Soil & Water. * Hazard Trees. Upper Santeetlah Project 6 April 23, 2009

8 Proposed Activities Shelterwood with Reserves: Implement a shelterwood with reserves regeneration treatment on 443 acres in 24 separate areas. In this two-aged regeneration method, the mature stand is partially cut. The residual trees (uncut trees) will average 15 to 25 square feet of basal area per acre in order to meet wildlife and visual quality objectives. (This amount of basal area left would average 20 trees per acre if all the trees were 14 inches in diameter.) These residual trees may be left as individual trees or in clumps ranging from ¼ to 1 acre in size, as described in Two-aged Management with Residual Clumps by John Blanton (Forest Silviculturist). Clumping the residual trees provides a small area of undisturbed forest within the harvest unit, protection from windthrow, more edge habitat, and many other benefits. Den trees and hard mast producing trees are the favored residual trees. Enough of the mature trees are harvested to ensure that a sufficient amount of light reaches the forest floor to sustain growth and development of the regeneration. Harvesting would be accomplished by using a combination of a conventional ground-based system that skids the logs on the ground to a designated landing, and skyline yarding which uses a system of overhead cables to move the logs to a designated landing. Skyline yarding is generally used on steep ground and ground-based yarding is restricted to less steep ground. Skyline harvest areas often have some areas that can accommodate ground-based yarding though, for instance where the landing is developed. Proposed Shelterwood with Reserves Harvest Areas. Comp-Stand Harvest Method Acres 51-6 Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Ground-based , Skyline/Ground-based Ground-based , 46-8 Ground-based , 45-3 Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based , 45-3 Skyline/Ground-based , Skyline/Ground-based , Skyline Ground-based , Skyline/Ground-based , Skyline/Ground-based Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based 17 Upper Santeetlah Project 7 April 23, 2009

9 Comp-Stand Harvest Method Acres Skyline/Ground-based Skyline/Ground-based 23 Group Selection: Implement a group selection treatment on 111 acres in 2 separate areas. In this uneven-aged regeneration method, approximately 1/6 of the area would be harvested in groups. The groups would be approximately 1 acre in size, which will allow a range of species to regenerate (shade tolerant to tolerant depending on the location in the group). The rest of the mature stand (matrix) will be thinned down to square feet of basal area to facilitate the growth and development in the remainder of the stand. Harvesting would be accomplished by using a ground-based system that skids the logs on the ground to a designated landing. Proposed Group Selection Harvest Areas. Comp-Stand Harvest Method Total Acres Harvest Acres This Entry Ground-based ,2,12,16 Ground-based Activities Associated with both the Shelterwood with Reserves and Group Selection Treatments (listed above) Pre- & Postharvest Site Preparation. The above referenced stands typically have a shade tolerant understory with undesireable tree species such as red maple, silverbell, birch, or sourwood that quickly occupy growing space once the overstory/midstory timber is harvested.. These trees are undesirable in that they reduce or, in some cases, prevent desirable wildlife and timber species, such as oaks, from becoming a component of the new stand. In addition to the understory response, stump sprouts originating from many species such as red maple and poplar will quickly colonize the stands. If left unchecked, these species shade out more desirable wildlife species such as oaks, hickories, and cherry. Depending on stand conditions, one of the following treatments would be carried out to encourage these more desirable species: a pre-harvest site preparation or a post-harvest site preparation. The preharvest site preparation consists of cutting and/or applying glyphosate or triclopyr herbicide to undesirable vegetation up to 7.9 inches dbh (diameter at breast height). Small stems up to 4 inches dbh would have a herbicide streamline application (herbicide mixture is applied directly to the trunk of the tree), and stems over 4 inches dbh would have a hack & squirt herbicide application (the trunk of the tree is cut into with a hatchet and herbicide is sprayed into the cambium of the tree). If present in the stand, competing vines and exotic invasive plants would also be treated by cutting and/or herbicide at this time. The postharvest site preparation consists of cutting undesirable vegetation (the residual trees will remain that are designated leave trees ) and treating the stumps with glyphosate or triclopyr herbicides. The stems being cut would be up to 10 inches dbh. If Upper Santeetlah Project 8 April 23, 2009

10 present in the stand, competing vines and exotic invasive plants would also be treated by cutting and/or herbicide at this time as well. Artificial Regeneration. Regenerating a stand in this project area is easily accomplished since copious amounts of seedlings are produced from seed and sprouting. However, regenerating desirable wildlife and timber species can often prove to be challenging on certain sites. Therefore, stands that are harvested may receive enrichment plantings, depending on the composition of regeneration. Some species are more difficult to regenerate than others, like oaks on good quality sites, and may warrant artificial regeneration in areas to achieve the desired species composition in the next stand. Areas of artificial regeneration would receive follow-up release treatments, as discussed below, to facilitate their survival in the regenerating stand. Some of the species that could be regenerated by planting include the following (depending on seedling availability and the area): white oak, black oak, northern red oak, black cherry, butternut, and blight resistant Amercian chestnut seedlings, in cooperation with The American Chestnut Foundation. Seedling Release. Upon establishment of a new stand of trees in the regenerated areas listed above (approx. 1 to 5 years), the desirable trees would be released from competing vegetation using either glyphosate or triclopyr herbicides. These herbicide mixtures are applied as a liquid spray to the target vegetation. Only vegetation that is in immediate competition with the desirable trees would be treated. Desirable trees are those tree species desired for there traits as a wildlife or timber tree, including species such as oaks, hickory, cherry, and ash. Prescribed Burning. In the shelterwood with reserves harvest units listed above, a prescribed burn may be implemented. This prescribed burn would be performed within 3 years after the harvest is completed. The purpose of this burn would be to extend the herbaceous period after a timber harvest for improved golden-winged warbler habitat. Where possible, these burns would be included in larger scale landscape burns, but when this is not possible, just the individual unit would be burned. These burns would be dormant season burns and in some cases would necessitate fire line construction around the harvested area. This fire line would be constructed within 100 feet of the harvested edge and include either dozer-constructed line or hand-constructed line, depending on accessibility. These fire lines would also be utilized to protect younger stands during larger landscape burns as well. Herbicide Skid Trails and Skyline Corridors. Within the shelterwood with reserves harvest units there will be a combination of skid trails and skyline corridors, depending on the individual stand. These skid trails and corridors offer linear features that revegetate differently than the surrounding forests after harvest activities. This occurs because the soil has been disturbed more in these areas. This allows grasses and other herbaceous vegetation to develop and offers a unique habitat for wildlife. To extend the useful life of this habitat, the woody component would be treated with herbicides within 5 years after harvest. Upper Santeetlah Project 9 April 23, 2009

11 Stand Improvement: Vegetation on 593 acres in 49 areas would be treated to improve the composition, structure, condition, and growth of the stands. These stands range from approximately 10 to 50 years old. Forty-seven of the stands are less than 30 years old, but there are 2 stands that are approximately 50 years old. Treatments would utilize handtools and/or herbicides to remove competing vegetation and less desirable trees in order to free the desirable trees from competition. Desirable trees are those well-formed trees that are a species desired for their traits as a wildlife or timber tree, including species such as oaks, hickory, cherry, and ash. Stand Improvement Stands. Comp-Stand Acres Year of Origin Comp-Stand Acres Year of Origin Landscape Scale Prescribed Burning: Prescribed burning would take place on approximately 578 acres in compartment 43 and a small portion of compartment 42. This area is predominantly composed of low basal area stands resulting from previous fires, lower site quality, and areas of southern pine beetle damage. The overstory is mainly composed of hardwood species, but also includes some white pine and scattered yellow pine with a mountain laurel understory. The topography and past disturbance history of this area provides an opportunity to maintain and enhance this south-facing slope with prescribed fire. The use of fire would enhance conditions for a wide range of species, such as golden-winged warbler, by increasing the herbaceous layer and creating more open understory and midstory conditions. Upper Santeetlah Project 10 April 23, 2009

12 There are young hardwood stands present within the boundaries of this burn. These young stands would be protected from this fire by using roads, creeks, and constructed fire line (handline and/or dozer). Newly created regeneration proposed in this project would also be protected from this fire until the timber reaches a size that will not be damaged by prescribed burning activities. This prescribed burn would be implemented every 3 to 5 years for approximately 3 burning cycles. After 3 burning cycles the area would be re-evaluated and a fire-free period may be prescribed in which regeneration would be allowed to develop in the absence of fire. The external boundaries of this burn would utilize existing fire breaks, where available, such as creeks, roads, and trails, but hand-line or dozer-line would be constructed where needed. Red Spruce Planting: Red spruce would be planted alongside the Cherohala Skyway and Huckleberry Knob. The total area planted would be up to approximately 35 acres. The current state of hemlock in this area, and the imminent death of those that are still alive, leave little winter cover for the Northern flying squirrel and other wildlife. These areas would be prepared for planting by treating competing vegetation with herbicides in order to allow the red spruce to develop. Previous plantings of Frasier fir along the Skyway have shown the need for release from competing vegetation due to their slow growth. Therefore, these seedlings would also be released from competing vegetation after planting. Fish Passage: Fish passage would be restored in four locations. The locations are as follows: Wolf Branch at FDR 81F, Sand Creek at FDR 81F, Unnamed tributary at 81C (two crossings). The restoration would include replacing existing culverts with either bottomless culverts, bridges, or similar structure. Streamflow Restoration: A debris dam would be removed from the Santeetlah Creek. The debris dam is causing resource damage by altering the flow of the creek. Debris removal would be accomplished with an excavator, or similar piece of equipment, supervised by a Forest Service Fisheries Biologist. Control Non-native Invasive Plant Species: Non-native invasive species are currently present in the analysis area; however they are not extensive at this point. These species threaten native species and ecosystem function, as documented in other areas where they were not treated early. The most effective time to treat these species is when they are in isolated areas, and before they significantly impact the area. Herbicides would be used to control nonnative invasive plant species as they are encountered in the project area. Control activities will consist of applying glyphosate and/or triclopyr to plant leaves and stems using a sprayer. Larger stems, such as tree of heaven or large oriental bittersweet vines, would be treated with a cut surface application of herbicides. Multiple treatments are often needed to eliminate these species, therefore three treatment will be implemented over the course of 5 years to eliminate this threat. Bald Maintenance: Huckleberry Knob, Little Huckleberry Knob, Hooper Bald, and Bob Bald have existed as balds historically. They are currently maintained in their grassy state by mowing, but over the years woody vegetation has encroached upon the previous extent of these balds. The current area of these balds totals approximately 60 acres. Upper Santeetlah Project 11 April 23, 2009

13 The woody vegetation that has encroached on these balds would be manually cut down and then the bald (including the reclaimed area) would be prescribed burned. An additional 35 acres would be reclaimed during this treatment for a total bald area of 95 acres. The balds would then be maintained by prescribed burning, or a combination of prescribed burning and mowing. Prescribed burning would be implemented on a 1-3 year rotation depending on maintenance needs. Establish & Maintain Wildlife Openings: Landings would be disked, fertilized, limed, and seeded after harvesting activities are complete. One quarter mile of old woods road in compartment 45, stand 18, would be converted to a linear wildlife opening. All existing wildlife openings (fields and linear) in this project area would be maintained as well. Maintenance would include activities such as disking, fertilizing, liming, seeding, and the application of approved herbicides for non-native invasive species control and the control of woody stems. Oak Pre-Harvest Treatment: Oak regeneration is a challenge on good quality sites in the southern Appalachians. On good sites with oak in the overstory, there are usually not many oak seedlings in the understory because there is not enough light reaching the ground for oak seedlings and saplings to regenerate and persist. The midstory and understory of these stands usually include shade tolerant species such as red maple, blackgum, sourwood, silverbell, etc. When a stand is disturbed, the well-developed midstory persists or sprouts, some or most of the overstory stems sprout, and germinants become established as well, i.e. yellow poplar. In this scenario, the oak stems are vastly outnumbered and release operations are needed to ensure that an oak component persists into the next stand. The oak pre-harvest treatment is accomplished by treating the midstory and understory shade tolerant species with herbicide which allows more sunlight to reach the ground. The overstory trees are not affected by this treatment and therefore the amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor is not significantly increased. However, the amount of sunlight reaching the ground is increased sufficiently for oak germinants to develop without competition from more intolerant species such as yellow poplar. This allows oak seedlings to develop root systems and the height needed to capture growing space once the overstory is removed by disturbance, such as a commercial timber harvest. This treatment would be applied to 123 acres within this analysis area including the stands listed below: Comp-Stand Acres Upper Santeetlah Project 12 April 23, 2009

14 Vine Control: Vines on 231 acres would be treated to release trees to grow without competing vines that can break limbs out of tree crowns and suppress trees. The vines would be treated manually with handtools. Approximately 1 acre of vines will be left per 20 acres that are treated. This grapevine reserve will retain grapevine in the stands for wildlife benefits. Comp-Stand Acres Slashdown/Burn/Plant Red Spruce: This area has a large component of hemlock that is dying from the hemlock woolly adelgid population and therefore is losing much of the winter cover for wildlife. This 3 acre area at the nose of a small flat ridge currently has undesirable species such as fire cherry and silverbell growing on it. The trees and brush on this site would be slashed and then burned during the growing season. Red spruce seedlings would then be planted on the site in order to replace the dead and dying hemlock in the area. During the first 5 years, this area would also receive a herbicide treatment designed to release the red spruce from competing hardwoods. Specified Road Construction: New specified roads would be constructed to access harvest units and to access the Swan Cabin. A total of 2.5 miles (3 different roads) of specified road would be constructed to access timber harvest units. In addition, a 0.5 mile section of specified road would be constructed to access the Swan Cabin. The current access to the Swan Cabin crosses private property, while the new road construction would be entirely on Forest Service property. In addition to the new road construction, the current road that accesses the Swan Cabin would be decommissioned from the FS property/private property line down to the cabin. Road Reconstruction: A total of 2.25 miles (4 different roads) of existing roads will be reconstructed to access harvest units. Reconstruction would include activities such as replacing culverts, travel-way clearing, and other items that are considered heavy maintenance. Temporary Roads: In order to accomplish harvest activities, a total of approximately 1 mile of temporary roads would be constructed. After harvest activities are complete, the roads would be blocked to vehicular traffic and revegetated. Road Daylighting: Forest Service Road 81h (Stewart Ridge Road) would be daylighted prior to harvest activities. This removal of vegetation along the road side (10 feet both sides of the road) will allow the road to dry out quicker and more often which will improve stability and reduce the need for maintenance. Soil & Water: Several areas under the Cherohala Skyway were damaged by large concentrations of water flowing down during construction of the Skyway. Some of these areas still receive concentrated water flow that continues to damage the soil and water resources of the watershed. These areas would be repaired to reduce erosion and sedimentation. Firewood Cutting: Treatments in this project that involve cutting trees would be open to possible firewood sales also. Some treatments, such as stand improvement, include cutting trees that are not large enough and/or don t contain the quality needed for typical commercial use. Upper Santeetlah Project 13 April 23, 2009

15 These trees, however, could be removed under a timber sale contract for commercial firewood purposes. Hazard Trees: This watershed contains a large number of eastern hemlock trees. The hemlock woolly adelgid has killed many of these trees already and more will die soon. As these trees die, they pose a safety risk to forest users that are driving or walking along forest roads and those using recreation areas. These hazard trees within tree height of forest roads and recreation areas would be cut down to reduce the risk to forest users. Old Growth: The Forest Plan contains direction regarding the designation of old growth small, medium, and large old growth patches. This analysis area does not contain one of the large old growth patches designated in the Plan, however, medium and small old growth patches will be designated as a part of this project, per the Forest Plan direction. It is projected that the management activities will start in 2010 and will take approximately five years to complete. Research University researchers, in cooperation with the Forest Service, would be performing research before, during, and after implementation of this proposal. The focus of the research would be on the wildlife response to variations in the shelterwood with reserves treatment. As described above in the proposed action, some of the treatments would be implemented by leaving groups of reserves, while others would leave individual trees spread across the stand. Researchers expect there would be a difference in the wildlife response between these two methods of treatment. The method of treatment that leaves groups of reserves may offer habitat to a broader suite of species since there are small intact portions of the stand left after this treatment, while the early successional benefits are still present within the stand. Burning these harvested areas would also be incorporated into the research since this may extend the useful life of these treated areas for certain species. The primary focus of this research would be on the golden-winged warbler, but other species would likely be studied as well; such as cerulean warbler, ruffed grouse, salamanders, etc. This research is dependent upon university funding and the implementation of this project. Upper Santeetlah Project 14 April 23, 2009

16 Upper Santeetlah Analysis Area Upper Santeetlah Project ¹ Vicinity Map Cheoah Ranger District Nantahala National Forest Miles 1:400,000 DMC 4/09

17 Shelterwood with Reserve Harvest Oak Preharvest Linear Widllife Opening Construction Existing Roads Group Selection Harvest Prescribed Burn Temp Road Construction Wilderness/Special Biological/Old Growth Stand Improvement Bald Restoration Road Reconstruction Non-FS Ownership Soil & Water Restoration New Road Construction Stream Work Trails Road Daylighting Cherohala Skyway Slash & Plant Red Spruce Red Spruce Planting Vine Treatment " / # * ¹ DMC 4/09 Upper Santeetlah Project Proposed Action (Scoping) Cheoah Ranger District Nantahala National Forest 2 Miles 1:37,000