Re: Public Comment Period for Herbicide Site Preparation and Release Project, Compartments 6 and 8, Corney Lake Unit, Caney Ranger District, Louisiana

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Caney Range District Kisatchie National Forest 3288 Highway 79 Homer, LA Ph: (318) Fax: (318) File Code: 1500/2400 Date: April 19, 2011 To: Forest Friends Re: Public Comment Period for Herbicide Site Preparation and Release Project, Compartments 6 and 8, Corney Lake Unit, Caney Ranger District, Louisiana Dear «salutation»: The Caney Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, is seeking public comment for the proposed use of herbicide for site preparation and release in a shortleaf pine restoration area of approximately 100 acres and for releasing select hardwoods in a hardwood restoration area of approximately 80 acres in Compartments 6 and 8, Corney Lake Unit. The location of this project is Claiborne Parish, T23N R4W Sections 27 and 28, T22N R4W Sections 4, 5, and 32. The vicinity map is shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1. Vicinity map for project. These areas were disturbed by a large-scale, stand-replacing tornado in They have been salvaged and have grown up with brush and undesirable species since the tornado occurrence. Previous attempts at aerial seeding in the shortleaf pine area have failed. Preparing the site properly for planting containerized shortleaf pine seedlings followed by herbicide release during the seedling growing stage would improve survival. Herbicide release in the hardwood stands would emphasize the retention of oaks, hickories, and dogwoods, while treating other species Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 Page 2 April 15, 2011 Caney RD Scoping letter Nonnative and Invasive Plant Control and competition to enhance the growth of the retained trees and working toward the restoration of these hardwood areas. The following describes the herbicide to be used, estimated rates, type of application, target species, and approximation of application. Figure 2 below shows the location of the proposed herbicide treatment areas. Herbicide applications would be applied at the lowest dosage possible to obtain desired results. 1. Site preparation using 32 oz/acre imazapyr (Chopper ) herbicide and/or 32 oz/acre glyphosate (Forester ) herbicide mixed with water and surfactant. Application would be broadcast with backpack sprayers during the growing season. The maximum active ingredient/acre/year for glyphosate is 10.6 quarts. 2. Release shortleaf pine weedy, brushy competition following planting with a mix of 1 oz/acre metsulfuron methyl (Escort ) and 4 oz/acre imazapyr (Arsenal AC ) using backpack sprayers spot applied around the seedlings shortly after herbaceous weeds appear when rainfall is sufficient to activate the herbicide. Escort would be applied at a rate not to exceed 4 oz/acre of active ingredient. 3. Release hardwood stands using triclopyr and/or imazapyr basal spray or cut stem method, keeping and enhancing selected oaks, hickories, and dogwoods. Basal spray method would include a 20 percent mix of triclopyr ester (Tahoe 4E ) and/or imazapyr (Chopper ) in JLB oil. For cut stem method, triclopyr amine (Tahoe 3A ) would be applied undiluted or at a ratio of 1 to 1 with water, or imazapyr (Chopper ) would be applied mixed 8 12 fluid oz. in 1 gallon of water. Apply anytime except during heavy sap flow in the spring. Note: Tradenames could change, but equivalent products would be used. Rates listed above are approximations of use, but all applications would be in accordance with label directions.

3 Caney RD Page 3 Scoping letter Herbicide site preparation and release April 15, 2011 Figure 2. Map locations of proposed herbicide treatments for site preparation and release in Comparment 6 and 8. This project works toward the desired future condition for Sub-Management Area 3BS Native Community Restoration that emphasizes the restoration of native shortleaf pine/oak-hickory plant communities.

4 Page 4 April 15, 2011 Caney RD Scoping letter Nonnative and Invasive Plant Control Ecologically, the project area is located in the North Louisiana Clayey Hills where, historically, the shortleaf pine / oak-hickory plant communities dominated the landscape. This notice constitutes consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act as implemented in the revised regulations found at 36 CFR In accordance with stipulation V:j.8(h) of the Programmatic Agreement among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest, The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, The ACHP and Federally Recognized Tribes Concerning the Management of Historic Properties on the National Forest Lands in Louisiana, this project(s) can be excluded from full review procedures under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. As currently defined, this proposed undertaking does not have the potential to cause effects to historic properties. Given this, there is no further obligation and the section 106 review process is complete. In addition, this proposed undertaking will not affect access to or use of resources by Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. Comments on the proposed actions in this notice must be submitted within 30 days after the legal notice is published in the Minden Press Herald. Comments may be submitted by mail or by hand delivery during normal business hours to Tonika Goins-Heath, District Ranger, at 3288 Hwy 79, Homer, LA Comments may be faxed to (318) or ed to comments-southern-kisatchie-caney@fs.fed.us. Persons who wish to submit comments are responsible for doing so by the close of the comment period, meeting information requirements of 36 CFR to be eligible to appeal any subsequent decision. Additional information regarding the proposed actions can be obtained by contacting Jackie Duncan at (318) or by visiting the Supervisor s Office at 2500 Shreveport Hwy, Pineville, LA Sincerely, Tonika Goins-Heath DISTRICT RANGER

5 Caney RD Page 5 Scoping letter Herbicide site preparation and release April 15, DAY PUBLIC COMMENT FORM Caney Ranger District Kisatchie National Forest Proposal: Herbicide site preparation and release project, Compartments 6 and 8, Corney Lake Unit Return by: May 20, 2011 Response from: Name: Address: Send comments to: Jackie Duncan U.S. Forest Service 2500 Shreveport Hwy Pineville, LA or jduncan@fs.fed.us Phone: Daytime: Evening: Comments and concerns: Signature: Date: If you know of anyone who is interested and may have some concerns or comments, please write their names and addresses on the back so we can send a letter to them. Please feel free to share this information with anyone we may have missed. Thank you for your time and comments.

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