Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project Mad River Ranger District Six Rivers National Forest. Proposed Action Summary

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1 Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project Mad River Ranger District Six Rivers National Forest INTRODUCTION Proposed Action Summary The Forest Service is proposing the Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project to accelerate latesuccessional forest characteristics, reduce excessive fuel loading, and improve and restore forest ecosystem health. The Buck Mountain planning area encompasses approximately 14,396 acres, of which 10,058 acres are National Forest System (NFS) lands. The project would treat approximately 2,062 acres of NFS lands. Treatment would consist of: 1) commercially harvesting timber stands under 130 years old, through thinning on approximately 613 acres of natural stands, 389 acres of plantations and 44 acres of oak restoration; 2) non-commercial timber stand improvement on 788 acres of previously managed stands; and 3) stand alone fuels treatments on 1228 acres, primarily located along strategically located roads and ridge tops. The proposed project would take place within the Upper Van Duzen watershed on NFS lands administered by the Mad River Ranger District in Humboldt County and Trinity County, California. The legal location includes portions of the following townships: Township 1 North, Range 5 East; Township 1 North, Range 6 East; Township 1 South, Range 6 East; and Township 1 South, Range 5 East, Humboldt Baseline and Meridian (see attached Vicinity Map). BACKGROUND 1) The majority of the Buck Mountain Planning Area occurs within the Eel River Late-Successional Reserve (LSR). A Forest-wide Late Successional Reserve Assessment (LSRA, 1999) determined that this area of the LSR was deficient in late-successional habitat. Portions of the LSR were previously privately owned and heavily harvested. Extensive stands of plantations exist that do not provide suitable habitat for late successional species such as the northern spotted owl. The LSRA identified this area as needing density management and fuel reduction treatments to develop and protect late-successional habitat. Management opportunities exist in conifer stands that are in the tanoak, Douglas-fir and white fir series that are either old plantations or natural stands that are less than 130 years old. They are characterized generally as overstocked with high fuel loadings. 2) The majority of the planning area occurs within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas for the communities of Mad River and Dinsmore as well as residences along the Van Duzen River in Trinity County and Humboldt County. 3) Oak woodland communities historically comprised a much greater percentage of the landscape than today. In 1855 approximately 36 % of the North Fork of the Eel River watershed, a component of LSR 307, was composed of oak woodland communities, and currently it is about 6 % (Keter 1989). Evidence within the Buck Mountain Planning Area suggests a similar decline in oak woodland communities. Oak communities have greater native grass and forbs species diversity than adjacent conifer forests and provide greater forage habitat for deer populations than adjacent vegetation communities. Additionally, grasses and forbs mature later in the summer beneath oak communities, which can extend the availability of forage and reduce the rate of spread of wildfire. 4) The Van Duzen River Watershed Analysis (Van Duzen River WA, 1998) had determined that current road densities were too high within the Van Duzen watershed and the Eel River LSR. The LSR as a whole had been evaluated to have 3.1 miles of roads per square mile. Road density within the project area on federal lands is even higher, at 3.6 miles per square mile. Reducing the road density within the project area would reduce sediment levels and benefit aquatic habitats. Decommissioning (should opportunities exist) would help accomplish this. 1

2 MANAGEMENT AREAS The Mad River Ranger District is managed under the Six Rivers National Forest Land Resource Management Plan (LRMP). The National Forest Service portion of the planning area has two management area allocations: Management Area 8 - Special Habitat (9,612 acres): The majority of the planning area consists of this management area. Special habitat within the planning area consists of the Eel River Late-Successional Reserve (LSR). This management area is intended to provide a core of relatively undisturbed habitat for plants and animals associated with mature and old growth forests. The management emphasis and goal is to protect and enhance late-successional habitat (LRMP, IV-34, 35). Management Area 17- General Forest (446 acres): A small portion of the planning area is within this management area. General Forest includes forested land where commercial timber management is expected to occur. Examples of allowable silvicultural activities include timber harvest, reforestation, conifer release, pre-commercial thinning, and forest pest management. The primary goals are to produce a sustained yield of timber, contribute younger seral stages to the vegetation mosaic of the forest, and conserve key components of functional habitat for mature and old growth-associated species (LRMP IV-63). REQUIRED CONSULTATIONS The LRMP requires consultation with potentially affected Native American tribes as part of the Forest s Native American trust responsibilities. Consultation was initiated with the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, the Table Bluff Reservation-Wiyot Tribes and the Round Valley Indian Tribes last fall. There were no concerns expressed. The Forest Tribal Relations Specialist will complete tribal consultation beyond the initiation phase. Consultation with the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) is required because of the proposed cutting of trees greater than 20 Diameter Breast Height (DBH) in this planning area. Early consultation has been initiated by the REO. The REO LSR working group agreed with the rationale for exceeding the 20 DBH cut limit, and a finalized formal exemption is pending. It would be granted prior to the issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) once the LSR working group determined that implementing the project s silviculture prescriptions would meet the objectives of Late Successional Reserves under the Northwest Forest Plan. The Endangered Species Act requires consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding any proposal that may affect a federally listed threatened or endangered species. We will work closely with this agency through the Forest Level I wildlife biologist to fulfill consultation requirements for listed and proposed species. The Endangered Species Act requires consultation with the United States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding any proposal that may affect a federally listed threatened or endangered marine species. We will work closely with this agency through the fisheries biologist to fulfill consultation requirements for listed and proposed species. The Clean Water Act requires Forest level consultation with the North Coast California Water Quality Control Board (NCCWQCB) to assure that basin plan standards for water quality are met by the proposal. This consultation will begin soon after preliminary Best Management Practices and project design features have been identified. LATE-SUCCESSIONAL RESERVE MANAGEMENT Silvicultural prescriptions for the proposed treatment units in stands no older than 80 years conform to the criteria documented in the Forest-wide LSR Assessment. The Regional Ecosystem Office LSRA memorandum dated March 2

3 3, 2000 sanctioned proposed treatments of stands between 80 and 130 years old within LSRs on the Six Rivers NF, but it would require a non-significant Forest Plan amendment. The REO acknowledged the case-by-case need to exceed the 20 DBH diameter cut limit requirement that would be needed to be met for the project to be exempt from further REO review. The proposal includes treatment of stands that would require the cutting of trees greater than 20 DBH to effectively meet LSR objectives. This proposal warranted consultation with the REO. A tentative verbal agreement has been issued allowing the proposal to proceed. A written memorandum sanctioning the proposal will be drafted once the preferred alternative is issued and issued before the ROD is signed. PURPOSE AND NEED There is a need in the Buck Mountain Planning Area to manage vegetation and fuel in select conifer stands, oak woodlands and shrub fields for the purpose of achieving the following objectives: Accelerate the development of late-successional habitat characteristics in plantations and in early to mid-mature natural stands (up to 130 years old). Improve the health of conifer and oak woodland communities, increase their resiliency to wildfires and disease outbreaks, restore species diversity and reduce stand densities in overstocked stands. Minimize wildfire threat to local communities in strategic locations, along travel routes and near private residential property by reducing fuel buildup in stands in the WUI where stand conditions have high amounts of surface and ladder fuels. In fulfilling the objectives listed above, there are opportunities to provide commodities in the form of timber, biomass, and fuelwood. All commercial activities and by-products would be incidental in achieving the desired outcomes stated in the purpose and need. There is also an opportunity to reduce open road densities in the planning area for watershed and late-successional habitat health. Management Opportunities to meet the Purpose and Need To meet the purpose and need, the Six Rivers National Forest proposes to manage vegetation and treat fuel loadings on approximately 3,062 acres of National Forest System lands administered by the Mad River Ranger District. Potential treatment opportunities include the following: 1,046 acres of commercial harvest in plantations, natural stands up to 130 years old and oak woodlands. Silvicultural treatments would include commercial thinning, oak release, and thinning / sanitation cutting. Ground skidding, skyline cable, and helicopter logging methods may be employed, as dictated by cost efficiency and resource protection needs. Potential harvest yield is about 4.5 to 5.5 MMBF. Activities associated with commercial harvesting include use of existing roads, skid trails, and landings, activity fuel treatments, and road maintenance / minor reconstruction along haul routes. New skid trails and landings would be needed in some areas to facilitate harvest activities. Harvest activity fuel treatments may involve a combination of mechanical techniques (biomass utilization, chipping, yarding tops, machine piling/ burning), manual techniques (hand piling/ burning and lop/ scatter to 18 or less depth), and prescribed burning. Approximately 6.0 miles of temporary road may be needed to perform these treatments. Approximately 3.8 miles would use existing road beds (old logging roads and illegal woodcutting roads). Approximately 2.2 miles would be newly constructed temporary roads. No new system road construction is anticipated. Temporary roads would be decommissioned after project completion. 3

4 788 acres of timber stand improvement (TSI) in plantations and young natural stands. Silvicultural treatments include non-commercial thinning and release and commercial biomass utilization. As with commercial harvesting, activity fuel treatments would also be prescribed. 46 acres of stand-alone fuel reduction in early to mid-mature seral natural stands. Prescribed treatments include small tree cutting, mastication, road-side chipping, prescribed fire, hand piling, biomass / fuelwood utilization, raking/ windrowing, lop and scatter to 18 or less depth and machine piling. 1,182 acres of fuelbreak construction along strategic travel routes and ridges. Prescribed treatments within 300 feet on either side of selected roads, which are outside of commercial harvest, TSI, and stand-alone fuel reduction units, may include one or several of the following: small tree cutting, mastication, roadside chipping, prescribed burning (underburning and jackpot burning), hand piling/ burning, lop/scatter to 18 or less depth and machine piling. Hauling of commercial timber products on State Highway 36, County Roads 511 and 512 and Forest Service System roads within the planning area. Felling and removal, where appropriate, of hazard trees along haul routes. Decommissioning of non-essential existing roads outside of the proposed treatment areas may be included in the design of this project to reduce road density as part of the restoration of late-successional habitat and watershed conditions. PRELIMINARY PROPOSED ACTION Most of the project area is located within a LSR. Proposed fuel and harvest units were chosen based on criteria that would meet two objectives of LSRs: 1) Protecting existing and potential late-successional habitat from catastrophic loss due wildfire or disease and/or bug outbreak from overstocked stand conditions, and 2) Accelerating development of late-successional habitat. The proposed action is designed to meet the project s purpose and need while satisfying the standards and guidelines of the LRMP. The Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project would treat vegetation in the following ways: Fuel reduction would be located along corridors primarily on strategically placed ridges, along highly traveled roads and within isolated stands near private property. Treatment would consist of thinning trees less than 8 DBH and removing brush within treatment areas. Commercial biomass would be a by-product of this treatment. Fuel treatments would augment on-going road brush treatment projects funded by the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) located in the northwest corner of the project area. All previously managed plantations would be treated, either with commercial thinning or timber stand improvements (TSI). Both treatments are designed to reduce stand density, decrease competition and improve growing space for residual trees. Commercially thinned plantations would consist of thinning trees greater than 8 DBH. Plantations without a commercial saw-log component (TSI) would consist of thinning trees less than 8 DBH and reducing brush. Commercial biomass would be a by-product of TSI treatments. Off-site ponderosa pine plantations would be thinned to promote growth of naturally occurring tree species. Douglas-fir/tanoak plantations would be thinned, and most of the planted pine within these plantations would be removed, while a portion of the hardwood component would be maintained. Pure stands of Douglas-fir would be thinned to increase growing space for overstocked early seral stands. Stands that once contained a significant black oak component would be thinned to encourage black oak regeneration. Douglas-fir and white fir stands with viable oak and pine would be thinned to reduce overall stand density, and trees that compete with healthy hardwoods and pines would be removed to increase their viability and promote their regeneration. All treatments would maintain tree species mix of hardwoods and conifers. (see attached Proposed Treatment Units map). 4

5 Harvest Units Silvicultural Treatments Thin-From-Below Most silviculture treatments would be a variation on thinning from below. Units with little hardwood component remaining would have a traditional thin-from-below approach. Those units that contain around 10% or greater hardwoods, primarily black oaks, would be thinned from below with an emphasis in improving growing space for healthy oaks and ponderosa pines. This would require cutting larger trees, when necessary, that would normally not be cut under standard thin-from-below marking guidelines. Plantations planted in off-site ponderosa pine would be thinned with an emphasis on restoring the native tree species stocking. Approximately 1,002 acres would be commercially thinned under a low thinning silvicultural prescription. Units proposed for thinning are primarily in the Douglas-fir vegetative series, with Douglas-fir/black oak being the predominant vegetative subseries. A small number of units are also within the tanoak and white fir series. Treatment units consist of stands that range in development from poles to early mid-mature. Most units are less than 100 years old, and no unit is greater than 130 years old. Thinning reduces the stand density of trees to improve growth and yield, enhance stand health, and reduce potential mortality. More specifically, low thinning, or thinning from below, is the removal of trees primarily from the lower crown classes to favor those in the upper crown classes. Low thinning reduces competition between conifer trees for onsite resources such as light, water, and nutrients. Stand densities vary, but stands selected for this type of thinning are typically well stocked or overstocked and have sufficient density to respond to thinning. The hardwood component in these stand is minimal or often absent. Post treatment canopy closures will vary, but in general will not fall below 40 %. Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) nesting habitat and the outer half of treated riparian zones would maintain a minimum of 60% canopy closure. Post treatment basal area would range from 50% to 75% of pretreatment basal area. The focus of this treatment is to retain the largest trees with the best crowns. These trees are generally at or above the average canopy and have the best opportunity to take advantage of onsite resources to maintain or increase growth. Treatments are designed to maintain the existing native species diversity, including hardwoods, in the unit being treated. Generally, the following types of trees would be retained: All pre-dominant conifers (larger, older trees that have large limbs, live crown ratios generally greater than 50 percent, and diameters generally greater than 40 inches). Dominant conifers (trees from the current stand, live crown ratios generally greater than 40 percent and upper portions of the crown receiving sunlight from all sides). Occasionally dominant trees would be cut to release larger, healthy hardwoods. This would be the exception and not the rule. Co-dominant and intermediate conifers (trees from the current stand with growing space in the canopy for the crown, live crown ratios generally greater than 30 percent and upper portions of the crown receiving sunlight from two to three sides). Healthy minor conifer species that could survive within the stand (i.e., sugar pine, ponderosa pine, and incense cedar). Healthy hardwood trees that are generally greater than 12 DBH (particularly black oak, white oak and Pacific madrone), or groups of smaller diameter healthy hardwoods (greater than 6 DBH). A healthy hardwood is defined as having greater than 20% live crown ratio, less than a 20 degree lean, from the upper 5

6 canopy to the base, sound root system and less than 50% basal trunk rot. Emphasis would be in maintaining the largest, healthiest hardwoods. First priority for removal would be the smaller trees having the poorest crowns. These trees are normally below the average canopy and would eventually die as a result of competition for light, water, and nutrients. Some co-dominant trees would also be removed to increase growth of adjacent trees and to meet the desired residual stand density. Generally, the following types of trees would be removed from the stand: Suppressed conifers (live crown ratios generally less than 20 percent and crowns that receive no sunlight). Intermediate conifers without growing space in the canopy for crown development (live crown ratios generally less than 20 percent and crowns that receive limited sunlight from above). Co-dominant conifers that do not have growing space in the canopy for further crown development (live crown ratios generally less than 30 percent), or co-dominant trees needed to reduce stand density to desired levels. The exceptions to the above are in stands where it is necessary to release larger healthy oak. In these stands, conifers would be removed from a given distance of the oak drip line, typically 20 30, primarily on the south side of the oak, from the direction where light from the sun is the strongest. Co-dominant trees, intermediate and suppressed would mostly be removed, but dominant would be removed when necessary, especially for the largest oaks. Oak Release Thinning Oak restoration units (44 acres) would have most of the Douglas-fir removed from the units, except for occasional pre-dominant trees scattered across the unit. This prescription would reduce conifer competition in stands that are predominantly white oak and black oak. Most trees to be removed would be Douglas-fir. In areas within the stand that have little to no healthy oak component, conifers would be thinned following a low thin prescription, as described above. Logging Systems Three logging systems would be proposed based on site conditions and existing road infrastructure. Ground or skyline based systems would be used where units are accessible from either NFS system roads or temporary roads connected to system roads. Ground-based yarding systems would be used to skid logs on slopes less than 35% using either tracked or rubber-tired skidders. Skyline yarding systems would be used on steeper ground (slopes greater than 35%). Helicopter yarding would be proposed where the existing system road access is limited. Ground-based logging systems would be proposed on approximately 889 acres, skyline systems on approximately 81 acres, and helicopter systems on approximately 75 acres. Harvest Activity Fuel Treatments One or several of the following methods would be used to treat harvest generated fuel: Lopping and scattering slash to a maximum depth of 18 inches. Hand or machine piling and burning piles within ground-based units and portions of helicopter units adjacent to private land. Yarding tops out of units and piling on landings for future disposal on all ground-based and skyline units, and some helicopter units adjacent to private land. Felling of unutilized material less than 8 inches in diameter where it is a hazard. Jackpot burning or underburning on all ground-based and skyline units, and some helicopter units with adjacent roads. Chipping and raking/windrowing. 6

7 Lopping and scattering by itself may be appropriate in some situations such as in remote units away from the road where the risk of ignition is lower, or for erosion control on specific skid roads. Lopping and scattering and/or jackpot burning or underburning would be emphasized in harvest areas with moderate to high pre-harvest fuel levels. Some existing fuel would be reduced coincidental to treating harvest generated fuel. Tree tops and unmerchantable material yarded out of harvest units would be decked on landings associated with each unit. If these areas are not large enough to accommodate the volume of material, existing landings along haul routes that are not associated with proposed harvest units could serve as alternate sites for the excess material. This material would be made available for firewood and biomass utilization for at least two seasons. After that time, any remaining material may be burned. Temporary Roads and Landings Approximately 2.2 miles of new temporary roads and 3.2 miles of existing non-system roads would be needed to access 28 units. All other units are either accessible from existing NFS system roads or would be helicopter logged (see attached Proposed Transportation System map). New temporary roads would be located and constructed to minimize ground disturbance, protect resources, and provide safe transportation. Existing non-system roads are generally older roads constructed for past harvest activities or illegal firewood roads. These roads require re-opening and blading prior to use. Road reconstruction, as defined by Forest Service Manual 7700, would not be required. All new temporary roads and existing non-system roads used for this project would be decommissioned upon project completion to reduce actual and potential sediment generated from these roads. Decommissioning would generally involve one or more of the following activities: 1) ripping or outsloping the road surface; 2) removing drainage structures; 3) installing water bars; 4) mulching with native materials (logging slash) or certified weed free straw; and 5) placing earth or log mound barriers to prevent vehicle traffic. Existing landings would be used to the extent possible. New landings would be constructed where necessary to facilitate logging operations. New and existing landings would be located either within, or adjacent to treatment units, and some new landing would be located within units. Hauling and System Road Management Access to the planning area would be via a series of County roads that exit to State Route 36 near the town of Dinsmore and County Roads 511 and 512, near the community of Van Duzen River. These facilities are all-weather, surfaced roads and are adequate for hauling timber. The main NFS system roads that serve the interior of the project area are FS 1S07, 1S15, 1S17, 1S18, 1S20, 1S36, 1N08, 1N09, 1N10, 1N11, 1N25, 1N30, 1N31 and 1N32. All NFS system roads needed for timber sale activities within the planning area were developed under previous timber sales. No new system roads would be added to the National Forest Transportation System (NFTS). Existing system roads needed for the project would require light to heavy maintenance such as brushing, blading, spot rocking, slump repair, or culvert repair or replacement prior to operations. Dust abatement along roads during hauling operations would be accomplished using water. All aggregate rock and water source requirements for this project can be met from existing invasive- free (aquatic & terrestrial) sources on NFS lands. Dead and dying trees that meet the established Six Rivers National Forest guidelines for hazard trees would be felled and removed along the entire length of NFS haul routes. It is difficult to predict how many trees would die, or display signs of dying over the life of the project. The Forest Service timber sale administrator would identify specific hazard trees as the sale progresses. 7

8 Timber Stand Improvements Timber stand improvement would be done on approximately 788 acres. Treatments consist primarily of removing non-commercial saw log trees (conifers less than 10 DBH and hardwoods) and/or reducing brush around desired tree species. Commercial biomass products may be produced with this treatment. Treatment would mostly be in previously managed stands. Fuel Reduction Treatments In addition to the treatment of fuels in the commercial harvest units, fuel reduction treatments would be prescribed on approximately 1,228 acres in stands located in strategic areas identified by fuels specialists and along main access roads. These stand-alone treatments would occur in a variety of vegetation types and seral stages. Manual, mechanical, and prescribed burning methods would be employed. Fuel Treatment Units Activities within fuel treatment units would include manual or mechanical fuel reduction and prescribed burning on approximately 46 acres within 4 units. Thinning of trees could occur within prescribed burn units as necessary to modify fire behavior and provide for safe access and holding of firelines. Some fireline construction would be necessary around prescribed burn units. Treatments would include one or several of the following activities: cutting understory vegetation, lopping and scattering, hand piling and burning, mastication, roadside chipping, underburning with fireline construction, and fuelwood and biomass collection. The treatment prescribed would be based on the vegetation type, hazardous fuel loading and distribution, and topography of the proposed treatment unit. These treatments are described as follows: Cutting understory vegetation - Cutting live and dead moderate to heavy brush, seedlings, saplings, and small diameter trees generally up to 12 inches diameter at breast height and limbing lower tree branches of overstory trees (generally up to 6-12 feet above the ground) to remove fuel ladders (continuous fuels from the ground up to the overstory canopy) that can accelerate fire spread and increase resistance to control. Work would be accomplished with chainsaws or low ground-pressure mechanical equipment. Lopping and scattering - Existing ground fuels, thinning and pruning residue, and cut brush would be cut into smaller pieces and scattered to a maximum depth of 18 inches. This technique reduces the fuel depth and modifies the arrangement, which reduces flame heights and facilitates decomposition Hand/machine pile and burn - Existing ground fuels, thinning and pruning residue, and cut brush would be piled and burned. Roadside chipping - Existing ground fuels, thinning and pruning residue, and cut brush would be pulled to the road and chipped into small pieces using a chipper. Chipping residue would be distributed back into the treatment unit or utilized for biomass. Mastication - Low ground-pressure mechanical equipment (similar to a mowing machine) would be used to cut live vegetation. Material would be masticated up to approximately 4-6 inches above the ground surface. Prescribed burn (underburning) with fireline construction - Prescribed burning is the use of low-intensity fire to further reduce ground and surface fuels. Hand or machine constructed control lines would be used to limit the spread of the prescribed fire. Cutting of brush and small trees along control lines and within units could be done for the purpose of modifying fire behavior. Fuelwood and biomass utilization - Opportunities would be provided to collect cut vegetation to use for fuelwood or for biomass utilization. 8

9 Jackpot burning - Igniting concentrations of fuels on the forest floor, whether they are natural fuels or fuels resulting from a silvicultural cutting treatment (also referred to as activity fuels). Fuel Treatment Corridors Strategically located fuel treatment corridors would be constructed along the following high-use National Forest system roads: 1N30, 1N08, 1N10, 1N25, 1N25D, 1S36, 1S36P and 1S15. These fuel treatment corridors would reduce fuel loading to create safe access for fire suppression resources, decrease the potential for detrimental wildfire effects to the overall project area and communities in the vicinity of Dinsmore and Van Duzen River, California, and reduce fire hazards within the area. Fuel treatment corridors would generally be 300 feet in width on each side of the road. Actual widths may vary based on containment features such as roads, ridgetops, and vegetation type. Treatments would involve the thinning of trees generally 12 inches and smaller, cutting of understory vegetation, tree pruning, mastication of brush, lopping/scattering of fuel and jackpot or understory burning, hand or machine piling of fuel and burning of piles. In many areas, these corridors overlap with commercial thinning units. Total area of corridors would be approximately 1,182 acres. PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES Project Design Features (PDFs) are incorporated into the design of the project activities described above and are intended to reduce, minimize, or eliminate impacts to various natural and human resources and ensure the project is in compliance with the resource protection standards and guidelines of the Six Rivers National Forest LRMP, the Region 5 Soil Management Handbook (FSH ), and the 2001 Record of Decision for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and Mitigation Measures Standard and Guidelines as updated by the 2003 Annual Species Review. PDFs are also intended to assure project compliance with other Federal and California State laws, regulations, and policy, including but not limited to, the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Soil, Geology, Water, Fish 1. For each unit, soil porosity will be maintained to at least 90% of its natural condition over at least 85% of the unit area (LRMP S&G 1-2, p.iv-71). 2. Ground based equipment will be limited to slopes of 35% or less in order to minimize soil disturbance and subsequent erosion (LRMP S&G 1-8, p.iv-71). 3. Skid roads, landings and trails will be limited to no more than 15% of the harvest area (LRMP S&G 1-4, p.iv- 71). 4. At the end of project activities, a layer of litter and duff will occur over at least 50% of the activity area (LRMP Appendix L-1). 5. In commercial thinning units, retain existing coarse woody debris (at least 20 in diameter and 10 long) on the ground and protect from disturbance. 6. All temporary road construction or reconstruction would occur during the dry season or when conditions allow. 7. In the event any temporary road construction produces unforeseen seeps (wet areas), that segment of the road would be rocked. 8. New or reconstructed landings would be shaped to disperse drainage. Erosion prevention measures such as cross ditches, rock armoring, straw bales, or slash would be used as necessary to direct water to areas of suitable 9

10 drainage and capture sediment. New landing fill slopes and road fill slopes (greater than 100 sq. ft) would be mulched. 9. Logging and haul operations normally occur from May 15 to October 15 or when conditions allow. During wet weather conditions, the Six Rivers National Forest Wet Weather/Winter Operating Standards would be followed. 10. Skid roads and trails would be located on ridge tops, flat benches, or on existing skid trails (to the extent possible) in order to minimize soil disturbance. Low ground pressure equipment will be used where available and the number of trips limited. Traffic routes will be designated. 11. Skid roads would be water-barred upon completion of use. 12. To reduce the potential for soil erosion and compaction, tractor skidding would be allowed only when the top 10 of soil is dry. 13. Burning operations should be implemented under, or after, wet weather conditions. 14. Logging and hauling operations along temporary roads would be allowed only during the normal operating season under dry conditions. 15. Unstable areas, steep draws and channels that do not exhibit annual scour would be protected as needed through measures such as equipment exclusion and designated stream crossings. 16. Soil ripping would occur on ground based units (if applicable) where the areal extent of soil disturbance approaches or exceeds the 15% standard. Ripping would be to a depth of approximately 18 inches on temporary roads, landings, and within the first 100 of arterial skid roads that connect to a landing. 17. Fuel and other petroleum products must be stored, and refueling must occur, at least 100 feet from any stream or other waterbody. 18. On slopes exceeding 55%, trees will be thinned to the upper end of basal area guide lines and equipment will be excluded. Riparian Reserves 1. Riparian reserves associated with channels have widths that correspond to a slope distance of 160 feet from the edge of the channel on perennial non-fish bearing, intermittent, and ephemeral with scour streams, and a slope distance of 320 feet on fish-bearing streams. 2. Riparian Reserves associated with areas of instability are equipment exclusion zones. Riparian Reserve boundaries around these areas will maintain a 20 foot buffer from the head and lateral scarps. 3. Commercial harvest may not occur within Riparian Reserves associated with instability, but hand treatment of fuels is permitted. Some vegetation should remain after fuels treatments. 4. Fuels may be piled within Riparian Reserves associated with instability, but will not be burned. Activity fuels will either be removed from the unstable area or piled. Low intensity broadcast burning is permitted within Riparian Reserves associated with instability. Some vegetation should remain. 5. Equipment shall be excluded from and commercial harvest is prohibited on sensitive terrain prone to landsliding. These areas are typically located on earthflows and have slopes steeper than 55%. 6. Temporary road crossings within riparian reserves would be removed and re-contoured at the end of project activities. 7. Landings should be located outside of riparian reserves with no wet areas or other riparian areas within 75 of the landing. 8. Thinning or fuel reduction treatments in older plantations and mature forest stands could occur within the outer width of riparian reserves associated with channels; generally from the channel or break in slope, whichever is greater on non-fish-bearing perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams with evidence of scour, and or break in slope on fish-bearing streams/rivers. An average canopy closure of 60% or greater would be maintained within the treated portions of the reserves. 9. Fuel reduction treatments that include the cutting, piling, and/or removal of live and dead vegetation 8 in diameter could be implemented within the inner portions of riparian reserves associated with channels (0-80 or 10

11 break in slope on perennial non-fishing bearing, intermittent, and ephemeral with scour stream channels, or or break in slope on fish-bearing channels). 10. Skyline yarding corridors that cross a riparian reserve would not exceed 15 feet in width and full log suspension would be required within 50 feet of the stream channel. Within the rest of the Riparian Reserve at least one end log suspension would be required. No skyline corridors shall cross a Riparian Reserve associated with instability. 11. Trees cut down to create skyline suspension corridors within the untreated portions of a riparian reserve would remain on site. 12. Logs resulting from hazard tree felling that are located within riparian reserves and outside of road prisms would be left in place. Limbs would be lopped from logs and removed from the riparian reserve to reduce fuel loading. 13. No firelines would be constructed in riparian reserves. 14. No hand piles would be constructed within 50 of a channel. Fuel may be hand-piled in the remainder of a riparian reserve. Maximum size of hand piles would be 6 wide by 6 high. Hand piles would be placed in a checkerboard pattern whenever possible (not one pile directly above another). 15. Underburning would be implemented by backing fire down the slope to maintain lower flame lengths. No ignition would occur within riparian reserves unless needed to ensure a low intensity fire. 16. During water drafting operations, the intake end of the hose would be screened to avoid direct injury to aquatic species. Wildlife Northern Spotted Owl (Threatened) In suitable Northern spotted owl nesting/roosting (N/R) habitat: Protocol surveys for northern spotted owls would be conducted to determine occupancy and nesting status: 1. If northern spotted owls are found to be nesting, prohibit operations from February 1 through September 15 within a 70-acre nest core area. From February 1 through July 9th prohibit all timber harvest activities, which include heavy equipment use, chainsaw use, helicopter yarding, and temporary road construction. Smoke producing activities within 0.25 miles of any known NSO activity center or known nest would not be permitted. 2. Post-project canopy closure in treated stands would be 60% or greater ensuring that currently suitable nesting/roosting habitat remains suitable post-project. 3. Prescribed burning may occur during the northern spotted owl breeding season if surveys indicate no activity centers are within 0.25 mile of burning activities. Within 0.25 miles of an activity center, the wildlife biologist would make a field assessment of an activity center s location relative to topographic features that would minimize risk to activity centers from understory or pile burning from February 1 through September 15, and other smoke generating activities from February 1 through July 9. Northern Goshawk (Sensitive) In established northern goshawk primary nest zones (PNZ) and foraging habitat zones: 1. Establish a 0.5 mile radius circle (504 acres) around the last known nest or the geometric center of a cluster of all known nests. Within this circle, maintain 60 percent (200 acres) in dense mature forest cover (>60 percent crown closure, >24" DBH); 2. The remaining 40 percent would be managed for a habitat mosaic dominated by large-tree conditions and open understory, but lower canopy closure (40 to 60 percent) and small openings are allowable; 3. Establish a 1.0 mile radius circle (2,010 acres: 1,506 acres excluding primary nest zone) centered on the primary nest zone. Maintain 60 percent (900 acres) in a mosaic of mid-mature to late-successional forest condition. Desired conditions include open understory, large coarse woody debris, large snags and small openings. The remaining 40 percent can be younger stands and small openings; 4. Restrict habitat-modifying activities between March 1st and August 31st within the primary nest zone (0.5 mile radius). Restrict activities producing loud and/or continuous noise within 0.25 miles of active nest sites; 11

12 5. Landing sites should be located 0.5 miles from known northern goshawk nest sites; and 6. Helicopter flight paths should be located at least 0.25 miles from known northern goshawk nest sites. 7. In addition to the requirements of the LRMP, known nesting pairs would receive an 8-acre no-treatment area encompassing the nest tree. This retention area may consist of areas within and outside of the unit, depending on available habitat. Snag and Log Retention Guidelines 1. All existing large snags ( 20 in diameter) within treatment units would be retained at 80 to 100 percent of existing levels unless they pose a safety hazard during operations or to the public. 2. Cull logs (those not meeting minimum merchantable sawlog standards) will be left in units where the average number of existing large down logs per acre ( 20 in diameter and 10 in length) is less than the average density by series and seral stage as listed in Table IV-8 of the Six Rivers LRMP (p. IV-79). 3. Slash piles should be at least 5 feet from leave trees, snags, and down logs to minimize the risk of burning these habitat components. Botany Sensitive and Survey & Manage Species 1. Tracy s sanicle Conservation Areas will be avoided, unless management activities therein would benefit the species or its habitat. 2. Surveys have not yet been conducted for Sensitive species. If detected during spring/summer (end of July) surveys, Sensitive species will be buffered or units dropped from ground-disturbing activities to alleviate or eliminate the potential for direct or indirect negative effects to a population or occurrence. 3. Surveys have not yet been conducted for Survey and Manage plant species (Categories A and C). If detected during spring/summer surveys, Survey and Manage sites will be managed to provide for persistence of the species at a site. 4. Any known sites of S&M plant and fungi species in the area will be managed to ensure persistence of known sites. Noxious and Invasive Species 1. Equipment would be cleaned prior to entry into the project area to prevent the incidental introduction of noxious weeds. 2. Surveys have not been conducted for noxious or invasive plant species. If detected, during spring/summer surveys, design features will be employed that reduce the risk of introduction and spread from a high or moderate risk to a low risk. Features may include one or more of the following: a. Progression of work from areas of low concentration of invasives to areas of high concentrations, b. Equipment cleaning at designated cleaning stations before leaving a road segment or set of units with high infestations. c. Weed treatment (weed whack/manual/organic herbicide) immediately prior to ground disturbing project activities and with each consecutive project activity e.g. treating an infested landing or road edge before use by logging or other equipment and treating before use by mastication equipment as a part of follow-up fuels treatment. After treatment, rake or otherwise remove treated weeds from the area where ground disturbing activity is planned to occur. Dispose of in an area where there is little or no risk of weed seed being picked up on equipment. d. At landings with weed infestations, immediately prior to ground disturbing project activities, blade top 2 of soil which holds the seed bank, stockpile away from area where ground disturbing activity is planned to occur. Cover with weed clothe or tarp. e. Dropping units, landings or portions thereof with high infestations where risk of introduction and spread cannot be reduced to a low risk using any available design features. 12

13 f. After use of an infested landing, site prep and re-vegetate landings consistent with Six Rivers National Forest re-vegetation guidelines or spread with native mulch to a maximum depth of 6 upon completion of landing-related activities. 3. Design features shall be included in burn plans and contracts. 4. Import of soil, rock, mulch or other foreign material used in any part of this project shall originate from a weed-free source. Heritage 1. Any known eligible cultural sites would be protected through avoidance. 2. If new heritage resources are discovered during project implementation, all work would cease in that area until assessed by an archeologist. 3. Monitoring for archeological sites would occur throughout project implementation activities with priority being given to road and landing construction and reconstruction, harvesting, and burning activities. 4. In some treatment units, post-clearing surveys would be completed in areas too dense to survey before treatment, per Programmatic Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Interim Protocol for Non-Intensive Fuels and Vegetation Reduction Projects. Air Quality 1. Dust abatement would be required along FS roads used for timber hauling as specified under timber sale contract provisions. 2. Prescribed burning would be accomplished under Federal, State, and local guidelines as administered by the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District. Public Safety 1. Traffic controls and cautionary signing would be implemented during operations and log haul as specified under contract provisions. 2. Brief road closures may be necessary during normal operating periods, i.e., from 6 AM to 6 PM., along specific areas on most of the NFS system roads listed within the project area. How you can provide meaningful comments Your interest regarding the management of our public lands is appreciated. To ensure that your concerns and the information you provide on the Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management Project can be fully considered by the interdisciplinary team and the responsible official, please respond by the close of business on February 21, Please send your concerns and/or any relevant information in writing to: Mad River Ranger District C/O Jeff K. Jones, Buck Mountain Vegetation and Fuel Management ID team 741 State Highway 36 Bridgeville, CA Your comments must be as specific as possible, pertinent to the proposal, and contain the following: Name, address, and telephone number (if available); Title of the project on which you are commenting on; and Comments, along with supporting reasons, that you believe the Forest should consider in evaluating the proposal. 13

14 All comments received become a part of the project record and are available for public review. Upon completion of the environmental analysis, an opportunity to comment will be provided to those who have previously expressed an interest in these types of projects and those who responded to this scoping letter. Literature Cited Keter, Thomas S Overview of the Prehistoric and Historic Grasslands of the North Fork Basin of the Eel River. Presented at the 23 rd. annual meeting of The Society for California Archaeology, Marina del Rey, CA, March 16, pgs. USDA Forest Service Six Rivers National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Eureka: U.U. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. USDA Forest Service Forest-wide LSR Assessment. Eureka. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management Van Duzen Watershed Analysis. USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDI Fish and Wildlife Service - Regional Ecosystem Office. (2000). Memorandum: Regional Ecosystem Office Review of Six Rivers National Forest Late-Successional Reserve Assessment. March 3, 200, 6 pgs. Portland, OR. 14