Decision Memo Yellow Pine Blowdown Project Boise National Forest Cascade Ranger District

Transcription

1 DECISION Decision Memo Yellow Pine Blowdown Project Boise National Forest Cascade Ranger District I have decided to implement the Yellow Pine Blowdown Project. The project will remove blowdown trees within the project area. Tree removal will be accomplished with mechanical techniques. Trees will be skidded to centralized landing locations for removal from the area 1. Residual slash will be treated by piling (hand or machine) followed by pile burning, chipping, and/or off-site disposal. Project design features that are included in this decision are listed in Appendix A. Actions are anticipated to start June 2017, with a target of having the initial tree removal activities and cleanup completed prior to the 2017 Harmonica Festival. Other activities such as burning of the landing piles will occur over the next several years when a safe burn window is available. Project Background On April 7, 2017, a wind event occurred in the Yellow Pine area that toppled concentrations of trees. In the area immediately west and south of the community of Yellow Pine an estimated 200 trees were blown down. Yellow Pine is a National Fire Plan community, identified in the Federal Register, as a community at risk from wildfire. The project area falls within the Yellow Pine Community Protection Zone (CPZ). The Yellow Pine County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was develop to manage the forests and rangelands for hazardous fuel reduction. The scale of the down material is more than can be cleaned up by firewood gatherers in a timely manner. Personnel specializing in the study of Forest Health recommend treating the high concentration of down material to prevent the risk of insect outbreaks, particularly western pine beetle, mountain pine beetle, Douglas-fir beetle, and Ips. Without proper treatment, there would be a potential to increase tree mortality and create hazard trees on National Forest land and on private land in Yellow Pine. The resulting downed material has the potential to negatively impact the recreational opportunities immediately adjacent to the Community. The area where a majority of the blowdown occurred is known as the golf course. Dispersed camping occurs throughout the area particularly during the annual Harmonica Festival. This project is designed to remove this down material from camping and recreating areas, reduce the risk of insect outbreak, and to reduce the fuel loading to help to ensure the safety of the Yellow Pine community. Project Location The Yellow Pine Blowdown Project is located immediately west and south of the community of Yellow Pine, Idaho. (Figure 1). The legal location for the project is Township 19N, Range 8E, Sections 20, 28, and 29, Boise Meridian. The 72-acre project area is located in Management Area 21 (Lower Johnson Creek) and is managed under Management Prescription Category (MPC) Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Forested Landscapes. Hydrologically the project is within the within the No Mans Creek-East Fork South Subwatershed ( ) and Porcupine Creek-Johnson Creek Subwatershed ( ) 6th field HUC. 1 If a commercial timber sale is not a viable option, the trees would be decked at a centralized location. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

2 Figure 1. Project Area Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is: 1. Initiate treatments within the community protection zone to reduce fuels and wildfire hazards. 2. Reduce potential bark beetle risk, specifically: ips beetles, mountain pine beetles, western pine beetles and Douglas-fir beetles. 3. Remove down trees affecting access and use of the recreation areas. 4. Capture the economic value of the timber (if commercially viable) Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

3 Relationship of this Project to the 2010 Forest Plan: The Boise Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2010b, Chapter 3) describes location-specific management direction in terms of Management Areas (MAs) and Management Prescription Categories (MPCs). MPC direction provides the framework for the type of tools (e.g. mechanical vegetation treatments, prescribed fire, etc.) that may be used to accomplish overall management objectives and emphasis. Activities associated with the Proposed Action would further the achievement of the following general Forest Plan goals and objectives: Vegetation Goal VEGO03 - Vegetation conditions reduce the frequency, extent, severity, and intensity of uncharacteristic or undesirable disturbances from wildfire, insects, and pathogens. Fire Management Goal FMGO04 Use fire alone or with other management activities to treat natural and activity fuels to a level that reduces the risk of uncharacteristic or undesirable wildland fires. Fire Management Objective Initiate prescribed fire and mechanical treatments within wildland urban interface areas to reduce fuels and wildfire hazards. The 72-acre project area is located in MA 21 (Lower Johnson Creek), within MPC: Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Forested Landscapes. Vegetation Guideline The full range of vegetation treatment activities may be used to restore or maintain desired vegetation and fuel conditions. Salvage harvest may occur. REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THIS ACTION The Chief of the Forest Service has identified specific actions that may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) if there are no extraordinary circumstances. The proposed action falls within the category 36 CFR 220.6(e)(13) Salvage of dead and/or dying trees not to exceed 250 acres, requiring no more than ½ mile of temporary road construction. The proposed action may include incidental removal of live or dead trees for landings, skid trails, and road clearing. Examples include but are not limited to: (i) Harvest of a portion of a stand damaged by a wind or ice event and construction of a short temporary road to access the damaged trees and (ii) Harvest of fire-damaged trees. Extraordinary Circumstances: 36 CFR 220.6(b)(2) discloses that the mere presence of a resource condition does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. It is (1) the existence of a cause-effect relationship between a proposed action and the potential effect on these resource conditions and (2) if such a relationship exists, the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resource conditions that determines whether extraordinary circumstances exist. Those resource conditions that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action warrant further analysis and documentation in an EIS or EA are discussed in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(1). A summary of the effects of my decision on these resource conditions is provided below, with detailed information contained in the project record. Based upon these findings, and public involvement efforts discussed below, I have determined that no extraordinary circumstances are associated with my decision. 1. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on Endangered Species Act (ESA) threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats. Evaluations concerning Region 4 (R4) Sensitive species are also summarized below. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

4 Wildlife Species The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) species list #01EIFW SLI-0915 (USDI FWS 2017) discloses that the following wildlife species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) occur or may occur within the vicinity of the project area: the threatened Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and the Proposed North American wolverine. There is no Proposed or Designated Critical Habitat for either of these terrestrial species within the project area. The proposed action would have No Effect on the Canada lynx or North American Wolverine. (Wildlife Technical Report, 5/20/2017) Sensitive species: There would be no impact to the flammulated owl, northern three-toed woodpecker, boreal owl, great gray owl, fisher, gray wolf, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, spotted bat, greater sage grouse, southern Idaho ground squirrel, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and common loon. Proposed activities may impact individuals but would not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species for the white-headed woodpecker, northern goshawk, mountain quail, peregrine falcon, Townsend s big-eared bat, bald eagle, and Columbia spotted frog. MIS Species: No impacts to population or habitat trends would result for either pileated woodpecker or the black-backed woodpecker. White-headed woodpeckers may experience lowlevel disturbance to a few individuals but no impacts to population or habitat trends would result from the proposed project. Species of Special Concern (Elk): No direct or indirect impacts to elk during these critical life stage activities are expected. Fish Species The project will have no effect on listed or FS sensitive fish species or resident rainbow trout because there will be no delivery of sediment to streams or loss of shade or woody debris to the channel. Log removal will not occur within the inner RCA (160 feet wide) and will only occur on flat to nearly level ground in the outer portion of the RCA, and outside RCAs elsewhere on the project. (Determinations of Effects Worksheet, 5/12/2017) Botanical Species All Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, Sensitive, or Forest Watch (TEPCSW) plant species on or with potential habitat on the Boise National Forest were considered for this analysis. There is no occupied or potential habitat for any federally listed or proposed plant species in the project area. There is no potential habitat for sensitive and watch plant species in the project area. A survey was conducted on May 10, 2017 and no rare plants were found in the specified area. (Botanical Letter to File, 5/11/2017) 2. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on municipal watersheds, wetlands, and floodplains. The Yellow Pine Blowdown Project would not measurably affect floodplains or be affected by floods. The project related activities would occur in the high bench more than 20 feet in elevation above Johnson Creek and East Fork South Fork Salmon River. Because all project activities would occur above the normal high water mark for all waterbodies in the vicinity of the project area, the Yellow Pine Blowdown Project would not affect floodplains. No wetlands in the proposed activity area were identified during a field review of the Project Area on April 17, There are no municipal watersheds (State of Idaho regulated public water systems) in the project area as identified in the Boise National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 2003). (Soil and Water Resources Report, 4/21/2017) Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

5 3. Proposed activities will not occur within or immediately adjacent to any congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. It does not contain any designated or eligible Wild & Scenic Rivers or their corridor. Therefore, there would be no effect to wilderness or Wild & Scenic Rivers with implementation of this project. 4. Proposed activities do not occur within or adjacent to an Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA) therefore this project will not affects IRAs. 5. Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are not located in or adjacent to the project area and therefore this project will not affect RNAs. 6. My decision has been evaluated to determine the effects on American Indian and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. The project was presented to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes at the agreed upon consultation Wings and Roots process in April 13, 2017 and an update was presented May 11, The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and Nez Perce were notified of the action following the Agency's Memorandum of Understanding procedures in April No concerns were raised relative to tribal interests. Tribal notification and/or consultation did not identify issues or concerns about American Indian religious or cultural site. 7. No effects to archaeological sites, historic properties, or areas are anticipated. The Forest Archeologist has determined that no known historic properties will be affected by the proposed project. In the event that cultural materials are encountered during the course of the project, all ground-disturbing activities in the immediate vicinity of the discovery will cease until the Forest Archeologist is notified and the Idaho SHPO and potentially affected Indian tribes are consulted. Synopsis of Public Scoping On April 26, 2017, a scoping package was sent to interested stakeholders, including individuals, conservation organizations, industry representatives, and other federal, State, and local government officials. Invitations for public comment were sent to 304 addresses through GovDelivery and 31 hardcopies were mailed. The project webpage provided access to the proposed action report and maps. Six comment letters were received, all in support of the project. See the project record for the responses to these comments. Tribal Notification/Consultation Tribal consultation was completed according to the consultation protocols established with each tribe. The Nez Perce Tribe and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes were notified of this project in writing in April The Shoshone Paiute Tribe was consulted during the Wings and Roots meeting on April 13, 2017 and an update was presented May 11, FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS National Historic Preservation Act - This decision complies with this Act. Refer to discussions under resource condition (7), above, for supporting information concerning this determination. American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and Executive Order This decision complies with these Acts and Executive Order. Refer to discussions under resource condition (6), above, for supporting information concerning this determination. Endangered Species Act - This decision complies with this Act. Refer to discussions under resource condition (1-3), above, for supporting information concerning this determination. National Forest Management Act (NFMA) - This project is consistent with direction in the 2003 Boise Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended in The project is consistent with regulations pertaining to timber harvest on NFS lands. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

6 Clean Water Act and State Water Quality Standards -This decision complies with appropriate State water quality standards and the Clean Water Act Idaho Roadless Rule- The project area is not located within an Idaho Roadless Area. Therefore, this project is consistent with the Idaho Roadless Rule (36 CFR 294 Subpart C (b)((l)(v); 73 FR [October 16, 2008]). Executive Order Invasive Species - Through mitigations measures outlined in Appendix A. Noxious Weeds, the proposed action complies with Executive Order directing Federal Agencies, whose actions may affect the status if invasive species, to develop mitigation and apply those mitigation to activities that may result in the introduction and spread of invasive species. Such mitigations have been developed for this project and are included in Appendix A. These mitigations were designed to prevent the introduction and/or spread of invasive species; and to detect and respond rapidly to, and control populations of such species found within the project area in a cost- effective and environmentally sound manner, as appropriations allow. Executive Orders and Wetland and floodplain communities support a unique variety of vegetation that provide food and cover for many mammals, birds, and amphibians, and have an important influence on aquatic habitat conditions. Protection of these areas is required by direction in the Forest Plan, as well as Executive Orders and This decision complies with these orders. Refer to discussions under "Extraordinary Circumstances" above and the Forest Plan Consistency Checklist table in the project record. Migratory Bird Treaty Act/Executive Order Ground disturbing project activities will take place outside the nesting season for migratory birds. Any potential displacement of bird species that may occur would be temporary and not substantial because suitable and abundant habitat is available adjacent to the project area for migratory birds to disperse into. Because large-scale changes in habitat will not occur, the status of bird species and the habitats that support them will not be substantially influenced by the implementation of this project. This action will be consistent with this act and Executive Order. Clean Air Act and National Ambient Air Quality Standards- This decision includes burning activities and will meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and comply with the Clean Air Act. (Air Quality Report, 5/24/2017) Environmental Justice - In accordance with Executive Order 12898, the Proposed Action will not disproportionately impact minority or low-income populations. OTHER DISCLOSURES AND POLICES Consultation with Other Federal, State Agencies and/or Local Government - Contact, review, and involvement with the other Federal, State agencies and/or local Government (i.e. Valley County) did not indicate any conflicts between the activities to be implemented under this decision and the goals and objectives of other federal, state or local government entities. The project record includes the documents summarizing the involvement with these other governmental entities. Best Available Science -The conclusions summarized in this document are based on a review of the project's record that reflects consideration of relevant scientific information and responsible opposing views where raised by internal or external sources and the acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and/or risk where pertinent. Further, the analysis reflects management direction, findings, and conclusions in the Final Environmental Impact Statement supporting revision of the Forest Plan in 2003 (USDA 2003), as well as the subsequent Final Environmental Impact Statement Supporting Forest Plan Amendments to Integrate the Boise National Forest Wildlife Conservation Strategy, Phase 1: Forested Biological Community (USDA 2010) and its associated Record of Decision. These Final EISs and supporting project records represent a thorough review and consideration of the best available science applicable to the Forest, including those related to activities to be authorized under this decision. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

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8 APPENDIX A- PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES: In addition to Forest Plan standards and guidelines designed to mitigate impacts, the Interdisciplinary team {IDT) identified the following measures to be applicable to the project. These design features have been incorporated to reduce or prevent undesirable effects on a variety of resources. Fire and Fuels FF-1 Construct no fire line and/or hand line within Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs). FF-2 Store hazardous material utilized for burning activities away from RCAs. FF-3 Restrict handpile burning activities to fall or early spring (October 1 - March 31) to avoid ground- nesting birds. The wildlife biologist will be consulted during development of the burn plan. FF-4 Landing slash piles created as a result of harvest activities would be available to the public for firewood opportunities. After utilization opportunities are complete, all leftover slash materials will be burned starting November 1st through March 31st. Hydrology/Fisheries HF-1. Refueling within the RCA would be limited to areas pre-designated by the Forest Service. HF-2. Refueling within the RCA would only occur within fuel containment capable of holding 1.25 times the fuel tender s capacity. HF-3. The portion of down trees outside of the unit boundary shall be cut off at the boundary and any down wood outside of the boundary shall be left in place. Alternatively, the entire down tree may be left in place. Noxious weeds NW-1. Machinery, vehicles, tools, and all other equipment are required to be free of any soil, plants seeds, and plant materials. Machinery, vehicles, tools, and all other equipment shall be pressure washed and cleaned each time before entering NFS lands and the proposed project area. NW-2. All seed sources, mulches, or other materials shall be certified weed-free. NW-4. The site (unauthorized access road and all ground disturbance areas) shall be monitored for the presence of noxious weeds at least once during the three-year period immediately following implementation. Any noxious weeds found at the site shall be treated with an appropriate method (herbicide, cultural) for that specie(s). Operations VM-5 Prohibit log haul on weekends (all day Saturday and Sunday); all major holidays (New Year s, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day); and the opening day of deer, elk, and turkey general hunting seasons. Visual Quality SC-2. To meet visual quality objectives in the Forest Plan, do the following within the immediate foreground (300 feet) of Forest road 412 and 413: Pile burn (not lop and scatter) slash After project completion, the remaining slash should appear to be mostly natural occurring. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June

9 Wildlife WL-1 If an active nest or den site of any Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate, and Regional 4 Sensitive (TEPCS) is found within the project area, proposed activities would be modified if those actions were determined by the District Wildlife Biologist to be disrupting reproductive success. Protective measures for TEPCS species against unforeseen events will be included in the timber sale contracts or other project-related contracts. Mandatory provisions of the timber sale contract (currently contract provision B(T) 6.24) provide protective measures for any TEPCS plant or animal species identified in the Project Area during the entire period that the sale is under contract. Yellow Pine Blowdown DM June