Appendix A Residual Effects from Past Activities that Contribute to Current Conditions

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1 Appendix A Residual Effects from Past Activities that Contribute to Current Conditions Dates Activity Description Residual Effects Wildlife/Plant/Archy/tussock moth/mountain pine beetle ongoing s Fire 1900 s-ongoing Woodpecker surveys- Goshawk surveys Wildlife, riparian, plant, archy surveys conducted Tussock Moth traps set Forest Health protection set out verbenone pouches on trees to protect whitebark pine from mountain pine beetle Zorro Exclosures established by Lenny Volland (in stand #411 south of the road) Snag creation Fire Suppression No effect on wildlife---surveys done on foot or from vehicles on system roads. Surveyors drove roads to access area and walked in the forest to conduct surveys. Some compaction from foot traffic and dust from driving. Small (6 ) sticky paper tents placed in trees to capture moths. Catch and kill 5-10 moths/insects per year. No tussock moths found yet. Within Yamsay Mt. area mature whitebark pine should be able to repel mountain pine beetles with the antiaggregant pheromone verbenone. Reduction of mortality of mature whitebark pines from mountain pine beetle is expected. Affected area should be immediate vicinity of treated trees and not affect trees within the Modoc planning area. One acre deer proof exclosure and 5 acre livestock exclosure fenced areas. In disrepair at the present time. Remeasured in 1998 by Volland Created individual snags in harvest units. Improved cavitiy nesting habitat. Fuel loads above normal due to suppression of fire cycle. - Disrupts natural nutrient cycling - Contributes to increase of other disturbances (insects, disease, fire mortality) Some soil exposure and compaction from

2 fireline construction, but recovered in a few years due to frost-heave, insect activity. Change in tree species to more fireintolerant mixed conifer. Change in stand structures to multicanopied, dense forest spring Pre 1800 s s Modoc Prescribed burn 200 acres in stands 406, 408 and 410 Underburns set by Native Americans and also later by sheep herders Decreased fuel loads: duff, needles, brush. Some mortality of big game forage (bitterbrush), though in small patches so little residual effect. Stimulated growth of shrubs, creating additional shrub habitat. Forage production was likely stimulated but short-lived. Scorched bark of trees - black bark will sluff off within 5 years depending on growth rates of the trees. Temporarily decreased growth of residual trees. Contributed to the fire-dependent ecosystem by maintaining grasses and forbs for grazing. Timber & Special Forest Products On-going Firewood cutting throughout analysis area: exertion of Klamath Tribes Treaty Rights. Reduced number of snags available for wildlife (particularly cavity nesting birds and mammals) along roads, although snags generally are not lacking in most stands. Reduced numbers of large ponderosa pine snags. Driving off forest roads to gather firewood has displaced a small amount of soil in localized areas. Gathering of traditional plants would reduce small number of individual plant populations. On-going Mushroom gathering throughout analysis area Foot access, so no ground impact, but some impact from pulling, digging mushrooms.

3 Not many mushroom growing sites due to lack of lodgepole/mushroom habitat, lack of fire. Reduced amounts of mushrooms for wildlife from harvest s Past Timber Harvests 3,269 acres Shifted tree species composition from predominance of ponderosa pine to mixed conifer from harvesting large overstory ponderosa pine. Changed stand structure and size class, particularly late/old structure, many large trees (>21 dbh) were removed in harvested areas Reduced snag habitat and snag replacement trees Increased vulnerability of wildlife to hunting and disturbance due to road construction Soil compaction from timber harvest and existing roads, mechanical treatment of slash Soil displacement from timber harvest operations (machine harvesters and skidders).mostly recovered overtime due to frost heave and ant activity (natural processes). Increased accessibility for recreation due to roads, landings used for dispersed camping Silviculture Note: Reliable records for past silviculture projects do not exist prior to Present Present Reforestation/natural regeneration 200 acres Non-commercial thinning 2,474 acres Changed/maintained species composition to ponderosa pine Will replace wildlife cover in the longterm (stands that are already 20 years old are now providing hiding cover) Changed species composition to pine in some areas and some areas left the vigorous white fir free to grow.

4 Fish/Hydrology/Water Right Changed stand structure Enhanced tree growth, resiliency Untreated debris remain a fire hazard for up to 10 years post-treatment Decreased big game hiding cover Briefly reduced shade in riparian areas, then encouraged remaining trees to grow larger providing more shade than the original stand Improved tree growth increased for potential large instream wood in the longterm, increasing the likelihood of pool formation Unknown date present Unknown date Diversion gate on Irving Creek Everett Dennis water right (.02 cubic feet per second) SE ¼ NE ¼ Sect. 18 T30S R11E WM. Irving Creek spring jack leg fence When used could restrict flow of water downstream and disrupt fish habitat. Will flood lower stretch of Irving Creek when closed Culvert that Neil Anderson spoke about on Irving Creek Domestic and livestock use of all the water from spring Decreased flows downstream. Wildlife use completely restricted from spring and water. Construction of new metal building over spring head created bulldozed piles of debris from the old building and displaced soil. Ditch dug for water line disturbed soil along the ditch line and cut many tree and plant roots. With future climate change, water may be of increased importance to wildlife and hydrology of the area. Wood fence is falling down and is in disrepair. Spring is not protected.

5 Range Late 1800 s s 1920 s s Grazing: Livestock grazing BIA 500 sheep Overstocking cattle and sheep on the available ranges during the late 1800's and early 1900's caused widespread changes in forage species composition and abundance. Stocking has since decreased dramatically and affected areas are recovering. No grazing currently in planning area USFS 1000 sheep 500 sheep 1150 sheep 1500 sheep Heritage/Cultural Resources time immemorial to present day Yamssy Mountain and environs place of extraordinary spiritual significance and used by Klamath Tribes to maintain their cultural history and traditions. Traffic on local roads to access important sites. Gathering of traditional plants. Use of prominent rock outcrops and other areas for spiritual ceremonies. Transportation On-going Road construction/maintenance (or lack of) Decreased fire suppression response time Improved human access to wildlife, increasing disturbance and hunting vulnerability of animals Created openings, edge habitat for wildlife Reduced area of soil/forest productivity Increased drainage network due to stream crossings Increased drainage area allowed sediment

6 to be transported directly to streams from roads (no filtering) Where construction occurred along or crossing creeks, all riparian vegetation was removed along the roadbed, in some cases leaving long stretches of creek without shade. Loss of trees along creeks reduced potential large wood, indirectly decreasing pool formation and quality of fish habitat. Increased fish passage barriers (culverts) Soil disturbance and vehicle use spread noxious weeds Increased recreational use Created maintenance costs Lack of maintenance has caused many roads to become impassible due to shrub growth and has resulted in erosion and gullying of some major system roads. if proposed for Modoc creek crossing Recreation late 1980 s to 1990 Winema LRMP) ongoing Road decommissioning/obliteration Yamsay Mountain trail Increased sediment until revegatated Decreased soil compaction Returned land to soil/forest productivity Increased riparian vegetation/stream shade which reduced stream temps. Returned vegetation traps sediment Decreased overall road maintenance cost Increased use and associated maintenance of other roads Poorly closed/decommissioned roads increased road use violations, damage Reduced vegetation/increased soil disturbance/compaction locally, but not near water Increased recreation use in and established Semi primitive Recreation Area Yamsay Mt. Closed to motorized travel, so little effects

7 on soil or wildlife. Low visitor use s Cross-country ski trails 25 miles maintained by Alla Mage Ski Club Klamath Falls Mostly along established road system and used in winter under snow cover. Not much impact. Some impact from vehicles parking to use trails. Blue plastic diamonds and signs detract from natural appearing landscape s era to present day Dispersed Recreation Hunters Camps Heavy Impact at Irving Creek west of 49 road near 640 spur. Increased traffic on roads creates dust, disturbs wildlife. Campsites can impact local area with human waste and vehicle, especially ATV, traffic.