Scoping Notice for the Iron Springs Vegetation Improvement and Salvage Project Escalante Ranger District Dixie National Forest May, 2010

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1 for the Iron Springs Vegetation Improvement and Salvage Project Escalante Ranger District Dixie National Forest May, 2010 The Escalante Ranger District (ERD) of the Dixie National Forest proposes to conduct intermediate harvest treatments, salvage beetle killed or dying timber, regenerate aspen, and reforest within previously harvested areas that do not meet required stocking levels. Within the 8305 acre project area, one or a combination of the treatments described below would occur on approximately 4595 acres. Project Area The proposed Iron Springs Vegetation Improvement and Salvage Project is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Escalante, UT along Forest Road (See Map A - project vicinity map). Elevations range from 9,000 feet to 10,750 feet slightly rolling to level terrain. The forest type is primarily Englemann spruce/subalpine fir, with scattered aspen clones. The project area is located in parts of Township 33 South, Range 1 West; and Township 33 South, Range 1 East of the Salt Lake Base and Meridian, Garfield County, Utah. The 8305 acre project area is located within the headwaters of three watersheds of the Dixie National Forest. The 6 th HUC watersheds include Coyote Hollow-Antimony Creek, North Creek, Upper North Creek. No inventoried roadless areas (IRA s) are located within the project area. Also, there are no areas of wilderness potential that were identified and evaluated during forest plan revision located within the project area. The nearest wilderness area (Box Death Hollow) is over 12 air miles from the project area. Purpose and Need Analysis of the vegetation found within the Iron Springs analysis area was developed using an ecological approach. Along with the Forest Plan, Properly Functioning Condition (PFC) assessments were used to characterize existing conditions and to describe future conditions. The first step in the analysis was to characterize existing conditions within each of the major vegetation types. Major vegetation types include spruce/fir, aspen, and mixed conifer. The next step was to complete the PFC assessment and then to identify the difference between existing conditions and the desired future conditions. This comparison indicates the need for the proposed treatments. In addition, a biological evaluation of bark beetle activity was conducted in the Iron Springs project area and found all stands to be moderately susceptible to mortality by spruce beetle.

2 For the Spruce/fir vegetation type, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to improve the balance of age class distribution, decrease stand densities and perpetuate aspen presence within the spruce and fir dominated forest. This will create stand conditions that do not promote spruce beetles or disease and will increase the long-term sustainability of large diameter trees. There is a need to reduce stand densities on 3805 acres in order to increase tree growth and vigor, and create stand conditions that are less conducive to epidemic spruce beetle populations and disease. There is also a need to balance age class diversity in aspen clones within the spruce/fir, and increase stocking on approximately 150 acres within past clearcuts through hand planting. There is a need to maintain old growth characteristics by increasing species mix, density, and size of residual trees in 2780 acres of old growth stands to reduce stand risk rating factors and bark beetle populations. For the Aspen vegetation type, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to restore both the distribution and balance in age-class for aspen clones through both commercial and noncommercial methods. Eighty percent of the aspen is in the mature to over-mature class, with the bulk of the aspen being greater than 80 years old. Most of the aspen clones are succeeding to spruce/fir and are at risk of being replaced by conifer. There is a need to reduce the percent of stands in mature and over-mature size class to a younger seedling/sapling age class on approximately 153 acres. While the proposed treatments are designed to improve forest health, there is a need to provide valuable commercial forest products to the public. In addition to green material harvested through thinning, there are scattered pockets of beetle killed trees throughout the project area and some stands that have experienced extensive beetle damage. There is a need to recover value from merchantable timber from trees affected by bark beetles. Treatments are designed to salvage dead and dying material as well as develop structural diversity and reduce stand densities by utilizing both salvage and green timber products. Finally, due to high stand densities and extensive downed material, fuel loadings are outside acceptable levels. Fuel loadings will be reduced through whole tree harvest techniques. Proposed Action Treatments within Engelmann Spruce/Subalpine Fir stands: (See Map B - Treatments). Within the project area, there are 5240 acres of Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir. Approximately 3805 acres would receive a commercial thinning treatment. Individual tree marking would be used to designate trees that would be harvested. This treatment would be designed to reduce stand densities, while maintaining a variety of tree sizes. This system would be implemented using ground-based skidders. Skid trails and landings would be designated and approved by the Forest Service. In addition to the individual tree selection system, salvage and sanitation harvest of pockets of Engelmann spruce killed or infested with spruce beetle would be harvested Included in some spruce/fir stands there are areas of aspen containing approximately 417 acres of scattered aspen clones. Of the 417 acres, approximately106 acres would receive aspen cleaning through hand felling of conifer. Non-commercial size conifer and some aspen would be cut and 2

3 left on site to discourage browsing by larger ungulates (deer, elk, and livestock). The remaining 311 acres would be regenerated to aspen using commercial clearfell-coppice with reserve technique. Openings would be four acres or less. Commercial size conifer will be removed and non-commercial conifer will be felled and left onsite. Logs would be removed by ground-based skidders using designated skid trails and landings identified by the Forest Service. These areas will be monitored for aspen browsing. If heavy ungulate browsing is documented after one year, these areas will be fenced until stocking requirements have been met and average height is six feet. Heavy browsing will be defined as less than 500 stems per acre remaining unbrowsed. After thinning harvest, approximately 380 acres of the 3805 acres of treated spruce/fir stands would receive pre-commercial thinning to remove trees less than five inches diameter that exceed stand density objectives or species mix. Trees greater than five inches diameter and less than 8 inches diameter would be removed commercially if a market exists. Otherwise, these trees would be included in the pre-commercial thinning. If the stand is identified as having old growth characteristics as described in Hamilton 1993 et al, and further clarified through Regional letter in Thinning will emphasize the small to intermediate sizes. Of the 2862 acres of old growth within the project area, eighty percent would be treated so the stand would retain the old growth status. This would be accomplished by commercially removing trees between 8 and 18 inches. The smaller trees being removed first, then larger ones if there are enough to retain the large live tree component of old growth. Thinning is needed within these stands to reduce the risk of loss from additional beetle activity. (See Map C old growth). Sanitation/salvage timber harvest, would remove both spruce beetle infested or killed trees throughout the project area where needed. There are some stands that contain infested or killed subalpine fir that will also be commercially removed. Also, there are approximately 484 acres within the spruce/fir stands that are currently at the desired density so these would receive commercial sanitation/salvage treatment only. Slash disposal treatments within units receiving precommercial thinning will include lop and scatter throughout cutting units and machine piling and burning of slash on landings. Also, to reduce risk of beetles, damaged non-commercial trees would also lopped and scattered. Prior to burning, fuel wood removal from landings may be allowed if material is available and does not result in a beetle risk. Approximately 153 acres would be planted using hand tools or augers with Engelmann spruce seedlings. These areas represent past clear cut conifer strips completed back in the 1960 s that do not contain the desired tree density. The anticipated timber harvest from the proposed action is approximately 12.5 million board feet. 3

4 Treatments with Aspen stands: Of the 256 acres of aspen stands in the project area, approximately 153 acres would receive commercial clear-fell coppice treatment designed to regenerate aspen while leaving some areas of mature aspen in groups or strips between coppice areas. The area around the regeneration cuts would receive conifer cleaning. The clear-fell openings would not exceed 4 acre blocks. The stands being treated range in size from acres. Ground-based skidders would be used to remove the commercial size trees (> =8 inch DBH). Designated skid trails would be used to move logs from stands to landings. Any commercial conifer tree would also be removed. These areas will be monitored for heavy ungulate browsing. If needed, fencing will be installed until stocking requirements have been met (average height is six feet). Summary of vegetation treatments for the Proposed Action: TREATMENT ACRES Commercial Aspen regeneration only (AR) 153 Commercial Conifer Thinning (CT) 3805 Aspen Cleaning (AC) 417 (included in 3805 acres of commercial conifer thinning) Pre-commercial Conifer Thinning (PT) 381 (included in 3805 acres of commercial conifer thinning) Commercial Conifer Sanitation/Salvage Only (SS) 484 Planting of existing low stocked areas 153 Transportation needs for the Proposed Action: (See map D - Transportation) System Roads: Approximately miles of existing NF system roads would receive light maintenance. If a section needs reconstruction, this would include adding borrow, changing grade, adding or improving drainage structures. No new permanent roads would be constructed or added to the system. Temporary Roads: There would also be 9.39 miles of new low standard temporary road construction including approximately 0.77 miles of temporary road needed to access an old dike and one of the pits. The dike access may be accomplished on frozen ground or over snow. Included in the 9.39 miles of temporary roads, there are 2.22 miles of roads closed by Griffin Springs Travel Management that would be re-opened and may require some reconstruction as described above. None of the temporary roads will be added to the system and will be closed using barricades and/or obliteration after the project is complete. The transportation system remaining after project implementation would be as described under the 2006 Griffin Springs Travel Management Decision as incorporated into the April 2009 decision for the Motorized Travel Plan. Road maintenance levels would not change. Temporary borrow site access would be re-closed, ripped and seeded with native seed. 4

5 Borrow used for road work would be excavated from two existing pits, an old dike site, and one new site within the project area. One existing borrow source within the Recap timber sale may also be used. Roads that could be used as haul roads for this project include 30140, 30152, 30153, and FH17. Summary of Transportation Actions for the Proposed Action: System roads receiving light maintenance or reconstruction New low standard temporary road construction includes reopening 2.22 miles of existing roads closed through Griffin Travel and.77 miles of access needed for borrow material miles 9.39 miles Project Design Features: Vegetation SV-1 Within conifer treatment units, protect residual trees through the designation of skid trails and landings, directional felling, and limiting off trail skidding to 1-2 passes. Over snow operation may be used. Mechanized fellers/forwarders may also operate off skid trails. Designated skid trails should be located approximately feet apart depending on terrain. SV-2 In aspen regeneration treatment units, protect aspen root system through the designation of skid trails and landings, directional felling, and restriction of skidding equipment to approved skid trails. If soils are frozen or are covered with 18 inches of snow, skidding equipment may operate off designated trails. To provide sufficient protection to aspen regeneration for excessive browsing, slash and logs not meeting utilization standards or adding to beetle risk shall be left throughout cutting units. If heavy browsing occurs, fences may be installed to restrict large ungulates (deer, elk, and livestock) until average seedling height exceeds six feet. SV-3 To prevent spruce beetle spread, all Engelmann spruce cut prior to September 1 shall be removed before the end of the same year and all Engelmann spruce cut after September 1 shall be removed before the end of the following year. SV-4 To prevent spruce beetle spread, all live or recently killed Engelmann spruce felled or pushed over which exceed 14 inches diameter and 18 inches in length shall be skidded to a designated landing for disposal. SV-5 To reduce fuel loading from harvest activities, ground-based skidding operations will utilize whole tree harvesting techniques. SV-6 Landings would not be located any closer than 100 feet from FR Hydrology and Soils 5

6 HS-1 Riparian and wetland areas of concern for each activity or project will be identified using the following guidelines: (Belt, 1992) B6.5 Site-specific identification of riparian influence zones for permanently flowing non-fish bearing streams will include the area from the edges of the active stream channel to whichever of the following widths is most appropriate: To the top of the inner gorge, To the outer edges of the 100-year floodplain, To the outer edges of the riparian vegetation, To a distance equal to the height of one site-potential tree, or To a 150 feet slope distance (300 feet, including both sides of the stream channel). Site-specific identification of riparian influence zones for wetlands, ponds, and seasonally-flowing or intermittent streams will include the area from the edge of the waterbody to whichever of the following widths is most appropriate: To the outer edges of the riparian vegetation, To the extent of the seasonally saturated soil, To the extent of moderately and highly unstable areas, To a distance equal to the height of one site-potential tree, To a 150 feet slope distance from the edge of the maximum pool elevation of constructed ponds and reservoirs. HS-2 Forest or Zone Hydrologist will determine which applicable Soil and Water Conservation Practices (SWCP's) will be used during project implementation. HS-3 All temporary roads will be obliterated and if necessary barricaded upon completion of project. Remove all temporary culverts or crossing structures. When removing culverts, be sure all fill material is removed from below the high water line of the stream. All material that is removed should be placed in a safe disposal area. The remaining fill material should be left at a stable angle. HS-4 Ground based skidding equipment will be restricted to slopes less than 40%. HS-5 All project debris and temporary crossing structures will be removed from stream course to provide unobstructed passage during high flows. HS-6 Landings will not be located within riparian influence zones. Range and Noxious Weeds RNW-1 Landings will be reseeded following the activity to take advantage of the seedbed and discourage the establishment of noxious weeds. Seed mixes will include species that germinate rapidly to provide a quick cover of vegetation (the nurse crop technique). Seed mixes used for rehabilitation purposes will be noxious weed free certified. RNW-2 If used for rehabilitation purposes, only certified noxious weed free hay, straw, and mulch will be used. RNW-3 Noxious weeds will be controlled on all disturbed areas should they become established. RNW-4 Ensure that the all range improvements are maintained in its condition at the time of treatment. Wildlife WL-1 Project activities will cease which "May Affect" threatened, endangered, or proposed species discovered within or adjacent to the project area during project layout or implementation until the potential affect is removed or until consultation with the USDI-Fish and Wildlife 6

7 Service is concluded. Also, project implementation shall cease if any sensitive species is discovered within or adjacent to the project area that has not been addressed within the environmental analysis until an assessment can be made to determine the impact and potential adverse effects to the species. WL-2 To maintain hiding cover for big game within forested ecosystems, maintain a minimum of 50 percent hiding cover (DNF S&G IV-34) around the perimeter of natural openings, aspen clearcuts, and meadows and 75% along arterial and collector roads. WL-3 To maintain habitat for a variety of wildlife species all forested landscapes will be managed for no less than 300 snags per 100 acres in the spruce-fir cover type and 200 snags per 100 acres in the aspen cover type. Guidelines in the goshawk amendment to the Dixie Forest Plan, Guideline F (2000, p. CC-21) will be followed. Live-defective trees such as those infected with heart rot and/or broken tops will be counted toward meeting the snag requirement. WL-4 To provide for the needs of a wide variety of wildlife, an average of 100 tons per 10 acres of woody debris in the spruce-fir cover type and 30 tons per 10 acres in the aspen cover type will be retained following the guidelines outlined in the goshawk amendment to the Dixie Forest Plan, Guideline G (USDA Forest Service, 2000, p. CC-22). WL-5 If new raptor nests are found within or adjacent to the project area, a buffer will be placed around the nest and harvest activities will be eliminated if the nest area is occupied. Time periods and recommended buffer size will be applied as directed from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (2002b). Note: If goshawk nests are found, the requirements in the Dixie LRMP will be followed to protect the species. WL-6 To maintain perching habitat for foraging peregrine falcons from a known eyrie, a foraging buffer will be applied to the foraging area. Snags will not be removed from the forested stands within 100 feet of the meadow/forest edge as identified by the Falcon Foraging Buffer map found in the project file. Decision to be Made The Dixie National Forest Supervisor, is the official responsible for making this decision. The Responsible Official must decide whether to proceed with this action as proposed, whether to proceed with this action by an alternative method, or whether to not implement the project at this time. Relationship to Forest Plan This analysis incorporates by reference the direction provided in the Dixie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) (1986). The proposed analysis is a project level analysis that is not intended to re-examine the basic land use allocations made in the LRMP, nor propose broad changes in land use allocations. Instead, planning at the project level involves the development, analysis, and disclosure of likely environmental impacts associated with the implementation of specific actions designed to achieve the overall goals and objectives of the LRMP. The treatment area falls within management areas 1 (General Forest Direction), 2B (Roaded Natural Recreation), 6A (Livestock Grazing), and 7A (Wood Production and Utilization), and 9A (Riparian management). 7

8 How to Comment Comments should be as specific as possible and should be limited to the scope of the proposal to be most helpful in the analysis. Written comments must be submitted to: District Ranger, Escalante Ranger District, 755 west Main, Escalante, Utah Comments submitted by facsimile should be sent to The office business hours for those submitting hand delivered comments is: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. A comment mailbox has been established for receiving comments electronically at: comments-intermtn-dixie-escalante@fs.fed.us. Please use the project name (Iron Springs Vegetation Improvement and Salvage Project) as the subject line in your electronic comment message. Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), pdf, or Word (.doc). Additional information regarding this proposal can be obtained from Joe Huck at (435) , or by at jhuck@fs.fed.us. 8