Decision Memo Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project

Transcription

1 Decision Memo Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project USDA Forest Service Chemult Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forests Klamath County, OR Township (T) 29 South (S), Range (R) 6 East (E), Section (S) 36; T 29 S, R 7 E, S 31; T 30 S, R 6 E, S 1; T 30 S, R 7 E, S 6 and 5; T 29 S, R 6 E, S 15, 14, 22, 23, and 27 Background Both prescribed burn project areas are located just east of Crater Lake National Park. The Forest Service does prescribed burns for several reasons: 1) to maintain or improve ecosystem components, such as vegetation characteristics; 2) to achieve a desirable fuel profile; 3) to manage fire frequency, severity, and pattern; and, 4) to regulate other disturbances, such as insect and disease mortality (Schmidt et al. 2002). Fire regime condition classes (FRCC) measure the degree of departure from reference conditions, possibly resulting in changes to key ecosystem components, such as vegetation characteristics; fuel composition; fire frequency, severity, and pattern; and other associated disturbances, such as insect and disease mortality, grazing, and drought. The Raptor 1 and 9 project areas are currently in a FRCC 2, which indicates that they have moderately (33 to 66 percent) departed from reference conditions. There is a need to reduce the fuel profile and bring fire regime condition class to within the estimated historical range of variability during a specifically defined reference period (FRCC 1) (Hann and Bunnell 2001; Hardy et al. 2001; Schmidt et al. 2002). The Raptor unit 1 had a very low intensity prescription burn take place in Due to the low intensity of the burn, surface fuel loadings were not reduced to desired levels. Both units 1 and 9 are in Management Area 12 (Timber Production) outside the area of the Districts with Northwest Forest Plan direction. A portion of unit 9 is in Management Area 7 (Old Growth Ecosystems). The Raptor unit 9 includes three previously burned areas with hazardous fuel profiles. There is a need to create one large fuel break in order to reduce fire intensity inside the unit, thereby limiting damage to the forest ecosystem and providing a barrier if fire approaches (WNF LRMP 1990). Decision I have decided to implement the Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project. My decision on the Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project is to authorize re-entry hand ignition underburning and first entry hand ignition underburning. Selected actions include: 1

2 ATV s will be used for patrol/reconnaissance and for transportation of fuel during ignition operations. ATV s will be operated along the perimeter of the burn area and interior existing roads created during harvest operations. ATV s will be operated and used off of existing roads when it is critical to the safety of the operation. The Raptor unit 1 control lines will be extended to nearby roads in all but the northeastern area to avoid cultural resource sites. This will minimize resource damage and provide motorized access to these control lines, making the control line easier to hold (see map 2). Nearby roads will be used as control lines for Raptor unit 9 to minimize resource damage and to provide motorized access to these control lines, making these control lines easier to hold. A short piece of control line will be constructed adjacent to Crater Lake National Park (see map 3). Two control lines will utilize ATV plow lines rather than roads. The first will be for Raptor unit 9, just east of the Crater Lake National Park boundary and north of the FS road. The second will be located on the northeast side of the Raptor unit 1 project area. The size of the two control lines utilizing ATV plow lines will not exceed 1/4 mile in length and will include a three foot mineral soil line width with a six foot brush out. There will be 370 acres underburned in Raptor unit 1; most will be re-entry hand ignition underburning with a small portion of first entry hand ignition underburning (see map 2). There will be approximately 1,164 acres of underburning in Raptor unit 9: 964 acres re-entry hand ignition underburning and approximately 200 acres of first entry hand ignition underburning (see map 3). Create one large fuel break in both unit 1 and 9 (see maps 2 and 3). Mitigations include: Equipment used in implementation will be washed prior to entry onto the Forest. The District Fire Management Personnel will need to consult with the Westside Archaeologist when site specific burn plans are being prepared. Prior to implementation and layout phases, the archaeologist or a cultural resource technician will be actively engaged during the entire layout phases of all fuel reduction treatment areas. All known cultural resource sites and sites discovered during project activities would be avoided and protected in place. Visual quality and aesthetic value would be maintained for these sites through unit design in relation to the local foreground view from each site. Burning will only be implemented when smoke management forecasts are favorable for transport winds to carry smoke away from Crater Lake National Park and away from higher population densities. Transport winds with a south to southwest flow will be given preference. 2

3 Aggressive mop-up and patrol will occur as soon as possible following completion in order to reduce smoke emissions. This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment because this project is consistent with category 6 of the Forest Service Handbook , section 31.2 (36 CFR (e)) categories of actions for which a project or case file and decision memo are required: (6) Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities that do not include the use of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction. Includes prescribed burning to reduce natural fuel build-up and improve plant vigor. As such, this project may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. A proposed action may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) only if there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action. Resource conditions 1 to consider include: 1) Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. For all botany and wildlife resources discussed below, the potential effects of the selected actions have been determined to be No Effect or No Impact for direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts because species and/or critical habitat do not exist within the project units. 2) Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. The project will not occupy or modify any floodplains or wetlands. Neither of the two project units are within a municipal watershed. 3) Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. Unit 1 and 9 are not within or adjacent to designated wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. 4) Inventoried Roadless Areas. No part of the project is within or adjacent to Inventoried Roadless Areas. 5) Research natural areas. There are no Research Natural Areas present in the project. 6) American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. The Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project will not adversely affect cultural resources. 1 Mere presence of one or more of the resource conditions in (1)-(7) does not preclude use of a Categorical Exclusion. It is the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resources (36 CFR (b)). 3

4 7) Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. The project will not adversely affect archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. The Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project categorical exclusion is appropriate in this situation because there are no extraordinary circumstances potentially having effects which may significantly affect the environment. The biological evaluations conducted for plants and wildlife did not reveal any adverse effects to listed species. The project is very small-scale and effects to the land base and resources will be negligible across the Forests. Specialist reports and/or Biological Evaluations analyzing the effects of the selected actions were prepared for the following resources: botany, cultural, wildlife, and roads. The report findings are summarized below. Botany: Review of the project by the Westside botanist determined that there are no Region 6 Sensitive Species, no ESA listed species, and no weeds in either of the project areas. Cultural: The project was reviewed for cultural impacts and will not impact historical or prehistoric sites. There are no anticipated impacts to Treaty and trust responsibilities with the Klamath Tribes. The Fremont-Winema National Forests consulted with representatives of the Klamath Tribes regarding traditional cultural properties, religious use areas, and archaeological management issues. Wildlife: Review of the project by the wildlife biologist determined no impact to Region 6 Sensitive Species and No Effect to ESA listed species. Roads: Review of the project by the West Zone Road Manager determined no impacts to the roads. Fuels: The project was reviewed by the assistant fire management officer for air quality and smoke analysis. There will be little to no impact to air quality. The project is adjacent to the Crater Lake National Park it is being coordinated with the National Park Service to reduce impacts and risk to damage to the park, including air quality. Public Involvement A proposal to reduce fuel profiles and to bring fire regime condition class to within the estimated historical range of variability during a specifically defined reference period was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on January 1, The proposal was mailed to the Chemult NEPA mailing list and posted on the Forest website for scoping comments from April 1, 2010 April 15, The agency received 3 comments, none of which generated any issues or concerns. The comments were either supportive or asking clarification questions. Findings Required by Other Laws This decision is consistent with the Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1990, as amended) and the Final Environmental Impact Statement (1990) documenting the analysis for the Forest Plan as required by the National Forest 4

5 Management Act. This action also complies with all other laws and regulations relative to land management practices on the Winema National Forest. No significant impact is expected on parkland, prime farmlands, wild and scenic rivers or ecologically critical areas, as none exist in the project area. This action will comply with requirements of the Clean Water Act. I have reviewed this action in accordance with Executive Order (consideration of environmental justice). I find scoping was adequate to inform low income and minority populations that may be affected by this action. No concerns of disproportionate health or environmental effects emerged. Therefore, I find my decision will not disproportionately create high and adverse health or environmental effects to low income or minority populations. Implementation Date This project will be implemented on or after September 30, 2010 provided that hand ignition underburning conditions are meet prescribed conditions. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to administrative appeal pursuant to Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR (f). Contact Person For additional information concerning this decision or the Forest Service appeal process, contact Amber Lidell, Assistant NEPA Coordinator, Chemult Ranger District, PO Box 150, Hwy. 97 North, Chemult, OR 97731, , alidell@fs.fed.us /s/ ED BROWN May 11, 2010 ED BROWN Date Chemult District Ranger The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individuals income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 5

6 Map 1 - Raptor 1 and 9 Prescribed Burns Project Area Vincinity Map ² 210 T 29 R6 S10 T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S12 T 29 R6 S T 29 R7 S7 Chemult Ranger District T 29 R7 S8 550 T 29 R7 S18 T 29 R7 S T 29 R6 S Crater Lake National Park T R S Legend 690 T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S Raptor 9 RX Fire Area 1164 Acres Raptor 9 RX Fire T 29 R6 S T 30 R6 S3 Proposed RX Fire Area 370 Acres Raptor Thin # 1 RX Fire Not Designated Primary Highway Improved Road, Paved Improved Road, Gravel 573 Improved Road, Native Dirt Native Dirt Road T 30 R6 S T 29 R6 S23 T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S26 T 29 R6 S T 30 R6 S T 30 R6 S T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S36 T 30 R6 S1 T 30 R6 S T 29 R7 S19 T 29 R7 S20 T 29 R7 S T 29 R7 S T 30 R7 S T 30 R7 S T 30 R7 S5 090 T 30 R7 S ,250 2,500 Meters 1 inch = 3, feet Tim Yurkiewicz 07/25/2009

7 220 Map 2 - Raptor Unit 1 Selected Actions Location Map T 29 R6 S T 29 R7 S T 29 R7 S T 29 R6 S36 ² 360 T 29 R7 S T 29 R7 S T 30 R6 S1 060 T 30 R7 S T 30 R7 S Legend T 30 R6 S T 30 R7 S Unit 1, 370 Acres Raptor Thin Rx 2000 Road Type T 30 R7 S8 Improved Road, Paved Improved Road, Gravel Improved Road, Native Dirt Native Dirt Road Miles Tim Yurkiewicz 04/14/2010

8 ³Crater Lake National Park Map 3 - Raptor Unit 9 Selected Actions Location Map T 29 R6 S15 T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S T R S T 29 R6 S22 T 29 R6 S23 T 29 R6 S Legend 520 T 29 R6 S T 29 R6 S Unit 9, 1164 Acres First entry Desert RX Fire T 29 R6 S25 Boundary RX Fire 1995 Raptor 9 RX 2000 Road Type 500 Improved Road, Paved Improved Road, Gravel Improved Road, Native Dirt T 29 R6 S35 Native Dirt Road 490 T 29 R6 S Miles Tim Yurkiewicz 04/14/2010

9 Literature Cited Hann, W.J.; Bunnell, D.L Fire and land management planning and implementation across multiple scales. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 10: Hardy, C.C.; Schmidt, K.M.; Menakis, J.M.; Samson, N.R Spatial data for national fire planning and fuel management. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 10: Schmidt, K.M.; Menakis, J.P.; Hardy, C.C.; Hann, W.J.; Bunnell, D.L Development of coarse-scale spatial data for wildland fire and fuel management. Gen. Tech. Rep., RMRS-GTR- 87. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. USDA Forest Service Forest Service Handbook WO Amendment : 4-5. USDA Forest Service, Winema National Forest Winema National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (WNF LRMP). 4: 128, 153.