Cold Springs Project

Transcription

1 Cold Springs Project Scenery Management Resource Report Prepared by: Nicole R. Hill Landscape Architect for: Northern Hills Ranger District Black Hills National Forest July 26, 2011

2 Scenery Management 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 individual s 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, D.C , or call (800) (voice) or (202) (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

3 Cold Springs Project Table of Contents Abstract... 1 Introduction... 2 Overview of Issues Addressed... 2 Regulatory Framework... 2 Project Description... 6 Affected Environment... 7 Existing Condition... 8 Desired Condition Environmental Consequences Methodology Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis Alternative A No Action Alternative B Modified Proposed Action Conclusion References (Literature Cited) List of Tables Table 1. Scenic integrity objective by management area (acres)... 5 Table 2. Acres of proposed vegetation treatments in each scenic integrity objective for the modified proposed action Table 3. Acres of fuel treatments in each scenic integrity objective for the modified proposed action List of Figures Figure 1. Landscape distance zones (USDA FS 1995, 4 5)... 9 Figure 2. Cold Springs Project scenic integrity objectives map Figure 3. Cold Springs Project proposed commercial treatments and scenic integrity objectives map Figure 4. Cold Springs Project proposed noncommercial treatments and scenic integrity objectives map Figure 5. Cold Springs Project proposed fuel treatments and scenic integrity objectives map Figure 6. Cold Springs Project proposed removal methods and scenic integrity objectives map. 28 Figure 7. Cold Springs Project proposed road management treatments and scenic integrity objectives map iii

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5 Cold Springs Project Abstract This analysis describes the existing condition of the scenic resources within the Cold Springs project area and discloses the potential effects of the alternatives on scenic resources for consideration in determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement. Evaluations made in this analysis are based on the amount of changes potentially seen on the landscape from a given viewshed and identified Concern Level viewpoints, and the degree of deviation from the existing landscape character being viewed or the measure of the degree to which a landscape is visually perceived to be complete. The following travel routes and use areas were identified as viewpoints with concern for scenery for this project: U.S. Highway 85 including Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads, Tinton Road (National Forest System Road 134.1), South Rapid Road (National Forest System Road 231.5), Long Draw Road (National Forest System Road 209.1), and cross-country ski trails in the area. The majority of effects to scenic resources are short term in duration with long-term benefits to scenic quality. The modified proposed action would create short-term effects to scenic resources while project activities are taking place and depending on the treatments proposed in an area, for up to three growing seasons after all project activities are complete. The modified proposed action would improve the stability of scenic resources by reducing risk of mountain pine infestation and natural fuels and activity-generated slash and leads the landscape toward the desired landscape character. In the long term, the project area would be naturally appearing with visually preferred settings. No significant issues were identified for scenic resources in the Cold Springs Project. With all the scenery project design features implemented, the activities in the modified proposed action would meet the identified High, Moderate, and Low scenic integrity objectives. It is anticipated that the proposed activities would meet the assigned scenic integrity objectives either at project completion or about one to three growing seasons after all project activities are complete. The modified proposed action would be consistent with Forest Plan standards and guidelines for scenery. No negative direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to scenic resources are expected in the long term from harvest activities. There are no irreversible or irretrievable commitments related to scenic resources from the modified proposed action. 1

6 Scenery Management Introduction Scenery, just as any other resource, must be cared for and managed for future generations. Scenic resources vary by location and existing natural features including vegetation, water features, landform, geology, and human-made elements. All activities experienced by forest visitors occur in a scenic environment defined by the arrangement of the natural character of the landscape along with components of the built environment. Research has shown that high-quality scenery, especially that related to natural-appearing forests, enhances people s lives and benefits society Research findings support the logic that scenic quality and naturalness of the landscape directly enhance human well-being, both physically and psychologically, and contribute to other important human benefits. Specifically these benefits include people s improved physiological well being as an important by-product of viewing interesting and pleasant natural appearing landscapes with high scenic diversity. (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) 1995, 17). National Visitor Use Monitoring on the Black Hills National Forest, which is discussed later in this report, indicates that natural and naturally appearing scenery is an important resource for the Forest s recreation visitors. Vegetation management practices can directly affect scenery and the perception of scenic beauty (Ribe 1989). The terms scenic resources and scenery are used interchangeably in this analysis. This analysis describes the existing condition of the scenic resources within the project area and discloses the potential effects of the alternatives on scenic resources for consideration in determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement. Overview of Issues Addressed During project scoping, the public identified no issues in regards to scenic resources. However, the interdisciplinary team identified that the proposed project activities may affect the scenic integrity of the project area. The project s effects on scenic integrity are addressed in this analysis. The measurement indicators for this analysis are the proposed activities compliance with Forest Plan established scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) for the project area and acres of treatment types in each SIO. Regulatory Framework The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) states it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means to assure for all Americans, aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings. NEPA also requires A systematic and interdisciplinary approach which will insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts into planning and decision-making which may have an impact on man s environment. To accomplish this, numerous Federal laws require all Federal land management agencies to consider scenery and aesthetic resources in land management planning, resource planning, project design, implementation, and monitoring. These Federal laws include the following: The Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528 (note)) authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and administer the renewable surface resources of the National Forests with harmonious and coordinated management of the various resources... with consideration being given to the relative values of the various 2

7 Cold Springs Project resources, and not necessarily the combination of uses that will give the greatest dollar return or the greatest unit output. The National Forest Management Act (1976) This act provides direction that the preservation of aesthetic values is analyzed at all planning levels. Part requires that the visual resource shall be inventoried and evaluated as an integrated part of evaluating alternatives in the forest planning process, addressing both the landscape's visual attractiveness and the public's visual expectation. The Environmental Quality Act (1970) This act sets forth a national policy for the environment which provides for the enhancement of environmental quality. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (1974) This act provides direction to conduct aesthetic analysis and assess the impacts on aesthetics for timber harvesting. It also provides the framework for natural resource conservation. The Public Rangelands Improvement Act (1978) This act declares that "unsatisfactory conditions on public rangelands reduce the value of such lands for recreational and aesthetic purposes. In addition, the Forest Service has routinely included both scenery and recreation as part of the 1960 Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act. Other federal laws requiring Federal land management agencies to consider scenery and aesthetic resources in land management planning, resource planning, project design, implementation, and monitoring, not discussed in detail for this project are: The Wilderness Act (1964), The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968), The National Trails System Act (1968), and The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977)Several USDA handbooks have been developed to establish a framework for management of scenic resources including but not limited to Landscape Aesthetics, A Handbook for Scenery Management; Agriculture Handbook 701 (USDA FS 1995). Forest Service manual direction provides further clarification to utilize the Scenery Management System in forest and project planning and implementation, including section , Applications to Project Management: 4. Determine how various silvicultural and landscape design treatments can be used to meet scenic integrity objectives and landscape character goals. 5. Understand how fire can be a useful tool to achieve desired scenic integrity objectives and landscape character goals. 8. Determine how scenery management techniques and principles can be used to mitigate any land altering activity or introduced elements on the land, to achieve and maintain desired scenic integrity objectives and landscape character goals. The Black Hills National Forest has recognized the importance of scenery by providing management direction for scenic resources in the Black Hills National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan: 1997 Revision Phase II Amendment (i.e., Forest Plan). The Forest Plan direction listed below pertains to the project area (USDA FS 2006). Land and Resource Management Plan Direction Goal 4: Provide for scenic quality, a range of recreational opportunities, and protection of heritage resources in response to the needs of the Black Hills National Forest visitors and local communities (USDA FS 2006, I-16). 3

8 Scenery Management Objectives Scenic Values 401. Review all existing projects and areas that do not meet the adopted Scenic Integrity Objective (SIO) specified for each management area, and set priorities for rehabilitation (USDA FS 2006, I-17) Provide natural appearing landscapes with diverse scenery and enhance opportunities to enjoy attractive settings (USDA FS 2006, I-18). Travel 420. Manage travel corridors for federal, state and county roads. a. Meet a scenic integrity objective of High (USDA FS 2006, I-20). Goal 10: Objectives *NEW. The scenic integrity objectives within the wildland-urban interface will be Moderate to Low for 2 to 4 years after management activities have been completed (USDA FS 2006, I-36). Forestwide Standards and Guidelines Structural Diversity The maximum size of openings created by even-aged management will be 40 acres, regardless of forest type, with the following exceptions: a. Where proposals for larger openings are approved by the Regional Forester after a 60-day public review; b. Where larger openings are the result of natural catastrophic conditions of fire, insect or disease attack, or windstorm; and c. Where the area that is cut does not meet the definition of created openings. STANDARD The maximum width of openings created by the application of uneven-aged silviculture will be no greater than one to two-tree heights regardless of forest cover type. GUIDELINE The size of the uncut forest areas between openings must be based on the management objectives for the landscape unit being analyzed. If these objectives include creating a mix of vegetation types to benefit the kinds of wildlife associated with early successional stages and edges, the uncut units can be small. If the objectives include provisions for late successional associated species, the uncut units should be large enough to function as an ecological system not overly influenced by the edge. STANDARD Artificially created openings, as discussed in Standards 2101, 2103 and 2106, will no longer be considered openings when they no longer meet the definition of structural stage 1, the grass/forb stage. However, this criterion will be validated or modified based upon local conditions encountered during implementation. STANDARD When developing openings in vegetative communities, copy naturally shaped edges. GUIDELINE Avoid altering more than one-third of the edge of a natural opening whenever an artificially created opening is adjacent to a natural opening. Additional edge should not be created until previously treated areas are considered closed, according to Standard This guideline does not apply to treatments intended to restore meadows to historic conditions. GUIDELINE (USDA FS 2006, II-17-II-18). Silvicultural Prescriptions *For travel corridors and other places where scenic quality is emphasized, manage tree stands to enhance the scenic quality and recreational opportunities. Manage for a variety of scenic conditions including areas of large, yellow-barked ponderosa pine 4

9 Cold Springs Project in open, park-like conditions, and scattered, young ponderosa pine, hardwoods, open meadows and grassland conditions. GUIDELINE. (USDA FS 2006, II-26). Prescribed Fire Visual effects of prescribed fire will comply with the approved scenic integrity objective of the area. STANDARD (USDA FS 2006, II-42). Fuel Treatment Treat activity fuels adjacent to roads and trails as follows: a. For Forest Development Roads classified as collectors, and Forest Development Trails, manage activity fuels to meet adopted SIO. b. For federal, state, county and Forest Development Roads classified as arterials, remove 70 to 90 percent of the activity fuels seen from the road's edge up to a maximum distance of 300 feet. Treat debris within 1 year of harvest completion. GUIDELINE (USDA FS 2006, II-45). General In high use areas identify hazard trees, such as those weakened, damaged, or killed by insects and diseases, that may pose a threat to people, property, and other high value resources, and schedule management activities to remove hazards so as to minimize adverse risks. Prioritize according to risk and values. GUIDELINE (USDA FS 2006, II-47). Scenery Management The existing scenic integrity, based on current landscape character, is usually accepted as the scenic integrity objective (SIO) unless special, documented circumstances warrant a change. Scenic integrity objectives are summarized below and displayed on the accompanying Scenery Management Map [see Table 1]. GUIDELINE Table 1. Scenic integrity objective by management area (acres) MGMT AREAS 4.1 NAME Limited Motorized Use and Forest Product Emphasis VERY HIGH HIGH MOD LOW 6,722 23,097 13, Resource Production Emphasis 58, , ,384 (USDA FS 2006, I-59-I-60) VERY LOW Management activities which are inconsistent with the scenic integrity objectives will be prohibited unless a decision is made to change the scenic integrity objective. Such decisions will be documented in a site-specific decision document. GUIDELINE *Plan, design, and locate vegetation manipulation in a scale that retains the color and texture of the landscape character, borrowing directional emphasis of form and line from natural features. However, the scale of vegetation manipulation around at-risk communities will be on a landscape scale. The design will borrow from the prairie-forest-edge character to create an open landscape with trees scattered across it. GUIDELINE *Where the scenic integrity objectives (SIO) criterion is High or Moderate, meet the criterion within 1 full growing season after completion of a project. In the wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas, the Moderate SIO should be met within 2 to 4 years after the fire-hazard objective is met. Future management activities in WUIs shall meet SIO within 1 year of treatment. Where it is Low or Very Low, meet the criterion within 3 full growing seasons after completion of a project. GUIDELINE Integrate the protection of aesthetic values with all resource planning. GUIDELINE 5

10 Scenery Management Highest priority for protection of scenic quality are those areas of heavy public use, such as scenic byways, major roads or trails, developed recreation sites, administrative sites, and backdrops for cities and towns. GUIDELINE *Within the immediate foreground of primary travelways/use areas, manage tree stands to enhance the scenic quality and recreational opportunities. Manage for a variety of scenic quality and recreation opportunities. Manage for a variety of scenic conditions including areas of large, yellow-barked ponderosa pine, areas of hiding cover for wildlife, and areas with open park-like conditions, except as needed to meet Objective GUIDELINE Vary stand densities to create vegetative diversity in areas with an adopted scenic integrity objective of Moderate or High. GUIDELINE (USDA FS 2006 p II-59-II-61) Management Area Direction Management Area 4.1 Limited Motorized Use and Forest Product Emphasis Theme: These areas are managed for non-motorized recreation, while providing for timber production, forage production, visual quality and a diversity of wildlife. Roads provide intermittent commercial access, but are normally closed to other than administrative use. Forest Communities Emphasize wood-fiber production, wildlife habitat, and visual quality. GOAL Management Area 5.1 Resource Production Emphasis Theme: These areas are managed for wood products, water yield, and forage production, while providing other commercial products, visual quality, diversity of wildlife and a variety of other goods and services. Numerous open roads provide commercial access and roaded recreation opportunities, while closed roads provide non-motorized recreation opportunities. Project Description The Black Hills National Forest is proposing vegetation treatments to reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle infestation, sanitation to reduce mountain pine beetle populations, road management activities associated with access for vegetation treatment and activity, and wildland fuel treatments. For the Cold Springs Project, the Black Hills National Forest proposes to conduct the following activities: Commercial vegetation treatments on 4,424 acres including: aspen release, commercial thin, single-tree selection, shelterwood preparation, wildlife habitat timber stand improvement, shelterwood removal, and shelterwood establishment. Noncommercial vegetation treatments on about 1,928 acres including: aspen release, precommercial thin, precommercial thin and aspen release, and wildlife timber stand improvement. Some of these treatments follow commercial treatment. Fuel treatments on about 1,970 acres including: broadcast burn some of which will follow vegetation treatment; pile and burn following vegetation treatment; slash, pile, and burn following vegetation treatment. Sanitation/salvage and noncommercial sanitation within commercial treatment units on about 4,424 acres and sanitation/salvage and noncommercial sanitation outside treatment units on about 7,337 acres. 6

11 Cold Springs Project Proposed road treatments including: 4 miles of new system roads, about 8 miles of new temporary road construction, and 2 miles on of non-system road converted to a National Forest System (NFS) road. About 48 miles of road maintenance and reconstruction is proposed. Road decommissioning would eliminate a 2-mile stretch of road located in a meadow bottom. A new system road, located on a forested, dry side-hill, would replace the existing road. Affected Environment In 2009, a National Visitor Use Monitoring project was conducted on the Black Hills National Forest. Recreation use on the Forest for the fiscal year was calculated at about 1,159,000 national forest visits. Over 59 percent of the visiting population participates in viewing natural features on the forest during their visit. About 18 percent say that is their primary activity, making it the most commonly selected primary activity. The next most popular primary activities are driving for pleasure (14.4 percent). fishing (11.6 percent), and hiking or walking (10.9 percent). Just over 44 percent view wildlife, yet fewer than 3 percent say that is their primary activity. Driving for pleasure (40.5 percent) and hiking or walking (32.1 percent) are also popular activities on the forest. (USDA FS 2011, 19). With regard to satisfaction of the recreation visitor s experience, the highest importance and satisfaction rating was given for scenery and condition of the environment in each category (USDA FS 2011). The results of this monitoring indicate that natural and naturally appearing scenery is an important resource to the Forest s recreation visitors. Landscape Character Landscape character gives a geographic area its visual and cultural image, and consists of the combination of physical, biological, and cultural attributes that make each landscape identifiable or unique. Existing landscape character may range from predominantly natural landscapes to those that are heavily culturally influenced. The landscape character units of the Black Hills National Forest are derived from an ecological framework utilizing ecological land descriptions and existing landscape uses. For full landscape character descriptions of this area, see Appendix B of the Forest Plan FEIS (USDA FS 1996, 47 55). The project area is on the border and shares attributes of both the Mountainous/Mixed Forest Landscape Character Unit, Laccolith Mountains Portion, and the Moderately Dissected Terrain/Mixed Forest Landscape Character Unit (USDA FS 1996, Appendix B, 52-55). The project area is located in the Laccolith Mountains Ecological Land Unit, which is characterized by numerous forested hills and mountains. Landforms are rounded with no dominant landforms within the project area. When present, water is a distinctive feature in the landscape. Inherently, the forest patterns are characterized by mostly continuous canopy vegetation composed of ponderosa pine forest with areas of white spruce and aspen intermixed with open meadows creating a forest-meadow character throughout the project area. Open meadows tend to be located along valley bottoms and along the upper portions of Spearfish Creek. Land use patterns transition between naturally appearing landscapes and rural landscapes with a pastoral or agricultural character. Homes in the area also provide for some developed and transitional land use patterns near private lands. 7

12 Scenery Management Existing Condition The Cold Springs project area is located south of Spearfish in the Black Hills National Forest, east of O Neil Pass. Dispersed recreationists and homeowners travel through the area on a daily basis. Ponderosa pine forest covers the majority of the area. Mountain pine beetle infestation is increasing within the project area and vicinity. A large portion of the project area ponderosa pine stands are susceptible to mountain pine beetle-caused losses and have conditions favorable to support an epidemic. Continuous fuel concentrations also exist, potentially affecting fire hazard and putting valued scenic attributes at risk. Scenic Classes Scenic class measures the relative importance, or value, of landscape areas having similar characteristics of scenic attractiveness and landscape visibility. Scenic class is used to compare the value of scenery with the value of other resources. The components of scenic class are scenic attractiveness (based upon human perceptions of the intrinsic beauty of landform, water characteristics, vegetative pattern, and cultural land use) and landscape visibility (based upon the distance zones from the observer and the Concern Level for scenery) (USDA FS 1995, 15). The higher the scenic class, the more important it is to maintain the highest scenic value. The inventoried scenic class values on the Black Hills National Forest are 1 (highest), 2, 3, and 4 (lowest rating on Forest), with 1 and 2 having high values for scenery and 3 and 4 having moderate values for scenery. The scenic class values demonstrate the importance of the views in different areas. About 12 percent of the project area is designated as a scenic class 1, 36 percent in class 2, 13 percent in class 3, and 15 percent in class 4. Scenic Attractiveness The scenic attractiveness of the project area is mostly an indistinctive (54 percent) or typical (27 percent) landscape with rounded mountain features and dry forest types with few unique or distinctive landscape features. The vibrant, golden fall colors of aspen provide seasonal distinctive scenic attractiveness and the meadows intermixed for conifer forests provides some scenic variety. Distinctive scenic attractiveness makes up about 9 percent of the project area. For full definitions of the scenic attractiveness classes, see the Landscape Aesthetics Handbook (USDA FS 1995, 1 16). Landscape Visibility and Concern Levels Landscape visibility describes the portions of landscapes visible from travelways and use areas important to constituents for their scenic quality, aesthetic values, and landscape merits. The 1997 forest planning process identified Concern Levels for travelways and use areas. Concern Level 1 is the highest concern for scenery given to travelways or use areas that often lead to distinctive scenic features, residential areas, resorts, recreation areas, etc., and attract a higher percentage of users having high concern for scenic quality, thus increasing the importance of those travelways (USDA FS 1995, 4 8). Activities are proposed throughout the project area in management areas 4.1 and 5.1, on the north and south sides of U.S. Highway 85 and along other secondary travelways. The area is accessed by U.S. Highway 85 through the center of the project area, Tinton Road (NFS Road 134.1) in the northern portion of the project area, South Rapid Road (NFS Road 231.5) along the west and south, and Long Draw Road (NFS Road 209.1) along the east. The primary viewpoints for the project area are: 8

13 Cold Springs Project U.S. Highway 85, including Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads Tinton Road (NFS Road 134.1) South Rapid Road (NFS Road 231.5) Long Draw Road (NFS Road 209.1) Cross-country ski trails in the area, near Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads U.S. Highway 85, a Concern Level 1 route, is a main route traveling between South Dakota and Wyoming and views about 20 percent of the project area. It is a popular route used by recreationists and tourists. Views from the highway in the eastern portions of the project area, including the Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads, are limited to the highway corridor due to steep slopes and densely forested areas. Traveling farther west, meadow openings and gentler slopes adjacent to the highway allow for longer views of the surrounding hills and forest. The project area is visible in foreground and middleground views from U.S. Highway 85. (See Figure 1 for definitions of landscape distance zones.) Figure 1. Landscape distance zones (USDA FS 1995, 4 5) Tinton Road (NFS Road 134.1), South Rapid Road (NFS Road 231.5), and Long Draw Road (NFS Road 209.1) are well-traveled gravel roads with Concern Level 2. These routes see about 64 percent of the project area. Views from these routes vary from denser conifer forests to areas of more open-grown conifer forests. Meadow openings in valley bottoms allow for longer duration views of surrounding hills and forests along each of these routes. The project area is visible in foreground and middleground views from these routes. Cross-country ski trails in the area pass through mostly ponderosa pine forests. Views from these routes vary from denser conifer forests to areas of more open-grown and managed conifer forest. Areas with past seed tree cuts or overstory removal feel quite open and are more noticeable than other past vegetation management activities. The project area is visible in the foreground of these trails. Scenic Integrity Objectives Scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) are management objectives adopted from the scenic class values. Scenic integrity is a measure of the degree to which a landscape is visually perceived to be complete. The highest scenic integrity ratings are given to those landscapes that have little or no deviation from the character valued by constituents for its aesthetic appeal (USDA FS 1995, 2-1). Within the Cold Springs project area, about 12 percent of the landscape is allocated as High SIO, about 35 percent is Moderate SIO, and about 41 percent is Low SIO. Definitions for these SIOs can be found in the methodology section of this report. (See Figure 2, a map showing the Cold Springs project area scenic integrity objectives.) 9

14 Scenery Management Existing Scenic Integrity Existing scenic integrity is the current scenic condition, which is measured in degrees of deviation from the natural appearance of the landscape character type. The existing scenic integrity of the project area is varied. Along U.S. Highway 85, past vegetation management and road construction activities have occurred. However, the landscape viewed from U.S. Highway 85 is naturally appearing or high scenic integrity. Along the Concern Level 2 routes, vegetation management and road construction have occurred with some areas feeling quite open when compared to other areas along the routes. Although vegetation management may be noticeable along these routes, it does not dominate the landscape being viewed for long durations and usually remains subordinate to the landscape being viewed, meeting moderate scenic integrity. Some large slash piles remaining from past management, utility corridors, and gravel pits are the most dominate evidence of past activities being readily evident with low scenic integrity. Desired Condition General desired conditions for scenery can be described as the desired landscape character. Desired landscape character is defined as the appearance of the landscape to be retained or created over time (USDA FS 1995). The desired landscape character is a predominantly natural appearing forest with scenic quality that is sustainable over the long term. A naturally appearing forest is often achieved by mimicking natural openings in scale, shape, and edge effects to blend with the surrounding landscape. See the methodology section for other assumptions regarding desired landscape character. To maintain or improve scenic quality, vegetation treatments including removal of the overstory (i.e., shelterwood removal) are not recommended in High or Moderate SIOs or should be limited in scale. The desired future condition for management area 4.1 regarding scenic resources is summarized as follows: The overall appearance of this management area is reminiscent of a managed forest, and few signs of damage to trees by insects or diseases should be visible Some recently cut areas show tree stumps, slash and disturbed soil, but within a few years the forest floor is covered with grasses and forbs The boundaries of these cut areas are designed to follow natural landscape patterns (USDA FS 2006, III-46 to III-47). The desired future condition for management area 5.1 regarding scenic resources is summarized as follows: The forest is largely a mosaic of tree groups of different ages and heights. Cut areas show tree stumps, slash and disturbed soil. The appearance of disturbed soil usually disappears in a short period of time due to grass, shrub and tree regeneration The boundaries of these cut areas appear to follow natural landscape patterns Evidence of insect and disease outbreaks is infrequent. There are some natural openings or meadows of various sizes and shapes, and these areas are enlarged as appropriate Trees in this management area are managed to produce forest products while providing forage production, visual quality, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, as well as other goods and services (USDA FS 2006, III-66-III-67). 10

15 Cold Springs Project Figure 2. Cold Springs Project scenic integrity objectives map 11

16 Scenery Management Environmental Consequences Methodology ArcMap and geographic information system (GIS) data layers were used to analyze the proposed activities in regards to recreation use, Concern Level travel corridor locations, potential viewsheds from concern travel corridors and viewpoints, scenic attractiveness, scenic classes, and scenic integrity objectives assigned to the area. The potential impacts to scenic resources from this project were determined based on site visits to the project area and viewpoints, review of photos of the project area, use and interpretation of GIS data, and review of research and analysis of similar projects. Evaluations made in this analysis are based on the amount of change potentially seen on the landscape in a given viewshed and the degree of deviation from the existing landscape character or the measure of the degree to which the landscape is visually perceived to be complete. This analysis uses scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) to determine if the alternatives meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines by comparing the degree of deviation from the existing landscape character or the measure of the degree to which the landscape is visually perceived to be complete. The scenery management system, as outlined in Landscape Aesthetics, A Handbook for Scenery Management, is today s best science to achieve high-quality scenery as an outcome of national forest ecosystem management practices. The Black Hills National Forest implemented the scenery management system in the 1997 Revised Forest Plan. The SIOs found in the project area include: High SIO A scenic integrity level meaning human activities are not visually evident. Activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color, and texture found in the existing landscape character (USDA FS 2006). The valued landscape character appears intact or unaltered. Deviations may be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern common to the landscape character so completely and at such scale that they are not evident (USDA FS 1995). Moderate SIO A scenic integrity level that refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character appears slightly altered. Noticeable deviations must remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed (USDA FS 1995, 2006). Low SIO A scenic integrity level referring to the landscapes where the valued landscape character appears moderately altered. Deviations begin to dominate the valued landscape character being viewed, but they borrow valued attributes such as size, shape, edge effect, and pattern of natural openings, vegetative type changes, or architectural styles within or outside the landscape being viewed. They should not only appear as valued character outside the landscape being viewed but compatible or complimentary to the character within (USDA FS 1995, 2006). As part of the analysis, the SIOs GIS data layer was reviewed for errors. Several corrections were made to polygons located directly on U.S. Highway 85. Corrections included changing several polygons from either Moderate or Low SIO to High SIO, correcting obvious inventory and mapping errors (Kjar, personal communication). The scenery analysis and maps reflect these corrections. The effects analysis will consider how each alternative meets the allocated SIOs. Effects caused by the no action and modified proposed action alternatives were also considered in relation to the desired landscape character. 12

17 Cold Springs Project Assumptions Vegetation treatments reducing the overstory tree component below 40 basal area or removing the entire overstory, often create the most negative scenic effects. These treatments can have their greatest negative effect when viewed in the immediate foreground and foreground distance zones. However, they can also have strong negative effects when viewed in the middleground and background. Treatment location, in relation to terrain and elevation, can affect the visibility of management activities. Vegetation treatments on steep slopes, when other landforms do not block the view, can dominate the landscape. The duration of view or speed of travel through an area (i.e., walking or riding in a vehicle), determine how long a viewer has to study and pick out objects, forms, lines, colors, and patterns in the landscape. How well treatments transition from treated to untreated areas can also affect how evident a treatment is in all distance zones Proposed activities, although they may have some short-term negative impacts on scenery, also may begin to move the landscape toward the desired landscape character. Effects that would move the vegetation toward the desired landscape character are beneficial to scenic resources in the long term. These beneficial effects are often realized over a long period of time but lead to the lasting sustainability of valued scenery attributes. For example, tree thinning may have short-term effects of ground disturbance, stumps, and slash, but in the long term, if properly mitigated for scenery, may provide visual access into the forest and promote large tree growth and a smooth herbaceous ground cover. In the long-term, the removal of some trees, dependent on scale and intensity of treatment, may be a beneficial effect for scenery. Desired landscape character often includes and is linked to preferred visual settings. Gobster (1994) summarizes visually preferred settings as having four common attributes: large trees; smooth, herbaceous ground cover; an open midstory canopy with high visual penetration; and vistas with distant views and high topographic relief. Visual access, or how far one can see into a forest, is also a preferred scenic setting (Ryan 2005). The degree of visual access varies throughout the project area, depending on the amount of understory vegetation present in the forest. Younger ponderosa pine forests may have dense vegetation, which allows very little visual access into the forest. In the long term, scenic resources will have higher scenic quality if visual access is achieved or enhanced. Spatial and Temporal Context for Effects Analysis Short-term scenic effects of timber harvesting and vegetation management are often the most noticeable until the growth of grasses, shrubs, and remaining trees begin to soften the effects of harvest operations. Short-term for this analysis refers to a 3- to 5-year period after all vegetation treatment and fuels reduction activities in an area are complete. Short-term effects are especially noticeable when the viewer has an up-close view of the treatment site usually in the foreground viewing distance. Long-term effects, which for this analysis is considered beyond 5 years, vary by the treatment and the logging method used. The scenic resource analysis considered the area within the project area boundary, unless otherwise noted. Past harvest of timbered slopes is generally noticeable for 15 to 30 years depending on treatment prescriptions, soils, aspect, and vegetative species composition. At the end of this time period, the regrowth of vegetation begins to develop characteristics of a closed canopy and the area no longer appears altered. A complete list of potential cumulative actions can be found in Appendix C of the 13

18 Scenery Management Cold Springs Environmental Assessment (EA). The cumulative effects analysis area is the Cold Springs project area and viewshed of U.S. Highway 85 adjacent to the project area, including lands in other ownerships. Past, Present, and Foreseeable Activities Relevant to Cumulative Effects Analysis Past Activities Past actions, such as road building, timber harvest, and livestock grazing developments, provided access to the area, which fostered dispersed recreational use of the Forest. Past activities include timber harvest, fuels reduction, fire suppression, noxious weed control, livestock grazing and construction of range facilities, road construction and maintenance, gravel pit extraction, a utility corridor, and personal use firewood cutting. Recreation activities include: Non-motorized recreation associated with the Eagle Cliff trail system, motorized recreation including snowmobiles and ATVs, dispersed recreation, and other recreation such as fly fishing, snowmobile trail use, and Eagle Cliff trail use. Past timber harvest operations and fuels reduction activities have occurred throughout the project area and adjacent lands. Past timber sales include harvesting using a variety of prescriptions. Harvesting on NFS land has occurred from the 1960s to present. See Appendix C in the Cold Springs EA for a complete listing of past harvest activities on NFS land and other ownerships. Most of these past activities, such as roads, trails, and recreation activities, have formed the current recreation opportunities and most often form the viewing platform and opportunities for viewing scenery. The effects of livestock grazing on scenic resources generally include visible fences to manage allotments, water improvements, and livestock trails. Effects of livestock grazing can have negative effects to scenic resources when lands have been continuously grazed, resulting in decreased ground cover or in areas with extensive trailing. Effects to scenery resources from the control of noxious weeds are minimal. The exposed soils of gravel pits and vegetation edges of utility corridors can dominate the landscape when viewed. Present Actions Present actions within the analysis area focus primarily on livestock grazing, timber harvest and fuels reduction on private land, noxious weed control, a utility corridor, gravel pit extraction personal use firewood cutting, road and trail maintenance, and recreation activities. Effects of these present actions are the same as those discussed under past activities. Reasonably Foreseeable Activities Reasonably foreseeable future activities in the analysis area are: livestock grazing, noxious weed control, a utility corridor, gravel pit extraction, personal use firewood cutting, road and trail maintenance, and recreation activities. It is anticipated that the foreseeable activities would meet the adopted SIOs within the project area and continue to provide recreation opportunities and form the viewing platform and opportunities for viewing scenery. Alternative A No Action Direct Effects Alternative A proposes no action and initiates no human-caused changes to the scenic quality within the project area. Alternative A would meet the adopted High, Moderate, and Low SIOs 14

19 Cold Springs Project throughout the project area as it does not create any unnaturally appearing elements of form, line, color, or texture. Indirect Effects Under alternative A, vegetation structure would change over time through natural growth, mortality and events such as wildfires, storms, and insect outbreaks. High amounts of fuels, if established, do not create visually preferred open stands with high visual access and a clear forest floor. The potential for wildfire and insect outbreaks in this alternative would be an additional risk to the stability of the scenic resources in the future. Under alternative A, the natural evolution of the vegetative component of the landscape would continue to change the scenic qualities of the area over time. For example, wind storms or snow and ice storms may cause portions of the project area, particularly beetle mortality areas, to blow down or contain areas of broken-topped trees. If the vegetation in the project area was consumed by fire, the existing landscape character would be lost until trees and understory vegetation reestablishes. If killed by wildfire, scorched timber and shrubs would alter the forested setting, changing the sense of place for visitors in the area. In general, natural forest disturbances that result in extensive areas of dead or dying trees (Haider and Hunt 2002, Ribe 1990) such as the destruction of the forest by fire or flooding are perceived negatively (Daniel 2001; Fanariotu and Skuras 2004; Gobster 1994, 1995) (cited in Ryan 2005, 17). If many trees were killed by an insect outbreak at epidemic levels, the existing landscape character could also be lost until trees reestablish. Trees killed by an insect outbreak would be very noticeable in the first two years of mortality, as long as red needles persist. After needles fall to the ground, standing, dead trees appear gray in color. In most cases groups of dead trees, once needles have fallen, would remain subordinate to a surrounding landscape of green trees. However, an epidemic outbreak that kills entire stands of trees, or groups of trees larger than an acre, may start to dominate the landscape being viewed. Beetle mortality would especially dominate when a viewer has a direct view of an affected hillside for longer durations. Tops of the standing, dead trees eventually break out or entire dead trees fall to the ground. Areas with a lot of mortality often create a jack-straw appearance of downed logs across the forest floor as these trees fall to the ground. Large amounts of downed material, even if the cause is natural, is not a preferred visual setting (Ryan 2005). Cumulative Effects Because this alternative does not directly affect scenic resources, and because it does not have an additive effect to the impacts from past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities, there are no cumulative effects for the no-action alternative. Compliance with Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans Alternative A would be consistent with Forest Plan goals, standards, and guidelines for scenic resources. No direct or cumulative effects to scenic resources are expected in the long term. Summary of Effects The scenic resources would be the same as the existing condition and no changes to scenic quality would occur. This alternative would accept changes to scenery initiated by natural processes only. If vegetation were consumed by a fire or killed by an insect outbreak, views of the area may be 15

20 Scenery Management dominated by large amounts of dead trees, which is not part of the desired landscape character. This alternative likely results in conditions and trends that put valued scenery attributes at risk with potential indirect effects that reduce the stability of scenic resources. Alternative B Modified Proposed Action The modified proposed action proposes vegetation treatments to reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle infestation using a variety of silvicultural treatments, sanitation to reduce mountain pine beetle populations, road management activities associated with access for vegetation treatment, and wildland fuel treatments that may have an impact on scenic resources. This section discloses the direct and indirect effects in a general manner and as related to viewsheds from the identified Concern Level viewpoints. Visual effects generated by vegetative management activities vary in duration and intensity, depending on the treatment prescribed and the logging method used. Project Design Criteria Activity slash would be reduced to natural levels within 300 feet of U.S. Highway 85, unless not visible due to changes in topography. Slash would be treated within 1 year of harvest completion. Layout and marking of timber sale units would comply with forestwide marking guides in effect at the time of implementation. Visual marking guidelines (FSH Amendment No. r2_bh_ ) would be followed for travel routes: U.S. Highway 85, National Forest System roads 231.5, 209.1, and 134.1, and recreation sites: Holey Rock Trailhead and Bratwurst Trailhead. Where possible, treatments would be designed to reduce the chance of wind damage to residual trees. This may include retaining higher density of mature trees on exposed ridges, lee slopes, and other areas prone to high winds and heavy snow accumulation. To reduce effects of continuously even tree spacing on wildlife and scenery, commercial thin treatments would emphasize tree health and crown size over spacing. Residual trees in shelterwood removal and establishment cut units would be variably spaced. Skyline logging corridors would be as narrow as possible to minimize visual effects of any soil displacement. Where existing conditions allow, treatments in forested areas adjacent to other ownership would blend into adjacent tree density conditions rather than creating strong vegetation edges. A horizontal transition zone of 2 chains (132 feet) would achieve this transition in tree density. Within 300 feet of U.S. Highway 85, the following design criteria will be in place: (1) Skid trails will be utilized during dry or frozen conditions to minimize soil disturbance, and will be re seeded with native grasses. These techniques have been effectively used to reduce soil displacement and speed up the re vegetation process along these skid trails, reducing highly visual evidence of skid trails. (2) All stumps should be cut low (less than 6 inches) within this zone in the following units: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and No whole-tree harvest slash piles will be placed within 300 feet of U.S. Highway 85, National Forest System roads 231.5, 209.1, and Use topography and vegetation to screen log landings from view of U.S. Highway 85, National Forest System roads 231.5, 209.1, and Once management activities are 16

21 Cold Springs Project complete, rehabilitate landings by returning to original contours, scarifying to eliminate compaction (as necessary), and planting with native grass seed. If vegetation clearing is needed for log landings, shape edges to mimic natural patterns and openings. Within 300 feet of U.S. Highway 85, National Forest System roads 231.5, 209.1, and 134.1, and Eagle Cliff non-motorized recreation trails, the following design criteria will be in place: (1) Where possible along these routes, remaining vegetation should be in a variety of sizes and spacing to maintain a more natural appearance. This technique has been very effective in maintaining a natural appearance. Locations where it was not used resulted in a tree farm appearance (avoid leaving all trees same height and evenly spaced across the landscape). (2) Slash will be cleaned up to natural levels within 300 feet of these travel corridors. This can be accomplished by slash clean up (e.g., scattering and underburning, piling, and burning, or chipping) after logging. (3) Slash, once placed on the ground, needs to be treated in accordance with forest plan guidelines 4112 and 5606.Where possible, prescribed burns adjacent to U.S. Highway 85 would be burned so that overstory trees visible from the road show as little scorch as possible. To meet High SIO in shelterwood establishment units and , the following design criteria will be in place: leave a higher basal area ranging from square feet of basal area in an irregular spacing and leave denser areas or leave islands of trees throughout the unit. To meet Moderate SIO in shelterwood establishment unit , the following design criteria will be in place: in the northern half of the unit, leave a higher basal area ranging from square feet of basal area with irregular tree spacing. Direct and Indirect Effects Vegetation Treatments The visual effects of tree removal, such as commercial thinning or shelterwood treatments, can vary depending on the intensity of the treatment (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 for maps showing proposed commercial and noncommercial treatments). Stumps, slash, and edge effects of newly logged areas or units, depending on the intensity of the treatment, can result in a forest that appears moderately altered in the short term. The contrast between harvest and unharvested areas in the short term is often quite noticeable. Reducing the amount of slash and woody debris after timber harvesting is beneficial for scenic resources, as numerous studies have found that the public responds negatively to downed wood, slash, and other debris from timber harvesting and thinning (Arthur 1977, Echelberger 1979, Ruddell et al. 1989) (cited in Ryan 2005, 45). Sanitation and salvage treatments are considered to be preventative and are most effective before an epidemic starts. Sanitation treatments would occur within treatment units and throughout the project area at mountain pine beetle infestation locations. If many trees need to be removed either within treatment units or other parts of the project area, other management activities may become more evident. Additionally, if many trees need to be removed, areas of sanitation removal may be quite noticeable due to the textural change in the forest canopy. However, if sanitation and salvage reduces the potential of large amounts of dead trees, a more preferred scenic setting is anticipated in the long term. Prior to implementation, resource specialists would review areas of sanitation treatment outside of harvest units to determine whether any special design criteria are needed. Commercial thinning, shelterwood preparation, and single-tree selection treatments would have similar effects on scenic resources as these treatments would achieve a stocking ranging from 60 to 80 square feet of basal area. In most areas, trees would be whole-tree logged and hauled to a 17

22 Scenery Management landing for processing, reducing the amount of slash seen in the proposed units after harvesting. These treatment types would result in a more open appearing forest. In foreground views, this type of harvest would change the visual access into the forested stand by reducing the number of tree boles. The forest, from this viewing distance would appear more open with greater visual access into the forested stand. The reduced number of trees would allow visitors to view greater distances across the otherwise forested area and more light would reach the forest floor. In middleground views, with the thinning described above, this type of timber harvest may be noticeable as a slight change in the texture of the tree canopy. Whole-tree yarding would reduce the amount of woody debris and slash seen from Concern Level viewpoints. The transition zone of unit edges in the scenery project design criteria would reduce any noticeable edges between treated and non-treated areas when viewed from the middleground distance. Shelterwood establishment cutting would initiate pine regeneration in mature stands with a relatively low stocking level (approximately 30 square feet of basal area), leaving the best overstory trees to serve as a seed source for a new stand. Shelterwood removal would remove most overstory pine trees in stands that have been fully regenerated in the past with a shelterwood establishment cut. Shelterwood establishment cutting and shelterwood removal are the most intensive treatments in regards to scenery. These treatments would change the texture of the tree canopy dramatically, allowing more of the forest floor to be seen in these areas from both foreground and middleground views. The shape and edges of these treatment units would be more noticeable than other treatment types because more trees would be removed. These areas would appear quite open compared to the existing condition, allowing one to view much greater distances across the area. The transition zone of unit edges in the scenery project design criteria would reduce noticeable edges between treated and non-treated areas when viewed from the middleground distance. A shelterwood removal type consisting of the first step of two-step removal would resemble a shelterwood preparation cut described above. Precommercial thinning would decrease stocking in stands composed of small-diameter stems, Cut trees would be lopped and scattered on site, or piled and burned. In wildlife timber stand improvement areas, the understory of stands with management emphasis on wildlife habitat would be thinned to a variable density. These treatments would open the tree canopy slightly changing the texture of the tree canopy as viewed from U.S. Highway 85. The effects of these thinning treatments would be naturally appearing, creating more visual access in these forested stands and allowing the viewer to view greater distances into the forested stand. Thinning that would increase tree health and vigor would move these areas toward the desired landscape character. Once slash removal is complete, it is anticipated that these activities would not be evident. Where aspen is the predominant forest cover, all conifers would be removed. Where aspen occurs as a small group or inclusion within a pine stand, the conifers in close proximity to the aspen would be removed. Aspen release would increase visual variety and scenic attractiveness, especially during fall color changes. Tree stumps have impacts to scenic resources in the short term and would be most noticeable in the immediate foreground view of the identified Concern Level viewpoints. Visible tree stumps from timber harvesting are generally disliked by viewers (Daniel and Boster 1976 and Ryan 2005). Project design criteria are in place to reduce the visibility of stumps and minimize their impacts. Stumps would become less visible within one to two growing seasons as grasses, forbs, and shrubs sprout new growth. Table 2 summarizes the acres of vegetation treatment by SIO. 18

23 Cold Springs Project Table 2. Acres of proposed vegetation treatments in each scenic integrity objective for the modified proposed action Proposed vegetation treatments Commercial vegetation treatments HIGH SIO MODERATE SIO Acres LOW SIO Total for treatment Aspen release Commercial thin ,398 Commercial thin, 50 percent canopy cover Single-tree selection Single-tree selection, 50 percent canopy cover Shelterwood preparation Shelterwood preparation, 50 percent canopy cover Shelterwood removal < Shelterwood removal (1 st step of 2 step removal, leaving about 60 square feet basal area) Shelterwood establishment ,290 Total commercial treatment area 4,424 Noncommercial vegetation treatments Aspen release (247 acres following vegetation treatment) Precommercial thin(1,060 acres following vegetation treatment) Precommercial thin and aspen release following commercial treatment Wildlife timber stand improvement (34 acres following vegetation treatment) , Total noncommercial vegetation treatment 1,928 Note: Any slight discrepancies in totaling acreages are from rounding values in GIS. Appendix A of the Cold Springs EA, provides the acres of each treatment unit and their allocated SIOs 1 Total of about 0.5 acres in two units ( and ) 2 Units , , Entire units and And 1 to 2 acres in each of the following units , , , , and

24 Scenery Management Figure 3. Cold Springs Project proposed commercial treatments and scenic integrity objectives map 20

25 Cold Springs Project Figure 4. Cold Springs Project proposed noncommercial treatments and scenic integrity objectives map Views from U.S. Highway 85, including Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads The foreground viewshed of U.S. Highway 85 is mostly allocated as High SIO, while most of the middleground viewshed is allocated Moderate SIO. Views from the highway in the eastern 21

26 Scenery Management portions of the project area, including the Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads, are mostly limited to the highway corridor due to steep slopes and densely forested areas. Traveling farther west, meadow openings and gentler slopes adjacent to the highway allow for longer views of the proposed treatments. Proposed treatments occurring in the immediate foreground and foreground of U.S. Highway 85 in High SIO include: shelterwood preparation cutting, commercial thinning, single tree selection, aspen release and pre-commercial thinning. Aspen release would increase visual variety and scenic attractiveness viewed from U.S. Highway 85. The forest, as viewed from U.S. Highway 85, would appear more open with greater visual access into the forest. Where treatments are right next to the highway, visitors would be able to view greater distances across the otherwise forested area and more light would reach the forest floor. These treatments would create visually preferred settings having attributes of large trees; smooth, herbaceous ground cover; and an open midstory canopy with high visual penetration. Once all project activities are complete and with the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that project activities would not be visually evident to the visitor as viewed from U.S. Highway 85. The first step of a two-step shelterwood removal is also proposed above Holey Rock Trailhead. A higher basal area (about 60 square feet basal area) would be retained so that this area has forested appearance although the area may appear more open and have a slightly more open canopy texture. These treatments are also located above steep slopes north of the highway and trailhead, and would not be visually evident for long durations of view. Two treatment units of shelterwood establishment cutting (units and ) are proposed in High SIO. Although these treatment units are mostly screened by topography, it is anticipated they may be seen for short durations of view. Project design criteria specific to these units include leaving more trees ranging from square feet of basal area in an irregular spacing and leaving denser areas or leave islands of trees throughout the unit. This project design feature ensures the use of form, line, color and texture of the characteristic landscape so that deviations are not evident. Middleground views of the proposed treatments would continue to have a forested canopy character with vegetation treatments providing a slightly more open texture to the forest canopy when viewed from U.S. Highway 85. With the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that these vegetation treatments would not be visually evident in the characteristic landscape being viewed from U.S. Highway 85. Views from Tinton Road (NFS Road 134.1) The foreground and middleground viewsheds of Tinton Road are mostly allocated as Moderate SIO. Proposed treatments occurring in the immediate foreground and foreground of Tinton Road include: shelterwood preparation cutting, commercial thinning, single-tree selection, aspen release, and precommercial thinning. Aspen release would increase visual variety viewed from Tinton Road. Where treatments are adjacent to Tinton Road, visitors would be able to view greater distances across the otherwise forested area, and more light would reach the forest floor. These treatments would create visually preferred settings having attributes of large trees and an open midstory canopy with high visual penetration. Once all project activities are complete and with the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that project activities would not be visually evident or any noticeable deviations would remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed from Tinton Road. 22

27 Cold Springs Project Views from South Rapid Road (NFS Road 231.5) The majority of the foreground viewshed of South Rapid Road is allocated as Moderate SIO with some foreground areas and most of the middleground viewshed allocated as Low SIO. Most of the views from South Rapid Road are of the foreground viewshed with limited views of the middlground viewing distance. Proposed treatments occurring in the immediate foreground and foreground of South Rapid Road in Moderate SIO include: commercial thinning, single-tree selection, wildlife timber stand improvement, aspen release, and precommercial thinning. Aspen release would increase visual variety and scenic attractiveness viewed from South Rapid Road. The forest, as viewed from South Rapid Road, would appear more open with greater visual access into the forest. Where treatments are adjacent to the road, visitors would be able to view greater distances across the otherwise forested area, and more light would reach the forest floor. These treatments would create visually preferred settings having attributes of large trees; smooth, herbaceous ground cover, and an open midstory canopy with high visual penetration. Once all project activities are complete and with the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that project activities would not be visually evident to the visitor as viewed from South Rapid Road. Several treatment units of shelterwood removal and shelterwood establishment cutting are proposed in Moderate SIO. These treatment types would open the forested setting quite noticeably when next to South Rapid Road, and would dominate the landscape if the viewer had long-duration views or was standing within the treatment unit. These treatments, when next to the road, are spaced occasionally along South Rapid Road. Shelterwood removal unit (about 39 acres in size) is located next to private property and borders South Rapid Road for about 0.1 mile. Shelterwood establishment cutting units and (totaling 78 acres in size) border South Rapid Road for about 0.4 mile. About one-half mile of the 7.5 miles of South Rapid Road passing through the project area would be adjacent to shelterwood removal or shelterwood establishment cutting. The spacing and scale of these treatments next to the road would limit long duration views of these treatments. The change in texture of the tree canopy would be noticeable, but with the scenery project design criteria applied and with the spacing of proposed treatments along the road, it is anticipated these activities would remain subordinate to the landscape being viewed from South Rapid Road. Several shelterwood establishment treatments (units , , and ) are concentrated south of South Rapid Road, with about half of unit and small portions of units , and located in Moderate SIO. The change in canopy texture and scale of these units may begin to dominate the characteristic landscape if viewed. However, it is anticipated that topography south of the road would screen enough of these treatments from view that they would remain subordinate to the landscape being viewed from South Rapid Road. In any case, project design criteria specific to unit includes leaving more trees in the northern half of the unit, ranging from square feet of basal area with irregular tree spacing. This project design feature ensures the use of form, line, color and texture of the characteristic landscape so that deviations in Moderate SIO remain subordinate to the landscape being viewed. Views from Long Draw Road (NFS Road 209.1) Long Draw Road passes through the southeastern portion of the project area with foreground viewsheds allocated as Moderate and Low SIO. Proposed treatments occurring in the immediate foreground and foreground of Long Draw Road in Moderate SIO include: commercial thinning, single-tree selection, shelterwood removal, and precommercial thinning. The forest, as viewed from Long Draw Road, would appear more open with greater visual access into the forest. Where 23

28 Scenery Management treatments are right next to the road, visitors would be able to view greater distances across the otherwise forested area, and more light would reach the forest floor. These treatments, along with proposed broadcast burning in these units, would create visually preferred settings having attributes of large trees; smooth, herbaceous ground cover; and an open midstory canopy with high visual penetration. Once all project activities are complete and with the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that project activities would either not be evident or if noticeable, would remain visually subordinate to the landscape being viewed from Long Draw Road. Cross-country ski trails in the area near Bratwurst and Holey Rock Trailheads Cross-country ski trails have immediate foreground and foreground viewsheds allocated as High and Moderate SIO. Views of proposed treatments from the trails would be for longer durations. Proposed treatments next to cross-country ski trails include: shelterwood establishment cutting, shelterwood removal (first step of two-step process), commercial thinning, single-tree selection, and precommercial thinning. Effects to scenery from these treatments would be similar to those described for other Concern Level viewpoints above, but with longer duration views. Hazardous Fuels Reduction Fuel treatments are proposed to reduce natural fuels and activity-generated slash (see Table 3 and Figure 5). Proposed fuel treatments across the project area would break up continuous fuel concentrations and reduce fire hazard. Proposed fuel treatments include broadcast burning, hand piling and burning, and slashing. In broadcast prescribed burning, forest stands and meadows would be burned with a low-intensity surface fire. Overstory tree mortality is not desired, however, some overstory trees may be killed due to the burn. Broadcast burns would require control lines, where forest litter is cleared down to mineral soil. All proposed burning activities would have short-term effects of burned, blackened vegetation, and charred ground surfaces. Grasses and shrubs would resprout within one growing season after the burn, no longer being visually evident at that time. The proposed control line may be noticeable within the immediate foreground viewing distance from identified U.S. Highway 85, South Rapid Road, and Long Draw Road, but it is anticipated this activity would also not be visually evident after one growing season. In the long-term, burning would increase the diversity of texture, color, vegetative size classes, and distribution across the landscape. In the short and long terms, underburning often creates a smooth, herbaceous ground cover, a preferred visual setting. Less severe natural disturbances, such as low burn severity areas where understory burns but most mature trees are not killed, result in preferred forests over time (Taylor and Daniel 1984). Concentrations of surface and ladder fuels would be hand- or machine-piled and burned. Handpiling and burning, when debris is fully consumed, is a preferred hazardous fuels treatment in visually sensitive areas such as next to private property (Ryan 2005). Scenery effects of burned ground surfaces would be limited to the pile location rather than spread throughout the unit. Handpiles would be noticeable until burned, and the burned areas may be noticeable until grasses resprout. It is anticipated the handpile burned areas would not be evident after about one growing season as these areas revegetate and the surrounding shrubs, grasses, and forbs would screen most of the burned areas from view. This activity may be seen from U.S. Highway 85, South Rapid Road, Tinton Road, and Long Draw Road. Slashing treatments are proposed in units scattered throughout the project area. The cutting of understory vegetation component would open up the stands to a more park-like vegetative mosaic and provide more visual access into forested stands, a preferred visual setting. Understory slashing would mostly be noticeable in foreground views as 24

29 Cold Springs Project people would be able to view greater distances across the forested stand. This activity may be seen from U.S. Highway 85, South Rapid Road, and Tinton Road. Table 3summarizes proposed fuels treatments by SIO. Table 3. Acres of fuel treatments in each scenic integrity objective for the modified proposed action Proposed fuel treatments Broadcast burn (657 acres following vegetation treatment) HIGH SIO Acres MODERATE SIO LOW SIO Total for treatment Pile and burn following vegetation treatment Slash, pile, and burn following vegetation treatment Total fuel treatment area 1,670 25

30 Scenery Management Figure 5. Cold Springs Project proposed fuel treatments and scenic integrity objectives map 26

31 Cold Springs Project Logging Removal Methods and Associated Facilities Removal methods for vegetation treatments include ground-based and skyline systems throughout the project area (see Figure 6). Skyline Removal Methods Skyline corridors have the potential to create straight lines through a normally continuous canopy of forest. Effects of skyline logging removal to scenic resources include the potential to view into the skyline corridor from nearby roads. Skyline logging removal is located in the eastern portion of the project area and would not be visible from the Concern Level viewpoints identified in the existing condition section of this analysis. Up to about 14 acres could be removed by skyline systems in Moderate SIO and 119 acres in Low SIO. Ground-based Removal Methods Ground-based removal methods would take place throughout the project area. Where groundbased logging would be used to remove trees, evidence of logging would be apparent primarily in foreground views. Possible effects include skid trails, which often create lines of exposed soils across the forest floor. These effects would last for about 3 years until grasses and shrubs in the understory reestablish and lessen the effects of ground-based equipment. Some effects by groundbased harvest operations would also be softened by the proposed prescribed burning. Groundbased removal, which is proposed on about 653 acres of High SIO, about 1,660 acres of Moderate SIO, and about 1,978 acres of Low SIO, would not be noticeable once all project activities are complete. It is anticipated that High, Moderate, and Low SIOs would be met from the identified Concern Level viewpoints within three growing seasons of all project activities being complete. Hauling Routes and Landings The log hauling routes for the majority of the timber removal includes roads throughout the project area. Approximately 48 miles of roads under Forest Service jurisdiction would be used as haul routes for timber and would have pre-use maintenance or reconstruction. Reconstruction is more intensive than pre-use maintenance and could include surface rock placement, improvement of drainage structures, and realignment. Pre-use maintenance involves blading the road surface to provide a smooth running surface, establishing proper drainage, reestablishing the road shoulder, and removing brush. Road reshaping and new road surfacing would be noticeable due to the fresh, lighter colored soils which would be added or exposed. After about one to two growing seasons, these road improvements would not be visually evident. Landings are most evident during project implementation before large piles of logs and slash are removed and immediately after project implementation until the landing is revegetated. The majority of landings would be away from view of Concern Level viewpoints such as U.S. Highway 85. With the scenery project design criteria applied, it is anticipated that landings would not be evident from the identified Concern Level viewpoints. Temporary Road Construction Approximately 8 miles of temporary roads would be constructed to provide access to vegetation treatment areas (see Figure 7). Temporary roads would be needed to provide log-truck access to suitable landing areas where trees are processed into logs. Temporary roads are essentially a path cleared to allow logging equipment access. The temporary roads would be blocked and revegetated following use. 27

32 Scenery Management Construction of temporary roads can affect scenery by exposing light-colored soils and creating noticeable color contrasts which may be seen in foreground and middleground views. Generally temporary roads, once rehabilitated, revegetate quickly and would visually recover in the short term once rehabilitation activities are complete. Temporary roads would be located throughout the project area and not visible or readily evident from the identified Concern Level viewpoints. Figure 6. Cold Springs Project proposed removal methods and scenic integrity objectives map 28

33 Cold Springs Project Other Road Management Activities Road Decommissioning About 2.3 miles of roads are proposed for decommissioning. A National Forest System road, road 209.3C, and an unclassified road, U100072, located in the upper portion of Clayton Draw, would be decommissioned, and a new road would be constructed to replace road 209.3C. Road decommissioning activities generally have short-term effects to scenery by exposing lightcolored soils which create noticeable color contrasts in foreground and middleground views. These short-term effects would visually recover quickly as the areas revegetate. The long-term effects of road decommissioning are beneficial to scenic resources by recontouring slopes to mimic natural landforms and rehabilitating and revegetating exposed soils generally visible on cut and fill slopes created during road construction. Road decommissioning would be located in the Clayton Draw area and may be noticeable from South Rapid Road for up to five growing seasons until the area revegetates. New Road Construction Three new roads, approximately 4 miles, are proposed to be constructed where no route has previously been developed. The new roads are needed to provide harvest access, and there is a long-term, reoccurring need for the roads. The replacement for road 209.3C would be located to the east, outside of the meadow passing through forested vegetation and in a location where proper drainage can be maintained. The new location would also allow timber harvest landings to be located in forest stands, outside of meadows. New road construction will be noticeable by exposing light-colored soils on the new road surface and any cut and fill slopes and by potentially creating a break in the tree canopy. The new road construction near Clayton Draw is located in Moderate and Low SIO and has the potential to be seen by South Rapid Road. However, the new road location follows hillside contours borrowing design from the characteristic landscape. It is anticipated that once newly exposed soils fade, the road would remain subordinate to the landscape being viewed from South Rapid Road. About 1 mile of new road construction is located south of South Rapid Road and is not anticipated to be evident from this route once constructed due to topography screening from the road. About 0.8 mile of new road construction is located in the foreground viewing distance of U.S. Highway 85. However, the new road construction is located in a forested area with higher proposed basal area and mostly screened from view by steep, roadside slopes in the eastern portion of U.S. Highway 85. A slight break in the tree canopy may be noticeable for short durations when traveling along U.S. Highway 85 by this new road construction. Non-system to System Road Conversion About 2.4 miles of non-system road would also be converted to system road. The routes proposed for conversion are unclassified, user-created routes or routes that were National Forest System roads, but have since been decommissioned. The road template already exists. The route would be added to the National Forest System and improved as necessary to meet Forest Service specifications. Effects to scenery would be similar to those described for road maintenance or reconstruction activities. These routes would be closed following management activities. One route proposed for conversion can be seen in the foreground viewing distance of U.S. Highway 85 for short duration. This route does not dominate the landscape, but is noticeable as a native surface route intersecting with the highway. Since the route already exists on the ground and 29

34 Scenery Management would be closed to motorized use following management activities, it is anticipated that the location and conversion of this road borrows from the form, line, color, and texture common to the existing landscape character so completely and at such a scale that conversion of this road would not be evident from U.S. Highway 85. Other routes proposed for conversion are not visible from Concern Level viewpoints due to topographic screening. Figure 7. Cold Springs Project proposed road management treatments and scenic integrity objectives map 30