Elk Post-fire Restoration Reforestation Project USDA Forest Service Boise National Forest Mountain Home Ranger District Elmore County, Idaho

Transcription

1 Introduction and Location Project USDA Forest Service Boise National Forest Mountain Home Ranger District Elmore County, Idaho The Mountain Home Ranger District experienced several large wildfires during 2012 and 2013 including the Trinity Ridge Fire (2012), and Elk Complex (2013). The USDA Forest Service is proposing to plant conifer seedlings within the Elk Complex wildfire boundary on about 23,203 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land on the Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest (BNF) (Figure 1). The proposed project area is located in Elmore County. The project area lies within the following Management Areas (MA): 01 Lower South Fork Boise River and 02 Rattlesnake Creek/Feather River; The proposed planting is within Management Prescription Category (MPC) Roaded Recreation Emphasis and 5.1 Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Forested Landscapes. Figure 1 Vicinity Map for the Elk Post-Fire Restoration Reforestation Project

2 Background The project area is part of the Elk Complex wildfire that started in August The Elk Complex burned 130,946 acres over multiple ownerships including Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, State Idaho Department of Lands, and private. Of those 130,946 acres, approximately 101,002 acres are on USFS lands. Approximately 73,905 acres burned at intensities high enough to cause mortality to vegetation. Within those acres about 46,821 acres were forested (conifer/aspen/riparian) while the remainder was shrublands. The predominant forested communities impacted were low elevation ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests or those that provide habitat for Family 1 wildlife species. Across the Boise NF low elevation forest communities and habitat for Family 1 species has been a conservation concern. The quality of Family 1 source habitat had been steadily declining within the area that burned and as a result of the wildfire, much of the existing source habitat was eliminated. White-headed woodpeckers are the primary species identified with Family 1 habitats within the 2010 Forest Plan. Within the wildfire area, two documented nesting territories experienced over 90% tree mortality. Several suspected nesting territories, those with documented presence but no documented nesting also experienced high levels of mortality. Within the Fall Creek 5 th HUC, 68% of the forested area was PVG s suitable of supporting Family 1 source habitat. Within Fall Creek 5 th HUC, 46% of the forested area was PVG s 1 and 2 the primary PVG utilized by white-headed woodpeckers. The other 22% was PVG 3 which does not always develop conditions used by white-headed woodpeckers. Although the variability of conditions created by the wildfire within forested areas will support a larger variety of species than were present before the wildfire, within the proposed restoration units it is likely that without conifer planting large patches will exist in a shrub-dominated state far into the future. Though over time conifers will likely naturally establish across these patches, due to a lack of seed source establishment will be slow. With planting we expect to get greater diversity of habitats including a greater mix shrub and forested communities sooner than would occur with natural recovery. Without planting to accelerate restoration of the conifer vegetation it is likely the majority of Family 1 habitat in this area will be slow to reestablish. This is a concern for the conservation of Family 1 species in this area as well as across the Boise National Forest. Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to restore low elevation forested vegetation and associated wildlife habitat in the 2013 Elk Complex Wildfire Area consistent with Forest Plan Management Direction: Vegetation Goal VEGO01 (Forest-wide): The diversity of plant community components, including species composition, size classes, canopy cover, structure, snags and coarse woody debris fall within the desired range of conditions described in Appendix A and contribute to the achievement of Forest Plan multiple-use objectives. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-31) Vegetation Goal VEGO03 (Forest-wide): Vegetation conditions reduce the frequency, extent, severity, and intensity of uncharacteristic or undesirable disturbances from wildfire, insects, and pathogens. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-31) Vegetation Goal VEGO05 (Forest-wide): Native plant communities are present across the Forest at levels consistent with the desired range of conditions described in Appendix A. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-31) Vegetation Goal VEGO06 (Forest-wide): Species identified as declining (e.g. whitebark pine, western larch, aspen) are restored to desired levels of representation across the planning unit consistent with that described in Appendix A. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-31) Vegetation Goal VEGO07 (Forest-wide): Elements of vegetative spatial pattern, such as amount, proportion, size, inter-patch disturbance, variation in patch size, and landscape - 2 -

3 connectivity are consistent with fire disturbance regime and contribute to achievement of Forest Plan multiple-use objectives. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-31) Wildlife Resources WIBO01 (Forest-wide): Source habitats are well distributed and connected across the planning unit and support a diversity of native and desired non-native wildlife consistent with overall multiple-use objectives. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-25) Timberland Resources Goal TRG001 (Forest-wide): Manage forested vegetation to achieve a) conditions that are resilient and resistant to uncharacteristic fire, insect, and disease damage, b) conditions that contribute to desired vegetative conditions, including distribution of tree sizes, species composition and canopy cover. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-43) Timberland Resources Goal TRG002 (Forest-wide): Manage suited timberlands to achieve: d) successful reforestation through the application of appropriate and available silvicultural techniques. (USDA Forest Service 2010b, p. III-43) Management Area 1 Lower South Fork Boise River (USDA Forest Service 2010, p. III- 104) Vegetation Guideline The full range of treatment activities may be used to restore and maintain desired vegetation and fuel conditions. Salvage harvest may also occur. Management Area 2 Rattlesnake Creek/Feather River (USDA Forest Service 2010, p. III- 119) Vegetation Guideline The full range of treatment activities may be used to restore and maintain desired vegetation and fuel conditions. Salvage harvest may also occur. The wildlife conservation strategy (WCS) assessed the condition of source habitats for Family 1 on the Boise National Forest. Watersheds show a strong decreasing trend from historical to current conditions with all fifty-eight watersheds with Family 1 source habitat declining. Due to the magnitude and extent of this decline, Family 1 has been identified as the forested habitat family of greatest conservation concern on the Boise National Forest this planning period. The Fall Creek (5 th code HUC ) watershed has been identified as important to sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife utilizing large tree and old forest habitat with low canopy conditions, and is identified as shortterm high-priority areas for maintenance and restoration treatments (USDA Forest Service 2010, p. III- 115). The proposed planting is within areas that sustained nearly 100% conifer mortality and are not likely to regenerate naturally to the desired conifer cover type within 20 to 30 years or longer. Without planting, these areas are expected to become dominated by shrubs and/or grass/forbs, further reducing opportunities for conifer establishment. The primary focus is establishing ponderosa pine in potential vegetation groups (PVG)

4 Figure 2 - Example of a burned stand within the 2013 Elk Complex Wildfire. In 2012 and 2013 ponderosa pine cone crops were almost non-existent. Extensive surveys were completed these years by the District Silviculturist who was looking for cone production to replenish depleted ponderosa pine seed stock to meet planting needs. Because of the lack of cone crops before the wildfire little to no natural regeneration of ponderosa pine is expected within the wildfire area. Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce had small to average cone crops across the Ranger District in 2012 and 2013 and consequently some natural regeneration of these species is expected in a few areas. Damage and mortality to ponderosa pine in the Elk Complex Wildfire area was so extensive that in the absence of a seed source and active restoration activities, natural regeneration of this species will be prolonged (Figure 2). Planting is needed to move the area towards vegetative desired future conditions as identified in the Boise National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (USDA Forest Service 2010, p. III-30 and Appendix A). Facilitating regeneration activities in the low elevation forests is critical for restoring habitat for Family 1 species, including the white-headed woodpecker. It is estimated that by the time proposed planting areas are laid out, the proposed planting area may drop by as much as 50% due to, for example, occupancy of the site by sprouting shrubs, difficult access, or low probability of success/survival of the planting stock

5 Figure 3 Elk Complex Wildfire Area. Restoration of the forested vegetation and associated wildlife habitat is needed to: Promote forested vegetation recovery in burned areas that experienced high levels of conifer mortality and a likely loss of existing seed sources (Figure 5). Establish early seral conifer species in burned area to accelerate development of forested vegetation desired conditions. Promote Family 1 wildlife habitat recovery in low elevation forested areas by accelerating conifer establishment. Provide long-term stabilization of soil in burned areas where the loss of native vegetation has left unstable slopes within the fire area (Figure 4)

6 Figure 4 - Example of Debris Flow off Meadow Creek Road Following Elk Complex Wildfire

7 Figure 5 Elk Complex Wildfire Area. Proposed Action This project proposes restoration planting activities on approximately 23,203 acres in the 2013 Elk Complex Wildfire (Figure 6). Planting would commence in the fall of 2015 or spring 2016 and would continue for up to 10 years as conditions allow and suitable planting stock can be acquired. Seedlings would be planted by hand with variable spacing providing for groups and clumps. Planting will occur where previously treed, avoiding areas such as meadows. Planting sites would take advantage of existing shade sources such as logs, snags, and/or stumps. Species planted would be ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce where the fire burned at moderate to high intensity and the potential for natural regeneration is low. Species mix will be determined by aspect, elevation, adjacent live Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe, and potential vegetation type. Planting will be done with hand held tools, such as a hoedad. Scalping site preparation would be required prior to planting seedlings. Scalped areas would generally be 24 by 24 inches in size. Scalping is clearing planting spots of limbs, debris, ash, duff, snow, frost, bark, rotten wood, rocks, and root crowns to expose bare moist mineral soil. Scalping prior to planting aids seedling survival by reducing vegetative competition and provides an area free of shrubs and debris in which to place seedlings. There may be instances where due to heavy competition from grass/forb/shrub growth, scalp size would be increased to 30 x 30 inches in size. Existing roads would be used to access the areas being planted. Some fall planting will occur to reduce the amount of snowplowing needed to access planting sites

8 Design Features 1. No planting would occur within the Inventoried Roadless Areas or Research Natural Areas located in or adjacent to the project area. 2. Only existing county and state roads or designated Forest Service roads and trails would be used to access planting areas. No cross country travel of motorized equipment would be authorized. 3. Planting will occur through RCA s, but conifer seedlings will not be planted within 15 feet of stream banks and planting would not occur in areas where riparian vegetation is present (i.e. riparian habitats). 4. Snow removal shall be done in a manner to preserve and protect the roads to insure safe and efficient travel as well as prevent unacceptable erosion damage to roads, streams, and adjacent lands. Snow plowing would be anticipated to begin in March during project implementation. a. Snow removal activities must not remove all snow from the road surface. A minimum depth of 6 inches must be left to protect roadway and bridges. b. During snow removal operations, banks shall not be undercut nor shall gravel or other road surfacing material be bladed off the roadway surface. c. Snow removal work would also include removal of snow slides, minor earth slides, fallen timber and boulders that obstruct normal road surface width including turnouts. All debris, except snow and ice that is removed from the road surface and ditch would be deposited away from stream channels at approved locations. d. Drainages and culverts shall be kept functional during and following the roadway use. Any dirt or other inorganic materials cleaned from culvert inlets would be deposited away from stream channels at approved locations. e. Snow berms would not be left on the road surface. Berms left on the shoulder of the road would be removed and/or drainage holes shall be opened and maintained. Drainage holes shall be spaced as required to obtain satisfactory surface drainage without discharge on erodible fill slopes. 5. Roads plowed open would have temporary closure orders restricting public access until April 30 th to protect wintering wildlife. 6. Public notification (News Releases& Signage) would occur at least one week prior to the beginning of snow removal operations. 7. No snow grooming or snowmobile activities would be allowed on road system once snowplowing operations have started. 8. Planting crews would not be allowed to camp in developed campgrounds during project implementation. Any camp areas would need to be approved by Forest Service personnel. Approved camp areas would have a hazard tree assessment and sanitation plan in place prior to use. 9. Mitigation measures (such as avoidance) will be developed by botanist/project administrator to protect existing or newly discovered rare plant populations that may be impacted by project activities. 10. Avoid and protect any live or dead whitebark pine found within reforestation areas. 11. Conifer planting will not occur within approximately 100 feet of aspen sprouts (three or more separate sprouts) to reduce potential future shading of the clones from the conifers and vice versa. 12. In areas with limited road access, planting supplies may be flown in or carried using pack animals. 13. A ten foot buffer will be left unplanted along system trails. 14. Where helicopter access would be required, helispots would be established on ridges and in natural openings where no cutting of trees would be required to allow safe ingress and - 8 -

9 egress for the aircraft. In areas where existing openings are not available, helispots would be located such that only dead trees would have to be cut. Cutting of live trees to create helispots would occur only if the two conditions above do not exist and no other reasonable options for a suitable helispot are available. Live trees meeting legacy tree definitions would not be cut. All felled trees would be retained on site and trees or snags felled within RCAs would be left intact. 15. Contract Administrators shall report noxious weed populations in the project area to the District Weed Specialist for inclusion in noxious weed treatment plans. 16. All equipment and vehicles, as per Forest Plan standard NPST03 (USDA Forest Service 2010a, p. III-38), (Contract and USFS) brought into the site are cleaned to remove all visible plant parts, dirt, and material that may carry noxious weed seeds prior to entry into the project area.. Staging of equipment and/or rehabilitation materials will not be allowed in known infestation sites. 17. Avoid and protect all known historic properties during project implementation. 18. Contracts used to implement this project will contain language to prevent adverse impacts to any unknown cultural sites discovered. In the event that new cultural sites are discovered, ground-disturbing activities will stop until a qualified archaeologist is consulted. 19. Bedding of sheep and salting of livestock in plantations will be prohibited until plantation trees have grown to a size that reduces their susceptibility to damage from livestock (Forest Plan Standard RAST08 [USDA Forest Service 2010a, p. III-47]). 20. Livestock use should be discouraged in progeny sites, seed orchards, and plantations that have not been certified (Forest Plan Guideline RAGU06 [USDA Forest Service 2010a, p. III- 48). While livestock are present within the allotment and pasture(s) with reforestation units for up to five years following planting, the permittee is required to employ a rider to either ensure livestock are not within reforestation units, and/or to push livestock from units and/or install temporary fencing to protect reforestation units. Rider would be required to ride the allotment daily. Salting may also be used to facilitate dispersion of cattle away from reforestation units. If the permittee cannot keep livestock out of reforestation units, the permittee would be required to take non-use for resource protection in the pasture (s) with reforestation units for up to 5 years and/or the seedlings have reached an average height of 2.5 feet. 21. No storage of fuels or other toxicants or refueling within RCAs would occur unless there are no other alternatives. Storage of fuels and other toxicants or refueling sites within RCAs shall be approved by the Responsible Official and have an approved spill containment plan commensurate with the amount of fuel. Anticipated Documentation Preliminary analysis indicates that the project fits under Categorical Exclusion 36 CFR e(5), Regeneration of an area to native tree species, including site preparation that does not involve the use of herbicides or result in vegetation type conversion. The Forest Service has identified typical classes of actions that normally do not require documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) per 40 CFR (b) (2). These types of actions are called categorical exclusions. An action may be categorically excluded from documentation in an EIS or an EA only if that action falls within one of the identified categories (36 CFR (d) and (e) and when there are no extraordinary circumstances. The Responsible Official for this decision is the Mountain Home District Ranger, Stephaney M. Church

10 Opportunity to Comment The Forest Service is contacting interested persons, groups, and agencies to make them aware of the project and to gather pertinent feedback. To assist the Forest Service in meeting its goals of reducing our carbon footprint and to achieve a sustainable operation, we are transitioning to a web-based electronic comment system that allows all interested parties to receive project material (scoping documents, updates, draft and final NEPA documents, and decisions) by . This new system gives you direct control over which mailing lists you are subscribed to and immediate electronic access to project documents as they are posted online. It s easy, it s good for the environment, and it gives ondemand access to projects. To subscribe to this new system, go online to the Project webpage: On the project website, you will see a box titled Get Connected on the right hand side of the page. Click on Subscribe to Updates. When you click on that item, you will be prompted to provide your address and select a password. When you have logged in, you will be able to manage your account by subscribing to projects by Forest, District, project type, or project purpose. You will also be able to change your e- mail address and password. If you no longer wish to follow the project(s), simply delete your subscription. Once you are subscribed, you will receive all project information via , unless you request hard copies. To be most helpful, please submit your scoping comments by June 13, 2014, and make your comments as specific as possible. Your comments will help us refine the proposal, identify preliminary issues, and interested or affected persons, and possible alternatives. Comments received in response to this request will be available for public inspection and will be released in their entirety if requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Comments received in response to this request will also be available for public inspection on the Public Comment Reading Room on the project web site: Written comments may be submitted to the Mountain Home Ranger District, ATTN: Lisa Kennedy, Project Leader, 2180 American Legion Blvd., Mountain Home, ID Office business hours for hand delivered comments are: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Comments can also be submitted by phone at or fax to Comments may also be submitted electronically through a web form on the Elk Post-fire Restoration Reforestation Project webpage: To submit comments using the web form select Comment on Project under Get Connected on the right panel of the project s webpage. Only those who subscribe to the mailing list, submit comments, or notify the Forest that they would like to remain on the mailing list for this project will receive future correspondences on this project. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, without an associated name and address, receiving further correspondences concerning this project will not be possible. Further Information If you have questions or require additional information, please call Lisa Kennedy, Project Leader, at

11 Scoping Figure 6 Elk Post-Fire Restoration Reforestation Project Proposed Action Map