Eden Ridge Timber Sales

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region September 2014 RECORD OF DECISION Eden Ridge Timber Sales Powers Ranger District Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Coos County, Oregon Information Contact: Wesley H. Crum, Forester Highway 242 Powers, OR Phone (541)

2 VICINITY MAPS 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 R.1W. R.1E Klamath 29 National Forest Printed on recycled paper

3 RECORD OF DECISION Eden Ridge Timber Sales Final Environmental Impact Statement Powers Ranger District Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Coos County, Oregon September 2014 Lead Agency: Responsible Official: USDA Forest Service Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Rob MacWhorter, Forest Supervisor Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest For Further Information Jessie Berner, District Ranger or Contact: Wesley H. Crum, Project Leader Highway 242 Powers OR Phone: (541) Project Website:

4 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION... 1 Project Location... 1 Background... 1 Purpose and Need... 2 Matrix... 2 Riparian Reserve... 2 Project Design Objectives... 2 MY DECISION... 2 Modifications Made to Alternative Summary of My Decision - Modified Alternative Description of My Decision... 4 Silvicultural Treatments... 5 Commercial Tree Harvest and Logging Systems... 5 Road Systems (Access)... 6 Activity Fuels Treatments... 6 Project Design Criteria and Required Mitigation Measures... 6 Monitoring... 7 RATIONALE FOR MY DECISION... 7 Response to Purpose and Need... 8 Response to Significant Issues... 9 Hydrologic Conditions; Soils and Geology, and Site Productivity... 9 Water Quality Cumulative Watershed Effects Economics Other Issues ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FINDINGS Forest Plan Consistency (NFMA) Forest Plan Management Direction Northwest Forest Plan Aquatic Conservation Strategy Other Legal Requirements and Policies ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OPPORTUNITIES IMPLEMENTATION Process for Change during Implementation Contact ATTACHMENTS A Implementation Strategy B Project Design Criteria and Required Mitigation Measures C Monitoring Plan Record of Decision Eden Ridge Timber Sales

5 INTRODUCTION Over the past two years I have been personally involved in the steps needed to make a final decision on the Eden Ridge Timber Sales project. I ve made several visits to the project area with members of the interdisciplinary team, members of our Forest leadership team, and with the public. I based my decision in part on the first-hand knowledge I gained during those field trips, the analysis in the FEIS, and my years of experience with forestry projects. But in particular, I carefully considered: comments from the public, discussions with the objectors to my preliminary decision, input from the many resource specialists involved, and the science relevant to this project. Because of my decision, approximately 3,310 acres of dense 60 to 75 year old managed-forest will be thinned and increase its resilience to disease, insects, fire, and other natural disturbances. Treatment would reduce competition on the retained trees for light, nutrients, water and growing space. These trees would develop larger canopies, grow more vigorously, and increase diameter growth sooner than with non-treatment. Over 1100 acres of the treatment acres are in Riparian Reserve. The decrease in tree density will put these stands on a trajectory to develop high quality latesuccessional habitat and improve aquatic ecosystem protection functions; such as, stream shade, bank stabilization, and wood and leaf litter in streams. Local communities will benefit economically through employment and receipts returned to counties, because I have determined commercial timber sales to be the most efficient and expedient method of thinning these forests. The Eden Ridge Timber Sales Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in March 2014 and is incorporated herein. The FEIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts ; 36 CFR 220), including allied Federal environmental laws and regulations. Project Location The Eden Ridge Planning Area is approximately 4 miles southeast of the city of Powers in Coos County, Oregon. The legal description is: Township 31 South, Range 10 West, Sections 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29 and 30; and Township 31 South, Range 11 West, Sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27; Willamette Meridian. Elevations range from 2,080 to 3,540 feet. Background The Eden Ridge Planning Area has a unique history. Originally included in the C.A. Smith Lumber and Manufacturing Company holdings, the area played a role in the economic development of the Coos Bay area. By the late 19th century, numerous small rail road lines, many with wooden rails, had been constructed to assist in transporting the timber and coal to the sea port at Coos Bay. Camps moved with logging operations and by 1936 a second camp at Doe Swamp (within the Planning Area) was in operation with a capacity of 400 employees. This camp was run until As the logging operations drew to a close, much of the rail lines were removed and salvaged, but traces of the rail lines, camps and skid trails still remain. During the Depression, many northwest timber owners would abandon cutover lands to reduce their tax burden. In 1933 Coos Bay Lumber Company conveyed their lands to the Forest Service rather than abandon them. These clear-cut stands naturally regenerated and are currently 60 to 75 years old. Current conditions: Within target stands, dense tree stocking and inter-tree competition for resources is occurring. Stands are mostly single-storied in stem exclusion (Oliver 1996). Live crowns are receding from dense stand conditions with crown ratio ranging 15-20% on suppressed and intermediate crown class trees, to 30-40% for dominant and codominant trees. Hardwood thickets of chinquapin are present and interspersed within stands. There are scattered openings from root disease infection. Two tree pathogens are present: Port-Orford-cedar root disease (Phytophthora lateralis) and laminated root rot (Phellinus weirii). Most riparian areas are currently dominated by smaller diameter Douglas-fir and some hardwoods. Most stands lack desired amounts of large wood, downed logs, and large live trees. Recent stand exam plots showed relative densities greater than 50% in 83% of the plots taken. Stands lack plant diversity and structural variability because of the high tree densities and lack of sunlight. Record of Decision ROD - 1 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

6 Purpose and Need This project is designed to: 1) improve overall forest vigor and resiliency; 2) enhance aquatic conditions to maintain or achieve Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives; and 3) contribute commercial timber to the Forest s Probable Sale Quantity (PSQ). Matrix The Planning Area is primarily designated Matrix. This land-use allocation emphasizes obtaining a full yield of timber within the capability of the land. Most scheduled timber harvest and other silvicultural activities would be conducted in that portion of the Matrix with suitable forest lands (NW Forest Plan, page C-39). Improvement of Overall Forest Vigor and Resiliency There is a need to reduce stand densities through intermediate harvest thinning treatments to sustain or increase tree growth and improve forest vigor and resiliency. Density management would release remaining trees from inter-tree competition for sunlight, water and soil nutrients when compared to untreated areas. Minor portions of the Planning Area infected with root diseases would be managed to harvest trees predisposed to pathogen infection and retain or plant resistant tree species to improve forest health. Contribution of Commercial Timber to the Probable Sale Quantity Proposed candidate stands are primarily allocated to Matrix and contribute to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Probable Sale Quantity (PSQ). PSQ is the estimated output of commercial timber and other commodities assigned to the Forest under the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan. Riparian Reserve There is a need to restore late-successional forest habitat near and adjacent to streams to benefit aquatic and riparian dependent species. This means increased vegetative and structural diversity and species (over current conditions); maintenance or improvement of shading capability of streams; improvement of large wood retention and large wood recruitment, and providing suitable amounts of snags and/or replacement habitat for dependent species. Maintain and Restore Riparian Reserves - Meet Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives There is a need to accelerate the development of late-successional stand conditions, such as older forest stand characteristics, increase conifer growth rates and provide for larger remnant conifers and hardwoods. Many riparian areas are currently dominated by smaller diameter Douglas-fir and some hardwoods. Most are lacking adequate amounts of large wood material, downed logs, and large tree structure. Like treatment in the uplands, thinning would reduce competition among the remaining trees for light, nutrients, water and growing space. These trees would develop larger canopies, increase vigor and put on diameter growth faster than if left untreated. Project Design Objectives The project and its activities were designed to: Minimize soil impacts (erosion, compaction and/or displacement); Minimize damage to residual trees during treatment; Reduce the risk of effects from insect and disease infestations; Minimize or reduce the potential for high severity, stand replacement wildfires; Maintain and restore (improve) aquatic conditions in terms of attainment of Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives; Minimize adverse effects, including cumulative effects, on all other resources; Provide wood products for local and regional markets (including firewood); and Be an operational and economically sustainable project for this and future entries. MY DECISION See Attachment A, Table A-1 and Map A-1, for details and a map Record of Decision ROD - 2 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

7 My decision ( Modified Alternative 2 ) is to implement variable density thinning on approximately 3,310 acres of previously managed conifer forest (2154 acres in Matrix and 1156 acres in Riparian Reserve). It includes the similar and related actions listed below on page ROD-4. My decision is a modified version of Alternative 2 as described in the FEIS (Chapter II). My modifications and rationale for making those changes are described as follows. Modifications Made to Alternative 2 Modifications included in the draft ROD: I made modifications 1 through 10 in the draft ROD to address concerns related to new roads in the Coal Creek subwatershed. The changes will reduce or eliminate hydrologic and soil impacts caused by units located in sensitive watershed areas and from new roads that cross areas of concern (FEIS Table III-7 and III-18). The district ranger and core interdisciplinary team reviewed each road segment and associated units (see Attachment A Table A-2). That review resulted in the following modifications to FEIS Alternative 2: Modification 1: Remove new classified road segments Q1 (.11 mi.), Q2 (.05 mi.), Q3 (.10 mi.), P4 (.11 mi.) and temporary road Q4 (.25 mi.) Modification 2: Change yarding systems for Units 302, 304, 306, and 308 to helicopter (41 acres of skyline to helicopter yarding) Modification 3: Change yarding system for Units 305 and 307 to skyline (now yarded as one unit) (32 acres of ground based to skyline yarding) Modification 4: Remove small portion of Unit 301 (4 acres) below lower switchback of Road (drops 4 acres of skyline yarding) Modification 5: Remove new classified road segment W (drops.61 mi. of new road) Modification 6: Change yarding system for Unit 327 to helicopter (47 acres of ground based to helicopter yarding) Modification 7: Move 28 acres of Unit 326 to Unit 328 as skyline yarding system (28 acres of ground based to skyline yarding) Modification 8: Change yarding system to skyline in a portion of Unit 325 and create Unit 325b (36 acres); rename Unit 325 as 325a (98 acres remains ground based). (36 acres of ground based to skyline yarding) Modification 9: Remove new classified road segment Z (.35 mi.) Modification 10: Change yarding system for Unit 334 from ground based to skyline (to existing road) (88 acres from ground based to skyline yarding) Modifications from the objection process (changes to draft ROD): I have decided to further modify my decision in the draft ROD. Modifications (below) are the result of discussions with our objectors in an objection resolution meeting in June 2014 plus a field trip in early July 1. The changes address concerns with building new permanent roads in sensitive areas of the Coal Creek drainage and future use of those roads. The modifications reduce new permanent road construction by.06 mile (road S3) and drop re-construction of.24 miles of the road. In addition, new permanent roads with stream crossings will be barricaded, culverts removed, and fill pulled-back to minimize public access and the risk of road failures once operations are complete. Modification 11: Road segment S3 will not be constructed (drops.06 mi. of new road construction in Coal Creek drainage) Modification 12: The reconstruction segments of the Road from Unit 310 to the intersection of the T road will be dropped from the classified road proposal (drops.24 mi. of re-construction of classified road in Coal Creek drainage) Modification 13: New roads will have culverts removed and fill pulled-back when operations are complete. The crossings will be stabilized and associated roads will be barricaded and put into storage per Forest Service road maintenance level 1 (further minimizes the risk of use and failure on 9.41 mi. of new road) To summarize, my modifications to Alternative 2: Eliminate 1.39 miles (in seven segments) of proposed new system roads in sensitive areas within the Coal Creek subwatershed 1 See Administrative Review Opportunities, ROD page 19 Record of Decision ROD - 3 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

8 Eliminate 0.24 miles of proposed reconstruction of an existing system road ( road) Eliminate 0.25 mile of new temporary road in a sensitive area within Coal Creek subwatershed Maintain the 9.4 miles of new road as maintenance level (ML) 1 (barricade, remove culverts, etc.) once operations are complete Increase helicopter yarding by 73 acres, increase skyline yarding by 148 acres, and decrease ground based yarding by 208 acres Reduce the total area treated by 4 acres Decrease the benefit cost ratio (from 1.02 to 1.01, Table ROD-3) Summary of My Decision - Modified Alternative 2 See ROD Attachment A for complete details of authorized actions Modified Alternative 2 consists of the following vegetation management and connected actions: 3,310 acres of commercial variable density thinning treatments (in several separate timber sales), on 76 units, producing approximately 50 million board feet of commercial timber volume. Ground-based yarding systems to be used on approximately 1,883 acres (57%) Skyline systems used on approximately 1,343 acres (40%) Helicopter systems used on approximately 88 acres (3%) Use of approximately 31 miles of existing classified roads Construction of 9.41 miles of new classified road (in 37 segments) Construction and decommissioning of 0.01 miles of temporary road Use and reconstruction of 5.86 miles of existing classified road Use of and maintenance of 5.5 miles of existing classified road Modified Alternative 2 may also implement the following similar and/or related actions: 363 acres of non-commercial silvicultural treatments Interpretation of historical logging Snag and large down wood creation Meadow enhancement Stream enhancement Wildlife nest boxes Native grass and forb seeding Invasive plant treatments Description of My Decision As a result of my decision, overall forest health will be improved by stimulating natural processes that encourage more stable and resilient forest vegetative conditions on 3,310 acres of previously harvested forest. Stand densities and species composition will be managed and a sustainable yield of commercial timber and other commodities will be provided to the surrounding communities. Commercial treatments will involve harvest of conifers with diameters 7 inches and larger, a viable size under current and anticipated market conditions. Estimated commercial volume could average 8 to 20 thousand board feet (MBF) per acre. Other wood product commodities are anticipated including biomass (chips) and firewood. Treatments will occur within the South Fork Coquille River and the Middle Fork Coquille River 5th-field watersheds. Specifically, they will occur in the 6 th -field watersheds of Lower Rock Creek, Myrtle Creek, headwaters South Fork Coquille River, Coal Creek, and Mill Creek. As a result of my decision, commercial timber harvest could yield an estimated 50 million board feet 2 and will be implemented utilizing multiple timber sale contracts over approximately 5 years. 2 Based on an overall average of 17.5 thousand board feet (mbf) per acre removed. This is an estimate only and is not considered an output threshold for the project. Record of Decision ROD - 4 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

9 The original Alternative 2 (the Proposed Action) was developed by identifying treatment opportunities within the Planning Area using an interdisciplinary team process. Vegetative management needs and silvicultural opportunities were identified and field verified. Treatments of proposed candidate stands were analyzed for compliance with Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines and other laws and policies. The Proposed Action was designed to address and maximize attainment of the Purpose and Need detailed in FEIS Chapter I. Alternative 2 responds to the goals and objectives outlined by the Forest Plan for the Siskiyou National Forest, as amended by the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan. Treatment will help move the Planning Area toward desired conditions described in that plan, as well as specific desired conditions developed for this Planning Area and this project (see FEIS Chapter I, Section C, 3). The modifications made to Alternative 2 will reduce or eliminate impacts to areas associated with significant issues (hydrological conditions, water quality, cumulative watershed effects, soils and site productivity, and economics). Silvicultural Treatments See ROD Attachment A, Table A-1 and Map A-1 for unit specifics and locations Site-specific, integrated silvicultural prescriptions will be developed for the project. Silvicultural prescriptions will describe specifically desired conditions of treated stands and associated stand structures, tree species composition, canopy retention, tree spacing or basal area retention, fuels treatments, snag numbers (where present), large woody material and other key stand components. Final silvicultural prescriptions will be approved by Region 6 certified silviculturists working closely with resource specialists to ensure integrated resource objectives are met. MAP ROD A-1 (in ROD Attachment A) shows the general locations and descriptions of silvicultural treatments associated with my decision. Actual conditions on the ground may differ from map-delineated stands; therefore, treatments and/or stand boundaries may be adjusted as needed. The primary silvicultural treatment is to control dense stocking conditions through variable density thinning treatments (VDT) to improve overall forest health, vigor and resiliency. Silvicultural treatments also include management of two forest pathogens, Port-Orford-cedar root disease (Phytophthora lateralis) and laminated root rot (Phellinus weirii), which have infested in small portions of the Planning Area as discussed in FEIS Chapter I, Section C, 2, c. Under my decision, approximately 2154 acres of Matrix lands will be treated. Thinning will include variable spacing between trees (will not have a rigid or grid-like appearance), no-treatment areas (skips), and small openings (gaps) less than ¾ acre in size. In areas of laminated root rot, openings up to 2 acres may be required to control the disease. Within diseased areas, we will retain non-host tree species and plant openings with disease-resistant Port-Orford-cedar or Douglas-fir. Tree spacing will be variable and species diversity will be maintained or increased, including hardwoods and species of limited occurrence. No residual (old-growth) legacy trees will be cut, except when they threaten worker safety. If felled, they would remain on-site as down wood to benefit soils and multiple wildlife species. Approximately 1156 acres of Riparian Reserve will also be treated. Variable density thinning will occur to control stocking, reestablish stands, and acquire desired vegetation characteristics needed to maintain or achieve Aquatic Conservation Strategy Objectives. Variable density thinning treatments will only occur when vegetative conditions could be improved within the outer portions of Riparian Reserve of some perennial and intermittent streams. This will be in accordance with the specially designed Riparian Reserve Project Design Criteria described in ROD Attachment B and FEIS Chapter II, Section D, 3. Approximately 363 acres of non-commercial sized forest will also be treated through silvicultural methods. This and other restorative Similar and/or Related Actions are also included in my decision (ROD Attachment A page A-13). Commercial Tree Harvest and Logging Systems My decision includes commercial tree harvest and removal that will be accomplished by private contractors through Forest Service contracts. Contracts for commercial harvest operations will incorporate and require specific provisions and mitigation measures. Execution of commercial actions will be accomplished through several timber sale contracts, offered over several years, to the high bidders (purchasers). Record of Decision ROD - 5 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

10 Treatment methods will include use of mechanized machinery and chainsaws. Trees could be felled using mechanized feller-bunchers, cut-to-length harvesters, or hand (chainsaw) felling. Commercial products could be yarded to landings or decking areas using ground-based systems (tractor or log forwarder), skyline cable, or helicopter yarding systems. Logging systems anticipated to be utilized to harvest trees are displayed in ROD Attachment A, Table A-1. Road Systems (Access) See ROD Attachment A, Map A-1 and Table A-2 and A-3, for road specifics and locations In my decision, approximately 9.4 miles of new system road will be constructed. During use they will be maintained as maintenance level (ML) 2 roads. Following completion of operations, they will be maintained as ML1, which includes barricades, removal of culverts, and pull-back of the fill. Approximately 31 miles of existing Forest Service system roads would be used. Also, 6 miles which require reconstruction and 6 miles which require maintenance will be used. In addition to existing cost-share road-use agreements, new agreements will increase usage by 7 miles. Approximately 9.41 miles of new permanent road will be constructed in 37 segments ranging from 0.11 miles to 1.93 miles in length (ROD Attachment A, Table A-2). I am authorizing the construction of these roads as permanent (classified) roads, rather than temporary roads, because permanent roads are designed to a higher standard. Temporary road construction is managed by the timber sale contract and to a lesser standard. They are typically constructed, used, and decommissioned in one year with no need to over-winter. Multi-year temporary roads increase disturbance and the risk of sediment through the removal and re-installation of stream crossings for overwintering. Also see FEIS Appendix I. Based on the recommendations of resource specialists, I am being prescriptive in the design and construction of these permanent roads. New road construction will be designed to minimal widths to reduce resource impacts, as well as to keep construction costs down. Considering the overall amount of proposed new road and the acres they will access, it is likely these roads would need to be used multiple years and for future access to treat Matrix lands. Therefore, access will be designed for that level of multi-year use. This requires a level of engineered design above what can be expected for a temporary road under a timber sale contract. Once operations are complete, the new permanent roads will be managed as ML 1. ML 1 roads use basic custodial maintenance to keep damage to adjacent resources to an acceptable level and to perpetuate the road for future use. While being maintained at ML1, roads are closed to public motorized access and use (as determined by the Forest s Travel Management Plan and Motorized Vehicle Use Map). As a special precaution and as determined during the objection process, new watercourse road crossings will be designed so culverts can be removed and the fill pulled-back once operations are complete. Construction of 0.01 mile of temporary road will occur to allow tractor access (segment R). It will be decommissioned after management activities are complete. Activity Fuels Treatments The combination of density management and activity fuels treatments are designed to leave the stands in a condition where a wildfire could burn through the stand as a surface fire with no extensive tree mortality. As part of my decision, I am including only those activity fuel treatments predicted to be necessary to obtain an acceptable fire risk as discussed in FEIS Chapter II, Section D, 2, d. Several methods of activity fuels treatment are planned including: yarding with tops attached, hand piling fuels concentrations, piling and burning landing slash, and no treatment. Project Design Criteria and Required Mitigation Measures See ROD Attachment B for specific mitigations The final PDCs and Mitigation Measures contained in ROD Attachment B are a binding part of my decision. They are discussed further in FEIS Chapter II. Record of Decision ROD - 6 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

11 Project Design Criteria are designed to assist in developing timber sale proposals and/or are to be employed during onthe ground project designation/implementation to address overall objectives and to manage resource objectives for consequences. Other elements that manage consequences during actual operations are termed Mitigation Measures. Monitoring See ROD Attachment C for full details Monitoring is important for tracking the implementation of a project; ensuring activities are implemented as planned to measure success in meeting the stated project goals and objectives and to apply any lessons learned to future planning efforts. Project activities will be monitored during and following implementation to ensure Project Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures are implemented as specified under my decision. This aspect of monitoring is referred to as implementation monitoring. The progress and findings of implementation monitoring will be documented as it occurs during project implementation. Monitoring will be required on representative units to evaluate the effectiveness of authorized activities, including standard practices and mitigation measures, in achieving the specifically desired project outcomes. Detailed discussion on monitoring methodology is in ROD Attachment C. If ongoing monitoring indicates that laws, regulations, standards and guidelines or critical project objectives are not being met, the project will be modified. Knowledge and experience gained, and lessons learned from monitoring and evaluation will also be incorporated into future planning efforts. RATIONALE FOR MY DECISION I have considerable experience with variable density thinning projects on Forest Service lands. Foremost, I have based my decision on the principal concerns expressed by the public, project objectors, and agency resource specialists. I also considered the relevant research, monitoring results from similar projects, and field data gathered in the project area. Those data have led me to conclude that the analysis of this project was based on plausible and scientificallysound reasoning. I also found the conclusions to be a good balance between the need for treatment, effects to the physical environment, and economic outcomes. Thinning: I have decided to allow variable density thinning of these forests because they are currently very dense, growth has slowed significantly, there is intense competition for light and water, and disease is impacting a portion of the stands. I personally observed these conditions during field visits. Thinning the Matrix portion of these stands (2154 acres) will allow them to grow more quickly and continue to provide a sustainable supply of wood products in the future. Within Riparian Reserve (1156 acres), thinning will enhance the development of late-seral characteristics (e.g. larger trees, decadence, and a multi-layered canopy) to benefit old-growth species and ultimately improve aquatic ecosystem functions such as stream shade, bank stabilization and wood and leaf litter in streams. Across all land use allocations, thinning will increase the forest s resilience to disease, insects, fire, and other natural disturbances. New permanent roads were a primary concern of our commenters, objectors, and resource specialists, especially within the Coal Creek subwatershed. Coal Creek drains into the South Fork Coquille, which is designated as a Key Watershed in the Northwest Forest Plan. As a result, I paid close attention to those concerns. I deliberately included modifications #11-13 (page ROD-3) to address those concerns while maintaining a balance between the need to thin the stands and the ability to use a commercial timber sale to achieve our objectives. As a result, I dropped the construction of S3 road segment and the reconstruction of one-quarter mile of the road because they are within the Coal Creek subwatershed. This necessitated changing yarding methods for some adjacent stands, but the increased cost of yarding was largely offset by the high cost of building the S3 water crossing. I also added to my final decision a provision to designate new permanent roads as Forest Service maintenance level 1 following completion of operations. ML1 roads are barricaded, culverts removed, and fill pulled-back (e. g. hydrologically stabilized and put into storage ). Road banking: An increase in the miles of road within the Coal Creek 6 th -field watershed was raised as a concern. The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP page B-19) indicates there is to be not net increase in the amount of existing system and non-system roads within Key Watersheds (such as South Fork Coquille River). I reviewed the analysis for road banking as described in the FEIS, Appendix I. The term reflects the accounting of road decommissioning that has Record of Decision ROD - 7 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

12 occurred within the 5 th -field watershed since 1994 versus proposed new road construction. While my decision will increase road mileage in the smaller Coal Creek 6 th -field watershed, there will be no net increase in road mileage within the South Fork Coquille 5 th -field watershed after accounting for past road decommissioning. The Northwest Forest Plan indicates no net increase is at the 5 th -field scale, not at the smaller 6 th -field scale. Because I found the analysis and rationale for road banking to be applicable to this project and well-reasoned, my decision includes construction of new roads within the Coal Creek subwatershed. Economics: I have determined that timber sales, and other commercial means, are the best tools to implement my decision. Timber sales are the most expedient, efficient and economical way to accomplish the thinning of commercialsized timber and its connected activities. Local economies also benefit through the return of a portion of the timber sale receipts to counties, the creation of jobs, and the availability of timber products. A portion of receipts might also be returned to the Forest to fund interpretive, restorative and habitat enhancement activities such as those described in the summary on page ROD-3 and in ROD Attachment A on page A-13. Response to Purpose and Need I have selected the modified Alternative 2 over the other alternatives considered because it best meets the Purpose and Need for action while being responsive to public comments and the recommendations of resource specialists. The project can move stands in the Planning Area toward desired conditions. The overall purpose of the Proposed Action for this project is to implement management direction from the Siskiyou National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (SNF-LRMP) as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan. Alternative 2 with the modifications I have included in my decision is designed to meet this purpose and does so at a high level as compared to the other Action Alternatives. The No-Action Alternative does not meet the stated purpose. Previous environmental analysis of similar stands on Powers and Gold Beach Ranger Districts identified a relative density (RD) of 50% as a threshold of undesirable competition-related tree mortality (USDA 2007). This RD threshold was used to determine treatment needs on Eden Ridge. Preliminary stand exam information indicates most candidate stands exceed the 50% RD threshold. Stands exhibit significant inter-tree competition as evidenced by receding tree crowns, decreasing diameter increment growth and down wood created from tree mortality caused by stand self-thinning. Accelerating the growth and sustainability of candidate stands through density management and forest health treatments to meet LRMP goals for lands allocated to Matrix is the primary objective for this project. The treatments within Riparian Reserve will improve habitat conditions for wildlife and fish. This means increased vegetative and structural diversity and species (over current conditions); maintenance or improvement of shading capability of streams; improvement of large wood retention and large wood recruitment, and providing suitable amounts of snags and/or replacement habitat for dependent species. Management activities shall be planned to maintain enough large woody material (dead and down) to maintain a healthy forest ecosystem for multiple species. As with snags, down logs are important for wildlife and aquatic ecosystem function. In addition, large coarse woody material is particularly important to maintaining and holding soils in place. In the Eden Ridge Planning Area, large down woody material left from historical railroad logging represent a unique situation and every effort will be made to avoid disturbance and maintain this existing material. Portions of almost every candidate stand will not be thinned and harvested. Areas within the stands that will not be thinned and harvested will be identified on the ground during the implementation process. The majority of the areas not treated will be stream buffers in accordance with Riparian Reserve Project Design Criteria, areas of geologic instability, inaccessible stands, and those portions of stands where the current health, vigor, and variable spacing of the conifer and hardwood vegetation is on a suitable trajectory toward attaining overall forest vigor and resiliency without the need for treatment. Post-harvest stand variability will be enhanced through the creation of snags and down wood and Port-Orford-cedar tree planting. Tree planting in created openings and underneath tree canopies of candidate stands will restore healthy, disease-resistant Port-Orford-cedar into the landscape and enhance structural and species diversity over the long term. Record of Decision ROD - 8 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

13 Response to Significant Issues Issues were generated internally, by the interdisciplinary team, and externally, through public comments. Involvement of interested individuals, businesses, organizations, and county, state, and federal agencies, and local tribes was sought to provide detailed information for defining the issues, concerns, mitigations, and treatment options. Public comments were carefully considered during the process of developing alternatives including mitigation measures and PDCs to reduce or eliminate environmental impacts. My decision is responsive to these and all other public comments as it is important to me to show the public how I considered their comments and how those comments made a difference in my decision. Modifications to Alternative 2 will reduce the overall impact of Alternative 2, as proposed and analyzed in the FEIS. I chose to modify FEIS Alternative 2 and discuss its consequences within this ROD rather than develop a new alternative within the FEIS. This is because, in every aspect, the degree of impact from my decision (Modified Alternative 2) is identical to or less than those analyzed within the FEIS for Alternative 2. Hydrologic Conditions; Soils and Geology, and Site Productivity Commenters raised concerns related to the hydrologic function of the major watersheds associated with the Planning Areas. Modified Alternative 2 was developed from detailed consideration of units and new roads associated with FEIS Alternative 2 that are located in sensitive watershed areas (identified in FEIS Table III-7, Hydrologic Condition issue). A core Interdisciplinary Team and the District Ranger reviewed each road segment and its associated unit(s). This additional assessment as to how to reduce or eliminate hydrologic and soils risks and/or impacts was provided to me and is included in my decision. Units (and associated roads) of concern included 214 acres within Coal Creek; specifically Units 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 321, 338 (FEIS Table III-7). Proposed classified road segments Q1, Q2, Q3, P4, and temporary road Q4 represent the roads of greatest concern for the entire project (within the lower portions of the Coal Creek subwatershed). I dropped these roads in my decision and anticipated logging systems will change to a less impacting system, e.g., ground based to skyline or skyline to helicopter. I have modified the original Alternative 2 to remove the Q road system. Potential impacts from these road segments were of concern to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service. This will allow silvicultural treatment systems in sensitive areas without the risks of additional roads or ground based logging. Units 312, 315, 321 and 338 were also further assessed. I did not change them because they did not involve new roads in sensitive areas. PDCs will provide protection to steep slopes near the units. Based on the objection resolution meeting, I continued dialogue with objectors concerning road building in the Project Area and the economic impacts of any proposed resolution. Based on our discussions and an additional field visit to the project site, I dropped the construction of road segment S3 and the reconstruction of the portion of the Road between Unit 310 and the intersection of the T-road. I recognized both of the objectors concerns and voluntarily dropped these road building proposals, including a stream crossing, because the activity units wouldn t be impacted, the economic viability of the project would benefit because the cost of road construction and reconstruction would be reduced, and the risk of impacts to nearby resources would be reduced. I decided to remove a 4 acre portion of Unit 301, below the existing road, in a riparian area. Upon close review, I decided to remove proposed classified Road W, accessing Units 326 and 327. This road was within a sensitive area largely identified as Riparian Reserve, and was in the headwaters of Coal Creek. This road would have crossed through Phytophthora lateralis (PL) pockets affecting Port-Orford-cedar. The location of this road also contained populations of the regionally Sensitive plant Bensoniella oregana, which would be better protected without this road. Since there is still a need for density management treatments, removal of this road changed the anticipated logging system for Unit 327 to helicopter, and changed a portion of Unit 326 to skyline (from ground based). I also decided to remove classified Road Z, lying in a sensitive area primarily within Riparian Reserve. To allow for density management treatments, Unit 334 can be accessed from an existing road with skyline systems. Table ROD-1 compares Alternative 2 and my selected Modified Alternative 2 for important hydrologic condition indicators. Record of Decision ROD - 9 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

14 Table ROD-1. Important Indicators for Hydrologic Conditions Indicator Alternative 2 Modified Alternative 2 Thinning Acres by Subwatershed and Percent of Subwatershed Affected Coal Creek (9,952 acres) 1,760 (17.7%) 1,756 (17.6%) Headwaters SF Coquille (40,233 acres) 585 (1.5%) No Change Mill Creek (13,935) 33 (<1%) No Change Myrtle Creek (20,028 acres) 172 (1%) No Change Lower Rock Creek (25,544 acres) 765 (3%) No Change Road Construction Miles by Subwatershed: Permanent System Classified / Temporary Coal Creek Headwaters SF Coquille No Change Mill Creek No Change Myrtle Creek No Change Lower Rock Creek No Change Road Density by Subwatershed: Existing / Increase:(mi/sq. mi) Coal Creek 4.19 / / Headwaters SF Coquille 4.25 / 0.04 No Change Mill Creek 3.94 / 0.00 No Change Myrtle Creek 4.12 / 0.02 No Change Lower Rock Creek 4.68 / 0.03 No Change Permanent System Roads Crossing Riparian Reserve (Miles) Temporary Roads Crossing Riparian Reserve (Miles) 0.17 None Percent of Subwatershed Affected by Ground Based Yarding Coal Creek 12% (1,189 ac.) 10% (953 ac.) Headwaters SF Coquille 0.5 % No Change Mill Creek <0.1 % No Change Myrtle Creek 0.3 % No Change Lower Rock Creek 2.5 % No Change Modified Alternative 2 was developed from detailed consideration of roads (new classified or temporary) that cross concern areas (identified in FEIS Table III-18, Soils, Geology and Site Productivity issue). The table below (Table ROD- 2) compares Alternative 2 and my decision (Modified Alternative 2) for important soils, geology, and site productivity indicators. Table ROD-2. Important Indicators for Soils, Geology and Site Productivity Indicator Alternative 2 Risk of Slope Failure Miles of New Classified and Temporary Road that Crosses Concern Areas Soil Productivity Acres Taken Out of Productivity (Range Based on Est. Road Widths) Long-Term Opportunity For Erosion: Miles of System Road (New Construct/Reconstruct) Modified Alternative Detrimental Disturbance (Acres) Ground-based harvest system (est. 15%) Skyline harvest system (est. 5%) Aerial harvest system (est. 2%) 0 3 Helicopter landings 0 4 Pile & Burn (est. 2%) Totals Record of Decision ROD - 10 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

15 Water Quality The background and analysis framework for water quality is contained in FEIS Chapter III, Section D, 2. The main factors assessed in the FEIS are water temperature increase, and sediment production/increase in turbidity. All Action Alternatives were assessed and found to predict negligible increase in these factors. Alternative 2 (as presented in the FEIS, includes the greatest risk, due to the amount of acres affected and the amount of road activities. For potential for water temperature increase, the FEIS determined: All of the road crossings are located on first and second order streams. These channels are a few feet wide and have small discharges. Sun exposure will be 100% blocked as water flows through the culvert. Exposure upstream and downstream of the culvert will occur over a few linear feet and will be reduced by adjacent forest canopy; this limited exposure is not enough to cause a measureable change in water temperature. The largest watershed area above these crossings totals approximately 60 acres. Others are 30 acres or less. This presents very little drainage area to collect surface water to these crossings. Stream discharge from such small drainage basins is low, especially during the summer when ground water levels are lowest. Skyline corridors will remove minor amounts of canopy in the primary shade zone where the corridor crosses perennial streams. However, skyline corridors that cross Riparian Reserves are required to be 12 feet or less in width, and no less than 150 apart, and be utilized with full log suspension. Surrounding trees and understory will make shade loss resulting from these gaps in the canopy negligible. The FEIS adopts an increased Primary Shade Zone width, based on the 2011 Updated TMDL (total maximum daily load) strategy. This increased widths to feet for the Primary Shade Zone of typical perennial streams. Therefore, under my decision there is less risk of a water temperature increase due to fewer acres affected, a reduction in roads in sensitive areas, and incorporation of the 2011 Updated TMDL Strategy. For potential for sediment production and increase in turbidity, the FEIS determined: Thinning will leave sufficient forest canopy to prevent large increases in storm runoff or snowmelt. Minimally disturbed soils and understory vegetation will recover and anchor surface soils. Thinning activities will occur in areas where streams and runoff amounts are both small. Units located along Coal Creek that are exceptions to these conditions have site specific mitigation measures designed to prevent or capture activity generated sediment. No cut buffers in the stream bank protection zone and Primary Shade Zone will act as capture and retention areas between stream courses and activity-generated, localized sediment sources. Wet weather conditions will preclude hauling as per design criteria; road-generated sediment during wet conditions is the primary source of logging activity-generated sediment. As noted above, my decision will further reduce the potential for sediment production in units located along Coal Creek in addition to site specific mitigation measures designed to prevent or capture activity generated sediment. Therefore, under my decision there is less risk of sediment production due to fewer acres affected, reduced amount of roads in sensitive areas, and change in anticipated logging systems in sensitive areas of Coal Creek. Cumulative Watershed Effects The background and analysis framework for cumulative effects analysis is contained in FEIS Chapter III, Section D, 3. FEIS analysis determined that there will be no measureable increase in risk for adverse cumulative watershed effects in the Headwaters SF Coquille, Mill Creek, Myrtle Creek or Lower Rock Creek subwatersheds under Alternative 2. This was based on: The minor involvement of these subwatersheds in the Action Alternatives. The location of units/roads at or near ridges and watershed divides where effects will be minimal. For the Coal Creek subwatershed, the risk of adverse cumulative watershed effects is currently High since the main channel is already in a degraded condition. For FEIS Alternative 2, the addition of the proposed harvest acreage and road construction within this degraded subwatershed was found to contribute to additional risk of adverse effects; Record of Decision ROD - 11 Eden Ridge Timber Sales

16 however, limited stand management could be conducted without increasing risk because the impacts will be limited to the site scale (FEIS Page III-46.). The following conditions will allow containment of impacts to the local or unit level (site scale): NFS lands contain hydrologically mature stands with large in-stream and upland wood present; this provides vegetative buffers that will counter increased runoff or sediment transport. NFS lands are located mainly in the uplands where streams are small and discharges are low; risk of hydrologic impact from this portion of watershed is low. The majority of the proposed units are located thousands of feet away from the main channel. Proposed thinning is designed to enhance the growth and vigor of the stand by removing intermediate and suppressed trees. Stream buffers and equipment limitations are designed to eliminate off-site impacts. The FEIS identified that some proposed units (and roads) are located in areas that have a greater potential for hydrologic impacts (see above). Their combined acreage is relatively small; however these units were identified to represent more risk of measurable impact than the rest of the project (FEIS Page III-46). As discussed under Hydrologic Conditions (above), my decision has removed these roads of concern and has changed anticipated logging systems to further reduce effects related to these concerns. The elimination of these roads will lower the anticipated increase in road density by 0.09 mi./sq. mi. (see above). Therefore, the predicted overall risk for adverse cumulative effects under my decision is less than that predicted for Alternative 2 (which was determined to be acceptable and limited to the site scale). Economics The background and analysis framework for economics is contained in FEIS Chapter III, Section D, 5. Generally, a reduced benefit cost ratio (based on a decrease of non-monetary returns) is reflected with the use of a greater percentage of high-cost yarding, (i.e., helicopters) as opposed to conventional yarding systems. This project will provide for a sustainable supply of timber products that contribute to probable sale quantity (PSQ) of commercial timber (approximately 50 MMBF) and other commodity outputs (e.g., biomass material and firewood). My decision has not substantially changed the amount of commercial volume and potential revenue. My decision, however, has reduced the amount of ground based yarding systems, slightly increased the amount of skyline yarding systems, and has added some acres that will potentially be yarded with helicopters (see above). Because construction of the classified road S3 would have been relatively costly, my decision to drop it is a small benefit to economic indicators. Table ROD-3 compares Alternative 2 and my decision (Modified Alternative 2) for economic indicators. Table ROD-3. Important Economic Indicators Indicator Alternative 2 Modified Alternative 2 Volume by Logging System (MBF) Ground Based 33,933 30,140 Skyline 19,197 21,515 Helicopter 0 1,411 Total Yarding Costs (Dollars) $11,925,200 $12,364,265 Total Roading Costs (Dollars) $4,268,291 $4,007,077 Present Net Value (Dollars) $322,501 $84,424 Benefit Cost Ratio Other Issues Other issues (FEIS page I-27 to 28) differ from significant issues in that they were not used to formulate alternatives or drive alternatives themes. In addition, these issues often describe minor and/or consistent consequences among alternatives considered in detail. Because of this, these issues will not be further discussed in this decision document. Record of Decision ROD - 12 Eden Ridge Timber Sales