Coquille Indian Tribe Tribal Lands and Environment Forum

Transcription

1 Coquille Indian Tribe Tribal Lands and Environment Forum Tribal Forest and Environmental Management Overview Department of Land, Resources, and Environmental Services August 21,2012 Tim Vredenburg and Jason Robison

2 VISION FOR THE COQUILLE FOREST The forests represent a variety of age classes and canopy configurations with varying densities throughout the landscape. In areas less suitable for timber production, wetlands, open meadows, and mixed hardwood stands are predominate. Open areas (grasslands) consist of mostly native species that provide abundant wildlife forage. Streams run clear, and riparian/aquatic areas are productive, diverse, and function to store water and trap sediment. There is diversity and abundance of fish, wildlife, and vegetation. A mosaic of forest age classes provides for a variety viewscapes and experiences.

3 What Protection is Interactive Management Associated, mutual, interdependent, and reciprocal. When something is deemed to be special, we manage for it.

4 What Protection is not Reserve System Management. Hands Off Approach Draw lines and post Keep Out!

5 Land, Resources and Environmental Services Department LRES Director Forestry Program Forest Engineering Tech. Biological and Environmental Services Program Program Assistant Natural Resource Tech. II BES Program Coordinator Natural Resource Tech Natural Resource Tech Water and Environmental Specialist

6 Coquille Forest Background and History

7 Public Law (Division B, Title V) created the Coquille Forest on September 30, Restored 5,410 acres of former BLM, O&C County Lands to the Coquille Tribe. Coquille Forest

8 The Coquille Forest Sub-watershed Unit Lower East Fork 160 Acreage Elk Creek 1,240 Big Creek 1,120 Lower Middle Fork Coquille 610 Myrtle Creek 220 Remote 160 Lower Rock Creek Lower South Fork Coquille 1, Total 5,410

9 Coquille Forest - Background Subject to the standards and guidelines of plans for adjacent federal forest lands Coos Bay District BLM Lands, ROD 1994 Northwest Forest Plan National Indian Forest Resource Management Act Other Applicable Federal Laws

10 Coquille Forest - Background Subject to State and Federal environmental laws and regulations. MOU with the State of Oregon to Manage: Fish and Wildlife Resources Allocation and administration of water rights Regulation of recreational activities (Boating) Fill and Removal Permits Mining Water and Air Quality Herbicide use Public health and safety

11 Tribal Forest Management

12 Harvest is Based on the Principle of Sustained Yield 3.6 Million Board Feet Over a 10 year Period Based on intensive forest inventory (300 CFI Plots)

13 Coquille Forest Rotation Regeneration Harvest Age Commercial Thinning Age (150 TPA) Site Preparation Pre-commercial Thinning Age (200 TPA) Reforestation Age 0 (500 TPA) Release

14 Regeneration Harvest Age 80 Regeneration Commercial Thinning Age (150 TPA) Site Preparation Pre-commercial Thinning Age (200 TPA) Reforestation Age 0 (500 TPA) Release Regeneration occurs at the culmination of the mean annual increment Between 60 and 80 years on the Coquille Forest Downed Wood, and Green Trees Retained, Protection buffers applied

15 Timber Sale Revenues Education Local Jobs Local Economy Tribal Government Programs Forest Revenues $$ 10% Forest Management Health and Human Services

16 Forest Management Standards and Guides Overview Riparian Reserves Intermittent 220 ft Perennial fish bearing 440ft 6-8 Green Trees/acre 120 Linear Feet DW/acre 16 in on large end 16 ft minimum length

17 Utilization of Forest Residuals Woody Biomass Utilization Currently the Tribe is engaged in an intensive feasibility study assessing sustainable biomass utilization in the Coos Bay area. The Tribe is collecting underutilized or disposed of as waste on their forest and adjacent lands and transporting it to a biomass facility.

18 Roll-Off Bin Technology

19 Creates industrial jobs in the community Provides base-load renewable energy (24/7) on a cost effective basis. (Today coal-fire makes up over 40% of Oregon s energy supply) Significant improvement in air quality (eliminating open burning) Reduces waste material destined for landfills Supports hazardous fuels reduction Why Biomass????

20 Environmental Benefits Reducing the Carbon Impact

21 Carbon Neutral Biomass absorbs carbon dioxide during growth of wood and green materials, and emits it during conversion It recycles the carbon and does not add to the greenhouse effect

22 Not Carbon Neutral!

23 Utilization of Special Forest Products Saw Timber Pulp Wood House Logs Chip Logs Cull Peelers Bolts and Shakes Pilings Posts Poles Firewood Hog Fuel Christmas Trees Cedar Boughs Mushrooms Huckleberry Greens Transplants Cascara Bark Ferns Cones Moss

24 Regeneration Harvest Age 80 Reforestation Commercial Thinning Age (150 TPA) Site Preparation Pre-commercial Thinning Age (200 TPA) Reforestation Age 0 (500 TPA) Mixed Species (Western Red Cedar, Port-orford Cedar, Douglas Fir, Red Wood) 400 TPA Immediately Following Harvest Survival Surveys Follow Up Monitoring Release

25 Regeneration Harvest Age 80 Release Treatments Commercial Thinning Age (150 TPA) Site Preparation Mechanical Treatment Manual Cutting & Girdling Machine Mowing Limited Application of Herbicides Looks at timing of application to minimize rate of application Applied at unit/subunit level. Considers site specific conditions Pre-commercial Thinning Age (200 TPA) Release Reforestation Age 0 (500 TPA)

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27 Protection of Cultural Areas ACTIONS Western Red Cedar and Port Orford cedar are retained in the harvest unit to the greatest extent possible. Harvest Units are reforested with a diversity of species including: Port Orford Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and Douglas Fir. To the greatest extent possible, Cedar, Spruce, Hemlock, and Hardwoods are retained during all pre-commercial and commercial thinning operations. During harvest layout and pre-disturbance surveys, cultural resource sites are identified and buffered using wildlife trees (Sandy Creek Bear Grass Sites, Meade Creek Wetland, Hazel Site, and Tan oak/madrone Site) Where feasible, all snags are retained in harvest units. Many Cultural species have been protected through a Riparian reserve network which constitutes 3,401 acres or 62% of the Coquille Forest Lands. Maintain High Conservation Values (HCVs)

28 Meadow Restoration remove stems and limbs (all sizes) to create islands of light in under story areas where grasses [persist- assume previously open areas) pull to open areas for burning

29 Euphoria Ridge Meadow Showing stumps cut to preserve meadow (lower right)

30 White oak growing under Douglas fir reaching for sunlight (Next Step)

31 Forest/Environmental Monitoring &Evaluation

32 Continuous Forest Inventory The purpose of the CFI/Monitoring Program is twofold: Inventory: To provide periodic overview of the growth, stocking, health, and dynamics of the forest. Establishment and periodic remeasurement of approximately 300 permanent plots located throughout the forest. The tree, stand, cultural vegetation, and habitat data obtained will allow managers to determine resource management priorities, establish a sustainable yield of timber and other forest products, and assist in implementing management activities which achieve desired outcomes and goals for forest ecosystem conditions as outlined in the CFRMP. Monitoring: to collect site specific baseline data to monitor and evaluate ecosystem conditions and impacts of management activities on the Coquille Forest.

33 Downed Wood/ Green Tree Retention Downed wood is inventoried following timer harvest using random line transects. Individual Retention Trees are tagged with a unique number, inventoried, and GPS d.

34 Noxious/Invasive Plants Monitored through pre and post disturbance surveys as part of the NEPA and IVMP processes. Mechanical Treatment Manual Cutting Pulling Machine Mowing Prescribed Fire Chemical Treatment BMPs

35 Water Quality Monitoring Program EPA approved program under the Clean Water Act ( 106, and 319) Pre and Post Timber Sale/Forest Activity Monitoring Adherence to BMPs for forest management

36 Water Quality Management The primary purpose of the Tribal Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQMP) is to provide answers to the following questions regarding the water resources of the Tribe: What is the overall quality of waters on Tribal lands? To what extent is water quality changing over time? What are the problem areas and the areas needing protection? What level of protection is needed? How effective are the established clean water programs? Are Timber management activities affecting the overall quality of waters on Tribal Forest lands?

37 Watershed Health Fish Production BMP Compliance FSC Compliance (8/8/2011) Good/Sound Management Why Monitor?

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39 Tribal Water Quality Programs The Coquille Indian Tribe has strong cultural ties to coastal streams, wetlands, estuaries, bays and marine systems. The Tribe seeks to fully develop its water quality management capabilities in order to protect and enhance the ecological, cultural and socio-economic values of the Tribe while preserving the quality of life of organisms and the streams, wetlands, and riparian habitats. The Tribe has four (5) water quality monitoring programs: 1. Surface water quality monitoring 2. Surface water flow monitoring/gaging station maintenance 3. Groundwater elevation monitoring 4. Non-point source pollution monitoring 5. And coming soon...wetland Program Development

40 Surface WQ Monitoring Methods Currently the Tribe collects environmental information on the following parameters: Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ph Conductivity Water Temperature Turbidity Flow E.coli and fecal coliform Basic Habitat information Macro invertebrates

41 Surface WQ Monitoring Procedures Use of monthly grab samples using a hand held meter for: DO, ph, Conductivity, Water Temperature, Turbidity, and Bacteria. Use of continuous data loggers for water temperature at select sites from May October.

42 Continuous Flow Monitoring Procedures Continuous monitoring of water level and barometric pressure on ½ hour intervals using HOBO U20 Water Level Loggers; Coquille Forest. Systems are checked on a quarterly basis against manual flow measurements.

43 Quality Assurance Tribal WQMP EPA approved Quality Assurance Project Plan in place. Multiple staff review and oversight to ensure project and data integrity.

44 Coquille Forest WQ Goals Ensure compliance with state and federal water quality guidelines and to monitor streams associated with timber harvest activities. WQ monitoring by the Tribe will help to ensure that riparian management buffers and BMPS are sufficient to prevent deleterious impacts on the water quality of the streams associated with timber harvesting and other forest activities.

45 Non Point Source Pollution Assessment Identify Action Areas Identify Points with Hydrological Connectivity Inventory Stream Crossings/ Collect Culvert Data Identify Soil Erodibility Potential Establish NPS Priorities

46 Watershed Restoration/Giving Back Culvert Replacements Road Decommissioning Limiting Factors Analysis Subbasin Plan Basin Wide In-stream Restoration Projects

47 Coquille Forest Restoration Efforts Multi partner effort at Elk Creek (East Fork Coquille River) to install LWD and improve fish habitat 5 Miles of stream restored >500 Pieces of wood 2011 AFS Award for Excellence in Riparian Management

48 Expanding Tribal Management

49 Developing New Partnerships Through a Management Pilot Continue to define roles and responsibilities. Formed Joint Tribal/BLM ID TEAM, Completed NEPA Tribe Completed Surveys Public Outreach Consultation Layout Etc

50 Questions?