Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project

Transcription

1 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region Fremont-Winema National Forests Lakeview Ranger District Lake County, Oregon Introduction The Lakeview Ranger District proposes to plant ponderosa pine seedlings on up to 461 acres of the Pax Timber Sale to assist restoration of ponderosa pine to historical conditions. These units were originally scheduled to be treated as part of the Abe Stewardship Project. However, prior to implementation of Abe Stewardship, mountain pine beetles infested much of the lodgepole pine in the Paxton Meadows area. A decision was made to expedite the thinning under a separate small sale called Pax, which sold in the fall of 2007 and was completed in the spring of This project will consist of planting units after pre-commercial thinning is complete to increase the amount of ponderosa pine regeneration in the units. Planting will not be even across all units. Some portions of units are not in need of planting and will be excluded. Planting will take place where openings have been created as well as areas open enough for ponderosa pine, but is lacking ponderosa pines in the overstory. 106 acres will be planted in spring of 2008 on Units 22 and 54. The remaining will be planted in subsequent years as the prescribed pre-commercial thinning is completed. Seedlings for units 22 and 54 are available and it is desirable to plant as soon as possible to establish these trees while conditions are optimum. The project area is specifically described as T37S, R19E, Sec. 4 and 5, Willamette Meridian, Lake County, Oregon (refer to map). Historically, fires burned through the landscape on a frequent basis thus limiting tree seedling survival and favoring the retention of well spaced, larger, thicker barked trees. With the onset of fire suppression and other land use activities, over the past several decades smaller trees have increased dramatically. This increases the potential for severe wildfire events. Currently these types of conditions have led to uncharacteristically large and severe fires. The long-term desired condition is to return the landscape to a more historical condition of large well spaced trees with a less dense understory, reducing the chances of catastrophic fires. The original prescription was intended to restore historic conditions of lower density and a higher percentage composition of ponderosa pine, counteracting the effects of past harvest and fire suppression. The stands contained a remnant of old ponderosa pine that would form the keystones of the restoration. Unfortunately, the mountain pine beetle population became high enough that large numbers of the old ponderosa pines were killed. After commercial thinning, which is now complete, the stands were scheduled for a pre-commercial thinning. This thinning is complete on Units 22 and 54. Post

2 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project Page 2 thinning monitoring indicates that ponderosa pine now makes up less than 10% of the residual stand. The stands had enough ponderosa pine and are open enough, that ponderosa pine could compete with white fir, but only if sufficient seed source remained on site. The mountain pine beetle killed much of the seed source over these stands. It is now desirable to plant ponderosa pine in stands to allow the stands to develop as mixed stands of pine and white fir. Otherwise, the succession to white fir will continue. Public Involvement Scoping for the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting consisted of presenting the proposal, via electronic mailing, to parties that commented on the Abe Vegetation Management Project. The proposed action statement was available to the public on the Forests web site. The proposed project was published in the Forests spring 2009 edition of the Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). No comments were received as a result of scoping. Decision After review of the interdisciplinary analysis, I have made a decision to implement the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project as described above. My decision is responsive to the need for ponderosa pine trees in the Pax Timber Sale area, which is within the Abe Vegetation Management Project planning area. My decision will result in moving conditions toward the desired conditions of well spaced trees with a higher percentage composition of ponderosa pine, where ponderosa pine historically existed. I have determined from the analysis that no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant further analysis and documentation in an EA or EIS. The analysis determined there would be no significant impacts to any resources. The Decision is Consistent with Agency Policy Concerning Extraordinary Circumstances. Based on the resource narratives that follow below, the discussion of Extraordinary Circumstances below, and the project record as summarized in this decision, I find that this decision is consistent with agency policy concerning extraordinary circumstances (36 CFR, Part (a), (b) (1)). A proposed action may be categorically excluded from further analysis and documentation in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) only if there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action. Resource conditions to consider include:

3 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project Page 3 a. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. For all of the fish, wildlife and botany resources discussed below, the potential effects of the Proposed Action have been determined to be No Effect or may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species. This degree of effect does not warrant the preparation of an EA or an EIS. b. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. The project does not propose to occupy or modify any floodplains or wetlands. Therefore, implementation of the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project is consistent with Executive Order and There are no municipal watersheds within the project area. c. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas. The Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project is not within designated wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas (Fremont National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1989), as amended). d. Inventoried Roadless Areas. No Inventoried Roadless Areas are within or adjacent to the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project area. e. Research natural areas. There are none present in the project under consideration. f. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites. My decision to authorize the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project will not adversely affect cultural resources. This is because no sites have been identified in the project area and manual planting techniques minimize ground disturbance. g. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. My decision to authorize this project will not adversely affect archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas because no known sites occur in the project area. Mere presence of one or more of the resource conditions in 36 CFR, Part 220.6(2)(b), (1)(i)-(vii) does not preclude use of a Categorical Exclusion. It is the degree of the potential effect of a proposed action on these resources.

4 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project Page 4 Analysis Findings This analysis tiers to and relies upon the analyses contained in the Abe Vegetation Management Project, 2007, (Abe EA). The north portion of the Abe EA project area (Pax Timber Sale area) was heavily attacked by mountain pine beetle, which killed about 85% of the lodgepole pine and lesser amounts of ponderosa pine (page 1 of Abe EA). The Abe EA did not specifically include the planting activity as proposed by this project. Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting project would promote the development of ponderosa pine in stands that historically contained a component of ponderosa pine, in addition to lodgepole pine and white fir. Botany A Biological Evaluation for Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Plant Species was completed for the Abe EA (Wilson 2007). While the area contains potential habitat for Region 6 Sensitive plant species Penstemon glaucinus, no occurrences of the plant have been found in the project area. The project may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend towards Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species. Wildlife The Southeast Zone Wildlife Biologist prepared a Biological Evaluation for Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Wildlife Species for the Abe EA (Ramsey, 2007). The project area does not contain suitable habitat or known occurrence of any Federally Listed, Proposed, or Candidate wildlife species. Therefore the project will have no effect on any proposed, endangered, or threatened wildlife species or their critical habitat. It was determined that the project may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute to a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability to the population or species for Region 6 Sensitive wildlife species Pacific pallid bat, California wolverine and gray flycatcher. The project will have no impact on bald eagles. The Wildlife Biologist determined that there would be no additional effects from Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting beyond those identified and analyzed in the Abe Vegetation Management Project (USDA Forest Service 2007) Soils/Hydrology The proposed action for the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting was reviewed with respect to the analysis completed under the Abe EA and was considered with regard to soil and hydrologic impacts. This review led to the conclusion that there would be no additional effects beyond those identified and analyzed in Abe. Additionally, there are no Prime and Unique Farmlands or Wild and Scenic Rivers within this project boundary. Flood plains, streamflow, and water quality will not be adversely impacted by this project. Fisheries Forest Service Fisheries Biologist prepared a Biological Evaluation and a Biological Assessment for Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Fish Species for the Abe

5 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project Page 5 EA (Leal, 2007). These documents were reviewed in regard to the Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting proposal and the Fisheries Biologist (Conley 2009) determined that the project would have no effect on federally listed fish species and no impact on Region 6 Sensitive Fish Species. The determination is based on the minimal soil disturbance that may result from manual planting techniques and the proximity of the project outside of all Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs). Cultural Resources Appropriate field surveys and inventories were completed for the Abe EA and there are no known sites in the units identified for planting with this project. In addition, Appendix A of the Programmatic Agreement among the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6), The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Officer regarding Cultural Resource Management on National Forests in the State of Oregon (June 2004), states that planting in disturbed areas such as harvest units is considered an undertaking that is excluded from case-by-case review. Findings Required by Other Laws This decision is in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (1969), the National Forest Management Act (1976), and all other applicable laws and regulations. This action is consistent with the management direction, including standards and guidelines, as outlined in the Fremont National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended, and the Final Environmental Impact Statement documenting the analysis for the Plan (USDA Forest Service, 1989). The project is consistent with INFISH (USDA 1995), and all applicable state laws. No significant impact is expected on parkland, floodplains, wetlands, prime farmlands, wild and scenic rivers or ecologically critical areas, as none exist in the project area. No adverse impact is expected on cultural resources. This action will comply with requirements of the Clean Water Act. I have reviewed this action in accordance with Executive Order (consideration of environmental justice). I find that this action will not adversely affect low income and minority populations. No concerns of disproportionate health or environmental effects surfaced. Adverse effects of this action will be very minor or not apparent. Therefore, I find my decision will not disproportionately create high and adverse health or environmental effects to low income or minority populations. There are no municipal watersheds, congressionally designated areas, inventoried roadless areas (IRA) or Research Natural Areas present. There are no anticipated significant impacts on consumers, minority groups, American Indians, women or civil rights. There are no anticipated significant impacts to Treaty and trust responsibilities with the Klamath Tribes. The Fremont-Winema National Forests consult with representatives of the Klamath Tribes regarding traditional cultural properties, religious use areas, and archaeological management issues.

6 Decision Memo for Pax Ponderosa Pine Planting Project Page 6 There are no known indirect, cumulative, or unavoidable adverse effects on the environment. This action will not pose a threat to public health or safety. Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Proposed Project Based on the environmental analysis and past experience, the effects of implementing this action will be of limited context and intensity and will result in little or no effects to either the physical or biological components of the environment. No extraordinary circumstances exist that might cause this action to have significant effects; therefore, this action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) per 36 CFR Part (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. Administrative Review (Appeals) and Implementation This decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR part 215 regulations. This decision may be implemented immediately. Contact For further information about this project, please contact Jody Perozzi, Acting Environmental Coordinator, at the Bly Ranger District. /s/ Allan D. Hahn March 27, 2009 ALLAN D. HAHN Date Lakeview District Ranger