Information Packet for Comment: Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning Project

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service May 2015 Information Packet for Comment: Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning Project Great Divide Ranger District Medford-Park Falls Ranger District Washburn Ranger District Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest For information, contact: Leesha Howard-McCauley 850 N. 8th Street, Medford, WI extension 37 (voice)

2 I. Introduction and Background II. The Forest Service is proposing to carry out the Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning project of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) on National Forest System lands throughout the Great Divide, Medford-Parks Falls, and Washburn Ranger Districts. Red pine stands would be thinned (reducing number of trees using mechanical harvest) to improve stand growth and vigor, making them less prone to wind and ice damage and less susceptible to insect and disease outbreaks. The Forest Service is preparing an Environmental Assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations for this action. This Environmental Assessment will disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action. The purpose of this information package is to inform interested and affected parties of the proposal, and to solicit public comments during the official comment period on the proposal. The comments provided will be utilized in preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and in making the decision. Management Direction The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan, hereafter referred to as the Forest Plan, provides general guidance on how to manage National Forest System Lands. The Forest Plan divides the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest into different Management Areas (MAs), each having particular objectives and a desired future condition. The Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning project is located within a number of Forest Plan Management Areas (MA), including MA 1, 2, 3, and 4. The desired future condition in each of these MAs includes maintaining red pine as forest type ranging from 5 to 70%. The Forest Plan is located on the Forest s website at: The Forest Plan suggests red pine thinning occur every 7 to 15 years in order to maintain the tree density for optimum growth of high quality trees. Proposed activities are designed to be consistent with goals and objectives defined in the Forest Plan. Federal actions such as red pine thinning must be analyzed to determine potential environmental consequences pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thinning A thinning is a timber harvest that is conducted in an even-aged stand. It is an intermediate treatment, that is, it is not a final harvest. Thinnings are done at intervals throughout the life of a stand to regulate stand density to improve growth and vigor of the stand, and to capture the timber volume that would otherwise be lost to natural mortality (Smith, 1962, p. 47). See photos below for examples of a red pine thinning on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Page 2 of 10

3 Example of a red pine stand before thinning on the Washburn Ranger District. The red pine stand is being thinned for a second time. Note the trees with blue paint are marked for removal. Example of a red pine stand approximately one year after thinning on the Washburn Ranger District. This was a second thinning for the red pine stand. Page 3 of 10

4 III. IV. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of the project is to maintain red pine stands by improving stand growth and vigor to make them less vulnerable to insects, disease, and drought. The need is to reduce the overstocked red pine stands across the Great Divide, Medford-Park Falls, and Washburn Districts. Red pine stands at the desired stocking levels would improve stand growth and vigor, and help achieve forest plan management objectives for red pine across the districts (Forest Plan, p. 2-10, and FF-2). Dense and overstocked stands create conditions that cause the trees to be vulnerable to insects, disease and drought. Additionally overstocked stands become more vulnerable to wind, snow, and ice damage (Forest Plan FEIS, p. F-6). There is a need to reduce fire risk to communities in the red pine stands that are proposed for thinning adjacent to the Forest Service boundary. The purpose is to reduce flammable fuels along the 200 ft. buffer strip adjacent to the private land in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Accumulation of hazardous fuels in the WUI has created a potential for fire conditions that may make wildfire control problematic for local fire suppression managers. The Forest Plan recommends that fuel reduction activities be focused within the WUI and the areas surrounding the communities at risk (Forest Plan, p.2-25). Forest Plan timber resource management goals for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest include satisfying the demand for wood products and special forest products through environmentally responsible harvest (Forest Plan, p.1-6). Local demand for wood products remains high as evidenced from recent timber sales offered and sold on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Treatment activities to meet the vegetation objectives are proposed to be accomplished through the sale of marketable wood products, including biomass. Therefore, the purpose and need for this project also includes offering wood products to contribute to local demands. Proposed Action Approximately 45,300 acres of red pine stands across the three ranger districts are in need of treatment and would be thinned to the desired stocking outlined in the Forest Plan (p and FF-2). The project proposes to treat the red pine stands over a 15 year time period that is broken down into three phases. The stands are assigned to a harvest phase based on when they would benefit the greatest from being thinned due to their current age, site condition and past thinning history: 1. 23,500 acres of red pine would be treated in the first phase (first five years) 2. 10,625 acres would be treated in the second phase (6 to 10 years) ,350* acres would be treated in the third phase (11 to 15 years). *A portion of the acres treated during this third phase would be acres that were treated in the first phase of this project. The harvest phase acres denoted above are estimations. Before harvest, field reconnaissance would determine if the stands meet the overstocked parameters outlined in the Forest Plan and if not, stands may move into the next phase of implementation. A portion of younger stands that are proposed for Page 4 of 10

5 treatment in the first phase may meet the criteria to be treated again in the third phase due to the rate of growth after thinning. The majority of the red pine stands would be accessed for harvest using the existing transportation system. Maintenance and reconstruction on these existing roads may be necessary. Due to the geographic scope and scattered location of the red pine stands across three districts, a comprehensive travel analysis that includes the public motorized use designation will not be completed as a part of this project. However, a travel analysis that evaluated the primary and secondary administrative access to the proposed stands has been completed. This analysis identified approximately 95 new roads, totaling approximately 14 miles, are needed for long term access to the red pine stands. This figure includes 33 roads for harvest operations (e.g. log landings and turnarounds); these are typically less than 200 feet in length. The locations of these roads are also displayed on the stand treatment maps located on the project website. In conjunction with the thinning treatments, approximately 965 acres directly adjacent to private property are proposed to receive a treatment to reduce the slash and ladder fuels in the WUI. Treatment would include removal of ladder fuels and/or treatment of logging slash located within a 200 buffer strip adjacent to the WUI. Ladder fuels treatment reduces the risk of crown fires by removing the fuels between the forest floor and the crowns of the forest canopy. These treatments include limbing merchantable conifers and removing smaller diameter submerchantable conifers and shrubs. The locations of the proposed hazardous fuel treatments are also displayed on the stand treatment maps located on the project website. V. Consideration of Resource Effects The Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest has completed several environment assessments on red pine thinning over the past decade (2008 Polecat Pine Thinning, 2008 Plantation II Thinning, 2009 Great Divide Red Pine Thinning, and 2011 Washburn Red Pine Thinning). No alternatives to the proposed red pine thinning actions were developed in these past projects. One alternative was developed to address concerns that logging slash, a by-product of the harvest operations, would increase flammable fuels loads in the pine stands. The treatment to reduce flammable fuels is designed in this project. In review of the previous environmental assessments, several topics were raised in the public comments that did not drive the development of an alternative. A brief summary of those topics applicable to this project and how they are addressed by the Forest Service are as follows: a) Species diversity in red pine stands: A question was brought forward on the diversity of red pine stands. Response: The Forest Service s goal for red pine stand management is to achieve a level of optimal growth of wood products while balancing stand attributes that support wildlife and other forest resources. Although a goal of this project is to thin red pine trees, the Forest Service recognizes the importance of snags, species diversity, and other features in the stands (such as woodland ponds) for a whole host of wildlife and other resource values. The Forest Plan provides management direction for protecting a wide range of forest Page 5 of 10

6 resources including wildlife and biological diversity. For example, this project would follow Forest Plan guidelines that reserve trees and snags to emphasize stand diversity. b) Need for road building: The question was brought forward on the need of building new roads when there are roads out there on the ground. Response: The Forest Service is required to complete a travel analysis when new road construction is proposed. This analysis takes into consideration the value and the resource risk for road actions. In the proposed project, the majority of the stands proposed for thinning could be accessed using the existing transportation system. However, some stands in the project are proposed for their first thinning (i.e. do not have an existing road leading to the stand) and/or were not reachable due to terrain and the current transportation layout. Since it is recommended that these stands be thinned on regular basis, a long term transportation system is necessary. c) Availability of woody biomass: The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest recognizes the market in the timber industry for timber harvest byproducts such as branches, tops, and limbs often referred to as biomass. The emergence of this market has raised concerns about sustainability including the potential loss of soil nutrients and reduced wildlife habitat. Response: The Wisconsin Council on Forestry recognized the need for harvesting guidelines to ensure that woody biomass harvest does not compromise the long-term productivity of Wisconsin forestland. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) developed Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines in 2009 (Herrick et al, 2009). Potential effects to wildlife and the soil resource would be addressed through a detailed effects analysis and biomass removal would be congruent with the Wisconsin Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines. For example: Biomass removal from stands requires retaining 10% of the top wood plus breakage and existing down woody material during each harvest entry. Fine woody debris (FWD) retained on site following harvest is a combination of pre-existing down FWD, incidental breakage during harvest operations, and tops and limbs (<4" diameter) from 10% of the trees in the general harvest area (e.g. one average-sized tree out of every 10 trees harvested). An interdisciplinary team consisting of resource specialists in wildlife, watershed, plants, fire, cultural, and timber designed the proposed action for this project. As part of the Environmental Assessment an evaluation of the effects of the proposed action will be completed. For example the following resources will be evaluated: a) Impacts to Regional Forest Sensitive Species (RFSS) and Threatened and Endangered Species (T&E): Potential effects to T&E and RFSS will be addressed through a detailed effects analysis documented in the Biological Evaluation (BE). This project will follow Forest Page 6 of 10

7 Plan requirements to minimize potential impacts to RFSS and T&E species; therefore, no issues are anticipated. For example, management activities would be limited within a 30- acre buffer of a red-shouldered hawk nest site and no harvest activity would be allowed within 100-feet of RFSS plant species. The northern long-eared bat was listed as federally threatened on April 2, This project is currently being reviewed by the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service for concurrence under the Endangered Species Act. The Chequamegon Red Pine thinning project would follow all applicable conservation measures to mitigate potential effects to this species. b) Management activities impacts on non-native invasive species (NNIS) distribution and spread: The Forest Service is aware that the proposed timber harvest, fuel treatments, and road building activities would disturb surface cover on soils making them more receptive to the establishment of weeds. The proposal is designed to follow Forest Plan requirements to reduce the introduction and movement of non-native invasive species. The proposed action includes measures to prevent, avoid and control weed establishment and spread. These measures include cleaning and inspecting off-road equipment and re-seeding disturbed sites such as landings and skid trail with native or desirable non-native species. c) Management activities impacts to soil productivity: The Forest Service is aware that heavy equipment used during timber harvest, hazardous fuel reduction, and road construction may result in a detrimental loss of soil productivity. The proposed action is designed to follow Forest Plan requirements to minimize detrimental soil impacts. An effects analysis for soil productivity will be prepared for this project; national and regional standards will be used to define detrimental soil impact threshold values. An estimate of the area and duration of soil compaction and rutting, erosion and displacement, and nutrient depletion will be used to quantify soil effects. The estimate will be correlated to detrimental loss of soil productivity based upon studies and monitoring of similar past activities on similar sites. d) Management activities impacts to aquatic resources: An effects analysis for water quality will be prepared for this project to insure that the proposed activities would not affect wetlands and water quality. Best management practices for the protection of water quality in compliance with the Clean Water Act (Forest Plan, p. 2-1) and Wisconsin s Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) are built into the proposed action. These include: Utilize riparian management zone categories. Expand riparian management zones wider than those defined in Wisconsin s Forestry BMPs and modify management practices where necessary (e.g., projects on steep slopes and/or highly erodible soils) (Forest Plan, p. 2-2). Do not pile slash within or move slash into riparian areas. Keep slash out of lakes, stream channels, floodplains, and areas where it may be swept into streams, rivers and lakes (Forest Plan, p. 2-2). Do not operate heavy equipment in woodland ponds (Forest Plan, p. 2-15). Page 7 of 10

8 VI. VII. Do not allow logging slash in woodland ponds. Selected trees may be dropped and left in ponds where large woody debris would enhance aquatic habitat (Forest Plan, p. 2-15). Locate landings and roads to avoid erosion and the contribution of sediment into woodland ponds (Forest Plan, p. 2-15). e) Management activities impacts to heritage resources: The Forest Service is charged with protecting heritage resources through the authority of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470f), as amended, and implementing direction provided in 36 CFR 800, Protection of Historic Properties. They include archaeological sites, historic architecture and structures, areas, memorials, cultural landscapes and objects. Heritage resource surveys and documentation of any required protective mitigation measures would be completed prior to project implementation. When heritage resources are discovered during Forest Service project implementation, all activities within the vicinity of the discovery area will cease until a professional archaeologist has made an on- site assessment of the discovery, and has consulted with SHPO, ACHP, and other interested parties regarding possible treatment alternatives (Forest Plan, p. 2-29). Land and resource management activities, such as the proposed management activities, have the potential to effect cultural resources. Cultural resources are defined as irreplaceable properties that relate primarily, but not exclusively, to past human life. They include archaeological sites, historic architecture and structures, areas, memorials, cultural landscapes and objects. Preliminary Alternatives At this time only the proposed action and no action are being analyzed. Further alternatives may be developed if an additional management solution is identified that achieves the desired condition, or if the official comment period results in the identification of public concerns that cannot be resolved. Alternative 1 - No Action. Under this alternative, none of the proposed activities such as red pine thinning, biomass removal, ladder fuel reduction treatments, or temporary road construction would be implemented to accomplish the project s objectives. Current, ongoing management would continue across the Districts, including road maintenance, fire suppression, and recreation facility maintenance. Alternative 2- Proposed Action. Under the proposed action, stocking numbers on the red pine stands would be reduced, hazardous fuels treatment would occur, and the road system would be enhanced to provide access to stands. Responsible Official and Timeframe Paul Strong, Forest Supervisor, is the Forest Service official responsible for this decision. An Environmental Assessment is being prepared for this project. Based on the environmental analysis, he will decide whether the proposed action will proceed as proposed, as modified by an alternative, or not Page 8 of 10

9 VIII. at all. If it proceeds, he will determine which design features and monitoring requirements will be prescribed for the project. The timeframe for the project is as follows: Summer 2015: Effects analysis and preparation of the Environmental Analysis Fall 2015: Release of Environmental Assessment and Draft Decision Notice Winter 2016: Final Decision Notice Comments on the Proposal This project will be subject to a new administrative review process due to new direction contained in Section 428 of the consolidated Appropriations Act of The Department of Agriculture s final rule for the establishment of a pre-decisional administrative review process (36 CFR 218) was published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2013 ( The final rule replaces the appeal process (36 CFR 215) with a pre-decisional administrative review process (also referred to as the objection process) for those project decisions made for environmental assessments and environmental impact statements. The objection process already exists for projects planned under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA). The final rule expands the agency s authority to use a pre-decisional objection process for non- HFRA projects, while continuing to be consistent with the notice and comment provisions of the Appeal Reform Act (Public Law ). Pursuant to 36 CFR , comments on this proposed project will be accepted for 30 days beginning on the first day after the date of publication of the legal notice in The Northwoods River News, Rhinelander, Wisconsin. If the comment period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday; comments will be accepted until the end of the next Federal working day. Comments should be within the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the Responsible Official to consider (36 CFR 218.2). Only individuals or entities (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) who submit timely and specific written comments (as defined by 36 CFR 218.2) about this proposed project or activity during this or another public comment period established by the responsible official will be eligible to file an objection. Other eligibility requirements are defined by 36 CFR (a)(3) and include name, postal address, title of the project and signature or other verification of identity upon request and the identity of the individual or entity who authored the comments. Individual members of an entity must submit their own individual comments in order to have eligibility to object as an individual. A timely submission will be determined as outlined in 36 CFR (a)(4). It is the responsibility of the sender to ensure timely receipt of any comments submitted. In order to be considered when making the final decision, submit comments to the Responsible Official who is the Forest Supervisor, by one of the following methods: Page 9 of 10

10 IX. Mail your comments to Paul Strong; ATTN: Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning at 850 N. 8 th Street in Medford, WI Office hours, for those who wish to hand deliver their comments, are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday (except Federal holidays). Fax your comments to Paul Strong; ATTN: Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning to comments to: comments-eastern-chequamegon-nicolet-medford-falls@fs.fed.us (please put comments on Chequamegon Red Pine Thinning in the subject line). Electronic comments must be submitted in a format such as an message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or MS Word (.doc or.docx). Maps Due to the geographic extent of this project, maps detailing the location of the stands and roads proposed for treatment are available on the Forest s website at or available upon request. There are a total of 21 maps organized by district. Each map includes the location of stands proposed for red pine thinning, hazardous fuel treatments, and the new road construction. Washburn Ranger District: Maps 1-5 Great Divide Ranger District: Maps 6-15 Medford- Park Falls: Maps X. References Cited Forest Service (USDA FS). 2004a. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). R9-CN-FP. April Forest Service (USDA FS). 2004b. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to Accompany the 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan. R9- CN-FEIS. April Herrick, S.K., J.A. Kovach, E.A. Padley, C.R. Wagner, and D.E. Zastrow Wisconsin s Forestland Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines. Pub-FR WI DNR Division of Forestry and Wisconsin Council on Forestry; Madison, WI. 51pp. Smith, David M The Practice of Silviculture, Seventh edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York. 578 pp. Page 10 of 10