Decision DECISION MEMO Non-Commercial Thinning on the Ocala National Forest (PALS project # 39238) USDA Forest Service Ocala National Forest Lake, Marion, and Putnam County, Florida Based on the analysis in this document and information in the project record, it is my decision to adopt the Proposed Action described below. I will suspend and modify implementation of this project if there are environmental effects. This project is located in vicinity of Township 11 South and Range 25 East, Sections 6,7,8,9, and 32 and Township 12 South Range 25 East, Sections 16,17,18,20,21,31,32,33, and 36 and Township 13 South and Range 25 East, Section 25 and Township 14 South Range 25 East, Section 24 and Township 15 South Range 23 East, Sections 17,20,21 and Township 16 South Range 27 East, Sections 3,7,11,18, and 37. All areas are within the Ocala National Forest (ONF). The proposed treatments will consist of the following actions: Non-commercially thin about 1600 acres on areas ranging in size from less than 10 to about 100 acres. Primarily remove small, overtopped longleaf pines. Remove off-site sand pines and some oaks in larger areas to improve the stands benefit to wildlife habitat. Hand tools, chainsaws, or mechanized tree mowers may be used to accomplish this work. The following project design features will be applied during implementation: 1. Equipment operators would be educated in gopher tortoise burrow identification, and would maintain a 25 foot buffer distance away during mowing operations. 2. To minimize the potential for introduction and spread of non-native invasive species (NNIS) such as cogon grass, Japanese climbing fern, and Japanese mimosa, all equipment would be washed before entering the Ocala NF. If new NNIS spots are located during mowing, they would be avoided, documented, and reported to the contract inspector. 3. No more than 10% soil displacement would occur from treatments (VG-18, page 3-20). 4. Survey monuments, road signs, designated trails, numbered roads, ditches, fences, and other improvements would be protected. 5. Personnel and equipment would be removed immediately if an active bear den is encountered. 6. No adverse effects on heritage resources are anticipated, because thinning would not cause ground disturbance and all known or encountered above ground archeological resources would be avoided. However, if heritage resources are encountered, Page 1 of 6
activities would be halted and heritage program personnel would be notified immediately. Reasons for the Decision I selected the Proposed Action for the following reasons: To improve forest health by reducing the density of planted pines in an overcrowded condition. Increase sunlight and allow room for growth of smaller shrubs, grasses, and other fruit or nut bearing plants, and consequently improve the value of a pine plantation for wildlife by providing more food and a more diverse forest structure. Facilitate growth among remaining longleaf pine and to reach a larger size that would be important for future red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) foraging within RCW management areas. Allow prescribed burning to be more effective with less damage to the longleaf pine. It will help accomplish Forest Plan forest-wide goals 6, 8, 9, and 10 (FLRMP, p. 2-3 and 2-4), and management area 7.1, objectives 5 and 8 (FLRMP, p. 4-40). No other alternatives (except no action) were considered or developed. Forest Plan Standards and Guildines (S&Gs), and project-specific design features listed above were resolved concerns without the development of additional alternatives. Reasons for Categorically Excluding the Decision I have concluded that this decision is appropriately categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. The proposed treatments are routine activities within a category of exclusion (7 CFR part 1b, or FSH 1909.15 sections 32.2(6)) applicable to Timber stand and/or wildlife improvement activities that do not include the use of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction.there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative effect on the quality of the human environment. Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances Steep Slopes or Highly Erosive Soils The relatively flat terrain is conducive to these activities; and there are no highly reosive soils within the project area. Soil productivity will be maintained by standard silvicultural contract administration that minimizes erosion, compaction, and rutting. Threatened and Endangered Species or Their Critical Habitat The potential effects of this decision on listed species were discussed and documented pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. It was determinded that implementation of the proposed activities would have no effect on these species. The appropriate project-level inventory/surveys for TES species are identified in the Forest Plan (FLRMP, p. 3-26). Floodplains, Wetlands, or Municipal Watersheds Page 2 of 6
Floodplains Executive Order 11988 is to avoid adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains. Similar past projects had no significant impacts. This decision should not result in floodplain-related impacts, because there are no floodplains within the project area. Wetlands Executive Order 11990 is to avoid adverse impacts associated with destruction or modification of wetlands. This project is not located in wetlands. Municipal Watersheds This decision will not affect municipal watersheds, because there are none on the ONF. Congressionally Designated Areas This project is not within Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas, National Recreation Areas, or Wild and Scenic Rivers. This decision, with impacts limited to the immediate area of activity, will not affect congressionally designated areas. Inventoried Roadless Areas This decision will not affect inventoried roadless areas, because there are none in the project area. Research Natural Areas This decision will not affect Research Natural Areas, because there are none on the ONF. Native American Religious or Cultural Sites, Archeological Sites, or Historic Properties or Areas This decision complies with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archeological Resources Protection Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. If cultural resources are encountered, activities will be halted and heritage program personnel will be notified pursuant to Forest Plan S&G HE-1. Public Involvement A scoping letter was mailed to our public mailing list on May 11, 2012. The entire project is listed on the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions for National Forests in Florida and posted on-line on National Forests in Florida website on June 18, 2012. The only comments received were from one local resident who expressed concerns about chances for the spread of non-native invasive species (NNIS) and that thinnning operations would open areas to unmanaged vehicle use. Staff explained our standard procedures for preventing spread of NNIS by requiring any mechanical equipment to be cleaned prior to working on National Forest and that during area layout we look for NNIS. Consequently, if we find any NNIS we spray plants with herbicides prior to thinning treatment. If NNIS are found, these treatments would be covered under our NNIS Environmental Assessment. Also, staff explained that thinning operations would be noncommercial, so that cut material would be left on site, which would make the area less likely to be used by off-road highway vehicles. After the conversation the local resident stated she liked the restoration work that we were doing and that our explanations had alleviated her concerns. Page 3 of 6
Findings Required by and/or Related to Other Laws and Regulations My decision complies with all applicable laws and regulations. I have summarized some pertinent ones below. Consistency with National Forest Management Act and the Forest Plan The Forest Plan was prepared in accordance with the National Forest Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1601-1610). This project is consistent with the Forest Plan's desired future conditions, forestwide goals, and forestwide objectives (FLRMP, Chapter 2). The project is located entirely within Forest Plan MA 7.1 (Longleaf/Slash Pine, Adaptive Management, RCW Management). MA goals, desired future conditions, and standards and guidelines apply to actions within this MA (FLRMP, p. 4-42). I find that the Proposed Action is consistent with the Forest Plan, MA 7.1 direction. The project is feasible, reasonable, and will apply management practices that meet the Forest Plan's overall direction of protecting the environment while maintaining diverity of forest plants. Vegetation Management Requirements (16 U.S.C. 1604 (g)(3)(e)) This decision is consistent with management requirements associated with the accomplishment of Forest Plan goals and objectives. The following is a discussion of these requirements as it pertains to this project. Soil, Slope, Or Other Watershed Conditions Not Irreversibly Damaged The relatively flat terrain is conducive to activities included in this decision. Soil productivity will be maintained by minimizing erosion, compaction, and rutting through regular silvicultural contract administration. Based on many years of experience with similar actions on similar soils, no soil movement is expected, and no adverse effects are anticipated. Lands Can Be Adequately Restocked Within Five Years After Harvest No harvest is proposed. Protection Is Provided For Streams, Stream Banks, Shorelines, Lakes, Wetlands, And Other Bodies Of Water From Detrimental Changes In Water Temperatures, Blockages Of Water Courses, And Deposits Of Sediment Where Harvests Are Not Likely To Seriously And Adversely Affect Water Conditions Or Fish Habitat - No streams, stream banks, shorelines, lakes, wetlands or water bodies will be adversely affected by this project. All seasonal lakes and ponds on the area would have a 35-foot buffer zone from which mechanical treatment is excluded (WA-2, page 3-24 in Forest Plan and pages 12 and 31 in the 2000 Silviculture Best Management Practices Manual). Harvesting System Was Not Selected Primarily Because It Will Give The Greatest Dollar Return Or The Greatest Unit Output Of Timber Commercial timber harvest is not part of the proposed actions. Page 4 of 6
Best Available Science My conclusion is based on a review of the record that shows a thorough review of relevant scientific information. Appeal Opportunities This decision is is subject to appeal pursuant 36 CFR 215.11. A written appeal, including attachments, must be post marked or received within 45 days after the date this notice is published in the Leesburg Daily Commercial. The publication date of the legal notice in the Leesburg Daily Commercial is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal and those wishing to appeal should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. Appeals must meet content requirements of 36 CFR 215.14. Individuals or organizations who submitted comments during the coment period (5/16/2012 6/16/2012) may appeal. The appeal shall be sent to USDA, Forest Service, ATTN: Appeals Deciding Officer, 325 John Knox Road, Suite F-100. Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4160. Appeals may be faxed to (850) 523-8505. Hand-delivered appeals must be received within normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Appeals may also be mailed electronically in a common digital format to appeals-southern-florida@fs.fed.us. Implementation Date If no appeal is filed within the 45-day time period, implementation of the decesion may occur on, but not before the 5 th business day following the close of the appeal filing period. When appeals are filed, implementation may occur on, but not before, the 15 th business day following the date of the last appeal disposition (36 CFR 215.9). For additional information concerning this decision, please contact me at Ocala National Forest, 40929 SR 19, Umatilla, FL 32784 (phone: 352-669-3153). MIKE HERRIN District Ranger Ocala National Forest Date Page 5 of 6
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) 720-2600 (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. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page 6 of 6