 |
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region |
SCOPING NOTICE
For The
TREESACROWD FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT
 |
| Photo 1. This area was commercially thinned in 1998 using harvest prescriptions
similar to those proposed on this project (Photo from the Lucky Pierre Timber Sale). |
| Intent Of This Scoping Notice |
You are receiving this scoping notice either because you may have expressed a specific
interest in this project; because you have expressed an interest in similar projects in the
past, or because the Forest Service believes you may be directly or indirectly affected by this
project.
Scoping is the procedure used by the Forest Service to identify important issues and to
determine the extent of analysis necessary for an informed decision on a proposed action.
Scoping is a part of our environmental analysis process.
Note: This project has had a rather long and tortuous planning history. Originally
(CY 1999-2000) this project was identified as the Airport Forest Health Project and was
being planned under what were known as the California Spotted Owl guidelines (CASPO).
In January 2001, the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Final Environmental Impact
Statement and Record of Decision (Sierra Nevada Framework) were approved establishing new
forest management guidelines that replaced the CASPO guidelines. In late 2001, in response
to the Sierra Nevada Framework Guidelines, the Airport Project was re-designed and re-named
the Treesacrowd Fuel Reduction Project. Scoping notices for the Treesacrowd Project were
mailed in December of 2001.
In January of 2004, the Regional Forester signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for the
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment.
The 1/2004 ROD established new standards and guidelines for fuels management treatments for
Sierra Nevada Forests that replaced the 2001 Sierra Nevada Framework guidelines. In response
to the standards, guidelines and direction contained in the 1/2004 ROD the Treesacrowd project
has been once more re-designed. This Scoping Notice seeks your comments on this "new"
Treesacrowd Fuels Reduction Project. It is hoped that the Treesacrowd Fuel Reduction Project
planning will now culminate in what may be a stable planning environment. Because of the
long planning history associated with this project and the number of policy changes that
have occurred, the Forest Service is inviting scoping comments on the proposal presented in
this document. Please provide us with any scoping comments you might have on this proposal.
Because of the changes we have made in the Treesacrowd Fuel Reduction Project and the changes
in Regional Policy with regard to fuels treatment projects, comments previously submitted
to the Forest Service in response to our previous planning efforts will not be considered
relevant unless they are re-submitted.
This scoping notice is intended to inform you about the proposed Treesacrowd Fuel Reduction
Project in order for you to give us your comments, concerns or recommendations about our proposal.
This notice has 3 parts.
Part I begins with a description of the Proposed Action, including a statement
on the Purpose and Need for this project. As you read on, you will encounter more specific details
on this project, including information on the kind of changes in the "fuel profiles" that we are
seeking in order to change potential wildfire behavior and the specific project actions or
mitigations that are elements of this proposal.
Part II provides relevant information on what we term the Desired Future
Condition of the project area, including a brief summary of some information on the more relevant
standards and guidelines that control our management direction. Included in Part II are both a
narrative description and a series of photographs that attempt to convey a clear understanding
of the current condition of the project area, along with a historical perspective of how the
landscape has changed over time.
Part III summarizes where we are at this time in our project planning process
and provides information on how you can give us any comments you might have on our proposal.
| Part I. |
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED
ACTION AND PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE TREESACROWD FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT |
|
Project Location
The approximately 8,000 acre Treesacrowd project area is situated within the 85,000 acre,
heavily used Crystal Basin Recreation Area of the Pacific Ranger District in sections 33 and
34, T14N, R14E; sections 1-4, 9-12, 14-16, and 21-23 T13N, R14E, MDB&M. The project area is
generally located north of the South Fork of the Rubicon River, west of Loon Lake, east of the
Rubicon River, and south of Bunker Hill, approximately 20 air miles northeast of Pollock Pines,
California . The project area is located between 5,200 and 6,400 feet within the Sierra Nevada
mixed conifer forest. Approximately 6,700 acres of the project area are public lands
administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Nearly 1,300 acres encompassed by the project
boundary are in private ownership, most of which are managed as industrial timberland by Sierra
Pacific Industries.
Proposed Action
The Treesacrowd Project would perform fuels treatment primarily on Wildland/Urban Interface
lands identified in a manner consistent with the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
(FSEIS) for the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA). The FSEIS and SNFPA specify
certain management standards and guidelines that apply to land management activities on each
National Forest in the Sierra Nevada.
Proposed fuel reduction activities include a combination of understory burning, understory
thinning involving the cutting and removal of both commercial and non-commercial sized trees,
mastication and/or tractor piling and pile burning. Initial treatment would commence within
one year with final, follow-up prescribed burning completed within 2-7 years.
Purpose of Project
In order to achieve the Desired Future Condition (see below) for the Treesacrowd project area,
the Proposed Action will:
| Perform fuel treatment activities designed to change existing tree
density; and forest surface and ladder fuel profiles in order to reduce potential
wildfire intensity and behavior; and mitigate the consequences drought, insects,
diseases and potential large, damaging wildfires on selected forested areas on the
Pacific Ranger District. All activities would be done in compliance with the Eldorado
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Eldorado LRMP) and to the extent
practicable, the removal and treatment of excess fuels would be accomplished in an
economically efficient manner. |
National Direction Supporting Proposed Action
In response to the wildland fires in 2000, the President of the United States requested,
and the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture submitted, an assessment entitled Managing
the Impact of Wildfires on Communities and the Environment, A Report to the President in
Response to the Wildfires of 2000 (September 8, 2000). This report, a subsequent Forest
Service report entitled Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in Fire- Apdapted Ecosytems:
a Cohesive Strategy, simultaneous budget requests, congressional direction for substantial
new appropriations for wildland fire management for fiscal year 2001 and 2002, and resulting
action plans and agency strategies have collectively become known as the National Fire Plan
(NFP). The NFP has broad support with the present (and previous) administration, Congress,
western states governors, and many other local and regional groups.
The NFP includes a discussion of national priority setting, funding allocations and
accomplishments, and accountability mechanisms. In August of 2001, the Secretaries of
Agriculture and Interior, and by the Western State Governors Association developed a companion
document entitled A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities
and the Environment, 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy (Comprehensive Strategy). This document
defined the core principles and goals of the Comprehensive Strategy. In May of 2002, the
secretaries and governors developed the Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Strategy.
The NFP has evolved over the last two years from the USDA Forest Service's original
Cohesive Strategy to the finalization of the Implementation Plan. The ability of the forests
to implement an effective strategy for reduction of hazardous fuels at the landscape level
is the fundamental issue for effective implementation of this plan.
The FSEIS to the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment is responsive to the above
national-level position and policy direction. The FSEIS defines a Defense and Threat
Zone as zones where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with
undeveloped wildland. The width of the zone is based on the distribution of developments,
likely rates of fire spread, strategic landscape features such as roads, distribution of
fuel types, and topography. Generally, the Defense zone is planned to extend approximately
1/4 mile out from structures, while the Threat Zone extends an additional 1 1/4 miles.
These zones are the highest priority for fuel reduction activities. Past management
activities, including timber harvests and a century of fire suppression have increased
stand densities, the proportion of shade tolerant species and accumulations of ground and
ladder fuels within and adjacent to the areas of human habitation. Left untreated these
high stand densities and extensive fuel loads combine to create the conditions for a
catastrophic fire that pose a threat to life and property within the defense and threat
intermix zones identified in SNFPA. Dangerous levels of fuels within these zones are
unacceptable given the potential loss of life and property.
Furthermore, the threat of catastrophic wildfire jeopardizes the Forest Service's
directive to manage the project area for the recognized multiple use benefits associated
with healthy forests, including diverse wildlife habitat conditions, clean water, quality
recreational experiences and productive soils for a conifers and other understory vegetation.
Local Situation Necessitating Proposed Action
The project area is classified historically as Fire Regime I (high frequency of low
severity fires). Fire Regime I ecosystems are considered to be fire-adapted vegetation
types. Over 90 years of fire exclusion, grazing by domestic livestock, and logging, have
significantly altered fire regimes, fuel loadings, and vegetation composition and structure.
As a result, the number, size, and intensity of wildfires have been altered from their
historical range. The risk of losing key ecosystem components is high.
Currently, most of the project area is in Condition Class II or III wherein fire
frequencies have departed moderately or significantly, respectively, from their historical
frequencies by multiple return intervals. Condition Class II and III lands are considered
to be at a moderate to high risk, respectively, because of the danger these areas pose to
people; and the severe, long-lasting damage likely to result to species and watersheds when
a fire burns-particularly in drought years. The threat of wildland fire to forest resources
and infrastructure is a significant concern for Federal, State and local land management
agencies.
Condition Class II and III forest-lands are typified by encroachment and establishment of
shade tolerant tree species and/or high loss of shade intolerant tree species. Condition
Class II and III lands often need moderate to high levels of restoration treatments, such as
hand or mechanical treatments, before fire can be used to restore the historical fire regime.
The Treesacrowd project area has a higher than average incidence of wildfire starts
compared to the rest of the Eldorado National Forest. There have been four fires within
the project area exceeding 10 acres in size
(one person-caused at 11 acres; one equipment caused at 11 acres and two lightning caused,
with one at 970 acres and the other at 100 acres) since 1914, when fire suppression began in
the Treesacrowd area. Since 1970, there have been 48 other fires within the project area, all
smaller than 10 acres; 19 of these were person-caused and 29 were started by lightning. A few
relatively small prescribed understory burns, associated with recent fuel reduction thinnings,
have been completed within the project area. The general lack of widespread fuel treatments,
combined with 80 years of fairly successful fire suppression, has aided in the development of
decadent brush and fuel ladders, dense stand structures, areas with large woody fuels, and a
shift to less fire-adapted species.
These relatively high risk and high hazard lands are adjacent to numerous private residences
associated with a private summer home tract and a Forest Service permitted summer home tract,
historical properties, private commercial properties, Forest Service campgrounds, bike trails
and picnic areas, infrastructure associated with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District
hydroelectric facilities and intrinsic, valuable forest-related resources. This project will
directly reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire to the multiple resources within and adjacent
to the project area, decrease the susceptibility of timber stands to drought, insect and
diseases and promote the general forest health of the treatment areas. Indirect benefits to
wildlife, watershed, recreation and commodity production will also be achieved because of the
reduced likelihood of widespread tree mortality caused by wildfire, drought or insects.
Locations of the selected treatment areas are displayed on the attached location map and
described below.
| Table 1- Treesacrowd Land Allocations Within Project Area
(See Table 3 For Treatment Area Summary) |
| Land Allocations |
Acres (Forest Service Lands) 1 |
| General Forest Zone |
0 |
| Old Forest Zone |
1,289 |
| Defense Zone |
386 |
| Threat Zone |
5,020 |
| Defense Zone and Spotted Owl Protected Activity Center (PAC)
(overlapping allocations) |
115 (ac included in
Defense Zone, above)2 |
| Threat Zone and Spotted Owl Protected Activity Center (PAC)
(overlapping allocations) |
261 (ac included in
Threat Zone, above)2 |
| Old Forest and Spotted Owl Protected Activity Center (PAC)
(overlapping allocations) |
22 (ac included in
Old Forest Zone, above)2 |
| Defense Zone and Goshawk Protected Activity Center (PAC)
(overlapping allocations) |
98 (ac included in
Defense Zone, above)2 |
| Threat Zone and Goshawk Protected Activity Center (PAC)
(overlapping allocations) |
105 (ac included in
Threat Zone, above)2 |
| Total Acreage in Project Area |
6,6951 |
|
1 An additional 1,266 acres of private land are located within the project
boundary.
2 Approximately 113 acres of the 601 acres in Spotted Owl and Goshawk PACs
overlap each other. There are no thinnings proposed within PACs |
Management Standards and Guidelines
Management standards and guidelines are designed to attain the management direction
described in the Record of Decision (ROD) for the FSEIS. Some of the most relevant standards
and guidelines are listed below for the affected land allocations. The ROD (pp 49-66)
contains the complete list.
Fire and Fuels Management
1. Strategically place area fuels treatments across the landscape to
interrupt fire spread and achieve conditions that: (1) reduce the size and severity of
wildfire and; (2) result in stand densities necessary for healthy forests during drought
conditions. Complete a landscape-level design of area treatment patterns prior to
project-level analysis. Develop treatment patterns using a collaborative, multi-stakeholder
approach. Determine the size, location, and orientation of area fuels treatments at a
landscape-scale, using information about fire history, existing vegetation and fuels
condition, prevailing wind direction, topography, suppression resources, attack times, and
accessibility to design an effective treatment pattern. The spatial pattern of the
treatments is designed to reduce rate of fire spread and fire intensity at the head of
the fire.
Strategic placement of fuels treatments should also consider objectives for locating
treatment areas to overlap with areas of condition class 2 and 3, high density stands, and
pockets of insect and disease. Avoid PACs to the greatest extent possible when locating area
treatments. Incorporate areas that already contribute to wildfire behavior modification,
including timber sales, burned areas, bodies of water, and barren ground, into the landscape
treatment area pattern. Identify gaps in the landscape pattern where fire could spread at
some undesired rate or direction and use treatments (including maintenance treatments and
new fuels treatments) to fill identified gaps.
2. Vegetation within treatment areas should be modified to meet desired surface
ladder, and crown fuel conditions as well as stand densities necessary for healthy forests
during drought conditions. Site specific prescriptions should be designed to reduce fire
intensity, rate of fire spread, crown fire potential, mortality in dominant and co-dominant
trees, and tree density. Managers should consider such variables as the topographic location
of the treatment area, slope steepness, predominant wind direction, and the amount and
arrangement of surface, ladder, and crown fuels in developing fuels treatment prescriptions.
3. Design a sequence of fuel reduction treatments in conifer forest types
(including 3x plantation types) to achieve the following standards within the treatment area:
an average of 4-foot flame length under 90th percentile fire weather conditions. Surface
and ladder fuels removed as needed to meet design criteria of less than 20 percent mortality
in dominant and co-dominant trees under 90th percentile weather and fire behavior conditions.
Tree crowns thinned to meet design criteria of less than 20 percent probability of initiation
of crown fire under 90th percentile weather conditions.
Mechanical Thinning Treatments
4. For all mechanical thinning treatments, design projects to retain all live
conifers 30 inches dbh or larger. Exceptions are allowed to meet needs for equipment operability.
5. For mechanical thinning treatments in mature forest habitat (CWHR types 4M,
4D, 5M, 5D, and 6) outside WUI defense zones:
- Design projects to retain at least 40 percent of the existing basal
area. The retained basal area should generally be comprised of the largest trees.
- Where available, design projects to retain 5 percent or
more of the total treatment area in lower layers composed of trees 6 to 24 inches dbh
within the treatment unit.
- Design projects to avoid reducing pre-existing canopy
cover by more than 30 percent within the treatment unit. Percent is measured in absolute
terms (for example, canopy cover at 80 percent should not be reduced below 50 percent.)
- Within treatment units, at a minimum, the intent is to
provide for an effective fuels treatment. Where existing vegetative conditions are
at or near 40 percent canopy cover, projects are to be designed remove the material
necessary to meet fire and fuels objectives.
- Within California spotted owl Home Range Core Areas:
Where existing vegetative conditions permit, design projects to retain at least 50
percent canopy cover averaged within the treatment unit. Exceptions are allowed in
limited situations where additional trees must be removed to adequately reduce ladder
fuels, provide sufficient spacing for equipment operations, or minimize re-entry.
Where 50 percent canopy cover retention cannot be met for reasons described above,
retain at least 40 percent canopy cover averaged within the treatment unit.
- Outside of California spotted owl Home Range Core
Areas: Where existing vegetative conditions permit, design projects to retain at
least 50 percent canopy cover within the treatment unit. Exceptions are allowed
where project objectives require additional canopy modification (such as the need
to adequately reduce ladder fuels, provide for safe and efficient equipment operations,
minimize re-entry, design cost efficient treatments, and/or significantly reduce stand
density.) Where canopy cover must be reduced below 50 percent, retain at least 40
percent canopy cover averaged within the treatment unit.
- Within California spotted owl PACs, where treatment
is necessary, remove only material needed to meet project fuels objectives. Focus on
removal of surface and ladder fuels.
6. Standards and guidelines # 4 and 5 above apply only to mechanical thinning harvests
specifically designed to meet objectives for treating fuels and/or controlling stand
densities.
Snags and Down Woody Material
7. Determine down woody material retention levels on an individual project
basis, based on desired conditions. Emphasize retention of wood in the largest size classes
and in decay classes 1, 2, and 3. Consider the effects of follow-up prescribed fire in
achieving desired down woody material retention levels.
8. Determine snag retention levels on an individual project basis for vegetation
treatments. Design projects to implement and sustain a generally continuous supply of snags
and live decadent trees suitable for cavity nesting wildlife across a landscape. Retain some
mid- and large diameter live trees that are currently in decline, have substantial wood defect,
or that have desirable characteristics (teakettle branches, large diameter broken top, large
cavities in the bole) to serve as future replacement snags and to provide nesting structure.
When determining snag retention levels and locations, consider land allocation, desired
condition, landscape position, potential prescribed burning and fire suppression line locations,
and site conditions (such as riparian areas and ridge tops), avoiding uniformity across large
areas. General guidelines for large-snag retention are as follows:
- westside mixed conifer and ponderosa pine types - four of
the largest snags per acre.
- red fir forest type - six of the largest snags per acre.
Use snags larger than 15 inches dbh to meet this guideline. Snags should be clumped and
distributed irregularly across the treatment units. Consider leaving fewer snags strategically
located in treatment areas within the WUI. When some snags are expected to be lost due to
hazard removal or the effects of prescribed fire, consider these potential losses during project
planning to achieve desired snag retention levels.
Tree Species Composition
9. Promote shade intolerant pines (sugar and Ponderosa) and hardwoods.
Project-Specific Actions
In meeting the purpose and need for this project, certain standards and guidelines for
fuels treatment and resource protection would be adhered to during project implementation. Some
of the most relevant standards and guidelines for this project were described above. The
complete list of FSEIS Standards and Guidelines are available from the Forest Service offices
listed in this notice or from the R5 Forest Service Web site.
In addition there are innumerable other applicable, standard policies and guidelines
included in various Forest Service Handbooks; laws and regulations; and "Best Management
Practices" (BMPs) as defined by the State of California for water quality protection. Some
of these policies or guidelines are highlighted in the following discussion and all are
available via the internet or from local Forest Service offices.
Finally, there are standard, required contractual clauses included in all timber sale
contracts that specify the normal or routine performance requirements for timber sale
purchasers and operators. A few of the more significant contractual items will be listed
hereunder, but most will not be mentioned. However, sample contracts are available for review
at local Forest Service offices.
As a minimum, the following project specific activities would be integrated into the
Proposed Action. Based upon any scoping comments received and further environmental analysis,
additional mitigation actions may be included in final project plan. Note: See table at
the end of this section for summary of primary project activities and enclosed maps for
further details.
- Commercial thinning using ground based whole tree and cut-to-length
logging systems on approximately 1,909 acres of timberland on slopes generally less than
35%. Thinning operations are expected to generate approximately 3-7mbf/ac, on average,
of commercial sawtimber.
- Biomass removal would be done on 1,909 acres of timberland concurrent
with the commercial operations listed above. It is estimated that approximately 28,600
tons of biomass material would be removed to landings. Biomass stored on landings may
be disposed of in a number of ways, including burning on site, burning in cogeneration
plants, made available for commercial and personal use firewood, etc.
- Post-harvest machine piling and burning of existing and operations
slash as necessary on approximately 1,819 acres to reduce ground fuels in preparation for
the re-introduction of prescribed fire. Tractor piling would normally be precluded from
perennial Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs), sensitive areas (such as heritage sites
and sensitive plant habitat), or on slopes greater than 35%. Exceptions would only
occur if appropriate resource specialist identifies the need to enter these sensitive
areas. Residual trees would be protected from mechanical damage during piling
operations.
- Post-harvest planting would be needed on 78 acres where the existing
stands are in such poor condition that the removal of the suppressed and intermediate trees
would create small openings (1-3 acres each). These areas would be planted with
ponderosa, Jeffrey or sugar pine. After planting, one or more applications of herbicides
would likely be necessary on 78 acres to assure survival and reasonable growth of the
planted stock.
- Understory prescribed burning would also occur on approximately 655
acres of stands that are not in need of fuels treatment prior to the re-introduction of
fire. Some of these stands have been previously thinned on other projects and some of
the stands have low/moderate levels of fuel loading and may be understory burned without
pre-burn treatment. In addition, all harvested areas will be understory burned 5-7
years after harvesting and machine piling as a follow-up maintenance burn.
- In preparation for prescribed fire some perimeter hand line
construction may be needed where roads, trails, or natural barriers are absent. This
would involve hand cutting of vegetation including trees up to 6-inch diameter, pruning,
and scraping a bare soil line. All fire lines would follow the established guidelines
for water bar construction as outlined in the Best Management Practices.
- Site-specific prescribed burn prescriptions would be developed
for sensitive areas or features identified by a resource specialist or in the LRMP.
These prescriptions range from keeping fire completely out to allowing fire to burn
through but retaining the important features. Examples of these areas include
archaeological sites, spotted owl PACS and northern goshawk management areas, sensitive
plant populations, nest trees, and stream side zones.
- All burning activities would adhere to pertinent air quality
regulations. Smoke emissions would be minimized by following Best Available Control
Measures (BACMs:
- Burn plans would be accompanied by a smoke permit administered by
the local county Air Resource Agency. For this project the El Dorado County Air
Pollution Control District would issue the permit. To reduce effects of prescribed
burns on air quality, smoke control and monitoring measures would be identified in the
Smoke Management Plan that would be prepared prior to burning. Avoidance, dilution,
and emission-reduction strategies would be utilized. Desirable meteorological
conditions such as favorable winds and an unstable or neutral atmosphere, would be
required in the project's smoke management plan to facilitate venting and dispersion
of smoke from the project area.
- Chipping - Chipping and hauling of cut vegetation, such as residual
slash from ground based harvest or roadside clearing, may be used along roads and at
landings at locations where prescribed burning or burning of piles could create visual
or safety issues (such as along certain roads and adjacent to Gerle Creek Summer Home
Tract).
- The removal of dead and unstable live trees (hazard trees) for woods
worker and public safety would occur along roadsides, landings and in public use areas
such as dispersed recreation sites. The wildlife biologist would be involved in selection
of hazard trees for removal on roads that enter or are adjacent to spotted owl PACs.
Trees that cannot be removed without damage to riparian areas or heritage sites would
be felled and left in place. Felled hazard trees or cull logs would be left in down
log deficient areas, as identified by the fisheries or wildlife biologist, or where
there are insufficient down logs to comply with R-5, Soil Quality Standards (SQS) (USDA
Forest Service 1995a).
- Approximately 8.1 miles of road would be reconstructed to improve
road condition and approximately 1.2 miles of road would be constructed to provide
access to proposed harvest units. Reconstruction would primarily consist of improvements
to reduce effects of road upon adjacent lands. Reconstruction work would include road
rocking, replacement of ineffective drainage devices, such as culverts and cross-drains.
Road rocking (application of crushed aggregate rock) would be applied to portions of
roads prone to wheel rutting.
- An estimated 16.0 miles of road would be subject to road maintenance
to facilitate use associated with this project. Most of maintenance work would be
confined to cutting or trimming of trees and brush for sight distance improvement,
blading of roads to smooth road surface and opening ditches and culverts to maintain
road drainage. Slash would be disposed by chipping, scattering, or piling and burning.
- Water would be used on native surface roads to maintain surface fines,
minimize dust, and maintain surface compaction. Existing water holes, and other sites
such as ponds, lakes, or streams, used for water drafting would be inspected by a fisheries
biologist or hydrologist for existing amphibians and flow levels prior to use. A Forest
Service approved screen covered drafting box, or other device to create a low entry
velocity would be used while drafting to minimize removal of aquatic species, including
juvenile fish, amphibian egg masses and tadpoles, from aquatic habitats. Drafting
would be from the deepest water source, near the bottom. The fisheries biologist would
be notified if any type of water additive would be applied to roads.
- To prevent introduction of noxious weeds, equipment, which last
operated in areas known to be infested with noxious weeds, would be cleaned prior to
entering the project area. Operators will certify that equipment is weed free prior to
starting operations. Weed free straw will be utilized for erosion control as needed where
slash is not available.
- Weed free road fill, gravel, and mulches would be used if available
to prevent introduction of noxious weeds. The Forest Botanist would monitor these areas
for two years after project completion to detect establishment of noxious weeds. If
monitoring reveals noxious weeds were introduced into the project area, infestations
will be treated and controlled in a manner prescribed by botanist.
- To protect sensitive wildlife species the following requirements
would apply:
- Maintain a limited operating period (LOP), prohibiting activities
(except road use and maintenance) within 1/4 mile of known spotted owl nest sites
during the breeding season (March 1 to August 31) unless surveys confirm that California
spotted owls are not nesting.
- Maintain a LOP, prohibiting activities (except road use and maintenance)
within 1/4 mile of known northern goshawk nest sites during the breeding season (February
15 through September 15) unless surveys confirm that they are not nesting.
- Maintain a LOP, prohibiting off road ground disturbing activities
within the RCA for perennial streams, from October 15 to April 15 to avoid disturbance
to mountain and/or foothill yellow-legged frogs.
- Water withdrawn from creeks and waterholes would follow requirements
described in the road maintenance items, above.
- Protection of Archaeological resources at risk from ground disturbing
project activities would occur in all phases of project. Protection of archaeological sites
is included as part of the project design and will be protected by the measures outlined in
the Programmatic Agreement (PA) between Forests of the Sierra Nevada and the California
State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and any Heritage Preservation Plan (HPP) in
place between the SHPO and the Eldorado National Forest. Protection measures may include
avoidance of ground disturbing activities, directionally felling of timber away from sites,
and removal of timber posing a risk to cultural resources. Application of these standard
protection measures will assure that no adverse effects occur to cultural resources.
- Skid trail systems would be designated in each unit by the project
administrator. Existing skid trails would be used if appropriate, to limit the extent of
new areas of compacted ground within the project area. Erosion control measures would be
constructed after completing operations in each unit. Skid roads and landings used in
this project that may contribute to resource damage would be ripped or subsoiled to alleviate
soil compaction and erosion problems, restore infiltration, and discourage unauthorized OHV
use. Approximately 32 acres would be ripped or subsoiled for these purposes.
- Riparian conservation areas (RCA) are designated as follows:
| Table 2 Riparian Conservation
Areas |
| Stream Type |
Width of RCA and
Equipment/Harvest Limitations Within RCA1 |
| Perennial streams |
300' each side, measured from bank full edge No harvest within
50' of streambank. One hundred foot ground based equipment exclusion
zone from streambank. |
| Seasonally flowing streams |
150' each side, measured from bank full edge. No harvest in
streambeds or banks. Fifty foot ground based equipment exclusion zone
from streambank. |
| Special aquatic features |
300' from edge of feature or riparian vegetation, whichever is
greater. One hundred foot ground based equipment exclusion zone from
streambank. |
|
| 1 Within RCA's, the type and level of management is determined by
assessing how proposed activities measure against the Riparian Conservation
Objectives (RCO's) and their associated standards and guidelines (refer to FSEIS
for the SNFP (ROD pp 62-66). |
The acreages associated with the primary ground disturbing activities on this project are as follows:
| Table 3 Summary of Activities Associated
With Primary Land Allocations |
| Management Activity |
No Action |
Proposed Action |
| Harvest Related |
|
|
| Total Sawtimber Volume Harvested (@ 3.0 - 7.0 mbf/ac) |
0 |
5.7 to 13.4 mmbf |
| Total Acres Harvested By Land Allocation |
0 |
1,909 |
| Defense Zone (ac incl. above) |
0 |
86 |
| Threat Zone (ac incl. above) |
0 |
1,231 |
| Old Forest Emphasis Zone (ac incl. above) |
|
592 |
| Calif. Spotted Owl PAC |
0 |
0 |
| Northern Goshawk PAC |
0 |
0 |
| Perennial Streams (these acres incl. in Total Acres above and
in individual land allocations, above) |
0 |
90 |
| Intermittent/Seasonal Streams (these acres incl. in Total Acres
above and in individual land allocations, above)) |
0 |
218 |
| Total Tons Biomass Removal (@ 15 tons/acre) |
0 |
28,635 |
| New Road Construction (Miles) |
0 |
1.2 |
| Road Reconstruction (Miles) |
0 |
8.1 |
| Post-Harvest Related |
|
|
| Total Harvest Acres Machine Piled1 |
0 |
1,819 |
| Total Harvest Acres Prescribed Burned2 |
0 |
1,909 |
| Total Non-Harvest Acres Prescribed Burned3 |
0 |
655 |
| Total Acres Burned4 |
0 |
2,564 |
| Total Estimated Planting Acres |
0 |
78 |
| Total Estimated Herbicide Acres |
0 |
78 |
|
1 Machine piles would be burned. Approximately 90
ac of thinning
within RCAs would not be machine piled after thinning. Post-harvest treatment
of these areas would be by prescribed burning.
2 Total harvest acres prescribed burned; prescription would call
for understory burning.
3 Total non-harvest areas prescribed burned; prescription calls
for understory burning (PACs & GMAs primarily)
4 Total acres burned includes harvest acres, non-harvest acres,
and machine-piled acres. |
| Part II. |
Desired Future Condition of
Treatment Units |
|
Desired condition is a statement describing a common vision for a specific land area.
Desired Future Condition statements are made in the present tense indicating a condition
that managment intends to maintain or move toward in each land allocation. Statements of
desired condition take into account the natural range of variability typical for the Sierra
Nevada landscape, the uncertainty of natural disturbances, effects of past management, unique
features or opportunities that the Eldorado National Forest can contribute, and human desires
and uses of the land.
The Desired Future Condition for the Eldorado National Forest is described in the Eldorado
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). The Decision in the SFEIS for the
Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) relies on a network of land allocations and has
an associated set of desired conditions, management intents, and management objectives. These
three elements provide direction to land managers for designing and developing fuels and
vegetation management projects. In designing the strategic layout of treatments, managers
ensure that treatment area patterns and prescriptions are consistent with desired conditions,
management intents, and management objectives for the relevant land allocations. This section
describes the desired conditions for the relevant land allocations in the Treesacrowd project
area. The reader is referred to the SFEIS ROD for further details and descriptions of
management intent and management objectives.
 |
| Photo 2. The above is a photo exemplifies an "existing condition"
(left side of photo) and the "Desired Future Condition" (right side of
photo). Stand on left side of road has not been thinned, whereas the stand
on right was commercially thinned in 2001 with a follow-up, understory
prescribed burn in 2002. (Note: This photo was not taken on the Treesacrowd
project area.) |
| Desired Future Conditions By Land Allocation |
Land Allocation: Urban Wildland Intermix Zone -
Defense Zone
|
• Stands in defense zones are fairly open
and dominated primarily by larger, fire tolerant trees.
• Surface and ladder fuel conditions are such that crown
fire ignition is highly unlikely.
• The openness and discontinuity of crown fuels, both
horizontally and vertically, result in very low probability of sustained
crown fire. |
Land Allocation: Urban Wildland Intermix Zone - Threat
Zone
|
| Under high fire weather conditions, wildland fire behavior
in treated areas within the threat zone is characterized as follows: (1) flame
lengths at the head of the fire are less than 4 feet; (2) the rate of spread at
the head of the fire is reduced to at least 50 percent of pre-treatment levels;
(3) hazards to firefighters are reduced by managing snag levels in locations
likely to be used for control of prescribed fire and fire suppression consistent
with safe practices guidelines; (4) production rates for fire line construction
are doubled from pre-treatment levels; and (5) tree density has been reduced to
a level consistent with the site's ability to sustain forest health during
drought conditions. |
Land Allocation: California Spotted Owl Protected
Activity Centers
|
| Stands in each PAC have: (1) at least two tree canopy layers;
(2) dominant and co-dominant trees with average diameters of at least 24 inches
dbh; (3) at least 60 to70 percent canopy cover; (4) some very large snags (greater
than 45 inches dbh); and (5) snag and down woody material levels that are higher
than average. |
Land Allocation: California Spotted Owl Home Range Core
Areas (HRCSs)
|
| HRCAs consist of large habitat blocks that have: (1) at least
two tree canopy layers; (2) at least 24 inches dbh in dominant and co-dominant
trees; (3) a number of very large (greater than 45 inches dbh) old trees; (4)
at least 50 to 70 percent canopy cover; and (5) higher than average levels of
snags and down woody material. |
Land Allocation: Northern Goshawk Protected Activity
Centers
|
| Stands in each PAC have: (1) at least two tree canopy layers;
(2) dominant and co-dominant trees with average diameters of at least 24 inches
dbh; (3) at least 60 to70 percent canopy cover; (4) some very large snags
(greater than 45 inches dbh); and (5) snag and down woody material levels that
are higher than average. |
Land Allocation: Old Forest Emphasis Areas
|
Forest structure and function across old forest emphasis areas
generally resemble pre-settlement conditions. High levels of horizontal and
vertical diversity exist at the landscape-scale (roughly 10,000 acres).
Stands are composed of roughly even-aged vegetation groups, varying in size,
species composition, and structure. Individual vegetation groups range from less
than 0.5 to more than 5 acres in size. Tree sizes range from seedlings to very
large diameter trees. Species composition varies by elevation, site productivity,
and related environmental factors. Multi-tiered canopies, particularly in older
forests, provide vertical heterogeneity. Dead trees, both standing and fallen,
meet habitat needs of old-forest associated species.
Where possible, areas treated to reduce fuel levels also provide for the
successful establishment of early seral stage vegetation. |
Land Allocation: Riparian Management Areas
|
Water quality meets the goals of the Clean Water Act and Safe
Drinking Water Act; it is fishable, swimmable, and suitable for drinking after
normal treatment.
Habitat supports viable populations of native and desired non-native plant,
invertebrate, and vertebrate riparian and aquatic-dependent species. New
introductions of invasive species are prevented. Where invasive species are
adversely affecting the viability of native species, the appropriate State and
Federal wildlife agencies have reduced impacts to native populations.
Species composition and structural diversity of plant and animal communities
in riparian areas, wetlands, and meadows provide desired habitat conditions and
ecological functions.
The distribution and health of biotic communities in special aquatic habitats
(such as springs, seeps, vernal pools, fens, bogs, and marshes) perpetuates their
unique functions and biological diversity.
Spatial and temporal connectivity for riparian and aquatic-dependent species
within and between watersheds provides physically, chemically and biologically
unobstructed movement for their survival, migration and reproduction.
The connections of floodplains, channels, and water tables distribute flood
flows and sustain diverse habitats.
Soils with favorable infiltration characteristics and diverse vegetative
cover absorb and filter precipitation and sustain favorable conditions of stream
flows.
In-stream flows are sufficient to sustain desired conditions of riparian,
aquatic, wetland, and meadow habitats and keep sediment regimes as close as
possible to those with which aquatic and riparian biota evolved.
The physical structure and condition of stream banks and shorelines minimizes
erosion and sustains desired habitat diversity.
The ecological status of meadow vegetation is late seral (50 percent or more
of the relative cover of the herbaceous layer is late seral with high similarity
to the potential natural community). A diversity of age classes of hardwood shrubs
is present and regeneration is occurring.
Meadows are hydrologically functional. Sites of accelerated erosion, such as
gullies and headcuts are stabilized or recovering. Vegetation roots occur
throughout the available soil profile. Meadows with perennial and intermittent
streams have the following characteristics: (1) stream energy from high flows
is dissipated, reducing erosion and improving water quality, (2) streams filter
sediment and capture bedload, aiding floodplain development, (3) meadow
conditions enhance floodwater retention and groundwater recharge, and (4) root
masses stabilize stream banks against cutting action. |
| Desired Future Condition- The Landscape View |
The Desired Future Conditions, described above, are intended to accomplish specific
goals. The following information and descriptions are presented to give the reader an
introduction to the affected ecosystem and to provide a more descriptive impression or
mental image of the desired landscape condition produced by the merging of the various
Desired Future Conditions for the individual land allocations.
Ecosystem Condition- A Historical Perspective
Blended together, the Desired Future Conditions for the various land allocations describes
an overall landscape condition that will more closely resemble the forest conditions described
by the earlier explorers, fur traders and foresters who recorded their impressions of the Sierra
Nevada forests.
For example:
| "The inviting openness of the Sierra woods is one of their most
distinguishing characteristics. The trees of all the species stand more or
less apart in groves, or in small irregular groups, enabling one to find a way
nearly everywhere, along sunny colonnades and through openings that have a smooth
park-like surface, strewn with brown needles and burrs"…(Muir, 1894). "The
virgin forest is uneven-aged, or at best even-aged by small groups, and is
patchy and broken; hence, the forest is fairly immune from extensive crown fires"
(Show, 1924). The forest floor is open, park-like, unobstructed and inviting
(Dutton, 1880). Large individual trees are abundant, standing singly or in
groups across the landscape. Small groups of uniformly sized young growth occur
in openings. Ponderosa pine is the dominant tree species, although sugar pine,
Douglas fir, white fir and incense cedar are also present. Scattered throughout
the landscape are patches of oak hardwoods and brush. The ground cover is largely
composed of herbaceous species, low-growing shrubs and grasses. The forest
productivity appears sustainable and healthy. Dead or dying trees and large down
logs are present, but not common... (from Prescribed Burning In California
Wildlands Vegetation Management, Harold H. Biswell 1989). |
For at least 10,000 years, fire has played a crucial role in structuring the Sierran vegetation
mosaic as it has responded to the effects of biological and physical constraints. Kilgore (1973)
observed that fire is inevitable in the Sierra Nevada, given the climatically dictated imbalance
between biomass production and decomposition (Parker 2000). Unquestionably forest cover in the
Sierra Nevada has always varied locally on the basis of soil type, elevation, aspect and latitude,
however the descriptions provided by early observers to the Sierra Nevada forests generally depict
a landscape condition that is quite different from that currently found in the Westside Sierra
forests. Based upon overstory species composition, fire scars and fire history studies, it is
believed that the historic landscape condition on much of the Treesacrowd project area resembled
the general Sierra-wide forest conditions described above.
Current Situation
Most forest areas within the Sierran province currently have a vegetative composition and
structure far different from the historical condition. R. Neil Sampson has described these
conditions for the forests of the inland west with others (1994), and their description aptly
applies to the Treesacrowd project area:
The forests at greatest risk are composed of an unsustainable combination
of tree species, densities, and age structures that are susceptible to the fire
and drought regimes common to the region. ...The forest areas under the most
stress contain too many trees, or too many of the wrong kind of trees, to
continue to thrive. As the trees get older and larger, the competition
intensifies, stress increases, and the likelihood of catastrophic changes goes
up accordingly.
This is a particular problem in forests where the species mix has shifted
away from ponderosa and other long?needled pines and toward firs. This species
shift, attributable to a combination of logging, grazing, fire exclusion and
related activities over the past century, has been well documented. Under these
altered conditions, competition for moisture and nutrients creates stress, which
exacts a significant toll in reduced growth, while opening the way for catastrophic
outbreaks of insects, disease, and wildfire. Wildfires in these ecosystems have
gone from a high frequency, low?intensity regime that sustained the system, to
numerous high intensity fires that require costly suppression attempts, which
often prove futile in the face of overpowering fire intensity. High fuel loads
resulting from the long-time absence of fire and the abundance of dead and dying
trees, result in fire intensities that cause enormous damage to soils, watersheds,
fisheries, and other ecosystem components (from "Assessing Forest Ecosystem Health
in the Inland West" by Sampson et al. 1994:5-6). |
The Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project report to Congress in part states the following with
regard to the effect of fire suppression upon the historical forest conditions:
The most potent factor in shaping the forest of the region has been, and still
is, fire- (John Leiberg, 1902).
The virtual exclusion of widespread low- to moderate-severity fire has affected
the structure and composition of most Sierra Nevada vegetation, especially in low-
to middle-elevation forests. Conifer stands generally have become denser, mainly
in small and medium size classes of shade-tolerant and fire-sensitive tree species.
Vertical fuels have become more continuous, contributing to more spatially
homogeneous forests (figure 4.1). Selective cutting of large overstory trees and
the relatively warm and moist climate that has characterized much of the twentieth
century may have reinforced these trends by producing conditions favorable to the
establishment of tree seedlings and other plant species. Coupled with fire
suppression, these conditions permitted the extensive development of dense, young
forests. As a result, stands in many areas have experienced increased mortality
recently from the cumulative effects of competition (primarily for water and light),
drought, insects, disease, and, in some cases, air pollution. The increased density
of young trees together with increased fuels from fire suppression and tree
mortality has created conditions favorable to more intense and severe fires.
Moreover, severe fires are more likely to be large because they are more difficult
to suppress, although data on large fires in the Sierra indicate that current fire
sizes vary greatly among national forests. While we cannot be sure whether more
absolute area has burned in severe fires in the twentieth century than in
pre-contact times, it is clear that within those areas that do burn, a greater
proportion of fire is high-severity than in the past. |
Other reputable references also provide supporting documentation of the current problem:
| Several lines of evidence suggest that quantities of live and dead fuels have
increased over the course of the twentieth century, although data from the early
part of the century are not available to test this assertion directly. Over the
same period suppression technology has improved, but in recent years available
fire-fighting resources have declined. The net effect on a number of fire
attributes has remained remarkably constant (from "Status of the Sierra Nevada,
vol. 1, pp 64-65, Wildland Resource Center Report No. 36, 1996)/ |
| "The most extensive and serious problem related to the health of national
forests in the interior West is the over-accumulation of vegetation." (General
Accounting Office Report to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, 99-65,
April 1999). |
| "The Administration's forest policies have emphasized the importance of
reducing hazardous fuel accumulations in our forests and rangelands and restoring
the health and natural processes of forest and rangeland ecosystems. Reduction
of fuels can be achieved in a variety of ways-by mechanical, chemical, biological
and manual methods. The prudent use of fire, either along or in combination with
other means, can be one of the most effective means of reducing such hazardous
fuel." (Managing the Impact of Wildfires on Communities and the Environment, A
Report to the President In Response to the Wildfires of 2000, 9/8/2000). |
| "… sustainable resources are predicated on healthy, resilient ecosystems.
In fire-adapted ecosystems, some measure of fire use- at appropriate intensity,
frequency and time of year- should be included in management strategies intended
to protect and sustain watersheds, species, and other natural resources over the
long term." Fuel reduction treatment techniques will range from maintenance
prescribed burning, where fire is used to maintain forest conditions in lower-risk
acres, to restoration treatments in higher-risk areas where mechanical thinning
is followed by prescribed burning. (Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in
Fire-Adapted Ecosystems- A Cohesive Strategy, USFS Response to GAO Report 99-65,
10/13/2000). |
| "Wildland fire, as a critical natural process, must be reintroduced into
the ecosystem. Where wildland fire cannot be safely reintroduced because of
hazardous fuel build-ups, some form of pretreatment must be considered,
particularly in wildland/urban interface areas." (Federal Wildland Fire
Policy, 12/18/1995). |
The research paper "Ecological Restoration of Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Ecosystems:
A Broad Perspective" (Allen, et al) describes ecological changes that have affected the
ponderosa pine vegetation of the southwest. Much of what is described in the research paper
is applicable to the mixed conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, including the Eldorado
National Forest. The following paraphrased information is taken from the Allen paper:
Since European settlement in the middle to late 1800s, pervasive changes
have tended to homogenize forest patterns. Large trees have decreased in number
due to logging. Historic livestock grazing and fire suppression have promoted
the development of unnaturally dense stands of suppressed young trees. This
condition now threatens the remaining large trees through competition and by
fueling increasingly extensive crown fires. In some stands species compositions
have shifted toward less fire-resistant trees such as white fir, Douglas-fir, and
these changed conditions now affect millions of acres.
Alteration of stand structures and species compositions has in turn altered
natural forest processes. Understory grasses and forbs have decreased in abundance
and diversity, replaced by deep mats of slowly decomposing pine needles. As a result,
nutrient cycling dynamics have been disrupted and overall biodiversity levels
decreased. . Old-growth pine forests have become rare and meadows have shrunk due to
tree encroachment. Some vertebrate animal species, such as the Northern Goshawk,
are thought to have declined in abundance due to habitat alterations. Hydrologic
cycles have been modified in more densely forested watersheds, likely decreasing
total streamflows, peak flows, and base flows. An increase in number, size, and
severity of stand-replacing fires threatens both human and ecological communities.
The aftermath of such fires includes short-term amplification of erosion and
flooding. Landscape scars created by total canopy destruction may persist as
grasslands or shrublands for decades. If the current trajectories of human
driven change continue, serious ecological damage to ponderosa pine ecosystems
will accumulate.
These worrisome trends have long been evident to some forest scientists and
ecologists. Only recently, however, has a broad scientific, social, and political
consensus emerged that restoration of ecological sustainability in Southwestern
ponderosa pine forests is necessary and urgent. This social and political consensus
has developed rapidly in response to recent major wildfire seasons, such as 2000,
when 3x106 hectares burned nationwide. Although much of this burned area was in
non-forested landscapes, or in high-elevation forest types that are adapted to
high-intensity fires, ecologically worrisome crown fires in ponderosa pine and
mixed-conifer forests were common, and are a chief focus of concern. Much of this
concern also stems from the fact that urban encroachment into these pine-dominant
forests is extensive and increasing. |
Current vegetative conditions in the Treesacrowd project area differ markedly from the historic
condition and most of the current stands exceed the historical range of variability in terms of
ecosystem structure and process. Unhealthy conditions are indicated by higher proportions of shade
tolerant white fir and incense cedar, increased densities of trees, unusually high levels of
insect-related tree mortality, and an accumulation of ground and ladder fuels within stands in
the project area. Denser stands demand more water and other limited resources and, as a result,
over-dense stands are less resistant to insect and disease-related attack, especially during
periods of extended drought. The structure of the current forested landscape represents an
unstable, unsustainable, and therefore undesirable departure from the historic landscape for this
area.
 |
| Photo 3. An example of the type of over-dense timber stand slated for
understory thinning. Should a wildfire occur during typical mid-summer/fall
fire weather conditions, the density of the ladder fuels surrounding the large
pine would likely create sufficient heat to kill the larger trees. Also note
the large fire scar on the old-growth ponderosa pine indicating that it has
survived previous low-intensity wildfires. |
The extreme fire behavior experienced on similar lands, and the abnormally high levels of
tree mortality caused by insects and inter-tree competition within the project area provide
evidence that the Treesacrowd project area is in a high-risk condition. The effects of the
Cleveland Fire (23,000 acres), Icehouse Fire (18,000 acres), Wrights Fire (8,000 acres), Star
Fire (17,000 acres) and other large, wildland fires on the Eldorado, in California and across
the western United States emphasize the desirability and the urgency of managing forest stands
in a manner so as to reduce the likelihood that wildfire conflagrations will determine the
future landscape, or threaten lives and property.
 |
| Photo 4. Photo taken from within the 1993 Cleveland Fire. This fire burned
nearly 23,000 acres, cost $25,000,000 to suppress and resulted in an
estimated $250,000,000 in resource damage and the tragic loss of life
for two fire suppression pilots. |
Within the Treesacrowd vicinity, lightning, dispersed recreation use, off-highway vehicle
use, residential burning, and traffic use serve as potential sources of ignition for a wildfire.
Without treatment, should a wildfire start, fire suppression efforts would be placed in a role
of protecting the numerous residential structures in and around the project area, creating
both high costs and a high risk to fire suppression forces and property owners. Treatments
within the Defense and Threat Zones can increase the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts,
and substantially decrease the risk to life and property.
The Desired Future Condition for the project area was described earlier in this document
and varies by land allocation. Photos 1, 2 and 5, taken on recent, on-going or completed
projects, demonstrate the changes in fuel profiles and appearance that the proposed treatments
would have upon the selected stands.
 |
| Photo 5. Photo of timber stand after harvest, post-harvest machine piling
and follow-up prescribed fire (Farside Timber Sale). Photo taken 9/2000. |
The following historical photograph shows the open-nature of mixed conifer timber stands
as observed in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This early photograph documents an open
forest structure. The historical condition consisted of trees growing in patches of varying
density with a sparse shrub understory. Compare this 100-year-old photos with photo 3 and
note the differences in tree density. Also, compare this early photo with photos 1, 2, and 5
and note the similarity in stand density conditions that can be accomplished by understory
thinning treatments.
 |
| Photo 6. Photo of forest conditions about 1900-Plumas County, CA.
(Photo courtesy U.S.D.A Forest Service). |
| Part III. |
Public Participation |
|
Decision to be Made At This Time
The Responsible Official (Pacific District Ranger) will consider any scoping comments
received on this project, internal environmental analysis of this project and the environmental
consequences of similar, previously completed projects in determining the need for and extent
of further environmental analysis. Based upon the Responsible Official's assessment of the
direct, indirect and cumulative environmental effects, along with current policy, law and
regulation, a determination will be made as to the appropriate level of environmental analysis
and documentation needed for this project.
Timelines
The National Environmental Policy Act requires that the Forest Service conduct scoping to
enable interested parties to express their concerns over the proposed action for the Treesacrowd
Fuels Reduction Project. At this early stage in our planning effort we are inviting public
comment on the Proposed Action, described above. Oral or written comments to this proposal
are invited in order to help us identify significant issues that may be associated with the
proposed action. Comments received will be considered in reaching a decision. To be
considered, comments must be presented orally or postmarked no later than April 5, 2004.
Comments should include name, address and organization represented, if any. Comments should be
sent to, or additional information can be obtained by contacting Don Errington at:
Pacific Ranger District
7887 Highway 50
Pollock Pines, CA 95726
Telephone # 530-644-2349
Fax # 530-647-5405
It is expected that the environmental documentation on this project will be completed
during the spring of 2004. If you would like to receive a copy of the NEPA documentation that
will be prepared, please notify this office. Copies of this documentation will be mailed to
parties that have shown a specific interest in this project.
Sincerely,
Gary Bileu
District Ranger |
Date: March 3, 2004 |
|
 |
