Decision Memo for Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project Umpqua National Forest

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region

North Umpqua Ranger District May 2009

Introduction and Project Location The Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project covers approximately 600 acres of Late Successional Reserves and Congressionally Reserved Lands that are part of the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic Corridor. The project area lies within the Middle North Umpqua River 5th field watershed near the confluence of the North Umpqua River and Steamboat Creek. The Umpqua National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) directs the protection and enhancement of recreational values and defining wild and scenic qualities within the North Umpqua River Corridor. The LRMP encourages the use of prescribed fire and associated fuels management practices to mitigate potential adverse effects associated with a fire management program. Wildfires were the primary disturbance mechanism that shaped the Middle North Umpqua Watershed prior to Euro-American settlement. Fire exclusion, over the last 100 years, has contributed to unsustainable forest fuel loads and closed timber stand conditions in unmanaged stands. Regeneration harvest activities, common up to the early 1990’s in the vicinity of the project area, created stand conditions that lack structural diversity and support close canopies. These factors have the potential to increase the size, intensity and severity of wildland fires that would exceed the tolerances of healthy reference landscape disturbances. Under the current fuels conditions a large wildfire would have a high potential of adversely affecting the visual quality of the watershed, late successional forest development, water quality, infrastructure and public safety. The way that fire may have naturally shaped and maintained this landscape is described by a standard fire regime. The project area is represented by a moderate-severity fire regime that would experience relatively frequent low severity fires, interrupted by episodes and/or patches of high severity fire. This moderate or mixed severity fire regime suggests a fire return interval of 35-100 years. A comprehensive fire history study conducted in the Little River watershed, directly south of the project area, indicates a fire return interval of 15-35 years. This similar land type should serve as an acceptable proxy for fire history in the Steamboat watershed. The departure from a reference fire regime is measured by approximating the number of fire or simulated fire disturbances that have occurred within the established interval of the standard fire regime. This departure from a reference fire regime is called a condition class and the project area has been evaluated as condition class 2 and 3, that is, the landscape has missed at least 2 or 3 fire or simulated fire disturbances. The project area is in the viewshed of a Wild and Scenic River, as well as very popular recreation sites. Much of the project area has been identified as suitable habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl. Independent analyses conducted by the Umpqua National Forest Wildlife Biologist indicate that the proposed treatment area is at high risk for generating a crown fire that could adversely affect habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl. The Northern Spotted Owl and other wildlife

require healthy, sustainable late successional forest ecosystems to flourish. Additionally, infrastructure owned and maintained by the Forest Service is directly adjacent to the project area, as well as privately leased recreational infrastructure and state leased transportation maintenance facilities. Given the current fuels status, the national trend in increasing fire severity and occurrence, as well as the growing recreational access and use in this area, the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement project area is at high risk for a large scale disturbance. This disturbance would have the potential to adversely affect public and private infrastructure, public and firefighter safety, wildlife habitat, recreational resources, the visual quality of the landscape and water resources. In order to mitigate these risks, the following actions are proposed: prescribed fire, thinning trees less than 7” DBH, hand piling, commercial thinning and pre-commercial thinning.

Figure 1: Understory growth along the 4712-010 road.

Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to: protect recreation, wildlife and visual resource values, accelerate late successional development in managed stands, restore natural disturbance regimes and create defensible areas around private and public infrastructure. The Middle North Umpqua Watershed Analysis (MNUWA, 2001) recommends the use of prescribed fire within the proposed project area to reduce the risk of large scale wildfire disturbances. These disturbances would have the potential to adversely affect wildlife, visual, recreation and water resource values, as well as threaten private and public infrastructure within the Steamboat Wildland Urban Interface. The Umpqua National Forest, Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP, 1990) further supports the use of prescribed fire and other fuels treatment activities to protect resource values and restore the lands’ natural character. The South Cascades Late Successional Reserve Assessment (LSRA, 1998) also encourages the strategic use of prescribed fire and other silvicultural treatments to protect, enhance and accelerate late successional characteristics within the project area. The proposed action was developed based on these recommendations of the MNUWA, LRMP, LSRA and analyses of fire risk conducted by North Umpqua Fire Management. The difference between existing conditions and desired conditions by element defines the purpose of and need for action in terms of elements that can be measured. These elements are summarized in Table 1.

Figure 2: Blow down and understory growth along the 4712-009 road.

Table 1: Purpose of and Need for Action Element Summary

Element Unit of Measure Existing Condition Desired

Condition

1. Recreation, wildlife and visual resource values protected.

Acres of fuels treated

Entire project area has excessive fuel loading.

Fuel loading, arrangement, and composition restored to more sustainable and natural conditions.

2. Late successional development enhanced in managed stands.

Acres of managed stands thinned

Managed stands are densely stocked and not diverse.

Stands are placed on a trajectory to obtain late successional forest structures.

3. Natural disturbance regimes restored.

Percentage and degree of condition class change.

Most of the project area has missed at least 3 fire return intervals. Fuel loadings over 70 tons per acre have been measured in portions of the project area.

The project area is a stable and sustainable fire ecosystem.

4. Create defensible areas around Steamboat’s private and public infrastructure.

Change from Fuel Model 10 to Fuel Model 8 per acre.

Most of the project area is dominated by FM10

Most of the project area is dominated by FM8

Figure 3: High stand density and blow-down around Steamboat Baseball Field.

Management Actions The Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement project would use a suite of management actions over the next 10 years to achieve and maintain desired conditions. Specific project components are summarized in Table 2: Table 2: Proposed management actions

Proposed Management

Actions Activities Area

(Acres)Implementation

Schedule

1. Prescribed Fire

A low intensity, late-fall prescribed fire would be used to reduce fuel loading in the 0-3” size classes and remove undesirable understory. Fuel loadings over 70 tons per acre have been measured in portions of the project area. Additionally, over the winter of 2007/08 there was substantial blowdown, adding to the down wood fuel component. Large woody material would be maintained for habitat utilization to the extent consistent with the recommendations of the Northwest Forest Plan and local wildlife biologists. Other Related Activities: these activities would be minimized by using existing human-made and natural

392

• Sept – Jan. • 2009-2019 • Multiple Entries

Possible

Proposed Area Implementation Management Activities Actions (Acres) Schedule

barriers. • Handline construction: (6-12”

scrape to bare mineral soil to serve as a fire break across approximately 2.5 miles)

• Sawline construction: (trees up to 7” Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) removed and or limbed to aid with containment across approximately 2.5 miles)

• Hazard tree removal: (fell and leave trees along 7 miles of containment perimeter that pose a risk to containment and/or firefighter and public safety – estimate of 2 trees/mile)

2. Selective Understory Thin, Handpile & Burn

This action item would remove, pile and burn dense vegetation less than 7”DBH around leased recreational structures north of Highway 138 in accordance with a silvicultural prescription. No Other Related Activities

5

• Coordinate timing with Steamboat Inn to minimize impacts to recreation users.

• single entry

3. Selective Understory Thin & Chip or Selective Understory Thin, Handpile & Burn

This action item would thin, pile and burn and/or thin and chip dense vegetation less than 7”DBH in areas identified on the attached map. Due to the large volume of small diameter conifers in the areas identified for this treatment, prescribed fire alone may not be successful. Several years after this initial treatment, the area would be evaluated for prescribed fire with the same parameters listed above for prescribed fire. No Other Related Activities

40

Thinning • Jul.– Nov. • 2009 • single entry Prescribed Fire • Out of Spring • 2009-2019 • Multiple Entries

Possible

4. Commercial Thinning

Up to 70 acres of previously managed stands (1962-1968) would be commercially thinned to accelerate late-successional development, enhance wildlife habitat, restore the visual quality of the project area and generate revenue to pay for other proposed management actions in this project. Other Related Activities: • Ground Based Logging (40 acres):

This cost-effective and efficient logging method will be used when

70

• Time of year TBD

• 2009-2012 • single entry

Proposed Area Implementation Management Activities Actions (Acres) Schedule

possible. We will use existing road surfaces and old logging roads whenever possible.

• Skyline Logging (30 acres): This method will be employed in areas not accessible for ground based logging.

• Slash Treatment: All activity slash will be treated.

• Temporary Road Reconstruction & Removal: 0.29 miles of temporary roads over pre-existing haul roads for commercial thinning (see map).

5. Pre-Commercially Thin overstocked plantations <15 years old

Pre-commercially thin, pile and burn trees less than 7”DBH as prescribed by a silviculturist to accelerate late-successional development, enhance wildlife habitat and restore the visual quality of the project area. Other Related Activities: • Slash Treatment: All activity slash

will be treated.

20

• Time of year TBD

• 2009-2012 • single entry

Figure 3: These are the sites proposed for temporary road construction. These were roads that were created when the units were originally logged in the 1960’s. We propose reopening them for this project, subsoiling them after harvest to mitigate the effects of compaction from their original use and our proposed activities then planting a native seed mix.

Decision and Rationale The management actions proposed in this document are a critical component to the overall strategy of restoring natural disturbance regimes, accelerating late successional habitat and protecting the viewsheds of this defining Wild and Scenic Corridor. After carefully reviewing all aspects of the project and verifying that the Proposed Action will meet the project’s Purpose and Need, I have decided to proceed with the implementation of all Proposed Action elements for the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project. I have reviewed the South Cascades Late Successional Reserve Assessment (SCLSRA, April 1998), the Umpqua National Forest 2003 Watershed Restoration Business Plan, and the Middle North Umpqua Watershed Analysis as they relate to this project. All documents encourage the elements of the Proposed Action to manage forest fuels in and around the project area. Additionally, I reviewed the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project Specialist Reports which also support the Purpose and Need for the project and outline specific actions to effectively meet objectives while minimizing environmental effects. Additionally, I have completed the ESA Compliance Statement for project compliance with the Endangered Species Act consultation requirements, using the counterpart consultation regulations, (dated January 14, 2009) for the project record, thus satisfying all consultation requirements. My decision incorporates the following mitigations, project design features and Best Management Practices.

Mitigation, Project Design Features and Best Management Practices

SILVICULTURE • All trees greater than or equal to 20 inches DBH will be marked for leave at

the time of timber marking activities in commercial thinning units. • Native conifer species from the appropriate seed zone and tailored to the site

conditions will be established through natural regeneration and planting in order to accelerate late-successional characteristics. KV funds or other funding sources will be pursued for reforestation of rust resistant sugar pine within thinned areas of managed stands targeted for 45-55 leave trees/acre and within landings and decommissioned temporary roads (approximately 15 acres). Sugar pine from the appropriate seed zone will be planted @25-50 tpa, spaced approximately 35 feet apart. Planting of western redcedar is prescribed within 100 feet of stream channels. Western redcedar will be planted in clumps of 3-5 seedlings around class 3-5 large woody material. Seedling density will vary between 50-75 tpa.

• The planting contract will require tree planters to target microsites that afford seedling protection, i.e. stumps, large down wood, snags, boulders.

• Animal damage protection, including netting or big game repellant, will be applied to western redcedar.

• Tree handling will meet Regional standards. • Bare root stock will be inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi spores mixed with

water and a material such as Terrasorb right before outplanting. • KV funds or other funding sources will be pursued to pre-commercial thin

overstocked existing plantations within the sale area. • KV funds or other funding sources will be pursued to prune 5 needle pine

species for blister rust control within the sale areas. Pruning of planted, rust resistant, sugar pine will occur between 3-10 years after planting. Fifty percent of the crown will be pruned using hand loppers or shears to prevent infection by white pine blister rust.

• Thinning operations should take place between July 15 and October 31, in order to reduce the amount of bark slippage and damage to residual trees.

• In order to meet REO exemption criteria for thinning of managed stands in LSR, >10% of the area of each stand will be left unthinned (includes no harvest riparian buffers (60 feet on Class 3 streams, 25 feet on Class 4 streams). 3%-10% of the area of each stand will be heavily thinned (50 tpa). The rest of each stand will be moderately thinned (80 tpa).

• Leave trees with mistletoe, broken tops, or evidence of decay fungi; utilize these trees to meet the snag/down wood requirement.

• Where possible, hardwoods and Pacific yew will be left standing in harvest areas.

• Minor conifer species will be left in harvested areas. In most cases these are shade tolerants.

• Testing prescribed fire methods on small sections of the project area should be encouraged, before large scale operations commence.

• 15% mortality of merchantable leave trees from slash burning operations should be targeted for snag recruitment.

WILDLIFE Seasonal Restrictions • Complete prescribed burning outside of the critical spotted owl nesting

season (March 1 to July 15). • If prescribed burning occurs from July 16 to September 30, prevailing winds

should be assessed prior to ignition to ensure that smoke would not be directed toward spotted owl activity centers.

• To the extent practical, conduct as much of the noise-generating work outside of the critical spotted owl nesting season (March 1 to July 15) as possible.

• To reduce impacts to nesting landbirds, burning of hand piles and machine piles should occur in the fall/winter months and not in spring or summer.

Down Woody Debris and Snag Management • In late-successional stands that are underburned, to the extent safe and

practical, pull back fuels around medium and large snags ( > 25” dbh) to reduce loss of existing snag habitat.

• In late-successional stands that are underburned, ignition should be scheduled to occur when fuel moistures are high enough to minimize consumption of existing large down logs.

• In second-growth stands, to the extent practical and safe, maintain existing down wood and standing snags.

• Maintain down wood cover and snags/wildlife trees at moderate to high tolerance levels as described in DecAID (Mellen et al. 2006). Retain 11 trees/acre (> 15 inch dbh) in commercial thinning units for snag creation and down wood creation.

• To the extent practical, design fireline placement to minimize loss of large snags as hazard trees. (Only trees/snags that pose a risk to firefighter or public safety would be felled as hazard trees).

• Leave felled hazard trees on site as down logs. FUEL MANAGEMENT AND AIR QUALITY • All prescribed burning will be implemented in accordance with Oregon Smoke

Management Guidelines and the Prescribed Fire Burn Plans. • Prescribed fire will be conducted in a manner that mimics a natural

disturbance to the greatest extent practicable. VISUAL QUALITY • No commercial thinning within areas designated as VQO Retention

Foreground. • Commercial thinning may be conducted in VQO Retention Middleground on

slopes less than 50% with 10% created openings. • Commercial thinning may be conducted in VQO Modification. • Mortality of the overstory from prescribed fire should be minimized so the

scenic quality of the landscape is not impaired. • Stumps from thinning or hazard tree removal within common view of Highway

138 or the North Umpqua Trail and within VQO Retention, should be cut as close to the ground as practicable and stumps should be covered or made to look as natural as possible.

• All handline constructed within areas designated as VQO Retention must be rehabilitated and made to look as natural as possible.

• In areas that were piled or chipped, remaining concentrations of post-burn woody debris must be scattered.

SOILS • The Normal Operating Season (June 1 to October 31) for the sale area will be

identified and applied, unless otherwise agreed to by the Forest Service. To prevent damage to water quality during the operating period, restriction of equipment shall be enforced through the use of appropriate Timber Sale Contract (TSC) provisions when conditions for timber harvest, road construction, or road use are such that excessive damage will result. The Umpqua Road Rules, which calls for suspending work when either road or environmental damage such as stream turbidity is predicted, will be enforced. The kind and intensity of erosion control work done by the purchaser shall be adjusted to ground and weather conditions and the need for controlling runoff. Waivers to operate outside this period may be granted upon approval of the Forest Service representative. Purchaser erosion control structures and maintenance work which must be inspected prior to acceptance by the Forest Service are to be specified in the TSC (CT6.6#).

• During construction, temporary roads will have the surface A-horizon (8 to 12 inches) removed bermed and stored in a manner that will not cause surface water flow to concentrate behind it.

• During subsoiling of temporary roads, subsoiling shall be to a minimum depth of 20 inches or a rock limiting depth, and shall fracture 3 feet beyond the edge of the compacted road prism, with the majority of the subsoiling made at an angle that crosses the road to disperse surface water runoff. Sidecast soil (berms) and slash shall be brought back into the prism of the temporary road to eliminate the presence of berms. Equipment shall not operate on top of the treated soil once it has been subsoiled. All roads and landings, rehabilitated to natural soil shall receive 100% effective ground cover to a depth of less than 6 inches; to retain moisture and surface soil structure. Stabilization of soil surface with organic material is done to prevent resulting subsoiled surface from soil crusting. Additionally retention of the returned organic material will be promoted.

HERITAGE RESOURCES • Appropriate mitigation measures as directed by the Forest Archaeologist and

consistent with the Programmatic Agreement will occur both prior to and during project implementation as detailed in the Heritage Report in the project record.

BOTANY • Maximize retention of large woody debris for soil moisture and fungal

substrate; where possible, minimize fire activity and consumption of down woody debris over 12” in diameter.

• Follow the burn prescription to try to retain at least 60% canopy cover of a diversity of tree species in natural stands to maintain mycorrhizal host trees and soil moisture. Due to the nature of fire, canopy cover is not expected to be even.

• Minimize fire activity around specified area of sedge wetland. • Treat known infestations of high priority invasive plants within the project

area, as necessary and funded, immediately prior to project implementation. Priorty would be evaluated by a District or Forest invasive plant specialist. Higher priority would be given to sites where there is a threat of moving seed from contaminated to uncontaminated areas. Treatments would be based on the Forest Integrated Weed Management Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact signed in June 2003.

• To reduce chances of dispersal into burned areas, dense meadow knapweed infestations, such as those along the 4712 road (See Fig. 1), should be treated prior to project implementation. Minimal treatment would entail repeated clipping or mowing to minimize seed dispersal. Digging is recommended for control of this species (Mazzu and USDA, 2005). Treatment would commence at first flowering and then be conducted several times throughout the growing season, depending on treatment method and phenology, up to project implementation. Flowering heads would be bagged and removed. Digging will not be implemented on known cultural sites. If digging is implemented in high probability cultural areas, a qualified cultural resource technician will be consulted for applicable requirements. If funding permits, dense infestations could be treated by solarization (covering with black landscape fabric) after burning is satisfactorily completed.

• To limit spread of Canada thistle following fire activity, clip and bag flowering heads prior to burn implementation if funding permits.

• If possible, minimize fire activity in or adjacent to dense patches of meadow knapweed, Canada thistle, and Himalayan blackberry. Obtain a current map of these infestations from the district botanist.

• To help prevent the introduction or spread of invasive plants, equipment-cleaning measures will be implemented. All heavy equipment (bulldozers, graders, backhoes, dump trucks, etc.) will be power-sprayed with water or compressed air after being used off paved roads outside the immediate project area and prior to entering the project area (Standard 2).

• Use weed-free straw and mulch for all projects on National Forest Lands (Standard 3).

• Post-project monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of noxious weed mitigation measures and control of new infestations should be conducted as soon as possible and for two years after ground-disturbing activities.

• Fire sumps should be identified prior to use and surveyed for invasive plants by qualified Botany staff.

• To the greatest extent practical, vehicles are not to travel off road within the identified project area north of Highway 138.

• Where disturbed soil is of concern for botany or other resources (such as on temporary roads, landings, sub-soiled areas), it will be re-vegetated with genetically and ecologically appropriate native plants, or covered with certified weed-free loose straw mulch or chipped woody debris, or both in conjunction. Seeding and planting would be done under favorable conditions for establishment, which depends on weather, site conditions, and the species

sown or planted. Please consult with the native species coordinator (District or Forest botany personnel) for non-conifer planting needs, to determine appropriate plant material and seeding specifications. As per direction from the Forest Supervisor (March 13, 2002), all vegetation management projects on the Umpqua National Forest will use native plant species. Native plant materials, obtained from or sanctioned by the District Botanist and that follow appropriate genetic guidelines, are the first choice in revegetation for restoration and rehabilitation (Standard 13).

• If revegetation is necessary, a revegetation plan should be developed by or in cooperation with the native species coordinator prior to project implementation in order to assure availability of suitable seed or planting stock. Umpqua National Forest Policy (2002) is to use native species from local genetic stock. Up to two years of advance preparation may be required in order to have suitable stock available, depending upon specific site conditions and current inventory of planting stock at the time of project implementation.

Monitoring • Monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of noxious weed mitigation

measures and control of new infestations would occur for two years after each project ground-disturbing activity throughout the life of the project.

• Silvicultural and fuels objectives will be monitored through a network of fixed photo plots and coarse woody debris surveys. Some fixed photo plots may be candidates for permanent photo plots to meet long-term monitoring objectives.

Best Management Practices/Management Requirements Best management practices and management requirements will be implemented in order to meet laws, regulations, and policies. In most cases, they have been designed to reduce or eliminate potential environmental effects. General Water Quality Best Management Practices (USDA-FS 1988) are prescribed to protect beneficial uses and to address water quality objectives as required by the Federal Clean Water Act and the Forest Plan, as amended. A complete BMP checklist is incorporated into this decision and can be found in the project record. These requirements will be implemented in order to meet laws, regulations, and policies. In most cases they have been designed to reduce potential environmental effects. Mitigation measures are defined as actions that:

• avoid the impact all together (such as avoiding harvest on unstable land);

• minimize impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action;

• rectify the impact by repairing, rehabilitation, or restoring;

• reduce the impact over time by applying maintenance operations (such as road maintenance).

LOGGING EROSION CONTROL MEASURES BMPs T-3, T-8, T-13, T-14, T-16; Forest Plan S&Gs IV-60-5; IV-65-3, IV-71-13, IV-72-16. OBJECTIVE: Ensure any increase in sedimentation is minimized during and after logging or associated activities. Logging methods are described in the Project File. ACTIONS: • Identify areas with high erosion potential and adjust unit design. Completed

during planning process and included in the ‘No Thin’ category.

• Stream course protection will be used on all stream classes (BT6.5).

• Erosion control measures will be identified where project areas have the potential to produce erosion/sedimentation that may affect water quality and beneficial uses in surface waters (CT6.6#). The installation/application of appropriate erosion control measures will be applied on designated soil gouges in skyline corridors and on ground based equipment skid trails that may reroute or concentrate runoff in order to spread water and allow for infiltration into the soil.

• Required erosion control measures will be applied before the rainy season.

• Native seed or weed-free mulch shall be applied to areas that are prone to erosion and that have been disturbed by purchaser’s operations in order to establish an adequate cover of grass or other herbaceous vegetation. Seeding should be kept current, proceeding expected periods of rain. The seed mixture will be approved by district or forest botany program.

LOGGING PRACTICES BMPs T-1, T-11, T-12, T-16; Forest Plan S&Gs IV-60-2, IV-60-5, IV-67-1, IV-68-2, IV-176, IV-188, IV-190. OBJECTIVE: Minimize impacts to water quality and soil productivity from timber harvest to the extent practical through logging practices. ACTIONS: • To reduce the number of skyline corridors, corridors will average 100-150 feet

apart from center to center.

• Cable corridors that extend through no-harvest stream buffers will be limited in number and width to the greatest extent practicable to minimize damage to riparian vegetation. If riparian vegetation needs to be cut to allow for the corridor, it will be felled and left in place. No log yarding will occur in cable corridors within no-harvest stream buffers.

• Location of all skid trails will be agreed to prior to felling, unless otherwise agreed to in writing (BT6.422) at an average of 100 feet apart. Skid trails will be located within the prism of mapped legacy skid trails where possible.

• Locate landings so that timber can be yarded with minimal disturbance to riparian reserves. Landings will be located outside of the designated no-harvest stream buffers.

• Landing size should be no larger than needed for a safe, efficient yarding and loading operation (BT6.422).

• No yarding of logs across stream channels will occur and there will be no yarding corridors within no-harvest stream buffers. Ground disturbance and yarding within 75 feet of the stream channels will be minimized to the extent possible.

• Yarding within NWFP Riparian Reserves identified for thinning (outside of no-harvest stream buffers) will require at least one end suspension of the logs to the extent practical.

CONTROL OF PURCHASER OPERATIONS BMPs T-5, T-10, T-13, T-14, T-15, T-18, T-19, T-21, T-22, R-3, R-9, R-19, R-20, W-4; VM-2, Forest Plan S&Gs IV-83-3, IV-82-5, IV-61-9. OBJECTIVE: Enable the Forest Service to exercise control of operations to prevent impacts which could have detrimental results to water quality. ACTIONS: • Contract preparation and administration will include operating periods,

modification language, and control and acceptance of purchaser work (BT6.1 and BT6.35).

• Purchaser erosion control structures and maintenance work which must be inspected prior to acceptance by the Forest Service are to be specified in the TSC (CT6.6#).

• If weather conditions warrant, haul routes must be inspected weekly or more frequently by Forest Service personnel. Inspections will focus on road surface condition, drainage maintenance, and sources of soil erosion and sediment delivery to streams.

• Pollutants from logging or road reconstruction equipment will be kept from entering waterways during servicing or refueling by selecting areas at least 150 feet away from wet areas and surface water, and by using a berm around sites to contain spills.

• If the volume of fuel exceeds 660 gallons in a single container or a total on site storage of 1320 gallons, a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan (BT6.341) is required and the necessary equipment will be on site during operations (BT6.34). The purchaser shall take appropriate preventative measures to ensure that any spill does not enter any stream. Any spill that occurs must be reported to the Contracting Officer.

• All landing locations will be approved by the Forest Service prior to landing construction and agreed upon plans for the landing shall insure water quality protection (BT6.422).

• Any guy-line trees located outside of the harvest unit boundaries that need to be felled would not be included in the Timber Sale Contract; these guy line trees will be left on site. Guy-line trees for skyline logging will be trees of an adequate size to meet operational needs for a specific yarder and Oregon OSHA safety requirements. Whenever possible, selected guy-line trees will be among the smallest diameter trees, in order to maintain large diameter trees on the landscape.

RIPARIAN AREAS WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO CUTTING UNITS BMPs T-4, T-7, T-8; Forest Plan S&Gs IV-60-1, IV-60-4, 5, 6; IV-61-11, IV-33-5. OBJECTIVE: Establish riparian area protection zones to minimize stream temperature increases, protect channel bank structure, and provide a debris filter for sediment and debris which could enter the channels, and maintain a source of large woody debris for continued stream channel stability and structural diversity. ACTIONS: • Stream courses and wetlands will be identified on sale area maps.

• During ground-based logging, restrict equipment entry within 50 feet of streams and wet areas.

• For commercial thinning units, site-specific no-harvest buffers were developed for all streams located during field reconnaissance of thinning units. Buffers follow guidance in the Northwest Forest Plan Temperature TMDL Implementation Strategies (USDI/USDA 2005) to protect the primary shade zone of perennial streams from harvest and incorporate field reconnaissance and professional judgment. No-harvest buffer widths will be applied to ensure protection of streams and streamside habitats. In commercial thinning units perennial streams will require a buffer of at least 60 foot or to the slope break, whichever is greater. All intermittent streams would require at least a 25 foot buffer.

• For any new streams identified in the commercial thinning units during project implementation, the district hydrologist or fish biologist will assign appropriate stream buffers.

• Pre-commercial thinning units will have a minimum of a 15 ft buffer on perennial streams.

• Within the fire-treated area perennial streams will have a minimum of a 60 ft buffer on perennial streams and all intermittent streams would require at least a 25 foot buffer. Burning within the riparian zone to reduce fuel hazard near stream channels will be carefully controlled by allowing fire to back into the buffers (not started within the buffers), to minimize fire intensity and mortality of low fire-resistant species such as hemlock, cedar, and true fir.

• Apply the following to minimize potential damage to riparian vegetation from prescribed fire: no handpiles will be burned within 80 feet of the edge of perennial streams or within 45 feet of intermittent streams (20 feet beyond buffers).

• Apply the following to minimize potential damage to riparian vegetation from prescribed fire: no grapple piles will be constructed or burned within 110 feet of the edge of perennial streams or within 75 feet of intermittent streams. (50 feet beyond buffers)

• Protect all no-harvest stream buffers and streams with directional felling (C/CT6.41#), and waive debris cleanout of streams (B/BT6.5).

• Trees that are in no-harvest stream buffers and are damaged during timber harvest or road activities will be left on site.

TEMPORARY ROAD RECONSTRUCTION, AND ROAD MAINTENANCE BMPs R-2, R-3, R4, R5, R-6, R-7, R-9, R-15, R-23; Forest Plan S&G IV-83-6. OBJECTIVE: To minimize sedimentation, the effects of water concentration on roadbeds, cut slopes or fill slopes, and subsequent production of sediment associated with temporary road construction and road reconstruction. ACTIONS: • Temporary road reconstruction operations will occur during minimal runoff

periods. • Roadwork contractors will have spill prevention and recovery equipment on

site during all road construction operations as agreed to by the Forest Service

• Under the timber sale contract, native-surfaced system roads will have water bars installed and road barriers placed to prevent damage after commercial use is complete, as appropriate.

• Avoid blading ditches that are vegetated, functioning and effectively draining.

• Waste material shall be placed in Forest Service approved waste sites.

• Aggregate will be placed on access roads into water sources to reduce sedimentation to streams, as needed.

• Haul on native surfaced roads should not occur during the wet season. Surface rock placement may be done outside the normal operating season as weather and road conditions permit, but no surface rock can be added to extend the season of haul on any of the abandoned roads that are to be obliterated after use.

• Temporary road reconstruction that may expose new soil (including clearing, grubbing, excavating, and fill placement) will be limited to the normal operating season (June 1 to October 31). However, construction activities may be suspended anytime during wet weather to protect water quality of affected streams. Sites will be re-vegetated as needed to insure surface soil protection after subsoiling.

• Obliteration of temporary roads shall meet specifications of the Forest Service, for depth of treatment and use of effective ground cover on treatment area.

• Hazard trees will be identified along the haul routes and felled as needed to meet OSHA requirements. Hazard trees will be left on site outside of harvest units.

FIRE BMP F-2, F-3 ACTIONS: • Hoses used for drafting water from fishbearing streams must be equipped

with a 5/32” mesh screen.

• Pumps should be placed on level ground as far away from the streambank as possible.

• Place pumps and fuel cans in plastic berms and/or absorbent pads.

• Pump from the largest body of water if possible and try to retain at least 50% of the flow below the pumping site.

• Contain spills of gas or diesel with absorbent booms and immediately report to forest spill coordinator.

• Fire equipment should be refueled at least 150 feet away from wet areas and surface.

• Waterbars will be required on all firelines and shall be put in by hand.. Firelines will be rehabilitated after use. The number of required waterbars increases with slope. The following specifications depict minimum standards and are not intended to restrict the implementation of more water bars if the need is justified and approved in this plan.

Slope Water Bar Spacing (ft)

Less than 15% 150-200 15% to 30% 75-100’ 30% to 45% 50-65’ Steeper than 45% 25-30

• Firelines crossing streams must be approved by a hydrologist or fish biologist.

Do not dig fireline parallel to a stream for long distances because it can cause erosion of sediment into the stream.

• Do not cut or buck logs from stream areas. • Flush out engine and water tender tanks arriving from outside the watershed

before drafting to avoid spreading invasive aquatic organisms. SOIL AND SITE PRODUCTIVITY BMP F-3, T-6, T-9, T-10, T-12; Forest Plan S&Gs IV-67-1, 2, 3, IV-71-12 ACTIONS: • Lands identified as technically unsuitable for timber production will be entered

in GIS.

• Under the timber sale contract the purchaser will be required to subsoil approximately 7.8 acres of temporary roads, skid trails, and landings used by the purchaser to mitigate for existing legacy disturbances to meet standards and guidelines for soil disturbance and long-term site productivity. Where subsoiling occurs, adequate slash will be used to cover the subsoiled road as effective ground cover; this will also help to minimize erosion. Slash loading will not be to a depth that will prohibit forage grass seed from germination and sprouting.

• Native seed and ground cover (straw, chips, hydromulch, etc.) shall be applied to bare soil and drainage areas around landings. Seeding should be kept current, proceeding expected periods of rain. The seed mix to be used will be provided or agreed to by district or forest botany program.

• Slash piles created by the purchaser around landings would be placed away from waterways and ditches.

• During the rainy season (generally November 1 - May 30), no more than ½ acre of exposed soil (S&G#13, LRMP pp. IV-71), including landings, skid trails, and temporary roads would exist at any time without erosion control that is effective in preventing sediment from reaching streams.

• Old landings, skid trails, and temporary roads will be used where deemed practical by the timber sale administrator. Old landings, skid trails utilized for harvest will be obliterated to improve water infiltration and soil productivity. This will reduce the cumulative amount of detrimentally compacted soil within the activity area.

• Designate and locate skid trails to minimize the area affected by logging operations; use pre-existing skid trails at the discretion of the sale administrator and to the extent feasible.

• Restrict ground based logging to lands less than 35% slope.

• To meet acceptable levels of surface soil loss resulting from gravity, water, or wind on timber harvest units, no less than 65% effective ground cover in all gentle to steep sideslopes and 85% in the steep headwall areas. Effective ground cover in units must exist within the first year following ground disturbing activities for all proposed units. Low intensity burns and slash piling specifications will be implemented in order to meet effective ground cover standard.

• The levels of effective ground cover will be monitored, as funding allows. If monitoring determines that effective ground cover goals are not met then site specific recommendations will be developed by a soil scientist, botanist and the fire management officer. Monitoring will include representative samples of each yarding method, fuels treatment, subsoiling mitigation, and tree mortality along treatment areas to determine if soil management objectives are being met (S&G#11, LRMP IV-71).

• In order to minimize effects to soils, where practical, slash piles will be placed on new and existing skid trails that have been previously obliterated. When machines are used to pile slash, soil restoration and piling operations would be implemented together in a single pass with equipment that is suited for both operations (i.e. excavator with a combination subsoiler and brush-rake attachment).

• Safety signs will be maintained on the main travel routes during logging operations.

Findings as Required by Law, Policy and Regulation Finding of Consistency with Applicable Forest Service Management Direction and the National Forest Management Act Based on my review of the interdisciplinary analysis for this project, I find that the project is consistent with the standards, guidelines, and amendments of the Umpqua National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan and is therefore consistent with the National Forest Management Act. This finding includes all of the following determinations documented in the specialists’ reports for this project: This project will not prevent attainment of the goals and objectives of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy. This project is consistent with the Standards and Guidelines in the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan, as amended and the 1990 Umpqua National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended. Therefore, I find that the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project is consistent with all applicable Forest Service management direction. Finding of Consistency with State Historic Preservation Office Policies Based on my review of the heritage resource report, I find that the project is consistent with the National Historic Preservation Act. Finding of Non-Jeopardy to Endangered, Threatened or Sensitive Species and No Adverse Effect to Species Covered Under the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act The District Fisheries Biologist has determined that this project would have no effect on any threatened species or their critical habitat and no adverse effect on Essential Fish Habitat. This project may impact individuals or their habitat, but will not likely contribute towards a Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species for one aquatic species on the R6 Regional Forester’s sensitive species list. This project complies with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The District Wildlife Biologist has determined that the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project may effect, but is not likely to adversely affect the northern spotted owl and would have no effect on its critical habitat. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (January 14, 2009), supported this determination in a letter of concurrence issued on January 14, 2009. The project would have no effect on any other threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat. This project will comply with agency direction and objectives, for all other impacts to Wildlife Management Indicator Species and Rare and Uncommon Species, and Landbirds. This project may impact individuals or their habitat, but will not likely contribute towards a Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species for any of the species on the R6 Regional Forester’s sensitive species list. Therefore, I find that the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project does not jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species.

The District Botanist has determined that this project would have no effect on threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat, and no impact on Rare or Uncommon Species. This project may impact individuals or their habitat, but will not likely contribute towards a Federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the population or species for 16 fungi species on the R6 Regional Forester’s sensitive species list. Finding of the Absence of Adverse Effects to Extraordinary Circumstances Scoping to determine the presence or absence of potential effects on extraordinary circumstances occurred in the January, 2008 Umpqua National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions; six requests for information or statements of interest were received. Based on my review of the interdisciplinary analysis and as documented above, I find that this project does not adversely affect any of the extraordinary circumstances listed in 1909.15, 30.3(2) or as codified in 36 CFR 220.6(b). Specifically, I find that this project does not adversely affect: (a) endangered or threatened species or their critical habitats, or any Forest

Service sensitive species as documented by the project biologists and as stated above;

(b) floodplains, wetlands or municipal watersheds, as none of these features are present in the planning area;

(c) Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness or National Recreation Areas; although this project takes place within the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River corridor, the proposed activities would reduce fuel loads and increase stand resiliency to wildfire, thereby protecting the Outstandingly Remarkable Values of the Wild and Scenic River;

(d) inventoried roadless areas, as none are present or affected by the proposed activities;

(e) Research Natural Areas, as none are affected by the proposed activities; (f) Native American religious or cultural sites, or archaeological or historic

properties and sites, as all known sites are protected in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

Finding of Consistency with All Applicable Federal Laws and Regulations Based on my review of the actions associated with this project and all applicable specialists’ reports, I find that the project is consistent with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Forest Management Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. Therefore, I find that the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project is consistent with applicable Federal laws and regulations. Finding of Exclusion from Further National Environmental Policy Act Analysis Based on my review of (1) the actions associated with this project; (2) the environmental consequences documented in the interdisciplinary analysis; (3) the consistency of this project with applicable laws, regulations, and management direction; (4) the non-jeopardy to endangered or threatened

species or heritage resources; and (5) the absence of adverse effects to extraordinary circumstances; I find that this project is not significant in either context or intensity (40 CFR 1508.27) and that no extraordinary circumstances are substantially affected with this projects (FSH 1909.15, 36 CFR 220.6(b)). I also find that this project will produce no adverse environmental effects, individually or cumulatively, on the physical, biological, or social components of the human environment. Therefore, I find that the Steamboat Timber Stand Improvement Project is categorically excluded from analysis in an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement (40 CFR 1508.4 and FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30.3, Part 1) and that the category of exclusion is Category Six and Category 12 as identified in Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 31.2 and as codified in 36 CFR 220.6(e)(6) and 36 CFR 220.6(e)(12). Appeals Pursuant to the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California September 20, 2005 clarification in Earth Island Institute v. Ruthenbeck, this decision is subject to administrative review (appeal) in accordance with 36 CFR 215. The appeal must be filed (regular mail, fax, email, hand-delivery, or express delivery) with the Appeal Deciding Officer: Forest Supervisor, Umpqua National Forest Attn 1570 Appeals 2900 NW Stewart Parkway, Roseburg, OR 97471. Business hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays Phone 541-672-6601; FAX 541-957-3495. Electronic appeals must be submitted in a format such as an email message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), or Word (.doc) to: appeals-pacificnorthwest-umpqua@fs.fed.us. Appeals, including attachments, must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of the legal notice of this decision in the Roseburg News-Review, the official newspaper of record, which is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal. Those wishing to appeal this decision should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The notice of appeal must include (36 CFR 215.14): 1. Appellant’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available. 2. Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the appeal). 3. When multiple names are listed on an appeal, identification of the lead appellant upon request. 4. The name of the project or activity for which the decision was made, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the date of the decision. 5. Any specific change(s) in the decision with which the appellant disagrees, and explanation for the disagreement.

6. Any portion(s) of the decision with which the appellant disagrees, and explanation for the disagreement. 7. Why the appellant believes the Responsible Official’s decision failed to consider the substantive comments; and 8. How the appellant believes the decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy. Implementation If no appeals are filed within the 45-day time period, implementation of the decision may occur on, but not before, the 5th business day from the close of the appeal filing period (36 CFR 215.9(a)). If an appeal is filed, implementation may occur on, but not before, the 15th business day following the date of appeal disposition. In the event of multiple appeals, the implementation date will be established following the last appeal deposition (36 CFR 215.9(b)). Signature and Date ___/S/ Carol Cushing___________________ __May 12, 2009Carol Cushing Date Signed District Ranger

__May 17, 2009 Date Published