[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59163-59165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-23615]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 26, 2012 /
Notices
[[Page 59163]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Andrew Pickens Ranger District; South Carolina; AP Loblolly Pine
Removal and Restoration Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; correction
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SUMMARY: On March 8, 2010, the Forest Service published a NOT to
prepare and EIS to disclose the effects of removing off-site loblolly
pine plantations and restoring native vegetation on portions of the
Andrew Pickens Ranger District (the District). This NOI is being
corrected to reflect a delay of more than a year in filing the draft
EIS. In addition, corrections are being made to the number of acres
proposed for treatment and the miles of system and temporary roads
based on better mapping and additional field survey work. Finally, the
contact person for additional information has changed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victor Wyant, 864-638-9568.
Correction
1. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10457, in the third column, correct the DATES caption to read:
DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected by October
2012 and the final environmental impact statement is expected by
December 2012.
2. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10458, in the first column, correct the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT caption to read:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victor Wyant ([email protected]), 864-
638-9568.
3. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10458, in the first column, correct the ``Purpose and Need for
Action'', first sentence to read:
The District has approximately 5,542 acres of planted loblolly pine
stands.
4. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10458, in the third column, correct the ``Proposed Action'',
heading to read:
Regeneration Harvest, With Reserves (Cut-and-Remove--3,642 Acres)
5. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10458, in the third column, correct the ``Proposed Action'',
heading to read:
Regeneration Harvest, With Reserves (Cut-and-Leave--1,900 Acres)
6. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10459, in the first column, correct the ``Additional
Treatments'', heading to read:
Site Preparation and Release (3,421 Acres) for Reforestation by
Planting
7. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10459, in the second column, correct the ``Reforestation'',
heading to read:
Reforestation by Planting (3,061 Acres)
8. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10459, in the third column, correct the ``Connected Actions'',
heading, second paragraph, fourth sentence to read:
Total specified system road construction is estimated at 6.5 mile
but may vary once actual design is completed.
9. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No. 44,
on page 10459, in the third column, correct the ``Connected Actions'',
heading, third paragraph, first sentence to read:
Road Reconstruction and maintenance would be needed on
approximately 60.0 miles of roads.
10. In the Federal Register of March 8, 2010, in FR/Vol. 75, No.
44, on page 10459, in the third column, correct the ``Connected
Actions'', heading, fourth paragraph, third sentence to read:
Approximately 21.7 miles of temporary roads are needed for access.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The District has approximately 5,542 acres of planted loblolly pine
stands. Most of the project area was converted to loblolly pine
plantations by clear-cutting more diverse native stands and planting
them to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) after intensive site preparation
treatments. Species composition is mostly pure loblolly pine with few
native hardwoods or pines growing in the overstory. Hardwood sprouts
and saplings are common in the understory.
With a lack of disturbance, the understory is comprised mostly of
shade tolerant tree species such as red maple, black gum, dogwood, and
sourwood. Stand density is high, typically ranging from 120 to 160
square feet of basal area per acre. Loblolly pine in the overstory of
some stands is sparse due to southern pine beetle (SPB) mortality or
from poor planting success. SPB-related mortality was widespread across
the District in 2002 and 2003, with variable impacts to stands in the
project area.
Early successional habitat is one of the most limited types of
available plant and wildlife habitats on the Andrew Pickens District.
The endangered plant, smooth coneflower has been limited in its
distribution as a result of lack of disturbance and growth of shade
tolerant species. The species is known to occur adjacent to several
loblolly stands. Plant surveys have identified current locations of the
plant and potential habitat areas have also been identified. There is
an opportunity to promote the expansion and establishment of this
species in identified areas. The Sumter National Forest Protected,
Endangered, and Threatened Species (PETS) list includes several other
species that require early successional habitat in order to thrive.
These species generally have been restricted to along roadsides and
utility right-of-ways (ROWs) because of the disturbance frequency on
these sites.
The AP Loblolly Pine Removal and Restoration Project is located on
four management prescription areas:
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Management area
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4F.............................. Scenic Areas.
7.E.2........................... Dispersed Recreation Areas with
Vegetation Management.
8.A.1........................... Mix of Successional Forest Habitats.
11.............................. Riparian Corridors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose and need for this project is to restore the current
landscape condition within the project area to native forest
vegetation. This change in condition would improve ecosystem
[[Page 59164]]
health; increasing species diversity of native vegetation would provide
greater variety of habitat, increasing viability of plant and animal
species. Diverse native forests are more resilient to natural
disturbances than a plantation comprised primarily of one non-native
species.
The off-site loblolly pine stands would be naturally or
artificially regenerated to a native species composition, mostly
shortleaf pine, pitch pine, Table mountain pine, oaks, and hickories. A
blight resistant American chestnut (once native to this area) would
also be planted depending on suitable site conditions and seedling
availability. These species are ecologically suited to the proposed
treatment stands, provide mast for wildlife, and provide socio-economic
benefits. All of these species, most notably the native pine species,
have been declining in abundance on the District, primarily due to lack
of disturbance. Felling newly-regenerated loblolly pine trees in
recently harvested stands that were part of other project Decisions
would help facilitate the development of native species in those
stands.
Woodlands treatments would provide additional habitat diversity.
Woodlands are forests with relatively low tree densities of 25-60%
forest cover with understories that are dominated by native grasses and
forbs. Management that promotes woodlands would serve a multitude of
resources. Woodlands provide habitat for a variety of disturbance-
dependent, early successional game and nongame wildlife species in all
stages of their lifecycles. Populations of early successional bird
species, such as northern bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, field sparrow,
and golden-winged warbler, have been declining on the Sumter National
Forest because of a lack of suitable habitat. Woodlands also provide
open stand conditions with ample sunlight and disturbance conditions
conducive to certain plants including the federally endangered smooth
coneflower.
Proposed Action
The District has approximately 5,542 acres of planted loblolly pine
stands. The action proposed by the Forest Service to meet the Purpose
and Need consists of regeneration harvest with reserves (cut-and-
remove) and regeneration harvest with reserves (cut-and-leave)
treatments and the establishment/maintenance of woodlands. Prescribed
burning, manual, mechanical, and herbicide treatments would be used to
reduce woody competition in regenerated stands to help establish/
maintain native plant communities including smooth coneflower.
Prescribed burning is covered under existing project Decisions.
Regeneration Harvest With Reserves (Cut-and-Remove -- 3,642 Acres)
Timber harvest would occur in stands where operable volumes now
exist. This would include establishing log landings and loading areas,
skid trails, and road access in the form of temporary roads,
reconstructed roads, or newly constructed forest system roads. In
addition to loblolly pine, harvest would also include Virginia pine,
white pine, red maple, yellow-poplar and other hardwoods to reduce
competition. Oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, Table mountain pine,
pitch pine, would be retained where possible unless removal is
necessary for safety or for equipment operability reasons. Selected
soft mast producers and some flowering tree species would also be
retained for their wildlife food or ecological benefit.
Regeneration Harvest With Reserves (Cut-and-Leave--1,900 Acres)
Loblolly pine trees would be cut and left on-site where trees are
too small or access too difficult for a viable commercial sale. Cut and
leave treatments would also occur in stands where harvest has already
occurred where loblolly pine regeneration has come in. Cutting methods
would include manual methods that use hand tools and chainsaws. In
addition to loblolly pine, cutting would also include Virginia pine,
white pine, red maple, yellow-poplar and other hardwoods to reduce
competition. Oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, Table mountain pine, and
pitch pine would be retained. Selected soft mast producers and some
flowering tree species would also be retained for their wildlife food
or ecological benefit.
Additional Treatments
Site Preparation for Reforestation by Planting (Artificial
Regeneration) and Release (3,421 Acres)
In stands where reforestation by planting is proposed, herbicide
would be used to prepare the site for planting. Any remaining Virginia
pine, white pine, red maple, yellow-poplar and other hardwoods would be
targeted to reduce competition to the planted species and to any
remaining oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, table mountain pine, and
pitch pine. Selected soft mast producers and some flowering tree
species be retained for their wildlife food or ecological benefit.
Site preparation and release treatments would include stem
injection and foliar spray using the herbicides imazapyr and triclopyr
that would be used in identified regeneration units. Stem injections
would be applied with hatchets and squirt bottles, or similar
application devices, using a mixture of 64 oz water, 64 oz Garlon 3A or
equivalent (triclopyr amine) and 6 oz Arsenal AC or equivalent
(imazapyr). Stem injection would be applied to target vegetation too
large to treat with a foliar spray. This application is made between
the first of July and the end of September.
Directed foliar spray would be applied using backpack sprayers. The
application is a low volume direct spray applied to targeted vegetation
by speckling the leaf surface. This application is made between the
first of July and the end of September. Per gallon of mix water, the
herbicide mixture for this application is: 0.5 ounce Arsenal AC or
equivalent (imazapyr), 2 ounces of Garlon 4 or equivalent (triclopyr
ester), V2 ounce surfactant, and spray pattern indicator.
An herbicide crop tree release treatment would be done 3 to 5 years
after trees are planted. The treatment would reduce competition to
oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, Table mountain pine, pitch pine. and
American chestnut (if planted) so that they could become the dominant
species in the treated stands over the long term. Selected soft mast
producers and some flowering tree species would be retained for their
wildlife food or ecological benefit.
Reforestation by Planting (Artificial Regeneration)--3,061 Acres
In stands where reforestation by planting is proposed, native
shortleaf pine would be planted on a majority of the sites on a 12x12
foot spacing to augment natural regeneration of native pines and
hardwoods. Where suitable habitat exists and if seedlings are
available, Table mountain pine and pitch pine would be planted. Also
depending on site conditions and seedling availability, a blight
resistant strain of American chestnut would be planted to re-establish
this species.
Plantings would take advantage of growing space created by timber
harvest and site preparation. Areas of the stand would not be planted
where sufficient stocking exists from overstory trees that were not
harvested. This would result in a two-aged structure in some stands.
[[Page 59165]]
Woodland Treatments (202 Acres)
The woodland treatments would cut all loblolly pine. Virginia pine,
white pine, maples, yellow-poplar, and other species would be cut as
needed to reduce competition. All pitch pine and Table mountain pine
would be retained unless removal is necessary for safety or for
equipment operability reasons. The treatment would include thinning
oaks, hickories, and shortleaf pine to a basal area (BA) of 30-40
ft\2\/acre. All oak, hickory, and shortleaf pine would be left where
(BA) is currently less than 30-40 ft\2\/acre. Three of these stands
would be managed to benefit smooth coneflower.
After initial treatments are completed, the areas would be
prescribe-burned on a periodic basis, every 1-5 years (prescribed
burning is covered under existing NEPA Decisions). Herbicide, manual
and mechanical methods would be applied to sprouts/seedlings within 1-2
years after the initial post-harvest prescribed burn to reduce
competition. These methods would be applied up to two more times after
the initial treatment if needed to reduce competition. For woodlands
management, the type of herbicide, method of application, and timing of
application would be the same as that proposed for site preparation and
release treatments.
Manual and mechanical methods including but not limited to hand
tools (chainsaws, brush saws), and/or heavy equipment (tractor with
mower, gyro-track) would be used to control sprouts and seedlings of
tree species to maintain the woodland condition. Mechanical treatments
would grind up or masticate undesirable understory vegetation.
Connected Actions
The following activities would be conducted in connection with
vegetation management activities.
System Road Construction: Twelve (12) system roads would
be built providing access to 20 loblolly timber stands. These new roads
are needed to provide access during timber harvest and to provide for
long term resource management. These roads are designed by Forest
Service engineers to specific standards that include designing drainage
structures such as culvert installations, inside slope ditching, road
crown specifications, widened turn-around, gates, and signage. Total
specified system road construction is estimated at 6.5 miles but would
vary once actual design is completed. Information on roads is contained
in the road analysis.
Road Reconstruction and Maintenance: System road
reconstruction and maintenance would be needed on approximately 60
miles of roads. Reconstruction work would consist of but not be limited
to graveling road surfaces, replacing culverts--including replacements
for aquatic organism passage, ditch cleaning, removing brush and trees
along road rights-of-way, installing, repairing or replacing gates and
correcting road safety hazards. Road maintenance would consist of spot
gravel replacement, blading, cleaning culverts, brushing and mowing.
Temporary Roads: Log landings that have no access to
existing roads would be accessed by a temporary road that connects to
the forest transportation system. Temporary roads are low-standard
roads generally under 10 percent grade and road widths less than 14
feet. Approximately 21.7 miles of temporary roads are needed for
access. Most temporary roads would be in the form of utilizing existing
undesignated ``woods'' roads that already exist in the forest, that are
in suitable locations, and for the most part have stabilized cut and
fill slopes that would not be disturbed. Upon completion of treatments,
temporary roads would be closed, obliterated and adequate erosion and
storm water control measures completed and replanted with vegetation.
Skid Trails: Skid trails would be used to skid logs to log
landings. They would be closed after use with adequate storm water and
erosion control measures.
Log Landings: Log landings are locations where logs are
piled and then loaded onto trucks. Existing landings sites would be
used as practicable to limit soil effects (compaction). They would be
closed after use with adequate storm water and erosion control
measures.
Possible Alternatives
The Proposed Action and another action alternative are proposed for
achieving the stated purpose and need, as well as a No-Action
Alternative. The other action alternatives was developed to respond to
issues raised by the public during scoping.
Responsible Official
The Andrews Pickens District Ranger, Sumter national Forest is the
responsible official for this project.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The District Ranger will decide whether or not to implement the
action as proposed or an alternative way to achieve the desired
outcome.
Scoping Process
The scoping process for this project occurred when the original NOI
was published in 2010. Issues identified during the scoping period were
used to determine the alternatives considered and to frame the effects
analysis. This proposal has been listed in the Francis Marion and
Sumter National Forests Schedule of Proposed Actions since 2010.
Dated: September 17, 2012.
Mike Crane,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2012-23615 Filed 9-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M