[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24375-24378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09698]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Environmental Impact Statement for the Power Fire, Eldorado
National Forest
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Eldorado National Forest will prepare an environmental
impact statement (EIS) to reforest portions of the Power Fire as well
as manage existing plantations within the Power Fire. The EIS will
analyze planting of small trees, mechanical and chemical site
preparation for planting, mechanical and chemical removal of competing
vegetation, control of invasive plant species, and oak stand
improvement.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by June 6, 2014, 30 days from date of publication in the Federal
Register. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in July
2014 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in
November 2014.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 100 Forth Road, Placerville, CA
95667. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 530-621-5297.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Carroll, 4260 Eight Mile Road,
Camino, CA 95709, 530-647-5386.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 24376]]
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to move the project area more
quickly toward desired future conditions for the land allocations
within the fire area, as defined by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan
Amendment (SNFP). The desired conditions for land allocations of old
forest emphasis, wildland urban interface (defense and threat zones),
protected activity centers (PAC) for spotted owls, and spotted owl home
range core areas (HRCA) include:
Old Forest Emphasis: 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.
Defense Zone: Stands 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.
Threat Zone: Flame lengths less than four feet at the head of a
fire, reductions in rate of spread and hazards to firefighters, and a
doubling of fire line construction rates.
PAC: At least two tree canopy layers are present. Dominant and co-
dominant trees average at least 24 inches dbh. Area within PAC has at
least 60 to 70 percent canopy cover. Some very large snags are present
(greater than 45 inches dbh). Levels of snags and down woody material
are higher than average.
HRCA: Within home ranges, HRCAs consist of large habitat blocks
having at least two tree canopy layers, at least 24 inches dbh in
dominant and co-dominant trees, a number of very large (>45 inches dbh)
old trees, at least 50-70% canopy cover, and higher than average levels
of snags and down woody material.
There is a need to reestablish a forested landscape that is fire
resilient.
One of the primary objectives of the Power Fire Reforestation
Project is to move the project area from its existing condition, which
is primarily early-seral conditions, toward the desired future
conditions described above.
Historically, forests were resilient because they burned on a
frequent basis (every 0-35 years) and were of low severity. Frequent
burning in these forests regularly consumed fuels, killed small trees,
and pruned the boles of residual trees, maintained a relatively fire-
resistant landscape (Agee 2002).
To move the project area towards a frequent fire regime of a fire
resilient forest requires the survival and growth of individual trees
and forested stands for many years without the occurrence of stand
replacing fires. Currently, trees are at high risk of fire-related
mortality due to their small size. Competing vegetation also greatly
affects tree growth rates. Control of competing vegetation would
increase conifer growth rates. Increased growth would accelerate the
development of key habitat and old forest characteristics and reduce
the risk of loss to wildland fire (SNFP ROD, page 49).
Tree mortality is also affected by both the intensity and size of
wildfires that occur in the project area. Treatments that reduce fire
intensity and rate of spread would reduce tree mortality in wildland
fire conditions. Increased fire line production rates would limit the
size of wildland fires in the area, further reducing tree mortality and
allow trees to continue to accelerate their development of old forest
conditions.
There is a distinct difference between the desired conditions for
forested landscapes and the existing condition of vegetation within the
project area. Based on this difference, there is a need to reestablish
a forested landscape that is fire resilient.
There is a need to reestablish this forested landscape effectively
and efficiently.
Logged units and pre-fire plantations have mostly been replanted
and had brush and grass removed by hand at least once. Surveys show
that some of these plantations have failed because the brush and
grasses consumed the limited water and nutrients and the seedlings
died. Tree survival and growth in the remainder of the plantations are
at continued risk of mortality due to high levels of competing
vegetation. Some logged areas have not been replanted due to rapid
post-fire return of highly competitive vegetation. Competing vegetation
could persist for the long term, negatively affecting both planted and
natural seedling survival, inhibiting tree growth, and delaying the
achievement of the desired conditions.
Currently the establishment of grasses, shrubs, and other
vegetation, while variable, is approaching 100 percent cover over the
project area. Establishment of greater than 30 percent cover of
vegetation presents a potential lethal environment to the establishment
of conifer seedlings. Currently 20 percent of the planted areas have
failed. Examination of the planted areas in the project area indicates
survival and growth are threatened by competing vegetation. Management
of competing vegetation is essential to assure continued survival and
growth of the remaining conifers seedlings and to allow planting in
units currently understocked to meet desired future conditions for all
of the land allocations.
There is a need to restore wildlife habitats and provide for the
native plant and animal species associated with these ecosystems.
Nearly 50 percent of the Power Fire burned at high intensity,
killing 75 to 100 percent of the trees. Another 13 percent burned at
moderate intensity, killing 25 to 75 percent of the trees. In the high
and moderate intensity areas the fire resulted in loss of old forest
habitat for sensitive species. Some dead trees standing today may
contribute to the decaying, fallen log component of future old forest
and spotted owl habitat. Decomposing logs contribute to the structural
complexity of old forests, provide habitat for old forest dependent
wildlife species and their prey, and contribute to soil productivity.
A portion of the high and moderate intensity burned area (about
2,500 acres, 18 percent of the National Forest System lands within the
fire area) has been planted with seedlings. Surveys show that over 20
percent of these plantations have failed. Competition with brush and
grasses for the limited soil moisture during the dry summer months
caused mortality and insufficient growth in the conifer seedlings. Tree
survival and growth in the remainder of the plantations are at
continued risk of mortality due to high levels of competing vegetation.
Desired conditions that apply to old forest emphasis areas include
dead trees, both standing and fallen, that meet habitat needs of old-
forest-associated species. In HRCAs and PACs desired conditions include
some very large snags, and higher than average levels of snags and down
woody material. Over the long term, desired conditions in PACs and
HRCAs include areas of suitable habitat with large trees, and multi-
layered, dense canopy cover. Long term desired conditions for old
forest emphasis include high levels of structural diversity over large
areas comprised of roughly even-aged vegetation groups, varying in
size, species composition, and structure. Where possible, areas treated
for fuels also provide for the successful establishment of early seral
stage vegetation (SNFP ROD pg. 41).
There is a dramatic difference between the desired conditions and
the existing condition of the project area.
[[Page 24377]]
There is a need to restore/reestablish wildlife habitats and provide
for species associated with these ecosystems.
There is a need to control or eliminate invasive species in the
project area to reduce the potential for spread of invasive species to
other areas in the forest.
The project area had documented invasive species infestations prior
to the fire. They included yellow starthistle, French broom,
skeletonweed, ripgut brome, cheatgrass, medusahead, Klamathweed, bull
thistle, woolly mullein, and Himalayan blackberry. After the fire and
salvage logging invasive species infestations have increased.
Goals (desired conditions) for noxious weed management are to
manage weeds using an integrated weed management approach according to
the priority set forth in FSM 2902: Priority 1--prevent the
introduction of new invaders; Priority 2--conduct early treatment of
new infestations; Priority 3--contain and control established
infestations; and Priority 4--proactively manage aquatic and
terrestrial areas of the National Forest to increase the ability of
those areas to be self-sustaining and resistant to the establishment of
invasive species (SNFP ROD, pg. 36 and FSM 2900). There is a need to
control or eliminate invasive species in the project area to move the
project area in a trajectory toward the desired condition.
Proposed Action
Hand planting and inter-planting would occur on approximately 1,580
acres. Inter-planting would occur on 500 acres within the 2,500 acres
previously planted. Approximately 1,080 acres would be planted by hand
using one of three tree planting arrangements. Additional acres would
be inter-planted if monitoring shows desired stocking levels have not
been met on any of the plantations.
Planting Arrangement A, designed to accelerate the development of
old forest conditions without establishing dense, homogenous stands
that are at greatest risk to loss in future fires, would plant trees in
groups at a wide spacing. The prescription is also designed to allow
for development of structural diversity and the inclusion of small
openings and shrub habitats over the next several decades as planted
areas grow into mature stands. This arrangement is intended to provide
for an interspersion of habitats used by wildlife associated with early
forest conditions and for development of heterogeneity in mature forest
stands.
The following guidelines for planting would apply on 1,400 acres in
areas outside of California spotted owl Protected Activity Centers,
sensitive plant occurrences and potential habitat areas, deer critical
winter range and riparian areas. Plant approximately 200 to 400 trees
per acre by hand. Trees would be planted in groups of 2 to 4 trees with
approximately 21 feet apart from the center of the clusters. Planting
would be reduced on unproductive ridge tops.
Planting Arrangement B is designed to establish habitat suitable
for California spotted owl nesting. Accelerating the development of
dense, old forest conditions is the primary objective in these areas.
Conifers would be planted at denser spacing to ensure sufficient
survival for establishing dense canopied, old forest habitat in a
relatively rapid timeframe.
The following guidelines for planting would apply in the
approximately 125 acres that are within currently unsuitable habitat
occurring in California spotted owl PACs. Plant approximately 300 to
350 trees per acre by hand. Trees would be planted individually at a
spacing of approximately 10 to 15 feet.
Planting Arrangement C is designed to accelerate development of
more open forest conditions and provide shrub and oak habitats
important for wildlife associated with early forest habitats. The Power
Fire occurred within a State Game Refuge that includes critical deer
winter range for the Salt Springs Deer Herd. This planting arrangement
is intended to maintain high quality foraging within this area.
The following guidelines for planting would apply on 60 acres of
critical deer winter range and a portion of the winter range and areas
that are within sensitive plant occurrences and potential habitat.
Plant 100 to 150 trees per acre in identified sensitive plant potential
habitat areas and deer critical winter and winter range areas.
Individual trees would be planted on 17 to 20 foot wide spacing.
Within all planting arrangements a mixture of conifer species
(ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, Douglas fir, incense cedar,
white fir, and red fir) would be planted depending on elevation and
seedling availability. Planted seedlings would be grown from seed
produced from Region 5 seed orchards or seed of local origin (collected
within the same seed zone and 500 foot elevation band as the planting
site). Seedlings grown from these sources would exhibit higher levels
of genetic variability and broader adaptability. When unavailable, seed
would be transferred in compliance with seed transfer rules based on
California Tree Seed Zones (1971, J. Buck, et al) and in reference to
R-5 Forest Service Handbook 2409.26, Section 42.2.
Inter-planting would be implemented where seedling mortality
threatens plantation failure (less than 60 percent stocking at 100
trees per acre within planting Arrangements A and C or 60 percent
stocking at 200 trees per acre within planting Arrangement B).
Opportunities to provide patches of early seral vegetation less than
one acre in size by limiting inter-planting on some sites with high
seedling mortality would be evaluated.
Site preparation (mechanical and chemical) is proposed on
approximately 1,080 acres. Mechanical methods include mastication and
tractor piling and burning on approximately 610 acres. Chemical site
preparation would involve ground application of glyphosate or
aminopyralid/glyphosate on approximately 470 acres prior to planting.
Prior to chemical application, brush may be cut on portions of units
for access.
Chemical application would be restricted to ground-based methods.
Colorants would be added to the herbicide mixtures to provide
visibility for applicators to track coverage. Adjuvants would be added
to herbicide mixtures to improve herbicide effectiveness. Herbicides
proposed for use include glyphosate (Rodeo or equivalent),
aminopyralid, clopyralid, and triclopyr (Garlon 4 or equivalent).
Additives proposed for use include surfactants (methylated seed oil,
NPE-based, or a silicone/MSO blend) and a colorant or dye.
Release of conifer seedlings from competing vegetation would
involve targeted area ground application of herbicide on approximately
3,025 acres. Prior to herbicide application, brush may be cut on
portions of units for access. Follow-up herbicide applications would
occur if monitoring results show competing vegetation (grasses and/or
brush) is projected to exceed 40 percent ground cover of the plantation
within 3 to 5 years of planting. The follow-up applications would
include the following methods by vegetation type:
[[Page 24378]]
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Completing vegetation type Herbicide application method
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Bearclover, grass...................... Targeted area ground
application.
Whitethorn, manzanita ground........... First follow-up would be radial
ground application.
Deerbrush area......................... First follow-up would be
targeted ground application
and additional follow-up would
be radial ground application.
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Herbicide applications would be excluded near streams and special
aquatic features as described below:
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Herbicide
Aquatic feature type formulation Distance (feet)
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Perennial Streams and Special Aminopyralid, 100.
Aquatic. triclopyr,
clopyralid.
Features........................ Glyphosate........ 50.
Intermittent Streams............ Aminopyralid, 100 if wet, 50 if
triclopyr, dry.
clopyralid.
Glyphosate........ 50 if wet, 25 if
dry.
Ephemeral Streams............... Aminopyralid, 50 if wet, 25 if
triclopyr, dry.
clopyralid.
Glyphosate........ 25 if wet, 10 if
dry.
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Hand grubbing or cutting would be used to release conifer seedlings
within exclusion zones and within approximately 500 acres of critical
habitat for Sierra Nevada yellow legged frog.
Control of invasive plant species would follow integrated pest
management principles including manual, mechanical, and chemical
control methods. Chemical control methods may include directed foliar
and radius application using clopyralid, aminopyralid, or glyphosate.
Oaks stand improvement would include oak pruning/thinning or
fencing as needed to improve oak regeneration and growth within
approximately 900 acres of deer winter range and critical winter range.
Small conifer trees would be removed within 20 feet of existing oaks
within the deer winter and critical winter ranges. Fencing would be
used to protect individual oaks from deer and cattle browsing with
small cages 2-4 feet in diameter or by fencing areas \1/4\ acre to 2
acres in size.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official is Laurence Crabtree, Forest Supervisor of
the Eldorado National Forest.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official may decide to implement the proposed
action, take no action, or implement an alternative action.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. An open house
will be held at the Amador District Office, 26820 Silver Drive,
Pioneer, CA 95666, on Monday May 15, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times
and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's preparation of
the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered, however.
Dated: April 23, 2014.
Laurence Crabtree,
Forest Supervisor, Eldorado National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2014-09698 Filed 4-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M