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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
lANIZATION OF THIS DOCUMENT
(DOCUMENT is ORGANIZED INTO FOUR CHAPTERS AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION AS FOLLOWS:
TER 1 - DESCRIBES THE PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION, THE PROPOSED ACTION AND THE
IE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS.
|TER 2 - DESCRIBES THE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED ACTIONS AND PRESENTS
COMPARES ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION. ^X\
|TER 3 - DESCRIBES THE PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL'SETTING OF THE ANALYSIS AREA
|EY EXIST TODAY AND ARE TRENDING TOWARDS INTO TttEFUTURE BASED ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE ALTERNATIVES DESCRIBED IN CHAPTER 2,'jNCLUDING THE NO*ACTION
-'"' ' '>
TER 4 - LISTS THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION,OF'THIS DOCUMENT.
IDICES - PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE..READER AND INCLUDES A MAP LIST,
;ARY, REFERENCES, AND ADDITIONAL"SUPPORTING INFORMATION.
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ployer.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST
RED RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO
LEAD AGENCY:
RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL:
USDA FOREST SERVICE
BRUCE BERNHARDT
FOREST SUPERVISOR
ROUTE 2 Box 475
GRANGEVILLE, ID 83530
208-983-1950
FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION:
PHIL JAHN
PROJECT MANAGER
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL
FOREST
ROUTE 2 Box 475
GRANGEVILLE, ID
83530
208-983-1950
OR TERRY NEVIUS
DISTRICT RANGER
RED RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST
P.O. Box 416
ELK CITY, ID 83525
208-842-2245
COMMENTING ON THE DRAFT:
Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review period of
the draft environmental impact statement. This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and
respond to the comments at one time and to use information acquired in the preparation of the
final environmental impact statement, thus avoiding undue delay in the decision making
process. Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the National
Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to reviewers'
position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553
(1978). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be
waived if not raised until after completion of the final Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Comments on the draft environmental impact
statement should be specific and should address the adequacy of the statement and the
merits of the alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3).
SEND COMMENTS TO:
MONICA MCGEE, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST
ROUTE 2, Box 475
GRANGEVILLE, ID 83530
Date comments must be received: July 23, 2004
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
SUMMARY
The Forest Service has prepared this draft environmental impact statement to disclose
potential effects of the proposed action and the alternatives to the proposed action within and
surrounding the American and Crooked River project area in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations.
The project area is located within the Red River Ranger District on the Nez Perce National
Forest in Idaho. This Draft Environmental Impact statement discloses direct, indirect, and
cumulative environmental impacts and irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources
that would result from implementation of the proposed action and alternatives.
The project area is located in two separate areas within the Nez Perce National Forest in
Idaho County. Portions of the American and Crooked River watersheds are contained in the
project area boundary and are located in the Glearwater Mountains of the Rocky Mountain
physiographic province. The American River watershed is located north and northeast of Elk
City, while the Crooked River watershed is located west and southwest of Elk City. The
project area, which encompasses approximately 39,000 acres, lies north and east of the town
of Orogrande and includes National Forest System lands around the Elk City Township.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the project is to reduce existing and potential forest fuels, create conditions
that will contribute to sustaining long-lived fire tolerant tree species {ponderosa pine, western
larch) and contribute to the economic and social well-being of people who use and reside
within the surrounding area.
The Forest Plan provides direction for the management of the American and Crooked River
project area and the desired future condition. The purpose and need for this project was
determined after comparing the desired future condition and the existing condition of the
American and Crooked River project area. The area's existing condition was determined
using field data and the findings and recommendations from the South Fork Clearwater River
Landscape Assessment (SFLA). This analysis addresses only a few of the overall package of
actions that were recommended in these documents.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO:
Promote the health and vigor of timber stands and improve the environment for long-lived, fire
resistant species by reducing densities of lodgepole pine or other small diameter trees that
provide fuel ladders for development of crown fires,
Increase relative proportions of long-lived, fire resistant tree species by restoring or
regenerating to western larch, ponderosa pine, and by protecting large diameter ponderosa
pine, Douglas fir, and western larch,
Reduce the risk of large-scale crown fire spread by creating vegetative patterns, including fuel
breaks and safety areas, through harvest or silvicultural treatments, that would increase fire
suppression and management effectiveness, and
Reduce the likelihood of severe local fire effects by removing dead, dying, and downed trees
that would otherwise result in high fuel loading.
THE PROPOSED ACTION
The Red River Ranger District proposes to implement fuel reduction activities and a range of
watershed improvement activities, likely to begin in the fall of 2004. This project is proposing
to harvest or otherwise treat timber stands of dead, dying, or downed trees and trees at risk of
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
mountain pine beetle attack (primarily lodgepole pine). Proposed harvesting and associated
treatments, including road treatments, would be conducted in portions of the American and
Crooked River watersheds within the American and Crooked Rivers project area on the Red
River Ranger District of the Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho County, Idaho. Completion of
these activities would move the project area towards a Desired Future Condition as defined in
the Nez Perce National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
THE ISSUES
The Forest Service worked closely with the public to identify issues and concerns. A comment
period last fall produced 20 letters from the public, and state and federal agencies. These
responses were condensed into two substantive issue areas. These are effects to water
quality and fish habitat and the fuel reduction effectiveness. There are no impacts to terrestrial
threatened and endangered species, and heritage resources, but a summary of impacts are
listed below in the general projects impacts of interest, because some commenters had an
interest in these areas.
THE ALTERNATIVES
TABLE 0.1: - COMBINED ALTERNATIVE OVERVIEW FOR AMERICAN/CROOKED
Table 2.4: Alternatives in the American and Crooked River
RIVER WATERSHEDS
Project.
Proposed Activity - Total Project
Acres of
Treatment
Tractor Yard/Machine Pile
Cable Yard/Broadcast Burn
Roadside Salvage
Total Acres Treated
Percent Clearcut
Percent Partial Cut/Thin
Miles temporary road construction1
Miles road improvement^
AltB
1,138
945
467
2,550
42%
58%
8.0
89.6
AltC
1,172
1,095
477
2,744
42%
58%
14.3
77.8
AltD
1,732
1,207
466
3,405
34%
66%
14.3
95.0
780
475
2,156
28%
72%
5.4
94.5
Watershed Restoration Package Improvements
Miles of decommissioned roads'3
Miles of Watershed Road Improvement
Number of sites of Watershed Road Improvement
Stream crossing
Miles of instream
improvements*
improvements
Miles of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Mine Site Reclamation
Acres of Soil Restoration
Access change for vehicle use - motorized trail use
(ATV) to restricted use (miles)5
Access change for vehicle use - road to trail0
14.9
15.2
1
10
15.2
2.9
0
7
18
1.0
1.5
17.9
15.8
3
10
15.8
2.9
4
7
26
1.0
1.5
19.0
15.8
3
12
15.8
2.9
4
7
32
1.0
1.5
37.5
23.8
3
34
23.8
4.8
4
9
58
1.0
1.5
1 Temporary roads would be decommissioned within one to three years of construction.
2 Road improvement covers a range of activities, such as surface blading, drainage repair, and roadway brushing
with occasional culvert installations, slump repairs, and stabilization work. Road improvements stated in this table
are not to be considered or confused with routine road maintenance that may include but not limited to road prism
brushing, clearing, or hazard reduction activities.
3 Road decommissioning for this project covers a range of activities, from recontouring to abandonment due to
grown in conditions. See Appendix F
4 Stream crossing improvements include upgrading or improving culverts and bridges to improve fish passage and
peak water flows and are listed as the number of sites.
5 This is an access change, which restricts use to two wheeled vehicles or snowmobiles over snow, from previous
all terrain vehicle use (ATV).
6 This is an access change of miles of roads to trails use.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The alternatives in this document were analyzed by their effect to the substantive issue areas.
Indicators were developed to compare the effects. A summary of the effects can be found in
the following section. The summary table above describes the treatments. It shows the total
acres to be treated by alternative developed.
THE EFFECTS
The effects provides an overall summary of the existing conditions and effects analysis relative
to water quality and fish habitat, soil productivity, and fuel reduction effectiveness in the
American/Crooked Project. Mitigation measures would reduce effects for all harvest
alternatives to meet Forest Plan standards for detrimental disturbance upon completion of
activities.
EFFECTS TO WATER QUALITY AND FISH HABITAT
WATER QUALITY
SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
In American River, subwatersheds within the project area mostly contain low to moderate
gradient streams. The watersheds have a range of disturbance conditions, as indexed by
existing road densities (miles of road per square mile of area (mi/mi2). American River road
densities range from 0.6 to 4,3 mi/mi2. Stream channels have been mostly affected by
sediment deposition and road encroachment.
In Crooked River, subwatersheds within the project area have generally steeper stream
gradients than American River. Watershed disturbances are more evenly distributed within
the project subwatersheds, as indexed by existing road densities ranging from 1.8 to 3.3
mi/mi2. Stream channels have been affected by sediment deposition and road encroachment.
In addition, historic dredge mining was conducted in the mainstem of Crooked River and in
lower Relief Creek. This completely altered the channel morphology, floodplain function, and
riparian vegetation.
The mainstem of the South Fork Clearwater River has been impacted by sediment deposition,
road encroachment, dredge mining, and removal of riparian vegetation. Certain impacts, such
as the encroachment of State Highway 14 on the river, are essentially permanent in nature.
PROJECT EFFECTS
In American River, the project is expected to have some short-term impacts, especially in
terms of sediment yield, followed by long-term improvements. The short-term impacts are
mostly in terms of sediment yield resulting from temporary road construction, road
decommissioning, culvert removals, and soil restoration.
In American River, all of the short-term impacts fall within prescribed Nez Perce Forest Plan
sediment yield and entry frequency guidelines. Long-term trends of aquatic resources are
discussed in Section 3.3 (fisheries). Alternative E has generally the widest spread between
short-term impacts and long-term improvements. Alternative B, C, and D scale roughly in that
order in terms of the size of the short-term impacts, relative to long-term improvements in
watershed condition.
In Crooked River, the project is also expected to have some short-term impacts, especially in
terms of sediment yield, followed by long-term improvements. The short-term impacts are
mostly in terms of sediment yield resulting from temporary road construction, road
decommissioning, culvert removals, soil restoration, and instream improvements.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
In Crooked River, all of the short-term impacts fall within prescribed Nez Perce Forest Plan
sediment yield and entry frequency guidelines. Long-term trends of aquatic resources are
discussed in Section 3.3 (fisheries). Alternative E has generally the widest spread between
short-term impacts and long-term improvements. Alternative B, C, and D scale roughly in that
order in terms of the size of the short-term impacts, relative to long-term improvements in
watershed condition.
Effects to the mainstem South Fork Clearwater River are expected to be relatively minor. The
project .is expected to produce a minor amount of short-term additional sediment yield,
followed by reductions of over time. No increases in water temperature are expected and a
very slight reduction may occur over time as the effects of riparian pJanting on increasing
shade begin to occur. The project is expected to comply with implementation guidelines under
the South Fork Clearwater River total maximum daily toad (TMDL)s for sediment and water
temperature, as defined by the Clean Water Act.
FISH HABITAT
SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITION
Fish habitat in the analysis area is in poor condition. Past mining operations such as, bucket
line dredging of the mainstem American River, Box Sing Creek, Whitaker Creek, Queen Creek
and Crooked River, Relief Creek, Silver Creek, and Quartz Creek, have left these systems
with a very reduced carrying capacity for fish. Water temperatures are elevated due to the
vegetative canopy that was removed by roads and dredging. Surveyed streams in the
analysis area are below their Forest Plan objectives (existing and proposed) included in
Appendix A. Habitat elements of most concern include high levels of deposited sediment, low
number of high quality pools, high stream temperatures, and an overall simplification of habitat
leading to reduced carrying capacity.
Road/stream crossings in the project area have culverts that block or impede upstream fish
migration.
Westslope cutthroat trout, steelhead and bull trout are located in the project area streams but
have very low densities. These streams are classified as priority watersheds (South Fork
Clearwater River Landscape Analysis, 1998). Current habitat conditions may be limiting
growth, reproduction, and survival of these species in the tributaries as well as in the
mainstem rivers.
Spring Chinook salmon are found in the mainstem and tributaries of American and Crooked
Rivers as well as in the South Fork Clearwater River.
Non-native brook trout exist in many streams in the analysis area especially in American River.
PROJECT EFFECTS
Under the action alternatives, a short-term increase in sediment production is expected from
vegetation treatments, road construction/reconstruction, road decommissioning and in channel
improvements.
This short-term increase in sediment yield is not at a threshold where changes in stream
substrate (cobble embeddedness) are expected to occur.
If Alternative A (no action) were implemented, watersheds and streams would remain in a poor
condition and recover slowly over time.
Under the action alternatives, vegetation treatments, including timber harvest, may result in
lower risk of large, stand-replacing fires. Such fires could adversely affect watershed
condition. Short-term increases in sediment yield under the action alternatives are partly due
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
to watershed improvement activities, which are expected to result in long-term improvement in
habitat condition.
Equivalent Clearcut Area (EGA), a predictor of changes in water yield, would increase slightly
under all action alternatives. This increase is not likely to result in adverse changes in fish
habitat.
Of the action alternatives, Alternative E offers the most rapid improvement in watershed
condition, with the least short-term risks, while Alternatives B, C, and D offer a slower rate of
improvement with higher short-term risks. Alternative B offers less short-term risk but also
less long-term improvement than Alternatives C and D.
Fish in the project area, including steelhead trout, bull trout, Chinook salmon and westslope
cutthroat trout, may be adversely affected by potential short-term changes in habitat condition.
These species are also expected to benefit from long-term improvement in habitat condition.
There is no anticipated risk to fish population viability as a result of this project.
EFFECTS FROM FUEL TREATMENTS
SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITION
FIRE REGIME
Fire incidence has dropped substantially since the 1930's, due to the effectiveness of fire
suppression.
Areas with frequent to very frequent fire regimes are missing between 1 to 15 fire occurrences.
Areas with infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes are little departed from their pre-
settlement fire occurrences at the stand scale, but some departure may exist at the broader
landscape scale where little disturbance has occurred in the last 50 to 80 years.
In the areas of infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes, the fire mosaic of mixed and lethal
fires that might follow as a result of increasing fuel loads caused by the mountain pine beetle
infestation would be normal for these fire regimes, but could pose risk to structures and
investments.
HAZARDOUS FUEL/FIRE RISK
The fire ignition occurrence (risk) withimthe project area is high. Fire risk is the probability of a
fire ignition occurring.
Due to increases in fuel loading resulting from the mountain pine beetle infestation, fuel
models are transitioning to models that would result with a higher fire hazard rating.
PROJECT EFFECTS - FIRE REGIME, FUELS. AND RISK/HAZARD
The cumulative effects of the Alternatives considers past, present and reasonably foreseeable
actions. These actions are described earlier in this Chapter. The effects of the past actions
are included in the existing condition by indicator. The environmental effects for each indicator
discussed in Chapter 2 and Scope of the Analysis earlier in this section, when combined, show
the cumulative effects of the Alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
This Alternative would have no immediate effect on fuel conditions in the project area.
However, in the short to long-term, fuel loadings, both live and dead, would continue to
increase with the result that more of the project area would move toward a higher fire hazard
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
rating. Over time, the fuels and associated hazard would continue to accumulate until fire
suppression is no longer successful in keeping fires small.
The only active fuels management projects within the project area are the Crooked River
Demonstration and proposed Orogrande defensible space projects. The purpose of these
treatments is to reduce available vegetation/fuels within 300-500 feet of private and public
structures and reduce the threat of losing these structures to wildfire. The size and scope of
these treatments are small, designed to protect only the structures themselves, so the
treatments would have little effect on the project area.
The BLM is planning to implement two fuels reduction projects (Whiskey South and Eastside
Township) within the Elk City Township adjacent to the American and Crooked River project
area. The purpose of these projects is to reduce the risk-of high intensity wildland fire to life,
property, and natural resources in the Elk City area. Alternative A provides no temporary road
access to the BLM's proposed treatment areas along the eastern and northern boundary of the
Elk City Township.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
These Alternatives all provide mechanical and prescribed fire fuel reduction treatments,
differing in the amount and location of those treatments and the associated reduction in high
fire hazard. The interspersion of treatment areas along with fuel reduction in past harvest and
burned areas can reduce the intensity and severity of a fire burning through those areas.
Observations of wildland fire growth and behavior among age-mosaics of fuel patterns in the
forests of the Sierra Nevada (van Wagtendonk 1995, Parsons and van Wagtendonk 1996) and
on fires in the forests of the Northern Rockies (Button, personal observations) support the idea
that spatial fragmentation of fuels can cumulatively change fire sizes and behavior. Past
harvest and burned areas along with proposed treatments under Alternatives B, C, D, and E
would provide anchor points (relatively safe, defensible locations) that facilitate fire
suppression activities. Since it is not known exactly where or when a fire may start, having a
dispersed pattern of fuel reduction treatment can provide more options for fire suppression by
connecting these treatment areas depending on where the fire is, how fast it is spreading, and
the amount, type and location of suppression forces (Agee, et al 2000, Finney, et al 1997).
Dispersed treatments rely on the topology of the treatment units as parts of a pattern to reduce
spread rates and intensities (Martin et al. 1989, Gill and Bradstock 1998, Finney 2001).
Dispersed treatments facilitate all suppression tactics (direct, indirect, and parallel attacks) by
slowing overall fire growth and allowing units to be connected by firelines at the time, the fires
occur. Extensive coverage by a dispersed treatment pattern offers the optimal strategy for
multiple fire spread directions and can change fire behavior irrespective of suppression
actions.
The weather conditions most amenable to changes in fire behavior from fuel treatments will be
those that historically have produced large and severe fires, but are not considered to be
worst-case. Fire behavior under the worst conditions is rarely responsive to either treatment
or suppression effects.
The BLM is planning to implement two fuels reduction projects (Whiskey South and Eastside
Township) within the Elk City Township adjacent to the American and Crooked River project
area. The purpose of these projects is to reduce the risk of high intensity wildland fire to life,
property, and natural resources in the Elk City area. Alternatives C and D provide the most
temporary road access to the BLM's proposed treatment areas along the eastern and northern
boundary of the Elk City Township. Alternative B provides less temporary road access than
Alternatives C and D, and Alternative E provides no temporary road access to the BLM
projects.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
GENERAL PROJECT IMPACTS OF INTEREST
HERITAGE IMPACTS
To date, seven cultural properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places have
been identified within, or immediately adjacent to, the American and Crooked River project,
and will be protected from disturbance resulting from project activity (see Table 3.83). All
seven of these properties are related to the historical theme of mining settlement and
technology.
SOIL PRODUCTIVITY
Activities that cause compaction, displacement, or exposure to erosion may have cumulative
effects on below ground physical and biological processes, hydrologic function, and long-term
productivity. All alternatives may meet Forest Plan soil quality standards on harvest units, if
mitigation and design measures are rigorously implemented, solhat cumulative effects are the
same for all alternatives on a site basis. The likelihood of exceeding the standards increases
with increasing number of activity areas proposed for ground based logging or temporary road
construction. Temporary roads are not considered part of the permanent transportation
system, but are difficult to restore to former productivity. Cumulative effects occur with
repeated entries or additive entries in a watershed. From this perspective, the relative ranking
of alternatives for both watersheds is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. The no-action
Alternative A results in the greatest likelihood of compliance in each watershed. Alternative E
results in the greatest likelihood of compliance of the action alternatives in each watershed.
WILDERNESS. INVENTORIED ROADLESS. AND AREAS WITH POSSIBLE UNROADED
CHARACTERISTICS
Any of the alternatives together with reasonably foreseeable and ongoing activities would
reduce Solitude within the areas with possible unroaded characteristics during the actual
activities. Natural Integrity and Apparent Naturalness will also be reduced regardless of the
alternative selected due to other reasonably foreseeable actions.
Alternatives B, C and D would also increase the areas with possible unroaded characteristics
but to a lesser extent than alternative E because of fewer miles of road obliteration.
Eventually, these roadbeds would disappear or would be hidden with vegetation and
motorized use would decrease. Natural Integrity, Apparent Naturalness, Solitude,
Remoteness, and Manageability and .Boundaries would be increased in the long-term, most
likely to the extent that a balance is reached with the effects of the other ongoing activities
within the areas. Cumulatively, the effect would be an increase in the value of the roadless
characteristics and an increase in areas with possible unroaded characteristics, as
revegetation occurs over the next 30 years.
Alternative A and E would not result in any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of
resources within any of the Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics.
Harvest activities at various levels and intensities are proposed in Alternatives B, C, and D
within each of the unroaded areas, with the intent to improve vegetative conditions.
While some stumps will persist on the landscape, the natural stand structure and function will
be retained or enhanced and over time, the stumps will deteriorate resulting in no permanent
irreversible effects on unroaded resource values.
Alternatives B, C and D would result in an irretrievable commitment within the Areas with
Possible Unroaded Characteristics because of the use of natural resources through
harvesting.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TRAIL SYSTEM IMPACTS
Under the action alternatives, the harvest activity will change the character of trails where they
occur within harvest units as the tree canopy is removed. The harvest activity will also open
vistas from the trails where units are across or adjacent to the trails. By adhering to the
mitigation measures for trails, the impacts to the trail character will be minimized.
WILDLIFE
Impacts from no action to federally threatened species (wolf, lynx, bald eagle) are minor or nil
for these species. No adverse impacts would occur to any federally listed terrestrial wildlife
species. All action alternatives would yield minor, but non-adverse impacts to these species
or their habitats.
Effects of the alternatives on Forest Service sensitive species would vary. No impacts would
occur to Coeur d' Alene salamanders, Townsend's big-eared bat, ftammulated owl, or white-
headed woodpeckers in any alternatives. Alternative A (No Action) would have no effects on
most other sensitive species except those that are closely associated with late-serai or old
growth timber or standing dead trees (goshawk, fisher, black-backed woodpecker). Effects to
other sensitive species from all action alternatives may impact individuals or habitats but would
not likely result in trends toward federal listing or reduced populations viability for any of these.
Effects to Forest Plan Management Indicator Species (MIS) would be mixed. Effects of all
action alternatives on elk, moose and their habitats would be positive or very minor. The
effects of the action alternatives to pileated woodpeckers, American marten, and key
neotropical migrant birds would be relatively modest. Highest impacts to habitats of this
group of late-serai associated species would be from Alternative D. Despite the varying
harvest and treatment levels, reduction in old growth loss risks from future wildfires would
remain.
AIR QUALITY
Prescribed burning under the action alternatives would comply with the requirements of the
Clean Air Act. Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions are quantified and modeled for their effects
on adjacent and downwind airsheds, particularly non-attainment and Class I areas.
The action alternatives are consistent with Forest Plan standards and guides in that
implementation would be in cooperation with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare by
complying with the procedures outlined in the North Idaho Smoke Management Memorandum
of Agreement.
Noxious WEEDS
Past and present disturbances associated with vegetation treatments added to reasonably
foreseeable actions would create a cumulative effect on weed expansion by the combination
of distribution of weed seed, ground disturbance and creation of spread pathways. The
degree of the cumulative effect would vary depending upon the number of entrances over
time, distribution of disturbance across the analysis area and acres disturbed. The impacts of
cumulative effects incurred by action alternatives to risk of weed expansion would be eased
with the implementation of preventive and weed management actions.
SOCIO/ECQNOMICS
Current levels of recreation-based economic activity (hunting, fishing, backpacking, etc) would
not be appreciably affected by any of the action alternatives, except hunting and fishing which
could have positive effects from improvements to elk, salmon and steelhead habitat. There
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
would be an overall decrease in the risk of large-scale fire to those who live and use the area.
Additionally, the project could result in an increase in direct employment of 152-237 local jobs.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER/SECTION
CHAPTER 1
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. PROJECT AREA LOCATION
1 .2. PROPOSED ACTION
1 .3. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
1 .4. PLANNING AND DIRECTION
1.5. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
1.6. ISSUES
1 .7. DECISIONS To BE MADE
CHAPTER 2
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 ISSUE DEVELOPMENT
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES
2.3 MITIGATION, MONITORING, COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND OBJECTIVES
SUMMARY
CHAPTERS
3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1. SOILS
3.1.1. AMERICAN RIVER
3.1.1.1. INDICATOR 1 -SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3112. INDICATOR 2 -SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
3.1.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.1 .2.1 . INDICATOR 1 - SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
3.1 .2.2. SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
3.2. WATERSHED
3.2.1. AMERICAN RIVER
3.2.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - WATERSHED CONDITION
3.2.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - WATER YIELD
3.2.1..3. INDICATOR 3 - SEDIMENT YIELD
3.2.1 .4. INDICATOR 4 - CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
3.2.1.5. INDICATOR 5 -WATER QUALITY
3.2.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.2.2.1 . INDICATOR 1 - WATERSHED CONDITION
3.2.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - WATER YIELD
3.2.2.3. INDICATOR 3 -SEDIMENT YIELD
PAGE
1
1
2
2
2
4
7
8
10
11
11
16
18
20
31
31
35
37
44
53
60
67
76
89
93
94
96
98
100
101
102
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CHAPTER/SECTION
3.2.2.4. INDICATOR 4 - CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
3.2.2.5. INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY
3.2.3. MAINSTEM SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER RIVER
3.2.4. WATERSHED SECTION SUMMARY
3.3. FISHERIES
3.3.1 . AMERICAN RIVER ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS
3.3.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
3.3.1 .2. INDICATOR 2 - LARGE WOODY DEBRIS ANALYSIS
3.3.1.3. INDICATOR 3 -POOL ANALYSIS
3.3.1 .4. INDICATOR 4 - WATER YIELD ANALYSIS
3.3.1 .5. INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS (Toxics AND TEMPERATURE)
3.3.1 .6. INDICATOR 6 - HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE ANALYSIS
3.3.2. CROOKED RIVER ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS
3.3.2.1 . INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
3.3.2.2. INDICATOR 2 -LARGE WOODY DEBRIS ANALYSIS
3.3.2.3. INDICATOR 3 -POOL ANALYSIS
3.3.2.4. INDICATOR 4 - WATER YIELD ANALYSIS
3.3.2.5. INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS (Toxics AND TEMPERATURE)
3.3.2.6. INDICATOR 6 - HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE ANALYSIS
3.3.3. CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
3.3.4. CONCLUSIONS
3.4. FIRE
3.4.1 . INDICATOR 1 - FIRE REGIME
3.4.2. INDICATOR 2 -FUELS
3.4.3. INDICATOR 3 - RISK/HAZARD
3.4.4. IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - FIRE REGIME, FUELS, AND
RISK/HAZARD
3.4.5. SUMMARY
3.5. AIR QUALITY
3.6. RECREATION
3.6.1. AMERICAN RIVER
3.6.1.1. INDICATOR 1 -ROS/SILS
3.6.1 .2. INDICATOR 2 - OTHER RECREATIONAL USES
3.6.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.6.2.1 . INDICATOR 1 - ROS/SILS
3.6.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - OTHER RECREATIONAL USES
3.7. WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
3.7.1. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
PAGE
108
109
110
112
114
135
135
137
138
138
139
140
141
141
143
143
144
144
145
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151
153
154
157
158
158
159
168
171
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CHAPTER/SECTION
3.7.2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
3.7.3. SUMMARY
3.8. TRANSPORTATION
3.8.1. AMERICAN RIVER
3.8.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - MILES OF ROAD
3.8.1 .2. INDICATOR 2 - MILES OF TRAILS
3.8.1 .3. IRREVERSIBLE, IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
3.8.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.8.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - MILES OF ROAD
3.8.2.2. INDICATOR 2 -TRAILS
3.8.3. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES - TRAILS
3.8.4. IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
3.8.5. FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR TRANSPORTATION
3.9. HERITAGE
3.10. VEGETATION
3.10.1. VEGETATION - AMERICAN RIVER
3.10.1 .1 . INDICATOR 1 - COMPOSITION (COVER TYPE/SPECIES/LAYER/AGE)
3.10.1.2. INDICATOR 2 -DISTURBANCE PATTERNS
3.10.1.3. INDICATOR 3 - RARE PLANTS
3.10.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.10.2.1 . INDICATOR 1 - COMPOSITION (COVER TYPE/SPECIES/LAYER/AGE)
3.10.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - DISTURBANCE PATTERNS
3.10.2.3. INDICATOR 3 - RARE PLANTS (SEE SECTION 3.10.1 .3)
3.11. WILDLIFE
3.11.1. INDICATOR 1 -THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
3.1 1 .2. INDICATOR 2 - SENSITIVE SPECIES
3.1 1 .3. INDICATOR 3 - OTHER MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES
3.11.4. INDICATOR 4 - OTHER SPECIES
3.12. SOCIO-ECONOMIC
3.13. WILDERNESS, INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREAS, AND AREAS WITH POSSIBLE
UNROADED CHARACTERISTICS
3.13.1. INDICATOR 1 - NATURAL INTEGRITY
3.13.2. INDICATOR 2 - APPARENT NATURALNESS
3.13.3. INDICATOR 3 - REMOTENESS AND SOLITUDE
3. 1 3.4. INDICATOR 4 - MANAGEABILITY AND BOUNDARIES
3.13.5. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
3.13.6. CONCLUSION
3.13.7. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS
PAGE
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183
184
185
185
189
198
198
198
201
208
208
209
214
223
225
226
240
242
255
255
269
271
273
275
284
305
316
333
339
341
341
342
342
342
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CHAPTER/SECTION
CHAPTER 4
4.1. PREPARERS
4.2. DISTRIBUTION LIST
PAGE
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
PAGE
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: MAPS
A 1-37
APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY
B1-24
APPENDIX C: REFERENCES
C1-17
APPENDIX D: WATERSHED, FISH HABITAT
D1-32-
APPENDIX E: SUPPORT FOR WATERSHED, FISH HABITAT ANALYSIS
E1-31
APPENDIX F: ROAD MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
F1-16
APPENDIX G: FUEL MODELS
G1-2
APPENDIX H: TREATMENTS BY ALTERNATIVE
H1-7
APPENDIX I: MONITORING PLAN
11-4
APPENDIX J: TERRESTRIAL
J1-7
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
INDEX OF TABLES
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
1.1: FOREST PLAN MANAGEMENT AREA PERCENTAGES - AMERICAN AND CROOKED
RIVER PROJECT
2.1 : Alternatives in the American River Watershed.
2.2: Alternatives in the Crooked River Watershed.
2.3: Project Design and Mitigation Measures for the American and Crooked River
Project
2.4: ALTERNATIVES IN THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER PROJECT
2.5: ACTION ALTERNATIVES COMPARISON SUMMARY
3.0 - Projects considered for cumulative effects within and adjacent to the
American and Crooked River Project Area
3.1 : INDICATORS OF DIRECT SOIL EFFECTS BY ALTERNATIVE: AMERICAN RIVER
3.2: INDICATORS OF CUMULATIVE SOIL EFFECTS BY ALTERNATIVE: AMERICAN RIVER
3.3: INDICATORS OF DIRECT SOIL EFFECTS BY ALTERNATIVE: CROOKED RIVER
3.4: INDICATORS OF CUMULATIVE SOIL EFFECTS BY ALTERNATIVE: CROOKED RIVER
3.5: NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED WATER USES
3.6: WATERSHED CONDITION INDICATORS
3.7: POST-PROJECT ROAD DENSITY BY ALTERNATIVE
3.8: % EGA BY ALTERNATIVE (2005)
3.9: % EGA FOR 2005 (INCLUDING EASTSIDE TOWNSHIP PROJECT)
3. 1 0: % OVER BASE SEDIMENT YIELD BY ALTERNATIVE
3.11: SUMMARY OF 2003 WATER TEMPERATURE DATA
3.12: NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED WATER USES
3.13: WATERSHED CONDITION INDICATORS
3.14: POST-PROJECT ROAD DENSITY BY ALTERNATIVE
3.15: % EGA BY ALTERNATIVE (2005)
3.16: % EGA FOR 2005 (INCLUDING WHISKEY SOUTH PROJECT)
3.17: % OVER BASE SEDIMENT YIELD BY ALTERNATIVE
3.18: % OVER BASE SEDIMENT YIELD (INCLUDING WHISKEY SOUTH)
3.19: SUMMARY OF 2003 WATER TEMPERATURE DATA
3.20: SEDIMENT YIELD FROM AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVERS TO THE SOUTH
FORK CLEARWATER RIVER
3.21 : EXISTING STREAM CROSSINGS AMERICAN RIVER
3.22: EXISTING STREAM CROSSINGS CROOKED RIVER
3.23: KNOWN AND SUSPECTED DISTRIBUTION OF TROUT, SALMON AND CHAR IN
AMERICAN RIVER
3.24: AMERICAN RIVER EXISTING CONDITION OF FISH HABITAT INDICATORS
COMPARED TO OBJECTIVES
3.25. EXISTING CONDITION OF SELECT FISHSED VARIABLES, WHICH ARE
PAGE
7
18
19
22
29
30
33
42
43
65
66
94
95
96
97
98
99
101
103
104
104
105
106
106
107
109
111
123
123
125
128
129
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
RELEVANT TO THE DEPOSITED SEDIMENT INDICATOR
3.26:
3.27:
3.28:
3.29:
3.30:
3.31:
3.32:
3.33:
3.34:
3.35:
3.36:
3.37:
3.38:
3.39:
3.40:
3.41:
3.42:
3.43:
3.44:
3.45:
3.46:
3.47:
3.48:
3.49:
3.50:
3.51:
3.52:
3.53:
3.54:
3.55:
3.56:
KNOWN AND SUSPECTED DISTRIBUTION OF TROUT, SALMON AND CHAR IN
CROOKED RIVER
CROOKED RIVER EXISTING CONDITION OF FISH HABITAT INDICATORS
COMPARED TO OBJECTIVES
EXISTING CONDITION OF SELECT FISHSED VARIABLES, WHICH ARE
RELEVANT TO THE DEPOSITED SEDIMENT INDICATOR
COMPARISON OF PREDICTED COBBLE EMBEDDEDNESS (CE) BY ALTERNATIVE
COMPARISON OF SUMMER REARING CAPACITY (SRC) BY ALTERNATIVE
COMPARISON OF WINTER REARING CAPACITY (WRC) BY ALTERNATIVE
AMERICAN RIVER MILES OF STREAM WITH IMPROVED ACCESS.
COMPARISON OF PREDICTED COBBLE EMBEDDEDNESS (CE) BY ALTERNATIVE
COMPARISON OF SUMMER REARING CAPACITY (SRC) BY ALTERNATIVE
COMPARISON OF WINTER REARING CAPACITY (WRC) BY ALTERNATIVE
CROOKED RIVER MILES OF STREAM WITH IMPROVED ACCESS.
FIRE REGIMES ACREAGE IN THE PROJECT AREA
TREATMENT ACRES
APPROXIMATE ANNUAL EMISSIONS BY ALTERNATIVE, BASED ON 1 0 YEAR
IMPLEMENTATION
NEZ PERCE FOREST PLAN INTERIM VISUAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND SCENIC
INTEGRITY LEVELS FOR THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER PROJECT AREA
WILD & SCENIC RIVERS ACT CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO THE SOUTH FORK OF
THE CLEARWATER
OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUES APPLICABLE TO THE SOUTH FORK
CLEARWATER RIVER
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION FOR ELIGIBLE RIVERS
CURRENT ACCESS PRESCRIPTIONS -AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
OBJECTIVE MAINTENANCE LEVELS -AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
TRAFFIC SERVICE LEVELS - AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
ROAD SURFACE TYPE - AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
ROAD DECOMMISSIONING AND CORRESPONDING ACCESS CHANGE -
AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
ROADWORK ACTIVITY BY ALTERNATIVE - AMERICAN RIVER ROADS
SYSTEM TRAILS - AMERICAN RIVER
MILES OF TRAILS OPEN TO TRAIL USERS - AMERICAN RIVER
ALTERNATIVE B HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - AMERICAN RIVER
ALTERNATIVE B, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION FOR TRAIL 887
ALTERNATIVE C HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - AMERICAN RIVER
ALTERNATIVE C, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION FOR TRAIL 887
ALTERNATIVE D, HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - AMERICAN RIVER
PAGE I
130
132
132
135
135
136
140
141
141
141
146
153
156
166
171
178
181
181
186
186
186
186
188
189
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
3.57: ALTERNATIVE D, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION FOR TRAIL 887
3.58: ALTERNATIVE E, HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS -AMERICAN RIVER
3.59: ALTERNATIVE E, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION FOR TRAIL 887
3.60: CURRENT ACCESS PRESCRIPTIONS - CROOKED RIVER ROADS
3.61 : OBJECTIVE MAINTENANCE LEVELS - CROOKED RIVER ROADS
3.62: TRAFFIC SERVICE LEVELS - CROOKED RIVER ROADS
3.63: ROAD JURISDICTION - CROOKED RIVER ROADS
3.64: ROAD SURFACE TYPE - CROOKED RIVER ROADS:
3.65: ROAD DECOMMISSIONING AND CORRESPONDING ACCESS CHANGE CROOKED
RIVER ROADS
3.66: ROADWORK ACTIVITY BY ALTERNATIVE - CROOKED RIVER ROADS
3.67: SYSTEM TRAILS - CROOKED RIVER
3.68: MILES OF TRAILS OPEN TO TRAIL USERS - CROOKED RIVER
3.69: GROOMED SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM -CROOKED RIVER
3.70: ALTERNATIVE B HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - CROOKED RIVER
3.71 : ALTERNATIVE B, CHANGES IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION
3.72: ALTERNATIVE C HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - CROOKED RIVER
3.73: ALTERNATIVE C, CHANGES IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION
3.74: ALTERNATIVE D, HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - CROOKED RIVER
3.75: ALTERNATIVE D, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION FOR TRAIL 887
3.76: ALTERNATIVE E, HARVEST UNITS AND TRAILS - CROOKED RIVER
3.77: ALTERNATIVE E, CHANGE IN ACCESS PRESCRIPTION
3.78: MILES OF TRAILS
3.79: AMERICAN RIVER AREA -CHANGES IN TRAIL ACCESS PRESCRIPTIONS
3.80: CROOKED RIVER AREA - CHANGES IN TRAIL ACCESS PRESCRIPTIONS
3.81: UNITS AND TRAILS
3.82: TIMING AND AVAILABILITY OF PLANT FOODS IN NEZ PERCE TERRITORY
3.83: A SAMPLE OF DREDGING LOCATIONS NEAR THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED
RIVER PROJECT AREA, AND THEIR DATES OF OPERATIONS
3.84: HISTORICAL CLASSIFICATION & CHRONOLOGY OF LAND ENCOMPASSING THE
AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER PROJECT
3.85: LIST OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES WITHIN THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER
PROJECT APE
3.86: LIST OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMERICAN AND
CROOKED RIVER PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED ELIGIBLE FOR THE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
3.87: AMERICAN RIVER PORTION COVER TYPES.
3.88: UNMANAGED STAND DENSITIES IN THE PROJECT AREA
3.89: AMERICAN RIVER PROPORTION OF EXISTING SIZE CLASS
PAGE
196
196
198
199
199
199
199
199
200
201
202
202
203
203
204
205
205
206
207
207
208
209
211
212
213
215
217
219
221
222
229
231
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
3.90: ACTION ALTERNATIVES - CHANGE IN STAND DENSITIES
3.91 : KNOWN AND POTENTIAL SENSITIVE PLANTS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA.
3.92: COMPARISON OF POTENTIAL SENSITIVE PLANT HABITAT AFFECTED BY
ALTERNATIVE
3.93: COVER TYPE CODES
3.94: UNMANAGED STAND DENSITIES IN THE PROJECT AREA
3.95: CROOKED RIVER PROPORTION OF EXISTING SIZE CLASS
3.96: ACTION ALTERNATIVES CHANGE IN STAND DENSITIES
3.97: WILDLIFE SPECIES PRELIMINARY EFFECTS DETERMINATIONS
3.98: THE NO ACTION (ALTERNATIVE A) HABITAT CONDITIONS AND ACREAGE WITHIN
THESE LADS ARE LISTED BELOW:
3.99: SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON LAU 3020306
3. 1 00: SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON LAU 3050401
3.101 PERCENT ELK HABITAT EFFECTIVENESS BY EAU AND ALTERNATIVE
3. 1 02 - HABITAT IN THE AMERICAN RIVER DRAINAGE
3.103: DATA DISPLAYED ARE COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
3.104: WEED SUSCEPTIBILITY RATING
3.105: ACRES OF EXPANSION RISK
3.106: DISTURBANCE BY ALTERNATIVE
3.107: PROBABILITY OF WEED SPREAD, RATING MATRIX
3.108: DIRECT EMPLOYMENT EFFECTS
3.109: ECONOMICS - ALTERNATIVE B
3.110: ECONOMICS - ALTERNATIVE C
3.111: ECONOMICS - ALTERNATIVE D
3.1 12: ECONOMICS - ALTERNATIVE E
3.1 13: WILDERNESS ATTRIBUTES AND ROADLESS CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 14: REASONABLY FORESEEABLE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE AREAS WITH POSSIBLE
UNROADED CHARACTERISTICS
D.1 : SUMMARY OF PROJECTS BY ALTERNATIVE
D.2: MIDDLE AMERICAN RIVER - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.3: MIDDLE AMERICAN RIVER - INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.4: MIDDLE AMERICAN RIVER - RECREATION AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.5: MIDDLE AMERICAN RIVER - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.6: UPPER AMERICAN RIVER - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.7: EAST FORK AMERICAN RIVER - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.8: EAST FORK AMERICAN RIVER - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.9: EAST FORK AMERICAN RIVER - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.10: KIRKS FORK- EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.1 1 : KIRKS FORK - WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
PAGE
239
244
249
257
259
266
268
274
279
279
280
306
324
324
329
330
330
332
334
335
336
337
338
340
343
D-1
D-4
D-4
D-5
D-6
D-6
D-6
D-6
D-6
D-7
D-7
Page XIX
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
D.12: KIRKS FORK- STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.13: KIRKS FORK - RECREATION AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.14: KIRKS FORK- SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.15: WHITAKER CREEK- EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.16: WHITAKER CREEK - WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
D.17: WHITAKER CREEK -STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.18: WHITAKER CREEK- INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.19: WHITAKER CREEK- SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.20: QUEEN CREEK- EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.21 : QUEEN CREEK - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.22: QUEEN CREEK- INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.23: QUEEN CREEK - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.24: FLINT CREEK - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.25: FLINT CREEK - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.26: FLINT CREEK - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.27: Box SING CREEK - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.28: Box SING CREEK -WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
D.29: Box SING CREEK -STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.30: Box SING CREEK- RECREATION AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.31 : Box SING CREEK - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.32: LOWER AMERICAN RIVER - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.33: LOWER AMERICAN RIVER - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.34: LOWER CROOKED RIVER - EXISTING ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.35: LOWER CROOKED RIVER - WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
D.36: LOWER CROOKED RIVER - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.37: LOWER CROOKED RIVER - INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.38: LOWER CROOKED RIVER - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
D.39: RELIEF CREEK - ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.40: RELIEF CREEK - WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
D.41 : RELIEF CREEK - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.42: RELIEF CREEK- INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.43: RELIEF CREEK- SOIL RESTORATION
D.44: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - ROADS TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
D.45: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
D.46: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - STREAM CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS
D.47: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - INSTREAM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.48: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - RECREATION AND TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
D.49: MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - MINE SITE RESTORATION
PAGE
D-8
D-8
D-8
D-9
D-9
D-10
D-10
D-10
D-11
D-11
D-11
D-12
D-12
D-14
D-14
D-15
D-15
D-15
D-15
D-16
D-16
D-16
D-17
D-17
D-18
D-18
D-19
D-20
D-21
D-22
D-24
D-24
D-25
D-26
D-27
D-28
D-29
D-31
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE NUMBER/NAME
D 50 - MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - SOIL RESTORATION PROJECTS
E 1 • FISHERY/WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES - AMERICAN RIVER
E.2: FISHERY/WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES - CROOKED RIVER
E.3: PERCENT STREAM LENGTH BY GRADIENT CLASSES - AMERICAN RIVER
E 4- PERCENT STREAM LENGTH BY GRADIENT CLASSES - CROOKED RIVER
E.5: SUMMARY OF WATER TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUTH FORK GLEARWATER
RIVER AT MT. IDAHO
E.6: WATER QUALITY DATA - AMERICAN RIVER
E.7: WATER QUALITY DATA- CROOKED RIVER
E.8: AQUATIC TREND ANALYSIS - AMERICAN RIVER
E.9: AQUATIC TREND SUMMARY - AMERICAN RIVER
E-1 0: AQUATIC TREND ANALYSIS - CROOKED RIVER
E-1 1 : AQUATIC TREND SUMMARY - CROOKED RIVER
F.1: EXISTING CONDITION -AMERICAN RIVER
F.2: EXISTING CONDITION -CROOKED RIVER
F.3: ROADS PROPOSED FOR DECOMMISSIONING BY ALTERNATIVE - AMERICAN
RIVER
F.4: ROADS PROPOSED FOR DECOMMISSIONING BY ALTERNATIVE - CROOKED
RIVER
H . 1 : TREATMENTS BY ALTERNATIVES - CODES
H.2: AMERICAN RIVER TREATMENTS
H.3: CROOKED RIVER TREATMENTS
PAGE
D-32
E-1
E-2
E-6
E-7
E-24
E-24
E-25
E-26
E-28
E-29
E-31
F-3
F-7
F-13
F-15
H-1
H-1
H-5
Page XXI
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
INDEX OF FIGURES
FIGURE NUMBER/NAME
3.1: LOWER AMERICAN SEDIMENT YIELD
3.2: LOWER CROOKED RIVER SEDIMENT YIELD
3.3: SLUICE BOX AND MINER AT WORK IN NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO
3.4: HYDRAULIC OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS AT THE OROGRANDE FRISCO MINE
3.5: DREDGE PROCESSING LOW-GRADE PLACER GRAVELS ON THE CROOKED RIVER
ABOUT 1938 (FROM ELSENSOHN 1971:48-7)
3.6: VRUs FOR AMERICAN RIVER
3.7: AMERICAN RIVER PORTION PREVIOUS HARVEST
3.8: AMERICAN RIVER PORTION COVER TYPE
3.9: AMERICAN RIVER PORTION SIZE CLASS DISTRIBUTION
3.10: AMERICAN RIVER PORTION COVER TYPE/SIZE CLASS
3.1 1 : AMERICAN RIVER PORTION CANOPY PERCENT
3.12: AMERICAN RIVER SIZE CLASS BY ALTERNATIVE
3.13: CROOKED RIVER VRUs
3.14: CROOKED RIVER PORTION PREVIOUS HARVEST
3.15: CROOKED RIVER PORTION COVER TYPE
3.16: CROOKED RIVER PORTION SIZE CLASS DISTRIBUTION
3.17: CROOKED RIVER COVER TYPE/SIZE CLASS
3.18: CROOKED RIVER PORTION CANOPY PERCENT
3.19: CROOKED RIVER PORTION SIZE CLASS BY ALTERNATIVE
E.1 : COMPOSITE v PURE WATERSHEDS - AMERICAN RIVER
E.2: COMPOSITE v PURE WATERSHEDS - CROOKED RIVER
E.3: ANNUAL HYDROGRAPH
E.4A-H: SEDIMENT YIELD -AMERICAN RIVER
E.5A-H: SEDIMENT YIELD - CROOKED RIVER
E.6A-D: AMERICAN RIVER 2003 WATER TEMPERATURE
E.7A-D: CROOKED RIVER 2003 WATER TEMPERATURE
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Chapter 1 - Purpose and Need
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. PROJECT AREA LOCATION
1.2. PROPOSED ACTION
1.3. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
1.4. PLANNING AND DIRECTION
1.5. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
1.6. ISSUES
1.7. DECISIONS To BE MADE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
The Forest Service has prepared this draft environmental impact statement to disclose potential,
effects of the proposed action and the alternatives to the proposed action within and surrounding the
American and Crooked River project area in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. The project area is located within the Red
River Ranger District on the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho. This Draft Environmental Impact
Statement discloses direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts and irreversible or
irretrievable commitments of resources that could result from implementation of the proposed action
and alternatives.
This draft environmental impact statement is prepared according to the format established by Council
on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (40
CFR 1500-1508). Chapter 1 explains the purpose and need for the proposed action, discusses how
the American and Crooked River project relates to the 1987 Nez Perce Land and Resource
Management Plan (Forest Plan), and identifies issues raised driving the development of alternatives.
Chapter 2 identifies the significant issues driving the analysis of environmental effects, describes and
compares the proposed action, alternatives to the proposed action, and a no-action alternative. It also
compares the alternatives by summarizing their environmental consequences. Chapter 3 describes
the natural and human environments potentially affected by the proposed action and alternatives, and
discloses potential environmental effects. Chapter 4 contains the list of preparers, followed by the
draft environmental impact statement distribution list, appendices (including literature cited and
glossary). The Appendices provide additional information on specific aspects of the proposed project
and alternatives. This Draft Environmental Impact Statement incorporates documented analyses by
summarizing and referencing them where appropriate.
The interdisciplinary team made up of Forest Service resource specialists used a systematic
approach for analyzing the proposed project and alternatives to it, estimating the environmental
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
effects, and preparing this draft environmental impact statement. The planning process complies with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the CEQ regulations. Planning was coordinated
with the appropriate Federal, State, local agencies and tribes.
1.1. PROJECT AREA LOCATION
The American River and the Crooked River are two large watersheds in the upper South Fork
Clearwater River subbasin. The watersheds encompass approximately 59,000 acres and 45,000
acres, respectively.
The project area is located in two separate areas within the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho
County. Portions of the American and Crooked River watersheds are contained in the project area
boundary and are located in the Clearwater Mountains of the Rocky Mountain physiographic province.
The American River watershed is located north and northeast of Elk City, while the Crooked River
watershed is located west and southwest of Elk City. The project area, which encompasses
approximately 39,000 acres, lies north and east of the town of Orogrande and includes National
Forest System lands around the Elk City Township.
1.2. PROPOSED ACTION
The Red River Ranger District proposes to implement fuel reduction activities and a range of
watershed improvement activities, likely to begin in the fall of 2004. This project is proposing to
harvest or otherwise treat timber stands of dead, dying, or downed trees and trees at risk of mountain
pine beetle attack (primarily lodgepole pine). Proposed harvesting and associated treatments,
including road treatments, would be conducted in portions of the American and Crooked River
watersheds within the American and Crooked Rivers project area on the Red River Ranger District of
the Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho County, Idaho. Completion of these activities would move the
project area towards a Desired Future Condition as defined in the Nez Perce National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). A description of the treatments follows below and in
more detail in Chapter 2 - Alternatives Including the Proposed Action.
1.3. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
The purpose of the project is to reduce existing and potential forest fuels, create conditions that will
contribute to sustaining long-lived fire tolerant tree species (ponderosa pine, western larch) and
contribute to the economic and social well-being of people who use and reside within the surrounding
area.
The Forest Plan provides direction for the management of the American and Crooked River project
area and the desired future condition. The purpose and need for this project was determined after
comparing the desired future condition and the existing condition of the American and Crooked River
project area. The area's existing condition was determined using field data and the findings and
recommendations from the South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (SFLA). This
analysis addresses only a few of the overall package of actions that were recommended in these
documents.
The objectives of this project are to:
• Promote the health and vigor of timber stands and improve the environment for long-lived, fire
resistant species by reducing densities of lodgepole pine or other small diameter trees that
provide fuel ladders for development of crown fires,
• Increase relative proportions of long-lived, fire resistant tree species by restoring or
regenerating to western larch, ponderosa pine, and by protecting large diameter ponderosa
pine, Douglas fir, and western larch,
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• Reduce the risk of large-scale crown fire spread by creating vegetative patterns, including fuel
breaks and safety areas, through harvest or silvicultural treatments, that would increase fire
suppression and management effectiveness, and
• Reduce the likelihood of severe local fire effects by removing dead, dying, and downed trees
that would otherwise result in high fuel loading.
CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION
In portions of the project area, the forest vegetation is dominated by lodgepole pine that became
established following wildfires that occurred in the early 1900s. Extensive stands of lodgepole pine
are now mature (80 to 130 years old) and susceptible to bark beetle attack. Aerial surveys supporting
the 2003 Zone Entomologist report for the Nez Perce National Forest indicate that mountain pine
beetle infestations in the project area increased substantially between 1998 and 2002. Beetle activity
is currently intense and expanding. This bark beetle activity is resulting in an expanding number of
dead trees with the potential to carry a severe wildfire over a wide area as these trees fall and
accumulate as dry fuel over the next 10 to 20 years.
Forest vegetation conditions within the analysis area have developed under limited fire occurrence,
over the past 50 years. Shade-tolerant trees (for example, grand fir, Douglas-fir, and sub alpine fir, in
addition to lodgepole pine) have become established underneath many of the forest stands resulting
in multi-aged stand conditions creating a situation known as a "fuel ladder." Given favorable weather
and fuel moisture conditions, a ground fire could move into the crowns in many of these areas and
result in large intense wildfires.
The proximity of this forest fuels buildup to Elk City as well as private inholdings, residences, and
government facilities within the two watersheds heightens concerns for public safety and potential
property damage if a large wildfire were to occur. A wildfire in the project area, under the developing
fuel conditions, would be expected to have a high potentialfor adverse effects on natural resources as
well. If the heavy fuel accumulations were to burn under extreme conditions, the large number of
roads in the project area would tend to exacerbate an increase in run-off and associated
sedimentation from the burned area during post-fire precipitation events.
DISCUSSION OF VEGETATION TREATMENTS
Vegetation treatment activities, described previously, would be implemented in patterns to achieve
landscape objectives. These treatments would meet a multitude of integrated, compatible objectives.
They would reduce fuel continuity, vertically and laterally, and promote more fire resistant species.
Treatments would be compatible with restoring diversity of patch size, internal stand diversity, and
riparian habitat objectives associated with the Forest Plan standards.
Activities under this proposal would be designed with provisions to mitigate and minimize the risk of
noxious weeds and undesirable non-native plants expanding into previously unoccupied areas of the
forest and, where feasible, to reduce existing weed populations.
Activities along Road 233 (Orogrande Road) and other primary routes that service residential and
recreational areas would be designed to improve road maintenance effectiveness, create or maintain
conditions to facilitate a safe and orderly evacuation in case of emergency, and compliment strategic
fuel management objectives by reducing dead, dying, and defective trees as necessary.
To facilitate treatments and mitigate, reduce, or offset the potential effects of the proposed actions, a
series of watershed improvement projects and activities would be developed to meet Forest Plan
standards. These activities would maintain or improve aquatic conditions in the sub-watersheds in the
project area. Watershed improvement activities would include the following:
• reclaiming abandoned mine sites,
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• restoring soils and riparian areas damaged by past activities,
• improving instream fish habitat, and
• establishing trees and other vegetation for stream shade.
Logging systems and fuels treatments would be dictated by topography, economics, and the need to
protect residual stands. Logging systems would range from ground-based with hand felling or
mechanized felling, to cable systems with hand felling.
Fuels reduction treatments would be designed to favor desired tree species to be regenerated or
protected. Treatment methods include whole tree yarding, mechanized piling of slash concentrations,
hand piling in selected areas, and broadcast burning in openings with fire Ijnes constructed to contain
prescribed fire while protecting reserve tree groups or single trees.
This proposal would not treat or directly modify timber stands allocated as existing old growth that
currently meet the definition of "old growth" under the Old-Growth Forest Types of the Northern
Region - USDA Forest Service, R-1 SES 4/92.
": X
..
This proposal would not mechanically treat vegetation or construct roads in existing inventoried
roadless areas.
No new permanent roads would be constructed under this proposal.
1.4. PLANNING AND DIRECTION
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Development of this analysis is based on direction found in the:
• National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and implementing regulations at 36 CFR 219;
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality and
implementing regulations at 40 CFR 1500-1508;
• National Historic Preservation Act and implementing regulations at 36 CFR 800;
• Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act) and implementing regulations at 40 CFR
130; and
• Endangered Species Action and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 402.06 and 40 CFR
1502.25.
Other applicable federal laws and executive orders pertaining to project-specific planning and
environmental analysis on federal lands include the:
• Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960,
• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (as amended),
• Clean Air Act of 1970 (as amended),
• Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 (as amended),
• American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978,
• Archeological Resource Protection Act of 1979,
• Cave Resource Protection Act of 1988,
• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996,
• Executive Order 11593 (cultural resources), Executive Order 11988 (floodplains), Executive Order
11990 (wetlands),
• Executive Order 12898 (environmental justice), and
• Executive Order 12962 (aquatic systems and recreational fisheries).
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While most pertain to all federal lands, some of the applicable laws are specific to Idaho, and include:
• Idaho State Water Quality Standards,
• Idaho Forest Practices Act,
• Idaho Stream Channel Protection Act, and
• National Historic Reservation Act, 1966.
Disclosures and findings required by these laws and orders are contained in Chapter 3 of this
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the individual resource areas under the regulatory
framework heading.
TIERING AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This analysis tiers to the Nez Perce Forest Plan and Final EIS (USDA 1987) and amendments, and
incorporates information from the Integrated Scientific Assessment for Ecosystem Management in the
Interior Columbia River Basins and Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins (Quigley, et al. 1996)
and the South Fork Clearwater Landscape Assessment (USDA 1998).
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST PLAN
This action responds to goals and objectives of the Nez Perce Forest Plan, arid helps move the
project area toward desired future conditions described in that plan. The Forest Plan includes forest-
wide goals and objectives, and area-specific (land use designation) goals, objectives, and desired
future conditions. The desired condition for the American and Crooked Rivers project area is to have
the forest components within their historic ranges of variability, restore natural disturbance processes
where feasible, and mimic their effects in other places. Achieving this would ensure ecologic
processes function more naturally and maintain a resilient ecosystem within the area.
FOREST PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
National forest management must be consistent with forest plans prepared under authority of the
NFMA [16 U.S.C. 1604 and 36 CFR 219.10]. Forest Plan implementation includes the identification
and scheduling of resource activities (site-specific projects) that meet the direction provided by the
Forest Plan. These resource activities are necessary to meet the desired future condition defined in
the Forest Plan.
The desired future conditions described for in the Forest Plan in Chapter 2 as land use designations,
in conjunction with the other Forest Plan direction outlined above, provide the parameters for
identifying and defining project-specific desired future conditions. The following desired future
conditions will help guide management of the project consistent with the Forest Plan, the significant
issues (described below), and the ecological conditions of the American and Crooked Rivers project
area.
• Resource outputs will have been provided to help support the economic structure of local
communities (Forest Plan 11-1, Goal 1).
• Habitat will have been provided to contribute to the recovery of Threatened and Endangered
plant and animal species in accordance with approved recovery plans and habitat will have
been provided to ensure the viability of those species identified as sensitive (Forest Plan 11-1,
Goal 4).
• The intrinsic ecological and economic value of wildlife and wildlife habitats will have been
recognized and promoted. A high quality and quantity of wildlife habitat will have been
provided to ensure diversified recreational use and public satisfaction (Forest Plan 11-1, Goal
6).
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• Air quality will have been maintained (Forest Plan 11-1, Goal 10).
• Significant historic properties will have been located, protected, and interpreted (Forest Plan II-
1, Goal 11).
• A stable and cost-efficient transportation system will have been provided through construction,
reconstruction, maintenance, or transportation system management (Forest Plan 11-1 Goal
12).
• Resource values will have been protected through cost-effective fire and fuels management,
emphasizing fuel treatment through the utilization of material and using prescribed fire (Forest
Plan II-2, Goal 13).
• Soil productivity will have been maintained and any irreversible impacts to the soil resource
will have been minimized (Forest Plan II-2, Goal 18).
• Stream channel stability and favorable conditions for water flow wili have been maintained or
enhanced (Forest Plan II-2, Goal 20).
MANAGEMENT AREAS
The Forest Plan defines management area goals and standards that guide resource activities to
achieve the resource objectives for each management area and the Forest. The management area
objectives in the Forest Plan (FP) provide framework for site-specific project planning and
implementation. The Forest Plan contains 26 Forest-wide Management Areas (pages 3-1 through 3-
67 of the Forest Plan). Seven are represented in the American and Crooked Rivers Project area
(Table 1-1).
MANAGEMENT AREA 1 (EMPHASIS: MINIMUM MANAGEMENT)
Provide the minimum management necessary to provide for resource protection and to ensure public
safety by controlling insect and disease, and noxious weed infestation. Road construction and
reconstruction and trail reconstruction and maintenance are permissible if necessary to meet multiple
use and management area objectives on adjacent lands (FP III-5).
MANAGEMENT AREA 10 (EMPHASIS: TIMBER/RIPARIAN)
Manage riparian areas to maintain and enhance their value for wildlife, fishery and aquatic habitat,
and water quality. Manage timber, grazing, and recreation to give preferential consideration to
riparian-dependent species on that portion of the management area "suitable" for timber
management, grazing, or recreation (FP IM-30).
MANAGEMENT AREA 12 (EMPHASIS: TIMBER)
Manage for timber and other multiple uses on a sustained yield basis. Manage for roaded natural
recreation (FP III-37).
MANAGEMENT AREA 16 (EMPHASIS: TIMBER/ELK WINTER RANGE)
Improve the quality of the winter range habitat for deer and elk through timber harvesting, prescribed
burning and other management practices (FP III-46).
MANAGEMENT AREA 17 (EMPHASIS: VISUALS)
Manage for timber production within the constraints imposed by the visual quality objectives (VQOs)
of retention or partial retention while providing for other multiple uses and resources. Roads will
maintain adjacent vegetation for screening although vistas may be created where appropriate (FP III-
49).
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MANAGEMENT AREA 20 (EMPHASIS: OLD GROWTH)
Provide "suitable" habitat (existing and replacement) for old-growth-dependent wildlife species (FP III-
56).
MANAGEMENT AREA 21 (EMPHASIS: MOOSE WINTER RANGE)
Manage the grand fir-Pacific yew plant communities to provide for a continuing presence of Pacific
yew "suitable" for moose winter habitat. In harvest units maintain at least 50 percent of the Pacific
yew components scattered throughout the unit in patches % to 1/2 acre in size (FP III-58).
Table 1.1: Forest Plan Management Area Percentages - American and Crooked River Project
Management Area -American River
Non-Forest Service Lands
1 - Minimum Management
10 - Timber/Riparian
12 -Timber
1 6 - Timber/Elk Winter Range
17 -Visuals
20 - Old Growth
21 - Moose Winter Range
Percent of American River Project
Area
1 %
6%
3%
69 %
1 %
3%
7%
10%
Percent of Crooked River
Project Area
1 %
8%
2%
53%
2%
13%
10 %
11 %
INTERIOR COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN SCIENCE ASSESSMENT AND THE
SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT
The ICRB Science Assessment (Quigley, et al. 1996) documented the health of the Upper Columbia
River Basin, but did not provide instructions for managing national forest lands. The report was
considered the first step in the development of a scientifically sound, ecosystem-based management
strategy for Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management administered lands within the Basin.
Nez Perce NF personnel considered the findings from the ICRB Science Assessment and
incorporated them in the SFLA where appropriate. The SFLA (USDA 1998) characterized the
ecological and social conditions in the South Fork Clearwater Subbasin. This midscale-level
assessment, completed in March of 1998, provides context for forest management decisions in the
South Fork Clearwater subbasin. The findings and recommendations for the American and Crooked
River watersheds were reviewed and applied, where appropriate, in preparation of this EIS.
1.5. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) defines scoping as "...an early and open process for
determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to a
proposed action" (40 CFR 1501.7). Among other things, the scoping process is used to invite public
participation to help identify public issues and obtain public input at various stages of the EIS
development process. Although scoping is to begin early, it is an ongoing process and continues until
a decision has been made. In addition to the following specific activities, the American Crooked
Rivers project has been listed since July 2003, on the Nez Perce National Forest Schedule of
Proposed Actions, which was mailed to approximately 470 groups and/or individuals. This information
is also available on the Internet at www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce.
Chapter 2 outlines the public scoping process that led to the identification of significant issues and
development of alternatives to the proposed action. The issues are described in this chapter.
Information on other concerns raised during scoping is included in the project file.
To date, the public has been invited to participate in the project in the following ways:
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LOCAL NEWS MEDIA
Announcements about the project were sent to the Lewiston Morning Tribune and Idaho County Free
Press via a news release on September 17, 2003, and information about the project was
subsequently published in both papers. On August 2, 2003, a public discussion was held at
Orogrande to provide project area information, present the proposed action, and discuss local
concerns and interests that should be addressed in the project analysis.
PUBLIC FlELDTRIP
A public fieldtrip was held on August 28, 2003, to provide project area information, present the
proposed action, and discuss local concerns and interests that should be addressed in the project
analysis.
PUBLIC MAILING
On September 15, 2003, a scoping letter providing information and seeking public comment was
mailed to approximately 30 individuals and groups that tiad previously shown interest in Forest
Service projects on the Nez Perce National Forest. This included Federal and State agencies, the
Nez Perce Tribe, municipal offices, businesses, interest groups, and individuals, the Forest Service
received 20 responses to this mailing.
NOTICE OF INTENT (NOD
A Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2003, when the Forest
Service decided to prepare an EIS for the project.
1.6. ISSUES
Issues are disagreements or debates about the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action.
As such, issues influence the design and evaluation of alternatives to the proposed action. Issues for
the American and Crooked Rivers Project have been identified through the public scoping process.
Issues can be categorized as either nonsignificant or significant. The Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations guide Federal agencies in handling non-significant issues by
directing them to"...identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues which are not significant or
which have been covered by prior environmental review (Sec. 1506.3)..." (40 CFR Part 1501.7).
Non-significant issues are those that are: (1) already addressed by law, regulation, forest plan or
other higher level decision; (2) beyond the scope of the purpose and need described in the Notice of
Intent; (3) not connected to the proposed action; (4) conjectural and not supported by scientific or
factual evidence; or (5) irrelevant to the decision to be made. A list of non-significant issues and
reasons for their categorization as non-significant may be found in the project record at the Forest
Supervisors Office in Grangeville, Idaho.
Significant issues are used to develop alternatives to the proposed action (Chapter 2 - Alternatives
Including the Proposed Action). They can also be addressed by standards and guidelines, mitigation
measures, or design features common to all alternatives. In addition, significant issues provide the
basis for the analysis of environmental effects (Chapter 3).
Issues for the American and Crooked River Project were derived from a variety of sources, including
those mentioned above in "Scoping." Similar issues were combined into one statement where
appropriate. The following issues were determined to be significant and within the scope of the
project decision. They are presented in an Issue/Discussion format and reflect positions and values
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related to the project objectives, possible alternatives to consider, and environmental consequences
that could result from a course of action.
Many commenters discussed specific activities that were beyond the scope or outside the purpose
and need of this project. These activities that are reasonably foreseeable activities in the project and
surrounding areas would be analyzed separately, and many actions may occur in the area within a
10-year time frame that are not analyzed because they are not completely formulated at this time.
HAZARDOUS FUELS MANAGEMENT
Issue: Fire historically played a critical role in shaping and maintaining healthy, resilient, and
productive forest stands in and around the project area. Fire exclusion over the past century
interrupted the role of fire and has contributed to development of stand structures and composition
that are trending toward conditions that would result in large-scale crown fires. Today, many forest
stands in the project area are becoming stocked with small trees-and have high levels of dead fuels;
conditions that would result in higher fire intensities in the event of a wildfire. High intensity wildfire
can result in severely burned areas that are outside historic norms, and pose significant risks to
human life and property. There is disagreement over whether existing fuels levels in the project area
warrant treatment: some believe that fuel loadings have reached hazardous levels and should be
treated while others believe fuels treatments are not needed at this time. Among those who feel
treatments are needed, there is disagreement over methods to use, the priorities for .treatment, and in
what kinds of ecosystems to allow treatments.
Several differing views related to fire and fuels management were identified through public
involvement and scoping. Some support actively managing vegetation and fuels in the American
Crooked River Project Area. Others raise concerns that the project as proposed will not reduce the
potential for substantial adverse effects from a large wildfire in the area. They believe that the
proposed project will not treat enough area (4-8 percent of the total project area) to effectively reduce
the spread of a potential wildfire. They are also concerned that treatments will be ineffective and not
remove enough fuels to reduce the potential for crown fires. Another concern is that dead, dying,
leaning, and overcrowded trees pose a threat to evacuation along the Crooked River Road in the
event of a wildfire near the Elk City Township. Many feel that, while the American and Crooked River
Project will provide some protection from a wijdfire being carried into the Township, it will only have
minimal effect on crown fire spread and fire severity. Some believe that landscape scale fire modeling
should be used to analyze effects of the proposed treatments, including fire history and past, present,
and post fuel treatment conditions.
Discussion: Scoping uncovered a broad range of disagreement regarding how many acres should be
treated and what types of trees (dead and dying lodgepole pine, green lodgepole pine highly
susceptible to mountain pine beetle attack, and/or green ponderosa pine and western larch) should be
removed to meet objectives for reducing the risk of large-scale crown fire spread. Many indicated that
insufficient area would be treated by the proposed action, while others stated that the individual
treatment prescriptions are not intensive enough to accomplish objectives for reducing wildfire spread.
One view is that prescribed fire should be used as the primary method to reduce fire hazard. Another
view is that a variety of methods should be used, including mechanical methods such as timber
harvest, brush removal, and small tree thinning (biomass removal). These views are related to the
scientific debate over whether fire surrogates (i.e. mechanical treatments designed to create desired
vegetation structures) can be used to effectively maintain and restore desired ecosystem conditions
and functions.
Many agreed with the extent of the overall project area as proposed. Some favored establishment of
a network of "defensible fuel treatment areas," while others emphasized fuels reduction around
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human developments (wildland urban interface areas or the WUI). Proposals were also made to
apply intensive fire hazard reduction treatments in areas of high risk to humans with more natural
burning in remote areas.
WATER QUALITY AND FISH HABITAT
Issue: There is concern about the potential for the project to result in early, increased water yields.
One view is that management activities in riparian ecosystems have the potential to degrade riparian
and aquatic health. Another view is that management activities can be used to maintain or improve
riparian and aquatic health, and that the proposed activities will not negatively impact fish populations
or water quality. Many believe that assessing cumulative impacts on water quality, quantity,
temperature, and timing of flows will be critical to informing the decision maker and public. Many
support watershed improvement activities to improve existing aquatic conditions and help mitigate
potential adverse impacts on water quality and fish habitat from activities on non-national forest lands.
Some were interested in the development of a restoration only alternative
Discussion: Conflicts between the management of lands and uses of natural resources in riparian
and aquatic ecosystems have been a focus of public interest and scrutiny. The comments received
during scoping indicate disagreement about levels of concern. Water quality and fish habitat issues
are addressed in the Nez Perce National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 1987 and
through federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. Commenters suggest that these requirements
be maintained in project design and project implementation. Examples include, but are not limited to,
adherence to PACFISH and TMDL guidelines, rules, and regulations.
1.7. DECISIONS TO BE MADE
Based on the environmental analysis in this EIS, the responsible official will decide whether and how
to implement this proposed action for the American and Crooked Rivers project area in accordance
with forest plan goals, objectives, and desired future conditions. This decision will include:
• The location, design, and scheduling of timber harvest, activity fuels treatment (slash), road
reconstruction, log-transfer facilities, and silvicultural practices;
• The estimated timber volume, if any, to make available from the project area at this time (and
the number and size of the individual timber sales);
• Access management measures (road, trail, and area restrictions and closures); and mitigation
measures and monitoring requirements.
The amount, location, and type of water quality/fish habitat restoration that needs to occur in
conjunction with other management action.
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Chapter 2 - Alternatives Including the Proposed Action
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 ISSUE DEVELOPMENT
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES
2.3 MITIGATION, MONITORING, COMPARISON OF
ALTERNATIVES AND OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
2.0. INTRODUCTION
This chapter outlines the public scoping process that ted to the identification of significant issues and
development of alternatives to the proposed action. The significant issues are described in this
chapter, while information on other concerns raised during scoping can be found in the project file,
located in the Nez Perce Forest's Supervisor's Office.
Several aiternatives were developed in response to the significant issues and are analyzed in detail.
Alternatives considered, but eliminated from detailed study, are summarized in this chapter. The
chapter concludes with a tabular comparison of the alternatives analyzed in detail. The comparison is
based on indicators selected by the project interdisciplinary team (IDT) to evaluate how each
alternative responds to the significant issues and to the purpose and need for action
In September 2003, a scoping letter providing information and seeking public comment was mailed to
approximately 30 individuals and groups that had previously shown interest in Forest Service projects
on the Nez Perce National Forest. This included Federal and State agencies, Idaho Native groups,
municipal offices, businesses, interest groups, and individuals. The Forest Service received 20
responses to this mailing.
CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION SINCE SCOPING
The proposed action for the American and Crooked River project was scoped in September 2003.
Because of public comment and further field review, the proposed activities have been refined. The
result is a change of 227 acres in the total fuel reduction activity acres. In the scoping letter, the
Forest proposed to treat 3,000 acres of vegetation and that has been refined to 2,744 acres of
vegetation treatments.
In addition, further field review found a total of 18 miles of roads to be decommissioned as opposed to
the 30 miles identified during scoping. These are roads that do not improve access to the area for
recreation or administrative use. These roads are either currently contributing sediment to streams or
are so overgrown with vegetation that there is no longer a road prism. The overgrown roads would be
abandoned (Appendix F).
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
2.1. ISSUE DEVELOPMENT
The intent of the scoping process is to notify affected Federal, State, and local agencies, affected
Indian tribes, and interested persons of the proposed action, to solicit input regarding the proposed
action, to identify the scope of the issues to be addressed in an EIS and to determine the relevant
issues related to the proposed action (CFR/CEQ 1501.7).
Preliminary issues were identified through consultation with Forest Service resource specialists and
from issues identified from similar, past projects. A comprehensive list was developed after the IDT
and Responsible Official reviewed the comments received during scoping.
Comments were categorized as follows:
• Covered in the effects analysis
• Addressed through project mitigation or design
• Beyond the scope of the proposed action
• Already decided by law, regulation, Forest Plan, or higher level decision
• Considered irrelevant to the decisibn being made
• Considered a general comment^ opinion or position
• Significant issues driving an alternative
See project file for the list of comments and issue disposition.
Significant issues that could be resolved using mitigation measures, or addressed through the effects
analysis are discussed in this document. Other significant issues drove alternative development.
These issues are described below.
The CEO regulations require federal agencies (in implementing NEPA) to focus on the significant
environmental issues related to the proposed action. The regulations also require the identification of
significant environmental issues deserving study. There are four categories of significant issues that
drove alternative development; soils, water quality, fish habitat, and fuel reduction effectiveness,
which follow:
WATER QUALITY
Vegetation treatments, temporary road construction, road reconstruction, road decommissioning, and
in-channel improvements may affect water quality in the short and/or long term. Cumulative effects
need to be considered in the American and Crooked River watersheds.
WATERSHED CONDITION
Watershed condition indicators are a series of metrics that can be used to index the level of
disturbance in a watershed. They are usually expressed as densities or discrete amounts of various
disturbances within a watershed. For example, road density expressed in miles of road per square
mile of watershed area (mi/mi2) is a common watershed condition indicator. Roads affect watershed
function in a variety of ways, related to both water yield and sediment yield.
INDICATOR OF WATERSHED CONDITION
• Road Density
WATER YIELD
A number of physical factors determine the relationship between canopy conditions and water yield.
These include interception, evapotranspiration, shading effects and wind flux. These factors affect the
accumulation and melt rates of snow and how rainfall is processed in the watershed. Live vegetation
affects water yield in several ways. Leaves and needles intercept moisture from the air; roots of live
trees and other vegetation take up ground water; and ground cover aids infiltration of water,
decreasing runoff. Dead trees and vegetation, along with removal of vegetation can alter water yield.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Additional factors affecting water yield include compacted surfaces due to roads, skid trails, and
landings. They contribute to flashy flows, due to their impervious surfaces, interception of
groundwater and extension of the channel system in the form of ditches. As impervious surfaces
increase, increased peak flows generally result. Peak flows can result in mobilization of both large
and small materials, causing increased erosion in steep stream reaches and deposition in
downstream areas.
INDICATOR OF WATER YIELD
• Equivalent Clearcut Area
SEDIMENT YIELD
The American and Crooked River watersheds have been affected by past activities such as timber
harvest, road building, grazing, and mining. This has resulted in high road densities in most
subwatersheds. These activities have affected water quality through increased sediment delivery to
streams.
The proposed harvest and watershed improvement activities could affect sediment yield over time.
Harvest and roadwork have the potential to increase sediment production and delivery into streams.
Some watershed improvement projects have the potential to produce sediment in the short-term, but
are designed to result in long-term reductions in sediment yield.
INDICATOR OF SEDIMENT YIELD
• Sediment yield percent over base as modeled by NEZSED
CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
Water and sediment yield can interact to change channel morphology conditions through erosion of
stream channels or deposition of sediment. Channel morphology can also be affected directly
through activities such as road encroachment, stream crossings, and in-channel improvements.
Sediment delivery and routing processes vary by upland settings, stream types and disturbance level
and type.
INDICATORS OF CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
• Channel geometry
• Substrate composition
WATER QUALITY
Water quality includes physical and chemical characteristics of water. Parameters commonly
measured include pH, alkalinity, hardness, specific conductance, nutrients, metals, sediment, and
water temperature. Many of these parameters are affected to only a slight degree by forest practices.
Water temperature controls the rate of biologic process, is of critical concern for fish populations, and
is a primary indicator of habitat conditions.
Water temperatures in the American and Crooked River watersheds currently exceed Idaho Water
Quality Standards at certain times of the year. In part, this is due to natural conditions, but has also
been affected by reductions of streamside shade and changes in channel morphology.
INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY
• Wate r Te m pe ratu re
• Canopy density in forested reaches
• Percent shade in non-forested reaches
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
FISH HABITAT
Vegetation treatments, temporary road construction, road reconstruction, road decommissioning, and
in-channel improvements may affect fish habitat short-term, especially considering cumulative effects
in the American and Crooked River watersheds.
Vegetation treatments in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) could affect fish habitat short-
term.
DEPOSITED SEDIMENT
Historically, increased sediment yield to the American and Crooked River watersheds has resulted in
high levels of deposited sediment in many streams, including mainstem American and Crooked
Rivers. The American and Crooked River watershed has been identified as a priority watershed for
anadromous fish. Existing roads produce continued sediment yields above the base (natural) rate,
reducing the ability of the watershed to recover to predevelopment conditions on its own. High levels
of deposited sediment reduce the biological carrying capacity for fish and other aquatic organisms and
quality of spawning habitat.
Short-term increases in sediment yield from proposed activities might contribute to degraded
substrate conditions and further reduce carrying capacity and quality of spawning habitat. Long-term
reduction in sediment yieid could result in long-term improvement of substrate conditions.
INDICATORS OF DEPOSITED SEDIMENT
• Cobble embeddedness
• Quality of summer and winter habitat carrying capacity as modeled by FISHSED
LARGE WOODY DEBRIS
Large woody debris in project area streams has been reduced by historical in-channel mining
activities, timber harvest in streamside zones, fire suppression, and construction of roads in
streamside zones. Many stream reaches in the project area have been identified as debris-deficient.
Large woody debris contributes to stream productivity, creates pools, provides hiding cover for fish,
and increases habitat complexity.
INDICATORS OF LARGE WOODY DEBRIS
• Estimated number of pieces of large wood in the channel following project activities
• Qualitative assessment of debris recruitment, cycling, and how the project could affect future
riparian health concerning this element.
POOLS HABITAT
With reduction in large woody debris, accelerated sediment yield, and impacts to stream channels
from instream mining activities, road encroachment and timber harvest, there are fewer high quality
pools in the American and Crooked River watersheds than would be expected under a more natural
scenario.
Some proposed activities may result in a short-term reduction in pool quality from increased sediment
yield. Other proposed activities may result in direct improvement in the number of pools. Long-term
sediment reduction may result in long-term improvement in pool quality.
Chapter 2
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
INDICATORS OF POOLS QUALITY
• Sediment yield (peak percent over natural or base rate), as it would affect sediment
deposition
• Pool: riffle ratios as a measure of existing condition
• Number of pools
WATER YIELD
Water yield specific to fish habitat is measured by Equivalent Clearcut Acres (EGA), the indicator here
of water yield. With increased timber harvest and road construction comes increased water yield.
Increased water yield can cause stream channel instability.
INDICATOR OF WATER YIELD
• EGA threshold
WATER QUALITY
Water quality from a fish habitat standpoint is measured by the amount of toxicants in the water.
Toxicants can be introduced as a result of fuel transport, storage, spillage, or use of herbicides near
water bodies, wetlands, and riparian zones.
INDICATOR OF Toxics
• Mitigated to discountable by Best Management Practices (BMP) and State Requirements
WATER TEMPERATURE
Water temperatures in the American and Crooked River watersheds currently exceed Idaho Water
Quality Standards at certain times of the year. This is due in part to natural conditions, but also has
been affected by reductions of streamside shade and changes in channel morphology.
INDICATOR OF WATER TEMPERATURE
• Riparian timber harvest and riparian planting (shade).
HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE
Existing conditions limit fish passage/connectivity by isolating fish populations and restricting
movement with undersized culverts.
INDICATOR OF HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE
• Culverts improved and additional miles of stream accessible.
FUEL REDUCTION EFFECTIVENESS
The effectiveness of the proposed activities for reducing fuels across the landscape has been
questioned. Many commenters stated that the most effective methods involve clearing trees and
brush away from structures. This has been proven to be an effective method of protecting inholdings
and structures, and this is already being done in the area. However, the intent of this project is to
reduce the effects of wildfire across the landscape. Many feel that there is no effective method to
reduce the effects of wildfire on the landscape other than to reduce road density (if a fire goes through
an area, removing the ground cover, the roads would intercept, transport and add to the sediment
reaching the streams). Some believe that thinning in lodgepole pine would tend to allow for greater
fire spread and severity and that dead trees may present less of a fire hazard than green live trees.
There are concerns that the proposed fuel hazard reduction activities would not reduce the effects of
large-scale fire.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
INDICATORS OF FUEL REDUCTION EFFECTIVENESS
• Area and distribution of fire regime
• Acres of fuel hazard reduction
2.2. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES
Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) states that all Federal agencies shall
"...study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives to recommended courses of action in any
proposal which involves unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses .of available resources".
These unresolved conflicts, identified by the Forest Service and the public, are the NEPA issues
related to the Proposed Action.
In addition to responding to unresolved conflicts, an environmental impact statement (EIS) must
"...rigorously explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives" [40 CFR 1502.14(a)]. The
courts have established that this direction does not mean that every conceivable alternative must be
considered, but that selection and discussion of alternatives must permit a reasoned choice and foster
informed decision making and informed public participation. Together, these requirements determine
the NEPA range of alternatives.
The alternatives considered in detail were developed in response to the significant issues, discussed
previously and are discussed below. Those that were considered but eliminated from detailed study
are also discussed below.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED STUDY
As the team worked with the scoping and project information that was available to fine tune our
response to the issues, and worked through the matrix of possible vegetative treatments, the following
alternatives were considered, but dismissed from detailed study.
"RESTORATION ONLY" AND/OR "NO TIMBER HARVEST"
Several respondents requested this alternative. This alternative would have considered implementing
watershed improvements, such as road decommissioning, improving stream crossings, etc. No fuel
reduction activities would be considered.
This alternative does not respond to the purpose and need of treating existing and potential fuel loads
to reduce the effects of potential large-scale wildfire and improving the safety and effectiveness of
firefighters in fire suppression activities.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE
Many commenters responded that reducing trees and brush within 200 feet of structures is a more
effective method of reducing fire effects.
A defensible space alternative was not evaluated under this analysis because this type of action is
currently being implemented in the American Crooked River Watersheds under the Crooked River
Demonstration Project Decision Memo, and the proposed Orogrande Defensible Space project (on file
at the Elk City Ranger Station, Red River Ranger District).
EXPANDED ACTION VIA ACCESS THROUGH THE ROADLESS AREA
Some commenters requested we consider alternatives that either constructed roads into the roadless
area to access the Kirks Fork and Box Sing Creeks, or requested fuels reduction in the roadless
areas. Roadless designation does not allow for temporary or road construction in these areas.
EXPANDED ACTION WITH ACCESS OUTSIDE OF ROADLESS AREA
It was suggested that treatments be concentrated in the wildland urban interface areas or the WUI
areas near the Elk City Township. To access WUI areas near the township at the Kirks Fork and Box
Chapter 2
Page 16
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Sing Creek areas, an alternate route was suggested that did not enter the roadless area. This route is
beyond the time and complexity of this analysis.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL
Five alternatives, including the No Action alternative, were considered in detail. A brief summary is
outlined below in Table 2-1: Alternatives Overview American River Watershed, and Table 2-2:
Alternatives Overview Crooked River Watershed. Superscript notes explain the activity at the end of
Table 2-2.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E - ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Alternative C was the proposed action and Alternatives B, D, and E respond to the significant issues
and are alternatives to the proposed action. Alternative D is the preferred alternative and is discussed
below in the section "Alternative D preferred alternative."
None of the action alternatives would treat fuels, harvest timber, or construct roads in allocated old
growth areas or inventoried roadless areas.
• There would be no new permanent roads constructed.
• Management activities in riparian areas would be minimized.
• Activities in high hazard landslide prone areas would be avoided.
• All action alternatives would address State of Idaho TMDL limiting factors and implement
watershed restoration activities designed to meet the Forest Plan requirements to establish an
upward trend in water quality and fish habitat conditions that are below current objectives.
• Each action alternative implements the restoration activities to meet Forest Plan requirements.
• Alternatives address the effectiveness of fuel reduction activities by providing a range of acres
treated.
• Action alternatives would maintain shade and large woody debris with PACFISH regulated
buffers.
Treatments would include roadside salvage within 100 feet of main haul roads and the design criteria
would be as follows:
• Roadside salvage would be limited to dead or dying trees, with no harvest of standing trees
more than 20 inches in diameter. (Windthrown trees would not be subject to the diameter
limit.)
• Salvage would be limited to areas adjacent to haul roads. No tree cutting or yarding would
occur in RHCAs or in allocated existing or replacement old growth.
• All yarding would be done from the road. Areas above steep cutslopes that cannot be
protected from yarding damage would be omitted from salvage. Yarding distance would not
exceed 100 feet.
• No more than 80 dead or dying trees per mile (approximately 8 trees/acre) could be
designated for cutting on each side of the road.
• Maximum opening size is one acre on each side of a road, or a maximum of 400 feet along the
road.
• Openings would be separated from other forest openings by at least 200 feet of pole size or
larger forest along the road, on both sides, to provide cover for wildlife crossing.
• Slash from salvage would be lopped and scattered, hand piled and burned in the woods, or
removed from the site at the discretion of the District Ranger considering the Forest objective
of maintaining less than 12 tons per acre of fine fuels.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• This component of the action would comply with all applicable design criteria developed for the
action as a whole.
• These design criteria are not intended to limit or interfere with brushing, clearing, or hazard
reduction activities associated with routine road maintenance.
Table 2.1: Alternatives in the American River Watershed, and Table 2.2: Alternatives in the Crooked
River Watershed displays the activities for all the action alternatives. See maps 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a,
4b, 5a, 5b of the alternatives for the proposed fuel reduction areas and Map 1.1 for the proposed
watershed improvement activities.
Table 2.1: Alternatives in the American River Watershed.
Proposed Activity - American River
Acres of
Treatment
Tractor Yard/Machine Pile
Cable Yard/Broadcast Burn
Roadside Salvage
Total Acres Treated
Percent Clearcut
Percent Partial Cut/Thin
Miles temporary road construction1
Miles road improvement2
AltB
409
175
135
719
41%
59%
3.6
31,4
AltC
482
239
151
872
41%
59%
8.1
32.0
AltD
729
239
137
1,105
32%
68%
8.1
35.1
AltE
283
79
138
500
15%
85%
1.9
30.4
Watershed Restoration Package Improvements
Miles of decommissioned roads3
Miles of Watershed Road Improvement
Number of sites of Watershed Road Improvement
Stream crossing improvements4
Miles of instream improvements
Miles of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Recreation & Trail improvements
Acres of Mine Site Reclamation
Acres of Soil Restoration
Access change for vehicle use - motorized trail use
(ATV) to restricted use (snowmobiles over snow)5
Access change for vehicle use - road to trail6
5,9
6.6
0
3.
0
2.2
0
0
5
0
0
8.1
6.6
0
3
0
2.2
0
0
8
0
0
9.2
6.6
0
3
0
2.2
0
0
9
0
0
20.2
6.6
0
10
0
3.0
0
0
21
0
0
Temporary roads would be decommissioned within one to three years of construction.
Road improvement covers a range of activities, such as surface blading, drainage repair, and roadway brushing with
occasional culvert installations, slump repairs, and stabilization work. Road improvements stated in this table are not to be
considered or confused with routine road maintenance that may include but not limited to road prism brushing, clearing or
hazard reduction activities.
Road decommissioning for this project covers a range of activities, from recontouring to abandonment due to grown in
conditions. See Appendix F
4
Stream crossing improvements include upgrading or improving culverts and bridges to improve fish passage and peak
water flows and are listed as the number of sites.
This is an access change, which restricts use to two wheeled vehicles or snowmobiles over snow, from previous all terrain
vehicle use (AW).
This is an access change of miles of roads to trails use.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2.2: Alternatives in the Crooked River Watershed.
Proposed Activity - Crooked River | Alt B
Acres of
Treatment
Tractor Yard/Machine Pile 729
Cable Yard/Broadcast Burn
Roadside Salvage
Total Acres Treated
Percent Clearcut
Percent Partial Cut/Thin
Miles temporary road construction1
Miles road improvement2
770
332
1,831
43%
57%
4.4
58.2
AltC
690
856
326
1,872
43%
57%
6.2
45.8
AltD
968
329
2,300
35%
65%
6.2
59.9
AltE
701
337
1,656
32%
68%
3.5
64.1
Watershed Restoration Package Improvements
Miles of decommissioned roads3
Miles of Watershed Road Improvement
Number of sites of Watershed Road
Improvement
Stream crossing
improvements4
Miles of instream improvements
Miles of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Mine Site Reclamation
Acres of Soil Restoration
Access change for vehicle use - motorized trail
use (ATV) to restricted use (snowmobiles over
snow)5
Access change for vehicle use - road to trail0
9.0
8.6
\ \ 1
7
15.2
0.7
0
7
13
1.0
1.5
9.8
9.2
, 3\
\ 7
15.8
0.7
4
7
18
1.0
1.5
9.8
9.2
3
9
15:8
0.7
4
7
23
1.0
1.5
17.3
17.2
3
24
23.8
1.8
4
9
37
1.0
1.5
Appendix H contains a detailed description of all the treatment types by unit by alternative. This is
summarized above in Table 2.1: Alternatives in the American River Watershed and Table 2.2:
Alternatives in the Crooked River Watershed. The vegetation section in Chapter 3 contains an
explanation of the existing conditions and environmental consequences of these alternatives.
General information on the developed alternatives is below.
1 Temporary roads would be decommissioned within one to three years of construction.
2 Road improvement covers a range of activities, such as surface blading, drainage repair, and roadway brushing with
occasional culvert installations, slump repairs, and stabilization work. Road improvements stated in this table are not to be
considered or confused with routine road maintenance that may include but not limited to road prism brushing, clearing, or
hazard reduction activities.
3 Road decommissioning for this project covers a range of activities, from recontouring to abandonment due to grown in
conditions. See Appendix F
4 Stream crossing improvements include upgrading or improving culverts and bridges to improve fish passage and peak
water flows and are listed as the number of sites.
5 This is an access change, which restricts use to two wheeled vehicles or snowmobiles over snow, from previous all terrain
vehicle use (AW).
6 This is an access change of miles of roads to trails use.
Chapter 2
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION
Both Forest Service and the CEQ regulations require the development of the No Action alternative.
This alternative serves as the baseline for comparison of the effects of all action alternatives.
Under this alternative, there would be no change in current management direction or in the level of
ongoing management activities within the project area. No fuel reduction or watershed improvement
activities would be implemented. Work previously planned within and/or adjacent to the project area
would still occur under this alternative (Chapter 3; Table 3-0, Projects considered for cumulative
effects).
ALTERNATIVE B - REDUCED ACTION
This alternative was developed in response to concerns that the proposed action was treating too
many acres. This alternative treats 2,550 acres. It contains the watershed improvement activities
described in Appendix D and summarized above that would provide for an upward trend in fish habitat
and water quality.
ALTERNATIVE C - PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action was developed to respond to the purpose and need and was scoped in June
2003. This alternative would reduce existing and potential fuel loads through removing dead and
dying lodgepole pine and live ladder fuels. It would treat 2,744 acres. It would also implement
watershed improvement activities that would provide for an upward trend in fish habitat and water
quality.
ALTERNATIVE D - PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
The preferred alternative was developed in response to significant issues raised by the public. This
alternative looks at more possibilities along roads than the proposed action. It would treat 3,405
acres. Entry into mixed conifer stands is included to meet the economic objective. It would also
implement watershed improvement activities that would provide for an upward trend in fish habitat and
water quality.
ALTERNATIVE E - AQUATIC IMPROVEMENT
This alternative proposes activities that would reduce impacts to soils and aquatics in the American
and Crooked River watersheds. It reduces ground-disturbing activities and includes the most
comprehensive watershed improvement package. This alternative addresses the soils and aquatics
issues beyond what would be required to attain an upward trend. It contains the maximum aquatics
improvements package. It would treat 2,156 acres. The economic impact of this alternative is
discussed in Chapter 3, section 3.12.
2.3. MITIGATION, MONITORING, COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES &
OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
The rest of this chapter discusses the design and mitigation measures, the monitoring plan that would
apply to all action alternatives. A comparison of alternatives and a summary of how each alternative
meets objectives for this project. The action alternatives are designed to have minimal long-term
detrimental impacts and substantial long-term beneficial impacts on the environment. Short-term
impacts may be minimized through mitigations measures. The following table outlines the project
design and mitigation measure. This list is not all-inclusive as the Forest Plan standards are
incorporated by reference.
Project design measures are applied prior to and during activity implementation to reduce potential
impacts to resources (Table 2.3: Mitigation Measures).
Chapter 2
Page 20
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Project design measures, mitigation measures, and Best Management Practices have been
incorporated into the action alternatives with the intent of preventing or reducing adverse impacts to
resources.
The comparison section summarizes and compares the alternatives based on the indicators identified
for each significant issue and how well the alternatives meet the purpose and need (Table 2.4:
Alternative in the American and Crooked Rivers Project and Table 2.5: Action Alternatives
Comparison Summary), are also in this chapter.
Chapter 2
Page 21
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temporary road crossings, instream habitat improvements, and to facilitate
anchoring of cable yarding systems.
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allowing them to burn into the RHCA.
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Landslide prone areas are also considered Riparian Habitat Conservation Ai
(RHCAs). No timber1 harvest would dccur in areas of high landslide hazard,
described in (1) above: Timber harvest or fuel reduction in areas of moderal
landslide risk would be modified as needed to protect slope stability. Areas <
moderate landslide risk may require somd restriction of harvest intensity of li
trees (basal area reductibn), including site-specific tree marking or adjustme
the burning prescriptipn to protect larger residual trees! If additional, unmap
landslide prone areas are found during project implementation, activities woi
be modified., \ \ \
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Planned activities would be modified in any proposed timber harvest or fuel
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from past human-caused disturbance. The planned activities in that unit would be
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completion of activities). Site-specific review of treatment units prior to
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Yarding of tops and limbs would be minimized to maintain soil nutrients (especi
potassium) on sites where excessive slash would not be a fuel concern. If yard
tops and limbs is needed to meet fuel reduction objectives, the preference is foi
removal of excess slash larger than 3 inches for burning at landings and retainil
finer slash on the unit.
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Winter harvesting would only occur during frozen conditions. Frozen conditions
defined as greater than 4 inches of frozen ground, a barrier of snow greater tha
two feet in depth (unpacked snow), or one foot in depth (packed snow).
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Timber harvest, fuel reduction, and soil and stream restoration activities would 1
limited when soils are wet, such that resource damage may occur, to reduce
rutting, displacement and erosion.
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Skid trails, landings, and yarding corridors would be Ideated and designated to
minimize the area of detrimental soil effects. Tractor skid trails would be spacei
to 120 feet apart, except where converging on landings, to reduce the area of
detrimental soil disturbance. This does not preclude the use of feller bunchers i
soil impacts can remain within standards.
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On excavator piled units, additional trail construction would be minimized,
machines would be restricted to existing trails as much as possible, number of
passes would be minimized, and excavator piling would be minimized, to reducf
soil compaction.
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Cable systems would use one-end or full suspension wherever possible to
minimize soil disturbance.
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Excavated skid trails and excavated landings would be scarified and recontoure
restdre slope hydrology and soil productivity. The Forest soil scientist may waiv
this mHigation when restoration would compound negative impacts;
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Areas of intact functioning ripaNan vegetation would be retained where possible
during stream restoration vyork.
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Soil restoration areas would be stabilized within 14 days of completing work, usi
erosion barriers, mulch, slash, and revegetation as needed.
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bv contract administrator or Forest soil scientist, to restore soil permeability.
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Sediment and erosion control measures such as dewatering culverts, sedirm
barriers, rocking road surfaces and/or ditches, etc., would be used as neede
constructing, reconstructing, and decommissioning roads to protect fish habi
water quality.
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Activities would be conducted in fish bearing streams between July 1 and At
to avoid sediment deposition on emerging steelhead or Chinook redds, or
disturbance to bull trout moving to natal streams. These dates may be site-
specifically adjusted through coordination with Central Idaho Level I team re1
and approval.
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Stream crossing structures would provide for channel width, flow velocities,
substrate condition, and stream gradients that approximate the natural chani
accommodate passage of streamflbw, debris, fish, and other aquatic organis
When designing new structures, consider and give preference to open-botto
arches, bridges and oversized culverts.
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During instream habitat improvemerit activities, tree felling in RHCAs would i
only where that activity would not affect Riparian Management Objectives fo
and woody debris recruitment. Wood fbr instream placement would be takei
outside the RHCA wherever feasible.
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Prior tb instream habitat improvemerit activities, heavy equipment would be
inspected to assure no leakage bf oil, fuel, or hydraulic fluid:
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1 he State of Idaho Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Forest Service Soil
Water Conservation Practices (SWCPs) would be applied. These are incorporat
by reference.
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Coordination would minimize conflict with winter hauling on roads used as groom
snowmobile routes.
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I rails 8^0, 832, 838, 844, 848, and others as identified, would be protected durin
activities.
Designate all system trails as Protected Improvements in the Timber Sale Contra
No skidding across trails, except over snow, fall trees away from trails^ cut stump
less than 12" in height within 100 feet of trails, leave regeneration within 100 feet
trails to create a visual buffer between treatment areas and trails, construct firelin
to protect the regeneration buffer and trail during slash treatment, and trails are n
to be used a firelines.
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Prescribed burning would be conducted over several years to reduce the amount
smoke in any one year. Priority in scheduling would be given to units accessed b
temporary roads scheduled for decommissioning
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Additional restrictions, beyond those imposed by the smoke management-
monitoring unit, would be considered for prescribed burning for local air quality
reasons, including visual.
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Effectiveness
Implementation Method
Project Design and Mitigation Measure
*
Wildlife
Moderate; based on
past experience
NEPA project design,
silviculture prescription, field
prep, and contract
administration/inspection.
Should any of the following be sighted in the project area during project
implementation, the Unit biologist would be notified: lynx or a lynx den, bald eagle,
new wolf den or rendezvous site, active goshawk nest. Appropriate protection
measures would be implemented.
^t
Moderate; based on
IDFG, etal, 1995,
State Conservation
Effort
Field prep, contract and
contract administration/
inspection
Should an active goshawk nest be discovered within a 450 feet distance of timber
harvest or fuel reduction activities, the nest tree will be protected, as well as a 1 0-1 5
acre no-treatment buffer area around the nest tree, as designated by the unit
biologist to provide for foraging and nesting sites.
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field prep.
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Moderate, based on
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Field preparation, NEPA
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Snags and snag replacement green trees would be retained in numbers consistent
with Regional Guidelines (Appendix F). This would comply with LCAS for lynx
protection
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Moderate, based on
past experience
and local habitat
relationships
NEPA project design,
silviculture prescription, burn
plans, field prep, and
contract administration.
Timing of prescribed burning would be coordinated with the unit biologist,
silviculhjrist, and fuels management specialist to achieve objectives and reduce
impacts to species during important reproductive and natal period, as well as other
resources.
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High; based on
monitoring data and
past experience.
Contract and contract
administration/inspection
The integrity of existing access management restrictions would be maintained within
the planning area for wildlife security purposes. Current access management
restrictions would apply to fexistirig reconstructed roads after implementation of
activities to maintain or improve existing access and wildlife security. No contractor
or their representatives may use motorized vehicles to hunt or trap animals on a
restricted road.
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achieve a "no
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historic properties or sites would be avoided or protected.
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Moderate base
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listoric properties are discovered during implementation of activ
op in compliance with 36 CFR 800.1 1 .
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onal cultural resources are discovered during project operation
ng activities would be halted until such cultural materials can bi
jnted and evaluated by the Forest Archaeologist in compliance
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md non-native plant species, as approved by the Forest botanii
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tick, a Region 1 sensitive plant species, occurs in some manag
ive lodgepole are associated with candystick, groups of live lod
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mplementatidn, if activities Vyould impact previously unknown si
currences, appropriate protection measures would be impleme
late measures will vary depending upon the ecology of the spe
tire of the proposed action and would be directed by a botanist.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2.4: Alternatives in the American and Crooked River Project.
Proposed Activity - Total Project
Acres of
Treatment
Tractor Yard/Machine Pile
Cable Yard/Broadcast Burn
Roadside Salvage
Total Acres Treated
Percent Clearcut
Percent Partial Cut/Thin
Miles temporary road construction'
Miles road improvement
AltB
1,138
945
467
2,550
42%
58%
8.0
89,6
AltC
1,095
477
2,744
42%
58%
14.3
77.8
1,207
466
3,405
34%
66%
14.3
95.0
780
475
2,156
28%
72%
5.4
94.5
Watershed Restoration Package Improvements
Miles of decommissioned roadsj
Miles of Watershed Road Improvement
Number of sites of Watershed Road
Improvement
Stream crossing improvements4
Miles of instream improvements
Miles of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Recreation and Trail improvements
Acres of Mine Site Reclamation
Acres of Soil Restoration
Access change for vehicle use - motorized trail
use (ATV) to restricted use (miles)5
Access change for vehicle use - road to trail"
14.9
15.2
A
10
15,2
2.9
0
7
18
1.0
1.5
17.9
15.8
3
10
15£
2.9
4
7
26
1.0
1.5
19.0
15.8
3
12
15.8
2.9
4
7
32
1.0
1.5
37.5
23.8
3
34
23.8
4.8
4
9
58
1.0
1.5
1 Temporary roads would be decommissioned within one to three years of construction.
2 Road improvement covers a range of activities, such as surface blading, drainage repair, and roadway brushing with
occasional culvert installations, slump repairs, and stabilization work. Road improvements stated in this table are not to
be considered or confused with routine road maintenance that may include but not limited to road prism brushing,
clearing, or hazard reduction activities.
3 Road decommissioning for this project covers a range of activities, from recontouring to abandonment due to grown in
conditions. See Appendix F
4 Stream crossing improvements include upgrading or improving culverts and bridges to improve fish passage and peak
•water flows and are listed as the number of sites.
5 This is an access change, which restricts use to two wheeled vehicles or snowmobiles over snow, from previous all
terrain vehicle use (ATV).
6 This is an access change of miles of roads to trails use.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 2.5: Action Alternatives Comparison Summary
(Related to Significant Issues and Purpose and Need of the Project)
Alternative
B
Alternative
C
Alternative
D
Significant Issues from Public Scoping
Hazardous Fuels1
Water Quality and Fish Habitat2
**
***
***
**
****
* *
Elements of Purpose and Need Not Covered Above
Forest Health3
Socio-Economic Effects4
**
it-it
ititit
ititit
it it it it
itititit
Alternative
E
*
****
it
it
*- Least Responsive
**** - Most Responsive
1 Hazardous fuel reduction effectiveness ranking considers total acres of treated fuels and location factors
related to landscape patterns and proximity to additional completed and proposed actions on adjacent lands
and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
Ranking considers short-term disturbance effects combined with net long term trends in fish habitat
potential and water quality. All action alternatives meet Forest Plan Standards.
3 Ranking considers the number of acres with silvicultural prescriptions designed to meet the long-term
vegetative objectives of the project.
4 Ranking considers direct socio/economic effects.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES OF IMPLEMENTING THE ALTERNATIVES
3.0. INTRODUCTION
3.1. SOILS
3.2. WATERSHED
3.3. FISHERIES
3.4. FIRE
3.5. AIR QUALITY
3.6. RECREATION
3.7. WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
3.8. TRANSPORTATION
3.9. HERITAGE
3.10. VEGETATION
3.11. WILDLIFE
3.12. SOCIO-ECONOMIQ
3.13. WILDERNESS, INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREAS,
AND AREAS WITH POSSIBLE UNROADED CHARACTERISTICS
3.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the environmental components that may be affected by implementation of
the proposed action or an alternative to the proposed action in the American and Crooked River
project area. This chapter also describes the environmental consequences of implementing these
alternatives and displays the direct, indirect, cumulative, irreversible and irretrievable effects by
indicator for each resource.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The existing condition describes the baseline condition against which environmental effects can be
evaluated and from which progress toward the desired condition can be measured. Data and
analysis are commensurate with the importance of the possible impacts.
Environmental consequences form the scientific and analytical basis for comparison of
alternatives, including the proposed action, through compliance with Forest Plan standards and a
summary of monitoring required by NEPA and NFMA. The discussion centers on direct, indirect,
and cumulative effects along with applicable mitigation measures, irreversible and irretrievable
effects are also discussed for each resource indicator. Effects of the action can be neutral,
beneficial or adverse. These terms are defined as follows:
Direct effects are caused by the action and occur at the same time and place.
Indirect effects are caused by the action and are later in time or further removed in distance, but
are still reasonably foreseeable.
Cumulative effects are those that result from the incremental impact of the action when added to
other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.
Irreversible effects are permanent or essentially permanent resource use or losses; they cannot
be reversed, except in the extreme long-term. Examples of irreversible effects include minerals
that have been extracted or soil productivity that has been lost.
Irretrievable effects are losses of productivity or use for a period of time; one example is road
construction on suitable timber lands. Timber growth on the land is irretrievably lost while the land
is used as a road, but the timber resource is not irreversibly lost because the land could grow trees
again in the near future.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS
Cumulative effects are discussed for each indicator under each resource. The cumulative effects
analysis area will vary for each resource. Past activities (including grazing, timber harvest, road
building, prescribed fire, stream and meadow restoration in the American and Crooked River
Wildlife Management Area, etc.) are considered part of the existing condition and are covered
under that section. Table 3.0 displays the recently past, current (or present), ongoing or
reasonably foreseeable future activities within the American and Crooked River watersheds, as
well as in the adjacent watershed that are reasonably foreseeable within, or adjacent to,'the
American and Crooked River watersheds.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table 3.0 - Projects considered for cumulative effects within and adjacent
American and Crooked River Project Area.
to the
Project
Blanco Burn1
Lower Red River
Meadows Restoration 1
Red River Roadside
Hazard
Noxious Weed Program
Crooked River Mining
Activity
EMC - Newsome
Nez Perce Tribe
Watershed
improvement projects
(ongoing)
Crooked River Channel
Maintenance
Starbucky
20-21
806
Red River Road
Surfacing
Otterwing TS
Blue Ridge Ridge2
McComas meadow
burning2
South Fork Corridor
Whiskey South
Upper Red River
Mill Creek
Upper Newsome
Location
Blanco and Lower
Main Stem of Red
River
13 sites along
FDR 22, 234,
1182, 1150
Forest wide
Tribal restoration
projects on the
Nez Perce lands
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
Campbell Creek
Forest Service and
BLM
Tribal restoration
projects on the
Nez Perce
•Tribal restoration
projects on the
Nez Perce
Tribal restoration
projects on the
Nez Perce
Activity
1 ,000 acres of rehabilitation
Pruning, precommercial thinning, brush
and sapling removal to create defensible
space within 200 feet of structures on FS
land.
Spot treatments of herbicide applications
Placer Mining
Placer Mining
Improving road surface - graveling and
grading work
200 yards of channel restoration
Timber Sale
Defensible space burning project
Defensible space burning project
T.S.
Prescribed burning project
Prescribed burning project
Prescribed burning project
Treating fuels, creating fuelbreaks, timber
sale and reading
Culvert replacement
Culvert replacement
Culvert replacement
Time Period
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
1 Above the mouth of Crooked/American - Upper South Fork
2 Below the mouth of Crooked/American - Upper South Fork
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Project
School District Timber
Sale
Tract 39 (Land
Exchange - FS land for
Seminal Tribe lands)
Blacktail 2
Meadow Face2
Red River DSP
Orogrande DSP
Newsome Townsite
DSP
Crooked River
Demonstration
Red Pines EIS
Slims fireline
restoration1
Templeton
Genesis
Booger
Eastside Township
Projects
Aquatic Restoration
Projects
Lucky Marble
East Fork Crooked
River Bridge
Bullied Grouse
Bennett Logging
Logging on Private
Land
Hungry Mill2
Location
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
Forest Service
BLM
BLM
FS
Private land
Activity
Timber removal on approximately 16
acres
Fuel reduction followed by-a'Rx burn
Defensible space burning project
Defensible space burning project
Defensible space burning project
Catastrophic fireline restoration
Suction Dredging
Suction Dredging
Suction Dredging
Fuels work
New bridge construction
Timber removal on approximately 640
acres and reading
Timber removal on approximately 1 00
acres and reading
Time Period
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Current
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Past
Foreseeable
Future
Past
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Foreseeable
Future
Past
Past
Past
Chapter 3
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
The discussion of affected environment and environmental consequences is organized by
resource. Under each resource, the existing conditions are described for each indicator, followed
by the environmental effects discussion, by indicator for each alternative.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.1. SOILS
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The scope of the analysis for soils, including landslide risk, includes the American River and
Crooked River watersheds. Each of the two watersheds will be addressed separately.
The temporal bounds for soil and displacement effects are 70 years or more based on recovery
curves developed on the Payette National Forest (Froelich et al., 1985), Geist et al., 1989 as cited
in Page-Dumroese, 1993, and pre-project monitoring completed in 2002 for the Meadow Face
Stewardship project and the Red River Watershed Assessment (USDA FS, 2003). Results from
this field monitoring indicate little recovery over 30 to 50 years.
Soil erosion may decline to negligible within five years on burned and harvested areas. Mass
wasting is considered to affect soil productivity for 20 years or more, until soil organic matter
accumulates and colluvium fills in channels scoured by debris torrents.
Temporal bounds for potassium effects are indefinite since rates of geologic input of potassium are
very slow in Belt-age metamorphic rocks susceptible to potassium loss.
Temporal bounds for road-related effects are indefinite, because roads may continue to erode and
produce sediment throughout their life.
Temporal bounds for large woody debris effects are 172 to 573 years, the time needed to develop
a new stand, generate mortality in mature trees, and then see them fall and decay into soil wood
(Harvey etal., 1987).
Soil productivity is the inherent capacity of a soil to support the growth of specified plants, plant
communities, and soil biota. Soil also performs an important role in hydrologic function: the ability
of the soil to absorb, store, and transmit water both vertically and horizontally. Elements selected
and indicators to evaluate and compare the alternatives in regard to soil productivity are associated
with soil physical, chemical, and biological properties.
SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
INDICATORS INCLUDE:
SOIL COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT
ACRES OF GROUND BASED LOGGING AND/OR MACHINE PILING ON SOILS HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE
TO COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT (USDA FOREST SERVICE, 1987, PAGE-DUMROESE, 1993)
• Acres of system and temporary road construction
SURFACE AND SUBSTRATUM EROSION
• Acres of harvest on soils rated as high hazard for surface soil erosion (USDA Forest
Service, 1987)
• Acres of road system or temporary road construction on soil substrata rated as high hazard for
erosion (USDA Forest Service, 1987)
MASS EROSION
• Acres of harvest and road construction on terrain rated high for landslide hazard
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
• Activity acres estimated to not meet current or amended Forest Plan standard number 2 upon
completion of activities, including any mitigation and restoration
SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
INDICATORS INCLUDE:
INDICATORS OF SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN LOSS
• Potassium - Acres of harvest with more than 50 percent crown removal on metamorphic
rock types susceptible to potassium deficiency.
• Nitrogen - Acres of harvest with more than 50 percent crown removal on any rock type.
INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL LOSS OF LARGE WOOD
Acres of clearcut harvest and slash disposal
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Multiple Use-Sustained Yield Act of 1960 directs the Forest Service to achieve and maintain
outputs of various renewable resources in perpetuity without permanent impairment of the land's
productivity.
Section 6 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 charges the Secretary of Agriculture with
ensuring research and continuous monitoring of each management system to safeguard the land's
productivity.
The Code of Regulations for Forest Planning (36 CFR 200.1, 1987) requires the Forest Service to
measure effects of prescriptions, including "significant changes in land productivity". To comply
with requirements, the Chief of the Forest Service charged each Forest Service Region to develop
soil quality standards for detecting soil disturbances indicating a loss in long-term productive
potential. These standards are built into Forest Plans and into Regional Soil Quality Guidelines.
The Nez Perce Forest Plan directs us to manage soil and water resources at levels designed to
meet Forest management objectives for watersheds. The delineation, management, and
protection of landslide prone areas and wetland soils are addressed in Forest Plan Amendment 20
(PACFISH). "Best management practices" shall be applied to all land-disturbing activities,
including prevention of soil erosion during land management activities. The Plan additionally
directs that we manage the soil resource such that the potential for soil productivity is maintained
through the following standards:
1. Evaluate the potential for compaction, puddling, mass wasting, and soil erosion for all
ground-disturbing activities,
2. Ensure that a minimum of 80 percent of an activity area (such as a timber harvest unit) is
not detrimentally compacted, displaced, or puddled upon completion of activities
3. Maintain sufficient ground cover to minimize rill erosion and sloughing on road cut and fill
slopes and sheet erosion on other activity areas (Nez Perce Forest Plan II-22).
Regional Soil Quality Guidelines (USDS FS, 1999) direct us to manage National Forest System
lands without permanent impairment of land productivity and to maintain or improve soil quality.
For the two watershed project areas, the Forest Plan soil standards will apply without amendment.
Any harvest unit found to exceed the 20 percent detrimental disturbance threshold from past
human-caused activities will not be entered, unless additional impacts do not result in any increase
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in
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
in area of detrimental disturbance. Where past human-caused activities have resulted „,
detrimental disturbance below 20 percent, cumulative impacts upon completion of activities
proposed for this project must not exceed 20 percent.
Detrimental disturbance is defined as a 15 percent increase in natural bulk density, wheel ruts at
least 2 inches deep in wet soils, removal of 1 or more inches depth of any surface soil horizon
from a continuous area greater than 100 square feet, high intensity burns of long duration that alter
soil physical and biological properties, and rills, gullies, pedestals and soil deposition indicative of
detrimental surface erosion (USDA FS, 1999).
ANALYSIS METHODS
Baseline conditions and ecosystem processes are derived from ecological land unit mapping and
limited field reconnaissance. Soil susceptibility to compaction, displacement, and erosion was
inferred from soil survey map units (USDA FS, 1987), and field reconnaissance for this project.
Soil compaction and displacement was inferred from areas that have been tractor logged and
dozer piled, as documented in the Timber Stand Management Record System, and through photo
interpretation or field reconnaissance. The linkage between tractor operation, machine piling and
soil compaction, displacement, and soil productivity is established through scientific research
(Cullen et al., 1991, Froelich et al., 1983) and Forest monitoring (USDA FS, 1988b, 1990, 1992
1999 and 2003D).
Sensitivity to soil potassium and nitrogen loss was estimated using the work of Garrison and
Moore, 1998.
Susceptibility to mass wasting was estimated using forest protocols described in (USDA FS reports
on file at Forest Headquarters, 1996 and 2002).
3.1.1. AMERICAN RIVER
EXISTING CONDITION - AMERICAN RIVER
INTRODUCTION
The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (USDA FS, 1998) identifies "Restore
aquatic processes" as the area theme for the American River watershed within which the project
area occurs. The priority is high for American River. Restoration is to include both restoration of
aquatic conditions and processes in the watershed and adjustments to the road and trail system to
support aquatic restoration and provide for administrative and public uses and maintain wildlife
security. Soil resource management affects aquatic processes primarily through erosion mass
wasting, and soil compaction or disturbance that affects subsurface slope hydrology.
GEOLOGY. SOIL DEVELOPMENT. AND LANDFORMS
Rocks weather to form soil parent material; and soil texture, chemistry, and resistance to erosion
are highly conditioned by geology.
Metamorphic rocks or their derivatives comprise 97 percent of the rock types in the watershed
Belt-age metamorphic rocks: gneiss, schist, and quartzite, weather to sandy loam, loamy sand, or
sand parent materials and develop into soil parent materials that are rated moderate to high for
substratum erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987). Tertiary sediments and other alluvium are important
in the American River Township, and are stratified sediments derived from the same geologic
materials. They typically weather into soil parent materials that are rated moderate to high for
substratum erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987). These materials typically have low levels of inherent
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
nutrients and moderate to poor ability to retain nutrients (Garrison and Moore, 1998). Potassium
deficiencies noted in these rock types can affect tree growth and susceptibility to root disease.
Granitics comprise about 3 percent of the project area. They are higher in certain nutrients,
including potassium, but weather to sandy soils with low ability to retain nutrients. They typically
weather into soil parent materials that are rated high to very high for substratum erosion hazard
(USDAFS, 1987).
Most soils in the project area have surface layers formed in volcanic ash-influenced loess derived
from the eruption of Mt. Mazama about 6700 years ago. This material is physically highly favorable
to root growth, being very permeable and with a high ability to hold moisture and nutrients. This
material is very easy to compact or displace at any moisture content (Page-Dumroese, 1993), and
is essentially irreplaceable without volcanic additions.
Soil response to disturbance depends not only on soil type, but topographic setting and slope
hydrology. Landforms have characteristic slope shape, steepness, and stream dissection, which
affect erosion and sediment delivery to streams.
. Rolling hills of low to moderate relief dominate the watershed at lower and mid elevations
(80 percent of the watershed). The volcanic ash influenced soil surface layers buffer
against erosion except where soil substrata are exposed, as in roads or mines. Substratum
erosion hazard is moderate to high. Slopes are gentle to moderate and sediment is
delivered to streams with moderate efficiency. Unstable slopes are uncommon, and
typically occur as small areas on lower slopes or near stream headlands. West and south
facing slopes at low elevation may have thin or mixed ash surface layers. These soils do
not hold moisture as well as ash-influenced soils and are more liable to surface erosion.
• Stream breaklands and steep mountain slopes are of limited extent in the watershed (8
percent). In comparison to rolling hills, breaklands have steep slopes, shallower soils, thin
or mixed loess surface layers, higher surface erosion risk, higher risk of mass failure, and
more rapid delivery of sediment to streams. Debris torrents can occur in headwater
channels after intense rainstorms or rain-on-snow events.
• Convex slopes are found at upper elevations (5 percent of the area). In comparison to
rolling hills, convex slopes have broader ridges, lower drainage density, and bedrock is
usually deeply fractured; Volcanic ash surface layers are typically present and buffer
against surface erosion. Substratum erosion hazard is high. Slopes are gentle to moderate
and sediment is delivered to streams with low efficiency. Unstable slopes are uncommon,
and typically occur as small areas on lower slopes or near stream headlands.
• Alluvial valleys form along low gradient stream channels (3 percent of the watershed). Soils
are often poorly drained and subject to water transport most of the year. Substrata are
coarse sands with gravel and cobble. Some have been dredge mined and only coarse
mine spoils remain. Sediment delivery efficiency is very high (USDA FS, 1987); most of
this landform is a riparian area.
EXISTING CONDITION - AMERICAN RIVER: SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT
Road building, mining, tractor logging, and machine piling have heavily impacted soils in American
River.
Mining effects have been localized but severe: soils in dredge and placer-mined areas have been
removed, and sterile tailing piles remain. Soil recovery has been very slow and some of these
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
areas still act as sediment sources. A minimum of 307 acres of this condition occurs in the
analysis area.
About 11,314 acres (19 percent of the watershed) have been tractor logged and/or machine piled
resulting in soil compaction and displacement over some of that area. Where the volcanic ash
surface layer is compacted, displaced or mixed, soil moisture holding capacity is significantly
impaired (USDA FS, 1999b). Harvest units that were tractor logged and dozer piled average 52
percent of the activity area damaged in the adjacent Red River watershed (USDA FS, 2003), which
has similar landforms and soils. Units that were tractor logged and broadcast burned in that
watershed averaged 38 percent damaged (USDA Forest Service, 2003). Units that were tractor
logged, but not dozer piled or scarified, sustained 12-42 percent damage. Other monitoring data
indicate 15-25 percent damage for this tractor logging without machine piling (USDA Forest
Service, 1990 and 1991). Excavator piling has been documented on 250 acres in American River.
This is usually less impactive than dozer piling, i)Ut can still sometimes result in more than 20
percent detrimental disturbance. An estimate of total soil damage from ground-based logging is 35
percent of the total area tractor logged, or 3960 acres.
About 778 acres of cable yarding have occurred in American River. Soil damage is usually
confined to yarding corridors and landings, and accounts for about 4 percent of the activity area
based on monitoring in other areas (USDA FS, 2003).
Road construction also displaces soil, with long-term to permanent impairment of soil productivity.
About 860 acres of documented system roads occur where topsoil and subsoil have been
displaced, mixed, or lost to erosion. This represents about 1.5 percent of the analysis area.
Additional undocumented non-system roads occur in the Elk City Township.
Motorized and non-motorized trails account for an estimated 65 acres of soil disturbance. Soils are
both compacted and displaced. Numerous undocumented user-created ATV trails exist, which add
to the amount of detrimental disturbance in the project area.
SURFACE AND SUBSTRATUM EROSION
Past mining has caused locally severe erosion of both surface soil and substrata, often
concentrated in valleys where eroded material can reach streams: American River, Little and Big
Elk Creeks, and Buffalo Gulch (USDA FS, 1998). A minimum of 307 acres has been affected by
dredge mining. Other upland mine sediment sources also exist, where soils have been displaced.
Past fires have resulted in locally severe surface erosion, but post-fire erosion typically declines to
negligible with vegetation recovery in about 4 years (Megahan, cited in USDA FS, 1981, and Elliot
and Robichaud and Brown, 1999 as shown in Elliot and Robichaud, 2001). The most recent large
fire occurred in 1919 in the watershed. This fire burned about 24,000 acres or 41 percent of the
watershed. This was also the largest documented fire in American River. Other large fires burned
in 1878, 1889, and 1910. Human ignitions may have been a factor in these fires, but 1889, 1910,
and 1919 were severe fire years throughout the region (Barrett et al., 1997).
Surface erosion from timber harvest has been slight. The volcanic ash-influenced surface soil is
rated as low surface erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987) and occurs over more than 75 percent of
the project area. Excavated skid trails and temporary roads are prone to erosion because the
surface soil is removed. About 507 acres have been harvested in the past on soils with high
surface erosion potential. These are on steep slopes, usually on south aspects, or in riparian
areas where soil is readily detached and transported by water. Harvest has occurred on 510 acres
on soils with moderate surface erosion hazard. They are usually on steep slopes on north aspects.
Surface erosion on harvest units typically declines to negligible over time, except for some
landings, excavated skid trails, and temporary roads that remain on the landscape (USDA FS
1981).
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Motorized and non-motorized trails account for 65 acres of soil disturbance, susceptible to surface
and subsurface erosion. Thirty-five acres are on soil substrata rated high for erosion hazard.
Numerous undocumented user-created ATV trails exist in addition to the system trails, and add
disproportionately to the amount of erosion in the project area, because they may go straight up
slopes or cross creeks, and have no erosion controls. They are often gullied or rutted.
Road building is the primary current source of erosion and sediment production in the project area.
Forty-two percent of the watershed is rated high for substratum erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987).
About 251 acres of past road construction (about 63 miles) are on soil substrata that are rated high
for erosion hazard Road erosion and sediment yield usually decline over time, but continue at a
chronic level indefinitely (USDA FS 1981). Periodic large pulses of erosion may occur during
intense or prolonged rainstorms or rain-on-snow events, or after burning or harvest that increases
water yield and overland flow in interaction with road drainage systems (Wemple, 1994).
MASS EROSION
Mass erosion is the movement of large bodies of soil under the effect of gravity. Movement may
be accelerated by high moisture levels, undercutting of toe slopes, or loss of tree rooting strength,
among other factors (Chatwin et al., 1991). Landslides here include slumps, creep, debris
avalanches or flows, debris torrents, and bedrock slides. Landslides can result in on-site loss of
soil productivity, as surface soils; are translocated down slope. Sediment delivered to streams may
comprise fine sediments, which could have negative impacts, or larger rock and .large organic
debris, which could enhance stream habitat complexity.
Landslide hazard is low in most of the analysis area. About 362 acres (less than .6 percent of the
analysis area) are mapped as high hazard for landslides. These are steep slopes, especially in
concave headwalls, and features that show evidence of past mass wasting. Debris avalanche,
debris torrent, and shallow slumps are the most likely kinds of mass failures in the area, but field
reconnaissance indicates past mass wasting has been generally restricted to small scale-events
with modest impacts. Tertiary sediments are common in the Elk City Township. These materials
are prone to small slumps when saturated, especially road cut failures.
Road construction in such settings may precipitate road cut or fill failures, and occasionally loss of
the road prism, or, by undercutting a toe slope, activate a landslide upslope. Only 1 acre of road
construction and 33 acres of timber harvest have occurred on land rated high for landslide risk. No
documented landslide response has occurred ofi these areas. During the flood episode of 1996-
1997, no mass erosion was reported in the analysis area.
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST AND REGIONAL SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
Soil quality standards apply to activity areas other than the dedicated transportation system and
administrative sites. This includes temporary roads, harvest units, mine sites, grazed areas, and
burned areas. This discussion focuses on Forest Soil Standard number 2: a real extent of
detrimental soil disturbance. Refer to the Legal Framework in the Soil Resource section.
About 95 percent of the American River watershed has soils rated highly susceptible to compaction
or displacement (Page-Dumroese, 1993; USDA FS, 1987). About 11,621 acres have been tractor-
logged or mined, or 20 percent of the analysis area. Most of this logging occurred from 1960-1989,
but extensive clearing occurred during the mining era in the Township. American River is
considered similar in soils and logging history to Red River. About 73 percent of all harvest activity
areas have been logged with ground-based equipment. Assuming 80 percent of these would not
meet forest Plan standards, (based on sampling in adjacent Red River watershed), 58 percent of
all logging areas would not meet Forest Plan Soil quality standard 2: extent of detrimental soil
disturbance on completion of activities. This degree of soil damage is consistent both with other
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
™™""*™*™""'W^^ ~v.-™«, •xm*<,,v^, y
Forest monitoring (USDA FS 1988, 1990, 1992), and research (Krag, 1991; Froelich 1978' Davis
1990, Alexander and Poff, 1985).
Cable logging typically produces relatively little soil damage (research cited in Alexander and Poff
1985). Two sampled cable-logging units in Red River averaged 4 percent detrimental disturbance'
About 778 acres, about 1.3 percent of the American River, has been cable-logged.
Total area of impaired soil quality is estimated at 5223 acres in American River or 8 9 percent of
the watershed. '
EXISTING CONDITION - AMERICAN RIVER: SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES
SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN LOSS
The inherent rock nutrient status of the local metamorphic gneisses, schists, and quartzites in
American River is rated as medium to poor (Garrison and Moore, 1998), but no sampling specific
to the analysis area has been done. Their expected soil nutrient status is also medium to low (Buol
et al., 1989). These rock types account for about 85 percent of the analysis area Only 130 acres
of YUM yarding (yarding unmerchantable material) or yarding of slash has been documented in the
analysis area, on this geologic material. Much of this yarding may have been bole only, but tops
and limbs may also have been removed/Removal of tops and limbs is likely to result in about
twice as much potassium loss as bole-only yarding, so a few localized areas may have sustained
potassium loss.
Granites are rated as having good inherent nutrient status, but medium to low soil nutrient status
because of their poor capacity for nutrient retention. Granites account for about 3 percent of the
analysis area. Alluvial deposits of mixed origin comprise the remainder.
Volcanic ash surface soils have high cation exchange capacity and good moisture storage
capacity, but may not have high levels of available soil nutrients, including potassium (Stark and
Spitzner, 1982).
Of the tree species likely to be removed, grand fir accumulates the highest foliar levels of
potassium, so harvesting tops of this species is more likely to deplete soil potassium than
harvesting lodgepole pine tops, which have the lowest levels of foliar potassium (Moore et al.
Soil nitrogen is typically limiting in all rock and soil types and whole tree yarding has similar or
greater effects on soil nitrogen reservoirs (Shaw, 2003). Soil nitrogen can be replenished more
rapidly through nitrogen fixation or atmospheric deposition than can potassium which must
weather from rocks.
About 8820 acres, or about 15 percent of the American river watershed, have been clearcut
harvested with dozer piling or broadcast burning. Nitrogen losses have probably been substantial
on these sites. Because slash disposal burns logs on the ground rather than standing trees, soil
temperatures can be hotter and nitrogen loss by volatilization may therefore be greater than with a
wildfire.
Loss OF SOIL WOOD
Coarse woody debris (CWD) is woody material derived from tree limbs, boles, and roots in various
stages of decay, here defined as that larger than 3 inches in diameter (Graham et al., 1994).
Coarse woody debris protects the soil from erosion, contributes to wildlife and fisheries habitat, and
moderates soil microclimate. Highly decayed CWD can hold more water than mineral' soil,
provides sites for nitrogen fixation, and releases nutrients through decay or burning. Highly
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decayed wood provides sites for ectomycorrhizal colonization, which contributes to plant growth
and plays a role in the food chains of many small rodents and their predators.
Coarse woody debris in natural systems fluctuates with forest growth, mortality, fire, and decay.
Harvest and slash burning can remove large wood to a degree that its soil function is impaired,
since both standing boles and down wood may be much reduced.
About 8820 acres, or about 15 percent of the American River watershed, have been clearcut
harvested with dozer piling or broadcast burning. Most of this harvest was prior to 1990, when the
first large woody debris prescriptions might have been implemented. Field reconnaissance in the
adjacent Red River watershed indicates large woody debris is deficient on such sites, in
comparison to most natural disturbance regimes. In addition, very few green trees or snags were
left on regeneration harvest units, so that very few trees are available for recruitment over the next
50-100 years.
Areas of old forest in moist habitats and areas of past mortality of lodgepole pine in the beetle
outbreak of the 1980s may have heavy loads of CVyD. They are not unnaturally high, but are
susceptible to consumption by wildfire. Wildfire would consume some material and create dead
standing timber, which would be recruited as large woody debris over time.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Indicators of direct environmental effects on soils are summarized in Table 3.1 below for American
River
Table 3.1: Indicators of Direct Soil Effects by Alternative: American River
Activity
Ground-based timber harvest on soils rated high for
compaction or displacement hazard (acres) plus new
temporary road construction (acres)
Timber harvest on soils rated high for surface erosion hazard
(acres)
Road construction on soil substrata rated high for erosion
hazard (acres)
Road construction or timber harvest on lands preliminarily
mapped as high landslide hazard (acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal on geologic materials
potentially susceptible to potassium losses (acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal that could contribute to
nitrogen losses (acres)
More than 80 percent canopy removal and slash disposal with
potential for high soil wood loss (acres)
Soil restoration (acres) on old harvest units (Most are
associated with roads to be decommissioned)
Soil restoration through decommissioning of old road (acres)
Soil restoration through decommissioning of new temporary
roads (acres)
Actual acres estimated to sustain detrimental impacts from the
proposed actions using Regional Soil Quality definitions of
detrimental disturbance (20 percent of ground based harvest,
4 percent of cable harvest and 100 percent of temporary road
construction)
Alternative
A
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
B
424
0
4
0
494
542
291
5
24
14
103
c
516
0
7
0
583
631
356
8
32
32
139
D
764
0
7
0
824
872
356
9
37
32
188
E
251
0
2
0
281
293
75
21
81
8
60
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Table 3.2: Indicators of Cumulative Soil Effects by Alternative: American River
Activity
Ground-based timber harvest on soils
rated high for compaction or displacement
hazard, plus road construction or mining
(acres)
Timber harvest or burn on soils rated high
for surface erosion hazard (acres)
Road or trail construction on soil substrata
rated high for erosion hazard (acres)
Road construction or harvest on lands
preliminarily mapped as high landslide
hazard (acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal on
geologic materials potentially susceptible
to potassium losses (acres). Assumes
whole tree yarding or YUM yarding of tops
for FS project only.
More than 50 percent canopy removal
that could contribute to nitrogen losses
(acres). Assumes whole tree yarding or
YUM yarding of tops for FS project only.
Clearcut timber harvest and slash
disposal with potential for high soil wood
loss
Soil restoration on old harvest units
(acres). Most are spatially associated
with roads to be decommissioned (acres)
Soil restoration through system road
decommissioning, assuming road
recontour
Actual acres estimated to have sustained
detrimental impacts using Regional Soil
Quality definitions of detrimental
disturbance2
Existing Condition Plus Proposed and Foreseeable Actions1
A
13,649
507
289
47
130
8820
9135
0
0
5559
B
14,073
507
293
\ 47
624
9362
9426
5
"•--..
24
5662
C
14,165
507
296
47
713
9451
9491
8
32
5698
D
14,413
507
296
47
954
9692
9491
9
37
5747
E
13,900
507
291
47
411
9113
9210
21
81
5619
Existing
Condition
12,546
507
286
34
130
8820
8820
0
0
5223
A foreseeable action includes Eastside Township project
2
Estimated conditions of past logging are based on acres tractor-logged multiplied by .35 (the average areal
percent damage associated with such tractor logging), plus acres cable logged multiplied by .04 (the average
areal damage associated with cable logging) plus documented areas of mine impacts, system roads and
trails.
Acres by alternative for the American Crooked River project are estimated using the same assumptions
except that the percent damage for tractor-logged areas would be held at the Forest threshold (.20).
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.1.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no action Alternative A, no soil compaction or displacement would occur as a
consequence of road construction, timber harvest, or fuel reduction activities. Existing soil
compaction and displacement would persist with very slight natural recovery of surface layers of
compacted soils. No soil restoration or watershed improvement activities would occur, so the long-
term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occurred, mechanized suppression activities and subsequent salvage logging could
create severe soil impacts, depending on fire characteristics and administrative decisions. The
scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning
weather. Because the location, intensity, and size of future fire, or agency actions in response to
fire, are uncertain, with or without implementing any action alternative, the evaluation of
alternatives by fire hazard is rnost appropriately addressed in the Fire section.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe fire effects on soil, including physical alteration of soil structure and development
of hydrophobic layers, but compaction and displacement from a potential natural wildfire are not
likely.
ALTERNATIVES
DIRECT
Alternative B would result in soil impacts less than Alternatives C and D, but more than Alternative
E. Under Alternative B, 410 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would occur
using ground-based logging systems on soils highly subject to compaction and displacement and
14 acres of new temporary road construction. Assuming that compaction and displacement can be
held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold of Forest Plan Soil standard 2, 89 acres
on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or displaced, along with 14 acres on new
temporary roads.
About 229 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Soil restoration proposed in Alternative B is less than any other action alternative. Restoration on
existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about 29 acres. Existing soil
compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated five of these acres.
Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 24 of the 29 acres. Temporary roads
built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 14 acres of restoration.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Alternative C would result in soil impacts less than Alternative D, but greater than other
alternatives. Under Alternative C, 484 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would
occur using ground-based logging systems on soils highly subject to compaction and
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displacement, along with 32 acres of new temporary road construction. Assuming that compaction
and displacement can be held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold of the Forest
Plan Soil Standards, 107 acres on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or displaced,
and 32 acres on temporary roads.
About 227 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Soil restoration proposed in Alternative C is slightly more than Alternative B, and less than
alternatives D and E. Restoration on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of
about 40 acres. Existing soil compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an
estimated eight of these acres. Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 32 of the
40 acres. Temporary roads built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 32
acres of restoration.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Alternative D would result in the greatest soil impacts of any alternative. Under Alternative D, 732
acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would occur using ground-based logging
systems on soils highly subject to compaction and displacement, along with 32 acres of new
temporary roads. Assuming that compaction and displacement can be held to within the 20
percent areal disturbance threshold of the Forest Plan soil quality standard item 2, 156 acres on
harvest units would be significantly compacted or displaced, along with 32 acres of temporary
roads.
About 247 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. This is
more than other action alternatives. Skidding equipment is limited to operating on the road, and
steep cut slopes would be protected from damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Soil restoration proposed in Alternative D is slightly more than Alternatives B and C, and less than
Alternative E. Restoration on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about
46 acres. Existing soil compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated
nine of these acres. Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 37 of the 46 acres.
Temporary roads built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 32 acres of
restoration.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Alternative E avoids soil impacts better than any other action alternative, through reduction in road
construction and area of ground-based logging. Under Alternative E, 243 acres of timber harvest
or mechanical fuel reduction would occur using ground-based logging systems on soils highly
subject to compaction and displacement, along with 8 acres of new temporary roads. Assuming
that compaction and displacement can be held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold
of the Forest Plan soil standard 2, 52 acres on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or
displaced, along with 8 acres of temporary roads.
About 217 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. This is less
than other action alternatives. Skidding equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep
cut slopes would be protected from damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
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Alternative E proposes substantially more soil restoration than any other alternative. Restoration
on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about 102 acres. Existing soil
compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated 21 of these acres.
Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 81 of the 102 acres. Temporary roads
built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 8 acres of restoration.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of soil compaction and displacement include effects to vegetation and hydro-logic
processes. Compaction and displacement can result in reduced moisture holding capacity, greater
drought stress, and susceptibility to pathogens or fire. Certain species have a greater competitive
advantage in disturbed soils, like weeds or lodgepole pine, so that shifts in plant community
composition have been noted in field inventories of harvest units (USDA Forest Service, 2003c).
Altered soil porosity and moisture holding capacity (USDA FS 2000) could contribute to higher
drought stress, lower ground cover, and shifts in disturbance regimes like erosion or fire. The
relative ranking of likely persistent indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and
D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Soil compaction effects can last 70 years (Froelich et al., 1983), but are not irretrievable.
Decompaction can at least partly restore soil porosity. Soil displacement that mixes or removes
the volcanic ash surface layer reduces soil moisture holding capacity, which may be irreversible
without volcanic additions. The relative ranking of likely persistent soil compaction and
displacement by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Stockpiling and replacing topsoil
could mitigate this loss for roads and landings, as well as other mitigation to minimize damage; see
the discussion of project design measures and mitigation in the Conclusions section below.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause soil compaction and displacement may have cumulative effects on soil
porosity; water holding capacity, aeration, and long-term productivity, with repeated entries.
Cumulative effects may also occur at the landscape level, where large areas of compacted and
displaced soil affect vegetation dynamics, runoff, and water yield regimes. About 4849 acres are
currently estimated to have sustained ^detrimental compaction or displacement in the American
River watershed due to logging, mining, or road construction. The alternatives will add from 60 to
188 acres, depending on alternative, and the foreseeable Eastside Township project could add an
estimated 271 acres due to harvest and road construction, for a total of about 1 percent of the
watershed.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may constrain these effects to current or slightly improved
levels. Additional soil restoration associated with decommissioning of old roads and treating old
harvest units will also reduce the extent of cumulative effects within the project area. Cumulative
effects are directly related to the scope of timber harvest and mechanical fuel reduction activities,
temporary road construction, and soil restoration. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects
by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Although Alternative A would not do any soil
restoration, most restoration is not completely successful in areas of thin volcanic ash surface soils,
so avoidance more successfully conserves soil productivity.
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SURFACE AND SUBSTRATUM EROSION
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT EFFECTS
Under the no-action Alternative A, surface and substratum erosion processes would continue on
roads, skid trails, and landings with slight abatement as slow natural vegetation recovery occurs
Erosion from harvest units would continue to decline to negligible. No new management sources
of surface or substratum erosion would occur, so the net trend would be reduced management-
derived erosion. However, no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur so the long-
term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occur, consequent surface soil erosion would range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size and severity of burn, soil disturbance associated with suppression,
salvage logging, or burn rehabilitation activities, and interaction of watershed response with the
existing transportation system. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the
uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of surface erosion, but this
may be similar to risks associated with logging and broadcast burning on areas proposed for
treatment. Sediment modeling assumptions derived from research (USDA FS 1981) suggest that
erosion from tractor logging on gentle to moderate slopes would be slightly less than a severe fire
on a steep slope, cumulatively over a 5-year time span, not considering the additional substratum
erosion from harvest access roads. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of
wildfire size and severity in untreated areas. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire
management section.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT
Alternative B would result in little surface erosion and less substratum erosion than Alternatives C
and D, but more than Alternatives A and E Under Alternative B, no timber harvest or fuel
reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
About 229 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential exposure to soil erosion is slight.
An estimated 4 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion
are proposed for Alternative B. Road construction is more likely to result in erosion than harvest.
The 43 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Alternative C would result in little surface erosion and similar substratum erosion to Alternative D,
but more substratum erosion than Alternatives A, B and E. Under Alternative C, no timber harvest
or fuel reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
About 227 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential exposure to soil erosion is slight.
An estimated 7 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion
are proposed for Alternative C. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion than
harvest.
The 72 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Alternative D would result in little surface erosion but similar substratum erosion to Alternative C,
but more substratum erosion than Alternatives A, B and E, Under Alternative D, no timber harvest
or mechanical fuel reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
About 247 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. This is
more than any other action alternative. Skidding equipment is limited to operating on the road, and
steep cut slopes would be protected from damage, so the potential exposure to soil erosion is
slight.
An estimated 7 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion
are proposed for Alternative D. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion than
harvest.
The 78 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Alternative E would result in little surface erosion and less substratum erosion than the other
action alternatives. Alternative E would also address more soil restoration that could reduce
existing erosion. Under Alternative E,' no timber harvest or fuel reduction would occur on soils
highly susceptible to surface erosion.
About 217 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. This is less
than any other action alternative. Skidding equipment is limited to operating on the road, and
steep cut slopes would be protected from damage, so the potential exposure to soil erosion is
slight.
An estimated 2 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion
are proposed for Alternative E. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion than
harvest.
The 110 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
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ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT
Indirect effects of soil surface and substratum erosion include effects to vegetation and hydrologic
processes. Surface erosion removes the soil materials with the greatest ability to hold moisture
and nutrients, potentially resulting in greater drought stress, poorer growth, and susceptibility to
pathogens or fire. Since volcanic ash is not easily replaced, these effects may be very long lasting.
Certain species have a greater competitive advantage in eroded soils, like weeds or lodgepole
pine, so that shifts in plant community composition and consequent disturbance regimes like
erosion or fire, could occur. Eroded surface and substratum material may be delivered to streams
and have consequences to water quality, stream temperature, quality of fish habitat, and channel
morphology. See the Watershed and Fisheries discussions. The relative ranking of likely indirect
effects by alternative is (best to worst): E, A, B, C and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Eroded surface soil, where it is derived from volcanic ash influenced loess, is irretrievable without
volcanic additions. Residual soil materials would develop into topsoil over several decades to
hundreds of years, but this material may lack the moisture holding properties of volcanic ash.
The relative ranking of likely surface soil erosion by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
Effects of eroded substratum material are not irretrievable or irreversible; although effects as
delivered sediment may be long lasting.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Activities that result in soil surface and substratum erosion may have cumulative effects on water
holding capacity, nutrient pools and retention, and long-term productivity, with repeated entries.
Cumulative effects may also occur at the landscape level, where large areas of soil exposed to
erosion affect vegetation dynamics, invasive species, runoff, and sediment regimes. Erosion of
surface soils on old harvest units is expected to have declined to zero, but substratum erosion from
roads continues on about 843 acres in the project area. The alternatives will add from 2 to 4 acres
of road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion, and the foreseeable Eastside
Township project about 3 acres of road construction on highly erodible substrata.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may constrain these effects to current or slightly improved
levels. Control of erosion is generally easier to attain than amelioration of displacement that
results in loss of topsoil.
Past activities considered in cumulative effects are timber harvest and road construction on soils
susceptible to erosion. Mining impacts on at least 307 acres are likely to have resulted in
localized severe erosion. Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative
structures as part of defensible space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by
hand, with little soil exposure or likelihood of erosion. Streamside cattle grazing has occurred in
meadow complexes and resulted in stream bank failure and localized erosion.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the potential scope of effects to on-site
productivity, sediment delivery, water yield, and stream morphology increases. Cumulative effects
are directly related to the scope of timber harvest and temporary road construction on susceptible
soils, and the partial compensation offered by road decommissioning and soil restoration. The
relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
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MASS EROSION
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action alternative, mass erosion processes would remain a slight factor in soil
processes in the analysis area. Mass erosion from natural causes would continue at small scales
and infrequent rates. Mass erosion from past management activities would continue at a very
localized scale and declining rate as old roads stabilized and harvest units renegotiated. No new
management sources of mass erosion would occur from these alternatives, so the net trend would
be reduced management-derived mass erosion. However, no soil or watershed improvement
activities would occur, so the long-term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent mass erosion could range from negligible to modest, depending
on location, size, and severity of burn, soil disturbance associated with suppression, salvage
logging, or burn rehabilitation activities, and interaction of watershed response with the existing
transportation system. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of fire
ignition and burning weather.
However, the continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased
potential for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of rrtass erosion in
steep draws, drainage headlands, and on steep, wet lower slopes, because rooting strength would
be lost, and more moisture available. These effects are similar to clearcut logging and broadcast
burning. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of wildfire size and severity in
untreated areas, and in areas where partial canopy removaland underburn reduce likely wildfire
severity. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire section.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT
Mass erosion would change little from natural rates under Alternatives B, C, D, and E. No
harvest is proposed under any alternative on lands mapped as high risk for landslides. No
temporary road construction is proposed on lands mapped as high risk. Design and mitigation
measures address identification of localized, areas of significant landslide risk, and adjustment of
harvest prescriptions to maintain slope stability.
Soil restoration proposed on existing impacted sites can sometimes address existing mass erosion
problems. Activities that include restoration of stream crossings and wetlands on roads, and
recontouring roads and temporary roads can treat existing slope failure problems and reduce risk
for future failures.
No roads proposed for decommissioning under any alternative in American River are on land
mapped as high landslide hazard, but local road and slope failures would be identified and treated
as roads are decommissioned. Alternative E offers the greatest potential to stabilize local mass
erosion sites on roads to be decommissioned.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of mass erosion include effects to vegetation and hydrologic processes. Mass
erosion may affect surface or substratum materials. Mass erosion of surface soil removes the
materials with the greatest ability to hold moisture and nutrients, potentially resulting in greater
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
drought stress, poorer growth, and susceptibility to pathogens or fire. Since volcanic ash is not
easily replaced, these effects may be very long lasting. Certain species have a greater competitive
advantage in eroded soils, like weeds or lodgepole pine, so that shifts in plant community
composition and consequent disturbance regimes, like erosion or fire, could occur. Typically mass
erosion mixes surface and substratum materials so the unique properties of the surface soil are
lost. Mass-eroded surface and substratum material may be delivered to streams and have
consequences to water quality, stream temperature, quality of fish habitat, and channel
morphology. See the watershed and fisheries discussions.
Indirect effects are likely to be minimal, and differences among alternatives slight, because of the
low landslide hazard in American River. The relative ranking of potential indirect effects by
alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects of mass erosion, except for potential loss of
volcanic ash-influenced topsoil. See the section of effects for surface erosion. Anticipated mass
erosion processes under action or no-action alternatives are of slight probability, size, or effects,
and are unlikely to exceed natural rates.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS- ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that result in mass erosion are unlikely to have significant cumulative effects in the
analysis area because of the low incidence of significant mass wasting hazard. Rigorous
mitigation and restoration may improve the mass wasting condition by road decommissioning,
while proposed road construction would be in low hazard locations.
The thinning and pruning that have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area will not increase mass wasting risk.
Foreseeable actions include 13 acres of timber harvest on lands preliminarily mapped as highly
landslide prone as part of the Eastside Township project. No road construction is proposed for that
project on lands mapped as high landslide hazard.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the probability of a landslide is modestly
increased, with some slight potential for effects to sediment delivery and temporary loss of on-site
productivity in localized areas. Cumulative effects are directly related to the scope of past,
proposed and foreseeable fuel reduction activities and temporary road construction in susceptible
terrain. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B C
and D.
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST AND REGIONAL SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A the existing condition for compliance with Soil Quality
Standards would continue, with slight amelioration as slow natural recovery of compacted surface
soil occurred and surface soil development in disturbed areas occurred. Landings, temporary
roads, and compacted or excavated skid trails would not recover enough within the temporal
bounds of this analysis to meet standards.
No additional lands would be subject to temporary road construction or fuel reduction that would
result in soil conditions not in compliance with standards from any of the action alternatives.
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However no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur that might accelerate soil
recovery,' so the long-term upward trend would be slower in untreated soil restoration areas, than
with soil restoration.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent damage to soil conditions from suppression activities, burn
severity, or salvage logging could range from negligible to severe, depending on location, size, and
severity of burn and subsequent administrative activities.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, but whether this might result in greater or more lasting soil
damage than road construction or ground-based logging operations is uncertain. Wildfire seldom
results in compaction or displacement, but could result in ground cover loss and erosion that
exceeds Forest Plan standards or Regional Guidelines. Evaluation of alternatives depends on
being able to compare fire size, location, and severity in untreated areas. The scope of such
impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather. See the
discussion of fire hazard in the Fire management section
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, and E
DIRECT
Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E, the areas proposed for ground-based timber harvest or
mechanical fuel reduction on soils highly susceptible to compaction or displacement, are the areas
most vulnerable to exceeding Forest Plan soil standard number 2, for area! extent of soil
disturbance upon completion of activities. The areas proposed for such harvest have no recorded
history of harvest or mechanical disturbance in the past, and no. evidence of disturbance from
aerial photo inspection, and reconnaissance field sampling, and are expected to fully meet either
Forest Plan Standards or Regional guidelines at this time.
Project design and mitigation measures are proposed that constrain equipment type, timing of
operation, location and density of skid trails, and restoration of mechanically disturbed areas, with
the objective of ensuring that activity areas meet Forest Plan soil standard number 2, upon
completion of proposed activities. These would apply to all alternatives. Because meeting this soil
standard is difficult, the relative likelihood of meeting this standard for all activity areas is greater for
alternatives that treat fewer areas. The relative ranking of alternatives for likelihood of complying
with this soil standard is (from greatest likelihood of full compliance to least): A, E, B, C, and D.
Additional soil restoration is proposed under Alternatives, B, C, D, and E. Recovery of soil physical
properties is not expected to tie complete on all treated acres, but will establish an upward trend
for soil conditions on the treated sites. Activities include decompaction, recontouring, addition of
organic matter, weed control, and revegetation to restore compacted and displaced soils on main
skid trails, existing temporary roads, landings, and newly constructed temporary roads. The
relative ranking of alternatives for soil restoration activities is (greatest to least restoration): E, D, C,
B, and A.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Compaction and soil displacement can affect sediment delivery and water yield that have
downstream consequences to water quality and fisheries habitat. Indirect effects to ecological
processes include altered plant community establishment, growth and yield, changed competitive
advantages to different species, heightened susceptibility to pathogens, drought and fire.
Restoration can compensate for some effects, but recovery of full function may not occur in all
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cases. Based on the feasibility of effecting partial recovery on 1 to 2 percent of areas with past
impacts, while incurring 15-20 percent impacts on new activity areas, the relative ranking of likely
indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Soil quality standards address issues of long-term productivity, so failure to comply with these
standards implies long-lasting impairment of soil functions, if not irreversible or irretrievable effects.
The effects of soil displacement and surface soil erosion are least reversible, and most
irretrievable, since the volcanic ash surface material is hard to replace. See the sections on
compaction and displacement. The relative ranking by alternative for these issues is (best to
worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause compaction, displacement, or exposure to erosion, may have cumulative
effects on belowground physical and biological processes, hydrologic function, and long-term
productivity, especially in the case of repeated entries. Rigorous mitigation and restoration may
meet Soil Quality Standards.
Past activities considered in cumulative effects are timber harvest, particularly ground-based
logging and dozer piling, and documented mining impacts. Permanent roads are not considered in
assessing compliance with soil quality standards. Some thinning and pruning have occurred
around administrative structures as part of defensible space projects in the analysis area. This
work is accomplished by hand so ground disturbance is minimal. Past fires are considered to be
recovered and are not considered as cumulative effects.
All alternatives may meet Forest Plan soil quality standards if mitigation and design measures are
rigorously applied, so that cumulative effects are the same for all alternatives on a site basis, but
differ considered additively across the landscape, since temporary road construction may produce
some degree of permanent impairment, even with decommissioning. From this perspective, the
relative ranking of alternatives is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
3.1.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES
SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A, soil potassium and nitrogen would continue to cycle at current
rates, and not be subject to removal through harvest or prescribed fire. Accrual would continue at
low rates from rock weathering, atmospheric deposition, and nitrogen fixation. Soil nutrients would
increasingly be bound in organic mater complexes and slowly released through decay. The net
trend would be reduced management-derived nutrient loss. However, no soil or watershed
improvement activities that might accelerate biological recovery on degraded sites would occur, so
the long-term upward trend would be slower in untreated potential soil restoration areas.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent soil nutrient loss could range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size, and severity of burn, loss through salvage logging, and loss of
nutrients through erosion or leaching. Fire could also make more nutrients readily available for
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plant uptake and benefit pot-fire plan growth. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given
the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of nutrient loss to
volatilization, erosion, or leaching. However, whole-tree yarding, hot broadcast burns, or hot burns
of machine-piled slash could have equal effects because of the removal of material from the site.
Concentration of slash in piles may result in losses due to hotter fires or significant reduction of
nutrients from large areas. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of wildfire size
and severity in untreated areas, and in areas where partial canopy removal and underburn reduce
likely wildfire severity. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire section.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is less in Alternative B than Alternatives C.or D, but more than
Alternative E. Under Alternative B, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced on
about 494 acres, where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially
susceptible geologic materials. Where fodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 243
acres of clearcut harvest), potassium loss may be less because this species does hot sequester as
much potassium as other species. If the material is dead as well, needles and branches are likely
to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, potassium losses could
also be minimized.
About 229 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Extent and
intensity of tree removal would be low and tops and limbs would be left in the woods so potential
for nutrient loss is slight.
Potential for nitrogen loss is also less in Alternative B than Alternatives C or D, but more than E.
Nitrogen levels would be reduced through timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction, on 542
acres where percent canopy removal would be more than 5Q percent. Where dead lodgepole pine
comprises most of this removal (perhaps as much as 291 acres of clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss
may be less because needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole
tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be minimized.
The 29 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is less for Alternative C than Alternative D, but more than Alternatives
B and E. Under Alternatives C and D, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced
on about 583 acres, where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on
potentially susceptible geologic materials. Where lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal
(about 307 acres of clearcut harvest), potassium loss may be less because this species does not
sequester as much potassium as other species. Where the lodgepole is dead as well, needles and
branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone,
potassium losses could also be minimized.
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r P°SSible r°adside salvage of dead and at risk trees- Extent and
for nutt loisih * '°W ^ tOPS ^ NmbS W°U'd be left in the W°°ds SO potential
»nn !°SS JS I6SS f°r Alternative C than Alternative D, but more than Alternatives B
and E. Nitrogen levels would be reduced through timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction on
531 acres where percent canopy removal is more than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole
comprises most of th.s removal (as much as 356 acres of clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss may be
less because needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree
yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be minimized
The 40 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for n.trogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is greatest for Alternative D. Under Alternative D, potassium levels
could potentially be detrimentally reduced on about 824 acres, where more than 50 percent canopv
removal has been prescribed on potentially susceptible geologic materials. Where iodgepole pine
comprises most of this removal (about 356 acres of clearcut harvest), potassium loss may be less
because this species does not sequester as much potassium as other species. Where the
lodgepole is dead as well, needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding Where
whole tree yarding can be foregone, potassium losses could also be minimized.
About 247 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees Extent and
intensity of tree removal would be low and tops and limbs would be left in the woods so potential
for nutrient loss is slight.
Potential for nitrogen loss is greatest for Alternative D. Nitrogen levels would be reduced through
imber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction, on 872 acres where percent canopy removal is more
than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole comprises most of this removal (as much as 356 acres of
clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss may be less bepause needles and branches are likely to break off
during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be
minimized.
The 46 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development. a
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is least for Alternative E, compared to other action alternatives Under
Alternative E, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced on about 281 acres
where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially susceptible
geologic materials. Where lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 64 acres of
clearcut harvest), potassium loss may be less because this species does not sequester as much
potassium as other species. Where the lodgepole is dead as well, needles and branches are likely
to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, potassium losses could
also be minimized.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
About 217 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Extent and
intensity of tree removal would be low and tops and limbs would be left in the woods so potential
for nutrient loss is slight.
Potential for nitrogen loss is least for Alternative E, compared to other action alternatives. Nitrogen
levels would be reduced through harvest or prescribed fire, on 293 acres where percent canopy
removal is more than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole comprises most of this removal (as much
as 75 acres of clearcut harvest) nitrogen loss may be less because needles and branches are
likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could
also be minimized.
The 102 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
INDIRECT EFFECTS - SOIL NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM Loss
Indirect effects of soil wood loss include altered processes of forest regeneration and growth,
favoring species requiring lower soil moisture, lower nutrient levels and greater tolerance for
potential soil erosion. Indirect effects could also include loss of habitat for species requiring soil
wood as dens or substrate for invertebrates, bacteria and fungi, Which affect food availability for
small rodents and their predators. The relative ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is
(best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire could affect any alternative by resulting in volatilization
erosion loss of nutrients, but also by making more nutrients readily available for plant uptake.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects of nutrient loss, except for potential loss of
potassium. Recovery of soil potassium depends on slow inputs from rock weathering and may
represent an irretrievable loss in the case of whole tree yarding of green trees, especially grand fir,
or hot broadcast burns on clearcuts, on susceptible geologic substrata. The actual potassium
status of these rock types has not been locally assessed. Nitrogen is replenished more rapidly
through biotic and abiotic fixation, but may also have long-lasting effects. The relative ranking of
likely potassium and nitrogen loss by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Though not
proposed with this action, the loss of certain soil nutrients, including nitrogen and potassium could
be mitigated through ground-based or aerial application of common fertilizers.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
Activities that cause soil potassium and nitrogen loss may have cumulative effects on soil
productivity, plant growth and yield, susceptibility to pathogens, and successional processes, with
repeated entries. Past effects to potassium reserves due to management are not thought to be
significant, because no entry into areas with prior timber harvest is proposed. Rigorous mitigation
and restoration may constrain effects to current or slightly degraded levels for potassium, and little
long-lasting effect for nitrogen.
Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by hand. Lower branches and
small trees were generally removed, and either hand piled or burned. Localized potential for
cumulative soil nutrient loss is possible, if treatment is continuously sustained.
Foreseeable actions include an estimated 1,261 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel
reduction as part of the Eastside Township project. No whole tree yarding is proposed. Broadcast
burning is proposed for slash disposal, which will keep more nutrients on site.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of potential nutrient
loss is increased, with possible effects to landscape composition, structure, and function.
Cumulative effects are directly proportional to the scope of past, proposed and foreseeable
regeneration timber harvest, particularly whole tree yarding, and likelihood for piling and burning
slash that results in significant nutrient redistribution and volatilization. The relative ranking of likely
cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst) A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire may result in
significant potassium and nitrogen loss under any alternative, but may also result in greater net
nutrient availability.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
/"'
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire
could affect any alternative by resulting in volatilization, leaching, or erosion loss of nutrients, but
also by making more nutrients readily available for plant uptake.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects of nutrient loss, except for potential loss of
potassium. Recovery of soil potassium depends on slow inputs from rock weathering and may
represent an irretrievable loss in the case of whole tree yarding of green trees, especially grand fir,
but may also have long-lasting effects. A possible mitigation measure beyond minimizing whole
tree yarding is fertilization. The relative ranking of likely potassium and nitrogen loss by alternative
is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Loss OF SOIL WOOD
ALTERNATIVE A-No ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A, soil wood would continue to accumulate and slowly decay
through physical and biological mechanisms. The net trend would be reduced management-
derived loss of soil wood. However, no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur, that
might accelerate biological recovery in degraded areas, so the long-term upward trend would be
slower. If a wildfire occurred, consequent loss of soil wood could range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size, and severity of burn, and removal of dead standing trees associated
with salvage logging. Fire could also create standing dead trees that provide recruitment for soil
wood over the long term. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of
fire ignition, burning weather, and potential post-fire salvage logging.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for wood over extensive areas. Large historic fires burned at 26-69 percent lethality; it is unlikely
that any future fire would be outside this wide range, with or without treatment, and loss due to fire
is expected to be less than loss due to removal. In general, wildfire effects could often be
preferable in large wood cycling and recruitment.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
w,™.. ..^w.™™^.^*.™™*™™*^^
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative B is less than Alternatives C and D, but
more than E. Under Alternative B, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for large woody
debris loss would occur on 291 acres.
About 295 acres would be treated in Alternative B with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection harvest in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood loss is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 295 acres, 61 acres wou d be
underburned These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 234 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 229 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Large snags
would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
The 29 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
long-term potential for soil wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNA TIVES CANDD
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternatives C and D are similar, and more than
Alternatives B or E. Under Alternatives C and D, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for
large woody debris loss would occur on 356 acres.
About 367 acres would be treated in Alternative C with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood less is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal/but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 367 acres, 75 would be
underburned These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 292 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 615 acres would be treated in Alternative D with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood less is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 615 acres, 540 would be
underburned These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 75 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 227 acres (Alternative C) and 247 acres (Alternative D) are proposed for possible roadside
salvage of dead and at risk trees. Large snags would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree
removal would be low.
The 40 acres of soil restoration for Alternative C and 46 acres of soil restoration for Alternative D
described under soil compaction and displacement would improve long-term potential for soil wood
accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter development.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative E is less than any other action
alternative. Under Alternative E, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for large woodv
debris loss would occur on 75 acres.
About 239 acres would be treated in Alternative E with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site The likelihood of
excessive soil wood loss is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 239 acres, 35 would be
underburned. These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 204 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 217 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees Large
snags would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
The 102 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
long-term potential for soiJ wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALL ALTERNATIVES-
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of soil wood loss include altered processes of forest regeneration and growth
favoring species requiring lower soil moisture, lower nutrient levels and greater tolerance for
potential soil erosion. Indirect effects could also include loss of habitat for species requiring soil
wood as dens or substrate for invertebrates, bacteria and fungi, which affect food availability for
small rodents and their predators. The relative ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is
(best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects due to loss of soil wood, although long-term
productivity could be compromised through the age of the next forest stand, until soil wood
reserves begin to be replenished.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause repeated loss of soil wood may have cumulative effects on soil porosity, water
holding capacity, aeration, biological activity, and long-term productivity, in the case of frequent
repeated entries. This is not likely to be a concern for the proposed activities because no areas of
harvest are targeted for a second entry.
Activities that result in large areas of depleted soil wood may have cumulative effects at the
landscape scale. Past activities considered in cumulative effects are regeneration timber harvest
and slash disposal.
Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by hand. Soil wood was not
generally removed, but some snags were removed. Localized potential for cumulative soil wood
loss is possible if treatment is continuously sustained.
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Repeated harvest and slash disposal in the private lands within the Township have probably
affected soil wood regimes.
Foreseeable actions include a proposed 1261 acres of harvest in the Eastside Township project.
An estimated25 percent portion of these acres will have high levels of crown removal and may be
susceptible to soil wood loss.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of soil wood loss is
increased with potential for effects to long-term productivity over larger areas. Rigorous mitigation
and restoration may constrain effects to current or improved levels, and develop a long-term
upward trend on some previously degraded sites. Cumulative effects are directly related to the
scope of regeneration timber harvest. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by
alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire might consume substantial quantities of
existing soil wood under any alternative, but would recruit standing dead trees, in the absence of
extensive salvage logging.
3.1.2. CROOKED RIVER
EXISTING CONDITION - CROOKED RIVER
INTRODUCTION
The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (USDA FS, 1998) identifies "Restore
aquatic processes" as the area theme for the lower part of Crooked River watershed, and
"Conserve existing aquatic function", as the area theme for Upper Crooked River. The priority for
both is very high Restoration is to include both restoration of aquatic conditions and processes in
the watershed the mainstem channel, and adjustments to the road and trail system to support
aquatic restoration and provide for administrative and public uses. Soil resource management
affects aquatic processes primarily through erosion, mass wasting, and soil compaction or
disturbance that affects subsurface slope hydrology.
GEOLOGY. SOIL DEVELOPMENT. AND LANDFORMS
Rocks weather to form soil parent material; and soil texture, chemistry, and resistance to erosion
are highly conditioned by geology.
Geology in the Crooked River watershed is about evenly divided between Belt-age metamorphic
rocks (54 percent) and granitics (46 percent). The metamorphics include gneiss, schist, and
quartzite that weather to sandy loam, loamy sand, or sand parent materials and develop into soil
parent materials that are rated moderate to high for substratum erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987).
They typically weather into soil parent materials that are rated moderate to high for substratum
erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987). These materials typically have low levels of inherent nutrients,
and moderate to poor ability to retain nutrients (Garrison and Moore, 1998). Potassium
deficiencies noted in these rock types can affect tree growth and susceptibility to root disease.
Granitics are higher in certain nutrients, including potassium, but weather to sandy soils with low
ability to retain nutrients. They typically weather into soil parent materials that are rated high to
very high for substratum erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987).
Most soils in the project area (86 percent) have surface layers formed in volcanic ash-influenced
loess derived from the eruption of Mt. Mazama about 6700 years ago. This material is physically
highly favorable to root growth, being very permeable and with a high ability to hold moisture and
nutrients. This material is very easy to compact or displace at any moisture content (Page-
Dumroese, 1993), and is essentially irreplaceable without volcanic additions.
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Soil response to disturbance depends not only on soil type, but topographic setting and slope
hydrology. Landforms have characteristic slope shape, steepness, and stream dissection which
affect erosion and sediment delivery to streams.
• Rolling hills of low to moderate relief occur at lower and mid elevations (14 percent of the
watershed). The volcanic ash influenced soil surface layers buffer against erosion except
where soil substrata are exposed, as in roads or mines. Substratum erosion hazard is
moderate to high. Slopes are gentle to moderate and sediment is delivered to streams with
moderate efficiency. Unstable slopes are uncommon, and typically occur as small areas on
lower slopes or near stream headlands. West and south facing slopes at low elevation may
have thin or mixed ash surface layers. These soils do not hold moisture as well as ash-
influenced soils and are more liable to surface erosion.
• Stream breaklands and steep mountain slopes are common in the watershed (37 percent)
In comparison to rolling hills, breaklands have steep slopes, shallower soils, thin or mixed
loess surface layers, higher surface erosion risk, higher risk of mass failure, and more rapid
delivery of sediment to streams. Debris torrents can occur in headwater channels after
intense rainstorms or rain-on-snow events.
• Convex slopes are found at upper elevations (42 percent of the area). In comparison to
rolling hills, convex slopes have broader ridges, lower drainage density, and bedrock is
usually deeply fractured. Volcanic ash surface layers are typically present and buffer
against surface erosion. Substratum erosion hazard is high. Slopes are gentle to moderate
and sediment is delivered to streams with low efficiency. Unstable slopes are uncommon,
and typically occur as small areas on lower slopes or near stream headlands.
• Alluvial valleys form along low gradient stream channels (2 percent of the watershed). Soils
are often poorly drained and subject to water transport most of the year. Substrata are
coarse sands with gravel and cobble. Some have been dredge mined and only coarse
mine spoils remain. Sediment delivery efficiency is very high (USDA FS, 1987); most of
this landform is a riparian area.
• Alpine glaciated slopes and till deposits occur at the highest elevations (3 percent of the
watershed). These landforms have exposed bedrock or glacial till, and moderate to steep
slopes. Substratum erosion hazard is high. Sediment is delivered to streams with
moderate to high efficiency. Debris torrents can occur in headwater channels after intense
rainstorms or rapid snowmelt.
EXISTING CONDITION - CROOKED RIVER: SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT
Road building, mining, tractor logging and machine piling have heavily impacted soils in the
Crooked River watershed, mostly in lower Crooked River.
Mining effects have been localized but severe: soils in dredge and placer-mined areas have been
removed, and sterile tailing piles remain. Soil recovery has been very slow and some of these
areas still act as sediment sources (USDA FS 2003). A minimum of 331 acres of this condition
occurs in the watershed.
About 3600 acres (8 percent of the watershed) have been tractor logged and/or machine piled
resulting in soil compaction and displacement over some of that area. Where the volcanic ash
surface layer is compacted, displaced or mixed, soil moisture holding capacity is significantly
impaired (USDA FS, 1999b). Early logging practices allowed landings in riparian areas and log
skidding was common in draws and down stream bottoms. Some of the units were very large, up
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to 500 acres in the headwaters of Relief Creek. Tractor logging and dozer piling occurred on
sedge meadows resulting in long-term compaction and alteration of stream channels and water
tables.
Harvest units that were tractor logged and dozer piled average 52 percent of the activity area
damaged in the adjacent Red River watershed (USDA FS, 2003), which has similar landforms and
soils. Units that were tractor logged and broadcast burned in that watershed averaged 38 percent
damaged (USDA Forest Service, 2003). Units that were tractor logged, but not dozer piled or
scarified, sustained 12-42 percent damage. Other monitoring data indicate 15-25 percent damage
for this tractor logging without machine piling (USDA Forest Service, 1990 and 1991). Excavator
piling has been documented on 92 acres In Crooked River. This is usually less impactive than
dozer piling, but can still sometimes result in more than 20 percent detrimental disturbance.
About 981 acres of cable yarding have occurred in Crooked River. Soil damage is usually confined
to yarding corridors and landings and accounts for about 4 percent of the activity area, based on
monitoring in other areas (USDA FS, 2003).
Road construction also displaces soil, with Ipng-term to permanent impairment of soil productivity.
About 567 acres of documented system roads occur where topsoil and subsoil have been
displaced, mixed, or lost to erosion. This represents about 1.2 percent of the analysis area.
Motorized and non-motorized trails account for an estimated 28 acres of soil disturbance. Soils are
both compacted and displaced. Numerous undocumented user-created ATV trails exist, which add
to the amount of detrimental disturbance in the project area.
SURFACE AND SUBSTRATUM EROSION
Past mining has caused locally severe erosion of both surface soil and substrata, often
concentrated in valleys where eroded material can reach streams: mainstem Crooked River, Relief
Creek, Baker Gulch, and East and West Forks of Crooked River (USDA FS, 1998). A minimum of
331 acres has been affected by dredge mining. Other upland mine sediment sources also exist,
where excavation and dozer operations have exposed erodible substrata.
Past fires have resulted in locally severe surface erosion, but post-fire erosion often declines to
negligible with vegetation recovery in about 4 years (Megahan, cited in USDA FS, 1981, and Elliot
and Robichaud and Brown, 1999 as shown in Elliot and Robichaud, 2001). The most recent large
fire occurred in 1945 in the watershed. This fire burned about 5115 acres or 11 percent of the
watershed. The largest documented fire in American River occurred in 1889 and burned about
5970 acres, or 13 percent of the watershed. Another large fire burned in 1878. Human ignitions
may have been a factor in these fires, but 1889 was a severe fire year throughout the region
(Barrett et al., 1997). It is likely'that actual burned acres for these early fires were greater, because
areas of low and moderate severity fire were often not mapped.
Surface erosion from timber harvest has been slight. The volcanic ash-influenced surface soil is
rated as low surface erosion hazard (USDA FS, 1987) and occurs over more than 85 percent of
the project area. Excavated skid trails and temporary roads are prone to erosion because the
surface soil is removed. About 309 acres have been harvested in the past on soils with high
surface erosion potential. These are on steep slopes, usually on south aspects, or in riparian
areas where soil is readily detached and transported by water. Harvest has occurred on 832 acres
on soils with moderate surface erosion hazard. They are usually on steep slopes on north aspects.
Surface erosion on harvest units typically declines to negligible over time, except for some
landings, excavated skid trails, and temporary roads that remain on the landscape (USDA FS,
1981).
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Documented motorized and non-motorized trails account for 28 acres of soil disturbance,
susceptible to surface and subsurface erosion. Twenty acres are on soil substrata rated high for
erosion hazard. Numerous undocumented user-created ATV trails exist in addition to the system
trails, and add disproportionately to the amount of erosion in the project area, because they may
go straight up slopes or cross creeks, and have no erosion controls. They are often gullied or
rutted.
Road building is the primary current source of erosion and sediment production in the project area.
Seventy six percent of the watershed is rated high or very high for substratum erosion hazard
(USDA FS, 1987). About 413 acres of past road construction (about 103 miles) are on soil
substrata that are rated high or very high for erosion hazard Road erosion and sediment yield
usually decline over time, but continue at a chronic level indefinitely (USDA FS 1981). Periodic
large pulses of erosion may occur during intense or prolonged rainstorms or rain-on-snow events,
or after burning or harvest that increases water yield and overland flow in interaction with road
drainage systems (Wemple, 1994).
MASS EROSION
Mass erosion is the movement of large bodies of soil under the effect of gravity. Movement may
be accelerated by high moisture levels, undercutting of toe slopes, or loss of tree rooting strength,
among other factors (Chatwin et al., 1991), Landslides here include slumps, creep, debris
avalanches or flows, debris torrents, and bedrock slides. Landslides can result in on-site loss of
soil productivity, as surface soils are translocated down slope. Sediment delivered to streams may
comprise fine sediments, which could have negative impacts, or larger rock and large organic
debris, which could enhance stream habitat complexity.
Landslide hazard is low in most (76 percent) of the analysis area. About 3441 acres (about 7.5
percent of the analysis area) are mapped as high hazard for landslides. These are steep slopes,
especially in concave headwalls, steep, highly dissected drainage areas, and features that show
evidence of past mass wasting. Debris avalanche, debris torrent, and shallow slumps are the most
likely kinds of mass failures in the area, but field reconnaissance indicates past mass wasting has
been generally restricted to localized events with small to moderate impacts.
Road construction in such settings may precipitate road but or fill failures, and occasionally loss of
the road prism, or, by undercutting a toe slope, activate a landslide upslope. Thirty-four acres (8.5
miles) of road construction and 181 acres of timber harvest have occurred on land rated high for
landslide risk. No documented landslide response has occurred on these areas. During the flood
episode of 1996-1997, no mass erosion was reported in the analysis area.
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST AND REGIONAL SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
Soil quality standards apply to activity areas other than the dedicated transportation system and
administrative sites. This includes temporary roads, harvest units, mine sites, grazed areas, and
burned areas. This discussion focuses on Forest Soil Standard number 2: areal extent of
detrimental soil disturbance. Refer to the Legal Framework in the Soil Resource section.
About 86 percent of the Crooked River watershed has soils rated highly susceptible to compaction
or displacement (Page-Dumroese, 1993; USDA FS, 1987). About 3600 acres have been tractor-
logged and 331 acres mined, or 9 percent of the analysis area. Most of this logging occurred from
1960-1989, but extensive clearing occurred during the mining era along mainstem Crooked River
and around upland mine sites. About 66 percent of all harvest activity areas have been logged
with ground-based equipment. Assuming 80 percent of these would not meet forest Plan
standards, (based on sampling in adjacent Red River watershed), 53 percent of all logging areas
would not meet Forest Plan Soil quality standard 2, for extent of detrimental soil disturbance on
completion of activities. This degree of soil damage is consistent both with other Forest monitoring
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(USDA FS 1988, 1990, 1992), and research (Krag, 1991; Froelich, 1978; Davis, 1990, Alexander
andPoff, 1985).
Cable logging typically produces relatively little soil damage (research cited in Alexander and Poff,
1985). This is consistent with findings of the Red River watershed assessment, in which a
sampled cable-logging unit had sustained 4 percent damage. Additional sampling for the Red
Pines project also found another cable unit had sustained less than 4 percent damage. About 981
acres, about 2 percent of the analysis area, has been cable-logged.
Total area of impaired soil quality is estimated at 2225 acres in Crooked River, or 4.9 percent of
the watershed.
•--..
EXISTING CONDITION - CROOKED RIVER: SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
The inherent rock nutrient status of the local metarnorphic gneisses, schists, and quartzites is rated
as medium to poor (Garrison and Moore, 1998), but no sampling specific to the analysis area has
been done. Their expected soil nutrient status is also medium to low (Buol et al., 1989). These
rock types account for about 54 percent of the analysis area. Only 126 acres of YUM yarding
(yarding unmerchantable material) or yarding of slash has been documented in the analysis area,
on this geologic material. Much of this yarding may have been bole only, but tops and limbs may
also have been removed. Removal of tops and limbs is likely to result in about twice as much
potassium loss as bole-only yarding, so a few localized areas may have sustained potassium loss.
Granites are fated as having good inherent nutrient status, but medium to low soil nutrient status
because of their poor capacity for nutrient retention. Granites account for about 46 percent of the
analysis area.
Volcanic ash surface soils have high cation exchange capacity and good moisture storage
capacity, but may not have high levels of available soil nutrients, including potassium (Stark and
Spitzner, 1982).
Of the tree species likely to be removed, grand fir accumulates the highest foliar levels of
potassium, so harvesting tops of this species is more likely to deplete soil potassium than
harvesting lodgepole pine tops, which have the lowest levels of foliar potassium (Moore et al.
2004).
Soil nitrogen is typically limiting in all rock and soil types and whole tree yarding has similar or
greater effects on soil nitrogen reservoirs (Shaw, 2003). Soil nitrogen can be replenished more
rapidly through nitrogen fixation or atmospheric deposition than can potassium, which must
weather from rocks.
About 4914 acres, or about 11 percent of the Crooked River watershed, have been clearcut
harvested with dozer piling or broadcast burning. Nitrogen losses have probably been substantial
on these sites. Because slash disposal burns logs on the ground rather than standing trees, soil
temperatures can be hotter and nitrogen loss by volatilization may therefore be greater than with a
wildfire.
Loss OF SOIL WOOD
Coarse woody debris (CWD) is woody material derived from tree limbs, boles, and roots in various
stages of decay, here defined as that larger than 3 inches in diameter (Graham et al., 1994).
Coarse woody debris protects the soil from erosion, contributes to wildlife and fisheries habitat, and
moderates soil microclimate. Highly decayed CWD can hold more water than mineral soil,
provides sites for nitrogen fixation, and releases nutrients through decay or burning. Highly
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decayed wood provides sites for ectomycorrhizal colonization, which contributes to plant growth
and plays a role in the food chains of many small rodents and their predators.
Coarse woody debris in natural systems fluctuates with forest growth, mortality, fire, and decay.
Harvest and slash burning can remove large wood to a degree that its soil function is impaired,
since both standing boles and down wood may be much reduced.
About 4914 acres, or about 11 percent of the Crooked River watershed, have been clearcut
harvested with dozer piling or broadcast burning. Most of this harvest was prior to 1990, when the
first large woody debris prescriptions might have been implemented. Field reconnaissance in the
adjacent Red River watershed indicates large woody debris is deficient on such sites, in
comparison to most natural disturbance regimes. In addition, very few green trees or snags were
left on regeneration harvest units, so that very few trees are available for recruitment over the next
50-100 years.
Areas of old forest in moist habitats and areas of past mortality of lodgepole pine in the beetle
outbreak of the 1980s may have heavy loads of CWD. They are not unnaturally high, but are
susceptible to consumption by wildfire. Wildfire would consume some material and create dead
standing timber, which would be recruited as large woody debris over time.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Indicators of direct environmental effects on soils are summarized in Table 3.3 below for Crooked
River.
Table 3.3: Indicators of Direct Soil Effects by Alternative: Crooked River
Activity
Ground-based timber harvest on soils rate high for
compaction or displacement hazard (acres) plus acres of
new temporary road construction
Timber harvest on soils rated high for surface erosion
hazard (acres)
Road construction on soil substrata rated high for erosion
hazard (acres)
Road construction or timber harvest on lands preliminarily
mapped as high landslide hazard (acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal on geologic
materials potentially susceptible to potassium losses
(acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal that could
contribute to nitrogen losses (acres)
Clearcut harvest and slash disposal with potential for
high soil wood loss (acres)
Soil restoration on old harvest units (acres). Most are
spatially associated with roads to be decommissioned.
Soil restoration through system road decommissioning
(acres)
Actual acres estimated to sustain detrimental impacts
from the proposed actions using Regional Soil Quality
definitions of detrimental disturbance, disturbance (20
percent of ground based harvest, 4 percent of cable
harvest and 100 percent of temporary road construction)
Alternative
A
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
B
745
19
16
11
1183
1319
690
13
36
194
c
729
20
20
12
1339
1472
748
18
39
201
D
1020
20
20
13
1498
1726
804
23
39
263
E
618
19
12
10
989
1114
536
37
69
161
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Table 3.4: Indicators of Cumulative Soil Effects by Alternative: Crooked River
Activity
Ground-based timber harvest on soils
highly subject to compaction or
displacement, road or trail construction,
or mining (acres)
Timber harvest or burn on soils rated
high for surface erosion hazard (acres)
Road or trail construction on soil
substrata rated high for erosion hazard
(acres)
Road construction or harvest on lands
preliminarily mapped as high landslide
hazard (acres)
More than 50 percent canopy removal
on geologic materials potentially
susceptible to potassium losses (acres),
assuming whole tree yarding or YUM
yarding of tops
More than 50 percent canopy removal
that could contribute to nitrogen losses
(acres), assuming whole tree yarding or
YUM yarding of tops; any regeneration
harvest
Clearcut timber harvest and slash
disposal with potential for high soil wood
loss (acres); any regeneration harvest
Soil restoration on old harvest units
associated with roads to be
decommissioned (acres)
Soil restoration through system road
decommissioning, assuming road
recontour
Actual acres estimated to have
sustained detrimental impacts using
Regional Soil Quality definitions of
detrimental disturbance 2
Existing Condition Plus Proposed and Foreseeable
Actions1
A
4675
309
433
230
126
5146
5146
0
0
2286
B
5420
328
449
241
1309
6465
5836
13
36
2480
c
5404
329
453
242
1465
6618
5894
18
39
2487
D
5695
329
453
243
1624
6872
595
23
39
2549
E
5293
328
445
240
1115
6260
5682
37
69
2447
Existing
Condition
4526
309
433
215
126
4914
4914
0
0
2225
1 A foreseeable action includes Whiskey South project
2 Estimated conditions of past logging are based on acres tractor-logged multiplied by .35 (the average areal
percent damage associated with such tractor logging), plus acres cable logged multiplied by .04 (the average
areal damage associated with cable logging) plus documented areas of mine-impacts, system roads, and
trails.
Acres by alternative for the American Crooked River project are estimated using the same assumptions
except that the percent damage for tractor-logged areas would be held at the Forest threshold (.20).
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3.1.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL COMPACTION AND DISPLACEMENT
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no action Alternative A, no soil compaction or displacement would occur as a
consequence of road construction, timber harvest, or fuel reduction activities. Existing soil
compaction and displacement would persist with very slight natural recovery of surface layers of
compacted soils. No soil restoration or watershed improvement activities would occur, so the long-
term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occurred, mechanized suppression activities and subsequent salvage logging could
create severe soil impacts, depending on fire characteristics and administrative decisions. The
scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning
weather. Because the location, intensity and size of future fire, or agency actions in response to
fire, are uncertain, with or without implementing any action alternative, the evaluation of
alternatives by fire hazard is rnost appropriately addressed in the Fire section.
The continued accumulatibn of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe fire effects on soil, including physical alteration of soil structure and development
of hydrophobic layers, but compaction and displacement from a potential natural wildfire are not
likely.
ALTERNATIVES
DIRECT
Alternative B would result in soil impacts less than Alternative D, but more than Alternatives C and
E. Under Alternative B, 728 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would occur
using ground-based logging systems On soils highly subject to compaction and displacement and
17 acres of new temporary road construction. Assuming that compaction and displacement can be
held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold of Forest Plan Soil standard 2, 177 acres
on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or displaced, along with 17 acres on new
temporary roads.
About 514 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Restoration on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about 49 acres.
Existing soil compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated 13 of these
acres. Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 36 of the 49 acres. Temporary
roads built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 17 acres of restoration.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Alternative C would result in soil impacts less than Alternatives B and D, but greater than
Alternative E. Under Alternative C, 704 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would
occur using ground-based logging systems on soils highly subject to compaction and
displacement, along with 25 acres of new temporary road construction. Assuming that compaction
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and displacement can be held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold of the Forest
Plan Soil Standards, 176 acres on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or displaced,
and 25 acres on temporary roads.
About 502 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Soil restoration proposed in Alternative C is slightly more than Alternative B, and less than
Alternatives D and E. Restoration on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total
of about 57 acres. Existing soil compaction and displacement would be treated on an estimated 18
of these acres. Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 39 of the 57 acres.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Alternative D would result in the greatest soil impacts of any alternative. Under Alternative D, 995
acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction would occur using ground-based logging
systems on soils highly subject to compaction and displacement, along with 25 acres of new
temporary roads. Assuming that compaction and displacement can be held to within the 20
percent areal disturbance threshold of the Forest Plan soil quality standard item 2, 238 acres on
harvest units would be significantly compacted or displaced, along with 25 acres of temporary
roads.
About 541 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Soil restoration proposed in Alternative D is slightly more than Alternatives B and C, and less than
Alternative E. Restoration on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about
62 acres. Existing soil compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated 23
of these acres. Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 39 of the 62 acres.
Temporary roads built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 25 acres of
restoration.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Alternative E avoids soil impacts better than any other action alternative, through reduction in road
construction and area of ground-based logging. Under Alternative E, 605 acres of timber harvest
or mechanical fuel reduction would occur using ground-based logging systems on soils highly
subject to compaction and displacement, along with 13 acres of new temporary roads. Assuming
that compaction and displacement can be held to within the 20 percent areal disturbance threshold
of the Forest Plan soil standard 2, 148 acres on harvest units would be detrimentally compacted or
displaced, along with 13 acres of temporary roads.
About 505 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil disturbance is slight.
Alternative E proposes substantially more soil restoration than any other alternative. Restoration
on existing impacted sites (roads and units) would treat a total of about 106 acres. Existing soil
compaction and displacement would be treated on units on an estimated 37 of these acres.
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Existing roads to be decommissioned account for another 69 of the 106 acres. Temporary roads
built for this project would be decommissioned, for an additional 13 acres of restoration.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of soil compaction and displacement include effects to vegetation and hydrologic
processes. Compaction and displacement can result in reduced moisture holding capacity, greater
drought stress and susceptibility to pathogens or fire. Certain species have a greater competitive
advantage in disturbed soils, like weeds or lodgepole pine, so that shifts in plant community
composition have been noted in field inventories of harvest units (USDA Forest Service, 2003c).
Altered soil porosity and moisture holding capacity (USDA FS 2000) could contribute to higher
drought stress, lower ground cover, and shifts in disturbance regimes like erosion or fire. The
relative ranking of likely persistent indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and
D. '--. _...,-"' """ , \
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS- ALL ALTERNATIVES
Soil compaction effects can last 70 years (Froelich et al., 1983), but are not irretrievable.
Decompaction can at least partly restore soil porosity. Soil displacement that mixes or removes
the volcanic ash surface layer reduces soil moisture holding capacity, which may be irreversible
without volcanic additions. The relative ranking of likely persistent soil compaction and
displacement by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, C, B, and D. Stockpiling and "replacing topsoil
could mitigate this loss for roads and landings, as well as other mitigation to minimize damage; see
the discussion of project design measures and mitigation above.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause soil compaction and displacement may have cumulative effects on soil
porosity; water holding capacity, aeration, and long-term productivity, with repeated entries.
Cumulative effects may also occur at the landscape level, where large areas of compacted and
displaced soil affect vegetation dynamics, runoff, and water yield regimes. About 4526 acres are
currently estimated to have sustained detrimental compaction or displacement in the Crooked
River watershed due to logging, mining, and road or trail construction. Some thinning, pruning and
hazard tree removal have occurred around administrative sites and along road 233 over 24 acres
as part of defensible space and hazard free reduction projects in the analysis area. This work was
accomplished by hand with limited machine skidding so ground disturbance was slight. The
alternatives will add from 161 to 263 acres, depending on alternative; and the foreseeable Whiskey
South project could add an estimated 61 acres due to harvest and road construction, for a total of
less than 1 percent of the watershed.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may constrain these effects to current or slightly improved
levels. Additional soil restoration associated with decommissioning of old roads and treating old
harvest units will also reduce the extent of cumulative effects within the project area. Cumulative
effects are directly related to the scope of timber harvest and mechanical fuel reduction activities,
temporary road construction, and soil restoration. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects
by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Although Alternative A would not do any soil
restoration, most restoration is not completely successful in areas of thin volcanic ash surface soils,
so avoidance more successfully conserves soil productivity.
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SURFACE AND SUBSTRATUM EROSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT EFFECTS
Under the no-action Alternative A, surface and substratum erosion processes would continue on
roads, skid trails, and landings with slight abatement as slow natural vegetation recovery occurs.
Erosion from harvest units would continue to decline to negligible. No new management sources
of surface or substratum erosion would occur, so the net trend would be reduced management-
derived erosion. However, no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur, so the long-
term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent surface soil erosion couJd range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size and severity of burn, soil disturbance associated with suppression,
salvage logging, or burn rehabilitation activities, and interaction of watershed response with the
existing transportation system. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the
uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of surface erosion, but this
may be similar to risks associated with logging and broadcast burning on areas proposed for
treatment. Sediment modeling assumptions derived from research (USDA FS 1981) suggest that
erosion from tractor logging on gentle to moderate slopes would be slightly less than a severe fire
on a steep slope, cumulatively over a 5-year time span, not considering the additional substratum
erosion from harvest access roads. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of
wildfire size and severity in untreated areas. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire
management section.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT
Alternative B would result in slight surface erosion and less substratum erosion than Alternatives
C and D, but more than Alternatives A and E. Under Alternative B, 19 acres of timber harvest or
fuel reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
An estimated 16 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to
erosion are proposed for Alternative B. Road construction is more likely to result in erosion than
harvest.
About 514 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and at risk trees. This is less
than other action alternatives. Skidding equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep
cut slopes would be protected from damage, so the potential for erosion is slight.
The 49 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
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ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Alternative C would result in slight surface erosion and similar substratum erosion to Alternative D,
but more substratum erosion than Alternatives A, B and E. Under Alternative C, 20 acres of timber
harvest or fuel reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
An estimated 20 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to
erosion are proposed for Alternative C. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion
than harvest.
About 502 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential exposure to soil erosion is slight.
The 57 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
.,'
Alternative D would result in surface and substratum erosion very similar to Alternative C, but
more than alternatives A, B, or E. Under Alternative D, 20 acres of timber harvest or mechanical
fuel reduction would occur on soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
An estimated 20 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to
erosion are proposed for Alternative D. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion
than harvest.
About 541 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil erosion is slight.
The 62 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Alternative E would result in slight surface erosion and less substratum erosion than the other
action alternatives. Alternative E would also address more soil restoration that could reduce
existing erosion. Under Alternative E, 19 acres of timber harvest or fuel reduction would occur on
soils highly susceptible to surface erosion.
An estimated 12 acres of temporary road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to
erosion are proposed for Alternative E. Road construction is usually more likely to result in erosion
than harvest.
About 505 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Skidding
equipment is limited to operating on the road, and steep cut slopes would be protected from
damage, so the potential for soil erosion is slight.
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The 106 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would reduce
surface and substratum erosion problems on some existing sites, particularly on steep skid trails,
poorly vegetated landings, and existing temporary roads.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS
Indirect effects of soil surface and substratum erosion include effects to vegetation and hydrologic
processes. Surface erosion removes the soil materials with the greatest ability to hold moisture
and nutrients, potentially resulting in greater drought stress, poorer growth, and susceptibility to
pathogens or fire. Since volcanic ash is not easily replaced, these effects may be very long lasting.
Certain species have a greater competitive advantage in eroded soils, Ijke weeds or lodgepole
pine, so that shifts in plant community composition and consequent disturbance regimes like
erosion or fire, could occur. Eroded surface and substratum material may be delivered to streams
and have consequences to water quality, stream temperature, quality of fish habitat, and channel
morphology. See the Watershed and Fisheries discussions. The relative ranking of likely indirect
effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, D, and C
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Eroded surface soil, where it is derived from volcanic ash influenced loess, is irretrievable without
volcanic additions. Residual soil materials would develop into topsoil over several decades to
hundreds of years, but this material may lack the moisture holding properties of volcanic ash.
The relative ranking of likely surface soil erosion by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
Effects of eroded substratum material are not irretrievable or irreversible; although effects as
delivered sediment may be long lasting.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Activities that result in soil surface and substratum erosion may have cumulative effects on water
holding capacity, nutrient pools and retention, and long-term productivity, with repeated entries.
Cumulative effects may also occur at the landscape level, where large areas of soil exposed to
erosion affect vegetation dynamics, invasive species, runoff, and sediment regimes. Erosion of
surface soils on old harvest units is expected to have declined to zero, but substratum erosion from
roads continues on about 567 acres in the project area. The alternatives will add from 12 to 20
acres of road construction on soil substrata highly susceptible to erosion, while the foreseeable
Whiskey South project does not propose any road construction on highly erodible substrata.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may constrain these effects to current or slightly improved
levels. Control of erosion is generally easier to attain than amelioration of displacement that
results in erosion.
Past activities considered in cumulative effects are timber harvest and road construction on soils
susceptible to erosion. Mining impacts on at least 331 acres are likely to have resulted in
localized severe erosion. Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative
structures as part of defensible space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by
hand, with little soil exposure or likelihood of erosion.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of erosion is
increased, with potential for effects to on-site productivity, sediment delivery, water yield, and
stream morphology over larger areas. Cumulative effects are directly related to the scope of timber
harvest and temporary road construction on susceptible soils, and the partial compensation offered
by road decommissioning and soil restoration. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by
alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
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MASS EROSION
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action alternative, mass erosion processes would remain a modest factor in soil
processes in the analysis area. Mass erosion from natural causes would continue at small scales
and infrequent rates. Mass erosion from past management activities would continue at a localized
scale and declining rate as old roads stabilized and harvest units revegetated. No new
management sources of mass erosion would occur from these alternatives, so the net trend would
be reduced management-derived mass erosion. However, no soil or watershed improvement
activities would occur, so the long-term upward trend would be slow.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent mass erosion could range from modest to locally severe,
depending on location, size and severity of burn, soil disturbance associated with suppression,
salvage logging, or burn rehabilitation activities, and interaction of watershed response with the
existing transportation system. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the
uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather.
However, the continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased
potential for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of mass erosion in
steep draws, drainage headlands, and on steep, wet lower slopes, because rooting strength would
be lost, and more moisture available. These effects are similar to clearcut logging and broadcast
burning. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of wildfire size and severity in
untreated areas, and in areas where partial canopy removal and underburn reduce likely wildfire
severity. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire section.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT
Mass erosion hazard would change slightly from natural rates under Alternatives B, C, D, and E.
Only 10-13 acres of harvest are proposed under any alternative on lands mapped as high risk for
landslides. They will be dropped from harvest if the risk is validated through field review. Less
than 1 acre of temporary road construction is proposed on lands mapped as high risk. Road
location will be adjusted as needed based on field review to avoid areas of high landslide hazard.
Design and mitigation measures address identification of localized areas of significant landslide
risk, and adjustment of harvest prescriptions to maintain slope stability.
Soil restoration proposed on existing impacted sites can sometimes address existing mass erosion
problems. Activities that include restoration of stream crossings and wetlands on roads, and
recontouring roads and temporary roads can treat existing slope failure problems and reduce risk
for future failures.
No roads proposed for decommissioning under any alternative in Crooked River are on land
mapped as high landslide hazard, but local road and slope failures would be identified and treated
as roads are decommissioned.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of mass erosion include effects to vegetation and hydrologic processes. Mass
erosion may affect surface or substratum materials. Mass erosion of surface soil removes the
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materials with the greatest ability to hold moisture and nutrients, potentially resulting in greater
drought stress, poorer growth, and susceptibility to pathogens or fire. Since volcanic ash is not
easily replaced, these effects may be very long lasting. Certain species have a greater competitive
advantage in eroded soils, like weeds or lodgepole pine, so that shifts in plant community
composition and consequent disturbance regimes, like erosion or fire, could occur. Typically mass
erosion mixes surface and substratum materials so the unique properties of the surface soil are
lost. Mass-eroded surface and substratum material may be delivered to streams and have
consequences to water quality, stream temperature, quality of fish habitat, and channel
morphology. See the watershed and fisheries discussions.
Indirect effects are likely to be slight, and differences among alternatives slight, because of little
activity proposed on landslide prone terrain, and the mitigation that would be applied. The relative
ranking of potential indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, and C/D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects of mass erosion, except for potential loss of
volcanic ash-influenced topsoil. See the section of effects for surface erosion. Anticipated mass
erosion processes under action or no-action alternatives are of slight probability, size, or effects,
and are unlikely to exceed natural rates.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS -ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that result in mass erosion are unlikely to have significant cumulative effects in the
analysis area because of the low incidence of activities proposed on landslide prone terrain.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may improve the mass wasting condition by road
decommissioning, while proposed road construction would be in low hazard locations.
The thinning and pruning that have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area will not increase mass wasting risk.
Fifteen acres of harvest are proposed on lands mapped as high landslide hazard for the
foreseeable Whiskey South project, but no road construction. Field review and development of
mitigation measures have reduced the risk of slope failure due to harvest on that terrain to slight.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of landslide hazard is
modestly increased, with some slight potential for effects to sediment delivery and temporary loss
of on-site productivity in localized areas. Cumulative effects are directly related to the scope of
past, proposed and foreseeable timber harvest or fuel reduction activities and temporary road
construction in susceptible terrain. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by alternative is
(best to worst): A, E, B, and C/D.
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A the existing condition for compliance with Soil Quality
Standards would continue, with slight amelioration as slow natural recovery of compacted surface
soil occurred and surface soil development in disturbed areas occurred. Landings, temporary
roads, and compacted or excavated skid trails would not recover enough within the temporal
bounds of this analysis to meet standards.
No additional lands would be subject to temporary road construction or fuel reduction that would
result in soil conditions not in compliance with standards from any of the action alternatives.
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However, no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur that might accelerate soil
recovery, so the long-term upward trend would be slower in untreated soil restoration areas, than
with soil restoration.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent damage to soil conditions from suppression activities, burn
severity, or salvage logging could range from negligible to severe, depending on location, size, and
severity of burn and subsequent administrative activities.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, but whether this might result in greater or more lasting soil
damage than road construction or ground-based logging operations is uncertain. Wildfire seldom
results in compaction or displacement, but could result in ground cover loss and erosion that
exceeds Forest Plan standards or Regional Guidelines. Evaluation of alternatives depends on
being able to compare fire size, location, and severity in untreated areas. The scope of such
impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather. See the
discussion of fire hazard in the Fire management section.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, and E
DIRECT
Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E, the areas proposed for ground-based timber harvest or
mechanical fuel reduction on soils highly susceptible to compaction or displacement, are the areas
most vulnerable to exceeding Forest Plan soil standard number 2. The areas proposed for such
harvest have no recorded history of harvest or mechanical disturbance in the past, and no
evidence of disturbance from aerial photo inspection, and reconnaissance field sampling, and are
expected to fully meet either Forest Plan Standards at this time.
Project design and mitigation measures are proposed that constrain equipment type, timing of
operation, location and density of skid trails, and restoration of mechanically disturbed areas, with
the objective of ensuring that activity areas meet Forest Plan soil standard number 2, upon
completion of the proposed activities. These would apply to all alternatives. Because meeting this
soil standard is difficult, the relative likelihood of meeting compliance is greater for alternatives that
treat fewer acres. The relative ranking of alternatives is (from greatest likelihood of full compliance
to least): A, E, B, C, and D.
Additional soil restoration is proposed under Alternatives B, C, D, and E. Recovery of soil physical
properties is not expected to be complete on all treated acres, but will establish an upward trend
for soil conditions for the treated sites^ Activities include decompaction, recontouring, addition of
organic matter, weed control, and revegetation to restore compacted and displaced soils on main
skid trails, existing temporary roads, landings, and newly constructed temporary roads. The
relative ranking of alternatives for soil restoration activities is (greatest to least restoration): E, D, C,
B, and A.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects may include alteration of numerous ecological and hydrological processes that may
be indirect in time or space. Compaction and soil displacement can affect sediment delivery and
water yield that have downstream consequences to water quality and fisheries habitat. Indirect
effects to ecological processes include altered plant community establishment, growth and yield,
changed competitive advantages to different species, heightened susceptibility to pathogens,
drought and fire. Restoration can compensate for some effects, but recovery of full function may
not occur in all cases. Based on the feasibility of effecting partial recovery on 1 to 2 percent of
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areas with past impacts, while incurring 20 percent impacts on new activity areas, the relative
ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Soil quality standards address issues of long-term productivity, so failure to comply with these
standards implies long-lasting impairment of soil functions, if not irreversible or irretrievable effects.
The effects^ of soil displacement and surface soil erosion are least reversible, and most
irretrievable, since the volcanic ash surface material is hard to replace. See those sections. The
relative ranking by alternative for these issues is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause compaction, displacement, or exposure to erosion, may have cumulative
effects on belowground physical and biological processes, hydrologic function, and long-term
productivity, especially in the case of repeated entries. Rigorous mitigation and restoration may
meet Soil Quality Standards.
Past activities considered in cumulative effects are timber harvest, particularly ground-based
logging and dozer piling, and documented mining impacts. Permanent roads are not considered in
assessing compliance with soil quality standards. Some thinning, pruning, and hazard tree
removal have occurred around administrative sites and along road 233 over 24 acres as part of
defensible space and hazard tree reduction projects in the analysis area. This work was
accomplished by hand and some limited machine skidding so ground disturbance was slight. Past
fires are considered to be recovered and are not considered as cumulative effects.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of soil damage is
increased. Compliance with standards may be sustained, but incremental effects to long-term
productivity over larger areas may occur. Cumulative effects are directly related to the scope of
temporary road construction and ground-based logging systems, and the relative compensation by
soil restoration. All alternatives may meet Forest Plan soil quality standards if mitigation and
design measures are rigorously applied, so that cumulative effects are the same for all alternatives
on a site basis, but differ considered additively across the landscape. From this perspective, the
relative ranking of alternatives is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
3.1.2.2. SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A, soil potassium and nitrogen would continue to cycle at current
rates, and not be subject to removal through harvest or prescribed fire. Accrual would continue at
low rates from rock weathering, atmospheric deposition, and nitrogen fixation. Soil nutrients would
increasingly be bound in organic matter complexes and slowly released through decay. The net
trend would be reduced management-derived nutrient loss. However, no soil or watershed
improvement activities would occur, that might accelerate biological recovery on degraded sites, so
the long-term upward trend would be slower in untreated potential soil restoration areas.
If a wildfire occurred, consequent soil nutrient loss could range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size and severity of burn, loss through salvage logging, and loss of
nutrients through erosion or leaching. Fire could also make more nutrients readily available for
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plant uptake and benefit post-fire plant growth. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable,
given the uncertainties of fire ignition and burning weather.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, which can increase the likelihood of nutrient loss to
volatilization, erosion, or leaching. However, whole-tree yarding, hot broadcast burns, or hot burns
of machine-piled slash could have equal effects because of the removal of material from the site.
Concentration of slash in piles may result in losses due to hotter fires or significant reduction of
nutrients from large areas. Alternative evaluation would depend on the reduction of wildfire size
and severity in untreated areas, and in areas where partial canopy removal and underburn reduce
likely wildfire severity. Refer to the discussion of fire hazard in the Fire section.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is less in Alternative B than Alternatives C or D, but more than
Alternative E. Under Alternative B, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced on
about 1183 acres, where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially
susceptible geologic materials. Where lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 664
acres of clearcut harvest on metamorphics), potassium loss may be less because this species
does not sequester as much potassium as other species. If the material is dead as well, needles
and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding pan be foregone,
potassium losses could also be minimized.
Potential for nitrogen loss is also less in Alternative B than Alternatives C or D, but more than E.
Nitrogen levels would be reduced through timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction, on 1319
acres where percent canopy removal would be more than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole pine
comprises most of this removal (perhaps as much as 690 acres of clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss
may be less because needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole
tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be minimized.
About 514 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Intensity
and extent of tree removal are limited and tops would be left in the woods, so the potential for
nutrient loss is small.
The 49 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is less for Alternative C than Alternative D, but more than Alternatives
B and E. Under Alternative C, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced on
about 1339 acres, where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially
susceptible geologic materials. Where lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 723
acres of clearcut harvest on metamorphics), potassium loss may be less because this species
does not sequester as much potassium as other species. Where the lodgepole is dead as well,
needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be
foregone, potassium losses could also be minimized.
Potential for nitrogen loss is less for Alternative C than Alternative D, but more than Alternatives B
and E. Nitrogen levels would be reduced through timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction, on
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1472 acres where percent canopy removal is more than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole
comprises most of this removal (as much as 748 acres of clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss may be
less because needles and branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree
yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be minimized.
About 502 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Intensity
and extent of tree removal are limited and tops would be left in the woods, so the potential for
nutrient loss is small.
The 57 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is greatest for Alternative D. Under Alternative D, potassium levels
could potentially be detrimentally reduced on about 1498 acres, where more than 50 percent
canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially susceptible geologic materials. Where
lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 723 acres of clearcut harvest on
metamorphics), potassium loss may be less because this species does not sequester as much
potassium as other species. Where the lodgepole is dead as well, needles and branches are likely
to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, potassium losses could
also be minimized.
Potential for nitrogen loss is greatest for Alternative D. Nitrogen levels would be reduced through
timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction, on 1726 acres where percent canopy removal is more
than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole comprises most of this removal (as much as 804 acres of
clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss may be less because needles and branches are likely to break off
during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could also be
minimized.
About 541 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Intensity
and extent of tree removal are limited and tops would be left in the woods, so the potential for
nutrient loss is small.
The 62 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Potential for potassium loss is least for Alternative E, compared to other action alternatives.
Under Alternative E, potassium levels could potentially be detrimentally reduced on about 989
acres, where more than 50 percent canopy removal has been prescribed on potentially susceptible
geologic materials. Where lodgepole pine comprises most of this removal (about 522 acres of
clearcut harvest on metamorphics), potassium loss may be less because this species does not
sequester as much potassium as other species. Where the lodgepole is dead as well, needles and
branches are likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone,
potassium losses could also be minimized.
Potential for nitrogen loss is least for Alternative E, compared to other action alternatives. Nitrogen
levels would be reduced through harvest or prescribed fire, on 1114 acres where percent canopy
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removal is more than 50 percent. Where dead lodgepole comprises most of this removal (as much
as 536 acres of clearcut harvest), nitrogen loss may be less because needles and branches are
likely to break off during yarding. Where whole tree yarding can be foregone, nitrogen losses could
also be minimized.
About 505 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Intensity
and extent of tree removal are limited and tops would be left in the woods, so the potential for
nutrient loss is small.
The 106 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
potential for nitrogen accretion and retention by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of loss of soil nutrients include reduced growth and yield, increased susceptibility to
pathogens (like root infection), and shifting species composition as species with ability to sequester
nutrients (like grand fir) out compete species less able (like larch), (Garrison and Moore, 1998).
The relative ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
Wildfire could affect any alternative by resulting in volatilization, leaching or erosion loss of
nutrients, but also by making more nutrients readily available for plant uptake.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects of nutrient loss, except for potential loss of
potassium. Recovery of soil potassium depends on slow inputs from rock weathering and may
represent an irretrievable loss in the case of whole tree yarding of green trees, especially grand fir,
or hot broadcast burns on clearcuts, on susceptible geologic substrata. The actual potassium
status of these rock types has not been locally assessed. A possible mitigation measure beyond
minimizing whole tree yarding is fertilization. Nitrogen is replenished more rapidly through biotic
and abiotic fixation, but may also have long-lasting effects. The relative ranking of likely potassium
and nitrogen loss by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS -r ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause soil potassium and nitrogen loss may have cumulative effects on soil
productivity, plant growth and yield, susceptibility to pathogens, and successional processes, with
repeated entries. Past effects to potassium reserves due to management are not thought to be
significant, because no entry into areas with prior timber harvest is proposed. Rigorous mitigation
and restoration may constrain effects to current or slightly degraded levels for potassium, and little
long-lasting effect for nitrogen.
Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by hand. Lower branches and
small trees were generally removed, and either hand piled and burned. Localized potential for
cumulative soil nutrient loss is possible, if treatment is continuously sustained.
Foreseeable actions include an estimated 363 acres of timber harvest or mechanical fuel reduction
as part of the Whiskey South project. No whole tree yarding is proposed. A mix of treatments is
proposed for slash disposal, with perhaps 232 acres likely to be machine piled, which could
contribute to redistribution and volatilization of potassium and nitrogen.
With increasing area of activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of likely nutrient
loss is increased, with potential for effects to landscape composition, structure, and function.
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Cumulative effects are directly related to the scope of past, proposed and foreseeable regeneration
timber harvest, particularly whole tree yarding, and likelihood for piling and burning slash that
results in significant nutrient redistribution and volatilization. The relative ranking of potential
cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire may result in
significant potassium and nitrogen loss under any alternative, but may also result in greater net
nutrient availability.
Loss OF SOIL WOOD
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT
Under the no-action Alternative A, soil wood would continue to accumulate and slowly decay
through physical and biological mechanisms. The net trend would be reduced management-
derived loss of soil wood. However, no soil or watershed improvement activities would occur, that
might accelerate biological recovery in degraded areas, so the long-term upward trend would be
slower. If a wildfire occurred, consequent loss of soil wood could range from negligible to severe,
depending on location, size and severity of burn, and removal of dead standing trees associated
with salvage logging. Fire could also create standing dead trees that provide recruitment for soil
wood over the long term. The scope of such impacts is not foreseeable, given the uncertainties of
fire ignition, burning weather, and potential post>fire salvage logging.
The continued accumulation of dead and down fuel loads could contribute to increased potential
for locally severe burning behavior, which can result in loss of existing soil wood, while at the same
time recruiting new potential soil wood. However, fuel reduction activities, hot broadcast burns, or
hot burns of machine-piled slash could have equal effects because of the removal of wood boles
from. Concentration of slash in piles may result in losses due to hotter fires or significant reduction
of large wood over extensive areas. Large historic fires burned at 26-69 percent lethality in the
adjacent Red River watershed; it is unlikely that any future fire would be outside this wide range,
with or without treatment, and loss due to fire is expected to be less than loss due to removal. In
general, wildfire effects could often be preferable in large wood cycling and recruitment.
ALTERNATIVES
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative B is less than Alternatives C and D, but
more than E. Under Alternative B, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for large woody
debris loss would occur on 690 acres.
About 807 acres would be treated in Alternative B with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection harvest in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood loss is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 807 acres, 441 acres would be
underburned. These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 366 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 514 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Large snags
would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
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The 49 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
long-term potential for soil wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative C is less than Alternative D, but more
than Alternatives B or E. Under Alternative C, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for
large woody debris loss would occur on 748 acres.
About 826 acres would be treated in Alternative C with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood less is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the largerIrees left; Of these 826,acres, 497 would be
underburned. These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 329 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 502 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Large snags
would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
The 57 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement woUld improve
long-term potential for soil wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative D is greater than any other alternative.
Under Alternative D, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for large woody debris loss
would occur on 804 acres.
About 1164 acres would be treated in Alternative D with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood less is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 1164 acres, 582 would be
underburned. These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 582 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 541 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Large snags
would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
The 62 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
long-term potential for soil wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and organic matter
development.
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ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT
Potential for loss of large woody debris under Alternative E is less than any other action
alternative. Under Alternative E, clear cutting and slash disposal with potential for large woody
debris loss would occur on 536 acres.
About 754 acres would be treated in Alternative E with precommercial thinning, shelterwood or
group selection methods in which tree removal is less and/or slash is left on site. The likelihood of
excessive soil wood loss is less under these treatments. All of these acres would have more than
50 percent crown removal, but most of that is in smaller diameter classes which would not provide
as valuable a soil wood resource as the larger trees left. Of these 754 acres, 404 would be
underburned. These activities offer good opportunities to retain soil wood in adequate amount and
distribution. Excavator piling of slash on the other 350 acres would require stringent oversight to
ensure that piling is not excessive.
About 505 acres are proposed for possible roadside salvage of dead and dying trees. Large snags
would be left, and the intensity and extent of tree removal would be low.
The 106 acres of soil restoration described under soil compaction and displacement would improve
long-term potential for soil wood accrual by accelerating soil stabilization and .organic matter
development.
ALL ALTERNATIVES
INDIRECT EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Indirect effects of soil wood loss include altered processes of forest regeneration and growth,
favoring species requiring lower soil moisture, lower nutrient levels and greater tolerance for
potential soil erosion. Indirect effects could also include loss of habitat for species requiring soil
wood as dens or substrate for invertebrates, bacteria and fungi, which affect food availability for
small rodents and their predators. The relative ranking of likely indirect effects by alternative is
(best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable direct effects due to loss of soil wood, although long-term
productivity could be compromised through the age of the next forest stand, until soil wood
reserves begin to be replenished.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Activities that cause repeated loss of soil wood may have cumulative effects on soil porosity, water
holding capacity, aeration, biological activity, and long-term productivity, in the case of frequent
repeated entries. This is not likely to be a concern for the proposed activities because no areas of
harvest are targeted for a second entry.
Activities that result in large areas of depleted soil wood may have cumulative effects at the
landscape scale. Past activities considered in cumulative effects are regeneration timber harvest
and slash disposal.
Some thinning and pruning have occurred around administrative structures as part of defensible
space projects in the analysis area. This work is accomplished by hand. Soil wood was not
generally removed, but some snags were removed. Localized potential for cumulative soil wood
loss is possible if treatment is continuously sustained.
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Foreseeable actions include a proposed 363 acres of harvest in the Whiskey South project. An
estimated 232 acres will have high levels of crown removal and machine piling, and may be
susceptible to soil wood loss.
With increasing activities in previously unimpacted areas, the spatial extent of soil wood loss is
increased, with potential for effects to long-term productivity over larger areas. Rigorous mitigation
and restoration may constrain effects to current or improved levels, and develop a long-term
upward trend on some previously degraded sites. Cumulative effects are directly related to the
scope of regeneration timber harvest. The relative ranking of likely cumulative effects by
alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D. Wildfire might consume substantial quantities of
existing soil wood under any alternative, but would recruit standing dead trees, in the absence of
extensive salvage logging.
CONCLUSIONS
EXISTING CONDITION - AMERICAN RIVER
• The analysis area is dominated (96 percent) by surface soils derived from volcanic-ash
influenced loess that is highly susceptible to compaction and displacement, and whose
favorable moisture and nutrient holding properties are critical to long-term productivity.
These surface layers are relatively thin and it is hard to decompact them without mixing with
underlying infertile substrata Soil substrata include both highly erodible (42 percent) and
moderately erodible (58 percent) materials.
• Detrimentally compacted and displaced soil conditions are widespread in the watershed
due to past mining, ground-based logging and dozer piling, and road construction. These
conditions are primarily associated with harvest units (about 19 percent), system roads
(about 1.4 percent), and localized mine sites (about .5 percent). In addition, the major
meadows (.6 percent) have long been grazed, farmed, or otherwise impacted and are
expected to have sustained detrimental soil disturbance.
• Soil substratum erosion from a dense road network contributes to instream effects.
• Landslide hazard is dominantly low (.6 percent of the area is rated as high risk) and
incidence of mass wasting is infrequent, small in scale, and localized in effects. Areas of
Tertiary sediments within the Elk City Township are prone to localized road cut failures,
because of their stratified materials that perch water.
• Geologic materials thought to be susceptible to potassium loss are widespread in the
watershed (85 percent). Nutrient losses, including potassium and nitrogen, are expected to
have occurred in areas of regeneration harvest (10 percent of the watershed), especially
where whole tree yarding or intensive slash disposal has occurred.
• Soil wood regimes have been interrupted on large areas (14 percent of the watershed) due
to regeneration harvest and slash disposal with little provision for retaining existing soil
wood or providing for soil wood recruitment by leaving live and dead trees.
• An estimated 58 percent of past timber harvest activity areas do not meet Forest Plan soil
quality standards. Percent of detrimental soil disturbance is expected to range from 20 to
80 percent on units that have been tractor logged and dozer piled based on similarity to
Red River watershed conditions.
• Widespread lodgepole pine mortality will result in locally heavy accumulations of down
wood. This may result in locally severe fire effects to soils in the case of wildfire under
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severe burning conditions. These potential fire effects are within the historic range of
variability for soils in these fire regimes.
EXISTING CONDITION - CROOKED RIVER
• The analysis area is dominated (86 percent) by surface soils derived from volcanic-ash
influenced loess that is highly susceptible to compaction and displacement, and whose
favorable moisture and nutrient holding properties are critical to long-term productivity.
These surface layers are relatively thin and it is hard to decompact them without mixing with
underlying infertile substrata. Highly erodible materials dominate (76 percent) soil
substrata.
• Detrimentally compacted and displaced soil conditions are common in the watershed due to
past mining, ground-based logging and dozer piling, and road construction. These
conditions are primarily associated with harvest units (about 8 percent), system roads
(about 1.2 percent), and localized mine sites (a minimum of .7 percent).
• Soil substratum erosion from roads, mines and trails contributes to instream effects in lower
Crooked River.
• Landslide hazard is dominantly low (7.5 percent of the area is rated as high risk) and
incidence of mass Wasting is infrequent, usually small in scale, and localized in effects.
• Geologic materials thought to be susceptible to potassium loss are common in the
watershed (54 percent). Nutrient losses, including potassium and nitrogen, are expected to
have occurred in areas of regeneration harvest (11 percent of the watershed), especially
where whole tree yarding or intensive slash disposal has occurred.
• Soil wood regimes have been interrupted on large areas (11 percent of the watershed) due
to regeneration harvest and slash disposal with little provision for retaining existing soil
wood or providing for soil wood recruitment by leaving live and dead trees.
• An estimated 56 percent of past timber harvest activity areas do not meet Forest Plan soil
quality standards. Percent of detrimental soil disturbance is expected to range from 20 to
80 percent on units that have been tractor logged and dozer piled based on similarity to
Red River watershed conditions.
• Widespread lodgepole pine mortality at low and mid elevations will result in locally heavy
accumulations of down wood. This may result in locally severe fire effects to soils in the
case of wildfire under severe burning conditions. These potential fire effects are within the
historic range of variability for soils in these fire regimes.
SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES - AMERICAN RIVER/CROOKED RIVER
• Soil physical properties and compliance with Forest Plan soil standards would be most
affected by temporary road construction and use of ground-based mechanical harvest
systems.
• Surface soil loss from roads through displacement and mixing with infertile substrata has
long lasting consequences for soil productivity, because of the superiority of the volcanic
ash surface layer over subsoils and substrata. Road decommissioning will only partially
recover soil productivity.
• Soil compaction and displacement on ground-based logging units may be dispersed widely,
slow to naturally recover, and difficult to restore because the ash surface material is
relatively thin and restoration methods may be constrained by technology or economic
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considerations. Most of the project area soils have shallow topsoil over sterile subsoil,
which will require careful decompaction to avoid mixing (Andrus and Froelich, 1983).
Relative ranking of alternatives for soil physical properties is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and
D.
Mitigation measures for compaction, displacement and erosion include:
1. Layout and marking to avoid wet areas and unstable slopes (all alternatives)
2. Increased skid trail spacing
3. Suspension of logs where cable systems are used
4. Moisture controls on operations
5. Using old skid trails where possible
6. Stockpiling and re-use of topsoil
7. Minimizing excavator piling where feasible
8. Controls on slash piling equipment
9. Minimizing excavator piling in favor of burning wherever feasible
10. Controls on extent and intensity of piling
11. Decommissioning of new temporary roads
12. Main skid trail and landing decompaction and recontouring.
13. If areas of past soil damage exceeding the Forest Plan standard number 2 were
identified in the course of layout, areas would be dropped from harvest or activities
modified to remain within the standards.
These measures could reduce effects for all harvest alternatives to meet Forest Plan
standards for detrimental disturbance upon completion of activities, but the relative ranking
would remain.
Mitigation for burning includes developing burn boundaries and prescriptions to avoid
ignition in wet areas, and controlling burn intensity through timing and burning weather.
Mitigation measures for mass erosion include field review of potential units to identify areas
of significant landslide risk, and treatment through avoidance. Areas of moderate landslide
risk would be mitigated as needed through adjustment of basal area removal, attention to
site-specific leave tree marking, and controlling burn severity in slash treatment.
Wildfire under any alternative would not likely result in extensive compaction, displacement,
or substratum erosion, except as a consequence of fire suppression activities and potential
subsequent salvage logging. Surface soil erosion would likely increase in areas of steep
slopes with hot burns.
Soil chemical properties would be most affected by activities that result in excessive loss
of nutrients where there is the potential for whole tree yarding, machine piling and burning,
and clear cutting with potentially hot broadcast burns. Relative ranking of alternatives for
soil nutrient loss is (best to worst): A, E, B, C and D.
Mitigation through leaving adequate tops and branches on the harvest area, keeping slash
piles small and dispersed, minimizing machine piling, and minimizing hot burns could
reduce effects and the differences among alternatives.
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• Wildfire under any alternative could affect nitrogen regimes through volatilization, erosion,
or leaching loss or through chemical transformation making existing nitrogen more available
for plant uptake. Potassium is less susceptible to volatilization losses.
• Soil biological properties could be most affected by activities that result in high levels of
loss or redistribution of existing coarse woody debris, and recruitable coarse woody debris
(snags and green trees). This potential is greatest where clear-cut harvest and slash
disposal occur. Relative ranking of alternatives for potential coarse woody debris loss is
(best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
• Mitigation through snag, green tree, and down wood retention as described in the mitigation
section could reduce effects and the differences among alternatives to negligible levels.
• Wildfire under any alternative could materially affect coarse woody debris regimes through
both consumption and recruitment.
• Soil restoration activities are planned as part of the watershed improvement activities, as
part of harvest impact mitigation on new units, restoration on some old units, and will also
accrue as a consequence of decommissioning of existing and new temporary roads.
• Soil restoration would consist of decompaction, recontouring, stabilization for erosion
control, application of organic matter, revegetation, and weed Control as needed.
• Soil restoration can potentially improve infiltration, improve water and nutrient regimes,
restore more natural water yield regimes, reduce likelihood of runoff events, reduce
potential for weed invasion, stabilize slopes, and improve tree growth and vegetation
establishment. Luce (1997) indicates about a 50 percent increase in hydraulic conductivity
when a road is ripped, over an unripped road, but this is still less than half the conductivity
of an undisturbed forest soil. Sanborn et al. (1999a) show reductions in bulk density and
carbon increase in soils treated with decompaction, topsoil amendment and organic matter
incorporation. Plotnikoff et al. (1999) found that decompaction with a winged subsoiler and
revegetation improved tree growth on landings. Sanborn et al. (1999b), summarized soil
restoration work in British Columbia, and concluded that topsoil stockpiling and reuse, as
well as tillage, and adding organic matter and nutrients, resulted in greatest restoration of
soil productivity. Foltz and Maillard (2004) demonstrated that recontoured roads were less
likely to experience runoff and soil loss than roads not decompacted and recontoured, but
still had lower infiltration rates than natural forested slopes.
• Alternatives that maximize soil restoration and minimize new soil disturbances achieve the
greatest level of soil resource protection and restoration. Using these criteria, the relative
ranking of alternatives is (best to worst) A, E, B, C, and D. Alternative A is somewhat
problematic, because neither restoration nor impactive management activities are
proposed. However, it is a lot easier to avoid damage than to undo it, so this alternative is
ranked higher than the action alternatives.
• Treatments typically address less than 3 percent of each old tractor-logged unit because
dispersed areas of soil damage are often hard to access and treat without compounding
soil resource damage.
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SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - AMERICAN RIVER/CROOKED RIVER
SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST PLAN STANDARDS
SOIL COMPA CTION AND DlSPLA CEMENT
• Cumulative effects due to soil compaction and displacement include altered soil porosity;
water holding capacity, aeration, and long-term productivity. Effects are in proportion to the
past, proposed and foreseeable area impacted by ground based logging, mining, and road
construction. The relative ranking of cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst): A,
E, B, C, and D for both watersheds. The total percent of each watershed with long
persistent soil damage under the past, proposed and foreseeable actions is 9-10 percent
for American River and 5-6 percent for Crooked River. The no-action Alternative A results
in the least soil damage in each watershed. Alternative E results in the least cumulative soil
damage of the action alternatives in each watershed.
SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE EROSION
• Cumulative effects due to increased erosion include reduced water holding capacity,
nutrient pools and retention, and long-term productivity, and altered vegetation dynamics,
as well as instream effects of sedimentation. Effects are in proportion to the past,
proposed, and foreseeable area impacted by road building and mining on erodible
substrata, and, to a lesser extent, harvest on erodible surface soils. The relative ranking of
cumulative effects by alternative is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D for both watersheds.
The total percent of each watershed with long persistent soil erosion under the past,
proposed and foreseeable actions is about 2.7 percent for all alternatives in American River
and 1.6-1.7 percent for Crooked River. The no-action Alternative A results in the least soil
erosion in each watershed. Alternative E results in the least cumulative soil damage of the
action alternatives in each watershed.
MASS EROSION
• Cumulative effects due to mass erosion may include loss of more fertile topsoil, delivery of
large and fine sediment, rock, and woody debris to streams, loss of investments such as
roads or culverts, and shifts in plant community composition. Effects are in proportion to
the past, proposed and foreseeable area impacted by landslides in response to road
building and timber harvest on landslide prone terrain. All alternatives avoid entry into
areas of high landslide hazard. Cumulative effects are expected to be negligible for
American River, and slight and in proportion to the miles of road construction and timber
harvest on moderately susceptible terrain in Crooked River. The relative ranking of
cumulative effects by alternative for Crooked River is (best to worst): A, B/E, and C/D.
COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST AND REGIONAL SOIL QUALITY STANDARDS
• Activities that cause compaction, displacement or exposure to erosion may have cumulative
effects on belowground physical and biological processes, hydrologic function, and long-
term productivity. All alternatives may meet Forest Plan soil quality standards on harvest
units, if mitigation and design measures are rigorously implemented, so that cumulative
effects are the same for all alternatives on a site basis. The likelihood of exceeding the
standards increases with increasing number of activity areas proposed for ground based
logging or temporary road construction. Temporary roads are not considered part of the
permanent transportation system, but are difficult to restore to former productivity.
Cumulative effects occur with repeated entries or additive entries in a watershed. From this
perspective, the relative ranking of alternatives for both watersheds is (best to worst): A, E,
B, C, and D. The no-action Alternative A results in the greatest likelihood of compliance in
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each watershed. Alternative E results in the greatest likelihood of compliance of the action
alternatives in each watershed.
SOIL CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
SOIL POTASSIUM AND NITROGEN Loss
• Activities that cause soil potassium and nitrogen loss may have cumulative effects on soil
productivity, plant susceptibility to pathogens, and successional processes. Cumulative
effects are in proportion to the scope of past, proposed and foreseeable regeneration
timber harvest, particularly whole tree yarding, and likelihood for piling and burning slash
that may result in extensive nutrient redistribution and volatilization. Geologic materials
potentially susceptible to potassium loss are widespread in American River and common
Crooked River. The scope and location of whole .tree yarding are uncertain. No second
entries into areas of past harvest are proposed so repeated withdrawals of potassium and
nitrogen is limited to past natural fires. Potential for cumulative effects is ranked on the
extent of regeneration harvest. From this perspective, the relative ranking of alternatives
for both watersheds is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
Loss OF SOIL WOOD
• Activities that cause repeated or widespread loss of soil wood may have cumulative effects
on soil porosity, water holding capacity, 'aeration, biological activity, and long-term
productivity. Repeated entries are not an issue for the proposed action, but activities that
result in large areas of depleted soil wood may have effects at the landscape scale.
Rigorous mitigation and restoration may minimize effects. The relative ranking of potential
cumulative effects is in proportion to the area of regeneration timber harvest and slash
disposal and is (best to worst): A, E, B, C, and D.
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3.2. WATERSHED
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The watershed resources section considers physical processes such as water yield and sediment
yield, including effects on channel morphology and water quality. It is closely linked to Section 3.1
(soils) and Section 3.3 (fisheries), generally deriving information from the former and contributing
information to the latter.
The geographic scope of the analysis for watershed resources includes two 5th code watersheds,
American River and Crooked River. American River contains fifteen 6th code subwatersheds (also
known as prescription watersheds). Project activities are located in nine of the fifteen 6th code
subwatersheds in American River. Crooked River contains five 6th code subwatersheds. Project
activities are located in four of the five subwatersheds in Crdoked River. Maps 7a and 7b show the
project area watersheds. The affected area for cumulative effects analysis includes the American
and Crooked River watersheds and the mainstem South Fork Clearwater River to the Forest
Boundary below the Mt. Idaho Bridge.
X , "\ :
The temporal bound for the water yield analysis from project activities is about ten years. Full
recovery for a regeneration harvest to recover to pre-treatment conditions in terms of water yield is
considerably longer. However, most effects from timber harvest should be manifested within ten
years. Water yield effects from existing activities are considered since the late 1950s, which is
about when timber harvest records begin. Timber harvest activities associated with the early
mining period (1860s - 1930s) are assumed to have recovered in terms of water yield. Large
wildfires have not occurred in American River since 1919 and in Crooked River since 1945. Water
yield effects from historic fires are assumed to have largely recovered.
The temporal bound for the sediment yield analysis from project activities is about ten years.
Sediment yield effects from project activities are expected to be recovered within that time period,
since no new permanent roads are being constructed. Roads are considered to have sediment
yield effects throughout their life. Sediment yield effects from existing roads are considered since
the late 19th century.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST PLAN DIRECTION
The Nez Perce Forest Plan directs that soil and water resources be managed at levels designed to
meet management objectives for watersheds. Water quality is to be managed by applying best
management practices (BMPs) and through scheduling the rate and location of activities to ensure
that State water quality standards are met or exceeded.
Appendix A to the Forest Plan established fish/water objectives for each prescription watershed in
the project area. The Plan recognizes that many of these watersheds do not meet fish/water
quality objectives under existing conditions. The Plan stipulates that an upward trend in aquatic
habitat carrying capacity be established in below-objective watersheds. This is accomplished by
limiting new disturbances, allowing natural recovery to occur and/or implementing activities that
would improve aquatic conditions. Discussion of aquatic trends is provided in Section 3.3
(fisheries). Guidelines for percent sediment yield over base and entry frequency per decade were
also established in the Forest Plan. Information from Forest Plan Appendix A for the project area
watersheds is found in Appendix E (Tables E-1 and E-2). Watershed boundaries used in the
analysis are found in Appendix E and shown in detail on Maps 7a and 7b.
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CLEAN WATER ACT AND IDAHO STATE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
The Clean Water Act stipulates that states are to adopt water quality standards. Included in these
standards are provisions for identifying beneficial uses, establishing the status of beneficial uses,
setting water quality criteria, and establishing BMPs to control non-point sources of pollution.
Under the Idaho Water Quality Standards, designated beneficial uses exist for American and
Crooked Rivers (IDAPA 58.01.02). Tributaries of American and Crooked Rivers within the project
area do not have designated beneficial uses. However, they do support existing beneficial uses
and these are protected under the water quality standards. There are numerous private water
uses adjacent or downstream of the project area. Designated and existing beneficial uses are
detailed in sections 3.2. (American River) and 3.2. (Crooked River).
The South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
addresses water-quality-limited streams listed under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. The
Assessment and TMDLs is a joint effort of the* Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nez Perce Tribe (IDEQ etal, 2004). The Nez Perce
National Forest participated in the assessment and TMDL development, with technical input and
representation on the Watershed Advisory Group. The TMDL was issued as a final document in
March 2004. The TMDL is awaiting approval by the EPA as of April 2004.
Using the currently-approved 1998 list, there are no 303(d) listed streams within the project area.
However, the entire project area contributes to the South Fork Clearwater River, which is listed for
water temperature and sediment. TMDLs were developed for the South Fork Clearwater River for
water temperature and sediment. The sediment TMDL targets a 25 percent reduction in human-
caused sediment yield to the South Fork Clearwater River. No specific targets were set for
tributaries, but it was recognized that much of the sediment yield reduction would need to take
place in the tributaries. The water temperature TMDL calls for canopy density or shade targets on
a stream reach basis throughout the subbasin. Different analytical approaches were used for
forested reaches than for the non-forested reaches and the mainstem South Fork Clearwater
River.
In June 2003, the IDEQ issued a draft integrated 303(d)/305(b) report for Idaho. The following
project area streams were proposed for listing under Section 5 as impaired waters for water
temperature: American River (below East Fork American River), Crooked River, East Fork
Crooked River, Relief Creek, and Sawmill Creek. The South Fork Clearwater River was proposed
for listing for water temperature and sediment. Once the South Fork Clearwater River TMDL is
approved by EPA, all of the streams above would be moved to Section 4a, as waters having an
approved TMDL.
IDAHO FOREST PRACTICES ACT
The Idaho Forest Practices Act regulates forest practices on all land ownerships in Idaho. Forest
practices on national forest lands must adhere to the rules pertaining to the Act (IDAPA 20.02.01).
The rules are also incorporated as BMPs in the Idaho Water Quality Standards.
IDAHO STREAM CHANNEL PROTECTION ACT
The Idaho Stream Channel Protection Act regulates stream channel alterations between mean
high water marks on perennial streams in Idaho. Instream activities on national forest lands must
adhere to the rules pertaining to the Act (IDAPA 37.03.07). The rules are also incorporated as
BMPs in the Idaho Water Quality Standards.
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EXECUTIVE ORDERS 11988 AND 11990
These federal executive orders provide for protection and management of floodplains and
wetlands. Numerous floodplains and wetlands exist within the project area.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Existing condition synthesis was obtained from the South Fork Clearwater Landscape Assessment
(USDA Forest Service, 1998). Other information was obtained from field work conducted in the
summer of 2003. Field work included road and culvert surveys, resource conditions within
proposed units, and headwater channel surveys. CIS- generated reports were also used. This
analysis compares the effects of the alternatives on five resource areas:
INDICATOR 1 - WATERSHED CONDITION
Watershed condition indicators are a series of metrics that can be used to index the level of
disturbance in a watershed. They are usually expressed as densities or discrete amounts of
various disturbances within a watershed. For example, road density expressed in miles of road per
square mile of watershed area (mi/mi2) is a common watershed condition indicator. Extensions of
that include road density within riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCAs) oi- landslide prone
terrain (LSP). Other indicators include various forms of timber harvest density, such as percent of
the watershed harvested, percent of RHCAs harvested and percent of LSP terrain harvested.
Various guidelines have been employed to rate watershed condition based on these indicators.
One local version is a matrix that rates watersheds into low, moderate or high condition based on
assembling a broad array of indicators (NOAA Fisheries et al, 1998).
INDICATOR OF WATERSHED CONDITION - ROAD DENSITY
INDICATOR 2 - WATER YIELD
Equivalent Clearcut Area (EGA) analysis is a tool used to index the relationship between
vegetation condition and water yield from forested watersheds. The basic assumptions of the
procedure are that removal of forest vegetation results in water yield increases and that EGA can
be used as an index of these \increases. Depending on the interaction between water yield,
sediment yield, and stream channel conditions; such increases could have impacts on stream
channels.
Water yield increases can be directly modeled, but equivalent clearcut area (EGA) is often used as
a surrogate. The EGA model is designed to estimate changes in mean annual streamflow resulting
from forest practices or treatments (reading, timber harvest, and fires), which remove or reduce
vegetative cover, and is usually expressed as a percent of watershed area (Belt, 1980). The index
takes into account the initial percentage of crown removal and the recovery through regrowth of
vegetation since the initial disturbance. For purposes of this assessment, EGA will be used to
index changes in water yield through time based on timber harvest and reading disturbances.
There are a number of physical factors that determine the relationship between canopy conditions
and water yield. These include interception, evapotranspiration, shading effects and wind flux.
These factors affect the accumulation and melt rates of snow packs and how rainfall is processed.
The EGA analysis takes into account the initial percentage of crown removal and the recovery
through vegetative re-growth since the initial disturbance in the case of timber harvest or fire.
Within the habitat types being treated under this project, the time frame for complete EGA recovery
to occur is estimated to be 65 to 85 years (USDA Forest Service, 1974).
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Additional factors affecting water yield include compacted surfaces due to roads, skid trails, and
landings. Existing and new roads are considered as permanent openings in the EGA model.
Decommissioned roads are considered as openings, so the road decommissioning projects do not
contribute to reductions in EGA.
Various EGA thresholds of concern have been in use in the Northern Region since the 1960s
(Gerhardt, 2000). Early cutting guides recommended a limit of 20-30 percent EGA within a
watershed (Haupt, 1967), More recently, EGA thresholds have been rejuvenated through
consultation under the Endangered Species Act. A recent Biological Opinion stipulated that
watershed analysis should be conducted prior to actions that would increase EGA in 3rd to 5th
order priority watersheds where EGA exceeds 15 percent (National Marine Fisheries Service,
1995).
Recently, concern over water yield changes relative to stream channel condition has focused on
smaller headwater catchments. Research in the nearby Horse Creek watershed study have
demonstrated instantaneous peak flow increase up to 34 percent and maximum daily flow
increases up to 87 percent, resulting -from road construction and timber harvest in small
catchments (King, 1989). Recent observations have suggested that channel erosion from these
streams may be contributing to increased bedload sediment in the 3rd order receiving channel
(Gerhardt, 2002).
The studies by Belt (1980) and King (1989) have also served as field tests of the EGA procedure.
Belt concluded that the EGA procedure is a rational tool for evaluation of hydrologic impacts of
forest practices. King recommended local calibration of the model and a greater emphasis on
conditions in 1st and 2nd order headwater streams.
INDICA TORS OF WA TER YIELD - EQUIVALENT CLEARCUT AREA
INDICATOR 3 - SEDIMENT YIELD
Sediment yield is defined as the movement of sediment past a point in the stream system over a
period of time. On the Nez Perce National Forest, sediment yield is generally modeled using
NEZSED, which is the Forest's adaptation of the R1R4 Sediment Yield Guidelines (USDA Forest
Service, 1981). The model accounts for natural background sediment and activity sediment
generated from roads, timber harvest, and fire. The activity sediment is estimated from surface
erosion processes and small mass failures (< 10 yd3). Sediment yield is commonly expressed as
tons/year or percentage over baseline. Appendix A of the Nez Perce National Forest Plan
stipulates guidelines for sediment yield and entry frequency on a subwatershed basis (USDA
Forest Service, 1987).
The proposed timber harvest, road activities and watershed improvement activities could affect
sediment yield over time. Harvest and road related activities have the potential to increase
sediment production and delivery into streams. Watershed improvement projects have the
potential to produce sediment in the short-term, but many are designed to result in long-term
reductions in sediment on a watershed basis. Sediment yield modeling is used as one indicator to
determined trends in water quality and fish habitat conditions.
NEZSED has been tested using locally collected sediment yield data (USDA Forest Service, 1998).
Results of the individual tests varied with some predictions being over and under, with others being
close, to measured values. The net result is that the model has been determined to be a
reasonably realistic tool for alternative assessment. The model has limitations in that it does not
incorporate certain processes related to activity-generated sediment yield, including stream bank
erosion and mass failures >10 yds3 in size.
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INDICATORS OF SEDIMENT YIELD: SEDIMENT YIELD PERCENT OVER BASE
INDICATOR 4 - CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
Water and sediment yield can interact to change channel morphology conditions through erosion of
stream channels or deposition of sediment. Channel morphology can also be affected directly
through activities such as road encroachment, stream crossings and in-channel improvements.
Sediment delivery and routing processes vary by upland settings, stream types and disturbance
level and type.
Sediment routing considers the disposition of sediment within the watershed system, including
processes of erosion, deposition, storage and transport. It includes upslope and instream
components. The upslope component includes initial detachment, erosipn and delivery efficiency.
The instream component includes suspended and bedload sediment yields, as well as substrate
deposition and composition. The instream component also includes consideration of streamflow
and channel morphology, both of which influence the capability of the stem to transport or deposit
sediment.
INDICATORS OF CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY: CHANNEL GEOMETRY AND SUBSTRATE
COMPOSITION.
INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY
Water quality includes physical and chemical characteristics of water. Parameters commonly
measured include pH, alkalinity, hardness, specific conductance, nutrients, metals, sediment and
water temperature. Many of these parameters are affected only to a slight degree, or not at all, by
forest practices. Water temperature controls the rate of biologic process, is of critical concern for
fish populations, and is a primary indicator of habitat conditions. It is also a key parameter in the
South Fork Clearwater River TMDL.
Indicators of water temperature: Water temperature, canopy density in forested reaches, and
percent shade in non-forested reaches and main steam South Fork Clearwater River.
3.2.1. AMERICAN RIVER
INTRODUCTION
The American River watershed is about 91.6 square miles in area, with about 15 percent private
land and 13 percent managed by the BLM. Major tributaries of American River include East Fork
American River, Kirks Fork and Elk Creek. American and Red Rivers join to form the South Fork
Clearwater River. From there, it is 62.5 miles to its confluence with the Middle Fork Clearwater
River.
The geology, soils and landforms of the watershed are described in Section 3.1 (soils). The
stream channels in this watershed are predominately low to moderate gradient, with higher
gradient channels in the mountain uplands. Much of the mainstem has been dredged and the
natural vegetation community has been lost, but it was probably predominately a grass/sedge and
shrub meadow, interspersed with conifers.
Percent of stream gradient classes by prescription watershed are shown in Appendix E, (Table E-
3).
Elevations in the American River watershed range from 3,880 feet at the confluence with Red
River to 6,847 feet at Anderson Butte. Precipitation ranges from 30 to 50 inches (University of
Idaho, 1993). Much of the precipitation falls as snow from November through March. Snowmelt is
the predominate factor leading to a spring peak in the hydrograph, which typically occurs from mid
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
to late May. Springtime flows are often augmented by rains. Winter peak flows are rare, with only
about 3 percent of flood peaks occurring during the period of November through March (USDA
Forest Service, 1998). Lowest flows typically occur during the late summer and early fall. An
annual hydrograph showing median, minimum and maximum flows for the USGS stream gage on
the upper South Fork Clearwater River is found in Appendix E (Figure E-3). American River,
though ungaged, exhibits a similar flow regime.
BENEFICIAL USES
Under the Idaho Water Quality Standards, designated beneficial uses in American River are cold-
water communities, salmonid spawning, primary contact recreation, domestic water supply and
special resource water (IDAPA 58.01.02). No tributaries in the project area have designated
beneficial uses, but existing uses generally include cold-water communities, salmonid spawning
and secondary contact recreation.
A search of non-federal water rights applications, permits, decrees, licenses, claims and transfers
was made for areas affected by project activities. The selected areas included all lands east of
American River and downslope of the project area, as well as the mainstem of American River
from the project area to its confluence with Red River. Using these criteria, 38 private water uses
were located. Since de minimus domestic claims do not require a water right, there are likely to be
more uses than identified. A summary of identified water uses follows:
Table 3.5 - Number of Potentially Affected Water Uses - American River
Source
Name
American River
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Kirks Fork
Unnamed Stream
Spring
Groundwater
Domestic
Irrigation
1
1
1
Domestic
Stock
3
Irrigation
Stock
1
Domestic
2
6
12
Irrigation
4
2
Stock
1
Mining
1
1
1
Industrial
1
A number of consumptive use claims have been filed in American River by the Nez Perce Tribe,
Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service. In addition, instream flow claims are being
pursued for the mainstem of American River by the Nez Perce Tribe and the Forest Service. Tribal
consumptive and instream flow claims accrue from treaty rights that were recently negotiated in a
settlement under the Snake River Basin Adjudication. Forest Service instream flow claims are
being pursued using the State of Idaho's process, which involves working through the ongoing
South Fork Clearwater River State Water Plan.
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
This section discusses the environmental effects of implementing the no action and action
alternatives. Existing conditions are described under the no action alternative, but future effects of
implementing no actions are also discussed. Long term trends in aquatic conditions are discussed
in Section 3.3 (fisheries), with supporting information in Appendix E.
3.2.1.1. INDICATOR 1 -WATERSHED CONDITION INDICATORS
Existing watershed condition indicators were compiled for American River using corporate
databases and GIS overlays. They are summarized in the table below:
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Table 3.6 : Watershed Condition Indicators
Watershed
Name
Upper American River
Middle American
River*
East Fork American
River*
Flint Creek
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower American River*
Entire American River
Area
(mi2)
10.1
5.1
8.6
9.2
1.4
1.7
1.4
9.8
6.8
91.6
Road
Density
(mil mi2)
2.0
3.0
1.0
3.1
3.9
4.3
3.3
0.6
2.0
2.3
RHCA
Road
Density
(mi/ mi2)
0.6
2.7
0.7
1.7
2.6
3.7
3.1
0.5
3.5
1.9
LSP
Roads
(miles)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.4
Timber
Harvest
(% wsd
area)
11
13
6
23
27
33
16
4
NA
NA
RHCA
Harvest
(%RHC
A area)
4
5
3
13
23
22
8
3-
NA
NA
LSP
Harvest
(acres)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
NA
NA
* Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
RHCA = Riparian Habitat Conservation Area
LSP = Landslide Prone Terrain
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
Various watershed road density criteria have been used to assess watershed condition. Local
guidelines have been developed that suggest <1 mi/mi2 is one indicator of good watershed
condition, 1-3 mi/mi2 is moderate and >3 mi/mi2 is low (NOAA Fisheries, et al 1998). Of the 9
project prescription watersheds in American River, 5 are in the low condition category and only 2
are in the high condition category.
The density and distribution of roads within most of the subwatersheds indicate there is a high
probability that the hydrologic regime (i.e. timing, magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution of
runoff) is substantially altered. Road surfaces limit infiltration which causes surface runoff during
storm events and snow melt. Insloped roads with ditches have the greatest effect. Native surface
roads with traffic can often develop ruts, which cause runoff to be concentrated on the road
surface. Roads are also subject to surface and mass erosion. Surface erosion is the dominant
erosion process on roads in American River. Field inventories have identified problem areas and
prioritized needs.
Timber harvest has affected a relatively high proportion of Queen, Whitaker and Flint Creeks. This
has affected water yield and timing through reductions in forest canopy and soil compaction from
skid trails and landings. A relatively high proportion of RHCAs have been harvested in Whitaker
and Queen Creeks. Though unqualified, a considerable amount of timber harvest has occurred
in Lower American River. Mass erosion is a relatively minor process in American River. There is a
minimal amount of past reading and timber harvest on landslide prone terrain.
Post-project road density is shown in Table 3.7 below. The changes in road density are the result
of road decommissioning.
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Table 3.7: Post-Project Road Density by Alternative
Watershed Name
Upper American
River
Middle American
River*
East Fork American
River*
Flint Creek
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower
American River*
Entire
American River
Area (mi2)
10.1
5.1
8.6
9.2
1.4
1.7
1.4
9.8
6.8
91.6
Alt A (existing)
2.0
3.0
1.0
3.1
3.9
4.3
3.3
0.6
2.0
2.3
AltB
2.0
2.5
1.0
2.8
3.5
4.3
2.9
0.6
1.9
2.2
AltC
2.0
2.5
0.9
2.8
3.4
3.2
3.0
0.6
1.9
2.2
AltD
2.0
2.5
0.9
2.8
3.4
3.0
2.9
0.6
1.9
2.2
AltE
1.9
2.2
0.8
2.1
3.4
2.7
2.7
0.6
1.9
2.1
* Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
ACTION ALTERNATIVES (DIRECT/INDIRECT EFFECTS)
The lowest road densities result from Alternative E, which has the most aggressive road
decommissioning package. Of the action alternatives, B decommissions the least amount of road
and results in the highest remaining road density.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
The changes in overall road density at the scale of the American River watershed are very slight.
The foreseeable BLM Eastside Township Project proposes to decommission a small amount of
existing road.
3.2.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - WATER YIELD
EGA was calculated by prescription watershed for each alternative. The calculations take into
consideration effects of harvest and temporary road construction. Road decommissioning was not
modeled as decreasing EGA even though the roads would recover vegetation over time. The EGA
analysis does not include the effects of insect and disease agents.
Table 3.8 shows the estimated per year EGA for each alternative for each prescription watershed
in American River. Existing condition is represented by Alternative A. Year 2005 represents the
modeled peak activity year. EGA recovery begins the following year and occurs gradually from
then on.
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Table 3.8: % EGA by Alternative (2005)
Watershed Name
Middle American
River*
East Fork American
River*
Flint Creek
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower
American River*
Area (mi2)
23.8
18.4
9.2
1.4
1.7
1.4.
9.8
91.6
Alt A (existing)
3
7
8
10
13
6
2
9
AltB
4
10
10
13
17
14
4
10
AltC
4
8
8
13
18
14
4
10
AltD
4
9
12
13
18
14
4
10
AltE
4
8
10
12
15
8
2
10
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for EGA analysis
ALTERNATIVE A—NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Under this alternative, no management actions, including vegetation treatments, road
reconditioning, or temporary road construction would occur. Associated restoration activities, such
as road decommissioning, soil restoration, stream channel enhancements, and stream crossing
improvements also would not occur.
There would be no change short or long-term, in flow timing and quantity associated with roads
because no road decommissioning would occur. Soil compaction would continue to reduce water
infiltration, so affects to water yield would remain the same.
Watershed recovery would continue at the current rate, in the absence of a large disturbance such
as wildfire or flood. Effects to water yield from a potential fire are highly variable depending on
timing, location, size, weather, and suppression activities. Runoff timing and quantity would reflect
the magnitude of the disturbances. The risk of peak flow would depend on the extent of the
vegetation change, conditions of the soil, floodplain and channel condition, and weather following
natural events.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E (ACTION ALTERNATIVES)
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
None of the action alternatives exceeds 20 percent EGA within a watershed. The highest levels
are found in Queen, Box Sing and Whitaker Creeks, respectively. These are small prescription
watersheds with channels that would be considered relatively sensitive to changes in watershed
conditions. Overall, Alternative D shows the largest increases in EGA and Alternative E shows the
smallest.
Road decommissioning and soil restoration would contribute to a reduction in compaction, thus
improving infiltration and reducing surface runoff. This effect would be most pronounced in
Alternative E and least in Alternative B. Road miles of decommissioning and acres of soil
restoration by prescription watershed are found in Appendix D.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Preliminary EGA calculations were provided by the BLM for the proposed action under the
Eastside Township Project. These are reflected in Table 3.9 below. Only those watersheds
containing proposed BLM activities are shown.
Table 3.9: % EGA for 2005 (Including Eastside Township Project)
Watershed Name
Middle American
River*
East Fork American
River*
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower
American River*
Area (mi2)
23.8
18.4
1.4
1.7
1.4
9.8
91.6
Alt A (existing)
3
7
10
13
6
'•2 "'••:•
9
AltB
4
11
19
20
18
4
10
AltC
5
9
19
21
18
4
10
AltD
5
10
19
21 •
18
5
11
AltE
4
8
18
18
11
3
10
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for EGA analysis
With the addition of the Eastside Township Project, the larger watersheds show only slight
increases in EGA (< 1 percent), some of which do not show when rounded to the nearest percent.
More substantial increases in EGA (3 - 6 percent) are seen in Whitaker, Queen and Box Sing
Creeks. This is a reflection of relative size of the treatments in these small watersheds.
3.2.1.3. INDICATOR 3 - SEDIMENT YIELD
This section compares the existing condition to the action alternatives for effects on sediment yield.
The indicator used for sediment yield is tons per year, expressed as a percent over natural
baseline sediment yield. Base or natural yield represents the tons of sediment that are produced
and subsequently transported out of the subwatershed each year from an natural condition. The
existing sediment yield over base represents activity generated tons of sediment transported
annually produced by previous activities such as roads, timber harvest and fire.
Sediment yield was modeled for each prescription watershed. The primary sediment producing
activities modeled include temporary road construction, road reconstruction, road decommissioning
and timber harvest. Effects were modeled for a 10-year period (2003 - 2012 assuming project
activities will begin in 2005). Activities occurring throughout the lifetime of the project are modeled
as occurring all in 2005. Modeling was done on a peak year basis in order to meet the
assumptions under which Appendix A of the Nez Perce Forest Plan was developed.
Table 3.10 shows the estimated sediment yield over base for each alternative for each prescription
watershed in American River. Year 2003 represents the existing condition, 2005 represents the
modeled peak activity year and 2012 represents the conditions at the end of the modeled period,
when annual sediment yield from all activities has ceased or stabilized. Figure 3.1 is a time trend
graph of sediment yield over base for Lower American River. Graphs for the remaining analysis
points are found in Appendix E.
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Table 3.10: % Over Base Sediment Yield by Alternative
Watershed
Name
Middle American
River*
East Fork
American River*
Flint Creek
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower
American River*
Area
(mi2)
23.8
18.4
9.2
1.4
1.7
1.4
9.8
91.6
Year
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
Alt A
(existing)
13
12
12
12
12
12
15
15
15
66
31
31
37
37
37
2.1
21
21
5
5
5
16
15
15
AltB
13
13
12
12
14
11
15
19
14
66
38
30
37
40
37
21
34
19
5
8
5
16
16
15
AltC
13
13
12
1.2
13
11
15
23
13
66
39
30
37
54
32
21
37
19
5
10
5
16
17
14
AltD
13
14
12
12
17
11
15
23
13
66
38
30
37
58
32
21
34
19
5
8
5
16
17
14
AltE
13
13
11
12
14
9
15
20
11
66
35
30
37
41
30
21
26
19
5
6
5
16
16
14
' Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for sediment yield analysis
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Figure 3.1 - Lower American River Sediment Yield
to
tfi
&
?
0
s£
qc
OO
Of! ,
oc .
on
m -
c .
n -
20
*
• _. ^P^r
03 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20
-Forest Guidelines — « — alt a — • — alt b A alt c j alt d x alt e
,
12
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION ALTERNATIVE (EXISTING CONDITION)
Existing sediment yields in 2005 are all 15 percent over base or less, with the exception of
Whitaker, Queen and Box Sing Creeks. Activity on private land resulted in a significant modeled
sediment yield peak in Whitaker Creek in 2003.
ALTERNATIVES A, B, C, D, AND E (ACTION ALTERNATIVES)
Sediment yields in the peak activity year of 2005 all stay below Forest Plan sediment yield
guidelines. Entry frequency guidelines are also met with this action. Peak year sediment yield in
most watersheds is highest under Alternative D. Peak year sediment yield is lowest in either
Alternative B or E, depending on the watershed. In most cases, the chronic sediment yield over
base is lower in 2012 than in pre-project conditions. This reflects the effect of decommissioning
and improvements on existing roads. The decreases in chronic sediment yield are greatest under
Alternative E.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FFAS)
Figure 3.1 shows the percent over base sediment yield for Lower American River. This includes
past activities on private and BLM lands, as well as actions on national forest lands. Foreseeable
actions in American River include the BLM's Eastside Township Project. NEZSED results are not
currently available for this action, since not enough detail is known about the project.
3.2.1.4. INDICATOR 4 - CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Channel gradients for subwatersheds in American River are found in Appendix E, Table E-3.
Following those tables is a general discussion of erosion, sediment transport and sediment
deposition processes. Channel morphology in project subwatersheds has been altered through
three primary processes: sediment deposition, channel encroachment and dredge mining.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Sediment deposition has occurred in areas subjected to significant development activity, including
reading and other development. Channel encroachment has occurred where roads and other
activities have taken place adjacent to streams and their floodplains. The highest road densities in
riparian areas are found in the Middle American, Whitaker, Queen, Box Sing and Lower American
subwatersheds. Dredge mining has occurred primarily along American River and in the lower ends
of its tributaries. Implementation of Alternative A would leave these conditions unchanged.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
The action alternatives are expected to have relatively little effect on channel morphology.
Generally, the EGA and sediment yield estimates are at levels where little channel erosion or
deposition is anticipated. The highest estimated sediment yields are in Queen Creek in
Alternatives C and D. The FISHSED analysis found in Section 3.3 (Fisheries) elaborates further on
these effects.
There are no new stream crossings on temporary roads. Several stream crossing improvements
should improve channel morphology conditions in their immediate vicinity. Some of the road
decommissioning involves crossings and riparian areas. Channel morphology should be improved
in those areas.
3.2.1.5. INDICATOR 5-WATER QUALITY
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Water temperature was recorded at several locations in the American River watershed during the
summer of 2003. These sites were American River at the Forest boundary, East Fork American
River, Flint Creek, Queen Creek, Kirks Fork and American River at the mouth. These data are
shown in Appendix E. The data show a considerable variation across the watershed. Violations of
the Idaho salmonid spawning criterion of not-to-exceed 13° C were noted at all sites at certain
times. Violations of the Idaho cold water communities of not-to-exceed 22° C were noted at
American River at the Forest Boundary and at the mouth. Violations of the EPA criterion of not-to-
exceed 10° C (as a 7-day average of daily maximums) were noted at all sites. Some basic metrics
from the 2003 data are shown in Table 3.11 below.
Table 3.11 - Summary of 2003 Water Temperature Data
Stream Name/Site
American River at Forest Boundary
East Fork American River
Flint Creek
Queen Creek
Kirks Fork
American River hear mouth
Number of Days > 20° C
31
0
0
0
7
46
Maximum Instantaneous (°C)
22.9
17.5
19.8
17.0
20.6
25.6
Under the no action alternative, insect and disease agents may tend to reduce shade over time in
some riparian stands. Shade in dredge-mined reaches would tend to increase very slowly over
time as these areas are naturally recolonized by riparian vegetation. These reaches are mostly
outside the project area.
A number of water quality parameters were sampled at stream sites in American River during the
period 1977-1981. Summaries of data for pH, conductivity and hardness for Upper American
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
River, Flint Creek and Lower American River are found in Table E.6. These data show that pH is
near neutral to slightly acidic, which is considered normal for area streams. Conductivity and
alkalinity are both relatively low, indicating relatively low amounts of dissolved constituents and
also relatively low biological productivity.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
All alternatives are designed to minimize effects on streamside shade. Timber harvest and
temporary road construction will not occur in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs).
Under all action alternatives, insect and disease agents may tend to reduce shade over time in
some riparian stands. There may be some incidental shade reductions at stream crossing
improvement sites. An example would be if some roadside vegetation was removed during
replacement of an existing culvert. This approach is expected to be in compliance with the South
Fork Clearwater River water temperature TMDL Beyond sediment yield described above, there
would be little change in most water quality parameters. Beneficial uses would be protected in all
alternatives.
\
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS (ALL INDICATORS)
There are no effects to watershed resources in American River from this project that are
considered to be fully irreversible or irretrievable. Construction and obliteration of temporary roads
will leave some residual effects in terms of soil conditions and interruption of groundwater flow
paths. Sediment delivered to low gradient stream reaches tends to have a long residence time, but
eventually will be transported or reorganized by high stream flows. No long term geomorphic
changes in stream channels are predicted from project activities.
3.2.2. CROOKED RIVER
INTRODUCTION
The Crooked River watershed is 71.3 square miles in area, with about 1 percent private land and 1
percent managed by the BLM. Crooked River joins the South Fork Clearwater River at River Mile
59.5. The East and West Forks of Crooked River form the mainstem near the old Orogrande town
site. From there, Crooked River flows approximately 12 miles to its mouth.
The geology, soils and landforms of the watershed are described in Section 3.1 (Soils). Mainstem
Crooked River is mostly contained in an alluvial valley, with breaklands in the lower reaches and
mountain uplands in the upper portions. The West and East Forks start at the headwaters with V-
shaped valley bottoms and have short reaches of trough-shaped valleys before they flatten out just
before they join. The remaining twelve miles of the mainstem flow through a low gradient flat-
bottom valley. Much of the mainstem has been dredged and the natural vegetation community has
been lost, but it was probably predominately a grass/sedge and shrub meadow, interspersed with
conifers. Percent of stream gradient classes by prescription watershed are shown in Appendix E,
Table E.4.
Elevations in the watershed range from 3825 feet at the mouth to 8127 feet on the ridge above
Rainbow Lake. The climate and hydrograph of Crooked River are similar to American River, with
some minor variations. The headwaters of Crooked River are higher in elevation and have a
northerly aspect. This tends to retard snowmelt from the upper watershed and contributes to later
streamflows and cooler water temperatures. An annual hydrograph showing median, minimum
and maximum flows for the USGS stream gage on the upper South Fork Clearwater River is found
in Appendix E (Figure E-3). Crooked River, though ungaged, exhibits a similar flow regime.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
EXISTING BENEFICIAL USES
Under the Idaho Water Quality Standards, the designated beneficial uses in Crooked River are
cold-water communities, salmonid spawning and secondary contact recreation (IDAPA 58.01.02).
No tributaries in the project area have designated beneficial uses, but existing uses generally
include cold-water communities, salmonid spawning and secondary contact recreation.
A search of non-federal water rights applications, permits, decrees, licenses, claims and transfers
was made for areas affected by project activities. The selected areas included all lands within
Crooked River that are downslope or downstream of the project area. Using these criteria, 7
private and State water uses were located. Since de minimus domestic claims do not require a
water right, there are likely to be more uses than identified. A summary of identified water uses
follows:
Table 3.12 - Number of Potentially Affected Water Uses
Crooked River
Source Name
Crooked River
Quartz Creek
Mary Ann Creek
Unnamed Stream
Spring
Domestic/Stock
1
Domestic
1
1
Industrial
1
1
Fish Propagation
2
A number of consumptive use and instream flow claims have been filed in Crooked River by the
Nez Perce Tribe and the Forest Service. Tribal consumptive and instream flow claims accrue from
treaty rights that were recently negotiated in a settlement under the Snake River Basin
Adjudication. Forest Service instream flow claims are being pursued using the State of Idaho's
process, which involves working through the ongoing South Fork Clearwater River State Water
Plan.
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
This section discusses the environmental effects of implementing the no action and action
alternatives. Existing conditions are described under the no action alternative, but future effects of
implementing no actions are also discussed. Long term trends in aquatic conditions are discussed
in Section 3.3 (fisheries), with supporting information in Appendix E.
3.2.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - WATERSHED CONDITION
Existing watershed condition indicators were compiled for Crooked River using corporate
databases and CIS overlays. They are summarized in the table below:
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Table 3.13 : Watershed Condition Indicators
Watershed
Name
Middle
Crooked River*
Relief Creek •
Lower
Crooked River*
Entire
Crooked River
Area
(mi2)
22.6
11.7
14.8
71.3
Road
Density
(mil mi5)
1.8
3.3
3.2
1.9
RHCA
Road
Density
(mi/ mi2)
1.9
2.9
3.3
2.1
LSP
Roads
(miles)
1.8
0.9
4.5
8.5
Timber
Harvest
(% wsd
area)
10
30
18
12
RHCA
Harvest
(%RHC
A area)
6
21
8
7
LSP
Harvest
(acres)
69
57
40
166
* Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
RHCA = Riparian Habitat Conservation Area
LSP = Landslide Prone Terrain
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
EXISTING CONDITION
Road densities are highest in Relief Creek and Lower Crooked River, with both exceeding 3 mi/mi2.
There are considerable amounts of road in RHCAs in all three project prescription watersheds.
The county road along Crooked River is located almost entirely within the RHCA. There are also
more existing roads and timber harvest on landslide prone terrain in Crooked River than in
American River, though landslide prone terrain comprises a relatively small proportion of Crooked
River compared to areas of steeper landscapes lower in the South Fork Clearwater subbasin.
Table 3.14 - Post-Project Road Density by Alternative
Watershed Name
Middle Crooked River*
Relief Creek
Lower Crooked River*
Entire Crooked River
Area (mi2)
22.6
11.7
14.8
71.3
Alt A (existing)
1-8
3.3
3.2
1.9
AltB
1.7
2.9
3.1
1.8
AltC
1.6
2.9
3.1
1.8
AltD
1.6
2.9
3.1
1.8
AltE
1.6
2.6
3.0
1.7
* Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The lowest road densities result from Alternative E, which has the most aggressive road
decommissioning package. Of the action alternatives, B decommissions the least amount of road
and results in the highest remaining road density.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The changes in overall road density at the scale of the Crooked River watershed are very slight.
The BLM Whiskey South Project decommissions no additional existing roads in Crooked River.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.2.2.2. INDICATOR2-WATERYIELD
EGA was calculated by prescription watershed for each alternative. The calculations take into
consideration effects of harvest and temporary road construction. Road decommissioning was not
modeled as decreasing EGA even though the roads would recover vegetation over time. The EGA
analysis does not include the effects of insect and disease agents.
Table 3.15 shows the estimated per year EGA for each alternative for each prescription watershed
in Crooked River. Existing condition is represented by Alternative A. Year 2005 represents the
modeled peak activity year. EGA recovery begins the following year and occurs gradually from
then on.
Table 3.15: % EGA by Alternative (2005)
Watershed Name
Middle Crooked River*
Relief Creek
Lower Crooked River*
Area (mi2)
44.8
11.7
71.3
Alt A (existing)
2
8
5
AltB
5
13
8
AltC
5
14
8
AltD
5
'15
8
AltE
4
12
7
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for EGA analysis
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Existing EGA is highest in Relief Creek and lowest in Middle Crooked River. In all cases, the
existing EGA is below 15 percent of the watershed area. Existing EGA is unknown for Silver and
Quart Creeks, which are two major tributaries of Middle Crooked River. However, there are
relatively high levels of existing timber harvest and roads in both subwatersheds.
Under this alternative, no management actions, including vegetation treatments, road
reconditioning, or temporary road construction would occur. Associated restoration activities, such
as road decommissioning, soil restoration, stream channel enhancements, and stream crossing
improvements also would not occur.
There would be no change short or long-term, in flow timing and quantity associated with roads
because no road decommissioning would occur! Soil compaction would continue to reduce water
infiltration, so affects to water yield would remain the same.
Watershed recovery would continue at the current rate, in the absence of a large disturbance such
as wildfire or flood. Effects to water yield from a potential fire are highly variable depending on
timing, location, size, weather, and suppression activities. Runoff timing and quantity would reflect
the magnitude of the disturbances. The risk of peak flow would depend on the extent of the
vegetation change, conditions of the soil, floodplain and channel condition, and weather following
natural events.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
None of the action alternatives exceeds 20 percent EGA within a watershed. The highest levels
are found in Relief Creek. Though not analyzed separately, relatively high EGA values may result
in Silver and Quartz Creeks. Overall, Alternative D shows the largest increases in EGA and
Alternative E shows the smallest.
Road decommissioning and soil restoration would contribute to a reduction in compaction, thus
improving infiltration and reducing surface runoff. This effect would be most pronounced in
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Alternative E and least in Alternative B. Road miles of decommissioning and acres of soil
restoration by prescription watershed are found in Appendix D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The selected alternative of the BLM's Whiskey South Project includes timber harvest, temporary
road construction and prescribed fire treatments in Lower Crooked River. These activities were
evaluated for peak year EGA and the results are combined with those of the American/Crooked
Project in Table 3.16 below:
Table 3.16: % EGA for 2005 (Including Whiskey South Project)
Watershed Name
Lower Crooked River*
Area (mi2)
71.3
Alt A (existing)
5
AltB
8
AltC
8
AltD
9
AltE
8
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for EGA analysis
The addition of 243 acres of EGA from trie Whiskey South Project increased the 2005 Lower
Crooked River EGA by 1 percent in Alternative D and E. There was no change in Alternative B or
C, once the EGA was rounded to the nearest full percent.
3.2.2.3. INDICATOR3-SEDIMENTYIELD
Table 3.18 shows the estimated sediment yield over base for each alternative for each prescription
watershed in Crooked River. Year 2003 represents the existing condition, 2005 represents the
modeled peak activity year and 2012 represents the conditions at the end of the modeled period,
when annual sediment yield from all activities has ceased or stabilized. Figure 3.2 is a time trend
graph of sediment yield over base for Lower Crooked River. Graphs for the remaining analysis
points are found in Appendix E.
Table 3.17: % Over Base Sediment Yield by Alternative
Watershed Name
Middle Crooked
River*
Relief Creek
Lower Crooked
River*
Area (mi2)
44.8
11.7
71.3
Year
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
2003
2005
2012
Alt A (existing)
5
5
5
17
17
17
9
9
9
AltB
5
7
5
17
24
15
9
12
8
AltC
5
8
4
17
27
15
9
13
8
AltD
5
4
17
28
15
9
13
8
AltE
5
7
4
17
22
15
9
12
8
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for sediment yield analysis
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Figure 3.2: Lower Crooked River Sediment Yield
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
- Forest Guidelines
-Alt A
-AltB
-AltC
-Alt D
-Alt E
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
EXISTING CONDITION
The highest existing sediment yield is in Relief Creek. Middle Crooked River has the lowest
existing sediment yield. Existing sediment yield is unknown for Silver and Quartz Creeks, which
are two major tributaries of Middle Crooked River. However, there are relatively high levels of
existing timber harvest and roads in both subwatersheds.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
All peak year sediment yield increases fall below the Forest Plan sediment yield guideline of 30
percent over base. Entry frequency guidelines are also met with this action (see below under
cumulative effects). Though not analyzed separately, relatively high sediment yield values may
result in Silver and Quartz Creeks.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The selected alternative of the BLM's Whiskey South Project includes timber harvest, temporary
road construction and prescribed fire treatments in Lower Crooked River. These activities were
evaluated using NEZSED and the results are combined with those of the American/Crooked
Project in Table 3.18 below:
Table 3.18: % Over Base Sediment Yield (Including Whiskey South)
Watershed Name
Lower Crooked
River*
Area (mi2)
71.3
Year
2003
2005
2012
Alt A (existing)
9
9
9
AltB
9
13
8
AltC
9
14
8
AltD
9
14
8
AltE
9
13
8
* Composite watersheds were combined with upstream watersheds for sediment yield analysis
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The BLM activities were combined into a 2005 peak year for purposes of the analysis, in order to
check compliance with Forest Plan sediment yield and entry frequency guidelines. When added to
the American/Crooked activities, each alternative increased approximately 1 percent over base in
2005. There was no change in 2012. The combined Whiskey South and American/Projects can
be considered as a single entry in the Lower Crooked River prescription watershed, given that the
activities are occurring in close proximity in time and, when combined, do not exceed the sediment
yield guidelines of 30 percent over base. Though analyzed in separate documents, the scope and
scale of effects are consistent with that of a single entry.
3.2.2A. INDICATOR4-CHANNELMORPHOLOGY
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
EXISTING CONDITION
Channel gradients for subwatersheds in Crooked River are found in Appendix E, (Table E.4).
Following those tables is a general discussion of erosion, sediment transport and sediment
deposition processes. Channel morphology in project subwatersheds has been altered through
three primary processes: sediment deposition, channel encroachment and dredge mining.
Sediment deposition has occurred in areas subjected to significant development activity, including
reading and other development. Channel encroachment has occurred where roads and other
activities have taken place adjacent to streams and their floodplains. The highest road densities in
riparian areas are found in the Relief Creek and Lower Crooked River subwatersheds. Dredge
mining has occurred along most of the mainstem of Crooked River and in the lower ends of Relief
Creek. Implementation of Alternative A would leave these conditions unchanged.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT/INDIRECT EFFECTS
The action alternatives are expected to have relatively little effect on channel morphology from
increase sediment yield. Generally, the EGA and sediment yield estimates are at levels where little
channel erosion or deposition is anticipated. The highest estimated sediment yields are in Relief
Creek in Alternatives C and D. The FISHSED analysis found in Section 3.3 (Fisheries) elaborates
further on these effects.
There are no new stream crossings on temporary roads. Several stream crossing improvements
should improve channel morphology conditions in their immediate vicinity. Some of the road
decommissioning involves crossings and riparian areas. Channel morphology should be improved
in those areas.
In Crooked River, the project proposes instream improvement work in sections of Crooked River,
Relief Creek and Quartz Creek. Alternatives B, C, and D propose relatively low levels of work,
involving mostly maintenance of existing improvements and riparian planting. The levels of work
are increased in Alternative E. Alternative E also provides for more elaborate instream and
floodplain improvements in about 0.5 miles of Relief Creek and 0.8 miles of Crooked River. These
projects are listed in Appendix D.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
The addition of the BLM's Whiskey South Project in Lower Crooked River will have little additional
effect on channel morphology
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3.2.2.5. INDICATOR5-WATERQUALITY
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
EXISTING CONDITION
Water temperature was recorded at several locations in the Crooked River watershed during the
summer of 2003. These sites were Quartz Creek, Silver Creek, Relief Creek, Crooked River below
Relief Creek and Crooked River near the mouth. These data are shown in Appendix E. The data
show a considerable variation across the watershed. Violations of the Idaho salmonid spawning
criterion of not-to-exceed 13° C were noted at all sites at certain times. Violations of the Idaho cold
water communities of not-to-exceed 22° C were not noted in Crooked River. Violations of the EPA
criterion of not-to-exceed 10° C (as a 7-day average of daily maximums) were noted at all sites.
Some basic metrics from the 2003 data are shown in Table 3.19 below.
Table 3.19 - Summary of 2003 Water Temperature Data
Stream Name/Site
Quartz Creek
Silver Creek
Relief Creek
Crooked River below Relief Creek
Crooked River near mouth
Number of
Days > 20°C
0
0
4
0
26
Maximum
Instantaneous
CC)
15.2
16.0
20.2
18.7
21.7
Under the no action alternative, insect and disease agents may tend to reduce shade over time in
some riparian stands. Shade in dredge-mined reaches would tend to increase very slowly over
time as these areas are naturally recolonized by riparian vegetation.
A number of water quality parameters were sampled at stream sites in Crooked River during the
period 1974-1980. Summaries of data for pH, conductivity and hardness for Crooked River and
Relief Creek are found in Table E.7. These data show that pH is near neutral to slightly acidic,
which is considered normal for area streams. Conductivity and alkalinity are both relatively low,
indicating relatively low amounts of dissolved constituents and also relatively low biological
productivity. Mann and Von Uindern (1988) found relatively high dissolved iron concentrations in
dredge ponds adjacent to Crooked River.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT/INDIRECT EFFECTS
All alternatives are designed to minimize effects on streamside shade. Timber harvest and
temporary road construction will not occur in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs).
Under all action alternatives, insect and disease agents may tend to reduce shade over time in
some riparian stands. There may be some incidental shade reductions at stream crossing
improvement sites. An example would be if some roadside vegetation was removed during
replacement of an existing culvert. Riparian planting would occur along Quartz Creek, Relief
Creek and Crooked River. This would be less in Alternatives B, C and D and greatest in
Alternative E. Over time, shade would be increased in these reaches and summer water
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
temperatures may be slightly reduced. This approach is expected to be in compliance with the
South Fork Clearwater River water temperature TMDL.
Beyond sediment yield described above, there would be little change in most water quality
parameters. Beneficial uses would be protected in all alternatives. There is some potential to
liberate mercury during instream improvement projects that involve disturbance of substrate
materials. This potential would be least in Alternatives B, C and D, since the least amount of area
would be disturbed. In addition, the instream construction work in these alternatives involves
maintenance of areas that were previously disturbed in the 1980s and 1990s, thus it is less likely
that mercury exists in the substrate. The potential to release mercury in deleterious amounts is
considered to be slight in all action alternatives.
IRREVERSIBLE, IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS (WILL ALSO DO THIS FOR ALL RESOURCES AT
THE END OF CHAPTER 3)
There are no effects to watershed resources in Crooked River from this project that are considered
to be fully irreversible or irretrievable. Construction and obliteration of temporary roads will leave
some residual effects in terms of mixed soil horizons and interruption of groundwater flow paths.
Sediment delivered to low gradient stream reaches tends to have a long residence time, but
eventually will be transported or reorganized by high stream flows. The instream improvements
are intentionally designed to be effective in the long term, but can be removed or reconfigured in
the future if warranted.
3.2.3. MAINSTEM SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER RIVER
BENEFICIAL USES
Under the Idaho Water Quality Standards, designated beneficial uses in the South Fork Clearwater
River and are cold-water communities, salmonid spawning, primary contact recreation and special
resource water (IDAPA 58.01.02).
EXISTING CONDITION
The South Fork Clearwater River forms at the confluence of American and Red Rivers. Crooked
River enters the South Fork about three miles below that point. The South Fork joins with the
Middle Fork Clearwater River at Kooskia to form the Clearwater River. The main stem length of
the South Fork is about 62.5 miles. In that distance, it falls about 2,700 feet, for an average stream
gradient of 0.8 percent.
The South Fork main stem can be broken into several major reaches. From its origin to about
Tenmile Creek, it is a relatively low gradient riffle/pool channel dominated by gravel and cobble
substrate. Below Tenmile Creek, the river enters a confined canyon characterized by steeper
stream gradient and large substrate dominated by boulders and cobbles. Downstream of Mill
Creek, the river alternates between confined and less confined reaches. Near Threemile Creek,
the river enters a broad, flat valley floor and is characterized by low gradient, a riffle/pool channel
and dominated by gravel and cobble substrate (USDA Forest Service, 1998).
The South Fork has been highly altered by encroachment by State Highway 14 along much of its
length. This has resulted in loss of floodplain function, simplification of the channel and loss of
riparian vegetation. The upper reaches were also dredge mined. The lower few miles were diked
after a flood in 1964, especially near Stites and Kooskia. Water temperature and suspended and
deposited sediment conditions have all been determined to be elevated above natural conditions'in
the South Fork (IDEQ, et al, 2004).
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CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Actions associated with the proposed projects may contribute to and/or reduce cumulative
sediment in the South Fork Clearwater River downstream of project area, dependent on the
analysis timeframe. The NEZSED model was used to calculate the predicted cumulative effects
sediment yield based on the proposed timber harvest, road construction, road maintenance, and
road reconstruction. As discussed in the Watershed Cumulative Effects section, these effects
would be short-term only, and improvements in watershed condition over time would contribute to
improved conditions in the river, assuming concurrent negative impacts do not occur off National
Forest lands.
Several estimates of annual sediment yield have been made for the South Fork Clearwater River,
generally covering the area upstream of the Forest Boundary at the Mt. Idaho Bridge (USDA
Forest Service 1998, 1999 and IDEQ et al, 2004, page L-8). These estimates were made using
two methods: 1) the NEZSED model; and 2) computations frpm suspended sediment samples
collected during 1988 through 1992. The range of these estimates is from 14,600 to 17,800
tons/year. For purposes of comparing the alternatives, a figure of 16,000 tons/year is used. This
is very close to the mean of the estimates. It is also very close to the figure computed in the South
Fork Clearwater TMDL, when using NEZSED at the Forest Boundary. Thus, it forms a benchmark
for the TMDL analysis.
\
Additional sediment yield from ongoing and foreseeable actions totals 170 tons/year. This is the
combined peak year figure from the Meadow Face, Red Pines and Whiskey South Projects. Thus,
the benchmark figure to which the American/Crooked Project is compared is 16,170 tons/year.
The comparisons are done in terms of the sediment yield associated with each alternative as a
percent of the estimated annual sediment yield in the South Fork Clearwater River. The estimates
from each alternative are for routed sediment yield delivered from American and Crooked Rivers to
the South Fork Clearwater River for the peak activity year of 2005 (Table 3.20).
Table 3.20: Sediment Yield from American and Crooked Rivers
to the South Fork Clearwater River
ALTERNATIVE GENERATED
SEDIMENT YIELD
(TONS/YR)
ALTERNATIVE GENERATED
SEDIMENT YIELD
(% OF SFCR)
TOTAL ROUTED SEDIMENT
YIELD
(TONS/YR)
TOTAL ROUTED SEDIMENT
YIELD
(% OF SFCR)
Alt A (existing)
0
0
193
1.1%
AltB
9
0.2%
227
1 .4%
AltC
17
0.3%
243
1 .5%
AltD
17
0.3%
241
1 .5%
AltE
8
0.2%
223
1 .4%
The amount of sediment estimated to be delivered to the main stem South Fork Clearwater River
as a direct result of each action alternative ranges from 0.2 percent to 0.3 percent of the estimated
annual yield of the river. When natural, alternative and pre-existing activity sediment are added,
the estimated contribution from American and Crooked Rivers ranges from 1.4 percent to 1.5
percent for each action alternative. The amounts and differences between alternatives are
relatively inconsequential, when considered in relation to the total sediment yield of the South Fork
Clearwater River at the Forest Boundary.
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The South Fork Clearwater River was analyzed for cumulative effects, including an effort to
quantify sediment yield increases. In general, sediment yield conditions have probably improved in
recent years. This is partly because the level of activity, particularly road building on federal lands
has been substantially less than during decades of the 1950s through the 1980s. Additionally,
dredge and placer mining has been substantially reduced since the 1950s. In addition, a number
of watershed and fisheries restoration projects have occurred within the South Fork Clearwater
subbasin. Other proposed timber sales on national forest lands are subject to similar mitigation
and upward trend requirements as the proposed American/Crooked Project.
If the Forest Plan guidance of upward trend in aquatic conditions for below objective watersheds is
followed, along with the South Fork Clearwater River TMDLs for sediment and water temperature,
aquatic conditions should continue to improve in the South Fork Clearwater River, when
considered at the Forest Boundary near Mt. Idaho Bridge.
3.2.4. WATERSHED SECTION SUMMARY
This provides an overall summary of the existing conditions and effects analysis relative to
watershed resources in the American/Crooked Project.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
In American River, subwatersheds within the project area mostly contain low to moderate gradient
streams. The watersheds have a range Of disturbance conditions, as indexed by existing road
densities ranging from 0.6 to 4.3 mi/mi2. Stream channels have been mostly affected by sediment
deposition and road encroachment.
In Crooked River, subwatersheds within the project area have generally steeper stream gradients
than American River. Watershed disturbances are more evenly distributed within the project
subwatersheds, as indexed by existing road densities ranging from 1.8 to 3.3 mi/mi2. Stream
channels have been affected by sediment deposition and road encroachment. In addition, historic
dredge mining was conducted in the mainstem of Crooked River and in lower Relief Creek. This
completely altered the channel morphology, floodplain function and riparian vegetation.
The mainstem of the South Fork Clearwater River has been impacted by sediment deposition, road
encroachment, dredge mining and removal of riparian vegetation. Certain impacts, such as the
encroachment of State Highway 14 on the river, are essentially permanent in nature.
PROJECT EFFECTS
In American River, the project is expected to have some short term impacts, especially in terms of
sediment yield, followed by long term improvements. The short term impacts are mostly in terms of
sediment yield resulting from temporary road construction, road decommissioning, culvert removals
and soil restoration.
In American River, all of the short term impacts fall within prescribed Nez Perce Forest Plan
sediment yield and entry frequency guidelines. Long term trends of aquatic resources are
discussed in Section 3.3 (fisheries). Alternative E has generally the widest spread between short
term impacts and long term improvements. Alternative B, C and D scale roughly in that order in
terms of the size of the short term impacts, relative to long term improvements in watershed
condition.
In Crooked River, the project is also expected to have some short term impacts, especially in terms
of sediment yield, followed by long term improvements. The short term impacts are mostly in terms
of sediment yield resulting from temporary road construction, road decommissioning, culvert
removals, soil restoration and instream improvements.
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In Crooked River, all of the short term impacts fall within prescribed Nez Perce Forest Plan
sediment yield and entry frequency guidelines. Long term trends of aquatic resources are
discussed in Section 3.3 (fisheries). Alternative E has generally the widest spread between short
term impacts and long term improvements. Alternative B, C and D scale roughly in that order in
terms of the size of the short term impacts, relative to long term improvements in watershed
condition.
Effects to the mainstem South Fork Clearwater River are expected to be relatively minor. The
project is expected to produce a minor amount of short term additional sediment yield, followed by
reductions of over time. No increases in water temperature are expected and a very slight
reduction may occur over time as the effects of riparian planting on increasing shade begin to
occur. The project is expected to comply with implementation guidelines under the South Fork
Clearwater River TMDLs for sediment and water temperature.
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3.3. FISHERIES
INTRODUCTION
The elements addressed in this section include stream conditions and the aquatic species found in
areas potentially affected by the project along with the affects of the project on those species and
their habitats. See previous sections/chapters for a complete list of projects considered under this
action including watershed restoration, timber harvest (including roadside), road work etc.
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The fisheries analysis area includes watersheds within American River and Crooked River. The
area also includes the South Fork Clearwater River from headwaters to the confluence with the
Middle Fork Clearwater River. The prescription watersheds within the project area in American
River include; Upper American River; (Middle) American River; Lower American River; East Fork
American River; Kirks Fork; Whitaker Creek; Queen Creek; Flint Greek; Box Sing Creek. In
Crooked River they include; Lower Crooked River; Relief Creek; and Middle Crooked River.
The upper South Fork Clearwater watershed is primarily under Federal management including
lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. American River includes the Elk City
Township, which has mixed ownership and a long history of development. The lower portion of the
sub-basin is of mixed ownership.
Direct, indirect, and cumulative effects have been analyzed for streams within the project area and
downstream to and including the South Fork Clearwater River.
Indicators used to analyze effects on fish and their habitat include sediment yield, acting large
woody debris, pool habitat, water yield, water quality including toxicants and stream temperature,
and habitat connectivity/passage. Effects on habitat from changes in sediment and water yield are
discussed with frequent reference to the Watershed section, where these changes have been
modeled and are displayed for each watershed.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST PLAN DIRECTION
FISH/WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES
Appendix A of the Nez Perce Forest Plan lists fish/water quality objectives by prescription
watershed for streams in the analysis area (see Appendix E). The plan recognizes that most of the
project area streams do not meet their objectives. The plan also allows for activities to proceed in
these below objective watersheds, as long as we concurrently work toward a positive upward trend
in fish habitat carrying capacity. Watersheds like American River and Middle Crooked River pose a
unique situation in that they are not a single complete drainage (see Watershed above and
Appendix E).
THE DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION TABLES
To estimate natural fish habitat potential and quantify existing stream conditions as required by the
Forest Plan, the Nez Perce National Forest is using a Desired Future Condition (DFC) Model
developed on the Clearwater National Forest (Espinosa 1992). This model addresses specific
conditions and channel types found on the Nez Perce Forest using a habitat quality index. Values
for the habitat parameters are quantified in a set of desired future condition (DFC) tables. The
DFC tables list the specific fish habitat parameter and a value or range that a stream should have
in order to be at a given percentage of the streams potential and to meet the Forest Plan
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Objectives for that watershed. The DFC values, habitat parameter data and their relationships are
stratified by channel types and fish species. The values for the fish habitat parameters listed in the
DFC tables are considered achievable for streams under natural conditions in the absence of
major disturbances or are reflective of what good fish habitat should be. Most of the habitat
parameters are consistent for each species, and they very slightly by channel type. Past work has
shown a need to adjust some of the elements to better-fit natural conditions and what is
achievable. The DFC for acting and potential woody debris in a meadow channel is often used as
an example of this.
UPWARD TREND
The Nez Perce Forest Plan provides direction that timber harvest in sediment-limited watersheds
that do not meet their Fish/Water Quality objectives, as listed in Appendix A, would occur only
where concurrent watershed improvement efforts result in a positive upward trend in habitat
condition. Many of the area streams do not meet their objectives and are in this category.
Project activities under this planning document will occur in nine prescription watersheds in
American River and three prescription watersheds in Crooked River.
RIPARIAN HABIT A T CONSERVA TION AREAS
In addition, the Nez Perce Forest Plan defines standards for vegetation management in riparian
areas (Management Area 10), which are collectively defined as lakes, lakeside lands, perennial
streams, seasonally flowing streams supporting riparian vegetation, and adjoining lands that are
dominated by riparian vegetation (NPFP III-30-33). This area includes the floodplains of streams
and the wetlands associated with springs, lakes, and ponds. The guidelines are included in
Appendix E
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST PLAN AMENDMENT 20 (PACFISH)
The PACFISH Environmental Assessment amended the Nez Perce Forest Plan in 1995 and is
incorporated as Amendment 20. PACFISH establishes riparian goals, riparian management
objectives (RMOs), and defines riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCAs). It includes specific
direction for land management activities within riparian areas adjacent to streams, lakes, wetlands,
and landslide-prone terrain. Riparian goals establish an expectation of the characteristics of
healthy, functioning watersheds, riparian areas, and fish habitat. The goals direct the Forest to
maintain or improve habitat elements such as water quality, stream channel integrity, instream
flows, riparian vegetation, and several others.
Riparian management objectives (RMOs) for stream channel condition provide the criteria against
which attainment, or progress toward attainment, of the riparian goals is measured. They include
habitat attributes such as number of pools, amount of large wood in the channel, stability of the
stream banks, and width-to-depth ratio. The areas adjacent to streams and wetlands (RHCAs)
were established in PACFISH to maintain the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Healthy riparian
areas are essential to maintaining or improving the quality of fish habitat in streams. This analysis
will use a combination of DFC and RMO values to define existing conditions in watersheds where
activities occur. See Appendix E for specific direction contained in Forest Plan Amendment 20
(PacFish).
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND BIOLOGICAL OPINIONS FROM NMFS AND USFWS
The American and Crooked River Area have been designated as priority watersheds, as directed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for
recovery of ESA listed fish species. These regulatory agencies issued Biological Opinions for
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Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMP) in 1998 with the following relevant guidelines for
priority watersheds.
• Watershed analysis must be conducted prior to harvest, salvage, or thinning activities in
RHCAs, and demonstrate action would not retard/prevent attainment of RMOs or adversely
affect listed fish.
• Watershed analysis must be conducted if watershed's EGA exceeds 15 percent, if harvest
activities would increase EGA.
• For new/proposed roads, if road density exceeds 2 miles/mi2, reduce road mileage and
emphasize road closure, obliteration, and revegetation.
• The 1998 steelhead BO added sediment RMCv incorporated by reference from the 1995
BO for Chinook salmon. This RMO includes standards of <20 percent surface fines in
spawning habitat or <30 percent cobble embeddedness in rearing habitat.
The Endangered Species Act also provides direction that federal agencies would consult on all
activities that may affect listed species and/or their habitat.
It is the policy of Congress that all Federal departments shall seek to conserve endangered
species and threatened species and shall utilize their authorities in furtherance of this purpose
(ESA1531.2b).
MAGNUSON-STEPHENS ACT
Pursuant to section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and its implementing regulations, 50 CFR
Part 600.920, Federal agencies must consult with NMFS regarding any of their actions authorized,
funded, or undertaken, or proposed to be authorized, funded, or undertaken that may adversely
affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). The Magnuson-Stevens Act, section 3, defines EFH as "those
waters and substrate necessary for fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity."
Federal agencies may incorporate an EFH Assessment into ESA Biological Assessments. The
final EIS will include an EFH assessment for Chinook salmon and Coho salmon that occur in the
Clearwater River basin HUC (17060305).
PROJECT AREA THEMES AND FISH SPECIES
AQUATIC THEMES
The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (March 1998), developed functional
themes for each Ecological Reporting Unit (ERU).
American River has a high to very high habitat for aquatic species. Spring Chinook habitat
potential is very high in Lower American River. Very high potential westslope cutthroat habitat
exists throughout the watershed, with the high order streams providing high potential sub
adult/adult rearing and spawning habitat. Steelhead habitat potential is rated as high for this
watershed. Bull trout habitat potential in this watershed is rated as high, with the higher order
channels in the lower watershed constituting important sub adult/adult rearing. American River is
assigned a rating of High Priority, Restore Aquatic process.
The Landscape Assessment highlights historic mining in both of these drainages as a primary
impact to fish habitat and aquatic process. American River also has a history of impacts from
private land development, cattle grazing, timber harvest and road building.
The Lower Crooked River has a rating of Very High Priority, Restore Aquatic Process. The
Crooked River/American River project is within the Lower Crooked River ERU. The less disturbed
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Upper Crooked River is assigned a rating of Very High Priority, Conserve Existing Aquatic
Function. Crooked River has less of a history of cattle grazing but timber harvest and road
construction have impacted the Lower Crooked River as well.
Crooked River has a very high habitat potential for spring Chinook and steelhead in the lower
portion, and a very high potential for bull trout and westslope cutthroat in the upper watershed.
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED FISH SPECIES
STEELHEAD TROUT
Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) in the Snake River basin are listed as a
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Federal Register Vol. 62, No. 159, August
18, 1997). Steelhead trout are distributed throughout the South Fork Clearwater sub basin and the
American and Crooked River watersheds (USDA 1999). The South Fork Clearwater sub basin and
all accessible tributaries were proposed as critical habitat for steelhead (Federal Register Vol. 64,
No. 24, February 5, 1999), but this proposal was recently rescinded, and the critical listing process
has been recently reinitiated. It is likely that the South Fork Clearwater River and American and
Crooked Rivers will be included as critical habitat when this designation is final.
Steelhead trout in Idaho are the anadromous form of rainbow trout, which have been further
classified as redband trout of the Columbia River basin (Behnke 2002). "Anadromous" refers to a
life history whereby fish spawn and rear in freshwater but migrate to the ocean before maturing
and returning to fresh water to spawn. Steelhead trout and most species of salmon follow an
anadromous life history, and adults of both may attain large size as a result of time spent in the
ocean. Populations of redband trout in the Columbia River basin, including those in Idaho,
generally follow either an anadromous or resident life history. Some stream systems may support
both types of individuals.
Steelhead trout spawning and rearing in the American River and Crooked River area generally
enter fresh water in late summer and fall/spend the winter in the lower and middle Clearwater
River below Kooskia, and migrate up the South Fork Clearwater River in early spring. Spawning
usually occurs in April and May, probably in the mainstem and lower reaches of tributary streams.
Juveniles usually spend about two years in streams and rivers, sometimes three, before migrating
downstream to the ocean during the spring runoff period in May and June (Behnke, 2002).
In the American River, juvenile steelhead trout have been documented in Upper, Middle and Lower
American River, East Fork American River, Flint Creek and Box Sing Creek. In Crooked River,
juvenile steelhead trout have been documented in Lower Crooked River, Relief Creek, Middle
Crooked River, Silver Creek and Quartz Creek.
BULL TROUT
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Columbia River basin have been listed as threatened
under the Endangered Species Act (Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 111, June 10, 1998). Critical
habitat for bull trout has been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Federal Register
Vol. 67, No. 71235, 2002) and is under review at this time. American River and Crooked River are
included as proposed critical habitat.
Bull trout are actually a char and are included in the genus Salvelinus, along with brook trout, lake
trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic char. The bull trout and Dolly Varden were long considered the
same species and are generally similar in appearance, but skeletal and genetic analyses have
shown they are separate species (Behnke 2002). Large bull trout are known as voracious
predators of other fish, although small bull trout typically feed on invertebrates. Bull trout spawn in
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the fall, typically in the coldest reaches of smaller tributaries. Clean substrate (rocks), cold water
temperatures, and the presence of cover are important attributes of preferred bull trout habitat.
Bull trout are especially vulnerable to human-induced factors that increase water temperature and
sediment loads, change flow regimes, block migration routes, and establish non-native trout,
particularly brook trout (Be'hnke, 2002).
Bull trout are present in the South Fork Clearwater River and many of its tributaries, including
American River and Crooked River. Bull trout have been documented in American River, Upper
American River East Fork American River and Kirks Fork. One bull trout was observed in the 1989
survey of Flint Creek and no bull trout have been documented using Box Sing Creek.
Crooked River is an important stream for bull trout. The weir at the mouth of this system is
managed by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. They observe both adult and juvenile bull trout
moving in and out of the system. The headwaters provide important spawning and rearing habitat
for this fish and the mainstem is a well used travel corridor. Bull trout have been observed using
Lower Crooked River, Middle Crooked River, and Silver Creek. The upper Crooked River
watersheds (outside the project area) are recognized as very important for spawning and rearing of
bulltrout.
FALL-CHINOOK SALMON
Fall Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) is listed as a threatened species in the
Clearwater River basin (Federal Register, Vol. 57, No. 78, 14653, April 22, 1992). Fall Chinook
salmon are not found in the American and Crooked River area, but they do occur downstream in
the lower reaches of the South Fork Clearwater River and in the mainstem Clearwater River.
Snake River fall Chinook salmon were historically less well-distributed across the upper Snake
River basin than spring and summer Chinook, although the Snake River basin, including the
Clearwater River, was considered to support the highest production of fall Chinook salmon in the
entire Columbia River basin. The historic importance of the Clearwater River in providing
spawning and early rearing habitat is presently unclear, but it is assumed it sustained a significant
component of the entire population.
Snake River fall Chinook begin entering the Columbia River in August and continue through
October, with peak migration occurring in early September. Returning adults have generally spent
three or four years in the ocean. Adults generally arrive in the Clearwater River in October with fish
present from September through December. Spawning occurs from November through early
December. Fry emerge from late winter to early spring, juveniles rear over the ensuing spring and
summer months, then migrate to the ocean in the fall before they are a year old.
FOREST SERVICE SENSITIVE AND STATE LISTED FISH SPECIES
In a letter dated March 12, 1999, the USDA Forest Service Northern Region Sensitive Species list
was updated to include interior redband trout, boreal toad, northern leopard frog, and other wildlife
and plant species on the Nez Perce National Forest.
SPRING CHINOOK SALMON
Spring Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha) are considered a sensitive species in the
Northern Region, USDA Forest Service and are a species of special concern in the State of Idaho.
They are not listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in the South Fork
Clearwater sub basin because indigenous populations were likely eliminated from the Clearwater
River by construction of Lewiston Dam in the early 20th century (Schoen et al. 1999; Murphy and
Metsker, 1962). Naturalized populations of spring Chinook salmon, however, have been re-
established in the South Fork Clearwater sub basin, including American River and Crooked River,
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as a result of reintroduction efforts (Schoen et al. 1999) by federal and state agencies and the Nez
Perce Tribe.
Both the American River and Crooked River watershed have a high inherent capacity to support
spring Chinook salmon (USDA 1998), based on features such as climate, relief, and geology.
These river systems are comprised of significant lengths of low gradient, meadow reaches that
provide optimal spawning and rearing habitat for this species, offering large areas of appropriately-
sized spawning gravels as well as preferred low gradient rearing habitat for juveniles (USDA,
2003).
Historically, significant numbers of spring Chinook salmon spawned and reared in these systems
as well as other tributaries of the South Fork Clearwater River. Currently, adult returns vary but are
generally low. In 2003, the weir at the mouth of Crooked River counted 1360 returning adult spring
Chinook. The 1990 fish habitat survey conducted by Clearwater BioStudies, Inc. (Fish Habitat
Characteristics, Riparian Conditions and Salmonid Abundance In The Crooked River Study Area,
November, 1990) identified 9810 square meters of spawning gravel available in the mainstem river
from the mouth to Orogrande. If this habitat were fully seeded, even in the existing condition, there
is potential to produce over 500,000 spring Chinook smolts annually in Crooked River. The
American River is a very similar system. Both rivers have been dredge mined using large floating
bucket line dredges which resulted a loss of pool habitat, removal of acting and potential woody
debris and wider more shallow streams.
Spring Chinook salmon have been identified in Upper, Middle and Lower American River, East
Fork American River, Kirks Fork, Flint Creek and Box Sing Creek. In Crooked River,>they have
been identified in Lower Crooked River and Middle Crooked and are likely to also use Relief Creek,
Silver Creek and Quartz Creek.
INTERIOR REDBAND
Interior Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) includes both anadromous steelhead
(discussed above) and native resident rainbow trout that do not migrate to the ocean (Behnke,
2002). They are classified as the same species, except fish included in this category spend their
entire lives in a stream or river, often at or near their natal area. Only the anadromous form is
listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
In most anadromous steelhead populations, a portion of the juveniles do not migrate to the ocean
and remain as resident redbands throughout their lives (Behnke, 2002). This is the likely scenario
in the American and Crooked River watersheds. Most juveniles migrate to the ocean but small
percentages probably remain as resident fish. There are no known isolated populations that are
exclusive resident, although redband spawning was observed in East Fork Relief Creek (W.
Paradis personal observation, 2003) such populations exist elsewhere on the Nez Perce National
Forest and in the South Fork Clearwater sub basin.
WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT
Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) are considered sensitive in the Northern
Region, U.S. Forest Service and a species of special concern by the State of Idaho. Currently,
they are not listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act. In a letter dated June
10, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service "determined that a petition to list the westslope
cutthroat trout...presented substantial information indicating that the requested action may be
warranted". Cutthroat trout are widely distributed across the Clearwater basin, although the current
abundance is probably less than historic abundance.
Westslope cutthroat trout are widespread in the project area, and have been found in virtually
every tributary where surveys have been conducted. Populations may also be present in
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additional areas where surveys have not been conducted or where existing information is
insufficient to define species presence or absence. Strong populations of resident fish have been
observed in Quartz Creek and Silver Creek.
The isolated populations in Queen and Whitaker offer unique opportunities to study genetic
differences between isolated fish and those subject to hybridization with non-native rainbow trout.
There is also the opportunity to connect these streams to the mainstem and monitor fish dispersal
and genetic changes.
Although population status of resident westslope cutthroat trout is thought to be strong in some
streams, the larger fluvial fish, those moving out of the tributaries and rearing in the mainstem are
showing very low densities, making this species at risk.
Primary existing threats to westslope cutthroat trout in the project area include habitat degradation,
loss of connectivity among populations, competition with non-native brook trout, and harvest of
adults by anglers.
PACIFIC LAMPREY
Pacific Lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) \s considered a State of Idaho species of special concern.
Recent sampling in the South Fork Clearwater River indicated the presence of juvenile lampreys
along the mainstem river and some of the tributaries (IDFG, 2003). Similar sampling conducted in
Crooked and American Rivers in 2001 did not identify any lampreys.
OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES
Brook trout (Salvetinus fontinalis) are present throughout the American River and Crooked River
watersheds, including most streams in the project area. Brook trout are not native to streams west
of the Continental Divide. Brook trout can occupy a wide range of habitats and have the ability to
compete with trout, salmon, and char that are native to streams in Idaho. In degraded habitats,
brook trout will often out-compete native pull trout (Clearwater Basin Bull Trout Technical Advisory
Team 1998). Where the species co-exist, brook trout are likely to displace native westslope
cutthroat, particularly in low gradient streams (Griffith, 1998).
Brook trout are a fall-spawning species, and interbreeding with bull trout is common in areas where
the species coexist. Brook trout are usually much more abundant than bull trout where they occur
together, and this distorted ratio of abundance can lead to mass hybridization (Behnke, 2002).
Surveys have documented brook trout Jn Mainstem American River, Whitaker Creek, Flint Creek,
and Mainstem Crooked River. Bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout are also present in these
areas.
The American and Crooked River project area is.also known to support various other aquatic
species and amphibians. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), sculpins (Cottus spp.), and
dace (Rhinicthys spp.) have been observed throughout most of the area.
Tailed frogs have been documented in area streams and are believed to be widely distributed.
Other amphibians documented within the watershed include Columbia spotted frogs and Idaho
giant salamanders. Western toads and long-toed salamanders are also probably present.
Amphibians are discussed in greater detail in the Wildlife chapter of this document.
ANALYSIS METHODS
INTRODUCTION
We will first describe in general, how we determine exiting conditions for fish and fish habitat. This
analysis will focus on six elements of fish habitat. This general discussion will be followed by a
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detailed description for the two river systems (American River and Crooked River) and how these
elements will change as a result of this project. We will end with a discussion of cumulative effects.
INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT
Substrate conditions are an important component of fish habitat and fish survival. Cobble
embeddedness is a measure of fine-grained sand that has filled in around the cobble substrate.
The more embedded the substrate is the more reduction we see in over wintering habitat and food
production.
Cobble embeddedness and percent surface fines were used as measures of the amount of
deposited sediment present in the streambed.
Existing measured or estimated cobble embeddedness and percent surface fines have been
compared to optimal stream conditions and assigned a percent. These conditions, referred to
colloquially as "desired future condition" standards, are presented below in Tables 3.22 and 3.23,
along with the existing condition and percent of optimal.
Existing measured or estimated cobble embeddedness in analysis area streams was also used to
estimate summer and winter rearing capacities for trout and salmon, using the FISHSED model
(Stowell et al. 1983). The FISHSED model was then used to compare action alternatives using
both existing cobble embeddedness measurements and predictions of NEZSED. These elements
were used to roughly predict amount of change in summer and winter rearing capacity among
action alternatives using mathematical relationships in the FISHSED model. These changes were
calculated for each alternative and are an indication of the amount of sediment expected as a
result of surface sediment erosion. Modeled predictions for all action alternatives were included.
Sediment from sources other than surface sediment erosion, including bank erosion and mass
movement (landslides) are not included in model estimates.
The FISHSED model includes calculations for fish embryo survival, summer rearing capacity, and
winter rearing capacity. Fish embryo survival is an estimate of predicted fine sediment by depth in
cobble stream bbttoms. Summer and winter rearing capacity reflect how the degree of fine
sediment in the stream bottom affects the stream's ability to support fish during these seasons.
For the American and Crooked River analysis, the model was not used to estimate changes in
embryo survival because percent fine by depth data, which are substrate core data measurements,
were not available. In general, the Nez Perce National Forest has not collected substrate core
data since the late 1980s. One reason these data are no longer collected is research published in
1988 suggested modeling embryo survival in egg pockets does not accurately reflect conditions
faced by embryos or emerging fry in real-life stream situations (Chapman, 1988).
Model results, as displayed below in Tables .3.22 and 3.23 are reasonable estimates and not
absolute numbers with high statistical precision. The capability of the FISHSED model in analyzing
and displaying change at the levels shown in these tables is somewhat limited. In this case, data
from FISHSED are most useful in comparing the relative effects among alternatives. The model
also reflects short-term changes only and does not show the long term recovery, projected in
NEZSED
INDICATOR 2 - LARGE WOODY DEBRIS
Large woody debris is a component of habitat quality and complexity and is also an important
contributor to stream productivity, cover, and food production for fish and other aquatic organisms.
Large wood in the streams also contributes to channel stability in small, low order streams, and is
thus an important element even in streams where fish are not present. Under natural conditions,
large wood is contributed to streams from the surrounding riparian areas as trees fall over and may
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be recruited either discretely (one or two here and there) or in large numbers over a short period of
time. The latter often occurs in response to a significant disturbance event, such as wildfire or an
extreme weather event where floods or debris torrents wash large amounts of material into the
stream. The existence of debris jams in streams is generally evidence of a past event of this type.
The amount of large woody debris in a stream is usually measured in the field during stream
surveys by counting the number of large woody pieces present in the stream. Future woody debris
recruitment is estimated by counting the number of trees in the riparian area that could fall into the
stream.
Some stream reaches in the project area have been determined to be debris-deficient; most of
these reaches occur in the streams that have been placer mined like mainstem American River
and Crooked River as well as tributaries like Relief Creek.
INDICATOR 3 - POOL HABITAT
Poohriffle ratio is an indicator of habitat quality and complexity, both of which are important
elements for salmonid fishes in streams. In addition, the quality of pools is an important
consideration. Pool quality is generally indicated by pool volume and poor depth, with larger,
deeper pools offering greater quality.
Stream survey data have provided estimates of the number and quality of pools for streams in the
American and Crooked River area that have been surveyed. The summarized data present pool
information as poohriffle ratio, with a ratio of at least 50 percent or more pools as highly desirable.
The number of pools in a stream and the quality of those pools can be affected by: (ij long-term
increases in sediment yield, a phenomenon that can result in pool-filling and eventual loss of the
pool; (2) increased bedload accumulation that also results in pool-filling; and (3) lack of large
woody debris and other pool-forming structures, which can significantly affect streams that are
dependent on large wood as the primary pool-forming mechanism. Therefore, changes in
sediment yield and the amount of large wood available to fall in the stream are indicators for
predicting changes in the number and quality of pools over time, as well as number of trees felled
or placed into streams. In addition, pools may be artificially created during channel restoration or
other habitat improvement projects.
INDICATOR 4 - WATER YIELD
Equivalent Clearcut Area (ECA) is used as a tool to assess potential changes in water yield. ECA
is discussed in more detail in the Watershed section. Increases in water yield may indirectly affect
fish habitat through increased bank erosion, channel down cutting, increased accumulation of
larger streambed materials, reduction in number of pools, and overall simplification of habitat.
INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY
Toxics
Water Quality analysis includes introduction of toxic materials. We currently are proposing no tools
for predicting the amount of toxic materials entering streams because we are implementing
mitigation such that the risk of toxic materials entering streams is very low, and we do not expect a
measurable effect from the use of these materials.
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WATER TEMPERATURE
Potential increases in stream temperature are addressed by assessing the degree of activities in
riparian areas that may result in increased or decreased solar radiation to streams. See the
Watershed section above for a detailed discussion of this element.
INDICATOR 6 - HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE
The ability for fish to move between habitats as conditions change and for individuals to move
between fish populations is an important component for. short-term survival and long-term
population genetic diversity. Culvert improvement work associated with this action will focus on
both increased culvert size for better passing of flood flows and movement of aquatic biota up and
down stream.
Habitat connectivity will simply be a measure of increased stream miles displayed and perennial or
intermittent stream miles above culvert improvements. Not all sites involve fish passage.
Table 3.21: Existing Stream Crossings American River
Watershed Name
Upper American River
Middle American River
Lower American River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Ephemeral
Crossings
2
6
2
4
2
4
1
Perennial
Crossings
1
7
8
2
2
1
7
1
Fish Bearing
Crossings
1
9
10
1
2
1
4
1
TOTAL
Total
Crossings
1
9
14
4
6
3
11
2
50
Table 3,22: Existing Stream Crossings Crooked River
Watershed Name
Lower Crooked River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked River
Ephemeral
Crossings
15
17
9
Perennial
Crossings
8
5
24
Fish Bearing
Crossings
6
6
11
TOTAL
Total
Crossings
23
22
33
78
Overall, the presence of roads is highly correlated with changes in species composition, population
sizes, and hydrologic and geomorphic processes that shape aquatic and riparian systems.
Research shows the importance of removal or restoration of existing roads to benefit both
terrestrial and aquatic biota (Trombulak and Frissell, 1999). Roads can alter the landscape
distributions of the starting and stopping points of debris flows, and they can alter the balance
between the intensity of flood peaks and the stream network's resistance to change (Jones et al,
1999). Road crossings can prevent or interfere with upstream migration of adult and juvenile
salmonids, aquatic macro invertebrates, and larval amphibians (Furniss et al., 1991).
Roads, culverts, and sometimes bridges act like dams, constricting stream flow through a single
narrow outlet. This can prevent the transportation of habitat-forming gravel and woody material
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down the channel. These constriction points also cause deposition and channel widening at the
culvert inlet (USDA unpublished data, 1996 - 1999). The channels below culvert outlets are
typically down cutting and scoured by the high velocity water caused by constriction.
Roads and stream crossings have also been shown to function as barriers to the upstream
movement and dispersal for many fish and wildlife species (Furniss et al., 1991). Culvert outlets
not in contact with stream bottoms do not allow access for aquatic species. Undersized culverts
constrict flows creating high velocity barriers and eliminating substrate from culvert bottoms.
These barriers can isolate small aquatic populations, limiting or preventing genetic exchange
between populations, and preventing the recolonization of historic or recovering habitats.
Stream crossing structures also limit or prevent seasonal upstream movement by fish. Juvenile
salmonids living in rivers often seek refuge in tributary streams during high flow events.
Additionally, many culverts are in need of repair or replacement to reduce risk of failure.
Historically, most culverts were sized to pass 50-year storm events. In many cases, this sizing is
not adequate to handle large flood events or debris torrents. Culverts sized for a 100-year or
greater event are more likely to pass the water and debris associated with a large event.
ANALYSIS OF DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS TO THREATENED,
ENDANGERED, AND SENSITIVE (TES) FISH SPECIES.
TES fish species present in the American and Crooked River watersheds include spring Chinook
salmon, steelhead trout, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout. Changes in habitat could affect
these species directly, indirectly, and/or cumulatively and are collectively considered indicators of
effect. A Biological Assessment will be completed for threatened, endangered, and sensitive fish
species for the preferred alternative when it is identified, assuming the preferred alternative is not
Alternative A. Indicators used in the Biological Assessment may vary and would be based on
accepted indicators developed by the Central Idaho Level 1 Team. The results of the BA and any
outcomes associated with consultation will be included in the Record of Decision.
EXISTING CONDITION OF HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS
AMERICAN RIVER (UPPER, MIDDLE AND LOWER)- PRESCRIPTION WATERSHEDS -
#17060305-05-09,06,16
American River is a large watershed with important aquatic values and a high priority for
restoration of aquatic processes. The mainstem river is broken into three prescription watersheds
(Map 7a). Upper American River is above the Elk City Township and primarily includes lands
administered by the FS. Middle American River extends into the township and has experienced
extensive amounts of placer mining and fish habitat degradation. Lower American River is within
the township and has experienced similar impacts. The Bureau of Land Management administers
lands within this area and much of the survey data and background information comes from their
work (BLM, American River BA/BE, March 1999). Steelhead trout, bull trout, cutthroat trout,
spring/summer Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, pacific lamprey, mountain whitefish, sculpin, and
dace are present in the American River watershed. Their distribution is widespread, with the
exception of bull trout for which the distribution is not well known. Brook trout are also present and
widely distributed. Spring Chinook salmon and steelhead trout abundance is low. Westslope
cutthroat trout populations vary; some areas are devoid of cutthroat trout while others have
relatively high densities. The higher densities of cutthroat appear correlated with undeveloped
areas in American River. There are very few large-sized migratory cutthroat trout.
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Migratory bull trout are present in American River, although at low levels. The extent of resident
bull trout in American River is not well known. Currently, it appears that the East Fork American
River potentially provides the only spawning and early rearing areas for bull trout in the watershed.
This project proposes only road decommissioning in East Fork American River. Surveys
conducted by FS in 1998 did not document occurrences of bull trout in upper American River.
Recent fish surveys conducted by BLM, FS, and IDFG (1996-2003) documented bull trout in
mainstem American River, East Fork American River, and lower Kirks Fork.
The BLM surveyed Lower American River in 1992 using a modified Hankin and Reeves (1988)
survey methodology. The dominant channel type was B, average gradient was 2 percent, and
unstable stream banks averaged 2 percent. Lower American River occurs within the Elk City
Township and a large amount of the stream bottom has been dredge mined. Yearlong and
seasonal residences occur along some stream reaches. Dredge mining has reduced quality of
pools and large woody debris is lacking. Dredge mining activity has reduced large woody debris
recruitment along some reaches. High summer water temperatures and deposited sediment also
reduce fish habitat quality.
The FS last did an extensive survey of American River (upstream from BLM boundary) in 1993
using the Nez Perce basin-wide methodology. During the survey approximately 69 percent of its
length was classified as a B type stream channel. The remaining portion was classified as C and A
channel types, 24 percent and 7 percent, respectively
The FS and BLM have completed various stream improvement projects in the past, which include
installation of rock check dams; log check dams, large woody debris, and habitat rock placement.
SUMMARY OF FISH SPECIES DISTRIBUTION
The American River area includes proposed critical habitat for listed steelhead trout and potential
critical habitat for listed bull trout. Map 8a displays fish distribution within the analysis area.
Table 3.23: Known and suspected distribution of trout, salmon and char in American River
Stream Name
Middle American
River
Upper American
River
East Fork American
River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Lower American
River
Westslope
Cutthroat
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Bull Trout
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Probably Absent
Probably Absent
Known Present
Probably Absent
Known Present
Spring Chinook
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Known Absent
Known Absent
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Steelhead
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Probably Present
Known Absent
Known Absent
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Brook Trout
Known Present
Known Present
Known Present
Status unknown
Known Present
Status unknown
Known Present
Probably Present
Known Present
EAST FORK AMERICAN RIVER - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-10
East Fork American River flows into American River at river mile 10.6, and provides habitat for
steelhead, bull trout, spring Chinook salmon, westslope cutthroat trout, brook trout, mountain
whitefish, sculpin, and dace. Bull trout use the stream for adult and sub adult rearing. Fish
population surveys of the stream in recent years by BLM, FS, and IDFG (1996 - 2003) have
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
documented the presence of bull trout, however, numbers were low and most fish were found in
the middle reach. The stream may be used for bull trout spawning and early rearing, further
investigations are needed for verification. The lower reaches to mid reaches of the stream flow
through a timbered bottom with some stringer meadows. A culvert installed at the mouth may be a
partial/full fish passage barrier. A private residence occurs near the mouth. A trail parallels the
creek. The lower reaches crossing BLM lands are not leased for grazing, however, FS lands are
permitted for grazing. The East Fork American River was surveyed by the BLM in 1992 from the
mouth to FS boundary (stream mile 2.33). In 1993 the FS surveyed from that point to the
headwaters. Both surveys used a modified Hankin and Reeves survey methodology (Hankin and
Reeves 1988). The dominant channel type in lower reaches was B3 and average gradient ranged
from 1 - 2 percent, and unstable stream banks were 2 percent. The seven-day running average
maximum temperature during steelhead and cutthroat spawning periods for East Fork American
River is 13.4 degrees C, and is rated high (SM 0.1 - 1995). No data oh rearing temperatures are
available for the middle reach, but spot monitoring during fish surveys in 1998 found cool water
temperatures, which rated high for steelhead and bull trout rearing. The seven-day running
average maximum temperature for bull trout spawning was 14.4 degrees C, and is rated low (SM
0.1 -1995). The seven-day running average maximum temperature for rearing is 16.1 degrees C,
and is rated moderate for steelhead and low for bull trout (SM 0.1 -1995). Primary limiting factors
include high levels of deposited sediment and lack of good quality pools. Recon surveys were
conducted in 2003 in support of this project.
KIRKS FORK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-11
Kirks Fork flows into American River at river mile 6.9, and provides habitat for steelhead, bull trout,
spring Chinook salmon, westslope cutthroat trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, sculpin, and
dace. Bull trout use the stream for adult and sub adult rearing. Fish population surveys of the
stream in recent years by BLM, FS, and IDFG (1996 - 2003) have documented the presence of bull
trout, however, numbers were low. A full fish passage barrier at all flows occurs at stream mile 2.3
(18 foot falls/cascades). The upper reaches of the stream consist of high quality westslope
cutthroat trout habitat. The lower reaches receive moderate grazing use; and roads and logging
have impacted the stream to varyinglevels. The limited amount of management activities in this
watershed and the high quality fish habitat is not reflected above with the Forest Plan showing this
stream well below its' fish/water quality objective of 90 percent of habitat potential. The plan shows
existing conditions at only 50 percent and actual conditions are likely higher. A ford crosses the
stream near the mouth. BLM monitoring of cobble embeddedness was 45 percent (stream mile
0.15 - 1995) and spawning gravels had 30 percent fines less than 6.3 mm (1995). Kirks Fork was
surveyed by the BLM in 1992 from the mouth to FS boundary (stream mile 0.55). The FS surveyed
from the BLM boundary upstream In 1991. Both surveys used a modified Hankin and Reeves
(1988) survey methodology. Recon surveys were completed in 2003. The stream flows through a
confined timbered stream bottom. The dominant channel type in lower reaches was B3 and
average gradient ranged from 2-3 percent, and unstable stream banks varied from 3-5 percent.
BLM data shows the seven-day running average maximum temperature during steelhead and
cutthroat spawning periods for Kirks Fork is 13.9 degrees C, and is rated high (SM 0.05 - 1995).
The seven-day running average maximum temperature for bull trout spawning was 14.8 degrees
C, and is rated low (SM 0.05 - 1995). The seven-day running average maximum temperature for
rearing was 16.7 degrees C, and was rated moderate for steelhead and low for bull trout (SM 0.05
-1995). Primary limiting factors include high levels of deposited sediment and lack of good quality
pools.
WHITAKER CREEK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-12
Whitaker Creek flows into American River at river mile 8.5, and provides habitat for cutthroat trout
brook trout, dace and sculpin (Final Report YA-515-IA7-15, University of Idaho, 1978). Dredge
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
mining has altered the mouth of the stream leaving no above ground channel for the stream. The
stream flows enter American River sub-surface thus isolating the fish populations above. Roads,
logging, and mining have impacted the stream to varying levels. Two private residences occur at
the mouth of the creek. Extensive private land timber harvest has recently (2003) impacted the
watershed. Whitaker Creek was surveyed by the BLM in 1991 from the mouth to FS boundary
(stream mile 1.5) using a modified Hankin and Reeves (1988) survey methodology. The FS
surveyed their lands upstream in 1989 using the same methodology. Recon surveys were
conducted for this analysis in 2003. The stream flows through a confined timbered stream bottom.
The channel types starting from the mouth are C3 (short mouth area reach), B4, and A3; and
average gradient ranges from 1 to 12 percent, and unstable stream banks were less than 3
percent. Primary limiting factors include high levels of deposited sediment, lack of good quality
pools, and low flows.
QUEEN CREEK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-13
Queen Creek flows into American River at river mile 9.4, and provides habitat for cutthroat trout.
Dredge mining has altered the mouth area and the stream flows into a dredge ppnd and has no
connecting channel with American River. The stream flows subsurface through dredge tailings into
American River thus isolating the westslope cutthroat population. We electrofished this stream in
2003 and identified 22 westslope cutthroat and 6 dace in a 23 square meter reach. Mining, roads,
and logging have impacted the stream to varying levels. Queen Creek was surveyed by the BLM
in 1991 from the mouth to FS boundary (stream mile 0.67) using a modified Hankin and Reeves
(1988) survey methodology. The FS surveyed from the BLM upstream in 1989. Recon surveys
were completed for this project in 2003. The stream flows through a wide valley bottom at the
mouth, while upstream reaches flow through a confined timbered stream bottom. The channel
types starting from the mouth are C2 (mouth area), B3, and A3; and average gradient ranges from
2-7 percent, and unstable stream banks were less than 3 percent. Primary limiting factors include
high levels of deposited sediment, lack of good quality pools, and low flows.
The lower miles of Queen Creek indicate that there has been a moderate level of disturbance from
past dredge mining and placer mining activities. Tailings piles are scattered in small piles across
the valley floor, and an old access road parallels the stream on the North side. Both Queen Creek
and Whitaker Creek offer unique opportunities to study isolated populations of westslope cutthroat
trout. These paired watersheds are similar in size and share a history of land disturbing activities.
FLINT CREEK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-14
Flint Creek is a third order tributary of the East Fork American River. Flint Creek enters East Fork
American River from the North approximately 2 miles upstream of the confluence East Fork
American River and American River. Flint Creek is a low (0.5 percent) to moderate (4-6 percent)
gradient stream. Flint Creek is primarily characterized as being Rosgen stream types "B" and "C"
with most channel slope gradients ranging from 0.5 percent to 7 percent. There are a few short
sections of stream type "A" in the upper headwaters of the stream. The stream flows through a "U"
shaped valley formation. The upslope environment consists of moderately steep (30-45 percent)
mid elevation granitic uplands. Historic stream surveys from 1970 and 1982 indicated that there
had been a high level of livestock grazing disturbance within the Flint Creek drainage. The grazing
strategies implemented as a result of the steelhead trout being listed under ESA have improved
stream bank stability in Flint Creek. The drainage has also had large fire events in the 1800's and
early 1900's. The Flint Creek Trail (Forest Service Trail #832) parallels the stream beginning
approximately 0.75 miles upstream of the confluence with East Fork American River. Flint Creek
supports westslope cutthroat and steelhead trout, bull trout, and spring/summer Chinook salmon.
The FS surveyed Flint Creek using the basin-wide methodology in 1989. Recon surveys and
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
basin-wide surveys were also conducted in 2003 in support of the American and Crooked River
Project.
Box SING CREEK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-05-15
Box Sing Creek flows into American River at river mile 8.5, and provides habitat for steelhead and
cutthroat trout. Dredge mining has altered the mouth area of the stream and the lower segment
flows across the dredge mined stream bottom of American River. Livestock grazing occurs in the
lower reaches; and roads and logging have impacted the stream to varying levels. A ford crosses
the stream near the mouth. Box Sing Creek was surveyed by the BLM in 1991 from the mouth to
FS boundary (stream mile 0.67) using a modified Hankin and Reeves (1988) survey methodology.
The FS surveyed the upstream reaches using the same methodology in 1989. Recon surveys
were conducted in 2003 in support to this project. The stream flows through a confined timbered
stream bottom. The dominant channel type in lower reaches was B4 and average gradient was 2
percent, unstable stream banks were less than 3 percent. Primary limiting factors include high
levels of deposited sediment, lack of good quality pools, and low flows. Box Sing is approximately
5.7 miles long. The lower 2.0 miles of Box Sing Creek indicate a moderate level of disturbance
from past dredge mining and placer mining activities. Tailings piles are scattered in small piles
across the valley floor, and an old access road parallels the stream on the North side.
SUMMARY
All of the project area streams in American River accept Whitaker Creek and Queen Creek are
below their Forest Plan fish/water quality objectives (Table 3.23 above). Below is a summary of
conditions observed by both the BLM and FS for streams affected by this action. Whitaker Creek
and Queen Creek do not support steelhead and therefore percent surface fines were not measured
and this indicator is not applicable.
Table 3.24: American River Existing Condition of Fish Habitat Indicators Compared to Objectives
Prescription Watershed
Upper American River
17060305-05-09
Middle American River
17060305-05-06
Lower American River
17060305-05-16
Kirks Fork
17060305-05-11
Whitaker Creek
17060305-05-12
Queen Creek
17060305-05-13
Flint Creek
17060305-05-14
Box Sing Creek
17060305-05-15
Cobble
Embeddedness %
(Forest Plan BO
standard)
Objective
<30
<30
<30
<30
<40
<40
<30
<40
Existing
51
50
31
32
61
42
58
44
PoohRiffle Ratio
(DFC Standard)
Objective
45:55
45:55
45:55
45:55
30:70
30:70
45:55
30:70
Existing
13:87
29:71
20:80
33:67
5:95
9:91
20:80
7:93
Acting Large Woody
Debris/ pieces per
100m
(DFC Standard)
Objective
45
45
45
45
35
35
45
35
Existing
18
22
2
33
51
63
20
12
Percent Surface
Fines
(Steelhead/Bull Trout
Matrix Standard)
Objective
<20
<20
<20
<20
*NA
*NA
<20
<20
Existing
18
34
8
22
30
20
20
28
*Steelhead do not currently use this system.
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DEPOSITED SEDIMENT (COBBLE EMBEDDEDNESS AND PERCENT FINES)
Table 3.25.. Existing Condition of Select FISHSED Variables, Which Are Relevant to the
Deposited Sediment Indicator
Watershed Name
Upper American River
Middle American River
Lower American River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Existing Cobble
Embeddedness
(%)
51
50
31
32
61
42
58
44
Existing Summer
Rearing Capacity
(Percent of
Optimal)
83
83
83
93
75
88
77
87
Existing Winter
Rearing Capacity
(Percent of
Optimal)
26
27
27
43
20
34
22
32
EXISTING CONDITION OF HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS
CROOKED RIVER
The watershed encompasses an area of approximately 45,659 acres with important aquatic
values. Crooked River has been significantly affected by human activities primarily in the lower
section (Lower Crooked River, Relief Creek and Middle Crooked River). The predominant feature
is the historic dredge mining along and through the mainstem river, which has highly altered
riparian processes and function. A streamside road for most of its length further affects the
mainstem of Crooked River. This streamside road encroaches on riparian and stream process for
about half of its length. The upper half of the watershed is mostly unroaded with reaches in the
upper watershed supporting strong populations of westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout at some
of the highest densities in the sub basin. Steelhead spawning and juvenile rearing primarily occurs
in the mainstem and the lower 0.5 miles of each fork of Crooked River. The East and West Forks
of Crooked River are in nearly pristine condition.
It is considered a stronghold for westslope cutthroat, a habitat stronghold for bull trout, and a
historic stronghold for spring Chinook and steelhead (USDA 1998).
Although the aquatic habitat condition in the upper watershed is good, the overall condition of this
watershed is considered low. Crooked River is considered well below its 90 percent Forest Plan
fish/water quality objective condition (USDA 1998).
Habitat complexity has been greatly reduced from the historic mining activities. In addition, road
233 parallels a 3.4 mile section of stream, within a narrow canyon. This road has reduced the
large woody debris recruitment in this stretch of stream. Because of reduced habitat complexity
and elevated cobble embeddedness levels, summer rearing and over wintering conditions are
believed to be the limiting factors for fish. Approximately 400 habitat improvement structures were
placed in Crooked River during the 1980s. About 30 percent of these are still functioning as
intended, and provide improved fish habitat in many areas. This project will include activities
designed to improve existing habitat enhancement structures, add additional structures and further
improve riparian and stream conditions impacted by past mining activities.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The aquatic habitat condition in the upper watershed is good, supporting strong populations of
westslope cutthroat trout, and bull trout at some of the highest densities in the sub basin. Although
the habitat condition of the mainstem is low, it continues to support steelhead and spring Chinook.
Brook trout, present primarily in the upper West Fork and in the lower mainstem, pose a risk to
downstream bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout (USDA 1998).
Idaho Department of Fish and Game Facilities: A weir and fish-trapping facility, part of the Lower
Snake River Compensation Project, are located on Crooked River approximately 1/2 mile upstream
from the mouth. A rearing facility with acclimation ponds and a settling pond for wastes is
approximately 10 miles further upstream.
SUMMARY OF FISH SPECIES DISTRIBUTION
The Crooked River area includes proposed critical habitat for listed steelhead trout and potential
critical habitat for listed bull trout. Steelhead trout are present in all of the watersheds. Bull trout
have been observed in Lower and Middle Crooked River and Silver Creek. They also use the
South Fork Clearwater River for migration and rearing during periods of the year. Map 8b displays
fish distribution within the analysis area
Table 3.26: Known and suspected distribution of trout, salmon and char in Crooked River
Stream Name
Lower Crooked
River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked
River
Silver Creek
Quartz Creek
Westslope
Cutthroat
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Bull Trout
Known
Present
Probably
Absent
Known
Present
Known
Present
Probably
Absent
Spring
Chinook
Known
Present
Probably
Present
Known
Present
Probably
Present
Probably
Present
Steelhead
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Known
Present
Brook Trout
Known
Present
Status
unknown
Known
Present
Status
unknown
Status
unknown
LOWER CROOKED RIVER PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED #17060305-03-01
Landforms associated with Lower Crooked River suggest that the stream should be a Rosgen
stream type "C". Observations indicate that Lower Crooked River should have a well-developed
floodplain, be a slightly entrenched stream and be relatively sinuous with channel slopes of 2
percent or less. Historical mining disturbance has altered floodplain development, indicated by the
presence of large mine tailings dispersed haphazardly across the valley floor.
The Lower Crooked River sub watershed is 9487 acres in size and includes the mainstem of
Crooked River and sixteen 1st order tributaries, five 2nd order tributaries and two 3rd order
tributaries. Included in these tributaries are unnamed streams referred to in this document as
Section 11 and Section 14.
RELIEF CREEK - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED #17060305-03-03
Relief Creek is a low gradient stream encompassing 7475 acres. Relief Creek enters Middle
Crooked River 6.8 miles upstream of the confluence of Crooked River and South Fork Clearwater
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River. Relief Creek from its confluence with Crooked River upstream approximately 1.4 miles is a
low relief stream that has been highly disturbed by dredge mining activities. The mine tailings from
dredge activities were dispersed entirely across the valley floor. Often times the tailings were
mechanically piled to form long continuous pilings along one side of the valley floor or the other.
These piles are approximately 10 feet high, and have literally cut off the upslope drainage
characteristics of the lower reaches of Relief Creek. This disturbance activity has likely interrupted
the natural water yield and timing of the drainage. During the mechanical piling process the
tailings located adjacent to the stream were heavily compacted resulting in a loss of organic
structure along the stream banks, as well as, a loss of stream channel sinuosity. Floodplain
development has also been interrupted because of the high level of disturbance associated with
the dredge mining activities. Presently the lower reach of Relief Creek is a Rosgen stream type
"B". This has resulted in higher than expected levels of cobble embeddedness, and depositional
filling of the pool areas.
In 1989, approximately 200+ rock and log weirs were installed in Relief Creek from the mouth of
Relief Creek upstream to the confluence of the East Fork Relief (1.4 miles). The objective of this
fish habitat improvement program included creation of pool habitat, establishment of flows
conducive to deposition of cobbles suitable for Spawning and improved sediment transport
capabilities. During the 2003 field season, a preliminary field review indicates that most of the rock
structures have been altered by high flows. The log structures are still in place according to the
original design and placement and are creating some additional scour pools. The existing high
numbers of acting debris are associated with these improvement structures.
MIDDLE CROOKED RIVER - PRESCRIPTION WATERSHED -#17060305-03-04
This prescription watershed includes the mainstem of Crooked River from the top of the narrows to
Orogrande (see map 7b) This is not a true watershed; true watersheds include all lands draining
through a stream reach. This prescription watershed drains only the center lands of the Crooked
River watershed. Several named tributaries enter Crooked River through this section including
Sawmill, Silver, Quartz, Baker Gulch, Rainbow Gulch, Five Mile and Umatilla Creeks. A short
summary of each of the tributaries affected by this action is included below. The existing condition
DFC and RMO analysis is based on mainstem Crooked River fish habitat conditions surveyed in
1990 as well as recon surveys conducted in 2003. Stream survey information gathered in 2003 will
describe conditions in Silver Creek and Quartz Creek. Forest Plan Appendix A has identified
Middle Crooked River as meeting its objective with habitat conditions at 90 percent of optimum.
This is likely an error in the plan as it is well recognized that the dredge mining of the mainstem,
combined with past reading and timber harvest, have simplified the fish habitat well below the 90
percent level, as identified below (Table 3.27)
SAWMILL CREEK
Sawmill Creek enters Middle Crooked River 8.3 miles upstream of the confluence of Crooked River
and the South Fork Clearwater River. Sawmill Creek is 1.89 miles long and can be characterized
as a Rosgen "B" stream type. No fish were observed in this small stream.
SILVER CREEK
Silver Creek is a moderate (4-10 percent) to high (10-20 percent) gradient stream entering
Crooked River 9.2 miles upstream of the confluence of Crooked River with South Fork Clearwater
River. Silver Creek is characterized as a Rosgen stream type "B" with channel slope gradients
ranging from 1.5 to 5 percent. There are a few short sections of stream type "C" in the lower 2.0
miles of the stream, and some relatively short sections of stream type "A" in the middle to upper
portions of the watershed. Silver Creek supports steelhead and bull trout. The upper reaches
support a strong westslope cutthroat trout population. The University of Idaho students have
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
studied the amphibian populations. They found strong densities of pacific giant salamander and
tailed frogs.
QUARTZ CREEK
Quartz Creek is a low (2 percent) to moderately high (4-20 percent) gradient stream entering
Crooked River 10.2 miles upstream of the confluence of Crooked River with South Fork Clearwater
River. Quartz Creek can be primarily characterized as a Rosgen stream type "B" with channel
slope gradients ranging from 2.0 percent to 12 percent. There are a few short sections of stream
type "C" in the upper headwaters of the stream, and some relatively short sections of stream type
"A" in the middle to upper portions of the watershed.
Quartz Creek appears to be an unstable stream type with both channel degradation and
aggradation occurring within various reaches of the stream. In conjunction with the historic mining
disturbance, which may very well be stabilized at the present time, there has been some past
timber harvest activities within the drainage that appear to have contributed to channel degradation
through accelerated bank erosion, increased sediment supply and decreased sediment transport
capabilities.
Table 3.27: Crooked River Existing Condition of Fish Habitat Indicators Compared to
Objectives
Prescription
Watershed
Lower Crooked River
17060305-03-01
Relief Creek
17060305-03-03
Middle Crooked River
17060305-03-04
*Silver Creek
*Quartz Creek
Cobble
Embeddedness %
(Forest Plan BO
standard)
Objective
<30
<30
<30
<30
<30
Existing
80
55
35
55
49
Pool: Riffle Ratio
(DFC Standard)
Objective
45:55
45:55
45:55
45:55
45:55
Existing
13:87
21:79
36:64
56:44
23:77
Acting Large Woody
Debris/ pieces per
100m
(DFC Standard)
Objective
45
45
45
45
45
Existing
8
51
6
87
75
Percent Surface Fines
(Steelhead/Bull Trout
Matrix Standard)
Objective
<20
<20
<20
<20
<20
Existing
Not available
55
Not Available
15
15
These streams are not prescription watersheds, although they are true watersheds.
Table 3.28: Existing Condition of Select FISHSED Variables, Which Are Relevant to the
Deposited Sediment Indicator
Watershed Name
Lower Crooked River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked River
Silver Creek
Quartz Creek
Existing Cobble
Embeddedness
(%)
80
55
35
55
49
Existing Summer
Rearing Capacity
(Percent of
Optimal)
56
80
92
80
84
Existing Winter
Rearing Capacity
(Percent of
Optimal)
12
24
40
24
28
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
INTRODUCTION
We will first describe in general, how we determine the effects of this action on fish and fish habitat
and the methods used to analyze the changes to this habitat as a result of the American and
Crooked River project. This general discussion will be followed by a detailed description for the
two river systems (American River and Crooked River). We will end with a discussion of
cumulative effects.
INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
Predicted increases in surface sediment yield, using the NEZSED sediment model, were used to
calculate potential increases in cobble embeddedness and corresponding decreases in summer
and winter rearing capacity using mathematical relationships in the FISHSED model. These
changes were calculated for each alternative and are a reflection of the amount of sediment
expected as a result of surface sediment erosion. Sediment from other sources, including bank
erosion, mass movement (landslides), instream improvements, and other non road related
improvement activities are not reflected in the model.
The FISHSED model includes calculations for fish embryo survival, summer rearing capacity, and
winter rearing capacity. Fish embryo survival is an estimate of predicted fine sediment by depth in
cobble stream bottoms. Summer and winter rearing capacity reflect how the degree of fine
sediment in the stream bottom affects the stream's ability to support fish during these times of year.
For the Meadow Face analysis area, the model was not used to measure changes in fish embryo
survival because percent fine sediment by depth data, which are measurements (substrate core
data) initially collected in the field, were not available.
Model results, as displayed below, are reasonable estimates and not absolute numbers with high
statistical precision. The capability of the FISHSED model in analyzing and displaying change at
the levels shown in these tables is somewhat limited. In this case, data from FISHSED are most
useful in comparing the relative effects among alternatives. The model also reflects short-term
changes only and does not reflect long-term benefits in sediment reduction as predicted by
NEZSED. The results must be used in combination with sound professional judgment.
For the purposes of this modeling exercise, the two sediment peaks in the next decade predicted
by NEZSED were combined into one peak, as if all sediment would be delivered to the streams in
the same year. Combining these two peaks reflects the additive nature of cumulative sediment
effects that occur over a relatively short period of time. In a sense, this is a "worst case scenario",
in that these sediment peaks would not occur all in one year, and a measure of recovery may
occur between peaks. Sediment transport capabilities in streams, however, depend on channel
factors such as bed roughness, gradient, stream flow, and sinuosity.
All modeling was conducted for age 0+ steelhead trout. The data shown for Alternative 1 is the
existing condition.
WATERSHED AND STREAM RESTORATION
For a complete listing of the activities covered in this section, please refer to Chapter 2 and
Appendix D. In general, these actions are associated with areas within streamside riparian areas.
In-channel work is planned for up to 24 miles of stream. Listed (ESA) fish are present in the area.
The in channel disturbance from this work would cause sediment to be reintroduced. This short-
term impact must be weighed against the long-term benefit as illustrated above with road
obliteration. The NEZSED model is not designed for use with this type of project.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Mitigation measures are designed to minimize the short-term sediment being introduced. Aquatic
specialists on the Forest would review project designs for all activities planned under this section.
Forest personnel would monitor the implementation and effectiveness of this work.
In-channel activities may also result in disturbance to individual fish, both within the immediate
work area and downstream. Increased turbidity during work may locally affect individual fish but
would not be at a magnitude where serious harm or mortality would occur. Timing restrictions for
in-channel work would result in avoidance of spawning fish or redds.
INDICATOR 2 - LARGE WOODY DEBRIS ANALYSIS
No timber harvest is proposed in streamside RHCAs, therefore no change is expected in potential
woody debris while acting woody debris would actually increase along with the miles of instream
habitat improvement work.
INDICATOR 3 - POOL ANALYSIS
Sediment impacts to pool habitat will be discussed in the sediment analysis. Actual pools and pool
quality will improve along with the amount of instream habitat improvements.
INDICATOR 4 - WATER YIELD ANALYSIS
The existing conditions and a detailed analysis of this indicator are found above in the Watershed
section. Increased water yield is one indicator used to assess potential effects among the
alternatives, and it is a rough predictor of potential adverse changes in channel condition and
instream habitat. The concept of equivalent clearcut area (EGA) is often used as a surrogate for
quantitative water yield analysis. The effect on water yield is estimated by calculating the loss of
forest canopy in a watershed foHowing disturbance.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, in their 1995 LRMP Biological Opinion, suggests that an
EGA of 15 percent is cause for concern in priority watersheds. The Matrix of Pathways and
Indicators of Watershed Condition (NOAA Fisheries, et al 1998) identifies <15 percent EGA as high
habitat condition, 15-20 percent EGA as moderate habitat condition, and >20 percent as low
habitat condition. These thresholds were promulgated to provide a conservative approach to water
yield that would avoid the following undesirable effects on stream habitat condition: accumulation
of streambed materials (aggradation), channel braiding, channel down cutting, and increased bank
erosion. These phenomena may collectively or singularly contribute to increased width/depth ratio,
decreased number of pools, decreased pool quality, and overall simplification of instream habitat
(Chamberlinetal., 1991).
INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS
Toxics
Water quality in the project area could be affected by introduction of toxic materials to streams.
Introduction of toxic materials could result in a potentially direct adverse effect on aquatic
resources.
STREAM TEMPERATURES
Temporary road crossings in streamside riparian areas could affect stream temperature in the
project area, if these activities result in a significant reduction in shade to the stream. Reduction in
stream shading is a potential indirect effect. Further increases in stream temperature would
adversely affect the existing aquatic species assemblage, even though some studies suggest that
increased solar radiation and higher stream temperatures could positively affect stream productivity
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(Hicks et al., 1991). Beneficial effects from temperature increases, however, would probably only
occur where existing temperatures are very low. Summer stream temperatures in the American
and Crooked River area currently do not meet standards (see Watershed section).
INDICATOR 6 - HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/PASSAGE ANALYSIS
Appendix D contains information on culvert replacements included with this action. The amount of
improvement varies by alternative. The analysis below will display increased stream miles either
accessible to fish or improved for passage of 100 year flood flows.
3.3.1 .AMERICAN RIVER ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS
3.3.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
The analysis of effects on fish resources from increased sediment is based on the Watershed
analysis of sediment in the Watershed section above. The model results displayed below in
Tables 3.30-3.32 display existing conditions with high cobble embeddedrjess and poor winter
rearing capacity. The results of FISMSED show slight increases in cobble embeddedness and
corresponding decreases in summer and winter rearing capacity for all fish-bearing streams under
all action alternatives. Modeled activities include temporary road construction, road reconstruction,
timber harvest and road decommissioning. \\. does not include site treatments for watershed
restoration, instream fish habitat improvements, and roadside salvage.
Table 3.29: Comparison of Predicted Cobble Embeddedness (CE) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Middle American River
Lower American River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Predicted % CE by Alternative
A
50
31
32
61
42
47
44
B
51
32
33
64
46
49
49
C
51
33
33
65
47
51
50
D
51
33
33
64
47
51
49
E
51
33
33
64
46
50
48
Table 3.30: Comparison of Summer Rearing Capacity (SRC) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Middle American River
Lower American River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Predicted % SRC by Alternative
A
83
94
93
75
88
85
87
B
82
93
93
72
86
84
84
C
82
93
93
72
85
83
84
D
82
93
93
72
85
83
84
E
82
93
93
72
86
83
85
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Table 3.31: Comparison of Winter Rearing Capacity (WRC) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Middle American River
Lower American River
Kirks Fork
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek
Box Sing Creek
Predicted % WRC by Alternative
A
27
45
44
20
34
29
32
B
26
43
43
19
31
28
28
C
26
43
43
19
31
27
28
D
26
43
43
19
29
27
28
E
26
43
43
19
30
27
29
Predicted increases in cobble embeddedness are not at a magnitude where measurable changes
would be expected to occur, and differences between the action alternatives, as modeled, are all
within the margin of error for the model. The FISHSED analysis and the numbers above do show
a trend in the action alternatives with Alternative E showing the least effect and Alternative D the
most. There is also slight difference between Alternative A (no action), and the action alternatives.
The basic model assumption behind FISHSED is that an inverse relationship exists between the
amount of fine sediments in spawning and rearing habitats and fish survival and abundance. In
general, when sediment yields are increased over natural rates in Idaho batholith watersheds,
especially on a sustained basis, fish biomass decreases. Fine sediment is known to degrade
salmonid spawning and rearing habitat (Chapman and McCleod, 1987; Bjornn and Reiser, 1991),
as suggested by the FISHSED model. Specifically, high sediment levels can impair habitat for
spawning and rearing by: (1) trapping fry in redds when they are attempting to emerge; (2)
depleting intergravel oxygen levels in redds, smothering eggs contained within; (3) limiting aquatic
invertebrate populations used a food source; (4) filling and thereby reducing the number of large
pools which serve as primary feeding and resting areas for juvenile salmonids; and (5) filling
spaces between rocks that serve as over Wintering refuge for juvenile salmonids (NMFS Biological
Opinion, 1998). We expect that changes in substrate condition from (modeled) increased surface
sediment yield are not of a magnitude that effects on fish would occur.
An important concept in assessing effects on fish habitat from increases in surface sediment
erosion for this project is that both the ]FISHSED and NEZSED models represent peak sediment
yields, which in this case are temporary, with a final result of reduced road density and
improvement in the existing baseline condition. The consequence of long-term improvement in
watershed condition is a short-term increase, or pulse, in surface sediment yield, which must occur
in order for the long-term goal of improvement to occur. Roads cannot be obliterated, and
vegetation treatments cannot occur, without a pulse of sediment. Short-term risks of increased
sediment yields should be considered in the context of long-term improvement in watershed and
stream habitat condition.
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
Under the no action alternative, the existing baseline sediment yield would probably remain the
same. No real improvement in watershed condition would occur, and deposited sediment levels in
streams would likely remain the same. The risk of severe, stand-replacing wildfire would remain
high or increase over time in the absence of vegetation treatments. With severe wildfire, there are
risks of large pulses of sediment delivered rapidly to streams, which could adversely affect habitat
already impaired by past human activities.
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Benefits of Alternative A include no further ground-disturbing activities, which would result in no
additional pulses of sediment. However this alternative would not address either the existing
increased levels of sediment or the need for active stream, watershed and soils restoration.
ALTERNATIVE B
Under Alternative B, a pulse of sediment is expected, but this pulse is the second lowest of the
action alternatives and would result in the second lowest short-term risks to fish habitat.
Improvements would occur under this alternative but somewhat reduced from those included in
Alternative E. Improvements would result in similar rates of recovery as Alternatives C and D (see
Appendix E), and fish habitat conditions would likely improve, this alternative was designed to
presents the least short-term risk to aquatic species. By avoiding long sections of temporary road
and avoiding timber harvest in units posing risk to the aquatic resources. This alternative would
construct approximately 4 miles less temporary roads than Alternatives C and D. Reduced soil
compaction, culvert improvements, and native vegetation restoration, wpuld improve watershed
condition. The reduced baseline sediment yield resulting from road decommissioning and other
improvement activities would aid in recovery of the watersheds.
Since no timber harvest is proposed within high-risk landslide prone and streamside RHCAs, no
short-term increase in risk of mass wasting and landslide type disturbances is expected to occur.
ALTERNATIVES C AND D
Under Alternatives C and D, the percent over base sediment would increase the most as a result of
the short-term peak associated with the implementation of activities. Reduced soil compaction, fish
passage improvements, and native vegetation restoration, would still improve watershed condition.
The reduced baseline sediment yield resulting from road decommissioning and other improvement
activities would aid in recovery of the watersheds, and it is expected that fish habitat conditions
would improve over time. The amount of sediment yield reduction modeled is generally slight with
corresponding improvements in substrate condition also expected to be slight. The most
significant reduction in sediment yield is expected in Queen Creek.
No timber harvest is proposed within streamside and wetland RHCAs and high-risk landslide prone
RHCAs.
ALTERNATIVE E
Under Alternative E, no harvest is proposed within unroaded landscapes. This restricted timber
harvest is coupled with the largest stream restoration package and provides for the most
improvement (upward trend) in fish habitat and water quality. This expected reduction in activity
related sediment yield is the greatest in Flint Creek, East Fork American River, and Queen Creek.
Particularly in the first two prescription watersheds, Flint Creek and East Fork American River, the
reduction in activity generated sediment and expected improvement in substrate condition is
significantly greater than any of the other alternatives.
No timber harvest is proposed in streamside or landslide prone RHCAs.
3.3.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - LARGE WOODY DEBRIS ANALYSIS
ALTERNATIVE A
No riparian planting or adding of large woody debris would occur with this alternative. Trees would
fall into streams and riparian areas at a natural rate and this element would slowly recover over
time
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ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. E
No instream improvement work is planned in American River. PacFish default buffers would be
applied to streamside and wetland RHCAs. Acting and potential woody debris would not be
affected by any of the alternatives.
3.3.1.3. INDICATOR 3 - POOL ANALYSIS
ALTERNATIVE A
This alternative would not allow for watershed improvement projects to be implemented. Existing
non-point sediment sources would slowly heal over time and pool habitat would slowly improve.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. E
No instream improvement work is planned in American River. Pool habitats would be impacted
slightly, in the short term, by deposited sediment. See sediment (RSHSED) analysis above for
details. Watershed improvement projects and road obliteration work would reduce sediment
sources and improve pool habitat over time.
3.3.1.4. INDICATOR 4 -WATER YIELD ANALYSIS
The Watershed section above discusses changes in EGA for affected watersheds in the project
area. Alternative A displays the existing condition for each watershed. None of the alternatives
propose increases in water yield that is expected to result in channel degradation or long term
impacts to fish habitat.
ALTERNATIVE A
Under this alternative, EGA and any changes in water yield from past activities would continue to
recover, except for areas affected by past tractor logging, dozer piling, and soil compaction. These
areas are affected by low soil infiltration rates and may not recover in the absence of soil and other
watershed restoration efforts. In addition, existing roads would continue to contribute towards
EGA, and recovery, if any, would occur extremely slowly in the absence of road decommissioning
and soil restoration. Lack of vegetation treatments may contribute to continued accumulation of
fuels, potentially resulting in stand-replacing wildfires, which, depending on size, severity, and
location, could result in significant water yield changes. Significant water yield changes could
result in adverse effects on habitat not fully recovered from past impacts.
The benefits of this alternative, with respect to EGA and water yield, include no short-term changes
in EGA and thus, no potential short-term changes in water yield and habitat condition.
ALTERNATIVE B
EGA would increase as a result of implementation of this alternative, but of all the alternatives,
Alternative B offers the second least risk in all prescription watersheds, allowing the streams to
recover more quickly. The Biological Opinion for Land and Resource Management Plans set 15
percent EGA as a threshold, which triggers a watershed assessment. Queen Creek, which
supports an isolated population of westslope cutthroat trout and no listed steelhead or bull trout,
does exceed this threshold. However, that guidance was directed at watersheds supporting listed
fish. Stream surveys indicate the channel is stable and resilient, capable of withstanding slight
increases in water yield. Soil and watershed restoration activities would hasten recovery of water
yield.
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ALTERNATIVES C AND D
EGA effects analysis for these alternatives were combined because they are similar. EGA would
increase for all prescription watersheds under these alternatives. The most increase is associated
with Queen Creek in terms of magnitude and potential risks, however as stated above, Queen
Creek is resilient and the expected increases in water yield are well within this streams capabilities.
Soil mitigation and restoration actions would lessen potential impacts.
ALTERNATIVE E
EGA would increase as a result of implementation of this alternative, but of all the alternatives,
Alternative E offers the least risk in all prescription watersheds, allowing the streams to recover
more quickly. The 15 percent threshold is reached in Queen Creek, which supports an isolated
population of westslope cutthroat trout but as mentioned above, Queen Creek is resilient and
capable of withstanding a slight increase in water yield. Increased soil and watershed restoration
activities would hasten recovery of water yield.
3.3.1.5. INDICATOR 5 - WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS (Toxics AND
TEMPERATURE)
TOXICS
ALTERNATIVE A
Under this alternative, no use of herbicides, fuels, or any fire suppression chemicals is proposed
above current levels. The risk of these materials entering streams would remain unchanged from
the existing condition.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, E
Toxic materials used under the action alternatives include herbicides and fossil fuel derivatives,
including diesel fuel, hydraulic fuel, various petroleum-based lubricants, and gasoline.
The two factors determining the degree of risk from toxic materials are the toxicity of the chemical
and the likelihood that non-target organisms would be exposed to toxic doses (Morris et al., 1991).
Toxicity alone does not make a chemical hazardous; exposure to a toxic dose must also occur.
Chemicals may enter water by one or more of the following routes: direct application, drift, and
mobilization in ephemeral stream channels, overland flow, and leaching (Morris et al., 1991).
Since no aerial application of herbicides is proposed, and hand application of herbicides would be
restricted in streamside RHCAs, all the above mechanisms for delivery to streams are unlikely to
occur. Given constraints on application of herbicides, introduction of herbicides to water,
particularly in concentrations necessary to elicit an effect on aquatic organisms, is highly unlikely.
The toxicities of the various herbicides proposed for use under the action alternatives, with their
respective levels of concern, are contained in the American and Crooked River project file.
In addition, fueling and storage of fuels is prohibited in RHCAs, unless fuels in the storage area are
completely contained such that an accidental spill would not leach into soil or water. Transport of
fuels is regulated through mitigation that minimizes the risk of accidents or accidental introduction
of these materials to streams. Therefore, the risk of fuel delivery to streams is considered
discountable (extremely unlikely to occur).
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STREAM TEMPERATURES
ALTERNATIVE A
Stream temperatures in American River area would remain unchanged over the short-term. Some
improvement may occur over time as vegetation recovers in areas where shade has been reduced
from past activities or where dredge mining has resulted in over-widened, shallow streams.
American River is currently not in compliance with the Idaho State Water Quality Standards (see
Watershed above). Cold-water biota, salmonid spawning, and bull trout criteria were exceeded in
2003 at each of the monitoring sites. Additionally, temperatures exceeded temperature standards
established with Amendment 20 of the Nez Perce Forest Plan. This included both the 18°C
migration and rearing maximum and 16°C spawning maximum (Nez Perce Forest unpublished
data 2003).
ALTERNATIVE B, C, D, E
Since harvest of timber within streamside RHCAs is not proposed under any of these alternatives,
the risk of effect on stream temperature is discountable, or extremely unlikely to occur.
These alternatives have about the same effect. Stream buffers following Forest Plan Amendment
20 would be implemented for all alternatives. This, in combination with restoration, should
moderate current stream temperature levels, and possibly decrease stream temperature in the
long-term.
3.3.1.6. INDICATOR 6-HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE
ANALYSIS
The American and Crooked River project area offers' limited opportunities for increasing
connectivity of fish populations. Exceptions to this are Queen, Whitaker and Telephone Creeks in
American River. Dredge mining has blocked access to these streams from the mainstem
American River. BLM is currently proposing to connect these systems through their Eastside
Project. Some culverts have been identified and are included with the restoration activities
associated with this action. Projects include hardening of existing fords as well as replacing
culverts to allow for high flows and passage of aquatic biota. Increasing connectivity allows
individual fish to migrate in and out of tributaries to seek cool water. Increased connectivity also
promotes genetic exchange between populations thus increasing diversity.
Table 3.32: American River miles of stream with improved access.
Alternative
B
C
D
E
Perennial
1.8
1.8
1.8
3.0
Intermittent
.1
.1
.1
1.5
ALTERNATIVE A
The no action alternative would rely on existing road maintenance funds to replace, remove or
repair existing culverts. This program is currently limited. Little of this work would be
accomplished. Accomplished work would occur over a period of many years due to funding
limitations.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D
Road decommissioning and culvert replacement planned with these alternatives would remove
problem culverts.
These alternatives allow for proper sized culvert installation at 3 sites, increasing fish access to 1.8
miles of stream.
ALTERNATIVE E
Road decommissioning and culvert replacement planned with this alternative would remove 10
problem culverts. This is the most improved fish access of all alternatives. The alternative
increases fish access to 3 miles of stream.
3.3.2. CROOKED RIVER ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS
3.3.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - SEDIMENT ANALYSIS
The analysis of effects on fish resources from increased sediment is based on the Watershed
analysis of sediment in the Watershed section above. The model results displayed below in
Tables 3.34 - 3.36 display existing conditions with high cobble embeddedness and poor winter
rearing capacity. The results of FISHSED show slight increases in cobble embeddedness and
corresponding decreases in summer and winter rearing capacity for all fish-bearing streams under
all action alternatives. Modeled activities include temporary road construction, road reconstruction,
timber harvest and road decommissioning. It does not include site treatments for watershed
restoration and instream fish habitat improvements.
Table 3.33: Comparison of Predicted Cobble Embeddedness (CE) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Lower Crooked River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked River
Predicted % CE by Alternative
A
80
55
35
B
82
57
36
C
82
57
36
D
82
58
36
E
82
57
36
Table 3.34: Comparison of Summer Rearing Capacity (SRC) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Lower Crooked River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked River
Predicted % SRC by Alternative
A
56
80
92
B
54
78
92
C
54
78
92
D
54
78
92
E
54
78
92
Table 3.35: Comparison of Winter Rearing Capacity (WRC) by Alternative
Stream/Composite
Lower Crooked River
Relief Creek
Middle Crooked River
Predicted % WRC by Alternative
A
12
24
40
B
12
23
40
C
12
22
40
D
12
22
40
E
12
23
40
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Predicted increases in cobble embeddedness are not at a magnitude where measurable changes
could occur, and differences between the action alternatives, as modeled, are all within the margin
of error for the model. The FISHSED analysis and the numbers above do show Alternatives B and
E having less impact to winter rearing habitat. There is also slight difference between Alternative A
(no action), and the action alternatives.
The basic model assumption behind FISHSED is that an inverse relationship exists between the
amount of fine sediments in spawning and rearing habitats and fish survival and abundance. In
general, when sediment yields are increased over natural rates in Idaho batholith watersheds,
especially on a sustained basis, fish biomass decreases. Fine sediment is known to degrade
salmonid spawning and rearing habitat (Chapman and McCleod, 1987; Bjornn and Reiser, 1991),
as suggested by the FISHSED model. Specifically, high sediment levels can impair habitat for
spawning and rearing by: (1) trapping fry in redds when they are attempting to emerge; (2)
depleting intergravel oxygen levels in redds, smothering eggs contained within; (3) limiting aquatic
invertebrate populations used a food source; (4) filling and thereby reducing the number of large
pools which serve as primary feeding and resting areas for juvenile salmbnids; and (5) filling
spaces between rocks that serve as over wintering refuge for juvenile salmonids (NMFS Biological
Opinion, 1998). We expect that changes in substrate condition from modeled increased surface
sediment yield are not of a magnitude that effects on fish would occur.
An important concept in assessing effects on fish habitat from increases in surface sediment
erosion for this project is that both the FISHSED and NEZSED models represent peak sediment
yields, which in this case are temporary, with a final result of reduced road density and
improvement in the existing baseline condition. The cost of long-term improvement in watershed
condition is a short-term increase, or pulse, in surface sediment yield, which must occur in order for
the long-term goal of improvement to occur. Roads cannot be obliterated, and vegetation
treatments cannot occur, without a pulse of sediment. Short-term risks of increased sediment
yields must be considered in the context of long-term improvement in watershed and stream
habitat condition.
ALTERNATIVE A
Under the no action alternative, the existing baseline sediment yield would probably remain the
same. No real improvement in watershed condition would occur, and deposited sediment levels in
streams would likely remain the same. The risk of severe, stand-replacing wildfire would remain
high or increase over time in the absence of vegetation treatments. With severe wildfire, there are
risks of large pulses of sediment delivered rapidly to streams, which could adversely affect habitat
already impaired by past human activities.
Benefits of Alternative A include no further ground-disturbing activities, which would result in no
additional pulses of sediment. However this alternative would not address either the existing
increased levels of sediment or the need for active stream, watershed and soils restoration.
ALTERNATIVE B
Under Alternative B, a pulse of sediment is expected, but this pulse is the second lowest of the
action alternatives and would result in the second lowest short-term risks to fish habitat.
Improvements would occur under this alternative but somewhat reduced from those included in
Alternative E. Improvements would result in similar rates of recovery as Alternatives C and D (see
Appendix E) and fish habitat conditions would likely improve. This alternative was designed to
presents the least short-term risk to aquatic species. By avoiding long sections of temporary road
and avoiding timber harvest in units posing risk to the aquatic resources. This alternative would
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
construct approximately 7 miles less temporary roads than Alternatives C and D. Reduced soil
compaction, culvert improvements, and native vegetation restoration, would improve watershed
condition. The reduced baseline sediment yield resulting from road decommissioning and other
improvement activities would aid in recovery of the watersheds.
Since no timber harvest is proposed within high-risk landslide prone and streamside RHCAs, no
short-term increase in risk of mass wasting and landslide type disturbances is expected to occur.
ALTERNATIVES C AND D
Under Alternatives C and D, the percent over base sediment would increase the most as a result of
the short-term peak associated with the implementation of activities. Reduced soil compaction, fish
passage improvements, and native vegetation restoration, would still improve watershed condition.
The reduced baseline sediment yield resulting from road decQmmissioriing and other improvement
activities would aid in recovery of the watersheds, and it is expected that fish habitat conditions
would improve over time. The amount of sediment yield reduction modeled is generally slight with
corresponding improvements in substrate condition also expected to be slight.
No timber harvest is proposed within streamside and wetland RHCAs and high-risk landslide prone
RHCAs.
ALTERNATIVE E
Under Alternative E, no harvest is proposed within unroaded landscapes. This restricted timber
harvest is coupled with the largest stream restoration package and provides for the most
improvement (upward trend) in fish habitat and water quality. The reduction in activity generated
sediment and expected improvement in substrate condition is greater than any of the other
alternatives.
No timber harvest is proposed in streamside or landslide prone RHCAs.
3.3.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - LARGE WOODY DEBRIS ANALYSIS
ALTERNATIVE A
Alternative A would see little changes in acting and potential woody debris.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D
Acting large woody debris would be increased as a result of instream improvement associated with
the action alternatives. Alternative B would improve acting large woody debris numbers on 15.2
miles of stream and Alternatives C and D would improve 15.8 miles. This work will be important in
moving this important stream toward its' Forest Plan objective.
ALTERNATIVE E
Alternative E would improve the most stream miles (23.8). This work will be important in moving
both Relief Creek and Crooked River toward their Forest Plan objective.
3.3.2.3. INDICATOR 3 - POOL ANALYSIS
ALTERNATIVE A
No instream improvement work would be implemented under this alternative. Pool to riffle ratios in
Crooked River and Relief Creek would remain below their objective.
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ALTERNATIVES B. C. D
Sediment generated with these action alternatives would slightly impact pool habitat. Instream
improvement projects would greatly increase both the number and quality of pool habitat in
Crooked River. Alternative B would improve pool habitat on 15.2 miles of stream and Alternatives
C and D would improve 15.8 miles. This work will be important in moving this stream toward its'
Forest Plan objective.
ALTERNATIVE E
Alternative E would improve the most stream miles (23.8). This work will be important in moving
both Relief Creek and Crooked River toward their Forest PJan objective.
3.3.2.4. INDICATOR 4 - WATER YIELD ANALYSIS
The Watershed section and Table 3.15 above display changes in EGA for affected watersheds in
the project area.
ALTERNATIVE A
Alternative A displays the existing condition for each watershed. No change will occur under this
No Action Alternative
ALTERNATIVES B. G. D. E
The slight increase in EGA to these prescription watersheds does not pose a risk to fish habitat.
Middle Crooked River does include Silver and Quartz Creeks, which may show a more direct
response to tree removal and corresponding increases in water yield. These drainages will be
discussed in detail in the BE included with the Final Environmental Assessment.
3.3.2.5. INDICATOR 5 • WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS (Toxics AND
TEMPERATURE)
TOXICS
ALTERNATIVE A
Under this alternative, no use of herbicides, fuels, or any fire suppression chemicals is proposed
above current levels. The risk of these materials entering streams would remain unchanged from
the existing condition.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, E
Toxic materials used under the action alternatives include herbicides and fossil fuel derivatives,
including, diesel fuel, hydraulic fuel, various petroleum-based lubricants, and gasoline. The two
factors determining the degree of risk from toxic materials are the toxicity of the chemical and the
likelihood that non-target organisms would be exposed to toxic doses (Norris et al., 1991). Toxicity
alone does not make a chemical hazardous; exposure to a toxic dose must also occur. Chemicals
may enter water by one or more of the following routes: direct application, drift, and mobilization in
ephemeral stream channels, overland flow, and leaching (Norris et al., 1991).
Since no aerial application of herbicides is proposed, and hand application of herbicides would be
restricted in streamside RHCAs, all the above mechanisms for delivery to streams are unlikely to
occur. Given constraints on application of herbicides, introduction of herbicides to water,
particularly in concentrations necessary to elicit an effect on aquatic organisms, is highly unlikely.
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The toxicities of the various herbicides proposed for use under the action alternatives, with their
respective levels of concern, are contained in the American and Crooked River project file.
In addition, fueling and storage of fuels is prohibited in RHCAs, unless fuels in the storage area are
completely contained such that an accidental spill would not leach into soil or water. Transport of
fuels is regulated through mitigation that minimizes the risk of accidents or accidental introduction
of these materials to streams. Therefore, the risk of fuel delivery to streams is considered
discountable (extremely unlikely to occur).
STREAM TEMPERATURES
ALTERNATIVE A
Stream temperatures in the Crooked River area are cooler than those in American River and they
would remain unchanged over the short-term. See the Watershed section above for a more
detailed discussion. Some improvement may occur over time as vegetation recovers in areas
where shade has been reduced from past dredge mining or other activities resulting in over-
widened, shallow streams.
Crooked River is currently not in compliance with the Idaho State Water Quality Standards (see
Watershed above and Appendix E). Coid-water biota, salmonid spawning, and bull trout criteria
were exceeded in 2003 at the monitoring sites. Additionally, temperatures exceeded temperature
standards established with Amendment 20 of the Nez Perce Forest Plan during 2003. This
included both the 18°C migration and rearing maximum and 16°C spawning maximum (Nez Perce
Forest unpublished data 1999-2000).
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D
Since harvest of timber within wetland and streamside RHCAs is not proposed under any of these
alternatives, the risk of effect from timber harvest and road building on stream temperature is
discountable, or extremely unlikely to occur.
Stream improvements included with these action alternatives include riparian planting to increase
stream shade. It can be expected that overtime; this work could improve water temperatures.
Alternatives C and D provide for 15.8 miles and Alternative B allows for 15.2 miles.
ALTERNATIVE E
Alternative E provides opportunities for the greatest amount of improvement (23.8 miles).
3.3.2.6. INDICATOR 6 - HABITAT CONNECTIVITY/FISH PASSAGE
ANALYSIS
Culverts have been identified and are included with the restoration activities associated with this
action (Appendix D). Projects include hardening of existing fords as well as replacing culverts to
allow for high flows and passage of aquatic biota. Increasing connectivity allows individual fish to
migrate in and out of tributaries to seek cool water. Increased connectivity also promotes genetic
exchange between populations thus increasing diversity. Not all stream miles listed below are for
fish passage improvement. Culvert upgrades for passing of 100-year flood flows are also included.
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Table 3.36: Crooked River miles of stream with improved access.
Alternative
B
C
D
E
Perennial
16.9
16.9
17
28.2
Intermittent
8.4
8.4
9
14.2
ALTERNATIVE A
The no action alternative would rely on existing road maintenance funds to replace, remove or
repair existing culverts. This program is currently limited. Little of this work would be
accomplished. Work would occur over a period of many years due to funding limitations.
ALTERNATIVES B. c. D
Alternatives B, C, and D improve fish passage and passing of flood flows for approximately 17
miles of perennial stream.
ALTERNATIVE E
Alternative E offers the most improved stream access miles.
3.3.3. CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL
LAW
The Nez Perce Forest Plan direction and regulatory framework relevant to fisheries was presented
near the beginning of the Fisheries section and in Appendix E. It included a description of
Appendix A - Nez Perce Forest Plan standards and guidelines, general guidelines for activities in
riparian areas, a summary of relevant direction from Amendment 20 (PACFISH), and direction
associated with the Endangered Species Act for listed fish species potentially affected by actions in
the American and Crooked River area.
ALTERNATIVE A
This alternative prescribes no action and no treatments. The upward trend called for in the Forest
Plan would be restricted to slower natural recovery rates. Degraded stream channels would
remain unstable making recovery of ESA listed fish and their habitat more difficult.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. E
Actions proposed under these alternatives are consistent with the entry frequency and sediment
yield guidelines in Appendix A of the Forest Plan. No harvest is proposed in wetland or streamside
RHCAs. No harvest is proposed in high risk landslide-prone RHCAs.
Crooked River and American River have been designated priority watersheds for listed steelhead
trout by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), as per recommendation by the Nez Perce
National Forest. Direction issued in the LRMP Biological Opinion (BO) by NMFS in 1998 provided
additional direction for activities occurring in priority watersheds. No watershed analysis has been
completed for these watersheds.
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UPWARD TREND OF BELOW OBJECTIVE WATERSHEDS - ALL ACTION
ALTERNATIVES
The Nez Perce Forest Plan provides direction that timber harvest in sediment-limited watersheds
that do not meet their Fish/Water Quality Objectives, as listed in Appendix A, would occur only
where concurrent watershed improvement efforts result in a positive upward trend in habitat
condition. Most all the prescription watersheds in the analysis area were included in this category.
Criteria to determine compliance with the upward trend direction in Appendix A are detailed in a
Forest Plan guidance document (Gerhardt, et al, 1991).
Given this information, consistency with this provision of the Forest Plan is applicable to most
streams in the analysis area. Direct watershed improvement actions/which range from road
obliteration, culvert upgrades, in-channel restoration, and non point sediment stabilization, are
included with all alternatives (Appendix D) but Alternative A. Large-scale vegetation treatments,
which include timber harvest, are designed in part to reduce fuel accumulations and improve stand
condition over the analysis area. Both these categories of actions would result in a short-term
increase in sediment but a long-term improvement in watershed condition.
Long-term declines in surface sediment yield are displayed in Figures located in the Watershed
sediment analysis sections and Appendix E for each prescription watershed. These charts display
a slight long-term improvement in baseline sediment yield conditions expected as ,a result of the
action alternatives. Of the action alternatives, Alternative E offers the most rapid improvement
versus the least short-term risk, while Alternatives C and D offer improvement; they also presents
the most short-term risk. Alternative B falls somewhere in between.
Instream improvements in Crooked River will greatly improve fish habitat in this dredge-mined
section of stream. Improvement actions would occur along with timber harvest activities. All action
alternatives are consistent with Forest Plan direction concerning upward trend in below-objective
watersheds. Appendix E includes the details of the upward trend analysis.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
There are no known irreversible or irretrievable effects associated with fisheries or aquatic
resources for any of the alternatives.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
The cumulative effects area for fisheries resources has been previously identified as American
River and tributaries including the rnainstem below the project area. Crooked River and its
tributaries from Orogrande to the mouth of the South Fork Clearwater River. The South Fork
Clearwater River from the mouth of both American River and Crooked River downstream to the
confluence of the South Fork and Middle Fork Clearwater Rivers. In addition to activities included
in this EIS, there are numerous past, current, and future planned actions downstream and
upstream in the South Fork Clearwater sub basin. Table 3.0 - Projects Considered Under
Cumulative Effects, lists these activities and the possible effects of these actions are described
below. Both American and Crooked Rivers and the South Fork Clearwater River are subject to
cumulative sediment and temperature impacts.
AMERICAN RIVER
Past events and activities affecting American River and its tributaries have been discussed at
length throughout this document. The existing condition of the watershed and streams in the
project area reflect the past disturbance history including private land development, mining, timber
harvest, road building and cattle grazing. Of the indicators discussed in this section, sediment and
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temperature are most relevant in terms of potential cumulative effects for current and reasonably
foreseeable future actions.
Cumulative sediment effects in the American River watershed have been quantified through the
NEZSED model, which included sediment from timber harvest, road construction, road
reconstruction, and road decommissioning. Road to trail conversions, trail reconstruction, and
watershed improvements were not included in the model. Sediment yield was additively routed to
various points in the watershed, and effects of this yield to fish habitat were considered in the
FISHSED model. In addition to surface sediment yield, sediment from other sources, including
mass movement, bank erosion, culvert removal, livestock grazing, and watershed improvements
have been addressed narratively in the Watershed Effects section.
In summary, American River and tributaries are subject to cumulative sediment effects due to past
impacts in the watershed and the existing degraded condition. Additional sediment, regardless of
the source, could further impact deposited sediment and other associated habitat elements. These
impacts could adversely affect listed and sensitive salmonids in the project area. Impacts are
expected to decrease, and condition is expected to improve in the ensuing years, resulting in
higher habitat condition than currently exists. Of the alternatives, Alternative D presents the
greatest risk in terms of cumulative sediment risks, and Alternative E presents the least risk.
Alternative A, while presenting no short-term risks, would also not result in long-term improvement
in watershed condition or the deposited sediment indicator.
Stream temperature is also an indicator not meeting standards. PacFish default RHCA buffers
would protect existing shade. None of the alternatives is expected to degrade this condition.
Preliminary EGA calculations that include the proposed BLM Eastside Township Project (see
Watershed above) project high EGA numbers in Whitaker, Queen and Box Sing Creek.
CROOKED RIVER
Past events and activities affecting Crooked River and its tributaries have also been discussed at
length throughout this document. The existing condition of the watershed and streams in the
project area reflect the past disturbance history including mining, timber harvest, road building and
to a lesser degree cattle grazing. Of the indicators discussed in this section, sediment, water
temperature, pool habitat and acting large woody debris are most relevant in terms of potential
cumulative effects for current and reasonably foreseeable future actions.
Cumulative sediment effects in the Crooked River watershed have been quantified through the
NEZSED model, which included sediment from timber harvest, road construction, road
reconstruction, and road decommissioning. Road to trail conversions, and reconstruction, and
watershed and stream improvements were not included in the model. Sediment yield was
additively routed to various points in the watershed, and effects of this yield to fish habitat were
considered in the FISHSED model. In addition to surface sediment yield, sediment from other
sources, including mass movement, bank erosion, culvert removal, and instream improvements
has been addressed narratively in the Watershed Effects section.
In summary, Crooked River and tributaries are subject to cumulative sediment effects due to past
impacts in the watershed and the existing condition of this indicator is below its objective.
Additional sediment, regardless of the source, could further impact deposited sediment and other
associated habitat elements. These impacts could adversely affect listed and sensitive salmonids
in the project area. Impacts are expected to decrease, and condition is expected to improve in the
ensuing years, resulting in higher habitat condition than currently exists. Of the alternatives,
Alternative D presents the greatest risk in terms of cumulative sediment risks, and Alternative E
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presents the least risk. Alternative A, while presenting no short-term risks, would also not result in
significant long-term improvement in watershed condition or the deposited sediment indicator.
Stream temperature is also an indicator at high risk of cumulative impacts, given its existing
condition. None of the alternatives would degrade this condition. All action alternatives would
improve stream temperatures by allowing riparian plantings to increase streamside shade.
Pool habitat and acting large woody debris would improve under all action alternatives with
Alternative E providing for the most while Alternatives B, C, and D provide less.
SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER RIVER
American River and Crooked River as well as the South Fork Clearwater River have been subject
to a variety of natural and human-caused events in the past 200 years (USDA, 1998).
Findings for aquatic resources in American River, Crooked River and the South Fork Clearwater
River include substantial physical changes since the initiation of significant human disturbances in
the 19th century. Specific activities include but are not limited to substantial in-channel mining in
the mainstem rivers and tributaries, timber harvest throughout the subbasin, road construction and
encroachment on streams, domestic livestock grazing, home construction and private land
development, agriculture and cultivation, fire suppression, and many others. It is generally
accepted that water quality and habitat in the South Fork Clearwater River is in a degraded
condition, both from sediment and temperature impacts (USDA, 1998; USDA 1999).
Proposed activities on state and federal lands in the South Fork Clearwater subbasin are
numerous and varied. They are displayed above in Table 3.0 and included here by reference.
Current land uses occurring on private lands include livestock grazing, timber harvest, agriculture,
residence construction, road construction, sewage treatment, and water withdrawals for domestic
use and irrigation. It is estimated that increases in general land uses would occur in the next
decade. Additional information on private land activities is found in the South Fork Clearwater
River Biological Assessment, 1998.
Given all the above information, the South Fork Clearwater River is at high risk for cumulative
impacts, especially from additional sediment and temperature impacts. In general, the level of
activity on federal lands is currently substantially less than in recent decades, and many actions
are focused on restoration of tributaries to the fiver. Proposed mining activities may contribute
substantially to the conditions in the subbasin, but mitigation for these projects is expected to
ameliorate some of these impacts. Proposed timber sales on National Forest lands are subject to
similar mitigation and upward trend requirements as the American and Crooked River Project, and
although spikes of sediment may occur, in general stream habitat is expected to improve at least
locally.
Actions associated with the American and Crooked River area may contribute cumulatively to
sediment in the South Fork Clearwater River downstream from the mouth of American and
Crooked Rivers. As discussed in the Watershed Cumulative Effects section, these effects would
be short-term only, and improvements in watershed condition over time would contribute to
improved conditions in the river, assuming concurrent impacts do not occur off National Forest
lands.
3.3.4. CONCLUSIONS
EXISTING CONDITION
Fish habitat in the analysis area is in poor condition. Past bucket line dredging of the mainstem
American River, Box Sing Creek, Whitaker Creek, Queen Creek and Crooked River, Relief Creek,
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Silver Creek, and Quartz Creek, have left these systems with a very reduced carrying capacity for
fish. Water temperatures are elevated due to the vegetative canopy that was removed by roads
and dredging. Surveyed streams in the analysis area are below their Forest Plan objectives
(existing and proposed) included in Appendix A. Habitat elements of most concern include high
levels of deposited sediment, low number of high quality pools, high stream temperatures, and an
overall simplification of habitat leading to reduced carrying capacity.
Road/stream crossings in the project area have culverts that block or impede upstream fish
migration.
Westslope cutthroat trout and steelhead and bull trout, while located in the project area streams,
densities are very low and the streams are priority watersheds (South Fork Clearwater River
Landscape Analysis, 1998). Current habitat conditions may be limiting growth, reproduction, and
survival of these species in the tributaries as well as in the mainstem rivers.
Spring Chinook salmon are found in the mainstem and tributaries of American and Crooked Rivers
as well as in the South Fork Clearwater River.
Non-native brook trout exist in many streams in the analysis area especially in American River.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Under the action alternatives, a short-term increase in sediment production is expected from
vegetation treatments, road construction/reconstruction, road decommissioning and in channel
improvements.
This short-term increase in sediment yield is not at a threshold where changes in stream substrate
(cobble embeddedness) are expected to occur.
If Alternative A (no action) is implemented, watersheds and streams would remain in a poor
condition and recover slowly over time.
Under the action alternatives, vegetation treatments, including timber harvest, may result in lower
risk of large, stand-replacing fires. Such fires could adversely affect watershed condition. Short-
term increases in sediment yield under the action alternatives are partly due to watershed
improvement activities, which are expected to result in long-term improvement in habitat condition.
Equivalent Clearcut Area (EGA), a predictor of changes in water yield, would increase slightly
under all action alternatives. This increase is not likely to result in adverse changes in fish habitat.
Of the action alternatives, Alternative E offers the most rapid improvement in.watershed condition,
with the least short-term risks, while Alternatives B, C and D offer a slower rate of improvement
with higher short-term risks. Alternative B offers less short-term risk but also less long-term
improvement than Alternatives C and D.
Fish in the project area, including steelhead trout, bull trout, Chinook salmon and westslope
cutthroat trout, may be adversely affected by potential short-term changes in habitat condition.
These species are also expected to benefit from long-term improvement in habitat condition.
There is no anticipated risk to fish population viability as a result of this project.
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3.4. FIRE
INTRODUCTION
This project proposes to reduce hazardous fuels at a minimum of two scales:
First, at an individual site scale, the treatment of fuels at this scale is important and is critically
needed to address reducing wildland fire intensities. Treatments would reduce the amount and
distribution of surface fuels, both living and dead in all size classes, and would break up the vertical
and horizontal continuity of fuels that can promote and support large wildland fire growth. On the
acres treated, the fuel model would change from a volatile model that supports torching and
crowning to a model that would moderate fire behavior and be more likely to restrict a wildland fire
to the surface of the forest floor.
Secondly, this project looks at the larger drainage or watershed level. Identifying and locating
patterns of treatments in the landscape can mitigate the potential of large to very large wildland fire
events moving toward and threatening areas and communities of concern/Considering existing
patterns of disturbance along with the strategic placement of proposed activities can help create a
pattern that would restrict the potential for wildland fires to become large to very large events that
might threaten communities, structures and critical resource areas (Finney, et al, 2001).
AMERICAN RIVER
The focus of these specific treatments is to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels on National
Forest lands immediately adjoining private and BLM lands.
The treatment and reduction of hazardous fuels serve several purposes:
Treatments would extend a buffer area that would help protect lands, improvements and structures
in and around this portion of the Elk City Township from the threat of wildland fire.
Treatments would break-up the continuity of existing heavy fuel loads both horizontally and
vertically that can support high intensity wildland fires that move through surface vegetation and
into tree crowns during periods of high fire danger. These periods of high, very high and extreme
fire danger typically occur during late July, August, and early September. Conditions have become
more volatile by repeated occurrence of drought and increasing levels of insect mortality.
CROOKED RIVER
The focus of these specific treatments is to reduce the amount of hazardous fuel conditions across
a mid-slope zone from Orogrande to Highway 14. Proposed fuel treatment units, in combination
with previous disturbance, would create an effective pattern that would break up continuity of
vegetation (fuel), both horizontally and vertically. This pattern is important at landscape scales to
disrupt fuel available to wildland fire and the potential for large wildland fire growth that has
become more common over the past decade. Completion of treatments in this project area would
also lower wildland fire intensities and treated areas could be utilized to base effective
suppression/control operations without compromising firefighter safety.
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The American and Crooked River project analysis area for fire and fuels includes the entire project
area. Fuel models (FM), using Anderson (1982) and Albini (1976), represent the fuel profile within
the project area. Fuel models in the project area include FMs 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10. Descriptions of
the FMs can be found in Appendix G.
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The amount of acres of each component of fire and fuel are used as indicators. Indicators used for
analyzing effects on fire include Fire Regime and Risk/Fire Hazard based on fuel model.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Nez Perce National Forest Plan (1987, pages 11-1 through II-8) established goals and
objectives for the management of the Forest. Specific Forest Plan goals that apply to fire
management in the American and Crooked River project area are:
• Protect resource values through cost effective fire and fuels treatment through the utilization
of material and using prescribed fire (page II-2).
The Forest Plan also identifies specific fire management direction in Appendix C: Fire Management
Direction. This direction is to ensure that fire use programs are cost effective, compatible with the
role of fire in the forest ecosystem and responsive to resource management objectives.
• Prescribe fire to maintain healthy, dynamic ecosystems that meet land management
objectives.
• Emphasize fire ecology implications when applying prescribed fire.
Additionally the Forest Plan has identified management .areas to distinguish differing management
emphases between geographic areas. The Forest Plan gives general guidelines, goals, and
standards for fire management within these management areas that can be found throughout
Chapter III of the Forest Plan.
The "Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003" gives direction to conduct hazardous fuels reduction
projects on National Forest System lands. These projects are "aimed at protecting communities,
watersheds, and certain other at-risk lands from catastrophic wildfire, to enhance efforts to protect
watershed, and address threats to forest and rangeland health, including catastrophic wildfire,
across the landscape, and other purposes"(H.R. 1904). Specific direction for hazardous fuel
reduction projects is found in Title 1 - Hazardous Fuel Reduction on Federal Land, Section 102 -
Authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects. (16 USC 6512).
CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Alternatives B, C, D, and E of the project are consistent with the Forest Plan in its protection of
resource values by the utilization of prescribed fire to accomplish fire and fuels treatments that are
cost-effective, compatible with the role of fire in forest ecosystems and responsive to resource
management objectives.
Alternatives B, C, D, and E of the project are also consistent with the Healthy Forest Restoration
Act of 2003 as stated in Title 1 section 102 (a) "Authorized Projects. - As soon as practicable after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement authorized hazardous fuel
reduction projects, consistent with the Implementation Plan, on -" (4), "Federal land on which
windthrow or blowdown, ice storm damage, the existence of an epidemic of disease or insects, or
the presence of such an epidemic on immediately adjacent land and the imminent risk it will
spread, poses a significant threat to an ecosystem component, or forest or rangeland resource, on
the Federal land or adjacent non-Federal land; and" through the implementation of a hazardous
fuel reduction project.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Fuel model (existing and predicted) and fire regime were modeled from the potential and existing
vegetation conditions, based on the rule sets of Keane et al, 1998. Potential treatment units are
generally comprised of multistoried vegetation or high amounts of standing or down dead material
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that would contribute to high intensity wildfire (FM10) and would tend to move toward FM 13 in a
short period of time without treatment. Following treatment, these units would be in the low to
moderate risk/hazard category (FM 5 and 8).
Existing condition FM's were then compared with what the FM's would look like under all of the
Alternatives and are displayed in acres by alternative. A hazard assessment was done and a
hazard level rating assigned to the FMs and is also displayed in acres by alternative. The hazard
assessment is based on FMs and their associated fire behavior characteristics, in particular fire
intensity and severity.
3.4.1. INDICATOR 1 - FIRE REGIME
EXISTING CONDITION
A fire regime reflects the pattern of fire frequency, size, uniformity, and severity within an area.
Fire has been a major force shaping landscape patterns and influencing productivity. It affects the
composition, structure, and pattern of vegetation on the landscape. Fire as a disturbance process
is an integral part of the concept of ecosystem management.
Resettlement fire regimes have been described for the analysis area by their characteristic
severity (non-lethal, mixed severity, lethal), and frequencies (very frequent: 5 - 25 years, frequent:
25-75 years, infrequent: 75-150 years, and very infrequent: 150 - 300 years), using field studies,
timber stand data, aerial photo interpretation, and scientific literature including Morgan, et al. 1996
and Kapler-Smith and Fischer, 1997). They are modeled using habitat type group(s) and terrain
setting.
Table 3.37 displays the presettlement fire regimes within the project area. These fire regimes are
displayed on Map 4.
Table 3.37: Fire Regimes acreage in the Project Area
Fire Regime
Very Frequent, Non-Lethal
Frequent, Mixed
Infrequent, Mixed
Infrequent to very infrequent, Lethal
Acres in American River
Project Area
99
0
9680
5779
Acres in Crooked River
Project Area
1150
2109
13366
6540
After 1930, fire incidence within the project area dropped substantially due to the effectiveness of
fire suppression activities (USDA 2003, p. 4-85).
Areas with very frequent and frequent fire regimes missing from 1 to 15 fire occurrences due to
increased time between fires. The missed fire occurrences have led to a buildup of fuels and
changing of fuel conditions such as; replacement of fire resistant with non fire resistant tree
species, and increases in timber stand density and vertical arrangement of fuels. This change in
fuel and stand conditions would in turn allow for these stands to be identified as being in Fire
Regime Condition Classes 2 and/or 3 (Schmidt et al. 2002) because they are outside of their
historic norms for a disturbance pattern. Refer to map 5 for condition class within project area.
These changes contribute to increased fire intensity, and fire severity. Fire intensity is defined as
the heat released along the leading edge of the fire, and expressed as Btu/lineal foot of fire
front/second. Fire severity is a qualitative assessment of the consumption of surface fuel and duff
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based on the heat pulse of a fire. Fire severity is also used as an indicator of fire effects on
vegetation and soil, and may or may not be closely related to intensity. Higher fire intensity and
severity may lead to increased mortality, and decreased effectiveness of suppression actions,
resulting in an increased chance of large stand replacement fires in the future.
Areas of infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes are little departed from their pre-settlement fire
regimes at the stand scale, but large areas free of disturbance for the last 50 to 80 years may be
departed at the landscape scale. The pending increase of surface fuels in the project area as the
lodgepole pine killed by the mountain pine beetle fall would be within the historic norm, and the
mosaic of mixed and lethal fires that might follow in these areas would also be within the norm.
These stands can be classified as being in Condition Class 1, for the most part when considered
stand-by-stand, because they are within their central tendency of the historic regime. There may
be site-specific variations from this norm, however, and the mountain pine beetle epidemic
occurring in the project area is creating a condition where effects from a large fire may not be
acceptable due to the local social values and degraded watershed conditions. The Healthy Forest
Restoration Act of 2003 provides direction in Section 102 (a) (4) to implement hazardous fuel
treatments on Federal land with insect epidemics (16 USC 6512).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A
Under the no action alternative the stands with very frequent and frequent fire return intervals
would continue to miss disturbances. This would allow for continued buildup of fuels and changing
of fuel conditions/such as stand density and vertical arrangement. These conditions would cause
a wildland fire occurring in these stands to burn with increased intensity and severity, decrease the
effectiveness of suppression actions and increase chances for detrimental fire effects from a stand
replacing event happening.
Areas that have infrequent and very infrequent fire return intervals would continue to proceed as
they would naturally. This includes fuel buildup as stands mature and decline from age and
outside agents such as beetles. As a result of this buildup, lethal, stand-replacing fires would
become more prevalent.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D AND E
With these alternatives, stands in the very frequent and frequent fire regimes would have some
type of disturbance, either mechanical and/or fire, returned to some of them. This would start to
bring the treated stands back into their historic fire regime. Bringing these stands back to their
historic regime and Condition Class 1 would result in a lower fire hazard, which would lessen the
effects caused by a wildland fire.
In the stands that would be treated in the infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes, the
disturbance would tend to maintain the stands' normal fire return interval, maintaining the stands in
Condition Class 1. For the stands that are not treated under these alternatives the effects would
be similar to the effects described under Alternative A.
3.4.2. INDICATOR 2 - FUELS
EXISTING CONDITION
The increased effectiveness of fire suppression in western forests since the 1930's has been
followed by a subsequent decrease in large fire occurrences. Without a natural reduction of fuel
accumulations by fire, litter has built up, tree density has increased, and fuel continuity has
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increased both vertically and horizontally in many areas. This can resulted in increased fire
intensity when a fire does occur. This effect is most distinct in fire regimes of non-lethal to
moderate severity, where increased fire area is now burned primarily by high severity fires (Agee
1993).
The American and Crooked River project area consists of a variety of fuel conditions, described by
fire behavior fuel models (Anderson 1982). Six fuel models are represented in the project area and
include 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, & 10. Descriptions of the fuel models can be found in Appendix G. Grass fuel
models 1 and 3 occur in the meadows adjacent to the American and Crooked River and recent
clearcuts with little regrowth of shrubs or trees. Harvest in the recent past within the American
River Township has reduced hazardous fuels extensively close to the community and much of that
harvested area is fuel model 1. The flammability of these fuel types is dependant on their stage of
growth, with low flammability in the spring and early summer during green up, and increasing in
flammability as the growing season continues and they begin to cure out. While rates of spread
may be high in these fuel types, the resistance to control is low.
Fuel model 5 represents shrub and saplings fuel types that are present in the area. These fuel
types are indicative of past fire disturbances or harvest activities in the project area. Fires in this
fuel type area generally not very intense due to the light surface fuel loading and high component
of live fuels. Pole stands were assigned to fuel model 5 unless canopy was greater than 70
percent, then they were assigned fuel model 4, Fuel model 4 burns with high fire intensity and is
fast spreading involving the foliage and live and dead fine woody material.
Timber fuel models 8 and 10 represent a majority of the project area. Fuel model 8 represents
single-story early to mid successional stands with little dead and down material or ladder fuels.
Fire spread in this fuel type is low with low intensities and little tree mortality. Only under severe
weather conditions involving high temperatures, low humidity, and high winds do the fuels pose fire
hazards.
Fuel model 10 represents more decadent, late successional, multistdried stands with ladder fuels
and a significant dead and down component. Due to the heavy component of down fuel and
presence of ladder fuels, fires in this fuel types have high fire intensities, which can lead to torching
and crowning in the overstory along with spotting. With these conditions, fires occurring in this fuel
type are generally at the upper limit of control with direct attack by hand.
Decades of fire suppression activity, has led to changes in the spatial distribution of the fuel
models in the project area. Stands that were historically fuel model 8 have transitioned to a model
10 due to the lack of low severity fires that has allowed for the accumulation of dead fuels and the
establishment of multi-storied stands through regeneration. Wildland fires occurring in these
stands under the existing conditions (fuel model 10) will burn with increased intensity and severity
than they would have historically. This results in an increased potential for these stands to
experience a stand replacing fire. This shift in fuel models is also being compounded by the
infestation of mountain pine beetle that the project area is experiencing. As these trees are dying,
they are starting to contribute to the dead fuel loading and shifting the fuel models to models 10
and 13. Fuel model 10 would have occurred in areas of infrequent mixed and lethal fire under
natural conditions. Fires would have prevented this fuel model from being widespread and
common.
In addition to the suppression activities, harvest activities have changed the distribution of fuel
models over time. Fuel model 5 has recently become more prevalent over the project area as
stands have been harvested and regenerated, but large contiguous areas of fuel model 5 might
have occurred under natural fire regimes in the areas of historically infrequent mixed and lethal fire.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Fuels are an integral part of most wild lands. Direct effects of fire result from the characteristics of
the heat regime of the fire, which is controlled by the manner in which fuels burn. Managing fuel
quantity and arrangement in the landscape can help moderate the heat regime of a fire in areas
where it is important to affect burning behavior to limit social, economic, or environmental effects.
ALTERNATIVE A
Under the no action Alternative the fuel loadings, both live and dead/would continue to increase.
There would be an increase in fuel model 10 and a subsequent decrease in fuel model 8 as these
stands age and change over time. Additionally, with the mountain pine beetle infestation some of
these stands will experience high mortality, which would lead to an increase in the dead fuel load
making these stands be best represented by fuel model 13, Fuel model 13 is characterized as a
continuous layer of slash. Fires burning in this fuel model spread quickly through the fine fuels and
build in intensity as the larger fuels start burning. Active flaming is sustained for long periods and
can generate a wide variety of firebrands that cause spotting and control problems.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D AND E
With these Alternatives the fuels conditions in the project area would continue to change from fuel
model 8 to fuel models 10 and 13 as the untreated stands age and fuels accumulate, but at a
lesser rate than Alternative A. Alternatives B, C, D, and E would reduce the fuel loadings and
continuity over the project area, and thus reduce the effects of a large scale wildland fire. This is
accomplished by dispersing the treatment units over the project area and modifying the fuel
models from fuel models 10 and 13, Which result in fires with high intensities and severity, to fuel
models 1 and 8, with lower intensities and severities. These areas where the fuels have been
modified will help slow fire spread and reduce intensities, which would improve the likelihood of
successful fire suppression.
Alternatives B, C, D, and E would help break up horizontal fuel continuity in the landscape and
reduce the acreage of fuel models 10 and 13. The effects vary proportionally with the acres
treated in each alternative.
Additionally, Alternatives C and D would concentrate a greater amount of treated acres in relative
proximity to the north and east edges of the Elk City Township than Alternatives B and E, creating
opportunities for more effective and efficient coordination of proposed and possible fuel reduction
and defensible space efforts with adjacent landowners and the Bureau of Land Management.
Table 3.38: Treatment Acres
American
Crooked
Total
B
Acres
treated
584
1499
2083
C
Acres
treated
721
1546
2267
D
Acres
treated
968
1971
2939
E
Acres
treated
362
1319
1681
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3.4.3. INDICATOR 3 - RISK/HAZARD
EXISTING CONDITION
Fire risk is the probability of a wildland fire ignition occurring. These occurrences may be from a
natural source such as lightning, or from human-caused sources such as smoking, campfires, or
industrial. Fire hazard is a rating that can be assigned based on various attributes of a fuel
complex. The attributes used may be susceptibility to ignition, the fire behavior and severity it
would support, and/or suppression difficulties it represents (Walstad, et al. 1990).
During a period from 1970 through 2003 there have been 86 ignitions within the project area of
which 77 have been lightning caused ignitions and 9 human caused. The natural ignitions during
this period do not show a strong pattern of localized occurrences within the project area. The
human-caused ignitions tend to follow travel routes and would likely increase as visitor use to the
area increases (USDA 2003)
Fire hazard for this analysis is based on the fuel models within the project area, and how they
relate to a fire's behavior and the resulting fire severity. By using this method the hazard ratings of
low, moderate, and high are assigned to fuel models.
The areas described as being fuel models 1, 3, and 8 are classified as being low fire hazard.
These fuel models are composed of light fuels, which do not result in high severity fires that do
great damage to the resources. They result in little damage to the soil because they burn quickly
and do not consume the organic material in the soil or heat the soil significantly. Additionally these
fires do minimal damage to the overstory in the stands where they occur. Mortality in fuel model 8
is usually associated with the fire burning in small jackpots of fuels that are uncharacteristic of the
fuel model as a whole. Areas of fuel model 8 can transition to more intense crown fires under
severe burning conditions. Lastly because of the light fuels present in these fuel types, resistance
to fire control is usually low, and under normal conditions these fires are easily controlled.
The areas described as being fuel model 5 are classified as being moderate fire hazard. Fires
occurring in this fuel type are more severe than those in the low hazard class. This increased
severity is due to the increased mortality of the overstory brush and seedling/saplings that
comprise the fuel type, and the increased potential for soil damage due to more removal of organic
material caused by longer fire duration.
The high fire hazard areas are those areas classified as being fuel models 4, 10 and 13 . Fires
occurring in fuel model 10 and 13 are the most severe due to the heavy fuel loadings. With the
higher fuel loading, these fires burn hotter and longer, which increases the damage done to the soil
by removing the organic material from the soil. Additionally because of the multistoried stands in
fuel model 10 there is an increased potential for fire to transition from a surface fire up into the
overstory crowns. This may result in the occurrence of a stand replacing fire event. Lastly,
because of the heavy fuel loading the resistance to control for a fire in fuel model 10 and 13 is
high. This fact coupled with high fire intensity, creates a condition where the fire is at the upper
limits for control by hand-forces, and a small change in weather conditions may result in an
escaped fire. Fires occurring in fuel model 4 are fast spreading and burn with higher intensities.
Besides flammable foliage, dead woody material in the stands significantly contributes to the fire
intensity.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A
The No Action Alternative would not reduce the fire hazard within the project area. If left as is, the
fire hazard in the project area would increase as more stands transition from low or moderate fire
hazards to high (fuel models 10, & 13).
With a large portion of the project area moving towards fuel models having a high hazard rating,
the potential would exist for much of the project area to experience more severe and intense
wildfires in the future. Due to higher intensities, these future fires would exhibit higher resistance to
control resulting in an increased chance for a large, stand replacing fire event. This could be within
the historic norm for much of this landscape, but could threaten structures and investments, as well
as firefighter safety.
ALTERNATIVES B,C,D, AND E
These Alternatives would lower, to varying degrees, the acreage of the project area that would be
classified as a high fire hazard. This change in the hazard ratings results from the modification of
fuel models 10 and 13 towards fuel models 1 and 8 in the treatment units. By modifying the fuels,
the hazard of fires occurring in these treatment units would be lowered based on their resulting
severities, intensities, and resistance to control.
Additionally, Alternatives C and D would concentrate a greater amount of treated acres closer to
the north and east edges of the Elk City Township than Alternatives B and E, creating opportunities
for more effective and efficient coordination of proposed and possible fuel reduction and defensible
space efforts with adjacent landowners and the Bureau of Land Management.
3.4.4. IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - FIRE REGIME,
FUELS, AND RISK/HAZARD
COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
No irreversible commitments are proposed under any of the alternatives. Tree mortality and loss of
other plant life due to wildfire would be irretrievable but not irreversible since these trees and all
other plant life could be regenerated over time.
3.4.5. SUMMARY
EXISTING CONDITION
FIRE REGIME
• Fire incidence has dropped substantially since the 1930's, due to the effectiveness of fire
suppression.
• Areas with frequent to very frequent fire regimes are missing between 1 to 15 fire
occurrences.
• Areas with infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes are little departed from their pre-
settlement fire occurrences at the stand scale, but some departure may exist at the broader
landscape scale where little disturbance has occurred in the last 50 to 80 years.
• In the areas of infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes, the fire mosaic of mixed and
lethal fires that might follow as a result of increasing fuel loads caused by the mountain pine
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beetle infestation would be normal for these fire regimes, but could pose risk to structures
and investments.
FUELS
• The fuel profile across the project area is represented by 6 fire behavior fuel models.
• Decades of fire suppression and timber harvest have changed the spatial distribution of
fuels in the project area.
• Fuel models are transitioning to models that burn with greater fire intensity (heat output,
used as indicator for fire behavior) and fire severity (surface fuel and duff consumption,
used as an indicator for fire effects on vegetation and soil).
RISK/HAZARD
• The fire ignition occurrence (risk) within the project area is high. Fire risk is the probability
of a fire ignition occurring.
• Due to increases in fuel loading resulting from the mountain pine beetle infestation, fuel
models are transitioning to models that would result with a higher fire hazard rating.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
FIRE REGIME
• Under Alternative A/stands in the frequent and very frequent fire regimes would continue to
miss fire disturbances, which would result in fuel buildup, and changes in timber stand
composition and structure. The missed disturbances would continue to take those stands
farther away from the conditions that would have naturally been seen in those fire
regime(s). Stands in the infrequent to and very infrequent fire regimes would continue their
successional processes as they would naturally, and would grow increasingly prone to
mixed or lethal fire.
• Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E, multiple stands in the frequent and very frequent fire
regimes would have some type of disturbance(s), such as mechanical fuel reduction and/or
prescribed fire. This would start to bring these stands back into their historic fire regimes.
In the infrequent and very infrequent fire regimes, the proposed treatments would maintain
the normal fire return interval in the treated stands, and reduce the likelihood of locally
severe effects.
FUELS
Under Alternative A, fuel loadings, both live and dead, would continue to increase. Timber
stands and other vegetation, as represented by fuel models, would eventually transition to
fuel models that burn with higher intensities and severity. There would be a decrease in the
effectiveness of suppression efforts resulting in an increased chance of large, stand
replacing fires. There would be a decrease in firefighter and public safety due to fuel
conditions that exhibit a high resistance to control.
Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E, treatments would spatially fragment horizontal fuel
continuity and reduce the predicted acreages of fuel models 10 and 13 by varying degrees
by alternative. Areas where fuels would be modified would reduce fire intensity and
severity, thus contributing to successful suppression activities. Alternatives C and D treat
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more acres in close proximity to the Elk City Township, particularly in the American River
watershed.
RISK/HAZARD
• Under Alternative A, the fire hazard would increase as more stands transition from low or
moderate hazard to high (fuel models 10 and 13). A large percentage of the project area is
predicted to eventually transition to high hazard, increasing the potential for fires that burn
with higher intensity and severity. This may result in fires that are more difficult to control,
and pose more threat to firefighter and public safety, based on the changes to the fuel
model(s) and their resulting fire behavior.
• Under Alternatives B, C, D, and E the acreage of the project area that would be rated as
high fire hazard is lowered in comparison with Alternative A. Treatments that modify fuel
models 10 and 13 towards fuel models 1 and 8 would decrease the potential for fires that
burn with higher intensities and severity with a high resistance to control, while increasing
firefighter and public safety.
• Alternatives C and D treat more acres in close proximity to the Elk City Township,
particularly in the American River watershed.
• Common to all Alternatives is that fire ignition occurrence (risk) levels probably would not
change over time. It can be expected that occurrence levels would remain similar to those
in the past. Fire hazard in this landscape would remain
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - FIRE REGIME. FUELS. AND RISK/HAZARD
The cumulative effects of the Alternatives considers past, present and reasonably foreseeable
actions. These actions are described earlier in this Chapter. The effects of the past actions are
included in the existing condition by indicator. The environmental effects for each indicator
discussed in Chapter 2 and Scope of the Analysis earlier in this section, when combined, show the
cumulative effects of the Alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
This Alternative would have no immediate effect on fuel conditions in the project area. However, in
the short to long term, fuel loadings, both live and dead, would continue to increase with the result
that more of the project area would move toward a higher fire hazard rating. Over time the fuels
and associated hazard would continue to accumulate until such time as fire suppression is no
longer successful in keeping fires small.
The only active fuels management projects within the project area are the Crooked River
Demonstration and Orogrande defensible space projects. The purpose of these treatments is to
reduce available vegetation/fuels within 300-500 feet of private and public structures and reduce
the threat of losing these structures to wildfire. The size and scope of these treatments are small,
designed to protect only the structures themselves, so the treatments would have little effect on the
project area.
The BLM is planning to implement two fuels reduction projects (Whiskey South and Eastside
Township) within the Elk City Township adjacent to the American and Crooked River project area.
The purpose of these projects is to reduce the risk of high intensity wildland fire to life, property and
natural resources in the Elk City area. Alternative A provides no temporary road access to the
BLM's proposed treatment areas along the eastern and northern boundary of the Elk City
Township.
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ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
These Alternatives all provide mechanical and prescribed fire fuel reduction treatments, differing in
the amount and location of those treatments and the associated reduction in high fire hazard. The
interspersion of treatment areas along with fuel reduction in past harvest and burned areas can
reduce the intensity and severity of a fire burning through those areas. Observations of wildland
fire growth and behavior among age-mosaics of fuel patterns in the forests of the Sierra Nevada
(van Wagtendonk 1995, Parsons and van Wagtendonk 1996) and on fires in the forests of the
Northern Rockies (Button, personal observations) support the idea that spatial fragmentation of
fuels can cumulatively change fire sizes and behavior. Past harvest and burned areas along with
proposed treatments under Alternatives B, C, D, and E would provide anchor points (relatively
safe, defensible locations) that facilitate fire suppression activities. Since it is not known exactly
where or when a fire may start, having a dispersed pattern of fuel reduction treatment can provide
more options for fire suppression by connecting these treatment areas depending on where the fire
is, how fast it is spreading, and the amount, type and location of suppression forces (Agee, et al
2000, Finney, etal 1997).
Dispersed treatments rely on the topology Of the treatment units as parts of a pattern to reduce
spread rates and intensities (Martin et at. 1989, Gill arid Bradstock 1998, Finney 2001). Dispersed
treatments facilitate all suppression tactics (direct, indirect, and parallel attacks) by slowing overall
fire growth and allowing units to be connected by firelines at the time the fires occur. Extensive
coverage by a dispersed treatment pattern offers the optimal strategy for multiple fire spread
directions and can change fire behavior irrespective of suppression actions.
The BLM is planning to implement two fuels reduction projects (Whiskey South and Eastside
Township) within the Elk City Township adjacent to the American and Crooked River project area.
The purpose of these projects is to reduce the risk of high intensity wildland fire to life, property and
natural resources in the Elk City area. Alternatives C and D provide the most temporary road
access to the BLM's proposed treatment areas along the eastern and northern boundary of the Elk
City Township. Alternative B provides less temporary road access than Alternatives C and D, and
Alternative E provides no temporary road access to the BLM projects.
The weather conditions most amenable to changes in fire behavior from fuel treatments will be
those that historically have produced large and severe fires, but are not considered to be worst-
.case. Fire behavior under the worst conditions is rarely responsive to either treatment or
suppression effects.
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3.5. AIR QUALITY
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The area potentially affected by smoke emissions includes the project area and the airsheds that
immediately surround it. The project area is located in Idaho Airshed No. 13. Refer to map below
for location of Airshed.
The analysis of air quality includes identifying the adjacent and down wind airsheds of concern
(Class I and non-attainment areas) and comparing the amounts of smoke and particulate matter to
be produced as a result of the fuels treatment activities associated with each alternative. The
analysis includes discussion of the consequences of wildfire in regards to air quality.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Clean Air Act, passed in 1963 by the US Congress and amended several times, is the primary
legal instrument for air resource management. The Clean Air Act amendments of 1977 set up a
process that included designation of Class I and II areas for air quality management. The primary
differences between Class I and II areas are in the protection and processes provided in the 1977
amendments. Class I areas receive the highest levels of protection under the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration (PSD) program. This program regulates air quality in these areas through
application of numerical criteria for specific pollutants and use of the Best Available Control
Technology (BACT).
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IDAHO-MONTANA AIRSHEDS
Taken from Idaho-Montana Airshed Group
Numbered Airshed Boundaries
The Clean Air Act requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identify pollutants that
have adverse effects on public health and welfare and to establish air quality standards for each
pollutant. Each state is also required to develop an implementation plan to maintain air quality.
The EPA has issued National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, lead and particulate matter 10 microns in diameter or smaller
(PM 10) and 2.5 microns and smaller (PM 2.5).
Idaho has similar standards for these pollutants. In general, concentrations of PM 10 greater than
150 micrograms per cubic meter for longer than 24 hours, or greater than 50 micrograms per cubic
meter as an annual arithmetic mean, is considered a hazard to public health and welfare.
Similarly, concentrations of PM 2.5 greater than 65 micrograms per cubic meter for longer than 24
hours, or greater than 15 micrograms per cubic meter as an annual arithmetic mean, is considered
a hazard to public health and welfare.
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The Nez Perce National Forest Plan direction for air quality is to cooperate with the Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) and to meet the
requirements of the SIP and State Smoke Management Plan (NPFP, Chapter II, Page 23).
The Nez Perce National Forest is a party to the North Idaho Smoke Management Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA), which establishes procedures to regulate the amount of smoke produced by
prescribed fire. This MOA is intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of
communications about, and coordination of, prescribed fire to avoid adverse effects on air quality.
This MOA can be found in the project file.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Particulate emissions production was calculated using the First Order Fire Effects Model (FOFEM).
FOFEM predicts the quantity of natural or activity fuel consumed by prescribed fire and the
resultant emissions. Fuel loadings are derived from forest cover type classifications as
represented in the analysis area.
One major assumption made in FOFEM is that the entire area of concern experiences fire. For
discontinuous burns, the results should be weighted by the percent of the area burned. For the
purposes of this analysis, it is assumed that 60 percent of the acres to be treated mechanically or
by fire would actually produce particulate emissions.
The assumptions and methods used in FOFEM for modeling emissions were taken from Hardy, et
al. (1996). Emissions production depends both on fuel consumption and on the combustion
efficiency of the fire. Therefore, it is important to note that emissions quantities are derived from
tons of fuel consumed and not tons of fuel treated. FOFEM models emissions production, not
visibility or dispersion. Categories of emissions estimated are PM 2.5 and PM 10. About 70 to 80
percent of PM 10 is actually in the PM 2.5 category. Idaho and Montana monitor for both
categories, therefore the amount of both are modeled in this analysis.
A "Decision Analysis for Smoke Modeling" (Atcheson et al., pg. 19, 20) was used to select the level
of modeling for this analysis. A threshold in this decision analysis for PM emissions is established
at 100 tons/year. This threshold is based on the minimum increase required to establish the
existence of a major source for non-compliance in PSD for downwind Class I areas or to exceed
the NAAQS standards. Since none of the alternatives in the analysis area approaches or exceeds
100 tons/year based on 10 year implementation, no further analysis is required.
THE MODEL INPUT PARAMETERS AND THE OUTPUT VALUES AS WELL AS THE EMISSIONS
WORKSHEETS CAN BE FOUND IN THE PROJECT FILE.
EXISTING CONDITION
PARTICULATE MATTER AND VISIBILITY
Air quality associated with the American and Crooked River Project analysis area is generally
considered good to excellent most of the year. Local adverse effects result from dust from native-
surfaced roads and smoke from prescribed burning, agricultural burning, and wildfires.
Climatic conditions in this central Idaho area are governed by a combination of large-scale and
small-scale factors. Among the large-scale factors are latitude, prevailing hemispheric wind
patterns, and extensive mountain barriers to the east and west. Small-scale or local factors
include the topographic setting and position (canyon, slope or ridge location), as well as vegetation
cover (Oke 1978; Schroeder and Buck 1970). The average large-scale airflow is generally from a
westerly direction throughout the year.
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The pre-settlement natural range of variability for smoke probably ranged from very clear and clean
in the non-fire months (November to May) to hazy and smoky for extended periods during the fire
months (June to October). Current air quality during non-fire months is probably close to the
natural range of variability, while during fire months it is probably outside the natural range (i.e.
cleaner) because most wildfires in the area are suppressed, thus the amount of smoke has been
reduced from historical averages.
The American and Crooked River Project analysis area is non-classified, but is considered to be in
compliance with the NAAQS. The closest non-attainment areas Include portions of Missoula
County, Montana (approximately 100 air miles to the northeast), and Boise and Sandpoint, Idaho
(approximately 200 air miles to the southwest and northwest, respectively).
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, 8 air miles to the northeast, and the Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area, 44 air miles to the southwest, are the closest Class I (areas to the American and
Crooked River Project analysis area. All other areas on the Nez Perce National Forest, including
the American and Crooked River Project analysis area, are designated Class II areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PARTICULATE MATTER AND VISIBILITY
All action alternatives would require prescribed burning to reduce fuel loadings to an acceptable
level. The resulting smoke would affect air quality. Fugitive dust generated from road related
activities and increased vehicle traffic from logging operations would also temporarily affect air
quality.
Three methods of prescribed burning would be used to accomplish fuel load reduction:
• Broadcast burning is usually used in clearcuts. Because combustion is efficient, a
convection column forms which lifts most of the smoke above the mixing air layer.
• Underburning would be used for both natural and activity created fuels. The objective is to
reduce fuel loading while protecting the residual overstory trees from damage due to heat
and flames. Since the burning is deliberately cool and slow, combustion is likely to be
inefficient. More particulate matter per acre of fire is often produced with this method of
burning than with other methods.
. Machine pile burning would be used for activity created fuels. This type of burning
concentrates slash in specific locations to eliminate the need to broadcast or underburn.
Slash is gathered and piled mechanically throughout the unit or at the landing. Piles are
burned after a season of curing when the fuel moistures are low resulting in efficient
combustion, thus lessened particulate matter. This type of burning has less effect on air
quality compared to underburning.
Particulate matter released into the air as a result of prescribed burning can have adverse effects
on visibility and public health. The emission of particulate matter is related to the method of
burning conducted, as shown above, and how much burning of each method is conducted. The
concentrations of particulates at locations in the airshed is influenced by what other activities are
going on in the airshed, and by current or changing climatic conditions. Potential concentrations in
the airshed at any one time are regulated through compliance with the procedures of the North
Idaho Smoke Management MOA as previously described.
The following discussion compares the direct and indirect effects of all the alternatives. A table
displaying the PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions expressed in tons/year by alternative is included at the
end of the discussion.
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ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There would be no direct effects on the existing condition of air quality from this alternative
because no prescribed burning would occur. No particulate matter would be produced and
visibility would not be impaired due to prescribed burning.
Indirect effects would be that fuel loadings continue to increase and wildfires would continue to
occur. Wildfire occurrence without previous fuel reduction is likely to produce two to four times
greater particulate matter emissions than would be generated by prescribed fire (Quiqley et al
1997).
EFFECTS COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Direct effects associated with any of the action alternatives would be an increase in short-term
particulate matter emissions and temporary impairment of visibility. Alternatives B, C, D, and E
would produce particulate matter as a result of burning harvest generated fuels.
The alternatives differ only in the amount of particulate matter produced (Table 3.39). Fugitive dust
generated from road activities and increased vehicle traffic would also temporarily affect air quality
by implementing any of the action alternatives.
Indirect effects would be a long-term decrease in fuel loading following implementation of
prescribed burning. Therefore, there would be a decrease in particulate matter emissions and the
impairment of visibility from wildfires when they occur.
Table 3.39: Approximate Annual Emissions by Alternative, Based On 10 Year Implementation
Emissions
(tons/year)
PM10
PM2.5
Alternative
A
B
40.3
34.2
C
44.4
37.6
D
56.8
48.2
E
31.2
26.5
FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR AIR QUALITY
Alternative D has the greatest chance of causing adverse impacts because it treats the most acres
of fuel and produces the greatest total quantity of particulate emissions. Alternative C has the
second highest acres and second greatest total quantity of particulate emissions followed by
Alternative B. Alternative E would have the least effect on air quality because it has the least total
acres to be treated and produces the least total quantity of particulate emissions.
CONCLUSIONS
EXISTING CONDITION
• Air quality in the American and Crooked River Project analysis area is good to excellent.
• Local and regional climatic conditions, as well as topography, influence smoke
concentrations and dispersal.
• Air quality is probably outside its natural range of variability during normal wildfire months.
• There are no non-attainment areas for National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in
close proximity to the analysis area.
• The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is the only Class I airsheds in close proximity to the
analysis area.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
• There would be no direct effects on air quality by implementing Alternative A.
• There would be the likelihood of increased particulate emissions from wildfires by
implementing Alternative A.
• Implementation of any of the action alternatives would directly affect air quality.
• Implementation of any of the action alternatives would decrease particulate matter
emissions from wildfires.
• Alternative D would produce the greatest amount of particulate matter emissions, followed
by alternatives C, B, and E.
• Competition in the airshed is regulated to avoid exceeding the NAAQS.
• Impacts to air quality(visability) in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness by implementing
alternative B, C, D, or E would be short in duration and impacts would be minimal due to
the relatively small burn unit size
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
Impacts from smoke to the air resource are temporary; therefore there are no irreversible or
irretrievable effects on the air resource under any of the alternatives.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Consideration of cumulative effects for air quality takes a different approach than for other resource
areas. Past activities in the analysis area don't necessarily enter consideration, except in the
sense that use of existing roads and facilities may contribute to fugitive dust levels as described
above. Present use of and activities in the analysis area are continuing with a current assessment
of good to excellent air quality.
All the action alternatives would affect air quality. Locally adverse and cumulative impacts to air
quality could be expected if extensive prescribed burning occurred under any of the action
alternatives, particularly if that burning occurred in conjunction with on-going wildfires or other
prescribed burning activities in and adjacent to the airshed. Other potential prescribed burning
projects that could have an impact are the listed in the table at the beginning of this
chapter(description of the past, present and foreseeable future actions). However, mitigation
measures and procedures outlined in the North Idaho Smoke Management Memorandum of
Agreement are intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of communications about, and
coordination of, prescribed burning to avoid adverse cumulative effects.
CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Prescribed burning under the action alternatives would comply with the requirements of the Clean
Air Act. Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 emissions are quantified and modeled for their effects on
adjacent and downwind airsheds, particularly non-attainment and Class I areas.
The action alternatives are consistent with Forest Plan standards and guides in that
implementation would be in cooperation with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare by
complying with the procedures outlined in the North Idaho Smoke Management Memorandum of
Agreement.
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3.6. RECREATION
INTRODUCTION
Recreation has been an important activity in the South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin, which
includes the project area. The early trails and wagon roads throughout the South Fork Clearwater
River Subbasin historically were, and remain, important access routes for people in nearby prairie
and river communities to hunt, fish, and camp on the Nez Perce National Forest. Most of the
recreational use, is dispersed activities such as big game hunting, picnicking, camping, berry
picking, fishing, wood cutting, and driving for pleasure.
The Forest Plan projected large, almost equal increases in recreation demand for all recreation
opportunity spectrum (ROS) classes in the next fifty years, ROS classes have been assessed for
the area and described for each area in project file resource reports. Seventy percent of the
subbasin (not including the Camas Prairie) is in a Roaded Natural Setting with area closures and
road/trail restrictions. Only 19 percent is Semiprimitive Motorized and Nonmotorized and 11
percent is Primitive. It should be noted that motorized use by Off Road Vehicles (ORV) is
increasing and this use is not being limited to roads and trails. ORV use in areas where access
can be obtained (open ridges, firelines and open country) is increasing rapidly. Meadow Creek,
Cougar-Peasley and American River areas are the only areas that have designated ORV trails
(less than 5 percent by mileage).
Recreation settings, principle activities, and access implications are summarized for each of the
ecological reporting units shown below.
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The analysis area for recreation and scenic integrity that may be directly, indirectly, and
cumulatively affected is the American and Crooked River project area. Vegetation and
transportation management proposals could affect recreational opportunities and use, as well as
scenic integrity within the area. The proposed actions would have little effect on recreation and
scenic integrity outside the area.
Indicators analyzed in detail include the recreation opportunity spectrum, scenic integrity and other
recreation features.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Nez Perce Forest Plan established goals and objectives for the management of the forest
(pages II 1-8). Specific Forest Plan goals that apply to recreation and scenic resources in the
American and Crooked River project area include:
• Provide a wide range of dispersed and developed recreation opportunities and experiences
by providing access, facilities, and education necessary to meet public demand.
• Provide firewood for personal use.
• Present diverse, natural-appearing landscapes to view throughout the Forest
• Provide administrative sites and facilities that effectively and safely serve the public and
accommodate the workforce.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Forest Plan Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS)classes for the American and Crooked River
project area were evaluated for changes resulting from alternative implementation.
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Forest Plan interim visual quality objectives were verified and a recommendation was developed to
adopt these as Forest Plan standards. Field review and visibility analysis were used to determine
potential effects.
Scenery Management System (SMS) evolved from and replaces the Visual Management System
(VMS). High quality scenery, especially scenery with natural appearing landscapes, enhances
peoples' lives and benefits society. The Scenery Management System presents a vocabulary for
managing scenery and a systematic approach for determining the relative value and importance of
scenery in a national forest. Ecosystems provide the environmental context for this scenery
management system. The system is used in the context of ecosystem management to inventory
and analyze scenery in a national forest, to assist in the establishment of overall resource goals
and objectives, to monitor the scenic resource, and to ensure high quality scenery for future
generations.
Inventory of current recreational use (off-highway vehicle and dispersed campsites) was completed
and used to evaluate alternatives based on potential impacts on recreational opportunities within
the project area.
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment 1998 (SFLA) characterized the
ecological and social conditions in the South Fork Clearwater sub-basin, and provided a context for
future forest management decisions in the area. The assessment recommended recreation
themes for the South Fork face drainages and Red River watershed (SFLA, pages 142 and 145).
Motorized recreation is an important use in the American and Crooked River watershed areas of
the Nez Perce National Forest. ATV use has increased dramatically over the last decade both
locally and nationally and increased need is expected in the future. Trails and roads in the
watershed generally meet current recreation needs, although developing more loop trails in the
watershed is a priority. Overall road and trail density needs to be reduced in the watershed in
accordance with priorities set for American and Crooked River watersheds in the South Fork
Clearwater Assessment (USDA 1998). Restructuring the roads and trails systems into loops while
reducing overall road density in the watershed is a priority.
Maintaining and improving current dispersed camping in the watershed is a high priority. Forest
Service personnel and a small percentage of people interviewed (Saul and Lewis 2002; USDA
2001) indicated a need for more dispersed camping in the watershed. Maintaining the watershed
as a primitive camping watershed is a high priority. Increasing dispersed camping opportunities is
a medium priority as a secondary activity within integrated projects, and a low priority overall.
Maintaining and improving hunting and fishing resources in the watershed is considered a medium
priority in the American and Crooked River watersheds. American and Crooked River are
important areas for hunting activities in particular. Increasing wildlife resources and removing
roads and trails that provide easy access to hunting areas is considered a medium priority. Fishing
access and use within the watershed are considered a low priority at this time until fisheries
restoration has been successful.
Horse travel and hiking areas considered a medium priority in the watershed. Current trails often
combine horse travel and hiking with motorized recreation. Horse travel and hiking trails need to
be separated from motorized recreation to increase the quality of the experience in the watershed.
The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (1986 ROS Book) describes recreation settings and
opportunities, and is used to evaluate recreation potential for an area. The Nez Perce National
Forest ROS inventory is described in the Forest Plan FEIS (1987), Chapter III, p. 8-9. The Forest
has been inventoried and divided into four classes: "Primitive, Semi-primitive Non-motorized
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(SPNM), Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM) and Roaded Natural (RN)". The project area was
inventoried as "Roaded Natural", Semi-primitive Non-motorized (SPNM) and "Semi-primitive
Motorized" during forest planning.
"Semi-primitive non-Motorized" areas are greater than 2500 acres and at least 1/4 mile but not
further than 3 miles from all roads, railroads or trails with motorized use. Other people are
occasionally encountered. Within these settings, there are ample opportunities to practice outdoor
skills and to achieve a feeling of self-reliance. Modifications to the landscape are subtle and would
not draw the attention of an observer anywhere within the area. Motorized use is not permitted.
"Semi-primitive Motorized" areas are greater than 2500 acres and at least Vz mile but not further
than 3 miles from all roads, railroads or trails with motorized use. Other people are occasionally
encountered. Within these settings, there are ample opportunities to practice outdoor skills and to
achieve a feeling of self-reliance. Modifications to the landscape are subtle and would not draw
the attention of an observer anywhere within the area. Motorized use is permitted.
"Roaded Natural" includes any area within 1/2 mile of "better than primitive" roads. They are
natural-appearing settings that may have modifications that range from being easily noticed to
strongly dominant to the observers within the area; but from sensitivity level 1 and 2 travel routes,
these alterations would remain unnoticed or visually subordinate. Highly designed roads or
highways may be common. Encounters with other people are frequent.
Recreational use within the American and Crooked River project area is heavily influenced by the
presence of the existing transportation system and long history of resource management. An
review of the existing condition for ROS shows that very little area is located more than 1/4 mile from
"better than primitive" roads. Management area direction in the Forest Plan calls for managing for
"Roaded Natural" recreation. The "Roaded Natural" classification more closely represents the
existing condition throughout the project area.
"Visual Quality Objectives" (VQOs) were mapped as part of the Forest planning process using
Agriculture Handbook 462 Visual Management System - Volume 2, Chapter 1, 1974. VQO refers
to the degree of acceptable alteration of the characteristic landscape. Interim VQOs were
established for specific Forest Plan management areas in combination with other resource goals,
but decisions on their adoption were deferred until Forest Plan implementation (Forest Plan,
Chapter II, p. 16, as amended by Forest Plan Amendment #4). The following definitions for interim
VQOs apply to landscapes within the project area:
Retention: "activities may only repeat form, line, color and texture which are frequently found in
the characteristic landscape, and should not be evident to the casual forest visitor."
Partial Retention: "Activities may repeat form, line, color and texture which are found infrequently
or not at all in the characteristic landscape, but remain visually subordinate to the visual strength of
the characteristic landscape."
Modification: "Activities of vegetative and landform alteration must borrow from naturally
established line, form, color and texture so that their visual characteristics are those of natural
occurrences within the surrounding area when viewed as middle ground or background. Activities
may visually dominate the original characteristic landscape.
Maximum Modification: "activities of vegetative and landform alterations may dominate the
characteristic landscape. However, when viewed as background, the visual characteristics must
be those of natural occurrences within the surrounding area or character type. When viewed as
foreground or middle ground, they may not appear to completely borrow from naturally established
form, line, color or texture. Alterations may also be out of scale or contain detail that is incongruent
with natural occurrences as seen in foreground or middle ground.
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Since the Forest Plan was signed, the Visual Management System has been updated with
Agriculture Handbook 701 Landscape Aesthetics: A Handbook for Scenery Management, 1995
(AH-701). The new system utilizes "Scenic Integrity Levels" (SIL) as an indicator of the landscape
completeness, or the degree of naturalness (AH-701, p. 2-4). Scenic integrity is a continuum
ranging over five levels of integrity from Very High to Very Low. For this analysis, terminology from
the new handbook is used along with the adopted or recommended VQOs. Table 3.40
summarizes the Forest Plan interim VQOs and their corresponding SILs.
Table 3.40: Nez Perce Forest Plan Interim Visual Quality Objectives And Scenic Integrity
Levels for the American and Crooked River project area
Visual Quality Objective (VQO)
Retention
Partial Retention
Modification
Maximum Modification
Scenic Integrity Level (SIL)
High
Moderate
Low
Very Low
Acreage
358
4959
9798
23765
OTHER RECREATION FEATURES
Recreational activities within the Red River Watershed include motorized sight-seeing, touring,
hiking, horseback riding and packing, camping, firewood collection, mountain biking, photography,
berry picking, mushrooming, and State-licensed hunting and fishing activities. Winter snow sports
such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are increasing in popularity and occur in headwater
areas in the watershed.
3.6.1. AMERICAN RIVER
INTRODUCTION
American River - Elk City, ranches, homesteads, and pastures are places people associate with
this area. Scenic integrity from view points along the Elk City Wagon Road, Kirk's Fork trail, Flat
Iron trail, Anderson Butte trail and connectors, and Limber Luke trailhead is important. Recreation
activities include big game hunting, driving for pleasure, and various motorized and non-motorized
trail uses. The Elk City township, a combination of BLM, private and some state lands is a rural,
pastoral setting including a small town, within a remote, forested landscape. Shearer's Mill
(Bennett Lumber Company) is located a few miles from town, near the junction of American River
and the South Fork. Clearwater River. Elk City has become a destination place on driving tours
primarily from the Selway basin and along the Elk City Wagon Road. Anderson Butte Lookout is a
popular destination for trail riders (motorcyclists and, increasingly, mountain bikers), horse users
and hikers via the Anderson Butte National Recreation Trail. Motorized and non-motorized trail
uses by local residents and out-of-area recreational users is increasing. Motorized use (specifically
ATVs) is rapidly increasing in popularity on the trail system in this area. Non-motorized uses
remain relatively consistent, with light to moderate numbers of local and out-of-area recreational
users during the summer and fall seasons.
3.6.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - ROS/SILS
EXISTING CONDITION
The American River project area is 52 percent Semi-primitive non-Motorized and 48 percent
Semi-primitive Motorized.
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The American River project area is 9 percent Partial Retention (VQO) or Moderate (SIL), 17
percent Modification (VQO or Low (SIL) and 72 percent Maximum Modification (VQO) or Very Low
(SIL). y
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no-action alternative would not initiate human-caused changes to existing scenic condition of
the American River project area except for wildland fire suppression . No timber harvest, road
construction, road decommissioning, dispersed campsite improvement, or prescribed burning
would be scheduled. The natural evolution of the vegetative component of the landscape would
continue to change the scenic qualities of the area (e.g. beetle killed lodgepole). The potential for
catastrophic wildfire, along with the inherent changes in visual character, would continue to
increase.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
None
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Timber Harvest - Action alternatives B-E propose various amounts of timber harvest. Current
scenic integrity level (SIL) would remain the same moderate to very low and would not change.
Road Reconstruction and Temporary Construction - Road reconstruction is proposed to
improve the facilities, reduce effects on aquatic condition, and provide for safe use. The proposed
temporary road construction followed by decommissioning is intended to provide access for
proposed timber harvest. These actions would have a noticeable, but short-term affect on visual
resources. In most cases the visual changes would last for less than two years after the work is
completed. Shrub regrowth and revegetation of exposed soil would hasten the visual restoration of
the foreground views. From the valley floor views of proposed roads would be sufficiently
screened by residual vegetation to achieve the VQO/SIL.
Road Decommissioning - The excavation of existing roads during decommissioning may have a
short-term negative effect on scenic resources, while the long-term result of the changes are
positive. In most cases, vegetative rehabilitation of the road prism would reduce visual evidence of
the decommissioning within a year or two. In many instances, the former road prism is gone,
slopes are recontoured, and the scenery of the area is restored to a more natural condition. The
road decommissioning proposed in all action alternatives would meet VQO/SIL.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
The geographic boundary for cumulative effects is the same as for the American and Crooked
River project area. A listing of past, present and foreseeable future actions is included earlier in
this Chapter.
Past vegetation and transportation activities have influenced the current recreational opportunities
and use of the American and Crooked River project area, so their effects are part and parcel of the
existing conditions described above. There are no expected cumulative effects for any of the
alternatives for the existing array of recreation opportunities, beyond the anticipated increase in
recreational use.
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The proposed action alternatives would not exclude any of the existing recreational uses.
Past vegetation modifications throughout the project area are in varying stages of recovery. Past
activities are not visible from the South Fork River corridor, State Highway 14. Activities that have
occurred near sensitive travel routes, while evident, have recovered to a point where they are no
longer dominating the landscape. There are no expected cumulative effects on visual resources
from the proposed vegetation and transportation management activities since the adopted visual
quality objectives (scenic integrity levels) for the area would be met.
3.6.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - OTHER RECREATIONAL USES
EXISTING CONDITION
The area is a popular big game hunting area for elk, moose, deer and bear. Flint Creek and
American River contain rainbow, cutthroat, brook and bull trout; steelhead and spring and summer
Chinook salmon. The American River project area has two developed trailhead campsites and
scattered dispersed use by forest visitors who are usually self-contained,
KIRK'S FORK TRAILHEAD CAMPSITE is located 4 miles northeast of Elk City on Forest Road
#1809 at an elevation of 4,300 ft. Season of use is normally from May 15th thru November 15th.
Facilities include toilet, stock loading ramp, fire-ring, parking space for a camper vehicle and
several horse trailers. The site is a trailhead for Kirk's Fork Trail #830 a National Recreation Trail
leading to Anderson Butte.
FLINT CREEK TRAILHEAD CAMPSITE is located 6.6 miles north of Elk City on Forest Road #443
at an elevation of 4.240 ft. Season of use is normally from June 1st thru October 31s. Facilities
include a toilet, fire-ring, stock loading ramp, for one camper vehicle and several horse trailers.
The site is a trailhead for the and parking space Flint Creek Trail #510.
Dispersed sites are scattered along open roads primarily at the junction of closed gated roads by
hunter who walk in on closed roads.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
No affect on other recreation features within the analysis area.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
None
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
None
IRREVERSIBLE. IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS (WILL ALSO DO THIS FOR ALL RESOURCES AT THE END
OF CHAPTER 3)
None
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3.6.2. CROOKED RIVER
INTRODUCTION
Crooked River - Crooked River dredge mining, the Orogrande townsite, Gospel Hump and
Penman Hill access are a few of the places people associate with this area.
Recreation activities include dispersed camping, fishing, ORV use, and driving for pleasure The
highly altered stream channel from dredge mining dominates the view for Crooked River travelers
The road is a popular travel way for motorists on the "Gold Rush Loop Auto Tour" from Crooked
River to Elk City via Penman Hill and Dixie. It is also the main motorized access to the east side of
the Gospel Hump Wilderness. The road accommodates heavy ATV and snowmobile use Two of
the fastest growing activities in this area are snowmobiling and ATV use in the corridor The Jerry
Walker cabin, a forest service facility, is available to the public for rent. Private lands along
Crooked River are being developed for vacation home sites.
The Crooked River project area is 60 percent Semi-primitive non-Motorized, 40 percent Semi-
pnmitive Motorized and less than 1 percent Roaded Natural.
3.6.2.1. INDICATOR 1-ROS/SILS
EXISTING CONDITION
The Crooked River project area is 15 percent Partial Retention (VQO) or Moderate (SIL) 31
percent Modification (VQO or Low (SIL) and 54 percent Maximum Modification (VQO) or Very Low
(SIL).
Modifications to the landscape have occurred in the project area since early in the twentieth
century. The most heavily modified locations are found in the middle and upper portions of the
project area. Mining, timber harvest and road building throughout the project area have
contributed to a scenic integrity of moderate to very low. Mining is the most evident modification in
the lower portions of the project area.
Timber harvest is still the most visually evident modification, in the upper portions of the project
area. Many of the openings created by timber harvest have unnatural geometric shapes As trees
and other vegetation continue to grow and mature, the visual evidence of past harvest becomes
less obvious, and the area becomes more natural appearing. This transition from intensively
managed forest to one that is more natural appearing can be seen as one travels through tree
plantations established years ago.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no-action alternative would not initiate human-caused changes to existing scenic condition of
the Crooked River project area except for wildland fire suppression . No timber harvest, road
construction, road decommissioning, dispersed campsite improvement, or prescribed burning
would be scheduled. The natural evolution of the vegetative component of the landscape would
continue to change the scenic qualities of the area (e.g. beetle killed lodgepole). The potential for
catastrophic wildfire, along with the inherent changes in visual character, would continue to
increase.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
None
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Commercial Thinning - Action alternatives B-E propose various amounts of commercial thinning
Current scenic integrity level (SIL) would remain the same moderate to very low and would not
change.
Road Reconstruction and Temporary Construction - Road reconstruction is proposed to
improve the facilities, reduce effects on aquatic conditioned provide for safe use. The proposed
temporary road construction followed by decommissioning is intended to provide access for
proposed timber harvest. These actions would have a noticeable, but short-term affect on visual
resources In most cases the visual changes would last for less than two years after the work is
completed Shrub regrowth and revegetation of exposed soil would hasten the visual restoration of
the foreground views. The middle background views of proposed roads would be sufficiently
screened by residual vegetation to achieve the VQO/SIL.
Road Decommissioning - The excavation of existing roads during decommissioning may have a
short-term negative effect on scenic resources, while the long-term result of the changes are
positive In most cases, vegetative rehabilitation of the road prism would reduce visual evidence of
the decommissioning within a year or two. In many instances, the former road prism is gone,
slopes are recontoured, and the scenery of the area is restored to a more natural condition. The
road decommissioning proposed in all action alternatives would meet VQO/SIL.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
The geographic boundary for cumulative effects is the same as for the Crooked River project area.
A listing of past, present and foreseeable future actions is included earlier in this Chapter.
Past vegetation and transportation activities have influenced the current recreational opportunities
and use of the American and Crooked River project area, so their effects are part and parcel of the
existing conditions described above. There are no expected cumulative effects for any of the
alternatives for the existing array of recreation opportunities, beyond the anticipated increase in
recreational use.
The proposed action alternatives would not exclude any of the existing recreational uses.
Past vegetation modifications throughout the project area are in varying stages of recovery. Past
activities are not visible from the South Fork River corridor, State Highway 14. Activities that have
occurred near sensitive travel routes, while evident, have recovered to a point where they are no
longer dominating the landscape. There are no expected cumulative effects on visual resources
from the proposed vegetation and transportation management activities since the adopted visual
quality objectives (scenic integrity levels) for the area would be met.
3.6.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - OTHER RECREATIONAL USES
EXISTING CONDITION
There are fifteen dispersed or lightly developed campsites within the Crooked River project area:
Crooked River Campsite #1 and #2 are located 1 mile from State Highway 14 each site has
parking space for two camper vehicles and a fire-ring. The sites are located at an elevation of
3,860 ft and have a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st.
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Crooked River Campsite # 3 is located 2.6 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 3.960 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include a toilet, fire-ring and
parking space for two camper vehicles.
Crooked River Campsite # 4 is located 2.4 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 3.960 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include a toilet, fire-rings five
separate camping areas and parking space for twelve camper vehicles.
Crooked River Campsite # 5 is located 2.7 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 3 940 ft
Relief Creek Campsite is located 8.4miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 340 ft with a
thm °Ct°ber 31S- F - ' for
Baker Gulch Campsite is located 9.0 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 380 ft with
for L' ^ """ *?** "* ^^ lndude " """"*• and parking s^ce
Fivemile Campsite is located 11 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4480 ft with a
October 31"' Facilittes lndude a toilet' flre-rin9S and
Fivemile Pond Day use site is located 1 1 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 480 ft
±i^ho RS^rthm October 31" Fa«es In*de a «*'*< «• * <**i p°"<
Old Dredge Campsite is located 11.2 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 500 ft with
a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include fire-rings and parking space for
four camper vehicles. The site is the last working site of the Mt. Vernon Dredge.
Orogrande Campsite #1 is located 11.4 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 510 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31* Facilities include a fire-ring and parking
space for two camper vehicles. n^muy
Orogrande Campsite #2 is located 11,6 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 510 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include a fire-ring and parkinq
space for two camper vehicles. Ma.Mi.y
Orogrande Campsite #3 is located 12 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 580 ft with
a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include a toilet, fire-rings and parking
space for three camper vehicles.
Orogrande Campsite #3 is located 12.3 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 600 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st. Facilities include a toilet, fire-rinqs and
parking space for three camper vehicles.
Old Orogrande Townsite is located 12.6 miles from State Highway 14 at an elevation of 4 700 ft
with a season of use from May 31st thru October 31st.
The site is a dispersed site only development is a mound of dirt that is used as a stock unloadinq
ramp, the site is used by ATV users that use the site as a staging area to head up to the Buffalo-
Hump or Wildhorse Lake areas.
Summit Flat dispersed site is at the junction of Trail # 802 and Forest Road # 478. The site is used
by ATV users to access the Sourdough Santiman area and by hikers and stock users to access the
Gospel-Hump Wilderness.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
No affect on other recreation features within the analysis area.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
None
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
None
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES
None
FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR RECREATION (BY ALTERNATIVE AS
NECESSARY FOR CLARITY)
Past vegetation and transportation activities have influenced the current recreational opportunities
and use of the American and Crooked River project area, so their effects are part and parcel of the
existing conditions described above. There are no other cumulative effects associated with
Alternative A beyond the anticipated increase in recreational use.
The proposed alternatives would not exclude any of the existing uses, but would modify the
amount of recreational access. The proposed transportation management activities would reduce
the level of off-highway vehicle access slightly with the least reduction in Alternative B increasing
through the alternatives and reducing access the most in Alternative E. This would primarily be
through road decommissioning which is discussed in more detail in the transportation section.
Past vegetation modifications throughout the project area are in varying stages of recovery.
Activities that have occurred near sensitive travel routes, while evident, have recovered to a point
where they are dominating the landscape at a decreasing rate. There are no expected cumulative
effects on visual resources from the proposed vegetation and transportation management activities
since the adopted visual quality objectives (scenic integrity levels) for the area would be met.
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3.7. WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
This analysis is limited to the impacts of the proposed action and alternatives on the suitability of
bouth Fork of the Clearwater as a designated river under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
3.7.1. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT
The Wild and Scenic River Act (Section 2(b)) specifies three classification categories- Wild scenic
and recreational. The potential classification of an eligible river is based on condition of the river'
and the adjacent lands, as it existed at the time of assessment determination.
The Nez Perce Forest Plan determined that the South Fork of the Clearwater River be a candidate
for study to be eligible under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Both American and Crooked rivers in the project area flow into the South Fork of the Clearwater
r\lVci.
Table 3.41: Wild & Scenic Rivers Act Criteria Applicable to the South Fork of the Clearwater
Attribute
Water Resource
Development
Shoreline
Wild
Free of impoundment.
Recreational
Some existing impoundment or diversion.
Development
The presence of a few
inconspicuous structures, particularly
those of historic or cultural value. A
limited amount of domestic grazing
or hay production. Little or no
evidence of past timber harvest. No
ongoing timber harvest.
Some development. Substantial
evidence of human activity. The
presence of residential development.
Lands may tiave been developed for a
full range of agricultural uses. May show
evidence of past and ongoing harvest.
Accessibility
Generally inaccessible except by
trail. No roads within the river
corridor: A few existing roads
leading to the boundary of river.
Readily accessible by road. The
existence of parallel roads on one or both
banks as well as bridge crossings and
other river access points.
Water Quality
Meets or exceeds Federal criteria or
State standards for aesthetics; for
propagation of fish and wildlife; and
for recreation (swimming) except
where exceeded by natural
conditions.
No criteria prescribed by the Wild &
Scenic Rivers Act. Rivers will not be
precluded from classification because of
water quality provided a water quality
improvement plan exists which is in
compliance with applicable Federal and
State laws.
FOREST PLAN AMENDMENT 1
Forest Plan Amendment #1 changed Forest-wide standards for protecting streams eligible for
inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River System. Forest Standards outlined in Amendment 1 were:
1. Maintain or enhance the recreation, visual, wildlife, fisheries, and water quality values of the
existing and proposed Wild, Scenic, and Recreation Rivers.
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2. No management activities will be carried out that would alter the eligibility or potential
classification of study waterways.
3 The Wild and Scenic corridor is defined as an area extending the length of the river
segment. Boundaries may include adjacent areas needed to protect the resources or
facilitate management of the river corridor.
4 In eligible and existing wild river corridors, roads may occasionally bridge the river. Short
stretches of conspicuous or long stretches of inconspicuous and well-screened roads could
be allowed Timber harvest can be allowed; however, the existing character and visual
condition of the river corridor shall be maintained. Special emphasis will be placed on
visual quality for activities within seen areas outside of the river corridors. In eligible and
existing recreational river corridors, roads are allowed. Consideration will be given to the
type of use and protection of resource values within the river corridor. Timber harvest can
be allowed; however, the existing character and visual condition of the immediate river
corridor shall be maintained.
5 Existing wild and recreational rivers are closed to mineral entry. Eligible rivers are subject
to mineral exploration and claim location. Mitigation and reclamation measures will be
included in approved plans to minimize surface disturbance, sedimentation, and visual
impairment to the extent possible under 36 CFR 228.'
6 Manage for recreation experiences in context with the existing or proposed designation,
wild primitive or non-primitive non-motorized, and recreation semi-primitive motorized or
roaded natural.
7. Encourage participation and cooperation of public and private landholders in the study and
implementation of river classification on non-National forest lands.
8. Cultural resource surveys for location and identification of significant resources are
encouraged.
9. In the eligible river corridors, a no surface occupancy stipulation will be required in mineral
leases.
10 In eligible river corridors, new dams, diversions, or hydroelectric power facilities will be
prohibited to the extent of Forest Service authority. Existing facilities may be maintained.
In 1989 Associated Loggers Inc. appealed Amendment 1 on the grounds that language permitting
expansion of river corridors beyond 1/4-mile from either bank of a stream was arbitrary and vague.
The Forest conducted negotiations with the appellant and with American Rivers Inc., at whose
request the amendment was made. All parties agreed that the following sentence about
streamside corridors would be deleted from Standard Number 3 in the amendment:
"Boundaries may include adjacent areas needed to protect the resources or facilitate
management of the river corridor".
In 1991 a decision memo to revise Amendment #1 to the Nez Perce National Forest Plan was
approved. The revision was exactly the same as the original amendment except that the above
language was removed.
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SUITABILITY STUDIES
A suitability study is an analysis of eligible rivers to determine the ones the Forest Service will
recommend to Congress as additions to the National Wild and River System. Such studies answer
in© QUGSTIOnS!
1. What is the best use of the river corridor? Should the outstanding values be fully
protected? *
2. Assuming values are to be protected, what is the best method to protect the river corridor?
Suitability studies may be completed in several ways:
1. Separate site-specific studies for a particular river or group of rivers;
2. As part of a multi-resource landscape assessment;
3. As part of a multi-resource project analysis; or
4. In the draft Forest Planning process.
The preferred method of completing a suitability study is via the Forest Planning process
specifically: The preferred process is to proceed with determining suitability by completing a river
study m the draft forest plan. An alternative is to delay the suitability determination on eligible
rivers until a subsequent separate study is carried out. If this latter alternative is used the forest
plan must provide for protection of the river area until a decision is made as to the future use of the
river and adjacent lands. Unless the study process would be unduly delayed, subsequent study of
eligible rivers may be coordinated with a general revision of the forest plan."
Rationale supporting that suitability studies are to be done as part of the revision of the Forest Plan
are.
1. Cost effectiveness;
2. Efficiency;
3. Customer Service;
4. Appeals;
5. Defines protection; and
6. Settles the question.
In February 2000, the Nez Perce National Forest submitted a report to the Northern Regional
Office stating that suitability studies of the Forest's eligible rivers (including South Fork of the
Clearwater) would be conducted as part of the Forest Plan revision process. Funding to complete
these studies as part of the revision was also requested.
Subsequently, a suitability study for South Fork of the Clearwater was not done as part of the
American and Crooked River Project analysis. However, projects or activities identified in this
FEIS will not alter the eligibility or potential classification of South Fork of the Clearwater (Revised
Forest Plan Amendment #1; Standard #3).
OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUES
An eligible river is defined as "free flowing and possessing natural and/or cultural features which
are judged to be outstanding remarkable." An outstanding resource value (ORV) must be a
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unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative regional or national scale.
The outstanding resource values considered should:
a. Be located in the river or on its immediate shore lands (within 1/4-mile on either side of the
river);
b. Contribute substantially to the functioning of the river ecosystem; or
c. Owe their location or existence to the presence of the river.
Outstanding resource value features evaluated, when designating rivers, include but are not limited
to: Scenic, recreational, cultural, geological, fisheries, wildlife, prehistoric, historic, hydrologic,
paleontologic, ecological, botanic, etc.
Table 3.42: Outstanding Resource Values applicable to the South fork Clearwater River
ORV Feature
Scenic
Fisheries
Geologic
Recreation
Cultural
Description of Features
The landscape element or landform, vegetation; water, color, and related factors
result in notable or exemplary visual features and/or attractions. Consider
seasonal variations in vegetation, scale of cultural modifications, and the length of
time negative intrusions are viewed. Scenery and visual attractions may be highly
diverse over the majority of the river or river segment.
The river is nationally or regionally an important producer of or provides exceptional
habitat for resident and/or anadromous fish particularly wild stocks of TES species.
The river or area within the river corridor contains example(s) of a geologic feature,
process, or phenomena that is rare, unusual, or unique to the region of
comparison.
Recreational opportunities are unique enough to attract visitors from outside the
region. Visitors are willing to travel long distances to use the river resources for
recreational purposes.
Prehistoric: There is evidence of occupation or use by native Americans. Sites
must have rare or unusual characteristics or exceptional human interest value.
Historic: Contains sites or features associated with a significant event, and
important person, or cultural activity of the past that was rare or unusual.
The standards within revised Forest Plan Amendment 1, Federal and State laws (Endangered
Species Act, Cultural Resource Protection, etc.), and agency manual and handbook policy provide
consistent management criteria for 'four Outstanding resource values including fisheries,
geological, recreational, and cultural. However, management direction for the scenic
outstanding resource value is less clear. It is well understood that activities that alter the scenic
values within the 1/2-mile corridor cannot occur. Opinions vary on managing visuals outside of the
corridor but which can still be observed from the corridor.
Table 3.43: Management Direction for Eligible Rivers
Scenic ORV
Definition
The landscape
element or
landform,
vegetation and
related factors
result in notable
or exemplary
Forest Plan
Amendment #1
In eligible "Wild" river
corridors timber harvest
can be allowed,
however special
emphasis will be placed
on visual quality for
activities within seen
Region 6 Letter
Scenery must be protected
by developing appropriate
VQOs to guide mgt within
and outside river corridors.
Outside the river corridor but
within the viewshed,
management discretion
should be exercised in
Upper Selway
Suitability Study
The visual resources of
the study areas include
the lands within the %-
mile corridor, as well as
some of the adjoining
lands that are seen by
users of the study area.
These adjoining seen
Systematic Approach
to Determine
Eligibility of Wild &
Scenic Rivers
Rare Scenic ORV; Views
of landforms or
landscape, which is
highly unusual for the
region. Exemplary: an
especially good example
of a landscape typical to
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Scenic ORV
Definition
Forest Plan
Amendment #1
explicitly removed the
language: "boundaries
may include adjacent
areas needed to protect
the resources or
facilitate mgt of the river
corridor".
Region 6 Letter
determining the VQOs with
recognition of the national
status afforded by the
designation. Therefore if
scenery has been identified
as an ORV, this resource
should be protected within
and as appropriate outside
the corridor.
Upper Selway
Suitability Study
areas become important
in the non-wilderness
study area, because the
visual resource could be
affected by other mgt
activities.
Systematic Approach
to Determine
Eligibility of Wild &
the region.
3.7.2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
No developments or activities within the South Fork of the Clearwater River Corridor will alter the
potential classification of the river into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system prior to a
suitability study.
No activities are proposed inside the river corridor.
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION)
None of the outstanding resource values associated with South Fork of the Clearwater River would
be affected under this alternative.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E
Effects originating outside the corridor such as sediment or turbidity associated with road building
or decommissioning and vegetative treatment (fire and timber harvest) may occur. The likelihood
of such events is remote and predicting them is difficult. If such an event did happen, impacts
would occur primarily to the fisheries and visual resources but would be short-lived. Observations
of recent slides indicate that channel equilibrium is soon reestablished and revegetation occurs.
GEOLOGIC OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE
Since no activities that could alter geoJogic features, such as road building, would occur within the
South Fork Clearwater corridor, this outstanding resource values would not be affected.
RECREATION OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE
Forest Plan direction (Amendment 1) outlines recreation within eligible recreation rivers to be
managed for a semi-primitive motorized or roaded natural recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS).
Recreational activities outlined in the alternatives would consist of hardening and stabilizing
existing recreational sites. Such activities would not push the recreation opportunity spectrum
beyond roaded natural.
FISHERIES OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE
Standards and regulation associated with listed species (salmon and steelhead) would ensure this
outstanding resource value as outlined in Forest Plan Amendment 1 would not be compromised.
For further discussion refer to the Fisheries section of this document.
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CULTURAL OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE
There would be no adverse impacts to cultural resources within the corridor cultural resource
standards provided through existing state and federal laws would ensure necessary protection.
Refer to Cultural Resources section within this chapter.
SCENIC OUTSTANDING RESOURCE VALUE
There would be no impacts to scenic outstanding resource values within the South Fork Clearwater
River corridor.
3.7.3. SUMMARY
No Activities are proposed within or adjacent to the 1/2-mile eligible river corridor. Therefore this
project will not pose any threats to outstanding resource values identified for South Fork of the
Clearwater River.
Visual quality objectives outside the corridor will also meet Forest Plan objectives ensuring views of
the landscape or landforms retain necessary attributes. Forest stand structure will mimic
conditions within the natural range of variability, hence adding to not detracting from visual values.
Implementation of activities within any of the alternatives will not alter the potential Classification of
South Fork of the Clearwater River into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
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3.8. TRANSPORTATION
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The focus of this analysis is the transportation system, which consists of both the road and trail
systems, within the American River and Crooked River analysis areas. Each analysis area is
addressed separately. The current state of the transportation system is presented, followed by
discussions of the changes resulting from the proposed action alternatives.
Two indicators, miles of road and miles of trails, are used to track the effects on the
transportation system resulting from the proposed action alternatives. The indicator miles of road
includes road decommissioning, with corresponding travel access Changes temporary road
construction and road reconditioning. M/7es of trails includes both summer trails and winter
snowmobile trails.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
NATIONAL POLICY:
Federal regulations at 36 CFR, part 212, provide direction regarding administration of the forest
transportation system. These regulations require development of a transportation plan for each
forest. The plans provide for the construction, maintenance, and management of forest
transportation facilities for the protection, administration, development, and multiple-use
management of federally owned lands and resources served.
Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7712 establishes transportation system.policy related to disclosure
and decision-making issues required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This policy
includes requirements to perform an area transportation analysis, and to document road
management objectives that include design, operation, and maintenance criteria.
Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 7709,55 defines transportation planning as the interdisciplinary
process of identifying access needed to effectively and efficiently meet management objectives for
a defined area. For project planning, transportation analysis is used to identify and address
needed changes in road management objectives.
The Federal "Road Management Policy" published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2001,
further defines agency policy regarding transportation systems. Terminology changes announced
in the policy reflect the agency's emphasis on maintaining environmentally sound access.
Additional elements of the policy direct agency officials to identify the minimum transportation
system needed to administer and protect National Forest System lands, and to document this
system through the use of road management objectives.
The Road Management Policy requires the use of a science-based analysis to identify the needed
transportation facilities. In an effort to preserve "flexibility to further describe science-based
transportation analysis in conjunction with other ecosystem analyses, and to adjust the
process in response to new scientific knowledge of road and resource management
interactions," a specific analysis process was not prescribed through the policy. While the policy
does not establish a specific process as the standard to be used, the agency has produced a
document entitled "Roads Analysis: Informing Decisions About Managing the National Forest
Transportation System" (August 1999) that is to be used unless an alternative is approved by the
Deputy Chief of the Forest Service.
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NEZ PERCE FOREST PLAN
The Nez Perce Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service, 1987b) contains guidance related to access
and travel management. The goal of the Forest Plan is to provide a stable and cost-efficient
transportation system through construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or transportation system
management (page 11-1.) The Forest Plan also includes direction to provide for standardized
access prescriptions and to document travel management as part of the decision making process
(USDA Forest Service, 1987a, 1988).
The Record of Decision for the Forest Plan provides guidance related to access management
decision-making. It specifies that if we cannot justify leaving a new road open, it will be closed or
restricted. Forest Plan Amendment 2 provides further clarification by incorporating Appendix Q,
which identifies how motorized recreation and road access is to be managed, by Management
Area, and specifies that roads would be considered open, unless signed otherwise.
Forest Plan Amendment 20 (PACFISH) contains additional requirements related to road system
management and recreation management. The amendment requires us to document road
management objectives, minimize sediment delivery from roads, reconstruct roads where needed
to protect aquatic resources, provide for adequate flow capacity at culvert crossings, and provide
for fish passage. We must also ensure that recreation facilities and their use does not retard or
prevent attainment of Riparian Management Objectives or adversely affect anadromous fish.
ANALYSIS METHODS
The roads information used in the development of the action alternatives was obtained from the
Forest's Infrastructure database (INFRA) and from field survey data not previously stored in
INFRA. All of the roads proposed for decommissioning as part of this project were identified in the
American and Crooked Rivers Roads Analysis (USDA Forest Service, 2003) as not needed for
future management of National Forest system lands within the analysis areas. The road data from
INFRA is in the form of road management objectives and is presented in tabular form in Appendix
F. Issues raised both internally and during the public scoping period were considered in the
development of the alternatives. Spatial data is displayed using maps generated with ArcGIS
software.
3.8.1. AMERICAN RIVER
3.3.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - MILES OF ROAD
EXISTING CONDITION
To aid in describing the current state of the road system, road management objectives for each
road are presented in tabular form in Appendix F. Road management objectives describe the
design, maintenance, and operational characteristics of a road.
A few road management objectives that are of particular interest to the road user are the access
prescription code and the objective maintenance level. Access prescription codes are used to
designate the extent to which access is allowed by various modes of travel. Current access
prescription codes, as well as code definitions, for the roads in the American River and Crooked
River analysis areas are presented in Appendix F. In general, access restrictions on forest roads
are established for the purpose of protecting forest resources or wildlife habitat.
The objective maintenance level assigned to a particular road dictates the type and degree of
maintenance the road receives. This term also provides an indication of the relative ease with
which a road can be traveled with various types of vehicles. The maintenance levels range
between 1 and 5. Maintenance level 1 applies to roads that are closed to all vehicular traffic and
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require only a minimal degree of maintenance. Roads with a maintenance level 5 designation on
the other hand, require the highest degree of maintenance and provide the user with the highest
degree of travel comfort. Objective maintenance levels for the roads in the American River and
Crooked River analysis areas are presented in Appendix F.
There are approximately 66 miles of inventoried road in the American River analysis area All of
these road miles are under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service. The following four tables
summarize the current state of the road system within this analysis area in the form of road
management objectives. Refer to Appendix F for definitions of these road management objectives.
Table 3.44: Current Access Prescriptions - American River Roads
Access Prescription Code
Open
Y-2
Y-3
Y-4
B
Length of Road (Miles)
6.2
5.0
32.2
21.3
1.8
Percent of Total Road Miles
9.4
7.5
48.4
32,0
2.7
Table 3.45 Objective Maintenance Levels - American River Roads
Objective Maintenance Level
1
2
3
D
Length of Road (Miles)
57.4
1.0
6.1
1.8
Percent of Total Road Miles
86.4
1.6
9.2
2.7
Table 3.46: Traffic Service Levels - American River Roads
Traffic Service Levels
C
D
NA
Length of Road (Miles)
18.1
46.5
1.8
Percent of Total Road Miles
27.3
70.0
2.7
Table 3.47: Road Surface Type - American River Roads
Road Surface Type
Aggregate
Native Material
Length of Road (Miles)
28.8
37.6
Percent of Total Road Miles
43.4
56.6
Regarding access prescription codes, of particular interest to many is access on roads with
highway vehicles. For the American River analysis area, the Open access prescription code is the
only code that allows access with highway vehicles. Currently, 9.4 percent of the total miles of
road are open to highway vehicles. Access on the remaining length of road is restricted year-
round for the reasons stated previously in the subsection entitled Scope of the Analysis. Refer to
map 14a for a display of roads in the American River analysis area that are open, either year-round
or seasonally, to highway vehicles.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - No ACTION ALTERNATIVE
With Alternative A, the road system, including the road management objectives, in the American
River analysis area would remain much as it currently is.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
..--•
ROAD DECOMMISSIONING
All roads proposed for decommissioning with these alternatives were ideritified in the American
and Crooked Rivers Roads Analysis (USDA Forest Service, 2003) as not required for future
management needs. These roads were selected for decommissioning primarily because of the
resulting benefit to watershed health by returning the landscape tp near its natural state. Refer to
Appendix F for a list of the roads proposed for decommissioning by alternative in the American
River analysis area, and Appendix D for the method of decommissioning recommended for each of
these roads. Refer to maps 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6 for graphic displays of the roads proposed for
decommissioning. A summary of the costs associated with the proposed road decommissioning is
presented in section 3.12 (Socio-Economics).
The physical process, or method, of decommissioning (referred to as decommissioning level in
Appendix D) depends on the condition of the road template, the magnitude of the side slope on
which the road is located, the proximity of the road to streams, and cost. This process can range
from simply abandoning the road to removing the road template completely, including removal of
drainage structures, and recontouring the landscape. In general, the preferred method is to
remove the road template and recontour the landscape, because this method is most effective in
removing the road as a source of sediment and restoring the natural hydrologic function of the
watershed. It is, however, the most costly method. If the road is located on relatively flat terrain, is
not close to a stream, and is substantially Overgrown with vegetation, abandonment may be a
better option.
In addition to the two decommissioning methods just discussed, there is a category used in
Appendix D to describe an intermediate level of decommissioning. This category, called Varied
(for varied treatments), can include removal of drainage structures, decompaction of the roadbed,
or a combination of both. If the roadbed is decompacted, seed and fertilizer would be applied to
reestablish vegetative cover. The Varied category can also include limited amounts of
abandonment or recontouring.
Road management objectives for only the roads proposed for decommissioning in each of these
alternatives would change. The road management objective of primary interest to most road users
is the access prescription code, which would change to "B" - indicating a year-round restriction to
use by all modes of travel, except travel by foot. The following table summarizes the length of road
proposed for decommissioning, as well as the effect of the decommissioning on travel access, for
each alternative.
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Table 3.48: Road Decommissioning and Corresponding Access Change - American River
Roads
Item
Road Length Decommissioned (mi)
Road Open to Highway Vehicles (mi)
Decrease in Access with Highway
Vehicles (mi)
Alternative
B
5.9
6.2
0
Alternative
C
8.1
6.2
0
Alternative
D
9.2
6.2
0
Alternative
E
20.2
6.2
0
For each alternative, there is no change in travel access with highway vehicles, because all of the
road miles proposed for decommissioning are currently closed to highway vehicles.
ROAD RECONDITIONING AND TEMPORARY ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Field surveys were conducted to determine the condition of the roads in the analysis area and the
maintenance needs required to prepare the roads for access to the treatment areas. These
maintenance needs were placed into three categories, depending on the level of work effort
required: minor reconstruction/maintenance, moderate reconstruction, and major reconstruction.
The primary difference between these categories is "the amount of earthwork involved.
Minor Reconstruction/Maintenance: This category requires the least level of work effort and
involves grading and shaping of the roadway and minor drainage work (such as adding waterbars
and replacing or adding a few culverts, generally not on live streams).
Moderate Reconstruction: In addition to the activities considered under minor
reconstruction/maintenance, moderate reconstruction may involve the use of a bulldozer to clear a
heavily brushed-in roadway (the bulldozer would remove the earth to a greater depth than simply
grading the road surface), significant drainage work (including the replacement of culverts at live
water crossing), and some widening along the road (not continuous).
Major Reconstruction: In addition to the activities considered under minor
reconstruction/maintenance and moderate reconstruction, major reconstruction may involve
widening or realigning much of the length of a road or substantial replacement of drainage
structures. These activities typically result in new cutslopes, fillslopes, or surfacing.
The roadwork proposed with any of the action alternatives would be done either to prepare a road
for timber hauling or to improve the environmental health of the watershed. There is some overlap,
however, in that some of the road work needed for timber hauling would also benefit the health of
the watershed. The roadwork needed to prepare roads for timber hauling is the primary focus of
this section. Refer to Section 3.2 (Watershed) for further discussion of the roadwork proposed for
the purpose of watershed health improvement and Appendix D for descriptions and locations of
this roadwork.
No permanent, new road construction is proposed with any of the action alternatives. Temporary
roads would be constructed where needed for access to treatment areas. All temporary roads
would be decommissioned no later than three years after initial construction. Refer to Chapter 2
for additional information regarding measures for mitigating the effects of temporary road
construction. The following table summarizes the roadwork required for timber hauling and the
temporary road construction by alternative. Refer to Section 3.12 (Socio-Economics) for a
summary of the costs associated with the proposed roadwork, including the construction and
subsequent decommissioning of temporary roads.
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Table 3.49: Roadwork Activity by Alternative - American River Roads
Activity
Minor Reconstruction/Maintenance
(mi)
Moderate Reconstruction (mi)
Major Reconstruction (mi)
Temporary Road construction (mi)
Alternative
B
25.0
3.7
1.5
3.6
Alternative
C
24.6
4.5
1.7
8.1
Alternative
D
26.0
6.2
1.7
8.1
Alternative
E
21.2
3.7
0.9
1.9
3.8.1.2. INDICATOR 2 - MILES OF TRAILS
EXISTING CONDITION
Historically, trails in the area were primarily developed for access to mining claims, private lands,
fire suppression activities and Forest Service administrative uses. Most trails were built to
accommodate pack and saddle stock and were the primary access routes in the American River
drainage.
Currently, the majority of the trail system is utilized for recreation purposes. There are
approximately 32.5 miles of system trails within the American River project area. The Boundary
National Recreation Trail (NRT) is located on the north-east project area boundary. This trail is
built to ATV standards and both motorized and non-motorized users enjoy the scenic area.
Portions of the NRT trail were utilized as a fireline for the Slim's fire of 2003. During the summer of
2004, work is planned to restore the trail to the design standard for ATV's, including the installation
of additional drainage structures. In the remainder of the American River project area, system
trails are primarily used by ATV(s), motorbikes, hikers, and pack/saddle stock.
The following table displays the system trails in the American River project area, their length,
current management objective and restrictions:
Table 3.50- System Trails - American River
Trail
509
510
830
831
832
Trail Name
Otto
Flint Creek
Kirk's Fork
Flatiron
Ridge
East Fork
American
River
Trail Length
6.0 miles
(1 mile in project area)
5.5 miles
(all within project area)
6.0 miles
(1 .5 miles in project area)
2.5 miles
(all miles in project area)
7.7 miles
(.5 miles in project area)
(5.7 miles in project area)
Current Management Objective/Restriction
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for motorbike and
snowmobile uses.
Closed to all motorized vehicles, except
snowmobiles over snow. Managed for pack and
saddle use.
Closed to highway vehicles and ATV's. Open to
trail bikes and snowmobiles. Managed for pack
and saddle and motorbike use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for pack and saddle
and motorbike use.
From junction with Trail 835 to junction with Trail
831, open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for ATV use.
From Trail 831 junction to Trail 510 junction,
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Trail
Number
835
836
846
848
852
887
Trail Name
Boundary
Trail NRT
American
River
Lower
Kirk's Fork
Red Horse
Ridge
Lower East
Fork
American
River
Box Sing
TOTAL MILES
In project area
Trail Length
(Total 6.2 miles in project area)
9.5 miles
(7.0 miles in project area)
12.0 miles
(2 miles in project area)
3.0 miles
(all within project area)
3.0 miles
(2 miles in project area)
2.0 miles
(1/4 miles within project area)
1 .6 miles
(all within project area)
32.5
Current Management Objective/Restriction
Closed to all motorized uses. Managed for pack
and saddle stock.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for ATV use
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed for
pack and saddle use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed for
ATV use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed for
pack and saddle use.
No restrictions. Managed for hiker use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed for
pack and saddle and motorbike use
Depending on trail budgets, generally these trails receive trail opening and maintenance either
annually or every other year.
Of the 32.5 miles of trail within the American River project area, the following table displays the
number of miles open to different trail users:
Table 3.51 - Miles of Trails Open to Trail Users - American River
Open to ATV
Open to Motorcycles
Open to Foot and Horse
Open to Snowmobiles
19.55 miles
21.05 miles
32.5 miles
26.55 miles
Generally, there is an increasing demand from user groups for motorized trail opportunities.
Motorized uses are increasing in the area/Most of the existing trail system was designed for pack
and saddle stock or 2-wheeled motorized vehicles. Unauthorized ATV use is currently occurring
on Trails 510 and 830. The increased use of 4-wheelers is widening these trails, which is causing
resource damage.
The winter trail system uses portions of the road system to provide a network of groomed
snowmobile trails. This system is groomed regularly between December and April under a
cooperative agreement between Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho County and the
Nez Perce Forest. The American River project area portion of this groomed system is 7.2 miles
(Road 443 - American River-Selway Falls), and connects with the Newsome Creek drainage, other
portions of the American River drainage, Clearwater, Kooskia, Red River and Dixie communities,
providing a network of groomed snowmobile trails.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The number of miles of trails available to the public would not change under this alternative.
However, the ability to use the trail system may be physically restricted without an increase in user
maintenance efforts due to limited Agency funding for trail maintenance
Under this alternative, as dead and dying trees fall across the system trails, trail maintenances
costs will likely increase due to the increase in the number of trees down per mile. Even with
annual maintenance occurring, it will be likely the trail users will need to be prepared to cut trees
out in order to utilize the trail system.
The likelihood of increased wildfire occurrence under this alternative, will also increase the cost of
trail maintenance. Trail damage from fire normally results in holes in the trail tread due to tree
roots burning out; increase erosion due to the lack of vegetation resulting in the need for more
erosion control structures; increase in the number of down trees over the trail-signs and erosion
control devices will need to be replaced due to fire damage.
ALTERNATIVES
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Existing trail-related activities and use within the analysis area would remain the same.
Under this alternative, seven harvest units lie across Trails 510, 830, 831, 832 and 848 and seven
units are close or adjacent to these same trails. One temporary road crosses Trail 510 and there
are two temporary road crossings of Trail 848. These locations are summarized on the following
table:
Table 3.52 - Alternative B Harvest Units and Trails - American River
Trail
Number
510
830
831
832
848
Units Across
Trail
156 & 169
130
505.1, 503.9 & 505:9
510
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
523
506 & 507
116, 117, 121 &122
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
Road accessing Unit 156
Access to Unit 121 off Rd 9832 and Unit
113 access off Rd 9832A
The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from the trails where units are across
or adjacent to the trails. If the trail mitigation measures are incorporated into project design,
impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along trails, alternative trail access can be provided as follows:
• Trail 831 - Trail 830 can provide alternate access except for ATV use.
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• Trail 510 - Road 9812 from the junction with Road 443 to the SW 1/4 of section 26 would
provide an alternate temporary trailhead to avoid the section of Trail 510 with harvest units.
• Trail 830 - Road 1810 to the SW 1/4 of Section 8 would provide a temporary trailhead to
avoid the section of Trail 830 with harvest units.
• Trails 832 and 848 - No apparent alternative routes are available during harvest activities.
• Trails 509, 835, 836, 846, 852 and 887 are not affected by any harvest activity.
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative
• Trail 848 would be evaluated for potential improvement needs. The trail was designed for
pack and saddle stock use and current uses include ATV's.
• Trails 887 and 830 crossings of Box Sing Creek would be reconstructed to reduce
sediment. The current access prescription for Trail 887 would be changed to restrict ATV
use. The trail tread is 18" wide and does not accommodate ATV use, but is open to ATV's.
This would reduce the number of miles of trail open to ATV from 19.55 to 17.95 miles
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Nine harvest units lie adjacent to Road 443 groomed snowmobile route. These are Units 151,
151.3, 151.2, 154, 530, 534, 536, 537 and 163. Some of these units will contribute to future play-
areas for snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is re-established.
Due to the position of Unit 536 on the slope and its relation to the groomed route, there is an
increased risk of drifting snow accumulating on the groomed route in this location. This could
result in the need for the placement or construction of a snow drift fence to reduce the
accumulation of snow on the trail.
During harvest activity, if winter hauling occurs on Road 443, it would need to be restricted for
snowmobiling during timber sale activities. This would result in a short-term reduction in the
number of miles of snowmobile trail available for use (7.2 miles). The American River-Selway
River divide portion of the groomed system could be accessed for snowmobile use via the Erickson
Ridge/Table Meadows Road 283, and Etk Summit Road 1199.
Under work proposed with the restoration package, it is recommended the access prescription for
Trail 887 be changed from open to ATV use to closed to ATV use. The trail has an 18-inch tread
allowance, which does not accommodate ATV's. ATV use has not been established on the trail.
The trail would remain open for foot, stock, and motorcycle uses. Closing Trail 887 to ATV use
would not restrict existing use, but would reflect a reduction (under this alternative) in the number
of miles of trail open to ATVs by 1.6 miles, as displayed in the following table:
Table 3.53 - Alternative B, Change in Access Prescription for Trail 887
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative B
Open to
AW (mi)
19.55
17.95
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
21.05
21.05
Open to Foot
and Horse
(mi)
32.5
32.5
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
26.55
26.55
Groomed Snowmobile
System (mi)
7.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 443, these
miles will not be
available during activity
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ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, 12 harvest units lie across Trails 510, 830, 831, 832 and 848 and nine units
are close or adjacent to these same trails. There a temporary road crossing once each of Trail 510
and Trail 832, a temporary road is adjacent to Trail 830, and Trail 848 is crossed by temporary
roads twice. These locations are summarized on the following table:
Table 3.54 - Alternative C Harvest Units and Trails - American River
Trail
Number
510
830
831
832
848
Units Across
Trail
156 & 169
130
503, 503.9 & 505.1,
510
509,510,510.9,512
&513
112
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
128 & 129
505, 506 & 507
506 & 507
116,117, 121 &122
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
Road accessing Unit 156
At corner of Units 130 and 129
Accessing Units 509, 510.9, 512 & 513
one crossing
Access to Unit 113 from junction with Rd
9832A and Access to Unit 121 & 122 off
Rd 9832
The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from the trails where units are across
or adjacent to the trails. If the trail mitigation measures are incorporated into project design,
impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along trails, alternative trail access can be provided as follows:
• Trail 831 - Trail 830 can provide alternate access except for ATV use.
• Trail 510 - Road 9812 from the junction with Road 443 to the SW Vi of section 26 would
provide an alternate temporary trailhead to avoid the section of Trail 510 with harvest units.
• Trail 830 - Road 1810 to the SW % of Section 8 would provide a temporary trailhead to
avoid the section of Trail 830 with harvest units.
• Trails 832 and 848 - No apparent alternative routes are available during harvest activities.
• Trails 509, 835, 836, 846, 852 and 887 are not affected by any harvest activity
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative
• Trail 848 would be evaluated for potential improvement needs. The trail was designed for
pack and saddle stock use and current uses include ATV's.
• Trails 887 and 830 crossings of Box Sing Creek would be reconstructed to reduce
sediment. The current access prescription for Trail 887 would be changed to restrict ATV
use. The trail tread is 18" wide and does not accommodate ATV use, but is open to ATV's.
This would reduce the number of miles of trail open to ATV from 19.55 to 17.95 miles
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SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Five harvest units lie adjacent to Road 443 groomed snowmobile route. These are Units 151,
151.2, 151.3, 154 and 163. Some of these units will contribute to future play-areas for
snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is re-established.
During harvest activity, if winter hauling occurs on Road 443, it would need to be restricted for
snowmobiling during timber sale activities. This would result in a short-term reduction in the
number of miles of snowmobile trail available for use (7.2 miles). The American River-Selway
River divide portion of the groomed system could be accessed for snowmobile use via the Erickson
Ridge/Table Meadows Road 283, and Elk Summit Road 1199.
Under work proposed with the restoration package, it is recommended the access prescription for
Trail 887 be changed from open to 4TV use to closed to ATV use. The trail has an 18-inch tread
allowance, which does not accommodate ATV's. ATV use has not been established on the trail.
The trail would remain open for foot, stock, and motorcycle uses. Closing Trail 887 to ATV use
would not restrict existing use, but would reflect a reduction (under this alternative) in the number
of miles of trail open to ATVs by 1.6 miles, as displayed in the following table:
Table 3.55 - Alternative C, Change in Access Prescription for Trail 887
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative B
Open to
ATV (mi)
19.55
17.95
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
21.05
21.05
Open to
Foot and
Horse (mi)
32.5
32.5
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
26.55
26.55
Groomed
Snowmobile System
(mi)
7.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 443, these miles
will not be available
during activity
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, 15 harvest units lie across Trails 510, 830, 831, 832 and 848 and ten units
are close or adjacent to these same trails. There a temporary road crossing once each of Trail 510
and Trail 832, a temporary road is adjacent to Trail 830, and Trail 848 is crossed by temporary
roads twice. These locations are summarized on the following table:
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Table 3.56 - Alternative D, Harvest Units and Trails - American River
Trail
Number
510
830
831
832
848
Units Across
Trail
156 & 169
130
501,503,503.9,504
505.1 &510
509,510,510.9,512
&513
112
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
523
128 & 129
505, 506 & 507
506 & 507
116, 117, 121 &122
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
Road accessing Unit 156
Adjacent to trail at corner of Units 130
and 129
Accessing Units 509, 510.9, 512 & 513
one crossing
Access to Unit 1 13 from junction with Rd
9832A and Access to Unit 121 & 122 off
Rd 9832
The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from the trails where units are across
or adjacent to the trails. If the trail mitigation measures are incorporated into project design,
impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along trails, alternative trail access can be provided as follows:
• Trail 831.,.- Trail 830 can provide alternate access except for ATV use.
• Trail 510 - Road 9812 from the junction with Road 443 to the SW % of section 26 would
provide an alternate temporary trailhead to avoid the section of Trail 510 with harvest units.
• Trail 830 - Road 1810 to the SW % of Section 8 would provide a temporary trailhead to
avoid the section of Trail 830 with harvest units.
• Trails 832 and 848 - No apparent alternative routes are available during harvest activities.
• Trails 509, 835, 836, 846, 852 and 887 are not affected by any harvest activity
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative
• Trail 848 would be evaluated for potential improvement needs. The trail was designed for
pack and saddle stock use and current uses include ATV's.
• Trails 887 and 830 crossings of Box Sing Creek would be reconstructed to reduce
sediment. The current access prescription for Trail 887 would be changed to restrict ATV
use. The trail tread is 18" wide and does not accommodate ATV use, but is open to ATV's.
This would reduce the number of miles of trail open to ATV from 19.55 to 17.95 miles
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Ten harvest units lie adjacent to Road 443 groomed snowmobile route. These are Units 151,
151.2, 151.3, 154, 163, 530, 531, 534, 536 and 537. Some of these units will contribute to future
play-areas for snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is re-established.
During harvest activity, if winter hauling occurs on Road 443, it would need to be restricted for
snowmobiling during timber sale activities. This would result in a short-term reduction in the
number of miles of snowmobile trail available for use (7.2 miles). The American River-Selway
River divide portion of the groomed system could be accessed for snowmobile use via the Erickson
Ridge/Table Meadows Road 283, and Elk Summit Road 1199.
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Due to the position of Unit 536 on the slope and its relation to the groomed route, there is an
increased risk of drifting snow accumulating on the groomed route in this location. This could
result in the need for the placement or construction of a snow drift fence to reduce the
accumulation of snow on the trail.
Under work proposed with the restoration package, it is recommended the access prescription for
Trail 887 be changed from open to ATVuse to closed to ATVuse. The trail has an 18-inch tread
allowance, which does not accommodate ATV's. ATV use has not been established on the trail.
The trail would remain open for foot, stock, and motorcycle uses. Closing Trail 887 to ATV use
would not restrict existing use, but would reflect a reduction (under this alternative) in the number
of miles of trail open to ATVs by 1.6 miles, as displayed in the following table:
Table 3.57 - Alternative D, Change in Access Prescription for Trail 887
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative D
Open to
ATV (mi)
19.55
17.95
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
21.05
21.05
Open to Foot
and Horse
(mi)
32.5
32.5
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
26.55
26.55
Groomed Snowmobile
System (mi)
7.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 443, these miles
will not be available
during activity
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, two harvest units lie across Trails 510 and five units are close or adjacent to
these same trails. There is one temporary road crossing Trail 510. These locations are
summarized on the following table:
Table 3.58 - Alternative E, Harvest Units and Trails - American River
Trail
Number
510
831
832
848
Units Across
Trail
156 & 169
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
523
505,506, & 507
506 & 507
115
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
Road accessing Unit 156
The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from the trails where units are across
or adjacent to the trails. If the trail mitigation measures are incorporated into project design,
impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along trails, alternative trail access can be provided as follows:
• Trail 831 - Trail 830 can provide alternate access except for ATV use.
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• Trail 510 - Road 9812 from the junction with Road 443 to the SW % of section 26 would
provide an alternate temporary trailhead to avoid the section of Trail 510 with harvest units.
• Trail 830 - Road 1810 to the SW % of Section 8 would provide a temporary trailhead to
avoid the section of Trail 830 with harvest units.
• Trails 832 and 848 - No apparent alternative routes are available during harvest activities.
• Trails 509 ,830, 835, 836, 846, 852 and 887 are not directly affected by any harvest
activity.
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative:
• Trail 848 would be evaluated for potential improvement needs. The trail was designed for
pack and saddle stock use and current uses
• Trails 887 and 830 crossings of Box Sing Creek would be reconstructed to reduce
sediment. The current access prescription for Trail 887 would be changed to restrict ATV
use. The trail tread is 18" wide and does not accommodate ATV use, but is open to ATV's.
This would reduce the number of miles of trail open to ATV from 19.55 to 17.95 miles
• Trail 510 would receive trail tread improvement to the first 1 miles to decrease surface
erosion and sedirneritation. Barriers would also be installed at the trailhead and at the
junction with Road 9812 to limit ATV access to this trail, which is closed to all motorized trail
vehicles except snowmobiles over snow.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Eight harvest units lie adjacent to Road 443 groomed snowmobile route. These are Units 151,
151.2, 151.3, 154, 530, 534, 536 and 537. Some of these units will contribute to future play-areas
for snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is re-established.
During harvest activity, if winter hauling occurs on Road 443, it would need to be restricted for
snowmobiling during timber sale activities. This would result in a short-term reduction in the
number of miles of snowmobile trail available for use (7.2 miles). The American River-Selway
River divide portion of the groomed system could be accessed for snowmobile use via the Erickson
Ridge/Table Meadows Road 283, and Elk Summit Road 1199.
Due to the position of Unit 536 on the slope and its relation to the groomed route, there is an
increased risk of drifting snow accumulating on the groomed route in this location. This could
result in the need for the placement or construction of a snow drift fence to reduce the
accumulation of snow on the trail.
Under work proposed with the restoration package, it is recommended the access prescription for
Trail 887 be changed from open to ATV use to closed to ATV use. The trail has an 18-inch tread
allowance, which does not accommodate ATV's. ATV use has not been established on the trail.
The trail would remain open for foot, stock, and motorcycle uses. Closing Trail 887 to ATV use
would not restrict existing use, but would reflect a reduction (under this alternative) in the number
of miles of trail open to ATVs by 1.6 miles, as displayed in the following table:
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Table 3.59 - Alternative E, Change in Access Prescription for Trail 887
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative E
Open to
ATV (mi)
19.55
17.95
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
21.05
21.05
Open to
Foot and
Horse (mi)
32.5
32.5
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
26.55
26.55
Groomed
Snowmobile System
(mi)
7.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 443, these miles
will not be available
during activity
The geographic boundary for cumulative effects is the same as for the American/Crooked River
Project area.
There are no expected cumulative effects for Alternative 1 or the action alternatives for trail
opportunities beyond effects described under direct/indirect effects.
3.8.1.3. IRREVERSIBLE, IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
ROADS
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
There would be no irretrievable or irreversible loss with respect to the road system in the American
River analysis area.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
There would be an irretrievable loss of access on a portion of the American River road system due
to the proposed road decommissioning in Alternatives B, C, D, and E. This loss would be small
and would not affect highway vehicles.
3.8.2. CROOKED RIVER
3.8.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - MILES OF ROAD
EXISTING CONDITION
To aid in describing the current state of the road system, road management objectives for each
road are presented in tabular form in Appendix F. Road management objectives describe the
design, maintenance, and operational characteristics of a road. Refer to the American River
section for a discussion of access prescription codes and objective maintenance levels.
There are approximately 120 miles of inventoried road in the Crooked River analysis area. The
following five tables summarize the current state of the road system within this analysis area in the
form of road management objectives. River to Appendix F for definitions of these road
management objectives.
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Table 3.60: Current Access Prescriptions - Crooked River Roads
Access Prescription Code
Open
C2-A
Y-2
Y-3
Y-4
Length of Road (Miles)
38.1
0.6
14.3
64.4
3.3
Percent of Total Road Miles
31.6
0.5
11.8
53.4
2.7
Table 3.61: Objective Maintenance Levels - Crooked River Roads
Objective Maintenance Level
1
2
3
D
Length of Road (Miles)
78.9
17.3
23.4
1.1
Percent of Total Road Miles
65.3
14.4
19.4
0.9
Table 3.62: Traffic Service Levels - Crooked River Roads
Traffic Service Levels
C
D
NA
Length of Road (Miles)
23.2
96.4
1.1
Percent of Total Road Miles
19.2
79.9
0.9
Table 3.63: Road Jurisdiction - Crooked River Roads
Jurisdiction
Forest Service
County
Private
Length of Road (miles)
108.4
12.1
0.2
Percent of Total Road Miles
89.8
10.0
0.2
Table 3.64: Road Surface Type - Crooked River roads:
Surface type
Aggregate
Native Material
Length of Road (miles)
68.4
52.3
Percent of Total Road Miles
56.7
43.3
Regarding access prescription codes, of particular interest to many is access on roads with
highway vehicles. The Open and C2-A access prescription codes are combined to determine
allowable access with highway vehicles for the Crooked River analysis area. Currently, 32.2
percent of the total miles of road are open to highway vehicles. Access on the remaining length of
road is restricted year-round for the reasons stated previously in the subsection entitled Scope of
the Analysis. Refer to map 14b for a display of roads in the Crooked River analysis area that are
open, either year-round or seasonally, to highway vehicles.
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
With Alternative A, the road system, including the road management objectives, in the Crooked
River analysis area would remain much as it currently is.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, and E
ROAD DECOMMISSIONING
All roads proposed for decommissioning under these alternatives were identified in the American
and Crooked Rivers Roads Analysis (USDA Forest Service, 2003) as not required for future
management needs. These roads were selected for decommissioning primarily because of the
resulting benefit to watershed health by returning the landscape to near natural state. See the
American River section for a discussion of decommissioning methods. Refer to Appendix F for a
list of the roads proposed for decommissioning by alternative in the Crooked River analysis area,
and see Appendix D for the method of decommissioning recommended for each of these roads.
See maps 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, and 6 for graphical displays of the roads proposed for decommissioning.
A summary of the costs associated with the proposed road decommissioning is presented in
section 3.12 (Socio-Economic).
Road management objectives for the roads proposed for decommissioning in each of these
alternatives would change. The road management objective of primary interest to most road users
is the access prescription code, which would change to "B," indicating a year-round restriction to
use by all modes of travel, except travel by foot. The only exception is Road 9836. The last 1.4
miles (nearest Crooked River) of this road are proposed for decommissioning in Alternatives B, C,
D, and E. This section of road would not be closed completely or removed from the landscape; it
would be converted to a trail, allowing access with trail vehicles and snowmobiles. The following
table summarizes the length of road proposed for decommissioning for each alternative, as well as
the effect of the decommissioning on travel access.
Table 3.65: Road Decommissioning and Corresponding Access Change
Crooked River Roads
Item
Road Length Decommissioned (mi)
Road Open to Highway Vehicles (mi)
Decrease in Access with Highway
Vehicles (mi)
% Decrease in Access with Highway
Vehicles
Alternative
B
9.0
37.3
1.5
3.8
Alternative
C
9.8
37.3
1.5
3.8
Alternative
D
9.8
37.3
1.5
3.8
Alternative
E
17.3
37.3
1.5
3.8
For each alternative, there is little change in travel access with highway vehicles, because most of
the road miles proposed for decommissioning are currently closed to access vehicles.
ROAD RECONDITIONING AND TEMPORARY ROAD CONSTRUCTION
The roadwork proposed with any of the action alternatives would be done either to prepare a road
for timber hauling or to improve the environmental health of the watershed. There is some overlap,
however, in that some of the roadwork needed for timber hauling would also benefit watershed
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
health. The roadwork needed to prepare roads for timber hauling is the primary focus of this
section. Refer to the American River section for a description of the roadwork categories. Refer to
Section 3.2. (Watershed) for further discussion of the roadwork proposed for the purpose of
watershed health improvement and Appendix D for descriptions and locations of the roadwork.
No permanent, new road construction is proposed with any of the action alternatives. Temporary
roads would be constructed where needed for access to treatment areas. All temporary roads
would be decommissioned no later than three years after initial construction. Refer to Chapter 2
for additional information regarding measures for mitigating the effects of temporary road
construction. The following table summarizes, by alternative, the roadwork required for timber
hauling and temporary road construction. Refer to Section 3.12 (Socio-Economic), for a summary
of the costs associated with the proposed roadwork, including the construction and subsequent
decommissioning of temporary roads.
Table 3.66: Roadwork Activity by Alternative - Crooked River Roads
Activity
Minor Reconstruction/Maintenance (mi)
Moderate Reconstruction (mi)
Major Reconstruction (mi)
Temporary Road construction (mi)
Alternative
B
41.6
5.1
2.5
4.4
Alternative
C
39.9
8.3
1.3
6.2
Alternative
D
44.3
8.8
3.5
6.2
Alternative
E
40.9
5.1
2.5
3.5
3.8.2.2. INDICATOR2 -TRAILS
EXISTING CONDITION
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Similar to the American River area, historically trails in the area were primarily developed for
access to mining claims, private lands, fire suppression activities, and Forest Service
administrative uses. Most trails were built to accommodate pack and saddle stock and were the
primary access routes in the Crooked River drainage.
Currently, the majority of the trail system is utilized for recreation purposes. There are
approximately 15.1 miles of system frails within the Crooked River project area. The Idaho
Centennial Trail utilizes Trails 821, 820, and portions of 508. The Idaho Centennial Trail is a 1,200
mile north/south trail crossing Idaho, designated in 1990 during Idaho's centennial celebration of
statehood.
The following table displays the system trails in the Crooked River project area, their length, current
management objective and restrictions:
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Table 3.67 - System Trails - Crooked River
Trail
Number
207
508*
805
817
820*
821*
844
Trail Name
Moose
Butte
Porter's
Miner's
Ditch
Center Star
Mountain
Porter Spur
Silver
Creek
Relief
Creek
TOTAL ,MILES
In project area
Trail Length
10.0 miles
(1 miles on project area
boundary)
8.0 miles
(4 miles on project area
boundary)
13 miles
(2.5 miles within project area)
6.0 miles
(1 mile on project area
boundary)
1 .0 mile
(all miles in project area)
4.1 miles
(all within project area)
1 .5 miles
(all miles in project area)
15.1
Current Management Objective/Restriction
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for pack and saddle
stock.
Open to motorbikes and snowmobiles over snow.
Managed for pack and saddle uses.
Closed to all motorized vehicles. Managed for
hiker uses.
Open to motorbikes and snowmobiles over snow.
Closed to highway vehicles and ATVs. Managed
for pack and saddle Stock.
Open to all trail uses. Managed for pack and
saddle uses.
Open to all motorized uses. Managed for ATVs
and snowmobiles. Part of the groomed
snowmobile system. Trail 821 shares the
template with Road 9836.
Open to motorbikes and snowmobiles over snow.
Closed to highway vehicles and ATVs. Managed
for pack and saddle stock and trail bikes.
*Segment of Idaho Centennial Trail
Of the 32.5 miles of trail within the Crooked River project area, the following table displays the
number of miles open to different trail users;
Table 3.68: Miles of Trails Open to Trail Users - Crooked River
Open to ATV
6.1 miles
Open to Motorcycles
12.6 miles
Open to Foot and Horse
15.1 miles
Open to Snowmobiles
12.6 miles
WINTER TRAIL SYSTEM
The winter trail system uses portions of the road system to provide a network of groomed
snowmobile trails. This system is groomed annually between December and April under a
cooperative agreement between Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho County and the
Nez Perce Forest. The Crooked River project area portion of this groomed system connects with
the Elk City, Clearwater, Kooskia, Red River, and Dixie communities, providing a network of
groomed snowmobile trails.
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Table 3.69: Groomed Snowmobile Trail System - Crooked River
Road Number
233
311
1803
9836
Road Name
Crooked River
Orogrande-Dixie
Relief Creek
Sawmill Creek
Total Miles in project area
Length Groomed
2 miles in project area
0.1 mile in project area
7.7 miles
4.4 miles
14.2 miles
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The number of miles of trails available to the public would not change under this alternative.
However, the ability to use the trail system may be physically restricted without an increase in user
maintenance efforts due to limited Agency funding for trail maintenanpe
Under this alternative, as dead and dying trees fall across the system trails, trail maintenance costs
will likely increase due to the increase in the number of trees down per mile. Even with annual
maintenance occurring, it will be likely the trail users will need to be prepared to cut trees out in
order to utilize the trail system.
The likelihood of increased wildfire occurrence under this alternative, will also increase the cost of
trail maintenance. Trail damage from fire normally results in holes in the trail tread due to tree
roots burning out; increase erosion due to the lack of vegetation resulting in the need for more
erosion control structures; increase in the number of down trees over the trail; signs and erosion
control devices will need to be replaced due to fire damage.
The number of miles available to the public would not change under this alternative. However, the
ability to use the trail system may be physically restricted without an increase in user maintenance
efforts due to limited Agency funding for trail maintenance.
ALTERNATIVES
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, two harvest units lie across Trails 820 and one unit is adjacent to Trial 844
at the trail junction with Road 1803. There are not any temporary road crossing of trails in the
Crooked River Project area. These locations are summarized on the following table.
Table 3.70 - Alternative B Harvest Units and Trails - Crooked River
Trail
Number
820
844
Units Across
Trail
47 and 48
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
53
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
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The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from Trail 820. If the trail mitigation
measures are incorporated into project design, impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along trail 820, alternative access would be a combination of Trail 844 and
Road 1809.
Trails 207, 508, 805, 817, and 821 will not be affected by any harvest activity.
Under the restoration package (Appendix D) for this alternative:
• Approximately 1.5 miles of Road 9836 will be converted from a road to a motorized trail.
The project will install erosion control structures to reduce the rutting and erosion occurring
on this road. The road/trail prism width will not change as the route is a portion of the
groomed snowmobile system and the current road width is needed for the snowmobile
grooming equipment. Once converted to a trail, this 1.5 mile section will be closed to
highway vehicles.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Seven harvest units lie adjacent to the groomed snowmobile route along Road 1803. These units
are 47, 48, 50.1, 51, 52, 53, and 58. Some of these units will contribute to future play areas for
snowmobile until such time as regeneration is reestablished.
If Road 1803 is used as a haul route in winter, the Crooked River/Orogrande area will be isolated
from the Elk City portion of the groomed system. Alternative routes are not available.
Recommended mitigation if winter hauling occurs:
• No hauling will occur on weekends between December 1 and March 30 on Roads 1803 and
9836 to allow for snowmobile traffic.
Table 3.71: Alternative B, Changes in Access Prescription
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative B
Open to
ATV (mi)
6.1
6.1
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Open to
Foot and
Horse (mi)
15.1
15.1
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Groomed
Snowmobile System
(mi)
14.2
14.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 1803, these
miles may not be
available during
harvest activity.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, two harvest units lie across Trails 820 and one unit is adjacent to Trail 844
at the trail junction with Road 1803. There are not any temporary road crossing of trails in the
Crooked River Project area. These locations are summarized on the following table:
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Table 3.72 - Alternative C Harvest Units and Trails - Crooked River
Trail
Number
820
844
Units Across
Trail
47 and 48
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
53
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
The harvest activity will change the character of the trail as it goes through the harvest units as the
canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas Trail 820. If the trail mitigation
measures are incorporated into project design, impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along Trail 820, alternative access would be a combination of Trail 844 and
Road 1803.
Trails 207, 508, 805, 817, and 821 will not be affected by any harvest activity.
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative
• Approximately 1.5 miles of Road 9836 will be converted form a road to a motorized trail.
The project will install erosion control structures to reduce the rutting and erosion occurring
on this road. The road/trail prism width will not change as the route is a portion of the
groomed snowmobile system and the current road width is needed for the snowmobile
grooming equipment. Once converted to a trail, this 1.5 miles will be dosed to highway
vehicles.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Seven harvest units lie adjacent to the groomed snowmobile route along Road 1803. These units
are 47, 48, 50.1, 51, 52, 53, and 58. Some of these units will contribute to future play-areas for
snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is reestablished.
If Route 1803 is used as a haul route in winter, the Crooked River/Orogrande area will be isolated
from the Elk City portion of the groomed system. Alternative routes are not available.
Recommended mitigation if winter hauling occurs.
• No hauling will occur on weekends between December 1 and March 30 on Roads 1803 and
9836 to allow for snowmobile traffic.
Table 3.73 - Alternative C, Changes in Access Prescription
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative B
Open to
ATV (mi)
6.1
6.1
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Open to
Foot and
Horse (mi)
15.1
15.1
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Groomed
Snowmobile System
(mi)
14.2
14.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 1 803, these
miles may not be
available during harvest
activity.
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ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, three harvest units lie across Trail 820, seven units are adjacent to Trail 821
and one unit is adjacent to Trail 844 at the trail junction with Road 1803. There are no temporary
road crossings of trails in the Crooked River Project area. These locations are summarized on the
following table:
Table 3.74 - Alternative D, Harvest Units and Trails - Crooked River
Trail
Number
820
821
844
Units Across
Trail
47, 48, 49
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
43,44,45,46,313,
31 3.1, and 341
53
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
The harvest activity will change the character of the trails as they go through the harvest units as
the canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up vistas from the Trails 820 and 821. If the
trail mitigation measures are incorporated into project design, impacts to these trails will be
minimized.
During harvest activity along Trail 820, alternative access would be a combination of Trial 844 and
road 1803. Alternative access for Trail 821 would be Relief Creek Road 522 to Road 1803.
Trails 207, 508, 805, and 817 will not be affected by any harvest activity.
Under the restoration package (Appendix D) for this alternative:
• Approximately 1.5 miles of Road 9836 will be converted from a road to a motorized trail.
The project will install erosion control structures to reduce the rutting and erosion occurring
on this road. The road/trail prism width will not change as the route is a portion of the
groomed snowmobile system and the current road width is needed for the snowmobile
grooming equipment. Once converted to a trail, this 1.5 miles will be closed to highway
vehicles.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Sixteen harvest units lie adjacent to the groomed snowmobile route along Roads 9836 and 1803.
These units are 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50.1, 51, 52, 53, 58, 313, 313.1, 319, and 341. Some of
these units will contribute to future play areas for snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is
reestablished.
Due to the position of units 43 and 317 on the slope and their relation to the groomed route, there
is an increased risk of drifting snow accumulating on the groomed route in these two locations.
This could result in the need for the placement or construction of snow drift fences to reduce the
accumulation of snow on the trail.
If Road 1803 is used as a haul route in winter, the Crooked River/Orogrande area will be isolated
from the Elk City portion of a groomed system. Alternative routes are not available.
Recommended mitigation if winter hauling occurs:
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No hauling will occur on weekends between December 1 and March 30 on Roads 1803 and
9836 to allow for snowmobile traffic.
Table 3.75 - Alternative D, Change in Access Prescription for Trail 887
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative D
Open to
ATV (mi)
6.1
6.1
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Open to Foot
and Horse
(mi)
15.1
15.1
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Groomed Snowmobile
System (mi)
14.2
14.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 1803, these
miles may not be
available during harvest
activity.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
SUMMER TRAIL SYSTEM
Under this alternative, one harvest unit lies across Trail 820 and one unit is adjacent to Trail 844 at
the trail junction with Road 1803. There are no temporary road crossings of trails in the Crooked
River Project area. These locations are summarized on the following table;
Table 3.76 - Alternative E, Harvest Units and Trails - Crooked River
Trail
Number
820
844
Units Across
Trail
47
Units Adjacent or
Close to Trail
53
Temporary Road Crossing of Trail
The harvest activity will change the character of the trails as they go through the harvest units as
the canopy is removed. The harvest activity will open up a small vista along Trail 820. If the trail
mitigation measures are incorporated into project design, impacts to these trails will be minimized.
During harvest activity along Trail 820, alternative access would be a combination of Trail 844 and
Road 1803.
Trails 207, 508, 805, 817, and 821 will not be affected by any harvest activity.
This alternative has the least impacts to the trail system of any of the action alternatives.
Under the Restoration Package (Appendix D) for this alternative:
• Approximately 1.5 miles of Road 9836 will be converted from a road to a motorized trail.
The project will install erosion control structures to reduce the rutting and erosion occurring
on this road. The road/trail prism width will not change as the route is a portion of the
groomed snowmobile system and the current road width is needed for the snowmobile
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grooming equipment. Once converted to a trail, this 1.5 miles will be closed to highway
vehicles.
• Trail 807 is adjacent to the project area. Under the restoration package, additional erosion
control structures and measures would be undertaken to reduce the sedimentation
produced by the steep 1.1 mile section of this trail. There is a need to survey for
opportunities to relocate this section of the trail to reduce grades for both resource concerns
and user safety.
SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM
Five harvest units lie adjacent to the groomed snowmobile route along Roads 9836 and 1803.
These units are 47, 51, 52, 53, and 58. Some of these units will contribute to future play areas for
snowmobiles until such time as regeneration is reestablished.
If Road 1803 is used as a haul route in winter, the Crooked River/Orogrande area will be isolated
from the Elk City portion of the groomed system. Alternative routes are not available.
Recommended mitigation if winter hauling occurs:
• No hauling will occur on weekends between December 1 and March 30 on Roads 1803 and
9836 to allow for snowmobile traffic.
This alternative has the least impact to the groomed snowmobile system of any of the action
alternatives.
Table 3.77 - Alternative E, Change in Access Prescription
Alternative
Existing
Condition -
Alternative A
Alternative E
Open to
ATV (mi)
6.1
6.1
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Open to Foot
and Horse
(mi)
15.1
15.1
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
12.6
12.6
Groomed Snowmobile
System (mi)
14.2
14.2
If winter hauling occurs
on Road 1803, these
miles may not be
available during harvest
activity
3.8.3. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES - TRAILS
The geographic boundary for cumulative effects is the same as for the American/Crooked River
Project area.
There are no expected cumulative effects for Alternative 1 or the action alternatives for trail
opportunities.
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3.8.4. IRREVERSIBLE, IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
ROADS
ALTERNATIVE A (No ACTION ALTERNATIVE)
There would be no irretrievable or irreversible loss with respect to the road system in the Crooked
River analysis area.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
There would be an irretrievable loss of access on a portion of the Crooked River road system due
to the proposed road decommissioning in Alternatives B, C, D, and E. There would be a 3.8
percent loss in access with highway vehicles.
TRAILS
ALTERNATIVE A
No Irreversible or irretrievable effects to the trail system.
• .. \ ' •. "
ALTERNATIVE B, C, D, E
No Irreversible or irretrievable effects to the trail system.
Trail 820 connects with Trail 508. Trail 508 is open to motorcycles and snowmobiles over snow,
closed to ATVs. Currently, Trail 820 is open to all motorized trail vehicles. It is recommended that
a restriction be implemented on Trail 820 that is consistent with the restrictions on Trail 508, i.e.
close Trail 820 to ATVs and allow motorcycles and snowmobiles over Snow. In the restoration
package, recommend similar restriction on ATVs on Trail 887.
If these actions are implemented, the action alternatives would show a reduction of 1 mile of trail
open to ATV's in Crooked Creek from 6.1 to 5.1 miles and a 1.6 reduction of miles of trail open to
ATVs in American River.
Table 3.78 - Miles of Trails
Alternative
Open to
ATV (mi)
Open to
Motorcycles
(mi)
Open to Foot
and Horse
(mi)
American River: Total Miles - Summer (32.5
Existing
Condition
Action
Alternatives
19.55
17.95
21.05
21.05
32.5
32.5
Open to
Snowmobiles
(mi)
Groomed Snowmobile
System (mi)
, Total Miles - Winter (7.2)
26.55
26.55
7.2
7.2
If winter hauling occurs on
Road 443, these miles will
not be available during
activity.
Crooked River: Total Miles - Summer (15.1), Total Miles - Winter (14.2)
Existing
Condition
All Action
Alternatives
Change from
Existing
6.1
5.1
-2.6
12.6
12.6
0
15.1
15.1
0
12.6
12.6
0
14.2
14.2
If winter hauling occurs on
Road 1803, these miles
may not be available
0 Long Term
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3.8.5. FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR
TRANSPORTATION
ROAD SYSTEM
The following is a summary of the effects on the road system in the American River and Crooked
River analysis areas resulting from the proposed action alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no effects on the road system in either analysis area with Alternative A.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, and E
• No permanent new road construction would occur in the American River and Crooked River
analysis areas with any of these action alternatives.
• Temporary roads would be constructed where required to access treatment areas.
• Temporary roads would be decommissioned no later than three years after construction.
• The road management objectives for roads in the American River and Crooked River analysis
areas would not change, except for the roads proposed for decommissioning.
• Public access on roads in the American River and Crooked River analysis areas would
decrease slightly with each of these alternatives. Access with highway vehicles would not
change on roads in the American River analysis area and would decrease on roads in the
Crooked River analysis area by 3.8 percent with each of these alternatives.
TRAIL SYSTEM
There is very little change to miles of trail open to different trail users between all the action
alternatives. The action alternatives display a 1.6 miles reduction in the number of miles open to
ATV users n American River due to closing Trial 887 to ATVs. Trail 887 is currently open to ATV
uses, but this use has not been established because the tread width is 18 inches and not suitable
for ATVs.
Under the no action alternative, miles of trail actually open for trail user's can diminish due to the
number of trees falling across trails as the trees stands fall apart or wildfire occurs. The current
and expected trail maintenance budget would not provide the maintenance frequency needed to
keep the trail open for the users. Users (both summer and winter) would need to be prepared to
open trails for their own use. Under the action alternatives, due to the small percentage of the area
treated, there will be little change in the potential impacts to the trail system over the No Action
Alternative.
The snowmobile trail system would see some short-term reductions in miles available for use if
winter harvest activity were to occur on Roads 443 and 1803. In American River, limitations on
snowmobile use on Road 443 would not be overly impactive due to an alternate rout to the
Selway/American River divide by the use of Road 243. In the Crooked River project area, winter
hauling off Road 1803 will greatly impact the groomed system by isolating the Orogrande area
from the Elk City area. Alternative routes are not available for snowmobile traffic. Recommended
mitigation if winter hauling is to occur, is to allow for snowmobile use during the weekends from
December 1 through March 30 by restricting log truck and highway vehicle use on Road 1803 from
midnight on Friday nights through midnight on Sunday nights.
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The following tables display the changes in the access prescriptions for trails under the action
alternatives:
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Table 3.79: American River Area - Changes in Trail Access Prescriptions
Trail
Number
509
510
830
831
832
835
836
846
848
852
887
Trail Name
Otto
Flint Creek
Kirk's Fork
Flatiron Ridge
East Fork
American River
Boundary Trail
NRT
American River
Lower Kirk's
Fork
Red Horse
Ridge
Lower East fork
American River
Box Sing
Current Management
Objective/Restriction
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for snowmobile
uses.
Closed to all motorized vehicles, except
snowmobiles over snow. Managed for pack and
saddle use
Closed to highway vehicles and ATVs. Open to
trail bikes and snowmobiles. Managed for
pack/saddle and motorbike use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for pack /saddle
and motorbike use.
From junction with Trail 835 to junction with Trail
831, open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed
to highway vehicles. Managed for ATV use.
From Trail 831 junction to Trail 510 junction,
closed to all motorized uses. Managed for pack
and saddle stock.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed to
highway vehicles. Managed for ATV use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed
for pack and saddle use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed
for ATV use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed
for pack and saddle use.
No restrictions. Managed for hiker use.
Open to all motorized trail vehicles. Managed
for pack/saddle and motorbike use.
Proposed Access
Management
Restriction
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
No change
Open to 2-whelled trail
vehicles and
snowmobiles over snow.
Closed to ATVs
Total miles in project area: 32.5
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Table 3.80: Crooked River Area - Changes in Trail Access Prescriptions
Trail Number
207
508
(Segment of Idaho
Centennial Trail)
805
817
820
(Segment of Idaho
Centennial Trail)
821
(Segment of Idaho
Centennial Trail)
844
Trail
Name
Moose
Butte
Porter's
Miner's
Ditch
Center Star
Mountain
Porter Spur
Silver Greek
Relief Greek
Current Management
Objective/Restriction
Open to all motorized trail vehicles, closed
to highway vehicles. Managed for pack and
saddle stock
Open to motorbikes and except
snowmobiles over snow. Managed for pack
and saddle uses.
Closed to all motorized vehicles. Managed
for hiker uses.
Open to motorbikes and snowmobiles over
snow. Closed to highway vehicles and
ATVs. Managed for pack and saddle stock
Open to-all trail uses. Managed for pack
and saddle uses.
Open to all motorized uses. Managed for
ATVs and snowmobiles. Part of the
groomed snowmobile system. Trail 821
shares the template with Road 9836.
Open to motorbikes and snowmobiles over
snow. Closed to highway vehicles and
ATVs. Managed for pack and saddle stock
and trail bikes.
Proposed Access
Management Restriction
No change
No change
No change
No change
Open to 2-wheeled
motorbikes and snowmobiles
over snow. Closed to ATVs.
Open to all motorized trail
uses. Closed to highway
vehicles.
No change
Total miles in project area: 15.1
If these actions are implemented, the action alternatives would show a reduction of 1 mile of trail
open to ATVs in Crooked Creek from 6.1 to 5.1 miles and a 1.6 reduction of miles of trail open to
ATVs in American River. These changes are summarized below:
Under the action alternatives, the harvest activity will change the character of trails as it goes
through harvest units and the tree canopy is removed. The harvest activity will also open vistas
from the trails where units are across or adjacent to the trails. By adhering to the mitigation
measures for trails, the impacts to the trail character will be minimized.
The following table displays the number of units and their location in relation to the existing trails
system:
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Table 3.81 - Units and Trails
Area/Item
Alternative
A
Alternative
B
Alternative
C
Alternative
D
AMERICAN RIVER AREA
Alternative
E
Summer Trails
Units Across Trails
Units Adjacent to Trails
Temporary Road Crossings
0
0
0
7
7
3
12
9
4
15
10
4
2
5
1
Snowmobile Trails
Units Across Trails
Units Adjacent to Trails
Drift Areas
0
0
0
0
9
1
0
5
0
0
10
1
0
8
1
CROOKED RIVER AREA
Summer Trails
Units Across Trails
Units Adjacent to Trails
Temporary Road Crossings
0
... 0
o
2
1
0
3
5
0
3
8
0
1
1
0
Snowmobile Trails
Units Across Trails
Units Adjacent to Trails
Drift Areas
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
12
1
0
16
2
0
5
0
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3.9. HERITAGE
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
Three broad levels of analyses have been performed to understand the significance and extent of
heritage resources associated with the American and Crooked River Project. First, research into
the greater history of the project area was conducted to understand the significant themes or
events that have transpired in time and space. Secondly, a heritage resource survey was
conducted for the project area to identify any existing cultural properties associated with these
themes. Lastly, these properties were evaluated for their National Register status. The results and
relevant rationale for each of these analyses are presented below.
HISTORY OF THE GREATER PROJECT AREA
Situated within the American and Crooked River Project area, are fragile remnants of significant
cultural traditions. These vestiges confront us and reflect centuries-old relationships between
people and their land. The project area's heritage resources hold clues to past ecosystems, add
richness and depth to the landscape, provide links to living traditions, and help transform our
understanding of who we are as a people.
To date, three principal historical themes have been identified for the greater American and
Crooked River Project area consisting of American Indian use, mining settlement and technology,
and public domain administrative history. These themes, or contexts, provide the basis for
understanding the significance of heritage resources situated throughout the greater project area.
It is the combination of these themes and their associated sites and features that provide an
interpretive framework for defining the existing condition for heritage resources associated with the
American and Crooked River Project area. A review of each theme and associated site known for
the project area is described below.
AMERICAN INDIAN USE OF THE GREATER PROJECT AREA.
The American and Crooked River Project is located entirely within that area encompassing the
1855 Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The project area and surrounding environs were later ceded
to the United States by the Nez Perce Tribe in 1863. The project area is also located near the
headwaters of the South Fork Clearwater River, named Too-koo-pah by the local Nez Perce
(Elsensohn 1971). Herbert Spinden (1908) notes the name of the Nez Perce band inhabiting the
upper South Fork Clearwater River as the Saiksaikinpu, named after the word for "fireweed." In
May 1861 a Nez Perce village, headed by the leader Cool-cool-snee-nee, was noted just
downstream from the current location of Harpster by miners traveling to the upper reaches of the
South Fork (Elsensohn 1978). However, Alice Fletcher's 1891 review of traditional village sites
associated with the Nez Perce people show no semi-permanent encampments located along the
upper reaches of the South Fork Clearwater River (Sappington et al. 1995).
Allan Marshall (1977) has used an ecological interpretive model based largely on plant food
availability in reporting the economic strategies employed by bands of ethnographic Nez Perce
such as the Saiksaikinpu Band. His model is useful to landscape analysis in that is identifies the
cumulative uses of a watershed at the landscape level over a given year by ethnographic Nez
Perce. Marshall combined physiographic and climatic data in producing four zones of plant food
availability. Table 3.82 shows this relationship.
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Table 3.82: Timing and availability of plant foods in Nez Perce territory
(Zone
1
2
3
4
Indicator Species
Scattered sagebrush (gray
rabbitbrush shrubs)
Mesic shrub species (snowberry,
Rosa sp., and ninebark)
Oregon boxwood
Fireberry and huckleberries
Timing/Scheduling
Early production of
vegetable foods (April),
ending in May or June.
Begins in early summer;
dormant in winter.
Production occurs in late
summer.
Production occurs in late
summer.
Resources Available
Twelve vegetable
plants.
Nineteen plant foods.
(plateaus and foothills).
Nineteen plant foods.
(plateaus and foothills).
6 resources appear in
late summer.
By following seasonally available plant foods, the Nez Perce were able to secure at least 35
different plant foods for up to seven months out of the year from drainages like the greater South
Fork Clearwater River. The storage of these plant resources in addition to serviceberry,
huckleberry and fireberry, generally rounded out the botanical menu of the Nez Perce.
Marshall reports the three most utilized salmonids by the Nez Perce were silver salmon (Coho),
blueback (sockeye), and Chinook. Sockeye reportedly did not ascend the South Fork Clearwater
River, while Coho may have although their historical presence has not been well documented
(personal communication, Katherine Thompson). Chinook salmon ascended the South Fork
Clearwater River to spawn in tributaries such as Newsome Creek, Red River, American River and
Crooked River (personal communication, Wayne Paradis). Lamprey eel, sea-run sucker, whitefish,
chiselmouth, sucker, and trout were also utilized by the Nez Perce.
Marshall further reports the Nez Perce hunted elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, mountain sheep,
mountain goat and moose; of which elk, mule deer, and whitetail deer were most important. Bison
and antelope were also hunted on the open plains. Hunting activity was most prominent in the late
summer. Hunting strategies generally involved ascending one ridge system into the mountains,
while following another ridge system out. Camps along these routes were generally six to ten
miles apart and located at the heads of drainage basins.
The Southern Nez Perce Trail, one of several routes used by the Tribe to travel to and from the
Plains, traversed through the general project area. Campsites along this greater trail corridor may
be expected, however, to date no archaeological remains of these or other American Indian
affiliated sites or features have been located within the specific confines of the project area
associated with the American and Crooked River Project.
MINING SETTLEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE GREATER PROJECT AREA.
In 1861 placer gold was discovered near Elk City following initial discoveries in other locales in
north-central Idaho the year before. Kathryn McKay (1998:15) notes the development of placer
mining in the region occurred in three stages:
1. Initial rush characterized by the high grading of gravels using rockers, long toms, and sluice
boxes. Rockers were used almost exclusively in 1861 and 1862, followed by sluices in
1863 (see Figure 3.3) once ditches had been constructed (McKay 1998:25, 29)
2. Hydraulic giants, ditches and sluice boxes for working hillside gravels (see Figure 3.4)
3. Large mechanical equipment such as dredges and drag lines for processing low grade
gravels (see Figure 3.5)
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Sister M. Alfreda Elsensohn (1978:157-180) and McKay (1998:23-41) provide an adequate review
of the upper South Fork placer mining history and is summarized below.
In 1861, shot gold was reported to be found at a rate of $.25 a pan near Elk City (local rate for gold
at the time was $16 an ounce ). The greater area was organized into the Union District (in relation
to the great conflict gripping the United States) and quickly reached its zenith in 1862 when nearly
$1-million in gold dust was shipped from the District. That year also marked the beginning of the
end, as mineral discoveries elsewhere in the Washington Territory dislodged miners from the
District (the area was technically off-limits to uninvited non-Indians by the Treaty of 1855). The
District continued fairly profitable placer results until approximately 1872. Mining ditches continued
the success of some placer efforts thereafter. Large ditches such as the American River and Elk
Creek ditches were notable early undertakings
and supplied water to areas as far away as the
Buffalo Hump mines. Located in mountainous
terrain, these ditches were built at a grade of
16'-20' per mile by men with hand tools or
horse teams. Smaller ditches referred to as
races often brought water from the main ditch
to individual claims. Ditches were surveyed
and constructed by both small groups and
large companies. Sold by the "miner's inch,"
the water was "measured in a small flume with
a headgate under a six-inch pressure, at an
agreed rate per inch per day" (Hailey
1910:170). A miner's inch generally equaled
11.25 gallons per minute. Ditches generally
required large capital to construct. In 1863-
1864, a hand excavated 9-mile ditch with flumes in the vicinity of Elk City cost $3,400 per mile.
Chinese miners first came to the Elk City
area in 1865 and the vicinity had largely
become a Chinese mining camp by the
early 1880s, as only eleven EuroAmerican
miners were reportedly left in the District.
In 1885, the Elk City area reported about
500 Chinese. Chinese miners continued
to work the placer deposits and make
profits where others had given up or failed.
It is estimated that 50 percent of all mining
ditches in central Idaho were constructed
by Chinese efforts. By 1889, the number
of Chinese miners were on the decline as
the First Judicial District of the Territory of
Idaho ruled aliens could not possess
mining claims under U.S. mining laws. By
Figure 3.3. Sluice box and miner at work in
north-central Idaho
Figure 3.4. Hydraulic operations in progress at the
Orogrande-Frisco mine
1890, only 35 Chinese remained in Elk City.
Concerning the activities of the initial placer miners relative to the purpose and need associated
with the American and Crooked River Project, an 1898-1899 United States Geographical Survey
report notes the project area then showed...
"...the results of ancient fires. About 80 per cent of it is covered with lodgepole pine, the growth of
which is directly traceable to the effects of fires that ravaged the section a century or more
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ago...The early settlers, or rather prospectors that discovered the Elk City placers in 1860 and
1861, did not spare the lodgepole pine growth that they found covering the country, but fired it in
many places..." (Elsensohn 1971:13).
Hydraulic mining generally followed by a few years the initial discovery of placer gold in various
Districts. It required steep terrain to build water pressure and dispose of waste, as well as large
amounts of water and capital. Water under pressure flowed through penstocks and was diverted
through a nozzle referred to as a hydraulic giant or monitor. Ditches were often constructed to
steady or brace smaller pipes extending from the penstock. These smaller pipes or hoses were
used in place of the monitor prior to its inception in 1869-1870. Water under pressure was applied
to the base of slopes thus resulting in their erosion or collapse. The resulting burden was then
washed through sluices to extract gold. Extensive hydraulic workings were under way in Idaho
County during the 1890s, and specifically
within the Orogrande area in the early
1900s. In 1894 the American Hill and
Buffalo Hill hydraulic operations were in
progress near Elk City. Both operations
employed over twenty men per 10-hour
shift. Two shifts per day were worked at
each locale given the need for large
production during the high water seasons.
Leggett Creek (just west of the project
area) also had a hydraulic operation as of
1903 operated by Tom and Jim Surrage.
Dredges were also employed in and
around the project area to work low-grade
gravels, or in areas too flat for other forms
of processing. A sample of dredge
workings of the greater project area and
dates of operations are provided by
Elsensohn (1971:30-35) and McKay (1998:99), and shown in Table 3.83.
Table 3.83: A sample of dredging locations near the American and Crooked River Project
Area, and their dates of operations
Figure 3.5. Dredge processing low-grade placer gravels
on the Crooked River about 1938 (From Elsensohn
1971:48-7)
Red River
Little Elk Creek
Elk Creek/American River Confluence
French Gulch
Deadwood Gulch
Santiam Creek confluence
Nugget Creek
Beaver Creek
American River
Crooked River
Transported to site by 13 teams of horses in 1899
1909
1909
Long since completed by 1922
1936
1937
Post 1938
1938
1938
1938
The greater Elk City vicinity saw a second rush of miners in the mid-1880s with the advent of
quartz mining (only a few quartz lodes were developed during the initial 1860s excitement). The
first quartz location near Elk City was the Buster mine, initially claimed in 1870, but not worked until
1902 following the construction of the American Eagle mill. The Badger mine in the Orogrande
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locality began work in 1896, and the Hogan Mine (later the Orogrande-Frisco mine) was worked in
1902 at which time a twenty-stamp mill was constructed at the mine (see Figure 3.4). The financial
panic of 1893 slowed both quartz and placer mining for two years (McKay 1998). McKay (1998:58)
further notes:
"...beginning in 1895 placer and lode mining again became active. Quartz mining in
Idaho County declined after 1909, reaching its low in 1920. From then until 1932
there was very little quartz mining activity in the county. Development was
hampered by poor transportation (preventing the development of the large low-
grade deposits), the short operation season, the small size of the high-grade veins,
and incompetent management. None of the lode mines in north-central Idaho were
very extensive, and none reached a depth of more than a few hundred feet. By far
the most common method of ore treatment was crushing in stamp mills followed by
plate amalgamation, resulting in the recovery of only about 60 percent of the gold in
the ore...During the Depression of the 1930s, because of higher gold prices and
improved road systems, lode mining in Idaho County experienced a revival. Most of
the small veins were owner-operated at that time because the veins generally were
not rich enough to support the overhead necessary for company operations. "
Exceptions to this last statement did occur, however. The Gnome Gold Mining Company built a
sawmill in the Orogrande locality in 1932. The Orogrande-Frisco mine resumed operations in 1933
and built a 500-ton cyanide mill. The Clearwater Concentration Company also constructed a 60-
ton mill at the mouth of the Crooked River in the late 1930s. The Orogrande-Friscb mine was
reported to be the largest open-pit mine in Idaho, and in 1938 was the largest operating cyanide-
process mill in the Northwest (McKay 1998).
PUBLIC DOMAIN ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY OF THE GREATER PROJECT AREA.
In 1897 President Grover Cleveland added the 4.1 million acre Bitterroot Forest Reserve to the
existing reserve system. Administered by the General Land Office of the Department of the
Interior, this new Reserve immediately became the target of critics who worked to reduce its size or
eliminate its existence, owing to the perceived mineral wealth of the region (Baird 1999). These
efforts were partly successful, in 1904 the Elk City township and areas in the Buffalo Hump country
were withdrawn from public domain. The remainder of the Reserve, however, continued under
federal management and starting in 1905, was administered by the Department of Agriculture after
the creation of the Forest Service that year. In 1907, public domain encompassing the greater
project area became part of the Bitterroot National Forest, and in 1908 became part of the newly
created Nez Perce National Forest, which it remains today.
The development, administration and utilization of these federal lands continued as timber, mining
and recreation all became important activities during the early 20th century. Slowly, transportation
routes, communication lines and structural improvements were made to better manage these
functions. Work relief programs of the 1930s supported these endeavors. The Civilian
Conservation Corps, for example, contributed largely to the cultural landscape of the greater
project area, the results of which are still present today in the form of roads, trails, guard stations,
fire lookouts etc.
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Table 3.84: Historical classification & chronology of land encompassing the American and
Crooked River Project
Pre1848 Indian Title
1848-1855 Indian Title, also included within the Oregon Territory of 1848
1855-1859 Included within the 1855 Nez Perce Indian Reservation
1859-1863 Still located within the 1855 Reservation, but then part of the newly
formed Washington Territory
1863-1890 Included within the newly created Idaho Territory (no longer part of
the Nez Perce Reservation following its size reduction associated
with the Treaty of 1863)
1890-1897 Located within the newly formed state of Idaho
1897-1907 Part of the Bitterroot Forest Reserve of Idaho
1907-1908 Part of the Bitterroot National Forest
1908-present Included within the Nez Perce National Forest
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Federal Government to
preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage. To accomplish
this, federal agencies utilize the Section 106 process associated with the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA). Passed by Congress three years before NEPA, the NHPA sets forth a
framework for identifying and evaluating historic properties, and assessing effects to these
properties. This process has been codified in 36 CFR 800 Subpart B. The coordination or linkage
between the Section 106 process of the NHPA and the mandate to preserve our national heritage
under NEPA is well understood, and is formally established in 36 CFR 800.3b and 800.8. The
terminology of "...important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage" found in
NEPA includes those resources defined as "historic properties" under the NHPA (36 CFR
800.16(l)(1)). It is thus the Section 106 process agencies utilize to consider, manage and protect
historic properties during the planning and implementation stages of federal projects. Locally, the
Nez Perce National Forest uses a programmatic agreement (PA) signed between Region-1 of the
USFS, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to
implement the Section 106 process.
The key components of the Section 106 process generally include:
• Determining the area of potential effects (APE)
• Identification efforts to locate historic properties within the APE
• Evaluating located properties for their National Register significance
• Assessing project effects to National Register eligible properties
• Resolving adverse effects (if any) to National Register eligible properties in consultation
with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation and Tribes as needed to avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects on
historic properties
The below discussion outlines the steps taken by the Nez Perce National Forest to comply with the
above steps of the Section 106 process, as related to the American and Crooked River Project.
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DETERMINING THE AREA OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS (APE).
The APE is defined in 36 CFR 800.16d as the geographic area or areas within which an
undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties.
Given the general extent and range of activities proposed within the five alternatives associated
with the American-Crooked River Project, in addition to the type of historic properties known for the
project area, the APE associated with the current project is generally viewed as those specific
areas scheduled to receive direct ground disturbance activities as a result of implementing any one
of the five alternatives.
IDENTIFICATION EFFORTS TO LOCATE HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITHIN THE APE.
Cultural resource surveys meant to locate historic properties within the APE are based on the Site
Identification Strategy for the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests (SIS). To date, 681
acres have been surveyed for cultural resources. Approximately 250 acres remain to be surveyed.
All cultural resource identification work and results will be reported to the State Historic
Preservation Office for concurrence prior to the signing of the Record of Decision for this project.
To date, 17 cultural properties have been identified within the APE and are described below.
NZ-5-94. Mining camp located near Relief Creek.
NZ-5-95. Faint trail with no known historical association located just off the 443 Road. Trail does
not show on any Nez Perce National Forest map dating between 1911 and 1942.
NZ-5-96. A mining ditch in the vicinity of Queen Creek.
NZ-5-97. A location of mining prospects consisting of three trenches and eight pits situated
between Silver and Quartz Creeks.
NZ-5-98. A cluster of 30 prospect pits situated between Silver and Quartz Creeks.
NZ-5-99. A cluster of 13 prospect pits situated between Silver and Quartz Creeks.
NZ-5-100. Faint trail with no known historical association located near Silver Creek. Trail does not
show on any Nez Perce National Forest map dating between 1911 and 1942.
NZ-5-101. Historic Forest Service administrative trail dating to 1931 near Flint Creek.
NZ-5-103. HISTORIC FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE TRAIL DATING TO 1935 NEAR RED HORSE CREEK.
NZ-5-104. An apparent camp near Moose Butte, adjacent to an artificial clearing with several
historic cans. The location may be that of an historic fire suppression event.
NZ-5-105. Historic Forest Service administrative trail dating to 1931 near Silver Creek.
NZ-5-106. An extensive mining ditch located near Haystack Mountain. The ditch has numerous
features along it length consisting of prospect pits and possible areas of hydraulic mining.
NZ-5-107. An extensive mining ditch located near Kirks Fork. The ditch has numerous features
along it length consisting of flume remnants and possible camp locations.
NZ-5-108. Heavily disturbed and discontinuous mining ditch located near the East Fork of Relief
Creek.
10-IH-923. Mining camp located near Orogrande.
10-IH-926. Mining camp located near Orogrande.
10-IH-1718. Mining camp located near Relief Creek
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EVALUATING LOCATED PROPERTIES FOR THEIR NATIONAL REGISTER SIGNIFICANCE.
The above 17 properties were evaluated against the National Register Criteria presented below.
CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY.
The quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and
culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity
of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association and:
(a) That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of our history; or
(b) That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
(c) That embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction,
or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that
represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack
individual distinction; or
(d) That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or
history.
As a result of this evaluation process, seven properties were determined eligible for the National
Register (see Table 3.85).
Table 3.85: List of cultural properties within the American and Crooked River Project APE
*Site
Number
NZ-5-94
NZ-5-95
NZ-5-96
NZ-5-97
NZ-5-98
NZ-5-99
NZ-5-100
NZ-5-101
NZ-5-103
NZ-5-104
NZ-5-105
NZ-5-106
NZ-5-107
NZ-5-108
10-IH-923
10-IH-926
10-IH-1718
Site Type
Mining Site
Trail
Mining Ditch
Exploratory Ditch and
Prospects
Mining Prospects
Mining Prospects
Trail
Trail
Trail
Camp
Trail
Mining Ditch
Kirks Fork Mining Ditch
Mining Ditch
Mining Structures
Mining Structure
Chinese Mining Site
Significance
Eligible
Not Eligible
Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Not Eligible
Eligible
Eligible
Not Eligible
Eligible
Eligible
Eligible
Criteria/Justification
(a)
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
(a) and (c)
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
Recordation has exhausted its
research potential
(a) and (c)
(a) and (c)
Lack of integrity
(a)
(a)
(a)
*The specific location of these properties is not available for public disclosure (36 CFR 296.18).
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ASSESSING PROJECT EFFECTS (IF ANY) TO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES.
All seven historic properties determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places have
been identified on the ground. Project activities and/or their associated boundaries in the vicinity of
these seven properties will be modified, as appropriate, to assure the avoidance of these historic
properties. As a result, the agency has made a "no adverse effect" finding concerning historic
properties and the American Crooked River Project per. Stipulation V(d)(1) of the PA.
RESOLVING ADVERSE EFFECTS TO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES.
No adverse effects to National Register eligible properties have been identified in conjunction with
the implementation of the American and Crooked River Project.
FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR HERITAGE
To date, seven cultural properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places have been
identified within, or immediately adjacent to, the American and Crooked River project, and will be
protected from disturbance resulting from project activity (see Table 3.86). , All seven of these
properties are related to the historical theme of mining settlement and technology,
Table 3.86: List of cultural properties associated With the American and Crooked River
project that have been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
*Site
Number
NZ-5-94
NZ-5-96
NZ-5-106
NZ-5-107
10-IH-923
10-IH-926
10-IH-1718
Site Type
Mining Site
Mining Ditch
Mining Ditch
Kirks Fork Mining
Ditch
Mining Structures
Mining Structure
Chinese Mining Site
*The specific location of these properties is not available for public disclosure (36 CFR 296.18).
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3.10. VEGETATION
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The scope of the vegetation analysis for existing condition and effects of the alternatives is defined
by stand information from the American and Crooked River planning area. Indicators incorporate
timber volume and stand structure characteristics, including trees per acre, size, species
composition, and snag and dead wood components. Direct and indirect effects are analyzed at the
planning area level. Cumulative effects will include significant information from the planning area
and adjacent areas in the watershed.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Nez Perce National Forest Plan (1987, p. 11-1-II-8) established goals and objectives for the
management of the Forest. Specific Forest Plan goals that apply to vegetation management in the
American and Crooked River analysis area are to:
• Provide a sustained yield of resource outputs that would help support the economic
structure of local communities and provide for regional and national needs (p 11-1).
• Recognize and promote the intrinsic ecological and economic value of wildlife and wildlife
habitats. Provide high quality and quantity of wildlife habitat to ensure diversified
recreational use and public satisfaction (p. 11-1).
• Protect resource values through cost-effective fire and fuels management, emphasizing fuel
treatment through the utilization of material and using prescribed fire (p. II-2).
• Protect resource values through the practice of integrated pest management (p. II-2).
The Nez Perce National Forest Plan (NPFP) identified management areas to distinguish differing
management emphases between geographic areas. The NPFP gives general guidelines, goals,
and standards for manipulation of forest vegetation within these management areas that can be
found throughout Chapter III of the Plan. Additional information on management area validation
and distribution across the analysis area can be found in Appendix D of this document.
Amendment 20 to the Forest Plan incorporates Pacfish standards and guidelines into the Forest
Plan. Briefly, these prohibit timber harvest in Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCA) except
for salvage after a catastrophic event or to acquire desired vegetation characteristics where
needed to attain Riparian Management Objectives.
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 states that "timber would be harvested from
National Forest Land only where there is assurance that such lands can be adequately restocked
within five years after harvest." (16 U.S.C. 1604). Additional clarification on this subject is found in
the Code of Federal Regulations which specify that, "When trees are cut to achieve timber
production objectives, the cuttings shall be made in a way as to assure that the technology and
knowledge exists to adequately restock the lands within five years after final harvest. Research
and experience shall be the basis for determining whether the harvest and regeneration practices
planned can be expected to result in adequate restocking." The statement, "Five years after final
harvest..." means five years after clearcutting, five years after final overstory removal in
shelterwood cutting, five years after seed tree removal cut in seed tree cutting or five years after
selection cutting" (36 CFR 219.27 (c) (3)).
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ANALYSIS METHODS
The data sources for analysis of the existing vegetation condition were stand exam information
from the Field Sampled Vegetation Database (FSVEG), activities from the Forest database
(TSMRS), aerial photo interpretation, and field surveys. Additional analysis was done using the
Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and Geographic Information System (CIS) coverages. Data for
Cover Types, and structure (size class, densities and canopy layers) were analyzed where
treatments will occur. Projections and mathematical formulas were used to determine the changes
for each alternative.
Initial selection of potential harvest areas was based on insect and disease severity mapping,
aerial photograph interpretation, and field review. Forest stand data from Forest Service
databases, including acres, slope, trees per acre (weighted average), volume per acre, acres of
harvest by harvest type, habitat type, and forest type was used to determine the characteristics of
vegetation in the analysis area. RHCA widths were identified based on stream characteristics and
fish populations. Areas within RHCAs, designated roadless areas, high landslide prone acres, and
designated old growth were identified and eliminated from further consideration. Harvest systems
were assigned to the potential harvest areas based on topography, slope and access. Percent
harvest removal was based on a desired future target stand and utilized stand exam data,
projections from FVS, aerial photograph interpretation, and field review.
Recent scientific studies and reports, including those from the Science Integration Team of
ICBEMP, point to a loss of landscape integrity as indicated by potential tree mortality from insects
and disease at nearly twice the historical levels. The shift to more insect and disease vulnerable
forests can be attributed to fire exclusion and past harvest practices (Hahn and others, in press;
Hessburg and others, 1996).
The Interior Columbia Basin Scientific Assessment (Quigley, et al. 1997) found forest integrity to be
low in the South Fork Clearwater River subbasin based on the reduction of serai tree species,
changes in tree size classes and disruption to fire regimes, among other factors. The Interior
Columbia Basin Scientific Assessment categorized the American and Crooked River project area
as Forest Cluster 3. It states that Forest Cluster 3 has low forest integrity with high mean
departures in fire frequency and severity (Quigley et al. 1996, p. 96-117).
The South Fork Clearwater Landscape Assessment (SFLA) (Nez Perce National Forest, 1998)
characterized the ecological and social conditions in the South Fork Clearwater River subbasin,
and provided a context for future forest management decisions in the area. The assessment
recommended vegetation themes for the American and Crooked River watersheds. The
recommended vegetation therne is to restore vegetation pattern. More detailed descriptions of
these themes are found in the SFLA 1998, p. 138-141 and 146-149.
ROADSIDE SALVAGE
The purpose of this action is to use incidental salvage to recover economic value over limited
areas immediately adjacent to haul routes. The scope of this action is limited in extent to avoid
large unplanned openings; and is limited in intensity to minimize loss of elk hiding cover, to prevent
large areas devoid of snags or recruitable soil wood, and to avoid continuous accumulations of fine
slash along roads that may be used as fuel breaks in fire suppression. Proposals to treat
extensive areas of highly concentrated mortality adjacent to roadways are either described as
specific treatment units in this analysis or would be addressed in subsequent environmental
analyses.
Design Criteria:
• Roadside salvage would be limited to dead or dying trees, with no harvest of standing trees
more than 20 inches in diameter. (Windthrown trees would not be subject to the diameter limit.)
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• Salvage would be limited to areas adjacent to haul roads. No tree cutting or yarding would
occur in RHCAs or in allocated existing or replacement old growth.
• All yarding would be done from the road. Areas above steep cutslopes that cannot be protected
from yarding damage would be omitted from salvage. Yarding distance would not exceed 100
feet.
• No more than 80 dead or dying trees per mile (approximately 8 trees/acre) could be designated
for cutting on each side of the road.
• Maximum opening size is one acre on each side of a road, or a maximum of 400 feet along the
road.
• Openings would be separated from other forest openings by at least 200 feet of pole size or
larger forest along the road, on both sides, to provide cover for wildlife crossing.
• Slash from salvage would be lopped and scattered, hand piled and burned in the woods, or
removed from the site at the discretion of the District Ranger considering the Forest objective of
maintaining less than 12 tons per acre of fine fuels.
• This component of the action would comply with all applicable design criteria developed for the
action as a whole.
• These design criteria are not intended to limit or interfere with brushing, clearing, or hazard
reduction activities associated with routine road maintenance.
3.10.1. VEGETATION-AMERICAN RIVER
INTRODUCTION
Plant communities in the analysis area can be seen as a mosaic of patches that change in
composition, size, and juxtaposition over time. Wildlife and humans respond in varying ways to a
particular pattern of vegetation. In fact, processes such as fire, plant community succession, insect
and disease activity, drought, and grazing all have the ability to change the pattern that exists at
any given time. Additionally, features such as climate, soil, slope, aspect, and elevation control
the bounds within which patterns can change. The terms Vegetation Response Unit (VRUs) and
Potential Vegetation Groups (HVGs), which occur within VRUs, are used to describe these
bounds. The VRU is intended to be an aggregation of land having similar capabilities and
potentials for management. As mapped polygons these units have similar patterns in potential
natural communities (habitat types), soils, hydrologic function, landform and topography, lithology,
climate, air quality, and natural disturbance processes (fire regimes, succession, productivity,
nutrient cycling). The interaction of all these processes creates a mosaic across the area
landscape. Within individual polygons of any VRU over time, the proportion of age and size
classes, successional stage, impacts of fire and/or disease will be dynamic as natural and
managed disturbances occur/Potential Vegetation Groups are a grouping of vegetative types
based on similar general moisture or temperature environments.
The VRUs for the American River portion of the analysis are shown in figure 3.6. Within these
delineations, presettlement processes (e.g., climate, fire, insect and disease activity) likely
operated within somewhat predictable ranges. Understanding how these past disturbance regimes
worked and the pattern of vegetation change, are fundamental to current management of
ecosystems. Furthermore, this knowledge can be used to help design management structures that
sustain patterns of vegetation at the scale, frequency, and kind of change to which native species
are adapted.
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Figure 3.6
AMERICAN RIVER VRU'S
VRU 10, 1470 ac,
no/ -\ VRU 1, 354 ac, 2%
*y /o \
[AC;
VRU 8, 493 ac, 3%
VRU 7, 3146 ac,
20% I ^HJ^B^^B IVRU
VRU 6, 10129ac,
66%
(VRU 1: Convex slopes, subalpine fir, VRU 6: Cold basins, grand fir and subalpine fir,
VRU 7: Moist uplands, grand fir and Pacific yew, VRU 8: Breaklands, cedar and grand fir, VRU 10:
Uplands, alder, grand fir and subalpine fir habitat types.)
3.10.1.1. INDICATOR 1 - COMPOSITION (COVER
TYPE/SPECIES/LAYER/AGE)
EXISTING CONDITION
The historic and existing condition of vegetation in the American and Crooked Rivers Project Area
is discussed in general terms in Chapter 3, pg 20, Chapter 3 pgs 82-98, Chapter 4 pages'! 38 -141
(American River) and Chapter 4 pgs 146-149 (Crooked River) of the SFLA.
For the past decade, mature lodgepole pine mortality from a mountain pine beetle epidemic has
been occurring in the Upper reaches of the South Fork Clearwater River. The epicenters have
been concentrated in the Red River drainages and are spiraling out to adjacent drainages,
including the American river on the North and the Crooked River to the west. This is the most
extensive and damaging outbreak in the Region. The highest concentrations of beetle-caused
mortality were noted around Red River and Elk City. Through the analysis of field surveys and
stand analyses it has been determined that lodgepole pine overstory mortality is currently
estimated at 70 to 80 percent in these areas. A slight decrease in lodgepole pine mortality in the
Red River watershed was noted between 2002 and 2003 due to host depletion (Gibson, 2003). In
the summer of 2003, mortality within the American and Crooked River project area was somewhat
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lower at 50 to 60 percent. However, lodgepole mortality will likely advance to the same level as in
the Red River drainage during the upcoming growing season.
Indicators of the existing condition of vegetation and effects of various management alternatives to
the vegetation are described by forest cover types and structure (including size classes, canopy
layers, and stand density).
The American River portion of the project area encompasses approximately 15,600 acres. The
Forest Service Timber Stand Management Record System (TSMRS) indicates that previous
harvest in the project area, dating from the 1950s to the present occurred on approximately 2,473
acres. Harvest methods included 516 acres of thinning/salvage, 743 acres of shelterwood/seed
tree, and 1214 acres of clearcut. Figure 3.7 portrays harvest by method, acres, and percentage of
the analysis area.
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
PREVIOUS HARVEST
NO, 13119ac, 84%
4113, 1126 ac, 7%
/4114, 88 ac, 1%
4131, 171 ac, 1%
4132, 51 Sac, 3%
4147, 57 ac, 0%
^4210, 152 ac, 1%
4211, 284 ac, 2%
V4220, 80 ac, 1%
Figure 3.7 0
(Harvest codes: NO - no harvest, 4113 - stand clearcut, 4114 - clearcut with reserve trees, 4131 -
shelterwood seed cut, 4132 - seed tree cut, 4147 - seed tree final cut, 4210 - improvement cut,
4211 - liberation cut, 4220 - thinning)
...--•"
FOREST COVER TYPES
A combination of wildfire, intentional fire, timber harvest, and fire suppression have shaped the
existing pattern and composition of vegetation in the analysis area. The greatest changes from
historic vegetation conditions include:
Declines in lodgepole pine-dominated communities due to harvest, fire suppression and forest
succession.
Increases in more shade tolerant tree species, such as subalpine fir and grand fir, due to fire
suppression and forest succession.
Declines in shrubland, riparian shrub, and riparian meadow due to forest encroachment,
agricultural conversion, and forest succession
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Whitebark pine has declined seriously from blister rust, fire exclusion and mountain pine beetle.
Western white pine, never abundant, has also declined from blister rust.
Early serai structural stages, including forest openings, seedling and sapling, and pole stands, with
snags and down wood, have decreased because of fire suppression. Medium and large tree
classes have increased in most areas except larch and ponderosa pine forests.
Figure 3.8 and Table 3.87 display cover types in the American River portion of the analysis area.
Figure 3.8
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
COVER TYPE
4221,13433 ac,
87%
4222, 31 AC, 0%
4225, 43 ac, 0%
6201, 28 ac, 0%
3103, 374 ac, 2%
-3202, 45 ac, 0%
COVER TYPE
—4203, 1301 ac, 9%
- 4207, 30 ac, 0%
"^4212, 107 ac, 1%
^-4220, 180ac, 1%
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Table 3.87: American River Portion Cover Types.
L
CODE
I
COVER TYPE
3103
3202
4203
4207
4212
4215
4219
4220
4221
4222
4223
4224
4225
5201
6101
6201
Herbaceous/low shrub clearcut
Mesic shrub: huckleberry, etc.,
Lodgepole pine
Grand fir
Douglas-fir
Larch
Whitebark pine
Subalpine fir/Engelmann
spruce/lodgepole
Mixed conifer (usually grand fir,
Douglas-fir and lesser larch and lodge
Xeric conifer (ponderosa pine and
Douglas fir)
Douglas-fir/lodgepole pine
Burned timber
Larch and grand fir
Water
Riparian conifer (wet spruce fir)
usually
Wet meadow
STRUCTURE (SIZE CLASSES, DENSITY AND CANOPY LAYERS)
SIZE CLASSES
Average tree size varies depending on year of origin, tree species, and growing conditions.
Approximately five percent of the analysis area consists of regenerating harvest units with tree
diameters less than five inches and 92 percent of the area supports trees with five inches diameter
at breast height (DBH) or greater. Less than one percent of the area has trees with diameters
predominantly 21-inches or greater. Small trees (9-14 inch diameter breast height [dbh]) are
probably more abundant than typical of a natural landscape. Figure 3.9 displays existing tree size
classes in the project area.
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Figure 3.9
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
SIZE CLASS DISTRIBUTION
9-21 in, 12683, 82%
Non-tree, 447, 3%
<5in, 852,5%
>21 in, 7, 0%
5-9 in, 1582, 10%
SIZE CLASS
[AREA]
Figure 3.10 displays the current cover type and size class data for the forested area in the
American River portion.
Figure 3.10
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
COVER TYPE/SIZE CLASS
16000 -
8000
0
09-21 in
S 5-9 in
• >21 in
E3<5 in
4203
12
1118
170
4207
4
26
4212
33
74
4220
American
115
41
25
422
1
1
245(
348
3
631
3
4222
31
4225
43
SIZE CLASS
COVER_TYPE|
STAND DENSITY
Stand density, measured in trees per acre vary widely across the project area. Variations are due
to elevation, aspect, soils and moisture, as well as disturbances such as insect activity, fire and
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harvest. Stand densities in previously harvested, regenerated stands in the project area range
from approximately 1,000 to 4,000 trees per acre of sapling to pole-sized trees in unthinned
stands, to approximately 435 trees per acre in thinned stands. Stand densities in the table below
have been calculated for previously unmanaged stands in the project area. One consequence of
increased stand densities is the increase in fuel loading (tons per acre of vegetative fuel) that could
increase fire intensity, severity and resistance to control. Table 3.88 displays average stand
densities by size class for previously unmanaged stands in the project area.
Table 3.88: Unmanaged Stand Densities in the Project Area
Size Class
Seedling/Sapling
Pole (5-9 inch
DBH)
Small-Medium
Trees (9-21 inch
DBH)
21 + inch DBH
Total (5" DBH and
greater)
Trees/Acre
1,300
66
53
5
167
Acres by Size
Class
852
1 ,582
12,683
7
14,272
Percent of
Project Area
5%
10%
82%
<1%
92%
CANOPY
What were once relatively simple one and two story stands have transitioned to more complex
multi-story stands. Lodgepole pine mortality will further accelerate this shift toward multi-storied
conditions. Figure 3.11 displays canopy layers in the project area.
Figure 3.11
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
CANOPY PERCENT
[AC]
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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Forest succession, insect and disease activity, timber harvest, fire and fire suppression have
resulted in changed cover types and forest structure since presettlement (USDA, 2003). Changes
in forest cover types and structure (size class, stand density and canopy layers) are used as
indicators to quantify effects on vegetation. Cumulative effects are analyzed within the American
River Drainage.
All action alternatives would have some direct effects to cover types and stand structure. All action
alternatives would reduce the potential for severe fire through fuel removal and modify the
susceptibility of forested stands to insect or disease outbreaks. The difference between the
alternatives is in type of treatment, number of acres treated, and amount of fuel removal. All action
alternatives would implement prescribed fire treatments in residual stands following harvest and
fuel removal. Many stands have too much existing dead material and live ladder fuel to safely use
prescribed burning without prior thinning and reduction.
Prescribed harvests will reduce the canopy by approximately 90 percent in clearcuts, 80 percent in
seed tree units, 70 percent in shelterwoods, and 50 -60 percent on thinned acres.
COVER TYPES
DIRECT EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNA TIVE A-NO ACTION AL TERN A TIVE
There are no direct effects to cover types associated with this alternative. Cover types in the
project area would continue to change without direct intervention of man. Changes through time
will vary depending on the intensity of disturbances such as fire, weather events, disease, and
insect epidemics.
ALTERNATIVE B
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 725 acres.
Approximately 292 acres would be clearcut, 222 acres would be shelterwood, 29 acres would be
seed tree, 43 acres would be commercially thinned, and 135 acres would be in roadside salvage.
Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in the harvest and fuel treatment
areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 321 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by
approximately 214 acres. Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 143
acres.
ALTERNATIVE C
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 875 acres.
Approximately 357 acres would be clearcut, 246 acres would be shelterwood, 29 acres would be
seed tree, 92 acres would be commercially thinned, and 151 acres would be in roadside salvage.
Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in the harvest fuel treatment
areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 381 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
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mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 227 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 209 acres.
ALTERNATIVE D
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 1103 acres.
Approximately 357 acres would be clearcut, 487 acres would be shelterwood, 29 acres would be
seed tree, 99 acres would be commercially thinned, and 137 acres would be in roadside salvage.
Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in the harvest and fuel treatment
areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 381 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these apres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 227 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 209 acres.
ALTERNATIVE E
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 444 acres.
Approximately 77 acres would be clearcut, 199 acres would be shelterwood, 19 acres would be
seed tree, 21 acres would be commercially thinned, and 138 acres would be in roadside salvage.
Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in the harvest and fuel treatment
areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 95 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 81 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 52 acres.
INDIRECT EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNA TIVE A-NO A CTION ALTERNA TIVE
Passive management is a conscious decision with short and long-term ecosystem consequences.
Preservation of dynamic ecosystems requires precisely timed, effectively planned and
implemented actions if desirable characteristics of those ecosystems are to remain intact.
Processes will take place whether at the hand of man or at random under the no action
alternative. Anticipated effects of processes that will occur with no human intervention can provide
a benchmark against which to measure effects of active management.
Forest cover types in the project area would shift towards mixed conifer (primarily grand fir and
subalpine fir) cover types. Susceptibility to insect attacks and root diseases affecting conifer
species would be expected to increase. Mountain pine beetle would continue to cause extensive
mortality to lodgepole and ponderosa pine in the project area until host depletion results in a
decline in the beetle population to endemic levels. As grand fir, Douglas-fir and subalpine fir
establish and dominate in stands previously dominated by lodgepole pine, these species would be
highly susceptible to root disease and insect attack, thus contributing to increased fuel loading in
these stands.
Fire suppression would continue throughout the project area, allowing fuels to build up and
disrupting the natural fire disturbance pattern. Low severity ground fire would not occur in the
project area at the scale necessary to maintain ponderosa pine and western larch cover types. At
some point, fire would likely reestablish lodgepole pine dominance in areas where seed sources
exist and mineral soil is exposed crating favorable seedbeds for conifer reestablishment.
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With current conifer stocking and growth rates, and elevated levels of insects and disease, the "no
action" alternative would not help attain Forest Plan goals nor meet the purpose and need of this
project. This alternative would not help achieve the Forest Plan recommendation of maintaining
forest stands dominated by relatively pest-resistant species to maintain a sustainable condition.
Under this alternative no reduction would be made in total tree numbers or stocking levels of pest-
prone tree species. Improvements such as reduction in susceptible species as well as enhanced
growth and vigor of residual trees through timber harvest and prescribed burning would not be
made to enhance forest health and ecosystem sustainability.
Stocking levels of live trees would continue to increase while individual tree vigor would decrease,
increasing susceptibility to damaging insects and disease. Early serai, shade-intolerant trees such
as ponderosa pine and western larch would decrease in numbers while the shade tolerant species
Douglas fir and grand fir would increase. The shrub, forb, and grass component of forest stands
would continue to decline.
Forest stands where the principle species is Douglas fir, true fir, or Englemann spruce are highly
susceptible to outbreaks of defoliators such as western spruce budwdrm and Douglas fir tussock
moth. In recent years portions of the American River have experienced damaging levels of
hemlock lopper. The following factors make forest stands within the analysis area particularly
susceptible to defoliator attack.
Many forest stands are multi-storied. In a tussock moth, budworm or other defoliator infestation,
the larvae feed on new growth of larger trees. As the caterpillars mature, they drop off the tree for
a variety of reasons (wind, exhaustion of food supply, etc.). Landing on foliage suitable for
foraging (such as Douglas fir or grand fir) results in additional damage.
Older trees in many forest stands are not vigorous. Damage from defoliators, bark beetles, and
other insect pests could trigger eventual mortality.
The conifers in many of the forest stands in the American River Analysis Area are stagnant. Many
of these trees are particularly vulnerable to defoliator and bark beetle attack.
Root disease is apparent in portions of the planning area. During a defoliator or bark beetle attack
mortality is often first noticed in root centers because of the weakened state of the trees.
Precipitation in the 1990's was below average. Over several years, coupled with higher than
historical stocking levels, this can have a negative effect on stand growth. Trees become more
likely to sustain significant damage from insects during or following drought cycles. Forest stands
that have southeasterly to westerly aspects are particularly susceptible to problems associated
with drought because of the drying effects of direct sunlight and the prevailing winds on these
aspects.
Increases in other insects such as fir engraver and Douglas fir beetle often accompany a defoliator
outbreak. Insects are often at endemic levels in the forest, but become more apparent and
increase in numbers as a defoliator infestation progresses. Often these insects will "finish off'
trees previously weakened by other pests or pathogens.
Any combination of the above listed factors could elevate the level of damage from defoliation to
mortality. Additional mortality would add to fuel loads already outside their historic range and
increase the risk of stand replacement wildfire.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, and E
Indirect effects would include enhancement of fire resistant ponderosa pine and western larch, and
regeneration of lodgepole pine cover types in the project area. Increased vigor and resistance to
damage from fire, insects and disease can be expected in other forest cover types in the project
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area. Openings created through removal and prescribed burning would create favorable
conditions for establishment of fire resistant species such as ponderosa pine and western larch, as
well as lodgepole pine. Retention of ponderosa pine and western larch for seed and shelter trees
should increase the percentage of these species in future stands. In areas usually dominated by
lodgepole pine, this species would be expected to reestablish rapidly from local seed sources. In
areas where ponderosa pine and western larch have been removed these species could be
planted to assure reestablishment.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNATIVE A-NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Almost every year a wildfire starts somewhere in the American River watershed. Fire spread
depends on weather (temperature, wind, and moisture primarily), topography, and fuel. The longer
fire or fuel management is absent from an area the greater the total biomass quantity and
continuous fuel. When a wildfire starts these factors result in more intense fire behavior and
increased resistance to control. With the higher intensity and increased area of a fire, the more
vegetation that would be damaged or destroyed. This includes large, old trees, which may have
withstood natural intensity fires for centuries.
The implementation of Alternative A (No Action), with current forest conditions (live and dead
biomass) outside the historic natural range of Variability, provides a greater risk of epidemic stand
loss to diseases and insects. In these finite systems of moisture and sunlight only a certain
amount of live biomass can be supported per acre. Consequently, the more individual trees on an
acre, the smaller the allocation of water and the necessary elements per tree resulting in
subsequent lower vigor and growth per individual tree. Plants produce different hormones and
other chemicals when growing at various rates that affect the potential size of these plants. Plants
that receive more moisture and sunlight grow faster and have the potential to achieve a larger size.
Insect infestation would increase with no management action. Forest stands under stress have a
higher potential to attract bark beetles. When trees are stressed they produce chemicals which are
natural attraction signals to bark beetles. Bark beetles are a natural thinning agent and a
necessary part of the ecosystem in creating habitat for certain wildlife species, and reducing stress
for the remaining live trees. With the increase in vulnerable food supplies (stressed trees) insect
populations can build to epidemic proportions. Epidemics of beetles can destroy even the
healthiest trees due to mass attacks. Bark beetles can also carry spores that inoculate trees with
saprophytic microorganisms that can weaken the bole and increases the rate of bole snap and
decomposition. This effect would cause many trees (snags) killed by beetles to fall to the ground
in a relatively short time decreasing their value for cavity nesters, and increasing the amount of fuel
for high intensity wildfire.
The majority of forest stands proposed for treatment in the Crooked River Area are in a state of
relatively poor vigor. Trees are generally more susceptible to root rots and disease when at low
vigor. With the selection of Alternative A, tree vigor would continue to decline and would likely
result in more tree deaths attributable to root rot, especially the more susceptible grand fir and
Douglas fir. Parasitic plant dwarf mistletoe would also contribute to decline in Douglas-fir,
lodgepole pine, and western larch.
Conifers, especially shade-tolerant species such as Douglas fir and grand fir, would continue to
invade historically open forest stands and meadows. Grasses, forbs and shrubs would become
depauperate in densely stocked forest stands. Gene pools of various species of plants, especially
those dependent on frequent fire regimes, would decline and become less viable.
Reduced acres of lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine cover types can be expected in time due to
mountain pine beetle induced mortality and forest succession favoring establishment of climax
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
species. Western larch cover type can also be expected to decrease over the long term. Mixed
conifer cover type could be expected to increase.
ALTERNATIVE B
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 581 acres in the drainage. Other activities and
ongoing hazard tree removal and firewood cutting also have potential to affect forest cover types
on additional acres in the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE C
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 718, acres in the drainage (approximately 1
percent). Other activities in the drainage and ongoing hazard tree removal and firewood cutting
also have potential effects to forest cover types on additional acres in the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE D
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 966 acres in the drainage. Other activities in the
drainage, including the proposed Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction projects, and ongoing hazard tree
removal and firewood cutting also have potential effects to forest cover types on additional acres in
the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE E
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 310 acres in the drainage. Other activities in the
drainage, including the proposed Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction projects, and ongoing hazard tree
removal and firewood cutting also have potential effects to forest cover types and structure on
additional acres in the drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to cover types associated with any of the
alternatives. All action Alternatives would temporarily affect herbaceous cover types, short-lived
fire susceptible, and mixed conifer cover types. However, vegetation normally present in those
types would reclaim those areas though forest succession.
STRUCTURE
,--:
DIRECT EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A- NO ACTION.ALTERNATIVE
There are no direct effects to size classes associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVES
Direct effects to tree size classes would include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 292 acres in clearcut and seed tree areas. Pole through medium size tree classes
would be reduced on 528 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain essentially
the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction and line corridors. Figure
3.12 displays direct effects of implementation of Alternative B to tree size classes in the project
area.
ALTERNATIVE C
Direct effects to tree size classes would include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 357 acres in clearcut and seed tree areas. Pole through medium size tree class
acres would be reduced on approximately 661 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes
would remain essentially the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
and line corridors.
project area.
ALTERNATIVE D
Figure 3.12 displays direct effects Alternative C to tree size classes in the
Direct effects to tree size classes include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 357 acres in clearcut and seed tree areas. Pole through medium size tree class
acres would be reduced on 910 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain
essentially the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction and line
corridors, effects Alternative C to tree size classes in the project area. Figure 3.12 displays direct
effects of implementation of Alternative D to tree size classes in the project area.
ALTERNATIVE E
Direct effects to tree size classes include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 77 acres in clearcut and seed tree areas. Pole through medium size tree class
acres would be reduced on 300 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain
essentially the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction and line
corridors. Figure 3.12 below displays direct effects of implementation of Alternative E to tree size
classes in the project area.
Figure 3.1Z: AMERICAN RIVER SIZE CLASS BY ALTERNATIVE
w*
(0
5
O
3
(/>
AMERICAN RIVER PORTION
SIZE CLASS BY ALTERNATIVE
OOOQQ
15000
10000
'SOOO
n
D Non-tree
m 9-21 in
Q 5-9 in
• >21 in
B <5 in
:
' , , \; ^ \, - - ;
i"*"**, "" x- 1 <,
ALT. A ALT. B ALT. C ALT. D ALT. E
447 447 447 447 447
12683 12592 12530 12530 12631
1582 1406 1405 1405 1551
77777
852 1119 1182 1182 935
ALTERNATIVE ACRES
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Table 3.89: American River Proportion of Existing Size Class
SIZE CLASS
<5 in
>21 in
5-9 in
9-21 in
Non-tree
ALT. A | ALT. B
1
1
1
1
1
0.76
1.00
1.13
1.00
1.00
ALT. C
0.72
1.00
1.13
1.00
1.00
ALT. D
0.72
1.00
1.13
1.00
1.00
ALT. E
0.91
1.00
1.02
1.00
1.00
INDIRECT EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A-NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Size class diversity would temporarily increase as shade tolerant grand fir and subalpine fir
establish and maintain in stands in the project area. Small and medium trees would dominate
creating continuous fuel ladders, increasing the potential for severe fire. Large fire resistant
ponderosa pine and western larch would eventually be excluded due to stress induced by
competition for water and nutrients, lack of suitable conditions for regeneration, or severe fire. In
time, there is a high probability severe fire would occur, resulting in reestablishment of single size
class stands in burned areas.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
Indirect effects associated with harvest and fuel reduction treatments would be increased growth
and vigor, as well as resistance to damage from fire to remaining trees. Remaining trees in all size
classes would benefit through reduced competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A-NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no cumulative effects to size classes in the American River Drainage associated with
alternative one.
ALTERNATIVES
Size classes would be affected on approximately 581 acres (1 percent) of the American drainage.
ALTERNATIVE C
Size classes would be affected on approximately 718 acres (1 percent) of the American drainage.
ALTERNATIVE D
Size classes would be affected on approximately 966 acres (2 percent) of the American drainage.
ALTERNATIVE E
Size classes would be affected on approximately 310 acres (1 percent) of the American drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to size classes associated with any of the
alternatives. Alternatives B,C,D, and E would have some effects on size classes in the project
area, though this would be temporary.
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STAND DENSITY
DIRECT EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no direct effects to stand densities associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVES
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 725 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on ctearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree, 70 percent on shelterwood, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and 10 percent on roadside
salvage acres.
ALTERNATIVE C
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 875 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree, 70 percent on shelterwood, 50-60 percent on.thinning acres, and 10 percent on roadside
salvage acres.
ALTERNATIVE D
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 1103 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree, 70 percent on shelterwood, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and 10 percent on roadside
salvage acres.
ALTERNATIVE E
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 444 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree, 70 percent on shelterwood, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and 10 percent on roadside
salvage acres.
Table 3.90 displays direct effects of implementation of alternatives B,C,D, and E to tree stand
densities in the project area. Stand densities are calculated for previously unmanaged stands in
the project area.
Table 3.90: Action Alternatives - Change in Stand Densities
Size Class
Seedling/Sapling
Pole (5-9 inch DBH)
Small Tree & Medium Tree (9-21
inch DBH)
21 + inch DBH
Current
Trees/acre
1,300
66
53
5
Alt. B,C,D,E
Trees/Acre
1,300
7
7
5
Percent
Change
0%
90%
90%
0%
INDIRECT EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNA TIVE A-NO ACTION ALTERNA TIVE
Stand densities would increase in the short term as lodgepole stands are replaced by grand fir and
subalpine fir. Increased stand densities would result in increased fuel loading and potential for
intense fire activity. Barring fire, insect or disease epidemics, stand densities would decrease as
stands mature and competition results in stem exclusion.
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ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E
Increased vigor and resistance to damage from fire, insects and disease would expected for all
tree species in the harvest and fuel reduction areas. Reduced densities and underburning would
create openings and favorable conditions for establishment of fire resistant serai species such as
ponderosa pine and western larch. In areas usually dominated by lodgepole pine, this species
would be expected to reestablish rapidly from local seed sources. In areas where ponderosa pine
and western larch have been reduced, these species could be planted to assure reestablishment.
Increased potential for wind damage may occur in some areas. However this would be minimized
through project design to protect remaining trees in those areas.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNA TIVE A-NO ACTION ALTERNA TIVE
There are no cumulative effects to stand densities associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVES
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 755 acres of previously unmanaged stands in
the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately .8 percent of the drainage
ALTERNATIVE C
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 875 acres of previously unmanaged stands in
the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately .9 percent of the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE D
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 1103 acres of previously unmanaged stands
in the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately 2,1 percent of the drainage
ALTERNATIVES
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 444 acres of previously unmanaged stands in
the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately .4 percent of the drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to stand densities associated with any of the
alternatives. Alternatives Bt C, D, and E would reduce stand densities in the project area, though
this effect would be temporary.
3.10.1.2. INDICATOR 2-DISTURBANCE PATTERNS
INSECTS AND DISEASE
MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE
Mountain pine beetle is a native bark beetle with a one- to two-year life cycle that is the prime
insect agent affecting lodgepole pine ecosystems Adults select green trees of sufficient size and
phloem thickness to nourish their larvae. The pitch tubes on the bole and boring dust at the base
of the tree are evidence of beetle entry. Beetles are subject to mortality from parasites, predators
such as woodpeckers, cold winters, drying of the pine following infection, and resin from the host
tree. Infestations tend to occur at 20 to 40 year intervals, depending on the age, size, and density
of lodgepole stands (Cole and Amman, 1980). A prior beetle outbreak occurred in the 1980s in
American and Crooked River, followed by salvage and logging. This approach to beetle treatment
favors rapid reestablishment of lodgepole pine and renewal of the cycle. Salvage, thinning and
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prescribed fire, augmented by planting beetle- and fire-resistant species could help interrupt some
continuity of dense lodgepole pine and slightly reduce susceptibility to this cycle. Thinning can
help reduce susceptibility to mountain pine beetle through both physiological response of the
remaining trees and changed microclimate within the stand (Mitchell, 1994).
Lodgepole pine is characteristic of interior montane basins like American and Crooked River where
cold air impoundment favors establishment of the species. Lodgepole in American and Crooked
River has become highly susceptible to mountain pine beetle because much of the lodgepole
derives from fires between 1870-1898 and these trees have reached an age and size suitable for
beetle reproduction. In the absence of fires, landscape patterns may have taken a different course
of development and large contiguous areas of susceptible lodgepole may not have developed.
Mountain pine beetle infestations can kill 30 to over 90 percent of trees 5 inches or larger in a
stand, but trees 8 inches or larger are preferred. After each infestation, residual lodgepole pine and
shade tolerant species like grand fir increase their growth and the trend is toward uneven-age
stands with multiple canopy layers and shade tolerant species. This has been observed in
response to the 1980s epidemic in American and Crooked River. In mixed lodgepole and
ponderosa pine stands, beetles may attack both lodgepole and ponderosa pine. At several low
elevation sites I the project area mountain pine beetle has killed noticeable amounts of ponderosa
pine.
WESTERN BALSAM BARK BEETLE
This beetle is a native wood-boring insect that attacks subalpine fir, and rarely Engelmann spruce
(Garbutt, 1992, as cited in Natural Resources of Canada, 2003). In American and Crooked River
they have been identified in the upper elevation spruce-fir stands, but numbers of affected trees
are currently relatively low. Their successional function is to kill old subalpine fir, favoring
establishment of new subalpine fir. This may not change Cover Types, but can contribute to
development of more uneven-age structure, and fuel accumulations. It is estimated that this beetle
is at endemic levels and will remain so unless environmental factors change significantly.
BALSAM WOOLLY ADELGID
This is a sucking insect introduced from Europe that is now found in the American and Crooked
River watershed in a few areas, but the extent to which it may increase in population and activity is
not known. Stem attacks can lead to eventual tree mortality. Crown attack can ultimately affect
bud formation and upward growth and can also lead to tree mortality. This insect more often
attacks young trees so its successidnal effect is to reduce stand density and reduce vertical
canopy layering by affecting understory fir. Cold winters control populations, while warm summers
favor their survival.
DOUGLAS FIR BEETLE
This is a native bark beetle that is not typically very aggressive and usually attacks wind thrown,
fire-damaged trees or trees weakened by other pathogens or drought (Hagle et al., 1987, Schmitz
and Gibson, 1996). Where Douglas fir occurs with early serai larch or pine, beetle activity will help
maintain the early serai species. On grand fir and subalpine fir habitat types, like those that
dominate American and Crooked River, Douglas fir beetle activity creates openings where more
shade-tolerant species like grand fir will grow and push the stand more quickly toward late serai
conditions and uneven aged stand structure (Hagle et al., 2000). Observed pockets of Douglas fir
beetle in the watershed have been small and occur in areas where past fires were not stand
replacing so that large old Douglas fir remain. Many of these pockets are associated with old
growth and will provide large Douglas fir snags.
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Because of extensive fire in the late 1800s and subsequent harvest, large Douglas firs in dense
stands are not abundant in the watershed so the potential for extensive beetle outbreaks is
relatively low.
ROOT DISEASES
Root diseases are fungi that can affect all sizes, ages and species of tree (Hagle et al., 1987,
Hagle et al., 2000). In the watershed, grand fir and Douglas-fir are most highly susceptible and the
prevailing root pathogens affecting them are armillaria and annosus root rots. With the loss of
lodgepole pine to mountain pine beetle, grand fir and subalpine fir will increase, and root disease
will likely also increase. However this change is not toward conditions that are outside historic
ranges. Where Douglas-fir has encroached on ponderosa pine stands, these will be more
susceptible to root disease.
Fire and root disease appear to have contributed historically to the maintenance of larch in mixed
conifer stands. Without fire, root disease is unlikely to sufficiently limit grand fir to keep larch from
being eventually eliminated.
Root disease has probably increased a small amount in average severity. The older stands
become and the more they shift toward grand fir, the more severe root disease will be. Root
disease may recover a more important role if Ipdgepole dominance is reduced and Douglas-fir and
grand fir increase. It will affect canopy cover, Cover Types, size, and age distribution of trees, and
timber productivity. The effects will be to create forest openings, favoring shrubs and regeneration
of more susceptible grand fir or increased dominance by less susceptible species. Over the long
term, without fire or harvest to sustain less susceptible species, more tree species will become
susceptible.
BLISTER RUST
Virtually no western white pine or whitebark pine has been inventoried in the drainage so the
potential for blister rust is low. The historic potential for these tree species appears to have been
very low also.
DWARF MISTLETOE
Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic plants that extract water and nutrients from living conifer trees
(Hagle et al. 2000). Lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe is the species most active in
the American and Crooked River watershed, because of the importance of this cover type. Initial
effects are to reduce stand density and size dominance within the affected species and size class.
Successional effects where mistletoe is severe are to accelerate succession toward grand fir or
subalpine fir. Fires that kill host species also reduce mistletoe.
Overall, dwarf mistletoes affect a relatively small proportion of the American and Crooked River
project area. Compared to mountain pine beetle, the effects of dwarf mistletoe in lodgepole pine
are likely to be minor. The thinning effect of mountain pine beetle will reduce dwarf mistletoe on
lodgepole pine in the American and Crooked River area.
3.10.1.3. INDICATOR 3 - RARE PLANTS
SCOPE OF ANALYSIS
Proposed activities have the potential to affect threatened, endangered or sensitive plant species.
The effect on potentially suitable habitat and existing occurrences of sensitive plants are the
primary indicators of this analysis. Direct and indirect effects are analyzed within the context of the
proposed activities, while cumulative effects are analyzed within the watersheds as a whole.
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REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Threatened and endangered species are designated under the Endangered Species Act. It is the
policy of Congress that all Federal departments shall seek to conserve endangered and threatened
species and shall utilize their authorities in furtherance of this purpose (ESA 1531.2b). According
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list #1-4-04-SP-254 (letter dated 3/05/2004), four plants listed as
Threatened or Proposed Threatened may occur within the geographic extent of the Nez Perce
National Forest: These plants include Macfarlane's four-o'clock (Mirabilis macfarlanei), water
howellia (Howellia aquatilis), Ute ladies'-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Spalding's
catchfly (Silene spaldingii). According to the 90-Day Species list update, the four plants, including
their habitat, mentioned above are not found on the Red River District. Therefore a biological
Assessment for the project proposal is not necessary.
Sensitive species are defined in the Forest Service Manual (FSM 2670.5) as "those plant and
animal species identified by the Regional Forester for which population viability is a concern, as
evidenced by significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers, density, or
habitat capability that reduce a species/existing distribution." In FSM 2670.22, management
direction for sensitive species is in part, to ensure that species do not become threatened or
endangered, because of Forest Service actions and to maintain viable populations of all native
species. The most recent update to the sensitive species list was published on March 12, 1999.
The Forest Service must evaluate impacts to sensitive species through a biological evaluation.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Pre-field work included review of existing records and forest habitat data. Individual species
requirements were summarized and used in selections of modeling criteria to determine which
species or corresponding habitat may occur in the project area. The basic criteria used were
Habitat Type Groups (HTG) and existing vegetation layer. These vegetation layers were grouped
into similar forest habitats into functional categories based upon existing vegetation, vegetation
potential, moisture and temperature characteristics. These elements were useful to match species
to general habitats found in the project area. In some cases, habitat grouping only provided an
indication of the presences of microsites the plant requires.
Using CIS, these habitat groupings important to sensitive plants along known populations were
mapped for the project area. Locations of the proposed activities were evaluated against suitable
habitat groupings and existing sensitive) plant occurrences to determine the impact the actions may
have on the suitable habitat and existing populations.
Based on the results of existing records, fieldwork, and habitat modeling, direct and indirect are
discussed for each species. Direct impacts include timber harvest, prescribed fire, road
construction and restoration activities. Indirect impacts for some species may include the
expansion of weeds and the mitigating treatments of these infestations or changes to canopies that
affect micro-conditions. Cumulative effects are the overall impacts to species from present and
reasonably foreseeable future projects within the watersheds. Historically such impacts on
individual species was not measured or noted. However, the past impacts on general habitat
condition can be qualified and matched to species dependant on a particular habitat. For this
reason the Habitat Type Groups are used in part for the cumulative effects discussion.
EXISTING CONDITION
SENSITIVE SPECIES
According to element occurrence records from the Idaho Conservation Data Center (ICDC), four
designated sensitive plant species occur in the project area. These are: candystick (Allotropa
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virgata), Payson's milkvetch (Astragalus paysonii), Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteinia
idahoensis) and deerfern (Blechnum spicant). Field surveys during the 2003 field season found
additional occurrences of Allotropa virgata and Waldsteinia idahoensis. A fifth sensitive plant
species, evergreen kittentail (Synthyris platycarpa) is known from areas adjacent to the project
area.
In addition, Corydalis caseana hastata, a regional endemic can occasionally be found along small
streams and wetlands. Carex californica, a relatively rare sedge, is scattered in the upper montane
grasslands along the Anderson Butte ridge.
The following table includes the sensitive plants found within the watersheds and those that may
have potential habitat in the project area. Sensitive species not included are not known or
suspected to occur in the area, nor is suitable habitat present. Potential habitat is based primarily
upon Habitat Type Groups (HTGs) and existing vegetation, but most species have at least some
more refined parameters that aid in identification of suitable habitats. The acres of suitable habitat
given are for the project area only. Discussions of suitable habitat on a watershed level in relation
to this and other projects are found in the Cumulative Effects section.
Table 3.91: Known and Potential Sensitive Plants within the Project Area.
Common and Latin Name
Candystick
Allotropa virgata
Payson's milkvetch
Astragalus paysonii
Deerfern
Blechnum spicant
Idaho barren strawberry
Waldsteinia idahoensis
Botrychium lanceolatum var
lanceolatum
Botrychium minganense
Botrychium pinnatum
Botrychium simplex
Leafless bug-on-a-stick
Buxbaumia aphylla
Green bug-on-a-stick
Buxbaumia viridis
Clustered lady's-slipper
Cypripedium fasciculatum
Evergreen kittentail
Synthyris platycarpa
Presence
Known
Known
Known
Known
Potential
Potential
Potential
Potential
Potential
Habitat/Community Type
Lodgepole with beargrass on well-
drained infertile soils. Often on or
near the ridge.
Openings/gaps in mixed grand fir and
Douglas fir forests.
Moist riparian forests.
Meadow edges and open forests of
moist/cool grand fir, subalpine fir and
cedar.
Shaded moist sites under various
conifers; dry to moist meadows.
Open parklands on moist acidic soil in
upper montane to subalpine zones
Moist grand fir or cedar forests on
large decayed logs and ash soils.
Partial shade of warm and moist
cedar, grand fir or Douglas fir.
Forest openings, partial shade of
grand fir mosaic. Sometimes in cedar
and old growth.
Elevation
(ft)
5,000-
6,500
4,000-
5900
2,500-
5,000
3,000-
5,500
1 ,500-
6,000
Above
5000
1,500-
6,000
1 ,600-
4,800
4,200-
6,000
Potential
Habitat
11,800
5,000
3,000
15,000
3,000
3000
18,000
13,500
7,000
CANDYSTICK (ALLOTROPA VIRGATA)
This species is a coastal disjunct that occurs in Region one in central Idaho and adjacent Montana.
On the Nez Perce National Forest, candystick inhabits sites with mature (80-100 years) lodgepole
pine stands over a beargrass/grouse whortleberry or huckleberry understory with little climax
conifer regeneration. Physical characteristics are generally well-drained soils on drier, south facing
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ridges between 4,000 and 7,000 feet elevation (Lichthardt and Mancuso 1991). These parameters
can vary slightly across its geographic range.
Candystick is a mycotrophic plant that obtains its carbohydrates from a mycorrhizal fungus
associated with its roots (Lichthardt 1995). The fungal mycelium is shared with a
photosynthesizing plant that indirectly supplies nutrients to the mycotroph via the fungus. In this
case the photosynthesizing plant is lodgepole pine. For this reason, candystick is limited to forest
habitats in which lodgepole pine are dominant or in a few cases at least a significant component.
The Conservation Strategy for Allotropa virgata (Candystick) (Lichthardt 1995) was written to
provide recommendations for the management of forest lands that support or adjoin populations of
this sensitive species. This strategy categorizes occurrences into landscape-scale units, which are
prioritized by the quality and extent of habitat, population size and geographic location.
Populations in category 4 contain scattered individuals that are not in critical geographic locations,
and are in suboptimum habitat. General management .recommendations for Priority 3-4
occurrences are to monitor impacts to subpopulations and to manage for lodgepole pine over the
long-term.
In the Crooked River watershed, candystick occurrences appear to be scattered in the eastern
portion of the project area. Populations can be very small ranging from one stem to dozens of
clumps spread over several acres. There are 20 occurrences documented in the American River
and Crooked River Watersheds. Eighteen of the 20 are found in the Crooked River Watershed.
Potential habitat was modeled using habitat type groups 3 and 9 that contained existing vegetation
of mixed conifer or lodgepole pine between an elevation of 5000-6500 feet.
Approximately 11,800 acres (35 percent) of suitable habitat are found in the project area. Much of
this area would not be considered suitable habitat for candystick, but could include microsites that
may support appropriate habitat conditions.
PAYSON'S MILKVETCH {ASTRAGALUS PAYSONII]
Payson's milkvetch has an unusual range limited to western Wyoming and north central Idaho. On
the Nez Perce National Forest it is predominantly found across the American River, Crooked River
and Red River watersheds. It is also found occasionally scattered from the breaks of the Selway
River to the Breaks of the Salmon River. The plant prefers early serai habitats, which are
maintained by fire and other stochastic events and by human-caused disturbances such as timber
harvest. Lorain (1990) noted that populations are most prevalent in the grand fir habitat types, but
which are currently dominated by other serai species. In general the species seems to be very
sparsely spread through open forests. Upon disturbance that results in soil exposure and opening
of the canopy, the species blooms from the seed bank. Historically the primary disturbance would
have been wildfire. The development of forest openings and gaps is an important factor in
maintaining Payson's milkvetch populations across broad geographic areas.
According to CDC (2002) records, there are six occurrences of Payson's milkvetch in the American
River watershed within Box Sing Creek, Flint Creek, Big Elk Creek, and Upper American River
drainages. These populations are generally small in extent and made up of a few individuals.
Most occur in forest openings or edges of logging units, usually on granitic soils.
Potential habitat for Payson's milkvetch within the project area would be characterized as openings
and burn areas within HTG2, HTG3 and the dryer end of HGT4 below 5900 feet elevation.
Approximately 5,000 acres of suitable habitat is scattered across the project area.
DEERFERN (BLECHNUM SPICANT)
Deerfern is a coastal disjunct species of maritime climates in north Idaho. It is generally found in
mid-elevation, moist, mineral rich soils of shaded western red cedar and western hemlock habitats.
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Rarely the species occurs in wet areas of other series (Blake and Ebrahimi 1992). It has a strong
affinity for draws and riparian areas where it prefers the slope above and adjacent to the wettest
plant communities. It rarely forms a part of these wet communities, but is usually associated with
the slightly less mesic maidenhair fern and wild ginger.
One population of Deerfern occurs in the East Fork of American River and Red River Watersheds.
Both sites are found in moist microsites associated with riparian bottoms within moist grand-fir
habitat (HTG 4) with existing vegetation of mixed conifer or lodgepole pine.
Potential habitat within the project area could be generally described as riparian areas in moist
Grand-fir (HTG 4) below 5,500 feet elevation.
LANCE-LEAF MOONWORT (BOTRYCHIUM LANCEOLATUM), MINGAN MOONWORT (B.
MINGANENSE), NORTHERN MOONWORT (8. PINNATUM), LEAST MOONWORT (B.
SIMPLE^
Little is known about the moonworts on the Nez Perce National Forest. Six occurrences have
been found on the Forest, all above 3,000 ft. elevation. Throughout the west general habitat for
moonworts varies widely from dry meadows, grass/forb openings, lodgepole pine and Englemann
spruce to dry grand fir. In northern Idaho most moonworts are associated with riparian areas and
moist sites under old western red cedar (Mousseaux 1996). In general the best habitats are
typically older, moist forests and dry meadows. In 2003, an occurrence of least moonwort was in
found in the Red River watershed in a slightly raised, dry portion of a meadow. Grasses and
woods strawberry dominate the ground cover.
All Botrychium species are believed to be obligately dependent on mycorrhizal relationships. The
subterranean generation depends on fungus for nutrients, while the roots of the above ground
generation lack root hairs and probably depend on the fungus for absorption of water and minerals
(Chadde and Kudray 2001). Little is known about the mycorrhizal fungi associated with
Botrychium species other than their presence with the two generations.
The mycotrophic condition is important to the ecology of Botrychium species in several ways.
Nutrition supplied through a fungal syrnbiont may allow the ferns to withstand repeated herbivory,
prolonged dormancy, or growth in dense shade (Kelly 1994, Montgomery 1990). The fungal/fern
relationship has implications for the occurrence of genus communities, the distribution of the
species across the landscape, and associations with particular vascular moonworts and
strawberries (Wagner, 1999). Botrychiums may exist underground for many years before an above
ground plant develops.
The variable habitats and mycorrhizal associations make predictions on suitable habitat extremely
difficult. Warm and moist forest floors along riparian areas, dry meadows and grass/forb openings
have the highest probability of containing suitable habitat for moonworts
Potential habitat was model from warm and moist habitat type groups and lower slope position,
below 6000 ft elevation. This analysis revealed approximately 3000 acres (8 percent) of potential
habitat in the project area.
LEAFLESS BUG-ON-A-STICK IBUXBAUMIA APHYLLA)
Leafless bug-on-a-stick is rare and local, but widely distributed moss in the northern hemisphere
across much of Canada, northern United States and Europe (Crum and Anderson 1981). It has
been described as a pioneer species of disturbed, acid, sandy or clayey soils, often on the banks
of roads or woodland trails, sometimes on old logs or stumps, exposed or in partial shade in moist
forests and also dry, open woods, often successional to fire (Crum and Anderson 1981).
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There is a single population known in Idaho, which is on the Nez Perce National Forest. The site is
described as being on moist soil at approximately 5,000 feet elevation in open parkland of
lodgepole and subalpine fir. The site is in a sheltered position, shaded by the micro-topography
and herbaceous layer, rather than the trees (Leonard Lake, Nez Perce NF, personal observation,
1999). Suitable habitat may occur anywhere there is open soil in the middle to higher elevations,
but most of this potential habitat would be in the mountain parklands on the edge of the project
area.
GREEN-BUG-ON-A-STICK (BUXBAUMIA VIRIDIS)
This diminutive moss is found across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, but is relatively
rare to uncommon across its range. In north central Idaho it is found at vyidely scattered locations
on moist sites under mid-to-late serai conifer forests. On the Nez Perce National Forest
occurrences are predominately under moist grand-fir canopy on large logs in advanced stages of
decay, but may also be found on moist mineral soil derived from volcanic ash.
The most common habitat types for this species in the American River and Crooked River
watersheds would be grand fir/arrowleaf groundsel (Abies grandis/Senecio triangularis), grand
fir/bead lily (Abies grandis/Clintonia uniflora) and grand fir/wild ginger (Abies grandis/Asarum
caudatum) of Habitat Type Group 4 (Warm and Moist Grand Fir) up to an elevation of about 6,000
feet. Substrate availability and distribution and shade (humidity levels) are important habitat
elements (Laaka 1992). Though it may occur in microsites of suitable conditions anywhere in the
moist forest, the large majority of desirable habitat would be along forested riparian areas and in
mesic old growth forest.
Potential habitat was determined using moist or wet forest habitat groups 4, 7, and 8 (grand fir,
subalpine fir) and RHCAs below 6,000 feet elevation. Following this model, there are 18,500 acres
of potentially suitable habitat in the project area.
CLUSTERED LADY'S-SLIPPER (CYPRIPEDIUM FASCICULATUM}
Clustered lady's slipper is a long-lived orchid. It is suspected that the plant can remain dormant
underground for an extended period of time. Vegetative plants may live for many years before
reaching reproductive maturity and like other orchids it may develop an association with
mycorrhizal fungi. The small seed size and lack of endosperm indicate that fungal association is
probably necessary for germination and establishment (Lichthardt 1995). This may be an
important factor in controlling local distribution.
Typically, clustered lady's slipper grows below a closed canopy in warm, moist sites under a mid-
to-late serai conifer community. Where the overstory canopy is more open, clustered lady's slipper
is found under a secondary canopy of hardwood shrubs or pole size conifers. Potential habitat for
this species varies widely throughout its range. In north central Idaho, most occurrences are in
western red cedar habitat types, but a significant number of populations are in assorted Douglas fir
and grand fir habitats. Currently, no unique habitat parameter is known that allows biologists to
predict future occurrences with more than a very general specificity (Greenlee 1997).
Broad habitat parameters that include warm Douglas fir and warm and moist grand fir (HTG 2 to
HTG 4) below 5000 feet that have never had significant disturbance should include most potential
habitat. This model indicates there are 13,000 acres of potential habitat, which represents 38
percent of the project area.
EVERGREEN KITTENTAIL (SYNTHYRIS PLATYCARPA)
Evergreen kittentails has a very narrow geographic range, being endemic to north-central Idaho,
where it occurs mostly in moist grand fir forests (Habitat Type Group 4), but may also occur in
cooler western red cedar habitats. The range of evergreen kittentails is strongly associated with
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the occurrence of the grand fir mosaic, which is a zone of mid-elevation forest of mainly grand fir,
interspersed with alder and bracken fern glades. It is considered an indicator of this ecosystem
(Crawford 1980). Occupied sites may be both mature closed-canopy forest and forest openings,
such as alder or fern glades, harvest units and roadsides (Lichthardt 1999). An existing
occurrence can be found in the Grand-fir mosaic zone of the upper American River Watershed.
Suitable habitat in the upper American River Watershed is represented by 7000 acres of Grand-fir
mosaic zone of Moist Grand fir Habitat Type Group (HTG 4) between 4200 and 6000 feet
elevation.
IDAHO BARREN STRAWBERRY (WALDSTEINIA IDAHOENSIS)
Idaho barren strawberry is endemic to north-central Idaho with populations occurring from the
South Fork of the Clearwater River, north to the CoeurO'AJene River. Within this small geographic
range it is found in relatively few local areas where It can form extensive populations. The upper
South Fork of the Clearwater River including American River, Crooked River and Red River can
support relatively large populations.
Idaho barren strawberry has wide ecological amplitude (Crawford 1980) and is found in
predominately grand fir/wild ginger and grand fir/queencup bead lily habitat types. However, it also
may occur in other grand fir habitats (HTG3 and HTG 4) as well as western red cedar (HTG 5).
Elevations generally vary from 2,000 to 5,000 feet (CDC 2002). Cool, moist micro-sites within
these general habitats are most favorable for its development (Crawford 1980). Waldsteinia is
tolerant of shade but responds favorably to increased light (Crawford 1980). It can be found
growing in stands with open canopies, and transition zones between riparian meadows and conifer
forests.
Most local occurrences are Jarge and loosely defined. CDC records currently recognize 12
occurrences scattered across the American River and Crooked River Watersheds. The
populations are found in dry to moist Grand-fir habitat type groups (HGT 3, HTG4) with existing
vegetation of mix conifer to lodgepole pine. All the occurrences are below 5,000 ft.
Close modeling of suitable habitat for this species is difficult due to the broad habitat parameters.
However, the general criterion given above occurs across 15,000 acres, which represents 44
percent of the project area.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There will be no management activities under Alternative A that would aiter existing canopy cover
and stand structure. However, changes in stand structure would be expected, some of which
would alter habitats that are suitable for some sensitive plant species. In lodgepole cover types,
extensive forest opening may occur as the beetle infestation continues. In more mixed conifer
forest types succession will continue to progress resulting in a decline in size and frequency of
small openings and forest gaps.
The decrease in forest canopy in lodgepole forests will cause a decline in candystick, but may
provide for future habitat as these forests are reinitiated. It is not certain however, how the species
may respond to severe fire that may damage soils. The increased intensity of wild fire is possible
due to the increased fuel build up in these areas from the beetle mortality. In mixed conifer forests
advancing succession would cause a decline in species that require an earlier stage of succession
such as Payson's milkvetch and Idaho barren strawberry, but would improve habitat conditions for
later serai species such as moonworts, deerfern, clustered lady's-slipper and green-bug-on-a-stick.
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ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E (ACTION ALTERNATIVES)
Fifty to seventy-eight percent of the proposed activity units were surveyed in 2003. New
occurrences of Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteinia idahoensis) and candystick (Aliotropa virgata)
were documented. No other sensitive plants were found in the project area. A number of candy
stick occurrences were found within proposed harvest units.
Decommissioning and reconstruction of existing roads is viewed as maintaining current conditions
from the perspective of suitable habitat for rare and sensitive plants. Temporary roads are a direct
disturbance to suitable habitats and were included in the disturbance levels for each alternative.
Sites of soil restoration generally are not considered suitable habitat for any plant species of
concern, thus are not considered when determining impacts. An exception would be Payson's
milkvetch, which does find suitable habitat in such areas. The impacts to this species are not
quantified because it is benefited by ground disturbing activities in such environments.
Alternative D impacts the most acres of sensitive plant species habitat and would result in the
greatest long-term benefit for plant species favored by serai conditions in lodgepole pine.
The acres of sensitive plant species habitat impacted by various management activities are summarized in
the following table. The four species of Botrychium are grouped due to habitat similarity.
Bug-on-a-stick (Buxbaumia aphylta), and Deerfern (Blechnum spicant) and Evergreen kittentail (Synthyris
platycarpa) are not included in the effects analysis because existing information and modeling results
indicate that no suitable habitat for these species are being affected by any of the proposed alternatives.
Table 3.92: Comparison of Potential Sensitive Plant Habitat Affected by Alternative
Species
Candystick
Aliotropa virgata
Payson's milkvetch
Astragalus paysonii
Moonworts
Botrychium ssp.
Green bug-on-stick
Buxbaumia viridis
Clustered lady's slipper
Cypripedium fasciculatum
Idaho Barren Strawberry
Waldsteinia idahoensis
Activity
Crooked R. harvest
American Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Occurrences Affected
Crooked R. Harvest
American Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Crooked R. harvest
American R. Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Crooked R. Harvest
American Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Crooked R. Harvest
American Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Crooked R. Harvest
American Harvest
Total
% habitat affected
Alternative
B
974
91
1065
9%
10
630
378
1008
20%
0
0
0
0
222
210
432
2%
272
272
544
4%
494
257
751
5%
Alternative
C
1027
173
1200
10%
11
838
569
1408
28%
0
0
0
0
263
117
380
2%
300
371
671
5%
726
388
1114
7%
Alternative
D
1370
178
1548
13%
11
1000
683
1683
33%
0
0
0
0
271
280
551
3%
438
548
986
7%
732
1276
2008
13%
Alternative
E
850
42
892
7.5%
8
586
146
732
14%
0
0
0
176
151
327
2%
215
184
399
3%
498
130
628
4%
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CANDYSTICK (ALLOTROPA VIRGATA)
Candystick populations would be impacted by timber harvest, road-building and fuels treatment.
Generally, the greatest threat to candystick in the Idaho range is habitat loss due to harvest
(Lichthardt 1995). Candystick is most common in older lodgepole pine communities, thus
successional processes that regenerate lodgepole pine on the landscape are necessary to
replenish suitable habitat. Consequently, altered fire regimes brought about through fire
suppression may also pose a threat to candystick populations (Lichthardt 1995). The current
extensive mortality of lodgepole pine forests will also cause a decline in habitat and the loss of
populations as the host trees die. Field surveys in the Red River Watershed have confirmed some
candystick losses are occurring as a result of beetle mortality (M. Hays, 2003). The proposed
alternatives will affect approximately 7-13 percent of suitable habitat mainly in the Crooked River
watershed. In addition 8-11 existing occurrences of Candystick will be directly impacted by timber
harvest. Overall a downward trend is expected in candystick populations in the Crooked River
Watershed.
The conservation strategy for Candystick (Lichthardt 1995) outlines management considerations
for this species. Maintenance of well-distributed subpbpulatiqns will provide seed to colonize
harvest or burned patches as succession proceeds. Guidelines to manage for future lodgepole
pine production are given and include avoidance of impacts to subpopulations of 100 or more
genets. These units can also be used to test active management on^i limited scale.
Where low levels of beetle infestation make it worthwhile, efforts should be made to place reserve
trees or buffers where candystick plants are found within units to maintain the more significant
subpopulations as directed by the conservation strategy. This primarily pertains to the occurrences
in the Crooked River Watershed. In addition, any occurrences found during implementation that
fulfill the Priority 3 guidelines for significance and provide seed for dispersal to future lodgepole
habitat created by this project would be protected. The project provides long-term viability of
candystick by maintaining or reestablishing lodgepole pine, which the species is dependent for
survival, and allowing for stand development to the necessary structure that provides quality
habitat for candystick.
PAYSON'S MILKVETCH (ASTRAGALUS PAYSONII)
Timber harvest or road construction may impact suitable habitat in the short term but may provide
for new open habitat for future populations. The elimination of disturbances and fire suppression
that would result in a decline of early serai communities must also be considered a threat to serai
species. With the widespread opening of the forest due to the beetle infestation and harvest
activities proposed by this project, it is anticipated that populations of Payson's milkvetch will
expand. Current populations can also be put at risk from introduced species, chemical sprays,
recreation impacts, and road maintenance (Lorain 1990). It is anticipated that opening these
habitats where it occurs will have a beneficial impact.
Temporary road construction, exotic and noxious weeds, and herbicide treatment of noxious
weeds, could impact Payson's milkvetch through the elimination of habitat, changes to early serai
conditions, or increased mortality (Fertig and Marriott 1993). Exotic species, such as spotted
knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), and others that establish in
harvest units and roadways can out-compete Payson's milkvetch and occupy newly created
openings and gaps. Herbicide treatment would not alter suitability of habitat, but may have a
detrimental effect on Payson's milkvetch if invasive weeds are mixed with existing populations.
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LANCE-LEAF MOONWORT (BOJKYCHWM LANCEOLATUMJ, MlNGAN MOONWORT (B. MINGANENSE,),
NORTHERN MOONWORT (B. PINNATUM;, LEAST MOONWORT (B. SIMPLEX^
Threats to species of Botrychium are not well understood. The only well-documented threat
resulting in a population decline was drought combined with fire (Johnson-Groh and Farrar 1996).
Because these species may occur in disturbed sites, threats may include natural plant succession
and potentially the same human activities that have also apparently resulted in creation of suitable
habitat. Since these species may also be found in forested areas that have not been recently
disturbed, forestry activities may affect existing populations negatively, although no research has
been reported (Chadde and Kudray 2001). Some threats will directly impact the above ground
sporophyte and may be less serious, since the below ground part of the life cycle is so important.
Simple removal of above ground leaf tissue may be inconsequential to the ability of moonworts to
survive, although removing sporulating individuals may eventually have an effect through the
limiting of recruitment (Johnson-Groh 1999). It has been suggested that photosynthesis may be
important and that broad scale leaf removal or damage could threaten Botrychium populations
(Chadde and Kudray 2001). Mycorrhizae are the most limiting factor for Botrychium establishment,
distribution and abundance (Johnson-Groh 1999). Therefore adverse impacts to the mycorrhizae
may be expected to also have deleterious effects on Botrychium.
Even-aged management would have the greatest effect by opening the canopy arid disturbing the
soil surface. Thinning would maintain enough overstory canopy to sustain suitable habitat,
however the skidding of logs and the construction of temporary roads could alter the soil surface
and damage the important below ground portion of the plant. By buffering the draws and riparian
areas the moist microsites and forest floor where moonworts are most likely to occur would be
protected. Due to protection of RHCA's, no management proposed by the action alternatives
would occur within suitable portions of Botrychium habitat. The meadow portions of moonwort
habitat will not be impacted by proposed management activities.
GREEN BUG-ON-A-STICK (BUXBAUMIA VIRIDIS;
Processes, natural or man-caused, that open the overstory canopy, remove large organic debris,
or disturb the soil surface could affect Buxbaumia viritfis habitat. The species is rare due to
inefficient dispersal and by difficulties in establishment (Laaka 1992). Thus it will not cope well with
significant impacts to suitable habitat that would change the microclimate (Laaka and Syrjanen
1990). Down log recruitment, a necessary component of Buxbaumia habitat would not occur with
regeneration harvest. When necessary, mitigation activities should maintain decaying logs and
greater than 70 percent closed canopy for shade (FEMAT 1994). Moist riparian bottoms and toe-
slopes have the greatest potential-for maintaining large decaying logs within grand fir habitats.
Protecting draws and riparian areas would protect the moist microsites where large logs are most
likely to occur. As a result all alternatives affect an insignicant amount of suitable habitat (2-3
percent)
CLUSTERED LADY'S SLIPPER (CYPRIPEDIUM FASCICULATUMJ
Clustered lady's slipper is sensitive to ground disturbance and canopy removal. Apparent
population decreases have been observed where the overstory canopy was reduced (Lake 2001).
The few plants found growing in full sunlight had yellowed and deformed leaves. Disturbance to
the duff layer that results in exposed soil may also be detrimental to established populations. With
even-aged management practices, the mycorrhizal fungal relationships believed to be necessary
for seedling germination and health would be severed. Nor would the fungus tolerate the direct
sunlight that would result from such activities. The species has never been found in clearcut areas
and extirpation would be the expected result of this form of management (Greenlee 1997).
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Thinning would maintain enough canopy to sustain suitable habitat, however the skidding of logs
and the construction of temporary roads would alter the soil surface and physically remove plants.
However, plants have been found persist after some forms of activity that avoid heavy mechanical
disturbance and leaves the light, heat and moisture regimes intact. Some populations persist in
areas that have undergone low intensity wildfire (Hays 1995) and in areas that underwent some
form of intermediate harvest that leaves the duff layer and some cover intact (Lichthardt 2002). It
is possible that intermediate harvest treatments in grand fir and Douglas fir habitat types may
represent a mixture of detrimental and beneficial effects; in the short term, individuals may be
impacted by the timber harvest activities or canopy reduction, but in the long term populations may
benefit from the reduced threat of stand replacing fire (Greenlee 1997). The alternatives affect a
small percentage (2-7 percent) of suitable habitat for Cluster lady's slipper.
IDAHO BARREN STRAWBERRY(WALDSTEINIA IDAHOENSIS)
Population density of Idaho barren strawberry is greater in open stands With past harvest and in old
burns as compared to a more shaded closed conifer community (Crawford 1980). It is capable of
colonizing disturbed soils where competition from shrubs and larger plants may be reduced,
providing a temporal window for Waldsteinja (Lichthardt 1999). Fire also seems to reduce
competition and stimulates both seed and rhizome production. However, prolonged and intense
heat that penetrates deeply into the soil may kill the plant (Crawford 1980).
It is difficult to determine long-term population trends for this species. Fire suppression has caused
a decline in disturbance, which would be expected to result in some decline. However, large areas
of even-aged management, and development of dispersed campsites along stream and meadow
margins have increased habitat. If soil surface disturbance is relatively light, Idaho barren
strawberry would benefit from the removal of overstory canopy.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
None of the alternatives described and analyzed would implement actions or activities that would
result in an irreversible commitment of resources as related to threatened, endangered or sensitive
plants.
With respect to irretrievable effects, loss of suitable habitat occurs when an area that was once
suitable for rare and sensitive plants is no longer available as a result of a series of actions. The
no action alternative maintains current habitat conditions for plant species. Management activities
create mainly temporary disturbances and any irretrievable effect varies by individual plant
species. Proposed activities that affect one species or their habitat negatively may benefit other
plants in a positive manner. For example, reducing late serai grand fir to an early serai stage may
eliminate clustered lady's slipper from colonizing and making use of the habitat. A series of future
activities such as prescribed burning, thinning and other treatment could then render the area
unsuitable creating an irretrievable effect on clustered lady's slipper. The same series of action
may improve conditions for Payson's milkvetch (Astragalus paysonii) or Idaho barren strawberry
(Waldsteinia idahoensis).
CONSISTENCY WITH THE FOREST PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
As stated under the regulatory framework the objective for managing sensitive species is to ensure
population viability throughout their range on National Forest lands and to ensure they do not
become Federally listed as threatened or endangered. The forest plan supports this direction but
does not set specific standards and guides for sensitive plants. The alternatives are consistent
with this direction to the extent that proposed management actions would not adversely affect
viability of existing sensitive plant populations.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Cumulative effects for rare and sensitive plants are addressed through consideration of proposed
and reasonably foreseeable actions. All reasonably foreseeable actions on lands administered by
the Forest Service could require protective measures to avoid negative impacts to sensitive and
rare plants. In this analysis cumulative effects to rare plants are discussed in terms of general
habitats in the project area and through quantification of modeled habitats potentially affected at
the watershed level.
Discussion of cumulative effects for rare and sensitive plants can be addressed through the
general trend of habitat type groups found across the American River and Crooked River
watersheds as a result of past, present and future management actions. The proposed project
area contains several Habitat Type Groups (HTG) used for these discussions that contain the
micro-features that are important to the rare and sensitive plants discussed above. These types
include: Dry Douglas Fir and Grand Fir (HTG 2), Cool and Dry Grand Fir (HTG 3), Moist Grand Fir
(HTG 4), and Cool and moist Subalpine Fir and Spruce (HTG 7). This section focuses on the
capability of the habitats to support rare and sensitive plants.
DRY DOUGLAS FIR AND GRAND FIR (HTG 2)
These dry forest habitats are often open and found on south facing slopes of in the north central
portion of Crooked River. Habitat types are mostly shrubs and pine grass in the ponderosa pine,
Douglas fir and grand fir series. Generally this Habitat Type Group have seen significant
management activity over past decades including timber harvest and mining practices. Decades of
fire suppression have also increased forest cover in general.
Alternative D, and C would add disturbance to this landscape through timber harvest. So long as
proposed management returns these slopes to a more open condition with large dominant pine
and soil surface disturbance remains low, the cumulative affect would be an improving trend.
However, excessive soil disturbance could depress populations of desirable native species, while
encouraging invasion of weeds such as spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). Noxious weed
treatment may maintain the improving trends if invasive weeds are treated early as small
infestations, rather than as dominant plants in susceptible habitat. It is also likely that Payson's
milkvetch (Astragalus paysonii) and Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteinia idahoensis) would be
benefited by management activities that maintain an open stand structure.
COOL AND DRY GRAND FIR (HTG3)
This Habitat Type Group is very common in much of the project area and contains such habitats in
the grand fir and Douglas fir series as beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) and twinflower (Linnaea
borealis) among others that indicate relatively cool and dry sites for these forests types. It is
composed of the most common forest habitats in the Crooked River project area with
approximately 42,000 acres present.
Much of this zone has seen significant management activity in the past. Seedling and sapling
forest structure are increased due to even-aged management. Road densities are relatively high in
portions of the zone and some livestock grazing occurs along roads and in forest openings. Exotic
plants are scattered along these roads and openings. Mining activity was once common, but is not
abundant today. Cool and dry grand fir does not provide habitat for many plant species of
concern, but does support habitat and populations of Payson's milkvetch (Astragalus paysonii) and
Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteinia idahoensis). Serai forests dominated by lodgepole pine
provide the necessary habitat for candystick (Allotropa virgata).
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Disturbance to the landscape through timber harvest and temporary roads are relatively common.
The overall effect on potential sensitive plant habitat would be expected to be static to improved
conditions. If Payson's milkvetch or Idaho barren strawberry are present in these habitats, both
species are well documented to not only withstand disturbance, but generally are increased by it
(Crawford 1980). As a result, population viability for these species is not a concern.
Occurrences of candystick are expected to decline in the Crooked River watershed due to
extensive lodgepole mortality from a combination of Mountain Pine Settle, timber harvest,
temporary road construction and fuels reduction. Management activity may improve candystick
habitat in the long-term by providing future serai lodgepole pine habitats and allowing the
Lodgepole to develop into 60-80 year old stands. However, candystick habitat will continue to
decline for the foreseeable future and it is unknown at this time the extent of the affects on existing
population of this unique plant.
MOIST GRAND FIR (HTG 4)
The Moist Grand Fir Habitat Type Group covers approximately 31,000 acres. The majority is found
in the upper American River Watershed. The Grand-fir mosaic is well represented in this HTG and
is a common habitat in upper American River Watershed.
Generally this zone has seen significant management activity over past decades. Seedling and
sapling forest structure are increased due to even-aged management. Road densities are
relatively high in portions of the zone and some livestock grazing occurs along roads, and in forb
and alder glades within the Grand-fir mosaic zone. Historic mining has occurred along the main
river bottoms of both American and Crooked River watersheds, but this activity is less common
today. Exotic plants are present along roads. Moist grand fir provide habitat for deerfern
(Blechnum spicant), moonworts (Botrychium spp.), green bug-on-a-stick (Buxbaumia viridis),
clustered lady's slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum), evergreen kittentail (Synthyris platycarpa),
Idaho barren strawberry (Waldsteineia idahoensis), and naked-stem rhizomnium (Rhizomnium
nudum) and ridges dominated by serai lodgepole pine support candystick (Allotropa virgata).
Disturbance to the landscape through timber harvest, mining, grazing and roads is relatively
common and may continue in the future. Overall effect on potential sensitive plant habitat would
be a slight decrease in the amount and quality of suitable habitat. Long-term trends would be
static to slightly downward. A slight downward trend in habitat quality would not lead to concerns
for population viability since moist grand fir habitats are common in the upper watersheds.
COOL AND MOIST SUBALPINE FIR AND SPRUCE (HTG 7)
These forest habitats are characterized by cool and moist site conditions and support subalpine
fir/Menziesia or other moist shrub or forb communities. Approximately 9100 acres of these habitats
are common in the upper watersheds of Crooked River and American River. Past land use in
these habitats would be similar to those of HTGs 4 with less harvest activity and grazing.
Pact impacts from would be very similar to those described in HTG 4, but the potential to involve
sensitive plant species would be much reduced. In these cooler habitats probably only green-bug-
on-stick (Buxbaumia viridis) and naked rhizomnium (Rhizomnium nudum) would potentially be
present.
Overall, species with an affinity for early serai conditions and tolerance for light to moderate
disturbance, such as Payson's milkvetch and Idaho barren strawberry, will see some benefits from
the activities proposed in the action alternatives and future management proposals. Management
activities will impact suitable habitat for most of the other sensitive species, but only at very low
levels. Candystick provides the most significant botanical consideration associated with these
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projects because known occurrences will be impacted along with suitable habitat, and it's low
tolerance for overstory remove, soil disturbance and changes in stand composition and structure.
3.10.2. CROOKED RIVER
INTRODUCTION
Plant communities in the analysis area can be seen as a mosaic of patches that change in
composition, size, and juxtaposition over time. Wildlife and human uses respond to the existing
pattern of vegetation. Processes like plant community succession, fire, insect and disease activity,
drought and grazing, all change the pattern that exists at any one time/Features like climate, soil,
slope, aspect and elevation, control the bounds within which patterns can change. Vegetation
Response Units (VRUs), and Potential Vegetation Groups (PVGs), within VRUs are used to
describe these bounds. The VRUs for the American River portion of the analysis are shown in
figure 3.13. Within these delineations, presettlement processes like climate, fire, and insect and
disease activity were likely to operate within somewhat predictable ranges. Understanding how
these disturbance regimes worked, and the pattern of vegetation change, is .fundamental to
management of ecosystems. This understanding can be used to help design management
systems that sustain patterns of vegetation at the scale, frequency, and kind Of change to which
native species are adapted.
Figure 3.13
CROOKED RIVER VRU'S
10, 1470, 9%
[AC]
, 493, 3%
7, 3146, 20%
6, 10129, 66%
(VRU 1: Convex slopes, subalpine fir ,VRU 3: Breaklands, grand fir and Douglas-fir
VRU 6: Cold basins, grand fir and subalpine fir VRU 7: Moist uplands, grand fir and Pacific yew)
3.10.2.1. INDICATOR 1 - COMPOSITION (COVER
TYPE/SPECIES/LAYER/AGE)
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The Crooked River portion of the project area encompasses approximately 23,300 acres.
Previous harvest in the project area, dating from the 1950s to the present has occurred on
approximately 4,657 acres or approximately 20 percent of the area. Of this approximately 2768
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acres were clearcut, 1650 acres were seed tree cuts, 239 acres were thinning/salvage cuts. Figure
3.14 portrays harvest by method, acres and percentage of the analysis area.
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
PREVIOUS HARVEST
NO, 18634ac, 80%
4112, 23 ac, 0%
4113, 2745 ac, 12%
HARVEST
4121, 10ac, 0%
4131, 389 ac, 2%
"^-4132, 1251 ac, 5%
4211, 171 ac, 1%
4220, 68 ac, -0%
Figure 3.14 u
(Harvest codes: NO - no harvest, 4112 - strip clearcut, 4113 - stand clearcut, 4121 - shelterwood
prep cut, 4131 - shelterwood seed cut, 4132 - seed tree cut, 4211 - liberation cut, 4220 -
thinning)
FOREST COVER TYPES
A combination of wild fire, intentional fire, timber harvest and fire suppression have shaped the
existing pattern and composition of vegetation in the analysis area. The greatest changes from
historic vegetation conditions include:
Declines in lodgepole pine dominated communities due to harvest, fire suppression and forest
succession.
Increases in more shade tolerant tree species, like subalpine fir and grand fir, due to fire
suppression and forest succession.
Declines in shrubland, riparian shrub, and riparian meadow due to forest encroachment,
agricultural conversion, and forest succession
Whitebark pine has declined seriously from blister rust, fire exclusion and mountain pine beetle.
Western white pine, never abundant, has also declined from blister rust.
Early serai structural stages, including forest openings, seedling and sapling, and pole stands, with
snags and down wood, have decreased because of fire suppression. Medium and large tree
classes have increased in most areas except larch and ponderosa pine forests.
Figure 3.15 and Table 3.93 display project area cover types.
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Figure 3.15
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
COVER TYPE
4221,13433,87%
,<-4222, 31,0%
(-4225, 43, 0%
6201, 28, 0%
3103, 374, 2%
3202, 45, 0%
I COVER TYPE
4203,1301,9%
4207, 30, 0%
4212, 107, 1%
L4220, 180, 1%
Table 3.93: Cover Type Codes
Code
3103
3202
4203
4207
4212
4215
4219
4220
4221
4222
4223
4224
4225
5201
6101
6201
6202
Cover Type
Herbaceous/low shrub clearcut
Mesic shrub: huckleberry, etc
Lodgepole pine
Grand fir
Douglas fir
Larch
Whitebark pine
Subalpine fir/Engelmann spruce/lodgepole
Mixed conifer (grand fir, Douglas fir and lesser larch and
lodgepole
Xeric conifer (ponderosa pine and Douglas fir)
Douglas-fir/lodgepole pine
Burned timber
Larch and grand fir
Water
Riparian conifer (wet spruce fir )
Wet meadow
Riparian shrub
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STRUCTURE (Size CLASSES, DENSITY AND CANOPY LAYERS)
SIZE CLASSES
Average tree size varies depending on year of origin, tree species, and growing conditions.
Approximately 11 percent of the project area consists of regenerating harvest units with tree
diameters less than 5 inches and 85 percent of the area supports trees with 5 inches diameter at
breast height (DBH) or greater. Less thanl percent of the area supports trees predominantly 21-
inches or greater. Small trees (9-14 inch diameter breast height (dbh)) are probably more
abundant than typical of a natural landscape. Figure 16 displays existing tree size classes in the
project area.
Figure 3.16: Tree Size Classes
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
SIZE CLASS DISTRIBUTION
9-21 in, 17318, 75%
Non-tree, 909, 4%
<5 in, 2656, 11%
>21 in, 6, 0%
5-9 in, 2392, 10%
SIZE CLASS
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Figure 3.17 displays the current cover type and size class data for the forested area
in the Crooked River portion of the analysis area.
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
COVER TYPE/SIZE CLASS
18000 -
16000 -
14000 -
12000
10000 -
8000
6000 -
4000 H
2000 -
0 -
09-21 in
DD 5-9 in
• >21 in
B<5 in
Hi
4203
230
2082
908
4207
56
4212
43
6
22
4215
Croc
40
4220
)ked
201
72
32
^^
4221
15713
238
1587
4222
570
37
4225
522
14
| SIZE CLASS
STAND DENSITY .
Stand density, measured in trees per acre vary widely across the project area. Variations are due
to elevation, aspect, soils and moisture, as well as disturbances such as insect activity, fire and
harvest. Stand densities in previously harvested, regenerated stands in the project area range from
approximately 1,000 to 4,000 trees per acre of sapling to pole-sized trees in unthinned stands, to
approximately 435 trees per acre in thinned stands. Stand densities in the table below have been
calculated for previously unmanaged stands in the project area. One consequence of increased
stand densities is the increase in fuel loading (tons per acre of vegetative fuel) that could increase
fire intensity, severity and resistance to control. Table 3.94 displays average stand densities by
size class for previously unmanaged stands in the project area.
Table 3.94: Unmanaged Stand Densities in the Project Area
Size Class
Seedling/Sapling
Pole (5-9 inch DBH)
Small-Medium Trees
(9-21 inch DBH)
21 + inch DBH
Total (5" DBH and
greater)
Trees/Acre
1,300
66
53
5
167
Acres by Size
Class
2656
2392
17318
6
19716
Percent of
Project Area
11
10
75
0
85
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CANOPY LAYERS
Relatively simple one and two story stands have transitioned to more complex multi-story stands.
Lodgepole pine mortality will accelerate the shift toward multi-story conditions. Figure 3.18 displays
canopy cover in the project area.
Figure 3.18
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
CANOPY PERCENT
CANOPY_ADJ
D 40-70 pet
D15-40 pet
D >70 pet
D<15 pet
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Forest succession, insect and disease activity, timber harvest, fire and fire suppression have
resulted in changed cover types and forest structure since presettlement (USDA, 2003). Changes
in forest cover types and structure (size class, stand density and canopy layers) are used as
indicators to quantify effects on vegetation. Cumulative effects are analyzed within the Crooked
River Drainage.
All action alternatives will have some effects to forest cover types and/or stand structure. All action
alternatives would reduce the potential for intense fire and severe fire effects to vegetation through
fuel removal, as well as reduce the risk of insect or disease outbreaks. The differences between
alternatives would be in number of acres treated, treatment types and amount of fuel removal. All
action alternatives implement prescribed fire treatments, though many stands in the project area
have too much existing fuel (dead material and ladder fuel) to safely allow the use of prescribed
burning without prior thinning.
Prescribed harvests will reduce the canopy by approximately 90 percent in clearcuts, 80 percent in
seed tree units, 70 percent in shelter woods, and 50 -60 percent on thinned acres.
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COVER TYPES
DIRECT EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no direct effects to cover types associated with this alternative. Cover types in the
project area would continue to change without direct intervention of man. Changes through time
will vary depending on the intensity of disturbances such as fire, weather events, disease, and
insect epidemics.
ALTERNATIVE B
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 1,828 acres.
Approximately 690 acres would be clearcut, 503 acres would be shelterwood, 109 acres would be
seed tree, 177 acres would be commercially thinned, 332 acres would be in roadside salvage, and
17 acres would be fuel break. Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in
the fuel treatment areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 799 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by
approximately 368 acres. Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 480 acres.
ALTERNATIVE C
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 1,899 acres.
Approximately 784 acres would be clearcut, 523 acres would be sheJterwood, 150 acres would be
seed tree, 115 acres would be commercially thinned, 326 acres would be in roadside salvage, and
38 acres would be fuel break. Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in
the fuel treatment areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 898 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 405 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 567 acres.
ALTERNATIVE D
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 2,297 acres.
Approximately 804 acres would be clearcut, 659 acres would be shelterwood, 212 acres would be
seed tree, 255 acres would be commercially thinned, 329 acres would be in roadside salvage, and
38 acres would be fuel break. Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in
the fuel treatment areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 1016 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 422 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 659 acres.
ALTERNATIVE E
Timber harvest and fuel reduction treatments would occur on approximately 1,623 acres.
Approximately 536 acres would be clearcut, 472 acres would be shelterwood, 88 acres would be
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seed tree, 177 acres would be commercially thinned, 337 acres would be in roadside salvage, and
17 acres would be fuel break. Direct effects would include the following changes in cover types in
the fuel treatment areas.
Acres of herbaceous clearcut would increase by approximately 681 acres. This acreage would
decrease as trees become reestablished on these acres and canopy closure excludes herbaceous
ground cover. Most of these acres would move towards short-lived intolerant (lodgepole pine) and
mixed conifer cover types over time. Lodgepole pine cover type would be reduced by 283 acres.
Mixed conifer cover types would be reduced by approximately 388 acres.
INDIRECT EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Passive management is a conscious decision with short and long-term ecosystem consequences.
Preservation of dynamic ecosystems requires precisely timed, effectively planned and
implemented actions if desirable characteristics of those ecosystems are to remain intact.
Processes will take place whether at the hand of man or at random under the no action
alternative. Anticipated effects of processes, which will occur with no human intervention, can
provide a benchmark against which to measure effects of active management.
Forest cover types in the project area would shift towards mixed conifer (primarily grand fir and
subalpine fir) cover types. Susceptibility to insect attacks and root diseases affecting conifer
species would be expected to increase. Ponderosa pine cover types would be expected to decline
as climax conifer species eventually dominate stand composition in stands where ponderosa pine
now occurs. This has been observed in stands in the Soda and Blanco Creek drainages during
field diagnoses in 2003. Forest cover in some areas in these drainages was dominated by large
ponderosa pine with shrub, forb and grass ground cover. This cover type was historically
maintained by frequent, low severity ground fire. However, large ponderosa pines in these stands
are stressed and fading due to overcrowding and competition from other tree species such as
grand fir, Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine. These species have established in these stands due at
least partly, to the lack of frequent low severity ground fire. As a result many large ponderosa pine
in these stands have died within the past several years.
Mountain pine beetle would continue to cause extensive mortality to lodgepole and ponderosa pine
in the project area until host depletion results in a decline in the beetle population to endemic
levels. Aerial detection surveys have noted a slight decline in numbers of infected trees between
2002 and 2003, due to host depletion of susceptible lodgepole and ponderosa pine. As grand fir,
Douglas-fir and subalpine fir establish and dominate in stands previously dominated by lodgepole
pine, these species would be highly susceptible to root disease and insect attack, thus contributing
to increased fuel loading in these stands.
Fire suppression would continue throughout the project area, allowing fuels to build up and
disrupting the natural fire disturbance pattern. Low severity ground fire would not occur in the
project area at the scale necessary to maintain ponderosa pine and western larch cover types. At
some point, fire would likely reestablish lodgepole pine dominance in areas where seed sources
exist and mineral soil is exposed creating favorable seedbeds for conifer reestablishment.
Early serai, shade-intolerant trees such as ponderosa pine and western larch would decrease in
numbers while the shade tolerant species Douglas fir and grand fir would increase. The shrub,
forb, and grass component of forest stands would continue to decline.
Forest stands where the principle species is Douglas fir, true fir, or Englemann spruce are highly
susceptible to outbreaks of defoliators such as western spruce budworm and Douglas fir tussock
moth. In recent years portions of the American River have experienced damaging levels of
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hemlock lopper. The following factors make such forest stands within the Crooked River analysis
area particularly susceptible to attack.
Many forest stands are multi-storied. In a tussock moth or budworm infestation, the larvae feed on
new growth of larger trees. As the caterpillars mature, they drop off the tree for a variety of reasons
(wind, exhaustion of food supply, etc.). Landing on foliage suitable for foraging (such as Douglas fir
or grand fir) results in additional damage.
Older trees in many forest stands are not vigorous. Damage from defoliators, bark beetles, and
other insect pests could trigger eventual mortality.
The conifers in many of the forest stands in the Crooked River Analysis Area are stagnant. Many of
these trees are particularly vulnerable to defoliator and bark beetle attack.
Root disease is apparent in portions of the planning area. During a defoliator or bark beetle attack
mortality is often first noticed in root centers because of the weakened state of the trees.
Precipitation in the 1990's was below average. Over several years, coupled with higher than
historical stocking levels, this can have a negative effect on stand growth. Trees become more
likely to sustain significant damage from insects during or following drought cycles. Forest stands
that have southeasterly to westerly aspects are particularly susceptible to problems associated
with drought because of the drying effects of direct sunlight and the prevailing winds on these
aspects.
Increases in other insects such as fir engraver and Douglas fir beetle often accompany a defoliator
outbreak. Insects are often at endemic levels in the forest, but become more apparent and
increase in numbers as a defoliator infestation progresses. Often these insects will "finish off' trees
previously weakened by other pests or pathogens. Any combination of the above listed factors
could elevate the level of damage from defoliation to mortality. Additional mortality would add to
fuel loads already outside their historic range and increase the risk of stand replacement wildfire.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E
Indirect effects would include enhancement of fire resistant ponderosa pine and western larch, and
regeneration of lodgepole pine cover types in the project area. Increased vigor and resistance to
damage from fire, insects and disease can be expected in other forest cover types in the project
area. Openings created through removal and prescribed burning would create favorable conditions
for establishment of fire resistant species such as ponderosa pine and western larch, as well as
lodgepole pine. In areas usually dominated by lodgepole pine, this species would be expected to
reestablish rapidly from local seed sources. In areas where ponderosa pine and western larch
have been removed these species could be planted to assure reestablishment.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
ALTERNATIVE A
Every year a wildfire starts somewhere in the Crooked River watershed. Fire spread depends on
weather (temperature, wind, and moisture primarily), topography, and fuel. The longer fire or fuel
management is absent from an area the greater the total biomass quantity and continuous fuel.
When a wildfire starts these factors result in more intense fire behavior and increased resistance to
control. With the higher intensity and increased area of a fire, the more vegetation that would be
damaged or destroyed. This includes large, old trees, which have withstood natural low intensity
fires for centuries. These sites did not typically have continuous areas of dense understories of
saplings and poles to provide ladder fuels to the crowns, nor the concentration of live aerial
biomass associated with grand fir and Douglas fir. Natural fuel loading that is higher than historic
levels, coupled with a dense understory, can create a crown fire condition which is much hotter and
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more damaging to plants and soils than the historic natural fire regime which burned ground fuels
and grasses.
The implementation of Alternative A (No Action), with current forest conditions (live and dead
biomass) outside the historic natural range of variability, provides a greater risk of epidemic stand
loss to diseases and insects. In these finite systems of moisture and sunlight only a certain amount
of live biomass can be supported per acre. Consequently, the more individual trees on an acre,
the smaller the allocation of water and the necessary elements per tree resulting in subsequent
lower vigor and growth per individual tree. Plants produce different hormones and other chemicals
when growing at various rates that affect the potential size of these plants. Plants that receive
more moisture and sunlight grow faster and have the potential to achieve a larger size.
Insect infestation would increase with no management action. Forest stands under stress have a
higher potential to attract bark beetles. When trees are stressed they produce chemicals which are
natural attraction signals to bark beetles. Bark beetles are a natural thinning agent and a
necessary part of the ecosystem in creating habitat for certain wildlife species, and reducing stress
for the remaining live trees. With the increase in vulnerable food supplies (stressed trees) insect
populations can build to epidemic proportions. Epidemics of beetles can destroy even the
healthiest trees due to mass attacks. Bark beetles can also carry spores that inoculate trees with
saprophytic microorganisms that can weaken the bole and increases the rate of bole snap and
decomposition. This effect would cause many trees (snags) killed by beetles to fall tq the ground in
a relatively short time decreasing their value for cavity nesters, and increasing the amount of fuel
for high intensity wildfire.
The majority of forest stands proposed for treatment in the Crooked River Area are in a state of
poor vigor. Trees are generally more susceptible to root rots and disease when at low vigor. With
the selection of Alternative A, tree vigor would continue to decline and would likely result in more
tree deaths attributable to root rot, especially the more susceptible grand fir and Douglas fir.
Parasitic plant dwarf mistletoe would also contribute to decline in Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and
western larch.
Conifers, especially shade-tolerant species such as Douglas fir and grand fir, would continue to
invade historically open forest stands and meadows. Grasses, forbs and shrubs would become
depauperate in densely stocked\forest stands! Gene pools of various species of plants, especially
those dependent on frequent fire regimes, would decline and become less viable.
Reduced acres of lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine cover types can be expected in time due to
mountain pine beetle induced mortality and forest succession favoring establishment of climax
species. Western larch cover type can also be expected to decrease over the long term. Mixed
conifer cover type could be expected to increase.
ALTERNATIVE B
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 1,496 acres in the drainage. Other activities in
the drainage, including the proposed Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction project and ongoing hazard
tree removal and firewood cutting also have potential to affect forest cover types on additional
acres in the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE C
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 1,574 acres in the drainage. Other activities in
the drainage, including the proposed Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction projects, and ongoing hazard
tree removal and firewood cutting also have potential effects to forest cover types on additional
acres in the drainage.
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ALTERNATIVE D
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 1,968 acres in the drainage. Other activities in
the drainage, including the proposed Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction projects, and ongoing hazard
tree removal and firewood cutting also have potential effects to forest cover types on additional
acres in the drainage.
ALTERNATIVE E
Implementation would affect forest cover types on 1,290 acres in the drainage Other activities in
the drainage, including the Whiskey Gulch Fuel Reduction projects, and ongoing hazard tree
removal and firewood cutting also have potential effects to forest cover types and structure on
additional acres in the drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - COVER TYPES
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to cover types associated with any of the
alternatives. Alternatives B, C, D, and E would temporarily affect herbaceous cover types, short-
lived intolerant, and mixed conifer cover types. However, vegetation normatly present in those
types would reclaim those areas though forest succession/Alternative A would not have any
effects on forest cover types.
STRUCTURE
DIRECT EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no direct effects to size classes associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVE B
Direct effects to tree size classes would include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 799 acres in clearcut and seed tree areas. Pole through medium size tree classes
would be reduced on 1428 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain
essentially the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction and line
corridors
ALTERNATIVE C
Direct effects to tree size classes would include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 784 acres in clearcut areas. Pole through medium size tree class acres would be
reduced on approximately 1500 acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain
essentially the same except for incidental removal for temporary road construction and line
corridors.
ALTERNATIVE D
Direct effects to tree size classes include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 804 acres. Pole through medium size tree class acres would be reduced on 1885
acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain essentially the same except for
incidental removal for temporary road construction and line corridors.
ALTERNATIVE E
Direct effects to tree size classes include an increase in seedling/sapling size classes on
approximately 536 acres. Pole through medium size tree class acres would be reduced on 1236
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acres. Large tree (21 + inch DBH) size classes would remain essentially the same except for
incidental removal for temporary road construction and line corridors.
Figure 3.19 displays Crooked River size classes by alternative.
Figure 3.19
CROOKED RIVER PORTION
SIZE CLASS BY ALTERNATIVE
Table 3.95: Crooked River Proportion of Existing Size Class
SIZE
CLASS
<5 in
>21 in
5-9 in
9-21 in
Non-tree
ALT. A
1
1
1
1
1
ALT. B
0.78
1.00
1.19
1.02
1.00
ALT.C
0.76
1.00
1.21
1.03
1.00
ALT. D
0.73
1.00
1.03
1.01
1.00
ALT. E
0.82
1.00
0.95
0.99
1.00
INDIRECT EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Size class diversity would temporarily increase as shade tolerant grand fir and subalpine fir
establish and maintain in stands in the project area. Small and medium trees would dominate
creating continuous fuel ladders, increasing the potential for severe fire. Large fire resistant
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ponderosa pine and western larch would eventually be excluded due to stress induced by
competition for water and nutrients, lack of suitable conditions for regeneration, or severe fire. In
time, severe fire would probably occur, resulting in reestablishment of single size class stands in
burned areas.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E
Indirect effects associated with fuel reduction treatments would be increased growth and vigor, as
well as resistance to damage from fire to remaining trees in the fuel reduction areas. Remaining
trees in all size classes would benefit through reduced competition for water and nutrients.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - SlZE CLASS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no cumulative effects to size classes in the Crooked River Drainage associated with
alternative one.
ALTERNATIVE B
Size classes would be affected on approximately 1,496 acres 3 percent of the Crooked River
drainage.
ALTERNATIVE C
Size classes would be affected on approximately 1,574 acres 3 percent of the Crooked River
drainage.
ALTERNATIVE D
Size classes would be affected on approximately 1,968 acres 4 percent of the Crooked River
drainage.
ALTERNATIVE E
Size classes would be affected on approximately 1,290 acres 3 percent of the Crooked River
drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to size classes associated with any of the
alternatives. Alternatives B, C, D, and E would have some effects on size classes in the project
area, though this would be temporary.
STAND DENSITY
DIRECT EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no direct effects to stand densities associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVE B
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 2,010 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree acres, 70 percent on shelterwood and fuel break acres, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and
10 percent on salvage acres..
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Alternative C
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 2,075 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree acres, 70 percent on shelterwood and fuel break acres, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and
10 percent on salvage acres..
ALTERNATIVE D
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 2,509 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree acres, 70 percent on shelterwood and fuel break acres, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and
10 percent on salvage acres..
ALTERNATIVE E
Direct effects would be reduced stand densities on approximately 1,795 acres in the project area.
Stand densities would be reduced approximately 90 percent on clearcut acres, 80 percent on seed
tree acres, 70 percent on shelterwood and fuel break acres, 50-60 percent on thinning acres, and
10 percent on salvage acres..
Table 3.96 displays direct effects of implementation of alternatives B,C,D, and E to tree stand
densities in the project area. Stand densities are calculated for previously unmanaged stands in
the project area.
Table 3.96: Action Alternatives Change in Stand Densities
Size Class
Seedling/Sapling
Pole (5-9 inch DBH)
Small Tree (9-21 inch DBH)
21 + inch DBH
Current Trees/acre
1,300
66
53
5
Alt. B-5 Trees/Acre
1,300
7
7
5
Percent Change
0%
90%
90%
0%
INDIRECT EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Stand densities would increase in the short term as lodgepole stands are replaced by grand fir and
subalpine fir. Increased stand densities would result in increased fuel loading and potential for
intense fire activity. Barring fire, insect or disease epidemics, stand densities would decrease as
stands mature and competition results in stem exclusion.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. D. AND E
Increased vigor and resistance to damage from fire, insects and disease would expected for all
tree species in the fuel reduction areas. Reduced densities and underburning would create
openings and favorable conditions for establishment fire resistant serai species such as ponderosa
pine and western larch. In areas usually dominated by lodgepole pine, this species would be
expected to reestablish rapidly from local seed sources. In areas where ponderosa pine and
western larch have been reduced, these species could be planted to assure reestablishment.
Increased potential for wind damage may occur in some areas. However this would be minimized
through project design to protect remaining trees in those areas.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS - STAND DENSITY
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
There are no cumulative effects to stand densities associated with this alternative.
ALTERNATIVE B
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 2,010 acres of previously unmanaged stands
in the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately 4 percent of the drainage
ALTERNATIVE C
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 2,075 acres of previously unmanaged stands
in the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately 5 percent of the drainage
ALTERNATIVE D
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 2,509 acres of previously unmanaged stands
in the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately 5 percent of the drainage
ALTERNATIVE E
Stand densities would be reduced on approximately 1,795 acres of previously unmanaged stands
in the drainage. This would change stand densities in approximately 4 percent of the drainage.
IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS - SIZE CLASS
There are no irreversible or irretrievable effects to stand densities associated with any of the
alternatives. Alternatives B, G, D, and E would reduce stand densities in the project area, though
this effect would be temporary.
3.10.2.2. INDICATOR 2 - DISTURBANCE PATTERNS
INSECTS AND DISEASE
MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE
Mountain pine beetle is a native bark beetle with a one- to two-year life cycle that is the prime
insect agent affecting lodgepole pine ecosystems Adults select green trees of sufficient size and
phloem thickness to nourish their larvae. The pitch tubes on the bole and boring dust at the base
of the tree are evidence of beetle entry. Beetles are subject to mortality from parasites, predators
such as woodpeckers, cold winters, drying of the pine following infection, and resin from the host
tree. Infestations tend to occur at 20 to 40 year intervals, depending on the age, size, and density
of lodgepole stands (Cole and Amman, 1980). A prior beetle outbreak occurred in the 1980s in
American and Crooked River, followed by salvage and logging. This approach to beetle treatment
favors rapid reestablishment of lodgepole pine and renewal of the cycle. Salvage, thinning and
prescribed fire, augmented by planting beetle- and fire-resistant species could help interrupt some
continuity of dense lodgepole pine and slightly reduce susceptibility to this cycle. Thinning can
help reduce susceptibility to mountain opine beetle through both physiological response of the
remaining trees and changed microclimate within the stand (Mitchell, 1994).
Lodgepole pine is characteristic of interior montane basins like American and Crooked River where
cold air impoundment favors establishment of the species. Lodgepole in American and Crooked
River has become highly susceptible to mountain pine beetle because much of the lodgepole
derives from fires between 1870-1898 and these trees have reached an age and size suitable for
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beetle reproduction. In the absence of fires, landscape patterns may have taken a different course
of development and large contiguous areas of susceptible lodgepole may not have developed.
Mountain pine beetle infestations can kill 30 to over 90 percent of trees 5 inches or larger in a
stand, but trees 8 inches or larger are preferred. After each infestation, residual lodgepole pine and
shade tolerant species like grand fir increase their growth and the trend is toward uneven-age
stands with multiple canopy layers and shade tolerant species. This has been observed in
response to the 1980s epidemic in American and Crooked River. In mixed lodgepole and
ponderosa pine stands, beetles may attack both lodgepole and ponderosa pine. At several low
elevation sites I the project area mountain pine beetle has killed noticeable amounts of ponderosa
pine.
WESTERN BALSAM BARK BEETLE
This beetle is a native wood-boring insect that attacks subalprne fir, and rarely Engelmann spruce
(Garbutt, 1992, as cited in Natural Resources of Canada, 2003). In American and Crooked River
they have been identified in the upper elevation spruce-fir stands, but numbers of affected trees
are currently relatively low. Their successional function is to kill old subalpine fir, favoring
establishment of new subalpine fir. This may not change Cover Types, but can contribute to
development of more uneven-age structure, and fuel accumulations. It is estimated that this beetle
is at endemic levels and will remain so unless environmental factors change significantly.
BALSAM WOOLLY ADELGID
This is a sucking insect introduced from Europe that is now found in the American and Crooked
River watershed in a few areas, but the extent to which it may increase in population and activity is
not known Stem attacks can lead to eventual tree mortality. Crown attack can ultimately affect
bud formation and upward growth and can also lead to tree mortality. This insect more often
attacks young trees so its successional effect is to reduce stand density and reduce vertical
canopy layering by affecting understory fir. Cold winters control populations, while warm summers
favor their survival.
DOUGLAS FIR BEETLE
This is a native bark beetle that is not typically very aggressive and usually attacks wind thrown,
fire-damaged trees or trees weakened by other pathogens or drought (Hagle et al., 1987, Schmitz
and Gibson, 1996). Where Douglas fir occurs with early serai larch or pine, beetle activity will help
maintain the early serai species. On grand fir and subalpine fir habitat types, like those that
dominate American and Crooked River, Douglas fir beetle activity creates openings where more
shade-tolerant species like grand fir will grow and push the stand more quickly toward late serai
conditions and uneven aged stand structure (Hagle et al., 2000). Observed pockets of Douglas fir
beetle in the watershed have been small and occur in areas where past fires were not stand
replacing so that large old Douglas fir remain. Many of these pockets are associated with old
growth and will provide large Douglas fir snags.
Because of extensive fire in the late 1800s and subsequent harvest, large Douglas firs in dense
stands are not abundant in the watershed so the potential for extensive beetle outbreaks is
relatively low.
ROOT DISEASES
Root diseases are fungi that can affect all sizes, ages and species of tree (Hagle et al., 1987,
Hagle et al., 2000). In the watershed, grand fir and Douglas-fir are most highly susceptible and the
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prevailing root pathogens affecting them are armillaria and annosus root rots. With the loss of
lodgepole pine to mountain pine beetle, grand fir and subalpine fir will increase, and root disease
will likely also increase. However this change is not toward conditions that are outside historic
ranges. Where Douglas-fir has encroached on ponderosa pine stands, these will be more
susceptible to root disease.
Fire and root disease appear to have contributed historically to the maintenance of larch in mixed
conifer stands. Without fire, root disease is unlikely to sufficiently limit grand fir to keep larch from
being eventually eliminated.
Root disease has probably increased a small amount in average severity. The older stands
become and the more they shift toward grand fir, the more severe root disease will be. Root
disease may recover a more important role if lodgepole dominance is reduced and Douglas-fir and
grand fir increase. It will affect canopy cover, Cover Types, size, and age distribution of trees, and
timber productivity. The effects will be to create forest openings, favoring shrubs and regeneration
of more susceptible grand fir or increased dominance by less susceptible species. Over the long
term, without fire or harvest to sustain less susceptible species, more tree species will become
susceptible.
BLISTER RUST
Virtually no western white pine or whitebark *pine has been inventoried in the drainage so the
potential for blister rust is low. The historic potential for these tree species appears tp have been
very low also.
DWARF MISTLETOE
Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic plants that extract water and nutrients from living conifer trees
(Hagle et al. 2000). Lodgepole pine. Lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe is the species most active in
the American and Crooked River watershed, because of the importance of this cover type. Initial
effects are to reduce stand density and size dominance within the affected species and size class.
Successional effects where mistletoe is severe are to accelerate succession toward grand fir or
subalpine fir. Fires that kill host species also reduce mistletoe.
Overall, dwarf mistletoes affect a relatively small proportion of the American and Crooked River
project area. Compared to mountain pine beetle, the effects of dwarf mistletoe in lodgepole pine
are likely to be minor. The thinning effect of mountain pine beetle will reduce dwarf mistletoe on
lodgepole pine in the American and Crooked River area.
3.10.2.3. INDICATOR 3 - RARE PLANTS (SEE SECTION 3.10.1.3)
FULL SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR VEGETATION
VRU1
• Grand fir and subalpine fir have increased.
• Acres of early serai herbaceous shrub, sapling and small tree stands have increased.
• Medium and large trees have decreased.
• Acreage of non-forest openings have declined.
VRU3
• Ponderosa pine and western larch have declined.
• Grand fir and Douglas-fir have increased.
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• Lodgepole pine stands have shifted towards mixed conifer.
• Small trees have increased.
• Medium and large trees have declined.
• Vertical canopy layers have increased, while canopy density has declined.
VRU6
• Lodgepole pine dominance has decreased.
• Mixed conifer stands of small trees have increased.
• Large trees have decreased.
• Tree canopy density has declined.
• Age class and patch size diversity have declined.
• Old growth is estimated at 4.9 percent of the potential forested acres of -this VRU in the
American and Crooked River watershed. This is within the historic range of 5 to 15 percent
that would normally be expected occupy this VRU.
VRU 7
• Acres of small trees have increased.
• Tree canopy density has decreased.
• Extensive snag patches have decreased, except for patches associated with lodgepole pine
mortality.
• Old growth is estimated at 18.5 percent of the potential forested acres of the VRU in the
American and Crooked River watershed. Historically, 15-30 percent old growth would
normally be expected to occupy this VRU.
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3.11. WILDLIFE
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
The scope of this analysis and extent of cumulative effects varies depending on each species'
relative home range size. The effects of alternatives on small bodied species with relatively limited
home range sizes such as boreal toad and black-backed woodpecker are addressed
predominantly within the analysis area acknowledging the relative effects of the actions, where
applicable, that may extend to the larger South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin. The effects of
alternatives on larger species, particularly the larger bodied animals (i.e., elk) or wide-ranging
predators such as the gray wolf, fisher, and lynx, whose home range sizes may exceed the
boundaries of the analysis area and take into account even larger landscapes extending to or
beyond the Forest boundaries. In some cases, the subbasin, or even the forest as a whole, is
assessed within the context of the purpose and uses of the habitats used within the analysis area
boundary, but also includes discussion elements pertinent to the relative overall effects at the
larger scale beyond the subbasin, where applicable by species.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Analysis and evaluation of wildlife and terrestrial TES species data in this EIS is based on direction
contained in the National Environmental Management Act (NFMA), and its implementing
regulations at 36 CFR 219; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); the Endangered
Species Act (ESA), and conforms with direction in the relatively new National Memorandum of
Understanding #MU-11130117-028, which addresses Neotropical migrant land bird management.
The Nez Perce Forest Plan Amendment #23 amended habitat objectives for Elk Analysis Units
(EAUs). The Crooked and American Salvage Project area contains six EAUs with objectives
ranging from 50-75 percent. Refer to the effects analysis pertinent to each alternative in the EIS.
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS
This analysis tiers to the Nez Perce Forest Plan and EIS (1987) and includes updated habitat
information from the South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (SFLA), which is
incorporated by reference. Refer to the South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment and
its accompanying Wildlife Technical Report for a synthesis and summary of existing broad-scale
landscape habitat and terrestrial wildlife species conditions within and surrounding the analysis
area. See the table titled, "Wildlife Species Preliminary Effects Determinations" (below), for a
summary of environmental consequences and conclusions for this analysis.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Outputs from the habitat suitability index model for north Idaho (Leege, T.A. 1984), were used to
analyze summer elk habitats. Very little of the analysis area occurs in elk winter range. The
analysis of effects for most other species used relative comparisons of resultant effects of each
alternative and any past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions on the most limiting
habitat factors, habitat components, or species sensitivities known relative to the analysis area or
larger landscapes as appropriate. Data from the SFLA refer to Ecological Response Units (ERU)
that are 13 geographic subdivisions of the South Fork Clearwater Subbasin, each composed of an
individual watershed or aggregates of watersheds that help characterize place-specific units and
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are a basis for relating to ecological characteristics, processes and functions within the South Fork
Subbasin.
The analysis for Canadian lynx followed conservation measures and habitat criteria direction from
the Canada Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (LCAS, 2000). Analysis of effects to
lynx or their habitat were done by lynx analysis units, as directed by the LCAS. In addition, this
EIS incorporates the effects on terrestrial sensitive species (i.e., Biological Evaluation), per
direction pertaining to streamlining (Per FSM File Code 2670/1950, August 17, 1995; Streamlining
Biological Evaluations and Conclusions for Determining Effects to Listed, Proposed and Sensitive
Species).
Table 3.97: Wildlife Species Preliminary Effects Determinations
(Includes Summary BA/BE conclusions)
Primary
Status
Threatened and
Endangered Species
Sensitive Species
Species
and
Status
Canada
Lynx
(T/S)
Gray Wolf
(T/MIS)_
Bald Eagle
(T/MIS)
Northern
Goshawk
(S/MIS)
Boreal Toad
Harlequin
Duck
Fisher
(S/MIS)
Northern
leopard frog
Wolverine
Townsend's
bat
Coeur d'
Alene
salamander
Flammulated
Owl
Guild/
Priority
Habitat
Early Serai
Security
Early Serai
Security
Early Serai
Late Serai /
Old Growth
Aquatic
Aquatic
Late serai/Old
Growth
Security
Aquatic
Security
Caves
Aquatic
P. Pine
dependant
A
No Impact
Not likely to
jeopardize; (no x
habitat
improvement)
May affect, but not
likely to adversely..
May impact
individuals or
habitat, but would
not likely result in a
trend toward
federal listing or
reduced viability for
the population or
species
No Impact
No Impact
No impacts on old
growth; road
densities remain
unchanged; fire
risks to habitat;
May impact
individuals...
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
B C D E
May affect, but not likely to adversely affect; May impact individuals
or habitat, but would not likely result in a trend toward federal listing
or reduced viability for the population or species
Not likely to jeopardize continued existence of the species; would
lead to modest improvements in longer term wolf prey habitats
related to reduced open road densities
May affect, but not likely to adversely affect; indirect effects to
downstream aquatic habitats
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species. See Appendix J.
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species; additional fragmentation of landscape habitats
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a
trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
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Primary
Status
o
'5
0)
Indicator Sp
Management
Species
and
Status
White-
headed
Woodpecker
Black-
backed
Woodpecker
Elk
Shira's
Moose
Pileated
woodpecker
American
Marten
Neotropical
Migratory
Birds
(Not MIS;
National
MOU
requires
discussion)
Guild/
Priority
Habitat
P. Pine
dependant
Fire/Early
serai
Security
Late serai/Old
Growth grand
fir/ Pacific
yew (MA21)
Late serai/Old
Growth
Late serai/Old
Growth
Security
P. Pine/Old
Growth
(priority)
A
B
C
D
E
No Impact
May impact individuals or habitat, but would not likely result in a trend toward federal
listing or reduced viability for the population or species; some direct habitat losses will
occur
Moderate summer
habitat
effectiveness; no
forage
improvement
No significant
impacts, but fire
risk to MA21
remains
unchanged
No measurable
impacts; slightly
higher fire risks to
old growth (OG)
No impacts on late
serai; current open
road densities
remain unchanged
No measurable
effects; no direct
loss of nesting
habitats; fire risks
to old growth (OG)
remain
Improved
habitat
effectiveness.
Minor
impacts on
MA21;Low
fuel reduction
levels near
MA21
Minor
negative
impacts; fire
risks to OG
remain
Modest
impacts on
late serai;
security
moderately
improved
Old growth
maintained;
Low nesting
habitat loss;
fire risks to
OG remain
Improved habitat
effectiveness
Same as Alt B
Similar to B
Modest impacts
on late serai;
security
moderately
improved
Similar to B, but
higher direct
loss of nesting
habitat; fire risks
to OG remain
Improved
habitat
effectiveness.
Same as Alt
B
Highest
impacts; fire
risks to OG
remain
Highest
impactson
late serai;
security
moderately
improved
Old growth
maintained;
greatest
nesting loss
impacts;
some fire
risks to OG
remain
Improved
habitat
effectiveness
Same as Alt
B
Similar to B
Low impacts
on late serai;
security
improved at
highest level
Similar to B;
lowest direct
loss of
nesting
habitat; fire
risks to OG
Status Legend:
T = Federally Threatened
S = Regionally sensitive
MIS = Management Indicator Species in Forest Plan
EXISTING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
3.11.1. INDICATOR 1 - THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service species listing (File #106.0000 1-4-04 -SP-254, dated March 5,
2004) was used in the draft analysis. Listed or proposed species that may occur on the Nez
Perce Forest include gray wolf (endangered /10 J), Canadian lynx (threatened), and bald eagle
(threatened). Due to lack of occurrence of the grizzly bear on the Forest, the Fish & Wildlife
Service has temporarily released the Forest from analysis requirements, thus grizzly bear and its
habitat will not be discussed.
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WOLF
EXISTING CONDITION
Wolves were reintroduced into north central Idaho beginning in 1995. Local wolf populations have
since multiplied dramatically on the Nez Perce National Forest and throughout the state. Based on
most recent monitoring results, north Idaho wolf populations continue to increase to meet or
exceed local recovery population goals. A more complete discussion on wolves and their habitat
use and conservation needs on the larger landscape scale is available by reference in the South
Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment, p. 103. Within the analysis area, one new pack
denning site was documented in the American River drainage and a newly discovered rendezvous
site in the Crooked River drainage was detected by the Nez Perce Tribal Wolf Recovery personnel
in the summer of 2003. In September, 2003 a total of at least 5 packs were confirmed on the
Red River Ranger District ( Sharon Seim, Pers.Com.). Across the landscape of the Nez Perce
National Forest, wolf packs are active and thriving (FY2002 Nez Perce National Forest Plan
Monitoring & Evaluation Report - Wolf Populations).
There are currently a total of at least 20 active packs in the Central Idaho Wolf Recovery Area. The
Wolf Reintroduction Final Rule (Federal Register Nov. 22, 1994) stated that, "when six or more
breeding pairs are established in an experimental population area, no land-use restrictions may be
employed outside of national parks or national wildlife refuges, unless wolf populations fail to
maintain positive growth rates toward population recovery levels for 2 consecutive years".
Currently, wolf populations locally are increasing.
Based on most recent Forest Plan populations monitoring and statewide monitoring results, wolf
populations are at or exceed recovery levels now. The Red River Ranger District is home to 5
confirmed wolf packs: Red River pack, O'Hara Point pack, Selway pack, Gospel Hump pack, and
Magruder pack. Relative to the American-Crooked Salvage proposal, only one known wolf den
(south of Lick Point) is known to exist in the analysis area. The nearest harvest unit is just over 2
miles to the east. Though denning and rearing take place in early spring/summer, proximity of the
harvest unit and related activities is not expected to interfere with denning or rearing at this
location. In addition, the "no land-use restrictions may be employed" provision of the Wolf
Reintroduction Final Rule is now applicable to wolves throughout the entire Nez Perce Forest
including the project area.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Based on available information, the analysis criteria for wolves and their habitat for this project is
relative impact on ungulate prey (elk) habitat potentials. Watershed restoration actions, and
post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to negatively impact elk or their habitats
to a significant degree regardless of alternative, except that fire use would help cycle plant
nutrients back to the soil increasing vigor and nutritive quality of post-burn forage plants. Noxious
weeds that could pioneer burned sites would negatively impact elk foraging areas by displacing
desirable plants, but this would not be expected to be sufficiently extensive or widespread enough
to be of major significance under any alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative A would have few direct effects on wolves, but moderately high levels of motorized
access in both drainages would continue to limit elk habitat effectiveness and thus quality prey
habitat in the short term. Indirectly, as dead lodgepole trees within planned units begin to fall and
eventually "jackstraw" increasing fuels buildup, the indirect effect of no action in some areas may
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eventually begin to discourage elk and deer prey from using the units because of difficulty of travel
and the appearance of these habitats as "entrapment" areas. In the longer term, the no action
alternative would increase the probability that untreated sites would add cumulatively to overall fuel
loads, increasing total landscape acres of fuel-loading. As a result of fuel continuity, more
extensive, stand-replacing fires may become more likely which may eventually put elk hiding cover
in short supply (Refer to fire effects analysis for more details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative A would have relatively little immediate cumulative effect on wolves or their habitats
since no habitat-altering impacts would be directly added to the roading, harvesting, human
disturbances, and other vegetative impacts imposed by past management. However, indirect
effects of tree deaths and unabated fuel buildups, when added to existing cumulative effects
would negatively affect wolf prey habitats particularly during post-wildfire recovery.
A preliminary effects determination of "not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the
species or result in destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat" is concluded.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would directly provide moderate reductions in motorized access in the American
River portion of the analysis area, but access would remain essentially unchanged from Alternative
A in the Crooked River portion of the area. Prey forage in treated sites would be improved at a
comparatively moderate levels relative to other action alternatives. Overall, prey habitat
effectiveness would remain slightly improved over Alternative A, except for moderate
improvements in the Kirk's Fork elk analysis area. Indirect effects would be similar to, but slightly
less impactive than those of Alternative A.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would have moderate immediate cumulative effects because harvests would be
directly added to the roading, harvesting, human disturbances, and other vegetative impacts
imposed by past management. Longer term cumulative effects may be less impactive than
Alternative A because of modest fuel feduction and staged regeneration of harvested areas in the
event of eventual wildfires. A preliminary effects determination of "not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of the species or result in destruction or adverse modification of proposed
critical habitat" is concluded.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would directly improve wolf prey habitats to a degree slightly higher than Alternative
B, particularly in the American River drainage, but habitat effectiveness would be similar to
Alternatives A and B in the Crooked River portion. Indirect effects would be similar to Alternative
B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would have moderately higher immediate cumulative effects than Alternative B
because more harvest acres would be directly added to the roading, harvesting, human
disturbances, and other vegetative impacts imposed by past management. Longer term
cumulative effects may be less impactive because of modest fuel reduction and staged
regeneration of harvested areas in the event of eventual wildfires. A preliminary effects
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determination of "not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in
destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat" is concluded.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D harvests the most and reduces motorized access to the highest levels, thus it does
the most to improve wolf prey habitats, particularly in the American River portion of the analysis
area. In the Crooked River portions, the overall habitat impact is similar to Alternatives B & C
however, due principally to modest levels of motorized access reduction.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would have the highest immediate cumulative effects because more harvest acres
would be directly added to the reading, harvesting, human disturbances, and other vegetative
impacts imposed by past management. Longer term cumulative effects may be less impactive
because of greatest fuel reduction and staged regeneration of harvested areas in the event of
eventual post-harvest wildfires. A preliminary effects determination of "not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of the species or result in destruction or adverse modification of proposed
critical habitat" is concluded.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would yield the highest overall wolf prey habitat effectiveness principally due to
highest levels of motorized access restrictions in both drainages, although actual harvest and
ungulate forage treatment acres are lowest of any action alternative. Indirect effects would be
similar to but less than those of Alternative B. Post-harvest indirect wildfire risks would be similar
to and between Alternatives A and B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would be less than and to a lower overall degree than with Alternative B.
COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
All alternatives support conditions necessary to maintain local wolf subpopulation viability (See
Habitat-based Terrestrial Vertebrate Populations Viability related to the American/Crooked River
Salvage Project, in project files).
LYNX
EXISTING CONDITION
Canada lynx have been federally listed as a threatened species and is also a Region 1 sensitive
species. Although lynx have sometimes been portrayed as a late-successional forest species, lynx
appear to be more closely associated with a mosaic of late- and early-successional stages (Roloff,
G. 1995).
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No formal surveys for actual lynx occupation on the Forest or the analysis area have been
completed to date, but confirmed reports and unconfirmed sightings of lynx presence have been
documented within the Forest boundary. Lynx analysis unit (LAU) delineations and habitat
mapping actions directed by the Canada Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy (LCAS,
2000), have been completed for the entire Forest including the project area.
Most of the American and Crooked river project analysis area contains no designated lynx habitats
(refer to the updated lynx habitat map dated January, 2004). However, the overall project analysis
area does partially overlap portions of two large lynx analysis units (LAUs #3020306 and
#3050401) that may be partially affected by some of the harvest units or project actions.
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Table 3.98: The no action (Alternative A) habitat conditions and acreage within these LAUs
are listed below:
LAU
3020306
3050401
% Denning
18
27
% Foraging
81
72
% Unsuitable
1
1
Total Habitat
Acres
19763
25421
Drainage
American
Crooked
The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment management theme for both American
and Crooked River drainages proposes to "produce early serai habitat" as a very high priority, and
identifies treatment objectives which include "creating fprest openings by fire or timber harvest".
From the perspective of the landscape assessment, the goal to benefit lynx habitat would be to
"create dense stands of deciduous brush and young conifers, attractive to snowshoe hare".
Despite substantial past harvesting in the analysis area, advanced regeneration of trees and cover
in plantations has maintained habitat connectivity and travel corridors as defined for lynx in the
analysis area. Habitat management for lynx primarily addresses maintenance or improvement of
vegetation structure for lynx and their prey.
Lynx are considered relatively tolerant of human presence and activities. Preliminary information
(from the Lynx Conservation Assessment & Strategy (2000), page 7-10), suggests that lynx may
not avoid roads, except at high traffic volumes. Therefore, at this time, there is little compelling
evidence to recommend management of road density to conserve lynx.
Several important landscape vegetation limitations must be followed when conducting timber
harvest and fuel reduction actions in designated lynx habitats in order to comply with measures in
the Lynx Conservation Assessment and Strategy, 2000 (LCAS). LAUs must maintain at least 10
percent denning habitat, unsuitable acres created cannot exceed the total 30 percent maximum
threshold, and no more than 15 percent of the suitable habitat can be converted to unsuitable
within a decade.
Both LAUs within the project area currently hold more than 10 percent denning habitat and neither
LAU is near, the 30 percent maximum unsuitable habitat threshold. For this reason, since denning
habitat is relatively abundant, and unsuitable habitat acres (before planned harvest), are well below
LCAS thresholds, there is ample opportunity for creation of lynx foraging habitat while staying
within all LCAS guidelines. The analysis criteria for lynx and their habitats will be relative amounts
of suitable condition lynx habitats that are converted to early serai foraging habitat condition while
meeting all LCAS measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The analysis criteria for lynx will be related to desirable acres of mature forest within designated
lynx habitats converted to early serai foraging habitat for lynx. None of the alternatives treats
sizeable amounts of designated lynx habitats or converts significant acres to foraging habitats.
Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed restoration actions, and post-harvest slash
treatments using fire are not expected to impact lynx or their habitats to a significant degree
regardless of alternative, because of the limited extent and habitat impact in the analysis area. A
summary of effects on designated lynx habitat by alternative is listed below:
Table 3.99 - Summary of Effects on LAU 3020306
LAU 3020306
% denning retained
% converted to early serai
Alt. A
18
0
Alt. B
18
0.09
Alt. C
17.9
0.09
Alt. D
17.9
0.09
Alt. E
17.9
0.09
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Table 3.100 - Summary of Effects on LAU 3050401
LAU 3050401
% denning retained
% converted to early serai
Alt. A
27
0
Alt. B
26.5
2.9
Alt. C
26.6
2.6
Alt. D
26.4
2.9
Alt. E
26.4
2.9
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative neither affects lynx directly, nor converts any acres to early serai habitat.
This alternative will have relatively little if any indirect effects on lynx or their habitats. With no
action, early serai stages will continue succeeding to older stages and fire risks will increase.
Eighteen percent and 27 percent denning habitat we maintained in LAUsB020306 and 3050401
respectively , well above the 10 percent required minimum cited in the Lynx Conservation
Assessment and Strategy (LCAS).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The No Action Alternative will not add any measurable cumulative effects to lynx or their habitats
since no habitat-altering impacts will be added to the roading, harvesting, human travel
disturbances, and other vegetative impacts imposed by past and present management. Harvest
activities and related project work inside very small amounts of designated habitat would add
additionally to human disturbance potential in the area which could disturb lynx, but the predicted
impacts to lynx, if present, would not be considered significant. This alternative meets all LCAS
measures. The sensitive species determination for lynx would be "no impact".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B harvests within 5 acres of lynx denning habitat and 14 acres of lynx foraging habitat,
converting less than 0.1 percent of the suitable habitat in LAU 3020306 to unsuitable. In LAU
3050401, 147 acres of denning and 626 acres of foraging habitat are harvested converting 2.9
percent of the lynx habitat to unsuitable, Substantially more than the minimum 10 percent denning
habitat is maintained in both LAUs. The alternative does relatively little indirectly to improve lynx
habitat. All conservation measures cited in the LCAS are met.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Relatively minimal acres of designated lynx habitat are impacted by this alternative. Given the
current condition of the habitat due to past fire impacts, harvests, roading, human disturbance,
motorized travel and other land-disturbing activities, this alternative adds few positive or negative
effects cumulatively to the habitat conditions for lynx.
The sensitive species determination for lynx would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species". A
preliminary determination of effect for lynx as a listed species would be "may affect, but not likely to
adversely affect".
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ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would harvest 5 acres of denning and 14 acres of foraging habitat in LAU 3020306,
converting about 0.09 percent to unsuitable. In LAU 3050401, 110 acres of denning and 577
acres of foraging habitat would be harvested converting less than 3 percent to unsuitable.
Substantially more than the 10 percent minimum denning habitat would be maintained in both
LAUs. The alternative does relatively little indirectly to improve lynx habitat. All conservation
measured cited in the LCAS are met.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Relatively minimal acres of designated lynx habitat are impacted by this alternative. Given the
current condition of the habitat due to past fire impacts, harvests, roading, human disturbance,
motorized travel and other land-disturbing activities, this alternative adds few positive or negative
effects cumulatively to the habitat conditions for lynx.
The sensitive species determination for lynx would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species". A
preliminary determination of effect for lynx as a listed species woiild be "may affect, but not likely
to adversely affect".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would harvest 5 acres of denning and 14 acres of foraging habitat in LAU 3020306,
converting 0.09 percent of the habitat to unsuitable. In LAU 3050401, 148 acres of denning and
626 acres of foraging habitat would be harvested converting a little over 2,9 percent to unsuitable.
More than the 10 percent minimum denning habitat would be maintained in both LAUs. The
alternative matches Alternatives B&E to treat modestly more than other alternatives indirectly to
improve lynx habitat. All conservation measured cited in the LCAS are met.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D (along with alternatives B&E) convert the most acres to early serai foraging habitat for
lynx. Nevertheless, relatively limited acres of designated lynx habitat are impacted by this
alternative despite having the greatest effects to habitats. Given the current condition of the habitat
due to past fire impacts, harvests, roading, human disturbance, motorized travel and other land-
disturbing activities, this alternative adds minor negative effects and the greatest positive effects
cumulatively to the habitat conditions for lynx.
The sensitive species determination for lynx would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species". A
preliminary determination of effect for lynx as a listed species would be "may affect, but not likely
to adversely affect".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E harvests within 5 acres of lynx denning habitat and 14 acres of lynx foraging habitat,
converting 0.09 percent of the suitable habitat in LAU 3020306 to unsuitable. In LAU 3050401,
148 acres of denning and 626 acres of foraging habitat are harvested converting nearly 3 percent
of the lynx habitat to unsuitable. Substantially more than minimum denning habitat is maintained in
both LAUs. This alternative (as well as alternatives D &B) does modestly more than other action
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alternatives to indirectly improve lynx habitat. All conservation, measured cited in the LCAS are
met.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Relatively minimal acres of designated lynx habitat are impacted by this alternative. Given the
current condition of the habitat due to past fire impacts, harvests, roading, human disturbance,
motorized travel and other land-disturbing activities, this alternative adds the fewest positive or
negative effects cumulatively to the habitat conditions for lynx.
BALD EAGLE
EXISTING CONDITION
No bald eagle nesting is known to take place anywhere on the Nez Perce Forest or within the
South Fork Clearwater River subbasin. Bald eagles use the major rjver corridors at lower
elevations of the Nez Perce Forest primarily during winter or early spring. Most South Fork
Clearwater River eagles use the lower elevations from Mill Creek to Lightning Creek due to
availability of ungulate carcasses there and relatively ice-free river conditions during winter. Sites
most commonly used are at least 20 miles DOWNSTREAM FROM THE ANALYSIS AREA. IF AVAILABLE,
bald eagles will also use fish and waterfowl on wintering areas. Due to ice-Up of the South Fork
Clearwater river at higher elevations in winter and lack of fish and waterfowl availability, relatively
little or no use of the analysis area drainages occurs by bald eagles during most winters. A more
complete discussion of bald eagle ecology and use of the Forest is referenced in the South Fork
Clearwater River Landscape Assessment, pages 102-103.
Forest Plan monitoring of bald eagle populations over nearly 20 years indicates the local
population trends on the Forest are stable or slightly increasing (FY2002 Nez Perce National
Forest Plan Monitoring & Evaluation Report Draft - Bald Eagle Populations).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
There are no lakes in the analysis area large enough to support bald eagles. There are no known
concentrated feeding or roosting sites in the analysis area. Bald eagles are regularly seen perched
along the South Fork Clearwater River during the winter season. Bald eagles principally utilize
ungulate carrion during winter occupation of the major river corridors on the Forest. Increasing
and maintaining early serai habitat conditions on ungulate winter ranges is a high priority however
very little winter range occurs within the project area. Based on winter use patterns of bald eagles
on the Forest, to be effective, winter range improvements which may benefit eagles need to take
place at elevations well below and downstream from the analysis area. For this reason, there is
relatively little direct relationship between planned activities in American or Crooked River
drainages and bald eagles or their habitats. Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed
restoration actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to impact bald
eagles or their habitats to a significant degree regardless of alternative, because of the extent and
habitat impact in the analysis area.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
This alternative will have no direct and few indirect effects on bald eagles or their habitats. Indirect
risks of high intensity, broad scale fires due to fuel-loading and high intensity fires will remain which
could indirectly impact downstream water quality and fish habitats however.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
No direct, habitat-altering impacts will be added to the roading, harvesting, human disturbances,
and other vegetative changes imposed by past management. Cumulative effects would only
include potential indirect effects to downstream water quality and habitats of fish prey related to
future risks from eventual fires.
A preliminary determination of effect for bald eagle as a listed species would be "may affect, but
not likely to adversely affect
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would have no direct impacts on bald eagles or their habitats. Downstream changes
in water quality in the South Fork Clearwater River due to harvests, restoration actions, roads and
other actions would have relatively minimal impact on bald eagle foraging habitats.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The indirect and cumulative effects of planned activities on water quality and fish habitats
downstream from the analysis area are expected to impose only minor, limited cumulative impacts
on foraging habitats (i.e., potential secondary winter food sources -anadromous fishes), but the
magnitude of these impacts are considered very limited.
A preliminary determination of effect for bald eagle as a listed species would be, "may affect, but
not likely to adversely affect".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would have no direct impacts on bald eagles or their habitats. Downstream changes
in water quality in the South Fork Clearwater River due to harvests, restoration actions, roads and
other actions would have relatively minimal impact on bald eagle foraging habitats
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The indirect and cumulative effects of planned activities on water quality and fish habitats
downstream from the analysis area are expected to bear minor, limited cumulative impacts on
foraging habitats (i.e., potential secondary winter food sources such as anadromous fishes), but
the magnitude of these impacts are considered very minor.
A preliminary determination of effect for bald eagle as a listed species would be, "may affect, but
not likely to adversely affect".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would have no direct impacts on bald eagles or their habitats. Downstream changes
in water quality in the South Fork Clearwater River due to harvests, restoration actions, roads and
other actions would be the highest of all alternatives, but would bear relatively minimal impact on
bald eagle foraging habitats
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The indirect and cumulative effects of planned activities on water quality and fish habitats
downstream from the analysis area are expected to bear minor, limited cumulative impacts on
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foraging habitats (i.e., potential secondary winter food sources -anadromous fishes), but the
magnitude of these impacts are considered very minor.
A preliminary determination of effect for bald eagle as a listed species would be, "may affect, but
not likely to adversely affect".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would have no direct impacts on bald eagles or their habitats. Downstream changes
in water quality in the South Fork Clearwater River due to harvests, restoration actions, roads and
other actions would have the least of all action alternatives which would bear minimal impact on
bald eagle foraging habitats.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The indirect and cumulative effects of planned activities on water quality and fish habitats
downstream from the analysis area are expected to bear minor, limited cumulative impacts on
foraging habitats (i.e., potential secondary winter food sources -anadromous fishes), but the
magnitude of these impacts are considered very minor.
''•••
A preliminary determination of effect for bald eagle as a listed species would be, ^'may affect, but
not likely to adversely affect".
3.11.2. INDICATOR 2-SENSITIVE SPECIES
FLAMMULATED OWL
EXISTING CONDITION
Flammulated owls are very small, secretive owls that are widely distributed in western North
America. They migrate seasonally to and from the tropics but return to North America during
breeding season. They feed on aerial insects (moths, beetles, & grasshoppers principally) and are
restricted to forests of mid and large sized trees. Flammulated owls prefer ponderosa pine and/or
Douglas-fir forests and the insectivorous prey available in the more open, grass/forb/shrub
subcanopy layers in the understory.
High quality flammulated owl habitat is nonexistent within the American River Ecological Response
Unit (ERU). Flammulated owl habitat is extremely limited in its extent ( an estimated 161 acres)
within the Crooked River ERU (SFLA Wildlife Technical Report, Table #1 - Flammulated owl).
Habitat for flammulated owls within Crooked River ERU is highly isolated and is not considered
extensive enough to support a distinct breeding population. The very limited extent and lack of
connectedness of these small patches to other habitat patches on the Forest, essentially preclude
managing it for this species to any meaningful degree within the Crooked River drainage (South
Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment Wildlife Technical Report).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Environmental Effects - No alternatives directly or indirectly impact low elevation stands of
ponderosa pine that may be considered flammulated owl habitat. While individual ponderosa pine
trees within some mixed conifer stands or individual dead/dying pines along haul routes may be
harvested, these components are not part of lower elevation pine stands suitable in elevation for
this owl. No significant indirect or cumulative negative effects of the project have been identified
relative to this bird or its habitats. For this reason, no impacts are projected for flammulated owls
under any alternative and they will not be analyzed or discussed further in this document. The
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sensitive species determination for flammulated owl would be " no impact" for all alternatives.
None of the project alternatives negatively affect conditions necessary for species viability (See
Habitat-based Terrestrial Vertebrate Populations Viability related to the American/Crooked River
Salvage Project, in project files).
WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER
EXISTING CONDITION
White-headed woodpeckers range from southern British Columbia to southern California and
western Nevada. Their preferred habitat is characterized by open-grown, fire-climax, mature to old
growth ponderosa pine, but mixed ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests are also used where pure
stands of ponderosa pine are absent. Across the larger landscape, white-headed woodpeckers
are not considered to be regular residents anywhere within American River, Crooked River
drainages or even within the larger landscape of the South Fork Glearwater River subbasin. High
quality white-headed woodpecker habitat is nonexistent within the American River ERU. It is
extremely limited in its extent within the Crooked River ERU (Table #1 - SFLA Wildlife Technical
Report - White-headed woodpecker). Habitat for white-headed woodpecker within Crooked River
ERU is highly isolated and is not considered extensive enough to support a distinct breeding
population. The very limited extent and lack of connectedness of these small patches to other
habitat patches on the Forest, essentially preclude managing it for this species to any meaningful
degree within the Crooked River drainage (South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment
Wildlife Technical Report - White-headed woodpecker).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
No white-headed woodpeckers have been observed or otherwise reported from within either the
American or Crooked River drainages to date. Low elevation Ponderosa pine is not planned for
harvest as part of the project objectives. While restoration of fire dependent conifer species (i.e.
ponderosa pine) is a secondary part of the overall strategy of the project in mixed conifer stands,
these treatments will have no impact on white-headed habitats. Individual dead or dying ponderosa
pine which may be harvested from along haul routes would be considered components of "mixed
conifer" stands, and do not constitute ponderosa pine habitat types. No significant direct, indirect
or cumulative negative effects have been identified for any alternative relative to this bird or its
habitats. For this reason, no impacts are predicted for white-headed woodpecker under any
alternative, thus white-headed woodpecker will not be analyzed or discussed further in this
document. Further, the project does not negatively affect habitat conditions necessary to
maintain local subpopulations viability (See Habitat-based Terrestrial Vertebrate Populations
Viability related to the American/Crooked River Salvage Project, in project files).
BOREAL TOAD
EXISTING CONDITION
Across its range the boreal toad is generally found near some form of water and inhabits a variety
of habitats from sagebrush desert to montane meadows. Boreal toads are relatively uncommon
throughout Idaho and Montana. Global amphibian declines and similarly timed region-wide
declines in this species have occurred in recent years and the causes are likely related, but a
complete explanation of population decline causes are not completely certain. Substantial local
evidence from Montana suggests that the Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), acting
alone or synergistically with other stressors, is a potential cause and should be regarded as a
threat (Maxell, B.A., et. al. tech. paper 2003). Available information is limited concerning the
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abundance and distribution of boreal toads within the South Fork Clearwater River subbasin or the
analysis area.
At the larger scale, most reports of habitat occupation by boreal toads within the South Fork
Clearwater River subbasin have been at considerably lower elevations and in warmer, dryer
habitat types than any of those within the analysis area. A 1997 amphibian survey along American
River (above and below Mane's Place), found no boreal toads. Likewise, harvest-site pre-project
surveys in 2003 revealed spotted frogs in wet areas commonly, but no boreal toads were
observed, which indicates that boreal toad occupation of the analysis area is rare or extremely
limited at best. However, two lone observations of boreal toads were reported on dryer upland
locations near Elk City during May of 2001 by a Forest Service biologist (Seim, S. 2002 Persons.).
Implementation of PACFISH riparian habitat protection standards has aided protection of potential
breeding habitats for this toad throughout the project area.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The analysis criteria for the boreal toad will be relative impacts on aquatic habitats, since these
are considered key to reproduction. Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed restoration
actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to impact boreal toads or
their most important habitats to a significant degree regardless of alternative, because of riparian
breeding habitat protections designed for fish species.
While aquatic environments are key to toad reproduction, boreal toads may travel through and
occupy upland habitats during warmer portions of the year. Research and other information is very
limited about the kinds of upland habitats preferred by this toad or how it uses them. Likewise, little
is known allowing project design or mitigation to eliminate all potential risks to these toads when
using upland habitats. Harvest and ground-disturbing activities occurring during spring or summer
would likely expose them to marginal risks of direct harm, since they retreat from activity,
hibernating in soft mud or other protected sites during cold seasons. Due to this information gap,
the effects of management actions on boreal toad occupation of upland habitats remains a matter
of relative uncertainty. However, based on their probable absence from the project area, these
risks are considered negligible.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
This alternative would have no measurable direct or indirect effects on boreal toads or their aquatic
breeding habitats.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would have no cumulative effects on the toad or its habitat cumulative to
past harvest, roading, human disturbance, recreation, minerals or other activities.
The sensitive species determination for boreal toads would be "no impact".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
toads or their breeding sites are predicted. Alternative B treats 2550 upland acres, which may
place toads at some indirect risk for harm to individuals that may be present, including minor
potential indirect impacts on riparian habitat conditions from changes due to off-site generated silt
and water quality impacts.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would have limited, indirect cumulative effects on riparian breeding habitats in
addition to those produced from past harvest, reading, mining, public access, fire exclusion and
other habitat impacts.
The sensitive species determination for boreal toads would be "may impact individuals or habitat,
but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
toads or their breeding sites are predicted. Alternative C treats 2,773 upland acres, which may
place toads at some indirect risk for harm to individuals that may be present, including minor
potential indirect impacts on riparian habitat conditions from changes due to off-site generated silt
and water quality impacts.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would have limited, indirect cumulative effects on riparian breeding habitats similar to
Alternative B, in addition to those produced from past harvest, roading, mining, public access, fire
exclusion and other habitat impacts.
The sensitive species determination for boreal toads would be "may impact individuals or habitat,
but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
toads or their breeding sites are predicted. Alternative D treats the highest amount (3,402 upland
acres), which may place toads at slightly higher indirect risk for harm to individuals that may be
present, including minor potential indirect impacts on riparian habitat conditions from changes due
to off-site generated silt and water quality impacts.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would have the greatest limited, indirect cumulative effects on riparian breeding
habitats of all alternatives in addition to those produced from past harvest, roading, mining, public
access, fire exclusion and other habitat impacts.
The sensitive species determination for boreal toads would be "may impact individuals or habitat,
but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
toads or their breeding sites are predicted. Alternative E treats the lowest amount (2,082 upland
acres), which may place toads at slightly lower indirect risk for harm to individuals that may be
present, including minor potential indirect impacts on riparian habitat conditions from changes due
to off-site generated silt and water quality impacts.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would have the lowest limited, indirect cumulative effects on riparian breeding
habitats of all action alternatives in addition to those produced from past harvest, reading, mining,
public access, fire exclusion and other habitat impacts.
The sensitive species determination for boreal toads would be "may impact individuals or habitat,
but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG
EXISTING CONDITION
The northern leopard frog has not been reported from the Nez Perce National Forest in recent
times and based on Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game records, does not occur within the north central
portion of the state (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Nongame Program, Idaho's Amphibians and
Reptiles, Nongame Wildlife Leaflet #7, Boise, Idaho). A 1997 amphibian survey along American
River (above and below Mane's Place), found only spotted frogs. In addition, no amphibian
surveys conducted anywhere on the Nez Perce Forest have ever yielded evidence of occupation
by Northern leopard frogs. Global amphibian declines and region-wide declines in this species
have occurred in recent years but causes are not completely certain. Substantial evidence from
Montana suggests that the Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), acting alone or
synergistically with other stressors, is a potential cause and should be regarded as a threat
(Maxell, B.A., et. al., tech. paper 2003).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
For reasons and rationale stated above, the project activities are expected to produce no direct,
indirect, or cumulative impacts on the Northern leopard frog or any occupied habitats in the
analysis area, thus the northern leopard frog will not be analyzed or discussed further in this
document.
LYNX - (REFER TO THE ANALYSIS SECTION FOR LYNX AS A FEDERALLY LISTED
SPECIES).
NORTHERN GOSHAWK
EXISTING CONDITION
In Idaho, goshawks are typically found in montane coniferous forest, where they occupy relatively
large home ranges. Mature to old growth timber stands are their favored nesting habitat. In
northern Idaho and western Montana, goshawks nest in stands or groups of trees in the mature to
over-mature age classes principally on the mid to lower 1/3 of slopes. Douglas fir and Western
larch are preferred nest tree species (Hayward & Escano, 1989).
Data from the SFLA is referenced to gain broader scale perspective on habitat availability within
and around the project analysis area. Within the larger landscape of the South Fork Clearwater
River subbasin, closed canopy old growth comprises some 24 percent of the subbasin coniferous
forests, but historically this habitat would likely have accounted for only about 15 percent of the
same area (USDA, Nez Perce National Forest - SFLA, p. 104, 1998). Within the American and
Crooked River ERUs, age class distributions are currently more favorable to goshawk habitats
than historically. The current (1997) amount of goshawk habitat is more prevalent than it was
historically. In American River ERU, there is currently 205 percent as much suitable habitat as
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historically. In the Crooked River ERU, there is currently 179 percent of historic amounts (USDA,
Nez Perce National Forest; South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment 1998 - Wildlife
Technical Report, Northern Goshawk, Table #3).
Current conditions of stands in the analysis area reflect more than 80 years of fire suppression. In
the absence of fire, conifer densities have increased substantially over pre-settlement times. As a
result, goshawk habitat is more prevalent in the analysis area now than historically. A more
complete discussion of goshawks and their preferred habitats is hereby referenced in the South
Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment - Wildlife Technical Report - Northern Goshawk,
(1998). While overall, habitat important to goshawk nesting !s more prevalent now in the
American and Crooked river drainages, the distribution and connectivity of late serai and old
growth stands is somewhat less effective due principally to past harvest and fire disturbance.
Habitat in the American River drainage is somewhat less impacted and fragmented by past timber
harvest than the Crooked river drainage.
Goshawks are relatively common and widely distributed across the Nez Perce National Forest.
Based on populations monitoring information, there are currently at least a dozen known goshawk
nest territories (14 known nests) widely distributed throughout the Nez Perce National Forest (See
Forestwide Sightings and Next Locations for Goshawk, project files). Based on formal populations
monitoring results, widely scattered incidental sightings, and inventoried habitat information, local
goshawk population trends remain relatively stable on the Forest (NPNF 15th Annual Monitoring &
Evaluation Report Draft for 2002 ;Northern goshawk monitoring data - Item 10 Population Trends
of Indicator Species , Nez Perce National Forest, 2003).
To avoid attracting nest predators, goshawks tend to remain relatively inconspicuous prior to and
during early phases of nesting. As a result, active nest sites are difficult and very costly in time and
resources to locate. Locating all alternate nests within a given pair's nesting territory may take five
or more years of intensive, focused surveys, because each pair of goshawks typically alternate
nest use from year to year to avoid chick predation by fishers, great-horned owls, and other
predators. Two to as many as nine alternate nests may be used in each nesting territory by a
given goshawk pair (Woodbridge, B. and Detrich, P.J. 1994). Pre-project field surveys of timber
stands, watershed conditions, and other resources by several crews of resource specialists during
the goshawk nesting & survey season of 2003 have provided goshawk presence information from
the American and Crooked Project area (See American/Crooked Project Wildlife Observations
Table - in project file). Based on the pattern observed from similar, nearby habitat areas on the
Forest (i.e., Cove-Mallard Timber Sales), reports of goshawk sightings and discovery of their nest
locations characteristically become more common as more intensive field work is done in an area.
No goshawk nests are known to occur within the analysis area currently, however four goshawk
sightings (1 in American drainage; 3 in Crooked River drainage), were recorded during pre-project
field surveys by the Forest Wildlife Biologist and others (See American/Crooked Project Wildlife
Observations Table - in project file). Prior to these, one sighting in the Red River drainage (east
of Crooked River drainage) was reported by Jim White (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Biologist).
Several planned harvest units (# 39, 47, & 75 in Alternatives B,C,D, & E; and 49 and 141 in
Alternatives C & D), occur within 1 mile of at least one of these sightings. Goshawk sightings
during June, July or August may indicate possibility of nest presence in the local vicinity. In the
event active nests are discovered during project implementation within or immediately adjacent to
planned harvest units, project nest site mitigation will protect nest trees and surrounding areas of
10-15 acres in size from harvest.
The Habitat Conservation Assessment (HCA) and Strategy (CS) for the Northern goshawk
(Accipiter gentilis) in Idaho (1995, page 3) cites that goshawks tend to use stand clusters greater
than 61 ha (150 acres), dramatically higher than clusters less than 20 ha (50 acres) in size. Given
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goshawk's preference for largest patch and stand clusters as nest habitat, all existing old growth
stands as well as replacement old growth stands in most immediate adjacency to, or those forming
connections with existing old growth were selected for designated protection from harvest in the
project area.
Regional differences exist over best management measures for goshawk habitats in various Forest
Service regions, and are driven by responsible opposing viewpoints. Habitat management
direction for the goshawk as such, has become region-specific in the western U.S. The USFS
Southwest Region (R3) adopted goshawk nest site guidelines, which manage 2428 ha (6000 acre)
areas around each nest site. These guidelines are designed to maintain goshawk populations in
warmer, dryer, less dense forests of the southwestern U.S., where subtle changes in forest
structure can dramatically influence prey densities and hunting capability. In southwestern
forests, dominant portions of the entire landscapes (including goshawk foraging habitats), have
sometimes been blanketed with partial harvesting, impacting habitat quality by leaving
proportionately low amounts of residual basal area of living trees (Crocker-Bedford, D.C., 1990).
In dryer, less productive habitats, limited residual canopy cover over the majority of habitat area
can quickly become limiting for goshawks for multiple reasons. Subsequent young tree and
understory shrub regrowth in such circumstances can impact prey productivity and impede
goshawk hunting effectiveness. Open canopies also encourage competing hawks and other
predators. Highly productive riparian areas are considerably less common in the southwest than
in the Northern Rockies, thus are proportionately more valued for goshawks in southwestern forest
landscapes of Region 3. West-side forests of USFS Region 1 have proportionately more moist,
productive riparian zones.
Some of the most intensively researched goshawk habitat work has been done in the dryer
southwestern U.S. Much of the data suggests that extensive harvesting and canopy density
reduction in the home range beyond the nest stand can negatively change nesting and hunting
habitat structure resulting in reduced hunting effectiveness of goshawks, altered prey availability,
and increased competition or predation by other raptors which result in nest losses and local
declines in goshawk populations. Currently, no guidelines for goshawk nest and habitat protection
similar to those for the southwestern USFS Region 3 have been adopted within USFS Region 1, or
the American-Crooked project. The Nez Perce Forest is highly dissected, being considerably
more abundant in rich, prey-productive riparian zones, and likewise has inherent canopy densities
considerably higher than the dryer forests of the southwest. In addition, ESA protections of all fish-
bearing riparian zones (ie., PACFISH) further provide numerous indirect acres of goshawk foraging
habitat protection in the American and Crooked River project area.
The major differences in forest types, habitat productivities, availability of productive riparian
zones, goshawk prey sizes and prey species abundance between the contrasting precipitation and
climate of the two regions alone, suggest that cross-region application of the "Management
Recommendations for the Northern Goshawk in the Southwestern United States" (MRNG)
guidelines cannot be justified for use in the American and Crooked River Project. This becomes
particularly important given the extent of the current mountain pine beetle infestation and quickly
diminishing live canopy cover in the American-Crooked analysis area. Since most lodgepole pines
over 6 inches in diameter are now dead or are predicted to be dead or near death within very few
years thus removing most live canopy across thousands of acres in the analysis area, harvesting
some lodgepole pine stands will likely cause little measurable harm to goshawk foraging habitats
around any nests, and may potentially help reduce fuel levels in local areas which may help reduce
eventual fire intensities that can threaten important old growth stands.
A scientific committee review of key literature related to goshawk habitat management in the
southwest (Reynolds, R.T., Boyce, D.A., Graham, R.T. and Reiser, H., 2001) also concluded that
goshawk home ranges should contain a balance of forest age classes or vegetation structural
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stages so that goshawk and prey habitats were always available within a home range. Forest Plan
standards for retention and protection of existing and replacement old growth will be met under all
alternatives, thus the most critical goshawk habitats will be maintained to help ensure long term
viability of local populations.
Timber harvesting at or very near goshawk nest sites can directly disturb or displace birds,
potentially impacting nest success and future nesting. Reynolds (1983) recommended protection
of nest sites from harvest through retention of an 8 ha (20 acre) uncut habitat around 2 active and
2 replacement nest sites per goshawk pair. All existing old growth and numerous acres of
strategically selected replacement stands have been protected in the American and Crooked River
Project to ensure that Forest Plan standards are met or exceeded. Most trees harvested would be
dead or dying lodgepole pine in intermediate size classes. Some larger trees (various species), in
mixed conifer stands outside of designated old growth are planned for harvest in all action
alternatives, but these would leave and perpetuate key fire-related, goshawk-preferred nest
species (larch, Douglas fir), which would remain intact and may contribute as potential future nest
trees.
All action alternatives of the American-Crooked Salvage project implement general conservation
strategies from the goshawk Habitat Conservation Assessment and Conservation Strategy for
Idaho. Protection of nest sites and surrounding forest vegetative conditions is done principally
through nest site mitigation. All action alternatives will provide protection for a 10-15 acre, no-
harvest buffer around each active nest discovered (see wildlife mitigations section). No additional
mitigations are deemed necessary to maintain goshawk population viability in the project area
because suitable habitat is 205 percent and 179 percent of historical amounts in American and
Crooked drainages respectively (USDA, Nez Perce National Forest; South Fork Clearwater River
Landscape Assessment 1998 - Wildlife Technical Report, Northern Goshawk, Table #3).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Harvest sites have been designed to avoid the broader, old-growth rich areas best suited for
goshawk nesting within the analysis area in all action alternatives. If an active nest is encountered
unexpectedly during harvest, a 10-15 acre no-harvest buffer will be placed around it to protect the
active nest and surrounding habitat. Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed
restoration actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to impact
goshawks or their habitats to a significant degree regardless of alternative. Roadside salvage of
dead/dying trees along haul routes is predicted to have no impacts on goshawk nest habitats in
any alternative since goshawks generally avoid high disturbance sites and typically require live tree
canopies for nesting. Since canopy densities of the majority of lodgepole pine-dominated stands in
the analysis area are either dead or dying due to natural mortality from mountain pine beetles, the
analysis criteria for goshawks and their habitat for this project is relative amount and intensity of
harvest impact on old growth stands or mature, predominantly mixed conifer stands. Harvest units
in all action alternatives have an estimated content of mixed conifer species averaging
approximately 30-35 percent. Alternatives with highest harvest acreages would yield the highest
relative impacts.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
No direct effects to old growth stands, replacement old growth stands or any mixed conifer stands
will occur, thus existing old growth habitat patch sizes and connectivity will be maintained. As a
result of indirect effects from continued fuel buildups, lethal, stand-replacing fires are predicted to
become more prevalent with associated risks of related habitat losses (Refer to fire effects analysis
for additional details).
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would not further contribute to harvest-related fragmentation and/or
losses of existing or replacement old-growth habitat stands. As a result of widespread, cumulative
fuels buildup, lethal, stand-replacing fires will become more prevalent with attendant risks to old
growth habitats (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details). Due to a measure of
uncertainty in estimating intensity future fire risks to limited habitat conditions considered important
for goshawk nesting, the sensitive species determination for goshawk would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would harvest 2,550 acres, directly impacting patches qf mature mixed conifer
habitats, but would produce no direct effects to existing old growth stands, patch sizes. Old growth
habitat connectivity would remain consistent within historical patterns by retention of riparian
corridors and replacement old growth: Important replacement old growth stands would also be
protected from harvest. Relatively moderate levels of harvest of mixed conifers will be harvested.
As a result of indirect effects fronn continued fuel buildups over much of the analysis area, lethal,
stand-replacing fires are predicted to become more prevalent with associated risks of related
habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would contribute modestly to harvest-related fragmentation, adding to cumulative
landscape fragmentation, increased openings, and human disturbance risks from previous
harvests, reading, fire exclusion and other human activities. As a result of widespread, cumulative
fuels buildup in surrounding landscapes, lethal, stand-replacing fires would become more
prevalent with attendant risks to late serai and old growth habitats (refer to fire effects analysis for
additional details).
The sensitive species determination for goshawk would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would harvest 2,773 acres, directly impacting some patches of mature mixed conifer
habitats, but would produce no direct effects to any existing old growth stands. Old growth habitat
connectivity would remain consistent within historical patterns by retention of riparian corridors and
replacement old growth. Important replacement old growth stands would be protected from
harvest. Relatively moderate levels of mixed conifer harvest of will occur. As a result of indirect
effects from widespread, cumulative fuel buildups over much of the analysis area, lethal, stand-
replacing fires are predicted to become more prevalent with associated risks of related habitat
losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C cumulative effects would be slightly greater than, but similar to those of Alternative B.
The sensitive species determination for goshawk would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
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ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would harvest the greatest acreage (3,402 acres). It would directly impact some
patches of mature mixed conifer habitats, but would produce no direct effects to any existing old
growth stands. Important replacement old growth stands would be protected from harvest. Old
growth habitat connectivity would remain consistent within historical patterns by retention of
riparian corridors and replacement old growth. The highest levels of mixed conifer harvest of will
occur. As a result of indirect effects from widespread, cumulative fuel buildups over much of the
analysis area, lethal, stand-replacing fires are predicted to become more prevalent with associated
risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would contribute the most to harvest-related fragmentation, adding to cumulative
landscape fragmentation, increased openings, and human disturbance risks from previous
harvests, reading, fire exclusion and other human activities. As a result of widespread, cumulative
fuels buildup, lethal, stand-replacing fires would become more prevalent with attendant risks to
late serai and old growth habitats (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
The sensitive species determination for goshawk would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would harvest the least of any action alternative (2,082 acres) . Direct and indirect
impacts would be less than but similar to those of Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E cumulative effects would be less than but similar to those of Alternative B.
The sensitive species determination for goshawk would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
WOLVERINE
EXISTING CONDITION
The wolverine is an uncommon, wide-ranging carnivore that typically occurs at low densities across
its range. Home ranges average approximately 100,000 acres. Within the western U.S., they
occur principally in remote, high-elevation mountain basins and cirques, particularly during the
breeding season (Rowland, M.M, teal. 2003). The Conservation Strategy for Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
in Idaho (Copeland and Hudak, 1995), defined wolverine habitat as areas associated with a
component of seclusion or separation from human influence. Wolverines are relatively intolerant of
human disturbance requiring large tracts of remote mountainous habitat (Hornocker & Hash 1981).
Habitat of this nature is most easily defined by existing tracts of set-aside or defined refugia such
as RARE II land or designated wilderness.
Wolverine have been confirmed to occur on the Forest. Most observations have been within or
adjacent to designated wilderness areas in relatively remote, isolated landscapes. The edge of the
Gospel-Hump Wilderness is only a few miles southwest of the project area. Central-Idaho
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wolverines are known to commonly cross distances of 20 km, negotiating road systems and active
timber sales, to reach insular subalpine habitats (Copeland, J. and Hudak, H. 1995).
In Idaho, female wolverines use high-elevation cirque basins for natal sites, while making daily
forays into lower montane habitats to forage (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, et. al. 1995). The high
elevation Gospel-Hump Wilderness is less than five miles southwest of the edge of the Crooked
River drainage. Absence of high elevation cirque basins and boulder talus within the project area,
as well as extensive previous development, reading, harvest, and other human activities
conducted in the project area make it unsuitable as breeding or denning habitat, however
wolverine may occasionally traverse through the analysis area in search of food. Wolverines are
opportunistic scavengers and ungulate carrion is considered an important food source. Activities
that decrease ungulate populations may negatively affect wolverines (Copeland, J. and Hudak, H.
1995).
Incidental trapping mortality is a potentially important factor in managing wolverine populations.
Wolverine trapping is not allowed in Idaho, but animals are occasionally caught by accident by
coyote and bobcat trappers. Within the analysis area, trapping pressure and risks to wolverine are
relatively low due to low trapper interest (SFLA, Wildlife Technical Report- Wolverine, 1998).
The analysis area within the Crooked and American River drainages is well developed,
substantially roaded and ...-contains significant amounts of ongoing vehicular and human
disturbances. Neither American River nor Crooked River ERUs hold areas of low human
disturbance and neither are considered quality habitat, however each may contribute foraging
areas and overall habitat potentially capable of supporting wolverines (SFLA - Wildlife Technical
Report for Wolverine, 1998).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The analysis area lacks seclusion from human influence, and the character of extensive roadless
habitat security preferred for natal denning. No high elevation cirque basins occur in the analysis
criteria either. Noxious weed effects can indirectly impact overall elk habitat quality, which may
indirectly affect long term availability of carrion for wolverines where weeds may dominate native
vegetation, but these are not considered major impacts. Watershed restoration actions, and post-
harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to impact wolverine or their habitat to a
significant degree regardless of alternative. Road decommissioning will help reduce human-
wolverine conflict potentials.
Sites planned for harvests are well outside wilderness or RARE II areas considered suitable as
wolverine habitats. While wolverines may occasionally traverse through or across the
American/Crooked River analysis area, which is between three major, high elevation wilderness
areas (Gospel-Hump, Selway-Bitterroot, Frank Church River of No Return), it is unlikely that
wolverines would find the analysis area habitats attractive except perhaps as a travel corridor.
Harvest, reading, watershed restoration actions and other similar project activities in all action
alternatives would hold the potential to disturb or displace wolverine that may be traveling through
the project area, but given the wide-ranging nature of the animal and lack of seclusion from human
intrusion in the project area, this is unlikely.
Productivity of habitats and related ungulate carrion availability are important aspects of wolverine
habitat management. For these reasons, the analysis criteria for wolverine will be impacts related
to ungulate (elk) summer habitat effectiveness
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ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no meaningful direct effects on current elk habitat
effectiveness. Although the longer term indirect effects of allowing unabated fuel buildups in the
analysis area could eventually result in a more extensive imbalance of cover and forage for elk due
to eventual large-scale wildfires, the net impacts to wolverine, given their extremely large home
ranges, would likely be relatively insignificant or nil.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Given all past development actions that have previously impacted overall wolverine foraging
habitats including reading, logging, recreation activities, fire exclusion and others, and considering
the very large size of wolverine home ranges, Alternative A would have no measurable cumulative
effects.
The sensitive species determination for wolverine would be "no impact".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would directly result in slightly improved habitat effectiveness for elk over Alternative
A . Indirect effects would be relatively similar to Alternative A. Refer to the discussion on elk
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would be relatively similar to Alternative A. Refer to the discussion on elk.
The sensitive species determination for wolverine would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would provide improved wolverine habitat, due to slightly improved elk habitat
effectiveness over Alternatives A & B. Refer to discussion on elk.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would add additional impacts to the developed nature of the area, but overall effects
relative to elk habitats would be improved over Alternative B. The sensitive species determination
for wolverine would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward
federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would harvest the highest acreage while curtailing motorized access similar to
Alternative C. Overall, it would produce direct and indirect effects similar to Alternative C
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Effects would be similar to Alternative C. The sensitive species determination for wolverine would
be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or
reduced viability for the population or species".
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ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would directly harvest the lowest acreages, however it would reduce motorized
access through road decommissionings at the highest level of any alternative. Elk habitat
effectiveness would be the highest of all alternatives in both the American and Crooked River
drainage portions of the project. Indirect effects would be similar to and in between Alternatives A
and B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would yield cumulative effects similar to Alternative B.
The sensitive species determination for wolverine would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but
will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or
species".
HARLEQUIN DUCK
EXISTING CONDITION
Harlequin ducks are sea ducks that migrate inland to reproduce. Breeding habitat includes low
gradient, second order or larger streams. They rely on river and stream habitats with relatively high
water quality, which sustains the aquatic invertebrates they feed upon. The South Fork of the
Clearwater River is considered the southwestern limit of harlequin duck distribution in Idaho
(Cassirer, E.F., 1989). No suitable nesting habitat was observed within the South Fork Clearwater
River drainage during focused surveys, which included both the American and Crooked River
drainages (Cassirer, E.F., 1989).
The main American River and Crooked River are the only potential sites that Harlequins might use
incidentally for resting or feeding habitats. Evidence for the use of the South Fork Clearwater
River drainage during spring migration is scant. A review of local sightings data found only one
known (May, 1988) observation of a female on Crooked River (Cassirer, E.F., 1989, page 9).
Sediment levels, past dredge mining, and moderate to high human and vehicular traffic levels
along roads immediately adjacent to these main streams have virtually eliminated local nesting
suitability. For these reasons, the habitats along these small rivers is no longer considered
suitable as nesting habitat for this duck, but they may be used occasionally for resting or feeding.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The analysis criteria for Harlequin duck is protection and maintenance of riparian zones and
downstream water quality. Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed restoration actions,
and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to have serious impacts on
Harlequin ducks or their habitats to a significant degree or for extended periods regardless of
alternative.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no direct or indirect effects on the Harlequin duck or its
habitat. No predicted direct or indirect impairments to downstream habitats or water quality would
result.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
No cumulative effects would be generated from this alternative
The sensitive species determination for Alternative A for Harlequin duck would be "no impact".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
Harlequin ducks or their breeding sites are predicted. It treats 2,550 upland acres, which may
cause minor potential indirect impacts on downstream resting/feeding riparian conditions from
changes due to silt and water quality impacts.
CUMULA TIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would have limited, indirect cumulative effects ph downstream, riparian resting/feeding
habitats in addition to those produced from past harvest, reading, --.mining, public access, fire
exclusion and other habitat impacts. The sensitive species determination for Harlequin duck would
be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or
reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
Harlequin ducks or their breeding sites are predicted. It treats 2,773 upland acres, which may
cause minor potential indirect impacts on downstream resting/feeding riparian conditions from
changes due to silt and water quality impacts.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would have limited, indirect cumulative effects on downstream riparian
resting/feeding habitats In addition to those produced from past harvest, reading, mining, public
access, fire exclusion and other habitat impacts. The sensitive species determination for Harlequin
duck would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal
listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
Harlequin ducks or their breeding sites are predicted. It treats the most acres (3,402 upland
acres), which may cause minor potential indirect impacts on downstream resting/feeding riparian
conditions from changes due to silt and water quality impacts.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
Harlequin ducks or their breeding sites are predicted. It treats the most acres, which may cause
minor potential indirect impacts on downstream resting/feeding riparian conditions from changes
due to silt and water quality impacts.
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ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E modifies no riparian habitat conservation areas directly, thus no direct impacts to
Harlequin ducks or their breeding sites are predicted. It treats the least acres of any action
alternative (2,082 upland acres), which may cause minor potential indirect impacts on downstream
resting/feeding riparian conditions from changes due to silt and water quality impacts.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would have the least limited, indirect cumulative effects on downstream riparian
resting/feeding habitats of any action alternative. Impacts would be in addition to those produced
from past harvest, reading, mining, public access, fire exclusion and other habitat impacts.
Cumulative impacts of this alternative would be lowest of any action alternative. The sensitive
species determination for Harlequin duck would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not
likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
FISHER
EXISTING CONDITION
Fishers are wide-ranging forest predators that prefer late serai habitats. In the Northern Rockies,
fishers prefer late-serai, mesic (moist) forests (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, et. al. 1995, p. 9).
Fishers are known to occur within the South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin. A more complete
discussion of fisher ecology and habitat needs is referenced within the South Fork Clearwater
River Landscape Assessment, 1998, p. 104 and in the SFLA- Wildlife Technical Report for Fisher,
1998.
Current distribution of fishers in North America is substantially fragmented compared to their
historical (pre-European) distribution. Across the species' range, fisher populations declined in the
early twentieth century, probably due to a combination of over trapping, predator poisoning, and
habitat loss from settlement, logging and forest fires ( Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, et. al. 1995).
Fishers and their habitat use were studied by Jeff Jones in the adjacent Newsome drainage and
surrounding areas near Elk City during the late 1980's (Jones, J.L. 1991). Jones concluded that
over-trapping and habitat loss due to extensive fires in 1910 and 1934 were most likely responsible
for the historical decline of fishers in Idaho.
No fisher trapping is currently allowed in Idaho, but animals are occasionally caught incidental to
marten, coyote, and bobcat trapping. Trapping pressure within the project area and South Fork
Clearwater River Subbasin is currently limited due TO LOW TRAPPER INTEREST (SFLA, WILDLIFE
Technical Report - Fisher; See also NPNF 15th Annual Monitoring & Evaluation Report -2002
Fisher/pine marten monitoring data - Item 10 Population Trends of Indicator Species , Nez Perce
National Forest, 2003).
Habitat in the American River drainage is substantially less impacted and fragmented by past
timber harvest and reading than habitats in the Crooked river drainage. The vegetative conditions
in the American River drainage are somewhat similar to those of Crooked River, but habitat
conditions and relative amounts and larger blocks of old growth and late serai habitats preferred by
fishers are considerably more prevalent in American River. Currently, 51 percent of the American
River drainage supports late serai habitat (SFLA, page 141).
Both drainages are roaded and have been impacted by previous harvesting and reading activities.
Overall however, fisher habitat has increased over historical conditions by approximately 188
percent.
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Suitable fisher habitat in American River drainage is currently 233 percent of historic amounts. It is
227 percent of historic amounts within the Crooked River drainage (SFLA, Wildlife Technical
Report - Fisher). For both drainages, conserving the integrity of late serai habitats near the upper
end of their historic range of variability would benefit fishers (SFLA, pages 140-141; 148).
The vegetative conditions in the lower portion of the Crooked River drainage have gentle to
moderate slopes subject to infrequent stand replacing and mixed fires. Lodgepole pine and
Western larch were once more dominant than ponderosa pine. Previous extensive harvest entries
have been relatively dispersed, and more frequent than historical fire disturbance (SFLA, Chapter
4, p. 148). From a larger landscape perspective, conserving late serai habitat would benefit fisher
habitats. Currently, 47 percent of the Crooked drainage supports suitable amounts of late serai
habitat (SFLA, page 148).
Due to its relatively high elevation, the adjacent Gospel-Hump Wilderness is unlikely to be a good
candidate as a fisher core area (Idaho State Conservation Effort 1995, p.49; IN: South Fork
Clearwater River Landscape Assessment, p. 104 and in the SFLA- Wildlife Technical Report -
Fisher). The RARE II roadless areas in the South Fork Subbasin (West Meadow Creek, Lick
Point, Upper American River, Pilot Knob, and Dixie Summit) also likely have limited potential as
fisher core areas due to acreage or elevation constraints (South Fork Clearwater River Landscape
Assessment, p. 104 and in the SFLA- Wildlife Technical Report (Fisher).
-• ""-. .
Fishers are believed to use selected suitable habitat portions of both drainages, though actual
sightings or track records are scant. Based on populations monitoring results, incidental
sightings, ICDC database records and consideration of this data within the context of locally
monitored downtrends in the two of the most commonly recognized threats to fisher and marten
populations in the western U.S. (trapping pressure and clearcutting of late successional timber),
local trends in fisher populations remain stable (NPNF 15th Annual Monitoring & Evaluation Report
Draft -2002 Fisher/pine marten monitoring data - Item 10 Population Trends of Indicator Species ,
Nez Perce National Forest, 2003).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The Habitat Conservation Assessment for Fisher in Idaho suggests that although fisher trapping
seasons are closed in Idaho, incidental trapping mortality may limit populations in the state (Idaho
Dept. of Fish & Game, et. al. 1995, p. 6). Because old growth timber is considered important to
fishers, none of the alternatives will harvest in existing old growth timber. Likewise, protection of
RHCAs (riparian habitat conservation areas) and selected replacement old growth stands have
been incorporated into the project design along with retention of key replacement old growth
stands to help maintain patch sizes and connectivity. A fundamental aim of the project is removal
of fuel-loading from dead and dying lodgepole pine. Considering that most of the lodgepole pine of
6 inch or greater diameter in the analysis area will no longer contribute to forest canopy cover
irrespective of alternative harvest plans, effects of each alternative on fishers and their habitats
should also factor in the reduced risks (if any), for subsequent habitat losses due to future fire
impacts.
Noxious weeds, watershed restoration actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using
prescribed fire are not expected to impact fishers or their habitats to a significant degree regardless
of alternative. Road decommissioning levels would be expected to help reduce motorized access
on existing roads, contributing to reductions in fisher mortality risks from trapping. Based on best
available information, the analysis criteria for fisher will be the extent to which each alternative 1)
conserves or protects the integrity of late serai habitats, and 2) the degree to which each
alternative provides security by limiting mortality risks of incidental trapping, because densities of
accessible roads and trails help facilitate human access.
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ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no immediate, direct negative or positive impacts on the
fisher or its habitat. As local stands mature and decline with their attendant fuel-buildups, lethal,
stand-replacing fire risks would become more prevalent. Such risks would increase the chances of
late serai habitat losses to wildfires (Refer to fire effects section for details). No direct or indirect
changes in access would occur, so security would not improve.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Risks of fire-spread losses in old growth or other late serai stands would become cumulative to
past and present effects of fire exclusion in the analysis area, and whether these effects would
extend outside the analysis area is relatively uncertain. The no action alternative would have no
certain cumulative effects on the fisher or its habitat other than fire and security risks which would
eventually become additive to the past effects of reading, tagging, incidental trapping risks, fire
exclusion and other human disturbances of normal ecosystem processes and forest pattern.
Principally due to cumulative risks for future habitat losses to fire and access effects, the sensitive
species determination for fisher would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely
result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would not harvest in any existing old growth timber. Moderate harvest levels would
have limited direct impacts on fisher habitats due to increased overall habitat fragmentation.
Treated stands would provide moderate levels of on-site fuel reduction. As local stands mature
and decline with their attendant fuel-buildups, lethal, stand-replacing fire risks would become more
prevalent with attendant risks to untreated late serai habitats (Refer to fire effects section for
details).
Alternative B would slightly improve security, particularly in the American River drainage where
most of the large blocks of prime old growth habitat remain, however security levels in the Crooked
River portion of the analysis area would remain at comparatively low levels similar to Alternative A.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would add moderately to forest fragmentation levels in the analysis area, which would
be cumulative to past, present, and other foreseeable harvest activities in these drainages. It would
reduce fuels at relatively moderate levels, potentially contributing to loss risks of old growth and
late serai habitats. The alternative would also moderately reduce potential levels of human
access, thereby helping to reduce mortality risks from trapping.
The sensitive species determination for fisher would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would not harvest in any existing old growth timber. Moderate harvest levels would
have limited, direct impacts on fisher habitats due to increased overall habitat fragmentation.
Treated stands would provide moderate levels of on-site fuel reduction. As local stands mature
and decline with their attendant fuel-buildups, lethal, stand-replacing fire risks would become
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prevalent with attendant risks to untreated late serai habitats (Refer to fire effects section for
details). Security levels would be slightly higher, but overall very similar to Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would add moderately to forest fragmentation levels in the analysis area, which would
be cumulative to past, present, and other foreseeable harvest activities in these drainages. It would
reduce fuels at relatively moderate levels, potentially contributing to loss risks of old growth and
late serai habitats. The alternative would also moderately reduce potential levels of human
access at levels similar to but slightly higher than Alternative B particularly in the American River
drainage, thereby helping to reduce mortality risks from trapping.
The sensitive species determination for fisher would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would not harvest in any existing old growth timber. It would have the highest direct
impacts on fisher habitats due to increased overall habitat fragmentation. Treated stands would
provide the highest levels of on-site fuel reduction. As local stands mature and decline with their
attendant fuel-buildups, lethal, stand-replacing fire risks would become prevalent with attendant
risks to untreated late serai habitats (Refer to fire effects section for details).
Alternative D would improve security at levels similar to Alternative C.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would add the highest to forest fragmentation levels in the analysis area, which would
be cumulative to past, present, and other foreseeable harvest activities in these drainages. It would
reduce fuels at relatively high levels, potentially contributing to proportionate loss risks of old
growth and late serai habitats. Alternative D would also moderately reduce potential levels of
human access at levels similar to Alternative C.
The sensitive species determination for fisher would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would not harvest in any existing old growth timber. Relatively low harvest levels
would have limited, direct impacts on fisher habitats due to smaller increases in overall habitat
fragmentation. Treated stands would provide minimal levels of on-site fuel reduction. As local
stands mature and decline with their attendant fuel-buildups, lethal, stand-replacing fire risks would
become prevalent with attendant risks to untreated late serai habitats (Refer to fire effects section
for details).
Alternative E would improve security the highest of all alternatives.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would add the least to forest fragmentation levels of all action alternatives. It would
reduce fuel levels the lowest of all action alternatives with proportionate reduction in risk reductions
for old growth losses to future wildfires. It would contribute the most toward reducing mortality
risks from cumulative access and human intrusion into habitats traveled by fishers.
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The sensitive species determination for fisher would be "may impact individuals or habitat, but will
not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability for the population or species".
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER
EXISTING CONDITION
Black-backed woodpeckers inhabit boreal forests throughout North America, including Idaho.
Suitable habitats may be found in lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and mixed conifer
forests, especially those experiencing insect infestations, but optimal habitat is provided by recent
(<5 year old) burned-over forest. A more thorough discussion is referenced in the South Fork
Clearwater River Landscape Assessment 1998 - Wildlife Technical Report, Black-backed
woodpecker. Black-backed woodpeckers evolved with and have become dependent on natural
landscape disturbances, particularly fire. They are also relatively nomadic, displaying "irruptive
dispersal" in response to habitat changes, and will move to large areas where fire-killed dead
and/or dying trees are infected with bark and wood-boring beetles. In 2003, a 13,000 acre wildfire
killed timber in the adjacent Meadow Creek watershed, and black-backed woodpeckers are likely
in the area. Such sites provide the specialized habitat conditions required for nesting and feeding
by this bird.
Within the South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin as a whole, suitable habitat for black-backed
woodpeckers has likely declined more for this bird than for any other wildlife species. In the
American River drainage, black-backed woodpecker habitat is only 88 percent of historic levels.
Crooked River ERU is considered especially important to black-backed woodpeckers (South Fork
Clearwater River Landscape Assessment 1998 - Wildlife Technical Report, Black-backed
woodpecker). Black-backed woodpecker habitat is currently 141 percent of historic in the Crooked
River ERU (South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment 1998 - Wildlife Technical Report,
Black-backed woodpecker). A more detailed account is referenced in the South Fork Clearwater
River Landscape Assessment (p. 101 & 106).
For improving habitat conditions for black-backed woodpeckers, the SFLA (p. 140 & 148)
recommends lethal severity fires in lodgepole pine cover types in both American and Crooked
River drainages to create high snag density and snag retention for at least 5 years after the fire.
The management theme for wildlife (SFLA, page 140; 148), identifies treatment objectives for
black-backed woodpecker within the American and Crooked River drainages to "produce post-fire
early serai habitat" by applying lethal severity prescribed burns in lodgepole pine as well as partial
harvest of mid or late serai forest followed by burning. Based on the extent and progression of the
current mountain pine beetle epidemic in both American and Crooked River drainages, lethal
severity fires are a high probability outcome throughout much of the analysis area in years ahead.
The SFLA Wildlife Technical Report - Black-backed woodpecker section suggests that, "When
pre-burn harvest is used, approximately 50 percent of the trees should be retained for burning with
preference given to larger size classes".
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed restoration actions, and post-harvest slash
treatments using fire are not expected to impact black-backed woodpeckers or their habitats to a
significant degree regardless of alternative. Roadside salvage of individual dead and dying trees
within 100 feet of the roads will remove limited additional foraging and nesting habitats at similar
levels in all action alternatives and will constitute habitat losses. The net effects of haul route
road-side salvage on black-backed woodpeckers would be potentially significant along haul routes,
but overall relatively minor within the context of each alternative and landscape acres under beetle
attack. Based on available information, the analysis criteria for black-backed woodpecker will be
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the relative amounts of lodgepole pine retained after harvest that will likely remain in place or
available to subsequently burn and become highly suitable for use. The average percentage of
lodgepole pine within harvest units in all action alternatives ranges from approximately 65-70
percent, so alternatives with highest harvest acreages would yield the highest relative impacts.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no direct effect on black-backed woodpecker or its habitat.
This alternative would indirectly leave stands unharvested which would maintain all predominantly
lodgepole pine stands in preparation for future wildfire impacts, which would eventually become
beneficial to black-backed woodpeckers as foraging and nesting habitats.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would in effect, have positive cumulative effects on black-backed
woodpecker habitat availability. Absence pf fuel reduction and principally lodgepole pine harvest,
would add cumulatively to overall risks of eventual fire spread, but potential maximization retention
of habitat creation for black-backed woodpeckers would result in both drainages.
The sensitive species determination for black-backed woodpecker would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species". Ultimately, this alternative would serve the local habitat needs of
black-backed woodpeckers best and the impacts would be positive.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would harvest 2,550 acres of timber, predominantly occupied by lodgepole pine in
stands that could serve as future foraging and nesting sites. The relative amounts of dead and
dying lodgepole pine in stands that will remain unharvested in both the American and Crooked
River watersheds dwarfs the harvested acres many fold.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would result in habitat losses which add moderately to cumulative losses of existing
and potential future black-jacked woodpecker habitat related to previous harvests, reading, and
post-disturbance salvage harvests as well as reasonably foreseeable harvests on nearby BLM
lands in the analysis area. While Alternative B results in loss of existing and future foraging and
nesting habitat opportunities, the loss would be relatively insignificant and inconsequential in both
drainages, but particularly in the Crooked River drainage. Since current habitat is only 88 percent
of historic in American River drainage, relative habitat value lost in American to harvest would be
slightly greater.
The sensitive species determination for black-backed woodpecker would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would harvest 2,773 acres of timber and the effects would be similar to those of
Alternative B.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would harvest 2,773 acres resulting in habitat losses which add moderately to
cumulative losses of potential future black-backed woodpecker habitat related to previous
harvests, as well as reasonably foreseeable harvests on nearby BLM lands in the analysis area.
The sensitive species determination for black-backed woodpecker would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would harvest 3,402 acres, yielding the greatest loss impacts on black-backed
woodpecker habitat of any alternative. While Alternative D results in greatest loss of future
foraging and nesting habitat opportunities, the loss would still be relatively insignificant and
inconsequential in both drainages, similar to other alternatives.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would result in highest habitat losses which would be additive to cumulative losses of
potential future black-backed woodpecker habitat resulting from previous harvests, reading, and
post-disturbance salvage harvests as well as reasonably foreseeable harvests on nearby BLM
lands in the analysis area. The relative acres proposed for mechanical salvage harvest are only a
very small portion of the total acres that are dead and dying. These acres are likely to burn by
wildfires and become high quality habitat in the future, therefore the relative amount of anticipated
black-backed woodpecker habitat predicted to be lost to harvest is insignificant within the analysis
area and relatively inconsequential.
The sensitive species determination for black-backed woodpecker would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species".
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would harvest the least acres of timber (2,082 acres), which would serve as future
foraging and nesting sites. Direct and indirect effects would be less than Alternative B. The relative
amounts of dead and dying lodgepole pine in stands that will remain unharvested in both the
American and Crooked River watersheds dwarfs the harvested acres many fold, and thus would be
inconsequential.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would harvest 2,082 acres resulting in the least habitat losses of any action
alternative. This alternative would add the least of all action alternatives to cumulative losses of
potential future black-backed woodpecker habitat related to previous harvests, roading, and post-
disturbance salvage harvests in the analysis area, as well as reasonably foreseeable harvests on
nearby BLM lands in the analysis area.
The sensitive species determination for black-backed woodpecker would be "may impact
individuals or habitat, but will not likely result in a trend toward federal listing or reduced viability
for the population or species".
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TOWNSEND'S BIG-EARED BAT
EXISTING CONDITION
Townsend's big-eared bats are considered true cave species although they may occasionally roost
in lava tubes, mines, buildings, and other human-made structures. Known or potential cave and
roost habitats for this bat in Idaho are believed to be restricted to the lower, warmer elevations
along the Salmon River (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, et al. 1995. Townsend's Big-Eared Bat
Habitat Conservation Assessment (HCA) and Conservation Strategy (CS) Draft).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Townsend's big-eared bats are not known to occupy any portions of the higher elevation habitats
within either the American or Crooked River drainages. For this reason^ there are expected to be
"no impacts" on the Townsend's big-eared bat or its habitat under any alternative. As a result, it
will not be analyzed or discussed further in this document.
COEUR D'ALENE SALAMANDER
EXISTING CONDITION
The southernmost edge of the range of the Coeur d' Alene salamander extends only to the Selway
drainage (Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game, et al. 1994. Coeur d' Alene Salamander Habitat
Conservation Assessment (HCA) and Conservation Strategy (CS) Draft). The Selway drainage is
north, well outside the analysis area boundaries. Neither the American nor the Crooked River
drainages have any record of Coeur d' Alene salamander presence or suitable habitat.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS - ALL ALTERNATIVES
Due to both habitat and species absence rationale listed above, no impacts are anticipated from
any alternatives on the Coeur d' Alene salamander or its habitat. For this reason, they will not be
analyzed or discussed further in this document.
3.11.3. INDICATOR 3 - OTHER MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES
ELK
EXISTING CONDITION
Historically, elk were likely somewhat widespread but sparsely populated in most areas but fairly
common in the South Fork Clearwater River Subbasin's coniferous forests. Early in the twentieth
century, when large wildfires created extensive forage areas and other effects of settlement
manifested themselves, the stage was set for elk population increases. In recent decades, elk
populations have stabilized and begun to decline because of forest successional advancement on
winter ranges and greater hunting mortality (SFLA, Wildlife Technical Report 1998). Due to recent
declines in elk herd numbers and productivity data for elk hunt units of the Clearwater subbasin,
regional sportsmen's organizations and the Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game have voiced a desire to
increase Forest vegetative treatment activities and other disturbances that will help restore elk
forage and improve overall elk habitat productivity locally.
Elk habitat is categorized into summer and winter range. At the larger scale, winter range is
considered a major habitat limiting factor for elk populations in the South Fork Clearwater River
Subbasin. Winter range is essentially absent in project portions of the American River drainage
and only a very limited amount of winter range (along lower Crooked River), exists in the Crooked
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River drainage. Harvest and fuel reduction treatments of the American and Crooked River Project
are planned to occur outside winter ranges, at elevations considered elk summer range.
The criteria for elk in the American and Crooked River Project will be relative adherence to Forest
Plan summer elk habitat management objectives. Summer ranges are managed according to
Forest Plan elk summer habitat objectives of 25, 50, 75 or 100 percent, and areas are subdivided
into analysis units for assessment purposes. The affected elk analysis units, their current habitat
conditions and Forest Plan objective percentages within American and Crooked River include:
Marten Meadows 84/75; American River 72/50; Queen Creek 77/50; Relief Creek 60/50; Kirks
Fork 83/75; and Deadwood 52/50. Since these units were originally analyzed in the early 1990's,
some domestic livestock use in some units has diminished. In addition, more than a decade of
tree growth in more recent harvest unit plantations has moved many units into "hiding cover"
condition, which has helped improve overall habitat conditions for elk.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Direct disturbances from harvest actions, reading, watershed restoration actions and other similar
activities will temporarily disturb or displace elk in all action alternatives, but these impacts would
be limited in duration and elk can avoid such disturbances by using ridges and visual barriers.
Noxious weeds that could pioneer burned sites would negatively impact elk foraging areas by
displacing desirable plants, but this would not be expected to be sufficiently extensive or
widespread enough to be of major significance under any action alternative.
Noxious weeds can reduce available forage for elk and degrade long term habitat quality where
infestations become severe, but road decommissioning, watershed restoration actions, and post-
harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to negatively impact elk or their habitats to a
significant degree regardless of alternative.
The Guidelines for Evaluating and Managing Summer Elk Habitat in Northern Idaho (Nez Perce
Forest Plan Appendix B, 1987), is used to analyze units for potential elk use. In evaluating
potential elk use, this habitat suitability index model factors in several variables affecting elk use
including open roads, livestock densities and other factors including cover, forage, and security
areas. Summary results of Elk Analysis Units (EAU) are listed below.
During field reviews and harvest site inventories for the American/Crooked Salvage Project, a
limited number of unauthorized and undocumented ATV trail segments created by unknown ATV
users were discovered. No formal inventory of the numbers and extent of unauthorized ATV trails
in the analysis area currently exists and thus is uncertain. Those discovered during field
inventories were not considered extensive enough to result in significant changes to overall elk
habitat effectiveness. Analyses included data from both inventoried roads and trails. Unauthorized
trail segments were not incorporated into the roads/trails analysis portion of the elk modeling
results listed because they are not mapped and designated and were deemed insignificant.
Table 3.101 Percent Elk Habitat Effectiveness by EAU and Alternative
(Note: Higher percentage equates to better habitat)
Elk Analysis Unit and
Number
Marten Meadows - 58121
American River- 58122
Queen Cr. -58131
Kirk's Fork -581 61
Deadwood - 38201
Reliefer. -38211
Forest Plan
Objective (%)
75
50
50
75
50
50
A
84
72
77
83
52
60
B
85
71
77
88
52
59
C
87
71
80
88
52
59
D
87
72
80
88
51
58
E
92
80
80
89
55
63
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Motorized travel prevention effectiveness of each road decommissioning action may vary slightly.
Effectiveness of motorized travel restrictions on decommissioned roads will relate to the site-by-site
conditions after decommissioning relying specifically on road prism recontouring in combination
with slash and/or existing vegetative barriers and camouflage or concealment of roadway
entrances.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Elk summer habitat effectiveness throughout the analysis area would remain in concert with Forest
Plan objectives in all EAUs. Indirectly, this alternative would fully meet or exceed Forest Plan
summer elk objectives in the short term, but as deadfall from fuel buildups continued, the
attractiveness of much of the area to elk would likely decline due to perceived travel impairments
and predator escape difficulties. This alternative would have the greatest fuel buildup and
consequently the post-fire conditions and risks in unharvested sites may precipitate greater
pioneering by noxious weeds.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would add cumulatively to fuel loading effects caused by past fire
exclusion and the current mountain pine beetle epidemic but overall net effects on elk or their
habitat would be relatively minor. Allowing continued fuel buildups in the analysis area would have
little effect initially, but eventual negative impact on elk habitat conditions (jack-strawed stands,
movement barriers) would be cumulative to previous reading, public vehicular travel in the area,
harvest activities, and other human-induced disturbances and activities on elk habitat security.
Other recent and foreseeable harvests on nearby private and BLM lands would also help create
additional forage resources for elk but would not likely change overall elk habitat effectiveness
measurably.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would slightly improve habitat conditions in the American River portion of the
drainage due mostly to modest reductions in open road access, but conditions in the Crooked
River portion of the area would remain the same or decline slightly due principally to road access
and changes in cover. Moderate levels of harvest followed predominantly with prescription fire to
remove logging slash would help stimulate regrowth of nutritious forage plants important to elk
nutrition.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would add cumulatively to fuel loading effects caused by past fire exclusion and the
current mountain pine beetle epidemic but overall net effects on elk or their habitat would be
relatively minor. Modest reductions in fuel buildups in the analysis area would have little effect
initially, but eventual negative impact on elk habitat conditions (jack-strawed stands, movement
barriers) would be cumulative to previous reading, public vehicular travel in the area, harvest
activities, and other human-induced disturbances and activities on elk habitat security. Other
recent and foreseeable harvests on nearby private and BLM lands would also help create
additional forage resources for elk but would also add to security weaknesses and cover losses.
Overall cumulative effects would be similar to Alternative A.
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ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would improve habitat conditions more than Alternative B, particularly in the American
River portion of the drainage, but conditions in the Crooked River portion of the area would remain
essentially the same or decline slightly due principally to road access and changes in cover.
Moderate levels of harvest followed predominantly with prescription fire to remove logging slash
would help stimulate regrowth of nutritious forage plants important to elk nutrition.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would add cumulatively to fuel loading effects caused by past fire exclusion and the
current mountain pine beetle epidemic but overall net effects on elk or their habitat would be
relatively minor. Modest reductions in fuel buildups in the analysis area would have little effect
initially, but eventual negative impact on elk habitat conditions (jack-strawed stands, movement
barriers) would be cumulative to previous reading, public vehicular travel in the area, harvest
activities, and other human-induced disturbances and activities on elk habitat security. Other
recent and foreseeable harvests on nearby private and BLM lands would also help create
additional forage resources for elk but would also add to security weaknesses and cover losses.
Overall cumulative effects would be slightly improved, but similar to Alternative B.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D effects would overall be similar to Alternative G because of similar post-project
access restrictions on motorized use of roads. With respect to creation of foraging areas, this
alternative harvests and treats the most acres with post-logging prescription fire which would
generate the greatest forage.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would have cumulative effects similar to Alternative C though treatment acreage
would be slightly higher.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would improve summer habitat effectiveness the most of all alternatives, even though
harvest acreages and forage generation are lowest of all action alternatives. This is principally due
to reductions in motorized access levels on roadways resulting from road decommissioning.
Improvements in overall habitat effectiveness would be realized in both the American and Crooked
River portions of the project area in this alternative.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would have similar overall cumulative effects to those of Alternative B, although
improvement in habitat effectiveness is highest of all alternatives.
SHIRA'S MOOSE
EXISTING CONDITION
Shira's moose are widely distributed throughout Idaho, and are relatively common in the South
Fork Clearwater Subbasin including the Nez Perce National Forest. Moose populations have
greatly expanded across Idaho since the 1960's, and most populations are currently stable or
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increasing (South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment Wildlife Technical Report -
Shira's moose, 1998).
The recognized critical habitat for moose of the South Fork Subbasin is mature and old growth
grand fir and subalpine fir stands that exhibit an understory of Pacific yew. This winter moose
habitat (Forest Plan Management Area 21), is important to moose for both cover and forage
during the winter season. ). Moose habitat in Crooked River and American ERUs is now 325
percent and 306 percent of historic levels in Crooked and American River ERUs respectively
(South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment Wildlife Technical Report - Shira's moose,
1998). American River ERU contains disproportionately more high quality moose winter habitat
(approximately 21,391 acres) compared to the 6,455 acres of this habitat in Crooked River ERU
(South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment Wildlife Technical Report - Shira's moose,
1998).
Maintaining high quality moose habitat in quantities that are well beyond the historic levels would
make little sense, especially for a species which is increasing and is a relative habitat generalist
(South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment Wildlife Technical Report - Shira's moose,
1998). In addition, attempting to maintain such conditions would likely be unsustainable over the
longer term, given increasing fuel loadings and the known fire disturbance,patterns in the analysis
area. Fire hazard will increase as more stands in the area transition from low or moderate hazard
to high. Neither American nor Crooked River drainages are viewed as high priority areas to
manage for moose conservation. Nevertheless, the Nez Perce Forest Plan limits timber harvests
in MA21 to a maximum of 5 percent per decade based on a 210 year rotation (Nez Perce Forest
Plan, page III-59).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed restoration actions, and post-harvest slash
treatments using fire are not expected to impact moose or their habitats to any significant degree
regardless of alternative.
Most MA21 habitat in the American River drainage occurs several miles west of all planned
harvest units. No MA21 habitat in the American River drainage is planned for harvest by any
alternative. MA21 habitats in the Crooked River drainage occur mostly in the northwest quadrant
and away from most harvest units, however 32 acres of MA21 in the Crooked drainage will be
affected by harvest activity in all action alternatives. Based on this information, the analysis
criteria for moose will be acres of MA 21 harvested.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would not harvest in MA21 and would have no direct impact on important
moose winter habitats. The no action alternative would have uncertain indirect effects of
encouraging continued fuel loading throughout the areas, which may indirectly increase future fire-
loss risks of some stands of moose winter habitat. Considering current moose habitat prevalence
and moose populations in the analysis area, this would not likely be considered a major negative
impact.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would have no major cumulative effects on moose or their important
winter habitats. This action, in concert with past and present fire exclusion, along with other
habitat intrusions such as reading, harvesting, public recreation activities and other impacts on the
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land would further modify habitat outside its historic norm, but would not be likely to affect moose
significantly.
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Direct effects would include harvest of approximately 32 acres of MA21 in the Crooked River
drainage. None would be harvested within the American River drainage. Loss or modification of
such small amounts of moose habitat would be insignificant. Indirect effect on future fire hazard
reduction would also be negligible.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Planned harvest (32 acres in the Crooked River drainage), fuel treatments, and other related
activities in addition to past, present and reasonably foreseeable future activities including
additional harvests on BLM lands and the proposed Tract 39 exchange (35 acres in American
River drainage), would amount cumulatively to less than 1/4 of 1 percent of the MA21, well below
maximum Forest Plan 5 percent standards. This amount of impact would not sufficiently break up
or reduce fuels to any extent likely to have measurable effects on moose or protection of MA21
habitats from wildfire risks.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Cumulative: Effects would be essentially the same as those for Alternative B.
PILEATED WOODPECKER
EXISTING CONDITION
The pileated woodpecker is widely distributed in western North America, and is a fairly common
resident of northern Idaho's coniferous forests. Pileateds are most commonly found in mature to
overmature forests that have numerous, large dead or dying trees. It is considered an old-growth
indicator species, and nests in large diameter snags. Preferred foraging habitat is characterized by
dense canopies, with high snag and log densities. Grand fir forests with at least 2 canopy layers
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and >75 percent canopy closure are preferred for nesting (Bull et al. 1986 p. 5). Forests above
5000 feet are generally avoided. Lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests in particular receive little
use, most likely due to the paucity of large diameter trees (South Fork Clearwater River Landscape
Assessment Wildlife Technical Report - Pileated woodpecker, 1998).
Based on a landscape-scale assessment, pileated woodpecker habitat is now more abundant than
historically. Comparison of the extent of current (1997), versus historic pileated woodpecker
habitat acres in the American and Crooked River ERUs revealed that such habitat is 275 percent
and 289 percent of historic in these respective drainages (SFLA, Wildlife Technical Report-
Pileated woodpecker, Table #4, 1998).
American River ERU contains approximately 18964 acres and Crooked River ERU contains about
12997 acres of high quality habitat for pileated woodpeckers (SFLA - Wildlife Technical Report -
Pileated woodpecker, 1998).
Based on populations monitoring across the Nez Perce National Forest, pileated woodpecker
populations remain healthy and stable (NPNF 15th Annual Monitoring & Evaluation Report Draft -
2002 Pileated woodpecker monitoring data - Item 10 Population Trends of Indicator Species , Nez
Perce National Forest, 2003).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
No existing old growth stands will be harvested under any alternative. An abundance of dead and
dying lodgepole pine is present throughout the analysis area as foraging habitat and this will not
change substantially, regardless of any action alternative. Therefore, the analysis criteria for
pileated woodpecker is the degree to which each alternative maintains and protects mature mixed
conifer stands preferred for future nesting habitat. Roadside salvage of individual dead and dying
trees within 100 feet of the individual haul roads will remove limited additional foraging and nesting
habitats at similar levels in all action alternatives. The net effects of haul route road-side salvage
on pileated woodpeckers would be significant along haul routes but overall relatively minor within
the context of each alternative because of the limited areas treated, limited numbers of dead/dying
trees taken and diameter limits of 20 inches. Noxious weeds, road decommissioning, watershed
restoration actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not expected to impact
pileated woodpeckers or their habitats to a significant degree regardless of alternative. An
estimated 30-35 percent of total harvest acres is expected to be in mixed conifer stands in all
alternatives.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no direct impacts to pileated woodpeckers, old growth, or any
of their habitats. Important replacement old growth stands would also be protected from harvest.
Indirect effects of the no action alternative may slightly increase future risks of eventual fire
damage or destruction to some individual old growth or mature mixed conifer stands (refer to fire
effects section for more details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative would allow more stands to transition to higher fire hazard conditions
which would be cumulative to effects from past fire exclusion, reading effects, loss of large
diameter trees and other human-caused impacts on habitat quality. Harvests planned for nearby
BLM lands would add cumulatively to habitat losses and prior impacts. This alternative would
indirectly result in slightly greater cumulative risks of fire damage or losses to some individual
stands of existing old growth and/or mature mixed conifer stands.
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ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would harvest 2,550 acres, directly impacting patches of mature mixed conifer
habitats, but would produce no direct effects to existing old growth stands. Important replacement
old growth stands would also be protected from harvest. Low levels of mixed conifer harvest (<2
percent of high quality pileated woodpecker habitat) would result in only minor negative impacts,
given the relative abundance of current high quality habitat in both drainages compared to
historical norms. As a result of indirect effects from continued fuel buildups over much of the
analysis area despite some fuel reduction, lethal, stand-replacing fires are predicted to become
more prevalent with associated risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for
additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would add low levels of habitat loss and disturbance to Impacts from past and
reasonably foreseeable future actions.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would harvest 2,773 acres, producing very similar but only slightly greater direct and
indirect effects as those of Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would add moderate levels of habitat loss to impacts from past and reasonably
foreseeable future actions.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would harvest the most (3,402 acres), directly impacting patches of mature mixed
conifer habitats, but would produce no direct effects to existing old growth stands. Important
replacement old growth stands would also be protected from harvest. Moderately low levels of
mixed conifer harvest (<8 percent of high quality pileated woodpecker habitat), would result in
only minor negative impacts, given the relative abundance of current high quality habitat in both
drainages compared to historical norms. As a result of indirect effects from continued fuel
buildups over much of the analysis area despite some fuel reduction, lethal, stand-replacing fires
are predicted to become more prevalent with associated risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire
effects analysis for additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would add the highest levels of habitat loss to impacts from past and reasonably
foreseeable future actions. This alternative would yield highest levels of habitat loss to impacts
from past and reasonably foreseeable future actions.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would harvest the least (2,082 acres), directly impacting patches of mature mixed
conifer habitats, but would produce no direct effects to existing old growth stands. Important
replacement old growth stands would also be protected from harvest. Lowest levels of mixed
conifer harvest (about 4.0 percent of high quality pileated woodpecker habitat) would result in
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very minor negative impacts, given the relative abundance of current high quality habitat in both
drainages compared to historical norms. As a result of indirect effects from continued fuel
buildups over much of the analysis area despite some fuel reduction, lethal, stand-replacing fires
are predicted to become more prevalent with associated risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire
effects analysis for additional details).
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E would add lowest levels of habitat loss and disturbance to impacts from past and
reasonably foreseeable future actions.
FISHER - SEE DISCUSSION FOR FISHER AS A SENSITIVE SPECIES.
PINE MARTEN
EXISTING CONDITION
Pine marten (American marten) are widely distributed in the western United States inhabiting
montane coniferous forests. In various sites in the northern Rocky Mountains, marten's
preferences for major vegetation types include mesic subalpine fir, Douglas fir, and lodgepole
pine, but xeric subalpine fir and lodgepole associations are also used. They are generally
considered a high elevation old growth associated species with somewhat overlapping habitat
requirements to those of the fisher. They prefer high elevation, mature or older mesic forests and
consistently prefer sites with complex physical structure near the ground (Ruggierd; L.F., teal.
1994, page 22). Complex physical structure near the ground provides important protection from
predators as well as important protective thermal microenvironments used during the winter. Like
fishers, pine marten are known to prefer riparian and streamside timber stands for resting and
foraging (Ruggiero, L.F., teal. 1994, page 22). In some locations in the northern Rocky mountains,
martens have preferred stands characterized by xeric subalpine fir and lodgepole pine.
Logging is commonly regarded as the primary cause of observed pine marten distributional losses
in historic times in the western United States. Martens generally avoid habitats that lack overhead
cover such as clearcuts, herbaceous parklands, and meadows. In some portions of its range such
as the Pacific Northwest, clearcutting of old growth and overmature stands and habitat
fragmentation have seriously affected distribution of marten. In the Rocky Mountains and Sierra
Nevadas, the marten generally has a geographic range similar to that of presettlement times,
though population levels are not known reliably enough to compare current levels with those at any
earlier time (Ruggiero, L.F., teal. 1994, page 29). Clearcutting of mature and overmature timber is
generally considered deleterious to marten populations. In areas where clearcutting is extreme,
the habitat quality for martens decreases, resulting in increased home range sizes. A recent study
from southwest Montana ( Coffin, K. et al. 2002, page 31), concluded that marten densities
tended to be higher in study sites with less disturbance from logging and fire, but marten were
nevertheless able to occupy heavily logged and roaded areas. While fire, insects, and disease
also cause tree death in the western U.S., the effects of these disturbances on marten have been
poorly studied (Ruggiero, L.F., teal. 1994, page 13).
Pine marten are known to occur within the American and Crooked River drainages. Both sightings
and tracks have been recorded. One pine marten was observed during daylight hours while
conducting harvest-associated resource surveys along Road 1810 in the American River drainage
(See project file).
Currently, the extent of available habitat for pine marten within American and Crooked drainages
respectively is 223 percent and 284 percent of historic (SFLA Wildlife Technical Report.-American
Marten, Table #4, 1998). A view of the larger landscape indicates that current habitat arrangement
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(in the SFCR drainage), allows easy connectivity for marten movement within the habitat. The only
barrier to marten travel within the South Fork Clearwater landscape is the Camas Prairie at one
end, which does not fragment intra-subbasin marten populations (SFLA Wildlife Technical Report -
American Marten, 1998). While habitat quantity has increased, habitat quality has likely declined
due to loss of larger snags and habitat heterogeneity from fuelwooding, fire suppression, and loss
of large diameter trees due to past timber harvest. A more thorough discussion of marten habitat
needs, old growth habitats, and current habitat conditions is referenced in the SFLA, pages 104,
106, 107 and within the SFLA Wildlife Technical Report-American Marten (1998).
Martens breed from late June to early August, with most mating occurring in July. Births occur in
March and April. Young martens emerge from the dens at about 50 days of age, but may be
moved among dens by the mother earlier. A variety of structures are used for dens, with trees,
logs, and rocks accounting for 70 percent of reported den structures. In virtually all studied cases
involving standing trees, logs, and snags, dens were found in large structures that are
characteristic of late-successional forests (Ruggiero, L.F., teal. 1994, page 15) . Late-
successional and old growth stands are therefore considered the primary den site habitats. The
most common means by which humans directly affect marten populations is through trapping,
although highway accidents also cause some direct mortalities.
Since Forest Plan inception, pine marten population monitoring track counts and incidental
sightings indicate that marten population trends across the Nez Perce Forest remain stable (NPNF
15th Annual Monitoring & Evaluation Report Draft -2002 Pine marten/fisher monitoring data - Item
10 Population Trends of Indicator Species , Nez Perce National Forest, 2003).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Based on available information, the analysis criteria for pine marten is the extent to which each
alternative promotes and/or conserves late serai habitats and maintains or reduces densities of
roads and the associated potential for mortality due to trapping. In all alternatives, all existing old
growth is protected and together with strategically selected replacement old growth stands and
protection of riparian zones, old growth patch size and connectivity are maintained. Roadside
salvage of individual dead and dying trees along haul routes will have very limited negative effects
on pine marten because of their preference for live trees and more dense canopies. Noxious
weeds, watershed restoration actions, and post-harvest slash treatments using fire are not
expected to impact pine marten or their habitats to a significant degree regardless of alternative.
Road decommissioning would help reduce facilitation of trapper access within the analysis area.
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
The no action alternative would have no direct negative impact on marten or their late serai
habitats. Existing road access levels that facilitate potential trapping would remain unchanged.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
, continuity and loading which in combination with effects of past harvest, reading, fire exclusion
actions, and other human-caused impacts would add modestly to overall future habitat risks of
habitat fragmentation by wildfire. If wildfires occur, larger, post-fire openings due to fuel continuity
would increase habitat fragmentation in places, indirectly discouraging pine marten immigration
and recolonization of the area, and would modestly increase marten home range sizes until
regrowth of suitable habitats were reestablished. Refer to the fire effects discussion for additional
details. No measurable cumulative positive or negative effects on facilitation of trapper access
would occur.
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ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would harvest the next to lowest acreage (2,550 acres), resulting in moderate levels
of direct and indirect fragmentation of marten habitats. Alternative B, as all other alternatives,
would produce no direct effects to existing old growth stands however. As a result of indirect
effects from continued fuel buildups over much of the analysis area and despite some fuel
reduction, lethal, stand-replacing fires are predicted to become more prevalent with associated
risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
Alternative B would slightly improve security, particularly in the American River drainage where
most of the large blocks of prime old growth habitat remain, however security levels in the Crooked
River portion of the analysis area would remain at comparatively low levels similar to Alternative A.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B would partially discourage continued fuel continuity and loading which in combination
with effects of past harvest, road ing, fire exclusion actions, and other human-caused impacts
would add modestly to overall future habitat risks of habitat fragmentation by wildfire. Larger,
post-fire openings would cumulatively increase habitat fragmentation in places, indirectly
discouraging immigration and recolonization of the area, and would modestly increase marten
home range sizes until regrowth of suitable habitats were reestablished. Refer to the fire effects
discussion for additional details. Combined harvest impacts and impending fire risks to their
habitats from current and fuel loadings on the uncharacteristically abundant levels of habitat would
be substantial regardless of alternatives.
Alternative B would not contribute to long term cumulative reductions in habitat security, because
motorized access would be reduced slightly in the American River drainage.
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would directly harvest slightly more marten habitat than Alternative C with similar
levels of direct and indirect habitat fragmentation. No direct effects to existing old growth stands
would occur. As a result of indirect effects from continued fuel buildups over much of the analysis
area and despite some fuel reduction,, lethal, stand-replacing fires are predicted to become more
prevalent with associated risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional
details). Alternative C would improve security through roads decommissioning in the American
River drainage, but would only match security of Alternative B within the Crooked River portion of
the analysis area.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C cumulative effects would be slightly greater than, but similar to those of Alternative B.
Combined harvest impacts and impending fire risks to their habitats from current and fuel loadings
on the uncharacteristically abundant levels of habitat would be substantial regardless of
alternatives. Alternative C would not contribute to long term cumulative reductions in habitat
security, because motorized access would be reduced slightly in the American River drainage.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would directly harvest the greatest amounts of marten habitat with similar levels of
direct and indirect habitat fragmentation. No direct effects to existing old growth stands would
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occur. As a result of indirect effects from continued fuel buildups over much of the analysis area
and despite highest levels of fuel reduction, lethal, some individual stands may benefit from minor
fire risk reductions, but overall stand-replacing fires are predicted to become more prevalent with
associated risks of related habitat losses (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
Alternative D would improve security in both drainages at the same level as Alternative C.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D cumulative effects would be the highest of all alternatives. Combined harvest
impacts and impending fire risks to their habitats from current and fuel loadings on the
uncharacteristically abundant levels of habitat would be substantial regardless of alternatives.
Alternative D would not contribute to long term cumulative reductions in habitat security, because
motorized access would be reduced slightly.
ALTERNATIVE E
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would harvest the least (2,082 acres), and would have direct/indirect effects similar
to, but slightly less than Alternative B. Alternative E would improve road-related security the
highest of all alternatives.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative E cumulative effects would be similar to those of Alternative B. Combined harvest
impacts and impending fire risks to late serai habitats from current and future fuel loadings on the
uncharacteristically abundant levels of habitat would remain substantial. Alternative E would not
contribute to long term cumulative reductions in habitat security, because motorized access would
be reduced to the highest levels of all alternatives.
COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVES
3.11.4. INDICATOR 4 - OTHER SPECIES
NEOTROPICAL MIGRANT BIRDS
Neotropical migrant songbirds utilize coniferous forest habitats of the U.S. during the summer
breeding season but migrate to southern latitudes to spend winters as far south as Mexico and
South America. Tropical deforestation and other environmental effects related to wintering
grounds are thought largely responsible for declines in some Neotropical migrant species that
summer in forests of the Eastern U,S.
Fragmentation of nesting habitats is also theorized to increase rates of migrant bird nest predation
and brood parasitism by other species. Small, isolated forest patches, particularly in forests of the
Eastern U.S. are considered at greatest risk. In contrast, natural fire regimes and topographic
diversity in the West, combined in the past to produce a temporally dynamic, naturally fragmented
landscape compared with the previously extensive and relatively homogenous eastern deciduous
forests. Timber harvest and fire suppression activity have nevertheless altered the natural
landscape of western forests (Dobkin 1994, p.5).
Despite these changes, Neotropical migrant bird populations in the western U.S. are recognized as
faring better than eastern North American populations. A comprehensive review of Breeding Bird
Survey data from 1966-85 found that Western Neotropical migrants as a group were not declining
overall. However, the review found evidence of significant widespread declines among 19
songbird species of native grassland and shrub steppe habitats (Dobkin 1994, P.4-5). None of
these habitats are represented within the American and Crooked River Project analysis area.
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Of the harvest treatments in the American-Crooked River Project, more than half will be
considered relatively intense regeneration harvests. The remaining harvests will be variations of
partial-cut or thinning aimed at removing lodgepole and other components but favoring retention
and perpetuation of fire-adapted ponderosa pine and larch elements. Each harvest type will
change habitat resulting in habitat reductions or habitat enhancements, depending on the bird
species considered. Some Neotropical migrants will be harmed to some measure, while others will
benefit. Harvested units that remove virtually all canopy and tree boles typically leave no residual
nesting habitat for most species, but often create openings and herbaceous ground cover used by
aerial insect foraging species. Impacts of partial cut harvesting on Neotropical migratory birds in
conifer forests of the Northern Rockies in one study (Young & Hutto, 2002), found that five bird
species (brown creeper, winter wren, golden-crowned kinglet, varied thrush, and Townsend's
warbler), were significantly more abundant in uncut forest stands in at least one year, and 15
species were more abundant in partially cut stands. Many of the bird species that were more
abundant in the partial-cut stands, such as the hairy woodpecker, mountain chickadee, yellow-
rumped warbler, and western tanager, are open-forest species that might be expected to be more
common in thinned conifer forests than anywhere else. In the body of the referenced study,
concern was expressed that brown-headed cowbirds are much more likely to occur in partially cut
than in uncut forests and the presence of this nest parasite may create unsuitable environments for
other nesting birds.
Few studies have examined habitat and landscape factors affecting the distribution of Brown-
headed cowbirds, a nest-parasitic native bird. Using data from a region-wide monitoring program
conducted across USFS Region 1 (including the Nez Perce National Forest), Young and Hutto
(1999) concluded that the presence of clearcuts does not draw cowbirds into forested regions. The
density of potential host species (cattle or other livestock) was one of the most important local-
scale correlates of cowbird presence. In this study, cowbirds were so strongly associated with
proximity of agricultural areas they concluded that many areas of the forested mountains are
probably still safe from parasitism pressure.
A 3-year study by the USDA Forest Service Northern Region Landbird Monitoring Program (Hutto
and Young 1999, p. 69), concluded that some landbird species are relatively restricted in their
habitat distribution to only one or two naturally occurring cover types that are themselves restricted
in spatial content, or at least less extensive than they were historically. Of the potential cover
types in the American and Crooked Project area, providing adequate amounts of: 1) post-fire
standing dead forests, 2) relatively uncut older forests, and 3) riparian environments were
considered important to maintaining songbird populations diversity and viability in the long term.
Within the American and Crooked River Project area, riparian areas (RHCAs) would receive
protection from harvest through the application of PACFISH standards designed for fish habitat
protection. An abundance of uncut standing forest acreage will be retained after the project
(regardless of alternative), as potential future post-fire standing dead forest. This "cover type" is
expected to be abundant across the landscape regardless of alternative. For this reason, analysis
criteria for Neotropical migrant songbirds will be protection of old growth timber stands from both
harvest as well as from future wildfire risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
This alternative will have no direct impacts from harvest on any existing old growth timber. It
would neither provide any indirect fuel reductions effects.
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CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
The no action alternative in combination with all past, present and reasonably foreseeable future
actions including harvests on adjacent BLM lands and fire exclusion in the overall landscape would
cumulatively impact old growth to uncertain levels principally due to future fire risks. As a result of
continued fuels buildup, lethal, stand-replacing fires would become more prevalent with attendant
risks to old growth habitats (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
ALTERNATIVE B
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative B would have no direct impacts from harvest on any existing old growth or species that
nest in old growth. Indirect reductions in fuels and intermediate aged stands at a moderate levels
(2,550 acres) would occur. Harvest activities that might occur during spring nesting season would
result in potential losses of nests and/or young of some birds. This would occur on a relatively
limited portion of the analysis area however. These effects would not be of sufficient magnitude to
risk loss of any individual bird species in the local landscape because harvested acres would be
only a very small percentage of the forested area within the analysis area. Unharvested stands
with lodgepole pine in the process of dying would be relatively poor nesting habitat for some
Neotropical migrant birds, because of declining live canopy cover. Roadside salvage of dead and
dying trees along haul routes will result in removal of limited amounts of potential nesting and
foraging habitats for some Neotropical migrants, but the extent of the impacts will be limited in
context of each alternative due to limited areas involved.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative B in combination with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions including
fire exclusion in the overall landscape will cumulatively add some fragmentation effects to the
forested landscape but the net impacts to bird species would be relatively minor, given historical
impacts of fire regimes, overall insect-driven disturbance, and tree death throughout the analysis
area. As a result of continued fuels buildup and despite limited fuel removal where harvests take
place, lethal, stand^replacing fires would become more prevalent with attendant risks to old growth
habitats (refer to fire effects analysis for additional details).
ALTERNATIVE C
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative C would have no direct impacts from harvest on any existing old growth. Other effects
would be similar to but slightly greater than those of Alternative B. Roadside salvage of dead and
dying trees along haul routes will result in removal of limited amounts of potential nesting and
foraging habitats for some Neotropical migrants, but the extent of the impacts will be limited in
context of each alternative due to limited areas involved.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative C would have similar but slightly greater cumulative effects as Alternative B.
ALTERNATIVE D
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative D would have no direct impacts from harvest on any existing old growth. Indirect
effects would be similar to those of Alternative C but greater than any other alternative. Roadside
salvage of dead and dying trees along haul routes will result in removal of limited amounts of
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potential nesting and foraging habitats for some Neotropical migrants, but the extent of the impacts
will be limited in context of each alternative due to limited areas involved.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (INCLUDES FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS)
Alternative D would have similar cumulative impacts but to higher levels than Alternatives B or C.
ALTERNATIVE E
Alternative E would have no direct impacts from harvest on any existing old growth. Indirect effects
would be similar to those of Alternative B but to a lesser extent. Roadside salvage of dead and
dying trees along haul routes will result in removal of limited amounts of potential nesting and
foraging habitats for some Neotropical migrants, but the extent of the impacts will be limited in
context of each alternative due to limited areas involved,
DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Alternative E would have similar but lesser cumulative impacts than Alternatives B.
\
IRREVERSIBLE, IRRETRIEVABLE EFFECTS
None of the alternatives described and analyzed would implement actions or activities that would
result in an irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources harmful to populations of any
resident or migratory wildlife species. In addition, no alternative would result in Irreversible or
irretrievable commitment of species or habitat resources that foreclose the formulation or
implementation of reasonable and prudent alternatives that would violate Endangered Species Act
Section 7 (a) (2) leading to jeopardy. None of the alternatives would threaten species
subpopulation viability at the local level. For a more thorough habitat-based discussion, refer to
the document titled: "Habitat-based Terrestrial Vertebrate Populations Viability related to the
American/Crooked River Salvage Project", in the project files, for further information.
Cumulative effects analyses for wildlife species and habitats are summarized within six generalized
species habitat guilds based on predominant habitat associations or dependency relationships,
(i.e. fire/early serai dependent, late serai/old-growth associated, aquatic dependent, security
dependent, ponderosa pine dependent, and cave-dependent). Some species may align with more
than one guild. Cumulative effects take into account the American & Crooked River Project as well
as past, present, and potentially foreseeable future actions (see complete listing referenced in
Chapter 3, Introduction section).
• Fire/Early Serai Dependent (wolf, lynx, bald eagle, black-backed woodpecker, elk)
• Late Serai/Old-Growth Associated (goshawk, marten, fisher, pileated woodpecker, Shira's
moose, Neotropical migrant birds)
• Aquatic Dependent (boreal toad, Harlequin duck, Northern leopard frog, Coeur d' Alene
salamander)
• Security Dependent (wolverine, elk)
• Ponderosa pine Dependent (flammulated owl, white-headed woodpecker)
• Cave-dependent (Townsend's big-eared bat) : None of the alternatives produced
cumulative effects on this species or its habitats, because they occur at much lower
elevations outside the analysis area.
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ALTERNATIVE A - NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
Collectively, all additive impacts would be scattered across the entire 39,000 acre analysis area
within a much larger landscape. Within this larger perspective, the cumulative effects would not be
expected to yield adverse effects on any species or habitats, which would threaten the population
viability of any species discussed in the wildlife section.
Fire/Early Serai Dependent - This alternative would allow cumulative fuel-loading to occur
unabated. Cumulative effects would initially be harmful to some species because fire would be
discouraged initially, but eventually the accumulations and continuity Of fuels may encourage larger
acreages to burn and regenerate which would result in outcomes beneficial for most fire/early serai
species to mixed degrees. Some of these species also require interspersions of live cover with
early serai habitat, so benefits to some species would be limited. Due to the magnitude and
landscape acreages affected by the mountain pine beetle infestations, past and future harvests in
the analysis area and on BLM and private lands in the area would likely have limited influence to
overall effects to most of these species.
Late Seral/Old-Growth Associated - This alternative would initially add no direct impacts on late
serai or old growth habitats initially protecting habitat integrity, but would allow highest levels of
cumulative fuel-loading to occur. Cumulative effects would Include uncertain future risks for fire
losses of late serai and old growth habitats in patterns and patch sizes at scales that may be
outside historical norms. The effects may potentially be negative for some species in some places.
Aquatic Dependent - This alternative would likely have no measurable cumulative impacts on
habitats or species.
Security Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable cumulative impacts on critical
habitats for species requiring remote, undeveloped areas, but would allow moderately high open
road densities, access, and human intrusion effects in some portions of the analysis area. Current
risk levels of wildlife disturbance, displacement and potential mortality would remain unchanged in
developed areas.
Ponderosa pine Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or
species of this guild.
Cave-dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or species of
this guild.
ALTERNATIVE B
Collectively, all additive impacts would be scattered across the entire 39,000 acre analysis area
within a much larger landscape/Within this larger perspective, the cumulative effects would not be
expected to yield adverse effects on any species or habitats, which would threaten the population
viability of any species discussed in the wildlife section.
Fire/Early Serai Dependent - This alternative along with past, and planned future harvests would
remove relatively moderate acreage amounts of habitat components (standing dead trees),
deemed important to feeding and nesting for at least one species. For black-backed woodpecker,
the overall effects would be minimal given the overall acreage now dead or dying. Alternative B
would have the initial effect of potentially reducing local fire intensity risks where fuels are removed
resulting in uncertain levels of both positive and negative effects to various species of this guild.
Late Seral/Old-Growth Associated - This alternative would protect all existing old growth and
adequate replacement old growth from direct harvest, thus direct impacts for most species would
be avoided. Moderate levels of partial harvest treatments in mid-serai stands would help favor
future development of habitat elements (large, fire-adapted tree species important to cavity-nesting
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species) important as nest/feed trees to several species, but moderate additional fragmentation of
mid-serai forest landscapes would occur with uncertain negative impacts. Direct losses of some
nests and potential nest trees outside of old growth would occur. Future risks of late serai and old
growth habitat losses to fire would remain except possibly within or near harvested sites.
Aquatic Dependent - This alternative would protect moist riparian zone habitats used for feeding,
resting, and/or reproduction, but watershed restoration actions would initially add modest levels of
sediment to stream conditions impacted by cumulative past activities in the drainages elevating
impacts related to sediment and water quality. The overall cumulative effects of these would be
relatively minimal in terms of impacts to aquatic wildlife species and their habitats.
Security Dependent - This alternative would modestly improve habitat security compared to
Alternative A by reducing motorized access particularly in the American River portion of the
analysis area, but the Crooked River portion would remain the same as Alternative A. Although
temporary road construction would occur to access some harvest units, they would be
decommissioned, and would not contribute to long term motorized access apd security reduction.
Ponderosa pine Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or
species of this guild.
Cave-dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or species of
this guild.
ALTERNATIVE C
Collectively, all additive impacts would be scattered across the entire 39,000 acre analysis area
within a much larger landscape. Within this larger perspective, the cumulative effects would not be
expected to yield adverse effects on any species or habitats, which would threaten the population
viability of any species discussed in the wildlife section.
Fire/Early Serai Dependent - This alternative along with past, and planned future harvests would
remove relatively moderate acreage amounts of habitat components (standing dead trees),
deemed important to feeding and nesting for at least one species. For black-backed woodpecker,
the overall effects would be minimal given the overall acreage now dead or dying. Alternative C
would have the initial effect of potentially reducing local fire intensity risks where fuels are removed
resulting in uncertain levels of both positive and negative effects to various species of this guild.
Overall effects would be similar to Alternative B,
Late Seral/Old-Growth Associated - This alternative would protect all existing old growth and
adequate replacement old growth from direct harvest, thus direct impacts for most species would
be avoided. Moderate levels of partial harvest treatments in mid-serai stands would help favor
future development of habitat elements (large, fire-adapted tree species important to cavity-nesting
species) important as nest/feed trees to several species, but moderate additional fragmentation of
mid-serai forest landscapes would occur with uncertain negative impacts. Direct losses of some
nests and potential nest trees outside of old growth would occur. Future risks of late serai and old
growth habitat losses to fire would remain except possibly within or near harvested sites.
Aquatic Dependent - This alternative would protect moist riparian zone habitats used for feeding,
resting, and/or reproduction, but watershed restoration actions would initially add modest levels of
activity-related sediment to stream conditions impacted by cumulative past activities in the
drainages elevating impacts related to sediment and water quality. The overall cumulative effects
of these would be relatively minimal in terms of impacts to aquatic wildlife species and their
habitats.
Security Dependent - This alternative would substantially improve habitat security compared to
Alternative A & B by reducing motorized access to a greater level particularly in the American River
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portion of the analysis area, but the Crooked River portion would remain the same as Alternative A.
Although temporary road construction would occur to access some harvest units, they would be
decommissioned, and would not contribute to long term motorized access and security reduction.
Ponderosa pine Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or
species of this guild.
Cave-dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or species of
this guild.
ALTERNATIVE D
Collectively, all additive impacts would be scattered across the entire 39,000 acre analysis area
within a much larger landscape. Within this larger perspective, the cumulative effects would not be
expected to yield adverse effects on any species or habitats, which would threaten the population
viability of any species discussed in the wildlife section.
Fire/Early Serai Dependent - This alternative would remove the highest acreage amounts of habitat
components (standing dead trees), deemed important to feeding and nesting for at least one
species (black-backed woodpecker). For black-backed woodpecker, the overall effects would be
minimal given the overall acreages of potential habitat now dead or dying. Alternative D would
have the initial effect of potentially reducing local fire intensity risks over the highest number of
acres where fuels are removed resulting in uncertain levels of both positive and negative effects to
various species of this guild. Overall effects would be similar to Alternative C but to a greater
degree and the potentials to limit future fire intensities and extent would be greatest.
Late Seral/Old-Growth Associated - This alternative would protect all existing old growth and
adequate replacement old growth from direct harvest, thus most direct impacts for most species
would be avoided. Highest levels of partial harvest treatments in mid-serai stands would help favor
the most future development of habitat elements (large, fire-adapted tree species important to
cavity-nesting species) important as nest/feed trees to several species, but highest levels of
additional fragmentation of mid-serai forest landscapes would be added Direct losses of some
nests and potential nest trees outside of old growth would occur. Future risks of late serai and old
growth habitat losses may be reduced in more places, but likely would remain except possibly
within or near harvested sites.
Aquatic Dependent - This alternative would protect moist riparian zone habitats used for feeding,
resting, and/or reproduction, but would add highest levels of activity-related sediment to conditions
impacted by cumulative past activities in the drainages related to sediment and water quality. The
effects of these would be relatively minimal to moderate in terms of overall impacts to aquatic
wildlife species and their habitats.
Security Dependent - Alternative D would essentially yield the same cumulative effects as
Alternative C.
Ponderosa pine Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or
species of this guild.
Cave-dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or species of
this guild.
ALTERNATIVE E
Collectively, all additive impacts would be scattered across the entire 39,000 acre analysis area
within a much larger landscape. Within this larger perspective, the cumulative effects would not be
expected to yield adverse effects on any species or habitats, which would threaten the population
viability of any species discussed in the wildlife section.
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Fire/Early Serai Dependent - This alternative along with past, and planned future harvests would
remove the lowest acreage amounts of habitat components (standing dead trees), deemed
important to feeding and nesting for at least one species. For black-backed woodpecker, the
overall effects would be minimal given the overall acreage now dead or dying. Local fire intensity
risk reduction levels would be less than Alternative B with similar but lower level effects.
Late Seral/Old-Growth Associated - This alternative would protect all existing old growth and
adequate replacement old growth from direct harvest, thus direct impacts for most species would
be avoided. Moderate levels of partial harvest treatments in mid-serai stands would help favor
future development of habitat elements (large, fire-adapted tree species important to cavity-nesting
species) important as nest/feed trees to several species, and the lowest additional fragmentation of
mid-serai forest landscapes would occur with more limited but uncertain negative impacts. Lowest
losses of some nests and potential nest trees outside of old growth would occur relative to other
action alternatives. Future risks of late serai and old growth habitat losses to fire would likely
remain higher (compared to Alternatives B,C & D), except possibly within or near harvested sites.
Aquatic Dependent - This alternative would protect moist riparian zone, habitats used for feeding,
resting, and/or reproduction, and would add the lowest levels of activity-related sediment to
conditions impacted by cumulative past activities in the drainages related to sediment and water
quality. The overall cumulative effects of these would be relatively minimal in terms of overall
impacts to aquatic wildlife species and their habitats.
Security Dependent - This alternative would improve habitat security to the highest level and
positive effects would accrue to both the American and Crooked River portions of the analysis
area. Although temporary road construction would occur to access some harvest units, they would
be decommissioned, and would not contribute to long term motorized access and security
reduction.
Ponderosa pine Dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or
species of this guild.
Cave-dependent - This alternative would have no measurable impacts on habitats or species of
this guild.
OLD GROWTH HABITAT ANALYSIS
EXISTING CONDITION
An extensive overview of old growth forest conditions across the landscape within the South Fork
Clearwater River Subbasin is referenced on pages 85-86 in the South Fork Clearwater River
Landscape Assessment Volume I (1998) and Map #44 of the SFLA Volume II.
The American and Crooked River Project was designed to avoid all direct harvest impacts on old
growth and replacement stands that contribute toward largest consolidated blocks. Old-growth is
described simply as blocks of forests having old trees and related structural attributes, like snags
and down wood. Old-growth characteristics vary by region, forest type, and local conditions.
Habitat in the American River drainage is somewhat less impacted and fragmented by past timber
harvest than the Crooked river drainage. Current existing old growth and designated replacement
percentages of forested acres within each old growth analysis area (OGAA) within the overall
project area are displayed (in bold type) below. Analysis of adjacent proximity OGAAs
immediately outside the analysis area are also displayed in regular type face as necessary for
assessment of cumulative effects of the project:
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Table 3.102 - Habitat in the American River Drainage
Drainage
American
River
Crooked River
OGAA#
3050509
3050510
3050516
3050511
3050506
3050504
3050505
3050301
3050303
3050304
Forested acres
11864
4495
2433
5874
7577
3704
3452
8664
7215
13762
% existing old
growth
22
43
9
0.8
3.6
32
23
11
1.5
15
% replacement
old growth
6
12
9
10
2
21
15
8
14
11
OLD GROWTH & REPLACEMENT OLD GROWTH IN THE PROJECT AREA:
Old growth analysis unit numbers (in bold) are within the immediate project planning area. Those
in regular type face are listed here to illustrate and address cumulative effects of related actions,
and to show excess amounts of old growth in adjacent OGAAs necessary to compensate for
acreage-short units to ensure Forest Plan standards compliance.
Table 3.103: Data displayed are common to all alternatives
Drainage
American
American
American
American
American
American
American
Crooked
Crooked
Crooked
OGAA#
3050509
3050510
3050516
3050511
3050506
3050505
3050504
3050301
3050303
3050304
Forested
Acres 1
11864
4495
2433
5874
7577
3452
3704
8664
7215
13762
10%2
1186
449
243
587
758
345
370
866
721
1376
Existing
OG acres3
2583
1952
' 229
46
271
799
1176
955
114
2132
%OG
Present4
22%
43%
9.4%
0.8%
3.6%
23%
32%
11%
1.5%
15%
+/•
Acres5
+1397
+1503
-14
-541
-487
+454
+806
+89
-607
+756
% OG Acres
Confirmed6
772= 6%
524 = 12%
220 = 9%
593=10%
137 = 2%
527 = 15%
776 = 21%
697 = 8%
1011 =14%
1577 = 11%
Adjacent
OGAA#7
3050510
3050510
3050505/
3050504
3050509
Project Net Existing Old-growth Balance = +3356, Replacement = + 4213
1 Forested Acres in OGAA
210% of OGAA acres
3 Existing OG acres in OGAA
4 What percent existing old growth remains present?
5 Excess acres (+) of existing old growth or deficit acres (-) of old growth relative to FP std.
6 What acreage and percent replacement old growth acres are confirmed in the OGAA?
7 For OGAAs below Forest Plan standards, excess old growth or replacement old growth to
compensate is allocated from adjacent OGAA #
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Within the entire South Fork Clearwater River (SFCR) landscape, stands with large trees
historically tended to be concentrated at the north and west ends of the SFCR subbasin, in areas
maintained by frequent low severity fire (Vegetative Response Units -VRUs 3&4), or on moist sites
where fire was infrequent (VRUs 7&10). In other parts of the subbasin (including Crooked River
and to some extent, the American River drainages), stands with large trees tended to be more
fragmented from one another, often associated with north slopes and draws where fire might have
bypassed them (USDA, Nez Perce National Forest, SFLA, page 86, 1998). As stated in the
SFLA (Chapter 2, page 7), "The significance of wildfire in presettlement times can scarcely be
overestimated as a key shaping element of the landscape". This is evident in the display of
presettlement fire regimes for both American and Crooked River areas on Map #8 (SFLA, 1998).
Both watersheds have been influenced and fragmented in part, by infrequent, lethal fires. Local
old growth associated species have nevertheless maintained their presence and contribution to
populations viability locally despite the historical fragmentation effects of previous fires.
Past clearcut harvest patterns in the American and Crooked river project area have impacted
some old growth complexes by further fragmenting and changing overall distribution patterns of old
age timber stands. While present old growth stands in the American River portion of the analysis
area remain relatively abundant, the distribution and connectivity is hot uniform, being
concentrated principally in the northern half of the drainage along the eastern and western sides.
The old growth in the Crooked River drainage has been impacted by previous fire impacts,
harvesting and reading, in addition to fire exclusion. Many stands consequently are now slightly
smaller, more widely spaced and moderately fragmented. Aggregations (blocks) of old growth in
the Crooked River portion of the analysis area tend to be concentrated mostly in the western
portions of the area. While the historic patterns and amounts of old growth have been impacted
by previous management in some areas, overall distribution and patch aggregations with large
tree components important to old growth species still remain relatively consistent in landscape
proximity with historical location patterns similar to 1930 ( See SFCLA 1998; Map #44 - South
Fork Clearwater Subbasin Large Trees in 1930 and Possible Current Old Growth).
Despite the accepted importance of connectedness and corridors in maintaining old growth and
populations viability of its dependent species, new and somewhat contradictory information
suggests that the importance of connectedness should be balanced with risks of natural
disturbance events. New theories and biodiversity studies are beginning to build a case for the
value of heterogeneity or dissimilarity in forest stands (Dodge, S.R. (ed.). 2003). Reduced
connectedness and enhanced permeability may increase resistance to agents of catastrophe and
enhance resilience after catastrophes^ The current mountain pine beetle infestation within
analysis area drainages directly threatens lodgepole pine components and entire stands
throughout the area, which indirectly raises risk uncertainty of future fire-induced old growth losses.
The relative level of this loss risk remains uncertain due to the uncertainty of future fire intensities,
weather conditions, and suppression effectiveness during these events. Patches of old growth
that have become more fragmented and surrounded by areas density-rich with dying lodgepole
pine may be at greater fire-loss risk in the future. With respect to maintenance of species
populations that require old growth structure as part of their key habitat needs, work by Fahrig
(1997), suggests that the effects of habitat loss far outweigh the effects of habitat fragmentation.
Fahrig further contends that details of how habitats are arranged cannot usually mitigate the risks
of habitat loss and for this reason, conservation efforts should be aimed primarily at stopping
habitat loss and at habitat restoration. Absence of any harvesting within or around the perimeters
or habitat connections of existing old growth patches protects patch habitat integrity in the short-
term, but may increase loss risks for some patches to wildfires in the longer term, especially given
continued fire exclusion.
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Intermediate-aged stands in the analysis area are relatively abundant and widespread. While
some isolated intermediate-aged stands that could eventually become old growth have lodgepole
pine or mixed conifer species components and are planned for some measure of harvest, the
American and Crooked Salvage project old growth planning verification process selected and
identified future replacement old growth stands that were in closest proximity to or within existing
old growth patches. This selective design for long term old growth helps maintain the most logical
proximity and long term continuity of old growth complexes with time. In this way, the project
planning and design provides protection of future old growth stands. Ensuring protection from
harvest and protecting future old growth geographically aggregated is done with the intent that
animal movement and genetic exchange will be maintained commensurate with historic landscape
patterns in the area. In addition, riparian habitat corridors are protected between these units to
further maintain connectivity probability. These moist habitats are particularly important to several
old growth management indicator species (fisher, pine marten, goshawk).
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
No alternatives fragment old growth with harvest or roadways within any existing old growth or
dedicated replacement patches, thus short term habitat integrity is protected in all alternatives.
Nesting and denning habitat components provided by old growth will remain protected from
harvest related activities in all alternatives. Some clusters of plartned project harvest units, in
conjunction with the interruption of fuels created by previous harvest units (such as the area 5
miles due north of Elk City), may impart some measure of fire risk reduction to large old growth
patches. Such risk reduction could potentially allow fire fighters greater opportunity in the future to
suppress fires before they destroy significant patches of valuable old growth habitats. However,
over most of the project analysis area, due to the accumulations of fuels from past fire exclusion
actions and prevalence of lodgepole pine fuels in the surrounding landscape as well as the
unpredictability of weather conditions when fires occur, the actual level of risk reduction attributable
to planned harvests remains uncertain. Given past fire patterns under natural fire conditions, post-
fire retention of largest old growth patches was good, however conditions now reflect decades of
fire exclusion impacts, which complicates future predictions.
Planned harvests may contribute to slightly reduced future fire loss risks of nearby old growth in
some situations, but a measure of uncertainty exists (refer to fire effects analysis section of this
document). In the American and Crooked Salvage Project area, all alternatives harvest no existing
old growth. Abundant replacement old growth stands are identified and protected from harvest
and reading. All action alternatives are expected to have no direct measurable negative effect on
local habitat relative to viability of species associated with old growth, but indirect effects and risks
of fire loss remain to some degree uncertain.
WEEDS AND NON-NATIVE VEGETATION
INTRODUCTION
Invasive plants have been identified as a significant threat to western ecosystems. As invasive
plants invade and establish, native species richness and frequency may be reduced (Forcella and
Harvey, 1983) erosion rates may increase (Lacey et. al., 1989), ecological processes may be
altered (Whisenant, 1990) and rare plants could be threatened (Rosentreter, 1994). Bedunnah
(1992) noted that exotic plants have the potential to alter ecological equilibrium to a point where
the change is permanent. Invasive plants can clearly alter ecosystem structure and function
(Vitousek,1986).
Significantly higher rates of sedimentation from runoff in knapweed dominated sites has been
documented in Montana (Lacey et. al., 1989). Cheatgrass and medusahead have altered fire
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frequencies in many areas of the Great Basin and intermountain region (Whisenant, 1990; Young
1992). Purple loosestrife has significantly changed wetland vegetation structure in eastern North
America, and is currently expanding into the Pacific Northwest. Plant community structure along
many canyon slopes in the Snake and Salmon River basins and lower Clearwater River basin has
shifted from a fibrous rooted bunchgrass community to one dominated by tap-rooted weedy forbs,
affecting habitat for chukar (Pauley 1993) and other grassland birds.
Invasive plants can also have an economic impact. In North Dakota, it was estimated that leafy
spurge had a direct economic impact of over $25 million, with a total direct and indirect impact of
$87.3 million (Wallace et. al. 1993). It has been estimated that if spotted knapweed continues to
spread, the potential annual loss to Montana's rangelands could reach $155 million (Lacey et. al.
1995). A recent economic impact analysis of the effects of Tamarix in the western United States
estimated a 55 year total value lost from 7.3 to 16 billion dollars from the invasive riparian tree
(Zavaleta 2000).
Invasive plants can expand following man caused or natural disturbances, and invade degraded as
well as intact habitats (Tausch et. al., 1994; Parker 2001; Willard et. al. 1988). Forcella and
Harvey (1983) documented Eurasian weeds dominating relatively undisturbed grasslands in
Montana. Tyser and Key (1988) reported that spotted knapweed invaded and reproduced in rough
fescue communities in Glacier National Park. Sulfur cinquefoil has been found as a co-dominate in
an otherwise good condition bunchgrass community.
SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS
This section addresses the presence of invasive plants relative to expansion risk zones,
susceptible habitats and spread pathways. The direct and indirect effects are considered within
the Crooked Creek and American River watersheds. Cumulative effects are considered within the
South Fork Clearwater River sub-basin.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Analysis and evaluation of Invasive plant in this EIS is based on direction contained in The Federal
Noxious Weed law (1974) as amended in 1975, Executive Order 13112 for Invasive Species,
Forest Service policy (2080), Northern Region Supplement (R1 2000-2001-1) Implementation of
Integrated Weed Management on National Forest System lands in Region 1, and the Nez Perce
National Forest Plan (II-7, II-20, II-26, lli-6) provide direction in the management of noxious weeds.
In general, the Forest is directed to implement an effective weed management program with the
objectives of preventing the introduction and establishment of noxious weeds; containing and
suppressing existing weed infestations; and cooperating with local, state, and other federal
agencies in the management of noxious weeds.
Section 2 (a) (3) of Executive Order 13112 for Invasive Species directs federal agency to "not
authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes are likely to cause or promote the introduction
or spread of invasive species in the United States or elsewhere unless, pursuant to guidelines that
it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determinations that the benefits
of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all
feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm would be taken in conjunction with the
actions". "
ANALYSIS METHODS
Weed expansion in the project area is greatly influenced by habitat susceptibility, seed availability,
seed or propagule dispersal, and habitat disturbance. The probability that weeds will expand in the
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analysis area depends on the interaction of these four factors. Weed expansion begins with the
dispersal of seed from existing weed infestations adjacent to uninfested areas.
Land use practices and resource conditions may be important factors that encourage the initial
invasion of exotic plants (Hobbs 2000). In mountainous habitat roads and trails are the primary
means by which people and their equipment interact with the environment and therefore may be
an important spread pathway. These linear corridors act as dispersal conduits for exotic plants
(Gelbard and Belnap 2003, Marcus et al. 1998). In addition, road and trail management creates
sustained levels of soil disturbance that promotes establishment of exotic plants there by
increasing seed or propagules for ongoing dispersal. From these small isolated infestations along
roads and trails, invasive plants may colonize adjacent native habitats or may respond to periodic
disturbance by spreading into previously uninfested areas.
Disturbance creates spatial and temporal openings where sites become suitable for plant
establishment, where usable light, space, water and nutrients are available to meet the specific
growing requirements of the plant. Disturbance may increase the susceptibility of an otherwise
intact plant community to weed invasion by increasing the availability of a limited resource (Hobbs
1989). Natural or human caused fires along with timber harvest and grazing are board scale
disturbances that influence the amount of available habitat for weed establishment and may
promote invasion of exotic plants (D'Antonio, 2000; Belsky and Gelbard 2000; Pauchard et al.
2003).
SUSCEPTIBLE HABITATS
Susceptibility refers to the vulnerability of plant communities to colonization and establishment of
invasive plants. Exotic plants can be expected to colonize those sites or habitats that provide the
necessary requirements to complete their life cycle. Those habitats that lack the necessary
resources for specific weeds are not considered susceptible to colonization. In these conditions a
site or habitat may be considered as having low susceptibility or may even be closed.
For this analysis, habitats were rated as having low, moderate or high susceptibility based on
habitat type group (HTG) characteristics and known ability of a group of weeds to colonize in these
habitat types. Highly susceptible habitats have site characteristics and plant community structure
such that invasive plants can colonize and dominate the herbaceous layer even in the absence of
intense and frequent disturbance. HTGs with a low rating have plant community structure and or
site characteristics that limit weeds from exhibiting invasive behavior. Species may colonize highly
disturbed sites and waste places but act as ephemeral species in the plant community. Closed
Habitat Type Groups have characteristic such as high elevation, extreme climates, substrate or
existing plant community structure where the habitat is effectively closed to weed colonization.
The habitat susceptibility analysis for this project used weed guilds rather than individual species.
Weed guilds can be considered as groups of exotic or invasive plants that share common growing
requirements and generally colonize and affect similar habitats. Many weeds are capable of
growing across a greater range of environmental conditions. However, weeds have been placed in
the guild for which they have the greatest potential to impact the existing plant community. The
Montane Weeds group was used for susceptibility analysis. This guild of exotic plants is capable
of colonizing and becoming a member of a Dry and warm forest communities. Weed species
include leafy spurge, sulfur cinquefoil, spotted knapweed, orange hawkweed, yellow toadflax and
Canada thistle. Warm Dry Douglas-Fir (HTG2) and Warm/Dry Grand Fir(HTG 3), and drier
portions of meadows (HTG 60) are often susceptible to these species.
As summarized in Table 3.97, approximately 53 percent of the analysis area can be characterized
as low susceptibility or not susceptible to invasive plants. These areas fall into moist grand-fir to
subalpine fir habitats. Forcella and Harvey (1983) found weeds in high-montane forest habitats
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restricted to roadsides even with adjacent native habitat disturbance. Highly susceptible habitat
makes up approximately 3 percent of the analysis area and is restricted to scattered stands and
south slopes characterized by relatively open dry Douglas-fir. The most common Habitat Type
Group, Dry Grand-fir, rated as moderately susceptible to invasive plants and accounted for
approximately 43 percent of the analysis area.
In general the analysis area can be characterized as low to moderately susceptible to invasive
plants. The moderate and high susceptibility zones were used in the following section to assess
the risk of spread by invasive plants.
Table 3.104: Weed Susceptibility Rating
Watersheds
American River
Crooked River
Totals
Weed Susceptibility Ratim
High
99
. 1150
1249
Moderate
5923
10942
16865
Low
8036
4636
12672
3
Closed
1533
6562
8095
Totals
15,591
23,290
38,882
EXOTIC PLANT INVENTORY DATA
Our knowledge of existing exotic vegetation populations is limited in the analysis area. Although
spot surveys have been conducted for several years they have been of limited scope.
Approximately 30 acres of spotted knapweed and 127 acres Canada thistle have been
documented within or adjacent to the proposed activity areas. Most of the infestations are small
and scattered. The majority of documented infestations within the analysis area have been found
along or associated with the transportation network.
WEED EXPANSION RISK
The risk of weed expansion in the analysis area was determined by assessing the following
factors; susceptibility of Habitat Type Groups (HTGs 2 & 3), the presence of weed infestations
within and adjacent to the analysis area (seed source), timber harvest over the past 20 years (site
disturbance), and the presence and location of existing roads (spread pathway). Geographic
Information System (CIS) was used to display and calculate acres of at risk areas. Table 3.107 at
the end of this section summarizes the rating matrix that was used to determine the probability of
expansion for invasive plants.
When all four factors (susceptible habitat, seed source, disturbance, spread pathway) are in
proximity to one another the risk of invasive plant expansion is considered high. An example of
this condition would be dry pdnderosa habitat that has recently been disturbed, adjacent to a road
with an existing infestation of rush skeletonweed. There would be a high probability that rush
skeletonweed would spread. If one or more factors are missing the likelihood of weed spread
would decline.
In the analysis area, the grand-fir habitat is low to moderately susceptible to weed invasion with
relatively few, small weed infestations associated with the transportation network. However,
human activity levels as characterized by past timber harvest and existing roads, is relatively high
in portions of the watersheds. As a result the overall risk of weed spread in the analysis area can
be characterized as having low to moderate probability of substantial weed spread. The identified
risk zones within the analysis area are generated from the interaction of moderately susceptible
habitats, recent disturbance and existing roads. The tables below displays acres that are rated as
having a moderate risk of weed expansion.
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Table 3.105: Acres of Expansion Risk
Acres of Expansion Risk
Watershed Moderate Risk Percent of area
Crooked River
American River
8796 ac
3581 ac
37%
22%
This effects analysis focuses primarily on activities occurring within areas of moderate risk to weed
expansion. The type and amount of ground disturbing and/or habitat altering activity for each
alternative was assessed and compared to weed expansion risk zones. Acres of activity adjacent
to or occurring in moderate weed expansion risk zones were calculated for each alternative. To
simplify, only activities associated with Alternative D that occur within or adjacent to weed
expansion zones are displayed on maps 16a and 16b. All other alternatives propose less activity.
Table 3.106: Disturbance by Alternative
Alternative
B
Harvest
Unit
2083 ac.
New
Roads
7 miles
C
Harvest
Units
2297 ac
New
Roads
13 miles
D
Harvest
Units
2936 ac
New
Roads
13 miles
E
Harvest
Units
1606 ac
New
Roads
5 miles
All action alternatives have the potential to spread weeds to some degree because of site altering
or ground disturbing activities within moderately susceptible habitats. Of the action alternatives,
Alternative D would result in the most disturbed acres and greatest potential for weed expansion.
Alternative E would have the least potential to spread weeds. This is a relative ranking of
alternatives based on total acres of disturbance. It is recognized that the actual amount of ground
disturbing activity would likely be less than the gross acres displayed.
The ground based logging system would disturb the soil surface more so than the proposed cable
system. Alternative D would have the most acres of ground based system in moderately
susceptible habitats within HTG 3 and HTG 2. Alternative E would have the least acres disturbed
by ground operations. Alternative C and B fall between the two other alternatives.
Scattered patches of invasive plants are found along the edges and within habitats that are not
inherently susceptible to weed invasion; These plants may not represent a risk to the existing plant
community or pose a threat to ecosystem process and function, but can act as a seed/propagule
reservoir for future dispersal into more suitable sites. Most weeds do not spread across a
landscape by a single advancing front. Rather, weeds establish from many small disjunct patches
from independent populations (Moody and Mack 1988). In many cases, these outlying small
patches become the founding population for further dispersal. Small infestations that do not pose
a current threat to the existing plant community may still contribute to the spread of the species by
acting as a founder population for new disjunct patches.
SUMMARY
Large infestations of invasive plants are found adjacent to the National Forest and along the South
Fork of the Clearwater River. However, the analysis areas contain relatively small infestations of
invasive exotic plants such as spotted knapweed and Canada thistle.
There are zones in both Crooked River and American River portions that have a moderate risk of
weed expansion due to a combination of susceptible habitats, frequent disturbances, high road
densities and scattered seed sources.
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Based on the location of existing infestations the transportation corridors are the primary spread
pathway for weed expansion within the analysis area.
Close integration of future disturbance activities will be necessary in moderate risk zones. If the
seed sources, or pathways can be efficiently managed, then the risk of expansion could be
minimized through prevention actions integrated into management strategies and projects, and
direct control of existing infestations.
Due to the large and growing infestations adjacent to the National Forest, exotic plant management
within the analysis area must be integrated into the broader weed strategies cooperatively
developed across the Clearwater River Basin.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Invasive plant dispersal and colonization are on-going processes. Interagency surveys conducted
over the past few years have revealed 15 noxious weeds or exotic species of concern occupying
over 30,000 acres within the South Fork of Clearwater River subbasin. Individual infestations
range in size from a few square feet to hundreds of acres. Even though large block have not been
surveyed, sufficient suitable locations including travel corridors, burned areas, past timber
treatments, trails, and private lands have been surveyed to indicate an undesirable condition in the
South Fork Clearwater River drainage.
With increased disturbance within and outside of the analysis area, opportunities for the spread of
new invaders will increase. As vehicles, equipment and humans move through the landscape,
each has the potential to carry weed seed to new and currently uninfested areas. This spread
really has no limit other than the susceptibility of the receiving habitats and the presence of a seed
source. Given the inherent susceptibility of habitats within the South Fork Clearwater River
subbasin, the number of infestations in the lower subbasin and the human activity level, spread is
likely to continue.
Past and present disturbances associated with vegetation treatments added to reasonably
foreseeable actions would create a cumulative effect on weed expansion by the combination of
distribution of weed seed, ground disturbance and creation of spread pathways. The degree of the
cumulative effect would vary depending upon the number of entrances over time, distribution of
disturbance across the analysis area and acres disturbed. The impacts of cumulative effects
incurred by action alternatives to risk of weed expansion would be eased with the implementation
of preventive and weed management actions.
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Table 3.107: Probability of Weed Spread, Rating Matrix
Habitat
Suscept.
Rating
High
Moderate
Spread Components
Seed Source
Weeds Present or
Adjacent
Yes
No
Yes
No
Site
Disturbance
Timber Harvest
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Spread
Vector
Existing
Roads
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
High.
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
High
Moderate
Low
Expansion
Probability
Rating
Extreme
High
Moderate
•---.
Low
High
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
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3.12. SOCIO-ECONOMIC
INTRODUCTION
Idaho County has approximately 15,000 people living within its boundaries. While it is the largest
county in Idaho, much of the population is concentrated due to the large tracts of publicly owned
lands.
The Interior Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Management Project released a report that
examines the economic and social conditions of 543 communities in the Upper Columbia River
Basin (USDA Forest Service 1998). The analysis looked at geographic isolation, community
specialization in different industries, and association with Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management administered lands.
The study concluded that isolated towns such as Elk City are different from non-isolated towns in
that a higher percent of the population may be more specialized in agriculture, wood products,
mining, or Federal Government, and have a high percent of Forest Service or Bureau of Land
Management lands within a 20-mile radius. Forest Service offices such as Elk City Ranger Station
contribute tangible economic and social benefits, through jobs, buildings, utilities, and community
support.
Timber dependent communities were defined as those in which primary forest products
manufacturing facilities provided 10 percent or more of the total employment in the community.
The scientific assessment for the Columbia River Basin project concluded that in the entire
Columbia River Basin 29 communities were considered timber dependent. Elk City is one of these.
SCOPE AND METHOD OF THE ANALYSIS
The Nez Perce National Forest Plan EIS, p. IV-26 and 27, describes the economic impacts of
implementing the Forest Plan. This analysis incorporates the Forest Plan EIS Appendix B in its
entirety and specifically pages B-51 through B-142 that address the economic analysis process
and values placed on non-consumptive items such as recreation opportunities, community stability,
cultural resources, habitats, and populations. This economic analysis will not revisit the information
presented in the Forest Plan and will focus only on those costs and revenues associated with
implementing any of the proposed alternatives in the American-Crooked EIS analysis area. The
purpose of the economic analysis presented here is to display revenues and costs associated with
each alternative for comparison purposes.
Economic conditions are constantly changing locally, regionally and nationally. Market prices
fluctuate widely. Current local timber market prices are considered to be down. Timber values
used in this assessment are based upon April 2004 delivered log (DL) prices obtained from
Bennett Forest Industries of Elk City, Three Rivers of Kamiah, Clearwater Forest Industries of
Kooskia, and are available through Idaho Department of Lands, Maggie Creek Area. The full
analysis is documented in the project file.
The direct impact of the action alternatives on local employment (see Table 3.108) was assessed
using an IMPLAN model. IMPLAN is an economic impact assessment modeling system that
allows the user to build economic models to estimate the impacts of economic changes in their
states, counties, or communities. The FS uses IMPLAN to model and estimate the regional/local
economic impacts of such things as forest plan revision alternatives, policy changes, and
management decisions.
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DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
Long term and cumulative effects of individual projects on the overall social and economic
environment are generally difficult to quantify with accuracy and beyond the scope of this analysis.
Local employment would be directly supported by all action alternatives and secondary economic
activity would be indirectly supported. Employment opportunities that are a direct result of action
alternative activities include work in road maintenance, stream and riparian restoration, logging and
fuel removal, trucking activities, wood product mills, burning activities, and agency jobs. Indirect
economic benefits also occur in basic support businesses such as fuel, food, repairs, lodging, etc.
Any of the action alternatives would help maintain a variety of jobs. It is reasonable to assume
contracting locally will generate local jobs and more dollars spent in local communities.
Conversely, there will be fewer local jobs and dollars spent locally when contracts or resources are
awarded or purchased non-locally.
Table 3.108: Direct Employment Effects
Project Type
Restoration/Reforestation
Hazardous Fuel Reduction
Forest Products
TotalJobs
AltB
32
10
121
163
AltC
37
13
138
188
AltD
45
19
173
237
AltE
39
11
102
152
ADDITIONAL INDIRECT EFFECTS
Recreation-based services related to activities including hunting, fishing, backpacking, river
floating, sightseeing, gathering of berries and mushrooms, and firewood cutting contribute to the
local economy. Studies indicate that big game hunting, primarily elk, and fishing, primarily salmon
and steelhead, provide or have the potential to provide a major contribution to the local economy in
and around Idaho County. (Cooper, A.8., et al. 2002, Reading, D. 1996 and 2002.)
Current levels of recreation-based economic activity would not be appreciably affected by any of
the action alternatives in this proposal, with the possible exception of hunting and fishing. All of the
action alternatives would result in positive trends in elk habitat and anadromous fish habitat
potential, which may result in some degree of increase in this segment of the economy.
PROJECTED REVENUE AND COST OF IMPLEMENTATION
The following tables display the revenues and costs associated with each action alternative. The
yarding costs per mbf displayed below are those incurred stump-to-mill.
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ALTERNATIVE B
Table 3.109 - Alternative B
Item
Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg. w/ Lop & Scatter mbf)
Tractor Logging (mbf)
Cable/Skyline Logging (mbf)
Broadcast Burn Fuels (acre)
Underburn Fuels (acre)
Excavator Pile & Burn (acre)
Reforestation (acre)
Reforestation Exams (3) (acre)
Temp Road Construction & Oblit (mile)
Road Reconstruct/Recondition (mile)
SUBTOTAL
Road Decommissioning (miles)
Watershed Road Improvements (mile)
Watershed Road Improvement (sites)
Stream Crossing Improvement (sites)
Instream Improvement (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (miles)
Mine Site Reclamation (acres)
Soil Restoration (acres)
Reforestation, nonessential (acres)
SUBTOTAL
TOTALS
Cost/Unit
$334
$234
$160
$140
$175
$480
$491
$278
$490
$48
$13,000
$21,951
$6,419
$1,600
$10,000
$12,400
$12,000
$6,276
$2,143
$2,544
$490
Units
17,800
558
558
9,725
8,075
434
504
1,145
602
1,863
7.9
79.4
14.9
15.2
1
10
15.2
2.9
7
18
517
Costs
$89,280
$1,361,500
$1,413,125
$208,320
$247,464
$318,310
$294,980
$89,424
$102,700
$154,812
$4,279,915
$95,643
$24,320
$10,000
$124,000
$182,400
$18,200
$15,001
$45,792
$253,330
$768,687
$5,048,601
Revenue
$5,945,200
$130,572
$6,075,772
$0
$6,075,772
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Table 3.110 - Alternative C
Item
Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg. w/ Lop & Scatter (mbf)
Tractor Logging (mbf)
Cable/Skyline Logging (mbf)
Broadcast Burn Fuels (acre)
Underburn Fuels (acre)
Excavator Pile & Burn (acre)
Reforestation (acre)
Reforestation Exams (3) (acre)
Temp Road Construction & Oblit (mile)
Road Reconstruct/Recondition (mile)
SUBTOTAL
Road Decommissioning (miles)
Watershed Road Improvements (mile)
Watershed Road Improvement (sites)
Stream Crossing Improvement (sites)
Instream Improvement (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (acres)
Mine Site Reclamation (acres)
Soil Restoration (acres)
Reforestation, nonessential (acres)
SUBTOTAL
TOTALS
Cost/Unit
$334
$234
$160
$140
$175
$480
$491
$278
$490
$48
$13,000
$2,232
$6,840
$2,134
$3,667
$12,400
$14,082
$6,276
$7,500
$2,143
$2,735
$490
Units
20,300
546
546
10,490
9,810
536
574
1,187
634
2,091
14.3
83.9
17.9
15.8
3
10
15.8
2.9
4
7
26
648
Costs
$87,360
$1,468,600
$1,716,750
$257,280
$281,834
$329,986
$310,660
$100,368
$185,900
$194,625
$4,933,363
$122,436
$33,717
$11,001
$124,000
$222,496
$18,200
$30,000
$15,001
$71,110
$317,520
$965,481
$5,898,844
Revenue
$6,780,200
$127,764
$6,907,964
$0
$6,907,964
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Table 3.111 -Alternative D
Item
Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg. w/ Lop & Scatter (mbf)
Tractor Logging (mbf)
Cable/Skyline Logging (mbf)
Broadcast Burn Fuels (acre)
Underburn Fuels (acre)
Excavator Pile & Burn (acre)
Reforestation (acre)
Reforestation Exams (3) (acre)
Temp Road Construction & Oblit (mile)
Road Reconstruct/Recondition (mile)
SUBTOTAL
Road Decommissioning (miles)
Watershed Road Improvements (mile)
Watershed Road Improvement (sites)
Stream Crossing Improvement (sites)
Instream Improvement (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (acres)
Mine Site Reclamation (acres)
Soil Restoration (acres)
Reforestation, nonessential (acres)
SUBTOTAL
TOTALS
Cost/Unit
$337
$236
$160
$140
$175
$480
$491
$278
$490
$48
$13,000
$2,997
$6,928
$1,596
$3,667
$12,417
$14,082
$6,276
$7,500
$2,143
$2,775
$490
Units
25,400
591
591
14,900
10,500
547
660
1,729
731
2,583
14.3
90.7
19.0
15.8
3
12
15.8
2.9
4
7
32
908
Costs | Revenue
$94,560
$2,086,000
$1,837,500
$262,560
$324,060
$480,662
$358,190
$123,984
$185,900
$236,987
$5,990,403
$131,632
$25,217
$11,001
$149,004
$222,496
$18,200
$30,000
$15,001
$88,800
$444,920
$1,136,271
$7,126,674
$8,559,800
$139,476
$8,699,276
$0
$8,699,276
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Table 3.112 - Alternative E
Item
Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg Delivered Log Price (mbf)
Roadside Slvg. w/ Lop & Scatter (mbf)
Tractor Logging (mbf)
Cable/Skyline Logging (mbf)
Broadcast Burn Fuels (acre)
Underburn Fuels (acre)
Excavator Pile & Burn (acre)
Reforestation (acre)
Reforestation Exams (3) (acre)
Temp Road Construction & Oblit (mile)
Road Reconstruct/Recondition (mile)
SUBTOTAL
Road Decommissioning (miles)
Watershed Road Improvements (mile)
Watershed Road Improvement (sites)
Stream Crossing Improvement (sites)
Instream Improvement (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (miles)
Rec & Trail Improvements (acres)
Mine Site Reclamation (acres)
Soil Restoration (acres)
Reforestation, nonessential (acres)
SUBTOTAL
TOTALS
Cost/Unit | Units
$329
$230
$160
$140
$175
$480
$491
$278
$490
$48
$13,000
$2,244
$6,497
$3,854
$3,667
$23,353
$30,996
$5,771
$7,500
$2,778
$2,572
$490
15,100
542.00
542.00
7,960
7,140
31 1,
441
854
342
1,408
5.4
69.7
37.5
23.8
3
34
23,8
4.8
4
9
58
376
Costs
$86,720
$1,114,400
$1,249,500
$149,280
$216,531
$237,412
$167,580
$67,584
$70,200
$141,671.
$3,500,878
$243,638
$91,725
$11,001
$794,002
$737,705
$27,701
$30,000
$25,002
$149,176
$184,240
$2,294,189
$5,795,067
Revenue
$4,967,900
$124,660
$5,092,560
$0
$5,092,560
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3.13. WILDERNESS, INVENTORIED ROADLESS AREAS, AND AREAS
WITH POSSIBLE UNROADED CHARACTERISTICS
INTRODUCTION
Congress and the Forest Service have identified Wilderness areas and Inventoried Roadless
Areas through past actions. The National Forest Management Act regulations define unroaded
areas as any area without the presence of classified roads, and of a size and configuration
sufficient to protect the inherent characteristics associated with its roadless condition. Areas with
Possible Unroaded Characteristics do not overlap with Inventoried Roadless Areas or Wilderness.
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
The American and Crooked River project area has historically supported a variety of uses. These
include historic mining, past timber harvest, and a variety of recreational uses, including camping
and off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The roads across this landscape were built over a period of
time for use by miners and for timber harvest purposes.
The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) team reviewed the project area and found that there were areas
that contained potential Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics and warrant further analysis.
The Wilderness Areas,-""Inventoried Roadless Areas, and areas with possible roadless
characteristics are identified on the attached map 13a and 13b.
No activities are proposed in Inventoried Roadless Areas or in Wilderness Areas. Harvest
activities at various levels and intensities are proposed in alternatives B, C and D in the areas
identified as having possible unroaded characteristics. Temporary roads are being proposed
within these areas under these alternatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
PROJECT AREA
The project area for the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects on the unroaded resource values
consists of Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics found within the American and Crooked
River project area and displayed on the attached map.
ANALYSIS METHODS
The value of lands for wilderness or official "roadless" designation is appropriately considered at a
broader context and is evaluated at the forest planning scale. These determinations have been
completed previously through the 1976 RARE II Inventory and the 1987 Nez Perce Forest Plan
and are not appropriate for reconsideration at the project level. However, the site specific
parameters used to make these broader scale determinations are closely related and useful in
assessing the effects of site specific projects on unroaded resource values. For this analysis, we
have used the wilderness features considered in Forest planning (FSH 1920) and the roadless
characteristics identified in the Roadless Policy (36 CFR 294.11). The table below describes the
link between these evaluation parameters. For purposes of this analysis, the characteristics
"Remoteness" and "Solitude" have been combined as well as "Special Places" and "Special
Features". Note: The South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment was completed in
1998 using different parameters that have since been rescinded, therefore the Inventoried
Roadless Areas identified in that document may not correspond to those identified in this
document.
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Table 3.113: Wilderness Attributes and Roadless Characteristics
Wilderness Attributes
R1 Effects Analysis Desk Reference (7/1990)
Natural Integrity (is the extent to which long-term
ecological processes are intact and operating)
Apparent Naturalness (means the environment
looks natural to most people)
Remoteness (perceived condition of being
secluded, inaccessible, and out of the way) and
Solitude (personal, subjective value defined as the
isolation from the sights, sounds, and presence of
others and the development of man)
Special Features (unique geological, biological,
ecological, and cultural or scenic features) and
Special Places (what is it about the area that
causes one to visit for pleasure or their livelihood)
Manageability and Boundaries (ability to manage
a roadless area to meet the minimum size criteria
(5,000 acres) for wilderness)
Roadless Characteristics
36CFR294.11
High quality or undisturbed soil, water, and
air
Sources of public drinking water
Diversity of plant and animal communities
Habitat for threatened, endangered,
candidate, proposed, and sensitive species
dependent on large areas
Reference landscapes
Natural appearing landscapes with high
scenic quality
Primitive, semi-primitive non-motorized, and
semi-primitive motorized classes of dispersed
recreation
Other locally identified unique characteristics
Traditional cultural properties and sacred
sites
No criteria
No public drinking water sources are located in the unroaded areas where proposed activities
would occur under this project. This characteristic will not be discussed further.
No reference landscapes have been identified. This characteristic will not be discussed further.
No special features or special places have been identified as characteristics contributing to the
areas with possible unroaded characteristics. Historic properties are discussed in the Heritage
section of the document. These characteristics will not be discussed further.
ALTERNATIVES
ALTERNATIVES A AND E
Alternative A is the No Action alternative. Alternative E proposes no treatment in the areas
identified as having possible unroaded characteristics and therefore will have the same impacts as
the no action alternative.
ALTERNATIVES B. C. AND D
These alternatives propose harvest activities at various intensities as well as prescribed fire within
areas with possible unroaded characteristics.
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3.13.1. INDICATOR 1 - NATURAL INTEGRITY
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVES A AND E
Due to past fire suppression, some habitat types have heavier fuel loads than would occur
naturally, affecting vegetative diversity. No harvest activities are proposed within Areas with
Possible Unroaded Characteristics in these alternatives.
Under Alternative A (No Action) and Alternative E the potential for increased surface erosion,
stream channel blowouts, and short-term reductions in air quality within mapped Areas with
Possible Unroaded Characteristics would increase in the event of a wildfire occurring. In addition,
a larger percentage of the unroaded areas would remain in a stand replacement fire regime rather
than in non-lethal or mixed severity fire regimes as they were historically.
Information provided in: Watershed, Soils, and Fisheries Resources; Vegetative Resources;
Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plant Species; Old Growth; Snags; Wildlife Resources; Air
Quality; and Noxious Weeds section is applicable to the unroaded areas.
-
ALTERNATIVES B, C, AND D
Vegetation treatments within the areas with possible unroaded characteristics, could improve the
Natural Integrity by restoring a more natural stand structure and composition.
Air quality would remain good in all areas except during limited periods of broadcast burning, pile
burning, or wildfire. Since state air quality standards would be met, air quality would remain high.
Fuel reduction and harvest treatments could move vegetative conditions closer to historic
conditions that existed prior to aggressive fire suppression actions. Habitat for threatened,
endangered, and sensitive species would be protected consistent with the Biological Opinion from
National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
3.13.2. INDICATOR 2 -APPARENT NATURALNESS
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVES A AND E
•
Alternatives A and E would have little direct or indirect affect on Apparent Naturalness in the Areas
with Possible Unroaded Characteristics. Wildfire is a natural occurrence. There would be a higher
probability of having more lethal fire events in areas where fuel loads would not be treated.
Wildfire suppression activities may include fireline construction as well as other activities that may
have a short-term negative effect on the naturalness of the area. However, if no human caused
disturbances were visible, the areas would still appear natural.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, AND D
Apparent Naturalness would be decreased in the short term by harvesting timber. In the
alternatives where harvest is proposed, the majority of treatment would be commercial thinning
which would result in a more natural appearing landscape in the middle and background viewing
area. However, some change in canopy densities would be apparent. Stumps would still be
visible in the foreground. In areas where tractor skidding and skyline yarding are proposed,
corridors might be visible, but would diminish over time as vegetation grows back in the skid trails
and skyline corridors.
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3.13.3. INDICATOR 3 - REMOTENESS AND SOLITUDE
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVES A AND E
Neither Alternative A nor E would affect the feeling of remoteness.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, AND D.
The proposed activities would have a negative effect on the feeling of remoteness within the areas
with possible unroaded characteristics. Signs of activities, such as stumps, soil disturbance, and
slash, would be visible from within each of the areas with possible unroaded characteristics.
There would be a short-term interruption of solitude with any of these alternatives due to timber
harvest, prescribed burning and watershed improvement work within and/or in the vicinity of the
areas with possible unroaded characteristics.
3.13.4. INDICATOR 4 - MANAGEABILITY AND BOUNDARIES
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
ALTERNATIVES A AND E
The Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics boundaries are not easily defined using
topographical features. For the most part, the boundaries are formed by existing roads and would
be subject to change either through road obliteration or additional road construction.
ALTERNATIVES B, C, AND D
The unroaded area boundaries are not easily defined using topographical features. For the most
part, the boundaries are formed by existing roads and would be subject to change either through
road obliteration or additional road construction.
All these alternatives could increase the size of the Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics
due to road obliteration and vegetative recovery of roads. The increase would be a long-term
effect resulting from vegetative recovery of obliterated roads and harvest units and would occur
only if additional disturbance, such as harvesting or watershed improvement work, did not occur in
the areas.
3.13.5. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
COMMON TO ALTERNATIVES B. C. AND D
The cumulative effects for individual resources will vary, and for the various past, ongoing, or
reasonably foreseeable'activities the cumulative effects of the proposed actions on the resources
are discussed below. Past activities (including grazing, timber harvest, and road/trail construction
and maintenance) have been incorporated into the discussion of the existing conditions. The table
below displays the activities that are ongoing or reasonably foreseeable.
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Table 3.114: Reasonably Foreseeable Activities within the Areas with Possible Unroaded
Characteristics
Activity
Fire suppression
Prescribed burning
Motorized trail use,
camping, hunting, hiking,
firewood cutting
Noxious weed treatment
Aquatic habitat
improvement - Modifying
dispersed recreation sites
Outfitter and Guide permits
Status
Ongoing
Reasonably
Foreseeable
Ongoing
Reasonably
Foreseeable
Reasonably
Foreseeable
Ongoing
Wilderness Attribute Potentially
Affected
Natural Integrity, Solitude
Solitude, Natural Integrity, Apparent
Naturalness
Natural Integrity
Solitude, Apparent Naturalness
Solitude, Apparent Naturalness
The cumulative effects of the activities are listed in the order they appear in the above table.
Across Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics, ongoing fire suppression may have a long-
term impact on Natural Integrity as well as a short-term impact on Solitude. Prescribed burning to
reduce fuels could have a long-term effect of increasing Natural Integrity and create a short-term
decrease in Solitude, as burning activities occur.
Recreational use might cause a short-term effect in Solitude as it occurs individually, but repeated.
activities will make the effects long-term. Motorized and non-motorized recreation is expected to
increase within the Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics.
Aquatic habitat improvements would have a short-term negative effect on Solitude due to
equipment noise. A long-term negative effect to solitude and naturalness may occur from
recreation site improvements being implemented.
Outfitter and Guide permitted actions could have long and short-term effects on Solitude and
Apparent Naturalness.
3.13.6. CONCLUSION
Any of the alternatives together with reasonably foreseeable and ongoing activities would reduce
Solitude within the areas with possible unroaded characteristics during the actual activities.
Natural Integrity and Apparent Naturalness will also be reduced regardless of the alternative
selected due to other reasonably foreseeable actions.
Alternatives B, C and D would also increase the areas with possible unroaded characteristics but
to a lesser extent than Alternative E, because of fewer miles of road obliteration. Eventually, these
roadbeds would disappear or would be hidden with vegetation and motorized use would decrease.
Natural Integrity, Apparent Naturalness, Solitude, Remoteness, and Manageability and Boundaries
would be increased in the long-term, most likely to the extent that a balance is reached with the
effects of the other ongoing activities within the areas. Cumulatively, the effect would be an
increase in the value of the roadless characteristics and an increase in areas with possible
unroaded characteristics, as revegetation occurs over the next 30 years.
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3.13.7. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS
Alternatives A and E would not result in any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources
within any of the Areas with Possible Unroaded Characteristics.
Harvest activities at various levels and intensities are proposed in Alternatives B, C, and D within
each of the unroaded areas, with the intent to improve vegetative conditions.
While some stumps will persist on the landscape, the natural stand structure and function will be
retained or enhanced and over time, the stumps will deteriorate resulting in no permanent
irreversible effects on unroaded resource values.
Alternatives B, C, and D would result in an irretrievable commitment within the Areas with Possible
Unroaded Characteristics because of the loss of production, and the use of natural resources
through harvesting.
Chapter 3
Page 344
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
CHAPTER 4 - PREPARERS AND DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR DRAFT EIS
4.1. PREPARERS
RESOURCE
PROJECT MANAGER
INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM LEADER
SOILS
WATERSHED
FISHERIES
FIRE
AIR QUALITY
RECREATION
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
TRANSPORTATION
HERITAGE
VEGETATION
WILDLIFE
SOCIO-ECONOMICS
WILDERNESS, INVENTORIED ROADLESS
AREAS AND AREAS WITH POSSIBLE
UNROADED CHARACTERISTICS
APPENDIX A - MAPS
APPENDIX B - GLOSSARY
APPENDIX C - REFERENCES
APPENDIX D -WATERSHED, FISH HABITAT
APPENDIX E - SUPPORT FOR WATERSHED,
FISH HABITAT
APPENDIX F - ROAD MAINTENANCE
OBJECTIVES
APPENDIX G - FUEL MODELS
APPENDIX H - TREATMENTS BY
ALTERNATIVE
APPENDIX I - MONITORING PLAN
APPENDIX J - TERRESTRIAL
EDITOR
PREPARER
PHILIP N. JAHN
KATHERINE WORN
PATRICIA GREEN
NICK GERHARDT
WAYNEPARADIS
TIMT'HEISEN
TlMTHEISEN
RANDY BORNIGER
RANDY BORNIGER
RICHARD GRAVES/LAURIE DOMAN
STEVE LUCAS
RANDALL WALKER/LEONARD LAKE
G. STEVE BLAIR
MARK PETERSON
RANDY BORNIGER
DAVID GREEN
MONICA McGEE
ALL
NICK GERHARDT, WAYNE PARADIS
NICK GERHARDT, WAYNE PARADIS
RICH GRAVES
TIM THEISEN
RANDALL WALKER, ESTER HUTCHINSON,
KATHERINE WORN
ESTER HUTCHINSON, KATHERINE WORN
G. STEVE BLAIR
MONICA McGEE
Chapter 4
Page 345
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
4.2. DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR DRAFT EIS
Backcountry Horsemen
Dennis Dailey, President
P.O. Box 112
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-1030
Baird, Dennis
P.O. Box 8787
Moscow, Idaho 83843
208-882-8289
dbaird@uidaho.edu
Bennett Forest Industries
John Bennett
Route 1, Box 2L
Grangeville, ID 83530
983-0012
Bureau of Land Management
Greg Yuncevich, Cottonwood
Manager Route 3, Box 181
Cottonwood, Idaho 83522
962-3245
CFI Mill
Jim Wassmuth, Manager
Clearwater Forest Industries
207 S.E. Madison Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2056
Clearwater National Forest Larry
Dawson, Supervisor
12730 Highway 12
Orofino, Idaho 83544
208-476-8273
ldawson@fs.fed.us
Congressman Butch Otter
Bonnie Butler, Assistant
111 Main Street, Suite 170
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
208-298-0030
bonnie.butler@mail. house.gov
Craig-Wyden (RAC)
Andy Brunelle
304 North 8th
Room 250
Boise, ID 83702
Department of Environ. Quality
Daniel Stewart
300 West Main - Room 203
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
Friends of the Clearwater
Gary McFarlane
(208) 882-9755
foc@wildrockies.org
Hingston Roach Group
Lorraine Roach
416 W. Main
Grangeville, ID 83530
983-2175
Idaho Conservation League
John McCarthy
P.O. Box 844
Boise, Idaho 83701-0844
Idaho County
Carl Crabtree
320 West Main Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2667
Idaho County Commissioner
Alice Mattson
Idaho County Courthouse
320 West Main Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2751
amattson@idahocounty.org
Idaho County Commissioner
Pat Holmberg, Chairman
Idaho County Courthouse
320 West Main Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2751
pholmberg@idahocountv.org
Idaho County Commissioner George
Enneking
Idaho County Courthouse
320 West Main Street
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2751
gennekinq@idahocountv.org
Idaho County Free Press
David Rauzi, Publisher
P.O. Box 690
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-1200
drauzi@eaglenewspapers.com
Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game Cal
Groen, Supervisor
1540 Warner Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
208-799-5010
cgroen@idfg.state.id.us
Idaho Dept. of Lands
Bob McKnight, Area Supervisor
10230 Highway 12
Orofino, Idaho 83554
208-476-4587
bmcknight@idl.state.id.us
Idaho Outfitters & Guides Grant
Simmonds
Executive Director
P.O. Box 95
Boise, ID 83701
Kovalicky, Tom
Nez Perce Forest Retiree
Route 2
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-0281
Lewiston City Library
428 Thain Road
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208)743-6519
Lewiston Morning Tribune Eric
Barker, Outdoor Reporter
505 "C" Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
National Marine Fisheries Dale
Brege
102 North College
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
Chapter 4
Page 346
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(Inter-Library Loan setup)
208-743-9411 (ext. #273)
ebarker@lmtribune.com
983-3859
dale.brege@noaa.gov
Nez Perce Tribal Executive
Committee
Anthony Johnson, Chairman
P.O. Box 305
Lapwai, Idaho 83540
208-843-2253
Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries
Ira Jones
(208)843-7144
iraj@nezperce.org
Dave Johnson (Fisheries)
davej@nezperce.org
Also Scott Althouse and Aaron
Miles from the Tribe
North Central Idaho RAC
Bob Hafer
106 North D
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-2747
North Idaho Conservation League
Jonathon Oppenheimer
P.O. Box 9783
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208)882-1010
ioppenheimer@wildidaho.org
Rehfeld, Bob
Nez Perce Forest Retiree
835 South A
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
983-9189
Senator Larry Craig
Leann Wagele, Assistant
846 Main Street
Lewiston, ID 835301
208-743-0792
leann wagele@craig.senate.gov
Senator Michael Crapo
Mitch Silvers, Assistant
313D Street, Room #105
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
208-743-1492
mitch silvers@crapo.senate.gov
Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club
Mike Murphy, President
P.O. Box 572
Grangeville, Idaho 83530
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Paul
Moroz
1387So. VinnellWay
Boise, Idaho 83709-1657
208-378-5243
paul moroz@fws.gov
University of Idaho
Bill McLaughlin, Professor
Department of Resource Recreation
& Tourism College of Natural
Resources
PO Box 441139
Moscow, ID 83844-1139
208-885-6659
billm@uidaho.edu
Chapter 4
Page 347
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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Chapter 4
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
APPENDIX B • GLOSSARY
Term
Abiotic
ACHP
Active Nest
ADA
Affected
environment
Age class
Air Quality
Airshed
Alternative
Alternative, No
Action
Anadromous Fish
Animal Unit Month
(AUM)
Apparent
Naturalness
AQMP
AQRVs
Aquatic
Ecosystem
ARPA
Aspect
ASQ (allowable
sale quantity)
Authorized Officer
Background
Viewing Area
Definition
Non-living. Climate is an abiotic component of ecosystems.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
A nest with an adult pair present at least 1 year within a period of 5 consecutive
years.
American with Disabilities Act
The natural environment that exists at the present time in an area being
analyzed. The environment of the area to be affected or created by the
alternatives under consideration.
An age grouping of trees of according to an interval of years, usually 20 years. A
single age class would have trees that are within 20 years of the same age, such
as 1 -20 years or 21 -40 years.
Refers to air standards for various classes of air as designated by the Clean Air
Act, P.L. 88-206: Jan. 1978. Airshed Basic geographic units in which air quality
is managed.
A geographic area that shares the same air.
A combination of management prescriptions applied in specific amounts and
locations to achieve a desired management emphasis as expressed in goals and
objectives. One of several policies, plans, or projects proposed for decision.
An alternative that maintains current established trends or management
direction.
Fish that migrate from salt water seas up fresh water streams to reproduce.
The quantity of forage required by one mature cow and her calf (or the
equivalent, in sheep or horses, for instance) for one month.
Roadless area characteristic defined as an indicator of whether an area appears
natural to most people who are using the area. It is a measure of importance of
visitors' perception of human impacts to the area. There may be some human
impact, but it would not be obvious to the casual observer and the area would
have the appearance of being affected only by the forces of nature.
Air Quality Management Plan
Air Quality Related Values
A stream channel, lake or estuary bed, the water itself, and the biotic
communities that occur therein.
Archaeological Resource Protection Act
The direction a slope faces. A hillside facing east has an eastern aspect.
The amount of timber that may be sold within a certain time period from an area
of suitable land. The suitability of the land and the time period are specified in
the Forest Plan.
The Forest Service employee delegated Officer given the authority to perform a
duty described in these rules. A Regional Forester, Forest Supervisor, District
Ranger depending on the scope and level of the duty to be performed.
A landscape viewing area visible to a viewer from approximately three to five
miles to infinity.
Appendix B
Page B-1
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
BACT
Bark beetle
Basal area (BA)
Best Management
Practices (BMPs)
Big Game
Biodiversity
Biological
Assessment (BA)
Biological
Evaluation (BE)
Biological Opinion
Definition
Best Available Control Technology
An insect that bores through the bark of forest trees to eat the inner bark and lay
its eggs. Bark beetles are important killers of forest trees.
The area of the cross section of a tree trunk near its base, usually 4 and 1/2 feet
above the ground. Basal area is a way to measure how much of a site is
occupied by trees. The term basal area is often used to describe the collective
basal area of trees per acre.
The set of management practices that, when applied during implementation of a
project, ensures that water-related beneficial uses are protected and that state
water quality standards are met.
Those species of large mammals normally managed as a sport hunting
resource.
The variety of life in an area, including the variety of genes, species, plant, and
animal communities, and ecosystems, as well as the interactions of these
elements.
A stand alone document that reviews all Forest Service planned, funded,
executed, or permitted programs and activities for possible effects on federally
listed threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species as identified for
the cumulative effects area in coordination with the USFWS. A Biological
Assessment is used to satisfy consultation requirements with the USFWS for
projects requiring an Environmental Impact Statement. (Reference: Sec. 7,
ESA; 50 CFR, 402.12, 1508.7, 1508.25, and
1508.27.) The Biological Assessment displays the Determination of Effects for
the DEIS or FEIS preferred alternative. The Determination of Effects
(Salwasser, et al. Aug. 17, 1995) is limited to: (1) No Effect; (2) May effect - Not
likely to adversely affect (NLAA); (3) *May effect - Likely to adversely affect
(LAA); and (4) Beneficial effect.
* = Considered a trigger for a significant action.
Documentation on USFS sensitive species (animal and plant) contained within
an EIS. Documentation includes a review of USFS sensitive species present,
their habitat, and addresses and identifies the Determination of Effects on these
species. The USFWS review of the biological evaluation is addressed through
public scoping and conducted in conjunction with overall agency review of the
DEIS. Reference FSM 2673.4 - Biological Evaluations for Sensitive Species.
Opinions in the determination of impacts
to sensitive species (Salwasser, et al. Aug. 17,1995) are limited to: (1) Nl = No
impact; (2) MIIH = May impact individuals or habitat, but will not likely contribute
to a
trend towards federal listing, or cause a loss of viability to the population or
species; (3) *WIFV = Will impact individuals or habitat with a consequence that
the action
may contribute to a trend towards federal listing or cause a loss of viability to the
population of species; and (4) Bl = Beneficial impact.
* = Trigger for a significant action as defined in NEPA.
An official report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued in response
to a formal Forest Service request for consultation or conference. It states
whether an action is likely to result in jeopardy to a species or adverse
modification to its critical habitat.
Appendix B
Page B-2
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Biomass
Biota
BLM
BMPs
Board foot
Broadcast burn
Buffer
Bureau of Land
Management
(BLM)
CAA
Cable logging
Canopy
Capability
Cave
Cave Resource
Cavity
CEQ
Definition
The total weight of all living organisms in a biological community.
Living. Green plants and soil micro-organisms are biotic components of
ecosystems
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Best Management Practices
A measurement term for lumber or timber. It is the amount of wood contained in
an unfinished board 1 inch thick, 12 inches long, and 12 inches wide.
A prescribed fire that burns a designated area. These controlled fires can
reduce wildfire hazards, improve forage for wildlife and livestock, or encourage
successful regeneration of trees.
A land area that is designated to block or absorb unwanted impacts to the area
beyond the buffer. Buffer strips along a trail could block views that may be
undesirable. Buffers may be set-aside next to wildlife habitat to reduce abrupt
change to the habitat.
The Department of Interior agency responsible for managing most federal
government subsurface minerals.
Clean Air Act
Logging that involves the transport of logs from stump to collection points by
means of suspended steel cables. Cable logging reduces the need for the
construction of logging roads.
The part of any stand of trees represented by the tree crowns. It usually refers
to the uppermost layer of foliage, but it can be used to describe lower layers in a
multi-storied forest.
The potential of an area of land to produce resources, supply goods and
services, and allow resource uses under an assumed set of management
practices and at a given level of management intensity. Capability depends
upon current conditions and site conditions such as climate, slope, landform,
soils, and geology, as well as the application of management practices, such as
silviculture or protection from fire, insects, and disease.
The term "cave" means any naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of
interconnected passages that occurs beneath the surface of the earth or within a
cliff or ledge (including any cave resource therein, but not including any mine,
tunnel, aqueduct, or other manmade excavation) and that is large enough to
permit an individual to enter, whether or not the entrance is naturally formed or
manmade. Such term shall include any natural pit, sinkhole, or other feature that
is an extension of the entrance. (Source: Federal Cave Resource Protection Act
of 1988.)
The term "cave resource" includes any material or substance occurring naturally
in caves on federal lands, such as animal life, plant life, paleontological deposits,
sediments, minerals, speleogens, and speleothems. (Source: Federal Cave
Resource Protection Act of 1988.) See also July 1 , 1994, CFR 36, Part 261-
Prohibitions [specifically 261.8 (e), 261.9 (]), 261.10 (d)(3), and 261.10 (n)] and
290-Cave Resource Management.
A hole in a tree often used by wildlife species, usually birds, for nesting, roosting,
and reproduction.
Council on Environmental Quality
Appendix B
Page B-3
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
CFR
Classified Road
Clean Water Act
Clear cut
Climax
Closure
Code of Federal
Regulation (CFR)
Composition
Conifer
Connected
Actions
Connectivity
Connectivity (of
habitats)
Consumptive use
Contour
Contrast
Corridor
Cost
Council on
Environmental
Quality (CEQ)
Definition
Code of Federal Regulations
Roads wholly or partially within or adjacent to National Forest System lands that
are determined to be needed for long-term motor vehicle access, including state
roads, county roads, privately owned roads, National Forest System roads, and
other roads authorized by the Forest Service.
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law that protects our nation's waters,
including lakes, rivers, aquifers, and coastal areas.
A harvest in which all or almost all of the trees are removed in one cutting.
The culminating stage in plant succession for a given site. Climax vegetation is
stable and self-reproducing.
The administrative order that does not allow specified users in designated areas
or on Forest development roads or trails.
Regulations developed at the Department level for the specific implementation of
a Public Law.
What an ecosystem is composed of. Composition could include water, minerals,
trees, snags, wildlife, soil, micro-organisms, and certain plant species.
A tree that produces cones, such as a pine, spruce, or fir tree
A connected action is one type of action considered in determining the scope of
the Proposed Action. Connected actions are actions that closely relate and
therefore should be discussed in the same EIS (40 CFR 1508.29(i)(ii)(iii)).
Actions are connected if they:
(i) Automatically trigger other actions that may require environmental impact
statements.
(ii) Cannot or will not proceed unless other actions are taken previously or
simultaneously.
(iii) Are interdependent parts of larger actions and depend on the larger action
for their justification.
Condition in which the spatial arrangements of land cover types allows
organisms and ecological processes (such as disturbance) to move across the
landscape. Connectivity is the opposite of fragmentation.
The linkage of similar but separated vegetation stands by patches, corridors, or
"stepping stones" of like vegetation. This term can also refer to the degree to
which similar habitats are linked.
Use of resources that reduces the supply, such as logging and mining
A line drawn on a map connecting points of the same elevation.
The effect of a striking difference in the form, line, color, or texture of an area
being viewed.
Elements of the landscape that connect similar areas. Streamside vegetation
may create a corridor of willows and hardwoods between meadows were wildlife
feed.
The negative or adverse effects of expenditures resulting from an action. Costs
may be monetary, social, physical, or environmental in nature.
An advisory council to the President established by the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1 969. It reviews federal programs for their effect on the
environment, conducts environmental studies, and advises the President on
environmental matters.
Appendix B
Page B-4
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
County Road
Cover
Cover type (forest
cover type)
Created opening
Critical Habitat
Crown
Cultural resource
Cumulative effects
Cumulative Effects
Analysis
Cumulative Impact
CWA
CWE
dbh
DEIS
Desired future
condition
Definition
A road under the jurisdiction of the county.
Any feature that conceals wildlife or fish. Cover may be dead or live vegetation,
boulders, or undercut stream banks. Animals use cover to escape from
predators rest, or feed.
Stands of particular vegetation types that are composed of similar species.
An opening in the forest cover created by the application of even-aged
silvicultural practices.
Specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species on which
are found those physical and biological-features (1) essential to the conservation
of the species, and (2) that may require special management considerations or
protection. Critical habitat shall not include the entire geographic area that can
be occupied by the threatened and/or endangered species.
The part of a tree or woody plant bearing live branches and foliage.
Dominant - Trees with crowns extending above the general level of the main
canopy of even-aged groups of trees, and receiving full tight from above and
partly from the sides.
Co-dominant - Trees with crowns forming the general level of the main canopy
in even-aged groups of trees, receiving full light from above and comparatively
little from the sides.
Intermediate - Trees with crowns extending into the lower portion of the main
canopy of even-aged groups of trees, but shorter in height than the co-
dominants. They receive little direct light from above and none from the sides.
Overtopped (Suppressed) - Trees of varying levels of vigor that have their
crowns completely covered by the crowns of one or more neighboring trees.
The remains of sites, structures, or objects used by people in the past; this can
be historical or pre-historic.
Effects on the environment that result from separate, individual actions that,
collectively, become significant over time.
An analysis of the effects of the environment that results from the incremental
impact of a proposed action when added to other past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable future actions, regardless of what agency (federal or nonfederal), or
person undertakes such other actions.
The impact on the environment that results from the incremental impact of the
action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future
actions regardless of what agency (federal or non-federal) or person undertakes
such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but
collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time.
Clean Water Act
Cumulative Watershed Effects
Diameter at Breast Height: The diameter of a tree 4 and 1/4 feet above the
ground on the uphill side of the tree.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement - The draft version of the Environmental
Impact Statement that is released to the public and other agencies for review
and comment.
Land or resource conditions that are expected to result if goals and objectives
are fully achieved.
Appendix B
Page B-5
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Developed
Recreation
Diameter of Breast
Height
Direct Effects
Dispersed
recreation
Displacement
District Ranger
Disturbance
Diversity
Draft
Environmental
Impact Statement
Duration
EA
EC
Ecology
Ecoregion
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
management
Ecosystem
Structure
Edge
Effects (also see
Impacts)
Definition
Recreation that occurs where improvements have been added to enhance
recreation opportunities and accommodate intensive recreation activities in a
defined area.
The standard method for measuring tree diameter at 4 1/2 feet from the ground.
Also known as dbh.
Effects on the environment that occur at the same time and
place as the initial cause or action.
Recreation that does not occur in a developed recreation site, such as hunting,
backpacking, and scenic driving.
As applied to wildlife, forced shifts in the patterns of wildlife use, either in location
or timing of use.
The official responsible for administering the National Forest System lands on a
Ranger District.
Any event, such as forest fire or insect infestations that alter the structure,
composition, or functions of an ecosystem.
(1 ) The relative abundance of wildlife species, plant species,
communities, habitats, or habitat features per unit of area. (2)
The distribution and abundance of different plant and animal
communities and species within the area covered by a Land
and Resource Management Plan.
(DEIS) A detailed written statement as required by Sec. 102 (2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The length of time management activity and its impacts will be taking place.
Environmental Assessment
Existing Conditions
The interrelationships of living things to one another and to their environment, or
the study of these interrelationships.
An area over which the climate is sufficiently uniform to permit development of
similar ecosystems on sites that have similar properties. Ecoregions contain
many landscapes with different spatial patterns of ecosystems.
An arrangement of living and non-living things and the forces that move among
them. Living things include plants and animals. Non-living parts of ecosystems
may be rocks and minerals. Weather and wildfire are tow of the forces that act
within ecosystems.
An ecological approach to natural resource management to assure productive,
healthy ecosystems by blending social, economic, physical, and biological needs
and values.
The physical arrangement of the various components. In addition, trophic
(nourishing) structure; measured in standing crop or energy fixed per unit area
per unit time. May be pyramids of numbers, biomass, or energy flows.
The margin where two or more vegetation patches meet, such as a meadow
opening next to a mature forest stand, or a ponderosa pine stand next to an
aspen stand.
Physical, biological, social, and economic results (expected or experienced)
resulting from achievement of outputs. Effects can be direct, indirect, and
Appendix B
Page B-6
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
EIS
Endangered
species
Endemic
Endemic
plant/organism
Enhancement
Environmental
Analysis
Environmental
Assessment (EA)
Environmental
Impact Statement
(EIS)
Environmental
Justice
EO
EPA
Ephemeral Stream
Erosion
Erosion Hazard
ESA
ESC
Even-aged
Even-aged
management
Executive Orders
11 990 and 11988
Definition
cumulative and may be either beneficial or detrimental. (See Impacts)
Environmental Impact Statement (under NEPA)
A plant or animal that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range. Endangered species are identified by the Secretary of the
Interior in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Restricted to a specified region or locality.
A plant or animal that occurs naturally in a certain region and whose distribution
is relatively limited geographically.
A short-term visual resource management objective aimed at increasing positive
visual variety where little variety now exists.
An analysis of alternatives actions and their predictable short- and long-term
environmental effects, which include physical, biological, economic, social, and
environmental design factors and their interactions. Completion of this level of
analysis may result in a Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI).
A concise public document prepared to provide sufficient evidence and analysis
for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a
finding of no significant impact. It includes a brief discussion of the need for the
proposal, alternatives considered, environmental impact of the proposed action
and alternatives, and a list of agencies and individuals consulted.
A formal public document prepared to analyze and disclose the impacts on the
environment of the proposed project or action and alternatives.
When environmental effects do not disproportionately affect minority or low-
income communities.
Executive Order
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
A stream that flows only in direct response to precipitation and whose channel is
at all times above the water table.
(1 ) The wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind, ice, or other
geological agents, including such processes as gravitational creep. (2)
Detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice, or
gravity.
The probability of soil loss resulting from complete removal of vegetation and
litter. It is an interpretation based on potential soil loss in relation to tolerance
values.
Endangered Species Act
Existing Scenic Condition
A stand of trees that originated at a single point in time, so that the individual
trees are approximately the same age or a regeneration system designed to
produce such a stand.
Timber management actions that result in the creation of stands of trees in which
the trees are essentially the same age.
The purpose of these executive orders is to avoid to the extent possible the long-
and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification
Appendix B
Page B-7
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Existing Old
Growth
Existing Scenic
Condition
Exotic
Fauna
FEIS
Felling
Final cut
Final
Environmental
Impact Statement
(FEIS)
Fire regime
Fisheries
Fisheries habitat
Flood plain
Flora
Forage
Forb
Foreground
Forest
Forest and
Rangeland
Renewable
Resources
Planning Act of
1974(RPA)
Forest cover type
Forest
Development
Transportation
System
Forest health
Definition
of wetlands and floodplains.
Individual stands on a national forest currently recognized as meeting the
parameters of the old-growth operational definitions.
Current Scenic Condition of the Forest.
Foreign, not native.
The animal life of an area.
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Cutting down trees.
The removal of the last seed bearers or shelter trees after regeneration of new
trees has been established in a stand being managed under the shelterwood
system of silviculture.
The final version of the public document required by NEPA,
The characteristics of fire in a given ecosystem, such as the frequency,
predictability, intensity, and seasonally of fire.
Resident and anadromous fish species.
Streams, lakes, and reservoirs that support fish, or have the potential to support
fish.
Lowland adjoining a watercourse. At a minimum, the area is subject to a 1
percent or greater chance of flooding in a given year.
The plant life of an area.
All browse and non-woody plants that are eaten by wildlife and livestock.
A broadleaf plant that has little or no Woody material in it.
One of the distance zones of a landscape being viewed. A distance that details
can be perceived, normally within one quarter to one-half mile of the viewer.
Must be determined on a case-by-case basis.
An area of trees with overlapping crowns (generally forming a 60 to 100 percent
cover).
The parent act that preceded Forest Planning. This act directed that the
National Forest System begin systematic resource planning on the National
Forest units.
See cover type.
Those facilities, Forest Development Roads, trails, and airfields, in the
transportation network and under Forest Service jurisdiction.
A measure of the robustness of forest ecosystems. Aspects of forest health
include biological diversity; soil, air, and water productivity; natural disturbances;
and the capacity of the rest to provide a sustaining flow of goods and services for
people.
Appendix B
Page B-8
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Forest land
Forest Plan
Forest roads and
trails
Forest Service
(FS)
Forest Supervisor
Form
Formation
FP
Fragmentation
Frost heave
FSM
Fuelbreak
Fuels
Fuels
management
Fuelwood
Function
Future Old Growth
FWS
FY
Game Species
Geology
Geomorphic
Definition
Land at least 10 percent occupied by forest trees of any size or formerly having
had such tree cover and not currently developed for non-forest use. Lands
developed for non-forest use include areas for crops, improved pasture,
residential, or administrative areas, improved roads of any width, and adjoining
road clearing and powerline clearing of any width.
A comprehensive management plan prepared under the National Forest
Management Act of 1976 that provides standards and guidelines for
management activities on the Forest.
Roads and trails under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service.
The agency of the United States Department of Agriculture responsible for
managing National Forests and Grasslands.
The official responsible for administering National Forest lands on an
administrative unit, usually one or more National Forests/The Forest Supervisor
reports to the Regional Forester.
The mass of an object or objects that appears visually Unified,
A body of rock identified by lithic (stone) characteristics and stratigraphic (rock
strata) position; it is prevailingly, but not necessarily tabular, and is mapable at
the earth's surface or traceable in the subsurface.
Forest Plan
The splitting or isolating of patches of similar habitat, typically forest cover, but
including other types of habitat. Habitat can be fragmented naturally or from
forest management activities, such as clearcut logging.
A land surface that is pushed up by the accumulation of ice in the underlying soil.
Forest Service Manual
A linear corridor in which vegetation is modified to prevent fires from easily
crossing.
Plants and woody vegetation, both living and dead, that are capable of burning.
The treatment of fuels that would otherwise interfere with effective fire
management or control. For instance, prescribed fire can reduce the amount of
fuels that accumulate on the forest floor before the fuels become so heavy that a
natural wildlife in the area would be explosive and impossible to control.
Wood cut into short lengths for burning.
All the processes within an ecosystem through which the elements interact, such
as succession, the food chain, fire, weather, and the hydrologic cycle.
Areas on national forests that have been allocated to old-growth restoration
through land management decisions.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Fiscal Year
Any species of wildlife or fish for which seasons and bag limits have been
prescribed under state or federal laws, codes, and regulations, and that are
normally harvested by hunting, trapping, and fishing.
The study of the planet Earth. It is concerned with the origin of the planet, the
material and morphology of the Earth, and its history and the processes that
acted (and act) upon it to affect its historic and present forms.
Processes that change the form of the earth, such as volcanic activity, running
Appendix B
Page B-9
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
processes
Geomorphology
CIS (geographic
information
systems)
Goal
Ground fire
Ground water
Group selection
Guilds
Habitat
Habitat capability
Habitat type
Heritage
Resources
Hiding cover
Human
Environment
Hydrologic Unit
Hydrology
ID
Impact (See
Effects)
IMPLAN Pro
Indicator Species
Indigenous
Species
Indirect Effects
Definition
water, and glacial action.
The science that deals with the relief features of the earth's surface.
CIS is both a database designed to handle geographic data as well as a set of
computer operations that can be used to analyze the data. In a sense, CIS can
be thought of as a higher order map.
A concise statement that describes a desired condition to be achieved sometime
in the future. It is normally expressed in broad, general terms and is timeless in
that it has no specific date by which it is to be completed. Goal statements form
the principal basis from which objectives are developed.
A fire that burns along the forest floor and does not affect trees with thick bark or
high crowns.
The supply of fresh water under the earth's surface in an aquifer or in the soil.
A method of tree harvest in which trees are removed periodically in small groups.
This silvicultural treatment results in small openings that form mosaics of age
class groups in the forest.
A group of organisms that share a common food resource.
The physical and biological environment for a plant or animal in which all the
essentials for its development, existence, and reproduction are present.
The ability of a land area or plant community to support a given species of
wildlife.
A way to classify land area. A habitat type can support certain climax
vegetation, both tree and undergrowth species. Habitat typing can indicate the
biological potential of a site.
Prehistoric, historic, and Native American cultural resources.
Vegetation capable of hiding 90 percent of an adult elk or deer from human view
at a distance of 200 feet or less.
The factors that include, but are not limited to biological, physical, social,
economic, cultural, and aesthetic factors that interrelate to form the environment.
Hierarchical units for designating combinations of watersheds.
The science dealing with the study of water on the surface of the land, in the soil
and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere.
Interdisciplinary
Physical, biological, social, and economic results (expected or experienced)
resulting from achievement of outputs. Effects can be direct, indirect, and
cumulative and may be either beneficial or detrimental.
An economic input / output model.
A species of animal or plant whose presence is a fairly certain indication of a
particular set of environmental conditions. Indicator species serve to show the
effects of development actions on the environment.
A species that originally inhabited a particular National Forest or National
Grassland (see definition of exotic).
Indirect effects, which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther
removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect effects may
include growth-inducing effects and other effects related to induced changes in
the pattern of land use, population density or growth rate, and related effects on
Appendix B
PageB-10
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Instream flow
Integrated pest
management
Interdisciplinary
team
Intermittent stream
Inventoried
Roadless Area
(IRA)
Invertebrate
IRA
Irretrievable
Irretrievable Effect
Irreversible
Irreversible Effects
Issue
km
Ladder fuels
Landing
Landscape
Late Serai
(successional)
Stage
Definition
air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems.
The quantity of water necessary to meet seasonal stream flow requirements to
accomplish the purposes of the National Forests, including, but not limited to
fisheries, visual quality, and recreational opportunities.
A process for selecting strategies to regulate forest pests in which all aspects of
a pest-host system are studied and weighed. The information considered in
selecting appropriate strategies includes the impact of the unregulated pest
population on various resources values, alternative regulatory tactics and
strategies, and benefit/cost estimates for these alternative strategies.
Regulatory strategies are based on sound silvicultural practices and ecology of
the pest-host system and consist of a combination of tactics such as timber
stand improvement plus selective use of pesticides. A basic principle in the
choice of strategy is that it be ecologically compatible or acceptable.
A team of individuals with skills from different disciplines that focuses on the
same task or project.
A stream that flows only at certain times of the year when it receives water from
streams or from some surface source, such as melting snow.
Unroaded areas typically 5000 acres or more that meet criteria for wilderness
consideration under the Wilderness Act and that were inventoried during the
Forest Service's Roadless Area and Review and Evaluation (RARE II) process,
subsequent assessments, or forest planning.
An animal lacking a spinal column.
Inventoried Roadless Area
One of the categories of impacts mentioned in the National Environmental Policy
Act to be included in statements of environmental impacts. An irretrievable
effect applies to losses of production or commitment of renewable natural
resources.
An irretrievable effect is one that is sustained for a certain period of time but is
reversible.
A category of impacts mentioned in statements of environmental impacts that
applies to nonrenewable resources, such as minerals and archaeological sites.
Irreversible effects can also refer to effects of actions that can be renewed only
after a very long period of time, such as the loss of soil productivity.
An irreversible effect is one that cannot be reversed.
Potentially significant impact areas or areas of controversy
kilometer
Vegetation located below the crown level of forest trees that can carry fire from
the forest floor to tree crowns. Ladder fuels may be low growing tree branches,
shrubs, or smaller trees.
Any place where cut timber is assembled for further transport form the timber
sale area.
Any place where cut timber is assembled for further transport from the timber
sale area.
The stage of forest development during which the age of trees is usually greater
than 80 years depending on the composition of tree species. Small gaps
become more common as some trees die allowing full sunlight to reach the mid-
and under stories. This stage contains the largest trees within a forest and
Appendix B
Page B-11
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Litter (forest litter)
Logging slash
LRMP
M
Management
action
Management Area
Management
Direction
Management
Indicator Species
Management
practice
Mass
movement/wasting
Matrix
Mature timber
MBF
MCF
Mesic
Microclimate
Definition
provides the highest capability for large snags, large live cavities, and den tree
production. The presence of large, downed, woody material is highest during
this period. Old-growth forests occur during the later periods of the serai stage.
The freshly fallen or only slightly decomposed plant material on the forest floor.
This layer in includes foliage, bark fragments, twigs, flowers, and fruit.
The residue left on the ground after timber cutting. It includes unutilized logs,
uprooted stumps, broken branches, bark, and leaves. Certain amounts of slash
provide important ecosystem roles, such as soil protection, nutrient cycling, and
wildlife habitat.
Land & Resource Management Plan
Thousand. Five thousand board feet of timber can be expressed as 5M board
feet.
Any activity undertaken as part of the administration of the National Forest.
An aggregation of capability areas that have common management direction
under the Forest Plan and may be noncontiguous in the Forest. Consists of a
grouping of capability areas selected through evaluation procedures and used to
locate decisions and resolve issues and concerns.
A statement of multiple-use and other goals and objectives, the associated
management practices identified by the Forest Service in the planning process.
Species identified in a planning process that are used to monitor the effects of
planned management activities on viable populations of wildlife and fish,
including those that are socially or economically important. Mitigation Includes:
(a) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an
action.
(b) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree of magnitude of the action and its
implementation,
(c) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected
environment.
(d) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and
maintenance operations during the life of the action.
(e) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources
or environments.
A specific activity, measure, course of action, or treatment.
The down-slope movement of large masses of earth material by the force of
gravity. Also called a landslide.
The least fragmented, most continuous pattern element of a landscape; the
vegetation type that is most continuous over a landscape.
Trees that have attained full development, especially height, and are in full seed
production.
Thousand Board Feet
thousand cubic feet
Pertaining to or adapted to an area that has a balanced supply of water; neither
wet nor dry.
The climate of a small site. It may differ from the climate at large of the area due
Appendix B
Page B-12
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Mid Serai
(successional)
Stage
Mineral soil
MIS
Mission (of the
USDA Forest
Service)
Mitigation
MM
MMBF
Modification
Monitoring
Monitoring and
evaluation
Montane
Mortality
Mosaic
MOU
Mountain pine
beetle
Multiple Use (MU)
Definition
to aspect, tree cover (or the absence of tree cover), or exposure to winds.
The stage of forest development during which distinct over story, mid story, and
under story canopies are present. The age of trees range from about 20 years
to about 90 years depending on the composition of tree species. The trees are
usually greater than 10 inches in dbh. This stage provides capability for hard
mast production, large standing snags, and live cavities. During this period, tree
species reach economic maturity.
Soil that consists mainly of inorganic material, such as weathered rock, rather
than organic matter.
Management Indicator Species
"To Care for the Land and Serve the People." As set forth in law, the mission is
to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use
management concept to meet the diverse needs of people.
Actions taken to avoid, minimize, or rectify the impact of a land management
practice.
Million
Million Board Feet
Fundamental change to the provisions of a lease stipulation, either temporarily or
for the term of the lease. Therefore, a modification may include an exemption
from or alteration to a stipulated requirement. Depending on the specific
modification, the stipulation may or may not apply to all other sites within the
leasehold to which the restrictive criteria apply.
To watch, observe, or check, especially for a specific purpose, such as to keep
track of, regulate, or control (Webster's dictionary).
The periodic evaluation of forest management activities to determine how well
objectives were met and how management practices should be adjusted.
Relating to the zone of relatively moist, cool, upland slopes characterized by the
presence of large evergreen trees as a dominant life form.
Trees that were merchantable and have died within a specified period of time.
The term mortality can also refer to the rate of death of a species in a given
population or community.
Areas with a variety of plant communities over a landscape, such as areas with
trees and areas without trees occurring over a landscape.
Memorandum of Understanding
A tiny black insect, ranging from 1/8 to % inch in size, which bores through a
pine tree's bark. It stops the tree's intake and transport of the food and nutrients
it must have to stay alive, thus killing the tree.
The management of all the various renewable surface resources of the National
Forest System so that they are utilized in the combination that will best meet the
needs of the American people, by making the most judicious use of the land for
some or all of these resources or related services over areas large enough to
provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing
needs and conditions, and recognizing that some lands will be used for less than
all of the resources. It also provides for harmonious and coordinated
management of the various resources, each with the other, without impairment
of the productivity of the land, with consideration being given to the relative
values of the various resources, and not necessarily the combination of uses that
Appendix B
Page B-13
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
NAAQS
National
Environmental
Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA)
National Forest
Management Act
(NFMA)
National Forest
System (NFS)
National Forest
System Road
(NFSR)
National Park
Service
National Register
of Historic Places
(NRHP)
Native Species
Natural
disturbance
Natural Integrity
Natural range of
variability
Natural resource
NCP
NEPA
New Road
Construction
NFLRMP
NFMA
NFMP
Definition
will give the greatest dollar return or the greatest unit output.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
An act which encourages productive and enjoyable harmony between man and
his environments; promotes efforts to prevent or eliminate damage to the
environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man;
enriches the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources
important to the Nation; and establishes a Council on Environmental Quality.
A law passed in 1976 as amendments to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Planning Act that requires the preparation of Regional and Forest
plans and the preparation of regulations to guide that development.
All National Forest System lands reserved or withdrawn from the public domain
of the United States; all National Forest System lands acquired through
purchase, exchange, donation, or other means, and other lands, waters, or
interests therein which are administered by the Forest Service or are designated
for administration through the Forest Service as a part of the system (16 U.S.C.
1609).
A Forest road under jurisdiction of the Forest Service.
The agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior responsible for the
administration of national Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites. It is distinct
form the U.S.D.A. Forest Service both administratively and by mission.
A listing of architectural, historical, archaeological, and cultural sites of local,
state, or national significance, established by the Historic Preservation Act of
1966 and maintained by the National Park Service.
All animal and plant species originally occurring in the area.
See disturbance.
Roadless area characteristic defined as the extent to which long-term ecological
processes are intact and operating. Impacts to natural integrity are measured by
the presence and magnitude of human-induced change to an area. This change
includes physical developments as well as activity in the area.
See range of variability.
A feature of the natural environment that is of value in serving human needs.
National Contingency Plan
National Environmental Policy Act
Investment in construction of a road to provide access that adds new miles of
road to the transportation system.
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan - also called the Forest
Plan or just the Plan, this document guides the management of a particular
National Forest and establishes management standards and guidelines for all
lands of that National Forest.
National Forest Management Act - this law was passed in 1976 and requires the
preparation of Regional Guides and Forest Plans.
National Forest Management Plan
Appendix B
Page B-14
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
NFRS
NFS
NFSR
NHPA
NMFS
NNL
No Action
Alternative
NOAA
NOI
Nongame
Northern Region
Notice of intent
Noxious Weed
NRCS
NRHP
NWPS
Objective
Off Highway
Vehicle
OHV
Old growth
Old Growth
Forests
ORV
Overstory
Definition
National Forest recreation sites that have been inventoried.
National Forest System
National Forest System Road
National Historic Preservation Act
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Natural Landmark
The management direction, activities, outputs, and effects that are likely to exist
in the future if the current trends and management would continue unchanged.
Under NEPA, it means following the current approved Forest Plan management
direction and guidance.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice of Intent
Wildlife species that are not hunted for sport.
The portion of the USDA Forest Service, also referred to as Region One, which
includes National Forests in North/Central Idaho, Montana, North Dakota,
Northwestern South Dakota.
A notice in the Federal Register of intent to prepare an environmental impact
statement on a proposed action.
According to the Federal Noxious Weed Act (PL 93-629), a weed that causes
disease or has other adverse effects on man or his environment and therefore is
detrimental to the agriculture and commerce of the United States and to the
public health.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
National Register of Historic Places
National Wilderness Preservation System
A concise time-specific statement of measurable planned results that respond to
pre-established goals. An objective forms the basis for further planning, to
defining the precise steps to be taken and the resources to be used in achieving
identified goals.
Any motorized vehicle designed for and/or capable of travel off roads.
off-highway vehicle
Old forests often containing several canopy layers, variety in trees sizes and
species, decadent old trees, and standing and dead woody material.
An ecosystem distinguished by old trees and related structural attributes. Old
growth encompasses the later stages in a variety of characteristics including tree
size, accumulation of large dead woody material, number of canopy layers,
species composition, and ecosystem function. Old growth is not necessarily
virgin or primeval. It can develop over time following human disturbances, just
as it does following natural disturbances. Old growth encompasses both older
forests dominated by early serai species and forests in later successional stages
dominated by shade tolerant species.
Off-road vehicles, such as motorcycles, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and 4-wheelers
The upper canopy layer; the plants below comprise the understory.
Appendix B
Page B-15
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Ozone
Parent materials
Partial retention
Participates
Patch
Perennial Stream
Personal use
PFA
PILT
PL
Planning area
Plant Community
PNV
Pole/sapling
Policy
Population
ppm
Precommercial
thinning
Predator
Prescribed fire
Prescription
Present net value
Definition
Ozone, the major constituent of smog, is formed through a complex series of
chemical reactions and transformations in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is a
strong irritant, which attacks the respiratory system, leading to lung tissue
damage. Ozone also affects materials such as surface coatings, fabrics, and
rubber.
The mineral or organic matter from which the upper layers of soil are formed.
A visual quality objective, which, in general, means man's activities, may be
evident but must remain subordinate to the characteristic landscape.
Small particles suspended in the air and generally considered pollutants.
An area of homogeneous vegetation, in structure and composition.
A stream that flows continuously year round.
The use of a forest product, such as firewood, for home use and not for
commercial use.
post-fledgling family area
payments in lieu of taxes
Public Law
The area of the National Forest System covered by a regional guide or forest
plan.
A group of individual plants of one or more species growing in a specific area in
association with one another and with a complex of other plants and animals.
See present net value.
The stage of forest succession in which trees are between 3 and 7 inches in
diameter and are the dominant vegetation.
A guiding principle upon which is based a specific decision or set of decisions.
A group of individuals with common ancestry that are much more likely to mate
with one another than with individuals from another such group.
part per million
Removing some of the trees from a stand that are too small to be sold for lumber
or house logs, so the remaining trees will grow faster.
An animal the lives by preying on other animals. Predators are at or near the
tops of food chains.
Fire set intentionally in wildland fuels under prescribed conditions and
circumstances. Prescribed fire can rejuvenate forage for livestock and wildlife or
prepare sites for natural regeneration of trees.
Management practices selected to accomplish specific land and resource
management objectives.
PNV - also called present net worth - the measure of the economic value of a
project when costs and revenues occur in different time periods. Future
revenues and costs are "discounted" to the present by an interest rate that
reflects the changing value of a dollar over time. The assumption is that dollars
today are more valuable than dollars in the future. PNV is used to compare
alternatives that have different cost and revenue flows.
Appendix B
PageB-16
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Prevention of
Significant
Deterioration
(PSD)
Primitive (P)
Productive
Project Area
Proposed Action
PSD
psi
Public domain
Public involvement
Public issue
Range
Range of
Alternatives
Range of
variability
Ranger District
Raptor
RARE II
RD
Reclamation
Definition
A classification established to preserve, protect, and enhance the air quality in
National Wilderness Preservation System areas in existence prior to August
1977 and other areas of National significance, while ensuring economic growth
can occur in a manner consistent with the preservation of existing clean air
resources. Specific emission limitations and other measures, by class, are
detailed in the Clean Air Act. (42 U.S.C. 1875 et seq.)
Those recreation activities that occur in areas characterized by an essentially
unmodified natural environment of fairly large size.
The ability of an area to provide goods and services and to sustain ecological
values.
Area of analysis for proposed leasing on Sioux Ranger District of the Custer
National Forest.
In terms of National Environmental Policy Act, the project, activity, or action that
a federal agency intends to implement or undertake and which is the subject of
an environmental analysis.
Prevention of Significant Deterioration of Air Quality
pounds per square inch
.-••
The territory ceded to the Federal government by the original thirteen states,
plus additions by treaty, cession, and purchase.
The use of appropriate procedures to inform the public, obtain early and
continuing public participating, and consider the views of interested parties in
planning and decision making.
A subject or question of widespread public interest relating to management of
the National Forest System.
Land on which the principle natural plant cover is composed of native grasses,
forbs, and shrubs that are valuable as forage for livestock and big game.
The NEPA requires the proposed action, a no action alternative, and a
reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action be addressed in an EIS.
Also called the historic range of variability or natural range of variation. The
components of healthy ecosystems fluctuate over time. The range of
sustainable conditions in an ecosystem is determined by time, processes (such
as fire), native species, and the land itself. For instance, ecosystems that have a
10-year fire cycle have narrower range of variation than ecosystems with 200-
300 year fire cycles. Past management has placed some ecosystems outside
their range of variability. Future management should move such ecosystems
back toward their natural, sustainable range of variation.
The administrative sub-unit of a National Forest that is supervised by a District
ranger who reports directly to the Forest Supervisor.
Birds of prey, such as owls, hawks, and eagles.
Roadless Area Review and Evaluation. The national inventory of roadless and
undeveloped areas within the National Forests and Grasslands.
Ranger District
Rehabilitation of a disturbed area to make it acceptable for designated uses.
This normally involves regrading, replacement of topsoil, revegetation, and other
work such as fertilization and fencing necessary to restore it for use.
Appendix B
Page B-17
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Record of
Decision (ROD)
Recreation
Opportunities
Recreation
Opportunity
Spectrum (ROS)
Recreation Visitor
Days (RVD)
Reforestation
Regeneration
Regional Forester
Rehabilitation
Definition
A document separate from, but associated with, an environmental impact
statement, that publicly and officially discloses the responsible official's decision
on the proposed action.
The combination of recreation settings, activities, and experiences provided by
an area.
A system for planning and managing recreation resources that recognizes
recreation activity opportunities, recreation settings, and recreation experiences
along a spectrum or continuum of settings as follows:
Primitive - Characterized by essentially unmodified natural environment of fairly
large size. Interaction between users is very low and evidence of other users is
minimal. The area is managed to be essentially free from evidence of human-
induced restrictions and controls. Motorized use is not permitted.
Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized - Characterized by predominately natural or
natural appearing environment of a moderate to large size. Concentrations of
users is low, but there is often evidence of other area users, the area is
managed in such a way that minimum on-site controls and restrictions may be
present, but are subtle. Motorized use is not permitted.
Semi-Primitive Motorized - Characterized by a predominantly natural or natural
appearing environment of moderate-to-large size. Concentration of users is low,
but there is often evidence of other users. The area is managed in such a way
that minimum on-site controls and restrictions may be present, but are subtle.
Motorized use is permitted.
Roaded Natural - Characterized by predominantly natural appearing
environment with moderate evidence of the sights and sounds of man. Such
evidences usually harmonize with the natural environment. Interaction between
users may be low to moderate, but with the evidence of other users prevalent.
Resource modification and utilization practices are evident, but harmonize with
the natural environment. Motorized use is permitted.
Rural - Characterized by substantially modified natural environment. Resource
modification and utilization practices are to enhance specific recreation activities
and to maintain vegetative cover and soil. Sights and sounds of humans are
readily evident, and the interaction between users is often moderate to high.
Facilities are often provided for special activities. Moderate densities are
provided far away from developed sites.
Urban - Characterized by a substantially urbanized environment, although the
background may have natural appearing elements. Vegetative cover is often
exotic and manicured. Sights and sounds of humans on-site are predominant.
One visitor day equals 12 hours of human use (one person for 12 hours, or 12
people for 1 hour, or any combination thereof).
The restocking of an area with forest trees, by either natural or artificial means,
such as planting.
The renewal of a tree crop by either natural or artificial means. The term is also
used to refer to the young crop itself.
The official of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service responsible for administering an entire
region of the Forest Service.
A short-term visual resource management objective used to restore landscapes
containing undesirable visual or other resource impacts to the desired visual or
other acceptable quality level.
Appendix B
PageB-18
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Remoteness
Removal cut
Residual stand
Resilience
Responsible line
officer
Responsible
official
Restoration (of
ecosystems)
Restore
Revegetation
RFD
RIM
Riparian
Riparian area
Riparian Areas
Riparian
Ecosystem
Riparian Zone
RN
Road
Road
Definition
A characteristic of an area defined as the perceived condition of being secluded,
inaccessible, and "out of the way." Topography, vegetative screening, distance
from human impacts, distance from sights and sounds of man, and difficulty of
travel all contribute to remoteness.
The removal of the last seed bearers or shelter trees after regeneration is
established.
The trees remaining standing after an event such as selection cutting.
The ability of an ecosystem to maintain diversity, integrity, and ecological
processes following a disturbance.
The Forest Service employee who has the authority to select and/or carry out a
specific planning action.
The Forest Service employee who has been delegated the authority to carry out
a specific planning action.
Actions taken to modify an ecosystem to achieve a desired, healthy, and
functioning condition.
To bring back to a former or original condition or appearance.
The reestablishment and development of self-sustaining plant cover. On
disturbed sites, this normally requires human assistance such as seedbed
preparation, reseeding, and mulching.
Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario
Recreation Information Management
Riparian areas consist of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, those lands in a
position to directly influence water quality and water resources, whether or not
free water is available. This would include all lands in the active flood channel
and lands immediately upslope of stream banks. These areas may be
associated with lakes, reservoirs, marshes, streams, bogs, wet meadows, and
intermittent or permanent streams where free and unbound water is available.
The area along a watercourse or around a lake or pond.
Geographically delineable areas with distinctive resource values and
characteristics that comprise the riparian ecosystems.
a) Ecosystems transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Also
streams, lakes, wet areas, and adjacent vegetation communities and their
associated soils that have free water at or near the surface, b) Those
assemblages of plants, animals, and aquatic communities whose presence can
either be directly or indirectly attributed to factors that are water influenced or
related, c) Interacting system between aquatic and terrestrial situations,
identified by soil characteristics and distinctive vegetation that requires or
tolerates free or unbound water.
An area of vegetation adjacent to an aquatic ecosystem. It has a high water
table, certain soil characteristics, and some vegetation that requires free
(unbound chemically) water or conditions that are more moist than normal. This
zone is transitional between aquatic and upland zones.
Roaded Natural
A motor vehicle travelway over 50 inches wide, unless designated and managed
as a trail. A road may be classified, unclassified, or temporary.
Activities that result in the stabilization and restoration of unneeded roads to a
Appendix B
PageB-19
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Decommissioning
Roaded Natural
Roadless
ROD
ROS
Rotation
RPA
Run-off
Sacred Site
Sapling
Scale
Scoping/Scoping
Process
Sediment
Seen area
Semi-primitive
Semi-Primitive
Motorized (SPM)
Semi-Primitive
Non-Motorized
(SPNM)
Definition
more natural state.
A recreation opportunity classification term for describing a land area that has
predominately a natural appearing environment with moderate evidence of sights
and sounds of humans. Concentration of users is moderate to low. Roads of
better than primitive class are usually within 0.5 mile. A broad range of
motorized and non-motorized activity opportunities is available. Management
activities are present and harmonize with the natural environment.
Refers to the absence of roads that have been constructed and maintained by
mechanical means to ensure regular and continuous use.
Record of Decision
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum
The number of years required to establish and grow timber crops to a specific
condition of maturity.
Resource Planning Act
The portion of precipitation that flows over the land surface or in open channels.
Any specified, discrete, narrowly delineated location on federal land that is
identified by an Indian tribe, or Indian individual determined to be an
appropriately authoritative representative of an Indian religion, as sacred by
virtue of its established religious significance to, or ceremonial use by, an Indian
religion; provided that the tribe or an appropriately authoritative representative of
an Indian religion has informed the agency of the existence of such a site.
A loose term for a young tree more than a few feet tall and an inch or so in
diameter that is typically growing vigorously.
In ecosystem management, it refers to the degree of resolution at which
ecosystems are observed and measured.
An early and open public involvement process for determining the scope of
issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to the
proposed action. Identifying the significant environmental issues deserving of
study and de-emphasizing insignificant issues, narrowing the scope of the
Environmental Impact Statement accordingly. (Ref. CEQ Regulations, 40 CFR
1501.7.)
Solid mineral or organic material that is transported by air, water, gravity, or ice.
That portion of the landscape that can be viewed from one or more observer
positions. The extent or area that can be viewed is normally limited by landform,
vegetation, structures, or distance.
A recreation opportunity classification term for describing land areas that have
very few management controls lying between 0.5 mile and 3 miles from the
nearest point of motor vehicle access, excepting four-wheel drive roads and
trails, with mostly natural landscapes and some evidence of other people.
A land area classified as semi-primitive that may have primitive roads present
and where motorized use is permitted. Settings, activities, and opportunities are
affected accordingly though there is still a moderate probability of experiencing
isolation from sights and sounds of humans.
A land area classified as semi-primitive that has a natural environment and
motorized use is not permitted. Non-motorized status increases the probability
of experiencing isolation, independence, and closeness to nature. Challenge
and risk are generally high. Resource management may be present; however,
Appendix B
Page B-20
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Sensitive Species
Serai
Shelterwood
SHPO
Significant
Impact/Effect
Silviculture
Size class
Skidding
Skyline logging
Slash
Slope
Slump
Snag
Soil compaction
Soil productivity
Solitude
Definition
natural appearance is still maintained.
Those plant or animal species that are susceptible or vulnerable to activity
impacts or habitat alterations and will be managed similar to threatened or
endangered species. The Forest Service policy is to ensure that species would
not be affected in such a manner as to have them listed or proposed for listing as
threatened or endangered.
The stage of succession of a plant or animal community that is transitional. If left
alone, the serai stage will give way to another plant or animal community that
represents a further stage of succession.
A cutting method used in a more or less mature stand, designed to establish a
new crop under the protection of the old.
State Historic Preservation Office
An impact or effect is significant when it is projected to meet or exceed threshold
standards, while considering how substantial the impact Or effect is, considering
its context and intensity.
The art science that promotes the growth of single trees and the forest as a
biological unit.
One of the three intervals of three stem diameters used to classify timber in the
Forest Plan database. The size classes are: Seedling/Sapling (less than 5
inches in diameter); Pole timber (5 to 7 inches in diameter); Saw timber (greater
than 7 inches in diameter).
Hauling logs by sliding, not on wheels, from stump to a collection point.
A logging system used to remove timber from steep slopes. Logs are brought
up-slope on a suspended cable, or skyline. Since the weight of the log is
completely or partially supported by the cable, there is little disturbance to soil or
other vegetation.
The residue left on the ground after timber cutting or left after a storm, fire, or
other event. Slash includes logs, uprooted stumps, broken or uprooted stems,
branches, bark, etc.
The amount or degree of deviation from the horizontal or vertical. Concerning
visual or scenic resources, as slope increases, views into a site and the size of
the disturbance increase. Generally, the steeper slopes are more visible due to
their location in the landscape.
A landslide where the underlying rock masses tilt back as they slide from a cliff
or escarpment.
A standing dead tree. Snags are important as habitat for a variety of wildlife
species and their prey.
The reduction of soil volume. For instance, the weight of heavy equipment on
soils can compact the soil and thereby change it in some ways, such as in its
ability to absorb water.
The capacity of a soil to produce a specific crop. Productivity depends on
adequate moisture and soil nutrients, as well as favorable climate.
A personal, subjective value and roadless area characteristic defined as isolation
from the sights, sounds, presence of others, and the developments of man. A
primitive recreation experience includes the opportunity to experience solitude, a
sense of remoteness, closeness to nature, serenity, and spirit of adventure.
Appendix B
Page B-21
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Special Features
Stand
Standards and
guidelines
Stewardship
Stocking level
Stringer
Structure
Succession
Successional
stage
Suitability
SUP
Sustainability
Sustainable
Sustained yield
Sustained-yield of
products and
services
Target
TDS
Temporary Road
Terrestrial
TES
Texture
Definition
Unique geological, biological, ecological, cultural, or scenic features located in a
roadless area. Unique fish and animal species, unique plants or plant
communities, potential Research Natural Areas, outstanding landscape features
such as unique rock formations, and significant cultural resource sites are some
of the items that should be considered when analyzing this element.
A group of trees that occupies a specific area and is similar in species, age, and
condition.
Requirements found in a forest plan which impose limits on natural resource
management activities, generally for environmental protection.
Caring for the land and its resources to pass healthy ecosystems to future
generations.
The number of trees in an area as compared to the desirable number of trees for
best results, such as maximum wood production.
A strip of vegetation different form surrounding vegetation, such as a stringer of
aspen in an area of spruce.
How the parts of ecosystems are arranged, both horizontally and vertically.
Structure might reveal a patter, or mosaic, or total randomness of vegetation.
The natural replacement, in time, of one plant community with another.
Conditions of the prior plant Community (or successional stage) create conditions
that are favorable for the establishment of the next stage.
A stage of development of a plant community as it moves from bare ground to
climax. The grass-form stage of succession precedes the woody shrub stage.
The appropriateness of certain resource management to an area of land.
Suitability can be determined by environmental and economic analysis of
management practices.
Special Use Permit
The ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and functions,
biological diversity, and productivity over time.
The yield of a natural resource that can be produced continually at a given
intensity of management is said to be sustainable.
The yield that a renewable resource can produce continuously at a given
intensity of management.
The achievement and maintenance in perpetuity of a high-level annual or regular
periodic output of the various renewable resources of the National Forest
System without impairment of the productivity of the land.
A National Forest's annual goals for accomplishment for natural resource
programs. Targets represent the commitment the Forest Service has with
Congress to accomplish the work Congress has funded, and are often used as a
measure of the agency's performance.
Total Dissolved Solids
Roads authorized by contract, permit, lease, other written authorization, or
emergency operation, not intended to be part of the forest transportation system
and not necessary for long-term resource management.
Living or growing in or on the land.
Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (Species)
Detail of landscape that varies with distance.
Appendix B
Page B-22
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Thinning
Threatened
Species
Tiering
Timber production
TOO
tpy
Tractor logging
Treatment area
TSI
Unclassified Road
Underburn
Understory
Uneven-aged
USDA
USDI
USFWS
uses
Vegetation
management
Vegetation type
Viability
Viable population
Viewshed
Definition
A cutting made in an immature stand of trees to accelerate growth of the
remaining trees or to improve the form of the remaining trees.
Any species likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable
future throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and that has been
designated in the Federal Register by the Secretary of the Interior as a
threatened species.
Refers to the elimination of repetitive discussions of the same issue by
incorporating by reference the general discussion in an environmental impact
statement of broader scope. For example, a project environmental assessment
could be tiered to the Forest Plan EIS.
The purposeful growing, tending, harvesting, and regeneration of regulated
crops of trees to be cut into logs, bolts, or other round sections for industrial or
consumer use. For purposes of this subpart, the term "timber production" does
not include production of fuelwood.
Threshold of Concern
ton per year
A logging method that uses tractors to. carry or drag lots from the stump to a
collection point.
The site-specific location of a resource improvement activity.
Timber Stand Improvement - Actions to improve growing conditions for trees in
a stand, such as thinning, pruning, prescribed fire, or release cutting.
Roads on National Forest System lands that are not managed as part of the
forest transportation system, such as unplanned roads, abandoned travel-ways,
and off-road vehicle tracks that have not been designated and managed as a
trail; and those roads that were once under permit or other authorization and
were not decommissioned upon termination of the authorization.
A burn by a surface fire that can consume ground vegetation and "ladder" fuels.
The trees and other woody species that grow under a more or less continuous
cover of branches and foliage formed collectively by the upper portion of
adjacent trees and other woody growth.
A stand of trees in which the individual trees originated over a long period of time
and, thus, differ widely in age; a regeneration system designed to produce such
a stand.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey
Activities designed primarily to promote the health of forest vegetation for
multiple-use purposes.
A plant community with distinguishable characteristics.
The likelihood of continued existence in an area for some specified period of
time.
The number of individuals of a species sufficient to ensure the long-term
existence of the species in natural, self-sustaining populations that are
adequately distributed throughout their range.
A total landscape as seen from a particular viewpoint.
Appendix B
Page B-23
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Visual (or Scenic)
Resource
Visual
Management
System
Visual Quality
Objectives (VQO)
Visual resource
VMS
VQO
VRM
Water table
Water yield
Watershed
Wetlands
Wilderness
Wildfire
Wildlife
Windthrow
Definition
The composite of basic terrain, geologic features, water features, vegetative
patterns, and land use effects that typify a land unit and influence the visual
appeal of the unit.
A management system that establishes the "visual landscape" as a basic
resource, treated as an essential part of the land. The visual management
system provides a framework to inventory the visual resource and provides
measurable standards for its management.
A classification based upon variety class, sensitivity level, and distance zone
determinations. Each objective describes a different level of acceptable
alteration based on aesthetic importance. The degree of alteration is based on
contrast with the surrounding landscape. The VQOs are:
Preservation: In general, human activities are not detectable to the visitor.
Retention: Human activities are not evident to the casual Forest visitor.
Partial Retention: Human activities may be evident, but must remain subordinate
to the characteristic landscape.
Modification: Human activity may dominate the characteristicjandscape, but
must, at the same time, use naturally established form, line, color, and texture. It
should appear as a natural occurrence when viewed in middle ground or
background.
Maximum Modification: Human activity may dominate the characteristic
landscape, but should appear as a natural occurrence when viewed as
background.
A part of the landscape important for its scenic quality. It may include a
composite of terrain, geologic features, or vegetation.
Visual Management System
Visual Quality Objective
Visual Resource Management
The upper surface of groundwater. Below it, the soil is saturated with water.
The runoff from a watershed, including groundwater outflow.
The entire region drained by a waterway (or into a lake or reservoir. More
specifically, a watershed is an area of land above a given point on a stream that
contributes water to the streamflow at that point.
Areas that are permanently wet or are intermittently covered with water.
An area of undeveloped federal land designated Wilderness by Congress,
retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements
or human habitation, protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions
and that (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of
nature with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable, (2) has
outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation, (3)
has at least 5,000 acres or is of sufficient size to make practical its preservation
and use in an unimpaired condition, and (4) also may contain features that are of
ecological, geological, scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. These
characteristics were identified by Congress in the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Any wildland fire that is not a prescribed fire.
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Trees uprooted by wind.
Appendix B
Page B-24
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Term
Woodlands
Yarding
ZOI
Definition
An open stand of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming a
to 60 percent cover).
25
Moving the cut trees form where they fell to a centralized place (landing) for
hauling away from the stand.
Zone of Influence - the area influenced by Forest Service management
activities.
Appendix B
Page B-25
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
APPENDIX C - REFERENCES
SOILS
ALEXANDER, E.B., ANDR. POFF. 1985. SOIL DISTURBANCE AND COMPACTION IN WILDLAND
MANAGEMENT. USDA FOREST SERVICE. PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION. EARTH RESOURCES
MONOGRAPHS. PP30-32.
ANDRUS, C.W. AND H.A. FROELICH. 1983. AN EVALUATION OF FOUR IMPLEMENTS USED TO TILL
COMPACTED FOREST SOILS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY.
COLLEGE OF FORESTRY. RESEARCH BULLETIN 45. 12 PP.
BARRETT, S.W., -S.F. ARNO, AND J.P. MENAKIS. 1997. FIRE EPISODES IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST
(1540-1940) BASED ON FIRE HISTORY DATA. USDA FOREST SERVICE. INTERMOUNTAIN
RESEARCH STATION. GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT INT-GTR-370. p. 14.
BUOL, S.W., F.D. HOLE, AND R.J. MCCRACKEN. 1989. SOIL GENESIS AND CLASSIFICATION (3RD
EDITION), IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS. AMES IA. PAGE 111.
CHATWIN, S.C., D.E. HOWES, J.W. SCHWAB, AND D.N. SWANSTON. 1991. A GUIDE FOR
MANAGEMENT OF LANDSLIDE-PRONE TERRAIN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. BC MINISTRY OF
FORESTS. RESEARCH BRANCH, CRUM, H.A. AND ANDERSON, L.E. (1981). MOSSES OF
EASTERN NORTH AMERICA VOLUME II. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK.
CULLEN, S., C. MONTAIGNE, AND H. FERGUSON. 1991. TIMBER HARVEST TRAFFICKING AND SOIL
COMPACTION IN WESTERN MONTANA. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL.
VOLUME55. NUMBERS. PP 1416-141.
DAVIS, S. 1990. BULK DENSITY CHANGES WITHIN TWO CENTRAL OREGON SOILS FOLLOWING
TRACTOR LOGGING AND SLASH PILING. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. EUGENE, OREGON.
REPORT ON FILE AT FOREST HEADQUARTERS. 14 PP.
ELLIOT, W.J. AND ROBICHAUD, P.R. 2001. COMPARING EROSION RISKS FROM FOREST OPERATIONS
TO WILDFIRE. IN: INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN LOGGING AND 11™ PACIFIC NORTHWEST
SKYLINE SYMPOSIUM. 2001. PP. 78-89.
FOLTZ, R.B. AND MAILLARD, E, 2004. INFILTRATION RATES ON ABANDONED ROAD-STREAM
CROSSINGS. PRESENTEDTo 2003 ASAE INTERNATIONAL MEETING, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.
PAGE 10.
FROELICH, H.A. 1978. THE EFFECT OF SOIL COMPACTION BY LOGGING ON FOREST PRODUCTIVITY.
FINAL REPORT, CONTRACT NUMBER 53500-CT4-5(N), BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT.
PORTLAND OREGON. 19pp.
FROELICH, H.A., R.W. ROBBINS, D.W.R. MILES, AND J.K. LYONS. 1983. MONITORING RECOVERY
OF COMPACTED SKID TRAILS IN CENTRAL IDAHO. CONTRACT 43-0256-2-543. REPORT ON
FILE AT PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST. MCCALL, IDAHO. PAGE 1, 33,37.
FROELICH, HA, D.W.R. MILES, R.W. ROBBINS. 1985. SOIL BULK DENSITY RECOVERY ON
COMPACTED SKID TRAILS IN CENTRAL IDAHO. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL.
VOLUME 49. PP 1015-1017.
Appendix C
Page C-1
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
GARRISON, M.T. AND J.A. MOORE, 1998. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT: A SUMMARY AND REVIEW.
INTERMOUNTAIN FOREST TREE NUTRITION COOPERATIVE. SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT 98-5. 48
PP.
GEIST, J.M., J.W. HAZARD, AND K.W. SEIDEL. 1989. ASSESSING PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF SOME
PACIFIC NORTHWEST VOLCANIC ASH SOILS AFTER FOREST HARVEST. SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY
OF AMERICA JOURNAL. VOL. 53. PP. 946-950.
GRAHAM, R.T., A.E. HARVEY, M.F. JURGENSEN, T.B. JAIN, J.R. TONN, AND D.S. PAGE-DUMROESE.
1994. MANAGING COARSE WOODY DEBRIS IN FORESTS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS. USDA
FOREST SERVICE. INTERMOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION. RESEARCH PAPER INT-RP-
477.PAGE 1,11.
HARVEY, A.E., M.F. JURGENSEN, M.J. LARSEN, AND R.T. GRAHAM. 1987. DECAYING ORGANIC
MATERIALS AND SOIL QUALITY IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST: A MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY.
USDA FOREST SERVICE. INTERMOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION. GENERAL TECHNICAL
REPORT INT-225. PP. 11-12.
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K.KAVANAUGH, P.HEADAO, P.T. HURLEY, K.M. CARNEY, R.ABELL, AND S. WALTERS. 1999.
TERRESTRIAL ECOREGIONS OF NORTH AMERICA. ISLAND PRESS, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND
COVELLO, CA, USA.
RUGGIERO, L.F., AUBRY, K.B., BUSKIRK, S.W., L.YON, L.J., AND ZlELtNSKI, W.J. 1994. THE
SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CONSERVING FOREST CARNIVORES...AMERICAN MARTEN, FISHER,
LYNX, AND WOLVERINE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, USDA FOREST SERVICE GEN.
TECH. RPT. RM-254.
WlLCOVE, D.S., J.D. ROTHSTEIN, A. PHILLIPS, AND E. LOSOS, 1998. QUANTIFYING THREATS TO
IMPERILED SPECIES IN THE UNITED STATES. BlOSCIENCE 48:607-616.
WISDOM, MICHAEL J., WALES, B.C., HOLTHAUSEN, R.S., HARGIS, C.D., SAAB, V.A., HANN, W.J.,
RICH, T.D., LEE, D.C., AND ROWLAND, M.M. 1999. TRANS. 64™ No. AM. WILDL. AND
NATURE. RESOUR. CONF. (1999), SECTION 1: WILDLIFE HABITATS IN FORESTS OF THE
INTERIOR NORTHWEST. PP. 79-93.
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RESEARCH STATION.
Appendix C
Page C-17
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
Appendix C
PageC-18
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Road involves private land and mining
access. Site at mp 0.18. See also
improvements at two stream crossings.
High flows (Quartz Creek) run out of bar
and down rd to private residences.
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Crooked River. Varying (w/ alt)
lengths will be reconstructed for tirtlber
haul. Watershed improvement heeds
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conversion under rd deepm.
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transportation. Haul route.
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sediment trap; cost share with
minerals program :
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36" culvert; shallow fill; replacer
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county road (discretionary).
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Old bridge laying in channel;
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also watershed rd improvement
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Riparian planting and main
of existing improvements.
stabilization of fillslope on |
land and Baker Gulch side
maintenance.
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New fish habitat improvem
0.8 miles of stream. Work
adding stream meanders* 1
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Reconnect channel mouth
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connectivity.
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Reconnect channel mouth
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Trail is very steep and rutting, was rebuilt,
but still dangerous for the user. Surface
erosion to ephemeral channel during
rainstorm and snowmelt events.
Decrease surface erosion and rutting on
steep section, decrease sediment routing
to ephemeral channel. User-created trail
also associated with this trail.
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ATV "raceway" 15' wide x 100' long.
Sandy soil disturbed, recently developed.
Soil Disturbance 6-12 inches deep in
raceway, located in Crooked River
RHCA. Decornmissibn to restore soil
productivity, reduce erosion ahd
sediment delivery into Crooked River.
Includes unauthorized stream crossing
on Crooked River to extract gravel.
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ATV raceway" 15' wide x 100' loiig.
Sa ndy soil d istu rbed , recently developed .
Soil Disturbance 6^12 inches deep in
raceway, located close to Crooked River.
Manage the site to restrict motorized use
to designated areas, improve soil
productivity, reduce erosion and
sediment delivery into Crooked River.
Site includes Crooked River Campgrbund
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Control parking on meadow adjacent to
Road #233 and across from historic hotel,
decbmpact and seed area, designate
parking with boulders. Decrease soil
compaction, erosion, sediment delivery
and .invasion of weeds. Construct
sanitation facilities.
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User-built bridge to cross the headwat
of Quartz Creek. Use associated with
recreation within the Diamond Hitch M
Prospects and accesses road system
closed to motorized use, except for
snowmobiles. Remove bridge and
restore site.
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Trail is deeply rutted in places. Active
erosion from trail into Quartz Creek. 1
accesses road system closed to
motorized use, except for Snowmobile
Rehabilitate trail and manage access.
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The public is using a road accessing
private land to reach FS Rd # 9838A,
which is Closed to motorized access,
except for snowmobiles. Manage road
access to private land and restrict
unauthorized use of Rd #9838A.
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
APPENDIX E - INFORMATION SUPPORTING THE WATERSHED AND FISHERIES ANALYSIS
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST DIRECTION
FISH/WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES
Appendix A of the Nez Perce National Forest Plan lists fish/water quality objectives by prescription
watershed for streams in the analysis area. Fish/water quality objectives displayed below provide
management direction in terms of maximum sediment yield over baseline conditions that can be
approached of equaled for a specified number of years per decade, ranging from one to three times.
Watersheds with fish/water objectives of 90 percent are allowed one entry per decade, those with 80
percent are allowed two entries per decade and those with 70 percent are allowed three entries per
decade. All objectives are relative to full habitat potential of 100 percent.
FISHERY/WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES IN APPENDIX A OF THE NEZ PERCE NATIONAL
FOREST PLAN
TABLE E.1: AMERICAN RIVER
Prescription
Watershed
17060305-05-
06
17060305-05-
09
17060305-05-
10
17060305-05-
11
17060305-05-
12
17060305-05-
13
17060305-05-
14
17060305-05-
15
17060305-05-
16
Prescription
Watershed Name
Middle American
River 21
Upper American
River 21
East Fork
American River 21
Kirks Fork2/
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Flint Creek 21
Box Sing Creek
Lower American
River*
Beneficial
Use
A
A
A
A
R
R
A
R
A
Current Fishery
Habitat
Condition (%)
50%
60%
60%
50%
70 %
70%
40%
70%
50%
Fishery Water
Quality
Objective
(% habitat
potential)
90%
90%
90%
90%
70%
70%
90%
70%
90%
Sediment
Yield
Guideline
(% over
baseline)
30 %***
30%
30%***
30%
60%
60%
30%
60%
30%***
Entry
Frequency
Guideline
(per decade)
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
3
1
* LOWER AMERICAN RIVER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN APPENDIX A OF THE FOREST PLAN. OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES ARE
THOSE RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN THE AMERICAN/CROOKED PROJECT.
Appendix E
Page E-1
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE E-2: CROOKED RIVER
Prescription
Watershed
Prescription
Watershed
17060305-03-
01
17060305-03-
03
17060305-03-
04
Prescription
Watershed Name
Prescription
Watershed Name
Lower Crooked
River 1/
Relief
Creek 1/
Middle Crooked
River
Beneficial Use
Beneficial Use
A
A
.--•
A
Current Fishery
Habitat
Condition (%)
Current Fishery
Habitat
Condition (%)
50%
60%
90%
Fishery Water
Quality
Objective
(% habitat
potential)
Fishery Water
Quality
Objective
(% habitat
potential)
90%
90%
90%
Sediment
Yield
Guideline
(% over
baseline)
Sediment
Yield
Guideline
(% over
baseline)
30 %***
30%
30%***
Entry
Frequency
Guideline
(per decade)
Entry
Frequency
Guideline
(per decade)
1
1
1
• 1/ Streams listed in the category are below carrying capacity due primarily to a lack of diversity (pool structure). This
problem is caused by the removal of all large boulders and woody debris from the stream through placer mining. These
habitat components will be replaced through direct habitat improvement projects. Work will be scheduled in the latter
part of the first decade (1989-1995). Work in Crooked River is underway, with an expected completion date of 1989.
Timber management activities can occur in these drainages, concurrent with habitat improvement efforts, as long as a
positive, upward trend in habitat carrying capacity is indicated.
• 21 These streams are suffering from both a lack of diversity (similar to category 1) and excess sediment from past
reading and timber management activities. Along with increasing diversity through direct habitat improvement, state-of-
the-art techniques will be used to remove sediment from the gravel environment. Improvements will be scheduled
between 1986 and 1995. Timber management can occur in these watersheds, concurrent with habitat improvement
efforts, as long as a positive, upward trend in habitat carrying capacity is indicated.
• 3/ Sediment is the primary limiting factor in these streams. Improvements will be scheduled between 1986 and 1995.
Timber management can occur in these watersheds, concurrent with improvement efforts, as long as a positive, upward
trend in habitat carrying capacity is indicated.
• """These prescription watersheds, unlike most, are not true watersheds. By definition, a true watershed includes all the
lands draining through a stream reach. These footnoted watersheds drain only part of such a hydraulic unit and
generally contain the downstream reaches of relatively large streams. For sediment yield analysis on these downstream
reaches, all upstream prescription watersheds are combined into a true watershed. Sediment yield guidelines (Column
6) apply only to true watersheds. Entry frequency guidelines (Column 7) apply to prescription watersheds regardless of
whether they are true watersheds.
In Forest Plan Appendix A, there were three general beneficial use designations, anadromous
fisheries (A), resident fisheries (R) and municipal watershed (MW). Onlyl the first two are present in
project area watersheds.
The watershed numbering and nomenclature system has evolved over the past twenty years. At the
time of the Forest Plan (1987), the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) system was nationally coordinated to
the 4th code HUC (e.g. South Fork Clearwater River subbasin = 17060305). Efforts are currently
underway to nationally coordinate HUCs to the 6th code level. This analysis relies on the older codes.
At the time of the Forest Plan, 6th code watersheds were referred to as prescription watersheds.
Current nomenclature refers to those as subwatersheds. Also, 5th code watersheds were referred to
as NFS (National Forest System) watersheds. Current nomenclature refers to those as simply
watersheds.
Prescription watersheds such as Lower American River and Lower Crooked River pose a unique
situation in that they are not a single complete drainage (see *** footnote above). At the time of the
Appendix E
Page E-2
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental impact Statement
Forest Plan, these were called face drainages. Current terminology refers to them as composite
watersheds. Those watersheds called true watersheds at the time of the Forest Plan are now referred
to as pure watersheds. The maps below show how composite and pure watersheds are related in the
project area.
Figure E.1: Composite v Pure Watersheds - American River
Middle American River
East Fork
American River
Lower American River
Appendix E
Page E-3
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Figure E.2: Composite v Pure Watersheds - Crooked River
r\
J
C 01 r'
\ V^J I
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f 04 I )
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j X~T^ }jJ
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\ / m ,' '•'
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i f~
For purposes of water yield (EGA) and sediment yield (NEZSED) analysis, composite watersheds are
compiled into larger pure watersheds. This is done in order to maintain integrity with the assumptions
used to develop the EGA and NEZSED procedures. Both of these models assume the water yield
and sediment yield reflect the conditions in the entire pure watershed above the analysis point (aka
pour point).
Each of the maps above shows the relationship between composite and pure watersheds for the
American and Crooked River watersheds. Using Lower Crooked River as an example, when EGA or
NEZSED results are reported, they include all of the shaded subwatersheds. For more detail on the
watershed boundaries and associated stream systems, see Maps 7a and 7b.
UPWARD TREND
^•^^•« . . '.;
The Nez Perce Forest Plan provides direction that timber harvest in sediment-limited watersheds that
do not meet their Fish/Water Quality objectives, as listed in Appendix A, would occur only where
concurrent watershed improvement efforts result in a positive upward trend in habitat condition. Many
of the area streams do not meet their objectives and are in this category. Those are the watersheds
with footnotes 1/, 21, and 3/ in Tables E.1 and E.2.
THE DFC TABLES
To estimate natural fish habitat potential and quantify existing stream conditions as required by the
Forest Plan, the Nez Perce National Forest is using a Desired Future Condition (DFC) Model
developed on the Clearwater National Forest (Espinosa 1992). This model addresses specific
conditions and channel types found on the Nez Perce Forest using a habitat quality index. Values for
the habitat parameters are quantified in a set of desired future condition (DFC) tables. The DFC
tables list the specific fish habitat parameter and a value or range that a stream should have in order
to be at a given percentage of the streams potential and to meet the Forest Plan Objectives for that
watershed. The DFC values, habitat parameter data and their relationships are stratified by channel
types and fish species. The values for the fish habitat parameters listed in the DFC tables are
considered achievable for streams under natural conditions in the absence of major disturbances or
are reflective of what good fish habitat should be. Most of the habitat parameters are consistent for
each species, and they very slightly by channel type. Past work has shown a need to adjust some of
Appendix E
Page E-4
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
the elements to better-fit natural conditions and what is achievable. The DFC for acting and potential
woody debris in a meadow channel is often used as an example of this.
FOREST PLAN RIPARIAN AREA DIRECTION
In addition, the Nez Perce Forest Plan defines standards for vegetation management in riparian areas
(Management Area 10), which are collectively defined as lakes, lakeside lands, perennial streams,
seasonally flowing streams supporting riparian vegetation, and adjoining lands that are dominated by
riparian vegetation (NPFP IM-30-33). This area includes the floodplains of streams and the wetlands
associated with springs, lakes, and ponds. Guidelines include the following:
• Consider cumulative impacts of proposed actions on the entire riparian ecosystem
• Manage riparian areas to maintain and enhance their value for wildlife, fishery, aquatic habitat,
and water quality.
• Maintain sufficient streamside vegetative canopy to ensure acceptable water temperatures for
fish and to provide cover.
• Management activities shall not be permitted to adversely change the composition and
productivity of key riparian vegetation. Riparian areas now degraded by management should
be rehabilitated before any further nondependent resource use.
• Planned ignitions, when within prescription, would be allowed to burn to enhance resource
values.
FOREST PLAN AMENDMENT 20 (PACFISH1
The PACFISH Environmental Assessment amended the Nez Perce Forest Plan in 1995 and is
incorporated as Amendment 20. PACFISH establishes riparian goals/riparian management objectives
(RMOs), and defines riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCAs). It includes specific direction for
land management activities within riparian areas adjacent to streams, lakes, wetlands, and landslide-
prone terrain. Riparian goals establish an expectation of the characteristics of healthy, functioning
watersheds, riparian areas, and fish habitat. The goals direct the Forest to maintain or improve habitat
elements such as water quality, stream channel integrity, instream flows, riparian vegetation, and
several others.
Riparian management objectives (RMOs) for stream channel condition provide the criteria against
which attainment, or progress toward attainment, of the riparian goals is measured. They include
habitat attributes such as number of pools, amount of large wood in the channel, stability of the
stream banks, and width-to-depth ratio. The areas adjacent to streams and wetlands (RHCAs) were
established in PACFISH to maintain the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Healthy riparian areas are
essential to maintaining or improving the quality offish habitat in streams. This analysis will use a
combination of DFC and RMO values to define existing conditions in watersheds where activities
occur.
Direction in PACFISH specific to Timber Management/Silviculture includes the following:
Prohibit timber harvest, including fuel woodcutting, in RHCAs. except in the following conditions:
• Where catastrophic events such as fire, flooding, volcanic, wind, or insect damage result in
degraded riparian conditions, allow salvage and fuel wood cutting in RHCAs only where present
and future debris needs are met, where cutting would not retard or prevent attainment of RMOs,
and where adverse effects on anadromous fish can be avoided.
• Apply silviculture practices for RHCAs to acquire desired vegetation characteristics where needed
to attain RMOs. Apply silviculture practices is a manner that does not retard attainment of RMOs
and that avoid adverse effects on listed anadromous fish.
Appendix E
Page E-5
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American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Direction in PACFISH specific to Fire/Fuels Management and relevant to this project includes
the following:
• Design fuel treatment and fire suppression strategies, practices, and actions so as not to prevent
attainment of Riparian Management Objectives, and to minimize disturbance of riparian ground
cover and vegetation.
• Strategies should recognize the role of fire in ecosystem function and identify those instances
where fire suppression or fuel management actions could perpetuate or be damaging to long-term
ecosystem function, listed anadromous fish, or designated critical habitat.
Direction in PACFISH specific to Recreation Management and relevant to this project includes
the following:
• Design, construct, and operate recreation facilities, including trails and dispersed sites, in a
manner that does not retard or prevent attainment of Riparian Management Objectives and avoids
adverse effects on listed anadromous fish... Relocate or close recreation facilities where Riparian
Management Objectives cannot be met or adverse effects on listed anadrbrnous fish avoided.
• Adjust dispersed and developed recreation practices that retard or prevent attainment of RMOs or
adversely affect listed anadromous fish. Where adjustment measures such as education, use
limitations, traffic control devices, increased maintenance, relocation of facilities, and/or specific
site closures are not effective in meeting RMOs and avoiding adverse effects on listed
anadromous fish, eliminate the practice or occupancy.
Direction in PACFISH specific to Fisheries/Wildlife Restoration includes the following:
• Design and implement fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement actions in a manner
that contributes to attainment of RMOs.
CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY AND SEDIMENT ROUTING
Stream gradient is an important parameter which has implications for sediment transport and
deposition. It is also related to fish habitat quality, since many species prefer lower gradient stream
reaches for certain life stages. Lower gradient reaches on 3th to 5th order streams in the project area
are particulary well-suited for Chinook salmon and steelhead spawning. The data below were
compiled with CIS methods using the 1:24,000 scale NHD stream layer and 30 meter DEM data.
TABLE E.3: PERCENT STREAM LENGTH BY GRADIENT CLASSES - AMERICAN RIVER
Watershed Name | Stream Miles
Middle American River*
East Fork American River*
Flint Creek
Whitaker Creek
Queen Creek
Box Sing Creek
Kirks Fork
Lower
American River*
12.8
19.6
23.8
4.6
4.8
4.1
26.8
17.7
<2% | 2-4%
45
12
13
6
6
11
8
53
12
12
20
2
12
6
8
4
4-10% | 10-20% | 20-40% | >40% |
34
28
34
46
67
36
37
12
9
39
26
33
16
46
35
29
0
9
7
12
0
0
11
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Appendix E
Page E-6
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
* Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
TABLE E.4: PERCENT STREAM LENGTH BY GRADIENT CLASSES - CROOKED RIVER
Watershed Name
Middle Crooked River*
Relief Creek
Lower Crooked River*
Stream .Miles
50.2
23.2
40.0
<2%
10
14
20
2-4%
8
5
2
4-10%
26
36
15
10-20%
39
34
39
20-40%
17
11
21
>40%
0
0
4
Data compiled for composite watersheds, not pure watersheds
SEDIMENT ROUTING
Sediment routing considers the disposition of sediment within the watershed system, including
processes of erosion, deposition, storage and transport. It includes upslppe and instream
components. The upslope component includes initial detachment, erosion and delivery efficiency.
The instream component includes suspended and bedload sediment yield, as well as substrate
deposition and composition, the instream component also includes consideration of streamflow and
channel morphology, both of which influence the capability of the stream to transport or deposit
sediment.
EROSION AND DELIVERY PROCESSES
The erosion process initiates with detachment of material. Detachment can occur through weathering
processes such as frost heave or raindrop impact. Erosion can occur as dry ravel, surface erosion
(e.g. sheet, rill and gully) and mass erosion (e.g. debris avalanches, slumps and earthflows). The rate
of each is dependent on climate, landforms, geology, soils and exposure of mineral soil. For freshly
exposed materials, surface erosion is probably the dominant process in the Red River landscape.
Transport occurs when rainfall or snowmelt generate water in sufficient quantities to carry the
detached materials.
In most cases, a large proportion of eroded material is stored on the landscape without being
delivered to the channel system. Storage can take place in hollows and flats or behind obstructions.
It can also occur on slopes if the water transporting the material infiltrates. Delivery efficiency has
been estimated for each landtype on the NPNF. Sediment is considered to be delivered to the
channel system when it reaches a stream with defined bed and banks. Within the sediment model,
this is assumed to occur at a catchment area of 1 mi2 (USDA Forest Service, 1981).
INSTREAM PROCESSES
Once sediment is delivered to the channel system, it is subject to transport or deposition. Transport
can occur as suspended or bedload sediment. Fine materials, such as clay, silt and fine sand are
transported in the water column as suspended sediment. This material usually travels through the
system rapidly and only deposits in still water. It contributes to the turbidity that is seen during runoff
events. During active runoff periods the travel time of suspended sediment through the Red River
watershed and out of the South Fork Clearwater River subbasin is less than 24 hours. Monitoring at
gaging stations in nearby Red River has indicated that suspended sediment constitutes about 40
percent to 60 percent of the annual sediment yield (Gloss, 1995). Recent analyses with a larger
dataset suggest that suspended sediment may be a higher proportion of total sediment yield.
Bedload sediment moves along the channel bottom and typically consists of medium and coarse
sand, gravel and cobble. Boulders may occasionally move as bedload, but only for short distances in
any given event. Bedload transport and deposition is a complex and intermittent process. It is highly
Appendix E
Page E-7
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
dependent on stream energy in terms of streamflow and channel morphology. Under given conditions
of streamflow, a river could transport or deposit bedload sediment in different reaches or habitat units,
depending on gradient and cross-sectional characteristics. Bedload transport is an episodic process
that occurs at higher streamflows, with the majority occuring at discharges approaching bankfull and
above. Under low and moderate flow conditions, very little if any bedload is in transport.
Materials of various sizes are deposited between episodes of transport. Deposition can involve fines
(i.e. sand) intruding into coarse substrates or covering the stream bottom. When large amounts of
coarse substrates are deposited, aggradation and changes in bedforms can result. In some cases
this can lead to further adjustments, such as bank erosion and changes in channel morphology.
Storage of deposited sediment within a given habitat unit or reach may be relatively short, for example
between flow events or seasons. In other cases, storage can be on the order of years to indefinitely.
Stream gradients for the American and Crooked River watersheds are described above in Tables E.3
and E.4. Lower gradient reaches are particularly susceptible to sediment deposition and relatively
long term storage. With regard to sediment deposition and transport, qne classification system
suggests that channels with <3 percent gradient can be considered response reaches and channels
with >3 percent gradient can be considered either transport or source reaches (Montgomery and
Buffington, 1993).
In subwatersheds affected by project activities in American River, Middle American and Lower
American both have >45 percent of their channel system with gradient <2 percent. Conversely, the
other subwatersheds all have >60 percent of their channel system with gradient >4 percent. In
subwatersheds affected by project activities in Crooked River, all have >60 percent of their channel
system with gradient >4 percent.
FLOW REGIME
The flow regime for American and Crooked Rivers is similar to the upper South Fork Clearwater River.
The data represented below were collected by the USGS just upstream of the mouth of Crooked
River. Though discontinued in 19/4, this stream gage was re-established in 2002 and is currently in
operation.
Appendix E
Page E-8
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American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
SEDIMENT YIELD GRAPHS
The following graphs show percent over base sediment yield by alternative for each analysis point in
the American and Crooked River watersheds. These are the same data shown in tables in Section
3.2. (Watershed), except for the entire 10-year modeling period.
AMERICAN RIVER
Figures E.4a-h: Sediment Yield - American River
Middle American
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Forest Guidelines
alt a
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Appendix E
Page E-10
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
EF American
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Forest Guidelines
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alte
Flint Cr
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Forest Guidelines —*— alt a
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Appendix E
Page E-11
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
• Forest Guidelines —•—alt a
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Appendix E
Page E-12
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
% Over Base
Box Sing Cr
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
— #— Forest Guidelines — •— alt a — *— alt b — *— alt c — *— alt d — •— alt e
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
• Forest Guidelines
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Appendix E
Page E-13
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Lower American
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Forest Guidelines —*— alt a
• alt b -*— alt c -•- alt d -*— alt e
CROOKED RIVER
Figures E.5a-c: Sediment Yield - Crooked River
Middle Crooked River
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i
Appendix E
Page E-14
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Relief Creek
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
• Forest Guidelines
A
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Guidelines -•— Alt A -A- Alt B -x-Alt C -*-Alt D -»-Alt E
WATER TEMPERATURE
Water temperature data were collected in the American/Crooked project watersheds during the
summer of 2003. These data are shown in Figures E-7 and E-8. Data have been collected on the
mainstem South Fork Clearwater River at the Mt. Idaho Bridge since 1993. These are summarized in
Table E-5 to provide a perspective on the 2003 summer. It is apparent that 2003 was the warmest
summer in the past 10 years in terms of water temperature in the South Fork Clearwater River
subbasin.
Appendix E
Page E-15
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-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE E.5: SUMMARY OF WATER TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER RIVER AT
Mr. IDAHO BRIDGE
Year
1993
1994
1995*
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Number of
Days > 20°C
0
24
2*
7
3
14
10
26
16
16
33
Maximum
Instantaneous (°C)
19.0
23.3
20.7*
21.6
21.0
21,6
21.2
22.9
21.7
22.5
26.0
*Data start August 1
WATER QUALITY DATA
Water quality data were collected by the Nez Perce National Forest at several locations in the project
area during the period of 1974 - 1981. These are useful for general characterization of water quality
conditions. The lowest numbers of Samples were taken for pH and the larger numbers of samples
were taken for conductivity and alkalinity/Some key water quality parameters are summarized in the
tables below:
TABLE E.6: WATER QUALITY DATA - AMERICAN RIVER
Site Name
Upper
American
Flint
Creek
Lower
American
STORET
Number
NEXY04
NETW20
NEXT05
Number of
Samples
15-49
4-29
5-37
PH
Mean
6.7
6.9
6.8
Range
6.3-7.4
6.4-7.4
6.8-6.8
Conductivity
(umhos)
Mean
27
20
22
Range
20-45
16-29
18-33
Alkalinity
(mg/l)
Mean
15
11
12
Range
8-26
7-18
6-21
Appendix E
Page E-24
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TABLE E.7: WATER QUALITY DATA - CROOKED RIVER
Site Name
Crooked River
Relief Creek
STORE!
Number
NETWO
NETW10
Number of
Samples
12
24-50
pH
Mean
NA
7.1
Range
NA
6.2-8.0
Conductivity
(umhos)
Mean
21
22
Range
12-31
10-34
Alkalinity
(mg/l)
Mean
NA
14
Range
NA
10-21
Sampling in Crooked River was limited in the studies summarized above. A subsequent water quality
study was conducted in 1986 and 1987. In four samples taken under this study, pH ranged from 7.3
to 7.5, conductivity ranged from 35 to 47 umhos, and alkalinity ranged from 18 to 20 mg/l (Mann and
Von Lindern, 1988).
AQUATIC TREND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION TO TREND ANALYSIS
To assess the expected trend in aquatic habitat condition, from the variety of influences both
quantitative and qualitative, the activities and their expected contribution to aquatic condition are
summarized in a table below. The table is a summary of the expected influence of the alternatives on
the aquatic conditions in the American and Crooked River watersheds respectively. It does not
represent an assessment of cumulative effects, or expected trend within specific subwatersheds.
Various activities are considered with respect to the variety of aquatic processes that they potentially
affect.
The contribution to the overall aquatic condition is estimated in terms of positive influence (denoted by
"+") where the activity is expected to contribute to an improvement in condition, and a negative
influence (denoted by "-") where the activity is expected to contribute to degradation in aquatic
condition. The amount of influence a specific activity is expected to have on the overall aquatic
condition (either positive or negative) is represented by a ranking of high (H), moderate (M), or low
(L). Activities rated "High" are those that are expectedtto have a significant effect at the watershed
scale (considering both scope and magnitude). Those rated as "Moderate" are those activities that
are expected to have a significant local effect (ie at the subwatershed scale), but not result in a
significant effect at the watershed scale. Those activities rated "Low" are expected to have only a
negligible effect both at the subwatershed and watershed scale.
All of the processes potentially affected by an activity are listed in the table. No ranking represents no
expected influence on conditions from this project. The expected contribution of a specific activity on
aquatic condition is considered both in terms of short-term and long-term. Short-term influence is
judged to be the immediate results of implementing the activity, generally expected to be around a 5-
year timeframe. Long-term influence is judged to be the influence the activity will have on aquatic
condition as a result of changes in processes and resource conditions that will over time result in
changes in aquatic habitat condition. The timeframe for this influence is greater than 5 years.
Appendix E
Page E-25
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TREND ANALYSIS - AMERICAN RIVER
TABLE E.8: AQUATIC TREND ANALYSIS - AMERICAN RIVER
Action
Vegetation
Treatments
Temporary Road
Construction
Road Recon and
Improvement
Road
Decommissioning
Process
Affected
Surface
Erosion
Mass Failure
Risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Solar heating
LWD
Recruitment
Surface
erosion
Mass failure
risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Fish
passage
Riparian
shade
LWD
Recruitment
Surface
erosion
Mass failure
risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Fish
passage
Surface
erosion
Mass failure
risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Fish
Passage
Riparian
Shade
LWD
Recruitment
Characteristic
Indicator
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Riparian shade
Potential LWD
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Habitat
availability
Riparian
condition
Potential LWD
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse Sediment
Hydrologic
process
Habitat
availability
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
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Habitat
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Riparian
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Potential LWD
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Appendix E
Page E-26
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Action
Stream Crossing
Improvement
In-channel &
Riparian
Restoration
Soil Restoration
Mine Site
Reclamation
Rec & Trail
Improvements
Process
Affected
Surface
erosion
Mass failure
risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
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passage
Construction
sediment
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Quality
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shade
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shade
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availability
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Channel
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The expected short-term consequences of the American and Crooked River project on aquatic
condition in American River are fairly balanced between positive and negative influences. Seven
factors are expected to contribute to reduce condition; six factors are expected to contribute to
improved aquatic conditions. The factors contributing to a reduction in aquatic condition are
principally related to the sediment pulse generated from the implementation of the action (timber
harvest, temp road construction, road decommissioning, road reconstruction and improvement, and
Appendix E
Page E-27
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
culvert replacement. The temporary road construction is judged to be the largest contributor to this
influence, followed by the harvest activities, road decommissioning, and road reconstruction and
improvement. The factors contributing to an immediate short-term improvement in aquatic condition
are related to; the reduction in chronic sediment and improvement in the hydrologic process from road
decommissioning, road reconstruction and improvement, and soil restoration; and the immediate
improvements in habitat accessibility from culvert upgrades and road decommissioning are judged to
be the largest contributors to this improvement.
The expected long-term consequences of the American and Crooked River project on aquatic
condition in the American River watershed are all positive. The road decommissioning and improved
habitat accessibility from the culvert upgrades are judged to be the largest contributors to long-term
improved aquatic conditions. The reduction in chronic sediment and improved hydrologic process
from the road decommissioning, road improvement, and soil restoration are the other contributors to
this expected improvement. The amount of the improvement associated with this later group of
activities is rated low due to the amount of this work being completed with this project with respect to
the remaining amount of degraded mainstem habitat, roads and compacted soils in the American
River watershed. These will continue to contribute negatively to these aquatic processes. Planned
BLM work in this drainage will further improve in channel and riparian conditioris along the mainstem
as well as tributary streams.
The above ratings by activity can be summarized by the effect pathways by assigning a value to the
Low, Moderate, and High ranking (L=1, M=2, H-3). The table below summarizes the alternatives by
the effect pathway and for the alternative in general (total).
TABLE E9: AQUATIC TREND SUMMARY - AMERICAN RIVER
Action
Summary
Process
Affected
Surface
Erosion
Mass Failure
Risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Riparian
Shade
LWD
Recruitment
Fish passage
Habitat Quality
Characteristic
Indicator
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Riparian shade
Acting LWD
Habitat
availability
Channel
Dimensions
TOTAL
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Appendix E
Page E-28
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
TREND ANALYSIS - CROOKED RIVER
TABLE E.10: AQUATIC TREND ANALYSIS - CROOKED RIVER
Action
\7pnptfltinn
Treatments
Temporary Road
Construction
Road Recon and
Improvement
Road
Decommissioning
Process
Affected
Surface
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Mass Failure
Risk
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runoff, peaks
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LWD
Recruitment
Surface
erosion
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risk
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passage
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Recruitment
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risk
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passage
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risk
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Fish
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Shade
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Recruitment
Characteristic
Indicator
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Hydrologic
process
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Potential LWD
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Habitat
availability
Riparian
condition
Potential LWD
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse Sediment
Hydrologic
process
Habitat
availability
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Habitat
availability
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Condition
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Appendix E
Page E-29
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Action
Stream Crossing
Improvement
In-channel &
Riparian
Restoration
Mine Site
Reclamation
Rec & Trail
Improvements
Process
Affected
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erosion
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process
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availability
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Channel
Dimensions
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Condition
Acting LWD
Pulse & chronic
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Hydrologic
process
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Condition
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The expected short-term consequences of the American and Crooked River project on aquatic
condition in the Crooked River watershed is fairly balanced between positive and negative influences.
Nine factors are expected to contribute to reduced condition; twelve factors are expected to contribute
to improved aquatic conditions. The factors contributing to a reduction in aquatic condition are
principally related to the sediment pulse generated from the implementation of the action (timber
harvest, temp road construction, road decommissioning, road reconstruction and improvement, soil
Appendix E
Page E-30
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
restoration, and in-channel aquatic improvements). The temporary road construction is judged to be
the largest contributor to this influence, followed by the harvest activities, road decommissioning, and
road reconstruction and improvement. The factors contributing to an immediate short-term
improvement in aquatic condition are related to: the reduction in chronic sediment and improvement in
the hydrologic process from road decommissioning, road reconstruction and improvement, and soil
restoration; and the immediate improvements in habitat accessibility and riparian and instream
conditions from the direct improvement projects (culvert upgrades, riparian planting, and in channel
improvements). The in channel and riparian restoration are judged to be the largest contributor to this
improvement, followed by the road decommissioning, culvert upgrades, soil restoration, recreation site
and mine site improvements.
The expected long-term consequences of the American and Crooked River project on aquatic
condition in the Crooked River watershed are all positive. The in channel habitat and riparian
restoration work is judged to be the largest contributor to long-term improved aquatic conditions. The
reduction in chronic sediment and improved hydrologic process from the road decommissioning, road
improvement, culvert upgrades, soil restoration, and mine and recreation site improvements are the
other contributors to this expected improvement. The amount of the in channel and riparian work will
contribute correspondingly to the degree of long-term improvement in Crooked River.
The above ratings by activity can be summarized by the effect pathways by assigning a value to the
Low, Moderate, and High ranking (L=1, M=2, H=3). The table below summarizes the alternatives by
the effect pathway and for the alternative in general (total).
TABLE E.11: AQUATIC TREND SUMMARY - CROOKED RIVER
Action
Summary
TOTAL
Process
Affected
Surface
Erosion
Mass Failure
Risk
Infiltration,
runoff, peaks
Riparian
Shade
LWD
Recruitment
Fish passage
Habitat Quality
Characteristic
Indicator
Pulse & Chronic
Sediment
Pulse sediment
Hydrologic
process
Riparian shade
Acting LWD
Habitat
availability
Channel
Dimensions
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Appendix E
Page E-31
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
This page intentionally left blank
Appendix E
Page E-32
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
APPENDIX F - ROAD MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
The tables in this appendix display pertinent data for each road within the analysis area. The
following information describes each column within the tables.
Description of Table Components
• Route # - The designation of the route as carried in the forest transportation database.
• Segment - Which segment of the route the data is related to.
• Length - Length of the route segment (within the anaJysis area) in miles.
• Surface - Surface type of the road.
o Aggregate- Aggregate surface.
o Native- Native (natural dirt surface)
• Access Prescription - The access prescription assigned to a road or road segment in
accordance with the Nez Perce National Forest Access Management Guide.
o OPEN -Open for use
o B - Route is not intended to be managed as a maintained travel route. Applicable to
decommissioned routes.
o C2-A - Open for use in the summer (June 15 to September 15). Allows no motorized
use during the restricted period (September 15 to June 15).
o Y-2 - Allows no motorized use year-round.
o Y-3 - Allows pack stock and snowmobile use. All other motorized uses prohibited
year-round.
o Y-4 - Allows pack stock, trail vehicle, and snowmobile use. Highway vehicle use
prohibited year-round.
• Jurisdiction - A network of travel ways serving a common need or purpose, managed by an
entity with the authority to finance, build, operate, and maintain the routes, (travel routes data
dictionary)
o FSR- Forest Service Road
o C- County
o P-Private
• Traffic Service Level - A description of the road's significant traffic characteristics and
operating conditions, (travel routes data dictionary)
o C-Flow Interrupted- Use Limited. Interrupted traffic flow, limited passing facilities, may
not accommodate some vehicles. Low design speeds. Unstable surface under certain
traffic or weather.
o D-slow flow or may be blocked. Traffic low is slow and may be blocked by
management activities. Two-way traffic is difficult, backing may be required. Rough
and irregular surface. Travel with low clearance vehicles is difficult. Single purpose
facility.
Appendix F
Page F-1
-------
o
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
N/A -Traffic Service level not applicable. Applies to decommissioned roads and roads
that exist only for access to private land and are not maintained by the Forest Service.
Objective Maintenance Level- The maintenance level required to meet the intended purpose.
It is constrained by the route's current physical configuration, (travel routes data dictionary)
o D - Decommission. Assigned to roads that have been, or are to be, decommissioned.
o 1 - Basic custodial care (closed). Assigned to intermittent service roads during the time
they are closed to vehicular traffic.
o 2 - High clearance vehicles. Assigned to roads operated for use by high clearance
vehicles.
o 3 - Suitable for passenger cars. Assigned to roads operated and maintained for travel
by a prudent driver in a standard passenger car.
o 4 - Moderate degree of user comfort. Assigned to roads that provide a moderate
degree Of user comfort and convenience at moderate travel speeds.
o 5 - High degree of user comfort. Assigned to roads that provide a high degree of user
comfort and convenience.
o N/A - Applies to roads that exist only for access to private land and not maintained by
the Forest Service.
Appendix F
Page F-2
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-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
FUEL MODEL 13:
Fire is generally carried across the area by a continuous layer of slash. Large quantities of greater
than 3-inch material are present. Fires spread quickly through the fine fuels and intensity builds up
more slowly as the large fuels start burning. Active flaming is sustained for long periods and
firebrands of various sizes may be generated. These contribute to spotting problems as the weather
conditions become more severe.
Appendix G
Page G-2
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
APPENDIX H - TREATMENTS BY ALTERNATIVE
The following table represents the units for the project area, split out
by American and Crooked River areas. The Unit is the number
assigned to the stand being treated. The T Code is the prescription
type. The codes are:
Table H.1: Codes
4114
4230
4134
4133
Clearcut with reserves
Sanitation/Salvage cut
Seed tree cut with reserves
Shelterwood seed tree cut
with reserves
The percent (%) stands for canopy cover. The treatment type is the
follow-up prescribed fire treatment. The alternatives are the
associated actions alternatives that will be treated and the acres
column is the size of the unit. If there is a blank in the Unite row
under the alternative, this means that that unit will not be treated
under that action alternative.
Table H.2: American River Treatments
American River
Unit
111
112
113
114
114.9
115
116
117
118
TCode
4114
4114
4114
4114
4134
4114
4114
4114
4114
Type
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
%
90
90
90
90
80
90
90
90
90
Treatment
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Alternatives
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
Acres
7
22
6
10
11
11
14
15
18
Appendix H
Page H-1
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
American River
Unit
121
122
124
124.8
124.9
126
127
128
129
130
131
133
133.2
133.9
134
135
135.9
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
143.2
144
145
146
147
151
151.2
151.3
TCode
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4230
4230
4114
4114
4114
4133
4114
4114
4114
4114
4133
4133
4133
4133
4230
4230
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
41U
4134
4134
4134
4133
4133
4133
Type
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
%
90
90
90
90
90
50
50
90
90
90
70
90
90
90
90
70
70
70
70
50
50
90
90
90
90
90
90
80
80
80
70
70
70
Treatment
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Underburn
Alternatives
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
B
N
N
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
b
h
E
t
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Acres
16
16
3
4
23
12
13
12
9
25
17
2
8
2
6
6
2
19
9
12
8
16
13
5
11
3
15
8
5
5
10
5
3
Appendix H
Page H-2
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Unit
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
158.2
161
162
163
164
165
166
166.9
167
168
168.2
169
501
503
503.9
504
505
505.1
505.9
506
507
508
509
510
510.9
511
American River
TCode
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4220
4133
4133
4220
4133
4133
4133
4220
4220
4133
4133
4220
4220
4133
Type
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
%
/U
70
70
70
70
70
70
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
50
70
70
50
70
70
70
50
50
70
70
50
50
70
Treatment
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Alternatives
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
N
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
B
N
N
N
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Acres
5
4
3
4
3
4
3
3
1
8
4
13
8
7
3
3
4
1
8
7
3
9
10
6
6
3
5
8
30
11
10
14
6
Appendix H
Page H-3
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
American River
Unit
512
513
518
520
521
522
523
524
525
527
527.1
529
530
531
533
534
536
537
TCode
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
.4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
Type
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
%
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
Treatment
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Alternatives
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
c
C
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
h
h
t
E
E
E
American River Total Acres
Acres
3
12
34
26
45
6
4
30
22
6
11
14
25
17
13
23
14
9
968
Appendix H
Page H-4
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Table H.3: Crooked River Treatments
Unit
1
2
2.1
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11.1
12
12.1
13
14
15
17
18
20
21
22
23
25
26
27
28
29
33
34
35
36
36.1
37
38
38.2
39
41
42
43
44
Crooked River
TCode
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4133
4133
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4134
4114
4134
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
4133
4114
4230
4114
4114
4134
4134
Type
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
%
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
70
70
90
90
90
90
90
90
80
90
80
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
90
90
90
90
90
90
70
90
50
90
90
80
80
Treatment
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Underburn
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Alternatives
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Acres
18
15
7
29
22
6
9
52
81
28
6
7
49
13
27
14
17
29
6
10
8
4
31
7
4
24
11
5
23
11
73
12
19
3
31
15
22
4
4
22
3
Appendix H
Page H-5
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Crooked River
Unit
45
46
47
48
49
50
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
58
59
60
64
65
66
66.2
66.3
68
69
70
71
72
73
75
76
77
78
79
81
82
82.2
83
84
90
93
94
95
96
TCode
4134
4134
4114
4114
4114
4134
4114
4114
4134
4133
4114
4114
4114
4220
4114
4133
4114
4230
4230
4230
4230
4114
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4134
4134
4134
4133
4133
4114
4114
4114
4114
4114
Type
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
%
80
80
90
90
90
80
90
90
80
70
90
90
90
50
90
70
90
50
60
60
50
90
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
80
80
80
70
70
90
90
90
90
90
Treatment
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Broadcast
Underburn
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Alternatives
B
N
N
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
N
N
N
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
N
E
E
E
E
E
E
Acres
8
9
25
26
35
13
10
15
40
9
9
10
12
13
30
10
4
5
6
6
6
29
8
4
26
15
8
57
5
17
6
25
7
6
2
19
19
5
29
13
9
6
Appendix H
Page H-6
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Unit
97
98
99
99.2
100
101
101.1
104
105
307
309
309.1
312
312.1
313
313.1
315
316
317
318
318.1
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
327
329
330
333
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
Crooked River
TCode
4114
4134
4220
4220
4133
4230
4133
4994
4994
4133
4134
•4134
4230
4230
4114
4114
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4133
4134
4134
4133
4133
4133
4134
4220
4220
4220
4220
4220
4220
4220
4220
4114
4114
Type
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Cable
Cable
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
%
90
80
50
50
70
50
70
70
70
70
80
80
50
50
90
90
70
70
70
70
70
70
70
80
80
70
70
70
80
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
90
90
Treatment
Broadcast
Underburn
Underburn
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Broadcast
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Underburn
Underburn
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Ex. Pile
Alternatives
B
N
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
N
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
c
C
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Crooked River Total Acres
Acres
14
17
14
9
12
10
9
17
21
32
12
10
25
20
18
11
29
20
14
15
17
11
17
21
9
4
1
7
10
18
11
19
9
15
23
16
7
14
13
1,968
Appendix H
Page H-7
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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Appendix H
Page H-8
-------
APPENDIX I
MONITORING PLAN
MONITORING COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES
FOREST PLAN MONITORING
As part of implementing the Nez Perce Forest Plan the Nez Perce Forest monitors a multitude of
effects and conditions within the Forest. The Forest Plan Monitoring items are displayed on
pages V-4 through 8 and Appendix O of the Nez Perce Forest Plan. These monitoring activities
are applied on a sample basis randomly across the Forest or among projects. Some of that
monitoring may occur within the American and Crooked River analysis area. Forest Plan
monitoring is reported in an annual monitoring and evaluation report.
PROPOSED MONITORING FOR THIS PROJECT
Monitoring is a process of gathering information through observation and measurement to assure
the goals, objectives and standards of the Nez Perce Forest Plan are implemented and to ensure
implementation and effectiveness of design criteria or mitigation.
Two forms of monitoring are proposed: 1) implementation and 2) effectiveness. These two types
of monitoring are described below:
• Implementation monitoring is used to determine if management practices are
implemented as planned in the Plan (Nez Perce Forest Plan and/or this EIS).
Effectiveness monitoring is used to determine if management practices, as designed and
executed, are effective in meeting project objectives, as well as goals, objectives, and
standards of the Plan (Nez Perce Forest Plan).
MONITORING APPLICABLE TO ALL ACTIVITIES
1 Implementation monitoring of the following design criteria would be conducted on a sample
basis. Monitoring would be accomplished by an interdisciplinary and/or multi-party team
through a combination of any of the following methods:
• Review contract specifications
• Review designs and plans of operation
• Review contract administration reports (daily diaries)
• Review activities on the ground before, during and after implementation.
Implementation of the following design criteria, as listed in Chapter 2, Table 2.3 of this
document, would be monitored: Numbers in parentheses correspond to those in Table 2.3.
a. Road Decommissioning: (11, 39)
b. Temporary Road Construction and Road Reconditioning: (12, 36, 39)
c. Culvert Replacement: (23, 26, 27, 28)
d. Conversion of Roads to Trails: (35)
e. Fuel Haul, Storage and Spill Containment: (31)
f. Transport: (31, 37)
g. Storage and Transfer: (31)
h. Spill Containment: (31)
i. Prescribed Fire and Smoke Management: (4, 38, 39, 40)
j. Timber Harvest: (1,2,3)
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
k. Exotic Vegetation Management: (53, 54, 55, 56)
I. Soil Resource Protection: (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20,21,22,33)
i. Site specific review for landslides or prior harvest impacts; consequent
adjustment of harvest or compensatory restoration: done as
recommended
ii. Skid trail spacing and designated skid trails: done as recommended
iii. Topsoil stockpiling: done where recommended
iv. Imposition of controls on operations to avoid soil resource damage.
v. Whole tree yarding: acres whole tree yarded on susceptible geologic
vi. Mechanical slash piling: acres mechanical piled compared to acres
broadcast burned, underburned, hand piled or no treatment
vii. Maintain soil nutrients/large woody debris
o. Soil Restoration: (23,24,25,26)
i. Seasonal controls: employed as recommended
ii. Post-work stabilization: done as recommended
iii. Acres accomplished
p. Stream Restoration: (23, 29, 30, 32)
q. Snag and green tree marking done to levels recommended: (44)
r. Cultural Resource Protection: (50, 51, 52)
s. Access Management (34)
t. Wildlife Protection (41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
2. Effectiveness monitoring to determine if design criteria achieve their objectives.
Effectiveness monitoring would be accomplished using established protocols specific to each
criterion. Effectiveness of the following design criteria, as listed in Chapter 2, Table 2.3 of
this document, would be monitored:
a. Road Decommissioning: (11,39)
b. Temporary Road Construction and Road Reconditioning: (12,36,39)
c. Culvert Replacement: (23, 26, 27, 28)
d. Conversion of Roads to Trails: (35)
e. Prescribed Fire and Smoke Management: (38,39,40)
f. Timber Harvest: (1,2)
g. Soil Resource Protection: (3-22, and 33)
i. Compliance with forest/regional soil quality standards: standard R6
protocols on a sample of logging units
ii. Compliance with snag/green tree and down wood retention
recommendations: Measurement after logging and fuels treatments to
assess retention levels
h. Exotic Vegetation Management: (53-56)
Re-survey risk zones for changes in weed infestations after
implementation of design criteria for noxious weeds to insure that weed
spread from the ground disturbing actions is minimized or eliminated.
i. Wildlife: (41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
Appendix I
Page I-2
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
3. Effectiveness monitoring to determine if treatments help meet goals and objectives, as
described in Chapters 1 and 2 of this EIS. Effectiveness monitoring would be accomplished
using established protocols specific to each issue or indicator.
Effectiveness monitoring of the following treatments would be conducted with all alternatives.
a. Effectiveness of road decommissioning and soil restoration to reduce erosion
sources: identify sample monitoring sites and before and after photos and
characterization.
b. Effectiveness of soil restoration to improve permeability on decompacted sites:
Permeability measurements on compacted and decompacted sites
c. Effectiveness of road decommissioning to recover native vegetation: Vegetation
frequency and cover plots 3 to 5 years after decommissioning.
d. Effectiveness of prescribed fire to achieve desired stand density, amount of fuels
reduction and reduction in fire risk.
e. Effectiveness of timber harvest to achieve desired stand density, size class,
species mix, cover types and canopy layers.
f. Effectiveness of stream restoration activities to restore fish habitat elements.
g. Effectiveness of noxious weed design criteria to reduce or eliminate spread of
existing invasive plants infestations and/or eradicate new infestations.
4. Monitor accomplishment of activities over time with an annual report of the past year's
implementation and monitoring accomplishments and the planned accomplishments for the
next year. Adjust implementation designs to respond to monitoring findings, where
modification would better meet objectives of design criteria or Forest Plan standards.
AQUATIC MONITORING
The isolated westslope cutthroat trout populations in Whitaker and Queens Creek will have
genetics samples taken to document existing genetic make up for comparison with fish
populations in a connected system. Dialog will continue with BLM and research biologists as to
benefits associated with connecting two streams to the mainstem river.
Before and after stream surveys will be conducted in Crooked River where instream
improvements are planned. Permanent stations will be located to document fish population
responses. These stations will be established in coordination with existing parr monitoring
stations monitored by IDFG.
PRESCRIBED FIRE MONITORING
The Programmatic Biological Assessment for the Fire Management Program (South Fork
Clearwater River Biological Assessment, 1999 p. 97) specifies monitoring items for the prescribed
fire program. These monitoring items include items such as location and size, mortality levels
and patch size, and riparian fire intensity. This monitoring occurs for all fire activities occurring
under this Biological Assessment. This monitoring would also be applicable to prescribed fire
activities proposed with this project.
Noxious AND EXOTIC SPECIES MONITORING
On-going monitoring within the South Fork Clearwater River subbasin includes weed surveys to
document the extent and changes of weed infestations. In addition when weeds are treated
effectiveness monitoring is conducted on selected sites to determine if the management
treatment is effective in reducing the target infestation. This work is coordinated with the
community-based weed mgt cooperative through Idaho County Weed Control.
Appendix I
Page I-3
-------
American River/Crooked River- Draft Environmental Impact Statement
MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES MONITORING
Forestwide MIS populations monitoring for bald eagle, pileated woodpecker, goshawk, fisher and
pine marten are conducted annually for most species with sample plots or transects that occur
within or immediately adjacent to the project area. Results are reported in the Forest Plan Annual
Monitoring and Evaluation Report.
WOLF RECOVERY MONITORING
Monitoring of wolf recovery is conducted by the Nez Perce Tribe Wolf Program. Recovery
continues and wolf numbers continuing growing. Currently, there are 5 wolf packs that overlap or
are in close proximity to the project analysis area.
LANDBIRD POPULATION MONITORING
In 1993, a USFS Region-wide Landbird Monitoring Program was initiated. Sample plots were
established along randomly distributed transects distributed across all 13 nationatforests of
Region 1. Monitoring of Neotropical migrant songbird species diversity and populations is
currently being done in partnership with non-game biologists of the Idaho Department of Fish &
Game and overseen by researchers from the University of Montana (Hutto, R.L. and Young, J.S.,
1999). Transects are distributed across the Forest and include transects near the project area.
Appendix I
Page I-4
-------
APPENDIX J - TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE POPULATIONS VIABILITY SUMMARY RELATED
TO THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires that vertebrate species populations' viability
be maintained across the "planning area." The planning area is generally defined as each national
forest. Very few if any vertebrate species' ranges are so limited in geographical extent that they
remain within the boundaries of any given national forest "planning area." In assessing species
populations viability to meet the intent of NFMA, reconciling disparities between the geographic scale
of management actions and the scale of ecological responses (i.e., species' viability) across
geographically extensive landscapes is necessary to avoid a gross mismatch of ecological analysis
scale which can reduce reliability of the environmental analysis (Ruggiero, L.F. et al., 1994; Noon,
B.R. et al. 1999). More appropriately, such analyses must be accomplished through an analysis
framework that assesses ecological responses of forest-scale "biological populations" from within the
"planning area." Scale issues are also important in impact analysis because individual populations
evolving under the unique conditions present in a given local may have acquired characteristics
important for that population's persistence (Samson, F.B. 2003).
ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK
The following framework provides an ecological habitat basis that supports species viability assertions
for the 2.2 million acre Nez Perce National Forest based on two hierarchically-tiered spatial scales,
with the assumption that other environmental variables (e.g., disease, competition) are related to
habitat structure and spacing (Roloff & Haufler, 1997). This framework relies on data summarized
from mid-scale subbasin ecological assessments (Planning Unit Assessments), preparatory for Forest
Plan revision. Site-specific habitat analyses showing habitats for species at risk species is relatively
well distributed on the Forest.
SPECIES AT RISK
The species that require population viability analysis are those whose populations are in declines for
various reasons or their habitats have become so modified or in short supply that the species may be
in jeopardy of becoming locally extirpated or extinct. Federally listed species all are automatically
assumed to fit these "species at risk" general criteria. The Forest Service "sensitive" list represents
the most defensible and appropriate list of other, less critical, but uncertain species. The process
currently updating this list in USFS Region 1 used "species of concern" lists from the Natural Heritage
Programs of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota with consideration of species identified
by the Partners in Flight, BLM sensitive lists, USFWS candidate lists and migratory bird species of
concern. Details of this species identification process are documented in the Draft Northern Region
Forest Service 2004 Sensitive Species List Update Process for Wildlife, (2-11-04) led by Tom
Wittinger of the Missoula office (R1) of the U.S. Forest Service.
Although the Draft R-1 sensitive species list may be a more defensible list on which to assess viability,
until the updated R-1 list is finalized and approved by the Regional Forester, this analysis will address
species identified in the Interior Columbia River Basin Assessment. Terrestrial vertebrate species
from the 145 million acres of public and private lands within the interior Columbia Basin were carefully
identified for which there is ongoing concern about population or habitat status. The major
management practices considered responsible for key change sin source habitats of these "species of
Appendix J
Page J-1
-------
American River/Crooked River - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
focus" groups from early European settlement to current time conditions were assessed and their
associated impacts, including impacts on habitats from roads, were identified. Habitat management
implications and restoration/conservation strategies for each group were provided to public land
managers to address each "species of focus" group's habitat needs with the assumption that
implementation of these strategies would occur and validation research and species populations
monitoring would be subsequently conducted over time to corroborate the findings.
The Nez Perce National Forest lies within the Central Idaho Mountains Ecological Reporting Unit of
the Interior Columbia Basin. At the Forest level "planning area" scale, local representative indicators
from the ICBEMP "species of focus" groups were previously selected as Nez Perce Forest Plan
management indicator species (MIS), during forest planning arid as such, their local populations have
been monitored since 1988 as well. Refer to the Forest Plan Monitoring apd Evaluation Report
summary in the appendix of this document. For the Nez Perce Forest, these species and their
representative "species of focus" group (Wisdom, M. J., et al. 2000) include: gray wolf and grizzly bear
(group 19), Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (group 22), Northern goshawk (groups 5 and 25),
American marten and fisher (group 5), and the pileated woodpecker (group 6). Other members of
"species of focus" groups have been placed on the USDA Forest Service Region 1 Sensitive Species
list and receive individual habitat and species impacts analysis through Biological Evaluations
designed to prevent management impacts that may lead to population downtrends and federal listing.
These include: white-headed woodpecker (group 1), flammulated owl (group 5), black-baked
woodpecker (group 9), wolverine (group 15), Canadian lynx (group 16), mountain quail (group 17),
and Townsend's big-eared bat (group 27). Surveys, site-specific habitat use investigation, and
incidental monitoring of individual sightings or sign of these species continues.
BROAD-SCALE
Recognition of habitat declines within the United States in the last century and the accelerated rate of
species listings during the past decade, have prompted conservationists (e.g., Rickletts, T.H., et al,
1999) to use broad-scale ecosystem based strategies for conserving and restoring habitats, thereby
sustaining habitats for all species to prevent further ESA listings and to comply with NFMA
"maintenance of viable populations" provisions. The broad-scale, ecosystem based analysis and
strategy for the 145 million acre Columbia River Basin identified the most significant changes in
habitats and disturbance processes since early European settlement which have degraded habitats
for vertebrates which include: 1) dramatic shifts in fire regimes, 2) declines in the early and late
stages of forest development, 3) deterioration of riparian habitat conditions, and 4) increases in road
density (Quigley, T.M. et al, 1996). Three major management practices and their associated
impacts are summarized as primarily responsible for the major forest terrestrial habitat changes since
European settlement (1850-1890).
1) Large-scale, intensive timber harvest - (Consequences: early and late serai habitat
reductions; disproportionate increases in mid-serai habitats, reduced density of key habitat
features such as large snags, induced forest fragmentation effects). The strongest declines in
habitats of early and late-serai dependent wildlife were for low-elevation, old forest habitats
such as ponderosa pine (Wisdom, M.J. et al. 1999, p. 89)
2) Large-scale exclusion of wildfire - (Consequences: reduced natural recruitment of large
snags and logs, vegetation composition changes such as replacement of ponderosa pine on
dry sites, changes in frequency/intensity of wildfires, and increased insect/disease
infestations). See Figures 2-5 through 2-10 and maps 2-7, 2-8 (USDA, Forest Service/USD'I,
BLM. 1997).
3) Widespread development of roads - (Consequences: net habitat loss, induced habitat
fragmentation, over-hunting, negative edge effects, and facilitation of increased human
harassment & disturbance, (USDA, Forest Service/USDI, BLM. 1997, page 2-178).
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L. Pawley, et al. (1998) argues that mitigating the risks to a species is the best conservation strategy,
regardless of the nature of the risk. To mitigate a multitude of direct and indirect risks to species
persistence identified by the interior Columbia Basin analysis, the document provided three major
strategies as preemptive mitigations to increase the probability of terrestrial species persistence.
As with ICBEMP, this analysis is not a quantitative analysis of viable populations, because it is not an
explicit model of genetic or demographic risk to species persistence. Rather, it does provide a
reasoned series of judgments and inferences about projected amounts and distributions of habitat and
the likelihood that broad-scale habitat mitigations will allow terrestrial species to persist in the
foreseeable future.
MID-SCALE
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST HISTORY
Broad scale analysis themes of concern identified above have been recognized as common to the
Nez Perce National Forest and were historically documented in the forest planning records. Evidence
of their presence across the Forest could be founding early forest planning AMS documents:
1. Conifer age class distributions on the Nez Perce Forest remain weighted too heavily away
from historic, pre-European conditions. This condition was recognized TS MRS data and
documented in the statement, "The existing age-class structure in the 1964-73 analysis
reflects similar problems that still exist today. There is a definite shortage in both the
seedling/sapling and pole timber condition classes." Figure 1 of this document graphed the
age class distributions of suitable timber pre-dominantly in the mid-aged categories as well",
(Nez Perce Forest Plan, Background Paper for Analysis of the Management Situation -
Timber, page 4-5).
2. Large-scale exclusion of fire from the landscapes of the Nez Perce National Forest were
recognized as Forest Planning "issues" even before the completion of the 1987 Plan. This
was documented in Issue #11 (Fire Effects) where in the situation statement acknowledged
the following: "With a dramatic improvement in firefighting effectiveness over the last 30-40
years, the burned-over acreage on the Forest has been greatly reduced. This exclusion of fire
has had a significant effect on vegetative succession, an effect which has become more
pronounced over time, and one which has had varying effects on different resources" (Nez
Perce National Forest Issues and Concerns, Nez Perce National Forest). Likewise, in the
same document within the wildlife, fisheries, big game section, Issue #3 identified a question
raised by the public during the scoping process: Question #7 - "How will fire management
affect wildlife habitat?"
3. The multi-faceted effects of large numbers of roads on the Nez Perce National Forest were
theorized early on and stated as another of the public's issue related questions expressed in
the statement: "Do management activities create too much access to wildlife habitat?" (Nez
Perce Forest Plan Background Paper for Analysis of the Management Situation - Wildlife,
page 27).
HABITAT & ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES TRENDS - PLANNING UNIT ASSESSMENTS (PUA)
Ecosystem analysis of the 2.2 million acre Nez Perce National Forest was based on (1) three mid-
scale, watershed-oriented sub-basins which facilitated scaled-down analysis; and (2)
recommendations for application of pre-emptive restoration actions needed to restore terrestrial
vertebrate habitats within the South Fork Clearwater River, Selway/Middle Fork Clearwater, and
Salmon River sub-basins. Analyses of these units were subdivided and recommendations were
applied to Ecological Reporting Units (ERU), within each assessment. For example, the South Fork
Clearwater Assessment (SFLA) is subdivided geographically into 13 watershed-based reporting units:
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South Fork Canyon, Meadow Creek, Cougar-Peasley Creeks, Silver Creek, Newsome-Leggett Creek,
American River, Red River, Crooked River, Tenmile Creek, Wing-Twentymile Creek, Johns Creek,
Mill Creek, and Camas Prairie.
Each analysis considered and array of comparisons of historic versus current conditions relative to
forest serai stages, old growth, disturbance processes, relative habitat patch sizes and other habitat
parameters including fire frequencies/intensities. Relative densities of roads were also evaluated
along with numerous other resource considerations.
Site-specific conservation and restoration recommendations identified thematic landscape vegetative
and disturbance (fire) process changes as well as increased security needs (related to road impacts)
within each ERU. By this pattern, the conservation and restoration needs were identified to help
ensure sufficient amounts and distribution of habitats toSustain population viability and persistence.
Recommendations were provided as guidance for future Forest restoration actions.
SOUTH FORK CLEARWATER RIVER LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT (1998)
.--•
The process and rationale behind the terrestrial species analyzed is presented in the assessment
(USDA, Forest Service, 1998a, page 99). Species were selected based on five broad "guilds"
including: ponderosa pine, early serai forest dependent, late forest serai dependent, riparian-
associated species, and security-dependent species. Representative "indicator species" were then
chosen for in-depth analysis, based principally on species status as either a Forest Plan management
indicator or Forest Service sensitive species.
Understanding the effects of changed disturbance regimes for terrestrial and aquatic systems is
emphasized throughout the South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment. Restoration of the
pattern of disturbance appropriate to a given setting was a key consideration in developing
management themes and recommendations (USDA, Forest Service, 1998a, page 7). Relative
amounts and distribution of historic versus current habitats for each species were analyzed. A
summary of the recommendations for the subbasin are provide on pages 166-172, and includes
specific discussion pertinent to larger scale, species persistence-related recommendations.
Restoration "themes" and their priorities resulted from the landscape scale analysis for major
resources and uses (USDA, Forest Service, 1998a: Table #5, page 165.).
Recommendations address larger-scale ICBEMP habitat restoration activities designed to ensure
populations persistence including fire-interval restoration, vegetative repatterning, restoration of late-
serai habitats along with snags and logs, road management, aquatic habitat needs, and strategies to
address fragmentation issues such as noxious weed spread. To facilitate recommendations which
address site-specific actions Which are well distributed across the subbasin, management actions are
identified for each geographical Ecological Response Unit (ERU) within the subbasin for the Forest's
"at risk" species including fisher, flammulated owl, Canadian lynx, goshawk, pine marten,
pileated woodpecker, wolverine, black-backed woodpecker, wolf, and bald eagle (USDA,
Forest Service 1998b).
Chapter 4 of the South Fork Clearwater River Landscape Assessment (SFLA) summarized habitat
needs into wildlife themes and treatment objectives that would help move vegetation patterns and
processes closer toward historic norms, theoretically providing the habitat changes necessary to
maintain and sustain all "at risk" species in the local landscape.
For American River ERU, three key wildlife habitat restoration themes emerged: 1) Produce early
serai habitat (very high priority); important for species such as black-backed woodpecker and Canada
lynx; 2) Conserve late serai habitat (Moderate priority), important for species such as fisher, marten,
Northern goshawk; and 3) Enhance wildlife security (moderate priority), important for species such as
Canada lynx and marten (SFLA, page 140-141).
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For Crooked River ERU, two key wildlife habitat restoration themes emerged: 1) Produce early serai
habitat (high priority), important for species such as black-backed woodpecker and Canada lynx; and
2) Conserve late serai habitat (low priority); important for benefiting species such as marten, fisher,
Northern goshawk (SFLA, page 148).
A discussion of impacts and opportunities for terrestrial species in the subbasin is provided in Chapter
3, pages 125-155.
FINE-SCALE: THE AMERICAN AND CROOKED RIVER PROJECT
The current mountain pine beetle infestation in the Elk City area within the Red River, Crooked River,
and American River drainages is killing many thousands of acres of lodgepole pines, most of which
are 6 inches in dbh or greater. The relative amounts of acreage planned for harvest by the American
and Crooked Project relative to the analysis area acreage (39,000) now under attack by beetles in
these drainages amounts to approximately 8 percent. The remaining areas will eventually be
regenerated naturally by wildfire as it has done for centuries. Many thousands of acres of dead,
standing trees will remain after the project is completed. For this reason, planned harvest treatments
will have relatively negligible impact to overall habitat availability for black-backed woodpecker, but
will help convert modest amounts of mid-serai timber now in abundance, to early serai habitat, a high
priority wildlife habitat restoration theme from the SFLA. Early serai habitat is important for habitat
mosaics and forage production used by lynx as well as carrion sources and ungulate prey of wolves
and wolverine.
The American and Crooked River Project will protect late serai habitats including all existing old
growth stands and generous amounts of future replacement old growth from harvest. This action is
consistent with the "conserve late serai" habitat restoration theme and will be beneficial for species
such as fisher, pine marten, goshawks, and pileated woodpecker. Regenerating limited, but well-
distributed acreages of mid-sera) timber ahead of anticipated wildfire disturbances would enhance
repatterning of forest vegetation, since no-late-seral stands are taken and due to minor reductions in
fuels, may help maintain patches of unburned habitat after expected major wildfire disturbances.
Partial cut harvests will account for jus over half of all proposed harvests in the project. The aim of
partial harvests is to remove excess fuel loading, while increasing proportions of long-lived, fire-
resistant species by restoring or regenerating western larch and ponderosa pine. Larch and
ponderosa pine are preferred as snags for pileated woodpeckers and are more likely to become large,
wildlife-preferred snags and down logs. Reductions in access through decommissioning of existing
roads will also contribute toward enhancement of overall wildlife security. Most of these actions are
consistent with viability associated habitat restoration aims cited in both the SFLA and ICBEMP.
Project activities in the American and Crooked River Project will accomplish the following:
• Protects and maintains all existing old growth within the project area. In addition, the project
strategically designates and protects abundant future replacement old growth stands located
adjacent to or "cluster-related" in their proximity to existing old growth stands. The project protects
riparian zones that help serve to connect old growth patches. In doing so, the project contributes
to long term populations viability for all old growth related species including but not limited to:
goshawk, fisher, marten, and pileated woodpecker.
• Converts 8 percent of the analysis area landscape from mid-serai to early serai conditions needed
for several species. Actions also promote, restore, and protect large diameter ponderosa pine and
larch in mixed conifer stands.
• Through widely distributed but modest levels of fuel removal, the project helps to reduce likelihood
of locally severe fire effects, potentially increasing survivability of nearby old growth habitats,
leaving a mosaic of habitat age classes which contribute to maintenance of a diverse habitat
landscape after the predicted fire disturbance.
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• Reduces and decommissions roads to help enhance wildlife security.
Specifically, the project will accomplish the following:
• Harvest up to a maximum of 3,402 acres (principally lodgepole pine), which amounts to
approximately 8 percent of the analysis area.
. No new permanent roads developed, but up to 14 miles of temporary roads (for harvest access)
would be developed and later decommissioned.
• Would decommission up to 37 miles of roadway.
• Would convert through harvest a total maximum of 3,402 acres from mid-serai to early-serai
conditions.
• Protect from harvest all existing old growth stands and maintain abundant future replacement old
growth.
• Incorporates road and stream improvements designed to help restore and maintain aquatic
habitats.
"AT-RISK" SPECIES DETAILS:
Project details from Alternative D of the American and Crooked Draft Environmental Impact Statement
supporting species viability:
FISHER
Fisher habitat has increased over historical conditions by 188 percent in American River and by 227
percent within the Crooked River drainage (SFLA, Wildlife Technical Report - Fisher). The project
harvests no existing old growth timber, protects replacement old growth to promote largest contiguous
block sizes, and improves security by decommissioning roadways.
LYNX
Current (1997) amounts of lynx denning habitat are 18 and 27 percent respectively in the project
LAUs. Only 1 percent in each LAD is mapped as unsuitable. The project (Alternative D) would
harvest and convert to early serai condition less than 1 percent and less than 3 percent of designated
lynx habitats in the American and Crooked River LAUs respectively.
NORTHERN GOSHAWK
Current (1997) amounts of goshawk habitat are more prevalent than historically. There is
approximately 205 percent and 179 percent as much suitable habitat present as historically (SFLA,
Wildlife Technical Report - Goshawk). No existing old growth stands would be harvested. Nest trees
would be protected by a 10-15 acre buffer.
PINE MARTEN
The current (1997) extent of available marten habitat in American and Crooked River drainages is 223
percent and 284 percent respectively. No existing old growth stands would be harvested.
PlLEATED WOODPECKER
The current (1997) extent of available pileated woodpecker habitat is 275 percent and 289 percent of
historic levels n the American River and Crooked River drainages respectively. Harvest in mixed
conifer stands (about 30-35 percent of total harvest) would amount to less than 3 percent of high
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quality pileated woodpecker habitats on national forest lands in these drainages. No existing old
growth stands would be harvested.
WOLVERINE
The project analysis area lacks seclusion from human influence, has no high elevation cirque basins
within the analysis area, but project activities improve potential elk (carrion) habitat suitability as well
as wolverine foraging area security by reducing motorized access.
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER
The current (1997) extent of suitable black-backed woodpecker habitat is 88 percent and 141 percent
of historic levels within the American and Crooked River drainages respectively (SFLA, Wildlife
Technical Report - Black-backed woodpecker). Harvest acres would amount to approximately 8
percent of the overall acres of potential black-backed wood pecker habitat in the analysis area. Given
the current mountain pine beetle epidemic and risk of fires in the next decade, black-backed
woodpecker habitat quality and abundance is rising across the entire analysis area landscape.
BALD EAGLE
The project area is high elevation habitat, well outside the lower elevation river corridors used by
wintering bald eagles on the Forest.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on application of carefully-designed actions and habitat restoration strategies in the American
and Crooked River Project and in consideration of the species population monitoring data collected to
date, the evidence fully supports the conclusion that all monitored terrestrial management indicator
and federally listed species are maintaining or increasing local populations and will likely continue to
do so after implementation of the American and Crooked River Project.
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