DECISION MEMO Prescribed Burn and Commercial Thinning ...

DECISION MEMO 

Prescribed Burn and Commercial Thinning 

Compartment 63, Stands 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, and 20 

Enoree Ranger District 

Sumter National Forest 

Union County, South Carolina 

I. DECISION TO BE IMPLEMENTED 

A. Description of Decision 

It is my decision to implement management activities to improve timber stand and wildlife 

habitat by prescribed burning to reduce natural fuel buildup, and commercial thinning to 

enhance populations and habitat for the Forest Service sensitive species and candidate for 

federal listing, Georgia Aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum). 

I have decided to use prescribe burning on approximately 312 acres, and commercially 

thinning on 26 acres. Each stand is currently composed of closed canopied loblolly pine or 

upland hardwoods with a mid-story of hardwood trees such as red maple, sweet gum, 

dogwood, or sourwood. The desired condition is loblolly pine woodland with scattered 

patches of oaks and a diversity of herbaceous species. The stands analyzed have ongoing 

management covered under previous NEPA decisions (Bethesda Analysis Area and Lower 

Tyger Watershed Environmental Assessments). The loblolly pine stands are planned for 

harvest but there is also a need to treat woody fuels that would be a bi-product of the 

harvesting activities. Prescribed burning would be done to reduce excess fuels thus 

lowering the fire hazard. This would also improve plant growth and vigor and maintain or 

restore shade intolerant species population and the habitats to support them. 

A burn plan will be developed and will include a detailed map of specific areas to be 

burned. The burn plan receives an internal review and includes mitigation measures where 

necessary. Region 8 guidelines for prescribed burning, South Carolina smoke management 

guidelines, and appropriate soil and water guidelines will be followed. Landowners in the 

area will be notified before each burn. Appropriate permitting authorities, such as the South 

Carolina Forestry Commission, are notified of any prescribed burns. The South Carolina 

Forestry Commission's permitting process limits the cumulative effect of all planned 

burning in order to address air quality standards for smoke management. A monitoring plan 

will be developed as part of this project. 

The overstory pine component in Compartment 63, Stand 11 (26 acres) would will be 

commercially thinned to a residual basal area of approximately 50 square feet per acre 

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consistent with the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, Sumter National Forest 

(RLRMP, 2004). Undesirable hardwoods such as but not limited to sweetgum 

(Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), and non-native invasive plant species 

will be controlled by prescribed burning so that nNative grasses and forbs would dominate 

in the open gaps in the canopy following created by thinning and control of undesirable 

hardwoods, including sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), and 

non-native invasive plant species. Associated activities required for maintenance of these 

sites, and addressed in other decisions include non-native invasive plant control 

(USDANNIS EA, 2009). 

B. Project Design Criteria 

1. All firelines will be water-barred and seeded once project work is completed. 

2. Hand constructed firelines will be used when it is necessary to tie into streams. 

3. Ensure that no more than 15% of an area will have mineral soil exposed as a result of the 

burn. 

4. Construct firelines in the floodplains with tracked equipment only when soil moisture 

conditions are not excessively wet and rutting is not occurring. 

5. Consolidate blocks for burning, where feasible, to limit the number of firelines 

constructed, which reduces erosion and sedimentation. 

6. Limit fire in riparian areas. Fire entering these areas will be backing fires of low 

intensity. 

7. No burning on weekends in Compartments 63 to protect forest visitors that might be 

utilizing State Highway 176. 

8. Use wet lines or backfires adjacent to private lands to protect private property from fires 

that might damage facilities. 

9. If a bald eagle roost site or nest occurs within the project area, the following protective 

measures shall be followed: Sumter National Forest biological staff shall delineate a 

protection zone around the roost site or nest that extends a minimum of 660 feet. Activities 

that modify the forest canopy within this zone are prohibited. All management activities not 

associated with bald eagle management and monitoring are prohibited within this zone during 

the periods of use. (Roost use periods are determined through site-specific monitoring; 

breeding use periods are defined from October 1 through June 15.) 

10. If a bald eagle roost site or nest is observed within a burn block prior to prescribe burning, 

suspend burning operations and notify Sumter National Forest biological staff. If a roost site or 

nest is observed during prescribed burning, notify biological staff immediately and 

implement the following protective measures: 

a. Protect the roost or nest tree from fire by raking or clearing the vegetation from 

around the tree a sufficient distance to prevent crown fire or fire climbing the 

tree; 

b. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will not operate within 1,000 feet of active 

roosts or nests; and 

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c. If possible, smoke will be directed away from roost or nest trees. 

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11. Georgia aster sites will be designated by Sumter National Forest biological staff prior to 

prescribe burning or timber operations, and the following protective measures will be 

implemented: 

a. Avoid Georgia aster sites during dozer and/or hand line construction; 

b. Directionally fall trees away from Georgia aster sites during the timber sale in 

compartment 63, stand 11,; and 

c. Keep logging and other heavy equipment outside of Georgia aster sites. 

12. The following protective measures will be implemented with the construction of all 

firelines: 

a. Handlines shall be used for fireline construction within riparian corridors for all 

perennial, intermittent, and channelized ephemeral streams (see Forest Plan for riparian 

corridor minimum widths); and 

b. Water-bars or other water diversion structures shall be installed on firelines on 

slopes that exceed 2%. Firelines shall be smoothed and revegetate promptly 

after the prescribed bum is completed. 

B.C. Location 

The areas to be burned are located in the Enoree Ranger District, Union County, South 

Carolina. Maps of the areas are located at the Tyger Office of the Enoree Ranger District. 

Specific compartments are listed below: 

Stands to be Treated 

Compartment Stand Number Gross Acres Forest type Proposed Treatment 

63 7 64 Loblolly pine Prescribed Burn 




63 11 26 Loblolly pine Commercial thinning/ 

Prescribed Burn 

63 12 34 Hardwood Prescribed Burn 

63 15 13 Hardwood Prescribed Burn 


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Total Area 312 Gross Acres 

D. Forest Plan Goals and Objectives 

C. Purpose and Need 

Prescribed Burning 

The intensity and frequency of fire in the Piedmont has played a significant role in the 

development of pine and hardwood stands. In a vast majority of these stands, the objective is 

to reduce the amount of fuels available so that a destructive wildfire will not occur. A 

subsequent benefit of these low intensity burns is the development and maintenance of fireadapted 

grasses, forbs, and flowering plants. These plant species benefit wildlife and 

maintain or increase plant diversity. Additionally prescribed fire makes the area more open 

and visually appealing. 

The primary objective of burning these stands is to reduce fuel loads, which decreases the 

risks of, and from, catastrophic wildfire. Flammable fuels, such as pine needles, can build up 

to hazardous levels within a few years. The majority of the areas proposed for burning have 

not been burned in at least 15 years and the fuel build up in these areas needs to be reduced to 

decrease wildfire hazards. 

These areas will be implemented as part of the Enoree Ranger District's annual program of 

approximately 10,000 to 15,000 acres. The burn block will be several hundred acres in size. 

Small blocks may be necessary in certain circumstances. These areas are scheduled to be 

burned during the dormant season (December - March). In order to treat this increased 

number of acres, ignition of the large block will be accomplished using a helicopter and 

plastic sphere dispensers ("ping-pong balls"). Use of aerial ignition will depend upon the 

availability of a helicopter. The remaining areas will be ignited manually, using "drip 

torches". All burning must be completed within specific burning parameters, which limits the 

number of acres that can be prescribed burn within a year (USDA, 2008). 

A secondary benefit is an improvement in wildlife habitat for a variety of game and nongame 

species. The understory component of many of the areas proposed for burning are lacking in 

herbaceous vegetation. Prescribed fire generally increases the growth of grasses and forbs 

and other understory plants. 

Commercial thinning 

Many stands of older, mature timber are very crowded (have high basal areas) that result in 

increased competition for growing space, water, nutrients and light, increasing stress on 

individual trees and the potential for disease and insect infestation. 

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Compartment 63, Stand 11 (26 acres) is a dense loblolly pine stand with a build-up of natural 

fuels on the ground causing an undesirable fire hazard. Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum 

georgianum), a candidate species as listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 

was discovered along with non-native invasive plants including Japanese honeysuckle and 

mimosa (Albizia julibrissin). Georgia aster is a relict species of post oak savanna/prairie 

communities that existed in the Southeast prior to widespread fire suppression and 

extirpation of large native grazing animals. It occupies a variety of dry habitats; the primary 

controlling factor appears to be the availability of light. The majority of the remaining 

Georgia aster populations survive adjacent to roads, along woodland borders, in dry, rocky 

woods and within utility rights-of-way and other openings where current land management 

mimics natural disturbance regimes. Most populations are small, and since the species’ main 

mode of reproduction is vegetative, each isolated population probably represents just a few 

genotypes. Many existing populations are threatened by woody plant succession due to fire 

suppression, development, and highway expansion/improvement and herbicide application 

(USFWS 2002). 

Commercial thinning in Stand 11 will reduce competition and stress among residual trees, 

enhance growth and health, reduce the potential for disease and insect infestation, and 

enhance open woodland habitat conditions for wildlife and shade-intolerant plant species, 

including Georgia Aster. Associated activities required for maintenance of this site, and 

addressed in other decisions (Georgia Aster population and Habitat Enhancement Decision 

Memo, 2004), include seed collecting, out-planting, monitoring and non-native invasive plant 

control (USDA, 2009). 

This project is consistent with the following goals and objectives of the “Revised Land and 

Resource Management Plan” (USDA, 2004): Specific goals identified in the LRMP, that 

guided this project include: 

Goal 10: Continue to the conservation and recovery of federally-listed species and take 

necessary actions to maintain viable populations of all species thereby avoiding the 

need to list those species. 

o Objective 10.02: Maintain or restore at least 8 self-sustaining populations for Georgia 

aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) …., and the habitat to support them. 

Goal 14: Manage forest ecosystems and associated communities to maintain or restore 

composition, structure, function and productivity over time. 

Goal 17: Manage forest stands so they are less susceptible to insect and disease. 

o Objective 17.01: Improve forest health on 10,000-50,000 acres of pine forests by 

reducing stand density. 

Goal 20: Maintain and restore fire adapted ecosystems by reducing hazardous fuels 

through the use of prescribed fire and mechanical fuel treatments. 

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II. REASONS FOR CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDING THE DECISION 

A. Category of Exclusion 

I have considered the best available science in making this decision. The project record 

demonstrates a thorough review of relevant scientific information, consideration of 

responsible opposing views, and, where appropriate, the acknowledgment of incomplete or 

unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and risk. 

No extraordinary circumstances exist that would cause this project to have significant 

impacts. Mitigation measures would adequately protect soil productivity. These actions 

would not individually or collectively have a significant impact on the quality of the human 

environment; therefore, no Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) will be prepared. Prescribe Burning project falls under Revised Policy and 

Procedures Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 30, Section 32.2 Number 6(iv) (“Timber stand 

and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities which do not include the use of herbicides or 

do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction: Prescribed Burning to 

reduce natural fuels buildup and improve plant vigor.”) 

Commercial thinning project falls under Revised Policy and Procedures Handbook 

1909.15, Chapter 30, Section 32.2, Number 12(ii) (“Harvest of live trees not to exceed 70 

acres, requiring no more than ½ mile of temporary road construction: Commercial thinning 

of overstocked stands to achieve the desired stocking level to increase health and vigor.”) 

{Service level D, FSH 7709.56}). Projects that fall under these categories may be excluded 

from documentation in an EA or EIS, but a project file and a Decision Memo are required. 

Prescribe Burning project falls under Revised Policy and Procedures Handbook 1909.15, 

Chapter 30, Section 32.2 Number 6(iv) (“Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement 

activities which do not include the use of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of 

low standard road construction). 

B. Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances 

1. Threatened and Endangered Species or Their Critical Habitat and Regional Forester’s 

Sensitive Species - 

The Endangered Species Act requires that federal activities do not jeopardize the 

continued existence of any species federally listed or proposed as threatened or endangered, 

or result in adverse modification to such species’ designated critical habitat. In accordance 

with Section 7(c) of this Act, a list of the listed and proposed, threatened or endangered 

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species that may be present in the project area was compiled. There is no critical habitat 

for any federally listed species within the area. As required by this Act, potential effects of 

this decision on listed species have been analyzed and documented in a Biological 

Evaluation. It was determined that this decision will not likely adversely affect the listed 

species or their critical habitats. 

Sensitive Species Manual direction at 2670 requires analysis of potential impacts to 

sensitive species, those species for which the Regional Forester has identified population 

viability is a concern. In 2011, the Regional Forester approved the sensitive species list. 

Potential effects of this decision on sensitive species have been analyzed and documented 

in a Biological Evaluation. This decision will not lead to the loss of viability, or cause a 

trend toward federal listing, of any species on the Regional Forester’s sensitive species list. 

Floodplains, Wetlands, or Municipal Watersheds -– 

2. 

Floodplains: Executive Order 11988 is to avoid adverse impacts associated with the 

occupancy and modification of floodplains. Floodplains are defined by this order as, “. . . 

the lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters including 

floodprone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that area subject to a one 

percent [100-year recurrence] or greater chance of flooding in any one year.” 

This decision does not include activities within floodplains. This has been validated by 

map and site-review. Therefore, the project will have no significant floodplain-related 

impacts. 

Wetlands: Executive Order 11990 is to avoid adverse impacts associated with destruction 

or modification of wetlands. Wetlands are defined by this order as, “. . . areas inundated by 

surface or ground water with a frequency sufficient to support and under normal 

circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires 

saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands 

generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas such as sloughs, potholes, wet 

meadows, river overflows, mud flats, and natural ponds.” 

This decision does not include activities within wetlands. This has been validated by map 

and site-review. Therefore, the project will have no significant wetland-related impacts. 

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Municipal Watersheds: Municipal watersheds are managed under multiple use 

prescriptions in the Revise Land and Resource Management Plans (USDAForest Plan, 

2004). 

There are no municipal watersheds on the Forest. This decision will not affect municipal 

watersheds. 

3. Native American religious or cultural sites – 

2. 

The District Archaeologist has determined that the project will have no effect on historical 

sites, which may qualify for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. If any 

cultural sites are encountered during project implementation, project activities at the site 

will be discontinued and the Cultural Resources specialist will be consulted. The 

Archaeological review is on file in the project folder (Report on Project File). 

4. Congressionally designated areas such as Wilderness, Inventoried Roadless areas, Research 

Natural Areas-- 

3. 

There are no congressionally designated or proposed, Wilderness, Inventoried Roadless 

(RARE II or Forest Plan) or research natural areas (USDAForest Plan,, 2004, p. 2-23) 

within or adjacent to this project area. 

I have considered the best available science in making this decision. The project record 

demonstrates a thorough review of relevant scientific information, consideration of 

responsible opposing views, and, where appropriate, the acknowledgment of incomplete or 

unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and risk. 

No extraordinary circumstances exist that would cause this project to have significant 

impacts. Design criteria will adequately protect soil productivity. These actions would not 

individually or collectively have a significant impact on the quality of the human 

environment; therefore, no Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) will be prepared. 

III. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 

Public involvement included listing in the Forest's Schedule of Proposed Actions and a 

scoping letter was mailed to interested parties and adjacent landowners and made available 

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on the forest website. This mailing list is on file in the project record. No** comments 

were received on this project. 

The project was reviewed by several Forest Service professionals, representatives from the 

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Forestry 

Commission. 

Public involvement included listing in the Forest's Schedule of Proposed Actions and a 

scoping letter was mailed to interested parties and adjacent landowners and made available 

on the forest website. This mailing list is on file in the project record. 

IV. FINDINGS REQUIRED BY LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

My decision will comply with all applicable laws and regulations. I have summarized 

some pertinent ones below: 

Forest Plan Consistency (National Forest Management Act) - This Act requires the 

development of long-range land and resource management plans (Plans). The Sumter 

National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan was revised in 2004, as required by 

this Act. The plan provides for guidance for all natural resource management activities. 

The Act requires all projects and activities are consistent with the Plan. The Plan has been 

reviewed in consideration of this project. This decision is responsive to guiding direction 

contained in the Plan, as summarized in Section I of this document. This decision is 

consistent with the Plan. 

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Comment [jk1]: Can you briefly summarize the 

public comments and say how they were addressed. 

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Endangered Species Act - See Section II, Item B1 of this document (Project File). 

Sensitive Species (Forest Service Manual 2670) - See Section II, Item B1 of this document. 

(Project File) 

Clean Water Act - This Act is to restore and maintain the integrity of waters. The Forest 

Service complies with this Act through the use of Best Management Practices. This 

decision incorporates Best Management Practices to ensure protection of soil and water 

resources (Project File). 

Wetlands (Executive Order 11990) - See Section II, Item B2 of this document. 

Floodplains (Executive Order 11988) - See Section II, Item B2 of this document. 

National Historic Preservation Act - See Section II, Item B3 of this document. 

Archaeological Resources Protection Act - See Section II, Item B3 of this document. 

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act - See Section II, Item B4 of this document. 

Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898) - This Order requires consideration of 

whether projects would disproportionately impact minority or low-income populations. 

This decision complies with this Act. Public involvement occurred for this project, the 

results of which I have considered in this decision-making. Public involvement did not 

identify any adversely impacted local minority or low-income populations. This decision is 

not expected to adversely impact minority or low-income populations. 

National Environmental Policy Act - This Act requires public involvement and 

consideration of potential environmental effects. The entirety of documentation for this 

decision supports compliance with this Act. 

V. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OR APPEAL OPPORTUNITIES 

This decision is not subject to notice, comment, and appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215 

215.12(f) and 215.4. 

VI. IMPLEMENTATION DATE 

This decision may be implemented immediately. 

Implementation is scheduled to begin on or after September 25, 2011. 

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Further information about this decision can be obtained from the District Ranger, Beth 

LeMaster, during normal office hours (weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Enoree 

Ranger District, 3557 Whitmire Hwy, Union, SC 29379, or by telephone (864) 427-9858. 

ELIZABETH T. LEMASTER Date 

District Ranger 

Enoree Ranger District 

Sumter National Forest 

. 

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, VII. REFERENCES political beliefs, reprisal, AND or because DATA all or SOURCES 

part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information 

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTD).To file a complaint of 

discrimination, --USDA write Forest to Service. USDA, Director, 2004. Office Revised of Civil Land Rights, and 1400 Resource Independence Management Avenue, S.W., Plan Washington, - Sumter D.C. National 20250-9410, Forest. or call (800) 

795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, and religion, age, disability, 

--USDA Forest Service. 1989. Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Vegetation 

political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who 

Management in the Coastal Plain/Piedmont. 

require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, 

Whitten --USDA Building, Forest 14th and Service. Independence 2008. Avenue, Prescribed SW, Washington, Burning on DC the 20250-9410 Piedmont or call of the (202) Sumter 720-5964 National (voice and Forest TDD). USDA is an 

equal Environmental opportunity provider Assessment. 

and employer. 

--USDA Forest Service. 2003. Bethesda Analysis Area Environmental Assessment – Sumter National 

Forest. 

--USDA Forest Service. 2009. Lower Tyger River Watershed Environmental Assessment – Sumter 

National Forest. 

--USDA Forest Service. 2011. Biological Assessment/Evaluation- Bethesda Georgia Aster Burn – Sumter 

National Forest. 

--USDA Forest Service. 2009. Non-Native Invasive Plant Control on the Sumter National Forest 

Environmental Assessment, Region 8. 

--USDA Forest Service. 1989. Guide for Prescribed Fire in Southern Forest. Southern Region. 

Tech. Publ. R8- TP 11. 

--US Federal Register. 1977. Executive Order 11990 – Protection of Wetlands – 42 FR 26961. 

--US Federal Register. 1977. Executive Order 11988 – Floodplain Management – 42 FR 26951. 

--South Carolina Forestry Commission. 2003. South Carolina's Best Management Practices for Forestry. 

--South Carolina forestry Commission. 1996. Smoke Management Guidelines for Vegetative Debris 

Burning Operations in the State of South. 

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VIII. MITIGATION MEASURES 

The Interdisciplinary Team discussed the potential impacts to soil productivity and wildlife 

from prescribed burning. 

While there are potential risks to impact soil productivity, the dormant season burns should 

not reduce soil productivity. The recommended mitigation measures developed would ensure 

a cooler burn, which reduces litter and duff removal. Relevant mitigation measures that limit 

impacts to soil and water include, but are not limited to: 

1. Water bar and seed all fire lines after the burn is complete. 

2. Use hand tools when it is necessary to tie a fireline into stream channels. 

3. Ensure that no more than 15% of an area will have mineral soil exposed as a result of the 

burn. 

4. Construct water bars at frequent intervals to slow surface runoff (See BMPs for 

recommended 

spacing for water bars). 

5. Construct firelines in the floodplains with tracked equipment only when soil moisture 

conditions are not excessively wet and rutting is not occurring. 

6. Consolidate blocks for burning, where feasible, to limit the number of fire lines 

constructed, which reduces erosion and sedimentation. 

7. Limit fire in riparian areas. Fire entering these areas will be backing fires of low intensity. 

(Under dormant season burning conditions, riparian areas are usually damp and fire does not 

carry in these areas.) 

8. No burning on weekends in Compartments 63 to protect forest visitors that might be 

utilizing State Highway 176. 

9. Use wet lines or backfires adjacent to private lands to protect private property from hot 

fires that might damage facilities. 

The District Zone Wildlife Biologist, along with consultation with US Fish and Wildlife 

Service, identified mitigation Measures that limits the impacts to wildlife species, including 

PETS species (USDA, 2011): 

1. If a bald eagle roost site or nest occurs within the project area, the following protective 

measures shall be followed: Sumter National Forest biological staff shall delineate a 

protection zone around the roost site or nest that extends a minimum of 660 feet. Activities 

that modify the forest canopy within this zone are prohibited. All management activities not 

associated with bald eagle management and monitoring are prohibited within this zone during 

the periods of use. (Roost use periods are determined through site-specific monitoring; 

breeding use periods are defined from October 1 through June 15.) 

14

2. If a bald eagle roost site or nest is observed within a burn block prior to prescribe burning, 

suspend burning operations and notify Sumter National Forest biological staff. If a roost site or 

nest is observed during prescribed burning, notify biological staff immediately and 

implement the following protective measures: 

a. Protect the roost or nest tree from fire by raking or clearing the vegetation from 

around the tree a sufficient distance to prevent crown fire or fire climbing the 

tree; 

b. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft shall not operate within 1,000 feet of active 

roosts or nests; and 

c. If possible, smoke shall be directed away from roost or nest trees. 

3. Georgia aster sites shall be designated by Sumter National Forest biological staff prior to 

prescribe burning or timber operations, and the following protective measures shall be 

implemented: 

a. Avoid Georgia aster sites during dozer and/or handline construction; 

b. During the timber sale in compartment 63, stand 11, directionally fall trees away 

from Georgia aster sites; and 

c. Keep logging and other heavy equipment outside of Georgia aster sites. 

4. The following protective measures shall be implemented with the construction of all 

firelines: 

a. Handlines shall be used for fireline construction within riparian corridors for all 

perennial, intermittent, and channelized ephemeral streams (see Forest Plan for 

riparian corridor minimum widths); and 

b. Water bars or other water diversion structures shall be installed on firelines on 

slopes that exceed 2%. Firelines shall be smoothed and revegetate promptly 

after the prescribed bum is completed. 

15

DECISION MEMO Prescribed Burn and Commercial Thinning ...

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