consistent with the Revised L<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Resource Management Plan, Sumter National Forest (RLRMP, 2004). Undesirable hardwoods such as but not limited to sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), <strong>and</strong> non-native invasive plant species will be controlled by prescribed burning so that nNative grasses <strong>and</strong> forbs would dominate in the open gaps in the canopy following created by thinning <strong>and</strong> control of undesirable hardwoods, including sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), <strong>and</strong> non-native invasive plant species. Associated activities required for maintenance of these sites, <strong>and</strong> addressed in other decisions include non-native invasive plant control (USDANNIS EA, 2009). B. Project Design Criteria 1. All firelines will be water-barred <strong>and</strong> seeded once project work is completed. 2. H<strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> rutting is not occurring. 5. Consolidate blocks for burning, where feasible, to limit the number of firelines constructed, which reduces erosion <strong>and</strong> 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 l<strong>and</strong>s 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 <strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> notify Sumter National Forest biological staff. If a roost site or nest is observed during prescribed burning, notify biological staff immediately <strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> fixed-wing aircraft will not operate within 1,000 feet of active roosts or nests; <strong>and</strong> 2 Formatted: Font: Italic Formatted: List Paragraph, Indent: Left: 0", Hanging: 0.38", Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: A, B, C, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt Formatted: List Paragraph, Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" Formatted: List Paragraph, Space Before: 0 pt, Line spacing: single, Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5", Widow/Orphan control, Adjust space between Latin <strong>and</strong> Asian text, Adjust space between Asian text <strong>and</strong> numbers, Pattern: Clear, Tab stops: Not at 0.48" Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.3 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.3 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.3 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.3 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt
c. If possible, smoke will be directed away from roost or nest trees. 3 Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.25 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color: Black, Condensed by 0.25 pt Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt Formatted: List Paragraph, Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5"
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