DECISION MEMO Prescribed Burn and Commercial Thinning ...

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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 8 71 Loblolly pine Prescribed Burn 63 9 64 Loblolly pine Prescribed Burn 63 10 31 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 63 20 9 Loblolly pine Prescribed Burn 4 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, Condensed by 0.3 pt Formatted: List Paragraph, Line spacing: single, Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 11 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5", Pattern: Clear, Tab stops: Not at 0.48" Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 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 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: 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 ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted ... Formatted: Indent: Hanging: 0.38"
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. 5 Formatted: Font: Bold Formatted: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: A, B, C, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5"
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