Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation ...

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
Table 2.5-2. Range Resources 2 3
Forest regeneration protection from cattle use:
During the project and reforestation period, cattle use will still occur, but heavily
concentrating the cattle will be avoided. This will be accomplished through Adaptive
Management, i.e., begin with a strategy of approved management tools, then, if that does not
work, other tools may be implemented. Starting management tools will be:
• Salt or supplement will not be placed in the Analysis Area
• Cattle will be allowed to drift into the Analysis Area, large numbers will not be
pushed into the Analysis Area
• If large numbers of cattle begin to use the Analysis Area, the herd will be dispersed
by riders
• Maintain a pasture rotation to avoid season-long grazing in the Analysis Area
x x
Table 2.5-3. Noxious Weeds 2 3
The timber purchaser will be required to clean all logging and construction equipment that
operates off roads prior to entry to the project area. Use standard timber sale contract
provisions to ensure appropriate equipment cleaning.
Haul routes and highly disturbed areas, such as landings, will be treated for noxious weed
infestations as needed for five years following harvest.
Soil disturbance will be minimized to the extent practical, consistent with project objectives.
Re-vegetate disturbed soil (except travel-ways on surfaced projects) in a manner that
optimizes plant establishment for that specific site. All organic material used for
rehabilitation: seed, straw, erosion control material, etc., will be certified weed free. Areas
where borrow material is used will be documented on a map with location of application.
These sites will be inspected for three years after project completion. Point of origin of the
borrow material will also be documented. All of these steps will be completed regardless if
Noxious Weeds were present at the borrow site or not.
x x
x x
x x
Road fill and road base material brought in off site will come from a borrow source free of
Colorado State Listed Noxious Weeds. The Forest Service will inspect and approve the
borrow source location prior to materials being hauled to the project area.
x x
Burn Piles will be mulched, scarified, fertilized and re-seeded after treatment. x x
Table 2.5-4. Timber Resources 2 3
In all sanitation/salvage stands that exceed 50 percent removal of overstory spruce,
reforestation surveys will be conducted, and if the survey indicates that Forest Plan stocking
standards will not be met, these stands will be artificially reforested with Engelmann spruce
seedlings to meet or exceed Forest Plan standards.
To reduce beetle habitat within logging units, all green and/or infested spruce material 6
inches diameter and larger will be yarded and decked at the landing. This material will be
treated within one year of decking.
To protect soil, leave trees, and regeneration, tractor skid roads will be located and approved
in advance of falling. Skid trails should be located to avoid areas of densest regeneration.
x x
x x
x x
Chapter 2 – Alternatives Page 2-10