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

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Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project Shelterwood preparatory cuts (light partial cuts) make up a large portion of the previous timber harvest activity that occurred in the Analysis Area. These opened up the stands (removing about 1/3 of the basal area) to allow the present abundant natural regeneration of spruce and fir to become established. The six acres of the Hanson sale was a “shelterwood seed cut” that removed approximately 60% of the original basal area. Existing Condition The current structure of stands within the Analysis Area is primarily spruce/fir. The average age of the spruce/fir stands varies between 160 to 220 years. The stands may be characterized as dense, mature to over-mature Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir timber stands, with typical basal areas between 126 and 205 square feet. The density, stand age, and high percentage of spruce in the overstory made these stands susceptible to spruce beetle attack. Openings created in these stands by past timber harvest have regenerated to a dense mix of spruce and fir saplings. Table 3.5-2. Regeneration in Harvest Units Unit Number Existing Natural Regeneration (trees
Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project Alternative 2 – Full Salvage Harvest This alternative provides the opportunity to salvage dead and dying Engelmann Spruce. This would be accomplished with ground-based (tractor) logging methods. The intent of the salvage is to place timber on the market for the American public in time to capture the value of the beetle-killed spruce trees, before the effects of wood decay eliminates that value. The object of the silvicultural prescription would be to harvest only spruce trees, which were recently killed by, or are currently infested with, spruce beetle. No green, uninfected spruce trees would be harvested, and no green or dead subalpine fir would be harvested. Exceptions to this are those trees that must be removed from skid trails, landings, or for safety reasons, and areas designated for scenic patch cuts. The minimum number of spruce/fir snags, live fir, and live uninfected spruce to be left is specified by unit in the project design criteria, Chapter 2, Table 2.5-8. The stands are expected to have a below average susceptibility of windfall risk. Having been previously managed, these trees have been exposed to lower stocking densities and have developed wind firmness over time. Soils mapping for the area also shows a windthrow hazard as “slight” (Section 3.7) and stand boundaries are on east-facing slopes greater than 2000’ horizontal distance from ridgetops and saddles. Field reconnaissance shows only minor evidence of old windfall resulting from past management. With all factors considered, these mid-to-low slope units are considered to have low-to-moderate risk for windfall (Alexander 1987). Trees most susceptible to windthrow would be residual live overstory fir, which have greater wind resistance than snags. Any loss of these trees to windfall would not affect management objectives or future management activities within the analysis area. Following removal of the dead or dying spruce, the Forest Service would plant Engelmann spruce seedlings on those areas where post-sale reforestation surveys indicate that stocking is below the minimum Forest Plan standard of 150 trees per acre. The logging process itself would provide the necessary soil scarification, allowing seeds to reach mineral soil, and helping prepare the sites for planting. Light logging slash left in the woods would be used to benefit young seedlings by protecting them from excessive sunlight, extremes of temperature, desiccation, and grazing animals (Smith 1997). It is anticipated that up to 75 acres could require planting. Actual planting acres will be determined through regenerations surveys following management activities. Some openings (gaps) would be created in the units. Openings also would occur in Alternative 1 (No Action) when the dead trees fall. An opening in a forest canopy is associated with the death, blowdown, or other removal of all or a significant portion of the overstory trees. These gaps are often characterized by high structural and species diversity due to the growth of understory flora and colonization of new species, which are facilitated by the microclimatic conditions of the gap (Dunstar 1996). Patch cuts would be implemented across the units to mimic the visual landscape surrounding the analysis area. ¼ to 5 acre patch cuts would be placed throughout the units, removing all trees above 8 inches. See section 3.11 for a description of the patch cut’s effects on visual resources. Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-11
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