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

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Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project A map with proposed patch locations is included in Appendix A, Map A-2. A total of 57 acres of patch cuts will be implemented. Patch cuts will closely resemble a group selection type harvest system. In this alternative approximately 13.1 MMBF would be harvested from 878 acres. The estimation of timber volume that would be removed is derived from three sources: 1) stand exam data taken in the early 1990’s, 2) this stand exam data projected to 2007 by the Forest Vegetation Simulation, Central Rockies Variant, and 3) field surveys in 2007 from which the estimated percent of infested spruce trees came. All of these sources are subject to some error. There is also the uncertainty whether or not the beetles will attack 100% of the spruce trees in those stands not already infested to that level. Therefore, these volumes must be considered our best estimates, subject to change. More precise data would come when the timber is actually cruised during the sale preparation process. The project design criteria for timber/silviculture (Chapter 2, Table 2.5-4) are routinely implemented in timber sales on the Forest. The design criteria are feasible because they can be incorporated into existing timber sale contract provisions. The design criteria have proven to be an effective means of assuring regeneration, achieving the desired results for minimizing the spread of spruce beetle, and providing for resource protection. Alternative 3 – Reduced Salvage Harvest In this alternative, approximately 607 acres and up to 9.9 MMBF would be harvested. A main difference between this alternative and Alternative 2 is that unit 1 and portions of units 2 and 5 would not be entered for timber harvest. See Appendix A, Map A-3. The effects of no action in the portions of these units that will not be harvested have already been discussed under the Alternative 1, No Action alternative. Approximately 56 acres are planned for artificial regeneration. Approximately 42 acres of patch cuts would be placed throughout the units. The effects of these cuts have been described under Alternative 2. A map with proposed patch locations is included in Appendix A, Map A-3. Since the effects of salvage on the remaining units have already been described under Alternative 2, no further discussion is necessary here. Cumulative Effects: Since most of the roads needed to harvest the timber are already in place, new road construction would not be a major factor. The sales proposed would share portions of a road system with the Wolf Beetle, Escarabajo and Spruce Park Salvage sales. Purchasers of these sales share the responsibility of road maintenance for the portions of roads they share. With the exception of minor amounts of blow-down salvage, no future timber harvests are anticipated in the salvage units in the immediate future. A summary of the acres of treatment for present and future timber harvest is presented in Table 3.5-3. Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-12
Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project Table 3.5-3. Present and Future Timber Harvest Timber Sale Acres Year Harvest Type Wolf Beetle Salvage 324 Present Sanitation / Salvage Escarabajo Salvage 211 Present Sanitation / Salvage Spruce Park Salvage 298 Present Sanitation / Salvage Neff Mountain Salvage Sales 122 Present Sanitation / Salvage Grouse Salvage Sales 527 Present Sanitation / Salvage Rio de los Pinos Sales 878 2009-2012 Sanitation / Salvage Past management activities have created age, structural, and species diversity throughout the Analysis Area. 3.6 Watershed and Aquatic Resources Scope of Analysis This analysis discusses watersheds and aquatic environments included in the Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Mangement Project. The analysis area lies within sixth level watershed 130100050501. The Analysis Area and streams within this watershed are shown in Figure 3.6-1. All stream channels on a United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 scale topographic map are included plus streams that were identified through contour crenulation. Precipitation in this watershed varies from about 25-45 inches a year, with the proposed harvest units receiving 30 inches or more. Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-13
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