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ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTION – ALTERNATIVE 2 – PROPOSED ACTION CHAPTER 2 percent of the unit area upon completion of harvest activities and/or machine piling of slash (unit H19). Three (3) of those units; H07, H38, and H41, currently exceed the 20 percent detrimental soil standard (Table 3-4, Soils Report). Thirty-three (33) acres would be subsoiled to reduce detrimental soil impacts to or below the 20 percent standard, or in the case of the three units that currently exceed the standard, to a level below the existing level. Subsoiling would be accomplished using a D6 or comparable crawler tractor pulling a winged subsoiler to a maximum depth of 24 inches. Units H10, H23, and H28 are also proposed for subsoiling even though post-harvest detrimental soil impacts are not projected to exceed the 20 percent standard (Table 3-4, Soils Report). Approximately two (2) acres would be subsoiled in units H10 and H23, primarily to obliterate and decommission system roads. Approximately 14 acres would be subsoiled in unit H28 to rehabilitate logging facilities (skid trails and landings) following shelterwood harvest in unit H28. In thinning units these facilities would be retained for future use; no such use is expected in unit H28 in the next 30 years. Non-commercial harvest could be accomplished with either the use of the same or similar types of mechanized equipment to fall and remove the material if commercial markets develop for some or all of the material or by hand felling and leaving on site. Where mechanized equipment was not used, all felling would be accomplished by hand using chain saws. Mechanized equipment would not be used in units P1 and P2. Assuming that machinery is utilized to harvest small diameter trees, two (2) additional units; P04 and P19, are projected to exceed the 20 percent standard upon completion of management activities. P04 currently exceeds the 20 percent standard; P19 does not (Table 3-4, Soils Report). A total of 10 acres would be subsoiled to reduce detrimental impacts. In unit P19, subsoiling would reduce the level of detrimental impacts to 20 percent. In Unit P04, subsoiling would reduce the level of detrimental soil impact to 23 percent or two (2) percent below current levels. Fuels Reduction Treatments in Xeric Shrublands and Forest Stands (20,170 acres) This alternative also proposes fuel reduction treatments on an additional 20,170 acres. Proposed treatments would reduce the risk of a wildfire damaging or destroying structures at the Pine Mountain Observatory, the facilities at the Antelope and Pine Mountain electronic sites, and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) substation in the Sand Springs Area. Treatments along Roads 18, 23, and 2017, major travel routes within the planning area, would improve safety for visitors and firefighters entering and leaving the planning area. All treatments would reduce fuel loadings and break up vertical and horizontal fuels, reducing the risk of crown fires as well as the risk of a large scale, high intensity wildfire fire adversely affecting other resource values including wildlife habitat and cultural resources. A total of 9,553 acres would include pretreating by the falling of all trees four (4) inches dbh and smaller using chain saws and then underburning. Ignition would be by hand. A total of 147 acres (units F28, F29, F31, and F40) along Roads 18 and 23 would be pretreated by felling all trees four (4) inches dbh and smaller followed by machine piling the slash in random locations using a ground based tractor with a brush rake. All piles would be burned and residual vegetation mowed. Vegetation height after mowing would be at least six to eight (6 to 8) inches in height. These units are all located along primary travel routes and would help to provide safe travel routes. A total of 2,140 acres would be pretreated by falling all trees less than four (4) inches dbh followed by machine piling, burning of the piles, and underburning. No hand or machine fireline would be constructed. 2-5
ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTION – ALTERNATIVE 2 – PROPOSED ACTION CHAPTER 2 A total of 335 acres (units R2A, R2B, R3Aeast and R3Awest) would have juniper trees nine (9) inches dbh and smaller felled. Slash would be lopped and scattered and left on site. No burning or mowing would follow. A total of 133 acres (unit R1B) would be treated by a combination of mowing and underburning to reduce fuel loadings associated with high shrub densities, particularly manzanita. Mowing would be limited to slopes of 25 percent or less on approximately 88 acres. Slopes over 25 percent, approximately 45 acres, would be treated by underburning. A total of 307 acres would be pretreated by felling all trees less than four (4) inches dbh. Residual understory vegetation would be mowed using the equipment and standards described previously. This would be followed by underburning. Mowing only would reduce fuel loadings on 192 acres. Underburning without additional treatments would be utilized on 5,299 acres. Unit R1A, 39 acres of the 5,299 acres would have prescribed fire applied to reduce fuel loadings associated with high shrub densities. Underburning beneath the dripline of residual trees would be done on 2,064 acres. Two and one half (2.5) miles of machine fireline (units F01, F07, F18, F38, and F39) would be required to reduce the potential of fire escaping and burning in areas not proposed for burning. Roads, trails, other physical features, and the laying of hoses would be used as firelines in lieu of constructed lines on the remainder of these units and in other fuel treatment units. Machine fireline would be constructed using an all season tracked vehicle (or comparable) with a straight blade. All vegetation would be removed down to mineral soil. Width of the machine line would be approximately three (3) feet. No hand fireline construction is planned under this alternative. Small segments of hand fireline may be necessary in some units where slopes exceed 30 percent and machine use is prohibited or restricted. Hand fireline would be constructed using hand tools and clearing all vegetation down to mineral soil within a strip approximately 18 to 24 inches wide. All fireline would be rehabilitated upon completion of prescribed burning activities by redistributing displaced topsoil and slash materials including unburned vegetation and woody debris over the line. This would reduce erosion and restrict or prohibit access by motorized and mechanized vehicles. Table 2-1 contains a description of the types of activities and their specific proposed locations (see map following table) across the landscape. The process used to strategically locate these units is based on field surveys and specialist input. Vegetation treatments are projected to result in the production of approximately 11,568 cunits (1 cunit = 100 cubic feet) or approximately 5.9 million board feet of solid wood fiber. 2-6
Page 1 and 2: United States Department of Agricul
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IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES CHAPTER 2
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IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES CHAPTER 2
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AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT & ENVIRONMENTA
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OTHER EFFECTS - CUMULATIVELY SIGNIF
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Environmental Assessment

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