Deadwood Ecosystem Analysis, Boise National Forest, ID

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Deadwood Ecosystem Analysis, Boise National Forest, ID

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Lowman Ranger District of the Boise National Forest will

prepare an environmental impact statement on a proposal to initiate

ecosystem management and restoration projects in the Deadwood River

drainage. This proposal will consist of watershed improvements,

wildlife habitat maintenance, vegetation restoration and prescribed

fire. A landscape scale analysis approach has been applied to the

Deadwood Ecosystem. Using the National Hierarchical of Ecological Units

the Deadwood Landscape has been classified into progressively smaller

areas of uniform ecological potentials for use in ecosystem management.

Ecological units have been delineated by similar patterns of (1)

potential natural communities, (2) soils, (3) hydrological function,

(4) landforms and topography, (5) lithology, (6) climate, (7) air

quality and (8) natural processes for cycling plant biomass and

nutrients.

Data for the analysis was processed using timber stand examination

data, aerial photography interpretations, existing stream and soil

surveys, road inventories, recreation planning records, cultural

resource surveys, historical accounts from the State of Idaho and State

Fish and Game, Native Americans, Boise Forest historical and planning

records, satellite imagery, local and regional Geographical Information

Systems (GIS) coverages and conversations with local residents. Land

system inventories, vegetation data, historical accounts, and fire

history are the key elements used in determining landscape elements,

patterns, and processes.

COMMENTS: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be

received in writing on or before November 1, 1994. Mail comments to, or

for further information contact, Dautis Pearson Lowman Ranger District,

Boise National Forest, HC 77 Box 3020, Lowman, ID 83637, Telephone:

208-259-3361.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Analysis on the Deadwood drainage has

applied a landscape level analysis process to determine existing

ecosystem conditions. From this analysis we have determined what

ecosystems need to be maintained across the landscape dependent on the

physical environment and the types of neighboring ecosystems. Focusing

on the maintenances of the pieces we will be pursuing species and

biological diversity at all levels. Restoration practices to meet these

goals will be determined according to land suitability and biological

needs. Integration of the social and political aspects of Deadwood

ecosystem analysis have been examined at their appropriate scale.

The purposes of the Deadwood Landscape Analysis proposal is to (1)

restore and maintain the health and long-term sustainability of the

Deadwood ecosystem through treatment of identified high risk and hazard

stands, so that natural processes can be used to maintain the ecosystem

in the future. (2) to maintain species diversity at the landscape level

by maintaining a minimum of 40 percent of the landscape in the matrix,

50 percent in patch condition and 10 percent in corridors. This will

ensure that healthy and viable populations of all the native species of

flora and fauna characteristic of the Deadwood Ecosystem will be

present now and into the future. (3) minimize risks to users, and

maintain long-term ecological integrity along the southern portion of

the Deadwood River corridor. (4) compare existing ecological conditions

with historic and determine a historic range of variability specific to

the Deadwood Ecosystem, for all resources. (5) ensure long-term

persistence of the aquatic ecosystem encompassing goals and objectives

of the draft Bull Trout Conservation Agreement (BTCA) developed by the

State of Idaho. (6) priorities treatment of sites at high risk

individually (suited and unsuited) from fire, insect and disease which

are threatening neighboring low risk sites. (7) treat a percentage of

the sites in the northern portion of the drainage which may be within

the historic range but have altered fire regimes, in order to avoid or

reduce the severity of potential fire. (8) map and establish

recreational sites and determine elements that may be compromising the

ecological integrity of the Deadwood drainage. Provide a plan to

relocate and/or develop these areas and establish guidelines for

outfitter and public recreation. (9) monitor and apply adaptive

management techniques to ensure that treatments meet goals and

objectives of ecosystem and landscape desired conditions.

This preliminary analysis has demonstrated through risk and hazard

assessment the large number of stands at risk from insect and disease

epidemics and catastrophic wildfires. Past logging practices, fire

suppression and drought have all attributed to a shift in species

composition and density. This conversion of diverse landscapes to

homogeneous landscapes will decrease plant and animal diversity,

species viability, and distribution, moving the area outside the

historic range of variability. In order to maintain structural

diversity and spatial heterogeneity across the landscape over time, all

acres in the Deadwood landscape need to be considered.

Deadwood Landscape Integrated Proposed Action: The Proposed Action

will consider all 152,966 acres in the Deadwood drainage over the next

10 years where treatment is necessary. Monitoring of changes across the

landscape will be crucial to the success of this project as to allow

for adaptive management as monitoring results indicate needed

adjustments. This proposal will be divided into fire groups, cover

types, and structural classes by Ecological Management Units (EMU).

Treatment by EMUs would vary at the site level scale, depending on site

specific stand conditions and the relationship to the landscape level

scale.

Project Features: Construct a shallow water important (partnership

with BOR) on approximately 10 acres of the Deadwood Reservoir to create

or restore wetland habitat for waterfowl and associated species.

Protect and maintain Whitehawk Basin, monitoring change conditions.

Evaluate the use of prescribed and/or prescribed natural fire to

maintain the integrity of the meadow. Protect Tranquil Basin area

maintaining the riparian meadow. Monitor changes.

Evaluate past harvest along the west side of the reservior to

determine species composition shift from previous methods. Restore

through thinning and reforestation.

Develop a drainage basin recreation plan based on ecological,

social and economical needs, including outfitter and guide permits for

the lower Deadwood River area.

Reconstruction and/or modification of approximately 30 miles of

existing roads, to control sedimentation and erosion hazards. Build

approximately 10 miles of road to access areas south of Deadwood

Reservoir. This road would begin from the No-man road #503 and run

south along the Deadwood River. Build approximately 6 mines of new road

along Scott Creek for access into Six Mile Creek and Scott Creek. Build

approximately 3 miles of road to access areas northwest of Deadwood

Reservoir along Goat Creek, and Wild Buck Creek. Build approximately 2

miles of road to access areas southwest of Deadwood Reservoir in the

Trail Creek area. All new roads and approximately 10 miles of existing

roads would be closed, obliterated and revegetated at the end of the

project. Road closures would be determined on wildlife needs and soil

requirements.

Riparian areas and Meadows: Approximately 8,000 acres of streamside

riparian and dry and wet meadows exist throughout the drainage.

Extensive stream surveys will be concluded this summer as stated in the

above methodology. To ensure long-term persistence of bull trout the

aquatic ecosystem assessment will encompass goals and objectives of the

Bull Trout Conservation Agreement (BTCA) developed by the State of

Idaho. The agreement promotes bull trout recovery by maintaining and

restoring the ecological processes that create and maintain good fish

habitat. The key concept of the BTCA is to maintain and restore viable,

multiple life populations of the species by establishing site-specific

riparian management objectives relative to critical habitat parameters

essential for bull trout productivity. Stream improvement projects,

silvicultural treatment, and prescribed fire will be used on these

acres to maintain or enhance water quality, maintain or improve

conditions for viable fish populations and to prevent encroachment or

deterioration of the riparian meadows. Some of these areas are at high

risk to fire and spruce beetles. Most of these areas are at a moderate

hazard except for those subdrainages next to high risk, high hazard

upland sites.

Miscellaneous Cover Types, Fire Group 0: Approximately 2,700 acres

of brushfields exist predominately in the southern portion of the

Deadwood drainage. Extensive site inventories will be concluded on

these areas during the summer of 1994. At present dominate use of these

areas are winter range for deer and elk. These areas are at low risk

and hazard. We propose to use prescribed fire on these acres to enhance

wildlife winter range taking pressure off of the Lowman Fire area.

Treatment of stands in Fire Groups 2, 3 and 4 adjacent to these

brushfields would be treated first so that underburning of these stands

could take place at the same time.

Structure Class 1, Grass/Forbs: Fire Group 3--Warm moist ponderosa

pine habitat types. Approximately 3,500 acres of previously harvested

areas exist in this Fire Group 3. These stands currently have 500--900

TPA and basal area is not known. Diseased overstories would be removed

to control Douglas-fir mistletoe. Fire Group 4--Cool dry Douglas-fir

habitat types. Approximately 4,000 acres in Fire Group 4 in the central

portion of the Deadwood drainage would be treated with the same

treatment. These stands are at low risk and hazard. Due to the response

of trees at these smaller diameters, TPA would vary as to species. Fire

Group 7--Cool habitat types usually dominated by lodgepole pine.

Approximately 1,000 acres in Fire Group 7 located in the upper central

area would be non-commercially thinned. Approximately 2,000 acres in

Fire Group 4 in the central portion would be treated with the same

treatment. These stands are at low risk and hazard. Due to the response

of trees at these smaller diameters, TPA would vary as to species. Fire

Group 8, 9-8--Dry, lower subalpine habitat types. Fire Group 9--Moist,

lower subalpine habitats. Stands which are predominately avalanche

chutes and areas of less then 5 trees per acre (TPA) would be monitored

for successional changes. Areas of the Deadwood Summit fire in Fire

Group 9 would also be monitored for recovery rate and succession

transition.

Structure Class 2, seedlings/saplings: Approximately 3,000 acres of

Fire Groups 3, 4, 7 exist from previous harvest and other disturbances.

Treatment may include overstory removal of diseased trees and pre-

commercial thinning. Non-commercial and/or commercial thinning of

lodgepole stands in Fire Group 7 to 150--300 TPA (27 Basal Area (BA))

to release understories of Douglas-fir and subalpine fir. In Fire Group

8, thirty percent of the dense stands where Douglas-fir beetle has

invaded would be treated given the guidelines of the prescriptions. The

remainder of these stands would be left untreated to maintain this

component at the landscape level. Prescribed fire will be used where

applicable after treatment.

Structure Class 3, poles/saplings: No treatment other then non-

commercial thinning would occur on these acres unless their

relationship to other stands creates a hazard.

Structure Class 4, immature-mature: Fire Group 5--Moist Douglas-fir

habitats. These stands are collapsing from Douglas-fir bark beetle

attacks. Apply prescription for high risk on approximately 5,000 acres.

Structure Class 5, mature to over-mature: In fire groups 3 and 4

harvest 4,500 acres using prescription guidelines. Prescribed fire

would be used after silvicultural treatment. These stands are at high

risk and high hazard and constitute high hazards to stands in close

proximity. The stands in fire group five are collapsing from Douglas-

fir bark beetle attacks. Apply prescription for high risk on

approximately 2,000 acres. Reduce density in thick lodgepole areas on

4,400 acres in Fire Group 7 using commercial and pre-commercial

thinning following prescription guidelines for associated risk and

hazard. On approximately 1,000 acres of dense stands of subalpine fir

in Fire Group 7, create openings following prescriptions guidelines.

The remainder of these acres would be left. The 9,000 acres of Fire

Group 8 apply the same treatment to these dense and contiguous stands

of subalpine fir creating openings on approximately 3,500 acres

following prescription guidelines for risk and hazard. These stands are

at low risk but high hazard because of the contiguous acre. The 2,700

acres of Fire Group 9, structure class 5 are open patchy areas which

are within the historic range and would not be treated. They would be

re-evaluated after 5 years.

Structure Class 6 over-mature: Harvest 8,000 acres of the 15,000

acres which are at high risk and high hazard to prescription guidelines

in fire groups 3, 4 and 5. Approximately 1,000 acres could be treated

with prescribed fire, but is located in steep and rugged terrain. These

stands are at high risk and high hazard and constitute high hazards to

stands in close proximity. Reduce density in thick lodgepole areas on

600 of the 18,000 acres in Fire Group 7 using commercial and non-

commercial thinning following prescription guidelines for associated

risk and hazard. Harvest 10,000 acres following prescription guidelines

for risk and hazard. Reduction of fire hazard would also occur.

Approximately 5,000 acres of the 18,000 acres in these fire groups are

lodgepole pine thickets along the northern portion of the Deadwood

River. Commercial and non-commercial thinning following prescription

guidelines would be administered. The remaining acres are open patchy

areas effected by climate and poor or high hazard soils. They are at

low risk and hazard and would receive no treatment. The 3,000 acres of

Fire Group 8 apply the same treatment to these dense and contiguous

stands of subalpine fir creating openings on approximately 1,500 acres

following prescription guidelines for risk and hazard. Acres in fire

group 9 (7,000) are open patchy areas. These acres would receive no

treatment in order to maintain the diversity of this structure class

across the landscape. Five thousand acres of this fire group are open

stands on high hazard soils at low risk and hazard and would not be

treated. Fire Group 10--Cold, upper subalpine habitats. The potential

1,500 acres that exist on the high ridgetops of upper Deadwood Summit

support some whitebark pine. Burning of these areas may help to

maintain dwindling populations. Harvest methods would vary by slope,

access, and soil hazard analysis.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING: September, 1994: Public Meetings Boise,

Idaho September, 1994: Public Meeting Garden Valley, Idaho.

POTENTIAL COOPERATING AGENCIES: Idaho Department of Fish and Game,

USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service, Boise Field Office, Bureau of

Reclamation, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

Boise, Idaho, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

Moscow, Idaho.

PUBLIC/AGENCY CONTACTS: Contacts have been made with the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service as to threatened and endangered species listed for the

project area and landowners in or near the project area. A summary of

the project methodology was mailed to key individuals, groups and

agencies for a response to analysis procedure.

SCHEDULE: Project Action Report signed by Acting Forest Supervisor:

September 1, 1994. Public Meetings: September 15, 1994 in Boise and

September 21, 1994 in Garden Valley. EIS Data: October 15, 1994. Draft

EIS: January 1, 1995. Final EIS: March 1, 1995. Implementation: June

1995.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Cathy Barbouletos, Boise National Forest, Acting

Forest Supervisor.

Dated: September 1, 1994.

Cathy Barbouletos,

Acting Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 94-22832 Filed 9-14-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-M