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Appendix C: Best Management Practices (BMPs), Standards, and Project Design Features (PDFs)

Best Management Practices (BMPs), Standards, and Project Design Features (PDFs) are an integral part

of the action alternative and serve to minimize the impacts of activities on natural resources. They are

considered to be part of the proposed action. The content and effects analyses for each resource are

dependent upon adherence to the BMPs, Standards, and referenced PDFs during project implementation.

Forest Service Handbook 2509.25 Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook, and USDA National

Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System lands (USDA

2012) provide guidance and BMPs concerning impacts to streams. Best Management Practices (BMPs)

for water quality and timber sale contract provisions would be followed to prevent or reduce adverse

impacts to water quality from forest activities and meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act

(PL1.1972, Federal Water Pollution Control Act and later amendments).

Best Management Practices for the Prevention of Invasive Species (USDA Forest Service, 2002)

BMPs Common to All Ground Disturbing Activities

Forest workers would inspect, remove, and properly dispose of weed seed and plant parts on their

clothing, equipment including and vehicles. (BMP I-3.4)

When operating outside the limits of the road prism, all heavy equipment (bulldozers, skidders,

graders, backhoes, dump trucks, etc.) would be cleaned prior to entering National Forest System

Lands. Cleaning of equipment would be required to occur off National Forest lands. (This does not

apply to service vehicles that will stay on the roadway, traveling frequently in and out of the project

area. (BMP I-5.1)

Soil disturbance would be minimized to no more than needed to meet project objectives. (BMP III-

23.1)

All disturbed soil would be revegetated in a manner that optimizes plant establishment for that

specific site. (BMP I-4.3)

Only weed-free plant materials and mulch would be used for revegetation and site stabilization.

(BMP I-4.5)

Native plant materials would be the first choice for revegetation. When timely natural regeneration of

the native plant community is not likely to occur; non-native, non-invasive plant species would be

used as an interim, non-persistent measure designed to aid in the re-establishment of native

communities would be utilized in revegetation projects. Seeding and or planting will occur at the

appropriate times in spring and fall where needed to reduce erosion, prevent weeds from re-invading,

or to hasten recovery of non-weed species. (BMP I-4.6)

Revegetation efforts would be monitored and evaluated for effectiveness of revegetation efforts.

(BMP I-4.9)

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All gravel, fill, sanding stockpiles, quarries and borrow sources would be inspected and approved

prior to transport and use. The source will not be used if the weeds present at the pit are not

found at the site of intended use. If weeds of concern are present, they must be treated before

transport and use. (BMP I-5.3)

Water for dust abatement and other uses would not be drafted from weed infested water sources.

(BMP I-4.14)

In addition to the above referenced BMPs, the following site-specific standards and PDFs would be

adhered to.

All proposed restoration activities would be designed and implemented to avoid all known Interagency

Special Status Plant Species.

Project Design Features Common to All Vegetation and Fuels Treatments

Riparian Reserve widths as described in the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) in the NWFP will be

applied. Riparian Reserve widths are described as at least 300, 150 and 100 feet on both sides of stream

channels for fish bearing streams, permanently flowing nonfish-bearing streams and seasonally

flowing/intermittent streams respectively. Additionally, minimum reserve widths for lakes and natural

ponds are 300 feet, 150 feet from constructed ponds and reservoirs and wetlands greater than 1 acre, and

50 feet for wetlands less than 1 acre. Some Riparian Reserves may extend further due to taller site

potential tree heights or other field conditions such as unstable or potentially unstable areas (USDA 1996,

pages V-33-35; USDA 1998, pages V-26-28: USDA 2012 BMPs Plan-3, AqEco-2, and Veg-3). Riparian

Reserve widths will be confirmed in the field during project layout.

Commercial timber harvest units, and non-commercial small tree thinning areas will not be located within

Riparian Reserves. Harvest unit landings will not be located within Riparian Reserves. Forestry staff will

consult with fisheries or hydrology staff when determining Riparian Reserve buffer distances in the field,

based on the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest fish distribution database, Riparian Reserve data layer, field

reviews, and site specific fish presence surveys or observations.

Vegetation treatments will not occur within Riparian Reserves except for the treatment of danger trees

located adjacent to log hauling routes. A danger tree is a diseased or defective tree with characteristics

that indicate instability, and had the potential to fail and cause damage or harm to vehicles, equipment, or

people within the work area, or along transportation routes. Danger trees within Riparian Reserves will be

felled and left as downed wood (BMP Veg-3).

Vegetation treatments will be designed and implemented to avoid culturally sensitive areas.

Heavy equipment operating within areas designated as ground based will be confined to operating on

designated skid trails, landings, approved roads, or prepared slash mat trails that are at least one foot in

depth, and result in no significant increase in soil bulk density.

Heavy equipment used for mechanical falling or machine piling must be equipped with a boom capable of

reaching cut trees or slash while maintaining confinement to designated skid trails, landings, approved

haul roads, or prepared slash mat trails.

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To avoid human disturbance, timing restrictions would be placed on all project activities that cause noise

above ambient levels near active northern spotted owl nests and activity centers during the nesting season

beginning March 1 to July 31. Activities that create noise above ambient forest levels including use of

chainsaws, tractors, snowplows, bulldozers, graders, dump trucks, excavators, log trucks, or generators

would be prohibited within 0.25 mile. Low-flying aircraft (at or below 500 feet above the forest canopy

or open ground), would be prohibited within 0.66 mile. Should a nesting pair of spotted owls be located

within 0.25 mile of the fuels treatment area, appropriate burn plan designs would be implemented:

restrict burning to occur outside nesting period (March 1 through July 31, design burn plan so that the

plume trajectory is at least 45 degrees either side of nest; Use a test-fire prior to ignition to determine

plume direction. With this mitigation in place, it is anticipated that project implementation would result in

minimal disturbance effects to the spotted owl. A seasonal restriction will not be necessary if surveys

conducted (prior to the start of operations each year) indicate the site to be unoccupied or there is no

reproduction occurring

All vegetation treatments will avoid the treatment of spotted owl suitable habitat.

All vegetation treatments will avoid the treatment of late-successional habitat.

A timing restriction from May 15 through June 30 would be applied to activity in all areas that occur

within elk calving and deer fawning areas to avoid human disturbance.

There are no known raptor sites in the project area, however, if an active raptor nest (excluding spotted

owl) is discovered during commercial timber harvest operations, approximately 30 acres of the most

suitable nesting habitat around each nest site would be protected (WFP IV-81). In addition, the following

timing restrictions would apply to commercial timber harvest operations (timber falling, yarding or

skidding and timber haul) non-commercial thinning, and fuels treatment (natural and mechanical),

generally within 0.25 mile of the nest sites (distance may be reduced pending on site specific conditions

determined by district wildlife biologist): At active nests (used in the last two years), a no cut 150 foot

buffer would be implemented around the nest site and an additional 150 foot transition zone would be

managed to grow suitable nest site characteristics. If a nest is determined to be occupied or a bird is found

nesting during year of activity, conduct activity outside of nesting period to avoid disturbance. The

nesting period is generally from March 1 to August 31. Should an active nest be located within 0.25 mile

of a fuels treatment area, design the burn so that the plume trajectory is at least 45 degrees either side of a

nest tree; use a test-fire prior to ignition to determine plume direction. These dates may be adjusted

depending on species and site specific knowledge (to be determined by district wildlife biologist). If a

nest is not occupied, no restrictions on operations would be applied.

The standard provision CT6.24 and/or BT6.24 for the protection of animals listed as threatened or

endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, or listed as Sensitive by the Regional

Forester under the authority of the Forest Service Manual – FSM 2670, would be included in the timber

sale contract. This provision provides for protection of areas where proposed, endangered, threatened, and

sensitive species (now including survey and manage species) are discovered in the timber sale area during

the contract period.

Trees exceeding 25 inches DBH may be designated for removal by the Forest Service if the Timber Sale

Administration official determines that removal is necessary to provide safety and/or improve functional

operational capabilities.

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Timber harvest methods would be implemented using the Wenatchee National Forest Ground Based

Harvest Policy, as described in the letter dated June 28, 1996. If a revised policy is in effect at the time of

timber sale contract preparation, the revised policy will be used. The existing policy would use the

following implementation criteria for this project (BMP’s Veg-1, Veg-4,Veg-6):

Harvest would be limited to periods when soil moisture level is dry, soils are frozen, or there is sufficient

snow cover to protect soils from compaction. (BMPs Veg-2 and Veg-4)

The yarding of logs through or across stream channels, riparians, or wet areas is prohibited.

Stringing of the skyline across intermittent and perennial streams shall be allowed to access tail holds and

gain deflection. These tailhold trees, and any trees that are felled within the riparaian for establishing

skyline clearance, shall not be yarded, but left as downed course woody debris. The typical number of

trees required for removal within a riparian to allow for skyline line clearance during initial line

tightening is 0-2 trees depending on the ability of the yarder to power the skyline through tree branches

during the line tightening process. The typical width needed to clear and tighten the skyline is 1-5 feet in

width.

The yarding or removal of any trees from Inventoried Roadless Areas is prohibited. Anchoring the skyline

to trees located in Inventoried Roadless Areas to establish tailholds and gain defelection is permitted. If

tailhold anchors within the Inventoried Roadless Area require felling for operational safety, the felled

tailhold trees shall not be yarded but left as downed course woody debris.

Tractors will not be operated on continuous slopes greater than 35 percent. Exceptions to this can be made

on slopes greater than 35 percent and less than 300 feet long where slope breaks above and below the

steeper slopes become gentler due to ground terracing. Tractor winching to designated skid trails will be

utilized on continuous slopes greater than 35 percent and greater than 300 feet long. Exceptions to this

can be made for special situations, if a soil specialist agrees and the exception and its rationale are

documented in the Project EA analysis file (BMP’s Veg-2 and Veg-4).

Designated skid trails and utilization of existing skid trails that are spaced greater than an average of 120

feet apart for tractor logging operations during normal operating seasons will be required. Consistent with

the Forest’ ground based harvest policy; the winching of logs to designated skid trails would be required in

areas of hand tree felling. Exceptions to this standard can be made if other logging systems are used, or site

conditions such as dry frozen ground or snow cover alleviate the concern. These exceptions would need to

be agreeable to a soil specialist and the rationale would need to be documented in the Project analysis file

(BMP Veg-4).

Use of ground based systems for log skidding (tractors, skidders, etc.) would be limited, as needed, to

meet the WFP standard for detrimental soil compaction (WFP, IV-97). This standard states that no more

than 20 percent of an activity area would have detrimental soil conditions after purchaser’s operation.

Detrimental soil compaction is defined as an increase in bulk density of 15 percent or more over

undisturbed conditions. Compacted soil areas that are affected in the proposed timber harvest actions

(skid trails, temporary roads, and landings) would be rehabilitated using an appropriate method (such as

sub-soiling, scarifying, or planting of perennial grasses) (BMP’s Veg-2, Veg-4, and Veg-6).

Landings would be located on road beds, when present, to minimize additional ground disturbance (BMP

Veg-6).

The WFP standard and guideline requirements for ground cover retention would be met following logging

and fuels treatment operations (WFP, page IV-97, BMPs Fire-2 and Veg-2).

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In order to meet WFP standards for soil protection, there would be no tractor piling of slash except on

landings, and no machine fireline constructed as a part of fuel treatments (BMP Veg-8).

Prescribed fire ignition would occur outside of Riparian Reserves. Underburning that occurs within

Riparian Reserves should be low intensity, backing from ignition sources outside the Riparian Reserve.

Burn plan objectives should strive for <10 percent of the Riparian Reserve having moderate burn intensity

and no high intensity burn acreage within the Riparian Reserve. In addition, no hand constructed fireline

should be constructed in Riparian Reserves or areas of high erosion hazard potential (BMP’s Fire-1 and

Fire-2). Blackline contain method would be the preferred method in Riparian Reserves, if needed.

Prescribed burning would not be implemented on more than 25 percent of any 6th field watershed within a

single season (BMP’s Fire-1 and Fire-2).

The public and special use permittees will be notified in a timely manner of upcoming vegetation and

fuels treatment activities and locations, and associated system road, trails, and recreation facility access

delays or closures. This information will be distributed through various forums, including the news

media and internet; at local events during organized recreation group meetings; to recreation residents and

other permit holders; and by posting at the entrance roads and critical road or trail junctions in the project

area. The purchaser’s annual operating schedule and discussion with the timber sale administrator will be

used as information sources.

Notification signs such as “Logging Activity Ahead”, “Trucks Hauling”, and “Prescribed Burning Ahead”

will be posted at major road junctions, on the upper and lower ends of the loop roads, and on both sides of

Road 1900, where management activities are occurring, to alert recreationists to potential activities on the

road, possible delays, and log truck traffic. Notification signs will also be posted at Sno-Parks within the

project area or accessible from the project area, including Kaner Flat (Road 1900), Crow Creek (Road

1902/1920) and Little Naches/1904 (Road 1900/1904), Pyramid Creek, Greenwater, Milk Creek (Road

1708), Bald Mountain (Road 1701), and Rock Creek (Road 1702).

System trails and OHV routes shall be kept reasonably free of equipment and products, slash, and debris

resulting from project operations. System trails (including snowmobile trails) and OHV routes will be

kept open from Friday 12:00PM through Monday 12:00AM during the seasons those facilities are open to

recreation use, although there may be temporary closures for safety issues.

Forest Service personnel will coordinate specific project implementation within mining claims to address

mining access needs.

Road surfaces will be kept open for travel (delays may occur) during project activities.

Wilderness boundaries, recreation sites with some level of development; day use sites; system trailheads;

Sno-Parks; system trails and four wheel drive routes; recreation residence tracts; facilities and

communication sites under special use permit; and groomed snowmobile trail segments that tie trails

together not located on system roads will be shown as “Protected Improvements” on the Sale Area Map.

Trees will be directionally felled away from these areas. Protected improvements include: Kaner Flat,

Crow Creek, and Sand Creek Campgrounds; Kaner Flat Riverfront Reservation Site; Long Meadow;

Ponderosa and Sheep, and Huckleberry Camps; Horsetail Falls Day Use Site. Trailheads include Pyramid

(Trail 941), South Fork (Trail 963), Raven Roost (Trail 951), and Fifes Ridge (Trail 954). Kaner Flat

(Road 1900), Crow Creek (Road 1902/1920) and Little Naches/1904 (Road 1900/1904) Sno-Parks. Trails

include Pyramid Peak 941, Middle Fork 945, South Fork 946, Quartz Mountain 948, Quartz Creek 949,

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West Quartz Creek Loop 952, Sand Creek 963, Sand Creek Cutoff 963A; Raven Roost 951 and Fifes

Ridge 954. System Four Wheel Drive Routes include Kaner Flat 676, Pipeline 688 and Manastash Ridge

306. Also included are the Little Naches Recreation Residence Tract; Pacific Power powerline (above

ground and underground), and the Raven Roost and Fife’s Ridge Communications Sites. Groomed

snowmobile route segments/tie trails not on system roads include those between Roads 1921840 and

1906872; and Roads 1900 and 1921.

Slash will not be placed within the site perimeters or within 100 feet of the following areas: Kaner Flat,

Crow Creek, and Sand Creek Campgrounds; Kaner Flat Riverfront Reservation Site; Long Meadow;

Longmire Meadow, Ponderosa and Sheep, and Huckleberry Camps; Horsetail Falls Day Use Site.

Trailheads including Pyramid (Trail 941), South Fork (Trail 963), Raven Roost (Trail 951), and Fifes

Ridge (Trail 954). Kaner Flat (Road 1900), Crow Creek (Road 1902/1920) and Little Naches/1904 (Road

1900/1904); Sno-Parks including Kaner Flat (Road 1900), Crow Creek (Road 1902/1920) and Little

Naches/1904 (Road 1900/1904); Little Naches Recreation Residence Tract; Pacific Power powerline

(above ground and underground), and the Raven Roost and Fife’s Ridge Communications Sites.

Vegetation and fuels treatment areas and activities within 100 feet of visually sensitive areas (as identified

below) will be designed so as not to be unnatural appearing (i.e. marking paint, slash, ribbon, etc.) for

more than two seasons. The recreation planner or developed recreation manager will work with

vegetation and fuels personnel during design. Treatments would not be evident for more than one season

in the following areas: Highway 410 and the first 0.5 mile of 1900 from the Highway 410 junction; and

from the Little Naches Campground, Horsetail Falls Day Use Site, and the Little Naches Recreation

residences. Treatments would not be evident for more than two seasons: Road 1900 over 0.5 miles from

Highway 410, Road 1902, Road 1902866, Road 1921, Road 1921840, Road 1901/1903 loop, system

motorized and nonmotorized trails, and four wheel drive routes; and as seen from Kaner Flat, Crow

Creek, Kaner Flat Riverfront Reservation Site, and Sand Creek Campgrounds; Long Meadow, Longmire

Meadow, Huckleberry, Ponderosa Camp and Sheep Camp; system trailheads; and Sno-Parks. (Trails, four

wheel drive routes, trailheads, and Sno-Parks have been identified in the paragraph above. A visual

analysis will be completed for activities as seen from four wheel drive route Manastash Ridge 306.

Topographical features and road alignment changes will be used to break up activity areas when

designing units adjacent to visually sensitive road corridors. Slash piles will be located out of view and

outside of natural openings, or more than 100 feet from these road corridors if possible. Any landing piles

located within 100 feet of visually sensitive road corridors shall be identified by the fuels planner as

highest in priority for treatment to occur within the one or two season time period.” The fuels planner

should monitor progression of harvest activities to ensure they are aware of the location and proximity of

landing piles to these routes. The recreation planner will work with vegetation and fuels personnel during

design.

If system trail closures are necessary, closures will be of the shortest possible length for safety and a detour

provided where possible.

Large trees and vegetative screening will be retained around heavily used and/or traditional recreation

sites with limited facilities during harvest, noncommercial small tree thinning, and burning activities to

minimize effects from wind, sun, and loss of privacy. These campsites will not be used as landings, for

slash piling, or parking logging equipment when possible to minimize effects from loss of available

camping area or loss of compacted, level ground. If it is necessary to use a one of these sites, the site will

be marked as a “Protected Improvement” on the sale area map and rehabilitated after harvest activities are

complete as part of the timber sale contract. Rehabilitation will include slash disposal, ground re-

Commented [LJL-1]: Sue, Edit to include which apply to Huckleberry.

Commented [LJL-2]: Sue, Edit to include which apply to Huckleberry.

Commented [LJL-3]: Sue, Edit for those that apply to Huckleberry

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contouring, and reseeding. Slash from noncommercial small tree thinning or fuels treatment hand piling

activity will not be placed within these sites in a manner that causes loss of camping area. Heavily used

and/or traditional recreation sites with limited facilities are located adjacent to or near Forest Roads 1900,

1901, 1902, 1902866, 1903, 1920, 1920624, 1920824, 1921, 1922, 1901611, 1901615. See project map in

analysis file. Additional sites may be identified during project design.

Deferment or rerouting of grazing for up to two seasons would be implemented prior to and following

prescribed burning, thinning treatments, or revegetation efforts associated with fire, invasive species

treatments, or riparian restoration, to encourage vigorous seedling establishment. Deferment would be

considered as the last option.

The standard firewood cutting rules and regulations would be followed, except where more restrictive

requirements are identified. Standard rules prohibit cutting, snag felling, or gathering of downed wood

within 300 feet of streams, lakes, ponds, or wet areas.

Log hauling would not be permitted:

o on Federal holidays;

o from 5:00 P.M. Friday to 5:00 A.M. Monday, between April 1 and December 15;

o during Modern Firearm Elk season (typically the end of October thru the first week in

November);

o from 5:00 P.M. Friday to 5:00 A.M. Monday, between December 15 and March 31 on groomed

snowmobile routes; and

o from 5:00 P.M. Thursday to 5:00 Monday on the Greenwater to Cliffdell groomed snowmobile

route.

To provide for snowmobiling opportunities during project implementation, operations would only occur on

one side of the FSR 1900 during each winter season, allowing for snowmobile routes on the opposite side

of FSR 1900 to remain open for use. Dual use for hauling and snowmobiling may be considered (plowing

one lane for hauling and leaving one lane snow covered or groomed for snowmobiling).

Snow removal equipment would be of the size and type commonly used to remove snow and would not

cause damage to the road. The use of plows or dozers to remove snow would require written approval by

the Contracting Officer. Equip plows or dozers with shoes or runners would be required to keep the dozer

blade a minimum of 2 inches above the road surface unless otherwise approved by the Contractor Officer.

Removal of snow would be from all or part of the traveled way, including sufficient turnouts for safe and

efficient use for timber transportation and to protect the road. Remove Intruding windfalls, debris or

slough and slide material would be disposed of only as necessary to provide passage for timber

transportation.

System trail tread would be protected during project activities to allow for minimal physical disruption of

the trail experience and maximum retention of the integrity of the trail corridor and tread. Trees will be

directionally felled away from the trail corridor. The trails manager will be notified if trail markers are

currently located on trees identified for cutting to allow an opportunity to move markers to trees identified

to be, nor during Modern Firearm Elk season. From December 15th through March 31st, No hauling will be

permitted on weekends (Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday) or holidays (including Christmas Day, New

Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, or President’s Day) and the snowmobile routes would be open to

snowmobiling during these times. In addition, snowmobiling will be allowed on the route between

Greenwater and Cliffdell on Thursday evenings and Fridays

Commented [LJL-4]: Sue, Edit for Huckleberry.

Commented [LJL-5]: Dave, Not necessary now, without the firewood action?

C-8

Trees would be directionally felled away from natural openings (such as meadows) visible from visually

sensitive roads, including 1900, 1902, 1902866, and 1921; as well as on the segments of 1920, 1922,

1901, and 1903 located in the ST-2 allocation.

System trails and four wheel drive routes would not be used as temporary haul roads or skid trails. Skid

trail and other equipment crossings over the trails would be minimized. All created crossings would be

blocked immediately after use with natural appearing obstacles to disguise the opening.

In the event unintended impacts occur, the drainage and trail tread will be restored to previously

designated Forest Service Trail Class Specifications after log hauling is complete. System four wheel

drive routes include: Four Wheel Drive Routes Kaner Flat 676, Pipeline 688 and Manastash Ridge 306

Segments of the underground powerline corridor (outside of Four Wheel Drive Trail 688) used for skid

roads or temporary roads, or crossed by skid roads or temporary roads, would be blocked and

rehabilitated immediately after use.

Landings and skid trails with invasive species would be treated before logging and prescribed fire

activities. These areas will be prioritized based on weed species present, concentration, and resources

threatened. (BMP III-22.4). Invasive species infestations at landings and on skid trails would be

monitored and treated after harvest, when necessary. (BMP III-24.2)

Project Design Features – Road Decommissioning

To avoid human disturbance, timing restrictions would be placed on all active northern spotted owl nests

and activity centers during the nesting season beginning March 1 to July 31. Activities that create noise

above ambient forest levels including use of chainsaws, tractors, snowplows, bulldozers, graders, dump

trucks, excavators, or generators would be prohibited within 0.25 mile. A seasonal restriction will not be

necessary if surveys conducted (prior to the start of operations each year) indicate the site to be

unoccupied or there is no reproduction occurring.

There are no known raptor sites in the project area, however if an active raptor nest (excluding spotted

owl) is discovered during temporary road construction, the following timing restrictions would apply

within 0.25 mile of the nest sites (distance may be reduced pending on site specific conditions determined

by the district wildlife biologist). At active nests (used in the last two years), a no cut 150 foot buffer

would be implemented around the nest site and an additional 150 foot transition zone would be managed

to grow suitable nest site characteristics. If a nest is determined to be occupied or a bird is found nesting

during year of activity, conduct activity outside of nesting period to avoid disturbance. The nesting period

is generally from March 1 to August 31. These dates may be adjusted depending on species and site

specific knowledge (to be determined by the district wildlife biologist). If a nest is not occupied, no

restrictions on operations would be applied.

When drafting water for dust abatement or road grading, sources from ponds or streams that are non-fish

bearing will be favored. Drafting from streams with fish species would be avoided. If no reasonable

alternative water source is available, the drafting rate from streams occupied with listed fish will not

exceed 10 percent of the current streamflow, the streambed will not be altered, and pump chances will not

pose any barrier to fish movement. Water drafting/pumping will maintain a continuous flow of the

stream, without altering the original wetted width (NFP, 2002). Pump hose intakes in fish bearing

Commented [LJL-6]: Sue, Edit to apply to Huckleberry.

Commented [LJL-7]: Sue, Edit for Huckleberry.

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streams will be equipped with a screen of 3/32 inch mesh or less, and will have an intake flow of less than

1 cubic foot/second to prevent entraining juvenile fish (NFP, 2002) (BMP WatUses-3).

Road treatments would occur during seasons when soil moisture conditions are not saturated.

Excavated culvert fill would be disposed of outside of the flood-prone areas.

Sediment filter logs, limbs, and tree branches would be scattered on the bare soil areas of re-contoured

streambanks after culvert fill removal.

Water bars would be constructed to prevent water from running along the road surface at intervals

appropriate to site conditions. The road surface would be scarified and seeded with native grasses and

forbs.

Erosion control work, such as water-barring etc., would be completed prior to fall rains and then kept up

weekly if work continues beyond normal operating season. Road construction would not begin unless

erosion control work can be completed the same season (BMPs Road-3, Road-4, Road-5, and Veg-2).

Within riparian areas, road decommissioning would result in re-contouring of the stream bank and valley

side slopes to mimic the natural floodplain contours and gradient.

All soil disturbed from road treatments and re-contoured streambanks would be seeded and planted with

native species.

Appropriate stormwater and sediment management structures would be utilized during the

decommissioning process and until the decommissioned road scar becomes stabilized.

Create or maintain an adequate area of approximately 300 feet at the beginning/junction of the road to

provide a location for livestock bedding and to minimize reductions in the total number of sheep

bedgrounds associated with road decommissioning. If providing adequate area at the beginning/junction

of the road is not feasible, a new area for livestock bedding must be identified prior to implementation of

the road decommissioning.

Sediment control barriers would be used between the project and the stream, when obliterating road

segments immediately adjacent to streams.

Drainage features used for road decommissioning would be spaced to hydrologically disconnect road

surface runoff from stream channels.

The system snowmobile route include a segment connecting Forest Roads 1921840 and 1906872. The

segment between the roads will be closed to wheeled vehicles via gates on each end. When conditions

allow, the segment will be opened for snowmobile travel. To allow for grooming and the safety of the

over the snow users, all snowmobile system trails (including tie trails between system roads) would be

clear of all debris at a 16 foot width.

Project Design Features – Temporary Road Construction

Commented [LJL-8]: In Hucklberry?

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Temporary road construction would not occur in spotted owl suitable habitat. Temporary roads

constructed for this project would be blocked within one week at the completion of harvest activities with

cull logs, slash, rocks, or other material until soil moisture is at the levels that allow for effective

decommissioning (seeding, other erosion control work, contouring, etc.) as described in this section

(BMP Road-6).

Temporary road construction within Riparian Reserves would be avoided, and only proposed under

specific situations. Temporary road crossings of fish bearing or perennial streams would not be proposed.

Under special circumstances, forestry staff will consult with fisheries/hydrology staff when proposing to

locate temporary road crossings of intermittent streams, when a stream crossing could reduce lengthy

road construction or side slope disturbance to access vegetation treatment units. Up to four (4) temporary

road crossings of intermittent streams may occur in the entire Little Crow project area. Except for stream

crossings, temporary road construction within Riparian Reserves would only be proposed where a pre-

existing (legacy) logging road template could provide efficient access to proposed harvest units, the route

is greater than 75 feet from any stream channels, and has been field reviewed by fisheries/hydrology staff.

After logging use, the temporary road would be fully decommissioned, restored to natural slope contour,

and soil productivity restored through de-compaction.

Temporary roads will be located on benches, small ridges, or on side slopes less than 20%, when present,

to minimize the amount of cut-and-fill. Occasional short segments of temporary roads may be located on

side slopes between 20% and 40% in rare circumstances to improve the feasibility of skyline logging

systems.

After completion of timber harvest activities, temporary roads would have their junction with system roads

effectively disguised and blocked to motorized use. The entire road would have deep soil de-compaction,

road cut/fill removal, restoration of the natural slope contour, water bar excavation, and placement of logs,

rocks or brush implemented by appropriate excavation equipment. Temporary road decommissioning

would be implemented during periods when soil moisture levels are appropriate for effective reduction of

soil compaction. Restored areas would be seeded with native grass/forb species. (TSC provision CT5.1#

Option 1, and BMPs Road-5, Road-6, Veg-4 and Veg-6).

Standards and Project Design Features – Invasive Species Treatments

Standards (USDA Forest Service, 2005)

The applicable standard from the referenced EIS is listed parenthetically following each individual

standard.

Application of any herbicide to treat invasive plants would be performed or directly supervised by a State

or Federally licensed applicator. (Standard #15)

To minimize or eliminate direct or indirect negative effects to non-target plants, terrestrial animals, water

quality and aquatic biota (including amphibians) from the application of herbicide, site-specific soil

characteristics, proximity to surface water and local water table depth to determine herbicide formulation,

size of buffers needed, if any, and application method and timing will be used (including all label

direction). (Standard #19)

o Spot spraying and wicking/wiping of aquatic glyphosate would be allowed up to the waterline of

streams and wetlands, and broadcast application would be allowed beyond 100 feet from flowing

streams and standing water.

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o Within 50 feet of talus, boulder fields and meadows, application of aquatic glyohosate would be

restricted to wicking or wiping methods.

o Spot spray and wicking/wiping application of picloram would be allowed to within 50 feet of

stream channels and standing water.

o Picloram application would not be allowed within 50 feet of any streams or standing water.

o Spray application of picloram would not be not allowed within 100 feet of any stream channels or

water.

o No more than 10 contiguous acres or fifty percent of specific wetland areas would be treated in

any 30 day period.

o In aquatic settings, herbicide applications from water’s edge to bankfull area will be limited to 2

acres for every 1.6 miles of stream length per 6th field sub-watershed.

o No more than one application of picloram would be made within a two-year period.

Table E-1 Summary of Herbicide No-Application Buffers Widths from ARBO II*

Herbicide

Perennial Streams and Wetlands, and

Intermittent Streams and Roadside Ditches

with flowing or standing water present

Dry Intermittent Streams,

Dry Intermittent Wetlands,

Dry Roadside Ditches

Broadcast

Spraying

Spot

Spraying

Hand

Selective

Broadcast

Spraying

Spot

Spraying

Hand

Selective

Labeled for Aquatic Use

Aquatic Glyphosate1 100 waterline waterline 50 0 0

High Risk to Aquatic Organisms

Picloram 100 50 50 100 50 50

Site specific treatment design (i.e., application rate and method, timing, wind speed and direction, nozzle

type and size, buffers etc.) will be applied to eliminate the potential for adverse disturbance and/or

contaminant exposure to endangered species or critical habitat. (Standard #20)

Prior to implementation of herbicide treatment, Naches Ranger District staff would ensure timely public

notification, to pesticide sensitive individuals, recreation residents, resort owners, and outfitter guides.

Treatment areas would be posted to inform the public and forest workers of herbicide application dates

and herbicides used. If requested, individuals may be notified in advance of spray dates (Standard #23).

Project Design Features

All applicable State and Federal laws, including the labeling instructions of the Environmental Protection

Agency, would be strictly followed. Forest Service Handbooks 2109.11 (Pesticide Project Handbook)

1 Lower risk formulations of glyphosate that do not contain POEA need not be labeled for aquatic use for

infestations further than 100 feet of streams or other water bodies as defined in this table.

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2109.12 (Pesticide Storage, Transportation, Spills and Disposal Handbook), 2109.13 (Pesticide Project

Personnel Handbook) and 6709.11 (Health and Safety Code Handbook, Chapter 9) would direct project

planning and implementation.

Precautions would be taken to assure that equipment used for storage, transport, mixing, or application

will not leak herbicides into water or soil. Exposure reducing equipment such as drip-free couplings and

nozzle shields for handheld spray wands would be used. Areas used for mixing herbicides and cleaning

equipment would be located where spillage would not run into surface waters or result in ground

contamination. Mixing of herbicide in Riparian Reserves is prohibited.

Herbicide applications would not be conducted if rain were predicted within 24 hours or if wind speeds

exceed 5 miles/hour.

All workers would wear protective clothing while mixing, loading, and applying herbicides.

Range permittees would be notified prior to herbicide application and project implementation would be

coordinated with permittees to reduce potential adverse impacts to permitted livestock.

Newly discovered Proposed, Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive or plant sites would be avoided or

managed consistent with current applicable management recommendations.