chapter iii boise front/bogus basin management area...

Chapter III Boise Front/Bogus Basin Management Area 4

III-46

Management Area 04. Boise Front/Bogus Basin Location Map


III-47

Management Area 4 Boise Front/Bogus Basin

MANAGEMENT AREA DESCRIPTION Management Prescriptions—Management Area 4 has the following management prescriptions (see map on preceding page for distribution of prescriptions).

Management Prescription Category (MPC) Percent of Mgt. Area

4.1c—Maintain Unroaded Character with Allowance for Restoration Activities Trace

4.2—Roaded Recreation Emphasis 14

5.1—Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Forested Landscapes 86

******************************************************************************

Vegetation—Vegetation at lower elevations is typically grasslands, shrublands, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir on south and west aspects, and Douglas-fir forests on north and east aspects. Mid and upper elevations are dominated by shrubs and forest communities of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, with pockets of lodgepole pine and aspen.

An estimated 17 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Mountain Big Sage, Bitterbrush, Montane Shrub, and Perennial Grass Slopes. The main forested vegetation groups in the area are Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (52 percent), Cool Dry Douglas-fir (8 percent), and Cool Moist Douglas-fir (15 percent).

The Montane Shrub group is functioning properly. The Mountain Big Sagebrush, Bitterbrush and the Perennial Grass Slopes groups are functioning at risk due to altered structure and composition, and the introduction of non-native species. Native shrubs and grasses have been replaced in many areas by noxious weeds and introduced grasses and forbs (e.g., cheatgrass, wheatgrass, rush skeletonweed, sweet clover, and orchard grass).

The Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine group is functioning at risk in localized areas that have not received density management. These stands have relatively high stand densities and fuel loadings that have moved them from a non-lethal to a lethal fire regime. Recent insect outbreaks have increased tree mortality and the risk of uncharacteristic large wildfire. The Cool Dry Douglas-fir and Cool Moist Douglas-fir groups have similar conditions but to a lesser extent, and therefore the risk is not as high. These groups also have increasing insect and mistletoe infestations, and lack young structural stages and seral ponderosa pine. The Harris Creek (5th code HUC 1705012216) and Lower Grimes Creek (5th code HUC 1705011203) watersheds are high priorities for active management to restore the large tree size class.

Riparian vegetation is functioning at risk due to localized impacts from roads, livestock grazing, wildfires, and private land uses. Composition has changed in many riparian areas because of disturbance, lowered water tables, and introduced plant species. Non-native plants have increased, and carex and other wetlands species have decreased. Native cottonwoods and broadleaf shrubs have also decreased, and are not regenerating in many areas. ******************************************************************************


III-48

Wildlife Resources—Lucky Peak Reservoir has wintering and nesting habitat for bald eagles, and nesting habitat for osprey. Much of the low-elevation grasslands and shrublands are vitally important winter range for elk and deer due to the proximity of Boise and adjacent subdivision developments adjacent and within the area. These grasslands/shrublands are also habitat for mountain quail and sage grouse, and introduced turkey, gray partridge, and chukar. Mid-elevation forests provide habitat for a number of Region 4 sensitive species, including northern goshawk, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker. Area forests provide nesting and foraging habitat for many migratory landbirds, as well as summer range for mammals such as elk, deer, and mountain lion. Overall, terrestrial habitat is functioning at risk due primarily to the urban interface that has disrupted migration corridors and changed habitat use for deer and elk. ******************************************************************************

Timberland Resources—Of the estimated 35,800 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 28,000 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 5 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPCs 4.2, and 5.1, as shown on the map displaying the MPCs for this management area. Lands in MPC 4.1c have been identified as not suited for timber production. Much of this area received a high level of timber harvest activities in the past century due to proximity of the railroads and access to the Boise area sawmills. This management area includes the Holcomb Seed Orchard, developed and maintained to produce seeds of desirable genetic quality. The fuelwood, posts and poles, and Christmas tree permit programs currently receive a lot of public use and interest due to the close proximity of Boise. ******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Wildfire starts (human and lightning-caused) are frequent in this area, though most are successfully suppressed during the initial attack phase. Prescribed fire has been used to improve winter range and livestock forage conditions, and to reduce activity-generated fuels. This management area is not in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area, so no wildland fire use is anticipated. During the past 20 years there were approximately 100 fire starts. Of the management areas on the forest, this one had the second highest rate of human-caused fires at about 40 percent of the total starts. Large fires in the last 20 years include the 1996 8th Street Fire, which burned an estimated 10 percent of the management area at mixed severity.

A large proportion of the Management Area is considered wildland-urban interface including Wilderness Ranch, which is a National Fire Plan community, other subdivisions along Highway 21, and residential developments along the Bogus Basin road and near the Bogus Basin Ski Area. These subwatersheds, along with Cottonwood and Millers-Hulls Gulch, are also considered to pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be 29 percent mixed1 or 2, and 71 percent non-lethal. An estimated 42 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 31 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions—8 percent in the mixed1/mixed2 fire regimes, and 23 percent in the non-lethal regimes. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes.


III-49

******************************************************************************

MANAGEMENT DIRECTION In addition to Forest-wide Goals, Objectives, Standards, and Guidelines that provide direction for all management areas, the following direction has been developed specifically for this area.

MPC/Resource Area Direction Number Management Direction Description

MPC 4.1c Undeveloped Recreation:

Maintain Unroaded Character with Allowance for Restoration

Vegetation Standard new

Mechanical vegetation management activities, including salvage harvest, shall retain all snags >20 inches dbh and at least the maximum number of snags depicted in Table A-6 within each size class where available. Where large snags (>20 inches dbh) are unavailable, retain additional snags ≥10 inches dbh where available to meet at least the maximum total number snags per acre depicted in Table A-6.1

******************************************************************************

MPC 4.2 Roaded

Recreation Emphasis


For commercial salvage sales, retain the maximum number of snags depicted in Table A-6 within each size class where available. Where large snags (>20 inches dbh) are unavailable, retain additional snags ≥10 inches dbh where available to meet the maximum total number snags per acre depicted in Table A-6.2

Vegetation Guideline

new

The personal use firewood program should be managed to retain large snags (>20 inches dbh) through signing, public education, permit size restrictions or area closures, or other appropriate methods as needed to achieve desired snag densities (Table A-6).

******************************************************************************

1 This standard shall not apply to management activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, to manage the personal use fuelwood program, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with. 2 This standard shall not apply to activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.


III-50


MPC 5.1 Restoration and

Maintenance Emphasis within

Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new

On new permanent or temporary roads built to implement vegetation management activities, public motorized use should be restricted during activity implementation to minimize disturbance to wildlife habitat and associated species of concern. Effective closures should be provided in project design. When activities are completed, temporary roads should be reclaimed or decommissioned and permanent roads should be put into Level 1 maintenance status unless needed to meet transportation management objectives.

******************************************************************************

MPC 5.2 Commodity Production

Emphasis within Forested

Landscapes

Fire Guideline 0409 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.


******************************************************************************

Vegetation

Objective 0417 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.

Objective 0420

Restore PVG1 (Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir) PVG2 (Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine) and PVG3 (Cool, Moist Douglas-fir) vegetation groups as described in Appendix A emphasizing the large tree size class in the Harris Creek (5th code HUC 1705012216) and Lower Grimes Creek (5th code HUC 1705011203) watersheds.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management Objective 0451

Initiate prescribed fire and mechanical treatments within wildland-urban interface areas to reduce fuels and wildfire hazards. Coordinate with local and tribal governments, agencies, and landowners in the development of County Wildfire Protection Plans that identify and prioritize hazardous fuels treatments within wildland-urban interface to manage fuel loadings to reduce wildfire hazards.

3 This standard shall not apply to activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.

Chapter III Upper Boise River Management Area 5

III-51

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 5, Upper Boise River, pp. III-144 through III-155, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The Management Area location map would be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridors are noted on the map as an Eligible Wild and Scenic River (see legend).

Management Area Description:

The description of Wildlife Resources would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Fire Management would also be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.

Management Direction:

Direction for Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers would remain, but the reference to MPC 2.1 would be deleted (see discussion under “Location Map” above). A vegetation standard specifying snag retention would be added to Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers direction.

To MPC 4.1c, a vegetation standard specifying snag retention would be added.

To MPC 5.1, a vegetation standard specifying how snags should be retained in commercial salvage sales and a guideline on how the personal use firewood program should be managed to retain snags would be added. A road guideline describing how public motorized use would be managed when building new roads to implement vegetation restoration projects would be added.

To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 0521 would be deleted and one new guideline would be added, in the Vegetation section. One new objective would be added to the Wildlife Resources section. Objective 0550 in the Fire Management section would be modified.

Other direction in Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 5 would remain as presented in the 2003 Forest Plan, and consequently, it is not included below.


III-52

Management Area 05. Upper Boise River Location Map


III-53

Management Area 5 Upper Boise River



1.2—Recommended Wilderness 33

4.1c—Maintain Unroaded Character with Allowance for Restoration Activities 51


******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—The lower-elevation river corridors provide important winter range for elk and deer. Low and mid-elevation forests provide habitat for a number of Region 4 sensitive species, including northern goshawk, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker. High-elevation forests provide habitat for boreal owls, wolverine, and fisher, as well as summer range for elk, deer, and mountain goat. Potential lynx denning habitat is scattered throughout the higher elevations. The entire area provides nesting and forage habitat for migratory landbirds, and general habitat for wide-ranging mammals such as elk, bear, and wolves. One Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area overlays the northern portion of this Management Area: Boise River. Overall, terrestrial habitat is functioning properly, although the 1994 Boise River Fire has created migration or travel barriers for some species due to changes in structural stages. The Black Warrior-Bald Mountain (5th code HUC 1705011107) watershed has been identified as important to the sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife affected by human uses on the landscape. Consequently, it is identified as a short-term high priority area for a subsequent site-specific investigation at a finer scale. ******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Over the past 20 years there were approximately 75 fire starts over 95 percent of which were lightning-caused. Large wildfires (1994 Rabbit Creek Fire of 1994, 2000 Trail Creek Fire and 2003 Hot Creek Fire) have burned an estimated 73 percent of the management area. Prescribed fire activities have occurred in small acreages to reduce natural fuel loadings. This management area is in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area.

Atlanta is a National Fire Plan community, and the area around Atlanta, as well as the recreation residences near Deer Park, are considered wildland-urban interface areas due to private development adjacent to and within the Forest. The Joe Daley-James Creek subwatershed is also considered to pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 15 percent lethal, 52 percent mixed1 or 2, and 33 percent non-lethal. An estimated 7 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 40 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch


III-54

sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************



Eligible Wild and Scenic

Rivers



******************************************************************************

MPC 4.1c Maintain Unroaded

Character with Allowance for Restoration

Activities



******************************************************************************

1 This standard shall not apply to management activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably addresses other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, to manage the personal use fuelwood program, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.


III-55

MPC/Resource Area

Direction Number Management Direction Description


Maintenance within Forested

Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************

Vegetation


Guideline new Manage PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) to protect existing whitebark pine, reduce competition, and favor reproduction.

******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Determine whether winter recreation activities are impacting wolverine during the critical winter denning period within the Black Warrior-Bald Mountain (5th code HUC 1705011107) priority watersheds. (Refer to Conservation Principle 6 in Appendix E.)

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective 0550



Chapter III Middle Fork Boise River Management Area 6

III-57

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 6, Middle Fork Boise River, pp. III-156 through III-165, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The Management Area location map would be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridor is noted on the map as an Eligible Wild and Scenic River (see legend).


The description of Wildlife Resources would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Fire Management would also be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.



To MPC 3.2, a vegetation standard specifying snag retention would be added.



To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 0622 would be deleted, in the Vegetation section. One new objective would be added to the Wildlife Resources section.



III-58

Management Area 06. Middle Fork Boise River Location Map


III-59

Management Area 6 Middle Fork Boise River



2.2—Research Natural Areas 1

3.2—Active Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial, & Hydrologic Resources 15



******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—The wide range of elevations and vegetation types in the management area provide a variety of wildlife habitats. The Middle Fork Boise River corridor has wintering habitat for bald eagles and nesting habitat for osprey. Much of the lower-elevation grasslands and shrublands are important winter range for elk and deer, as well as foraging habitat for introduced turkey and chukar. Low and mid-elevation forests provide habitat for a number of Region 4 sensitive species, including northern goshawk, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker. High-elevation forests provide habitat for boreal owls, wolverine, and fisher, as well as summer range for elk, deer, and mountain goat. Potential lynx denning habitat is scattered throughout the higher elevations. The entire area provides nesting and forage habitat for migratory landbirds, and general habitat for wide-ranging mammals such as elk, bear, and wolves. One Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area overlays the majority of this Management Area: Boise River. Overall, terrestrial habitat is near properly functioning condition, although structural diversity could be improved, and fire suppression has increased stand densities, fuel loadings, and the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. The Roaring-Granite (5th code HUC 1705011106) watershed has been identified as important to the sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife affected by human uses on the landscape. Consequently, this watershed is identified as a short-term high priority area for a subsequent site-specific investigation at a finer scale. ******************************************************************************

Fire Management—During the past 20 years there were approximately 106 fire starts, 90 percent of which were lightning-caused. Large wildfires including the 1994 Rabbit Creek, 2003 Hot Creek and 2006 East Roaring fires have burned about 13 percent of the management area. Prescribed fire has been used to improve winter range conditions and reduce activity-generated fuels. This management area is not in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area, so no wildland fire use is anticipated. There are no National Fire Plan communities or wildland-urban interface areas in this management area. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 13 percent lethal, 42 percent mixed1 or 2, and 45 percent non-lethal. An estimated 13 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in


III-60

conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 42 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes.

******************************************************************************




Rivers



******************************************************************************

MPC 3.2 Active Restoration

and Maintenance of Aquatic,

Terrestrial, and Watershed Resources



******************************************************************************



Activities



******************************************************************************

1 This standard shall not apply to management activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, to manage the personal use fuelwood program, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.


III-61

MPC/Resource Area




Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************

Vegetation Objective 0622 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.

******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Determine whether winter recreation activities are impacting wolverine during the critical winter denning period within the Roaring-Granite (5th code HUC 1705011106) priority watershed. (Refer to Conservation Principle 6 in Appendix E.)

2 This standard shall not apply to activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, or to allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.

Chapter III North Fork Boise River Management Area 7

III-63

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 7, North Fork Boise River, pp. III-166 through III-177, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The Management Area location map would be modified to reflect the deletion of lands assigned to MPC 5.2 and the reassignment of those lands to MPC 5.1. The map would also be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridor is noted on the map as an Eligible Wild and Scenic River: Wild Classification (see legend).


The MPC table would be modified to reflect the deletion of lands assigned to MPC 5.2 and the reassignment of those lands to MPC 5.1. This change would result in an increase of the percentage of the area assigned to MPC 5.1 from 50 percent to 80 percent.

The description of Wildlife Resources would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Timberland Resources would be modified to delete reference to MPC 5.2. The description of Fire Management would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.





MPC 5.2 would be deleted, along with associated fire guidelines 0720, 0721 and 0722.

To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 0733 would be deleted, in the Vegetation section. A new objective would be added to the Fire Management section.



III-64

Management Area 07. North Fork Boise River Location Map


III-65

Management Area 7 North Fork Boise River





3.2—Active Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial, & Watershed Resources 6


******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—The North Fork Boise River corridor has wintering habitat for bald eagles and nesting habitat for osprey. Much of the lower-elevation grasslands and shrublands are important winter range for elk. Mid-elevation forests provide habitat for a number of Region 4 sensitive species, including northern goshawk, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker. High-elevation forests provide habitat for boreal owls, wolverine, and fisher, as well as summer range for elk, deer, and mountain lion. Potential lynx denning habitat occurs in the upper portions of the Crooked River, Bear River and Pikes Fork drainages. The entire area provides nesting and forage habitat for migratory landbirds, and general habitat for wide-ranging mammals such as elk, bear, and wolves. This Management Area lies entirely within the Boise River Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area. Overall, terrestrial habitat is functioning properly, although structural diversity could be improved, and recent wildfire has created migration or travel barriers for some small mammals and reptiles. ******************************************************************************

Timberland Resources—Of the estimated 100,900 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 65,700 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 12 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPC 5.1, as shown on the map displaying the MPCs for this management area. Lands within MPC 1.2, 2.2, and 3.2 are identified as not suited for timber production. Timber management has been and is one of the primary uses in this management area. Past management activity has been high in roaded areas, and fire salvages sales have recently occurred in roadless areas. Fuelwood, posts, poles, Christmas trees, and other forest products are collected in designated areas.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Prescribed fire has been used to reduce natural fuel loadings, improve winter range conditions and reduce activity-generated fuels. This area is in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area. During the past 20 years there were approximately 205 fire starts, 90 percent of which were lightning-caused. Approximately 55 percent of the management area has burned in the past 20 years primarily from the 1994 Rabbit Creek Fire. About two thirds of the


III-66

Rabbit Creek Fire was high intensity lethal wildfire while the Trapper Ridge Wildland Fire Use was mixed intensity.

There are no National Fire Plan communities in this management area. However, the area around the recreation residences at Deer Park are considered wildland-urban interface. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 10 percent lethal, 39 percent mixed1 or 2, and 51 percent non-lethal. An estimated 12 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 35 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************




Rivers



******************************************************************************


and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial,

and Watershed Resources



******************************************************************************



III-67




Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************



Landscapes

Fire Standard 0720 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment WCS.

Fire Guideline 0721 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment WCS.

Fire Guideline 0722 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment WCS.

******************************************************************************

Vegetation Objective 0733 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment WCS.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective new



Chapter III Mores Creek Management Area 8

III-69

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 8, Mores Creek, pp. III-178 through III-191, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The Management Area location map would be modified to reflect the deletion of lands assigned to MPC 5.2 and the reassignment of those lands to MPC 5.1. The map would also be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridor is noted on the map as an Eligible Wild and Scenic River: Recreation Classification (see legend).



The descriptions of Vegetation and Wildlife Resources, respectively, would be modified to better reflect the current condition of these resources, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Timberland Resources would be modified to delete reference to MPC 5.2. The description of Fire Management would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.






MPC 5.2 would be deleted, along with associated fire guidelines 0824 and 0825.

To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 0831 would be modified, in the Vegetation section. Two new objectives and one new guideline would be added to the Wildlife Resources section. Objective 0868 in the Fire Management section would be modified.



III-70

Management Area 08. Morse Creek Location Map


III-71

Management Area 8 Mores Creek



2.2—Research Natural Areas Trace

2.4—Boise Basin Experimental Forest 6




******************************************************************************

Vegetation—Vegetation at lower elevations is typically grasslands, shrublands, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir on south and west aspects, and Douglas-fir forests on north and east aspects. Mid-elevations are dominated by shrubs and forest communities of Douglas-fir and subalpine fir, with pockets of lodgepole pine and aspen. Cold forest communities of subalpine fir are found in the upper elevations, interspersed with cliffs and talus slopes.

An estimated 8 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Mountain Big Sage, Bitterbrush, Montane Shrub, and Perennial Grass Slopes. The main forested vegetation groups in the area are Cool Dry Douglas-fir (6 percent), Cool Moist Douglas-fir (11 percent), Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir (8 percent), Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (47 percent), and Warm Dry Subalpine Fir (19 percent).

The Mountain Big Sagebrush and Montane Shrub groups are functioning properly, but they are trending toward old age structure, dense canopies, and low levels of herbaceous ground cover due to fire exclusion. The Perennial Grass Slopes group is also functioning properly, although introduced species are increasing. Bitterbrush is functioning at risk because of impacts from fire exclusion, livestock grazing, and introduced species. Past livestock grazing and fire exclusion have altered structure and species composition. Native species are competing with introduced species like cheatgrass, spotted knapweed, and rush skeletonweed.

The Cool Dry Douglas-fir, Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir, Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine, and Cool Moist Douglas-fir groups are functioning at risk. Stands that have recently burned have experienced high mortality because decades of fire exclusion resulted in high stand densities and fuel loadings that moved this group from a non-lethal to a lethal fire regime. These high density and fuel conditions still exist in unburned stands, where fire frequency is occurring at less than historic intervals. Insect and disease infestations have increased tree mortality and the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. These groups also lack young structural stages and seral ponderosa pine and aspen. Past reforestation practices in the Quartzburg Fire area have left thousands of acres of undesirable genetic stock. The Granite Creek (5th code HUC 1705011204), Lower Grimes Creek (5th code HUC 1705011203), and


III-72

Upper Mores Creek (5th code HUC 1705011207) watersheds are high priorities for active management to restore the large tree size class.

The Warm Dry Subalpine Fir group is functioning at risk due to fire exclusion that has resulted in old stands without much structural diversity. Late seral subalpine fir is increasing, and seral Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen are decreasing.

Riparian vegetation is functioning at risk due to localized impacts from roads, mining, livestock grazing, and recreation. Fire exclusion has resulted in longer fire return intervals, leading to increased fire intensity and severity. Exotic plant species have begun to encroach upon riparian areas, but recent prevention and control efforts have kept habitats intact. ******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—The wide range of elevations and vegetation types in the management area provide a variety of wildlife habitats. The lower Grimes Creek and Mores Creek corridors have wintering habitat for bald eagles. Much of the lower elevation grasslands and shrublands are important winter range for elk, as well as foraging habitat for introduced turkey and chukar. Dry forests provide habitat for a number of Region 4 sensitive species, including northern goshawk, flammulated owl, and white-headed woodpecker. High-elevation cold forests provide nesting and foraging habitat for boreal owl and three-toed woodpecker. The entire area provides nesting and forage habitat for migratory landbirds, and general habitat for wide-ranging mammals such as elk, bear, wolves, and mountain lion. High road densities may influence use of habitat by wildlife species negatively influenced by road-associated factors. Overall, terrestrial habitat is functioning at risk due to past silvicultural management practices and changes in fire disturbance patterns. The Upper Mores Creek watershed (5th code HUC 1705011207) has been identified as important to the recovery of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife utilizing late-seral forests with low canopy conditions, and is identified as a short-term high-priority watershed for restoration. ******************************************************************************

Timberland Resources—Of the estimated 82,700 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 59,600 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 11 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPC 5.1, as shown on the management area MPC map. Lands within MPC 2.2, 2.4, 3.2 and 4.1c are identified as not suited for timber production. Much of this area has had a high level of past timber management, and has been selectively harvested for mine timbers, construction lumber, and fuelwood as far back as the 1860s. This area also has the Idaho City Seed Orchard, developed and maintained to produce seeds of desirable genetic quality. Fuelwood, post and poles, Christmas trees, and other forest products currently receive a lot of public use and interest since this area is within an hour’s drive of Boise.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Wildland fires occur more frequently in this management area than in any other on the Idaho City District, both from lightning and human activities. The majority of these fires are successfully suppressed in the initial attack phase. Over the past 20 years there were approximately 320 fire starts, about 35 percent of which were human-caused. This management area had the third highest proportion of human-caused fires relative to the other management areas. Large fires since 1988 include the Minneha Fire, King Gulch Fire, Mores-Bannock Creek


III-73

Fire, Dunnigan Fire, Star Gulch Fire and Gregory. Portions of the Boise Basin Experimental Forest and Bannock Creek RNA were also burned in 1994. In total, about 29 percent of the management area has burned since 1988. This management area is not in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area, so no wildland fire use is anticipated.

The majority of the National Fire Plan communities on the Idaho City Ranger District are located within this management area, including Idaho City, Placerville, New Centerville, Pioneerville, and New Centerville. A large proportion of the management area is considered wildland-urban interface, and most subwatersheds pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. In addition, numerous subdivisions on the outskirts of rural areas also exist, such as Star Gulch and scattered residential structures along Highway 21. All of the interface communities are located in lower-elevation areas, surrounded predominantly by Warm Dry Douglas-fire/Moist Ponderosa Pine stands. Timber harvesting, pre-commercial thinning, and prescribed fire activities have treated stands in the vicinity of these communities, but further treatments are needed to continue restoration or maintenance of these stands to reduce the potential for uncharacteristic wildland fire. In the past, all fires have been actively suppressed in this area, and this policy will continue due to the high occurrence of wildland-urban interface. As such, fire use activities within this area will be limited to prescribed fire treatments.

Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be 40 percent mixed1 or 2, and 60 percent non-lethal. An estimated 32 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 40 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions—19 percent in the mixed1/mixed2 fire regimes, and 21 percent in the non-lethal regimes. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************




Rivers





III-74

******************************************************************************

MPC/Resource Area







******************************************************************************



Activities



******************************************************************************



Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new




III-75

******************************************************************************



Landscapes



******************************************************************************

MPC/Resource Area


Vegetation Objective 0831

Restore PVG1 (Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir), PVG2 (Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine) and PVG3 (Cool Moist Douglas-fir) as described in Appendix A emphasizing the large tree size class in the Granite Creek (5th code HUC 1705011204), Lower Grimes Creek (5th code HUC 1705011203), and Upper Mores Creek (5th code HUC 1705011207) watersheds.

******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Focus source habitat restoration activities within Upper Mores Creek watershed (5th code HUC 1705011207) in areas field-verified to have good-to-excellent conditions for restoration of old forest pine stands. A primary objective of treatment should be to expand the overall patch size of old forest habitat. (Refer to Conservation Principles 2 and 3 in Appendix E.)

Objective new

Reduce open road densities within Upper Mores Creek watershed (5th code HUC 1705011207) where it is determined that they limit use of source habitats by wildlife species identified as TEPC and R4 Regionally Sensitive species. (Refer to Conservation Principles 5 and 6 in Appendix E.)

Guideline new

Occupied white-headed woodpecker source habitat identified during project planning for vegetative management projects within the Upper Mores Creek watershed (5th code HUC 1705011207) watershed should be maintained and adjacent patches should be developed to facilitate movement and dispersal of individuals. (Refer to Conservation Principles 1, 4, and 5 in Appendix E.)

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective 0868


Chapter III Harris Creek Management Area 9

III-77

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 9, Harris Creek, pp. III-192 through III-201, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map




The description of Vegetation would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Timberland Resources would be modified to delete reference to MPC 5.2. The description of Fire Management would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.







To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 0916 would be modified, in the Vegetation section. Objective 0937 in the Fire Management section would be modified.



III-78

Management Area 09. Harris Creek Location Map


III-79

Management Area 9 Harris Creek





6.1—Restoration and Maintenance Emphasis within Shrubland & Grassland Landscapes 9

******************************************************************************

Vegetation—An estimated 15 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Montane Shrub and Perennial Grass Slopes. The main forested vegetation groups in the area are Cool Dry Douglas-fir (4 percent), Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir (5 percent), Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (33 percent), Cool Moist Grand Fir (29 percent), and Warm Dry Subalpine Fir (7 percent). Aspen is a component of the Douglas-fir and subalpine fir groups.

The Montane Shrub group is functioning properly, but it is trending toward old age structure, dense canopies, and low levels of herbaceous ground cover due to fire exclusion. The Perennial Grass Slopes group is moving toward proper functioning condition but is still considered to be at risk due to an increase in introduced species.

The Cool Dry Douglas-fir, Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir, Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine, and Cool Moist Grand Fir groups are functioning at risk. Fire exclusion has resulted in high stand densities and fuel loadings that have moved these groups from a non-lethal to a lethal fire regime. Insect and disease infestations have increased tree mortality and the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. These groups also lack young structural stages and seral ponderosa pine. The Banks (5th code HUC 1705012215) and Harris (5th code HUC 1705012216) watersheds are high priority for active management to restore the large tree size class.

The Warm Dry Subalpine Fir group is functioning low risk due to fire exclusion that has resulted in old stands without much structural diversity. Late seral subalpine fir is increasing, and seral Douglas-fir and aspen are decreasing.

Riparian vegetation is functioning at risk due to localized impacts from roads, livestock grazing, and recreation. Fire exclusion has resulted in longer fire return intervals, leading to increased fire intensity and severity. Exotic plant species have begun to encroach upon riparian areas, but recent prevention and control efforts have kept habitats intact. ******************************************************************************

Timberland Resources—Of the estimated 11,200 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 8.700 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 2 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPCs 5.1 and 6.1 (see management area MPC map). Lands in


III-80

MPC 4.1c have been identified as unsuited for timber production. The overall level of past timber management on these acres is moderate. Forest products such as fuelwood, posts, poles, and Christmas trees are also collected in designated areas.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Over the past 20 years there were about 30 fire starts in the management area, the majority of which were lightning-caused. However, acres burned have been relatively small since the majority of these fire starts are successfully suppressed during initial attack. Since 1988 only six percent of the Forest Service ownership in the management area has burned. However, areas adjacent to the Forest have burned in recent years.

In the past, all fires have been actively suppressed, and this policy will continue due to the occurrence of wildland-urban interface areas nearby. As such, fire use activities within this area will be limited to prescribed fire treatments. This management area is not in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area, so no wildland fire use is anticipated.

Banks is a National Fire Plan community and the area around Banks is considered wildland-urban interface areas due to private development adjacent to the Forest. Additionally, the subwatersheds surrounding Banks as well as Porter Creek are also considered to pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be 51 percent mixed 1 or 2, and 49 percent non-lethal. An estimated 42 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 31 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************




Rivers



******************************************************************************



III-81

MPC/Resource Area




Activities



******************************************************************************



Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************



Landscapes



******************************************************************************



III-82

MPC/Resource Area



Maintenance Emphasis within Shrubland and

Grassland Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************


Restore PVG1 (Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir), PVG2 (Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine) and PVG6 (Cool Moist Grand Fir) as described in Appendix A emphasizing the large tree size class in the Banks (5th code HUC 1705012215) and Harris (5th code HUC 1705012216) watersheds.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective 0937



Chapter III Upper South Fork Payette River Management Area 10

III-83

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 10, Upper South Fork Payette River, pp. III-202 through III-215, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map




The descriptions of Vegetation and Wildlife Resources, respectively, would be modified to better reflect the current condition of these resources, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Timberland Resources would be modified to delete reference to MPC 5.2. The description of Fire Management would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.





To MPC 4.2, a vegetation standard specifying how snags should be retained in commercial salvage sales and a guideline on how the personal use firewood program should be managed to retain snags would be added.


MPC 5.2 would be deleted, along with associated fire guidelines 1024, 1025 and 1026.

To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objectives 1033 and 1034 would be modified, and objective 1035 would be deleted, in the Vegetation section. Three new objectives and two new guidelines would be added to the Wildlife Resources section. Objective 1068 in the Fire Management section would be modified.



III-84

Management Area 10. Upper South Fork Payette River Location Map


III-85

Management Area 10 Upper South Fork Payette River







4.2—Roaded Recreation Emphasis 1


******************************************************************************

Vegetation—Vegetation at lower elevations is typically grasslands, shrublands, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir on south and west aspects, and Douglas-fir forests on north and east aspects. Mid-elevations are dominated by shrubs and forest communities of Douglas-fir and subalpine fir, with pockets of lodgepole pine and aspen. Cold forest communities of subalpine fir are found in the upper elevations, interspersed with cliffs and talus slopes.

An estimated 21 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Mountain Big Sage, Montane Shrub, Perennial Grass Slopes, and Alpine and Dry Meadows. The main forested vegetation groups in the area are Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir (9 percent), Warm Dry Subalpine Fir (18 percent), Cool Dry Douglas-fir (11 percent), Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (18 percent), Cool Moist Douglas-fir (7 percent), High Elevation Subalpine Fir (2 percent), and Persistent Lodgepole Pine (15 percent).

The Mountain Big Sagebrush and Montane Shrub groups are functioning properly, but they are trending toward old age structure, dense canopies, and low levels of herbaceous ground cover due to fire exclusion. Alpine and Dry Meadows are also functioning properly, with minor impacts from dispersed recreation. Perennial Grass Slopes are at moderate risk due to impacts from big game grazing that have altered structure and led to an increase in annual grasses and noxious weeds.

The Cool Moist Douglas-fir, Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir, Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine groups are not functioning properly in some areas. Large areas recently burned in high intensity wildfires, which removed many of the large trees and converted old and mid-aged stand structure to open and young stages. Stands that recently burned experienced high mortality because decades of fire exclusion resulted in high stand densities and fuel loadings that moved these groups from non-lethal to lethal fire regimes. These high density and fuel conditions still exist in unburned stands, where fire frequency is occurring at less than historic intervals. In these areas, insect and disease infestations have increased tree mortality and


III-86

the risk of uncharacteristic large wildfire. These areas also lack young structural stages and seral ponderosa pine.

The Cool Dry Douglas-fir, Warm Dry Subalpine Fir and Persistent Lodgepole Pine groups are functioning at risk due to fire exclusion that has resulted in old stands without much structural diversity. Late seral subalpine fir is increasing, and seral Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen are decreasing. Snags and large woody debris are at low levels in localized areas of the Persistent Lodgepole Pine group due to fuelwood gathering. High Elevation Subalpine Fir is also functioning at risk due to fire exclusion that has allowed natural succession to reach late seral conditions in most areas. Stands are generally old and dense, with increasing subalpine fir and decreasing whitebark pine. Whitebark pine is also being lost to blister rust in many areas. The Clear Creek (5th code HUC 1705012007) and Wapiti (5th code HUC 1705012008) watersheds are high priority for passive restoration to increase landscape and stand diversity. The Warm Spring (5th code HUC 1705012009) and Canyon Creek (5th code HUC 1705012010) watersheds are high priority for whitebark pine restoration particularly in the areas affected by recent wildland fires.

Riparian vegetation is not functioning properly in some areas due to a number of impacts. Fire exclusion in some areas has resulted in conifer trees replacing broadleaf shrubs and cottonwoods. Large wildfires in other areas have burned the tree component, removing shade, cover, and seed source. Introduced plant species and noxious weeds have increased with increasing roads and recreation use. ******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—Warm ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests along the South Fork Payette River provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker and flammulated owl, wintering habitat for bald eagles, and winter range for deer, elk, and mountain goat. Forests at lower and mid-elevations provide habitat for Region 4 sensitive species, goshawk and great gray owl. Nesting habitat for peregrine falcon and golden eagles occurs in isolated areas with rocky bluffs. High-elevation forests provide habitat for great gray owls, fisher, boreal owls, and many migratory landbirds, as well as summer range for mammals such as deer, elk, black bear, and mountain goat. Wolves are present in this Management Area. One Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area overlays the majority of this Management Area: Boise River. Terrestrial habitat is not functioning properly in areas that have been affected by recent large wildfires. Impacts include loss of large trees, old forest structure, hiding and thermal cover, and migration and travel corridors. The Lowman watershed (5th code HUC 1705012006) has been identified as important to the recovery of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife utilizing late-seral forests with low canopy conditions, and has been identified as a short-term high-priority area for restoration. In addition, the Clear Creek watershed (5th code HUC 1705012007) has been identified as important to the sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife affected by human uses on the landscape. This watershed is identified as a short-term high priority area for subsequent site-specific investigations at a finer scale.

******************************************************************************

Timberland Resources—Of the estimated 156,300 tentatively suited acres in this management area, 43,900 acres have been identified as being suited timberlands, or appropriate for timber production. This represents about 8 percent of the Forest’s suited timberland acres. The suited timberland acres are found in MPCs 4.2 and 5.1, as shown on the map displaying the MPCs for


III-87

this management area. Lands within MPC 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, and 4.1c are identified as not suited for timber production. Timber management has been emphasized in the Clear Creek and Rock Creek drainages. No management activities are planned for the three recommended wilderness areas. Past management activities have been relatively high in the Clear Creek and Rock Creek drainages, and low or non-existent elsewhere. Forest products such as fuelwood, posts, poles and Christmas trees are collected in designated areas.

****************************************************************************** Fire Management—Prescribed fire has been used to reduce activity-generated fuels and enhance big game winter range. Over the past 20 years there have been approximately 320 fire starts in the management area, 75 percent of which are started by lightning. Large wildfires that have occurred in the last 20 years include the Lowman Complex (1989), Willis Gulch (1988), County Line (1992), Canyon Creek (2003) and Red Mountain (2006). Of these large fires, three of the five were human-caused. Since 1988, about 39 percent of the management area has been burned by wildfire. Portions of the management area are in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area.

Lowman is a National Fire Plan community and Highway 21 corridor from Lowman toward the Grandjean and including Grandjean and the surrounding summer home areas as well as the Long Creek Summer Home area are considered wildland-urban interface areas due to private development adjacent to and within the Forest. The subwatersheds that include these wildland-urban interface areas as well as Upper Clear Creek are also considered to pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 19 percent lethal, 48 percent mixed1 or 2, and 33 percent non-lethal. An estimated 16 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 36 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************




Rivers





III-88

******************************************************************************







******************************************************************************



Activities



******************************************************************************

MPC 4.2 Roaded

Recreation Emphasis


For commercial salvage sales, retain the maximum number of snags depicted in Table A-6 within each size class where available. Where large snags (>20 inches dbh) are unavailable, retain additional smaller snags where available to meet the maximum total number snags per acre depicted in Table A-6.3


new


******************************************************************************



III-89




Forested Landscapes


For commercial salvage sales, retain the maximum number of snags depicted in Table A-6 within each size class where available. Where large snags (>20 inches dbh) are unavailable, retain additional smaller snags where available to meet the maximum total number snags per acre depicted in Table A-6.4


new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************



Landscapes

Fire Standard 1024 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.



******************************************************************************

Vegetation

Objective 1033

Restore patch size and structural diversity in PVG4 (Cool Dry Douglas-fir), PVG7 (Warm Dry Subalpine Fir), PVG10 (Persistent Lodgepole Pine) and PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) in the Clear Creek (5th code HUC 17050112007) and Wapiti (5th code HUC 17050112008) watersheds.

Objective 1034

Restore whitebark pine in PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) vegetation group as described in Appendix A in the Warm Spring (5th code HUC 17050112009) and Canyon Creek (5th code HUC 17050112010) watersheds.


******************************************************************************



III-90


Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Focus source habitat restoration activities within the Lowman watershed (5th code HUC 17050112006) in areas field-verified to have good-to-excellent conditions for restoration of old forest pine stands. A primary objective of treatment should be to expand the overall patch size of old forest habitat. (Refer to Conservation Principles 2 and 3 in Appendix E)

Objective new

Reduce open road densities in the Lowman watershed (5th code HUC 17050112006) where it is determined that they limit use of source habitats by wildlife species identified as TEPC or R4 Regionally Sensitive. (Refer to Conservation Principles 5 and 6 in Appendix E.)

Guideline new

Determine whether winter recreation activities are impacting wolverine during the critical winter denning period within the priority Clear Creek watershed (5th code HUC 17050112007). (Refer to Conservation Principle 6 in Appendix E.)

Objective new

Occupied white-headed woodpecker source habitat identified during project planning for vegetative management projects within the Lowman watershed (5th code HUC 17050112006) should be maintained and adjacent patches should be developed to facilitate movement and dispersal of individuals. (Refer to Conservation Principles 1, 4, and 5 in Appendix E.)

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective 1068


Chapter III Lower South Fork Payette River Management Area 11

III-91

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 11, Lower South Fork Payette River, pp. III-216 through III-229, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map




The descriptions of Vegetation and Wildlife Resources, respectively, would be modified to better reflect the current condition of these resources, including priorities for restoration, as appropriate. The description of Fire Management would be modified to better reflect the current condition of this resource.







To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 1122 would be modified, in the Vegetation section. Objective 1153 in the Fire Management section would be modified.



III-92

Management Area 11. Lower South Fork Payette River Location Map


III-93

Management Area 11 Lower South Fork Payette River






******************************************************************************

Vegetation—Vegetation at lower elevations is typically grasslands, shrublands, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir on south and west aspects, and Douglas-fir forests on north and east aspects. Mid and upper elevations are dominated by shrubs and forest communities of Douglas-fir and subalpine fir, with pockets of lodgepole pine and aspen.

An estimated 22 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Mountain Big Sage, Montane Shrub, and Perennial Grass Slopes. The main forested vegetation groups in the area are Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir (4 percent), Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (45 percent), Cool Moist Douglas-fir (11 percent), and Cool Dry Douglas-fir (11 percent).

The Mountain Big Sage and Montane Shrub groups are functioning properly, with only minor impacts from past livestock grazing. The Perennial Grass Slopes and Perennial Grass Montane groups are at or near properly functioning condition; however, past grazing impacts and introduced species have altered composition and structure in localized areas. Rush skeletonweed and other noxious weeds are increasing.

The Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir, Cool Moist Douglas-fir, and the Cool Dry Douglas-fir groups are functioning at risk, and the Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine group is not functioning properly due primarily to timber harvest and fire exclusion that have altered stand composition and structure. In managed areas, stands are dominantly young and mid-aged, with limited large trees, snags, and large woody debris. In unmanaged and unburned areas, stands have more Douglas-fir and less seral ponderosa pine and aspen than is desirable, and moderate to high levels of insect and disease infestations. Large-tree, single-storied stand structure is lacking. Noxious weeds and introduced species are increasing in the understory. Both watersheds in the management area are high priority for active management to restore the large tree size class.

Riparian vegetation is generally functioning properly, but localized impacts have occurred from timber harvest, roads, recreation, and livestock grazing. Noxious weeds and introduced plant species are increasing.

******************************************************************************


III-94

Wildlife Resources—The riparian corridor along the South Fork Payette River provides wintering habitat for bald eagles. Warm ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests along the South Fork Payette River provide habitat for white-headed woodpecker and flammulated owl, and extensive winter range for deer and elk. Low- to mid-elevation forests provide habitat for Region 4 sensitive species, goshawk and great gray owl. Nesting habitat for peregrine falcon and golden eagles occurs in isolated areas with rocky bluffs. High-elevation forests provide habitat for fisher and boreal owls, as well as summer range for mammals such as deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lion. Wolves are present in this area. All habitats provide nesting and forage for migratory landbirds. Terrestrial wildlife habitat is functioning at risk due to habitat changes from timber harvest and fire suppression, fragmentation from roads and harvest, and disturbance from recreation uses. Winter range along the south slopes of the South Fork Payette River is in poor condition due to past livestock use and noxious weed infestations. ******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Prescribed fire has been used to reduce activity-generated fuels and enhance big game winter range. This management area is not in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area, so no wildland fire use is anticipated. Over the past 20 years there were approximately 100 fire starts, over 70 percent of which were lightning-caused. Since 1988, only two percent of the management area has been affected by wildfire. Garden Valley is a National Fire Plan community and the areas around Garden Valley along Highway 17, north toward Crouch and south toward Alder Creek and Grimes Pass are considered wildland-urban interface areas due to private development adjacent to the Forest. Subwatersheds that include the wildland-urban interface are also considered to pose risks to life and property from potential post-fire floods and debris flows. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 3 percent lethal, 34 percent mixed1 or 2, and 63 percent non-lethal. An estimated 41 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 29 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************



III-95



Rivers



******************************************************************************






******************************************************************************



Activities



******************************************************************************



Forested Landscapes




new




III-96

Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************




Landscapes



******************************************************************************


Restore PVG1 (Dry Ponderosa Pine/Xeric Douglas-fir), PVG2 (Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine) and PVG3 (Cool, Moist Douglas-fir) vegetation groups as described in Appendix A emphasizing the large tree size class in both watersheds in the management area.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management

Objective 1153


Chapter III Bear Valley Creek Management Area 12

III-97

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 12, Bear Valley Creek, pp. III-230 through III-239, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The map would be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridors are noted on the map as Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers (see legend).







To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objective 1230 would be deleted, and objective 1231 would be modified, in the Vegetation section. One new objective would be added to the Wildlife Resources section.



III-98

Management Area 12. Bear Valley Creek Location Map


III-99

Management Area 12 Bear Valley Creek




3.1—Passive Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial, & Hydrologic Resources 45


******************************************************************************

Vegetation—This high-elevation area largely consists of lodgepole and subalpine fir forests, interspersed with extensive meadow systems. An estimated 8 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Alpine and Dry Meadows. The main forested vegetation groups are Warm Dry Subalpine Fir (39 percent), and Persistent Lodgepole Pine (43 percent). Though High Elevation Subalpine Fir makes up only a small portion of the management area, whitebark pine is an important early seral species that has been declining across the area, particularly due to the impact of wildland fires, insects and disease. Whitebark pine restoration is a high priority particularly in areas affected by recent disturbances.

The Alpine and Dry Meadows groups are at low risk due to localized impacts from sheep grazing, lodgepole pine encroachment, and lack of fire.

The Warm Dry Subalpine Fir group is functioning properly. Persistent Lodgepole Pine is functioning at risk due to the exclusion of fire and the associated lack of seedling/sapling stages, and the high risk of mountain pine beetle attacking the large even-aged stands that are older and lack vigor.

Riparian vegetation is functioning properly.

******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—Extensive meadows and lodgepole forests in Bear Valley provide summer range habitat for elk. Forests provide habitat for Region 4 Sensitive species, including goshawk, great gray owl, boreal owls, three-toed woodpeckers, and wolverine. The large lodgepole pine and subalpine fir stands provide some of the best potential snowshoe hare and lynx habitat on the Forest. Habitat exists for many migratory landbirds, and there is summer range for mammals such as deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lion. Wolves are present in this area. This Management Area lies entirely within the following Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area: Upper Middle Fork Salmon. Terrestrial wildlife habitat is functioning at risk primarily due to a deficiency of snags and large woody debris in managed areas, and the exclusion of fire creating dense stands at lower elevations. In managed areas, corridors, routes, and patterns have been altered by roads and harvest units; and are influencing use of habitat. The Bear Valley (5th code HUC 1706020508) and Elk Creek (5th code HUC 1706020509) watersheds


III-100

have been identified as important to the sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife affected by human uses on the landscape. These two watersheds are identified as short-term high priority areas for subsequent site-specific investigations at a finer scale.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Prescribed fire has been used to reduce activity-generated fuels. Over the past 20 years, there have been approximately 110 fire starts in the management area. Of these, the majority were lightning-caused. Portions of the Deadwood, Cub Creek, County Line, Red Mountain and Sheep-Trail Fires have burned in this area within the last 20 years. In total about 46 percent of the management area has burned since 1988. This management area is in the Forest’s wildland fire use planning area. There are no National Fire Plan communities or wildland-urban interface areas in this management area. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be 46 percent lethal and 54 percent mixed1 or 2. None of the area regimes has vegetation conditions that are highly departed from their historical range. However, 42 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity. ******************************************************************************




Rivers



******************************************************************************

MPC 3.1 Passive Restoration and Maintenance of

Aquatic, Terrestrial, and

Watershed Resources



******************************************************************************



III-101

MPC/Resource Area







******************************************************************************

Vegetation Objective 1230 Deleted, as part of 2010 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.

Objective 1231 Restore whitebark pine in PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) vegetation group as described in Appendix A.

******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Determine whether winter recreation activities are impacting wolverine during the critical winter denning period within priority Bear Valley (5th code HUC 1706020508) and Elk Creek (5th code HUC 1706020509) watersheds. (Refer to Conservation Principle 6 in Appendix E.)

2 This standard shall not apply to management activities that an authorized officer determines are needed for the protection of life and property during an emergency event, to reasonably address other human health and safety concerns, to meet hazardous fuel reduction objectives within WUIs, to manage the personal use fuelwood program, or allow reserved or outstanding rights, tribal rights or statutes to be reasonably exercised or complied with.

Chapter III Deadwood River Management Area 13

III-103

As shown below, the following proposed changes would be made to the Management Area Description and Management Area Direction for Management Area 13, Deadwood River, pp. III-240 through III-253, in Chapter III, Management Direction, of the 2003 Land and Resource Management Plan (revised) for the Boise National Forest. Each modified section is separated by a line of asterisks.

Location Map

The Management Area location map would be modified to correct a mapping error that identified eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors as assigned to MPC 2.1. (MPC 2.1 was intended for assignment only to designated Wild and Scenic Rivers and their corridors). Instead, the river corridors are noted on the map as Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers (see legend).









To reflect priorities identified by the WCS, objectives 1329 and 1331 would be modified, and objectives 1328 and 1330 would be deleted, in the Vegetation section. Two new objectives and one new guideline would be added to the Wildlife Resources section and two objectives would be deleted.



III-104

Management Area 13. Deadwood River Location Map


III-105

Management Area 13 Deadwood River



3.1—Passive Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial, & Hydrologic Resources 3




******************************************************************************

Vegetation—Vegetation at lower elevations is typically grasslands and shrublands and dry ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir on south and west aspects, and moist Douglas-fir forests on north and east aspects. Mid-elevations are dominated by shrubs and forest communities of Douglas-fir and subalpine fir, with pockets of persistent lodgepole pine and aspen. Cold forest communities of subalpine fir and whitebark pine are found in the upper elevations, interspersed with cliffs and talus slopes.

An estimated 13 percent of the management area is comprised of rock, water, or shrubland and grassland vegetation groups, including Montane Shrub, Perennial Grass Slopes, and Alpine and Dry Meadows. The main forested vegetation groups are Cool Moist Douglas-fir (12 percent), Warm Dry Subalpine Fir (19 percent), Cool Dry Douglas-fir (16 percent), Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine (13 percent), High Elevation Subalpine Fir (1 percent), and Persistent Lodgepole Pine (24 percent).

The Montane Shrub group is functioning properly, but is trending toward old age structure, dense canopies, and low levels of herbaceous ground cover due to fire exclusion. Alpine and Dry Meadows are functioning properly, with minor impacts from dispersed recreation. Perennial Grass Slopes are functioning at risk due to impacts from big-game grazing that have altered structure and led to an increase in annual grasses and noxious weeds.

The Warm Dry Douglas-fir/Moist Ponderosa Pine, and Cool Moist Douglas-fir groups are functioning at risk because past timber harvest and the 1989 Lowman Fire removed large trees and converted old and mid-aged stand structure to open and young stages in some areas. Stands that recently burned experienced high mortality because decades of fire exclusion resulted in high stand densities and fuel loadings that moved these groups from non-lethal to lethal fire regimes. In addition, high stand densities and fuel conditions still exist in unburned stands, where fire frequency is occurring at less than historic intervals. In these areas, insect and disease infestations have increased tree mortality and the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire. These areas also lack young structural stages and seral ponderosa pine and aspen.

The Cool Dry Douglas-fir, Warm Dry Subalpine Fir and Persistent Lodgepole Pine groups are functioning at risk due to fire exclusion that has resulted in old stands without much structural diversity. Late seral subalpine fir is increasing, and early seral Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and


III-106

aspen are decreasing. Snags and large woody debris are at low levels along the road corridors of the Persistent Lodgepole Pine group due to fuelwood gathering. High Elevation Subalpine Fir is functioning at risk due to fire exclusion that has allowed natural succession to reach late seral conditions in most areas. Stands are generally old and dense, with increasing subalpine fir and decreasing whitebark pine. Whitebark pine is also being lost to blister rust in many areas. The Whitehawk watershed (5th code HUC 1705012004) is high priority for passive restoration to increase landscape and stand diversity. Both watersheds in the management area are high priority for whitebark pine restoration particularly in the areas affected by recent wildland fires.

Riparian vegetation is functioning at risk in localized areas due to a number of impacts. Fire exclusion in some areas has resulted in conifer trees replacing woody shrubs and cottonwoods. Wildfire in localized areas has burned the tree component, removing shade, cover, and seed source. Introduced plants and noxious weeds have increased with increasing roads and recreation use. ******************************************************************************

Wildlife Resources—The lower Deadwood River area provides big-game winter range, winter habitat for bald eagles, and nesting and foraging habitat for white-headed woodpeckers and flammulated owls. Low and mid-elevation forests provide habitat for Region 4 sensitive species, goshawk and great gray owl, and summer range for elk. High-elevation forests provide habitat for boreal owls, three-toed woodpeckers, wolverine, lynx, and many migratory landbirds, as well as summer range for mammals such as deer, elk, black bear, and mountain lion. Wolves are present in the area. One Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy focal area overlays portions of this Management Area: Deadwood. Overall, terrestrial habitat is functioning at risk in localized areas due to impacts to winter range forage from introduced species and noxious weeds. Forested habitats adapted to non-lethal fire regimes are at risk due to changes in both stand densities and tree species composition that have made them more vulnerable to uncharacteristic fire activity. The Lower Deadwood watershed (5th code HUC 1705012003) in this Management Area has been identified as a short-term high-priority area for restoration important to the recovery of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife utilizing late-seral forests with low canopy conditions. Within this Management Area four watersheds have been identified as important to the sustainability of Forest sensitive species and other native wildlife affected by human uses on the landscape due to the high elevation habitats within these watersheds. These four watersheds: Lower Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012003), Whitehawk (5th code HUC 1705012004), Upper Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012005) and Sulpher Creek (5th code HUC 1706020510); are identified as short-term high priority areas for subsequent site-specific investigations at a finer scale.

******************************************************************************

Fire Management—Prescribed fire has been used to reduce activity-generated fuels. Portions of the 2006 Rattlesnake and 2007 Cascade Complex fires occurred in recent years. Over the past 20 years there have been approximately 240 fire starts in the management area, most of which were caused by lightning. Since 1988, about 16 percent of the area has been burned by wildfires. This management area is in the Forest’s wildland fire use area. There are no National Fire Plan communities or wildland-urban interface areas in this management area. Historical fire regimes for the area are estimated to be: 28 percent lethal, 56 percent mixed1 or 2, and 16 percent non-lethal. An estimated 12 percent of the area regimes have vegetation conditions that are highly


III-107

departed from their historical range. Most of this change has occurred in the historically non-lethal fire regimes, resulting in conditions where wildfire would likely be much larger and more intense and severe than historically. In addition, 33 percent of the area is in moderately departed conditions. Wildfire in these areas may result in somewhat larger patch sizes of high intensity or severity, but not to the same extent as in the highly departed areas in non-lethal fire regimes. ******************************************************************************




Rivers



******************************************************************************

MPC 3.1 Passive Restoration and Maintenance of Aquatic, Terrestrial,




******************************************************************************






******************************************************************************



III-108




Activities



******************************************************************************



Forested Landscapes




new


Road Guideline new


******************************************************************************

Vegetation


Objective 1329 Restore whitebark pine in PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) vegetation group, as described in Appendix A in both watersheds in the management area.


Objective 1331

Restore patch size and structural diversity in PVG4 (Cool Dry Douglas-fir), PVG7 (Warm Dry Subalpine Fir), PVG10 (Persistent Lodgepole Pine) and PVG11 (High Elevation Subalpine Fir) in the Whitehawk watershed (5th code HUC 1705012004).

******************************************************************************



III-109


Wildlife Resources

Objective new

Focus source habitat restoration activities within the Lower Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012003) watershed in areas field-verified to have good-to-excellent conditions for restoration of old forest pine stands. A primary objective of treatment should be to expand the overall patch size of old forest habitat. (Refer to Conservation Principles 2 and 3 in Appendix E.)

Objective new

Determine whether winter recreation activities are impacting wolverine during the critical winter denning period within the Lower Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012003), Whitehawk (5th code HUC 1705012004), Upper Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012005) and Sulpher Creek (5th code HUC 1706020510) priority watersheds. (Refer to Conservation Principle 6 in Appendix E.)

Guideline new

Occupied white-headed woodpecker source habitat identified during project planning for vegetative management projects within the Lower Deadwood (5th code HUC 1705012003) watershed should be maintained and adjacent patches should be developed to facilitate movement and dispersal of individuals. (Refer to Conservation Principles 1, 4, and 5 in Appendix E.)

chapter iii boise front/bogus basin management area...

Documents