United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

October 2014

Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project Scoping Report

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Sawtooth National Forest Custer County, Idaho

For More Information Contact:

Michelle Erdie Sawtooth NRA Headquarters Office

5 North Fork Canyon Road Ketchum, ID. 83340

(208) 727-5000

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Scoping Report

Introduction The Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA); Sawtooth National Forest, is proposing to implement a variety of vegetation modifications and prescribed fire burning treatments along the Forest Service Road # 210 (Road 210) and within the Redfish Lake recreation complex. We are calling the project the “Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project,” often abbreviated to the “Redfish 210 Project.” The proposed treatments will be carried out over ten years and on approximately 3,000 acres within project area. Overall, this project is designed to reduce fuel loading in strategic locations near high value areas by vegetation thinning and prescribed burning treatments in order to reduce fuel concentrations and modify vegetation composition and structure; moving the project area away from hazardous fuel loading and toward desired vegetative conditions.

Project Area The project area is located eight miles south of Stanley, Idaho in the upper Salmon River Valley, in Townships 9 and 10 North; Ranges 13 and 14 East (please see Vicinity Map below).

Map 1. Redfish 210 Project Vicinity

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Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project

The Huckleberry Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA), which is 7,653 acres in size, is located between Hell Roaring Creek and Redfish Lake. It is bordered on the west by the Sawtooth Wilderness and on the east by private lands and the Decker Flats Road (Road 210). Four percent or 280 acres of the Huckleberry IRA is within the project area. Hand treatment of thinning vegetation and prescribed fire are proposed for the 280 acres in the IRA. (See Map 2 at the end of this document for treatment areas and IRA location.) The proposed prescribed fire and understory thinning in the IRA is permissible under the Idaho Roadless Rule (36 CFR 294.24(c)(1)) because it: 1. reduces hazardous fuel conditions in and around the community protection zone; 2. improves wildlife habitat; 3. maintains or restores the characteristics of ecosystem composition, structure, and processes; and 4. reduces the risk of uncharacteristic wildland fire effects. Portions of the Redfish Lake Creek and Fishhook Creek are currently ‘eligible’ to be designated under the Wild & Scenic River Act. Although there is no treatment proposed directly adjacent or within these Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs), they are listed here due to their presence within the overall project area. There are 185 acres of ‘river area’ within the project area boundary. These segments are tentatively classified as ‘Recreation’ rivers. (See Map 2 at the end of this document for treatment areas and Wild & Scenic River corridors.)

Background Recent drought, coupled with moderate winters has led to an increase in insect outbreaks within the Sawtooth NRA. Lodgepole pine mortality over the past 15 years, caused by mountain pine beetle, has left a large amount of dead fuel in the Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin. This occurrence is commonly referred to as ‘high fuel loading’. This type of fuel can cause crowning, spotting and intense wildfire behavior, as evidenced by the Road 210 wildfire (July, 2013), which directly threatened several high values at risk. The Redfish Lake Lodge, Redfish Lake campgrounds and trailheads, and the Stanley Basin/Buckhorn subdivision are designated by the 2012 Custer County Wildfire Protection Plan as ‘communities at risk’. These areas, which are part of the Redfish complex, exist within and adjacent to the project area and are located within a ‘community protection zone.’ In addition to the wildfire referred to above, wildfires have occurred along Road 210 to the north, south, and within the project area (2014). It is anticipated that future wildfires will be larger with higher intensity.

Much of the project area is located in a vegetation structure that has departed from historic fire regime conditions. The 2012 Sawtooth Forest Land & Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) uses environmental characteristics, site productivity, and disturbance regimes to describe desirable conditions for each vegetative community found within the project area. Although desired conditions for some communities increase the hazards associated with stand-replacing wildland fire, the risk of these events may be reduced by using a variety of vegetation management techniques. This project would use vegetation thinning and prescribed burning treatments to reduce fuel concentrations and modify vegetation composition and structure; moving the project area away from hazardous fuel loading and toward desired vegetative conditions.

Purpose and Need There is a need to reduce fuel concentrations and modify vegetation composition and structure; moving the project area away from hazardous fuel loading and toward desired vegetative conditions. The purpose of the Redfish Road 210 Project is to reduce the effects of beetle caused mortality and to mitigate the resulting hazardous fuels build up. By reducing the accumulated fuels in the project

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Scoping Report

area, and changing forest composition, structure, and density, this project is expected to reduce the potential for high intensity wildfires that could destroy valuable human resources.

Three specific needs for action have been identified based upon Forest Plan goals; they are:

1) Hazardous fuel reduction to protect high value areas. The project area is within and adjacent to two community protection zones including the Redfish Lake Resort structures, the Buckhorn homes, and Forest Service structures. Long-term fire exclusion and beetle mortality have created high fuel loads that would have direct influence on valued areas in the event of a wildfire. The intended result of the proposed treatments is to reduce fuel loads near these high value areas. By thinning dense stands, increasing tree spacing, removing limbs along the tree trunk up to eight feet high in some areas, and removing a portion of dead and down trees, the intensity of future wildfires in these treated areas will be reduced. According to the Forest Plan we should, “Provide for protection of life, investments, and valuable resources through appropriate vegetation, fuel, and wildland fire management.” (Forest Plan 2012: p. III-41: FMGO05) Therefore, there is a need to substantially reduce the likelihood of destructive fire near these sites by implementing the proposed actions in this project.

2) Enhance the ability of Forest Service personnel to fight wildfire that escapes initial containment. Areas that have experienced ‘high fuel loading’ can exhibit crowning, spotting and intense wildfire behavior. Effectively controlling such an intense wildfire would be difficult. Proposed treatments will use vegetation modification and prescribed fire techniques to reduce this anticipated behavior. The intensity of future wildfires in this area will be reduced by thinning dense stands, increasing tree spacing, and removing a portion of dead and down trees. Strategically creating ‘patch’ cuts will decrease fuel continuity by increasing age-class and structural diversity. Removing encroaching conifers from open meadows will maintain naturally existing fire breaks. According to Forest Plan goals, we should, “Use fire alone or with other management activities to treat natural and activity fuels to a level that reduces the risk of uncharacteristic or undesirable wildland fires.”(Forest Plan 2012: p. III-41: FMGO04) Therefore, there is a need to modify currently existing fuel conditions in the project area and create vegetative features that will aid future wildfire suppression tactics.

3) Forest health improvement. Across the project area, beetle infestation and long-term fire suppression have moved the vegetative communities away from desired conditions. According to Forest Plan goals, “The diversity of plant community components, including species composition, size classes, canopy cover, structure, snags, and coarse woody debris fall within the desired range of conditions described in Appendix A and contribute to achievement of Forest Plan multiple-use objectives.” (Forest Plan 2012: p. III-31: VEGO01) The proposed treatments use vegetation modification and prescribed fire techniques to increase the diversity of these components. Thinning stands by removing smaller-diameter trees will enhance growing conditions for larger-diameter lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir trees. Removing conifers encroaching into open meadows will maintain suitable habitat for wildlife and plant species dependent on open, non-forested habitat. Patch cuts will increase age-class and structural diversity. According to the Forest Plan, “Species identified as declining (e.g. whitebark pine, aspen) are restored to desired levels of representation across the planning unit consistent with that described in Appendix A. (Forest Plan 2012: p. III-31) By removing encroaching conifers and applying prescribed burns to aspen stands, the proposed treatments will promote aspen regeneration. Thinning treatments may benefit whitebark pine communities presently found in the project area by reducing competition. Treatments will remove snags and course woody debris according to Forest Plan guidelines.

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Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project

Proposed Action Proposed treatments and activities will occur along Road 210 and in the Redfish Complex in order to meet the purpose and need described above. The Sawtooth NRA is proposing to implement a variety of vegetation modifications and prescribed fire treatments over the next ten years. Approximately 3,000 acres are proposed for treatment through this project.

Redfish Point Thinning (50 acres) From the Redfish Lake Road to the ridge, a prescribed silvicultural hand treatment of removing the smaller diameter trees would be applied. This hand treatment would typically be the removal of trees up to 8 inches in diameter, but may include trees up to 12 inches in diameter to achieve a 10-30 foot variable spacing. Small scattered patches of uncut timber would be left throughout the unit. The residual stand would include small clusters of dense uncut timber, uncut shrubs, open areas with scattered mature trees, and thinned areas with trees of various sizes. Where aspen occurs, conifers from within and around aspen would be removed.

Additionally, from the Redfish Lake Road out 100 feet, up to 50% of trees would be ‘limbed’ (branches removed) up to 8 feet in height. No more than 1/3 of live crown will be removed.

Snags and coarse woody debris would be left to meet Forest Plan guidelines, to manage visual standards and to manage recreation social trails (2012 Forest Plan, p. III-33 VEGU03; And p. III-34 VEGU09 &10).

Redfish Sockeye (30 acres) Between campgrounds and the inventoried roadless area boundary, apply a prescribed silvicultural hand thinning treatment, removing lodgepole pine up to 6 inches in diameter to achieve a 10-30 foot variable spacing. Small scattered patches of uncut timber would be left throughout the unit. The residual stand would include small clusters of uncut timber, open areas with scattered mature trees, and thinned areas with trees of various sizes. Species preference for retention would be Engelmann spruce.

Snags and coarse woody debris would be left to meet Forest Plan guidelines, to manage visual standards and to limit user-created trails (2012 Forest Plan, p. III-33 VEGU03; And p. III-34 VEGU09 &10).

Redfish Maintenance (122 acres) Maintain existing fuel breaks within the Redfish recreation area for long-term that were initially created in 2003 during the Redtree Fuels Reduction Project. As the trees in these areas grow, complete hand treatment or mechanical treatment (where necessary and appropriate) and cut and remove dead and down trees. Thinning treatments would be applied to remove lodgepole pine trees up to 6 inches in diameter to achieve a variable spacing of 10-30 feet. Small scattered patches of uncut timber would be left throughout the units. Post-harvest, the residual stand would include small clusters of uncut timber, open areas with scattered mature trees, and thinned areas with trees of various sizes.

Removal of snags and coarse woody debris would be achieved to meet Forest Plan guidelines and to manage areas of heavily concentrated downfall. (2012 Forest Plan, p. III-33 VEGU03; And p. III-34 VEGU09 &10)

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Scoping Report

Lodgepole Unit 1 (120 acres): Using hand treatment and mechanical treatment, cut and remove dead and down trees. Snags and coarse woody debris would not be reduced to below Forest Plan guidelines. A silvicultural thinning prescription would be applied to remove lodgepole pine trees up to 6 inches in diameter to achieve a variable spacing of 10-30 feet.

Using vegetation, fuels, and topographic features, create openings in lodgepole pine stands. All overstory vegetation will be cut in each opening created. The objective here is to create openings of various size, length, width and shape designed to blend in with the terrain and vegetation mosaic to meet a variety of objectives such as age class diversity, decrease fuel load, increase crown spacing and aid in fire suppression tactics. Openings may be up to 40 acres in size. Overall, cut open acres will not exceed 600 acres for the entire project area.

Approximately 2 miles (but as much as 4 miles) of temporary road may be constructed. The temporary road will be rehabilitated after the Lodgepole Unit 1 treatments are completed.

Lodgepole Unit 2 (280 acres): Apply a prescribed silvicultural treatment that would remove lodgepole pine trees up to 6 inches in diameter to achieve a 10-30 foot variable spacing. Dead and down trees would be cut and removed by hand. Snags and coarse woody debris would not be reduced to below Forest Plan guidelines. (2012 Forest Plan, p. III-33 VEGU03; And p. III-34 VEGU09 &10)

210 Road proper (A) and patch cuts adjacent to road (B) and Meadow Units (C) (2,383 acres):

A. From Road #210 out 1000 feet on either side of the road edge (approximately 900 acres), may be treated with a prescribed silvicultural thinning treatment to remove smaller diameter trees for lodgepole pine. Hand treatment or mechanical treatment (where necessary and appropriate), may remove lodgepole pine trees up to 6 inches in diameter to achieve a 10-30 foot variable spacing. Small scattered patches of uncut timber would be left throughout the unit. The residual stand would include small clusters of dense uncut timber, open areas with scattered mature trees, and thinned areas with trees of various sizes. Additionally, where trees have not been thinned as described above, from Road #210 out 50 feet on either side of the road edge, all tree species would be “limbed” (branches removed) up to 8 feet in height. No more than 1/3 of live crown will be removed on trees. Small scattered patches of uncut timber that are left will be less than 10 feet in height.

Existing Conditions Desired Conditions

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Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project

B. Treatment includes strategically creating and connecting openings and thinning existing patch cuts using vegetation, fuels, and topographic features. The map shows approximately where the openings will be located. These new openings are designed to connect to existing patch cuts or natural openings and meadows. By targeting existing patch cut areas many existing access roads are already in place and can be re-used for new proposed treatment areas. New openings will not be larger than 40 acres. Overall cut openings will not exceed 600 acres for the entire project area. An opening and patch cut are defined as cutting all overstory vegetation. The objective here is to create openings of various size, length, width and shape designed to blend in with the terrain and vegetation mosaic to meet a variety of objectives such as age class diversity, decrease fuel load, increase crown spacing and aid in fire suppression tactics.

Existing Patch Cuts

C. Approximately 58 acres of meadow maintenance and encroachment would be treated by hand cutting all trees that are encroaching the meadow. Trees will be left on the ground to the amount desired per Forest Plan. Excess trees will be piled and burned or left for small mammal habitat as warranted.

• Physical barriers will be placed in locations necessary to manage unauthorized travel due to topography and vegetation removal.

• Visual prescriptions will be implemented to achieve naturalistic edges. This includes variable cut widths, angle changes within the unit and “feathering” objectives to minimize blunt edges in the visual shed. Additionally, it may be necessary to identify and retain individual specimen trees and/or clusters of trees for retention outside the silvicultural prescription to meet the naturalistic goal.

Prescribed Fire (entire project area 3,000 acres) A prescribed fire burn plan would be prepared for pile burning and/or a broadcast burn.

Burning would likely occur in 5-10 acre “burn blocks” unless weather and fuel conditions exist to allow more acreage within each unit. Handline may be created to keep fire within prescribed burn area. Rehabilitation of handline and temporary roads would be required upon completion of treatments and prescribed burn operations.

Physical barriers to keep vehicles out will be placed in locations necessary to manage unauthorized travel due to topography and vegetation removal.

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Scoping Report

Features common to all units Stumps would be flush cut within 300 feet of roads and campgrounds, and within 100 feet of trails.

Piles would be burned under a prescribed burn plan.

Existing routes which are not designated Forest System roads may be used for forest treatments and would be physically closed following completion of use.

Mitigations and Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be applied for each resource area where appropriate and necessary and directed by law and Forest plan.

Options that could be used to remove trees out of the project area include but are not limited to: firewood sales, stewardship contracts, or small timber sales.

Request for Comments I invite your issues, concerns, and comments specific to this proposal so that they may be considered early in the analysis. Comments that are site specific, or are based on your knowledge of the area, will better help us develop and evaluate the project. Although comments are welcome throughout the planning process, providing comments by December 10, 2014, will allow time for your input to be considered during analysis in early 2015. Please note that comments are a matter of public record, and therefore may be provided to interested parties upon request. Questions about this proposal should be directed to Michelle Erdie (the project contact) at 208-727-5000.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail, facsimile (FAX), or U.S. Mail. Please provide any issues, concerns, suggestions or additional information you may have regarding this project to:

Michelle Erdie Sawtooth NRA Headquarters Office 5 North Fork Canyon Road Ketchum, ID. 83340 (208) 727-5000 telephone (208) 727-5029 FAX

Electronic comments may be submitted to comments-intermtn-sawtooth-nra@fs.fed.us ; please indicate “Redfish Road 210 Project” in the subject line.

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Redfish 210 Fuels Reduction Project

Map 2. Proposed treatments for the Redfish 210 Project

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