Forsythe II Multiparty Monitoring Group (MMG) USFS ...

ForsytheIIMultipartyMonitoringGroup(MMG)USFSResponsetoMMGInputonUnits–AvenzaPointsandDiscussionItems

July2018

TheinformationinthistableisasummaryoftheAvenzapointsandcommentsbroughtforwardbytheMMGtotheUSForestServiceinregardtoPhases1and2fortheForsytheIIProject.ThepointsthatwerebroughtforwardbytheMMGwereveryhelpfulinidentifyingareasofconcernalongwithpointsofinterest(i.e.springs)thattheForestService’sGISandotherdatabasesdidnothaveidentified.Allfeedbackwasconsidered;however,inordertomaintaintheintegrityofthepurposeandneedandtoachievetheobjectivesfortheForsytheIIProject,someofthefeedbackwasnotincorporatedintothelayoutoftheunitstobeimplementedinPhases1and2.Minorchangesarestillbeingmadetotheboundariesofunitsandaggregations,butthemajorityoftheboundaryestablishmenthasbeencompleted.Throughtheprocessoflayout,somesignificantchangesweremadetoPhases1and2.Forexample,almost40%lessacreswillbetreatedfromwhatwasplannedinthefinaldecision.Asubstantialshiftfromtreatingacresmechanicallytotreatingacresmanuallywillalsooccur,whichwillresultinlessbasalareabeingremovedinalltreatmenttypes.Theoutcomeofthesetwochangesisasignificantreductioninthenumberoftreesthatwillbecut.CommonlyUsedAcronyms:DN–DecisionNotice;DBH–DiameteratBreastHeight(4.5’abovegroundontheuphillside);BA–BasalArea;PP–ponderosapine;DF–Douglas-fir;LPP–lodgepolepine;LM–limberpine;AS–Aspen;ES–Engelmannspruce;BS–bluespruce;RMJ–RockyMountainjuniper

LinksAssociatedtoDocumentsCited:

ForsytheIIProjectDecisionNotice:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd549685.pdf

1997RevisionoftheLandandResourceManagementPlan;ArapahoandRooseveltNationalForestsandPawneeNationalGrasslandFinal

EnvironmentalImpactStatementFEICAppendicesAppendixB:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm91_058054.pdf

TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd525367.pdf

BotanistFindings:https://cfri.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/07/orchids-botany.pdf

HydrologistandSoilsFindings:https://cfri.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/07/unit1-hydro-soils.pdf

WildlifeFindings: https://cfri.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/07/fnwildlife26june18.pdf

July2018

CommonThemesAmongPointsinEachUnit GroupDiscussionatMMGMeeting USFSResponse

PHASE1:Units5,7,8–AspenRestorationTreatmentUnits

Historicmeadowpresent Meadows,whethertheyareidentifiedasatreatmenttypeorasanaggregationwithinanothertreatmenttype,willbetreatedasdescribedintheFinalDecision(DNpp4,7):CutallponderosapineandDouglas-firupto14inchesDBHandalllodgepolepineupto12inchesDBH;retainalllimberline;treatmentwillbedonemanually.

Treespeciesofconcernpresent(Spruce&Limberpine)

Sprucearegenerallyfoundinwetterareas(i.e.riparianareas)andareofsizethatexceedthediametercapforthisproject,andthereforewillnotbecut.Inaspenclones,sprucebelowthediametercapwillbecut.Limberpinethatdonotposeasafetyhazardwillberetained.

Signsofwildlife(moose/elk) Theentireprojectarea,includingUnits5,7,and8,areusedinonewayoranotherbyelkthroughmigration,refuge,orasseasonalrange.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Somespecies,whicharewelladaptedforexploitingdisturbancesites,willvisittheseearlysuccessionstagehabitats.Pioneerspecieswilltakeadvantageofanopencanopyandthelackofcompetition.Herbivoreswillincreasetheirusepossiblyalteringplantgrowth.Burrowingmammalscouldstimulateplantcommunitydevelopment.Pollinatorswillincreaseasforbsbecomemoreabundant.Youngforestswillleadthesedisturbancesitesbacktotheir

July2018

previouscondition,andsowillthespeciesassociatedwitheachstepinthecycle.InadditiontotheAvenzapointsthatthegrouphasprovided,visualsightingsandevidenceofelkusehavebeenobservedthroughouttheprojectandadjacentareas(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport, pp.64-67).Muchlikeelk,mooseliveinforestedareas,butprefersub-alpineshrublandswheretheyforageonfreshshootsfromwillowandthebarkofaspen.Theyaretypicallyattractedtowetlands,likethelargeoneinunit5,wheretheMMGgrouplocatedsignandnotedsuchinAvenza.Theaspenregenerationforthisunitshouldbenefitmoosehabitat.

Evidenceofrecreation(skeet)

Thereisapopulartrailinthisarea,andthelodgepolepinealongthetrailactasasnowfence.Withoutthedensetreecoverage,peoplemaynotusethetrailinthesameway.

Thistrail/roadispartoftheForestRoadSystemandisidentifiedasFSR606.1.TheForsytheIIProjectidentifiedthistrail/roadtoaccessunits5,7,and8inadditiontootherunits.Oncetheunitsutilizingthisroadsystemhaveallbeentreated,theroadwouldbereturnedtoasingletrackandincorporatedintothetrailsystemaspartoftheMagnoliaTrailsProject.

Largeoroldgrowthtreesinunits

Aspentreatmentunitsandaggregationshavediametercaplimitsof14”DBHforPPandDFand12”DBHforLPP(DN,pp.4,5-7).Aminimumof5ofthelargestavailabledeadtreeswillberetained(PP/DF-min.10”DBH,LPP-min.8”DBH);preferencewillbegiventoponderosapinesnags.Iftheminimumnumberofsnagsisnotavailable,thenthelargestavailablelive,greenreplacementtreeswillberetainedforfuturesnags(DN,pp6,33).

July2018

Perennialstreampresent Mechanicalloggingequipmentwillnotoperatewithin100’oftheedgeoftheperennialstream(DN,p.35).Manualtreatmentcanoccurwithinthe100’bufferuptotheedgeofthestreambank,butwoodyriparianvegetationwillnotbecut(DN,p.36).Handpileswillbelocatedatleast50’fromthestreamandslashcutuptothebankwillhavetobecarriedoutsideofthe50’bufferbeforeitcanbepiled(DN,p.38).

Wetlands • Unit5hasalargewetlandarea.

• TheUSFSplanstoavoidtreatmentinareasthatarewetandwheretherearewatersources.

DesignCriteriaareinplacetoaddressriparianorwetlandareas.TheunitwillbetreatedmanuallyandtherespectiveDesignCriteriawillbeapplied(DN,pp.35,36,38).

RoadsandTrails Theroadwillbereroutedtoaccessnorthwesttreatmentunits.Thereisaninterestinensuringthatthefuturealignmentofthisroadtracksasmuchaspossiblewiththealignmentofrecreationtrailstominimizedisturbance.Realignmentmaycausetheproliferationofsocialtrails

TheFSR606.1roadwillnotbereconstructedtoaccessunits5,7,and8becausetheunitswillbetreatedmanually.ForPhases3and4,theFSR606.1roadsystemwillbereconstructedtoaccesstheunitsnorthandeastofunits5,7,and8intheFallof2019.Oncethecuttingandhaulingarecompleted,theroadwillbereturnedtoasingle-tracktrailcondition.Wheresystemtrailshavebeenimpactedthroughthevegetationactivities,theywillbereturnedtoasingle-trackcondition.Non-systemtrailswillnotbereturnedtotheirpreviouscondition.TheMagnoliaTrailsProjectwillevaluatetheexistingsystemtrailsinthevicinityanddeterminethemostsustainablelocationforthetrailsystemuponcompletionofthefuelsmitigationinthearea.

Aesthetics • Leavingclumpsoflargetreesisaestheticallypleasing.

• ThereislotsofvisibleheterogeneitywithinUnit7,andmanyofthebigtrees

Acrossthelandscapetherearemanyaspenclones(probablyover90%)thataremixedwithconiferespeciallythosethathavebeenabsentfromfireoverthedecades.Pureaspencloneshavebeenshrinkinginsizeduetoconiferencroachmentandhaveanoverall

July2018

willbeleftduetoDesignCriteriarelatingtocircumference.

impacttocertainwildlifespeciesthatdependonpureaspenclonesforhabitat.Inareasthataretreatablewhethermechanicallyormanually,theDecisionallowsforthecuttingofconifersuptothediametercapsdescribed(DN,pp.4,6).Clumpsoflargeconiferswillberetainedinaspenabovethediametercapsandinothertreatmentunits.

Unit40--Douglas-firMixedConifer

Evidenceofwildlifetrail Corridorsandrefugearedynamicacrossthelandscapeandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinahumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbance,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.

Evidenceofrecreation(campsites/rockfirepits)

Thankyouforidentifyingthesecampsitesandfirepits.Inthisarea(ForsytheTrailheadeastalongtheFSR359.1roadsystem)campingisonlyallowedindesignateddispersedcampsites.However,somesitesandrockfirepitsarecreatedoutsideofthedesignatedsitesandarereclaimedastimeandworkcapacityallows.

Thereseemtobepatchesofoldgrowth.However,itisunclearifthereisanoldgrowthecosystemorrathermaturetrees.Maturetreesandoldgrowthforestsarenotthesamething.SincethisunitwillbetreatedmanuallyinPhase1,thediametercapandoperational

Diametercaps(14”DBH)forallconifersareinplaceformixedconiferstandtreatmentunits.Oldgrowthisaforestconditionthatexhibitsecologicalfeaturesincluding,butnotlimitedtolargetrees(FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,FEICAppendices,AppendixB,pp.11,12).

July2018

logisticsarenotconducivetotheremovaloflarge-diametertrees.

Concernforwildlifehabitat Unsurewhatspeciestheconcernforwildlifehabitatisinreferenceto?Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanaturalorinahumancauseddisturbance,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Somespecieswilldirectlylosehabitat,whereotherswilldirectlygainhabitat.

Drainagegullies ThereisadrainageinthisareathatgoestoGrossReservoir,sothoughtmustbegiventoerosioncontrolduringtreatments.

Juniperinthegulliessupportwildlifeandcancausetreatmentdifficultiesduetoprescribedfirerisks.

Thisunitwillbetreatedmanuallysoerosioneffectswillbeminimal.Thisunitwillhavetheslashlopandscatteredtofacilitatetheprescribedbroadcastburninthenearfuture.DesignCriteriaspecifyloppedandscatteredslashshallberemovedfromthestreamchannelofperennial,intermittent,andephemeralstreams(DN,p.36).RockyMountainjuniperishighlyflammableandcanthrowembersasignificantdistancedependingontheburnconditionswhenthetreeisengulfedeitherduringawildfireorprescribedburnscenario.TheForsytheIIProjectDesignCriteriaretainsanaverageofonelargeindividual,orclumpofthreeormore,ifavailable,peracre(DN,p.32).

Suggestionformovingunitboundary

ThetreatmentboundarycurrentlygoesbeyondtheridgesothattheUSFScanbetterapplyfiretotheareainthefuture.

Nearthenortheastsideofunit40,theboundarywillbemodifiedtofollowtheridgelineandtieintoFSR359.1.Theareawestofthismodifiedlinewillhaveslashpiledinsteadofloppedandscatteredduetotheamountofmaterialthatwillbecut.Thiswillreducethetorchingofremainingtreesduringtheprescribedbroadcastburn.

Rockyknoll(*outsideofunit40)

Therearemanyrockyknollsinthisareaandsomearecapturedinthedatapoints.

Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeatures

July2018

areidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).

Slashpilessouthofroad(*outsideofunit40)

TheseslashpilesarepartofForsytheIandareretainedaswildlifepilespertheDesignCriteriaidentifiedinthatDecisionNotice(ForsytheFuelsReductionProjectDN,p.14).

Mistletoe Somepartsofthisunithavemistletoe,whichrequiresfulltreeremovaltoeradicate.ThisislikelynotpaththeUSFSwillpursue.However,prescribedfirewillbeaneffectivetoolineliminatingmistletoeinthefuture.

Dwarfmistletoeisanissueinthisunitasitrelatestoforesthealth.Theemphasiswilltocuttheheaviestinfestedtreestominimizedwarfmistletoespread.Ifdwarfmistletoeisintheoverstory,itwillinfectsimilarunderstorytreespecies.Itnotonlyweakensandcaneventuallykillinfectedtrees,itcanreducetheseedsourceofthatspecies,specificallyponderosapineinthisunit,andconvertthesiteonsouthaspectstoaDouglas-fircovertype.Douglas-firisn’tasdroughttolerantasponderosapineandduetoDouglas-fir’sabilitytoseedmorereadilythanponderosapine,siteconversionisandhasoccurredinthisunitandotherstandsacrossthelandscape.Inanenvironmentwithawarminganddryingclimate,sitesthathaveconvertedtoDouglas-firwillbelessresilientovertimeandwithoutaponderosapineseedsource,pinecouldbeeliminatedfromthoseforestedsites.

July2018

Unit63&107--PonderosaPineMixedConifer&LodgepolePineTreatmentUnits

Rockoutcrop,somewithlichens

Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs.BasedonthisDesignCriteriathesefeaturesasdescribedwillbeexcludedfromtreatment;however,everyhillwitharockornot,mayormaynotbeexcluded(DN,p.34).

Evidenceofrecreation(campsites/rockfirepits–mostlyabandoned)

DispersedcampingisapermissibleactivityonNationalForestSystemlandsunlessanareaisclosedorotherwiseposted.RockfirepitscanbemadeandifaUSFSorcountyfirebanisnotinplace,thenrecreationistsmayhaveafireintherockfirepit.

Evidenceofsocialorwildlifetrail

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinnatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Itisnotuncommontoseelargemammals,

July2018

beingthemostnoticeable,incorporatehumancreatedtrailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Oldslashpiles Dependingonthetreatmentunitoraggregationwhereoldslashpilesexist,activityfuelscouldbeincorporatedintotheexistingpiles.SomeexistingpilesmaynotbeaddressedduetotheunitdesignfeaturesidentifiedintheDecision.OldslashpilesacrosstheDistrictareaconcernandasweatherconditionsandpersonnelcapacityareavailabletoburn,backlogpileconditionswillbeaddressed.

Largetreesinunits DesignCriteriaareinplacewithdiametercapsthatlimitthesizeoftreesthatcanbecut(DN,pp.4,5-7).

Unit74--2-StagedMixedConiferTreatmentUnit

Rockyoutcrop Therearemanyrockyknollshere Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).

Largeoroldgrowthtrees(outsideofunitoronborderofunit74&45)

DesignCriteriaareinplacewithdiametercapsthatlimitthesizeoftreesthatcanbecut(DN,pp.4,5-7).ThisareawasalsovisitedbythreeUSFSwildlifebiologistsandthesilviculturistonJune20,2018todetermineifthisareawasoldgrowthhabitat.Characteristicsofoldgrowthwerepresentinthedrainagebetweenthesetwounits.Thisareawaspart

July2018

ofariparianzoneaswell,andtheareawaslayedoutto“nottreat”(FieldNotesUnit74,6/20/2018).

Flammulatedowlnest9(*outsideofbutnearunit74alongunit45boundary)

ThissitewasvisitedbythreeUSFSwildlifebiologistsandthesilviculturistonJune20,2018.Therewasnophysicalevidencethatthiswasaflammulatedowlnestsite.Asummaryofwildlifespecialists’findingswasdevelopedandwaspostedontheCFRIwebsite(WildlifeFindings,p.1)NightsurveyswereconductedonJune6,2018forFlammulatedowlsintheLazyZarea.OwlsweredetectedinForsytheIIUnits74,73,and49.Collectively,responsesindicatetwotothreeterritories.Owlnestcavitieswerenotlocated.DesignCriteriaareinplacetoaddressFlammulatedOwlterritories.Dependinguponwhatcharacteristicsandtreatmentmechanism(mechanicalormanual)areused,respectiveDesignCriteriawillbeappliedDN,pp.32,33,40).

Springfedstream(*notinunit74butinunit45nearborderofunit74)

Thisspringislocatedinadrainagebetweenthetwounits.Theunitswillbetreatedmanuallyandthespringwillnotbeaffectedbythetreatmentactivities.

Recreation Thereissignificantvisibledisturbancefromillegalcampinghere.Creatingmoreopeningsmightmakepeoplemorelikelytodamagetheforestandcreatesocialtrails.

CampingisalegalonNationalForestSystemlandsunlesstheareaisclosedorotherwiseposted.Moreopeningsmayincuradditionalusebyprivateresidentsandrecreationists.IntheUnit74area,roadaccessislimitedbytwogates.Thinningispartofthesecondphaseofimplementationsoopeningswillbeminimal.

WildlifeMigrationCorridors Treatmentinthisareacouldnegativelyimpactwildlifemigrationcorridors;however,there

Unit74ispartofatwo-stagedtreatment:1)handpileexistingdownmaterialandburn;2)thin,handpile,

July2018

maybelessofaconcernaboutthecoverreductioniftherearealternateroutesavailable.Thereseemtobeavarietyofalternateroutesavailableinthisarea.Ontheotherhand,thereislocalanecdotalevidencethatclearcutsimpactwildlifepresence.Changingthetreatmentfromanorth-southorientationtoaneast-westorientationtobetteraccommodatewildlifecouldraisequestionsabouttheimpactsofwindblow-down.

andburn.Thisunitisidentifiedasamixedconifertreatmentunitandparttwowillincludeabasalareareduction.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinnatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Thisisnotapplicablebecausetheunitwilleventuallybethinnedandnotpatchcutorclearcut.

Unit1–Lodgepolepinetreatment(mechanical,Phase1)*onlyobservationswithinUnit1

Evidenceofwildlife(deer,moose,elk)

Theentireprojectarea,includingUnit1,isusedinonewayoranotherbylargeungulatesthroughmigration,refuge,orasseasonalrange.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinahumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.InadditiontotheAvenzapointsthatthegrouphasprovided,visualsightingsandevidenceofdeer,mooseandelkusehavebeenmadethroughouttheprojectareaandadjacentlands.

Rockoutcroppings Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinity

July2018

thathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DNp.34).

Evidenceofverydensetrees Someoftheareasthathavedensetreeshavebeenincorporatedintothepatchcuts.Onlyupto4.5acresoflodgepolepinepatchcutsmaybecutinthisunit;therefore,somedenseareaswillnotbecut.

Thisunitwillbetreatedmanually.DesignCriteriadiametercapswillbefollowedforindividualtreespecies(DN,pp.4,5-7).Oldgrowthisaforestconditionthatexhibitsecologicalfeaturesincluding,butnotlimitedtolargetrees(FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,FEICAppendices,AppendixB,pp.11,12).

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinnatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Itisnotuncommontoseelargemammals,beingthemostnoticeable,incorporatehumancreatedtrailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Areaofobservedhighwinds A groupmember stated that thewindson theslopesthattheForsytheIIprojectwilltreatarefast. The USFS is underestimating the erosive

The effects ofwind are incorporated into the designand layout of the aggregations within the unit.Blowdownisexpectedtooccurinboththeareasthat

July2018

potential of thewinds in this area. The Towndoesnotwant toaddress suchdetails,but theUSFSdidnotreceiveinformationabouterosionas a result. The Town should work with theColoradoStateForestService(CSFS)tocreateafuel-break around the town. The USFS is notequipped for this kind of work because it isaccustomedtooperatingonamuchlargerscale.TheUSFSshouldpartnerwithBoulderCountyandtheCSFStoconductfiremitigationaroundNederland.

Inresponse,theUSFSsaidthatitwouldexaminewindthrowandwind-scour.Wind-scourcanbeminimized by shaping units that run north tosouth and making the units smaller.Additionally, the USFS stated that CSFSprescriptions are designed to be implementedaroundhouses.Everypartofthetreatmentareaisatleast300feetawayfromthenearesthouse.Individual homeowners can choose tocollaboratewith the CSFS to create defensiblespacearoundtheirhouses,butnotmanypeoplehavedonethatsofar.

are treated and are not treated.Wind effectswill beminimized to the extent possible with aggregationorientationandlocationplacement.The site was visited by a USFS Hydrologist, SoilScientist,Forester,andSilviculturistonJune4,2018toconduct field observations and discuss Soil Erosionand Runoff. It was determined that the existingeffective ground cover was very high. AHydrologist/Soilsspecialist’ssummarywasdevelopedandwas put on the CFRIwebsite (Hydrologist/SoilsFindings,p.1,2).

Evidenceofdownfallorfallentrees

Someofthefallentreesandslashwillbeincorporatedintotheaspenenhancementandexpansionaggregationsandwillbepiled,burned,orchipped.Patchcutswillbeorientedandarrangedtominimizetheimpactsoffutureblowdown,butsomeisanticipatedasaresultofimplementation.

Orchidspresent OnJune14,2018,aUSFSBotanistevaluatedtheJimCowart’semailspecificallyidentifyingpinkfairyslipper(Calypsobulbosa)andpurplelady’sslipper

July2018

(Cypripediumfasiculatum)asbeingprotectedundertheRegionalForester’sSensitiveSpeciesList.TheBotanistdeterminedthatbothspeciesareconsideredtobesecurethroughouttheirrangeaswellaswithintheplanningareaontheBoulderRangerDistrict.TheemailcorrespondencewasputontheCFRIwebsite(BotanyFindings,pp.1-3).

Springpresent AppropriateDesignCriteriawillbefollowedaroundthespringandriparianvegetation(DN,pp.35,3638).

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(mixedconifer)

Assumingthisisforlimberpine.TheDNstateslimberpinewillnotbecutunlessitisahazardtooperations(DN,pp.5,6,7).

Beautifulviewarea Unit1doesprovideaviewofthesurroundingareaprettymuchfromtheexistingroadsystemthatisinplace.BeingabletoseethesurroundingareashouldnotbeimpactedbythetreatmentactivitieswithinUnit1.ThistreatmentwillbeseenfromdifferentvantagepointsaroundthetownofNederland.Aconsciousefforttominimizethevisualimpactswillbeconsideredduringthelayoutofthetreatments.

Gullyordrainagearea A participant noted that “j-shaped” cuts werediscussed for Unit Two to avoid creating anysquare edges in the treatment areas.TheDATrecommended that all of the polygons beirregular. TheUSFSwill not disturb drainagesandhasleewaytotailorthecutsdependingonconditionsontheground.

On-the-ground conditions dictated the shape andboundaries of the cut units. Boundary lines wereestablished in an irregular pattern. Design Criteriawereincorporatedaroundthedrainages(DN,pp.36,38).

Erosion Twogroupmembersdiscussedconcernsaboutrunoffstemmingfromthetreatments.ThisareaflowsintoBarkerReservoirandsomeneighborsareexperiencingseriousrunoffontheseslopesevenwithoutclear-cuts.TheDATrecommendedthattreatmentsshouldbe

ThesitewasvisitedbyaUSFSHydrologist,SoilScientist,Forester,andSilviculturistonJune4,2018toconductfieldobservationsanddiscusssoilerosionandrunoff.Itwasdeterminedthattheexistingeffectivegroundcoverwasveryhigh.AHydrologist/Soilsspecialists’summarywas

July2018

irregularlyshapedtoreduceimpactstoviewshedsandpotentialforwindfall.Itshouldalsorecommendthaterosionbeprevented,particularlyforUnitOne.Asthepolygonsarecurrentlydrawn,theydonotlookirregular;theylooklikeschutesforwindandwater.Flashfloodsarecommoninthisareaandthesecutscouldmakethemmoredangerous.Thegroupmembersrecommendedcuttinginirregularshapesrunningparalleltooneanothertoblockthewindandreduceerosion.ThegroupmembersrecommendedthatUSFSandBoulderCountyhydrologistsexaminetherunoffissue,especiallybecauseitimpactsdrinkingwaterfromBarkerReservoir.

The USFS responded to these concerns aboutrunoffbynoting that thecurrentpolygonsarejust general locations designed to provide anidea of forest composition. The exact shapeofthecutscanbechanged.Ifthetwolandownersallowtheirbufferstobecutthepolygonwillbeelongated.TheUSFS isopentoputting“turns”into thecuts.Theproposedcutscurrently runnorth to south because the westwardwind isless intense that way. The aspen, ponderosa,andmixed conifer treatments are going to bemore exact, but there is flexibility for thelodgepolecuts,whichwillprobablybemodifiedinsomeways.

developedandwasputontheCFRIwebsite(Hydrologist/SoilsFindings,p.1,2).Aggregationdesignandlocationwillminimizetheerosionconcerns.ThefieldtriponJuly21,2018involvedawalkthroughanddiscussionaboutthetreatmentsinunit1.ThemapswithAvenzapointsforunit1werereferredtoduringtheevaluation.OnelandowneradjacenttoNationalForestSystemlandshasagreedtotheUSFScuttingwithintheDefensibleSpaceZoneboundaryalongthepropertyline.ApatchcuthasbeenlayedoutwithintheDefensibleSpaceZone.PatchcutsarealignedtominimizevisualconcernsfromthetownofNederland,orientedtominimizewindeffectsasmuchaspossible,andminimalinsize(largestpatchcutis1.75acres).

Inputdiscouragespatchcuttingintheunitasawhole

This group member also said that patch-cutswerenotappropriateinthisareaevenwiththe300-footbufferbecausenewfuelswillgrowin

Because the forest is a dynamic system, any type ofSilvicultural system, whether it is thinning,patchcutting, clearcutting, or prescribed broadcast

July2018

these patch-cuts. Grasses and other surfacefuelswillgrowback.

TheUSFSsaidthatitwillpileandburncuttreesusingmanualcrewsbecauseofthesteepnessoftheterrain.TheUSFSwillevaluateeachpatch-cuttodeterminewhetheritneedstoplantotherspeciessuchaslimberorconifertodiversifythelodgepole area. Some conifer will probablyregrownaturallyinthepatch-cutsaswell.

burningwillincurnewvegetativegrowth.Evendoingnothing, vegetative biomass growth and processeswouldcontinuetoincreasebothinliveanddeadforms.Vegetation management is not a one-time entry.Similartodefensiblespacemitigationonprivatelands,treatments have to be maintained in order to meettheirobjectives.Afterthecuttingandpilinghasbeencompletedwithinthepatchcuts,theareawillbeevaluatedforfollow-upartificialregenerationneeds.

Unit2–Lodgepolepinetreatment(mechanical,Phase2)

Unit2hasbeenchangedtoamanualtreatmentandwillbetreatedunderPhase1.

Gullypresent AppropriateDesignCriteriawillbefollowedaroundstreamsandriparianvegetation(DNpp.35,36,38).

Discouragedtocutareas(logisticconcernsorsocialvalueareas)

TheDAT’sproposalwasevaluatedonthegroundandpatchcutboundariesestablished.Patchcutswereestablishedinthedensestpocketsthatcanbetreatedmanuallywithchainsawsandhandcrews.CommentsbytheMMGinrelationtothisunitwerealsoconsideredandincorporatedinthelayout.

Areaofobservedhighwinds Theeffectsofwindareincorporatedintothedesignandlayoutoftheaggregationswithintheunit.Unitsizeandalignment(north/south)wereemphasizedtotheleveltheconditionsonthegroundallowed.Some

July2018

blowdownisexpectedtooccurinboththeareasthataretreatedandnottreated.

Beautifulviewarea Themajorityofunit2isheavilyforestedanddoesnotofferviewsofthesurroundinglandscapeoutsideoftheridgeandpreviouslytreatedpatchcuts.Viewsofthesurroundinglandscapewillbeenhancedintheareaswherepatchcut/clearcutsareimplemented.ThistreatmentmaybeseenfromdifferentvantagepointseastofNederland.Aconsciousefforttominimizethevisualimpactswasconsideredduringthelayoutofthetreatments.

Evidenceofwildlife(moose,elk)

Theentireprojectarea,includingunit2,isusedinonewayoranotherbylargeungulatesthroughmigration,refuge,orasseasonalrange.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,mooseandelkwilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.InadditiontotheAvenzapointsthatthegrouphasprovided,visualsightingsandevidenceofmooseandelkuse

July2018

havebeenmadethroughouttheprojectareaandadjacentlands(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.64-67).

Springpresent(outsideof,butpossiblydownhillfromtreatmentunit)

AppropriateDesignCriteriawillbefollowedaroundthespringandriparianvegetation(DN,pp.35,36,38).

Evidenceofverydensetrees TheareasidentifiedbytheDATwereevaluatedfirsttodetermineifthetreatmentscouldbeappliedonthegroundinthoselocations.ConcernsforthisunitbyboththeDATandMMGwereevaluatedandconsideredduringlayout.Thepatchcutsthatwerepreppedwereinthedensestareasthatcouldbetreatedmanuallywithchainsaws.

OnespecificareaofblowdownthatwasbroughtforwardbytheDATontheirfieldtriparoundunits85,86,and100willbeincludedasapatchcut.Theexistingdownmaterialwillbepiledalongwiththeactivityfuelsfromthecutting.ThiswillassistwiththeblowdownclosesttotheBigSpringssubdivision.

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(limberpine,ponderosa)

Limberpinewillnotbecutunlessitposesahazardtotheimplementationoftheproject.Ponderosapineabove14”DBHwillberetainedpertheDesignCriteria(DN,pp.5-7).

Units3&4–Lodgepolepinetreatmentunits(mechanical)

Unitswillbetreatedmanually.Duetotheexpenseofroadimprovementsandinordertoaddressconcernsintheseunits,bothwillbetreatedmanually.

July2018

Inputdiscouragescuttingatspatialpoint(logisticconcerns/socialvalue)

AgroupmemberrequestedthatUSFSleaveanareaofhealthy,largelodgepoleinthenortheastportionofunit4.Theareawasthinnedintherecentpastanddoesnothavemuchsurfacefuelorblowdown.Therearealsosocialtrailsinthearea.Agroupmembernotedthattheterrainonthenorth-facingslopesonthesouthernedgeofunit3issteepsothatareamaybedifficulttotreat.

BasedonfeedbackfromtheMMG,thisareahasnotbeenincludedintoapatchcut/clearcut.Duetosteepnessofthearea,thistreatmentunitwillbeimplementedwithmanualcrewsutilizingchainsaws.

Inputrecommendscutting/thinningatspatialpoint

Agroupmembersaidthatthereissmall,denselodgepolearoundtheexistingclear-cutsintheseunitsthattheUSFScouldcut.

Agroupmemberrecommendedcuttingasouthwesternportionofunit3andtheangledbottomportionoftheunit4polygon.Connectingclear-cutscouldsupplementthesecutsonthewesternedgeofUnitThree.However,thereisnotmuchaspentoenhanceinandaroundtheclear-cutsandtreatmentmightbedifficultinanareawithsteepterrainandconsiderableblowdown

• Agroupmembernotedthatnogroupmember

hadvisitedthesoutheasternportionofunit4yet.Thisareaconsistsoftheeasternslopeofalargehillfurtherupfromtheaspenclonethat

Theidentifiedareasinunit3(units96,97,and98)areidentifiedtobetreatedundertheRegenerationThinRxfromthedecision(DN,p.6).TheareaidentifiedbytheMMGislessthan½acreinsizeanddoesnotfitthecriteriaofanaggregation(DN,p.5).ApatchcutwasincorporatedintothelocationidentifiedbytheMMGinunit3.Apatchcutwasnotputintounit4inthislocationduetothedrainage.Oneaggregation(Douglas-firMixedConifer-3.4acres)waslayedoutinunit4(DN,p.5).OnepatchcutandoneaggregationofDouglas-firMixedConiferThinhavebeenidentifiedtobecutinthisvicinity.

July2018

Phase1addresses.Theareaisapotentialsitefortreatment.

Pasttreatmentevidenceand/orissues

Thereisevidenceofpastpatchcutactivitiesinunit3;thesecutareareaswillbethinnedwiththeregenerationthinprescription(DN,p.6).

Agroupmembermarkedawildlifetrailthatdeer,elk,andmooseuseonthesoutheasterncornerofunit3.

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Itisnotuncommontoseelargemammals,beingthemostnoticeable,incorporatehumancreatedtrailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Gulleyorstreamspresent Groupmembersnotedthatadrainageinadenselyforestedareawillbetoughtotreatbecauseofthesteepslopeonwhichitlies.

AppropriateDesignCriteriawillbefollowedaroundstreamsandriparianvegetation(DN,pp.35,36,38).

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(limberpine)

Limberpinewillnotbecutunlessitposesahazardtotheimplementationoftheproject(DN,pp.5-7).

Aspenstandsandassociatedconsiderations

TheUSFSnotedthataspenclonesandmeadowsmayormaynotbetreated,butiftheyare,theywillfollowtheguidelinesoutlinedintheDesignCriteria.

Aspenaggregationswerenotidentifiedinunits3and4tobetreated.

Observationsabouttreesorforeststructure

Thankyouforpointingoutandidentifyingtheforeststructureinthisunit.ThereisoneDouglas-firmixedconiferaggregationidentifiedinunit4thatwillbethinnedinadditiontothreepatchcuts.

July2018

Unit24--Lodgepolepinetreatmentunit(mechanical)

Therewasconcern that thesouth-centralareaof Unit 24 is well-spaced and should not bepatch-cut.Thenortheastpartoftheunithasawell-spacedcanopy.MMGmemberswouldnotliketheUSFStopatch-cutthere.

The area northwest of Unit 24 is defensiblespaceand soprobably cannotbe treated.Thisconstrainstreatmentoptions.

TheDecisionidentifiesthattreatmentscanbetreatedeithermechanicallyormanually(DN,p.6)inordertomeettheobjectivesoftheProject.Unit24isaccessiblewith the existing road system and will not requireadditional road improvements to implement the 4.8acres of patchcuts with mechanical equipment. ThetwopatchcutsthatwereidentifiedonthefieldtripwillutilizesomeoftheexistingboundariesofthepatchcutsthatwerenotimplementedduringtheForsytheFuelsReductionProject(2012).TheidentifiedaspenbytheMMGislessthan½acreinsize andwill not be treated as an aspen aggregationandthe“regenerationarea” identifiedonthemaponthesouthenddoesnotfitthecriteriaofaregenerationthinintheDecision(DN,p.6).Defensible space areas at this point will not be cutwithin this unit. Adjacent landowners have notrequestedtocuttotheboundary.

TheMMGproposedthattheUSFSplaceapatch-cut between the road and powerlines on thisunit. However, the USFS said that doing sowouldcreate largersnowdriftsontheroad.Agroupmember noted that the shade from thetrees currently in the center of the road maycause snow to stay there longer than itotherwise would. Some group members saidthat there havenot beenproblemswith snowfromsimilar clear-cutsonMagnoliaRoad.The

Asnotedinthecolumntotheleft,theunitislessthanoneacreinsizeandtheorientationoftheroad(easttowest)inthislocationwouldheightenwindspeedsandtheeffectsofblowdownanddriftingsnowwhereLazyZRoadturnsattheeastend.

July2018

roadonunit24ismaintainedbythecountyandservesasaschoolbusroute.TheUSFSsaidthatsnowisareasonthat itwouldnotwanttocutthetrees inthecenteroftheroad.Theareainthemiddleoftheroadislessthanoneacre.Theroaditselfservesasapotential fuel-breakthatcouldbecomeeffectiveifitwaswidened.

An MMG member suggested scalloping theforest just below the road in the centerof theunit.Feathering or scalloping some cuts on thesouthwesterncorneroftheunitcouldgiveitamore natural look. The USFS could move apatch-cut towards the center of the unit toremovesomedensetreesfromaslope.

Theorientationoftheroad(easttowest)funnelsthewindandwideningthegapbetweenvegetationwouldexacerbatewindeffectstothestretchofroadandareawhereLazyZRoadturnsontheeastendoftheunit.Roadsareconducivetofuelbreaks,butduetotheroadorientation,shortlineardistanceoftheareaproposedtobecut,benefitsfromaroadfuelbreakareminimal.AstripclearcutoneithersideofLazyZ throughNFSlands and private lands would be beneficial to thelandowners who live there because it would offerreduced exposure to convective heat and flamesduring awildfire event topeople evacuating an areawithonlyonewayinandonewayout.All treatment areas will be reviewed by a USFSLandscape Architect prior to final unit layout. Unitboundariesshallbenaturaledgeswheneverpossibleand prevent the appearance of uniform tree spacingandstraightlineboundaries.(DN,p.32).Boundarylinesshallbeestablishedbyfeatheringandscalloping(DN,p.32).

July2018

TheUSFSneedstocutalmost5acresinthisunit.MMGmemberssuggestedcuttingnearertotheroad in the south-center of the unit and thesoutheastportionoftheunitbeneaththeroad.Additionally, there are some dense, young,regenerated trees in the south-central portionof theunitsuitable forthinning.TheUSFSwillexaminethesepossibilitiesthenexttimeitvisitstheunit.There are aspens in the northwest of the unitabove the road. Removing conifer there couldmodifyfirebehavior.

The“regenerationthin”areadidnotfitthecriteriaforregenerationthinbecausethetreesaretallerthan15’(DN,p.6).Theunitisbeingtreatedmechanicallyandthematerialwillberemovedfromthesite.Thetreesidentifiedby theMMGare too small to economicallytreatwithmechanicalequipment.TheidentifiedaspenbytheMMGislessthan½acreinsizeandwillnotbetreatedasanaspenaggregation.

Evidenceofverydensetrees Thelodgepoleisdenserbelowtheroadontheeasternendoftheunit

Thetreesaredenserandsmallerinsomelocations.Treatingmechanicallyisn’tconducivetocuttingtreesaveraginglessthan6”DBH.

Markedtrees Therearesometreesmarkedwithpaintonthenorthernportionof theunit.Agroupmemberwonderedaboutthemeaningoftheribbonsandpaintcolorsontreesinthisunit.TheUSFSsaidthattreesmayhavebeenpaintedpinktotakeaninventory of tree volume. Orange indicates aboundaryanddouble-paintingindicateswhereaturninthetreatmentboundariesoccurs.Thisunithasnotbeenpaintedyet.Theseoldmarksare from two 4-acre clear-cuts from theForsythe I project that were designated for atimbersale.

Explainedduring themeeting(see thecolumnto theleft).

Unit39–Douglasfir/mixedconifertreatment(mechanical)

Unitwillbetreatedmanually

Thisunitwillbetreatedmanually.DesignCriteriadiametercapswillbefollowedforindividualtree

July2018

species(DN,pp.4,5-7).Oldgrowthisaforestconditionthatexhibitsecologicalfeaturesincluding,butnotlimitedtolargetrees(FinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,FEICAppendices,AppendixB,pp.11,12).

Rockoutcroppings,somewithlichens

There are rocky outcrops in the northeasternportionofunit39.Thesemaybeinadefensiblespace zone. The USFS has not receivedpermissionfromlandownerstotreatthisarea,butitmight.

Knolls and rock outcrops will be excluded fromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstunted growth, irregular crown shapes, andmaturebark attributes. Treatment exclusions will extenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanical equipment can operate, approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).TheUSFShasnotbeencontactedabouttreatingwithinthedefensiblespacezonealongtheboundaryofunit39;thus,thedefensiblespacezonewillnotbetreated.Part of unit 39 will be followed with a prescribedbroadcastburnandinthatarea,cutvegetationwillbeloppedandscattered.Inunit39wheretheslashwillbepiled, piles will not be constructed on the rockoutcrops.

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinnatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Itisnotuncommontoseelargemammals,

July2018

beingthemostnoticeable,incorporatehumancreatedtrailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Evidenceofwildlife(deer,fox,moose,elk,birdnests)

The entire project area, including unit 39, is used inonewayoranotherbylargeungulates,predators,andbirds through migration, foraging, refuge, or asseasonal range.The landscape isdynamicandas thecomponents of the environment change either in anatural (i.e.wildfireor insectepidemic)or inhumancaused (building a house or patch cut) disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.64-67,87,88).

Theprescriptionforthisunitwillenhanceaspenstandsbyremovingconifersfoundwithinaspencloneswheretheopportunityisavailableconsistentwiththedirectionoutlinedinthefinaldecision(DN,p.4-6).

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(RMjuniper,limberpine,bluespruce)

Limberpinewillonlybecutifitisahazardtotheimplementationoftheproject(DN,pp.5-7).Bluesprucearegenerallylocatedwithinthestreamzoneandmostlikelywouldnotbecutduetotheirsize(DN,pp.4,5).ThedecisionnoticeandDesignCriteriaoutlinetheguidelinesthataddressthecuttingandretentionofRockyMountainjuniper(DN,p.32).

Questions/observationsabouttapeorothermarkings

Pastboundarymarking(paintandflaggingisevidentandremainsfromtheoriginalForsytheIprojectthatwasnotimplemented.

Evidenceofrecreation Thankyouforthefeedback.Itisnotuncommontoseeevidenceofrecreationalactivitiesacrosstheforest.

Gully,stream,orpossiblespringpresent

AppropriateDesignCriteriawillbefollowedaroundstreamsandriparianvegetation(DN,pp.35,36,38).

Astreaminthesoutheasternpartoftheunithasmassive ponderosa pine above the cut limit.

The unit will be cut manually with chainsaws. Thefocus will be on cutting ladder fuels. Diameter caps

July2018

However, adjacent trees may serve as ladderfuels.MMGmemberswhowalkedtheareadidnotrecallseeingmuchundergrowth.

(14”DBH)forallconifersareinplaceformixedconiferstandtreatmentunits(DN,pp.4,5).

Units42,75&76–Lodgepolepinetreatmentunits(mechanical)

Unitswillbetreatedmanually

Pasttreatmentevidenceand/orissues

Someareaswithintheunitshavefuelsfromprevioustreatmentsontheground.Withthechangefrommechanicaltreatmenttomanual,thedecisionwasmadetolocatethepatchcutsinlocationswiththedensest“doghair”thickets.

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(limberpine,bluespruce,aspen)

Thereislimberpineintheeast-centralportionof Unit 76 mixed with dense lodgepole. TheUSFSsaidthatitfavorslimberpineintreatmentandwouldleaveit.

Limber pine will only be cut if it is a hazard to theimplementation of the project (DN, pp. 5-7). Bluespruce are generally locatedwithin the stream zoneandmostlikelywouldnotbecutduetotheirsize(DN,pp.4,5).

DiametercaplimitswillbemaintainedaspartoftheDN(pp.4,5,7,36,46,47).Theforeststructureisvariedandincludessome“doghair”thicketsoflodgepolepine.Becausetheunitisbeingtreatedmanuallywithchainsaws,thepatchcutswerelocatedintheseareastomeettheobjectivemimicvariablestructuralandspatialpatternsonthelandscape.

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeither innatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouse

July2018

or patch cut) disturbances, species of wildlife willadapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleast resistance by cutting across an open field orthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.It isnotuncommon tosee largemammals,being themostnoticeable, incorporatehumancreated trailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Evidenceofwildlife(elk) Theentireprojectarea,includingUnits42,75&76,isusedinonewayoranotherbyelkthroughmigration,refuge,orasseasonalrange.InadditiontotheAvenzapointsthatthegrouphasprovided,visualsightingsandevidenceofelkusehavebeenmadethroughouttheprojectandadjacentareas.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,elkwilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.64-67).

Theemphasisforpatchcutlocationwasinsmalldensethicketsoflodgepolepine.Somedownedmaterialmaybeincorporatedintopilesintheselocations.

Theunitwillbecutmanuallywithchainsaws.Emphasisforcuttingwillbeinthedensest“doghair”thickets.

Observationsofcryptogrammicsoil

Thereisuniquecryptogramaticsoilwithlichenor fungi on the southern end of unit 76. TheMMGrequestedtheUSFSnotdisturbthatsoil.

Theareawillbeavoided.

Evidenceofdensetrees Units42,75,and76arebeingmanuallytreated,handpiled,andthenlaterburned.Thelayoutand

July2018

preparationfortheseunitswillemphasizecuttinginthedenser,“dog-hair”areas.

Theemphasisforpatchcutlocationwasinsmalldensethicketsoflodgepolepine.Somedownedmaterialmaybeincorporatedintopilesintheselocations.

Thereis“dog-hair”forestinthemiddleofUnit76.Thiswouldbegoodtocut.

Units 42, 75, and 76 are being manually treated,handpiled, and then later burned. The layout andpreparation for these units will be emphasizing thecuttinginthedenser,“dog-hair”areas.

Inputdiscouragescutting/thinningatspatialpoint

The western arm of unit 75 includes well-spaced,largertreesthatMMGmemberswouldliketheUSFStoleave.

Units 42, 75, and 76 are being manually treated,handpiled,andthenlaterburned.Thelayoutandprepemphasized cutting the denser, “dog-hair” areas andavoidedthewesternarm.

Units43&68--Douglasfir/mixedconifertreatment(mechanical)

UnitswillbetreatedinPhase3/4Informationwillbebroughtforward.

There is a cluster of large lodgepole in thenortheasternportionofUnit43.ThelodgepoleisdenseandincludesyoungDouglasfir.Thereare large ponderosa and spruce trees to thenortheastofthisarea.TheUSFSwillchecktoseeifthereisadrainageinthearea.

Thisunitwillbe treatedmanuallyso large lodgepolepinemost likelywouldnotbecut.TheDouglas-fir intheunderstorymostlikelywouldbecut.Ifadrainageisencountered,appropriateDesignCriteriawouldbeimplemented(DN,pp.35,36,38).

There are some well-spaced, average-sizedponderosapineinthesouthwesternportionofunit 43. The USFS could thin some of theregenerated vegetation there, which couldfunctionasladderfuel.TheUSFScouldthinlodgepoleinthenortheastofunit68.Thatarea is steep, so theUSFSwill

The area will be evaluated to determine if the areacouldbesteeredtowardsanunevensizedaggregation(retaining trees of all size classes) and not just cutladderfuels.Theunitwillbetreatedmanually.Becausetheunitisidentified as Mixed Conifer unit, an aggregation oflodgepole pine treatment (patchcut) could be

July2018

evaluatewhetheritshouldbetreatedmanuallyormechanically.

identifiedandtreatedaslongastheguidelinesinthe(DNp.5)aremet.

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(EnglemannSpruce)

BecauseEngelmannspruceisaminorspeciescomponentacrossthelandscape,itwouldnotbeprioritizedtocut.Iftherewasagroupofspruce,thentheywouldbethinnedtomeetthefuelobjectivesoftheProject.

Theprescriptionforthisunitwillenhanceaspenstandsbyremovingconifersfoundwithinaspencloneswheretheopportunityisavailableconsistentwiththedirectionoutlinedinthefinaldecision(DN,p.4-6).(DN,4-6).

July2018

Openareaormeadow OpenareasandmeadowswillbeexpandedandenhancedbycuttingconiferstothediametercaplimitationsidentifiedwiththeDecision(DN,pp.4,5,7).

Rockyoutcroppings(withviews)

Knolls and rock outcrops will be excluded fromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstunted growth, irregular crown shapes, andmaturebark attributes. Treatment exclusions will extenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanical equipment can operate, approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p34).

Evidenceofdensetrees Thisisamixedconifertreatmentunitsodensepocketsoftreescanbethinnedwhenthespeciescompositionismixedconifer.Ifthedensetreesarelodgepolepine,theycanbetreatedwitheitheraregenerationthinorpatchcutdependingontreesize(DN,pp.5,6).

There is spruce along the drainage in thesouthwestern part ofUnit 43. TheUSFS couldpromoteaspeninthatareaaswell.

Duetothesizeofspruceindrainages,thediametercaplimitwillmostlikelybeexceeded;thus,theywouldnotbe cut (DN, p. 5). Design Criteria for diameter caps,stream,andriparianvegetationwillbefollowed.(DN,pp.5,6,35,36,38)

Suggestionformovingtheunitboundary

There was some confusion because thenorthern curve in the boundary of Unit 43appearedtobefartooclosetoahouse.TheUSFSexplained that itsmappingprogrammayhavemissedthebufferzone.TheUSFSwillshifttheboundary down to provide the home with itsstandardbuffer.

Thebufferzonewillbemeasuredfromthecoincidentpropertylines300’intotheunitasidentifiedintheDN(p.4Table1;p.7,DefensibleSpace/NoCutBuffer;p.47,Table3).

July2018

Units45&48–Douglasfir/mixedconiferandPonderosapinemixedconifer(mechanical)

Unitswillbetreatedmanually

Inputdiscouragescutting/thinningatspatialpoint(logisticconcerns/socialvalue)

Agroupmembersaidthattheportionofunit45nearunit43hasshadylodgepoleforestfavoredbyungulatesandotherdesirablefeatures.ThegroupmemberaskedtheUSFSnottocutthisarea.

Agroupmembersaidthattheportionofunit45adjacenttounit43isfavorableforregenerationtreatments.TheUSFScouldthintheDouglasfirinthisarea,whichisalreadysomewhatopenandaddressthepresentladderfuels.ThegroupmemberaskedtheUSFStotreattheunderstoryinthisareabecausethetreesthemselvesaremostlyhealthyandwell-spaced.AgroupmemberaskedtheUSFSnottobe"tooheavy-handed"whentreatingtheopenponderosaandlodgepolepineinthemid-northeasternportionofUnit48becausethisareahassocialvalue.Theareaalsopossessesrockyknolls,adrainagearea,andsongbirds,soitmaynotbesuitablefortreatment.However,thereisdownedmaterialjustwestofthatareathatmaybefitfortreatment.Additionally,thereissmall,denseponderosasuitablefortreatmenttothesouthwestofthearea.

Itisunclearwherethisareaislocated.Duringlayouttheforesterwhoestablishedtheboundariesdidnotrecalltheareaasdescribed.Hethoughttheareamaybeinunis43or68possibly.Wewilllookagaintoseeiftheareacanbeidentifiedinunit45andevaluatehowtonottreatortreatwithconsiderations.Patchesofregenerationwillbethinnedaspartoftheprescription.It’sunclearwhatsocialvalueisreferenced.Theareawillbetreatedmanuallywithchainsawsinordertomeettheobjectivesfortheproject.Theentireunitwillbethinnedlessintensivelyduetothelimitationsofmanuallaborcomparedtomechanicalequipment.RockyknollsanddrainageswillhaveappropriateDesignCriteriaapplied(DN,pp.34,35,36,38).Thesuggestedareastoevaluateandtreatareappreciated.

July2018

Agroupmembersuggestedtreatingtheareaneartheroadfork.Thisareahasalotofblowdownandisrelativelyopenlodgepoleandponderosaforest.TheUSFScouldexpandtheseopenings.Agroupmembersaidthatthesoutheasterncornerofunit48possessessmall,denseponderosathatseemssuitableforthinning.

Expandingopeningsintreecanopiesassistswithmeetingfuelreductionobjectivesandmaintainingamosaicofforeststructureonthelandscape.Thisconditionwouldbedescribedintheprescriptionasapplicable.TheareawillbeevaluatedtothinandmeettheobjectivesoftheProject.Bythinning,therewillbeanopportunitytoprovidespaceandlesscompetitionfortheremainingponderosapinetogrow.

Agroupmembermarkedthepresenceofwildlifetrailsintheportionofunit45lyingdirectlyaboveunit48.Thegroupmemberalsomarkedanarcofaspenpatcheslocatednearadrainagerunningalongthenorthernportionofunit48.

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions,findingthepathofleastresistancebycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Itisnotuncommontoseelargemammals,beingthemostnoticeable,incorporatehumancreatedtrailsorroadsintotheirtrailsystem.

Evidenceofwildlife(elk,moose,turkey,songbirds,lionkill)

Groupmembersnotedthattheseunitspossessnorth-facingslopeswithaconsiderableamountofslashavailabletobepiledand

Theentireprojectarea,includingunits45&48,isusedinonewayoranotherbylargeungulates,predators,andbirdsthroughmigration,foraging,

July2018

burned.Generally,groupmembersrecommendednottreatingsouth-facingslopesintheseunitsbecausetheyincludemoist,shadyhabitatwithasignificantnumberofungulates.

TheUSFSrespondedtoconcernsabouttheimpactsofsuchtreatmentstoungulateslikeelkbystatingthattherearestillmanyelklivinginrecentlytreatedareasaroundNederland.Thetreatmentshaveleftnarrowcorridorsfortheelktomovebetweenunits.However,agroupmemberexpressedconcernthatfuturetreatmentsmightdiminishtherangeoftheseelk.

Groupmemberswhowalkedthenorthernpartofunit48nearunit45foundapossiblemountainlionkillinthearea.OnegroupmembersaidthatarecentvideopublishedbymountainlionresearchersworkingnearMountLyonsindicatedthatthreeorfourmountainlionswerelivingintheForsytheIIarea.ThegroupmembersaskedtheUSFSiftherewere

refuge,orasseasonalrange.Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchangeeitherinanatural(i.e.wildfireorinsectepidemic)orinhumancaused(buildingahouseorpatchcut)disturbances,speciesofwildlifewilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.64-67,87,88).Increasinggrass-forbandshrub-seedlingforeststructuralstagesForest-wideisanemphasisobjectiveinForestPlanforelk(ForestPlanChapter1,page6;FEIS,AppxG,page9).Overall,forageavailabilityappearstobedecreasinginsomeareas,asmixedconiferstandsbecomedenserandcanopyopeningsbecomesmaller.However,withinandsurroundingtheprojectarea,fuelstreatmentsonNFSandCountylandsinrecentyearshavecreatedrelativelylargeopeningsnorthandsouthofMagnoliaDriveeastofHighway119andinWestMagnolia,resultinginanincreaseinthegrass-forbstageoflodgepolepineforestsintheprojectarea.Elkhavebeenobservedforagingintheseopenings.(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.65).TheEAalsocoveredRegion2ForestServiceSensitivespeciesandArapahoandRooseveltNationalForestsManagementIndicatorSpecies.Althoughmountainlionsarenotoneitheroftheselists,theywerecoveredintheSpecialistReport.“Forestedcorridorsintheprojectareaareimportantforavarietyofwildlifespecies,especiallylargermammalsincludingelk,muledeer,moose,mountainlions,andblackbears.Definedinthe1997ForestPlanbyacombinationofforest

July2018

anycriteriacoveringmountainlionsintheEA.TheUSFSrespondedthattheEAonlycoveredT&Especies.

Thereare severalmountain lionkillson theseUnits.MountainlionsarenotmentionedintheEnvironmental Assessment (EA) or the DN.Group members would like more informationaboutthehistoricalresponseofmountainlionstothesetypesoftreatments.

structuralstages,minimumareaof20acres,minimumwidthof100meters,andmaximumwidthofgapsorinterruptionsof100meters,mappedforestedcorridorsareabundantForest-wide(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.92).Theimportanceofforestedcorridors,coveredinthespecialistreportanddefinedintheforestplan,wasbroughtforwardandcoveredunderAppendixCoftheDN,DesignCriteria,Patchcut/ClearcutAreas(DN,p.36):InvolveaUSFSWildlifeBiologistduringlayoutofpatchcuts/clearcutstodetermineneedsfornarrowareasand/orislandexclusionsforwildlifecrossingandcover.Inresearchinghow“historicalresponseofmountainlionstothesetypesoftreatments,”thebiologistwasonlyabletofindonepeerreviewedjournalinjstor:ReactionsofMountainLionstoLoggingandHumanActivity:https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/3801496.pdfForadditionalinformationrelatedtothistopic,pleasecontactColoradoParksandWildlife.PeterBoyatt,WildlifeOfficer(SouthBoulder),720-724-4824,peter.boyatt@state.co.us;KristinCannon,AreaWildlifeManager,970-472-4461,kristin.cannon@state.co.us

Uniqueortreespeciesofconcern(RMjuniper)

ThedecisionnoticeanddesigncriteriaoutlinetheguidelinesthataddressthecuttingandretentionofRockyMountainjuniper(DN,p.32).

July2018

Streamordrainageinunit .

Appropriate Design Criteria will be followed aroundthe streams and riparian vegetation (DN, pp. 35, 36,38).

Aspenstandsandconsiderations

Rockyknollorrockyoutcrop Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).

Openareaormeadow ThereisanopenareainthecenterofUnit45.TheUSFScouldthintheunderstoryoftheDouglasfirinthearea.Theforestseemsquitehealthy

OpenareasandmeadowswillbeexpandedandenhancedbycuttingconiferstothediametercaplimitationsidentifiedwithintheDecision(DNpp.7,47).

TheUSFScommentedthatthepresenceofponderosaandDouglasfironsouth-facingslopesontheseunitsmeansthatthebasalareathattheUSFSwillremovewillbedifferentthanitwouldbeforlodgepoletreatments.Inthiscase,theUSFSwouldprefertotreattheponderosaratherthanthelodgepolepine.

Mixedconiferstandshavelimitationsontheamountofbasalareathatcanberemoved.Lodgepolepinehasanacreagelimitationupto30%withinanidentifiedtreatmentunit.Douglas-fironsouthaspectswouldbetargetedtocutinthiscaseduetoitsintolerancetodroughtconditionsespeciallyonasouthaspect.

July2018

Units49&73 UnitswillbetreatedinPhase3&4Informationwillbebroughtforward

Units73and48haveareasofskinnyponderosapinethatseemssuitableforthinning.However,theUSFSnotedthatifthoseareasarethinneditwillbeeasy for snow loads toknock the treesover.Itmightmakemoresensetocleartheareatolettreesregrowaltogether.

The area will be evaluated to determine the bestprescriptionforthislocation.

Streamordrainageinunit MMGmembersmarkedthetopsofsomedrainagesfortheUSFStoreview.Groupmembersdidnotwalktheentiredrainage.

Appropriate Design Criteria will be applied to therespectivedrainageclassification.

Aspenstandsandconsiderations

Rockyknollorrockyoutcrop Knollsandrockoutcropswillbeexcludedfromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstuntedgrowth,irregularcrownshapes,andmaturebarkattributes.Treatmentexclusionswillextenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanicalequipmentcanoperate,approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).

Evidenceofwildlife(flickers,redtailhawks)

MMGmembersmarkedwildlife trailsontheseunits; scat can provide a general picture ofwhereanimalpopulationscanbefound.

Refer to theTerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport forinformation regarding migratory birds (TerrestrialWildlife Specialist Report, pp. 87, 88). Refer to theDesign Criteria in the Decision regarding the

July2018

Ingeneral, thespacebetweensouthandnorthslopes on these units is flatter, cooler, andwetter. MMGmembers found a lot of elk scatthereanditseemsthatelklikethishabitat.MMGmembers recommended that the USFS thinthoseareaslessandinsteadthinmoreonsouthslopes to meet basal percentage targets.Similarly, there are shady, wet areas in thenortheastern part of unit 73 that should bethinnedlesssothatthereissufficientcoverforelk.AUSFSbiologistnotedthattheareaswithscatareprobablytheeasiestplacesforelktotravel.

protectionofraptornestsandactivity(DN,pp.32,33,40).Units 49& 73were surveyed during the summer of2018 foractiveNorthernGoshawkandFlammulatedOwl nests/territories. Male Flammulated Owls weredetected in both units, but nests were not located.TherewerenodetectionsofNorthernGoshawksandnootherraptornestswerelocated.Population trends on a landscape scale have beencaptured with CPW’s and Boulder County’s elkmigration mapping of the elk corridor that passesthrough the Forsythe II Project area. Past fuelstreatmentshaveincreasedavailableforageforelkandproposed fuels treatments with Forsythe II wouldfurtherincreaseforageinportionsoftheprojectarea.In addition to the Avenza points that the group hasprovided,visualsightingsandevidenceofelkusehavebeenmadethroughouttheprojectandadjacentareas.TheseunitswillbetreatedmanuallywithchainsawsinPhase3whichwillresult in lessbasalareabeingcutthroughout the entire area of both units. Commentswill be considered in unit layout and prescriptiondevelopment.

July2018

However, these units are quite large and it ishard to capture population trends on thelandscape level using Avenza points. If atreatmentoccurredinoneplace,theelkwouldprobablymove somewhere else. The biologistnoted that it isdifficult forUSFSstaff tocovertheentiretyof theseunits, sostaffwill takeofthis input on elk activity into consideration.MMGmembersshouldconsiderelkpopulationsat the landscape scale when providing thisinput, but the more information that MMGmembersprovide toUSFSbiologists, themorethey can say about elk concentrations in thearea.A group member requested that the USFSpreservelargeswathesofcoverinareaswhereelkandmountain lionsarepresent.Thegroupmember stated that 100 feet of buffer forcoverage is insufficient. In response, a USFSbiologiststatedthat thetreatmentswouldstillleave cover for predators and ungulates. TheUSFS’wildlifebiologistwillbeconsultedbythetreatment team about what needs to beconsideredbefore treatment.Accordingly, thisinput is helpful for theUSFS’ biologists. It caninformmodifications to treatmentboundaries.The USFSwill not just ignore the presence ofmountainlions.ThatisthepurposeoftheMMG.

TheUSFS said that it couldmaintain cover onnorth slopes, but there are toomany trees onsouth slopes and they need to be thinned.

Thelandscapeisdynamicandasthecomponentsoftheenvironmentchange,elkwilladapttheirpatternsbestsuitedfortheirneeds.Astheyadjusttothosechangingconditions, finding the path of least resistance bycuttingacrossanopenfieldorthroughadenseforestwilleventuallyturntonewtrail.Population trends on a landscape scale have beencaptured with CPW’s and Boulder County’s elkmigration mapping of the elk corridor that passesthroughtheForsytheIIProjectarea.Buffers between pathcuts/clearcuts are in place toprovidewildlifecorridorsinlodgepolepinetreatmentunits. These units are identified as Ponderosa PineMixedConiferwhichwillbethinneduptoa50%BAreduction.TheresidualBAwillstillprovidecoverforpredators and large ungulates. The design of theprojectreducesstanddensitiestovaryinglevels.Standdensities on north aspects are higher than on southaspects.Forexampleanorthaspectmayhaveabasalareaof120sq.ft.peracreandasouthaspectmayhaveabasalareaof70sq.ft.peracre.Afterthinningupto50%,thebasalareasoneachaspectcouldbe60and35sq. ft. per acre. Adjacent areas to the treated unitswouldmaintaintheirexistingbasalareas,120and70sq.ft.peracrerespectivelyuntilanaturaldisturbancemodifies and impacts the surrounding landscape.Stand structural vegetation heterogeneity across the

July2018

Mountainlionkillswillbefoundinthearea,butthe habitat is expansive. The USFS said thatMMGmembershaveprovidedinformationthattheirobservationsindicatearediminished,butthereareprobablynewspeciesandvegetationpresentintreatedareasaswell.WestMagnoliaand other past treatment areas probably nowhostspeciesthatwerenotpreviouslypresent.

TherearegoldeneaglesintheTwinSistersareaandoneinBoulderCanyon.

landscapeprovideshabitatforawiderangeofwildlifespecies.Therearethreegoldeneagleterritoriesthathavebeenmonitored over the past few years in the GrossReservoirvicinity.Theseareaswillbecontinuedtobemonitoredannually.AppropriateDesignCriteria andoperatingperiodswillbeappliedpertheDecision(DN,pp.32,40).

MMG members marked an aspen stand forenhancement.

There is mistletoe among the ponderosa andsomeDouglasfiratthesouthernendofunit49.

Aspenisanaggregationthatcanbetreatedwithintheidentifiedtreatmentunit.Aspentreatmentunitsandaggregationshavediametercaplimitsof14”DBHforPPandDFand12”DBHforLPP.Aminimumof5ofthelargestavailabledeadtreeswillberetained(PP/DF-min.10”DBH,LPP-min.8”DBH);PPsnagspreferredtoretain.Ifmin.numberofsnagsisnotavailable,thenthelargestavailablelive,greenreplacementtreeswillberetainedforfuturesnags(DN,pp.4,5,6,33).OneoftheobjectivesfortheForsytheIIProjectistorestoreponderosapine/mixedconiferstandstowardtheir characteristic species composition, structure,and spatial patterns in order to increase resistanceand resiliency to future natural disturbances. Eventhough dwarf mistletoe is a component in thislandscape,itisathigherlevelsandraisesconcerninregards to forest health. Emphasis, where possible,

July2018

willbeplacedtoreduceandmoderatetheeffectsofdwarfmistletoeonthesetwoconiferspecies.ThisunitwillbeimplementedduringPhase3.

DownedMaterial There is a lotofdownedmaterial in this area.MMGmemberswouldprefer that thisdownedmaterialbepiledandburned.TheUSFSwouldliketoremovethedownedmaterialbutdoingsois expensive and the USFS cannot broadcastburnthearea.A group member asked if the USFS wouldremove downed material from unit 74. TheUSFSsaidthatthiswouldnotnecessarilybethecase. The treatment of unit 74 was originallyintendedtobecarriedoutintwostages,buttheUSFS isnowconsidering treating it all atonceinsteadofburningtheslashpiles,whichcouldscorch the overstory. Units designated formechanicaltreatmentwillutilizeequipmenttobring downed material to a landing site. Formanually-treated units, the USFSwill work tominimizethepotentialforerosion.

Duringlayoutandastheprescriptionisdeveloped,thearea will be evaluated to address the amount andarrangementofthedownedmaterialandifsomecanbeincorporatedintoacontract.Unit74willbetreatedmanuallysomaterialwillnotbephysically removed from the unit. Unit 74 is a two-stagedtreatmentunit:thefirstistopileexistingslashand burn; second entry is to thin, pile and burn theactivityslash.

Inputdiscouragescutting/thinningataspatialpoint

The north-central portion of unit 73 could bethinnedless.

AnMMGmembersaidthataUSFSwildlifebiologistmentionedintheEAthatwildlifehadbeensqueezedintonarrowcorridorsnearKellyDahlandNederlandby2014clearcuts.ThegroupmembersuggestedtheUSFS

ThisunitwillbetreatedmanuallyduringPhase3.Thelocationwillbeevaluated todeterminewhat levelofthinningisneededtomeettheobjectivesoftheProjectandconcernsbroughtforward.Overall,forageavailabilityappearstobedecreasinginsome areas, as mixed conifer stands become denserand canopy openings become smaller. However,within and surrounding the project area, fuelstreatments onNFS andCounty lands in recent years

July2018

maintainabalancebetweencoverandforestopeningsacrosstreatmentareas.TheUSFSsaiditwouldnotmaintainmorecoverintheForsytheIIareatoaccountforlargercutsinKellyDahlandelsewhere.ThegroupmembersaidthattheUSFSwildlifebiologisthadsaidclearcutshadbeensoextensiveonthewesternendofMagnoliathattheemphasisinthatareanowshouldbeonmaintainingcover.

Thesouthwesternarmofunit73issteep,andagroupmembersaid that itdidnot leavemuchareatocut.TheUSFSsaidthatthatareawillbetreatedmanually,eventhough it is inPhase2,which largely consists of mechanicaltreatments. The USFS will transfer some sub-aggregations to manual treatment. The USFSwill walk the units to identify the need formanual treatment. Portions of unit 49maybetreatedmechanically.

havecreatedrelativelylargeopenings,resultinginanincrease in the grass-forb stage of lodgepole pineforests in the project area. Elk have been observedforagingintheseopeningsUnit73willbetreatedmanuallyinPhase3.

Rockyknollsorrockyoutcrops

MMGmembersmarkedsomeknolls,butnotallof the ones that they could havemarked. TheUSFSnotedthattheDesignCriteriaforknollsisintendedtoprotectlargerknolls.

Knolls and rock outcrops will be excluded fromtreatmenttomaintainaestheticvalues.Thesefeaturesareidentifiedasthehighestpointinthelocalvicinitythathaveafewtreesexhibitingcharacteristicssuchasstunted growth, irregular crown shapes, andmaturebark attributes. Treatment exclusions will extenddownfromthepeakofthefeaturetotheareawheremechanical equipment can operate, approximately40%,orthepointwherethevegetationtransitionsintoameadowdominatedbygrassandforbs(DN,p.34).

July2018

OutstandingMMGRequestsforMoreInformationfromKevinZimlinghausSeptember2017-N/ANovember2017-N/AFebruary2018-GeneralComments:“Moreinformationaboutavailablefiremodelingtechnologyandanalysiswouldbeuseful.”Topredictpotentialfirebehavioracrosstheprojectareafortheexistingconditions,representativefuelmodelswerechosen.Fuelmodelsareusedinfirebehaviorpredictionmodelsanddescribethepredominanttypeofsurfacefuelthatwouldcarryfireacrossanarea.Thefuelmodelsusedforthisanalysiswereobtainedfromthe“StandardFireBehaviorFuelModels:AComprehensiveSetforUsewithRothermel’sSurfaceFireSpreadModel”alsoknownasthenewsetof40fuelmodels(Scott&Burgan,2005).Thenewsetof40fuelmodelsarebrokendownbygeneralfire-carryingfueltype.AdditionalinformationconcerningfiremodelingusedfortheForsytheIIProjectcanbefoundintheFire/Fuels/AirResourceSpecialistReportatthefollowing:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd524587.pdfMarch2018-GeneralComments:“KevinZimlinghauswillfindoutmoreabouthydrologicalobjectivesfortheForsytheIIunits.”ThoughtheForsytheIIProjectobjectiveswereprimarilyfocusedontherestorationandresiliencyofvegetatedlandscapesinaheavilypopulatedwildlandurbaninterface,theeffectsoftheprescribedtreatmentsforallresourceswerecompletedduringtheanalysis.TheprojectareaprovidesacriticalcommunityresourcetoDenverasGrossReservoirisoneoftheirmunicipalwatersources.WaterresourceobjectiveswerenotidentifiedfortheForsytheIIProject;however,issueswereidentifiedbytheInterdisciplinaryTeamrelatingtotheHydrology/Fisheriesresources(DN,p.14).Theseissueswereusedtodeveloptheactionalternatives,mitigationmeasures,anddesignelementstoaddresstheeffectsoftheproposedactivitiesfortheproject.MoredetailedinformationabouttheseissuescanbefoundinChapter1,Section1.7oftheForsytheIIProjectEnvironmentalAssessment(https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd549691.pdf).TheHydrologyandFisheriesResourcesReport(https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd524595.pdf),fortheForsytheIIProjectoutlinestheeffectsontheaffectedwatershedswithintheProjectboundaryastheyrelatetotheaffectedenvironment,waterquality,andhydrology.InadditiontotheProjectDesignCriteria(DN,pp.35,38,39,41-43),BestManagementPractices(https://www.fs.fed.us/naturalresources/watershed/pubs/FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf)thatareappropriateforthewaterresourcewillbefollowedduringtheimplementationoftheProject.

July2018

April2018-GeneralComments:“Beforeanytreatmentbegins,USFSwildlifebiologistswillcompletetheold-growthsurvey.Theywilldetermineifowlfeathersfoundbycommunitymembersinthisareacamefromaflammulatedowl,whichwouldexempttheareafromtreatment.Goshawkidentificationwouldalsoexemptanareafromtreatment.TheUSFSwillconducttheold-growthsurveyandlookforendangeredbirds,andthenbringbacktheresultsofthesesurveystotheMMG.”Thisquestionwasinreferencetotheareabetweenunits45and74.ThissitewasvisitedbythreeUSFSwildlifebiologistsonJune20,2018,andtherewasnophysicalevidencethatthiswasaflammulatedowlnestsite.SeesitevisitreportonCFRIwebsite(https://cfri.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/07/fnwildlife26june18.pdf).Nestsiteprotectionareasandlimitedoperatingperiodswillbeinplacewherenestsitesarelocated(DN,pp.33,40).ThisinformationwasalsosharedattheMMGattheJune,2018meeting.May2018-GeneralComments:“AnothergroupmemberaddedthatalotofthisspeciesmappingwasprobablycompletedintheForsytheIIproject’senvironmentalassessment(EA)andenvironmentalimpactstatement(EIS).Ifthatisthecase,thegroupmembersuggestedusingspecieslistsfromthosedocumentsasstartingpoints.TheUSFSrespondedthatwhilethatinformationisintheEA,itisnotfullyavailableforpublicdisplayduetotheUSFS’concernsabouttheriskofpoachingandotherspeciessensitivities.However,theUSFSstatedthatitwouldexaminethepossibilityofcreatingmapsofwildlifecorridorsandofusingspecieslistsfromtheEAandEIS.”TheTerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,(https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd525367.pdf),wascompletedforthisprojecttodeterminethelikelyeffectsoftheproposedactionandalternativestowildlifespeciesandhabitats,accordingtodirectioninthe1997RevisionoftheLandandResourceManagementPlanfortheArapahoandRooseveltNationalForestsandPawneeNationalGrassland(ForestPlan).ThewildlifebiologistanalyzedspecificThreatenedandEndangeredandProposedSpecies,Region2ForestServiceSensitiveSpecies,andArapahoandRooseveltManagementIndicatorSpecies(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.30-85).IntheSpecialistReport,thebiologistalsoanalyzedManagementIndicatorCommunities,suchasaspenanditsrepresentative,warblingvireo(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.85-87).ThebiologistdiscussedtheelementsbehindtheMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweentheUSForestServiceandtheUSFishandWildlifeServicetoprotectmigratorybirds(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.87-88).ThereportoutlinesForest-wideDirectionStandardandGuidelinesincludinghowimportantEffectiveHabitatisduringseasonofprimaryusebyelkanddeer(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,pp.88-91).ItalsoexpresseshowessentialForestedandOpenCorridorsareforavarietyofwildlifespecies,especiallylargermammalsincludingelk,muledeer,moose,mountainlions,andblackbears(TerrestrialWildlifeSpecialistReport,p.92).ThisanalysisincorporatedinternaldataandthemapsofhabitatsandcorridorsprovidedbyBoulderCountyandColoradoParksandWildlifeasabaselinetodeterminetheeffectstotheaforementionedspeciesintheSpecialistReport.ThiscompositeofinformationcombinedwiththeAvenzapointsthatwereidentifiedbytheMMGhaveallguidedthedesignandinfluencedthelayoutoftheimplementationunits.

July2018

June2018-GeneralComments:KevinZimlinghaus’ActionItems:

• Writethegroupaclearguidetotreatmentrulesforbasalareareductionsintermsofaunit’sdominantcovertype,treatmenttypes,andtheotherspeciesoftreesfoundinaunitanditsstands.

Thebasalareareductionreferstomixedconifer(Douglas-fir,ponderosapine)treatmentunitsandaggregations.ForDouglas-firmixedconifertreatmentunitsandaggregations,upto40%oftheexistingbasalareacanbecut.Fortheponderosapinemixedconifertreatmentunitsandaggregations,upto50%oftheexistingbasalareacanbecut(DN,p.4).Aggregationsofothervegetationtypescanbecutwithinthesetreatmentunitsandtheirvolumewillbeincorporatedintotheoveralltotalofbasalarearemovalthatisallowed.Forexample,ifameadow/shrublandareaispresentintheunit,thevolumeoftheconifersthatarecutwillbeaccountedintotheoverallbasalareareductionpercentageinMixedConiferStands.AggregationsofothervegetationtypeswillfollowtheguidelinesdirectedintheDecision(DN,pp.5-7).Inanotherexample,ifanaggregationofDouglas-firMixedConiferisidentifiedinalodgepolepinetreatmentunit,thentheaggregation’sbasalareacanbereducedupto40%.Alodgepolepinetreatmentunitdoesnothaveabasalareareductioncap.Assuch,thevolumewithintheDouglas-firMixedConiferaggregationwouldbeaddedtothevolumecutwithinthepatchcut/clearcut.

• Shareinformationwiththegroupabouttheimpactsofclear-cutsinunit43totheviewshedwhenthatinformationisavailable.

Unit43isidentifiedintheForsytheIIDecisionasaDouglas-firMixedConiferTreatment.Thismeansthemajorityoftheunitwillbethinnedwithupto40%oftheexistingbasalareacut.Becausethisunitwillbetreatedmanually,mostlikelythebasalareareductionwillbebelow40%.Theremaybeaggregations(1/2-5acresinsize)ofaspenandlodgepolepinethatwouldbetreatedundertheguidesestablishedintheDecisionforthoseTreatmentTypes(DN,p.5).Itisanticipated,wherepresent,theseaggregationacreswouldaccountforapproximately30%ofthetotalacresoftheunitwhichequatesto42acres.

Unit43hasbeenmovedtoPhase3andlayout/prepwilloccurin2019.Atthattime,wewillhaveabetterunderstandingoftheplannedtreatmentactivitieswithintheunitandhowtheywillaffecttheviewshed.

• Findoutwhysometreesinunit24werepaintedpink.

Unit24wasalsopartoftheForsytheIProjectandthisunitwaslayedoutandpreppedasasmalltimbersaleinhopesofhavingsmall,localcontractorsbidonthecontract;however,theFSdidnotreceiveanybids.Thepinkflaggingidentifiedthetreesthatwerecruisedandincorporatedintothevolumeestimatetocutforthecontract.

July2018

Questions/CommentsforResponsefortheUSFSreceivedsincetheJune2018Meeting

• HowdoestheUSFS’wildlifebiologistinfluencetheForsytheIIDesignCriteria?ThroughtheanalysisoftheprojecteachresourcespecialistdraftedDesignCriteriathattheydetermineneedstobeinplacetominimizetheimpactstotheirspecificresource.DesignCriteriafromalloftheresourcesarereviewedbytheInterdisciplinaryTeamandLineOfficerbeforetheyarefinalized.

• “IwouldliketourgeFStoconsiderremovingthedeadmaterialinconjunctionwiththetreatmenttheyhaveplanned.(Notjustwhenitisconvenient).”Thisprojectidentifiedonlyoneunit,unit74,wherea2-stagedmixedconifertreatmentwouldoccurtotreattheexistingfuelloadingsaspartoftheoverallunittreatment.However,someexistingsurfacefuelwillbepiledwiththeactivityfuelsgeneratedfromplannedtreatmentactivitiesandeventuallyburned.Additionally,existingsurfacefuelinadditiontoactivityfuels,willbetreatedinunitsthatareidentifiedforprescribedbroadcastburning.

• “Iwouldalsoliketoseesomeofthismaterialchippedandbroadcastinsteadofburned.”DesignCriteriaisinplacetoallowchippingasanoptionfortreatingthefuelsoncethevegetativetreatmenthasbeencompleted.Inchippedareas,chipdepthshallaveragelessthan3”.Chipdepthofupto5”mayoccuroversmallareas(nottoexceed5%ofthetreatmentunit).Chipsshallbedistributedinamosaicpatternovernomorethan30%oftheactivityarea(DN,p.32).

Questions/CommentsforResponseregardingAggregations

• TheDNstatesthatunitmaycontainaggregationsof½to5acresinsizeoftheotherdominantstandconditions.Thiswouldindicatethatwearen’ttalkingaboutscatteredtrees;tobedominantwouldindicatetherearemoreofthesetreesthanotherspeciesinthisaggregationandthatitneedstobeatleast½acre.Infact,underlodgepoletreatmentitsaysto“retainallmixedconiferinclusionsofa½acreorless”andonly“iftheinclusionislarger,thinningasprescribedcouldbeimplemented.Thiscommentcamefromthefieldtriptounit1.Inthiscase,therearemoreaspenstemsthanconiferstemsintheareasidentifiedforanaspenaggregation.Theaspenstemsmaybesmallerinsomeareasbecauseoffireexclusionandsuppressionoftheconifersthatarepresent,buttherearemorestemsofaspenthanconiferswhichfitsthedescriptionbroughtforward,above.

July2018

• Thecutdistancefromaspencloneswasoriginally50’.Thiswaschangedto30’.Itwasveryspecifically30’fromaspentrees,notfromanarbitraryborderaroundanaspenaggregate.TheDNdescribescutting30’fromtheaspenclone,notfromtheunitborder,notfromanarbitraryborderaroundmultiplegroups,norfromscatteredindividualtrees.Thecutdistancechangedfrom50’to30’fromtheedgeoftheaspencloneasisstatedandidentifiedintheDecision(DNp.6,47).Throughouttheentireanalysisprocessthe“buffer”wasinplacefromtheaspenclone(althoughwiththechangeindistance)andnotthedistancefromindividualaspentrees(DN,p.6,47).Anaspenclone,standorgroupofaspentreesisconsideredasingularorganismwiththemainlifeforceundergroundintheextensiverootsystem.Beforeasingleaspentrunkappearsabovethesurface,therootsystemmayliedormantformanyyearsuntiltheconditionsarejustright,includingsufficientsunlight.Inasinglestand,eachtreeisageneticreplicateoftheother,hencethenamea“clone”ofaspensusedtodescribeastand.Stemsfromanaspenclonemaybeofvaryingsizesandovertimeintheabsenceofdisturbance(ie.fire)havesuccumbedtosuppressionandtheoverallaggregationreductionduetoshadingofoverstoryconifersthathavechokedouthealthyaspentreesandstems.Asaspenstandsmature,theymaybegintodeteriorateasopeningsintheforestcanopyareleftbydyingtrees.Often,intheWest,aspenisreplacedbyconifersintheabsenceofdisturbance.Ondryersites,aspenmayreverttorangelanddominatedbyshrubs,forbs,andgrasses.However,rootsuckeringwillgenerallyoccurintheaspenstandsastheydeteriorateorastheyaredisturbedbyfireorotherevents.Whenanaspentreediesoraslightbecomesavailablefromopenings,chemicalsignalsfromthetreetotherootsstimulatenewsproutstostartgrowing.Throughthisregrowth,anaspencloneusuallylivesmuchlongerthanitsindividualtrees.Eventhoughindividualaspentreesarenotveryold,aspenclonescanbehundredsofyearsold.An“arbitraryborder”orlinedelineatinganaspencloneisestablishedtoincludeasmuchaspenandrestoreaspen’spotentialtore-establishonthelandscapeasanobjectiveintheDecision(DN,p.2).ThedirectionoutlinedintheDNidentifiestheintentandmethodologyfortheForestServicetoimplementcuttingtreatmentsinordertomeettheseobjectiveswheretheDecisionhasbeenmade.

• Ifthereare“dominant”speciesaggregationsinanyofthelodgepoleunitsthataretobetreatedpertheirspeciesprescription,thenitmakessensethatthelodgepolepineportionoftheunitisreducedbythatamountofacreageandthepatch-cutswouldalsobereduced.Unitswereidentifiedbasedontheprimaryvegetationcovertypetoestablishabaselinefortheprescriptiontreatmentsthatwouldbedevelopedforeachunit.Inlodgepolepineunits,theavailableacrestopatchcut/clearcut(upto30%)isbasedontheunitacresidentifiedinthedecision.Aggregations,wherepresent,couldtreatupto30%oftheunit’sdecisionacresinadditiontotheacresthatwerepatchcut/clearcut.

July2018

• Terminologyisconfusing:

• Theseaggregationscanbeexpectedtooccuracross30%ofanygivenunitandacrossmorethan50%ofthetreatment

units.DuringtheForsytheIIProjectanalysis,treatmentunitswereidentifiedatacoarsescale.Withinthetreatmentunits,itwasexpectedthataggregationsofmixedconifer,lodgepolepine(bothregenerationandmoremature),aspen,andmeadows/shrublandsmaybepresent.“Insituationswhereaggregationsoccuracrossaunit,theappropriatetreatmentforthatstandtypewillbeimplemented…”(DN,p.5).Whereaggregationsarefoundinatreatmentunitduringlayout,upto30%oftheDecisionacresforthespecificunitcouldbeincludedtobetreatedundertheappropriateprescription.DuringtheForsytheIIanalysis,itwasestimatedthataggregationswithintheProjectUnitsoccurredacross50%ofthearea(DN,pp.4-7).

• ConcernthattheForestServicewillbetreating30%ofeveryunitunderdifferenttreatmentsthanthepublichasbeentold.DuringtheForsytheIIanalysis,itwasforeseenthatsomeunitswillhavesituationswhereamanagementunitmightcontainaggregationsofotherdominantstandconditionsfromwhatitwasdelineatedasforplanningpurposes.TheseaggregationswithintheProjectUnitswereexpectedtooccuracross30%ofanygivenunitandacrossmorethan50%ofalltreatmentunits.ThiswasdisclosedtothepublicintheDN(p.5,VegetationTreatments)andtheForsytheIIProjectEA(pp.38,42,46,50.Theeffectsoftreatingtheseaggregationswereconsideredintheenvironmentalanalysis(ForsytheIIProjectEA,pp.89,132,134,137,138,140)andResourceSpecialistReports.InPhases1and2,thelevelofaggregationsidentifiedfortreatmentsissignificantlyless,96%(6acrestotal),thanwhatwasestimated(153acres)forplanningpurposes.

• Formixedconiferstands,ifthegoalwastocut40%oftheexistingbasalareainaunit,whywouldn’tyousaycut40%insteadofupto40%?Theprojectanalysisconsideredandincludedbothmanual(handcrewswithchainsaws)andmechanical(heavyequipment)treatmentmethods.Withmechanicalequipmenttheobjectiveofcutting40%caneasilybeobtained.However,handcrewwithchainsawshavesizelimitationsinmovinglargermaterialintopiles.Manuallycutunitsinmixedconiferwillnotmeetthe40%basalareareductionbecausesmallermaterialisprimarilytreatedwhichdoesn’taccountformuchvolume.Thewording“upto”wasincludedsoresourcespecialistcouldperformtheiranalysesbasedonthemostextensiveleveloftreatmentthatcouldbepossible,whilerecognizingthatitmaynotoccurinallsituations.

July2018

• Therearesupposedtobe100’untreatedbuffersbetweenpatchcutsandclearcuts.

Correct,therewillbe100’buffersbetweenpatchcutsand100meters(330’)betweenclearcuts.

Forsythe II Multiparty Monitoring Group (MMG) USFS ...

Documents

Transcript of Forsythe II Multiparty Monitoring Group (MMG) USFS ...

National Logistics Meeting Boise, Idaho March 2011 Jennifer Letz, USFS Meghan Oswalt, USFS Deanna Crawford, USFS Intro to Sustainable Fire Camps.

Remedial Measures, Brown-Forsythe test,F testfwood/w4315/Lectures/lecture_7/lecture_7.pdf · Remedial Measures, Brown-Forsythe test,F test Frank Wood ... Brown-Forsythe Test ... I

MMG Basic Compilerseriouscomputerist.atariverse.com/media/pdf/manual/MMG BASIC C… · MMG BASIC COMPILER page 2 GETTING STARTED Your MMG BASIC COMPILER disk contains the following

Forsythe grounds care & landscaping inc

WILLIAM FORSYTHE

Peter S. Murdoch, USGS Richard Birdsey, USFS Ken Stolte, USFS

411 forsythe open housepresentation_final

Forsythe Huschka

MMg MMg scrubbing machines. - Průmyslové vysavače€¦ · MMg MMg TECHNICAL DATA MMg 65/75/85 B KARCHER BD60/95RSBp TASK SWINGO XPI Acoustic level dB(A) 58 74 65 Working width

About the USFS

A Tradition Of Reliability And Innovation - Faguy · 2014. 5. 6. · Also Available: MMG 120, MMG 150, MMG 185, MMG 235, MMG 320, MMG 405, MMG 465 MMG 35 (shown) Also Available: MMG

MMG /BIOC 352

2014 mmg-talk

MMG General Overview

MMG Sustainability Report 2011

Forsythe protocol 2014 summit

Forsythe The Humanitarians ICRC

MMG Basic Compilerseriouscomputerist.altervista.org/media/pdf/manual/MMG... · 2016. 1. 11. · MMG BASIC COMPILER page 2 GETTING STARTED Your MMG BASIC COMPILER disk contains the

Defigurative Choreography: Duchamp & Forsythe

MMG Corp Profile