Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 1
Management Area-specific Goals and Objectives
In addition to the Forest‐wide goals and objectives outlined in Chapter 1 of the Forest
Plan, each management area (MA) has goals and objectives specific to that area (see
Chapter 3 of the Forest Plan). In the event that a Forest‐wide goal or objective conflicts
with a MA‐specific goal or objective, the more restrictive goal or objective will take
precedent. Below is a summary of the needs and opportunities associated with the MAspecific
goals and objectives in the Vestal project area.
MA 5.4 Big Game Winter Range Emphasis (42% of the project area)
Goal 5.4-201: Manage tree stands for wildlife habitat and vegetative diversity.
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• Opportunity exists to manage vegetation for insect, fuels and fire
hazard reduction while concurrently benefiting wildlife habitat and
vegetative diversity.
Objective 5.4-206: Manage for the following percentages of structural stages in
ponderosa pine across the management area in a variety of sizes and shapes. (Reference
structural stage table, Forest Plan pg III-92)
• Opportunity exists to manage vegetation focused on reducing
insect, fire and fuels hazard to be compatible with structural stage
objectives.
Guideline 5.4-4101: Utilize appropriate fuel treatment practices, including prescribed
fire, to achieve resource management objectives.
• Opportunity exists to utilize fuel treatments (including prescribed
fire) in accomplishing insect, fuels and fire hazard reduction
objectives.
MA 5.1 Resource Production Emphasis (40% of the project area)
Goal 5.1-201: Manage tree stands to emphasize timber products, forage production, and
water yield.
• Opportunity exists to manage vegetation for insect, fuels and fire
hazard reduction while concurrently providing timber products,
forage production, and contributing to increased water yield.
Objective 5.1-202: While meeting other objectives for this management area, provide
variety in stand sizes, shape, crown closure, age structure and interspersion.
• Opportunity exists to manage vegetation focused on reducing
insect, fire and fuels hazard to be compatible with objective of
providing variety in the forested setting.
Objective 5.1-203: Maintain or enhance hardwood shrub communities where
biologically feasible, and within management objectives.
• Opportunity exists to manage vegetation geared to improve
hardwoods and also contribute to the fuel break benefits that
hardwoods naturally provide.