Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Late Succession
Total acres of late succession are expected to be reduced in this alternative due to MPB
caused mortality. Approximately ten acres of late succession (SS5) are projected to
remain within the project area at year 2018 (Allen 2011). The remaining SS4A and SS4B
stands could eventually grow into SS5; however this would take several decades or
longer to achieve. With the current MPB infestation it is highly likely that the
development of SS5 would be delayed due to an increase in MPB caused tree mortality.
Hardwoods
Aspen would benefit from the mountain pine beetle-caused mortality of overstory
ponderosa pine, which decreases competition for sunlight and nutrients. However,
ponderosa pine less than 3” dbh would escape mortality and remain to compete with
quaking aspen. The pine would eventually shade out the aspen within the subsequent 50
years. Increased sunlight warming the ground would immediately stimulate aspen
regeneration through root suckering, expanding existing clones outward a distance up to
1 to 1.5 tree heights (Shepperd & Battaglia 2002). The flush of new aspen suckers
increases browsing damage, however, the large amount of ponderosa pine snags falling
down mitigate the browsing pressure by physically blocking deer and elk from the
suckers. This alternative would move toward Forest Objective 201.
Spruce
This alternative would not have any direct effects on spruce. Indirectly spruce may
increase in time due to dense canopy conditions (stands not affected by MPB) and fire
suppression. Dense mixed conifer stands would likely lose the ponderosa pine
component to MPB caused mortality. The loss of ponderosa pine could affect the
structure of spruce stands by increasing wind-throw (spruce are highly susceptible to
wind throw), coarse woody debris, and subsequent ladder fuels. .
Meadows
Meadow sites in the project area would continue to experience encroachment from
ponderosa pine. The ponderosa pine encroaching on meadow sites is either not large
enough or dense enough to experience heavy mountain pine beetle-caused mortality.
Meadows are not expected to increase as their extent is limited by soil characteristics.
This alternative would not impact achievement of Objective 205.
Alternative 2
Cover Types
The proposed action includes 126 acres of hardwood conversion. These stands were
identified as past aspen sites which had been encroached by pine over time.
This treatment would result in an increase of 126 acres in aspen and a corresponding
decrease in ponderosa pine cover types. No other changes to cover types are anticipated
in the proposed action.
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