Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 For MA 5.1, Alternative 2, structural stage 4B would move toward Forest Objectives and SS1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4C and 5 would remain the same, while SS4A would move away from Forest Objectives. This movement away from the Forest Objectives for some structural stages is expected to be short term and in the long term, more beneficial. These changes from denser stands to more open stand conditions were necessary to lower the MPB hazard and to accomplish fire hazard reduction over the landscape. Table 30. Forest-Wide Management Area 5.4 Pine Structural Stages by Alternative Structural Stage 46 Forest Plan Objective % Existing Condition Acres Existing Condition % Alt 1 Year 2018 Acres Alt 1 Year 2018 % Alt 2 Year 2018 Acres Alt 2 Year 2018 % 1 5% 45,616 13% 48,539 14% 45,613 13% 2 5% 10,152 3% 11,005 3% 10,672 3% 3A 10% 17,454 5% 19,309 6% 17,616 5% 3B 15% 22,227 7% 22,099 7% 21,660 6% 3C 5% 15,763 5% 15,182 4% 15,196 4% 4A 25% 86,487 25% 87,061 26% 91,683 27% 4B 25% 87,864 26% 83,747 25% 84,278 25% 4C 5% 52,865 16% 51,500 15% 51,675 15% 5 5% 1,066 0.3% 1,052 0.3% 1,066 0.3% Total 100% 339,494 100% 339,494 100% 339,459 100% For MA 5.4, Alternative 2, structural stages 4B and 4C would move towards the Forest Objectives and SS1, 2, 3A and 5 would remain the same, while SS3B, 3C, and 4A would move away from Forest Objectives. This movement away from the Forest Objectives for some structural stages is expected to be short term and in the long term, more beneficial. These changes from denser stands to more open stand conditions were necessary to lower the MPB hazard and to accomplish fire hazard reduction over the landscape. Very Large Sized Trees Alternative 2 would reduce the acres of SS4 with an average tree size of very large within the project area, by approximately 21% from 974 acres to 767 acres (Table 31), which is less of a change than in Alternative 1. This change in acres however would not result in a change to the Forest-wide management area percentages (Table 31) for Objectives 5.1- 204 or 5.4-206. It would reduce the percentage in MA 4.1 and moves toward Objective 4.1-203. Table 31. All Alternatives: Acres of SS4 with an Average Tree Size of Very Large at Year 2018 Existing Management Condition Alt 1 Acres Alt 2 Acres Area Acres Year 2018 Year 2018 4.1 50 16 36 5.1 208 69 178
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 5.4 716 239 553 Total 974 324 767 Table 32. All Alternatives Percentage of SS4 with an Average Tree Size of Very Large at Year 2018 Forest- Wide MA Objective MA 4.1 MA 5.1 MA 5.4 Existing Alt1 Alt2 Existing Alt1 Alt2 Existing Alt1 Alt2 10% 20% 20% 19% 13% 13% 13% 9% 9% 9% Late Succession The proposed action alternative would not treat any late succession stands. Sanitation is included, if needed, but this would not alter the structural stage. Therefore, there would be no direct effects to late succession. Indirectly, this alternative would retain more mature and dense stands (SS3C, 4A, 4B and 4C) that could eventually grow into SS5 over several decades or longer. The potential to develop SS5 is improved over the No Action alternative. Reducing the risk for MPB caused mortality in the surrounding landscape would improve the potential for these late succession stands to remain. Hardwoods In this alternative, acres of aspen would be increased from an existing 431 to 557 acres. All conifers would be removed from existing hardwood stands and an additional 126 acres of ponderosa pine cover type would be converted to a quaking aspen cover type following treatment. The intolerant hardwoods cannot compete with the more tolerant conifers. Removing all conifers from a hardwood stand would ensure that hardwoods would not become shaded out and the stand eventually taken over by conifers. This is consistent with forest plan standard 2205. In addition, scattered inclusions of aspen within pine stands would be released from competition by having conifers removed. A 33 foot buffer around each aspen inclusion would also have conifers removed to allow sunlight to the aspen and enhance further expansion of the aspen inclusion. Conifers less than 9” dbh would be hinged and left on site to protect aspen suckers from browsing. Hinging is an effective method to deter browsing in the Black Hills (Kota & Bartos 2005). This alternative better moves toward Objective 201, than Alternative 1. Spruce There are 107 acres of white spruce in the project area within three of the four management areas. White spruce is rare on this landscape and in healthy condition at this time. No treatment within the spruce stands would occur with this entry except for Sanitation as needed to remove MPB infested pine trees. Meadows Approximately 1,458 acres of pine encroachment treatments would occur in historic meadow sites. These historic meadow sites have been encroached upon by pine. They would be restored by removal of conifers of all sizes. As a result, increased grass and 47
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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