appendix b

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
APPENDIX A: VEGETATION TREATMENT UNITS AND
TRAVEL MANAGEMENT ROUTES
Salvage and Fuels Treatments
Table A1. Proposed salvage and fuels treatment acres by prescription and action alternative.
PRESCRIP-
TION*
UNIT
NO.
LOGGING
SYSTEM¹
CCF/
ACRE
MBF/
ACRE ACRES
ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
ACRES
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
1A 1 M 12.6 5.7 130 1,635 743 25 314 143
1A 2 M 7.2 3 7 49 20 0 0 0
1A 3 M 3.7 1.5 176 650 262 0 0 0
1A 4 M 6.5 2.5 280 1,823 704 0 0 0
1A 5 M 14.3 6.4 37 529 238 31 443 199
1A 6 M 23.7 9.8 15 349 144 15 349 144
1A 8 M 11.1 4.5 9 101 41 9 101 41
1A 9 M 3.5 1.4 26 93 36 26 93 36
1A 10 M 7 2.9 71 495 209 71 495 209
1A 11 M 7 2.9 53 365 154 53 365 154
1A 12 M 1.7 0.7 35 61 24 35 61 24
1A 14 M 3.8 1.5 5 20 8 5 20 8
1A 16 M 12.7 5.4 52 665 281 52 665 281
1A 23 M 13 5.6 14 177 77 14 177 77
1A 24 M 13 5.6 27 349 151 27 349 151
1A 26 M 2.5 1.1 18 45 20 18 45 20
1A 27 M 1.4 0.6 13 19 8 13 19 8
1A 29 M 8.7 3.9 17 148 66 17 148 66
1A 30 M 1.6 0.8 23 35 18 23 35 18
1A 35 M 25.2 11.4 74 1,866 847 74 1,866 847
1A 36 M 18.3 7.8 5 96 41 5 96 41
1A 37 M 26.8 10.9 10 273 111 10 273 111
1A 38 M 26.8 11.5 57 1,524 652 57 1,524 652
1A 39 M 26.7 11.5 48 1,287 553 48 1,287 553
1A 40 M 18.9 8.5 25 463 208 25 463 208
1A 41 M 18.9 8.5 56 1,057 476 56 1,057 476
1A 52 M 10.9 4.3 14 155 60 14 155 60
1A 53 M 7.2 2.9 7 50 20 7 50 20
1A 54 M 17.3 7.9 101 1,741 792 101 1,741 792
1A 55 M 14.7 6.8 16 235 109 16 235 109
1A 56 M 32.9 15.1 113 3,732 1,716 113 3,732 1,716
1A 57 M 17.3 7.9 8 137 62 8 137 62
1A 58 M 17.3 7.9 12 206 94 12 206 94
1A 59 M 17.3 7.9 25 438 199 25 438 199
1A 60 M 17.3 7.9 8 133 60 8 133 60
239

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
PRESCRIP-
TION*
240
UNIT
NO.
LOGGING
SYSTEM¹
CCF/
ACRE
MBF/
ACRE ACRES
ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
ACRES
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
1A 61 M 17.3 7.9 12 200 91 12 200 91
1A 62 M 27.6 11.6 7 193 81 7 193 81
1A 63 M 30.3 12.8 17 527 223 17 527 223
1A 67 M 13.2 5.8 5 63 28 5 63 28
1A 68 M 14.1 6.1 203 2,859 1,237 203 2,859 1,237
1A 69 M 22.1 10.2 213 4,707 2,163 213 4,707 2,163
1A 70 M 18 7.4 34 608 250 34 608 250
1A 72 M 22.9 10.3 4 81 36 4 81 36
1A 73 M 22.9 10.3 28 635 285 28 635 285
1A 76 M 21.9 9.2 6 132 55 6 132 55
1A 77 M 21.9 9.2 3 60 25 3 60 25
1A 80 M 18.8 9 14 258 124 14 258 124
1A 82 M 43.2 20.4 21 899 424 21 899 424
1A 83 M 51.3 26.2 4 218 111 4 218 111
1A 85 M 28.3 12.9 10 292 133 10 292 133
1A 86 M 29.2 13.9 52 1,525 729 52 1,525 729
1A 87 M 20.8 8.9 12 253 108 12 253 108
1A 89 M 12 4.6 4 49 19 4 49 19
1B 13 M 1.7 0.7 9 12 5 9 12 5
1B 15 M 3.8 1.5 21 62 25 21 62 25
1B 65 M 30.3 12.8 26 624 264 26 624 264
1B 66 M 16.7 7.2 24 321 139 24 321 139
1B 71 M 9.9 4.8 16 126 60 16 126 60
1B 74 M 18.8 9.3 38 572 283 38 572 283
1B 75 M 21.5 10.3 74 1,273 612 74 1,273 612
1B 81 M 13 6.2 7 74 35 7 74 35
1C 91 M 15.4 6.9 14 216 97 14 216 97
1C 92 M 0 0 24 0 0 24 0 0
1C 93 HF 0 0 16 0 0 16 0 0
1C 98 HF 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0
1D 94 HF 0 0 13 0 0 13 0 0
1D 95 HF 0 0 144 0 0 144 0 0
2A 17 M 5.8 2.3 53 279 112 53 279 112
2A 19 M 1.8 0.7 3 5 2 3 5 2
2A 25 M 6.9 2.8 27 170 68 27 170 68
2A 28 M 3.1 1.1 75 212 73 75 212 73
2A 50 M 16.8 7.3 21 319 139 21 319 139
2A 51 M 16.8 7.3 23 347 152 23 347 152
2A 79 M 9.7 4.4 24 208 93 24 208 93
2A 84 M 17.8 8.1 11 181 82 11 181 82
2A 88 M 9.9 4.1 7 59 25 7 59 25
2B 7 M 2.1 0.7 14 20 6 14 20 6
2B 18 M 7.5 3.6 10 54 26 10 54 26
2B 21 M 8.8 3.6 98 606 246 98 606 246
2B 22 M 8.8 3.6 23 140 57 23 140 57

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
PRESCRIP-
TION*
UNIT
NO.
LOGGING
SYSTEM¹
CCF/
ACRE
MBF/
ACRE ACRES
ALTERNATIVE 2 ALTERNATIVE 3
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
ACRES
NET
CCF
NET
MBF
2B 31 M 4.7 2 17 54 23 17 54 23
2B 32 M 11.9 4.4 28 235 87 28 235 87
2B 33 M 3.6 1.3 8 21 8 8 21 8
2B 34 M 25.2 11.4 11 201 91 11 201 91
2B 64 M 35.5 15.4 38 946 412 38 946 412
2B 78 M 4.5 2 12 37 16 12 37 16
2B 90 M 15 6.5 10 109 47 10 109 47
3A 96 M 17.3 7.9 5 26 12 5 26 12
3A 97 M 11.9 4.4 8 28 10 8 28 10
3,192 42,097 18,633 2,619 38,168 17,008
Slash treatment/yarding method is based on the level of stand mortality see Design Criteria
#1, Appendix B.
Due to the scale and timing of mountain pine beetle caused mortality of lodgepole pine, the
sampling error of volume estimates is high. The actual volume harvested is expected to be +/-
6,800 ccf (100 cubic feet) and 3,000 mbf (1,000 board feet).
*Prescription Description:
PRESCRIPTION STAND DESCRIPTION
(1A) Clearcut Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / understory
Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / understory - advanced
(1B) Overstory removal
regeneration
(1C) Fuels Mitigation / Defensible Space
(1D) Fuels Mitigation / Strategic
Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / understory
Placement / Access Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / understory
(2A) Clearcut with reserves Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / mixed conifer understory
Lodgepole pine dominated overstory / mixed conifer understory -
(2B) Overstory removal
advanced regeneration
(3A) Roadside Hazard Mixed conifer overstory/understory - high density
¹Logging Systems: M = Mechanical, HF = Hand Felling
Slash treatment/yarding method is based on the level of stand mortality see Design Criteria #1, Appendix B.
241

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
Travel Management
Table A2. Travel management proposal distance by proposed action category, route no.,
Management Area, and Geographic Area.
CURRENT
DECISION DESCRIPTION
ROUTE
CATEGORY
*
ROUTE # MA¹ GA² MILES TOTAL
2 112.1A-2 5.13 CAB 2.22
2 112.1B 5.13 CAB 3.05
2 112.1E-2 3.5 CAB 0.44
2 112.1H 5.13 CAB 1.06
2 121.2F 5.5 LGR 1.55
2 121.3A 5.5 LGR 0.49
1. Closing (decommissioning)
routes used by full size vehicles:
2
2
258.1E
258.2-2
3.3
3.3
PAR
PAR
0.36
0.04
A. Motorized routes currently
open to the public
2
2
258.2-3
258.2A
3.3
3.3
PAR
PAR
0.35
0.54
2 267.1-2 4.3 PAR 1.31
2 267.1-2 5.5 PAR 0.38
2 267.1A 4.3 PAR 0.05
2 267.1A 5.5 PAR 0.59
2 267.1B 4.3 PAR 0.38
2 812.1-2 3.3 PAR 0.70
2 812.1-2 5.5 PAR 0.49 14.0
1. Closing (decommissioning)
routes used by full size vehicles:
B. Motorized routes currently
closed to the public
2. Converting unauthorized
routes to authorized routes:
A. Routes to be opened for
public use
2. Converting unauthorized
routes to authorized routes:
B. Routes made available for
administrative access for posttimber
sale activities and fire
management
242
Decommissioning in this category includes 85.7 miles of Level 1
routes, Ways, and User Created routes. Records containing route
distances by Route #, GA, and MA are extensive and not
presented here. This information is available at the District
Office. 85.7
1 121.1M-1 5.5 PAR 0.24
1 265.1
W112.1A-
4.3 PAR 0.18 0.4
WAY 30 5.13 CAB 0.10
WAY W124-4 5.5 PAR 0.06
WAY W190-5 5.5 LGR 0.10
WAY W267.1-3 5.5 PAR 0.14
WAY W812.1-1 5.5 PAR 0.09
WAY W831.1A 5.5 LGR 0.29
WAY WC1 4.3 PAR 0.18 1.0
1 121.1M-2 5.5 LGR 0.89
1 121.1M-2 5.5 PAR 1.23
1 121.1M-3 5.5 PAR 0.65
1 121.1N-1 5.5 LGR 0.00
1 121.1N-1 5.5 PAR 0.40
1 121.1N-2 5.5 PAR 0.63
1 123.3A 5.5 PAR 1.96 5.8
WAY 110.1A 4.3 LGR 0.27 3.0
WAY W112.1P-1 3.5 CAB 1.49
WAY W123.3A-3 5.5 PAR 0.46

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
DECISION DESCRIPTION
CURRENT
ROUTE
CATEGORY
*
ROUTE # MA¹ GA² MILES TOTAL
WAY WC3 4.3 PAR 0.30
WAY OTHER 0.50
3. Conversion of routes to nonmotorized
trails:
A. Motorized trail converted to a
M-Trail 266.1H 4.3 PAR 0.73
non-motorized trail M-Trail 266.1H 5.5 PAR 1.05 1.8
3. Conversion of routes to nonmotorized
trails:
B. Unauthorized routes (ways)
WAY N27 5.13 BUF 0.06
WAY N27 5.13 CAB 0.35
WAY W813.1-1 3.3 PAR 1.29
converted to non-motorized trails WAY W813.1-1 5.5 PAR 0.36 2.1
Total 113.7
*See Glossary for road maintenance level definitions.
¹Management Areas
3.3 = Backcountry Motorized Recreation
3.5 = Forested Flora or Fauna Habitats
4.3 = Dispersed Recreation
5.13 = Forest Products
5.5 = Forest Products and Dispersed Recreation
²Geographic Areas
BUF = Buffalo Creek
CAB = Cabin Creek
LGR = Little Gravel
PAR = Parkca
243

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
APPENDIX B: DESIGN CRITERIA, MITIGATION
MEASURES, AND MONITORING
Design Criteria
The following design criteria were specifically developed for the Willow Creek Salvage and
Fuels Reduction Project. Design criteria are pre-analysis actions designed into the proposed
action and alternatives to reduce impacts or allow for adaptive management to changing
conditions, while still meeting the intent of the purpose and need. Design criteria are derived
from Forest Plan Standard and Guidelines (S&Gs), Best Management Practices (BMPs), and
Standard Operating Plans (SOPs) which have been found to be effective in avoiding and
reducing similar impacts to resources on past and similar projects.
Vegetation:
1. Lop and scatter is the preferred slash treatment in units with high levels of live lodgepole
pine (including infested trees), generally 15% dead basal area. The Cabin Creek units
have mortality levels that range from 15 to 80% and average 49%. Whole tree yarding is
acceptable in all of the Cabin Creek Units.
2. Incidental amounts of Engelmann spruce would be cut and removed under the following
conditions only:
a) Designated hazard trees (roadside hazard trees, trees within striking distance of a
structure or parking area, or trees that pose a safety hazard to forest workers during
logging operations and post harvest activities).
b) Live spruce that is infested with spruce beetles and is considered to be a high
windthrow risk.
Fuels/Fire:
3. Roads open to the public and adjacent to harvest units where activity created or natural fuels
adjacent to the roads exceed 15 tons per acre would have activity generated and natural fuels
½ inch to 3 inches in diameter treated for 100 feet from road edge. These activities may
include but are not limited to hand piling and burning, pull back, chipping or mastication,
with a target range of 5 to 10 tons per acre; however, lower fuel loadings are acceptable.
4. Timber harvest unit fuels mitigation would include lopping and scattering of activity
generated fuels to a fuel bed depth of less than 24 inches where necessary (regardless of
yarding method). If fuel bed after this initial treatment is greater than 24 inches an additional
type of hazard treatment would be applied. This may include but is not limited to spot hand
piling of heavy fuel accumulations, crushing, mastication or chainsaw slashing to less than
24 inches depth. Material ½ inch to 3 inches in diameter is the target fuel for additional
treatment to meet the 24 inches depth criteria. Larger material can be treated; however, in
general, material larger than 3 inches does not need to be treated.
244

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
5. Stands with significant numbers of advanced regeneration would be avoided where practical
during burning.
6. Treatment of slash on units that border improvements or private land, or units specifically
designed with fire behavior modification goals, would have all slash material ½ to 3 inches
diameter treated by one of the following methods: piling and burning, pull-back, mastication
or chipping. Downed material 3-6 inches would be bucked into lengths no longer than 6 feet,
with cut ends separated by at least 2 feet, or treated with the smaller diameter material.
Material that is more than half decayed or has at least half of its diameter imbedded in the
organic/duff layer will not be piled or bucked. Fuel bed depth shall be equal to or less than
12 inches. Fuel treatment zones would be a minimum of 600’ in width, but may be adjusted
to meet site specific conditions.
7. Harvest unit landing piles of woody materials must be dirt free, tightly compacted and a
minimum of 50 feet from live trees. Piles shall be no larger than 30 feet X 20 feet X 100 feet
(the height/width of 30/20 is interchangeable; length would be no longer than 100 feet).
8. Hand piles would be no larger than 12 feet X 12 feet and less than 7 feet in height. Woody
fuels ½ inch to 3 inches in diameter would be piled. Piled material would be aligned along
the long axis of each piece so that the material is parallel and tightly compacted. Piles would
be located to minimize scorch to any over-story trees. Piles would be at least 10 feet from
any tree bole and at least 50 feet from any man made structure.
Wildlife Management:
9. Within 1/4 mile of known active raptor nests, all timber purchaser operations, timber
harvest/treatment activities, timber hauling, vehicle use on roads not open to public driving,
prescribed burning, fuel reduction mechanical treatments, road
construction/maintenance/obliteration work (including temporary roads), post-sale treatment
activities, and any additional activities that involve the use of heavy equipment, chainsaws,
and/or chippers are required to take place outside of March 1 – August 31, to minimize
disturbance to nesting raptors during this critical breeding period. Timing restrictions are not
needed for use of roads that are open to the public during the March 1-August 31 dates,
project layout, marking, weed treatments, and other activities that are non-disturbing.
Specifically, decommissioning of roads W123-3, the west end of N30.A, and the west
end of W112.1A-26, and prescribed burning in the Kinney Creek, Bronco Creek,
Stillwater Pass, and North Fork of Cabin Creek areas require a no-operations timing
restriction between March 1 and August 31 if neighboring raptor nests are active. No
timing restrictions are needed for use of the Stillwater Pass Road (FSR 123) or Cabin Creek
Road (FSR 112) for raptor protection.
10. If additional territories of raptors or sensitive species are discovered within the Willow
Creek analysis area, establish and manage these territories with adequate buffer zones and
seasonal activity use restrictions around breeding sites if possible to prevent the loss of those
individuals. Specifically, if a newly discovered goshawk nest is found, maintain a 30 acre
area of uncut and unburned timber around the nest site (whether active or inactive). For
Cooper’s hawks, a 20-acre buffer is needed. For sharp-shinned hawks, a 10-acre buffer is
needed. For red-tailed hawks, a minimal buffer is needed to prevent blowdown of the nest
tree. Do not locate temporary roads, skid trails, or landings within these raptor buffers.
245

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
11. In order to maintain and increase diversity of forest habitats, retain all other tree species
other than lodgepole pine within proposed harvest/fuel reduction units and along temporary
road routes where feasible.
12. Within harvest and fuel reduction units, maintain a minimum of 1 standing dead tree (snag)
per acre, calculated as a per acre average, from the largest dbh available (10 inches dbh
minimum if present) and with a minimum height of 25 feet, to provide for perching,
foraging, roosting, and nesting sites for wildlife. Although the retention of snags is not
required in road hazard tree removal units, trees leaning away from roads or broken trees
that are unlikely to blow over and hit the road are encouraged to be left uncut.
To meet visual objectives, future snag replacement, woody debris recruitment, and species
diversity, retain a minimum of 2-4 large live trees per acre where present (especially those
with broken or dead tops). These live clumps of trees should be scattered within and
adjacent to harvest and fuel reduction units to meet several objectives for wildlife, visuals
and soils. The following guidelines should apply:
Dead and live trees showing wildlife signs (dens, nests, cavities, squirrel middens,
woodpecker activity) should be chosen first as wildlife retention trees. To compensate for
the lack of snags along road corridors due to removal for OSHA safety needs, leave a
greater density of wildlife reserve trees in areas away from roads and landings. Snags
within 500 feet of water (creeks, ponds, wet meadows, seeps, and springs),
meadows/parks/forest openings, and ridgetops are particularly valuable to wildlife.
Retain snags in groups when possible to avoid windthrow and provide better wildlife
cover.
Leave snags with a variety of heights, shapes, and decay condition. Generally, taller and
larger diameter snags provide better habitat for more species. Leave snags of all species
type. Large, old, big diameter snags of spruce, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine are very
valuable to wildlife due to their long growth, aging, dying, and decaying process (several
hundred years). Aspen snags are especially valuable and all aspen snags which are not a
distinct hazard should be retained to help maintain populations of cavity dwelling
wildlife. In particular, large diameter aspen snags within or near spruce/fir forest stands
are highly valuable to boreal owls and should be retained. Protect standing wildlife trees
from damage during site preparation and post sale activities.
13. Units 3-7, 12, 21, 23-25, 35, 53, 54, 56, 69, and 84 contain stands that are classified as old
growth. In these old growth stands, retain a minimum of 4-6 standing dead trees per acre
(calculated as a per acre average in each unit) from the largest dbh available, and conduct
no fuel reduction treatments of existing large downed woody debris. No firewood
harvest will be permitted n these old growth stands.
14. Protect wildlife retention snags from firewood cutters by restricting firewood harvest within
designated timber sale areas to down trees and slash only, preferably in landing piles.
Standing dead trees within harvest and fuel reduction units should not be made available for
firewood harvest, nor should downed trees in whole tree skidded units.
246

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
15. Maintain a minimum of 10-20 tons per acre of coarse woody debris (1-5 merchantable trees)
within harvest and fuel reduction units (where consistent with fuel reduction objectives) to
meet objectives for wildlife, soils, and hydrology. These coarse woody debris areas
encourage faster re-colonization of treatment units by small mammals and other prey
species. Maintain large diameter downed logs in various stages of decomposition within
harvest units (a minimum of 50 linear feet/acre of 10 inches diameter or larger at mid-point
spruce, fir, Douglas fir, and ponderosa pine logs, and/or a minimum of 33 linear feet/acre of
8 inches diameter or larger at mid-point lodgepole pine and aspen logs) to provide habitat
for small mammals.
16. In order to minimize disturbance to elk in identified calving habitats, no timber purchaser
operations, timber harvest/treatment activities, timber hauling, fuel reduction mechanical
treatments, road construction/maintenance obliteration work (including temporary roads),
post-sale treatment activities, nor any additional activities that involve the use of heavy
equipment, chainsaws, or chippers would be allowed during the period of May 15- June 30
in the following proposed treatment units: 50-52, 57, 96, and the northern edge of 95.
Use of the following roads is also prohibited during the May 15-June 30 time period:
NFSR 121.1M-2 east of Unit 53, NFSR 821.6, NFSR 821.4A, NFSR 821.1 south of its
junction with NFSR 821.2 and NFSR 121.2I. Construction, use, and obliteration of the
proposed temporary road to unit 57 are also prohibited between May 15-June 30.
17. In order to minimize forage loss in important fall and winter big game habitats, prescribed
burning would be limited to spring burning only in elk winter ranges found within the Gold
Run, Ute Bill Creek, Sheriff Creek, and Kinney Creek areas, moose winter ranges located
within the Gold Run, Willow Creek, and Buffalo Creek areas, and black bear fall
concentration areas within the Cabin Creek, North Fork of Cabin Creek, Drowsy Water
Creek areas.
18. Access to temporary roads and closed roads reopened for harvest/fuel reduction activities
would be restricted to prevent public access until these roads can be obliterated. Keep
existing gates on Level 1 roads used for access to new harvest units closed during sale
operations to preclude public motorized use. Specifically this includes NFSR 121.1A,
NFSR 121.1M, and NFSR 821.1.
19. Within the Cabin Creek Geographic Area 3.5 Management Area, obliterate temporary roads
within one year following completion of timber harvest activities. Obliteration of temporary
roads within the Cabin Creek 3.5 Management Area would include recontouring of the road
prism to original slopes for 150 feet or sight distance from their junction with NFSR
W112.1P-1 (whichever is greater), on portions of temporary roads adjacent to stream
channels, and within 100 feet on both sides of stream crossings; removal of culverts and
restoration of stream crossings to natural grades, re-establishment of drainage patterns with
rolling dips, subsoiling along the entire length of temporary roads, seeding the roadbed and
adjacent disturbed ground with native seed, and use of slash to reduce soil erosion, retain
soil moisture, and provide a conifer seed source along the length of the road as well as form
a barrier to access.
247

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
20. Do not allow skidding, log landings, log decks, or logging equipment to be operated or
located in sensitive habitat such as elk wallows, riparian areas, ponds, seeps, springs, or
other wet areas. Avoid these areas when designing cutting units and temporary road
locations.
21. Confine harvest activities to a single payment unit at a time when feasible to minimize
disturbance to wildlife. If an accelerated logging schedule is necessary in order to retain the
value of salvaged trees, and confinement to a single payment unit at a time is inconsistent
with accelerated logging needs, minimize to the degree possible the distribution of the area
being harvested at the same time.
Hydrology:
22. Conduct prescribed fire to minimize the residence time on the soil while meeting burn
objectives. This is usually done when the soil and duff are moist.
23. Implement prescribed fire to maintain at least 50% of pre-burn depth of duff over at least
70% of the burn unit. It is acceptable for this cover to be charred.
24. Do not build firelines in or around wetlands unless needed to protect life, property, or
wetlands. Use hand lines with minimum feasible soil disturbance. Use wetland features as
firelines if practicable.
25. Do not use dozer line to control prescribed fire.
26. Limit un-recovered burned area to 15% of 7 th level watershed area, or 200 acres whichever
is a greater, but not more than 500 acre.
27. No primary fire ignition activities shall occur in riparian buffers (100-foot) except at
designated locations (reviewed on the ground). Prescribed fire may be allowed to back down
into buffer zones but fire in the riparian vegetation should be avoided unless riparian
enhancement is an objective of prescribed fire.
28. Where fire line is constructed, line rehabilitation following use would include installation of
waterbars on slopes over 15% to dissipate water energy and prevent erosion. Litter and other
material would be scattered over constructed line to provide additional cover.
29. Design and construct all stream crossings and other instream structures to provide for
passage of flow and sediment, withstand expected flood flows and allow free movement of
resident aquatic life.
30. Provide cross drainage for temporary and reconstructed roads.
Design and space road drainage features to prevent erosion of treads, fills, and cut slopes
and to trap sediment on slope.
Outslope roads, use rolling dips or roll the grade instead of ditches and culverts where
practical.
Armor cross drain outlets with rock to prevent gully erosion where necessary.
Do not construct drainage to directly outlet into a stream.
248

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
31. Prior to sale layout, the hydrologist would provide a map of buffered streams (perennial and
intermittent streams), wetlands and un-buffered protected stream courses (ephemeral draws).
The final stream course designation would be included within the Timber Sale Contract and
on the final Timber sale map.
For all treatment units, provide 100-foot minimum buffers around all sides of perennial
and intermittent stream channels and wetlands, including springs.
Perennial streams carry water year-round. Intermittent streams are streams that are
dry for some period, but have a defined bed and bank. Springs are groundwater
discharge points at the surface where a stream channel exists immediately below
the discharge point as a consequence of the groundwater discharge.
With the exception of constructing and using designated crossings, no timber
harvest activities, mechanical fuels reduction activities, equipment operation or
slash pile burning would occur in buffer zones unless required for roadside hazard
mitigation in which case mechanized equipment should be kept out of buffers.
32. No mechanized equipment would operate on saturated soils or on sustained grades
exceeding 40 percent.
33. Construct temporary roads and other disturbed sites on stable slopes. Do not discharge fill
into wetlands or streams.
34. Locate all temporary roads at least 100 feet from stream channels, except at designated
stream crossing.
35. Use pre-existing road prisms for temporary roads wherever possible, unless other options
would produce less long-term sediment. Reconstruct roads for long-term soil and drainage
stability.
36. Replace pre-existing log culverts with new culverts on system roads.
37. Do not disturb drainage ditches during maintenance unless drainage capacity is impaired
(i.e. 80 percent full). Remove or breach berms that concentrate runoff on the road, fill or
slopes.
38. Following completion of use, reclaim temporary roads and roads to be decommissioned
(naturalized) by one or more of the following:
Pulling culverts and restoring stream crossings to natural grade.
Subsoiling or ripping along the entire disturbed length (subsoil where vegetation is
already established). Where available, pull slash into road.
Recontouring the road prism to the original land contours for the sight distance from
the entry point or 150 feet, whichever is greater, as well as along steep slopes, areas
adjacent to stream channels, and at stream crossings.
If needed for erosion control, for scenic restoration, or to promote effective closure,
the entire length of a road may be re-contoured.
Revegetating the road prism and any disturbed ground associated with the road closure
with native seed (or other mix approved by the Forest Service).
Reestablishing natural drainage patterns with permanent rolling dips.
249

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
250
Construction of access barriers using stumps, logs, trees, rocks, slash, or buck-and-rail
fence.
If rocks are used for closure, partially bury them and group them in a “natural”
arrangement.
No action may be necessary if road is sufficiently naturalized.
Botany:
39. Any Proposed, Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species (PETS) or other local plant
species of concern (identified in the botanical specialist’s report) or fens and identified seeps
encountered within treatment units or areas potentially impacted by project activities prior to
or during implementation would be avoided to reduce adverse impacts. These PETS, fens
and seeps should be avoided and buffered from the edge out at least 1-1/2 times the height of
the co-dominant tree species present. Record and UTM coordinates of these PETS, fens and
seeps are on file in the GIS database for the District.
40. If previously undetected fens, wetlands, or wet meadows are encountered within a treatment
unit or areas potentially impacted by project activities prior to or during implementation,
consultation with a Forest Service botanist would occur immediately to avoid or minimize
potential impacts to sensitive plants and habitat.
41. Areas containing suitable habitat for the Endangered species Osterhout milkvetch
(Astragalus osterhoutii) and Penland beardtongue (Penstemon penlandii) would be surveyed
prior to disturbance (includes prescribed burning) activities from action alternatives. If
plants are present, their occupied sites and unoccupied habitat buffered by 50 feet would not
be disturbed (or prescribed burned).
42. Areas containing suitable habitat for Harrington beardtongue (Penstemon harringtonii) or
Middle Park penstemon (Penstemon cyathophorus) would be surveyed prior to disturbance
(includes prescribed burning) activities from action alternatives. If plants are present, their
occupied sites would not be burned or would be burned such that no more than 20% of the
site’s population is impacted.
43. Proposed new or reconstructed stream crossings would be surveyed prior to disturbance
activities for park milkvetch, dwarf raspberry and sphagnum. If present, adverse impacts to
populations would be avoided.
44. In areas that have the potential for significant increases in the weedy plant cheatgrass
(Bromus tectorum) due to prescribed burning, burning would occur as much as feasible in
areas or during times in which cheatgrass invasion would be minimized.
45. The incorporation of leave islands or fingers of sagebrush will be attempted, where feasible,
in burns occurring in areas containing a component of tall sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).
Reseeding efforts using local genotypes may be attempted to maximize re-establishment of
this species in burned areas.
46. The rare plant purple or clustered lady’s slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) occurring
within burn areas may be burned regardless of fire intensity.
47. Site rehabilitation may include revegetation and/or mulching, depending on site conditions.

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
Range:
48. Coordinate operations (harvest and/or burning) before the grazing season (May–October) to
make necessary modifications to allotment use with grazing permittee.
49. If allotment status changes during the life of the project, design burn treatments to avoid
affecting more than one grazing unit per year per active allotments.
50. If status of the two vacant (Buffalo and Stillwater) allotments changes during the life of the
project, design grazing units to account for livestock permeability through new harvest and
burn units.
51. Coordinate landing locations to reduce forage loss; revegetate heavy use areas.
52. Mark fences and gates on project maps and protect them from harvest and burning
operations.
53. No water developments to protect – consider livestock access points to water when planning
locations of equipment, landings, temporary roads, and slash disposal.
54. Coordinate allotment access needs, and unauthorized motorized vehicle access areas, with
transportation management planning to reduce adverse effects to livestock distribution and
enhance forage availability through travel route restoration.
Noxious Weeds:
55. Use contract provisions to wash equipment before entering the Forest and between harvest
units, as needed. Brief personnel to watch for weed seeds on clothing when working in units
with weed issues.
56. Promptly revegetate disturbed ground from harvesting and pile burning to minimize chances
for weed establishment. Lop and scatter slash instead of whole tree skidding where possible
to minimize accumulations of woody debris at landings. Don’t locate landings on top of
infestations. Monitor burned areas for 1-3 years post-burn for early detection of noxious
weed establishment. Treatment of known infestations would continue before and after
project operations.
57. Coordinate all proposed road closures to assure that access for infestation treatment is
planned for.
Soils Quality:
58. To minimize compaction operate on designated skid-trails and landings. Where possible,
utilize existing temporary roads, skid-trails and landings. Operate heavy equipment only
when soil moisture in the upper 6 inches is below the plastic limit (is when a ball can be
formed in the fist that holds together on gentle tossing or shaking) or protected by at least
one foot of packed snow or 2 inches of frozen soil. This may mean temporary restrictions on
equipment operation in periods of heavy rains or when soils are wet.
59. Depth of wood chips would not exceed three inches. Distribute chips in discontinuous
patches that do not result in a continuous chip mat (

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
60. Masticated wood chunks would be distributed to avoid continuous ground coverage. The
desired pattern is patchy, mosaic, and discontinuous. Chunks would cover no more than
40% of the area for any given acre of land. Maximum chunk depth shall not exceed 12
inches.
Recreation:
61. Prohibit timber hauling on the day prior to and the first two days of each of the Colorado
Division of Wildlife elk and deer rifle hunting seasons, and on holidays and weekends from
Memorial Day to Labor Day.
62. Routes that have been designated as Level 2 - Administration (restricted use) roads shall be
appropriately managed so that unauthorized use is prevented. Treatments would include
some or all of the following depending on the specific needs of the route: installations of
road closure gate, installation of signs that convey what uses are restricted or prohibited,
scarification, revegetation, and physical barriers.
63. When converting roads to trails, where possible, reduce tread width to less than 50 inches
for the entire trail distance. If de-compaction and revegetation are insufficient to keep
wheeled traffic off retired portion of tread, then physically block the retired portion of road
tread using boulders, trees, earth, slash or vegetation.
64. Designated National Forest System trails impacted by logging or burning activities shall be
restored to pre-existing character. System trails are not to be used for skid trails or
temporary roads.
65. Where feasible, identify temporary routes for snowmobiles, skiers, and snowshoers when
designated routes are closed or plowed for log hauling or other purposes. Inform the public
through the use of mailings, news releases, posters, signs, and brochures as needed.
66. Install suitable barriers to prevent public travel off road in harvest units where needed and
feasible.
67. Design units so that dead or high-risk trees along roads would be felled so eventual blowdown
would not impede travel, including roads leading to special use or administrative
facilities.
Scenic Resources:
68. Unit boundary and tree marking: Where located within 132 feet of viewer on roads or
residential properties, all leave trees to be painted shall be painted on side facing away from
viewer except where policy dictates otherwise.
69. Any reconstruction of existing roads or construction of temporary roads would subscribe to
the following criteria:
70. Roads should not go down the fall line or in swale bottoms.
71. Roads should cross drainages at a right angle.
72. The alignment should be curvilinear.
73. The widths and turning radii should be the minimum for the design vehicle.
74. The cuts and fills would be 5 feet maximum each and slopes should be 2:1 maximum.
252

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
75. Achieve a natural appearing shape in harvest units and prevent the appearance of straight
line unit boundaries.
76. Stumps would be cut as close to the ground as safely possible.
77. Pre-burn treatments (lining, yarding, piling etc.) should avoid creating straight linear
features in the landscape (e.g. fire lines, roads, ‘pull-back’ length of materials from the edge
of the burn area etc.) and should all be non-uniform whenever possible.
78. Fire lines: Use natural breaks for fire lines whenever possible (rock outcrops, meadows and
wet areas, changes in vegetation type/structure/condition etc.)
79. To the greatest extent practicable, pre-ignition site preparation and perimeter control
activities occurring during controlled burns (e.g. hand-built fire lines, wet lines, etc.) should
not dominate post-burn views from roads, trails, and developed recreation areas of concern.
Fire fighter safety and fire perimeter control is of paramount, but the avoidance of long,
straight lines is desirable, if situation-appropriate.
80. Aspen: To the greatest extent practicable, prescribed burns should create a natural-looking
mosaic of burned and unburned forest, particularly in areas visible from roads, trails, and
developed recreation areas of concern. Strive to retain some mature aspen stands, located in
High Scenic Integrity Objective areas, from burn-related mortality.
Larger-sized stands (i.e. greater than 4 acres) can be protected through less labor-intensive
means such as no active ignition within the stand. The intent is to create a burn with
sufficiently low ground surface temperatures in the interior of the stand so that tree mortality
is confined to the stand’s perimeter and fringe.
81. Post burn treatments should obliterate constructed fire control lines and roads and address
erosion concerns and encourage vegetation re-growth.
Lands:
82. Require restoration by contractors in the event a facility is damaged by logging or treatment
operations. Facilities include: roads, fences, towers, buildings, ditches, headgates, and land
survey monuments and markers.
83. Design units to protect access roads to special use permit facilities and administrative
facilities, and roads authorized under special use authorization, so that roads are usable
during and after fuels and vegetation treatment.
84. Protect all survey monuments, markers, signs and bearing trees during any fuels or
vegetation treatments.
Heritage Resources:
85. If additional prehistoric or historic materials are found during the course of this project,
work in that area will cease. Work in the area of the cultural resource will not resume until
the site has been evaluated for cultural materials and potential effects. The discovery must
be protected until notified in writing to proceed by the authorized officer that compliance
with Section 106 of the National Register of Historic Places has been completed.
86. The roads identified for decommissioning or conversion to a camp spur will be subjected to
a cultural resource inventory prior to the project implementation. The inventory will be
designed to locate historic properties that may be affected by the road closure/conversion
253

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
activities. The Forest will conduct additional consultation for the identification of properties
of traditional cultural and religious significance to Indian Tribes or other interested parties.
The roads in Appendix D listed as “No Potential to Effect” have been previously surveyed
or have little potential to contain historic properties. No additional survey or consultation
will be required prior to the implementation of decommissioning these roads.
87. If so requested by the SHPO or an Indian Tribe, the Forest will conduct additional
consultation for the identification of properties of traditional cultural and religious
significance to Indian Tribes or other interested parties. Additional design criteria may be
required if areas or sites are determined to be of importance to an Indian Tribe.
88. The implementation of the prescribed burns would be managed according to the stipulations
in the Programmatic Agreement (PA) regarding the prescribed burning program on the
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest.
89. Prescribed Fire activities will be subjected to a cultural resource inventory after the burn
units have been identified and the Burn Plan has been developed, but prior to
implementation. The inventory will be designed to located historic properties that may be
affected by the prescribed fire and implementation activities. In compliance with the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the Sulphur Ranger District will not proceed
with the proposed action until a report on these activities and their potential to affect historic
properties is submitted to the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in
compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and the SHPO concurs with the Forests
determination of effect.
90. A 200 foot buffer surrounding all historic properties within the area of potential effect
associated with the fire and burn implementation will be marked on the ground. No heavy
equipment or burning will be allowed within these exclusions.
91. If so requested by the SHPO or an Indian Tribe, the Forest will conduct additional
consultation for the identification of properties of traditional cultural and religious
significance to Indian Tribes or other interested parties. Additional design criteria may be
required if areas or sites are determined to be of importance to an Indian Tribe.
92. A 200-foot buffer surrounding all historic properties within the area of potential effect
associated with logging activities will be marked on the ground and included in any
contracts. No heavy equipment or mechanical vegetation removal will be allowed within
these exclusions. Slash pile burning will be allowed within these exclusions in areas
reviewed by and approved by heritage staff prior to the implementation of the burn.
93. Access Roads, temp roads, skid trails and landing areas identified during sale prep will be
reviewed by the heritage staff. If these actions are located in areas not covered by the
original inventory and are in areas with a high potential for historic properties the Forest will
conduct cultural resource inventories on these areas. The Sulphur Ranger District will not
proceed with the proposed action until a report on these activities and their potential to affect
historic properties is submitted to the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in
compliance with Section 106 of the NHPA and the SHPO concurs with the Forest’s
determination of effect.
254

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures are post initial analysis actions added and analyzed to further reduce the
environmental impacts of the project.
Soil Quality:
1. Manage land treatments to limit detrimentally compacted, eroded, and displaced soil to no
more than 15% of any activity area.
Reclaim roads and other disturbed sites when use ends to prevent resource damage. Decompact,
re-vegetate and/or provide effective ground cover, and close temporary/
intermittent use roads and other disturbed sites within one year after use ends. Provide
stable drainage that disperses runoff into filter strips/buffer zones and maintains stable
fills. Try to do this work concurrently with harvest operations. Stockpile topsoil where
practicable to be used in site restoration. Use slash to provide ground cover or use
certified local native plants as practicable; avoid creating conditions favorable to
invasion or spread of invasive exotic plants. Establish effective ground cover on
disturbed sites to prevent accelerated on-site soil loss and sediment delivery to streams.
Restore ground cover using slash or certified native plants as practicable to meet revegetation
objectives. Avoid persistent or invasive exotic plants.
De-compact landings, temporary roads, and portions of skid-trails (generally highly
traveled primary skid-trails within 100 feet of landings) to minimize the accumulation of
ground disturbance within the watershed. Follow de-compaction treatment with erosion
control measures such as installing water-bars, covering the area with slash, or revegetation
as needed. This mitigation measure may be waived site specifically if on site
inspection by a Soil Scientist determines de-compaction is not required.
2. On landing and machine piles till/scarify after burning to promote recovery by breaking up
water repellent layers, increasing water infiltration, and mixing in organic material. Redistribute
needles and woody debris on the burn pile site to provide organic material for
decomposition. When possible, do not “chunk in” unburned or partially burned materials.
Wildlife Management:
3. Where existing or activity generated slash is present, retain or construct a minimum of 2-4
small wildlife slash piles per acre in harvest and fuel reduction units (where consistent with
fuel reduction objectives) to provide habitat for small mammals and create new piles of
large logs, stumps, and woody debris for potential lynx denning habitat. Generally slash
piles should be approximately 5 feet tall by 5-15 feet in diameter, spaced within 100-200
feet apart from each other or from other hiding cover. Clumps of slash piles may be more
useful than single piles. Piles would be marked for retention with paint or flagging so that
they are visible with snow cover.
Range:
4. Coordinate with the Parks Ranger District regarding long term effectiveness of the drift
fence west of King Mountain Ranch due to changes in vegetation.
5. Revegetate heavy use areas.
255

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
Monitoring Requirements
Table B1. Summary of monitoring measures to be implemented by resource.
256
RESOURCE/ACTIVITY
RESPONSIBLE
SPECIALIST(S)
FREQUENCY /
TIMING OF
MONITORING
Fuel breaks. Fuels Specialist Following Sale
Operations
Treatment units and scenic
quality.
Landscape Architect Following Sale
Operations
Rriparian buffers Hydrologist Prior to and
Following Sale
Operations
Post harvest fuel
treatments.
Retention of snags and
downed logs in harvest
units.
Known raptor nest
locations
Soils: Compaction
(skid trails and log
landings)
Soils: Detrimental
Disturbance
(Treatment Unit)
Water Quality, Timber
Sale Units
Reforestation
(All clearcuts, overstory
removals)
Noxious Weeds (burn pile
locations and landings)
Soil Scientist, Fuels
Specialist and
Botanist
Silviculturist,
Wildlife Biologist,
and Timber Sale
Administrator.
Following Sale
Operations
During Sale Layout,
Marking and
Implementation
Wildlife Biologist During Sale Layout,
Marking and
Implementation
Timber Sale
Administrator and
Soil Scientist
During and Following
Sale Operations
Soil Scientist During and Following
Sale Operations and
Prescribed Fire
Treatments
Timber Sale
Administrator and
Hydrologist
During and Following
Sale Operations
Silviculturist Following Sale
Operations (1-yr, 3yr,
5-yr regeneration
surveys)
Noxious Weed
Specialist
Following Sale
Operations and Burn
Operations (1-yr and
5-yr post seeding)
MONITORING OBJECTIVE
Determine the effectiveness of fuel
breaks (how well they meet
objectives).
Determine if expected scenic
quality standards are achieved. If
Forest Plan standards are not met,
restorative measures may be
implemented as consistent with
NEPA requirements.
Verify that buffers are in place and
consistent with design criteria.
Effects of post harvest fuel
treatments on soil, vegetation and
fire behavior attributes.
Ensure that snags and down logs
are being retained of adequate size
and quantity.
Verify that management buffers
and timing restrictions are being
implemented and are adequate to
maintain successful raptor
breeding.
Ensure that mitigation measures are
being implemented and are
effective.
Determine if detrimental soil
disturbance in treatment units
exceeds the regional threshold of
15% of the activity area.
Ensure that WCPH standards and
design criteria are being
implemented and are effective.
Ensure compliance with National
Forest Management Act 5-year
regeneration standard.
Determine if weed control
treatments are needed.

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
RESOURCE/ACTIVITY
RESPONSIBLE
SPECIALIST(S)
Insect and Disease Trends Regional Office and
Forest Staff
Transportation
Management (road
closures, obliteration and
decommissioning)
Prescribed Fire-
groundcover and duff
retention, area of burn
units
Prescribed fire- Soil burn
severity
Transportation
Management
Specialist,
Wildlife Biologist,
and Hydrologist
Soil scientist,
Hydrologist
Soil scientist,
Hydrologist
FREQUENCY /
TIMING OF
MONITORING
MONITORING OBJECTIVE
Annual Annual infection/infestation
monitoring flight will track trends
of insects and disease in the
analysis area.
Annual Ensure the effectiveness of efforts
to preclude use by motorized
vehicles and the success of
revegetation and drainage control.
Pre and post burn Ensure that design criteria are
achieved.
Post burn Ensure minimizing residence time,
provide feedback for adaptive
management.
257

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
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Washington D.C.
United States Geological Survey (USGS), 2008. Peak streamflow Graph for site 0902000
“Willow Creek near Granby” from 1935-1953. Available at:
www.nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/peak/?site_no=09020000&
USDA Forest Service, 2004. Crimson Vegetation Management Project Environmental
Assessment, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland,
Sulphur Ranger District.
Soils
USDA Forest Service 2001. Draft – Soil and Terrestrial Ecological Land Unit Survey, Arapaho
and Roosevelt National Forests, Colorado. United States Forest Service, USDA, Lakewood
Colorado.
USDA Forest Service (2006). Forest Service Handbook- Region Two Watershed Conservation
Practices Handbook 2509.25-2006-2 Chapter 10.
Fisheries
Benda, L. E., D. J. Miller, T. Dunne, G. H. Reeves, and J. K. Agee. 1998. Dynamic landscape
systems. 261–288. in Naiman RJ, Bilby RE, eds. River Ecology and Management: Lessons
From the Pacific Coastal Ecoregion. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Benda, L, D. Miller, P. Bigelow, K. Andras Effects of post-wildfire erosion on channel
environments, Boise River, Idaho. Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 178, Issues 1-
2, 3 June 2003.
Dunham, J.B., Young, M., Gresswell, R., and Rieman, B.E., 2003. Effects of fire on fish
populations: landscape perspectives on persistence of native fishes and non-native fish
invasions. Forest Ecology and Management 178 (1-2): 183-196.
Gresswell, R.E. 1999. Fire and aquatic ecosystems in forested biomes of North America.
Transactions of the American fisheries society 128, 193-221.
Madej, MA. 1982. Sediment transport and channel changes in an aggrading stream in the Puget
Lowland, Washington. US Forest Service General Technical Report PNW-141.
McIntyre, J.D. and Rieman, B.E. (1995) Westlope cutthroat trout. In: Young, M.K. (ed.),
Conservation Assessment for Inland Cutthroat Trout. U.S. Forest Service General Technical
Report RM-GTR-256, Fort Collins, CO.
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McMahon, T.E., deCalesta, D.S. 1990. Effects of fire on fish and wildlife. In Walstad, J.D.,
Radosevich, S.R., Sandberg, D.V. (eds). Natural and prescribed fire in Pacific Northwest
forests. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis.
Minnich, R.A., 1977. The geography of fire and big-cone Douglas-fir, Coulter pine and western
conifer forest in the east Transverse Ranges, southern California. In: Mooney, H.A., Conrad,
C.E. (Eds.), Proceedings on the Environmental Consequences of Fire and Fuel Management
in Mediterranean Ecosystems, GTR-WO-3. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC.
Minshall, G.W., Robinson, C.T., Lawrence, D.E. 1997. Postfire responses of lotic ecosystems in
Yellowstone National Park, U. S. A. Canadian Journal Fisheries Aquatic Sciences 54, 2509-
2525.
Reeves, G. H., L. E. Benda, K. M. Burnett, P. A. Bisson, and J. R. Sedell. 1995. A disturbancebased
ecosystem approach to maintaining and restoring freshwater habitats of evolutionarily
significant units of anadromous salmonids in the Pacific Northwest. American Fisheries
Society Symposium 17:334–349.
Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO.
Young, M.K. 1994. Movement and characteristics of stream-borne coarse woody debris in
adjacent burned and undisturbed watersheds in Wyoming. Canadian Journal of Forest
Research 24, 1933-1938.
Scenic Resources
Bailey, R., Avers, P., King, T., McNab, W., 1994. Ecoregions and Subregions of the United
States, USDA Forest Service ECOMAP Team and US Geological Survey.
British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Forest Practices Branch, 1998, Procedures of Factoring
Visual Resources Into Timber Supply Analysis, Victoria, B.C.
British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Forest Practices Branch, 2001, Visual Impact Assessment
Guidebook, Victoria, B.C.
USDA Forest Service 1995, Handbook #701, Landscape Aesthetics A handbook For Scenery
Management, Washington, D.C.
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GLOSSARY
Acre-foot: A volume of water covering one acre of land (43,560 square feet) surface to a depth
of one foot, or 325,851 gallons.
Active Crown Fire: A crown fire in which the entire fuel complex becomes involved, but the
crowning phase remains dependent on heat released from the surface fuels for continued spread.
Also called running and continuous crown fire.
Activity Area: An area of land impacted by a management activity or activities. It can range
from a few acres to an entire watershed depending on the type of monitoring being conducted. It
is commonly a burn unit or a timber sale unit.
Alluvial: Of or relating to sediment deposited by flowing water, such as in a stream channel or
floodplain.
Augmentation: Non-native streamflow conveyed into a stream channel from outside of the
drainage basin, imported water.
Available Canopy Fuel: The mass of canopy fuel per unit area consumed in a crown fire. There
is no post-frontal combustion in canopy fuels, so only fine canopy fuels are consumed. It is
assumed that only the foliage and a small fraction of the branchwood is available.
Basal Area: The area of the cross-section of a tree stem near its base, generally at breast height
and inclusive of bark. Generally expressed as the total basal area per unit area.
Best Management Practices (BMPs): Soil and watershed protection measures as outlined in the
U.S. Forest Service Region 2 Soil Quality Standard Monitoring Handbook (Forest Service
Handbook 2509.18-92-1) and Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook (Forest Service
Handbook 2509.25-99-1). Based on the best available knowledge and science for maintaining
long-term soil health and productivity.
Bypass flow: An administratively required rate of flow left in a stream channel immediately
below a diversion point.
Canopy Bulk Density: The mass of available canopy fuel per unit canopy volume. It is a bulk
property of a stand, not of an individual tree.
Canopy Fuels: The live and dead foliage, live and dead branches, and lichen of trees and tall
shrubs that lie above the surface fuels. See also available canopy fuel.
Cover Type: The dominant land surface, including both vegetation and non-vegetation.
Vegetation cover types are named for one plant species or non-vegetated condition presently (not
potentially) dominant, using canopy or foliage cover as the measure of dominance. In several
cases, sites with different species dominant have been lumped together into one cover type; codominance
is not necessarily implied.
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Crown Fire: Any fire that burns in canopy fuels.
Crown Fire Hazard: A physical situation (fuels, weather, and topography) with potential for
causing harm or damage as a result of crown fire.
Defensible Fuels Profile(s): Strategically located strips or blocks of land where forest canopy
and fuels, both living and dead, have been modified to affect fire behavior. The objectives may
include reducing the potential for large and damaging fires, increased firefighter safety, reduced
the wildland fire threat to local communities, and facilitating fire use (prescribed and wildland
fire use). The strategically placed treatments (strips or blocks) have less surface fuels and the
bases of the live tree crowns are higher off the ground. The reduced surface fuels, open
understory, and higher overstory tree crowns interrupt the pathway between a surface and the
forest canopy, causing fires to burn at lower intensities and at slower rates of spread than
comparable untreated areas. The amount, intensity and type of treatments are influenced by the
fuels conditions and values at risk.
Defensible Space: 1) The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or
community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented,
providing the key point of defense from an approaching wildfire or defense against encroaching
wildfires or escaping structure fires. The perimeter is defined as the area encompassing the
parcel or parcels proposed for construction and/or development, excluding the physical structure
itself. The term “defensible space” was first used in the foreword of the 1980 Fire Safe Guide
for Residential Development in California. 2) An area around a structure where fuels and
vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire towards the structure. It
also reduces the chance of a structure fire moving from the building to the surrounding forest.
Creating an effective defensible space involves developing a series of management zones in
which different treatment techniques are used. The actual design and development of the
defensible space depends on several factors: size and shape of buildings, materials used in their
construction, the slope of the ground on which the structures are built, surrounding topography,
and sizes and types of vegetation on the property. (Colorado State Forest Service)
Detrimental Soil Impacts: Activity area (unit) soils are considered detrimentally impacted when
the extent detrimental of compaction, displacement, puddling, severe burning or erosion exceeds
15 percent of the area.
Detrimental Compaction: A 15 percent increase in bulk density from undisturbed bulk density
Detrimental Displacement: The removal of soil from a continuous area of 100 square feet or
more
Detrimental Erosion: Any indication of sheet erosion. Any rills or gullies greater than 1 inch
deep.
Detrimental Puddling: Puddling occurs when soils are compacted when saturated. Compaction
is used to monitor detrimental puddling
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Discharge: Stream flow usually expressed in cubic feet per second, or a volume of water passing
a stationary point per unit time.
Effective or Equivalent Clearcut Acres: A conversion of acres of partial harvest (i.e. thinning,
single tree selection, group selection) to acres of clearcut harvest to determine the water yield
over time post harvest activity.
Erodibility: the ease at which a particular geologic material is broken down and transported by
water, wind or ice.
Erosion Hazard Rating: A measure of the susceptibility of a soil to erosion based on soil
properties and slope. Effective ground cover also controls potential for erosion.
Evapotranspiration: combined processes of water loss to the atmosphere from evaporation on soil
surfaces and plant exhalation of water vapor through pore openings in the leaves.
Fire Behavior: The manner in which a fire reacts to the influences of fuel, weather and
topography.
Fire Frequency (Fire Return Interval): The recurrence of fire in a given area over time.
Sometimes stated as number of fires per unit time in designated area. Also used to refer to the
probability of an element burning per unit time. How often fire burns a given area, often
expressed in terms of fire return intervals (e.g., fire returns to a site every 5-15 years).
Fire Hazard: A fuel complex defined by volume, type, condition, arrangement and location,
which determine the ease of ignition and the resistance to control. A physical situation (fuels,
weather, and topography) with potential for causing harm or damage as a result of wildland fire.
Fire Severity: A qualitative measure of the immediate effects of fire on the ecosystem. Relates
to the extent of mortality and survival of plant and animal life both above and below ground, and
to the loss of organic matter.
Fire Use: The combination of wildland fire use and prescribed fire applications to meet resource
objectives.
Fireline Intensity: The rate of heat release in the flaming front per unit length of fire front. Can
be converted to flame length (FL = 0.45*(I 0.46 )). Commonly used to describe the power of
wildland fires.
Fire Regime: A generalized description of the role fire plays in an ecosystem. It is characterized
by fire frequency, seasonality, intensity, duration and scale (patch size), as well as regularity or
variability. General pattern of fire frequency, season, size, and prominent, immediate effects in
vegetation type or ecosystem.
Fire Return Interval: Number of years between fires at a given location.
Forest Plan: The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee Grassland Land and
Resource Management Plan, 1997 Revision.
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Fuelbreak: A natural or manmade change in fuel characteristics which affects fire behavior so
that fires burning into them can be more readily controlled.
Fuel Complex: The combination of ground, surface, and canopy fuel strata.
Fuels: The live and dead vegetation that can potentially contribute to combustion. Fuel
quantities can vary from a small portion to all of the aboveground vegetation depending on a
number of fuel properties, especially particle size, moisture content and arrangement.
Good Neighbor Agreement: An agreement administered by the State of Colorado that allows
private citizens to remove fuel accumulations on federal and state lands for the purpose of
complementing defensible space activities on private land.
Ground Fuels: Fuels that lie beneath surface fuels, such as organic soils, duff, decomposing
litter, buried logs, roots, and the below-surface portion of stumps. Compare with surface fuels.
Hydrophobicity: Formation of water repellent layer in the soil following combustion of plant
materials.
Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC): The United States is divided and sub-divided into successively
smaller hydrologic units which are classified numerous levels such as regions, sub-regions,
accounting units, cataloging units, and smaller. The hydrologic units are arranged within each
other, from the smallest units to the largest. Each hydrologic unit is identified by a unique
hydrologic unit code based on the level of classification in the hydrologic unit system. A 7 th level
watershed (HUC7) is a subdivision of a larger, 6 th level watershed. The HUC7s that intersect the
Willow Creek analysis area average approximately 2,400 acres. The HUC6s that intersect the
analysis area average approximately 10,700 acres and contain 3 to 5 HUC7s.
Independent Crown Fire: A crown fire that spreads without the aid of a supporting surface fire.
Infiltration: the flow of water from the ground surface into the soil through pore spaces.
Ladder Fuels: Shrubs and young trees that provide continuous fine material from the forest floor
into the crowns of dominant trees.
Landscape Character: The combination of physical, biological and cultural attributes that gives
an area its visual and cultural identity. Each attribute contributes to the uniqueness of the
landscape and gives a particular place meaning and value and helps to define a “sense of place.”
Landscape character provides a frame of reference from which to determine scenic attractiveness
and to measure scenic integrity and scenic sustainability.
Landscape Visibility: The relative importance and sensitivity of what is seen and perceived in
the landscape. It is a function of many interconnected considerations such as number and context
of viewers, duration of views, degree of discernable detail (which depends in part on the position
of the viewer, i.e. the landscape may be superior, level with or inferior) and seasonal variation.
Landscape visibility inventory and analysis consists of three elements: travel ways and use
areas, concern levels, and distance zones.
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Long-term: Outside the planning horizon, beyond the time span covered by the Land and
Resource Management Plan, but not permanent. An effect would be considered “long-term” if it
were to last the life span of the tree species found on a site (100 to 200 years). A “permanent”
effect would take several tree life spans to disappear.
Long-term Site Productivity: Soil productivity depends on soil structure, organic matter (cationexchange
capacity), nutrient pools and biotic processes. Long-term site productivity is altered
when disturbance processes exceed recovery processes over time.
Mechanical Fuels Treatments: Mechanical Treatments include all methods of modifying the
fuels profile except for fire use applications, chemical treatments and livestock grazing.
Mechanical treatments include: vegetation removal, thinning, rearrangement, chipping, piling,
felling and piling, crushing, and mastication.
Minimum Travel Time (MTT) flow paths: Are areas where fire may spread faster than spread
across the surrounding landscape. These paths generally coincide with steeps slopes and narrow
riparian areas.
Most Limiting Value: There are usually 2 or 3 soil types within each soil-mapping unit. Often,
one of the soil types is more limiting than the others for any proposed management activity (road
building, erosion hazard rating, etc).
National Forest System Lands (NFS lands): Lands within the National Forest boundary owned
by the people of the United States and managed by the US Forest Service exclusive of private
land or land under other ownership. Private lands and lands under other ownership within the
boundaries of the National Forest are usually known as “inholdings.”
National Forest System Road (NFSR): A road that is considered part of the forest’s long-term
transportation system, and is maintained as such. Such roads may be managed as open or closed
to public use. Also called System Road, Classified Road, or Forest Development Road. NFSRs
fall into five classes:
Level 1:Road is maintained as closed to all motorized use, including administrative use.
Usually gated or blocked, and road would have to be re-opened if required for later use.
Level 2: High clearance vehicle required or recommended.
Level 3: Road suitable for highway vehicle (sedan), but with natural surface.
Level 4: Main arterial and collector roads. May be paved.
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Road Maintenance Level Definitions:
Level 1: These are roads that have been placed in storage between intermittent uses.
Roads receiving level 1 maintenance may be of any type, class, or construction standard,
and may be managed at any other maintenance level during the time they are open for
traffic. However, while being maintained at level 1, they are closed to vehicular traffic
but may be available and suitable for non-motorized uses. The period of storage must
exceed 1 year. Basic custodial maintenance is performed to prevent damage to adjacent
resources and to perpetuate the road for future resource management needs. Emphasis is
normally given to maintaining drainage facilities and runoff patterns. Planned road
deterioration may occur at this level. Appropriate traffic management strategies are

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
"prohibit" and "eliminate" all traffic. These roads are not shown on motor vehicle use
maps.
Level 2: Assigned to roads open for use by high clearance vehicles. Passenger car
traffic, user comfort, and user convenience are not considerations. Warning signs and
traffic control devices are not provided with the exception that some signing, such as W-
18-1 “No Traffic Signs,” may be posted at intersections. Motorists should have no
expectations of being alerted to potential hazards while driving these roads. Traffic is
normally minor, usually consisting of one or a combination of administrative, permitted,
dispersed recreation, or other specialized uses. Log haul may occur at this level.
Appropriate traffic management strategies are either to discourage or prohibit passenger
cars, or to accept or discourage high clearance vehicles.
Level 3: Roads in this maintenance level are typically low speed with single lanes and
turnouts. Appropriate traffic management strategies are either "encourage" or "accept."
"Discourage" or "prohibit" strategies may be employed for certain classes of vehicles or
users. Assigned to roads open and maintained for travel by a prudent driver in a standard
passenger car. User comfort and convenience are not considered priorities. Warning signs
and traffic control devices are provided to alert motorists of situations that may violate
expectations.
Level 4: Assigned to roads that provide a moderate degree of user comfort and
convenience at moderate travel speeds. Most roads are double lane and aggregate
surfaced. However, some roads may be single lane. Some roads may be paved and/or
dust abated. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is applicable. The most
appropriate traffic management strategy is "encourage." However, the "prohibit" strategy
may apply to specific classes of vehicles or users at certain times.
Non-System Road: A road located on National Forest System Land that is not a part, and usually
never meant to be a part, of the forest’s developed road system. Examples include a temporary
logging road that was never effectively closed, or a road that was never designed but developed
through use and is not now maintained. Also called Non-system Road, Unclassified Road, Way,
Route, or User Created Road.
Passive Crown Fire: A crown fire in which individual or small groups of trees torch out, but
solid flaming in the canopy cannot be maintained except for short periods. Passive crown fire
encompasses a wide range of crown fire behavior from the occasional torching of an isolated tree
to a nearly active crown fire. Also called torching and candling.
Prescribed Fire: Any fire ignited by management actions to meet specific objectives. Prior to
ignition a written approved prescribed fire plan must exist and NEPA requirements must be met.
This term replaces management ignited prescribed fire.
Risk: The possibility of meeting danger or suffering harm. When used relative to wildland fires
it refers to the probability of escape resulting in financial and ecological loss. Alternative
management scenarios generate different degrees of risk and ultimately a different set of
economic outcomes.
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Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS): A classification system used to describe desired
recreation settings. A more detailed explanation, with descriptions of each ROS Land Class, can
be found in Chapter Three of the FEIS for the 1997 Revised Land and Resource Management
Plan for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.
Riparian: Areas adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Scenic Attractiveness: A measure of the landscape’s scenic importance based on common
human perceptions of the intrinsic scenic beauty of landforms, rock forms, water forms,
vegetation patterns, and cultural features. There are three levels of inherent scenic attractiveness
that classify the scenic quality of natural landscapes:
Class A: Distinctive: areas where features of landform, vegetative patterns, water forms
and rock formation are of unusual or outstanding scenic quality.
Class B: Common: areas where features contain variety in form, line, color and texture
or combinations thereof but which tend to be common throughout the landscape province
and are not outstanding scenic quality.
Class C: Undistinguished: areas whose features have little change in form, line, color, or
texture. Includes all areas not found under Classes A and B.
Scenic Integrity: A measure of the lack of noticeable human-caused disturbance in the area that
detracts from the dominant, valued attributes of landscape character. The baseline from which to
measure scenic integrity is dependent upon a complete and accurate description of the important
and dominant positive landscape character attributes that are viewed at the time of measurement.
It can be used to describe scenery in the past, as it presently exists, and as predicted in the future.
Scenic integrity is a continuum that ranges from very high to low. Landscapes with a high degree
of scenic integrity have virtually no discordant elements and contain only positive human
alterations. They are intact, unimpaired and appear to be in good visual condition. On the
opposite end of the continuum, landscapes with low scenic integrity usually have negative
human alterations and are in poor visual condition. They often contain discordant and contrasting
features such as geometric shapes resulting from vegetative treatment, structures that do not
blend with their surroundings, or roads that create large cut and fill slopes across steep hillsides.
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Scenic Integrity Levels:
Very High: refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character “is” intact with
only minute if any deviations. The existing landscape character and sense of place is
expressed at the highest possible level.
High: refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character “appears” intact.
Deviations may be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern
common to the landscape character so completely and at such scale that they are not
evident.
Moderate: refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character “appears
slightly altered.” Noticeable deviations must remain visually subordinate to the
landscape character being viewed.
Low: refers to landscape where the valued landscape character “appears moderately
altered.” Deviations begin to dominate the valued landscape character being viewed
but they borrow valued attributes such as size, shape, edge effect and pattern of
natural openings, vegetative type changes or architectural styles outside the landscape

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
being viewed. They should not only appear as valued character outside the landscape
being viewed but compatible or complimentary to the character within.
Very Low: refers to landscapes where the valued landscape character “appears
heavily altered.” Deviations may strongly dominate the valued landscape character.
They may not borrow from valued attributes such as size, shape, edge effect and
pattern of natural openings, vegetative type changes or architectural styles within or
outside the landscape being viewed. However deviations must be shaped and blended
with the natural terrain (landforms) so that elements such as unnatural edges, roads,
landings, and structures do not dominate the compositions.
Scenic Sustainability: A measure of the degree to which the ecosystem is likely able to restore,
maintain, or continue to exhibit the positive dominant attributes of the landscape character. It is a
continuum that ranges from high to low. High scenic sustainability is a prediction that all
positive dominant attributes of the landscape character are perpetuated (during the planning
period), moderate is a prediction that there is some loss of attributes, and low is the loss of most
or all attributes.
Retention: Management activities would be conducted in such a way that they are
completely subordinate to the character of the landscape and are not evident to the casual
Forest visitor.
Partial Retention: Management activities would be conducted in such a way that they are
subordinate to the character of the landscape.
Modification: Management activities may be visually dominant. They must be
harmonious with features of the natural landscape, in their size, form, and linear
characteristics.
The terms that are used above to describe scenic quality are from the original VMS. The
crosswalk below will assist in making the transition from the old terms to the new terms used in
the Scenery Management System.
Crosswalk to Scenery Management System:
VQO Existing Scenic Condition Scenic Integrity
Modification Heavily Altered Low
Retention Appears Unaltered High
Partial Retention Slightly Altered Moderate
Sediment Yield: Sediment transported through the watershed.
Short-term: Within the planning horizon. Usually means within the life of the project or within
the time span of the Land and Resource Management Plan (10 – 15 years).
Stand Replacement Fire Regime: Regime in which fires kill or top-kill aboveground parts of the
dominant vegetation, changing the aboveground structure substantially. Approximately 80
percent or more of the aboveground dominant vegetation is either consumed or dies as a result of
fires. Applies to forests, shrublands, and grasslands.
Streamflow regime: long term patterns and variability in discharge magnitude and frequency.
Structural Stages: Any of several developmental stages of tree stands described in terms of tree
age and the extent of canopy closure they create. They include:
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Structural Stage 1 (Grass/Forbs): Forest openings created by disturbance, such as fire.
Meadows and prairies are modeled as grass/forbs, although succession will not move
beyond this stage.
Structural Stage 2 (Shrubs/Seedlings): Developmental stage dominated by tree seedlings
(less than 1 inch diameter at breast height) and shrub species.
Structural Stage 3 (Sapling/Pole): Developmental stage dominated by young tress one to
seven inches diameter at breast height, 10 to 50 feet tall, and usually less than 50 years
old. This stage is subdivided into three canopy closure classes: A (less than 40 percent),
B (40 to 70 percent), and C (greater than 70 percent).
Structural Stage 4 (Mature): Consists of trees larger and older than Structural Stage 3.
Classified by the same canopy closure categories as Structural Stage 3.
Structural Stage 5 (Old Growth): Distinguished from other stages by the following
attributes: large trees for species and site; variation of tree sizes and spacing; standing and
down dead trees; decadence in the form of broken of deformed tops, or bole and root
decay; multiple canopy layers; and gaps in the tree canopy and understory patchiness.
Supplemental water feature: non-natural water conveyances such as ditches, pipelines and
tunnels.
Surface Fuels: Needles, leaves, grass, forbs, dead and down branches and boles, stumps, shrubs,
and short trees.
System Roads: A road that is within the forest’s developed transportation system. System roads
are designed and maintained to be a long-term feature on the forest, but may be closed or open to
public use.
Temporary Road: Single purpose road, often built to access timber-sale units. Road is meant to
be closed and naturalized after use and never opened for public use.
Thin From Below: A type of thinning that particularly favors the dominants or, in the heavier
thinning grades, selected dominants more or less evenly distributed over the stand, by removing
a varying proportion of the other trees.
Transbasin: Displacement across large scale watershed physical divides.
Values at Risk: Include property, structures, physical improvements, natural and cultural
resources, community infrastructure, and economic, environmental, and social values. They may
be on or off-site values.
Water Yield: The volume of water produced from a unit-area watershed per unit of time, usually
expressed in acre-feet per year.
Wildland Fire: Any non-structure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland.
This term encompasses fires previously called both wildfires and prescribed natural fires.
Wildland Fire Use: The management of naturally ignited wildland fires to accomplish prestated
resource management objectives in predefined areas in Fire Management Plans. Operational

Environmental Assessment Willow Creek Salvage and Fuels Reduction Project
Management is described in a Wildland Fire Implementation Plan. This term replaces prescribed
natural fire.
Wildland Urban Interface/Intermix (WUI): The line, area, or zone where structures and other
human developments meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.
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