[Federal Register: March 8, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 44)] [Notices] =20 [Page 10457-10460] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr08mr10-24] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service =20 Andrew Pickens Ranger District; South Carolina; AP Loblolly Pine=20 Removal and Restoration Project AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The AP Loblolly Pine Removal and Restoration Project is a=20 district-wide project that includes 40 compartments located across the=20 Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Sumter National Forest in Oconee=20 County, South Carolina. Loblolly pine is a southern pine species that=20 is not native to mountain regions in the upstate. This species was=20 planted extensively in plantations across the district in the past,=20 primarily in an effort to increase pine productivity for timber=20 products. Most of the plantations have suffered from insect and disease=20 related mortality such as southern pine beetle and need to be restored=20 to native hardwoods and pines and understory plants more typical of the=20 Chattooga River and Blue Ridge Mountains and Foothills (Management Area=20 2 and 3, respectively). Also, habitat diversity would be improved by=20 developing and maintaining early successional habitat capable of=20 supporting existing native and other desired non-native plants=20 (including the federally endangered smooth coneflower, Echinacea=20 laevigata) and wildlife species. This habitat would be maintained with=20 herbicide, prescribed fire and also manual and mechanical treatment.=20 Woodlands are forests with relatively low tree densities of 25-60%=20 forest cover with understories that are dominated by native grasses and=20 forbs. Five stands within the project area would be developed and=20 maintained as woodland habitat (202 acres). DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20 by April 7, 2010. The draft environmental impact statement is expected=20 by July 2010 and the final environmental impact statement is expected=20 by November 2010. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, 112 Andrew=20 Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC [[Page 10458]] 29664. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-southern- francismarion-sumter-andrewpickens@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to = 864- 638-2659. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times=20 and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of=20 the EIS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of=20 the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's=20 concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names=20 and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record=20 for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be=20 accepted and considered, however. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael B. Crane (mcrane@fs.fed.us)=20 and/or Nelson Gonzalez-Sullow (nelsongonzalez@fs.fed.us), = 864-638-9568. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)=20 may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339=20 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Purpose and Need for Action The district has approximately 5,600 acres of planted loblolly pine=20 stands. All of this acreage consists of relatively pure pine stands=20 with little to no native hardwood and pines growing in the upper=20 canopy. A number of stands in the compartments were converted to pine=20 plantations 30 to 40 years ago by clear cutting more diverse stands and=20 planting them to loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) after intensive site=20 preparation treatments. Few hardwood trees exist in the overstory of=20 most of these stands and hardwood sprouts and saplings abound in the=20 understory. Some of the stands proposed for treatment have been heavily=20 impacted by southern pine beetle (SPB) with the most recent epidemics=20 occurring in 2002 and 2003. Mortality was widespread across the=20 district in pine plantations. Other stands are sparse due to poor=20 planting success or to past logging that did not remove all of the=20 loblolly pine. The density of trees in these stands range from sparse=20 to a dense stocking basal area of 160 square feet per acre and greater.=20 With a lack of disturbance, these plantations are dominated by shade=20 tolerant tree species such as red maple, black gum, dogwood, and=20 sourwood. The lack of early successional habitat is a limiting factor=20 on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The endangered plant, smooth=20 coneflower has been limited in its distribution as a result of lack of=20 disturbance and growth of shade tolerant species. The species is known=20 to occur adjacent to several loblolly stands. Plant surveys have=20 identified current locations of the plant and potential habitat areas=20 have been identified. There is an opportunity to promote the expansion=20 and establishment of this species in some of the proposed treatment=20 areas. The Sumter National Forest proposed endangered, threatened and=20 sensitive species (PETS) list includes several other species that=20 require open stand conditions to thrive. These species generally have=20 been restricted to roadsides and utility rights-of-way (ROWs) because=20 of the lack of disturbance on these sites. Woodlands provide habitat for a variety of disturbance-dependent,=20 early successional game and nongame wildlife species in all stages of=20 their lifecycles. Populations of early successional bird species, such=20 as northern bobwhite quail, ruffed grouse, field sparrow, and golden- winged warbler, have been declining on the Sumter National Forest=20 because of a lack of suitable habitat. Woodlands also provide open=20 stand conditions with ample sunlight and disturbance conditions=20 conducive to certain plants including the federally endangered smooth=20 coneflower. The AP Loblolly Pine Removal and Restoration Project is located on=20 four management prescription areas: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Management area Designation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4F..................................... Scenic Areas. 7.E.2.................................. Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management. 8.A.1.................................. Mix of Successional Forest Habitats. 11..................................... Riparian Corridors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The purpose and need for this project is to restore the current=20 landscape condition within the area to more native forest vegetation.=20 Native vegetation would improve ecosystem health, increase habitat=20 diversity and viability of a variety of plant and animal species in the=20 long term. The off-site loblolly pine stands would be replaced with native=20 tree species appropriate for the habitat such as shortleaf pine, pitch=20 pine, and table mountain pine. A blight resistant American chestnut=20 (once native to this area) would also be planted depending on suitable=20 habitats and site conditions as well as species availability for=20 planting. Prescribed burning, manual, mechanical, and herbicide treatments=20 would be used to reduce woody competition and help establish desired=20 native plant communities including smooth coneflower. Woodlands would=20 also be maintained to provide desirable habitat for native plants and=20 animal species as well as add to habitat diversity. Woodlands are forests with relatively low tree densities of 25-60%=20 forest cover with understories that are dominated by native grasses and=20 forbs. Management that promotes this native forest vegetation would=20 serve a multitude of resources, such as to enhance hard mast production=20 favorable to wildlife or to improve forest and watershed health with a=20 variety of resilient native species that would be typically found on=20 these sites. Additionally, moving from a plantation-type stand to one=20 of more natural composition would serve to increase both structural and=20 spatial vegetative diversity, create early successional habitat, reduce=20 the potential for further impacts from southern pine beetles and reduce=20 fire risk and safety hazards from dead loblolly pine trees. By managing=20 some of these stands as early successional habitat, smooth coneflower=20 would expand into these areas. Proposed Action The Andrew Pickens Ranger District proposes the following=20 treatments: Regeneration Harvest, With Reserves (Cut-and-Remove--3,679 Acres) Timber harvesting would occur in timber stands where operable=20 volumes now exist. This would include establishing log landings and=20 loading areas, skid trails, and would include road access in the form=20 of temporary roads, reconstructed roads, or newly constructed forest=20 system roads. Unmerchantable loblolly and other undesirable species=20 would be cut down by manual (saws, hand tools) or mechanized felling=20 equipment methods after commercial timber harvest concludes. In=20 addition to cutting loblolly pine, harvest would also include Virginia=20 pine, white pine, red maple, yellow poplar and other less desirable=20 hardwoods. Desirable oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, table mountain=20 pine, and pitch pine would be retained where possible unless removal is=20 necessary for safety or for equipment operability reasons. Regeneration Harvest, With Reserves (Cut-and-Leave--1,926 Acres) Loblolly pine stands would be cut down and not removed where log [[Page 10459]] volumes are sparse or too small for a viable commercial sale, or occur=20 in areas inaccessible to logging equipment. Cut and leave treatments=20 would also be used in stands where loblolly pine saplings have come in=20 after previous removal harvests. Cutting methods would include manual=20 methods that use hand tools and chainsaws. Virginia pine and other less=20 desirable species such as, but not limited to, white pine, red maple=20 and yellow poplar may be cut for safety reasons, or to favor desirable=20 residual oaks, hickories, shortleaf pine, table mountain pine and pitch=20 pine. Additional Treatments Site Preparation and Release (3,264 Acres) for Reforestation Site preparation and release treatments for reforestation include=20 stem injection and foliar spray using the herbicide imazapyr and=20 triclopyr that would be used in identified regeneration units. Stem injections would be applied with hatchets and squirt bottles,=20 or similar application devices, using a mixture of 64 oz water, 64 oz=20 Garlon 3A or equivalent (triclopyr amine) and 6 oz Arsenal AC or=20 equivalent (imazapyr). Stem injection would be applied to target=20 vegetation too large to treat with a foliar spray. This application is=20 made between the first of July and the end of September. Directed foliar spray would be applied using backpack sprayers. The=20 application is a low volume direct spray where foliage is sprayed or=20 speckled with herbicide. This application is made between the first of=20 July and the end of September. Per gallon of mix water, the herbicide=20 mixture for this application is: 0.5 ounce Arsenal AC or equivalent=20 (imazapyr), 2 ounces of Garlon 4 or equivalent (triclopyr ester), \1/2\=20 ounce surfactant, and spray pattern indicator. Herbicide would be used for site preparation to prepare the site=20 for planting trees. Shortleaf pine would be planted on a majority of=20 the sites. Other native species would be planted including, table=20 mountain pine, pitch pine, and a blight resistant strain of American=20 chestnut. Plantings would take advantage of gaps created during timber=20 harvest and from site preparation since desirable overstory trees would=20 be left as reserves in most units. This would result in a two-aged=20 structure to most treated stands. A herbicide crop tree release=20 treatment would be done about 3 to 5 years after trees are planted. The=20 treatment would reduce competition to the desired understory trees so=20 that they could become dominant in the stands. Broadleaf vegetation=20 would be treated to control competition with planted or naturally=20 growing desirable native shortleaf pine, pitch pine, oak, American=20 chestnut and hickory. Exceptions include protecting desirable soft mast=20 and flowering trees. Reforestation (3,264 Acres) Native shortleaf pine seedlings would be the major species planted=20 (12 ft. by 12 ft. spacing) but would also include pitch pine, Table=20 Mountain pine and American chestnut where suitable habitat exists and=20 if seed and/or seedlings are available. Woodland Treatments (202 Acres) The woodland treatment would remove all loblolly pine and less=20 desirable tree species including but not limited to Virginia pine,=20 white pine, maples, and yellow poplar. Three stands contain enough=20 volume for a commercial timber harvest and two do not. The treatment=20 would include thinning oaks, hickories, and shortleaf pine to a basal=20 area (BA) of 30-40 ft\2\/acre. All oak, hickory, and shortleaf pine=20 would be left where the BA is currently less than 30-40 ft\2\/acre. After initial treatments are completed, the areas would be=20 prescribed burned on a periodic basis (estimated within 1-5 years).=20 Prescribed burning is covered under an existing NEPA decision. Herbicide, manual, and mechanical methods would be applied to all=20 less desirable tree species (sprouts and seedlings) within 1-2 years=20 after the initial post-harvest prescribed burn. These methods may be=20 applied up to two more times after the initial treatment. Manual and=20 mechanical methods including but not limited to hand tools (chainsaws,=20 brush saws), and/or heavy equipment (tractor with mower, gyro-track)=20 would be used to control sprouts and seedlings of non-desirable tree=20 species to maintain the woodland condition. Mechanical treatments would=20 grind up or masticate undesirable understory vegetation. Three of these=20 stands proposed as woodland treatment would also be managed to benefit=20 smooth coneflower. Directed foliar spray would be applied using backpack sprayers. The=20 application is a low volume direct spray where foliage is sprayed or=20 speckled. This application is made between the first of July and the=20 end of September. Per gallon of mix water, the herbicide mixture for=20 this application is: 0.5 ounce Arsenal AC or equivalent (imazapyr), 2=20 ounces of Garlon 4 or equivalent (triclopyr ester), \1/2\ ounce=20 surfactant, and spray pattern indicator. Connected Actions The following activities would be conducted in connection with=20 vegetation management activities.System Road Construction: Twelve (12) system roads would=20 be built providing access to 20 loblolly timber stands. These new roads=20 are needed to provide access during timber harvest and to provide for=20 long term resource management. These roads are designed by Forest=20 Service engineers to specific standards that include designing drainage=20 structures such as culvert installations, inside slope ditching, road=20 crown specifications, widened turn-around, gates, and signage. Total=20 specified system road construction is estimated at 8.2 miles but may=20 vary once actual design is completed. Information on roads is contained=20 in the road analysis. Road Reconstruction and Maintenance: System road=20 reconstruction and maintenance would be needed on approximately 59.2=20 miles of roads. Reconstruction work would consist of but not be limited=20 to graveling road surfaces, replacing culverts--including replacements=20 for aquatic organism passage, ditch cleaning, removing brush and trees=20 along road rights-of-way, installing, repairing or replacing gates and=20 correcting road safety hazards. Road maintenance would consist of spot=20 gravel replacement, blading, cleaning culverts, light brushing and=20 mowing. Temporary Roads: Log landings that have no access to=20 designated roads would be accessed by a temporary road that connects to=20 the forest transportation system. Temporary roads are generally under=20 10 percent grade and road widths less than 14 feet. Approximately 4.9=20 miles of temporary roads are needed for access. Most of these would be=20 reopening of former temporary roads that are in suitable locations, but=20 for the most part have stabilized cut and fill slopes that may not be=20 disturbed. Temporary roads would be closed and adequate erosion and=20 stormwater control measures completed and replanted with vegetation. Skid Roads: Designated skid roads, some with temporary=20 bridges or other protective measures, may be used to provide access=20 over stream and drainage channels. It is estimated that skid roads=20 would total less than 1.5 miles. They would be closed after use with=20 adequate stormwater and erosion control measures. Log Landings: It is estimated that approximately 122 log=20 landings would be needed. Log landings are locations where logs are=20 piled and then loaded [[Page 10460]] onto trucks. Former landings sites would be used whenever appropriate=20 to limit effects. They would be closed after use with adequate=20 stormwater and erosion control measures. To view a map of locations of=20 proposed treatments go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov= /cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhtt= p://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/sumter/resources/projects.current.php?p=3D1.1.7.= 3. Responsible Official Andrew Pickens District Ranger Nature of Decision To Be Made Whether or not to implement the action as proposed or an=20 alternative way to achieve the desired outcome. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides=20 the development of the environmental impact statement. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such=20 times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency's=20 preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments=20 should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should=20 clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. February 23, 2010. Michael B. Crane, District Ranger. [FR Doc. 2010-4689 Filed 3-5-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M