UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

WHO: The U.S. Forest Service, proposes the Upper Kinzua Project; an area consisting of 27,512 

acres of National Forest System (NFS) Lands, 709 acres of private land, and 26 acres of water, 

totaling 28,221 acres for an environmental analysis. The Bradford District Ranger is the 

responsible official. The decision is to whether to approve the proposed action or an alternative 

to the proposal, or to take no action at this time. 

WHERE: The project area lies within the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). It occurs on the 

Bradford Ranger District (26,593 acres) and the Marienville Ranger District (1,628 acres) (Map 

1). It includes land in Townships of Hamilton (Warrant 4911 and Lots 19 to 23, 123, 129 to 

142); Lafayette (Warrants 2244, 2245, 3399, 3402, 3404, 3408, 3410, 3412 to 3414, 3431 to 

3435, and Lots 10 to 14, and 16 to 20); Hamlin (Warrants 3076, 3077, 3084, 3086, 3089, 3091, 

3093, 3097); and Wetmore (Lots 143 to 145, 181, and 182) , McKean County, Pennsylvania. 

WHEN: A decision on this proposal or an alternate proposal is expected by November, 2009. 

Actions could be implemented five to 15 days following a potential appeal disposition. The 

initial tree harvesting would occur in two to five years following the decision and subsequent 

entries, pending tree regeneration, are anticipated in nine to 20 years from now. 

WHY: The existing vegetation condition of the project area will be moved to its desired 

condition as described in the ANF-Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) (USDA 

2007). Tree harvesting would provide an estimated 22 million board feet of wood to help meet 

demands for wood products implementing the Forest Plan direction. Proposed activities have 

been designed to minimize potential effects by meeting Forest Plan-Standards and Guidelines. 

Additional mitigation measures may be developed during the project design to provide further 

protection to water resources; sensitive soils; threatened, endangered and sensitive species and 

their habitats; heritage, scenery, and recreation sites, as needed. A site specific burn plan will be 

developed for a 26 acre prescribed burning proposal. Reserved and outstanding mineral rights 

will be protected. 

ANF Forest Plan (FP) Direction: - Management Area (MA) objectives for this project are 

described briefly below (USDA-FS 2007, p. 26). Please see Map 1 for MA locations. 

MA 2.1 (547 acres): Uneven-aged vegetation management and habitat for wildlife associated 

with shade tolerant vegetation are emphasized. Uneven-aged vegetation management provides a 

continuous forested scene that promotes shade and mid-tolerant species and produces quality 

sawtimber. Harvesting includes frequent and repeated treatments to achieve management 

objectives. Limited opportunities for dispersed recreation, motorized recreation, hunting, and 

fishing in a roaded natural recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) setting are provided. System 

roads are generally closed or restricted to public traffic, except for certain seasonal openings. 

(FP, pp.110-112). No tree harvesting is currently proposed within this MA under the Upper 

Kinzua Project. 

MA 2.2 (4,479 acres): Older, late structural forests that link relatively large areas of older forests 

(core areas) across the landscape are emphasized. Vegetation management is directed to 

restoring late structural forest conditions with an emphasis on sustaining forest structure and 

forest continuity. It provides habitat for species with viability concerns, remote and interior 

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

species with high sensitivity to disturbance, and protection of rock/boulder outcroppings, 

seasonal nesting and cover habitat. Modified vegetation management treatments are proposed to 

emphasize late-structural conditions. Recreation opportunities are in Roaded Natural settings. 

Most roads are closed or restricted and new system road construction is limited to existing road 

corridors. Trails and facilities support a roaded natural ROS setting, and new motorized trails 

will be minimized. Parking areas will be located on the periphery of the MA. (FP, pp.109-112). 

MA 3.0 (22,397 acres): Even-aged management to provide a mixed forest that is a mix of 

predominantly shade intolerant and mid-tolerant hardwood stands of various ages and associated 

understories, and habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species is emphasized. It provides for 

a sustained yield of high-value species and high-quality timber to contribute to the economy. The 

majority of commercial timber harvest proposed occurs within this MA. Treatments are directed 

to balance age class distribution and promote forest health. 

Wildlife management emphasizes early structural species, including white-tailed deer, and 

squirrel. Specialized habitats and inclusions within MA 3.0 receive treatments to benefit game 

and non-game species, and species with viability concerns. Trails support a Roaded Natural ROS 

setting. Road construction and maintenance occur in this MA. (FP, pp. 113-116). 

MA 7.1 (62 acres): This MA is managed for large-scale developed recreation areas (Red Bridge) 

in a rural setting. Vegetation management is limited and is used primarily to support recreational 

and scenic objectives. (FP, pp.134-137). Small scale treatments would maintain or improve the 

health of pine species. 

Purpose and Need: The following list describes the purpose and needs for this project. 

1. Develop and enhance the seedling, shrub, and herbaceous diversity to improve structural 

conditions, (FP, pp. 14, 19, A-1, A-2, A-14). 

2. Provide a sustainable flow of commercial timber products that will: contribute to the 

local and regional economy, contribute to the annual Forest-wide allowable sale quantity 

(ASQ), and maintain ten to12 percent of MA 3.0 in early structural habitat (0 to 20 years 

old) over time (FP, pp. 8, 14, 113). 

3. Manage late structural stand development and conditions within MAs 2.1, 2.2, and 3.0 of 

the project area (FP, pp. 14, 19, 66, 106, 109, 113). 

4. Manage both existing and future forest health and pests issues (FP, pp. 15, 93, 109, 113). 

5. Decommission legacy (old Pennzoil fields), oil, gas, and mineral (OGM) roads and unneeded National Forest System Roads (FP, pp. 36, 98). 

6. Provide a safe, efficient and economical transportation system that is responsive to public 

and administrative needs, while having minimal adverse effects on the natural forest 

ecosystem (FP, p.16). 

7. Provide diverse and specialized habitats across the landscape to increase populations of 

species with viability concerns (FP, p.20). 

8. Provide optimum and suitable habitat for Indiana bats on the ANF (FP, p. 20). 

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

9. Create early and late structural habitat (FP, p.14). 

10. Enhance both game and non-game species wildlife habitat to provide desired cover and 

forage conditions (FP, p. 20). 

11. Provide wildlife habitat connectivity, interior habitat, and remote habitat (FP, p.14). 

12. Limit the further introduction and/or spread of non-native invasive plants (NNIP) and 

conserve forest resources in a manner that presents the least hazard to humans and 

maintains or restores forest resources (FP, p.13). 

13. Manage riparian areas in the project area: Provide riparian areas that have dynamic, 

multi-age, and multi-layered vegetation communities that promote floodplain structure, 

stream channel stability, aquatic diversity, and natural recruitment of large woody debris 

and other sources of organics (FP, p.14). 

14. Restore compositional and/or structural diversity of riparian corridors on 50 to 100 acres 

annually (FP, p. 19). 

15. Provide for 35-65% pool and slow-water habitats in streams within the project area for 

brook trout and other headwater stream fishes (FP, p.11). 

16. Provide a long-term, sustainable supply of large wood from riparian corridors to streams 

for aquatic habitat diversity; with an objective of 75-380 pieces per mile of stream (FP, 

p.11). 

17. Reduce existing sedimentation and maintain, restore, or improve soil quality, 

productivity, and function. Manage soil disturbance from management activities such that 

they do not result in long-term loss of inherent soil quality and function. (FP, p. 14). 

18. Provide fish passage at several crossings that currently prevent or inhibit movement of 

fish upstream (FP, p. 11). 

19. Manage dispersed recreation sites consistent with the appropriate ROS development level 

and maintain or exceed the scenic integrity level (FP, pp. 18, 19). 

20. Provide additional/improved vehicle parking to better access fly fishing opportunities 

along Kinzua Creek “delayed harvest area” (FP, p. 18). 

21. Maintain existing scenic vistas and construct an additional vista (SR 219) (FP, p.19). 

WHAT: The following tables provide a summary of what treatments and activities are being 

proposed for the following: silviculture, transportation, wildlife, botany, hydrology, soils, 

scenery, and recreation. Each table shows: the location, the action, a description of what the 

treatment is, and the number of acres or miles affected, or the count of items to be accomplished. 

MAs for the proposed silvicultural treatments are included. 

The project area is divided into geographic subdivisions known as compartments and then 

further divided into smaller units known as stands. Locations are provided on the attached 

corresponding maps.

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Table 1. Proposed silvicultural treatments (Map 2). 

Proposed Silvicultural Treatments MA Compartment/Stand(s) Total 

Acres 

Two-aged harvesting to meet wildlife 

objectives 3.0 481/37 41

Accelerate mature forest conditions, 

non- commercial thinning for late 

structural features. 

2.2 458/02,13, 15, 20, 36 

89 

Aspen regeneration, through even-age 

management, creating stands beneficial 

for wildlife. 

3.0 459/32,33,36; 462/41, 42; 476/47 

31

Delayed removal, overstory trees are 

removed, (except for reserve trees), to 

promote seedling growth. 

3.0 457/41; 459/15; 460/06, 21,42, 58, 67; 

462/16, 31; 474/11, 36, 39, 41; 480/20 283

Expand wildlife opening 3.0 462/42; 480/14,15 26

Mast Release, non-commercial release 

of oak and hickory to promote 

regeneration and mast production. 

3.0 457/04 

56

Wildlife opening restoration (release, 

doze, and seed) 

3.0, 

2.2- 

(4 ac.) 

463/30; 474/22; 478/16; 483/07; 483/09; 

484/10, 42; 485/46; 460/40;481/02 42

Restore understory mature forest 

conditions, group selection to promote 

tree regeneration and late structural 

features 

2.2 458/02, 04, 14 

89

Shelterwood seed cut -removal, two 

entry sequences where trees will be 

regenerated. 

3.0 

457/14, 19; 459/05, 06, 20, 21, 23; 460/08, 

29, 66; 461/53, 54; 462/04, 19, 27; 463/06; 

472/17, 37, 473/11, 477/38; 478/03, 22; 

480/13, 72; 481/12, 33, 38, 45; 482/34, 37, 

46; 483/18; 805/14; 809/14; 458/26, 19, 

27, 29, 28, 09; 459/43,17,38; 

460/10,54,53, 55,13; 461033/062; 463/07, 

44, 24, 42; 472/04,06; 462/05 1,201

Thinning, relieve overcrowding to 

promote tree vigor, growth, and health 3.0 

457/06, 07, 25, 31; 458/34; 474/16,43; 

480/09, 38, 68; 803/01; 805/36, 66; 

806/03, 04, 06, 09; 808/06; 809/01, 12, 21, 

23, 57 409

Non- commercial thinning, relieve 

hemlock tree overcrowding to promote 

tree vigor, growth, & health 

2.2 478/07; 480/47, 51 

57

Uneven-aged management, a single tree 

selection, featuring sugar maple, yellow 

birch and other species. 

3.0 480/44, 70 

79

Vista, Cut trees to expand the scenic 

view from SR 219 2.2 475/04,08 6

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Table 2. Proposed reforestation treatments (Map 2). 

Proposed Reforestation Treatments Compartment/Stand(s) Total 

Acres 

Planting, reforestation in needed areas 

457/06, 07, 25; 458/02, 04,14,17; 460/30,61; 

463/30, 472/01, 17; 474003, 05, 06, 10; 

479021; 481/02; 484/42; 485/28, 46; 805014; 

809/11,13, 14,16 441

Herbicide, control of undesired ground and 

some mid-story vegetation that interferes 

with the tree regeneration process. Acres of 

herbicide application amounts are listed at 

the upper limit required for regeneration 

success; actual acres treated will likely be 

less. 

457/06, 07, 25, 14 ,19, 41; 458/02, 04, 14, 17, 

37; 459/05, 06, 15, 20, 21, 23, 32, 33, 36; 

460/06, 08, 29, 30, 42, 58, 66; 461/25, 53, 54; 

462/04, 05, 16, 19, 27, 31, 41, 42, 463/06, 30, 

38; 472/01, 17, 37; 473/11; 474/03, 05, 6, 10, 

22, 39, 41, 54; 477/38; 478/03, 16, 22; 

479/21; 480/13, 15, 18, 20, 30, 44, 70, 72; 

481/02, 12, 14, 33, 37, 38, 45; 482/34, 37, 

46; 483/07, 09, 18, 26; 484/10, 42; 485/28, 

46; 805/14; 809/11, 13, 14, 16; 458/ 09, 19, 

26, 27, 28, 29; 459/43, 38, 17, 460/10, 54, 53, 

21, 67, 30, 61, 55, 13; 461/33, 62; 463/07, 44, 

24, 42 472/04, 06; 474/11, 36 2,267

Site preparation, mid-story beech, striped 

maple or other interfering woody stems 

(approximately five to 30 feet tall) will be 

hand or mechanically cut to prevent 

interference of new, diverse tree seedling 

growth and development. 

457/06, 07, 14, 19, 41; 458/02, 04, 09, 14, 

17,28, 27,29, 26, 19; 459/43, 17, 38, 05, 06, 

15, 20, 21, 23; 460/06, 08, 10, 13, 29, 21, 54, 

53, 67, 55, 42, 58, 66; 461/33, 62, 25, 53, 54; 

462/04, 05, 16, 19, 27, 31; 463/06, 38, 07, 30, 

44, 24, 42; 472/04, 06,17, 37; 473/11; 474/11, 

36, 39, 41, 54; 477/38; 478/03, 22; 479/21; 

480/13, 20, 44, 70, 72; 481/12, 33, 37, 38, 45; 

482/34, 37, 46; 483/18, 26; 805/14; 809/14 1,910

Fencing, deer exclusion fences will be 

installed to promote tree seedling growth 

and understory diversity by preventing deer 

from browsing on desired seedlings. 

458/17; 481/02; 480/44, 70; 484/42; 485/46; 

805/14; 809/11, 13, 14, 16 

173

Soil Scarification, soils scarified by 

mechanical tools to promote the acorn 

germination. 

457/06, 07; 459/32, 33,36; 462/41 

56

Controlled burn, non-commercial pile and 

burn slash following thinning in red pine 

stands to reduce fuel loading and manage 

insect populations. 

457/06, 07, 25 

26

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Proposed Reforestation Treatments Total Compartment/Stand(s) Acres 

Release to promote diverse saplings and 

less common tree species by manually 

removing small, mid-story stems that may 

interfere with tree seedling and sapling 

growth and development in areas between 5 

and 15 years old. 

457/04, 06, 07, 14, 19, 25, 41; 458/02, 27, 

28,09, 29, 26, 19, 04, 14, 17, 20, 37; 

459/43,17, 38, 05, 06, 15, 20, 21, 23, 32, 33, 

36; 460/06, 08, 29, 42, 58, 66, 21, 67, 55, 13, 

10, 54, 53; 461/33, 62, 25, 53, 54; 462/04, 05, 

16, 19, 27, 31, 41; 463/07, 06, 38, 44, 24, 42; 

464/32; 472/ 01, 17, 37, 04, 06; 473/11; 

474/11, 36, 39, 41; 477/38; 478/03, 22; 

480/13, 18, 20, 30, 44, 62, 70, 72; 481/12, 33, 

37, 38, 40, 45; 482/34, 37, 46; 483/10, 18, 26; 

485/28; 805/14; 809/11, 13, 14, 16 2,162

Transportation: The project area contains 360 miles of roads [State and Township; (16 mi.), 

National Forest System (NFS) (119 mi.); authorized (36 CFR212.1) (200 mi.) and unauthorized 

(36 CFR212.1) (25 mi.)]. The NFS roads are managed for public use as follows: 48 mi. are 

open year around, 34 mi. are seasonally restricted, and 37 mi. are closed year around. About 37 

mi. are mixed use roads and trails. The project area has an extensive development of private 

OGM activities. Non-system roads related to OGM development have been determined as the 

greatest likelihood of spreading sediment. Many of the stream crossings do not have limestone 

surfacing on approaches. Road maintenance and decommissioning will reduce sediment delivery 

to streams.

Table 3. Proposed transportation treatments (Map 2). 

Proposed Road Treatments Location Miles 

FR144B, FR456 Extension 0.2 Construction-new corridor 

FR144B [Right of way (ROW) needed] 0.1

FR477C, FR150B Extension, FR320A, FR464A 

Extension, FR150D, FR318 Ext., FR142Ba, 

FR456H, FR456G Ext. 6.8

Construction-existing corridor 

FR144 Extension, FR144B (ROW Needed) 0.4

Reconstruction-Forest System Roads (FSR) FR4561

0.8

Decommission - FSR FR315, FR317A, FR4561 1.8

Decommission - Storm proof FSR and change 

to operation maintenance level 13 FR187B 0.4

Remove FSR from the system FR301A (on private) 0.7

Decommission – non-system roads Warrant/Lot Nos. 3413/20, 2245,2244, 3084, 

3399, 134 4.7

Decommission - road ripping (old Pennzoil 

Fields) Warrant Nos. 3077, 3084, 3085, 3089 13.4

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Proposed Road Treatments Location Miles 

Mitigate effects or decommission authorized 

roads2

Warrant/Lot Nos. 134, 136, 137, 143, 3121, 3077, 

2245, 3431, 3402, 4916, 4915, 3404, 3408, 3433, 

3410, 3412/11, 3412/12, 3412/14, 3412/13, 

3413/18, 3413/19, 3413/20 19

Closed to restricted FR318, FR318 ext. 2

Closure of unauthorized off-road vehicle tracks 

Segments in Warrants/Lots: 4911, 3413/20, 

3413/19, 3413/18, 3413/17, 3413/16, 3412/13, 

3412/14, 3412/12, 3412/11, 3412/10 9

Improved road surfacing Stream approaches and water concerns 15

Improve road access to all ponds Duck ponds (wildlife) 1

No.

Install gate 

FR 318 Ext. at intersection w/NS27287, Hunter 

disability permit road; Duck ponds, last OGM 

access, south (wildlife) 2

Remove gate Duck ponds (wildlife), existing gate at 

propagation pond 1

Re-designate as hunter disabled permit road FR 318 (wildlife) 1

Harden two car parking area 

Duck ponds, (wildlife), North of new gate (1); 

North of FR 150 (adjacent to the pond accesses) 

(2) 3

Proposed Pit Treatments Compartment/Stand Acres 

Explore area - develop pit (9) 462/30, 465/14; 472/35, 475/5; 480/35; 483/14; 

485/28; 805/9 18

Expand existing pit (3) 457/37, 462/12, 474/7 6

Expand existing pit - reclaim old development 

(17) 

459/1, 460/45, 52; 461/38, 42, 43; 462/27, 35; 

463/48; 464/31; 472/7; 474/43; 479/22; 480/8, 25, 

64; 481/44; 484/21; 485/55 17

Reclaim pit (5) 457/38; 460/ 49; 461/38; 462/36, 463/39 17

1

Road may be reconstructed or decommissioned depending on improvements needed 

2

 Work with operators to correct problems or decommission non-system roads related to OGM 

3 High use roads

Table 4. Proposed wildlife habitat improvements (Map 3) 

Total Proposed Wildlife Treatments Compartment/Stand(s) Acres

Plow & seed 457/34, 35, 37, 458/38, 460/40, 48, 

461/48, 462/41, 42, 49, 474/44, 50, 51, 

476/16, 480/59, 481/14, 15, 483/07, 

484/25, 42 63

Plant cool season grasses 457/34, 458/38 6

Plant under the forest canopy (Under-plant) mast 

release stand 

457/04 

25

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Total Proposed Wildlife Treatments Compartment/Stand(s) Acres

Under-plant conifer clumps, promote wildlife 

habitat 

457/41 West of FR 142C, South end of 

stand 15

Under-plant RUMFC treatment stands, restore 

understory for wildlife habitat and promote forest 

sustainability 

457/14,19,41; 458/02, 04, 27, 29, 28, 09, 

14; 459/05, /06, 20, 21, 23, 43; 460/08, 

29, 53, 54, 55, 13, 66; 461/33, 62, 54, 

04; 462/05, 19; 463/06, 07,44, 24, 42; 

472/04, 17, 37; 473/11; 478/22; 481/12, 

33; 482/34, 37, 46; 483/18 461

Under-plant AMFC treatment stands, restore 

understory for wildlife habitat and promote forest 

sustainability 

458/02,13,15,20 

58

Mowing, promote warm and cool season grasses 

for wildlife forage & cover 

457/34,36,35,37,54; 458/19, 20; 459/321; 

460/40, 48; 461/20,30,34; 

462/41,42,43,49; 463/30; 474/22, 

44,50,51; 476/16; 478/16; 480/25,59; 

481/02,10,14,15,16; 483/07,09; 483/46; 

484/10, 25,42; 

485/222

,29,30,46,51,52;809/152,582 205

Restore & maintain opening 457/34,35,54; 458/19,38; 461/34,48; 

462/41,42,49; 463/30; 474/44,50,51; 

478/16; 480/59; 481/16; 483/07,09,46 51

Opening release , edge encroachment 457/36,37,38; 458/2,38; 459/321; 

460/48; 461/30,34,48; 463/30; 464/1,17; 

476/16;474/22,44; 478/16; 480/23,25,59; 

481/14,15,16; 484/10 79

Create opening, Increase diversity of wildlife 

habitat 

460/40; 462/42; 478/16,481/10,15; 

484/42; 485/46 24

Wetland enhancement, Improve wildlife water 

availability and promote amphibian habitat Install 

20x20 potholes within ponds 

476/15, 23, 47; 481/15; 

4852/22,29,30,51,52; 8092/15,58 

26

Plant shrubs/fruit/conifer trees 457/34, 36, 37; 

460/40, 48; 461/20, 30, 34, 48; 462/36, 

41, 42, 43, 49; 464/17 

474/16, 44, 50, 51, 16 

480/23, 25, 59; 481/02, 14, 15, 16; 

482/13, 15; 483/07; 484/10; 25; 484/42, 

59; 4852

/22, 29, 30, 51, 52; 809/15, 58 103

Fence cribs, small area fences to protect wildlife 

plantings from deer browse 

457/34,35,37; 460/40,48; 

461/20,30,34,48; 462/41,42,43,49; 

463/30; 464/17,22; 474/22,44,50,51; 

476/16; 478/16; 480/23, 25, 59; 481/02, 

10, 12,14,16; 483/07,09; 484/10,25,42; 

485/29,30,46,51,52; 4852

/22; 8092/15,58 116

Remove old fence cribs, opening restoration 457/35 2

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Total Proposed Wildlife Treatments Compartment/Stand(s) Acres

Herbicide, cover and forage conditions will be 

improved by removing interfering vegetation and 

noxious weeds. 

457/35; 458/38; 460/40,48; 461/48; 

462/41,42, 49; 463/30; 464/17,22; 

474/22,44,51; 476/16; 480/59; 

481/14,15; 483/07,09,46; 484/10,25,42; 

485/46; 75

Aspen regeneration, early age class of trees 459/321,33,36; 462/41,42; 476/47 31

Prune & release fruit trees, restore apple trees to 

promote apple production. 

457/35, 36, 40; 458/16,19, 20, 38, 43; 

459/22, 32; 460/22, 40, 48; 461/20,30, 

34, 36; 462/10, 17, 36, 41; 464/17, 22,; 

473/07, 13; 474/22, 28, 29, 31; 

476/13,16,22; 478/16; 480/59; 481/02; 

482/13, 15; 483/07; 484/10; 484/42 129

Thin & release butternut trees, promote a 

Federally Listed Threatened Specie 

476/29 

1

Seed orchard, plant butternut or beech seeds or 

seedlings 

481/10, 484/42, 485/46 

6 

Prescribed burn & plant warm season grasses, 

promote growth of warm season grasses for 

wildlife nesting, forage & cover 

459/30,32 

4

Plant conifer groups, wildlife nesting, roosting & 

cover 

Non-System road entrances C484, C485 

proposed decommissioning. FR 278A, 

187B, 314 or 317 intersections (old 

Pennzoil field) 13

Girdle trees, create snags for wildlife roosting 484/42;485/292, 46; 17

Under-plant conifer South end of 457/41, west of FR 142C 15

No. 

Construct vernal pool, improve wildlife water 

availability and promote amphibian habitat 

457/34, 460/40, 462/36, 484/10

5

Install nest boxes, nesting/roosting habitat for the 

Northern flying squirrel, bluebirds, and wood 

ducks, and bats 

457/34; 459/22; 460/48; 461/27; 462/41, 

42, 43, 49; 464/17; 474/16, 50, 51; 

476/12; 478/16; 481/14, 16; 485/22, 292, 

51, 52; 8092

/15, 58, & along streams 128

1

Timber doodle flats wildlife interpretive area 

2

Duck ponds 

The Forest Plan goals and objectives for non-native invasive plants (NNIP) is to develop and 

implement a proactive, integrated plant management program to conserve forest resources in a 

manner that presents the least hazard to humans and maintains or restores forest resources; and 

complete 300 to 600 acres of invasive plant treatment annually. Herbicide use is permitted in all 

project area MAs as a NNIP treatment (FP pp. 13, 18, 35). 

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UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

Table 5. Proposed non-native invasive plant removal (Map 3). 

Invasive Plant Treatments Locations Acres 

Remove invasive plants and reestablish native 

plants to promote forest health and native plant 

diversity. Manual, mechanical and/or herbicide 

of NNIP. In select areas of NNIP treatments, 

native species will be planted by seed or plants 

to establish desired vegetation. Planting areas 

and species will be determined after treatment of 

NNIP has been conducted and determined to be 

sufficient. 

Red Bridge recreation area, Timberdoodle 

Flats wildlife area, road corridors, riparian 

corridors (Kinzua Creek, Pine, Root, 

Markham, and Meade Runs, respectively). 

15

Stream habitat monitoring in the project area shows streams are lacking habitat diversity. Pools 

and slow water habitat are present but are not quality due to a lack of cover and small pool depth. 

Also, large wood monitoring on several streams show streams lack sufficient large wood to 

create quality pools, slow flood flows, or create channel diversity. 

Table 6. Proposed hydrology treatments (Map 3). 

Hydrology Treatments Compartment/Stand Amount 

Increase the vegetation diversity and accelerate tree 

growth, and to speed delivery of large wood to 

streams. Non commercial thinning and/or girdle 27 

acres of moderate-high to high stocked stands in 

riparian areas (mostly hemlock treatments). 

480/51- Within proposed vegetation 

treatment acres. 1,450’ x 100’; 478/07- 

Other side of stream from 480/51. 1,450’ 

x 100’; 481/35- 2,600’ x 100’; 472/06- 

Within proposed silvicultural treatment, 

3,450’ x 100’; 809/63- 2,100’ x 200’ 30 acres

Complete one to two miles of stream restoration or 

enhancement for native and desired non-native 

species where suitable habitat is lacking, annually 

(FP, p. 20). 

Large wood additions; Fell 50 to 100 trees per mile 

into streams and onto floodplains to improve aquatic 

habitat diversity, trap sediment, and slow flood 

flows. Trees will be cut at least ten feet from the 

channel. These treatments will thin some trees out of 

moderate to high stocked stands. 

Camp Run, Chappel Fork, Markham 

Run, Meade Run, Pine Run, Root Run, 

Thundershower Run, Windfall Run, and 

a tributary to Wintergreen Run 

Fell 50 

to 100 

trees per 

mile, 

21 miles

Add in-stream log structures to help stabilize eroding 

banks and improve aquatic habitat. Structures would 

be constructed using logs, rocks, large equipment and 

hand labor [PA Fish and Boat Commission 2007, 

Habitat Improvement for Trout Streams]. 

Kinzua Creek 

6 miles

- 10 - 
UPPER KINZUA PROJECT PROPOSAL

- 11 - 

Table 7. Proposed recreation treatments to improve Kinzua Creek fishing access (Map 3). 

Recreation Treatments Location 

Widen area for three vehicles to park along the road; 

vehicles would be off of the road. 

SR 3006, 0.6 mi. to .85 mi. from SR 219, 

North side, just past guardrail from the area 

along existing road 

Remove pipe across the creek restore site, 

decommission road, harden parking site. 

SR 3006, 0.9 mi. from SR 219, just before 

the bridge, after the guard rail, North side, 

existing pull off with a road that leads to 

the creek. 

Develop and harden parking area for four vehicles, 

signing. 

SR 3006, At 1.0 mi. from SR 219, South 

side, OGM road, opening next to a well 

Block, harden for one vehicle parking and restore 

site. 

SR 3006,1.4 mi. from SR 219, North side 

where the road access nearly reaches the 

Creek 

Harden pull off for one vehicle. SR 3006, 1.5 mi. from SR 219, North side 

Improve vehicle parking for the first 100 feet, with a 

tear drop design to allow a turn around. Install 

barriers and rehabilitate remaining site. 

SR 3006, 1.7 mi. from SR 219, North side, 

just past the guard rails. Bridge abutments 

on the creek, large dispersed impacted 

camp site with side channels and wetlands. 

Harden and expand pull off for one or possibly two 

vehicles. 

SR 3006, 1.8 mi. from SR 219, North side, 

Harden existing site. SR 3006, 2.0 mi. from SR 219, North side 

Improve and define a circular access road (limestone) 

around the wetland and install boulders to protect the 

wetland, harden dispersed camp sites, on the 

perimeter loop to mitigate existing resource damage. 

SR 3006, 2.3 mi. from SR 219, North side, 

old gate posts, goes back to a muddy high 

impact area, ball field (a small wetland sits 

in the middle of it). 

Stabilize, harden, and provide improved access at 

two sites and protect an eroded stream bank 

Compartment 479/ Stand 6, Dispersed 

campsites on Kinzua Creek (hydrology). 

References 

 USDA Forest Service. 2007. Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management 

Plan. 296 pp.