RECREATION REPORT:

RIM FIRE RECOVERY PROJECT 

Prepared by:

Ken Kunert

Landscape Architect

Recreation Planner

United States 

Department 

of Agriculture

Forest 

Service

Pacific 

Southwest 

Region

 

Stanislaus 

National 

Forest 

August 2014 
Introduction 

The Rim Fire started on August 17, 2013 in a remote area of the Stanislaus National 

Forest near the confluence of the Clavey and Tuolumne Rivers about 20 miles east of 

Sonora, California. Over the next several weeks it burned about 256,428 acres, including

154,430 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, becoming the third largest wildfire 

in California history. The burned area contains hazardous, dead, dying, and fire 

damaged trees as well as areas with increased flood, debris flow, and rock fall potential. 

The Rim Fire Recovery (Rim Recovery) project boundary includes all NFS lands within 

the fire plus a few locations where road and roadside improvements extend slightly 

outside the perimeter. The intent of this report is to evaluate and disclose the potential 

effects of the Rim Recovery project to recreation and visual resources in the project 

area. 

Analysis Framework: Statute, Regulation, Forest Plan and Other Direction

The Forest Plan Compliance (project record) document identifies the Forest Plan S&Gs 

that specifically apply to this project and related information about compliance with the 

Forest Plan. In addition, the Forest Plan includes a specific goal applicable to recreation 

and the Rim Recovery project:

 Forest Goal for Recreation: Provide a wide range of recreation opportunities 

directed at various experience levels to meet current and projected demand, 

including campgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails, 

etc. (USDA 2010a, p. 6). 

 Forest Management Direction for Visual Resources: Meet adopted Visual Quality 

Objectives (VQOs) on all projects. Maintain high visual quality in areas of 

concentrated public use and in areas seen from major travel routes. Allow 

management activities in certain areas to dominate the surrounding characteristic 

landscape, but they should borrow from natural forms and appear as natural 

occurrences when viewed from background distances. Consider private land 

concerns during the evaluation of proposed management activities adjacent to 

privately developed subdivisions and recreation areas. Particular attention will be 

given to visual quality in the foreground view areas of these private developments as 

well as any other values relating to their attendant use and enjoyment of the National 

Forest. (USDA 2010a)

Effects Analysis Methodology

The geographic extent of this analysis is the Rim Recovery project area and includes the 

Cherry Valley recreation area. This unit of spatial analysis is used for determining direct, 

indirect and cumulative effects. A short-term timeframe of three years allows the 

activities associated with this project to be mostly completed. A long-term temporal 

bound of 10 years allows completed activities associated with this project to be 

established. 

Assumptions Specific to Recreation

 The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM data) report accurately expresses 

recreation use. 

 Action alternatives will not cause long-term changes to recreation opportunities. 

 Dust associated with the removal of logs from the Forest will be abated. 
 Though the most updated dispersed camping and route data were used for this 

analysis, conditions change on the ground. 

 Noise and ground disturbances caused by any of the action alternatives will be 

temporary in nature.

 As environmental documents are completed, actions implemented, and safety from 

hazard tree removal is in place the temporary Forest Order (STF 2014-01) to prohibit 

public use may be selectively lifted. 

 The Rim Fire Recovery project will provide safety and access to recreation 

opportunity areas. 

 Due to stringent operating specifications within timber sale contracts; there is an 

expectation that dust associated with the removal of logs from the Forest will be 

reduced

Data Sources

 Stanislaus GIS Library

 National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) data (USDA 2014a) 

 Recreation Facility Analysis (USDA 2007a) 

 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), Management Area and project area maps

from GIS library 

 Visual Quality Objectives from the Forest Plan (USDA 2010a)

Recreation Indicators

 Developed Recreation Opportunities – describe the changes in the recreation setting

 Dispersed Recreation Opportunities – describe the changes in the recreation setting

Recreation Methodology by Action

The recreation indicators identified and compared the effects of the alternatives on 

developed recreation, dispersed recreation and diversity of vegetation. Discussed the 

changes in recreation and visual resource opportunities as a result of each alternative. In 

each of the alternatives the recreation analysis objective evaluates how well each 

alternative narrows the gap between the existing setting and the desired sustainable 

setting; and the effect on “sense of place”.

Affected Environment

Existing Conditions

Rim Fire Closure

Numerous recreation and visual resources in the Rim Fire area have been damaged. 

The setting and diversity has changed as a result. Maintenance and rehabilitation is 

ongoing. Falling trees, rock falls, and debris flows will create an increased workload over 

the long-term to maintain these resources to Forest Service standards. Regulatory, 

information, directional, and interpretive signs have been damaged during the fire. 

Because roads and other developed facilities within the project area are faced with 

hazard trees that pose a threat to human health and safety, there is a need to remove 

those hazards to provide a safe environment for administration and public use of those 

facilities.

On April 14, 2014, the Forest Supervisor issued the current temporary Forest Order 

(STF 2014-01), opening portions of the previous closure area and prohibiting public use 

within the remaining portions of the burn area until November 18, 2014. A total of 7 

campgrounds, 5 semi-developed dispersed camping or concentrated use areas, 6 day 

use areas, 11 non-motorized trails, 5 OHV riding areas, 4 developed recreation sites 
under special use permits, and 475 inventoried dispersed campsites are located within 

the closure. Additionally, numerous outfitters and guides have special use permits 

(rafting, hiking, bicycling, fishing, etc.). These locations are the key locations where 

people view the landscape setting.

Recreation Visitor Use

Before the Rim Fire, Forest recreation use within the project area included OHV use, 

passenger car driving, rafting, boating, hunting, swimming, mining, wood cutting, 

camping (dispersed and developed), hiking, cycling (mountain and road), fishing, 

backpacking, horseback riding, and winter sports. These opportunities will once again be 

available after the hazard trees are abated and the area is re-opened for public access. 

Obviously, the fire has modified the recreation setting, that provides the opportunity for 

recreation activities to create experiences that people remember, and changed the 

existing forest condition. Some of the traditional activities that have been attractive to the 

forest visitor will be less attractive because of the fire. Dispersed camping may be less 

attractive without the canopy of trees, as an example, while water features will remain as 

an attraction. New visual attractions will become apparent as people discover the 

changes within the seen environment.

The Stanislaus National Forest ranks in the top five National Forests in California for 

overall annual recreation use (USDA 2014a). The Forest receives more visitation than 

any other National Forest on the Sierra Nevada western slope. The Recreation Facility 

Analysis (RFA) projected an increase in overall recreation use of 43 percent over the 

next 20 years (USDA 2007a). This is dramatically higher than the average forest 

nationally, but typical of adjacent Forests in the central Sierra. The expected increase in 

visitor use will create challenges as demand for all types of activities approach capacity.

Percent of National Forest Visits Indicating Use of Special

Facilities or Areas

Special Facility or Area % of National Forest Visits

Scenic Byway 9.5

Developed Swimming Site 25.4

Visitor Center or Museum 0.5

Designated ORV Area 10.2

Forest Roads 17.4

Interpretive Displays 2.2

Information Sites 7.4

Developed Fishing Site 10.4

Motorized Single Track Trails 5.1

Motorized Dual Track Trails 6.6

None of these Facilities 50.1

Visitor use estimates for the entire Forest are based on the NVUM survey conducted in 

2012 and updated in April of 2014 (USDA 2014a), prior to the Rim Fire. Recreation use 

on the Stanislaus National Forest for this period was estimated at 1,817,200 National 

Forest visits and 2,100,300 site visits. The survey assessed existing recreation demand 

on the forest by asking visitors what they did during their visit. This assessment resulted 

in two categories of visitor use: all activities in which they participated in and the main 

activity (the primary purpose for their visit to the Forest). The survey highlighted the fact 

that the two uses may or may not be related. For example, 59.2 percent of the forest 

visitors reported participating in the viewing of natural features, but only 12.3 percent 

reported this as their main activity. The top five recreation activities visitors participated 
in were hiking/walking, relaxing, viewing natural features, viewing wildlife, and driving for 

pleasure. Each visitor also picked one of these activities as their main activity for their 

current recreation visit to the forest. Table 1 identifies the main activities as relaxing, 

hiking and walking, viewing natural features, fishing, and downhill skiing. (USDA 2014a). 

Table 1 National Visitor Use Monitoring Activity Participation

Activity Percent 

Participation1 Percent Main Activity2 Average Hours Doing Main Activity

Hiking and Walking 63.0 14.4 3.5

Relaxing 62.0 16.0 14.2

Viewing Natural Features 59.2 12.3 3.5

Viewing Wildlife 45.1 0.2 3.2

Driving for Pleasure 28.6 2.5 2.4

Picnicking 27.4 3.4 5.4

Fishing 20.5 9.5 5.1

Other Non-motorized 18.2 5.5 3.1

Developed Camping 12.6 3.5 38.3

Nature Study 8.7 0.3 1.1

Downhill Skiing 8.6 8.1 5.2

Some Other Activity 8.3 4.8 4.5

Non-motorized Water 7.8 4.6 6.9

Hunting 7.3 5.3 12.5

Gathering Forest Products 6.9 1.0 4.9

Resort Use 6.2 0.3 35.3

Primitive Camping 6.0 0.7 38.6

Visiting Historic Sites 5.7 0.2 1.3

OHV Use 5.4 1.7 7.9

Motorized Trail Activity 5.4 2.1 6.3

Bicycling 5.4 1.3 3.3

Motorized Water Activities 4.8 0.5 7.3

Nature Center Activities 3.5 0.0 0.0

Backpacking 3.0 1.1 30.5

Horseback Riding 1.3 0.3 6.3

Cross-country Skiing 1.0 0.5 3.7

Other Motorized Activity 0.5 0.0 0.0

Snowmobiling 0.3 0.2 6.4

No Activity Reported 0.2 0.2

1Survey respondents could select multiple activities so this column may total more than 100 percent. 2Survey respondents were asked to select just one of their activities as their main reason for the forest visit. Some respondents 

selected more than one, so this column may total more than 100 percent.

Most visitors to the Forest participate in a variety of activities. Many activities, such as 

viewing natural features, can be either motorized or non-motorized. The overwhelming 

majority of forest visitors arrive in a motorized vehicle; the exception being immediately 

adjacent residents who hike or bicycle. This means that motorized and non-motorized 

activities are often combined as part of creating the total recreation experience.

Based on the 2012 NVUM data, an estimated 76,500 individual recreation site visits 

have been “lost” because of the fire and closure orders. An individual recreation site is 

defined as a single user visiting a single site. Because several users visit more than one 

individual recreation site on their visit, total individual visits to the National Forest “lost” 

due to the fire and closure orders is estimated to be 53,000. These figures are only valid 
under the assumption that none of the visits had a temporal or spatial substitute on the 

forest. That is, none of the visits either occurred at some other place on the forest or at 

some other time on the forest. If any such spatial or temporal substitution occurred, then 

these figures overstate the losses on the forest but not within the Rim Fire area.

Sense of Place

Visitors sometimes feel a strong sense of place and attachment to a site they frequently 

use. Attachments to a particular area vary substantially. This is dependant on several 

factors that live in the memory of recreationists. Place attachment is strongest when 

there are distinctive and memorable qualities to the setting, the activity that occurs there, 

and the duration or repetition of the activity. While a one-time visit to a common firewood 

gathering spot may be forgotten, the next cutting trip may be to a different area, with no 

regret. The annual trek to a 4th generation hunting camp, however, is imbedded in family 

ritual, and embellished through storytelling and photographs. Attachment to place grows 

through familiarity with the understanding of the area’s features. Whether a “cool 

swimming hole” for local teenagers or a “sacred site” for Native Americans, strong 

attachment occurs when the meaning of a place is shared with others. The place may 

even be given a name. “God’s Bath” on the Clavey River is an example. These “special 

places” have a unique identity and cannot be easily substituted for another place with 

similar qualities. (USDA 2003) 

Several tools describe the recreation and visual setting that establishes the sense of 

place within the project area. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) identifies possible 

mixes or combinations of activities, settings, and probable experience opportunities that 

are arranged along a spectrum, or continuum (USDA 1986). ROS as a management tool 

is based upon these facts:

• Visitors engage in an ACTIVITY

• The forest provides the SETTING

• The end products/outcomes are the EXPERIENCES

The attributes of ROS are the physical (type of access, remoteness, size), the social 

(user density, encounters), and the managerial (type of facilities, visitor management 

and naturalness) characteristics of the place (ROS Users Guide, USDA 1986). For the 

Rim Fire Recovery area the naturalness of the place has been altered. 

ROS is designed as a scale from Primitive (P), to Semi-primitive non-motorized (SPNM), 

to Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM), to Roaded Natural (RN), to Rural (R), to Urban (U). 

ROS is an outcomes based approach to managing the recreation setting. In the 

alternatives the recreation objective is to narrow the gap between the existing condition 

and the desired, sustainable recreation setting. 
The Forest Plan integrates ROS into the management prescriptions and associated 

standards and guidelines. Table 2 displays the ROS classes that exist within the project 

area: Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized and Roaded Natural1

. The Rim Fire has altered all 

three of these components and it will be years before the area returns to the natural 

appearances that people remember from before the fire. Recreation Opportunity 

Spectrum Classes are identified in the Forest Plan and at 

T:\FS\Reference\GIS\r05_stf\Data\STFLibrary\LandMgtPlans

Table 2 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Classes within the Rim Recovery project area

 

1 Not all ROS classes are present with the Rim Recovery project area (Table 3.08-2). The full range of ROS classes include: 1) 

Primitive; 2) Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized; 3) Semi-Primitive Motorized; 4) Roaded Natural; 5) Rural; and, 6) Urban. 
ROS General Direction Standards and Guidelines

SemiPrimitive NonMotorized

NMFPA* 

Manage the area so that on-site 

controls are minimized and 

restrictions are subtle. Provide a 

range of semi-primitive nonmotorized recreation 

opportunities and experiences.

Meet the ROS objective of Semi-primitive Non-motorized. 

Interaction between visitors is low but there is evidence of 

other users. Motorized use is normally prohibited, except 

for: 4N80Y, 5N02R (NMFPA). Resource improvements will 

normally be limited to minimum, unobtrusive facilities.

Roaded 

Natural

Manage the area so there is 

only moderate evidence of the 

sights and sounds of man. 

Provide a range of roaded 

natural recreation opportunities 

and experiences.

Meet the ROS objective of Roaded Natural. Interaction 

between users is usually low to moderate with evidence of 

other users prevalent. Resource modification practices are 

evident. Conventional motorized use is provided for in 

construction standards And facilities designs. A full range of 

other resource activities is permitted to the extent that the 

general practice description is met.

*NMFPA=Non-motorized Forest Plan Amendment (USDA 2010a, p. 2)

The Recreation Facility Analysis (USDA 2007a) further defines the sense of place for the 

Stanislaus National Forest as an overnight destination for families with strong 

connections to the water and forested environment.

The STF defines the emphasis of its niche in this way: “Nestled between Lake Tahoe 

and Yosemite, the Stanislaus National Forest awaits visitors with the restorative power 

of its diverse landscapes. Amid soaring crests, sparkling mountain lakes, towering

forests, and canyons carved by cool rushing rivers, visitors discover connections with 

nature and the spirit of the Sierra Nevada”. 

The RFA goes further to describe the settings and visitors attracted to the forest. “The 

diverse settings offer a wide range of opportunities for visitors year-round. Family 

oriented overnight activities are most popular and in highest demand, with a much 

higher-than-average participation by children.” 

Visitors use the Stanislaus as an oasis to escape from summer’s heat, winter fog, and

urban life. This forest is an overnight destination for visitors, whether they come from 

nearby or far away. Overall, downhill skiing is the #1 activity. When not just relaxing, 

visitors pursue a variety of activities; viewing scenery/wildlife, hiking, fishing, camping, 

picnicking, and OHV use.

Management Areas, established as part of the Land and Resource Management Plan 

(USDA 2010), help define management emphasis within the recreation setting. Visual 

Quality Objectives (VQOs) define the recreation setting further by describing the seen 

environment and providing guidelines for maintaining the scenic integrity of the places 

people visit. The VQOs within the project area are Retention, where alterations are not 

noticed, and Partial Retention, where changes in the setting are noticed but generally 

maintain the integrity of the viewed landscape (USDA 1995). 
Recreation Access

Recreation is increasing in importance as a use of the Stanislaus National Forest. 

Although much of the road system was built primarily for timber management access, 

recreation is now the dominant use on many roads. Tourism is the largest sector of the 

local economy and National Forest recreation is a significant component. 

Traditionally, high volumes of traffic occur during peak seasons on Forest Service 

Maintenance Level 3, 4, and 5 roads that are subject to the Federal Highway Safety Act. 

These higher maintenance level roads provide access to most developed recreation and 
some dispersed sites. Currently, most access to developed sites is closed. The Rim HT 

project is expected to remove the hazard trees, opening many of these roads to public 

use. Logging trucks and related timber removal equipment will be operating along main 

corridors seven days a week. Evergreen Road on the Groveland Ranger District, 

however, will have no harvest operations implemented during weekends from Memorial 

Day and to Labor Day to allow safe public access. Evergreen Road is a main artery that 

provides access to several popular recreation areas:

 Dimond O Campground (Forest Service);

 Middle Fork Day-Use (Forest Service);

 Carlon Day-Use and Trailhead (Forest Service), which provides trail access to 

Carlon Falls in Yosemite National Park;

 Peach Growers Recreation Residence Tract, which encompasses 20 Forest Service 

special use cabins, roads and water infrastructure; 

 Evergreen Lodge (Privately owned historic Yosemite lodge); and, 

 Camp Mather (City and County of San Francisco family camp).

Some access routes show resource damage due to rain on slopes with no ground cover 

or vegetation. Lumsden Road (1N10) with numerous debris slides since the Rim Fire 

accesses dispersed areas and developed sites including the Merals Pool put-in for 

whitewater boating.

Visual Quality Objectives (VQOs) are established primarily from viewpoints along major 

highways, county roads, and primary forest roads. Roads make the view possible but 

can also degrade the view, when viewed from a distance. VQOs are based on the 

premise that National Forest Visitors prefer to see naturally appearing scenery. Road 

cuts and fills seen in the distance may appear unnatural, failing to meet VQOs. 

Vegetative growth over time softens the impact of road scars. 

Developed Recreation Opportunities

Developed recreation sites provide infrastructure which typically include running water, 

structures, vault toilets, signage, barrier posts, interior roads, campfire rings, grills and 

picnic tables. Developed campgrounds within the affected area are Dimond O, Lost 

Claim, Lumsden Bridge, Lumsden, South Fork, Sweetwater, and Cherry Valley. Upper 

and Lower Carlon, Middle Fork, and Rainbow Pool Day Use Areas, Rim of the World 

Vista, Cherry Creek and Merals Pool Boat Launches are also found within the Rim Fire 

perimeter. Developed recreation sites under special use permit within the Rim Fire 

perimeter include Berkeley-Tuolumne Camp, Peach Growers Recreational Residence 

Tract, and San Jose Camp. A majority of the Berkeley-Tuolumne Camp was destroyed 

in the Rim Fire and is currently not available for use. San Jose Camp received some fire 

damage, and a vault toilet was burned at the South Fork Campground. Camp Tawonga 

is a privately owned camp that is accessed by Cherry Lake Road or Evergreen Road 

and Forest Route 1S02. Hazard trees within the Forest Service sites are addressed in 

the HT project that precedes the actions described in this analysis. Over 400 acres of 

treatment are proposed under the action alternatives reviewed under the action 

alternatives of this analysis.

Dispersed Recreation Opportunities

Dispersed recreation is also an important use of the Stanislaus National Forest. Large 

numbers of people and vehicles use forest roads to access dispersed recreation, 

however the use and traffic is less concentrated. 
Touring, or driving for pleasure by motorized vehicle, is a dominant recreation activity.

Hunters, anglers, campers, picnickers, hikers, bikers, wood cutters, forest product 

gatherers, sightseers, bird watchers, nearby residents, rock climbers, spelunkers, 

kayakers, boaters, swimmers, target shooters and other recreationists also travel to their 

activity along forest roads. The journey to and from the activity is part of the recreation 

experience. 

Camping often serves as a base for many other activities. Many participants enjoy 

camping in trailers, RVs, campers, and in tents near their vehicle. Outside of developed 

campgrounds, these “camps” are often established along roads or on short spurs off 

these roads. 

Dispersed recreation opportunities include non-motorized system trails and motorized 

recreation opportunities. The project area provides a variety of dispersed recreation 

opportunities that include 475 inventoried dispersed campsites. Over 6,650 acres of 

treatment are proposed within 1⁄4 mile of the inventoried dispersed camps in the action 

alternatives reviewed as part of this analysis. Developed-dispersed camping and 

concentrated use areas within the Rim Fire perimeter include Camp Clavey, Cherry 

Borrow, Cherry Valley, Joe Walt Run, and Spinning Wheel. Forest Service Maintenance 

Level 2 roads proposed for hazard tree removal in this project access many dispersed 

sites. 

Non-motorized system trails include Andresen Mine, Carlon Falls, Hamby, Golden 

Stairs, Humbug/Duluke, Indian Creek, Kibbie Ridge/Huckleberry, North Mountain, 

Preston Falls, Tuolumne River Canyon, West Side Trail, and Lake Eleanor. Some trails 

access various points of interest along the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River corridor and 

serve as important emergency access points for river users. Wilderness trailheads within 

the project area provide access to trails in Yosemite and Emigrant Wildernesses. 

Motorized recreation opportunities typically provide a variety of settings and a diversity of 

OHV trails varying in length, degree of difficulty, and access to other recreation 

opportunities. Motorized Recreation Areas include Jawbone Pass, Pilot Ridge, 

Tuolumne Rim, Two-mile/Middle Clavey/Reynolds Creek, and West Side Rail Tour. 

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team began assessing the Rim Fire area 

for post-fire emergencies on September 9, 2013. BAER is a rapid assessment of burned 

watersheds to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property 

and critical natural or cultural resources on NFS lands and takes immediate actions to 

implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms. The Forest 

invested 4,600,000 dollars in BAER treatments including the following areas. 

 Roads: out-sloped road surface, maintained and constructed drainage features 

(e.g., rolling dips, cleaned and replaced culverts), replaced guardrails and reflectors, 

installed and closed gates to close burned area to public use according to closure 

(STF 2014-01), felled hazard trees at intersections, cleared trees that fell across 

roads, replaced traffic control barriers, installed signs (e.g., warning, regulatory, and 

hazard signs), and continued storm patrolling. 

 Trails: maintained and installed drainage dips, removed burned wooden retaining 

features and replaced with rock or rerouted trail, felled hazard trees at trailheads, 

cleared trees that fell across trails, replaced traffic control barriers on motorized 

trails, installed warning and hazard signs, closed public access to trails through 

winter, and continued storm patrolling. 
 Facilities: sealed burned vault toilets, removed and replaced burned traffic barriers, 

installed warning and hazard signs, felled hazard trees, closed public access to trails 

through winter, and continued storm patrolling. 

Environmental Consequences

Alternative 1 (Proposed Action)

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS

Alternative 1 would improve administrative, visitor, and traffic safety and provide overall 

net benefits for recreation and visual resources because areas of the forest that are 

currently closed could be opened for public use. Treatment of fire-killed trees would 

remove dead trees from the project area; thereby, recovering commercial value and 

reducing excessive fuel loads. Recreation resources may need to be temporarily closed 

during hazard tree removal efforts, biomass removal, burning, road maintenance and 

other support activities, which would displace users and may affect scenic quality on a 

temporary basis. Evidence of disturbed settings would be apparent immediately after 

treatment but would recover visually more quickly than the areas that are left untreated. 

A natural appearing landscape would result, over time. 

A limited amount of noise from chainsaws, skidders, loaders, logging trucks and 

personnel associated with the abatement and removal of hazard trees is expected 

during project implementation. Hazard tree operations can treat from 0.5 to several miles 

of road per day, assuring limited impacts, which would not exceed more than a few days 

in any one location. Noise disturbances to users of facilities within this project are 

inevitable, but would be very limited in duration and amount.

Upon completion of project work and the removal of hazard trees recreation visitor use 

would begin to grow although not immediately to the same levels as before the fire. 

Growth to those levels would only occur after a longer recovery period. Water attractions 

would become the first to show full use. New opportunities to interpret the growth of an 

ecosystem would increase in importance.

Developed Recreation Opportunities

Lumsden Bridge, Lumsden Campground and South Fork Campground would not be 

affected from the proposed activities. Sweetwater, Lost Claim, and Dimond O 

Campgrounds and Peach Growers Recreation Residence Tract are immediately 

adjacent to proposed tractor logging units and would experience temporary negative 

effects from noise, dust, and increased traffic associated with the cutting and removal of 

trees. Loading for hazard tree operations along Highway 120, where Sweetwater and 

Lost Claim Campgrounds are located, will be avoided during the weekends (3:00 pm 

Friday through Sunday). Because logging operations would not occur along or adjacent 

to Evergreen Road on weekends during the peak summer season (from July 3 through 

July 5, during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, and during the special event on 

Evergreen Road), negative effects are lessened for Dimond O Campground and Peach 

Growers Recreation Residence Tract, along with the private properties of Camp Mather 

and Evergreen Lodge. The reduced logging operations and hauling during peak travel 

time for visitors to the forest should reduce the potential for accidents related to industrial 

vehicles in use in the project area.

Activities are planned on NFS land adjacent to privately owned Camp Tawonga (Table 

3). The camp would experience temporary negative effects from noise, dust, and 

increased traffic associated with the cutting and removal of trees. It should take 30 days 

or less to log and haul the dead timber on tractor units within 1 mile of the camp. 
Appropriate safety procedures related to traffic management requirements will be 

included in all Timber Sale contracts and may include placing warning or closure signs in 

locations that ensure maximum visibility for forest visitors.

Table 3 Tractor Units within 1 Mile of Camp Tawonga

Units

Alternative 1

(Proposed Action)

Alternative 2

(No Action)

Alternative 3 Alternative 4

Tractor Units 13 0 14 14

Acres 1,321 0 1,263 1,263

Cherry Valley Campground is adjacent to proposed treatment units (helicopter and 

tractor) as well as hazard tree removal activities occurring along the roads accessing this 

area. Due to heavy logging traffic on travel routes that access Cherry Lake Road, Cherry 

Valley campground would be closed for at least the 2014 season. Under the Forest 

Order discussed earlier in this section (STF 2014-01), the Forest is currently closed until 

hazard trees along roads are abated either under the Rim HT project or this EIS. Closure 

of Cherry Valley Campground would have a temporary negative financial effect to the 

campground concessionaire and temporary negative effects to forest visitors who prefer 

camping in Cherry Valley. 

Recreation would become easier to manage and meet the ROS direction once the 

hazard trees have been removed. Safety risks would be minimized once dead trees are 

felled. Roads, hiking trails and facilities would become available for use. The physical 

setting would be diverse, and offer the landscape variety sought by the visitor. Social 

constraints would be lifted and impacts created by displacement of use would be 

lessened. Increased use and wear at Yosemite facilities would be eased as people 

return to sites on the forest as well. Managerial direction would shift from closure to 

opening areas favored by users. 

Temporary noise distractions will be part of this alternative. The noise will be most 

noticeable within 1⁄4 mile of the developed sites that remain open during treatment. Table 

4 shows the acreage of treatment within this distance to all developed sites as well as to

designated dispersed sites that would not be available until after treatment is completed. 

Table 4 

Alternative Treatment Acres 

within 1⁄4 mile of 

Recreation Sites

Treatment Acres 

within 1⁄4 mile of 

Dispersed Sites

1 451 6,650

2 0 0 

3 404 6,887

4 404 6,468
None of the factors that help establish or are used to measure sense of place are 

affected by the proposed actions, however an evolving sense of place will be established 

under all of the alternatives as the environmental setting changes through time. 

Dispersed Recreation Opportunities

Considering the volume of dispersed recreation on the Stanislaus National Forest and 

the size and scale of the Rim Recovery project, many dispersed areas would be 

impacted either by or through project activities directly (e.g., landings placed on top of 

dispersed camping sites) or indirectly through log hauling and continued closed access 

routes to the sites. However, these sites are currently closed under Forest Order STF 

2014-01. The positive effects of this alternative are to provide safe dispersed recreation 

areas and safe access. As access routes are cleared of hazard trees the Forest would 

open to public use including the 99 miles of motorized and non-motorized trails currently 

closed due to hazard trees. Not all hazardous trees would be removed along motorized 

and non-motorized trails; however, they would be removed in treatment areas thereby 

reducing safety risks along segments of trails. Any trails damaged by project activities 

would be re-established to allow them to be utilized again. Once the forest is reopened 

to public use there would remain the temptation for cross-country trails to become 

established. Opening existing trails under this alternative would lessen the need for 

unauthorized trails to show up on the landscape because adequate trail routes would be 

available to meet current needs. There may remain the need for recovery signage to 

encourage visitors to stay on designated trails, and funding for additional OHV patrols. 

Finally, although gravel would be used on some roads that currently have a native 

surface; these roads are expected to return back to their native state at the conclusion of 

the logging period due to the significant wear and tear imposed by the industrial traffic.

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 

Appendix B identifies other actions within the Rim Fire area including ecological 

restoration, soil improvement, transportation and motorized trail improvement projects. 

Those projects would add to the overall health of the forest and enhance recreation 

opportunities within the Rim Fire area. Cumulative effects would include the temporary 

negative effects of noise, dust and increased traffic on the recreation experiences of 

Forest users; however, the Rim HT project and the Rim Recovery would provide safe 

access and safe travel to developed recreation sites and dispersed recreation areas. 

The Rim Fire had the largest effect on recreation settings as many of the places people 

are attracted to have been changed. The visual and recreational setting will continue to 

evolve.

Hazard tree and other projects are expected to occur in the foreseeable future. Some 

proposed activities may temporarily limit access for recreation opportunities, displacing 

recreation use to other areas in the vicinity during project implementation. Since all 

projects on NFS lands are designed to meet Forest Plan direction for recreation and 

ROS, Alternative 1 would not result in cumulative, long-term effects on recreation.

Alternative 2 (No Action)

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS

Under Alternative 2, current management plans would continue to guide management of 

the project area. No hazard tree removal or road maintenance would be implemented to 

accomplish project goals, and thousands of currently hazardous trees would be left to 

fall on their own as a result of the forces of wind, snow and gravity. These trees would 

not be removed, would contribute to accumulation of woody debris, and may pose a risk 
for more intense wildfire behavior. Hazard trees and other trees previously felled during 

fire suppression or BAER activities would not be removed from areas adjacent to Level 2 

roads, motorized or non-motorized trails, dispersed campsites, and other recreational 

areas. 

Developed Recreation Opportunities

In a 2004 study of more than 200 BAER reports, many direct and indirect impacts and 

potential risks to recreation due to resource damage caused by fire were identified 

following fires on National Forests across the nation (Chavez 2004). Table 5 lists some 

potential impacts and risks to developed recreation sites. Some impacts, such as falling 

snags, would be long-term issues resulting from the Rim Fire. If trails and campsites 

remain closed it is likely that unauthorized sites and trails would be established 

throughout the burned area, creating further soil and erosion impacts. The current surge 

of use and wear on Yosemite National Park facilities would continue if forest facilities 

remain unavailable for use. 

Table 5 Alternative 2: Potential Impacts and Risks to Developed Recreation

Developed Recreation Impacts Direct Risks

Closure, blocked, or restricted access X X

Drinking water source damage X X

Falling snags or hazard trees X

Facilities and improvements damaged X

Tree stands severely damaged X

Plugged culverts X X

Degraded water quality for recreation purposes X

Although the sense of place would evolve similar to other alternatives, the recreation 

setting would contain more risks and evolve differently. The physical setting would pose 

additional safety risks from falling snags and trees; the social setting, described as part 

of the ROS used to manage the recreation setting, would remain at least partially closed; 

and the managerial setting would focus on guiding people from hazards to places that 

provide for safe recreation use. Additional wear and crowding would occur in those 

remaining safe locations for people to enjoy. The diversity of the landscape, as it 

recovers, would not offer the scenic variety desired by the majority of viewers. People’s 

attachment to the places they remember and value may be removed from those areas 

available to use and enjoy because of possible closure and the changes brought about 

because of the fire. 

Dispersed Recreation Opportunities

Continued closure of portions of the burn area would limit access to dispersed recreation 

opportunities and displace users. Alternative 2 indirectly would contribute to the 

proliferation of unplanned, unauthorized, non-sustainable roads, trails and areas created 

by unauthorized cross-country travel. Impacts include compacted soil, soil and 

vegetation loss, and habitat disturbance. Table 6 lists some potential impacts and 

potential risks to dispersed recreation areas (Chavez 2004). Many of these would be 

long-term impacts resulting from Alternative 2. Risks along both motorized and nonmotorized trails would remain higher in Alternative 2 if the trails are opened for use. As 

recently as June of 2014, Yellowstone National Park reported the death of a hiker struck 

by a falling tree that was killed in a 1988 fire (USDI 2014); similar long-term hazards 

remain with this alternative. 
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

A total of 475 inventoried dispersed campsites exist within the project area. Continued 

closure of portions of the burn area under Alternative 2 would displace users to other 

available areas within the Rim Fire. Displaced users may impact sensitive meadows and 

riparian areas. Intense heat from campfires can damage vegetation and soil. Repeated 

use of a dispersed campsite can result in soil compaction, soil and vegetation loss, 

habitat disturbance, and heritage resource degradation. As such, Alternative 2 would 

contribute towards adverse cumulative effects on recreation and possibly other 

resources in the Rim Fire perimeter. 

Table 6 Alternative 2: Potential Impacts and Risks to Dispersed Recreation

Dispersed Recreation Impacts Direct Risks

Closure, blocked, or restricted access X X

Drinking water source damage X X

Falling snags or hazard trees X

Flooding, water erosion X

Landslides and debris flows X

Loss of soil productivity X

Noxious weed infestation X

Tree stands severely damaged X

Unstable hillsides X

Yellowstone Visitor Killed By Falling Tree

Date: June 10, 2014

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park

P.O. Box 168

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2014 14-038

Al Nash or Dan Hottle

(307) 344-2015

YELL_Public_Affairs@nps.gov

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE

Yellowstone Visitor Killed By Falling Tree

An international visitor to Yellowstone National Park died Monday afternoon after being struck by a 

falling tree. The 36-year old man was from Taiwan, the Republic of China. He was part of a group that 

was hiking the Fairy Falls trail, which is north of the Old Faithful area and west of the Grand Loop Road. 

The man left the trail and ascended a nearby tree-covered slope in an apparent attempt to get a better 

view of Grand Prismatic Spring, when a lodgepole pine tree fell and struck him in the head.

Other visitors who witnessed the incident made their way back to the trailhead, where they encountered 

two park maintenance employees working in the area, who relayed the information to Yellowstone law 

enforcement rangers. The victim was moved by rangers to the trailhead to await helicopter transport to a 

medical facility, but after attempts to revive him failed, he was declared dead at the scene.

Yellowstone rangers who responded reported windy weather conditions in the area at the time, and that 

the fallen tree had been a standing, dead lodgepole, fire-killed during the park’s 1988 fires.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of family members. The incident remains under 

investigation by the National Park Service.

Last Updated: 06/10/2014
Falling rock X

Increased unauthorized motorized use X

Plugged culverts X X

Sign, guardrail and cattleguard damage X X

Stranding people X

Stump burnout X

Unstable trail conditions X

Degraded water quality for recreation purposes X

Vandalism or theft of cultural resource sites X

Alternative 3

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS

Same as Alternative 1.

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 

Same as Alternative 1.

Alternative 4

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS

Same as Alternative 1.

CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

Same as Alternative 1.

Summary of Effects Analysis across All Alternatives

Although the proposed acreages and treatments change across the alternatives, the 

effects of Alternatives 1, 3 and 4 would be the same. These include temporary negative 

effects of noise, dust and increased traffic on the recreation experiences of Forest users; 

however, the positive effect of improved forest health would benefit recreation. 

Alternative 2 would have long-term negative indirect and cumulative effects to developed 

and dispersed recreation opportunities due to limited or no access and increased safety 

risks. 
Literature Cited Section 

British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range. 2010. Visual impact of

mountain pine beetle attack and resulting salvage operations in British

Columbia: a public perception study. Forest Practices Branch. Victoria, B.C.

 ̋ 2010 Province of British Columbia

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/mr/Rec/Rec041.pdf

Chavez, Deborah J.; McCollum, Deanne 2004. Using BAER Reports to Investigate 

Recreation Impacts of Fire Events. In Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects 

and Recreation Research Symposium; 2004 February 4- 6; San Francisco, CA. 

San Francisco State University. 120-125. 

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/recreation/pdf/2004_sarr_proceedings_ 

poster_session.pdf

USDA Forest Service. 1986. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) Users Guide, 

USDA 1986. Print. http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/ROSRecCapacity/ROS1986,ch1,2.pdf

USDA 1991. Stanislaus National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. 

Stanislaus National Forest, Sonora, CA, 1991. 

USDA 1995. Landscape Aesthetics; A handbook for Scenery Management. Agriculture 

Handbook Number 701. USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C.

http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/catalog/CAT11132970

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Statement. USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C. 

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Grasslands. Agriculture Handbook, Number FS-710, USDA Forest Service, 

Washington D.C.

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January 13, 2003, revised April 7, 2003, Sonora, CA

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5126192.pdf

USDA 2004, Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment Final Supplemental Environmental 

Impact Statement and Record of Decision, USDA, Forest Service, Pacific 

Southwest Region, Vallejo, CA

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Forest Service, PNW Research Station, Issue 15: 

http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/science-update-15.pdf

USDA 2007a Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA). USDA Forest Service, STF, September 

2007

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stanislaus/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fsm9

1_057680&width=full

USDA 2009. Forest Service Manual, (FSM) 2350 Trail, River, and Similar Recreation 

Opportunities. 2009 
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Record of Decision. USDA Forest Service, STF, Sonora, CA

USDA 2009b. ROS Primer and Field Guide R6-Rec-021-90. 2009.

USDA 2010. Stanislaus National Forest, Forest Plan Direction. Stanislaus National 

Forest, Sonora, CA, 2010. 

USDA 2011. Forest Service Manual, (FSM) 2330 Publicly Managed Recreation 

Opportunities. 2011

USDA 2012. Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on Our National 

Forests. February 2012

USDA 2012a Chief’s Direction on Roadless Activities Review Process, May 31, 2012, 

USDA Forest Service, Washington D.C.

USDA 2013. Forest Service Manual, (FSM) 2300 Recreation, Wilderness and Related 

Resource Management. 2013 

USDA 2013a. Forest Service Manual, (FSM) 2340 Privately Provided Recreation 

Opportunities. 2013 

USDA 2013b Temporary Forest Order (STF 2014-01) signed on April 14, 2014 by Forest 

Supervisor Susan Skalski

USDA 2013c. BAER Rim Fire Recreation Report. September 2013. 

USDA 2014. Rim Fire Hazard Trees (43032) Environmental Assessment. March 2014.

USDA Forest Service, STF, Sonora CA 

USDA 2014a. National Visitor Use Monitoring Report. 

http://apps.fs.usda.gov/nrm/nvum/results/ReportCache/Rnd3_A05016_Master_R

eport.pdf

USDI 2014. Yellowstone Visitor Killed by Falling Tree. June 10, 2014 News Release. 

USDI National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park.