Final EIS 

Forest Service

Alaska Region Tongass National Fores

Impact Statem

Plan Amendment

SUMMARY
Final EIS 

Decision (ROD) is also included. Most p

receiving an electronic version of these d

contains a cover letter, Draft ROD, Fina

Plan, and supporting maps. The Final EI

bookmarked version in one file, as well 

smaller files for easier opening. We reco

by reading the cover letter. 

Tongass Forest Plan Amendment docum

Forest Plan amendment website: http://w

Tongass/PlanAmend. News, information

documents related to the forest plan ame

the plan amendment newsroom: http://w

tongass/landmanagement/?cid=stelprd38

The website includes a variety of produc

this project, and easy access to other ass

The draft decision to amend the Tongass 

objection process. Prior to the responsib

approving the plan amendment, there wi

per Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 

April 9, 2012 (77 FR 21162) that applies 

proposed plan amendment is subject to 3

All documents (Draft Record of Decisio

Plan) will be made available online at th

the objection period. Only individuals an

36 CFR 219.53, who have submitted sub

related to the plan amendment during th

comment as provided in subpart A (refer
2 

Forest Plan project e-mail updates will b

How to Use the CD

The CD-ROM has an “autostart” featu

the application when you put the CD 

the application starts correctly, a Wel

links to the documents should open 

start by itself shortly after you insert 

simply double-click on the Index.htm 
Final EIS 

in 1986 and 1991 and revised in 1997. A 

Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 

which further evaluated roadless areas fo

The Forest Plan was amended again in 20

Circuit Court ruling and a 5-Year Plan Re

revised Plan was amended 24 times betw

2008 amendment, primarily to adjust sma

boundaries and for electronic/communica

the 2008 amendment, the plan has been a

Latinee Experimental Forest, disestablish 

Forest, add communication sites to the lis

small old-growth habitat reserves, and ma

plan. 

On July 2, 2013, Secretary of Agriculture

Memorandum 1044-009, Addressing Sus

Alaska (U.S. Department of Agriculture [

expressed the Secretary’s intent to transit

Forest to a young growth–based timber p

more rapidly than considered in the 2008 

asked that the Forest Service “[s]trongly c

an amendment to the Tongass Forest Plan

evaluate which lands will be available for 

young growth timber stands, which lands 

additional opportunities to promote and s

growth management.” Recognizing the im

expertise and infrastructure, the Secretary 

Service “will continue to offer a supply o

increasing the supply of young growth to 
4 

Forest Service 2013a). A Notice of Inten

was published in the Federal Register on 

Register [FR] 30074) initiating a 30-day 

comments from the Five-Year Review an

that requested a transition to young-grow

make renewable energy projects easier to 

the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Ru

roadless areas (IRAs). All comments wer

identifying the scope of this Forest Plan a

This Final Environmental Impact Stateme

analysis prepared by the Forest Service th

changes to the Forest Plan to accomplish 

growth management as provided in the S

FEIS evaluates which lands will be suitab

especially young-growth timber stands, a

to management direction needed to prom

young-growth management while mainta

in Southeast Alaska. This FEIS also descr

related to renewable energy development

limited to these changes. 

This FEIS analyzes in detail four action a

the Plan, in addition to a No Action Alter

analysis is published in two volumes. Vo

Volume 2 contains the FEIS appendices. 

Use Designation (LUD) map is provided 

the Map Packet which accompanies the F
Final EIS 

This FEIS describes and analyzes change

and tiers to and incorporates by reference 

Management Plan Revision FEIS (1997 F

Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for Roadless A

Recommendations (2003 FSEIS), and the 

Resource Management Plan Amendment 

the 2008 Record of Decision (2008 ROD

information in these documents that is rel

is cited and incorporated by reference.

Purpose and Need

The Forest Service determined that it is 

2008 Forest Plan. Amending the Fores

the July 2013 memo from the Secretary 

the Tongass National Forest to transitio

program to be more ecologically, social

sustainable, while also being responsiv

Five-Year Review of the Forest Plan. T

amendment is to:

• Review lands within the plan area to d

timber production, especially young-g

• Identify the projected timber sale quan

sustained yield limit (i.e., the ecologic

removed annually on a sustained yield 

• Establish plan components (e.g., stand
6 

forest products industry that uses predo

– or young-growth – forests. Secretary 

also directs that the transition must be i

that preserves a viable timber industry t

opportunities for Southeast Alaska resid

effectuate this transition, over the next 

end of this period the vast majority of t

will be young growth. This timeframe 

forests while allowing the forest industr

Forest Plan provides for a transition to 

there are challenges in establishing an e

growth forest management program due 

age of the available stands, market cond

Secretary Vilsack’s direction requires F

guide future management of NFS lands 

on the Tongass National Forest under th

yield mandate. 

The need to amend the plan is further c

Review of the Forest Plan, completed in 

that conditions on the land and demand

the Tongass National Forest to make ch

Concerns were consistently expressed d

regarding the impact of rising fossil fue

climate change on the quality of life in 

to the Forest Plan are needed to make th

energy resources more permissible, inc

and utility corridors to stimulate econom
Final EIS 

pg

Issue 1 – Young Growth Transition

The Secretary of Agriculture asked the F

a young-growth-based timber managem

National Forest in 10 to 15 years, which 

This transition is intended to support the 

forest for an ecologically, socially, and e

forest management program and reduce 

still providing economic timber to suppo

industry.

The issue concerns financial efficiency, s

future timber sales. It also relates to the 

and revenues generated for communities 

growth stand growth rates, sustainable h

old-growth harvest needed during transi

industry, also known as “bridge timber,” 

young-growth harvest would take place 

considered.

Issue 2 – Renewable Energy

The development of renewable energy p

help Southeast Alaska communities redu

stimulate economic development, and lo

Region.

This issue relates to comments received 

Review of the Forest Plan. The Forest S
8 

values or features that often characterize 

some locations.

Issues and concerns received during sco

Five-Year Review process expressed con

on the Tongass; both in favor of protecti

Roadless Rule as well as requesting that 

to address the significant changes brough

on the Tongass. 

Some people believe roadless areas on th

to evolve naturally through their own dy

be afforded protection that ensures this w

limiting road construction and reconstru

actions in roadless areas might restrict th

and activities that these areas might othe

Roadless areas are considered important 

diversity of aquatic and terrestrial habita

and play an important role in helping to 

animal communities and biological dive

people with unique recreation opportuni

During the Tongass exemption period an

Rule was enacted, road construction, rec

and sale of timber in some IRAs occurre

in some IRAs may have altered the road
Final EIS 

habitats).

The Tongass National Forest supports an 

of wildlife many of which are associated 

dependent on old-growth forest includin

populations of brown bears in the world

bald eagles, the Alexander Archipelago w

importance for subsistence (e.g., Sitka b

extensive array of endemic mammals, an

dependent on old-growth habitats (e.g., m

Tongass Old-growth Habitat Conservatio

important for the continued health of old

populations in Southeast Alaska. 

Timber harvest, minerals and renewable 

road development can have effects on th

many of these species and the diversity a

Alaska ecosystems. Less than 10 percen

growth habitat on the Tongass has been 

the percentage is much higher for certain 

lowland and large-tree old growth. In ad

has generally been harvested at a much h

consideration of harvest and road buildin

Alaska are greater than the effects for th

Alternatives 

Forest Plan

The current 2008 Forest Plan is associated 

Alternative (Alternative 1). However, a nu
10 

allowed for growth and expansion of the 

amendment, the purpose and need identi

transition away from old-growth timber 

forest products industry that uses predom

young-growth – forests. Therefore, exam

levels above projected demand is not wa

require expansion of old-growth harvest 

next 10 to 15 years. However, over the 

timber industry is an option as more and 

economic to harvest. 

Therefore, Alternatives 1 through 5 were 

with current demand projections and pro

sale quantity (PTSQ)1

 of about 46 MMB

15 years, with old growth making up a d

total. Old-growth volume would continu

about 5 MMBF per year and it would re

limited small timber operators. As more 

economic to harvest, the PTSQ would b

case, would the harvest level be allowed 

limit (SYL) (see Glossary and the Timbe

Even though Alternative 1 (no action) re

management, it is modeled to follow the 

pattern. The July 2013 Secretary’s mem

direction in the 2008 Forest Plan (see Pu

1) and without this amendment, the Tong

toward young-growth and away from ol

1

 PTSQ is a new term defined in FSH 1909.12, C

sale quantity (ASQ) is not used with the 2012 pl
Final EIS 

continuation of harvesting at younger age

LUD Changes Common to the 

The LUD allocations for each alternative 

alternative-specific descriptions. The LU

action) are the same as the LUDs of the c

LUDs of the action alternatives are differ

because of Old-growth Habitat LUD chan

113-291, approximately 70,000 acres of N

Sealaska Corporation and an additional 1

to LUD II. As a result of the land convey

(OGRs) in 16 VCUs were affected. Begi

interagency review team of biologists wo

preferred option for modifying these OGR

Appendix K criteria and to document wh

recommended. In September 2015, the in

produced a biologically preferred option 

incorporated into each of the action altern

growth Habitat LUD acres vary between 

alternatives (Alternatives 2, 3, 4, and 5).

In addition, the Transportation and Utilit

removed under Alternatives 2, 3, 4, and 

prescription would be replaced by plan c

Alternatives 2, 3, 4, and 5 and would pro

2

 Any sale of trees pursuant to the authority gran

not— (iii) be advertised if the indicated rate is d

the timber is not sufficient to cover all logging a

normal profit and risk allowance under the appra

when appraised using a residual value appraisal.
12 

from oldgrowth harvest. Under this alt

would follow the existing timber sale pr

strategy (USDA Forest Service 2008c). 

phases in this strategy is provided along 

harvest is currently restricted to areas wi

and timber harvest would have to reach 

before harvest could occur in Phase 2 ar

would be restricted to the development L

outside of inventoried roadless areas. N

be allowed in beach and estuary fringe o

Forest Plan management direction would 

As noted previously, due to Public Law 

for determining the youngest age for har

on up to 50,000 acres of young-growth. 

minimum harvest age would return to 95 

under exemptions provided by the NFM

Alternative 1 would result in the most ol

the alternatives over both 25-year and 10

2-2 summarizes the key elements of Alte

summarizes the LUD acres, mapped suit

harvest acres under this alternative for y

This alternative would harvest timber at a 

(equivalent to the harvest needed to meet 

see Table 2-1). It would emphasize youn

growth while maintaining 46 MMBF per 

to produce about 8 MMBF of young grow

growth per year during the first 10 years 

through Year 25, it is projected to produc
Final EIS 

g

•	 Follows 2008 Forest Plan Timber Sale 

Management Strategy for Phases 1, 2, 

•	 No harvest allowed in Inventoried Road

Young-growth Harvest

•	 Allows harvest in Development LUDs, 

•	 Allows no harvest in Natural Setting LU

•	 Allows no harvest in Inventoried Roadl

•	 Allows no commercial harvest in Beach 

RMAs

•	 There is flexibility to harvest 50,000 ac

percent of CMAI per Public Law 113-29

•	 Scenery standards (SIOs) would not be 

LUD Changes

•	 None

Other New Plan Components (Chapter 5

•	 None

Alternative 2 (Proposed Action

As in Alternative 1, this alternative wou

sale program adaptive management strat

(USDA Forest Service 2008c) (see color 

FEIS); as a result, all old-growth harvest 

at least during the first 15 years or so. A

100 MMBF for two years, it is possible 

harvest could occur in Phase 2 areas. Yo
14 

of lands identified as suitable for young-

Young-growth management would be al

and natural setting LUDs (except for Co

administratively withdrawn areas, such a

less than 1,000 acres in size), in beach a

outside of Tongass Timber Reform Act (

vulnerability karst. 

Young-growth management may include 

except in RMAs and on high-vulnerabili

commercial thinning (up to 33 percent b

allowed. After 15 years, clearcutting wo

the beach and estuary fringe and only co

be allowed. In addition, in beach and es

maintain an approximate 1,000-foot wid

and inland of any even-aged harvest uni

low elevation, natural habitat corridor. 

Scenery standards for young-growth ma

The SIOs would be designated as Very L

distance zones. 

As noted previously, due to Public Law 

for determining the youngest age for har

on up to 50,000 acres of young-growth. 

harvest age would continue to be flexibl

by NFMA. 

The Forest Plan would include new man

improves flexibility in renewable energy 
Final EIS 

suitable acres, and projected harvest acre

young growth and old growth. 

This alternative would harvest timber at 

year (equivalent to the harvest needed to 

demand, see Table 2-1), emphasizing yo

old growth. As such, it is expected to pr

22 MMBF of young growth and 24 MM

during the first 10 years (Figure 2-3). F

Alternative 2 is projected to produce an 

young growth and 5 MMBF of old grow

would likely reach a full transition harve

growth about Year 12. Young-growth ha

to increase at a rapid rate after Year 12 a

upper limit of about 120 MMBF in Year 

rate would be held at 5 MMBF per year 

sales. 
16 

•	 Allows harvest in natural setting LUDs, e

designated and administratively withdraw

than 1,000 acres.

•	 The portions of IRAs that were previous

for harvest after rulemaking.

•	 Commercial harvest is allowed in beach 

vulnerability karst, and in RMAs outside 

•	 Clearcutting is allowed on all lands suita

(including natural setting LUDs), except 

karst where only commercial thinning is 

removal in RMAs outside of TTRA buffe

Clearcutting in beach and estuary fringe 

•	 In beach and estuary fringe, the intent is 

1,000-foot wide protected corridor adjac

aged harvest unit.

•	 There is flexibility to harvest at a younge

throughout the life of the Plan.

•	 Scenery standards would be relaxed to 

growth harvest. 

LUD Changes

•	 Old Growth Habitat LUDs are modified 

biologically preferred option in areas w

affected by land conveyances and othe

Public Law 113-291.

•	 The Transportation and Utility Systems 

New Plan Direction (Forest Plan Chapte

•	 Young-growth plan components added to 

•	 Renewable Energy plan components add

relaxation of SIO to Very Low for renewab

•	 Transportation Systems Corridors plan co

•	 Forest-wide plan direction added to Fores
Final EIS 

Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 i

suitable for young-growth timber produc

and natural setting LUDs (except for Co

areas such as Wilderness, administrative

islands less than 1,000 acres in size), as 

fringe and high-vulnerability karst, but n

management may include clearcutting in 

and estuary fringe and on high-vulnerab

commercial thinning is allowed.

In addition, for young-growth harvest un

VCUs that have had concentrated past ti

that 30 percent of the young growth stan

legacy provision would be described as 

the Forest Plan. 

Scenery standards for young growth man

by one level relative to the 2008 Forest P

as follows: High would be reduced to M

reduced to Low, and Low and Very Low 

As noted previously, due to Public Law 

for determining the youngest age for har

on up to 50,000 acres of young growth. 

harvest age would continue to be flexibl

by NFMA. 

The Forest Plan would include new man

improves flexibility in renewable energy 

alternative. The SIO (scenery standard) 

development would Low for all LUDs a
18 

demand, see Table 2-1). It would empha

minimize old growth while maintaining 

such, it is expected to produce an averag

young growth and 26 MMBF of old grow

10 years (Figure 2-5). From Year 11 thr

to produce an average of 50 MMBF of y

MMBF of old growth per year. Alternat

full transition harvest of 41 MMBF of y

13. Young-growth harvest is expected to 

rapid rate after Year 13 and is expected t

about 117 MMBF in Year 17. The old-g

held at 5 MMBF per year to support sma
Final EIS 

p

and entry into all phases of the Timber 

Management Strategy without regard t

•	 Allows harvest in natural setting LUDs, 

designated and administratively withdr

smaller than 1,000 acres.

•	 IRAs would be available for harvest aft

•	 Commercial harvest is allowed in beac

in RMAs.

•	 Clearcutting is allowed in all areas excep

high- vulnerability karst, where only Com

•	 Management Approach to provide lega

units larger than 20 acres in certain VC

•	 There is flexibility to harvest at a young

CMAI throughout the life of the Plan.

•	 Scenery standards for young growth m

SIOs would be reduced by one level re

(i.e., High is reduced to Moderate, Mod

Low and Very Low become Very Low).

LUD Changes

•	 Old-growth Habitat LUDs are modified 

biologically preferred option in areas w

affected by land conveyances and othe

Public Law 113-291.

•	 The Transportation and Utility Systems 

New Plan Direction (Forest Plan Chapte

•	 Young-growth plan components added 

•	 Renewable Energy plan components a

•	 Transportation Systems Corridors plan co

•	 Forest-wide plan direction added to Fo
20 

p

and on high-vulnerability karst, but only 

is allowed. No harvest is allowed in RM

management may include clearcutting in 

In addition, for young-growth harvest un

VCUs that have had concentrated past ti

that 30 percent of the young growth stan

legacy provision would be described as 

the Forest Plan. 

No change would occur in scenery stand

Forest Plan. 

As noted previously, due to Public Law 

for determining the youngest age for har

on up to 50,000 acres of young-growth. 

harvest age would continue to be flexibl

by NFMA.

The Forest Plan would include new man

improves flexibility in renewable energy 

alternative. The SIO (scenery standard) 

development would Low for all LUDs a

Alternative 4 would provide the smalles

(old growth and young growth combined

of young-growth volume. It would resu

harvest of old growth during both the 25

Table 2-11 summarizes the key elements 

Table 2-12 summarizes the LUD acres, m
Final EIS 

to produce an average of 26 MMBF of y

MMBF of old growth per year. Alternat

a full transition harvest of 41 MMBF of 

16. Young-growth harvest is expected to 

rapid rate after Year 16 and is expected t

MMBF about Year 18. The old-growth 

5 MMBF per year to support small and m
22 

•	 Allows no harvest in natural setting LU

•	 Allows no harvest in IRAs.

•	 Commercial harvest is allowed in beac

high-vulnerability karst within developm

allowed in RMAs.

•	 Clearcutting is not allowed in beach an

vulnerability karst; only commercial thin

•	 Management Approach to provide lega

units larger than 20 acres in certain VC

•	 There is flexibility to harvest before 95 

the life of the Plan.

•	 No changes would occur in scenery sta

Forest Plan.

LUD Changes

•	 Old-Growth Habitat LUDs are modified 

biologically preferred option in areas w

affected by land conveyances and othe

Public Law 113-291.

•	 The Transportation and Utility Systems 

New Plan Direction (Forest Plan Chapte

•	 Young-growth plan components added 

•	 Renewable Energy plan components a

•	 Transportation Systems Corridors plan 

Plan.

•	 Forest-wide plan direction added to Fo
Final EIS 

economic, ecological, social, and cultura

Like Alternatives 3 and 4, this alternative 

harvest only within Phase 1 of the timber 

management strategy (see color map acco

in Alternatives 1 and 4, the 2001 Roadles

old-growth or young-growth harvest wou

addition, old-growth harvest is excluded f

watersheds and TNC/Audubon Conservat

Schoen 2007). These old-growth harvest 

the large color map for Alternative 5 that 

As in Alternatives 2, 3, and 4, Alternativ

growth harvest in all three phases of the 

management strategy. It would allow yo

development LUDs and in the Old-grow

harvest in beach and estuary fringe and R

buffers within these same LUDs. Howe

the Old-growth Habitat LUD, beach and 

outside of TTRA buffers would be allow

15 years after Plan approval, and created 

harvest (up to 10 acres and a maximum 

percent of the acres of the original harve

thinning would be allowed. In beach an

3

 The Tongass 77 (T77) refers to value comparis

approximate major watersheds located on Nation

Unlimited, Alaska Program identified as priority 

of the Sealaska Land Entitlement Finalization in 

“Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorizatio

Law 113-291), there was a net reduction in the T

provide clarity and consistency, the T77 nomenc

this document when referring to these priority w
24 

on up to 50,000 acres of young-growth. 

harvest age would continue to be flexibl

by NFMA.

The Forest Plan would include new man

improves flexibility in renewable energy 

alternative. The SIO (scenery standard) 

development would Low for all LUDs a

Alternative 5 would provide the second 

volume (old growth and young growth c

alternatives, but the second largest amou

among the action alternatives. Table 2-1

elements of Alternative 5 and Table 2-15 

acres, mapped suitable acres, and projec

alternative for young growth and old gro

This alternative would harvest timber at 

year (equivalent to the harvest needed to 

demand, see Table 2-1). It would empha

minimize old growth while maintaining 

such, it is expected to produce an averag

young growth and 34 MMBF of old grow

10 years (Figure 2-9). From Year 11 thr

to produce an average of 28 MMBF of y

MMBF of old growth per year. Alternat

a full transition harvest of 41 MMBF of 

16. Young-growth harvest is expected to 

rapid rate after Year 16 and is expected t

MMBF about Year 18. The old-growth 

5 MMBF per year to support small and m
Final EIS 

and entry into all phases of the Timber 

Management Strategy without regard t

•	 Allows harvest in Old Growth Habitat L

setting LUDs or on islands less than 1,

•	 No harvest is allowed in IRAs.

•	 Commercial harvest is allowed in beac

of a 200-foot buffer and in RMAs outsid

•	 A 100-foot no-cut buffer is established 

•	 In Old Growth Habitat LUDs, Beach Frin

buffer) and in RMAs outside of TTRA bu

allowed, but patch cuts (≤10- acre open

percent removal) is allowed, along with 

is allowed in these land categories only 

plan approval.

•	 There is flexibility to harvest at a young

CMAI throughout the life of the Plan.

•	 The scenery standards (SIOs) would b

development LUDs only.

LUD Changes

•	 Old Growth Habitat LUDs are modified 

biologically preferred option in areas w

affected by land conveyances and othe

Public Law 113-291.

•	 The Transportation and Utility Systems 

New Plan Direction (Chapter 5)

•	 Young-growth plan components added 

•	 Renewable Energy plan components a

•	 Transportation Systems Corridors plan 

Plan.

•	 Forest-wide plan direction added to Fo
26 

directs management of the Tongass Nati

transition away from old-growth timber 

forest products industry that utilizes pred

– or young-growth – forests. Secretary V

also guides that the transition should be 

that preserves a viable timber industry th

opportunities for Southeast Alaska resid

effectuate this transition, over the next 1

end of this period the vast majority of tim

be young growth. This timeframe will c

while allowing the forest industry time t

Because of the Secretary’s memorandum

emphasizes a transition to young growth 

harvest, but does this within the constrai

Plan. Alternative 1 (no action) would re

predominantly young-growth-based indu

beyond the 15 year goal presented in the 

In contrast, all of the action alternatives 

transition in about 12 to 16 years. Becau

represent full transition, the period in wh

timber sold by the Tongass will be youn

be about 10 to 15 years for the action alt

alternatives, the fastest transition (12 yea

Alternative 2 and the slowest transition (

Alternatives 4 and 5.

All of the alternatives are expected to su

annualized direct jobs during the first de
Final EIS 

thus, this criterion is associated with a re

uncertainty.

Under all alternatives, the harvest of old 

time and the harvest of young growth w

of the alternatives would “conserve old-

old-growth harvest in the first 25 years w

with Alternative 1. Each of the action al

old growth, ranging from 15,000 acres w

acres with Alternative 5. The same patte

occurs with the 100-year harvest as well

Issue 2 – Renewable Energy

Another important part of the purpose an

is the purpose of establishing new direct

that renewable energy development is m

a need to stimulate economic developme

communities, and provide low-carbon en

displacing the use of fossil fuel. Under 

siting of energy projects is limited in cer

remain that way under Alternative 1. Un

alternatives (Alternatives 2, 3, 4, and 5), 

the Forest Plan that would result in impr

development of renewable energy projec

Issue 3 – Inventoried Roadless 

Under Alternatives 1, 4, and 5 IRAs are 

production and not suitable for timber p
28 

protection of roadless characteristics wo

to the projected acres of timber harvest w

5 providing the most protection, Alterna

most protection, and Alternative 3 provi

Issue 4 – Wildlife Habitat and t

Strategy

Relative to old-growth habitat conservat

have the highest harvest (1.3 percent of 

Alternative 4 (0.9 percent of existing PO

5 (0.8 percent of existing POG), followe

3 (0.7 percent of existing POG). The ch

original POG remaining after 100 years 

pattern. Currently, 92 percent of origina

all alternatives this percentage would dr

after 100 years. Alternative 1 would res

remaining and the action alternatives wo

91 percent remaining. This same pattern 

percent reduction in high-volume POG. 

original high-volume POG remaining w

85 percent for all alternatives after 100 y

about 79 percent of the original acres ex

result in about 78 percent remaining afte

alternatives would maintain about 79 pe

Young-growth harvest in the beach and 

be lowest under Alternative 1 (no harves
Final EIS 

openings up to 10 acres and a maximum 

of the acres of the original harvested sta

would be allowed and only during the fi

approval with a one-time entry restrictio

For RMAs, the lowest effects would be 

1, 3, and 4, which would permit no harv

would have the greatest harvest impacts 

include the highest amount of acreage an

during the first 15 years of Forest Plan a

thinning thereafter. Effects to RMAs wo

Alternative 5 due to a lower amount of a

patch cutting or commercial thinning wo

during the first 15 years after Forest Plan 

entry restriction. 

In the Old-growth Habitat LUD, Alterna

young-growth harvest. The greatest am

in the Old-growth Habitat LUD would o

followed by Alternatives 3 and 5. Effec

Alternative 2 because it would allow cle

largest harvest acreage, and less under A

commercial thinning would be allowed, 

which would allow only patch cutting or 

the first 15 years after Forest Plan appro

restriction.
30 

approximately 0.005 mile per square mi

Approximately 96 percent of WAAs wo

densities ranging between 0.0 and 0.7 m

alternatives. Therefore, any potential in

risk of overharvest for wildlife species w

and would not be measurable at the fore

the alternatives. 

The transition to young-growth managem

term decrease in deer habitat capability 

POG harvest. Based on Interagency De

outputs, deer habitat capability under all 

decline about 1 percent over 100 years. 

would maintain about 99 percent of the 

capability. Results based on the Forage 

for Deer (or FRESH deer model) are ver

existing level of habitat quality would b

after 100 years under all alternatives.

Cumulative POG harvest on all landown

under Alternative 1, followed by Alterna

order). Cumulative effects would be lea

propose the shortest young-growth trans

of Forest Plan implementation and non-N

83 percent of the original (1954) total PO

of the original high-volume POG, and 6

large-tree POG would be maintained on 

of the alternatives. 
Final EIS 
32 

This page is intentional
Final EIS 

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Federal Recycling 

Printed on Recycle
34 

Main Cover Photo: Photograph taken looking northwest fro

Bay on north Revillagigedo Island. An unnamed cove and t

the peninsula lie in the foreground with Gedney Pass and H

background (right). 

Inset Photo on Back: Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project (cou