United States Department of Agriculture

Draft Record of Decision for the 

Southwest Jemez Mountains 

Landscape Restoration Project

Santa Fe National Forest, Sandoval County, 

New Mexico

Santa Fe Jemez MB-R3-10-21 

rest Service National Forest Ranger District August 2015 Fo
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Printed on recycled paper – August 2015 
Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project i 

Contents 

Purpose of this Document and Background of the Project .................................................

Decision .............................................................................................................................................

Permits, Licenses, and Authorizations Needed to Implement the Decision ......................................

Rationale for the Decision ..................................................................................................................

Other Alternatives Considered ...........................................................................................................

Alternative 2 – No Action ..............................................................................................................

Alternative 3 – No Construction of Temporary Roads ..................................................................

Alternative 4 – No Prescribed Fire in Mechanical Treatment Areas .............................................

Alternative 5 – Implement the Existing Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for Managing Me

Spotted Owl Habitat .......................................................................................................................

Environmentally Preferable Alternative ........................................................................................

Public Involvement ............................................................................................................................

Tribal Consultation ............................................................................................................................

Findings Required by Law and Regulation ........................................................................................

National Forest Management Act ..................................................................................................

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)..................................................................................

Endangered Species Act .................................................................................................................

Forest Service Sensitive Species ....................................................................................................

Management Indicator Species ......................................................................................................

Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Executive Order 13186 ................................................................

National Historic Preservation Act ................................................................................................

Clean Water Act .............................................................................................................................

Clean Air Act .................................................................................................................................

Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 - Wetlands and Floodplain Management ..............................

Executive Order 12898 - Environmental Justice ...........................................................................

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ...........................................................................................................

Inventoried Roadless Areas............................................................................................................

Jemez National Recreation Area ....................................................................................................

Forest Plan Consistency .................................................................................................................

Implementation ..................................................................................................................................

Contact ...............................................................................................................................................

Appendix A. Design Features, Best Management Practices, Mitigations and Monitorin

Appendix B. Forest Plan Amendments .................................................................................

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Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Purpose of this Document and Background 

of the Project

This is the draft record of decision (DROD) for the Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape 

Restoration Project (SWJM). An environmental impact statement was developed to analyze the 

potential effects of the SWJM project. The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the 

SWJM has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA, 40 CFR 1500-1508), the National Forest Management Act and its implementing 

regulations, and the Santa Fe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 1987, as 

amended (USDA Forest Service 1987). The decision presented in this document addresses 

activities proposed on lands administered by the USDA Forest Service for which Federal 

decisions are required.

In 2009, Congress authorized the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLR), 

which encouraged collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of forest landscapes. This is 

a competitive program that awards funding to the top restoration proposals nationwide. The 

program provided the opportunity for the Santa Fe National Forest and the key restoration 

partners—Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), Jemez Pueblo, The Nature Conservancy, 

New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute—to develop a proposal and move 

forward with landscape restoration in the Southwest Jemez Mountains area. Over 40 agencies and 

groups met and developed the Southwest Jemez Mountains Collaborative Forest Landscape 

Restoration Strategy (USDA Forest Service and VCNP 2010). The group proposed to treat over 

210,000 acres across multiple land ownerships and integrate treatments for riparian and forest 

ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources. 

The FEIS documents the analysis of the environmental effects of forest and watershed treatments 

across approximately 110,000 acres of National Forest land. This work would be done over 8-10 

years or until objectives are met. The purpose of the project is to restore ecosystem structure and 

function and increase resilience to undesirable, large-scale disturbances such as high-severity 

wildfire, climate change, or insect outbreaks in the Southwest Jemez Mountains. Five alternatives 

were considered and analyzed. 

This DROD documents my decision along with the rationale, and alternatives considered in 

reaching the decision. 

Decision 

This decision answers:

Whether the proposed action should be implemented as proposed, modified by another action 

alternative, or not implemented at all, and whether to amend the forest plan. The decision 

includes determining; (1) the location and treatment methods for all restoration activities; (2) 

design criteria, mitigation, and monitoring requirements; (3) the components that will be included 

in the monitoring plan; (4) the wood products or material made available as a by-product of 

project activities; and (5) whether the forest plan will be amended if an action alternative is 

chosen.

Based on my review of the environmental analysis disclosed in the Southwest Jemez Mountains 

Landscape Restoration FEIS, the project record, and consideration of public comments received 
Draft Record of Decision

2 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

on the environmental impact statement, I have decided to implement alternative 1, with 

modifications, further referred to as the Selected Alternative. The Selected Alternative is the 

proposed action as described in chapter 2 of the FEIS. All project design features, mitigation 

measures, and best management practices that apply to this decision are included in appendix A of 

the DROD. These are intended to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, eliminate and/or compensate 

for project impacts. These measures are an integral and required part of this project. Monitoring 

requirements will be implemented according to the forest plan. All practicable means to either 

avoid or minimize environmental impacts have been adopted as part of this decision.

I have also decided to amend the forest plan (pages 56, 62, 63, 72, 151, 171, and appendix D). 

The amendments address; (1) treating vegetation in Mexican spotted owl habitat; (2) clarifying 

language regarding openings or interspaces in northern goshawk habitat; (3) removing activity 

restrictions during breeding seasons for northern goshawk and turkey; (4) modifying scenery and 

visual quality objectives; and (5) changing management and survey protocols in peregrine falcon 

nesting habitat. These amendments update the Forest Plan with the best available science 

associated with restoration of frequent fire forests in the Southwest, recovery of the Mexican 

spotted owl (2012 Revised Recovery Plan), and help us to meet the purpose and need of the 

project. The final forest plan amendments are in appendix B of this DROD. 

The Selected Alternative authorizes the following activities for implementation over the next 8-10 

years or until objectives are met: 

• Mechanically treat approximately 30,000 acres of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer 

forest 

• Use prescribed fire on approximately 77,000 acres 

• Allocate 20 percent of ponderosa pine and 20 percent of dry mixed conifer vegetation 

types as old growth 

• Create and maintain aspen stands

• Restore and revegetate riparian areas by planting native vegetation, stabilizing 

streambanks, and building exclosures to restrict impacts from grazing ungulates

• Protect and improve water flow from seeps and springs by removing competing 

vegetation

• Control nonnative and invasive plants using methods other than herbicides 

• Protect cultural resources by treating vegetation and controlling erosion 

• Improve riparian and aquatic wildlife habitat by installing instream structures

• Close and revegetate degraded campsites

• Re-open and reconstruct, if necessary, approximately 20 miles of existing closed roads 

and close them after use 

• To support project activities, re-open and maintain approximately 87 miles of existing 

closed roads and close them after use. 

• Construct approximately 12 miles of temporary roads for use on the project and 

decommission them when treatments are completed 

• Decommission up to 100 miles of roads identified as candidates for decommissioning as 

part of this project 

• Develop up to five gravel pits and access roads to provide gravel for road maintenance 

and improvement work 
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 3 

• Amend the Forest Plan with 12 site-specific, nonsignificant forest plan amendments 

The following modifications to Alternative 1 are incorporated into the Selected Alternative: 

• Additional design criteria were added for the gravel pit locations and associated 

rehabilitation plan

• Additional design criteria were added for temporary roads, their use, locations, and 

associated rehabilitation plan

• Additional mitigation measure regarding pre-treatment surveys for Mexican spotted owl 

was added

• Additional design criteria for wetlands protection were added 

• Additional design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring were added for the 

Mexican spotted owl, Jemez Mountains salamander, and the meadow jumping mouse as a 

result of consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

• Additional design criteria were added for wetlands protection 

Permits, Licenses, and Authorizations Needed to Implement 

the Decision 

• The discharge of dredged and fill material resulting from the instream habitat 

improvement treatments requires a section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers. 

• The discharge of pollutants (sediment) to waters of the U.S. requires a Clean Water Act 

401 Water Quality Certification and a Clean Water Act 402 National Pollutant Discharge 

Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the New Mexico Environment Department. 

• Obtain appropriate air quality permits, as applicable, from the New Mexico Environment 

Department for all quarrying, crushing and screening equipment or facilities contracted in 

conjunction with the project.

• Continue consultation with the USFWS in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered 

Species Act.

• Consult with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer, tribes, and consulting 

parties regarding identification, evaluation, and determination of effects of the project on 

cultural resources in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act. 

• Coordinate prescribed fire applications with New Mexico Environment Department, Air 

Quality Bureau to ensure compliance with air quality regulations. 

Rationale for the Decision 

My decision is based on a review of the project record, which includes a thorough examination of 

relevant scientific information and acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information, 

scientific uncertainty, and risk. I have considered input from groups and individuals with 

responsible opposing views and addressed their comments in the FEIS, appendix C, Response to 

Public Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. These responses are also found 

in the project record. 
Draft Record of Decision

4 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

I believe the Selected Alternative best meets the purpose and need of the project by identifying a 

suite of treatments that afford the greatest opportunities to restore ecosystem structure and 

function and increase forest resilience to undesirable, large-scale disturbances in the Southwest 

Jemez Mountains. At the same time, as a by-product of restoration activities, forest products will 

be produced, and utilization of these materials will help support the economy of the surrounding 

rural communities. Road and watershed treatments will improve conditions in all watersheds 

including the San Antonio Creek sub-watershed. Treatments will provide protection for nearly 

3,000 cultural sites, enhance recreation opportunities, and improve overall forest and watershed 

health. Through the use of prescribed fire on 77,000 acres, we will reduce hazardous fuels and the 

risk of severe wildfires and reintroduce an important natural process that historically helped to 

sustain desired forest conditions. The SWJM project exemplifies the purpose of the Collaborative 

Forest Landscape Restoration Program and meets Congress’s intentions for accelerating 

restoration across large landscapes using a collaborative process. 

For more than five years, members of my staff have worked collaboratively with a broad range of 

stakeholders in the development of the Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration 

Strategy (SWJM Strategy) and the FEIS. The holistic restoration goals and objectives of the 

SWJM Strategy- improving the resilience of ecosystems to recover from natural disturbance; 

reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire; restoring natural fire regimes; increasing forest 

diversity and old growth characteristics; improving fish and wildlife habitat; improving water 

quality and watershed function; mitigating climate change impacts; and utilizing woody byproducts- were a critical factor in the SWJM project’s selection for funding. These goals and 

objectives, along with cultural site projection, were brought forward into, and are clearly reflected 

in the purpose and need for this project. 

Change in a forest is incremental. The Selected Alternative considers the tradeoffs between shortterm adverse effects (i.e., environmental harm) and long-term benefits. Implementation of the 

Selected Alternative will lead to some unavoidable adverse effects on endangered species 

(individuals), sensitive species (individuals), water quality, air quality, and scenic quality. 

However, mitigation measures (appendix A) have been adopted to reduce these adverse effects to 

the extent practicable while still achieving project objectives.

My decision considered all comments received during the scoping period, field trips, and notice 

and comment period. The Selected Alternative considers the comments received from 

stakeholders with the environmental consequences as described in the FEIS.

I recognize that there is a range of strong public opinions regarding the variety of treatments 

identified in the Selected Alternative. However, I have concluded that my decision is an informed 

one that best meets the SWJM project’s purpose and need, moves the SWJM project area toward 

desired conditions, and considers the environmental consequences(both positive and negative) of 

the selected restorative actions. Monitoring and evaluation during implementation will provide 

information on the effects of this decision.

Other Alternatives Considered

The FEIS displayed the effects of five alternatives. The Selected Alternative was described 

previously. The other four alternatives are summarized below and are described in detail in the 

FEIS. The environmental effects of the alternatives are compared in table 3in the FEIS. Three 
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 5 

additional alternatives were considered but eliminated from detailed study for reasons described 

in the FEIS, chapter 2. 

Alternative 2 – No Action

This is the no action alternative as required by 40 CFR 1502.14(c). There would be no changes in 

current management and the forest plan would continue to be implemented. Alternative 2 is the 

point of reference for assessing action alternatives (see FEIS, chapter 2). This alternative would 

implement pre-approved activities including thinning approximately 900 acres of ponderosa pine 

and dry mixed conifer and using prescribed fire on approximately 18,400 acres. Some other preapproved activities, such as cultural resource protection, nonnative and invasive plant control, and 

wildlife habitat improvement projects would be implemented. 

Alternative 3 – No Construction of Temporary Roads 

This alternative responds to the issue of constructing new temporary roads to implement 

mechanical treatments (see FEIS, chapter 2). Only those areas accessed by existing forest system 

roads would be mechanically treated. Those acres not accessible by existing roads would be 

treated with prescribed fire instead of being mechanically treated, as in alternative 1. This 

alternative would mechanically treat approximately 28,300 acres of fire-adapted ecosystems 

(ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer) and use prescribed fire on approximately 77,000 acres. 

Other restoration treatments for cultural resources, watersheds, and wildlife habitat are included 

in this alternative. These actions are listed in chapter 2 of the FEIS. Site-specific forest plan 

amendments are needed to implement this alternative.

Alternative 4 – No Prescribed Fire in Mechanical Treatment Areas 

This alternative responds to the issues of smoke and the scale of prescribed fire treatments (see 

FEIS, chapter 2). Prescribed fire would not be used in areas that are mechanically treated. The 

total area treated is the same as the proposed action. Instead of prescribed fire, slash resulting 

from mechanical treatments would be chipped or ground up (masticated), or lopped and scattered 

and left on site. Prescribed fire would occur in areas described as prescribed fire only under 

alternative 1. This alternative would mechanically treat approximately 29,900 acres of fireadapted ecosystems (ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer) and use prescribed fire on 

approximately 45,500 acres. Other restoration treatments for cultural resources, watersheds, and 

wildlife habitat are included in this alternative. These actions are listed in chapter 2 of the FEIS. 

Site-specific forest plan amendments are needed to implement this alternative.

Alternative 5 – Implement the Existing Forest Plan Standards and 

Guidelines for Managing Mexican Spotted Owl Habitat 

This alternative was designed in response to issues raised regarding treatments in Mexican 

spotted owl (MSO) protected activity centers (PACs) and restricted habitat (see FEIS, chapter 2). 

The proposed forest plan amendments related to treatments in Mexican spotted owl habitat would 

not be needed to implement this alternative. This alternative would mechanically treat 

approximately 29,900 acres of fire-adapted ecosystems (ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer) 

and use prescribed fire on approximately 76,300 acres. Other restoration treatments for cultural 

resources, watersheds, and wildlife habitat are included in this alternative. These actions are listed 

in chapter 2 of the FEIS. Site-specific forest plan amendments that do not pertain to the Mexican 

spotted owl are needed to implement this alternative.
Draft Record of Decision

6 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Environmentally Preferable Alternative 

The environmentally preferable alternative “...is the alternative that will best promote the 

national environmental policy as expressed in NEPA’s section 101 (42 USC 4321). Ordinarily, 

the environmentally preferable alternative is that which causes the least harm to the biological 

and physical environment; it also is the alternative which best protects and preserves historic, 

cultural, and natural resources. In some situations, there may be more than one environmentally 

preferable alternative,” (36 CFR 220; FSH 1909.15). Social and economic factors are not 

considered when identifying the environmentally preferable alternative. Identification of the 

environmentally preferable alternative is required by 40 CFR 1505.2(b) in a record of decision. 

For this project, I believe that Selected Alternative is the environmentally preferable alternative 

because it best meets the goals of Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act for this 

proposed federal action: 

(1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for 

succeeding generations;

(2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and 

culturally pleasing surroundings; 

(3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without 

degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended 

consequences;

(4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national 

heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports 

diversity and variety of individual choice; 

(5) achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit 

high standards of living and a wide sharing of life’s amenities; and 

(6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum 

attainable recycling of depletable resources.

Public Involvement 

The SWJM project was posted on the Santa Fe National Forest’s schedule of proposed actions on 

April 1, 2012. During the spring and summer of 2012, the Forest solicited comments on the 

purpose and need and the proposed action through public meetings and field trips. Detailed 

information about these meetings can be found in the project record. The notice of intent to 

prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the Federal Register on July 11, 

2012 (Volume 77, Issue 133). A draft of the proposed action was sent to a mailing list (hard copy 

and email) of individuals, organizations, State and local governments, Federal and State agencies, 

and tribes. A report summarizing the comments received on the draft proposed action was posted 

on the Santa Fe National Forest website in February 2013. 

The interdisciplinary team reviewed the comments received and used them to identify relevant 

issues. Four key issues were used to develop alternatives, develop design features or mitigation 

measures that reduce unwanted effects, and to evaluate, analyze, and compare the effects of the 

different alternatives. These relevant issues were:
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 7 

• the use of prescribed fire, smoke, and their effects on the environment and human health; 

• the scale of the area to be treated with mechanical treatments (tree cutting), and how this 

may affect wildlife, watersheds, and scenery;

• opening closed roads and building new temporary roads and their effects on the 

environment, and 

• the effects of the mechanical treatments and prescribed fire on habitat for the Jemez 

Mountains salamander, Mexican spotted owl, and northern goshawk. 

The team also identified other comments as nonsignificant issues or concerns. Many of these 

concerns were considered and incorporated in the FEIS or design criteria, mitigations, and best 

management practices. Others were addressed in the environmental consequences. These and 

other changes made to the proposed action in response to public comments and interdisciplinary 

team discussions are listed in chapter 1 of the FEIS. 

A notice of availability announcing the comment period for the DEIS was published in the 

Federal Register (volume 79, issue 40) on February 28, 2014. A legal notice announcing the 

availability of the Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement for review and comment was published in the Albuquerque 

Journal on March 4, 2014. The 45-day comment period ended April 15, 2014. Twenty-five 

individuals, organizations, and agencies submitted written comments within the comment period; 

two comments were received after the comment period closed. Substantive comments are 

summarized along with Forest Service responses in appendix C of the FEIS. Appendix D of the 

FEIS contains comment letters received from government agencies in their entirety in accordance 

with Forest Service Handbook 1909.15. All public comments and mailing lists are available in the 

project record.

Tribal Consultation 

Tribal consultation has occurred throughout the project development and analysis. This project 

has been included in the forestwide annual tribal consultation. Consultation packages were 

submitted to 36 tribal governments, their representatives, and allied government organizations. 

These tribes included Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache groups (see appendix A in the cultural 

resources specialist report for a complete list). These tribes have historic ties and an interest in the 

Santa Fe National Forest. Tribal members and representatives also participated in field trips to the 

project area. The Pueblo of Jemez has played an integral role in the development of the 

archaeological site treatments. They attended partner meetings during the early development of 

the landscape strategy and have also attended field trips to the SWJM project area.

Several of the surrounding tribes raised the issue of the importance of protecting Douglas-fir 

stands. Douglas-fir boughs are used for ceremonial purposes and recent wildfires have destroyed 

many Douglas-fir stands in the area. Tribal members and representatives who attended the field 

trips expressed strong support for the fuels and erosion control treatments on archaeological sites. 

The Pueblo of Jemez and the State Historic Preservation Office agreed that low-intensity 

prescribed fire would further reduce fuel loads and promote long-term protection of these sites 

from unplanned ignitions.
Draft Record of Decision

8 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Findings Required by Law and Regulation 

After consideration of the discussion of environmental consequences (FEIS, chapter 3), I have 

determined that the Selected Alternative is consistent with the Santa Fe National Forest Land and 

Resource Management Plan, as amended, and Agency directives. I have also determined that the 

Selected Alternative is consistent with applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders, and 

regulations. The following is not an all-inclusive listing, but summarized conformance with the 

laws and regulations most relevant to this decision. 

National Forest Management Act 

I find that this decision, including the nonsignificant amendments to the Santa Fe National Forest 

Land and Resource Management plan, as amended, is consistent with the goals and objectives of 

the forest plan. This decision also complies with the management direction and standards and 

guidelines for all relevant management areas described in the plan.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

The NEPA requires Federal agencies to consider and disclose the effects of proposed actions that 

significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The Southwest Jemez Mountains 

Landscape Restoration Project FEIS analyzes the alternatives and displays the effects in 

conformance with NEPA (40 CFR 1500 to 1508 and FSH 1909.15). 

Endangered Species Act 

This decision is consistent with the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The FEIS discloses 

potential impacts to the Federally-listed species in the SWJM project area- the Mexican spotted 

owl (threatened), the Jemez Mountains salamander (endangered), and the New Mexico meadow 

jumping mouse (endangered) in chapter 3. 

The analysis concludes that the Selected Alternative may affect, and is likely to adversely affect 

the Mexican spotted owl and its critical habitat. Short-term impacts to the species will likely 

result; however, the selected alternative also results in long-term benefits to the owl by increasing 

habitat resilience to large, high-severity wildfires. Also, vegetative diversity will likely improve, 

which would improve prey abundance and availability for the owl. 

For the Jemez Mountains salamander, the analysis concludes that the Selected Alternative may 

affect, and is likely to adversely affect, the salamander and its critical habitat. The adverse effects 

are expected to be short term and there is a projected long-term benefit to the salamander by 

increasing habitat resilience to large, high-severity wildfires. 

For the jumping mouse, the analysis concludes that the Selected Alternative may affect, and is 

likely to adversely affect, the mouse and its proposed critical habitat. Adverse effects to the 

mouse are expected to be very minor and many actions in the Selected Alternative will result in 

improvement of proposed critical habitat for the Mouse. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

concurred with our determination of effects on the Mexican spotted owl, the Jemez Mountains 

salamander and the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. For all three species, the design 

features and mitigation measures listed in appendix A would minimize effects on individual 

animals and their habitats.
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 9 

The analysis for threatened and endangered species also included proposed and candidate species 

that may become federally protected within the life of the project. These species are the wolverine 

(proposed 10(j)) and the following candidate species: Western yellow-billed cuckoo, Rio Grande 

cutthroat trout, and Canada lynx. The determinations are shown in the table below. 

Table 1. Summary of determination for federally protected and candidate species in the Southwest 

Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project area

Species Status Determination

Jemez Mountains salamander Endangered May affect, likely to adversely affect

Mexican spotted owl Threatened May affect, likely to adversely affect

New Mexico meadow jumping 

mouse

Endangered May affect, likely to adversely affect

North American wolverine Proposed experimental 

population

May affect, not likely to adversely 

affect

Western yellow-billed cuckoo Proposed threatened May affect, not likely to adversely 

affect

Rio Grande cutthroat trout Candidate May affect, likely to adversely affect

Since we have determined that the Selected Alternative may adversely affect Rio Grande 

cutthroat trout, this species was considered as though it were a proposed species for the purpose 

of the analysis.

Formal consultation occurred with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a final, signed 

biological opinion was issued. The conservation and other protective measures in the biological 

opinion are incorporated by reference in appendix A of the FEIS. The site-specific amendments 

related to treatments in owl habitat are designed to meet the guidance within the 2012 Revised 

Recovery Plan for the owl and are therefore consistent with recovery objectives for the owl.

Forest Service Sensitive Species 

Federal law and direction applicable to Forest Service sensitive species are included in the 

National Forest Management Act and the Forest Service Manual (2670). The Regional Forester 

has developed the sensitive species list for plants and animals for which population viability is a 

concern. We prepared a biological evaluation on species designated as sensitive by the Regional 

Forester. It was determined that the Selected Alternative may affect individuals, but will not cause 

a trend toward federal listing for the following sensitive species: pale Townsend’s big-eared bat, 

American marten, masked shrew, northern leopard frog, Preble’s shrew, water shrew, American 

peregrine falcon, northern goshawk, gray vireo, boreal owl, Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, 

Springer’s blazing star, yellow lady’s slipper, and wood lily. 

It was determined that the Selected Alternative would have no effect on the following sensitive 

species: white-tailed ptarmigan, burrowing owl, bald eagle, Lilljeborg’s pea-clam, American pika,

Goat Peak pika, Gunnison’s prairie dog, Canada lynx, tufted sand verbena, Greene’s milkweed, 

Chaco milk vetch, Pecos mariposa lily, Pecos fleabane, Chama blazing star, Heil’s alpine 

whitlowgrass, and Arizona willow. These species are not known to occur in the project area, the 
Draft Record of Decision

10 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

project area is not within the range of the species, or the project area does not have essential 

habitat for the species.

Management Indicator Species 

Effects on management indicator species (MIS) are disclosed in chapter 3 of the FEIS. Wildlife 

MIS within the project area include Rocky Mountain elk, Merriam’s turkey, mourning dove, hairy 

woodpecker, pinyon jay, Mexican spotted owl, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Project activities 

will have short-term effects on these species. I find that the Selected Alternative is consistent with 

the standards and guidelines pertaining to MIS. Additionally, based on the limited effects to any 

MIS, the Selected Alternative does not result in a reduction in the number of acres of available 

habitat for any of the MIS, and does not contribute towards a negative trend in viability on the 

Forest.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Executive Order 13186 

The Selected Alternative, with the design features, mitigation measures, and best management 

practices described in appendix A of the FEIS and DROD, provides for adequate conservation 

measures for migratory birds. Unintentional take of some individual birds may occur under the 

Selected Alternative, but no long-term impacts on bird populations are expected (FEIS chapter 3).

National Historic Preservation Act 

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the NEPA both require that consideration be 

given to the potential effects of federal undertakings on historic resources (including historic and 

prehistoric cultural resource sites). The guidelines for assessing effects and for consultation are 

outlined in the Region 3 programmatic agreement with the New Mexico State Historic 

Preservation Office and section 106 of the NHPA. Cultural resource surveys have been conducted 

for upcoming ground-disturbing activities requiring inspection and are documented in the cultural 

resources clearance report. Because the project will be conducted over more than one year, 

clearance of future activities will be accomplished using a phased approach as defined in 

appendix J of the programmatic agreement.

The potential effects from this project are not considered to be adverse. The recommended 

protective measures will adequately protect the known cultural resources. The site protection 

measures were developed to be consistent with the NHPA and adapted for use across the Forest. 

The New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office has completed Phase I of the clearance.

Contracts will contain provisions listed in the SHPO review for the protection of known and new 

sites found during project activities.

Clean Water Act 

The Clean Water Act of 1948, as amended, establishes as Federal policy the control of point and 

nonpoint pollution and assigns the States the primary responsibility for control of water pollution. 

Compliance with the Clean Water Act by National Forests in New Mexico is achieved under State 

law. The Selected Alternative will not result in long-term, adverse impacts to water quality within 

or downstream from the area (FEIS, chapter 3). The Selected Alternative is expected to result in 

minor increases in sediment delivery to the low gradient, perennial, intermittent and/or ephemeral 

stream channels as a result of the use of heavy machinery for mechanical treatments and instream 

work. These increases would occur in the first year following activities .With the use of the sitespecific design features, mitigation measures, and best management practices, this alternative 
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 11

meets the laws and associated regulations designed to protect water quality. Based on this 

analysis, I find that the Selected Alternative is consistent with the Clean Water Act.

Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act, as amended, is the comprehensive Federal law that regulates air emissions 

from stationary and mobile sources. This law authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to 

establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public 

welfare and to regulate emission of hazardous air pollutants. The FEIS (chapter3) has a thorough 

analysis of the Selected Alternative’s potential impacts on air quality, including compliance with 

NAAQS.

The Selected Alternative is designed to be consistent with the provisions of the Clean Air Act, its 

implementing regulations, and associated State and Federal air quality standards. The Selected 

Alternative meets all conditions of the New Mexico Smoke Management Program (SMP), which 

meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act and the Regional Haze Rule (40 CFR 51.309). The 

primary concern with this project in regard to air quality is smoke emissions from prescribed 

fires. No exceedance of Federal or State NAAQS is expected from the operation of vehicles 

(including exhaust and fugitive dust) or prescribed fire treatments. There is a potential for 

significant health impacts because of exposure to PM2.5. Prescribed fires will be planned, 

designed, and implemented to achieve good smoke dispersal and minimize adverse smoke effects 

on air quality and public health and safety, complying with the New Mexico SMP. As such, I find 

that the Selected Alternative is consistent with the Clean Air Act.

Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 - Wetlands and Floodplain 

Management

Appendix A of the FEIS lists the mitigation measures and best management practices. Wetlands 

and floodplains will be avoided and protected by streamside management zones. There will be 

minor pulses of sediment and ash into wetlands and riparian areas resulting from use of heavy 

machinery and prescribed fire treatments. Treatments for roads and headcuts, streambank 

stabilization, and instream work would reduce the amount of sediment into streams and wetlands. 

The riparian and channel restoration treatments will create additional wetland areas and increase 

connected and functional floodplain areas. The Selected Alternative protects floodplains and 

water quality adjacent to wetlands.

Executive Order 12898 - Environmental Justice 

Executive Order 12898 governs Federal actions to address environmental justice in minority and 

low-income populations. The provisions also apply to programs involving Native Americans. 

This decision will result in disproportionate impacts on minority, low-income, and/or Native 

American population as a result of smoke emissions from prescribed fires. There are also 

beneficial effects on these populations from the creation of jobs in the wood products industry, 

generation of wood products for personal use, and protection of cultural resources. 

Prescribed fire management techniques and other measures described in appendix A of the FEIS

will reduce impacts from smoke. Mitigation measures include notification of potentially affected 

minority, low-income, and/or Native American communities before and during prescribed fire 

treatments. Also, in accordance with Forest Service policy, contracting procedures will be 
Draft Record of Decision

12 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

advertised and awarded in a manner that gives proper consideration to minority and womenowned business groups. 

Local tribes were consulted throughout the development of this project and they will continue to 

be involved throughout the decision-making and implementation processes.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act 

The SWJM project actions were assessed for potential effects on the East Fork Jemez Wild and 

Scenic River to determine compliance with Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. All 

activities were assessed for their effects on free flow, water quality, and the Outstandingly 

Remarkable Values for which the East Fork was designated. No adverse effects on the East Fork 

are expected. The project is in compliance with the Comprehensive River Management Plan, as 

amended into the forest plan. 

Inventoried Roadless Areas 

The 2001 Roadless Area Final Rule (36 CFR Part 294) established protections for Inventoried 

Roadless Areas (IRAs). The rule prohibits road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvest 

except for other than stewardship purposes. The proposed treatments meet the criteria for 

stewardship purposes.

The project record contains an analysis of the effects of the restoration treatments on each of the 

nine values or features that often characterize inventoried roadless areas, as identified in the 

Roadless Area Final Rule. The analysis found that the proposed treatments, including the 

mechanical treatments would improve or have no adverse effect on the nine values or features of 

roadless areas. Therefore, this project is consistent with the 2001 Roadless Rule.

Jemez National Recreation Area 

The analysis of effects on the Jemez National Recreation Area (JNRA) found that effects are 

largely positive. Proposed project implementation is consistent with the JNRA Management Plan 

as amended into the forest plan. 

Forest Plan Consistency 

My decision to implement the Selected Alternative is consistent with Forest Plan goals and 

objectives, and standards and guidelines as documented in the resource sections in chapter 3 of 

the FEIS, in the Rationale section of this DROD, and the Forest Plan Consistency report in the 

project record. The Selected Alternative incorporates forest plan amendments that are not 

significant. The amendments are listed in appendix B of this record of decision to the 1987 Santa 

Fe National Forest Plan and were analyzed and presented in the FEIS in chapters 2 and 3. 

The amendments adopt language that allows treatment of vegetation within Mexican spotted owl 

protected activity centers; that is consistent with the revised recovery plan for the Mexican 

spotted owl; eliminates activity restrictions during breeding seasons for northern goshawk and 

turkey; that clarifies vegetation needs for northern goshawk habitat, that eliminates language 

referring to other plans that do not exist, and modifies scenery and visual quality objectives. 

These amendments are necessary to assure that we meet the purpose and need of this project 

while assuring consistency with the forest plan.
Draft Record of Decision

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 13

All of the proposed amendments are not significant. Regulations guide development, revision, 

and amendment of land management plans. The amendments were initiated as part of the notice 

of intent in July 2012, using the 1982 planning rule provision to amend the plan as allowed by the 

transition language of the 2012 planning rule (36 CFR 219.17(b)(3)). On amending a forest plan, 

the 1982 planning regulations state: “If the change resulting from the amendment is determined 

not to be significant for the purposes of the planning process, the Forest Supervisor may 

implement the amendment following appropriate public notification and satisfactory completion 

of NEPA procedures (36 CFR 219.10(f)(1982)).” 

The amendments are not significant because they (1) do not significantly alter the multiple-use 

goals and objectives for long-term land and resource management, (2) consist of adjustments of 

management area boundaries or management prescriptions resulting from further on-site analysis 

when the adjustments do not cause significant changes in the multiple-use goals and objectives 

for long-term land and resource management, or (3) are minor change in standards and guidelines 

(FSM 1926.51). 

As Forest Supervisor of the Santa Fe National Forest, I have determined from the review of the 

FEIS that these amendments do not change the goals, objectives, or outputs of the forest plan and 

do not constitute significant amendments to the forest plan. I have also determined that the 

amendments provide a better means of achieving the desired ecological conditions described in 

the forest plan for northern goshawk and Mexican spotted owl habitats as well as the purpose and 

need. 

Implementation 

If no objection is filed, implementation may begin on, but no sooner than the fifth business day 

following the end of the 45-day objection filing period (36 CFR 218.11). If an objection is filed, 

implementation may begin immediately following the date of the final decision.

Contact 

For additional information concerning this draft decision and final environmental impact 

statement, please contact Chris Napp, Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 

EIS team leader, Santa Fe National Forest, by telephone at 505-438-5448, or by email at

cnapp@fs.fed.us. Additional information is also available on the project website

(http://go.usa.gov/BUVh).

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 15

Appendix A. Design Features, Best 

Management Practices, Mitigations and 

Monitoring

This section contains additional detail regarding how the various project activities will be 

implemented on the ground. They include; Design Features, Best Management Practices, 

Mitigation Measures, Conservation Measures and Monitoring Measures: 

Design Features: a list of existing conditions and management actions designed to guide 

implementation of on the ground activities to achieve desired conditions while minimizing 

adverse effects.

Best Management Practices (BMPs): guidelines or minimum standards for proper application 

of forestry operations. These are designed primarily to prevent soil erosion and water 

pollution and to protect certain wildlife habitat values in riparian and wetland areas. 

Mitigation Measure: an activity or limitation placed upon a project activity to avoid or 

minimize adverse effects.

Conservation Measure: a mitigation measure designed to address effects on wildlife.

Monitoring Measure: physical and biological evaluation of project activities to determine 

how well objectives are being met and if the effects of the activities are within those projected 

during the analysis.

All Activities 

Design Features 

Purpose: The cumulative watershed effects analysis will provide the 

“hard look” required by NEPA and provide the decisionmaker with the best available science.

1. Use suitable tools to analyze the potential for cumulative watershed effects to occur from

the additive impacts of the proposed project and past, present, and reasonably foreseeable

future activities on National Forest System and neighboring lands within the project

watersheds. This analysis will use the Equivalent Disturbed Area-Equivalent Roaded

Area (EDA/ERA) method.

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To minimize impacts to soil and water resources, to minimize 

non-point source pollution, to adhere to the Clean Water Act, 

and to adhere to the agreement between the Southwestern 

Region of the Forest Service and the New Mexico 

Environment Department.
Appendix A

16 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

2. Implement best management practices (BMPs) and design criteria for those actions 

requiring non-point source and point source water quality through the iterative process of 

monitoring and adjusting BMPs and water quality standards. 

Air Quality and Smoke Management 

Design Features 

Purpose: To reduce emissions

For Prescribed Fires: 

3. Follow all requirements listed in the New Mexico State Smoke Management Regulations, 

including coordination requirements with New Mexico Environmental Department’s Air 

Quality Bureau (AQB). The AQB will facilitate coordination with agencies to ensure that 

burning does not occur on the same days as other prescribed fires that may impact the 

same areas, and to avoid exceeding air quality or visibility standards, in accordance with 

Clean Air Act requirements. 

4. Notify potentially affected communities, other agencies, fire departments, campground 

visitors, Jemez Pueblo, and others, in advance of and during the burn activities. 

5. Include specific smoke management (emission reducing) objectives and measures in burn 

plans, including the use of backing fires, aerial ignitions, and other methods known to 

reduce emissions (Hardy et al. 2001). 

6. Burning will occur during times of relatively high fuel moistures in the larger fuels so 

that they are not consumed; this can reduce emissions by 43% (Hardy et al. 2001). 

7. Do not burn when ventilation is considered poor, below 20,000 knot-feet, for the entire 

day1. Stop ignitions before nightfall to allow for good ventilation and smoke clearing at 

night. Avoid situations that lead to overnight active fire behavior. 

8. Monitor meteorological conditions, smoke dispersion and emissions, before and during 

prescribed fire treatments, and coordinate with the State Environment Department to 

determine whether to stop ignitions or take other corrective actions if air quality 

standards are exceeded or public health or safety is compromised by smoke. 

9. Plan individual burn blocks so that ignitions will not exceed 3 days, not including 

blacklining. 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To reduce fugitive dust

For Road Construction, Maintenance, and Decommissioning: 

10. Where no requirements exist, dust control measures will be considered according to the 

standards and specifications for federal road construction (FHWA 2003). 

 

1 Ventilation is the atmospheric potential to disperse airborne pollutants. It is calculated by multiplying the 

mixing height by the transport wind speed. 20,000 knot-feet is approximately 23,000 mph-ft. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 17

Cultural Resources 

Design Features 

Purpose: These are overall design features for all sites and are derived 

from typical practices. 

For all sites:

11. Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Properties will receive priority for

treatment. Sites that are not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic

Properties will be documented, but not treated.

12. The existing road system will be used to access sites.

13. Prescribed fire treatment of archaeological sites will be implemented at the same time as

the landscape restoration burning, provided heavy fuels are removed from sites prior to

burning.

Purpose: These design features are specific to archaeological sites in 

ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests. They are derived 

from typical practices used in fuels removal from cultural 

sites and resources. 

For archaeological sites in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation types: 

14. Remove dead and down logs that are lying on the site, especially those in direct contact

with rubble mounds. Old, decomposing logs will not be removed during monsoon season

or when the ground is wet.

15. Cutting will be done with chainsaws. Do not use mechanical ground disturbing

equipment.

16. Use directional felling to keep trees from falling on rubble mounds.

17. On rubble mounds, cut all trees less than 16-inches diameter. Use professional judgment

on trees 16-24-inches in diameter. Leave most trees greater than 24-inches diameter,

which would survive a fire.

18. Cut stumps flush to the ground. On artifact scatter around the rubble mounds, thin trees to

a 20-foot spacing. Favor leaving trees larger than 16-inches diameter.

19. In ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, favor leaving ponderosa pine over other tree

species.

20. In ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, cut all piñon and juniper.

21. Prune trees up to 4 feet above ground level.

Slash Treatments:

22. Generally, do not make slash piles within site boundaries unless directed by the district

archaeologist.

23. Slash will be hand-carried outside of the site boundary or to an area designated by the

district archaeologist.
Appendix A

18 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

24. If there is a small amount of slash, scatter it so that the slash is less than 2-feet high. If 

there is too much slash to scatter, pile slash in a location determined by the district 

archaeologist. Slash piles will be burned at a later time or chipped. 

25. Utility vehicles (UTVs) may be used outside the site boundary and on existing 2-track 

roads or UTV trails within the site boundary if approved by the district archaeologist. Do 

not create new UTV trails or 2-track roads.

26. Spread slash in areas with active erosion. Place logs on the contour and away from site 

features or areas with artifacts. Remove branches so that the log will be in contact with 

the ground surface and decompose more quickly. 

Purpose: These design features are specific to archaeological sites in 

the piñon-juniper woodlands. They are derived from typical 

practices of fuels removal from cultural sites and resources 

and erosion prevention techniques.

Archaeological sites in piñon-juniper vegetation types:

27. Cut all trees on rubble mounds except datum tree. Prune the datum tree to 4-feet above 

ground level. 

28. Cutting will be done with chainsaws. Do not use mechanical ground-disturbing 

equipment. Use directional felling to keep trees from falling on rubble mounds. 

29. Around the rubble mounds, cut trees using a 10-foot spacing (between outside edge of 

crowns). 

Slash:

30. Place slash over rills, headcuts, erosional areas, sheeting outside the site boundary. Small 

amounts of slash can be strategically placed in headcuts inside site boundaries as directed 

by district archaeologist. When possible, scatter slash instead of making piles. Chipping 

is acceptable.

31. Follow UTV guidelines for ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation types above 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: Items 32-34 are standard mitigations for all work in areas 

that contain archaeological sites. Item 35 is part of the 

phased approach that is allowed through the Region 3 

Programmatic Agreement. Items 36 and 37 are mitigation

measures specific to the Southwest Jemez Landscape 

Restoration Project. 

Items 38-39 are derived from Appendix J of the Region 3 

Programmatic Agreement, which is the standard protocol for 

large-scale fuels reduction, vegetation treatment, and habitat 

improvement projects. 

Items 40-44 are derived from Appendix E of the Region 3 

Programmatic Agreement, which is the standard protocol for 

routine road maintenance, road closure, and road 

decommissioning.
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 19

Items 45-50 are associated with the design criteria for 

treatments in archaeological sites also presented in this table. 

These mitigations are specific to the treatment of 

archaeological sites, but will be conducted in parallel with 

prescribed fire and mechanical treatments. 

For all activities: 

32. Mark all archaeological sites on-the-ground for identification purposes using white 

flagging tape or white paint to delineate the boundary to ensure that all mitigation 

measures can be applied. The site datum or reference tree will be marked with three 

horizontal bands.

33. Within archaeological site boundaries, avoid any ground-disturbing activity, including 

commercial thinning (i.e. timber sales), construction of firelines, mop-up actions, slash 

piling, staging or turnaround of heavy equipment, staging of materials, or use of 

mechanized or ground-disturbing equipment. 

34. If previously unidentified cultural materials are discovered during implementation, cease 

working in the area until Forest Service archaeologists have been notified and approve 

restarting the work. 

35. Initiation of work in any phase of the project will be contingent upon completion of the 

identification and protection of historic properties and compliance with applicable 

provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act in accordance with the Standard 

Consultation Protocol, including consultation with Native American Tribes. 

36. In areas where only prescribed fires or only mechanical thinning may occur, brush and 

remove dead fuels for a distance beyond site boundaries in order to reduce the intensity 

of prescribed fires or wildfires in the area. The treatment would be sufficient to reduce 

fire effects to cultural resources to the level of a low intensity fire depending on site 

specific conditions as determined by a professional archaeologist with experience in fuels 

treatment to reduce fire effects.

37. After prescribed fire is used, monitor the areas around sites for fire-killed trees that need 

to be felled away from the archaeological sites.

For prescribed fires:

38. Avoid fire ignition points within boundaries of fire-sensitive archaeological sites (i.e. 

sites with wooden features, rock art, cliff dwellings, etc.). Provide aerial ignition pilots 

with GPS locations of specific fire-sensitive sites and large pueblo sites to avoid when 

conducting aerial ignitions.

39. Protect fire-sensitive sites using the following methods: lining, back burning, foaming, 

and/or otherwise insulating wooden features, in addition to removing heavy fuels. 

Monitor fire-sensitive sites subsequent to burning and modify protection measures if 

effects are documented. 

For road maintenance and road decommissioning:

40. Conduct limited testing within the road prism to determine whether the road has cut 

below the cultural deposits of a known archaeological site. 
Appendix A

20 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

41. Restrict vehicular traffic to the existing road prism within known archaeological sites to 

protect intact cultural deposits that lie outside the road prism.

42. Place temporary fencing to keep equipment out of known archaeological site boundaries. 

43. Close or gate roads to protect archaeological sites.

44. Prohibit road maintenance activities within site boundaries unless limited testing 

demonstrates the road has cut below cultural deposits and consultation on effect has been 

completed. 

For treatments conducted within archaeological site boundaries:

45. All treatments will be conducted with district or forest archaeologist oversight and/or 

monitoring. 

46. Cut trees using chainsaws only.

47. Fell large diameter trees away from all features.

48. Remove fuels from sites by hand carrying.

49. Do not drag logs, trees, or thinned materials across or through sites and features. 

50. Allow prescribed fire to burn over non-fire-sensitive sites, provided heavy fuels are 

removed prior to burning. 

Monitoring Measures

Purpose: Effectiveness monitoring

51. Additional monitoring for the effectiveness of treatments would be done throughout the 

life of the project. Long-term site monitoring would focus on public visitation and 

vandalism of sites.

Purpose: Consultation

52. Consult with the tribes to identify traditional cultural properties and traditional use areas 

before treatments are implemented in a particular area. 

Fire and Fuels 

Design Features 

Purpose: To maintain long-term soil productivity and minimize 

sediment delivery from containment lines. 

53. If containment lines are put in place, rehabilitate lines after use by either rolling the berm 

back over the entire fireline, spreading slash across the fireline or installing waterbars on

the fireline. If the line is only to be rehabilitated with waterbars, disguise the first 400 feet 

or past straight line of sight of line to discourage use as a trail

Purpose: To maintain long-term soil productivity. 

54. On areas to be treated with prescribed fire, fire prescriptions should be designed to 

minimize soil temperatures over the entire area. High intensity fire should occur on 10% 

or less of the entire area. Fire prescriptions should be designed so that soil and fuel 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 21

moisture are such that fire intensity is minimized and soil health and productivity are 

maintained. 

55. On areas to be treated with prescribed fire, manage for 5-7 tons per acre of coarse woody 

debris in ponderosa pine to be left on site after burning to maintain long-term soil 

productivity. 

56. Within the piñon-juniper cover type, snags and large woody debris LWD (generated as a 

result of the prescribed fire treatments will be left on site as a resource benefit.

Purpose: In accordance with Forest Service National Core BMPs 

(2012), Aquatic Management Zones will be used in project 

planning, analysis, and decision making and will further 

incorporate BMPs and design features to improve water 

quality.

To minimize sediment and/or ash delivery into drainages and 

maintain water quality

57. In areas to be treated with prescribed fire, establish filter strips (also known as Aquatic 

Management Zones). These stream reaches will be designated as protected streamcourses

and wetlands. Do not ignite fuels within this buffer area. Fire is allowed and expected to 

creep into the buffer. The following are recommendations to protect streamcourses and 

wetlands. 

Riparian streamcourses and wetlands: 

Severe erosion hazard: 120 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Moderate erosion hazard: 100 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Slight erosion hazard: 70 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Non-riparian streamcourse: 

Severe erosion hazard: 100 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Moderate erosion hazard: 70 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Slight erosion hazard: 35 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Purpose: To minimize sediment and/or ash delivery into drainages and 

maintain water quality and maintain soil productivity. 

58. Construct drainage structures (waterbars, rolls, dips, armor) along fire containment lines 

as needed to prevent erosion and runoff. 

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To reduce soil loss and sediment input to streams. Maintain 

soil productivity and channel function.

For all prescribed fire treatments: 

59. Conduct prescribed fires to minimize the residence time on the soil while meeting the 

burn objectives. Manage fire intensity to maintain target levels of soil temperature and 

duff and residual vegetative cover within the limits and at locations described in the 

prescribed fire plan. Conduct prescribed fire treatments, including pile burning for slash 

disposal, in a way that encourages efficient burning to minimize soil impacts while 

achieving project objectives. 
Appendix A

22 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Gravel Pits 

Design Features 

Purpose: To minimize effects on recreation use. 

60. Conduct exploratory drilling to determine extent and quality of rock source. 

61. The maximum size of a single pit will not exceed 5 acres. 

62. To the extent possible rock pits will be located near existing system roads to minimize the 

need for road construction and reconstruction.

63. Newly constructed pits will not be located in inventoried roadless areas, the Jemez Wild 

and Scenic River Corridor, the Jemez National Recreation Area, the Monument Canyon 

Research Natural Area, Management Area I, Mexican spotted owl protected activity 

centers, Jemez Mountains salamander critical habitat, areas with a Visual Quality 

Objective level of Retention or Partial Retention. 

64. Access roads will not exceed one-half mile (0.5 miles) in length. 

Purpose: To reduce emissions

65. Contract provisions for quarrying operations will require operators to obtain the 

appropriate air quality permits under NMAC 20.2.72, as applicable, for gravel quarrying, 

crushing, and screening operations. 

Purpose: Gravel pit rehabilitation 

66. Save as much soil as possible during mine operations. If the soil has a well-developed 

profile and there is room for a stockpile, it is best to create a discrete stockpile. If there is 

not much soil and it does not have an A-B-C profile, and there is no room to stockpile, 

the use the soil to create berms to prevent off-site runoff. Silt fencing would also be 

installed outside the berms. Plant saved topsoil with native shrubs, trees, legumes, or 

grasses. 

67. Contour to blend into the surrounding area.

68. Limit drainage out of the site to reduce sedimentation. 

69. Excess waste materials will be spread evenly over the bottom of the area excavated.

70. Restore slopes in excess of 1:2 to less than 1:2 (50% slope). 

71. After restoration, the graded or backfill area shall not allow polluted water to collect or 

remain in the area. 

72. Stabilization shall be accomplished by surfacing with soil of a quality that is at least 

equal to the topsoil of land areas immediately surrounding the gravel pit. 

73. Such topsoil, as required in item 13, will be planted with native shrubs, trees, legumes, or 

grasses.

Harvesting Operations 

Design Features 

Purpose: To minimize loss of soil productivity and limit erosion. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 23

74. The timber sale administrator or contracting officer representative will contact the 

watershed staff prior to proposed unit closeout to ensure that mechanical equipment 

remains onsite to implement erosion control measures. 

Purpose: To minimize sediment detachment and to minimize impacts 

on severe erosion soils. 

75. Do not blade roads when the road surface is too dry. If the road surface is too dry, use a 

water truck to apply water, or the project can be scheduled for when adequate moisture 

occurs to complete the project. 

Purpose: To minimize impacts to streams and soils in meadows from 

tree harvesting operations. 

76. In meadow restoration sites where wood is being removed, designate skid trails in order 

to limit disturbance from skidding. Where material is not being removed, lop and scatter 

or manually remove slash from meadow; these are the preferred methods of treating 

slash. 

77. No skidding over wet meadows or across live streams or stream channels.

78. Leave sufficient numbers of cut trees (large woody debris) onsite for needed surface flow 

grade control. Forest watershed personnel will identify locations for large woody debris 

before works starts and/or inspect large woody debris placement work done by the timber 

sale administrator or contracting officer representative at unit closeout. 

79. Do not machine pile slash and woody debris within meadows. 

Purpose: To minimize soil erosion, maintain soil productivity, and to 

minimize impacts on severe erosive soils. 

80. Place slash on or cross-ditch (waterbar) skid trails and obliterated roads to break the 

energy flow of water. Placing slash on skid trails is the preferred method. Waterbars are 

only to be built using equipment with an articulating blade (no skidders) or by hand. 

81. Do not design a long, straight skid that would direct water flow. Locate skid trails outside 

of filter strips

Purpose: To minimize ground disturbance from skidding operations 

and minimize impacts on severe erosive soils. 

82. Require felling to the lead to minimize ground disturbance from skidding operations. 

Felling to the lead is cutting trees in a predetermined direction within a certain area of the 

unit based on terrain and the skid road system. This makes it is easier for the skidders to 

gather and remove the logs and has fewer impacts on the soil. 

Purpose: To minimize soil loss and sedimentation of streamcourses 

from skidding operations and to minimize noxious weed 

spread and re-establish native vegetation and to minimize 

impacts on severe erosive soils. 

83. Outline the timing and application of erosion control methods in the sale contract. Seed 

mix will include certified weed-free native species. 

84. Use the Santa Fe National Forest Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey to identify potential 

vegetation for individual sites and seed type needed for revegetation. 
Appendix A

24 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

85. Use the design features in Forest Service Handbook (FSH 2509.22, Chapter 20.24.22) to 

minimize soil loss and sedimentation. The preferred erosion control method on skid trails 

in the harvest areas is spreading slash. Other acceptable erosion control measures include, 

but are not limited to, waterbarring, removing berms, seeding, mulching and crossripping. Waterbars should not be more than two feet deep and need at least a ten-foot 

leadout. Erosion control after skidding operations must be timely to minimize the effects 

of log skidding.

Purpose: To minimize soil movement, maintain water quality, and to 

minimize impacts on severe erosion soils. 

86. Control road drainage with the following methods including, but not limited to: rolling 

the grade, insloping, outsloping, crowning, water spreading ditches, and contour 

trenching. Reduce sediment loads at drainage structures by installing sediment filters, 

rock and vegetative energy dissipaters, and settling ponds. Include road designs in the 

transportation plan of the task order. 

87. As part of the contract and task order, require prehaul and post haul maintenance on all 

local roads used for hauling.

Purpose: In accordance with Forest Service National Core Design 

Criteria (2012), aquatic management zones will be used in 

project planning, analysis, decision making, and 

implementation to improve water quality.

To provide sediment filtering ability and/or to provide bank 

stability on all streamcourses and wetlands and minimize

impacts on erosive soils. 

88. The designation of filter strips (also known as Aquatic Management Zones) minimizes 

onsite soil movement from timber harvest activities along streamcourses and wetlands. 

These stream reaches and wetlands will be designated as protected streamcourses and 

wetlands. Include locations of protected streamcourses and wetlands in the individual 

Task Order Maps, and mark these streamcourses and wetlands with a protected 

streamcourse designation.

89. The following are recommendations to protect streamcourses and wetlands within the 

proposed tree harvest units in relation to riparian streamcourses and wetlands and nonriparian streamcourses. The guidelines for filter strip designations are as follows: 

Riparian streamcourses and wetlands: 

Severe erosion hazard: 120 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Moderate erosion hazard: 100 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Slight erosion hazard: 70 feet on each side of streamcourse and wetland. 

Non-riparian streamcourse: 

Severe erosion hazard: 100 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Moderate erosion hazard: 70 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Slight erosion hazard: 35 feet on each side of streamcourse.

90. Do not cut any tree contributing to shade on the stream in the primary shade zone (this 

zone represents any tree providing shade to a perennial stream during greatest solar 

inputs, 1000 hours through 1400 hours. Do not cut any tree that will destabilize the 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 25

streamcourse bank. Manual cutting and hand dragging of trees is allowed. No mechanical 

entry in aquatic management zones. 

91. Should a perennial steam crossing be needed, the timber sale administrator or the 

contracting officer representative will contact the Supervisor’s Office watershed staff for 

pre-planning and field visits. 

Purpose: To filter sediment and/or provide bank stability on all 

drainage courses and to minimize impacts on drainage 

courses. 

For all intermittent drainages: 

92. Establish a 30-foot filter from the channel center. 

93. Do not cut trees cut that will destabilize the drainage course. 

94. Do not operate mechanical equipment within the filter area. 

95. Obtain onsite approval for any needed crossing from the timber sale administrator, 

contracting officer representative, or Supervisor’s Office watershed staff. Crossings will 

have sufficient armoring. 

96. Allow handcutting and hand-dragging of trees within the filter if cutting them does not 

destabilize the drainage course.

97. Allow chain-dragging trees out of the 30-foot filter on dry or frozen soil. The heavy 

equipment doing the dragging is NOT allowed in the 30-foot filter area. 

98. Do not place any slash pile within the filter boundaries. 

99. Do not allow construction of landings within the filter area. 

For all ephemeral drainages:

100. Establish a 15-foot filter from the channel center. 

101. Do not cut trees cut that will destabilize the drainage course. 

102. Do not operate mechanical equipment within the filter area. 

103. Obtain onsite approval for any needed crossing from the timber sale administrator, 

contracting officer representative, or Supervisor’s Office watershed staff. Crossings will 

have sufficient armoring. 

104. Allow handcutting and hand-dragging of trees within the filter if cutting them does not 

destabilize the drainage course.

105. Allow chain-dragging trees out of the 15-foot filter on dry or frozen soil. The heavy 

equipment doing the dragging is NOT allowed in the 15-foot filter area. 

106. Do not place any slash pile within the filter boundaries. 

107. Do not allow construction of landings within the filter area. 

Purpose: To promote long-term soil productivity. 

108. Manage for a minimum of 5 to 7 tons per acre of boles on ponderosa pine sites. 
Appendix A

26 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Purpose: To minimize and mitigate impacts from activities that 

compact sites and restore long-term soil productivity and to 

minimize impacts on .severe erosion soils. 

109. Identify landings and staging areas for heavy equipment and any in-woods processing 

sites outside of filter strips and meadows. Rehabilitate sites after use by methods such as, 

but not limited to: 1) ripping to remove compaction; and 2) seeding with certified weed 

free native seed to 5 pounds per acre; and 3) spreading of slash to disguise the site and 

provide a mulch for seeds. Use the Santa Fe National Forest Terrestrial Ecosystem 

Survey to identify species for seed mix. 

Purpose: To promote long-term soil productivity. 

110. Because operating during wet or soil saturated conditions is the top condition leading to 

resource damage, suspend task order unit activities when wet or saturated operating 

conditions are identified by the timber sale administrator, contracting officer 

representative, Supervisor’s Office watershed staff, the timber sale administrator, 

contracting officer representative, or Supervisor’s Office watershed staff or operators.

111. Manage for all slash in piñon-juniper sites to be spread effectively and sufficiently in 

order to slow overland flows of water. 

112. Allow mechanical crushing of lopped slash only on slopes of 0-25%. 

Design Feature and Monitoring Measure 

Purpose: EDA/ERA validation monitoring. The project offers an 

opportunity to test the EDA/ERA cumulative effects 

indicator with real world data collected through the CFLR 

program. Through this monitoring, along with data collected 

by the New Mexico Environment Department and watershed 

condition surveys, EDA/ERA may be correlated to the 

modeled EDA/ERA effects. The interdisciplinary team used a 

threshold of concern of 15% to model cumulative effects for 

HUC 12s. By comparing these projections against the data 

collected, we can determine if the threshold modeled is too 

high or too low. 

113. For HUC 12s with an EDA/ERA existing condition of less than 15%: recalculate the 

EDA/ERA and compare it with the monitoring data every two years. 

114. For HUC 12s with an EDA/ERA existing condition of greater than 15%, including 

Church Canyon-Jemez River, East Fork Jemez River, Outlet Rio Cebolla and Outlet San 

Antonio, recalculate the EDA/ERA and compare it with the monitoring data every year. 

Headcut Treatments

Design Features 

Purpose: To minimize loss of soil productivity and limit erosion. 

115. Headcuts accessed by existing roads with surrounding non-erosive soils are candidates 

for mechanical treatment (placing of materials by machinery). Headcuts not accessed by 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 27

existing roads or that are on erosive soils can receive mechanical treatment if done when 

dry or frozen soil conditions exist. 

116. Conditions or timing may limit treatments by hand crews.

Purpose: To minimize loss of soil productivity and limit erosion. 

Prevent further loss of soil due to headcut migration. 

117. Mechanical treatments include using a dump truck, backhoe, and a small staging area. 

118. Place staging area on the road or immediately adjacent to the road. 

119. Use locally available material when feasible.

120. Use hand treatments at those locations without road access or those areas needing less 

(mechanical) disturbance due to resource concerns (soils, cultural, wildlife). 

121. Hand treatments may include mechanical staging of fill material. 

122. Prioritize treatment locations with respect to current sediment inputs into perennial 

streams and those perennial streams that are 303-d listed for sediment and/or turbidity 

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To reduce soil detachment and transport. 

123. Repair degraded channel function (headcut) and improve water quality and soil 

stability. 

Instream Habitat Restoration, Bank Stabilization, and Stream 

Channel Treatments

Design Features 

Purpose: Design feature specific to project. 

124. For all activities, use local materials and native plants when available. 

Purpose: To prevent sediment inputs into the stream; prevent 

increasing of width-to-depth ratio and entrenchment ratio. 

Create aquatic habitat. 

125. Bank stabilization treatments may include the following: 1) mechanical actions (i.e. use 

of a dump truck for staging material and backhoe for placing material); 2) installing or 

placing post-vanes, bank armor, or grade control large woody debris or boulders; 3) key 

rootwad placement, or 4) gravel or bedload augmentation. 

126. Use bank stabilization treatments on those perennial streams needing actions to improve 

a 303-d listing or those needed for aquatic habitat improvement. 

Purpose: To prevent sediment inputs into the stream; prevent 

increasing of width-to-depth ratio and entrenchment ratio. 

For all bank stabilization treatments (including removal of failed fish structures):

127. Use silt fences or waddles, if needed, to stop localized soil disturbance. 

128. Plant native riparian vegetation to further stabilize the bank work. 
Appendix A

28 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

129. Install fencing to protect the bank work. 

130. Work will take place during base-flow conditions and dry or frozen soil conditions. 

131. When feasible, use manual labor in the placing of post-vane, armor, bed-load additions 

or other similar structures

Purpose: To prevent sediment inputs into the stream; prevent 

increasing of width-to-depth ratio and entrenchment ratio. 

Create aquatic habitat. Create wetland habitat. 

132. Stream re-channelization will be used only in stream reaches meeting the qualifying 

stream channel physical characteristics. The primary technique will be plug and pond. 

133. This action may take place on 2 identified locations, one each on San Antonio Creek 

and the Rio Cebolla, with each reach not to exceed 200-yards of stream course. 

For all stream re-channelization:

134. A 401/404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required.

135. Mechanical equipment may be used and includes the use of dump trucks and backhoes. 

Use silt fences and/or waddles, if needed, to keep sediment out of streams.

136. Actions will not take place during periods of bankful flow. Actions will take place 

during periods at or near base-flow.

137. Install fencing around both the old and new stream channels in each of the selected 

stream reaches.

138. Plant native riparian vegetation for bank stabilization. 

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To prevent soil detachment and transport, reduce 

sedimentation, stabilize streambanks and provide aquatic 

habitat.

To reconnect flow to floodplain, create riparian and aquatic 

habitat, and reduce soil loss and sedimentation. 

For all bank stabilization treatments:

139. Design and implement stream channel projects in a manner that increases the potential 

for success in meeting project objectives and avoids, minimizes, or mitigates adverse 

effects to soil, water quality, and riparian resources. 

For all stream re-channelization activities:

140. Design channels with natural stream pattern and geometry and with stable beds and 

banks; provide habitat complexity where reconstruction of stream channels is necessary. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 29

Nonnative and Invasive Plants 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To prevent spread and establishment of nonnative and 

invasive plants. 

For harvesting operations: 

141. Prior to moving off-road equipment onto the sale area, purchaser shall identify the 

location of the equipment’s most recent operation. Purchaser shall not move any off-road 

equipment that most recently operated in an area infested with one or more invasive 

species of concern onto the sale area without having cleaned such equipment of seeds, 

soil, vegetative matter, and other debris that could contain or hold seeds, and having 

notified the Forest Service. 

142. Prior to moving any off-road equipment subject to cleaning requirements, the purchaser 

will advise the Forest Service of its cleaning measures and make the equipment available 

for inspection. The Forest Service will have two days, excluding weekends and Federal 

holidays, to inspect the equipment after it has been made available. After satisfactory 

inspection or after the 2-day period, the purchaser may move the equipment as planned. 

Equipment will be considered clean when a visual inspection does not disclose seeds, 

soil, vegetative matter, and other debris that could contain or hold seeds. The purchaser 

will not be required to disassemble equipment unless so directed by the Forest Service 

after inspection. 

143. If the purchaser desires to clean off-road equipment on National Forest land, such as at 

the end of a project or prior to moving to, or through an area that is free of invasive 

species of concern, Purchaser shall obtain prior approval from Contracting Officer as to 

the location for such cleaning and measures, if any, for controlling impacts. 

For road maintenance:

144. Clean and carefully inspect all earth-moving or tree-masticating equipment prior to 

entry onto forest land to ensure removal of all dirt, plants, and other foreign material that 

may transport noxious weed seeds. 

145. Treatment may be deferred on a particular weed species when a reason is stated. 

Private Property and Structures 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To protect flammable structures 

146. Notify landowners in advance of prescribed burning. 

147. Protect flammable structures in the project area from fire-related damage by removing 

fuels, building firelines, burning blacklines, or other methods. 

Rangeland Resources 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To protect range infrastructure. Monitor resource conditions.
Appendix A

30 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

For prescribed burning:

148. Protect fire-sensitive range infrastructure (corrals, pipelines, water storage tanks, water 

troughs, fences, and cattleguards) from fire damage. Methods may include pre-burn fuel 

removal, fire containment lines around structures, strategic ignition patterns, or other 

methods. 

149. Fencelines will be used as burn area boundaries when possible. 

150. Fire and timber personnel will coordinate with district range staff on prescribed burn 

operations and harvesting activities at least one year prior to implementation. 

For all activities:

151. Existing rangeland monitoring sites will be located prior to treatments. Monitoring sites 

will not be excluded from treatments; however, sites will not be used for landing areas, 

skid trails, slash piles, gravel pits or roads.

152. Timber operations will consult with the district range staff to determine pasture use 

during harvest activities.

153. All fences will be protected from harvesting activities. Temporary cattleguards will be 

installed if needed. Skid trails, and temporary roads will be laid out so as to avoid cutting 

fences.

154. All water facilities (earthen dams, trick tanks, storage tanks, pipelines, drinkers, etc.) 

should not be removed or excluded by harvesting or prescribed burning operations. 

Purpose: To minimize economic effects on grazing permittees. 

155. No single grazing allotment will be treated with prescribed fire for two consecutive 

years. 

156. When and where possible, take advantage of natural barriers and existing roads to limit 

soil disturbance and construction of new fires lines. 

Recreation 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To maintain consistency with Forest Plan in regard to tree 

cutting in wild segment of the East Fork Jemez River Wild 

and Scenic River. (p. 2002-4). 

To provide resource protection on trails within project area.

To minimize impacts on majority of visitors, who use the 

forest during summer season. 

Protect trail amenities. 

To avoid mechanical treatments in the Semi-Primitive NonMotorized ROS setting within wild segment of the East Fork 

Jemez River Wild and Scenic River. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 31

157. Avoid using trails as skid trails or temporary roads. If a trail, or section of trail, is used 

as a skid trail or temporary road, include trail clean up and rehabilitation in the contract. 

This shall include restoring the trail to its original width.

158. Avoid conducting initial entry prescribed burns in the Jemez National Recreation Area 

(JNRA) during peak recreational season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day). 

159. Avoid treatment implementation on weekends and during holiday weekends. 

Riparian Area Restoration

Design Features 

Purpose: Design features specific to project. To reduce ungulate use in 

riparian areas and impacts along streambanks. 

160. Dispersed recreation areas needing treatment will be identified by the district recreation 

staff and the forest watershed specialist. 

161. Close sites by placing soil, rock, and boulders on and around the site. Exclosures may 

be built to limit access by livestock and people. 

162. Best effort will be made to use immediate, locally available material and plants.

163. Gaps between exclosures should be a sufficient length to spread out livestock and 

wildlife water access use to reduce concentrated stream and streambank impacts. Gaps 

along the stream between exclosures should be at least double the size of the exclosures. 

164. Where vegetation has been severely impacted, planting of riparian shrubs, i.e., willow, 

and transplanting of sedges may be done within the exclosures. 

Road Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Treatments 

Design Features 

Purpose: To reduce effects from roads.

165. Intensity of treatment will depend on what resources are in the area, length of the road, 

soil conditions, slope of the roads, and resource being damaged. 

166. Use the following methods: installing signs, blocking entrances, restoring vegetation, 

eliminating the road bed, and other methods described in Forest Service Manual 7734.1. 

167. Roads causing damage to hydrological resources, cultural resources or threatened

endangered, and sensitive species habitat are a priority for decommissioning. 

Purpose: To minimize soil erosion and minimize spread of noxious 

weeds. 

For site rehabilitation on stream-crossing projects where ground disturbance occurs:

168. Seed with native, certified weed-free seed mix at rate and composition needed for each 

site. Use the Santa Fe National Forest Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey to identify species to 

be seeded at individual sites. Where feasible, spread slash across the disturbed area to 

create microclimates and protect from grazing ungulates. 
Appendix A

32 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Purpose: To minimize soil erosion and minimize spread of noxious 

weeds. 

169. Install silt fences and/or waddles downstream from ground-disturbing activities in 

stream channels to minimize sediment delivery into the stream during construction. 

Remove silt fences when revegetation is completed. 

Purpose: To comply with state and federal water quality standards by 

minimizing sediment delivery to drainages and to create 

microclimate for regeneration of grass and forb communities 

and minimize spread of noxious weeds. 

170. Use hydromulch, mulch, erosion mats, slash, or other methods to protect newly 

disturbed soils (e.g.) at stream-crossing sites as needed and where feasible. Use only 

certified weed-free straw. 

Purpose: To comply with state and federal water quality standards by 

minimizing soil erosion through the stabilizing influence of 

vegetation ground cover. Minimize spread of noxious weeds.

Site rehabilitation at stream crossing sites:

171. Use one of the following revegetation methods for site rehabilitation such as, but not 

limited to: 1) Store sod removed from the initial ground disturbance and replace the sod 

from the top of the bank on the disturbed site; 2) Seed with a native seed mix (see above) 

3) Protect site with slash spread across the disturbed area to create microclimates and 

protect from grazing ungulates. Limit slash placement to the upper 2/3 of the streambank 

to limit downstream transport of woody material; 4) Fence out ungulates until the site has 

reestablished); 5) use mycorhizal inoculum on severely disturbed sites where no topsoil is 

left; and 6) install erosion mats. 

Purpose: To minimize disturbance in drainage systems and minimize 

sediment production within channel. 

172. Do not borrow road fill or embankment materials from the stream channel or meadow 

surface on road maintenance or stream crossing projects. Compact (compress) the fill 

dirt. 

Purpose: To minimize sediment delivery into drainage and to minimize 

disturbance in drainage systems and minimize sediment 

production within channel. 

173. Relocate roads out of filter strips to an upland location where feasible. If this is not 

feasible, use riprap or velocity checks to stabilize or disperse water outfall on road 

maintenance projects when roads are located within filter strips. 

Purpose: To comply with state and federal water quality standards by 

minimizing soil erosion through stabilization of ground 

cover. Minimize noxious weed spread. 

174. At stream crossing sites, restore riparian-dependent grasses by 1) seeding native 

species, and 2) planting plugs of rushes and sedges to improve success of regeneration 

efforts. Fence with ungulate proof fencing until plants are established. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 33

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To comply with Clean Water Act provisions and to reduce 

channel sedimentation.

Roads not stabilized or maintained contribute to excessive 

soil loss and degraded channel function. 

175. Coordinate stream crossing rehabilitation (channel, shoreline, lake, pond, and wetland 

activities) with appropriate state and federal agencies. Incorporate Clean Water Act 404 

permit requirements and other federal, state, and local permits or requirements into the 

project design and plan. 

176. Road decommissioning includes a variety of treatments to block the road, revegetate the 

road surface, restore surface drainage, remove crossing structures and fills, mitigate road 

surface compaction, re-establish drainage-ways, remove unstable road embankments, and 

recontour the surface to restore natural slopes. One or more treatments are applied to

decommission the road depending on resource objectives and cost. 

177. Roads not needed for access for long periods (more than 1 year) may be put into 

“storage” to reduce maintenance costs. Level 1 roads receive basic custodial maintenance 

focusing on maintaining drainage facilities and runoff patterns to avoid or minimize 

damage to adjacent resources and to perpetuate the road for future use. The integrity of 

the roadway is retained to the extent practicable and measures are implemented to reduce 

sediment delivery from the road surface and fills and reduce the risk of crossing failure 

and stream diversion. 

Road Maintenance Treatments

Design Features 

Purpose: To reduce channel sedimentation

178. Mechanized equipment would not be used within clearly defined drainages (perennial, 

intermittent, or ephemeral) or riparian areas. 

179. Restrict ground-based equipment from operating when soils are saturated or 

approaching saturation. 

180. Roads will receive maintenance as needed throughout the life of the project or duration 

of the contract. 

Scenery 

Design Features 

Purpose: Achieve a level of scenic integrity consistent with direction 

established in the Forest Plan

All activities within the viewshed of Sensitivity Level 1 travelways and use-areas (the most 

sensitive area) as shown on Sensitivity map in the scenery specialist report. 

181. The viewsheds, or areas visible, from the Sensitivity Level 1 areas will be managed to 

meet or exceed a scenic integrity level of High within five years after implementation: the 

landscape appears natural; management activities are present but not evident. 
Appendix A

34 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

182. A landscape architect or forest recreation specialist will be involved with the unit layout 

strategy in Sensitivity Level 1 areas. The extent of viewsheds from Sensitivity Level 1 

areas will be confirmed in the field. Portions of the project area that are representative of 

the various treatments proposed will be used to convey specific resource instructions and 

overall marking strategies.

183. For prescribed fire, use existing barriers (roads) and natural barriers as control lines 

whenever possible.

184. Protect large mature trees where possible, particularly those with a diameter over 26 

inches and with yellow bark features. 

All activities within Management Area F (East Fork Jemez Wild and Scenic River): 

185. Existing groupings of gamble oak and other understory vegetation will be retained and 

encouraged to promote visual diversity.

186. Seeding mixtures will contain a high percentage of berry-producing shrubs, colorful 

plants, and wildflowers, as prescribed in the Jemez Wild and Scenic River Plan. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of treatments

Mechanical treatments visible from Sensitivity Level 1 travelways and use-areas: 

187. All created openings will be in scale with the surrounding landscape features. Openings 

will be strategically located to maintain or create distant views of scenery.

188. Mechanical treatments will be designed to enhance the visual diversity within the 

landscape by providing for a variety of tree sizes, spacing, and densities. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of fences seen from Sensitivity Level 1 

travelways and use-areas. 

189. Design fences that complement the natural and cultural setting by either blending 

visually into the landscape or reflecting the cultural history of the area. Dark colored 

metal posts, split-rail, or buck and pole fencing are recommended in areas visible from of 

Sensitivity Level 1 travelways and use areas. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of meadow treatments, instream work, 

and headcut treatments seen from Sensitivity Level 1 

travelways and use-areas: 

190. Areas where heavy machinery will be used will be restored to a natural-appearing state. 

Re-grade and re-vegetate around earthen dams and constructed pools and channels to 

simulate the natural terrain of the area and blend into existing contours. 

Mitigation Measures

All activities within East Fork Jemez Wild and Scenic River

Purpose: Consistency with management direction in the forest plan.

191. In the East Fork Jemez WSR, any tree harvest decks and landings will be located 

outside of the immediate foreground zone (300 feet) of the river, roads, trails, and 

recreation areas. Landings will be restored to original or characteristic contours and revegetate within one year of project completion.
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 35

192. Within the East Fork Jemez WSR, dispose of activity-generated slash in the immediate 

foreground zone (300 feet) of the river, trail and recreation areas within one year of 

project completion, with the exception of a maximum of five logs per acre with a 

minimum 12-inch diameter and 15-foot length for wildlife. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of treatments 

Road skid trail and landing construction activities visible from Sensitivity Level 1 

travelways and use-areas: 

193. Rehabilitate all equipment staging areas, log landings, skid trails, temporary roads and 

firelines at the end of the project so as to not be visually evident from Sensitivity Level 1 

areas immediately following implementation. Rehabilitation will include returning the 

ground to natural contours, implementing decompaction and erosion control measures as 

needed, pulling slash and rocks across firelines, disguising entrances and covering bare 

soil with slash, chips, needles or cut brush as necessary. Restore proper drainage and 

reseed as needed with native species. Reseed and mulch landings according to applicable 

BMPs (see soil and water resources specialist report) as soon as possible to speed 

recovery. If trails are used, rehabilitate trails to original width, condition, and designated 

class level.

194. Align temporary roads to use topography and vegetation where possible to help screen 

them from vista points and Sensitivity Level 1 travelways.

195. Minimize the distance you can see down temporary roads and skid trails from 

intersections with Sensitivity Level 1 roads and trails. Efforts should be made to have 

them intersect at a right angle, then curve the temporary road or skid trail soon after the 

junction to limit the distance seen down the temporary road. 

196. Avoid using machinery within the dripline of leave-trees to prevent scarring by 

equipment. 

Purpose: To reduce impacts on scenic integrity

For Mechanical Treatments Visible from Sensitivity Level 1 Travelways and Use-areas 

197. The size of created openings visible within foreground distances (1⁄2 mile) from the 

Sensitivity Level 1 areas will range up to 4 acres. Openings in middleground distances (1⁄2 

mile to 4 miles) will range up to 10 acres. 

198. Maintain free-form shapes and edges that reflect the natural, open-space patterns of the 

desired landscape character. Create openings in the canopy that vary in size and shape 

while leaving groups or clumps of uneven-aged trees. The shape will relate to the 

topography and will flow with the contours, following natural lines of the slopes, mesas, 

ridges, drainages and rock outcrops. 

199. Stump heights shall be cut as low as possible, with the cut angled away from the viewer. 

Flush cut stumps within 4 inches of the uphill side of the stump where possible.

200. Avoid unnatural-looking (straight) lines by undulating edges of the treatment areas 

horizontally and establishing a diverse height of leave trees.

201. Feather the edges of mechanical treatments to blend into the surrounding landscape. 

Where the treatment unit is adjacent to denser forest, the percent of thinning within the 

transition zone is progressively reduced toward the denser edges of the unit. Similarly, 
Appendix A

36 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

where the treatment unit interfaces with an opening (including meadows and other natural 

openings) the transition zone is progressively increased toward the open edges of the unit.

202. Mark trees that are to be removed on the backs of trunks, away from the primary 

viewing point, so marks do not detract from the landscape character. 

203. If machine piling is used in areas visible from Sensitivity Level 1 areas, then special 

brush rakes or grapples are recommended to minimize damage to existing groundcovers. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of treatments

Slash Treatments Readily Visible from Sensitivity Level 1 Travelways and Use-areas: 

204. Pile and burn, or masticate woody debris visible from Sensitivity Level 1 use-areas as 

soon as possible after project implementation. 

205. No residual material should be left after pile burning. Excess slash to be burned will be 

piled in irregularly-spaced intervals. Do not build piles in straight lines. Care must be 

taken to create irregularly shaped burn piles so as to not leave a circular burn footprint.

206. Scatter burned slash on control lines to reduce the color contrast of the exposed soil. 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of fences seen from Sensitivity Level 1 

travelways and use-areas 

207. In areas visible from Sensitivity Level 1 travelways and use-areas, use dark colored 

steel posts for elk exclosure fences (8 feet tall). 

Purpose: To reduce visibility of meadow treatments seen from 

Sensitivity Level 1 travelways and use-areas. 

208. Avoid machine piling in meadow areas.

209. Construct concrete barriers, retaining walls, and/or highly visible headwalls and 

endwalls of box culverts with color and/or texture qualities that blend into the existing 

landscape.

210. Use native plants characteristic to the area to screen tanks and drinkers from roads and 

trails.

211. If slash is not removed in meadow treatment areas, then the preferred treatment is to lop 

and scatter to 24-inches high. 

Seep and Spring Treatments 

Design Features 

Purpose: To reduce effects on soil and water resources, limit ungulate 

access to seep and spring areas, and to retain large trees. 

212. No operation of mechanical (harvest/thin) equipment within the spring-seep complex. 

No mechanical equipment will be allowed within the spring-seep complex unless the soil 

is frozen. Cut and remove conifers less than 16-inches diameter that are within 100 feet 

of identified seeps or springs. 

213. Do not cut trees that will lead to destabilization of the spring, seep, or channel. Cutting 

or falling of conifers is allowed. Drag trees from site only when soil is frozen. Do not 

drag trees if the drag path crosses or destabilizes a seep, spring, channel or other feature. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 37

214. If possible, pile slash along the 100-ft boundary to limit ungulate access. 

215. Large trees may be cut and removed or cut and left in place. 

Purpose: To comply with state and federal water quality standards by 

minimizing soil erosion through stabilization of ground 

cover. Minimize spread of noxious weeds.

216. Obtain Supervisor’s Office approval and selection of an onsite spring and seep 

protection specialist(s). This specialist will be onsite during ground-disturbing activities. 

Purpose: To improve hydrologic function of seeps and springs. 

217. Cutting and/or removal of conifers is allowed if spring or seep has an existing nonconifer woody or riparian component. If no riparian component exists, remove trees less 

than 16-inches diameter leaving only those that will improve hydrologic function. If site 

has all smaller age-classes, leave an appropriate number of trees that will improve 

hydrologic function. 

218. Remove livestock grazing access at spring or seep complexes with fencing. Use 

material cut onsite or pile (jackstraw) cut material

Purpose: Sufficient quantities of water needed for spring and wetland 

function will have equal priority to water needed for 

livestock. 

219. If a spring or seep with a water trough or other water structure is being used by 

livestock, relocate the water structure away from spring or seep complex. 

Purpose: To improve hydrologic function of seeps and springs. 

220. Slash and cut trees can be used (placed) to improve spring or seep hydrologic function. 

Use manual methods to drag excess fuels offsite, and place in burn piles not exceeding 6-

feet diameter and 5-feet high. 

Purpose: To improve success of regeneration efforts. 

221. At spring restoration sites, restore riparian-dependent plants by seeding native species 

and/or planting plugs or cuttings of native plants (trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs, etc.). 

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To restore spring and seep habitat to improve function and 

water quality and quantity. 

222. Consider how existing water quality and quantity and habitat conditions at the project 

site have been affected by past habitat alterations, hydrologic modification, and riparian 

area changes in the watershed. 

Silviculture Treatments

Design Features

Purpose: To meet forest plan direction for vegetation management. 

Uneven-aged management using selective cutting in ponderosa pine: 

223. A target basal area 50-70 within groups of trees or about 20-70 overall (including 

interspaces). 
Appendix A

38 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

224. Groups are 0.1 to 4 acres, averaging 0.5 acres, and generally consist of 2 to 14 

dominant and co-dominant trees per 0.1 acre.

225. Approximately 10% of the area would be in openings (grasses and forbs), and 

approximately another 10% in regeneration (seedlings and saplings). 

226. Crown spacing between groups of trees (interspace) would vary depending on 

treatment intensity. Interspaces would be 30-60 feet between groups of trees. A total of 

30-60% of the area would not be treed because of openings and interspaces. There would 

be more openings where the site index is lower.

227. Openings are up to 4 acres in size and placed in VSS 3 and 4 stands, or stands with 

heavy mistletoe, or around existing openings. 

228. Size classes would be balanced as much as possible.

229. Species composition would be primarily ponderosa pine with Gambel oak and juniper. 

Douglas-fir and limber pine are incidental.

230. Leave 5-7 tons per acre of woody debris and 2 snags per acre.

231. Prescribe burn every 5-10 years. 

Purpose: To move stands toward desired condition. 

Stand improvement thinning and burning in ponderosa pine: 

232. Thin, primarily from below, to improve growth and vigor. 

233. Thin tree groups to free-to-grow conditions to allow for rapid growth and development. 

234. Establish interspaces between remaining tree groups.

235. Establish crown spacing between groups that would vary from 30 to 60 feet depending 

on treatment intensity.

236. The priority for establishing openings would be in currently non-stocked areas and in 

areas that have moderate to severe dwarf mistletoe infection. 

237. We would use this type of thinning in young, even-aged stands such as plantations, 

stands with light to moderate dwarf mistletoe, along some prescribed burn firelines, and 

in remote and/or steep stands.

238. Use prescribed fire to treat slash. 

Purpose: To meet forest plan direction. 

Uneven-aged management using selective cutting in dry mixed conifer:

239. Target basal area of 60-80 within groups, or about 30-80 overall (including 

interspaces).

240. Groups are 0.1 to 2.5 acres, averaging less than 1 acre. 10% of the area would be in 

openings, another 10% in regeneration. A total of 10-50% of the area would not be treed 

because of openings and interspaces. Interspaces are 30-60 feet between groups of trees. 

241. Size classes would be balanced as much as possible.

242. Species composition is a mix of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, limber pine, white fir, and 

aspen.

243. Leave aspen as individual trees or small groups.

244. Leave 10-15 tons per acre of down logs greater than 12-inches diameter and 3 snags 

per acre, on average. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 39

245. Prescribe burn every 7-12 years.

Purpose: To move toward desired condition. 

Stand improvement thinning and burning in dry and wet mixed conifer: 

Dry mixed conifer:

246. Treatments are similar to those described for ponderosa pine stand improvement. 

247. Create groups and openings, but smaller than in ponderosa pine. Higher stand density 

than in ponderosa pine. 

248. Prescribe burn to reduce slash. 

Wet mixed conifer:

249. Individual tree selection, light thinning if needed to reduce fire hazard. Burn only if fire 

backs into stand from an adjacent burn. 

250. Possible reasons for treatment are: proximity to endangered species habitat, WUI, 

springs, insects, disease, or other special need areas, or as small inclusions of wet mixed 

conifer within other cover types. 

251. Treatments would be uneven aged, individual tree selection across size classes with 

small (0.1 acre) openings for regeneration. 

252. Balance successional stages. If early succession (aspen) is lacking (less than 20% of the 

cover type), cut patches to stimulate regeneration.

Purpose: To move toward desired condition, create diversity across the 

landscape. 

Treatments to maintain or increase aspen cover type: 

253. To maintain acres in aspen, cut invading conifers in stands. Cut trees may be removed. 

254. To create new acres of aspen, stimulate regeneration by cutting conifers where they 

have overtopped aspen stands. 

255. Focus on stimulating new aspen stands on the north and west portions of the project 

area, because the eastern portion is near the Las Conchas burn which has lots of new

aspen. 

256. Create patches of 5-40 acres, spread across the landscape, to provide vegetative 

diversity and fire breaks. 

257. Put patches in existing conifer stands of VSS 3 and 4. Focus patches on places where 

conifers have mistletoe, budworm, high bark beetle risk, etc.

258. Leave conifers larger than 24-inches diameter 

Purpose: To maintain and enhance cover type. 

Treatments in piñon-juniper: 

259. Desired residual tree densities are between 50-200 trees per acre. 

260. Leave a range of tree sizes.
Appendix A

40 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

261. Prioritize areas for treatment to reduce erosion, protect heritage sites, or to increase 

habitat for songbirds. 

262. Firewood may be gathered where roads allow. 

263. Scatter slash to provide ground cover or pile and burn. 

Purpose: To maintain and enhance stands with old-growth 

characteristics for forest diversity and wildlife habitat. 

Old growth treatments:

264. Prioritize stands within or adjacent to Mexican spotted owl protected activity centers, 

goshawk post-fledging family areas, Jemez Mountains salamander locations, and 

visually-sensitive areas for old growth management. 

265. Select stands classified as VSS 5 and 6 for inclusion in the old growth allocation. 

266. Thin primarily small trees and create gaps in the overstory with group or individual tree 

selection. 

267. Leave trees larger than 24-inches diameter. 

268. Burn slash from mechanical treatments, but avoid reducing the amount of large woody 

debris. 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: To control bark beetles. 

In ponderosa pine: 

269. Slash greater than 3-inches in diameter that is created between January and June must 

be removed, burned, cut to short lengths, chipped, or otherwise treated, within 21 days. 

Material cut in winter may be left on site until March 15. These measures may be 

modified by a silviculturist based on weather and specific stand conditions. 

Soil and Watershed Health and Function 

Design Features 

Purpose: Conduct operations that reduce erosion, compaction, soil 

detachment, transport, and rutting. 

270. Cumulative and proposed actions and their combined proposed soil impacts exceeding 

15% of the Huc12 will require additional design criteria as listed in the watershed 

specialist’s report. 

Purpose: Conduct operations that reduce erosion, compaction, soil 

detachment, transport, and rutting. These actions will 

produce less detached sediment and less sediment delivery 

into all drainage types, thus improving water quality and soil 

productivity. 

271. Winter logging on frozen soil is preferred to mitigate surface disturbance and accelerate 

vegetative recovery. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 41

272. Conduct logging operations using the least surface-disturbing equipment. The preferred 

equipment is a harvester-forwarder with an articulating boom and a harvester head, and 

wide, rubber-tracked wheels that are used on designated skid trails. 

273. Attempt to make no more than 3 passes on a skid trail as research shows compaction 

greatly increases after a third pass. 

274. Do not operate in wet or saturated soil conditions. 

For all treatments on Mollisol soils (TEU units 156, 630, 631, 641, 642, and 652): 

275. Do not exceed a 5 percent increase per year in existing bare soil conditions (see the 

Watershed and Soils Specialist Report).

276. If possible, avoid locating new landings within these units. If unavoidable, use an older 

or formerly existing landing. If no suitable prior area of disturbance can be located within 

the Mollic unit, consult with the watershed staff person. Landings must be ripped, seeded, 

and covered with adequate slash to minimized erosion, but allow for vegetative recovery.

277. Minimize construction of new skid trails, and use existing trails, routes, and roads 

instead. 

278. Roads and skid trails used in treatment polygons within the Mollisol soil units will be 

hydrologically stabilized within 24 hours of the unit or polygon closeout. This will be 

verified by the Supervisor’s Office watershed staff, timber sale administrator, contracting 

officer representative, or personnel approved by the watershed staff.

Purpose: Low soil severity burn on Mollisol soils will reduce vegetative 

recovery times and improve overland flow or infiltration, 

and reduce soil detachment and transport. 

279. Grinding or chipping operations on the Mollisol soil units will not exceed a 2-inch or 

one-layer thickness of chip-grind material. 

Purpose: Monitoring

280. For vegetation and prescribed fire treatments, implement the Forest Soil Disturbance 

Monitoring Protocol (FSDMP) and the Soil Disturbance Field Guide. Pre-disturbance 

data (baseline data) will represent all ecotypes and treatments and further provide a 

seamless transition into BMP monitoring. Implement proper functioning condition (PFC) 

monitoring on the streams within the project area. The pre-treatment PFC monitoring will 

provide a baseline to determine post-treatment effectiveness in the project area streams 

and associated riparian corridors. 

281. The timber sale administrator will monitor the implementation of BMP’s during timber 

harvesting activities. Forest watershed specialists will employ those BMPs necessary to 

the riparian, stream, springs and seeps actions. 

282. The timber sale administrator will verify that the timber sale purchaser has implemented 

all erosion control measures prior to the closure of the timber sale. Primary responsibility 

will be that of the timber sale administrator and the Forest watershed staff.

283. The district fire management officers will verify that all BMPs associated with all 

burning activities have been implemented and monitored. 

284. Within the first 5 years after timber sale closure, BMP’s are evaluated for effectiveness. 

Monitoring will concentrate on such items as erosion control measures for skid trails, log 
Appendix A

42 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

landing or decking areas, road maintenance, road obliteration, and burned areas. Conduct 

a soil condition and disturbance evaluation within treatment units, focusing on vegetative 

ground cover, coarse woody debris, soils erosion, soil compaction, and soil displacement. 

285. Documented information from monitoring is used to adjust BMPs as necessary, to 

improve implementation and effectiveness of BMPs. This information will be made 

available to the New Mexico Environmental Department for review as specified in the 

intergovernmental agreement.

Best Management Practices 

Purpose: To maintain and improve watershed function and soil 

productivity. 

286. Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to soil, water quality, and riparian 

resources by implementing measures to control surface erosion, gully formation, mass 

slope failure, and resulting sediment movement before, during, and after mechanical 

vegetation treatments. 

Temporary Road Construction and/or Opening Existing 

Closed Roads 

Design Features 

Purpose: To reduce impacts from temporary roads and other road 

work.

287. Temporary roads will be of the lowest design specification possible while providing 

adequate access for product removal. 

288. Locate temporary roads to avoid excessive skidding distances, skidding on steeper 

slopes, adverse skids and to go around wet areas or meadows.

289. For opening existing closed roads, use design features for road maintenance treatments. 

290. Temporary roads will receive maintenance as needed throughout the life of the project 

or duration of the contract. 

291. Existing closed roads will receive maintenance as needed throughout the life of the 

project or duration of the contract. Close these roads after use. 

Purpose Decommissioning measures for temporary roads.

292. Temporary roads will be decommissioned as part of the closing work.

293. Remove any berm on the road edge that would hold or channel water. 

294. If compaction is evident, road will be ripped before seeding. 

295. Install waterbars to prevent water from following the decommissioned road. 

296. Seed areas of bare soil with certified, native plant rehab mix.

297. Slash may be pulled onto the road. 

298. Closure may be a berm, rocks, or stumps to block motorized access.
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 43

299. Decommissioned temporary roads will be monitored every other year for six years. If 

there is evidence that unauthorized use has occurred, use other measures to ensure that 

they stay closed. This may include using larger berms, rocks or other barriers to block 

access.

300. People using decommissioned temporary roads would be in violation of the closure 

order created under the Travel Management Decision and may be cited. 

Threatened and Endangered Species 

Mexican Spotted Owl 

Design Features 

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid or minimize effects on 

species and habitat. 

301. Adhere to the Forest Plan, as amended, applicable to proposed activities in Mexican 

spotted owl habitat (USFS 1987b, Appendix D, pp.1-6). 

302. In Mexican spotted owl protected activity centers avoid nest areas during prescribed fire 

operations to the extent possible. Plan ignitions away from the nest area. 

303. All PACs within the project area will be monitored for occupancy and reproduction. 

304. Implementation activities will occur in no more than half of the PACs per year. In 

addition, the Forest will attempt to minimize the amount of time that it is operating in 

PACs to reduce disturbance to owls. For example, if trees are cut in January-February, 

then burning will occur in the fall. If cutting occurs in September, then burning would 

occur in the fall of the following year. 

305. All activities within PACs will be avoided during the breeding season unless adequately 

surveyed to determine occupancy for the season. 

306. Plan ignitions away from the nest area but allow prescribed fire to burn through the nest 

area. 

Silvicultural Treatments 

307. No thinning/mechanical treatments in nest areas.

308. Thin if owl habitat can be improved to reduce fire risk. This will move the stands 

toward having larger trees and a multi-storied canopy. 

309. Thin primarily small trees (less than 18-inches diameter) and crate gaps in the overstory 

using group or individual tree selection. 

310. Leave trees larger than 18-inches diameter.

311. Burn slash from treatments. 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: Maintain consistency with the forest plan 

312. Prior to implementation of activities where owls or their habitat might be affected by 

management actions, survey all areas that contain forested recovery habitat, riparian 

forest, and canyon habitat, or that might support owls. In general, the survey area should 
Appendix A

44 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

include the survey area (area of project activities) and an 800-meter (0.5 mile) area from 

its exterior boundaries. These areas will be surveyed as defined in the Revised Recovery 

Plan for the owl (USFWS 2012).

Purpose: Comply with the terms and conditions as outlined in the 

USFWS Biological Opinion

The Santa Fe National Forest (Forest) will implement the following terms and conditions as 

outlined in the Biological Opinion unless the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approves 

deviation from these terms and conditions through site-specific project consultation. 

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 1:

313. Avoid activities within 0.25 mile of PACs during the breeding season (March 1 to 

August 31) that could result in disturbance to nesting owls. If the Forest determines 

through protocol surveys that spotted owls are not nesting the year of the proposed 

project or locates a nest and is able to buffer the breeding owls from noise throughout the 

breeding season, then this restriction would not apply. Other options include documenting 

topographic buffers in specific PACs or using a noise tampering technology to reduce 

noise impacts. 

314. Management activities within PACs and restricted habitat shall be coordinated and 

implemented to reduce potential disturbance to Mexican spotted owls. For example, 

where possible, thinning and/or burning activities associated with habitat adjacent to 

PACs will be coordinated with overall PAC thinning and/or burning activities in order to 

minimize the frequency and duration of operations within and immediately adjacent to 

these areas.

315. The Forest, in coordination with the USFWS, shall develop contingency plans in the 

event of new PACs being established or PAC boundary modifications due to owl 

movement or habitat changes. Flexibility shall be built into the project (including task 

orders) so that as owls move or new sites are located, project activities can be modified to 

accommodate these situations.

316. The Forest shall ensure that all contractors associated with thinning and burning 

activities, transportation of equipment and forest products, research, or restoration 

activities are briefed on the Mexican spotted owl, know to report sightings and to whom, 

avoid harassment of the owl, and are informed as to who to contact and what to do if a 

Mexican spotted owl is incidentally injured, killed, or found injured or dead on the Santa 

Fe National Forest. If an owl fatality is discovered, the USFWS Mexican spotted owl lead 

will be contacted as soon as possible. 

317. Haul trucks will not exceed 25 miles per hour on Forest Service System Roads in the 

project area.

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 2:

318. The Forest shall coordinate management activities within PACs and restricted habitat in 

order to reduce effects to habitat from multiple entries that can disturb owls and result in 

adverse effects to habitat. 

319. The Forest shall meet annually with the USFWS to discuss the upcoming year’s 

thinning and burning plans in Mexican spotted owl habitat and review the past year’s 

thinning and burning activities in owl habitats. 
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 45

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 3: 

320. The Forest shall monitor the effects of mechanical thinning and prescribed burning on 

owl occupancy and reproduction, and key habitat components (as defined in the Revised 

Mexican spotted owl Recovery Plan, table C.2) in all six PACs. Owl occupancy and 

reproductive data shall be collected for at least two years prior to treatment and two years 

post-treatment. Vegetation data should be collected pre-treatment and at defined intervals 

post-treatment. The specific plan development, selection of PACs, and monitoring 

framework, shall be developed in coordination with the USFWS (including the Mexican 

spotted owl lead) and Santa Fe National Forest Staff to ensure coordination with other 

projects and monitoring efforts. This monitoring plan shall be designed and implemented 

to evaluate the effects of thinning and prescribed fire on owl occupancy and reproduction, 

and retention of or movement toward desired habitat conditions within PACs.

321. The Forest shall monitor the impacts of incidental take resulting from implementation 

of the proposed action and report these findings to the USFWS. Incidental take 

monitoring shall include information such as when the project was implemented, whether 

the project was implemented as proposed and analyzed in this BO (including 

conservation measures and best management practices), breeding season(s) over which 

the project occurred, relevant owl survey information, and any other pertinent 

information about the project’s effects on the species.

322. Annual reports will describe actions taken under this proposed action and impacts to the 

owl and its critical habitat. The annual report shall be sent to the New Mexico USFWS 

Ecological services field office and the USFWS Mexican spotted owl species by March 1 

of each year. 

Conservation Measures 

Purpose: Conservation measure to avoid, improve, or minimize effects 

on species and habitat.

323. The Forest will work with the USFWS to conduct Mexican spotted owl surveys over 

the next several years to attempt to determine how owls modify their territories in 

response to wildland fires on the Santa Fe National Forest. This information will aid in 

understanding the short- and long-term impacts of fire on the owl, and its subsequent 

effect on the status of the species in the SRM EMU. Surveys would be coordinated with 

the USFWS prior to implementation of any project.

324. The Forest will continue to work with the USFWS to design forest restoration 

treatments across the Santa Fe National Forest that protects existing nest/roost habitat 

from high-severity, stand-replacing fire, and enhance existing or potential habitat to aid in 

sustaining Mexican spotted owl habitat across the landscape. PACs can be afforded 

substantial protection from wildland fire by emphasizing fuels reduction and forest 

restoration in surrounding areas outside of PACs and nest/roost habitat.

Jemez Mountains Salamander 

Design Features 

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid, improve, or minimize 

effects on species and critical habitat. 
Appendix A

46 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

325. Springs or seeps found in wet mixed conifer in Jemez Mountains salamander critical 

habitat will not be treated. 

326. Burning during the salamander restriction period will be conducted when most or all 

salamanders would not be surface active because salamanders are only surface active 

when environmental conditions are wet enough to keep their skin moist, which generally 

is too wet to carry fire.

327. General habitat elements will be monitored before and after treatment implementation 

through fire effects monitoring plots. The Forest is currently collecting this information 

using the fire ecology crew at Bandelier National Monument.

328. The Forest is working with Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences 

Laboratory on a project designed to evaluate prescribed fire burn intensities near 

archeological sites and its influence on large logs. The Forest will look for opportunities 

to use these data where feasible to reduce impacts to salamander habitat features from 

prescribed burning activities.

329. The Forest will target some salamander survey efforts in aspen stands to assess 

salamander occupancy in this forest type.

330. Slash in aspen treatment areas will be managed to generate only enough slash to burn at 

low to moderate fire intensities to achieve desired results in aspen stands. Approximately 

5-7 tons per acre will be left onsite. Excess wood will be removed to prevent a hot fire 

from damaging the soil.

331. With the exception of aspen treatments, creation of openings in mixed conifer in 

designated critical habitat for the salamander will be one acre or smaller.

332. Roads causing damage to hydrological resources, cultural resources or threatened, 

endangered, and sensitive species habitat are a priority for decommissioning.

333. The Forest will work with the USFWS during annual meetings to identify the locations 

of road decommissioning and the level of effort that will be needed to protect 

salamanders. 

334. The Forest will rehabilitate all equipment staging area, log landings, skid trails, 

temporary roads, and firelines at the end of the project. Rehabilitation may include 

returning the ground to natural contours, implementing decompaction and erosion control 

measures as needed, pulling slash and rocks across firelines, disguising entrances, and 

covering bare soil with slash, chips, needles, or cut brush as necessary, and reseeding 

with native seeds as needed. Any rehabilitation that disturbs the soil, rocks, woody debris, 

or potential cover objects in designated critical habitat for the salamander will occur 

when conditions are dry or frozen, or outside of the surface activity season for the 

salamander. 

335. On areas to be prescribed burned, fire prescriptions will be designed to minimize soil 

temperatures over the entire area. High intensity fire should occur on 10% or less of the 

entire area. Fire prescriptions will be designed so that soil and fuel moisture are such that

fire intensity is minimized and soil health and productivity are maintained. Fire effects 

monitoring plots will be used to assess percentage of high intensity fire that occurred over 

prescribed burn areas.

336. Areas for old growth management will be prioritized stands within or adjacent to owl 

protected activity centers; goshawk post-fledging family area; Jemez Mountains 

salamander locations, salamander designated critical habitat, and visually-sensitive areas.
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 47

337. The Forest will work with the USFWS to identify how to best implement silviculture 

treatments in wet mixed conifer. 

338. Disturbance of soil, rocks, boulders, and large woody debris in designated critical 

habitat will be avoided to the greatest extent practical.

339. Any activity that uses heavy machinery will only occur in designated critical habitat for 

the salamander when soils are dry or frozen unless there is an exemption. Working when 

soils are dry or frozen will reduce the risk of crushing salamanders, as they are unlikely 

to be impacted when soil is dry of frozen, and will minimize compaction of soil. 

340. For road maintenance and decommissioning activities, heavy machinery may be used at 

times when the soil is not dry or frozen, but will be kept strictly to existing compacted 

road surfaces (and will not enter the shoulder of the road) in designated critical habitat for 

the salamander unless otherwise agreed upon and documented between the Forest and 

USFWS.

341. As much as practicable, ignite prescribed fire in in a manner to minimize torching 

within occupied salamander habitat.

Critical Habitat:

342. Implement meadow treatments as described in the proposed action. 

343. Implement cultural resource protection treatments as described in the proposed action. 

344. Treat seeps and springs at the upper end of the basal area range based on vegetation 

type in ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer. 

345. Implement riparian treatments as described in the proposed action. 

346. Do not build temporary roads in critical habitat. 

347. No new ground disturbance in potential road decommissioning sites. 

348. In ponderosa pine, leave a residual stand with a basal area of 60 to 80.

349. In dry mixed conifer, leave a residual stand with a basal area of 80 to 100. 

Mitigation Measures

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid, improve, or minimize 

effects on the Jemez Mountains salamander and its critical 

habitat. 

350. Do not cut Douglas-fir for bank stabilization treatments in critical or occupied habitat 

for the Jemez Mountains salamander.

351. Avoid building or making jackpot piles of slash on top of existing large logs. 

352. Burn jackpot piles as soon as possible, preferably within one year of creation, to 

minimize salamander colonization and use of piles as habitat, in critical habitat. 

353. Burn piles before broadcast burning to reduce fire intensity and heat penetration into the 

soil within critical habitat. 

354. Firelines for prescribed fires will not be constructed in critical habitat during the 

salamander restrictive season of June 15 through October 30. 
Appendix A

48 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

355. Use of heavy machinery, and other activities, with the exception of burning, that could 

directly affect salamanders that are active above ground (surface active) will only be 

conducted when ground is frozen or dry, and outside of the salamander restriction period, 

June15 through October 30. If seasonal rains begin earlier than June 15, any activity that 

could directly affect salamanders will not occur in designated critical habitat. Exemptions 

to implementing activities (except burning) during the salamander restriction period (June 

15 through October 30), or when salamanders may be surface active that could directly 

affect salamanders that are surface active will only be done with coordination and 

agreement between the Forest and USFWS.

356. Soil and watershed BMPs in this appendix will be followed to protect salamander 

habitat. 

357. Disturbance around road decommissioning sites will attempt to stay in the compacted 

footprint of the road except where re-establishment of contours or re-connecting natural 

drainages are required to address water quality or watershed issues. New ground 

disturbance along the edges will be minimized.

358. The Forest will leave 10-15 tons per acre of downed logs greater than 12-inches 

diameter in dry mixed conifer and 3 snags per acre, on average. Douglas fir trees will be 

favored for placement in designated critical habitat for the salamander.

359. The Forest will limit new landings in salamander critical habitat to 0.25 acres. 

360. The Forest will attempt to make no more than three passes on a skid trail, as research 

shows compaction greatly increases after a third pass.

Purpose: Comply with the terms and conditions as outlined in the 

USFWS Biological Opinion. 

The Forest will implement the following Terms and Conditions as outlined in the Biological 

Opinion unless the USFWS approves deviation from these terms and conditions through sitespecific project consultation. 

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 1:

361. The Forest shall ensure that all contractors associated with thinning and burning 

activities, transportation of equipment and forest products, research, or restoration 

activities are briefed on the Jemez Mountains salamander, important habitat features to 

avoid when practicable, and are informed of the conditions salamander are typically 

surface active (moist soil at about 12 degrees C or 54 degrees F), and who to contact and 

what to do if a Jemez Mountains salamander is observed or incidentally injured, killed, or 

found injured or dead on the Santa Fe National Forest. If a salamander injury or fatality is 

discovered, the USFWS Jemez Mountains salamander lead will be contacted as soon as 

possible. 

362. When seeking an exemption to the salamander restriction period, June 15 through 

October 30, the Forest shall develop a methodology or protocol that will be used to assess 

site specific environmental conditions and criteria used for determining suitability for 

surface activity for conducting work in salamander critical habitat. The coordination 

between the Forest and USFWS should be documented for the project record. 

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 2:
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 49

363. The Forest shall demonstrate that treatments that affect Jemez Mountains salamander or 

its designated critical habitat will be implemented in a staged manner so that effects can 

be dispersed over time and space, learning can take place, and new information can be 

applied to future treatments to minimize adverse effects to those species and habitat. The 

staged implementation may be coordinated and documented with the USFWS at annual 

meetings, or presented as an entire detailed implementation schedule prior to project 

implementation.

364. The Forest shall apply soil and watershed health and function design features stated on 

page 298 of the DEIS to salamander critical habitat to minimize effects to salamander 

primary constituent elements.

365. The Forest shall limit aspen treatments to 2 acres in size in designated critical habitat 

until the Forest is able to collect and present information regarding effects of the 

treatments on the salamander or its habitat. Subsequent to receiving this information, the 

Service may approve in writing conducting aspen treatments up to 10 acres in size in 

designated critical habitat.

366. Material (e.g. rocks, boulders, logs) used for any treatment such as instream habitat 

restoration, headcut, or stabilization treatments, and site closings will not be removed 

from designated critical habitat.

367. The Forest will assess soil compaction resulting from heavy machinery using the first 

two treatment blocks in designated critical habitat and determine affects to salamander 

PCEs. Soil compaction data should include soil type or types, pre-treatment compaction 

data, equipment type used and, and relevant environmental or biophysical parameters 

present during treatment. The Forest shall report to the USFWS findings of compaction 

assessment in salamander critical habitat and any potential mitigations or BMPs that are 

developed to reduce effects of compaction. 

368. The Forest shall develop BMPs, or work with the Service to develop BMPs, on how to 

best rehabilitate areas that have been impacted by new firelines in designated critical 

habitat. Development of BMPs and rehabilitation of new firelines shall occur within one 

year burn. 

369. The Forest will use the data collected from the before and after treatment 

implementation fire effects monitoring plots to better understand how structural habitat 

features such as woody debris may be affected by burning activities. Results will be 

assessed and reported, with any potential BMPs or mitigation that may be developed 

within one year of collection to the USFWS.

370. The Forest will continue to work with the USFWS to develop additional BMPs to 

minimize impacts to the salamander, its designated critical habitat, and potential critical 

habitat. 

371. Heavy machinery or other equipment used for treatments to restore instream habitat or 

used in aquatic systems will be cleaned of all soil, mud, and debris followed by 

disinfection with approved chemicals prior to moving equipment into undisturbed areas 

(e.g. outside of existing road beds) occupied or potentially occupied by salamanders to 

minimize the risk of spreading or introducing amphibian pathogens. 

372. The Santa Fe National Forest shall meet annually with the USFWS to discuss the 

upcoming year’s implementation schedule for the proposed action, including thinning 

and burning plans in Jemez Mountains salamander critical habitat and potential habitat 
Appendix A

50 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

and review the past year’s thinning and burning activities in salamander habitat and 

review the development of an occupancy model or other scientifically sound equivalent.

The following terms and conditions will implement reasonable and prudent measure 3:

373. The Forest shall monitor the impacts of incidental take resulting from implementation 

of the proposed action and report these findings to the USFWS. Incidental take 

monitoring shall include information such as when the project was implemented, whether 

the project was implemented as proposed and analyzed in this BO (including 

conservation measures and best management practices), acreages of habitat affected and 

how, salamander survey information, and any other pertinent information about the 

project’s effects on the species or its habitat.

374. Annual reports will describe actions taken under this proposed action and impacts to the 

salamander and its critical habitat. The annual report shall be sent to the New Mexico 

USFWS Ecological Services field office by March 1 of each year. 

Conservation Measures 

Purpose: Conservation measure to avoid, improve, or minimize effects 

on species and habitat.

375. The Forest will work with the USFWS to develop a strategy that provides for long term 

management and recovery of the salamander. This includes:

a. not avoiding treatments in designated critical habitat for the salamander or potential 

salamander habitat, but rather continue to pursue how to best implement treatments to 

minimize impacts to salamanders and their habitat while improving habitat 

conditions and reduction of risk of high severity wildfire throughout the range of the 

salamander on Forest Service lands; 

b. continuing to work with the USFWS in identifying the occupied range of the species 

in potential habitat; and

c. continuing to work with the USFWS to conduct targeted salamander surveys in 

potential habitat. 

376. The Santa Fe National Forest will work with the USFWS to develop an occupancy 

model or scientifically sound equivalent that can be used to assess occupancy or changes 

in occupancy through time while taking into account factors that affect the probability of 

detection of the salamander. 

Meadow Jumping Mouse 

Design Features 

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid or minimize effects on 

species and habitat.

377. Install fencing to protect the bank on instream habitat restoration and stream channel 

treatments around both the new and old channel and native riparian planting (for bank 

stabilization).
Appendix A 

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 51

378. Riparian restoration on San Antonio Creek and Rio Cebolla, will be prioritized to 

improve habitat at known jumping mouse locations. 

379. Bank stabilization will be selected for those perennial streams needing actions to 

improve a 303-d listing or needed for aquatic habitat improvement. 

380. Project activities with heavy equipment will take place outside of the jumping mouse 

active season. Use of locally available material will be considered.

381. Follow riparian streamcourse buffers within proposed Critical Habitat:

a. Severe erosion hazard: 120 feet on each side of streamcourse.

b. Moderate erosion hazard: 100 feet on each side of streamcourse. 

c. Slight erosion hazard: 70 feet on each side of streamcourse.

Fire and Fuels management within proposed Critical Habitat: 

382. In areas to be prescribed burned, establish filter strips (also known as Aquatic 

Management Zones). These stream reaches will be designated as a protected 

streamcourse.

383. Fuels will not be ignited within this buffer area, though fire would be allowed and is 

expected to creep into the buffer. 

384. Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects of prescribed fire and associated activities 

on soil, water quality, and riparian resources that may result from excessive soil 

disturbance as well as inputs of ash, sediment, nutrients, and debris into waterways. 

Headcut Treatments within proposed Critical Habitat: 

385. Use hand treatments at those locations without road access or those areas needing less 

(mechanical) disturbance due to resource concerns (soils, cultural, wildlife).

Riparian Area Restoration within proposed Critical Habitat: 

386. Best effort will be made to use immediate, locally available material and plants.

387. Where vegetation has been severely impacted, planting of riparian shrubs (i.e., willow) 

and transplanting of sedges may be done within the exclosures. 

Road Decommissioning within proposed Critical Habitat: 

388. Roads causing damage to jumping mouse proposed Critical Habitat are a priority for 

decommissioning. 

Conservation Measures

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid, improve, or minimize 

effects on species and habitat.

389. The Forest will work with the USFWS to develop a strategy that provides for long-term 

management and recovery of the meadow jumping mouse. This includes: 

Completion of comprehensive jumping mouse surveys within areas that have not been 

surveyed since 2005 and 2006, but also in areas that contain suitable habitat. Surveys 

should also be conducted within areas where riparian vegetation is restored to document 

project success. This information will greatly assist all parties in gaining a better 

understanding of the current status and whether habitat restoration leads to additional 
Appendix A

52 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

populations of the species. The USFWS will discourage the Forest from assuming future 

projects within potential jumping mouse habitat are occupied or continued to be occupied 

in lieu of conducting up-to-date survey.

Wildlife Habitat Treatments

Design Features 

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid or minimize effects on 

species and habitat. 

390. Monitor the effects on peregrine falcon through occupancy surveys during the breeding 

season. 

For all treatments to screen water sources from human disturbance: 

391. Plant vegetation at existing developed water sources near roads or in open (visible) 

areas throughout the project area. 

392. Use hand or mechanical methods for planting. 

For all treatments to increase water sources for wildlife:

393. Water sources may include trick tanks, earthen tanks, drinkers, and other types of 

developed water sources. 

394. Earthen dams would not be placed in stream channels. 

395. Screen water sources where necessary using design features listed above.

396. Provide ramps in water tanks, as necessary, to allow small animals to escape.

For all treatments to create snags: 

397. Work would be done throughout project area in stands lacking large diameter (greater 

than 16 inches) snags or that do not meet forest plan standards. 

398. Create snags by girdling trees or other means. 

Purpose: To minimize effects on neotropical migratory birds. 

399. When designing site-specific projects, consider avoiding vegetation disturbance during 

the peak breeding season: May 15 through July 31 (estimated peak bird breeding season 

at higher elevations in this project area). 

Mitigation Measures 

Purpose: Conservation measures to avoid, improve, or minimize 

effects on species and habitat. 

400. Around active elk wallows and seeps, preferentially select groups of understory trees to 

provide desired screening.

401. All work within the channel of Rio Grande cutthroat trout (RGCT) occupied streams 

will be avoided from March 1 to July 15th to minimize effects to spawning fish. 

402. In-stream and riparian restoration activities will take place after RGCT spawning during 

base-flow conditions, and on dry or frozen riparian soil conditions where possible. 
Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 53

Appendix B. Forest Plan Amendments

Table 1. Forest Plan Amendments

Existing Forest Plan Language

Purpose of the 

Amendment 

(Reason for 

Change) Proposed Forest Plan Language

In Mexican Spotted Owl Protected 

Activity Centers: Designate a 100-acre 

“no treatment” area around the known 

nest site of each selected protected 

activity center. (Appendix D – Standards 

and Guidelines for Management of 

Mexican Spotted Owl, Northern 

Goshawk, and Livestock Grazing).

The 2012 Mexican 

Spotted Owl 

Recovery Plan 

allows prescribed 

fire in the 100-acre 

no treatment area.

Designate a 100-acre limited 

treatment area around the identified 

core area of a protected activity 

center (PAC). Limited treatment 

means that only prescribed fire is 

allowed. 

In Mexican Spotted Owl Protected 

Activity Centers: Select for treatment 

10% of the protected activity centers 

where nest sites are known in each 

recovery unit having high fire risk 

conditions. (Appendix D – Standards 

and Guidelines for Management of 

Mexican Spotted Owl, Northern 

Goshawk, and Livestock Grazing).

This guidance is in 

line with the 2012 

Mexican Spotted 

Owl Recovery Plan 

and allows us to 

treat all six PACs 

within the project 

area and better 

achieve desired 

conditions.

Conduct restoration treatments in up 

to 20% of PACs within each 

ecosystem management unit (EMU) 

that exhibits high fire risk conditions.

In Mexican Spotted Owl Protected 

Activity Centers: Also select another 

10% of the protected activity centers 

where nest sites are known as a paired 

sample to serve as control areas. 

(Appendix D – Standards and 

Guidelines for Management of Mexican 

Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk, and 

Livestock Grazing).

The proposed 

monitoring was 

developed in 

conjunction with 

USFWS and allows 

for us to monitor 

changes but still 

treat the PACs. 

Paired monitoring of PACs will take 

place within the project area using the 

existing PACs and separating 

treatments within PACs by at least 

two years. This will aid in 

distinguishing between effects from 

treatment versus environmental or 

other influences on Mexican spotted 

owl.

In Mexican Spotted Owl Protected 

Activity Centers: Use combinations of 

thinning trees less than 9 inches in 

diameter, mechanical fuel treatment and 

prescribed fire to abate fire risk in the 

remainder of the selected protected 

activity center outside the 100-acre “no 

treatment” area. (Appendix D –

Standards and Guidelines for 

Management of Mexican Spotted Owl, 

Northern Goshawk, and Livestock 

Grazing)

To meet the desired 

conditions, we want 

to be able to cut 

trees up to 18-

inches diameter in 

PACs, outside of the 

core area. 

Within Mexican spotted owl PACs, 

use combination of cutting trees less 

than 18-inches diameter, mechanical 

fuel removal, and prescribed fire to 

treat fuel accumulations to abate fire 

risk. 
Appendix B

54 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Existing Forest Plan Language

Purpose of the 

Amendment 

(Reason for 

Change) Proposed Forest Plan Language

In Mexican Spotted Owl Restricted 

Areas: The following table displays the 

minimum percentage of restricted area 

which should be managed to have 

nest/roost characteristics. The minimum 

mixed conifer restricted area includes 

10% at 170 basal area and an additional 

amount of area at 150 basal area. The 

additional area of 150 basal area is 

+10% in BR-E and +15% in all other 

recovery units. The variables are for 

stand averages and are minimum 

threshold values and must be met 

simultaneously. In project design, no 

stands simultaneously meeting or 

exceeding the minimum threshold values 

should be reduced below the threshold 

values unless a district-wide or larger 

landscape analysis of restricted areas 

shows that there is a surplus of 

restricted area acres simultaneously 

meeting the threshold values. 

Management should be designed to 

create minimum threshold conditions on 

project areas where there is a deficit of 

stands simultaneously meeting minimum 

threshold conditions unless the 

districtwide or larger landscape analysis 

shows there is a surplus. (see table 1a 

below)

Adjusts 

requirements for 

nest/roost 

characteristics in 

recovery habitat to 

guidance from the 

2012 Mexican 

Spotted Owl 

Recovery Plan.

Table C.3 from the revised recovery 

plan (p. 278) displays the minimum 

desired conditions for mixed-conifer 

forest areas managed for recovery 

nesting/roosting habitat. Manage 

stands so that a specified portion 

(25%) of the landscape does not fall 

below the lower stand condition 

thresholds in table C.3. Identify and 

protect stands that meet or exceed 

nest/roost conditions and then assess 

whether or not these stands satisfy 

this area requirement. Stands that do 

not meet nest/roost conditions and 

are not designated for development of 

such can be managed to meet other 

resource objectives. The 

environmental analysis for this project 

is striving for these desired conditions 

in the recommended amounts at this 

large spatial scale. See table 1b at 

the end of this appendix

In Mexican Spotted Owl Restricted 

Areas: Encourage prescribed and 

prescribed natural fire to reduce 

hazardous fuel accumulation. Thinning 

from below may be desirable or 

necessary before using prescribed fire to 

reduce ladder fuels and the risk of crown 

fire. (Appendix D – Standards and 

Guidelines for Management of Mexican 

Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk, and 

Livestock Grazing)

Remove language 

specifying the use of 

thinning from below. 

This can indicate 

that only the lowest 

size classes of trees 

are removed. 

Uneven-aged 

management 

requires the removal 

of intermediate size 

classes as well.

Encourage prescribed and prescribed 

natural fire to reduce hazardous fuel 

accumulation. Thinning may be 

desirable or necessary before using 

prescribed fire to reduce ladder fuels 

and the risk of crown fire.
Appendix B

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 55

Existing Forest Plan Language

Purpose of the 

Amendment 

(Reason for 

Change) Proposed Forest Plan Language

Northern goshawk: Limit human 

activities in nesting areas during the 

breeding season. (March 1- September 

30). 

Limit human activity in or near nest sites 

and post-fledgling family areas during 

the breeding season so that goshawk 

reproductive success is not affected by 

human activities.

(Appendix D – Standards and 

Guidelines for Management of Mexican 

Spotted Owl, Northern Goshawk, and 

Livestock Grazing)

Allows treatment 

during breeding 

season which 

facilitates meeting 

desired conditions. 

Northern goshawk: Human activities 

will be limited to no more than two 

consecutive years during the 

breeding season (March 1 to 

September 30).

No corresponding forest plan direction 

regarding interspaces. (Appendix D – 

Standards and Guidelines for 

Management of Mexican Spotted Owl, 

Northern Goshawk, and Livestock 

Grazing and Glossary (for the definition) 

pp. 195-224).

The definition will be added to the 

Glossary – pp. 195-224.

Adds language to 

allow for interspaces 

in addition to VSS 

groups 1-6. 

Canopy cover is evaluated at the 

group level within mid-aged to old 

forest structural stages groups (VSS 

4, VSS 5, and VSS 6) and not within 

grass/forb/shrub to young forest 

structural stage groups (VSS 1, VSS 

2, and VSS 3) or in interspaces, 

natural meadows, and grasslands, or 

other areas not managed for forest 

conditions.

(Definition) Interspaces are areas not 

currently under the vertical projection 

of the outermost perimeter of tree 

canopies. They are generally 

composed of grass-forb-shrub 

communities but could also be areas 

with scattered rock or exposed 

mineral soil. Interspaces do not 

include meadows, grasslands, rock 

outcroppings, and wetlands (i.e., 

exclusions adjacent to and 

sometimes within forested 

landscapes.)

Timber activities in turkey nesting areas 

will be coordinated to minimize impacts 

between April 20 and June 10 

(replacement page 72).

Allows treatment 

during breeding 

season which 

facilitates meeting 

desired conditions. 

The nesting areas 

are not defined. It is 

impractical to 

identify Turkey 

nesting areas. The 

benefits of the 

project outweigh the 

potential detriments 

to turkeys.

Delete. 
Appendix B

56 Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

Existing Forest Plan Language

Purpose of the 

Amendment 

(Reason for 

Change) Proposed Forest Plan Language

When a peregrine falcon site plan 

doesn’t already exist and a Biological 

Evaluation finds that a proposed action 

may negatively impact an occupied 

eyrie, develop a site plan for the eyrie 

before approving the project. Adhere to 

site plan mitigations for the eyrie. 

(Replacement page 62)

Develop a site plan for each peregrine 

falcon eyrie (designated suitable nest 

site). Follow the specific requirements 

described in the site plans for each eyrie 

and the surrounding habitat zones, 

including requirements for evaluating 

potential impacts, monitoring, restricting 

the timing of activities, and controlling 

activities that may cause disturbance or 

pose a threat to the eyrie (replacement 

page 63).

Site plans 

established zones 

with time restrictions 

for up to 4 miles 

outward of the eryie 

to avoid disturbance 

to peregrine falcon. 

Adhering to such 

restrictions would 

significantly delay 

restoration work and 

inhibit the Forest’s 

ability to meet the 

intent of the CFLRP.

The Forest will do project level 

surveys within 1/2 mile of peregrine 

falcon nesting habitat (“A” zone) 

before and after project activities to 

assess how these activities affect 

occupancy and nest use.

Develop viewshed corridor plans for 

those sensitive level 1 roads specified in 

each management area. These plans 

will define project level landscape 

characteristics and identify the key visual 

elements for management. Plans will 

outline the activities to sustain the 

desired scenic landscape character 

overtime. (Replacement page 56)

The forest does not 

currently have any 

of these plans in 

place. The intent of 

these viewshed 

corridor plans will be 

met through design 

criteria and 

mitigations included 

in the project. 

Delete.

Manage for a visual quality objective of 

preservation (p. 151)

The visual quality 

objective of 

preservation

conflicts with the 

amendment in the 

Jemez National 

Recreation Area 

that allows for 

vegetation 

treatments in this 

management area 

(‘M’). 

Manage for a Visual Quality Objective 

of High. 
Appendix B

Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project 57

Table 1a. Existing Forest Plan, Appendix D – Standards 

and Guidelines for Management of Mexican Spotted Owl,

Northern Goshawk, and Livestock Grazing

Variable

MC 

ALL 

RU

MC 

BR-E 

RU

MC 

OTHER 

RU

Pineoak

Restricted 

area % 10% +10% +15% 10%

Stand 

Averages 

for: Basal 

Area

170 150 150 150

18 inch + 

trees/ac 20 20 20 20

Oak basal 

area NA NA NA 20

Percent total existing stand density index by 

size class:

12-18" 10 10 10 15

18-24" 10 10 10 15

24+" 10 10 10 15

Table 1b. Minimum desired conditions for Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery 

nesting/roosting habitat in the mixed-conifer forest type of the Southern Rocky 

Mountain Ecological Management Unit1

. 

Percent of 2 Area 25%

Percent Basal Area in 12-18 

inch d.b.h. class

>30

Percent Basal Area in 

inch d.b.h. class

> 18- >30

Minimum Tree Basal 3 Area 27.5 (120)

Minimum Density 4 Trees

of Large 30 (12)

1 This table is derived from table C.3 in the revised recovery plan for the Mexican spotted 

owl (USFWS 2012). Notes 2, 3, and 4 are the original table notes from table C.3.

2 Percent of area pertains to the percent of the planning area, subregion, and/or region in the 

specified forest type that should be managed for threshold conditions.

3 BAs in m2

/ha (ft2/acre), and include all trees >1 inch d.b.h. (i.e., any species). We 

emphasize that values shown are minimums, not targets.

4 Trees greater than 46 cm (18 inches) d.b.h. Density is tree/ha (trees/acre). Again, values shown 

are minimums rather than targets. We encourage retention of large trees.