Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

32

Chapter 2 - Alternatives

This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered for the Hwy 46 project. It includes a 

description and map of each alternative considered. This chapter also presents the alternatives in comparative 

form, defining the differences between each alternative in order to provide a clear basis for choice by the 

decision maker.

Three alternatives have been analyzed for this project: Alternative 1 - No-Action; Alternative 2 - Proposed 

Action and Alternative 3 - No Harvest in Fire Regenerated Stands.

2.1 Alternative 1 – No Action

Alternative 1- No-Action assesses the current management situation of the affected environment as well as 

the future conditions should an action not be implemented. The No-Action alternative should not be confused 

with a baseline. Whereas a baseline is essentially a description of the affected environment at a fixed point in 

time, the No-Action alternative considers what effects would occur to forest ecosystems and resources in the 

project area if no action is taken.

The purpose and need of the proposed action would not be met under Alternative 1, as no timber harvest or 

fuels treatments would be implemented.

2.2 Alternative 2 – Preferred Alternative

Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative and was developed to fully meet the purpose and need for this 

project. Alternative 2 proposes to treat approximately 4,060 acres in the project area (Figure 6). Harvest 

treatments proposed include thinning, gap creation, dominant tree release, quality early seral creation, sugar 

pine shelterwood harvest, meadow restoration and skips. Harvest treatments would yield approximately 40 

million board feet of timber. Post-harvest fuels treatments would include pile and burn and post-harvest 

underburn. Non-commercial treatments include understory enhancements, riparian treatments, and hazardous 

fuels treatments. Approximately 9.2 miles of temporary road construction and reconstruction would occur 

and approximately 108 miles of existing road would be maintained under Alternative 2. The Short Lake

reroute would connect FS Rd 040 to FS Rd 045 by using Rd 059 (as signed in the field) with a new 

construction of a short section to be approximately 1000 feet in length. Road 059 (as signed in the field) is an 

existing road that is located on a broad flat ridge. Approximately 1 mile of road realignment will occur, 

including the Short Lake road realignment and 0.3 miles of realignment on FS road 2231 to accommodate 

hauling over the Boulder Ridge road to Highway 22.

Table 5 includes a summary of treatments and connected actions proposed under Alternative 2. A detailed 

description of proposed treatments and project activities is included in Appendix A. A detailed list of 

individual unit treatments is listed in Appendix B. 

Table 5 Summary of Proposed Treatments and Connected Actions - Alternative 2

Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 2 Purpose – Need Addressed

Timber Harvest Treatments

Thinning outside Riparian Reserves Acres 1785.45 1,3,4,5,6

Thinning in Riparian Reserves (outside of no 

treatment buffers) Acres 703 1,3,4, 5,6
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 2 Purpose – Need Addressed

Quality Early Seral Creation Acres 43 1,6

Sugar Pine Shelterwood Acres 92 1,2,3,6

Gaps Acres 47.8 1,3,4,6 

Dominant Tree Release Acres 72.75 1,3,5,6 

Skips Acres 910 1,5

Meadow Restoration Acres 8 1,5,6

Total Acres 3662 -

Estimated Volume MMBF ~40

Non-Commercial Treatments

Understory Habitat Enhancements Acres 155 1,2,5

Streamside Treatments (fall and leave) Acres 20 1, 5

Hazardous Fuels Treatment Acres 223 2

Total Non-Commercial Treatments Acres 398

Post-Harvest Fuels Treatments1 in Timber Harvest Units

Pile and Burn (mechanical and/or hand 

treatments )2 Acres 886 2

Post-Harvest Underburn3 Acres 1102 2

Connected Actions

Harvest System

Helicopter Acres 317 6

Skyline Acres 1510 6

Ground Acres 926 6

Transportation

Temporary Roads Reconstruction Miles 4.01 6

Temporary Roads Construction Miles 5.11 6

Road Maintenance/Haul Route Miles 108 6

Road Realignment Miles 1 5, 6

Road Storage Miles 4.07 5

Road Decommissioning Miles 8.88 5

Rock Pit Management Each 10 6
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 2 Purpose – Need Addressed

Post-Harvest Planting

Early Seral Planting Acres 43 1

Shelterwood Planting Acres 92 1,3

Gap Planting Acres 47.8 1,3

Dominant Tree Release Planting Acres Up to 72.25 1,3

Other 

Subsoiling: Subsoiling would occur in harvest units where needed to keep compaction below Forest Standards and 

Guidelines for high compaction levels Subsoiling would also occur on skid roads located in regeneration 

harvest units and gaps. 

Temporary Road Decommissioning: All temporary roads used in project activities would be decommissioned 

upon completion of activities or connected activities. 

Scarifying Temporary Roads: Soils may be scarified to aid in vegetation establishment. 

Down Wood and Snag: At least 240 lineal feet per acre of decay class I and II material greater than 20” diameter 

and 20 feet in length would be retained within the regeneration harvest units. Where the preferred size of 

material is not available, 240 lineal feet per acre of the next largest trees proposed to be harvested would be 

left. On average 4 snags (or live trees for snag creation) per acre would also be left in the regeneration harvest 

units. 

1

: Post-harvest fuels treatments methods may change depending on feasibility and funding. Post-harvest fuels treatments would occur in 

timber harvest units; therefore the acreage of post-harvest fuels treatments are not included in the total acres of treated units. 2

: Mechanical treatment may include: grapple piling in slash concentrations, yarding tops attached, mastication, or any other mechanical 

device). 3

: These acres are possible underburn acres due to dbh and location, not all acreage may be underburned. Acreage not underburned 

may have other post-harvest fuels treatments assigned before implementation. 

Harvest treatments would occur in stands ranging from 26-145 years old. Non-commercial understory habitat 

and hazardous fuels treatments would occur in stands ranging from 20-450 years old. Table 6 provides a 

summary of forest age classes and treatment acres for Alternative 2.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 6 Summary of Forest Age Classes and Treatment Acres - Alternative 2

<80 years old 80-120 years old >120 years old

Acres of Harvest Units 

(including skips)

2621 773 266

Acres Proposed for 

Harvest 1966 608 210

Non-Commercial 

Treatment Acres

(including skips)

94 8 284
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Figure 6 Map of Alternative 2
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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2.3 Alternative 3 – No Harvest in Fire Regenerated Stands

During the public scoping process, two key issues were identified from comments and questions: 

Key Issue #1: Log truck traffic on the roads into and around the Breitenbush community poses a 

public safety concern. Issue includes public safety (Breitenbush community, bikeway, scenic byway, 

motorcyclists, etc.), and associated dust and noise associated with logging.

Key Issue #2: Harvest treatments should be restricted to plantations, no harvest in stands over 80 or 

in fire regenerated stands. 

In response to Key Issue #2, Alternative 3 was developed, which commercially harvests in plantations only, 

eliminating harvest in fire-regenerated stands. Therefore, measuring acres of fire-regenerated stands treated 

will encompass the stands over 80 years of age. Understory habitat treatments and hazardous fuels (WUI) 

treatments would still occur in fire-regenerated stands and stands over 80 years of age.

Alternative 3 proposes to treat approximately 3,022 acres in the project area (Figure 7). Harvest treatments 

proposed include thinning, gap creation, dominant tree release, quality early seral creation, sugar pine

shelterwood harvest, and skips. Harvest treatments would yield approximately 24 million board feet of 

timber. Post-harvest fuels treatments would include pile and burn and post-harvest underburn. Noncommercial treatments include understory enhancements, riparian treatments, and hazardous fuels 

treatments. Approximately 6.3 miles of temporary road construction and reconstruction would occur and 

approximately 98 miles of existing road would be maintained under Alternative 3. Approximately 1 mile of 

road realignment will occur, including 0.3 miles of realignment on FS road 2231 to accommodate hauling 

over the Boulder Ridge road to Highway 22. Road decommissioning and road storage miles remain the same.

Because harvest would occur in plantations only under Alternative 3, proposed acres for harvest treatment

decrease by 988 acres from Alternative 2, with harvest acres decreasing by 767 acres. Alternative 3 proposes 

19 fewer acres of gap creation; 11.5 fewer acres of dominant tree release; 616.5 fewer acres of thinning; 221

fewer acres of skips; and 29 fewer acres of regeneration harvest than Alternative 2. Alternative 3 would 

reduce acres of sugar pine restoration to 9 acres. There would be no meadow restoration in Alternative 3. 

Post-harvest fuels treatments would include pile and burn and post-harvest underburn. Non-commercial 

treatments include understory enhancements, riparian treatments, and hazardous fuels treatments.

Table 7 includes a summary of treatments and connected actions proposed under Alternative 3. A detailed 

comparison of Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 is available in Section 2.4 – Comparison of Alternatives. 

Table 7 Summary of Proposed Treatments and Connected Actions - Alternative 3

Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 3 Purpose – Need Addressed

Timber Harvest Treatments

Thinning outside Riparian Reserves Acres 1343.95 1,3,4,5,6

Thinning in Riparian Reserves Acres 528 1,3,4, 5,6

Quality Early Seral Creation Acres 14 1,6

Sugar Pine Shelterwood Acres 9 1,2,3,6

Gaps Acres 28.8 1,3,4,6 

Dominant Tree Release Acres 61.25 1,3,5,6 
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 3 Purpose – Need Addressed

Skips Acres 689 1,5

Meadow Restoration Acres 0

Total Acres 2674 -

Estimated Volume MMBF ~24

Non-Commercial Treatments

Understory Habitat Enhancements Acres 155 1,2,5

Streamside Treatments (fall and leave) Acres 20 1,5

Hazardous Fuels Treatment Acres 193 2

Total Non-Commercial Treatment Acres 368

Post-Harvest Fuels Treatments1 in Timber Harvest Units

Pile and Burn (mechanical and/or hand 

treatments )2 Acres 799 2

Post-Harvest Underburn3 Acres 586 2

Connected Actions

Harvest System

Helicopter Acres 56 6

Skyline Acres 1163 6

Ground Acres 766 6

Transportation

Temporary Roads Reconstruction Miles 3.3 -6

Temporary Roads Construction Miles 3.0 6

Road Maintenance/Haul Route Miles 98 -6

Road Realignment Miles 1 5, 6

Road Decommissioning Miles 4.07 5

Road Storage Miles 8.88 5

Rock Pit Management Each 10 6

Post-Harvest Planting

Early Seral Planting Acres 14 1

Shelterwood Planting Acres 9 1,3

Gap Planting Acres 28.8 1,3
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 3 Purpose – Need Addressed

Dominant Tree Release Planting Acres Up to 61.25 1,3

Key Issues

Fire Regenerated Stands Harvested Acres 0

Other 

Subsoiling: Subsoiling would occur in harvest units where needed to keep compaction below Forest Standards and 

Guidelines for high compaction levels Subsoiling would also occur on skid roads located in regeneration

harvest units and gaps. 

Temporary Road Decommissioning: All temporary roads used in project activities would be decommissioned 

upon completion of activities or connected activities.

Scarifying Temporary Roads: Soils may be scarified to aid in vegetation establishment. 

Down Wood and Snag: At least 240 lineal feet per acre of decay class I and II material greater than 20” diameter 

and 20 feet in length would be retained within the regeneration harvest units. Where the preferred size of 

material is not available, 240 lineal feet per acre of the next largest trees proposed to be harvested would be 

left. On average 4 snags (or live trees for snag creation) per acre would also be left in the regeneration harvest 

units. 

1

: Post-harvest fuels treatments methods may change depending on feasibility and funding. Post-harvest fuels treatments would occur in 

timber harvest units; therefore the acreage of post-harvest fuels treatments are not included in the total acres of treated units. 2

: Mechanical treatment may include: grapple piling in slash concentrations, yarding tops attached, mastication, or any other mechanical 

device). 3

: These acres are possible underburn acres due to dbh and location, not all acreage may be underburned. Acreage not underburned 

may have other post-harvest fuels treatments assigned before implementation. 

Harvest treatments would occur in stands ranging from 26-56 years old. No harvest would occur in stands 

over 57 years old. Non-commercial understory habitat and hazardous fuels treatments would occur in stands 

ranging from 20-450 years old. Table 8 provides a summary of forest age classes and treatment acres for 

Alternative 3.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 8 Summary of Forest Age Classes and Treatment Acres - Alternative 3

<57 years old 57-120 years old >120 years old

Acres of Harvest Units 

(including skips)

2621 0 0

Acres Proposed for 

Harvest 1966 0 0

Non-Commercial 

Treatment Acres

(including skips)

94 0 308
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Figure 7 Map of Alternative 3
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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2.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated

Alternative that Utilized FS Road 46 as Only Haul Route to Highway 22

The original proposed action included hauling all timber down FS Road 46 to Highway 22. This alternative 

would increase heavy equipment and log truck traffic in the vicinity of Breitenbush Resort and Conference 

Center. Due to public safety and noise concerns during logging and hauling operations, this haul route was 

modified to reduce traffic from operations in the vicinity of private land holdings in the project area, and the 

original haul route not analyzed.

Alternative with More Early Seral Habitat Creation 

In order to meet the purpose and need of moving the watershed seral distribution towards historic levels, 

more acres were considered for early seral habitat creation during planning and project design. The IDT 

developed guidelines for quality early seral habitat creation, and considered slope, exposure, plant 

association and location (limited vehicle access and not in the late successional reserve). If the acres did not 

meet the guidelines, the stand was dropped or thinning prescribed, and those acres were not analyzed for 

early seral creation.

Alternative with No Early Seral Habitat Creation

During public scoping, comments were received asking us to consider an alternative with no early seral 

creation. Because this alternative would not meet the purpose and need of moving the watershed seral 

distribution towards historic levels, it was not further analyzed.

2.5 Comparison of Alternatives

Table 9 summarizes and compares treatments and connected actions that would occur under each alternative. 

Table 9 Comparison of Alternatives

Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Timber Harvest Treatments

Thinning outside Riparian Reserves Acres 0 1785.45 1343.95

Thinning in Riparian Reserves Acres 0 703 528

Quality Early Seral Creation Acres 0 43 14

Sugar Pine Shelterwood Acres 0 92 9

Gaps Acres 0 47.8 28.8

Dominant Tree Release Acres 0 72.75 61.25

Skips Acres 0 910 689

Meadow Restoration Acres 0 8 0

Total Acres 0 3662 2674

Estimated Volume MMBF 0 ~40 ~24
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Proposed Activity Unit of 

Measure Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Non-commercial treatments

Understory Habitat Enhancements Acres 0 155 155

Streamside treatments Acres 0 20 20

Hazardous Fuels Treatment Acres 0 223 193

Total Acres 0 398 368

Post-Harvest Fuels Treatments1 in Timber Harvest Units

Pile and Burn (mechanical and/or hand 

treatments )2 Acres 0 886 799

Post-Harvest Underburn 3 Acres 0 1102 586

Connected Actions

Harvest System

Helicopter Acres 0 317 56

Skyline Acres 0 1510 1163

Ground Acres 0 926 766

Transportation

Temporary Roads Reconstruction Miles 0 4.01 3.3

Temporary Roads Construction Miles 0 5.11 3

Road Maintenance/Haul Route Miles 0 108 98

Road Realignment Miles 0 1 1

Road Decommissioning Miles 0 8.88 8.88

Road Storage Miles 0 4.07 4.07

Rock Pit Management Each 0 10 10

Post-Harvest Planting

Early Seral Planting Acres 0 43 14

Shelterwood Planting Acres 0 92 9

Gap Planting Acres 0 47.8 28.8

Dominant Tree Release Planting Acres 0 Up to 72.75 Up to 61.25

Key Issues

Fire regenerated stands harvested Acres 0 767 0

1

: Post-harvest fuels treatments methods may change depending on feasibility and funding. Post-harvest fuels treatments would occur 

in timber harvest units; therefore the acreage of post-harvest fuels treatments are not included in the total acres of treated units. 2

: Mechanical treatment may include: grapple piling in slash concentrations, yarding tops attached, mastication, or any other mechanical 

device). 3

: These acres are possible underburn acres due to dbh and location, not all acreage may be underburned. Acreage not underburned 

may have other post-harvest fuels treatments assigned before implementation. 
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Comparison of Treatments Proposed in Riparian Reserves for Alternative 2 

and 3

The treatments proposed in Riparian Reserves for Alternative 2 and 3 are described and displayed below in 

Tables 11 and 12. All units were surveyed by fisheries, hydrology, wildlife, and botany specialists. Each unit 

was gridded to capture streams, springs, wetlands and other waterbodies that may not be mapped on the GIS 

layer. Based on stream and riparian characteristics, a recommendation was made for no-treatment buffers and 

other potential treatments (e.g., down wood creation) for each waterbody.

Alternatives 2 and 3 propose both active and passive management of Riparian Reserves: thinning, gap 

creation, down wood augmentation, and no treatment (table 10). Within Riparian Reserves, stand-specific 

treatments were prescribed by the Silviculturist in consultation with the District Hydrologist and Fish 

Biologist and are listed in the Design Elements in Table 13. Stand treatments promote variable density within 

and among stands, including Riparian Reserves, by leaving skips, varying thinning intensities, and 

introducing gaps in selected stands (see the Vegetation Report). Within Riparian Reserves, no-treatment 

buffers protect stream shade, bank stability, large wood recruitment and other riparian processes; outside of 

the buffers, treatment in Riparian Reserves are designed to meet or accelerate meeting ACS objectives. Unit 

design elements developed by the interdisciplinary team directed the management action and the protection 

needed to accomplish resource goals. 

Table 10 Riparian Reserve Acres Proposed for Treatment

Activity Riparian Reserve Acres Proposed for Treatment

Alternative 

1

Alternative 2 Alternative 

3

Total Total Over 80 Total

Timber Harvest Treatments 0 708 190 528

Thinning 0 703 187 528

Sugar Pine Restoration 0 0 0 0

Quality Early Seral 0 0 0 0

Meadow Restoration 0 3 3 0

DTR Gaps (1/4-1/2 acre) 0 2 0 0

Non-commercial Treatments 0 73 3 73

Understory Habitat Enhancement 0 4 1 4

Hazardous Fuels Reduction 0 49 2 49

Streamside Treatment 0 20 0 20

Total Treatment 0 781 193 601

No Treatment N/A 677 208 474

Total Riparian Reserves in proposed units N/A 1,458 401 1,075

Total Riparian Reserves in Project Area 13,502

Percent of Riparian Reserve Commercially 

Thinned

0 5.2 1.4 3.9

Percent of Riparian Reserve Treated 0 5.8 1.4 4.4

Total Riparian Reserves in Watershed 27,925

Percent of Riparian Reserve Commercially 

Thinned

0 2.5 0.7 1.9

Percent of Riparian Reserve Treated 0 2.8 0.7 2.1
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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In order to add additional structural complexity, vegetative diversity, and habitat diversity to stands, some of 

the Riparian Reserve stands proposed for thinning also have small gap creation, totaling approximately 2 

acres. These small 1⁄4 acre gaps would increase stand diversity and productivity, enhancing terrestrial habitats 

which are also a component of the ACS objectives (see Wildlife Section and Appendix E). These gaps are 

planned primarily out of the Riparian Reserves but may have portions extending into the outer Riparian 

Reserve beyond the secondary shade zone. Table 11 shows a list of these proposed units. 

Table 11 Proposed Wildlife and DTR Gaps Within Outer Riparian Reserves for Alternatives 2 and 3

Unit

DTR Gaps in Unit Approximate Gap 

Acres in Riparian 

Reserve

Number 

of Gaps Gap Size

320 6 1⁄4 acre 0.3

350 2 1⁄4 acre 0.4

380 4 1⁄4 acre 0.7

400 3 1⁄4 acre 0.3

520 6 1⁄4 acre 0.4

Total 21 1⁄4 acre 2.1

Several streams were identified during field surveys to have a shortage of large woody material within the 

channel or floodplain, lack of riparian diversity, and/or opportunity for hardwood release. Selected streams 

for treatment were chosen for their vegetation characteristics at the stream catchment scale and at the sitespecific scale. The large majority of riparian stands along the entire length of the streams in units 6, 100, 190, 

430, and 520 are dense plantations lacking structural and species diversity. In these five young plantation 

units, fall and leave treatment would occur in approximately 20 to 75% of the units’ no-harvest buffers along 

approximately 3.2 miles of streams to reduce densities, open the canopies, increase growth and vigor of 

remaining trees, and add medium to large wood to forest floor and stream channels (Table 12). These 

treatments will occur with consideration to protecting or enhancing future shade trees and large wood that 

have potential to contribute to conditions in-stream in the long term.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 12 Proposed Streamside Treatments for Alternatives 2 and 3

Unit Stream Treatment Description Estimated 

Acres

Class 2 

Stream Miles

Class 3-4 

Stream Miles

6 Fox Creek

Fall and leave to 70 TPA density patches 

along the lower Fox Creek downstream 

of tributary confluence.

2.6 0.25 -

100 Leone Creek 

and tributaries

Fall and leave to 70-90 TPA density 

along the entire north side and patchy 

thinning with small gaps on south side of 

the southwest stream channel. Also fall 

and leave along parts of Leone Creek and 

east tributary to Leone in north part of 

units. Tip trees into streams.

7.6 - 1.0

190 Hill Creek

Lightly fall and leave in small hardwood 

release gaps within the 60 foot no-harvest 

buffer treat along Hill Creek.

2.3 0.4 -

430

Class IV 

tributary to 

North Fork 

Breitenbush 

River

Fall and leave trees into stream channel 

as source wood for the North Fork 

Breitenbush River downstream within 50 

feet of the channel to 90 TPA. 

2.2 - 0.2

520

Unnamed 

Class 3 and 4 

streams

Fall and leave to 70-90 TPA within 60 

foot no-harvest buffer on all streams, 

with 3-4 small hardwood release gaps

along the class 3 streams. 

5.5 - 0.8 (class 3)

0.5 (class 4)

Total Estimated Streamside Treatment 20 0.65 2.5
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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2.6 Project Design Elements Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

The design features in Table 13 were developed to reduce the environmental effects of the proposed activities and ensure project activities are 

implemented to comply with standards and guidelines, goals, objectives, conservation strategies and Best Management Practices. 

Table 13 Design Elements Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

Haul Route

70, 71, 72, 73, 

74, 75, 76, 77, 

78, 100, 110, 

120, 130, 140, 

160, 180, 190, 

200, 220, 240, 

250, 260, 280, 

290, 300, 310, 

320, 340, 350, 

360, 370, 380, 

390, 400

Respond to Key Issue

#1 – Public Safety. 

Reduce the amount of 

log truck traffic in the 

vicinity of the 

Breitenbush Resort 

and Conference 

Center

• Timber will be hauled over the 2231 road to Highway 22 and not down Highway 46.

Silviculture

All Protect legacy trees • Legacy trees should be retained and included in the thinning spacing. If legacy trees are determined to be a 

safety hazard or need to be felled for operational purposes, they shall be felled and left in place. Legacy 

trees are defined as trees left from the previous stands that are typically larger than the remaining trees. In 

this project area legacy trees are defined as all trees >30 inches dbh. 

All Prevent noxious weed 

spread • Keep the edge of gaps and DTRs at least 200 feet from drivable roads and 100 feet from each other.

2001), 2201), 

240-260, 280-

540

LSR assesment 

guidelines • Individual trees exceeding 20 inches dbh shall not be harvested except for the purpose of creating 

openings, providing other habitat structure such as down logs, elimination of a hazard from a standing 

danger tree, or cutting yarding corridors. Where trees larger than 20 inches dbh are cut, they will be left in 

place to contribute toward coarse woody debris.

1) for portion of unit in LSR only.

2001), 2201), 

240-260, 280-

540

LSR assesment 

guidelines • Leave at least 10% of the unit area in un-thinned patches and between 3 and 10% of the unit area in 

dominant tree gaps no larger than 1⁄4 acre each.

All where 

planting occurs

Meet stocking 

requirements identified • Plant to stocking level and species composition identified in the silvicultural prescription.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

in National Forest 

Management Act

Fuels

All For Soil Productivity 

(Duff retention and 

ground cover 

standards)

• Retain existing duff percentages in accordance with Forest Plan Standard and Guidelines, See integrated 

prescriptions for unit specifics. Duff retention will be monitored as part of any activity that may affect the soil 

resource, such as spot or pile burning, or broadcast burning.

• Where chipping operations are planned, depth of chips should not exceed 3 inches and should not exceed 

40% ground cover of an area for any given acre. Chipping equipment traffic would be maintained within 

existing roads, trails footprints, or similar areas to minimize compaction.

170, 210, 270 Minimize visual 

impacts of hazardous 

fuels treatments

• Fuels treatments occurring in or adjacent to the Breitenbush and Devils Creek summer homes or 

Breitenbush Resort will require representatives from the district recreation staff, the district archeologist, the 

Breitenbush Summer Home Association, and the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort to be consulted in the 

design phase of the fuels treatment projects in or adjacent to these areas.

• Additionally, within these units the following elements will be incorporated into treatment specifications:

o All work would be done with hand treatments only, no mechanical treatments would be used

o Areas of shrubs and trees would be retained in “skips” to provide vegetation buffers where 

needed

o Burning would be minimized to the greatest extent possible

7, 11, 80, 150 Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • No fuels treatments will occur in or adjacent to Breitenbush Campground, Cleator Bend Group Camp, Fox 

Creek Group Camp while campgrounds are open in fee status.

April 15 –

September 30

13, 24, 83 Protect threatened, 

endangered, sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• No burning in buffers prescribed for survey and manage Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis, Chalciporus 

piperatus and Rhizopogon truncatus

All Protect key riparian 

features and integrity • Underburning in Riparian Reserves will occur only during low intensity burning conditions. Ignition will not 

occur in Riparian Reserves but fire will be allowed to back into Riparian Reserve areas. Hand line 

construction in Riparian Reserves must be coordinated with Hydrologist/Fish Biologist if deemed 

necessary. Wet line construction is preferred.

12, 17, 18, 24, 

27, 32, 32a, 33, 

35, 47, 73, 84, 

93, 95, 96, 270, 

430, 450

To avoid disruption of 

nesting spotted owls • Under burning, fuel treatments and slash burning is prohibited. (no spring burning) March 1 – July 

15
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

270 To avoid disruption of 

nesting spotted owls • All activities including chainsaw use and burning in the east half of stand is prohibited March 1 –

September 30

Wilderness

560

Mitigate sound impacts 

from non-commercial 

units

• Restrict activities to recreation off-season

• Accomplish treatment with non-motorized equipment

• Expedite activities to affect only 1 year

Operate from 

October 15th 

through June 

15th

Noise

All Reduce noise 

disturbance from 

harvest operations

• No harvest operations during weekends including Memorial Day, 4th of July or Labor Day 

Memorial Day 

through Labor 

Day

24, 32, 32a Reduce noise 

disturbance from 

helicopter operations

• Restrict helicopter yarding to off season time period for the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort. This restriction 

does not apply to other logging activities. 

• No helicopter operations prior to 8 am.

• Encourage the design and location of flight paths to landings that travel away from the Breitenbush Hot 

Springs Resort in order to minimize sound impacts from helicopter logging.

No operations 

from Memorial 

Day to Labor 

Day

27, 28, 30, 42, 

200, 240.

Reduce noise 

disturbance from 

skyline operations

• Restrict logging season to off season time period for the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort. No skyline 

operations 

from Memorial 

Day through 

Labor Day

Recreation

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • Road Management Objectives for traffic to FS Roads 46, 4685, 4696, and 2231, requires weekend and 

holiday haul restrictions between Memorial and Labor Day Weekends. No hauling on Memorial, 4th of July, 

and Labor Day holidays. Notify Public Affairs Office to coordinate public information updates (temporary 

road closures, delays) with two weeks prior notice.

Memorial Day 

to Labor Day

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • No weekend helicopter operations Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends Friday 6 pm through 

Monday 8 am. No helicopter operations on Memorial, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays. 

Memorial Day 

to Labor Day

7, 11, 80, 44, 

150, 170, 210, 

270

Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • No weekend operations from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Friday 6 pm through Sunday. No harvest 

activity on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day holidays.

Memorial Day 

to Labor Day

7, 11, 80, 44, 

150, 170, 210, 

270

Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • No operations within a 1⁄4 mile of developed recreation sites, recreation residences, and private resort areas 

between the hours of 10 pm and 8 am to help minimize noise disturbance.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

All Reduce impacts to 

dispersed site creation 

and expansion

• Prevent off road travel and dispersed site creation. Place natural obstacles such as down wood and rock in 

a natural arrangement to prevent creation of new dispersed sites where they don’t presently exist. Bury 

boulders 1/3 of the way in the ground where possible.

All Reduce impacts to 

dispersed site creation 

and expansion

• Rehabilitate all landings to prevent site from becoming a new dispersed site. Place natural obstacles such 

as down wood and rock in a natural arrangement to prevent creation of new dispersed sites where they 

don’t presently exist. Bury boulders 1/3 of the way in the ground where possible.

All Reduce impacts to 

dispersed site creation 

and expansion

• In units where proposed landings are currently dispersed sites, rehabilitation of sites will be necessary to 

restore site to desired condition for continued use as a dispersed site or return to a naturalized state. 

Consultation with a recreation specialist will be required in the design phase for units in or adjacent to these 

areas. Rehabilitation may include: Placing natural obstacles such as down wood and rock in a natural 

arrangement to prevent expansion of dispersed sites. Burying boulders 1/3 of the way in the ground where 

possible.

All Reduce impacts to 

dispersed site creation 

and expansion

• Purchaser will close temporary roads to traffic and rehabilitate to prevent new off road recreation use. 

Subsoil road surface of temporary roads to prevent new road creation. Place natural obstacles such as 

down wood and rock in a natural arrangement to prevent creation of new dispersed sites where they don’t 

presently exist. Bury boulders 1/3 of the way in the ground where possible.

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • No operations on opening weekends of Cascade elk/deer rifle seasons; restriction is limited to the opening 

weekend of each hunt.

510 Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • All logging debris to be completely cleaned up by piling a minimum of 100 feet from existing trailheads. 

Burning of logging debris piles acceptable if trailhead is accessible and public safety is accounted for. Keep 

the trailhead open for use. Keep trail #3366 open Friday-Sunday when logging Unit 510. Notify 

PAO/recreation staff to coordinate public information updates (temporary road and trail closures, delays) 

with two weeks prior notice.

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • Commercial hauling on a road open to all vehicles (mixed used, levels 2-5 road), must use a warning sign 

indicating “Trucks” or “Log Haul”, in order to prevent OHV use on roads beyond those signs. Notify Public 

Affairs Office to coordinate public information updates (temporary road closures, delays) with two weeks 

prior notice.

All year

70, 71, 72, 73, 

74, 75, 76, 77, 

78, 100, 110, 

120, 130, 140, 

180, 190, 200, 

220, 240, 250, 

260, 280, 290, 

300, 310, 320, 

330, 340, 350, 

360, 370, 380, 

390, 400

Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • Snow plowing of Road 2231 to haul over Boulder Ridge during the winter is allowed. Attempt to minimize 

the number of seasons impacted by plowing to reduce recreational impacts to the McCoy Motorized Use 

Area.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • Inform public of mixed use road closures, due to harvest activity, on Forest Service websites, two weeks 

prior to harvest activity. Notify Public Affairs Office to coordinate public information updates (temporary road 

closures, delays) with two weeks prior notice.

All Reduce impacts to 

recreating public • Post an advance notice of future harvest activity and mixed use road closures, two weeks prior to harvest 

activity at Forest Service designated OHV staging areas. Notify Public Affairs Office to coordinate public 

information updates (temporary road closures, delays) with two weeks prior notice.

Scenic Quality and Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers

7, 32, 510 Minimize visual 

impacts • A 50 ft. horizontal no-harvest buffer will be maintained on either side of trail segments of Mansfield, Crag, 

South Breitenbush, and South Breitenbush Gorge trails that would overlap with proposed treatment units 

and surrounding tent campsites in the Fox Creek group campground. Markings to delineate this buffer 

would be faced away from the trail. Slash piles and all boundary markers within 100 ft. of trail or trailhead 

would be removed. A recreation specialist and/or landscape architect would be consulted during layout and 

prior to implementation.

6, 16, 18, 21, 

22, 23, 27, 28, 

30, 32, 35, 47, 

69, 180, 200

Minimize visual 

impacts • Gaps would be designed to mimic natural openings (no long, straight edges or sharp angles), and where 

possible, placed adjacent to natural features such as meadows or rock outcrops. Placement of gaps would 

vary so that they wouldn’t be adjacent to one another, linear, or in a grid-like pattern. Gaps, other than 

visual enhancement gaps, would be placed at least 100 ft. from trails.

2, 47, 69 Minimize visual 

impacts • Placement of gaps would be done after consultation with recreation staff and/or landscape architect.

2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 

13, 28, 30, 44, 

80, 150, 170, 

210, 270, 410, 

460, 470, 480, 

490, 510, 520

Minimize visual 

impacts • Stumps to be flush cut to 4” on the high side on all portions of the unit within 100’ of system roads inside the 

1/2 mile Eligible Wild and Scenic River corridor. This activity will occur post sale. 

31, 42, 45, 46, 

64, 69

Minimize visual 

impacts • Stumps to be cut to 4” on the high side within 100’ of system roads. This activity will occur post sale.

• All trees marked within 100 feet of a system road will be marked on the side away from the road. All slash 

piles will be chunked.

2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 

13, 28, 30, 31, 

42, 44, 45, 46, 

64, 69, 80, 150, 

170, 210, 270, 

410, 430, 460, 

470, 480, 490, 

510, 520; all 

portions within 

1⁄4 mile of Wild & 

Minimize visual 

impacts and protect 

values in the Wild and 

Scenic corridor

• Following harvest activities visible landings will be shaped to blend with the landscape and ground cover to 

be reestablished. Preferred slash disposal methods include chip/disperse, chip/remove, truckload remove, 

hand pile/burn.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

Scenic River 

corridor

Wildlife

55, 57, 58, 60-

64, 89, 92, 420, 

430

Protect peregrine 

falcons from 

disturbance impacts

• All harvest and fuel treatment related activities are restricted January 15 –

July 31

Scorpion, 

Mansfield and 

Switchback

Protect nesting 

peregrine falcons • Rock pit blasting is restricted, crushing is not restricted. January 15 –

July 31

32 & 32a Protect nesting 

peregrine falcons • Helicopter yarding restriction January 15 –

July 31

170, 210 & 270 To avoid disturbance 

to foraging and nesting 

harlequin ducks

• Seasonally restrict all project related activities within 200’ of the Breitenbush River and Devils creek March 15 –

July 15

13 Protect nesting osprey • Restriction of all activities March 1 – July 

31

32, 32a To avoid disruption of 

spotted owl nesting • All harvest related activities including road building, hauling, plowing, chainsaw use, yarding, loading trucks, 

etc. are prohibited

March 1 – July 

15

5 (North and 

East of the 4698 

road, 16a 

(eastern one 

acre), 24, 25, 

26, 27 (western 

2 acres), 35, 64, 

73, 75, 140, 180

To avoid disruption of 

nesting spotted owls • Chainsaw and heavy equipment use are prohibited March 1 – July 

15

12, 24, 32, 32a, 

93, 95, 96, 300, 

310

Prevent disruption of 

spotted owl nesting • Helicopter yarding is prohibited March 1 – July 

15

Scorpion, Unit 

74, Lower 

Skunk, Skunk, 

Dead Lily, 

Switchback, 

Prevent disruption of 

nesting spotted owls • Rock source blasting is prohibited March 1 – July 

15
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

Unit 220 and 

Fox Creek pits

32 Protect spotted owls • Avoid placement of a three acre gap in the Northeastern edge of unit

Botany

24, 83 Protection of 

threatened, 

endangered, sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• Buffer Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis 100 feet to maintain habitat and microclimate for species persistence. 

Botanist will help with layout to maximize protection of the population.

13, 24 Protection of 

threatened, 

endangered, sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• Buffer Chalciporus piperatus 100 feet to maintain habitat and microclimate for species persistence. Botanist 

will help with layout to maximize protection of the fruiting body.

83 Protection of 

threatened, 

endangered, sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• Buffer Rhizopogon truncatus by 50 feet. Botanist will help with layout to maximize protection of the fruiting 

body.

1, 2, 6, 13, 26, 

27, 28, 30, 31, 

44, 45, 62, 64, 

83, 270

Protection of sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• Avoid surface disturbance to known populations of Peltigera pacifica and Sparassis crispa during harvest 

operations if possible. Botanist will help with layout to provide adequate site management.

44, 62, 64 and 

370 

Control of noxious 

weeds • Pre-Treat knapweed sites along the roads to the project area and sites within units to ensure weed seed 

will not be spread by project activities.

3, 6, 7, 11, 13, 

14, 17, 19, 23, 

25, 26, 27, 28, 

30, 31, 32, 33, 

34, 35, 38, 39, 

40, 42, 45,46, 

47, 48, 50, 51, 

52, 54, 55, 56, 

57, 58, 59, 60, 

61, 62, 63, 64, 

69, 73, 80, 81, 

Control of noxious 

weeds • Contain existing well established weed populations. This includes monitoring and treatment of weedcontaining special habitats, gaps and roads after the timber sale for 5 years 
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

87, 93, 100, 

150, 210, 250, 

260, 450

All Control of noxious 

weeds • Clean all equipment used off roads in project work to avoid bringing seed into the project area. Equipment 

should work in non-weed infested areas first (USFS will provide map).

All Control of noxious 

weeds • Obtain gravel and fill for road construction and reconstruction from a weed-free rock source.

All Prevent weed 

infestation • Seed (with genetically local grasses and shrubs) and mulch all heavily disturbed areas such as landings 

and closed roads with native species.

6, 16, 18, 21-24, 

27, 28, 35, 47, 

69, 180, 190

Control of noxious 

weeds • Seed all exposed mineral soil in gaps with native local forage species to out compete weeds.

5, 19, 21, 22, 

23, 34, 35, 45, 

47, 52, 55, 64, 

69, 73, 74, 75, 

83, 94, 100, 

130, 140, 160, 

170, 190, 200, 

220, 250, 270, 

280, 300, 320, 

410, 440

Maintain wetland 

microclimate • Protect wetland habitats with a 100 foot buffer.

21, 22, 35, 47, 

69, 190

To avoid weed 

encroachment into the 

unique areas.

• Place gaps 200 feet from wetland special habitats

48, 53 Maintain microclimate • Protect mesic meadows with a 100 foot buffer

3, 19, 33, 38, 

42, 51, 54, 83, 

86, 170,180, 

290, 300, 530

Maintain microclimate • Avoid direct impacts to dry special habitats such as rock gardens, dry meadows and talus slopes. Use 

directional felling away from habitats and no road building or skidding through habitats.

110, 490, 510 Maintain microclimate • Protect wetland habitats with a 60 foot buffer

45, 52, 64, 200, 

340

Maintain microclimate • Protect sedge meadows with a 50 foot buffer

220, 270 Maintain microclimate • Protect wetlands and skunk cabbage swamp with a 30 foot buffer
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

All units 

containing 

Special habitats

Protect special 

habitats • Avoiding placement of equipment, landings, skyline corridors, and designated skid roads through special 

habitats including running cables across rocky outcrops.

All Protect special 

habitats • Special habitats discovered during layout will be brought forward for a field review by the IDT. Additional 

buffers may be implemented to protect the resource.

Road 

Decommission 

activities

Protection of 

threatened, 

endangered, sensitive 

and survey and 

manage plant species

• Roads will be surveyed for special status species prior to any ground-disturbing activities.

Road 

Decommission 

activities

Control and prevention 

of noxious weeds • Use clean equipment for any ground disturbing activities such as subsoiling.

• Roads that will be decommissioned or closed with ground disturbing activities will be seeded with native 

grass seed where mineral soil is exposed.

• Monitor decommissioned roads for invasive plants following ground disturbing activities.

Roads

45, 46, 62, 64, 

69, 410, 420, 

430, 440, 450, 

460, 470, 480, 

490, 510, 520, 

530, 540

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Haul routes are not suitable for wet weather haul. Wet weather haul is restricted on 4600012, 014, 016, 

024, 026, 097; 4688099; and the entire 4685 road system.

All Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • All disturbed sites related to reconstruction and or maintenance such as waste area sites and culvert 

replacements will require erosion control methods

All Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Newly installed culverts will meet 100 year flow (Q100) on perennial streams.

All • All work done to or on a road will be consistent with the Road Management Objective for that road

All • Right of Way Authorizations and/or Land Use Agreements with the State of Oregon required to provide 

legal access will be obtained prior to harvest activities.

Soils and Aquatics (Fish and Hydrology) 

All harvest units Protect and enhance 

riparian features • A minimum no harvest riparian buffer of 100 feet on all fish bearing streams.

• A minimum no harvest riparian buffer of 60 feet on both sides of perennial, Class III streams are prescribed 

to minimize sediment delivery to streams and reduce the potential for temperature increases. 
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

• A minimum no harvest riparian buffer of 30 feet on both sides of the intermittent, Class IV streams are

prescribed to minimize sediment delivery to streams. 

• Apply Riparian treatments as prescribed in Appendix G: Riparian Reserves Treatment Detail 

• Buffers are measured out from the trees growing nearest to the stream not from the edge of the water or 

stream bed.

• Actions to be taken during project implementation on unstable (instability) areas surveyed and mapped 

within riparian reserves on units 25, 40, 42, and 53 are prescribed in the Appendix G: Riparian Reserve 

Treatment Detail. The soils scientist is available for assistance during layout.

6, 100, 190, 

430, 520, 32a

Protect and enhance 

riparian features • In streamside treatment and meadow restoration units, no commercial harvest is allowed within the 

minimum 30-60 foot buffers specified above. Trees cut within the no-harvest buffer for restoration purposes 

will be directionally felled and left on site and in the stream channel.

All harvest units Reduce compaction

directly adjacent to 

stream channels

• Ground based equipment is prohibited within 60 feet from all streams.

• Skid roads should be at least 60 feet from the no harvest buffer for all streams (fish-bearing to intermittent), 

except at designated stream crossings. These widths are required unless a change is approved by the 

district hydrologist or district fish biologist.

All harvest units Reduce soil 

compaction and 

displacement

• Soil conditions should be monitored during wet weather season and high precipitation events. The soil 

scientist will be available for consultation if re-routing or restrictions become necessary.

• Site evaluation is recommended during wet weather or high precipitation events using the following: 

a. Operations will be suspended before precipitation results in off-site movement of sediment into drainage 

courses and any trenching, or rutting is detected. 

b. Soil factors such as: 

i. Saturation/high soil moisture levels (ideal operations occurs under dry soils);

ii. Exposure and high levels of standing water/high water table (for example water pooling, etc.)

iii. Potential existence of surface or subsurface sensitive soils (such as clay, clay loam or others applicable 

soil textures).

iv. Existing soil disturbance (expose soils levels)

v. Type of proposed logging system, etc.

Wet weather 

or high 

precipitation 

season

5, 24, 44, 62, 

64, 110, 220, 

470 and 520

Protect water quality 

and reduce damage to 

stream channel

• The number of stream crossings shall be minimized (no greater than 16 total in the project area).

• All stream crossings should be placed perpendicular to stream channels and swales 

• All stream crossings for ground based equipment and new temporary roads will be approved in advance by 

the District Hydrologist (or Fish Biologist). 

• Intermittent and ephemeral stream crossings will require temporary placement of bunk logs and slash to 

minimize damage to channel bed and banks.

• Stream crossing activities (skidding) will be restricted to dry season, when there is no flow or greatly 

reduced flow.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

62, 64 Protect water quality 

and reduce damage to 

stream channel

• Perennial stream crossings will require temporary culverts and hydrologist approval on design and location 

for crossing equipment to minimize damage to the stream channel and sediment input to the streams.

• Construction and removal of all perennial stream crossings for temporary roads will be restricted to dry 

season, when stream flow is reduced.

All harvest units Protect water quality 

and reduce damage to 

stream channel

• Temporary roads in Riparian Reserves will be minimized: Wherever possible, temporary roads would be 

located on ridge tops, gentle slopes, or would utilize locations previously disturbed by historic logging. 

• Temporary roads that must be located within the Riparian Reserves will be placed well outside of the 

primary shade zone (approximately 60 to 80 feet on each side of streams) and cross perpendicular to the 

stream where necessary.

• All temporary roads in Riparian Reserves will be decommissioned after treatment activities are completed 

following BMP’s and additional design elements.

• Landings will be located outside of Riparian Reserves wherever possible. The number and acreage of 

landings in Riparian Reserve will be minimized by:

a. Restricting landings to existing roadbeds wherever possible 

b. Locating landings an absolute minimum of 100 feet away from any streams

c. Allowing no more than 15 total new landings within Project Area Riparian Reserves. 

• All new landings in Riparian Reserves will be decommissioned after treatment activities are completed 

following BMP’s and additional design elements.

All harvest units Protect water quality 

and reduce damage to 

stream channel

• Pre-bunched log piles should be at least 60 feet from ephemeral swales and all stream channels. Any 

crossings with feller-bunchers should be perpendicular to ephemeral swales and channels.

All harvest units 

and associated 

access.

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Construction or maintenance of roads will not be done when soils are saturated or run-off occurs. A stable 

fill would be constructed across all streams when crossed by new temporary roads.

• Unclassified or temporary roads used outside the standard operating season should generally be rocked, 

snow covered, or frozen to reduce the potential for erosion, unless other mitigating or extenuating 

circumstances are present.

• The reopening of temporary or unclassified roads should occur in the dry season (May through October) to 

avoid surface erosion from exposed soil. Open roads should be storm proofed if they have to sit through 

extended periods of wet weather. Wet weather management will be followed upon consultation with Forest 

Service personnel.

Winter/wet 

season

All harvest units 

and associated 

access

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • All non-paved roads used for wet weather haul will have at least 4 inches of aggregate material, with 

minimum size determined by road slope and proximity to streams.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

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Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

All harvest units 

and associated 

access.

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Native surfaced roads are restricted from hauling when soils are saturated or run-off occurs.

All harvest units 

and associated 

access

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Wet weather haul is only permitted on roads pre-designated for wet weather haul. 

• On all wet weather haul routes, additional cross-drains leading off onto the forest floor will be constructed 

within 100 feet above stream crossings to minimize direct delivery of road sediments to streams.

• Wet weather haul will be monitored by the Timber Sale Administrator, with input from Engineers, Fisheries 

Biologist, Soil Scientist, and/or Hydrologist. When necessary, haul may be suspended during rainfall to 

prevent off-site movement of sediment into stream courses.

• Haul may also occur when the road surface is either covered with a relatively continuous snow pack of at 

least 2”or is frozen, and forecasts indicate that rapid warming and thawing is not likely.

• Dust abatement of road surfaces would be used if roads become excessively dusty during the summer. 

Pump chance locations must be approved by hydrologist or fish biologist. Pump chance locations on fish 

bearing stream must include fish screens or bypass on intakes.

Winter/wet 

season

All harvest units Ensure sufficient water 

flow in streams • Water sources used by project operations will be reconstructed or maintained as necessary to protect 

stream bank stability, riparian vegetation, and water quality. Water used for fire treatments and dust 

abatement will be drafted from various water sources outside of Listed Fish Habitat. At all drafting locations, 

90% of stream flow will be maintained to reduce risk to aquatic species and water quality and pump intakes 

will be screened to prevent aquatic organism entrapment.

All harvest units 

and associated 

access

Minimize erosion and 

sedimentation • Culvert replacements will be done during periods of no/reduced-flow for streams (intermittent and 

perennial) and during the instream work season (June 1st – August 31st).

• Culvert replacements on perennial or live streams will require additional erosion control measures, 

including flow bypass (drop channels) and channel dewatering.

June 1 –

August 31 

work window

All harvest units Reduce off-site 

movement of sediment 

into drainage courses. 

To decrease soil 

displacement and 

compaction.

• Ground based equipment operations over snow/frozen soil may occur in the following conditions:

o 0 inches of frozen soil−Need at least 18 inches of settled (packed) snow 

o 4 inches of frozen soil−Need at least 9 inches of settled (packed) snow 

o 6 inches of frozen soil−No snow cover necessary

If necessary, pre-pack snow on designated routes before work commences. 

• Over snow operations will be suspended or re-routed if thawing, soil exposure or uneven snow pack 

occurs.

All skyline 

harvest units

Minimize impacts to 

stream channels • Skyline yarding is not allowed through the buffers on Class 1 streams. Require full or one-end suspension 

when yarding in the remaining (outer) portion of the Riparian Reserve.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

59

Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

• Full suspension a minimum of 60 feet from the stream channel edge would be required when yarding over 

Class 2 and Class 3 (perennial) streams. Require full or one-end suspension when yarding in the remaining 

(outer) portion of the Riparian Reserve.

• Full suspension a minimum of 30 feet from the stream channel edge would be required when yarding over 

Class 4 intermittent streams. Full suspension limits will be extended to match no-harvest or no equipment 

buffers where they are set due to concerns regarding stability. Require full or one-end suspension when 

yarding in the remaining (outer) portion of the Riparian Reserve.

All harvest units Minimize impacts to 

stream channels. • Where cable yarding requires corridors through a riparian area, corridors will be laid out to minimize the 

number of trees cut. Trees located within no-harvest buffers that must be cut to facilitate yarding corridors 

will be felled towards the channel (if feasible) and left on site.

All harvest units Provide adequate 

drainage and avoid 

unnecessary soil 

disturbance

• All skid trails and landings should be water-barred to provide adequate drainage. Water bar location shall 

occur where local terrain facilitates effective drainage of the skid trail or landing while avoiding unnecessary 

soil disturbance. An example would be to construct water bars every 100 feet on slopes less than 15%, and 

every 50 feet on slopes greater than 15%. Water bars should be keyed-in to the cut bank and have a clear 

outlet on the downhill side. In lieu of water bars, where available in concentrations, slash can be scattered 

on corridors, skid trails and landings.

All harvest units Minimize compaction

and disturbance levels 

and for soil productivity 

(ground cover and 

nutrient loss 

maintenance); during 

project implementation

• Ground based equipment should generally operate in the dry season, May through October, unless 

otherwise restricted by other resource concerns or waived by Forest Service personnel, based on site 

specific conditions (mentioned above) and the objective to reduce soil disturbance as stated in previous 

design features. 

• Existing skid and haul roads should be used before new skid road locations are approved. They should not 

usually exceed 15 feet in width, and the objective is to maintain a 10 to 12 foot width throughout the length. 

• Where practical the skidder, cat, shovel or forwarder should travel on slash Skid roads will generally be 100 

to 200 feet apart with conventional line pulling operations, and 40 to 60 feet apart with processor / forwarder 

operations.

• Ground based equipment is limited to slopes less than 30%. Ground based equipment may be allowed on 

slopes greater than 30% but less than 40% in a few selected instances where it is determined that yarding 

on these steeper slopes is more beneficial to the various resources than implementing some other logging 

system. Determining factors will include a site specific evaluation in the field by Forest Service personnel, 

the operational period and current (and expected) weather conditions, and the ability of the operator / 

contractor to implement the work successfully and safely.

• Partial or one end suspension is required on skyline units, except at tail trees and landings. Given the 

irregular topography in some units, sections of ground lead may occur along some skyline roads. Generally 

this is acceptable, but approval usually requires a site specific, on-the-ground review of the area by Forest 

Service personnel.

• Where operable, harvested trees should be topped and limbed in the units in order to provide small limbs 

and needles for nutrient recycling (upon fuels, timber specialist and soil scientist consultation).

• Avoid disturbance to the existing large down woody debris concentrations created by the initial entry in the 

managed stands as much as practical.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

60

Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

380 To protect shallow 

groundwater and 

subsurface streams

• Several streams go subsurface mid-way down the unit, indicating shallow groundwater. Restrict equipment 

use in lower part of unit. Consult with hydrologist during layout of skyline corridors.

All harvest units 

and associated 

access. 

Reestablish hydrologic 

and geologic 

processes

• All temporary roads will be made hydrologically stable and decommissioned after completion of project 

activities. Decommissioning of temporary roads may include: blocking the entrance, removal of culverts, 

out-sloping the road surface, pulling back displaced material onto the road way, installation of water bars, 

re-vegetation of the road prism, and/or the sub soiling of compacted surfaces when necessary.

Road 

Decommission 

activities

• Soil scientist will be consulted for assessment of instability risks and to develop an effective instability 

restoration plan for all roads being decommissioned.

All harvest units Protect key riparian 

features and integrity • All existing down wood will be retained within Riparian Reserves to maintain aquatic objectives

Rock Pits Reduce erosion and 

sedimentation, protect 

water quality

• Any expansion beyond existing boundaries or reclamation of rock pits will require development of a Pit Plan 

and analysis.

70, 140, 190 and 

250

Reduce compaction

levels and improve 

overall productivity.

• Mitigation subsoiling to a depth of 18 to 24 inches is required by the Purchaser / Logger, who would subsoil 

primary skid roads, landings or temporary haul roads used in the logging operations.

8, 9, 10, 17, 23, 

31, 35, 56, 57, 

58, 59, 61, 63, 

70, 73, 74, 78, 

140A, 150, 180, 

220, 450 and 520

the highest 

priorities are 

Units 35, 63, 73, 

180 and 520

Reduce compaction

levels and improve 

overall productivity.

• Enhancement subsoiling to decompact the soil surface to a minimum depth of 20 inches to a maximum of 

24 inches at the completion of logging activities (Purchaser end of operation or post sale) on old skid roads 

and landings from this or previous entries. 

• Subsoiling should be done using the munching or roughening technique (excavator and attachments). 

Mulching, seeding and slashing (re-applying the stored slash) the area upon decompaction is strongly 

recommended to improved infiltration and soil productivity within the disturbed area.

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 

13, 14, 20, 25, 

27, 29, 32, 34, 

38, 40, 42, 49, 

50, 52, 53, 61, 

65, 66, 68, 69, 

72, 79, 82, 83, 

86, 87, 88, 93, 

94, 95, 96, 97, 

290, 300, 310, 

320, 330, 350, 

Protect soil resources • No prebunching allowed.
Hwy 46 Project FEIS Chapter 2 – Alternatives

61

Table 13: Design Elements for Action Alternative

Unit # Reason Design Feature Dates

380, 390, 400, 

480, 490, 530, 

Cultural

All Protect cultural 

resources • There are 14 cultural sites (06180400008, 06180400011, 06180400114, 06180400224, 06180400317, 

06180400328, 06180400441, 06180400586, 06180401056, 06180401059, 06180401103, 06180401105, 

06180401122, 06180401130) within the Hwy 46 Project that are considered eligible or potentially eligible 

for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and must be protected from project 

activities or evaluated to determine eligibility to the NRHP. Presale, Timber Sale Administrator and Fire 

Management must work closely with the Archaeologist to insure these sites are protected for the full term of 

the Timber Sale Contract. The Zone Archaeologist will layout the protection buffer.

All Protect cultural 

resources • Changes to the current unit configurations and/or the addition of any new units, will require consultation 

with the Zone Archaeologist in order to protect the known and unknown heritage resources.

All Protect cultural 

resources • Project activities planned outside of the area as defined in the heritage resource inventory schema must be 

coordinated with the district archaeologist prior to initiation. This includes the establishment of additional 

harvest landings, helicopter landings, guy-line equipment anchors, slash burning and the removal of 

roadside danger trees. New road construction (including temporary roads) should avoid ridgetops.

All Protect cultural 

resources • Post-harvest subsoiling of any skid or spur road located in high probability ground for the occurrence of 

cultural resource must be coordinated with the zone Archaeologist. This could require a cultural resource 

survey prior to subsoiling.

All Protect cultural 

resources • Although no other surface or subsurface evidence of cultural resources was found in the proposed project 

area, the possibility remains that more prehistoric or historic cultural resources are present and could be 

exposed/uncovered during project activities. If cultural resources are encountered during the course of this 

project, earth-disturbing activities in the vicinity of the find should be suspended, in accordance with federal 

regulations, and the zone archaeologist notified to evaluate the discovery and recommend subsequent 

courses of action. Therefore, contract provision BT6.24 must be included in all project prospecti and 

contracts. The contract provision outlines the procedures to follow in the event heritage resources are 

discovered during the life of the timber sale.
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2.7 Mitigation and Enhancement Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

Table 14 Snag and Down Wood Recommendations Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

Unit Acres Snag 

creation

Trees left for 

future snag 

creation

Down wood 

creation

Total leave 

trees for snags

and down wood

6 3 5 5 9 19

14 13 20 23 39 82

16 3 5 5 9 19

17 16 24 29 48 101

18 2 3 4 6 13

21 3 5 5 9 19

22 3 5 5 9 19

23 3 5 5 9 19

24 1.5 3 3 5 11

28 3 5 5 9 19

32 3 5 5 9 19

35 6 9 11 18 38

47 7 11 13 21 45

59 4 6 8 12 26

63 12 18 22 36 76

180 6 9 11 18 38

200 3 5 5 9 19

Snags would be created after harvest and slash treatment in gaps and early seral habitat treatments areas at 

the rate of 1.5 per acre in units 6, 23, 35, 47, 59, 63, 180 and 200. Techniques may include topping, 

girdling and/or inoculation. 

Down wood would be created after harvest and slash treatment in gaps over 1 acre and early seral habitat

treatment areas at the rate of 3 trees felled per acre of the largest available in units 6, 14, 16-18, 21- 24, 

28, 32, 35, 47, 59, 63, 180 and 200. The minimum amount to be left is 240 lineal feet/acre.

Table 15 Survey and Manage Species Buffer Recommendations Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

Units Sensitive Species Buffer Distance

24, 83 Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis 100 ft.

13, 24 Chalciporus piperatus 100 ft.

83 Rhizopogon truncatus 50 ft.

Table 16 Special Habitat Buffer Mitigation Recommendations Common to Alternatives 2 and 3
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63

Units Special Habitat Buffer Distance*

220, 270 wetlands and skunk cabbage 

swamp

30 ft.

5,19,21,22,23, 34, 35,45,47,52, 

55,64,69,73,74,75,83,94,100, 110,130, 

140,160,170, 190,200,220, 250, 270, 

280, 300,320, 410, 440,490,510

wetland 100 ft.

110, 490 wetland 60 ft.

48, 53 mesic meadow 100 ft.

45,52,64,200, 340 sedge meadow 50 ft.

No-disturbance buffer distance is based on Special Habitat Management Guide. Buffers would be expanded if Aquatic Resource 

Specialists deems them insufficient to maintain hydrologic function.

2.8 Monitoring Common to Alternatives 2 and 3

Operations: Contract administrators would monitor treatments during implementation to ensure 

contractors are in compliance with their contract. Contract elements monitored would include harvest 

specifications, bole damage to residual trees, down wood and snag retention, skid trail spacing and use of 

designated skid trails. 

Fuels Treatments: Santiam River Zone fire and fuels personnel would monitor fuel loading prior to and 

post application of fuels treatments. Fuels treatment results would offer data to use in the future.

Road Management: Detroit Ranger district engineering personnel would monitor road management 

through contract administration and routine road maintenance inspections.

National Aquatic Best Management Practice Monitoring: The National Best Management Practices 

Program provides a standard set of core best management practices and consistent documentation of the 

use and effectiveness of the practices. Post-implementation best management practices monitoring may 

include review of aquatic management zones, erosion prevention and control measures, cable and ground 

based yarding operation effects, and site treatment.

Forest Plan Implementation Monitoring: The Forest Supervisor’s Staff performs annual project 

monitoring at each Ranger District and compiles the results in the yearly Forest Monitoring Report. 

Implementation of treatments from this project would be subject to Forest Plan Implementation 

monitoring. Other implementation monitoring elements may include temporary road decommissioning, 

snag and large down wood abundance, and any seeding or planting of vegetation.

Reforestation: Ensure stand is sufficiently stocked within five years. Forest Service Manual directs us to 

conduct first and third year stocking surveys to determine if the site can be certified.

Dead Wood Habitat Monitoring: Detroit Ranger District wildlife personnel would monitor snag and 

large down wood habitat levels in units prior to wildlife tree and down wood enhancement activities and 

after prescribed burning, if applicable. This would determine existing habitat levels and compare those 

with the amounts needed for mitigation and enhancement activities. Monitoring may also be conducted 

after underburning to evaluate the level of tree mortality and snag creation from fire. 
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64

Invasives Monitoring: Detroit Ranger District botany personnel will monitor spread of existing weed 

populations in timber sale units and along roads leading into the project area for 5 years post-treatment. 

Populations of invasives will be treated as they are detected.