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Note: This is a word-for-word representation of the official       document reformatted for the Web. It is provided for your convenience and       is not considered the official project documentation.
Logjam Timber Sale SummaryAbstract: 
The Logjam project area is located in Southeast Alaska on Prince of       Wales Island, northeast of the community of Thorne Bay. This is a timber       sale project. Timber would come from 4 Land Use Designations in which the       Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan allows timber harvest. This       proposed action would harvest up to 75 million board feet (MMBF) of timber       and build approximately 29 miles of road. Harvest methods for the proposed       action and alternatives include clearcutting (even-age management) using       conventional and cable and shovel logging systems to harvest timber.       Helicopter harvest would also be a method of harvest for the proposed       action and alternatives. Helicopter logging would use a two age management       method to harvest by clearcutting using a reserve silviculture       prescription, through either 50% or 75% basal area retention within       helicopter yarding areas. 

Alternative 1 (No Action): If       selected, no new Forest Service harvest activities would be initiated as a       result of this decision. Current and on-going management activities would       continue. This alternative does not preclude timber harvesting from other       areas at this time or from the project area at some time in the future.       

Alternative 2 (Proposed Action): This alternative       proposes timber harvest using ground based and helicopter, logging systems       to log approximately 75 MMBF of timber on about 3,703 acres. This       alternative includes approximately 99 acres of harvest within inventoried       Roadless Areas (IRAs). This alternative proposes construction of       approximately 29 miles of road construction, of which, 8 miles would be       new National Forest System road that would be stored at project       completion. 

Alternative 3: This alternative proposes timber       harvest using ground based and helicopter, logging systems to log       approximately 52 MMBF of timber on about 2,708 acres. This alternative       proposes construction of approximately 15 miles of road construction, of       which 2 miles would be new National Forest System road that would be       stored at project completion. 

Alternative 4: This alternative proposes timber       harvest using ground based and helicopter, logging systems to log       approximately 38 MMBF on about 1,694 acres. This alternative proposes       construction of approximately 13 miles of road construction, of which 3       miles would be new National Forest System road that would be stored at       project completion. 

Alternative 5: This alternative proposes timber       harvest using ground based and helicopter logging systems to log       approximately 68 MMBF on about 3,348 acres. This alternative proposes       construction of approximately 18 miles of road construction, of which 4       miles would be new National Forest System road that would be stored at       project completion.
Summary 
The Logjam project area is located in Southeast Alaska on Prince of       Wales Island, northeast of the community of Thorne Bay (see Map 1) and       covers approximately 56,133 acres of National Forest System lands (NFS).       The Logjam project area contains 1,129 acres of state and private lands       (non-NFS) and 55,004 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands. The       project area consists of six Land Use Designations (LUDs) as defined in       the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Of the       six LUDs in the project area (Timber Production, Modified Landscape,       Scenic Viewshed, Recreational River, Scenic River and Old-Growth Habitat),       the majority of units are located within three LUDs: Timber Production,       Modified Landscape and Scenic Viewshed. The Forest Plan authorizes timber       harvest in these LUDs. The project area is within reasonable proximity to       local mills and communities. The Forest Service has prepared this Draft       Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the potential impacts of       timber harvesting and road management in the Logjam Project Area. This       DEIS is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 42 U.S.C.       4321 et seq. (NEPA), the National Forest Management Act of 1976, and all       other relevant federal and state laws and regulations. In implementing       Forest Plan direction in accordance with the Council of Environmental       Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), this DEIS answers the following       eight questions: 
Proposed Action
1 � What action is proposed? 

This Proposed Action (Alternative 2) would harvest 75 million board       feet (MMBF) of timber and the build approximately 29 miles of road. This       DEIS is being prepared in compliance with the National Environmental       Policy Act (NEPA) and other Federal and State laws and regulations. Three       action alternatives to the proposed action have been developed. The Forest       Supervisor of the Tongass National Forest will make a final decision as to       method, amount of harvest, and amount of road building in the Record of       Decision for this project when a Final Environmental Impact Statement       (FEIS) is prepared, subsequent to this document. This Proposed Action       (Alternative 2) includes about 99 acres of harvest within lower value1       Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs). The Proposed Action and all action       alternatives would accomplish the Goals and Objectives of the Tongass       National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. (40 CFR 1502.4(a);       1508.23; 1502.14; and 1502.5) 

2 � Why is the project       being proposed? 

The underlying purpose of the Logjam Timber Sale Project is to meet       Forest Plan goals and objectives. The underlying need is to provide a       reliable, economic supply of sawtimber which allows Southeast Alaska mills       to support timber industry employment that contributes to the local and       regional economies of Prince of Wales Island and Southeast Alaska.
Summary
The Logjam Timber Sale Project is proposed at this time to respond       to goals and objectives of the Forest Plan (UDSA 2008b), to help move the       project area toward the desired conditions described in that plan, and to       meet the needs of Southeast Alaska timber operators. The Forest Plan       includes both forest-wide goals and objectives and area-specific (land use       designation) goals, objectives, and desired future conditions. The Logjam       Timber Sale DEIS; as a project would respond to the following Forest Plan       goals and objectives: 

Forest Plan Goals and Objectives 

Timber�Goal 
- Provide for the continuation of timber uses and resources by the         timber industry and Alaska residents (USDA 2008b, 2-7). 

Timber�Objectives 
- Seek to provide an economic timber supply sufficient to meet the         annual market demand for Tongass National Forest timber, and the market         demand for the planning cycle, up to a ceiling of this Plan�s allowable         sale quantity, which is 2.67 billion board feet in the first Decade         (USDA 2008b, 2-7).         
- Provide 2-3 years supply of volume under contract to local mills and         then establish shelf volume to maintain flexibility and stability in the         sale program (USDA2008b, 2-7).         
- Review the timber sale program and work with state and other         partners to implement changes that will keep an �economic timber�         perspective throughout the process and monitor the implementation of         these reforms to ensure they are consistently employed across the Forest         (USDA 2008b, 2-7). Local and Regional Economy�Goal         
- Provide a diversity of opportunities for resource uses that         contribute to the local and regional economies of Southeast Alaska (USDA         2008b, 2-5). Local and Regional Economy�Objective         
- Support a wide range of natural resource employment opportunities         within Southeast Alaska communities (USDA 2008b, 2-5). 

Seeking to meet timber demand for the Tongass National Forest is       required by Section 101 of the 1990 Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA) which       states that, �...to the extent consistent with providing for the multiple       use and sustained yield of all renewable forest resources, seek to provide       a supply of timber from the Tongass National Forest..� With this DEIS the       interdisciplinary team found that the project area has a roaded landscape,       tree species composition, and general tree quality that presents an       opportunity for an economic timber harvest. Additionally, the       interdisciplinary team found that the timber resources in project area are       of high value for local economies. Southeast Alaska, and locally the       Prince of Wales Island area, has experienced a significant decline in       manufacturing and natural resource employment. This decline has been       mirrored by a decline in sawmill industry production and reduced harvest       levels. By allowing the use of renewable timber resources to Southeast       Alaska mills, jobs and income are generated for Southeast Alaska�s       economy. Therefore, an underlying need exists for a reliable economic       supply of sawtimber for Southeast Alaska mills. The need for project       action is further explained in Chapter 1, page 5 and in greater detail in       Appendix A, of this document. (40 CFR 1502.13)

3 � Alternatives � What other action       would meet the same need?

All action alternatives to the proposed action are consistent with the       Forest Plan. All applicable Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines have been       incorporated into the design of the proposed units and alternatives. While       some alternatives have been designed to provide a greater measure of       protection than is required by the Forest Plan for some resources, such as       spreading out units to reduce the impacts to sensitive watersheds (see       Alternative 4), all alternatives were designed to meet Forest Plan       Standards and Guidelines for all other resources. Additional direction       comes from applicable laws and Forest Service manuals and handbooks.       Site-specific descriptions and resource considerations for each potential       harvest unit are included as unit cards in Appendix B of this Draft EIS.       All roads have been located and will be designed to avoid or minimize       effects on wetlands. Resource considerations for each proposed new system       road are included in the road cards in Appendix C of this Draft EIS. Each       alternative complies with the Forest Plan Conservation Strategy designed       to ensure the maintenance of viable populations of all vertebrate species       on the Tongass by means of a comprehensive approach based on principles of       conservation biology. Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for riparian       areas are applied to all streams within the project area. Each action       alternative provides a different response to key issues while still       meeting the stated purpose and need of this EIS. Each of these       alternatives represents a site-specific proposal developed through an       intensive, field-verified, interdisciplinary team evaluation of timber       harvest unit and road design. The following is a brief discussion of how       the alternatives respond to the key issues identified for the Logjam       Project. A detailed comparison of these issues by project alternative is       summarized in Chapter 2, and a full examination of issue comparison by       alternative is provided in Chapter 3. 

Alternative 2 

The proposed action (Alternative 2, which is the Forest Service       preferred alternative) seeks to maximize timber volume in this entry. 

Alternative 3 

This alternative action addresses effects related to road construction       and stream crossings. Alternative 3 also addresses cumulative effects of       past harvest on stream flow. This alternative maintains the current       roadless characteristics (Issue 4) of the Inventoried Roadless Areas       (IRAs). 

Alternative4 

The primary objective of in the design of Alternative 4 is to minimize       the fragmentation of wildlife habitat. This alternative maintains the       current roadless characteristics (Issue 4) of the Inventoried Roadless       Areas (IRAs). Alternative 4 emphasizes wildlife habitat and travel       corridors, while providing opportunities for timber harvest and road       construction (Issue 2). It minimizes the effects on wildlife by reducing       the amount of timber harvest acres and miles of road construction. 

Alternative 5 

Alternative 5 emphasizes timber sale economics while maximizing total       volume harvested (Issue 3). This alternative emphasizes economical timber       harvest, by minimizing road construction and maximizing cable and shovel       clearcut settings. This alternative is also designed to maintain current       roadless characteristics in IRAs in same the manner of Alternative 4. (40       CFR 1502.14; and 1508.25(b))

4 � What would it mean not to meet the       need for project action? 

Not meeting the need for timber production in the project area would       mean that Forest Plan requirements for continuous yield of timber would       have to be met in other areas. Harvest from small sales may continue to       occur in this area if this project does not go forward. However, harvest       in this manner does not include a landscape level approach, does not       provide a balanced view of resource needs, and would contribute only a       minimal amount of wood fiber to the local and regional economies of       Southeast Alaska. (40 CFR 1508.25(b) (1); and 1502.14 (d)) 

5 � What are the effects of the proposed       action, and alternative actions � in comparative format? 

In Chapter 2, Alternatives Considered in Detail (page 22) tracks the       manner in which Alternatives meet the Purpose and Need for the project,       and Table 3 beginning on page 29, compares outputs, objectives and effects       of the alternatives in terms of the key issues. Chapter 3 the Affected       Environment and Effects of the Key Issues, shows a comparison of effects       of proposed action and alternative actions in a comparative form. Chapter       3, Other Resource Considerations, also has an in-depth discussion and       details of alternative effects by other resources beginning on page 143       and provides an in-depth discussion of the affected environment and       environmental consequences of proposed and alternative actions by       resource. The following four issues were determined to be potentially key       or significant and within the scope of the project decision. The IDT       developed the alternatives to the Proposed Action to address these issues;       Chapter 2 of this DEIS discusses and compares the alternatives. Chapter 3       examines the existing condition and analyzes the effects or consequences       of the project as it relates to these issues. The following summarizes       these effects: 

ISSUE 1 � Effects to Aquatic Habitat 

Alternative 1 (No Action) has no direct, indirect, or cumulative       effects. Alternative 2 would result in minor effects on sedimentation and       aquatic habitat. Compared to other alternatives, Alternative 2 has the       most effects on sedimentation and aquatic habitat. Alternative 2 could       result in moderate cumulative effects if existing roads are not stored and       decommissioned, with practices specifically focused on restoring natural       drainage patterns and reducing sediment sources. Alternative 3 would       result in minor effects on sedimentation and aquatic habitat. Compared to       Alternative�s 2 and 5, Alternatives 3 and 4 are similar, with less effect       on sedimentation and aquatic habitat. Alternative 3 would have fewer       road-stream crossings (Class I, II, and III) than Alternative 4, resulting       in the least effects of all alternatives. Alternative 4 would result in       minor effects on sedimentation and aquatic habitat. Compared to other       alternatives, Alternative 4 is similar to Alternative 3, with less effect       on sedimentation and aquatic habitat than Alternatives 2 and 5.       Alternative 5 would result in minor effects to sedimentation and aquatic       habitat. Compared to other alternatives, Alternative 5 ranks second in       effects on sedimentation and aquatic habitat. 

ISSUE 2 � Wildlife and Subsistence Use 

All alternatives would result in a decrease in deer habitat capability.       The resulting deer densities in all alternatives will be above 18 deer per       square mile in WAA 1421 and in the combined area of WAAs 1420, 1421, and       1422. 

All action alternatives would result in an increase in the road density       of WAA 1421. Both the current density and the density as a result of this       project are above the threshold guideline for areas where wolf mortality       has been identified as a concern; however wolf mortality has not been       identified as a concern by the State of Alaska in WAA 1421. 

All action alternatives would result in a decrease in high value marten       habitat. 

All action alternatives would result in a decrease in snag dependent       species habitat. 

All action alternatives would result in a decrease in Prince of Wales       flying squirrel habitat; however habitat adequate to maintain viable       populations of flying squirrels is maintained within old growth reserves.       

All action alternatives would result in a decrease in productive old       growth habitat. Habitat adequate to maintain viable populations of old       growth associated species such as the spruce grouse, migratory birds and       others is maintained within the old growth reserves. 

The proposed action and alternatives are not anticipated to cause       impact to any suitable habitat, nor cause disturbance to individuals for       the following species: trumpeter swan, peregrine falcon, or Kittlitz�s       murrelet. 

The Logjam project may have an effect on the goshawk and its habitat       within the project area. It is determined that action alternatives of this       project may adversely impact individual northern goshawks, but that all       alternatives are not likely to result in a loss of viability in the       Project Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing. 

ISSUE 3 � Timber Supply and Sale Economics 

Each of the four action alternatives is responsive to the need for a       reliable, economic supply of sawtimber to meet market demand. These       alternatives also have the potential to support timber industry employment       and benefit local and regional economies. The extent to which each       alternative meets this need is correlated directly to the total volume of       timber harvest for that alternative. Alternative 2, the Proposed Action,       allows for the greatest total volume of timber harvest and therefore has       the greatest potential to meet the purpose and need of the Project       followed by Alternatives 5, 3 and 4 respectively. These alternatives would       provide less volume to meet demand and would therefore provide less       opportunity for employment and income to local and regional economies. 

For timber volume to contribute to the stated purpose, it must also be       economically viable. Current indicated bid value estimates show all       alternatives to have a positive value. The quantity of economically viable       timber volume available at project implementation would depend on a number       of factors. Changes in regional and global timber markets and other       factors such as fuel costs can dramatically affect stumpage values and       logging costs at the time of implementation and harvest. The full economic       benefits of a given alternative may not be available under poor market       conditions. Current estimates show indicated bid values that are       relatively similar for all alternatives. Alternative 5 has the highest       indicated bid value of any alternative due to relatively low logging and       road costs. Alternative 5 also allows the second highest volume of       harvest�approximately 8 percent less than Alternative 2. Selection of       Alternative 2 would not preclude those management options available under       Alternative 5 with the exception of approximately 258 harvest acres added       after scoping as explained in Chapter 2. 

A stable timber economy requires an even flow of timber; which allows       operators to make capital investments and employ qualified workers. Timber       from the Logjam Project constitutes a portion of the timber supply       available to Southeast Alaska�s economy. A stable timber supply in       Southeast Alaska depends on the success of many timber sales across the       forest. The importance of this project to the region�s timber industry is       emphasized by the relatively favorable economics of the available volume.       The amount of timber harvest also affects the availability of timber in       the future and contributes to long-term timber supply. 

There would be no adverse human health and environmental effects for       any alternative that disproportionately impacts minority and low income       populations because of the location and nature of this project. 

ISSUE 4 � Inventoried Roadless Areas 

Alternative 2 (Proposed Action), proposes timber harvest (99 acres) in       IRAs 511 and 514. This proposed timber harvest is in portions of the IRAs       considered a lower value roadless component by the Forest Plan (see Timber       Sale Program Adaptive Management Strategy, Chapter 1). Alternatives 3, 4,       and 5 have no timber harvest activities in IRAs 511 and 514. For all       Action Alternatives, the proposed harvest acres in combination with the       previous harvests, are not likely to affect the roadless character of       these two IRAs, because: proposed actions or alternative actions would not       cause development in corridors between the IRAs; would not reduce the       remoteness of these areas; would not greatly reduce the acreages of the       IRAs; and would be unlikely to affect the biological, geological,       scientific, or recreation values of the IRAs. 

(40 CFR 1502.14; 1508.8; and 1502.16) 

6� What factors will be used when making       the decision among alternatives? 

The factors that will likely influence the decision between       alternatives include: design and location of timber harvest, as well as       road construction and reconstruction, social and economic factors (see       Timber Supply and Sale Economics, page 121), and silvicultural practices       in the Project Area (see Decisions to be made in Chapter 1, page 6). (40       CFR 1502.23) 

7 � Are there any ways to mitigate       adverse effects? 

The action alternatives propose to mitigate some resource impacts, as       described in Chapter 3. Adverse effects, such as risks from windthrow to       standing timber after harvest have been evaluated, and means to minimize       windthrow are incorporated into all harvest unit prescriptions by way of       windfirm buffers, where needed. If any previously undocumented goshawk       nests are discovered at any time prior to or during the implementation of       this project, the appropriate protection measures (nest buffers) would be       enacted. General Mitigation common to all alternatives is described in       Chapter 2 beginning on page 25. Detailed mitigation measures are listed in       a site-specific manner on each Unit Card in Appendix B and each Road Card       in Appendix C of this document. (40 CFR 1508.25(b) (3); 1502.14(f);       1502.16(h); 1508.20; and 1500.2(e)) 

8 � What monitoring is necessary?       

Routine implementation monitoring is part of the administration of a       timber sale contract. The sale administrators and road inspectors ensure       that the prescriptions contained on the unit and road cards, and the unit       silvicultural prescriptions, are incorporated into contract documents;       they then monitor performance relative to contract requirements       (Appendices B and C). Input by resource staff specialists, such as       fisheries biologists, soil scientists, hydrologists and engineers, would       be regularly requested during this implementation monitoring process.       These specialists provide technical advice when questions arise during       project implementation. Tongass National Forest staff annually conducts a       review of BMP implementation and effectiveness. The results of this and       other monitoring are summarized in a Tongass National Forest Annual       Monitoring and Evaluation Report. This report provides information about       how well the management direction of the Forest is being carried out and       measures the accomplishment of anticipated outputs, activities and       effects. (40 CFR 1505.3; and 1505.2(c)) 

DEIS Organization 

This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) discloses the direct,       indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the       proposed action and alternatives. All numbers in this document are       approximate. The document is organized into four chapters: 

� Chapter 1 explains the Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action,       discusses how the Logjam Timber Sale Project relates to the 2008 Tongass       Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), and identifies the       significant, or key issues driving the DEIS analysis. 

� Chapter 2 describes the Proposed Action, compares alternatives to the       Proposed Action including a No-action Alternative, and summarizes the       significant environmental consequences by issue. 

� Chapter 3 describes the natural and human environments potentially       affected by the Proposed Action and alternatives, and discloses what       potential effects are anticipated. 

� Chapter 4 contains the list of preparers, the DEIS distribution list,       literature cited, a glossary, and an index. 

� Appendices provide additional information on specific aspects of the       proposed project. This DEIS incorporates documented analyses by       summarization and reference where appropriate. 

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available on line:       http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/projects/projects.shtml Copies of this       DEIS may be obtained from the USDA Forest Service office at Thorne Bay,       Alaska. Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of       project-area resources, may be found in the project record located at the       Thorne Bay Ranger District Office in Thorne Bay, Alaska.

Note: 

For a CD of the complete DEIS, please       contact Frank Roberts, fwroberts@fs.fed.us or       907-828-3226.

01_Summary_TOC_Logjam_DEIS.pdf       (1,250KB) 

02_Chapter1_Logjam_DEIS.pdf       (653KB) 

03_Chatper2_DEIS_Logjam_DEIS.pdf       (478KB) 

03a_alternative       maps_Chapter2_DEIS_Logjam_DEIS.pdf (5,910KB) 

04_Chapter3_Logjam_DEIS.pdf       (4,462KB) 

05_Chapter4_Logjam_DEIS.pdf       (1,013KB) 

06_Appendicess_BCD.pdf       (56,988KB)

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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National ForestLast       Modified: June 24, 2009