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720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

 

 

Shady 

Timber Sale

Environmental Assessment and FONSI 

March 2004 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Forest Service - Alaska Region 

Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service 

Tongass National Forest 

Responsible Official: Chip Weber 

 District Ranger 

Wrangell Ranger District 

Tongass National Forest 

P.O. Box 51 

Wrangell, AK 99929 

For Further Information Contact: Jamie Roberts, IDT Leader 

 Wrangell Ranger District 

Tongass National Forest 

P.O. Box 51 

Wrangell, AK 99929 

(907) 874-2323 

Abstract:

The Forest Service is proposing to implement the 1997 Tongass Land and 

Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) by harvesting timber in the 

Shady Project Area. This Environmental Assessment describes the 

effects of two action alternatives for harvesting timber and one no-action 

alternative. Under the action alternatives, approximately 3 –5 million 

board feet of timber would be made available for harvest within the Shady 

Project Area on Wrangell Island on the Wrangell Ranger District. The key 

issues addressed by the alternatives and this EA include: 1) project 

economics, 2) wildlife habitat connectivity and travel corridors. Other 

issues and environmental considerations are also addressed.

Shady Timber Sale 

Finding of No Significant Impact 

(FONSI)

Shady Timber Sale EA 

Finding of No Significant Impact 

USDA, Forest Service, Tongass National Forest 

Wrangell Ranger District, Wrangell, Alaska 

Introduction 

All major Federal actions must undergo some level of environmental analysis in

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). NEPA 

provides for three levels of analysis, with different documentation requirements for 

each level. 

• Proposals to take major Federal actions that may significantly affect the quality

of the human environment require preparation of an Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS), with a decision documented in a Record of Decision (ROD). 

• Routine proposed actions that fit within specific categories defined in the Forest 

Service Handbook (FSH 1909.15.30) may be excluded from documentation in 

an EIS or Environmental Assessment (EA); however, a project or case file is

often required and the decision to proceed is documented in a Decision Memo

(DM). 

• An EA is prepared for proposed actions that are not categorically excluded from 

documentation, and for which the need for an EIS has not been determined. 

The purpose of an EA is to: 

1. Briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether 

to prepare an EIS or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). 

2. Aid an agency’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) when no EIS is necessary.

3. Facilitate preparation of an EIS when one is necessary. (40 CFR 

1508.9)(a)). 

The decision to proceed with a project that has been analyzed in an EA is 

documented in a Decision Notice (DN). Often the FONSI is included within 

the DN. 

The proposed Shady Timber Sale fits into the group of actions for which an EA is 

prepared. For this particular project, we are including the FONSI along with the EA 

for public review. The final finding will be included with the Decision Notice. A 

vicinity map showing the location of the Shady project area on Wrangell Island is

available on page 1-2, Figure 1-1. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Finding of No Significant Impact ▪ FONSI-1 
FONSI 

A FONSI is a document prepared by a Federal agency briefly presenting the reasons 

why an action will not have a significant effect on the human environment and as a 

result an EIS will not be prepared. It shall include the environmental assessment or a 

summary of it and shall note any other environmental documents related to it 

(1501.7(a) (5)). If the assessment is included, the finding need not repeat any of the 

discussion in the assessment but may incorporate it by reference (40 CFR 1508.13). 

Finding of No Significant Impact 

In making a determination of “significant impact,” we use the criteria described 

under the term “significantly” in the Forest Service Environmental Policy and 

Procedures Handbook (FSH 1909.15 (05)). This term includes both context and

intensity. These criteria are listed below in italics. 

1) Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse. A significant effect may exist

even if the Federal agency believes that on balance the effect will be beneficial. 

Chapter 3 of the Shady EA describes effects that are both beneficial (jobs) and 

adverse (change in habitat). While both beneficial and adverse effects are important, 

they are not significant, in either context or intensity, to the degree that an EIS is 

warranted for the Shady project. 

2) The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety. 

This action does not pose a substantial question of significant effect upon public

health or safety. Similar past forest management activities have not resulted in 

significant effects upon public health or safety. All applicable Federal and State laws 

pertaining to public health and safety would be followed. 

3) Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to historic or

cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or 

ecologically critical areas. 

This decision would not significantly affect any unique characteristics of the 

geographic area. There are no known significant effects to prime farmlands, 

wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness or ecologically critical areas. No roads 

would be built into any Inventoried Roadless Area. 

4) The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely 

to be highly controversial. 

The effects on the quality of the human environment are not likely to be highly

controversial. Although there is controversy over timber harvest in Southeast Alaska 

in general, scientific and professional experience indicates harvest can occur without 

significant environmental effects. 

5) The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly 

uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. 

FONSI-2 ▪ Finding of No Significant Impact Shady Timber Sale EA 
 FONSI 

There are no known effects on the human environment that are highly uncertain or

involve unique or unknown risks. The mitigations, harvest methods, and other 

features of this decision are either commonly used and/or present known risks. 

6) The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with 

significant effects or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration. 

The proposed action does not set a precedent for any future actions with significant 

effects nor does it represent a decision in principle about a future consideration. This 

decision only pertains to the timber harvest within the Shady project area. Any future 

decisions will need to consider relevant scientific and site-specific information 

available at that time. 

7) Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but 

cumulatively significant impacts. Significance exists if it is reasonable to anticipate a 

cumulatively significant impact on the environment. Significance cannot be avoided 

by terming an action temporary or by breaking it down into small component parts. 

There are no known significant cumulative effects between this project and other 

projects implemented or planned on the areas separated from the affected area of this 

project. Cumulative effects have been analyzed and disclosed throughout Chapter 3 

of the EA. 

8) The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways, 

structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of 

Historic Places or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or 

historical resources. 

This action would not cause the loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, 

or historical resources. There are no known cultural resource sites that would be 

affected by this project. A Cultural Resource Investigation culminated in a detailed 

report which was prepared and submitted to the State Historic Preservation Officer 

(SHPO) with our Heritage Program Annual Report (2002). We have determined that 

no known historic properties will be affected by project implementation (EA, section 

3.12). 

9) The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened 

species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered 

Species Act of 1973. 

No threatened, endangered or sensitive species or their critical habitats are affected 

by this decision. The planning file contains the biological evaluations supporting this 

judgment (EA, section 3.2.6).

10) Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, State, or local law or 

requirements imposed for the protection of the environment. 

This action does not violate Federal, State, or local law requirements imposed for the 

protection of the environment, and has been reviewed by Federal and State agencies 

(EA, section 1.10). There are no known significant effects on civil rights, women or 

minorities (EA, section 3.13). 

Shady Timber Sale EA Finding of No Significant Impact ▪ FONSI-3 
FONSI 

Table of Findings 

The following table is useful in displaying our rational for a finding of no 

significant impact.

Context – What is the effect? Intensity – How big is it? Reasons why this is not 

significant. 

Old growth acres are 

converted to second growth 

through even-aged harvesting. 

Up to 240 acres within the 

26,500 acre project area could 

be harvested. 

240 acres is about 1.7% of the 

13,840 acres of Productive 

Old-Growth in the project 

area. (EA section 3.2.2) 

High, Medium and Low 

volume strata (volstrata) are 

harvested in the project area. 

Up to 132 acres High volstrata 

Up to 89 acres Med. volstrata 

Up to 9 acres Low volstrata 

could be harvested. 

2.3% of 5,761 acres of High 

1.8% of 4,867 acres of Med 

0.3% of 3,212 acres of Low 

(EA section 3.2.2; Table 3-4) 

Coarse canopy acres (volume 

class 6 and 7) may be 

harvested. 

Up to 10 acres of volume class 

6 and 7 could be harvest. 

10 acres is about 1.4% of the 

723 acres of existing volume

class 6 and 7 stands. (EA 

section 3.2.2)

Wildlife travel corridors may

be affected by additional 

harvest in the project area.

Two Units (60 and 63) are 

located adjacent to an 

identified wildlife travel 

corridor between two small 

Old-Growth Reserves (OGRs).

Beach buffers, riparian 

management areas, location of 

small OGRs, and retention 

within units all combine to 

provide sufficient travel 

corridors.(EA section 3.2.3)

Harvesting trees using an 

even-aged method can 

contribute to forest 

fragmentation. 

Up to 16 acres of interior oldgrowth could be changed to

second growth and 18 acres 

changed to edge forest 

(adjacent to an opening). 

4,757 of the existing 4,791 

acres of interior old-growth

(99.3%) would remain as 

interior old-growth. (EA 

section 3.2.4)

High-value goshawk nesting 

habitat could be reduced. 

Up to 120 acres of low 

elevation (<800 ft.), high

volume strata could be 

harvested. 

120 acres is 4.2% of the 2,957 

acres of existing high-value

goshawk nesting habitat. 

(EA section 3.2.8; Table 3-6) 

High-value marten habitat 

could be reduced. 

Up to 132 acres of low 

elevation (<1500 ft.), high

volume strata could be 

harvested. 

132 acres is 2.5% of the 5,420 

acres of existing high-value

marten habitat. 

(EA section 3.2.8; Table 3-6) 

Marbled murrelet nesting 

habitat could be reduced. 

Up to 222 acres of medium

and high volume strata could 

be harvested. 

222 acres is 2.1% of the 

10,732 acres of existing 

marbled murrelet nesting 

habitat. (Table 3-6) 

High-value deer winter range 

could be reduced in the project 

area and on Wrangell Island. 

Up to 7 acres of high-value 

deer winter range could be 

converted to second growth. 

7 acres is 3.1% of the 231 

acres of high-value winter 

range in the project area, and 

0.2% of the 3,400 acres on 

Wrangell Island (EA section 

3.2.9; Table 3-7) 

FONSI-4 ▪ Finding of No Significant Impact Shady Timber Sale EA 
 FONSI 

Context – What is the effect? Intensity – How big is it? Reasons why this is not 

significant. 

Habitat capability for deer 

could be reduced 

Habitat capability could be 

reduced to 598 deer within the 

project area. 

This would be a reduction of 9 

deer, or 1.5% below the 

current habitat capability of

607 deer. (Table 3-8) 

Cumulative effects of past,

present and future activities 

under the current Forest Plan 

could lead to a reduction in

deer available for subsistence 

and non-subsistence harvest. 

Implementation of the Forest 

Plan over the next 100 years, 

in conjunction with other 

factors, could lead to the 

possibility of a restriction on 

subsistence deer harvest. 

Restrictions are modeled to 

occur by 2095, not in the near 

future. A subsistence hearing 

will be held for this project

during the EA comment 

period. (EA section 3.3) 

Management activities may 

affect the scenic resource, 

particularly views from travel 

routes. 

No harvest will be visible 

from marine travel routes. All 

units will be visible from

either the Fools Inlet Road or 

the Long Lake Road. 

The Land Use Designation is 

Timber Management, where 

harvest units are expected to

be visible. All units will meet 

the Modification Visual 

Quality Objective (VQO) 

(EA section 3.5) 

Inventoried Roadless Areas

exist within the project area. 

No timber harvest or road 

construction will occur in any

Inventoried Roadless Area.

The three Inventoried 

Roadless Areas that are 

partially within the project 

area will remain unchanged. 

(EA section 3.6.3) 

Temporary roads may be 

constructed to facilitate timber 

harvest. 

Up to 0.6 mile of temporary 

road may be constructed. 

All temporary roads will be 

closed following harvest. (EA 

sections 2.3 & 2.4) 

Some timber harvest may

occur on forested wetlands. 

Up to 53 acres of forested 

wetland could be harvest. 

53 acres is 0.4% of the 12,220 

acres of forested wetland 

mosaic in the project area. 

(EA section 3.7) 

Some timber harvest may

occur on slopes in excess of

72%. 

Up to 20 acres of harvest 

could occur on slopes greater 

than 72%. 

No impacts to adjacent 

resources (Class I or II 

streams, or roads) are expected 

to result from potential mass 

failures. (EA section 3.8) 

Cumulative harvest within a 

watershed will increase. 

Cumulative % of watershed 

harvested in West Fools would 

be 7.9% and in East Fools 

would be 10%

The cumulative harvest is well 

below the threshold of 

concern, which is generally 

20%. (EA section 3.9) 

Shady Timber Sale EA Finding of No Significant Impact ▪ FONSI-5 

Shady Timber Sale 

Environmental Assessment 

Table of Contents 

Contents, Figures, and Tables

Shady Timber Sale EA Contents ▪ i 

Contents 

Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need 

Introduction 1-1

Project Area 1-3

Proposed Action 1-3

Purpose and Need for Action 1-3

Project Area Desired Future Condition 1-4

Decision to be Made 1-4

Project Background and Public Involvement 1-5

Field Studies 1-5

Key Issues 1-6

Other Environmental Consequences 1-6

Agency Involvement – Permits, Licenses, and Certifications 1-7

Applicable Laws and Executive Orders 1-8

Chapter 2 – Alternatives 2-1

Alternative Development Process 2-1

Alternative 1 – The No Action Alternative 2-1

Alternative 2 2-3

Alternative 3 2-5

Monitoring 2-7

Chapter 3 – Environment and Effects 3-1

Key Issue 1 – Project Economics 3-2

Employment 3-2

Employment in the Project Area 3-2

Timber Supply and Market Demand 3-4

Timber Financial Efficiency Analysis 3-4

Public Investment Analysis 3-6

Payments to the State of Alaska 3-7

Opportunities to Improve Economics 3-8

Key Issue 2 – Wildlife habitat connectivity and travel corridors 3-9

Beach and Estuary Fringe, Riparian, and Wetland Habitats 3-9

Old-Growth Forest 3-9

Wildlife Corridors 3-12

Forest Fragmentation 3-12

Old-Growth Reserves 3-13
Contents ▪ ii Shady Timber Sale EA 

Threatened and Endangered Species 3-14

Sensitive Species 3-14

Management Indicator Species 3-16

Other Key Species 3-22

Other Issues 

Subsistence 3-23

Silviculture 3-25

Scenery 3-27

Recreation 3-29

Wetlands 3-35

Soils 3-38

Watershed 3-40

Fisheries and Marine Habitat 3-41

Heritage Resource 3-43

Findings 

Effects on Civil Rights, Women, and Minorities 3-45

Short-term Use and Long-term Productivity 3-45

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments 3-45

Unavoidable Adverse Effects 3-46

Findings and Disclosures 3-46

Chapter 4 – Lists 4-1

List of Preparers 4-1

Glossary 4-3

Literature Cited 4-21

Appendix A – Unit Cards A-1
Shady Timber Sale EA Contents ▪ iii 

Figures 

Figure 1-1 Vicinity Map 1-2 

Figure 2-1 Alternative 2 Map 2-2 

Figure 2-2 Alternative 3 Map 2-4 

Figure 3-1 Productive Old-Growth Map 3-10 

Figure 3-2 Deer Winter Range in the Shady Project Area 3-18 

Figure 3-3 Roadless Map 3-34 
Tables

Table 2-1 Comparison of Alternative by Issue 2-6

Table 3-1 Forest Products Industry Employment in Southeast Alaska 3-3

Table 3-2 Project Employment and Income 3-3

Table 3-3 Timber Financial Efficiency Analysis 3-5

Table 3-4 Old-Growth Forest by Alternative 3-11

Table 3-5 Coarse Canopy Forest 3-11

Table 3-6 High Probability Habitat acres for Species 3-15

Table 3-7 High Value Deer Winter Range Acres by Alternative 3-19

Table 3-8 Habitat Capability for Sitka Black-tail Deer 3-19

Table 3-9 Existing Road Length and Density 3-21

Table 3-10 Mile of Road by Wetland Type 3-36

Table 3-11 Acres of Harvest on Wetlands 3-37

Table 3-12 Soil Disturbance 3-39

Table 3-13 Current and Cumulative Percent of Watershed Harvest 3-40

Table 3-14 Road Densities of the Four Affected Watersheds 3-41

Table 3-15 Unit Summary Table A-1

Contents ▪ iv Shady Timber Sale EA 
Chapter 1 

Purpose and Need 

Shady Timber Sale EA Purpose and Need ▪ 1-1 

Chapter 1 

Purpose and Need 

Introduction 

Document Structure 

The Forest Service has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) on the potential 

effects of timber harvest and road building in the Shady project area in compliance with 

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws 

and regulations. This Environmental Assessment discloses the direct, indirect, and 

cumulative environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action and 

alternatives. The document is organized as follows: 

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI): The FONSI briefly presents the reasons 

why the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the human environment, 

thus an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. 

Chapter 1 provides the purpose and need for the proposed project, the public issues 

surrounding the action, and other introductory information. It also discusses how the 

Shady Timber Sale relates to the Forest Plan. 

Chapter 2 describes and compares the alternatives for the proposed activities. These 

alternatives were developed based on issues raised by the public, the Interdisciplinary 

Team and other agencies. 

Chapter 3 describes the existing environment and predicts environmental effects likely 

to occur with implementation of the alternatives. These effects include both direct and 

indirect impacts of each alternative on the human and natural environment for each 

resource issue. Potential cumulative impacts of reasonably foreseeable or similar actions 

are also disclosed. 

Consultation and Coordination section provides a list of preparers and agencies 

consulted during the development of the Environmental Assessment. 

The appendices include supporting information including the list of preparers, glossary, 

references cited, and unit cards. 

Additional documentation, including more detailed analyses of project-area resources, 

can be found in the Shady planning record located at the Wrangell Ranger District Office, 

Tongass National Forest in Wrangell, Alaska. 

The Forest Plan can be viewed at the following website: http:/www.fs.fed.us/r10/tlmp. 
1Purpose and Need

Purpose and Need ▪ 1-2 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 1-1 Vicinity Map of Wrangell Island showing the Shady Project Area 

!

Wrangell

Shady EA

Vicinity Map

Legend

Streams

Project Area Boundary

Existing Roads

Lakes and Saltwater Date Last Edited: March 12, 2004 0 0.5 1 2 345 6 Miles

Shady Project Area

Eastern Passage

Zimova Straight

Etolin Island

3
1Purpose and Need

Shady Timber Sale EA Purpose and Need ▪ 1-3 

Project Area 

The Shady project area is located on Wrangell Island, within the boundaries of the 

Wrangell Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, Alaska (see Figure 1-1). The 

project area includes approximately 26,500 acres of National Forest land, of which 

7,350 acres are considered suitable for timber management. It lies directly adjacent 

to State of Alaska selected lands (3,156 acres) around Earl West Cove. The project 

area is located along Road 6270 on Wrangell Island and includes portions of Value 

Comparison Units (VCUs) 478, 480, 504, and 505. 

Proposed Action 

The Wrangell Ranger District proposes to harvest approximately 5 million board 

feet (MMBF) of timber from the Shady project area. Logging will be accomplished 

using a cable system. The proposed action will construct 0.6 mile of temporary 

road to facilitate access. Timber harvested could be hauled to mills on Wrangell 

Island, or to one of two existing Log Transfer Facilities (LTFs) on the island, either 

Earl West Cove or Pats Creek. If approved, harvest activities are expected to begin 

in FY 2006. 

Purpose and Need for Action 

The purpose and need for this project is: 

• To manage suitable timber lands to achieve Forest Plan goals and 

objectives in order to move from the existing condition toward the desired 

forest conditions prescribed for the Land Use Designations (LUDs), 

(Forest Plan, Chapter 2); 

• To assist in providing a continuous wood supply to meet society’s needs; 

and 

• To contribute to the job market and the over-all economy of Southeast 

Alaska. 

The Shady Timber Sale is included as part of the overall Tongass National Forest 

timber sale program. A full discussion on the reasons and timing for scheduling 

timber sales on the Tongass National Forest is included in the project planning 

record. 
1Purpose and Need

Purpose and Need ▪ 1-4 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Project Area Desired Future Condition 

The existing condition of the project area is described under “Environment” in each 

resource section in Chapter 3. 

The Forest Plan uses Land Use Designations (LUDs) to guide management of the 

Tongass National Forest. Each designation provides for a unique combination of 

activities, practices and uses. LUDs for the Shady project area include Timber 

Production (74 percent), Scenic Viewshed (14 percent), and Old-Growth Habitat (12 

percent). Chapter 3 of the Forest Plan describes the desired conditions of the various 

LUDs within the project area. Since we are only proposing management activities within 

the Timber Production LUD, it is summarized below. 

Timber Production – Suitable timber lands are managed for the production of sawtimber 

and other wood products on an even-flow, long-term sustained yield basis. An extensive 

road system provides access for timber management activities, recreation uses, hunting 

and fishing, and other public and administrative uses. Management activities will 

generally dominate most seen areas. Tree stands are healthy and in a balanced mix of age 

classes from young stands to trees of harvestable age, often in 40- to 100-acre stands. A 

variety of wildlife habitats, predominately in the early and middle successional stages, are 

present. (Forest Plan 3-144). 

The desired future condition has been further refined within the Earl West and Fools 

landscape units of the Wrangell Island Analysis (USDA Forest Service, 1998). 

Objectives defined in the Wrangell Island Analysis are not legally binding, but represent 

a considerable amount of collaborative planning with the citizens and communities of 

Wrangell Island. 

Decision to be Made 

The Record of Decision (ROD) for the Forest Plan established that timber harvest is 

appropriate in the project area. 

In addition to providing the information to support a Finding of No Significant Impact 

(FONSI), the Wrangell District Ranger will decide whether and how to make timber 

available from the Shady project area in accordance with the Purpose and Need for this 

project. This decision will address: 

• The location, design, and scheduling of timber harvest, temporary road 

construction, log-transfer facilities, and silvicultural practices; 

• Project-specific mitigation measures and monitoring requirements; and 

• If there may be a significant restriction on subsistence uses. 
1Purpose and Need

Shady Timber Sale EA Purpose and Need ▪ 1-5 

Project Background and Public Involvement 

• Fall 1999 - Placed on Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). 

• April 2000 – Interdisciplinary meetings began. 

• July 2000 – Initial scoping and environmental analysis for the original Shady 

project began. There were 10 comments in response to the Shady Public 

Scoping Letter. 

• March 2002 – Decision was made to expand the project area to include the 

neighboring Highbush area in order to better address issues and effects. The 

Highbush Timber Sale was originally listed on the Tongass 10-year action plan 

for 2006, just two years after the Shady Timber Sale. 

• March 2002 - A Notice of Intent to prepare the Shady-Highbush EIS was 

published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2002. 

• May 2002 – Scoping for the Shady-Highbush Timber Sale began. 

• January 2003 – Decision was made to not propose any road building or timber 

harvesting in the Highbush area due to unresolved Roadless Rule issues. 

However, the Highbush area is still considered part of the Shady project area for 

analysis purposes. At this point, the project name was changed from ShadyHighbush to Shady. The decison was also made to prepare an Environmental 

Assessment (EA) to determine if an EIS was necessary. 

 

Field Studies 

Preliminary fieldwork for this project began in 1999 to collect specific information 

relative to issues and to verify resource information contained in the Tongass National 

Forest Geographic Information System (GIS). Resource information maintained in the 

GIS includes streams, wildlife habitat, timber, and soil inventories, and locations of 

proposed harvest units and roads. Unit pool cards were used to document the location of 

possible harvest units and roads. Resource specialists listed specific concerns on the 

cards and gave recommendations for addressing or mitigating those concerns. 

Information from field studies and GIS was used to address issues and analyze the 

environmental effects of each alternative. For this EA, all maps and most of the 

numerical analyses are based on resource information stored in GIS databases. 
1Purpose and Need

Purpose and Need ▪ 1-6 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Key Issues 

The following key issues were identified from public and internal scoping. Key issues 

are addressed through the proposed action and alternatives. 

1. Project Economics

This issue relates to the economic viability of the proposed timber sale, 

and the potential employment and revenues generated by the project. 

2. Wildlife Habitat Connectivity and Travel Corridors

This issue relates to wildlife travel corridors, habitat between Old-Growth 

Reserves (OGR) and the potential reduction in preferred habitat for 

various wildlife species. 

Other Environmental Considerations 

The following issues were brought up during scoping or must be disclosed by law. 

Although the issues are not considered “key issues”, some are connected to the key issues 

and all are considered in the analysis. They are discussed in Chapter 3. 

• Subsistence 

• Silviculture 

• Scenery 

• Recreation 

• Wetlands 

• Forest Soils 

• Watershed 

• Fisheries and Marine Habitat 

• Heritage resources 
1Purpose and Need

Shady Timber Sale EA Purpose and Need ▪ 1-7 

Agency Involvement – Permits, Licenses, and 

Certifications 

To proceed with timber harvest as addressed in this EA, we must obtain various permits 

from federal and state agencies. Below, we describe our relationship to other agencies in 

planning this project. 

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is 

responsible for approving proposals to dredge or place fill materials in the coastal waters 

of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Corps also has 

administrative authority over activities associated with wetlands. Any road construction 

in wetlands is of interest to the Corps; therefore, effects on those areas must be 

considered and reduced. All roads and associated facilities proposed for this project are 

for the primary purpose of managing the timber resource. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – The EPA provides a general review in 

accordance with their responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act, 

Section 309 of the Clean Air Act, and Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. They also 

administer permits associated with the LTFs under the National Pollution Discharge 

Elimination System. 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – USF&WS administers the Endangered Species Act. We 

consult with USF&WS to determine if we are affecting Threatened or Endangered 

species. 

State of Alaska – Five departments in the State of Alaska were asked to participate in 

planning this project by giving general comments and suggestions as well as specific 

reviews. These departments included:

Division of Governmental Coordination – DGC formerly provided overall 

coordination for the State’s comments and administered the Alaska Coastal 

Management Program (ACMP), which requires the Forest Service to design activities 

to be compatible with approved State management guidelines. The Division of 

Governmental Coordination was abolished in 2003 and the Office of Project 

Management and Permitting (OPMP) now conducts ACMP review, within the 

Department of Natural Resources. 

Alaska Department of Natural Resources – ADNR issues tideland permits and any 

leases or easement necessary for the LTF. 

Alaska Department of Fish & Game – ADF&G is involved in the Coastal Zone 

Consistency review and is especially interested in instream activities and other fish, 

water, wildlife, and subsistence issues. 
1Purpose and Need

Purpose and Need ▪ 1-8 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – ADEC participates in 

cooperative water quality management through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and 

a Memorandum of Agreement with the Forest Service. They also issue a certificate of 

compliance with Alaska Water Quality Standards under Section 401 of the Clean Water 

Act. 

State Historic Preservation Office – SHPO determines compliance with Section 106 

of the National Historic Preservation Act, a process to determine the effects of 

alternatives on heritage resources. SHPO has been informed and they concur with our 

finding that this project is not likely to affect any known cultural resources in the area.

Applicable Laws and Executive Orders 

Below is a partial list of federal laws and executive orders pertaining to project-specific 

planning and environmental analysis on federal lands. While most pertain to all federal 

lands, some of the laws are specific to Alaska. Disclosures and findings required by 

these laws and orders are contained in Section 3.17 of this EA. 

• Organic Act of 1897 

• Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1918 amended 1936 and 1972 

• Multiple–Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 

• National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) 

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, amended 1986 

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended) 

• Clean Air Act of 1970 (as amended) 

• Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971 

• Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 

• Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (as amended) 

• Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (as amended) 

• Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 

1974 (as amended) 

• National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 (as amended) 

• Clean Water Act of 1977 (as amended) 

• American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 

• Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980 
1Purpose and Need

Shady Timber Sale EA Purpose and Need ▪ 1-9 

• Archeological Resource Protection Act of 1980 

• Cave Resource Protection Act of 1988 

• Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA) of 1990 

• 1990 Native American Protection and Repatriation Act 

• Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 

1996 

• Executive Order 11593 (cultural resources) 

• Executive Order 11988 (floodplains) 

• Executive Order 11990 (wetlands) 

• Executive Order 12898 (environmental justice) 

• Executive Order 12962 (aquatic systems and recreational fisheries) 

• Executive Order 13007 (American Indian Sacred Sites) 

• Executive Order 13084 (Consultation and Coordination with Tribal 

Governments) 

• Executive Order 13175 (Government to Government Consultation) 

• Executive Order 13186 (Migratory Bird Protection) 

• Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1918 amended 1936 and 1972 

Chapter 2 

Alternatives

Shady Timber Sale EA Alternatives ▪ 2- 1 

Chapter 2 

Alternatives 

Included in this Chapter are a description, map, and comparison of the alternatives 

considered for the Shady project. This section presents the alternatives in comparative 

form, sharply defining the differences between each alternative and providing a clear 

basis for choice among options for the decision-maker and the public. Some of the 

information used to compare the alternatives is based upon the design of the alternative 

and some is based upon the environmental, social, and economic effects of implementing 

each alternative. All alternatives are consistent with the Forest Plan. All applicable 

standards and guidelines and Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been incorporated 

in the design of these alternatives. 

2.1 Alternative Development Process 

The alternatives were developed to address the Purpose and Need for the project, to 

respond to key issues that were identified during project analysis and public involvement, 

and to meet Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines and applicable laws. 

2.2 Alternative 1 - The No Action Alternative 

This alternative is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1976, and is 

used as a benchmark for comparing the existing condition with conditions generated by 

implementing any of the action alternatives. This alternative is the existing condition. 

This alternative would not move the project area towards the desired future condition as 

described in the Forest Plan and in Chapter 1. There would be no new timber harvest or 

road construction. It does not preclude timber harvest from other areas at this time or 

from the project area at some time in the future. Watersheds would continue to recover 

as vegetation grows. Water quality and fish habitat would remain at current levels, 

subject to naturally occurring processes. The existing stands of timber would continue to 

provide wildlife travel corridors. Connectivity between stands would be maintained, 

subject to naturally occurring disturbances. 

There would be no timber harvest or road construction within inventoried roadless areas. 

Future options for continued management along the existing road system and possible 

entry into adjacent inventoried roadless areas are maintained. 
2Alternatives

Alternatives ▪ 2-2 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 2-1 Alternative 2 Map

BLAKE

CHANNEL

EARL

WEST

CR

LONG LAKE

25

26-B

27

35

40

60-B

46

42

60-C

60-A

Shady EA

Alternative 2

Legend

Project Area Boundary

Alternative 2

Clearcut

Existing Roads

Streams

Old Growth Reserves

Existing Harvest Units

Lakes and Saltwater

Date Last Edited: March 12, 2004 New Temporary Roads

3 0 0 0.25 .5 1 Miles
2Alternatives

Shady Timber Sale EA Alternatives ▪ 2- 3 

2.3 Alternative 2 (Figure 2-1) 

Alternative 2 is designed to emphasize project economics. It will implement the 

standards and guidelines outlined in the Forest Plan. It promotes project economics by 

maximizing the amount of wood available for harvest this entry, and reduces project costs 

by using conventional logging systems and even-aged management. 

This alternative manages 240 acres along the existing road system. It will harvest 

approximately 4,630 MBF [9,446 CCF (Hundred Cubic Feet)] on 240 acres and build 

approximately 0.6 miles (3,400 feet) of temporary road. 

The proposed timber harvest and road construction for this alternative is within 1,200 feet 

of the existing road system. There will be no timber harvest or road construction within 

Inventoried Roadless Areas. 

The temporary roads constructed will be closed and natural drainage patterns restored 

after harvest. Future options for continued management along the existing road system 

and possible entry into adjacent inventoried roadless areas are maintained. 
2Alternatives

Alternatives ▪ 2-4 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 2-2 Alternative 3 Map 

BLAKE

CHANNEL

EARL

WEST

CR

LONG LAKE

60-D

25

26

27

35

40

46

42

60-C

63

60-A

Shady EA

Alternative 3

Legend

Project Area Boundary

Alternative 3

Clearcut

Patchcut

New Temporary Roads

Existing Roads

Streams

Old Growth Reserves

Existing Harvest Units

Lakes and Saltwater Date Last Edited: March 12, 2004 3 0 0 0.25 .5 1 Miles
2Alternatives

Shady Timber Sale EA Alternatives ▪ 2- 5 

Alternative 3 

Alternative 3 is designed to provide timber harvest and road construction while 

minimizing affects on wildlife habitat connectivity and travel corridors. This alternative 

will implement mitigation measures that exceed those required by Forest Plan Standards 

and Guidelines for some resources. It attempts to minimize effects on wildlife by 

reducing the size of openings, using patch cuts, and retaining 60 percent of the stands in 

the Fools Creek units (Units 25, 26, 27). 

This alternative manages 270 acres (actual harvest of 159 acres) along the existing road 

system. It will harvest approximately 3,139 MBF (6,404 CCF) on 159 acres and build 

0.5 miles (2,600 feet) of temporary road. 

The proposed timber harvest and road construction is within 1,200 feet of the existing 

road system. There will be no timber harvest or road construction within Inventoried 

Roadless Areas. 

The temporary roads constructed will be closed and natural drainage patterns restored 

after harvest. Future options for continued management along the existing road system 

and possible entry into adjacent inventoried roadless areas are maintained. 
2Alternatives

Alternatives ▪ 2-6 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Comparison of Alternatives by Issue 

Table 2-1 provides a comparison of the alternatives, focusing on the key issues. For 

more detailed descriptions of the environment and the effects of the alternatives, refer to 

Chapter 3. 

Table 2-1 Comparison of Alternative by Issue 

Issue/Measurement Unit Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3 

Project Economics 

Acres harvested 

acres 0 240 159 

Total volume 

harvested MBF2 0 4,630 3,139 

Total volume 

harvested CCF 0 9,446 6,404 

Expected Bid Rate 

w/6” top1 $/CCF 0 $(5.16) $(5.98) 

Expected Bid Rate 

w/10” top $/CCF 0 $14.23 $13.21 

Temporary Road 

Construction miles 0 0.6 0.5 

Direct Jobs Created #/year 0 25 17 

Income from Direct 

Jobs $/year 0 $1,110,680.60 $753,012.74 

Alt. 1 Alt. 2 Alt. 3 

Wildlife habitat & 

travel corridors 

Existing 

Acres Acres Harvested 

High Volume POG 5,788 0 132 90 

Medium Volume POG 5,909 0 89 57 

Low Volume POG 3,264 0 9 7 

High probability 

marten habitat 5,420 0 132 90 

High probability 

goshawk habitat 2,957 0 120 77 

High probability 

marbled murrelet 

habitat 

10,732 0 222 147 

High-value deer winter 

range (HSI>.64) 231 0 7 7 

1

 ( ) indicates a negative value. 

2 Million Board Feet (MBF) 
2Alternatives

Shady Timber Sale EA Alternatives ▪ 2- 7 

2.4 Monitoring 

As directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), proposed activities would 

be monitored to ensure compliance with project-specific and Forest Plan direction (36 

CFR 219.11). Two kinds of monitoring, Forest Plan and Routine Implementation, are 

described below: 

Forest Plan monitoring is conducted over the entire Tongass National Forest on a sample 

basis, and the Shady project will be included in the base of potential sample units. Forest 

Plan monitoring includes: 

• Implementation monitoring: Used to assess the implementation of the 

goals, objectives, and standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan. 

• Effectiveness monitoring: Used to assess the effectiveness of the goals, 

objectives, and standards and guidelines of the Forest Plan. 

• Validation monitoring: Used to verify and/or validate the data, 

assumptions, and estimated effects used in developing the Forest Plan. 

Routine implementation monitoring is conducted in each project to assess whether the 

project was implemented as designed and whether it complies with the Forest Plan. 

Examples of routine implementation monitoring include sale administration specialists 

monitoring harvest activities to ensure prescriptions and mitigation measures are properly 

implemented. 

Routine post-sale monitoring is also done by the road maintenance crew and by 

silviculturists. The road maintenance crew annually checks roads on the district for trees 

across the road, plugged culverts, and brushing needs. The silviculturist routinely 

monitors each harvest unit to determine if adequate regeneration of trees to meet NFMA 

requirements has been accomplished. 

Chapter 3 

Environment and Effects 

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3- 1 

Chapter 3 

Environment and Effects 

This chapter briefly describes the affected environment and the environmental effects of 

each alternative by issue. It discusses the effects to the applicable physical, biological, 

social, and economic environments of the project area. All effects, including direct, 

indirect, and cumulative effects are disclosed. The means by which potential adverse 

effects will be reduced or mitigated are also described. 

Direct and Indirect Effects - Direct environmental effects are those occurring at the 

same time and place as the initial cause or action. Indirect effects are those that occur 

later in time or are spatially removed from the activity, but would be significant in the 

foreseeable future. 

Cumulative Effects - Cumulative effects result from incremental effects of actions, when 

added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, regardless of what 

agency or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative effects can result from 

individually minor, but collectively significant, actions taking place over a period of time. 

The following activities were considered reasonably foreseeable for cumulative effects 

analysis: (Reference State 5-year plan and FS 10-year Action Plan.) 

• 2004 - State of Alaska proposes the Eastern Passage Unit 6 Sale on the 

north end of Wrangell Island. This sale will harvest approximately 1.5 

MMBF of timber and build approximately 0.6 mile of mainline road. 

• 2005 - State of Alaska proposes the Eastern Passage Unit 7 & 8 Sale on 

the north end of Wrangell Island. This sale will harvest approximately 1.5 

MMBF of timber and build approximately 0.6 mile of mainline road. 

• 2006 - State of Alaska proposes the Eastern Passage Unit 9 & 10 Sale on 

the north end of Wrangell Island. This sale will harvest approximately 

900 MBF of timber and build approximately 0.6 mile of mainline road. 

 2007 - State of Alaska proposes the Shady Tie-In Sale near the junction of 

USFS Road 6265 and 6270, approximately two miles south of Earl West 

Cove. This sale will harvest approximately 1.5 MMBF. 

• 2007 - US Forest Service proposes the Backline Timber Sale. This sale 

will harvest approximately 7.0 MMBF. 

 2010 - US Forest Service proposes the Highbush Timber Sale. This sale 

will harvest approximately 5.0 MMBF. 

 2011 – 2025 - Southeast Alaska Transportation Plan includes a potential 

ferry terminal at Fools Inlet, and an upgrade and extension of the Fools 

Inlet Road (Roads 6265 and 6570). 

The starred projects (  ) are the only proposed activities within the project area.
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-2 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.1 Key Issue 1 - Project Economics 

Issue: This issue relates to the economic viability of proposed timber sales, and 

the potential employment and revenues generated by the project. 

 

3.1.1 Employment 

Environment

Employment in Southeast Alaska 

The communities of Southeast Alaska depend on the Tongass National Forest to 

provide the foundation for natural resource-based industries, which include wood 

products, commercial fishing and fish processing, recreation, tourism, mining, and 

mineral development. Many residents also depend heavily on subsistence hunting 

and fishing to meet their basic needs. There is very little private land in the 

region to provide these resources. Appropriate management of the Tongass’ 

natural resources is, therefore, extremely important for local communities and the 

overall regional economy. An overview and analysis of the Regional economy 

can be found in the Forest Plan. 

3.1.2 Employment in the Project Area 

The community of Wrangell is directly affected by this project. Additionally, 

residents of Thoms Place on Wrangell Island may be affected by this project. 

Timber and fishing have been the economic foundation of the community. 

Timber once dominated Wrangell’s economy, however, with the closing of the 

Alaska Pulp Company mill (1994) and Age Cedar Products small sawmill, timber 

has lost its dominance. Today Silver Bay Logging owns and operates the former 

Alaska Pulp Company mill. In addition, one small sawmill is currently operated 

by Luthier Tone Woods. The cornerstones of Wrangell’s present day economy 

include tourism, government, airport, and commercial fishing, fish processing and 

timber. 

Forest Products Employment 

The forest products industry has been an important part of the economy of 

Southeast Alaska since the 1950s. Recent forest products employment data are 

presented in Table 3-1. From 1987 through 1996, the forest products industry 

provided direct employment for an average of 2,791 workers. Indirect 

employment, which includes related service activities, such as transportation, 

marketing, and equipment sales and maintenance, provided an additional 2,014 

jobs. Direct and indirect employment during this period peaked in 1990 with 

totals of 3,543 and 2,570 jobs, respectively. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-3 

Employment has dropped recently, primarily due to lower market conditions and 

the closure of the Ketchikan Pulp Mill in 1997. With that closure, employment in 

this category has been reduced by approximately 520 jobs. 

Table 3-1 

Forest Products Industry Employment in Southeast Alaska 1991 to 2000 

Employment 

Type 

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

 Logging 1,554 1415 1,344 1,177 1,185 1,157 1,049 889 824 711 

 Saw Mill 604 538 447 515 301 230 184 284 303 280 

 Pulp Mill 911 910 859 533 516 524 318 96 63 2 

Total Direct 

Jobs 

3,069 2,863 2,650 2,225 2,002 1,911 1,551 1,269 1,190 993 

Source: Forest Plan Final EIS, 1997; USDA Forest Service, 1998n, and AK Dept. of Labor 2000

Effects

Projected Employment and Income 

The action alternatives would have direct and indirect impacts to the economies of 

the local communities. The estimated amount of employment and income likely 

to result from timber harvest, using Forest Plan multipliers developed for 

Southeast Alaska, is displayed in Table 3-2. Alternative 1, no-action, would not 

generate timber-related jobs or income. 

Table 3-2 

Project Employment and Income 

Alt 2 Alt 3 

Employment: 1

 Direct Jobs 25 17 

 Indirect Jobs 18 12 

Total Jobs 43 29 

Income: 

 Direct $1,110,680.60 $753,012.74 

 Indirect $810,796.84 $549,699.30 

Total Income $1,921,477.44 $1,302,712.05 

Estimates based on alternative volume and Forest Plan multipliers; calculated by NEAT. 

1

Number of Jobs/Year 

Source: NEAT, 1st Quarter 2003 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-4 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.1.3 Timber Supply and Market Demand 

Determining market demand is a complex process. Detailed explanations of the 

rationale for considering timber harvest in the Shady project area and market 

demand for wood products is located in the project planning record. More 

information can also be found in the Forest Plan Final Environmental Impact 

Statement (FEIS), Part 1 (pages 3-248 to 3-307). 

There are many variables that can increase the cost of timber sale offerings and 

may carry significant economic risk for potential purchasers. High cost could be 

incurred as a result of road construction, helicopter logging, and amount of timber 

volume and value of timber being removed. Market stumpage values must be 

sufficient to cover this cost and offer a profit for potential purchasers. The timber 

economics of this project have the potential to affect the timber supply to the 

forest products industry and employment in the local communities of Southeast 

Alaska. Economic deferral (deferring a timber sale for economic reasons) is 

dependent on changing conditions that include log prices, costs of accessing 

harvest units (roads), and efficiency of harvest systems (including yarding and 

hauling costs). There is the potential for economic deferral of timber sale 

offerings from the Shady project, depending on current conditions. 

In order to maintain a stable wood-products industry in Southeast Alaska, we 

need to provide a continuous flow of timber for the industry to purchase. The 

Forest Service has developed a timber sale program to respond to this need. The 

proposed Shady Timber Sale is a necessary component of this program, and the 

sale is identified on the 10-Year Timber Sale Plan. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The Shady project will have short-term and long-term effects to supply and 

demand of wood. The project’s opportunity to provide one or more timber sale 

offerings, the volume removed by these offerings and the volume retained for 

future harvest entries affect short-term and long-term timber supply. 

3.1.4 Timber Financial Efficiency Analysis 

Financial efficiency analysis is a comparison of those costs and benefits that can 

be quantified in terms of actual dollars spent or received from the project. When 

considering quantitative issues, financial efficiency analysis offers a consistent 

measure in dollars for comparison of alternatives. This type of analysis does not 

account for non-market benefits, opportunity costs, individual values, or other 

values, benefits, and costs that are not easily quantifiable, such as recreation. This 

is not to imply that such values are not significant or important, but to recognize 

that non-market values are difficult to represent by appropriate dollar figures. 

Therefore, financial efficiency should not be viewed as a complete answer, but as 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-5 

one tool that decision-makers use to gain information about resources, 

alternatives, and trade-offs between costs and benefits. 

Although individual timber harvest units may or may not be economical to 

harvest by themselves, the management of less productive land, or land 

containing a high percentage of defective timber, will help to increase future 

timber yields. The harvest of units with higher returns will help compensate for 

those with less economical returns. 

An analysis of the action alternatives was performed using the NEPA Economic 

Analysis Tool (NEAT), which is based on the Transaction Evidence Appraisal 

(TEA) method. The analysis compared the alternatives’ timber quantity, quality 

and logging efficiency with estimated costs and values to determine an estimated 

bid value (minimum stumpage value) for the current and 12 previous appraisal 

quarters. The analysis included estimated stump to truck, transportation, logging 

overhead, and road construction costs. The analysis demonstrates the cyclical 

nature of timber markets and the range of values associated with high- and lowmarket conditions. Alternative 1 was not analyzed because there is no harvest 

associated with it. 

It should be noted that base rates would be the minimum rates advertised for sales 

appraised deficit. This would cover the cost of essential reforestation and provide 

a small return to the National Treasury. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Table 3-3 

Timber Financial Efficiency Analysis - Timber Sale Values and Costs to an Operator of 

Average Efficiency1

Alt 2 Alt 3 

Net Sawlog Volume (CCF): 

Sitka Spruce 2565 1737 

Hemlock 5998 4066 

Alaska Yellow-Cedar 838 570 

Western Redcedar 45 30 

Total Net Sawlog CCF 9,446 640 

Total Net Sawlog MBF 4,630 3,139 

Logging Cost per CCF $115.37 $116.28 

Expected Bid Value1 $(48,726)3 $(38,301) 3

Expected Bid Rate/CCF1 $(5.16) 3 $(5.98) 3

Modified Bid Value2 $118,191 $74,341 

Modified Bid Rate/CCF2 $14.23 $13.21 

1

6” utilization standard and domestic redcedar processing 

2

10” utilization standard and domestic redcedar processing (see section 3.1.7) 

3

 ( ) indicates negative value 

Source: NEAT, 1st Quarter 2003 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-6 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Alternative 2 -The financial efficiency produced an expected minimum sale 

value of $(48,726.00) for current market conditions. Since this alternative’s 

expected minimum sale value is negative the advertised net stumpage rate would 

be base rates $3.23 per CCF. 

Alternative 3 - The financial efficiency analysis produced an expected minimum 

sale value of $(38,301.00) for current market conditions. Since this alternative’s 

expected minimum sale value is negative the advertised net stumpage rate would 

be base rates $3.23 per CCF. 

The predominant reasons Alternatives 2 and 3 have negative sale value is low net 

volume per acre (Alt. 2 at 19 MBF/acre and Alt. 3 at 20MBF/acre) and poor log 

quality (small diameter sawlogs). The alternatives’ reliance on cable logging 

systems and even-aged management are positive economic factors, leading to low 

logging costs. However, the reduced logging costs are not enough to offset the 

low value associated with the small diameter sawlogs (see section 3.1.7 for 

opportunities to improve sale economics. 

3.1.5 Public Investment Analysis 

A public investment analysis of each alternative was performed to compare the 

current value of the timber with the estimated cost of preparing and administering 

the timber sale. The Forest Service’s estimated costs and management expenses 

(based on average budget allocations) are subtracted from the alternative’s 

estimated bid value. 

Environmental analysis costs include field inventory and the analysis of data, 

public involvement, and the preparation of a document that satisfies the 

requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The 

environmental analysis cost is constant and applies to all alternatives, including 

the no-action alternative. 

Sale preparation consists of harvest unit layout and timber cruising. Sale 

preparation costs increase significantly when implementing partial harvest units, 

as compared to clearcut harvest units. The Alternatives-to-Clearcutting (ATC) 

Research Study on Kupreanof Island required about eight times more person-days 

to prepare a harvest unit that required marking individual trees (uneven-aged 

partial harvest) and about four times longer to designate 2-acre patches (evenaged partial harvest) as compared to implementing a clearcut harvest unit in the 

same area. 

 

Sale administration consists of administering the timber sale contract after sale 

award through sale completion. Normally costs are associated with office 

documentation, timber sale accounting, and site visits to the sale area. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-7 

Engineering support consists of timber sale contract administration activities 

associated with new facility and road construction, use of existing facilities, and 

road maintenance. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Alternative 3 ($323,385.14) would cost the least to prepare, followed by 

Alternative 2 ($476,987.42). Both alternatives will cost more to prepare than 

their expected revenue under the current market. Alternative 3 has a net revenue 

of $(361,686.25) and alternative 2 has a net revenue of $(525,713.76). However, 

this revenue versus cost analysis should be weighed against the expected 

employment and income (Table 3-2) generated by the project. Additionally, if the 

timber market improves the alternatives could generate enough revenue to provide 

a positive net return. 

3.1.6 Payments to the State of Alaska 

Prior to 2000, 25 percent of the returns to the National Treasury from revenue 

producing Forest Service activities was returned to each State containing National 

Forest Lands and then distributed to counties (or, in Alaska, to Organized and 

Unorganized Boroughs) with national forest acreage within their boundaries. 

These were termed “25 percent fund payments” and were dedicated to schools 

and roads. More recently, in order to stabilize these payments in the face of 

declining Forest Service timber harvests and associated revenues, Congress 

enacted the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 

2000. Under this act, boroughs can elect to receive a “full payment amount,” 

which is the average of the highest three payments made between 1986 and 1999. 

The act makes this option available through fiscal year 2006. 

For fiscal years 2001 through 2006 under the new legislation, Alaska boroughs 

and communities have elected to receive a full payment amount rather than 25 

percent of receipts. The full payment amount is the average of the highest three 

payments made to the state during the 14 year period between 1986 and 1999. 

These annual full payment amounts would be primarily dedicated to roads and 

schools, with provisions for special project funding under certain conditions. 

Under the full payment approach, Forest Service payments to the State of Alaska 

during the 2001 to 2006 period would not be linked to annual Forest Service 

revenue, rather they would be based on the high three-year historic average. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-8 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The difference in revenues among the alternatives considered in the EA would 

have no effect on the payments boroughs receive during the 2001 through 2006 

time period. 

3.1.7 Opportunities to Improve Economics 

The alternatives have been analyzed with required removal of merchantable 

sawlogs to a 6-inch top Diameter Inside Bark (DIB) and domestic processing of 

western redcedar sawlogs. If an alternative appraises deficit at the time of offer, 

management standards could be applied to the alternative to improve sale 

economics. Changes to utilization standards might be made that only require 

removal to an 8-inch or 10-inch top DIB. The export of western redcedar could 

also be authorized, but only if changes to utilization standards do not improve sale 

economics. These tools are only applied in specific circumstances and require 

Forest Supervisor and Regional Forester approval. 

Two scenarios are readily apparent when considering whether the Shady project 

will provide positive economic timber sale offerings. In scenario one, it is 

anticipated that the timber market will improve and log values will increase. In 

scenario two, utilization standards are changed from 6” top DIB to 10” top DIB. 

If this were done under current market conditions then Alternative 2 would 

produce an expected minimum sale value of $118,191.00 (+$14.23 per CCF) and 

harvest 8,304 CCF. Alternative 3 would produce an expected minimum sale 

value of $74,341.00 (+$13.21 per CCF) and harvest 5,630 CCF. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-9 

3.2 Issue 2 - Wildlife habitat connectivity and travel corridors 

This issue relates to wildlife corridors and habitat between Old-Growth Reserves 

(OGR), and the potential reduction in preferred habitat for some wildlife species. 

3.2.1 Beach and Estuary Fringe, Riparian, and Wetland Habitats 

Environment

Beach and estuary fringe, riparian areas, and other non-forested wetland types 

provide valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife species. 

 

Direct and Indirect Effects

No harvest would occur in the 1000-foot beach and estuary fringe or Riparian 

Management Areas (RMA) under any of the alternatives due to protections given 

under Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) Standards and 

Guidelines (USDA 1997b). Effects to non-forested wetlands would be minimal 

under either alternative (See Section 3.7 Wetlands). 

3.2.2 Old-Growth Forest 

Environment

Old-growth forest stands are ecosystems characterized by old and large trees. The 

combination of dense canopy with scattered small openings allow for forage 

development while intercepting snowfall. Large dead or defective trees provide 

nesting and feeding sites for birds and small mammals. Overall, this structural 

diversity is used by a variety of wildlife species. 

Productive Old-Growth (POG) is defined as old-growth forest capable of 

producing at least 20 cubic feet of wood fiber per acre a year, or having greater 

than 8,000 board feet per acre. Approximately 1,456 acres (9.4 percent) of the 

productive old-growth in the project area has been harvested to date (1,009 acres 

National Forest Lands, 447 acres State Selected Lands). The project area 

currently has 13,840 acres remaining of POG, which are high (5,761 acres), 

medium (4,867 acres), and low (3,212 acres) old-growth forest volume strata 

(Table 3-4). The distribution of old-growth forest in the project area (Figure 3-4) 

is rather patchy due to natural breaks caused by muskeg, scrub-shrub wetlands, 

and forested wetlands. Timber harvest has further fragmented the distribution of 

old-growth along the existing road system in the project area.

Coarse-structured (multi-aged, large trees) low elevation forest is important for 

several wildlife species including deer, goshawk, and forest songbirds. Timber 

volume classes 6 and 7 (from the GIS cover TIMTYP) are believed to be an 

adequate predictor of those stands (Caouette et al. 2000). There are currently 723 

acres of coarse canopy forest within the project area. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-10 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 3-1 Productive Old Growth 

BLAKE

CHANNEL

EARL

WEST

CR

LONG LAKE

Shady EA

Productive Old Growth (POG)

Legend

Streams

Project Area Boundary

Existing Road

Lakes and Saltwater

Old Growth

High Volume

Medium Volume

Low Volume

Date Last Edited: March 12, 2004 Non-Productive

3 0.5 0.25 0 0.5 1 1.5 Miles
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-11 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Harvest of non-commercial forest, low volume strata productive old-growth, and 

total acreage of old-growth forest will be minimal under all alternatives. Harvest 

of high volume and medium volume POG forest is greater under Alternative 2 

than Alternative 3. However, harvest under both alternatives is still relatively 

minimal given the amount of acreage in the study area (Table 3-4). Alternative 2 

will harvest 10 acres of coarse canopy forest. Alternative 3 will harvest 7 acres of 

coarse canopy forest (Table 3-5). 

Table 3-4 Old-Growth Forest 

Acres Harvested 

Existing 

acres 

Alt 2 Alt 3 

Volstrata: 

Total Non-commercial Forest Lands: 15933 

Unproductive Old-Growth1 14985 10 5 

Open Muskeg 948 

Total Productive Old-Growth 

(POG):2 13840 230 1546

High Volume Strata3 5761 132 90 

Medium Volume Strata4 4867 89 57 

Low Volume Strata5 3212 9 7 

Total Old- Growth Forest (Unprod + 

Prod) 28,825 240 159 

1/ Less than 8,000 board-feet per acre (USDA 1997b). (scrub forest or past harvest units) 

2/ Greater than 8,000 board-feet per acre (USDA 1997b). 

3/ Averages 35,000 board-feet per acre (USDA 1997a). 

4/ Averages 25,000 board-feet per acre (USDA 1997a). 

5/ Averages 16,000 board-feet per acre (USDA 1997a). 

6/ Acres in Alt 3 corrected for patch cut harvest: Harvested area = Unit acres - (Patch cut unit acres x 

0.6) 

Table 3-5 Coarse Canopy Forest 

Acres Harvested 

Coarse Canopy Forest Existing acres Alt 2 Alt 3 

Volume Class 6 & 7 723 10 7 

For wildlife analysis in this project, “existing acres” encompasses the entire 

project area, including the area within the state selected lands. State selected 

lands include a total of 3,156 acres, of which 605 acres are productive old growth 

and 2,551 are unproductive old growth or muskeg (unproductive old-growth 

includes non-commercial forest lands and past harvested units). 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-12 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.2.3 Wildlife Corridors 

Environment

Wildlife travel routes are referred to as “corridors” and are identified during 

analysis of the project area. Corridors function as connective links between 

patches of suitable habitat and in maintaining biodiversity. Low elevation 

passes, beach fringe, and stream corridors provide natural connections 

between forested blocks and are important areas for migrating and dispersing 

wildlife. 

The Wrangell Island Analysis identified wildlife corridors on Wrangell Island, 

several of which fall within the project area (USDA 1998b). These corridors 

are believed to provide important links between Old-Growth Reserves 

(OGRs) and other blocks of important habitat. 

 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Protections under the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of 

beach buffers and RMAs (USDA 1997b), will maintain many of the corridor 

values in the project area. Corridor values adjacent to Units 60 and 63 will be 

maintained by riparian buffers and un-harvested areas adjacent to units. This 

will allow for wildlife movement between Earl West Small OGR and 

Salamander Small OGR. Stream buffers preserve corridor values for 

corridors between Earl West and Fools OGRs under all alternatives. The 

Fools Creek riparian corridor is protected under all alternatives. 

Alternative 3 was designed in large part to address connectivity and corridor 

concerns especially in the Fools Creek area. 

Overall, Alternative 3 preserves corridors to a greater extent in the Earl West 

and Fools Creek Watersheds. Under Alternative 3, a large section of Unit 60 

is left intact, while harvesting Unit 63 instead. Additionally, the patch cuts in 

the Fools Creek Area would serve as corridors for the upland areas. 

 

3.2.4 Forest Fragmentation 

The Tongass National Forest is characterized by fragmentation at many scales 

and is fragmented by different processes. Fragmentation has the potential to 

isolate small populations, contribute to decreased population distribution, and 

increase the likelihood of local extinction. Across the project area, at a 

landscape level, the natural distribution of POG is quite patchy and has been 

fragmented by muskegs and forested wetlands. Timber harvest tends to 

increase forest fragmentation and the amount of “edge” (USDA 1997a). 

We identified contiguous blocks of old-growth forest habitat through GIS 

analysis. We defined “edge” as the forested area within a distance of 2-3 tree 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-13 

lengths (300 feet) from an opening. “Interior forest” was defined as the 

portion of the forest greater than 300 feet inside the edge or perimeter of the 

block (USDA 1997a). Road cuts were considered as breaks in contiguous 

forest. 

Based on our analysis, the project area contains the largest remaining block of 

contiguous old-growth forest on Wrangell Island. This block extends around 

much of the project area boundary on the east side. Because of the branched 

and linear nature of this block, the amount of edge relative to interior forest is 

high. For example, this contiguous block contains a total of 14,184 acres of 

old-growth forest. However, the remaining interior forest habitat is broken 

down into three separate, smaller blocks (>500 acres) of 2,053 acres, 1,414 

acres and 1,324 acres, respectively, once the edge effect is subtracted (4,791 

acres total). The next largest contiguous block in the project area contains 594 

total acres of old-growth forest, but is reduced to less than 500 acres when 

edge effects are factored in. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

In both Alternatives 2 and 3, only Unit 27 impacts any old-growth blocks over 

500 acres in total size. This unit impacts a block of interior forest that is 390 

acres. Harvest of this unit under Alternative 2 would directly remove 16 acres 

of interior old-growth. In addition, the creation of an opening within the 

block would change 18 acres from interior forest to edge forest. For 

Alternative 3, a patch cut placed near the edge of a block would have less 

impact on the interior forest than one placed in interior forest that had been 

buffered for edge effects. However, the smaller opening sizes of the patch 

cuts have a higher edge-to-interior ratio. Overall, depending on the 

arrangement of patch cuts associated with Alternative 3, there would likely be 

slightly less impact on interior forest. Under either harvest alternative, there 

would be an estimated minimum of 4,757 acres of interior forest remaining in 

the blocks of old-growth forest (blocks>500 acres) in the project area. This 

amounts to a reduction of less than 1 percent of the interior old-growth forest. 

The amount of edge habitat in the project area is already high due to the 

naturally patchy distribution of old-growth forest. Overall, the impacts of 

either Alternative 2 or 3 on forest fragmentation would be minimal. 

3.2.5 Old-Growth Reserves 

Environment

A system of mapped large, medium, and small Old-Growth Reserves (OGR) 

is part of a forest-wide habitat conservation strategy designed to protect the 

integrity of the existing old-growth ecosystem (USDA 1997a). There are two 

small OGRs within the project area and a small and medium OGR adjacent to 

the project area (see Alternative Maps, Figure 2-1 and 2-2) 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-14 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Neither of the timber harvest alternatives would affect any of the current 

reserve designs or future options for modification. 

3.2.6 Threatened and Endangered Species 

Environment

The humpback whale and the Stellar sea lion are the only two federally listed 

wildlife species that occur within the boundaries of the Tongass National 

Forest in the vicinity of the project area. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Both the humpback whale and Stellar sea lion are restricted to the marine 

environment and therefore, do not occur in the project area. The proposed 

action is of a very limited size and scope and would not modify adjacent 

marine habitat. As a result, no adverse effects on humpback whales, Stellar 

sea lions or their habitat would be expected as a result of any of the proposed 

alternatives. 

3.2.7 Sensitive Species 

A Biological Evaluation (BE) for sensitive plants was conducted. No 

sensitive or rare plants were found. The BE and results of the surveys are in 

the Shady planning record. 

Sensitive wildlife species that may occur within the project area are Peale’s 

peregrine falcon, Queen Charlotte (northern) goshawk, trumpeter swan, and 

osprey. Only the goshawk is known to occur in or immediately adjacent to 

the project area for extended periods of time. Protections under the Forest 

Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of beach buffers, and Riparian 

Management Areas (RMAs) (USDA 1997b), will protect important habitat for 

osprey, Peale’s peregrine falcon, and trumpeter swan. No impacts on osprey, 

Peale’s peregrine falcon, and trumpeter swan are expected as a result of any of 

the proposed alternatives. Only the goshawk is discussed in more detail here. 

The Biological Evaluations (BE) are included in the planning record. 

3.2.7.1 Queen Charlotte Goshawk 

Environment

Goshawks occur in low densities throughout most of the Tongass National 

Forest. Two subspecies of the northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis 

atricapillus and Accipiter gentilis laingi, are old-growth/mature forest 

associated raptors of special concern in the Tongass. The goshawk was a key 

consideration for the viability assessment of the revised Forest Plan (Iverson 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-15 

et al. 1996, USDA 1997a). Concern for the goshawk stems from reductions in 

preferred habitat due to timber harvesting. 

Goshawks use Productive Old-Growth (POG) forests extensively for foraging 

and nesting. Table 3-6 shows the existing amount of high value goshawk 

nesting habitat in the project area. High value nesting habitat is defined here 

as high volume strata POG under 800 feet elevation, with slopes less than 35 

percent (Iverson et al 1996). 

Surveys for raptors (hawks and owls, including goshawks) were conducted 

between March and September 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. 

An active goshawk nest was located in the project area in 2000 and a failed 

nesting attempt occurred in 2001 at the same nest. Goshawks have not 

successfully nested in that nest since that time, but have been detected in the 

general vicinity on State land. Goshawks were noted in other portions of the 

project area, but nesting behavior was not detected. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Effects of both alternatives would be minimized by Forest Plan Standards and 

Guidelines, in the form of beach buffers, RMAs, and nest protection (USDA 

1997b), habitat available in OGRs, and the amount of habitat remaining in the 

project area. However, timber harvest will reduce the amount of POG 

available to goshawks (Table 3-6). Overall, Alternative 3 would have the 

least affect on goshawks. 

Table 3-6 Total acres in project area and harvest acres of High Probability Habitat for 

Species 

Existing (Alt 1) Alt 2 Alt 34

Species: Acres % Decrease Acres % Decrease Acres % Decrease 

Goshawk1 2957 0 120 4.2% 77 2.7% 

Marten 2 5420 0 132 2.5% 90 1.7% 

Marbled murrelet 3 10732 0 222 2.1% 147 1.4% 

1 High volume forest and <800 ft. elevation and slopes < 35% 

2 High volume forest and <1500 ft. elevation 

3

 Medium and high volume forest 

4 Values in Alt 3 adjusted to reflect partial harvest/patch cuts. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-16 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.2.8 Management Indicator Species (MIS) 

MIS are species whose response to land management activities can be used to 

predict the likely response of other species with similar habitat requirements. 

Twelve of the thirteen MIS identified in the Forest Plan (USDA 1997a) are likely 

to occur in the project area. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) does not 

occur on Wrangell Island and is therefore not discussed. Only three of these 

species (Sitka black-tailed deer, wolf, and marten) are discussed here. The 

remaining nine species would be largely protected by Forest Plan Standards and 

Guidelines through beach buffers, RMAs, (USDA 1997b), OGRs and the amount 

of habitat remaining in the project area. Discussion of these species is found in 

the Wildlife Resource Report located in the Shady planning record. While there 

will be minimal effects to these species under either alternative, Alternative 3 

was generally more responsive to habitat-related concerns. 

3.2.8.1 Sitka Black-tailed Deer 

Environment

Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileous hemionus sitkensis) are indigenous to the 

coastal regions of Southeast Alaska. The availability of suitable winter range is 

believed to be the factor limiting deer populations in Southeast Alaska (Suring et 

al. 1992). 

 

The Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines require identification of important deer 

winter range during project analysis (USDA 1997b). A habitat capability model 

for deer is used to assist in identifying important winter range areas. Sensitivity 

analysis has shown that successional stage and snow depth have the greatest effect 

on deer habitat capability estimates (Suring et al 1992). 

Habitat mapping through the habitat capability model identified few areas in the 

project area that have relatively higher potential winter range value (Habitat 

Suitability Index [HSI] > 0.64) (Figure 3-2, Tables 3-7 and 3-8). It should be 

noted that the habitat capability model is a tool for estimating habitat capability 

for deer. It is not intended to estimate actual deer population size and should only 

be included as part of an overall package of information used in the decisionmaking process. 

Deer “Quick Cruise” habitat evaluation methods allowed for a standardized and 

relatively objective field assessment of the quality of winter range in the project 

area (Kirchhoff and Hanley, 1992). This assessment assigned an overall deer 

winter habitat score (0-100 points) based on forage and snow-intercept 

components. The average score in the unit pool was 65.2 points, with a range 

from 47-85 points (n=64). 

 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-17 

The harvest of deer on Wrangell Island is variable, making it difficult to 

determine a trend. Hunter effort appears to have increased between 1992 and 

2001. Deer pellet transect information for Wrangell Island (Fools Inlet) is 

limited. Differences were negligible and recorded pellet group densities were low 

(<1 pellet-groups/plot) (ADFG 2002). Browse indications, deer pellet density 

information, and hunter harvest information suggest that deer numbers are lower 

on Wrangell than on surrounding islands. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-18 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 3-2 Deer Winter Range in the Shady Project Area. 

Shady EA

Existing Deer Winter Range

Legend

streams arc

Project Area Boundary

Existing Road

Lakes and Saltwater

Deer Winter Range Value

High Value: .64 HSI

Medium Value: .33-.63 HSI

Low Value: .01-.32 HSI

Date Last Edited: Oct. 16, 2003 No Value by Susan Wise-Eagle

3

0.500 0.25 .5 1 Miles
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-19 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Protections under the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of beach 

buffers and RMAs (USDA 1997b), in addition to the OGRs, will protect 

important deer habitat in the project area. Harvest of productive old-growth at 

lower elevations will further reduce the amount of habitat available to Sitka blacktailed deer in the winter months (Table 3-7). Harvest also increases the isolation 

of remaining old-growth stands, further diminishing connectivity. 

The quality of deer winter range will be reduced under either alternative. A 

greater number of high value deer winter range acres are harvested under 

Alternative 2 (Table 3-8). Overall, the effects to deer winter range and habitat 

capability in the project area or island-wide would be relatively minor. Yet any 

additional loss of important deer habitat could reduce the ability of an already 

depressed population to recover. In that sense, Alternative 3 would be more 

responsive to deer habitat concerns. 

Table 3-7 Acres of High Value Deer Winter Range (HSI>0.64) currently in the project area 

and remaining post-harvest by Alternative 

Existing Alt 2 Alt 31

Project Area: 

Acres remaining post-harvest 231 224 224 

Percent Decrease 0 3.1% 3.1% 

Wrangell Island: 

Acres remaining post-harvest 3400 3393 3393 

Percent Decrease 0 0.2% 0.2% 1

 Assumes a clear cut. However, no high value acres are in the patch cuts so numbers are the 

same. 

Table 3-8 Habitat Capability for Sitka Black-Tailed Deer immediately after harvest 

Existing Alt 2 Alt 3 

Project Area: 

Number of Deer 607 598 604 

Percent Decrease 0% 1.5% 0.5% 

Deer per square mile 13 13 13 

Wrangell Island: 

Number of Deer 3435 3426 3432 

Percent Decrease 0.0 0.3% 0.1% 

Deer per square mile 16 16 16 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-20 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.2.8.2 Wolves 

Environment

The Alexander Archipelago wolf (Canis lupus ligoni) occurs on Wrangell Island. 

Conservation concerns over the short- and long-term viability of wolf 

populations in Southeast Alaska led to a petition to list the Alexander 

Archipelago wolf as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act. 

The decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) not to list the wolf 

was based in part on species-specific conservation strategies placed in the 

Tongass Forest Plan (USDA 1997a). The Forest Plan identified three strategies 

to address wolf viability concerns: 1) deer habitat capability, 2) a roadless reserve 

system, and 3) road density management where wolf mortality concerns exist 

(USDA 1997b). 

Deer are the primary prey of wolves in Southeast Alaska (Person et al. 1996). 

Consequently, deer habitat values are important in determining wolf population 

parameters (Person et al. 1996, Person 2001). Section 3.2.8.3 describes the 

impacts of habitat loss on deer populations. 

The vast majority of wolf mortality in Southeast Alaska is human-caused (Person 

2001). Wolves in Southeast Alaska experience higher mortality from hunting 

and trapping in Wildlife Analysis Areas (WAA) with higher road densities 

(Person et al. 1996). Where there are concerns about excessive wolf mortality, 

the Forest Plan mandates development of a Wolf Habitat Management Program, 

especially where road densities exceed 0.7 to 1.0 miles/square mile (USDA 

1997b, 4-116). 

Direct and Indirect Effects

An interagency group of biologists (USFWS, USFS, and ADF&G) discussed 

wolf mortality on Wrangell Island in 2003. It was determined that there were no 

concerns about excessive human-caused wolf mortality on Wrangell Island, even 

though there were high road densities at the watershed scale. Road densities 

remain at 0.57 mi/mi2

 within the project area, and at 0.64 mi/mi2 on Wrangell 

Island (Table 3-9). 

Standards and guidelines will protect any wolf dens that are discovered in the 

project area (USDA 1997b). The effects on deer habitat capabilities were 

discussed previously. Alternative 3 is more responsive to deer habitat concerns 

than Alternative 2. 

Total length and densities of system roads remain the same under all alternatives. 

Alternatives 2 and 3 propose building 0.5 to 0.6 miles of temporary road. These 

roads will not remain open to passenger vehicles, but will still be passable to foot 

traffic and possibly All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATV). Overall, the effects to wolves 

will be relatively minimal under either alternative. Alternative 3 is more 

responsive to wolf concerns than Alternative 2 because of deer habitat issues. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-21 

 

Table 3-9 Existing Road Length And Density 

Miles of Total Road 

Per square mile1

Existing 

miles of 

NF System 

road 

Existing 

miles of 

total 

roads 

(System 

+nonSystem) 

Area of 

Land 

(Square 

Miles) 

Existing 

miles of 

NF System 

road per 

square mile Alt 2 Alt 3 

Project 

Area 

26.5 31.1 46.7 0.57 0.68 0.68 

Wrangell 

Island 

134.8 134.8 209.3 0.64 0.65 0.65 

1

/ System road would not change with either alternative. 

3.2.8.3 Marten 

Environment

High-value marten habitat has been defined by the Forest Plan as high volume 

strata old-growth stands below 1500 feet in elevation (USDA 1997b). This habitat 

was identified and mapped using GIS (USDA 1998c). There are 5,420 acres of 

high-value marten habitat in the project area. Table 3-6 displays the distribution 

of high-value marten habitat in the project area. The unit cards show the 

distribution of marten habitat within the units. 

Marten are susceptible to over-harvest. Forest management activities that 

increase human access may influence the potential for over-trapping (USDA 

1997a). Marten densities may decrease when road densities exceed 0.2 miles per 

square mile and can decrease by as much as 90 percent when road densities 

approach 0.6 miles per square mile (Suring et al. 1992). Road densities currently 

exceed the critical road density threshold for marten. An interagency group of 

biologists (USFWS, USFS, and ADFG) discussed marten mortality on Wrangell 

in 2003. It was determined that there were no concerns about excessive humancaused marten mortality on Wrangell Island even though there were high road 

densities at the watershed scale. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Protection under the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of beach 

buffers and RMAs (USDA 1997b), in addition to the OGRs, will protect 

important marten habitat in the project area. To meet Forest Plan Standards and 

Guidelines, those units containing high-value marten habitat (high volume 

productive old-growth forest below 1500 feet) will include stand-structure 

retention (USDA 1997b). 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-22 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.2.9 Other Key Species 

Other important species include moose, marbled murrelet, endemics, small 

mammals, Neotropical migratory birds, raptors, and great blue heron. Only 

the marbled murrelet is discussed here. The other species will be largely 

protected by Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of beach 

buffers, RMAs, (USDA 1997b), OGRs, and the amount of habitat remaining 

in the project area. Effects to these species would be minimal under both 

alternatives. However, Alternative 3 is generally more responsive to habitatrelated concerns. The other species are discussed in the Wildlife Resource 

Report located in the project planning record. 

3.2.9.1 Marbled Murrelet 

Environment

Marbled murrelets were detected in the project area on several occasions, 

including in a number of the proposed harvest units. There are 10,732 acres of 

high-value marbled murrelet habitat in the project area (Table 3-6). High-value 

marbled murrelet habitat is broadly defined as medium and high volume strata 

(POG). 

Murrelet surveys were conducted in 2002. A high amount of marbled murrelet 

activity was detected along upper Fools Creek and may indicate nesting in 

nearby units as well as general flight corridor values. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Protection under the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, in the form of beach 

buffers and RMAs (USDA 1997b), will protect important marbled murrelet 

habitat in the project area, especially lower elevation habitat. Nests are 

protected under specific Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines (USDA 1997b). 

Alternative 2 harvests more high volume POG and high-value marbled murrelet 

habitat (222 acres) than Alternative 3 (147 acres) (Tables 3-4 and 3-6). Under 

all alternatives the percent reduction in total high-value habitat in the project 

area is minimal. The upper Fools Creek riparian area is protected in all 

alternatives. Given the difficulty of finding nests, it is unlikely any will be 

found. This suggests that some nests may inadvertently be lost due to timber 

harvest. The 60 percent retention in units adjacent to Fools Creek under 

Alternative 3 will retain potentially important nesting habitat. Alternative 3 will 

likely have fewer impacts on marbled murrelets than Alternative 2. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-23 

3.2.10 Cumulative Effects on Wildlife 

Future timber sales over the next 10 years, including past sales, were considered 

in order to examine cumulative effects on wildlife species dependent on oldgrowth forest. Other activities with the potential to affect wildlife and habitat 

were also considered. 

Approximately 12 MMBF of timber is planned for harvest on National Forest 

System Lands on Wrangell Island over the next 10 years, 5 MMBF of which 

will occur in the project area. An estimated 6 miles of road may be constructed. 

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) intends to harvest 5.4 

MMBF on Wrangell Island over a 5-year period. Some of this potential harvest 

encroaches upon the beach fringe or is adjacent to an OGR. Approximately 1.8 

miles of road would be constructed at the north end of Wrangell. This will 

effectively create a roaded loop that, while increasing access, could lead to 

increased effects on deer and other wildlife. 

Any additional harvest in the project area may have negative impacts on species 

dependent on old-growth forest. Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines protect 

beach and estuary fringe and riparian habitat that is valuable to many species 

(USDA 1997b), but these standards do not apply to State Lands. Retaining 

habitat in OGRs and maintaining wildlife corridors could also serve to lessen 

these impacts. Results from GIS analysis suggest that deer habitat capability is 

already lower in the project area than other portions of Wrangell Island (USDA 

2000), likely due to greater accumulated snow depths that result in lower 

capability values. 

Cumulative effects to wildlife and habitat would be slightly greater under 

Alternative 2 compared to Alternative 3. A greater difference might occur in 

the event of the development of the South Wrangell Ferry Terminal, because of 

the potential to greatly increase human access. Any activities that reduce the 

value of existing winter deer range and increase vulnerability to harvest or 

predation could negatively impact the existing deer population. In that case, 

there may be greater benefits of the harvest strategy along Fools Creek in 

Alternative 3 because of the lessened impacts on connectivity and corridors. 

3.3 Subsistence 

Environment

Abundance, Distribution and Demand for Deer - Deer are believed to be the 

most important subsistence resource impacted by this proposed plan and have 

historically been an important resource to Wrangell residents (Cohen 1989). 

Recent analysis suggests that deer habitat capability in the project area is below 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-24 Shady Timber Sale EA 

15 deer per square mile and will remain essentially unchanged under either 

alternative. 

Abundance, Distribution and Demand for Moose - Moose are the second most 

important source of subsistence for Wrangell residents (Cohen 1989). The Stikine 

River has traditionally been the most important moose hunting area for Wrangell 

residents and will likely continue to be. However, a small but increasing number 

of moose are harvested annually on Wrangell Island. This project is not likely to 

result in a noticeable change in moose distribution or abundance island-wide. 

Abundance, Distribution and Demand for other Species - Black bears, grouse, 

and ptarmigan are harvested on Wrangell Island. However, furbearer and 

waterfowl harvest within the project area currently makes up an insignificant 

portion of the total subsistence harvest and is not considered an important hunting 

area for Wrangell hunters (Cohen 1989). The increased human access due to the 

minimal amount of temporary road building should not relate to increased harvest 

or change in distribution and abundance of black bear populations. It is expected 

that any change in the island-wide abundance, distribution, access to and 

competition for other subsistence species, such as fish, shellfish, and marine 

mammals, will be insignificant. 

Human Access - Road building can have both negative and positive effects on 

subsistence by “providing access, dispersing hunting and fishing pressure, and 

creating the potential for increased competition” (USDA 1997a) or by leading to 

local declines in wildlife abundance. Effects to human access and harvest levels 

of deer, moose, and other subsistence resources will be insignificant under either 

alternative. 

Competition - Competition between rural hunters in the project area is not 

expected to increase, given the minimal amount (0.6 miles) of temporary roads 

that will be built. 

Cumulative Effects

The Forest Plan states that “...implementation of any alternative [Forest Plan 

Alternatives] could be accompanied by a significant possibility of a significant 

restriction on the abundance and/or distribution of subsistence uses of deer” 

(USDA 1997a). In this sense, while an individual timber sale may not lead to a 

possibility of a significant restriction, the cumulative effect of timber sales on 

Wrangell Island may lead to an effect. 

 

Changes in subsistence opportunities can occur as a result of the cumulative 

effects of past and future management activities. Approximately 12 MMBF of 

timber is planned for harvest on National Forest System Lands on Wrangell Island 

over the next 10 years, 5 MMBF of which would occur in the project area. A 

minimal amount of road would be constructed. The Alaska Department of 

Natural Resources (DNR) intends to harvest 5.4 MMBF on Wrangell Island over 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-25 

a 5-year period. Some of this potential harvest encroaches upon the beach fringe 

or is adjacent to an OGR. Approximately 1.8 miles of road would be constructed 

at the north end of Wrangell. This would effectively create a roaded loop that, 

while increasing access, could lead to increased effects on deer and other 

subsistence resources. 

The additional island-wide timber harvest may have negative impacts on species 

dependent on old-growth forest. However, Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines 

will continue to protect beach and estuary fringe and riparian habitat on National 

Forest System Lands that is valuable to many subsistence species (USDA 1997b). 

Retaining habitat in OGRs and maintaining wildlife corridors could also serve to 

lessen these impacts. 

 

Other potential activities such as road and ferry projects could have impacts as 

well, because of the potential to greatly increase human access. Overall, any 

activities that reduce the value of existing winter deer range and increase 

vulnerability to harvest or predation could negatively impact the existing deer 

population. This in turn could impact subsistence users. 

Subsistence Findings/ANILCA 810 Finding 

This analysis leads to the conclusion that there may be the significant 

possibility of a significant restriction on subsistence use of deer on Wrangell 

Island due to cumulative effects. Any additional loss of winter habitat and 

increased access due to other activities could lead to further population declines. 

The potential cumulative effects of full implementation of the Forest Plan, in 

conjunction with other factors (weather events, predators, hunting), could lead to 

competition for subsistence deer resources by 2095 (USDA 1997b). The analysis 

does not find a significant impact on subsistence use of other wildlife, fish, 

shellfish, marine mammals, and timber resources. This finding is not to be 

confused with significance as used in the context of NEPA assessments. 

3.4 Silviculture 

Environment

The “project area” as described in this silviculture section does not include the 

acreage that is within the State selected lands. The current condition of the 

project area is a mosaic of vegetation types and structures including: 

Non-forested and non-productive forest types – 13,202 acres, 

Non-forested types include rock outcroppings, meadows, muskeg, and other 

areas not capable of growing stands of trees. Non-productive types include 

forested wetlands and poor sites, which are not capable of growing 

commercial forests (less than 20 cubic feet of growth per year). 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-26 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Productive Old-Growth (POG) - 12,225 acres

POG is assigned to any commercial stand that has not received previous 

management. It includes even-aged stands created by past stand-level 

disturbance (wind, landslides, etc), and uneven-aged stands created by gapphased disturbances (disturbance affecting individual trees or groups of trees 

within a stand). A majority of the POG stands within the project area are 

multi-storied with a complex stand structure. On higher productivity sites 

(Site Index 80+ feet) with this complex structure, western hemlock dominates 

the overstory. Sitka spruce generally represents less than 15 percent of the 

overstory, with minor components of western and/or Alaska yellow-cedar. 

Log defect is generally high, particularly in western hemlock. 

Advanced regeneration is generally prolific and heavy to western hemlock 

(90+ percent). Net volume growth is generally static to declining due to 

mortality and defect. Even-aged POG stands on well-drained sites generally 

contain a higher component of Sitka spruce, but may be dominated by western 

hemlock. Growth is generally good, and defect is low. Advanced 

regeneration is considerably lower due to shading. On low to moderate 

productivity sites (Site Index 50 - 79 feet), growth is generally limited by soil 

drainage. Mixed conifer series generally occur on these sites. Cedars or 

hemlock may dominate the overstory, with spruce making up a minor 

component. Log defect is generally high, and canopy closure is much lower 

than on higher productivity sites, resulting in a well-established understory of 

brush and a variety of tree species. 

Managed forests – 1,009 acres

Managed stands in the project area were created beginning in 1981 using 

even-aged silviculture systems, primarily high-lead cable clearcut harvest. 

These stands are composed of healthy, vigorously growing trees, free from 

defect. Many of the stands have been or will soon be Pre-Commercially 

Thinned (PCT). Species mix is generally more favorable for timber 

management objectives than the parent stand, with all native species being 

well represented. PCT allows an opportunity to shift species mix in a more 

favorable direction than un-thinned stands. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The desired condition of the Timber Management LUD is healthy, vigorously 

growing trees of commercial value arranged across the landscape in a variety 

of age-classes and stand structures. 

An analysis of changes in stand structure over time by alternative was 

conducted (reference Silviculture Resource Report, Appendix 5, located in the 

project planning record). No significant change was evident as a result of this 

analysis. 

 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-27 

An analysis of changes in growth and yield over time was conducted. No 

significant changes are evident for growth and yield as a result of this analysis. 

(Reference Silviculture Resource Report located in the project planning file) 

3.5 Scenery 

Much of the project area is located along mainline roads. The road system on 

Wrangell Island provides for recreational driving opportunities and access to 

dispersed and developed recreation sites. The project area is within the home 

range of the community of Wrangell, making it an important recreation area for 

local residents. Portions of the project area are visible from the Eastern Passage 

and Blake Channel waterways. 

3.5.1 Views from Marine Travel Routes and Saltwater Use Areas 

Environment

The project area is visible from Blake Channel, Eastern Passage, and Earl West 

Cove, all of which are identified as Visual Priority Routes or saltwater use areas 

in the Forest Plan. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

This project does not propose any harvest or road construction that will be 

visible from Blake Channel, Eastern Passage or Earl West Cove. Potential use 

of the Earl West LTF could result in a temporary visual impact. There will be 

no permanent change to the viewshed of these marine travel routes and use 

areas. 

3.5.2 Views from Public Use Roads 

Environment

The following roads are within the project area and listed in the Forest Plan as 

Visual Priority Routes: 

• McCormick Creek to Earl West Cove (Road 6265) 

• Fools Inlet (Road 6270) 

• Thoms Creek Crossing (Road 6299) 

• Long Lake Access (Road 6271) 

Alternatives 2 and 3 propose harvest units along Forest Roads 6270 and 6271. 

All proposed harvest along these routes must meet the Modification Visual 

Quality Objectives (VQO) in the foreground distance zone. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-28 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Alternative 2 proposes seven harvest units directly adjacent to Road 6270 (Units 

60A, 60B, 60C, 42, 25, 26B, and 35), and one unit (Unit 46) directly adjacent to 

Forest Road 6271. 

 

Units 60 (A, B and C), 25, 26B and 35 are proposed as clearcuts with reserves 

that run along the main road for anywhere from one-third to one-half of a mile. 

Much of Unit 60 (A and B) will be screened by a 250-350 feet leave strip. 

Units 25, 26B and 35 will be partially screened by a series of long wedgeshaped leave areas that will be a maximum of 300 feet wide. A series of 

landings will be located along the main road between these leave areas. To 

further mitigate the impact of harvest directly along this road, the slash 

accumulated at these landings will be burned at a landing, hauled to a nearby 

rock pit and left, or hauled to a nearby rock pit and burned. Unit 42 will be a 6-

acre opening along Road 6270 and Unit 46 will be a 13-acre unit with reserves 

at the end of Road 6271. All of these units, with the mitigation measures 

described, will meet the Modification VQO. 

 

Alternative 3 proposes eight harvest units directly adjacent to Road 6270 (Units 

60A, 60C, 60D, 63, 42, 25, 26, and 35), and one unit (Unit 46) directly adjacent 

to Road 6271. 

Unit 60 (A, C, and D) will appear as two openings, separated by approximately 

300 yards. The resulting impact will meet the required Modification VQO. 

Unit 63 will also meet the Modification VQO, due to its small size and the 

reserves that will be left within the unit. In Alternative 3, Units 25 and 26 are 

proposed with 60 percent retention. This amount of structure retention will 

result in these units meeting the required Modification VQO. Units 35, 42, and 

46 are identical to that proposed in Alternative 2, and will meet the 

Modification VQO. 

3.5.3 Views from Developed Recreation Sites and Hiking Trails 

Environment

The following developed recreation sites are within the project area and listed in 

the Forest Plan as Visual Priority Use Areas: 

• Earl West Picnic Area 

• Long Lake Trailhead, Long Lake Shelter, and Long Lake Trail 

(#574) 

• Highbush Lake Day Use Site and Highbush Lake Trail (#572) 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-29 

Forest Plan direction requires that any proposed harvest must meet the 

Modification VQO when viewed in the foreground distance zone from these 

areas, and meet the Maximum Modification VQO when viewed in the 

middleground and background distance zones from these areas. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Earl West Picnic Area 

This project does not propose any harvest or road construction that will be 

visible from the Earl West Picnic Site. If Earl West LTF is used, there will be 

temporary visual impacts associated with its use, but no permanent change to 

the area viewed from the Earl West Picnic site. 

Long Lake Trailhead, Long Lake Trail, and Long Lake Shelter sites 

Alternatives 2 and 3 both propose Unit 46, which is located at the end of Road 

6271. The eastern boundary of Unit 46 will parallel the trail for about 750 feet, 

with an approximately 150 foot buffer of trees being left between the unit and 

the trail. With this mitigation, the unit would meet the required Modification 

VQO as seen from the Long Lake Trailhead and Long Lake Trail. Unit 46 will 

not be visible from the Long Lake Shelter, but may be visible at oblique angles 

from positions out in the lake. From this distance, the unit will meet the 

required Maximum Modification VQO. 

Highbush Lake Day Use Site and Highbush Lake Trail 

There are no harvest units and no road construction proposed that would have 

any effect to the area viewed from the Highbush Lake Day Use Site or 

Highbush Lake Trail. 

3.6 Recreation 

Recreation use of the project area is predominately road-based. The main 

recreation attractions within the project area are the Long Lake developments 

including Long Lake trailhead/picnic site, Long Lake Trail (#574), and Long 

Lake Shelter. Other developed recreation attractions include the Earl West 

Picnic site and LTF/boat launch, and the Highbush Lake Trail (#572). The road 

system on Wrangell Island provides for recreational driving for local residents. 

Activities often accompanying recreational driving on Wrangell Island include 

berry-picking, hunting, opportunistic wildlife viewing, and just “getting out of 

town”. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-30 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.6.1 Inventoried Recreation Places 

6265 Road (22094.04 and 22094.08) and 6270 Road (22094.08) 

Environment

Roads 6265 and 6270 are mainline roads connecting the community of 

Wrangell to Earl West Cove (6265 Road), and leading from the 6265 Road to 

Fools Inlet (6270 Road). Both provide for recreational driving and access to 

dispersed and developed recreation sites on Wrangell Island. The roads are 

used for recreational driving/sightseeing, and provide access to such activities as 

berry-picking, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. The roads are also used to 

provide commercial services to cruise ship passengers in the form of naturebased driving tours. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Both Alternative 2 and 3 will have temporary effects to recreational driving on 

Forest Roads on Wrangell Island due to logging operations. Once logging 

operations are finished, recreational driving opportunities will return to their 

existing condition. 

Earl West Road Buffer (22094.05) including Earl West Cove Recreation 

Developments 

Environment 

The Earl West Road buffer is located adjacent to the boundary with the State 

selected lands surrounding Earl West Cove. The Forest Service developed the 

Earl West picnic site in conjunction with the Log Transfer Facility (LTF). The 

ramp-style LTF serves as an alternative boat launch for trailered vessels and 

non-motorized watercraft. The site is also used as a convenient drop-off or 

pickup point for gear, people and/or boats fishing or motoring through the 

Eastern Passage/Back Channel area. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

None of the alternatives proposed in the Shady project area will result in lasting 

impacts to the Earl West Cove developed recreation site. Use of the Earl West 

LFT by the contractor may temporarily displace picnickers and boat launching 

during the project. If logs are hauled to Wrangell, there will be no effect to this 

inventoried recreation place. 

Earl West Marsh (22094.06) 

Environment

Earl West Marsh is located approximately one-half mile south of the junction of 

Roads 6265 and 6270. Although there are no developed parking areas or trails 

in this area, the marsh and creek are good places to view wildlife and fish. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-31 

There has been interest in offering commercial nature/educational hiking and 

paddling tours. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

None of the alternatives proposed in the project area will have lasting effects to 

the Earl West Marsh area. Logging operations and log hauling traffic will have 

a temporary effect on access to this area. The effects for both alternatives will 

be the same. 

Noise from logging operations in Unit 60 will likely be heard by people using 

the Earl West Marsh area. Alternative 3 will likely result in a shorter duration 

of noise heard by people using the area. 

Highbush Lake (22094.20), Highbush Lake Buffer (22094.02), and Road 

50041 (22094.03) 

Environment

The Highbush Lake Recreation site is located at the end of Road 50040. The 

Highbush Lake Trail (#572) begins at the parking area and is a 300 foot long 

surfaced trail that leads to the lakeshore. The lake offers opportunities for 

boating and fishing in addition to scenery and wildlife viewing. Road 50041 

forks off of Road 50040 just before reaching the Highbush Lake Trailhead, 

providing approximately one-half mile of driving opportunities and access to 

old harvest units for berry-picking or hunting. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

None of the alternatives in the Shady project area propose harvest or road 

construction in the Highbush Lake area. There will be no effect to this 

inventoried recreation place. 

Long Lake Trailhead Campsite (22100.00) 

 

Environment

The Long Lake Trailhead Campsite is located near the end of Road 6271, 

approximately one-half mile from its junction with Road 6270. The recreation 

site is used as a parking area for recreation visitors hiking the trail to Long Lake 

and as a destination itself as a developed picnic/campsite. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Both Alternative 2 and 3 propose the harvest of Unit 46 at the end of Road 

6271, near the Long Lake Trailhead Campsite. Harvest of the unit will have no 

effect to the trailhead or roadside developed site, but logging operations will 

temporarily disturb users, mainly due to noise and increased traffic on Road 

6271. Day use of the site will temporarily be restricted during logging 

operations. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-32 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Long Lake (22100.01) including the Long Lake Trail and Long Lake Shelter 

Environment

The Long Lake Trail (#574) is a 0.6 mile boardwalk-surfaced trail leading from 

the Long Lake Trailhead Campsite to Long Lake. The lake offers opportunities 

for fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Both action alternatives propose the harvest of Unit 46. The eastern boundary 

of Unit 46 runs parallel to the Long Lake Trail for approximately 750 feet, at a 

distance of approximately 150 feet off the trail. Harvest of the unit will have no 

effect on trail or shelter site use, but the trail will be closed during logging 

operations temporarily restricting use of the trail and shelter. Once logging 

operations are complete, there will be no effect to the recreation use of this area. 

3.6.2 Outfitter/Guide Use 

Environment

Currently, there are three guiding companies authorized to use the road system 

as part of their guiding operations. Most of the road-based nature tours offered 

on Wrangell Island occur in conjunction with cruise ship port calls in Wrangell. 

Past guiding-use has been reported in the Long Lake and Earl West Marsh 

Areas. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Both action alternatives propose to harvest units along Road 6270 and near the 

Long Lake recreation developments at the end of Road 6271. Any logging 

operations will result in increased traffic on the Wrangell Island road system. 

Outfitter/guides providing road-based nature tours could be impacted by that 

traffic. Please see the discussion above (3.6.1 Inventoried Recreation Places) 

for identified impacts to those areas. 

3.6.3 Inventoried Roadless Areas 

For this analysis the roadless area acres are based on Roadless Rule Inventoried 

Roadless Areas. 

 

Environment

East Wrangell (247) – The East Wrangell Roadless area is 7,769 acres in size, 

of which 7,489 acres fall within the project area. The inventoried roadless area 

is bounded on the east by Blake Channel. Roads define the western boundary of 

the inventoried roadless area. 

Central Wrangell (289) – The Central Wrangell Roadless area is 13,487 acres in 

size, of which 6,799 acres fall within the project area. The inventoried roadless 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-33 

area is defined by roads on all side, except for a small portion defined by the 

Thoms Lake State land selection. 

Southeast Wrangell (290) – The Southeast Wrangell Roadless area is 18,529 

acres in size, of which 5,543 acres fall within the project area. The inventoried 

roadless area is bounded on the east by Blake Channel and to the south by 

Earnest Sound. Roads and Fools Inlet define the western boundary. 

Figure 3-3 displays the Inventoried Roadless Area within the project area. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

None of the alternatives propose road construction or timber harvest in any 

inventoried roadless areas on Wrangell Island. Implementation of any of the 

proposed alternatives will result in no effect to the resources within these 

roadless areas. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-34 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Figure 3-3 Roadless Map

BLAKE

CHANNEL

EARL

WEST

CR

LONG LAKE

Shady EA

Inventoried Roadless Areas

Legend

Streams

Project Area Boundary

Existing Road

Lakes and Saltwater

Alternatives 2 & 3

Inventoried Roadless Area

Date Last Edited: March 12, 2004

3

0.5 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-35 

3.7 Wetlands 

Environment

A wetland map was developed using information from CLU (GIS cover), National 

Wetland Inventory (NWI), aerial photo interpretation, and field information. This 

map is the basis for the wetland evaluation in the project area. Field verification was 

done following the protocol in Corps of Engineers wetland delineation manual (U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers, 1987). 

 

Wetlands were classified based on vegetation composition and function. Wetland 

types in the project area include: 

Alpine/Subalpine Muskeg (2,500 acres) - High elevation wetlands are 

important for snow storage and can be a source for snowmelt water throughout 

the summer. They also provide summer habitat for terrestrial wildlife species. 

Many of these alpine and sub-alpine areas on Wrangell Island are heavily used 

during the summer months by deer and bear. 

Sedge Fens (106 acres) - Earl West Marsh is the primary fen in the project area. 

These wetlands function as areas for recharge of groundwater and streams, 

deposition and storage of sediment and nutrients, and as habitat for waterfowl and 

terrestrial wildlife including black bear, mink, river otter, and beaver. Many 

sedge fens contain beaver ponds that often provide high quality waterfowl habitat 

and salmon-rearing habitat. There is no harvest or road construction planned in 

the immediate vicinity of the Earl West Marsh. Numerous smaller sedge fens are 

located in the project area but are too small to map individually, they are included 

in the Muskeg polygons. A circular fen is located immediately downslope from 

the road that accesses Unit 46. 

Muskeg (1,400 acres) - Muskegs function as areas for recharge of groundwater 

and streams and for deposition and storage of sediment, and nutrients. They are a 

valuable source of biological and vegetative diversity. Muskegs are most 

commonly found in broad valley bottoms, on rounded hilltops, and on rolling 

lowlands on Wrangell Island. 

Forested Wetlands (2,240 acres) - Forested wetlands function as recharge areas 

for groundwater and streams, and for deposition of sediment and nutrients. They 

also produce commercial forest products.

Muskeg/Forested Wetland Mosaic (9,980 acres) 

This wetland consists of small patches of muskegs and forested wetlands as 

described above, arranged in a mosaic pattern on the landscape. These wetlands 

have vegetative properties of each of the respective components but functions 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-36 Shady Timber Sale EA 

somewhat differently in respect to habitats due to their small size and spatial 

arrangements. 

The Forest Service is directed to avoid alteration of, and new construction on, 

wetlands wherever there is a practical, environmentally preferred alternative. On 

the Tongass NF, however, it is usually impossible to avoid all wetlands in projects 

that involve road construction. This is due to the large proportion of wetlands in 

the landscape. Our strategy, therefore, is to avoid those wetland types that are 

scarce in the immediate landscape, and/or those wetlands recognized as having a 

“high value” to the ecosystem, such as estuaries, floating bogs, raised dome bogs, 

and sedge fens. Where avoidance of wetlands is not practical, we apply 

appropriate mitigation measures to minimize the magnitude of impacts and/or 

maintain wetland function. 

 

Policy and standards that guide the analysis are found in: 

a) The Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines (Page 4-111), 

b) BMP 12.5, Wetland Identification, Evaluation, and Protection, and 

c) The Executive Order 11990. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Road construction in wetlands results in a permanent conversion from wetland to 

non-wetland. Roads and landings will be built to a minimum standard to reduce the 

amount of impact to wetlands. Where possible, roads are located in the uplands. 

Harvest on wetlands is considered a temporary alteration of the existing vegetation. 

The following tables display the amount of impact from road construct and timber 

harvest by alternative. 

Table 3-10 Miles of Road by Wetland Type. 

Miles of Road 

Wetland Type Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 

Upland (non wet) 12.9 0 .3 .2 

Muskeg 1.8 0 .2 .2 

Forested Wetland 2.4 0 0 0 

Muskeg/Forested Mosaic 9.5 0 .1 .1 

Total miles of road 26.6 0 .6 .5 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-37 

Table 3-11 Acres of Harvest on Wetlands. 

Acres Harvested 

Wetland Type Existing Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 

Alpine/subalpine .5 0 0 0 

Sedge Fen .9 0 0 0 

Muskeg 5 0 .8 .8 

Forested Wetlands 121 0 7.2 7.7 

Muskeg/Forested Mosaic 165 0 27.5 44 

Total Acres Harvested1 292 0 36 53 

1

/Total Acres Harvest acres are rounded off. 

Alternative 1 will have no impacts on wetlands in the project area. Alternative 2 will 

result in less acres of wetland harvested, however, harvest prescription in Alternative 

2 will be clearcut, and Alternative 3 will use a combination of clearcut and partial 

harvest. Alternative 2 and 3 will construct the same amount of road on wetlands. 

Cumulative Effects

Cumulative effects to wetlands are determined by adding the existing roads and 

harvest on wetlands to the proposed roads and harvest for each alternative, in addition 

to an estimate of the reasonably foreseeable activities on wetlands. 

 

Within the Shady project area, approximately 290 acres of wetlands have been 

harvested to date. Approximately 14 miles of road has been constructed on wetlands, 

with the majority of it on the muskeg/wet forest complex. Implementation of this 

project will result in less then one-third mile of additional wetland road construction, 

and between 36 and 53 acres of harvest on wetlands. In the reasonably foreseeable 

future, approximately 7 MMBF may be harvested from an estimated 325 acres and 3 

miles of new road may be constructed within the project area [Highbush (USFS) and 

Shady Tie-in (ADNR) projects]. Based on similar amount of impacts to wetlands as 

the existing project, cumulative effects are calculated as follows: 

Harvest on Wetlands Roads on Wetlands 

Existing 290 acres 13.7 miles 

Shady project 36-53 acres .3 miles 

Future (estimated) 75 acres 2.0 miles 

 Total, up to 418 acres 16.0 miles 

Other activities that could affect wetlands on Wrangell Island include three State of 

Alaska timber sales (3.9 MMBF; 2.5 miles of new road) and one Forest Service 

timber sale (7 MMBF; 3.5 miles of new road), which are listed on current state and 

federal plans, but outside the Shady project area. In addition, the potential road and 

ferry terminal projects could affect wetlands on the island, however the cumulative 

effects of these projects is speculative and difficult to quantify. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-38 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.8 Soils 

Environment

Much of the project area has glacial deposits overlying and masking the 

underlying bedrock. Windthrow, landslides and flooding are the dominant natural 

disturbance agents that alter existing vegetation and the soil properties. 

The Forest Service uses a Mass Movement Index (MMI) to identify unstable sites 

in a project area. The MMI summarizes the physical properties of a soil, and rates 

the relative stability of the soil into four classes of landslide potential, from low 

(MMI 1) to very high (MMI 4). Most mineral soils that occur on slopes greater 

than 72 percent gradient, and some mineral soils with restricted drainage on 

slopes greater than 60 percent gradient, are classified as MMI 4. While most 

MMI 4 sites are avoided, the Shady project includes 6 acres mapped as MMI 4. 

Timber harvest and road construction can cause increased surface erosion and 

subsequent loss of soil productivity. In an undisturbed setting, thick organic 

surface layers and roots protect the underlying mineral soil from erosion. When 

the organic surface layer is removed and the mineral soils are exposed, they are 

very susceptible to accelerated erosion. An existing road in the project area with 

active cut slope erosion is the 6296 Road. A landslide in the harvest unit along 

Road 50061 was revegetated in 2002 to decrease the amount of surface erosion 

and improve site productivity. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The Forest Plan directs us to plan land use activities to “avoid irreversible or 

serious and adverse effects on soil resources”. The primary concerns are with 

slope stability and surface erosion. Harvest units and roads were planned to 

minimize soil disturbance and avoid oversteepened and unstable slopes. 

The GIS database identified 6 acres of High Hazard (MMI 4) soils within Unit 27. 

Light Detection and Radar (LIDAR) information identified approximately 62 

acres of slopes steeper than 72 percent, mostly in Units 26, 27 and 35. Field 

investigations found that the LIDAR data was able to locate small steep inclusions 

and vertical rock faces, which do not have stability concerns. Segregating the 

small inclusions resulted in approximately 20 acres (Table 3-12) of slopes over 72 

percent. 

Potential harvest units with indicators of soil instability were field reviewed by a 

soil scientist. Most of these areas were found to have shallow soils over bedrock, 

with a low risk of mass wasting associated with harvesting. Soil productivity may 

be reduced if displacement of the surface horizon occurs, and this can be 

mitigated with partial suspension of logs during yarding. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-39 

Table 3-12 Soil Disturbance 

Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 

Acres of disturbance from road 

construction 

0 1.8 acres 1.4 acres 

Acres of disturbance from rock pit 

development 

0 0 0 

Miles of road constructed on slopes > 

65% 

0 0 0 

Total acres of harvest on slopes > 

72%1

0 18 acres 20 acres2

1 / Area is based on LIDAR and adjusted to remove small areas 

2/ A reduction was not used for harvest units with 60% retention prescriptions, therefore, the 

amount of harvest on slopes > 72% will be lower than displayed. 

Under Alternative 1, no additional sediment sources or transport pathways will be 

created; existing sources will continue to produce minor amounts of sediment. In 

comparison to Alternative 3, Alternative 2 shows a result of slightly more direct 

effects on soil resources. While timber felling and yarding may result in ground 

disturbance, the use of BMPs and no-disturbance buffers will minimize sediment 

delivery from harvest units to the stream system. No impacts to adjacent resources 

(Class I or Class II streams, or roads) are expected to result from any potential mass 

failures. 

Cumulative Effects

A minor degree of site disturbance is unavoidable under any timber harvest activity. 

In both action alternatives, there will be a loss of productivity where roads are 

constructed. Soil and water resource protection measures will be incorporated into 

the design of roads (BMP 14.3, FSH 2509.22). 

Timber harvest can induce slumping in the inner gorges of V-notches (steep streams 

deeply incised into the bedrock) through the removal of protective vegetation. This 

effect would be minimized by applying no-harvest buffers to at least the topographic 

slope break above Class III streams and by using harvest systems that yard the timber 

away from streams. 

For the purpose of analysis and unit comparison, the amount of harvest on slopes 

steeper than 72 percent and roads constructed across slopes with a gradient steeper 

than 65 percent was used as measure of the potential for detrimental soil disturbance. 

Table 3-12 shows potential soil disturbance by alternative. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-40 Shady Timber Sale EA 

3.9 Watershed 

Environment 

There are six major drainages that reside within the Shady project area. These six 

watersheds are: Highbush Lake, Earl West, Upper Earl West, East Fools, West 

Fools, and Blake. The other three watersheds can be described as groups of 

unconsolidated small watersheds based on their small drainage areas and their 

short lengths from headwaters coast. The four watersheds that would be affected 

by road construction and timber management are Earl West, Upper Earl West, 

East Fools, and West Fools. 

A watershed sensitivity analysis conducted in 1998 show that watersheds in the 

Shady project area have a low inherent risk of sensitivity to mass movement and 

sediment transport events (USDA Forest Service, 1998). 

Current riparian harvest levels are minimal. According to GIS analysis, current 

riparian harvest is 2.3 percent of the total riparian acres in the project area. No 

new riparian harvest is allowed under the Forest Plan. 

All proposed units in the Shady project area have been visited by field personnel, 

and no problematic or sensitive stream courses have been identified. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Alternative 2 will harvest 240 acres and build 0.6 miles of temporary road within 

the four affected watersheds of the project area. Alternative 3 will harvest 159 

acres and construct 0.5 miles of temporary road. Appendix J of the Forest Plan 

suggests that if more than 20 percent of a watershed is harvested within a 30-year 

period, a threshold of concern has been surpassed. The cumulative watershed 

harvest levels for both action alternatives would fall well below this threshold of 

concern. Table 3-13 compares cumulative watershed harvest levels with existing 

levels for each action alternative. 

Table 3-13 Current and Cumulative Percent of Watershed Harvested 

Percent of Watershed Harvested 

Watershed (acres) Existing Alt 2 Cumulative Alt 3 Cumulative 

West Fools (5,254) 7.0 7.9 7.9 

East Fools (3,829) 5.0 8.8 10.0 

Earl West (5,386) 5.8 6.6 6.3 

Upper Earl (2,246) 0.0 0.2 0.2 

Highbush1 (2,303) 13.8 13.8 13.8 

Blake1 (3,464) 0.6 0.6 0.6 

1/No harvest is proposed in this watershed. 

Roads can affect streams directly by accelerating erosion and sediment loadings, by 

altering stream morphology, and by changing the runoff characteristics of watersheds 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-41 

(Furniss et al, 1991). Higher road densities generally result in a greater amount of 

sediment generated from road surface erosion. Table 3-14 compares cumulative road 

densities with existing road densities for each action alternative. 

Table 3-14 Road Densities of the Four affected Watersheds 

Road Density Mi/SqMi 

Watershed Existing Alt 2 Cumulative Alt 3 Cumulative 

West Fools 1.26 1.30 1.30 

East Fools 0.93 0.93 0.93 

Earl West 0.99 1.01 0.99 

Upper Earl 0.23 0.25 0.25 

Road density levels are increased negligibly with temporary roads. All temporary 

roads will be closed to Forest Standards at the end of the sale. Construction of 

temporary roads in the project area should be carefully examined with consideration 

given to road design that emphasizes drainage of road surface, the use of the best 

available rock source, and road storage after haul. 

There will be no new stream crossings at sensitive alluvial fan and flood plain 

channels. There are no new fish stream crossings proposed in the project. 

3.10 Fisheries and Marine Habitat 

Essential Fish Habitat 

Environment

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996 require 

consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service on activities, which may 

affect Essential Fish Habitat, defined as “those waters and substrates necessary to 

fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.” The Act promotes the 

protection of these habitats through review, assessment, and mitigation of activities, 

which may adversely affect these habitats. This EA satisfies the consultation 

requirements by providing a description and assessment of Essential Fish Habitat in 

the project area, a description of the Shady project and its potential impacts on these 

habitats and a description of the mitigation measures that will be implemented to 

protect these habitats. 

Essential Fish Habitat includes all freshwater streams accessible to anadromous 

fish, marine waters, and inter-tidal habitats. For the Shady project area this would 

include the low reaches of Earl West Creek, East Fools Creek, West Fools Creek, 

Blake Creek and the marine and inter-tidal habitats at the Pats Creek LTF. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-42 Shady Timber Sale EA 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The Shady project will have “no adverse effects on Essential Fish Habitat” for the 

following reasons: 

1. Management activities are well outside areas of Essential Fish Habitat. 

2. Proposed road construction crosses no Essential Fish Habitat. 

3. There are no harvest units adjacent to Essential Fish habitat, and all harvest 

units employ no-harvest buffers according to Forest Plan Standards and 

Guidelines. 

4. Monitoring data suggests there is sufficient tidal flushing to minimize bark 

accumulation in the marine waters and inter-tidal habitats adjacent to the 

Pats Creek LTF. 

Best Management Practices in the unit cards provide assurance of water quality and 

aquatic habitat protection for all freshwater streams affected by the project. 

Marine Habitats 

Environment

The marine waters in Zimovia Strait adjacent to the Pats Creek Log Transfer 

Facility (LTF) and marine waters of the Eastern Passage adjacent to Earl West LTF 

are the only marine waters likely to be affected by the Shady Timber Sale. Both 

action alternatives for the Shady project may result in the use of either LTF. If the 

Shady Timber Sale is awarded to a Wrangell purchaser, it is unlikely that the LTFs 

would be used. However, if the timber is awarded to an off-island purchaser, either 

LTF could be used to transfer logs to water for rafting or barging to another 

processing location. 

Pats Creek LTF 

The near-shore waters of Zimovia Strait in the vicinity of the Pats Creek LTF 

provide fishing grounds for a variety of commercial and personal use species 

including salmon, shrimp and crab. The extensive mud flat associated with Pats 

Creek, about one-half mile south of the LTF, provides a popular area for personal 

use clamming. 

The Pats Creek LTF was originally constructed as a log crib bulkhead in the 1960s 

and reconstructed to its present configuration as a concrete panel-faced bulkhead in 

1986. In 1996, a pollution prevention plan was implemented at the site, including 

storm water treatment and sediment detention features. Approximately 127 MMBF 

of timber has been transferred over this facility. 

The permits for Pats Creek LTF do not require monitoring for bark deposition. 

Nevertheless, a scuba dive survey was conducted in 2000 to determine the extent of 

bark deposition (Alaska Commercial Divers, Inc., 2000). The survey consisted of 

five transects covering an area of 0.49 acres. Bark depths ranged from 5-50 cm. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-43 

Continuous cover of bark was calculated as 0.33 acres. The dive results indicate 

that bark deposition at the Pats Creek LTF meets State water quality criteria for 

LTF permits. Marine life (shrimp, crab, sun star and sea cucumber) was noted on 

all five transects. The biological productivity and diversity of this area is unknown. 

Earl West LTF 

The Earl West LTF was constructed in the early 1980s as a concrete ramp. The 

ramp-style LTF serves as an alternative boat launch for trailered vessels and nonmotorized watercraft. The site is also used as a convenient drop-off or pickup point 

for gear, people and boats fishing or motoring through the Eastern Passage/Back 

Channel area. 

In 1996, a pollution prevention plan was implemented at the site, including storm 

water treatment, and sediment detention features. Approximately 30 MMBF of 

timber has been transferred over this facility. 

The permits for Earl West LTF do not require monitoring for bark deposition. 

Nevertheless, a scuba dive survey was conducted in 2001 to determine the extent of 

bark deposition (USDA, 2001). The survey consisted of five transects covering an 

area of 0.2 acres. Bark depths ranged from 1 – 35 inches. Continuous cover of 

bark was calculated as 0.1 acres. The dive results indicate that bark deposition at 

the Earl West LTF meets State water quality criteria for LTF permits. No 

information is available on the marine flora or fauna in the vicinity of the LTF. The 

biological productivity and diversity of this area is unknown. 

Direct and Indirect Effects

The accumulation of bark and other woody debris on the ocean floor associated 

with the transfer and storage of logs can impact marine habitats by smothering 

organisms or creating unfavorable chemical conditions. All action alternatives have 

potential to impact marine habitat during rafting and other activities at the LTF if it 

is used to transfer logs to marine waters. Alternative 2 would have a slightly 

greater effect than Alternative 3 because it would generate more volume that could 

potentially be transferred over one of the LTFs.

3.11 Heritage Resource 

Environment

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) sets forth Government policy and 

procedures regarding "historic properties" -- that is, districts, sites, buildings, 

structures and objects included in or eligible for the National Register of Historic 

Places. Section 106 of NHPA requires that Federal agencies consider the effects 

of their actions on such properties, following regulations issued by the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation (36 CFR 800). 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-44 Shady Timber Sale EA 

To fulfill Section 106 obligations, Forest Service archaeologists researched past 

heritage resource investigations in and around the Shady project area. We also 

consulted with the federally recognized tribes that claim a cultural affiliation with 

the project area to gather information about traditional knowledge and past area. 

The Shady project area lies within the traditional territory of the Stikinekwaan 

Tlingit. The Wrangell Cooperative Association (WCA) is the federally 

recognized tribal government who was consulted for this project. 

The level of consultation included government-to-government and staff level 

communications. 

In the summer of 2001, Forest Service archaeologists surveyed portions of the 

project area for previously undiscovered archaeology sites or other heritage 

resources. Our survey plan was based in part on an archaeological site sensitivity 

model developed over the past several decades. This model is defined in a 

Programmatic Agreement between the USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and the Alaska State Historic 

Preservation Officer (SHPO) (Programmatic Agreement 2002). 

Direct and Indirect Effects

Our work did not result in the discovery of any new heritage resources. A 

detailed report was prepared and submitted to the SHPO with our Heritage 

Program Annual Report (2002). We have determined that no known historic 

properties will be affected by project implementation. Stipulations in the 

Programmatic Agreement (2002) that address procedural requirements of 36 CFR 

800 have been met. 

All of the action alternatives and their potential to affect identified heritage 

resources were considered. No new archaeological sites were discovered, and 

those that were previously identified, lie within a protective buffer zone 

established in the Forest Plan, Beach and Estuary Fringe, Standards and 

Guidelines (Forest Plan, page 4-4). There would be no direct effect from any 

alternative to any of the heritage resources that lie in the project area. Indirect 

effects could occur through increased activities near sites with implementation of 

the proposed action. No roads, harvest units, log transfer facilities or camp 

facilities will impact the identified heritage resources in any alternative. 

The Forest Plan addresses the desired future condition of heritage resources 

through a monitoring and evaluation plan. Selected areas of direct impact are 

monitored to ensure that the applied management approach is successful in 

assessing project area heritage resources. If inadvertent discoveries are made 

during project implementation, the Forest Service shall fulfill its consultation 

requirements in accordance with 36 CFR 800.13. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-45 

Cumulative Effects

Current use of the project area centers on timber harvest, hunting, and recreation. 

Logging occurs inland while most of the recreation activities take place along the 

beach. Some of the existing logging roads allow inland hunter access as well. Over 

the years these activities have had little known effect on historic properties. This 

trend will likely continue unless new use patterns develop. Future expanded use of 

the beach and estuary fringe could eventually affect historic properties, but would 

not be a result of any of the project alternatives. 

3.12 Effects on Civil Rights, Women, and Minorities 

There will be no adverse impacts on civil rights, women, and/or minorities as a 

result of any of the alternatives. 

3.13 Short-term Use and Long-term Productivity 

Short-term uses, and their effects, are those that occur annually or within the first 

few years of project implementation. Long-term productivity refers to the 

capability of the land and resources to continue producing goods and services 

long after the project has been implemented. Under the Multiple-Use SustainedYield Act, and the National Forest Management Act, all renewable resources are 

to be managed in such a way that they are available for future generations. The 

harvesting and use of standing timber can be considered a short-term use of a 

renewable resource. As a renewable resource, trees can be reestablished and 

grown again if the long-term productivity of the land is maintained. This longterm productivity is maintained through the application of the resource protection 

measures described in Chapter 3. 

3.14 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments 

Irreversible commitments are decisions affecting non-renewable resources where 

renewal can occur only over a long period of time or at a great expense, or 

because the resource has been destroyed or removed. Irretrievable commitments 

represent opportunities forgone for the period during which resource use or 

production cannot be realized. 

Use of petroleum fuels and rock sources for road commits non-renewable 

resources. 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-46 Shady Timber Sale EA 

The construction of roads for timber harvesting is an irreversible action because of 

the time it takes for a constructed road to revert to natural conditions. 

3.15 Unavoidable Adverse Effects 

Implementation of any action alternative would cause some adverse 

environmental effects that cannot be effectively mitigated or avoided. 

Unavoidable adverse effects often result from managing the land for one resource 

at the expense of the use or condition of other resources. Many adverse effects 

can be reduced, mitigated or avoided by limiting the extent or duration of effects. 

The interdisciplinary procedure used to identify specific harvest units and roads 

was designed to eliminate or lessen the significant adverse consequences. The 

application of Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, Best Management Practices, 

project-specific mitigation measures, and monitoring are all intended to further 

limit the extent, severity, and duration of potential effects. Such measures are 

discussed throughout this chapter. Regardless of the use of these measures, some 

adverse effects will occur. The purpose of this chapter is to fully disclose these 

effects. 

3.16 Findings and Disclosures 

Several laws and executive orders require project-specific findings or other 

disclosures. These are included here. They apply to all alternatives considered in 

detail in this EA. 

National Forest Management Act - The National Forest Management Act 

(NFMA) requires specific determinations to be made for this project: consistency 

with the Forest Plan and FSM 2410.3, R10 Supp. 2400-2002-1 (5/7/2002), a 

determination of clearcutting as the optimal method of harvesting, if used, and 

specific authorizations to create openings over 100 acres in size. Specific 

information and rationale used to develop unit prescriptions is shown on unit 

cards, in Chapter 3 of this EA, and in the planning record. 

The Forest Plan complies with all resource integration and management 

requirements of 36 CFR 219 (219.14 through 219.27). Application of Forest Plan 

direction for the Shady project ensures compliance at the project level. 

Specific NFMA findings pertaining to silviculture systems are included in unit 

cards and the project planning record.

Tongass Land and Resource Mangement Plan – All project alternatives 

comply with the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan. This project 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-47 

incorporates all applicable Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines and management 

prescriptions as they apply to the project area, and complies with Forest Plan 

goals and objectives. 

Clearcutting as the Optimal Method of Harvesting - The Forest Plan (4-96 to 

4-97) gives guidance on when to use even-aged management. Clearcutting (an 

even-aged method) is used in this project to preclude or minimize mistletoe 

infestations, yellow-cedar decline, logging damage or other factors affecting 

forest health. Specific information for use of this prescription is shown in the 

silvicultural prescriptions, which is part of the project planning record, and in the 

individual unit cards in Appendix A. Where used, this prescription has been 

deemed optimal related to site-specific considerations as described above. 

Harvest Openings Over 100 Acres in Size - There are no harvest openings over 

100 acres proposed for this project. 

Endangered Species Act – None of the alternatives is anticipated to have a 

direct, indirect or cumulative effect on any threatened and endangered species in 

or outside the project area. Consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

and the National Marine Fisheries Service have been conducted, and these 

agencies have concurred that the proposed project is not likely to affect any 

threatened or endangered species. A complete Biological Assessment is included 

in the planning record. 

Tongass Timber Reform Act – Application of Forest Plan riparian standards and 

guidelines ensures that no commercial timber harvest will occur within 100 feet of 

any Class I stream or any Class II stream flowing directly into a Class I stream. 

National Historic Preservation Act – In accordance with the Act, the Tongass 

National Forest has a program to identify, evaluate, preserve, and protect heritage 

resources. Heritage resource investigations of various intensities have been 

conducted in the Shady project area, following inventory protocols approved by 

the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). Our work includes 

background and existing literature searches and fieldwork complete with 

subsurface testing. Native communities have been contacted, and public 

comment encouraged. The Wrangell Cooperative Association was consulted 

during analysis for this project. The Alaska SHPO was consulted and our 

obligations under 36 CFR 800 have been met. 

Federal Cave Resource Protection Act – No known significant caves in the 

project area will be directly or indirectly affected by project activities. Forest 

Plan Karst and Caves Standards and Guidelines are applied to areas known or 

suspected to contain karst resources. 

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) – An ANILCA 

Section 810 subsistence evaluation was conducted. This analysis leads to the 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-48 Shady Timber Sale EA 

conclusion that there may be the significant possibility of a significant restriction 

on subsistence use of deer on Wrangell Island due to cumulative effects. See 

Section 3.3 for more details. 

Clean Water Act – Congress intended the Clean Water Act of 1972 (Public Law 

92-500) as amended in 1977 (Public Law 95-217) and 1987 (Public Law 100-4) 

to protect and improve the quality of water resources and maintain their beneficial 

uses. Section 313 of the Clean Water Act and Executive Order 12088 of January 

23, 1987 address Federal agency compliance and consistency with water pollution 

control mandates. Agencies must be consistent with requirements that apply to 

"any governmental entity" or private person. Compliance is to be in line with "all 

Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative authority, and 

process and sanctions respecting the control and abatement of water pollution". 

The Clean Water Act (Sections 208 and 319) recognized the need for control 

strategies for nonpoint source pollution. The National Nonpoint Source Policy 

(December 12, 1984), the Forest Service Nonpoint Strategy (January 29, 1985), 

and the USDA Nonpoint Source Water Quality Policy (December 5, 1986) 

provide a protection and improvement emphasis for soil and water resources and 

water-related beneficial uses. Soil and water conservation practices (BMPs) were 

recognized as the primary control mechanisms for nonpoint source pollution on 

National Forest System lands. The Environmental Protection Agency supports 

this perspective in their guidance, "Nonpoint Source Controls and Water Quality 

Standards" (August 19, 1987). 

The Forest Service must apply Best Management Practices that are consistent 

with the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Regulations to achieve Alaska 

Water Quality Standards. The site-specific application of BMPs, with a 

monitoring and feedback mechanism, is the approved strategy for controlling 

nonpoint source pollution as defined by Alaska’s Nonpoint Source Pollution 

Control Strategy (October 2000). In 1997, The State approved the BMPs in the 

Forest Service’s Soil and Water Conservation Handbook (FSH Handbook 

2509.22, October 1996) as consistent with the Alaska Forest Resources and 

Practices Regulations. This Handbook is incorporated into the Tongass Land 

Management Plan. 

A discharge of dredge or fill material from normal silviculture activities such as 

harvesting for the production of forest products is exempt from Section 404 

permitting requirements in waters of the United States, including wetlands 

(404(f)(1)(A). Forest roads qualify for this exemption only if they are constructed 

and maintained in accordance with best management practices to assure that flow 

and circulation patterns and chemical and biological characteristics of the waters 

are not impaired (404)(f)(1)(E). The BMPs that must be followed are specified 

in 33 CFR 323.4(a). These specific BMPs have been incorporated into the Forest 

Service’s Soil and Water Conservation Handbook under BMP 12.5. 
3Environment and Effects

Shady Timber Sale EA Environment and Effects ▪ 3-49 

Clean Air Act - Emissions anticipated from the implementation of any project 

alternative will be of short duration and are not expected to exceed State of Alaska 

ambient air quality standards (18 AAC 50). 

Coastal Zone Management Act 

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972, as amended, Forest 

Service activities and development projects that affect the coastal zone must be 

consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the 

Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). Such “consistency determinations” 

are made by the Forest Service, and are reviewed by the State of Alaska as required 

by the CZMA. 

Under the Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act (AFRPA) of 1979 (as 

amended), Forest Service timber harvest projects satisfy the CZMA consistency 

requirement if the Forest Plan and all related standards and guidelines applicable to 

the project provide no less resource protection than the AFRPA requires for timber 

harvest projects on State land, except that the AFRPA specifies a different minimum 

riparian standard for Federal projects than for State projects. 

The Forest Service has determined that the Shady project does not affect the coastal 

zone, and that Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines and mitigation measures 

applicable to the Shady project meet or exceed the requirements of the State of 

Alaska Forest Resources and Practices Act. Therefore, the project is consistent to the 

maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the Alaska Coastal 

Management Program. Copies of this determination and supporting information will 

be provided to the State of Alaska, Department of Program Management and 

Permitting, for review as required by the CZMA.

Executive Order 11988 directs Federal agencies to take action to avoid, to the extent 

possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and 

modification of floodplains. 

The numerous streams in the Shady project area make it virtually impossible to avoid 

what is technically considered the “flood prone area” of streams during timber harvest 

and road construction. However, timber harvest and road construction activities in 

the Shady project area are well outside of all identified floodplain stream channels. 

Therefore, no direct adverse effects on floodplains are expected from project 

activities. 

Executive Order 11990 requires Federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, the 

long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification 

of wetlands. 

Because wetlands are so extensive in the Shady project area, it is not feasible to avoid 

all wetland areas. Wetland soils not meeting Forest Plan criteria for timber harvest 

suitability are excluded from the harvest base. Soil moisture regimes and vegetation 
3 Environment and Effects

Environment and Effects ▪ 3-50 Shady Timber Sale EA 

on some wetlands may be altered in some harvest units. However, the affected 

wetlands will meet wetland classification and will still function as wetlands in the 

ecosystem. 

Road construction across wetlands is permitted within Alaska. Such construction 

requires the filling-in of wetlands and creates permanent loss of wetland habitat. 

Effects to wetlands are minimized through the application of specific BMPs. Road 

construction through wetlands is avoided where possible. 

Executive Order 12898 directs Federal agencies to identify and address the issue of 

environmental justice, i.e., adverse human health and environmental effects of agency 

programs that disproportionately impact minority and low-income populations. 

Implementation of any project alternative is not anticipated to cause disproportionate 

adverse human health or environmental effects to minority or low-income 

populations. 

Executive Order 12962 directs Federal agencies to conserve, restore, and enhance 

aquatic systems to provide for increased recreational fishing opportunities 

nationwide. 

With the application of Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, including those for 

riparian areas, no significant adverse effects to freshwater or marine resources will 

occur. Post-project road closures could limit, to foot-traffic or permitted all-terrain 

vehicle (ATV) means, access to some recreational fishing opportunities. However, 

most recreational fishing throughout the Tongass occurs by boat in saltwater, and any 

adverse effects would be minimal. 
 

Chapter 4 

Lists 

4 List of Preparers

 

List of Preparers 

Kurt Aluzas, Wildlife Biologist 

Education 

B.S. Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University

Forest Service: 6 years 

Wildlife Biologist, Tongass N.F. 

Biological Technician, Colville, N.F. 

Biological Technician, Klamath N.F. 

Brett Hand, Forestry Technician 

Education 

2 yrs. Lassen Community Collge 

Forest Service 9 years 

Forestry Technician, Tongass N.F. 

Forestry Aide, Milford R.D., Plumes N.F. 

Tyler Cole, Hydrologist 

Education 

B.S. Biology/Fisheries Science 

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 

Forest Service 9 years 

Hydrologic Technician Tongass N.F. 

Hydrologist Tongass N.F. 

Jackie deMontigny, Soil Scientist 

Education 

B.A. Education, University of Montana 

M.S. Forest Ecology, University of Montana 

Forest Service: 15 years 

Soil Scientist, Tongass N.F. 

Ecologist Trainee, Bitterroot N.F. 

Biological Technician, Nez Perce, N.F. 

Biological Technician, Tongass N.F. 

Dee Galla, Recreation Planner 

Education 

B.S. Wildland Recreation Management, University of Idaho 

Forest Service: 15 years 

Recreation Planner, Tongass NF 

Recreation Forester, Nez Perce NF 

Shady Timber Sale EA List of Preparers ▪ 4-1 
4 List of Preparers

Jeff High, District Silviculturist 

Education: 

B.S. Forest Management, Stephen F. Austin State University

Forest Engineering Institute, Oregon State University

Natural Resources Institute, University of Washington, 

Washington State University, Oregon State University, 

Colorado State University

Forest Service - 9 Years 

District Silviculturist, Tongass NF 

Boise Cascade - Timber Management and Silviculture - 8 years 

Randy Hojem, District Planning Staff 

Education 

B.S. Forestry, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point 

Forest Service: 20 years 

District Planner, Tongass N.F. 

Forester, Tongass N.F. 

Forestry Technician, Tongass, N.F. 

Forestry Technician, White River, N.F. 

Jamie Roberts, Interdisciplinary Team Leader 

Education 

B.S. Forest Management, University of Wisconsin – Steven Point 

Forest Service: 6 years 

Forestry Technician, Tongass N.F. 

Susan Wise-Eagle, Geographic Information Systems 

Education 

B.S. Zoology, San Diego State University

Forest Service: 24 years 

GIS Specialist, Tongass National Forest 

Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist, Tongass N.F. 

Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist, Nez Perce N.F. 

Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Panhandle N.F. 

Other Contributors: 

Sumi Angerman – Writer/Editor 

John Short – Landscape Architect 

List of Preparers ▪ 4-2 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

Glossary

Access

The opportunity to approach, enter, and make use of public lands. 

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA)

Passed by Congress in 1980, this legislation designated 14 National Forest 

wilderness areas in Southeast Alaska. The Alaska National Interest Lands 

Conservation Act of December 2, 1980. Public Law 96-487, 96th Congress, 94 

Stat. 2371-2551. In Section 810 requires evaluations of subsistence impacts 

before changing the use of these lands. 

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA)

Public Law 92-203, 92nd Congress, 85 Stat. 2371-2551. Approved December 18, 

1971, ANCSA provides for the settlement of certain land claims of Alaska natives 

and for other purposes. 

Allowable Sale Quantity (ASQ)

ASQ refers to the maximum quantity of timber that may be sold each decade from

the Tongass National Forest. This quantity, expressed as a board foot measure, is 

calculated per timber utilization standards specified in the Alaska Regional Guide, 

the number and type of acres available for timber management, and the intensity 

of timber management. The ASQ was calculated at 4.5 billion board feet per 

decade for the Tongass National Forest. 

Alluvial Fan

A cone-shaped deposit of organic and mineral material made by a stream where it 

runs out onto a level plain or meets a slower stream. 

Alluvium

Material deposited by rivers or streams, including the sediment laid down in river 

beds, floodplains and at the foot of mountain slopes and estuaries. 

Alpine

Parts of mountains above tree growth and/or the organisms living there. 

Alternative

One of several policies, plans, or projects proposed for decision making. 

Anadromous Fish

Anadromous fish (such as salmon, steelhead, and sea run cutthroat trout) spend 

part of their lives in freshwater and part of their lives in saltwater. 

Aquatic Habitat Management Unit (AHMU) 

A mapping unit that displays an identified value for aquatic resources. It is a 

mechanism for carrying out aquatic resource management policy. 

Class I: Streams and lakes with anadromous or adfluvial fish habitat; or high 

quality resident fish waters listed in Appendix 68.1, Region 10 Aquatic Habitat 

Management Handbook (FSH 2609.24), June 1986; or habitat above fish 

migration barriers known to be reasonable enhancement opportunities for 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-3 
4 Glossary

anadromous fish. 

Class II: Streams and lakes with resident fish populations and generally steep (6-

15 percent) gradient (can also include streams from 0-5 percent gradient) where 

no anadromous fish occur, and otherwise not meeting Class I criteria. These 

populations have limited fisheries values and generally occur upstream of 

migration barriers or have other habitat features that preclude anadromous fish 

use. 

Class III: Perennial and intermittent streams with no fish populations, but which 

have sufficient flow or transport sufficient sediment and debris to have an 

immediate influence on downstream water quality or fish habitat capability. 

These streams generally have bankfull widths greater than 5 feet and are highly 

incised into the surrounding hillslope. 

Class IV: Intermittent, ephemeral, and small perennial channels with insufficient 

flow or sediment transport capabilities to have an immediate influence on 

downstream water quality or fish habitat capability. These streams generally are 

shallowly incised into the surrounding hillslope. 

Background

The distant part of a landscape. The seen or viewed area located from three or 

five miles to infinity from the viewer. (See "Foreground" and "Middleground".) 

Beach Fringe 

Habitat that occurs from the intertidal zone inland 1,000 feet, and islands less than 

50 acres. 

Bedload

Sand, silt, and gravel, or soil and rock debris rolled along the bottom of a stream

by the moving water. 

Best Management Practice (BMP)

Land management methods, measures, or practices intended to minimize or 

reduce water pollution. Usually BMPs are applied as a system of practices rather 

than a single practice. BMPs are selected on the basis of site-specific conditions 

that reflect natural background conditions and political, social, economic, and 

technical feasibility. 

Biological Diversity (Biodiversity)

The variety of life in all its forms and at all levels. This includes the various kinds 

and combinations of: genes; species of plants, animals, and microorganisms; 

populations; communities; and ecosystems. It also includes the physical and 

ecological processes that allow all levels to interact and survive. The most 

familiar level of biological diversity is the species level, which is the number and 

abundance of plants, animals, and microorganisms. 

Blowdown

See windthrow. 

Board Foot (BF)

A unit of wood 12" X 12" X 1". One acre of commercial timber in Southeast 

Alaska on the average yields 28,000-34,000 board feet per acre (ranging from

Glossary ▪ 4-4 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

8,000-90,000 board feet per acre). One million board feet (MMBF) would be the 

volume of wood covering one acre two feet thick. One million board feet yields 

approximately enough timber to build 120 houses or 75,555 pounds of dissolving 

pulp. 

Brush Disposal

Cleanup and disposal of slash and other hazardous fuels within the forest or 

project areas. 

Buffer

An area around a resource where timber harvest is restricted or prohibited. For 

example, the Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA) requires that timber harvest be 

prohibited in an area no less than 100 feet on each side of all Class I streams and 

Class II streams which flow directly into Class I streams. This 100-foot area is 

known as a "stream buffer". 

Capability

An evaluation of a resource's inherent potential for use. 

Clearcut

The harvesting in one cut of all trees on an area. The area harvested may be a 

patch, strip, or stand large enough to be mapped or recorded as a separate class in 

planning for sustained yield. Clearcut size on the Tongass National Forest is 

limited to 100 acres, except for specific conditions noted in the Alaska Regional 

Guide. 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

A codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal 

Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. 

Commercial Forest Land (CFL)

Productive Forest and that is producing or capable of producing crops of 

industrial wood and is not withdrawn from timber utilization by statute or 

administrative regulation. This includes areas suitable for management and 

generally capable of producing in excess of 20 cubic feet per acre of annual 

growth or in excess of 8,000 board feet net volume per acre. It includes 

accessible and inaccessible areas. 

Connectivity

A measure of the extent that forest areas between or outside reserves provide 

habitat for breeding, feeding, dispersal, and movement. 

Corridor

Connective links of certain types of vegetation between patches of suitable habitat 

which are necessary for certain species to facilitate movement of individuals 

between patches of suitable habitat. Also refers to transportation or utility rightsof-way. 

Cover

Refers to trees, shrubs, or other landscape features that allow an animal to partly 

or fully conceal itself. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-5 
4 Glossary

Critical Habitat

Specific terrain within the geographical area occupied by threatened or

endangered species. Physical and biological features that are essential to 

conservation of the species and which may require special management 

considerations or protection are found in these areas. 

Cultural Resources

See Heritage Resources.

Cumulative Effects

The impacts on the environment resulting from additional incremental impacts of

past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency 

(Federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such actions. Cumulative impacts 

can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions occurring 

over time. 

Deer Winter Range

A combination of environmental elements that support Sitka black-tailed deer 

under moderately severe or severe winter conditions. Usually associated with 

high volume old-growth stands at low elevations and south aspects. 

Developed Recreation

Recreation that requires facilities that, in turn, result in concentrated use of an 

area. Facilities in these areas might include roads, parking lots, picnic tables, 

toilets, drinking water, and buildings. 

Direct Employment

Jobs that are immediately associated with a timber sale, including, for example, 

logging, sawmills, and pulpmills. 

Dispersal

The movement, usually one way, of plants and animals from their point of origin 

to another location where they subsequently produce offspring. 

Distance Zone

Areas of landscapes denoted by specified distances from the observer 

(foreground, middleground, or background). Used as a frame of reference in 

which to discuss landscape characteristics of management activities. 

Diversity

The distribution and abundance of different plant and animal communities and 

species within the area controlled by the Forest Plan. 

Eagle Nest Tree Buffer Zone

A 330-foot radius around eagle nest trees established in an Agreement between 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service. 

Ecological Province

Twenty-one ecological subdivisions of Southeast Alaska that are identified by 

generally distinct ecological, physiographic, and biogeographic features. Plant 

and animal species composition, climate, and geology within each province are 

generally more similar within than among adjacent provinces. Historical events 

Glossary ▪ 4-6 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

(such as glaciers and uplifting) are important to the nature of the province and to 

the barriers that distinguish each province. 

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and its physical setting. An ecosystem, whether a 

fallen log or an entire watershed, includes resident organisms, non-living 

components such as soil nutrients, inputs such as rainfall, and outputs such as 

organisms that disperse to other ecosystems. 

Effects

Effects, impacts, and consequences as used in this environmental impact 

statement are synonymous. Effects may be ecological (such as the effects on 

natural resources and on the components, structures, and functioning of affected 

ecosystems), aesthetic, historical, cultural, economic, or social, and may be direct, 

indirect, or cumulative. 

Direct Effects: Results of an action occurring when and where the action takes 

place. 

Indirect Effects: Results of an action occurring at a location other than where the 

action takes place and/or later in time, but in the reasonably foreseeable future. 

Cumulative Effects: See Cumulative Effects. 

Endangered Species

Any species of animal or plant that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a 

significant portion of its range. Plant or animal species identified by the Secretary 

of the Interior as endangered in accordance with the 1973 Endangered Species 

Act. See also, threatened species, sensitive species. 

Endemic

Restricted to a particular locality. For example, a particular species or subspecies 

may occur on only one or a very few islands. 

Environmental Assessment (EA)

A statement of environmental effects for a major Federal action which is released 

to the public and other agencies for comment and review prior to a final 

management decision. Required by Section 102 of the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA). 

Estuary

For the purpose of this EA process, estuary refers to the relatively flat, intertidal, 

and upland areas generally found at the heads of bays and mouths of streams. 

They are predominately mud and grass flats and are not forested except for 

scattered spruce or cottonwood. 

Even-Aged Stand Management

The application of a combination of actions that result in the creation of stands in 

which trees of essentially the same age grow together. The difference in age 

between trees in forming the main canopy level of a stand usually does not exceed 

20 percent of that age of the stand at harvest rotation age. Clearcut, shelterwood, 

or seed tree cutting methods produce even-aged stands. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-7 
4 Glossary

Executive Order

An order or regulation issued by the President or some administrative authority 

under his or her direction. 

Fen

A tract of low, wet ground containing sedge peat, relatively rich in mineral salts, 

alkaline in reaction, and characterized by slowly flowing water. Unlike peatlands 

(commonly referred to as bogs or muskegs), fens contribute to stable stream

flows, provide nutrient input to streams and often contribute to fish rearing 

habitat. 

Floodplain

That portion of a river valley, adjacent to the river channel, which is covered with 

water when the river overflows its banks at flood stages. 

Foreground

The stand of trees immediately adjacent to a scenic area, recreation facility, or 

forest highway; area located less than 1/4 mile from the viewer. See also, 

Background and Middleground. 

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1976 

(RPA)

Amended in 1976 by the National Forest Management Act. See RPA Assessment 

and Program. 

Forest or Forest Land

National Forest lands currently supporting or capable of supporting forests at a 

density of 10 percent crown closure or better. Includes all areas with forest cover, 

including old growth and second growth, and both commercial and noncommercial forest land. 

Forested Habitat

All areas with forest cover. Used in this EA to represent a general habitat zone. 

Forested Wetland

A wetland whose vegetation is characterized by an overstory of trees that are 20 

feet or taller.

Forest Plan

The Tongass Land Management Revision, signed in 1997. This is the 10-year 

land allocation plan for the Tongass National Forest that directs and coordinates 

planning, the daily uses, and the activities carried out within the forest. 

Fragmentation

An element of biological diversity that describes the natural condition of habitats 

in terms of the size of discrete habitat blocks or patches, their distribution, the 

extent to which they are interconnected, and the effects of management on these 

natural conditions. Also the process of reducing the size and connectivity of 

stands within a forest. 

FSH

Forest Service Handbook. 

Glossary ▪ 4-8 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

FSM

Forest Service Manual. 

Geographic Information System (GIS)

An information processing technology to input, store, manipulate, analyze, and 

display spatial and attribute data to support the decision-making process. It is a 

system of computer maps with corresponding site specific information that can be 

electronically combined to provide reports and maps. 

Guideline

A preferred or advisable course of action or level of attainment designed to 

promote achievement of goals and objectives. 

Habitat

The sum total of environmental conditions of a specific place occupied by an 

organism, population, or community of plants and animals. 

Habitat Capability

The estimated number of healthy animals that a habitat can sustain. Often shown 

as a relative percentage of optimum habitat conditions. 

Habitat Suitability Index

This is a value assigned to a unit of land using a computerized model that relates 

vegetative and geographic characteristic (e.g. stand volume, proximity to a stream

or cliff, slope, aspect, etc.) to the land unit's value for a particular wildlife species. 

Values generally range from 0 to 1, with 1 being the best. The Habitat Capability 

Models used to generate HSIs were developed by interagency teams of biologists 

using the best available information including research results and best 

professional judgement. 

Heritage Resources

Also known as Cultural Resources. Historic or prehistoric objects, sites, 

buildings, structures, and their remains, resulting from past human activities. 

Important Subsistence Use Area

Important Subsistence Use Areas include the "most -reliable" and "most often 

hunted" categories from the TRUCS survey and from subsistence survey data 

from ADFG, the University of Alaska, and the Forest Service, Region 10. 

Important use areas include both intensive and extensive use areas for subsistence 

harvest of deer, furbearers, and salmon. 

Indirect Employment

The jobs in service industries that are associated with a timber sale including, for 

example, suppliers of logging and milling equipment. 

Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)

Two or more natural resource planners who use relevant information to develop 

alternative design and comparison for a proposed project. The team insures that 

integrated use of environmental, social, and economic information is clearly 

presented so the best decision can be made. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-9 
4 Glossary

Intermediate Stand Treatments

A stand management treatment which manipulates stand growth, composition, 

structure, or tree quality. Intermediate treatments include thinning, pruning, 

clearing, weeding, liberation, release, improvement, salvage, and sanitation 

cutting to achieve different management objectives. These stand treatments do 

not attempt to obtain new tree regeneration, and they occur before the final 

regeneration harvest. Some treatments such as salvage cutting or commercial 

thinning result in the harvest of forest products. 

Irretrievable Commitments

Losses of production or use of renewable natural resources for a period of time. 

For example, timber production from an area is irretrievably lost during the time 

an area is allocated to a no-harvest prescription; if the allocation is changed to 

allow timber harvest, timber production can be resumed. The production lost is 

irretrievable, but is not irreversible. 

Irreversible Commitments

Decisions causing changes which cannot be reversed. For example, if a roadless 

area is allocated to allow timber harvest and timber is actually harvested, that area 

cannot, at a later date, be allocated to wilderness. Once harvested, the ability of 

that area to meet wilderness criteria has been irreversibly lost. Often applies to 

nonrenewable resources such as minerals and cultural resources. 

Issue

A point, matter, or section of public discussion or interest to be addressed or 

decided. 

Landslides

The moderately rapid to rapid down slope movement of soil and rock materials 

that may or may not be water-saturated. 

Log Transfer Facility (LTF)

A facility that is used for transferring commercially harvested logs to and from a 

vessel or log raft, or the formation of a log raft. It is wholly or partially 

constructed in waters of the United States and location and construction are 

regulated by the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act. Formerly termed 

"terminal transfer facility" or "log dump". 

Logging Systems

Cable: Ground based yarding of logs using a steel cable to pull logs to a landing. 

Helicopter: Flight path cannot exceed 40 percent downhill or 30 percent uphill; 

landings must be selected so there is adequate room for the operation and so that 

the helicopter can make an upwind approach to the drop zone. 

MBF

A thousand board feet net sawlog and utility volume. 

MMBF

A million board feet net sawlog and utility volume. 

Glossary ▪ 4-10 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

Management Indicator Species (MIS)

Species selected in a planning process that are used to monitor the effects of

planned management activities on viable populations of wildlife and fish. 

Management Prescriptions

Method of classifying land uses presented in the Forest Plan. Replaces the Land 

Use Designations (LUDs) originally presented in TLMP. 

Mass Movement

The downslope movement of a block or mass of soil. This usually occurs under 

conditions of high-soil moisture and does not include individual soil particles 

displaced as surface erosion. 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

A legal agreement between the Forest Service and others agencies resulting from

consultation between agencies that states specific measures the agencies will 

follow to accomplish a large or complex project. A memorandum of 

understanding is not a fund obligating document. 

Middleground

The visible terrain beyond the foreground where individual trees are still visible 

but do not stand out distinctly for the landscape; area located from 1/4 to 5 miles 

from the viewer. See also, Foreground and Background. 

Mineral Soils

Soils consisting predominately of, and having its properties determined by, 

mineral material.

Minimum Viable Population

A population with the estimated numbers and distribution of reproductive 

individuals to maintain the population over time. 

Mitigation

Measures designed to counteract environmental impacts or to make impacts less

severe. These may include: avoiding an impact by not taking a certain action or 

part of an action; minimizing an impact by limiting the degree or magnitude of an 

action and its implementation; rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or 

restoring the affected environment; reducing or eliminating the impact over time

by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action; or 

compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources. 

Mixed Conifer

In Southeast Alaska, mixed conifer stands usually consist of western hemlock, 

mountain hemlock, Alaska yellowcedar, Western redcedar, and Sitka spruce 

species. Shorepine may occasionally be present.

Model

A representation of reality used to describe, analyze, or understand a particular 

concept. A model may be a relatively simple qualitative description of a system

or organization, or a highly abstract set of mathematical equations. A model has 

limits to its effectiveness, and is used as one of several tools to analyze a problem. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-11 
4 Glossary

Monitoring

A process of collecting information to evaluate whether or not objectives of a 

project and its mitigation plan are being realized. Monitoring can occur at 

different levels: to confirm whether mitigation measures were carried out in the 

manner called for, to determine whether the mitigation measures were effective, 

or to validate whether overall goals and objectives were appropriate. Different 

levels call for different methods of monitoring. 

Multiple-aged Stands

An intermediate form of stand structure between even and uneven-aged stands. 

These stands generally have two or three distinct tree canopy levels occurring 

within a single stand. 

Multiple Entry

More than one stand or land treatment activity during a rotation of a stand or area. 

Multiple Use

The management of all the various renewable resources of the National Forest 

System to be used in the combination that will best met the needs of the American 

people. 

Muskeg

In Southeast Alaska a type of bog that has developed over thousands of years in 

depressions or flat areas on gentle to steep slopes. Also called peatlands. 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969

An Act to declare a national policy which will encourage productive and 

enjoyable harmony between humankind and the environment, to promote efforts 

which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and 

stimulate the health and welfare of humanity, to enrich the understanding of the 

ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation, and to establish 

a Council on Environmental Quality (The Principal Laws Relating to Forest 

Service Activities, agric. Handb. 453. USDA Forest Service, 359 p.). 

National Forest Management Act (NFMA)

A law passed in 1976 as an amendment to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 

Resources Planning Act requiring the preparation of Regional Guides and Forest 

Plans and the preparation of regulations to guide that development. 

National Wild and Scenic River System

Rivers with outstanding scenic, recreational, geological, fish and wildlife, historic, 

cultural, or other similar values designated by Congress under the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and amended in 1986, for preservation of their freeflowing condition. May be classified and administered under one or more of the 

following categories: Wild, Scenic, and/or Recreational. 

Net Sawlog Volume

Tree or log volume suitable in size and quality to be processed into lumber. In 

Southeast Alaska, depending on the market, the volume may be processed as pulp 

or lumber. 

Glossary ▪ 4-12 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

No action Alternative

The most likely condition expected to exist in the future if current management 

direction were to continue unchanged. 

Non-Commercial Forest Land

Land with more than 10 percent cover of commercial tree species but not 

qualifying as Commercial Forest land. These are typically very steep. 

Non-Forest Land

Land that has never supported forests and lands formerly forested but now

developed for such nonforest uses as crops, improved pasture, etc. 

Objectives

The precise steps to be taken and the resources to be used in achieving goals. 

Old Growth

Ecosystems distinguished by old trees and related structural attributes. Oldgrowth forests are characterized by larger tree size, higher accumulations of large 

dead woody material, multiple canopy layers, different species composition, and 

different ecosystem function. The structure and function of an old-growth 

ecosystem will be influenced by its stand size and landscape position and context. 

Old-Growth Habitat

Wildlife habitat managed to maintain old-growth forest characteristics through the 

planning period. 

Organic Soils

Soils that contain a high percentage (generally greater than 20 to 30 percent) of 

organic matter throughout the soil depth. 

Partial Cut

Method of harvesting trees where any number of live stems are left standing in 

any of various spatial patterns. Not clearcutting. Can include seed tree, 

shelterwood, or other methods. 

Patch

A non-linear surface area differing in appearance from its surroundings. 

Planning Record

A system that records decisions and activities that result from the process of

developing a forest plan, revision, or significant amendment. 

Process Group

A combination of similar stream channel types based on major differences in 

landform, gradient, and channel shapes. 

Productive Old Growth (POG)

Old-growth forest capable of producing at least 20 cubic feet of wood fiber per 

acre per year, or having greater than 8,000 board feet per acre. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-13 
4 Glossary

Public Participation

Meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, tours, written comments, responses 

to survey questionnaires, and similar activities designed and held to obtain

comments from the public about Forest Service activities. 

Reforestation

The natural or artificial restocking of an area with trees. 

Regeneration

The process of establishing a new crop of trees on previously harvested land. 

Reserve Trees

Live or dead trees that are retained for various resource objectives such as 

wildlife, structural diversity, etc. 

Resident Fish

Fish that are not migratory and complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. Fish 

that are not anadromous and that reside in freshwater on a permanent basis. 

Resident fish include non-anadromous Dolly Varden char and cutthroat trout. 

Resource values

The tangible and intangible worth of forest resources. 

Responsible Official

The Forest Service employee who has the delegated authority to make a specific 

decision. 

Revegetation

The re-establishment and development of a plant cover. This may take place 

naturally through the reproductive processes of the existing flora or artificially 

through the direct action of reforestation or reseeding. 

Riparian Area

Geographically definable area with distinctive resource values and characteristics 

that contain elements of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. 

Riparian Ecosystem

Land next to water where plants that are dependent on a perpetual source of water 

occur. 

Riparian Management Area (RMA) 

Land areas delineated in the Forest Plan to provide for the management of 

riparian resources. Specific standards and guidelines, by stream process group, 

are associated with riparian management areas. Riparian management areas may 

be modified by watershed analysis. 

Roads

Specified: Roads usually developed and operated for long-term land and resource 

management purposes to constant service. 

Temporary: For National Forest timber sales, temporary roads are constructed to 

harvest timber on a one-time basis. These logging roads are not considered part 

Glossary ▪ 4-14 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

of the permanent Forest transportation network and have stream crossing 

structures removed, erosion measures put into place, and the road closed to 

vehicular traffic after harvest is completed. 

Roadless Area

An area of undeveloped public land, identified in the roadless area inventory of 

the 1997 TLMP, within which there are no improved roads maintained for travel 

by means of motorized vehicles intended for highway use. 

Rotation

The planned number of years (approximately 100 years in Alaska) between the 

time that a Forest stand is regenerated and its next cutting at a specified stage of 

maturity. 

Sawlog

That portion of a tree that is suitable in size and quality for the production of 

dimension lumber collectively known as sawtimber. 

Scoping Process

Early and open activities used to determine the scope and significance of a 

proposed action, what level of analysis is required, what data is needed, and what 

level of public participation is appropriate. Scoping focuses on the issues 

surrounding the proposed action, and the range of actions, alternatives, and 

impacts to considered in an EA or an EIS. 

Scrub-Shrub Wetland

Wetlands dominated by woody vegetation less than 20 feet tall. The species 

include true shrubs, young trees, and trees or shrubs that are small or stunted 

because of environmental conditions. In Southeast Alaska this includes forested 

lands where trees are stunted because of poor soil drainage. 

Second Growth

Forest growth that has become established following some disturbance such as 

cutting, serious fire, windthrow, or insect attack; even-aged stands that will grow 

back on a site after removal of the previous timber stand. 

Sediment

Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being 

transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by streams or mass 

movement. 

Sensitive Species

Plant and animal species which are susceptible or vulnerable to activity impacts or 

habitat alterations. Species that are recognized by the regional forester as needing 

special management to prevent placement on Federal or state lists. 

Seral

Early stage of succession. 

Silviculture

The branch of forestry involving the theory and practice of manipulating the 

establishment, composition, structure, and growth of forest vegetation. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-15 
4 Glossary

Silviculture involves the appropriate application of ecological, social, and 

economic principles of vegetative management to achieve resource management 

objectives and desired future forest conditions. 

Silvicultural Prescription

A written technical document which provides detailed implementation direction 

about methods, techniques, timing, and monitoring or vegetative treatments. A 

prescription is prepared after a preferred treatment alternative has been selected, 

but before the project is implemented. A prescription is prepared by a 

silviculturist who uses interdisciplinary input to best achieve established 

objectives, direction, and requirements for land managed by the USDA Forest 

Service. 

Site Productivity

Production capability of specific areas of land. 

Slash

Debris left over after a logging operation; i.e. limbs, bark, broken pieces of logs. 

Snag

A standing dead tree. 

Soil Productivity

The capacity of a soil, in its normal environment, to produce a specific plant or 

sequence of plants under a specific system of management. 

Soil Resource Inventory (SRI)

An inventory of the soil resource based on landform, vegetative characteristics, 

soil characteristics, and management potentials. 

Split Yarding

The process of separating the direction of timber harvest yarding into opposite 

directions. Often a stream is used as a dividing line. 

Stand (Tree Stand)

An aggregation of trees occupying a specific area and sufficiently uniform in 

composition, age arrangement, and condition as to be distinguishable from the 

trees in adjoining areas. 

Standard

A course of action or level of attainment required by the forest plan to promote 

achievement of goals and objectives. 

State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)

State appointed official who administers Federal and State programs for cultural 

resources. 

Stocking

The degree of occupancy of land by trees as measured by basal area or number of 

trees and as compared to a stocking standard; that is, the basal area or number of 

trees required to fully use the growth potential of the land. 

Glossary ▪ 4-16 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

Structural Diversity

The diversity of forest structure, both vertically and horizontally, which provides 

for a variety of forest habitats such as logs and multi-layered forest canopy for 

plants and animals. 

Stumpage

The value of timber as it stands uncut in terms of dollar value per thousand board 

feet. 

Project Area

The area of the National Forest System controlled by a decision document. 

Subsistence

The term "subsistence uses" means the customary and traditional uses by rural 

Alaska residents of wild renewable resources for direct, personal, or family 

consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing , tools, or transportation; for the 

making and selling of handicraft articles out of non-edible byproducts of fish and 

wildlife resources taken for personal or family consumption; and for customary 

trade. 

Subsistence Use Area

Important Subsistence Use Areas include the "most reliable" and "most often 

hunted" categories from the Tongass Resource Use Cooperative Survey (TRUCS) 

and from subsistence survey data from ADFG, the University of Alaska, and the 

Forest Service, Region 10. Important use areas include both intensive and 

extensive use areas for subsistence harvest of deer, furbearers, and salmon. 

Substrate

The type of material in the bed (bottom) of rivers and streams. 

Succession

The ecological progression of community change over time, characterized by 

displacements of species leading towards a stable climax community. 

Suitability

An evaluation based upon a resource's potential use within proposed management 

activities. 

Suitable Forest land

Forest land for which technology is available that will ensure timber production 

without irreversible resource damage to soils, productivity, or watershed 

conditions, and for which there is reasonable assurance that such lands can be 

adequately restocked, and for which there is management direction that indicated 

that timber production is an appropriate use of that area. 

Sustained Yield

The amount of renewable resources that can be produced continuously at a given 

intensity of management. 

Thinning

The practice of removing some of the trees in a stand so that the remaining trees 

will grow faster due to reduced competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-17 
4 Glossary

Thinning may also be done to change the characteristics of a stand or wildlife or 

other purposes. Thinning may be done at two different stages. 

Threatened Species

Plant or animal species which is likely to become endangered throughout all or a 

significant portion of its range within the foreseeable future, as defined in the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, and which has been designated in the Federal 

Register by the Secretary of the Interior as a threatened species. (See also, 

endangered species, sensitive species.) 

Threshold

The point or level of activity beyond which an undesirable set of responses begins 

to take place within a given resource system. 

Timber Classification

Forested land is classified under each of the land management alternatives 

according to how it relates to be management of the timber resource. The 

following are definitions of timber classifications used for this purpose. 

Nonforest: Land that has never supported forests and land formerly forested 

where use for timber production is precluded by development or other uses. 

Forest: Land at least 10-percent stocked (based on crown cover) by forest trees of 

any size, or formerly having had such tree cover and not currently developed for 

nonforest use. 

Suitable or suitable available: Land to be managed for timber production on a 

regulated basis. 

Unsuitable: Forest land withdrawn from timber utilization by statute or 

administrative regulation (for example, wilderness), or identified as inappropriate 

for timber production in the Forest planning process. 

Commercial forest: Forest land tentatively suitable for the production of 

continuous crops of timber and that has not been withdrawn. 

Timber Harvest Unit

A "Timber Harvest Unit" is an area within which Forest Service specifies for 

harvest all or part of the timber. 

Timber Stand Improvement (TSI)

All noncommercial intermediate cutting and other treatments to improve 

composition, condition, and volume growth of a timber stand. 

Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP)

See Forest Plan 

Understory

The trees and shrubs in a forest growing under the canopy or overstory. 

Unsuitable Forest Land

Forest land withdrawn from timber utilization by statute or administrative 

regulation; for example, Wilderness, or identified as not appropriate for timber 

production in the forest planning process. 

Glossary ▪ 4-18 Shady Timber Sale EA 
4 Glossary 

Utility Logs

Those logs that do not meet sawlog grade but are suitable for production of firm

useable pulp chips. 

Value Comparison Unit (VCU)

Areas which generally encompass a drainage basin containing one or more large 

stream systems; boundaries usually follow easily recognizable watershed divides. 

Established to provide a common set of areas where resource inventories could be 

conducted and resource interpretations made. 

Viable Population

The number of individuals of a species required to ensure the long-term existence 

of the species in natural, self-sustaining populations adequately distributed 

throughout their region. 

Viewshed

An expansive landscape or panoramic vista seen from a road, marine water way, 

or specific viewpoint. 

Visual Quality Objectives (VQO)

A desired level of scenic quality and diversity of natural features based on 

physical and sociological characteristics of an area. Refers to the degree of 

acceptable alterations of the characteristic landscape. 

Preservation: Permits ecological changes only. Applies to wilderness areas and 

other special classified areas. Management activities are generally not allowed in 

this setting. 

Retention: Provides for management activities that are not visually evident to the 

casual Forest visitor. 

Partial Retention: Management activities remain visually subordinate to the 

natural landscape. 

Modification: Management activities may visually dominate the characteristics 

landscape. However, activities must borrow from naturally established form-line 

color and texture so that the visual characteristics resemble natural occurrences 

within the surrounding area when viewed in the middleground distance. 

Maximum Modification: Management activities may dominate the landscape but 

should appear as a natural occurrence when viewed as background. 

V-Notches

A deeply incised valley along some waterways that would look like a "V" from a 

cross-section. These abrupt changes in terrain features are often used as harvest 

unit or yarding boundaries. 

Volume

Stand volume based on standing net board feet per acre by Scribner Rule. 

Volume Strata

Categories of timber volume derived from the timber type data layer (TIMTYP) 

and the common land unit data layer (CLU). Three volume strata (low, medium, 

and high) are recognized in the Forest Plan. 

Shady Timber Sale EA Glossary ▪ 4-19 
4 Glossary

Watershed

The area that contributes water to a drainage or stream. Portion of land from

which all surface water drains to a common point. Watersheds can range from a 

few tens of acres that drain a single small intermittent stream to many thousands 

of acres for a stream that drains hundreds of connected intermittent and perennial 

streams. 

Wetland

Areas that are inundated by surface or groundwater frequently enough to support 

vegetation that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions for 

growth and reproduction. Wetlands generally include: swamps, marshes, bogs, 

and similar areas such as sloughs, potholes, wet meadows, river overflows, 

mudflats, and natural ponds. 

Wildlife Analysis Area (WAA)

A division of land used by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for wildlife 

analysis and harvest statistics. 

Wildlife Habitat

The locality where a species may be found and where the essentials for its 

development and sustained existence are obtained. 

Windfirm

Trees that have been exposed to the wind throughout their life and have 

developed a strong root system or trees that are protected from the wind by terrain 

features. 

Windthrow

The act of trees being uprooted by the wind. In Southeast Alaska, Sitka spruce 

and hemlock trees are shallow rooted and susceptible to windthrow. There 

generally are three types of windthrow: 

Endemic: where individual trees are blown over; 

Catastrophic: where a major windstorm can destroy hundreds of acres; and 

Management Related: where the clearing of trees in an area make the adjacent 

standing trees vulnerable to windthrow. 

Winter Range

An area, usually at lower elevation, used by big game during the winter months; 

usually smaller and better defined than summer ranges. 

Yarding

Moving timber from the stump to a collection point done with helicopter, cable or 

shovels. 

Glossary ▪ 4-20 Shady Timber Sale EA 
 4 Literature Cited

Shady Timber Sale EA Literature Cited ▪ 4-21 

Literature Cited 

References 

USDA Forest Service. 1998. Wrangell Island Analysis Report. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Tongass National Forest, R10-MB-371, 71 p. 

Furniss, M.J., T.D. Roelfs, and C.S. Yee. 1991. Road construction and maintenance. 

American Fisheries Society Special Publication 19:297-323. 

USDA Forest Service Heritage Program FY2002 Annual Report. 2002. R10-MR-20. US 

Government Printing Office. Report on file, USDA Forest Service, Tongass National 

Forest, Regional Office, Juneau, Alaska. 

Programmatic Agreement among the USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, the Advisory 

Council on Historic Preservation, and the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer 

regarding the Heritage Resource Management of National Forests in the State of Alaska. 

2002. Agreement # 02MU-111001-076. Manuscript on file, USDA Forest Service, 

Tongass National Forest, Petersburg Supervisor's Office, Petersburg, Alaska. 

Caouette, J. P., M. G. Kramer, and G. J. Nowacki. 2000. Deconstructing the timber 

volume paradigm in management of the Tongass National Forest. Gen. Tech. Rept. 

PNW-GTR-482. 

Cohen, K. A. 1989. Wrangell harvest study: A comprehensive study of wild resource 

harvest and use by Wrangell residents. Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Div. of 

Subsistence, Tech. Paper No. 165. 

Iverson, G. C., G. D. Hayward, K. Titus, E. DeGayner, R. E. Lowell, D. C. CrockerBedford, P. F. Schempf, and J. Lindell. 1996. Conservation assessment for the northern 

goshawk in Southeast Alaska. USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, Gen. Tech. 

Rept. PNW-GTR-387. 

Person, D. K., M. Kirchhoff, V. Van Ballenberghe, G. C. Iverson, and E. Grossman. 

1996. The Alexander Archipelago wolf: A conservation assessment. USDA, PNW 

Research Station, Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-384. 

Person, D.K. 2001. Alexander Archipelago Wolves: Ecology and population viability in 

a disturbed, insular landscape. PhD thesis, University of Alaska – Fairbanks, 174p. 

Suring, L.H., E.J. DeGayner, R.W. Flynn, M.D. Kirchhoff, J.W. Schoen, and L.D. Sheal 

1992c. Habitat Capability Model for Sitka Black-tailed Deer in Southeast Alaska: winter 

habitat. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 
4 Literature Cited

Literature Cited ▪ 4-22 Shady Timber Sale EA 

USDA. 1997a. Tongass land management plan revision, Final environmental impact 

statement. R10-MB-338b. 

USDA. 1997b. Land and resource management plan, Tongass National Forest. R10-

MB-338dd. 

USDA. 1998a. Nemo Loop Timber Sale: Environmental Assessment, Decision Notice, 

and Finding of No Significant Impact. R10-MB-361A. 

USDA. 1998b. Wrangell Island Analysis Report. R10-MB-371. 

USDA. 1998c. Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Policy 

Clarification. USDA Forest Service. 17pp + App. 

USDA. 2000. Doughnut Timber Sale Environmental Assessment. USDA Forest 

Service, Tongass National Forest. Publication No. R10-MB-411. 

USDA Forest Service, 2001. Unpublished Results of SCUBA Dive Survey of Earl West 

(Venus Cove) Log Transfer Facility. 

Alaska Commercial Divers, Inc., 2000. Unpublished Results of SCUBA Dive Survey of 

Pat’s Creek Log Transfer Facility. 

USDA. 2003. Southeast Alaska Proposed Public Road and Ferry Projects. USDA Forest 

Service, Alaska Region. 

USDA. No date. Preliminary forest plant associations of the Stikine Area, Tongass 

National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, R10-TP-72. 
Appendix A 

Unit Cards 
 
Appendix A 

A-1 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 

Table 3-15 Unit Summary Table 

Abbreviations: 

CC = Clearcut 

PC = Patch cut 

Alternative 2 Alternative 3 

Unit # Prescription Acres Prescription Acres 

25 CC with Reserves 44 PC - 60% Reserves 44 

26 CC with Reserves 64 PC - 60% Reserves 110 

27 CC with Reserves 31 PC – 60% Reserves 31 

35 CC with Reserves 22 CC with Reserves 22 

40 CC with Reserves 17 CC with Reserves 17 

42 CC with Reserves 6 CC with Reserves 6 

46 CC with Reserves 13 CC with Reserves 13 

60 CC with Reserves 43 CC with Reserves 18 

63 0 CC with Reserves 10 

Managed acres 

271 

Total acres 240 Total acres 

Actual Harvest acres 

159 
Shady EA Unit Number 25 Treatment Acres: 44 

Volstrata Acres: Low: 1 Medium: 13 High: 30 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 21 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by 

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 98% western hemlock, 1% Alaska yellow-cedar, 

and 1% Sitka spruce. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the western 

hemlock. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is static or 

declining due to mortality and decay. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternative 2 prescribes even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Alternative 3 prescribes patch cuts, generally 5 to 10 acres in size, using conventional cable yarding systems. The 

resulting stand structure will be composed of aggregates of even-aged patches with 60% of the overstory retained unharvested for future entries. 

 All alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: One Class IV stream channel within the unit boundary 

 Mitigation: Avoid pulling logs down the stream channel if possible, or provide at last partial suspension across Class 

IV stream. Split yard to either side of the stream channel.

Soils 

 Concern: Soil disturbance associated with logging. 

 Mitigation: Implement BMP 12.17.

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Raptor observations in vicinity. Marbled murrelet activity. High value deer 

winter habitat. Wildlife corridor values. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least three pieces 

of downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan Marten 

Standards. If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests 

with a forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan 

Raptor Standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities 

from May 1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan Marbled Murrelet Standards. In Alternative 2, wildlife corridor and 

deer winter habitat concerns will be mitigated by marten retention and additional retention wherever possible. In 

Alternative 3, the area between patch cuts along with marten retention will maintain wildlife corridor values and alleviate 

deer winter habitat concerns.

Visuals: 

 Concern: Unit is located along visual priority route (FDR #6270) within the Timber Management LUD. Meet the 

Modification VQO in the foreground from priority use route. Unit boundary is parallel with road for approximately 1/3 

mile. 

 Mitigation: Alternative 2 - Mitigate the impacts of this harvest by leaving a series of variable width leave strips 

between approximately 3-5 landings located along the road. The unit would be yarded to each of these landings in a 

radial pattern. The leave areas between the landings would be roughly wedge-shaped with the apex of the wedge strip 

being roughly 300 to 400 ft. wide then tapering to a lesser width at each landing. Impacts of logging slash at landings 

would be mitigated by burning the slash at the landing, hauling it to a nearby rock pit, or hauling it to a nearby rock pit 

and burning it. Alternative 3 - None

A-2 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
500

600

400

700

800

300

900

1000

1100

900

900

900

500

500

400

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

44 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 25

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 44 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

3 44 Patch Cut – 60% Retention Cable None 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-3
Shady EA Unit Number 26 Treatment Acres: 110 

Volstrata Acres: Low: 2 Medium: 28 High: 80 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 21 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature, multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 85% western and mountain hemlock and 15% 

Sitka spruce. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the western hemlock. The 

understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is static or declining due to 

mortality and decay.

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternative 2 prescribes even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Alternative 3 prescribes patch cuts, generally 5 to 10 acres in size, using conventional cable yarding systems. The 

resulting stand structure will be composed of aggregates of even-aged patches with 60% of the overstory retained unharvested for future entries. 

 All alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: One Class IV stream channel located in the central portion of Unit 26 that flows west to east. 

 

 Mitigation: Avoid pulling logs down the stream channel. Split yard to either side of the stream if possible, or provide 

at least partial suspension across Class IV stream.

Soils 

 Concern: Highly erosive cutslopes along road. 

 Mitigation: Revegetate disturbed cutslopes in a timely manner. Buttress sandy slopes if necessary to facilitate 

establishment of vegetation and reduce sedimentation. Implement BMP 12.17.

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Raptor observations in vicinity. Marbled murrelet observations. High value 

deer winter habitat. Wildlife corridor values. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan Marten 

Standards. If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests 

with a forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan 

Raptor Standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities 

from May 1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan Marbled Murrelet Standards. In Alternative 2, wildlife corridor and 

deer winter habitat concerns will be mitigated by marten retention and additional retention wherever possible. In 

Alternative 3, the area between patch cuts along with marten retention will maintain wildlife corridor values and alleviate 

deer winter habitat concerns.

Visuals: 

 Concern: Unit is located along visual priority route (FDR #6270) within the Timber Management LUD. Meet the 

Modification VQO in the foreground from priority use route. 

Alternative 2 - Unit boundary is parallel with road for approximately 1/2 mile. 

Alternative 3 – Unit boundary is parallel with road for approximately 1 mile. 

 Mitigation: Alternative 2 - Mitigate the impacts of this harvest by leaving a series of variable width leave strips 

between approximately 3-5 landing located along the road. The unit would be yarded to each of these landings in a radial 

pattern. The leave areas between the landings would be roughly wedge-shaped with the apex of the wedge strip being a 

maximum of 300 to 400 feet wide then tapering to a lesser width at each landing. Impacts of logging slash at landings 

would be mitigated by burning the slash at the landing, hauling it to a nearby rock pit, or hauling it to a nearby rock pit 

and burning it. Alternative 3 - None

A-4 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
25

27

26-B

26-A

26-C

500

300

600

900

400

1100

1000

700

800

200

1200

1300

600

700

900

1100

400

500

200

900

800

300

400

900

900

1200

700

600

600

500

1000

500

400

200

1000

800

300

500

300

800

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

110 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 26

1 inch equals 1,000 feet

0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Sub-units Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 B 64 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

3 A, B & C 110 Patch Cut – 60% Retention Cable None 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-5
Shady EA Unit Number 27 Treatment Acres: 31

Volstrata Acres: Low: 0 Medium: 0 High: 31 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 22 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by 

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 95% western hemlock and 5% Sitka spruce. 

The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the western hemlock. The understory is

fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is static or declining due to mortality and 

decay. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternative 2 prescribes even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Alternative 3 prescribes patch cuts, generally 5 to 10 acres in size, using conventional cable yarding systems. The 

resulting stand structure will be composed of aggregates of even-aged patches with 60% of the overstory retained unharvested for future entries. 

 All alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives. 

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: Identified sedimentation into the Class III stream channel located along the western unit edge and noted. 

 Mitigation: Apply BMPs 12.4, 12.6, 12.6a, 13.9, and 13.16. Unit will require layout review to exclude side-slopes to 

Class III streams. Directional fall and split yard away from the two Class III streams located in the N-Central unit portion.

No programmed commercial timber harvest within the Riparian Management Area, defined as the V-notch (side-slope 

break). Manage an appropriate distance beyond the no-harvest zone to provide for a reasonable assurance of windfirmness 

of the Riparian Management Area (pay special attention to the area within one site-potential tree height, 120 feet, of the 

Riparian Management Area). Fall and yard away from the stream located along the far northern edge and within the NCentral Unit portion.

Soils 

 Concern: Erosive cutslopes along road. Six acres of MM14 along backline of unit. 

 Mitigation: Revegetate disturbed cutslopes in a timely manner. Buttress sandy slopes if necessary to facilitate 

establishment of vegetation and reduce sedimentation. Partial suspension to minimize disturbance of surface organic 

material.

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Marbled murrelet observations. High value deer winter habitat. Wildlife 

corridor values. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan marten standards.

If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests with a 

forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan raptor 

standards. Protect Marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities from May

1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan Marbled murrelet standards. In Alternative 2, wildlife corridor and deer winter 

habitat concerns will be mitigated by marten retention and additional retention wherever possible. In Alternative 3, the 

area between patch cuts along with marten retention will maintain corridor values and alleviate deer winter habitat 

concerns.

Visuals: 

 Concern: No Concern 

 Mitigation: None 

A-6 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
26-A

27

900

600

500

700

800

400

1200

1100

1000

1300

300

1400

1500

1600

1700

1800

400

300

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

31 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 27

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 31 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

3 31 Patch Cut – 60% Retention Cable None 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-7
Shady EA Unit Number 35 Treatment Acres: 22 

Volstrata Acres: Non-CFL: 3 Low: 6 Medium: 13 High: 0 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 17 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature, multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by 

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 90% western and mountain hemlock, 7% Sitka 

spruce, 2% western redcedar, and 1% Alaska yellow-cedar. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective 

trees, particularly in the western hemlock. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. 

Net volume growth is static or declining due to mortality and decay. This unit contains 3 acres that is classified in GIS as 

non-Commercial Forest Land (non-CFL). This non-CFL area will be reviewed and updated if needed, during layout. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternatives 2 & 3 prescribe even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Both alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: One Class IV stream channel is present within the unit. 

 Mitigation: Split yard where possible or provide at least partial suspension across the stream channel.

Soils 

 Concern: Steep slopes in eastern part of the unit. 

 Mitigation: Provide full suspension where possible and provide at least partial suspension on slopes greater than 70%. 

Wildlife: 

 Concern: Raptor observation. Marbled murrelet activity. 

 Mitigation: If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor 

nests with a forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan 

raptor standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities 

from May 1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan marbled murrelet standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: Unit is located along visual priority route (FDR #6270) within the Timber Management LUD. Meet the 

Modification VQO in the foreground from priority use route. Unit boundary is parallel with road for approximately 1/2 

mile. 

 Mitigation: Mitigate the impacts of this harvest by leaving a series of variable width leave strips between 

approximately 3-5 landings located along the road. The unit would be yarded to each of these landings in a radial pattern. 

The leave areas between the landings would be roughly wedge-shaped with the apex of the wedge strip being roughly 150 

feet wide then tapering to a lesser width at each landing. Impacts of logging slash at landings would be mitigated by

burning the slash at the landing, hauling it to a nearby rock pit, or hauling it to a nearby rock pit and burning it.

A-8 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
35

300

400

200

50

60

0

0

100

500

500

200

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

22 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 35

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 22 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.24 miles temporary 

3 22 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.24 miles temporary 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-9
Shady EA Unit Number 40 Treatment Acres: 17

Volstrata Acres: Low: 0 Medium: 1 High: 16 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 21 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is two-aged with an overstocked younger cohort of nearly 100% western hemlock ranging in age of 

80- to 120-years, and a scattered older cohort of large Sitka spruce 250+ years of age. This stand resulted from a previous 

landslide or possibly large-scale blowdown. Current stand composition is approximately 99% western hemlock, 1% Sitka 

spruce, and a minor component of Alaska yellow-cedar. The younger cohort is severely overstocked resulting in 

competition-induced mortality. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. However, 

any new growing space created due to mortality will most likely be occupied by the 80 - 120 year-old cohort. Net volume 

growth is increasing, but is well below the site potential due to overstocking. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Both alternatives prescribe even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Both alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: Extensive cut slope erosion located at bottom of unit boundary that parallels the road. 

 Mitigation: Implement BMPs 13.11, 13.14, and 13.17 

Soils 

 Concern: Existing road has slumping/eroding cutslopes. Yarding across it will greatly increase the amount of 

erosion. 

 Mitigation: Avoid yarding over existing slump. Revegetate disturbed cutslopes in a timely manner. Buttress slopes if 

necessary to facilitate establishment of vegetation and reduce sedimentation. Implement BMP 12.17.

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Raptor observations in vicinity. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan marten standards. 

If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests with a 

forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance between March 1 and July 31 to meet Forest Plan raptor 

standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: No concern 

 Mitigation: None 

A-10 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
40

800

900

700

1000

1100

1200

600

1300

1400

800

800

1300

900

1300

80

7

0

00

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

17 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 40

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 17 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

3 17 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-11 
Shady EA Unit Number 42 Treatment Acres: 6 

Volstrata Acres: Low: 1 Medium: 5 High: 0 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 18 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by 

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 65% western and mountain hemlock, 10% Sitka 

spruce, and 25% Alaska yellow-cedar. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in

the western hemlock. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock and Alaska yellow-cedar advanced 

regeneration. Net volume growth is static or declining due to mortality and decay. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternatives 2 and 3 prescribe even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Both alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives. 

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: No concerns within this unit. 

 Mitigation: None

Soils 

 Concern: Steep slopes. 

 Mitigation: Achieve full suspension where feasible, and at least partial suspension on slopes greater than 70%. 

Wildlife: 

 Concern: Possible raptor observation. 

 Mitigation: If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor 

nests with a forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan 

raptor standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: None

 Mitigation: None 

A-12 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
42

700

600

800

900

800

800

700

700

800

700

700

700

700

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

6 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 42

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 6 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.12 miles temporary 

3 6 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.12 miles temporary 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-13 
Shady EA Unit Number 46 Treatment Acres: 13 

Volstrata Acres: Low: 0 Medium: 3 High: 10 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 21 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 95% western hemlock and 5% Sitka spruce. 

The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the western hemlock. The understory is

fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is static or declining due to mortality and 

decay. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alts. 2 and 3 prescribe even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand structure 

will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Both alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: No concerns within this unit. 

 Mitigation: None

Soils 

 Concern: Tall sedge wetlands north of the unit.

 Mitigation: Place harvest unit boundary and road outside of tall sedge wetlands. 

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Raptor observations in vicinity. Marbled murrelet activity. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan marten standards.

If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests with a 

forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan raptor 

standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities from May

1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan marbled murrelet standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: Unit is located along a Visual Priority Route (FDR #6271) within the Timber Management LUD. Unit is 

also in close proximity to the Long Lake Trail (#574) which is a hiking trail listed in the Forest Plan as a Visual Priority

Route. Meet the Modification VQO in the foreground from priority routes and use areas, and meet the Maximum

Modification VQO in the middle and background. Unit boundary is about 125 feet from Long Lake Trail at its closest 

point. 

 Mitigation: District Recreation Technician should be contacted when logging is in progress to mitigate impact to 

recreation users of trail. 

A-14 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
46

800

900

700

1000

1100

600

1200

500

1300

1400

800

700

700

1300

700

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

13 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 46

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 13 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.09 miles temporary 

3 13 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.09 miles temporary 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-15 
Shady EA Unit Number 60 Treatment Acres: 47 

Volstrata Acres: Non-CFL: 15 Low: 1 Medium: 27 High: 4 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 19 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by 

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 66% western hemlock, 17% Alaska yellowcedar, and 17% Sitka spruce. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the 

western hemlock. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is 

static or declining due to mortality and decay. This unit contains 15 acres that is classified in GIS as non-Commercial 

Forest Land (non-CFL). This non-CFL area will be reviewed and updated if needed, during layout. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternatives 2 and 3 prescribe even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Both alternatives employ natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning 

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives.

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: A small section of Class II, HC2 fish habitat located at the NE corner of the unit boundary upstream of RCS

milepost 0.624. Upstream of Class II break, stream becomes Class III forming the edge of the unit boundary. Three other 

Class IV streams are present in Unit 60. 

 

 Mitigation: A 120 foot no-cut buffer will be applied to the Class II stream. Additionally, manage an appropriate 

distance beyond the no-harvest zone to provide for a reasonable assurance of windfirmness of the Riparian Management 

Area (pay special attention to the area within one site-potential tree height of the Riparian Management Area). Provide 

full suspension where possible and provide at least partial suspension across Class IV streams. Apply BMPs 12.6, 12.6a, 

13.9, and 13.16. Unit will require layout review to exclude side-slopes to class three streams.

Soils 

 Concern: No issues. 

 Mitigation: None. 

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Observations indicate a high probability of red-tailed hawk nesting activity

along western portion of unit. Sharp-shinned hawk nest located north and outside of unit boundary. Marbled murrelet 

activity. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan marten standards. 

If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests with a 

forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan raptor 

standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities from May

1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan marbled murrelet standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: Unit is located along a Visual Priority Route (FDR #6270) within the Timber Management LUD. Meet the 

Modification VQO in the foreground from priority use route. 

Alternative 2 - Unit boundary is parallel with road for approximately 1/3 mile, with a leave strip between 60A and 60B. 

 Mitigation: Alternative 2 – To mitigate impacts, retain a leave strip in Unit 60B that is at least 250-300 ft. wide along 

the road. A spur into the unit behind the leave area will take off from the main road through this opening. The actual 

width of the strip will be based on what is needed to visually screen the evidence of harvest in the unit. 

Alternative 3 - None

A-16 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
MP0.07

60-B

60-C

60-A

60-D 800

300

700

500

600

400

900

1000

1100

300

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

47 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 60

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Sub-units Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 A, B & C 43 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.19 miles temporary

3 A, C & D 18 Clearcut with Reserves Cable 0.07 miles temporary

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-17 
Shady EA Unit Number 63 Treatment Acres: 10 

Volstrata Acres: Low: 0 Medium: 6 High: 4 Net Volume (MBF/Acre): 20 MBF 

Unit Development & Stand Description:

 The current stand is an over-mature multi-layered stand that has resulted from gap-phased stand initiation caused by

mortality of overstory trees. Current stand composition is approximately 66% western hemlock, 17% Alaska yellowcedar, and 17% Sitka spruce. The stand consists of a large component of highly-defective trees, particularly in the 

western hemlock. The understory is fully stocked with western hemlock advanced regeneration. Net volume growth is 

static or declining due to mortality and decay. 

Stand Management Objectives:

 Alternative 3 prescribes even-aged regeneration harvest using conventional cable yarding systems. Future stand 

structure will be primarily even-aged with some overstory trees retained for wildlife and biodiversity purposes. 

 Alternative 3 employs natural regeneration and may require supplemental treatments such as precommercial thinning

and timber stand improvement to enhance forest health and timber management objectives. 

Water Quality and Fisheries 

 Concern: There is an HC6 Class III stream that flows from west to east and crosses the 6270 Road. No programmed 

commercial timber harvest within the Riparian Management Area, defined as the V-notch (side-slope break). Manage an 

appropriate distance beyond the no-harvest zone to provide for a reasonable assurance of windfirmness of the Riparian 

Management Area (pay special attention to the area within one site-potential tree height of the Riparian Management 

Area). 

 Mitigation: Apply BMPs 12.6, 12.6a, 13.9, and 13.16. Unit will require layout review to exclude side-slopes to class 

three streams.

Soils 

 Concern: No issue. 

 Mitigation: None. 

Wildlife: 

 Concern: High value marten habitat. Raptor observations. Marbled murrelet observations. 

 Mitigation: Retain at least 7 trees >20 inches DBH (4 live trees and 3 decadent trees) per acre and at least 3 pieces of

downed woody material (>20 inches diameter at large end and 10 feet long) per acre to meet Forest Plan marten standards.

If eggshell fragments or nests are located, flag nearest tree and report to wildlife biologist. Protect raptor nests with a 

forested 600-foot wind-firm buffer and prevent disturbance from March 1 through July 31 to meet Forest Plan raptor 

standards. Protect marbled murrelet nests with a 600-foot wind-firm buffer and minimize disturbance activities from May

1 through June 15 to meet Forest Plan marbled murrelet standards. 

Visuals: 

 Concern: None 

 Mitigation: None 

A-18 ▪ Appendix A Shady Timber Sale EA 
63

63

600

500

700

800

900

1000

400

1100

500

Date Last Edited : February 13, 2004

10 ACRES Shady EA UNIT 63

1 inch equals 500 feet

0 125 250 500 750 1,000 Feet

Riparian Management Area

TTRA Buffer

Existing Managed Stands

State Selected Lands

High Hazard Soils

Inventoried Roadless Area

Lakes

Marten Guidelines Apply

Existing Roads

Existing-drivable

Closed

Unmaintained

Proposed New Temporary Roads

Proposed Unit

Adjacent Proposed Units

Stream AHMU-Class

1

2

3

4

Alt Acres Prescription Harvest System New Roads 

2 

3 10 Clearcut with Reserves Cable None 

Shady Timber Sale EA Appendix A ▪ A-19