Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, and Monitoring 

APPENDIX B 

DESIGN CRITERIA 

MITIGATION MEASURES 

AND 

MONITORING 

Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 3

APPENDIX B – DESIGN CRITERIA, MITIGATION MEASURES, AND MONITORING 

Specific design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring procedures described herein have 

been developed to be used as part of the action alternative. It may be determined that certain 

Federal, State, local, or other permits, cooperative agreements, MOUs, etc., are necessary or 

required as part of implementing Pactola Project Area project actions. The appropriate 

documentation will be obtained prior to initiation of applicable actions. 

Geology, Soil, and Water Resources

• Project design criteria and mitigation measures include USFS Region 2 Watershed 

Conservation Practices (WCPs), Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, South Dakota 

Best Management Practices (BMPs), and industry standard methods for protecting 

geologic, soil, and water resources. 

• The listed design criteria apply to all Federal actions associated with the Pactola Project, 

including Federal actions taking place across non-federal lands with permission of the 

land owner (e.g., access road or stream crossing on private lands adjacent to NFS lands). 

• All applicable USFS Region 2 WCPs will be implemented. WCPs are the required 

BMPs for all Federal actions to ensure compliance with state and national water quality 

laws. WCPs meet or exceed South Dakota BMP requirements. 

• In special situations, adjustments to WCPs can be made but South Dakota BMP 

requirements will be complied with as the absolute minimum protective requirements. 

This case should be the exception rather than the rule. 

• Timber sale layout crews, contract preparers, timber sale administrators and harvest 

inspectors, fire and fuels managers, and engineering personnel should consult the 

Hydrologist prior to operations to confirm applicable WCPs and identify site-specific needs. 

• Refer to Appendix B of the Geology, Soil, and Water Resources Specialist report for a 

complete listing of applicable WCP and BMP measures for all aspects of the project 

planning process, a checklist for compliance with Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, 

and a cross-walk between each source of project implementation measures. Associated 

maps and GIS information pertaining to locations where certain measures should be 

applied are available in the project file. 

Protected Water Bodies and Buffer Requirements 

• All Protected Stream Courses, lakes, ponds, wetlands, springs, fens, and other water 

bodies require a minimum 100-ft. buffer referred to as the Water Influence Zone (WIZ). 

Maps and GIS data for these areas are located in the project file. The hydrologist should 

be consulted to assist in the boundary identification of the protected features and 

communities requiring a 100-ft. buffer. 

• For streams and lakes, the WIZ includes the geomorphic floodplain (valley bottom), 

riparian ecosystem, and inner gorge and has a minimum horizontal width (from the top of

each bank) of 100 ft. of the mean height of mature dominant late-seral vegetation 

whichever is greater. For wider valley bottoms with flatter-gradient stream sections, the 

WIZ may extend beyond 100 ft. due to the wider floodplains and riparian corridors 

associated with these sections (e.g., Rapid Creek). 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 4

Protected Stream Courses 

• Protected Stream Courses include all perennial and intermittent stream segments. All 

known protected stream courses will be identified on the Sale Area Map. These include 

but are not limited to all or portions of the following streams in the project area: Banner 

Gulch, Bear Gulch, Broad Gulch, Custer Gulch, Deer Creek, East Gimlet Creek, East 

Nugget Gulch, Empress Gulch, Fall Draw, Goose Pasture Draw, Gorman Gulch, Hay 

Draw, Jenney Gulch, Jim creek, Kelly Gulch, Magpie Gulch, Middle Nugget Gulch, 

Nugget Gulch, Rapid Creek, Spurgeon Gulch, Stewart Gulch, Sunnyside Gulch, West 

Nugget Gulch, and other un-named channels. 

• Protected Stream Courses – the following Timber Sale Contract Requirements apply: 

o Timber Sale Contract Special Provision RO-C(CT)6.50# – Streamside Management 

Zones will be used in addition to standard contract provisions B(BT)6.5# and 6.62# to 

control purchaser's activities near protected streams and within the WIZ buffer areas 

(aka, Streamside Management Zone) in accordance with specified project design 

criteria. 

o Timber Sale Contract Special Provision RO-C(CT)6.50# – Streamside Management 

Zones should address: 

 100-ft. WIZ buffer requirements; 

 Types of activities that may or may not occur within Protect Stream Courses 

and their WIZ buffers (described below). 

 Management activities can still occur within the WIZ buffer, unless specified 

otherwise, so long as activities are done carefully and in such a manner as to 

limit damage to riparian vegetation, soil disturbance, rutting, sediment delivery

to waters, etc. 

 Avoid ground-based equipment operations within stream-related WIZ buffers 

to the extent possible, except at designated crossings or where otherwise 

approved by the Hydrologist. 

 Approved equipment operations within stream-related WIZ buffers will take 

place during frozen soil conditions (at least 2 in. of frozen soil or at least 1 ft. 

of packed snow is present), unless otherwise approved by the hydrologist. 

 Do not construct new roads, temporary roads, or skid trails within streamrelated WIZ buffers except for designated crossing points or where otherwise 

approved by the hydrologist. Consult the hydrologist and engineer to 

determine site specific needs for crossing points. Refer also to requirements

listed under Stream Crossings. 

Wetlands and Other Water Bodies 

• Pactola Reservoir 

o All WIZ buffer requirements apply to the Pactola Reservoir. 

o Any activities within the identified WIZ buffer should be reviewed by the 

Hydrologist and/or Fishery Biologist prior to layout and implementation. 

Additional erosion control measures may be necessary to prevent sediment 

transport or delivery of floatable woody debris in to the reservoir. These measures 

may include wood mulch, erosion control fiber rolls, silt fencing, or other industry 

standard runoff and erosion control devises. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 5

o Maintain recommended levels of coarse woody debris (CWD) on hillslopes 

adjacent to the reservoir wherever possible to help catch and filter runoff. 

• Wetlands – All known wetlands, including lakes, ponds, marshes, wet meadows, springs, 

fens, and other jurisdictional wetlands meeting US Army Corps of Engineers definitions 

will be identified on the Sale Area Map. The following additional requirements also 

apply specifically to wetlands: 

o Timber Sale Contract Special Provision WO-C(CT)6.62# – Site Specific 

Wetlands Protection Measures will be used in addition to standard contract 

provisions B(BT)6.62# – Wetlands Protection to control logging activities near 

wetlands in accordance with specified project design criteria. 

o Timber Sale Contract Special Provision WO-C(CT)6.62# provision specifications 

for wetlands should address: 

 100-ft. WIZ buffer around all wetlands; 

 Wetlands discovered during operations and not already on the Sale Area 

Map will have the same protective measures applied as those shown on the 

map in accordance with E.O. 11990 – Protection of Wetlands; 

 Restrictions on activities as described below; 

 Additional protective measures specific to fens (also described below). 

o Do not construct new roads, temporary roads, skid trails, or crossings within the 

WIZ buffer associated with wetlands, particularly springs and fens. 

o Relocate existing roads, trails, and crossings outside of the WIZ buffer surrounding

wetlands where possible. 

o Do not allow ground-based equipment operations within the WIZ buffer surrounding 

wetlands, unless site-specifically approved otherwise by the hydrologist. 

o Do not disrupt water supply or drainage patterns into, within, or from wetlands: 

 Avoid locating road drainage structures where they will drain into wetlands; 

 Do not divert water upstream, within, or downstream of wetlands; 

 Do not draft or pump water from wetlands; 

o Avoid any activity that would reduce the long-term organic ground cover in wetlands. 

o Avoid any loss of rare wetlands such as fens and springs by: 

 Avoiding management activities within the WIZ buffer surrounding these 

features, unless site-specifically approved otherwise by the hydrologist. 

This applies to all potential operating seasons and includes crossing 

locations, use of existing roads adjacent to fens and springs, etc. 

 Avoid any activity that would reduce organic soil layers (peat) in fens. 

 Do not treat vegetation or fuels or allow fire within WIZ buffers surrounding 

fens and springs, unless site-specifically approved otherwise by the hydrologist. 

o Timber Sale Contract Standard Provisions B(BT)6.24c and B(BT)6. 422 in addition 

to Special Provision C(CT)6.62 should be used by Sale Administrators to restrict 

equipment use in wetlands discovered during logging operations and not already 

identified on the Sale Area Map. 

All WIZ Buffers (streams, wetlands, and other waterbodies) 

• Do not locate landings and slash piles within any WIZ buffer. This includes decks, 

mechanical and hand-piled slash piles, and the working area associated with landings.

• Do not locate temporary labor or logging camps inside any WIZ buffer. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 6

• Do not locate vehicle service and fuel areas, chemical storage and use areas, and portable 

fire pumps and fuels within any WIZ buffer. Locate these areas on gentle upland sites 

that do not drain towards water features to the extent possible. Refer also to requirements 

listed under Use of Chemical and Petroleum Products. 

• Do not excavate earth material from or store excavated soil, fill, or other debris in any 

WIZ buffer, Protected Stream Course, wetland, riparian areas, floodplains, or drainage 

bottoms (including swales) except where engineered stream crossings are installed. This 

includes slash debris. 

• Refer to Prescribed Fire Operations Within or Near the WIZ for a detailed listing of 

additional requirements pertaining specifically to prescribed fire activities. 

Vegetation Management within WIZ Buffers 

For silvicultural prescriptions that include vegetation management within WIZ buffers (including 

commercial and non-commercial treatments, fuel breaks, and roadside treatments), the following 

requirements also apply: 

• Consult the Hydrologist prior to unit layout and implementation of harvest within WIZ buffers. 

• Timber Sale Contract Special Provision RO-C(CT)6.50# – Streamside Management 

Zones should address the following: 

o Ground-based equipment operations should not occur within 50 ft. of streams, 

wetlands, and other water bodies. 

o Do not cut vegetation within 50 ft. of the each stream bank, lake, pond, wetland, 

spring, or other water body unless site-specifically approved otherwise. This 

includes all tree and shrub species that provide bank stability or shade to these 

water features. 

o Fell trees and conduct yarding in such a way that protects vegetation and soils in 

the WIZ from damage. Ensure at least one-end log suspension in the WIZ. 

100-Year Floodplains 

The following requirements also apply specifically to 100-year floodplains, in addition to other 

listed stream and WIZ requirements: 

• Do not locate landings and piles (including hand piles and burn piles) within the 100-year 

floodplain so as not to restrict any potential flood flows or damage floodplain areas and 

processes. 

• Any vegetation that is felled and left in place should not restrict potential flood flows or 

create a debris-dam hazard. Consult the hydrologist to determine adequacy of these 

treatments in relation to floodplain regulations. 

• Do not locate any temporary labor camps, staging areas, or service and refueling areas in 

the 100-year floodplain. 

• Any new or upgraded structures and facilities or other development in the 100-year

floodplain must be designed to pass the 100-year flood without raising the flood stage 

more than 1 ft. This applies whether the structure is temporary or permanent in nature. 

Examples include culverts, bridges, roads, buildings, land shaping, etc. 

USGS Stream Gage on Rapid Creek near Silver City, SD 

USGS stream gage station #06410500 is located on Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir in the

vicinity of Silver City, SD. Maps and GIS data for this gage site are located in the electronic 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 7

project file. The following protective measures apply in addition to those already listed related 

to streams and WIZ buffers: 

• USGS Gage will be shown on the Timber Sale Area Map as an Area to Protect. 

• Other management activities not associated with a timber sale will adhere to the same 

criteria specified below. This includes non-commercial treatments, fuel reduction, slash 

treatment, and prescribed fire activities (e.g., pile burning). 

• Timber Sale Contract Provisions and management activities related to the USGS gage 

should address and follow: 

o 100-ft. buffer surrounding the gage house, equipment, and associated control and 

measurement section of Rapid Creek; 

o No ground-based equipment operations should take place within the buffer around 

the USGS gage site, unless approved otherwise by the hydrologist. 

o Directionally fell trees away from the gage house, equipment, and associated 

control and measurement stream section of Rapid Creek. Do not fell trees into the 

stream as this alters the gage rating curves for stream flow. 

o Do not create high concentrations of slash or piles within the buffer surrounding 

the USGS gage. 

o No burning should take place within the buffer surrounding the USGS gage to protect 

the sensitive equipment (above and below ground) at the site from heat damage. 

General Soil Requirements for All Operations 

Manage land treatments to limit the sum of severely burned and detrimentally compacted, eroded, 

and displaced land to no more than 15% of any land unit by implementing the following practices: 

• Restrict roads, landings, skid trails, concentrated-use sites, and similar soil disturbances 

to designated sites to limit additional soil disturbance. 

• Areas with potential for slope failures: 

o Ground-based equipment operations, including temporary roads, road 

construction, and off-road travel, should be avoided. A map and GIS data for 

these locations is located in the project file. 

o Large, contiguous areas intended for vegetation management will require 

suspended logging systems (e.g., cable logging). 

o If access across small, isolated areas is absolutely necessary, a Hydrologist will be 

consulted prior to work to identify a stable travel route, if possible, and any 

necessary mitigation measures. 

• Off-road, ground-based equipment operations should take place during dry or frozen 

conditions to limit soil compaction and rutting. This applies to all soil types. 

o Dry soil conditions: soil cannot be rolled into 3 mm. threads or larger without 

breaking or crumbling. 

o Frozen conditions: at least 2 in. of frozen soil or at least 1 ft. of packed snow is 

present. 

o Where soil moisture is higher, low-impact equipment operations on slash may be 

used with close monitoring in order to complete project activities in a timely manner. 

• Avoid soil-disturbing actions during periods of heavy rain or wet soils to prevent rutting, 

compaction, erosion, and sediment delivery to streams. Shut down harvest operations 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 8

and apply travel restrictions as necessary to protect roads and soil and water resources 

until soil has dried out. 

• Harvest and Skidding operations: 

o Avoid ground-based harvest and skidding equipment operations on sustained 

slopes steeper than 40%. 

o Designated skid trails will be used on soils with elevated risk of compaction and 

erosion. Designated skid trails should be spaced approximately 100 ft. apart 

center to center to limit soil disturbance in these areas. GIS data and a map of 

these soils can be found in the project file. 

o Track-mounted felling equipment may be operated off trail as long as soil moisture 

conditions allow. Consider operating on slash mats for further protection of soils. 

• Keep harvest and skidding equipment out of ephemeral channels and drainages to the extent 

practical in order to prevent soil rutting and compaction and connection to surface waters. 

o Avoid construction of temp roads, skid roads, and primary skid trails in ephemeral 

drainages as much as possible. 

o Secondary skid trails in ephemeral drainages are generally acceptable. 

o Rehabilitate these areas following use. Such actions could include, but are not 

limited to: scarifying skid trails and/or landings to alleviate soil compaction; 

adding slash to scarified surfaces to aid in hydrologic recovery; and seeding with 

weed-free, native species to aid in establishment of vegetation. 

• If Timber Sale Administrators or Watershed personnel find detrimental soil disturbance 

levels have exceeded the 15% threshold during or following implementation of logging

activities, immediate rehabilitation actions will be taken to improve soil conditions with 

an overall net improvement in soil quality. 

Landing Locations and Slash Piles 

Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to soil and water resources associated with landing 

locations (including decks and piles) and slash piles by implementing the following practices: 

• Locate slash piles that are scheduled for burning out of meadows that contribute to 

Waters of the United States. Use a buffer distance designed to keep sediment, as, and 

debris out of channels. See Appendix J of the Forest Plan for buffer criteria (Guideline 

4111). Avoid placing slash piles in meadows and grasslands. If unavoidable, slash piles

and log deck areas should be placed on the edges of these meadows and grasslands. 

• Existing landing locations and roads should be used where practical versus creating new 

locations. 

• Do not re-use previously created sites within WIZ buffers or meadows that contribute to 

Waters of the United States. 

• Minimize landing size and number to the minimum needed. 

• Design landings to have proper drainage. Do not direct drainage into streams, wetlands, 

and other water bodies. 

• Machine piling of slash: leave topsoil in place and avoid displacing soil into piles or 

windrows. 

• After use, rehabilitate landings and burned slash piles by scarifying, and seeding. Install 

and maintain erosion control measures around burned or barren landing areas upslope or 

adjacent to water bodies or WIZ buffers until vegetation has established. This measure 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 9

also helps prevent weed spread from upland sites into streams, wetlands, and other water 

bodies. Examples include wood straw mulch, runoff and erosion control wattles or rolls, 

silt fence, or other measures to separate burned piles from water resources until 

vegetation has recovered. Consult the Hydrologist for site-specific needs. 

Coarse Woody Debris (CWD) 

Provide for long term soil productivity, moisture retention, and wildlife habitat requirements by 

implementing the following: 

• Retain 5-10 tons/acre of coarse woody debris (CWD) on site after harvest and slash 

disposal, except where fuel loading needs to be reduced to meet other resource objects 

(e.g., fuel guides). 

• CWD should be dispersed throughout the unit and should include both a diversity of size 

and decay stages. 

• Of the 5-10 total tons/acre of CWD, retain the following pertaining to stand type: 

o Ponderosa Pine Sites: retain an average of at least 50 linear feet per acre of CWD 

with a minimum diameter of 10 in. 

o Spruce Sites: retain an average of at least 100 linear feet per acre of CWD with a 

minimum diameter of 10 in. 

Treatments within Hardwood Stands or “Spruce Bottoms” 

Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to moist soils, riparian vegetation, and water 

resources associated with hardwood stands and spruce bottoms by implementing the following 

practices, in addition to the standard practices already listed: 

• Ground-based equipment operations within and immediately surrounding hardwood 

stands and “spruce bottoms” should take place during frozen soil conditions. Frozen 

conditions are those where at least 2 in. of frozen soil or at least 1 ft. of packed snow is

present. 

• Skidding through hardwood stands and spruce bottoms should also be minimized, except 

at designated crossings, in order to protect the moist soils in these areas and prevent soil 

compaction and riparian disturbance. 

• Avoid locating landings and piles scheduled for burning in hardwood stands to protect 

soils. 

• Many hardwood stands and spruce bottoms coincide with streams and riparian buffers. 

Refer to the Protected Water bodies and Water Influence Zones section for other

practices that also apply. 

Meadow Treatments 

Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to soil resources associated with meadows by 

implementing the following practices: 

• Consult with the Hydrologist prior to cutting any vegetation within the WIZ buffer (100-ft.) 

surrounding streams, wetlands, and other water bodies that may be located within meadows 

designated for treatment in order to retain enough trees for shade and bank stability. 

• Do not place or fell slash into streams, wetlands, or other water bodies. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 10

• Refer also to requirements for Protected Water bodies and WIZ Buffers. 

• Refer also to requirements for General Ground Operations. 

• Refer also to requirements for Landing Locations and Slash piles. 

Fuel Breaks and Roadside Treatments 

• Fuel break and roadside treatments along streams and within floodplains will avoid groundbased equipment operations to protect soil and water resources within the 100-ft. WIZ. 

• Fuel break and roadside treatments should use manual labor where slopes exceed 40%. 

• Refer also to requirements for Protected Water bodies and WIZ Buffers 

• Refer also to requirements for General Ground Operations. 

• Refer also to requirements for Landing Locations and Slash piles. 

Roads and Trails 

Road Location, Construction, and Maintenance 

• Use existing roads and trails to the extent practical. Minimize construction of new and 

temporary roads. 

• Construct roads on ridge tops, stable upper slopes, or wide valley terraces if practicable. 

Stabilize soils onsite by retaining stabilizing vegetation on unstable soils and slopes. 

End-haul soil if full-bench construction is required. 

• Avoid locating roads on unstable or highly erodible soils, or slopes steeper than 70%. 

• Construct roads with out-sloped and rolling grades instead of ditches and culverts where 

possible. 

• All roads and trails, including forwarding and skid trails, and temp roads, will have drainage 

control structures installed and regularly maintained prior to and during operations. 

• Drainage structure spacing should use the following guidelines shown in Table 1. Refer 

also to Prescribed Fire Operations, Fire Control Lines for construction and spacing 

guidelines pertaining specifically to water bars (Figure 1, Table 2). 

Table 1: Drainage Structure Spacing Guidelines for Roads and Trails 

Road or Trail 

Grade

Maximum Spacing 

Between Structures

2% 250 feet

5% 135 feet

10% 80 feet

15% 60 feet

20% 45 feet

• Drainage structures should be maintained prior to and following storm events occurring 

throughout the life of operations. Drainage structures will be in good working order prior

to leaving the work area for seasonal shut down or upon closure of Timber Sale units. 

• Armor rolling dips as needed to prevent rutting damage. 

• Empty cross drains onto stable slopes that disperse runoff into filter strips. Avoid 

locating cross-drain outlets at heads of streams, unstable soils, and highly erodible soils. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 11

• On soils that have a high erosion potential, armor outlets to disperse runoff. Tighten 

cross-drain spacing as necessary so gullies are not created. 

• Limit road construction, reconstruction, and maintenance actions during periods of heavy

rain or wet soils. Apply travel restrictions to protect soil and water until soil has dried out. 

• Do not disturb ditches during maintenance and/or reconstruction activities unless needed 

to restore drainage capacity or repair damage. Do not undercut the cut slope. 

• Properly compact fills and keep woody debris out of them. 

• Apply seed to cuts and fills upon final shaping to restore ground cover, using certified 

weed-free seed with local native plants; avoid persistent or invasive exotic plants. Provide 

sediment control measures until vegetation has re-established. Consult with Transportation 

Engineer and Hydrologist to determine appropriate erosion control measures for each site. 

• Winter operations and road use: 

o Maintain roads as needed to keep the road surface drained during thaws and break-ups.

o Do not use riparian areas, wetlands or streams for snow storage or disposal. 

o Remove snow berms and/or create a drainage point in the berm at drainage structures. 

o Use the minimum amount of sand, salt, or other de-icing substances (e.g., MagChloride) necessary to provide safe winter travel conditions. Avoid dispersal of 

these de-icing agents into streams, wetlands, and other water bodies. 

• Temporary roads: 

o Limit temp roads to the bare minimum needed to accomplish project objectives. 

o Rehabilitate temp roads as soon as possible after activities are completed (ideally 

within one year following completion of use and definitely prior to accepting 

Timber Sale and/or unit as complete). 

o Rehabilitation: will include at a minimum scarification of the road template, seeding, 

and slash placement. Partial or full re-contouring should be done where cut slopes 

are greater than 4 ft. high. Refer also to requirements listed under Stream Crossings 

for rehabilitation requirements related to temporary stream crossings. 

o Where temp roads cross or join National Forest System Roads (NFSR), block 

access through slash placement, boulders, or other means. 

• Existing road segments immediately adjacent to fens and wetlands will implement the 

following requirements in addition to others already listed: 

o Relocate existing road segments identified as access or haul routes for timber 

harvest activities that are adjacent to fens outside the 100-ft. WIZ where possible. 

o Road segments that cannot be relocated further away from fens will receive road 

surface armoring to minimize erosion and sediment transport to fens; rolling dips 

will be installed on the road corresponding to the outer extents of fen areas to 

direct road runoff through filter strips and away from fens; and erosion control 

devices such as silt fence, wood-straw mulch, and/or fiber rolls will be installed 

parallel to the road edge to prevent sediment delivery to fens. 

o Refer also to site-specific requirements for NFSR 249 – Nugget Gulch listed 

previously under Protected Water Bodies and Buffer Requirements. 

Stream Crossings 

• Avoid crossing Protected Stream Courses to the extent practical. 

• If a stream crossing is absolutely necessary, the Zone Hydrologist(s) will be consulted to 

identify a stable crossing location and any site-specific mitigation needs. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 12

• Favor bridges, bottomless arches or buried pipe-arches for those streams with identifiable 

flood plains and elevated road prisms, instead of pipe culverts. 

• Favor armored fords for those streams where vehicle traffic is either seasonal or 

temporary, or the ford design maintains the channel pattern, profile and dimension. 

• Avoid creating permanent low water crossings or “fords” on perennial and intermittent streams. 

• Upgrade or remove existing un-improved low water crossings prior to road use on the

following roads: 

o NFSR 258.1A – three non-functional low-water crossings. 

o NFSR 436.1D – six low-water crossings. 

o NFSR 261.1B (now trail 6208) – Hay Draw; low-water crossing on perennial 

section of stream within fen and wetland complex 

o U190186 (now seasonal Trail 6832) – numerous crossings and closely parallels creek. 

o U6061 (now seasonal Trail 6805) – multiple creek crossings and closely parallels creek. 

• Existing problems at improved stream crossings on the following roads must be repaired 

prior to road use: 

o NFSR 677 – Middle Nugget Gulch: existing culvert is crushed and plugged. 

• Engineering personnel should work with Watershed personnel to appropriately size and 

place structures. 

• New and replacement stream crossing structures must be designed to pass flood flows, 

sediment, bed load, and debris, as well as provide for aquatic organism passage. 

• Install stream crossings on straight and resilient stream reaches, as perpendicular to flow 

as possible. Install stream crossings to sustain bankfull dimensions of width, depth, and 

slope and keep streambeds and banks resilient. 

• Stream crossings will meet US Army Corps of Engineers and State permits where applicable. 

• Discharge of dredged or fill material shall not take place between October 15 and April 1, 

when water flow is present, in the following streams identified as supporting coldwater 

fisheries by the SD DENR: Rapid Creek, East Gimlet Creek Jenny Gulch Creek, Kelly Gulch 

Creek, and West Nugget Gulch. These activities are typically bridge or culvert placement at 

road-stream crossings. This regional condition meets the mandatory provision to avoid 

discharges into spawning areas if practicable alternatives exist (33 CFR 323.4). Consult the 

Hydrologist and Fishery Biologist prior to stream crossing installations on these streams for 

site-specific design needs. 

• Equipment used to install, maintain, or replace stream crossing structures should work 

from stream banks as much as possible and avoid working in the stream itself. 

Equipment crossings during construction should be minimized. 

• Installation and construction work should be accomplished during low stream flows to 

minimize sediment transport downstream. Temporary coffer dams or routing of water 

around the site may be necessary. 

• Stream crossings on Rapid Creek: No additional permanent stream crossings (culvert or 

low-water) should be established on this perennial stream. Temporary bridge crossings 

may be established on these streams if cross-stream access is necessary and unavailable 

through existing routes. 

• Remove temporary crossings as soon as possible following end of use (not to exceed one 

year) and prior to unit acceptance as complete (if part of a Timber Sale Contract). 

o Remove all fill material from the active channel and floodplain. 

o Restore the channel width, depth and slope to match natural, stable conditions. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 13

o Apply certified weed-free seed, with local native plants. 

o Install erosion control measures such as wood straw mulch, erosion control 

wattles, etc. until vegetation is re-established. 

Road Specific Requirements for Selected Protected Water Bodies and WIZ Buffers 

• NFSR 142 – Kelly Gulch and Protected Stream Course and Wetlands requirements: 

o Avoid hauling and other increased traffic use on NFSR 142 - Kelly Gulch Road to 

the extent possible in order to protect sensitive and degraded stream and wetland 

resources from further disturbance. 

o If limited use of NFSR 142 is necessary, mitigation of the existing eleven, unimproved low water crossings must take place prior to road use. This includes 

upgrading crossing structures or removing the existing low-water crossings 

through route relocation. Consult the hydrologist and engineer for site-specific 

design requirements associated with each of the eleven crossings. 

• NFSR 249 – Nugget Gulch Road and Protected Stream Course and Wetlands requirements: 

o Avoid hauling and other increased traffic use on NFSR 249 between the junction 

with NFSR 249.2F, east to the junction with NFSR 251 in order to protect 

sensitive and degraded stream and wetland resources in the Nugget Gulch valley 

from further disturbance. The segment of NFSR 249 south of the junction with 

NFSR 249.2F is acceptable for hauling and increased traffic use (from water 

resources perspective). 

o If limited use of this segment of NFSR 249 is necessary, mitigation of the existing 

six, un-improved low water crossings located in this section must take place prior to 

road use. This includes upgrading crossing structures or removing the existing lowwater crossings through route relocation. Consult the hydrologist and engineer for 

site-specific design requirements associated with each of the six crossings. 

o Relocate/Reconstruct the segment of NFSR 249 (near the junction with NFSR 

677) that is immediately adjacent to the fen. Road segment should be relocated 

east to edge of valley and outside of the WIZ buffer prior to logging activities and 

road use. Consult with hydrologist and engineer for site-specific designs.

Prescribed Fire Activities 

Avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects of prescribed fire activities to soils, streams, 

wetlands, and other watershed resources by implementing the following practices: 

Prescribed Fire Operations 

• Conduct prescribed fires and pile burning when soil and humus are moist to minimize fire 

intensity and soil heating. The recommended minimum soil and humus (duff) moistures 

levels to prevent lethal soil temperatures, based on current research conducted by USFS 

Research Stations (Busse, 2006) are: 

o Soil moisture content greater than 20% by volume. 

o Humus (duff) moisture content greater than 55%. 

• Manage fire intensity to maintain sufficient levels of duff and residual ground cover to 

prevent erosion on burned sites: 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 14

o Conduct prescribed burning so that 50-70% vegetative ground cover is 

maintained. Seed and/or slash areas that have less than 50% ground cover at the 

end of the first growth season following prescribed burning. 

o Following broadcast burning on slopes greater than 30%: apply approved seed if 

ground cover is less than 60%. 

• Include monitoring of hydrophobic soil conditions following prescribed burning in burn 

plans. 

• Use low intensity prescribed fire on steep slopes or highly erodible soils. GIS data and 

maps of these areas can be found in the project file. 

• Avoid fire equipment operation on unstable or steep slopes (greater than 40% slope). 

• Use fire initiation techniques, control methods, and access locations for ignition and 

control (holding versus escape conditions) that minimize potential effects to soil, water 

quality and riparian resources. Refer to the Interagency Standards for Minimum Impact 

Suppression Tactics (M.I.S.T.). 

• Locate access and staging areas outside of WIZ buffers and to the extent possible, out of 

meadows. Re-use existing disturbed sites such as landings where possible. 

• Keep staging areas as small as possible while allowing for safe and efficient operations. 

Design staging areas to have proper drainage to minimize and control concentrated water 

flow and sediment where necessary. Do not direct drainage into streams, wetlands, and 

other water bodies. 

• Store fuel for ignition devices in areas away from surface water bodies and wetlands. 

This includes gas-powered pumps used for drafting. Absorbent cloths will be used under 

pumps for spill protection. 

• Restore and stabilize staging areas after use. Collect and properly dispose of trash and 

other solid waste. Scarify, seed, and fertilize where necessary. Install and maintain 

erosion control measures upslope or adjacent to water bodies or WIZ buffers until 

vegetation has established. This measure also helps prevent weed spread from upland 

sites into streams, wetlands, and other water bodies. Examples include wood straw 

mulching, runoff and erosion control wattles or rolls, silt fence, etc. Consult the 

Hydrologist for site-specific needs. 

Fire Control Lines 

• Use existing and natural barriers such as existing roads and trails, utility corridors, barren 

or low fuel hazard areas (rock talus or meadows, etc.), where possible, to minimize the 

need for fire line construction and minimize soil disturbance. 

• Locate and construct fire control lines to minimize soil disturbance, runoff and erosion: 

o Construct fire control line to the minimum size and standard necessary to contain 

the fire and meet overall resource objectives. 

o Build fire control lines with rolling grades and minimum downhill convergence. 

o Construct fire line cross-contour on steep slopes rather than vertically up and 

down the slope where possible. 

o Construct or install, and maintain runoff and erosion control measures until fire 

line is stabilized by vegetation. These include construction of water bars, slash 

filters, seeding or other erosion control measures. 

o Water bars should be located and constructed the appropriate distance apart and at 

a diagonal to the road surface, so that they divert, discharge, and dissipate the 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 15

erosive energy of the flowing water. Refer to Figure 1 from the Five-D System 

for Effective Fireline Water Bars (Furniss, 2001). 

o Space runoff and erosion measures according to the following commonly used 

rule of thumb: 

 Stand at a water bar or other drainage feature and look upslope at the fire 

line surface. 

 Extend the line of sight to the ground and place another water bar at that 

location. 

 With this general guideline, steeper sections will have more and closerspaced water bars, while flatter sections will have fewer water bars spaced 

further apart. 

 Table 2 presents the maximum spacing distances for water bars on fire 

control lines based on slope. These guidelines can also be applied to 

roads. 

Figure 1: Five components for effective waterbars (Furniss, 2001). 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 16

Table 2: Recommended waterbar spacing based on fireline or road slope (Furniss, 2001) 

Fire Line or 

Road Slope Maximum Spacing 

1 - 6 % 300 ft 

7 - 9 % 200 ft 

10 - 14 % 150 ft 

15 - 20 % 90 ft 

21 - 40 % 50 ft 

41 - 60 % 25 ft 

• Do not build fire control lines in or around streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, fens, and other 

wet areas within the 100-ft. WIZ buffer unless needed to protect life, property, or prevent 

fire from entering these areas. If fire control lines are necessary in these areas, use hand 

lines or wet line to minimize disturbance to soil and riparian or wetland vegetation. 

• For the Pactola Project, streams, ponds or wetland features generally should not be used as 

natural fire barriers unless the hydrologist approves this on a site-specific basis. This is 

because of the presence of fens adjacent to streams and riparian vegetation (e.g., mosses 

and willows, some of which may be Sensitive status). GIS data and a map of water 

features that should not be used as natural fire breaks can be found in the project file. 

• For other water features identified as being acceptable for natural fire control lines, retain 

organic ground cover in filter strips during prescribed fires. 

• Do not ignite fire or allow fire to burn through fens and organic soils. Do not use fens or areas 

with organic soils as natural fire containment lines to avoid irreversible damage to these areas. 

• Rehabilitate or otherwise stabilize fire control lines when operations are complete and risk of 

rekindle is no longer a concern. Refer to examples of rehabilitation techniques listed 

previously under Roads and Trails, Temporary Roads for examples. Consult the hydrologist 

for site-specific needs and adequacy of rehabilitation efforts to prevent runoff and erosion. 

Slash Piling and Burning 

• Pile and burn only the slash that is necessary to be disposed of in order to achieve 

treatment objectives while still meeting Forest Plan requirements for levels of dead, 

downed wood (5-10 tons/acre with lengths, etc.). 

• Locate burn piles in areas where the potential for soil and water effects is lessened (previously 

disturbed sites, rock outcrops, etc.) and that do not interfere with natural drainage patterns. 

• Construct piles in such a manner as to create compact, dense piles that minimize the 

overall pile size and “burn footprint” on the land. 

• Avoid burning large stumps and sections of logs in slash piles to reduce the fire residence 

time and intensity and prevent severely burned soils. 

• Avoid pile burning when conditions will cause the fire to burn too hot and damage soil 

conditions. 

• Avoid piling and burning for slash removal in the WIZ unless site-specifically approved 

otherwise. 

• If burned piles have ash depths greater than 3 in., scatter the ash, and/or scarify and mix 

with mineral soil before applying seed. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 17

Prescribed Fire Operations within or near Watershed Influence Zones (WIZ) 

• Avoid fire-related vehicle and earth-moving equipment operation within the WIZ except 

where roads already exist or when necessary to provide for fire fighter safety or 

protection of property. Prevent fire-related vehicle and earth-moving equipment 

operations through streams, wetlands, riparian areas, and fens at all times. 

• Do not build fire control lines in or around streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, springs, fens, 

and other wet areas within the 100-ft. WIZ buffer unless needed to protect life, property, 

or prevent fire from entering these areas. 

• If fire control lines are necessary in these areas, use hand lines or wet line to minimize 

disturbance to soil and riparian/wetland vegetation. Maximize the distance from water 

bodies as much as possible. 

• Avoid piling and burning for slash removal in the WIZ unless site-specifically approved 

otherwise. 

• Use prescribed fire in the WIZ only when suitable to achieve long-term desired 

conditions and management objectives. Prescribed fire should generally be avoided in 

the WIZ buffers for Pactola Project unless the Hydrologist determines otherwise based on 

site-specific conditions for each individual WIZ buffer. 

• Do not ignite within the WIZ. However, fire may be allowed to burn naturally through 

the WIZ unless specified otherwise (e.g., springs, fens, organic soils, etc.) and as long as 

it does not contradict with other resource values. 

• For any WIZ areas that must be treated using prescribed fire, manage fire intensity in the 

WIZ to produce low intensity burning to minimize removal of organic layers and damage 

to fire-intolerant riparian/wetland vegetation. 

• Avoid high fire intensity in the WIZ by pre-treating the WIZ and drainage ways to reduce 

excessive fuel loadings and prevent severely burned soils and associated runoff and 

erosion. For example, hand pile fuels in these areas and burn prior to broadcast burning 

or move fuels outside of the WIZ, dispersing for broadcast burn or spot pile. Avoid 

concentrations of fuels that would result in intense fire burning and damage to soils and 

wetland/riparian vegetation. 

• Avoid slash placement or reduce fuel loadings in or immediately adjacent to drainage channels, 

streams, and wetlands to avoid intense burning in these areas and prevent flow blockages. 

• When burning steep ground adjacent to the WIZ, it may be necessary to retain a slashfree zone to prevent intense burning and maintain vegetation for buffering any runoff and 

erosion generated from these steep slopes. 

• Fully rehabilitate fire control lines in the WIZ after prescribed fire operations are 

complete. This includes full restoration of slopes and drainage features. Water bars 

alone are not enough to prevent runoff, erosion, and sediment delivery within the WIZ. 

Consult the hydrologist for site-specific fire line restoration needs. Refer also to PostFire Operations Rehabilitation and Cleanup. 

• Do not store or locate refueling sites within 150 ft. of streams and other water bodies. 

Inspect equipment used for transportation, storage or application of fire ignition fuels 

daily for leaks. If leaks or spills occur, use absorbent pads or install emergency traps to 

contain them and clean them up. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 18

Water Sources for Prescribed Fire

• Consider establishing a network of permanent water sources in the project area for fire 

control and suppression (e.g., dry hydrants, reinforced road approaches to drafting sites, etc.). 

• Temporary coffer dams should be constructed with materials and means that do not 

induce sediment into the stream (e.g., existing log jams or rock dams, Watergate© 

temporary coffer dams, etc.). Overflow should go directly back into the stream and 

should not cause scour or erosion of the stream banks or channel bed. 

• Minimize disturbance to stream banks and channel bed such as excavation or moving 

rocks and boulders to create a drafting pool. 

• All temporary facilities for gathering water will be removed or modified to allow water 

flow prior to high flow periods and when no longer needed. 

• Any damage to resources caused by water development shall be remediated and restored 

to original conditions to the extent possible. Consult the Hydrologist for site-specific 

restoration needs. 

• Locate fuel-powered pumps as far away from surface water and wetland sites as possible 

and use absorbent spill cloths under pumps at all times to contain any leakage. 

• Conduct water drafting at suitable locations and in a manner that avoids or minimizes 

adverse effects to water quality, aquatic life, and water-dependent terrestrial species: 

o Drafting should not take place within or near fens or springs. 

o The pumping rate generally should not exceed 10% of the stream flow, or 350 

gallons per minute, whichever removes the greater volume of water. 

o The effect of single or multiple pumping operations at the same location should 

not result in obvious draw-down in stream pools upstream or downstream of the 

drafting site, or in ponds and impoundments. 

Post-Fire Operations Rehabilitation and Cleanup 

• Reclaim and stabilize disturbed areas including safety zones, fire lines and staging areas. 

o Reshape the ground surface and install suitable drainage features to promote dispersed 

runoff from the site and prevent erosion and sediment delivery to water bodies. 

o Mitigate soil compaction to improve infiltration and vegetative recovery where 

necessary. 

o Out-slope or back-blade, permanently drain, slash, and seed fire lines when burn 

operations are complete. 

o Use certified weed-free seed, and local native plants; avoid persistent or invasive 

exotic plants. 

• Repair roads, trails and other facilities damaged by prescribed fire activities that may 

adversely affect water quality and riparian resources. 

o Reconstruct roads damaged by mechanized equipment to stabilize the road prism 

and running surface, and restore drainage features. 

o Close or decommission roads opened for access in a condition that limits human, 

vehicle and livestock access and reduces the risk of adverse effects to hydrologic 

function and water quality. Refer to rehabilitation techniques listed previously 

under Roads and Trails, Temporary Roads for examples. Consult the Hydrologist 

for site-specific needs. 

o Repair and clear any debris from water conveyance structures, such as ditches and 

culverts, to reduce the potential for blockage and damage during runoff events. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 19

• Clearing of large concentrations of fire-created debris within the 100-year floodplain and 

from streams channels may be necessary to reduce the potential for transport in runoff 

events (floods), formation of debris jams, and other flood-related damages. Consult with 

the hydrologist prior to removing debris to determine if necessary and any additional sitespecific requirements. 

• Evaluate the completed burn to identify sites that may need stabilization treatments or 

monitoring to minimize soil and site productivity loss, or deterioration of water quality 

both within and downslope/downstream of prescribed fire units. 

Use of Petroleum and Chemical Products 

• Prepare Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan per the requirements of 40 

CFR 112. 

Geologic and Groundwater Resources Monitoring Items 

Spring and Fen ecosystems 

WHERE: All springs; All potential and confirmed fen locations. 

WHY: Region 2 Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook requires this 

monitoring as part of Management Measure 6. This item also addresses Forest

Plan Objectives 104, 213, and Standard 1302. 

WHO: Watershed personnel with interdisciplinary resources as needed (e.g., botany, 

wildlife, etc.) 

HOW: Monitor fens for integrity of organic ground cover and organic soil layers, plant 

community composition and structure, soil structure, water levels, and drainage 

patterns. Monitoring will follow Forest Service Groundwater Dependent 

Ecosystems (GDE) Assessment methods (USDA Forest Service, 2009h). Photomonitoring points; ocular assessments of ground cover and vegetation; ocular 

assessments of any erosion or sediment transport to fens and buffer areas; 

piezometer (monitoring well) installation and periodic water level monitoring. 

WHEN: Prior to, during, and following project implementation. Photo-monitoring points 

and piezometers will need to be installed prior to management activities. Other 

monitoring should take place both during and following thinning, harvest, 

prescribed burning, and road-related activities. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., KV, WFHF, NFIM, NFVW fund codes). 

Soil Resources Monitoring Items 

Soil disturbance and effective soil cover 

WHERE: Within prescribed burn units and vegetation management units. 

WHY: Federal land managers are directed to manage forest and rangeland 

ecosystems to maintain or improve soil quality (FSM 2550); and to manage land 

treatments to limit the sum of severely burned soil and detrimentally compacted, 

eroded, and displaced soil to no more than 15% of any activity area (FSH 2509.18 

and Region 2 supplements). Region 2 Watershed Conservation Practices (WCPs) 

Handbook requires this monitoring as part of Management Measures 2 and 13. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 20

Black Hills National Forest supplement to FSM 2520 stipulates at least 50% ground 

cover requirements. This monitoring also meets the Forest Plan Monitoring Item 2:

SOILS – Soil Productivity and Item 3: SOILS – Revegetation; and addresses Forest 

Plan Objective 104, Standards 1103 and 1112, and Guideline 4106. 

WHO: Watershed personnel. 

HOW: Quantitative soil transects, ocular methods, cover-frequency method, infiltration 

tests for hydrophobicity, or other accepted monitoring methods as outlined in the 

Forest Service Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol (USDA Forest Service, 

2009). Not all units on this particular project may be selected for monitoring. 

WHEN: Prior to and following burning and vegetation management activities. Inspect sites 

at one and three years following initial seeding/revegetation, and five years after 

if necessary. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., KV, WFHF, NFTM fund codes). 

If monitoring finds that soil disturbance exceeds the 15% detrimental disturbance threshold 

(however unlikely this may be), then rehabilitation actions must be taken to improve soil 

conditions with a net improvement in soil quality, as directed by FSM 2550 and the Region 2 

Supplement to FSM 2550. Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines 1103 and 1109 also address 

the need for rehabilitation. In this case, rehabilitation measures are required regardless of the 

sources contributing to the detrimental soil disturbance, e.g., timber harvest operations, 

prescribed fire, public user damage, or natural disturbances. Such areas will be rehabilitated 

using scientifically proven methods as necessary. 

 

Organic Matter and Nutrient cycling: Fines and Coarse Woody Debris 

WHERE: Within prescribed burn units and thinning units. 

WHY: Federal land managers are directed to manage forest and rangeland 

ecosystems to maintain or improve soil quality (FSM 2550); Region 2 Watershed 

Conservation Practices Handbook requires this monitoring as part of Management 

Measures 14. Monitoring of this item addresses Forest Plan Objective 212 and 

10-04, Standards 1102 and 2308, and Guidelines 1102a, 2307, 4105. 

WHO: Watershed personnel (Fire and Fuels personnel may also participate). 

HOW: Transects tied to Soil Monitoring Item #1 (Forest Service Soil Disturbance 

Protocol) or photo-estimation of representative harvest and prescribed burn units. 

Not all units on this particular project may be selected for monitoring. 

WHEN: Prior to and following burning and thinning activities. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., KV, WFHF, NFTM fund codes). 

Revegetation of disturbed sites 

WHERE: Disturbed sites such as skid trails, landings, temporary roads, road cuts/fills, and 

prescribed burn units. 

WHY: Federal land managers are directed to manage forest and rangeland ecosystems to 

maintain or improve soil quality (FSM 2550); Region 2 Watershed Conservation 

Practices Handbook requires this monitoring as part of Management Measures 11, 

12, and 14. Monitoring of this item addresses Forest Plan Objective 104; Forest 

Plan Standards 1106, 1109, 1110, and 1112; Forest Plan Guideline 1111; and 

Forest Plan Monitoring Item 3: SOILS – Revegetation. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 21

WHO: Timber Sale Administrator, Hydrologist 

HOW: Field inspection of revegetated sites. Dependent upon availability of funds, and 

may be funded through project funds. 

WHEN: Inspect sites at one and three years following initial seeding/revegetation, and five 

years after if necessary. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., KV, WFHF, NFIM, NFVW fund codes). 

Water Resources Monitoring Items 

Implementation and Effectiveness of Forest Service Watershed Conservation Practices 

(WCPs), also referred to as Best Management Practices (BMPs) 

WHERE: Within burn units and thinning units, emphasizing sensitive stream reaches 

or other soil and water resources (e.g., springs, wetlands, unstable soils), or 

high-impact actions to improve resource protection. 

WHY: The Forest Service shall monitor WCP implementation to ensure 

that WCPs are properly applied, and WCP effectiveness to ensure that 

State water quality standards are met and classified uses of water are 

Protected (Region 2 Watershed Conservation Practices Handbook, FSH 

2509.25, May 2006). Forest Plan Monitoring Item 4: WATER, Sub-item: Nonpoint source water pollution control (e.g., BMP Monitoring). Addresses Forest 

Plan Objective 104. 

WHO: Watershed personnel, Interdisciplinary Team. 

HOW: Timber Sale Administrators and Watershed Personnel will ensure that prescribed 

Design Criteria and WCP/BMP measures are applied during project 

implementation. Special attention will be paid to the areas surrounding Pactola 

Reservoir. Certification that Design Criteria and WCP/BMP measures are 

effective in preventing erosion and non-point pollution to water resources would 

following USFS WCP monitoring and/or State BMP field audit methods. 

Inspection reports would be completed as part of the annual BMP monitoring 

program. Not all of the activity units associated with this project may or may not 

be selected in the District-wide or Forest-wide BMP sampling. 

WHEN: Implementation monitoring should be conducted during and immediately 

following completion of project activities. Effectiveness monitoring should take 

place within one to five years following project implementation to determine if

the BMPs were effective. Monitoring immediately following the first major 

precipitation event if it happened less than one year after implementation 

may also be warranted. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., KV, WFHF, NFTM fund codes). 

Stream Stability 

WHERE: Streams within the project area that were rated “Diminished” stream health, 

including but not limited to Jim Creek, Kelley Gulch, and Nugget Gulch. 

WHY: To quantitatively validate or correct general stream health assessments 

WHO: Watershed personnel. 

HOW: Quantitative, standardized stream survey methods including but not limited to 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 22

Rosgen methods (Rosgen, 1996), USGS water resources investigation methods, or 

other similar methods. 

WHEN: Qualitative monitoring will continue to be done by Timber Sale Administrators 

and Watershed Personnel. Quantitative surveys will be done as appropriated 

funding is made available to do so. 

FUNDS: Funded through project funds (e.g., NFIM, NFVW, etc.). 

Transportation

Best Management Practices (BMP) Site Specific Concerns

Below is a list of specific soil and water problems identified during inventory and reviewed by 

the District Hydrologist and a Transportation/Road Engineer. The areas of concern do not fully 

meet some BMP and design guidelines. These roads may not be utilized during project

implementation, depending on the alternative selected. If the roads are used, the proposed 

corrective action will be included in the road design. 

Table 3: Site Specific Concerns and Proposed Corrective Action 

Road No. 

(Trail No.) 

Area of Concern Proposed Corrective Action: 

141.1D Road crosses drainage and is holding 

water. 

Harden crossings and add drainage structures 

leading into crossings. 

141.1H Rock crossing at intersection is 

abrupt. 

Reinforce rock crossing and extend rock tapers. 

142 Road crosses Kelly Gulch Creek 

eleven times and is widening 

channel and pooling water. 

Install appropriate sized culverts, concrete mats, or 

harden crossings where feasible and practicable. 

237.1D 

(TR6229) 

Spring areas have developed along 

segments of the road. 

Reshape roadbed and construct and harden 

existing and additional drainage structures. 

237.1J 

(TR6226) 

Southern segment of road in bottom 

with no drainage. 

Relocate out of drainage and construct drainage 

structures. 

237.2C 

(TR6228) 

Road crosses drainage. Harden existing crossing. 

249 Native surface low water crossing 

depositing sediment into fen area 

south of NFSR 677. 

Construct fill and install appropriate sized culvert. 

249 Road crosses Nugget Gulch Creek in 

six locations on the north end which 

has created widened channels and 

pooling. 

Install appropriate sized culverts, concrete mats, or 

harden crossings where feasible and practicable. 

251.1K Rock crossing at intersection is 

abrupt. 

Reinforce rock crossing and extend rock tapers. 

253.1G Rock crossing at intersection is 

abrupt. 

Reinforce rock crossing and extend rock tapers. 

258.1A Three low water crossings not 

functioning. 

Reshape and harden crossings. 

261.2B Southern end of road is incised with 

no drainage. 

Minor relocation and add drainage structures. 

436.1D Road crosses creek six times and is Install culverts where practicable or harden 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 23

Road No. 

(Trail No.) 

Area of Concern Proposed Corrective Action: 

pooling water. crossings. Road is a yearlong closure to public 

use. 

671 Segments of road south of Sunnyside 

Estates are located in the drainage 

bottom. 

Relocate out of drainage bottom and install 

drainage structures. 

671.1B First segment rilling from runoff. Construct additional drainage structures. 

672.1C 

(TR6210) 

(TR6234) 

Sections of road are in bottom of 

drainage. 

Relocate out of drainage where feasible and 

construct drainage structures. 

675.2 Sections of road are in bottom of 

drainage. 

Relocate out of drainage where feasible and 

construct drainage structures. 

677 Culvert is plugged and water is 

piping along the sides of the culvert 

and over the road. 

Construct fill and replace culvert or harden 

crossing. 

720 

(TR6207) 

Road is rutted at upper end. Relocate out of bottom and construct drainage 

structures. 

720.1B 

(TR6224) 

Sections of road are in bottom of 

drainage. 

Relocate out of drainage where feasible and 

construct drainage structures. 

720.2B 

(TR6210) 

Road is saturated due to drainage 

from water development structure 

Plate segment of road below water development 

structure. 

745/745.1A Sections of road are in bottom of 

drainage. 

Relocate out of drainage where feasible and 

construct drainage structures. 

U190186 

(TR6832) 

Road crosses creek numerous times 

and parallels creek. Road is also 

identified as a seasonal trail in the 

BHNF Travel Management Plan. 

Install culverts, harden crossings, and relocate 

road segments where feasible and practicable. 

U6061 

(TR6805) 

(TR6827) 

Road crosses creek numerous times 

and parallels creek. Road is also 

identified as a seasonal trail in the 

BHNF Travel Management Plan. 

Install culverts, harden crossings, and relocate 

road segments where feasible and practicable. 

Closure of roads used for logging operations will be closed as part of the post-use maintenance 

activities by the Timber Purchaser. Cost to close roads will be included in the maintenance 

allowance and shown in the Timber Sale Appraisal. Additional roads will be closed as part of 

the BHNF Travel Management Plan implementation. 

If additional soil and water problems arise before or during project implementation, the 

Hydrologist and Roads Engineer will determine corrective action required and include the work 

in the proposed action. 

Design Criteria

Transportation improvements are expected to begin during the 2012 construction season. 

The following recommendations should be considered during project implementation: 

• Road closure devices, including gates, barriers, slash, or other devices needed to prohibit or 

eliminate use, would be located on the ground to provide the most effective means of 

accomplishing the desired travel management strategy. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 24

• Physical closures, such as slash, stumps, rocks and revegetation are to be used to eliminate 

use. Earthen barriers may be used when there is not adequate material available for slash, 

stumps or rock closures. This may be done after activities, to allow use of a road by the 

purchaser, or as funds become available. Closure gates may be utilized where administrative 

access is needed. 

• Whenever possible, roads shall be relocated or constructed out of draw bottoms to improve 

drainage and protect soil and water resources. Abandoned roadbeds shall be revegetated 

and returned to as natural a state as possible. 

• All temporary roads and newly constructed system roads used to access harvest units would 

be closed after management activity is completed, unless the BHNF Travel Management 

Plan or Road Management Objective states otherwise. 

• Where sod has effectively stabilized existing roadbeds, efforts would be made to minimize 

disturbance to the sod layer during maintenance and reconstruction activities.

• Unauthorized roads used for temporary access will be decommissioned after use as part of 

the commercial logging operations. 

• Coordination between the Hydrologist, Silviculturist, and Engineering is required for any 

road reconstruction or realignment along Rapid Creek, Castle Creek, Slate Creek, and other 

protected stream courses. 

• Operations around Pactola Lake and associated recreational sites will require coordination 

between the Recreational Staff, Silviculturist, and Engineering. 

• Route verification will be held by engineering, prior to road contract preparation, to show 

Forest and District Specialists the location and design of planned relocation, realignment and 

new construction to ensure the road will not have additional adverse effects on resources. 

Maintenance on all roads used for timber harvest will be the responsibility of the Timber Purchaser 

for the life of the Timber Sale Contract. Maintenance includes cleaning out silt from sediment 

collecting ponds and depositing it in upland locations, keeping silt fence upright and functioning by 

cleaning out any sediment collected in front of the silt fence and depositing it in upland locations, 

keeping all drainage structures clear and functional, eliminating erosion of cut and fill slope and 

roadway soils, maintaining vegetative buffers, encouraging revegetation, and blading road surfaces. 

Post use maintenance is required by the Purchaser as part of the Timber Sale Contract. 

Monitoring Recommendations

Implementation monitoring of road maintenance, reconstruction and new construction activities 

will be accomplished through site inspections conducted by District personnel and certified 

Engineering personnel to ensure contract specifications and road designs are implemented as 

described in the road contract. Measured and visual monitoring would determine physical 

effects, success of natural and enhanced revegetation, and to ensure traffic safety and compliance 

with state and federal laws. Road closure effectiveness would also be monitored by District and 

Engineering personnel as part of post-sale activities. 

Forest Service Road Damage Guidelines would be adhered to in order to limit soil movement 

and road damage during hauling activities. (Road Damage Guidelines are found in USDA-FSH, 

2409.15 – Timber Sale Administration Handbook, Chapter 50, Specified Transportation 

Facilities, Black Hills Supplement No. 2409.15-92-1) 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 25

Minerals

• Maintain access to unpatented mining claims per the 1872 Mining Laws and amendments.

• Protect all mining corner posts and active mining developments. 

• Protect all documented National Forest System lands boundary, corners, posts, and bearing trees. 

Vegetation

The objective of monitoring for the silvicultural resource would be to: 

• Insure that decisions made as a result of the analysis are implemented. 

• Determine the effects of harvest activities and related treatments, identify adverse 

impacts and mitigate if necessary. 

All stands treated with shelterwood removals would be examined after harvest to determine if 

planned treatments were successful in establishing a new stand or if additional treatments are 

needed to reforest the stand. During timber sale layout and marking, inspections would be made 

to insure that marking and layout follows decisions made and mitigations outlined in the 

analysis. These inspections would be made by the presale shop and outlined in their inspection 

reports. During the layout and marking process the district silviculturist, or silviculture 

technician acting on his behalf, would inspect the layout and marking process to provide 

assistance with interpretation of marking and layout guides and remedy site specific changed 

conditions that may occur. Minor changes involving stand inclusions will usually require 

changing marking techniques, while major changes will be evaluated and recommendations 

made to the District Ranger to determine the appropriate course of action. 

The Forest Service Representative (FSR), Timber Sale Administrator (TSA) and/or Sale 

Inspector (SI) would administrate the Timber Sale Contract and harvesting. During the timber 

harvesting activities, additional inspections will be made by the district silviculturist and/or 

silviculture technician to insure harvest activities are accomplishing the objectives and mitigation 

specified. Inspections would also provide feedback for future project analysis. 

Upon completion of the timber harvesting activities, a post sale review would be conducted to 

determine if objectives in the analysis were essentially achieved and if additional cultural 

treatments are needed or if planned post sale cultural treatments may not be needed. 

Regeneration surveys would be conducted to see if site preparation, seeding or planting may be 

necessary. Upon completion of the surveys, the district silviculturist would certify those stands 

that have adequately regenerated. Stands that have regeneration failures would be scheduled for 

either site preparation or artificial regeneration. 

Records of surveys and findings generally would be recorded and filed in the district stand files 

located at the Rapid City office of the Mystic Ranger District. Summaries of accomplishments 

would also be reported electronically in the FACTS database on the Black Hills National Forest 

for upward reporting and district use. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 26

Table 4. Vegetation Monitoring 

Monitoring 

Objective 

Monitoring 

Procedure 

Frequency/ 

Duration 

Data Storage Projected cost/revenue 

Source 

Responsible 

Shop/Specialist 

Sale Layout and 

Marking 

Inspection Plots 

and Reports 

Ongoing during 

Activities 

Presale Folder NF Management funds, 

Salvage Sale Funds, Pest 

Management Funds 

Presale 

Shop/Presale 

Forester 

Sale Contract 

Administration 

Timber Sale 

Inspections 

Ongoing during 

harvesting 

activities 

Timber Sale 

Folder 

National Forest 

Management funds 

FSR, TSA, and SI

Post Sale Review Walkthroughs 

and/or Plots 

1-2 years post sale Stand Files National Forest 

Management funds 

District 

Silviculturist/ 

Silviculture Tech. 

TSI Layout and 

Administration 

Walkthroughs 

and plots 

Ongoing during 

harvesting 

activities 

TSI Contract 

Folder/RIS Data 

Base 

Knutson-Vandenberg 

Funds (KV), National 

Forest Management 

funds 

TSI Shop/ TSI 

Forester 

Regeneration 

Survival 

Walkthroughs 

and plots 

3 and 5 year post 

treatment 

Stand Files and 

RIS Data Base 

Knutson-Vandenberg 

Funds (KV) 

Silviculture Shop/ 

Silviculturist 

Fire and Fuels

Prescribed burn plans will address burning concerns related to smoke, risk of escape, scenic 

appearance, and air quality. There are several required elements that are addressed when writing 

a burn plan. The elements describe when, under what conditions, and what the expected and 

desired outcomes are for the burn. The most important of these elements describe the conditions 

under which a burn can be conducted and are based on parameters such as temperature, relative 

humidity, wind speed and direction, and smoke dispersal requirements. The difficulty and 

complexity of a prescribed burn are determined by a very site specific analysis, which dictate 

number of firefighters, equipment, and contingency resources required to conduct the prescribed 

burn. These elements must be documented in a burn plan that is reviewed for technical adequacy 

and approved in writing by the District Ranger prior to initiation of the burn. 

Smoke impacts can be minimized utilizing the following design criteria and are incorporated into 

the burn plan as appropriate. 

• Burn when duff fuel moistures allow for complete combustion or when fire will generally 

be limited to the surface fuel layer to lower particulate emissions. 

• Limit the size of burn blocks and construct sub-unit fire lines to allow for burning to be 

stopped if smoke concerns arise. 

• Specify transport winds by speed and direction to keep smoke from sensitive receptors. 

• Require minimum mixing heights to ensure smoke emissions disperse and do not pool. 

• Determine end ignition times to ensure fuels consumption. This will help reduce smoke 

emissions during night time. 

• Provide notification and attempt to determine public in areas that may be adversely 

affected by smoke concentrations. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 27

• Set up contingency notification list in case smoke dispersion forecast is inaccurate to 

inform the local public. 

• Prescribed fire implementation along busy travel routes and highways requires special 

mitigations that may include signing and/or emergency vehicles to slow and warn traffic 

or possible hazards. 

Monitoring Recommendations 

Monitoring of fuel treatments and prescribed burns will be completed within one to five years 

post treatment as specified in the fuel treatment plans and prescribed fire plans. Long term 

monitoring may be necessary to determine the effectiveness of treatments in meeting resource 

goals and objectives. 

Range and Noxious Weeds/Invasive Plants

Use integrated weed management practices, in accordance with Environmental Assessment for 

the Management of Control of Noxious Plants on the Black Hills National Forest, FONSI, 

January 18, 2003, to provide timely treatments of noxious weeds and invasive plants. 

1997 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Black Hills National Forest, as Amended 

by the Phase II Amendment. US Dept. of Agriculture-Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest. 

Custer, South Dakota, March 2006, page ll-31, ll-36 and lll-139 provide for the protection of plants 

from a noxious weed invasion and prevention measures from new invasive plants. 

The Black Hills National Forest Noxious Weed Management Plan addresses appropriate actions 

required to prevent new infestations of noxious weeds. Focus is on road rights-of-ways to and 

from the sale areas, landings, and other heavily disturbed areas. Other prevention practices are 

referenced in the Noxious Weed Management Plan. 

Reseed disturbed ground/soils and burned slash piles with an approved Forest Service seed mix 

(noninvasive annual grasses and perennial native grasses) to reduce the potential for noxious weed 

establishment. Reseed skidder trails, cleared deck landings and burn pile areas as soon as operations 

are completed. Provide for testing of seed to verify the absence of noxious weed seed in mix. 

Continue monitoring known disturbed soil locations that occurred during timber sale efforts. The 

actual areas to be treated would be those already known to have noxious weeds, and those areas 

where future treatment is anticipated as a result of ground disturbing activities that result in noxious 

weed infestations. 

Monitor and treat areas within the perimeter of the project area and adjacent to known private 

land weed infestations. 

Use a 200 ft. buffer during road right-of-way treatments to insure areas are treated beyond the normal 

(66 ft.) road right-of-way because of weed seed movement by wind or erosion on to the road (1 mi. is 

equal to 24 ac. at 200 ft. as a buffer). Infestations within this buffer area are treated as species 

specific. Use spot treatment strategy along roads to the extent possible and practical. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 28

After a wildfire, seeding of disturbed areas (e.g., line construction) should occur as soon as the 

weather permits. This burned area should be monitored for new noxious weed infestations 

because of the possibility of ground disturbance from high intensity burns. 

Monitor and consider reseeding of known disturbed soil locations due to prescribed burning. Reseed 

area of disturbed ground with approved Forest Service seed mixture to reduce the potential for noxious 

weed establishment. Control noxious weed infestations with integrated pest management approach. 

Use certified weed free mulch and erosion materials as required. 

Consider the use of an Aphthona flea beetle insect mix in the Leafy spurge areas and Canada 

thistle insects as a means of integrated noxious weed control over a 3 to 5 year period.

Monitor for effectiveness of using the integrated noxious weed management approach such as 

field verification, GPS/GIS data records, and local generated spray sheets, for control of invasive 

weed species. Treat as soon as practical and funding permits for noxious weeds and follow-up 

action need to be 3 to 5 years after initial treatment. 

Range improvements and fences to be protected by the service/logging contractor during the life 

of the service contract or forest products sale will be delineated on the project map. Fences need 

to be kept intact during the grazing season, and water developments maintained if damaged to 

prevent erosion from discharging water. If a service contract or product sale is active, any fence 

crossings created by the contractor need to be repaired each day during the grazing season. 

When possible, design vegetative treatments or prescribed burning units so targeted area extends 

to the top of a slope. If additional fencing is needed for livestock control, it would be built along 

ridgelines for ease of construction and to avoid obstructing future logging activities at mid-slope 

or lower in a treatment unit. 

If MPB mortality, timber sale activities, or prescribed fire treatments remove natural barriers to 

cattle distribution, or create roads or trails which allow cattle to enter portions of an allotment not 

previously accessible, then additional range improvements such as allotment boundary or pasture 

fencing, cattleguards, and water developments would need to be funded. Such work may include 

renovation or extension of existing structures. These improvements allow for cattle control and 

better distribution across the new range areas. Some stock ponds have substantial drainages 

which need to be maintained and cleared of debris during and after service or product sale

activities. Separate NEPA analysis would be conducted for each range improvement as needed. 

Wildlife/Biodiversity

The design criteria and mitigation measures included herein apply to Alternatives B and C, 

which are considered an integral component of this specialist report. The effects for each species 

are contingent upon, to varying degrees, implementation of these design criteria and mitigation 

measures. Any modification to these would be reviewed by an Interdisciplinary Team that 

includes a biologist or ecologist. A thorough documentation of the effects to all species 

potentially affected by changes in design criteria and mitigation measures would be completed 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 29

and placed in the Pactola Project file. Documentation would include a review of the 

determination of effects to each species, and amendment of determinations, if necessary. 

Some design criteria/mitigation measures not included here are Forest Service standard operating 

procedures. An example would be the standard provisions of a timber sale contract. Other

mitigation measures not included here are additional Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines too 

numerous and lengthy to include here (including but not limited to those relating to water, soils, 

riparian areas, travel and transportation, noxious weeds, and vegetative management). Project 

implementation would incorporate all Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines. Forest Plan 

direction below is italicized. 

Wildlife Resources - General 

Maintain or enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, beaver, song sparrow, 

a. Maintain or enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, beaver, song sparrow, grasshopper 

sparrow, white-tailed deer and brown creeper; as outlined in specific direction 

pertaining to aspen, other hardwoods, riparian areas, grasslands, spruce and ponderosa 

pine (e.g., Objectives 201, 205, 211, 239-LVD, 5.1-204). 

b. Maintain habitat opportunities for black-baked woodpeckers across the Forest, as outline 

in specific direction pertaining to conifer habitat, snags and recently burned habitat (e.g., 

Objectives 211, 11-03, 5.1-204, Standard 2301). 

 c. Maintain habitat for golden-crowned kinglets, as outlined in specific direction pertaining 

to spruce habitat (e.g., Objective 239-LVD). 

d. Maintain or enhance habitat quality and connectivity for mountain suckers, as outlined in 

specific direction pertaining to aquatic resources (e.g., Objectives 103, 104, 215, 

Standards 1201, 1203, 1205, Guideline 1115) (Objective 238). 

Manage for a minimum of 92,000 acres of aspen (double current aspen acres), and 16,000 acres 

of bur oak (approximately 33 percent increase in current bur oak during the life of the Plan 

(Objective 201). 

• In areas that are not proposed for hardwood restoration or hardwood enhancement 

treatment and where it does not conflict with other Forest Plan direction, opportunities to 

remove conifers from hardwoods should be considered. 

• Prohibit activities in hardwood stands that would reduce the potential for hardwood 

regeneration. 

• Where practical, avoid locating landings and piles scheduled for burning in hardwood 

stands to protect soils. 

Manage for 122,000 acres of prairie grassland and 3,600 acres of meadow during the life of the 

Plan. Restored acres will not be considered suitable for timber production (Objective 205). 

• In areas not proposed for meadow restoration or meadow enhancement treatment and 

where it does not conflict with other Forest Plan direction, opportunities to remove 

conifers from grassland areas should be considered. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 30

Conserve or enhance habitat for resident and migratory non-game wildlife. Increase habitat 

capability for species when recommended in project level analysis (Objective 218). 

• Protect heron colonies and osprey nests. 

• Consider potential effects of disturbance, nesting phenology, human activities at onset of 

nest initiation, topography, forest cover, nest protection standards, and recommendations 

used by state or federal agencies and other appropriate factors when designing 

protection. 

• Discourage human disturbance within 1,000 ft. of heron colonies from March 1 through 

August 1. 

Maintain habitat for game and fish populations at the state objectives in effect in 1996 (Objective 217). 

• Management activities in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep lambing areas should be 

restricted from April 1 through June 15. Activities may also include road work, noxious 

weed treatment and on the ground personnel (e.g., layout, thinning crews). Coordinate 

with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department to determine acceptable 

management activities, length of timing restriction and the size of area to be avoided. 

• Helicopter flight paths should avoid known high use areas of bighorn sheep unless sheep 

become accustomed to activity. Timing restrictions may be required to reduce the 

negative effects of bighorn sheep movement. Coordinate with the South Dakota Game, 

Fish and Parks Department to determine the length of timing restriction and the size of 

area to be avoided. 

• Work with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department in monitoring the effects

of vegetative treatment activities on bighorn sheep herds that utilize the Pactola Project 

Area. If project activities are determined to cause a decline in bighorn sheep or their use 

of suitable habitat in the area, use adaptive management to improve conditions. 

Minimize soil compaction by reducing off-road vehicle passes, by skidding on snow, frozen or 

dry soil conditions or by off-ground logging systems (Guideline 1104). 

• Limit the amount of disturbances caused by harvest activities that could compact soils 

adjacent to northern leopard frog breeding areas (e.g., streams, ponds). 

• Follow design criteria identified to protect geology, soil, and water resources, especially 

in the Water Influence Zone (WIZ) and ephemeral drainages. 

Design and construct all stream crossings and other in stream structures to provide for passage 

of flow and sediment, withstand expected flood flows and allow free movement of resident 

aquatic life (Standard 1203). 

• Evaluate and correct if necessary, system and temporary roads (location/crossings) used 

for treatment activities for in-stream barriers for fish, potential beaver/road conflicts, and 

riparian/stream health concerns. 

• During reconstruction and construction of roads, reduce the potential for future conflicts 

with beaver expansion in suitable habitat. Road placement and design should avoid 

crossing perennial and intermittent streams as much as possible. Consultation with 

hydrologist, wildlife biologist and fishery biologist when roads need to cross perennial 

and intermittent streams. 

o If road crossings are necessary, the crossing should avoid areas with stream channel 

gradient ≤ 15%, valley widths greater than 150 ft. and where hardwoods and shrubs 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 31

are more available. 

o Stream crossing structures such as culverts should be placed to allow for water flow 

(discourage water “ponding”) in low flow periods and where water flow does not 

create noise or higher velocities that trigger the beaver dam construction behavior. 

o Consider using an arch culvert design or other culvert design. Culvert size should be 

larger than expected flood flows to avoid beaver conflict. 

o Roads reconstructed or constructed adjacent to perennial and intermittent streams 

should be placed along the hillside and where feasible at a higher elevation than the 

drainage. 

Apply chemicals using methods, which minimize risk of entry to surface and ground water 

(Standard 1213). 

Prohibit log landing, decking areas and mechanical slash piling within riparian areas unless the 

integrity of the riparian area can be protected (e.g., frozen, snow-covered ground conditions 

(Standard 1306). 

• Locate vehicle service and fuel areas, chemical storage and use areas, and portable fire 

pumps and fuels outside of the WIZ buffers, preferably on gentle terrain. 

• All operation plans should include spill prevention and spill containment protocol. 

Avoid altering more than one-third of the edge of a natural opening whenever an artificially 

created opening is adjacent to a natural opening. Additional edge should not be created until 

previously treated areas are considered closed, according to Standard 2104. This guideline does 

not apply to treatments intended to restore meadows to historic conditions (Guideline 2106). 

In landscapes with multiple aspen clones, manage for a mix of structural stages. Conserve the 

structural diversity of multi-storied stands (Guideline 2202). 

When treating mixed conifer/hardwood stands to meet the hardwood restoration objective (201), 

remove all conifers (Standard 2205). 

• If hardwood treatments occur within riparian corridors, maintain canopy closure of 50% 

per Standard 3215. 

Retain all snags greater than 20-inch DBH unless a safety hazard. If snag densities within a 

project area are below Objective 211, retain all snags unless they are a safety hazard. If large 

snags (>14in DBH) are not available, retain snags in the largest size class available. This 

standard does not apply to areas salvaged under Objective 11-03 (Standard 2301a). 

Retain at least six hardwood snags per acre in hardwood stands. Retain all snags in hardwood 

stands with snag density of less than six per acre (Standard 2301b). 

Prohibit cutting of standing-dead trees for fuel wood, except in designated areas (Standard 2304a). 

All soft snags should be retained unless they are a safety hazard (Standard 2305). 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 32

Leave large woody debris on harvested or thinned sites to help retain moisture, trap soil movement, 

provide micro-sites for establishment of forbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees, and to provide habitat for 

wildlife (Guideline 2307). 

• To provide small mammal, amphibian and reptile habitat, consider using harvest methods

other than whole tree removal that would provide large woody debris and various types of 

debris in some areas where it would not conflict with public safety. 

During vegetation management activities on ponderosa pine forested sites, retain an average of 

at least 50 linear feet per acre of course woody debris with a minimum diameter of 10 inches. 

On white spruce forest sites retain an average of at least 100 linear feet per acre of course 

woody debris with a minimum diameter of 10 inches (Standard 2308). 

• If whole tree harvest methods are used, large diameter cull logs should be returned to 

treated areas as needed. 

To protect endangered and threatened species. 

b. Prohibit new disturbances not existing at the time of bald eagle nest initiation that may 

detrimentally influence nest success within one mile of bald eagle nests during the nesting 

season (February 1 through September 1). The distance may be reduced where forest 

characteristics or topography reduces the line-of site distance from the nest, based on sitespecific analysis. 

c. Protect traditional communal bald eagle winter roost sites. Restrict activities that may disturb 

bald eagles within one mile of communal roosting areas from November 1 through April 1. 

d. In stands being used by bald eagles on a transitory basis, avoid timber harvest activities 

when in use. Harvest may resume when birds have vacated the stands (Standard 3101). 

• Protect and preserve potential bald eagle roost areas and nest sites by retaining mature 

trees and old growth stands, particularly within 1⁄2 mile from water. Follow National Bald 

Eagle Protection Guidelines (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2007b, 2007c, 2009e). 

Deviations from following the National Bald Eagle Protection Guidelines are to be 

coordinated with the Fish and Wildlife Region 6 field office personnel and the South 

Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department. to reduce the likelihood of “take.” 

o To provide roost trees, maintain tall, large diameter, open branched trees within 

600 ft. of the edge of Pactola Reservoir. 

o Vegetative treatment within known winter communal roost sties should be limited 

to those that enhance and maintain the roost site characteristics, especially in 

maintaining large diameter, open branched ponderosa pine that provides 

protection from the weather. 

o Restrict activities that may disturb bald eagles within one mile of communal

roosting areas from November 1 through April 1. A smaller buffer may be 

adequate as determined by the wildlife biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 

and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. 

o Avoid vegetative treatment activities, including road construction during the breeding 

season within 660 ft. of bald eagle nest(s). If the activity is visible or determined 

highly audible from the nest, the buffer distance may be expanded, especially where 

eagles are unaccustomed to activity. Changes in the area of protection and buffer

distance should be determined by the wildlife biologist, the US Fish and Wildlife 

Service, and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 33

o Avoid removal of overstory trees within 330 ft. of bald eagle nest at anytime. Selective 

thinning and other silviculture management practices designed to conserve or enhance

habitat, including prescribed burning close to the nest tree, should be undertaken 

outside the breeding season. 

o Precautions to protect any eagle nest tree and communal roost areas from fire should be 

implemented. If treatment needs to occur during the breeding season, coordinate with 

the wildlife biologist, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the South Dakota Game, 

Fish and Parks Department. 

o Avoid the use of helicopters within 1,000 ft. vertical and horizontal distance from 

eagle nesting site and communal roost during that use season, except where eagles 

have demonstrated tolerance for such activity. 

o Minimize potentially disruptive activities in the eagles’ direct flight path between 

their nest and roost sites and important foraging areas. 

o Do not use explosives within 1⁄2 mi. (or within one mile in open areas) of 

communal roosts when eagles are congregating, without prior coordination with 

the wildlife biologist, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the South Dakota 

Game, Fish and Parks Department. 

o Where bald eagle nests have been active, continue to protect the site in the absence 

of the nest for up to 3 complete breeding seasons. Many eagles will rebuild the nest 

and reoccupy the site. 

o Use pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals within bald eagle nest 

sites and communal roosting areas only in accordance with Federal and state laws. 

o Any projects or activities that could result in take of bald or golden eagles will 

require a permit from the FWS, Migratory Bird Division. “Take” will be 

authorized only if it is compatible with the preservation of the bald and golden 

eagle, and cannot be practicably avoided. The Forest Service is responsible for 

obtaining permits for take that would result from its actions, including contractor 

and permittee work done through actions on behalf of the agency. 

Where caves are important nurseries or hibernacula for Sensitive and SOLC bat species protect 

the caves and maintain their microclimates when designing management activities (e.g., timber 

harvest, road construction, recreation facilities). Protect known bat day and night roosts 

(Standard 3102). 

• All caverns (e.g., mines and caves) should be avoided during harvest and access 

improvement activities. Coordinate with the wildlife biologist when activities may 

threaten caverns to determine adaptive management options. 

Manage known sensitive species and species of local concern snail colonies to: 

a. Retain overstory sufficient to maintain moisture regimes, ground level temperatures, and 

humidity. 

b. Retain ground litter, especially deciduous litter. 

c. Avoid burning, heavy grazing, off-highway vehicles (OHVs), heavy equipment, and other 

activities that may compact soils or alter vegetation composition and ground cover. 

d. If prescribed burning is unavoidable, burn when snails are hibernating, usually below 50 

degrees Fahrenheit, and use fast-moving fires to minimize effects to snails. 

e. Control invasive weeds, but use herbicides when snails are not on the surface, and treat 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 34

individual plants rather than broadcast application (Standard 3103). 

• To protect known snail sites in the project area, no treatment or associated activities 

should occur within 300 ft. of the snail colony boundary. 

Consider habitat needs (survey as appropriate) of regal fritillary and Atlantis fritillary butterflies 

prior to prescribed burning on prairies and meadows. This is especially important for prescribed 

burns scheduled from September through April. Design the project to conserved important habitat 

components of known sightings (Guideline 3105). 

• Prescribed burns should be low intensity to maintain soil/litter layer and plant rooting zone 

of most native plants. 

• Treatments should be completed in the late fall and winter months after bird nesting season 

(mid-May through early August) and prior to spring green-up to maintain host and nectar 

species for butterflies. 

Riparian areas or wetlands where populations of sensitive species are located are to be avoided 

during ground disturbing activities. Use one or more of the following (or other mitigation 

measures) tied to the site-specific conditions for disturbances adjacent to known occurrences: 

a. Avoid removing riparian or wetland vegetation; filling or dredging the riparian area or 

wetland; diverting stream flow from the current channel. 

b. Prevent storm runoff from washing silt into the stream or wetland. 

c. Reseed and/or replant cut and fill slopes with native seed and/or native plants promptly 

to control erosion and for prevention of noxious-weed infestations. Use appropriate 

measures to control erosion on disturbed areas that are steep, are highly erosive, and/or 

adjacent to the riparian area. 

d. Timing, placement, and installation of temporary stream diversions shall allow passage 

of aquatic life and protect sensitive and species of local concern (Standard 3106).

• Prohibit any activities that would reduce the function of ground water dependent 

communities such as fens. 

• Crossing of perennial or intermittent streams should generally be avoided. If determined 

necessary, roads and other disturbed areas should be limited in number in a given 

drainage. A hydrologist should be consulted when determining stream crossings in 

intermittent and perennial stream (e.g., protected stream courses). 

• Do not build fire control lines in the WIZ (100 ft. buffer) of streams, wetlands, ponds, 

lakes, and other bodies of water. If fire control lines are necessary in the WIZ, use hand 

lines or wet lines to minimize disturbance to these areas. Prescribe fire should not be 

applied directly to the WIZ. 

• During prescribed fire operations, do not interrupt water flow or draw down standing

water bodies such as beaver ponds and livestock water catchments that could reduce 

northern leopard frog breeding and over wintering habitat. 

• Prevent debris from entering into streams, springs, wetlands and other water bodies after 

completion of prescribed burn by maintaining vegetative buffer in WIZ and controlling

drainage from fire control lines. 

• At a minimum, do not store or locate refueling sites, chemical storage or other potential 

pollutant within the WIZ. Locate fuel-powered pumps away from surface water and 

wetland sites and use absorbent spill cloths under pumps to contain any leakage. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 35

The following additional protective measures will apply relative to the northern goshawk for all 

projects involving the removal of trees in suitable habitat except those done for the express 

purpose of enhancing goshawk habitat: 

a. Identify nest areas around historically active nests. Nest areas shall consist of 180 acres 

best suited for nesting habitat within one-half mile of the nest and greater than 300 feet 

from buildings. Nest areas need not be contiguous but must occur in 30 acre units or 

larger. Nest areas shall include alternate nests if known. If these conditions cannot be 

met, then nest areas will include stands that are not currently suitable but that could be 

managed to meet nesting conditions over time. Vegetation management activities within 

nest areas shall be limited to those that maintain or enhance the stand’s value for goshawk. 

b. If a nest area described above occurs within one-half mile of the project area and a 

protected area has not yet been identified for the nests, the project analysis will 

determine whether some of the protected acreage should occur within the project area

(Standard 3108). 

• To provide goshawk habitat in the face of epidemic levels of MPB populations, provide 

180 acres within known territories with higher Basal Areas (60-70), mostly consisting of 

larger ponderosa pine (DBH) in the overstory. This should include known nests within 1⁄2 

mi. of the Pactola Project Boundary (e.g., Gimlet and Edelweiss Territories). 

• To protect and provide habitat for the northern goshawk and other raptor species in the 

face of epidemic levels of MPB populations: The silviculturist and wildlife biologist 

need to be actively involved with layout of vegetative and fuel treatments in raptor nest 

stands and in suitable nesting habitat that would reduce the effects of MPB mortality. If 

both agree that understory thinning would not be harmful to raptor nest sites, and 

treatments could increase stand longevity, the guidance set forth in both the Burns and 

Cook (2006) or research recommendations could be implemented. Specifically, use 

mechanical treatment methods where they are appropriate, and where they would 

maintain essential nest habitat characteristics over longer time periods than if only 

prescribed fire was used. 

• No treatment of known nest stands would occur during the breeding season. 

• No roads or temporary roads should be constructed, converted, reconstructed within an 

active goshawk nest stand (e.g., 30-40 acres). Skidding may occur outside of timing 

restrictions using existing trails/roads. 

• Prohibit decking of logs or large slash piles within known goshawk nest stand (e.g., 30-

40 acres). 

From April 1 through August 15, minimize additional human-caused noise and disruption 

beyond that occurring at the time of nest initiation (e.g., road traffic, timber harvests, 

construction activities) within one-half mile of all active goshawk nests up until the nest has 

failed or fledglings have dispersed (Standard 3111). 

• Timing restrictions would apply to all management activities (e.g., layout, road use, 

skidding) unless determined by a wildlife biologist. 

A R2 sensitive species or species of local concern located after contract or permit issuance will 

be appropriately managed by active coordination between permittee, contractor or purchaser, 

Forest Service line officer, project administrator, and biologist and/or botanist. Solutions need 

to be based on the circumstances of each new discovery and must consider the species need, 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 36

contractual obligations and costs, and mitigation measures available at the time of discovery

(Standard 3115). 

• Within Forest Service, contracts provide protective clauses that would enable short-term 

sensitive species habitat protection and or mitigation measures such as seasonal or other 

restrictions (e.g., March 1 – October 30) that may be required to mitigate direct effects on 

newly discovered R2 Sensitive and SOLC species. 

Avoid creating barriers (e.g., new open roads) between red-bellied snake hibernacula and 

wetlands (Standard 3116). Structures, such as fences and roads will be designed and built so 

that they do not create unnecessary or unreasonable barriers or hazards for wildlife and people

(Guideline 3202). 

• Roads used for management activities should avoid riparian areas where possible. Roads 

that cross perennial and intermittent streams should be reconstructed and/or constructed 

to maintain water flow regimes and improve movement for aquatic species during

average low stream flow conditions (e.g., fish, macro-invertebrates). 

In vegetative treatment units, leave 1 pile of woody material per 2 acres to create near-ground 

structure for small mammal species, except within 300 feet of buildings (Standard 3117). 

During aspen restoration treatments, conserved live aspen with cavities (Standard 3124). 

Prescribe burn no more that 60 percent of any contiguous grassland area at a time and burn in 

early spring or fall (Standard 3125). 

• Avoid large, uniform, continuous treatments in meadows and grasslands to maintain a 

variety of stubble heights, maintains plant species that are considered larval host and 

nectar species, and provides foraging and cover habitat for wildlife species. 

• Treatments should be on a long rotation of > 5 years, with less than 50% of grassland 

dominated units being affected in a given year. 

Provide big game screening along at least 20 percent of the edges of arterial and collector roads. 

Consider vegetation, slopes, landform, etc. in evaluating available screening (Guideline 3203). 

• Where it does not conflict with public safety, provide big game vegetative screening 

cover along the edges of arterial and collector roads. 

Protect known raptor nests. Consider potential effects of disturbance, nesting phenology, human 

activities existing at onset of nest initiation, species, topography, other R2 sensitive species and plant 

species of local concern, forest cover, nest protection standards and recommendations used by state or 

federal agencies, and other appropriate factors when designing protection (Standard 3204). 

• Work with district biologist to determine area of protection for raptor nests. Generally, no 

treatment of nest stands or activities that could cause disturbance to nesting activity would 

occur during the breeding season (generally April 1- August 15). Size of the nest stand is 

generally 20-40 acres in size. The size of the no disturbance zone varies, but usually it is 

recommended to be 0.25 mi. 

• Roads within the raptor nest stand should be kept to a minimum and use discouraged. 

• Generally, no decking of logs or large slash piles would occur within raptor nest stand. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 37

Provide at least 2-6 turkey-roost sites per section, consisting of mature trees with an average 

diameter at breast height (DBH) or 10 to 14 inches, widely spaced horizontal branches, and basal 

areas at least 90 square feet per acre. Sites should be at least one-fourth acre in size and not 

isolated from adjacent forest stands. Emphasis should be on the upper third of east facing slopes 

if available (Guideline 3205). 

• Silvicultural stand prescriptions and fuel treatments should provide adequate turkey roost 

sites in treated areas following Guideline 3205. 

• Removal of small diameter (e.g., <10 DBH) could occur to reduce the susceptibility of 

MBP attack on these roost tree areas. 

Where caves or abandoned mines serve as nurseries or hibernacula for bats, vegetative changes 

within 500 feet of the opening are allowed only if needed to maintain bat habitat or if 

topography or other features protect the openings from disturbance (Standard 3207). 

• Limit vegetative treatment within 500 feet of a mine with open shafts and adits unless 

habitat changes are determined conducive to maintain bat habitat by the wildlife 

biologist. 

• Prohibit mechanized equipment within 500 ft. of mines with open shafts and adits within 

the Pactola Project Area (see Archaeologist and biologist for known locations). This 

direction should be incorporated in the marking and layout guidelines, so that unknown 

potential bat habitat would be protected. Any new locations should be given to the 

district archaeologist and biologist for further evaluation. 

Provide riparian habitat diversity through vegetation treatments or in conjunction with other 

resource activities designed to maintain or improve wildlife or fisheries habitat and stream 

stability (Guideline 3211). 

Manage for high quality riparian communities. 

a. Provide for stable stream banks. 

b. Retain woody vegetation along streams and lakes to provide shading for aquatic life and 

habitat for terrestrial species.

c. Provide large woody material for aquatic life (Guideline 3212). 

In areas identified as important connectivity corridors for marten, maintain canopy closure of at

least 50 percent (Standard 3215). 

• Maintain canopy closure of 50% in riparian corridors, especially along intermittent and 

perennial streams. 

• Maintain adequate large course woody debris to provide cover, especially within the 

water influence zone (WIZ). 

• Naturally occurring CWD should be retained to provide sub-nivean habitat maintain 

security cover. 

• Do not treat or prescribe burn spruce communities adjacent to perennial and intermittent 

streams, especially along Rapid Creek, Gimlet Creek, Kelly Gulch, Empress Gulch, Bear 

Gulch, Nugget Gulches (East, Middle, and West), and drainages within the Tunnel Ridge Area. 

Protect heritage resources, R2 sensitive species and plant species of local concern (SOLC), 

botanical areas (BAs), research natural areas (RNAs), streams, stream banks, shorelines, lakes 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 38

and associated vegetation from degradation by wildfire suppression efforts. Avoid the use of 

earth-moving equipment within natural register eligible heritage resource sites, known locations 

of R2 sensitive species and SOLC plants, BAs, RNAs, or in stream channels, except at designated 

points and with proper mitigation (Standard 4102). 

Promote revegetation of prescribed burned areas. 

a. Following broadcast burning, seed to initiate revegetation if ground cover is 60 percent 

or less and slopes are 30 percent or more (Guideline 4106). 

Defer prescribed burned areas from livestock grazing for a portion or all of the following growing 

season to ensure re-growth of forage species (Guideline 4107). 

• Prior to burn plan development, coordinate with range management specialist to defer 

livestock grazing on burn units. Deferring of grazing should be included in the annual 

operating instructions for the grazing permit. 

For all proposed projects or activities, determine the risk of noxious weed introductions or 

spread, and implement appropriate mitigation measures and treatment (Standard 4301). 

• Follow recommended design criteria for the control of Noxious Weeds and Invasive plant 

species. 

• Objectives for prescribed burns should include reducing the potential for noxious weed 

spread as a result of fire activities. 

• Prescribed burn plans should incorporate the monitoring for and subsequent control of 

invasive species as a result of prescribed burn activities. Cost of noxious weed control 

should be incorporated into the overall cost of the prescribed burn. 

• Consider treating the prescribed burn area for noxious weeds prior to ignition to reduce 

the spread of noxious weeds. 

Use biological control methods whenever practical, and whenever protecting other resources is 

desired, such as water quality (Standard 4302). If noxious weed control is necessary, follow 

principles of Integrated Pest Management to determine the best course of action. Limit the use 

of motorized equipment in these areas. Avoid broadcast treatments, focusing on spot treatments 

to control unwanted herbaceous plants in these areas. The use of herbicides to control noxious 

weeds can greatly reduce native broad-leaf species, which is the food base for many bird 

species, and reduces butterfly abundance. Other means of Integrated Pest Management that do 

not involve the use of herbicides (e.g., biological control agents) should be considered to treat 

noxious weeds, especially in riparian and wet meadow areas (Guideline 4302). 

Use certified noxious weed-free seed, feed, and mulch. Seed will be tested for noxious weeds at 

the time of purchase (Standard 4306). 

• All seed used for project activities should be tested following USDA Region 2 Seed 

Testing Protocol. 

Prohibit land vehicles from entering perennial streams where resource damage would occur 

except to cross at specified points (Guideline 9107). 

Walk-in fisheries are closed to motorized travel (Guideline 9109). 

• During vegetative treatment activities, maintain closure. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 39

Reduce the impact of new Forest Development and temporary road construction on wildlife. 

New roads will generally not be located in meadows. When topography allows, roads should not 

be within 400 feet of the meadow edge (Standard 9204). 

• New roads and temporary roads should avoid being placed within meadows or 

grasslands. If topography is constraining, roads/trails should be placed as far as possible 

from meadow edge and avoid bisecting meadow/grassland. 

Wildlife Resources - Management Area Specific 

In MA 3.7: Applicable management activities should replicate biological process found in the 

areas and strive to replicate natural vegetative patterns and patch size (Guideline 3.7-2101). 

• Treatments within MA 3.7 should maintain late successional forest structure such as trees 

in excess of 18 in. in diameter with varied stand structure and snags and downed wood in 

various stages of decay. 

In MA 8.2: Retain dead standing trees that do not present a safety hazard (Standard 8.2-3201). 

In MA 5.4: Motorized travel may be restricted (Guideline 5.4-9102). Any activities may be 

prohibited when need to mitigate adverse impacts on wildlife (Guideline 5.4-5101). 

• Consider limiting the amount of disturbance from harvest activities during the winter 

periods (December 15 through May 15). 

• Maintain current seasonal closures, limiting use of haul routes by the public during the

winter months. 

Botany

The design criteria included herein apply to all action alternatives, and are considered an integral 

component of the Pactola BA/BE. The determinations of effects for each species are contingent 

upon, to varying degrees, implementation of design criteria. Any modification to these design 

criteria will be reviewed by an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) that includes a Botanist or biologist. A 

thorough documentation of the effects to all species potentially affected by changes in design criteria 

will be completed and placed in the Pactola Project file. Documentation will include a review of the 

determination of effects to each species, and amendment of determinations, if necessary. 

Specific design criteria described herein have been developed to be implemented as part of the 

action alternatives. Some design criteria not included here are Forest Service standard operating 

procedures. An example would be the standard provisions of a Timber Sale Contract and road 

design specifications. Other design criteria not included here are additional Forest Plan Standards 

and Guidelines too numerous and lengthy to include here (including, but not limited to those 

relating to water, soils, riparian areas, travel and transportation, noxious weeds, and livestock 

grazing). Project implementation will incorporate all Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, with 

the exception of those identified for site-specific amendment in the Record of Decision. 

• Mechanical treatments will be avoided in unique botanical sites. These are small patches 

of habitat, generally in drainage bottoms or wet meadows. Skid trail and road 

construction will also be avoided in these areas. If ground disturbing activities cannot be 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 40

avoided, a Botanist will be available and consulted during layout of the unit to ensure a 

minimal amount of impact. Additionally, moist soils and riparian areas are protected 

during timber harvest and road-building on National Forest Land under Best 

Management Practices and Forest Service Manual 2509.25. 

• Skidding will be avoided in unique botanical sites, unless soil is frozen to a depth of 2 in. 

or at least 1 ft. of packed snow is present. 

• Mechanical disturbance may occur outside of designated treatment areas (e.g., landings 

and skid trails). These areas will be located away from unique botanical sites. If these 

areas cannot be avoided, a botanist will be available and will be consulted during layout 

of the unit to ensure a minimal amount of impact to habitat. 

• Control lines associated with prescribed burn units will avoid unique botanical sites. If 

control lines (hand or dozer) intersect with unique botanical sites, a Botanist will be 

available and will be consulted during design of burn plans to ensure minimal amount of 

impact to suitable habitat. 

• Staging and parking of trucks and heavy equipment will not occur within unique 

botanical areas. If these areas cannot be avoided, a Botanist will consulted during layout 

of the unit to ensure a minimal amount of impact to habitat. 

• During broadcast prescribed burn, application of drip-torch fuel will be avoided in unique 

botanical sites. The fuels used to disperse flame can introduce long lasting toxins into the 

area that can inhibit growth of sensitive plants. Flames can be allowed to creep into these 

sites, but direct application of fire will be avoided. 

• Road construction and conversion activities will avoid unique botanical sites. If these

areas cannot be avoided, a Botanist will be consulted during layout of the unit to ensure a 

minimal amount of impact to habitat. 

• Within six months of completion of ground disturbing activities including skid trails, landing 

sites, and burned piles, revegetation of the area will be initiated using the approved native 

seed mix (see Standard 1110). The impacts of non-native plant invasion following ground 

disturbance can be minimized if the treated area is seeded with native plant species soon after 

mechanical treatment or burning (Haskins & Gehring 2004). The following approved seed 

mix has been developed for the Black Hills for the elevations found within the project area. 

It will be applied at 20 pounds per acre. All seeds will be certified weed free.

o 25% Slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus) 

o 30% Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) 

o 10% Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) 

o 10% Canby bluegrass (Poa canbyi) 

o 20% Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 

o 5% Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) or American vetch (Vicia Americana) 

Travel and Recreation Use

Designated routes are protected improvements, and the purchaser/contractor shall be required to 

return routes used for or in the areas of operations to at least their previous drivable condition 

(e.g., free of slash and down logs). 

Hauling on designated trails shall be discouraged to the extent practicable.
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 41

Landing and decking shall be prohibited on designated routes. 

Where possible, maintain a visual screen of trees of various ages and size classes adjacent to 

designated routes in order to better define the path of the route for users and discourage 

pioneering of illegal routes off the designated route. 

Timber sale prep and layout personnel shall coordinate with the District Travel Management 

Coordinator during layout and prior to sale package preparation. 

There shall be no timing restrictions on commercial or non-commercial treatments in the 

motorized trail area bounded by US Hwy. 385, Rapid Creek, and Rochford Road from January 1, 

2012 to May 15, 2014. After May 15, 2014, commercial and non-commercial treatments shall 

be restricted to seasonal operations (December 15 to May 15) in order to reduce the impact to 

availability of motorized routes to the recreating public. 

Scenery

Transition Zones – Treatments around private lands, in forested areas, should blend with the 

current condition on those lands, where possible. Avoid creating strong lines between private 

and Forest Service boundaries. Avoid creating an obvious edge between the treated and untreated areas, particularly where one boundary line, or more, runs straight up a slope (at a right 

angle to the contours) creating a very un-natural appearing form in the landscape. The transition 

zone width is dependent upon management and use of private lands, slope, and variety of 

vegetation. A feathered horizontal transition zone of 1.5 times the height of the overstory is 

recommended – at a minimum. Within this zone, reduce the density and tree size to transition 

from the treated to the un-treated. Units that create an obviously un-natural vegetative pattern 

will draw attention to it and not meet the LRMP or national handbook direction. 

Trails – Break up large blocks of the same type of treatments by leaving a variety of size and age 

classes near the trails. Maintain a Basal Area range of 40 to 80, where possible, along both sides 

of the trail for at least 100 ft., in forested areas. Logs should not be skidded across, or hauled 

along, the Centennial, Deerfield or Mickelson Trail. Any damage to the trail will be repaired and 

the trail restored to its original condition. As noise also negatively affect viewing pleasure, 

noncommercial thinning treatments should be done during the winter (October 1st through May 

15th), unless needed to remove MPB infested trees. Piling of slash and or thinning materials 

should be done as far away from the trail as possible so as to reduce the visual impact and to 

protect the residual basal area left along the trail from burning. 

Where possible along the roads and trails, remaining vegetation should be in a variety of sizes 

and spacing to maintain a more natural appearance. 

Clean up log decks within 300 ft. of travel corridors by returning to original contours, scarify to 

eliminate compaction (as necessary), and plant with native grass seed. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 42

Slash should be cleaned up to natural levels within 300 ft. of these travel corridors. This can be 

accomplished by slash clean up (scatter and under burning, piling and burning, or chipping) 

after logging. 

Slash once placed on the ground, needs to be treated in accordance with Forest Plan Guideline 

5606, “Where the SIO criterion is High or Moderate, meet the criterion within one full growing 

season after completion of a project. Where it is Low or Very Low, meet the criterion within 

three full growing seasons after completion of a project.” 

Follow the most current Black Hills NF “Visual Marking Guides and Map” - at the time of 

project layout and marking implementation. 

Other Design Considerations – Consider a shaded fuel break along main highways in the Project 

Area such as US Hwy. 385, County 251 (Crossover Road), County 141 (Silver City Road), that 

could provide multiple benefits, including: a fuel break to slow an advancing fire, a safe means of 

egress in the face of an advancing wildfire, greater visibility into forested stands adjacent to the 

highways that may reduce vehicle-animal (deer) strikes, these areas could be managed for 

showcasing large tree characteristics that would improve scenic diversity of the area, and potentially 

improve amount of sunlight reaching the pavement to melt ice and/or frost along these corridors. 

Alternative B 

Unit 091401-18 (71 acres in size) - Transitioning (“feathering’) the vegetation edge from dense 

canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) to created opening. This is particularly important on 

the northern 15 acres of the unit adjacent to Pactola Estates private land. 

Unit 090305-6 (42 acres in size) - Limited locations where skidding is allowed to cross the trail, 

and transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from dense canopy (in the adjacent nontreated areas) to created opening. 

Unit 090303-8 (19 acres in size) - Transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from dense 

canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) to created opening, particularly along the ridge tops. 

Unit 090305-3 (35 acres in size) - Transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from dense 

canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) to created opening, all the way around the unit. 

Unit 090403-11 (7 acres in size) - Transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from dense 

canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) to created opening, along the private land. 

Unit 090401-5, Along US Highway 385 - Transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from 

dense canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) into this unit. 

Unit 091403-13 (57 acres in size) – Double the transition (“feathering”) zone on the south side of 

the unit (where the boundary proceeds straight up a forest hill. Transition the vegetation edge 

from dense canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) to created opening, all the way around the 

rest of the unit. 

All Overstory Removals (OR), Liberation Cuts (LIB), Seed Cut (SC) treatments, transition 

(“feather”) the vegetation edge from dense canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) into this unit. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 43

Alternative C 

Unit 091404-5 An OSR treatment of 116 acres – Approximately 70% of this visible landform - on 

this slope (MA 8.2 – 200 year rotation, manage for large trees) does not meet the intent of this 

Management Area. Recommend Commercial Thinning to 70-80 BA (e.g., thin from below), uneven 

aged management, or another treatment that will maintain the largest trees on this slope, while still 

reducing the Basal Area within the range to reduce the potential mortality from mountain pine beetle 

(per Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS, Guidelines). Due to the rapid spread of mountain 

pine beetle, which are already near (or in) this unit, a change to helicopter logging this unit would 

allow the rapid treatment prior to the expected spread of MPB through this unit. 

Unit 090305-17 (100 acres in size) – Leave a higher density of trees in this commercial thin, 

below the new road construction (FID 558), to help hide the view of the new road from the 

community of Silver City, one mile away. 

Unit 090305-19 (29 acres in size) – Leave a higher density of trees in this commercial thin, 

below the new road construction (FID 558), to help hide the view of the new road from the 

community of Silver City, one mile away. 

Unit 090401-5 (35 acres in size) - Transitioning (“feathering”) the vegetation edge from dense 

canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) into this unit. 

All Overstory Removals (OR), Liberation Cuts (LIB), Seed Cut (SC) treatments, transition 

(“feather”) the vegetation edge from dense canopy (in the adjacent non-treated areas) into this unit. 

Lands and Special Uses

• Provide access routes as needed to utility companies for utility line new construction, 

reconstruction, and maintenance of existing rights-of-ways corridors. 

• Protect all documented National Forest System lands boundary corners, posts, and bearing trees. 

Heritage

Local Native American groups have been contacted and responses solicited concerning this 

project. On-going consultation with members of the local Native American community would 

aid in identification of specific locations and issues of concern. Any identified religious or 

sacred site would be protected in accordance with the Native American Religious Freedom Act 

(P.L. 95-341). Additionally, contemporarily used Native American resource areas would be 

identified and protected, and perpetuation of traditionally used flora and fauna encouraged by 

Forest Service land management. 

Guideline 6101 provides for the consideration of long-term Forest Management needs in 

determining appropriate use of mitigation of effects to, or avoidance of, heritage resources 

during project planning. Heritage sites located within treatment areas will be marked according 

to specifications provided in FS Manual 2309.24 and FSH 2361.28. Marked heritage sites will 

be avoided during mechanical tree thinning, firewood collecting, fire line construction, road 

maintenance, and other land disturbing activities associated with the proposed treatments. 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 44

It is recognized heritage resources may be present in the subsurface with no surface 

manifestation. Therefore if additional heritage resources are discovered during earth disturbing 

(e.g., timber thinning) activities, all operations must cease within a 300 ft. (100 meter) radius of 

the site and a forest archeologist notified immediately. Any additional heritage resources located 

during project implementation will be protected based on recommendations of the district 

archaeologist and State Historic Preservation Officer. All sites will be evaluated under the terms 

specified in 36 CFR 60.4 and 36 CFR 800 and applicable Forest guidelines [FP Guidelines 4102, 

6101, 6106] (USDA Forest Service 2001). If a heritage resource site is damaged during project 

implementation, work at and within the immediate vicinity of the site will cease until a Forest 

Service Archaeologist evaluates the damage, make stabilization recommendations, and 

determines what additional protective measures are needed to protect the site. Project work will 

not restart until authorized by either the District or Forest Archaeologist. 

No timber cutting or related activities (e.g., skidding, decking, etc.) will be allowed within a 35-

meter perimeter of the designated site boundary. No new road construction will be allowed 

within 35 meters of the site boundary. Existing roads through the site will not be improved. 

Logging trucks and heavy equipment will not drive through or park within the site boundary, 

except within existing road prisms. During the planning stage, all proposed road construction 

through known site areas will be checked on the ground. On-the-ground flagging of the 

construction effect through known sites will be checked and confirmed. Once confirmed, the 

District needs to decide which mitigative steps seem most appropriate given the spatial/vertical 

extent of the NRHP-significant site and its historic values. Additional archeological fieldwork 

may be required in certain instances to address these issues. The management choices then 

resolve down to mitigation through data recovery versus mitigation through avoidance. The

latter could include permanently capping the site (or portions thereof) that exhibits the significant 

historic values (e.g., site preservation). 

In order to protect known sites and mitigate damage to sites that may be discovered during 

ground disturbing activities, a special contract provision, Protection of Heritage Resources, will 

be included to assure that such resource damage during harvest operations is minimized. This 

provision requires the purchaser to protect all known, identified, or discovered historic, 

architecture, or prehistoric sites, buildings, objects, and properties related to American History, 

archaeology, and culture against destruction, obliteration, removal or damage during purchaser's 

operations. The purchaser shall immediately notify the Forest Service if damage occurs to any 

Heritage resource and immediately halt operations near the resource where damage occurred 

until the Forest Service authorizes the purchaser to proceed. If such damage is negligently or 

willfully caused by the purchaser's operations, the purchaser shall bear the costs of an 

investigation and restoration in accordance with 36 CFR 296.14(c), provided that such payment

shall not relieve the purchaser from civil or criminal remedies otherwise provided by law. The 

Forest Service may unilaterally modify or cancel a contract to protect an area, object of antiquity, 

artifact, or similar object that may be entitled to protection. 

Heritage sites with exposed burnable material will be protected by manually removing 

surrounding/interior fuels, foaming wooden structures, building fire lines around sites, using 

back-fires or a combination of measures to be determined on-site by the District or Forest 

Archaeologist, depending on the site’s location. If no protective measures can be effectively 
Appendix B Pactola Project Area Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 45

applied, sites will be avoided during prescribed burning activities. Each of the proposed 

prescribed burn areas has protected sites within the boundaries. These areas will need to be 

avoided by broadcast burn activities. Some pile burning may occur within or adjacent to the 

protected sites with coordination with the district archeologist. A detailed information packet 

will be available for these fuel reduction projects, and on the ground identification of the site 

boundaries will be accomplished by the heritage resource staff prior to implementation. All 

Forest Service and out-service personnel who may be working in the area of a site will be 

advised that under the provisions of 36 CFR 261.9, the following are prohibited: digging in, 

excavating, disturbing, injuring, or destroying any archeological, paleontological or historic site; 

or removing, disturbing, injuring, or destroying an object in such a site. 

There are no known caves in the analysis area. There are a number of rock shelters in the area, 

and some appear to be suitable bat habitat, as well as containing cultural deposits. As per 

Guideline 1401, these resources will be managed to protect or enhance biological, cultural, 

ecological, hydrological and physical characteristics. Mines are located in the Pactola Project 

area. Protection measures will be implemented and the locations identified during any ground 

disturbing activity. Mines that represent potential hazards for public safety have been identified. 

Mines with potential for bat habitat, have been identified to the district wildlife biologist for 

further review (Guideline 3209).