Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-1 

SUMMARY 

LOCATION and AREA 

South George project planning area is located on Umatilla National Forest, Pomeroy Ranger District. It is 

approximately 21,000 acres in size and is primarily situated in Asotin County, Washington with a small 

portion in Garfield County, Washington. The project planning area is within portions of T.7N., R.43E., 

sections 1-2; T.7N., R44E., sections 1-6 and 10-11; T.8N., R.43E., sections 1-2, 10-15, 21-28, 33-36; 

T.8N., R.44E., sections 5-8, 17-23, 25-36; and T. 9N., R.43E., sections 35-36; and T9N., R44E., section 

31. It is located in South Fork Asotin Creek and Upper George Creek Subwatersheds of the Asotin 

Watershed (see maps in Appendix A). Elevations range from 3,200 to 6,000 feet. 

South George project planning area is bounded by Umatilla National Forest boundary to the north and 

east, Smoothing Iron Ridge to the west, and breaks of the Grande Ronde River to the south. Asotin Creek 

and Wenatchee Creek inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) are near the west and south sides of the project 

planning area. Existing main access forest system roads (FR) 4400, 4300, and 4304 separate both IRAs 

from the project planning area boundary. Ecosystems in and around the project planning area are diverse, 

ranging from dry sage grasslands to cold sub-alpine forests. There are numerous camping areas, hiking 

trails, scenic vistas, along with big game hunting opportunities (elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and 

black bear) and huckleberry sites. Most of the area is accessible by vehicle. Anatone Wildland Urban 

Interface1 (WUI) area is located approximately three miles away from the eastern boundary of the project 

planning area, and is identified in the Asotin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). 

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife owns approximately 550 acres (designated elk winter 

range) within the project planning area 

BACKGROUND - CURRENT CONDITIONS 

An analysis of existing and historical vegetation (Appendix J) has indicated that active management is 

warranted for upland forests of the South George project planning area. High levels of insect and disease 

susceptibility, caused largely by overly dense forests containing low vigor trees, are symptoms of 

impaired forest health and deteriorating ecosystem integrity. These symptoms relate to changes in three 

vegetation components: species composition, forest structure (including canopy layering), and tree 

density (including canopy biomass). 

The historical range of variability (HRV) recognizes that ecosystems are complex and they experience a 

range of conditions across which processes are resilient and self-sustaining. When allowed to move 

beyond the limits of the range of variability, ecosystems inevitably move into a state of disequilibrium or 

disorganization (Egan and Howell 2001, Holling and Meffe 1996, Kaufmann et al. 1994). HRV uses a 

range of reference conditions pertaining to the pre-settlement era – a timeframe defined as the mid 1800s 

for the northern Blue Mountains. 

 

1 Wildland urban interface (WUI) – A WUI refers to areas where wildland vegetation meets urban developments, 

or where forest fuels meet urban fuels in the case of wildfires (such as houses). These areas encompass not only the 

interface (areas immediately adjacent to urban development), but also the continuous slopes that lead directly to a 

risk to urban developments be it from wildfire, landslides, or floods. 
Summary 

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Forest stand composition, density, and structure in the project planning area have been altered from 

historical conditions due to fire suppression and other past forest management practices. A majority of 

current forest stands originated as a result of fire disturbances occurring up to the 1930s, and have not 

experienced fire since then. Late seral tree species have become Dominant after long periods without 

disturbance and are more susceptible to disturbance-caused mortality than early seral species. Overall 

forest health has generally declined due to overstocking and an increase in the amount of shade tolerant 

species. 

Findings from the NFMA analysis (Appendix J and Silviculture Specialist’s Report pages 74 to 95) for 

upland forests in South George project are listed below. 

Dry forests sites currently have the following issues, concerns, or opportunities with respect to forest 

vegetation conditions: 

• Dry forest sites currently support too much of the grand fir and Douglas-fir cover types, and too 

little of the ponderosa pine cover type. 

• Dry forest sites currently support too much of the understory reinitiation structural stage, and too 

little of the stand initiation and young forest multi strata structural stages. 

• Dry forest sites currently support too much high-density forest condition, and too little of the lowdensity condition. 

• For the dry upland forest biophysical environment, both late-old structural stages are within 

HRV, so scenario B from the wildlife standard in the Eastside Screens (an amendment to the 

Forest Plan) is to be followed for this biophysical environment (see Appendix C for Consistency 

with Eastside Screens). 

Moist-forest sites currently have the following issues, concerns, or opportunities with respect to forest 

vegetation conditions. 

• Moist-forest sites currently support too much of the grand fir and spruce-fir cover types, and too 

little of the lodgepole pine, western larch, broadleaved trees, and Douglas-fir cover types. 

• Moist-forest sites currently support too much of the stem exclusion open canopy and old forest 

single stratum structural stages, and too little of the young forest multi strata and old forest multi 

strata structural stages. 

• For the moist upland forest biophysical environment, one of the late-old structural stages is above 

HRV and the other is below HRV, so scenario A from the wildlife standard in the Eastside 

Screens (an amendment to the Forest Plan) is to be followed for this biophysical environment. 

Findings also show that existing insect and disease susceptibility2 based upon historical range of 

variability is well above normal levels for defoliators (western spruce budworm and Douglas-fir tussock 

moth), fir engraver beetles, and root diseases (Armillaria and laminated root disease). 

Fire regime Condition Classes3, which describe departure from historical fire regimes in terms of fire 

return intervals and vegetative change from historical composition and density, have been modified in the 

 

2

Susceptibility – A set of conditions that make a forest stand vulnerable to substantial injury by insects or diseases. 
Summary 

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project planning area due mainly to past harvest history and fire suppression (Fuels Specialist’s Report 

pages 6-13). In many areas fuels that would have historically been consumed during periodic wildfires 

have increased above historical levels. Today, fires in dry and moist forests would exhibit moderate to 

severe effects characterized by high fire severity and intensity on landscapes that historically had low to 

moderate severity. Without treatment, the project planning area would continue to transition from a low 

or moderately altered fire regime (Condition Classes 1 and 2), to a significantly altered fire regime (Class 

3), where the risk of losing ecosystem components would be substantially higher. Surface fuel loads 

would continue to build and tree density and canopy layering would also increase. Abundant small trees 

would serve as ladder fuels that can carry fire from the forest floor to the tree canopy, increasing the 

likelihood of high severity, stand-replacement fires. Fire ignitions today would not function as a natural 

disturbance process within their historical range pertaining to fire size, frequency, intensity, severity, or 

landscape patterns. 

PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION 

The Pomeroy District Ranger has determined that based upon current vegetative and fuel trends in the 

project planning area, and contrasting them with desired future conditions identified in Umatilla National 

Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan, pp. 4-3 to 4-14), and recommendations made 

in the Asotin Watershed Assessment (pages VI-1 to VI-3). The Asotin Watershed Assessment 

recommended the use of timber harvest to thin dense stands, reduce fir, retain pine and larch to convert to 

early-seral species stands, and allow fire prescriptions to reduce fuels. Based on these recommendations 

and the difference between the current conditions of the area and the Forest Plan’s desired future 

conditions, the purpose of and need for action for this project is to improve forest health, vigor, and 

resilience to fire, insects, and disease in upland forests that are outside their historical pre-fire suppression 

conditions for species composition, structural diversity, stocking densities, and fuel loadings. Providing 

sawlogs and wood fiber products for utilization by regional and local industries is also considered a need 

for this project, and because the majority of acres (about 18,700 acres) in the project planning area are 

Forest Plan management area allocations with big game and wildlife habitat goals (C3, C3A, and C4) the 

District Ranger determined that there is a need to continue to provide and manage wildlife habitat and its 

components (cover and forage) in South George project planning area. 

The response to the purpose and need for this project is identified as follows: 

Vegetation – There is a need to move forest structure, species composition, and stand density toward 

their historical ranges of variability (HRV). By moving these forest attributes toward HRV, ecosystem 

processes, such as response to wildfire, insects and disease, are more resilient and self-sustaining (Egan 

and Howell 2001, Holling and Meffe 1996, Kaufmann et al. 1994). This would be accomplished by

favoring fire tolerant species, increasing old forest structure, and reducing stocking density to levels that 

resist insects, diseases, and stand-replacing wildfire(s). 

Fuels – There is a need to manage forest stands in Condition Classes 2 and 3 to begin to restore 

vegetation characteristics and fire return intervals characteristic of historical fire regimes. This would 

decrease the probability of uncharacteristic high intensity wildfires by reducing fuel loads to levels 

 

3 Condition Class – Describes the departure from historical fire regimes in terms of fire return interval and 

vegetative changes from historical composition and density (Hann and Bunnell, 2001). Class 1 – within historical 

range; Class 2 – moderately altered from historical range; and Class 3 – significantly altered from historical range. 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-4 

expected under natural fire disturbance regimes. This would be achieved by lowering stand densities, 

increasing the relative abundance of fire tolerant species, reducing existing ladder, surface, and canopy 

fuels, while improving suppression capabilities on forest land and adjacent private land, and reintroducing 

landscape prescribed fire into the ecosystem. 

Timber Production – There is a need to provide sawlogs and wood fiber for utilization by regional and 

local economies. This would be accomplished by the commercial harvest of wood fiber. 

Wildlife Habitat – There is a need to continue to provide and manage, over time, for wildlife habitat and 

its components (cover and forage). This would be achieved by meeting Forest Plan goals and 

management area standards and guidelines allocated to the project planning area for wildlife habitat. 

ISSUE IDENTIFICATION 

Following are the resource issues raised by the public and by the interdisciplinary team that were 

analyzed for environmental effects with implementation of each alternative analyzed in detail: 

 Old Forest Habitat (Key Issue) 

 Access Management (Key Issue) 

 Soil Resources 

 Hydrology/Water Quality 

 Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES)/Management Indicator Species (MIS) Fish 

Habitat 

 Vegetation 

 Fuels - Fire Return Intervals and Crown Fire Potential 

 Air Quality 

 Invasive Plant Species and Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) Plant Species 

 Wildlife Habitat - Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) Terrestrial Species, 

Management Indicator Species (MIS), Landbirds, and Dead Wood 

 Range 

 Visuals/Scenery 

 Wild and Scenic River Area – Grande Ronde 

 Recreation 

 Potential Wilderness Areas (PWAs)

 Roadless and Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) 

 Undeveloped Lands 

 Economics 
Summary 

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ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED IN DETAIL 

Alternative A – No Action 

PURPOSE AND DESIGN:

• No new management activities as proposed would occur. 

• Current biological and physical processes would be allowed to continue along their present path along 

with associated risks and benefits and serve as a baseline for comparison with other alternatives. 

• Responds to the requirement to consider a no action alternative (40 CFR §1502.14 (d)). 

DESCRIPTION:

All activities identified in the proposed action would not occur in South George project planning area 

with implementation of this alternative. Commercial timber harvest, fuels treatments for activity and 

natural fuels, and landscape prescribed fire treatments, would not be authorized. There would be no 

temporary road construction, or treatment of fuels in RHCAs to reduce the chance of a crown fire. 

Previously approved ongoing activities such as domestic cattle grazing, fire protection, firewood cutting, 

recreation, and road maintenance (including danger tree removal) would continue to occur. 

This alternative would allow timber stands, identified at this time as needing treatment, to progress 

through natural successional processes at their own rate. Natural fuels would not be treated to reduce the 

risk of uncharacteristic wildfire intensity or allow for a safer environment for fire-fighting personnel 

during fire suppression. 

Alternative B – Proposed Action (Preferred Alternative) 

PURPOSE AND DESIGN:

Alternative B is the proposed action and preferred alternative. This is the same alternative used for 

scoping, except that acreages have been adjusted to reflect additional field reviews and updated GIS 

information. Treatments in Alternative B respond to elements identified in the Purpose and Need 

(Chapter 1, pages 1-4 to 1-5) and are designed to accomplish the following objectives: 

• Modify dry and moist upland forests to a species composition and structure compatible with the 

historical range of variability. Thinning treatments are used to reduce forest density, modify species 

composition, and reduce insect and disease susceptibility by improving tree and stand vigor. 

Regeneration treatments are used to improve upland forest sites where early-seral species are no 

longer present in ecologically viable amounts. 

• Reduce fuel loading (surface, ladder, and canopy fuels) to a level that facilitates future reintroduction 

of low-intensity surface fire, reduce ladder and ground fuels in natural fuel areas to lower the risk of 

fire spread into the upper canopy, and reduce fuels that would contribute to uncharacteristic wildfire 

intensity and resource damage. 

• Provide sawlogs and wood fiber products for utilization by local and regional industry. 

• Continue to provide and manage wildlife habitat and its components (cover, forage, and roads). 
Summary 

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• Reduce risk of personal injury by removing danger trees along haul routes used for timber sale 

activities. 

DESCRIPTION:

The following table is a summary of activities proposed in Alternative B. 

Table S-1 Summary of Activities Proposed in Alternative B 

Proposed Activity Alternative B 

Fuels Treatments – Activity 

Mechanical Grapple Piling/Pile Burning 870 acres 

Prescribed burning of activity fuels (Jackpot and Broadcast) 2,030 acres 

Fuels Treatments – Natural 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and ladder fuel removal 800 acres 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder fuel removal 350 acres 

Landscape prescribed fire 3,000 acres 

RHCA non-commercial mechanical fuels treatment 25 acres 

Vegetation Removal 

Intermediate Harvest: Improvement Cut 3,020 acres 

Intermediate Harvest: Low Thinning 80 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Seedtree w/reserves 550 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Clearcut w/reserves 250 acres 

Volume of timber removed 47,250 ccf 

Logging Methods 

Helicopter 300 acres 

Skyline 850 acres 

Conventional ground based (tractor or skidder) 2,750 acres 

Roads Used – Haul Routes 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 3 33 miles 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 2 13.5 miles 

Closed System – Maintenance level 1 32.5 miles 

Other Road Activity 

New temporary road construction – decommissioned post project activities 3 miles 

Danger tree removal As needed 

Economics 

Total Timber Value at Predicted High Bid Rate (Revenue) $2,315,250 

Alternative C 

PURPOSE AND DESIGN:

Treatments in Alternative C respond to the purpose and need for the project, and comments made by 

some of the responders regarding concerns about any new road construction, temporary or otherwise and 

any road reconstruction and to look at roads that can be decommissioned. Roads and trails to be 

decommissioned are not connected actions to the commercial timber harvest activity and would require 

separate funding. Treatments are designed to accomplish the following objectives: 

• Modify dry and moist upland forests to a species composition and structure compatible with the 

historical range of variability. Thinning treatments are used to reduce forest density, modify species 

composition, and reduce insect and disease susceptibility by improving tree and stand vigor. 
Summary 

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Regeneration treatments are used to improve upland forest sites where early-seral species are no 

longer present in ecologically viable amounts. 

• Reduce fuel loading (surface, ladder and canopy fuels) to a level that facilitates future reintroduction 

of low-intensity surface fire, reduce ladder and ground fuels in natural fuel areas to lower the risk of 

fire spread into the upper canopy, and reduce fuels that would contribute to uncharacteristic wildfire 

intensity and resource damage. 

• Reduce risk of personal injury by removing danger trees along haul routes used for timber sale 

activities. 

• Provide sawlogs and wood fiber products for utilization by local and regional industry. 

• Decommission system roads and unauthorized roads and trails not needed for any future activity. 

• Continue to provide and manage wildlife habitat and its components (cover, forage, and roads). 

• Extend seasonal closure on Forest Road 4302 (Hogback road). 

DESCRIPTION:

See the table below for a summary of activities proposed in Alternative C. 

Table S-2 Summary of Activities Proposed in Alternative C 

Proposed Activity Alternative C 

Fuels Treatments – Activity 

Mechanical Grapple Piling/Pile Burning 870 acres 

RX burning of activity fuels (Jackpot and Broadcast) 2,030acres 

Fuels Treatments – Natural 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and ladder fuel removal 800 acres 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder fuel removal 350 acres 

Landscape prescribed fire 3,000 acres 

RHCA non-commercial mechanical fuels treatment 25 acres 

Vegetation Removal 

Intermediate Harvest: Improvement Cut 3,020 acres 

Intermediate Harvest: Low Thinning 80 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Seedtree w/reserves 550 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Clearcut w/reserves 250 acres 

Volume of timber removed 47,250 ccf 

Logging Methods 

Helicopter 550acres 

Skyline 625acres 

Conventional ground based (tractor or skidder) 2,725 acres 

Roads Used – Haul Routes 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 3 33 miles 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 2 13.5 miles 

Closed System – Maintenance level 1 32.5 miles 

Other Road Activity 

New temporary road construction (All temporary roads will be decommissioned post 

project) 0 miles 

System roads decommissioned (4.3 miles of open roads Maintenance level 2, and 26.6 

miles of closed system roads Maintenance level 3) 31 miles 

Unauthorized roads and ATV trails decommissioned 15 miles 

Danger Tree Removal As Needed 

Economics 

Total Timber Value at Predicted High Bid Rate (Revenue) $1,701,000 
Summary 

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Alternative D 

PURPOSE AND DESIGN:

Treatments in Alternative D respond to the purpose and need for the project and respond to the issue of 

maintaining existing old forest stands in the project planning area. Treatments are designed to accomplish 

the following objectives: 

• Modify dry and moist upland forests to a species composition and structure compatible with the 

historical range of variability. Conserve or improve current conditions in late-old structure on moistforest sites. No clearcutting would be implemented, and only 100 acres of seed-tree cutting would 

occur. Silvicultural activities described for Alternatives B and C are also proposed for Alternative D, 

but at lesser amounts. 

• Thinning treatments are used to reduce forest density, modify species composition, and reduce insect 

and disease susceptibility by improving tree and stand vigor. 

• Maintain existing cover and structure in old forest stands and maintain existing structure in other 

declining stands that are still providing essential habitat for many wildlife species. 

• Reduce fuel loading (surface, ladder and canopy fuels) to a level that facilitates future reintroduction 

of low-intensity surface fire, reduce ladder and ground fuels in natural fuel areas to lower the risk of 

fire spread into the upper canopy, and reduce fuels that would contribute to uncharacteristic wildfire 

intensity and resource damage. 

• Reduce risk of personal injury by removing danger trees along haul routes used for timber sale 

activities. 

• Provide sawlogs and wood fiber products for utilization by local and regional industry. 

• Continue to provide and manage wildlife habitat and its components (cover, forage, and roads). 

DESCRIPTION:

See the table below for a summary of activities proposed in Alternative D. 

Table S-3 Summary of Activities Proposed in Alternative D 

Proposed Activity Alternative D 

Fuels Treatments – Activity 

Mechanical Grapple Piling/Pile Burning 540 acres 

RX burning of activity fuels (Jackpot and Broadcast) 1,370 acres 

Fuels Treatments – Natural 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and ladder fuel removal 800 acres 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder fuel removal 350 acres 

Landscape prescribed fire 3,000 acres 

RHCA non-commercial mechanical fuels treatment 25 acres 

Vegetation Removal 

Intermediate Harvest: Improvement Cut 2,420 acres 

Intermediate Harvest: Low Thinning 80 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Seedtree w/reserves 100 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: Clearcut w/reserves 0 acres 

Volume of timber removed 25,350 ccf 

Logging Methods 

Helicopter 300acres 

Skyline 500 acres 

Conventional ground based (tractor or skidder) 1,800 acres 
Summary 

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Proposed Activity Alternative D 

Roads Used – Haul Routes 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 3 33 miles 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 2 13 miles 

Closed System – Maintenance level 1 24.5 miles 

Other Road Activity 

New temporary road construction (All temporary roads will be decommissioned post 

project) 2.25 miles 

System roads decommissioned (5.5 miles of open roads Maintenance level 2, and 34.5 

miles of closed system roads Maintenance level 3) 0 miles 

Unauthorized non-system roads and ATV trails decommissioned 0 miles 

Danger tree removal As Needed 

Economics 

Total Timber Value at Predicted High Bid Rate (Revenue) $1,039,350 

Design Features and Management Requirements

Design features and management requirements for all action alternatives (where applicable) address the 

following: 

• Water Quality – Clean Water Act 

• Fish 

• Air Quality 

• Soils 

• Invasive Plant Species (Noxious Weeds) 

• Cultural Resources 

• Range Resources 

• Wildlife 

• Recreation 

• Public Safety 

• ESA (Endangered Species Act) 

• TE&S Plants 

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED, BUT ELIMINATED FROM 

DETAILED STUDY 

The following alternatives were considered and eliminated from detailed study by the Responsible 

Official for reasons identified below: 

Alternative E - Prescribed burning only 

Restore forest health through prescribed burning treatments only. This alternative would not meet the 

purpose and need due to high existing fuel loading conditions and risk potential for escape. With large 

landscape areas covered with high risk vegetation composition, such as South George project planning 

area, the potential for escape or resource damaging landscape fire would be high. This fire risk can be 

reduced by removing some vegetation first before adding prescribed fire. After timber harvest, landscape 

burns are easier to accomplish because the landscape has been divided into manageable burn blocks 

(polygons). This alternative would not meet the purpose and need of decreasing the probability of 
Summary 

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uncharacteristic high intensity wildfires by reducing fuel loads to levels expected under natural fire 

disturbance regimes. The majority of acres (15,200 acres of the 21,000 acres) in the South George project 

planning area are in Forest Plan management area C4- Wildlife Habitat and this allocation requires certain 

management to protect wildlife habitat (see Chapter 1, page 1-7). Just using prescribed fire would not 

meet the desired future condition for this land allocation and the purpose and need to continue to provide 

and manage, over time, for wildlife habitat and its components of cover and forage. In addition it would 

not meet the immediate need to reduce ongoing impacts of insect and disease or provide resources to the 

local economy. Based on the information above this alternative was considered but not analyzed in detail. 

Alternative F - Bring project area streams into fully functioning condition

We received a suggestion to consider bringing project area streams into fully functioning condition, 

including riparian and stream habitat conditions that support viable populations of native fish species and 

meet Riparian Management Objectives (RMOs). Currently aquatic conditions within the project area are 

currently functioning to support healthy native fish populations. Most streams in the project planning 

area are intermittent and overland flow is non-existent to the boundary edges. Fish bearing streams are 

located predominantly outside the project area and most riparian buffers are inaccessible due to steep 

canyons and incised drainages (maps Appendix A). Asotin watershed has been selected as an intensely 

monitored watershed (IMW) by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board in 2008 to evaluate recovery 

processes and restoration projects implemented (Fisheries Report, page 17). Because current aquatic 

conditions are improving and meeting PACFISH RMOs (Chapter 3, Table 3-14), this alternative was 

considered but not analyzed in detail. 

Alternative G - Focus on wildlife habitat enhancement , watershed restoration activities, old 

growth protection (minimum fragmentation), and fewer impacts to non-motorized recreation

In reviewing the elements of this suggested alternative it was determined that it does not address the 

project’s purpose and need to improve health, vigor, and resilience to fire, insects, and disease in upland 

forests that are outside their historical pre-fire suppression conditions for species composition (including 

hardwood species), structural diversity, stocking densities, and fuel loads, nor would it provide sawlogs 

and wood fiber products for utilization by regional and local industry. The purpose and need for this 

project includes the need to continue to provide and manage over time for wildlife habitat and its 

components (Chapter 1, page 1-5). Alternative D for this project is designed to maintain existing cover 

and structure in old forest stands and maintain existing structure in other declining stands that are still 

providing essential habitat for many wildlife species (p. 2-26). Implementation of proposed activities in 

Alternatives B, C, and D would continue to meet Forest Plan goals to provide and maintain wildlife 

habitat (pages 2-42 to 2-44). Based on the information above, this alternative, as stated, was considered 

but not analyzed in detail. 
Summary 

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COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

The following tables compare Alternatives A, B, C, and D by activity, purpose and need, and issues: 

Table S-4 Summary Comparison of Alternatives by Activity 

Alternative

A 

Alternative

B 

Alternative 

C 

Alternative

D 

Fuels Treatments – Activity 

Mechanical Grapple Piling/Pile Burning 0 acres 870 acres 870 acres 540 acres 

RX burning of activity fuels (Jackpot and 

Broadcast) 

0 acres 2,030 acres 2,030acres 1,370 acres 

Fuels Treatments – Natural 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and 

ladder fuel removal 0 acres 800 acres 800 acres 800 acres 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder 

fuel removal 0 acres 350 acres 350 acres 350 acres 

Landscape prescribed fire 0 acres 3,000 acres 3,000 acres 3,000 acres 

RHCA non-commercial mechanical fuels 

treatment 0 acres 25 acres 25 acres 25 acres 

Vegetation Removal 

Intermediate Harvest: 

 Improvement Cut 

0 acres 3,020 acres 3,020 acres 2,420 acres 

Intermediate Harvest: 

 Low Thinning 

0 acres 80 acres 80 acres 80 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: 

 Seedtree w/reserves 

0 acres 550 acres 550 acres 100 acres 

Regeneration Harvest: 

 Clearcut w/reserves 

0 acres 250 acres 250 acres 0 acres 

Volume of timber removed 0 ccf 47,250 ccf 47,250 ccf 25,350 ccf 

Logging Methods 

Helicopter 0 acres 300 acres 550acres 300acres 

Skyline 0 acres 850 acres 625acres 500 acres 

Conventional ground based (tractor or skidder) 0 acres 2,750 acres 2,725 acres 1,800 acres 

Roads Used – Haul Routes 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 3 0 miles 33 miles 33 miles 33 miles 

Seasonal Open System – Maintenance level 2 0 miles 13.5 miles 13.5 miles 13 miles 

Closed System – Maintenance level 1 0 miles 32.5 miles 32.5 miles 24.5 miles 

Other Road Activity 

New temporary road construction 

(will be decommissioned post project) 0.miles 3 miles 0 miles 2.25 miles 

System roads decommissioned (Appendix G, 

Table G-3) 0 miles 0 miles 31 miles 0 miles 

Unauthorized non-system roads and ATV trails 

decommissioned 

0 miles 0 miles 15 miles 0 miles 

Danger Tree Removal Ongoing As Needed As Needed As Needed 

Economics 

Total Timber Value at Predicted High Bid 

Rate (Revenue) 

$0 $2,315,250 $1,701,000 $1,039,350 
Summary 

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The following table shows a comparative synopsis by alternative to purpose and need statements made in Chapter 1. In thiacres in some categories overlap and are not to be considered additive. This is the result of more than one action occurring 

Table S-5 Comparison Response to Purpose and Need by Alternative 

Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Forest Species Composition Existing tree species composition is not within its historical range of variability. Before implementation dry upland forest potential vegetation groups (PVG) had 3 cover types outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG had 6 cover types that were outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-18). 

No silvicultural activities would occur to change existing species composition on the total forest vegetation affected environment (about 14,060 acres) see Chapter 3, Table 3-16. 

Species Pre 

acres 

Percent 

Herbshrub 210 1 Ponderosa Pine 

1,910 14 

Douglasfir 2,100 15 Western Larch 

310 2 

Lodgepole Pine 

300 2 

Grand fir 6,840 49 Spruce-fir 2,390 17 

Post implementation acres on the total forest vegetation affected environment (about 14,060 acres) see Chapter 3, Table 3-25. 

Species Post 

acres 

Percent 

Herbshrub 210 1 Ponderosa Pine 

2,060 15 

Douglasfir 2,770 20 Western Larch 

1,750 12 

Lodgepole Pine 

200 1 

Grand fir 4,910 35 Spruce-fir 2,160 15 

After implementation dry upland forest PVG has 2 cover types outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG has 5 cover types that are outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-26). 

Same as Alternative B 

Post-impforest veenvironmsee Chap

SpecieHerbshrub PonderPine Douglafir WesterLarch LodgepPine Grand Spruce

After imforest PVoutside oforest PVare outsiTable 3-
Summary 

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Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Forest Structural Stages Existing forest structural stages are not within the historical range of variability.  Before implementation dry upland forest PVG had 4 structural stages that were outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG had 5 structural stages that were outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-20). 

No silvicultural activities would occur to change forest structural stages on total forest vegetation affected environment (about 14,060 acres) see Chapter 3, Table 3-19. 

Structural Stage 

Pre Acres 

Percent 

Stand Initiation 

570 4 

Stem Exclusion Open Canopy 

2,710 19 

Stem Exclusion Closed Canopy 

3,000 21 

Understory Reinitiation 

4,200 30 

Young Forest Multi Strata 

310 2 

Old Forest Multi Strata 

1,120 8 

Old Forest Single Stratum 

2,140 15 

Post implementation acres on the portion of total forest vegetation affected environment (about 14,060 acres) see Chapter 3, Table 3-28. 

Structural Stage 

Post Acres 

Percent 

Stand Initiation 

1,370 10 

Stem Exclusion Open Canopy 

3,400 24 

Stem Exclusion Closed Canopy 

1,940 14 

Understory Reinitiation 

3,140 22 

Young Forest Multi Strata 

310 2 

Old Forest Multi Strata 

1,040 7 

Old Forest Single Stratum 

2,860 20 

After implementation dry upland forest PVG has 2 structural stages that are outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG has 4 structural 

Same as Alternative B 

Post impportion oaffected acres) se

StructuStage Stand InitiatiStem ExclusOpen Canopy Stem ExclusClosed Canopy UndersReinitiYoung Forest Multi Strata Old FoMulti Strata Old FoSingle Stratum 

After imforest PVthat are upland f
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-14 

Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

stages that are outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-29). 

stages th(Chapter 

Forest Tree Density Existing tree density classes are not within the historical range of variability. Acres moved from high density to low or moderate density in order to resist insects, diseases, and stand replacing wildfire(s). Before implementation dry upland forest PVG had 2 tree density classes that were outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG had no classes that were outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-22).

No silvicultural activities would occur to change tree (stand) density levels on the total forest vegetation affected environment (about 14,060 acres) see Chapter 3, Table 3-21. 

Density class 

Acres Percent 

Low 5,060 36 Moderate 5,200 37 High 3,800 27 

Implementation of this alternative on the total forest vegetation affected environment of about 14,060 acres would result in the following change in acres in tree density classes (Chapter 3, Table 3-31). 

Density class 

Acres Percent 

Low 7,050 50 Moderate 4,830 34 High 2,180 16 

After implementation dry upland forest PVG has 1tree density class that is outside of HRV and moist upland forest PVG has 2 tree density classes that are outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-32). 

Same as Alternative B 

Implemeon the toaffected 14,060 afollowindensity c40). 

Density class Low ModerHigh 

After imforest PVthat is ouupland fdensity cHRV (C

Fuels: Treat forest stands in Condition Classes 2 and 3 to begin to restore vegetation characteristics and fire return intervals characteristic of historical fire regimes. 

Existing Condition Classes would remain the same in the project planning area. • Class 1 

Acres - 65 Percent -<1% 

Condition Classes post treatment of project activities for Fire Regimes I, III, and IV • Class 1 

Acres – 7,950 Percent – 39% 

Same as Alternative B Conditio

project aI, II, III, • Clas
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-15 

Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

• Class 2 

Acres 17,940 Percent 87% 

• Class 3 

Acres - 2,550 Percent 13% 

• Class 2 

Acres – 10,480 Percent – 52% 

• Class 3 

Acres – 2,065 Percent – 10% 

• Clas• Clas

Fuels: Crown fire potential – decrease the probability of uncharacteristic high intensity wildfires by lowering stand densities, and reducing existing ladder, surface, and canopy fuels 

Existing Crown Fire Potential: Dry Forests • High – 2,760 acres • Medium – 840 acres • Low – 35 acres Moist Forests High – 10,035 acres Medium – 1,470 acres Low – 0 acres 

Crown Fire Potential post treatment: Dry Forests • High – 955 acres • Medium – 670 acres • Low – 1,975 acres Moist Forests • High – 6,415 acres • Medium – 935 acres • Low – 4,155 acres 

Same as Alternative B 

Crown FtreatmenDry Fore• Hig• Med• Low Moist Fo• Hig• Med• Low 

Timber Production There is a need to provide sawlogs and wood fiber for utilization by regional and local economies

N/A See Economics in 

Table 2-13 below 

See Economics in 

Table 2-13 below 

Wildlife Habitat There is a need to continue to provide and manage over time, for wildlife habitat and its components (cover and forage). 

See Wildlife Habitat in 

Table 2-13 below 

See Wildlife Habitat in 

Table 2-13 below 

See Wildlife Habitat in 

Table 2-13 below 

Se
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-16 

Table S-6 – Comparison by Alternative of Key Issues and Other Resource Iss

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

OLD FOREST HABITAT– Key IssueAcres of old forest affected by proposed activities 0 acres 1,010 acres 1,010 acres Acres of old forest connective corridors affected by proposed activities 

0 acres 180 acres 180 acres 

Acres where trees >21 inches 

DBH may be removed. 0 acres 620 acres 620 acres 

Acres converted to old forest stand structure 0 acres 640 acres 640 acres ACCESS MANAGEMENT – Key IssueMiles of temporary road construction (decommissioned after use) 

0 miles 3.0 miles 0 miles 

Miles of system road decommissioning 0 miles 0 miles 31 miles Miles of non-system unauthorized roads and trails 0 miles 0 miles 15.5 miles Extension of seasonal road closure No No Yes SOILS Detrimental soil disturbance (DSC) in the following: • harvest units (acres) 57 acres 248 acres 244 acres 

• Non-commercial thinning 

units (acres) 23 acres 40 acres 40 acres 

• Temporary road 

construction (acres) 0 acres 7.2 acres 0 acres 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-17 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

• Roads and trails 

rehabilitated (acres) 0 acres 0 acres 94 acres 

Effective Ground Cover Within acceptable condition,

and meets Forest Plan 

standards 

Within acceptable condition, 

and meets Forest Plan 

standards 

Within acceptable condition, 

and meets Forest Plan 

standards 

W

HYDROLOGYRoad density – opened and closed by subwatershed ( miles per square mile) 

S. Fork Asotin Creek – 2.5 

Upper George Creek – 3.5 

Remain the same as existing 

condition 

S. Fork Asotin Cr. – 2.1 

Upper George Cr. – 1.8 

R

Number of stream crossings S. Fork Asotin Creek – 42 

Upper George Creek – 40 

Remain the same as existing 

condition 

S. Fork Asotin Creek – 30 

Upper George Creek – 12 

R

Water Temperature Would improve slowly over 

time as near channel vegetation 

grew and provided more shade 

Change to water temperature would not be measurable. Effects would be negligible. 

Same as Alternative B 

Sediment Sediment is not detectable as 

streams leave National Forest 

Service lands 

No measurable effect 

No detectable increase 

Same as Alternative B 

Equivalent Treatment Acre Model – Percentages by subwatershed 

S. Fork Asotin Cr. - 3.1% Upper George Cr. – 3.1% 

S. Fork Asotin Cr. – 13.4% 

Upper George Cr. – 8.9% 

S. Fork Asotin Cr. – 13.2% 

Upper George Cr. – 8.2% 

TES AQUATIC SPECIES Snake River Steelhead and Critical Habitat (MIS and ESA – Threatened) - Biological determination 

No action 

Biological determination ofMay Effect – Not Likely To Adversely Affect (ME-NLAA) Short-term potential for sediment introduction during seasonal high flows. No measurable offsite effects to hydrologic function, water temperature, or sediment load. Roadwork would reduce erosion.

Same as Alternative B 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-18 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Bull Trout and Critical Habitat (ESA – Threatened) – No action 

Biological determination of May Effect – Not Likely To Adversely Affect (ME-NLAA)Short-term potential for sediment introduction during seasonal high flows. No measurable offsite effects to hydrologic function, water temperature, or sediment load. Roadwork would reduce erosion. 

Same as Alternative B 

Redband Trout (MIS and Sensitive) and Margined Sculpin (Sensitive) 

No action 

Biological determination of May Impact Individuals Or Habitat But Will Not Likely Contribute To A Trend Towards Federal Listing. Short-term time potential for the introduction of sediment and or other materials to the creek during seasonal high flows; however, this is not expected to be measureable above background levels. 

Same as Alternative B 

All other TE&S Species (Chapter 3, Table 3-15) 

No action Biological determination 

T&E – No Effect 

Sensitive – No Impact 

Same as Alternative B 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-19 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

AIR QUALITYTons of Particulate Emission PM2.5 – (over a 5-10 yr period) Activity Fuels Landscape Burn Pile Burning 

0 0 0 

1,035 tons 

364 tons 478 tons 

Same as Alternative B 

WILDLIFE SPECIES and HABITATDeadwood Habitat Additional snags and large 

down wood would be created as overstory mortality occurs. 

Potential reduction of snags wherever harvest activities would occur (4,150 acres maximum). Snags within harvest units would be retained above the minimum levels required in the Forest Plan. The number of acres with 2-4 snags per acre would increase and be more in line with reference conditions. 

Same as Alternative B 

PwwmhrlePwwin c

Management Indicator Species (MIS) Forest Plan Standards – Satisfactory Cover – 15% MA C4 - HEI - 60 MA C3 - HEI - 70 Acres of Habitat 

Rocky Mountain Elk –

Satisfactory Cover – 34% 

MA C4 - HEI - 71 

MA C3 -HEI - 80 

Primary Cavity ExcavatorsThe area would continue to provide snags and down large wood for cavity dependent species 

Rocky Mountain Elk Satisfactory Cover – 19% 

MA C4 - HEI - 68 MA C3 - HEI - 77 

Primary Cavity Excavators Overall direct, indirect, and cumulative effects would result in a small negative habitat trend for primary cavity excavators. The project would affect less than 

Rocky Mountain Elk 

Satisfactory Cover – 19% 

MA C4 – HEI – 69 MA C3 – HEI – 77 

Primary Cavity Excavators Same as Alternative B 

PS
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-20 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Pileated WoodpeckerThere are approximately 200,000 acres of source habitat on Umatilla National Forest and about 7,800 acres of habitat distributed throughout the project planning area. Existing habitat would remain in its current state in the shortterm. In the mid and long-term additional habitat would become available. Three-toed WoodpeckerThe approximately 7,000 acres of potential foraging habitat in the project planning area (approximately 4% of the 170,000 acres of forest-wide habitat) would remain in its current state in the short-term. 

1 percent (.006) of the forested land on Umatilla National Forest. The amount of effect is too small to cause changes to cavity excavator populations. Pileated Woodpecker Harvest and fuel treatments would affect about 2,800 acres of existing habitat in the project planning area. The remaining 5,000 acres of pileated woodpecker habitat would not be affected by timber harvest and fuels reduction activities. Thinned stands as well as other areas that currently do not quite qualify as habitat now would eventually develop into complex, mature stands and provide more pileated woodpecker habitat. Three-toed Woodpecker About 2,530 acres foraging habitat (36 percent of habitat in the project planning area) and about 540 acres of possible nesting habitat (19 percent) would be affected by timber harvest and fuels 

Pileated Woodpecker 

Same as Alternative B 

Three-toed Woodpecker 

Same as Alternative B 

PHwathTpwtirsthqecpwTAhin whNa
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-21 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

There may be increases in insect outbreaks, which would benefit three-toed woodpecker. American Marten (Pine Marten) Existing marten habitat (about 2,800 acres in the project planning area) would remain in its current state in the shortterm. In the long-term additional habitat would be available. Umatilla National Forest currently has 100,000 acres of source marten habitat. 

treatments. The remaining 4,470 acres of potential three-toed woodpecker habitat would not be affected by timber harvest and fuels reduction, and would continue to provide foraging and nesting opportunities. American Marten (Pine Marten)About 735 acres of marten habitat would be affected by harvest. Overall direct, indirect, and cumulative effects would result in a small negative habitat trend for marten. Because the project impacts less than 1 percent (.007) of the marten habitat on the forest (about 100,000 acres on Umatilla Forest) the amount of effect from this project is too small to cause changes to the population. 

American Marten 

(Pine Marten)

Same as Alternative B 

TpwnhapoA(PManm

Endangered and Sensitive Terrestrial Species Biological determination (T) – Threatened (S) – Sensitive * NE-No Effect **NI-No Impact ***MI-May Impact 

No action 

Biological determinations: Canada Lynx – (T)-NE* Gray Wolf – (S)-NI** CA Wolverine – (S)-NI Townsend’s big-eared bat-(S)-NI Preble’s shrew – (S)-NI Bald Eagle – (S)-NI Peregrine Falcon – (S)-NI 

Same as Alternative B 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-22 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Great Gray Owl – (S)-MI*** Gray Flycatcher – (S)-NI White-headed woodpecker-(S)-MI Mountain Quail – (S) NI Upland Sandpiper – (S)_NI Green-tailed Towhee – (S)-NI Striped Whipsnake – (S)-NI Northern leopard frog – (S)-NI 

Neo Migratory Birds Habitat 

The current condition of habitats for birds in the planning area would not change in the short-term. Snags would likely increase in number, benefiting many snag associated species. 

About 500 acres of open ponderosa pine created. Snag reductions would occur as described in cavity excavator section of Chapter 3. Other habitats would have minimal or no effects. Overall, fewer areas would have a high potential for crown fire that can lead to loss of large areas of forest bird habitat. 

Same as Alternative B 

INVASIVE PLANTS(NOXIOUS WEEDS)Potential for introducing new infestations: 

Harvest units - acres Haul Routes - miles 

0 acres 

0 miles 

3,900 acres 

79 miles 

3,900 acres 

79 miles 

TES PLANT SPECIESBiological Determinations 

Threatened No action No Effect Same as Alternative B 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-23 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Sensitive No action No Impact Same as Alternative B 

RANGELivestock distribution (increase or decrease) No change 

Due to increase in forage and accessibility - in the longterm (approximately 5 years) livestock distribution could increase in uplands and decrease in riparian areas. 

Same as Alternative B 

RECREATIONDeveloped and Dispersed Recreation No change 

During activities effects of dust, noise, and smoke to developed and dispersed recreation. 

During activities effects of dust, noise, and smoke. After road decommissioning a reduction in dispersed campsites off of decommissioned roads. Numerous alternative dispersed sites would be available. 

Travel Access 

No change 

During activities some roads will be temporary closed. No changes to existing travel system after project implementation. 

After 4.3 miles of system road decommissioning a 10% reduction in miles of road open to all motorized travel. Seasonal closure on Hogback road would be 10 weeks longer than existing time frame. 
Summary 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

 S-24 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

VISUALS (SCENERY)Visual Quality Objectives No change Would meet Forest Plan 

standards for Visual Quality 

Objectives 

Same as Alternative B 

ECONOMICSSale Viability – value of wood fiber per one hundred cubic feet (ccf) above base rates 

N/A $49.00 $36.00 

Benefit to local and regional economy –number of jobs 

N/A 140 140 

POTENTIAL WILDERNESS AREAS (PWAs)Using Forest Service Inventory criteria (FSHB 1909.12, Chapter 71) to identify PWAs in the project planning area 

No change No PWAs 

added to inventory 

No PWAs 

added to inventory 

OTHER UNDEVELOPED LANDSPhysical and biological resources and social values No change 

Environmental effects to physical and biological resources meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines and other applicable laws. 

Same as Alternative B 

Change or no change in acres of other undeveloped lands – 8,785 acres 

No change in acres Change in acres 

(-1,405) 

Change in acres 

(-1,405)