CHAPTER 2 

Alternatives 

 
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Chapter 2 

Alternatives 

INTRODUCTION 

Information in Chapter 2 describes tribal and public involvement, issues identified, and alternatives 

selected to be developed in detail. Four alternatives were selected to be developed in detail along with a 

listing of design features and monitoring elements associated with the alternatives. Maps showing 

activity areas described in action alternatives are located in Appendix A. Also explained in this chapter 

are reasons why some alternatives were considered, but not analyzed in detail. This chapter ends with a 

comparative synopsis of environmental consequences which are described in more detail in Chapter 3 of 

this document. 

TRIBAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 

The scoping process required by NEPA (40 CFR 1501.7) is to have an early and open process for 

determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying significant issues related to a proposed 

action was followed. Umatilla Forest invited participation from Federal and State agencies, local tribes, 

environmental groups, and individuals interested in or affected by the proposed action. 

Public involvement for this project began when a description of the project was listed in the 2008 Fall 

quarterly edition of the Umatilla National Forest’s Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). On March 2, 

2009, letters describing the project were sent to representatives of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla 

Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and Nez Perce Tribe, and to approximately 180 interested individuals, 

organizations, and other agencies that have indicated an interest in this type of project. The public was 

invited to comment on this proposed action and any potential conflicts posed by this proposed action. A 

Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement was published in the Federal 

Register on March 9, 2009. The NOI also includes a statement requesting that persons with an interest in 

this project submit comments. 

ISSUE IDENTIFICATION 

Nine responses were received from public scoping. Of the nine responses, three were from individuals, 

two from organizations, two from timber industry, one from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 

(WDFW), and one from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

All responses were reviewed. Comments received were used to identify potential issues, alternatives to 

the proposed action, and to determine the extent of environmental analysis necessary for making an 

informed decision. A table of scoping input and issues identified is located in the project file at the 
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Pomeroy District office. Any issues raised during the public scoping process were considered and 

analyzed in this document. 

The project’s interdisciplinary (ID) team identified potential cause and effect relationships associated with 

each type of proposed activity that could result in conflicts. A summary comparison of effects by 

alternative to issues is presented at the end of this chapter with more detailed discussion of environmental 

effects in Chapter 3 of this document. The ID team recommended, and the responsible official approved, 

the issue topics listed below for detailed study. 

Issues Recommended for Alternative Development

Relevant issues are defined as “unresolved conflicts between alternative uses of available resources 

[NEPA § 102 (2) (E)]. Issues that could best be addressed by developing an alternative or introducing 

mitigation or monitoring were identified and categorized as Key Issues. Two issues were considered to 

be Key Issues. 

Key Issue 1 was developed to address comments and or concerns about the amount of old forest habitat in 

the project planning area. The majority of acres in South George project planning area are in 

management areas C3-Big Game Winter Range (1,200 acres), C3A-Sensitive Big Game Winter Range 

(2,300 acres), and C4-Wildlife Habitat (15,200 acres). 

Key Issue 2 was developed to address comments requesting a reduction of the number of miles of system 

roads and in response to concerns about unauthorized trails currently in the project planning area, as well 

as implementing a longer seasonal closure to motorized use in the Hogback area. 

 Key Issue 1 - Old Forest Habitat –Past timber harvest, other management actions, and 

insect/disease epidemics have reduced the amount and connectivity of old forest stands in the 

proposed project planning area. Proposed harvest and fuels reduction treatments would have the 

potential to change forest stand structure and composition over a large area. This may have positive 

effects for some wildlife species and negative effects for others. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Acres of old forest affected by proposed activities

• Acres of old forest connective corridors affected by proposed activities 

• Acres where trees > 21 inches DBH may be removed 

• Acres converted to old forest stand structure 

 Key Issue 2 - Access Management (reduction in transportation system) –A number of 

respondents were concerned with the proposal of temporary road construction for project activities. 

Respondents requested that no temporary road construction occur and that additional system roads 

and unauthorized trails be considered for decommissioning. There was also a request for an 

extension to the seasonal closure in the Hogback area to offer additional protection for wildlife. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Miles of temporary road construction

• Miles of system road decommissioning

• Miles of non-system road and unauthorized trail decommissioning

• Extension of seasonal closure – Forest Road 4302 - Hogback
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Other Issues

These are issues that were not considered Key Issues, but would have a cause and effect relationship with 

proposed activities. These other issues will be tracked in this chapter and Chapter 3 of this document. 

These issues are generally of high interest or concern to the public and are necessary to understand and 

compare environmental effects by alternative. 

 Soil Resources – Soil disturbance would occur with implementation of proposed activities that 

require ground based equipment, especially where mechanical fuels treatment follows mechanical 

thinning. Ground based activities could affect soil productivity by compacting soils and possibly 

cause erosion. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Detrimental soil disturbance in harvest units (acres) 

• Detrimental soil disturbance in non-commercial thinning units (acres) 

• Temporary road construction (acres) 

• Roads and Trails Rehabilitated (acres) 

• Effective ground cover (Forest Plan standards) 

 Hydrology/Water Quality – Implementation of proposed activities has the potential to affect 

hydrologic function, water quality, and water yield. These effects could occur due to changes in road 

systems and ground disturbance associated with timber harvest, temporary road construction, road 

use, prescribed burning, and reductions in live tree cover associated with harvest and prescribed fire 

use. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Road density (open and closed) by subwatershed (miles/square mile) 

• Number of stream crossings 

• Water temperature 

• Sediment 

• Equivalent Treatment Acre Model (percentage by subwatershed) 

 Aquatic - Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) and Management Indicator Species 

(MIS) - Proposed and related activities of timber harvest and fuel treatments have the potential to 

affect aquatic TES species and habitat and MIS species and habitat. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Biological Determinations 

 Vegetation – Findings in Appendix A of the Silviculture Specialist Report (project file) shows that 

existing vegetation conditions are outside of their historical ranges of variability (HRV) for species 

composition, forest structure, and tree density for South George project planning area. Silvicultural 

activities proposed for implementation in any action alternative are designed to address HRV issues, 

particularly for species composition, forest structure, and tree density. Insect susceptibility and 

climate change are also addressed in this section. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Forest Species Composition – changes relative to HRV 

• Forest Structural Stages – changes relative to HRV 

• Forest Tree Density – changes relative to HRV 
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 Fuels - Fire Return Intervals and Crown Fire Potential – Concerns have been expressed by the 

public during scoping on how fuel management should occur and at what levels. South George 

project planning area is outside historical fire return intervals and could experience higher levels of 

risk to loss from uncharacteristic wildfire intensity. It is currently experiencing Condition Class1

changes that are resulting in moving the area further away from historical ranges. Some opponents 

believe that fuel reduction should proceed cautiously while moving toward ecosystem sustainability. 

They also believe that fuel objectives can be met by allowing natural fire regimes to operate, or by 

leaving significant areas untreated when fuel reduction projects are planned. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Condition Classes – acres and percentages 

• Crown fire potential – acres 

 Air Quality – Fuel treatment activities and prescribed fire could temporarily decrease air quality in 

sites down wind of the project area and could temporarily place smoke in mandatory Class I areas. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Particulate emissions PM 2.5 

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

harvest and related activities disturb soil and have the potential to affect any existing TES plants and 

habitat. Disturbed soil provides an ideal opportunity for weed seed to germinate. Vehicles, people, 

and animals transport noxious weed seed that could become established. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Invasive Plants - Potential for new infestations (acres of harvest and miles of haul routes) 

• TES Plan Species -Biological Determinations 

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

Management Indicator Species (MIS), Landbirds, and Dead Wood – Proposed project activities 

(timber harvest, fuels treatments, landscape prescribed fire, etc.) could affect several habitat types, 

including management indicator species to represent animals associated with major habitat types, in 

the project planning area. Environmental effects can be positive for some species and negative for 

others. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by: 

• Biological Determinations 

• Acres of habitat by species 

• Snag habitat 

 Range – Three pastures of the Asotin Cattle &Horse (C&H) Allotment are within the project 

planning area. Project activities such as timber harvest, activity fuels treatments, and landscape 

prescribed fire have the potential to affect pasture rotations, transitory forage, or compromise the 

integrity of range improvements necessary for management of rangeland resources. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Livestock distribution (increases or decreases) 

 

1 Fire Regime Condition Class describes the deviation from natural fire regimes in terms of fire return interval and 

vegetative changes from historical composition and density (Hann and Bunnell, 2001). 
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 Visuals/Scenery– Scenery provides the setting for all activities experienced by forest visitors. 

Activities that include timber harvest and prescribed fire may affect current and future conditions of 

scenic resources. Effects may be short-term or long-term. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Visual Quality Objectives (Forest Plan) 

 Recreation –A wide variety of recreational activities occur in the project planning area including, 

developed camping, dispersed camping, and recreational rental cabins. Campsites are most used 

during hunting seasons. Cloverland Sno-Park is used during the winter season for snowmobiles. 

Proposed project activities such as timber felling, yarding, hauling road use restrictions, fuel 

treatments could affect public safety and recreation use, especially hunter camps, and access to forest 

roads during project activities. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Developed and dispersed recreation (increases or decreases) 

• Travel access (increases or decreases) 

 Roadless Areas and Other Undeveloped Lands – Concern has been expressed as to the effects to 

other undeveloped lands from implementation of proposed activities. In response to scoping, Oregon 

Wild requested (letter dated April 1, 2009) the Forest Service avoid timber harvest, roads, mining, 

development and motorized recreation in all unroaded areas larger than 1000 acres, roadless areas 

adjacent to existing wilderness, and all inventoried roadless areas for this project. They mention 

project activities in an area they entitled “South Fork Asotin Creek roadless area” and sent a map of 

this area. They wrote in their response that uninventoried roadless areas, while somewhat fragmented 

due to spur roads and surrounding management, are large in size and provide valuable natural 

resource attributes that must be protected. These include: water quality; healthy soils; fish and 

wildlife refugia; centers for dispersal, recolonization, and restoration of adjacent disturbed sites; 

reference sites for research; non-motorized, low-impact recreation; carbon sequestration; refugia that 

are relatively less at-risk from noxious weeds and other invasive non-native species, and many other 

significant values, and that the proposed commercial harvest and road building would compromise 

many of these values. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Identification of Potential Wilderness Areas (PWAs) – number and acres 

• Physical and biological resources and social values – relative to Forest Plan and applicable laws 

• Changes in acres of other undeveloped lands 

 Economics – The economic returns from commercially harvested wood and woody biomass products 

would affect local and regional economies. Economic benefits and the financial efficiency to be 

derived from the proposed harvest will be evaluated. 

Differences in alternatives would be displayed by:

• Sale viability – value of wood fiber per one hundred cubic feet (ccf) above base rates 

• Benefit to local and regional economy – number of jobs 
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RANGE OF ALTERNATIVES 

The phrase “range of alternatives” refers to the alternatives discussed in environmental documents. It 

includes all reasonable alternatives, which must be rigorously explored and objectively evaluated as well 

as those other alternatives, which are eliminated from detailed study with a brief discussion of the reasons 

for eliminating them [CFR 40.1502.14 ]. 

The alternatives for this project were designed to express a range of possible actions. The ID team 

developed the range of alternatives and mitigation measures (project design features) presented in this 

chapter, based on the Purpose and Need statement (Chapter 1, pp. 1-4 to 1-5) and Key Issues identified 

above, for this project. 

Forest Plan goals and objectives, standards and guidelines, requirements under the Endangered Species 

Act and other Federal and State laws and regulations also influenced the development of alternatives. 

The ID team recommended, and the responsible official approved, three action alternatives and a no 

action alternative based on the information above and public input. 

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. 
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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, p. 1-4) 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). 

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

activities. 

DESCRIPTION:

Timber Harvest and Fuels Treatments

Commercially harvest approximately 3,900 acres. Some treatment units may include the removal of 

sawlogs, small diameter trees (generally less than 7.0 inches diameter at breast height (DBH)) and excess 

down wood for use as woody biomass products. Harvest objectives would vary by stand condition and 

fire management objectives (see Appendix A for maps and Appendix B for a listing of units and 

treatments). Vegetation treatments would favor retention of early-seral species such as ponderosa pine 

and western larch. 

A full range of silvicultural methods was considered to respond to the identified purpose and need for the 

project. Prescriptions selected were intermediate cutting and regeneration cutting. For the dry upland 

forest biophysical environment, both late-old structure (LOS) stages, old forest single story (OFSS) and 

old forest multi story(OFMS), are within HRV, so scenario B2 from the Eastside Screens amendment to 

the Forest Plan would be followed for this biophysical environment. For the moist upland forest 

biophysical environment one of the late-old structure (LOS) stages is above HRV (old forest single story) 

and the other is below HRV (old forest multi story), so scenario A3 from the Eastside Screens amendment 

to the Forest Plan would be followed for this biophysical environment. (See Appendix C of this 

 

2

Scenario B - If existing late or old structural (LOS) stage is within or above HRV, or if both types of LOS stages 

occur and both are within or above HRV, then timber harvest can occur within these stages as long as LOS 

conditions do not fall below HRV. 

3

Scenario A – If either one or both late and old structural stages fall below HRV in a particular biophysical 

environment within a watershed, then there should be no new loss of LOS from that biophysical environment. 

Timber sale harvest activities are not allowed to occur within LOS stages that are below HRV. 
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document for consistency of proposed silvicultural activities with the Eastside Screens Forest Plan 

amendment).

Since both LOS stages are within HRV in the dry biophysical environment, trees > 21 inches DBH may 

be harvested. Trees > 21 inches DBH in the moist forest biophysical environment would not be 

harvested. If necessary, danger trees > 21 inches DBH in either dry or moist forest stands would be felled 

for safety concerns. 

Following are descriptions of intermediate and regeneration silvicultural prescriptions: 

Intermediate Cutting 

Intermediate cutting includes non-regeneration silviculture treatments, which means that post-harvest 

stocking levels in treated areas would meet or exceed the minimum stocking objectives from the Forest 

Plan; tree planting would not be needed as a connected action after proposed harvest. Intermediate 

cutting is used to modify the growth, quality, vigor, composition, or structure of a forest stand after its 

establishment and prior to its final harvest (USDA Forest Service 2004). 

For dry-forest sites, intermediate cutting would transform some of the over-represented Douglas-fir and 

grand fir cover types to the under-represented ponderosa pine cover type. For moist-forest sites, 

intermediate cutting would transform some of the over-represented grand fir and spruce-fir cover types to 

the under-represented Douglas-fir, western larch, broadleaved species, and lodgepole pine cover types. 

Intermediate cutting would reduce tree density (stocking) levels for high-density stands on dry-forest 

sites, thereby creating additional amounts of the under-represented low-density stand condition. For dryforest sites, intermediate cutting would reduce forest canopy biomass levels for high-biomass stands, 

thereby creating additional amounts of the under-represented low-biomass condition. For moist-forest 

sites, intermediate cutting would reduce forest canopy biomass levels for high-biomass stands, thereby 

creating additional amounts of the under-represented low- and moderate-biomass conditions. 

Intermediate cutting addresses high levels of existing insect susceptibility for defoliating insects and fir 

engraver by improving tree and stand vigor, and it contributes to a future composition and structure that is 

more resilient to insects, pathogens, and parasites. 

Two types of intermediate cutting are proposed for this project in response to the purpose and need: 

1. Improvement cutting would occur across a range of tree diameters to address primarily species 

composition or canopy fuel load issues, and 

2. Low thinning would focus on removing smaller diameter trees in a stand to modify a multi-layer 

canopy condition (by removing ladder fuel), or to address over-stocking issues. 

Improvement cutting and low thinning are grouped together because they are similar in treatments with 

the objective to modify existing stands rather than create new stands of regeneration, and either of these 

cutting methods would leave the same amount of residual tree density (stocking) for a particular 

biophysical environment. 
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Improvement cutting – 3,020 acres

This method is sometimes called free thinning. It is defined as removal of undesirable4 trees in 

order to meet objectives related to species composition or vertical stand structure (Helms 1998). 

Trees of undesirable species or condition are removed from the upper canopy, often in 

conjunction with an understory thinning. 

Improvement cutting is proposed for mixed-species stands where early-seral trees (ponderosa 

pine, western larch, lodgepole pine) still exist in ecologically viable amounts. These stands are 

successionally advanced and the existing stocking of late-seral species, primarily grand fir and 

interior Douglas-fir, typically exceeds that of the early-seral species. Improvement cutting is also 

proposed for areas with high amounts of canopy fuel load (canopy bulk density) because research 

showed it to be a more effective treatment than low thinning for disrupting canopy fuel 

continuity. 

Low thinning – 80 acres

Low thinning is used to reduce tree density and emulate the ecological role of low-severity 

surface fire (Perera et al. 2004). Low thinning has been used to describe practices ranging from 

light removal of small understory trees to moderate removal of large overstory trees; in this 

proposed action, any reference to low thinning is assumed to be “understory thinning” or

“thinning from below” because it involves cutting the smaller-diameter trees and retaining the 

larger-diameter trees (see Figure 2-1). 

Low thinning creates an open, single-layered canopy structure that is amenable to reintroduction 

of low-severity surface fire, a natural thinning process. A high priority is to use low thinning 

with the frequent surface fire regime (FR 1) to make these areas more resistant to 

uncharacteristically severe wildfire by reducing surface and ladder fuels, and by raising canopy 

base height (Arno et al. 1995, Brown et al. 2004, Mutch et al. 1993, Pollet and Omi 2002, Scott

1998, Stephens 1998). Low thinning is also proposed for stands that are uncharacteristically 

dense (overstocked). 

 

4 Undesirable trees are those whose characteristics (species, composition, seral status, insect or disease 

susceptibility, crown conditions, etc.) prevent them from meeting the desired conditions, standards and guidelines, 

or other Forest Plan components pertaining to a particular geographic area. 
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See figure 2-1 below for an example of low thinning. 

Figure 2-1 – Example of low thinning in a mixed-conifer forest. Low thinning 

is defined as the removal of trees from lower crown classes or canopy layers. 

Note how subordinate trees were always removed with one exception: several of 

the larger western larches were removed because of dwarf mistletoe infection. 

Regeneration Cutting 

Regeneration cutting is defined as tree removal to assist regeneration already present (e.g. existing 

seedling and saplings), or to make new regeneration possible (Helms 1998). Regeneration cutting is 

proposed for upland-forest sites where early-seral species (ponderosa pine, western larch, lodgepole pine) 

are no longer present in ecologically viable amounts. These stands are successionally advanced and tend 

to exhibit high levels of insect or disease incidence, and the existing stocking of mid-or later-seral species, 

primarily Englemann spruce, subablpine fir, grand fir or Douglas-fir – typically exceeds that of the early 

seral species. 

For dry-forest sites, regeneration cutting would transform some of the over-represented Douglas-fir and 

grand fir forest cover types to the under-represented ponderosa pine cover type. For moist-forest sites, 

regeneration cutting would transform some of the over-represented grand fir forest cover type to the 

under-represented western larch or lodgepole pine cover types. For dry-forest sites, regeneration cutting 

would transform some of the over-represented understory reinitiation structural stage to the underrepresented stand initiation structural stage. Regeneration cutting would address high levels of existing 

insect susceptibility for defoliating insects and fir engraver by removing existing host type for these 

insects and replacing it with forest cover types that do not function as host type for defoliators or fir 

engraver. 
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Two types of regeneration cutting are proposed for this project in response to the purpose and need: 

1. Clearcutting with reserves which is defined as “the harvesting in one operation of all trees with the 

expectation that a new, even-aged stand will be established” (Burns 1989). 

2. Seed-tree cutting with reserves resembles a “clearcut except for a few seed-producing trees selected 

to naturally regenerate the harvested area” (Burns 1989). This regeneration cutting method differs 

from shelterwood cutting in that the seed trees are usually too far apart to provide much site 

amelioration (shade or shelter). 

Clearcutting with reserves and seed-tree cutting with reserves (see Figure 2-2) pertain to areas for which 

regeneration cutting was the primary recommendation, but only for those portions occurring outside 

riparian habitat conservation areas (RHCAs) and within Forest Plan management areas for which timber 

management activities are permissible. 

Clearcutting with reserves – 250 acres

Clearcutting, with reserves, would be used for certain sites where the existing density of desirable 

trees is inadequate to meet the Forest Plan’s minimum acceptable stocking standards (Table 2-1), 

and six or more desirable trees per acre are not available as seed trees. Reserve trees are retained 

for biodiversity purposes and as future snags, not as future seed producers for natural 

regeneration. 

For South George project planning area, clearcutting with reserves would primarily be 

implemented as large-patch clearcutting because the majority of the treatment units would be 

larger than two acres. 

Seed-tree cutting with reserves – 550 acres

Seed-tree cutting, with reserves, would be used for certain sites where the existing density of 

desirable trees is inadequate to meet the Forest Plan’s minimum acceptable stocking standards 

(Table 2-1), but at least six desirable trees per acre are available as seed trees for future natural 

regeneration. 
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See figure 2-2 below for a representation of clearcutting with reserves and seed tree cutting with reserves. 

Figure 2-2 – Regeneration cutting methods for the South George planning area. Clearcutting with reserves (left) retains a few 

live trees and some dead wood. Note that reserve trees can be left in clumps or dispersed across the unit individually. Seed-tree 

cutting with reserves (right) leaves at least 6 residual seed trees per acre at the seed-cut stage, along with additional reserve trees 

being retained for non-regeneration objectives. Note that the seed-tree cutting method also includes a final-removal stage, when 

some of the seed trees could be removed, although a decision could be made to bypass the final removal and retain the seed trees 

as supplemental reserve trees. 

Tree Planting in Regeneration Units 

Tree planting is defined as “the establishment of trees by planting seedlings, transplants, or cuttings” 

(Dunster and Dunster 1996). Planting is proposed to augment tree stocking levels for currently 

understocked stands, and to help provide desired (future) forest conditions in openings created by the 

regeneration cutting proposed action described above. 

The planting proposed action responds to two of the upland-forest issues identified in the purpose and 

need (species composition, and insect and disease susceptibility): 

1. Planting helps restore early-seral tree species (ponderosa pine, western larch, lodgepole pine) and 

shrubs for both dry- and moist-forest sites by planting them. Note that an emphasis on early-seral 

species was included in the forest-wide standards and guidelines section of the Forest Plan (item 

C on page 4-73 in the Plan: “strong consideration should be given to maintenance of stands 

dominated by early successional species”). 

2. Planting helps create a future species composition that is less susceptible to insect outbreaks and 

disease epidemics by including species in the planting mix with high resistance to insect and 

disease impact. 
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The tree planting activity involves clearing (scalping) a small area with a hand tool, using a hand tool or 

powered soil auger to dig a small hole, placing a tree seedling in the hole, filling in the hole with soil 

while avoiding injury to the seedling roots, and then firming the soil around the seedling. 

Created openings resulting from South George regeneration cutting, particularly those where natural 

regeneration might not be sufficient to meet requirements established by the National Forest Management 

Act of 1976 and its regulations (NFMA; 16 U.S. C. 1604), would be planted with tree seedlings to 

reestablish an ecologically appropriate mix of early-seral tree species, and to ensure that minimum 

stocking objectives from the Forest Plan are met within 5 years of final harvest, as required by 16 U.S.C. 

1604 (E) (ii) . 

Although not required by NFMA, shrub seedlings would also be planted when doing so would help meet 

the desired future conditions of an area. Planting helps restore shrub populations that have been reduced 

or lost altogether due to intense ungulate herbivory (Riggs et al. 2000), or because of overstory shading 

caused by uncharacteristically high tree density (Hedrick et al 1968). 

Tree planting in regeneration units would meet the following minimum tree stocking guides listed in the 

table below. 

Table 2-1 Minimum Tree Stocking Standards 

Average Stand Diameter 

After Harvest (Inches)

Minimum Acceptable Stocking: 

Live Trees Per Acre

<5" 100-2001

6" 100 

8" 80 

10" 65 

12" 45 

14" 30 

16" 25 

18" 20 

20" 15 

21+" 12 

1

 Stocking standards for small diameters (<5") are taken from the Forest Plan (item 3 on FP page 4-70) (USDA Forest Service 1990a): 

ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine working groups – 100 trees per acre; south associated working group – 150 trees per acre; and north 

associated working group – 200 trees per acre. Stocking standards for larger size classes (average stand diameters greater than 5") are adapted 

from Kline (1995). 

Harvest Methods 

Harvest methods would include conventional ground based logging (approximately 2,750 acres), skyline 

logging (approximately 850 acres), and helicopter logging (approximately 300 acres). Whole tree 

yarding5 would occur in all harvest units. 

Conventional ground based harvesting utilizes a tractor or skidder that would operate on designated trails 

with selected spacing criteria, and equipment would be required to remain on these designated trails. 

Skyline logging would occur in areas where topography is suited for this type of logging. In a skyline 

 

5

 Whole tree yarding – Tops (with limbs) will be left attached to the last log and yarded to the landing 
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system, logs would be felled and are yarded up the hill by a system of cables, and logs would be either 

partially or fully suspended to reduce soil disturbance. Helicopter logging would occur in areas where 

other systems of logging are not suitable. Helicopter landings are larger than conventional ground based 

systems, but fewer landings are required than conventional ground-based systems. Both skyline and 

helicopter systems utilize hand felling. 

Activity and Existing Natural Fuels Treatments 

Fuel treatments are proposed to reduce activity generated and existing natural fuels in harvest units. They 

are also designed to reduce ladder and ground fuels in areas with natural fuels to lower the risk of fire 

spreading into the upper tree canopy, and in areas where fuels would contribute to uncharacteristic 

wildfire intensity and resource damage. 

 

In units proposed for commercial harvest, slash treatments would include mechanical grapple piling and 

pile burning. Prescribed burning of activity fuels would include jackpot and broadcast burning. Noncommercial mechanical and manual thinning would be used to treat ladder fuels in both activity units and 

natural fuels areas where high density small diameter understory remains. If it is economically feasible, 

material from 3 to 10 inches DBH in size would be removed as a woody biomass6 product. If it is not 

economically feasible, fuel treatments would be treated by mastication. 

The following table is a summary of proposed fuel treatments in the project planning area: 

Table 2-2 Alternative B-Summary of Activity and Natural Fuel Treatments

Summary of Activity and Natural Fuel Treatments Approximate Acres 

Mechanical grapple piling and pile burning 870 

Prescribed burning of activity fuels (jackpot and broadcast) 2,030 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and ladder fuel reduction (mastication) 800 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder fuel reduction (slashing) 350 

RHCA mechanical thinning (non-commercial) 25 

Landscape prescribed fire 3,000 

Non-Commercial Thinning: One of the below referenced treatments would occur depending upon the 

market conditions for the sale of woody biomass products at the time of implementation. The preferred 

option would be commercial material removal. In dry forest stands where underburning would follow 

harvest, it may be necessary to treat the less than 10 inch material prior to burning so that it does not 

function as ladder fuels. The objective of understory thinning is to raise the canopy base height so that a 

fire burning through surface fuel does not transition into overstory. 

• Removal of 3–10 inch DBH Material: This treatment would thin understory to reduce ladder 

fuels, decrease stand density, and provide woody biomass products for local industry. Treatment 

could occur simultaneously with harvest in units where only non-commercial thinning would 

occur. In units where conventional ground based logging systems would occur a separate entry 

may be necessary to remove this smaller material. Removal of ladder fuels would increase 

canopy base height and deter the initiation of a crown fire within the treated stand. Increased 

spacing of trees (reduced canopy bulk density) would result in bringing a crown fire that was 

initiated outside the stand back to the ground. Fire tolerant species (ponderosa pine, western 

 

6 Woody biomass - Trees and woody plants, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, and other woody parts, grown in 

a forest, woodland, or rangeland environment, that are the by-products of forest management. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-15 

larch, and Douglas fir) would be favored as leave trees where they occur. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-16 

• Mechanical thinning: Consists of the cutting and mulching of trees 10 inches or less DBH. This 

treatment would be comparable to the understory thinning described above except that the 

material would be cut and mulched on-site as opposed to being removed for a commercial 

product. 

• Manual thinning: This activity would cut trees measuring less than 10 inches DBH that are 

excess to full stocking. Undesired trees and fuels would be slashed by hand and scattered. Slash 

would be treated so that the resulting height of surface fuels is no greater than two feet in depth. 

Fire tolerant species (ponderosa pine, western larch, and Douglas fir) would be favored as leave 

trees where they occur. 

Grapple Piling: Slash generated by timber harvest would be mechanically piled in units where prescribed 

fire would not be effective to reduce activity slash, or to create planting spots for regeneration. Both, 

naturally occurring woody debris and activity generated fuels may be piled. Chain saws may be used to 

compact material in a pile and throughout the unit to cut logs in lengths that are more easily piled. Pile 

size would vary and would be burned. 

Pile Burning: Manual ignition of landing and grapple piles would occur when the threat of fire spreading 

from pile locations would be minimal. Pile specifications would ensure that pile burning would have 

minimal damage to residual trees in the stand. Large landings piles that could create a considerable area 

of bare soil would be replanted to native grasses. 

Jackpot Burning: Jackpot burning, burning of slash concentrations would be utilized to reduce excess 

slash generated in harvest units. Jackpot burning would be accomplished using hand ignition methods. 

Harvest units located in landscape prescribed fire areas, may require jackpot burning prior to landscape 

prescribed fire to reduce heavy slash concentrations, 

Broadcast Burning: Low intensity prescribed fire would be applied to a broad area using hand ignition 

devices. This method would be used to favor early seral, fire resistant species composition and structure 

while reducing surface and ladder fuels. Under burning would be used to reduce activity and natural fuels 

in harvest units to reduce activity slash and create regeneration/planting spots. 

Pullback and Ladder Fuel Reduction: Pullback and ladder fuel reduction is the removal of activity fuels 

from the base of residual and or reserve trees, and removal of ladder fuels from residual and or reserve 

trees. This may occur in prescribed fire activity units, if needed, to reduce mortality to residual and or 

reserve trees. 

Road Management

To accomplish implementation of proposed harvest activities approximately 46.5 miles of seasonal open 

system roads (operational maintenance level 27 and 38) and about 32.5 miles of closed system roads 

(operational maintenance level 19, would be used as haul routes. Closed system roads used for project 

activities would not be opened to the public during project activities. All system roads would remain the 

same after project implementation; closed roads would continue to be closed, and open roads would 

continue with that designation. Approximately 3.0 miles of temporary roads would be constructed. All 

temporary roads would be decommissioned after project activity use. No new system road construction is 

proposed. (See Appendix G for road information). 

 

7

 Operational maintenance level 2 – The operational objective is for high clearance vehicles. 

8

 Operational maintenance level 3 – The operational objective is for passenger vehicles – road surface is not smooth. 

9

 Operational maintenance level 1 – The operational objective is closed more than 1 year. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-17 

Road maintenance consists of a variety of activity components including surface rock replacement, spot 

surfacing, roadside brushing, erosion control, logging out, road surface blading, ditch cleanout, slide 

removal, dust abatement, culvert cleaning or replacement, danger tree removal, and other items that 

contribute to the preservation of the existing road and its safe use. 

Maintenance would also include: 

• Approximately 21 miles of roadbed reconditioning and surface rock replacement would occur on 

Forest Service Roads (FRs) 4400, 4300, and 4304. 

• The culvert on FR 4304060 for the stream crossing has plugged in the past. For timber sale 

activity and if necessary for post sale activities, normal drainage maintenance would be 

performed. After completion of activities, the gate would be moved from its current locations 

ahead of the culvert on the road, back toward the beginning of the road. The culvert would be 

removed and the crossing pulled back and shaped to match the plan and profile of the stream. 

• The culvert on FR 4300130 has lost its seal and water is passing along the outside of the culvert, 

compromising the integrity of the fill around and over the culvert. This culvert drains an 

intermittent draw. Before timber sale activities occur on this road, the culvert would be removed 

and replaced with an armored rock drain dip. This structure would pass the seasonal flows and 

provide for access to this road for timber sale and future management activities. 

• The road surface approaching and leaving the culverts carrying water under FR 4302 Hogback 

would be resurfaced to provide a rock travel course to reduce the amount of fine material picked 

up by truck tires. This resurfacing would reduce the amount of fine material that could enter the 

drainages along this route. The length of resurfacing would be approximately 200 feet either side 

of the culvert. Inlets of the perennial drainages would also be armored. 

Two existing rock sources would be used during project activities. One rock sources is located in T8N., 

R43E., S26, SW of SE, and the other in T8N, R44E, just north of the junction of FR 4304 and FR 4305. 

Three water sources would be utilized; first source on FR 4305060 in T8N, R44E, S33, second source on 

FR 4302 in T8N, R43E, S28, and third source on FR 4400010 in T8N, R43E, S31. All water sources 

would require a moderate amount of development to permit water use for road maintenance. 

The following table shows a summary of transportation activities that would occur. 

Table 2-3 Alternative B-Summary of Transportation Activities 

Activity Amount 

Maintenance: 

Standard Maintenance 79 miles 

Surface rock replacement 21 miles 

Heavy brushing 40 miles 

Temporary Road Construction (decommissioned subsequent to use) 3 miles 

Gated closed system roads to be opened for project access and then reclosed 32.5 miles 

Rock Sources used 2 

Water Sources used 3 

Danger Tree Removal

A danger tree is defined as any standing tree that presents hazard to people due to conditions such as, but 

not limited to, deterioration or physical damage to the root system, trunk, stem, or limbs and the direction 

or lean of the tree (FSH 6709.11). Along roadways, danger trees would be evaluated in accordance with 

the Field Guide for Danger Tree Identification and Response, Pacific Northwest Region, 2008. Hazard 

trees around trailheads would be evaluated in the context of Long Range Planning for Developed Sites in 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-18 

the Pacific Northwest: The Context of Hazard Tree Management, Pacific Northwest Region, 1992. A 

tree’s potential failure zone is the area that could be reached by any part of a failed tree. This is generally 

one and one-half tree lengths, but can vary depending on slope, tree height, lean, individual tree 

characteristics, and other factors. 

Danger trees would be felled and removed along all haul routes used for timber sale activity and around 

trailheads. Only danger trees with an imminent failure potential would be felled on closed system roads. 

Trees with an imminent failure potential and those deemed likely to fail within a 5-10 year period would 

be felled along open system roads except for sections of Forest Roads (FRs) 4400, 4300, and 4304 that 

separate Asotin Creek and Wenatchee Creek inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) from the project planning 

area. Only danger trees with an imminent failure potential will be removed from these sections of road 

that are adjacent to the IRAs. (See Danger trees in Glossary for definitions of imminent failure and likely 

to fail). Danger tree removal, for public safety, is part of Forest Service general road maintenance for 

these roads. Danger tree removal is currently occurring where needed on these roads and will continue to 

be removed from 300 feet on each side of FRs 4400, 4300, and 4304 as long as they remain open for 

public use. If considered economically feasible, danger trees would be sold as part of a timber sale. 

Danger trees within Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas (RHCAs) would be felled and left to provide 

additional coarse woody debris. 

Landscape Prescribed Fire

Landscape prescribed fire would occur across approximately 3,000 acres within the project planning area. 

This treatment would reintroduce fire to a fire-dependent ecosystem blackening about 60 percent of the 

area to lessen the impact of a future uncharacteristic wildfire and improve forage quality for big game. 

Fire intensities would be kept low, by establishing backing fires to minimize fire in the canopy, and 

burning mainly surface fuels throughout the majority of the project area. Individual tree and group 

torching would likely occur in areas where there are sufficient ladder fuels, and in timber stands with high 

occurrences of mistletoe infected trees. All landscape prescribed fire areas are accessible by forest roads, 

but because of the steep terrain, natural fuel breaks, such as ridges and rock outcroppings, and handline 

would be used along landscape prescribed fire area perimeters. The approximately 3,000 acres proposed 

for prescribed burning is divided into six landscape prescribed fire areas (see map in Appendix A). These 

six areas would be divided further into burn blocks and may take multiple prescribe fire entries over 

several years to complete. Hand fireline or blackline would be used along burn area and burnblock 

perimeters to control or stop the progression of fire. Blacklining methods would be completed by hand 

(manual methods) and in some areas by aerial ignition methods. Aerial and manual ignition would be 

used to ignite and establish backing fires in prescribed fire areas and burn block interiors. 

RHCA Fuels Treatments – Non-Commercial Mechanical Thinning – 25 acres

The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the probability of crown fire initiation by treating ladder fuels, 

and reduce crown fire spread by using thinning treatments to disrupt canopy continuity in dry forest 

RHCAs. Prescribed fire would be used to reduce existing and created ground fuels. Trees from 4 inches 

to 18 inches DBH would be mechanically thinned on approximately 25 acres (these units are identified as 

RHCA Units 1 and 2 - see maps Appendix A and tables in Appendix B). Yarding would be accomplished 

using full suspension methods. No trees would be skidded through the RHCA. Material would be 

decked, but not included in South George commercial timber sales. PACFISH and Forest Plan standards 

and guidelines would be followed for Class III and IV streams. There would be no reduction of stream 

surface shade below ecological potential (Forest Plan p. 4-60). Skyline corridors would be spaced about 

100 feet apart and 10 feet wide, and would be factored into stream shade. Bank and channel stabilizing 

trees located on the inner gorge and the valley and or channel bottom would remain uncut. Prescribed fire 

would be used to reduce residual activity slash (if slash exceeds 9.0 tons per acre, as required by the 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-19 

Forest Plan). Treatments may include hand piling and burning activity slash and/or jackpot burning. 

Activities would be designed and executed to minimize soil exposure to less than 10 percent, maintain or 

enhance anadromous fish and wildlife habitat, and protect water quality (Forest Plan 4-166). 

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

Table 2-4 Alternative B-Summary of Proposed Activities 

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 

PROJECT DESIGN FEATURES AND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Umatilla National Forest uses two general types of mitigation, management requirements, and project 

design elements. Management requirements are standards that are established to protect forest resources, 

and are implemented during or after projects to meet Forest Plan and other direction. Project design 

features are actions designed for a specific project to reduce or prevent undesirable effects from proposed 

activities. Project design features can include avoiding the effect, minimizing the effect by limiting the 

action, rectifying the effect, reducing the effect through maintenance, or compensating for the effect. 

Action alternatives B, C, and D, include the following (where applicable), management requirements, and 

project design features. Unless noted otherwise in the decision document, these management 

requirements and project design features will be incorporated with any action alternative selected for 

implementation. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-20 

The following table lists projects design features and management requirements to minimize the effects of 

proposed management activities. Effectiveness of implementing these measures is considered to be high 

for this project. These measures have been used successfully for implementation of past projects on 

Umatilla National Forest. Past Forest Plan monitoring, and annual evaluation reports have documented 

effectiveness of these measures. 

Table 2-5 Project Design Features and Management Requirements 

Objective Task 

HYDROLOGY/WATER QUALITY 

PACFISH 

Protection of 

Riparian 

Habitat 

Conservation 

Areas 

(RHCAs) 

Stream and riparian protection is based on the Forest Plan as amended by PACFISH. PACFISH 

standards and guidelines related to timber harvest, roads, and fire apply to this project and are 

incorporated by reference into this document. No harvest will take place in RHCAs which are 

described below as they apply to this project, except for two fuels treatments areas in RHCAs 

identified as RHCA units 1 and 2. Mechanical thinning will be used on approximately 25 acres to 

remove co-dominant conifers to reduce probability of crown fire initiation.

Category 1 - Fish-bearing streams: RHCAs consist of the stream and the area on either side of 

the stream extending 300 feet slope distance from the edges of the active stream channel. 

Category 2 - Perennial non-fish-bearing streams: RHCAs consist of the stream and the area on 

either side of the stream extending 150 feet slope distance from the edges of the active stream 

channel. 

Category 3 - Ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands greater than 1 acre: RHCAs consist of the 

body of water or wetland and the area to the outer edges of the riparian vegetation, or the extent of 

the seasonally saturated soil, or 150 feet slope distance from the edge of the maximum pool 

elevation of constructed ponds and reservoirs or from the edge of the wetland, pond or lake, 

whichever is greatest. 

Category 4 - Seasonally flowing or intermittent streams, wetlands less than 1 acre, landslides, and 

landslide-prone areas: This category includes features with high variability in size and sitespecific characteristics. At a minimum the RHCAs must include: the area from the edges of the 

stream channel, wetland, landslide, or land-slide prone area to a distance equal to 120 feet. 

Prescribed Fire will not be ignited in RHCAs but will be allowed to back into RHCAs, except for 

identified RHCA units 1 and 2 as described above. 

RHCA 

Thinning 

Project 

RHCA units 1 

and 2 (about 

25 acres) 

Full suspension yarding, no yarding soil disturbance inside the RHCA. 

Skyline corridors will be spaced about 100 feet apart and about 10 feet wide. 

Overstory trees will be protected and only incidentally removed by corridor location. 

Canopy cover will decline no more than 10% on the northwest facing (stream shade producing) 

slope. 

Bank and channel stabilizing trees located on the inner gorge and the valley/channel bottom will 

remain uncut. 

Aquatic specialists will be present when trees are marked for removal. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-21 

Objective Task 

RHCA mineral soil exposure will be limited to 10% or less (Forest Plan). 

No removal of large woody debris (LWD) from the stream channel, and any embedded LWD 

within the RHCA will remain. 

Protection of 

water quality 

(Clean Water 

Act) 

Implement and monitor Best Management Practices (BMPs) and incorporate findings into project 

implementation (See Appendix D for a listing of BMPs selected for project implementation along 

with effectiveness rating). 

Ground based equipment will cross ephemeral draws and channels at sites pre-approved by the 

responsible Forest official, and crossings will be minimized. 

• Harvest systems will be designed to minimize crossing ephemeral draws. Ephemeral draws 

will not be crossed where equipment will cause bank breakdown. 

• All embedded wood will be retained. Other wood will be retained as specified in project 

BMPs (Appendix D) 

Ephemeral stream channels will not be used as forwarder trails, landing sites, or as road locations. 

As referenced under timber sale contract standard provisions B(T)6.5 “Streamcourse Protection and 

B(T)6.6 “Erosion Prevention and Control”, commercial use of National Forest roads shall be 

suspended when commercial contract or permit operations create movement of sediment laden water 

from the road surface in areas where it could flow into stream channels. This may be from pumping 

of saturated fines by passage of commercial or contract vehicles, creating sediment laden water on 

the road surface during rain or snowmelt periods. 

Timber sale purchaser will prepare a spill containment plan that will ensure that spilled fuel will not 

leave the site. Fuel will not be stored within any RHCA. 

Where the proposed haul routes encounter wet areas, new drainage structures and surface rock will 

be installed. 

Two channel locations intersecting the Hogback Road below Cold Spring and Wenatchee Spring 

will be rocked to prevent additional sedimentation during log haul. 

Proposed temporary roads will have drainage installed if retained over-winter. Upon completion of 

project activity, roads will be subsoiled if required. Berms will be pulled into the roadbed and 

recontoured, and the road will be revegetated with native seed and mulched with existing slash. 

Road entrances may be camouflaged to discourage use. 

The following design criteria will be use for road decommissioning – Alternative C:

Where decommissioning crosses draws or channels, work will be done when channels are dry.

Draws will be contoured to match upstream and downstream channel features including: gradient, 

bankful width and channel cross-section, and floodplain.

Recontoured draws will be seeded with local, weed free native seed and mulched with on-site 

material or weed free straw or hay.

Roadbeds will be de-compacted and drained as necessary to prevent erosion.

Where full recontour does not occur, remaining fill will be stabilized.

Where recontouring occurs reconnect the surface of the cut bank slope with the recontoured fill 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-22 

Objective Task 

slope 

FISH/AQUATIC HABITAT 

Protection of 

fish habitat 

State of Washington in-stream work window, from July 15 to August 30, will be used to replace 

culverts in stream channels with perennial flows. 

The Coombs Canyon culvert on FR 4304060 is located in fish habitat. Water will be diverted 

around the work site for the instream portion of culvert removal as required by the memorandum of 

understanding (MOU) 2005 with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for instream work. 

Other specific criteria in Attachment A of the MOU will be followed. 

When drafting water, sources will be monitored for reduced flows. During low flow (less than 5 cfs) 

conditions, spring-fed ponds will be used as sources prior to the use of stream sources whenever 

feasible. If spring-fed ponds are not feasible, stream sources can be used but pumping rates must not

reduce flows to less than 5 cfs. If the stream has less than 10 cfs, stream flow cannot be reduced 

more than 1/10th of the existing stream flow and will discontinue drafting if this amount is 

exceeded. 

During road maintenance and snow plowing side casting of materials will not occur where these 

materials could be directly or indirectly introduced into a stream, or where the placement of these 

materials could contribute to the destabilization of the slope. 

Slough and waste materials removed during road maintenance activities, including ditch and culvert 

cleaning, will be deposited in approved disposal areas outside of RHCAs. For erosion control and 

stabilization the disposal site will be seeded with native seed. 

Ditches will only be maintained where the water captured by the ditch is not able to be transported to

the adjacent drainage structure that carries the water across the road. 

Refueling, repair, and maintenance of equipment will be done at landings or on forest roads outside 

of RHCAs. 

AIR QUALITY 

Protection of 

air quality 

Washington State Smoke Management Plan regulations will be followed to protect air quality, avoid 

smoke intrusion into sensitive areas, and be consistent with the Clean Air Act. 

SOILS 

Protection of 

soil during 

burning 

Retain as much duff as possible, while meeting fuel reduction objectives to control erosion and 

provide organic matter. 

For jackpot or underburning, soil exposure will be limited to 20 percent or less of the area on slopes

greater than 35%. 

Within RHCA mechanical fuels treatment areas soil exposure will be limited to 10 percent or less. 

Erosion 

control on fire 

lines 

Fireline construction will only occur where necessary. Any fireline constructed will be to minimal 

standard needed to complete prescribed burning. Locations will be evaluated post-harvest. All 

firelines will be waterbarred and seeded after project completion, as needed. 

Soil 

protection/ 

erosion control

All logging systems will provide at least one-end suspension. 

Yarding will be spaced for optimum efficiency and minimum soil disturbance. Forwarder trails will 

average 50 feet apart, except where converging. Conventional system trail spacing will average 100 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-23 

Objective Task 

feet. Skyline system corridors will average 100 feet apart. All trails will be approved prior to use. 

Use existing trail system as much as possible. Ground based equipment will operate when soil 

conditions are dry enough to support machinery adequately. 

No ground-based equipment will operate on sustained slopes greater than 35% in order to reduce the 

potential for soil movement. 

Minimize exposure of soils and keep erosion control current. 

Landings will be designed and constructed to minimize size and provide for safe operations. 

Erosion control measures will occur on all skid trails and landings, as specified under timber sale 

contract provisions B (T) 6.67 and C (T) 6.6#. Seed soil exposed by contract operations using native 

seed. Subsoil, waterbar, and mulch using existing slash as necessary to prevent erosion. 

Temporary roads (Alternatives B and D) - install drainage if roads remain over-winter, subsoil if 

needed, pull berms into roadbed, revegetate with native seed, mulch with existing slash, and 

camouflage entrance to discourage use. 

In existing plantations non-commercial manual thinning treatments, where necessary, will be 

designed to retain material on site for nutrients cycling. If using mechanical treatment methods 

utilize low ground pressure equipment and existing skid trails wherever possible. 

INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES (NOXIOUS WEEDS) 

Control and 

prevention of 

invasive plants 

Noxious weed sites will be treated consistent with the 2005 Region 6 Invasive Plant FEIS and ROD 

that amended the Umatilla Forest Plan in March, 2006, and the July 2010 Umatilla National Forest 

Invasive Plant Treatment Project FEIS and ROD. 

All gravel, fill, sand stockpiles, quarry sites, and borrow material will be inspected for the presence 

of invasive plants before use and transport. Use only gravel, fill, sand, and rock that are judged to be 

weed seed free by District or Forest weed specialist. 

Road blading, brushing, and ditch cleaning in areas with high concentrations of invasive plants will 

be conducted in consultation with District or Forest-level invasive plant specialists. 

Invasive plant treatment and prevention practices will be incorporated as appropriate. 

Project or contract maps will show currently inventoried high priority noxious weed infestations as a 

means of aiding in avoidance and/or monitoring. 

Prior to moving onto the Forest, reasonable measures will be taken to insure that all off-road 

equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could contain or hold seeds. 

In addition, prior to moving off-road equipment from a cutting unit known to be infested with 

invasive species to any other unit that is believed to be free of noxious weeds, reasonable measures 

will again be taken to make sure equipment is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris 

that could contain or hold seeds (timber sale contract provision B/BT 6.35 or equivalent provision). 

Use state certified weed-free straw and mulch for all projects conducted or authorized by the Forest 

Service on National Forest System Lands. If state certified straw and/or mulch is not available, 

individual forests should require sources certified to be weed-free using the North American Weed 

Free Forage Program standards, or a similar certification process. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-24 

Objective Task 

Soils disturbed by project activities will be revegetated with certified weed-free native seed. 

Logging system design will consider the objectives of maintaining ground cover and minimizing 

ground disturbance. Forest Plan standards and guidelines for ground and soil disturbance will be 

followed. 

Landings and parking areas will be located outside known areas of invasive plants. If no other 

location is feasible the site will be surveyed and treated for noxious weeds prior to use. 

CULTURAL RESOURCE 

Preservation 

and protection 

of 

archaeological 

sites 

Cultural resource surveys have been conducted within the project area. Historic properties will 

either be avoided by all project activities (this includes access to treatment areas and landing sites) or 

by site-specific mitigation measures approved by the assistant Forest Archeologist and SHPO. 

Because some project activities will be implemented over multiple years, project leaders will contact 

the assistant Forest Archaeologist prior to project implementation for monitoring and avoidance 

purposes. 

Within units designated in primary huckleberry gathering areas, harvest activities will be required to

operate over snow or use designated skid trails to minimize impacts to shrubs. Only manual 

operations will be allowed for fuel treatment activities in these areas. 

RANGE RESOURCE 

Protection of 

range 

resources 

All livestock improvements will be protected during logging and fuels activities. Any improvements 

damaged during logging will be repaired by the purchaser. Any improvements damaged during 

fuels activities being done by a contractor, will be repaired by the contractor doing the work. The 

Forest Service will repair any damage to improvements if the work is being done by Forest Service 

employees. 

If livestock are present along pasture fences, adequate measures will be taken to prevent movement 

of livestock across pastures. All gates must be operable prior to moving to proceeding unit. If 

livestock are present in the area, gates will remain closed during and after daily operations. 

Fence right of ways, stock driveways, and trails will be maintained clear of slash during activities. 

All Condition and Trend transects located within the project planning area will be protected during 

logging activities. 

WILDLIFE 

Maintain dead 

wood habitat 

(post-harvest 

burning) 

Slash will not be piled against large trees or snags to prevent loss from prescribed fire. 

Protection of 

Bat Habitat 

Hollow or partially hollow, broken top snags greater than 15 inches DBH will be left to provide 

roost habitat for bats. Dead grand fir most commonly provides hollow tree habitat. 

Protection of 

Big Game 

Winter Range 

In units 4, 6, 10, MT2, and MT3 activities will be restricted for elk winter range from December 1 

through March 30. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-25 

Objective Task 

Maintain dead 

wood habitat 

(timber 

harvest) 

Snag Retention – Maintain dead wood habitat and green replacement trees at or beyond levels 

identified in the table below. All snags retained will be greater than 20-inch diameter at breast 

height, but if there are not enough snags of this size, all large snags will be left and some smaller 

snags will be retained to make up the difference. Tree species and soundness at the base will also be

considered. The tree species most preferred are ponderosa pine, western larch, and Douglas-fir. See 

the following table. 

Snag and down wood retention per acre by plant association group. 

Ponderosa 

pine 

Mixed 

conifer 

Grand 

fir 

Lodgepole 

pine 

Subalpine 

zone 

Snags > 20 in dbh (per acre) 3 3 2 2 2 

Green Tree Replacements (per 

acre) 16 16 9 14 19 

Down Wood Pieces (per acre) 3 - 6 15 - 20 15 - 20 

Diameter at the small end > 12 inches > 12 inches > 8 inches 

Length per piece > 6 feet > 20 feet > 8 feet 

Total length per acre > 20 feet > 100 feet > 120 feet 

Meet ESA 

requirements 

If any federally listed species are found in the project area, the appropriate resource specialist will be 

contacted immediately. The Contracting Officer will take appropriate action to insure species are 

protected. Timber sale contract provision B (T) 6.24 will apply. Protection measure for known 

federally listed species will be listed in provision B (T) 6.24. 

Protection of 

Goshawk 

Habitat 

Protect goshawk nests from disturbance if any are located during project activities. Defer harvest on

30 acres of the most suitable nesting habitat around nest sites. Retain late and old structure forest in 

a 400-acre post-fledging area (PFA) as determined by the district biologist. Defer activities in active 

PFAs from April through August. 

Protection of 

Raptor Nests 

Protect known or discovered raptor nest sites from management and human disturbances until 

fledging has been completed. Level of protection will vary by species and will be recommended by 

the District wildlife biologist (FP 4-57). 

General 

Protection of 

Wildlife 

Habitat 

Seeps, springs, bogs, wallows, and other wet areas will be evaluated and protection measures 

determined by the District wildlife biologist (FP 4-57, 4-160). 

If cliffs, talus or cave habitat is found, protection measures will be determined by the District 

wildlife biologist. (FP 4-57) 

RECREATION 

Protection of 

recreational 

access 

During project activity alternative snowmobile routes will be designated in order to avoid conflict 

between winter logging operations and snowmobile activity. 

Protection of 

public safety 

during project 

Roads will be signed as closed during logging and prescribed fire activities, and will be re-opened 

as soon as possible after work is completed, especially during hunting season 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-26 

Objective Task 

activities 

Public access may be restricted in some areas during active haul of merchantable material for public 

and operational safety. 

Identified danger trees will be felled along all project haul routes and landing areas prior to 

operation. 

TES PLANTS 

Protection of 

sensitive plant 

species 

No known habitat for any special nonvascular plant species is located within the project planning 

area. During operations if any sensitive plants are located, the Forest botanist will be contacted 

immediately and appropriate action will be taken to insure the species is protected. 

 

MONITORING FRAMEWORK

Monitoring for both implementation (whether the project was implemented as planned) and effectiveness 

(whether overall management objectives were met) will occur. District staff will conduct monitoring in 

areas that have the highest probability of showing effects. 

• Identification of BMPs (see Appendix D) for the proposed actions has occurred, and any action 

which might occur in this planning area will be considered for monitoring in the Umatilla 

National Forest annual BMP monitoring. RHCA widths in harvest units, road maintenance work 

on FR 4302, and road use and maintenance during wet weather are items that will be monitored. 

• Number, size, and distribution of snags and down logs within a sample of units will be field 

checked by Forest Service personnel. 

• The Forest Service contract representative or other staff will monitor during and after activities to 

insure sediment and soil disturbance objectives are met. If objectives are not met, Forest Service 

personnel will identify and implement corrective action and document modifications to be used in 

future projects. 

• Monitoring will be done by the District Noxious Weed Coordinator and other Forest Service 

personnel. Dependent on available funding and resources, the District noxious weed coordinator 

or crew will conduct noxious weed surveys prior to initiation of harvest or other ground 

disturbing activities within the project area. Forest Service personnel will spot-check activities 

during implementation to determine whether noxious weed mitigation measures are implemented. 

Deviations will be corrected promptly. 

• After prescribed fire treatments, Forest Service fire and fuel personnel will field check a sample 

of burned units to determine whether the prescription objectives (i.e. mortality, mineral soil 

exposure, fuel load reductions, etc.) have been met. 

• Forest Service personnel will monitor effects of RHCA thinning on water temperature. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-27 

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 

to look at roads that can be decommissioned (roads and trails proposed for decommissioning 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. 

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. 

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

• Decommission system roads and unauthorized roads and trails. 

• Extend seasonal closure on Forest Road 4302 (Hogback road) to begin annually on August 1 and 

remain closed until November 30. 

DESCRIPTION:

Timber Harvest and Fuel Treatments

Commercially harvest approximately 3,900 acres. Some treatment units may include the removal of 

sawlogs, small diameter trees (generally less than 7.0 inches diameter at breast height (DBH)) and excess 

down wood for use as woody biomass products. Harvest objectives would vary by stand condition and 

fire management objectives. Treatments would favor retention of early-seral species such as ponderosa 

pine and western larch. 

Silviculture prescriptions would be the same as identified in Alternative B. Following are a list of 

silviculture prescriptions and approximate acres: 

• Improvement cutting – 3,020 acres 

• Low Thinning – 80 acres 

• Clearcutting with reserves – 250 acres 

• Seed-tree cutting with reserves – 550 acres 

Tree Planting 

Tree planting would be the same as identified in Alternative B. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-28 

Harvest Methods 

Harvest methods would include conventional ground based logging (approximately 2,725 acres), skyline 

logging (approximately 625 acres), and helicopter logging (approximately 550 acres). Whole tree yarding 

would occur in all harvest units. 

Activity and Existing Natural Fuels Treatment 

Activity and natural fuels treatments would be the same as identified in Alternative B. 

Road Management 

To accomplish implementation of proposed activities approximately 46.5 miles of seasonal open system 

roads (maintenance level 2 and 3) and about 32.5 miles of closed system roads (maintenance level 1), 

would be used as haul routes. Closed system roads used for project activities would not be opened to the 

public during project activities. All system roads would remain the same after project implementation; 

closed roads would continue to be closed, and seasonal open roads would continue with that designation. 

There would be no temporary road construction. A complete listing of roads used for this project and 

roads proposed for decommissioning are located in Appendix G of this document. 

Road Maintenance: Road maintenance consists of a variety of activity components including surface rock 

replacement, spot surfacing, roadside brushing, erosion control, logging out, road surface blading, ditch 

cleanout, slide removal, dust abatement, culvert cleaning or replacement, danger tree removal, and other 

items that contribute to the preservation of the existing road and its safe use would be the same as 

Alternative B. 

After implementation of activities, Alternative C is designed to change FR 4302 (Hogback Road) from an 

operational maintenance level 3 (passenger vehicle) to a maintenance level 2 (high clearance vehicle) and 

extend a seasonal closure on this road to begin annually on August 1 and remaining closed until 

November 30. Currently this road is closed annually from 3 days prior to state modern firearm deerhunting season (usually mid October) through the end of the state-modern firearm elk hunting season; and 

it is closed to all motorized travel, except snowmobiles, during the winter recreation season (maximum 

duration December 1 until April 30 depending on snow conditions). 

Road Decommissioning – Road decommissioning would occur on approximately 31 miles of road 

(approximately 4.3 miles of seasonal open system maintenance level 2 roads and approximately 26.6 

miles of closed system roads maintenance level 1). A variety of decommissioning methods would be 

used as needed. 

Approximately 15 miles of unauthorized roads and trails would be decommissioned. Sections of these 

areas are located throughout the planning area but the majority of unauthorized areas are concentrated off 

of FRs 4302, 43, 4304, and 4305060. Treatments would include, as necessary, blocking, draining, 

subsoiling, and revegetation with native grasses and shrubs. Current travel management rules, 36 CFR 

Part 212, provide direction that only designated roads, trails, and areas identified on a motor vehicle use 

map are open and available for use. Motor vehicle use maps specify the classes of vehicles and, if 

appropriate, the times of year for which use is designated. These unauthorized roads and trails are not 

part of the travel system and under current travel management rules use of them is illegal. 

The following table shows a summary of transportation activities that would occur. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-29 

Table 2-6 Alternative C-Summary of Transportation Activities and Road Decommissioning 

Activity Amount 

Maintenance: 

Standard Maintenance 79 miles 

Surface rock replacement 21 miles 

Heavy brushing 40 miles 

Temporary Road Construction 0 miles 

Gated closed system roads to be opened for project access and then reclosed 32.5 miles 

Rock Sources 2 

Water Sources 3 

Road Decommissioning – system roads 31 miles 

*Unauthorized roads and trails 15 miles 

*these roads and trails are a combination of user developed and remnants of old logging systems and have 

never been mapped. Field surveys to identify these areas were conducted by Forest Service personnel and Nez 

Perce Tribe surveyors. 

Danger Tree Removal – Same as identified in Alternative B. 

Landscape Prescribed Fire – Same as identified in Alternative B. 

RHCA Fuels Treatments – Mechanical Thinning (25 Acres) – Same as identified in 

Alternative B. 

Design Features and Management Requirements: - Same as identified in Alternative B. 

Monitoring Framework: - Same as identified in Alternative B. 

See the table below for a summary of activities proposed in Alternative C. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-30 

Table 2-7 Alternative C-Summary of Proposed Activities 

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 seasonal 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 

Change FSR 4302 (Hogback Road) from an operational maintenance level 3 

(passenger vehicle) to a maintenance level 2 (high clearance vehicle) and extend a 

seasonal closure on this road to begin annually on August 1 until November 30. 

Maintenance level 

change and 

seasonal extension 

Danger tree removal As needed 

Economics 

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

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. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-31 

• 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. 

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

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

DESCRIPTION:

Timber Harvest and Fuel Treatments

Commercially harvest approximately 2,600 acres. Some treatment units may include the removal of 

sawlogs, small diameter trees, generally less than 7.0 inches diameter at breast height (DBH), and excess 

down wood for use as woody biomass products. Harvest objectives would vary by stand condition and 

fire management objectives. Treatments would favor retention of early-seral species such as ponderosa 

pine and western larch. 

Silviculture prescriptions would be the same as identified in Alternative B. Following are a list of 

silviculture prescriptions and acres: 

• Improvement cutting – 2,420 acres 

• Low Thinning – 80 acres 

• Clearcutting with reserves – 0 acres 

• Seed-tree cutting with reserves – 100 acres 

Tree Planting 

Methods of tree planting would be the same as identified in Alternative B. Only 100 acres would be 

planted. 

Harvest Methods 

Harvest methods would include conventional ground based logging (approximately 1,800 acres), skyline 

logging (approximately 500 acres), and helicopter logging (approximately 300 acres). 

The same operational methods as identified in Alternative B would be used. 

Activity and Existing Natural Fuels Treatments 

Activity and natural fuels treatments would be the same as identified in Alternative B. Acres of activity 

fuels treated are less than Alternative B. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-32 

The following table is a detailed summary of proposed fuel treatments for Alternative D: 

Table 2-8 Alternative D-Summary of Activity and Natural Fuel Treatments 

Summary of Activity and Natural Fuel Treatments Approximate Acres 

Mechanical Grapple Piling 540 

Prescribed burning of activity fuels 1,370 

Non-commercial mechanical thinning and ladder fuel reduction 800 

Non-commercial manual thinning and ladder fuel reduction 350 

RHCA mechanical thinning 25 

Landscape prescribed fire 3,000 

Road Management 

To accomplish implementation of proposed activities approximately 46 miles of seasonal open system 

roads (maintenance level 2 and 3) and about 24.5 miles of closed system roads would be used as haul 

routes. Closed system roads used for project activities would not be opened to the public during project 

activities. All system roads would remain the same after project implementation; closed roads would 

continue to be closed, and seasonal open roads would continue with that designation. Approximately 

2.25 miles of temporary roads would be constructed. All temporary roads would be decommissioned 

after project activity use. No new system road construction is proposed. (See Appendix G for road 

information). 

Road Maintenance: Road maintenance consists of a variety of activity components including surface rock 

replacement, spot surfacing, roadside brushing, erosion control, logging out, road surface blading, ditch 

cleanout, slide removal, dust abatement, culvert cleaning or replacement, danger tree removal, and other 

items that contribute to the preservation of the existing road and its safe use would be the same as 

Alternative B. 

Rock sources and water sources would be the same as Alternative B. 

The following table shows a summary of transportation activities that would occur. 

Table 2-9 Alternative D-Summary of Transportation Activities 

Activity Amount 

Maintenance: 

Standard Maintenance 71 miles 

Surface rock replacement 21 miles 

Heavy brushing 40 miles 

Temporary Road Construction 2.25 miles 

Gated closed system roads to be opened for project access and then reclosed 24 miles 

Rock Sources 2 

Water Sources 3 

Danger Tree Removal – Same as identified in Alternative B. 

Landscape Prescribed Fire – Same as identified in Alternative B. 

RHCA Fuels Treatments – Mechanical Thinning (25 Acres) – Same as identified in 

Alternative B. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-33 

Design Features and Management Requirements: - Same as identified in Alternative B. 

Monitoring Framework: - Same as identified in Alternative B. 

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

Table 2-10 Alternative D-Summary of Proposed Activities 

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 

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 

Danger tree removal As needed 

Economics 

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

SALE AREA IMPROVEMENTS 

Sale area improvements (SAI) include activities which follow timber harvest and are intended to improve 

resources within the project area. They are generally funded with Knutson-Vandenberg (KV) funds, 

which are generated from the sale of timber. 

KV/SAI projects associated with implementation of Alternatives B, C, or D are analyzed for 

environmental effects in Chapter 3 of this document. They are listed below. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-34 

• Reforestation – Plant areas (associated with harvest) where there is insufficient seed source to 

insure reforestation by natural means. 

• Site preparation – Slash and burn to provide long-term fire resistance of reforestation sites. 

• Noxious weeds – Monitor and treat noxious weeds associated with haul routes and harvest units. 

• Native seeding – Seed native grasses and forbs in areas disturbed by activities. 

KV/SAI projects not associated with the proposed action are listed below. They are eligible for KV 

funding, if funds are available (if Alternative A – No Action is selected for implementation, there would 

be no KV funding, and implementation of these projects would be dependent on future appropriated 

funding). Environmental analysis for these projects would be completed in separate NEPA 

documentation and decisions. They are listed below: 

• Reforestation – Plant disturbed areas (not associated with harvest) where adequate natural 

regeneration is not expected. 

• Fuels treatments – Mechanically treat and or burn areas of high fuel concentrations to provide 

for long-term fire resistance in additional areas. 

• Noxious weeds – Monitor and treat noxious weeds outside of activity areas but within the 

project planning area. 

• Native seeding – Seed native grasses and forbs in other disturbed areas.

• Roads – Install guardrails and or gates on closed roads in the area to improve closure 

effectiveness. 

• Road decommissioning - Roads not identified in alternatives. 

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED, BUT ELIMINATED FROM 

DETAILED STUDY 

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 

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 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-35 

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. 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-36 

COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES 

The following tables compare all alternatives considered in detail by activity, purpose and need, and 

issues analyzed for environmental effects. 

Table 2-11 Summary Comparison of Alternatives 

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 2,030 acres 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 

(All temporary roads 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 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-36 

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 2-12 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-
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-37 

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 

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 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-38 

Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

upland forest PVG has 4 structural stages that are outside of HRV (Chapter 3, Table 3-29). 

upland fstages 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 

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

Acres - 65 

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

Acres – 7,950 

Same as Alternative B Conditio

project aI, II, III, • Clas
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-39 

Purpose and Need Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

characteristic of historical fire regimes. 

Percent -<1% 

• Class 2 

Acres 17,940 Percent 87% 

• Class 3 

Acres - 2,550 Percent 13% 

Percent – 39% 

• 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
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-40 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-41 

Table 2-13 – Comparison by Alternative of Key Issues and Other Resource Is

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 

• Roads and trails 

rehabilitated (acres) 0 acres 0 acres 94 acres 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-42 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

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 

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 

Same as Alternative B 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-43 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

sediment introduction during seasonal high flows. No measurable offsite effects to hydrologic function, water temperature, or sediment load. Roadwork would reduce erosion. 

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 

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 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-44 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

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 Pileated WoodpeckerThere are approximately 200,000 acres of source habitat on Umatilla National Forest 

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 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 

Rocky Mountain Elk 

Satisfactory Cover – 19% 

MA C4 – HEI – 69 MA C3 – HEI – 77 

Primary Cavity Excavators Same as Alternative B 

Pileated Woodpecker 

Same as Alternative B 

PSPHwa
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-45 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

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. There may be increases in insect outbreaks, which would benefit three-toed woodpecker. American Marten (Pine Marten) Existing marten habitat (about 

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 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 

Three-toed Woodpecker 

Same as Alternative B 

American Marten 

(Pine Marten)

Same as Alternative B 

thTpwtirsthqecpwTAhin whNaTpwnhapoA(PM
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-46 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

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. 

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. 

 a

nm

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 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 

Same as Alternative B 

Neo Migratory Birds Habitat 

The current condition of habitats for birds in the 

About 500 acres of open ponderosa pine created. Same as Alternative B 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-47 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

planning area would not change in the short-term. Snags would likely increase in number, benefiting many snag associated species. 

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. 

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 Sensitive 

No action No action 

No Effect 

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 During activities effects of During activities effects of 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-48 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

Recreation No change dust, noise, and smoke to 

developed and dispersed recreation. 

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. 

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 
Chapter 2 – Alternatives 

South George Vegetation and Fuels Management Project - DEIS 

2-49 

Resource Alternative 

A 

Alternative 

B 

Alternative 

C 

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)