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Allegheny National Forest

FY 1996

Monitoring and Evaluation

Report

ABSTRACT

This report evaluates the results of monitoring implementation of the Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan in Fiscal Year (FY) 1996. It

is the tenth Monitoring and Evaluation Report since the Forest Plan was approved in 1986. FY 96 was the eleventh year of Forest Plan implementation.

The objectives of monitoring and evaluating Forest Plan implementation are to determine how well management standards and guidelines have been applied, and to

evaluate the effectiveness of management direction. This report displays monitored items by resource. It also discusses the effects and effectiveness of Forest Plan

management direction by resource.

APPROVAL

I have reviewed and approve the Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report for FY 96, which was prepared by the Allegheny National Forest Interdisciplinary

Monitoring Team. I am satisfied that monitoring and evaluation efforts meet the intent of both the Forest Plan (Chapter 5 and Appendix B) and the National Forest

Management Act Planning Regulations (36 CFR 219).

/s/ John Palmer May 20, 1997

JOHN E. PALMER Date

Forest Supervisor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

FOREST PLAN PROGRESS 1

1996 ACTIVITIES, BY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE 1

DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION 4

EMERGING ISSUES AND PUBLIC CONCERNS 7

MONITORING RESULTS AND EVALUATION DISCUSSION 12

FOREST PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING REVIEWS 12

HERITAGE RESOURCES 14

TIMBER 15

SUITABLE AND UNSUITABLE LANDS 25

FOREST HEALTH 25

WATER QUALITY 37

OIL, GAS, AND MINERALS (OGM) 38

HABITAT 42

WILDLIFE 44

FISHERIES 51

RECREATION 52

ROADS 57

ECONOMICS 60

LANDS 62

RESEARCH, ADMINISTRATIVE STUDIES, AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT 68

GLOSSARY 78

APPENDIX A - FOREST PLAN IMPLEMENTATION SPREADSHEET
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LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND MAPS

Page

TABLE 1 ACRES OF REFORESTATION ACTIVITIES 2

TABLE 2 ACRES OF HARVESTING ACTIVITIES 3

TABLE 3 REVISED DECADE 2 FOREST PLAN PROJECTIONS 5

TABLE 3A CUMULATIVE FOREST PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH FY 96 6

TABLE 4 REGENERTION SUCCES FOR AREAS HARVESTED 1976 TO 1991 IN MAs 1.0,

3.0 AND 6.1

16

TABLE 5 TRENDS IN REGENERATION SUCCESS 17

TABLE 6 ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED IN FY 96 BY FOREST TYPE 18

TABLE 7 ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED IN FY 96 BY MANAGEMENT AREA 18

TABLE 8 ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED IN FY 96 BY REFORESTATION

ACTIVITY

19

TABLE 9 ACRES OF SPRAY AREAS HAVING TREE SEEDLINGS 20

TABLE 10 ANNUAL TRENDS IN SUCCESSFUL SEEDLING DEVELOMENT IN TREATED

STANDS BETWEEN 1991 AND 1996

21

TABLE 11 ACRES OF FINAL HARVEST CUTS SOLD FY 91 - FY 96 IN AREAS TREATED

WITH HERBICIDE SINCE 1986

22

TABLE 12 VOLUMES AWARDED TO TIMBER SALE PURCHASERS 23

TABLE 13 1996 ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BY MANAGEMENT 24

TABLE 14 PERCENT OF SUGAR MAPLE (ON 30 SAMPLE PLOTS) WITH MORE THAN

TEN PERCENT DIEBACK

31

TABLE 15 ACRES PLANTED AND TREE SEEDLING SURVIVAL IN SALVAGE AREAS

PLANTED WITH OAK

33

TABLE 16 PERCENT OF 1996 TIMBER HARVEST AREAS UNDISTURBED/DISTURBED 36

TABLE 17 THIRTY-FOUR MONITORED OGM CRITERIA BY MANAGEMENT AREA 39

TABLE 18 WELLS DRILLED IN 1996 BY MANAGEMENT AREA 40

TABLE 19 MINERAL OWNERSHIP AND STATUS 40

TABLE 20 USAGE OF ROCK MATERIALS IN 1996 41

TABLE 21 1996 MINERAL PIT MANAGEMENT 41

TABLE 22 NUMBER OF MINERAL PITS DEVELOPED 42

Page

TABLE 23 HABITAT ACRES BY AGE CLASS FOR SELECTED MANAGEMENT AREAS 43

TABLE 24 MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES 45

TABLE 25 WINTER DEER POPULATION PER SQUARE MILE OF FORESTED LAND 45

TABLE 26 BLACK BEAR HARVEST SINCE 1986, BY COUNTY 46

TABLE 27 WOODCOCK SURVEY TRENDS 47

TABLE 28 APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF SMALL WHORLED POGONIA SURVEYS 48

TABLE 29 SONGBIRD - MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES 49

TABLE 30 SONGBIRD MONITORING DATA BY HABITAT TYPE 50

TABLE 31 DEVELOPED AND DISPERSED RECREATION USE BY RECREATION 54
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OPPORTUNITY CLASS

TABLE 32 1996 RECREATION USE BY MANAGEMENT AREA 54

TABLE 33 MILES OF TRAIL CONSTRUCTION 55

TABLE 34 MILES OF TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION IN FY 96 56

TABLE 35 ROAD STATUS SUMMARY 59

TABLE 36 ROAD MANAGEMENT BY YEAR 60

TABLE 37 1996 COST OF IMPLEMENTATION, PER UNIT 61

TABLE 38 SUMMARY OF NATIONAL FOREST LAND ADJUSTMENTS 62

FIGURE 1 PEAR THRIPS POPULATIONS ON THE ANF SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING

PLOTS

31

FIGURE 2 CUMULATIVE ANNUAL SUGAR MAPLE MORTALITY OF DOMINANT AND

CODOMINANT TREES ON THE ANF SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING PLOTS

32

FIGURE 3 CUMULATIVE ANNUAL SUGAR MAPLE MORTALITY OF INTERMEDIATE

AND SUPPRESSED TREES ON THE ANF SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING

PLOTS

32

MAP 1 PA GAME COMMISSION AVERAGE DEER DENSITY ESTIMATE - 1995 46

MAP 2 PA GAME COMMISSION AVERAGE DEER DENSITY ESTIMATE - 1996 46

LIST OF PREPARERS

Donna McDonald Planning Assistant

Rick Kandare Forest Archaeologist

Gary Kell Forest Planner

Linda Houston Forest Geologist

Brad Nelson Forest Wildlife Biologist

Bob White Forest Silviculturist

Bill Moriarity Forest Terrestrial Scientist

Lionel Lemery Recreation/Wild and Scenic Rivers

Program Manager

Brent Pence Forest Fisheries Biologist

Melissa Conn Forest Accountant

Henry Hus Civil Engineer

Dan Salm Forest Transportation Planner
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Lois DeMarco Silviculturist/Analyst

Wendell Wallace GIS Coordinator

Diane Peffer Timber Resource Specialist

FOREST PLAN PROGRESS

1996 ACTIVITIES, BYMANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE

During the Forest planning process, issues raised by the public were grouped to form the management objectives. Forest Plan direction for the future was

developed to resolve the management objectives. A summary of the actions that were taken in Fiscal Year 96 ( October 1, 1995 - September 30, 1996) to

address each objective follows.

Providing Developed Recreation:

 ̈ Construction was completed on the Dewdrop and Kiasutha sewer and water systems in 1996. A new Willow Bay sewer and water system (including two new

restroom facilities) plus improvements to the boat access area were also completed during 1996.

 ̈ The remaining seven miles (about one-third) of Forest Road 262 (Longhouse Scenic Drive) were repaved. This road serves several major recreation sites on the

Allegheny Reservoir.

 ̈ The Forest Recreation Team operated and maintained a developed site capacity of 2,167,785 PAOT-Days ("persons at one time" on the site times the number of

days open) in 1996. Allsites were open for the normal managed season except for Tracy Ridge, which was open on holidays only, and Kinzua Point Information

Center (KPIC), which was open on weekends and holidays. These partial closings were a result of continued reduced funding for the Forest recreation program.

 ̈ The Loleta Recreation Area was opened for use in the spring of 1996 after being closed for two years for reconstruction.

 ̈ The FY 96 recreation concessionaire for the ANF, L&L Inc., funded and/or carried out various recreation area improvements as part of the concessionaire

Special Use Permit on areas which they operated around the Allegheny Reservoir. Examples include curb cuts, site hardening, toilet building improvements,

playground equipment and guard rails. Several of these items are part of a continuing effort to reduce barriers to people with disabilities.

 ̈ An interpretive plan for the historic oil-producing Powerhouse was completed in 1996 through a partnership. Implementation is expected in 1997.

 ̈ Developed recreation use in 1996 decreased by approximately 7 percent to 1,430,000 Recreation Visitor Days (RVDs). The decrease is attributed primarily to

poor weather conditions.

Providing Dispersed Recreation:

 ̈ One-half mile of trailreconstruction was completed on the Forest's trailsystem. A new footbridge was constructed over Nelse Run in the Tracy Ridge/NRA area.

This work was in addition to the normal maintenance which occurs each year on the ANF's 644 miles of trail.

 ̈ The Final EnvironmentalImpact Statement for the Allegheny National Wild and Scenic River Management Plan was completed in 1996 and will be distributed to

the public in early 1997.

 ̈ Dedication of the new trailhead, toilet building and trails at the Brush Hollow cross-country ski area, located north of Ridgway on SR 948, was carried out in

celebration of National Trails Day.

 ̈ An environmental education and interpretive trail(Little Drummer Historic Pathway) west of Ridgway was completed and opened to public use.

 ̈ Dedication of the Timberline ATV Trailhead was also held, recognizing this successful partnership between federal, state and private entities.

 ̈ As the ATV trail condition inventory continues, improvements to the Marienville Bike Trail and installation of a well at the Rocky Gap Trailhead were completed

to address identified needs.

 ̈ An assessment and policy review of horse use on the Forest has continued in 1996 with completion and public involvement expected early in 1997.

 ̈ Snowmobile trail improvements were carried out at the Marshburg and Red Bridge Connectors, on the Kelly Pines Loop, and through reconstruction of the

Farnsworth Bridge. Dispersed recreation decreased by approximately 7 percent to 1,833,000 Recreation Visitor Days due primarily to poor weather.

 ̈ Dispersed recreation decreased by approximately 7 percent to 1,833,000 Recreation Visitor Days due primarily to poor weather.

Timber Management:

The Forest Plan set the long-term sustained yield and the allowable sale quantity for each decade at 94.5 million board feet (MMBF) per year. The Forest sold
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(awarded) 56.2 MMBF of timber in 1996, with a value of $21.3 million. A total of 756.2 MMBF have been sold (awarded) since 1986, a 68.8 MMBF annual

average.

The Forest Plan identified management practices that directly help establish tree seedlings: site preparation for natural regeneration; planting or seeding; herbicide

control of competing understory vegetation; fencing; and aerialfertilization. Table 1 displays the activity amounts estimated in the Forest Plan for Decades 1 and 2

(beginning in 1986) and the amounts accomplished since 1986.

TABLE 1: ACRES OF REFORESTATION ACTIVITIES

Type of Activity Forest Plan

20-year

Estimate

1996 Amount Ave. Annual

Amount since

1986

Total

Accomplishments

86-96

% of

Forest Plan

Estimate

Site Prep 36,000 1,230 1,192 13,117 36

Fertilization 39,000 755 939 10,326 26

Fencing 8,000 650 918 10,101 126

Herbicide 38,000 1,315 1,141 12,555 33

Planting/Seeding 4,000 143 113 1,239 31

Since 1986, the following harvesting activities have been completed. They are designed to move the Forest toward the desired future vegetative condition as

specified in the Forest Plan.

TABLE 2: ACRES OF HARVESTING ACTIVITIES

Type of Activity Forest Plan

20-year

Estimate

1996

Amount

Ave. Annual

Amount since

1986

Total

Accomplishments

86-96

% of

Forest Plan

Estimate

Final Harvest 67,000 2,284 2,016 22,180 33

Thinning 172,000 3,225 3,989 43,878 26

Selection 6,000 334 537 5,907 98

Shelterwood

Seed/Prep

60,300 1,196 1,284 14,126 23

Wildlife and Fish Management

 ̈ Hunting use (181,650 RVDs) increased slightly (5%) and fishing use (164,300 RVDs) decreased 11 percent from the previous year.

 ̈ Deer population densities decreased in 1995-96 in Elk and Warren Counties, stayed the same in McKean County, and increased in Forest County. Pellet group

counts show densities vary between 13 and 43 deer/square mile.

 ̈ Black bear harvest levels increased in 1995. A total of 278 bears were harvested in the four-county area in which the ANF is located. It appears that this area

can sustain a harvest of approximately 250 to 300 bears annually.

 ̈ This was the seventh year of monitoring for ruffed grouse and woodcock. Data indicates that grouse populations are stable. More information on woodcock

populations is needed.

 ̈ This was the sixth year that barred owls were monitored along seven transects throughout the ANF.

 ̈ A river otter habitat-use survey was completed by a volunteer in October 1995, and otters were found to be widely distributed along Tionesta Creek and its

tributaries.

 ̈ Both winter and summer bald eagle sightings are increasing on the Forest. Young eagles were successfully fledged from two nests in 1996.

 ̈ Songbird monitoring data is being analyzed. Some preliminary data is presented in this report.

 ̈ Surveys for the Federally-listed endangered small whorled pogonia were conducted on 59,112 acres during 1996. This brings the total survey acreage to more

than 199,000 acres. No small whorled pogonias have been found.

 ̈ Adult walleye populations were surveyed in the Allegheny Reservoir in the spring. Walleye numbers are at their highest levelsince 1981.
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 ̈ Yearly monitoring for brook trout on four streams continued in 1996. Brook trout populations decreased in all of the streams as a result of the January flooding

that scoured many streams. Water quality results meet the State's high quality cold-water standards.

 ̈ Structures (Christmas trees) - A survey of effectiveness of fish habitat improvements in the Allegheny Reservoir indicates that yellow perch are strongly associated

with these structures for cover and possibly spawning habitat.

 ̈ A fisheries survey conducted on a rechanneled stream shows that brook trout and brown trout are fully utilizing the habitat improvement structures placed in the

stream.

 ̈ Beaver Meadows was assessed for fish populations. Yellow perch were the dominant species, but are stunted as a result of pHs as low as 4.1.

 ̈ Fine sediment levels were measured for the fourth consecutive year in a stream within a timber sale area. Results to date indicate there have not been any negative

effects to the streams.

 ̈ Water quality measured on three streams indicate they meet State water quality standards.

 ̈ The application of limestone to Big MillCreek was monitored to determine effectiveness. Because of the wet year and high flows most of the year, the amount of

limestone was ineffective at increasing alkalinity and pH levels.

Private Oil and Gas:

 ̈ Management of oil and gas activities approached the handbook standard. Documentation to meet the planning and notification standards of the Minard Run

decision was generally acceptable. This decision states that at least 60 days in advance of proposed development, the developer will provide the USDA Forest

Service with the following written documentation: proof of ownership; designated Field Representative; a map showing the locations and dimensions of allfacilities;

Plan of Operation; Erosion and Sedimentation Plan; and State Drilling Permits.

 ̈ Low prices for local crude oil in 1996 resulted in a low amount of development. In 1996, 68 wells were drilled on the Allegheny National Forest. No USAowned wells were plugged by the Forest Service.

DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION

The Forest's definition of Desired Future Condition (DFC) relates to the type, condition, location, and amounts of various facilities, vegetative conditions, and other

aspects of the ecosystem that will be created over the long run (150 years or at "steady state") by implementing specific Management Area Direction. Projects that

are implemented should be integrated with other existing resource opportunities in the area to move us toward the Desired Future Condition.

The following information attempts to measure the Allegheny's overall progress toward meeting the DFC across all management areas by making the assumption

that there is a relationship between movement toward the DFC and the production of various goods and services estimated in the Forest Plan.

The Allegheny National Forest is now in the second decade of Forest Plan implementation. The desired future condition at the end of this decade is the sum of all

goods, services, and habitat treatments estimated for both Decades 1 and 2. The amounts given in the Forest Plan for Decade 2 were predicated on our having

accomplished 100 percent of the Decade 1 goals, and we know from previous monitoring that this is not the case. Therefore, in the following table (Table 3A),

amounts for Decade 2 have been recalculated to reflect Decade 1 accomplishments.

The amounts shown in the "Balance Decade 2 Forest Plan" column would need to be accomplished in the second decade to fully implement the Forest Plan for

Decades 1 and 2. Negative numbers indicate that we have already over-accomplished the Forest Plan estimate for both decades. The information in Table 3A will

be used for various comparisons in this Monitoring Report and in the Forest's 20-year Implementation Spreadsheet (Appendix A).

TABLE 3: REVISED DECADE 2 FOREST PLAN PROJECTIONS

Output/Activity Unit of

Measure

Decade 1

Forest

Plan

Decade 2

Forest

Plan

Sum of

Decades

1 & 2

Forest

Plan

Decade 1

(FY 86-95)

Accomplishments

Balance

Decade

2 Forest

Plan

DEVELOPED REC

...Semi-primitive

Motorized

MRVD 370 380 750 583.1 166.9

...Roaded Natural MRVD 4,300 4,710 9,010 4,553.2 4,456.8

...Rural MRVD 4,190 4,320 8,510 4,966.9 3,543.1

DISPERSED REC

...Semi-primitive/

Non-motorized

MRVD 300 420 720 335.8 384.2
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...Semi-primitive/

Motorized

MRVD 3,680 3,720 7,400 5,175.7 2,224.3

...Roaded Natural MRVD 4,990 5,250 10,240 8,194.1 2,045.9

WILDERNESS

...Semi-primitive/

Non-motorized

MRVD 10 16 26 23.0 1.0

TRAIL

CONSTRUCTION

...Pedestrian

...Motorized-Winter

...Motorized-Summer

Miles

Miles

Miles

48

11

145

41

11

145

89

22

290

39.3

50.5

70.0

49.7

-28.5

220.0

TIMBER MGMT

...Hardwood sawtimber MMBF 383 460 843 350.1 492.9

...Hardwood Pulpwood MMBF 562 480 1,042 333.1 708.9

...Hardwood Firewood MMBF 0 0 0 17.1 -17.1

...Total Sell MMBF 945 940 1,885 700.3 1,184.7

...FClearcut Acres 3,300 3,400 6,700 6,925.0 -225

...Shelterwood Seed/prep Acres 29,700 30,600 60,300 12,930.0 47,370

...Shelterwood removal Acres 29,700 30,600 60,300 12,971.0 47,329

...Thinning Acres 94,000 78,000 172,000 40,653.0 131,347

...Selection Cut Acres 6,000 0 6,000 5,573.0 427

...Timber Stand Impr. Acres 8,000 6,000 14,000 855.0 13,145

...Herbicide Acres 20,000 18,000 38,000 11,240.0 26,760

...Fertilization Acres 25,000 14,000 39,000 9,571.0 29,429

...Fencing Acres 4,000 4,000 8,000 9,451.0 -1,451

...Planting Acres 2,000 2,000 4,000 1,096.0 2,904

...Site Prep Acres 18,000 18,000 36,000 11,887.0 24,113

...Release Acres 0 0 0 169.0 -169

TABLE 3: REVISED DECADE 2 FOREST PLAN PROJECTIONS (Continued)

Output/Activity Unit of

Measure

Decade 1

Forest

Plan

Decade 2

Forest

Plan

Sum of

Decades

1 & 2

Forest

Plan

Decade 1

(FY 86-95)

Accomplishments

Balance

Decade

2 Forest

Plan

ROADS

...Construction

Miles 239 134 373 157.3 215.7

...Reconstruction -

Betterment

Miles 97 55 152 116.9 35.1

...Reconstruction - Miles 0 0 0 426.1 -426.1
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Restoration

...Temporary Miles 17 17 34 12.7 21.3

WILDLIFE

...Hunting Use MWUF 1,970 2,200 4,170 2,302.2 1,867.8

...Fishing Use MWUF 1,510 1,720 3,230 1,663.1 1,566.9

...Fish Habitat Impr. Acres N/A N/A 1 149.0 -148

...Wildlife Habitat Impr. Acres 23,720 27,580 51,300 22,273 29,027

...Wildlife Habitat Impr. Structs 60 110 170 2,256.0 -2,086

SOIL/WATER/AIR

...Water/SoilImpr. Acres N/A N/A 0 7,765.5 -7,765.5

The Forest's 20-year Implementation Spreadsheet (Appendix A) compares the total number of goods, services, and habitat treatments estimated in the Forest Plan

for Decades 1 and 2 with the actual accomplishments to date. If the sum of projections for Decades 1 and 2 were spread equally over the 20-year period, the

eleventh year (1996) would show a 55 percent accomplished. The following data on percent actually accomplished indicates resources or activities that have been

over- or under-emphasized at this point in the 20-year planning period. These figures are used as a relative indicator of how integrated our program has been and

the rate at which we are moving toward the Forest's overall DFC.

TABLE 3A: CUMULATIVE FOREST PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

THROUGH FY 96 (PERCENT OF 1986 - 2005 ESTIMATES)

Developed Recreation (RVD) Semi-primitive Motorized Use 86.1%

Roaded Natural Use 57.9%

Rural Use 66.7%

Dispersed Recreation (RVD) Semi-primitive Non-motorized Use 50.6%

Semi-primitive Motorized Use 80.6%

Roaded Natural Use 89.9%

Wilderness (RVD) Semi-primitive Non-motorized Use 102.3%

Trail Construction Pedestrial Trail(miles) 47.6%

Motorized Winter Trail(miles) 229.5%

Motorized Summer Trail(miles) 24.1%

TABLE 3A: CUMULATIVE FOREST PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

THROUGH FY 96 (PERCENT OF 1986 - 2005 ESTIMATES)

(continued)

Timber Management Sell Volume (MBF) 40.1%

(Sawtimber) 45.4%

(Pulpwood) 34.2%

Final Harvest cuts (acres)

(Clearcuts)

(Shelterwood Removals)

33.1%

109.6%

24.6%

Shelterwood Seed/prep (acres) 23.4%
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Thinning (acres) 25.5%

Selection Cut (acres) 98.5%

Herbicide Use (acres) 33.0%

Fencing for animal control(acres) 126.3%

Aerial Fertilization (acres) 26.5%

Site Prep (acres) 36.4%

Roads Construction (miles) 42.2%

Reconstruction (miles) 120.5%

Wildlife/Fish Wildlife Habitat Improvement (acres) 47.7%

Wildlife Habitat Improvement (structures) 1397.1%

EMERGING ISSUES AND PUBLIC CONCERNS

Most of these issues were previously identified, yet are still relevant. All of these issues may significantly affect the Forest Service's ability to implement the

Allegheny Forest Land Management Plan and could result in future amendments or revisions.

BIOLOGICAL ISSUES

Riparian Area Management: A Riparian Team is analyzing riparian area management on the Forest. Utilizing a landscape ecology approach to management and

delineation of riparian areas, the team will provide present and future management recommendations to the Forest's Leadership Team. Areas of emphasis include

management guidelines in headwater stream areas and on sensitive soils. Dr. Tom Martin and Dr. Charles Williams (Clarion University of Pennsylvania) and the

Allegheny National Forest have established a partnership project to determine the influence of past land use on forest-stream linkages. Drs. Martin and Williams

have received a $50,000 grant from the AgriculturalResearch Service. This project was started in the spring of 1996.

Deer Herd Management: During the development of the Forest Plan, the overpopulation of deer on the Forest was wellrecognized by both the Forest Service

and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Game Commission was increasing antlerless license allocations at a steady rate. Research had revealed that 87

percent of all clearcuts that had failed to regenerate into a new forest stand could be directly attributed to excessive deer browsing (Marquis and Brenneman 1981).

Game Commission biologists and other researchers had documented the impacts of high deer populations on turkeys and other wildlife species (Wunz and

Hassinger personal communications, Dorio and Marquis 1986, Harrison 1984).

Deer density goals have been set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, but antlerless licenses have not been allocated to move the population toward the goal.

Consequently, the sustainability of many forest resources is at an increased risk.

This led to an agreement between the Game Commission and the Forest Service. The Commission agreed to continue to bring the deer herd population down,

striving to reach a goal of about 19 deer per square mile, Forestwide. The Forest Service agreed to provide more early succession vegetation, mainly through

timber harvest. By increasing the food supply through the creation of early successional vegetation, and by reducing the population through increased antlerless

allocations, a balance should be reached where deer are in equilibrium with their habitat.

The intent of managing habitat on the National Forest is to provide habitat to maintain viable populations of all species. This requires managing for a variety of

habitats, managing for unique habitats and managing for specific features that may be needed by a species. Habitat for forest interior species as well as forest edge

species must be provided in a balance that maintains ecological integrity. We believe that the Forest Plan provides sound guidance for managing all native wildlife

species on the Forest, including deer.

Sensitive Species: Habitat for sensitive species continues to be an issue on the Allegheny National Forest. Efforts are underway to complete surveys to determine

the occurrence and distribution of these species.

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires the Forest Service to maintain viable populations of all native and desired non-native vertebrate species.

Analysis of impacts to allsensitive species for each proposed project is required to ensure that viability is maintained and that our actions will not cause the listing of

these sensitive species as Federally threatened or endangered.

Landscape Corridors: The Forest Plan specified amounts of acreage in each Management Area that should be designated to provide a late successional

vegetative component for the Forest. However, it did not provide direction as to where these should be located or identify appropriate vegetative types. Comments

from the public and recent research suggested that the Forest develop a landscape approach for designation rather than allocating areas in a piecemealfashion.

A Forest team initiated a landscape corridor analysis in 1992, conducted an extensive public involvement effort and has produced a landscape map for the Forest

to use in its site-specific analyses. The corridors will connect the large parcels of contiguous late successional vegetation on the Forest. These include the Allegheny

National Recreation Area, the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Area, and the Hickory Creek Wilderness. A report titled "A Landscape Approach to

Providing Late-successional Forests and Associated Functions and Values on the Allegheny National Forest" is available.

Timber Harvest Capability: In November 1995, we published the Analysis of Timber Harvest Program Capability, 1995 - 2005, an assessment of the ANF

timber harvest program capability for 1995 through 2005. This culminated an intensive monitoring and analysis effort which began in 1991. The analysis shows the
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ANF timber harvest capability for 1995 through 2005 is 53.2 MMBF per year.

We began working on the analysis in 1991 because of continuing concerns about the timber harvest capability specified in the Forest Plan. Several factors were

identified that had seriously impacted the availability of timber on the Forest. These include: insect, disease and wind damage that occurred between 1985 and

1991; a lack of regeneration opportunities; a lack of accurate inventory information; management area mapping errors; riparian area management concerns (more

riparian areas exist than were originally mapped); and FORPLAN spatial allocation limitations. Since changes are still occurring, the effects on timber availability of

insect and disease-caused mortality occurring since 1991 has not been completely evaluated.

The report is an administrative study that reviews the timber resource capability on the Allegheny National Forest. It will be used to guide the level of annual timber

volume offered for sale and for future program budget proposals. The report findings will not be used at this time to change the Allowable Sale Quantity (ASQ) in

the Forest Plan. Any such needed changes in the ASQ will be addressed during Forest Plan revision.

Forest Health: A variety of insects and diseases are affecting tree health locally. Pear thrips, forest tent caterpillars, gypsy moth, cherry scallop shell moth, fall

cankerworm, elm spanworm, linden looper, beech bark disease complex, maple decline, pine budworm, and ash dieback are of particular concern. Damage from

most of these was observed between 1993 and 1995, and an increasing number of trees are showing symptoms of decline from repeated impacts by these species.

Substantial tree mortality developed suddenly in the summer of 1994 (primarily sugar maple, but white ash, beech, birch and red maple also suffered in lesser

amounts). Tree decline continued to develop in 1995 and 1996, though the abundant rainfall which occurred during the 1996 growing season should help some

trees recover if drought and defoliation are minimal over the next few years.

In 1993, close to 261,000 acres of National Forest land were moderately to severely defoliated by elm spanworm. This marked the third year ofsuch defoliation

on 7,500 acres, and the second year on 51,800 acres. Very little elm spanworm defoliation occurred in 1994, but close to 18,000 acres were defoliated by forest

tent caterpillar, approximately 54,000 acres were defoliated by cherry scallop shell moth, and slightly more than 1,500 acres were affected by pine budworm. In

1995, over 205,000 acres were defoliated by cherry scallop shell moth, with close to 124,000 acres classified as severe. Since 1992, close to 700 acres have

been defoliated three times by this insect, 36,600 acres have been defoliated twice, and 238,000 acres have been defoliated once. Most of the same areas have

also been defoliated at least once since 1991 by either elm spanworm or Forest tent caterpillar. In 1996, cherry scallop shell moths defoliated close to 11,800

acres, with 70 percent of that defolication classified as moderate to severe. Most of those areas had already been defoliated at least once since 1993 by cherry

scallop shell moth.

Noticeable tree mortality developed in 1994 on about 89,600 acres from the combined effects of a variety of factors, including repeated defoliation and two recent

droughts. Spray treatment (with Bacillus thuringiensis or B.t.) completed in 1995 limited additional defoliation stress on the surviving trees. The total impact these

multiple stresses have had, and will have in years to come, remains largely unknown. It depends on environmental conditions and additional stresses that may

develop. If natural events over the next few years place additional stress on the trees, permanent effects on wildlife habitat, vegetation diversity, recreation, and

timber harvest volumes could be severe. Forest personnel are working on additional analyses to determine management alternatives for many areas having the

heaviest mortality. Since mid-1995, they have completed seven environmental asessments which have looked at site-specific tree mortality and ecosystem

systainability on about 76,735 acres, resulting in about 10,500 acres of treatment. Reforestation of affected sites has been a key issue addressed. We are also

working on a long-term strategy to address these forest health questions.

Tree Seedling Development in Upland Hardwood and Northern Hardwood Forest Types: Data collected in 1992 in Management Area 3 indicates that tree

seedlings of a variety of species are not becoming established beneath the overstory tree canopy of these forest types. Selective deer browsing, dense interfering

plants, and erratic seed production all play a role in limiting seedling development. If this situation continues, forest structure and tree species composition will be

affected. Over the long term, it raises serious questions about tree composition and sustainability in Management Areas where the Forest Plan direction permits little

human intervention to control forest and ground vegetation structure, composition, and development. Trees that die will not be replaced by similar species or, in

many cases, by any species of vigorously-growing tree seedlings that are capable of growing up to replace them. In 1996, Forest personnel initiated an adaptive

management approach designed to help answer questions about how to reforest these kinds of areas. The study may take from three to ten years to complete.

SOCIAL ISSUES

Wild and Scenic River Management: A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Draft Management Plan for the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River was

completed in 1995 and distributed for public review and comment. We are currently consolidating and responding to comments received on the drafts. A Record

of Decision should be issued in early 1997, and the Final EIS and River Management Plan will be implemented.

The Allegheny River Management Plan, when approved, will amend the Forest Plan. The emphasis of the River Management Plan is to protect and enhance

important river values through cooperation and partnerships with other agencies, municipal governments, landowners and organizations along with corridor.

(Editors Note: A Record of Decision was issued on January 2, 1997.)

The three-year appointments of all Advisory Council members expired in 1996. We have requested nominations from County Commissioners and the Governor's

Office for new appointments.

An Eligibility Report for the Clarion River and Mill Creek was completed in March 1996. Approximately 52 miles of the Clarion River and 10 miles of MillCreek

were determined to be eligible for potential Wild and Scenic River deignation. Legislation was introduced in both houses of Congress in June to designate 52 miles

of the Clarion River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. (Editor's Note: Legislation was passed in October 1996.)

Deterioration of Developed Recreation Facilities: Recreation facilities developed in the early to mid 1960s around the Allegheny Reservoir continue to

deteriorate. The first step to rebuild this infrastructure was started in 1993, with the funding of a major sewer and water project for 3 of the 13 recreation areas

found along the reservoir. Many of the remaining structures and site furniture are quickly coming to the end of their useful design life. Repairs are costly and timeconsuming. What is needed is a major rehabilitation or replacement of those items toward a more functional, low maintenance character. In addition, few of these

facilities and sites fully meet the needs of people with disabilites. Such needs can be addressed during rehabilitation at little additional cost.
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Development of Private Outstanding/Reserved OGM Rights: The United States Government owns only seven percent of the mineral rights under the surface

of the Allegheny National Forest. The remainder are in private ownership. These subsurface owners have the right to develop their mineral estate. The public has

expressed concerns for oil and gas development on the Forest, but is not generally aware of the limitations on Forest Service authority with regard to these

privately-owned minerals.

The Forest Service, the private mineral developer, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are jointly responsible for protection of the surface resources. The

Forest's management objective, as defined by the courts, is to negotiate to the greatest extent possible with individual developers to manage and protect the surface

resources while allowing full development of their mineralrights.

Road Construction and Road Management: The public has expressed concerns over road management and additional road construction on the Forest. Issues

cited are negative impacts from sedimentation, increased access and fragmentation of habitat. The level of new construction and size of the totalroad system remain

within predictions made in the Forest Plan. Continued emphasis on road closures is occurring in our road management efforts. We are also evaluating alternative

surfacing materials and vehicle specifications, with additional mitigation measures to minimize sedimentation potential.

Allegheny Snowmobile Loop and Trail System Connectors: There continues to be great interest by snowmobile riders on the Allegheny to add to and improve

the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop (ASL). In January 1996, ANF personnel asked known snowmobile riders to identify problems on existing trails as well as

potential opportunities for future trail connectors. We received 36 responses. Those responses included suggestions to add well over 100 miles of trail to the

current system.

We have always emphasized to trail users the need to maintain the existing trial system before any new trails are constructed. Therefore, problems on the existing

trails are scheduled to be corrected or eliminated before attempts are made to add new connectors. (Editor's note: A public meeting with snowmobile riders

was held in October 1996 to define priority work needed on the ASL and to begin identifying high-priority connectors that can be considered for

construction once the ASL is brought up to standard.)

Horse Use: Horse use for trail riding has been a very traditional, but generally minor, recreation activity on the ANF. However, during the last 10 years, this use

has grown to a dominant use in some locations on the Forest, much of it in the form of guided trail rides. Designated horse trails are not provided as part of the

Forest trailsystem.

In recent years, some areas (stream bottoms, crossings, steep slopes, etc.) have been identified with resource damage from horse use. Most of the guided trail

riding has been brought under special use permit and resource problems dealt with through the permits. In addition, a Forestwide inventory and analysis is being

conducted and alternatives are being assessed on how to deal with this emerging issue.

MONITORING RESULTS AND EVALUATION DISCUSSION

The category of items to be monitored is based on 36 CFR 219.12(k). The objectives of gathering this information is to provide data that shows how closely

standards and guidelines for each Management Area in the Forest Plan have been applied. Ultimately, the evaluation of this data gives us a measure of our progress

towards meeting the Desired Future Condition (DFC) for each Management Area.

FOREST PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING REVIEWS

Conduct Interdisciplinary Field Reviews of Projects in Several Management Areas to Determine Application and Effectiveness of Standards and

Guidelines

Method of Measure: Interdisciplinary field review of projects in different Management Areas by the Forest's Leadership Team, the Ecosystems Management

Team and others.

Monitoring Results: The twofold purpose of these reviews is to determine: 1) if projects are being implemented as planned in their environmental documents; and

2) if those projects, as implemented, are moving the Management Areas towards their Desired Future Condition (DFC), as outlined in the Forest Plan. No fewer

than four project reviews will be conducted during the year, two which include timber sales as an approved activity and two non-timber projects.

In FY 96, Forest Plan Monitoring and Implementation Reviews were conducted on projects approved in four separate environmental assessments. Prior to each

review, NEPA documents were thoroughly reviewed by resource specialists, and a list of site-specific and general Forest planning questions were developed for

use during each review. Resource specialists and Ranger District personnel then field reviewed each project area and gathered technical resource data on the

application of existing standards and guidelines and actual environmental effects. This project-specific data was carried into discussions held during each review.

As part of the review process, follow-up actions may be recommended (see list for each review). Please note that several of the recommended follow-up actions

have been implemented since the reviews were conducted (items followed with *). For the others, Ranger Districts are establishing plans of action to address them.

Hearts Content Recreation Facility/Accessibility Improvement (MA 8) - The objectives of this project were to improve accessibility of recreation facilities at

Hearts Content, improve interpretation of the Scenic Area, reduce confusion associated with the numerous trailheads in the area, and enhance the overallrecreation

experience for visitors using the facilities.

Overall, this project definitely moves the ANF toward meeting Forest Plan goals and objectives and the desired future condition for Management Area 8. Nearly all

of the proposed activities have been implemented; those few that have not yet been implemented will be completed when funds are available.

Four follow-up actions were recommended:

1) adapt the drinking fountain to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
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2) improve trailsigning to reduce confusions at trail intersections

3) replace the damaged deer exclosure fences

4) with regard to trash removal, stress a "pack in/pack out" philosophy through our printed brochures and signs

Hunter Special Integrated Project Set (MA 3.0) - Activities approved in the EA for this integrated project set included road construction, reconstruction and

resurfacing; timber harvest; herbicide application; aerialfertilization; and numerous wildlife enhancements.

Original analysis and planning for this project was done through an Opportunity Area (OA) Analysis. Between the time the OA was completed/approved and the

EA for site-specific project area was completed, a decision was made to defer some thinning stands because they were inadequately stocked. Other than these

deferred timber treatments, most of the activities approved in this project EA were carried out.

The review team found that this project moves the ANF toward meeting Forest Plan goals and objectives and the desired future condition for MA 3. Mitigation

measures for slash disposal, road use restrictions, road reconstruction, and seasonal logging restrictions appear to have been effective.

Little Drummer Interpretive Trail (MAs 1.0 and 6.1) - The EA for this project approved wildlife habitat improvement work; timber harvest; road construction,

reconstruction and obliteration; and various recreation-related activities. Our field review concentrated primarily on the construction of the trailhead and trail.

This project moves the ANF toward meeting MA 1 and MA 6.1 goals and objectives and the desired future condition. With the exception ofsigns and maps being

in place at the trailhead bulletin board, all of the proposed activities have been implemented (Editor's note: Since the review was conducted, maps/signs have

arrived and are in place).

Severalfollow-up actions were recommended:

1) describe accessibility level of the trail at the trailhead

2) paint "stop" numbers on wooded posts for better visibility *

3) remove stumps or add fill to level the trail where it goes through the conifer plantation *

4) place additional directional markers at the intersection of the loop trails to reduce confusion

5) further document the heritage resource site that was damaged and schedule any additional heritage resource compliance work that may be needed (see Heritage

Resources discussion)

6) secure the cover of the beaver-proof control gate with a lock *

Bald Hill Integrated Project Set (MAs 3.0 and 6.1) - The original EA for the Bald HillIPS approved conducting various vegetative management activities (two

timber sales and fencing) all in MA 3; wildlife habitat improvement work; and some road restoration work. An amendment to the EA was issued following a severe

blowdown event that approved additional timber harvest, wildlife planting, and temporary road construction in both MA 3 and 6.1.

This project moves the Forest toward meeting the desired future condition for both MAs 3 and 6.1. It is well integrated with non-timber resources, and there is

good multiple use management in the landscape corridor.

Three follow-up actions were recommended:

1) continue efforts to clarify road definitions (reconstruction, restoration, temporary roads, etc.) and apply them consistently across the Forest *

2) include Compartment 89, Stand 1 in the Forest's "adaptive management"monitoring program *

3) update the K-V plan to include "release" needs in the shelterwood removal units *

Overall, the Review Team felt that each of these projects move the Forest toward the desired future condition for the specific management area(s) in which they are

located. These projects were all appropriate given Forest Plan priorities and goals. Resource integration is evident.

Implementation of activities approved in the respective environmental documents is well underway, although not complete. Those activities not implemented to date

will be carried forward and implemented based upon priority and availability of funding.

HERITAGE RESOURCES

Verify that Cultural Resources are being Protected [36 CFR 219.24]

Method of Measure: Review eight randomly-selected survey areas identified as having cultural resources within the proposed project area. Field check each

survey area to determine adequacy of survey methodology. In addition, adherence to and adequacy of mitigation measures for any identified sites were also

checked. Other sites and survey areas were assessed on a case-by-case basis as implemented projects impacted areas surveyed in previous years. Only a portion

of each survey area was re-checked. In 1996, the emphasis was on rechecking previously surveyed areas adjacent to newly proposed areas of potential impact

and on selected culturalresources in or near project areas.

Monitoring Results: Cultural resource survey areas were reviewed to determine the adequacy of our survey methodology as well as the adequacy of mitigation

measures for identified cultural resources. Review of eight areas showed that all eight had been adequately surveyed. Likewise, monitoring revealed that
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implemented projects incorporated into their design adequate measures to avoid impacts to culturalresources.

Throughout the year, numerous previously-recorded cultural resources were checked on a case-by-case basis during the course of our FY 95 cultural resource

investigations. Monitoring revealed that implemented projects were generally designed to avoid impacts to cultural resources. In one instance though, a cultural

resource was impacted by the construction of an interpretive trail and a wildlife opening (Little Drummer Interpretive Trail). The problem was identified as a lack of

communication and coordination between the planning and design team and heritage resource specialists during the design and implementation of the project.

Appropriate steps have been taken to correct the problem.

As has been the case in previous years, our monitoring efforts have identified impacts to rockshelter sites caused by dispersed recreation users on the Forest.

Archaeological investigations at one rockshelter site were undertaken to assess the nature, condition, and integrity of the archaeological deposits in order to evaluate

the significance of the sites and, if significant, determine whether or not the impacts had adversely affected the archaeological deposits. The resultsof the

investigations suggest that monitoring efforts should continue to focus on the most threatened rockshelter sites on the Forest.

As in previous years, our monitoring efforts have also identified impacts occurring to historic oil and gas-related sites. The impacts include human-caused damage,

the result of vandalism, as well as the removal of equipment. Naturally-caused damage, such as trees falling unto powerhouses and damage caused by animals

(specifically porcupines) was also noted. A variety of steps are being taken to address this issue, including sponsoring a "Passport in Time" project involving a

partnership with the Three Rivers Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology conducting a Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American

Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) level documentation of two potentially-significant powerhouses.

Throughout the year, monitoring efforts were also conducted at the Buckaloons and Earthworks sites, which are among the most significant cultural resources

known to exist on the Forest. Our monitoring of the Earthwork sites identified no human-caused degradation of the sites, but effects caused by naturalforces (i.e.,

windthrows) continue to cause damage to the shallow archaeological deposits. Monitoring at Buckaloons also revealed no evidence of human impacts to the

cultural resources; however, uncontrolled/unmanaged vegetation in the "beanfields" continues to adversely affect the subsurface archaeologicalfeatures in the nowovergrown fields. Additional impacts were noted along Brokenstraw Creek where a portion of the south bank slumped into the creek. The exposed cut bank was

monitored periodically for erosional effects. Stabilization of the bank was recommended.

Finally, earlier attempts at monitoring, such as those conducted in 1990, revealed that many of the past cultural resource surveys on the ANF may have been

inadequate and that damage had occurred inadvertently to archaeological sites. One of the 1990 recommendations stated that "all surveys conducted under earlier

contracts should be revisited by in-house personnel to check site locations and correct oversights." In 1996, several areas that were covered by earlier surveys

were re-examined. As continues to be the case, our results suggest that, whenever possible, selected areas of high probability within pre-1990 surveyed acres

located within newly-proposed project areas be re-examined to test the validity of the previous investigators' methodologies, results, and mitigation measures.

TIMBER

Application of Silvicultural Guides for Intermediate or Selection Cuts [36 CFR 219.12(k)(2)]

Method of Measure: Timber sale marking checks were conducted in 1996 by gathering new silvicultural examination plot data for a number of thinnings and

shelterwood seed cuts on active timber sales on all Ranger Districts. This information was used to produce a new SILVAH summary of the stand characteristics

and to determine whether the marking followed the silvicultural prescription and any interdisciplinary modifications approved for the stand. SILVAH is the computer

program developed by the Forest Sciences Laboratory in Irvine to evaluate vegetative data and develop silvicultural prescriptions.

Monitoring Results: Coordination with other resource uses was good for all stands reviewed. Eleven of the stands reviewed were standard thinnings, and four

were shelterwood seed cuts. Certified silviculturists prepared or reviewed the prescriptions for allstands reviewed.

Thinnings

All of the stands reviewed had a silvicultural prescription and direction for protecting or enhancing other resource values on the site. Most of the silvicultural

prescriptions contained some form of marking guide by size class. The residual basal area (BA) was shown, along with the original and cut basal areas. Original and

residualrelative stand densities were also shown in many cases. Three stands were salvage thinnings.

SILVAH summaries of the new data collected in FY 96 in each stand, tempered with field observations, were used to describe the marking results. Eight of the 11

standard thinnings checked were marked according to the prescription. Marking completed in the remaining three stands deviates slightly from the prescription. One

standard thinning was marked a bit too heavily (+15 square feet of basal area). Another was marked about 10 BA too lightly. The third stand was marked about

20 BA too lightly, so it was remarked to conform with the prescription.

Three stands checked were marked in areas where tree decline or mortality is occurring. In one salvage thinning, the residual basal area following the thinning was

20 square feet of basal area less than prescribed since decline had increased and more trees were salvaged than expected. Another salvage thinning was marked

too heavily, so it was remarked to meet the prescription.

Shelterwood Seed Cuts

Two of the four stands checked were marked correctly to the prescribed residual basal area. One of the remaining stands was marked 25 percent too heavily (+17

ba); however, after conducting a field review, it was decided to leave it as marked since it appeared the additional light created would enhance upland hardwood

regeneration. The fourth seed cut checked was marked 10 BA too lightly.

Summarize Results of Regeneration/Final Harvest Cuts [CFR 219.12(k)(5i)]

Method of Measure: By conducting stocking surveys once the final harvest cut is complete.
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Monitoring Results:

TABLE 4: REGENERATION SUCCESS FOR AREAS

HARVESTED 1976 TO 1991

IN MA 1.0, 3.0 AND 6.1

Type of Regeneration Established 1 Probable Success 2 Probable Failure 3

Regular Timber Sales 94% 2% 4%

Final Harvest in 1985 Tornado

Swath

93% 2% 5%

Regeneration with No Salvage

Cutting in Tornado Swath

62% 3% 35%4

Oak Mortality Salvage 76% 19% 5%

Selection Cutting 22% 47% 31%

1 70% or more of the stocking survey plots have adequate numbers of seedlings present.

2 50% to 69% of the plots have adequate seedling numbers.

3 Less than 50% of the plots have adequate seedling numbers.

4 Many of these areas have not been surveyed because they were savannas before the blowdown occurred, or they are

steep or dif icult to access. No reforestation work is planned.

5 Stocking levels for Selection cutting units are based on new stocking survey evauation guidelines established by the

ANF and NEFES in March 1996.

Evaluation of Results: The Regular Timber Sale and Final Harvest in 1985 Tornado Swath categories show high levels ofsuccess in establishing regeneration in

areas where more than five years have elapsed since the cutting occurred. We anticipate that additionalseedling development will occur in the probable success and

probable failure categories as time passes and as additional reforestation treatments (area fencing, fill-in planting, etc.) are employed. The least well-stocked areas

will be evaluated for potential use as permanent openings. Approximately 10 percent of the probable failures reported in the Regular Timber Sale category are old

tornado salvage areas.

There is moderate success in establishing seedlings on areas blown down by the 1985 tornado where salvage did not occur. There are no additional reforestation

efforts planned in areas included in the probable failure category. Many of these stands were originally savannah stands which had low overstory tree stocking and

understories composed of thick interference. Limited regeneration response was predictable. Other stands are those located on extremely steep side slopes, which

had higher levels of overstory tree stocking and understories composed of thick interference, which also had an expected limited regeneration response.

Reforestation treatments could be attempted in these areas, however it is highly unlikely that full stocking would ever be acheived. Leaving these areas as they are

does provide important habitat which is otherwise lacking on the Forest. No monitoring of the tornado swath in the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and Tionesta

Scenic Area was done.

Reforestation success in the oak mortality category has not changed since last year. Areas will continue to be evaluated for additional reforestation needs as

appropriate.

Revised guidelines for the prescribing and evaluation of uneven-aged management (UEAM) treatments were developed for the Forest by NEFES and Forest

personnel. In addition, Forest personnel completed the field work and preliminary evaluation of data collected to evaluate the effectiveness of UEAM prescriptions

(see page 76). There is limited success in establishing seedlings following selection cutting. Additional reforestation treatments (herbicide application, area fencing,

etc.) will be considered for stands in the probable success and probable failure categories. The Forest will continue to examine the effectiveness of UEAM

prescriptions as part of the ongoing adaptive management study.

Table 5 summarizes data which has been reported annually since 1990 in this section of the Monitoring Report. It shows the trends for each harvest category during

the seven-year period 1990-1996.

TABLE 5: TRENDS IN REGENERATION SUCCESS (AREAS ESTABLISHED)

FOR AREAS HARVESTED 1976-1990 IN MA 1.0, 3.0 AND 6.1

AS REPORTED IN THE 1990-1996 MONITORING REPORTS

Type of Regeneration FY

1990

FY

1991

FY

1992

FY

1993

FY

1994

FY

1995

FY

1996

Regular Timber Sales 88% 91% 89% 91% 90% 92% 94%
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Final Harvest in 1985 Tornado Swath 37% 61% 62% 81% 87% 91% 93%

Regeneration with No Salvage

Cutting in Tornado Swath

-1 -1 -1 17%2 56% 56% 62%

Oak Mortality Salvage 0% 0% 0% 10% 57% 76% 76%

Selection Cutting -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 41%4 22%4

1 No Survey Data available.

2 Incomplete Data reported this year.

3 Cutting practice not evaluated these years.

4 For 1995, 69 acres (41%) out of the 167 acres cut from 1988 to 1990 had adequate tree seedlings, whereas for 1996, 113 acres

(22%) out of 500 acres cut from 1988 to 1991 had developed adequate tree seedlings.

The Regular Timber Sale harvest areas have shown a relatively constant level of regeneration success or seedling development during the past seven years. The

tornado swath and oak mortality salvage categories have shown a dramatic increase in establishment during the same time period. It will take several more years to

determine trends for selection cutting.

Report the Percentage of Successfully Stocked Regeneration Units in the Following Categories: Oak Regeneration Cuts; Shelterwood Seed Cuts;

Units Treated with Herbicide; and Units Fenced [36 CFR 219.12(k)(1)]

Method of Measure: Most of the data came from the vegetation data base. The discussion for Final Harvest Cuts (see preceding section) describes the overall

reforestation success in regeneration units. Historical reforestation activity success rates are difficult to extract from the vegetation data base at this time. Readilyavailable information is summarized below by acres rather than percentages.

Monitoring Results: In 1996, 3,313 acres were certified as "established" in regeneration cutting areas. In order for a regeneration unit to qualify for certification,

at least 70 percent of the area must be stocked with tree seedlings taller than 4.5 feet. Tables 6 and 7 show the acres certified by forest type and by Management

Area.

TABLE 6: ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED

IN FY 96 BY FOREST TYPE

Timber Type Acres

Oak 73

Upland Hardwood 494

Northern Hardwood 420

Allegheny Hardwood 2,266

Aspen 60

Total 3,313

TABLE 7: ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED

IN FY 96 BY MANAGEMENT AREA

Management Area Acres

1.0 29

3.0 2,394

6.1 502

6.2 360

9.1 28

Total 3,313

On the Allegheny National Forest, more than one reforestation activity may be required in an area in order to establish tree seedlings. For the 3,313 acres certified
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as reforested in FY 96, Table 8 shows the combination of reforestation activities which had occurred on them. This is the first year that any significant acreage

which had been treated with herbicide was certified. It has only been several years since we began to carry out shelterwood removal cuts on some of them, and it

generally takes a minimum of three years following the removal cut before the seedlings exceed 4.5 feet tall, the height required for certification.

TABLE 8: ACRES CERTIFIED AS REGENERATED

IN FY 96 BY REFORESTATION ACTIVITY

Reforestation Activity Acres

With fertilization and site prep 265

With fertilization 490

With fencing 269

With herbicide2 and fencing 35

With shelterwood seed cut1 917

With fencing and site prep 271

With herbicide, fertilization and site prep 66

No reforestation activity required2 1,129

With site prep only 382

With site prep, fertilization, fencing 59

With striped maple cutting, site prep, fertilizition 12

With striped maple cutting, herbicide, site prep

fertilization

40

With site prep, fencing, planting 37

With herbicide, fertilization 48

With fencing, planting 33

With herbicide, site prep 84

With herbicide, fencing, site prep, fertilization 22

With fencing, fertilization 67

With planting, fertilization 4

Total 3,313

1 Shelterwood seed cuts - These acres are spread throughout

the rest of the reforestation activity categories listed here.

Therefore, they should not be included when adding to get the

total acres shown below.

2 Much of this acreage occurred in the 1985 tornado swath

where deer browsing pressure was low and reforestation

conditions are abnormal.

Units Treated with Herbicide

The Forest began to implement an herbicide application program on an operational level in 1987. Herbicides are used to remove understory woody and

herbaceous vegetation which interferes with the establishment and growth of tree seedlings. They are used primarily in forested areas to help establish tree seedlings

as part of even-aged management systems (the final harvest would not occur until adequate tree seedlings become established). They have also been included in

stands being managed under uneven-aged systems. The herbicide glyphosate (RoundupR) was the only herbicide used until 1989. In that year, one district made a

test application of the herbicide sulfometuron methyl (OustR). In March 1991, the Forest Plan was amended to allow the use ofsulfometuron methyl, alone or in

combination with the herbicide glyphosate.

Stocking surveys (surveys which measure the kinds and quantities of understory vegetation present) are used to monitor the understory development of stands

following herbicide application. Generally, surveys are taken on an annual basis in stands where treatment has taken place at least two years earlier. We can

evaluate the effectiveness of treatments by looking at the amount ofseedling development that has occurred since treatment. The survey data includes only seedlings
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that are more than one year old, taller than two inches and have two or more normal sized leaves. Prior to spraying, almost all of these areas had virtually no

seedlings present. The following table displays the most current survey results for stands treated with herbicides.

TABLE 9: ACRES OF SPRAY AREAS HAVING TREE SEEDLINGS1

Year

Sprayed

0-302 31-502 51-702 70+2 Final

Harvest

Completed

No

Survey

Respray

Defer &

Unknown3

Total % Acres

>50%

Stocked

1987 12 0 13 28 230 0 68 351 77%

1988 59 64 107 63 392 15 144 844 67%

1989 143 41 193 298 856 0 134 1,665 81%

1990 137 47 79 263 706 0 119 1,351 78%

1991 61 16 77 136 298 0 196 784 65%

1992 499 98 233 340 293 153 50 1,666 52%

1993 574 321 169 360 166 45 64 1,669 41%

1994 440 90 128 363 82 217 1 1,459 39%

Subtotal 2,063 677 999 1,851 3,023 430 776 9,819 60%

1995 547 69 59 117 10 674 9 1,485 na4

1996 52 15 48 104 0 1,096 0 1,315 na4

Total 2,662 761 1,106 2,072 3,033 2,200 785 12,619 na4

1 Figure represent the most recent stocking survey taken for a stand.

2 Percent of plots with adequate number of tree seedlings.

3 This category includes areas we were unable to categorize into a stocking category due to data base errors.

4 na = not available. Surveys have not yet been completed.

Evaluation of Herbicide Results: There have been stocking surveys taken on 10,419 acres of the 12,619 acres which have been treated with an herbicide

application since 1987. Of the 2,200 acres which have not been surveyed, the majority (1,770 acres) were treated in either 1995 or 1996 and insufficient time has

elapsed to make surveys in these areas worthwhile. There are 430 acres treated prior to 1995 where no surveys are available.

Historically, we have looked at only the survey results for areas where it has been at least three years since treatment because we know that it takes at least three to

five years for good seedling development to occur. Final harvest cuts were sold on 3,023 acres (31%) of the 9,819 acres that were treated between 1987 and

1994. We can assume that the stocking level was above 70 percent on these acres at the time of the sell. There are 1,851 acres (19%) that have more than 70

percent stocked plots. In addition, the 999 acres in the 51-70 percent stocked plot category (or 10 percent of the total 9,819 acres treated) are well on their way

to becoming adequately stocked. This means that a total of 60 percent of the acres treated between 1987 and 1994 have become or are making good progress

towards becoming adequately stocked with tree seedlings. The success rate for areas where at least five years has elapsed since treatment is much higher (see last

column on Table 9), ranging from 65 to 81 percent, with an average seedling stocking of 75 percent.

A number of environmental conditions can affect the establishment, survival and development of tree seedlings within the first few years after spraying. Drought can

take a heavy toll on seedlings whose roots are shallow. The Forest experienced several droughts duing the 1988, 1991 and 1995 growing seasons. Insect

defoliation (cherry scallop shell moth) occurred on 205,000 acres across the Forest in 1995. This defoliator removed the leaves from overstory trees as well as the

understory seedlings. The 1996 growing season was favorable for seedling development. Ferns and grasses may also reinvade the treated areas.

Overall program success can also be looked at by examining the survey results that have been reported in our annual monitoring report for the last five years. Table

10 displays the trends in seedling development over time by looking at the acres reported in this and prior years' monitoring reports. Each line displays the total

number of acres which had been treated as of that monitoring year, and the number of acres which were more than 50 percent stocked with seedlings.

TABLE 10: ANNUAL TRENDS IN SUCCESSFUL

SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT IN TREATED

STANDS BETWEEN 1991 AND 1996

Survey Acres Treated >50%
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Year to Date Stocked

1991 2,890 891 (31%)

1992 4,221 1,824 (44%)

1993 4,995 3,684 (74%)

1994 6,661 3,964 (60%)

1995 8,360 5,300 (64%)

1996 9,819 5,873 (60%)

The data shows that seedling stocking increased between 1991 and 1993, peaked in 1993, and has leveled off from 1994 through 1996. We believe the decline

from 1993 to the leveling off point is due to seedling defoliation in some stands by cherry scallop shell moth and the 1995 drought. Because most surveys are taken

on a two-year schedule, not allstands were surveyed in 1996; therefore, the 1996 monitoring results display the surveys which were taken over the previous two to

three-year time period. The 1996 results do not necessarily display the complete picture of seedling development. We believe that seedling levels are higher than

what is displayed due to the improved growing conditions in the summer of 1996.

The ultimate goal of the herbicide program is to bring seedling counts to a high enough level so that a final harvest cut can occur. In some cases, it is necessary to

include a shelterwood seed cut in this process. From 1991 through 1996, shelterwood seed cuts were sold on 3,516 acres that had been treated with an herbicide

application. These areas had very dense overstory tree canopy that was inhibiting seedling development. The shelterwood seed cut was designed to remove enough

trees so adequate light will reach the forest floor to stimulate tree seedling development and growth. Within the next few years, adequate seedlings should begin to

develop in most of these areas since lighting and conditions for seedling establishment and growth will be improved.

Table 11 on the following page summarizes the acreage treated with herbicides in past years where seedlings have become successfully established and where a

final harvest cut was sold in the last five years.

The herbicide program plays an important role in the timber havest program on the Forest. In 1996, 616 acres (27%) of the 2,284 acres of final harvest cuts sold

on the Forest had been treated with an herbicide. This indicates that successful seedling development in these areas, which relied on herbicide treatments,

contributed substantially to the volume available for harvest in 1996.

Final harvest cuts have been sold in 3,110 acres where herbicides have been applied. This represents 25 percent of the total number of acres treated with

herbicides to date. A total of 418 acres of selection cutting have also been sold. Stocking survey data indicates that there are 1,851 acres that have seedling

densities high enough to qualify for regeneration cutting. The 999 acres in the 51-70 percent stocked category should soon qualify for a final harvest cut if favorable

seedling growth and development conditions continue in 1997.

TABLE 11: ACRES OF FINAL HARVEST CUTS SOLD IN FY 91 THROUGH 96

IN AREAS TREATED WITH HERBICIDE SINCE 1986

Year

of

Treatment

FY 91 FY 92 FY 93 FY 94 FY 95 FY 96 Total

Acres

Sold

Total Acres

Treated w/

herbicides

1987 58 0 124 0 0 51 233 351

1988 66 91 65 0 61 62 345 844

1989 24 168 258 218 148 64 880 1,665

1990 9 98 143 0 301 269 820 1,351

1991 42 39 0 37 96 52 266 784

1992 83 31 0 0 134 53 301 1,666

1993 20 0 86 40 0 28 174 1,669

1994 0 0 0 54 0 28 82 1,459

1995 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 1,485

1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,315

Total 302 427 676 349 740 616 3,110 12,619

* Adjusted from acreage shown in 1994 Monitoring Report to account for accomplishment reporting error

Summarize Size of Final Harvest Blocks by Management Area [36 CFR 219.12(k)(5iii)]
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Method of Measure: Summarize data from timber sale prospectus and appraisalreport for each sale.

Monitoring Results:

Timber

Sale

Category

Mgmt.

Area

Average

Size1

(acres)

Minimum

Size

(Acres)

Maximum

Size

(Acres)

MA

Maximum

Size (Ac)

Regular 3.0 16 5 41 40

Salvage 3.0 18 5 57 N/A

1 Areas four acres or smaller were excluded from this calculation since many of them are wildlife openings or rights-of-way.

Evaluation of Results: For the regular timber sale category, one final harvest unit sold in the Porter's Prize Re-entry Timber Sale exceeded 40 acres (41 acres).

The NEPA documentation is adequate.

For all of the sales sold in the salvage sale category, three final harvest units sold in FY 96 exceeded 40 acres (49 acres, 54 acres, and 57 acres). NEPA

documentation is adequate.

Volume of Hardwood Sawtimber, Pulpwood, and Firewood in Timber Sales Awarded

Method of Measure: Automated Timber Sale Accounting System (TSA) and Timber Activity Control System (TRACS)

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 12: VOLUMES AWARDED TO

TIMBER SALE PURCHASERS

Product FY 96

Volume of Sale

(MMBF) 1

FY 96

$ Return of

Sale 2

Total

MMBF since

1986

Sawtimber 32.562 21,135,735 382.7

Pulpwood 23.034 167,230 356.1

Fuelwood .571 7,625 17.7

Total 56.167 21,310,590 756.2

1 From TRACS. Includes 1.848 MMBF of additional volume marked in FY 96 in

existing sales.

2 From TSA. Does not include value of 1.848 MMBF additional volume marked

in FY 96 in existing sales.

Evaluation of Results: The total budgeted FY 96 target for timber offered for sale was 53.2 million board feet. The actual volume offered for sale was 53.4

million board feet, or 100.4 percent of the target. The volumes shown in Table 12 are based on "award," which includes those sales for which a valid contract had

been awarded by the end of the fiscal year. Four timber sales sold late in FY 95 did not have a valid executed timber sale contract until the beginning of FY 96.

Though they are part of the 55.8 MMBF offered in FY 95, they were not counted as awarded until FY 96.

Units of Accomplishment by MA for the Following Activities

Method of Measure: Commercial cutting activities are from sales awarded in FY 96. Information taken from the Combined Data System (CDS) and Timber

Activity Control System (TRACS) reports.

TABLE 13: 1996 ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BYMANAGEMENT AREA

Activity MA

1.0

MA

2.0

MA

3.0

MA

6.1

MA

6.2

MA

6.3

MA

6.4

MA

8.0

MA

9.1

Totals

Hardwood Sawtimber (MMBF) 31.0 1.6 32.6

Hardwood Pulpwood (MMBF) 21.9 1.1 23.0
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Hardwood Fuel(MMBF) 0.6 0.6

Final Harvest with Residuals (Ac.) 2,212 72 2,284

Shelterwood Seed (Acres) 1,196 1,196

Thinning (Acres) 3,087 138 3,225

Selection Cut (Acres) 334 334

Acres Certified without Site Prep 29 727 307 66 1,129

Timber Stand Improvement (Ac.) 0

Herbicide (Acres) 150 1,165 1,315

TABLE 13: 1996 ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BYMANAGEMENT AREA(Continued)

Activity MA

1.0

MA

2.0

MA

3.0

MA

6.1

MA

6.2

MA

6.3

MA

6.4

MA

8.0

MA

9.1

Totals

Fertilization (Acres) 607 20 128 755

Fencing (Acres) 6 644 650

Planting/Seeding (Acres) 6 127 10 143

Site Prep (Acres) 1,230 1,230

Release (Acres) 207 37 17 261

Striped Maple Cutting (Acres) 848 848

Evaluation of Results: Final harvest acreage is less than the Forest Plan average because less than the expected amount of advanced regeneration is being found

during site-specific analysis. Timber harvests cannot take place until there is adequate advanced regeneration on the site.

Timber stand improvement, as specified in the Forest Plan, is implemented to complete the silvicultural prescription only where the optional pulpwood is not

removed in the commercial timber sale. In FY 96, all pulpwood was removed in sales, so none of this kind of timber stand improvement was necessary.

The Forest's herbicide program is lower than planned. We began this program in 1987 by treating a relatively small acreage and monitoring those areas closely to

ensure the equipment and technology used were appropriate for the various sites. We soon found we needed to make some adjustments to ensure effective and

efficient control of the target vegetation. New technology now provides for better control of a wider range of species. With the 1991 addition of sulfometuron

methyl as a valid treatment technique and a new and better sprayer in 1992, effective control of competing understory vegetation can now be considered on many

more sites.

Fertilization stimulates rapid tree seedling growth so seedlings quickly grow beyond the deer browsing height. Fertilization is a function of past final harvest cuts. It is

completed only in stands that have a high component of black cherry, significant deer pressure and dense enough black cherry regeneration. It is used to stimulate

trees to rapidly grow above the deer browsing height.

Pre-fencing combined with shelterwood cut or herbicide is used to establish advance regeneration quickly and with a greater diversity of tree species. To

accomplish these objectives, the Forest has fenced more acres than were anticipated in the Forest Plan. Fencing has also been used in mortality areas.

Site preparation is necessary when a significant amount of damaged or small diameter, poor-quality stems remain following a final harvest cut. To prevent

interference with new seedling development, they must be cut with a chainsaw.

In 1995, Forest personnel initiated a tree release program in regenerating stands. Desired tree seedlings or saplings sometimes grow more slowly than other

competing vegetation in young, developing forest stands. In order to assure the desired seedling/saplings survive, we release them by cutting down the taller,

competing vegetation.

Striped maple cutting occurs where tall, dense striped maple is interfering with tree seedling establishment and growth. If tree seedlings are abundant beneath the

taller striped maple, hand cutting the striped maple concurrent with the overstory removal may adequately stimulate seedling development. If tree seedlings are not

already present, the striped maple which sprouts from the cut stems will most likely require herbicide treatment to prevent it from quickly recapturing the site. In the

latter case, the striped maple , before cutting, would be taller than our spray equipment can effectively treat. Following cutting, the stem generally sprouts prolifically

and is well within the sprayer's effective treatment range (12 to 15 feet).

SUITABLE AND UNSUITABLE LANDS

There is a requirement in 36 CFR 219.12(k)(5ii) that every 10 years land not suited for timber production shall be evaluated to determine whether it has become

suited. If it is found to be suitable, this land is to be returned to timber production. This category of monitoring will assure that information is gathered which can be

used to determine this suitability.
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Method of Measurement: Determine suitability on a stand-by-stand basis during vegetation examination data collection.

Monitoring Results: Lands designated as not suited for timber production in the Forest Plan (Table C-3) have not become suited during the last 10 years.

In 1992, Forest personnel initiated and completed an intensive data collection effort designed to provide a better description of vegetation and site characteristics

(including suitable and unsuitable lands) on 300,000 acres of Management Area 3. Data was collected on 6,000 plots located 1/4-mile apart.

Analysis of the data indicates additional acres are temporarily not suited for final harvesting until we learn more about reforestation response on them or develop

approved reforestation practices. Because the sample was designed to provide us with a large-scale estimate, we do not have an accurate inventory of the specific

sites. Reliable, site-specific data will not be available for several years. Additional details regarding the analysis we have completed thus far are included in

Appendix L of the November 1995 "Analysis of Timber Harvest Program Capability 1995 through 2005" for the Allegheny National Forest.

FOREST HEALTH

Summarize Significant Changes in Health and Vigor of Stand Conditions [36 CFR 219.12(k)(5iv)]

Method of Measure: Annually from vegetation examination, vegetation data, aerial observation, and ground observation.

Monitoring Results: Overall tree health and vigor in the oak forest type is improving from that observed in 1988/89 when tree mortality from the combined

effects ofseveral gypsy moth defoliations and drought was at its peak. Little tree mortality has been identified in the oak type since then.

Such is not the case for the northern hardwood type. Substantial tree mortality developed in 1994, and tree decline continued in 1995 and 1996. Since a large

portion of the Allegheny hardwood type was defoliated for a second time in 1995 and suffered a severe late-summer drought, ANF personnel became quite

concerned about the health and vigor of the Allegheny hardwood forest type. Fortunately, the 1996 growing season was marked by abundant and regular

precipitation, ideal conditions to permit some trees to begin to recover. There are, however, a number of forest health concerns which the abundant rainfall did not

ameliorate, including sugar maple decline and beech bark disease impacts. Investigations are underway to determine some of the factors contributing to sugar maple

decline.

Recent (since 1994) Tree Mortality/Decline

Recent insect and disease impacts on the Allegheny hardwood and northern hardwood forest types have created substantial stress on trees there. Severe 1988,

1991 and August/September 1995 droughts are also a factor. Over half (260,000 acres) of the Allegheny National Forest was moderately to severely defoliated in

1993 by severalspecies of forest insects, primarily the elm spanworm. In 1994, over 72,000 acres were defoliated by forest tent caterpillar and cherry scallop shell

moth, and in 1995, the cherry scallop shell moth defoliated cherry on over 205,000 acres. Fortunately in 1996, populations of defoliating insects returned to their

normal, non-outbreak levels. The only defoliation which occurred was 11,800 acres from cherry scallop shell moths.

Prior to 1994, we reported finding increasing amounts ofsugar maple dieback, sparse foliage ,and tree mortality. In 1994, the new tree mortality we detected far

exceeded that which had occurred in recent years. A substantial part of it appeared to have developed suddenly that year. We believe a series of environmental

stresses caused the mortality, including repeated defoliation and several droughts, though site characteristics may also play a role. Evaluation of color infrared

photos taken in mid-August 1994 showed that 89,565 acres of Management Area 3 had higher levels of tree mortality (29% of MA 3). Over half of it apeared to

be moderate to severe.

Additional mortality occurred in 1995 and 1996, though in 1996 it expanded to include black cherry (which has suffered repeated cherry scallop shell moth

defoliations). Both the size of the area affected by tree mortality and the intensity of tree mortality will no doubt increase over the next few years as trees respond to

the multiple stresses that have already occurred. It usually takes several years for the full impact to develop, though the excellent 1996 rainfall should help some

trees recover. We plan to continue to assess tree mortality and decline in 1997, including that which has recently developed in black cherry.

Northeast Forest Experiment Station (NEFES) Research Note NE-360, "Characteristics of Declining Forest Stands on the Allegheny National Forest," published

in June 1996, provides the best information currently available regarding the species impacted by the 1994 decline. A summary of those finding was published in

last year's Monitrorng and Evaluation Report.

Since mid-1995, we have completed seven environmental assessments which have looked at site-specific tree mortality and ecosystem sustainability on the ANF.

This includes a Forest-wide analysis (Mortality II) which continues in 1997. Reforestation of affected sites has been a key issue addressed. Those analyses have

covered 76,735 acres (though there is some overlap of the areas examined, and it includes more than just Management Area 3) and have resulted in the following

kinds of prescribed treatment:

Type of Treatment Acres

Thinning harvests 4,267

Sanitation harvests 12

Clearcuts 1,038

Shelterwood seed cuts 3,316

Two-age harvests 586

Shelterwood removal cuts 527
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Reforestation treatment with no harvest 786

Total 10,532

We continue to work cooperatively with NEFES personnel, Forest Health Protection personnel, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Penn State University and

the State University of New York at Syracuse on several projects designed to determine some of the causalfactors or environmental conditions which have set the

stage for tree mortality.

Color Infrared Digital Aerial Photography

In our continuing interest in improved technologies, we became quite interested in finding an effective and efficient technique for obtaining aerial photographic

coverage which would enhance identification of mortality, particularly individual, high-value, dead trees.

Eastman Kodak Company and USDA-Forest Service (Remote Sensing Applications Center, Salt Lake City, UT) personnel had cooperatively developed three

prototype models of a color infrared camera (still images, not video) which sounded like it would meet our needs. They tested these cameras in 1996 throughout

the United States. John Omer, Entomologist with the Forest Health Protection Staff in Morgantown, WV, coordinated trial use of one of these cameras on the

ANF.

While the pictures are being taken, the images are stored digitally on a computer disc in the camera. As soon as each flight is over, the infomation can be

downloaded to a computer and viewed on the monitor, making it easy to immediately verify the coverage and quality of the photography. Copies of the photos can

be printed on paper with an attached laser printer, though printing does take some time to complete. Field personnel can begin to use the imagery on fairly short

notice, although it should be noted that laser printed photos may be ofslightly lower quality than photographic prints. We are waiting for the photos to arrive so we

can continue our evaluation.

This technology holds much promise for helping us delineate mortality. We hope to be able to use it again early next summer.

September 1994 Tornado

In early September 1994, a tornado touched down at a few locations on the Marienville and Sheffield Ranger Districts. Damage occurred intermittently along a

path that etended for 9.8 miles on th Marienville District and 3.5 miles on the Sheffield District. The amount of damage ranged from minor patches of partial

blowdown to patches of complete blowdown in a swath that is 800-900 feet wide. Three environmental documents were prepared to addres salvage and

reforestation needs. A total of 535 acres ofsalvage thinning and 220 acres ofsalvage clearcut were sold in FY 95. By the end of FY 96, 231 acres of the salvage

thinning and 146 acres of the salvage clearcut had been harvested.

May 1995 Tornado

In May 1995, a tornado touched down on the Sheffield Ranger District. Approximately 400 acres of partial to severe blowdown occurred. In FY 96, 262 acres of

salvage thinning and 18 acres of salvage clearcut were sold. Treatment options for the remaining 120 acres of blowdown were analyzed in FY 96; 20 acres were

included in a shelterwood seed cut that is part of the FY 97 sale program, and 100 acres of light blowdown in the landscape corridor were excluded from salvage

harvest since it provides dead and down material needed in the landscape corridor.

May 25, 1995 Hail Storm Damage

A severe hailstorm on May 25, 1995, defoliated 4,880 acres of forest land on the Sheffield unit. Light defoliation occurred on 1,920 acres and moderate to severe

defoliation on 2,960 acres. Almost all of this area was subsequently defoliated again by cherry scallop shell moth in July/August 1995, and all of it suffered from the

1995 late summer drought. In 1996, many of the tree crowns were thin and poorly-developed in the most severely damaged portion of this area. Crown

development will be assessed again in 1997. We are concerned that substantial tree mortality or decline may begin to develop. Management options for this area

will be analyzed beginning in the summer of 1997.

Summarize the Effectiveness of Insect and Disease Control Efforts and Status, as Determined by Forest Pest Management Staff [36 CFR 219.12(k)

(5iv)]. Summary will Include a Measure of Mortality Occurring, Especially from Major Outbreaks

Methods of Measurement:

* Aerialsurvey by Forest Health Protection Staff

* High altitude aerial photography

* Low altitude aerial photography

* Field observations

Gypsy Moth

No gypsy moth spraying or defoliation occurred in FY 96. Forest Health Protection (FHP) personnel are conducting egg mass surveys and preparing a biological

evaluation to assess the defoliation potentialfor FY 97. They are finding that gypsy moth populations are in general decline on the ANF, and they are not aware of

any building populations. No gypsy moth defoliation or spraying is expected in 1997.

Evaluation of Results: Following a gypsy moth population crash, egg mass and caterpillar densities usually remain low for two to five years before they begin to

build again to higher levels. FHP personnel will continue to annually monitor egg mass densities, the indicator used to help assess defoliation potential and possible
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treatment needs for the coming spring.

Beech Bark Disease Complex

Beech bark disease complex is killing American beech trees on the Allegheny National Forest. The disease begins when beech scale insects infest the trunk of an

American beech tree. The wounds they create are then invaded by fungi (primarily Nectria spp.). Nectria infections result in lower tree quality, or the resulting

cankers may coalesce to girdle and kill the tree.

Two waves of tree infestation or colonization actually occur. The first is the wave of colonization by the scale insect, known as the "Advancing Front". The second,

known as the "Killing Front", occurs as the fungus colonizes the feeding wounds left behind by the advancing scale insects.

Monitoring Results: In 1996, personnel (P. Gundrum, A. Iskra, and M. MacKenzie) from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection Staff,

Morgantown, WV, completed a field evaluation of the status of the beech bark disease on the Allegheny National Forest. A report was written to document the

location of the leading edge of both of these fronts.

The last evaluation was completed in 1990. Results showed the "Advancing Front" of the beech scale complex on the ANF was located north of a line drawn

between Warren PA, and the Kane Experimental Forest, covering about 30 percent of the area within the proclamation boundary. Generally beech scale

populations were scattered within the southern portion of this area where about 16 to 18 percent of the beech was dead or affected by the disease complex.

Populations of the disease complex increased as one moved further north and east. The "Killing Front" was located in the northeastern section of the Bradford

Ranger District, affecting about five percent of the area. Within the "Killing Front", about 88 percent of the beech was dead or affected by the complex. The disease

was spreading in a SW direction at about 2.5 miles per year. It was also present at one outlying location (ahead of the advancing front) in the Heart's Content

Scenic Area.

The 1996 resurvey of the ANF revealed that the percentage of the ANF infested with the scale insect ("Advancing Front") had more than doubled from 30 percent

to 70 percent of the ANF. Within the same time frame, the "Killing Front" had also doubled in size, now covering 10 percent of the ANF. The area occupied by the

"Killing Front" encompasses only 14 percent of the area occupied by the scale insect.

Three fungi are involved in killing the trees, two native and one exotic. On the ANF, the scale insect is spreading much faster than the Nectria fungus, unlike other

areas within the Northeastern US. For example, a survey completed in 1996 on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia revealed that the "Killing Front"

encompasses 70 percent of the of the area occupied by the scale.

Three permanent beech bark disease monitoring plots (containing 400 trees) on the ANF have been examined annually since 1986. Combined plot data reveals

that 5 percent of the trees on the plots had died by 1991. By 1996, 14 percent were dead. Presently scale insects are found on 71 percent of the beech trees,

down from the 87 percent observed in 1991. While the total number ofscale infested trees may not be substantially different between 1991 and 1996, the number

of trees classified as moderately to heavily infested differs substantially, dropping from 41 percent in 1991 to 13 percent in 1996. Nectria was initially found on 3

percent of the trees and is now found on only 1.5 percent of them. While it is true that trees are continuing to die on these monitoring plots, both the scale insect and

the fungus are not as common as they were in 1991. The data from these plots basically supports observations made during the 1996 beech bark disease field

survey.

Evaluation of Results: The beech scale insect continues to advance across the ANF, now covering 2.3 times as much of the proclamation area as it did in 1990.

However, the scale insect within the entire advancing front is much less abundant on affected trees than it was in 1990. In recent years the authors have encountered

the Twice-stabbed ladybug feeding on the scales. The authors have also noted after recent hard winters that scale populations on the ANF appeared to decline to a

greater extent than had populations on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Perhaps biological control agents and abiotic influences are having a

greater impact on disease development in the more northerly Allegheny National Forest.

Recommendations provided in the 1992 ANF Monitoring and Evaluation Report still apply.

Pine Budworm

In 1994, about 1,500 acres of red pine plantation on the Marienville Ranger District became infested with pine budworm. Defoliation was heavy there. In 1995,

these trees improved in appearance, developing more green needles in their crowns. They also suffered much less defoliation.

No defoliation occurred in 1996. Tree crowns in previously-defoliated areas continued to improve. Though the older foliage remained abnormally thin, as expected,

the new growth appeared to be normal. Forest Health Protection personnel believe one good way to help maintain healthy red pine is to closely regulate stand

density. Thrifty, vigorously-growing trees demonstate better recovery than do trees growing poorly in dense, over-stocked conditions.

Pear Thrips and Maple Decline

History in Pennsylvania: The pear thrip is a tiny insect that feeds on the expanding buds of many trees, but of particular importance are sugar maple and black

cherry. It was first observed in Pennsylvania in 1912, feeding in fruit orchards in Erie County. It was not identified as a forest pest until 1979 when, following heavy

defoliation in 1978, it was found to have caused severe leaf damage on an estimated 73,000 acres in Pennsylvania. Recent literature reports the pear thrips insect

serves as a vector for a fungus that enters the thrips-created wound on the leaf and causes necrosis, deformity, and discoloration of the leaf tissue. Since then the

acreage affected has fluctuated from 11,000 acres in 1985 to an estimated 1.3 million acres in 1988. Estimates provided by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry,

show a state-wide reduction in the affected area to about 500,000 acres in 1989, 186,600 acres in 1990, and to no mapable acres in 1991 or 1992. In 1993, PA

DER estimated over 335,000 acres in Pennsylvania had moderate to severe pear thrips damage, though the damage was difficult to assess since it was obscured by

widespread elm spanworm defoliation. From 1994 through 1996, pear thrips damage has been minimal.

Monitoring Results: Extensive damage to sugar maple from pear thrips occurred on the Forest during FY 1989. Approximately 9,600 acres suffered heavy leaf

damage, the highest level of pear thrips damage recorded on the Forest to date. Though some damage was observed in McKean County in 1990, little mapable
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damage occurred in 1991, 1992, and 1994 through 1996. In 1993, moderate damage was observed during random ground observations. The damage was

impossible to map due to the widespread elm spanworm defoliation that occurred.

Pear thrips have been implicated in the decline of sugar maple, but there is no practical control for them at present. Even with the estimates of defoliation, it is

difficult to evaluate the potentialshort-term and long-term effects due to our poor understanding of how thrips defoliation affects host species. Pesticides have been

used effectively to control pear thrips in orchards, but more information is needed to develop valid controlstrategies in forested areas.

In FY 90, Forest Health Protection personnel from Morgantown, WV, established 30 permanent plot clusters on all Ranger Districts to monitor pear thrips and

maple decline. Plots were established within three different types of forested areas, based on the area's management history: no recent harvesting, thinned, and final

harvest with residuals.

Pear thrips trapping has taken place on at least 12 of these sites each year to determine population densities and the threat to sugar maple on the sites. Figure 1

shows the average number of pear thrips caught per trap from 1990 through 1995. Since 1994, the catch has been very low.

FIGURE 1: PEAR THRIPS POPULATIONS ON THE ANF

SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING PLOTS

CHART WILL BE INSERTED HERE!!!

In August 1991 and every year thereafter, each tree on the 30 permanent maple decline plots was evaluated on the basis of crown dieback, leaf dwarfing, foliage

transparency, and foliage discoloration. Each of these decline symptoms was rated in classes of 0-5 percent, 6-10 percent, 11-50 percent, and 51+ percent of the

tree crown affected. Results are summarized in Table 14.

TABLE 14: PERCENT OF SUGAR MAPLE (ON 30 SAMPLE PLOTS)

WITH MORE THAN 10 PERCENT DIEBACK

FY 91 FY 92 FY 93 FY 94 FY 95 FY 96

Final Harvest 66 77 74 69 81 81

Unthinned 24 28 31 32 37 42

Thinned 30 32 41 39 39 43

Sugar maple dieback has increased in all management types since 1991. The majority of the sugar maples in the thinned and unthinned categories are still in the 0-

10 percent dieback classes. The percent of the trees in these two categories is similar in 1995, though since 1990 slightly more dieback seems to have developed in

the unthinned category. The majority of the sugar maples in the final harvest cut category have more than 10 percent dieback, and this number (81%) remained the

same in 1996.

In 1995, sugar maple mortality data collected from these 30 permanent plot clusters was reviewed by Dr. Robert P. Long, NEFES, Delaware, Ohio. The following

is a briefsummary of the results updated (by John Omer, USDA-Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Morgantown, WV) to include 1996 data.

The sugar maple mortality levels observed on the ANF from 1990 through 1995 was much higher than the average sugar maple mortality observed from 1989

through 1994 in similar plots located throughout the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. In fact, the ANF rate was three to four times higher.

When the ANF plots were established in 1990, initial mortality ranged from 1.7 percent to 2.5 percent for allsugar maple trees greater than or equal to 10 cm dbh,

for all three management types. By 1995, sugar maple mortality for dominant and codominant trees exceeded 10 percent for all management types (Figure 2). By

1996, sugar maple mortality reached at least 15 percent. Mortality in the clearcut plots was more than double the mortality in the uncut or thinned plots.

FIGURE 2: CUMULATIVE ANNUAL SUGAR MAPLE MORTALITY

OF DOMINANT AND CODOMINANT TREES ON THE ANF

SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING PLOTS

INSERT CHART!!!!!

In 1995, mortality within the intermediate and suppressed crown class was more than 14 percent in thinned stands and more than 28 percent in uncut stands (Figure

3). Mortality in each of these categories increased 3 percent in 1996, to 17 percent in thinned stands and 31 percent in unthinned stands. (Clearcut with residuals

stands had no intermediate or suppressed class.)

FIGURE 3: CUMULATIVE ANNUAL SUGAR MAPLE

MORTALITYOF INTERMEDIATE AND SUPPRESSED TREES

ON THE ANF SUGAR MAPLE MONITORING PLOTS

INSERT CHART!!!!!
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We are continuing to monitor these plots and to evaluate the data collected to hopefully determine the cause or causes of this mortality and the differences observed

between management types.

Oak Mortality

Monitoring Results: As was reported in 1988 and 1989, significant amounts of oak mortality (10 to 80 percent) were confirmed in the fall of 1988 on about

18,000 acres of the Forest. This oak mortality resulted from the combined effects of two major natural events: repeated and extensive moderate or severe gypsy

moth defoliation from 1986 to 1988, and a severe drought which occurred in the summer of 1988. These events weakened the oak trees and made them more

susceptible to attack by two secondary pathogens, the two-lined chestnut borer and the shoestring root rot fungus, which ultimately kill the trees. No significant

additional mortality developed from 1989 through 1996.

Reforestation activities, including fencing (area and individual tree), herbicide treatment, and tree planting (seedlings and acorns) have been completed or are in

progress on most of the heavily salvaged areas.

TABLE 15: ACRES PLANTED AND TREE SEEDLING SURVIVAL (%)

IN SALVAGE AREAS PLANTED WITH OAK *

YEAR PLANTED

Survey

Year

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

1991 76 (98%)

1992 312

(92%)

1993 76 (87%) 251

(96%)

1994 312

(75%)

142(78%)

1995 251

(87%)

164

(91%)

1996 142

(65%)

145 (80%)

* First number is the planted acreage surveyed and the second number (in parentheses) is the average percent survival.

Evaluation of Results: ANF personnelformally check tree seedling survival one and three years after planting. Drought most likely caused trees to die between

1992 and 1994 on several of the areas planted in 1991, resulting in the low survival rate (75%). The low survival rate for areas planted in 1993 (65%) resulted

primarily from competition from unexpected natural seedlings that developed in two of the areas. The severe drought which occurred in late summer, 1995, no

doubt contributed to the low survivalrate (80%) for the areas planted in 1995. Survivalrates average better than 87 percent for the rest of the areas.

Natural seedlings are beginning to overtop planted seedlings in some of the areas. Where needed, we have begun hand-cutting saplings and brush that are

competing with the planted oak or with naturally-occuring oak seedlings/saplings.

Elm Spanworm

Monitoring Results: The FY 94 Monitoring and Evaluation Report provided a detailed account of the elm spanworm life cycle, development and defoliation

history on the ANF. Between 1991 and 1993, close to 333,000 acres were defoliated by elm spanworm (about 21,000 acres of that also included frost and linden

looper defoliation).

There has been little additional defoliation since the 260,000 acres of moderate to severe defoliation that occurred in 1993. Populations crashed in 1994, and no

egg masses were found during surveys conducted in the fall of 1995. The elm spanworm has returned to its normal status as a minor component of the total forest

insect population. No defoliation occurred in 1995 or 1996.

Forest Tent Caterpillar

One of the more significant types of insect damage observed in 1994 during aerial detection survey was 18,080 acres of moderate to severe forest tent caterpillar

defoliation. This was a substantial increase from the 4,230 acres observed in 1993.

In 1995, 55,444 acres were treated with B.t. where forest tent caterpillar defoliation was expected to be heavy, unless natural parasites or predators intervened.

No detectable forest tent caterpillar defoliation occurred in 1995 or 1996.

Cherry Scallop Shell Moth
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Statewide, this insect defoliated close to 229,750 acres in 1994 and over 858,600 acres in 1995. It produced the most significant type of defoliation observed

statewide in either year. In 1996, the area defoliated in Pennsylvania decreased 99 percent from that observed in 1995.

On the ANF, this insect produced the most significant type of defoliation observed in 1995. Defoliation reached 205,400 acres, a significant increase from the

3,840 acres observed in 1993 and the 54,200 acres observed in 1994. Close to 123,600 acres of the 1995 defoliation was severe. From 1992 to 1995, 666

acres have been defoliated three times by this insect, 35,562 acres twice, and 238,057 acres at least once. Most of the same acres have also been defoliated at

least once since 1991 by elm spanworm or forest tent caterpillar.

In 1996, cherry scallop shell moth defoliation reached 11,800 acres, with over 8,200 acres classified as moderate to severe. Most of these areas had already been

defoliated at least once since 1993 by cherry scallop shell moth.

This insect defoliates only black cherry trees by webbing leaves into nests and feeding on the upper surfaces. Defoliated black cherry trees may lose vigor and

become susceptible to the peach bark beetle, especially when outbreaks persist for several years and when soils are poorly drained.

Extensive black cherry dieback and mortality have not been documented from local outbreaks that occurred in the 1970s and 80s. FHP and ANF personnel

evaluated the need for and feasibility of spraying selected areas in 1996, including determining whether there are suitable survey techniques, spray methods and

pesticides. Since no insecticide is registered for use against cherry scallop shell moth, FHP and ANF personnel worked together with Pennsylvania Bureau of

Forestry, Kane Hardwoods and Abbott Laboratory personnel to conduct a trialB.t. treatment on Kane Hardwood property in July 1995. This trail was partially

successful though timing of the spraying (with respect to larval feeding behavior) and adverse weather may have affected the results. A summary of the results

should be available in 1997.

Cherry scallop shell moths overwinter in the pupal stage in the top few inches of the soil. In 1996, FHP personnel developed survey techniques and found high

pupal counts in several areas. They evaluated the potentialfor natural controls (primarily parasitism) to reduce the 1996 population. Though parasitism is difficult to

assess ahead of time, preliminary estimates were that populations would collapse in 1996. No spraying occurred in 1996, and populations did collapse, with the

exception of 11,800 acres scattered throughout the western half of the ANF.

FHP personnel will continue to monitor cherry scallop shell moth development.

We are concerned that substantial tree mortality may develop over the next several years on many of these areas. Severe droughts have occurred during the

summers of 1988, 91 and 95. Since 1991, black cherry trees have also suffered some defoliation by other insects. By the end of August 1995, most new leaves

were less than one-half normal size, and tree crown foliage density was substantially less than normal. Some trees did not refoliate at all. The full effect may not be

seen for several years, or it may increase substantially if additional stresses occur within the next three to five years (for more information, see the following

discussion regarding black cherry health).

Black Cherry Health Assessment

An assessment, BLACK CHERRY HEALTH ASSESSMENT - ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST - 1995 TO 1996, was completed by Robert E.

Acciavatti, Entomologist, Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service, Morgantown, WV and ,Timothy P. Virden, Forest Technician, Ecosystem

Management, Allegheny National Forest, Warren, PA.

The following summarizes crown vigor and dieback data collected in 1995 and 1996 from 683 black cherry trees at six locations on the ANF. A similar assessment

will be made in August 1997.

Recent natural disturbances on the Allegheny National Forest, especially from several annual defoliations by the cherry scallop moth from 1993 through 1995, were

considered a threat to the health of black cherry trees. The severe droughts in 1988, 1991, and late summer 1995, are additional, severe stresses the trees have

suffered.

Field sampling was performed in 1995 and 1996 to assess the status and trends in health of the black cherry resource of the ANF. The health assessment was

based on black cherry crown vigor and dieback as indicators of tree decline and crown mortality. Forest stands were sampled where black cherry trees had

experienced the highest frequencies of defoliation since 1993. Initially, the assessment included about 600 black cherry trees in five stands on the Marienville RD,

that had either two or three defoliations. In 1996, another 83 black cherry trees on the Bradford Ranger District were added to the assessment. This latter area had

been severely defoliated by a hailstorm in May 1995, and again by cherry scallop shell moth in July/August 1995.

Results based on an assessment of black cherry crown vigor at the end of 1995 growing season indicated that a large majority (85%) of the black cherry resource

on the Allegheny NF was healthy or showed only light decline despite the recent defoliations and drought. The remainder of the black cherry resource had worse

crown vigor (13% with moderate or severe decline, 2% dead). Furthermore, this health situation remained virtually unchanged after the 1996 growing season even

though defoliation was absent and precipitation was above normal. The proportion of black cherry trees in the healthiest two crown vigor classes were about the

same (84% to 88%) at the end of each growing season regardless of whether two or three defoliations has occurred. By contrast, the residual black cherry trees in

the most disturbed stand (defoliated, hail damaged) had the lowest proportion (66%) in the healthiest crown vigor classes at the end of 1996.

Results based on crown dieback at the end of the 1996 growing season indicated that the proportion of black cherry trees with 30 percent or greater dieback, was

higher after three defoliations (11%) than after two defoliations (7%). Trees with mostly dead crowns doubled in occurrence (2% to 5%) between the 1995 and

1996 growing seasons. However, nearly all(88%) were poletimber or smallsawlog sized black cherry trees.

Recommendations are to continue the assessment, at least through 1997, to determine if the health of the ANF black cherry resource will exhibit a major

improvement after another growing season free from defoliation.

Implement a Detailed Sampling Program to Monitor Soil Productivity Changes to Determine if Cumulative Impacts are Within Forest Plan Limits.
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Method of Measure: Actualfield observation measurements of activity area covered (activity area is the total area of ground surface impacted by an activity - all

areas that had observable traffic surface disturbance plus all areas that have been displaced, puddled, eroded, rutted and/or observed compaction). Use one 100-

foot transect for every one acre of cutting unit in the units sampled.

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 16: PERCENT OF 1996 TIMBER HARVEST

AREAS UNDISTURBED/DISTURBED

(Data from 2 Sample Areas - 27 Transects)

Visual Condition Class 1996 MA

3.0

1990-1996

Undisturbed Area 1

- Large Rocks 0.1 2.4

- Open 58.4 59.5

- Slash 17.0 23.4

Total Undisturbed 75.5 85.3

Disturbed Area

- Skid Trails (open) 14.5 7.4

(slash) 0.8 0.4

- Displacement 2.3 1.7

- Puddled 0.3 0.1

- Erosion 0.0 0.3

- Observed compaction (three or

more passes or rutting)

6.6 4.8

Total Disturbed 24.5 14.7

Timber Sale Activity Area Covered 2 24.5 14.7

Number of Transects 27.0 268.0

Soil Groups found in Transects (%)

- Group I (well drained) 0.0 53.0

- Group II (moderately well drained) 74.0 39.0

- Group III (poorly drained) 26.0 8.0

1 Large rocks, one foot or larger; open areas free of large rocks and slash; slash, area

covered by slash.

2 Activity Area - The total area of ground surface impacted by an activity (all areas

that had observable traf ic plus all displacement, puddled, eroded, rutted and/or

observed compaction).

Evaluation of Results: The 1996 data represents two cutting units in two different timber sales. Twenty-one acres of thinning and 19 acres of clearcutting in MA

3.0 were represented. Twenty seven 100-foot random azimuth transects were observed and evaluated. The Forest Plan activity area Standards and Guidelines

state "surface area disturbance by logging operations should be less than 15 percent of the sale area" (pp.4-21 and 4-22).

Soil Group I essentially has no harvesting restrictions, except for the total area disturbed. Since we began monitoring (1986), 14.5 percent of Soil Group I has been

disturbed. Soil Groups II and II have restrictions relating to type of equipment and season of harvest. These ecological landtypes were sought out to monitor

because they are under-represented in the totalsample (in 1995, 41% cumulative in sample; but as mapped on the Forest represents approximately 55%).

The thinning unit was mainly gentle sloping, moderately well-drained plateau with about 20 percent gently sloping, poorly-drained plateau sites. Standing water in
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skid trails and other depressions was evident. The clearcut unit was implemented around the head of a drainage way on a plateau. This unit was gently sloping,

moderately well-drained plateau with 37 percent gentle sloing, poorly-drained plateau depressions. Vernal pools, running water in the headwater drainage, and

standing water in skid trails was evident. The clearcut unit had 209 MBF of timber removed, and the thinning unit had 131 MBF removed. Both sites were logged

by skidders.

For 1996, the total disturbed area was 24.5 percent. The period of 1990-1996 cumulative percent was 14.7 percent. The total area disturbed, observed

compaction, displacement, and puddling all increased on these two sites as a result of the wet summer, type of equiment used and the affected ecological landtypes.

Five timber sales were monitored for sale administration. The two above monitored units had not been closed or "accepted" yet (skid trails needing restoration

cannot be restored to pre-sale conditions because they are located in the poorly-drained areas). The other three sales looked very good and were wellimplemented. On one sale, less than 30 percent of the needed re-vegetation had sprouted (skid trail and landing).

WATER QUALITY

Monitor Water Courses Near Selected Projects for the Presence of Project-related Contaminants (Silt, Nitrates, Herbicide, etc.)

Project Monitoring

Three streams on the Forest were monitored for any possible effects from nearby land management activities. The parameter that was measured was the level of

sediment in the streams in an effort to determine if best management practices are effective. This year was the second year of baseline monitoring for Arnot Run

before land disturbing activities begin, thus there are no results to report. For the two other streams (Lewis Run and a tributary), monitoring has occured for four

years. The results of the four years are:

Average Embeddedness

Year Lewis Run Lewis Run Tributary

1993 16% 16%

1994 14% 11%

1995 12% 14%

1996 14% 11%

Embeddedness is a measure of the percentage of fine material (sand-sized and smaller) in the streambed that embeds, or surrounds, larger particles that are

important to fish and aquatic insect habitat. The lower the percentage, the better the habitat is. Thirty percent is considered the level where impacts to aquatic

species begin to occur. The approved land management activities that have the potential to affect water quality are complete in the Lewis Run watershed. As

indicated in the results, there has been no significant change in the average embeddedness to date from any land management activities that have occured.

Management Indicator Species

As part of the monitoring of brook trout, the cold-water management indicator species, water quality is tested. One grab sample was taken from each of the four

streams being monitored, and taken to a local lab for analysis. A variety of parameters were measured. Also, stream temperature was measured on a daily basis

using an automatic recording thermograph.

Monitoring Results: Based on the analysis, the water quality of the four streams meet DEP water quality standards. Based on the results of the thermographs,

stream temperatures are adequate to support cold-water aquatic communities.

Routine Surveys

Water quality was assessed in three streams during routine fish surveys conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Grab sample(s) were taken

from the streams and analyzed at a local lab. Results of the analysis indicate that the streams meet DEP water quality standards. The three streams included Ross

Run, West Hickory Creek, and East Branch Spring Creek, and Beaver Meadow. In an effort to characterize water quality of Beaver Meadows, monthly samples

were taken between March-June. The objective was to determine if water quality was having an effect on the fisheries in the lake. Results of the analysis would

indicate that water quality is having an effect on the production of fish. The main reason is that there is a higher level of acidity than there is of alkalinity, resulting in

depressed pH readings during the sample period. pH readings were as low as 4.1, and increased to 5.0 during the last sample in June. Overall analysis from the

samples would indicate that the lake is unproductive.

Big MillCreek Liming Project

Limestone was applied to Big Mill Creek in March in an attempt to improve the buffering capacity of the stream water. Monitoring was initiated to determine the

effectiveness of the treatment. The objective was to maintain a pH at or above 6.0. Unlike the drought conditions and low flows in 1995, the higher rainfall and

runoff amounts in 1996 overwhelmed the amount of limestone that was used. As a result, the 1996 application was ineffective. Readings did not reach 6.0 during

the critical times of runoff periods when acidicity levels tend to increase and pH decreases.

OIL, GAS, AND MINERALS (OGM)

Evaluation of OGM Activities to Verify the Effectiveness of Negotiations in Obtaining Industry Compliance with Standards
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Method of Measure: The Allegheny National Forest OGM evaluation form was used. Monitoring was conducted by the Ecosystems Management Team and

representatives from the Ranger Districts by numerically scoring each of the 34 criteria for the entire case for 7 cases. Scores ranged from 1 to 10 (1 = poor; 5 =

minimum acceptable; 8 = OGM Handbook standard; and 10 = excellent).

Monitoring Results: (See Table 17 on page 39.)

TABLE 17: THIRTY-FOUR MONITORED OGM CRITERIA

BYMANAGEMENT AREA

Criteria Average

Rating

FY 96

Ave. Annual

Rating

FYs 86-96

1 - Right to Operate 1 8.8 6.0

2 - Maps 9.6 7.3

3 - Operating Plan 6.6 4.1

4 - Erosion Plan 7.0 6.5

5 - Spill Plan 5.5 4.4

6 - Environmental Analysis 10.0 8.3

7 - Designated Representative 9.6 6.3

8 - Forest Service Inspection 7.4 7.0

9 - Documentation 5.2 7.0

10 - Road Location 8.0 7.9

11 - Stream Crossing NA 7.8

12 - % Road Mile-Grade 8.2 8.5

13 - % Road/Cross-drains 9.6 7.6

14 - Road Clearing Width 10.0 8.3

15 - Road Stabilization 9.2 7.3

16 - Road Management Permit 8.0 7.9

17 - Road Management - % Drains 10.0 8.2

18 - Road Management - Surface 8.8 7.9

19 - Road/ROW Restorations NA 7.2

20 - Timber Output 8.0 7.7

21 - Recreation 8.2 7.8

22 - Fish 10.0 7.5

23 - Wildlife 8.0 6.7

24 - Visual 9.0 7.6

25 - Stream Condition 10.0 7.1

26 - Tank/Battery 8.0 7.2

27 - Pipeline/Electric 9.0 7.6

28 - Signs/Gates 8.0 6.4

29 - Timber Utilization 8.0 7.8

30 - Well Sites 10.0 8.0
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31 - Litter/Trash 8.8 8.7

32 - Safety 8.8 7.3

33 - Old Wells NA 8.3

34 - Used Equipment 9.2 8.7

Average of 34 Criteria 8.5 7.3

1 - Refers to criterion number on monitoring form - CHART III in Oil/Gas Handbook on monitoring.

Evaluation of Results: Overall, total samples (for 34 criteria) averaged 8.5, slightly above the handbook standard of 8.0. Documentation of project activities is

generally good; however, there is a need for better documentation that verifies when the "Minard Run" requirements are met by the OGM developer.

An emphasis on Spill Plan development is also necessary.

Estimate the Amount of OGM Activity on the Forest From the Number of Producing Wells, the Number of Wells Drilled, or Other Measure.

Method of Measure: From Ranger Districts EAs for 1996.

Monitoring Results: There were 68 new wells drilled on Federal lands in 1996. In addition, 114 wells were plugged by outstanding/reserved developers on

Federal land. No USA-ownership wells were plugged in FY 96.

TABLE 18: WELLS DRILLED IN 1996

BYMANAGEMENT AREA

Management Area # of Wells Drilled

3.0 66

6.1 2

Total 68

Evaluation of Results: The Forest Plan estimates that for the low oil/gas scenario, 86 wells would be developed per year, and for the high scenario, 860 wells. With

250 wells in 1986, 250 wells in 1987, 196 wells in 1988, 139 wells in 1989, 139 in 1990, 176 wells in 1991, 160 wells in 1992, 188 wells in 1993, 112 wells in

1994, 109 wells in 1995, and 68 wells in 1996 (this equates to 1,787 wells from 1986 to 1996), the trend continues in the low-quarter scenario. Well plugging

activity continues to be moderately high.

Status of Lands Available for Exploration and Development of USA-Owned Minerals

Method of Measure: By deed search, and maintainance of this list.

Monitoring Results:

MINERAL OWNERSHIP AND STATUS

Status Acres Ownership/

Acres

USA-OWNED MINERALS 34,972.96

- Withdrawn (Hickory Creek/River Islands Wilderness

and NationalRecreation Areas

13,960.57

- Mineral ownership only 4,297.00

- Leased 2,203.05

- Available for lease 14,512.34

OUTSTANDING AND RESERVED OWNERSHIP 478,189.94

TOTAL ACRES (rounded to nearest whole acre) 513,163.00

Forty percent (13,961 acres) of the total USA-owned mineral acreage is not available for exploration and/or development and 60 percent (21,012 acres) is

available. The "available" acreage represent only four percent of the Forest's total land base of 513,163 acres. The subsurface oil/gas rights on the remaining

478,190 acres are reserved or outstanding.
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Cubic Yards of Rock Surfacing Used for Contracts, Permits, and Free Use

Method of Measure: Actual amount included in permits, contracts, and visual observations of pit use.

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 20: USAGE OF ROCK MATERIALS IN 1996

Use Cubic Yards Forest Plan

Oil, Gas Minerals (free use) 195 41,000

Forest Service Roads 40,653 103,000

Trails 0 N/A

Permits/Contracts 0 N/A

TotalCubic Yards used in 1996 40,848 144,000

Total (1986 - 1996) 1,746,281 1,440,000

Evaluation of Results: Usage in FY 1996 is 28 percent of estimated Forest Plan use. Of the total amount used this year, .14 percent was used for oil, gas, and

mineral development (the Forest Plan estimate was 29 percent). Of the stone used on Forest Service roads, approximately 63 percent or 25,680 cubic yards of

commercial grade stone.

Mineral Material Pit Management

Monitoring Criteria: (See column one of Table 21)

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 21: 1996 MINERAL PIT MANAGEMENT

Monitoring Criterion 1996 FY 89-96

Pit plan development 5.6 4.2

Pit addressed in EA 5.6 4.5

Development follows plan 7.2 4.3

Restored, and to landform 5.6 5.1

Present management ofstone 7.3 6.2

Wildlife management 4.7 4.4

Visual quality 4.9 5.0

Litter/trash 9.3 8.4

Unused equipment 9.3 8.9

AVERAGE Criteria 6.6 5.7

Note: A rating of "8" is the Forest standard (1 is low; 10 is high).

Evaluation of Results: This monitoring expresses project planning and long-term planning and implementation efforts in managing the results of mineral materials

extraction. More emphasis needs to be placed on the desired future condition, restoration, and opportunities for developing wildlife habitat on the partially- or fullyexhausted mineral pit and its affected area. Some pit plans were absent.

TABLE 22: NUMBER OF MINERAL PITS

DEVELOPED (by MA)

MA Total

Closed

Total

Open

Total Pits

1.0 1 0 1

2.0 6 1 7
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3.0 159 249 408

5.0 0 0 0

6.1 26 35 61

6.2 7 6 13

6.3 0 0 0

6.4 0 1 1

7.0 0 0 0

8.0 0 0 0

9.1 1 1 2

Totals 200 293 493

HABITAT

Summarize the Following Components of the Desired Future Condition by MA: % Opening, % Old Growth, % Conifer Cover, Acres of Aspen

Type, Age Class Distribution, and Acres of Oak Type

Method of Measure: The following chart lists five variables for determining the diversity of habitat and progress towards the Desired Future Condition on the

Forest. Data could not be withdrawn from Combined Data Systems (CDS) records on a Management Area (MA) basis.

Habitat Variable Acres Existing %

Forest Habitat

Forest Plan

DFC1

Conifer 17,939 3.5 5-10%

Oak 75,660 14.8 18%

Aspen 5,180 1.0 2%

Openings 25,259 5.0 6%

Late Successional 2 7,425 1.5 16%

1 Desired Future Condition based on vegetation conditions after 15 decades of Forest Plan

implementation (Forest Plan FEIS, p. 4-94)

2 Stands older than 110 years (for this analysis)

Evaluation of Results: This information is based on 496,406 acres of National Forest Land that have been inventoried over the past 20 years. Some

discrepancies exist in the data, and further refinements are continuing. Except for late successional habitats, we are approaching the desired future condition for the

habitat variables. About 91,000 acres are between 90 and 109 years old, so additional acres will be moving into the late successional habitat in the next 10 to 20

years.

TABLE 23: HABITAT ACRES BY AGE CLASS FOR SELECTED MANAGEMENT AREAS

MA Habitat 0-19 20-59 60-89 90-109 110+ No Age1 Total

1.0 Conifer 56 262 179 11 0 0 508

Oak 0 0 47 0 0 0 47

Hardwoods* 717 385 4,172 21 0 95 5,390

Aspen 212 107 79 0 0 0 398

Openings** 0 0 0 0 0 502 502

2.0 Conifer 0 16 36 8 0 0 60

Oak 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hardwoods 87 172 1,893 1,284 54 0 3,490

Aspen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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Openings 0 0 0 0 0 55 55

3.0 Conifer 108 3,184 4,551 1,120 539 104 9,606

Oak 730 1,051 12,588 7,553 362 10 22,294

Hardwoods 26,051 21,359 162,420 49,219 1,604 1,118 261,841

Aspen 338 908 1,234 59 0 25 2,564

Openings 0 0 0 0 0 11,006 11,006

5.0 Conifer 0 142 294 111 0 0 547

Oak 0 0 458 0 0 0 458

Hardwoods 179 80 6,408 141 0 0 6,808

Aspen 0 0 35 0 0 0 35

Openings 0 0 0 0 0 192 192

6.1 Conifer 40 2,081 3,130 1,251 263 0 6,765

Oak 747 717 22,690 9,044 1,918 0 35,116

Hardwoods 4,038 5,516 49,790 12,847 1,378 78 73,647

Aspen 96 867 985 45 0 0 1,993

Openings 0 0 0 0 0 12,101 12,101

6.2 Conifer 0 36 119 79 0 0 234

Oak 0 112 2,393 695 0 0 3,200

Hardwoods 1,257 1,630 9,689 4,236 118 0 16,930

Aspen 0 23 16 0 0 0 39

Openings 0 0 0 0 0 318 318

6.3 Conifer 0 24 0 0 0 0 24

Oak 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hardwoods 41 75 249 27 0 0 392

Aspen 0 78 72 0 0 0 150

Openings 0 0 0 0 0 504 504

6.4 Conifer 0 42 14 3 113 0 172

Oak 0 0 10,179 1,749 538 0 12,466

Hardwoods* 0 76 1,479 596 419 0 2,570

Aspen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Openings** 0 0 0 0 0 21 21

7.0 Conifer 0 0 21 0 0 0 21

Oak 0 0 646 711 0 0 1,357

Hardwoods* 0 0 438 58 119 0 615

Aspen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Openings** 0 0 0 0 0 373 373

1 No Age Class indicates an uneven-aged stand.

* Hardwoods includes Northern Hardwoods, Allegheny Hardwoods, and Forest Survey Types 72, 76, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89.

** Openings include low stocked savannahs as described in the Forest Plan.
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TABLE 23: HABITAT ACRES BY AGE CLASS FOR SELECTED MAs (Continued)

MA Habitat 0-19 20-59 60-89 90-109 110+ No Age1 Total

8.0 Conifer 0 0 2 0 0 0 2

Oak 0 0 0 76 0 0 76

Hardwoods* 8 41 184 165 0 0 398

Aspen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Openings** 0 0 0 0 0 168 168

9.1 Conifer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Oak 72 1 367 206 0 0 646

Hardwoods* 27 39 123 123 0 0 312

Aspen 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Openings** 0 0 0 0 0 19 19

TOTAL 34,804 39,025 296,980 91,438 7,425 26,734 496,406

1 No Age Class indicates an uneven-aged stand.

* Hardwoods includes Northern Hardwoods, Allegheny Hardwoods, and Forest Survey Types 72, 76, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, and 89.

** Openings include low stocked savannahs as described in the Forest Plan.

WILDLIFE

Measure Habitat and Population Trends for Management Indicator and Game Species Based on a Specific Wildlife Monitoring Guide

and

Obtain Population Trend Data for Several Game Species from Pennsylvania Game Commission [36 CFR 219.99]

Appendix B of the Forest Plan identifies the wildlife species to be monitored. These species can be grouped into three categories:

Game Species White-tailed Deer Black Bear

Ruffed Grouse Woodcock

Beaver

Management Indicator Species White-tailed Deer Ruffed Grouse

Woodcock Red-Shouldered Hawk

Magnolia Warbler Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Beaver Pileated Woodpecker

Black-throated Green Warbler Barred Owl

Hermit Thrush Timber Rattlesnake

Great Blue Heron

Federally-Listed Threatened Bald Eagle Small Whorled Pogonia

or Endangered Species Clubshell Mussel Northern Riffleshell Mussel

During the development of the Forest Plan, wildlife species were selected as management indicator species to monitor trends in habitat capability for them and other

associated species with similar habitat requirements.

TABLE 24: MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES

Species Habitat Indicator
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White-tailed Deer Regenerating Deciduous

American Woodcock Permanent Openings

Regenerating Deciduous

Magnolia Warbler Regenerating Hemlock

Beaver Regenerating Deciduous (aspen)

Black Throated Green Warbler Mature Mixed Hemlock - Deciduous

Hermit Thrush Mature Mixed Hemlock - Deciduous with

dense understory

Barred Owl Old-growth Mixed Hemlock - Deciduous

Great Blue Heron Old-growth Mixed Hemlock - Deciduous

Ruffed Grouse Regenerating Deciduous

Red-shouldered Hawk Mature Deciduous

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Mature Deciduous

Pileated Woodpecker Old-growth Deciduous

Timber Rattlesnake Regenerating Deciduous

White-tailed Deer

Table 25 is a summary of winter deer densities over the past 10 years. These densities are calculated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) based on deer

harvest data and hunter report cards. The Northeast Forest Experiment Station (NEFES) has completed deer pellet groups transects at various locations

throughout the Allegheny National Forest (see maps A and B on next page). These pellet transects showed the deer density to vary between 13 and 55 deer in

1995 (compared to PGC estimate of 30 deer/mi2) and between 13 and 43 deer in 1996 (compared to PGC estimate of 29 deer/mi2).

TABLE 25: WINTER DEER POPULATION PER SQUARE MILE OF FORESTED LAND

YEAR (Winter Density)

County Density

Goal

86-87 87-88 88-89 89-90 90-91 91-92 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-

96

Elk 21 31 33 29 30 25 21 22 26 30 29

Forest 23 33 36 32 35 31 24 28 29 32 33

McKean 20 29 28 26 26 23 22 25 28 26 26

Warren 21 30 31 32 32 30 30 31 27 29 27

MAP A MAP B

PA GAME COMMISSION AVERAGE

DEER DENSITY ESTIMATE - 1995

PA GAME COMMISSION AVERAGE

DEER DENSITY ESTIMATE - 1996

Evaluation of Results: The pellet groups transects demonstrate the variability of the deer density across the Forest. This transect data supports the density figures

calculated by the PGC but shows that densities can be much higher and much lower than the average county density. On average, deer densities across the fourcounty area are 33 percent higher than the PCG goal.

Black Bear

TABLE 26: BLACK BEAR HARVEST SINCE 1986, BY COUNTY

County 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Total Average

Elk 58 72 74 93 32 131 55 65 37 63 680 68
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Forest 21 23 50 85 59 29 33 52 16 51 419 42

McKean 63 58 134 147 55 90 98 75 36 102 858 86

Warren 30 34 42 62 39 46 37 33 28 62 413 41

Total 172 187 300 387 185 296 223 225 117 278 2,370 237

Evaluation of Results: Bear populations appear to be stable to slightly increasing. After a below-average harvest in 1994, a large harvest occurred in 1995.

Statewise, this was the second largest harvest on record. Harvests are usually better when there is snow on the ground and winds are calm. It appears that a

harvest of about 250-300 bears annually can be sustained in the four-county area.

Ruffed Grouse

Six ruffed grouse drumming surveys were completed in 1996. Forty-two birds were heard on routes covering about 108 miles. Statewide, the number of grouse

hunters was down eight percent from the 94/95 season, but the grouse harvest was up by four percent. Based on limited information, ruffed grouse populations

appear to be stable.

Woodcock

Woodcock singing ground surveys were completed along 6.3 miles of transects. A total of 12 birds were heard along these transect routes. Trends in the number of

woodcock heard per monitoring stop are presented in Table 27.

TABLE 27: WOODCOCK SURVEY TRENDS

Year Total Miles Survey Points Woodcock

Heard

Woodcock per

Survey Point

1990 11.1 20 1 .05

1991 29.1 75 18 .24

1992 8.6 20 7 .35

1993 20.6 35 8 .22

1994 16.2 35 8 .22

1995 17.6 40 15 .38

1996 6.3 10 12 1.20

Evaluation of Results: More data is needed to determine population trends.

Barred Owls

Barred owl data has been collected along seven standard routes across the Forest for six years. New timber sales, oil and gas development, and other new

activities have changed the habitat along some sections of these barred owl routes over the past four years. No analysis or correlations have been compiled with

these data.

Bald Eagles

The bald eagles nesting on private land near Tionesta moved to an island in the Allegheny River to nest this year. They fledged two young. The bald eagle nest at the

Allegheny Reservoir also fledged two young. The annualChristmas Bird Count reported 14 eagles seen in Warren County.

Numerous sightings of both mature and immature bald eagles have been documented along the Allegheny Reservoir, Allegheny River, Tionesta Creek and the

Clarion River. One immature eagle was hit and killed on Route 59 between the Kinzua Dam and Kinzua Beach during the summer of 1996.

Evaluation of Results: The Allegheny River continues to receive heavy use by bald eagles, particularly during severe winters. A continued increase in regional

eagle populations will likely result in more new nest sites on the Forest

Small Whorled Pogonia

The Small Whorled Pogonia is a Federally-listed endangered plant that occurs near OilCity, fifteen miles west of the Forest boundary, and Port Matilda, 55 miles

east of the Forest boundary. In Pennsylvania, it mainly occurs on dry oak sites on benches, saddles, or near the beginning of intermittent drainages, usually on south

or southeast facing slopes. This orchid also occurs in a variety of different habitats from New Hampshire to Georgia. The following table summarizes the

approximate acreage surveyed for Small Whorled Pogonias each fiscal year. No Small Whorled Pogonias have been found on the Allegheny National Forest.

TABLE 28: APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF SMALL WHORLED POGONIA SURVEYS
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Year 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Total

Acres

Surveyed

1,000 1,960 2,740 900 24,320 6,509 17,028 36,212 49,880 59,112 199,661

Evaluation of Results: With almost 200,000 acres surveyed, no Small Whorled Pogonias have been found; however, this species is rare, inconspicuous, and may

not emerge from the ground every year. Historically high deer populations may have had a negative effect on this orchid. An updated Recovery Plan for this species

was issued by the USDA - Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993. After discussions with USDI - Fish and Wildlife Service biologists, new survey procedures were

implemented.

Forest Song Birds

Nineteen breeding bird point count transects were established in 13 habitats during 1992. Transects were established in one additional habitat type in 1993. This

habitat is 20 to 30 year old hardwoods and provides information on bird use in mid-successional hardwoods (habitat between early successional and mature

hardwoods). The habitats sampled are listed in the following two tables. The four songbird management indicator species are displayed by habitat in the Table 29.

The abundance, number of plots where bird was found and an index of importance are given. Table 30 displays songbird abundance, richness and diversity. Three

diversity indices are calculated.

Evaluation of Results: Mixed hemlock/deciduous habitat with oil and gas (OGM) development was most important for Yellow-bellied sapsuckers, followed by

mature deciduous and two-aged deciduous habitats. Old-growth was most important for Magnolia warblers, followed closely by mixed hemlock-deciduous with

OGM and mid-story hemlock.

Shrub swamp, savannah with OGM and mature oak were most important to hermit thrushes. Mixed hemlock/deciduous, old-growth, and mature deciduous were

most important to Black-throated green warblers.

TABLE 29: SONGBIRD - MANAGEMENT INDICATOR SPECIES

Management

Indicator

Species

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Magnolia

Warbler

Hermit

Thrush

Black-throated

Green Warbler

Transect #/ Habitat Abundance #

Plots

Importance Abundance#

Plots

Importance Abundance #

Plots

Importance Abundance #

Plots

Importance

B1 - Mature Oak 5 4 23 12 7 42 8 8 45 17 10 60

B2 - Forested

Stream Bottom

8 6 34 23 15 86 9 7 39 11 9 50

B3 - Savannah

w/OGM

5 5 27 5 4 22 22 17 94 6 4 23

B4 - Regenerating

Deciduous

(0-10 yr)

1 1 6 2 2 11 - - - 9 9 50

B5 - Mature

Deciduous

13 10 55 22 15 84 12 9 50 22 15 84

B6 - Regenerating

Deciduous

(20-30 yr)

6 4 23 12 8 46 10 10 55 18 13 74

B7 - Two-age

Deciduous

11 7 41 13 11 62 13 12 67 14 9 52

S 1,2 - Old-growth 1 1 25 90 4 111 13 2 52 61 4 108

S3,4 - Mixed

Hemlock/Deciduous

w/OGM

11 3 76 90 4 110 10 2 51 97 4 110

S5 - Regenerating - - - 10 3 76 10 3 76 15 2 52
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Deciduous

(0-10- yr)

R1 - Shrub Swamp - - - 24 15 17 17 13 14 5 4 4

R3 - Mature

Deciduous w/OGM

14 11 13 31 25 30 36 26 32 42 35 42

R4 - Savannah - - - 5 4 5 14 11 13 6 6 7

R5 - Forested

Stream Bottom

15 12 15 14 11 14 28 24 30 41 32 41

M1 - Shrub Swamp 5 4 22 1 1 5 22 18 98 - - -

M2 - Tornado

Swath

- - - 2 2 11 4 4 21 - - -

M3 - Mature Oak 6 5 28 13 12 66 20 17 94 13 11 61

M4 - Mid-story

Hemlock

2 2 11 23 16 95 11 11 62 19 13 77

M5 - Tornado

Swath

- - - - - - 5 5 28 1 1 6

The shrub swamp habitat had the greatest species richness with 65 species present, followed by the savannah habitat with 53 species and regenerating deciduous

(0-10 year old) with 51 species. Abundance, shown as maximum number of individuals on a transect, was highest for the mixed hemlock/ deciduous with OGM

(134 individuals) followed by old-growth with 101 individuals.

Margalef's Index calculated the highest songbird diversity for shrub swamp, savannah and regenerating deciduous (0-10 years old).

TABLE 30: SONGBIRD MONITORING DATA BYHABITAT TYPE (1992-1995)

Transect #/

Habitat

# of

Plots

# of

Species

# of

Individuals

Maximum

# of

Individuals

Diversity1 Diversity2 Diversity3

B1 - Mature Oak 20 33 164 17 6.275 2.577 0.104

B2 - Forested

Stream Bottom

20 34 215 23 6.145 2.319 0.107

B3 - Savannah

w/OGM

20 34 234 27 6.049 2.223 0.115

B4 - Regenerating

Deciduous

(0-10 yr)

20 31 170 18 5.841 2.378 0.106

B5 - Mature

Deciduous

20 25 248 22 4.353 1.588 0.089

B6 - Regenerating

Deciduous

(20-30 yr)

20 35 208 23 6.370 2.427 0.111

B7 - Two-age

Deciduous

20 32 200 14 5.851 2.263 0.070

S 1,2 - Old-growth 4 42 802 101 6.131 1.483 0.136

S3,4 - Mixed

Hemlock/Deciduous

4 45 939 134 6.428 1.469 0.143
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w/OGM

S5 - Regenerating

Deciduous

(0-10- yr)

4 51 703 75 7.627 1.924 0.107

R1 - Shrub Swamp 20 65 772 65 9.626 2.339 0.084

R3 - Mature

Deciduous w/OGM

20 45 566 73 6.942 1.891 0.129

R4 - Savannah 20 53 675 78 7.982 2.040 0.116

R5 - Forested

Stream Bottom

20 35 478 86 5.511 1.601 0.180

M1 - Shrub Swamp 20 44 282 32 7.622 2.620 0.113

M2 - Tornado

Swath

20 35 289 28 6.000 2.059 0.097

M3 - Mature Oak 20 34 234 23 6.049 2.223 0.098

M4 - Mid-story

Hemlock

20 21 156 27 3.961 1.681 0.173

M5 - Tornado

Swath

20 32 200 21 5.851 2.263 0.105

1 - Margalef Index

2 - Menhinick Index

3 - Berger Parker Index

The Menhinick Index calculated the highest diversity for shrub swamp, mature oak and deciduous (20-30 years old). The Berger Parker Index calculated the

highest diversity for mid-story hemlock, mixed hemlock/deciduous with OGM, and old-growth.

These diversity indices calculate diversity differently, leading to different results. The Margalef and Menhinick Indices have a high sensitivity to sample size and are

biased toward richness rather than evenness. The Berger Parker Index has a low sensitivity to sample size and a bias towards evenness or dominance (Magurran

1988).

These data were collected by the Forestry Sciences Laboratory. Work is continuing to analyze the data and refine the habitat relationships.

River Otters

During September and October 1995, a survey of river otter habitat use was initiated using volunteers. Eighty-five miles of streams and reservoirs were surveyed.

During the summer of 1996, six additional otters were released near Kennerdell(Venango County) on the Allegheny River, and 10 otters were released just across

the New York state line at the Jamestown Audubon Society.

Results: Tionesta Creek (from Hastings to Tionesta Reservoir) is heavily utilized by river otters. Both fresh and old sign was found in Beaver Meadows. Old sign

was also found at Buzzard Swamp. Unconfirmed otter sightings were reported from the Allegheny River. River otters appear to be well distributed along both

Tionesta Creek and the small impoundments in the southern part of the Forest.

Grassland Breeding Bird Surveys

This was the eighth consecutive year that we monitored grassland breeding birds as part of the statewide effort. Thirteen grassland-dependent species believed to

be declining in parts of the northeastern United States are being monitored. These include the Ringneck Pheasant, Northern Bobwhite, Upland Sandpiper, Horned

Lark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and Killdeer.

Evaluation of Results:Results are sent to Pennsylvania Game Commission for analysis. Plans are to continue this monitoring effort for ten years to provide some

reliable trend information.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

Management Indicator Species

Brook Trout: Brook trout is the cold-water management indicator species. Population estimates were made for the sixth year in a row in four different streams

across the Forest. Water levels were higher than usual for this time of year as a result of higher than normal rainfall amounts. Results of the survey showed the

impacts of the heavy runoff and flooding that occured in late January. The high runoffscoured many streams, and along with it most of the brook trout eggs buried in

the stream substrate. As a result, there was a significant decrease in the number of young-of-year. Comparing results with the average over the previous five years,
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the number of young-of-year were down 65-92 percent in the four streams. These same results were found with other stream surveys conducted by the

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in this section of the state.

Walleye: The walleye is the warm-water management indicator species. The population is monitored annually in the Allegheny Reservoir because of its importance

to the recreationalfishery. Results of the survey show walleye numbers at their highest levels since 1981. This may be a result of the stocking of nine million walleye

fry in 1991, and three million fry every year since then.

Fish Habitat Improvement Projects

Allegheny Reservoir

Several areas of the reservoir have had fish habitat improvement projects implemented the past few years using recycled Christmas trees. In an effort to determine

their effectiveness, two days in August were spent monitoring the structures, as well as control areas where no structures were placed.

Results of the survey indicate that yellow perch are strongly associated with the Christmas trees. In 112 minutes ofsurvey, 285 perch were collected from the trees,

while only one was collected from the controlsite. Of the 285 perch collected, 272 were young-of-year. This would indicate that these smaller size fish prefer these

type of areas for cover. Also, these areas are probably providing spawning habitat for perch, and when the eggs hatch, the young are residing in the thick cover

provided by the trees.

Smallmouth bass results were the opposite of the yellow perch. This is not unexpected, as they prefer rocky substrates. In the trees, nine smallmouth were

collected. However, in the controlsection that is primarily a rocky shoreline, 76 smallmouth were collected.

The trees were inhabited by more species than the control area, and included such fish as shiners, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and several other species. The control

area, however, did not produce many fish other than smallmouth bass and a few darters.

Stream Improvement

Several years ago, a small stream was redirected around a historical wood-chemical plant that was leaking a tar by-product into the channel. To avoid this, the

stream was rechanneled away from the site to prevent leakage into the channel. Once the work was done, several fish habitat improvement structures were placed

in the 750' reroute with the help of Trout Unlimited.

To determine how effective the structures were at providing habitat to fish, a survey was done on the rerouted section. The results were very encouraging. As a

result of several deep pools created by the structures, several brown and brook trout were collected, along with non-game species. The brown and brook trout

were wild/native fish, and were not stocked.

Beaver Meadows

The fishery in Beaver Meadows was assessed with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on May 28. The objective was to determine the

number ofspecies of fish in the lake, their population numbers, their sizes, and their growth rates.

Results: The most dominate fish species was yellow perch. During 45 minutes ofsampling conducted in the evening hours, 210 perch were collected from around

the shoreline. The majority of perch were in the 5-6" size class, with some perch 4-5", and some 6" and larger. Other fish species present were pumpkinseed,

bluegill, bullheads, and black crappie. Only three black crappie were collected; they ranged in size from 7-9". Scale samples were taken to determine growth rates

for the perch, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and crappie. These scale samples have not yet been analyzed.

RECREATION

Report the Number of Wildlife/Fish User Days Associated with Hunting and Fishing Use

Method of Measure: AnnualRecreation Use Report, trends estimated from car counts and field observations.

Evaluation of Results: A Recreation Visitor Day (RVD) is 12 hours of recreation use on the Forest. Hunting use increased slightly (5%) over 1995 to 181,650

RVDs. Fishing use decreased (11%) from 1995 to 164,300 RVDs, due primarily to high debris-laden water levels in the Allegheny Reservoir during spring/early

summer periods and a lack of ice for ice fishing.

Hunting use remained relatively stable as the ANF continues to be a preferred hunting location for many due to its large area of open public land. Other contributing

factors include easy access, good game populations, and desirable landscape setting. For these reasons, we expect both hunting and fishing to remain stable or even

increase slightly despite national trends.

Monitor "Limits of Acceptable Change" in the Islands and Hickory Creek Wilderness Areas

Method of Measure: A variety of methods will eventually be used to monitor wilderness, from trail logs for recreation use to sampling surveys to measure

physical conditions. The Wilderness Implementation Schedule indicated trails, campsites, island shorelines, recreation use, biological species, vegetative/exotic

species, and soil erosion categories will be monitored. Before monitoring can begin, a baseline resource condition (present condition) must be established. The

fisheries and campsite condition inventories were started in 1995 and are continuing. Monitoring can begin when the condition inventories are completed. A trail log

is the basis for monitoring recreation use; it has been in use for several years. Beginning in 1995, a part-time Wilderness Ranger and other seasonal employees have

been patrolling the area observing use and making personal contacts.

Monitoring Results: At this point in time, the only category being monitored is recreation use. Based on the number of users signing the trail log, use has

increased about six percent from 1995.
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The Hickory Creek Wilderness is accommodating a wide variety of users, from backpackers to day hikers, and individuals to groups. Over half of the use appears

to be day hikers. Group size remains small, averaging two or three persons. A few larger groups of 6-10 occasionally use the area. Encounters are very low during

week and moderate on the weekends, with the maximum usually being around three or four encounters along the trial. These numbers are well within the standards

set up for limits of acceptable change.

Larger groups are made up of scout troops and outdoor clubs. Most people are unaware that Hickory Creek and the Allegheny Islands are "wilderness" or of the

implications that go along with that designation. A wilderness education action plan will be developed in 1997 to address this.

Visual Quality Objectives, Existing vs. Planned in at Least These MAs: 5.0, 3.0, and 6.1

This monitoring is required every five years to determine if the Visual Quality Objectives within the Forest Plan are being met. It was completed and reported in the

FY 92 Monitoring Plan.

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum, Existing Vs. Planned

The FY 95 monitoring concluded that, with the exception of some inconsistencies which existed prior to Forest Plan implementation, the Recreation Opportunity

Spectrum class objectives are being met or exceeded. Since the Forest Plan was approved, projects being implemented within the MAs have protected or

enhanced the planned ROS class objectives. Overall, project designs and mitigation measures appear to be successful. However, some caution must be exercised

as in most MAs as the desired future condition is just beginning to be implemented. Over the next two or three decades, more activities are planned to take place.

As they do, effects accumulate and the thresholds of ROS class setting indicators may come close to being reached or exceeded. Careful project implementation

and quality control is even more critical the closer we get to the desired future condition.

Recreation Visitor Days by Activity and Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Class by MA

Method of Measure: AnnualRecreation Use Report and Management Attainment Report

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 31: DEVELOPED AND DISPERSED RECREATION USE

BY RECREATION OPPORTUNITY CLASS

Thousand Recreation Visitor Days (RVDs)

Recreation Opportunity Class Forest

Plan

Decades

1 & 2 *

1996 1986-96 % of Forest

Plan

Developed Recreation

... Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM) 750 62 645 86%

... Roaded Natural(RN) 9,010 661 5,214 58%

... Rural(R) 8,510 707 5,674 67%

Developed Recreation Total 18,350 1,430 11,533 63%

Dispersed Recreation

... Semi-primitive Non-motorized (SPNM) 720 29 365 51%

... Semi-primitive Motorized (SPM) 7,400 791 5,967 81%

... Roaded natural(RN) 10,240 1,013 9,208 90%

Dispersed RecreationTotal 18,360 1,833 15,540 85%

Forestwide Total 36,710 3,264 27,074 74%

TABLE 32: 1996 RECREATION USE BYMANAGEMENT AREA

MA 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 9.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 7.0 8.0 9.0 All MAs

MRVDs 20.3 21.3 1214.7 3.6 764.3 25.1 20.1 458.7 706.6 26.9 2.0 3,264

Evaluation of Results: Overall, the FY 96 season showed a slight decrease in recreation use of approximately 7 percent to 3,264,000 RVDs from FY

95. The major reasons attributed to this decrease were a cool wet spring and early summer resulting in high, debris laden reservoir levels which
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forced the temporary shutdown of some recreation areas and significantly reduced camping and water related activity. In addition, a cool wet fall

with relatively poor fall colors and a January thaw accompanied by heavy rains, plus a lack of ice on the reservoir all contributed to the lower

recreation use. Some activities which actually increased in use over FY 1995 include horseback riding, mountain biking, firewood gathering, Wilderness use and canoeing. Private canoe liveries on the Allegheny W&SR have doubled since designation in 1992. This factor, plus good water

levels for canoeing throughout the summer, contributed to an increase in river recreation.

Analyzing relationships between ROS classes, no trends or significant shifts have been revealed in the data collected with possibly the exception of

increasing river use. Most of the changes discussed in the previous paragraph are spread evenly across ROS classes. There also appear to be no

significant changes in use across Management Areas again with the possible exception of river areas. There also was a slight increase in use of

Wilderness areas (MA5) due to new outfitter guide services however.

In reviewing the Forest Plan outputs through the 11th year of Plan implementation, we can see that use continues to exceed Forest Plan projections

for Decades 1 and 2 by over 30 percent. Analysis of the data indicates most of the increase continues to be in dispersed use. The activities that are

growing faster than projected include motorized trail use, mountain bike use, foot trail use, horseback riding, driving for pleasure, camping outside

of developed areas and canoeing. With the addition of the Clarion River in October 1996 as a National Wild and Scenic River and the 86.5 miles in

the Allegheny National Wild and Scenic River, the total of designated river on and adjacent to the ANF is approximately 140 miles. Increased

dispersed use along these waterways is expected to continue due to increased marketing by local tourist promotion agencies and increased public

awareness and interest brought about by the designations. No facilities or areas are receiving use beyond capacity. The additional use which is

above Forest Plan projections does not produce any significant additional environmental effects beyond those described in the Forest Plan EIS.

Miles of Trail Constructed, by Type and MA

Method of Measure: Recreation Information Management Summary and Management Attainment Report

Monitoring Results:

TABLE 33: MILES OF TRAIL CONSTRUCTION (New Trail Miles)

Type of Trail MA Forest Plan

Amount

(Decades 1 &

2)

Year

(1996)

Total to

Date

(86-96)

% of

Forest

Plan

Pedestrian 1.0 0 2.6

3.0 26

5.0 3

6.1 38 0.5

6.2 8

6.4 9

8.0 5

(All MAs) 89 0 42.4 48%

Motorized Winter 3.0 22

(All MAs) 22 0 50.5 230%

Motorized/Summer 1.0 6

3.0 240

6.1 44

(All MAs) 290 0 70 24%

Evaluation of Results: Pedestrian trail miles increased by 3.1 miles with the completion of the Little Drummer Historic Pathway. Although the

majority of constuction was completed in FY 95, support facilities were completed in FY 96. Pedestrian miles are still short of the amounts projected

in the Forest Plan.

Work done in FY 96 toward major reconditioning of existing trails includes miles accomplished on the motorized bike trail on the Marienville

Ranger District. The remaining work was on the winter motorized system on the Marshburg Connector.

A backlog of reconstruction exists because operation and maintenance funds for Forest trails have not been sufficient to take care of all the needed

maintenance activities. In FY 96, the Forest, its partners and volunteers performed what routine maintenance work they could on 608 of the 644-
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mile trail system. Ten miles of pedestrian trail were dropped from the Mill Creek Trail due to low use.

TABLE 34: MILES OF TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION IN FY 96

(Reconditioning Existing Trails)

Type of Trail Pedestrian Motor/Winter Motor/Summer Total

Miles 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.5

Total Recreation Receipts and Management Capacity Figures for Developed Recreation Sites

Method of Measure: Recreation Information Management Summary and Management Attainment Report

Monitoring Results:

Forest Service Concessionaire Total

PAOT Days 2,184,905 1,337,400 3,522,305

Receipts $129,037 $215,808 $344,845

* Persons at One Time, a measure of capacity

Evaluation of Results: The PAOT-Day figure is a measure of the total amount of developed recreation site capacity the Forest operates and

maintains during the year. This figure is not associated with use; it measures the amount of recreation avialable for use each year. Even if no one

chose to use a campground, trailhead, etc., this figure would not change because the Forest would still have to operate and maintain the area open

for use.

The PAOT-Day figure is derived by determining the capacity of a site in terms of how many people it is designed to accommodate multiplied by the

number of days we expect to keep it open and available for use. For example, a campsite is designed to handle five people at one time (PAOT). If it

was operated and maintained for 100 days, then the PAOT-Day figure would be 500 (5 x 100). The average total figure for the Forest is

approximately 3,600,000 PAOT-Days. Some years we close sites for reconstruction or reduce the length of time they are open. In FY 96, we

managed for 3,522,305 PAOT-Days. The increase from FY 95 is largely due to an update of the PAOT Master list by the Forest Recreation Team

to include newly-constructed trailheads and other developed facilities. A small amount of the increase is due to the opening of Lolete Recreation

Area after two years of construction.

Forest Service receipts for FY 1996 decreased four percent on the sites operated by the Forest. This is a result of the significant decrease in day

use in and around the Allegheny Reservoir due to poor weather. See discussion on recreation use for more background.

Status of Recreation Site Construction

Monitoring Results: The following projects were initiated or continued during FY 96:

 ̈ Loleta Rehabilitation was a multi-year project initiated in FY 94. Work was completed in 1995, and the recreation area was opened for use in

spring of 1996.

 ̈ The project to replace existing sewer and water systems at Willow Bay, Kiasutha and Dewdrop Recreation Areas was essentially completed in FY

96. This multi-year project began in FY 93 with an analysis and preliminary design contract. Final design and contracts were prepared in FY 94 and

95. Construction began in 1995 on Kiasutha and Dewdrop and was completed in 1996. Construction also began on Willow Bay in 1995 and was

almost completed by the end of FY 96.

 ̈ Morrison Run Boat-to Campground rehabilitation was initiated in 1995 and was completed in 1996.

ROADS

Road Status Summary showing the Following Categories:

a. Total system road miles and density by Management Area (MA).

b. Miles of new construction by MA - no prior existing corridor.

c. Miles of temporary road construction (Forestwide).

d. Miles of new system road constructed by MA on existing, unimproved locations (this is identified as "reconstruction" in the Forest Plan).

e. Resurface road miles and cumulative resurface road miles.

Method of Measure: By Transportation Planner from completed work.
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Evaluation of Results: Road Densities are well within or below the Forest Plan's mile/square mile guidelines (see Table 35 on page 59). As in past

Monitoring Reports, we have included a column titled road restoration miles (roads that have had minor work completed on them). This work would

include culvert replacement, grading, and replacement of surfacing material. During the development of the Forest Plan, this type of work was

included within road maintenance. However, shortly after the Forest Plan was approved, the national definitions and funding philosophies were

changed to include this type of work within the general category of road reconstruction. To better understand what has occurred on the ground and

its relationship to the Forest Plan projections, we will discuss and display all categories of reconstruction.

The National definition for road reconstruction is found in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7705.

Road Reconstruction - The investment in construction activity that results in betterment, restoration, or in the realignment of a road as defined in

the following:

Realignment - Investment in construction activity that results in the new location of an existing road or portions thereof.

Betterment - Investment in construction activity that raises the traffic service level of a road or improves its safety or operating efficiency.

Restoration - Investment in construction activity required to rebuild a road to its approved traffic service level.

Road Maintenance - Expenditures in the minor restoration and upkeep of a road necessary to retain the road's approved traffic service level.

The differences in these definitions are one of intention or purpose of the work to be performed, not necessarily the work activities themselves (i.e.,

applying pit run surfacing could be a work activity under realignment, betterment or restoration or even road maintenance). If we are replacing worn

out surfacing or culverts that are corroded through, then the project intent is restoration. If the intention is to improve the road from a Traffic

Service Level (TSL) "D" to a TSL "C", then it is classified as betterment.

In an effort to improve understanding of what is actually happening on the ground, a decision was made to not use the general term road

reconstruction itself but to explain the subcategories. The subcategories of reconstruction called realignment, betterment, and restoration will be

tracked and described in all NEPA and monitoring documents.

We have slightly exceeded our Forest Plan estimate for betterment and realignment. We consider this a positive environmental impact, because by

doing so, we have been able to keep the amount of new road construction (which has more impacts to the landforms) at a level significantly less than

estimated in the Forest Plan.

We have also been attempting to minimize new road construction. In some instances, we have been able to perform betterment or realignment, and

thereby eliminate the need for new construction. This is evidenced in the fact that we have only constructed 60 percent of the amount the Forest

Plan estimated projection for new roads.

Other factors have also contributed to increased road reconstruction - betterment mileages. We have reconstructed several roads primarily to

reduce the potential for erosion and sedimentation from those roads. For example, we have improved 5.7 miles of Township Roads, some within 100

feet of periennial streams. This is good resource management. We have also been increasing the amount of limestone/commercial surfacing on

roads in the proximity of streams to reduce erosion and sedimentation. These roads are included in our reconstruction mileages, even though only

portions of the road were surfaced. These types of projects were not included in the Forest Plan reconstruction estimates.

A review of our records indicated that all of our road reconstruction projects fell within the definitions of either betterment or restoration. Therefore,

there is no column titled realignment in Table 35.

TABLE 35: ROAD STATUS BYMANAGEMENT AREA

Road Temporary Road Road Reconstruction

Construction Construction Betterment Restoration

Mgmt

Area

Total

Miles

Density

(mi/sq

mi)

Forest

Plan

Density

(mi/sq

mi)

Existing

Roads

1996

(miles)

Cumulative

Total(mi)

% of

Forest

Plan

Miles

1996

(miles)

Cumulative

Total(mi)

% of

Forest

Plan

Miles

1996

(miles)

Cumulative

Total(mi)

% of

Forest

Plan

Miles

1996

(miles)

Cumulative

Total(mi)

1.0 8.9 0.8 1 to 3 0.0 0.0 2.3 ~ 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 3.1 ~ 0.0 5.3

2.0 13.8 1.5 2 to 4 0.0 0.0 1.0 14.3 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 3.4 113.3 0.0 5.5

3.0 874.3 1.7 2 to 4 0.2 2.3 140.3 63.5 0.0 9.9 ~ 1.0 99.6 111.2 55.2 432.2

6.1 177.1 1.1 1 to 3 0.0 0.0 8.4 50.9 0.0 1.0 ~ 0.0 5.5 83.3 3.9 25.2

6.2 34.3 1.1 1.5 to

4

0.0 0.0 7.8 101.3 0.0 1.8 ~ 0.0 3.8 115.2 0.0 4.9

6.3 5.7 3.6 ~ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 1.7 ~ 0.0 0.0
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6.4 5.3 0.1 ~ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.0

7.0 11.5 7.2 ~ 0.0 0.0 0.6 ~ 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.8 ~ 0.0 8.5

8.0 5.0 0.5 ~ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.0 ~ 2.5 4.7

9.1 1.4 0.9 ~ 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.0 ~ 0.0 0.0

Total 1137.3 1.4 ~ 0.2 2.3 160.4 60.0 0.0 12.7 67.9 1.0 117.9 109.7 61.6 485.0

Density - Total miles divided by square miles assigned to that Management Area (Forest Plan, p. 4-55).

Existing Roads - Existing non-system roads added to system minus roads taken of of the system (obliterated) and adjustments for changes due to

improved data.

Cumulative Totals are for FY 86 to present.

% of Forest Plan Miles are calculated by dividing cumulative totals by the total of Decade 1 projected and the pro rata portion of Decade 2

projected that has elapsed.

The current status of road management is: 39% open; 24% restricted; and 37% closed. The Forest Plan calls for 20% of the roads to be open;

20% restricted and 60% closed. As stated in the plan, this is a long term objective, to be attained within 50 years. At the present rate, it is projected

that the forest will meet this objective in the 50 year time frame. The chart below, Road Management by Year, compares our progression toward

meeting this objective since 1987.

TABLE 36: ROAD MANAGEMENT BY YEAR

OPEN RESTRICTED CLOSED TOTAL

Year % Miles % Miles % Miles Miles

1987 63 573.5 24 216.2 14 123.5 913.2

1988 na1 na na na na na na

1989 58 564.1 22 214.0 20 194.4 972.5

1990 55 550.8 21 210.3 24 240.3 1,001.4

1991 52 542.8 21 219.2 27 281.8 1,043.8

1992 na na na na na na 1,055.7

1993 41 449.8 19 211.5 40 445.5 1,106.8

1994 39 438.4 24 269.3 37 416.3 1,124.0

1995 38 430.6 25 385.2 37 419.6 1,135.4

1996 38 430.6 25 284.6 37 422.1 1,137.3

With OGM

Roads on

System

38 450.3 23 273.1 39 471.1 1,204.7

na - data not available

The Forest Plan emphasizes road management. Our NEPA documents are discussing road management to a greater extent than they have in the

past. This chart demonstrates the significent progress the ANF is making towards the road management guidelines in the Forest Plan.

ECONOMICS

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) planning regulations requirement for monitoring this category of information is very specific [36

CFR 219.12(k)(3)] and states that we will monitor "costs associated with carrying out the planned management prescriptions as compared with costs

estimated in the Forest Plan." Carrying out this section of the monitoring program will involve the continued use of management codes for keeping

track of costs by activity.

Cost per Unit for the Following Activities

Method of Measure: Management codes, Program Accounting Management Attainment Reporting System (PAMARS), Cumulative

Accomplishment Target System (CATS) data, contract records, and engineering reports.
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Monitoring Results: (See Table 37 on page 61)

TABLE 37: 1996 COST OF IMPLEMENTATION, PER UNIT

Activity Unit of

Meas.

FY 96

Units

Accomp.

FY 96

Total

Cost

FY 96

Unit Cost

Forest

Plan

Estimate

FY 95

Unit

Cost

FY 94

Unit

Cost

FY 93

Unit

Cost

FY 92

Unit

Cost

FY 91

Unit

Cost

TrailConstruction/Reconstruction Mile

... Pedestrian 0 $32,208 N/A $54,369 $11,734 $13,970 $18,485 $22,300

... Motorized/Summer .4 $46,675 $116,688 $2,782 $6,245 N/A $15,931 $27,201 $5,468

... Motorized/Winter .1 $9,716 $97,158 $16,614 N/A $7,935 $3,143 $5,180

Sale prep to offer MBF 53,390.0 $2,728,609 $51.11 $10.90 $49.64 $34.56 $36.58 $22.92 $23.13

MCF 8,711.2 $2,728,609 $763.87

Wildlife and Fish Habitat

Improvement

Acre 1,616 $477,154 $295.27 $197.20 $188.21 $159.19 $150.68 $123.90

Wildlife and Fish Habitat

Improvement

Struct. 339 $19,322 $57.00 $69.86 $66.91 $34.53 $26.62 $116.75

Site Prep for NaturalRegeneration Acre 2,125 $185,947 $87.50 $40 $63.06 $93.43 $57.18 $53.67 $61.83

Herbicide Acre 1,315 $201,057 $152.89 $57 $134.85 $155.70 $218.38 $318.37 $429.87

Aerial Fertilization Acre 755 $148,424 $196.59 $244 $197.31 $207.80 $138.31 $196.49 $231.08

Timber Stand Improvement Acre 261 $45,040 $172.57 $60 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Fencing Acre 524.5 $207,591 $395.79 $344.96 $301.13 $368.86 $359.46 $567.03

Road Construction Mile 2.3 $106,276 $46,207 $46,337 $29,765 $36,099 $50,225 $26,475 $24,425

Road Reconstruction Mile 64.1 $1,350,603 $21,070 $26,659 $14,229 $13,420 $9,249 $7,854 $10,834

Evaluation of Results: Overall, unit costs are in line with previous years. With a general inflation rate of two to three percent annually, we are

making all possible efforts to hold down costs.

The cost of pedestrian and winter/motorized trail construction/reconstruction remains considerably above Forest Plan estimates. These costs are

high per mile in FY 96 because we were completing planning and design work for future construction/reconstruction projects which, for 1996, did not

produce any miles on the ground. For example, we completed an inventory of reconstruction needs on the Marienville ATV trail; identified and set

priorities for additional snowmobile connector projects; and completed the Little Drummer Trail brochures, signing and seeding.

Unit costs for wildlife and fish habitat improvement are up when compared to the past five years. Inflation and overhead have caused an increase

primarily for seeding and planting. We are emphasizing the planting of large stock, native shrubs and are doing some warm-season grass seeding.

Both have increased costs.

Road construction/reconstruction costs increased in FY 95. The increase in unit costs for road construction is primarily due to the relatively low

quantity of road work done. This figure also includes the construction of a parking lot at the Marienville Ranger District administrative site. For

road reconstruction, 7 miles of FR 262 were reconstructed in FY 96 ,and the associated costs are included in this figure. Credit for these miles was

not taken in FY 96, but will be taken in FY 97 when work on the guiderails has been completed.

LANDS

Summary of National Forest Land Adjustments by MA

Method of Measure: Keeping a continuing tabulation of land adjustments.

Monitoring Results: See Table 38.

TABLE 38: SUMMARYOF NATIONAL FOREST LAND ADJUSTMENTS

Mgmt Acres Acquired Acres Disposed of Net Change
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Area in FY 96 in FY 96 since 1986

1.0 0 0 0

2.0 0 0 0

3.0 0 0 718

5.0 0 0 0

6.1 36.59 .69 1,483

6.2 0 0 0

6.3 0 0 0

6.4 0 0 0

7.0 0 0 0

8.0 0 0 300

9.1 0 0 300

Totals 36.59 0 2,501

Evaluation of Results: In FY 96, two adjustments wer made to the total land base of the Allegheny National Forest. Those adjustments, disposal of

.69 acre of MA 6.1 in Highland Township, Elk County, and acquisition of 36.59 acres in Tionesta Township, Forest County (allocated to MA 6.1),

resulted in an overall increase of 36 acres of National Forest land.

RESEARCH, ADMINISTRATIVE STUDIES AND

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

Research needs were identified in the Forest Plan [36 CFR 219.7(e)]. Since 1986, when implementation of the Forest Plan began, ANF personnel

have followed three paths to accomplish needed research. First, we have worked with scientists to develop formal research studies that will answer

our research needs. Research studies are conducted to advance the frontiers of scientific knowledge and to test hypotheses of broad forest

management interest. Second, we can use administrative studies to test solutions proposed by Research that we believe will work within our

boundaries and our administrative and management framework. Third, when we believe that information already available suggests a probable

solution for problems that we face, but these solutions are accompanied by uncertainty, we can use an adaptive management approach. To us,

adaptive management means defining expected outcomes and designing methods to measure responses to the implementation of proposed

solutions, monitoring results with planned measurements and analyses, learning from the comparisons between expected and actual outcomes, and

changing actions and plans according to what we learn. In the sections that follow, we describe ongoing applications of all three approaches to

meeting research needs.

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION AND INVENTORY (EC&I)

This is a cooperative and partnership project between Penn State University Office for Remote Sensing of Earth Resources (ORSER), Clarion

University Department of Biology, and the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). The objective is to produce ecological land type maps, associated

resource interpretations, and soil/site - vegetation relationship information for project and long term planning, and long term monitoring.

Status: The following are major EC&I accomplishments:

The process of validating road and stream locations and computer landtype mapping unit descriptions and mapping continues with ORSER (George

Baumer and Mike Anderson).

Clarion University (Dr. Charles Williams) and the ANF started "ground truthing" of the sideslope landform mapping units this past summer.

Assessment of slope forest communities was initiated using a stratified transect approach and 500m2 sampling plots. Forest overstory, herbaceous

layer, soils, and large woody debris were quantified in plots.

Three new long-term riparian study sites were assessed during the summer of 1996: Wade Run 1, Spring Box 1, and Slash 1. Forest overstory,

herbaceous layer, soils, and large woody debris were quantified in permanent plots.

Dr. Williams, George Baumer and ANF personnel presented posters on riparian areas and vegetation at the Appalachian Assessment meeting and

at the National Ecological Society meeting.

EVALUATION OF TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR CROSSINGS ON RIPARIAN PLANT COMMUNITIES

This is an ANF partnership with Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Dr. Charles Williams and Darrin Rubino - Masters Candidate).

Headwater riparian plant communities of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) are typically more diverse than upland forest communities of the
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region. As part of a project that is researching the influence of past and present land use on forest-stream linkages in the ANF, we examined

structure and diversity of riparian vegetation in petroleum and electric transmission corridors and in adjacent riparian forest to determine the

compositional distinctness of these plant communities and how corridor clearing in riparian zones may affect adjacent forest composition.

Preliminary findings to date include:

Total plant cover and species richness in the herbaceous layer (all plants < 1m in height) was greater in transmission corridors than in adjacent

riparian forest. The vegetation composition of open, light-rich corridors was generally unlike that in forested floodplains, although similarity in

composition also varied across corridor sites.

Alien or non-native plant species were more important in cover and frequency in corridors than in adjacent riparian forest. However, the data do not

support the hypothesis that corridors serve as invasion foci for alien species into riparian forest. Instead, it appears that the generally shadeintolerant alien plant species associated with corridors are unable to invade forested riparian sites because of low light availability, substrate, or

other environmental conditions.

IMPACTS OF GLYPHOSATE AND SULFOMETURON METHYL ON DIVERSITY OF PLANTS AND WILDLIFE IN ALLEGHENY

HARDWOODS

This is a cooperative research project between the Allegheny National Forest and the Northeast Forest Experiment Station in Irvine, PA. It is

scheduled to be completed in 2005. The prinicpal investigators are Dr. Stephen B. Horsley and Dr. David S. deCalesta.

Problem Statement: The effects of the operational herbicide applications in use on the Allegheny National Forest on wildlife habitat and non-target

organisms need to be better 3understood. This study will examine the impacts of the herbicides glyphosate and sulfometuron methyl on songbirds,

tree seedling development, non-arborescent vascular plants, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Status: After completing herbicide treatments on half of each study site in late summer 1994, a full round of plant and animal measurements was

collected during the spring and summer of 1995. Regeneration development was slowed by drought conditions in 1995, however abundance of

seedlings in treated areas increased during 1996.

During the '95 -'96 winter season, shelterwood seed cuts were conducted in the six study areas with high relative density to stimulate regeneration

after herbicide application in 1994. Small mammal, songbird, and amphibian/reptile censuses were performed in summer 1996 as were surveys of

tree seedlings and non-arborescent vascular plants. Four stands were resurveyed for wildlife habitat characteristics, which will be part of a larger

survey (27 stands) that correlates wildlife habitat measurements with frequency and abundance of individual wildlife species and with species

composition of wildlife communities. A deer pellet group count was conducted at each study site to provide an up-dated estimate of deer density in

the area surrounding study sites. These pellet group counts revealed that deer densities ranged from 13 to 43 deer per square mile.

Summer 1997 is an off-year for data collection, there will be no plant or wildlife data collected.

Publications in 1996:

Ristau, T., Horsley, S. B. 1996. Seasonal variations of non-arborescent vascular species diversity in Allegheny hardwoods. Bull Ecol Soc Amer

77(3)part 2:376. Abstract.

IMPACTS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER BROWSING ON FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

This study is being conducted cooperatively by the Northeast Forest Experiment Station, Irvine, PA; Allegheny National Forest; State University of

New York, Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF); and the National Biological Service (NBS).

Principal investigators are Dr. Susan Stout and Dr. David S. deCalesta, NEFES; Dr. William Porter and Dr. Richard Lawrence, SUNY-ESF; and Dr.

Brian Underwood, NBS.

Problem Statement: Herbivory by white-tailed deer has been shown to influence the diversity and sustainability of forest ecosystems.

Status: We continued to conduct research on this problem on three fronts in 1996. Data analysis from a 10-year study of forest ecosystems

maintained with enclosed deer densities of 10, 20, 38, and 64 deer per square mile focused on the impact of deer on herbaceous plants, and a draft

manuscript was prepared. Dr. Richard Lawrence, a post-doctoral fellow with the State University of New York developed the methodology for a

study of the effective scale for measurement and management of deer impact, and presented the results of this work at the national meeting of the Wildlife Society in October, 1996. Also in October, an expert panel of wildlife biologists and forest ecologists was convened to develop a

characterization of critical and manageable differences in wildlife habitat for this study. The timber sale associated with the Allegheny National

Forest administrative study related to this problem was sold in 1996, and cutting will begin in 1997. This study is a partnership between the Marienville Ranger District and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory that focuses on intensified cutting within a forest compartment as a tool to

increase diversity of plant and animal communities. It is described later in this section.

Publications in 1996:

Horsley, Stephen B. 1996. Interaction of deer density and understory lighting with height of red maple seedlings in Allegheny hardwood stands. In:

14th North American Forest Biology Workshop: Forest management impacts on ecosystem processes; 1996 June 16-20; Quebec City, Canada. 48.

Abstract.

Stout, S.L. and R. Lawrence. 1996. Deer in Allegheny Plateau Forests: Learning the lessons of scale. In: Society of American Foresters.
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Proceedings of the 1995 Society of American Foresters Convention. 1995 October 28-November 1; Portland, ME. Society of American Foresters

Publication SAF-96-01. Bethesda, MD: Society of American Foresters: 92-98.

Styer, J., Carson, W., Walter C., and Horsley S. B. 1996. The impact of white-tailed deer on the seed banks of two second-growth forests in the

Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania. Bull Ecol Soc Amer 77(3)part 2:429. Abstract.

SNAG AND LOG MANAGEMENT IN MIXED SPECIES HARDWOOD FORESTS ON THE ALLEGHENY PLATEAU

This administrative study is being conducted by Dr. Christopher A. Nowak, Research Forester, and Dr. David S. deCalesta, Research Wildlife

Biologist, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA, and Scott Reitz, Wildlife Biologist, and Stan Kobielski, Silviculturist, Bradford

Ranger District, Allegheny National Forest, Bradford, PA. It is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

Problem statement: Most managed second-growth forests have relatively low amounts of both snags and logs compared to unmanaged secondgrowth or true old-growth forests. Research already completed has shown the amounts of snags and logs found in true old growth in the Allegheny

National Forest region, and research completed elsewhere has shown that cultural creation of those elements where they are missing can enhance

habitat. This may enhance the functions and values of a stand by providing habitat for many wildlife communities. This study will test the local

applicability of these existing research results and ensure optional local use of them. Few guidelines currently exist to direct snag and log

management in Allegheny Plateau forests.

Objectives: 1) to determine which snag creation method is locally most effective, 2) to determine when cultured snags and logs become useful; by

what wildlife; for how long, and 3) determine if the pattern of snag and log creation elicits different responses in wildlife communities. The study is

being conducted in two stands, each with two 10 acre areas of scattered, cultured snags and logs and 10 acres of untreated area. Snags were created

by topping or girdling.

Status: Pretreatment data were collected during the spring and summer of 1995, including live and dead vegetation structure, site characteristics,

small mammals, songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. Treatments were applied during the winter of 1995-1996. A follow-up treatment of live trees to

create more snags will be done during the winter of 1996-1997. The first post-treatment measurements were collected during the spring and summer

of 1996.

DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF OLD-GROWTH ON THE ALLEGHENY PLATEAU

This research study is being conducted by Dr. Christopher A. Nowak, Research Forester, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA.

Problem Statement: General definitions for old-growth forest exist for the Eastern U.S., but preservation, restoration, and maintenance activities for

old-growth requires forest cover type and locale-specific definitions.

Objectives: 1) to characterize forest structure and wildlife communities in the true old-growth hemlock-beech forests in the Tionesta Scenic and

Research Natural Areas and 2) compare the forest attributes and functions of true old-growth with unmanaged and managed second-growth. The

study is being conducted in 15 stands, seven in the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas and the rest scattered throughout the ANF.

Status: The study plan was formulated in June 1993. Field work was completed in spring 1994. Preliminary analysis of data regarding forest

structure (with emphasis on coarse woody debris) and specific wildlife communities (songbirds, small mammals, and amphibians) has been

completed. Differences in vegetation and wildlife have been found among stands as a function of stand age and management (unmanaged vs.

managed). Publications are being written that will define old-growth hemlock-beech on the Allegheny Plateau. Deer density has been quantified

across the Tionesta Area for each of the last three years, and has generally been between 40-45 deer per square mile.

ECOSYSTEM RESPONSE TO INTENSIFIED CUTTING WITHIN A FOREST COMPARTMENT

This administrative study is being conducted by Pam Valentine, Wildlife Biologist, Lois DeMarco, Silviculturist, Allegheny National Forest, Dr.

Susan Stout, Research Forester, and Jim Redding, Forester, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA. It is scheduled for completion in

2003.

Problem Statement: Understanding deer-forest interactions is critical to sustaining Allegheny Plateau forests. Research has shown that the

population of deer has an effect on the understory vegetation that develops following different management treatments. The scale at which deer

population dynamics respond to plant communities is of the order of square kilometers or square miles, while plant communities respond at a much

smaller scale to local disturbances and deer impact. One of the critical elements of ecosystem management is understanding interactions that cross

scales.

Objectives: Objectives of the study are 1) to test the effect of additional cutting on development of advance regeneration (tree seedlings) stocking in

final removal cuts and in stands left uncut, 2) to test the impact of this sequence of cutting on species composition and diversity of the tree

regeneration (research work linked with this study will look at effects on herbaceous plant and songbird communities.)

Status: Responses to intensified cutting in the Porter's Prize Opportunity Area, beginning in 1988, have shown that where forest management

creates abundant forage on the landscape, deer impact is reduced. In 1995 and 1996, we collected data on plants and birds in selected stands within

the Porter's Prize area prior to a second round of timber harvest scheduled to begin in 1996-97. We continue to monitor deer density through spring

pellet group counts. These showed a mean deer density of 41.5 deer per square mile in this study area in 1996.

Publications:
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A paper describing the preliminary results of this study was published in the Proceedings of the 1995 National Convention of the Society of

American Foresters.

Stout, S.L.; deCalesta, D.S.; DeMarco, L. 1996. Can silviculture change deer impact? In: Society of American Foresters. Proceedings, Proceedings

of the 1995 Society of American Foresters Convention. 1995 October 28-November 1; Portland, ME. Society of American Foresters Publication

SAF-96-01. Bethesda, MD: Society of American Foresters: 437-438.

OPERATIONAL TESTS OF UNEVEN-AGE SILVICULTURE IN MANAGEMENT AREA 2.0

This administrative study is being conducted by Marian Keegan, Forester, Ridgway Ranger District, Allegheny National Forest, and Dr. Susan

Stout, Research Forester, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA, and is scheduled for completion in 2002.

Problem Statement: Implementation of uneven-age silviculture on the Allegheny National Forest faces many challenges. These are the impact of

deer browsing on development of new age classes of trees, insect and disease problems in sugar maple, limited establishment and survival of

eastern hemlock seedlings, the competitive influence of dense understories of fern, grass, American beech root suckers, and striped maple, and the

advancing front of the beech bark disease complex. Yet the Forest Plan calls for practicing uneven-age silviculture throughout Management Area

2.0. Previous research has shown that uneven-age treatments in Allegheny hardwoods lead to the establishment of sparse and unsatisfactory

regeneration where interfering plants are present. Other research has led to the development of techniques which effectively remove this interfering

vegetation. The Allegheny National Forest needs to make a formal test of the results of uneven-age silvicultural treatments and reforestation

practices on an operational basis.

Objectives: To test the conditions that result from using reforestation activities to help initiate the transition to uneven-aged management on the

Hoffman Farm project area, Ridgway Ranger District, ANF.

Status: Pre-treatment measurements on all study areas were completed in the spring and summer of 1995. Treatments on two of the five study

areas were completed during the winter of 1995-1996, and data were collected in those stands to characterize regeneration, herbaceous plant

communities, songbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. The other three study areas were harvested during the late fall of 1996, and post-treatment

measurements on those areas will be collected in 1997. Deer pellet group counts conducted in the area of this administrative study during the spring

of 1996 indicated that overwintering deer density in the area averaged 32.5 deer per square mile.

In addition, data were collected to characterize regeneration on all operational uneven-age harvest cuts conducted on the Allegheny National Forest

since plan implementation. Preliminary analyses of these data suggest that the practice of uneven-age management is improving, but confirm the

importance of interfering plants and the difficulty of obtaining regeneration under this system.

PIN CHERRY EFFECTS ON ALLEGHENY HARDWOOD STAND DEVELOPMENT

This study is being conducted by Dr. Stephen B. Horsley and Todd Ristau, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA. It is scheduled to

be completed in 1997.

Problem statement: Pin cherry is an important pioneer species found throughout the northern hardwood forest region. Its seed can persist in forest

floors for fifty or more years, and germinates in response to disturbance, such as during stand regeneration. When such disturbances occur in areas

of low deer impact, like inside fences or where deer densities are locally low, pin cherry can interfere with the survival of longer lived species,

especially those intolerant of shade. This study is intended to determine the effects of different levels of pin cherry density on stand development

patterns and processes.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to 1) describe the similarities and differences among stand development patterns in stands that

originate with high vs. low densities of pin cherry; and 2) identify levels of pin cherry density that interfere with the survival of longer-lived species.

Status: Using data from three previously established long-term studies, we have shown the patterns of development in stands with high vs. low pin

cherry densities from stand establishment through 70 years. We have identified threshhold densities of pin cherry that interfere with the survival of

longer-lived species when those trees are of seedling origin and when those trees include trees of stump sprout origin.

Publications: In addition to the publications listed below, two additional reports are expected.

Horsley, S. B. and Ristau, T. 1996. Pin cherry ef ects on Allegheny hardwood stand development I. Short-term impacts. Proc. NE Weed Sci Soc

50:49. Abstract.

Ristau, T. and Horsley, S. B. 1996. Pin cherry ef ects on Allegheny hardwood stand development II. Long-term impacts. Proc. NE Weed Sci Soc

50:50. Abstract.

Horsley, S. B. and Ristau, T. 1996. Pin cherry influences development of Allegheny hardwood stands. Bull Ecol Soc Amer 77(3)part 2:203.

Abstract.

SUGAR MAPLE HEALTH

Two research thrusts are being made in this problem area. One focuses on the role of soil nutrition on health, growth and vigor of sugar maple trees

and regeneration and has two parts:

Part 1 investigates the impact of forest liming on sugar maple vigor and regeneration (Lime study). This is a joint study of the Pennsylvania
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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry and the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Principal investigators

include Paul Lilja, Dr. Tom Hall, and Dr. Barry Towers for the Bureau of Forestry, and Dr. Stephen Horsley (Warren, PA) and Dr. Robert Long

(Delaware, OH) for the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. Additional research collaborators include: Dr. Phil Wargo (NEFES, Hamden CT),

Dr. Dave DeWalle (Penn State), Dr. Carolyn McQuattie (NEFES, Delaware OH), Dr. Tom Pauley (Marshal Univ.).

Part 2 investigates the distribution of calcium and magnesium along topographic gradients in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New

York (Gradient study). This is a collaborative study between the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, the Pennsylvania Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources, the Allegheny National Forest, International Paper Co., the New York Department of Conservation and

Natural Resources and private landowners. Principle investigators include Dr. Stephen Horsley (Warren PA), Dr. Robert Long (Delaware OH), Dr.

Scott Bailey (Hubbard Brook NH), Dr. Phil Wargo (Hamden CT) for the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Dr. Tom Hall for the

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Dr. Dave DeWalle for Penn State University.

The second thrust uses remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS study) to pinpoint the amount and location of sugar maple

mortality across northern Pennsylvania, including the Allegheny National Forest, and to correlate the mortality with many hypothesized causal

factors. Principal investigators for this study are Dr. Susan Stout of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Warren, PA, and Dr. Gary

Petersen of the Pennsylvania State University.

Problem Statement: Since the late 1970s, sugar maple across the northern tier of Pennsylvania has been suffering from a decline syndrome.

Droughts, insect defoliations, disease organisms, forest management, atmospheric pollutants, and soils are all hypothesized contributors to this

decline. A better understanding of the ecological mechanisms associated with the decline, and of its extent, is needed.

Objectives: The objectives of the two research thrusts are: 1) to understand the causes of maple decline and 2) to document the extent of sugar

maple mortality across the northern tier of Pennsylvania using remote sensing and geographic information systems data. Objectives for the two

parts of thrust 1 are: Lime study- to understand the impact of lime on health, growth, vigor and nutrition of sugar maple. Gradient study- to

determine the distribution of calcium and magnesium with topographic position on glaciated and unglaciated sites.

Status: Several meetings of scientists and natural resource managers occurred during 1996 to focus attention on the health of sugar maple and the

dynamics of soil nutrients in the northeastern United States and to highlight results obtained from the liming and gradient studies.

Analysis of the Lime study data has shown that addition of lime had significant impacts on sugar maple, but had no effect on black cherry or

American beech; lime increased sugar maple crown vigor, survival, diameter and basal area growth, flower and seed crop production, numbers and

survival of sugar maple seedlings. Analysis of sugar maple foliage showed that calcium and magnesium were at deficiency levels in unlimed trees,

but were well within the sufficiency range for limed trees. Conclusions based on foliar data were supported by analysis of soil and soil leachate

chemistry data. Studies of the impact of lime on Armillaria root rot fungus, localization of calcium, magnesium, aluminum and manganese in roots

and leaves of sugar maple seedlings and the impact of lime on amphibian population were begun in 1996, but results are not yet available.

Five Gradient study sites were established in 1995 and an additional 14 sites in 1996. Foliage samples collected in August 1995 from the first five

sites suggest that soil extractable concentrations of calcium and magnesium are lower at upslope than at downslope topographic positions and on

unglaciated compared with glaciated sites. These data are supported by soil leachate chemistry data taken at the sites. Data on overstory health,

soil nutrient status and populations of Armillaria root rot fungus were collected from these sites in 1996, but results are not yet available. In

addition, foliage samples were collected from 14 other sites in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York; overstory health and soils

data will be collected in 1997.

Explorations of patterns in the mortality suggested that mortality was worse at higher elevations, especially above 2,000 feet; that mortality was

worse on unglaciated than on glaciated soils; and that liming in 1985 had resulted in increased crown vigor, flower and seed production in overstory

sugar maple, although neither beech nor black cherry showed a response to lime. Satellite imagery from the summer of 1994 is being obtained for

comparison with aerial photographs of decline areas, in an effort to determine the extent of the decline.

Publications

Lime study

Long, R. P., Horsley, S. B. and Lilja, P. submitted. Impact of forest liming on growth, vigor and regeneration of sugar maple and associated

hardwoods. Can Jour For Res.

Long, R. P. and Horsley, S. B. in press. Sugar maple health and nutrient status: Liming ef ects on growth, vigor, seed crops, regeneration and

foliage chemistry in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Proc. Calcium dynamics workshop. Abstract.

Long, R. P., Horsley, S. B. and Lilja, P. 1996. Nutrient status and sugar maple health: liming ef ects on growth, vigor, seed crops, regeneration, and

foliage chemistry in northcentral Pennsylvania. Proc. North Amer For Biol Workshop 14:74. Abstract.

Gradient study

Horsley, S. B. and Long, R. P. in press. Sugar maple foliage chemistry along unglaciated and glaciated northern Allegheny Plateau topographic

gradients. Proc. Calcium dynamics workshop. Abstract.

GIS study

Bills, Brian. 1996. Analyzing relationships between site quality and sugar maple decline in the Allegheny National Forest using GIS. MS Thesis,
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Penn State University.

Stout, S. L., Nowak, C., Horsley, S. B., Long, R. P., White, R., McWilliams, W. H., Omer, J., Lilja, P. 1996. Forest health on Pennsylvania's

Allegheny Plateau. Proc. Ann Meeting Soc. Amer. For. 1995:435-436. Abstract.

EFFECTS OF GYPSY MOTH EGG MASS DENSITIES ON SHELTERWOOD AND SEED TREE CUTS ON THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL

FOREST

This research study is being conducted by Dr. Rose-Marie Muzika, Research Ecologist, Dr. Kurt Gottschalk, Project Leader, and David Feicht,

Forester, Northeast Forest Experiment Station, Morgantown, WV. It is scheduled to be completed in 2000.

Problem Statement: As a result of repeated gypsy moth defoliation, drought, and the action of secondary organisms, significant acreages on the

ANF have developed substantial tree mortality. Increasing acreages have very low (overstory) stocking with valuable trees that are highly

susceptible to defoliation. Are these stands with low residual stocking at higher risk of defoliation with lower densities of gypsy moth egg masses

than are currently used as spray thresholds?

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the susceptibility of shelterwood seed cut areas to defoliation where egg mass densities are low.

2. To evaluate the effects of expected defoliation on vulnerability to mortality of residual trees in regeneration cuts.

3. To evaluate tree regeneration response under various residual stocking levels as well as the effects of gypsy moth defoliation of tree seedlings.

Status: Study areas were established in 1991 on the ANF and State Game Lands 29. Egg mass density data was collected through 1993.

Evaluation of susceptability (Objective 1) and vulnerability of residual trees (Objective 2) was discontinued in 1994 due to the treatment of all study

plots on the ANF with B.t. The B.t. treatments were necessary to minimize potential mortality of planted oak seedlings from expected gypsy moth

defoliation. Replanting costs would be high. This B.t. treatment compromised the several years of gypsy moth population data that were being

monitored in these shelterwoods. No further overstory data collection is planned at this time.

Tree regeneration (seedling) response (Objective 3) has been remeasured every year since 1991. The fifth year survey was conducted in 1995. The

next scheduled remeasurement will be in the year 2000. Tree seedling development data is still important due to the timely bumper acorn crop in

1990. Through the end of 1995, the number of oak seedlings greater than one foot tall has gradually increased inside the fenced shelterwoods to

around 1,200/acre, while the number has declined in the unfenced shelterwoods, and no oak larger than one foot tall was recorded in 1995 in the

control (fully stocked) stands. This same pattern holds true for black cherry and other commercial hardwoods (birch, red maple, etc.) in these

stands.

REGENERATING NORTHERN RED OAK ON THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST USING TREE SHELTERS

Principal Investigators: Thomas M. Schuler, Research Forester, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Parsons, WV, with cooperation from Bob

White, Silviculturist, Allegheny National Forest, Warren, PA and Andrea Hille, Forester, Bradford Ranger District, Bradford, PA. This research

study is scheduled for completion in 2010.

Problem Statement: Regeneration of northern red oak on good to excellent growing sites is a common problem throughout the eastern and central

United States. Natural regeneration methods are still being tested and depend on existing natural seedlings of sufficient size and quantity to be

successful. Adequate natural stocking of this advanced regeneration is an uncommon situation in many of today's forests. A possible alternative to

natural regeneration is the use of plastic tree shelters in conjunction with a planted seedling. This is a method that has been widely adopted on the

Allegheny, Monongahela and other eastern National Forests. However, detailed silvicultural prescriptions regarding the use of tree shelters have

not been tested, and information about the long-term results does not exist.

Objectives: Many environmental variables could influence the success or failure of regenerating a stand with the use of tree shelters. Some of those

discussed which are relevant to the conditions on the ANF include the use of herbicides to control competing vegetation, tube height and color, stake

material, the use of nets on top of the shelter, competing species and height of competing vegetation, the use of fencing to prevent or reduce deer

browsing of the natural regeneration, site quality or land type association, age of planting stock, quality of planting stock, planting technique, month

planted, and density of residual overstory.

After evaluation, it was decided to initially investigate only the role of residual overstory density and competing understory density on the height

growth and survival of northern red oak seedlings planted in white shelters. Study sites would incorporate existing operational efforts by the ANF

staff and not establish any new experimental sites.

Status: Study sites were established in May 1995, and initial measurements were taken on 400 trees from different stands. Residual basal area of

the overstory trees ranged from an average of 14.5 to 62.8 square feet per acre.

Height of the sheltered seedlings and height and species composition of the competing vegetation were measured again in May 1996.

Approximately 10 percent of all the shelters were repaired usually because of a broken stake. In July 1996, 19 trees were minimally released to

prevent overtopping by competing vegetation. The release procedure is experimental and only removes the branches that are overtopping the

sheltered tree, leaving the majority of the competing vegetation. The next planned field activity will be to remeasure the surviving trees in May

1997.
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First year observations suggested that growth rates declined as overstory basal area increased. Following the second year of measurements, it was

possible to measure the growth, and the results correspond with initial observations (Table 1). The two stands with the highest residual overstory

basal area (i.e., about 60 square feet per acre) exhibited a sheltered seedling growth rate of about 0.5 feet in the 1995 growing season; whereas the

two stands with lower levels of basal area (i.e., about 15 and 31 square feet, respectively) had an average growth rate of just over 1.0 ft.

In the two stands with lower basal area, about half of the surviving seedlings have emerged from the top of the shelter. Many of the seedlings

reached the top of the shelter with the nets still intact. The nets are used to prevent birds from entering the shelter and becoming entrapped. This

almost always caused a serious deformity in the stem of the sheltered seedling. Many of these were clipped back below the deformity to prevent

future problems associated with poor form. Our observations clearly indicate the need for net removal before the stem grows tall enough to contact

the net. Nets with larger openings in the fabric reduced the chances of deformity, but some still occurred.

While growth rates are significantly related to the residual overstory density, much of the variation in growth rates can not be explained by this

variable alone. Among the multitude of other potentially significant explanatory variables, it appears that the competing vegetation is going to play

an increasingly important role in determining sheltered seedling survival and growth. The stand with the lowest level of residual overstory density is

dominated by red maple regeneration which has been heavily browsed but has grown above browse height in some areas of the stand. Competing

vegetation in the other stand with relatively open conditions is characterized by a much more diverse array of species, including grasses, ferns,

shrubs, and some tree species. The height growth of this suite of species appears to be much less of a threat to the continued survival of the

sheltered oaks than in the stand dominated by red maple. Browsing has undoubtedly had a major effect on the natural regeneration in both stands

and has actually benefited the sheltered oaks by slowing the growth of the competing vegetation.

The interaction between sheltered seedling growth, residual overstory density, and competing understory vegetation is an important aspect of this

study. Past efforts have shown that sheltered seedlings demonstrate the greatest growth rates in full sunlight. The drawback to this is that so does

the competing vegetation. Our objective is to establish the desired species in the newly created stand following overstory removal. It is our desire to

find a level of stocking that favors sheltered seedling development while minimizing the competition from natural regeneration of undesirable

species. Continued monitoring and analysis of these stands may provide some important insights into this complex problem.

Stand level characteristics of ANF study sites and sheltered seedlings

using measurements taken in May 1996.

ID Basal Area1

(sq ft/ac)

Date of

Origin2

Survival

(%)

Height -

May 1995

(feet)

Height -

May 1996

(feet)

Sample

Size

Remarks

411-1 62.8 1991 82 3.1 3.6 100 by aspen

411-2 14.5 1992 99 4.3 5.3 100 behind gate

424-3 31.8 1991 80 3.9 5.0 100 spring

424-4 59.4 1993 78 1.5 2.1 100 oil tank

1 - Stand average residual overstory basal areas as measured in May 1995.

2 - Planted prior to the onset of the growing season in the year specified.

USING AN ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATED TO TREE SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT IN

OAK, UPLAND HARDWOOD, AND NORTHERN HARDWOOD FOREST TYPES

Development of an adaptive management strategy to regenerate stands having a low black cherry seed source has been a cooperative venture

between the Ecosystem Management Team of the Allegheny National Forest and scientists at the NEFES Forestry Sciences Lab in Irvine, PA.

Primary responsibility lies with Lois DeMarco and Bob White on the ANF and with Dr. Susan Stout and Dr. Stephen Horsley at NEFES. District

silviculturists Stan Kobielski and Steve Wingate are responsible for recommending specific sites to include in the study and ensuring that prescribed

treatments occur.

Problem Statement: As reported in the 1995 Monitoring and Evaluation Report, the Forest is concerned about the mix of tree species and the low

number of seedlings of species other than black cherry and black birch which are developing in these forest types. Selective browsing by whitetailed deer, dense interfering plants, and erratic seed production all play a role in limiting seedling development. Strategies are needed to

regenerate other species. In response to this situation, the Forest has initiated an adaptive management approach to find answers to management

questions related to seedling development and composition in regenerating stands.

Adaptive management is a process which allows existing and evolving research findings to be blended with applied management actions. By

carefully monitoring preliminary results and being flexible in applying subsequent actions, successful management objectives can be attained while

furthering overall knowledge. By placing a strong emphasis on understanding the starting conditions, the series of management actions or

environmental events which take place, and the response to actions and events, we will be able to generate an increased understanding of patterns

and levels of seedling development.

Objectives: Our objectives for this adaptive management strategy are the following: 1) to develop full stocking of advance regeneration of a variety

of species appropriate to each forest type, and 2) to make final harvests in stands of each forest type which have good advance regeneration and
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achieve full stocking and establishment of a variety of appropriate species.

Status: Three work plans were developed in 1996 to address the needs of the different forest types. Progress on each is described in the following

paragraphs.

The Oak Type

The first step in developing an adaptive management approach for the oak type was to determine under what conditions, if any, had successful oak

regeneration become established during the last 25 years. Field visits were made to stands which had been regenerated since the early 1970's. While we do not have data which describes the conditions which existed at the time of treatment, and in some cases do not have a complete picture

of stand treatment history, we did find that oak seedlings have been successfully established in some stands. The following is a summary of what we

have observed.

 ̈ Oak seedlings were established on some sites through natural regeneration processes. Most of the cases followed some kind of catastrophic event

such as tornado, wildfire, or tree mortality associated with severe drought and insect defoliation.

 ̈ Some of these stands are in areas where low levels of deer impact exist (i.e., adjacent to farmland, high levels of 0-20 year age class, etc.).

 ̈ Oak seedlings have become successfully established by planting and protecting stems with tree shelters.

 ̈ It was evident in some of the older (10-25 year old) stands that oak had been established early on in the life of the stand, however it had become or

was becoming over-topped by faster growing species such as red maple, black birch and black cherry. Tree mortality was occurring, thereby

removing some of the oak component from these stands. This is occurring in stands regenerated both through natural and artificial regeneration

methods.

Based on these observations, we intend to implement a series of regeneration treatments in oak stands focusing on the following:

 ̈ Overstory tree stocking needs to be lowered sufficiently to allow adequate light to reach the forest floor for seedling establishment to occur.

 ̈ Seedbed preparation could include herbicide application or prescribed burning to remove vegetation which competes with developing oak

seedlings.

 ̈ Continued monitoring following the removal cut will be needed to ensure the retention of oak as the stand develops. Release treatments

(mechanical, manual or prescribed burn) will be applied to see what works best under a variety of conditions.

Stand selection is taking place in the Wolf/Pigeon and Grunder/Morrison project areas. Implementation could begin in 1997 or 1998.

The Upland Hardwood Type

Working with scientists at the Forestry Sciences Lab, Irvine, PA, the Forest developed an action plan which outlines a series of regeneration

prescriptions which will be applied in upland hardwood stands which have low stocking of black cherry. It is believed that deer impact, light quality

and the length of time needed for seedlings to develop are the three most critical factors which must be considered in regeneration prescriptions for

upland hardwood stands. The purpose of this phase of adaptive management will be to determine the ranges and combinations of tree harvest and/or

reforestation treatments which will encourage the development of red maple seedlings. Stand selection is taking place in the South Branch Willow

Creek and the North Fork Chapel Creek project areas. Implementation could begin in 1997 or 1998.

The Northern Hardwood Type

The action plan for the northern hardwood type included revising regeneration standards for uneven-aged management treatments and the

completion of a formal analysis of regeneration success in selected stands where uneven-aged prescriptions have been implemented (see next

subsection). These tasks have both been completed. Implementation and monitoring has continued to occur in both the Hoffman Farm and Porter's

Prize Administrative Study areas. Both of these studies are expected to contribute to developing strategies for treating northern hardwood stands.

In 1997, we will use a similar process as was used in the oak type to determine under what conditions successful northern hardwood regeneration

has occurred. We then plan to develop a treatment strategy for this forest type.

Results: The following discussion summarizes the results of the recent analysis of regeneration success in selected Northern hardwood stands

where uneven-aged prescriptions have been implemented.

ASSESSING RESIDUAL STANDS AND REGENERATION WHERE UNEVEN-AGE SILVICULTURE HAS BEEN APPLIED, 1988- 1994

Forest managers on the Allegheny plateau have questioned the viability of uneven-age silvicultural systems (UEA) for many years because of the

regeneration challenges associated with these systems: long periods of exposure to deer browsing and widespread difficulty in regenerating eastern

hemlock and sugar maple. Since 1986, the Allegheny National Forest has been applying UEA prescriptions in areas where multiple resource

objectives precluded the use of even-age silvicultural systems and to comply with the 1986 Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. In 1996, Forest personnal undertook a project to assess these areas to determine if modifications in prescription application are

needed, and to complement emerging results from the Hoffman Farm administrative study.

During the summer of 1996, field data were collected in thirty-five stands totalling 749 of the 2,027 acres that received UEA silvicultural treatments

between 1988 and 1994. Both understory and overstory woody vegetation were recorded. Understory data were evaluated to determine seedling

species composition and regeneration stocking levels, and the kind and quantity of plants likely to interfere with the development of tree seedlings.
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Overstory data were evaluated to determine species composition, forest type, and to calculate relative stand densities and residual stand structures.

Uneven-age silvicultural guidelines suggest a residual stand structure in which the number of trees per acre per size class decreases in a regular and

predictable way as tree size class increases. We grouped the sample stands into five structure classes according to the extent to which they met

these residual stand structures. We then assessed understory responses by structure class.

Even in the most successful areas - stands that have residual stand structures like, or close to, the recommended structure - levels of seedling

stocking were barely adequate to meet the minimum stocking requirements. Minimally stocked conditions were also found in stands where structure

meets recommended levels for sapling and pole size classes and exceeds recommended levels of sawtimber. Stands with excess trees in just the

sapling and pole classes, or excess trees in all size classes had extremely low seedling stocking. Black cherry was the most common species found,

across all forest types and structure classes.

Stocking of fern and grass, known to interfere with the development of tree seedlings, was high enough in all structure classes to inhibit seedling

development. Levels of seedlings and saplings in species like striped maple and beech that competitively eliminate species like cherry and the

maples were quite variable. None of the stands included in the assessment had received herbicide treatment.

Stands treated early in the period were more likely to have inappropriate residual stand structures and poor seedling stocking than stands treated in

recent years. This suggests that training provided to markers and prescribers concerning where to prescribe UEA silviculture and how to mark

stands with these prescriptions has been effective.

These results, combined with results that we will gain from the Uneven-age Administrative Study described elsewhere in this monitoring report,

suggest that we will be able to develop UEA silviculture practices that are effective in limited situations on the Allegheny National Forest. Of

particular concern in our future assessments of these and other stands will be the regeneration requirements for species more typically associated

with uneven-age silviculture treatments (sugar maple and hemlock), the long-term impact of fern, grass, striped maple and beech on the growth of

established seedlings, and the growth of trees in the smaller size classes.

ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE TIONESTA SCENIC AND RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS

The following is a listing of numerous on-going research projects currently underway in the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas and a brief

description of each:

UNDERSTORY VEGETATION CHANGES IN A VIRGIN FOREST. C. Nowak, USDA-Forest Service. 1942 to present. A periodic survey of 21

permanent milacres, understory vegetation.

THE ROLE OF HISTORY AND PATCH DYNAMICS IN THE REVEGETATION OF A CATASTROPHIC WINDTHROW IN AN OLDGROWTH BEECH-HEMLOCK FOREST. C. Peterson, University of Georgia; S. Pickett, Rutgers University. 1985 to present. A periodic survey

of permanent milacres for vegetation in the Scenic Area's 1985 tornado swath.

INFLUENCE OF FOREST INSECT DEFOLIATORS ON STREAM SOLUTE CHEMISTRY. G. Lewis, Cornell University. 199 to 1997. A

periodic survey of West Fork Run chemistry, before and after an irruption of elm spanworm.

CHARACTERIZATION OF OLD-GROWTH ON THE ALLEGHENY PLATEAU. C. Nowak and D. deCalesta, USDA-Forest Service. 1993 to

present. Survey of live and dead vegetation, songbirds (three summers), small mammals (one summer), and deer density (three winters) across a

chronosequence of seven stands, including three true-old-growth stands.

AMPHIBIAN COMMUNITIES IN A CHRONOSEQUENCE OF FOREST STANDS ON THE TIONESTA SCENIC AND RESEARCH

NATURAL AREAS. C. deCalesta, USDA-Forest Service; P. Dalby, Clarion University of Pennsylvania. 1995 to present. One summer survey of

amphibians across chronosequence of seven stands, including three true-old-growth stands.

ANALYSIS OF BAT SPECIES RICHNESS IN OLD-GROWTH VERSUS SECONDARY-GROWTH. T. Thalker and G. Walters, Clarion

University of Pennsylvania. 1996 to present. Summer survey of bats in two old-growth stands.

DENDROCHRONOLOGY OF TIONESTA RNA ACROSS A LANDSCAPE GRADIENT. C. Ruffner and M. Abrams, Pennsylvania State

University. 1996 to present. Ring analysis of trees in old-growth stands located on different topographic positions.

FOREST RECOVERY FROM CATASTROPHIC WINDTHROW. C. Peterson, University of Georgia. 1996 to present. Periodic survey of

permanent plots for vegetation in the Research Natural Area's 1994 tornado swath.

FUNGI, LICHEN AND NON-ARBORESCENT PLANT COMMUNITIES IN HEMLOCK-HARDWOOD OLD-GROWTH. E. Frank, retired,

Rutgers University; C. Nowak, USDA-Forest Service. 1997. One summer survey of fungi, lichen and non-arborescent plant communities in three

old-growth stands in the Tionesta Areas.

MONITORING PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE TIONESTA AREAS. B. Nelson, C. Nowak and D. deCalesta, USDAForest Service. 1997 to 2007. A periodic survey of songbirds and vegetation, including songbird habitat, in and around the Tionesta Areas.

GLOSSARY

ANF Allegheny National Forest
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ASQ Allowable Sale Quantity. The quantity of timber that can be sold from the Forest on an

annual basis.

ATV All-terrain vehicle.

BA Basal Area.

CATS Cumulative Accomplishments Tracking System. A Forest Service reporting system.

CDS Combined Data System. A forest Service reporting system.

CFR Code of FederalRegulations.

DBH Diameter at breast height. A tree measurement -- an estimated 44 feet from the ground.

DER Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalResources.

DFC Desired Future Condition.

EA Environmental Assessment. A document that describes the environmental analysis for a

proposed project to comply with the National Environmental Protection Act.

FEIS Final EnvironmentalImpact Statement.

FHP Forest Health Protection.

FR Forest Service Road.

FSM Forest Service Manual.

FY Fiscal Year.

MA Management Area.

MBF Thousand Board Feet (of timber).

MMBF Million Board Feet (of timber).

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act passed in 1980.

NFMA National Forest Management Act passed in 1976.
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NRA NationalRecreation Area.

OGM Oil, Gas and Minerals.

pH A scale for measuring acidity and alkalinity.

PL Public Law.

PAOT Persons-At-One-Time. A measure of recreation capacity. The number of persons-at-onetime that a recreation facility can accommodate.

PAMARS Program Accounting and Management Reporting System.

RIM Recreation Information Management. A Forest Service recreation use reporting system.

RN Roaded naturalrecreation experience.

ROS Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. A system of classifying the range of recreational

experiences, opportunities and settings available on a given area of land.

ROS CLASSES Wilderness - managed to preserve naturalness and solitude. Timber harvests, road

construction and mining activities are generally prohibited.

Semi-primitive (motorized and non-motorized) - largely unmodified natural

environments that contain at least 2,500 non-roaded acres. These areas provide good to

moderate opportunity for isolation and may be managed for either motorized or nonmotorized recreation uses.

Roaded Natural- managed for only moderate resource utilization and presence of people.

These areas include less that 2,500 acres of non-roaded forest and allow for both social

interaction and moderate isolation.

Rural - areas characterized by a substantially-modified natural environment where sights

and sounds of people are evident.

Urban - areas characterized by high social interaction and significant modification of the

natural environment such as city parks.

Developed - managed as small, distinctly-defined areas where facilities are provided for

concentrated public use, such as campgrounds, picnicking and swimming.

ROW Right of Way.

RVD Recreation Visitor Day. Measures 12 hours of recreation use on the Forest.

SILVAH Computer simulation model used for silvicultural examinations.
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SOIL GROUP II Moderately drained soils.

SOIL GROUP III Poorly drained soils.

SPM Semi-primitive motorized recreation experience.

SPNM Semi-primitive non-motorized recreation experience.

SR State Road.

TRACS Timber Activity Control System. A Forest Service timber use reporting system.

TSI Timber stand improvement.

TSL C&D Traffic Service Level. Describes a design standard for a road. Traffic Service Level D

roads are the lowest standard Forest System roads.

USDA United States Department of Agriculture.

YOY Young-of-Year.

VQO Visual Quality Objective. Refers to the quality of a landscape.