The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2 Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest 2-1 CHAPTER 2 – ALTERNATIVES This chapter is intended to describe the alternatives and how they were formulated for The Dalles Watershed Phase II project. This chapter provides readers and the recommending and responsible officials with a description of the project, design criteria and mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, and regulatory framework. 2.1 ALTERNATIVE FORMULATION This project is being prepared under the Health Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) authorities with an emphasis on reducing hazardous fuels in The Dalles Municipal Watershed. The project is located within entirely within the municipal watershed. As such, HFRA requires the agency to analyze the Proposed Action and No Action [HR 1904, Section 104(c)(1) and (2)]. An additional action alternative is required, if the additional alternative (i) is proposed during scoping or the collaborative process; and, (ii) meets the purpose and need for action [HR 1904, Section 104(c)(3)]. Two additional alternatives were suggested during the scoping process. Bark recommended that the Forest Service include an action alternative that does not include “commercial logging”. They stated: "We strongly advocate for an alternative that does not include commercial logging, and is wholly focused on science-based fire restoration.” The IDT and Responsible Official considered this alternative and concluded that it would not meet the purpose and need for action as stated in Section 1.3. By removing only noncommercial material, typically 8 inches or less overstocked and dense stands would remain. Without removing some of the larger trees a contiguous canopy cover would remain leaving stands susceptible to active crown fire (fire burning though the canopy) and thus stand replacement wildfire events would be more probable. Because this alternative would not meet the requirement in HFRA to meet the purpose and need for action, it was not analyzed in detail. This alternative is discussed in more detail in the Section 2.3, Alternatives Considered, but Eliminated from Detailed Study. Oregon Wild also recommended that the Forest Service “consider more than one action alternative because that will foster more informed decision-making, help illuminate and reconcile trade-offs, and result in a better decision. We suggest an alternative that focuses on ways of retaining and recruiting desired levels of dead wood in riparian reserves and uplands by planning and retaining adequate levels of untreated "skips" to meet targets for dead wood recruitment over time. It should be recognized that retention of large dead wood is not necessarily adverse to fuel reduction objectives because large wood usually stays wetter longer than small wood, and if treatments reduce the spatial continuity of fuels then discontinuous islands of abundant dead wood can be maintained well- distributed across the landscape to meet terrestrial and aquatic habitat, and hydrologic objectives.” The proposed considerations have been considered and are incorporated into the Proposed Action, specifically by implementing variable density thinning. As such, it is not required to analyze another action alternative. In addition to these comments, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) considered all of the concerns proposed during scoping (see scoping letters in the project record and content analysis in
30
Embed
CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES - a123.g.akamai.neta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic... · The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2 ... Two additional alternatives were suggested
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-1
CHAPTER 2 – ALTERNATIVES
This chapter is intended to describe the alternatives and how they were formulated for The
Dalles Watershed Phase II project. This chapter provides readers and the recommending and
responsible officials with a description of the project, design criteria and mitigation measures,
monitoring requirements, and regulatory framework.
2.1 ALTERNATIVE FORMULATION
This project is being prepared under the Health Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) authorities with
an emphasis on reducing hazardous fuels in The Dalles Municipal Watershed. The project is
located within entirely within the municipal watershed. As such, HFRA requires the agency to
analyze the Proposed Action and No Action [HR 1904, Section 104(c)(1) and (2)]. An additional
action alternative is required, if the additional alternative (i) is proposed during scoping or the
collaborative process; and, (ii) meets the purpose and need for action [HR 1904, Section
104(c)(3)]. Two additional alternatives were suggested during the scoping process.
Bark recommended that the Forest Service include an action alternative that does not
include “commercial logging”. They stated: "We strongly advocate for an alternative that
does not include commercial logging, and is wholly focused on science-based fire
restoration.” The IDT and Responsible Official considered this alternative and concluded
that it would not meet the purpose and need for action as stated in Section 1.3. By
removing only noncommercial material, typically 8 inches or less overstocked and dense
stands would remain. Without removing some of the larger trees a contiguous canopy
cover would remain leaving stands susceptible to active crown fire (fire burning though
the canopy) and thus stand replacement wildfire events would be more probable. Because
this alternative would not meet the requirement in HFRA to meet the purpose and need
for action, it was not analyzed in detail. This alternative is discussed in more detail in the
Section 2.3, Alternatives Considered, but Eliminated from Detailed Study.
Oregon Wild also recommended that the Forest Service “consider more than one action
alternative because that will foster more informed decision-making, help illuminate and
reconcile trade-offs, and result in a better decision. We suggest an alternative that focuses
on ways of retaining and recruiting desired levels of dead wood in riparian reserves and
uplands by planning and retaining adequate levels of untreated "skips" to meet targets for
dead wood recruitment over time. It should be recognized that retention of large dead
wood is not necessarily adverse to fuel reduction objectives because large wood usually
stays wetter longer than small wood, and if treatments reduce the spatial continuity of
fuels then discontinuous islands of abundant dead wood can be maintained well-
distributed across the landscape to meet terrestrial and aquatic habitat, and hydrologic
objectives.” The proposed considerations have been considered and are incorporated into
the Proposed Action, specifically by implementing variable density thinning. As such, it
is not required to analyze another action alternative.
In addition to these comments, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) considered all of the concerns
proposed during scoping (see scoping letters in the project record and content analysis in
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-2
Appendix 2), and where feasible, adjusted the original Proposed Action to resolve those issues.
In some cases, this was handled by adding design criteria and mitigation measures to the project
and in other cases the design of the project was modified.
2.2 Alternatives Considered in Detail
The City of The Dalles Municipal Watershed is located primarily in the South Fork Mill Creek
Watershed on the Mt. Hood National Forest in Hood River and Wasco Counties. The planning
area is the interior of the municipal watershed. The Proposed Action is located approximately 16
air miles South West of The Dalles, Oregon. The legal description for the project area is: T 1S,
R 10E and T 1S, R 11E (see Figure 1-1 for Vicinity Map).
2.2.1 No Action Alternative
Under this alternative, no hazardous fuels reduction treatments or associated activities would be
implemented. Because dead or dying vegetation would not be removed, fuels would continue to
accumulate, thereby increasing the fuel hazard within The Dalles Municipal Watershed. No fire
suppression openings would be created; therefore, interagency fire suppression efforts would
continue as they operate currently. Natural processes of decay are not likely to remove the down
and dead woody debris before the next fire cycle. As the available fuel continues to increase, so
would the potential for a large stand-replacing wildfire event. A resulting catastrophic fire could
result in the City of The Dalles’ water treatment plant being shut down, similar to what occurred
during past fire events in 1967 and 2002. The effects of the No Action alternative are analyzed
by resource in Chapter 3.
2.2.2. Proposed Action Alternative
In order to reduce hazardous fuels, smaller diameter trees growing in lower crown positions
would be removed, leaving more space around remaining larger trees. Trees would be selected
for removal if their spacing facilitates the spread of a crown fire (canopy closure), or a tree form
contributes to the initiation of a crown fire (crown base height) such as low growing tree
branches over brush, which if ignited, could lead to crown fire initiation. Activity fuels (residue
from mechanical treatments such as masticated material and thinning) as well as naturally
accumulated fuels would be treated by piling and burning. Stands where the dominant species
and fire regime are appropriate, such as ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western larch which are
adapted to low intensity, frequent fire return intervals, would be treated so that future
underburning could occur to maintain stand conditions. The proposed treatments to achieve these
goals are shown in the table below. All proposed treatment areas are shown on the Proposed
Action map (see Figure 1-6).
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-3
Table 2-1: Proposed Action Treatment Acres
Treatment Acres
Fuels Reduction Thinning (natural stands) 1352
Fuels Reduction Thinning (plantations) 107
Sapling Thin 435
Jackpot Burning 742
Prescribed Burning on City of The Dalles Lands 872
Mechanical Fuels Reduction 151
Total Acres 3660
Fuels reduction thinning treatment within the natural stands include prescriptions to thin
ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir dominated stands to an average canopy closure of 40 to 60
1721011 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.1
1721012 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 2.5
1721013 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.6
1721014 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.8
1721120 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 1.2
1721121 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.3
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-17
Road # Proposed Road Reconstruction/Maintenance Work Miles
1721130 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.2
1721140 Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.3
City Road
1
Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.3
City Road
28
Blading, Surface Repair (Spot Rock 50 cubic yards of 3-inch minus),
Drainage and Brushing. 0.2
Total 33.8
In addition to the roads listed above that fall within the project area, additional roads outside of
the project area may also be utilized for product removal. These roads include Forest Service
Road (FSR) 1700, 1700-660, 1720, 1721, 44 and 4430. All of these roads currently meet the
standards and would not require any additional work as a result of this project.
2.2.3 Design Criteria/Mitigation Measures for All Alternatives
The National Environmental Policy Act defines “mitigation” as avoiding, minimizing, rectifying,
reducing, eliminating or compensating project impacts. The following design criteria and
mitigation measures are an integral part of this project and would be carried out if the project is
implemented. In most cases, the effects analysis in Chapter 3 is based on these design criteria
and mitigation measures being implemented.
Fuels:
1. Any mechanical slash piling within units would be done with equipment capable of picking
up (grasping) slash material and piling (as opposed to pushing/dozing) thereby meeting the
objectives of minimizing detrimental soil impacts.
2. Hand and machine piles would be constructed with enough fine fuels to allow for ignition
during fall and winter months, and covered with water resistant material meeting clean air
standards to facilitate consumption of piled fuels. Piles need to be 6-feet wide, 6-feet long,
and 6-feet high as a minimum1.
3. Piles should be as compact and free of dirt as possible.
Vegetation:
1. Patch openings would be created in root disease pockets. Openings would be reforested in
accordance with site conditions.
2. Ponderosa pine dominated planting would occur in specific areas where appropriate to
assist in restoring and maintaining a historically fire tolerant ecosystem.
1 The Forest Service would meet an average width and length of 8-feet and height of 6-feet for mechanical and
hand piles. From past experience with implementation, it is virtually impossible to maintain an exact dimension
of fuel piles, so allowance for a small deviation would be made as long as this deviation does not jeopardize
meeting the above stated goals.
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-18
Roads:
1. As appropriate and to the extent practical erosion control measures should be employed to
reduce or eliminate sediment delivery from roads to streams.
2. Haul would be restricted to the normal operating season, unless weather conditions permit
operating outside of this window.
3. New temporary roads and landings should be located outside of Riparian Reserves. Use of
existing facilities within riparian reserves may be allowed if erosion potential and
sedimentation concerns could be sufficiently mitigated. All temporary roads and landings
would be decommissioned immediately after operations are completed, including harvest,
fuels reduction and restoration activities.
Soil Resource:
1. All skid trails would be rehabilitated immediately after harvest activities. If harvest
treatments are anticipated to extend beyond the current field season, temporary effective
closures would be employed to prevent unauthorized use and necessary erosion control
measures would be implemented.
2. In timber harvest units, ground-based harvest systems should not be used on slopes greater
than 30 percent to avoid detrimental soil and/or watershed impacts.
3. If a proposal to operate outside the normal operating season is presented (e.g., mechanical
fuels reduction or timber harvesting), the following would be considered by the District
Ranger and Responsible Official if the ground is not frozen hard enough and/or insufficient
snow depth is present to support the weight and movement of machinery in moist to wet
soil conditions (these are based upon observations and monitoring of winter logging in
Sportsman’s Park):
a. The proposal would be considered on a unit-by-unit basis using soil types in the area
since some soils may be more prone to detrimental damage than others.
b. Since the margin of difference between not detrimental and detrimental soil damage
could be so slim under moist to wet soil conditions, monitoring of the logging activity
may need to occur daily, or more, as agreed to by sale administrator and soil scientist.
c. Equipment normally expected to traverse the forest, such as feller bunchers, track
mounted shears, etc., would be restricted to skid trails once soil moistures are such
that even one or two trips are causing detrimental soil damage out in the unit (i.e., not
on landings or skid trails).
d. When soils become fully saturated (approach their liquid limit), equipment with a
pounds per square inch of 9 or higher would not be used. Typically rubber-tired
equipment (e. g., skidders) would not be permitted under these conditions.
Riparian Areas:
1. No vegetation removal or manipulation would occur within 60-feet2of any perennial and
30-feet2 of any intermittent streams, seeps, springs or wetlands. This would ensure current
stream shading would remain unchanged and protect stream temperatures as well as reduce
the likelihood of eroded material entering streams.
2 The Forest Service would meet an average distance of 30-feet, 60-feet, or 100-feet from streams, seeps, springs,
wetlands, or ephemeral drainages. From past experience with implementation, it is virtually impossible to
maintain an exact distance from a wet area due to stream sinuosity and dense riparian vegetation so allowance for
a small deviation would be made as long as this deviation doesn’t jeopardize meeting the above stated goals.
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-19
2. No wheeled or tracked motorized equipment would be allowed within 100-feet2 of
perennial and intermittent, streams, seeps, springs or wetlands and within 30-feet² of any
ephemeral drainages. This would reduce the chance of sediment delivery to surface water.
3. No brush or slash piling would occur within 30-feet of ephemeral drainages.
4. Fueling of gas-powered machinery would not occur within 150-feet of any surface waters
to maintain water quality. Each fueling area and or active landing would have a hazardous
material recovery kit, which is adequate to contain any potential hazardous spill for the
equipment used (at least until additional containment/cleanup support arrives).
5. Contractors or there subs hauling fuel should be aware of the CFR requirements of
notifications if a spill should occur. These are to notify the National Response Center and
the Contracting Officer. They should also be aware of action required to clean up or
contain such spills. If any fuel or fluid storage container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons,
the contractor would prepare a spill prevention control countermeasures plan. Such plan
would meet applicable Environmental Protection Agency requirements (40 CFR 112)
including certification by a registered professional engineer.
6. The contractor would be liable for cleanup of any hazardous material, garbage, septic
waste, or fuel spills occurring as a result of contractor operations anywhere within the
project area.
7. Use erosion control BMP’s where de-vegetation may result in delivery of sediment to
adjacent surface water. Soil scientists or hydrologists would assist in evaluation of sites to
determine if treatment is necessary and the type of treatment needed to stabilize soils.
8. Directional felling would be required within 100-feet of any 30-foot or 60-foot unmanaged
riparian areas. Any felled trees which fall into one of these unmanaged riparian areas would
be left.
9. Low severity burns3 should constitute the dominant type of controlled burn within the
Riparian Reserve, resulting in a mosaic pattern of burned and unburned landscape.
10. Moderate-severity burns4
are permitted in no more than 20% of the Riparian Reserves to
invigorate desirable deciduous species.
11. Ignition could occur anywhere in the Riparian Reserve as long as all other design criteria
are met.
12. Burning activities excluded in the Riparian Reserves are as follows: mechanical fire line
construction (e.g. dozer, small tractor etc.), or chemical fire retardants. Fireline
construction is defined to mean activities that result in exposure of bare mineral soil.
13. Hand fireline construction should be minimized within the Riparian Reserve and wet line
or black line is preferred. An exception to this would be situation where fireline is needed
to control burn intensity and spread due to unforeseen circumstances. In these situations,
implement BMP’s to control erosion and sedimentation to stream channels, these include
constructing waterbars on all the firelines where slopes are greater than 20%, while the
fireline is being constructed.
3 Low severity burn is defined as: “Small diameter woody debris is consumed; some small twigs may remain. Leaf
litter may be charred or consumed, and the surface of the duff may be charred. Original forms of surface
materials, such as needle litter or lichens may be visible; essentially no soil heating occurs.” 4 Moderate severity burn is defined as: “Foliage, twigs, and the litter layer are consumed. The duff layer, rotten
wood, and larger diameter woody debris is partially consumed; logs may be deeply charred; shallow ash layer
and burned roots and rhizomes are present. Some heating of mineral soil may occur if the soil organic layer was
thin.”
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-20
Wildlife:
1. Known Northern spotted owl core areas would be protected through the implementation of
seasonal operating restrictions (March 1 to July 15) for units 22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 35, 37, 40,
41, 42, 50, 51, 52 and 141. In the event that new core area(s) is/are located during the
period of the contract(s) seasonal operating restrictions would be implemented in the area
affected.
2. No burning may take place within ¼-mile of spotted owl core areas between March 1 and
July 15.
3. Rare and uncommon species needing protection would be designated on-the-ground prior
to ground disturbing activities occurring.
4. No operations would take place during the last eight days of October to allow for The
Dalles Watershed special elk hunt (Hunt Reference # 241A).
5. No heavy helicopter operations (Type 1) may take place within ¼-mile of spotted owl core
areas between March 1 and Sept 30. Small helicopters would be subject to the same
distance restriction between March 1 and July 15.
Botany:
1. Conduct an autumn underburn in the northeast corner of the Research Natural Area to
protect habitat for Arabis sparsiflora v. atrorubens (ARSPA). If an autumn underburn is
not feasible, the boundary of the unit should be adjusted to exclude the site.
2. Fire in meadows should only be incidental to fire treatment in adjacent areas. Do not burn
the meadows intentionally except as part of research work.
3. Minimize any activity that exposes bare soil. Fire lines may need to be constructed but
every effort should be made to minimize the impact without compromising the
effectiveness of the line.
4. Pursue opportunities to partner with someone to conduct research studies on the effects of
fire on the spread of Ventenata dubia (VEDU) and how to manage post burn. Studies
should have scientific rigor and the results disseminated.
Invasive Species:
1. It is recommended that “pre-treatment” occur before any harvest activities are implemented
along roads 1720-190, 192, 194, 195, 196, and 1721-012. If possible schedule
implementation of work from infestation-free areas into infested areas rather than vice-
versa.
2. Incorporate the standard contract provision that require cleaning of equipment.
3. The process for locating all new skid trails and landing locations would be coordinated
with a noxious weed specialist so as to insure these locations are not within any currently
established noxious weed populations. If necessary, pre-treat existing landings and skid
trails that may be used for project implementation where existing infestations present an
unacceptable risk of spreading established invasive plant populations.
4. If the need for restoration/revegetation of skid trails and landings is identified, the use of
native plant materials are the first choice for meeting this objective where timely natural
regeneration of the native plant community is not likely to occur. Non-native, non-invasive
plant species may be used in any of the following situations: 1) when needed in emergency
conditions to protect basic resource values (e.g., soil stability, water quality and to help
prevent the establishment of invasive species), 2) as an interim, non-persistent measure
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-21
designed to aid in the re-establishment of native plants, 3) if native plant materials are not
available, or 4) in permanently altered plant communities.
5. If using straw, hay or mulch for restoration/revegetation in any areas, use only certified,
weed-free materials.
6. Reforestation and restoration efforts should limit use of container stock or other practices
where soils or other growing mediums are brought into the planning area.
7. In open meadows, which may be at an increased risk from invasive non-native grasses and
other noxious weeds, the appropriate resource specialist would provide specific information
to the Burn Plan in which suitable measures would be developed to limit the spread and or
occurrence of such weed populations. Collection of fire tolerant perennial native bunch
grasses for seed increase contract should also be included, if deemed necessary.
8. Inspect active gravel, fill, sand stockpiles, quarry sites, and borrow material for invasive
plants before use and transport. Treat or require treatment of infested sources before any
use of pit material. Use only gravel, fill, sand, and rock that is judged to be weed free by
District or Forest weed specialists.
Heritage Resource Sites:
1. All designated cultural resource sites (excepting these described in heritage resource design
criteria #3 below) requiring protection would have a 100-foot buffer zone where heavy
machinery and timber harvest would be excluded. Treatment of vegetation by hand could
still occur as necessary.
2. Prescribed burning may occur, but piling may not occur within the flagged buffer zones.
3. All culturally-modified trees or trees with insulator mountings would be avoided during
harvest activities, unless otherwise specified by the archaeologist.
Recreation:
1. Prescribed burning would be conducted in such a manner (i.e. using favorable wind
direction and adequate mixing heights) to reasonably minimize effects from smoke and
particulates to hikers and campers using the North Section Line Trail, the Surveyor’s
Ridge Trail, and the Gibson Prairie Horse Camp.
2. Prescribed burning and pile burning near the North Section Line Trail #451 would be
conducted in the fall or later to limit impacts to hikers and campers.
3. Burning should be conducted in units 5, 7, 53, 54, 127, 129, and 132 during weekdays to
limit impacts to recreationists along the North Section Line Trail.
4. The Recreation Staff would be notified two weeks prior to burning activities. Notices
would be published in the local papers and signs would be posted at the trailheads prior to
burning activities.
5. No brush piles would be located within 100 feet of the North Section Line Trail #451.
6. If support wires for skyline support anchors cross the North Section Line Trail #451, the
trail would be closed and closure signs posted. Any closures would be limited in duration.
7. No new temporary roads or skid trails would cross the North Section Line Trail #451.
Visual Quality:
1. Timber harvest activities within 660 feet of the North Section Line Trail #451 would be
accomplished to meet VQOs of Partial Retention.
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-22
2. Slash would be lopped and scattered in units 5, 7, 53, 54, 127, 129, and 132 within 100 ft
of designated trails.
3. Slash piles in units 5, 7, 53 and 54 would be burned within two years of harvest
completion.
4. No piles would be located within 50 feet of standing mature residual trees.
Guidelines for Operating within the Municipal Watershed
The Dalles Municipal Watershed’s MOU with the US Forest Service and Comprehensive
Management Plan (1972) includes guidelines on activities including allowable timber harvests
(methods and acreages), road construction and maintenance, and other planning and protection
measures to be taken to protect water quality. Those guidelines listed below are more restrictive
than the mitigation measures listed above and would be added to the contract.
Gate Access:
1. All locks other than US Forest Service or City of The Dalles shall be coded or removed.
2. Gates shall be closed and locked after normal log hauling hours, weekends, and any other
time it is deemed necessary for control of unauthorized personnel.
3. During the time logs are being hauled and the gate(s) are open, a highly visible sign shall
be posted indicating that Public Access is prohibited beyond the Boundary Gate.
4. Gates found open by City Security Patrols during determined non-access time would be
closed and locked. Search of area would be made to insure no one is in the Watershed
before locking the gate. Anytime a gate is locked under this circumstance, the City would
notify Dufur Ranger Station to check on the situation. All damage to gates and/or fences
shall be repaired as soon as possible on the day the damage occurs.
Personnel Limitations:
1. No person would be permitted to carry a big game rifle into the Watershed either in a
vehicle or by personal transportation.
2. No person or crew would be permitted to remain overnight in the Watershed with the
exception of authorized persons in the performance of their duties, such as security staff
or fire patrols necessary to harvest or construction activity. Any overnight camping
would require approval by the Forest Service. Forest Service would consult with the City
of The Dalles prior to approving overnight camping.
3. All logging operators (personnel) shall be made aware of and required to preserve all
historical, archaeological, or relative cultural sites existing within the given sale area.
Sanitary Waste:
1. Privies or suitable toilet facilities shall be provided on-site prior to any sale layout,
construction, or harvest activity. These facilities shall not be within 500 feet of any
stream, spring, or seepage; secured from weather damage; and be maintained at necessary
intervals. Special circumstances would be handled on a case by case basis.
2. Personal porta-potties are acceptable for use by personnel if such units are maintained
daily and secured properly.
3. Personnel are to be instructed that the sanitary facilities are to be used and that such
facilities must move with the job activity.
4. Disposal of composted human waste is prohibited inside the Watershed area.
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-23
5. Privies would be located in sites of activity concentration such as landings. One privy
would be required for each operation requiring a fire toolbox. The privy would be located
on a site where tipping over cannot occur and it would be no further away from the work
site than the fire box.
Petroleum Product Care:
1. Absorbent pads shall be placed on the ground or on stationary equipment such as a loader
and yarder to catch spills or leaks.
2. There shall be no discharge of any petroleum product within the Watershed. If oil is
changed on-site, all waste materials must be removed from the Watershed Reserve.
3. Hydraulic fluid, gasoline, diesel fuel, and any other petroleum product spills or leaks
would require immediate and proper attention. Complete removal of contaminated soil
may be required.
4. Fixed storage of petroleum products within the Reserve would not be permitted.
5. Application of Road Emmulsions and dust control products (except water) to
transportation systems within the Watershed Reserve would require Forest Service
approval. Forest Service would consult with the City of The Dalles prior to approving
any emmulsion application. Any water tanker used for dust control would not have been
used for any other previous chemical storage or application purpose and would not
present a potential chemical/bacteriological contamination to the Reserve.
Stream Restrictions:
1. Pumping water from streams is prohibited without prior approval of the Forest Service.
Forest Service would consult with the City of The Dalles prior to issuing approval of
water removal.
2. Operating equipment or timber harvesting of any type through any stream, spring, or
other flow discharging bog is prohibited.
3. No burn piles would be placed within 100 feet of a stream or spring because soils may
become non-wettable from high burn heat intensity and are subject to erosion. Burn pile
locations, concentration, and burning time shall be discussed at time of fuel treatment
plan development. Burn piles between 100 to 200 feet of a stream or spring would have a
maximum pile size of 10-feet wide, 10-feet long, and 10-feet high.
4. No fuel would be stored within 1,000 feet of streams.
Harvest Activity:
1. All trails affected by Harvest Activity shall be reestablished prior to Big Game seasons
beginning in October of each year (for closure patrol purposes).
2. Water barring of all skid trails and roads is to be done prior to winter season or, as stated
in some contracts, before moving into the next unit. Adherence to contractual agreements
is required by this Department if they are more stringent than stated in this memorandum.
3. Continued access to City facilities, Crow Creek Dam, cabins, intake sites, etc. shall be
provided for in the contract, location of landings, road, and logging operations. City use
of sale roads shall be reviewed during preparation of contract to insure proper contract
provisions are included.
General:
The Dalles Watershed Phase II Chapter 2
Barlow Ranger District Mt. Hood National Forest
2-24
1. Normal firefighting equipment as required by US Forest Service shall be readily available
and in proper working condition.
2. A pre-work session would be held for all parties involved. All parties would be notified
prior to implementing any changes in Harvest or Construction Plans. Cooperation and
continuity is imperative in all activities.
3. The City and the Forest Service would make joint reviews of active projects bi-weekly
(once every two weeks). The City would make contact with the Forest Service to set up a
specific day for each review. The review would be documented at the end of each trip
with each party signing the report and receiving a copy.
4. The City of The Dalles, Department of Water Supply & Treatment, would be provided
names and telephone numbers of supervisors, field boss, foreman, or any person in
charge of each ongoing harvest or construction activity.
5. The City would be given the opportunity to attend and become an integral part of all pre-
work conferences to assist in the identification of water quality protection needs.
Contacts:
1. Contacts between the City and the Forest Service contractors should be kept to a
minimum because of contract responsibilities and liabilities - contact should be made
only in emergencies.
2. The Forest Service would be required to immediately notify the city water treatment plant
in case of a spill or release of petroleum products or hazardous materials into a live
stream or reservoir. The telephone contact number would be provided to the contractor
prior to moving any equipment into the watershed.
2.2.4 Monitoring Requirements
Prior to advertisement of a contract, the provisions of the contract and other implementation
plans would be reviewed to insure that required elements are properly accounted for.
During implementation, Timber/Stewardship Sale Administrators and Contract Administrators
monitor compliance with the contract which contains provisions for resource protection
including but not limited to: seasonal restrictions, snag and coarse woody debris retention,
stream protection, erosion prevention, soil protection, road closure and protection of historical
sites.
Post harvest reviews would be conducted where needed prior to post harvest activities, such as
slash treatment and firewood removal. Based on these reviews, post harvest activities would be
adjusted where needed to achieve project and resource objectives.
Monitoring of noxious weeds and invasive plants would be conducted where appropriate to track
changes in populations over time and corrective action would be prescribed where needed.
Monitoring is also conducted at the Forest level as part of the Forest Plan implementation. For
example, water quality is monitored for both temperature and turbidity at several locations across
the Forest. Monitoring reports can be found on the Forest’s web site at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood under Forest Publications.