Forest Service Update on Current Issues in Nevada

Forest Service Update on Current Issues in Nevada

Bill Dunkelberger Forest Supervisor

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Intermountain Region

For the Nevada Legislative Committee on Public Lands November 18, 2015 Carson City, Nevada

EXHIBIT E - LANDS Document consists of 18 pages. Entire exhibit provided. Meeting Date: 11-18-15

Agency Mission The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to: “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s Forests and Grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.”

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The U.S. Forest Service:

• Manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

• The Intermountain Region covers 12 national forests and one national

grassland in Nevada, Utah, and portions of Idaho, Wyoming, and California. • Has the world’s largest forestry research organization.

• Provides technical and financial assistance and works in partnerships with state and local government agencies, businesses, private landowners, and tribes to help protect and manage non-federal forest and associated range and watershed lands.

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The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF) is the primary forest in Nevada

• 6.3 million acres

• Six ranger districts and the Spring

Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA)

• Employs 270 permanent workforce; 160 summer positions

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U.S. Forest Service in Nevada

• Grazing

• Mining

• Energy Development

Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine

Land Management for Multiple Use

Recreational Opportunities

• National Visitor Use data estimated 4 million visits, including 1 million to the SMNRA.

• Visitors spent $200 million on services while recreating in Nevada.

• New visitor use survey underway

• The HTNF has: • 40 campgrounds, 14 picnic areas and 46

trailheads • 2 visitor centers • 24 wilderness areas • 215 special use permits for ski areas and other recreational sites • 3591 miles of trails

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Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Ranger Districts

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Forest Supervisor’s Office, Sparks, Nevada Forest Supervisor: Bill Dunkelberger Deputy Forest Supervisor: Jill Ralston (Acting) District Rangers: Steve Williams Austin -Tonopah District Jeff Ulrich Bridgeport District Irene Davidson Carson District Jose Noriega Ely District Scott Richey (Acting) Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge District Tina Gast (Acting) Deputy, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Joe Garrotto Santa Rosa District Donn Christiansen Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Management:

Wildland Fire Update

Fires and Acres burned in 2015: Nationally - 53,798 fires for 9,407,571 acres year to date Ten-Year Average - 68,878 fires for 6,499,646 acres Great Basin - 2043 fires for 506,748 acres

Humboldt-Toiyabe : 86 fires for 19,798 acres

Lightning - 64 fires for 18,808 acres Human – 23 fires for 257 acres

Significant fires on the Humboldt-Toiyabe in 2015: Washington Fire - 17,787 acres (Alpine County, Ca.)

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Nevada Cohesive Strategy Summit

▪ Forest Service provided funding ▪ Attended by 90 people, including federal, state, local officials and other stakeholders ▪ Cohesive Strategy Advisory Group was established as a subcommittee to the Nevada Fire Board ▪ Met last week to begin working on action items identified at the Summit

Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act SNPLMA has provided a lasting legacy for Nevadans throughout the state, helping to: • protect and restore landscapes, species and their habitats • protect life and property through hazardous fuels reduction • provide recreational opportunities to urban and rural communities • foster awareness and appreciation of the outdoor environment The HTNF has implemented over 120 projects, totaling over $260 million, on the Carson, Ely, and Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge ranger districts and the SMNRA.

Before After

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Sagebrush Restoration Project in White Pine County

• The Forest Service is implementing hazardous fuels projects and landscape restoration projects to protect communities and improve habitat.

• Fiscal Years (FY) 2012-2015: 65,550 acres of fuels reduction/treatments

• FY 2015: approximately 16,680 acres in total fuels reduction treatments • 9,400 acres benefits bi-state and greater sage grouse habitat

• Targeting the Governor’s Farm Bill-nominated insect and disease treatment

areas

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Forest Health and Restoration

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• Completing planning in 2016 to implement 3,000 acres of vegetation and fuels treatment in Bear Creek (Jarbidge)

• Continued thinning and fuels reduction treatments in the Ruby Mountains, Sierra Front, Ely Ranger District and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Insect and Disease Priority Areas Update

Before (left) and after (right), 2015 road side brush removal/chipping in Lamoille Canyon using agreement with NDF crews

Bi-State Sage Grouse Conservation

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▪ Forest Service and BLM developed plan amendments to help conserve, enhance, and restore sagebrush and associated habitats to provide for long-term viability of the bi-state sage grouse. ▪ Final revised FEIS issued on October 30, 2015. Final ROD and plan amendment expected by December, 2015. ▪ In April 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the bi-state sage grouse does not require the protection of the ESA. ▪ Forest Service committed approximately $13.9 million over the next ten years to fund bi-state sage grouse restoration work.

Wild Horse and Burro Management

• The HTNF manages 18 territories • Population Estimate – 2,500

Horses and 575 Burros • 250% over Appropriate

Management Level (AML)

• Four NEPA projects to revise management plans and set AMLs

• Spring Mountains – with BLM • Hickison • Monte Cristo • Mount Powell

▪ Post-NEPA, will use a combination of

gather-removals and contraceptive treatments to reach AML

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• 2015 Joint Survey Flights with BLM • Spring Mountains Complex, May

2015 • Bi-State Area flights Nov 9-24

• Land purchase, design and construction funded by SNPMA

• 128-acre gateway campus includes: • 4,500 square foot visitor

center • education building • 2 amphitheaters • group picnic area • Over 40 miles of trails • Silent Heroes of the Cold War

National Memorial • Paiute Nation Seven Sacred Stones

SMNRA Visitor Gateway Complex Grand Opening

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2014 visitation: 18,837 2015 visitation: 52,937

Thank You

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