We are requesting public input on the following proposed project to help identify issues directly related to the proposed actions described below:
Location
The project area is located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District in Larimer County, west of the Greenridge Road (NFSR 319), east of the Greenridge West Roadless Area, and north of the Deadman Creek. The legal location is T 10N, R75W, Sec(s) 20, 21, 28, 29, 32, 33; 6th PM. Primary access to the site is off Larimer County Road 86.
Project Needs
The stands in the project area have seen extensive tree mortality owing to the latest mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak. The purpose of this project is to recover economic value from timber affected by the MPB providing commercial forest products and to reduce potential wildfire intensity by creating more desirable conditions for wildfire suppression activities. The proposed action is needed now because the affected trees are falling and rapidly losing their value and use as a timber product. Once dead trees have fallen, they contribute to increased fuel loads on the forest floor that will carry fire more intensely should a wildfire move through the area.
Proposed Action
To recover economic value of stands of suitable timber impacted by the bark beetle outbreak, 330 acres are proposed for analysis, with 250 acres of that analysis area proposed for harvest. The gross acreage (330 acres) will provide sale prep personnel the best possible acreage for salvage stands to be identified up to the allowable 250 acres.
Trees to be harvested include all dead and dying conifer trees greater than or equal to 5 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Implementation would target areas where stands are declining with mixed mortality and will remain a functioning stand post treatment, or those stands that are near total mortality and would benefit from active management. Harvest of live trees would occur only where operationally necessary such as for landings, skid trails, access, construction clearings, and would occur on a limited basis. Whole tree logging would be used, and all created slash would be brought to landing locations and piled.
Ideally, the harvest would be accomplished contractually through a timber sale contract. All logging operations would be implemented mechanically by contractors, and all merchantable timber would be removed from the forest.
All perennial, intermittent streams, and riparian areas will be protected in accordance with the National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands (see attachment B). Ten snags per acre will be retained in clumps and the silvicultural prescription will specify the criteria for retention.
No more than ½ miles temporary road construction will occur. All temporary roads and landings will be obliterated according to the standard timber sale contract provisions.
Forest Service system roads will be used for hauling timber, and the purchaser will be responsible for the standard pre, during and post-haul maintenance on these roads.
How to Provide Comments
Comments can be submitted electronically via the online comment submission form below.
We are seeking your input to help us identify any issues associated with the proposed actions, but not already addressed in the project design. Please submit an electronic comment with your input within the 15 day comment period. If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact Hailey Hall, North Zone Environmental Coordinator at hailey.hall@usda.gov.
