12443926Q0011 JNF_CTR_DM.pdf

— Decision Memo —

Decision Memo

JNF Crown Touching Release Project USDA Forest Service

Jefferson National Forest Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe

Counties, VA

Purpose and Need When stands are regenerated, oak (Quercus spp.) and other desirable tree species such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum) or shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) can be difficult to maintain on productive sites due to competition from less desirable species such as red maple (Acer rubrum), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), sweet birch (Betula lenta), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Crown touching release (CTR) is an example of a technique which is used in young stands to manage trees for timber, wildlife, and aesthetic characteristics to meet desired conditions of various Management Areas as described in the 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Jefferson National Forest (hereinafter referred to as the Forest Plan).

CTR work in young stands has been occurring on the Forest for the past twenty plus years, and has been effective in maintaining important species in regenerated stands. A study documented that CTR increased tree crown growth, diameter growth, and improved the competitive position of oak in a new stand (Miller, 2000). In another study, crop tree release increased diameter growth in oak saplings which received a three to four -sided release (Ward, 1995). Furthermore, the survival of intermediate and suppressed oaks was improved threefold by doing a three to four -sided release.

The Forest Plan specifies the overall direction for managing all resources for the Forest, and consists of Forest-wide and Management Area-specific desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines that provide for land uses with anticipated resource outputs.

Maintaining and improving the species composition in stands is vital to achieving the desired condition of most Management Areas (MA) on the Jefferson National Forest. These MA’s emphasize wildlife habitat and the long term production of hard and soft mast, like acorns and berries. Other species which are valuable to wildlife will also be targeted for release in lesser amounts, including hickory species (Carya spp.) and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). Any shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) identified would be released to improve potential bat roosting habitat.

Decision I propose to treat up to 2,000 acres annually within candidate stands on the Jefferson National Forest using the crown touch release method. A description of this technique, along with the project design criteria and Management Prescription limitations, is included in Appendix A.

Reasons for Categorical Exclusion I have concluded that these actions can be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under at 36 CFR 220.6(e):

(6) Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities that do not include the use of herbicides or do not require more than 1 mile of low standard road construction.

Relationship to Extraordinary Circumstances Direction provided in FSH 1909.15 (1909.15-2020-1, effective 03/16/2020) requires the Responsible Official to consider whether effects to extraordinary circumstances related to a proposed action warrant analysis in an EA or EIS. The Handbook also states that the mere presence of these resources does not preclude use of a categorical exclusion. This project was analyzed for the following resource conditions (per FSH 1909.15, Section 31.2) and the results are as follows:

a. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species:

Federally Threatened and Endangered species

• Through the environmental analysis process, the Federally Endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalist) and Federally Threatened northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) were identified as species that would possibly be affected by the proposed action. The design criteria in Appendix A were designed to limit or avoid adverse effects to these species. Through Informal Consultation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service agreed that with the design criteria in place, the project would Affect, But Not Adversely Affect these species.

Forest Service Sensitive (S) Species

• Green salamander (Aneides aeneus) – This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• Appalachian shield lichen (Heterodermia appalachensis) - This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• A liverwort (Plagiochila spp.) - This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• Piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla) – This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• Box huckleberry (Gaylussacia brachycera) – This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• Butternut (Juglans cinerea) - This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

• Sweet pinesap (Monotropsis odorata) – This species has the potential to be present, but it was determined there are no known impacts that should result from implementation of this project that would adversely impact species viability. Due to the scope and timing of the activities, the proposed action will not contribute to a trend toward federal listing of this species under the Endangered Species Act.

b. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds:

No floodplains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds would be negatively impacted by the proposed treatments.

c. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas:

The project is designed to avoid treatments within any Congressionally designated Wilderness areas or Wilderness Study areas. Some treatments may occur in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, but they will not have a significant effect on the characteristics that led to its designation. See Table 1 below in Appendix A.

d. Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas:

Treatments will not occur in any Inventoried Roadless Areas or potential wilderness areas.

e. Research natural areas:

Treatments will not be located within any Research Natural Areas or other special designations. See Table 1 below in Appendix A.

f. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites:

Due to the lack of earth disturbance activities, as prescribed within our Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office (VA SHPO) and signatory Tribal Authorities, all project review of this proposal was accomplished in house and is resultant in a finding of a no adverse effect.

g. Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas:

As described in Appendix A, this project will not employ any heavy equipment or machinery, cut trees will left on-site, and access will be from established Forest Service roads or trails. Due to this use of non-earth disturbing activities, the Heritage-Archaeology staff can definitively state that this undertaking will have no adverse effect to any known or unknown cultural resources.

I have concluded that there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative environmental effect. My conclusion is based on information presented in this document and the entirety of the Planning Record.

Scoping and Public Involvement This action was originally listed as a proposal on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests Schedule of Proposed Actions beginning July 1, 2019.

Scoping consisted of reviewing management direction for the project in the Forest Plan, reviewing silvicultural prescriptions, consulting with Forest Service specialists, agency officials, and the public. An email and hardcopy letters were sent out on Friday, November 22nd, 2019 to notify interested parties about the proposed Jefferson NF Crown Touching Release Project. This initiated the public scoping period, which ran for 30 days through December 23rd, 2019.

The Forest Service received correspondence from thirteen individuals, organizations, and agencies for this project, including the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation-Natural Heritage (DCR). Comments were considered and additional design criteria were developed in response.

Findings Required by Other Laws and Regulations This decision is consistent with the direction set forth in the 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Jefferson National Forest, as required by the National Forest Management Act. The project was designed in conformance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Implementation Date The 2014 Farm Bill directs that the pre-decisional objection process established in the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2012 shall not be applicable to categorically-excluded projects or activities.

Therefore, the Forest Service no longer offers notice, comment, and objection opportunities for categorically-excluded projects. However, these legislative changes and new direction do not limit the public’s ability to comment on Forest Service projects and activities. The Forest Service will continue to offer public involvement opportunities for categorically-excluded projects as provided for in its NEPA procedures found in 36 CFR 220.

As a result, the decision may be implemented immediately upon signature of this Decision Memo.

Contact For additional information concerning this decision, contact Christopher Brown, South Zone NEPA Planner at

(540) 953-3570 or christopherjbrown@fs.fed.us.

4/2/2021

Joby P. Timm Date George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Supervisor mailto:christopherjbrown@fs.fed.us

Appendix A.

Project Area Description The project area encompasses immature forest stands across the Jefferson National Forest (JNF) where a regeneration harvest has occurred within the prior 10 to 35 years. Candidate areas are even-aged hardwood stands where the trees are ½” to 8” DBH (diameter at breast height) and that range from nearing canopy closure up to fifteen years after canopy closure. Average stand size in these areas is approximately 36 acres. Most of these stands are located on productive sites where the site index1 exceeds 60 for upland oak. To streamline consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the analysis will only cover areas of the JNF within Virginia; candidate stands in Kentucky and West Virginia will not be included in this decision.

Crown Touching Release The proposal involves the release of 15 to 50 desirable trees per acre. The release would be a “crown touching release” technique, which involves the cutting of some or all trees whose crowns touch the desired tree. This creates more growing space for the selected tree allowing it to expand its crown and secure a spot in the mature stand. The numbers of trees released per acre will vary based on conditions on the ground. Foremost, this technique will be used to control future stand species composition at maturity. Secondary objectives include increased diameter growth rates of released trees, which will generally decrease the amount of time required for the tree to reach mast-producing size.

Competing trees would be cut with chain saws, brush cutters, or hand tools. No heavy equipment or machinery would be used. Generally, trees ½” to 8” at DBH (diameter at breast height) would be cut. Trees greater than 8” DBH will not be cut to maintain and protect potential bat roosting habitat. No cut trees will be removed from the site. Sites would be accessed from established Forest Service roads or trails and no soil disturbance would occur.

Design Criteria

• In order to minimize ground disturbance, no heavy equipment or machinery will be used.

• Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) identified in stands will be designated as a leave tree and released to improve potential bat roosting habitat.

• Butternut (Juglans cinerea) will be designated as a leave tree and released to protect and promote the propagation of this sensitive species.

• Eastern and Carolina hemlock (Tsuga spp.) will be designated as leave trees. The intent is to protect

Carolina hemlock; eastern hemlock will also be designated as a leave tree to avoid misidentification.

• Any other trees species identified as Federally-listed or on the Regional Forester’s sensitive species list will be designated as a leave tree.

• In consideration of scenic integrity, treatments within ½ mile of the Appalachian Trail footpath and shelters should be implemented consistent with the cooperative management system per the “Comprehensive Plan for the Protection, Management, Development and Use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail”.

1 Site index is the height that trees reach at 50 years of age and is used to measure productivity in forest stands.

• Trees to be cut will be 8” DBH or less. This diameter limit meets the silvicultural objectives of the treatment and will help maintain and protect potential bat roosting habitat.

• Treatments will occur within the dormant season to protect sensitive plant and salamander species.

Specific dates will be determined by District or Forest Wildlife Staff.

• Treatment acres implemented under this decision will be limited to 2,000 acres annually.

• Candidate stands in Kentucky and West Virginia will not be included in this decision.

Targeted stands will be outside of the Management Prescriptions (Rx) listed below in Table 1. Many of these Management Prescriptions have been classified as “unsuitable for timber production” and would be unlikely to have any candidate stands that meet the conditions of eligibility for treatment under this decision.

Table 1. Management Prescriptions not considered for CTR treatments

Rx Name Forest Plan

Page #

1A Designated Wilderness 3-4

1B Recommended Wilderness Study Area 3-10

2C1 Eligible Wild Rivers 3-12

2C3 Eligible Recreational Rivers 3-15

4A Appalachian Trail Corridor 3-19

4F Scenic Areas 3-34

4K3 Mount Rogers Crest Zone Special Area 3-50

4K4 Whitetop Mountain Special Area 3-55

5A Administrative Sites 3-69

5B Designated Communication Sites 3-70

5C Designated Utility Corridors 3-72

6A Old-Growth Forest Communities Not Associated With Disturbance 3-73

7G Pastoral Landscapes 3-110

8E2a Peaks of Otter Salamander Primary Habitat Conservation Area 3-129

8E4a Indiana Bat Primary Cave Protection Area 3-140

9A2 Reference Watersheds 3-156

9A4 Aquatic Habitat Areas 3-163

9F Rare Communities 3-166

9G1 Maintenance and Restoration of Bottomland Hardwoods 3-170

11 Riparian Corridors 3-178

Rx Name Forest Plan

Page #

12A Remote Backcountry Recreation - Few Open Roads 3-187

12B Remote Backcountry Recreation - Non-Motorized 3-191

12C Natural Processes in Backcountry Remote Areas 3-194