Exhibit A.pdf

EASTERN REGION, HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT LEGAL DESCRIPTION COMP/STAND

Eckerman EA Section 9, T.45N., R.6W 71 / 25

STAND INFORMATION

RD Acres MA ELTP Forest Type LSC YOR Size Density Site Index Soil Type 04 35 4.2 40B 81 500 1924 9 ACSA3 58 Kalkaska Sand

STAND DESCRIPTION

EXISTING STAND CONDITION - BY 2" DBH Classes

Species 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 Total

QMD

>0

QMD

>=5

ACRU TPA 43 46 3 2 94 10 10

BA/A 15 25 5 5 50

ACSA3 TPA 43 47 4 3 2 98 10 10

BA/A 15 25 5 5 5 55

BEAL2 TPA 3 3 18 18

BA/A 5 5

PRSE2 TPA 2 2 20 20

BA/A 5 5

Total TPA 86 93 4 8 5 2 197 10 10

BA/A 30 50 5 15 10 5 115

Northern hardwood stand of mostly maple with some beech. Patches of balsam fir found in the understory. Harvested in 2010 and canopy gaps were created. Plentiful seedling regeneration of maple.

Beech regeneration is currently light. Stand had gap cleaning completed in 2014.

Desired Condition A well stocked northern hardwoods stand with good quality future crop trees in the canopy gaps.

Short Term and Long Term Objectives

• The trees in the stand are growing at an optimum rate and are resilient to insect and disease attacks.

• The stand contains an average of 2-10 snags/ac over 10” DBH and 3-4 down logs/ac over 10” in diameter & 8’ long.

• Provide timber for local economy.

• The stand will have a complex structure with multiple age classes.

• The stand will have a mix of species, including shade intolerant and mid-tolerant species.

Remarks There is common St. Johnswort along FSR3144 and at the intersection of 3358 and 3081. FSR 3144, 3358 and 3081 are part of a SORVA route and a snowmobile trail.

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures Common to All Resources and Activities

1. Areas with ground disturbance resulting from project activities would initially be allowed to revegetate naturally. If this is not adequate, areas would be revegetated with native or desirable non-native plant species, such as wildflowers and milkweed. Preference would be given to locally native plant materials.

2. Threatened, endangered, sensitive (TES) species locations found before or during project implementation would be protected using appropriate reserve areas, seasonal restrictions, or other measures. Protection measures for new occurrences would be reviewed on a site-specific basis by either the Botanist or Wildlife Biologist.

3. Implement current northern goshawk and red-shouldered hawk conservation measures and bald eagle management guidelines when and if necessary.

4. Conservation measures for little brown bat (Regional Forester sensitive species (RFSS)) and northern long eared bat (NLEB) (federally threatened) would be followed for all activities:

• Proposed tree removal activities would occur more than 0.25 mile (0.4 kilometer) from a known, bat hibernacula.

• Avoid cutting or destroying known, bat maternity roost trees unless they are an immediate safety hazard.

• Avoid cutting or destroying known, occupied bat maternity roost trees, or any other trees within

150-feet (45-m) radius around a maternity roost tree, during the pup season (June 1 through July 31).

5. In accordance with the standards, objectives, and goals of the HNF Heritage Program as outlined in the Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2006, 2-7 to 2-8), all heritage sites determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), or whose NRHP status remains unevaluated, will be protected through site avoidance. Sites will be protected through the establishment of a protection zone extending up to 30 meters (100 feet) beyond the boundaries of the site, wherein no earth disturbing activities, including the staging of logs and equipment, will be permitted. Thirty meters represents the average height of a mature tree.

Treatment Guide Name of Treatment: Manual Precommercial Thin

1) Favor sugar maple, yellow birch and paper birch for release. However, always release the best quality commercial specie for release, regardless of species.

Crown Release trees less than 5” DBH by choosing the best trees using the criteria below. Release up to 60 trees per acre, do not release poor quality trees just to meet the 60 TPA.

a. Vigorous crowns – green leaves, no dead branches in the upper crown

b. Live crown ratio is at least 40%

c. Balanced crown (no bare quadrants)

d. Forks are U-shaped

e. Bole is free of defects.

Release by cutting all trees less than 5” DBH with crowns touching the selected crop tree. Unless the crop tree has a fork, then a tree should be left on the weaker side of the fork.

Trees overtopped by the crop tree do not need to be cut. They can be left to help limit the risk of epicormic branching.

2) Thin stump sprouts to 1 or 2 sprouts that originate below the ground line.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year FACTS Code Name of Treatment

Eckerman EA Section 9, T.45N., R.6W 71 / 25

0 4521 Manual Precommercial Thin

Draft Prepared by: Marjorie Allmaras Title: Forester Date: 7/31/2018

Field Checked by: Amy Livermore Title: Forester Date: 12/4/2023

Final Prepared by: Amy Livermore Title: Forester Date: 12/4/2023

Certified by:

Title:

Certified Silviculturist Date: 12/8/2023

EASTERN REGION, HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION

Eckerman EA Section 9, T.45N., R.6W 71 / 28

STAND INFORMATION

RD Acres MA ELTP Forest Type LSC YOR Size Density Site Index Soil Type 04 126 4.2 40B 81 500 1924 9 ACSA3 58 Kalkaska Sand

STAND DESCRIPTION

EXISTING STAND CONDITION - BY 2" DBH Classes

Species 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 Total

QMD

>0

QMD

>=5

ACRU TPA 18 23 12 3 3 58 11 11

BA/A 6 12 9 3 5 35

ACSA3 TPA 35 71 31 45 22 3 6 1 1 1 214 9 9

BA/A 3 14 11 25 17 3 8 2 2 2 85

PRSE2 TPA 3 2 1 1 6 13 13

BA/A 2 2 2 2 6

TSCA TPA 4 4 8 8

BA/A 2 2

Total TPA 35 71 53 71 35 6 9 2 1 1 283 9 10

BA/A 3 14 18 38 28 6 12 3 3 2 128

Northern hardwood stand of mostly maple with some beech. Patches of balsam fir found in the understory. Harvested in 2010 and canopy gaps were created. Plentiful seedling regeneration of maple.

Beech regeneration is currently light to moderate. Stand had gap cleaning completed in 2014.

Desired Condition A well stocked northern hardwoods stand with good quality future crop trees in the canopy gaps.

Short Term and Long Term Objectives

• The trees in the stand are growing at an optimum rate and are resilient to insect and disease attacks.

• The stand contains an average of 2-10 snags/ac over 10” DBH & 3-4 down logs/ac over 10” in diameter & 8’ long.

• Provide timber for local economy.

• The stand will have a complex structure with multiple age classes.

• The stand will have a mix of species, including shade intolerant and mid-tolerant species.

Remarks There is common St Johnswort (NNIP) along the roads. FSR 3560 is part of a SORVA route and a snowmobile trail.

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures Common to All Resources and Activities

1. Areas with ground disturbance resulting from project activities would initially be allowed to revegetate naturally. If this is not adequate, areas would be revegetated with native or desirable non-native plant species, such as wildflowers and milkweed. Preference would be given to locally native plant materials.

2. Threatened, endangered, sensitive (TES) species locations found before or during project implementation would be protected using appropriate reserve areas, seasonal restrictions, or other measures. Protection measures for new occurrences would be reviewed on a site-specific basis by either the Botanist or Wildlife Biologist.

3. Implement current northern goshawk and red-shouldered hawk conservation measures and bald eagle management guidelines when and if necessary.

4. Conservation measures for little brown bat (Regional Forester sensitive species (RFSS)) and northern long eared bat (NLEB) (federally threatened) would be followed for all activities:

• Proposed tree removal activities would occur more than 0.25 mile (0.4 kilometer) from a known, bat hibernacula.

• Avoid cutting or destroying known, bat maternity roost trees unless they are an immediate safety hazard.

• Avoid cutting or destroying known, occupied bat maternity roost trees, or any other trees within

150-feet (45-m) radius around a maternity roost tree, during the pup season (June 1 through July 31).

5. In accordance with the standards, objectives, and goals of the HNF Heritage Program as outlined in the Forest Plan (USDA Forest Service 2006, 2-7 to 2-8), all heritage sites determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), or whose NRHP status remains unevaluated, will be protected through site avoidance. Sites will be protected through the establishment of a protection zone extending up to 30 meters (100 feet) beyond the boundaries of the site, wherein no earth disturbing activities, including the staging of logs and equipment, will be permitted. Thirty meters represents the average height of a mature tree.

Treatment Guide Name of Treatment: Manual Precommercial Thin

1) Favor sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch and paper birch for release. However, always release the best quality commercial specie for release, regardless of species.

Crown Release trees less than 5” DBH by choosing the best trees using the criteria below. Release up to 60 trees per acre, do not release poor quality trees just to meet the 60 TPA.

a. Vigorous crowns – green leaves, no dead branches in the upper crown

b. Live crown ratio is at least 40%

c. Balanced crown (no bare quadrants)

d. Forks are U-shaped

e. Bole is free of defects.

Release by cutting all trees less than 5” DBH with crowns touching the selected crop tree. Unless the crop tree has a fork, then a tree should be left on the weaker side of the fork.

Trees overtopped by the crop tree do not need to be cut. They can be left to help limit the risk of epicormic branching.

2) Thin stump sprouts to 1 or 2 sprouts that originate below the ground line.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year FACTS Code Name of Treatment

Eckerman EA Section 9, T.45N., R.6W 71 / 28

0 4521 Manual Precommercial Thin

Draft Prepared by: Marjorie Allmaras Title: Forester Date: 7/31/2018

Field Checked by: Amy Livermore Title: Forester Date: 12/4/2023

Final Prepared by: Amy Livermore Title: Forester Date: 12/4/2023

Certified by:

Title:

Certified Silviculturist Date: 12/8/2023

3560A

Esri, Maxar, Microsoft

Riley Lake

Hulbert

Willwin Pond

Little Salt Lake

Peck and Rye Lake

McNearney Lake

Salt Lake Walker Lake

Johnson Lake

Duck Lake

Piatt Lake

Strongs

Strongs Corner

Eckerman

Eckerman Corner

Esri, LTC, Esri Canada, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/ NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, USDA, USFWS, NRCan, Parks Canada, Maxar

Treatment Guide

Treatment Guide

71_25,71_28TSI.pdf