Prepared for: Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team
Prepared by: Rich Adams, RPF #2741
(530) 581-5746, radams@parks.ca.gov
California State Parks
Dry Meadow Dead Tree Removal
Washoe Meadows State Park
Lake Valley Fire Protection District
Vegetation Management Plan
Total Acres Planned: 20
SEZ Acres: 20 (Dry SEZ subject possible future re-classification)
Operations: Mechanized (tractor) tree removal, biomass removal, no burning.
Introduction
The purpose of the Dry Meadow Dead Tree Removal project is to reduce hazardous forest fuels and improve native forest composition and structure adjacent to communities at risk along Sawmill Road . Lowland flat areas of Washoe Meadows State Park contain areas of dry and wet Stream Environment Zone (SEZ), which are commonly separated by only about 1 foot of elevation difference. The project area targets dense stands of dead, dying and suppressed lodgepole pine trees on dry SEZ. Wet SEZ areas will be avoided. Trees to be removed shall be marked with paint or otherwise designated for removal by or under the supervision of a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). Tree removal and removal of forest biomass will be accomplished by mechanized equipment over relatively dry conditions to prevent soil impacts.
Project Location and Access
Project area is located along the eastern boundary in Washoe Meadows State Park adjacent the Amacker Ranch to the southwest of Sawmill Road . The project area was strategically located to target dense stands of dead trees. Access to the project area by vehicle is by gated park road from along the Upper Truckee River to the south. From US Highway 50 in Meyers, turn north on North Upper Truckee Road, turn right on West San Bernadino Ave., left on Cholula St., left on Chilicothe St., to the gated park road. A landing area for biomass processing and truck loading is located within the project area along the designated haul road (see map).
Forest Stand Conditions
The existing forest stands in the project area are composed almost entirely of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) arranged in mostly even-aged stand structures of variable ages up to approximately 130 years old. Prior to the practice of fire suppression, the project area was likely very open meadow due to frequent summer fires. Some willow ( Salix spp.) are present along the project boundaries in wet SEZ areas that will be avoided. At least one large Jeffrey pine ( P. jeffreyi ) is present within the project and will be protected. The lodgepole pine stands are dense with dead, dying, and pole-sized trees. Bark beetle activity over the last 20 years has resulted in high densities of dead trees, and a buildup of surface fuels. The stand structure and fuel loading could support rapid development of a crown fire during the summer fire season.
Watercourse, Lake and Stream Environment Zone
The entire project area is classified (at least on some maps) as Stream Environment Zone (SEZ). The project area targets dry SEZ and avoids wet SEZ, as determined on site by presence/absence of riparian annual plants and willows, and by surface elevation and relative soil moisture content. It is possible that in the future, much of the project will be re-classified as non-SEZ (Class 5), after further analysis. It is not the intention of this project to recommend any land capability re-classifications. The project does intend to protect wet areas by avoidance. The project area has already been reviewed by staff from Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Equipment operations shall take place over relatively dry soil conditions to prevent excessive soil disturbance. No equipment shall operate in areas of saturated soil. High soil moisture content shall warrant termination of operations and shall be determined by project manager. No equipment shall operate within 75 feet of Angora Creek.
Any soil or topographic disturbance caused by operations shall be restored to natural topographic conditions, and re-vegetated if necessary with native vegetation. Final topographic and vegetative analysis shall be evaluated by State Park Forester. Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be maintained and shall include protection of all existing drainage structures along access routes to and from the project area.
Wildlife
A State Park Wildlife Biologist has approved the project design and will be available as needed during project implementation. No known nesting sites for species of concern are in the project area, nor is the project within a required buffer distance from sensitive wildlife for limited operations. Birds of prey (raptors) are known to use areas of Washoe Meadows State Park . Project staff will be instructed to notify project manager of sighting of any bird of prey, and any nesting bird species. Project work shall be curtailed around any known or newly discovered nest, den or habitation site pending review by the wildlife biologist. The wildlife biologist assisted in developing the forest thinning prescription, including specifications for snags and surface woody debris.
Archaeology
A qualified Archaeologist will survey the project site and appropriate cultural review documentation will be completed. All known cultural resources shall be identified prior to start of project work. All sites shall be protected from ground disturbance activity. It is unknown if this project will discover any additional cultural resources. The District Archeologist shall monitor project operations and prescribe any additional protective measures for sites discovered. If evidence of potentially significant historical/archaeological resources are found (shell, burned animal bone or rock, concentration of bottle glass or ceramics, etc.), the District Archaeologist will be contacted and work will be suspended until identification and proper treatment are determined and implemented.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of this project is to protect life, property and the environment from the threat of catastrophic wildfire, and to improve native forest structure. Objectives are to thin trees and reduce height of surface fuels to reduce the risk of crown fire, reduce potential flame lengths of surface fire, increase average tree diameter, improve native forest structure, and provide for recruitment of future old-growth trees. Project shall maintain valuable components of wildlife habitat including large dead trees.
Values at Risk
The Amacker Ranch and Sawmill Road border the project area on the east side. Potential wildfire behavior in the current forest condition could produce rapid moving crown fire and numerous spot fires in nearby residential neighborhoods less than 1 mile to the west. Natural resources including vegetation, wildlife, soil, air and water are also values at risk to catastrophic wildfire.
Vegetation Management Prescription
Basal Area target: 0 to 150 sq. ft. per acre
Retain all trees greater than 30” DBH except hazards to human life or private property.
Remove all dead trees less than 24” DBH.
Thin dead trees 24” to 30” DBH to 0.5 to 3 snags per acre.
Retain snags with largest relative diameter or with evidence of prior animal use.
Thin live trees 14” to 30” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.
Thin live trees less than 14” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.
Cleanup all surface fuels greater than 1” diameter except existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil. Minimize the appearance of cut ends on logs to be retained.
Operations
Project work shall be performed in accordance with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Code of Ordinances Chapter 71 – Tree Removal and with Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan Section 5.13 Forest Management Activities. Project work will be implemented by a private contractor using private equipment.
Mechanical (Tractor) Operations:
Fell all marked trees.
Fell all dead trees less than 24” DBH
Thin live trees less than 14” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.
Flush cut stumps to within 1 to 6 inches of ground level.
Transport all downed wood greater than 1” diameter to landing with heavy equipment as described in contractor's bid. Permissive equipment may include rubber-tired skidder or rubber-tired log forwarder. Contract bidders must carefully explain how this requirement will be met, in a written narrative attachment to their contract bid.
As part of any skidding operation, trees shall be whole-tree skidded butt-end first.
Leave and protect existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil. Minimize the appearance of cut ends on logs to be retained.
Protect soils by avoiding wet areas and shutting down mechanical operations during periods of high soil moisture as determined by project manager.
Transportation of Biomass:
Haul all biomass including logs, firewood, wood chips and/or slash out of the park. All biomass will become the property of the contractor upon exit from State Park property.
Do not stack any burn piles and do not scatter woody debris or wood chips except minimal scatter in the landing as described below.
One landing area within the project will be used for processing of woody materials, and loading of log trucks, firewood trucks, chip trucks and/or other related service vehicles.
Outside the project area and along the haul road exiting the park, contractor will collect and haul existing piles of wood chips in designated staging area. Existing wood chip volume is approximately 1000 cubic yards (recommend site visit).
Vehicles will not operate during wet conditions and will not cause any soil rutting.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be maintained and shall include protection of all existing drainage structures along access routes to and from the project area, including the well-crowned road surface.
At termination of hauling activity, all designated haul roads shall be reconstructed to conditions existing prior to commencement of tree removal operations. Road reconstruction may include but is not limited to grading, crowning, rocking, drainage repair, culvert cleaning, side ditch repair, water bar repair, and side slope re-contouring.
Protection from Soil Compaction and Rutting:
All tractor routes and any soil or topographic disturbance caused by operations shall be restored to natural topographic conditions, and re-vegetated if necessary with native vegetation. Contract bidders must carefully explain how this requirement will be met, in a written narrative attachment to their contract bid.
Main tractor routes that service 1-acre areas or larger shall be ripped to prevent long-term compaction and shall be left smooth with the surrounding topography.
The landing shall be ripped to 12” depth, shall be left smooth with the surrounding topography and shall be covered with a 2 to 4” layer of wood chips or grinded wood mulch.
Hand Crew Follow-up:
Rake out ruts and berms in soil to less than 6 inches height across entire project.
Rake out linear tractor marks and log skid paths that may capture surface water.
Cover areas of bare soil with native forest litter material.
Repair pre-existing trail at tractor crossing points to pre-project trail conditions.
Rake out all tractor marks and tire marks within 75 feet of park roads and trails.
Repair any incidental damage to the park fence.
_____________________
See profiles and maps of the dead tree removal projects projects:
< Dead Tree Removal Project Introduction >
< East Meadow >
< Bakersfield >
< Dry Meadow >
|
