Sierra National Forest

Subject: Sugar Pine Adaptive Management Project

File Code: 1950-3
Date: July 17, 2009

Dear Interested Parties:

The Sierra National Forest has announced the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Sugar Pine Adaptive Management Project (AMP). The proposal has two primary purposes:

1. To reduce the intensity and spread of wildfires across the landscape and near communities. Provide a buffer between developed areas and wildlands where fire suppression capabilities are enhanced by modified fire behavior as well as provide a safe and effective area for fire suppression activities to occur.
2. To reduce stand density, within the lower and mid-canopy layers of conifer stands, to such a level as to provide for increased stand resiliency, growth and vigor. Increase the capability for forested stands to withstand fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, attacks from insects and diseases, and from wildfires by creating sustainable stand densities. 

Four alternatives, including no action, are considered in detail in the Draft EIS.  Alternative 1 (No-Action), would leave the area in its present condition; Alternative 2 (Proposed Action), would thin conifer stands to reduce stand densities and ladder fuels; masticate ladder fuels and brush/shrub patches; utilize prescribed burning, understory and pile; manually treat and/or prescribed burn noxious weed infestations; and site prepare and plant failed conifer plantations; Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative), would contain similar types of treatments as Alternative 2, but would limit the degree of treatment within known Pacific Fisher den site buffer to that needed to achieve fire and fuels objectives; and Alternative 4, would contain similar types of treatments as Alternative 2, but would limit the degree of treatment to that needed to achieve fire and fuels objectives in all treatment areas. 

Comments are Invited on the DEIS

The 45-day comment period begins the day after the Notice of Availability (NOA) for this project is published in the Federal Register. The NOA is anticipated to be published Friday, July 17, 2009.  While comments may be submitted anytime during the analysis process, only those who submit timely comments or otherwise express interest during the comment period will have eligibility to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR 215. It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit them by the close of the comment period.  In cases where no identifiable name is provided, a verification of identity will be required for appeal eligibility. Comments may be sent to:
              Sierra National Forest
             Attn. Sugar Pine AMP Comments
             1600 Tollhouse Road
             Clovis, CA  93611
             Fax:  (559) 294-4809
             Email: comments-pacificsouthwest-sierra@fs.fed.us

Additional Information

For further information on this DEIS contact Mark Lemon, Sugar Pine AMP, 57003 Rd. 225 North Fork, CA 93643; via telephone at (559) 877-2218 extension 3110; or via electronic mail at mlemon@fs.fed.us.

Sincerely,
/s/ Edward Cole
EDWARD C. COLE

Forest Supervisor

Project Documents

MASTER DEIS  (All Documents)

Table of Contents

Summary

Chapter 1: Purpose of and Need

Chapter 2: Alternatives

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Consequences (entire Chapter 3)

Biological Environment

Aquatic Wildlife and Management Indicator Species
Botany
Forest Vegetation
Noxious Weeds
Terrestrial Wildlife

Physical Environment

Air Quality
Fire Management
Geology and Soils
Hydrology

Social Environment

Cultural Resources
Lands and Special Uses
Short-Term Impacts/Long Term Productivity/Unavoidable adverse effects, Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources
Transportation

Chapter 4: Consultation and Coordination

Appendices

Appendix A - Maps

Map 1-Treatment Area and Analysis Boundary
Map 2-Wildland Urban Interface
Map 3-SPLAT
Map 4-Land Allocation
Map 5-Fisher Den Site Buffer
Map 6-Special Uses
Map 8-Spotted Owl Protected Activity Center
Map 9-Goshawk Activity Center
Map 10-Perennial Streams
Map 11-Fire History
Map 12-Road Construction and Re-construction

Appendix B: Best Management Practices Associated with Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project

Appendix C: Sierra National Forest Interim Pacific Fisher Habitat Maintenance and Improvement Approach

Appendix D: Data Tables for Sugar Pine Adaptive Management Project.

Glossary

Literature Cited