CHECKLIST ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE MIDDLE SARPY TIMBER SALE Prepared by Chris Pileski Eastern Land Office-DNRC January 2008 Middle Sarpy Timber Sale Formal Public Review Distribution List TABLE OF CONTENTS I Checklist Environmental Assessment II Attachment 1 Vicinity and Proposed Unit and Road Map CHECKLIST ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Project Name: Middle Sarpy Limited Access Timber Sale Proposed Implementation Date: February 2008-April 2009 Proponent: Southern Land Office of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Location: All Section 36 Township 1 N Range 37E in the Sarpy Creek Drainage of the Yellowstone River in Southeastern Montana. County: Big Horn I. TYPE AND PURPOSE OF ACTION The Southern Land Office (SLO) of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing a commercial timber harvest approximately 26 miles east of Hardin in Section 36 Township 1 N Range 37E (Attachment 1 , Vicinity Map). Under the proposed action, DNRC would harvest approximately 1 000-1 500 tons of ponderosa pine from approximately 80 acres of timber land within the southern half of Section 36. The purposes of the action are to: (1) reduce stocking levels to a more historic, pre-fire suppression stand density, while maintaining the stand size and age class structure, (2) take advantage of an access opportunity presented to the DNRC to manage previously inaccessible timbered stands, and (3) generate revenue for the Common Schools Trust. Approximately 1 -2 miles of existing road on both state and private land may be used as designated haul routes. Approximately 0.5 -1 mile of temporary spur roads may be constructed to further accommodate log hauling. Temporary spur roads would be reclaimed through moving the berm back onto the road surface, mechanical surface scarification and surface broadcast seeding of native grass species. An estimated $1 1 ,500 $1 7,250 in revenue to the Common Schools Trust would be generated through the implementation of the Action Alternative. The lands involved in this proposed project are held by the State of Montana in trust for the Common Schools (Enabling Act of February 22, 1 889; 1 972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 1 1 ). The Board of Land Commissioners and the DNRC are required by law to administer these trust lands to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long run for the beneficiary institutions (Section 77-1 -202, MCA). The DNRC would manage lands involved in this project in accordance with the State Forest Land Management Plan (DNRC 1996) and the Administrative Rules for Forest Management (ARM 36.11.401 through 450) as well as other applicable state and federal laws. II. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT 1. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, AGENCIES, GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS CONTACTED: Provide a brief chronoiogy of thie scoping and ongoing involvement for tliis project. DNRC sent scoping letters on November 8, 2007 to lessees, adjacent landowners, and other interested parties including Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. A public notice was run in the Big Horn County News on November 15 & 22, 2007. Two written comments were received and used to identify issues relevant to the impacts analysis. DNRC specialists were also consulted, including: Jeff Schmalenberg, Soil Scientist; Patrick Rennie, Archeologist. 2. OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES WITH JURISDICTION, LIST OF PERMITS NEEDED: No permits required and no other agencies with jurisdiction. 3. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: NO ACTION: Current land use activities of grazing and recreation would continue without change. Increased fire hazard may occur as more ponderosa pine encroachment invades grassland areas and as stands become more heavily stocked and stagnant. TIMBER HARVEST ALTERNATIVE: This alternative would continue the current land use of grazing and would also incorporate a commercial timber harvest on approximately 80 acres. The proposed commercial timber harvest would remove approximately 1 000-1 500 tons of sawlog material along with an additional 500-1 000 tons DS-252 Version 6-2003 of pulp material (Attachment 1 , vicinity and project maps). The proposed commercial harvest would be an individual tree selection harvest attempting to reduce stocking levels to a more historic, pre-fire suppression stand density, while maintaining the stand size and age class structure. The harvest would attempt to emulate a low intensity high frequency or non lethal fire regime that would historically have been expected on this site. A target basal area (BA) per acre for these stands would range from 1 0-20 sqft depending on existing stocking levels and stand structure. The remaining stand would consist of trees of all size classes favoring trees with good form, crown, and vigor. The harvest activity may require the construction of approximately 0.5 -1 mile of temporary spur roads and the use of approximately 1 -2 miles of existing road on both state and private land as designated haul routes. All temporary spur roads would be closed and reclaimed upon completion of the sale. III. IMPACTS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT • RESOURCES potentially impacted are listed on the form, followed by common issues that would be considered. • Explain POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS following each resource heading. • Enter "NONE" If no impacts are identified or the resource is not present. 4. GEOLOGY AND SOIL QUALITY, STABILITY AND MOISTURE: Consider the presence of fragile, compactable or unstable soils. Identify unusual geologic features. Specify any special reclamation considerations. Identify any cumulative impacts to soils. Geology of the area is Fort Union Formation, siltstones, sandstones, clay shale and scoria (porcellinite) which are exposed on ridges. There are several badland bluffs in the area that have natural high rates of erosion, but no unusual geologic features occur on the state tract and slope stability is not expected to be affected by this project. The Thedalund-Wibaux complex is the only soil map unit that will be operated on. These soils are shallow to moderately deep, loamy in texture and pose a moderate to high erosion risk. Displacement and compaction risk is moderate. Soil disturbance would occur on new temporary roads and to a lesser extent in the skid trail locations. Impacts from skidding activities would be mitigated mostly by the scattered nature of the timber, dispersing the skidding activity over a large area. Planned ground skidding operations should have low risk of direct, in-direct and cumulative impacts based on implementing Montana Best Management Practices (BMP's) and mitigation measures. Mitigations include temporary use roads, season of use restrictions, general skid trail planning for selected draw crossing and avoiding steep slopes, protecting isolated wetlands and prompt re-vegetation of roads and landings to protect soil resources. 5. WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND DISTRIBUTION: Identify important surface or groundwater resources. Consider the potential for violation of ambient water quality standards, drinking water maximum contaminant levels, or degradation of water quality. Identify cumulative effects to water resources. Due to the low precipitation, the lack of perennial streams, temporary road construction, closure and seeding of the temporary roads after use, and the selective nature of the harvest, there would be a low risk of direct or indirect impacts to water quality, and cumulative impacts are not likely. BMPs and site specific mitigations, to control erosion and protect water quality would be implemented. Planned harvest operations and temporary roads present low risk of direct, in-direct and cumulative impacts based on the implementing BMP's and mitigation measures. Mitigations include temporary use roads, season of use restrictions, protecting isolated wetlands and prompt re-vegetation of roads and landings to protect soil resources. 6. AIR QUALITY: What pollutants or particulate would be produced? Identify air quality regulations or zones (e.g. Class I air shed) the project would influence. Identify cumulative effects to air quality. Particulate would be released into the atmosphere when the slash piles are burned. Slash would only be ignited when ambient air conditions are suitable and air dispersal flows are adequate to lift the smoke into the winds aloft for rapid and thorough dispersal. Environmental conditions required prior to ignition must include adequate snow cover on the ground surface with a long-term forecast of continued low temperatures during daylight DS-252 Version 6-2003 hours. There would likely be minimal direct, indirect and cumulative impacts on air quality as a result of the proposed action. 7. VEGETATION COVER, QUANTITY AND QUALITY: What changes would the action cause to vegetative communities? Consider rare plants or cover types that would be affected. Identify cumulative effects to vegetation. The project area consists of mixed grass and ponderosa pine types with smaller amounts of Rocky Mountain juniper interspersed throughout. The ponderosa pine generally occurs along the upland areas and in the swale and draw features associated with the uplands. Current stocking levels are approximately 60sqft BA with approximately 90 trees per acre (TPA) greater than 5 inches DBH. DNRC has adopted the old-growth definitions proposed by Green et al. (1 992: Old Growth Forest Types of the Northern Region, R-1 SES 4/92, USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT). Tree ages were sampled from a range of size classes and it was determined that there are no stands within the project area and subsequent harvest units that meet the definition of old growth. A representation of old age trees would be retained in harvest units where they occur. The silvicultural prescription calls for Individual Tree Selection harvest of trees from all size classes in an attempt to emulate a low intensity high frequency or Non-Lethal fire regime that would have historically occurred on this site prior to intensive fire suppression efforts that the stand has evolved in. The prescription calls for lowering stocking levels to 1 0-20 square feet of basal area per acre, depending on current stocking levels while maintaining the stands size and age structure by leaving trees from all size and age classes. The long-term plan for this stand is to maintain the multi-aged structure while maintaining the decreased stocking levels through periodic re-entry. Where available, DNRC would retain one snag and one snag recruit per acre throughout the harvest unit. Preferred diameter of snags is greater than 21 inches. However, snags of this diameter are virtually non-existent throughout the project area; therefore, DNRC would retain the next largest available size. The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) was contacted and their search found no recorded threatened, endangered, or sensitive plant species within their analysis area. No occurrences of noxious weeds were observed in the project area during presale reconnaissance, however, infestations of Canada thistle have been observed in the Middle and Main Forks of Sarpy Creeks. To prevent introduction of new weeds, off-road equipment would be cleaned and inspected prior to entry into harvest areas. Due to the selective nature of the proposed harvest and contract mitigation measures, minimal direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to vegetative communities are likely to occur as a result of the proposed activity. 8. TERRESTRIAL, AVIAN AND AQUATIC LIFE AND HABITATS: Consider substantial habitat values and use of the area by wildlife, birds or fish. Identify cumulative effects to fish and wildlife. Section 36 is used by a wide variety of wildlife species including: mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, Merriam's turkey, amphibians, cottontail rabbits, various raptors, and migratory birds. The section contains approximately 1 30 acres of ponderosa pine forest cover type, 31 5 acres of grassland, 1 1 acres of shrubland, and 84 acres of ground that has been previously mined. DNRC would remove approximately 1 000 - 1 500 tons of ponderosa pine from 80 acres of the forested land, subsequently reducing canopy cover. Habitat quality for wildlife associated with denser forest canopies may be reduced in the short term. Conversely, habitat quality for species that use more open habitats may be improved in the short term. Over time, sub-merchantable trees would grow to create denser canopy conditions. Where available, DNRC would retain one snag and one snag recruit per acre throughout the harvest unit, thereby providing potential foraging and nesting habitat for various species. DS-252 Version 6-2003 DNRC timber harvest operations would tal-:^ \r. l^- <^5^ Middle Sarpy Creek Timber Sale Vicinity Map Project Area Map Date 12/3S/2007 DNRC£LOCP 0.5 iMiles V .-•^