Dear Interested Party:

As you are aware, western juniper encroachment on rangeland in northeastern California is a serious issue affecting plant and wildlife diversity and overall rangeland health. As a result, the Alturas Field Office is continually searching for new and more effective juniper management tools. A recent proposal from Honey Lake Power may provide an excellent opportunity to study the potential benefits and environmental impacts of some of the latest juniper shearing technology on public land.

The Alturas Bureau of Land Management, in cooperation and partnership with Honey Lake Power, is proposing to evaluate the use of juniper shearing and chipping equipment as a vegetation management tool. We have tentatively identified four, approximately 20 acre, test plots on which we propose to examine the environmental impacts of juniper shearing and chipping operations. In turn, Honey Lake Power would be evaluating the economic viability of converting western juniper to clean, renewable energy at their power plant in Wendel.

We have identified the proposed test plots based on factors such as juniper cover, slope, vegetative composition and rockiness so that impacts under various site conditions can be evaluated. The sites were also selected so as to avoid potential impacts to cultural or archeological resources. The tests would be conducted in strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures and mitigation measures as laid out in the enclosed environmental assessment.

If you have any questions or comments, or would like to remain involved as we continue our evaluation, please give me a call at (530) 233-4666.

Sincerely,

/s/ Timothy J. Burke

Timothy J. Burke
Field Manager

attachment



______________________________________________________________________ FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT / DECISION RECORD

I have reviewed this environmental assessment for the Juniper Shearing Demonstration Project ( CA320- NEPA00-34) including the explanation and resolution of any potentially significant environmental impacts. I have determined that the proposed action, with the mitigation measures described herein, will not have any significant impacts on the human environment, and that an EIS is not required. I have determined that the proposed project is in conformance with the approved land use plan.

It is my decision to implement the proposed action with the referenced mitigation measures.

If you or other interested publics wish to protest this decision in accordance with 43 CFR 4160.2, you are allowed 15 days from receipt of this notice within which to file a protest with the Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 708 West 12th St., Alturas, CA 96101.

If a protest is filed within the time allowed, the protest statement of reasons and other pertinent information will be considered and a final decision will be issued with the right to appeal (43 CFR 4160.3(b), and 4160.4).

In the absence of a protest within the time allowed, the above decision shall constitute my final decision. Should this notice become the final decision, you are allowed an additional 30 days within which to file an appeal for the purpose of a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and to petition for stay of the decision pending final determination on the appeal (43 CFR 4.21, 4.470 and 4160.3(c)). If a petition for stay is not requested and granted, the decision will be put into effect following the 30-day appeal period. The appeal and petition for stay should be filed with the Field Manager at the above address. The appeal should specify, clearly and concisely, why you think the decision is in error. The petition for stay should specify how you will be harmed if the stay is not granted.

Mitigation Measures: See EA

Field Manager: /s/ Timothy J. Burke                Date: 9/27/00




______________________________________________________________________

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Juniper Shearing
Demonstration Project
BLM Office: Alturas (CA320)
708 West 12th St.
Alturas, CA 96101
Date: September 25, 2000

NEPA Number: CA320-NEPA00-34
Case File #s: N/A
BLM Office Alturas Resource Area Lease/Serial/Case File No. N/A

Proposed Action Title/Type:  Juniper Shearing Demonstration

Location of Proposed Action: Mountain Management Area of the Alturas RMP. T38N, R12E, sec. 19 & 30; T37N, R12E, sec. 12; T38N, R13E, sec. 17. ( 7.5 minute quads covering the project locations: Madeline, Ash Valley, and Holbrook Canyon.) All locations are in Lassen County.

Applicant: Honey Lake Power, represented by David Allen , 150 East Cypress, Redding CA 96002. Phone (530)221-8797.

Conformance With Applicable Land Use Plan:

This proposed action is subject to the following land use plan:

Name of Plan: Alturas RMP Date Approved: 8/28/84

This plan has been reviewed to determine if the proposed action conforms with the land use plan terms and conditions as required by 43 CFR 1610.5.

1.0 Introduction:

1.1 Purpose and Need

Portions of the Alturas Resource Area are converting from more open rangeland grass and shrub communities to juniper woodland types due to a variety of causes. These juniper stands are increasing in density and are having a negative effect on forage availability for livestock and wildlife and creating large areas of monotypic vegetation.

Prior to settlement of the Intermountain West, western juniper was largely confined to rocky ridges and areas of sparse vegetation. Juniper is now becoming well established in a wide range of soil types and plant communities associated with the sage brush steppe and aspen communities in the Intermountain West. This expansion has been attributed to climate change, past livestock grazing practices and, in more recent years, aggressive fire suppression.

Although fire has been used to restore some sagebrush steppe communities, it is not the most appropriate tool for juniper management in all situations. Concerns over air quality/smoke management, invasive exotic grasses, loss of shrub, grass and forb layers in dense juniper stands, soil stability and potential loss of forage species and habitat critical to wildlife are examples of issues that must be considered when selecting appropriate management strategies for western juniper expansion in the Alturas Resource Area. More recently, sage grouse has been identified as a species sensitive to habitat loss from both fire and juniper encroachment. The issues surrounding management of sage grouse habitat point out the need to look at a variety of methods to deal with juniper expansion, including mechanical treatment, hand treatment with chain saws, prescribed fire and herbicide applications.

1.2 Objectives

1.2.1 Within the scope and time frame of this EA, identify up to 100 acres of juniper shearing demonstration areas, where analysis of factors such as impacts to soils, vegetation, and cultural resources can be monitored. The selected test sites would provide an analysis of the mechanical equipment capabilities and limitations to factors such as slope, rockiness of the soil, and ability to handle juniper trees of different sizes and age classes.

1.2.2 Increase density of desirable shrubs, grasses and forbs.

1.2.3 Provide a diversity of vegetation types and increased edge effect for wildlife. Treatment areas would be designed to promote mosaic patterns with irregular edges.

1.2.4 Restore sagebrush/shrub communities so prescribed fire can be reintroduced in these fire dependent ecosystems.

1.2.5 Identify and preserve areas and individuals considered "old growth" juniper (greater than 200 years old).

1.3 Scope

This EA will primarily look at the standard operating procedures to ensure they meet the objectives of the Alturas RMP, and applicable Integrated Resource Management Plans (IRMPs), Habitat Management Plans (HMPs), Allotment Management Plans (AMPs), including the Tule Mountain/Cedar Creek Tablelands IRMPs.

1.4 Issues

No issues where identified for this project.

2.0 Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives:

2.1 Proposed Action

In the three identified project locations (see attached maps), tracked and rubber tired mechanical equipment would be used to fell, chip and remove juniper trees from the site. The type of equipment used on this project will include a feller-buncher with a rotating sawhead on a hydraulic arm, which is a tracked vehicle, approximately 11 feet wide and weighing about 60,000 pounds; a "50/48 Morbark" chipper, a tracked vehicle approximately 11 feet wide and weighing about 68,000 pounds; a "Kockums" forwarder which would haul the chips from the project area back to the landing/loading area. This is a rubber tired piece of equipment, about 8 feet wide and weighing 32,000 pounds. Additional equipment on the site would be a front end loader which would load the chip hauling trucks.

The feller- buncher would be driven around the project area, falling all juniper trees the meet the criteria listed in the Standard Operating Procedures. This piece of equipment would be followed by the chipper and the forwarder which would chip the trees and haul the chips back to the landing/loading area. From here the chips would be loaded in trucks for transport to the Honey Lake co-generation power plant.

In this demonstration project, effects on soils, vegetation, wildlife, and cultural resources would be monitored. This would provide needed information to assess the feasability, resource benefit and impacts of large scale juniper management projects using mechanical treatments such as the one described in the proposed action. Up to three additional demonstration areas may be added to this project through addendum to this EA.

Through Honey Lake Power, mechanical shearing and chipping and transportation equipment would be provided at no cost to the government. This demonstration project would provide the BLM an opportunity to analyze the resource benefits and impacts from a juniper shearing demonstration project. Monitoring and analysis of this project would provide data for future juniper management strategies. Honey Lake Power would obtain "hog fuel" in the form of juniper chips, to determine the suitability of this species for power plant fuel, and to determine the suitability, economics, and capabilities and limitations of this type of juniper management project.

2.2 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all units.

• A pre-work meeting will be held with the operators for each cutting unit. The operators will not move to another unit until the Project Inspector inspects and clears the completed unit.
• Treatment areas will be identified with boundary flagging, and specific leave areas/trees will also be identified with flagging. Boundaries are marked with a combination of red/white stripped and pink glo flagging. Trees or areas excluded for wildlife/ T&E plant concerns are marked with yellow flagging. Trees or areas excluded for cultural concerns are marked with white/blue polk-a-dot flagging..
• Avoid driving vehicles and equipment on bitterbrush and mountain mahogany plants.
• In treatment areas, leave 2-3 larger juniper or clumps of trees per/acre.
• Leave all juniper over 22" basal diameter, and trees exhibiting "old growth" characteristics.  These characteristics include, large basal diameter, nonsymmetrical, spreading canopies (as opposed to the inverted cone shaped canopies of young trees), large irregularly tapering trunks, deeply furrowed and fibrous bark, and very large lower branches .
• Do not cut trees with woodrat nests, cavities, or other signs of wildlife use.
• Maximum stump height is 10 inches.
• Remove ALL live limbs from stumps.
• Mechanical equipment is excluded from wet meadows and riparian areas, and during wet soil conditions where ruts from mechanical equipment exceeds two inches deep.
• Mechanical equipment is excluded from operating in stream channel bottoms and thier associated floodplains. If stream channels and riparian areas need to be crossed, all crossing points will be designated and marked with blue plastic flagging, and discussed with the operators before work in the cutting unit begins.
• Landing/loading areas may have trees and brush removed to facilitate movement of equipment, but should retain as much surface vegetation as practical. Location of Landing/loading areas must be coordinated with Project Inspector to avoid impacts to resources.
• Wood chips left on site should be scattered so they do not exceed a depth of one inch.

2.3 Initial project areas (see attached maps)

A. Approximately 16 acres of juniper cutting/shearing in the Clover Swale area.

B. Approximately 32 acres of juniper cutting/shearing in the Williams Ranch area.

C. Approximately 13 acres of juniper cutting at the Sage Hen Pass area.

D. An additional project area is identified within the McKabe Juniper Cutting Project (CA027-EA95-10) and is not addressed in this EA. This area is approximately 25 acres in size.

3.0 Affected Environment and Impacts:

3.1 Critical Elements of the Environment

Critical ElementAffectedCritical ElementAffected

YesNoYesNo

Air QualityXNoxious WeedsX

ACECsXT & E SpeciesX

Cultural ResourcesXWastes, Hazardous/SolidX

Environmental JusticeXWater QualityX

Farmlands, Prime/UniqueXWetlands/Riparian ZonesX

FloodplainsXWild & Scenic RiversX

Nat. Amer. Rel. ConcernsXWildernessX

3.2 Other Affected Elements of the Environment

The following elements of the environment are not effected by this proposal; realty, minerals and fisheries.

3.2.1. Vegetation

The proposed project areas are located in juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) woodlands that are approximately 70 to 100 years old, interspersed with younger (0 to 60 year old) trees. Canopy closure ranges from 10 to 40 percent. The understory in the Clover Swale unit consists of high density mountain big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and currants (Ribes spp). The Williams Ranch and Sage Hen units have understories of low density big sagebrush with very few other shrub species present. Grass species in all soil types are Columbia Needlegrass (Stipa columbiana), Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa), Squirreltail (Sitanion hystrix), Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis), Mountain Brome (Bromus marginatus), Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum). Some common forbs include: Phlox, Tapertip Hawksbeard and Lupine.

3.2.2. Soils

The soils in the proposed project areas consist of gravelly loam, very cobbly loam, and very stony loam soils. They occur on 2 to 30% slopes and have a moderate rating for hazard of erosion by water.

3.2.3. Wildlife

The Williams Ranch and Sage Hen project areas are identified in the Alturas RMP as critical deer winter range. The entire region surrounding the proposed project areas is identified as pronghorn antelope range. The area is also historic and current range for sage grouse, a BLM sensitive species. Numerous migratory birds, as well as small mammals, utilize the areas, using the juniper and understory shrub species for food sources and cover.

3.2.4 Fire Management

The proposed action lies in the within the Madeline Uplands as identified in the Alturas Fire Management Plan (FMP). In this area, the fire management objective is to contain unplanned wildland fire ignitions to 150 acres or less 90% of the time. Desired burned acres per decade in the planning area is 5,000 to 20,000 acres. Prescribed fire and mechanical treatments are identified within the FMP as methods to break up continuous fuel beds, reduce concentrations of dead or decadent fuels and promote a mosaic pattern of numerous irregular shaped patches of early and mid-successional stage vegetation.

Wildland fire occurring in the planning area usually start from lightning and are often limited to a single tree or groups of trees, where ground fuels are sparse. Where ground fuels are continuous, wildland fires often spread quickly an can reach large sizes in a relatively short time period.

3.3 Description of Impacts of Proposed Action

3.3.1Vegetation

The canopy cover of juniper in the project areas would decrease to approximately 5 %. Over time, the shrub canopy would be expected to increase in density and vigor. There would be an increase in grass and forbs in the immediate project area as a result of the reduced competition from juniper.

3.3.2Soils

There would be no expected negative impacts to soils from the proposed action. As described above, the tracked machinery would be limited in amount of area that it would cover (staying on own tracks, no turning around) and rubber tired machinery would be used for tasks that required more maneuverability. No operation of equipment would be allowed with wet soil conditions.

3.3.3Wildlife

There would be an increase of forage within the immediate project areas. There would be no impacts to overall populations of species due to the limited size and scattered locations of the project areas.

3.3.4 Fire Management

Mechanical treatments of the proposed project sites will reduce fuel loading, and lessen fire hazard in the treated areas. Post treatment, an increase in grasses, forbs and young shrubs may actually result in an increased fire hazard within the project areas, but will also promote a vegetation scheme to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem, where advanced stages of juniper growth has eliminated fire from playing a significant role in restoring vegetation health and diversity.

Fires started by the shearing operation itself must be suppressed according to current fire management policy and could be detrimental property, equipment and resources. Suppression of fires will require significant outlays of tax dollars.

3.3.5 Air Quality

Use of mechanical equipment can degrade the air quality for short time periods in the project vicinity due to exhaust and dust from equipment.

3.4 Description of Impacts for the No Action Alternative

3.4.1Vegetation

The juniper would be expected to increase in both size and density. Over time, the shrub layer, as well as forbs, would be expected to decrease and eventually disappear as the canopy layer of the trees increased over 40%. Grasses would likely decrease in species composition and density, but would persist as an understory component for a longer period of time than either the shrubs or forbs.

3.4.2Soils

There would be no impacts to the soils under this alternative. It is conceivable that the potential for erosion would increase over time as a result of the reduced herbaceous vegetation layer.

3.4.3Wildlife

The amount of forage available for ungulates, birds, and small mammals would decrease over time.

3.4.4Fire Management

No action would continue to see an increase in juniper, and a corresponding increase in fire hazard where ground fuels are dense.

3.4.5Air Quality

No Action would not immediately impact air quality. In is conceivable that no action could contribute to a greater risk of wildfire in some areas. Wildfires can significantly reduce air quality with harmful particulate emissions from wildfire smoke.

3.5 Cumulative Impacts

3.5.1Vegetation

The proposed project areas encompass a very small portion of the Mountain management area.  Overall, the cumulative impacts of the project or the No Action alternative would be nominal.  However, the purpose of the proposed project is to determine if a commercial harvest of juniper for energy-generating purposes is feasible without damaging the resources. Therefore, if the project is successful, there could be far-reaching implications for juniper management in the entire Northeastern California area.

3.5.2Soils

No cumulative impacts to soils would be expected.

3.5.3 Wildlife

See 3.5.1.

3.5.4Fire Management

In the long term, and viewing the proposed project area as a small portion of the Madeline Uplands fire management area, these projects will have little impact on the fire management program.

3.5.5 Air Quality

In the long term, this project will not have a cumulative impact on the air quality of the Mountain planning area.

4.0 Mitigation Measures:

Fire Safety-

• All vehicles on the project sites must have approved mufflers.
• Power equipment and mechanized tractors must have approved spark arresters.
• When using heavy equipment or power tools on the project site, the operator must have a fire extinguisher (3 lbs minimum, ABC rated) and a shovel readily accessible.
• If on site welding (gas or Arc) is required, the same fire extinguisher and shovel requirements apply. In addition, the welder must have at a minimum, five gallon pack type pump within 25 feet of the welding area. The area in which welding is done must be cleared of flammable vegetation in a 10 foot diameter circle.
• Following firefighting equipment must be on site when shearing, chipping, welding or loading operations are in progress: A minimum 200 gallon portable (on a trailer or pick up slip in model) firefighting unit, with a pump capable of at least 50 PSI & 45 GPM, fitted with at least 100 feet of 1" fire hose and a nozzle capable of both fog and straight stream spray patterns. A firefighting Tool Cache of at least five shovels, five axes or pulaskis.
• During shearing, chipping, welding or loading operations, the contractor or his/her representative, must have phone or radio contact with the Susanville Interagency Fire Center (SIFC) ((530) 257-5575, 24 hour/day) to report fires.
• Contractor must report ALL fires started by shearing, chipping or loading operations to SIFC, the Project Inspector or the Alturas Field Office FMO.
• No lunch or warming fires are permitted at any time.

Range & Noxious Weed Management-

• To prevent spread of noxious weeds on public lands, all equipment must be washed at an approved wash station prior to entering and after leaving public lands. Special attention must be paid to the tires, tracks, and undercarriages.
   

Soil & Water Quality Management-

• Any necessary refueling, maintenance and repair of equipment on the project site, must occur only in areas designated by the project inspector.

Project Site Rehabilitation-

• Repair all fences cut to allow equipment access.
• Rehab will be conducted where determined by the Project Inspector; actions may include ripping of compressed soils, blading and re-shaping for erosion control, installing water bars, etc. .

Monitoring of Impacts to resources:

Vegetation- Vegetation transects and/or photo points would be established prior to project implementation. These would be monitored in the spring after project completion, and again two years after project completion.

Soils- Areas undergoing rehab will be documented and visited after a time period sufficient to document the success of the rehab measures.

Cultural- As part of the demonstration project, samples of cultural resources, such as lithics, will be placed in the demonstration area to analyze the effects of heavy equipment on cultural resources.

4.2 Mitigation measures modified or declined.

1. None
 

5.0 Persons/Agencies Consulted:

Claude SingletonRecreation/Archeology

Dave MatternHydrology

Jennifer Purvine Wildlife/T&E Wildlife

Mike DolanBotany

Joe WagnerRange

Paul WhitcomeFire Management

Bob Shaffer

& Frank HallCDF&G biologists

Addendums will only be sent to those interested publics or permittees that specifically request to be informed.

Preparer(s):Paul Whitcome

Date: August 30, 2000

Environmental Coordinator: /s/ Jennifer Purvine  Date: 9/26/00


 

______________________________________________________________________

September 25, 2000

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all units.

• A pre-work meeting will be held with the operators for each cutting unit. The operators will not move to another unit until the Project Inspector inspects and clears the completed unit.
• Treatment areas will be identified with boundary flagging, and specific leave areas/trees will also be identified with flagging. Boundaries are marked with a combination of red/white stripped and pink glo flagging. Trees or areas excluded for wildlife/ T&E plant concerns are marked with yellow flagging.  Trees or areas excluded for cultural concerns are marked with white/blue polk-a-dot flagging..
• Avoid driving vehicles and equipment on bitterbrush and mountain mahogany plants.
• In treatment areas, leave 2-3 larger juniper or clumps of trees per/acre.
• Leave all juniper over 22" basal diameter, and trees exhibiting "old growth" characteristics. These characteristics include, large basal diameter, nonsymmetrical, spreading canopies (as opposed to the inverted cone shaped canopies of young trees), large irregularly tapering trunks, deeply furrowed and fibrous bark, and very large lower branches .
• Do not cut trees with woodrat nests, cavities, or other signs of wildlife use.
• Maximum stump height is 10 inches.
• Remove ALL live limbs from stumps.
• Mechanical equipment is excluded from wet meadows and riparian areas, and during wet soil conditions where ruts from mechanical equipment exceeds two inches deep.
• Mechanical equipment is excluded from operating in stream channel bottoms and thier associated floodplains. If stream channels and riparian areas need to be crossed, all crossing points will be designated and marked with blue plastic flagging, and discussed with the operators before work in the cutting unit begins.
• Landing/loading areas may have trees and brush removed to facilitate movement of equipment, but should retain as much surface vegetation as practical. Location of Landing/loading areas must be coordinated with Project Inspector to avoid impacts to resources.
• Wood chips left on site should be scattered so they do not exceed a depth of one inch.

Mitigation Measures

Fire Safety-

• All vehicles on the project sites must have approved mufflers.
• Power equipment and mechanized tractors must have approved spark arresters.
• When using heavy equipment or power tools on the project site, the operator must have a fire extinguisher (3 lbs minimum, ABC rated) and a shovel readily accessible.
• If on site welding (gas or Arc) is required, the same fire extinguisher and shovel requirements apply. In addition, the welder must have at a minimum, five gallon pack type pump within 25 feet of the welding area. The area in which welding is done must be cleared of flammable vegetation in a 10 foot diameter circle.
• Following firefighting equipment must be on site when shearing, chipping, welding or loading operations are in progress: A minimum 200 gallon portable (on a trailer or pick up slip in model) firefighting unit, with a pump capable of at least 50 PSI & 45 GPM, fitted with at least 100 feet of 1" fire hose and a nozzle capable of both fog and straight stream spray patterns. A firefighting Tool Cache of at least five shovels, five axes or pulaskis.
• During shearing, chipping, welding or loading operations, the contractor or his/her representative, must have phone or radio contact with the Susanville Interagency Fire Center (SIFC) ((530) 257-5575, 24 hour/day) to report fires.
• Contractor must report ALL fires started by shearing, chipping or loading operations to SIFC, the Project Inspector or the Alturas Field Office FMO.
• No lunch or warming fires are permitted at any time.

Range & Noxious Weed Management-

• To prevent spread of noxious weeds on public lands, all equipment must be washed at an approved wash station prior to entering and after leaving public lands. Special attention must be paid to the tires, tracks, and undercarriages.

Soil & Water Quality Management-

• Any necessary refueling, maintenance and repair of equipment on the project site, must occur only in areas designated by the project inspector.

Project Site Rehabilitation-

• Repair all fences cut to allow equipment access.
• Rehab will be conducted where determined by the Project Inspector; actions may include ripping of compressed soils, blading and re-shaping for erosion control, installing water bars, etc. .

Monitoring of Impacts to resources:

Vegetation- Vegetation transects and/or photo points would be established prior to project implementation. These would be monitored in the spring after project completion, and again two years after project completion.

Soils- Areas undergoing rehab will be documented and visited after a time period sufficient to document the success of the rehab measures.