3.0 affected environment 3.1 soil and...
TRANSCRIPT
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-1
This section summarizes the key
environmental impacts of the two alternatives.
It provides the necessary information to
determine whether or not to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement. The
analysis that follows has considered the best
available science when evaluating the impacts
of the proposed project on the forest resources
through a review of scientific literature, a
consideration of responsible opposing views,
and the acknowledgement of incomplete or
unavailable information, scientific
uncertainty, and risk. This includes reports
submitted by Forest Service Specialists that
are in the project file.
3.1 Soil
3.1.1 Affected Environment The Groveton Fuels Reduction Project in C-
90 and 99 is located within the Sandy
Uplands Landtype Association (LTA).
This LTA occurs on the Manning and
Wellborn formations. These formations
consist of littoral sands and sandy clays on
undulating to moderatly sloping landscapes.
Soils consist of loamy, somwhat poorly to
moderately drained surface soils over clay to
sandy clay loam subsoils (Van Kley et. al.
2007).
The Order II Soil Resource Inventory
completed through contracting with the
Natural Resouces Conservation Service
(NRCS) for the Davy Crockett NF shows that
several soil series can be found in C-90 and
99. Those soil series and their characteristics
are displayed in Table 3-1. All suitability
ratings can be mitigated to acceptable levels
by implementation of the Plan’s standards
and guidelines (USDA 2009a). Maps
showing soil locations are in Appendix A.
Table 3-1. Soils characteristics in C-90 & 99 Map Unit
Soil Name
Potential Erosion Hazard (Roads/Trails)
1 Harvest Equipment
Operability2
Potential Fire Damage Hazard
3
FuA Fuller fine sandy loam, 0-1% slopes
Slight* Moderately suited** Low*
FuB Fuller fine sandy loam, 1-3% slopes
Slight Moderately suited Low
HeB Herty loam, 1-3% slopes Slight Moderately suited Moderate
KeB Keltys find sandy loam, 1-3% slopes
Slight Moderately suited Moderate
KoA Koury silt loam, 0-1% slopes, frequently flooded
Slight Moderately suited Moderate
KuB Kurth fine sandy loam, 1-3% slopes
Slight Well suited* Moderate
KuD Kurth fine sandy loam, 5-8% slopes
Moderate** Well suited Low
LnB Lovelady loamy fine sand, 1-5% slopes
Slight Well suited High***
LnD Lovelady loamy fine sand, 5-8% slopes
Moderate Well suited High
3.0 Affected Environment
and Environmental
Consequences
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-2
Table 3-1 (continued) Map Unit
Soil Name
Potential Erosion Hazard (Roads/Trails)
1 Harvest Equipment
Operability2
Potential Fire Damage Hazard
3
MxA Moten-Multey complex, 0-2% slopes
Slight Moderately suited Low
PeB Penning very fine sandy loam, 0-2% slopes
Slight Moderately suited Low
PoA Pophers silty clay loam, 0-1% slopes, frequently flooded
Slight Moderately suited Low
1. The hazard or risk of loss from unsurfaced roads/trails. Ratings assessment: the force that natural precipitation
events have to dislodge and move soil materials on roads/trails and firebreaks.
2. The suitability for operating harvesting equipment. Ratings assessment: the off-road transport or harvest of
logs and/or wood products by ground-based wheeled or tracked equipment. The use of standard rubber-tire
skidders and bulldozers used for ground-based harvesting and transport.
3. The potential hazard of damage to soil nutrient, physical, and biotic characteristics from fire. Ratings
assessment: the impact of fires (prescribed or wildfire) of moderate fireline intensity (116-520 btu’s/sec/ft) that
provide the necessary heat to remove the duff layer and consume soil organic matter in the surface layer.
Slight, low, or well-suited - Presents, at most, minor problems for the specified use. The soil gives satisfactory
performance with little or no modification. Modifications or operations dictated by the use are simple and relatively
inexpensive. With normal maintenance, performance should be satisfactory for a period of time generally considered
acceptable for the use.
Moderate or moderately suited - Does not result in exceptional risk or cost for the specified use, but the soil does
have certain undesirable properties or features. Some modification of the soil itself, special designs, or maintenance
are required for satisfactory performance over an acceptable period of time. The needed measures usually increase
the cost of establishing or maintaining the use, but the added cost is generally not prohibitive.
Severe or high – Results in unacceptable risk to use the soil if not appreciably modified. Special design, a
significant increase in construction cost, or an appreciably higher maintenance cost is required for satisfactory
performance over an acceptable period of time. A limitation that requires removal and replacement of the soil would
be rated severe. The rating does not imply that the soil cannot be adapted to a particular use, but rather that the cost
of overcoming the limitation would be high (http://soils.usda.gov/technical/manual/print_version/chapter6.html;
accessed March 20, 2008)
Cumulative Effects
The boundary for C-90 and 99 defines the
cumulative effects area for soils. If any
activities had occurred in these compartments
in the years (2007-2009), they would be
considered, since it takes three years for an
area to recover from erosion due to
disturbances such as timber harvesting. The
most intensive site preparation methods
expose the most soil and require three years to
recover from the disturbance (USDA 1989).
Activities planned for the next ten years
(2010-2020) in these two compartments will
also be considered, as projects included in this
document may be implemented over the
course of ten years. In the last three years in
C-90, mulching occurred on 151 acres in
2007 and prescribe burning occurred on 300
acres in 2010. In C-99, 200 acres were
prescribe burned in 2010.
Occasional road maintenance is the only other
activity that has taken place during the last
three years.
3.1.2 Environmental Consequences
3.1.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) In implementing this alternative, no additional
impacts to soil properties would occur.
Conditions would generally remain the same.
Changes to soil properties would be the result
of natural disturbances, such as windstorms or
wildfire. A windstorm could uproot trees and
expose soils. Similarly, wildfire could kill
overstory vegetation, expose soil, and result
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-3
in soil nutrient losses and erosion. These
events, however, are rare and the overall risk
to soil resources from natural events is low.
The NRCS Soil Inventory discloses the
potential fire damage hazard, which reflects
the potential for damage to soil nutrients,
physical, and biotic characteristics from fire.
Ratings assess the impact of fires, prescribed
or wildfire, of moderate intensity (116-520
btus/sec/ft) that provide the necessary heat to
remove the duff layer and consume soil
organic matter in the surface layer.
Portions of C-90 and 99 have a high potential
fire damage hazard. Most likely, the no
action alternative would result in a greater
probability of soil damage to these areas,
assuming that this area could eventually be
burned by a wildfire under moderate to
extreme weather conditions.
Cumulative Effects
Under this alternative, the biggest cumulative
impact to soils in C-90 and 99 would be the
continued erosion along roads. Poor road
drainage would allow existing road-generated
erosion to contribute to soil loss.
3.1.2.2 Alternative 2
Approximately 1,100 acres would be
disturbed by harvest activities. Thinning
could cause compaction in the skid trails,
landings, and on the temporary roads. The
amount of compaction that would occur is a
function of the volume being removed per
acre, the number of acres being harvested, the
logging equipment used by the timber
purchaser, and soil moisture conditions.
Eighty percent of soil compaction occurs after
one pass by heavy equipment, and no
differences can be found after four passes
(Scott et. al. 2004). Recovery from
compaction depends on the soils, degree of
compaction, and type of vegetation present.
The removal of trees could increase the
potential for erosion from an increase in run
off caused by reducing the soil cover.
Limiting operations to dry seasons and the
relatively infrequent entries into the stands
provide adequate protection of soil, limiting
soil movement and compaction. Harvested
stands would maintain a tree canopy, resulting
in a moderate potential from soil movement.
The soils would have time to recover from the
effects of compaction prior to the next timber
harvest (USDA 1989).
The Plan contains coefficients to estimate
potential soil erosion for the general soil types
in the areas where activities are planned.
Thinning would potentially increase erosion
to 0.07 tons per acre per year, also well under
the tolerance level of 4.8 tons per acre per
year. Tolerance levels provide an estimate of
the total soil loss that can be allowed from
accelerated erosion without substantially or
permanently lowering soil productivity (The
Plan, Appendix F).
Prescribe burning on the proposed cycle
would allow litter-duff biota to fully recover
between burns. Soil physical properties
would not be affected. Underburns (prescribe
burns that occur under the timber canopy) do
not cause significant leaching losses because
nutrients would be retained through the
uptake by unburned plants. Loss of organic
matter would be about five percent.
Underburns are usually light to moderate in
severity and expose little or no soil, so their
effect on erosion is generally negligble.
Overall risks to soil productivity from
underburns are minimal (USDA 1989).
Existing barriers such as roads, streams, and
permanent fire lines are used whenever
possible to minimize fire line construction.
Bladed lines are constructed/reconstructed as
opposed to plowed, in order to minimize soil
resource damage. Water diversion structures
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-4
and prompt revegetation on constructed
control lines would prevent soil loss. Post-
burn monitoring determines the need for
follow-up implementation of additional
erosion control measures. The same firelines
are used for repeated burns.
Prescribe burning under Alternative 2 would
be within acceptable limits to areas with
severe potential fire damage hazard, because
weather and fuels would be optimum,
minimizing damage.
It is generally accepted that the majority of
sediment produced by forest management
practices comes from forest roads (Gucinski,
et. al. 2001). Although road improvements
would disturb soil, the work that would be
done is designed to improve the stability of
road surfaces and improve drainage of the
roads. These activities would, in the long
term, decrease the amount of sediment
produced by the road system.
The use of temporary roads would create the
potential for soil movement. Initial ground
disturbance produces the greatest sediment
yield (Blackburn et. al. 1989). Following the
timber sale, temporary roads will be
decommissioned, roads will be seeded, water
bars installed and entrances blocked. The
closing of most low standard system roads
will promote vegetative cover and reduce
surface runoff.
Removing fill from built up portions of FDR
583 will loosen soil while the work is going
on but would result in a more natural drainage
flow.
The effects of NNIPS control on soil are
described in the NNIPS EA for the National
Forests and Grasslands in Texas (USDA
2008).
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects to soils from activities
proposed in Alternative 2, would result in
some risks to soil productivity, mainly
through nutrient displacement and erosion.
Road construction and improvements needed
to access the harvest areas present the greatest
potential for both nutrient displacement and
soil erosion in the cumulative effects area.
All roads would be constructed or improved
to the Plan’s standards and guidelines. These
measures minimize the potential for erosion.
The timber harvest activities would be
implemented over a period of several years.
Not all of the area would be harvested in any
one year and it is probable that timber
harvesting would be spread over the next five
to seven years under Alternative 2. Ground
disturbance would not be concentrated in any
one area during any time period at levels that
would result in significant cumulative effects.
3.2 Water
3.2.1 Affected Environment
Two stream systems drain Compartments 90
and 99: Caney Creek and Piney Creek.
Kemper Creek, a tributary of Caney Creek,
flows through the southeastern part of C-90,
across private land and joins Caney Creek in
C-99 Stand 24. Caney and Piney Creeks
originate on national forest land north of the
project area, flow across private land, through
C-99 and merge east of C-99, in C-98.
Beneficial uses for these creeks consist
mainly of fisheries. Properties and
characteristics for jurisdictional wetlands are
not present within the project area.
Compartment 99 contains Ritter Lake, an
oxbow lake located at the north end of Stand
8.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-5
Cumulative Effects The cumulative effects area for water consists
of two watersheds for Caney Creek and Piney
Creek, totaling 61,613 acres. A map of these
watersheds is located in Appendix A.
Table 3-2. Watersheds in the Cumulative Effects
Area for water
Watershed FS ac Pvt ac Total ac
Caney Creek 14,341 12,773 27,114
Piney Creek 12,561 21,938 34,499
Totals 26,902 34,711 61,613
Activities that have occurred or will occur in
these watersheds between 2007 and 2020 will
be considered in the cumulative effects to
water for this project.
Table 3-3. Activities that have occurred in the
Cumulative Effects Area for water
Compt. Action
Piney Creek Watershed
79 499 acres thinned in 2007 181 acres seedtree cut in 2007
94 2,415 ac. P. burned in 2009
Caney Creek Wateshed
82 170 ac. thinned in 2007
84 195 ac. thinned in 2007
87 100 ac. thinned in 2008 1,318 ac. p. burned in 2009
88 1,532 ac. p. burned in 2009
89 286 ac. mech. fuel reduction in 2007
90 151 ac. mech. fuel reduction in 2007 300 ac. P. burned in 2010
91 197 ac. mech. fuel reduction in 2008 897 ac. p. burned in 2009
99 200 ac. P. burned in 2010
Private land – As displayed in Table 3-2, over
half of the cumulative effects area for water is
privately owned, primarily north of C-90 and
99. About half of the private land in the
cumulative effects area for water is forested;
the other half is mostly pasture, scattered
homes and farms. Part of the Groveton
community lies within the southern part of the
Caney Creek watershed.
Caney and Piney Creeks are not on Texas’
most recent list of Impaired Streams, so there
is no indication that anything is occurring in
these watersheds that would be causing
damage to the creeks (Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality 2008). The amount of
sedimentation occurring due to roads in these
two watersheds has not been quantified.
3.2.2 Environmental Consequences
3.2.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
No additional management-initiated impacts
to water would occur under this alternative.
Conditions would generally remain the same.
Changes to water properties would result
mainly from natural disturbances,
such as windstorms or wildlfire. These
events, however, are rare and the overall risk
to water resources from natural events is low.
Cumulative Effects
While no activities would take place in Phase
1 of the Groveton Fuels Reduction Project
under this alternative, actions in other
proposed projects in these two watersheds
could still go forward. Phases 2-4 of the
Groveton Fuels Reduction Project propose to
thin about 5,980 acres and prescribe burn
approximately 8,500 acres on a 3-7 year
rotation. The timber harvest activities would
be implemented over a period of several
years. It is probable that timber harvesting
would be spread over the next 6 to 10 years.
Ground disturbance would not be
concentrated in any one area during any time
period at levels that would result in adverse
cumulative effects to soil productivity. The
biggest cumulative impact to water in the
Caney and Piney Creek watersheds would be
the continued sedimentation from the roads.
Private Land – Private land to the north of C-
90 and 99 has been managed for timber
production. Based on ground observations,
interpretation of aerial photographs, the prior
history of this area, the current conditions of
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-6
the stands, and past management, it is likely
that additional timber management would
occur in the near future. The cumulative
effects of these activities to water would
include an increase in water yields after
timber harvesting activities and some erosion
from surface runoff.
3.2.2.2 Alternative 2 Water yields would increase temporarily in
thinned areas after harvesting is implemented.
This effect is more related to reduced water
use by vegetation than effects on soil
properties (USDA 1989 and Blackburn et. al.
1989). Surface runoff could cause erosion
where water becomes channeled and mineral
soils are exposed. Skid trail and temporary
roads would produce most of the soil
movement. Establishment of stream
protection zones, waterbarring, seeding, and
fertilizing of bare soil areas would mitigate
the potential for sediment delivery to streams.
Underburns (prescribe burns that occur under
the timber canopy) have a negligible effect on
stream nutrients, water yields, and stream
sediment loads (USDA 1989). Water
diversion structures and prompt revegetation
would prevent soil loss and sedimentation in
stream courses.
Road improvements would disturb soil, but
they are designed to improve the stability of
road surfaces and improve drainage of the
roads. In the long-term, the amount of
sediment produced by the road system would
be reduced. System road and temporary road
construction would create the potential for
soil movement. Skid trails and temporary
roads will produce most of the sediment
resulting from logging activities. Initial
ground disturbance produces the greatest
sediment yield (Blackburn et. al. 1989).
Following the timber sale, temporary roads
will be seeded, water bars installed and
entrances blocked. The closing of low
standard system roads will promote vegetative
cover and reduce surface runoff.
Some roads have altered drainage patterns in
the project area. These roads were originally
designed to minimize potential erosion
through the installation of wing ditches and
cross drain culverts. However, wing ditches
direct water away from roads, resulting in
runoff reaching stream channels. Site specific
ways to improve the roads, such as
constructing additional wing ditches and
adding surfacing where needed (including in
pre-haul maintenance proposed with this
project) will decrease erosion and
sedimentation.
Removing fill from built up portions of FDR
583 will loosen soil while the work is going
on but would result in a more natural drainage
flow.
The effects of NNIPS control on water are
described in the NNIPS EA for the National
Forests and Grasslands in Texas (USDA
2008).
Cumulative Effects
Prescribed burning, understory mulching, and
road maintenance are the activities that have
occurred on national forest in the two
watersheds in the last three years. These
activities, combined with those of this
alternative and reasonable foreseeable future
actions (5,980 acres of thinning in phases 2-4
of the Groveton Fuels Reduction Project and
8,500 acres of prescribe burning), would not
be expected to result in measureable adverse
cumulative effects on water quality. This is
based on the small area affected by the
project, the expected implementation of the
activities over several years, the measures
incorporated to reduce soil movement
following thinning and hurricane recovery
and the improvements to be made to the roads
needed to implement the project.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-7
Table 3-4 illustrates the relatively minor area
of the two watersheds that would be affected
by this alternative.
Table 3-4. Percentage of watersheds affected by
Alternative 2 Watershed Total
Acres Ac of
Thinning %
Caney Creek 27,114 1,065 4
Piney Creek 34,499 35 0.1
The timber harvest activities would be
implemented over a period of several years.
Not all of the area would be harvested in any
one year and it is probable that timber
harvesting would be spread over the next 6 to
10 years. Ground disturbance would not be
concentrated in any one area during any time
period at levels that would result in significant
cumulative effects. Areas would have time to
recover, reducing the potential for any
cumulative effects.
Private Land – As mentioned under
Alternative 1, some of the private land to the
north of Compartments 90 and 99 has been
managed for timber production. The
likelihood of additional timber management
in this area, in the near future, is possible.
However, the harvested areas have recovered.
The cumulative effects of these activities to
water would include an increase in water
yields after timber harvesting activities and
some erosion from surface runoff.
The type of cutting, the design and location of
the road work, the streamcourse protection
techniques employed in timber harvesting and
road improvement on national forest land, the
temporal distribution of the future projects,
and the quick recovery period in the Texas
Gulf Coastal Plain, would minimize the
contribution of this project to cumulative
effects on water quantity or quality.
3.3 Air
3.3.1 Affected Environment
The Forest Objective is to meet the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as
defined by the amended Clean Air Act. The
Davy Crockett NF is considered to be in
attainment of the National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Class II air
sheds. The nearest non-attainment area is in
Montgomery County, approximately 60 miles
south of C-90 and 99. Montgomery County
lies within the Houston/Galveston, TX non-
attainment area. The air quality within
Trinity County, where the project is located,
is generally good, but regional haze affects
visibility in the area year-round, especially
during the summer months.
Cumulative Effects
The Cumulative Effects Area for air includes
Trinity County, in which C-90 and 99 lie.
Most states monitor air quality in this manner,
on a county basis. Since prescribed fire is the
only vegetation management method that
emits substantial amounts of gases and
particulates to the atmosphere, prescribed
burning that has occurred in 2009 will be the
main activity to be considered for cumulative
effects (USDA 1989). The Davy Crockett NF
completed about 19,180 acres of prescribed
burning in 2009, in Trinity County.
3.3.2 Environmental Consequences
3.3.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under this alternative, impacts to air quality
would be limited to naturally occurring
processes.
Cumulative Effects
Cumulative effects to air would be negligible
under this alternative.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-8
3.3.2.2 Alternative 2
Prescribed fire generates several pollutants,
two of which are of the biggest concern to
Forest Service fire managers: particulate
matter and ozone. State air quality
monitoring data indicates that Trinity County
is in attainment for fine particulate matter at
this time. Monitoring data for ozone
collected near the Davy Crockett NF indicates
that current conditions of ozone pollution are
acceptable in terms of NAAQS. Prescribed
fire should be considered only as a small
source of particulate matter or ozone
pollution. Weather and climate in Texas
preclude prescribed fire from becoming a
contributor to ozone non-attainment (USDA
2003).
The major local effects of prescribed burning
are visibility reduction and respiratory
impairment. These effects are expected to be
brief, intermittant, and confined to time of
burning (USDA 1989).
The Forest Service mitigates prescribed
burning air quality effects by conducting
burns during appropriate weather conditions
and using proper ignition and smoke
management tools. Because of this, no effects
regarding attainment of state air quality
standards should be expected. The Air
Quality Report includes a more detailed
discussion of prescribed burning and its
effects on air (included in the Project File).
Parameters that will be followed to mitigate
the impacts of smoke:
Wind speed > 6 mph, < 20
Relative humidity > 20 %
Transport winds > 4 m/s
10-hour fuel moisture > 7 % for open canopy > 9 % for closed canopy
Mixing height > 500 m
Wind direction Carry smoke away from sensitive target
Cumulative Effects
Cumulative effects to air quality under this
alternative would be negligible. State air
quality monitoring data shows that most of
the Davy Crockett NF is in attainment at this
time. Weather and climate conditions in
Texas preclude prescribed fire from becoming
a contributor to ozone non-attainment (USDA
2003).
Since it is likely that the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality will allow the
Forest Service to use prescribed fire
elsewhere on the Davy Crockett NF,
essentially no differences exist between the
current conditions and Alternative 2 in terms
of expected annual emissions.
3.4 Recreation and Scenic Resources
3.4.1 Affected Environment
Recreation
The Davy Crockett Ranger District lies about
120 miles north of the Houston metropolitan
area. Recreation use in C-90 and 99 consists
primarily of hunting. Dispersed camping,
hiking, and bird-watching are other possible
activities that could take place in these
compartments.
Scenic Resources
Most of C-90 and 99 have a visual quality
objective (VQO) of maximum modification.
Maximum modification allows management
activities, such as vegetative and landform
alterations, to dominate the landscape.
Due Road, Rainey Road, and Lacy 3 Road
have a VQO of modification. Management
activities in modification may also be
dominant features, but are of an appropriate
scale and form so as to appear as a natural
occurrence within the surrounding area.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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Steamside zones (MA-4) and other more
sensitive areas, including State Highway (SH)
94, Farm to Market Roads (FM) 2262 and
3317 have a VQO of Partial Retention.
Management activities in partial retention
may be visible but should remain subordinate
to the character of the surrounding landscape.
SH 94 is adjacent to the Forest Service
boundary in C-90 for three short sections; the
longest section of frontage on SH 94 is
approximately 1,000 feet. These areas are
very distinct as they are surrounded by
pasture. The views into the forest are short
distance foreground. Due Road bounds C-90,
Stands 3 and 5 to the north. Rainey Road
forms the eastern boundary of C-90, Stands 1,
2, 3, and 13. Along these roads, the national
forest land has short distance foreground
views, while the privately owned land along
those roads has generally open long distance
views.
The remaining blocks in C-90, with the
exception of Stand 9, are all surrounded by
private pastures and forested lands. Stand 9 is
bisected by FM 3317. Part of Stand 9 is
bordered by Lacy 3 Road on the east and
divided by Lacey 2 Road on the west. FDR
5407 parallels the southern boundary of the
stand. Most of the views in Stand 9 are very
tight short distance foreground with canopy
overhanging the roadways.
C-99 is a single block of land and the majority
of the boundary is next to private forested
lands and some open pasture. Most of C-99 is
not viewed by the general public; this
compartment has about 300 feet of road
frontage along FM 2262. This view begins as
short distance foreground at the southern
boundary where the national forest boundary
line and FM 2262 meet. As FM 2262 departs
from the boundary line the view eventually
becomes background.
Both compartments contain additional interior
forest roads, which are currently not open to
vehicle use by the public. Members of the
public may walk down the travelways as they
would in any interior portion of the general
forest area (USDA 2009b).
Cumulative Effects Area
The cumulative effects area for scenic
resources is defined by the compartments’
boundaries.
3.4.2 Environmental Consequences
3.4.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Under the no action alternative, the views
along the roads would remain as they are for
some time. As pine stands within C-90 and
99 decline with age, the understory will
become denser and middle ground views will
revert to primarily foreground. With a lack of
management activities, the possibility of rapid
change is increased due to natural events such
as wildfire, straight-line winds and insects
(such as the SPB outbreak in the 1980’s).
These events can have devastating effects on
the quality of the scenery. The pine
plantations will have difficulty developing
into quality trees and will be more susceptible
to insects.
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects to the quality of the
visual landscape and recreation would be
negligible. The compartments would retain
their overall forested character. Views into
the compartments from the two subdivisions
would remain primarily short distant
foreground views (USDA 2009b).
3.4.2.2 Alternative 2
The proposed management activities would
have an effect on the scenery. They would
continue to keep existing middleground and
background views open and, with time, the
existing foreground views would become
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-10
more open, creating visual depth into the
forested land.
Thinning pine plantations will begin the
process of opening the stands and will help to
release the trees allowing them to become
larger and healthier with better shaped
canopy. Thinning in the mature pine stands
will create a more majestic canopy as the pine
fills in. To obtain the desired future
conditions, and therefore middleground
views, continued burning is necessary.
The greatest scenic change would occur in the
youngest pine stands (C-90, Stands 1, 5; and
C-99, Stands 17 and 18). Thinning and
burning would begin to create openings in the
tight foreground views and eventually provide
middleground views. Thinning and burning
would also change the predominantly mature
pine stands by reducing the number of pines
allowing for larger canopy and longer
distance views by reducing the understory.
Initially, there will be locations where the
difference between existing views and the
views after management activities will be
dramatic. To provide a transition between
travel ways and management activities, a
design criterion has been developed (see
design criterion 13 in Chapter 2). Current
logging techniques would create some
openings along the roads and trails in the
thinned stands, but the longer middleground
views will be created when the stands are
regularly burned. When burned, scorch and
bark char would be visible for sometime;
however, this is a natural part of fire. After
several rotations of fire have reduced the
fuels, fire will be less intense and scorch and
bark char will be reduced.
Removing fill from built up portions of FDR
583 will be a highly visible operation but will
take place in the interior of the compartment.
However it will be temporary and will result
in a more natural drainage flow.
NNIPS treatment would follow the NNIPS
EA and Management Plan for the National
Forests and Grasslands in Texas (USDA
2008). In general, the dead and dying
vegetation will be spots among live
vegetation and have short term visual effects.
As the leaves fall off the dead plants they will
be less noticeable and native materials will fill
in the voids.
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects to recreation and
scenic quality would be negligible. Both
compartments would retain its overall
forested character and management activities
would be temporary or mitigated to reduce
their effects on recreation and scenic
resources. The actions proposed would result
in changes to the scenery by opening the
many layers of the forest (understory,
midstory, overstory). VQOs would be met
(USDA 2009b).
3.5 Heritage Resources
3.5.1 Affected Environment
The Heritage staff reviewed the proposed
activities for the Groveton Fuels Reduction
Project and found that the proposed activities,
such as thinning and prescribe burning, would
not adversely affect any Historic Properties as
defined in 36 CFR 800. A Heritage
Management Summary detailing this finding
of “no adverse effect” has been submitted to
the Texas Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO) and other interested parties.
Documentation certifying SHPO concurrence
with the findings of the Heritage Management
Summary has been received.
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects area for heritage
resources consists of C-90 and 99.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-11
3.5.2 Environmental Consequences
3.5.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) No potential exists for damage to significant
archaeological or historical resources.
Cumulative Effects
No cumulative effects to archaeological or
historical resources would occur under this
alternative.
3.5.2.2 Alternative 2 The only effect that activities proposed under
Alternative 2 could have on heritage
resources is encroachment, which is mitigated
by protection. Timber harvest, prescribe
burning, system and temporary road
construction, road improvement activities,
and tram erosion control have the potential to
damage unknown heritage resources. If any
archaeological or historical resources are
discovered during project implementation, the
project work will stop until an archaeologist
evaluates the site’s significance and
protection measures are undertaken.
Cumulative Effects
Cumulative effects to archaeological or
historical resources are mitigated by
avoidance.
3.6 Vegetation and Fuels
3.6.1 Affected Environment
Vegetation
Compartments 90 and 99 contain 3,048 acres,
of which 2,827 acres are suitable for timber
production (MA-1). About 220 acres are in
streamside management zones (MA-4) and
are not suitable for timber production.
Table 3-5. Forest types in C-90 & 99
Forest Type Acres Area
percent
Shortleaf pine 232 8
Loblolly pine 1,985 65
Loblolly pine-Hardwood 229 7
Forest Type Acres Area
percent
Bottomland hardwood-Yellow pine
324 11
Swamp chestnut oak-Cherrybark oak
278 9
Total 3,048 100.0
The acreage in the suitable classification
consists of a mosaic of even-aged stands
ranging from 17 to 102 years of age. Loblolly
pine (Pinus taeda) dominates most stands in
the Groveton Fuels Reduction Project in C-90
and 99, interspersed with various amounts of
shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), some longleaf
pine (Pinus palustris), and a mixture of
hardwoods. Several stands are dominated by
shortleaf pine. Hardwood tree species
common to the overstory in these stands
include white oak (Quercus alba), southern
red oak (Q. falcata), post oak (Q. stellata),
sweetgum (Liquidambar styracuflua), hickory
(Carya sp.), and ash (Fraxinus sp.).
Approximately 15 percent (446 acres) of the
forest land is less than twenty years of age.
About 44 percent (1,346 acres) is at rotation
age set in the Plan (loblolly pine and shortleaf
pine-80 years (SPB option) (p. 122).
The midstory and understory vegetation and
densities are typical of those found in the East
Texas Pineywoods and consist primarily of
oaks, pines, hickories, elms, (Ulmus sp.),
ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), blackgum
(Nyssa sylvatica), sweetgum (Liquidambar
styracuflua), dogwood (Cornus florida),
cherry (Prunus sp.), red maple (Acer rubrum),
magnolia (Magnolia sp.), mulberry (Morus
rubra), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), chinquapin
(Castanea pumila), and associated species.
The understory consists of yaupon (Ilex
vomitoria), Carolina buckthorn (Rhamnus
caroliniana), vines, seedlings and saplings of
the species found in the midstory and
overstory, and grasses and other herbaceous
vegetation.
Species found in C-90 and 99, along
intermittent and/or unnamed tributaries of
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-12
Caney and Piney Creeks include sweetgum,
water oak, blackgum, Southern red oak,
loblolly pine, red maple, elm, and holly.
ECS
According to the Ecological Classification
System (ECS) for the National Forests and
Adjacent Areas of the West Gulf Coastal
Plain 2nd
Approximation, the Groveton Fuels
Reduction Project in C-90 and 99 lies within
the Sandy Uplands Landtype Association.
Several Landtype Phases occur in this
Landtype Association and the project area:
1. Longleaf Pine (Shortleaf Pine)-Blackjack
Oak/Schizachyrium Arenic Dry Uplands
2. Shortleaf Pine (Longleaf Pine)-Post
Oak/Callicarpa-Chasmanthium Loamy
Dry-Mesic Uplands
3. Shortleaf Pine-Post Oak/Chasmanthium
Clayey Dry-Mesic Uplands
4. White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa
Loamy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces
5. Willow Oak-Laurel Oak/Bignonia Loamy
Wet-Mesic Stream Bottoms (Van Kley et.
al. 2007).
These Landtype Phases have an overstory that
is highly variable, but usually consist of
mixed pine and hardwood species. The
desired future condition for most of these
compartments is open pine forest, mixed with
some hardwood species, managed to provide
environmentally sensitive commodity
production while providing quality wildlife
habitat and dispersed recreation opportunities.
Old Growth
No virgin stands occur within C-90 or 99.
Stands proposed for treatment currently
exhibit no unique old growth characteristics,
other than natural succession associated with
second growth forests as they mature. To
protect possible old growth in MA-1, the Plan
requires an evaluation of all stands 95 years
and older before entry. District data for C-90
and 99, shows that several stands are 95 years
old, or older. A list of these stands and their
evaluations is included in the project file.
Field evaluations showed that no stand in the
two compartments currently meets the
minimum criteria for old-growth (the Plan,
Appendix I, Supplement #1, 6/99).
Stands designated to provide old-growth
values would need to experience the aging,
natural processes, and management
techniques necessary to develop old-growth
characteristics. While age is not the sole
criterion used to designate old growth, older
stands are priority candidates for
consideration since they may provide old-
growth character sooner than younger stands.
Within C-90 and 99, the Plan designates MA-
4 (Streamside Management Zones) as
potential old growth.
Fuels
As mentioned above, loblolly pine dominates
most of C-90 and 99, interspersed with
varying amounts of shortleaf pine. The two
compartments have a significant understory
shrub and hardwood component.
The dense shrub component contributes to
fire behavior in a number of ways. Fire
intensity, flame length, and rate of spread can
be increased when dense understory
vegetation provides “fuel ladders,” in which
dead pine needles and leaf litter can carry
flames into the tops of the understory
vegetation or into the crowns of the overstory.
Dense understories also limit visibility and
impede access of firefighters and equipment.
Most researchers agree that loblolly pine sites
probably burned at fire return intervals of 3 to
10 years and that fire intervals for shortleaf
pine typically ranged from 2 to 6 years (Wade
et al. 2000). Recent prescribed fire intervals
are non-existent. District records show that
until 2010 when C-90 and 99 received
prescribe burning on 300 and 200 acres
respectively, no prescribe burning has
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-13
occurred in this area for at least nineteen
years. As a result, the two compartments fall
within Fire Regime Condition Class 2 or 3,
where vegetation structure, fuel levels, and
fire severity are outside the normal range and
there are moderate to high risks of losing key
ecosystem components.
Condition Class is a measure of the amount of
departure from the natural fire regime. The
desired condition, Condition Class 1, is
considered a low departure from natural
conditions where vegetation characteristics,
fuel composition, and fire behavior is within
the historical range of variability and there is
a low risk to key ecosystem components
(Schmidt et. al. 2002).
The USDA Forest Service developed fuel
models that rate fire danger and predict fire
behavior. Fuel load and depth are significant
fuel properties for predicting ignition, rate of
spread, and intensity (Anderson 1982).
According to the district Fire staff, fuels
conditions in C-90 and 99 most closely
resemble Fuel Model 7, Southern Rough. In
Fuel Model 7, fires burn through the surface
and shrub strata with equal ease and can occur
at higher dead fuel moisture contents due to
the flammability of live foliage (Anderson
1982). Characteristics of this fuel model are
shown in the table below.
Table 3-6. Fuel Model 7 characteristics
Fuel Loading (tons/ac)
1 hour 1.1
10 hour 1.9
100 hour 1.5
Live woody 0.4
Live herbs 0.5
Fuel bed depth (feet) 2.5
Cumulative Effects
The boundary between private land and C-90
and 99 shall define the area considered for
cumulative effects to vegetation and fuels.
The reason this area will be considered for
cumulative effects is because these two
compartments are somewhat detached from
most of the Davy Crockett NF.
Table 3-7 shows ages and forest types found
in the cumulative effects area.
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-14
Table 3-7. Forest Types in Cumulative Effects Area
for vegetation
Forest Type Age Acres
Shortleaf pine 11-20 yrs 91
91-100 141
232
Loblolly pine 11-20 yrs 219
21-30 30
31-40 223
51-60 106
61-70 193
71-80 52
81-90 355
91-100 675
101-110 132
1,985
Loblolly-Hdwd 11-20 yrs 78
61-70 106
91-100 45
229
Bottomland Hdwd-Pine 61-70 yrs 238
100-110 86
324
Swamp chestnut oak-Cherrybark oak
0-10 yrs 46
11-20 12
41-50 97
51-60 37
91-100 86
278
Total 3,048
3.6.2 Environmental Consequences
3.6.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
This alternative will allow the vegetation to
continue to grow. Species composition and
age-class distribution in C-90 and 99 would
change due to natural succession and from
natural occurrences such as insect and disease
outbreaks, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes.
Tree mortality would increase as stands
mature and become more predisposed to
insect infestation and disease. The incidence
of diseases such as red-heart, butt-rot, and
root-rot would rise.
Increasing rates of tree mortality can be
expected as loblolly pine stands exced 80
years of age. SPB hazard and the potential
for the loss of large areas to SPB infestation
would remain high in areas with high basal
areas. Should SPB infestations occur, the
species composition of the stands would
change to more tolerant hardwood species as
the pine trees die. The hardwoods already
exist in these stands in both the overstory and
understory. Hardwoods in the understory
would have a competitive advantage over
pine regeneration because their root systems
are well-established and they can quickly
grow if the overstory is removed by SPB or
other natural events. In the future, this area
will likely become a hardwood forest with
scattered distributions of pine.
Alternative 1 would not provide for
prescribed burning, which will affect the
midstory and ground vegetation. As time
passes and fire is kept out of the project area,
the fire intolerant species will increase in
diameter and height; the fire dependent
species will decrease in quantity and may
cease to exist. Also, lack of prescribed
burning would result in an accumulation of
fuels, which in turn increases the risk to the
overstory should a wildfire occur.
ECS
This alternative would allow vegetation to
continue to grow. Natural succession and
occurrences would slowly alter the species
composition of the forest.
SPB could kill pine trees in both mature and
younger stands, and hardwoods could quickly
dominate. Lack of fire will help to increase
fire intolerant species and fire dependent
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-15
species such as shortleaf pine could cease to
exist. Long-term changes, such as species
extirpation would not be considered
consistent with ECS.
Old-Growth
Older forest conditions will develop in
numerous areas throughout C-90 and 99, but
no allocations for old growth are to be
provided (the Plan, p. 90).
Fuels
The proposed prescribed burning will not be
conducted under this alternative. Fuel loads
in all stands will continue to increase in the
future. Increasing dead fuels, ladder fuels and
closer canopies increase the potential for
overstory mortality. Fuel loads will continue
to move toward high intensity, stand
replacement type fire regime. Condition
Class 2 (moderate risk of losing key
ecosystem characteristics due to wildland fire)
will be replaced by Condition Class 3 (high
risk of losing key ecosystem characteristics
due to wildland fire). The potential for a fire
to move off the forest and into the urban
interface (or vice versa) will increase as the
rate of spread of the fires increase, and as
fires burn with greater intensity, have larger
flame lengths, and become more difficult to
suppress; as potential flame lengths and
fireline intensities increase, resistance to
control increases. Private land, residences,
and improvements will continue to be
adjacent to federal lands which have high fuel
loads. Firefighter safety will continue to be
jeopardized by intense fires with fast rates of
spread.
Cumulative Effects
Vegetation management activities have taken
place in the cumulative effects area. Timber
cutting and insect control have occurred at
regular intervals. As a result, the cumulative
effects area contains a mosaic of young and
old forest communities.
Lack of thinning, prescribed burning, and
other management activities would result in a
stagnated, declining, over-mature forest in C-
90 and 99, predisposed to accelerated losses
to insects, disease, and wildfire. The
understory would continue to grow, and
would become impenetrable, particularly
where the overstory has ceased to exist.
Young forest communities in these two
compartments would continue to grow also,
and mortality would continue to increase.
Insect and disease would likely destroy these
stands.
From a fuels standpoint, the overall fuel load
in the project area will not be reduced and
resources in the area will continue to be at
risk for intense, difficult to control fires. Fuel
Model 7, with the potential for extreme fire
behavior, will continue to dominate the
project area.
3.6.2.2 Alternative 2
Thinning will provide several benefits,
including: increased residual tree growth;
improved vigor of residual trees; improved
stand quality, as damaged and poorly formed
trees are removed; increased diversity within
stands; and improved ability of the stands to
withstand stresses such as drought and pests
(Smith, et. al. 1997). High tree and stand
vigor provide the best resistance to bark
beetles in southeastern North America
(Nyland 1996).
Thinning would decrease the density of the
dominant cover and result in an increase in
herbaceous plants, such as grasses,
brackenfern, and partridge pea. It will also
stimulate new woody growth in the
understory.
Some residual trees, both pine and
hardwoods, could receive some damage from
logging operations. Skidders can crush or
wound some ground vegetation and
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-16
understory species. Protecting mast
producing hardwoods in the overstory and
midstory of pine stands during thinning
operations will ensure retention and
development of this component in the pine
stands. No more than 30 square feet per acre
of basal area will be removed from the
dominant or co-dominant trees. An exception
would be in pine plantations being thinned for
the first time where more than 30 square feet
of basal area may need to be removed to
facilitate equipment used during thinning
operations.
Thinning will remove many of the smaller
and poorly formed stems from the stands,
which will allow the residual trees to attain a
larger average size and above average quality.
The SPB hazard will be reduced in the
thinned areas in the long term; however,
during the first year after thinning, the
disturbance of thinning may increase the risk
of pine beetle attack.
Currently, about 643 acres of the pine-
dominated forest communities in which
thinning is proposed, have basal areas
exceeding 96 square feet per acre, which is
considered high hazard for SPB susceptiblity
(Hicks, et. al. 1980). Several of the pine
stands in C-90 and 99 fall within the moderate
SPB hazard rating. Left alone, these stands
will quickly grow into the higher risk
category.
Thinning will not affect species composition
in the overstory, and will have minimal
effects on species composition in the midstory
and understory. Thinning will alter structure
somwhat, encouraging development of
herbaceous plants and also stimulative new
woody growth.
Prescribed fire would be used to help achieve
the open upland pine-dominated forests
described as the DFC for C-90 and 99.
Relatively frequent fires, during both the
dormant and growing seasons, would be used
to restore fire dependent ecosystems.
Prescribed burning would temporarily reduce
the number of young hardwood trees and
other shrubby plant species within the
understory and midstory. The burning would
partially reduce the structural diversity of the
understory by the reduction or elimination of
some smaller midstory and understory
hardwoods and shrubs. Burning would
encourage herbaceous growth, grasses, and
forbs in the understory, at the expense of
woody growth (USDA 1989).
Prescribed burning is considered a natural
distrubance for the upland landtype phases. It
was an important environmental factor in
determining the structure and distribution of
upland communities on the pre-settlement
landscape (Van Kley et. al. 2007). Similarly,
prescribed burning planned in Alternative 2
will result in a mosaic of understory
conditions, since not all areas will burn and
some will burn with different intensity. Fire
will back into riparian areas and extinguish
naturally. This mosaic effect is not
inconsistent with ECS, which describes
variable intervals for landtype phases (Van
Kley et. al. 2007). In addition, the Plan
guides prescribed burning on a 3-7 year
rotation to manage various components of the
ecosystems (p. 91).
The effects of NNIPS control on vegetation
are described in the NNIPS EA for the
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
(USDA 2008).
ECS
Thinning would not affect species
composition in the overstory, and would have
minimal effects on species composition in the
midstory and understory. Thinning will alter
structure somewhat, encouraging
development of herbaceous plants and also
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-17
stimulating new woody growth. None of
these effects are inconsistent with the ECS.
Prescribed burning is considered a natural
disturbance for the upland landtype phases. It
was an important environmental factor in
determining the structure and distribution of
upland communities on the pre-settlement
landscape (Van Kley et. al. 2007). Similarly,
prescribed burning planned under Alternative
2 will result in a mosaic of understory
conditions, since not all areas will burn and
some will burn with different intensity. Fire
will back into riparian areas and extinguish
naturally. This mosaic effect is not
inconsistent with ECS, which describes
variable intervals for landtype phases (Van
Kley et. al. 2007). In addition, the Plan
guides prescribed burning on a 3-7 year
rotation to manage various components of the
ecosystems (p. 91).
Old Growth
In accordance with the Plan, older forest
conditions will develop in numerous areas
throughout C-90 and 99 (p. 90). Vegetation
management activities such as thinning and
prescribed fire maintain characteristics
consistent with old growth (the Plan,
Appendix I).
Fuels
In the short term, direct effects to the fuels
profile will be seen in the reduced fuel loads,
fireline intensities, flame lengths, and rates of
spread. In the long term as a consistent
prescribed fire program is applied, Fuel
Model 7 will be replaced by Fuel Model 2 and
grass/forb type understories will become more
common. As fuel loads decrease, fire
behavior will also decrease.
Table 3-8. Fuel Models 2 and 7 characteristics
Fuel Loading (tons/ac)
Fuel Model 2 (DFC)
Fuel Model 7 (existing)
1 hour 2 1.1
10 hour 1 1.9
100 hour 0.5 1.5
Live woody 0.3 0.4
Live herbs 0.5 0.5
Fuel bed depth (feet)
1 2.5
As fuel loads decrease and Fuel Model 2
becomes more common, the indirect effects of
the Proposed Action will address the priorities
of fuels management for the project area (as
summarized on page 1). Protection of health
and safety for the firefighter, the local
community, and the general public will be
significantly improved through the reduction
of fuel loads and fire behavior. Acres of Fuel
Model 2, which closely resembles the DFC
for MA-1, Upland Forest Ecosystems, will be
increased. The Proposed Action will restore
Condition Class 1 fuel conditions (low risk of
losing key ecosystem components due to
intense wildland fires).
Cumulative Effects
Vegetation management activities have taken
place in the cumulative effects area. Timber
cutting and insect control have occurred at
regular intervals. As a result, the cumulative
effects area contains a mosaic of young and
old forest communities.
The thinning and prescribe burning proposed
in the Groveton Fuels Reduction Project
would result in the development of open
forest conditions in the uplands, as overstory
density (thinning) and the woody understory
vegetation (prescribed burning) are reduced.
The actions proposed in this project are
similar to those that have taken place in the
last several years in Davy Crockett NF. The
end result is an open forest that moves the
Davy Crockett NF towards the desired future
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-18
condition for MA-1. Cumulatively, MA-4
would not be affected.
From a fuels standpoint, the proposed
activities will be instrumental in fuel
reduction and progressing the project area
toward Condition Class 1 (low risk of losing
key ecosystem characteristics due to wildland
fire). Alternative 2 ensures that all acres in
need of fuels treatment will be prescribed
burned on a consistent basis in order to
develop a Fuel Model 2 in the pine and
pine/hardwood forest types. Models of Fuel
Model 2 have shown significant decreases in
fire behavior over the existing Fuel Model 7.
Thinning will be utilized in much of the
project area; thinning will allow sunlight to
the forest floor to encourage an herbaceous
groundcover to develop and be maintained by
prescribed fire.
Climate Change
Ongoing research suggests that climate is
already changing, and impacts include
increases in air temperature, sea level, and
frequency of extreme weather, such as
hurricanes and droughts. These conditions
could eventually result in more stressful forest
environments, which could in turn lead to
reduced growth and productivity. Declines in
vigor may make forests more susceptible to
large-scale pest attacks and other disturbances
(Anderson 2008).
The proposed thinning will help to improve
the forest’s resistance and resilience to
climate changes (Anderson 2008). According
to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, forest management can be used to
mitigate climate change, by maintaining
stand-level carbon density through reduction
of forest degradation, planting, site
preparation, and other management practices
(Nabuurs et. al. 2007).
The proposed prescribe burning would help to
reduce fuel loadings (Ryan 2008). The
amount of carbon dioxide released by a low-
intensity fire is small and the store of carbon
on the forest floor is rapidly replaced as fine
fuels re-accumulate and low shrubs regrow
(Underwood et. al. 2008).
Cumulatively, improving forest health and
reducing fuel loadings are considered
sustainable forest management strategies that
provide long-term benefits that mitigate
climate change (Nabuurs et.al. 2007).
3.7 Management Indicator Species
(MIS)
The management indicator species approach
is designed to help indicate the effects of
management on biological resources. The
analysis of MIS represents a broad evaluation
of biological resources and effects of
management at the level of the entire NFGT,
and is intended to guide decisions about the
need to change management direction at this
broad level, while providing useful context
for project development and effects analyses
(USDA 2007, Appendix A, p.1).
MIS are identified in the Plan (pages 306-
307) and are addressed in order to implement
National Forest Management Act (NFMA)
regulations. MIS are selected because their
population changes are believed to indicate
the effects of management activities. MIS
include: species with special habitat needs;
species commonly hunted, fished or trapped;
non-game species of special interest; and
plant and animal species whose population
changes are believed to indicate the effects of
management activities on other species,
groups of species, or selected communities.
For this project, a subset of the NFGT-wide
list of MIS was selected. Three species
(Eastern wild turkey, yellow-breasted chat,
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-19
and pileated woodpecker) were selected based
upon their associations with the habitat
present in the analysis area and their
suitability as indicators of habitat changes
brought about by the proposed alternatives
(See Appendix B for an attached list of those
MIS considered and those that were
eliminated from further consideration and the
rationale therein).
3.7.1 Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris
gallopavo)
3.7.1.1 Background and Current Status
Eastern wild turkeys require a diversity of
habitats in order to thrive, and use different
habitats during different life cycle stages.
Nesting habitat typically has dense
herbaceous vegetation, with some shrubs and
some type of structure concealing the nest.
Nest sites are often placed near openings or
edges such as roads, pastures, young
plantations, or similar sites (Hurst and
Dickson 1992). Brood habitat, particularly
for young broods up to 10 days old, is
especially important. Young poults forage
heavily on insects, and need open areas with
abundant herbaceous vegetation and
associated insects (Healy and Nenno 1983;
Healy 1985; Campo et al. 1989; Hurst and
Dickson 1992; Porter 1992). Wintering
flocks make heavy use of hardwood stands,
particularly bottomland areas (Sisson et al.
1990; Hurst and Dickson 1992).
Openings are an important habitat component
year around, and are used as strutting areas by
gobblers (Hurst and Dickson 1992), as
bugging areas by hens with broods (Healy
1985; Campo et al. 1989; Hurst and Dickson
1992), and as foraging areas by turkeys of all
ages throughout the year (Hurst and Dickson
1992). A study in Louisiana found that areas
with a larger percentage of acreage in
openings usually had higher turkey
populations (Dickson et al. 1978).
Turkeys have a varied diet. Young poults are
heavily dependent on insects, transitioning to
a more plant-dominated diet by four weeks of
age (Healy and Nenno 1983; Healy 1985;
Hurst 1992). Adult turkeys feed primarily on
plant foods, including seeds, hard mast such
as acorns and nuts, soft mast such as fruits
and berries, and green vegetation. They also
consume animal matter, primarily insects
(Hurst 1992). Good turkey habitat provides a
diversity of foods and habitats to satisfy the
needs of turkeys during their different life
stages.
The Eastern wild turkey was selected as a
management indicator because it is in demand
by hunters and because it responds well to
changes in habitat quality. The objective is to
increase turkey populations on the National
Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
Turkey numbers were tracked by Texas Parks
& Wildlife Department (TPWD) through
brood surveys, but this technique was
discontinued in 2005. New monitoring
techniques are being evaluated, and will be
implemented on a larger scale if they provide
adequate population information (USDA
2007, Appendix A, pp. 8 & 10). Prior to
being discontinued, brood surveys showed a
general declining trend through 2002 (Fig. 3-
1; USDA 2002).
Fig. 3-1. Number of Eastern wild turkeys counted
during annual brood surveys by Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department in counties where National
Forest lands are located
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
Turkeys
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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NFT-wide (National Forests in Texas) turkey
population trends are presently tracked in part
through spring hunter harvest data. Figure 3-
2 (USDA 2007, Appendix A, p. 9) shows the
number of turkeys harvested in 12 counties
containing National Forest lands, and suggest
a fairly stable trend NFT-wide.
Fig. 3-2. Spring turkey harvest (# of turkeys) in
Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton,
Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, San Jacinto, Trinity,
Montgomery, and Walker Counties, 1997 – 2006
Harvest on the Davy Crockett NF has
increased in recent years (Fig. 3-3), perhaps
suggesting that turkey numbers may be
increasing in parts of the forest (TPWD
2007).
Fig. 3-3. Turkey harvest on the Davy Crockett National
Forest, 1997 – 2008
Declines on the NFT are likely due to habitat
deterioration from lack of adequate prescribed
burning, particularly from 2000-2003. The
loblolly pine forest type rapidly becomes
choked with woody understory species such
as yaupon, wax myrtle, and sapling
hardwoods in the absence of frequent fire,
quickly rendering it unsuitable for turkeys.
However, the burning program increased in
2004, and continued increases are planned.
This should help the turkey population across
the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
Habitat in C-90 and 99 is primarily closed
canopy forest, with little herbaceous
vegetation present in the ground cover layer.
There have been no turkey sightings in or
near the two compartments on National Forest
land in recent years. The poor habitat quality
in these compartments likely precludes turkey
use of the area.
Large mast producing hardwoods are
distributed throughout much of C-90 and 99,
but are concentrated in or near the
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects area for turkeys is C-
90, 99, adjacent compartments, and
surrounding private lands.
3.7.1.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.7.1.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
There would be no direct effects on the
Eastern wild turkey, because no actions would
be taken under this alternative.
Alternative 1 could indirectly affect habitat
suitability and foraging quality and quantity
for the Eastern wild turkey. Neither
compartment presently provides suitable
habitat for turkeys due to the dense woody
understory. In addition, the dense pine stands
restrict sunlight from reaching the forest floor
in many areas, thus inhibiting growth of
herbaceous vegetation. The continued
exclusion of fire would allow continued
growth of dense woody understory
vegetation. Failure to manage these
compartments would limit, and likely
preclude, turkey use of these areas, and would
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1997 1999 2001 2003 2005
Harvest
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1997 2000 2003 2006
Harvest
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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not contribute to growth of the Davy Crockett
turkey population.
Cumulative Effects
Turkey habitat in the analysis area would
remain marginal or poor without management
actions. Habitat on private lands is limited for
this species. Most surrounding private land is
in pasture. This land does provide some open
areas for turkeys immediately adjacent to the
Forest, but turkeys are not likely to use
pastures distant from the Forest. Private
forested land is not being managed to provide
the open, grassy understories that turkeys
need. Management practices on these lands
are unlikely to produce good quality habitat
that would sustain this species in the future.
3.7.1.2.2 Alternative 2
Potential direct effects of this alternative
include the displacement of individual
turkeys, death or injury of poults, and the loss
of nests from the proposed activities, should
any turkeys be present in the compartments.
Hens with nests damaged or destroyed will
often re-nest. Although these actions may
impact individuals, the thinning and
prescribed fire offers the greatest opportunity
for improving habitat for turkeys in C-90 and
99.
Indirect effects would be beneficial to the
turkey. The pine thinning would create more
open stand conditions. Prescribed fire would
reduce the amount of woody understory
vegetation. The more open canopy resulting
from thinning would increase available light
to the forest floor, which would promote the
establishment or expansion of herbaceous
ground cover. The resulting habitat could be
used as cover by nesting hens and for
foraging by poults. The proposed 3-7 year
burning interval would likely maintain
moderately open understories.
Prescribed burning is unlikely to harm large,
upland hardwoods. A loss of hardwoods from
fire in or near riparian areas would be
negligible, due to low fire intensity in these
areas. Mast-producing hardwoods such as red
and white oaks, hickories, etc. would be
retained during thinning. No thinning would
occur in riparian areas, so no hardwoods
would be removed in those areas.
Construction of temporary roads would
provide linear openings, which turkeys would
likely use for travel and for bugging.
Closures of these roads after completion of
thinning would preclude their illegal use by
vehicles.
Control of ongoing erosion in C-90 would not
alter turkey habitat, and thus would not affect
this species.
NNIPS are not major turkey food sources, and
in many cases they may in fact crowd out
more desirable native food species. Thus,
NNIPS control may, in some areas, benefit
turkeys by allowing for establishment of
native food sources.
Cumulative Effects
Management practices on most adjacent and
nearby private lands currently do little to
enhance habitat for this species. Short
rotation pine plantations and residential areas
provide poor habitat for this species. Turkeys
may use the edges of pastures adjacent to the
forest. Future sustainability or growth of wild
turkey populations in the vicinity will depend
largely on habitat developed or maintained on
national forest and state lands.
The thinning and prescribe burning proposed
under this alternative would improve nesting
and brood habitat conditions that would
benefit the Eastern wild turkey. Similar
actions will soon be considered in nearby
compartments of the Davy Crockett NF, thus
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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improving a large block of habitat
interspersed with private land.
3.7.2 Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
3.7.2.1 Background and Current Status This species is an indicator of early
successional habitat. The chat prefers
blackberry tangles, dense shrub thickets, and
scattered saplings interspersed among dense
herbaceous cover. Nests are generally located
in dense vegetation less than two meters
above ground (NatureServe 2009). The
yellow-breasted chat has experienced
significant population declines in eastern
North America due to loss of habitat from the
re-growth of cleared forests, and the clearing
of early successional landscapes for
agriculture and urban development (Cornell
Lab. of Ornithology 2000).
Data are available to evaluate chat population
trends at several scales. Data from Breeding
Bird Survey routes, which have been operated
since 1966, provide information on yellow-
breasted chat population trends across the
species’ range (Fig. 3-4; Sauer et al. 2007).
These data reveal that chat populations have
fared differently in various parts of the U.S.
However, in much of the West Gulf Coastal
Plain, including the pineywoods of East Texas
and western Louisiana, the species has
averaged an increase of over 1.5% per year.
Fig. 3-4. Changes in yellow-breasted chat
populations across the species’ range, based upon
Breeding Bird Survey data (1966-2003)
State rankings in Texas indicate the
populations are secure and stable
(NatureServe 2009). Available data gathered
from point count surveys on the NFT indicate
a relatively stable trend (Fig. 3-5; USDA
2007, Appendix A, p. 15). These annual bird
point counts have been conducted on the four
Forests since 1998.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
YBCH
Fig. 3-5. Number of yellow-breasted chats detected
during point counts in all forest stands
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects analysis area for this
species consists of national forest land within
C-90 and 99, adjacent compartments, and
surrounding private lands.
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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3.7.2.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.7.2.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
There would be no direct effects on the
yellow-breasted chat, because no actions
would be taken under this alternative.
There would be few indirect effects on chats.
Lack of thinning and burning would leave
existing thickets of yaupon and other woody
understory species to grow. Such thickets
growing under a mature forest canopy support
relatively few chats, however. No new early
successional habitat would be created under
this alternative.
Cumulative Effects
Few of the management practices currently in
place on nearby private lands are compatible
with developing or maintaining chat habitat.
Much of the private land surrounding C-90
and 99 is in pastureland, which does not
provide habitat for this species. There are
some areas in forest, which may support some
chats, but management of these stands varies.
Because of the extensive pastureland in the
area, most chat habitat will remain on national
forest land.
3.7.2.2.2 Alternative 2
The actions proposed under this alternative
may displace individuals or destroy some
nests. However, chats, like many songbirds,
usually renest. Losses of nests from prescribe
burning would likely be minimal since little
burning is typically done during the main
nesting period of mid-May through June or
July.
Indirect effects would be mixed for chats.
Thinning of both mature and younger stands
would open the overstory and increase light
penetration, potentially increasing growth of
woody understory vegetation. Prescribed fire
would remove some of this woody
understory, although removal would be
incomplete at best. The 3-7 year burn interval
would result in development of a moderately
open to somewhat dense understory in the
treatment areas between burns. The denser
areas would provide nesting habitat for chats
for several years between burns.
The linear openings created by temporary
roads would increase sunlight penetration to
the forest along the roads, stimulating woody
understory growth. However, they could also
serve as avenues for brown-headed cowbirds
to search for nests to parasitize, and they
could potentially reduce nest success of chats
nesting along the roads. These roads would
be obliterated or revegetated after completion
of thinning, so any negative effects would be
temporary.
Control of ongoing erosion in stand 11 of C-
90 would not impact chats or their habitat.
Control of NNIPS would not affect chats,
because NNIPS are not major food or cover
sources for chats, and in many cases they may
in fact crowd out more desirable native
species.
Cumulative Effects
The thinning and prescribed burning proposed
under this alternative, and other similar
projects across the forest, reduce the
susceptibility of pine stands to wildfire and
SPB infestation. Reducing pine loss to these
potentially stand-replacing events results in
fewer acres of early sucessional habitat. As
this habitat type declines on the forest,
populations of yellow-breasted chats are also
expected to decline (USDA 2002, Appendix
F). However, based on point count surveys,
this species occurs widely across National
Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Substantial
acres of habitat, with varying densities of
woody understory vegetation, would continue
to exist throughout the forest.
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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Adjacent private land may provide some early
successional habitat for this species on the
areas managed for short-rotation timber
production. However, much of the private
land near C-90 and 99 has been cleared for
pastureland.
3.7.3 Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus
pileatus)
3.7.3.1 Background and Current Status The pileated woodpecker is an indicator of
mid and late succession, and old growth
habitats. Preferred habitat includes mature
coniferous-deciduous forests or bottomland
hardwood forests. Pileated woodpeckers are
dependent on the availability of large snags
for foraging, roosting, and nesting.
Data is available to evaluate pileated
woodpecker population trends at several
scales. Data from Breeding Bird Survey
routes, which have been operated since 1966,
provide information on population trends
across the species’ range (Fig. 3-6; Sauer et
al. 2004). These data reveal that pileated
woodpecker populations have fared
differently in various parts of the U.S.
However, in much of the West Gulf Coastal
Plain, including the Pineywoods of East
Texas, the species has averaged an increase of
0.25 percent to over 1.5 percent per year.
This is likely due to the continued aging of
the pine forests.
Fig. 3-6. Changes in pileated woodpecker
populations across the species’ range, based upon
Breeding Bird Survey data (1966-2003)
Point count surveys have been used on the
National Forests in Texas to monitor pileated
woodpecker numbers since 1998. Available
data indicate trends in pileated woodpecker
numbers are stable to increasing across the
four forests (Fig. 3-7; USDA 2007, Appendix
A), similar to the trend documented by
breeding bird survey data. Given the trend
since 1998, the apparent large drop in
numbers for 2006 is likely an anomaly; future
counts will provide an answer.
Fig. 3-7. Number of pileated woodpeckers detected
during point counts in all forest stands
Habitat for this species, in the form of older
age forest stands, is increasing across the
National Forests in Texas (Table 3-9; USDA
2007, Appendix A). As the forests continue
to age, pileated woodpeckers find improved
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
PIWP
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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habitat conditions in the form of larger
diameter trees and more decadent trees in
which to excavate cavities.
Table 3-9. Percentage of National Forest lands in
each seral stage from 1992-2006, and percent
change since 1992 Seral Stage
Age 1992 2002 2004 2006 Trend
Early 0-20 yrs
22% 14% 13% 11% -11%
Mid 21-50
yrs 11% 15% 15% 17% +6%
Late 51-90
yrs 61% 55% 53% 50% -11%
Very Late
91+ yrs
6% 16% 18% 22% +16%
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects analysis area for this
species consists of national forest land within
C-90 and 99, adjacent compartments, and
surrounding private land.
3.7.3.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.7.3.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
There would be no direct effects on the
pileated woodpecker, because no actions
would be taken under this alternative.
Indirect effects would be potentially mixed.
Pileated woodpeckers would benefit as stands
continue to develop and mature. As these
stands increased in density, they would
become more susceptible to individual tree
mortality from stress, or larger-scale mortality
from disturbances such as wildfire or SPB
infestation. This would result in the creation
of snags that could be used as foraging and
nest sites.
However, these densely-stocked stands would
also be more vulnerable to potentially stand-
replacing events such as large beetle
infestations or larger wildfire, which could
temporarily provide an abundance of snags
for foraging and nesting, but would ultimately
result in the loss of forest cover on the
affected area.
Cumulative Effects
Adjacent private land uses generally do not
support the retention of large areas of mature
pine or hardwood forest, or the protection of
snags. Potential pileated woodpecker habitat
has been removed on many nearby private
tracts through conversion to pastureland.
National forest lands ultimately provide the
best habitat for this species in this area.
3.7.3.2.2 Alternative 2
Direct or inadvertent removal of snags and
downed logs may occur during project
activities. Thinning the mature stands would
result in increased vigor and reduce the
potential for beetle infestation and the
resultant loss of large acreages of mature
forest habitat. Thinning the younger stands
would decrease competition, resulting in
increased growth rates and shortening the
time until these stands begin producing large-
diameter snags needed by this species for
nesting.
Prescribe burning may consume some large
snags, but would likely create new snags,
depending upon the intensity of the burn.
Many prescribed fires burn hot enough in
some patches to kill occasional overstory
pines, which would provide ideal roost and
nest trees. According to Van Lear (1993),
prescribed fire results in both the loss and
production of snags. However, snags are
more frequent in lowlands and riparian zones
than on upland sites (Van Lear 1993).
Because fire tends to burn at low intensity in
riparian areas, it is unlikely to have negative
impacts on snags and downed logs in these
areas. Despite possible losses in upland areas,
large snags would continue to exist for the
pileated woodpecker.
The proposed temporary road construction
may involve removal of some large trees.
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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However, the number removed would be
minimal when compared to the amount of
habitat present in the compartments, and thus
would not negatively affect the woodpecker.
Control of ongoing erosion in std. 11 of C-90
would not impact pileated woodpeckers or
their habitat.
Control of NNIPS would have no effects
because the NNIPS to be treated do not
provide good foraging sites (large trees, large
dead and down material) for the woodpeckers.
Cumulative Effects
Thinning and prescribed fire would decrease
the chance of SPB infestation or a wildfire
that could possibly burn hot enough to kill
large areas of the overstory. This would
improve the likelihood that pine stands would
attain an older age class with a more uniform
and continuous supply of large snags.
Nearby compartments are being evaluated for
similar treatment as that being considered for
C-90 and 99. Thus, a large block of habitat,
interspersed with private land, may be
thinned, and the risk of large wildfire and/or
beetle infestation reduced.
Adjacent private land uses generally do not
support the retention of large areas of mature
pine or hardwood forest, or the protection of
snags. Potential pileated woodpecker habitat
has been removed on much of the nearby
private land through conversion to
pastureland. National forest lands ultimately
provide the best habitat for this species in this
area.
3.8 Threatened and Endangered
Species
Those species of concern or their habitat(s)
that may be affected by the proposed
alternatives are addressed. The Biological
Evaluation, Appendix C, contains a listing of
those species that were considered, but
eliminated from detailed evaluation and the
rationale therein.
3.8.1 Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides
borealis)
3.8.1.1 Background and Current Status
The federally endangered Red-cockaded
Woodpecker (RCW) has high potential to
occur on drier ridgetops in open-canopy, fire-
maintained, mature pine stands with forb
and/or grass dominated ground cover and a
midstory relatively devoid of hardwoods
(Hovis and Labisky 1985; Jackson 1994;
Conner et al. 2001; Walters et al. 2002;
USFWS 2003). The species has moderate
potential to occur in mature, pine-dominated
stands with a mixture of hardwoods and
hardwood midstory, as is present throughout
much of the Davy Crockett NF. The RCW
excavates cavities in live pine trees, using
older trees infected with red heart fungus
(Phellinus pini), thin sapwood and a large
diameter of heartwood (Conner et al. 1994;
Conner et al. 2001). Generally, pine trees ≥60
years old are needed for cavity excavation
(Rudolph and Conner 1991; USFWS 2003).
Threats to this species include conversion of
mature forest to short-rotation plantations or
non-forested areas, hardwood proliferation
resulting from fire exclusion, lack of forest
management to develop and maintain open
stand conditions, and habitat fragmentation
that affects population demographics.
The proposed project occurs primarily in MA-
1; this management area does not contain
RCWs or lands that are identified to support
future RCW populations. Management
practices in MA-1 are designed for the
regeneration of forest and woodland
communities, not to provide or develop future
habitat for this species.
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Some of the pine dominated stands in the two
compartments are composed of trees that are
of suitable age (≥60 yrs.) for cavity
excavation (Rudolph and Conner 1991, p.458-
467; USFWS 2003, p.34). However, these
stands have a high pine density and/or a well
developed hardwood midstory, and are
unsuitable as nesting or foraging habitat for
this species (USFWS 2003).
This species does not have a high potential to
occupy proposed treatment areas because
surveys of suitably aged pine-dominated
stands did not reveal evidence of RCWs or
undocumented cavity trees.
Available Inventories
Systematic ground surveys (transects) for this
species were conducted in C-90 and 99 by
Forest Service personnel in March 2009 and
September 2008. No RCWs or cavity trees
were found (Jordan 2009).
Available inventory information is adequate
because inventories of high and moderate
potential habitat within proposed treatment
areas are current enough to guide project
design, support determination of effects, and
meet requirements for conservation of this
species.
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects area for this species
consists of contiguous national forest lands on
the Davy Crockett NF and private lands
surrounding these national forest lands.
3.8.1.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.8.1.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Because no management actions would occur
under this alternative, no direct or indirect
effects would occur to the RCW. These two
compartments are not within MA-2 (RCW
Emphasis and Habitat Management Area).
Therefore, there is no emphasis on providing
or developing future habitat for this species.
Habitat in these two compartments would
remain unsuitable for this species.
Cumulative Effects
Nearby private lands provide little habitat for
the RCW, and the little habitat that is present
is of only marginal quality due to heavy
hardwood midstory. Given the emphasis on
short rotation forest management, pines on
adjacent private tracts are unlikely to develop
the characteristics required by the RCW for
cavity excavation. Pines younger than 50
years old are composed primarily of sapwood,
which is unsuitable for cavity excavation
(Conner and O’Halloran 1987). Because the
rotation age on these forested lands is unlikely
to increase, the pines will remain unsuitable,
and thus preclude the establishment of RCWs
in these areas. Much of the land surrounding
these two compartments is in pastureland,
which cannot sustain this species.
3.8.1.2.2 Alternative 2
Because no RCWs or cavity trees were
detected during inventories of C-90 and 99,
and because the species is unlikely to colonize
the project area due to poor habitat quality, no
direct or indirect effects to the RCW are
anticipated. Even though landscapes in MA-1
are not managed specifically for the
enhancement of RCW habitat, thinning and
prescribed fire may produce somewhat
favorable upland pine habitat, although there
would be no targeted reduction of hardwood
midstory. Furthermore, thinning would not
favor retention of older pines, nor those with
redheart fungus. Thus, while the result would
be somewhat more open stand conditions, the
habitat would not represent high potential
habitat for the RCW.
Construction of temporary roads would not
affect the RCW, again because the species is
not present and because the area is not being
managed for the species.
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-28
Neither the RCW nor its habitat would be
affected by erosion control work in stand 11
of compartment 90, since this work would
occur outside mature pine forest, and the
RCW does not occur in the area.
Control of NNIPS would not impact the RCW
or high potential habitat for the species.
Cumulative Effects
Nearby private lands provide little habitat for
the RCW, and the little pine habitat that is
present is of poor quality due to heavy
hardwood midstory. Most of the land
surrounding C-90 is rural pastureland, with a
small amount of private forest. Private land
surrounding C-99 is largely pasture, with
scattered forest land of various ages. C-96
adjoins the compartment on the south side.
Given the emphasis on short rotation forest
management, pine-dominated forests on
adjacent private tracts are unlikely to develop
the characteristics required by the RCW for
cavity excavation. Pines younger than 50
years old are composed primarily of sapwood,
which is unsuitable for cavity excavation
(Conner and O’Halloran 1987, p.405).
Because the rotation age on these forested
lands is unlikely to increase, the pines will
remain unsuitable, and thus preclude the
establishment of RCWs in these areas.
3.9 Regional Forester’s Sensitive
Species
Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species
Mammals
Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)
Insects
Texas emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora margarita)
Fish
Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae)
Freshwater Mussels
Sandbank pocketbook (Lampsilis satura)
Louisiana pigtoe (Pleurobema riddellii)
Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus)
Crayfish
Blackbelted crayfish (Procambarus nigrocinctus)
Neches crayfish (Procambarus nechesae)
Sabine fencing crayfish (Faxonella beyeri)
3.9.1 Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)
3.9.1.1 Background and Current Status
This bat reaches the western limit of its range
in eastern Texas. The Rafinesque’s big-eared
bat is primarily a solitary species that roosts
in hollow trees, crevices behind loose bark,
and under dry leaves (Davis and Schmidly
1994). It has also been observed roosting in
buildings, abandoned mines, and wells (BCI
2001; Menzel et al. 2003).
Research on habitat associations for this bat in
eastern Texas indicates that it has high
potential to occur within mature bottomland
hardwood communities containing large
diameter, hollow hardwoods, often of the
genus Nyssa, within one kilometer (0.6 mile)
of water (Mirowsky and Horner 1997). This
research found that this bat preferred to roost
in these large, hollow hardwoods. Lance et
al. (2001) found big-eared bats roosting under
concrete bridges as well as in large hollow
Nyssa in Louisiana. Bridges used by these
bats were always associated with a higher
percentage of surrounding mature hardwood
forest than were unused bridges. A similar
affinity for hardwood-dominated roosts near
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-29
water was found for big-eared bats in South
Carolina (Bunch et al. 1998). Thus, two
important components of high potential
habitat across the range of the species are
mature bottomland hardwood forest and the
close proximity of water.
High potential foraging habitat for these bats
is bottomland hardwood forest. This bat is
considered a moth specialist (Hurst and Lacki
1997; Lacki and Ladeur 2002). The big-eared
bat usually forages by gleaning; that is,
picking insects off vegetation, and has been
observed to forage quite low, within one
meter of the ground (Mirowsky and Horner
1997; BCI 2001).
This species of bat does not have high
potential to occupy proposed treatment areas
because these areas do not include high
potential habitat as described above.
However, the big-eared bat has been known
to occasionally forage in upland areas
adjacent to their preferred bottomland
foraging habitat, although such upland areas
represent only marginal habitat.
The big-eared bat displays a bimodal pattern
of foraging activity, common to a number of
bat species; that is, they forage for several
hours soon after dark, and again for a few
hours in the morning before returning to their
day roosts before dawn (Reynolds and
Mitchell 1998; Menzel et al. 2001). Between
foraging bouts, they likely rest in night roosts
in or near their foraging areas. Bats may use
a variety of sites for these temporary roosts,
depending upon what is available. The big-
eared bat, which occasionally forages in
upland areas or non-hardwood stands adjacent
to more typical bottomland foraging areas,
may use snags with loose bark or cavities, or
upland hardwoods with cavities, as temporary
roost sites.
This species is experiencing a population
decline across its range. The greatest threat
facing the big-eared bat is loss of bottomland
forest roost habitat (Bunch et al 1998;
Natureserve 2009), particularly the large
hollow trees needed for maternity roosts.
Available Inventories
No inventories were conducted for this
species specifically for this project, because
high potential habitat does not occur in the
treatment areas and the species does not have
high potential to occur in the treatment areas.
Any use of the treatment areas by this bat
species would be rare, and would occur only
occasionally during foraging. There are no
extensive, mature, low-lying floodplain
forests (high potential habitat) in the two
compartments covered under this proposal.
Thus, it was determined that no inventories
were needed.
Cumulative Effects
The cumulative effects area for this species
consists of the two compartments covered in
this proposal, adjacent compartments, and
private lands surrounding these national forest
lands.
3.9.1.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.9.1.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Because no management actions would occur
under this alternative, no direct effects would
occur to this bat species.
There would be little potential for indirect
effects to the big-eared bat. Densely stocked
pine stands are more susceptible to wildfire
and SPB infestation. These disturbance
events may create snags, particularly in
mature stands, that could serve as potential
temporary night roost sites. In addition,
failure to thin the stands to create open
conditions would likely leave them
unattractive to foraging bats, since such
stands would likely support few nectar
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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sources that might attract moths. Overall,
indirect effects would be those of natural
forest succession and aging, and could
potentially include the loss of larger acreages
to wildfire and/or beetle infestation.
Cumulative Effects
Bottomland habitat and hardwood stands on
national forest land would remain unchanged
as a result of this project, and continue to
contain high potential roost habitat.
However, this alternative would increase the
vulnerability of upland pine stands to wildfire
and SPB infestation. Although these
disturbances may create snags, they may also
result in the loss of mature stands. Because
the severity of these events is difficult to
predict, it is uncertain how long these stands
would persist to supply potential temporary
roosting habitat.
Adjacent private land uses generally do not
promote the preservation or development of
high potential roosting habitat. Hardwood
bottomlands contain the best quality habitat
for this species. However, the probability of
this habitat type persisting on private land is
low, as the overall trend has been a general
loss of bottomland hardwood forest. This
trend will likely continue on private land.
Human structures (abandoned buildings,
bridges, etc.) may also provide some roosting
habitat, but specific environmental conditions
must exist.
3.9.1.2.2 Alternative 2
Thinning and prescribed fire could potentially
displace or harm individuals. However, this
species has a preference for roosting in low-
lying hardwood communities, in which
thinning would not occur and prescribed fires
tend to burn at low intensity. Additionally,
high potential roost habitat does not occur in
C-90 and 99; thus it is relatively unlikely that
the species inhabits the compartments,
although it may occasionally forage in some
areas. The Rafinesque’s big-eared bat does
not hibernate in Texas (Davis and Schmidly
1994; BCI 2001). This species would
therefore be mobile and alert during winter,
allowing for a high likelihood of escape from
an encroaching fire or other disturbing
activity.
There is a slight potential for indirect effects.
Direct or inadvertent removal of snags may
occur during timber harvest or prescribed
burning. Both the number and distribution of
snags could be affected by the proposed
prescribed burning. Prescribe burning would
result in both the loss of existing snags and
the creation of new ones (Van Lear 1993).
Prescribed fire has the potential to reduce the
number of snags in upland habitats over time,
although data collected by Dr. Richard
Conner at the Southern Forest Experiment
Station in Nacogdoches, Texas has shown that
large diameter snags will often persist in
upland areas even in the presence of a
prescribe burning program.
In addition, snags are more frequent in
lowlands and riparian areas than on upland
sites (McMinn and Hardt 1993; Van Lear
1993), including in the streamside
management zones throughout the
compartments, where fire would burn at lower
intensity. Based on this information, it
appears clear that there will continue to be
adequate snags distributed across the
landscape to provide temporary night roosts
for foraging bats.
Thinning would reduce the potential for loss
of forested habitat to beetle infestation or
wildfire. Dense pine stands are more
vulnerable to beetle attack and wildfire
(Turchin et al. 1999; Boyle et al. 2004).
Thinning mature pine stands would also
create more open stand conditions, favoring
nectar plants that would support moths, which
are a major food of this species. Thus, the
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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proposed thinning would be beneficial to any
bats using these compartments.
The proposed temporary roads would be
developed in accordance with guidelines in
the Plan. Some trees would be removed to
clear rights-of-way for these roads. However,
the roads would not be placed in high
potential bottomland habitat, and therefore
there is no potential for the large hollow trees
needed by the bats for roosting to be
destroyed.
Control of the ongoing erosion problem in
std. 11 in C-90 would not impact bat habitat.
Control of NNIPS would not affect bats, since
these species, such as Chinese tallow,
Japanese climbing fern, and others, tend to
not be nectar plants that might attract moths
and other bat prey species. Removal of these
invasives, as well as any invasive plants that
might attract bat prey would benefit bats by
reducing competition with native nectar
plants. No negative effects from herbicide
use are anticipated, since bats are not
expected to come in contact with herbicide-
treated vegetation. They forage by capturing
flying insects such as moths, which would not
be attracted to dead and dying plants.
Cumulative Effects
Thinning and prescribed burning would
decrease the potential for pine loss from
wildfire and SPB infestation. This would
improve the likelihood of upland stands
retaining large pines that may become snags
or that have the structural characteristics for
roosting.
Surrounding compartments are managed
similarly to the compartments covered by this
proposal. High potential habitat is limited to
the larger river drainages, such as along the
Neches River. These areas are not in the
compartments included in this proposal.
Forest management on adjacent private land
provides little opportunity for the retention or
development of high potential roosting habitat
for this species. Trees on these lands are
usually managed for short rotations (20-40
years). Lands managed intensively for wood
production generally have lower densities of
snags than national forests (Van Lear 1993).
Bottomland forests and larger riparian forests
have been largely cut over on private lands,
leaving few large hollow trees that could
provide high potential roost habitat for this
species. Because forest management on
private lands is unlikely to change in the
foreseeable future, habitat in these areas
would likely remain limited.
3.9.2 Texas Emerald Dragonfly
(Somatochlora margarita)
3.9.2.1 Background and Current Status The Big Thicket emerald dragonfly has a
potential range that may exceed 10,000 square
miles in southeastern Texas, including all four
national forests in Texas (Price et al. 1989).
This species was originally described from
the Sam Houston National Forest (Price et al.
1989). High potential habitat for larvae is
associated with small, clear, sandy-bottomed
streams and boggy seeps within loblolly and
longleaf pine stands (NatureServe 2009).
Adults are generalists, foraging for insects at
canopy level in mature forest and over gravel
roads and small openings. Because of its
specific needs, the larval stage of this species
is considered to be the critical life stage.
Threats to this species include clearing of
large areas of mature forest for conversion to
agricultural land or similar use, which would
displace adults; sedimentation of larval
habitat is a serious threat as well (Price et al.
1989; Natureserve 2009).
Larvae of this species do not have high
potential to occupy proposed treatment areas
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because these areas do not include high
potential habitat (clear, sandy-bottomed
streams) as described above for larvae.
Although prescribed fire may burn into some
streamside zones, effects on vegetation would
be minimal. Fire will not affect streams
directly. However, because of the small
chance of indirect effects to larval habitat, this
species is included in the analysis.
Available Inventories
No systematic inventories for this species
have been conducted recently on the Davy
Crockett NF. Price et al. (1989) surveyed two
locations on the Davy Crockett NF, and found
this species at both locations. One location
was in the northeast portion of the forest, in or
near Compartments 17, 18, and 19. The other
was in the southern part of the forest, in or
near Compartments 108 and 112. Available
inventory data are adequate.
Cumulative Effects
Due to possible downstream impacts to water
quality, the cumulative effects analysis area
for this species includes streams in adjacent
compartments and private lands that flow into
the analysis areas, as well as downstream
areas in adjacent compartments and on private
lands.
3.9.2.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.9.2.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Because no actions would be taken under this
alternative, no direct effects would occur to
the Texas emerald dragonfly. However, this
alternative may increase the vulnerability of
pine stands to wildfire and SPB infestation.
While small openings created by these events
may be used by foraging adults, the loss of
large acreages of mature forest could have
negative effects on this species. Wildfire, if
intense, may remove riparian vegetation,
including the root mat, which functions to
impede soil movement. Increased sediment
delivery to streams, particularly after heavy
rain storms, would impact water quality.
However, the impact of wildfire on riparian
vegetation is difficult to predict, and would
greatly depend on fire intensity. In the
absence of larger wildfires, this alternative
would not affect dragonfly larvae.
Cumulative Effects
Disturbances to streams from private land
uses would continue because current
management practices are not expected to
change. Ongoing erosion in stand 11 in C-90
would continue to degrade water quality.
Without implementation of any action FDR
583 would continue to impact downstream
aquatic habitat, potentially to the detriment of
dragonfly larvae
Adjacent private lands possess few areas of
mature pine, and due to management
practices, are unlikely to provide high
potential habitat for the Texas emerald
dragonfly in the future. Most adjacent private
land has been cleared for pasture land, and
this trend is likely to continue.
3.9.2.2.2 Alternative 2
Given that the adult Texas emerald dragonfly
is highly mobile, negative direct effects from
thinning and prescribe burning are unlikely to
occur. Indirect effects on adults are also not
anticipated. Timber harvest would not result
in clearing of large areas of mature pine, and
therefore would not negatively affect the
suitability or availability of foraging habitat
for adults.
Although timber removal would not occur
within MA-4, associated actions have the
potential to cause sediment movement.
Temporary stream crossings, in particular,
may increase sediment delivery to streams.
However, long-term adverse impacts to
dragonfly larvae are not anticipated. Stream
crossings would be avoided and alternative
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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routes used to access harvest units when
possible. When in use, these crossings would
be employed for a limited duration, and
would be identified and designated in
accordance with the Plan (p.158).
The proposed thinning may result in
temporary increases in sediment delivery to
streams (Binkley and Brown 1993).
However, adverse effects to larval habitat are
not anticipated. Plan measures and project
design criteria for protecting stream courses
would be followed (p.82-83, 153-154, and
158-159). These practices limit sediment
delivery to streams, and are consistent with,
or more restrictive than, state Best
Management Practices (BMPs) for protecting
aquatic habitats from sedimentation.
Prud’homme and Greis (2002) found that the
scientific literature and monitoring results in
the south demonstrate that appropriate BMPs,
fully implemented as designed and adapted to
a site, effectively protect water chemistry,
aquatic habitat, and aquatic biota.
This alternative would involve burning and
the construction of fire lines within MA-4. A
major problem associated with prescribed fire
and water quality is potential increases in
sedimentation (Stanturf et al. 2002).
However, most studies in the south indicate
that effects of prescribed fire on water quality
are minor and of short duration when
compared with the effects of other forest
practices (Stanturf et al. 2002). Prescribed
fires in MA-4 tend to consist of low intensity
backing fires. Even intense burns may disturb
the root mat very little, leaving its soil-
holding properties intact (Stanturf et al.
2002).
Control of the ongoing erosion in stand 11 of
compt. 90 would improve water quality,
potentially benefiting dragonfly larvae.
The proposed temporary road construction
would involve removal of some overstory
trees, but would not result in the clearing of
large acreages that could be detrimental to
adult dragonflies. These roads would be
obliterated or revegetated upon completion of
thinning, elimination any potential for soil
movement from them.
Control of NNIPS would involve efforts
targeted at individual plants. Efforts using
hand tools or mechanical methods would thus
not contribute to sediment delivery to streams.
Surface water contamination or runoff into
streams is not anticipated because the
application method (direct), Plan
requirements, and the limited extent of
treatment diminish the potential for offsite
movement (p.58).
Cumulative Effects
Because of the fragmented land ownership
pattern in and around C-90 and 99, streams in
the two compartments generally either
originate on private lands, or originate in
other Davy Crockett NF compartments and
pass through private land before entering
either of these two compartments. Piney
Creek originates on national forest land
approximately 12-13 miles northwest of C-99.
Management actions on private lands could
potentially impact larval habitat on the Forest.
Any activities on private lands were likely
more intensive than the actions proposed on
national forest land, and likely had fewer
measures in place to protect riparian areas and
control soil movement. The actions proposed
in this alternative will have numerous
measures in place to protect water quality,
and are unlikely to have long-term negative
effects on dragonfly larvae.
Downstream effects to aquatic habitats were
also considered. Streams in these two
compartments ultimately flow into Piney
Creek. Management practices on national
forest lands incorporate measures that
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minimize sediment movement into aquatic
habitats, as previously described. These
measures reduce the likelihood that this
alternative would negatively affect water
quality downstream of these compartments.
National forest land provides the best
opportunity for the protection or maintenance
of habitat for this species in the long-term.
Management practices near streams on
national forest lands are generally more
restrictive than on adjacent private lands, on
which implementing protection measures for
streams is voluntary.
3.9.3 Fish, Freshwater Mussels, and Lotic
Crayfish
Aquatic resources in Caney Creek in C-90
and 99 are presently stable, except for
ongoing channel downcutting and sediment
delivery resulting from failing culverts and
uncontrolled road drainage (USDA 2009c).
Piney Creek has experienced few impacts,
and supports the harlequin darter, which is at
the western limits of its range.
While specific habitat requirements for the
fish, mussels, and crayfish differ, they are
primarily impacted by sedimentation.
Therefore, they are considered together in the
effects analysis.
3.9.3.1 Fish – Sabine shiner (Notropis
sabinae)
Background and Current Status
The Sabine shiner has high potential to occur
over a substrate of fine, silt-free sand in small
streams and rivers having slight to moderate
current (Lee et al. 1980). Threats to this
species’ habitat include siltation and
obstructions to fish passage. Historic records
from 1968-1971 indicate that the Sabine
Shiner was originally found in a number of
streams on the NFT. There are no current
records of the species on the Davy Crockett
NF, although it was found once and
subsequently not relocated.
The goldstripe darter (Etheostoma
parvipinne), a species closely associated with
the Sabine shiner, has been found in several
streams on the forest. This species inhabits
clear, sandy-bottomed streams that are spring
fed. The goldstripe darter requires unimpeded
waterways that allow passage to headwaters,
needed for fulfilling life cycle requirements
and for survival during summer droughts.
Streams occupied by this species may indicate
the presence of habitat conditions necessary
to support the bottom dwelling Sabine shiner,
although recent findings indicate that the
shiner requires long reaches of streams, 13
miles or more, in order to thrive and support
sustainable populations. Impediments to fish
passage such as poorly designed and/or
placed culverts are a major factor contributing
to the decline in distribution experienced by
this species.
The Sabine shiner does not have high
potential to occupy proposed treatment areas
because numerous previous inventories of
high potential habitat distributed across the
forest have not located this species.
Available Inventories
Numerous fisheries surveys and inventories
have been conducted on the Davy Crockett
NF. The most recent fisheries inventory work
for the Davy Crockett NF indicates that the
Sabine shiner has been found in Cochino
Bayou only, in Compartments 54 and 57. A
complete listing of water bodies surveyed can
be found in the Wildlife Specialist Report, in
the project file (USDA 2009d).
Available inventory information is adequate
because inventories of high potential habitat
on the Davy Crockett NF are current enough
and widespread enough to guide project
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design, support determination of effects, and
meet requirements for conservation of this
species.
3.9.3.2 Freshwater Mussels:
Sandbank Pocketbook (Lampsilis satura)
Louisiana Pigtoe (Plerobema riddellii)
Texas Heelsplitter (Potamilus
amphiachaenus)
Background and Current Status Freshwater mussels may inhabit a variety of
water-body types including large and small
rivers and streams, lakes, ponds, canals, and
reservoirs (Howells et al. 1996). These three
sensitive mussel species have high potential
to occur in mud, sand, or gravel substrates in
streams and small rivers. They do not occur
in deep shifting sands or deep soft silt
(Howells 1996; Howells et al. 1996), which
can contribute to smothering. Mussels filter
feed on algae, detritus, and small particles in
the water, and may be able to absorb some
organic material in solution (Howells 1996).
Impoundment of river systems is believed to
be the most significant threat facing
freshwater bivalves (Neck 1982).
Impoundment alters flow regimes, increases
sediment accumulation, and may impede
movement of fish hosts. Dams may alter flow
and temperature regimes and disrupt the
timing of reproduction and associated
behavior of fish and mussels (Neck 1982;
Howells et al. 1996). Pollution, over harvest,
reduced spring and river flows, introduction
of exotic species, and sedimentation are other
probable causes of decline (Neck 1982;
Howells 1996; Howells et al. 1996; Watters
2000). In addition, any impacts to fish may
negatively affect mussels, which use certain
fish as hosts for larval development (Howells
et al. 1996).
These species do not have high potential to
occupy proposed treatment areas because
previous inventories of high potential habitat
in streams distributed across much of East
Texas have not located these species in recent
years.
Available Inventories
Howells et al. (1996) summarized surveys
completed for these species in Texas. Only
two live specimens of the Texas heelsplitter
have been found in the past 15 years, and
none of the other two species. Texas
freshwater mussel communities have declined
greatly, and have disappeared from the
majority of sites from which they once were
found.
Available inventory information is adequate
because inventories of high potential habitat
are current enough and widespread enough to
guide project design, support determination of
effects, and meet requirements for
conservation of these species.
3.9.3.3 Lotic Crayfish – Blackbelted
Crayfish (Procambarus nigrocinctus)
Background and Current Status
Crayfish can be divided into two groups: 1)
those that live in lentic habitats (still waters
such as lakes, ponds, and swamps) and 2)
those that live in lotic habitats (actively
moving water such as streams and rivers).
The Neches crayfish and Sabine fencing
crayfish primarily inhabit lentic habitats and
will be addressed separately. The blackbelted
crayfish lives primarily in lotic environments,
and will be addressed along with other stream
dwelling species.
The blackbelted crayfish has high potential to
occur among debris in streams with sandy or
rocky bottoms, and is known from only five
locations range-wide, all in the Neches River
basin, in Angelina and Jasper counties (Hobbs
1990, Natureserve 2009). Activities that
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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negatively impact water quality have the
potential to impact this species.
Available Inventories
Crayfish surveys have been conducted at a
number of sites across the forest. The most
recent crayfish inventory work for the Davy
Crockett NF indicates that the blackbelted
crayfish has been found in Lynch Creek only,
in Compartment 71. A complete listing of
crayfish inventory work can be found in the
Wildlife Specialist Report, in the project file
(USDA 2009d).
Available inventory information is adequate
because inventories of high potential habitat
on the Davy Crockett NF are current enough
and widespread enough to guide project
design, support determination of effects, and
meet requirements for conservation of these
species.
Cumulative Effects
To account for possible downstream effects
on water quality, the cumulative effects
analysis area for the Sabine shiner, freshwater
bivalves, and lotic crayfish is C-90 and 99 and
surrounding private lands, as well as Piney
and Caney and their unnamed tributaries.
3.9.3.4 Effects of Alternatives
3.9.3.4.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) Because no management actions would occur
under this alternative, no direct effects would
occur to these aquatic species. However, this
alternative would increase the vulnerability of
pine stands to wildfire and beetle infestation
(Turchin et al. 1999; Boyle et al. 2004).
Wildfire, depending upon intensity, could
remove riparian vegetation, including the root
mat, which functions to stabilize soil. If
increased sediment loads were delivered to
streams, particularly after heavy rain storms,
water quality would be negatively impacted,
potentially affecting any Sabine shiners or
mussels that might be present. If no large
wildfire, or wildfire near streams, occurred,
there would be no impact to aquatic species as
a result of this alternative.
Large, epidemic-level beetle infestations, and
the likely subsequent removal of dead and
dying pines, could result in the loss of large
acreages of forest. This could result in some
temporary increase in sediment delivery to
streams, although protection measures in the
Plan would minimize this. However, it is
difficult to predict if, or when, this might
occur. In the absence of large-scale
infestations, there would be no impact on
aquatic species.
Cumulative Effects
The existing erosion problems in C-90 and
along FDR 583 in C-99 are contributing to
degradation of water quality in the two
compartments. Because this alternative
would not include the repair of these
problems, these features would continue to
cause sedimentation of aquatic habitats.
3.9.3.4.2 Alternative 2
Although timber removal would not occur
within the primary zone of MA-4, associated
actions have the potential to cause sediment
movement. Temporary stream crossings, in
particular, may increase sediment delivery to
streams for the short term. However, long-
term adverse impacts to aquatic species are
not anticipated. Stream crossings would be
avoided, and alternative routes used to access
harvest units, when possible. When in use,
these crossings would be used for a limited
duration, and would be identified and
designated in accordance with the Plan
(p.158). Riparian areas would be protected
according to measures outlined in the Plan
(p.82-83, 153-154, and 158-159).
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The thinning proposed under this alternative
may result in temporary increases in sediment
delivery to streams. However, long term
adverse effects to stream habitats are not
anticipated. Silvicultural activities rank low
among water-impairing land uses in the South
(West 2002). Prud’homme and Greis (2002)
found that scientific literature and monitoring
results in the south demonstrate that
appropriate Best Management Practices
(BMPs), fully implemented as designed and
adapted to a site, effectively protect water
chemistry, aquatic habitat, and aquatic biota.
Plan measures and project design criteria are
in place for protecting stream courses (p.82-
83, 153-154, and 158-159). These practices
limit sediment delivery to streams, and are
consistent with, or more restrictive than, state
BMPs for protecting aquatic habitats from
sedimentation.
This proposal would involve prescribe
burning and the construction of fire lines,
portions of some which would be within MA-
4. The Sabine shiner, the mussels, and the
crayfish are vulnerable to management
actions that impact stream habitats. A major
problem associated with prescribed fire and
water quality is potential increases in
sedimentation (Stanturf et al. 2002).
However, most studies in the south indicate
that effects of prescribed fire on water quality
are minor and of short duration when
compared with the effects of other forest
practices (Stanturf et al. 2002). Prescribed
fires in MA-4 tend to consist of low intensity
backing fires. Even intense burns may disturb
the root mat very little, leaving its soil-
holding properties intact (Stanturf et al.
2002). Thus, there is very little potential for
indirect effects to aquatic habitat, provided
that hand lines are constructed so as to
prevent or minimize sediment delivery to
streams. No activities are proposed that could
potentially restrict fish passage along streams.
The proposed temporary road construction
would involve removal of some overstory
trees, but would not result in the clearing of
large acreages that could result in sediment
movement.
Control of the ongoing erosion in stand 11 of
C-90 would improve water quality,
potentially benefiting aquatic species.
Control of NNIPS would involve efforts
targeted at individual plants. Efforts using
hand tools or mechanical methods would thus
not contribute to sediment delivery to streams
Surface water contamination or runoff into
streams is not anticipated because the
application method (direct), Plan
requirements, and the limited extent of
treatment diminish the potential for offsite
movement (p.58).
Cumulative Effects
Because of the fragmented land ownership
pattern in and around C-90 and 99, streams in
the two compartments generally either
originate on private lands, or originate in
other Davy Crockett NF compartments and
pass through private land before entering
either of these two compartments. Piney
Creek originates on National Forest land
approximately 12-13 miles northwest of C-99.
Management actions on private lands could
potentially impact aquatic habitat on the
Forest. Any activities on private lands were
likely more intensive than the actions
proposed on national forest land, and likely
had fewer measures in place to protect
riparian areas and control soil movement.
The actions proposed in this alternative will
have numerous measures in place to protect
water quality, and are unlikely to have long-
term negative effects on aquatic communities.
Downstream effects to aquatic habitats were
also considered. Streams in these two
compartments ultimately flow into Piney
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
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Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
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Creek. Management practices on national
forest lands incorporate measures that
minimize sediment movement into aquatic
habitats, as previously described. These
measures reduce the likelihood that this
alternative would negatively affect water
quality downstream of these compartments.
National forest land provides the best
opportunity for the protection or maintenance
of habitat for these species in the long-term.
Management practices near streams on
national forest lands are generally more
restrictive than on adjacent private lands, on
which implementing protection measures for
streams is voluntary.
3.9.4 Lentic Crayfish:
Neches Crayfish (Procambarus nechesae)
Sabine Fencing Crayfish (Faxonella beyeri)
3.9.4.1 Background and Current Status
The Neches crayfish has high potential to
occur in simple burrows in temporary or
semi-permanent pools in roadside ditches
(Hobbs 1990, Natureserve 2009). This
species is associated with the Neches River
Basin (Hobbs 1990). The Sabine fencing
crayfish has high potential to occur in
roadside ditches that are intermittently filled
(Natureserve 2009). Limiting factors for
these crayfish include land development or
alterations, agricultural runoff, and
competition with other crayfish (Natureserve
2009). Heavy equipment used during timber
operations has the potential to entomb
crayfish in burrows, compact the soil, and
affect hydrology through rutting.
Available Inventories Numerous crayfish surveys and inventories
have been conducted on the Davy Crockett
NF. F. beyeri has not been found on the
Davy Crockett NF. P. nechesae has been
found at one location, Pond 5 on FDR 503, in
C-56. A complete listing of crayfish
inventory work can be found in the Wildlife
Specialist Report, in the project file.
Available inventory information is adequate
because inventories of high potential habitat
on the Davy Crockett NF are current enough
and widespread enough to guide project
design, support determination of effects, and
meet requirements for conservation of these
species.
Cumulative Effects
To account for possible downstream effects
on water quality, the cumulative effects
analysis area for the lentic crayfish is C-90
and 99 and surrounding private lands, as well
as Piney and Caney and their unnamed
tributaries.
3.9.4.2 Effects of Alternatives
3.9.4.2.1 Alternative 1 (No Action)
Because no management actions would occur
under this alternative, no direct effects would
occur to these aquatic species. However, this
alternative would increase the vulnerability of
pine stands to wildfire and beetle infestation
(Turchin et al. 1999, Boyle et al. 2004).
Wildfire, depending upon intensity, could
remove riparian vegetation, including the root
mat, which functions to stabilize soil. If
increased sediment loads were delivered to
streams ditches, and ephemeral pools,
particularly after heavy rain storms, water
quality would be negatively impacted,
potentially affecting any crayfish that might
be present. If no large wildfire, or wildfire
near streams, occurred, there would be no
impact to these species as a result of this
alternative.
Large, epidemic-level beetle infestations, and
the likely subsequent removal of dead and
dying pines, could result in the loss of large
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-39
acreages of forest. This could result in some
temporary increase in sediment delivery to
streams, although protection measures in the
Plan would minimize this. Additionally, the
use of heavy equipment to remove dead and
dying trees could injure or kill some crayfish.
However, it is difficult to predict if, or when,
this might occur. In the absence of large-
scale infestations, there would be no impact
on aquatic species, since no actions would
occur in these two compartments.
Cumulative Effects
The existing erosion problems in C-90 and
along FDR 583 in C-99 are contributing to
degradation of water quality in the two
compartments. Because this alternative
would not include the repair of these
problems, these features would continue to
cause sedimentation of aquatic habitats.
3.9.4.2.2 Alternative 2
The proposed thinning would involve the use
of heavy equipment, which has the potential
to injure or kill individual crayfish if it
crosses wet ditches containing crayfish, or
drives over their burrows. However, these
species would be most likely to occur in
wetter sites such as roadside ditches, as
described above. These areas would be most
likely be impacted at only a few sites, where
equipment entered compartments. Thus,
impacts on those sites potentially harboring
the greatest numbers of crayfish would be
limited. The proposed temporary road
construction would involve removal of some
overstory trees, but would not result in the
clearing of large acreages that could result in
sediment movement.
This proposal would involve prescribe
burning and the construction of fire lines.
The prescribe burning itself would not affect
these crayfish, since they would either be in
wet ditches or below ground in burrows. The
use of bulldozers to develop firelines has
potential to injure or kill individuals, if this
equipment crosses wet ditches containing
crayfish, or drives over their burrows.
However, equipment would not be making
numerous crossings of such areas; rather, only
a few crossings would be needed into each
compartment, and these may or may not
coincide with sites occupied by crayfish.
Thus, while there is the potential for some
individuals to be impacted, the impacts to the
species’ potential distribution would be small.
Some crayfish could be displaced or
injured/killed during work to repair ongoing
erosion in stand 11 in C-90. However, the
end result of this work would be long term
improved water quality, which should benefit
all aquatic species. Thus the overall effect of
this work would be beneficial, despite the
potential for short term detrimental impacts.
Control of NNIPS would involve efforts
targeted at individual plants. Efforts using
hand tools or mechanical methods would thus
not contribute to sediment delivery to streams,
ditches, or temporary pools. Surface water
contamination or runoff into aquatic habitats
is not anticipated because the application
method (direct), Plan requirements for nozzle
use and droplet size, weather constraints, and
the limited extent of treatment diminish the
potential for offsite movement.
Cumulative Effects
Because of the fragmented land ownership
pattern in and around C-90 and 99, streams in
the two compartments generally either
originate on private lands, or originate in
other Davy Crockett NF compartments and
pass through private land before entering
either of these two compartments. Piney
Creek originates on national forest land
approximately 12-13 miles northwest of C-99.
Management actions on private lands could
potentially impact aquatic habitat on the
Forest. Any activities on private lands were
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-40
likely more intensive than the actions
proposed on national forest land, and likely
had fewer measures in place to protect
riparian areas and control soil movement.
The actions proposed in this alternative will
have numerous measures in place to protect
water quality, and are unlikely to have long-
term negative effects on aquatic communities.
Downstream effects to aquatic habitats were
also considered. Streams in these two
compartments ultimately flow into Piney
Creek. Management practices on national
forest lands incorporate measures that
minimize sediment movement into aquatic
habitats, as previously described. These
measures reduce the likelihood that this
alternative would negatively affect water
quality downstream of these compartments.
The use of heavy equipment on national forest
land for fireline construction, timber harvest,
roadwork, and other activities has the
potential to impact these species and their
temporary wet sites across the forest.
However, with the exception of the need for
bulldozers to cross ditches to access fireline
locations, and road construction across
ditches, other activities typically avoid wet
areas, or are restricted seasonally to drier
times of the year. This reduces the potential
for impacts to habitat for these species, since
during dry times they are likely less widely
distributed, likely being concentrated in the
fewer wet areas. In addition, the activities
discussed above occur at the level of the
individual, and generally do not destroy the
habitat.
Activities on surrounding private lands are
much less regulated, and effects on seasonally
wet sites, ephemeral pools, etc. can be
extensive, and may render sites uninhabitable.
This makes national forest land important for
the continued existence of these species.
3.10 Public Health and Safety
3.10.1 Alternative 1 (No Action) Public health and safety would not be directly
affected. The potential for losses from
wildfire would increase over time due to
increased fuel loads and dense forest
conditions. This could indirectly affect public
health and safety, if wildfire occurred in C-90
or C-99. Wildfires produce much more
smoke and pollutants than prescribed fires,
which could adversely affect public health. In
addition, wildfires can be difficult to control,
placing nearby residents and firefighters at
greater risk.
3.10.2 Alternative 2
Public health and safety would be minimally
affected. Measures to protect the public
during logging and prescribed burning would
be implemented. The potential for losses
from wildfire would decrease over time as
prescribed burning and timber harvesting
reduce fuel loads and create open forest
conditions. Prescribed fires produce less
smoke and pollutants than wildfires and
would be conducted when atmospheric
conditions promote the dispersal of smoke,
which would minimize the effects on public
health.
None of the alternatives present a risk to
human health and safety with the
implementation of mitigating measures to
restrict access during logging, prescribed
burning or other activities.
3.11 Economics
For proposed projects involving timber sales,
the Timber Sale Preparation Handbook,
directs economic or financial analyses be
conducted for all alternatives (FSH 2409.18).
For this project, the Davy Crockett ID Team
conducted a financial efficiency analysis for
Davy Crockett NF Groveton Fuels Reduction Project – C-90 & 99
Environmental Assessment
Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Page 3-41
Alternative 2. It should be noted that analysis
was limited to direct monetary costs and
revenues related to the timber sales. It does
not factor in non-monetary benefits of
improved forest health, improved wildlife
habitat, or reduced risk of wildfire damage.
Costs included: road maintenance, sale
preparation (marking), sale administration,
and prescribed burning. Benefits included the
revenue generated from the sale of the timber.
All monetary estimates were based on recent
actual values. Table 3-10 summarizes the
results.
Table 3- 10. Economic efficiency of Alternative 2
Alt
ern
ati
ve 2
Discount Rate 4.000
Cash Flows (number) 6
PV – Costs ($) -$ 465,344
PV – Benefits ($) $ 1,043,904
Present Net Value ($) $ 578,155
B/C Ratio 2.24
Net Annual Equivalent ($)
$ 159,276
Composite Rate of Return (%)
27.27
Generally, Alternative 2 would generate
several hundred thousand dollars more than it
cost. Implementation of Alternative 2 is
economically viable.