United States Department of Agriculture Foothills Landscape Project Environmental Assessment Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests December 2019 For More Information Contact: Betty Jewett Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 1755 Cleveland Highway Gainesville, GA 30501 Phone: (770) 297-3000 Email: SM.FS.Foothills@usda.gov Fax: (770) 297-3011 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 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Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Proposed Project Location ........................................................................................................................ 1 Project Area Description .......................................................................................................................... 3 Project Background ................................................................................................................................ 10 Understanding the Planning Approach ............................................................................................... 10 Purpose and Need for the Proposal ............................................................................................................. 13 Improving Biologic Integrity .................................................................................................................. 23 Forest Composition and Structure....................................................................................................... 23 Unique and Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat ..................................................................... 25 Aquatic Habitat ................................................................................................................................... 26 Resilience to Disturbance ....................................................................................................................... 29 Protecting Communities from Wildfire .............................................................................................. 29 Expanding the Ecological Role of Fire ............................................................................................... 32 Reducing Risk to Forest Health .......................................................................................................... 35 Connectivity ........................................................................................................................................... 37 Forest Successional Diversity ............................................................................................................. 38 Aquatic Organism Passage.................................................................................................................. 39 Enhance Recreation Opportunities (Human Connectivity) ................................................................. 40 Improving Soil and Water Quality ......................................................................................................... 41 Reduce Sediment Delivery.................................................................................................................. 41 Supporting Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................ 43 Proposed Action and Alternatives............................................................................................................... 45 Alternative 1 – No Action ...................................................................................................................... 45 Alternative 2 – Proposed Action............................................................................................................. 45 Proposed Actions to Improve Biologic Integrity: ............................................................................... 46 Proposed Actions to Increase Resiliency to Disturbance:................................................................... 57 Proposed Actions to Maintain or Restore Connectivity:..................................................................... 59 Proposed Actions to Improve Soil and Water Quality: ....................................................................... 67 Project Design Features .......................................................................................................................... 74 Connected Actions.................................................................................................................................. 80 Road Related Actions ......................................................................................................................... 80 Landing Construction or Re-opening .................................................................................................. 82 Fireline Construction .......................................................................................................................... 82 Herbicide Use...................................................................................................................................... 82 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ............................................................... 84 Environmental Impacts ............................................................................................................................... 85 Issues ...................................................................................................................................................... 85 Impacts ................................................................................................................................................... 85 Agencies or Persons Consulted ................................................................................................................. 113 References ................................................................................................................................................. 113 Appendix A - Maps .................................................................................................................................. AP1 Maps – Landscape Management Prescriptions.................................................................................... AP2 Maps – Vegetation ............................................................................................................................... AP6 Maps – Recreation ............................................................................................................................. AP19 Maps – Implementation Areas ........................................................................................................... AP28 Appendix B – Summary of Alternative 2 Actions ................................................................................. AP33 Appendix C – Woodland Species List ................................................................................................... AP39 Appendix D – Stands Proposed for Old-Growth Designation ............................................................... AP41 i Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix E – Implementation Plan and Decision Matrices .................................................................. AP45 Draft Implementation Plan ................................................................................................................ AP46 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... AP46 Implementation Plan Components ................................................................................................. AP49 Decision Matrices .............................................................................................................................. AP51 Vegetation Decision Matrices ........................................................................................................ AP51 Aquatics Decision Matrices ........................................................................................................... AP56 Sustainable Recreation Evaluation Criteria and Decision Matrices............................................... AP58 Appendix F – Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions ........................................................ AP75 Past and Present Action ..................................................................................................................... AP75 Reasonably Foreseeable Future Action ............................................................................................. AP75 Tables Table 1 Summary of Major Forest Communities in the Project Area .......................................................... 3 Table 2 ROS Characteristics for the Foothills Landscape ............................................................................ 8 Table 3 Existing and Desired Conditions Supporting the Purpose and Need ............................................. 14 Table 4 Changes Proposed to the Forest Service System Roads and Trails System That Would Modify Motorized Access................................................................................................................................ 63 Table 5 National Forest System Roads and Trails Proposed for Removal from the System and Decommissioning ............................................................................................................................... 69 Table 6: Recreation Sites Identified in the Foothills Landscape with Moderate or Low Financial Sustainability....................................................................................................................................... 72 Table 7 Project Design Features for Alternative 2 of the Foothills Landscape Project .............................. 74 Table 8 Estimated Rates of Herbicide to Be Applied for Site Preparation, Release and Midstory Control Treatments........................................................................................................................................... 83 Table 9 Aquatic Resource Parameters Used for Analysis .......................................................................... 86 Table 10 Botanical Resource Parameters Used for Analysis ...................................................................... 89 Table 11 Climate Change Parameters Used for Analysis ........................................................................... 92 Table 12 Fire and Fuels Parameters Used for Analysis .............................................................................. 93 Table 13 Hydrology Parameters Used for Analysis.................................................................................... 95 Table 14 Inventoried Roadless Parameters Used for Analysis ................................................................... 98 Table 15 Terrestrial Wildlife Parameters Used for Analysis ...................................................................... 99 Table 16 Recreation Parameters Used for Analysis.................................................................................. 103 Table 17 Soil Parameters Used for Analysis ............................................................................................ 107 Table 18 Vegetation Parameters Used for Analysis ................................................................................. 109 Table 19 Stands That Are Currently Being Proposed For Designation as Old-Growth in Subwatersheds That Currently Meet the Forest Plan Minimum for Designation ................................................... AP44 Table 20 Past Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Activities in Watersheds that Touch the Foothills Landscape Project Area ................................................................................................................. AP76 Table 21 Past, Present, and Foreseeable Future Recreation Activities (Developed, Dispersed and NonMotor Trails) in the Foothills Landscape Project Area .................................................................. AP83 Table 22 Past, Present, and Foreseeable (Roads and Motorized Trails Activities) in Watersheds within the Foothills Landscape Project Area .................................................................................................. AP86 Table 23 Watersheds within Foothills Boundary with No Activities Reported..................................... AP87 Figures Figure 1 Foothills Landscape Project Boundary ........................................................................................... 1 Figure 2 Integrated and Overarching Themes within the FLP That Support the Need for Ecological and Watershed Restoration ........................................................................................................................ 13 ii Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Figure 3 Forest Successional Stages in the Foothills Landscape ................................................................ 38 Figure 4 Diagram of a Typical Road Cross-Section ................................................................................... 81 Figure 5 Spatial Boundaries of the Foothills Landscape ...................................................................... AP47 Figure 6 Foothills Landscape Implementation Areas ............................................................................ AP48 Photos Photo 1 Table Mountain Pinecone Found in the Foothills Landscape Project Area. These Serotinous Cones Require Heat From Fire to Open and Release Their Seeds...................................................... 24 Photo 2 Bogs Provide Unique Habitat for the Threatened Swamp Pink. ................................................... 25 Photo 3 Streambank Erosion Cause Increased Sedimentation, Negatively Affecting Water Quality and Aquatic Wildlife Habitat. Example along Warwoman Creek Shown Here. ....................................... 26 Photo 4 Forest Condition Trending Toward Open Woodland After Using Only Prescribed Fire Treatments. Sunlight Beginning to Reach Forest Floor in Patches..................................................... 32 Photo 5 Example of Perched Culvert Prohibiting Fish Passage ................................................................. 39 Photo 6 Failed Culverts Impact both Access and Streams .......................................................................... 40 Photo 7 Shortleaf Pine Stands Post Thinning and Prescribed Fire ............................................................. 47 Photo 8 Intermediate Open Woodland Habitat 2-3 Years after Initial Mechanical Treatments. Woodlands Provide Ideal Habitat for Wildlife and Botanical Species Such as Coneflower. ................................ 52 Photo 9 Contrast of Open Understory/ Midstory after Prescribed Burn Treatment (Left Side of Road) with Untreated Vegetation Condition (Right Side of Road). ...................................................................... 58 Photo 10 Horse Riding on the Jake and Bull Trail System ......................................................................... 62 Photo 11 Forest Road Damage that is Impacting Soil and Water Resources and Visitor Safety and Enjoyment ........................................................................................................................................... 68 Photo 12 Photo of Dispersed Campsite on the Banks of the Chattooga River. Note Bare, Compacted Ground in Close Proximity to Surface Water. .................................................................................... 71 Photo 13 Pheasant Branch Prescribed Burn ................................................................................................ 95 Photo 14 Testing for Whitenose Syndrome in Bats .................................................................................. 101 Photo 15 Canebrake Rattlesnake............................................................................................................... 102 Photo 16 Bats Roosting in a Cave found in the Foothills Landscape ....................................................... 103 Photo 17 Damage to a Forest Road after a Culvert was Blocked with Debris during a Storm Event ...... 104 Photo 18 Mountain Laurel is a Shrub Species Typically Found in Woodlands. ................................... AP39 Maps Map 1 Foothills Landscape ........................................................................................................................... 2 Map 2 Simon's Ecological Zones for the Chattooga River Ranger District ................................................. 5 Map 3 Simon's Ecological Zones for the Conasauga Ranger District .......................................................... 6 Map 4 Simon's Ecological Zones for the Blue Ridge Ranger District .......................................................... 7 Map 5 CONF Land Management Plan Prescriptions in the Foothills Landscape Project Area ................... 9 Map 6 CONF Watershed Condition in the Foothills Landscape ................................................................ 28 Map 7 Wildland Urban Interface Risk in the Foothills Landscape ............................................................. 31 Map 8 Fire Regime Condition Class in the Foothills Landscape................................................................ 34 Map 9 CONF Land Management Prescriptions for the Chattooga River Ranger District....................... AP3 Map 10 CONF Land Management Plan Prescriptions Conasauga Ranger District ................................. AP4 Map 11 CONF Land Management Plan Prescriptions Blue Ridge Ranger District ................................ AP5 Map 12 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine Conasauga Ranger District.................... AP8 Map 13 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Oak Conasauga Ranger District .................... AP9 Map 14 Modeled Potential Areas to Restore Woodland or Create Canopy Gaps Conasauga Ranger District............................................................................................................................................ AP10 Map 15 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine Chattooga River Ranger District ......... AP12 iii Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 16 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Oak Chattooga River Ranger District ......... AP13 Map 17 Modeled Potential Areas to Restore Woodland or Create Canopy Gaps Chattooga River Ranger District............................................................................................................................................ AP14 Map 18 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine Blue Ridge Ranger District ................. AP16 Map 19 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Oak Blue Ridge Ranger District ................. AP17 Map 20 Modeled Potential Areas to Restore Woodland or Create Canopy Gaps Blue Ridge Ranger District............................................................................................................................................ AP18 Map 21 Scenic Integrity Objectives for the Foothills Landscape .......................................................... AP20 Map 22 Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor .............................................................................. AP21 Map 23 Recreational Opportunities on the Conasauga Ranger District ................................................ AP22 Map 24 Recreational Opportunities on the Chattooga River Ranger District........................................ AP23 Map 25 Recreational Opportunities on the Blue Ridge Ranger District ................................................ AP24 Map 26 Proposed Road and Trail Changes on the Conasauga Ranger District ..................................... AP25 Map 27 Proposed Road and Trail Changes on the Chattooga River Ranger District ............................ AP26 Map 28 Proposed Road and Trail Changes on the Blue Ridge Ranger District .................................... AP27 Map 29 Implementation Areas within the Foothills Landscape ............................................................ AP29 Map 30 Implementation Areas on the Conasauga Ranger District ........................................................ AP30 Map 31 Implementation Areas on the Chattooga River Ranger District ............................................... AP31 Map 32 Implementation Areas on the Blue Ridge Ranger District ....................................................... AP32 iv Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Introduction The Foothills Landscape Project (FLP) proposes a variety of integrated restoration activities to restore biologic integrity, resilience to disturbance, connectivity, and soil and water quality across 157,625 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands. These actions are proposed to be implemented on the Conasauga, Blue Ridge, and Chattooga River Ranger Districts of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (CONF). The Forest Service prepared this environmental assessment (EA) to determine whether to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). This EA complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other relevant Federal and State laws and regulations. Proposed Project Location The project area is located in northern Georgia and encompasses the landscape where the mountains are visibly reduced to foothills. It includes portions of the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area and Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Rabun and White Counties. According to 2017 population estimates, almost a quarter-million people (est. 244,000) reside in the counties included across the Foothills Landscape, with the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country, Atlanta (est. 5.8 million), within a few hour drive of the project area. Land within the project area boundary touches substantial portions of 48 sixth-level watersheds within the Southern Appalachian ecosystem. There are approximately 200 miles of various use trails and dozens of recreation sites in the project area. Elevation in the project area ranges from 740 feet to 3,697 feet (average 1,772 feet). The 157,625 acres of NFS lands accounts for about half (49%) of the land ownership acreage within the project boundary, delineated in purple (Figure 1) and as shown on the following map (Map 1). No activities are proposed on land outside of Forest Service jurisdiction. Figure 1 Foothills Landscape Project Boundary 1 Big Frog Wilderness £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee 64 Map 1 Cottonwood 9 J Patch National Forests £ ¤ 19 64 Sky Valley Brasstown Valley Resort State Park Cohutta Wilderness Lake Shooting Range Southern Nantahala Wilderness Foothills Landscape Project Cohutta Check Station Q O ©! ! l ! Murray's Sumac Highlands £ ¤ 9 J Hiawassee Young Harris Mill Creek Overlook ! \ © ! ! l 9 J 9 J Black Rock Mountain State Park 5 ! Willis Knob Horse Camp 9 J 9 J Hickey Gap Mill Creek Overlook ! \ J Lake 9 Blue Ridge 9 J Conasauga Fort Mountain State Park £ ¤ Clayton Brasstown Wilderness ! ^ Blairsville 76 \ ! Q ! 9 J9 J 5 ! Holly Creek 5 ! ! Barnes Creek Mark Trail Wilderness £ ¤ 19 Cohutta Overlook ! \ ! Peeples Lake J Blood 9 Mountain Wilderness Dennis Mill DeSoto Falls Ellijay Chestatee Overlook 9 J ! \ Waters Creek ! l Day Use 9 J Oakey Mountain Rabun Beach 9 J ^ ! Tallulah Gorge State Park Boggs Creek Unicoi State Park Raven Cliffs Wilderness QSmithgall ! Woods-Dukes Creek CA 9 J Q ! 5 Warwoman ! Dell ^ ! 9 J 9 J C ! O ! 9 J Rich Mountain Wilderness O ! J 9 Vogel State Park Q ! Moccasin Creek State Park Tray Mountain Wilderness 9 J \ ! J 9 J9 C ! 9 J Tallulah Falls 5 ! Helen Dockery Chestatee Lake Check Station S ! £ ¤ 411 £ ¤ 123 Clarkesville Cleveland Toccoa Amicalola Falls State Park £ ¤ 515 Buck Shoals State Park Demorest ^ ! Dahlonega £ ¤ 411 Mossy Creek State Park Cornelia ^ ! 9 J £ ¤ 129 Dalton Gainesville Rome 85 § ¦ ¨ 75 § ¦ ¨ Athens Atlanta 0 20 § ¦ ¨ Foothills Landscape 5 ! Picnic Site US or State Highway State Park ! Boating Site ^ ! Interpretive Site County Road Historic Site 9 J Camping \ ! Obversation Site Wilderness Conservation Area S ! Climbing Area 5 ! Picnic Site Forest Service Land City Q ! DNR Check Station © ! Target Range O ! Recreation Area C ! Trailhead l ! Fishing Site 5 10 20 30 : Miles 40 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 4/17/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Area Description The Foothills Landscape project area can be divided into ecological zones (Simon et al. 2005) that are specific plant communities or plant community groups based upon environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, fertility, and solar radiation that control vegetation distribution. These zones fall within five main groups: riparian, oak, hemlock, mesic hardwood, and pine. These zones are shown per district on Map 2, Map 3, and Map 4. Within these zones, the Foothills Landscape has a diversity of communities that provide a variety of habitats for terrestrial and aquatic species and plants. Table 1 shows the forest communities found within the project area. Detailed discussion regarding these forest communities can be found in the Vegetation Specialist Report in the project record. Table 1 Summary of Major Forest Communities in the Project Area Forest Communities Southern Yellow Pine and Southern Yellow Pine-Oak Forests Key Species Shortleaf, Pitch, Loblolly, Virginia, and table mountain Pines Location Acres % of Project Area Importance Concern Lack of Diversity in Age Classes (minimal young forest) Dry ridgetops and exposed aspects 65,000+ 40% Fire Resilient and Fire Adapted Ecosystems Increasing Insect and Disease Declining Reproductive Potential Declining FireAdapted Species Oak and OakPine Forests Mesic Deciduous (hardwood) Forest Chestnut, White, Black, Scarlet, Post, Southern Red and Northern Red Oaks Dry ridgetops and exposed slopes to highly productive northern aspects and coves. Yellow Poplar, Sweet Birch, Basswood, Cucumber Tree, Northern Red Oak, and Ash Highly productive northern aspects and coves Understory Environment 55,434 35% Wildlife and Ecological Benefits Lack of Diversity in Age Classes (minimal young forest) Declining Reproductive Potential Lack of Structural Complexity 21,143 3 13% Wildlife and Ecological Benefits Lack of Diversity in Age Classes (minimal young forest) Foothills Landscape Project Forest Communities Key Species Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Location Acres % of Project Area Importance Concern Increasing Insect and Disease White Pine and Hemlock Forest White Pine, Hemlock, Cove Hardwoods Along streambanks and sheltered coves and slopes. 7,275 5% Riparian Health and Ecological Benefits Lack of Abundance of Hemlock Declining Reproductive Potential of Hemlock Embedded within the major forest communities of the Foothills Landscape are approximately 28,678 acres of riparian habitat that support a variety of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and plant species (see Terrestrial Wildlife Report, Aquatic Resources Report, and Botanical Resources Report). Riparian habitat within the project area is almost completely forested and the majority of the riparian habitat is late-successional stage forest. These forested riparian areas contain large diameter hemlock. The non-native invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is found across the entire Chattahoochee National Forest where it has caused severe declines in hemlock. The Foothills Landscape project area supports approximately 1,162 miles of streams that are classified by Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for fishing or drinking water. Thirteen of those streams are currently showing impacts to water quality, fish, or macroinvertebrate biota. Sediment from nonpoint sources has been identified as one of the major impairments for sections of those creeks and rivers. Much of the sedimentation is occurring from the high percentage of poorly maintained roads located in riparian areas, and from the culverts, bridges or fords associated with stream crossings of those roads. There are sections (totaling approximately 81 miles) of 149 roads in the Foothills Landscape that occur within 300 feet of streams. Best available data estimates at least 225 stream crossings are present in the FLP which can impact watersheds through runoff, sedimentation, and fish passage barriers (see Hydrology and Aquatics Reports). 4 Group Hemlock Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Pine Pine Riparian Riparian Water Simon LTA Map 2 Sky Valley Dillard Acidic Cove Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Cove Forest / Mesic Oak Hickory Montane Oak-Hickory Ridge Forest Rich Northern Hardwood Cove Forest Northern Hardwood Slope Forest Rich Cove Forest Rich Slope Forest Dry Calcareous Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Deciduous Heath Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Evergreen Heath Forest and Woodland Dry-Mesic Calcareous Forest Dry-Mesic Oak Hickory Forest High Elevation Red Oak Forest and Woodland Mixed Oak / Rhododendron Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Slope Forest Montane White Oak Forest and Woodland Pine-Oak Heath Forest and 76 Woodland Shortleaf Pine-Oak Forest and Woodland Alluvial Forest Floodplain Forest Water @ ? 28 Mountain City Clayton £ ¤ Tiger 441 £ ¤ @ ? 2 Hemlock Mesic hardwood Oak Pine Riparian Water Foothills Boundary City Highway @ ? 356 Tallulah Falls @ ? 197 @ ? 255 @ ? £ ¤ 23 255A @ ? 17 @ ? 384 0 1 2 · Miles 4 Mavity 10/1/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 2 @ ? 17A 184 @ ? Modeled Potential Natural Vegetation Groups Foothills Landscape -Chattooga River District Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 4 11 £ ¤ Map 3 Modeled Potential Natural Vegetation Groups Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District Group Simon LTA Hemlock Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Pine Pine Riparian Riparian Water Acidic Cove Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Cove Forest / Mesic Oak Hickory Montane Oak-Hickory Ridge Forest Rich Northern Hardwood Cove Forest Northern Hardwood Slope Forest Rich Cove Forest Rich Slope Forest Dry Calcareous Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Deciduous Heath Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Evergreen Heath Forest and Woodland Dry-Mesic Calcareous Forest Dry-Mesic Oak Hickory Forest High Elevation Red Oak Forest and Woodland Mixed Oak / Rhododendron Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Slope Forest Montane White Oak Forest and Woodland Pine-Oak Heath Forest and Woodland Shortleaf Pine-Oak Forest and Woodland Alluvial Forest Floodplain Forest Water Eton @ ? 2 · Hemlock Mesic hardwood Oak Pine £ ¤ @ ? Riparian76 Foothills Boundary City Highway 282 0 1 2 Ellijay Miles Mavity 4 10/1/2019 @ ? Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to 515 obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Group Hemlock Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Mesic hardwood Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Oak Pine Pine Riparian Riparian Water Simon LTA Acidic Cove Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Cove Forest / Mesic Oak Hickory Montane Oak-Hickory Ridge Forest Rich Northern Hardwood Cove Forest Northern Hardwood Slope Forest Rich Cove Forest Rich Slope Forest Dry Calcareous Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Deciduous Heath Forest and Woodland Dry Oak Evergreen Heath Forest and Woodland 60 Dry-Mesic Calcareous Forest Dry-Mesic Oak Hickory Forest High Elevation Red Oak Forest and Woodland Mixed Oak / Rhododendron Forest Montane Oak-Hickory Slope Forest Montane White Oak Forest and Woodland Pine-Oak Heath Forest and Woodland Shortleaf Pine-Oak Forest and Woodland Alluvial Forest Floodplain Forest Water @ ? 180 129 £ ¤ @ ? @ ? 75A 19 £ ¤ Cleveland Hemlock Mesic hardwood Oak Pine Riparian Water Foothills Boundary City Highway @ ? 60B Dahlonega 0 @ ? 9 @ ? 136 @ ? 1 2 · @ ? 115 Miles 4 Mavity 10/1/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 52 Map 4 Modeled Potential Natural Vegetation Groups Foothills Landscape -Blue Ridge District @ ? 284 Clermont Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Several rare communities such as mountain bogs, wetlands, canebrakes, caves, and rock outcrops are also found within the project area that provide crucial habitat for threatened, endangered, or rare plant and wildlife species and/or cultural significance. Soils within the Foothills Landscape project area predominantly fall within 10 soils series (out of a total of 64 series found across the landscape), with the majority (53%) of the soils within the Foothills Landscape having an Erosion Hazard Rating (EHR) of moderate. A quarter of the landscape (25%) has a severe erosion hazard rating, which is based on slope and susceptibility of a soil to sheet and rill erosion by water (see Soil Resource Report). Across the Foothills Landscape, scenic integrity objectives (SIOs) were identified based on physical and sociological characteristics of the area: very high, high, moderate, and low (Map 21). The majority of the landscape falls into the moderate (slightly altered) SIO (82,203 acres), followed by high (appears unaltered) SIO (44,105 acres). In addition, the FLP area has three Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classifications (Table 2): Roaded Natural, Semiprimitive Motorized and Semi-primitive Non-Motorized. The ROS provides a snapshot of the type of recreational settings found across the forest (see Recreation Specialist Report for additional information). Table 2 ROS Characteristics for the Foothills Landscape ROS Characteristics Acres Roaded Natural – natural-appearing settings with moderate sights and sounds of human activities and structures (IV-31) 133,149 Semi-primitive Motorized – natural-appearing landscapes, strong feeling of remoteness, ample opportunities to practice wildland skills and achieve feelings of self-reliance (IV-31) 1,084 Semi-primitive Non-Motorized – similar to above, however, the presence of roads may be present but closed to public use (IV-32) 22,875 Information from the FS ROS Users Guide (1986) The CONF has identified 40 Land Management Plan prescriptions (MRx) within the Foothills Landscape project area, of which management is outlined within the Forest Plan. Maps of these management areas are shown on the project area-level map (CONF Land Management Plan Prescriptions, Map 5) and by district: Conasauga, Chattooga River, and Blue Ridge (Appendix A, Map 9, Map 10, Map 11). These management area prescriptions provide Forest Plan direction on the types of actions and activities that can occur in each of these areas. 8 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee 64 Map 5 7.E.2 7.E.2 National Forests £ ¤ 19 Highlands £ ¤ 64 Land Management Plan Prescriptions Sky Valley Brasstown Valley Resort State Park 9.H Hiawassee Young Harris 7.B 9.H 2.A.3 Black Rock Mountain State Park 9.H 7.B 6.B Mill Creek Overlook Blue Ridge 8.E.3 Clayton Blairsville £ ¤ 2.A.1 8.A.1 0 Moccasin Creek State Park 9.H 7.E.2 9.H 9.A.3 £ ¤ 19 7.E.1 Fort Mountain State Park 9.A.3 76 8.A.1 7.E.1 Vogel State Park 7.B 8.A.1 6.B 4.F 9.H 9.H 9.H Unicoi State Park 0 4.F.1 Ellijay 4.F.1 9.A.1 7.E.2 Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek CA Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls 4.H Helen 7.E.1 7.E.1 £ ¤ 411 £ ¤ 123 Clarkesville 4.F.1 7.E.1 Cleveland 9.H Amicalola Falls State Park £ ¤ 515 Toccoa Demorest Buck Shoals State Park 3.C Dahlonega Cornelia £ ¤ 411 Mossy Creek State Park £ ¤ 129 0 Custodial Management 1.A Designated Wilderness 1.B Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 2.A.1 Designated Wild Rivers 2.A.2 Designated Scenic Rivers 2.B.1 Recommended Wild Rivers 2.B.2 Recommended Scenic Rivers 4.B.1 Research Natural Area 12.A Remote Backcountry Recreation Few Open Roads 2.A.3 Designated Recreational Rivers 2.B.3 Recommended Recreational Rivers 3.A National Scenic Areas 3.C National Recreation Areas 3.D Proposed National Recreation Areas 4.A Appalachian Trail Corridor 4.D Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.E.1 Cultural and Heritage Areas 4.F Scenic Areas 4.F.1 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.2 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.H Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.I Natural Areas with Few Open Roads 6.B Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.D Old Growth Core Areas Surrounded by Extended Forest Rotations 7.A Scenic Byway Corridors 7.B Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 0 5 10 8.A.2 Area Sensitive, Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 9.A.1 Source Water Protection Watersheds 9.F Rare Communities 8.A.1 Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 8.D Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 9.A.3 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant Associations 3.B Experimental Forests 5.B Communication Site 5.A Administrative Sites 8.D.1 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Subhabitat Management Areas 8.E.3 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 20 30 Miles 40 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Foothills Landscape State Park US or State Highway Historic Site County Road Conservation Area City : Mavity 4/17/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Background This project was developed with collaborative input beginning the fall of 2016 (see project website for additional background). The goal of the collaborative process was to provide an opportunity for the public, partners, and stakeholders to help the Forest Service identify potential issues, shape the purpose and need for the project, as well as suggest possible actions to reach desired outcomes before a formal proposal was made. Multiple rounds of community conversations, integrated workshops, small group meetings, and field trips were held over the course of the first year. The “Foothills” is the first landscape proposed for integrated restoration as outlined in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests – Integrated Landscape Restoration Strategy (USDA 2017), which provides the conceptual framework for collaboration and landscape restoration plans. The outcome of these early conversations provided a foundation for the purpose and need of the project, documented in the Restoration Plan for the Foothills Landscape Project (USDA 2017), which served as an intermediate step in project development and detailed the logic used to generate a proposed action. The proposed action was released for public scoping on October 30, 2017. A total of 72 letters containing over 300 comments were received and used to identify relevant issues. As a result of scoping and further scrutiny by the interdisciplinary team (IDT), the Forest Service modified the proposed action; the potential environmental effects of which are analyzed in detail as “Alternative 2” within this document. A record of these modifications to the proposed action can be found in the May 18, 2018, Foothills Landscape Project Scoping Summary Report (see project record). It is recognized that there are discrepancies between the information shared in past documents to some of the information within this EA. For example, not all of the recommendations made in the Foothills Restoration Plan are included in the project alternative. The reasons for the differences are likely that recommendations were already authorized by an existing decision, inconsistent with other restoration activities, or provided little or no opportunity for successful implementation. Background information in the form of maps, supporting literature, and meeting notes document the evolution of the Foothills Landscape and can be found in the project record. Where there are differences, the information shared in this environmental assessment takes precedence. Understanding the Planning Approach The Foothills Landscape Project is using a planning approach which focuses on the condition of forested stands and sites known to occur at locations across the landscape for the majority of proposed activities. The proposed actions under Alternative 2 are summarized in the “Summary of Alternative 2 Actions” table located in Appendix B. This “flexible toolbox approach” allows land managers to choose the appropriate management activity for each specific location from a suite of potential treatment activities, or “tools,” within the project area. The selected treatment activities have specified limitations, identified in the proposed action and project design features, and are only implemented if deemed appropriate upon evaluation of conditions on the ground. The units of measurement (i.e. number of acres, miles, and sites) for the various treatments represent the maximum amount proposed and analyzed to meet the purpose and need of the project. 10 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Having a suite of tools available for landscape-scale restoration helps land managers account for imperfect information and provides the flexibility to select and adjust treatments that would best address the needs to help achieve desired outcomes. Planning projects in this way at the landscape-scale is believed to be a more efficient and effective way to accomplish restoration goals. This approach is consistent with the conclusions of Golladay et al. (2016). The authors concluded that management approaches based solely on historic or current traditions would have limited ability to restore ecosystem functions in an unpredictable future. Restoration should consider a range of future scenarios and include adaptive and dynamic solutions to restoration problems that might face our public lands. In this approach to project-level planning, the condition of forest stands, and sites will be assessed prior to implementation to confirm the restoration needs align with the objectives identified and analyzed in this document. Site characteristics would be assessed to determine existing baseline conditions and understand any underlying causes of ecologic degradation. Examples of site characteristics may be stand composition, structure, stand health, age, slope, hydrologic or soil conditions. The existing conditions of a site are also evaluated in the larger context of desired pattern, composition, and structure of the landscape ecosystem (FSH 2020.5). Decision matrices (Appendices E) would be used to validate that the actions taken are most appropriate, according to best available science, to achieve the desired conditions of each stand or site. All actions taken would be consistent with the revised Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan (2004) (hereafter, LRMP or Forest Plan). The locations and timing of treatments would continue to be selected and prioritized using a systematic process that evaluates restoration needs, determines appropriate treatments to address those needs (through use of decision matrices) and balances implementation of those activities with operational feasibility, agency capacity, and social considerations, to the extent possible. The interdisciplinary team subdivided the landscape into logical “implementation areas” (see Appendix A, Map 29, Implementation Area Map) that will be used to prioritize the sequence and staggering of proposed work across the landscape. Each implementation area is comprised of one or more watersheds. The local line officer (District Rangers) would be responsible for carrying out the proposed actions analyzed in the Foothills Landscape Project on their respective districts. An “implementation plan” (Appendix E) will outline the process for how practical, social, and resource considerations will be made throughout the life of this project. This is a living document that is expected to evolve through this environmental review process and will be a key component of the decision to be made by the Responsible Official should the action alternative be selected. It will serve as an internal process guide to ensure management actions are carried out in alignment with the proposed action as analyzed within this document, communicate the reasoning behind the actions, and serve as a compliance check and planning tool during all phases of the project. This type of proposal is adaptive in that it allows for flexibility of treatments. However, this is not the same as “adaptive management” as defined in 36 CFR 220.3. “Adaptive management” is a systematic approach used in the face of uncertainty for improving resource management by learning from management outcomes. The conditional approach assesses environmental conditions before implementation to determine the appropriate treatment option and is appropriate where similar management actions have been analyzed and carried out in the past, resulting in intended outcomes. Adaptive management relies on monitoring results post implementation to determine if the treatment is having the intended effects. The Foothills 11 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Landscape contains elements of both conditional and adaptive management proposals, as well as some actions at known locations throughout the landscape. See Alternative 2, the proposed action, for more detail. Effects of the individual and cumulative actions for all aspects of the project would still be monitored in accordance with the Forest Plan and consistent with methodology outlined in the corresponding resource specialist reports, or as determined by current policy or professional judgement. If, as a result of monitoring, the effects of activities require management or maintenance treatments that fall outside of the treatment toolbox options assessed within this EA and the forthcoming decision, additional analyses could be warranted. 12 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Purpose and Need for the Proposal This proposal is needed because active restoration on a landscape scale is critical to moving existing conditions within the project area towards meeting desired, achievable future conditions. In addition to the desired conditions established by the Forest Plan, the project considers objectives identified in the U.S. Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework (2011), Georgia’s State Water Regional Plans (2017), the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan (2015), Georgia’s Best Management Practices for Forestry (2009), Sustainable Recreation Framework (2010), Handbook for Scenery Management (1995), the Sustainable Recreation Financial Plan (2016), CONF Restoration Plan for the Figure 2 Integrated and Overarching Themes within the FLP (2017), Southern Appalachian FLP That Support the Need for Ecological and Assessment (1996), Southern Wildfire Watershed Restoration Risk Assessment Portal (SouthWRAP) (2018), Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Georgia’s Forest Action Plan (2008), Shortleaf Pine Restoration Plan (2016), Recovery Plans for Threatened and Endangered Species in the project area, and information provided through the collaborative effort. The Foothills Landscape is an integrated, ecological landscape restoration project. Ecological restoration assists in the “recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Ecological restoration focuses on reestablishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future conditions” (FSH 2020.5). The need for the project is organized into four categories (Figure 2) required to maintain and improve watershed and ecological conditions: improving biologic integrity, increasing the ecosystem’s resilience to disturbance, maintaining or restoring connectivity, and supporting high water quality and soil productivity. All these factors are consistent with the characteristics of a healthy watershed and work together to enhance the landscape’s ability to provide ecosystem services essential to the surrounding communities and forest visitors (Williams et al. 1997). Existing and desired conditions under each of the need categories can be found in Table 3 that support the need for this project. 13 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 3 Existing and Desired Conditions Supporting the Purpose and Need Existing Condition Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action Forest Composition and Structure Within the Foothills Landscape Project Area, there are more than 30,000 acres of firedependent, mid-late successional southern yellow pine forests that are highly departed from the open forest environment necessary for these species to maintain dominance through self-replacement (i.e. regeneration) Nearly a century of fire suppression has resulted in the establishment of more than 21,000 acres Virginia and/or white pine on dry sites ecologically suitable for firedependent southern yellow pine species (shortleaf, pitch and table mountain pines) In addition, approximately 11,100 acres of off-site plantations exist within the project area. Open stand environments and reduced duff layers that allow for these firedependent species to self-perpetuate on the site where they currently exist (Forest Plan Objective 8.1, 8.2, OBJ-9.F-04) Fire-dependent southern yellow pines (shortleaf, pitch, table mountain pines) are restored to ecologically appropriate sites and to sites where they once likely occurred (Forest Plan Objective 3.1 and 3.2, OBJ-9.F03) 14 Maintain fire-dependent southern yellow pine stands by creating more open stand conditions. Treatments would include (1) Prescribed burning alone or (2) Prescribed burning in combination with commercial thinning stands (40-60 BA) and other midstory reduction treatments (herbicide and/or mechanical methods) Restore 5,800 acres to siteappropriate species composition by removing mid/late successional Virginia and white pine and reestablishing shortleaf, pitch, or table mountain pine through planting or natural regeneration. Restore up to 1,700 acres of offsite loblolly pine or white pine plantations to site-appropriate species through removal of the off-site planted species and planting of shortleaf, pitch or table mountain pines. Up to 12,400 acres of Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance is proposed. Up to 7,500 acres of Southern Yellow Pine Restoration is proposed. Foothills Landscape Project Existing Condition Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action Maintain oak on high productivity sites through midstory control treatments on 14,800 acres Oak dominated forest types exist on more than 55,000 acres within the Foothills Landscape Project Area. Over 90 percent of the oak forest is in late successional stage habitats. There are 0 acres of young oak (less than 10 yrs. within the landscape). A general lack of disturbances in the oak forest community, including fire, has promoted the development of shade-tolerant, fire-sensitive species which are suppressing oak regeneration processes. This problem is most acute on the more productive oak sites but is evident in oaks stands growing on lower productivity sites in many locations as well. Conditions within oak stands allow for and perpetuate natural oak regeneration processes to resume so that oak maintain dominance in the future (Forest Plan Objective 3.7) Intermediate thinning in combination with midstory control treatments (burning, herbicides, mechanical treatments), or burning only, on 9,200 acres of mid/late successional oak growing on low to moderately productive sites. In areas where prescribed burning cannot be used to maintain oak, 14,600 acres of expanding gap treatments to increase oak regeneration potential. Up to 43,800 acres Oak and Oak-Pine Maintenance is proposed. To create young oak forest, regeneration cutting on up to 2,000 acres of mid/late successional oak growing on low to moderately productive sites where well-established oak seedlings exist 3,200 acres of crown-touching release in immature oak stands to improve species composition and growing conditions for existing oak trees. Previous management in the Foothills Landscape Project Area resulted in establishment of over 11,000 acres of off-site pine plantations (loblolly and/or white pine). Some of these plantations exist on sites more ecologically appropriate for oak or mixed oakpine forest. Oak or oak-pine forest is restored to areas of the Foothills Landscape where it most likely existed or where it is ecologically appropriate (Forest Plan Objective 3.6) Restore off-site loblolly pine or white pine plantations to siteappropriate species through removal of the off-site planted species. Up to 1,700 acres Oak and Oak-Pine Restoration are proposed (acres overlap with SYP restoration above). 21,143 acres of mid-late successional mesic deciduous forest with closed canopy and low vertical structural complexity, lacking preferred conditions for breeding migratory songbirds Multi-layered, patchy canopy structure with abundant groundcover, shrub and midstory vegetation for nesting songbirds (Forest Plan Goal 7, Objective 7.1) Create small (< 0.75 ac) canopy gaps and reduce stand density in mesic deciduous forest to improve community while retaining valuable canopy trees. Up to 8,100 acres Canopy Gap Creation Unique and Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat 15 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Existing Condition Desired Condition How to Implement Change Due to a lack of fire and active management, woodland communities have been invaded by off-site, shade tolerant species that are not fire adapted. Off-site species have resulted in a closed canopy and dense midstory, suppressing regeneration and shading out herbaceous ground cover. Shade tolerant species quickly occupy any canopy gaps and displace fire adapted, woodland species. A thin canopy with 20 – 60% canopy cover consisting of fire dependent hardwoods and yellow pine with a well-developed and diverse herbaceous ground cover. (Forest Plan Objective 3.4) Remove all shade tolerant species from the canopy and midstory. Thin the overstory of desired species to achieve an appropriate amount of sunlight to the ground to support ground cover. Use prescribed fire to restore and maintain the community. Approximately 35 acres of known bog habitat occurs in the project area. This community is facing continued habitat loss and degradation due to dense vegetative canopy, fire exclusion, exotic species including hogs, off-site native species and in some cases altered hydrologic regimes. The current conditions preclude the development of sphagnum and rare desired species. Open canopy with limited midstory and exotic species and restored hydrology. (Forest Plan MRx 9.F001) Remove off-site and encroaching woody vegetation species and restore hydrology to facilitate the reintroduction of rare species. Cane is a common plant on the Forest, scattered in floodplain habitats. However, an overly dense canopy prevents a vigorous monoculture of cane from developing into a true canebrake. Thin canopy with less than 40% canopy cover and a dense vigorous stand of cane that would provide true canebrake habitat. (Forest Plan MRx 9.F001) Working in floodplain habitats where cane is already present, remove overstory trees to achieve sufficient light to grow a welldeveloped canebrake 16 Proposed Action Up to 7,400 acres of Woodland Community Restoration Wetland/Bog Restoration (up to 103 acres for restoration including 35 acre known bog site) Canebrake Restoration (50 acres) Foothills Landscape Project Existing Condition Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Desired Condition How to Implement Change Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) has caused severe decline and/or mortality to hemlock across the entire range of hemlock within the Foothills Landscape. There are 30 individual areas of hemlock conservation (HCAs) across the Landscape. Areas to expand hemlock conservation efforts would likely exist in or adjacent to these conservation areas where hemlock survival is greatest. Surviving understory hemlock trees in these or other areas may have a greater propensity to respond to treatments than canopy trees with low crown ratios or sparse foliage. Capacity to conserve surviving hemlock trees is increased through continued suppression of HWA in or adjacent to HCAs or where lower canopy hemlock trees exist elsewhere in the project area. Expansion of existing HCAs where surviving and responsive hemlock trees are present. Silvicultural manipulation of forest canopy and other treatments (pesticides, insectaries, hand-planting of HWA resistant trees) to improve growing conditions for understory/ suppressed hemlock trees, where viable sites are found within the 7,275 acres of hemlock associated forest types. Chestnut blight has removed all mature chestnuts, once an essential component of eastern forest, and important food source for wildlife species, from the landscape. The project intends to create chestnut orchards to maintain a reliable source of chestnuts for experimentation on the species’ resilience to the blight. Working with the Georgia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation up to 6 acres of American chestnut orchard would be established. These chestnuts would be 15/16 American chestnut and 1/16 Chinese chestnut. Small Whorled Pogonia can use a variety of habitats. There are three known occurrences, with additional occurrences likely to be found in the project area during implementation. All known occurrences on the Forest are declining, likely due to an overly dense midstory and overstory. Viability of species on the forest as a result of increased amount of sunlight to the ground. Anywhere this plant is found, reduce the midstory and canopy to increase the amount of sunlight to the ground. Proposed Action Hemlock Conservation (up to 600 acres) Chestnut Orchard Designation (6 acres) Small Whorled Pogonia Conservation Protecting Communities from Wildfire The vast majority of the Foothills Landscape is considered wildland-urban interface (WUI), with approximately 2,000 acres in the “very high” WUI Risk category according to a combination of SouthWRAP and USFS data. Reduced risk and consequences associated with wildfire by restoring and/or maintaining conditions to fire regime Condition Class 1 to the extent possible. (Forest Plan Objectives 58.1 and 58.2) 17 Treat hazardous fuels contributing to very high-risk rating in order to create a defensible space within designated WUI zones. Up to 2,000 acres of Hazardous Fuel Reduction in Wildland Urban Interface Foothills Landscape Project Existing Condition Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action Expanding the Ecological Role of Fire Approx. 132,500 acres (84%) in Fire Condition Class (FCC) 3 (unhealthy, least resilient/ more susceptible to stand replacing wildfire; 9,463 acres (6%) in FCC 2; 15,587 acres (10%) in FCC 1 (healthiest, resilient) across project area. Additionally, the Watershed Condition Framework indicates that all watersheds have an impaired fire regime condition. Expand the role of fire to recover and sustain healthy, fire-adapted ecosystems as much as possible, as a natural process (Forest Plan Goal 61). Using prescribed fire on the Foothills Landscape (in conjunction with silvicultural treatments when appropriate) to trend vegetation toward FCC 2 or 1 and increase resiliency of forests and reduce susceptibility to insect & disease and/or standreplacing wildfires. Up to 50,000 acres of Prescribed Burning Reducing Risks to Forest Health Within the Foothills Landscape Project Area, there are nearly 25,000 acres of immature pine plantations highly vulnerable to pine bark beetle infestations due to overstocked stand conditions (Basal Areas > 120 ft2/acre) Stocking/density in pine plantations are reduced to levels that make them more resilient to pine bark beetle infestations (Forest Plan Objective 40.1) There are over 66,000 acres of host-forest types vulnerable to pine bark beetle infestations within the Foothills Landscape and an estimated 24,725 acres currently at risk for ips or pine beetle infestation, 20,185 acres at risk to Gypsy moth, and all hemlock acres within the Hemlock Conservation Areas (3,232 acres) at risk for hemlock wooly adelgid. Forested stands that have a diversity of age classes and are resistant to infestations and outbreaks. In cases of future pine bark beetle outbreaks, the Forest utilizes rapid spot detection and subsequent suppression activities to minimize spread of infestations and damage to NF resources (Forest Plan Goal 40, Goal 41). 13,800 acres of commercial thinning in immature pine plantations to reduce stand stocking below 80 ft2/acre An additional 3,500 acres of precommercial thinning in overstocked plantations where tree sizes are not yet merchantable for commercial harvests. Treatments would occur when and where infestations are significant, rapidly forming and spreading, and action is needed to manage outbreaks and suppress the movement of infestations to protect other vulnerable stands. Treatments would be site specific as identified and would be dependent on the insect or disease. Forest Successional Diversity 18 Up to 17,300 acres of Pine Plantation Treatments Response to Insect & Disease Outbreak Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Existing Condition Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action Mid-late successional forest dominates the Foothills Landscape (99%) while valuable young forest habitat is extremely limited (less than 1%). Improved successional stage diversity and distribution of young forest habitats across the landscape on a variety of slopes, elevations, aspects, and forest types (Forest Plan Goal 2). Young forest habitat is a high priority conservation need in Georgia and the Appalachian Mountains overall. Young forest habitat would be created over the next 15 – 20 years by removing mid-late successional trees, allowing or promoting new growth of desired species in variable locations across the landscape. Up to 500 acres in mesic hardwoods suitable for grouse habitat; 500 acres of daylighting roads, and where treatments overlap from above restoration actions: 5,800 acres in Southern yellow pine, 1,700 acres in pine plantations, 2,000 acres in oak/oak-pine; Create up to 10,500 acres of Young Forest Old growth conservation goals are being met in all but 14 of the 6th level HUCs contained within the Foothills Landscape Project Area. These 14 deficit HUCs do not meet the 5% goal for old growth conservation (3,578 acres needed). All applicable watersheds (6th Level HUCs) within the Foothills Landscape Project Area have a minimum of 5 percent of their lands set-aside for conservation of existing old growth or for the development of future old growth. (Forest Plan Objective 20.1) Allocate 5,050 acres of small blocks for old growth conservation, primarily within the 14 deficit watersheds not meeting the 5% goal. Designate up to 5,050 acres of Old-Growth Stands for Conservation The Foothills Landscape is almost completely forested. There are currently 275 acres of permanent wildlife openings in the Foothills Landscape, plus a small amount of utility rights-ofway. A diversity of habitat will be provided for the full range of native and other desired species (Forest Plan Goal 2). Permanent openings managed as grass/forb, shrub, or pollinator habitat would provide a valuable element of diversity. Construction of new permanent openings and/or maintenance or expansion of existing openings on up to 1,400 acres in the Foothills Landscape (or up to 1% of each subwatershed). Maintain, Expand, or Construct Permanent Openings Aquatic Habitat Connectivity 19 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Existing Condition Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action There are well over 200 stream crossings (fords, culverts, bridges, etc.) with many already confirmed as either low, moderate or high priority barriers to AOP. Severe or significant AOP barriers are documented in 13 locations of the Etowah drainage, 14 in the Chattooga River, and 10 in the Mill Creek and holly Creek watersheds. Decreased number of barriers to AOP in cold and warm water streams. Replace existing culverts or improve structures at crossings such as fords limiting AOP or impacting stream function on up to 225 stream crossings. Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Enhance Recreation Opportunities (Human Connectivity) There are approximately 188 miles of existing trails, of which 56 miles were rated for low or very low resource protection and 70 miles for low visitor satisfaction. There are 15 developed recreation sites within the Foothills Landscape. Deferred maintenance costs (NRM corporate data) exceed our current budget operation and maintenance costs. 4 sites (1,243 acres) are identified as high priority sites to be maintained in fair condition The remaining sites (approximately 906 acres) are identified as low priority, unsustainable sites that are not currently providing high quality recreation experiences. User conflicts are decreased, and satisfaction increased by adding or modifying section of trails that do not adversely affect soil and water resources. (LRMP goal 34) Provide a spectrum of high quality, naturebased recreation settings and opportunities that reflect the unique or exceptional resources of the Forest and the interests of the recreating public on an environmentally sustainable, financially sound, and operationally effective basis. Adapt management of recreation facilities and opportunities as needed to shift limited resources to those opportunities. (LRMP goal 31) 20 Construct up to 50 miles of new trail construction and re-route up to 111 miles of trail to reduce sedimentation and resource damage and improve visitors’ experience. Convert sections (≈6 miles) of road to trail in areas of the Bear Creek and Pinhoti systems. Add up to 3 acres of additional parking at high-use trails. Review low ranked/ unsustainable sites for management options that will enhance visitor satisfaction and meet operation and maintenance costs that will include (individually or in combination) new partnerships, changes in site type and use, while maintaining high priority sites in fair condition Improve Trail System and Enhance Developed Recreation Foothills Landscape Project Existing Condition Road density on Forest Service lands in the project area is high, ranging from 0 – 1.4 miles/mile2 (mean = 0.3) in the watersheds. The CONF currently does not receive enough funding to maintain these roads at their current management classification. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Desired Condition How to Implement Change Proposed Action A transportation system supplies the public, Forest Service, and other authorized users with safe, environmentally sustainable, equitable, financially sound, and operationally effective access to roaded portions of the project area. (LRMP Goal 47) Implement change in motorized access to ML1 or ML2 Administrative Use Only on approximately 56 miles of roads and OHV trails and change seasonal access on approximately 22 miles of roads and 1 ATV trail Motorized Access Changes Reduction of Sediment Delivered to Streams 28% of the total road length in the Foothills Landscape is located within 300 of stream channels. Most of the 305(b) and 303(d) listed streams within the Foothills Landscape have road segments encroaching the 300 ft. stream buffer. Average road density of 0.3 miles of road/ mi² on NFS land, with total average of 2.8 miles of road/ mi² (private and NFS) exist within the Foothills Landscape. Results from the Rapid Trails Assessment indicate 29 miles of motorized trail were rated as low or very low for resource protection and/or visitor satisfaction. Roads do not adversely affect soil and water resources. (LRMP Goal 48) Road systems with transportation concerns requiring maintenance above and beyond normal levels would be identified and prioritized for activities to reduce sedimentation into streams. Upgrading culverts, widening curves or adding surface material to reduce sedimentation, improve water quality and ultimately benefit aquatic habitat. Improve Existing Road System (above and beyond normal maintenance) Provide a sustainable transportation and trail system that does not adversely affect soil and water resources that meets the needs of visitors and is financially viable. Unneeded roads and motorized trails are closed and restored. (LRMP goal 49) Decommission approximately 15 miles of road and 5 miles motorized trail in the project area. Decommission Forest Roads and Motorized Trails 21 Foothills Landscape Project Existing Condition Unmanaged recreational use, user created trails, and dispersed camping areas are abundant within the Chattooga River Wild and Scenic Corridor deteriorating the naturalappearing settings and river resources. Low-use (unsustainable) trails and campgrounds (developed and dispersed) are present throughout the Foothills Landscape (see discussion in Table 6). Results from the Rapid Trails Assessment indicate a total of 56 miles of motorized and non-motorized trail as low or very low for resource protection and 70 miles of trails with low visitor satisfaction. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Desired Condition Provide outstanding opportunities for people to enjoy a wide variety of river-oriented recreation opportunities in an attractive natural setting (LRMP, 3-30). Protect and enhance outstandingly remarkable values for present and future generations. Outstanding remarkable qualities are for the river’s unique biology, recreation, geology, scenery, and history. How to Implement Change Approximately 653 acres within the Chattooga River Wild and Scenic Corridor will be assessed to reduce unmanaged recreation of user created trails and dispersed camping areas in close proximity to the river. This work would be in accordance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, LRMP, and existing forest supervisor order (No. FSM-13-01) and in partnership with North and South Carolina. Proposed Action Improve Sustainability of Recreation Experience Approximately 15 miles of low-use trails will be assessed for possible decommissioning due to increased deferred maintenance costs associated with unsustainable layout and design, and/or low visitor satisfaction. As outlined in the U.S. Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework (2011), the need for restoring the Foothills Landscape is further supported this agency’s overarching goals to protect NFS watersheds by maintaining or improving watershed condition, which is the foundation for sustaining ecosystems and the production of renewable natural resources, values, and benefits (FSM 2520). Under each broad need category that is described below, purpose statements link to the relevant objectives of the Forest Plan which are proposed to address by taking action. The range of actions are described in further detail in the Proposed Action section. 22 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Improving Biologic Integrity There is a need for the landscape to support a diversity of native and functional habitats that maintain or improve biologic integrity across the Foothills Landscape. Paul Angermeier and James Karr (1994) defined biologic integrity as terrestrial and aquatic habitats that support adaptive communities and reflect, as best as possible, natural processes. Many of the natural processes have been disrupted across the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The Southern Appalachian Assessment (1996) describes the undesired effect of changes in forest composition and condition of the forests due to past practices and exclusion of fire. Forest composition is being threatened by the current trend of oak decline and the reduction of native yellow pine forests. The Shortleaf Pine Initiative reports that shortleaf pine forest has been reduced by 53% throughout its range due to lack of appropriate fire disturbance, conversion of sites to loblolly pine, hybridization, southern pine beetles and littleleaf disease (SPI 2016). The Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAA) also outlines the need to restore rare communities, which include woodland habitats, as the key for conserving rare plant and animal species (SAA Terrestrial Technical Report, Chapter 4). Forest Composition and Structure A purpose of the Foothills Landscape is to enhance, restore, manage or create biodiverse habitats that are structurally productive within an ecological system. Many of the forest stands are overly dense, which means that open forest types with herbaceous understory, such as woodland communities, are on the decline. These communities are important to many wildlife species, including rare treeroosting bats such as the endangered Indiana bat (see Terrestrial Wildlife Report). Factors that influence composition and structure include seedling recruitment and retention, species richness, diversity of age classes, withinstand complexity (understory, midstory, and overstory layers), and the ability of a habitat to adapt with natural disturbances. 23 BIOLOGIC INTEGRITY Forest Plan Goals and Objectives in the FLP Purpose and Need: Forest Composition • Forest Plan Goal 1 • Forest Plan Goal 2 • Forest Plan Goal 3 • Forest Plan Goal 7 • Forest Plan Goal 8 • Forest Plan Goal 10 Unique and Threatened Endangered Species Habitat • Forest Plan Goal 3 • Forest Plan Goal 15 • Forest Plan Goal 16 • Forest Plan Goal 17 • Forest Plan Goal 18 • Forest Plan Goal 19 • Forest Plan Goal 39 • Forest Plan Goal 40 • Forest Plan Goal 41 • Forest Plan Goal 43 • Forest Plan Objective 9.F-01 Aquatic Habitat • Forest Plan Goal 26 Non-Native Invasive Species • Forest Plan Goal 1 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Habitats such as shortleaf pine, pitch pine, and table mountain pines (fireadapted yellow pine communities) have declined (>50% decline) during the last half-century due to fire suppression, insect infestations and disease. These fire-adapted ecosystems are beneficial to both wildlife and habitat stability as they provide a high diversity and quantity of understory vegetation that recovers quickly after disturbance. The loss of periodic low-severity fire within these ecosystems has resulted in encroachment of closed-canopy species (Virginia and white pine or loblolly pine) that outcompete these fire-adapted Photo 1 Table Mountain Pinecone Found in the Foothills species and suppress seedling Landscape Project Area. These Serotinous Cones Require development and self-replacement. Heat From Fire to Open and Release Their Seeds. Fires that occur within these closedcanopy systems are of higher severity and are unable to recover ecologically after a high-severity wildfire. In Georgia, the Shortleaf Pine Restoration Plan (SPI 2016) recommends the maintenance or improvement of existing shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine-oak woodland forest stands using appropriate site-based prescriptions such as thinning, reduction of understory vegetation and the use of prescribed fire. Oak and oak-pine forest types provide essential habitat attributes for a wide variety of wildlife primarily in the form of hard mast (acorns) and large, durable cavity trees. Treatments would encourage a diversity in the age of oak stands as well as a diversity of oak species and contribute to the viability of wildlife species and quality of habitats. Oak and oak pine stands have a lack of age diversity with many of the stands reaching mid- to late-successional ages. Oak regeneration is lacking due to fire exclusion and the resulting shaded forest conditions. The Foothills Landscape would contribute to maintenance or restoration of these native tree species whose role in forest ecosystems have been reduced by past land use, insects and disease, fire exclusion, forest succession, or other factors. Old growth or late-successional mesic deciduous forests in the eastern United States are characterized by a diverse mixture of mesophytic trees, shrubs, and ground cover which can provide habitat for very high densities of breeding birds, especially mature forest-dependent neotropical migrants (Partners in Flight 1999). Because of their sheltered sites, large scale disturbances are uncommon in cove stands, but tree fall gaps and windthrow do occur, producing uneven-age stands that are structurally complex and contain “canopy gaps” (Runkle 1982) or patches of multi-layered vegetation which develop when overstory trees die and fall. This structural diversity provides nesting and foraging habitat for forest songbirds (Wood et al. 2013). Younger and mid-successional mesic stands have a closed-canopy structure that inhibits the development of a structurally complex understory and midstory. These characteristics may develop over time, but this generally requires many decades or even centuries. Mesic deciduous forests within the FLP are ‘middle-aged’, and even at 80 – 100 years old, still closed-canopied, with minimal vertical structure or ground layer diversity. Improving the structural complexity in 24 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests presently closed-canopy, mid-late-successional stage mesic deciduous forest for the benefit of declining songbird populations is an important objective in the Forest Plan (Goal 7, Objective 7.1). This can be accomplished through canopy gap creation by selectively reducing stand density in a variable pattern or creating small gaps throughout the stand. Unique and Threatened & Endangered Species Habitat A purpose of the Foothills Landscape is to improve, maintain or restore unique habitats contributing to the recovery of threatened and endangered species or enhance unique and rare communities contributing to biologic diversity across the landscape. Many of these areas are threatened by encroachment of undesirable vegetation, non-native invasive species and past land uses, including fire exclusion. The Forest Service, Georgia Department of Natural Resource (GaDNR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the collaborative community identified the management activities needed to maintain or restore characteristic structure, composition, and function of rare communities found in the Foothills Landscape such as open woodlands, canebrakes, wetlands, and bogs. Working in collaboration with GaDNR and USFWS, opportunities to continue toward conservation of threatened, endangered, state-listed and locally rare species were identified and expected to continue. In addition, the Georgia SWAP and the Georgia State Forest Action Plan included biodiversity as a statewide issue and included the need to restore wetlands and protect riparian corridors and headwater streams. Open woodland forests are critical in providing habitat for a variety of rare and declining species. Historically these habitats would have been associated with sites where periodic fires occurred to maintain the open woodland structure with widely spaced overstory trees, little or no midstory and a well-developed herbaceous layer. In general, these would include upper slopes and ridge tops, south and west aspects, and often lower elevations. Vegetation in woodland habitats has been substantially altered by fire exclusion. In the absence of fire, fire-tolerant species lose their competitive advantage and are replaced by off-site species, resulting in a dense, closed canopy and midstory. Photo 2 Bogs Provide Unique Habitat for the Threatened Swamp Pink. Canebrakes are typically found in bottomlands or stream terraces either as a monotypic stand of giant or switch cane or as an understory component. Canebrakes were once a widespread habitat that is especially important to butterflies and other insects, migratory birds, and small mammals (Edwards et al. 2013 and Chaffin 2011), but because of historic fire exclusion within the project area, there are no known functional canebrakes. Canebrakes are identified as a high priority habitat by the SWAP (GaDNR 2015). In addition to their unique ecological role, canebrakes were also an important cultural and economic resource for southeastern tribes throughout history. Working with cane is an important art form and restoring cane is important to efforts to revitalize traditional art forms. One estimate suggests that up to 98% of canebrake ecosystems have disappeared since colonial times (Noss 1995). Many floodplains have been converted to agriculture, and an invasion of exotic species have both worked to displace native cane. 25 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Canebrake restoration would be focused in areas where there are small scattered patches of existing cane. Eight mountain bogs, Georgia’s rarest natural community (Edwards et al. 2013 and Chaffin 2011), occur within the project area and provide habitat for federally-listed swamp pink and white fringeless orchid, as well as two species from the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species (RFSS) list: the largeleaf grass-of parnassus and Cuthbert’s turtlehead. Mountain bogs are also potential habitat for RFSS bog turtle. Mountain bogs are characterized by mats of sphagnum moss and by deep, peaty, acidic soils that are usually saturated year-round by rain, downslope seepage, beaver impoundment, and overbank stream flooding, and were historically kept free of shrubs and trees by occasional reflooding by beavers or by fire. Today, these bogs are densely vegetated and face continued habitat loss and degradation through changes in the hydraulic regime, vegetative canopy closure, invasive species, and collection and trampling. Aquatic Habitat A purpose of the project is to restore or maintain aquatic ecosystem components to support viable populations of all native and desired nonnative aquatic plants and animals. Most of the watersheds in in the Foothills Landscape are listed as being of “moderate”, “high”, or “highest” global significance by the SWAP, indicating the value to wildlife and level of conservation that should be provided (GaDNR 2015). Of the approximate 1,162 miles of perennial and intermittent streams in the project area, 1,058 miles (91%) are above 1,200 feet in elevation and considered cold-water streams, high gradient (2-5% slope) and very high gradient (>5%) (See Aquatics Report). In these streams, the diversity of fish species and number of individuals is low compared to warmer streams due to a smaller number of species adapted to cold-water temperatures, high flows, and specific water chemistry parameters (USDA Forest Service 2004). Below 1,200 feet in elevation, the diversity of aquatic fauna increases due to increased nutrients, warmer water, lower gradients, slower currents, and increased stream widths and depths creating more habitat niches and providing habitat for rare mussels, fish, and other species. The stability of some aquatic habitats is at risk due to changes in stream morphology and embeddedness as a result of sediment delivery. Stream habitat inventories in the Chattahoochee National Forest were completed in 2014 – 2017 and results indicated that pool habitat is lacking for many streams, with the majority of streams having >35% of the streambed covered with fine sediments (Krause et al. 2015, unpublished CATT report 2017). When deposited in streambeds, fine sediment can dramatically alter Photo 3 Streambank Erosion Cause ecosystems and reduce fish and other aquatic fauna Increased Sedimentation, Negatively survival and growth (Clinton and Vose 2003). Stream Affecting Water Quality and Aquatic Wildlife Habitat. Example along channel sediment may originate from upslope sources, Warwoman Creek Shown Here. natural or man-made, such as improperly maintained roads or road/stream crossings, or from in-channel sources such as bank instability. Several streams in the Foothills Landscape are identified by the Georgia EPD and listed as a 303(d) or 305(b) 26 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests stream segment, impaired, or not meeting beneficial uses due at least in part to sediment (see Hydrology Resource Report). The GaDNR lists the primary beneficial use of the majority of the streams and water bodies within the Foothills Landscape as “fishing” (Georgia EPD 2017). Conditions supporting this use include properly functioning stream channels, riparian corridors, and high-water quality. Map 6 shows the Watershed Condition for the Foothills Landscape. The Watershed Condition Framework defines the desired condition of a watershed as having large woody debris in the streams and appropriate stream geometry and bank stability. Wood of all sizes is an important component of streams in forested areas. Large woody debris (LWD) slows flow, traps sediments, is key to pool development, and supplies spawning substrate, and organic matter for macroinvertebrates (Webster and Jenkins 2005). CATT assessments revealed that many streams in the project area lacked large diameter wood (unpublished CATT report 2017). 27 Mill Creek Ocoee River Dam #1 Ocoee River Dam #2 Bogden Creek Jacks River Perry Creek Cohutta Check Station Sumac Creek 5: Bio F 5: Bio F Little Fightingtown Creek Mill Creek Rapier Mill Creek-Nottely River Skeenah Creek-Toccoa River Ellijay 5: Bio F Lower Cartecay River Upper Cartecay River Stover Creek 411 Mill Creek-Hiawassee River Arkaqua Creek-Nottely River Town Creek £ ¤ Noontootla Creek 5: Bio F Yahoola Creek Headwaters Etowah Jones River Creek Anderson Creek Upper Chestatee River Town Creek 5: Bio F Cane Creek Yahoola Creek Turner Creek Lower Chattahoochee River Cleveland 515 Amicalola Creek Cochrans Creek Nimblewill Creek 5: Bio F 5: Bio F 411 Toccoa Creek Clarkesville £ ¤ 123 Toccoa Hazel Creek Demorest Lower Chestatee River Cornelia Little Amicalola Creek £ ¤ Upper Tugaloo River Deep Creek Beaverdam Creek 4a: FC Dahlonega Lower Chattooga River Panther Tallulah Creek Falls Panther Creek Lower Soquee River Amys Creek River Stekoa Creek Lower Tallulah River 5: Bio F £ ¤ Stonewall Creek Bridge Creek Upper Soquee River Helen 4a: Bio F West Fork-Chattooga River 4a: Middle 4a: FC Bio M Chattooga Bio M Lower Chickamauga Creek Dicks Creek Headwaters West Fork Chattooga River Sarahs Reed Creek Upper Stekoa Creek Upper Creek Warwoman 4a: 4a: FC 4a: Bio M Bio M - Bio M Creek 4a: Bio Upper M - FC 4a: Bio Middle Stekoa M - FC Chattooga River Creek Timpson Creek Creek Dukes Creek Headwaters Toccoa River Sky Valley Wildcat Creek Upper Chattahoochee River Spoilcane Middle Creek Persimmon Creek Headwaters Hiawassee River 19 Highlands Bettys Creek Plumorchard Creek Headwaters Nottely River Tickanetly Creek £ ¤ Upper Brasstown Creek Cooper Creek Rock Creek Tails Creek Hightower Creek Fodder Creek Blairsville Coosa Creek Headwaters Tallulah River Hiawassee 76 Youngcane Creek Shooting Creek Chatuge Lake Young Harris Butternut Creek-Nottely River £ ¤ Coweeta Creek-Little Tennessee River 64 Ivylog Creek Hemptown Creek Wolf Creek-Toccoa River £ ¤ Lower Brasstown Creek Dooley Creek-Nottely River Nottely Lake Mill Overlook Mountaintown Creek/Rockflat Fightingtown Blue Ridge Blue Creek Lower Branch Creek Ridge Holly headwaters Mill Lake Creek Creek Cherry Headwaters Log Muskrat Boardtown Creek Creek Creek Conasauga East Goldmine Rock Creek Mountaintown Creek Creek Big Creek 5: Bio F Rock Creek-Toccoa 5: Bio F Creek River Ellijay River Harper Chicken Creek Creek Sugar Creek 19 Hothouse Creek Patterson Creek Conasauga River Headwaters National Forests £ ¤ Nottely River Watershed Condition Map 6 4a: FC North Prong Sumac Creek 5: FC £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee Ocoee 64 River Dam #2 Tumbling North Potato Creek Creek North Fork Broad River Upper Middle Fork Broad River Lower Middle Fork Broad River £ ¤ 129 Not Evaluated 305b Water Functioning Properly Dalton 303d Water Functioning at Risk Impaired Function Gainesville Rome 85 § ¦ ¨ Athens Atlanta 20 § ¦ ¨ US or State Highway Functioning Properly with Land Designated in the Plan as: County Road Forest Service Land Source Water Protection Watershed Watershed Restoration Areas 75 § ¦ ¨ : Foothills Landscape City Functioning at Risk with Land Designated in the Plan as: Source Water Protection Watershed 0 5 10 20 30 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Miles 40 Mavity 9/19/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Resilience to Disturbance There is a need for the landscape to be resilient and recover rapidly from natural and human disturbances. A healthy forest has relatively low risk of tree mortality due to insects or disease outbreaks (USFS 2011). Epidemic levels of native pests and aggressive non-native invasive species are threatening the forests across the Southern Appalachians. The Southern Appalachian Assessment (1996) explains that fire has been a natural and human-caused disturbance for more than 10,000 years in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The forests were shaped and evolved with this disturbance. In recent times, the last 80 years or so, fire has been excluded and suppressed from the landscape. This has led to an increase in fuel loading and changes to vegetation conditions that make the forests more susceptible to high intensity wildfire. For instance, fire exclusion results in an increased accumulation of duff (the organic and decaying leaf litter layer on the forest floor) overtime. Regularly low intensity fire is a natural process that controls the duff layer. Without it, however, the roots of trees eventually grow into this duff layer so when fire does occur and the duff is consumed, so too are the roots which can lead to extensive tree mortality. This combined with the mixture of residential neighborhoods with forested lands leads to reduced ability for the landscape to be resilient to wildfire (SAMAB 1996). Fire, both natural and prescribed, should be able to safely remain an effective disturbance in the watersheds. RESILIENCY Forest Plan Goals and Objectives in the FLP Purpose and Need: Protecting Communities from Wildfire • Forest Plan Goal 57 • Forest Plan Goal 58 Expanding Ecological Role of Fire • Forest Plan Goal 8 • Forest Plan Goal 61 Reducing Risk to Forest Health • Forest Plan Goal 12 • Forest Plan Goal 39 • Forest Plan Goal 40 • Forest Plan Goal 41 • Forest Plan Goal 43 Resilience to Climate Change • Forest Plan Amendment #5 Protecting Communities from Wildfire A purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of extreme wildfire behavior to the extent practicable to protect communities in the wildland urban interface, and to aid in keeping firefighters and the public safe in fire management operations. Practices in the last 80 years have led to a decrease in the use of prescribed fire treatments and immediate suppression of most wildland fires. This has resulted in approximately 84% of the Foothills Landscape falling within Fire Condition Class 3 (FCC3) 1 where there is a historic departure in fire regime and the risk of losing key ecosystem components is high (Map 8). Along with this departure has come an increase in human activity, population, and habitation in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). This increase in human activity, along with the 1 Fire Condition Class is used to measure the degree of departure from reference conditions. FCC3 is “high” departure, FCC2 “moderate, and FCC1 “low”. 29 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests suppression of wildland fires and a reduction in prescribed fires, has resulted in changes to key ecosystem components such as changes in vegetation characteristics, fuel composition, fire frequency, and severity. These departures from past fire regime and condition have the potential to impact communities, people, and infrastructure in the WUI. Under current conditions, about 2,034 acres of private land and 700 acres of USFS lands 2 are considered to be at high risk to a wildland fire within ¼ mile either side of the Foothills Landscape boundary (See Map 7 for WUI areas within the Foothills Landscape). 2 SouthWRAP data was used in conjunction with USFS data to refine the risk acreage. 30 Big Frog Wilderness £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee 64 Map 7 National Forests £ ¤ 19 Highlands £ ¤ 64 Foothills Landscape Project Wildland Urban Interface Risk Southern Nantahala Wilderness Sky Valley Brasstown Valley Resort State Park Cohutta Wilderness Hiawassee Young Harris Blue Ridge Clayton Brasstown Wilderness Blairsville £ ¤ Black Rock Mountain State Park 76 Moccasin Creek State Park Mark Trail Wilderness £ ¤ 19 Fort Mountain State Park Tray Mountain Wilderness Vogel State Park Tallulah Gorge State Park Blood Mountain Wilderness Rich Mountain Wilderness Unicoi State Park Raven Cliffs Wilderness Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek CA Ellijay Tallulah Falls Helen £ ¤ 411 £ ¤ 123 Clarkesville Cleveland Toccoa Amicalola Falls State Park £ ¤ 515 Buck Shoals State Park Demorest Dahlonega Cornelia £ ¤ 411 Mossy Creek State Park £ ¤ 129 Dalton Gainesville Rome 85 § ¦ ¨ 75 § ¦ ¨ 0 20 § ¦ ¨ US or State Highway State Park Major Risk County Road Historic Site Moderate Risk Wilderness Conservation Area Minor Risk Forest Service Land City : Very Low Risk Athens Atlanta Foothills Landscape 5 10 20 30 Miles 40 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 5/13/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Fuels reduction work within the Foothills Landscape would be prioritized based on fire management issues, protection needs, and potential effectiveness in the wildland urban interface. Georgia Forestry Commission’s Forest Action Plan also calls for improved fire management. Efforts would focus on reducing the risk of wildfire to those communities with high and very high risk from wildfire. Expanding the Ecological Role of Fire A purpose of this project is to reintroduce the role of fire in fire-adapted ecosystems through the use of prescribed fire and managed ignition fires. Fire has been an essential natural process in the southern Appalachians for thousands of years. Fire scar analysis shows that fires occurred periodically every 4 – 12 years dating back to the 1600s (Lafon et al. 2017). With the lack of natural fire on the landscape during the last 80 years due to suppression activities, the Foothills Landscape has seen an increase in fuel loadings within the midstory and a denser overstory, with a change in fire regime with a departure of fire-return intervals. This fuel accumulation and loss of fire regime has contributed to a shift in FCC. Map 8 shows the current Fire Regime Condition Class for the Foothills Landscape. Photo 4 Forest Condition Trending Toward Open Woodland After Using Only Prescribed Fire Treatments. Sunlight Beginning to Reach Forest Floor in Patches. Forest management would contribute to the maintenance or restoration of forest ecosystems that are lacking on the landscape or threatened by insects, disease or fire exclusion, specifically shortleaf and pitch pine forests. Hazardous fuels in a watershed would be reduced and the fire 32 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests frequency, severity and pattern of fire across the landscape would be reestablished to produce desired effects from wildfire and prescribed fire (USFS 2011). The Georgia State Forest Action Plan also identifies the need to reintroduce fire into the landscapes. As these hazardous fuel loadings are manipulated, the overall FCC would trend towards lower levels. This trend would continue to improve as fire-return intervals are maintained and the use of fuels treatments are continued within these fire-dependent ecosystems. 33 Big Frog Wilderness £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee 64 National Forests £ ¤ 19 64 Fire Regime-Condition Class Foothills Landscape Project Map 8 Cohutta Check Station Highlands £ ¤ Southern Nantahala Wilderness Sky Valley Brasstown Valley Resort State Park Cohutta Wilderness Hiawassee Young Harris Mill Creek Overlook Blue Ridge Clayton Brasstown Wilderness Blairsville £ ¤ Black Rock Mountain State Park 76 Moccasin Creek State Park Mark Trail Wilderness £ ¤ 19 Fort Mountain State Park Tray Mountain Wilderness Vogel State Park Tallulah Gorge State Park Blood Mountain Wilderness Rich Mountain Wilderness Unicoi State Park Raven Cliffs Wilderness Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek CA Ellijay Tallulah Falls Helen £ ¤ 411 £ ¤ 123 Clarkesville Cleveland Toccoa Amicalola Falls State Park £ ¤ 515 Buck Shoals State Park Demorest Dahlonega Cornelia £ ¤ 411 Mossy Creek State Park £ ¤ 129 Foothills Landscape Dalton US or State Highway State Park County Road Historic Site 1 -Within or Near an Historical Range Wilderness Conservation Area 2 -Moderately Altered from Historical Range Forest Service Land City Fire Regime / Condition Class Gainesville Rome § ¦ ¨ 85 3 -Significantly Altered from Historical Range 75 § ¦ ¨ : Athens Atlanta 0 20 § ¦ ¨ 5 10 20 30 Miles 40 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 4/23/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Fire is also a major influence in shaping wildlife habitats in the southern Appalachians (Van Lear and Harlow 2000). Because fire was historically so prevalent and frequent across the landscape, wildlife became adapted to fire in order to survive. Depending on the frequency, intensity, and severity of fire, a shifting mosaic of habitats was maintained. The exclusion of fire has resulted in a homogenized landscape to the detriment of the wildlife associated with it. Reducing Risk to Forest Health Georgia’s Forest Action Plan (Georgia Forestry Commission 2008) includes objectives to identify, manage, and reduce threats to forest and ecosystem health including insects, disease, and invasive plants. A purpose of the project is to reduce the effects of native and non-native forest pests and to enhance or protect forest health in stands that have been damaged or are in immediate danger from insects, disease or other catastrophic disturbances, specifically in yellow pine dominated stands. The Watershed Condition Framework (USFS 2011) describes a properly functioning watershed as having adequate forest cover and invasive species at rates that do not affect watershed processes including soil productivity, vegetation, and water resources. One indicator for the Watershed Condition Framework describes a properly functioning watershed that has less than 20% of the area in imminent danger of abnormally high levels of tree mortality due to forest pests. Restoration would include collaboration with researchers and other experts to improve our understanding of the extent and severity of nonnative invasive species on forest health. This knowledge would help understand the appropriate management to reduce populations of native and non-native pests. Within the Foothills Landscape, there are more than 24,000 acres of immature, even-aged pine plantations vulnerable to bark beetle infestations, including southern pine beetle. Southern pine beetle is considered the most destructive native insect pest in southern pine forests. The frequency and severity of southern pine beetle outbreaks have increased region-wide over the last four decades. Such events have been attributed to increases in acreage of pine growing stock, the presence of larger and older pine trees, and changes in forest structure (Belanger et al. 1993). While all yellow pine species are susceptible to southern pine beetle, loblolly and shortleaf pines are considered the most vulnerable. Areas regenerated to shortleaf, loblolly and white pine account for 90% of the immature pine stands established in the Foothills Landscape through earlier pine-based even-aged management. Areas of other yellow pines, including pitch, table-mountain, and Virginia pines, are less abundant and account for the remaining acreage of even-aged pine stands established during the last 50 years. These even-aged pine stands have grown extremely crowded, often carrying more than 300 trees (or 150 ft2 basal area) per acre. Over-crowded conditions increase competition among individual trees for limited site resources (water, soil nutrients and sunlight). Greater competition for site resources decreases the vigor of individual trees and reduces their resilience to insect and disease outbreaks, such as southern pine beetle and ips beetles. Currently, hardwood dominated forest types (69,141 acres) within the Foothills Landscape account for more than 40% of the acreage within the landscape. Since gypsy moths’ preferred species are oak, the most significant impacts from infestation would occur in the oak and oakpine forest types. As the gypsy moth populations increase regionally, risk of outbreaks to the CONF increase (USDA Forest Service 2004a). When gypsy moth outbreaks occur, defoliation 35 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests may be extensive, and due to other environmental stressors, mortality may occur. Mortality rates have been found to be the highest among trees in the suppressed crown class and lowest among dominant trees. Trees described as being in good condition prior to heavy defoliation have been found to have lower mortality rates than those classified in poor condition, and tree mortality increased with the duration of defoliation (Davidson et al.1999). Due to a lack of hardwood management, poor site quality and lack of age-class diversity, the Foothills Landscape has substantial acreage meeting all the risk factors for oak decline. Eastern hemlock is declining rapidly across its natural range due to the increased spread of hemlock wooly adelgid, a tiny sap-sucking insect related to aphids. Hemlock woolly adelgid attacks trees of all ages and sizes and threatens to widely eliminate eastern hemlock, particularly in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Hemlock trees are ecologically important, strongly influencing the types of animals, other organisms, and environmental conditions present in the areas where they grow. Hemlock Conservation Areas are spread throughout the Foothills Landscape in hopes of utilizing a variety of treatments to include silvicultural, chemical, and biological and to help stop the spread and infestation of hemlock wooly adelgid. 36 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Connectivity There is a need for habitats to be distributed but connected across the landscape. The field of landscape ecology includes theories, technologies, and research which point to the fact that the landscape scale is well suited for management decisions (Turner et al. 2001). Landscape ecology focuses on the spatial patterns of habitats and other elements; not only how much there is of a particular component, but how it is arranged. Several elements of the Southern Appalachian National Forests’ Forest Plans, including the ChattahoocheeOconee’s, are based on a spatially interconnected and welldistributed network of habitat patches at both ends of the successional spectrum: young forest and old-growth forest. The decision to distribute these habitat components at the landscape scale was based upon the concept that a highly diverse and widely distributed age-class or successional stage structure would benefit the greatest number of native plants and animals. The creation of well-distributed patches of young forest habitat and conserving additional small blocks of future old-growth habitat are important components of the Foothills Landscape. Properly functioning watersheds exhibit a high degree of connectivity longitudinally along streams, laterally across floodplains and valley bottoms, and vertically between surface and subsurface flow (Williams et al. 1997). Watersheds that are functioning properly create and sustain functional terrestrial, riparian, aquatic, and wetland habitats that are capable of supporting diverse populations of native aquatic- and riparian-dependent species (USFS 2011). Additionally, providing opportunities for forest users to connect to their public lands is an important component of land management. National forests and grasslands provide some of the greatest diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities in the world, connecting people with nature in an unmatched variety of settings, activities, and traditional beliefs. People hike, bike, ride horses, and drive offhighway vehicles. They picnic, camp, hunt, fish, enjoy recreational shooting and navigate waterways. They view wildlife and scenery and explore historic places (USFS 2010). Sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities to meet the environmental, social, and economic needs of present and future generations is a growing challenge that the Foothills Landscape aims to address. 37 CONNECTIVITY Forest Plan Goals and Objectives in the FLP Purpose and Need: Forest Structural Diversity • Forest Plan Goal 1 • Forest Plan Goal 2 • Forest Plan Goal 3 • Forest Plan Goal 4 • Forest Plan Goal 10 • Forest Plan Goal 20 • Forest Plan Objective 20.1 Aquatic Habitat • Forest Plan Goal 26 Enhance Recreation Opportunities • Forest Plan Goal 31 • Forest Plan Goal 32 • Forest Plan Goal 47 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Forest Successional Diversity A purpose of this project is to maintain and restore communities in amounts, arrangements, and conditions capable of supporting viable populations of wildlife, plants, and fish. In meeting this purpose, the project would contribute to a well-distributed network of old-growth habitat blocks across the landscape, as well as improve successional stage diversity overall. The majority (approximately 73%) of the forested habitat of the Foothills Landscape is in latesuccessional stage (Figure 3). In contrast, and due to the lack of forest management in the project area, young forest is scarce. Current stand-level data indicates there are 292 acres of early successional habitat or young forest in the analysis area (0.2% of the Foothills Landscape). The sapling/pole and mid-successional stage forests account for most of the remaining acreage in the analysis area (approximately 26%, combined). Permanent openings such as wildlife openings, utility rights-of-way, and roadside corridors also occur, but their acreage combined is <1% of the landscape. Figure 3 Forest Successional Stages in the Foothills Landscape A variety of successional stages needs to be established across the landscape as part of a shifting mosaic of forest age structures, including adequate amounts of young forest habitat and oldgrowth forest habitats, in order to contribute to the viability and diversity of habitat of native and other desirable wildlife species. To ensure provision of the various successional stage habitats, the Forest Plan assigned different successional stage objectives across the forest based on 38 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Management Prescription Areas (different emphasis zones within the forest to direct and inform management, see Map 5, Map 9, Map 10, and Map 11). The need to improve the distribution of young forest across the Foothills Landscape would be achieved by creating this habitat stage on various sites, slopes, and aspects, and associated forest types. Young forest habitat is never static, so opportunities to create young forest habitat would be varied and dependent upon landscape and vegetation conditions for treatment. There is an opportunity to create up to 10,500 additional acres of young forest habitat in the Foothills Landscape.in this project, the majority of which would be as a result of other treatments previously mentioned. At the other end of the successional spectrum, old growth conservation goals are currently being met in all but 14 of the watersheds within the Foothills Landscape. Old-growth conservation requirements per Forest Plan direction state: “within each 6th-level watershed with at least 1,000 acres of national forest lands, 5% of the land base would be allocated to old-growth conservation”. Permanent openings managed as grass/forb, shrub, or pollinator habitat also provide a valuable element of successional diversity. There is both a need to maintain the small percent of existing openings and opportunity to create new openings throughout the landscape. Aquatic Organism Passage A purpose of the Foothills Landscape would be to restore or maintain aquatic ecosystem components to support viable populations of desired aquatic plants and animals, including removing aquatic organism barriers. The Watershed Condition Framework defines the desired aquatic condition as having no artificial habitat barriers or fragmentation. The proposal is to provide for aquatic organism passage at road/stream crossings to restore habitat connectivity. Photo 5 Example of Perched Culvert Prohibiting Fish Passage 39 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Enhance Recreation Opportunities (Human Connectivity) Photo 6 Failed Culverts Impact both Access and Streams A purpose of the Foothills Landscape is to provide a wide range of high-quality recreational opportunities by adapting facilities as identified, shifting limited resources to high priority sites, and to respond to emerging recreational trends and needs. The current developed and dispersed recreation and trail programs have increase deferred maintenance costs, poor trail layouts, resource damage, and management constraints. Unmanaged recreation areas and dispersed camping areas exist along stream corridors and popular destinations, but have hardened surfaces, user created trails, and other impacts and conflicts that reduce the environmental integrity and visitor enjoyment. The recreation settings and opportunities within the Foothills Landscape should be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable for present and future generations, and the transportation system should be safe, environmentally sustainable, financially sound, and provide effective access to national forest lands. System trails and developed sites (i.e. campgrounds and day-use areas) are areas that have been improved or developed for the purpose of recreation and often include associated facilities such as trailheads, parking lots and restrooms. At many sites throughout the landscape, there is a need for a variety of enhancements that would spread out visitor use, lessen visitor contact and conflict with other users, and reduce resource impacts to create more enjoyable opportunities for visitors to connect to their public land. There is also a need to right size the road system in order to balance environmental impacts with access needs. The Travel Analysis Report (TAR), completed in 2016, identifies travel related concerns and management opportunities across the forest, including roads within the Foothills Landscape. The TAR provides the framework for comparing the risk of a road for environmental impacts to the benefit of the road for access. The road system is failing to meet the needs of both the recreating and travelling public, and to provide for adequate resource access for forest management activities. Public use is increasing while the roads are becoming less usable by visitors. Funding for road maintenance is often inadequate to meet the increasing need. The Forest receives less than 35% of the funding needed to maintain its current road system. Current road conditions range from good to poor depending on Maintenance Level (ML) and available funding. Priorities for road maintenance go to areas that access recreation sites. 40 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Improving Soil and Water Quality There is a need to maintain or improve water quality and soil productivity throughout the project area. The Southern Appalachian Assessment discusses the need to reduce the non-point source pollution that delivers sediment to the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Non-point sediment sources on Forest Service lands are primarily roads and trails but can include degraded recreation sites. Soil erosion from past practices and the change in nutrient cycling from vegetation deviations have led to compromised soil productivity. The Watershed Condition Framework (USFS 2011) outlines the need for soil productivity and a reduction in soil erosion as essential for a properly functioning watershed. Soil productivity is the capacity of the soil to support appropriate site-specific biological resource management objectives, which includes the growth of specified plants, plant communities, or a sequence of plant communities to support multiple land uses. Areas where soil nutrient and hydrologic cycling processes are impaired, therefore hindering the ability of the soil to provide enough resources for vegetation to grow to adequate site potential levels, would be identified as restoration areas. The severity of these areas would be determined utilizing the Soil Disturbance Field Guide (USFS 2009). Every aspect of this project would require activities known as project design features and/ or best management practices (BMPs) that could potentially improve soil quality and reduce sediment delivery to streams. For example: revegetating areas that do not meet Forest Plan standards for vegetative cover, decompacting of compacted areas, and/or recontouring unneeded landings or temporary roads could occur as needed. See “Project Design Features” section for a complete list. Reduce Sediment Delivery A purpose of the project is to reduce sediment delivery to streams from forest management activities. The Watershed Condition Framework outlines the need to meet total maximum daily load requirements as set by Georgia EPD to manage other water quality problems in order to improve watershed condition. The total maximum daily load for sediment in all the river basins within the FLP indicate the 41 SOIL AND WATER QUALITY Forest Plan Goals and Objectives in the FLP Purpose and Need: Sediment Reduction • Forest Plan Goal 22 • Forest Plan Goal 24 • Forest Plan Goal 25 • Forest Plan Goal 34 • Forest Plan Goal 47 • Forest Plan Goal 48 • Forest Plan Goal 49 Aquatic Habitat • Forest Plan Goal 26 Enhanced Recreation • Forest Plan Goal 31 • Forest Plan Goal 32 • Forest Plan Goal 47 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests need to implement sediment reducing practices such as vegetation stream buffers, BMPs, and reducing sediment from unpaved roads. Roads affect watershed condition because more sediment is contributed to streams from roads and road construction than any other land management activity (Elliot et al. 2009). Roads directly alter natural sediment and hydrologic regimes by changing streamflow patterns and amounts, sediment loading, transport, and deposition, channel morphology and stability, water quality, and riparian conditions within a watershed. Roads are also necessary, however, to provide access for recreation and management. The transportation system should be safe, environmentally sustainable, financially sound, and provide effective access to national forest lands. There is a need to improve roads and trails identified as adversely affecting water or soil resources that is well-balanced with transportation system objectives. The Watershed Condition Classification technical guide indicates that no more than 10% of road length should be located within 300 feet of streams and water bodies. The Foothills Landscape has 149 NFS system roads that are within this 300-foot stream buffer totaling 81 miles. This would be approximately 29% of the total road length within 300 feet of a stream channel in the Foothills Landscape. Most of the 305(b) and 303(d) listed streams within the Foothills Landscape have road segments encroaching the 300-foot stream buffer. 42 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Supporting Purpose and Need While not a driving purpose and need for this project, it is important to note the Forest recognizes that non-native invasive plants threaten the biologic integrity of ecosystems by degrading natural habitats and decreasing biodiversity. The three Ranger Districts that manage all of the Foothills Landscape currently treat non-native invasive species and known forest pests with a combination of manual, mechanical, and herbicide treatments authorized under existing NEPA decisions: • Vegetation Control: Non-native Invasive Species and Shortleaf Pine Restoration Release project on the Chattooga River Ranger District (2008); • Non-native Invasive Species Treatment project on the Blue Ridge and Conasauga Ranger Districts (2008); • Conservation of Eastern Hemlock by Suppression of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestations EA (2005); and • Environmental Assessment for the Suppression of the Southern Pine Beetle on the Chattahoochee National Forest (2003, reviewed in 2009) Non-native invasive species treatments authorized under the existing NEPA decisions will continue within this project area. Refer to the Non-Native Invasive Species Report and Vegetation Specialist Report for further information. The Foothills Landscape includes proposals that are intended to reduce the effects of other nonnative invasive pests such as the hemlock woolly adelgid, the probable invasion of gypsy moths, and to a very small degree the chestnut blight. The Forest is working with researchers and experts to design silvicultural treatments to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid along with using insecticides and predator beetle releases in the hemlock conservation areas (see Hemlock Conservation section). Proposed actions such as oak and oak pine maintenance, woodland restoration and canopy gaps would indirectly decrease the vulnerability of hardwood stands to gypsy moth infestations by creating healthier, diverse, and more resilient stands. The project also intends to create chestnut orchards to maintain a reliable source of chestnuts for experimentation on the species’ resilience to the blight. In addition, a supporting purpose of this project, identified through the collaborative effort, is to maintain the forest’s resilience to climate change. The project has incorporated resilience to climate change by including treatments intended to improve forest health and resilience to high severity wildfire, native pest outbreaks and invasive species. The Southern Forest Futures Project reports that the temperatures in the south are expected to increase with little change in precipitation. This is expected to change water use, carbon sequestration, and species composition. Climate change is a risk to the forests of Georgia because the warmer conditions could lead to an increased vulnerability to pests. There is a risk of higher mortality in plantations on drier sites (Wear and Greis 2013). In north Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains, climate change models indicate significant increases in air temperatures from current levels. Precipitation patterns are predicted to be relatively stable, averaging slightly less to slightly above current conditions (Keyser et al. 2014). Forestlands across the region are experiencing increased threats from fire, insect and plant invasions, disease, extreme weather, and drought. Invasive and aggressive plant and insect 43 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests species may increasingly outcompete or negatively affect native species in the future. Heat stress may limit the growth of some southern pines and hardwood species. Stresses from drought and wide-scale pest outbreaks have the potential to cause large areas of forest dieback. Wildlife species would be affected in different ways. Amphibians may be most at risk, due to dependencies on moisture and cool temperatures that could be altered. A changing climate may be harmful to the endangered gray bat by impacting their food supply and the internal temperature of their roosting caves (USFS 2016). Some responses to climate change effects occurring on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests could be: • Managing tree densities through practices such as thinning and prescribed fire to maximize carbon sequestration and to reduce the vulnerability of forest stands to water stress, insect and disease outbreaks; • Continually monitor for new invasive species moving into areas where they were not traditionally found, especially following events such as hurricanes and fire; • Using prescribed fire as a management option for reducing the impacts of any future increases in wildfire potential emanating from climate change and drought; • Restore and reinforce vegetation in headwater and marsh areas to help alleviate runoff of sediment during heavy rain; and • Reduce climate-induced warming of water and decrease water sensitivity to changes in air temperature (USFS 2016). Carbon sequestration is not a direct purpose of the Foothills Landscape, though benefits from carbon sequestration as a result of the project are likely. The Forest Futures Project predicts a slight decline in carbon storage by forests across the south over the next 50 years primarily due to the loss of forest by changing land uses (Wear and Greis 2013). Healthy trees have faster growth rates, accumulate greater biomass, and thus sequester more carbon than nutrient, water, or light limited trees under most climate conditions. Active management (including harvest) may reduce forest risk of carbon loss by disturbance such as insect outbreak and wildfire (McNulty et al. 2017). 44 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Proposed Action and Alternatives Alternative 1 – No Action For the purpose of this environmental assessment, a No Action Alternative was considered and analyzed in detail to serve as a baseline for understanding and contrasting the existing condition and to forecast potential effects should the responsible official choose not to proceed with any management activities proposed for the Foothills Landscape. All current actions and management under this No Action Alternative would continue in its present state. The analysis of the No Action Alternative can be found in the discussion of the affected environment and environmental consequences of the corresponding specialist reports for each of the identified issues. Alternative 2 – Proposed Action Alternative 2 resulted from modifications made to the original proposed action which was published for public scoping in October 2017. See the Foothills Landscape Project Scoping Summary Report (2018) in the project record and on the website for more information. The Forest Service proposes to use a variety of management activities to meet the restoration needs within the project area as long as the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan are current. See Appendix B for a brief summary of all of the actions considered under this alternative and the type of planning approach associated with each. The range of actions described below serve as the suite of treatment options (tools) which could be applied across the Foothills Landscape if conditions on the ground warrant a need for active management based on the aforementioned purpose and need. In this way, as landscape conditions vary within a given vegetation type, such as shortleaf pine, the appropriate tool would be applied to achieve the desired result. A tool that might be appropriate in one area may not be the right tool to use somewhere else. The units of measurement reported (i.e. number of acres, miles, and sites) for the various treatment tools in the discussion below represents the maximum amount proposed and analyzed to meet the purpose and need of the project. For example, the maximum treatment proposed for vegetation management activities was determined using a variety of available data to estimate the extent of existing conditions, distance from the existing road system and the areas of operable ground (less than 35% slopes). Other treatment options proposed are more opportunistic or have specific types of features such as trails, recreation sites, or roads. Project Design Features (PDFs) are sideboards, additional instructions, or limitations on treatments that would apply across applicable management activities. PDFs come from a variety of sources such as Georgia’s Best Management Practices for Forestry Practices, USFS Southern Regional guidance or Foothills Landscape-specific design and are in addition to Forest Plan standards and BMPs. PDFs are incorporated into the Proposed Action Alternative and are found in Table 7 (Page 74). In addition, decision matrices, found in Appendix E, have been created to serve as a guide for ensuring the proposed site-specific activities are implemented with the bounds of the analysis and the decision to be made. These matrices provide a step-by-step guide to show what conditions found on the ground warrant specific tools. The decision matrices, the PDFs, and the 45 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests activities that are discussed in the proposed action below, are all an integral part of the proposed action as a whole. The implementation of management activities proposed in Alternative 2 would be accomplished in increments over time, prioritized and sequenced using a systematic process (implementation plan) that evaluates restoration needs, determines appropriate treatments to address those needs (through use of decision matrices) and balances implementation of those activities across the three ranger districts with operational feasibility, agency capacity, and social considerations, to the extent possible. See Understanding the Planning Approach on page 10, Appendix A - Maps, Implementation Areas, and the Implementation Plan and Decision Matrices in Appendix E for additional information regarding implementation. Proposed Actions to Improve Biologic Integrity: Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance is proposed for up to 12,400 acres (8% of Foothills Landscape). Treatment is recommended within existing mid to late-successional shortleaf pine stands and stands that contain pitch or table mountain pine where current stand conditions are departed from those needed by these species to maintain dominance through self-replacing processes. See Map 12, Map 15, and Map 18 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. Stands selected for treatment would be mechanically thinned to about 40 – 60 square feet per acre (ft2/ac) of basal area to establish a more open stand condition. Shortleaf, pitch and/or table mountain pines, and upland oaks and hickories would be given preference as leave trees during the thinning treatments. Following the thinning treatments, the areas would be evaluated on the ground to determine the degree and intensity of subsequent understory treatments in order to meet desired outcomes. For example, if shade tolerant, fire intolerant understory vegetation persists after the thinning, then it would be treated using a combination of herbicides and/or prescribed fire. In most cases, initial understory treatments would be conducted by using herbicides to control anticipated undesired hardwood brush and stump sprouting vegetation persisting on the sites. Initial herbicide treatments would be selectively applied to undesired understory vegetation using directed foliar, cut-stem or basal bark/streamline methods. The specific method of herbicide application would be based on the composition, size and density of the understory vegetation persisting on the sites. Details on herbicide treatments are described in the Connected Actions on page 82 of this document and in the Vegetation Specialist Report. After the initial herbicide treatments, prescribed burning would be utilized to achieve site specific objectives. Site conditions would be evaluated for prescribed burning and the appropriate burning season (either dormant or growing season). Prescribed fire treatments would continue on a recurring interval (every 2 – 7 years) until the desired results are achieved, which include the reduction in the woody hardwood understory, diverse understories, and a restored and receptive seedbed. Upon achievement of the desired conditions, fire treatments would be applied less frequently. This would allow for pine seedling recruitment to be initiated in the understory. In certain cases, mechanical mastication, followed by the above referenced herbicide and prescribed fire treatments would be used to reduce unwanted understory vegetation. This 46 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests treatment option would most likely be utilized where understories are occupied by dense shrubby vegetation (i.e. mountain laurel) that would make initial herbicide treatments infeasible. In these cases, mastication of the shrubby layer would be implemented first. Follow-up herbicide treatments for to control stump sprouting vegetation and/or prescribed fire (if possible) would be implemented following the mastication treatments to further control the undesired understory vegetation. If fire cannot be regularly used in stands identified for Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance, the expanding-gap silvicultural method would be employed. The expanding-gap method is being proposed in collaboration with the Southern Research Station (SRS). Gaps would be created in the stands by removing overstory trees to create ½ acre up to 1-acre openings. Initial canopy gaps would be located where advanced shortleaf, pitch, or table mountain pine regeneration exists or where a need for structural diversity is determined and recruitment of Photo 7 Shortleaf Pine Stands Post Thinning and Prescribed Fire southern yellow pine regeneration is anticipated. Scarification of ground surface layer may be needed to promote recruitment of additional natural regeneration of preferred southern yellow pine. Artificial regeneration may also be implemented planting on an 8-foot-by-8-foot or wider spacing, while also potentially clumping seedlings together in clusters of five to 15 seedlings. After the seedlings are able to compete with surrounding vegetation in a free-to-grow condition (8 – 12 years), the gap would be ready to expand by another one to two tree lengths around the perimeter by removal of overstory. The surrounding stand would be thinned to a basal area of 50 – 70 ft2/ac. to help control the light environment. The treatment areas would be treated with herbicides, mechanical mastication, or manual hand tool methods to reduce the competition with undesired species. Southern Yellow Pine Restoration Southern Yellow Pine Forest Restoration is proposed on up to 5,800 acres (3% of Foothills Landscape) within the landscape and would be implemented on dry sites currently dominated by mid to late-successional Virginia or white pine. This treatment would also be applied in mixed oak-pine stands where evidence of previous occupation by shortleaf/pitch/table mountain pine exist (presence of old pine stumps). Opportunities for restoration may also exist within pole-aged or sapling (11-40 years of age) stands of off-site loblolly or white pine. Up to 1,700 acres (1% of Foothills Landscape) of restoration in pole-aged off-site plantations could occur. See Map 12, Map 15, and Map 18 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. These 47 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests treatments would result in the creation of young forest habitats, which are generally lacking in the project area. Restoration of southern yellow pine would be implemented using either artificial or natural regeneration methods. In stands where artificial regeneration methods are used, a two-aged regeneration harvest would be implemented to initiate the restoration process. Under this harvest method, the majority of the overstory trees in restoration areas would be removed. This would create large, continuous openings for restoration planting for regeneration. A portion of the trees (minimum of 15 ft2 per acre) in restoration areas would be reserved from cutting to form the twoaged condition. These trees would be retained in a non-uniform and variable distribution and would remain on-site indefinitely. Long-lived species such as shortleaf or pitch pine, white oak, chestnut oak, or hickory would be selected as reserve trees to be retained. Virginia and white pines, and other less desirable hardwood species would be harvested from the sites. Following the harvest, restoration areas would be prepared for planting by (1) directed herbicide methods (cut-stump and foliar) to selectively treat non-desirable species persisting on the sites, and (2) a growing season site preparation prescribed burn. Once sites are prepared, restoration areas would be planted with shortleaf or pitch pine seedlings on a wide spacing (8 x 8, 10 x 10, or 12 x 12 foot spacing). One to three years following planting, planted seedlings would be released from woody competition (individual tree) using hand tools, mechanical mastication, or a directed herbicide application (directed foliar, cut surface, or basal bark methods) depending on the species and degree of competition. Once the canopy of the restoration areas approach crown closure (approximately 7 – 10 years post planting), a thinning using manual hand tools (chainsaws or brush cutters) or mechanical mastication would be applied to reduce competition and maintain desired tree species composition. In stands that have adequate shortleaf, pitch or table mountain pine in the existing stand for natural regeneration, a shelterwood harvest would reduce the basal area to 30 – 40 ft2/ac of trees with high-crowns that are seed-producing pine species. Site preparation burning to coincide with seed fall and directed herbicide treatments (foliar, cut-stem and basal bark/streamline methods) would follow. In the event that natural regeneration fails, artificial regeneration described above would be implemented. A follow up harvest to remove the residual sheltering trees would occur once the site has been adequately regenerated to the target species and adequately stocked. Oak and Oak-Pine Maintenance Multiple treatments options are included under this proposal to meet oak maintenance objectives within the landscape - each designed with consideration for site productivity, presence of existing oak regeneration, stand age, and whether connected prescribed fire treatments could be feasibly implemented. The treatments are intended to either: (1) increase oak regeneration potential within existing mid-late successional oak-dominated stands, (2) establish areas of young oak forests to create a more balanced and resilient age-class distribution, or (3) increase the dominance of oak in existing immature oak stands. These conditions would all help to establish a buffer against mass oak decline and the potential for gypsy moth invasion. Increase/Restore Oak Regeneration Potential To increase/restore oak regeneration potential within existing oak stands, several treatment options are proposed (see below). These treatments are designed to alter the light environment on the forest floor to stimulate growth of oak seedlings while controlling oak competitors in the 48 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests understory. Treatments would result in development of larger and include more competitive oak seedlings, increasing the regeneration potential in existing mature oak stands. Stands with higher regeneration potential can maintain species dominance because adequate/competitive seedlings are available to replace parent overstory trees. A field evaluation of current stand conditions would be conducted prior to treatment to determine specific cultural needs. If the evaluation of stand conditions indicates that the current oak regeneration potential is low because oak seedlings are small, infrequent, and/or are being suppressed by shade-tolerant competitors in the understory, one of the following treatments would be employed: Increasing Oak Regeneration Potential with Midstory Reduction on Moderate to High Site Productivity, Mid-Late Successional Oak Sites On moderate to highly productive oak sites within the landscape, midstory reduction treatments would be implemented on up to 14,800 acres (9% of FLP) of existing mature oak stands to increase oak regeneration potential and meet maintenance objectives. See Map 13, Map 16, and Map 19 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. These treatments would be carried out by mechanical mastication and/or targeted herbicide treatments applied to trees below the main canopy. Herbicide application methods would include directed tree injection and/or basal bark treatments. Oak and hickory species would not be treated with herbicides or during mastication treatments. Treatments would be tailored to the site based on site productivity, with the level or intensity of the midstory reduction decreasing as site productivity increases. This treatment would enhance the light environment in the understory, allowing small oak seedlings to slowly develop into more competitive size classes. Because the treatment is applied to trees below the main canopy, large gaps in canopy are not created, preventing the rapid establishment of shade-intolerant species like yellow poplar from invading and dominating the understory. Increasing Oak Regeneration Potential with Intermediate Thinning and Midstory Reduction on Moderate to Lower Productivity Mid-Late Successional Oak Sites On lower to moderate productivity oak sites, commercial thinning in combination with midstory reduction treatments would be implemented on up to 9,200 acres (6% of Foothills Landscape) of mid-late successional oak stands to increase oak regeneration potential. This treatment option would be implemented where conditions indicate that current oak regeneration potential is low (i.e. oak seedlings are small, infrequent, and/or are being outcompeted by shade-tolerant competitors in the understory). In areas selected for intermediate thinning, the thinning would reduce overstory trees to 40 – 60 ft2/ac, favoring oaks, hickories, shortleaf and/or pitch pine. Following the commercial thinning, the areas would be evaluated for subsequent needs for midstory reduction treatments designed to reduce oak seedling competitors. Treatment of the midstory/understory would be employed using a combination of direct herbicide treatments and/or prescribed burning. If unwanted vegetation persists on the sites after the thinning, then initial understory treatments would likely include herbicide applications to control this competition. Herbicide treatments could include directed foliar, cut-stem or basal bark/streamline methods. The composition, size, origin and density of understory competitors would dictate the herbicide method selected. Once herbicide treatments have been applied, prescribed burning treatments, where feasible, would be used to further reduce competition and 49 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests to maintain the desired understory environment. Initial prescribed burning would be conducted during the dormant season. Subsequent burn treatments would be applied during the growing season until the desired conditions have been achieved (development of oak reproduction). Periodic burn and/or mechanical mastication treatments would be applied using a combination of dormant and growing season treatments and frequency would be altered to allow oak seedling to gain height and prepare for canopy recruitment. In certain cases, mechanical mastication, followed by the above referenced herbicide and prescribed fire treatments would be used to reduce unwanted understory vegetation. This treatment option would most likely be utilized where understories are occupied by dense shrubby vegetation (i.e. mountain laurel) that would make initial herbicide treatments infeasible. In these cases, mastication of the shrubby layer would be implemented first. Follow-up herbicide treatments to treat stump sprouting vegetation and/or prescribed fire (if possible) would be implemented following the mastication treatments to further control the undesired understory vegetation Increasing Oak Regeneration Potential in Mid-Late Successional Oak Stands Where Prescribed Fire Cannot Be Implemented Using Expanding Gap Method In oak and oak-pine stands where fire cannot be used regularly, an expanding gap silvicultural method would be used to improve oak regeneration potential in mature oak stands. This method would be implemented on up to 14,600 acres (9% of Foothills Landscape) of existing mid to late-successional oak stands within the project area. See Map 13, Map 16, and Map 19 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. The expanding gap method is being proposed in collaboration with the SRS. Gaps would be created in the stands by removing overstory trees to create up to ½ acre openings. Initial canopy gaps would be located where advanced oak regeneration exists or where a need for structural diversity is determined and recruitment of oak regeneration is anticipated. After the seedlings are able to compete with surrounding vegetation the gap would be ready to expand by another one to two tree lengths around the perimeter by removal of over story. The surrounding stand would be thinned to a basal area of 50 – 70 ft2/ac. The treatment areas would be treated with herbicides, hand tools, or mechanical mastication to reduce the competition with undesired species. Establish Areas of Young Oak Forests To establish areas of young oak forests to create a more balanced and resilient age-class distribution, two-aged regeneration harvests would be implemented on up to 2,000 acres (1% of Foothills Landscape) of existing mid-late successional oak forests growing on moderate to lower productivity sites to establish areas of young oak forest, which is lacking. This treatment would be limited to sites where field surveys indicate an adequate population of competitive oak seedlings exist in the understory to successfully replace the current overstory proposed for removal. Under this regeneration harvest method, the majority of the current oak overstory would be removed from the selected areas. This would create large openings for natural oak regeneration to occur. A portion of the trees from the overstory would be reserved from cutting (15 – 25 ft2 per acre) and would remain on-site indefinitely to form a two-aged stand structure. Trees reserved from cutting would be retained in a non-uniform and variable pattern. Long-lived oak species such as white oak or chestnut oak, hickories and shortleaf pine (where available) would be selected as reserve trees to be retained. Connected site preparation treatments, including directed herbicide methods (foliar and cut-stump) to selectively control undesirable 50 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and persistent competition and growing-season prescribed burning, would be conducted either pre or post-harvest or in some combination of both periods to prepare the areas for natural regeneration. To supplement the natural oak regeneration, areas could be hand-planted with oak seedlings on a wide spacing. Planted and naturally regenerated oak seedlings would be released from undesired competition one to multiple times during the first 10 years of regeneration using manual methods or selectively and directed applications of herbicides (basal bark/streamline, foliar, or cut-stem methods) to ensure oaks remain competitive during early stand development. Maintain or Increase the Dominance and Competitive Stature of Oak To maintain or increase the dominance and competitive stature of oak in existing immature oak stands, individual crown-touching tree release treatments would be implemented on up to 3,200 acres (2% of Foothills Landscape). This treatment would occur where oaks are present but are being suppressed by non-oak competitors and where there is a high risk that oak species may drop out of the stand due to competition would be selected. See Map 13, Map 16, and Map 19 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. Under this treatment, individual non-oak competitors with crowns that touch selected oak trees would be slashed-down with chainsaws, mechanical mastication, or killed using directed herbicide applications (tree injection) to increase/maintain oak domination of the sites. Approximately 70 – 100 oak trees would be selected per acre for individual release within treatment areas. Oak and Oak-Pine Restoration Opportunities to increase oak abundance through restoration also exists within the Foothills Landscape. Restoration activities are intended to promote oak-dominated forests on sites currently dominated by other species. Oak and Oak-pine Restoration would occur on up to 1,700 acres (1% of Foothills Landscape) of off-site, pole-sized pine plantations (these are the same acres proposed for Southern Yellow Pine Restoration in off-site plantations, therefore restoration of these sites to either oak or southern yellow pine is implied). Restoration of these sites to oak would be emphasized in off-site plantations with low desired pine stocking and where adequate pre-existing oak, either in the canopy of the plantations or in the understory, is available to successfully restore the sites to an oak-dominated composition. If oak is adequate in the overstory (canopy), the proposed treatment includes an intermediate thinning of off-site pine to a residual basal area of 40 – 70 ft2/ac. The wide range of basal area would allow for the retention of all existing oaks and other desirable species, while removing most, to all off-site pine species. This treatment would not result in the creation of young forest habitat, but simply a change in forest-typing (from pine dominated to oak dominated). On sites where oak restoration is elected and oak is abundant in the understory of the off-site plantations as seedlings, restoration would include a regeneration harvest to initiate the oak restoration process. Because these sites would likely contain an overstory dominated by an offsite pine species (loblolly or white pine), the regeneration harvest would remove all or most of the current overstory, reducing the potential for the off-site species to re-seed the harvested sites. This action would result in the creation of young forest habitat because the current overstory would be removed in its entirety. Upon removal of the off-site overstory through regeneration harvest, the areas would be prepared for natural regeneration to oak by applying a combination of directed herbicide treatments (foliar and cut-stump methods) followed by prescribed burning during the growing season, to reduce persisting undesired competition. To supplement the 51 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests natural oak regeneration, restoration areas could be hand-planted with oak seedlings on a wide spacing. Planted and naturally regenerating oak seedlings would be individually released from non-desirable competition one to multiple times during the first 10 years of regeneration using manual methods or directed herbicide treatments (basal bark/streamline or cut-stem) to ensure oak remains competitive during early stand development. Canopy Gap Creation To increase structural diversity in mid-late successional mesic deciduous forests, 8,100 acres (5% of the Foothills Landscape) of canopy gap treatments are proposed across the project area. Yellow poplar-dominated stands and high-productivity oak stands with closed canopies and little vertical structure would be targeted for this treatment. See Map 14, Map 17, and Map 20 in Appendix A – Vegetation Maps, for potential location of stands. Gaps in the canopy of selected stands would be created by retaining variable tree densities. To provide for the desired diversity in vertical structure, trees would be selectively removed from all crown positions (upper, mid and understory levels) and tree sizes, resulting in a patchy, irregular canopy. Gaps in the canopy would be small (up to 0.75 acre) and implemented at relatively low intensities (less than 25% of the stand). Additional structural diversity would be obtained through intermediate thinning between gaps, retaining 70 – 80 ft2/ac basal area in the thinned portion of the stand. Woodland Community Restoration There would be up to 7,400 acres (<5% of Foothills Landscape) of woodland community restoration in the project area based on the ecological conditions occurring and where efforts would be appropriate and effective. The presence of certain vegetative species indicate the probability of where woodland restoration would be most successful (Map 14, Map 17, and Map 20). Restoration efforts would focus on the potential an area has to be managed as a woodland. For example, areas consisting of shortleaf pine, table mountain pine, pitch pine, post oak, and blackjack oak, or other species such as dwarf chinquapin and sand hickory, serve as indicators for remnant or potential woodlands. For a more comprehensive list of woodland indicator species, see Appendix C. Restoration opportunities would be further narrowed upon field reconnaissance with a focus on finding these areas with the best fit of aspect, elevation, indicator species, and ability to use prescribed fire. Photo 8 Intermediate Open Woodland Habitat 2-3 Years after Initial Mechanical Treatments. Woodlands Provide Ideal Habitat for Wildlife and Botanical Species Such as Coneflower. Open woodland blocks of various sizes would likely require both partial overstory and midstory removal, with a residual basal area of 20 – 40 ft2 per acre, as well as prescribed burning, to start the process of transitioning them from their current conditions to a desired open-habitat type. The need for fire to maintain 52 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests the woodland structure would necessitate that each woodland block is within a prescribed burning unit, and the site is able to be frequently burned, during both the growing season and dormant season over the life of the treatment. Herbicide application to control the woody vegetation may also be required if prescribed burning alone is not adequate. Herbicide applications would be directed at undesired woody vegetation and would include a combination of foliar, cut-stem, or basal bark/streamline methods. Wetland/Bog Restoration There is a total of approximately 35 acres of wetland/of bog habitat known to occur in the Foothills Landscape with surrounding footprints (up to 103 acres) that could benefit from restoration treatments. The proposed bog restoration work was incorporated into this project upon recommendations by the GaDNR – Wildlife Resources Division. If bogs have previously been modified prior to USFS management through ditching or trenching and natural processes no longer function, then hydrologic restoration of the bogs using on-site spoil piles to plug or fill those ditches to restore stream sinuosity and elevate the stream profile would occur. Stretches of existing ditches may be left open, when necessary, to provide enhancements for salamander habitat. On sites determined to have appropriate hydrology and soils, cooperation with partners such as Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, Atlanta Botanical Garden, State Botanical Garden, and GaDNR, would be facilitated to remove encroaching woody vegetation into existing bog habitat by using a combination of treatment methods including herbicides (with cut-stem and/or basal bark treatments) to get more sunlight to the ground in and around the bogs. Partners would grow plants that are rare bog endemics in greenhouses, and then planted on the site. Plant reintroduction would be considered depending on the wetland or bog site condition and characteristics. Canebrake Restoration A wide variety of treatments would be needed to restore canebrakes, and many treatments would be applied to see what canopy cover and fire regime works best. Both overstory and midstory trees would be reduced mechanically and through the use of herbicides to get sunlight to the cane. The density of canopy cover would be variable but would be reduced to less than 50% canopy with trees widely space or clustered in a mosaic pattern. In general, canebrakes would have very little canopy cover. Cane may be transplanted from a site within the project area to an area where it is sparse. In areas infested with exotic species, multiple treatments may be needed and would be completed using the existing decisions on non-native invasive species control. Prescribed fire may also be utilized, with a wide variety of fire regimes, which may include highintensity or low-intensity fire. A great example of an area with canebrake restoration potential is the area north of the Highway 28 bridge on the Chattooga River. This area contributed to the increase in project area acreage between scoping and the current proposal because treatment in that area would not only resolve concerns relating to non-native invasive plant species and environmental degradation resulting from high recreational use but would also be suitable for a canebrake restoration effort. The USFS may authorize Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR) to harvest cane from the project area for traditional cultural purposes. Cherokee artisans may use selective harvesting methods to take culms at least four years old and at least three- quarters of 53 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests an inch in diameter. Culms would be cut with hand tools and would be trimmed to ground level for safety. Harvesting would impact less than 25% of the existing cane and usually less than 10% would be harvested at one time. Hemlock Conservation The Foothills Landscape would expand the existing Hemlock Conservation Areas up to 600 acres 3. If hemlock associated forest types occur immediately adjacent to existing hemlock conservation areas, then those sites would be considered for expansions and additional acreage would be added to the current hemlock conservation program. Field surveys and more local knowledge would be needed to determine if a hemlock component is still present in these areas. Vast mortality across much of the forest would likely reduce the potential for expanding our current hemlock conservation efforts. Treatment would only occur if viable hemlocks are present. Within existing or expanded conservation areas, treatment would include soil injections of imidacloprid or other approved insecticides at the base of infested but responsive hemlock trees in neighboring areas to existing conservation areas or in other areas where hemlock survival is still fairly adequate and accessible. The same mitigations for stream/water protection from the insecticide used in our existing conservation areas would be employed for any additional areas added for soil injection treatments. Rates, timing, and other considerations currently used in our existing conservation areas would be adopted for the additional conservation areas established. The Forest is currently working with the University of North Georgia (UNG), SRS, Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), and other specialists to expand the Forest’s ability to utilize specialized silvicultural treatments in the conservation of hemlock. Of particular interest is the SRS research that indicates a benefit to hemlocks using silvicultural practices. They are thinning around hemlocks to create conditions allowing varying amounts of sunlight to reach midstory or overtopped hemlock trees. In forested areas with existing hemlock trees, overstory and midstory thinning, expanding gap, or midstory treatments to create light environments conducive to healthier conditions for existing hemlock would be implemented. In addition to these silvicultural treatments, hemlock seedlings that are free of tip blight and other diseases before introduction would be planted throughout these treated locations to add structural and age diversity where needed. Planted seedlings would be treated initially after planting by soil injection with imidacloprid or other insecticide, and then retreated every three to seven years thereafter to suppress the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). These treatments would be applied both within hemlock conservation areas and throughout the general forest 4 where hemlock trees exist. Biological control, predator beetles, or other future USDA approved bio-control options may be used throughout these locations also. Hand tool or herbicide applications would also be applied where necessary to silviculturally treated areas to 3 In past documentation, this number was originally listed as 1,400 acres; however, due to a discovered mapping error, which included acreage in wilderness, the acreage is now accurately reflected. 4 Treatments may occur in inventoried roadless areas (IRAs). Work in IRAs was not included in the Proposed Action at scoping, but as a result of the expanded boundary to include Boggs Creek Campground decommissioning (which was scoped) and desire heard from the collaborative community to explore more hemlock conservation opportunities, Boggs Creek and Miller Creek IRAs are now included within the Foothills Landscape project boundary and could provide opportunities to do Hemlock Conservation work. 54 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests control the invasion of non-native invasive species or species composition in favor of hemlock as needed. In addition to the specialized silvicultural treatments, the Forest’s work with GFC, UHG, and SRS has identified the need for insectaries strategically placed across the Foothills Landscape. Currently, UNG is rearing beetles indoors in laboratories; this is costly and infested hemlock foliage with HWA must be brought into the labs to feed the rearing beetles. Functional insectary locations must have healthy hemlock trees that have branches with foliage cascading down to ground level. Typically, these trees receive light conditions from the top to the bottom of the tree from various aspects. Functional insectaries would be developed over time utilizing the silvicultural treatments described above and in collaboration with Georgia Forestry Commission, University of North Georgia, SRS, and other specialists. Insectaries would not be located within conservation areas where insecticides are utilized, rather dispersed throughout the Foothills Landscape where hemlock trees currently exist. The Forest intends to create sustainable insectaries varying across elevations and aspects to provide potential for a viable population of USDA approved hemlock wooly adelgid predator beetles now and into the restorable future of the currently declining hemlock trees. Chestnut Orchard Designation As part of its mission, Georgia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation must establish orchards where trees (resulting from controlled crosses of American, Chinese, and hybrid chestnuts) can be cultivated, grown, inoculated and evaluated for their performance when challenged by chestnut blight and/or Phytophthora cinnamon Rands. Working with the Georgia chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, up to 6 acres of American chestnut orchard would be established. These chestnuts would be 15/16 American chestnut and 1/16 Chinese chestnut. Sites selected for these orchards would be cleared of any existing vegetation and would be easy to access by existing roads and trails for regular monitoring and maintenance. The major inputs and resources required to carry out these projects includes fencing for deer control, tree tubes for rodent control, irrigation supplies including drip irrigation and well digging and development, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides, and ground cloth or plastic mulch. Small Whorled Pogonia Conservation The small whorled pogonia is currently federally-listed as threatened. Although the recovery plan from 1992 calls for limited disturbance, in the northern portion of its range, this species has shown a positive response to canopy manipulation that results in more sunlight on the ground. On the Chattahoochee National Forest, this species has been protected from disturbance and not been actively managed and has continued to decline. Both the number of extant populations and number of individuals in these populations have decreased. Cooperatively with the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Forest is working to determine what management activities would generate a positive response in this species. These actions may include thinning, midstory control using cut-stem or basal bark treatments with herbicides, invasive species control, and prescribed fire to reduce the canopy and midstory over extant and historic populations. Monitoring the response to management would be critical. 55 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Stream Habitat Improvement The addition of large woody debris to streams in the Foothills Landscape is proposed in order to increase structural complexity in streams where a lack of wood is impairing the hydrologic and biologic processes of the aquatic environment. Large woody debris is a critical element in pool formation and function by trapping sediment and decreasing rates of nutrient loss (Doloff 1994). Maintenance and enhancement of existing stream structures is proposed to provide important cover for many species of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish. In order to maintain their effectiveness, stream structures need to be repaired and upgraded occasionally. The project would improve brook trout habitat by constructing in-stream structures in order to improve rifflepool ratios and other habitat components in brook trout streams. This type of treatment increases stream habitat complexity and provides more habitat for all life stages of brook trout. Augmentation of spawning substrate for blue shiner was proposed by the GaDNR during collaboration. This work is already on-going as needed to meet the desired condition under an existing NEPA decision. . Maintaining adequate amounts of vegetation in riparian areas helps filter sediment, maintain stream temperatures, aid in bank stabilization, provide vegetation and wood inputs to the stream, and has aesthetic value. The project would maintain adequate vegetation in riparian areas by following Georgia Best Management Practices and Forest Plan Standards during implementation. In areas where stream banks are not adequately vegetated and severe erosion is occurring (defined by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission as if the linear extent is greater than three times the bank height and is occurring at a rate unacceptable for safety, environmental, or economic reasons) the treatment would include the prevention of trampling of the area by people and vehicles using social engineering methods such as signing, education, and physical barriers. Stabilization would utilize native riparian vegetation and bioengineering practices where needed in order to decrease erosion rates, trap sediment, improve fish and wildlife habitat, improve shade, and improve aesthetics. Lake Habitat Improvement 5 Structures to improve fisheries in lakes and ponds in the project area would be installed. These structures could be as simple as dropping Christmas trees in the bodies of water to building more complex structures out of PVC piping or similar material and installing them. There may also be opportunities to create vernal pool habitat by creating shallow depressions to allow for high groundwater to gather at the surface during the wet part of the year and immediately after substantial rain events. The potential location of these small pools would be focused in former agricultural areas where forest vegetation has recovered but small wetland habitats have not. Vernal or seasonal pools provide breeding habitat for Cope’s gray tree frog, wood frog, chorus frogs (Eastern spadefoot toad), several Ambystoma species of salamander, and many invertebrates. Forest bats utilize small pools both as drinking water sources and insect foraging sites. 5 The GaDNR proposed during collaboration efforts the continuation of the lake fertilization programs. This work is not included in this proposal because it is completed using a categorical exclusion category that does not require a decision memo and would be considered an on-going action. 56 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Proposed Actions to Increase Resiliency to Disturbance: Hazardous Fuels Reduction in the Wildland Urban Interface Areas would be prioritized for fuels reduction by assessing conditions on the ground in conjunction with SouthWRAP to determine the highest probability of effectiveness for mitigation efforts. Another criterion for prioritization would be areas where the ecosystem has departed from a fire dependent or fire tolerant one, to an unhealthy forest with highly flammable and/or non-fire tolerant species. Additionally, private lands that meet the requirements of Ready Set Go, Firewise and other fire adapted community programs, and that have a desire to treat their lands would be considered. There would be up to 2,000 acres of hazardous fuels treatment targeted in the very high-risk areas of wildland urban interface throughout the implementation of the Foothills Landscape. Treatments that create resilient forest conditions would have an indirect effect on reducing the risk of wildfire on communities. Hazardous fuels reduction and hazardous fuels mitigation (the act of altering fuel characteristics to a state that is more easily suppressible) are direct strategies that would be utilized to accomplish the desired outcome. The tools available for use would be prescribed fire and mechanical fuels treatments. Prescribed fire done in conjunction with mechanical treatments would be preferred. In areas where prescribed fire may not be an option for treating fuels, including but not limited to within close proximity of structures, steep slopes, the size of the area to be treated, or the type of vegetation in a given location, sole use of mechanical treatments may be used taking into consideration limitations such as topography, accessibility, and cost for each site area. For the purpose of this project, mechanical fuels treatments would typically refer to timber harvest and/or the use of machinery to conduct mulching and mastication operations. These actions would help reduce the risk of property damage and improve public and firefighter safety by reducing the risk of severe fire behavior due to fuel characteristics. In areas where herbicide can be used to treat stump sprouting, it would extend the time period between mechanical treatments. Mechanical fuels treatments have operability limitations that would be addressed in each site area. Prescribed Burning Existing burn units and areas that have potential for new burn units were reviewed across the Foothills Landscape to best achieve the project purpose and need. A maximum acreage of up to 50,000 acres (1/3 of Foothills Landscape) has been proposed for prescribed fire treatments in conjunction with silvicultural objectives designed to improve forest health, wildlife habitat, and to increase resiliency to disturbance. Within those 50,000 acres, 29 existing prescribed fire burn units totaling 22,270 acres have been incorporated into this project to help reach restoration goals. In addition to those existing units, new prescribed fire burn units may be incorporated into the Foothills Landscape based on proposed vegetation management activities. 57 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Photo 9 Contrast of Open Understory/ Midstory after Prescribed Burn Treatment (Left Side of Road) with Untreated Vegetation Condition (Right Side of Road). Prescribed fire plans would be prepared describing weather and fuel conditions needed to meet the desired site-specific objectives, fire intensities and ignition methods, and a risk evaluation to safely execute the prescribed fire while considering the effects of the fire on other resources, including smoke impacts. Containment lines would consist of natural barriers, existing roads, streams, or constructed firelines. Firelines would be rehabilitated as appropriate including installing water bars, revegetation, and blocking of the ‘take offs’ on roads to prevent illegal motor-vehicle use. Pine Plantation Treatments A total of 17,300 acres (10% of Foothills Landscape) of pine plantation thinning could be implemented within the project area. The project would improve forest health in overstocked pine stands, and would focus on young, overstocked, even-aged pine stands that were established during the last half-century. Due to high stocking rates, there are currently 24,724 acres of young, unmaintained pine plantations that are at risk for southern pine beetle or other bark beetle infestations. About 13,800 acres of pine plantations are proposed for commercial thinning to reduce the risk for bark beetle infestations. Thinning would reduce the basal area to less than 80 ft2/ac. Using prescribed fire (previously discussed) in coordination with thinning treatments would be applied in these infested areas to best meet restoration objectives. An estimated 3,500 acres of thinning is also proposed in pine plantations where trees sizes are small. Thinning could include crown-touching release or pre-commercial thinning. Treatments would reduce stocking to improve site resources, improving the health and vigor of residual trees. In these areas with smaller diameter trees, using fire for ecological purposes would be preferred, but not required, to achieve desired outcomes. 58 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Response to Insect & Disease Outbreak The project area is impacted by outbreaks of southern pine bark beetles, ips bark beetles, gypsy moths, and hemlock wooly adelgid. If isolated spots of tree mortality from insect or disease rapidly forms and spreads into significant infestations across a wide range of stands, then intervention to curtail the impacts of these invasive pests would occur when The treatment required to mitigate the effects of an outbreak are pest specific. For example, if the project area becomes infested by bark beetles, these infested areas may receive suppression treatments followed by connected reforestation actions. Suppression of bark beetle infestation could include cut-and-leave operations, especially in areas without direct access. Infested areas with direct or logical points of access could be treated through cut-and-remove salvage harvests. These treatments would be implemented in a manner consistent with the Forest Plan while improving forest health and reducing hazards to visitors for safety or legal reasons. Follow-up connected reforestation actions may include site preparation activities (manual, herbicides and/or prescribed burning), artificial regeneration by planting of ecologically suitable tree species, and subsequent release treatments using manual methods or herbicides. In the event of an ips beetle outbreak, the treatment would be similar to southern pine beetle except the material must be removed from the site to be effective. The work would be prioritized based on the specific issues related to the infestations. For example, if the infestation is along a private boundary, it may be a high priority to treat/suppress these areas to prevent spread onto non-FS lands. If the infestation is threatening a recreation site with large pine trees that are part of the visual appeal of the site, then the priority may be there. The most logical areas would be those that could be accessed for treatment. Actions to suppress the outbreak are time sensitive and would need to be able to respond as soon as possible to reduce threats to sensitive places and loss of timber. Most salvage contracts are short threemonth windows. The approach to mitigating the effects of the hemlock wooly adelgid are outlined in the Hemlock Conservation section (page 54) of the proposed action. Proposed Actions to Maintain or Restore Connectivity: Create Young Forest Young forest habitat would be created primarily as a result of restoration treatments in pine and oak forests as described in the Biologic Integrity section above (page 46). Two-aged regeneration harvests used to restore declining southern yellow pine species (est. 5,800 acres), regeneration for the maintenance of oak /oak-pine forest to improve successional stage diversity in the oak community (est. 2,000 acres) and the restoration of off-site plantations to native oak or southern yellow pine forest types (est. 1,700 acres) would create a total of up to 9,500 acres of young forest. The proposal also includes up to 500 acres of young forest creation in more mesic hardwood stands. This would represent about 3% of the mesic deciduous forest in the Foothills Landscape. Young forest in more mesic sites differs from that created in drier sites (pine and oak) and provides habitat for a different suite of species (such as ruffed grouse). Young forest creation in mesic hardwood stands (yellow poplar dominated) would be implemented through two-aged regeneration harvests, retaining an average residual basal area of 15 – 20 ft2/acre. This would result in large continuous openings in the forest canopy for the 59 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests regeneration of a new age class to occur. Oaks and hickories would be preferred leave trees in harvest units. Trees reserved from cutting would be retained in a non-uniform pattern and retained indefinitely to form the two-aged condition. Following the commercial harvest, sites would be prepared for natural regeneration by treating small diameter stems that persisted through the commercial harvest. This vegetation would be treated using manual methods (slashed down). Sites regenerated under this treatment are expected to regenerate naturally to the pre-harvest composition (yellow poplar dominant). Individual oak trees, if present in the regenerating stands, would be managed through release treatments (manually). Release treatments may be applied one or more times during the first 10 – 15 years of regeneration. There are also opportunities to create young forest by treating the boundaries of permanent openings such as wildlife openings, utility corridors, and selected road segments. This treatment (known as “daylighting”) is the practice of removing the overstory tree canopy within a certain distance from the open area (road or utility corridor, wildlife opening) to create young forest and increase edge habitat for wildlife benefit. This type of treatment would occur in areas where opportunities for other young forest treatments are limited, but where the slopes are gentle enough to complete the work. Up to an additional 500 acres of young forest would be created by these treatments. The edges of permanent openings may be treated by removing most or all of the trees within a 25 to 50-foot buffer around or alongside the opening. Designate Old-Growth Achieving the old-growth conservation goals for the Foothills Landscape would be focused on the 14 applicable watersheds that do not meet the 5% minimum old growth objective from the Forest Plan. A minimum of 3,578 acres of small block old-growth allocations would be made in these watersheds. The allocations would be arranged in a mosaic across the landscape and be connected by other habitat types. Additionally, there are 720 acres within watersheds already meeting the 5% old-growth designation that are recommended for designation. Overall, it is proposed to designate an additional 5,050 acres as old-growth in the Foothills Landscape. This treatment does not follow the condition-based or adaptive management approach outlined in the introduction of this document. Old-growth by forest stand has been determined for two reasons: first, information was incorporated from surveys completed by Georgia Forest Watch, and it is known that these areas contain old growth characteristics; and second, stands have been identified to ensure that other treatments not consistent with old-growth management do not occur in these areas while the projects are implemented. The stands proposed for designation are listed in Appendix D. Maintain, Expand, or Construct Permanent Openings There are currently 184 wildlife openings in the Foothills Landscape totaling approximately 275 acres. Maintaining these openings would be accomplished by a combination of mowing, disking, prescribed burning, and/or periodic replanting with a preferred seed mixture or plant. Herbicide use to reduce non-native invasive plant species in wildlife openings would be used as prescribed under the decision for both the Vegetation Control: Non- native Invasive Species and Shortleaf Pine Restoration Release project on the Chattooga River Ranger District and the Non-native Invasive Species Treatment project on the Blue Ridge and Conasauga Ranger Districts. There is the potential to create/expand/maintain permanent openings on up to 1% of the area within each 6th level HUC unit (sub-watershed) in the Foothills Landscape. This is up to 1,400 60 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests acres. This would result in a well-distributed network of permanent openings across the landscape. The creation of new permanent openings would be primarily connected to timber harvest activities. New openings would range in size from one to three acres and could be managed in a variety of ways: as grass/forb habitat, either as “food plots” (high-quality clover mixes) or native grasses and forbs, shrub habitat, or as pollinator habitat, with specific plantings for birds and butterflies, such as monarch butterfly. It is anticipated that approximately 80 – 90% of the new openings would be managed as food plots, 10 – 20% as native grasses, shrubs, or pollinator habitat. The edges of the openings would be feathered into the adjacent forest stands for additional value as cover and a food source. Replace Barriers to Aquatic Organism Passage There are an estimated 225 stream crossings known to occur in the Foothills Landscape, with that number likely being much higher. Barriers to aquatic organism passage (mainly culverts) exist at many, but not all, of these locations along important Foothills Landscape streams. The replacement of barriers with appropriate structures (bottomless culverts, bridges, or low-water fords) is proposed in conjunction with other treatments, i.e. stream habitat and road improvement projects. This would involve removal of existing structures, installation of new structures (if warranted), and associated road reconstruction. Improve Trail System and Enhance Developed Recreation Several enhancements to existing developed recreation opportunities are proposed within the Foothills Landscape. All developed recreation site and trail improvements and activities would be evaluated for social, financial and environmental sustainability using the USFS Southern Region Sustainable Recreation Evaluation Tool called PACEit! (Propose, Assemble, Collect, and Evaluate), a four-step process used by the USFS Southern Region to evaluate recreation sites; 6 and the Natural Resource Management (NRM) corporate database where condition surveys are stored for developed recreation areas that highlight deferred maintenance needs per site. Trail construction and re-routes proposed would follow the guidance of the Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook (USFS 2007), Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds (Hancock et al. 2007), and IMBA Trail Solutions (http://www.imba.com/trail-solutions).A total of up to 50 miles of new trail construction and 111 miles of re-routes is proposed throughout the Foothills Landscape. Both construction and rerouting would include the removal of vegetation, construction of trail tread using manual and mechanical methods, and/or construction of structures such as turnpikes, causeways, retaining walls, climbing turns and switchbacks to increase the sustainability and longevity of the trails. It also includes installation and maintenance of drainage structures such as culverts, low-water crossings, bridges and water diversion devices. 6 An example can be found on the project webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52509 61 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Areas proposed for trail work, including creation of loop opportunities instead of out-and-back trails, include the Willis Knob, Bear Creek, Stonewall/White Twister, and Jake and Bull. This trail work would be considered new trail construction. Where system trails have been identified as being in poor condition or having low-visitor satisfaction 7, those trails would be proposed for trail reroutes. For example, sections of the Oakey Mountain OHV System would be re-routed to minimize conflicts of OHV vehicles accessing private property, reduce soil and water concerns, and minimize illegal off-trail use. Converting roads to designated trails in areas of the Bear Creek and Pinhoti trail systems is proposed. Approximately six miles of road could be converted to trails in order to enhance existing use opportunities. This work would include changing the designated use type, narrowing segments of the existing road surface by excavating the road embankment, removing culverts or other infrastructure, and filling/ stabilizing to trail standard. Photo 10 Horse Riding on the Jake and Bull Trail System The project proposes to improve parking totaling approximately three acres at Pinhoti, Bear Creek, Jake and Bull, Willis Knob, Dicks Creek, Stonewall/White Twister Trailheads, and Holly Creek Day Use Area. Parking improvements and expansions would comply with Federal Highways Administration road specifications (Standard Specification for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/specs/). This may include the removal of vegetation, grading of the area, drainage improvements if necessary and the installation of parking or traffic barriers such as berms, rocks, or gates to restrict access. The addition of accessible fishing piers at Holly Creek Day Use Area is also proposed. This would entail clearing areas for expansion and appropriate grade using mechanical equipment. Please refer to Map 23, Map 24, and Map 25 for the location of these recreation sites and trails. Change Motorized Access Designations The Forest is proposing changes to the maintenance levels or the season of use to the Forest Service road system that would restrict or change motorized access on some roads or trails (see Table 4). There are also roads and trails proposed for decommissioning (see Decommission Forest Roads and Trails in Soil and Water Quality section below, page 67). Please refer to Map 26, Map 27, and Map 28 for all proposed changes. To find out more about the difference between the Maintenance Levels, see the Guide for Road Maintenance Levels at https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/11771811.pdf. Seasonal closures would occur on roads as suggested by the Travel Analysis Report and Forest Service staff to reduce traffic therefore reducing erosion and sediment rates. Identifying and 7 The Region 8 Trail Rapid Assessment tool provides a ranking of trails based on trail condition and visitor satisfaction. 62 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests implementing these changes on roads that are hydrologically connected to a waterbody (defined by Watershed Condition Framework as within 300 feet of a waterbody) would be a high priority. The proposal includes converting 54.3 miles of road to Maintenance Level (ML) 1 or ML 2 – Administrative Use Only and upgrading 2.9 miles of the Tibbs ATV Trail to ML 2 – Administrative Use Only. These roads and trails, that are currently open to the public, would be closed to the public year-round. There are also15.9 miles of road and 3.4 miles of the Rocky Flats full-sized jeep trail (ML1) currently open year-round proposed for seasonal closure (ML 2 – Seasonal Restriction). Seasonal changes would include an update to the Motorized Vehicle Use Maps, and would require barriers such as berms, rocks, or gates to restrict motorized access during the closure period. There are discrepancies between road/trail segment lengths between two GIS databases used by the Forest Service. Where these differences were found, the greater segment lengths were recorded and rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a mile as presented in Table 4. Table 4 Changes Proposed to the Forest Service System Roads and Trails System That Would Modify Motorized Access Route No. Route Name Miles Current Maintenance Level (ML) Proposed Maintenance Level (ML) Section (if applicable)/ Comments Roads Conasauga Ranger District 1 Doogan Mountain 1.2* ML 3 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 1A Doogan Mountain Branch A 2.3 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only** 148 Rymer 0.4 ML 2 ML 1 MP 0.8 (USFS boundary) to MP 1.2 end of road** 148A Rymer Branch A 0.7 ML 2 ML 1 MP 0.4 (USFS boundary) to MP 1.1 end of road** MP 1.3 (USFS boundary) to MP 2.5** MP 0.0 (Dill Creek) to MP 1.2 (Emory Creek Trailhead) 18* Holly Creek 1.2 ML 3 ML 5 Pave section of road and replace bridge over Holly Creek 218 Muskrat Creek 2.9 ML 3 63 ML 2 - Seasonal Restriction From Windy Gap Trailhead to end of road Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Route Name Miles Current Maintenance Level (ML) Proposed Maintenance Level (ML) 218A* Muskrat Creek Branch A 0.9 ML 3 ML 1 218B* Cohorn Branch 1.0 ML 3 ML 1 279 Wiggins Camp 2.2 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only** 51C* Ken Mountain 1.4 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only ** MP 0.0 to MP 1.4 51D Horseshoe Bend Camp 0.9 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only ** MP 0.1 to MP 1.0 630A Mill Creek Branch A 0.8 ML 2 ML 2 - Seasonal Restriction 630B Hickory Ridge 2.8 ML 2 ML 2 -Seasonal Restriction MP 0.7 to MP 3.5 630H Muddy Branch 1.0 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only ** Existing gate already ML 2 Admin Use Only Was not accessible as ML 2 because the road to access was OHV Trail Route No. Section (if applicable)/ Comments 78A* Dill Creek 0.8 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 78C* Lower Emory Creek 5.0 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only Was not accessible as ML 2 because the road to access was OHV Trail 78E* Upper Emory Creek 2.8 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only Was not accessible as ML 2 because the road to access was OHV Trail 78F* Raccoon Branch 2.1 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only Was not accessible as ML 2 because the road to access was OHV Trail ML 1 Road is drivable for 2.25 miles all along the Pinhoti Trail +/- 0.6 miles to Trailhead 90A Stillhouse 2.3 ML 3 64 Foothills Landscape Project Route No. Route Name Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Miles Current Maintenance Level (ML) Proposed Maintenance Level (ML) Section (if applicable)/ Comments Blue Ridge Ranger District 135 Three Sisters 2.4 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 450 Ash Bridge 0.9 ML 2 ML 1 83 Bull Mountain 1.8 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 98 Dunn Branch 1.1 ML 2 ML 1 MP 0.0 to MP 2.4 MP 1.8 to MP 3.6 Chattooga River Ranger District 14 Stroud Mountain 0.7 ML 2 ML 1 157 Gold Mine (Willis Knob) 0.4 ML 2 ML 1 157B Holden Cemetery 0.9 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 159 Pollywah Knob 3.0 ML 2 ML 2 - Seasonal Restriction 258 Whispering Pine 0.2 ML 2 ML2 Administrative Use Only 266 Long Branch 0.6 ML 2 ML1 267 Oakey Mountain 1.5 ML 2 ML 1 27 Crow Creek 1.7 ML 2 ML 2 – Seasonal Restriction 321 Raper Mountain 1.0 ML 2 ML 1 376 Raper Creek 1.0 ML 3 ML 2 MP 0.0 to MP 1.0 376 Raper Creek 1.1 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only MP 1.0 to MP 2.1 65 From intersection of FR 157.B to end of road MP 0.1 to MP 0.23** Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Route Name Miles Current Maintenance Level (ML) 376A* Chastain Branch 1.5 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 410 Ann Gap 2.9 ML 2 ML 2 Administrative Use Only 416 Stonewall Knob 1.7 ML 2 ML 2 -Seasonal Restriction 417 Pigpen Gap 1.6 ML 2 ML 2 -Seasonal Restriction 429 Upper Bad Creek 0.9 ML 2 ML 1 517 Muscadine 0.6 ML 2 ML 1 60 Nester Creek 4.5 ML 2 ML 2 – Administrative Use only POWER COMPANY ROW; they will still require access 60A Nester Creek Branch 1.1 ML 2 ML 2 – Administrative Use only** POWER COMPANY ROW; they will still require access 8 Upper Cliff Creek 1.4 ML 2 ML 2 - Seasonal Restriction 825A Hollifield Place 0.5 ML 2 ML 1 825B Timber West Spur 0.8 ML 2 ML 1 84 Sockem Dog 0.8 ML 2 ML 1 844 Mack Mountain 1.6 ML 2 ML 2 – Administrative Use Only 977A Rile Bend 1.5 ML 2 ML 1 Route No. Proposed Maintenance Level (ML) Trails 630D Rocky Flats (CRD) 3.4 ML1/ full size trail 66 ML2 - Seasonal Restriction Section (if applicable)/ Comments MP 0.0 to MP 2.9 POWER COMPANY ROW; they will still require access Foothills Landscape Project Route No. OHV TRAIL 78G (78) Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Route Name Miles Current Maintenance Level (ML) Proposed Maintenance Level (ML) Tibbs ATV Trail (CRD) 2.9 OHV Trail < 50” ML 2 Administrative Use Only Section (if applicable)/ Comments *Not included in proposed action at scoping Proposed Actions to Improve Soil and Water Quality: Improve Existing Road System It is proposed to improve the condition of existing roads including culverts, stream crossings, surface material, and configuration using recommendations in the Riparian Restoration, Roads Field Guide (USFS 2005) and Georgia’s Better Backroads Field Manual (Georgia Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. 2009). Priority considerations for road improvements would be given to roads contributing excess sediment to waterways, where access needs and or safety hazards are greatest. Road improvements in other watersheds are expected to take place by implementation area schedule or as conditions warrant. Please see Road Related Actions in the Connected Actions section on page 80 for additional information regarding proposed road work. Decommission Forest Roads and Motorized Trails Decommissioning Forest Service System roads and motorized trails is proposed to reduce the risks to water quality where sediment is being delivered to stream channels. Non-motorized, lowuse, and user-created trails are also proposed for decommissioning, but discussed in the Improve Sustainability of Recreation Experience section (page 70). This proposal includes decommissioning of known roads and trails listed in Table 5 where the current conditions are currently impacting soil and water quality and the roads are no longer needed. Decommissioning would result in roads currently open to the public be closed and removed from Forest Service System road inventory. See Map 26, Map 27, and Map 28 for all proposed changes to the roads and trails in the Foothills Landscape. 67 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Photo 11 Forest Road Damage that is Impacting Soil and Water Resources and Visitor Safety and Enjoyment Decommissioning of roads includes a range of potential activities such as complete removal of all stream crossing fills and culverts; crushing and burying inlets (and/or removal) of cross-drain culverts; construction of waterbars and leadoff ditches; restoration of stream channels; partial removal of fill material from swales; outsloping of the road surface; excavation and/or stabilization of road cut and fill failures; seeding and mulching disturbed areas; and obliterating take-offs. This work may also include temporary diverting of live streams, pumping, bailing, draining, sheeting, bracing and miscellaneous items required for execution of the work. All actions would follow Georgia BMPs and methods for the varying conditions. One option, as an example, would be to fill ditches and restore the roadway to the approximate original ground contour or shape to blend with the terrain. The roadbed would be loosened by ripping or scarifying to the depth of 12 inches. All embankments would be pulled, and the material applied to contour or fill ditches and/or haul it to designated areas. Construction of waterbars and the scattering of any available slash on the obliterated roadway would provide erosion control and seedbed protection. Another method would be to shape the roadway to drain water, construct waterbars, fill ditches, outslope the roadbed and loosen the roadbed by ripping or scarifying to the depth of 12 inches to provide a seedbed and promote establishment of vegetation. Scattering of any available slash on the obliterated roadway would occur for seedbed protection. Finally, the roadbed would be loosened by scarifying to the depth of 12 inches. Construction of waterbars and eliminate all ruts and low spots that could hold water. Scatter any available slash on obliterated roadway. 68 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 5 shows all roads and trails proposed for decommissioning and removal from the system. Table 5 National Forest System Roads and Trails Proposed for Removal from the System and Decommissioning 8 Route No. Route Name Current Maintenance Level (ML) Miles Proposed Access Change Roads Conasauga Ranger District 1* Doogan Mountain 1.3 ML 2 Decommission road from MP 1.3 to MP 2.6 10 Rock Creek 0.4 ML 2 Decommission road from MP 1.6 to MP 2.0 51C Ken Mountain 0.4 ML 2 Decommission Road from MP 1.4 to MP 1.8, last 0.4 miles 630F Mill Creek Spur 0.7 ML 1 Decommission entire road Blue Ridge Ranger District 135 Three Sisters 0.8 ML 2 Decommission road from MP 2.4 to MP 3.2 at existing tank trap to end of road 135A Three Sisters Br A 0.7 ML 2 Decommission entire road 262 S. Bryant Creek 1.6 ML 2 Decommission entire road 288 Cochran Falls 0.3 ML 2 Decommission road from MP 0.45 to MP 0.75 365 W. Jones Spur 0.5 ML 2 Decommission entire road Chattooga River Ranger District 25B Dads Ridge 1.6 ML 1 Decommission entire road. 290B Lucy Gap 0.6 ML 2 Decommission entire road 318 Adams 1.1 ML 1 Decommission entire road 319A Shoal Branch 1.0 ML 1 Decommission entire road 319B Crow Mountain 0.6 ML 1 Decommission entire road 8 There are discrepancies between road/trail segment lengths between databases. The road lengths in Table 5 are the greater segment lengths recorded and were rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a mile. 69 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Current Maintenance Level (ML) Proposed Access Change 0.5 ML 1 Decommission road from MP 0.9 to MP 1.4, last 0.5 miles 1.1 ML 1 Decommission entire road OHV Trail Decommission last 1.8 miles beyond junction with Rock Creek trail Route No. Route Name Miles 511B Raven Rock 720 Reynolds Trails OHV Trail 631 Tatum Lead OHV Trail 1.8 OHV Trail 176 (78B) Milma Creek ATV 3.5 < 50” OHV Trail < 50” Decommission OHV Trail segment between OHV Trail 78.G - Tibbs ATV trail and OHV Trail 154 -Windy Gap *not included in proposed action Improve Sustainability of Recreation Experience Additional recreation improvements designed to reduce sediment delivery to streams while also improving the sustainability of recreation opportunities are proposed 9. Many of the previous activities proposed, such as trail re-routes, and access changes would also benefit soil and water quality. Approximately 15 miles of trail in low-use areas, such as Murrys Lake Trail, Peeples Lake Trail is proposed for decommissioning. Work would include scarifying the existing trail section, modifying tread for proper drainage, removing stream crossings and/or cross drains. Development of an official designated trail system adjacent to Chattooga River is also proposed and is included as part of the proposed new trail construction. It is intended to engage with local boaters, fly fishermen, Trout Unlimited and the Chattooga Conservancy to evaluate existing trails, determine access needs, and add or decommission trails as needed to create a network of pathways and access areas that meet the needs of the visitors, while providing for long-term protection and stabilization of the riverbank ecosystem along the Chattooga River in the areas adjacent to the Highway 28 bridge. This assessment may result in adding additional trail miles (estimated miles of which were included in the 50 miles of new trail construction previously proposed) and/or decommissioning user created trails and dispersed campsites. User created trails and dispersed campsites within 50 feet of the Chattooga River corridor would be decommissioned unless posted with an official sign (36 CFR 261.50(e)(6)). Decommissioning the existing trail section would include modifying tread for proper drainage, scarifying, revegetating areas as needed, and preventing trampling of vegetation using social engineering. This proposal to rehabilitate and address the currently unmanaged recreation in the area was introduced by the Chattooga Conservancy during collaboration and would complement the canebrake restoration that is proposed in the same area. 9 Most of the recommendations from the Whissenhunt OHV Trail Assessment have been initiated and are not included in this proposal because the decision on the Whissenhunt OHV Trail System Improvement authorizes the work. 70 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Boggs Creek Campground and Oakey Mountain Campground are proposed to be officially decommissioned for overnight visitation. Campground decommissioning would include closing the access roads with physical barriers and removing all infrastructure and facilities. A site assessment would be conducted at Boggs Creek to see the feasibility of reducing the services and converting to a day-use area. Some roads within the recreation area may be decommissioned and seeded with native or non-perpetuating vegetation. The majority of the amenities, including the picnic tables, fire rings, kiosks, and signage would be removed. If the assessment results with removal of the vault toilet, all material would be properly disposed and the remaining hole backfilled. All decommissioning projects would be thoughtfully planned out and every effort would be made to notify visitors of changes. The developed recreation sites ranked by the Regional Sustainable Recreation Site model as moderate or low financial sustainability are listed in Table 6. These sites are known recreation sites that have been prioritized for more immediate action. A complete assessment would be conducted to determine the amount of investment the Forest can incur to maintain a site affected by a triggering event. The occurrence of any of these factors may trigger a change in site management. Each site would be evaluated to determine existing funding sources, potential partnership opportunities, availability of alternative funding sources, and the potential for reducing services or partial decommissioning. If none of these alternatives are found to be viable, the site would be considered unsustainable and may be fully decommissioned. Decommissioning work includes closure of the access roads using physical barriers and removal of all infrastructure and facilities. Throughout this process, the public would be notified of proposed changes and would have opportunities to comment (refer to the sustainable recreation evaluation and matrices in Appendix E). In the event that a change in condition occurs on other sites within the Foothills Landscape, the priority of these sites would be reassessed or may change. Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the Foothills Landscape area. Sites would be assessed individually for environmental and social impacts as indicated in the dispersed recreation Photo 12 Photo of Dispersed Campsite on the matrix (see Appendix E). Dispersed camping sites Banks of the Chattooga River. Note Bare, Compacted Ground in Close Proximity to would remain open in areas officially signed Surface Water. within 50 feet of perennial stream channels. If a site is not officially signed opened, camping is prohibited to protect soil and water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. Site decommissioning would include scarification, construction of physical barriers, installation of signs to inform users of closure, and monitoring. 71 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 6: Recreation Sites Identified in the Foothills Landscape with Moderate or Low Financial Sustainability Recreation Site Name Site Type Current Conditions/ Known Concerns Willis Knob Horse Camp, Chattooga River Ranger District Campground Interest in more connecting trails and loops that offer varying distances Dicks Creek Dispersed Camping Area, Blue Ridge Ranger District Dispersed camping area No fees, minimal amenities, day use area, evidence of resource damage Dockery Lake Recreation Area, Blue Ridge Ranger District Campground 11 sites with amenities, water, flush toilet Dockery Lake Day Use Area, Blue Ridge Ranger District Group picnic area Picnic tables, grills, vault toilet Chestatee Overlook, Blue Ridge Ranger District Observation site No amenities, paved pull through Hickey Gap, Conasauga Ranger District Campground Five sites, picnic tables, grills, no fees, single vault toilet Shooting range Routine maintenance needed every 3-4 years. Road and drainage at trailhead need addressed. Restore ADA access. Two picnic tables, shelter, double vault toilets Holly Creek Day Use, Conasauga Ranger District Picnic area Swimming holes, trash issues, high sense of place for surrounding communities, sedimentation issues from the road, bridge repairs needed, wooden steps and viewing platform need maintenance. Three grills & picnic tables Cottonwood Patch, Conasauga Ranger District Campground Nine sites, handpump, troughs, double vault toilet. Monthly water testing required Cohutta Overlook, Conasauga Ranger District Observation deck Repairs needed along stairway and viewing platform Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, Conasauga Ranger District Dispersed camping area Group camping area. Access road and trailhead (Emery Creek Trail) need gravel and barriers. No facilities on site Lake Conasauga Overflow Camping Area, Conasauga Ranger District Group camping area Six sites, double vault Sumac Creek Shooting Range, Conasauga Ranger District 72 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Recreation Site Name Site Type Current Conditions/ Known Concerns Murrays Lake, Conasauga Ranger District Day use only Trail and access issues identified. Consider removing bridge and making improvements to boat launch. No facilities on site Mill Creek Overlook, Conasauga Ranger District Observation deck Graffiti, some dumping, wooden, decked structure Barnes Creek Picnic, Conasauga Ranger District Picnic area One table, no grill, railed path and catwalk over falls. Cascading waterfall 73 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Features Table 7 Project Design Features for Alternative 2 of the Foothills Landscape Project Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Soil and Water Watershed total impervious area (TIA) should not exceed 10%. Impervious surfaces are those that prohibit the movement of water from the land surface into the underlying soil (ex. Roads, trails, and other compacted areas). All Project Specific Soil loss should not exceed the allowable soil loss (T-factor) for any given soil as estimated through NRCS. All Regional soil standard At least 85% of an activity area is left in a condition of acceptable potential soil productivity following land management activities. All Regional soil standard Operators should drive, operate, and store heavy equipment only within the proposed development footprint or the disturbed corridors of the surrounding roads and parking areas, so as to limit soil compaction and vegetation cover loss in the surrounding area. Additionally, bulldozer debris and excavated material from grading and digging operations should not be pushed into the surrounding natural forest areas. Construction should be designed and completed with no additional impacts to the riparian area. All heavy mechanical equipment use in parking lot expansion activities Project specific Soil rutting should be kept to a minimum. All heavy mechanical equipment uses Regional soil standard Compaction in an activity area should not exceed a 15% increase in bulk density in the upper 8 inches of the soil. All heavy mechanical equipment uses Regional soil standard Skidding would not occur within riparian corridors, except for at designated crossings. All mechanical vegetation management GA BMP 2009 p. 39 No heavy equipment, other than mechanical fellers, would be allowed to operate within the riparian corridors during harvest activities. The exception to this would be at designated crossings. All mechanical vegetation management GA BMP 2009 p. 42 Once the temporary roads, log landings, and skid trails are no longer needed, they would be closed to normal vehicle traffic so that illegal use is discouraged. The closures may include installation of an earthen barrier, re-contouring, decompaction, placement of logging debris along the road surface, seeding or placement of boulders. All mechanical vegetation management Standard contract Language 74 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Log landings and skid trail locations would be evaluated and approved by the Forest Service prior to harvesting in order to ensure that they are placed in locations with adequate drainage and away from sensitive soils or riparian areas as per the Georgia State Best Management Practices recommendations. All mechanical vegetation management Project specific Skidding and decking would be limited to designated and approved routes along ridges and gentle slopes to protect sensitive soils. Skidding would not be allowed on sustained slopes over 35%. Coordination will be completed when skid trails and decking coincide with system trails. All mechanical vegetation management Project specific Locate and construct firelines to minimize mineral soil exposure by utilizing natural barriers, installing firebreaks along the contour, and using gradual grades as outlined in the Forest Plan and Georgia’s Best Management Practices Handbook. Fire/fuels treatments GA BMP 2009 pp. 4950 The operator should try to move in a straight direction. Pivot turns should be kept to a minimum and turns should be conducted in a broad arc as the surrounding terrain and timber would allow in order to minimize soil disturbance. Care should be taken to avoid moving over the same piece of ground more than three times or use areas that have already been compacted through other activities. Mastication activities Project specific Temporary roads would follow the general contour as practical and would generally not exceed sustained grades over 10%. Temporary road construction GA BMP 2009 p. 26 The travel way of temporary roads would generally not exceed 14-16 feet except at turnouts and landings. Temporary road construction GA BMP 2009 p.27 Drainage structures, such as outsloping and waterbars, would be installed along temporary roads when the use of the road is no longer needed. Temporary road construction GA BMP 2009 p. 37 Temporary roads would be constructed on previous existing routes (old woods roads, skid trails, system trails) where possible to minimize the need for new temporary road construction. Temporary road construction Project specific All activities should be evaluated for their potential to affect NNIS. A risk assessment (Example in Appendix A of NNIS report) should be utilized prior to implementation of any activity to determine the risks and consequences of the action on NNIS and the necessary mitigations included as part of the activity. All Project specific Logging equipment must be inspected and found to be clean (free of vegetative debris) seed soils, etc. upon arrival to timber sale areas. Any mechanical vegetation management, fire/fuels treatments Standard timber contract Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) 75 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Known NNIS infestations must be shown on timber sale area maps. Ensure that equipment washing clauses are included in all ground-disturbing contracts and sales documents, and that clauses are discussed in pre-work conferences. Any mechanical vegetation management, fire/fuels treatments Standard contract language When possible, significant infestations of NNIS along planned access routes would be pre-treated systematically within timber sale areas in order to prevent the spread of NNIS into new areas. Any mechanical vegetation management, fire/fuels treatments Project specific Skidding through known populations of NNIS should be avoided to reduce the potential for spread. Any mechanical vegetation management, fire/fuels treatments Project specific No tree removal may occur within 0.25 mile of a known NLEB hibernacula at any time of the year (NLEB 4d rule) unless agreed to during consultation with Fish & Wildlife Service Any mechanical vegetation management Project specific (ESA Consultation) No tree removal may occur within a 150-foot radius of known, occupied NLEB roost trees during June or July each year (NLEB 4d rule) unless agreed to during consultation with Fish & Wildlife Service Any mechanical vegetation management Project specific (ESA Consultation) Milkweed species would be avoided during herbicide spraying. Herbicide use Project specific Within individual project areas to be implemented within the Foothills Landscape area, an assessment of existing acres of permanent openings would be completed prior to implementation to determine the maximum allowable acreage of new openings (up to 1% of the National Forest acreage in each 6th level watershed). Permanent openings would be managed as traditional grass/forb (food plots), shrub, native grass/forb, or pollinator habitat as appropriate for the site. Any mechanical vegetation management Project specific When feasible, native plants that support pollinators would be planted on the forest where appropriate i.e. including logging decks, wildlife openings, powerline, and road rights-of-way. This would specifically include planting milkweed for monarch butterflies. (Work with interested non-profits and organizations to determine the correct plants to consider and the proper locations to conserve and enhance the pollinator habitat across the landscape.) Any mechanical vegetation management Project specific Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Vegetation Management 76 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Within individual project areas to be implemented within the Foothills Landscape area, an assessment of existing acres of young forest habitats (stands less than 11 years old) would be made prior to implementation to determine the maximum amount of young forest that could be created. Such assessments would be tiered to the applicable Management Prescription allowances contained within each individual project implementation area. Young forest habitats would not be created in excess of the maximum amounts allowed by each Management Prescription singly or combined. All vegetation treatments that create young forest habitats (10,500 acres) Project specific (MRx compliance) For the mesic hardwood regeneration proposed on 500 acres to create young forest habitats, regeneration treatments would be limited to yellow poplar dominated stands or stands dominated by other non-oak cove hardwood associates. This would include Forest Types 50, 56, 58, and/or 41. All vegetation treatments in mesic hardwood regeneration (500 acres) Project Specific Soil injection treatments of Imidacloprid or Dinotefuran would not be applied in areas of highly permeable soils (gravelly or sandy soils). Herbicide/Pesticide Use Project Specific Soil injection treatments of Imidacloprid or Dinotefuran would not be applied in areas of where there is a presence of surface or standing water. Herbicide/Pesticide Use Project Specific Soil injection treatments of Imidacloprid or Dinotefuran would not be applied to hemlock trees whose roots are in direct contact with streams or standing water. Herbicide/Pesticide Use Project Specific Herbicides are applied according to labeling information and the site-specific analysis done for projects. This labeling and analysis are used to choose the herbicide, rate, and application method for the site. They are also used to select measures to protect human and wildlife health, non-target vegetation, water, soil, and threatened, endangered, proposed, and sensitive species. Site conditions may require stricter constraints than those on the label, but labeling standards are never relaxed Herbicide/Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM Only herbicide formulations (active and inert ingredients) and additives registered by EPA and approved by the Forest Service for use on national forests are applied. Herbicide/Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM Public safety during such uses as viewing, hiking, berry picking, and fuelwood gathering is a priority concern. Method and timing of application are chosen to achieve project objectives while minimizing effects on non-target vegetation and other environmental elements. Selective treatment is preferred over broadcast treatment. Herbicide/Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM Notice signs will be clearly posted, with special care taken in areas of anticipated visitor use. Herbicide/Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM 77 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Each Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), who must ensure compliance on contracted herbicide projects are a certified pesticide applicator. Contract inspectors are trained in herbicide use, handling, and application. Herbicide/Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM Contractors ensure that their workers use proper protective clothing and safety equipment required by labeling for the herbicide and application method. Herbicide/ Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM During use, equipment to store, transport, mix, or apply herbicides is inspected daily for leaks. Herbicide/ Pesticide Use VMEIS-AM Known populations of Threatened & Endangered, Sensitive and Locally Rare plants would be protected by placement of a buffer zone around them where possible. The appropriate measures would be determined in coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. All Project Specific Botanical surveys would be completed in accordance with Forest risk assessments in suitable habitats for T&E and Sensitive species prior to any ground disturbing activities. Any ground-disturbing activities Project Specific All activities Project Specific Vegetation management activities would not utilize existing trails as access routes without a review by recreation staff. Trails used would be restored to the original trail width and characteristics if determined appropriate per sustainable recreation objectives. Blaze trees that define the trail corridor would not be cut unless to mitigate safety concerns. Any mechanical vegetation management Project specific Coordinate with district recreation staff to post advance notices when trails or recreation sites are to be closed during harvest operations and prescribed burning. Any mechanical, fire or fuels treatments Project Specific Trails treads, roads, or facilities would be rehabilitated to pre-existing condition if damaged during project operations, in coordination with district recreation staff. Any mechanical, fire or fuels treatments Project Specific Botanical Resources Heritage Resources Cultural Resources sties with an eligible or undetermined National Register of Historic Places status will be avoided and protected from project effects. The standard avoidance method will consist of a 100-foot protective buffer around each site, or as determined through consultation with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer and interested Tribes. Recreation (Including Scenic Integrity) 78 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Project Design Feature, Best Management Practices, and Standards Triggering Activities Origin Vegetation treatments that occur within or adjacent to developed sites, dispersed sites, or trails would be coordinated with local recreation /facility staff to protect facility and lessen impacts to visitors to the extent possible. Project activities that occur within or adjacent to developed sites, dispersed sites, or trails would be conducted outside the major use season whenever possible, with the understanding that most facilities are open year-round. Developed sites will be temporarily closed for visitor protection during active operations. Portions of sites and trails may be temporarily closed for visitor protection or possible restrictions placed on silvicultural activities during times of high use. Any mechanical, fire or fuels treatments Project specific Where possible, while implementing proposed treatments, make improvements within recreation sites and along system trails. Examples include cleaning up logs and debris from past projects, removing hazard trees surrounding developed sites, and/or cutting existing stumps to less than six inches. Any mechanical, fire or fuels treatments Project specific Harvest facilities such as temporary roads and landings, and fireline construction will be assessed for continued use to meet other resource needs (i.e. additional trailhead parking, loop trails, wildlife openings, etc.) Any mechanical, fire or fuels treatments Project Specific Layout of regeneration areas would incorporate a no-harvest zone between unit boundaries and open Forest system roads that have a HIGH scenic integrity objective. Any mechanical vegetation management Project Specific Layout of regeneration areas by design would leave areas un-harvested along prominent ridge-lines and/or sites of higher elevation that have a HIGH or MODERATE scenic integrity objectives to reduce “sky-lighting” effects and to obscure areas of lower elevation in regeneration. Any mechanical vegetation management Project Specific Fire/ Fuels treatments USDA Forest Service Southern Region’s Smoke Management Guidelines Air Quality Minimize the amount and concentration of smoke entering populated areas; prevent/ minimize public health and safety hazards, including impacts to sensitive sites (schools, hospitals, etc.), visual impacts on highways, airports, etc. (both day and night); avoid exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); and protect visibility in Class 1 areas 79 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Connected Actions Road Related Actions Temporary road construction would occur to provide access for the timber harvest and could include removal of vegetation, brushing of roadside vegetation, surface blading, spot placement of gravel, improvement or installation of drainage structures, and erosion control (including reclamation of sites). Temporary roads would be rehabilitated to restore to original condition once all connected actions where road access is needed are completed. Road reconstruction activities could include curve widening or realignment to accommodate timber hauling activities, removal of vegetation in roadbed surface, replacement of existing culverts and drainage structures to address present and future resource needs and BMPs, spot surface placement of gravel, and erosion control. An assumption of 142 – 213 miles of reconstruction is estimated over the life of the project based on average of historic needs associated w/ timber harvest (CCF). Road maintenance activities would be conducted on segments of the existing miles of Forest Service System roads in the project area that could be utilized for the vegetation management activities included in this proposal. More than 260 total miles of system road exist in the project area. Activities could include surface blading, brushing of roadside vegetation, spot placement of gravel, maintenance or improvement of drainage structures, and erosion control. A fully functioning Forest Service System Road is properly graded (insloped or outsloped between 3% and 5%) allowing surface water to quickly and efficiently be directed off the road (see Figure 4 for a typical road cross section). Road drainage structures (culverts, drain dips and/or waterbars) are installed at appropriate spacing and sizes to allow road surface water to be directed off road in a manner to minimize or prevent sediment transport and erosion of road surface and road fill slopes. Rule of thumb recommendations for the appropriate spacing of drainage features are a function of road longitudinal grade and can be found in the Georgia Better Back Roads Field Manual, page 36. Roads that do not meet desired condition do not allow for surface water to be directed off of road. This can be the result of the road not having adequate drainage features installed, the road being fully entrenched, an outsloped road shoulder having a berm or an insloped road not having an adequate drainage ditch. Fully entrenched roads have berms or cut slopes on both the left and right side of the travel way. This results in storm runoff being trapped on the road and leads to road surface being heavily eroded parallel to the road centerline. Outsloped roads with a shoulder berm prevents runoff from being shed uniformly across the fill slope and concentrates runoff on the outsloped berm edge again resulting in erosion of the road traveled way. Insloped roads without adequate drainage ditching and properly spaced drainage features prevents runoff from being collected in the drainage ditch and results in the erosion of the road. In general storm runoff that is not properly directed off a road results in road surfacing sediment transport, erosion of the road and erosion of the road fill slope. Options for dealing with existing roads that are not effectively handling storm runoff should be evaluated utilizing a cost-benefit analysis including proximity of road to streams and amount of sedimentation and erosion from road. 80 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Option 1: Existing roads can be graded (grader or dozer) to a smooth and uniform road surface correcting any existing road erosion removing existing traveled way rills and or gullies. This option would not correct existing road entrenchment or shoulder berms on outsloping cross slopes. On insloping roads with an existing drainage ditch, the ditch could be cleaned. Existing drainage features could be cleared and maintained to increase functionality. Option 2: Existing roads can be graded (grader or dozer) to a smooth and uniform road surface correcting any existing road erosion removing existing traveled way rills and or gullies. Roads that are fully entrenched or have outsloped shoulder berms present could have drainage features installed at appropriate spacing. This would require installation of drainage features with lead out ditches installed through areas of fill to allow storm runoff to exit the road traveled way. Insloped roads could have drainage ditch improved or installed with associated drainage features improved or installed to convey storm runoff off the road traveled way. Option 3: Existing roads can be reconstructed to remove entrenchment and allow for effective and efficient storm runoff conveyance from road traveled way. Roads should be outsloped at 3% to 5% where appropriate to allow for uniform storm runoff to exit road traveled way uniformly over the road fill slope. Sections of insloped roads should have a fully functional drainage ditch with appropriately sized and spaced drainage features to convey storm runoff across road traveled way. Drainage features should be constructed at the appropriate size and spacing along entire road alignment ensuring storm runoff is conveyed effectively and efficiently from road traveled way. Road surfacing can be installed to prevent or minimize any sediment transport from road traveled way. Figure 4 Diagram of a Typical Road Cross-Section 81 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Landing Construction or Re-opening Log landings used for ground-based harvest units would be located near existing Forest Service system roads where suitable sites can be identified, or along temporary roads a short distance from permanent roads if needed. Landings would be developed at least 100 feet from riparian corridors to provide adequate buffer distance between ground disturbance and streams. Landings would be typically cleared of vegetation and maintained as openings during operation periods, with periodic clearing to maintain proper drainage for overland flow and help maintain dry soils during use periods. Landings generally would be subjected to compaction during the equipment use periods. Locations of landings would be carefully evaluated with consideration and review from other resource areas to include the possibility of conversion to permanent developed sites, such as trailheads and/or wildlife openings. Fireline Construction Fireline would be constructed to contain prescribed burning and includes the use of hand tools and/or mechanical equipment such as bulldozers. The fireline would be between 3 feet and 16 feet wide depending on the terrain and expected flame lengths of the fire. Existing roads or trails may be used if they meet requirements for location and firefighter safety. The vegetation and leaf litter would be cleared from the line using chainsaws, hand tools, leaf blowers, or other equipment necessary to meet desired conditions. It is estimated that there would be possibly up to 520 miles of new fireline needed for the implementation of the treatments. Herbicide Use The Proposed Action includes the use of herbicides for connected site preparation, release and midstory control treatments in certain restoration and maintenance treatment areas (See Vegetation Specialist Report). Herbicides would be directed at targeted vegetation using backpack sprayers or other hand tools; no aerial or broadcast applications would be prescribed. Table 8 shows the estimated rates of herbicides that could be applied. Site preparation: In areas proposed for southern yellow pine and oak restoration, chestnut orchard establishment, and oak regeneration, harvested areas would be site prepared for regeneration using a combination of foliar and/or cut-stump methods through directed applications of herbicides. Treatments would be directed at non-desirable woody vegetation remaining on site following the thinning - typically stump sprouting vegetation less than 6 feet tall (foliar method) or standing trees from 1 inch to 8 inches dbh (cut-stump method). Release: Connected release treatments would be employed in areas proposed for southern yellow pine and oak restoration, chestnut orchard and oak regeneration to promote growth of planted or naturally regenerating seedlings. Planted and/or naturally regenerated seedlings would be released one or more times by directly applying herbicides to competing vegetation within a 3 to 4-foot radius of seedlings using basal bark/streamline, cut-stem or foliar spray methods. Selection of treatment methods for release would be informed by the degree, type and size of competing vegetation, risk to non-target vegetation and preferred season of application (dormant versus growing season). Midstory Control: In areas proposed for open woodland restoration and shortleaf pine and Oak Maintenance, midstory vegetation would be treated with herbicides to create a more open understory environment. Midstory vegetation would be treated using a combination of foliar, 82 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests basal bark/streamline, cut-stump, and/or tree injection methods through directed applications of herbicides. Foliar methods would be employed to treat stump sprouting vegetation and other woody vegetation less than 6 feet in height as a connected action following proposed thinning treatments (Oak Maintenance, Woodland Restoration, and Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance). Cut-surface methods (cut-stump or tree injection) and basal bark methods would be used for taller vegetation or as an alternative to foliar applications for shorter vegetation as a connected action following proposed thinning treatments (Oak Maintenance, Woodland Restoration, Southern Yellow Pine Maintenance) or the primary action for oak mid- story treatments or oak crown-touching release. Rare community/species areas (wetlands/bogs/canebrakes/small whorled pogonia/smooth coneflower/other species of concern): To provide a competitive advantage for rare species or communities, over-story and midstory vegetation would be treated with herbicides. Woody vegetation would be treated using a combination of basal bark/streamline, cut-stump, and/or tree injection methods through directed applications of herbicides. Cut-surface methods (cut-stump or tree injection) and basal bark methods would be used to achieve desired conditions. Wildlife openings: To control unwanted woody and herbaceous vegetation, foliar application of glyphosate and/or imazapic would be used. Herbicide would be applied with back-pack sprayers or boom sprayers. Estimated herbicide rates to be applied under the proposed herbicide treatments are shown in in the table below (Table 8). Table 8 Estimated Rates of Herbicide to Be Applied for Site Preparation, Release and Midstory Control Treatments 10 Application Method Pounds (Lbs.) Active Ingredient (Ai)/Gallon % (Fraction) in Solution Gallon of Solution/Acre Lbs. Ai/Acre Imazapic Foliar 2 0.5% 10 0.1 Glyphosate Foliar 4 2% 20 1.6 Glyphosate Foliar 4 7% 15 4.2 Triclopyr (amine) Cut-Surface (cut stump and tree injection 3 50% 1.0 1.5 Triclopyr (amine) Foliar 3 4% 15 1.8 Triclopyr (ester) Streamline/basal 4 20% 1.5 1.2 Triclopyr (ester) Foliar 4 2% 15 1.2 Pesticide 10 From the Vegetation Specialist Report, Appendix B. 83 Foothills Landscape Project Pesticide Imazapyr Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Application Method Pounds (Lbs.) Active Ingredient (Ai)/Gallon % (Fraction) in Solution Gallon of Solution/Acre Lbs. Ai/Acre Foliar 4 0.5% 20 0.45 Risk analysis of imidacloprid soil injection applications were done at 0.4 lbs./acre (active ingredient). Risk analysis for dinotefuran soil injection were done at 0.54 lbs./acre (active ingredient). *This application is related to release of chestnut seedlings in an orchard setting Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study There were 11 recommendations for alternatives that were considered but not analyzed in detail. One was already authorized under existing decisions, three included treatments already proposed in the proposed action, and seven that would either not meet the purpose and need of the project or forest plan or other law, regulation, or policy. See the Foothills Landscape Project Scoping Summary Report (2018) in the project record for more information regarding how and why each alternative was considered. 84 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Environmental Impacts An interdisciplinary team of professional resource specialists assessed two alternatives, a noaction alternative (Alternative 1) and the proposed action (Alternative 2), to determine the potential for significant impacts in terms of context and intensity. Each resource was analyzed in relation to these alternatives using indicators and measures to evaluate the change in conditions which would result as they relate to applicable law, policy, Forest Plan standards, applicable issues, and/or purpose and need. The projected changes are expressed as direct, indirect, or cumulative effects, summarized briefly in the “impacts” section below. For full detailed analyses, technical reports can be found in the project record and on the project website. Issues As a result of scoping, the Forest received 72 letters from interested and affected parties and agencies that contained about 310 comments. Individual comments from each document were considered and categorized to help focus the analysis. “Relevant Issues” were identified as a result of public scoping. These issues were addressed by modification of the proposed action or development of alternatives. Other issues were carried through analysis as determined by internal discussions and public scoping. All issues identified as relevant or used to focus analysis were those that could have potential impacts from the proposed action and considered alternatives, potential significance, or the ability to meet the need of the project. A thorough description of issues and concerns identified as a result of scoping can be found in the Foothills Landscape Project Scoping Summary Report (2018). Impacts This section discloses the environmental impacts of Alternative 1 (No Action) and Alternative 2 (Proposed Action) on issues, and/or the intensity factors as they relate to potential significance, or ability to meet the purpose and need of the project. Analysis indicators and measures, as well as temporal and spatial scales, were variable and dependent upon the issues discussed. These parameters were determined by best available science, available GIS data, and professional opinion. Air quality and cultural resources were reviewed for sufficiency and for supporting resource information in corresponding specialist reports that can be found in the project record, but were not carried forward in this EA. Aquatic Resources For specific and complete information regarding aquatic resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Aquatic Resources Specialist Report. Table 9 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. 85 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 9 Aquatic Resource Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Description For aquatic habitat and species analyzed: the riparian corridors of cold and cool-water streams and impoundments on National Forest lands within the Foothills Landscape Project boundary, plus 1 mile downstream of the project area boundary. Spatial Bounds For designated critical habitat (CH): portion of the CH that occurs in the Foothills Landscape Project boundary, and within 1 mile downstream of the furthest Forest Service boundary. Temporal Bounds of Effects 10 years following each treatment Indicators Effects on the lake, stream, or riparian habitats and the effects on aquatic habitat quality, connectivity, and designated critical habitats for Threatened and Endangered Species, Regional Forester Sensitive Species, Locally Rare species, and Management Indicator Species. Measures • Change in percent canopy cover within the riparian corridor. • Change in the amount of impervious surface in each 6th-level watershed. • Change in aquatic habitat connectivity. • Acres of potential ground disturbing activities in riparian corridors in the Foothills Landscape Project. Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Restoration actions that reduce sedimentation in aquatic habitats would not be implemented and would therefore result in continued degradation of aquatic biota habitat. • In areas where hemlocks in riparian areas provide canopy cover, Alternative 1 would not attempt to conserve those trees from the loss of hemlock woolly adelgid, and consequently, could result in canopy cover reduction in the long term. • Under Alternative 1, small scale projects with limited timber harvest or prescribed fire would continue to be planned and occur, and conditions in the project area would be expected to continue towards recovery from past land use but at a slower rate than Alternative 2. • Alternative 1 is expected to have a very limited change to percent canopy cover, the amount of impervious surface, the amount of aquatic connectivity or acres of ground disturbing activities. • Cumulatively, any effects on riparian canopy cover would be short term and small scale and would have a very low level of effects on riparian canopy cover. Any effects to impervious surfaces would be a very small percentage of the analysis area and not expected to exceed 10% of any watershed and would not appreciably increase the level of effects on aquatic resources. 86 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Cumulatively, Alternative 1 would not improve aquatic habitat connectivity to the desired level and the current aquatic habitat connectivity is likely to persist until connectivity is improved for watersheds with barriers. In addition, any cumulative increase in ground disturbing activities under Alternative 1 would be short term and small scale and would not appreciably increase the level of effects on aquatic resources. • Alternative 1 will have no effect on the finelined pocketbook, Alabama moccasinshell, Coosa moccasinshell, southern clubshell, southern pigtoe, Georgia pigtoe, ovate clubshell, or triangular kidneyshell. • Alternative 1 will have no effect on blue shiner, Etowah darter, or Conasauga logperch. • Alternative 1 will have no effect on Designated Critical Habitat Unit GP1; Conasauga River or Unit 25: Oostanaula River/Coosawatte River/Conasauga River/Holly Creek, Floyd, Gordon, Whitfield, Murray Counties Georgia; Bradley, Polk Counties Tennessee. • Alternative 1 will not affect the viability of the Brook Floater, the Alabama creekmussel, or the Alabama rainbow. • Alternative 1 will not affect the viability of the lined chub, bridled darter, holiday darter, or coldwater darter. • Alternative 1 will not affect the viability of the dwarf black-bellied salamander or patchnosed salamander. • Alternative 1 will not affect the viability of the Georgia beloneurian stonefly or the Edmund’s snaketail. • Alternative 1 will not affect Management Indicator Species or its habitat since there are no aquatic MIS. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ Land Resource and Management Plan does not list any aquatic species as a MIS. • Alternative 1 is consistent with Forest Plan goal 19 for Locally Rare Species. Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Most activities proposed under Alternative 2 would occur in upland habitats that are not directly connected to riparian corridors and therefore would not pose a significant risk or affect aquatic resources. • Activities proposed under Alternative 2 that would occur in riparian corridors could result in a change in acres of ground disturbance, change in percent canopy cover, change in amount of aquatic habitat connectivity, and a change in the amount of impervious surface. Activities that would occur in riparian corridors would be canopy gap creation in mesic hardwoods, young forest creation in mesic hardwoods, pine plantation maintenance, hemlock conservation activities, permanent opening improvement activities; stream improvement projects (aquatic passage projects, stream structure maintenance, adding large woody debris to streams, streambank stabilization), road and trail projects (decommissioning roads, ORV trails, other trails, dispersed sites; new trails, trail reroutes, improvements to parking), and improvements to canebrakes, bogs, and small-whorled pogonia sites, 87 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Cumulatively, any activities affecting canopy cover in riparian corridors (see Appendix F) would have short-term, low-level, and small-scale effects on riparian canopy cover. Any effects to the change in the amount of impervious surface in the watershed would be a very small percentage of the analysis area and not expected to exceed 10% of any watershed and would not increase the level of effect on aquatic resources. • Cumulatively, any effects from ground disturbing activities would be short term and small scale and would result in a low level of effects on aquatic resources. In addition, any effects on the change in aquatic habitat connectivity would be long term and small scale where barriers are resolved (AOP) but would benefit aquatic resources for watersheds. • Alternative 2 may affect, not likely to adversely affect finelined pocketbook, Alabama moccasinshell, Coosa moccasinshell, Southern clubshell, Southern pigtoe, Georgia pigtoe, ovate clubshell, Triangular kidneyshell. • Alternative 2 may affect, not likely to adversely affect Blue shiner, Etowah darter, and the Conasauga logperch. • Alternative 2 may affect, not likely to adversely affect on Designated Critical Habitat Unit GP1; Conasauga River or Unit 25: Oostanaula River/Coosawatte River/Conasauga River/Holly Creek, Floyd, Gordon, Whitfield, Murray Counties Georgia; Bradley, Polk Counties Tennessee. • Alternative 2 may impact individuals but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability of the Brook Floater, the Alabama creekmussel or the Alabama rainbow. • Alternative 2 may impact individuals but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability of the lined chub, bridled darter, holiday darter or the coldwater darter. • Alternative 2 may impact individuals but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability of the Dwarf black-bellied salamander or the patch-nosed salamander. • Alternative 2 may impact individuals but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability of the Georgia beloneurian stonefly or the Edmund’s snaketail • Alternative 2 will not affect MIS or its’ habitat since there are no aquatic MIS. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ Land Resource and Management Plan does not list any aquatic species as a MIS. • Alternative 2 is consistent with Forest Plan goal 19 (similar to Alternative 1) by determining whether project design or project design features would conserve these species. Although Alternative 2 does not specifically attribute project design features to locally rare species, many of the other resource areas (e.g. soil and hydrology) indirectly conserve several LR aquatic species. • Alternative 2 is compliant with the ESA requirement that the Forest Service manage for the recovery of T&E species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. 88 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Botanical Resources For specific and complete information regarding botanical resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Botanical Resources Specialist Report. Table 10 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 10 Botanical Resource Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Description Direct and Indirect: National Forest Lands with the Foothills Landscape Project Boundary Spatial Bounds Cumulative: All lands (including private) within the Foothills Landscape Project Boundary Temporal Bounds of Effects 15 years Indicators Effects on the abundance, distribution, and quality of preferred habitat and communities for Threatened and Endangered, Regional Forester Sensitive Species, Management Indicator Species, and Locally Rare species. Measures • Change in acres of rare communities. • Change in acres of Threatened and Endangered, Regional Forester Sensitive Species, Management Indicator Species, and Locally rare habitat elements. • Change in the determination effect from proposed actions. Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Rare communities such as Bogs, Fens, Seeps, and Seasonal Ponds; Highland Riverine Vegetation; Table Mountain Pine Forest and Woodland; Basic Mesic Forest; and Canebrakes exhibit the composition, structure, and function necessary to support the vigorous population of species characteristic of the community, but natural processes are not sufficient to maintain these conditions. Alternative 1 would not contribute to the conservation of species occurring in the Foothills Landscape and would not be consistent with the forest plan direction for these rare communities. • No management under Alternative 1 would be consistent with the forest plan direction for rare communities such as Cliffs and Rocks and Outcrop; Forested Boulderfields; Cliffs and Bluffs; Rock Outcrops; and Rocky Summits. Natural processes are sufficient to maintain these conditions. • The habitat element Bogs, Fens, Seeps, and Seasonal Ponds and Mature Oak Forest; is expected to maintain or decrease in distribution and abundance as a result of Alternative 1. • The habitat element Mature Mesic Hardwood Forests, Early Successional Forest, Canopy Gaps; and Woodlands, Savannas, and Grasslands would be maintained at approximately current distribution and abundance, though location of elements may shift over time as a 89 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests result of management action or inaction from the implementation of Alternative 1. Opportunity for decreasing risk to associated species is primarily through increasing rates of restoration where possible. • Abundance and distribution of the habitat elements River Channels, Late-Successional Riparian, and Basic Mesic Forest under Alternative 1 is maintained or improved by providing optimal protection, maintenance, and restoration to all occurrences (with limited exceptions in some cases). Little additional opportunity exists to decrease risk to viability of associated species because management is at or near optimal. • Implementation of Alternative 1 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect swamp pink. • Implementation of Alternative 1 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect small whorled pogonia. • Implementation of Alternative 1 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect white fringeless orchid. • Implementation of Alternative 1 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect smooth coneflower. • Alternative 1 does not include actions that contribute toward meeting Forest Plan goals and objectives. • There are no anticipated effects under Alternative 1 that would jeopardize the continued existence of any Threatened and Endangered (T&E) species or would cause a trend toward federal listing or reduce species viability of any Regional Forester Sensitive Species. Alternative 1 does not include any actions for the benefit of T&E species or does not include actions which may positively or negatively affect RFSS. • Habitat for Forest MIS would continue to be available under Alternative 1 and there are no effects that would contribute to a local or regional change in population status of these species. • There are no proposed actions which could combine with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions (cumulative) to affect botanical species, their habitats; and habitat elements; therefore, no cumulative effects are predicted. Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Rare communities such as Bogs, Fens, Seeps, and Seasonal Ponds; Highland Riverine Vegetation; Table Mountain Pine Forest and Woodland; Basic Mesic Forest; and Canebrakes exhibit the composition, structure, and function necessary to support the vigorous population of species characteristic of the community, but natural processes are not sufficient to maintain these conditions. Active management under Alternative 2 would contribute to the conservation of species occurring in the Foothills Landscape and would 90 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests be consistent with the forest plan direction. Project design features would be protective of this habitat. • Implementation of Alternative 2 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect swamp pink. Alternative 2 is likely to be beneficial to the viability of this species because of the protective measures for individuals and sites of federally listed species and control of exotic species threatening federally-listed species, active management would improve the bog habitat that this species depends on. • Implementation of Alternative 2 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect small whorled pogonia. Alternative 2 is likely to be beneficial to the viability of this species because of the protective measures for individuals and sites of federally-listed species and control of exotic species threatening federally-listed species, active management would improve the habitat conditions for this species. • Implementation of Alternative 2 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect white fringeless orchid. Because of the protective measures for individuals and sites of federally-listed species and control of exotic species threatening federally-listed species, active management would improve the bog habitat that this species depends on. • Implementation of Alternative 2 may affect and is not likely to adversely affect smooth coneflower. Alternative 2 is likely to be beneficial to the viability of this species because of the protective measures for individuals and sites of federally-listed species and control of exotic species threatening federally-listed species, active management would improve the woodland habitat that this species depends on. • Active management proposed under Alternative 2 and implemented with project design features would provide long-term benefits to rare communities and would contribute to the conservation of species occurring in the Foothills Landscape. • Alternative 2 includes actions which are designed to meet Forest Plan goals and objectives and are consistent with all Forest Plan standards. • There are no anticipated effects under Alternative 2 that would jeopardize the continued existence of any T&E species or would cause a trend toward federal listing or reduce species viability of any RFSS. • Alternative 2 includes actions designed to improve habitats for some RFSS, project design features to protect or minimize adverse effects to RFSS habitats, and is consistent with the USFS manual requirement to analyze, if impacts cannot be avoided, the significance of potential adverse effects on the population or its habitat within the area of concern and on the species as a whole. • Alternative 2 is compliant with the ESA requirement that the USFS manage for the recovery of T&E species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. 91 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Alternative 2 is consistent with the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) in that it includes actions with the purpose of maintaining viable populations of all native and desired non-native botanical resources and conserving all listed T&E populations. • Alternative 2, when combined with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions, would cumulatively benefit botanical species and their habitats by increasing the quality and diversity of the habitats that benefit botanical species. Climate Change For specific and complete information regarding climate change, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Climate Change Specialist Report. Table 11 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 11 Climate Change Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Temporal Bounds of Effects Description Climate Change: The Foothills Landscape Project Boundary Short Term: Within 10-15 years following treatment. Long Term: Occurring over several decades. Indicators Effects from climate change Measures Change in the resources affected by climate change Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • The Alternative 1 (No Action) would result in no change to the current trend for carbon storage or release. Forested stands are expected to become less resilient to possible climate change impacts, such as changes in productivity or insect and disease. • Under Alternative 1, not acting to improve forest health or to restore hardwoods and southern yellow pine ecological systems would likely result in lower carbon sequestration. Consequent results are an increase in carbon emissions in the future as the result of forest decline, wildfires and increased insects and disease activity in the project area. • Under Alternative 1, CO2 releases would be minimal, short-term and offset by long-term forest management practices that absorb and store CO2 away from the atmosphere. However, CO2 releases or sequestration from this alternative would not be measurable at the global scale. • Cumulatively, increased risks of wildfires and insect and disease outbreaks in the larger geographic area are unlikely even with a warmer and drier climate. 92 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Alternative 2 would increase the amount of early successional habitat adding to structural and habitat diversity. These management actions would provide stand and forest conditions that are more resilient to dryer and hotter conditions that are predicted to occur with climate change. • Higher release of carbon over the short-term, with increased carbon storage over the long term as forest stands become more diverse and resilient would occur under Alternative 2. • Thinning and restoration of southern yellow pine under Alternative 2 would increase the amount of available water and other nutrients necessary to sustain growth and help stands withstand stress from climate changes. • Under Alternative 2, treatments that favor retention of desirable hardwoods and shortleaf pine coupled with prescribed fire (under an existing decision) would result in less loblolly pine trees in the future. Shortleaf would be better adapted to the drier sites and stocking control would keep these stands healthy. Restoring shortleaf pine on stands now occupied by loblolly pine would increase habitat diversity and result in new stand compositions that are better able to withstand extreme weather events along with dryer conditions. • The potential for insect and disease damage would be reduced because uniform stand conditions would be broken up by treatments under Alternative 2. • Alternative 2 would initially release carbon, leave fewer trees to store carbon, but would also create and maintain an herbaceous layer with a capacity for carbon storage and which may be more resistant to long-term climate change. • Cumulatively, greenhouse gas emissions and storage or release of carbon from forests in and around the Foothills Landscape and the geographic area is unlikely to have measurable cumulative impacts on global climate or the rate of change. Continued management of NFS lands would result in forests that are more resilient to climate variability. Fire and Fuels For specific and complete information regarding fire and fuels, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Fire and Fuels Specialist Report. Table 12 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 12 Fire and Fuels Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Description Expanding Ecological Role of Fire (50,000 acres): Foothills Landscape Project Boundary Spatial Bounds Protecting Communities from Wildfire (2,000 acres): Wildland Urban Interface Area within the Foothills Landscape Project Boundary 93 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Parameter Description Protecting Communities from Wildfire Temporal Bounds of Effects Indicators Measures • Short-term: Less than 7 years. • Long-term: As long as treatments are being maintained (project specific). Expanding Ecological Role of Fire • Short-term: Less than 10 years. • Long-term: 10-80 years or more. Effects on the WUI Risk Index and Fire Condition Class. • Change in the ability to protect communities from wildfire. • Change in the amount of acreage moving from a higher condition class to a lower condition class. Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Alternative 1 would provide for continued degradation of current forest conditions outside of current treatment units and would result in a continual increase or maintenance of acres within FCC3. This would result in an increased level of risk of an unwanted wildland fire both in and out of the WUI across the Foothills Landscape. • The No Action Alternative (Alternative 1) would continue to result in more intense wildland fires in both the short and long-term duration of the project. This continued degradation of current forest conditions would increase fuel growth and fuel loadings that result in fires that are more severe, increasing overall fire size, duration, and suppression costs. Fires would be more likely to move into the WUI and affect communities at risk. • Cumulatively, while prescribed burns across the project area would continue to be implemented under a variety of separate NEPA documentation under Alternative 1, they would have limited coordination with other treatments, which would lead to slower results with reduced influence across the landscape. 94 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Alternative 2 would expand the ecological role of fire and would also include hazardous fuels reduction and mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to provide protection to communities from wildfire. For specific information regarding fire and fuel resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Fire and Fuels Specialist Report. • Alternative 2 would result in the creation of vertical fuel breaks and a direct reduction or modification of the ground, midstory, and ladder fuels creating defensible space and a reduction in extreme fire behavior. • Alternative 2 would result indirectly in lowered flame lengths, decrease in spotting distances, and a decrease in fireline intensities, thereby increasing success of fire suppression. Photo 13 Pheasant Branch Prescribed Burn • Alternative 2 would support both actions protecting communities from wildfire and expanding the role of fire through prescribed fire is often seen as most the most practical way to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation • Alternative 2 would trend fire condition classes (FCC) towards a FCC1 on 32% of the Foothills Landscape Project area. • Alternative 2 would reduce the risk level from high to moderate on up to 2,000 acres. • Cumulative with other actions, Alternative 2 would reduce catastrophic fire behavior, facilitate fire suppression activities, and increase the likelihood of suppression success within adjacent WUI areas that range from a moderate to high risk. Hydrology For specific and complete information regarding hydrology, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Hydrology Specialist Report. Table 13 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 13 Hydrology Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Description 12-digit HUCs (6th-field) within the Foothills Landscape Project Area 95 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Parameter Temporal Bounds of Effects Indicators Measures Description Short-term: Less than 10 years. Long-term: Greater than 10 years. Effects on the risk to water beneficial uses • Change in the risk of sediment loading • Change in the percentage of impervious surfaces • Change in the risk of affecting beneficial uses Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Alternative 1 is not expected to produce direct effects to the risk of sediment in the short or long term. No vegetation treatments, prescribed fire, decommissioning of roads, trails, or campgrounds, or AOP or other aquatic habitat improvements would be implemented and thus no direct effects are expected. • Indirect adverse effects to water quality may be expected in the short and long term under Alternative 1. Roads, trails, campgrounds, dispersed campsites and user-created trails that impact water quality would not be restored and the risk of sediment is expected to persist in the short and long term. • Overall, the direct and indirect effects of Alternative 1 plus the cumulative effects resulting from other projects is likely to result in a “low risk” to beneficial uses because the combination of project design, project design features, and best management practices are designed to minimize sedimentation and effects to water quality; and the foreseeable future actions are not anticipated to result in total impervious area (TIA) to rise above 10%. Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects The potential project effects to hydrologic function and water quality were analyzed assessing existing watershed conditions and the potential effects in the context of applicable law, regulation, and policy. For specific information regarding hydrology resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Hydrology Specialist Report. • The risk of increased sediment loading for vegetation treatments is low due to a brief increase of sediment movement during and immediately after mechanical activities in areas local to the treatments. However, risk is not expected to increase over the entirety of the short term, or into the long term at the scale of 6th-field watersheds. • Prescribed fire is planned and implemented so that burning does not result in high soil burn severity or increased sediment production. Prescribed fire under Alternative 2 may increase the risk of sediment loading if storm events impact burned areas directly after 96 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests treatments. However, through the short and long term, an increased risk of sediment loading from prescribed fire is expected to be low at the 6th-field watershed scale. • Road decommissioning is not likely to appreciably contribute sediment to the waterway over the short or long term. There could be an increased risk of localized sediment loading to surface waters during and immediately after restoration if storm events damage erosion and sediment control measures. However, this increased risk is not expected to persist beyond the time it takes for restoration activities to be completed and this treatment would ultimately result in a decrease in total impervious area. • Access changes can reduce risk of damage such as rutting, which in turn reduces risk of sediment loading to waterbodies. Decommissioning and access changes are expected to have a low risk of increasing sediment during completion of the activity or immediately after road decommissioning but will ultimately reduce sediment loading in the short and long term. • Decommissioning of camping and trail areas located in close proximity to water is expected to have a low risk of increased sediment loading through completion of activities but would ultimately reduce the sediment loading over the short and long term as soil infiltration capacity and vegetative and litter cover is improved. • Aquatic organism passage and stream habitat restoration projects could have a low risk of increasing sediment loading during and immediately after implementation, but these project activities are expected to reduce the sediment loading in the short and long term. • Alternative 2 would result in a “low risk” to beneficial uses due to the combination of project design, project design features, and best management practices as these planning efforts are designed to minimize the effects to water quality including sediment loading. • Overall, the direct and indirect effects of Alternative 2 plus the cumulative effects resulting from other projects is likely to result in a “low risk” to beneficial uses because the combination of project design, project design features, and best management practices are designed to minimize the effects to water quality; TIA is not anticipated to rise above 10% for the majority of the watersheds; and multiple activities are proposed to reduce sediment movement to streams and to reduce impervious area, which would lower TIA in the respective watershed. Inventoried Roadless For specific and complete information regarding Inventoried Roadless, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Inventoried Roadless Specialist Report. Table 14 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. 97 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 14 Inventoried Roadless Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Temporal Bounds of Effects Indicators Measures Description Lands designated as IRAs within the Foothills Landscape boundary. Limited only by any future modifications of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule which may change boundaries or temporal scales. Impacts to Roadless characteristics as identified by the 2001 Roadless Rule (Roadless Area Conservation FEIS (FEIS Vol. 1, 3-3 to 3-7, November 2000). Trending direction (Improving, Stable, or Downward) Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Under Alternative 1, Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) would be managed according to the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule) and the ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and would be maintained in the short term. Over the long term, effects to water quality within the IRAs would occur from dispersed recreation sites continuing or increasing sediment delivery to streams. Forest health would continue to decline from insect and disease, and habitats for TES would be slightly degraded over time from inaction. Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • The overall soil, water and air resources will be improved through the implementation of the Watershed Condition Framework to restore watershed processes. Long term effects to water quality would be improved by any road, trail, or maintenance activities aimed at reducing sediment delivery to streams. Short term effects to air quality from prescribed burning activities could occur. • Sources of public drinking water would be maintained or improved as a result of Alternative 2 decreasing sediment delivery to streams from forest management activities and the forest roads system. • The focus of treatments in the IRAs is to conserve eastern hemlocks and/or respond to the forest pests and other natural disturbances in order to improve or maintain forest health. If left untreated, the potential effect of forest pests, including southern pine beetle and hemlock wooly adelgid could result in loss of diversity. • The treatments proposed under Alternative 2 in the IRAs are designed to improve biologic integrity, connectivity, resiliency from disturbance and to improve soil and water quality. All of these effects will benefit for Threatened & Endangered Species and species dependent on large, undisturbed areas of lands. • Alternative 2 is designed to improve the sustainability of the recreational experience on the landscape including enhancing the recreational experience and reducing the resource impacts from forest visitors. The treatments including reducing sediment delivery to 98 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests streams by improving or maintaining trails, recreation facilities and forest service roads positively contribute to this IRA characteristic directly. • While some immediate changes to the environment would be made under Alternative 2 as a result of daylighting hemlocks and/or associated reforestation activities (i.e. prescribed burning), the scenic integrity objectives would be met, and overall landscape character and integrity would remain stable. Terrestrial Wildlife For specific and complete information regarding terrestrial wildlife, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Terrestrial Wildlife Specialist Report. Table 15 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 15 Terrestrial Wildlife Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Description Direct and Indirect: National Forest Lands with the Foothills Landscape Project Boundary Spatial Bounds Cumulative: All lands (including private) within the Foothills Landscape Project Boundary 15 years Temporal Bounds of Effects Short-term: Less than 3 years Long-term: Greater than 3 years Indicators Measures Effects on the abundance, distribution, and quality of preferred habitat and communities for individual Threatened and Endangered, Regional Forester Sensitive Species, Management Indicator Species, and Locally Rare species. • Acres of habitats affected by project activities. • Total acres treated to create forest habitat. • Total acres of community maintained or restored. • Changes in road densities. • Changes in determination effects for species from proposed actions. Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Riparian habitat would be maintained or increase as foraging habitat for gray bat, eastern small-footed bat, tri-colored bat, and as preferred breeding habitat for Acadian flycatcher under Alternative 1. No changes to local populations would be anticipated. • Summer roosting/maternity habitat under Alternative 1 would continue to decline for Indiana bat. Local populations would be maintained or decrease due to white-nose syndrome. 99 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Cave and mine habitat would continue to decline (due to white-nose syndrome) for northern long-eared bat and tri-colored bat. Local populations would be maintained or decrease. Roost tree habitat would be maintained or increase under Alternative 1. No changes to local populations would be anticipated. • Under Alternative 1, oak habitat would be maintained or increase for Rafinesque’s bigeared bat, scarlet tanager, black bear, and white-tailed deer. No changes to local populations anticipated. • Rock outcrop and cliff habitat would be maintained for eastern small-footed bat and green salamander under Alternative 1. No change in local populations anticipated. • Bog habitat would continue to decline, and local populations of bog turtle would be maintained or decrease under Alternative 1. • Under Alternative 1, mid-late successional yellow pine community habitat would continue to decline. Local populations of northern pine snake and pine warbler would be maintained or decrease. • Monarch butterfly and white-tailed deer habitat would continue to decline. Local populations would be maintained or decrease. • Woodland habitats would continue to decline for monarch butterfly, northern pine snake, and field sparrow. Local populations would be maintained or decrease. • Young forest habitat for monarch butterfly, prairie warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, whitetailed deer, black bear, and ruffed grouse would continue to decline. Local populations would be maintained or decrease. • Snags, dens, downed wood (late-successional forest) habitat would be maintained or increase under Alternative 1. No changes to local populations anticipated for pileated woodpecker. • Under Alternative 1, remote habitat for black bear would be maintained or increase. No changes to local populations anticipated. • Habitat for ovenbird would be maintained or increase under Alternative 1. No changes to local populations anticipated. • Mesic deciduous forest with canopy gaps would continue to decline. Local populations of hooded warbler would be maintained or decrease. • Alternative 1 includes no actions which could combine with past, present, or reasonably foreseeable actions to affect terrestrial wildlife species or their habitats. 100 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Photo 14 Testing for Whitenose Syndrome in Bats • Alternative 2 may cause minor effects to late-successional riparian habitat, affecting 1.6% of riparian habitat each year for the life of the project while complying with project design features, and therefore may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect gray bat foraging habitat; may impact individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability for eastern smallfooted or tricolored bat; and would maintain abundant preferred habitat for Acadian flycatcher. • Alternative 2 may improve roosting and foraging habitat by creating more open canopy conditions, potentially affecting 8,057 acres of ‘suitable’ Indiana bat habitat, but may affect, is likely to adversely affect individual Indiana bats due to potential loss of occupied roost trees; however, Alternative 2 includes project design features for bat conservation, is consistent with Forest Plan, the biological opinion and incidental take statement and this satisfies the Endangered Species Act, Section 7(a)2 requirements for this species. • Alternative 2 would have no effects to caves and mines and tree removal would be prohibited within 0.25 mile of cave or mine portals. A more comprehensive list of activities is prohibited within the first 200 feet of the portal. • Alternative 2 may positively affect northern long-eared bat populations by improving foraging habitat, but may affect, is likely to adversely affect NLEB due to potential loss of unknown, occupied roost trees. Known, occupied roost trees and a 150-foot buffer would be protected during June and July; however, beyond this protection and the cave protection listed above, Alternative 2 is exempt from prohibitions under ESA section 4(d) and this satisfies requirements for this species. • Alternative 2 would maintain and improve oak dominance on approximately 45,500 acres but would also result in a minor decrease (2.1%) in late-successional oak community. This may impact individual Rafinesque’s big-eared bats but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability. Scarlet tanager habitat would decrease slightly in the short term but maintained and potentially increased over the life of the project and beyond; and black bear and white-tailed deer may experience minor, shortterm decreases in hard mast availability, but a long-term increase due to maintenance activities. 101 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Alternative 2 would protect rock outcrops or cliffs and their immediate vicinity, however, this alternative combined with cumulative effects of other projects may impact individual small-footed bats or green salamanders but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability. • Alternative 2 would improve up to 35 acres of bog habitats and may impact individual bog turtles but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability. • Alternative 2 would restore 7,500 acres and maintain 12,400 acres of fire-adapted yellow pine, create open-canopied woodland stands on 7,400 acres, and decrease the acreage of non-fire-adapted yellow pine in the landscape, greatly improving potential pine snake habitat. This may impact individual pine snakes but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability. Pine warbler habitat would be increased and maintained by this Alternative. • Alternative 2 would create, expand, or improve up to 1,400 acres of permanent openings, benefiting white-tailed deer. Approximately 10% of this would be managed as pollinator habitat; this would benefit but may impact individual monarch butterflies but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability. • Alternative 2 would increase the acreage of woodland habitats by 7,400 acres, benefiting field sparrow, monarch butterfly, and northern pine snake. Individual monarch butterflies and pine snakes may be impacted but the project is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability for these species. • Alternative 2 would create patches of young forest on 10,500 acres across the landscape over the life of the project; Photo 15 Canebrake Rattlesnake these habitats would increase from less than 1% to approximately 6% of the area would benefit and increase potential habitat for prairie warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and black bear; this would also benefit but may impact individual monarch butterflies, but is not likely to cause a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability. • Alternative 2 would reduce the late-successional habitat acreage by 6,037 acres or 4% in the project area. Late successional stage habitats would still account for 69% of the habitats, well above the Forest Plan desired minimum range for this habitat stage, providing abundant resources for pileated woodpecker. • Alternative 2 would slightly decrease open-road density within the Foothills Landscape which would potentially benefit black bear by increasing remoteness. 102 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Alternative 2 would decrease the percent forest cover by less than 1%, maintaining a high percentage (97%) of forested habitat for forest interior birds such as ovenbird. • Alternative 2 would improve structural diversity on 8,100 acres of mesic forests, improving breeding conditions for hooded warbler. This alternative would also create 500 acres of young forest in mesic habitats; this is a minor decrease in mature forest. • Cumulatively with other actions on the Foothills Landscape, Alternative 2 would have some Photo 16 Bats Roosting in a Cave found in the Foothills affect in the short term to Landscape Threatened and Endangered, Sensitive, Regional Forester Sensitive Species, Management Indicator Species, and Locally Rare species. However, these impacts would be temporary and over the long term, many of these species and their habitats would benefit from improved water quality, reduced sedimentation, and increased diversity and quality of habitats. Recreation For specific and complete information regarding recreation, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Recreation Specialist Report. Table 16 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for analysis. Table 16 Recreation Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Temporal Bounds of Effects Indicators Measures Description National Forest System Lands within the Foothills Landscape Project Area that contain recreational opportunities. Short-term: Less than 5 years. Long-term: Greater than 5 years. Effect on environmental, financial, and social factors for developed recreation, dispersed recreation, and trails and related facilities. • Change in conditions or setting of existing opportunities • Change in funding, partnership, and personnel resources • Change of visitor satisfaction, visuals, and use patterns 103 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Under Alternative 1, recreation activities would be managed with existing resources in compliance with the Land and Resource Management Plan in high-priority sites. Non-priority site structures would continue to degrade; resource damage would likely increase in non-priority sites. • Conditions in dispersed areas would likely continue to degrade under Alternative 1. Deferred maintenance would increase. Trash, sanitation, and resource damage would likely increase. There would be a likely increase in cost to rehabilitate dispersed areas, create new partnerships, and/or close areas due to health and safety concerns. • Under Alternative 1, trail conditions are likely to continue to deteriorate and may result in an increase in soil and water issues. There is likely to be an increase in cost to repair deteriorating trails. Trails may deteriorate to the point that volunteer labor forces can no longer fix or maintain them, thereby making it necessary to contract out trail work at much higher costs or may lead to temporary or permanent trail closures for visitor safety. Photo 17 Damage to a Forest Road after a Culvert was Blocked with Debris during a Storm Event • Under Alternative 1, deferred maintenance costs would continue to increase for campgrounds. • Visitor safety, experience, and satisfaction are likely to decrease over time due to increase of deferred maintenance. Visitors may see an increase in trash, or amenities in need of repair, that may lead to temporary or permanent site closures for visitor safety. • Visitors experience may be decreased due to unmanaged site conditions • Visitor safety, satisfaction, and trail usage are likely to decrease as trail conditions worsen. Temporary closures may be necessary, and the loss of an opportunity long-term is possible. • Implementation of Alternative 1, considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future activities, is expected to have a negative cumulative effect on developed recreation. In developed areas where deferred maintenance is high, damage to the resource cannot be mitigated with this alternative. If this alternative is implemented, then limited resources may be spent on non-priority areas to maintain health and safety of the Forest visitor or services to the public would be reduced, and sites may be temporarily 104 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and/or permanently closed. With implementation of this alternative there can be no definitive shift of limited resources from non-priority sites to high-priority developed recreation sites. • Implementation of this alternative considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions is expected to have a negative effect on dispersed recreation areas and surrounding resources. In dispersed recreation areas along perennial streams, impacts from trash, sanitation and bare soil are likely to decrease soil and water quality. Resources needed to maintain and manage these recreation sites would likely not be available because they are low priority when managing the district and forest recreation programs. It is likely that additional funding and support would be needed to maintain these areas. Visitors would likely be unsatisfied with the condition of these unmanaged sites. • Implementation of Alternative 1, considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions, is expected to have a negative effect on trails, their related facilities and the surrounding environment. Limited activities related to trails would be ongoing in order to provide for visitor safety and protect soil and water resources. Routine maintenance of drainage structures and manual vegetation trimming of nonmotor trails within the FLP would continue to occur at the level that can be accomplished with current volunteer crews and partnerships. Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Actions proposed include additions, enhancements, and decommissioning projects for trails, developed recreation, and dispersed recreation areas. These actions have the potential to affect environmental, financial, and social factors (indicators) in both beneficial and adverse ways. For specific information regarding recreational resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Recreation Specialist Report. • For developed recreation, visuals may be temporarily affected by vegetation treatments. Long-term effects would be improved watershed condition and forest health, and ultimately an increase in visitor experience due to management of the resources. • For developed recreation resources, visitors may notice an increase in openings in the landscape immediately after vegetation treatments, and until regrowth begins. Increase in mechanical noise may be heard during (3-6 months) active treatments. There may be decreased access to developed recreation sites due to temporary closures. Recreation opportunities would be decreased if temporary closures are in place. Over the long term, since access roads would be improved for the timber removal, it is expected that recreation opportunities would increase. Improved access related to treatment implementation could mean better access for passenger vehicles to the developed site, thus increasing visitor use numbers in the long-term. Long-term effects for most areas would increase dispersed recreation opportunities by improving the setting to restore health, diversity, and productivity of the watersheds. 105 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • For trails and related facilities, trail users would temporarily be impacted by treatments that may result in displacement. Long-term effects for use on most trails would increase by properly locating trails, constructing enhancements and maintaining scenic visual integrity and settings. • Under Alternative 2, long term deferred maintenance costs would decrease for overall developed recreation program as a shift in financial resources is made to high-priority sites. • For trails and related facilities, additional opportunities to share funding and resources internally and externally to accomplish multiple objectives within the same geographical area would be available through shared stewardship. • Alternative 2 would have a long-term benefit of reduced sedimentation, improved water quality, and enhanced recreational experience in the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River Corridor from revegetation, decommissioning user-created trails, and restoration of dispersed campsites not consistent with current policy and/or Forest Orders, etc. In the short term, there may be effects to scenic qualities, but they would be minimized by the implementation of the project design features and the constraints of the Forest Plan. • A temporary effect on visuals and access for developed sites as treatments are implemented. However, long-term visitation to developed sites would increase and would be likely due to improved visuals and road access. Decommissioning campgrounds may cause some displacement of visitors to nearby dispersed areas. • The proposed treatments would likely increase the LRMP desired condition for creating a “visually-appealing landscape” and “park-like stands” (LRMP, 3-123). Visitors’ satisfaction may decrease on a short-term basis (one to two growing seasons) to address safety concerns and temporary closures during treatments however forest health would increase over the long term (future generations). Visitors’ satisfaction may decrease due to noise, smells, and visual effects near treatment areas. Visitors may be displaced and have to relocate to another dispersed or developed recreation site. • Vegetation treatments, wildlife projects, prescribed fire activities, and trail-specific projects such as rerouting or new trail construction may temporarily reduce or eliminate visitor access to a particular trail, section of trail, or trailhead area. Trail usage may decrease temporarily, however, the addition or enhancement of trail opportunities is very likely to increase both visitor usage and satisfaction over the long term. • Implementation of Alternative 2 considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions is expected to have minimal negative effects on the developed recreation environment due to minimal proposed actions within and surrounding developed areas within the Foothills analysis area. These effects would likely not have a significant impact on developed recreation and should increase desirable opportunities in the future. Resources needed to maintain and manage these recreation areas would likely be 106 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests available because they are high or forest priority areas requiring user fees that help support maintenance actions. • Implementation of this alternative considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions is expected to have a short-term negative effect on dispersed recreation areas and surrounding environmental settings. However, the long-term benefits of managing a healthy forest far outweigh the short-term inconveniences of having to move to another location. These effects would likely not have a significant impact on dispersed recreation and should increase desirable opportunities in the future. Resources needed to maintain and manage these recreation areas would likely be available because they are in active management areas. It is likely that additional funding and support would available to maintain these areas and obtained through shared stewardship. • Implementation of Alternative 2 considered with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions is expected to have minimal short-term effects on the trail environment due to increased disturbance of the ground and vegetation, minimal short term effects on the social aspect of trails due to the potential for displacement of users during project implementation, and short-term effects to the financial component due to the increase in funding needed to complete projects and the possibility of lost revenue if trails with fees are temporarily closed for use. However, the long-term benefits of cooperating with other divisions to implement actions that improve soil and water conditions, while helping us move towards a right-sized system of environmentally and financially sustainable trails that meet the needs of the recreating public far outweigh these insignificant short-term effects. Soils For specific and complete information regarding soils, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Soil Specialist Report. Although there is the potential that these activities will be occurring over the same piece of ground, for the purpose of this analysis, all the activities were analyzed separately as if they were occurring on separate pieces of ground. Table 17 shows the parameters used in the specialist report for the analysis. Table 17 Soil Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Temporal Bounds of Effects Description The Foothills Landscape Project Area. Short-term: Less than 10 years. Long-term: Greater than 10 years. Indicators Effects to soil stability, soil structure, soil strength, and soil burn severity Measures Change in the intensity, context, and duration of the indicators, and the significance of that change for the proposed activities associated with treatment 107 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Alternative 1 will have no direct effects on the soils, as soil disturbing project activities would not take place. For any areas in the project area that may be experiencing soil erosion, this alternative will not take action to reduce the erosion. Therefore, the current soil stability condition would remain the same or potentially decrease as erosion and surface flow over any bare soils is likely to remain the same or potentially increase existing sediment load in streams. • Mechanical harvest would not occur under Alternative 1 resulting in no new impacts to soil stability, structure, or strength from equipment. However, indirect effects of the No Action Alternative would include the lack of benefits to the soil resource from vegetation treatments. • Indirect effects of Alternative 1 would also include increased degradation of the existing unsustainable trails, camp sites, and roads. In their current state, continued use of these areas would increase erosion, increase compaction, decrease water infiltration, and increase puddling. • The lack of management actions under Alternative 1 would result in no direct change in the analysis indicators for soil stability, soil structure, soil strength, or soil burn severity. The current conditions would continue to persist without improvement from the actions proposed in Alternative 2, so any negative effects on soil stability, structure, strength, or soil burn severity are likely to continue or even increase until the time when natural processes may change those conditions. • Implementation of Alternative 1 considered together with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future activities would be expected to have a minimal long-term (751 acres or 0.5% of the Foothills Landscape) cumulative effect on soil quality Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects All the activities associated with proposed treatments in Alternative 2 have been analyzed separately as if they were occurring on separate pieces of ground. Although there is the potential that these activities will be occurring over the same piece of ground, there are numerous combinations as to when treatments may overlap or exactly where. However, the combination of activities on the same piece of ground would occur subject to Project Design Features (page 74) and would not compound the effects on soils. For specific information regarding soil resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Soil Specialist Report. • The largest negative effects to soil quality from Alternative 2 would be impacts to soil structure and strength mostly resulting from use of mechanical equipment (harvest activities, mastication, fire line construction/maintenance, wildlife opening creation/maintenance). • Alternative 2 would also result in some direct benefits to soil quality through activities. Short-term benefits would include increases in soil cover from mastication and increased plant growth within wildlife openings through restoration and maintenance. Long-term beneficial effects would be achieved through activities that moved the soil structure or 108 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests strength back towards natural conditions. These activities would result in achieving the purpose and need to restore soil and water quality across the watersheds within the Foothills Landscape. • Other activities proposed under Alternative 2 would enhance soil quality in areas considered as necessary infrastructure. Re-routing trails that have poor resource conditions or creating new trails to provide a more sustainable trail system would ultimately increase soil stability reducing the amount of erosion. Decommissioning developed or dispersed camp sites would improve soil stability, structure, and strength. Decreasing maintenance levels of roads or implementing seasonal closures would reduce the amount of traffic ultimately increasing soil stability. These activities would also result in achieving the purpose and need to restore soil and water quality across the watersheds within the Foothills Landscape. • The cumulative effects along with the proposed actions in Alternative 2 would have some adverse effects but would be a small portion of the Foothills Landscape (4.6%). The Region 8 soil quality standards are expected to be met within each activity area. Therefore, the majority of the Foothills Landscape is expected to be left in acceptable potential soil productivity following land management activities. Vegetation For specific and complete information regarding vegetation, the resources considered, the determined indicators, the affected environment, and the methodology of the analysis, please refer to the Vegetation Specialist Report. Table 18 shows the parameters used in the specialist reports for analysis. Table 18 Vegetation Parameters Used for Analysis Parameter Spatial Bounds Description The Foothills Landscape Project Area Successional Stage Habitats: 10 years Temporal Bounds of Effects All Other Vegetative Resource Conditions: 15 years Short-term: Less than 3 years. Long-term: Greater than 3 years. Indicators Measures Effects on stand structure and function, forest types, abundance of specific vegetation species, identified conservation areas or rare habitats, and resiliency to disturbance for forest vegetation. • Changes in acres of forest restored, reduced, or maintained • Change in the vulnerability of a species or forest type to insect, disease, or disturbance 109 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Alternative 1 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • Under Alternative 1, current conditions to vegetation resources would be perpetuated as no action or management would occur to any of the forest types. The observed decline of fire-adapted species in the project area is likely to continue, because no actions to restore or maintain these communities and their associated woodlands habitats would be undertaken. Seedling recruitment and survival would continue to decrease because of the closed canopy and dense understory conditions that are currently present. • Alternative 1 would perpetuate the departed conditions associated with FCC3 and the dominance of FCC3 on the Foothills Landscape. In addition to the continuation of the risk of increased wildfires there would be no treatments to influence conditions to promote the desired shade-intolerant, fire-tolerant species. • Alternative 1 would perpetuate the current conditions in susceptible pine communities. High risk of frequency and severity of southern pine beetle outbreaks would be likely to continue because no actions to maintain these vulnerable stands would be undertaken. Tree vigor in overstocked pine stands would continue to be poor since conditions would not be managed to reduce the stress caused by competition for limited resources. • Under Alternative 1, gypsy moth infestations and oak decline would be likely because no actions would address overstocked stand conditions to reduce stress. • Alternative 1 would also prevent the expansion of existing Hemlock Conservation Areas (HCAs) and prevent hemlocks from receiving needed silvicultural treatments that, overtime, were perpetuate hemlock decline throughout the landscape. Lack of these actions would not benefit structural diversity, enhance hemlocks position in forest composition, preserve genetic diversity, nor promote the species dominance in riparian corridors where they assist with stream flow and temperatures. • Cumulatively under Alternative 1, continued lack of action would not meet the Forest Plan goals and objectives for managing forest health and maintaining or restoring vegetation communities, nor the project’s purpose and need Alternative 2 Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects • There would be a 7,500-acre change/increase of fire-adapted yellow pine within the project area (shortleaf, pitch and/or table mountain pine). • There would be a 4,060-acre reduction in fire-sensitive Virginia pine, and an 850-acre reduction in off-site loblolly pine resulting in a reduction of the abundance of firesensitive or off-site yellow pine within the project area. • A change in stand structure and function to improve the reproductive potential of shortleaf, pitch and table mountain pine would occur within existing mid to latesuccessional shortleaf, pitch and table mountain pine stands (12,400 acres) to improve structure/function to improve reproductive potential. 110 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Open woodland habitats would be created/restored with changes in stand structure and function within yellow pine-dominated forests (5,262 acres). • Oak reproduction potential would increase by changes in stand structure and function within existing mid to late-successional oak (38,600 acres). • Competitive status of existing oaks would be improved or maintained on 3,200 acres in existing immature oak stands. • Open woodland habitats within oak-dominated forests would be created/restored with changes in stand structure and function within existing oak-dominated stands (2,138 acres). • Oak forests would be increased on up to 1,700 acres as a result of restoration of off-site pine plantations to oak dominated forest types. • Stand structure and function within existing mid to late-successional mesic deciduous stands (8,100 acres) would be improved by the creation of canopy gaps. • An 850-acre reduction in off-site immature white pine plantations as a result of restoring native forest types (fire-adapted yellow pine or oak) would occur. • A 1,740-acre reduction of mid to late-successional stage white pine stands as result of restoring native forest types (fire-adapted yellow pine or oak) would occur. • Hemlock conservation areas would expand by 600 acres. Alternative 2 would also reduce the vulnerability of hemlock-dominated forests to hemlock wooly adelgid by the treatment of up to 7,275 acres to enhance the understory light environment for improving growth of understory/suppressed hemlocks and improve growth of understory or suppressed hemlock trees. • Alternative 2 would result in changes in the abundance of fire-adapted forest types in Fire Condition Class I (increased to 75,050 acres), II (45,700 acres), and Fire Condition Class III (36,875 acres). • Alternative 2 would result in 29,700 acres of pine host forest types thinned, thereby reducing vulnerability to bark beetle infestations. • Alternative 2 would decrease the vulnerability of existing mid to late-successional oak forest to oak decline by the thinning and reduced stocking of 43,938 acres of existing oak stands, and 2,000 acres of mature oak forest regenerated to improve age class distribution. • Alternative 2 would increase resiliency of existing hardwood stands to gypsy moth infestations by the implementation of thinning and regeneration treatments within hardwood-dominated stands, reducing stocking, and the creation of young resilient forest (total of 54,538 acres). 111 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests • Alternative 2 would result in a 10,500 acre increase in young forest habitats over the life of the project. This would also result in changes of young forest habitat across a diverse range of sites with up to 7,500 acres created in pine-dominated forest types, 3,700 acres created in oak forest types, 500 acres created in mesic hardwood forest types, and 500 acres of young forest habitat created as corridors. • Late-successional stage habitats would be reduced on 6,037 acres, and mid-successional stage habitats would be reduced by 4,463 acres as a result of young forest creation treatments in Alternative 2. • Alternative 2 would set aside for conservation small blocks totaling 5,054 acres of old growth. Alternative 2 would not affect any acres of non-conserved possible old growth. • The implementation of Alternative 2 and past, present and reasonably foreseeable actions would have positive effects on the pine and pine-oak community due to restoration and maintenance of fire-adapted yellow pine forest, improvement to forest health in overstocked pine stands, and restoration of open woodlands in the Foothills Landscape analysis area. • The implementation of Alternative 2 and past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions would have positive effects by managing forest health and maintaining or restoring oak and oak-pine communities. • Incremental increases and decreases in young forest in the foreseeable future as new areas are created over the next 10-15 years under Alterative 2 and existing areas (and early areas created under Alternative 2) progress out of the young forest condition would occur from the proposed action and cumulative actions resulting in a diversity of habitat conditions across the Foothills Landscape. • The presence of I-Rank (Invasive Species Impact Rank) species with a greater tendency to spread (High Risk) would be considered when proposed activities are planned under Alternative 2 to minimize impacts from ground-disturbing activities. • Proposed actions which would have little effect on non-native invasive plant species include old growth designations, changes in road or trail maintenance levels, and other actions where the activity is administrative or small in scope and scale. • Many of the Foothills Landscape proposed actions could potentially affect existing nonnative invasive species or introduce new species as a result of ground disturbance by heavy equipment or increased light conditions; silvicultural activities, prescribed burning, creation or expansion of wildlife openings, road or trail construction, or maintenance activities have the potential to create these conditions • Authorized herbicides have already been established and environmental effects considered under previous Forest NEPA decisions: Environmental Assessment -Nonnative Invasive Species Treatment, Blue Ridge and Conasauga Ranger Districts (2008), the Environmental Assessment –Vegetation Control: Non-native Invasive Species and 112 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Shortleaf Pine Restoration Release on the Chattooga River Ranger District (2008), and the Vegetation Specialist Report (Appendix C) for the Foothills Landscape Project. • All proposed activities and their mitigations would be evaluated for their potential to affect non-native invasive species on a case-by-case basis. All action under Alternative 2 would be implemented with Project Design Features and be subject to Forest Plan Standards and Best Management Practices. Agencies or Persons Consulted Agencies consulted on this EA include Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station, Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Kialegee Tribal Town, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Advisory Council on Historic Preservations (ACHP), and Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists. Collaborators on project development included hundreds of individuals, including residents of the eight counties that are part of the Foothills Landscape and neighboring areas, and representatives who identified affiliation with the following organizations and groups (including but not limited to): American Chestnut Society, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Backcountry Horsemen, Benton MacKaye Trail Association, Chattahoochee RiverKeeper, Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association, The Chattooga Conservancy, Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council, CoTrails, Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, Georgia ForestWatch, Georgia Outdoor News, Logging/local businesses, Lumpkin Coalition, National Wild Turkey Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Recreation services/local businesses, Ruffed Grouse Society, Save Georgia’s Hemlocks, Sierra Club – Georgia Chapter, Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association/International Mountain Bike Association, Southern Environmental Law Center, Southern Four-Wheel Drive Association, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Team Conasauga, Trout Unlimited, University of North Georgia. References All literature cited for this EA can be found in the project record. 113 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix A - Maps AP1 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Maps – Landscape Management Prescriptions AP2 0 Custodial Management 4.F Scenic Areas 9.A.1 SourceDillard Water Protection Watersheds 1.A Designated Wilderness 1.B Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 2.A.1 Designated Wild Rivers 4.F.1 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.2 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.H Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 9.F Rare Communities 8.A.1 Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 2.A.2 Designated Scenic Rivers 12.A Remote Backcountry Recreation Few Open Roads 2.A.3 Designated Recreational Rivers 4.I Natural Areas with Few Open Roads 6.B Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 7.A Scenic Byway Corridors 9.A.3 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant Associations 5.A Administrative Sites 4.A Appalachian Trail Corridor 4.D Botanical and Zoological Areas 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 8.A.2 Area Sensitive, Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.E.3 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 9 V U 17 9.H Mountain City 2.A.3 Black Rock Mountain State Park Land Management Plan Prescriptions Chattooga River District 9.H Black Rock Mountain State Park V U 28 Clayton 9.A.3 2.A.1 8.A.1 0 Tiger Moccasin Creek State Park V U 2 9.H 9.A.3 8.A.1 23 £ ¤ 7.E.1 8.A.1 V U 356 6.B 4.F Unicoi State Park Unicoi State Park V U 15 9.H 9.H V U 255 £ ¤ Tallulah Gorge State Park 76 Foothills Landscape State Park US or State Highway Historic Site County Road Conservation Area Tallulah Falls 4.H V U : 197 V U 441 Helen 7.E.1 V U 75 V U 87 0 1 2 4 City 6 Miles Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 4/17/2019 0 Custodial Management 6.B Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 1.A Designated Wilderness 7.B Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 1.B Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 2.B.1 Recommended Wild Rivers 313 2.B.2 Recommended Scenic Rivers 12.A Remote Backcountry Recreation Few Open Roads 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 9.F Rare Communities 2.B.3 Recommended Recreational Rivers 5.A Administrative Sites 4.D Botanical and Zoological Areas 8.E.3 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat V U 64 £ ¤ 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant Associations Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 10 Land Management Plan Prescriptions Conasauga District 7.E.2 7.E.2 V U 9.H 2 7.B 9.H 411 £ ¤ 7.B V U 225 6.B V U 286 Mill Creek Overlook 8.E.3 9.H Eton 7.E.2 7.B 7.B 7.E.1 V U Fort Mountain State Park 76 Chatsworth 7.B V U 52 4.D 9.H 0 Ellijay East Ellijay V U 282 76 £ ¤ Foothills Landscape State Park US or State Highway City U V V U County Road V U 411 : V U 382 0 1 2 4 5 719 6 Miles Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain Mavity accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 4/17/2019 0 Custodial Management 4.A Appalachian Trail Corridor 7.B Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 1.A Designated Wilderness 1.B Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 2.B.1 Recommended Wild Rivers 4.D Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.F Scenic Areas 4.F.1 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 9.A.1 Source Water Protection Watersheds 8.A.1 Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 2.B.3 Recommended Recreational Rivers 3.A National Scenic Areas 3.C National Recreation Areas 4.F.2 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.H Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 6.B Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant Associations 5.A Administrative Sites Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 3.D Proposed National Recreation Areas Map 11 ola s ark V U 7.A Scenic Byway Corridors 17 Vogel State Park Land Management Plan Prescriptions Blue Ridge District V U 180 V U 356 V U Unicoi State Park 60 V U Unicoi State Park 348 19 £ ¤ Helen 4.F.1 4.F.1 7.E.1 Hardman Farm Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek CA 7.E.2 4.F 4.F 9.A.1 V U 75 129 £ ¤ V U 255 Cleveland 9.A.1 4.F.1 7.E.1 9.H Foothills Landscape State Park US or State Highway Historic Site : V U 52 Dahlonega V U 115 County Road 3.C 342 V U Conservation Area V U 9 V U 284 0 1 2 V4 U 254 City 6 Miles Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain Mavity accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 4/17/2019 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Maps Vegetation AP6 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Conasauga Ranger District AP7 4 11 £ ¤ Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 17,300 8,084 24,113 Treatment / Forest Types Age Site Index Pine Plantation Thinning Loblolly Pine Loblolly Pine-Hardwood Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine White Pine-Upland Hardwood Pitch or Shortleaf Pine Maintenace Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Yellow Pine Restoration Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine <=50 N/A 60 yrs + N/A 12,400 1,189 26,800 60 yrs + N/A 5,800 14,817 28,030 Pine Plantation Thinning Shortleaf Pine Maintenance Yellow Pine Restoration Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway 0 1 2 · Miles 4 Mavity 10/1/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. @ ? 2 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 12 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District 76 £ ¤ Ellijay @ ? 282 East Ellijay @ ? 52 4 11 £ ¤ Treatment / Forest Types Age Oak Mainteance - Mid-Story only Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Site Index Total District Avaliable Avaliable Acres Acres 14,800 4,828 14,800 Proposed Max Acres 70 yrs + 70 ft or greater Oak Mainteance - Thin/Burn or Regenerate 70 yrs + Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory 70 ft or less 27,000 (Thin/Burn) 2,000 (Regen) 14,494 38,188 Oak Maintenance Mid-Story Oak Maintenance Thin/Burn or Oak Regen Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway · Miles 0 1 2 4 Mavity 10/1/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? 2 Map 13 Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Regenerate Oak Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District 76 £ ¤ Ellijay @ ? 282 East Ellijay @ ? 52 4 11 £ ¤ Treatment / Forest Types Canopy Gaps Age Site Index 70 yrs + All, except 80+ for White Oak, Red Oak, Hickory 60 yrs + 60 ft or less Cove Hardwoods-White Pine-Hemlock Sweet Gum-Yellow Poplar White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Yellow Poplar Yellow Poplar-White Oak-Red Oak Woodland Restoration Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 8,100 7,839 19,371 7,400 9,279 26,337 Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Scarlet Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Upland Hardwoods-White Pine Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Woodland Canopy Gap Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway 0 1 2 · Miles 4 Mavity 10/1/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. @ ? 2 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Map 14 Modeled Potential Areas to Restore Woodlands or Create Canopy Gaps Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District 76 £ ¤ Ellijay @ ? 282 East Ellijay @ ? 52 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Chattooga River Ranger District AP11 Treatment / Forest Types Age Site Index Pine Plantation Thinning Loblolly Pine Loblolly Pine-Hardwood Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine White Pine-Upland Hardwood Pitch or Shortleaf Pine Maintenace Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Yellow Pine Restoration Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine <=50 N/A Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 17,300 11,683 24,113 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? 106 @ ? Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine Modeled Potential Map 15 Foothills Dillard Landscape -Chattooga River District 246 Sky Valley @ ? 28 60 yrs + N/A 12,400 23,283 26,800 60 yrs + N/A 5,800 5,147 28,030 Mountain City Clayton £ ¤ 76 441 £ ¤ @ ? 2 Tiger Pine Plantation Thinning Pitch Pine Maintenance @ ? 356 Shortleaf Pine Maintenance @ ! @ ? 197 @ ? Tallulah Falls 255 @ ? 255A @ ? 17 23 £ ¤ Yellow Pine Restoration Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway · Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Treatment / Forest Types Age Site Index Oak Mainteance - Mid-Story only Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory 70 yrs + 70 ft or greater Oak Mainteance - Thin/Burn or Regenerate 70 yrs + Total District Avaliable Avaliable Acres Acres 14,800 7,420 14,800 Proposed Max Acres Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? 106 @ ?Areas to Maintain or Regenerate Oak Modeled Potential Dillard Landscape -Chattooga River District Map 16 Foothills 246 Sky Valley @ ? 28 Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory 70 ft or less 27,000 (Thin/Burn) 2,000 (Regen) 14,510 38,188 Mountain City Clayton £ ¤ 76 441 £ ¤ @ ? 2 Tiger @ ? 356 Oak Maintenance Mid-Story @ ! @ ? 197 @ ? Tallulah Falls 255 @ ? 255A @ ? 17 23 £ ¤ Oak Maintenance Thin/Burn or Oak Regen Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway · Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Treatment / Forest Types Canopy Gaps Cove Hardwoods-White Pine-Hemlock Sweet Gum-Yellow Poplar White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Yellow Poplar Yellow Poplar-White Oak-Red Oak Woodland Restoration Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Scarlet Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Upland Hardwoods-White Pine Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Age Site Index 70 yrs + All, except 80+ for White Oak, Red Oak, Hickory 60 yrs + 60 ft or less Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 8,100 7,400 8,894 10,641 19,371 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? 106 Map 17 246 Sky Valley Areas to Restore @ Modeled Potential ? Woodlands or Create Canopy Gaps Dillard Foothills Landscape -Chattooga River District @ ? 28 26,337 Mountain City Clayton £ ¤ 76 441 £ ¤ @ ? 2 Tiger @ ? 356 @ ! @ ? 197 @ ? Tallulah Falls 255 @ ? 255A @ ? 17 23 £ ¤ Woodland Canopy Gap Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway · Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Blue Ridge Ranger District AP15 Treatment / Forest Types Age Site Index Pine Plantation Thinning Loblolly Pine Loblolly Pine-Hardwood Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine White Pine-Upland Hardwood Pitch or Shortleaf Pine Maintenace Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak <=50 N/A Yellow Pine Restoration Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Pine Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 17,300 4,366 24,113 Pine Plantation Thinning Pitch Pine Maintenance Shortleaf Pine Maintenance Yellow Pine Restoration Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway @ ? 180 £ ¤ 60 yrs + N/A 60 yrs + N/A @ ? 60 12,400 2,208 26,800 5,800 8,067 28,030 · Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 129 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. @ ? 75A 19 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Restore Pine 60B Map 18 Foothills Dahlonega Landscape -Blue Ridge District Treatment / Forest Types Oak Mainteance - Mid-Story only Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Oak Mainteance - Thin/Burn or Regenerate Age Site Index 70 yrs + 70 ft or greater Proposed Max Acres 14,800 Total District Avaliable Avaliable Acres Acres 1,408 Oak Maintenance Mid-Story Oak Maintenance Thin/Burn or Oak Regen Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway 14,800 · @ ? 180 Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 70 yrs + Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Scarlet Oak Southern Red Oak-Yellow Pine Upland Hardwoods-White Pine White Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory 70 ft or less 27,000 (Thin/Burn) 60(Regen) 2,000 @ ? 9,185 129 £ ¤ 38,188 @ ? 75A 19 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? Modeled Potential Areas to Maintain or Regenerate Oak Foothills Landscape -Blue Ridge District Map 19 60B @ ? 52 Dahlonega @ ? 115 Treatment / Forest Types Canopy Gaps Cove Hardwoods-White Pine-Hemlock Sweet Gum-Yellow Poplar White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Yellow Poplar Yellow Poplar-White Oak-Red Oak Woodland Restoration Bottomland Hardwood-Yellow Pine Chestnut Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak Chestnut Oak-Scarlet Oak-Yellow Pine Northern Red Oak-Hickory-Yellow Pine Pitch Pine Pitch Pine-Oak Scarlet Oak Shortleaf Pine Shortleaf Pine-Oak Upland Hardwoods-White Pine Virginia Pine Virginia Pine-Oak White Oak-Black Oak-Yellow Pine White Oak-Red Oak-Hickory Age Site Index 70 yrs + All, except 80+ for White Oak, Red Oak, Hickory Total District Proposed Avaliable Avaliable Max Acres Acres Acres 8,100 2,637 Woodland Canopy Gap Foothills Boundary Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests City Highway 19,371 · @ ? 180 60 yrs + 60 ft or less 7,400 6,417 Miles Mavity 10/1/2019 0 1 2 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 26,337 129 £ ¤ @ ? 60 @ ? 75A 19 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests @ ? Modeled Potential Areas to Restore 60B Map 20 @ ? 52 Woodlands or Create Canopy Gaps Dahlonega Foothills Landscape -Blue Ridge District Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Maps Recreation AP19 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee 64 Map 21 Cottonwood J 9 Patch Cohutta Check Station National Forests £ ¤ 19 64 Scenic Integrity Objective Foothills Landscape Project Sky Valley Brasstown Valley Resort State Park Q ! O ©! ! l Murray's Sumac J 9 Hiawassee Young Harris Lake Shooting Range Highlands £ ¤ © ! ! l J 9 Mill Creek Overlook ! \ 5 ! Mill Creek Overlook J 9 J Lake 9 Conasauga Fort Mountain State Park ! Blairsville £ ¤ J9 9 J 5 ! Barnes Creek 19 ! \ ! J J9 9 O ! Dennis Mill C ! J 9 J 9 Ellijay C ! Waters Creek ! l Day Use ! C C ! C ! 5 C ! ! C J 9 Tallulah Gorge State Park C ! Unicoi State Park DeSoto Falls Boggs Creek Smithgall Q ! Woods-Dukes Creek CA J 9 Chestatee Q ! J 9 \ Overlook ! Dockery Chestatee Lake Check Station C ! C ! Rabun Beach ^ ! ^ ! J 9 O ! Dell C ! Oakey Mountain J 9 Peeples Lake J 9 ! C J 9 ! C J 9 Vogel State Park C ! ! Q C Warwoman ! 5 ! C ! J 9 \ ! C ! Willis Knob Horse Camp Moccasin Creek State Park C ! £ ¤ Cohutta Overlook Clayton \ ! ^ ! 76 Q ! Holly Creek 5 ! Blue Ridge J 9 Black Rock Mountain State Park J 9 Hickey Gap J 9 Tallulah Falls 5 ! Helen S ! £ ¤ 411 £ ¤ 123 Clarkesville Cleveland Toccoa Amicalola Falls State Park £ ¤ 515 Buck Shoals State Park Demorest ^ ! Dahlonega £ ¤ 411 Mossy Creek State Park Cornelia ^ ! J 9 £ ¤ 129 Foothills Landscape ! Boating Site 5 ! Picnic Site US or State Highway J 9 Camping ^ ! Interpretive Site County Road Very High S ! Climbing Area \ ! Obversation Site State Park High Q ! DNR Check Station 5 ! Picnic Site Historic Site Medium O ! Recreation Area © ! Target Range Conservation Area Low l ! Fishing Site C ! Trailhead City Scenic Integrity Objective Dalton Gainesville Rome § ¦ ¨ 85 75 § ¦ ¨ : Athens Atlanta 0 20 § ¦ ¨ 5 10 20 30 Miles 40 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 10/1/2019 !! ! ! !! Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests ! ! ! !! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! C ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! Map 22 ! ! !! Cliffside Beach ! 5 Bartram Trailhead Jones Gap ! ! !! !! Wild and Scenic River Chattooga River District J 9 Falls !! Whiteside Mountain Clifftop Vista ! ! Quarry ! \ !! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! C ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! C ! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! Highlands ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! Bob Padgett C Poplar ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! Chattoo !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !!! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! Recreation Area Target Range 5 ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! HorseYellow Trail Branch !! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! Nature Trail !! ! ! ! ! Bike Trail ! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! ! Hiking Trail ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! Trailhead ! ! !! ! !! !! ! Picnic Site ! !! !! !! !! Obversation Site ! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! !!! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! Boating Site !!! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! Horse Camp !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! Camping ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! : ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! !!! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! © ! ! !! ! ! Wilderness Cedar Creek Rifle Range Forest Service Land J 9 Cassidy Bridge ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! 2 4 Miles Mavity 4/22/2019 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. !! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! 1 Walhalla !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! Opposum Creek Trail !! 0 !! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! City !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! J 9 !! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! J 9 Ê ! ! \ ! 5 ! O ! © ! C ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! Tamassee Knob ! ! !! ! !! ! Grapevine ! !!! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! Wild ! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! Scenic Woodall ! Shoals ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! Connector Recreation !! ! !! ! !! Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor Oconee ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! Foothills Landscape ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! Hwy 76 Chattooga ! River Access ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! Hidden Falls !! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! Rocky Gap Horse Trail !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! CRocky Gap ! Ê Whetstone! Trailhead ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !!! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! Bartram !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Chattooga River Access !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! O ! Hwy 28 ! !! ! Winding Stairs Trail ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! Rose Bud !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Earl'S Ford ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! Long Bottom Ford9 J ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! C ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! Chattooga River ! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! !Hill O J 9 !!! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! Cherry ! ! ! ! ! !! !!! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! Big Bend ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Hwy 28/Bartram Trailhead ! Willis Knob Trail !! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! Foothills Trail ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Willis Knob Horse Camp ! Ê !! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! South Carolina !! ! J 9 ! ! ! ! !! ! Sarah's Creek Campground ! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! J 9 ! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! !! !! ! !! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! Three Forks !! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! © ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! !! ! !! 5 ! !! ! ! Burrell's O Ford 9 J! ! !! !! !! ! !! ! ! Rabun Bald !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! East Fork Trail ! ! ! ! Holcomb Creek ! ! !! ! Georgia ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! !! !! ! ! !! ! ! Sky Valley !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! !! ! ! ! Fork Mountain Trail ! ! ! !! ! ! ! !! ! ! !! ! !! ! C Chattooga Acces ! !! !! ! ! !! Blue 9 J Valley Camp ! ! ! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! !! C ! Glade Trail !! !! !! !! !! North Carolina !! ! ! !! ! !! ! !! ! ! ! ! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! Ellicott Rock Wilderness East ! C ! ! ! ! ! ! Glen Falls ! Ammons Branch Camp9 J !! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! Satulah \ Falls ! Overlook ! !! ! ! Blue Valley Scenic Overlook !! !! Glen C Falls Trailhead ! ! \ ! !! !! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!! !! !! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Chinquapin ! !! ! ! !! ! ! ! Osage Mountain Overlook ! \ !! ! ! ! !! Scaly Mountain ! ! !! !! !! ! Jacks River Big Frog Wilderness 16 1A 1B 151 16 B Cottonwood Patch 51D 51C 51 B 51 6 39 1 3 37 Rice Camp A 148 Conasauga River Dally Gap 8 14 Sumac Creek 17A 362 17 Foothills Mill Creek Overlook 0I 63 630C 0H 63 63 0G 0F 63 Hickory Creek Hickey Gap 630A Developed Recreation Site Cohutta ! Boating Site Wilderness Dispersed Recreation Site Q ! DNR Check Station Wilderness J 9 Camping National Forests Land l ! Fishing Site Open FS Roads \ ! Obversation Site Seasonally Open Roads 5 ! Picnic Site Gated FS Road O ! Recreation Area State or County Road © ! Target Range C ! Trailhead 12 6 17C 279 63 0B · Trail 630 Potential Decommission Trail E 64 64C Potential Re-routes 64 Mill Creek Overlook Emery Creek 49 0 1 Jack'S Miles River 4 2 Fields South Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Fork Mavity 10/1/2019 Chestnut Lead Songbird Lake Conasauga 218B A 218 56A Barnes Creek 78C 78A Tibbs OHV 68 218 78E 78F Windy Gap 56 Holly Creek B 90 Holly Creek 90 A Cohutta Overlook Bear Creek Dispersed Camping Area 6 28 24 1 A 18 90 Emery Creek 18 4 66 631 Pinhoti 2 £ ? Rock Creek 3 Peeples Lake 3A 4 11 £ ¤ 17B 64 D Sumac Shooting Range Murray's Lake 76 £ ¤ Dennis Mill Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 282 £ Recreation Opportunities ? Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District Map 23 Plumorchard Gap Shelter Fishing Site Picnic Site Gated FS Road \ ! Obversation Site State or County Road 5 ! Picnic Site C ! Trailhead 15 9 152 152A Bartram Bartram 367 £ ¤ 9 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain 76 in these data. accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors Mavity 10/1/2019 197 £ ? 517 441 £ ¤ 977 A 14 20 41 6 Campground #1 97 7 2 £ ? 11 A 127 127 Chattooga River Trail Licklog Trailhead 11 A Hemlock Falls 28 £ ? 384 10 4 Miles 4 2 414 155F 514 152B 1 · 157 Warwoman Dell 162 Popcorn Overlook Potential Re-routes 15 7B Willis Knob Horse Camp Warwoman Check Station 6 40 Potential Decommission Trail 15 3A 152C 434 180 15 3 31 4 16 Trail Hwy 28/ Bartram 7 ! l 5 ! Seasonally Open Roads 417 Open FS Roads 6 15 Camping 153B Willis Knob Day Use 156B J 9 155G National Forests Land 6A 15 155E Shelter 163 0 ! 15 5C 5B 15 70B Wilderness DNR Check Station 934 Sarah'S Creek Dispersed Recreation Site Tallulah River Q ! 0 5D 15 Developed Recreation Site Tallulah River Boating Site ! 5 15 Overflow Campground 156 437 156 C A 155 Foothills 86C 7A 7 42 290B Stonewall Mountain Bike 258 0 51 Hwy 76 / Chattooga River 518 290 A 290 8 25B Sutton Hole 825 51 5 82 5B Rabun Rock Oakey Mountain 511 1B 51 25 25 A 27 Watergage 24 376A 376 9 42 Rabun Beach Angel Falls Picnic 84 516 1 32 Minihaha 2 8 15 267 41 0 76 105 9B 31 266 8A 26 418 720 319 319 A Low Gap Trailhead 318 23 £ ¤ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Recreation Opportunities Foothills Landscape -Chattooga River District Map 24 Rock Creek DNR Check Station Dispersed Dispersed Recreation Site 0 ! Shelter Wilderness J 9 Camping National Forests Land l ! Fishing Site Open FS Roads \ ! Obversation Site 58B 251B 1 129 £ ¤ 2 443A Dicks Creek ??? Woody Gap 343 Waters Creek Day Use 65 4 58 Mavity 10/1/2019 144 Dockery Lake 4 27 Hawk Mountain Shelter 251 Chestatee Check Station 34 Chestatee Overlook 45 0 58F Boggs Creek 57 Miles 4 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 69A Trout Adventure Trail 44 3 60 £ ? 346 0 639 C 69 Potential Re-routes 3B 44 Trail DeSoto Falls 34 · 423 Potential Decommission Trail 58D 180 £ ? Gated FS Road Frank Gross State or County Road Trailhead 42 F 42A 42 58A 263 58 C 881 142 55 879 1A 14 2 26 Springer Mountain Shelter 878 Big Stamp Black Gap Shelter 141 Jones Creek Dispersed Area 0 88 243 77 7A 87 28 A 28 B 135A 83 870 97 872 13 5 662 98 2A 66 28H F 28 C 28 E 28 Jake--Bull Mountain Complex Nimberwill Dispersed Area 28G -1 28 281 Whissenhunt OHV Area 365 28D 19 £ ¤ 247 77A 2 886 263 80 28 - 129 Gooch Mountain Shelter 15 Stover Creek Shelter Springer Mountain Hog Pen Gap 256 69 Recreation Area Blood Mountain Wilderness Seasonally Open Roads A 249 Noontootla C ! Dispersed Area 6A 76 E 58 O ! 249 34C 2 33 Raven Cliffs Wilderness 111 Area 766 Q ! 41 Developed Recreation Site 69 B 248 Mark Trail Wilderness 41 6 65 41 Foothills A 37 E 69 333 Deep Hole Canoe Launch 37 Blue Ridge Check Station 33 D 8 30 288 28 8A Jake Mountain 60B £ ? £ ? 52 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Recreation Opportunities Foothills Landscape -Blue Ridge District Map 25 a River ugForests Chattahoochee-Oconee National a s na o Changes in MainenanceCLevel Foothills Landscape -Conasauga District Map 26 16 1A 151 Iron Mountain £ ¤ 411 51C 51D ks ver Ri 1 J ac 51 óó ó 51B ó ' ­ 392 Roads to be Decommissioned Proposed Access ' ­ 169 Admin Only 391 17B 148A Seasonal Open Year Round 17 148 Proposed Maintenance Level 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 17A 279 : 2 -High Clearance Vehicles 5 -High Degree of User Comfort Cohutta OriginalWilderness Maintenance Level 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 2 -High Clearance Vehicles Sumac Creek 3 -Suitable for Passenger Cars 630H 630F 630C Foothills Landscape Wilderness 630E Forest Service Land State Park 630 City 630A 0 630B 1 2 Miles Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity 6/20/2019 17 Rocky Flats 64or the Proposed changes to the Maintenance Levels season of use(Proposed Access) to the Forest Service road system that would restrict or change motorized access. Guide for Road Maintenance Levels at https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/11771811.pdf. Grassy Mtn Tower 49 218B Windy Gap 78 78B 218A ' ­ 218 27 68 68A 78E Tibbs Milma Creek 78F 78A Emery Creek 304 78C ' ­ Bear Creek 299 68 18 241 90 90A ' ­ 301 ' ­ ' ­ 25 65 @ ? 2 ' ­ 64 Fort Mountain State Park @ ? 2 631 @ ? 2 @ ? 2 10 437 155 155A 156A 156 ó óó ó 604 Roads 604B to be Decommissioned : Proposed Access 439 Admin Only Seasonal Open Year Round 163 Proposed Maintenance Level 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 417 155F 70B 155E Mountain City 155G 153 Willis Knob 157 153A Black Rock Mountain State Park 152 159 2 -High Clearance Vehicles 31 5 -High Degree of User Comfort Original Maintenance 164 Level 406 Clayton 162 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 104 384 Bartrum 2 -High Clearance Vehicles 9 3 -Suitable for Passenger Cars 367 Foothills Landscape Wilderness Tiger Forest Service Land 977A 11 State Park 26-1 977 City 0 1 2 517 Miles 14 Stonewall Chattooga River Trail 416 Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. 290B Mavity 10/1/2019 20 427 290 Twister Proposed changes to the Maintenance Levels or the season of use(Proposed Access) to the Forest Service road system that would restrict or change motorized access. 166 Guide for Road Maintenance Levels at https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/11771811.pdf. 518 25B 258 290A 8 825 825B Sutton Hole 515 825A 51B 511 25 Raven Rock 27 376A 376 844 321 Oakey Mountain Trail 24 642 @ ! 158 2 60 720 Tallulla Falls State Park 418 60A 319B 319 76 Tallulah Falls 268A 268 318 84 429 516 410 267 Chattooga River Office Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Changes in Mainenance Level Foothills Landscape -Chattooga River District Map 27 157B óó ó Roads to be Decommissioned ó 766A 58E Proposed Access Admin Only Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Changes in Mainenance Level Foothills Landscape -Blue Ridge639 District 69 : 60 ? @ Map 28 423 Seasonal 58B Open Year Round Proposed Maintenance Level 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 443 443A 2 -High Clearance Vehicles 34 463 ' ­ 346 144 5 -High Degree of User Comfort 251 58 Original Maintenance Level 69A 1 -Custodial Care (Closed) 654 165 ' ­ 2 -High Clearance Vehicles 3 -Suitable for Passenger Cars 450 Foothills Landscape 15 886 Wilderness Forest Service Land 103 ' ­ 42 142 State Park City 60 @ ? 80 Historic Site Miles 1 2 Ed Jenkins Data shown on this map are for reference only. The Forest Service strives to obtain National accurate and precise data; however, there are likely some errors in these data. Mavity Recreation Areas 0 55 6/20/2019 Proposed changes to the Maintenance Levels or the season of use(Proposed Access) to the Forest Service road system that would restrict or change motorized 77 access. Guide for Road Maintenance Levels at https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/11771811.pdf. 28-2 262 243 56 ' ­ £ ¤ 19 28-1 877 77A 83 84 ' ­ Bull Mountain Trail System 187 ' ­ Whissenhunt 98 135 135A 28B hran k Falls 299 288 205 ' ­ 40 ' ­ 53 ' ­ 97 72 ' ­ 190 ' ­ 60B ? @ Dahlonega Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Maps – Implementation Areas AP28 Foothills Landscape Project Implementation Areas Map 29 Highlands Ducktown 2 Sky Dillard Valley McCaysville 1 Young Harris 3 4 Blue Ridge Morganton Hiawassee Blairsville Chatsworth 6 C D Tallulah Falls F 5 Helen Ellijay East Ellijay G Wilderness Foothills Chattahoochee National Forest Watershed Other National Forest Land City 10 Conasauga Ranger District: 1: Jiggers Creek 2: Mooneyham 3: Sumac, N Prong 4: Mill Creek 5: Rock Creek 6: Bear Creek 7: Holly Creek Miles 20 Cleveland H Foothills Implementation Area 5 B Tiger E · Clarkesville Demorest Dahlonega Cornelia Baldwin Blue Ridge and Chattooga River Ranger District: A: Sarah's Creek B: Warwoman Chattooga C: Lower Chattooga D: Tallulah River E Tiger Creek F: Soquee G: Three Sisters H: Jones Creek Bog A Clayton 7 Eton 0 Mountain City Toccoa Map 30 Conasauga Ranger District: 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 2 1 Jiggers Creek Mooneyham Sumac, N Prong Mill Creek Rock Creek Bear Creek Holly Creek 3 Foothills Implementation Area Wilderness Foothills Chattahoochee National Forest Watershed Other National Forest Land £ ¤ 411 City 4 0 1 2 4 6 Miles · Eton 7 Chatsworth 6 5 Ellijay £ ¤ 76 East Ellijay Sky Valley Dillard Bog Mountain City A Clayton £ ¤ 76 B Tiger E C £ ¤ 23 D Map 31 Chattooga River Ranger District: F Tallulah Falls Helen A. B. C. D. E. F. Sarah's Creek Warwoman Chattooga Lower Chattooga Tallulah River Tiger Creek Soquee Foothills Implementation Area Wilderness Foothills Chattahoochee National Forest Watershed Other National Forest Land City Clarkesville Toccoa 0 1 2 4 6 Miles · £ ¤ 129 G H £ ¤ 19 Map 32 Blue Ridge Ranger District: G. H. Three Sisters Jones Creek Dahlonega Foothills Implementation Area Wilderness Foothills Chattahoochee National Forest Watershed Other National Forest Land City 0 1 2 4 6 Miles · Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix B – Summary of Alternative 2 Actions AP33 Foothills Landscape Project - Proposed Action (Alternative 2) Overview BIOLOGIC INTEGRITY HOW WHAT Activities Forest Composition and Structure (Forest Plan Goals: 1,2,3,7, 8,10) Southern Yellow Pine Ground-based thinning, herbicides, Maintenance mastication; possible scarification, handplanting SIZE (max. extent) WHERE (conditions or known locations) RX Fire Commercial Yes - Required immediately posttreatment and intermittently thereafter; or preferred for site-preparation if expanding gap treatments used Yes 12,400 acres Condition: mid to late successional shortleaf pine stands and/or stands that contain pitch or table mountain pine, where midstory conditions are prohibiting natural regeneration Southern Yellow Pine Restoration Ground-based harvest, herbicides, mastication, Yes - Required site-prep scarification, hand-planting and after 10+ years Yes 5,800 acres** Condition: dry sites dominated by mid to late successional Virginia or white pine Yes - Required initially and for site-prep, preferre d over-time Yes 1,700 acres** Condition: off-site pine plantations of pole-sized white pine or loblolly where regeneration to suitable southern yellow pine is desired Maybe - Preferred No 14,800 acres Condition: where mid to late successional oak exists on moderate to high productivity sites Intermediate thinning and mid-story reduction; Yes - Required ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication Yes 9,200 acres Condition: where mid to late successional oak exist on low to moderate productivity sites Expanding gap treatments (ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication, scarification, hand-planting) No Yes 14,600 acres Condition: where mid to late successional oak exist but where Rx fire cannot be used regularly to achieve desired outcomes Crown-touching release (slashed down w/ chainsaws, mastication, herbicide) Maybe - Preferred over time (long-term as needed) No 3,200 acres Condition: where immature oak exists in competition with itself or lessdesired species Yes 2,000 acres** Condition: low to moderate productivity sites where adequate population of oak seedlings (~greater than 4 feet height) exist in understory to naturally replace current overstory Oak and Oak-Pine Maintenance Mid-story reduction; herbicide, mastication Shelterwood regeneration harvests (groundYes - Required pre and based harvest, herbicide, mastication; potential post harvest, then scarification/hand-planting ) potentially after 10 years 43,800 total acres of Oak/ Oak-Pine Maint Remarks Oak and Oak-Pine Restoration Ground-based harvest, herbicides, mastication, Yes - Required initially scarification, hand-planting and for site-prep, preferre d over-time Yes 1,700 acres (same as above in SYP restoration) Condition: off-site pole-sized pine plantations with low pine stocking where adequate oak exists in either the understory or overstory Create Canopy Gaps Overstory and midstory reduction w/ variable No tree density retention; gaps implemented at <25% of stands up to 3/4 acre size; mechanical ground based harvest, mastication Yes 8,100 acres Condition: mid to late successional mesic deciduous stands of yellow poplar dominated stands and more mesic oak forests, not suitable for grouse habitat Yes 7,400 acres Condition = where woodland species persist (long-lived canopy trees serve as indicators for relic woodland) and combine w/ desired aspect, elevation and ability to use Rx fire Unique and Threatened & Endangered (Rare) Habitat (Forest Plan Goals: 3, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 39, 40, 43) Restore Woodland Habitat Ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication Yes - Required, on going (Pine and Oak) For purpose of effects analysis: 5,262 acres are in SYP forest; 2,138 in oak forest Restore Wetlands/ Bogs Raise stream profiles by filling or plugging ditches and removing encroaching vegetation; herbicides, planting rare species Maybe Maybe 1 known bog footprint: Condition = where mountain bog habitat exists and natural processes no 35 acres/ longer function, contributing to threatened/ endangered species decline Surrounding restoration area: 103 acres Restore Canebrakes Potential ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication, scarification, hand-planting, possibly transplant existing cane Yes - Required in areas with variable intensity Maybe 50 acres Condition = where small scattered patches exist, i.e. north of Hwy 28 bridge Expand Hemlock Conservation Areas (HCA)* Soil injections of insecticides No No 600 additional acres Known locations: where areas of hemlock associated forest types are adjacent to existing HCAs and viable trees are present Pesticides analyzed in "Conservation of Eastern Hemlock by Suppression of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestations EA" (2005) Ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication, scarification, hand-planting, pesticides, insectaries No Maybe where feasible/ applicable Adaptive Management/ Research: where additional areas with existing hemlock trees, may or may not be adjacent to existing HCA In partnership with University of North Georgia, Southern Research Station, Georgia Forestry Commission, etc. Plant chestnuts; install deer fencing, tree tubes No (rodent control), irrigation systems, fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides, and ground cloth/plastic mulch Maybe Estimate 6 acres Adaptive Management/Research: where trees can be cultivated, grown, In partnership with the Georgia inoculated and regularly evaluated for their performance when Chapter of the American challenged by chestnut blight and/or Phytophthora cinnamon Rands Chestnut Foundation and Southern Research Station No Where feasible/ applicable Adaptive Management/ Research: where SWP are extant or historic and In partnership with Georgia Plant management could generate a positive response Conservation Alliance and Atlanta Botanical Garden Designate Chestnut Orchards Conserve Small Whorled Pogonia Possible thinning w/ chainsaws, mid-story control, herbicides, invasive species control Aquatic Habitat Improvement for Biologic Integrity (Forest Plan Goal 26) Yes With Atlanta Botanical Garden, Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, University of Georgia, and Georgia DNR Improve Stream Habitats Add large woody debris to stream channels No through cut and leave operations, maintain and enhance existing in-stream structures; stabilize streambanks No Variable locations along 1,162 miles of project area streams Condition: perennial and intermittent streams with multiple stream crossings & decreased connectivity where lack of wood is impairing hydrologic and biologic processes; structure is lacking; severe erosion occurring Improve Lake Habitats Install structures in lakes/ ponds to improve fisheries (i.e. Christmas trees); create vernal pools; fertilize and lime lakes at desired time No 120 acres Known locations: where lakes are lacking sufficient structure for vernal pool creation; lower than desired fish abundance (Jones Creek, Murrays, Peeples and Tails Lake) No Non-Native Invasive Species (Forest Plan Goals 1, 12, 39, 40) Non-native invasive species (NNIS) of plants and pests threaten the biologic integrity of ecosystems by degrading natural habitats and decreasing biodiversity. Addressing the existing risks and mitigating for potential spread of NNIS is a connected purpose of the project, but already authorized under existing NEPA decisions. The ongoing NNIS treatments (manual, mechanical, and herbicide) would continue to occur under both alternatives of the FLP. RESILIENCY Protect Communities from Wildfire (Forest Plan Goals 57, 58) Reduce Hazardous Fuels in RX fire; Mechanical treatments including Yes Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) mastication, mechanical ground bases harvest, construction of fire lines Expand Ecological Role of Fire (Forest Plan Goals 8, 61) Prescribe (Rx) Burning Establish new and/or re-align existing Rx burn blocks to achieve controlled burn and silvicultural objectives Yes Maybe 2,000 acres (overlap with areas above) Condition: in areas of highest risk where NFS lands are downslope of private land and with high probability of successful mitigation, where vegetation condition most "departed" and fuels are highly flammable and/or non-fire tolerant species Yes and No 50,000 acres (overlap w/ areas above) Condition: where Rx burning is required or preferred to meet silvicultural objectives. (i.e., advanced regen recruitment) and can be accomplished safely Reduce Risks to Forest Health (Forest Plan Goals 12, 39, 40, 41, 43) Pine Plantation Treatments 13,800 acres of thinning <80 BA using ground- Yes - Required as needed13,800 acres - 17,300 total based harvest and RX fire; 3,500 acres of YES thinning to <80 BA of smaller trees using 3,500 acres ground-based harvest, herbicide, mastication, NO handtools, and Rx fire Insect & Disease Outbreak Response Site and pest-specific (i.e. bark beetle = cut and Maybe - for site prep leave operations or salvage/ reforestation if following salvage access allows); herbicides, Rx fire, planting if appropriate; rapid response required for effectiveness Maybe salvage Condition: young, overstocked, even-aged pine stands susceptible to forest pest (i.e. ips, bark beetle, gypsy moth) outbreaks Treatments will occur Condition: when and where infestations are significant, rapidly forming SPB analyzed in "The when needed and spreading (Est. 24,725 acres currently at risk for ips or bark beetle Suppression of Southern Pine infestation and 20,185 acres at risk to Gypsy moth). Beetle on the ChattahoocheeOconee National Forest" Decision Notice (2018) Maintain Resilience to Climate Change (Forest Plan Amendment #5) Addressing climate change is incorporated into the purpose of this project as an overarching risk to the forests of Georgia. Forestlands across the region are experiencing increased threats from fire, insect and plant invasions, disease, extreme weather, and drought. The need to increase the forests' resiliency to these forthcoming threats is woven through the many integrated efforts aimed at improving overall forest health across the foothills landscape. CONNECTIVITY Forest Successional Diversity (Forest Plan Goal 1,2,3,4,10,20) Create Young Forest (ESH) Ground-based harvest, herbicides, mastication, Maybe - as needed scarification, Rx fire (site-prep), hand-planting Yes 10,500 total acres Conditions: 500 acres in mesic hardwoods suitable for grouse habitat; 500 acres of daylighting roads, and where restoration needs overlap from above treatments: 5,800 acres in SYP, 1,700 acres in pine plantations, 2,000 acres in oak/oak-pine Designate Old-Growth Allocate small blocks of old-growth, arranged in Maybe - if possible mosaic connected by other habitat types No 5,050 acres Known locations: 3,578 acres in 14 applicable watersheds not meeting the 5% minimum; 720 acres additional in watersheds already meeting standard; see old-growth stands proposed in Appendix D Maintain, Expand or Construct Permanent Wildlife Openings Mowing, disking, Rx fire, planting, herbicides in Maybe - as needed existing open areas to maintain as wildlife openings (food plots, native grasses, shrubs, or pollinator habitat) Maybe 1,400 acres (275 acres Condition: where opportunities exist to maintain, expand or create new existing) openings. Approx. 1-3 acres/ ea. primarily connected to harvest activities No Where necessary and Condition: where existing culverts are limiting aquatic organism passage feasible; ≈ 225 stream and/ or in need of repair. There are an estimated minimum of 225 crossings stream crossings on FS lands in FLP No 50 miles (12 acres) of new construction; 111 miles (27 acres) of reroutes Known locations: Hiking, horse, bike, and OHV use trails (i.e. sections of Willis Knob, Bear Creek, Jake and Bull systems, Pinhoti, Rocky Flats, Tatum Lead, Murray's Lake, Peeples Lake, Sumac Creek, Oakey Mountain, Tibbs and Milma trails); and Chattooga W&SR Corridor Improve Trail System and Enhance Developed Rec Sites Aquatic Habitat Improvement for Connectivity (Forest Plan Goal 26) Replace Barriers to Aquatic Remove structures (mainly culverts), install new No Organism Passage (bottomless culverts, bridges, or low-water fords), reconstruct road if necessary Enhance Recreation Opportunities (Human Connectivity) (Forest Plan Goals 31, 32, 47) Trail Construction and Re-routes Manual and/or mechanical veg removal and No tread construction, installation of drainage structures (i.e. culverts, waterbars, bridges, etc.), signs/ markers, and structure construction (turnpikes, causeways, retaining walls, etc.) Convert Roads to Trails Narrow road surface mechanically (excavate No road embankment/ landing fill, stabilize to trail standard) No ≈ 6 miles Known locations: areas of Bear Creek, Pinhoti trails Improve Parking Areas Comply w/ FHA specs; possible veg removal, grading, barrier installation No No 3 acres Known locations: Holly Creek Day Use Area and Pinhoti, Bear Creek, Jake and Bull, Willis Knob, Dicks Creek, Stonewall/White Twister Trailheads Install Accessible Fishing Piers Clear area for expansion and grade using mechanical equipment No No ≈ 1 acre Known location: Holly Creek Day Use Area Motorized Access Changes Convert Roads and Motorized Administratively change/ update MVUM; install No trails to ML 1 or ML 2 - Admin Use barriers such as berms, rocks, or gates to Only restrict access No ≈ 57 miles total: 54.3 miles of ML2/ ML1 road; 2.9 miles of Tibbs ATV Trail Known locations: see Table 4 Implement Seasonal Closure on roads and motorized trails No ≈ 20 miles total Known locations: see Table 4 Administratively change to ML 2 - Seasonal Restriction/ update MVUM; Install gates No IMPROVE SOIL AND WATER QUALITY Reduction of Sediment Delivered to Streams (Forest Plan Goals 22, 24, 25, 34, 47, 48, 49) Improve Existing Roads System Curve widening, upgrade culverts, stream No (above and beyond normal crossings, upgrade or reconstruct drainage maintenance) features, spot reconstruction if needed, upgrade surface material and configuration using Georgia BMPs No Where applicable across ≈ 260 miles Condition: Where system roads are in need of repair to address soil and https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/ water quality and/or in watersheds with 303 (d) or 305 (b) listed rmrs_gtr102_1.pdf streams or streams with Threatened and Endangered species habitat; Decommission Forest Roads and Motorized Trails Close road/ trail to public; may include full obliteration of roadbed, removal of stream crossing fills/ culverts, crushing and burying inlets, restoring stream channels, seeding, fertilizing, mulching, scarifying, waterbar installation, scattering slash, etc. No No ≈ 20 miles total: Known locations: See Table 5 Roads: 8.3 miles of ML2; 6.5 miles of ML1; Trails: 5.3 miles total (1.8 miles of OHV (Tatum); 3.5 miles of ATV (Milma)) Improve Sustainability of Recreational Experience Decommission low use trails and user=created No trails, decom dispersed camping areas and developed (2) campgrounds; develop official trail system and improve recreation adjacent to Chattooga River; improve sites where feasible No ≈ 15 miles (4 acres) of low-use trails; 300 acres of developed campgrounds; 653 acres of undesired dispersed campsites across FLP (including WSR Corridor); unknown amount of user-created trails = colors identify multiple purpose and needs met *Treatments may occur in Inventoried Roadless ** Treatments create "young forest" aka early successional Areas habitat (ESH) Known locations (some): low use trails in areas such as Murray's Lake Trail, Peeples Lake Trail, Sumac Creek Trail; Boggs Creek (280 acres) and Oakey Mountain Campgrounds (20 acres) and various unwanted dispersed sites throughout the project area; user-created trails or areas contributing to resource damage in the Chattooga River Corridor Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix C – Woodland Species List Fire exclusion is a profound disturbance of natural processes and has resulted in a significant decline of woodland species on the landscape. Without fire on the landscape off site woody trees and shrubs become prolific creating a dense canopy and midstory which competes for resources. In the absence of fire woodland species lose their competitive advantage and are replaced by off-site species. However, where woodland species persist on the landscape would provide a strong indicator of where the Forest would like to manage for woodlands. Long lived canopy trees are likely the best indicator species of relic woodlands. The composition and distribution of vegetation in woodlands might include some combination of canopy species dominated by shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata), table mountain pine (Pinus pungens), pitch pine (Pinus rigida) post oak (Quercus stellate), and blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) (each contributing 25-75% to the total canopy coverage). Other species may include southern red oak (Quercus falcate), scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), dwarf chinquapin (Quercus prinoides), sand hickory (Carya pallida). The absences of fire can lead to a significant change in species composition. The shrub strata vary in composition and density, but Blue Ridge blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum) and other ericaceous species such as deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum), bear huckleberry (Gaylussacia ursina), black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) are typical. Herbaceous plants suffer the greatest decline in the shortest period of time as a result of fire exclusion. Herbs found in these woodlands might include but are not limited to: horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria), partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculate) (= Cassia fasciculata), wild sensitive plant (Chamaecrista nictitans) (= Cassia nictitans), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus), Photo 18 Mountain Laurel is a Shrub Species Typically Found in Woodlands. AP39 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana), Clitoria mariana, Honesty weed (Baptisia tinctoria), Butterfly pea (Clitoria mariana), Woodland Coreopsis (Coreopsis major), Poverty oat-grass (Danthonia spicata), Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), Eastern flowering spurge (Euphorbia corollata), Appalachian sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens), Small-headed sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus), Quaker ladies (Houstonia caerulea), Common stargrass (Hypoxis hirsute), Upland dwarf Iris (Iris verna), Carolina lily (Lilium machauxii), Eastern sensitive-briar (Mimosa microphylla), Eastern needlegrass (Piptochaetium avenaceum), Silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia), Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Common little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Licorice goldenrod (Solidago odora), Yellow indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), Pencil flower (Stylosanthes biflora), and Virginia goat’s-rue (Tesphrosia virginiana). Rare woodland elements such as turkey-beard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides), Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum), largeflower skullcap (Scutellaria montana), and smooth purple coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) will receive stronger consideration in management prescriptions. A more comprehensive list of indicator species can be found in the Forest Plan EIS and may developed in coordination with professional botanical organizations such as the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance or by using peer reviewed science. AP40 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix D – Stands Proposed for Old-Growth Designation Subwatershed HUC 031501020301 031501020303 031501010402 031501010405 Subwatershed Name Upper Mountaintown Creek Conasauga Creek Mill Creek-Holly Creek Rock Creek AP41 Compartment Stand Acres 770 2 22 770 3 22 770 4 28 770 5 28 770 6 23 770 33 19 770 36 15 770 43 22 770 44 12 770 59 22 771 10 26 771 41 12 771 46 15 776 8 14 776 9 40 776 26 11 778 13 7 778 18 22 778 27 59 774 26 27 774 27 21 774 29 15 756 35 86 754 7 25 756 14 45 784 5 120 789 3 43 789 5 30 789 25 40 789 27 15 789 32 15 789 33 40 Foothills Landscape Project Subwatershed HUC 031501010203 030601020107 030601020108 030601020205 030601020206 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Subwatershed Name North Prong Sumac Creek Stonewall Creek Lower Tallulah River Upper Warwoman Creek Sarahs Creek AP42 Compartment Stand Acres 789 35 36 789 76 19 789 77 15 719 4 18 719 7 31 719 3 61 720 21 102 85 11 32 82 7 58 88 41 77 65 22 15 65 11 4 85 14 21 83 10 17 65 34 31 65 32 30 87 21 13 84 23 91 84 22 12 71 15 29 71 21 124 35 22 21 36 14 201 37 2 117 36 17 72 37 12 370 42 1 48 52 36 35 29 45 23 29 56 51 47 37 69 29 27 26 29 44 37 47 30 20 47 32 12 32 26 37 Foothills Landscape Project Subwatershed HUC 031300010202 031300010502 031300010602 031501040102 031501040103 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Subwatershed Name Lower Soquee River Upper Chestatee River Yahoola Creek Jones Creek Nimblewill Creek AP43 Compartment Stand Acres 32 8 25 33 6 79 240 33 85 239 16 16 239 14 40 554 15 30 554 24 18 554 23 22 554 13 9 554 11 31 554 10 20 554 4 15 527 9 34 558 23 84 577 167 71 577 168 45 577 162 53 577 161 27 577 121 37 577 120 19 577 181 49 577 154 33 577 152 56 577 184 43 577 151 34 577 77 67 577 91 60 577 88 64 577 92 40 577 93 32 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 19 Stands That Are Currently Being Proposed For Designation as Old-Growth in Subwatersheds That Currently Meet the Forest Plan Minimum for Designation Subwatershed HUC Subwatershed Name Compartment Stand Acres 031501010206 Upper Mill Creek 752 10 45 752 11 26 752 12 43 752 13 35 753 10 20 753 29 27 753 30 26 753 31 23 754 5 27 754 6 34 754 8 40 758 22 37 759 23 32 759 25 30 759 26 33 759 27 54 759 28 33 759 29 47 564 15 53 564 11 26 78 1 54 56 2 45 28 28 81 48 3 10 48 2 19 031501040101 Headwaters Etowah River There are portions of stands in Emery Creek-Holly Creek subwatershed (031501010401) that possess oldgrowth characteristics. The stands need to be remapped before final designation would occur. These stands are 765-3, 766-19, 766-31, 766-35, 766-37, and 772-15. AP44 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix E – Implementation Plan and Decision Matrices AP45 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Draft Implementation Plan Introduction This document outlines the processes for implementing the Foothills Landscape Project (FLP). The known-condition action items within the FLP are proposed as a range of available options, only to be implemented upon further review of on-the-ground characteristics that meet sitespecific conditions described and analyzed in the environmental assessment (EA). Under this planning approach, more than 30 management actions (or “tools”, see Appendix B) are proposed to meet the restoration needs throughout the landscape. This integral guide will help ensure the activities selected for implementation are consistent with, and within the potential maximum effects of, the proposed action, project design criteria, and best management practices analyzed and disclosed in the EA and serves as an intermediate link between the EA and implementation. The Conasauga, Blue Ridge, and Chattooga River Ranger Districts are responsible for implementing the FLP management activities that fall within their respective administrative boundaries across the Foothills Landscape. This document is designed to aid each district-level interdisciplinary team (IDT) with consistent and strategic methods for developing the “what, when, where, and how” to accomplish the integrated ecological restoration work outlined in the project decision. Implementation Plan Summary This document serves as: 1. A process guide for collecting data, assessing the existing conditions on the ground and determining which restoration activities (or “tools”) to apply in order to most effectively meet desired conditions across the Foothills Landscape. (See decision matrices.) 2. A compliance check for ensuring all actions dictated by law, regulation, or policy are met (i.e. ESA, NHPA, FSM/FSH standards, etc.) (See checklists 11). 3. A communication tool that documents the out-year planning activities to be shared with our partners and collaborative community, while also providing a framework for future and ongoing opportunities for public involvement throughout the life of the project. 4. A tracking mechanism for ensuring the activities do not exceed the potential maximum effects analyzed and forecasted in the environmental assessment. This will also serve as a foundation for subsequent monitoring efforts and accomplishment reporting within the agency. 11 Under development AP46 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Understanding Scale Figure 5 Spatial Boundaries of the Foothills Landscape In order to efficiently plan and implement landscape restoration, the project considers the following spatial boundaries as shown in and as described below. Project Area The area within the FLP (~157,625 acres) located in northern Georgia where the mountains are visibly reduced to foothills. Implementation Areas Implementation areas are project-specific administrative boundaries established by the IDT throughout the project area within each ranger district. These areas were identified for logical and operational functionality in order to strategically plan the sequence of work across the landscape. There are 15 implementation areas within the project area (see Figure 6). Concentrating implementation efforts at these smaller scales within the greater context of the Foothills Landscape logistically allows for efficient planning and distribution of time and resources driven by need and operational feasibility (agency capacity, etc.) Each implementation area encompasses portions of multiple watersheds (HUC6). In addition to the overarching restoration goals and objectives in the Forest Plan, the purpose and need of the FLP specifically aligns with the characteristics of a healthy watershed as defined within the 2011 USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework (WCF). Focusing restoration at a watershed scale provides strategic, integrated, long-term changes in landscape conditions that cannot be duplicated at a project-level scale. A modified version of the WCF’s Watershed Restoration Action Plan is being created to assist districts in aligning management activities with requirements in the EA. AP47 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Figure 6 Foothills Landscape Implementation Areas Watershed (6th level HUC) Land area extending from the topographic high points where water collects (ridges) down to the low points where it drains into a creek, river, or other waterbody. There are substantial portions of 48 sixth-level watersheds within the project area. (See Map 6). Activity Area Where specific conditions exist within watershed(s) and active management would occur. The acres of activity areas vary by proposed action and are designed to not exceed the maximum bounds proposed for each treatment. Forest Type or Habitat Vegetation or habitats (Southern Yellow Pine, Old Growth, Oak, Woodland, etc.) that have a similarity of composition and development due to corresponding physical and biological factors. The trend towards desired conditions for these forest types and habitats (see purpose and need of the EA) are the measures by which this project is reviewed. These areas occur at variable sizes, patterns, and extent throughout the entire project area and are depicted on maps found in Appendix A of the EA. AP48 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Implementation Plan Components A Process Guide For those unfamiliar with, or new to, a Forest Service IDT approach to project-level work—this section outlines the necessary steps for collecting and sharing data, assessing the existing conditions on the ground, and deciding the appropriate restoration activities (or “tools”) to apply in order to most effectively meet desired conditions within any given watershed. ”Decision matrices” are the road map for determining what particular type of management activity to apply in order to achieve desired conditions. These matrices (starting on page AP51) provide clear guidance for how land managers would assess the conditions on-the-ground and determine the appropriate management tool for any given activity area. The following shows the overarching process steps for implementation. 1. Determine implementation area and subsequent watersheds proposed for activity 2. Assess site(s) proposed for activity and determine range of appropriate treatment options using MRx standards and project decision matrices 3. Coordinate as IDT to attain consent among all resource specialists through initial compliance review checklist 6. Coordinate with regulatory agencies (FWS, DNR, SHPO) on anticipated opportunities; revise actions as necessary 5. Determine appropriate actions (anticipated opportunities) to meet desired conditions 4. Plan and acquire data from all necessary surveys and inventories (ongoing) 7. Hold annual public meeting to present draft Out-year Action Plan and any upcoming collaborative opportunities 8. Hold subsequent field trip(s) to continue refinement of Outyear Action Plan 9. Final compliance review checklist (IDT/ District Ranger) 12. Implement activities 11. Finalize Out-year Action Plan for implementation area(s) and notify public 10. Obtain Responsible Official concurrence 13. Track and monitor activities for subsequent reporting/ public information AP49 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests A Compliance Check Resource compliance checklists will be used by land managers to provide a consistent format for process and documentation of any activities implemented in the FLP to ensure activities implemented are reviewed against the necessary requirements dictated by law, policy, and regulation such as: • National Heritage Preservation Act (Heritage Surveys) • Endangered Species Act (Botany/ Wildlife Surveys) • Clean Water Act (Section 404 permits) • Clean Air Act (Air Quality Standards) • Other agency directives (Forest Service Manuals, Forest Service Handbooks, Regional Policy, etc.) Additionally, the compliance check will outline the methods for land managers to determine: • Will the activities align to meet the desired conditions identified in the purpose and need for the project, in accordance with the goals and objectives identified in the Forest Plan? • Are the activities within the bounds of the maximum treatments proposed? • Do the activities exceed the direct, indirect, or cumulative effects disclosed in the environmental assessment? A Communication Tool This implementation plan serves as a format for communicating the planning, review, and monitoring cycles inherent to landscape restoration. Components of the Out-year Action Plan could include maps, a Priority Watershed Action Plan (if applicable), the final Project Design Features, including the NNIS Risk Assessment (found in the NNIS specialist report, Appendix A) and a timeline of activities expected for the public, partners, and stakeholders. There will be continued opportunities for public involvement throughout the life of the project. Each Ranger District would be expected to hold a minimum of one public meeting to rollout a draft out=year action plan and offer at least one follow-up field trip to explore areas of interest where discussion and public input would be valuable. District Rangers will then consider public input, determine which treatments activities to implement and finalize the Out-year Action Plan and notify public. A Tracking Mechanism This plan will outline the process for recording annual accomplishments and link to any monitoring completed. The Forest Service Activity Tracking Systems (FACTS) and other existing agency-wide tools will be used for efficiency and consistency, but a project-specific tracking mechanism will provide clear directions for ensuring activities implemented within the FLP do not exceed the maximum bounds proposed and analyzed in the EA. AP50 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Decision Matrices Vegetation Decision Matrices AP51 Forest Type = Conifer (Pine) Dominant Immature Pine Decision Matrix Immature sapling/ pole or mid-successional pine stand most likely established as a result of past USFS evenaged management during last 50 years (base yr 2019) Stand is mature mid-late succssional, with no obvious evidence of past mangement and origin likely dating to pre-USFS ownership (see Mature Pine Decision Matrix) Is stand vulnerable to insect/disease, including bark beetles, due to high stand density (overstocked)? YES (Treatment required) NO Overstory is dominated by fireadapted southern yellow pine species (shortleaf, pitch, table mountain) Is oak abundant, either as large (3'+) seedings in understory (200-500/ acre) or in overstory (≈40% of current overstory stocking)? If possible, RX fire only ( up to 50,000 acres) to maintain desired condition Rx fire, if possible, to recruit oaks. If Rx fire is not possible, no action NO Overstory is dominated by fireadapted southern yellow pine species (shortleaf, pitch, table mountain) Overstory dominated by off-site (white or loblolly pine) or firesensitive species (Virginia pine) Overstory dominated by off-site (white or loblolly pine) or firesensitive species (Virginia pine) Is oak abundant, either as large (3'+) seedings in understory (200-500/ acre) or in oversotry (≈40% of current overstory stocking)? Are trees of merchantable size? (avg DBH 5"+) Pre/noncommercial thinning (up to 3,500 acres) and Rx fire if possible (up to 50,000 acres) YES YES NO NO If oak is adequate in UNDERSTORY; REGEN by removing all or most of the offsite species to initiate oak restoration Commercial thin to less than 80 BA (up to 13,800 acres) and Rx fire, if possible (up to 50,000 acres) Is young forest needed in area? No: thin stand (PCTup to 3,500 acres) or Commercially up to 13,800 acres) YES Restore to Oak (up to 1,700 acres) Yes: initiate southern yellow pine restoration on up to 1,700 acres using twoaged harvest; prepare sites for plantin & plant fire-adapted SYP species. If oak is adequate in OVERSTORY; THIN to 40-70 sq ft BA to retain existing oaks and promote desireable species Mature Pine Decision Forest Type = Conifer (Pine) Dominant Immature sapling/ pole or mid-successional pine stand most likely established as a result of past USFS even-aged management during last 50 years (base year 2019 (see Immature Pine Decision Matrix) Overstory dominated by fire-adapted southern yellow pine (SYP) species (shortleaf, pitch, table mountain) Are seedlings of fire-adapted SYP species absent in the understory due to closed canopy & presence of a dense fire senstive mid/understory? No: Stand is open, midstory is sparse or absent and fire-adapted SYP seedlings present in understosry: maintain current open conditions w/ Rx fire only Yes Can stand be burned? NO Create open canopy & reduce midstory to maintain SYP (up to 12,400 acres) with expanding gap treatments Stand is mature, midlate successional with no obvious evidence of past management and origin likely dating to pre-FS ownership Overstory dominated by off-site or fire-intolerant pine species (white or Virginia) = up to 5,800 acres of restoration needed If natural SYP regeneration is possible (canopy has fireadapted SYP available as a seed sources/ 2530% of overstory BA): SYP restoration using shelterwood harvest + Rx fire If natural regerneration is NOT possible (seed source not available): initiate SYP restoration with two-aged harvest; prepare site for planting & plant fire-adapted SYP species YES Are woodland indicators present? (i.e. site index < 70, aspect, soil, etc.) YES NO Create open canopy to reuce midstory to maintain SYP (up to 12,400 acres ) using commercial thinning and connected mid-story reduction treatments (Rx burning, herbicides, mechanical) Create open canopy & recue mid-story to restore to Woodlands using commercial/ noncommercial mechnical treatments; herbicdes, and/or Rx burning (up to 7,400 acres) Mesic Condition Decision Matrix Forest type = Hardwood Dominant Stand dominated by mesic cove hardwood species or dry mesic oak forest (Forest Type 53/ Site Index 80+) Stand dominated by dry or drymesic upland oaks & other upland hardwoods including mixed oak-pine Mesic - Oak Mesic - not Oak (FT 53, Site Index 80+) See Non-Mesic Condition Decision Matrix (i.e. dominant yellow Poplar) Is the ability for oak seedlings to reach the overstory being inhibited by shade-tolerant midstory vegetation? NO Site does not exhibit grouse habitat indicators YES Is stand mid to late succession (mature)? Oak seedlings are large (4'+) and abundant (200500/acre): no action needed Mid-story competitors are suppressing oak seedling development; oak seedlings are small and noncompetitive. Large oak seedlings (4'+) are infrequent Oak Mainteance through midstory reduction (up to 14,800 acres) Rx fire if possible No: no action proposed Create Early Successional Habitat (ESH): Regenerate aggregate openings (up to 500 acres total) YES Is structrual diversity lacking? (i.e. stand appears even-aged, with fully intact and continuous close-canopy; lacks diversity in ground-cover or in the form of shrubs/ herbaceous plants A lack of structural diversity is contributing to the need for wildlife habitat improvement Yes: Improve structural diversity by creating canopy gaps (up to 3/4 acre) distributed across 25% of stand with thinning between gaps Site exhibits grouse habitat indicators (i.e. elevation within range, ability to create aggreagate openings, known species present in nearby vicinity, etc.) No: Stand is structurally diverseno action necessary Yes: Improve structural diversity by creating canopy gaps (up to 3/4 acre) ditributed across 25% of stand with thinning between gaps Forest Type = Hardwood Dominant Non-Mesic Conditions Stand dominated by mesic cove hardwood species or dry mesic oak forest (FT 53/ Site Index 80+) see Mesic Conditions Decision Matrix Stand dominated by dry or dry mesic upland oaks and other upland hardwoods, including mixed oak-pine Stand is immature (origin is likely result of previous FS even-aged management during last 50 years) Stand is mature, mid-late successional with little or no evidence of previous managmenet, likely originating prior to FS ownership No If stand < 20 years old: no action Yes If stand is >20 years and conditions warrant and allow: Rx fire (up to 50,000 acres) Site Index is >70 (Productivity of site is moderate to high) Site index is 70 or lower (Productivity of site is low to moderate) Are the crowns of existing oaks being overtopped by their non-oak neighbors? Is the ability for oak seedlings to reach the overstory being inhibited by shade tolerant midstory vegetation? Can stand be burned? No Yes Yes: Mid-story competitors are suppressing oak seedling development (seedlings small & noncompetitive): Improve ability for oak to maintain itself through selfreplacement. Use expanding gap treatments (up to 14,600 acres) Large (height 4'+) advanced oak abundant (200500/acre) in the understory Large (height 4'+) advanced oak NOT abundant in undersotry; seedlings are small, typically 1' or less; shade-tolerant mid-story is suppressing growth of seedlings Create canopy gaps (up to 8,100 acres) if a lack of structurall diversity is drviing wildlife habitat improvment needs Are Woodland Indicators present (site index <70, woodland species present, aspect, soil, etc.)? No: oak seedlings are large, competetive, and will likely recruit to the overstoryif released; no action necessary. Release existing oak regeneration from the overstory through commercial regeneration harvest (up to 2,000 acres) No: Oak will liekly recruit to the overstory if released. No action necessary OR Is the ability for oak seedlings to reach overstory being inhibited by shade tolerant midstory vegetation? Crown-touch release treatments to reduce competetion and improve oak dominance (up to 3,200 acres); follow up with Rx fire over time Yes: Mid-story competitors are suppressing oak seedling development (seedlings small & noncompetitive): Improve ability for oak to maintain itself through selfreplacement. Use expanding gap treatments (up to 14,600 acres) Are Woodland Indicators present (site index 60 or lower, woodland species persist, aspect, soil, etc.)? No Yes Rx fire only (up to 50,000 acres) in order to maintain/ promote natural woodland habitat restoration Create open canopy and reduce mid-story to restore open woodland habitats using commercial and/or non-commercial mechanical treatments along w/ herbicied and/or Rx fire (up to7,400 acres) Yes No Create open canopy and reduce mid-story to improve conditions for oak seedling development (up to 9,200 acres) using commercial thinning & Rx fire Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Aquatics Decision Matrices AP56 Aquatic Activities Is riparian area a stream or floodplain? Stream No restoration required, continue w/ MRx 11 Are conditions impacting species viability? (i.e. large woody deris (LWD) lacking, erosion, AOP issues, etc.) No Cold water stream (majority of project area (91%)) Yes No Is cane present? No Yes Can it be burned? Yes Is it a state designated trout stream? Stabilize streambank if necessary; add large woody debris, and/or address AOP for connectivity Floodplain Yes: Consider cane restoration (up to 50 acres) No Cool water streams (<10% of projet area) Stabilize streambank if necessary and/or improve breeding habitat for rare species if present in watershed Are associated wetlands present? Continue management in accordance with Forest Plant MRx 11 If NNIS (plants or animals) or encroaching vegetation is present, then remove No Yes Does wetland type as high appalachian bog, fenn, seep, or pond? Yes: Assess for Bog Restoration Opportunities No If hydrology is altered, then evaluate options to restore natural processes (i.e. raise stream profille by filling/ plugging ditches, etc.) If biologically appropriate species associated with the rare plant community are present, then plant rare species Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Sustainable Recreation Evaluation Criteria and Decision Matrices AP58 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Developed Recreation Decision Matrix Trigger Indicator Management Toolbox Man-made/Natural Disaster Resource damage Erosion Change in recreation opportunities Displacement Loss/damage to amenities Landslides Flooding Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Sign each site and have a transition plan in place. Implement site specific camping prohibitions, mitigate potential health and safety hazards, repair, replace in kind and complete PACE IT! to assess the alignment and sustainability of proposal. Seek funding opportunities and potential partners, relocate site, change site type, partial/full decommissioning Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Decline in native plant and animal populations Increase in NNIS Work with our partners and local, state and national plant and wildlife specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts. Plan may include site relocation, rehab (herbicide, seeding, pulling) or site-specific camping prohibitions. Access issues such as road damage, fords, crossings Rutting Drainage structure failure Erosion Visitor complaints Hazards Failures to infrastructure Bank undercutting Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Mitigate hazards. Complete PACE IT! to assess the alignment and sustainability of proposal, seek funding opportunities and potential partners, consider change in season of use, improvements, hardening, bank stabilization, repair, maintenance contracts, new agreements, realignment, reconstruction, temporary/permanent closures, partial/full decommissioning Loss or damage to known cultural and historical resources Vandalism High deferred maintenance costs Develop a communication plan with specialists inform forest visitors of site changes. Work with local, state and national archeologists to conduct assessments and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to cultural resources. Work with specialists and partners to implement measures Environmental Impacts to cultural and historical resources Financial AP59 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Deferred maintenance No longer meets public interest Displacement Heightened Law Enforcement Vandalism issues Sanitation Emergencies Infrastructure Emergencies Mitigate health and safety concern. Implement site specific prohibitions. Conduct costs estimates to determine long term desired outcomes. Work with law enforcement to develop a plan to mitigate vandalism. Sign changes on site, reduce services, seek funding and partnership opportunities, change site designation, partial/full decommissioning. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Increase in funding More revenue generated at site New revenue sources Review operation and maintenance plans. Work with partners, specialists and campers to determine additional needs. Conduct PACE IT! Assessment and develop a long-term strategy to right size. Bring to standard, consider additional amenities, services, adding site to the reservation system, and/or consider concessionaire. Prioritize projects and plans. Work with engineers to design proposals. Invest in durable, sustainable products that will last. Decrease in funding Low use site Decreased revenue Decline in obligated funding Theft of fee tubes Conduct costs estimates to determine long term desired outcomes and financial sustainability. Conduct PACE IT! to assess current and future site needs, change season of use, reduce services, improve security, change use type, redesign site to meet interests of public, seek partnerships, concessionaires, special use permits, decrease amenities, partial/full decommissioning. Implement site specific prohibitions. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Infrastructure failure (e.g., 30year-old water system, sewer system, field line failure) Increase in repair costs Aging infrastructure Obsolete parts and equipment Undocumented infrastructure Secure funding for costs associated with maintaining infrastructure and on-site amenities. Complete a site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the need to replace, upgrade or decommission infrastructure/amenities. Work with engineering to develop a site plan and keep plans for perpetuity. Seek alternative funding sources and new partnerships to leverage resources. If resources are not available consider temporary closures, reduced services, change in site type, partial/full decommissioning of site. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Health and Safety Concerns Unplanned cyclic maintenance and replacement of amenities and infrastructure AP60 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Non-paying use Dumping Increase in toilet pumping costs and maintenance supplies Aging infrastructure Equipment and fuel costs Develop a communication plan to inform non- paying visitors that use of facilities are for paying guests only. Complete a site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the need to replace, upgrade or decommission infrastructure/amenities. Seek additional revenue sources, consider new partnerships, fee increases, adjust services, change site type, consider temporary closures, reduce services, change in site type, partial/full decommissioning of site. Implement a dispersed camping restriction for sites within ¼ mile of developed campgrounds. Increase presence with additional patrols, campground hosts, or new partnerships (adopt a campground). Increase in visitor use, request for new sites Visitor complaints Overuse of established sites Requests for amenities Request for more sites Requests for larger sites Displacement Work with visitors, partners and communities to develop a list of current and future amenities and site operation and maintenance needs. Complete a financial review and site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the long-term desired outcomes. Consider all alternatives, including campsite reservations systems, relocation, enlarging, changing use type, partnerships, volunteers, concessionaires, special use permits. Work with engineers to design a site plan that depicts needs. Redirect resources to meet public desire to improve their experience. Seek alternative funding sources and new partnerships to leverage resources for long term sustainability. Decrease in visitor use Decrease in revenue Overgrown vegetation Trash/vandalism Security Request for LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) presence Displacement Change of recreation trends Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Sign each site and have a transition plan in place. Complete a financial review and site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the long-term desired outcomes. Implement site specific camping prohibitions, mitigate potential health and safety hazards, redesign site to meet needs/wants of recreating public, reduce amenities and/or change in season of use and type of use, partial/full decommission. Work with Forest Service LEO’s and local law enforcement to address security concerns. Increase of operation and maintenance costs Social AP61 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Accessibility Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Lack of ADA compliant opportunities Increase demand of user requests Assess opportunities to increase accessibility, seek partnership/grant opportunities for project funding and to secure future maintenance funding for the development of opportunities in our campgrounds. Work with regional and national program managers to develop a plan to provide additional opportunities. AP62 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Dispersed Recreation Decision Matrix Trigger Indicator Management Toolbox Visual Impacts Resource Damage Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, retention, closure, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. If assessment indicates restrict dispersed camping to 50’ from roads, trails and water. Sign and post changes. Implement vehicle parking restriction to one vehicle length from system road. Sign and post changes Sedimentation Erosion Impacts to wildlife Impacts to aquatic species Visual impacts Flooding Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Restrict dispersed camping to 50’ from roads, trails and water. Sign and post changes Exposed bare ground Erosion Vegetation loss Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting). Conduct a large-scale plan to identify dispersed campsites using natural boundaries to concentrate use. Consider adding infrastructure and amenities to reduce impacts. Educate and inform campers of ways to minimize camping impacts and encourage responsible use. Sign and post changes Environmental Campsite is located adjacent to the road Campsite is located along water Size of exposed bare ground exceeds average campsite size of 15x15 AP63 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Size of exposed bare ground has several average sites (15x15) resulting in a camping area Multiple user created trails Resource damage Health and safety Threatened and endangered species Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Exposed bare ground Erosion Vegetation loss Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting, roping). Conduct analysis to determine if there is a need to designate a group camping area or construct new campground. Educate and inform campers of campgrounds nearby. Sign and post changes Erosion Vegetation loss Assess user created routes. Designate, construct, and maintain sustainable trails to provide access to dispersed campsite and nearby recreation opportunities. Decommission and rehab user created trails (falling trees, seeding, planting, roping). Sign and post changes. Tree damage (ax, nails, falling, carving, etc.) Erosion Vegetation loss Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Increase presence and work with local Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO). Educate and inform campers of ways to minimize camping impacts. Sign and post changes. Human waste Bury and/or remove human waste present. Educate and inform campers of ways to minimize camping impacts. Require human waste pack out. Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Decline in native plant and animal populations Increase in NNIS Work with our partners and local, state and national plant and wildlife specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts. Plan may include site relocation, rehab (herbicide, seeding, pulling) or site-specific camping prohibitions. AP64 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Undesirable camping sites On slopes >10% Wet areas Low resilient sites Wildlife nesting/feeding grounds Cultural and Historical sites Conduct site specific rapid campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting), obliterate or site-specific camping prohibitions. Work with specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts, rehab and decommission sites. Sign and post changes Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Decline in native plant and animal populations Work with specialists to develop and implement a plan to reduce NNIS. Plan may include site relocation, rehab (herbicide, seeding, pulling) or site-specific camping prohibitions. Impacts to cultural and historical resources Loss or damage to known cultural and historical resources Work with local, state and national archeologists and historical societies to conduct assessments and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to cultural and historical resources. Work with specialists and partners to implement measures. Develop a communication plan with public affairs specialist to inform forest visitors of site changes. Trash/vandalism Costs associated with cleaning and disposing trash Form new partnerships with state/private entities to assist with monitoring and cleaning known dumping locations to help offset the costs associated with cleaning and disposing waste while providing more field presence. Work with law enforcement to develop a plan to mitigate trash and vandalism. Encourage pack it in, pack it out camping principle. Deferred Maintenance Cost associated with replacing, maintaining, or decommissioning amenities Complete a site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the need to replace, maintain or decommission amenities. Develop new partnerships with state and private entities to assist with managing site infrastructure to reduce costs. Trigger Financial AP65 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Low satisfaction Undesirable activity High use Complaints Displacement Exceeding length of camping limit Reduce visitor conflicts by providing high quality dispersed camping opportunities that reduce resource damage, provide solitude and low impact camping experiences. Monitor dispersed recreation experiences by working closely with law enforcement, making visitor contacts, and recording complaints. Review and update regulations as needed to reduce conflicts and provide quality recreation opportunities while protecting resources. High satisfaction Generational use Work with the community to identify dispersed sites that are highly valued. Foster relationships to understand why these areas are important and work with specialists and the community to protect experiences. Partner with state, private and local entities to continue to manage and monitor these treasured sites. Degradation of water quality Resource damage Impacts to plants and animals Visitor conflicts Vandalism Trash & human waste Noise Educate and inform visitors of ways to minimize impacts while dispersed camping. Develop partnerships to patrol general forest areas to help monitor and promote leave no trace camping principles. Work with specialists, other agencies, partners, outdoor retail stores to develop consistent messaging to reduce camping impacts Social Visitor conflicts Strong Community Connection High impact camping AP66 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Trails Decision Matrix Trigger Indicator Management Toolbox Environmental Tree mortality Landslides Loss of trail structures Damage to signs Damage to structures Debris Flooding Complete a trail assessment and prioritize needs to repair, relocate, reconstruct or decommission trails. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of trail changes. Sign and inform trail users of hazards on site. Implement site specific prohibitions, temporary and permanent closures. Complete cost assessments to determine extent of damage and resources needed to clear route. Seek alternative funding sources and partners to leverage resources. Resource damage Unsustainable trail layout Erosion/soil loss Increased maintenance intervals Complaints Complete a trail assessment and repair, relocate, reconstruct or decommission. Seek alternative route, construct mitigation structures (drainage structures, hardening, armoring, retaining walls, bridges, etc.), and/or decommission (sign, boulder, falling trees, debris, fencing, gates, rehab and seed). Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of trail changes. Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Decline in native plant and animal populations Increase in NNIS Work with local, state and national plant and wildlife specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts. New trail construction, re-routes Rutting Drainage structure failure Erosion Hazards Poor trail design Complete a trail assessment and prioritize needs to repair, relocate, reconstruct, or decommission trails. Complete PACE IT! to assess the alignment and sustainability of route. Seek funding opportunities, potential partners, and long-term maintenance needs of each proposal. Decommission unsustainable trail (sign, boulder, falling trees, debris, fencing, gates, rehab and seed). Trash/vandalism Human waste present Bury and/or remove human waste present. Educate and inform hikers of ways to minimize impacts. Encourage human waste pack out with leave no trace messaging and increase presence with volunteers and partners. Man-made/Natural Disasters Health and safety AP67 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Impacts to cultural and historical resources Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Loss or damage to known cultural and historical resources Work with local, state and national archeologists to conduct assessments and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to cultural and historical resources. Work with specialists and partners to implement measures. Measures may include trail closures, section re-routes and/or interpretive displays to protect sites. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of changes. Deferred maintenance No longer meets public interest Displacement Unsustainable trail design Mitigate health and safety concern. Implement site specific prohibitions. Conduct costs estimates to determine long term desired outcomes. Sign changes on site, seek funding and partnership opportunities, change maintenance intervals, change trail class, partial/full decommissioning. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of trail changes. Bridges Causeways Hardened trails (gravel, pavement) Culverts Interpretive displays/kiosks Loading ramps/gates/handrails Fencing Toilets/drinking fountains Picnic tables/grills/trash cans Trail signs Complete condition assessments on the structures. Sign and inform trail users of hazard. Complete a trail assessment (PACE IT!) to determine the need to replace, maintain or decommission infrastructure/amenities. Coordinate with engineering staff to design structures that last. Seek alternative funding sources and new partnerships to leverage resources. If resources are not available consider temporary closures, reduced services, change in trail type and class, partial/full decommissioning of site. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes. Financial High annual and deferred maintenance costs Unplanned maintenance and/or replacement of amenities and infrastructure Social AP68 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Increase in trail use Decrease in trail use Use by “undesignated” user Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Social Trails Shortcutting Tread widening Parking occurring beyond designated trailheads New trail proposals Complete a trail assessment (PACE IT!) to determine the need to maintain, harden, relocate, or increase current trail system and parking locations. Coordinate with engineering staff to design structures that last. Seek alternative funding sources and new partnerships to leverage resources. Consider charging fees, develop a permit system, increasing patrols, installing directional signs, rehab social trails (debris, fallen trees, brush, etc.), and leave no trace messaging. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of site changes, trail etiquette, and ways to reduce impacts when hiking. No visible signs of consistent use Overgrown vegetation Fallen trees/blowdowns Complete a trail assessment (PACE IT!) to determine the need to maintain at current condition, reduce trail class, trail type, reduce maintenance cycle, and/or decommission. Decommissioning methods may include, but are not limited to; signing, iceberging, falling trees, debris, fencing, gates, rehab and seeding. Develop a communication plan with specialists to inform forest visitors of trail changes. Visitor complaints Evidence of use (hoof prints, bike tracks, etc.) Law enforcement actions Illegal firearm use Work with trail partners and recreation technicians to evaluate current trail use patterns. Enhance trail signs and communication efforts to inform users of designated uses and encourage appropriate behavior. Assess trail for capacity to sustain new and potential use. Conduct a PACE IT! and cost analysis for upgrades that may need to be made to maintain to standard. Analysis may include site specific prohibitions, change in trail type and use, trail improvements, right sizing trail system, increase of signs, and overall presence (adopt a trail program, new partnerships, etc.) AP69 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Inadequate trail system Trail events (Special Use Permits) Accessibility Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox User created trails not associated with designated trails Out and back trails Level of difficulty Partner proposal Social trail network Waterfall trails Lack of challenge levels Coordinate with trail partners and recreation technicians to identify why use is occurring (waterfall, viewpoint, dispersed campsites, private land access etc.). Conduct a PACE IT! analysis to determine the sustainability of these non-system trails. Possible management actions may include future maintenance of these trails, add interconnected loops, add more trail miles, add beginner, intermediate and advanced difficulty levels, change in trail type and use, rehab, and/or decommissioning (signing, iceberging, falling trees, debris, fencing, gates, rehab and seeding). Coordinate with special use permit administrators and permittee to evaluate all new proposals for appropriateness, timing, use conflicts and cumulative effects on trail resources to mitigate conflicts and resource damage on the trail system. Monitor social media to identify non-permitted events and reach out to these groups to inform of special use permitting process. Identify trail system that are compatible for these activities. Develop criteria for mitigating user conflicts, resource damage and use capacity on trail systems. Increase in requests Non-permitted events occurring Non-compliance with permits Lack of ADA compliant opportunities User requests AP70 Assess opportunities to increase accessibility, seek partnership/grant opportunities for project funding and to secure future maintenance funding for the development of opportunities in our trail system. Work with regional and national program managers to develop a plan to provide additional opportunities. Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Wild and Scenic River Decision Matrix Trigger Indicator Management Toolbox Environmental Campsite is located within ¼ mile of a road Campsite is located within 50’ of the river or its tributaries Size of exposed bare ground exceeds average campsite size of 15x15 Size of exposed bare ground has several average sites (15x15) resulting in a camping area Map shows locations/distances Visual Impacts Resource Damage Impacts to Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) (biology, recreation, geology, scenery and history) Map shows locations/distances Sedimentation Impacts to aquatic species Visual impacts Flooding Impacts to Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) (biology, recreation, geology, scenery and history) Soil Compaction Erosion Vegetative damage Impacts to Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) (biology, recreation, geology, scenery and history) Exposed bare ground Erosion Vegetation loss Impacts to Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) (biology, recreation, geology, scenery and history) AP71 Conduct area assessments within the 1/4-mile area of roads and within 50' of the river or its tributaries to identify sites that are not compliant with the forest order/plan. This will result in site relocation, closure, rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing fire rings, falling trees, seeding or planting) Officially designate allowable campsites. Sign and post changes. Conduct area assessments within the 1/4-mile area of roads and within 50' of the river or its tributaries to identify sites that are not compliant with the forest order/plan. This will result in site relocation, closure, rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing fire rings, falling trees, seeding or planting, canebrake restoration) Officially designate allowable campsites. Sign and post changes. Conduct campsite location, size and condition assessments that may result in site relocation, retention, closure, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting, canebrake restoration) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Sign and post changes Conduct campsite location, size and condition assessments that may result in site relocation, retention, closure, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Sign and post changes Foothills Landscape Project Trigger Multiple user created trails Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Erosion Vegetation loss Impacts to ORVs Assess user created routes. Decommission and rehab excessive user created trails (falling trees, seeding, planting, roping). Sign and post changes. Resource damage Tree damage (ax, nails, falling, carving, etc.) Erosion Vegetation loss Impacts to ORVs Health and safety Human waste Impacts to ORVs Threatened and endangered species in area Undesirable camping sites Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) Decline in native plant and animal populations Increase in NNIS Conduct site assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting, canebrake restoration) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Increase presence and work with local Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers (LEO). Educate and inform campers of ways to minimize camping impacts. Sign and post changes Bury and/or remove human waste present. Educate and inform campers of ways to minimize camping impacts. Require human waste pack out. Conduct site specific campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding, planting) or implement site specific camping prohibitions. Designate allowable campsites. Sign and post changes. Work with our partners and local, state and national plant and wildlife specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts. Plan may include site relocation, rehab (herbicide, seeding, pulling) or site-specific camping prohibitions. On slopes >10% Wet areas Low resilient sites Wildlife nesting/feeding grounds Impacts to ORVs Conduct site specific campsite assessments that may result in site relocation, site rehab (iceberging, shrinking, removing campfire rings, hardening, falling trees, seeding planting), obliterate or site-specific camping prohibitions. Work with specialists to develop a plan to reduce impacts, rehab and decommission sites. Sign and post changes Decline in native plant and animal populations Impacts to ORVs Work with specialists to develop and implement a plan to reduce NNIS. Plan may include site relocation, rehab (herbicide, seeding, pulling) or sitespecific camping prohibitions. AP72 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Trigger Indicator Management Toolbox Impacts to cultural and historical resources Loss or damage to known cultural and historical resources Impacts to ORVs Work with local, state and national archeologists and historical societies to conduct assessments and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to cultural and historical resources. Work with specialists and partners to implement measures. Develop a communication plan with public affairs specialist to inform forest visitors of site changes. Financial Trash/vandalism Maintenance Costs associated with cleaning and disposing of trash Impacts to ORVs Form new partnerships with state/private entities to assist with monitoring and cleaning known dumping locations to help offset the costs associated with cleaning and disposing waste while providing more field presence. Work with law enforcement to develop a plan to mitigate trash and vandalism. Encourage pack it in, pack it out camping principle. Cost associated with replacing, maintaining, or decommissioning amenities Additional costs associated with designating sites Complete a site analysis (PACE IT!) to determine the need to replace, maintain or decommission amenities. Develop new partnerships with state and private entities to assist with managing site infrastructure to reduce costs. Social Visitor Use conflicts Strong Community Connection Low satisfaction Undesirable activity High use Exceeding length of camping limit Reduce visitor conflicts by providing high quality designated camping opportunities that reduce resource damage, provide solitude and low impact camping experiences. Provide designated access points for river access and well as a designated path to reduce network of trails. Work with LEOs local interested parties to make visitor contacts to encourage LNT principles, Outreach/Education. High satisfaction Generational use Work with the community to identify areas that are highly valued. Protect user access to these areas while reducing Impacts to Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) (biology, recreation, geology, scenery and history) within this treasured area. AP73 Foothills Landscape Project Trigger High impact recreation Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Indicator Management Toolbox Degradation of water quality Resource damage Impacts to plants and animals Visitor conflicts Vandalism Trash & human waste Noise Educate and inform visitors of ways to minimize impacts while recreating. Develop partnerships to patrol general forest areas to help monitor and promote leave no trace principles. Work with specialists, other agencies, partners, outdoor retail stores to develop consistent messaging to reduce recreational impacts. AP74 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Appendix F – Past, Present and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions Each resource section includes a discussion of cumulative effects focused on evaluating the effects of the proposed action in context with relevant effects from past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions. Past, present, and foreseeable future actions considered in the cumulative effects analyses will vary for each resource. Relevant actions are those expected to generate effects on a specific resource which will occur at the same time and in the same place as effects from the proposed action. Past and present activities are considered part of the existing condition and are discussed in the “Affected Environment (Existing Conditions)” and “Environmental Consequences” section under each resource. The analysis of cumulative effects is consistent with the direction provided in the 36 CFR 220.4(f). There is a summary in the next paragraph and Table 1 about the recently past, present (or ongoing), and reasonably foreseeable activities in watershed within or near the general area of the Foothills Landscape Project that could contribute relevant effects (i.e., effects that overlap in space and time with effects of the proposed action). The analysis for each resource may not consider all actions listed below or it may consider additional actions not listed. Past and Present Action Special Use Permits: there are water transmission lines, fiber optic system, utility corridor and power line right-of ways in the project area that are under special use permits. Dispersed and Developed Recreation: developed and dispersed recreation such as wildlife sightseeing, camping, and hiking have historically occurred and will continue to occur throughout the project area. Vegetation Management: there were a few small commercial thinning in the foothills project area going back to 2011 in approximately 485 acres Wildfires: Few small wildfires have occurred over the years, but each has been suppressed by local wildland fire suppression crews. Rough Ridge Fire in 2016 occurred primarily outside of the project area, but 2,670 acres overlapped within the Headwaters Conasauga River watershed and 606 acres within the Jacks River watershed within the Foothills boundary. Wildfires could occur at any time in the future and the effects of these events are unpredictable. Reasonably Foreseeable Future Action Roads and Trails: road and trail construction and maintenance have occurred and continue to occur near or within the project area and include projected population growth in surrounding communities, increased recreation demand and use, increased user-created trails and trail proliferation. Table 21, Table 22, and Table 23 displays a list of the known past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions on several watersheds within the Foothills Landscape Project Area that may contribute cumulatively to the direct and indirect effects of proposed Foothills Landscape activities. These tables includes activities during the last decade. AP75 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 20 Past Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Activities in Watersheds that Touch the Foothills Landscape Project Area 6th Level Watershed Bridge Creek 030601020106 Cane Creek 031300010603 Cochrans Creek 031501040203 Dicks Creek 031300010501 Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Present Reasonably Foreseeable Slick Shoals Rx Burn 2009, 2014 1816 acres X X X Bridge Creek Hazard Tree Removal 2010 10 X Tom’s Swamp Bog Maintenance & Restoration 2008-2018 2.3 acres X X X Paul S. Rx Burn 2009, 2011 25 acresP X Stevens Grant-EG Rx Burn 2011 23 acresP X Stevens Grant-SB Rx Burn 2011 13 acresP X William G. Rx Burn 2010 182 acresP X Bob L. GFC Rx Burn 2015 145 acresP X Gayle A. Rx Burn 2014 5 acresP X Sanitation Cut 2011 37 acres X Plant Trees 2012 37 acres X Plantation Survival Survey 2013, 2015 37 acres X Boggs Creek Private Rx Burn 2013 95 acresP X Boggs Creek Rx Burn 2013 85 acres X Woodland 75 acres Sumac GA Intermediate Harvests SLP Maint. 30 acres 2015 X Forest Health 91 acres Total 196 acres Sumac Creek 031501010201 Sumac GA Restoration Harvests SLP Restoration 113 acres 2015 Road Corridor 14 acres Total 127 acres AP76 X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Sumac GA NNIS 2017 17 acres X Sumac GA Tree Planting 2021 116.7 acres X Sumac GA Site Prep Burn 2020 113 acres X Sumac GA Site Prep chemical 2020 113 acres X Sumac GA Tree Release and Weed 2022 113 acres X Sumac GA Control of Understory 2015 105.1 acres Sumac GA W/L Mech. Trtmt 2015 64 acres X Sumac GA W/L opening rehab 2015 7.8 acres X Sumac GA W/L Corridors 2015 28.8 acres X Oak Midstory 2014 134 acres X SLP Crown Release 2016 86 acres X 2018 Restore SLP 53 acres Present Reasonably Foreseeable X Restore Oak/Oak-pine 35 acres Sumac III Restoration Harvest Daylighting(ES H) 22 acres Total 110 acres Sumac III Site Prep Burns 2024 88 acres Sumac III Site Prep Chemical 2024 53 acres Sumac III Tree Release and Weed 2027,2029 88 acres X X Restore Woodland 38 acres Sumac III Intermediate Harvests 2018 Forest Health 280 acres Maintain Oak/SLP 54 acres Total 372 acres AP77 X X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Sumac III W/L Corridors (harvest and slashdown) 2018 22 acres X Sumac III Canopy Gaps 2018 13 acres X Sumac III NNIS 2018 99 acres X X Sumac III Burns 2024 354 acres X X Sumac IIII Planting SLP 2025 53 acres Sumac III Control Understory 2018,2024 92 acres Hickey Gap Burn Unit 2009, 2014 387 acres Pleasant Gap Burn Unit 2013,2016 Hickory Ridge Burn Unit Past Present Reasonably Foreseeable X X X X X X 1330 acres X X X 2013, 2016 1494 acres X X X Muddy Branch Burn Unit 2014 553 acres X X X Alaculsey Valley Burn Unit 2009 258 acres X East Cowpen Burn Unit 2010,2013,20 16 422 acres X X X David B. Rx Burn 2009 7 acresP X North Prong Sumac Creek 031501010202 Bob Jones Burn unit 2009, 2015 1191 acres X X X Jacks River 031501010102 Buffalo Burn Unit 2010, 2013, 2016 26 acres X X X Mooneyham Burn Unit 2010, 2013, 2016 100 acres X X X Boyd J. Rx Burn 2009 24 acresP X Mooneyham Burn Unit 2010, 2013, 2016 205 acres X X X Turkey Beard Burn Unit 2012, 2015, 2017 435 acres X X X Rocky Flats Burn Unit 2015, 2018 1172 acres X X X Songbird W/L Habitat Mech. Treatment 2015 64 acres X 2015 4 acres X Conasauga River Headwaters 031501010101 Perry Creek 031501010105 Bogden Creek 031501010103 Mill Creek/Rockflat Branch 031501010206 Holly Creek Headwaters 031501010401 Cohutta Overlook Underburn AP78 X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed Lower Mill Creek 031501010207 Muskrat Creek 031501010402 Goldmine Creek 031501010403 Sugar Creek 031501020801 Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Cohutta Overlook Thinning 2014 Thinning for Hazardous Fuels 2.2 acres X Emily C. GFC Rx Burn 2015 27 acres Pre commercial Thin 2009 29 acres X TSI-Thinning 2009 9 acres X 2013 15 acres Alan R. Rx BurnGFC Grant 2008 30 acres Jeff A. Rx Burn 2014 5 acres Activity Ft. Mtn. State Part Chipping of Fuels Gary T. Rx Burn Headwaters Etowah River 031501040101 Jones Creek 031501040102 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 2012 P P P P 10 acres X X X P 2014 171 acres (Part of larger burn unit outside of FLP boundary) Forest Health South IRTC (commercial thinning) 2019 145 acres Commercial Thin 2014 Forest Health 30 acres X Pre-Commercial thin 2015 Forest Health 58 acres X Bill S. Rx Burn 2012 26 acres P P X X X Cynthia M. Rx Burn 2012 32 acres Jones Creek Rx Burn 2012 815 acres X Jones Creek East Rx Burn 2013, 2018 446 acres X Turner Creek Rx Burn 2013 608 acres X 2014 162 acres (Part of larger burn unit outside of FLP boundary) X 2019 55 acres Forest Health South IRTC (commercial thinning) AP79 Reasonably Foreseeable X Montgomery Creek Rx Burn Montgomery Creek Rx Burn Present X X X X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed Lower Chattooga River 030601020210 Panther Creek 030601020401 Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Wildlife Habitat Slash treatment (Connected to Waterguage) 2014 220 acres X Tallulah Gorge North Rim Co-Op Rx Burn – 1316 ac. (USFS-101/State1215) 2014 676 acres USFS – 101 acres State/private – 575 acres X X Deaden Timber Rx Burn (formerly Camp Creek/Wolf Creek) 2009 882 acres X X Cliff Creek TS st (1 thin SYP) 2012 212 acres X Watergauge 1 TS 2011 Woodland 220 acres X Watergauge Rx Burn 2014 1,020 acres X Waterguage Bog Maint & Restoration 2010 7.2 acres X P&M Black Rx Burn 2013 10 acres Walter L. Rx Burn Laura W. GFC Upper Warwoman Creek 030601020205 2015 2015 P 22 acres P P X X Reasonably Foreseeable X X X X X 2010,2012 80 acres Commercial Thin 2019 125 X Non-commercial thin 2022 100 acres X Sandy Ford ROW 2017 2 acres X X 2012, 2016 60 acres within FLP boundary (870 total acres) X X 2016 32 acres within FLP boundary (837 total acres) X X Hale Ridge Bog Maintenance & Restoration 2008-2018 4.6 acres X Jim C. Rx Burn 2014 56 acres Pre-Commercial Thin 2015 Forest Health 22 acres Hale Ridge East Rx Burn – Bog Nimblewill Creek 031501040103 7 acres P Present Doug B. Rx Burn Hale Ridge Rx Burn – Bog West Fork Chattooga River 030601020203 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests AP80 P X X X X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Forest Health South IRTC (Commercial Thin) 2019 Forest Health 45 acres Thomas D. Rx Burn 2012 35 acres Kenneth D. Rx Burn 2012 99 acres Dave I. Rx Burn 2008,2009 150 acres Tamera B. GFC Rx Burn 2015 6 acres Town Creek Margaret T. Rx Burn 2010 5 acres 031300010503 Gary M. Rx Burn 2015 4 acres Chickamauga Creek 031300010104 Robert S. Rx Burn 2009 9 acres Jim W. Rx Burn 2011 52 acres Low Gap ROW 2009 10 acres Mark L. Rx Burn 2014 19 acres Michael C. Rx Burn 2010 7 acres Rabun Beach Campground Rx Burn(Rec Related Maintenance) 2008 76 acres (Portions on Private) Tallulah Gorge North Rim Co-Op Rx Burn – 1316 ac. (USFS-101/State1215) 2014 640 acres State/private Ricky F. GFC Rx Burn 2008 38 acres Pearce A. Rx Burn 2010 1 acre Deaden Timber Rx Burn (formerly Wolf Creek) 2009 116 acres X Bynum Branch Commercial Thin 2010 56 acres X Bynum Branch Commercial Thin 2010,2014 Forest Health 29 acres Boyce S. Rx Burn 2013 47 acres BRRD Wildlife OpeningsMaintenance - 80 acres Upper Chestatee River 031300010502 Lower Soquee River 031300010202 Upper Soquee River 031300010201 Lower Tallulah River 030601020108 Lower Stekoa Creek 030601020208 Sarahs Creek 030601020206 Middle Chattooga River 030601020209 Foothills Landscape (All P P P P Past Present Reasonably Foreseeable X X X X X P X P X P X P X X P P X X X X X X P AP81 P P X X X P X X X Foothills Landscape Project 6th Level Watershed watersheds within FLP) Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Present Reasonably Foreseeable CRRD Wildlife Openings Maintenance - 60 acres X X X CRD Wildlife OpeningsMaintenance - 126 acres X X X 1 Conservation area X X X 18 Conservation areas X X X 11 Conservation areas X X X BRRD Hemlock Conservation Areas - Beetle Release X X X CRRD Hemlock Conservation Areas - Beetle Release X X X X X BRRD Hemlock Conservation Areas- Insecticide Maintenance CRRD Hemlock Conservation Areas- Insecticide Maintenance CRD Hemlock Conservation Areas- Insecticide Maintenance Lower Chestatee River 031300010601 2009 CRD Hemlock Conservation Areas - Beetle Release 2009 662 Acres X Community Protection Grant Rx Burn 2013 541 acres* X Dukes Creek 031300010103 Pheasant Branch Rx Burn 2009, 2016 641 acres* X Deep Creek 031300010203 Rx Burn 2013, 2014 ~40 acres* X Bramlett Ridge Rx Burn 2010, 2014, 2018 2,210 acres* X X Dickenson Branch Rx Burn 2015 166 acres* X X Wildcat Creek 030601020105 AP82 X Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 21 Past, Present, and Foreseeable Future Recreation Activities (Developed, Dispersed and Non-Motor Trails) in the Foothills Landscape Project Area Activity by Ranger District Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past CRD- Conversion of Murray’s Lake Campground to Day Use site 2005 .01 acre X CRDDecommission well at Lake Con. Overflow Camping area 2008 .01 acre X 2008 1.92 miles 1 acre plus .15 miles of road and .1 mile of trail X CRD – Decommission Arrowwood Shelter 2008 2500 square feet, plus .1 mile of trail, plus .1-mile access road X CRDDecommission Peeples Lake Campground; Remove toilet 2005 .01 acre X CRD – Cottonwood Patch High Line Hitching Addition 2013 .05 acres X CRD – Dennis Mill Pinhoti Trail Section – new construction 2014 2.4 miles X CRD- Dennis Mill Parking Lot construction 2014 .75 acre X CRDDecommission SST toilet ;Install CXT in new location: Cottonwood Patch Campground 2014 .1 acre X 2016 .01 acre X CRD – Decommission Loop B, Lake Conasauga Cmpgrd (4 sites, chemical toilet, access road and access trail) Foothills Landscape (All watersheds Within FLP) CRD -Lake Conasauga Host Cabin Construction AP83 Present Reasonably Foreseeable X Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity by Ranger District Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected CRDDecommission well: Cottonwood Patch Campground 2018 .01 acre X Culvert Replacements on Lake Conasauga Campground Access Road 2018 1.0 mile X CRD- Songbird Trail Reroute 2019 1.0 miles X BRRD-Jones Creek Campground Decom/Conversion to dispersed camping 2005 34 acres X BRRD-Waters Creek Campground Conversion to dispersed camping 2005 87 acres X BRRD-Jake Mtn Trail Reroutes, Decommissioning 2008, 2009, 2014, 2020 XX X BRRDCochran Creek Falls Trail Decommission ing BRRD-Dicks Creek Campground Decom/Conve rsion to dispersed camping Past Reasonably Foreseeable X X 1.92 miles 1990’s 184 acres X BRRD-Boggs Creek Campground converted to dayuse area 2013 280 acres X BRRD-Boggs Creek chemical toilet decommissioning – 5 chemical toilets, 1 storage building 2018 1 acre X AP84 Present Foothills Landscape Project Watersheds that touch the Foothills Landscape Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Activity by Ranger District Year(s) Implemented CRDMountaintown Creek Trail ReAlignment 2008 CRD-South Fork Trail Reconstruction 2012 2.74 miles X CRD-County Line Trail Designation (existing old roadbed – no new construction 2012 1.7 miles X CRD-Beech Bottom Trail ReRoute (Cohutta Wilderness) 2012-2013 800 feet X CRD-BentonMacKaye Trail Relocation 2012-2013 .7 mile X 2014 .1 mile X CRD-Jacks River Trail ReRoute (Cohutta Wilderness) CRRD-2012 Decision Acres /Miles Affected Past Present Reasonably Foreseeable X X X 2012 X AP85 Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 22 Past, Present, and Foreseeable (Roads and Motorized Trails Activities) in Watersheds within the Foothills Landscape Project Area Activity by Ranger District Year(s) Implemented Whissenhunt OHV Trail Reroutes, Maintenance, toilet upgrades, Acres /Miles Affected Past XX X 5.1 miles X Present Reasonably Foreseeable X 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2020 Decommissioning Dicks Creek Dispersed 2014 Area Access FS Road 34 Maintenance Jake Mtn. Trail Access X X Road Maintenance CRD-Tibbs OHV Trail – 2015 1.5 miles X 2015 14.0 miles X 2015 5 miles X partial decommissioning CRD-Seasonal Closures of Rock Creek, Windy Gap, Milma Creek and Tibbs OHV trails CRD-Emergency Closure of Rocky Flats OHV trail X due to loss of culvert CRD-Bi-Annual Maintenance of Rock 2020, 2022, Creek, Windy Gap, Milma 19.4 miles X 2024 etc. Creek, Tibbs, and Tatum Lead OHV trails CRRD-Annual OHV Maintenance of Oakey 2016, 2018 Trail System AP86 14 miles X X X Foothills Landscape Project Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Table 23 Watersheds within Foothills Boundary with No Activities Reported 12 6th Level Watershed Activity Year(s) Implemented Acres /Miles Affected Past Present Yahoola Creek 031300010602 Turner Creek 031300010504 Spoilcane Creek 031300010102 Stonewall Creek 030601020107 Reed Creek 030601020204 Mountaintown Creek Headwaters 031501020301 East Mountaintown Creek 031501020302 Conasauga Creek 031501020303 Davis Creek 031501020304 Rock Creek 031501010405 Chicken Creek 031501010404 Tails Creek 031501020403 12 Captured here in the event they need to be added to the tables above should activities arise. AP87 Reasonably Foreseeable