EL RITO CANYON LANDSCAPE RESTORATION

PROJECT

VEGETATION REPORT

Prepared by:

Gabriel M. Romero

East Zone Silviculturist

for El Rito Ranger District

Carson National Forest

Date: March 30, 2015

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and employer.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………..……………………..i

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..………………….1

Overview of Issues Addressed…………………………………………………………………..…1

Affected Environment………………………………………………………………………………...…….1

Proposed Action……………………………….……………………………………………………………3

Existing Conditions…………………………………………………………………………………………5

Vegetation Structural Stage…………….………………………………………..……………..…………11

Canopy Cover…………………………………………………………………………..…………………12

Climate Change……………………………………………………………………………………………13

Forest Health……………………………………………………………………..………………………..14

Old Growth………………………………………………………………………………………………..16

Cumulative Effects Area………………………………………………………………..…………………19

Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………..…………………26

Methodology……………………………………………………………………………….……..26

Alternative 1: No Action………………………………………………………………………….27

Alternative 2: Proposed Action………………………………………………….………………..28

References Cited………………………………………………………………………………..…………44

List of Tables

Table 1. Township, Range and Section Information for El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

Analysis Area……………………………………………………………………………………………….1

Table 2. Vegetation Cover Types within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project Analysis Area

(National Forest System Lands)…………………………………………………………………………….2

Table 3. Vegetation Cover Types by Code within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

Analysis Area (National Forest System Lands)……………………………………………………………3

Table 4. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Ponderosa Pine……..6

Table 5. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Mixed Conifer………7

Table 6. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Piñon/Juniper……….8

Table 7. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Aspen…………….…9

Table 8. Existing VSS Distribution for Ponderosa Pine Cover Type with Data within the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project Area………………………………………………………………………11

Table 9. Existing VSS Distribution for Aspen Cover Type with Data within the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project Area………………………………………………………………………11

Table 10. Existing VSS Distribution for Mixed Conifer Cover Type with Data within the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project Area………………………………………………………………………12

Table 11. Existing and Desired Conditions for Canopy Cover for Landscapes within Goshawk Foraging

Areas………………………………………………………………………………………………………13

Table 12. Forest Insect and Disease Activity on the El Rito Ranger District for Three Year Period

(2011-2013)……………………………………………………………………………………………….15

Table 13. Minimum Structural Attributes for Determining Old Growth…………………………………18

Table 14. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Del Medio Ecosystem Management Area…………20

Table 15. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Cañon de El Rito Ecosystem Management Area…..22

Table 16. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Los Comanches Ecosystem Management Area…....23

Table 17. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the VFSYU Ecosystem Management Area……………23

Table 18. Past, Present and Foreseeable Activities in the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

Cumulative Effects Area………………………………………………………………………………….24

Table 19. Proposed Mechanical/Prescribed Fire Treatments by Forest Type (Acres)……………………30

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Table 20. Stand Density Averages for Ponderosa Pine and White Fir Forest Types (Existing Conditions

vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for Commercial Thinning)..……………………………………………...31

Table 21. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for Thinning from

Below/Stand Improvement Thinning for Ponderosa Pine Forest

Type)………………………………………31

Table 22. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for Thinning from

Below/Stand Improvement Thinning for Piñon/Juniper Forest

Type)………………………………………..31

Table 23. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for Aspen

Regeneration Treatments for the Aspen Forest Type)…………………………………………………….32

Table 24. Proposed Vegetation Treatments and Volume Estimates Summary Table…………………….32

Table 25. Comparison of Existing, Post-Treatment and Desired Conditions for VSS for

Ponderosa Pine…………………………………………………………………………………………….34

Table 26. Comparison of Existing, Post-Treatment and Desired Conditions for VSS for Aspen………...36

List of Figures

Figure 1. MSO Restricted, Threshold and Protected Habitat for the El Rito Canyon Landscape

Restoration Project Area……………………………………………………………………………………7

Figure 2. Existing Distribution of Forest Cover Types in the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration

Project Area………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Figure 3. Old Growth Allocation for ERCLRP Analysis Area (Small Scale)…………………………….19

Figure 4. Old Growth Allocation for the Cañon de El Rito Ecosystem Management Area (Mid-Scale….40

Figure 5. Old Growth Allocation for the Los Comanches Ecosystem Management Area (Mid-Scale)…..41

Figure 6. Old Growth Allocation for the VFSYU Ecosystem Management Area (Mid-Scale)..…..……..42

Figure 7. Old Growth Allocation for the El Rito Ranger District (Large Scale)………………………….43

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Introduction

The vegetation report for the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project (ERCLRP) provides

information about existing conditions for the 61,850 acre analysis area and desired forest conditions in

accordance with the Carson National Forest Plan. A no action and action alternative have been analyzed

for the project and their effects at the project and larger landscape level will be discussed in this report.

Overview of Issues Addressed

The non-significant issues that were identified during scoping for the El Rito Canyon Landscape

Restoration Project analysis area included removal of large diameter trees, old growth and livestock

grazing. Canopy cover and Vegetation Structural Stage (VSS) have been selected as measurable

indicators to address the removal of large diameter trees. Canopy cover and VSS are measurable desired

conditions that are set forth in the 1996 Amendment to the Carson National Forest Plan. To address old

growth, the Forest Service will allocate 20% old growth at three scales; project level, mid-level and at the

landscape level. Stands that have previously been allocated to old growth will contribute to the 20% and

additional stands will be allocated where appropriate in accordance with the 1996 Amendment to the

Carson National Forest Plan. The project area is comprised of seven different grazing allotments and

each of the grazing allotments and grazing effects have been analyzed through the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Rescission Act.

Affected Environment

The El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project analysis area is comprised of approximately 61,850

acres, which are located on the El Rito and Canjilon Ranger Districts of the Carson National Forest in Rio

Arriba County, New Mexico. A total of 61,074 acres fall within the El Rito Ranger District and

approximately 776 acres fall within the Canjilon Ranger District boundary. The project area falls within

three different Ecosystem Management Areas (EMA’s) on the El Rito Ranger District and one EMA on

the Canjilon Ranger District. The three EMA’s for the El Rito Ranger District and their respective

acreages are as follows; Cañon de El Rito (58,826 acres), VFSYU (74,903 acres) and Los Comanches

(147,135 acres). The Del Medio EMA on the Canjilon Ranger District is 105,409 acres in size. Table 1

identifies Township, Range and Sections that the analysis area falls within. There are multiple parcels of

private land scattered throughout the analysis area resulting in a total acreage of 2,323 acres.

Table 1. Township, Range and Section Information for El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration

Project Analysis Area.

Township Range Sections

T N 24 R 6 E 1-3, 11

T N 24 R 7 E 2-11, 16-17

T N 25 R 6 E 1-4, 9-16, 21-27, 33-36

T N 25 R 7 E 2-23, 26-35

T N 26 R 6 E 1-4, 8-17, 20-29, 32-36

T N 26 R 7 E 1-35

T N 26 R 8 E 7, 18

T N 27 R 6 E 36

T N 27 R 7 E 31

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The proposed action supports the goals and objectives outlined in the Carson Forest Plan and would move

the analysis area towards desired conditions as described in Forest-wide prescriptions.

The cover types with the largest percentages of area throughout the analysis area include ponderosa pine,

(Pinus ponderosa), piñon/juniper (Pinus edulis)/(Juniperus scopulorum) and mixed conifer cover types.

Approximately 2,323 acres of private land are surrounded by National Forest System Lands. The private

land is comprised of various cover types which include ponderosa pine, piñon/juniper, Gambel oak

(Quercus gambelii), mixed conifer, Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and riparian habitat. Table 2

lists the cover types within the analysis area and a breakdown of the number of acres and percentages for

each respective cover type. Table 3 lists the cover types within the analysis area with associated codes for

each of the respective cover types.

Table2. Vegetation Cover Types within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project Analysis

Area (National Forest System Lands).

Cover Type Acres Percent Analysis Area

Ponderosa pine 28,476 46%

Mixed Conifer 12,753 20%

Piñon/Juniper 11,745 19%

Aspen 3,101 5%

Grassland 2,287 3%

Sagebrush 1,801 3%

Gambel oak 947 2%

Spruce-fir 565 1%

Cottonwood 66 <1%

Other 109 <1%

TOTAL 61,850 acres 100%

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Table3. Vegetation Cover Types by Code within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

Analysis Area (National Forest System Lands).

Cover Type (Code) Acres Percent Analysis Area

Ponderosa pine (TPP) 28,476 46%

Piñon/Juniper (TPJ) 11,745 19%

White fir (TWF) 8,659 14% Douglas-fir (TDF) 4,095 6% Aspen (TAA) 3,101 5% Grassland (GRA) 2,287 3% Sagebrush (SSA) 1,801 3% Gambel oak (SGO) 947 2% Engelmann spruce (TES) 484 <1% Subalpine fir (TSF) 81 <1% Wetland (WET) 75 <1% Cottonwood (TCW) 66 <1% Non-forested Urban (NUR) 9 <1% Non-vegetated sites (NFL) 9 <1% Non-forested Rock (NRK) 9 <1% Water/Lake (NLK) 6 <1%

TOTAL 61,850 acres 100%

Proposed Action

The proposed action for the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project has been designed to move

ecological conditions to desired conditions outlined in the Carson National Forest Plan. Improved forest

health and resilience and reduction of potential wildfire hazard to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are

desired through the implementation of the proposed action. The purpose of the project is to restore

ecological function and to treat hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk to human life and property. The

purpose would be accomplished by altering ground, ladder and canopy fuels through thinning, mechanical

treatment, prescribed fire/burning or a combination of these practices to restore ecological function and

modify wildfire behavior. Modification of wildfire behavior is intended to improve suppression

effectiveness and reduce the extent and severity of wildfire impacts. Modification of ecological

conditions would also improve wildlife habitat, livestock grazing and move the current landscape to

desired conditions.

To meet the purpose and need for the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project, the Forest Service is

proposing to treat ponderosa pine, piñon/juniper, mixed conifer, aspen and grasslands on the El Rito

Ranger District and a small portion of the Canjilon Ranger District. The following activities have been

proposed to restore ecological function and reduce potential wildfire hazard:

1.) Thinning treatments with uneven-aged management strategies including:

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a. Group selection treatments to establish regeneration openings where needed and to create

uneven-aged structure with all age and size classes represented.

b. Single (individual) tree selection to reduce competition by improving health and vigor of

residual trees of all age classes and sizes.

c. And, stand improvement thinning to reduce tree densities, primarily less than 12” Diameter at

Breast Height (DBH) to reduce competition, improve residual tree growth and modify

horizontal and vertical fuel structure to reduce potential for running crown fire.

2.) Lop and scatter, pile, chip, masticate and use prescribed fire to reduce activity and natural fuel

accumulations. Prescribed fire would be accomplished through broadcast burning, pile burning

and jackpot burning utilizing hand ignitions and/or aerial ignitions. The method and type of

prescribed fire utilized will depend on forest type, receptive fuel bed, surface and vertical fuel

arrangement and/or loads, proximity to private land and other WUI infrastructure and proximity

to heritage resources.

3.) Additional acres within proposed burning units would be evaluated for thinning and mechanical

treatments to reduce vertical and horizontal fuel continuity prior to implementing prescribed fire

treatments. Treatments may be necessary to implement prescribed fire treatments safely and

effectively. Piling and pile burning may be considered in areas where activity and natural fuel

concentrations are high to ensure safe and adequate control of prescribed fire treatment areas.

4.) Maintain tree densities (after initial treatment) by implementing additional thinning and

prescribed fire treatments to allow for the return of natural recurring fire.

5.) Create fuel breaks along major National Forest System roads within the analysis area to break up

fuel continuity and to allow for safe egress for forest users as well as safe and effective

ingress/egress for wildland firefighter resources in the event of a wildland fire ignition within the

analysis area.

6.) Thinning and mechanical treatments would be accomplished through:

a. Designation of personal-use fuelwood blocks, commercial fuelwood blocks and mixed forest

product permits (i.e.) latillas, vigas and posts, and

b. Service contracts, Collaborative Forest Restoration Program (CFRP) grants, “in-house”

thinning projects and other potential grants and non-agency funding sources involving

partnerships and collaborators, and

c. Timber sales and/or stewardship contracts.

7.) Existing meadows and grasslands will be treated mechanically and/or with prescribed fire to

mitigate meadow encroachment by conifers that have established due to fire suppression, lack of

treatment and lack of naturally recurring fire.

8.) Maintain snags and living snags for wildlife habitat trees.

9.) Restoration/improvement of aspen stands via tree thinning, conifer removal and patch cuts to

promote habitat diversity and to maintain/improve aspen composition within forest structure.

10.) Riparian and fisheries habitat improvement through the re-establishment and planting of riparian

vegetation and placement of in-stream structures.

Mechanical treatments and prescribed fire would be utilized to reduce the threat of wildfire within the El

Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area and reduce stand densities to 70-134 trees per acre or to

a basal area of 40-70 ft²/acre. Mechanical treatments would be accomplished using a variety of

silvicultural systems to create uneven-aged structure. One silvicultural system that will be utilized is the

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“thin from below” method, where trees in the upper crown classes (dominants and co-dominants) would

be favored for retention and trees in the lower crown classes would be removed. Trees considered for

removal in these stands would consist mainly of smaller diameter trees, however, larger trees in poor

health and with poor vigor or are in stands with continuous interlocking canopies that can contribute to

crown fire will be selected for removal where appropriate. Furthermore, trees in the upper crown classes

may be selected for removal to create uneven-aged structure by creating openings in the canopy to

promote regeneration of smaller size classes which are deficient throughout the analysis area.

Maintenance treatments would involve additional thinning and prescribed burning to maintain tree

densities and allow for the frequent return of fire at low intensities. This project would be implemented

over a fifteen to twenty year period, beginning in the southwestern portion of the analysis area and

moving on into the central, northwestern and northeastern areas respectively. No new roads will be

created by implementing the proposed action and existing road systems will be utilized to access

treatment units or to remove product. Road systems identified as closed through Travel Management on

the west zone of the Carson National Forest may temporarily be opened to allow for treatments and

extraction of materials and forest products. Access roads selected for the allowance of fuelwood and

forest product extraction would be identified and administered by the Forest Service. All temporary roads

will then be closed following implementation and extraction of materials.

Existing Conditions The El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area is comprised of ten major cover types which

include ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, piñon /juniper, quaking aspen, grassland, big sagebrush (Artemisia

tridentate Nutt.), Gambel oak, Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmanni)/ subalpine fir (Abies lasoicarpa),

cottonwood and other cover types lumped together (barren land, wetlands, lakes, non-vegetated sites).

Based on simulations performed with the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), tree densities across the

analysis area average 2,963 trees per acre (tpa) and basal area averages 123 ft²/acre. Descriptions and

characteristics for each of the cover types and their average densities are identified in more detail below:

Ponderosa pine

Ponderosa pine is the most common cover type, making up approximately 46% (28,476 acres) of the

analysis area. Stands classified as ponderosa pine fall within one of two Management Areas (MA’s)

identified in the Carson National Forest Plan. Ponderosa pine under 40% slope is identified as

Management Area 4 and mixed conifer and ponderosa pine over 40% slope is identified as Management

Area 5. The ponderosa pine cover type occupies elevations ranging from 7,000-9,500 ft. Ponderosa pine

is a climax species at lower elevations where it generally grows with piñon pine and Rocky Mountain

juniper. At higher elevations, ponderosa pine is often seral and is replaced through time by shade tolerant

conifers through forest succession. The overstories, in stands within the El Rito Canyon Restoration

Landscape Project analysis area, are either uneven-aged or even-aged depending on treatment and stand

history. Stand composition varies throughout the analysis area with some stands comprised of scattered

yellow pines (legacy trees) with small saw timber and pole-sized trees. Other stands consist of yellow

pines with sapling and pole-sized trees where fire suppression has been in effect and there has been

limited treatment activity. Understory vegetation associated with ponderosa pine is typically Gambel oak

and Arizona fescue (Festuca arizonica). The understory may also consist of several grasses and forbs

such as blue gramma grass (Bouteloua gracilis) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Piñon pine and

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juniper are present in the understory of most stands at lower elevations and shade tolerant species such as

white fir (Abies concolor) are present at higher elevations with minimal to no regeneration of ponderosa

pine due to a high density of sapling and pole-sized trees.

Intensive stand exam data was collected for 28% of the ponderosa pine acres for the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project analysis area. Simulations were performed with the Forest Vegetation

Simulator (FVS) and outputs produced from the Rocky Mountain Resource Information System (RMRIS)

database were used to determine existing conditions for the ponderosa pine cover type. Tree densities for

ponderosa pine stands average 3,124 trees per acre (tpa) and a basal area of 109 ft²/acre. Stand densities

range from 29 – 23,061 tpa or a basal area of 14 – 506 ft²/acre. Table 4 illustrates average trees per acre,

average basal area and average diameter based on FVS calculations and outputs produced by the RMRIS

database.

Table 4. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Ponderosa Pine.

Minimum Stand

Value

Maximum Stand

Value

Analysis Area

Average

TPA 0”+ 29 23,061 3,124

TPA 5”+ 15 811 175

BA 0”+ 14 506 109

BA 5”+ 14 400 96

QMD 0”+ 2.3 14.8 6.2

QMD 5”+ 7.3 15.9 10.5

Mixed Conifer

Mixed conifer is the second most common cover type, making up approximately 20% (12,753 acres) of

the analysis area. Stands classified as mixed conifer fall within one of two Management Areas which

include mixed conifer under 40% slope (MA 3) and mixed conifer and ponderosa pine over 40% slope

(MA 5). The mixed conifer cover type is comprised mainly of white fir and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga

menziesii) with a mixture of other species depending on elevation and aspect throughout the analysis area.

Mixed conifer occupies elevation ranging from 7,700-9,700 ft. Ponderosa pine is a seral species and may

be found in the overstory and understory at the drier, lower elevations on southerly and southeasterly

facing slopes. Blue spruce (Picea pungens), Engelmann spruce and other firs may be found at wetter and

higher elevations on north-facing slopes. Quaking aspen clones can be found throughout all elevations

with varying composition and structure. Mixed conifer is managed as Mexican Spotted Owl (MSO)

habitat and at three levels of habitat management which include Protected, Restricted and other forest and

woodland types as identified in the 1996 Forest Plan Amendment for the Mexican Spotted Owl and

Northern Goshawk. A total of 11,264 acres have been identified as Restricted Habitat for the MSO

within the analysis area and a total of 1,479 acres have been identified as Protected Habitat for the MSO.

A total of 2,816 acres have been identified as threshold habitat, in accordance with the 1996 Forest Plan

Amendment which states that a minimum of 25% of Restricted Habitat must be allocated as Threshold

Habitat and managed as nest/roost habitat. The majority of the stands do not qualify as Threshold Habitat

therefore 25% of the Restricted Habitat has been set aside to manage for nest/roost habitat. Figure 1

displays Restricted, Threshold and Protected Habitat for MSO within the analysis area.

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Intensive stand exam data was collected for 26% of the mixed conifer acres for the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project analysis area. Simulations performed with the Forest Vegetation Simulator

(FVS) and outputs from the RMRIS database were used to determine existing conditions for the mixed

conifer cover type. Tree densities for mixed conifer averaged 3,555 trees per acre (tpa) and a basal area

of 177 ft²/acre. Stand densities range from 839 – 10,183 tpa or a basal area of 27 – 215 ft²/acre. Table 5

illustrates average trees per acre, average basal area and average diameter based on FVS calculations and

outputs produced by the RMRIS database.

Table 5. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Mixed Conifer.

Minimum Stand

Value

Maximum Stand

Value

Analysis Area

Average

TPA 0”+ 839 10,183 3,555

TPA 5”+ 30 431 177

BA 0”+ 27 215 113

BA 5”+ 18 195 101

QMD 0”+ 1.8 14.2 7.3

QMD 5”+ 6.9 17.1 10.8

Figure 1. MSO Restricted, Threshold and Protected Habitat for the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project Area.

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Piñon/Juniper

Piñon/Juniper is the third most common cover type within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration

Project area and makes up approximately 19% (11,745 acres) of the analysis area. Stands classified as

piñon/juniper fall within the piñon/juniper management area (MA 8). The piñon/juniper cover type

occupies elevations ranging from 7,000-8,400 ft. The most common species in this forest cover type

include two-needle piñon pine, Rocky Mountain juniper and one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma).

The understory primarily consists of Gambel oak, mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), and big

sagebrush at varying degrees with little grass and forb cover. Regeneration primarily consists of piñon

pine and juniper seedlings and saplings. Most stands have an uneven-aged structure with three distinct

size classes.

Intensive stand exam data was collected for 44% of the pinon/juniper acres for the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project analysis area. There is an average of approximately 2,741 trees per acre

and an average basal area of 216 ft²/acre. Stand densities range from 188 – 17,532 trees per acre or a

basal area of 55 - 187 ft²/acre. Much of the piñon/juniper cover type was impacted by the Ips. Beetle

epidemic in the early 2000’s where widespread mortality occurred throughout the El Rito Ranger District.

Free-use permits were provided to the public to assist with removing the dead-standing trees and to

reduce fuel loading. One-seed juniper mortality has increased at lower elevations over the last two years

due to stresses from recent drought. Much of the mortality has occurred south of the El Rito Ranger

District off of Highway 554 and off of Forest Road (FR) 137. Table 6 illustrates average trees per acre,

average basal area and average diameter based on FVS calculations and outputs produced by the RMRIS

database.

Table 6. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Piñon/Juniper.

Minimum Stand

Value

Maximum Stand

Value

Analysis Area

Average

TPA 0”+ 188 17,532 2,741

TPA 5”+ 9 589 216

BA 0”+ 55 187 121

BA 5”+ 35 165 103

QMD 0”+ 2.8 8.8 5.2

QMD 5”+ 7.2 18 9.7

Aspen

Aspen is the fourth most common cover type within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

area and makes up approximately 5% (3,101 acres) of the analysis area. Stands classified as aspen fall

within the aspen management area (MA 6). Aspen occupies elevations ranging from 8,300-9,600 ft.

within the analysis area. Aspen is a disturbance-driven species that relies on natural or human-caused

disturbance for regeneration. Because of aggressive fire suppression and limited treatments over the last

century, aspen composition within the analysis area and on the forest has diminished. Aspen is a

“keystone species” that has many positive impacts to species such as Rocky Mountain Elk. Some stands

are exclusively dominated by the aspen cover type with fir encroachment while other stands have not

experienced any forms of natural or human-caused disturbance leading to stands dominated by shade-

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tolerant conifer with some aspen inclusions or pockets in the overstory. Stand exam data was collected on

approximately 26% of the aspen cover type within the El Rito Landscape Restoration Project analysis

area. There is an average of 1,832 trees per acre and an average basal area of 173 ft²/acre. Stand

densities range from 278 – 4,397 trees per acre or a basal area of 84 - 276 ft²/acre. Table 7 illustrates

average trees per acre, average basal area and average diameter based on FVS calculations and outputs

produced by the RMRIS database.

Table 7. Minimum, Maximum and Analysis Area Averages of Stand Densities for Aspen.

Minimum Stand

Value

Maximum Stand

Value

Analysis Area

Average

TPA 0”+ 278 4,397 1,832

TPA 5”+ 64 345 200

BA 0”+ 84 276 173

BA 5”+ 46 252 163

QMD 0”+ 2.8 10.8 4.7

QMD 5”+ 9.0 16.9 12.4

Grasslands

Grasslands make up 3% (2,287 acres) of the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project analysis area.

Grasslands within the analysis area occupy elevations ranging from 7,600-8,900 ft. Grasslands may be

comprised of Kentucky bluegrass, blue gramma grass, Arizona fescue, and other grasses, forbs and

sedges. Conifer encroachment is occurring along the edges of meadows due to fire suppression over the

last century.

Sagebrush

Big sagebrush comprises 3% (1,801 acres) of the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project analysis

area. The open sagebrush cover type occupies elevations ranging from 7,400-7,900 ft. and is often

associated with the piñon/juniper cover type. The majority of the sagebrush is located on the southern

end of the analysis area boundary and has established in areas where piñon/juniper were cleared to create

grassy openings Sagebrush has occupied these areas due to overgrazing, lack of disturbance and drought.

Gambel oak

Gambel oak is found throughout the analysis area and makes up 2% (947 acres) of the El Rito Canyon

Landscape Restoration Project analysis area. Gambel oak occupies elevations ranging from 7,100-8,400

ft. Gambel oak is found in pure stands with scattered, larger trees consisting of ponderosa pine and

piñon/juniper. Gambel oak is also a major component of the understory in conifer stands that are

primarily comprised of ponderosa pine, but can also be found in stands containing Douglas-fir and white

fir.

Other

The remaining cover types account for approximately 1% of the analysis. Remaining cover types include

non-vegetated sites such as rocky areas, barren land, lakes and wetlands. The other cover types are

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scattered throughout the analysis area. Figure 2 displays the distribution of all cover types throughout the

El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area.

Figure 2. Existing Distribution of Forest Cover Types in the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration

Project Area.

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Vegetation Structural Stage

The Goshawk Scientific Committee developed the Vegetation Structural Stages (VSS) desired condition

guidelines (Reynolds et al. 1992), which were adopted into the Carson Forest Plan through the 1996

Region-wide Amendment for Forest Plans (ROD, 1996 Amendment). The committee took an ecosystem

management approach to develop the structural stage guidelines, and recommended “forests with

goshawk nesting home ranges should be interspersed mosaic of structural stages (young to old forests) to

increase the diversity of habitat for goshawks and their main prey species.” The committee also

recommended a desired condition of 10 percent of the area be in the grass/forbs/shrub stage (VSS 1), 10

percent in the seedling/sapling stage (VSS 2), 20 percent in the young forest stage (VSS 3), 20 percent in

the mid-aged forest stage (VSS 4), 20 percent in the mature forest stage (VSS 5), and 20 percent in the old

forest stage (VSS 6). Table 8 displays the existing conditions for VSS classes for ponderosa pine stands

with data within the analysis area along with desired conditions. Data from the Agua/Caballos analysis

was also included within this table.

Table 8. Existing VSS Distribution for Ponderosa Pine Cover Type with Data within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project Area.

VSS 1

Grass/Forb/

Shrub

0-20 yrs.

0-0.9”

DBH

VSS 2

Seedling/

Sapling

21-50 yrs.

1.0-4.9”

DBH

VSS 3

Young

Forest

51-80 yrs.

5.0-11.9”

DBH

VSS 4

Mid-Aged

Forest

81-110 yrs.

12.0-17.9”

DBH

VSS 5

Mature

Forest

111-140 yrs.

18.0-23.9”

DBH

VSS 6

Old

Forest

141+ yrs.

24.0”+

DBH

Acres 80 245 12,062 7,780 2,272 408

% 1 1 52 34 10 2

Stands were assigned VSS classes based on inventory data, field reconnaissance, and aerial photograph

interpretation. Currently, stands and proposed treatment areas within the ponderosa pine cover type are

dominated by the VSS 3 forest type with an excess of VSS 4. The area is lacking in VSS 1, VSS 2, VSS 5

and VSS 6 forest types. Yellow pines scattered throughout the analysis area fall within the VSS 5 and

VSS 6 diameter classes in all stands.

VSS analysis was also conducted for the aspen cover type within the El Rito Canyon Landscape

Restoration Project area. VSS data was obtained using stand exam data collected in the field along with

aerial photograph interpretation and field reconnaissance. Table 9 displays existing VSS distribution for

the aspen cover type within the analysis area.

Table 9. Existing VSS Distribution for Aspen Cover Type within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project Area.

VSS 1

Grass/Forb/

Shrub

0-20 yrs.

0-0.9”

DBH

VSS 2

Seedling/

Sapling

21-50 yrs.

1.0-4.9”

DBH

VSS 3

Young

Forest

51-80 yrs.

5.0-11.9”

DBH

VSS 4

Mid-Aged

Forest

81-110 yrs.

12.0-17.9”

DBH

VSS 5

Mature

Forest

111-140 yrs.

18.0-23.9”

DBH

VSS 6

Old

Forest

141+ yrs.

24.0”+

DBH

Acres 65 253 1,737 916 91 39

% 2 8 56 30 3 1

12

Stands were assigned VSS classes based on inventory data, field reconnaissance, and aerial photograph

interpretation. Currently, proposed treatment areas within the aspen cover types are dominated by the

VSS 3 and VSS 4 forest types respectively. The area is lacking in VSS 1, VSS 2, VSS 5 and VSS 6 forest

types. Larger, mature trees are scattered throughout the aspen cover type and fall within the VSS 5 and

VSS 6 diameter classes in most stands, especially where stand s are mixed with conifer as a component.

VSS distributions were identified for mixed conifer stands that were inventoried with stand exams.

Information for stands is available through two separate stand exam contracts where data was collected

for mixed conifer stands throughout the analysis area. Mixed conifer consists of areas dominated by

Douglas-fir and white fir with a mix of other species including ponderosa pine, blue spruce and aspen.

Table 10 displays existing VSS distribution for the mixed conifer cover type within the analysis area.

Table 10. Existing VSS Distribution for Mixed Conifer Cover Type within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project Area.

VSS 1

Grass/Forb/

Shrub

0-20 yrs.

0-0.9”

DBH

VSS 2

Seedling/

Sapling

21-50 yrs.

1.0-4.9”

DBH

VSS 3

Young

Forest

51-80 yrs.

5.0-11.9”

DBH

VSS 4

Mid-Aged

Forest

81-110 yrs.

12.0-17.9”

DBH

VSS 5

Mature

Forest

111-140 yrs.

18.0-23.9”

DBH

VSS 6

Old

Forest

141+ yrs.

24.0”+

DBH

Acres 80 102 1,268 840 163 0

% 3 4 52 34 7 0

Currently, stands and proposed treatment areas within the mixed conifer cover type are dominated by the

VSS 3 forest type with an excess of VSS 4. The area is lacking in VSS 1, VSS 2, VSS 5 and VSS 6 forest

types. Larger trees are scattered throughout the analysis area which fall within the VSS 5 and VSS 6

diameter classes in all stands.

Canopy Cover

The 1996 Forest Plan Amendment incorporated the goshawk guidelines into its desired conditions for

canopy cover for spruce-fir, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine forests. Within goshawk foraging areas,

there should be a balance of closed, moderately closed, and open canopy covers in the younger structural

stages. The closed and moderately closed canopy covers should predominate in the mature and old

growth stages (USDA-Forest Service 1996).

The proposed treatment area is dominated by VSS 3 forest with an excess of VSS 4. The analysis area is

lacking VSS 1,2,5,& 6 forest types. Fewer stands and individual trees represent VSS 5 and 6 classes and

there are few VSS 1 and 2 forest types because of the lack of treatment and disturbances that would create

VSS 1 and 2. Based on data collected in the field and through aerial photo interpretation, existing canopy

cover ranges from 21-90%, depending on slope, aspect, location and structural arrangement. Canopy

cover guidelines only apply to VSS 4, VSS 5, and VSS 6 and do not apply to VSS 1, VSS 2 and VSS 3

(ROD 1996 Amendment). Table 11 lists the existing canopy cover within the treatment area on a per acre

basis for VSS 4, 5 & 6. Desired condition is also reflected on a per acre basis.

13

Table 11. Existing and Desired Conditions for Canopy Cover

for Landscapes within Goshawk Foraging Areas.

Cover

Type

VSS Class Existing

Conditions

Desired

Condition (%)

Ponderosa

Pine

4 14 40

5 5 40

6 1 40

Canopy cover in VSS 4-6 is due to the lower stocking levels of trees 12”dbh and greater as well as being

calculated across the stand area as a whole. The Forest Vegetation Simulator is a distant-independent

model and does not accurately place trees as they may occur in groups with interlocking crowns. VSS 3,

the dominant size class, has a canopy cover of approximately 10-30%.

Climate Change

Forest types are shaped by climate along with soils, aspect inclination and elevation. Climate is a major

factor in determining what will grow in a given location and how well it will grow and persist. In the

Southwest, water stress is one of the main contributors to limited plant growth and vigor of individual

trees. With changes in precipitation and temperature, forests are dramatically affected at multiple scales

throughout the landscape. Since the 1800’s, global surface temperatures have increased by 1.3ºF, with

the rate of warming continuing to increase (Ryan et al., 2010). Regional annual average temperatures are

projected to rise by 2.5ºF to 5.5ºF by the years 2041-2070 and by 5.5ºF to 9.5ºF by the years 2070 - 2099.

Summertime temperatures are projected to become longer and hotter, whereas the trend of decreasing

wintertime cold air outbreaks is projected to continue (NCA, 2014). Predicted increases in temperatures

and changes in precipitation patterns may result in more variation in climate and weather patterns leading

an associated shift in disturbance regimes (Puettmann, 2011). Increased warming due to climate change,

drought, insect outbreaks and accumulation of fuels makes the Southwest increasingly susceptible to

wildfire potential. Between 1970 and 2003, warmer and drier conditions increased burned area in the

western U.S. mid-elevation conifer forests by 650% (NCA, 2014).

Changes in temperature have also been associated with increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon

dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere (Malmsheimer et al., 2008). Forests

can reduce GHG concentrations by sequestering atmospheric carbon in biomass and soil (Malmsheimer et

al., 2008). Carbon enters a forest through photosynthesis where leaves capture the energy in sunlight and

convert CO2 from the atmosphere and water into sugars that are used to build new leaves, wood, and roots

as trees grow. About half of the CO2 that is converted to sugars is respired by living trees to maintain

their metabolism and the other half produces new leaves, wood, and roots. As trees grow, they shed dead

branches, leaves and roots and some trees eventually die. Microorganisms decompose this dead material

releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. Carbon can leave the forest in several ways beside tree and

microorganism respiration. Forest fires release stored carbon into the atmosphere from the combustion of

leaves and small twigs, the litter layer and some dead trees and logs, leaving behind a great deal of stored

carbon in dead trees and soil. Storms and insect outbreaks also kill trees and increase the amount of

material available for decomposition. While the biological process of photosynthesis, respiration and

decomposition are similar for all forests, their relative importance differs by forest type and location

(Ryan et. al., 2010).

14

The capacity of stands to sequester carbon is based on the productivity of the site and potential size of

various carbon pools - soil, litter, down woody material, standing dead wood, live stems, branches and

foliage. Other stand dynamics that can influence sequestration capacity include age class distribution and

shade tolerance. Young trees and young stands have higher rates of carbon sequestration but lower levels

of total amount stored; older trees and older stands have lower rates of net uptake because, as trees age,

mortality and respiration are higher. However, older stands have a higher carbon storage capacity,

provided carbon is not lost to natural disturbances such as insect and disease activity or wildfire.

Enhancement of sequestration capacity depends on ensuring full stocking, maintaining health, minimizing

soil disturbance, and reducing losses due to tree mortality, wildfire, insects and disease.

Climate change is expected to stress forested systems over time. Potential management strategies to

climate change include: increasing resistance, increasing resilience and assisting migration. Resistance is

the capacity of an ecosystem to avoid or withstand disturbance, such as anticipated increases in insect and

disease epidemics and wildfires. Treatments to be considered, but not limited to, include thinning of

overstocked stands and prescribed burning. The likely benefit is that it is proactive (planned and

implemented before a disturbance event) and has a high probability of being successful. A potential

drawback is that the scale of disturbances could be sufficiently large to overcome the capacity of the

forest to resist its effects, with negative consequences for the forested ecosystem (Malmsheimer et al.,

2008).

Resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to regain function and development after disturbance. Possible

treatments include, but are not limited to, promoting diversity in species and age classes after a

disturbance event and supporting existing forest communities while allowing transitions to new forests.

Assisted migration would consider introducing different, better-adapted species to areas. This approach

involves taking action based on modeling and other projections for which outcomes or expectations are

highly uncertain (Malmsheimer et al., 2008).

Predicted increases in temperature and changes to precipitation patterns are expected to create a more

stressful environment for trees within the ERCLRP analysis area. Tree vigor and overall health would

decrease leading to other stressors such as insect and disease outbreaks and wildfire that would further

decrease health and vigor or lead to mortality.

Forest Health

Insects and disease are a part of forest stands and are always present at varying levels. Healthy forest

stands are capable of withstanding insect and disease outbreaks depending on overall stand conditions.

Trees exhibiting good health and vigor are less susceptible to insects and disease. Stands with high tree

densities compete more for sunlight, water, nutrients and space and are subject to mortality from insects,

disease, drought conditions and competition. Due to recent drought conditions, stands within the Carson

National Forest are exhibiting signs of tree mortality, including stands at higher elevations where spruce-

fir, dry mixed conifer, wet mixed conifer and aspen exist.

15

The latest insect/disease surveys for the Carson National Forest were conducted in the 2013 field season.

Data collected through detection surveys were available by Ranger District and were broken down by

acreage for each respective damage agent. In 2013, insect/disease activity was detected on approximately

9,220 acres on National Forest System (NFS) land on the El Rito Ranger District. The total amount of

acres impacted by insect/disease was significantly lower than the two previous years. Table 12 displays

the number of acres affected by insect/disease activity from 2011-2013. Insect/disease activity was

detected on approximately 3,141 acres within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area

boundary.

Table 12. Forest Insect & Disease Activity on El Rito Ranger District for Three Year Period (2011-

2013).

2011 Surveys

(Acres)

2012 Surveys

(Acres)

2013 Surveys

(Acres)

Mortality

Ponderosa

Pine

Bark Beetles

10 0 70

Douglas-fir

Beetle

0 0 10

Spruce Beetle 840 590 0

Aspen

Decline

0 110 30

Defoliators

Western

Spruce

Budworm

23,540 25,090 5,500

Aspen

Defoliation

5,570 12,390 3,610

Total Acres

Affected

29,960

38,180

9,220

The most common defoliator present within the analysis area is the western spruce budworm

(Choristoneura occidentalis) and is most commonly found in the spruce-fir and mixed conifer cover

types. Western spruce budworm is the most widely distributed defoliator in western North America and

affects various tree species including Engelmann spruce, blue spruce, Douglas-fir, white fir, sub-alpine fir

and corkbark fir (Fellin et al. 1982). Western spruce budworm prefers feeding on new needles as shoots

develop and also tend to feed on cones and staminate flowers. Defoliation typically takes place between

the months of May through late June and can predispose trees to secondary insects and wood-decaying

fungi (Fellin et al. 1982). Young trees and stands are vulnerable to western spruce budworm when

growing beneath canopies of overstory trees. Trees are affected by reduced diameter and height growth

and top-kill of terminal shoots. Large diameter trees are impacted by severe defoliation, top-kill and tree

mortality in mature stands.

Another common defoliator present within the analysis area is the western tent caterpillar. The western

tent caterpillar has been responsible for defoliating thousands of acres throughout the western portion of

the Carson National Forest and has been most severe on the Canjilon Ranger District and the Tres Piedras

16

Ranger District. The western tent caterpillar has been present on the west zone of the Carson National

Forest over the last twelve years. Annual defoliation of trees has stressed trees in the overstory and has

made aspen more susceptible to other diseases that contribute to mortality. Successive years of

defoliation can attribute to reduced diameter growth, branch dieback, top kill and eventually mortality

(Ciesla et al. 2008). Repetitive defoliation can also increase stressors, which predisposes trees to

secondary diseases that eventually lead to mortality. A total of 1,778 acres of aspen defoliation were

identified within the analysis area with 29 acres of mortality.

Ponderosa pine dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium vaginatum), piñon dwarf mistletoe (Archeuthobium

divaricatum Englem.) and true mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum) are present in a number of stands

within the analysis area at varying levels. The seeds of dwarf mistletoe berries shoot out and usually

travel less than 30-40 ft. from the source and horizontal spread through stands averages only 1 to 2 feet

per year (Conklin, 2000). If the seeds fall on another tree, that tree may become infected, resulting in the

tree being in a weakened state, or killed. In a multi-storied stand where the tallest trees are infected with

mistletoe, the chance of a seed falling on another tree is greatly increased, thus the spread is much faster.

Young or small trees are rarely infected by true mistletoe and seed are mainly spread by birds that feed on

the mistletoe berries (Hawksworth and Scharpf, 1981). The damage caused by true mistletoe is not as

serious to conifers as the damage caused by dwarf mistletoe. Trees that have been heavily infected by

true mistletoe may have reduced growth rates, become weakened or killed. Trees in a weakened state

may also be killed due to attacks by insects or periods of drought (Hawksworth and Scharpf, 1981).

Other potentially destructive pests in northern New Mexico are the western pine beetle and the pine

engravers. Based on field reconnaissance and aerial survey results from 2013, bark beetle activity has not

been as high as in previous years (2002-2004). Western pine beetle activity was observed on 118 acres of

ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir beetle was observed on 3 acres. Some individual piñon pine trees have

recently been killed by piñon Ips bark beetle but activity has not been observed in patches exceeding 0.10

acres in size. Approximately 118 acres of ponderosa pine have been affected by an unknown defoliator.

Old Growth

Old growth is defined as containing; a number and minimum size of both seral and climax dominant trees

that are multi-aged, multi-layered canopies, minimum number and specific size of snags, and adequate

number of downed logs and coarse woody debris (Helms, 1998). The 1996 Forest Plan Amendment

provides guidelines relevant to old growth and these guidelines have been followed during the planning

phase of this project. Characteristics of old growth specified by the 1996 Forest Plan Amendment include

number, age, size and length of downed logs, and the number of tree canopies. Table 13 identifies

minimum structural attributes that must be considered to determine old growth on the Carson National

Forest. The 1996 Forest Plan Amendment states that no less than 20% of each forested ecosystem

management area must be allocated to old growth.

Due to the size of the project area, the ERCLRP has been analyzed at three scales: small scale, mid-scale

and large scale. The small scale analysis consists of the ERCLRP footprint and at least 20% of each

forest type has been allocated to old growth at this scale. The mid-scale analysis consists of the three

EMA’s within the El Rito Ranger District boundary and at least 20% of each forest type has been

17

allocated to old growth within each EMA. The EMA’s include; Cañon de El Rito (58,826 acres), VFSYU

(74,903 acres) and Los Comanches (147,135 acres). The large scale analysis consists of the El Rito

Ranger District boundary and at least 20% of each forest type has been allocated to old growth at this

scale. Analysis and implementation projects from previous years have allocated stands to old growth and

those stands are also included with the 20% allocation.

Old growth is scattered throughout the project area and throughout the landscape on the El Rito and

Canjilon Ranger Districts. Old growth is found in all forested types, stands of varying sizes and in

multiple scales. Many stands throughout the El Rito Canyon Restoration Project area have been

harvested and areas that have been less impacted by harvesting activities or have had no harvest activities

within the last 20-50 years have been considered as candidate stands for old growth allocation. Recent

stand exam data was reviewed to identify stands with old growth characteristics or those that would

eventually meet old growth characteristics through time. Stands that are approaching the minimum

structural attributes in Table 13 have been considered for inclusion within the 20% allocation for each

scale of analysis. Aerial photos were utilized to compare stands with no data to those that had data to

identify additional stands that would qualify for allocation. The project record for this project analysis

will contain more detailed information as to the locations and information on the stands that have been

allocated to old growth. Figure 3 displays stands that have been allocated to old growth through this

analysis within the project area footprint and identifies stands that were allocated through other project

analysis in past years.

18

Table 13. Minimum Structural Attributes for Determining Old Growth.

Forest Cover Type

Piñon-Juniper

Interior Ponderosa

Pine

Aspen

Mixed-Species

Group

Engelmann Spruce

Subalpine Fir

Site Capability Low High Low High All Low High Low High

Live Trees in Main Canopy

Trees/Acre

DBH/DRC

Age (Years)

12

9”

150

30

12”

200

20

14”

180

20

18”

180

20

14”

100

12

18”

150

16

20”

150

20

10”

140*/170

**

30

14”

140*/170**

Dead Trees Standing

Trees/Acre

Size DBH/DRC

Height (Feet)

0.5*

9”

8’

1

10”

10’

1

14”

15’

1

14”

25’

ND

10”

ND

2.5

14”

20’

2.5

16”

25’

3

12”

20’

4

16”

30’

Dead Trees Down

Pieces/Acre

Size (Diameter)

Length (Feet)

2

9”

8’

2**

10”

10’

2

12”

15’

2

12”

15’

ND

ND

ND

4

12”

16’

4

12”

16’

5

12”

16’

5

12”

16’

Number of Tree Canopies SS/MS SS/MS SS/MS SS/MS SS SS/MS SS/MS SS/MS SS/MS

Total BA, Square Feet/Acre 6 24 70 90 ND 80 100 120 140

Total Canopy Cover, Percent 20 35 40 50 50 50 60 60 70

Piñon-Pine: *Dead limbs help make up dead material deficit. **Unless removed for firewood or fire burning activities.

Spruce-Fir: *In mixed corkbark fir and Engelmann spruce stands where Engelmann spruce is less than 50 percent composition in the stand.

**In mixed corkbark fir and Engelmann spruce stands where Engelmann spruce is 50 or more percent composition in the stand.

ND is not determined; SS is single-storied; and MS is multi-storied.

19

Figure 3. Old Growth Allocation for ERCLRP Analysis Area (Small Scale)

Cumulative Effects Area

The El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project cumulative effects area consists of four Ecosystem

Management Areas (EMA’s), three on the El Rito Ranger District and one on the Canjilon Ranger

District. The cumulative effects area is located on the El Rito and Canjilon Ranger Districts of the Carson

National Forest in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Based on GIS data, there are a total of

approximately 11,314 acres proposed for mechanical and/or prescribed fire treatment and 19,736 acres

proposed for prescribed fire within the cumulative effects area. Tables 14 - 17 list the different cover

types within each of the EMA’s in the cumulative effects area with a breakdown of number of acres and

percentages for each respective cover type.

20

Table 14. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Del Medio Ecosystem Management Area.

Cover Type Acres Percent of Del Medio EMA

Piñon/Juniper 29,230 28%

Ponderosa pine 26,123 25%

Gambel oak 11,076 11%

Private 9,205 9%

Grassland 8,950 8%

Mixed Conifer 6,910 7%

Aspen 6,306 6%

Sagebrush 5,954 5%

Other 1,237 1%

Spruce-fir 418 <1%

TOTAL 105,409 100%

Piñon/Juniper

Piñon/Juniper is the most common cover type within the Del Medio EMA and makes up approximately

28% (29,230 acres) of the cumulative effects area. The piñon/juniper cover type occupies elevations

ranging from 6,500-8,700 ft. The most common species are two-needle piñon pine and Rocky Mountain

juniper with minor amounts of one-seed and Utah juniper. The understory may consist of Gambel oak,

mountain mahogany, and big sagebrush at varying degrees. Regeneration primarily consists of piñon and

juniper seedlings with little grasses or forbs growing beneath the crowns of trees. Some scattered

ponderosa pines may also be present in stands throughout the cumulative effects area.

Approximately 10,000 acres of piñon pine kill occurred on the Canjilon Ranger District as a result of the

recent piñon ips beetle epidemic (2002-2004). Free-use fuelwood removed many of the dead trees,

especially on La Mesa de Las Viejas area on the Canjilon Ranger District and throughout much of the

southern portion of the El Rito Ranger District. Approximately 113 acres of piñon/juniper were treated

within the La Mesita unit prior to the completion of the Canjilon WUI analysis within the Del Medio

EMA. Treatments were accomplished through fuelwood thinning projects utilizing the thinning from

below method. Smaller diameter trees in the lower crown classes were favored for removal. The

Montoya Fire, which occurred in June, 2002, burned approximately 4,258 acres of which 369 acres were

of the piñon/juniper cover type. Additional acres that have been treated within the Canjilon WUI and

Highway 115 Corridor analysis area are included in Table 16. The majority of treatments have involved

thinning, piling of slash and pile burning activities. Two Collaborative Forest Restoration Program grants

have also been awarded within the Canjilon WUI analysis area. A total of 536 acres are to be thinned

21

and/or piled within the next two years. Trees removed through the thinning process are made available to

the local community via dead and/or down fuelwood permits sold by the Canjilon Ranger District.

Ponderosa Pine

Ponderosa pine is the second most common cover type within the Del Medio EMA and encompasses

approximately 25% (26,123 acres) of the cumulative effects area. The ponderosa pine cover type

occupies elevations ranging from 7,400-9,500 ft. Ponderosa pine is a climax species at lower elevations

where it generally grows with piñon pine and Rocky Mountain juniper. At higher elevations, ponderosa

pine is often seral and is replaced through time by shade tolerant conifers through forest succession.

Understory vegetation often associated with ponderosa pine includes blue gramma grass, Arizona fescue,

Kentucky blue grass, June grass (Koeleria nitida), common juniper (Juniperus communis), and Gambel

oak. These grasses, forbs, and woody shrubs are present throughout the cumulative effects area at varying

degrees.

Within the Del Medio EMA, approximately 394 acres of the ponderosa pine cover type have been treated

within the last ten years, with both mechanical treatment and prescribed fire. Approximately 378 acres

were treated through fuelwood thinning projects by utilizing the thinning from below method, removing

smaller diameter trees in the lower crown classes. The Montoya Fire, which occurred in June, 2002,

burned approximately 4,258 acres of which 1,805 acres were of the ponderosa pine cover type.

Approximately 190 acres were designated for the Montoya Salvage Sale (2004). During the fall of 2006,

600 acres were planted with ponderosa pine seedlings, creating VSS 1 forest within the planted areas.

Gambel Oak

Gambel oak comprises 11% (11,076 acres) of the Del Medio EMA. Gambel oak occupies elevations

ranging from 7,100-9,000 ft. Gambel oak stands within the cumulative effects area are similar to those

within the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project analysis area. Gambel oak is found in pure

stands with scattered, larger trees consisting of ponderosa pine and piñon/juniper. Gambel oak is also a

major component of the understory in conifer stands that are primarily comprised of ponderosa pine, but

can also be found in stands containing Douglas-fir and white fir.

Grassland

Grasslands comprise 8% (8,950 acres) of the Del Medio EMA. Grasslands occupy elevations ranging

from 6,500-10,300 ft. Grasslands may be comprised of blue gramma grass, Arizona fescue, Kentucky

blue grass, fringed brome, and June grass in addition to other grasses and forbs. Grasslands in general,

have been decreasing over the last several years. Overgrazing and fire suppression have been largely

responsible for the reduction of grassland openings. With reduced competition from grasses, grasslands

are invaded by tree species.

Sagebrush

Big sagebrush makes up 5% (5,954 acres) of the Del Medio EMA. The open sagebrush cover type

occupies elevations ranging from 6,400-8,300 ft. and is often associated with the piñon/juniper cover

type. A total of 1,210 acres have been treated or are scheduled to be treated in the Mesa de Juan Domingo

area on the Canjilon Ranger District. Treatments include mulching and prescribed fire to create three

different age classes to improve wildlife habitat.

22

Private Land

Private land makes up approximately 9% (9,205 acres) of the Del Medio EMA. This includes the

communities of Canjilon and Placita Garcia as well as other privately owned pieces of land scattered

throughout the cumulative effects area.

Other

The remaining cover types account for approximately 3% of the cumulative effects area. Remaining

cover types include mixed conifer, aspen, cottonwood, etc. There will be no treatments occurring within

these cover types, with the exception of 25 acres of the aspen cover type within the Angel/Stone Canyon

Prescribed burn block which is proposed for broadcast burning.

The El Rito Ranger District is comprised of three different Ecosystem Management Areas and with

dominant cover types consisting of ponderosa pine and piñon juniper. Stand characteristics for each of

the cover types identified in Tables 13-15 are similar to those as described for the Del Medio EMA on the

Canjilon Ranger District. Due to the size of the project area, all three EMA’s are being considered for the

cumulative effects area.

Table 15. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Cañon de El Rito Ecosystem Management Area.

Cover Type Acres Percent of Cañon de El Rito

EMA

Ponderosa pine 15,258 26%

Piñon/Juniper 11,344 19%

Mixed Conifer 8,572 15%

Spruce-fir 6,947 12%

Land Jurisdictions other than

Forest Service

5,384 10%

Grassland 4,228 7%

Aspen 4,134 7%

Sagebrush 1,909 3%

Gambel oak 924 1%

Other 126 <1%

TOTAL 58,826 100%

23

Table 16. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the Los Comanches Ecosystem Management Area.

Cover Type Acres Percent of Los Comanches

EMA

Piñon/Juniper 90,085 61%

Ponderosa pine 26,686 18%

Sagebrush 10,419 7%

Land Jurisdictions other than

Forest Service

10,331 7%

Grassland 7,109 5%

Mixed Conifer 1,794 1%

Gambel oak 430 <1%

Other 281 <1%

TOTAL 147,135 100%

Table 17. Vegetation/Land Cover Types within the VFSYU Ecosystem Management Area.

Cover Type Acres Percent of VFSYU EMA

Ponderosa pine 46,570 62%

Mixed Conifer 16,322 22%

Aspen 3,199 4%

Grassland 2,977 4%

Piñon/Juniper 2,894 4%

Spruce-fir 1,840 2%

Land Jurisdictions other than

Forest Service

869 1%

Gambel oak 136 <1%

Other 96 <1%

TOTAL 74,903 100%

24

Due to the size of the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area, activities and implementation

projects dating back to the 1950’s have been included in Table 16. Past, present and foreseeable activities

were obtained from the Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the

Agua/Caballos Proposed Projects, El Rito Ranger District files and records, and databases containing

activity accomplishment information for each of the Ecosystem Management Areas. The information in

Table 18 is specific to the El Rito Ranger District with some information from the Canjilon and Tres

Piedras Ranger Districts where projects fell within the Vallecitos Watershed or the Del Medio Ecosystem

Management Area.

Table 18. Past, Present and Foreseeable Activities in the El Rito Canyon Landscape

Restoration Project Cumulative Effects Area.

Sale/Activity Year

Offered/Accomplished

Treated/Affected

Acres

Felipito TS 1950’s N/A

La Manga TS Mid-1950’s N/A

Jarita TS 1962 N/A

Arriba #2 TS 1965 N/A

Ritito TS 1967 N/A

La Jara TS 1971 N/A

Diablo TS 1971 2,490 acres

Lookout TS 1975 2,763 acres

Jacques TS 1976 2,443 acres

LLaves TS 1978 1,358 acres

Guadalupe TS 1979 63 acres

Alamosa TS 1980 1,993 acres

Cañada TS 1982 735 acres

Plaza TS 1984 224 acres

Pasture TS 1984 1,998 acres

Lonesome TS 1984 1,750 acres

Benji TS 1984 1,581 acres

Mill TS 1985 300 acres

La Jara TS 1985 821 acres

Puente TS 1987 233 acres

Lower Potrero TS 1987 300 acres

Jawbone II TS** 1987 214 acres

Bull TS** 1987 96 acres

Little Rock TS 1988 988 acres

Burma TS 1988 279 acres

Big Rock TS 1988 1,106 acres

Cunningham TS** 1990 47 acres

Felipito TS 1995 758 acres

Felipito 9 TS 1995 67 acres

Jacques TS 1997 167 acres

La Manga TS 1997 1,154 acres

25

Sale/Activity Year

Offered/Accomplished

Treated/Affected

Acres

La Manga jo TS 1997 199 acres

La Manga North TS 1998 229 acres

Bonita TS (La Manga) 1998 315 acres

Felipito 8 TS 1998 43 acres

Spring TS 1998 196 acres

Peña Tank TS 1998 160 acres

Kiowa Prospect TS 2001 150 acres

Little Burro TS 2002 200 acres

Future La Manga TS’s 2002 411 acres

Ensenada TS 2004 0-2,610 acres

Seed Tree Removal 2001 0-1,000 acres

Palo/Ortega TS 2003 0-1,000 acres

Burro 2001 0-1,160 acres

Petaca Wildland Urban Interface –thinning and burning

2000-2002 0-870 acres

Las Tablas Wildland Urban Interface – thinning and burning

2002 500 acres

Madera Wildland Urban Interface – thinning and burning

2002 0-2,000 acres

Felipito TSI 2003 410 acres

Petaca Las Tablas Phase II Thinning

2003 220 acres

Ensenada Forest Health Restoration Project (CFRP)

2005-2007 260 acres

La Jara Canyon Forest Health 2005 90 acres

Jarita Ranch Thinning 2005 216 acres

Upper Rio Vallecitos 319 Watershed Project Brushhogging/re-seeding.

2005 300 acres

Las Comunidades CFRP (Agua/Caballos)

2006 N/A

Caballos Timber Sale Group Selection and Commercial Thinning

2006 167 acres

Agua Caballos Stand Improvement Thinning

2006-2009 524 acres

D2 Puertecito Mistletoe Thinning Project

2007 140 acres

Pine Canyon Reforestation 2008-2009 400 acres

Alfonso Chacon CFRP II (Ensenada)

2008-2011 245 acres

Commanche Broadcast Burn 2009 83 acres

26

Sale/Activity Year

Offered/Accomplished

Treated/Affected

Acres

Borracho Tree Thinning Contract

2009 234 acres

Petaca Las Tablas Broadcast Burn

2010 935 acres

American Recovery Reinvestment Act Thinning Contracts

2010 580 acres

Andy Chacon CFRP 2010-2012 253 acres

Valle Grande Fuelwood 2010-2012 160 acres

Jaramillo & Sons CFRP (Ensenada)

2010-2013 120 acres

Jacal Force Account Thinning 2011 63 acres

Highway 115 Corridor Daylighting*

2011 37 acres

Highway 115 Corridor Force Account Thinning*

2011-2013 61 acres

Personal Use Blocks/Commercial Fuelwood*

2011-2013 84 acres

SR 115 SRS Thinning/Piling Grant*

2011-2013 188 acres

Petaca Las Tablas Broadcast Burn

2012 700 acres

Canjilon WUI CFRP’s* 2012-2014 536 acres

Alfonso Chacon CFRP III (Ensenada)

2012-2015 285 acres

Peak Fuelwood 2013 83 acres

Agua/Caballos Force Account Thinning

2013 50 acres

Ensenada Piles Pile Burning 2013-2014 223 acres

SR 115 Pile Burning* 2013-2014 200 acres

Alamosa Broadcast Burn 2014-2015 4,500 acres *Indicates project occurred within Del Medio Ecosystem Management Area in Canjilon R.D.

**Indicates project occurred within Vallecitos Watershed within Tres Piedras R.D.

N/A indicates no data was available.

Environmental Consequences

Methodology

The Rocky Mountain Resource Information System (RMRIS) database and the Forest Vegetation

Simulator (FVS) software were utilized to model existing conditions and the two alternatives for the

project area where data was available. FVS is a distance-independent individual tree growth and yield

model that can simulate existing conditions and various silvicultural prescriptions/treatments for most

forest types (Forest Vegetation Simulator, 2014). The FVS is capable of producing model output reports

and stand visualizations using a regional variant, a graphical user interphase (Suppose) and model

27

extensions. The variant is a calibrated growth and mortality model for certain tree species for a specific

regional area. There are a total of 20 variants for each regional area across the United States and the

Central Rockies (CR) variant was selected to perform model runs for this project area since growth and

yield and mortality rates are most closely associated with the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration

Project area. Aerial photo interpretation and field reconnaissance were utilized for areas where there was

limited data available to perform FVS simulations.

Alternative 1: No Action

Effects to Forest Health

Forest health, under the No Action Alternative, would continue to deteriorate over time. Stand densities

would continue to increase, in terms of stems per acre, basal area, and increase in average diameter. Trees

would continue to compete for resources such as sunlight, water, nutrients and growth rates would

decrease due to such competition. Tree health would deteriorate due to stresses associated with drought,

insect/disease, mistletoe infection and competition. Trees would continue to grow and remain vigorous in

areas where past treatments have been implemented, however, natural openings and openings that were

created through mechanical treatments and prescribed fire would continue to close resulting in a shaded

understory favoring shade tolerant tree species and inhibiting the growth of grasses and forbs. Stands

would become more susceptible to insects and disease, specifically bark beetles, defoliators and mistletoe.

An increase in insect/disease would result in reduced forest health and eventually higher levels of tree

mortality.

Surface fuels would not be reduced due to the absence of mechanical treatments such as mastication or

the use of prescribed fire such as broadcast, jackpot and pile burning. An increase in surface fuel loads

and no modifications to horizontal and vertical fuel structure would lead to conditions favorable for high-

intensity, running crown fires.

Effects to Vegetation Structural Stage (VSS)

Four variables that affect VSS distribution and forest age are length of stand establishment, site quality,

stand density and tree longevity (Bassett, et. al., 1994). Stand density influences diameter growth, even

on sites with the same site quality. Growth will vary on sites with the same site quality depending on

different management intensities (Bassett, et. al., 1994). For example, VSS 4, 5 & 6 classes with a higher

stand density (i.e. 35% SDI) would take longer to reach the next VSS class than stands with a lower stand

density (25% SDI). Stands with a 35% SDI would be fully stocked whereas a stand with a 25% SDI

would be at the point where competition begins to occur. Therefore, stands with a lower SDI would reach

the next VSS forest type at a faster rate because of more availability of resources and space. The VSS

class distribution, under the No Action Alternative, would not mover closer to desired conditions.

Vegetation structural stage would continue to be dominated by the VSS 3 and VSS 4 classes. Trees in

VSS 3-6 classes would take longer to develop into the next structural stage due competition for sunlight,

nutrients, water and space. Without treatments, VSS 1 and VSS 2 would not be created unless a natural

disturbance such as wildfire or an insect/disease outbreak occurred. VSS classes would remain stagnant

and would not grow into the next stage without mortality or treatment. The desired condition for VSS

class distribution would not be met without treatment.

Effects to Canopy Cover

28

Canopy cover, under the No Action Alternative, would continue to increase through time. The rate of

increase in canopy cover would depend on site quality for each respective stand and the current condition

that each stand is in. Openings in canopy cover would occur through natural disturbances such as tree

mortality resulting from insect/disease activity, wind events or from wildfire. In the case of a large-scale

natural disturbance such as a wildfire, canopy cover would be significantly reduced, especially for the

larger size classes due to tree mortality.

Alternative 2: Proposed Action

Effects to Forest Health

Forest health would improve by reducing tree densities and the accumulation of surface fuels by

implementing mechanical and/or prescribed fire treatments. Overall health, vigor and growth of residual

trees would improve in stands that have received treatment. The healthier trees of all size classes with

minor insect and disease activity would be retained contributing to more resilient stands. Impacts by

western spruce budworm would be reduced by improving horizontal and vertical structure that contributes

to heavy defoliation by western spruce budworm. Group selection and individual tree selection cuts

would create small even-aged pockets and would reduce canopy layers which could disrupt dispersion of

caterpillars, thus limiting the size of area impacted by defoliation. Thinning treatments would reduce

competition which would allow trees to recover from defoliation. The stand risk to bark beetles would

also be reduced by reducing stand densities below 80 ft²/acre basal area. Overall stand structure would

consist of a mosaic in forest structure allowing for more open grown trees with less competition and

openings where natural fire would consume surface fuels, preventing large-scale, running crown fires.

Aspen patch cuts and small clear-cuts would allow for aspen regeneration, which is currently lacking in

the southwestern United States and within the Carson National Forest. Creating patches throughout the

stand would allow for multiple size and age-classes of aspen and would allow for the rejuvenation of

aspen. Combining mechanical treatment with prescribed fire would provide for better opportunities to

regenerate aspen, which is critical for wildlife and creating a diverse and healthy forest. Removal of

conifers from existing aspen stands would improve individual tree health and vigor and would allow

aspen to recover from defoliation events due to reduced competition.

A full range of diameter classes would be maintained across the landscape through uneven-aged

management which would make stands sustainable and able to withstand insect/disease outbreaks. Dwarf

mistletoe infection levels would be reduced at the stand level through mechanical and prescribed fire

treatments. Dwarf mistletoe would be reduced in areas with severe ratings and with potential to spread to

other stands. Dwarf mistletoe infected trees would be maintained throughout the landscape in areas

where pockets are isolated and where there is minimal risk of spread to other stands in an effort to

maintain wildlife habitat.

A variety of treatments have been designed to meet the purpose and need of this project. The Forest

Service is proposing to:

• Thin ponderosa pine, piñon/juniper, and white fir forest types on National Forest System Lands within

the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area.

• Maintain an average spacing of 18 ft., 20 ft., 25 ft. and 35 ft. between residual trees depending on

29

existing conditions within each stand proposed for thinning.

• Thin from below to maintain a 50-70% canopy cover in VSS 5 and 6 within areas that are identified as

nesting and alternative nesting areas that are located within post fledgling family area’s (PFA’s) to

meet Northern goshawk guidelines.

• Thin from below to maintain a 50-60% canopy cover within VSS 4, 5, and 6 within PFA’s.

• Thin from below to maintain a 40% canopy cover within VSS 4, 5, and 6 and thinning within VSS 2

& 3 classes to increase tree growth and vigor in goshawk foraging areas.

• Group selection, individual tree selection and thinning within the matrix of the ponderosa pine and

white fir forest types to maintain uneven aged diversity and stand densities below 35% Stand Density

Index (SDI Max) and maintain a basal area of 60 – 70 ft²/acre.

• Lop and scatter, pile, masticate, and use prescribed fire to reduce slash accumulations and fuel

concentrations. Each acre proposed for mechanical treatment will consider each method depending on

existing site conditions and effectiveness. Maintenance burning will be considered for all acres to

maintain stand conditions.

• Perform aspen regeneration treatments (patch cuts, group selection cuts, and conifer removal) to

improve diversity within forest structure, improve wildlife habitat and improve overall health of aspen

throughout the landscape.

• Implement fuelbreak treatments on major forest system roads, Mogote repeater and along private/non-

federal lands to prevent a high severity, high intensity wildfire from moving throughout the landscape.

• Maintain snags for wildlife trees and habitat. Maintain at least 300 snags per 100 acres across

60% of suitable timberland that is not vulnerable to fuelwood harvesting.

• Broadcast burning across 11,813 acres within the analysis area.

Table 19 lists the types of potential treatments proposed within the various forest types within the El Rito

Canyon Landscape Restoration Project area.

30

Table 19. Proposed Mechanical/Prescribed Fire Treatments by Forest Type (Acres).

Proposed Treatments Ponderosa

Pine

Piñon/

Juniper Grass

Aspen Douglas-fir

White fir

Spruce Oak Sage- brush Cotton-wood

Wetland

Group Selection/

Individual Tree

Selection/Thin From

Below/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Mastication/

Broadcast

Burning/Jackpot

Burning/Pile Burning

1,593 0 0 0 0

295

0 0 0

0

0

Thin from Below/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Personal

Use/Broadcast

Burning/Jackpot

Burning/Pile Burning

1,680 1,009 0 0 0 24 0 0 24

0

0

Fuelbreak/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Personal

Use/Mastication/

Broadcast

Burning/Jackpot

Burning/Pile Burning

1,229

819

372

124

58 42 8 58 15

43

0

Mogote Fuelbreak 0 0

15

7

0

72

53

0

0

0

0

Aspen Regeneration

Treatments (Patch-

cuts/Group

Selection/Thin from

Below/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Mastication/

Personal Use/Broadcast

Burning/Jackpot

Burning/Pile Burning

0 0 0 760 0 0 0 0 0

0

0

Meadow

Restoration/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Personal

Use/Broadcast

Burn/Jackpot Burn

263 2 1,060 152 237 127 28 81 0

0

52

TOTAL 4,765 1,829 1,477 1,043 375 560 88 139 39 43 52

The Forest Vegetation Simulator was utilized to determine the average diameter of trees and stand

densities based on types of treatments proposed. Based on simulations performed by the Forest

Vegetation Simulator, the average diameter for residual trees would increase with mechanical treatment

31

while the number of trees per acre and basal area would be reduced. Simulations were performed for

proposed activities within the analysis area such as commercial thinning, thinning from below and aspen

patch cuts. Tables 20, 21 and 21 illustrate the stand averages for existing versus post-treatment conditions

for ponderosa pine, white fir and piñon/juniper stands that were inventoried and were proposed for

treatment.

Table 20. Stand Density Averages for Ponderosa Pine and White Fir Forest Types

(Existing Conditions vs. Post- Treatment Conditions for Commercial Thinning)

Existing Conditions Post-Treatment Conditions

TPA 0”+ 3,124 94

TPA 5”+ 175 45

BA 0”+ 109 68

BA 5”+ 96 46

QMD 0”+ 6.2 11.6

QMD 5”+ 10.5 13.4

Table 21. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for

Thinning from Below/Stand Improvement Thinning for Ponderosa Pine Forest Type)

Existing Conditions Post-Treatment Conditions

TPA 0”+ 3,124 82

TPA 5”+ 175 81

BA 0”+ 109 82

BA 5”+ 96 77

QMD 0”+ 6.2 13.5

QMD 5”+ 10.5 13.6

Table 22. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for

Thinning from Below/Stand Improvement Thinning for Piñon/Juniper Forest Type)

Existing Conditions Post-Treatment Conditions

TPA 0”+ 2,741 67

TPA 5”+ 216 67

BA 0”+ 121 66

BA 5”+ 103 66

QMD 0”+ 5.2 13.2

QMD 5”+ 9.7 13.2

Stand density averages were also calculated for aspen regeneration/conifer removal in the aspen forest

type. By implementing small clear-cuts or patch cuts, the number of larger, mature trees decreases and

the residual number of trees less than 5” DBH remains high due to the overstory removal. Basal area

decreases in general, however the majority of the reduction occurs in trees greater than 5” DBH. The

average diameter for the stand decreases for all trees and average diameter for trees greater than 5” DBH

slightly decreases. Table 23 illustrates the existing conditions vs. post-treatment conditions by

implementing patch cuts which would influence aspen regeneration.

32

Table 23. Stand Density Averages (Existing Conditions vs. Post-Treatment Conditions for

Aspen Regeneration Treatments for the Aspen Forest Type)

Existing Conditions Post-Treatment Conditions

TPA 0”+ 1,832 1,764

TPA 5”+ 200 78

BA 0”+ 173 36

BA 5”+ 163 30

QMD 0”+ 4.7 2.2

QMD 5”+ 12.4 11

Cumulative Effects

Forested stands that have been treated in the past have improved forest health due to reduced competition

between residual trees. Residual trees have become vigorous and are able to repel insect attacks more

successfully. However, at the landscape scale, there is little change due to the small amount of acres that

have been treated. Without future treatments, previously treated areas would revert back to dense,

stressed stands and would eventually be affected by a disturbance, either natural or human caused.

Indirect Effects

The indirect effects to forest health are that commercial and personal use forest products will be made

available through the duration of the project. Table 24 provides volume estimates for products that would

be removed by treatment type.

Table 24. Proposed Vegetation Treatments and Volume Estimates Summary Table

Proposed Action Acres Volume (MBF)

Merchantable

Volume (CCF)

Merchantable

Total Volume

(CCF)

Fuelbreak/Thinning Areas

Fuelwood/Vigas/Other Forest

Products

2,915 236 11,881 14,402

Thin from Below/Stand

Improvement

Thinning/Personal Use

2,738 240 10,875 13,420

Group Selection/Commercial

Thinning Units

1,888 1,809 8,118 9,912

Aspen Conifer

Removal/Patch Cuts

760 5,035 15,186 20,892

TOTAL 8,301 7,320 46,060 58,626

Effects to Vegetation Structural Stage (VSS)

Alternative 2 would have a positive effect in moving VSS distribution closer to desired conditions

through treatment and through the use of prescribed fire. Each of the proposed treatments would remove

trees from the VSS 3 size classes and would reduce tree densities within those size classes, shifting the

33

proportion of VSS throughout the analysis area. The removal of VSS 1 through VSS 4 sized trees would

reduce competition allowing trees in the VSS 3-5 classes to grow into the next structural stage at a faster

rate. The area would continue to be dominated by VSS 3 and VSS 4 after the initial entry since it would

take multiple entries to create multiple age classes within each stand and throughout the landscape.

Multiple treatments would be needed to eventually reach the desired conditions for VSS identified in

Table 24.

Group Selection/Individual Tree Selection/Thin From Below/Stand Improvement Thinning/Broadcast

Burn/Jackpot Burn/Pile Burn (GS/ITS/TFB/SIT/PU/BC/JB/PB) – 1,888 acres

Approximately 188 acres of VSS 1 would be created through group selection treatments. Approximately

10-15% of each stand proposed for group selection cuts would favor regeneration of VSS 1 trees due to

the openings created in the tree canopy. Groups would range in size from 0.10 acres to 4 acres in size.

The majority of group opening sizes would be approximately 0.25 acres in size. Group selection

treatments would promote vertical and horizontal heterogeneity in structure and would favor the

establishment of VSS 1 and enhance existing VSS 2 classes. The thin from below method would remove

trees 9” DBH and greater from within the matrix (areas between openings created through the thinning

process), which would increase vigor and growth and would reduce competition between residual trees.

Stands classified as VSS 3 would move into VSS 4 at a faster rate since more trees in that age class would

be removed pushing the average stand density closer to the VSS 4 class. Stands classified as VSS 4 and

above would take longer to reach the next VSS stage since minimum canopy cover requirements must be

met and/or maintained. Stand improvement thinning would primarily remove trees 1 ft. in height through

8.9” DBH to remove suppressed trees and reduce stand densities within the VSS 1 –VSS 3 age classes,

thus improving overall tree health, growth and vigor. Residual trees would compete less for nutrients,

water, sunlight and growing space.

Thin from Below/Stand Improvement Thinning/Personal Use/Broadcast Burn/Jackpot Burn/Pile Burn

(TFB/SIT/PU/BC/JB/PB) – 2,738 acres

The majority of treatments would occur closer to WUI areas and would focus on removing trees 1 ft. tall

to 12.0” DBH. Treatments would be implemented to remove suppressed trees with poor health and would

focus on the removal of trees infected with Dwarf Mistletoe or are in poor health due to insect and disease

activity. Materials that can be utilized as personal use products will be made available to the public via

dead and down forest products or may be made available through forest product permits. Should forest

product permits be made available to the public, trees identified for removal would be marked by Forest

Service personnel and proper administrative measures would be set in place. Thinning would improve

growth rates and health of residual trees and would reduce competition and associated stresses. Average

diameter would not increase significantly for stands selected for thinning but competition and overall

health of stands would increase. Table 25 displays VSS class distribution for existing conditions, post-

treatment conditions and desired conditions. FVS was used to determine post-treatment conditions.

34

Table 25. Comparison of Existing, Post-Treatment and Desired Conditions for VSS for

Ponderosa Pine.

VSS 1

(0-0.9” DBH)

VSS 2

(1-4.9” DBH)

VSS 3

(5-11.9”

DBH)

VSS 4

(12-17.9”

DBH)

VSS 5

(18-23.9”

DBH)

VSS 6

(24”+)

Existing Acres 80 245 12,062 7,780 2,272 408

% 1 1 52 34 10 2

Post-

Treatment

Acres 80 220 10,772 8,841 2,526 408

% 1 1 47 38 11 2

Desired Acres 2,285 2,285 4,569 4,569 4,569 4,569

% 10 10 20 20 20 20

Fuelbreak/Stand Improvement Thinning/Personal Use/Mastication/Chipping/Broadcast Burn/Jackpot

Burn/Pile Burn (FB/SIT/PU/MAST/CHIP/BC/JB/PB) – 2,915 acres

Approximately 2,915 acres of the project area fall within areas that are considered WUI or contain

infrastructure that would be susceptible to a high intensity wildfire. These acres have been proposed for

fuelbreak treatments utilizing a variety of silvicultural prescriptions to meet objectives and the purpose

and need of this project. Stands that are adjacent to private land, the Mogote Repeater on the Canjilon

Ranger District and major Forest Roads (FR’s) such as FR 44 and FR 559 have been proposed for

fuelbreak treatments. Mechanical treatments and prescribed fire would be utilized to reduce surface and

aerial fuels and to reduce the risk of a high severity, high intensity wildfire within the project area.

Secondary benefits of the treatments include improved forest health, an increase in available forage for

wildlife and cattle and providing personal use and commercial forest products to the local and

surrounding communities. Thinning from below, free thinning and personal use/commnercial forest

product permits would be utilized within fuelbreaks to reduce fuels and meet the objective of fuelbreaks

and meet the purpose and need of this project. Mastication and chipping have also been included as

viable options for vegetation treatments within acres proposed for fuelbreaks to reduce fuel loads more

effective and to improve aesthetics. Mechanical treatments other than thinning would be utilized in areas

where it is considered practical, efficient and has few impacts to resources. Although multiple

mechanical treatment options are listed for treatment units, it is unlikely that all treatments listed would

be implemented during a single entry or soon after initial entry. All treatments may be considered in

some cases to meet the purpose and need of this project. The type(s) of mechanical and prescribed fire

treatments selected will depend on stand characteristics and the objective of each treatment.

Fuelbreaks would be created along private land and forest roads with a maximum width of 600 ft. on

Forest Service system lands to prevent a high severity, high intensity wildfire from moving throughout the

landscape. A buffer along the southern end of the El Rito Canyon Landscape Restoration Project

boundary will be treated along FR 137 to mitigate the spread of a wildfire should a wildfire ignition occur

outside of the project boundary. Approximately 137 acres fall within the buffer and are not included

within the total acreage proposed for fuelbreak treatments. Buffers would not exceed 600 ft. in width

outside of the project boundary.

35

Aspen Regeneration Treatments (Patch-cuts/Group Selection/Thin from Below/Stand Improvement

Thinning/Personal Use/Broadcast Burn/Jackpot Burn/Pile Burn (PC/GS/TFB/SIT/PU/BC/JB/PB) –

760 acres

Aspen is categorized under Management Area 6 through the Carson National Forest Plan. The Standards

and Guidelines under the forest plan state that stand diversity shall be established and maintained to

“improve age class distribution, provide suitable habitat for wildlife, to maintain or enhance visual quality

and to maintain and or enhance firewood and other wood product production.” The forest plan also states

that regeneration should be encouraged through sprouting on at least 210 acres annually through small

patch clearcuts. The majority of patch cuts would be up to 2 acres in size, however the forest plan allows

for clear cuts up to 40 acres in size.

Many of the trees in the overstory have experienced defoliation in recent years and overall health of aspen

has deteriorated due to other damaging agents such as cankers and aspen decline. Conifer removal

around healthy aspen clones would stimulate aspen regeneration in and around those clones. Some stands

within the analysis area are experiencing healthy regeneration and would not be considered for treatment

in patches where regeneration is abundant and healthy.

Vegetation treatments, such as small patch cuts and thinning from below would decrease competition

between trees and more resources would be available to residual trees (e.g., water, nutrients, sunlight, and

growing space). Thinning from below would focus on removing conifers that are established within

existing aspen stands and patches. Conifers such as cork-bark fir and Engelmann spruce are shade-

tolerant species that can become established in the understory and become released over time through the

mortality of aspen and eventually the stand coverts into a conifer stand since aspen is a shade-intolerant

species and requires disturbance, either natural or human caused, to regenerate. Removing conifers from

the stand would reduce the density of conifer within aspen stands and would open up the canopy to allow

aspen to receive the necessary sunlight required to regenerate. Patch cuts would involve the removal of

all trees, with the exception of legacy or reserve trees (5-6 trees per acre) in patches that are greater than

one acre in size. The cutting of trees would stimulate sucker growth and would influence regeneration of

aspen with direct sunlight. Trees selected for retention would be based on wildlife use, age, and overall

tree health. Residual trees would become more vigorous and less susceptible to insect attacks and

diseases.

To protect sprouting in aspen patch cuts, felled trees and slash may be left on site, piled or utilized as a

fence to serve as a barrier to prevent livestock and other ungulates from feeding on aspen shoots if there is

not enough existing dead and down material to serve as that barrier. Otherwise, excessive accumulations

of surface fuels will be piled and/or burned to reduce those accumulations. Thinning and piling of

material would be performed either by hand or mechanically with rubber-tracked and steel-tracked

machinery. Forest products such as fuelwood, latillas and vigas will be made available to the public,

either through personal use permits or commercial permits. No temporary or new roads would be created

and harvesting of materials would be focused on stands that are accessible through existing road systems.

Stands that are inaccessible by motor vehicles would receive follow-up treatment mechanically or with

the use of prescribed fire if deemed necessary

Patch cuts would increase the number of acres represented by VSS classes 1 & 2 since the basal area will

be reduced significantly for trees in the larger VSS classes. Thinning conifers from below would also

decrease the density of conifers within aspen stands and further reduce the likelihood that the stand would

36

eventually convert to a mixed conifer or spruce stand. Thinning from below generally moves acres

represented by one VSS class into the next higher class if the amount of trees removed significantly

reduces the basal area for that respective VSS class. This is due to the removal of trees in smaller size

classes; therefore the larger size classes represent a higher proportion of the total trees following

treatment. Table 26 displays VSS class distribution for existing conditions, post-treatment conditions and

desired conditions for the aspen forest type. FVS was used to determine post-treatment conditions by

modeling for patch cuts across 50% of the stands and conifer removal across 50% of the stands. Post-

treatment conditions for VSS 2 and VSS 4 are close to desired conditions while there were slight changes

to the remaining VSS classes.

Table 26. Comparison of Existing, Post-Treatment and Desired Conditions for VSS for Aspen.

VSS 1

(0-0.9”

DBH)

VSS 2

(1-4.9”

DBH)

VSS 3

(5-11.9”

DBH)

VSS 4

(12-17.9”

DBH)

VSS 5

(18-23.9”

DBH)

VSS 6

(24”+)

Existing Acres 253 1,737 916 91 39 % 2 8 56 30 3 1

Post-

Treatment

Acres 65 369 1,763 679 144 81

% 2 12 56 22 5 3

Desired Acres 310 310 620 620 620 621

% 10 10 20 20 20 20

Meadow Restoration/Stand Improvement Thinning/Personal Use/Broadcast Burn/Jackpot Burn/Pile

Burn (MR/SIT/PU/BCB/JB/PB) – 2,013 acres.

Meadow restoration treatments will focus on the removal of young, even-aged trees that have encroached

into existing grasslands. Without natural and/or human-caused disturbances, tree encroachment has

become problematic throughout much of the project area. Large diameter, Legacy trees, would be exempt

from removal within existing grasslands. Evidence of tree stumps and existing legacy trees will also be

used as indicators as to where tree-lines historically existed. Removal of trees may be performed through

mechanical treatments, personal-use products or with the use of prescribed fire. Vegetation Structural

Stage would not be impacted in these areas as trees would be removed from existing grasslands and VSS

would be returned to VSS 1 stage.

Cumulative Effects

VSS class distribution within each of the EMA’s is similar to that of the Carson National Forest.

Generally, there is an excess of VSS 3’s and a deficit of VSS 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. There would be a

continued lack of VSS 1 acres across the landscape unless natural disturbances or management actions

occurred which would create openings. Over the next 10-20 years the amount of VSS 2 would decrease

as these areas would grow into VSS 3. VSS 1 and 2 acres may be created if a catastrophic wildfire

occurs, or an insect or disease outbreak takes place.

Through time VSS classes 3, 4 and 5 would gradually transition into VSS classes 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

This transition would occur at a faster rate where past treatments have removed trees in the smaller size

classes. This can be attributed to a decrease in competition for limited resources including water,

sunlight, nutrients, and growing space. However, without future vegetative and prescribed fire treatments

within the cumulative effects area, the desired distribution of VSS classes would not be met.

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Effects to Canopy Cover

Canopy cover guidelines are provided through the 1996 Forest Plan Amendment. There are no proposed

canopy cover guidelines that apply to mixed conifer, however canopy density guidelines proposed

through the goshawk guidelines is considered applicable for Mexican Spotted Owl habitat. Through

uneven-aged management, it is difficult to obtain a good canopy cover estimate at the “sub-plot” level;

therefore canopy cover must be met through implementation and marking guidelines. The following

guidelines will be followed to ensure that canopy cover is adequate for forest types affected by treatment:

Canopy cover for tree groups within ponderosa pine VSS 4-6 classifications will not be reduced

below 40 percent as determined by Basal Area.

Canopy cover for tree groups within the mixed conifer forest type will not be reduced below

60% for 1/3 of the VSS 4 groups and will not be reduced below 40% for the remaining 2/3 of

VSS 4 tree groups. Canopy cover will not be reduced below 50% within the VSS 5 tree groups

and below 60 percent within the VSS 6 tree groups, as determined by Basal Area.

By reducing tree densities and creating openings for growing space, health and vigor of individual trees

would be improved, resulting in faster crown growth rates. Minimum requirements for canopy cover

would be maintained in VSS 4 -6 classes where mechanical and prescribed fire treatments are proposed.

Cumulative Effects

The majority of treatments that have occurred within the cumulative effects area have included; thinning

from below, group selection, individual tree selection, sanitation cuts and prescribed fire (broadcast,

jackpot and pile burning). Where thin from below treatments have been implemented, trees from the VSS

1 through the VSS 3 classes have been favored for removal. Where commercial treatments have

occurred, there has been a reduction of canopy cover for all size classes. There is a lack of trees

representing the VSS 5 and VSS 6 classes within the cumulative effects area, however canopy cover

within those VSS classes have increased at a faster rate where past treatments have occurred due to

reduced competition and improved health and vigor of residual trees. Canopy cover should increase at a

faster rate for VSS 4 through VSS 6 where proposed treatments are to occur due to reduced competition.

At the landscape level, change in canopy cover will not change significantly due to the small amount of

acres treated as compared to the size of the cumulative effects area. Significant changes at the landscape

level would occur in the event of a large-scale disturbance such as an insect/disease outbreak or a large-

scale wildfire. In stands with no treatment, density would continue to increase predisposing stands to

mortality from insect, disease or prescribed fire which would result in openings of varying size in the

canopy.

Effects to Climate Change

Uneven-aged treatments would promote age-class diversity within the analysis area and would focus on

the retention of multiple species (where appropriate) to increase resilience within treatment areas to

address the predicted increase in temperature, shift in climatic and weather patterns, and potential for

increased risk of insect and disease outbreaks and larger severe wildfires. Uneven-aged management

strategies such as group selection, thinning from below and other intermediate treatments would decrease

competition within densely stocked and overstocked stands within the analysis area. Group selection and

patch cuts would provide gaps in the canopy and would influence the establishment of young age classes

which have higher rates of carbon sequestration but lower levels of carbon storage. Creating new age

classes in multiple stages would ensure that younger, more vigorous trees would remain with stands

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affected by potential insect and disease outbreaks that target larger, mature trees. Treatments between

groups would involve thinning from below and other intermediate treatments to reduce stocking and

create gaps in the canopy in an effort to increase leaf area and the capacity for carbon uptake and storage.

Stands identified for stand improvement thinning would entail thinning from below to remove suppressed

trees with reduced growth rates and health that are competing with larger trees that have a higher capacity

for carbon uptake and storage. Treatments would create growing space between residual trees and tree

groups disrupting the canopy fuel continuity, which helps address future crown-fire risk (Agee 1996,

Powell 2010, Scott 1998).

Prescribed fire will be used address surface fuels once mechanical treatments have been implemented.

Prescribed fire will be considered in areas where desired conditions can be met with use of fire and no

mechanical treatment. Prescribed fire would also cycle nutrients and reduce the establishment of natural

regeneration. Prescribed burning would directly release carbon dioxide during the prescribed burning

operation, which contributes to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. However, research

indicates that restoration treatments (and maintenance treatments) of an FRCC 1 condition will result in

lower risk of uncharacteristic wildfire event which emits more greenhouse gas emissions into the

atmosphere than a prescribed burn operation (Hurteau and North, 2010). Research done in northern

Arizona shows that post thinning, carbon uptake would likely decrease in the first two years post

treatment due to the decrease in leaf area, however, it is expected to increase 3 to 4 years post treatment

when compared to unthinned stands (Dore et al., 2012).

Reduced fire risk has a two-fold effect on greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon cycle. First, the

application of prescribed burning reduces future greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the chance of an

uncharacteristic wildfire event which emits much more greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere

than a prescribed burn operation (Wiedinmyer and Hurteau, 2010). Secondly, stands of live trees have a

higher capacity to sequester carbon dioxide when compared to an area that experiences an

uncharacteristic wildfire event (Dore et al., 2012).

Cumulative Effects to Climate Change

The ERCLRP would not have an impact at a global scale, but would address climate change at the local

level. The ERCLRP, along with other treatments throughout the landscape on the Carson National Forest

and within the Southwestern Region would have a cumulative effect on addressing climate change.

Effects to Old Growth

The 1996 Forest Plan amendment contains a guideline to “develop or retain old growth function on at

least 20 percent of the naturally forested area by forest type in any landscape.” The 1996 Forest Plan

amendment requires old growth allocation on at least 20 percent of each forested ecosystem management

area. To achieve the required old growth allocation across the landscape, old growth has been allocated at

three scales; small scale (project level), mid-scale (EMA level) and large scale (El Rito Ranger District

level).

The ERCLRP analysis area is approximately 64,173 acres in size (including non-forest service land). The

major forest types within the analysis area include ponderosa pine (28,476 acres), piñon/juniper (11,745

acres), mixed conifer (12,754 acres), aspen (3,101 acres) and spruce-fir (565 acres). Therefore,

approximately 5,695 acres of ponderosa pine, 2,349 acres of piñon juniper, 2,551 acres of mixed conifer,

620 acres of aspen and 113 acres of spruce-fir should be allocated as old growth to meet the 20 percent

allocation at the small scale. Figure 3 displays the location of stands that have been allocated to old

growth to meet the 20 percent allocation for each forest type at the small scale level.

39

The ERCLRP analysis area falls within the 58,826 acre Cañon de El Rito EMA, the 147,135 acre Los

Comanches EMA and the 74,903 acre VFSYU EMA. The total acreage for each EMA includes non-

forest service land jurisdictions. The major forest types within the Cañon de El Rito EMA include

ponderosa pine (15,258 acres), piñon/juniper (11,344 acres), mixed conifer (8,572 acres), aspen (4,134

acres) and spruce-fir (6,947 acres). To meet the minimum 20 percent old growth allocation at the mid-

scale EMA level approximately 3,052 acres of ponderosa pine, 2,269 acres of piñon/juniper, 1,714 acres

of mixed conifer, 827 acres of aspen and 1,389 acres of spruce-fir would need to be allocated throughout

the EMA. The major forest types within the Los Comanches EMA include ponderosa pine (26,686

acres), piñon/juniper (90,088 acres), mixed conifer (1,794 acres) and aspen (33 acres). To meet the

minimum 20 percent old growth allocation at the mid-scale EMA level approximately 5,337 acres of

ponderosa pine, 18,018 acres of piñon/juniper, 359 acres of mixed conifer and 7 acres of aspen would

need to be allocated throughout the EMA. The major forest types within the VFSYU EMA include

ponderosa pine (46,570 acres), piñon/juniper (2,894 acres), mixed conifer (16,322 acres), aspen (3,199

acres) and spruce-fir (1,840 acres). To meet the minimum 20 percent old growth allocation at the mid-

scale EMA level approximately 9,314 acres of ponderosa pine, 579 acres of piñon/juniper, 3,264 acres of

mixed conifer, 640 acres of aspen and 368 acres of spruce-fir would need to be allocated throughout the

EMA. Figures 4, 5 and 6 display the location of stands that have been allocated to old growth to meet the

20 percent allocation for each forest type at the mid-scale level.

The large scale analysis area falls within the El Rito Ranger District Boundary which is approximately

280,067 acres in size (including non-forest service land). The major forest types within the analysis area

include ponderosa pine (88,516 acres), piñon/juniper (104,636 acres), mixed conifer (26,691 acres), aspen

(7,369 acres) and spruce-fir (8,785 acres). To meet the 20% old growth allocation requirement

approximately 17,703 acres of ponderosa pine, 20,873 acres of piñon/juniper, 5,338 acres of mixed

conifer, 1,747 acres of aspen, and 1,757 acres of spruce-fir would need to be allocated throughout the El

Rito Ranger District. Figure 7 displays location of stands that have been allocated to old growth to meet

the 20 percent allocation for each forest type at the large scale level.

No treatments are currently proposed within stands that have been allocated to old growth. Treatments

may occur in stands which could be considered old growth or stands that are on the appropriate path to

become old growth within the analysis area, however they are not part of the 20 percent allocation. Group

selection would remove portions of stands that may be considered old growth; however, within the

matrix, thinning from below and proposed intermediate treatments would maintain the large tree

component and improve tree vigor. The matrix would still be considered old growth if it currently meets

old growth criteria. Treatment areas that do not meet the criteria for old growth would meet the large tree

attribute with an increase in crown growth due to less competition, more available resources and more

space to grow. All areas that could be considered old growth or reaching old growth conditions would

not be treated. Old growth may shift through time throughout the three analysis scales depending on

natural disturbances and the growth and progression of younger stands throughout the landscape.

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Figure 4. Old Growth Allocation for the Cañon de El Rito EMA (Mid-Scale)

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Figure 5. Old Growth Allocation for the Los Comanches Ecosystem Management Area (Mid-Scale)

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Figure 6. Old Growth Allocation for the VFSYU Ecosystem Management Area (Mid-Scale)

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Figure 7. Old Growth Allocation for the El Rito Ranger District (Large Scale)

44

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