Rancheria Forest Restoration Project USDA Forest Service Kern River Ranger District

Rancheria Forest Restoration Project Sequoia National Forest Kern River Ranger District Alta Sierra/Greenhorn Mountains

Rancheria Forest Restoration Project Why is it needed? The purpose and need is to: Why is Restore a healthy, diverse forest ecosystem that is resilient to wildfire and other threats and that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable Protect people and property from wildfire Protect and enhance wildlife habitat Protect from uncharacteristically severe wildfire Reintroduce a natural fire regime where safe and appropriate Prepare economical, efficient projects that support local economies

Why is Ecological Restoration Needed? Example of an area of uncharacteristically severe, stand-replacing fire which resulted in thousands of acres of tree mortality in 2002 on the Kern River Ranger District, fragmenting habitat, burning structures, and costing over 59 million dollars for suppression and rehabilitation (McNally Fire)

What is Ecological Restoration? Forest Service Manual (FSM) interim directive 2020 defines Ecological Restoration as: “The process of assisting the recovery of resilience and adaptive capacity of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Restoration focuses on establishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological processes necessary to make terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems sustainable, resilient, and healthy under current and future conditions.” .

Rancheria Forest Restoration Project Existing and Desired Conditions Photo 2- Extreme fuel loading showing the worst conditions in the Greenhorns today: smaller, denser stands dominated by incense cedar and fir Photo 1-Historic forests dominated by large pines, with openings and dense pockets in the Greenhorn Mountains early 1900’s (note size of vehicle compared to trees) Courtesy Kern County Museum-used by permission

Existing Condition Second-growth general forests are overstocked with middle-aged trees Forests are dominated by shade-tolerant white fir (Abies concolor) and incense cedar (Libocedrus decurrens) that are less resilient and have dominated native pine (Pinus sp.) and black oak (Quercus keloggii) historically found in the area History of fire suppression, longer fire intervals, with potential for larger, hotter fires Fire Return Interval Departure is extreme Fire regime condition class is class 3 Greenhorn Plantations are overstocked, showing pockets of mortality If a wildfire occurred in crowded stands it would be a stand -replacing type of wildfire Rancheria Road is an escape route which lacks adequate defense lines in a wildfire

Desired Condition Modified fuel conditions would reduce wildfire threat: The condition of surface fuels would be such that crown fire ignition, if it occurs, will be discontinuous. Openness and discontinuity of crown fuels with a low probability of sustained crown fire. Surface fuels ranging from 5 to 15 tons per acre with increased effectiveness of fire personnel and equipment to control and manage wildfire. Reduced risk of wildfire to communities with improved safety of escape along Rancheria Road, and safer access for fire personnel and equipment. Return of historic fire regime where possible, either through prescribed burning or managed wildfire. Reduced risk to wildlife habitat with reduced risk of uncharacteristically large, stand-replacing fires.

Desired Condition (cont.) A greater diversity in forest age, density, and stand structure More closely resemble presettlement conditions, a dominance of large trees with a desired condition of 70-200 trees per acre. A mosaic of openings, thickets, small trees and seedlings. Tree species composition modified to favor oaks and pines over incense cedar and white fir. Improved wildlife habitat More suitable habitat for resting, roosting, denning and nesting for sensitive wildlife including the Pacific Fisher, Spotted Owl, and Goshawk. Large trees surrounded by multiple canopy layers would provide cover while small forest openings would improve foraging. Dead trees, both standing and fallen, would meet habitat needs . Habitat is now limited by small size of trees and fragmentation due to previous large-scale fires and can be improved by restoration of late successional conditions.

Proposed Action Vegetative treatments can reduce stand densities and fuel loads while accelerating restoration of old forest conditions. Some examples of prescriptions might include: Large single or small groups (3 – 5 trees) of pine – Retain the large individual or small group of trees and remove small and intermediate size trees of all species except black oak that are under or mostly under the crowns. Large snags – The treatment should be to retain the large snag and remove nearby ground and ladder fuels that would likely carry fire into it. Vary snag and log retention levels across the project area . Pacific fisher rest sites- Protect these sites which often consist of clumps of dense trees with large snags, legacy trees, or large rest structures. Large single black oaks that are declining in health and vigor – Allow the large black oak to continue to decline by leaving the over-topping conifers and the trees under or mostly under the crown. Such large decadent trees can provide excellent wildlife habitat. Groups of overstocked conifers should be thinned , giving preference to retaining the diameter classes that stand exam data shows are underrepresented. For example, when the majority of trees in a stand are between 17-22 inches, some in this size class could be removed to make room for more trees in the larger (23”+)and smaller (16” and under) tree classes. As trees get larger, there are usually fewer per acre. Prescribed burning would occur when weather and fuel conditions are appropriate.

Proposed Action (cont.) Examples of some special consideration for sensitive wildlife habitats: California Spotted Owl and Northern Goshawks Protected Activity Centers (PACs) Irregular thinning of understories followed by prescribed burning; encourage faster development of larger trees surrounding openings and increase levels of snags and down woody debris.   Fisher Conservation Area Create small gaps in midslope forests, leave snags; prescribed burning ; retain canopy of 40% where existing; elsewhere design treatment to increase canopy; heavier thinning along roads and ridgelines in areas which are of lower value for den/rest sites for spotted owls and fisher and may be of value as reduced fuel zones Deer Preserve some screening along roadways to provide cover, which is especially important during hunting season.

Rancheria Forest Restoration Project and surrounding projects across ownership boundaries

Questions/Comments

How to get to the Comment Web Form http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=33846 To comment on the project click on “Comment to project” You can also sign up for the project mailing list by clicking “Subscribe to Email Updates” 14