2409.19_10
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
ALASKA REGION (REGION 10)
JUNEAU, ALASKA
FSH 2409.19– RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
Supplement No.: R-10 2409.19-2004-2
Effective Date: March 8, 2004
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: /s/ Steven A. Brink (for)
DENNIS E. BSCHOR
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 02/24/2004
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 2409.19-2004-1 to Zero Code chapter.
New Document
2409.19_10
7 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2409.19,10 (2409.19-94-2, 7/15/92)
7 Pages
Digest:
This is a technical supplement to change the name of the handbook from ‘Renewable Resource
Uses for Knutson-Vandenberg (K-V) Fund Handbook’ to ‘Renewable Resources Handbook’ per
WO amendment and to convert the format and style of this supplement using the agency’s
current corporate word processing software.
Although some minor typographical and technical errors have been corrected, there are no
changes to the substantive direction in this supplement.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
11 - DEVELOPMENT OF SALE AREA IMPROVEMENT PLANS
11.4 - Delineation of Sale Area Boundaries
Sale Area Boundaries will be developed as described in section 11.4 of the parent text and the
Timber Sale Preparation Handbook (FSH 2409.18, chapter 50, section 54.2). Sale Area
Boundaries will not extend beyond the immediate vicinity of cutting units (usually one-quarter
mile) for the sole purpose of using K-V funds in the area. The sale area boundary should not be
expanded to include specified road construction or reconstruction outside immediate vicinity of
the cutting units. Include small leave areas between cutting units in the sale area boundary.
Generally include these small leave areas if the distance between actual harvest units is less than
one-half mile. Within these guidelines, K-V funds cannot be spent on projects outside of the sale
area boundary or on projects that are greater than one-quarter mile from the nearest cutting
(harvest) unit.
For independent sales, sale area boundaries should coincide with recognizable features, such as
roads, trails, ridges, and streams. Boundaries will be designed through an interdisciplinary
process to include logical, necessary, and desirable sale area activities.
For long-term sales, an Offering Area Boundary will be established for each long-term contract
offering. The same criteria used to establish the sale area boundary for independent sales will be
used to identify the offering area boundary for long-term sales. Each long-term project EIS has
one or more offerings. An SAI plan is developed for each offering. Each offering is treated the
same as an independent sale for K-V management.
13 - APPROPRIATE USE OF K-V FUNDS
Required reforestation costs includes all activities necessary to accomplish reforestation of
created openings as required by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). Examples of
required reforestation projects can be found in chapter 10, section 12 of the parent text and
includes all costs of regeneration through certification. Include annual cost of reviewing and
updating SAI plans as a required reforestation cost (annual review is required to adequately
manage the required reforestation program). Document this in the SAI Plan narrative. Include
the costs of seed collection and processing, and seedling procurement and delivery in required
reforestation costs. The Stikine Area Seed/Seedling Coordinator will annually provide specific
seed and seedling costs for each Forest (Area). K-V funds can be collected to perform post
harvest evaluations, although these evaluations cannot be considered essential reforestation costs
unless the purpose of the evaluation is to access the area for regeneration purposes. The
purposes of these evaluations must be documented in the SAI Plan narrative. Required
reforestation is always the first priority for K-V funding.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
The following are short discussions of some appropriate/inappropriate uses of K-V funds.
Additional examples of appropriate K-V projects can be found in chapter 10, section 13 of the
parent text. The following discussion and the listing in the parent text are not intended to be all
inclusive.
It needs to be kept in mind that K-V funds can only be spent on projects that are shown as funded
on an approved SAI plan, are documented in approved NEPA documents, and are within the sale
area boundary and no more than a quarter mile away from cutting (harvest) units. K-V projects
must also be consistent with direction in forest plans.
1. Mitigation. K-V can be used to accomplish required mitigation work on a timber sale.
Section 1508.20 of the NEPA regulation states: "Mitigation includes: (a) avoiding the impact
altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action; (b) minimizing impacts by limiting
the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation; (c) rectifying the impact by
repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment; (d) reducing or eliminating the
impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action, (e)
compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments."
Mitigation required as a result of a timber sale which cannot be avoided is an appropriate project
for K-V financing and would be considered for financing after the required reforestation needs
are met. If this work could not be funded from the stumpage values on the sale and ended up as
an "unfunded project," then appropriated funds would be needed to complete the required
mitigation work.
Where appropriate, incorporate mitigation needs into the timber sale contract as a purchaser's
responsibility. Do not include a mitigation project on an SAI plan if appropriate for the timber
sale contract.
The NEPA document should describe the work to be done, not designate the funding source. If
the work is mitigation and is going to be required, it will be accomplished. This may be done by:
a. The purchaser.
b. Through the use of K-V funds.
c. Through the use of appropriated funds.
2. Recreation Trail Construction. Creating new recreation opportunities by constructing
or reconstructing trails is not appropriate use of K-V funds. Effects to trails due to purchaser's
operations are the responsibility of the purchaser and covered under the timber sale contract.
Repairs to small segments of existing trail within the sale area boundary can be made using K-V
funds, provided purchaser operations have not caused the damage.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
3. Other Recreation Improvements. K-V funds can be used to modify vegetation for
protection and improvement of recreation opportunities (for example: create vistas, or to prepare
the site for an unimproved recreation facility). Construction, reconstruction, and permanent
relocation of recreation facilities is usually not acceptable. Only when alternate, temporary
facilities are needed for protection of renewable resources is K-V an acceptable expenditure.
Signs, maps, brochures, and so forth, are appropriate if needed to protect or interpret renewable
resources and associated management activities funded with K-V.
4. Watershed Improvements. Projects to restore the natural function of soil and water
resources and to maintain or enhance long-term productivity are appropriate for K-V funding, if
they are not a purchaser requirement in the timber sale contract. K-V funds can be used to
stabilize actively eroding soil, particularly if it is contributing to degradation of water quality
and/or fish habitat. Road closure (decommissioning) and road upgrading are appropriate, if
necessary, to restore or to assure the appropriate maintenance of natural watershed function
and/or long-term productivity. Replacing or modifying culverts can be appropriate, particularly
if these activities cannot be funded from road construction/reconstruction funds or through the
timber sale contract.
5. Fish Pass Construction. Large scale, long-term construction projects are not
appropriate for K-V funding. The Washington Office is addressing the appropriateness of K-V
funding for large-scale fish passage structures. The interim advice from the Washington Office
is that policies on these types of improvements is evolving, and in the interim, proceed only with
projects which can be justified under current direction as documented in FSH 2409.19. Until
further clarification is received, send each proposal for K-V funding of large fish passage
projects to the Regional office for case-by-case evaluation prior to including on SAI plans.
Include a detailed description of the project including purpose, need, and priority.
6. Wildlife Improvements. Vegetation and site modification for protection and
enhancement of TES species is appropriate if it fits in the recovery plan and is not associated
with animal re-introduction. Closure of habitat access (roads and trails) by barrier construction,
signing, gating, or obliteration of unneeded roads is appropriate for K-V if not a purchaser
responsibility. Creating snags or placing down woody material in clearcuts, meadows, or other
openings to provide habitat is appropriate if enough material cannot be left on site through the
timber sale contract and post sale activities. Inventories (for example: post sale inventories to
determine snag stocking levels) are not appropriate for K-V.
7. Wildlife Stocking. The stocking of fish and/or wildlife is the primary responsibility of
the States. The management of habitat is the primary responsibility of the Forest Service on
National Forest System land. However, some stocking and introductions of fish and wildlife
may be done in cooperation with State or Federal agencies and, if in accordance with FSM 2640,
may be charged to appropriated wildlife and fish funds, and K-V if appropriate (for example:
within a sale area boundary).
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
8. Cultural Resource Work. Cultural resources are not considered renewable. As such,
by definition, K-V funds cannot be used for their enhancement or protection unless threatened by
a K-V financed project.
9. Presale Surveys. Presale surveys (including cultural resource surveys) are not
appropriate for K-V funds and are the financial responsibility of the benefiting program or
activity.
10. Area Analysis. Area and landscape analysis and design are not appropriate uses of
K-V funds.
11. K-V Work on Unsuitable Lands. K-V can be used on unsuitable land within the sale
area boundary (or Offering Area Boundary for long-term contracts) and within a quarter mile of
a cutting (harvest) unit, if there is documented rationale for renewable resource benefit from such
treatment.
12. Work not on an Approved SAI Plan. In order to qualify for K-V funding, any
appropriate use must be included in the Sale NEPA documentation and on an approved SAI Plan.
For work discovered after a sale has been sold/released, this can be accomplished through the
amendment/revision process. Being a worthwhile project within the sale area boundary is not
enough to justify the expenditure of K-V funds.
13.3 – Monitoring
Monitoring can be accomplished with K-V funds only when it is for monitoring or evaluation of
projects completed with K-V funds and can be completed in the required timeframe (See chapter
20, section 22.4). For example, fisheries enhancement structures installed with K-V could be
monitored to determine if the project met objectives. It is inappropriate to use K-V funds to
monitor or determine the effects of the timber sale on any resource during or after the sale. Such
monitoring for timber sale effects must be funded with appropriated funds from the resource
areas being monitored.
13.4 - Administrative Studies
Direction on administrative studies is located in FSM 1900, Regional Supplements to FSM 1990
and FSM 4070, and an R-10 letter dated June 17, 1993, from the Regional Forester on
"Coordination of Administrative Studies and Research."
Administrative studies estimated to cost over $5,000 will be planned, prepared, and submitted
through the Regional Committee on Administrative Studies and Research Proposals
(RCAS&RP). The Committee consists of the Director of PP&B, PNW Program Manager,
Director of S&PF, and the Staff Director of the proposal subject. The Regional Forester shall
annually designate the Chair.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
Advance approval by the Regional Forester is required for all administrative studies.
Region 10 defines administrative studies as those that:
1. Develop information needed by the Region.
2. Require assistance from outside the National Forest System, such as Forest Service
Research, academia, other Federal or State agencies, or other sources.
3. Are conducted under contracts, memoranda of understanding, cooperative agreements,
or in-service authorizations.
The RCAS&RP Committee will assure that the study is properly designed to resolve local
problems, not to develop new scientific knowledge, concepts, or technology.
Approved administrative studies may be implemented within the sale area boundary using K-V
funds, but planned collections can only finance approved activities within the K-V timeframes
(See chapter 20, section 22.4). Long-term administrative studies, such as determining the
amount and significance of snag habitat usage over time, is not appropriate for K-V financing.
Administrative studies proposed by a Regional Director must have concurrence by the Forest
Supervisor(s) of the unit(s) where the study will take place.
13.6 - Priorities for the Use of K-V Funds
Care should be taken to consider Salvage Sale Fund (SSF) needs when establishing priorities of
non-required K-V projects. Since both K-V and SSF compete for stumpage values, Forests and
Districts should use an IDT process to decide the order in which projects will qualify for
available stumpage. The priorities and the process and rationale used to develop priorities
should be documented in the SAI Plan. The same principle applies when updating SAI and SSF
plans. Do not update one without considering the needs of the other.
15 - REVIEW OF SALE AREA IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Forest Supervisors and District Rangers will ensure that all SAI plans are reviewed annually, and
revised as needed, by staff from concerned resource areas in an integrated process. The
Administrative Officer and approving line officer will work with interdisciplinary teams to
review and revise SAI plans. At the time of review, the approving officer will ensure that
additional NEPA documentation required for SAI plan revisions is completed and signed. The
responsible line officer will review and approve revised SAI plans.
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 2409.19-2004-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/08/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.19 – RENEWABLE RESOURCES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – K-V PROJECT PLANNING
When an SAI plan is revised, projects can be added or dropped and priorities for non-required KV activities can be changed. Here are items to look for when reviewing SAI Plans:
1. Is the project still needed? (or has it been completed?)
2. Are the cost figures still accurate and realistic?
3. Have priorities changed?
4. Has basic site productivity been maintained?
5. Should unfunded projects be financed by appropriated funds?
6. Are all projects covered in NEPA documents?
7. Is there enough time to implement projects in the timeframe?
8. Do any projects conflict? How can they be coordinated? Is timing or order of
implementation important?
At sale closure, a project's status as funded or unfunded is frozen and cannot change. In
addition, at sale closure, unfunded work should be evaluated for financing with alternative
funding sources or removed from the SAI Plan. SAI Plans must clearly show which projects are
funded and which are not funded in order to avoid confusion between funded and unfunded
projects when carrying out projects listed on an SAI plan. This restrictive interpretation is due to
past OIG and GAO audits nationwide into K-V management.
It is improper to fund unfunded work from the K-V pool, even if surplus funds exist in the pool.
Forest Supervisors will send SAI plans for sale/offerings exceeding Forest Supervisor delegation
of authority to the Director of Timber Management for review and approval.
The Regional K-V Coordinator will meet annually with Area and Forest K-V Coordinators and
fiscal/administrative staff to review the K-V program to identify specific items that need fine
tuning at the Forest and Regional levels. Review will include examples of SAI plans, K-V fund
balance, and other topics relating to K-V program management and development.
The Regional K-V Coordinator will meet annually with Regional natural resource program staff
and fiscal/administrative staff to review the K-V program. They will jointly review SAI plans,
K-V fund balance, and other program elements, and will form recommendations for improving
management of the program.