HFQLG
Project Evaluation Form
Project Name: Slapjack DFPZ
Project Type: Slapjack Project - to create a defensible fuel profile zone and implement group selection
Forest: Plumas NF, Feather River Ranger District
Date: 27 July 2010
Attendance: 20 people
Public - Frank Stewart, Counties Forester and QLG; Jim Johnson, Yuba County Fire Safe Council; Darrel
Wilson, Butte County Fire Safe Council; Martha Beninger, Associated Forest Management and Yuba Fire Safe
Council; Nathan Bamford, Bamford Logging; Carol Dower, Feather Falls Fire Safe Council.
USFS - Karen Hayden, Feather River District Ranger; Linnea Hanson, Ecosystem Manager; John Estes, District
Fire Management Officer, Dan Roskopf, Ecosystem Operations; Deirdre Cherry, District Fuels Officer; Ray
Torres, Fuels Officer; Don Chase, NEPA Planner; Nancy Francine, Plumas NF Ecosystem Staff Officer; Carol
Ross, TEAMS Timber Sale Officer; Janna Osofsky, Timber Sale Administrator; Joanna Arroyo, Wildlife Biologist;
David Wood, HFQLG Implementation Team Leader; Colin Dillingham, HFQLG Monitoring Team Leader; and
Tuija Suihkonen, HFQLG GIS Specialist.
Slapjack mechanical thinning and Group Selection units were completed by Bamford Logging and Slapjack
underburn DFPZ units were completed by U.S. Forest Service personnel.
Type of Treatment:
Proposed Activities: The Slapjack Project proposes to construct 4,419 acres of DFPZ, thin 148 acres of
area thinning (individual tree selection), harvest 219 acres of group selection, restore 59 acres of meadows,
enhance 180 acres of California spotted owl habitat, stabilize 1,200 feet of stream bank, and control 33 acres
of noxious weeds. Transportation improvements include 7 miles of road closure, 19 miles of road
decommissioning, 18 miles of reconstruction, 6 miles of road maintenance, and 10 miles of new temporary
road construction.
The Slapjack project will be a Defensible Fuel Profile Zone (DFPZ) implemented under 2004 Framework
objectives when completed. Two stewardship contracts, one service contract and forest service prescribed
burning crews will complete project implementation.
Objective: Alter project area landscape toward a more fire-resilient condition, characterized by uneven-aged
(all aged), multistoried stands. Reduce fire hazard through DFPZ construction. Utilize group selection and
individual tree selection harvest methods. Perform road work/maintenance as part of watershed
improvement. Restore and enhance aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. Perform preventive maintenance
of DFPZ units two to three years after construction. Control noxious weeds.
Slapjack monitoring review
Resource
Attribute
Area
Silviculture,
Feather
Falls Area
Improve
Forest Health
Objective
Reduce interspecific
competition
Source of
Objective
EA
Degree Met
Comments
Yes
The thinning project will
allow for less
competition and
increased vigor of
remaining trees
Yes for short
term, but
high risk in
long term
Yes for short
term, but
high risk in
long term
Partial, more
treatment
planned
Hydrology
Riparian
Protection
Protect stream with
no treatment buffer
EA
Wildlife
Western Pond
Turtle
Protect pond with no
treatment buffer
EA
Fuels,
Feather
Falls
Surface Fuels
Less than 5 tons per
acre of surface fuels
HFQLG FEIS,
Appendix J
Fuels,
Feather
Falls
Ladder Fuels
Remove ladder fuels
HFQLG FEIS,
Appendix J
Partial, more
treatment
planned
WUI
Community
Safety
Create DFPZ and
remove fuels
adjacent to homes
EA
Yes, further
entry
required
Economics,
Mt Hope
Stewardship
Local
community
stability
Provide jobs to local
community
QLG Act
Yes
Silviculture,
Mt Hope
Area
Improve
Forest Health
Reduce competition
for sunlight and
moisture
EA,
Silviculture
Prescription
Yes
Fuels,
Mastication
Ladder Fuels
Remove ladder fuels
HFQLG FEIS,
Appendix J
Yes
Untreated riparian zone
would not prevent
impacts from wildfire.
Untreated pond buffer
would not prevent
impacts from wildfire.
Follow-up underburn
planned to treat surface
fuels.
Treatment piled and
burned ladder fuels;
follow up underburn
would increase crownbase height.
Feather Falls, Woodleaf
and Challenge
communities with
additional protection.
The large project has
allowed for numerous
jobs in the local
community.
The thinning project will
allow for less
competition, but
overriding rules limited
silviculture prescriptions
Ladder fuels rearranged
as surface fuels. High
decomposition rates
expected in high
moisture regime and with
soil contact.
Discussion of Slapjack DFPZ in Feather Falls area (post-treatment):
Slapjack DFPZ First Stop –
Fuels Officer Ray Torres explains some of
the history and future needs of fuels
treatment in the Feather Falls community
area. Defensible fuel profile zone
construction has been ongoing since 2008.
Due to dense fuel conditions and air quality
issues, 30-40 acres per day is the maximum
amount of underburn feasible. Chainsaw thin
and pile units in the wildland urban interface
are awaiting underburn follow up to
complete the planned initial treatment.
Slapjack DFPZ First Stop –
Fuels Officer DeeDee Cherry explained that
due to the numerous sites needing protection,
such as archeological sites, wildlife sites,
hydrologic features, and high degree of
slope, mechanical fuels reduction treatments
such as mastication were infeasible. The
multiple step nature of fuels reduction
treatments will require 1-2 underburns to
treat remaining surface fuels and may take 3
- 7 years to reach the desired condition.
Slapjack DFPZ First Stop –
Specialists required several sites adjacent to
the chainsaw thin and pile unit have a no
treatment buffer, such as this site to prevent
impacts to western pond turtles. There was a
discussion about the long-term impacts to no
treatment areas when wildfires burn through
them in the future. There was concern about
potential high burn severity impacts to pond
and riparian habitat when untreated forest
landscapes experience future wildfires.
Discussion of Slapjack DFPZ (continued):
Slapjack DFPZ First Stop – Completion of a
continuous network of fuels reduction treatments
across the landscape when dealing with multiple
stakeholders. The perceived lack of coordination
with inter-agency mapping and data layers depicting
completed fuels reduction treatment is a topic of
concern for fire safe councils and landowners.
Development of an updated map is paramount to
establishing collaborative relationships between
Cal-Fire and the Forest Service. Fire safe council
tour participants stressed the importance of mapping
all treated areas regardless of ownership and or
jurisdiction, due to the complex nature of fire
spreading across the landscape.
Slapjack DFPZ First Stop – District Ranger Karen
Hayden offered her district staff to coordinate the
development of a completed fuels treatment map.
The district will coordinate with Fire Safe Councils,
industrial and non-industrial private lands and other
land owners to develop an interagency map for both
Butte and Yuba Counties showing all completed
fuels treatment. Darrel Wilson, Butte County Fire
Safe Council has Butte County Bureau of Land
Management, Industial and non-industrial
information and Martha Beninger, Associated
Forest Management has Yuba County
information and GIS files available for sharing.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area Discussion about the original intent of the
HFQLG legislation took place. The topic of
diameter limits and canopy percentage restrictions
being added as a result of litigation and policy
was discussed. Some participants believe these
changes have altered the original intent of the
DFPZ development. The importance of flexibility
and landscape specific management planning was
stressed. The ability on the western side of the
Plumas National Forest to regenerate trees and
vegetation quickly must be factored to assess the
viability of leaving so many large trees in the
treatment areas.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area - The
contractor awarded the ongoing stewardship
project spoke to tour participants about the
importance of fuels reduction and collaboration in
and around rural communities. As a local resident,
Mr. Bamford spoke with authority and sincerity
on the topic of timber harvesting and local
economics. As direct positive result of the
Slapjack project being implemented, there has
been a dramatic increase in local employment and
stimulation of local businesses. Mr. Bamford
stressed the importance of predictability in the
award and contracting process, as a desire for
smooth timelines and minimal delay is paramount
to the success of his enterprise.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area – This
group selection unit was established within the
DFPZ area. Due to the 30 inch upper diameter
limit, many large trees remained in the group
selection unit. Some participants questioned the
potential effectiveness of the treatment due the
remaining large diameter trees on the site. Some
felt that pine regeneration on a site with this
amount of shade would be less effective than a
more open site. Early seral vegetation would be
reduced with a less open canopy.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area - Tour
participants were given a firsthand look at an
active logging operation. The busy logging site
was well choreographed and exciting to watch up
close. The landing site adjacent to the harvest unit
bustled with activity, simultaneous tree skidding,
de-limbing, piling and biomass chipping taking
place in an area less than one acre in size. Many
trees designated for removal due to operability
prior to implementation were left uncut. Group
discussion agreed that the treatment was
beneficial from a fuels and silviculture
perspective as a result of thinning.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area –
The log loader fed small trees, tops and limbs
into the chipper at a high rate of speed. The
chips are being hauled to a biomass
cogeneration plant in Oroville to create
electricity.
Slapjack DFPZ Mt Hope Stewardship Area –
The log loader piles small logs after another
piece of equipment removed the limbs. The
conifer logs are being taken to the Sierra
Pacific Industries sawmill in Lincoln and the
tanoak and Madrone logs are going to a
firewood distributor in Oroville. The local
Forbestown hardware store reported
increased business as a result of all the
activity in the area. Many diverse jobs in the
timber and supporting industries were being
created by this stewardship contract.
Slapjack DFPZ, Mastication Stop –
Mastication is a technique that shreds shrubs
and small trees and leaves the residual chips on
the ground to decompose. The cost per acre was
approximately $550-600 at this site. There was
discussion about completing a spring prescribed
burn in approximately 2 – 3 years after some
decomposition occurs. A spring burn would be
required to prevent complete consumption of the
duff layer and probably killing of the residual
trees.
Slapjack DFPZ, Mastication Stop –
Fuels officers DeeDee Cherry and Ray Torres
explain that mastication can be conducted at times
when prescribed underburning is not possible. The
backlog of units awaiting underburning is a concern
to land managers. The lack of resources to
simultaneously treat multiple sites in limited burn
windows is a constraint to the implementation of
annual fuels reduction target goals. The presence
and frequency of the Tanoak species on the site was
discussed by tour participants. In a historic context,
Tanoak and Blackoak were desirable species for
hardwood products milled in Oroville. Overtime
demand for these species has declined. An over
abundance of the Tanoak species in DFPZ areas is a
concern for land managers. The merit of this species
presence was discussed at length from wildlife and
timber perspectives. Some labeled Tanoak as an
undesirable, as its abundance was reported to have
increased due to infrequent harvest and fire which
would limit its growth.
Follow up actions:
•
Complete surface fuel treatments in Slapjack DFPZ.
•
Feather Falls Residents suggested reopening the Sun Set lookout tower to allow for quicker fire suppression
response. As a potential priority for the Feather River Ranger District this project would require funding
sources to properly update the tower site.
•
Create a completed fuels treatment map coordinating all land owners for both Butte and Yuba Counties. An
annual meeting and ongoing program of work was suggested to link GIS resources to develop comprehensive
fuel break maps.
Notes prepared by:
Feather River Planner: /s/
Donald Chase
and HFQLG Monitoring Team Leader: /s/
Reviewed by District Ranger:
Date: July 29, 2010
Colin Dillingham
__/s/ Karen Hayden
Date: July 30, 2010
Date: July 30, 2010
Appendix 1. Field Trip Handout
Slapjack Project
Feather River Ranger District
Monitoring Field Tour Agenda
July 27, 2010
9:00
9:20
10:00
11:30
12:15
1:00
2:00
3:00
3:15
Meet at District / Introductions / Safety Discussion
Load vehicles, leave for Feather Falls
Feather Falls DFPZ Tour, pre and post fuel reduction treatments
Load vehicles, leave for Challenge
Lunch
Slapjack/Mt. Hope DFPZ Tour, pre and post fuel reduction treatments
Active stewardship, looks at DFPZ construction/maintenance, active logging operation and
group selection.
Tour wrap-up, discussion or questions.
Load vehicles, end of tour
Objective: Alter project area landscape toward a more fire-resilient condition, characterized by uneven-aged
(all aged), multistoried stands. Reduce fire hazard through DFPZ construction. Utilize group selection and
individual tree selection harvest methods. Perform road work/maintenance as part of watershed
improvement. Restore and enhance aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. Perform preventive maintenance
of DFPZ units two to three years after construction. Control noxious weeds.
Proposed Activities: The Slapjack Project proposes to construct 4,419 acres of DFPZ, thin 148 acres of
area thinning (individual tree selection), harvest 219 acres of group selection, restore 59 acres of meadows,
enhance 180 acres of California spotted owl habitat, stabilize 1,200 feet of streambank, and control 33 acres
of noxious weeds. Transportation improvements include 7 miles of road closure, 19 miles of road
decommissioning, 18 miles of reconstruction, 6 miles of road maintenance, and 10 miles of new temporary
road construction.
Dan Roskopf
Slapjack Project, Feather Falls DFPZ
Location: Feather Falls CA
Directions: Oroville to Feather Falls DFPZ (morning tour)
Take Oro Dam Blvd east, turn right on CA-162/Olive hwy and continue for about 6 miles, turn right at
Forbestown Rd for another 6 miles, then turn left at Lumpkin Rd for about 12 miles.
Objective: Alter project area landscape toward a more fire-resilient condition, characterized by uneven-aged
(all aged), multistoried stands. Reduce fire hazard through DFPZ construction. Utilize group selection and
individual tree selection harvest methods. Perform road work/maintenance as part of watershed
improvement. Restore and enhance aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat. Perform preventive maintenance
of DFPZ units two to three years after construction. Control noxious weeds.
Reducing crown fire occurrence and severity: The most effective strategies for reducing crown fire
occurrence and severity are to treat: 1) the surface fuels, 2) the ladder fuels, and 3) the canopy fuels. The
Slapjack Project implements all three strategies.
Slapjack Project, Mt. Hope Stewardship
Location: Challenge CA
Directions: Feather Falls DFPZ to Challenge Work Center (lunch and afternoon tour)
Take Lumpkin Rd west for about 12 miles, turn left at Forbestown Rd stay on for about 8miles, continue
onto Challenge Cut Off Rd for 2.8 miles, then left at La Porte Rd, look for Forest Service Work Center on
the right.
20-30” dbh Trees: An average of 3.5 trees per acre of this size class would be thinned from the 2,700 acres
proposed for timber harvest in the DFPZ and ITS units. This accounts for 30 percent of the harvest volume,
which provides for a viable stewardship contract.
Slapjack Proposed Timber Harvest:
Harvest Board Foot (BF) Volume by
Harvest Trees per Acre (TPA) by Diameter Class
Diameter Class
ACRES
DBH
TPA Trees
Percent
DBH
BF Vol
BF /AC Percent
Harvest
9-20" 6,427,023 2372.471 71.40%
2561
9-20" 29.5 86,370 89.40%
ITS
148
20-24"
2
5,871
6.10%
20-24" 1,392,912 514.1794 15.50%
24-30" 1.5
4,340
4.50%
24-30" 1,180,270 435.6848 13.10%
TOTAL
2709
9,000,205
20-30" 3.5 10,211 10.60%
20-30" 2,573,182 949.8642 28.60%
Pre and Post-Treatment Summary of completed DFPZ Units as of 7/22/2010:
Unit Number
26
29a3
30
Average*
Average
Trees Per
Acre PreTreatment
783.2
674.2
308.4
588.6
Average
Trees Per
Acre PostTreatment
126.9
128
95.8
116.9
Number of
Trees
Removed
Per Acre
656.3
546.2
212.6
471.7
% Reduction
of Trees
PostTreatment
0.84
0.81
0.69
0.78
DFPZ Tree
Spacing Goal
PostTreatment
Tree Spacing
18-22 feet
18-22 feet
18-22 feet
18.5 feet
18.4
21.3
19.85
*DFPZ treatment units completed to date.
Trees per acre represents all size classes. For additional Pre-Treatment data see the Slapjack EIS.
Forest Biomass: Tree tops, limbs and cull material left over from logging activity represents a large
potential resource for biomass energy. Forest biomass has a bulk density of 18 to 22 pounds per cubic foot
and a typical moisture content of 50 percent. It has an energy value of 4,500 Btu per pound.
Leaving some dead wood in the forest is good for forest ecosystems. Standing snags and dead wood on the
forest floor provide habitat for wildlife. Woody debris on the ground deters erosion and, by its
decomposition, helps maintain soil fertility. Although dead trees and woody debris play an important role in
forest ecosystems, excessive accumulation of forest biomass becomes a threat to the health of live trees by
making the forest susceptible to disease, insect infestations and high-intensity forest fires.
Biomass Operations as of 7/22/2010:
Loads
Per Day
Tons per
load
30-35
24avg
Number of
Loads
before
September
1st. 2010
500 aprox
Total tons of Biomass
Removed to Date
12,000
Estimated
Number of
Loads
Remaining
750
Estimated tons of
Biomass Remaining
18,000
One ton = 2000lbs
Wildlife: Wildlife specialist have analyzed the potential for significant impacts related to several wildlife
species (California spotted owl, Northern goshawk, California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog,
Western pond turtle, pallid bat, etc) and determined that the Slapjack Project may affect individuals, but
would not likely to result in a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability.
Over 85 percent of Slapjack Project treatment units are located on ridgetops, which minimize potential
effects on the habitat used by old-forest dependent species because ridgetops are not typically selected for
nesting habitat by the California spotted owl or northern goshawk. The Pacific fisher and American marten
use ridgetop saddles to cross from one watershed to another but do not typically use ridgetops for den or rest
sites. There are no known American marten and Pacific fisher den sites within the Slapjack Project area.