DRAFT UFCG-PROPOSED THOMAS CREEK PROJECT PURPOSE
AND NEED
Draft 4: August 29, 2013
Note: this draft reflects revisions made after the August 23, 2013 meeting and the August 29
admin committee call. It is being passed to the USFS so they can do their work on it and keep the
process moving, but we expect to make further revisions and to add a values statement.
PLACEHOLDER PROJECT AREA DESCRIPTION
PLACEHOLDER FOREST PLAN MANAGEMENT AREAS
Background Information
The Umatilla Forest Collaborative Group (UFCG) began formal meetings in September of 2011 to
provide proposals for forest management solutions for the Umatilla National Forest. The UFCG is a
wholly-independent collaborative group that is open to the public, and the Umatilla National Forest is not
bound in any way to the proposals or decisions of the group. The mission of the UFCG is to develop and
promote balanced solutions from a diverse group of stakeholders to improve and sustain ecological
resiliency and local community socioeconomic health in and near the Umatilla National Forest. This
collaborative is made up of representatives from environmental organizations, timber industries, county
governments and various state, local, and federal agencies. The UFCG developed a proposed purpose
statement and management guidelines document for Forest Service consideration during the development
and implementation of this project. Thomas Creek was highlighted as an opportunity due to the history of
past management and plantation stands that were planted in monocultures of ponderosa pine including
off-site seed sources.
The Thomas Creek project area was proposed by the UFCG as an area where the need for restoration of
ecological conditions could be undertaken. Management of forest density, structure, and composition
were identified as restoration objectives to promote forest resiliency, contribute to social and economic
needs, reduce the risk of uncharacteristic disturbances, and provide high quality, well-distributed habitat
for mixed conifer forest associated wildlife species. Additional interests included restoration of natural
disturbance regimes in mixed conifer forest stands, shrubland, and grassland habitats to promote
resiliency and improve big game habitat, maintenance or restoration of water quality, fish habitat, and
wildlife connectivity, and contributing towards maintaining industry infrastructure and local communities.
The project area is the 15,781 acre Thomas Creek proposed project/planning area. Analysis should occur:


Within the planning area, from ridgetop to ridgetop
At the HUC 5 scale – to provide a landscape analysis basis for HRV and reflecting the fact that
the planning area includes portions of 3 HUC 5 watersheds
The Umatilla National Forest has a strong interest in maintaining its relationship with the UFCG and
working with this group on the Thomas Creek Project and other projects across the Forest. After
Caring for the Land and Serving People
Printed on Recycled Paper
considering the UFCG’s work and thoughts on the potential Thomas Creek project, the Forest decided to
analyze this proposal through the NEPA process. The Forest Service has initiated the NEPA analysis as
outlined below.
Purpose and Need for Action
Based on field work and stand exams, we would ask for the FS to draft an equivalent historical analysis
for Thomas Creek and a summary of current conditions. Please state this in terms of the three
categorical HRV analyses, structural class, species composition, and stand density.
Specific needs for the Thomas Creek area are as follows:







Restore or maintain ecological resiliency and natural disturbance regimes, reduce/mitigate the
risk of uncharacteristic disturbances to federal land and adjacent state and private lands through
the use of a variety of tools such as fire, thinning and harvest.
Protect and restore or maintain clean water, stable soils, native vegetation and quality habitat for
native fish and wildlife.
Provide a sustainable supply of forest products and jobs through ecological restoration that will
contribute to maintaining industry infrastructure and socioeconomic stability for local
communities.
Create a learning plan to determine best management practices for healthy and resilient riparian
areas with quality habitat and excellent water quality
Address habitat issues including the existing extent and distribution of cover, the quantity and
quality of forage, and disturbance associated with roads and trails open to full-sized vehicles and
OHVs.
Manage species, density, and structure toward range of variability
Maintain and promote old trees
There is a need to identify a values statement for potential management applications within the Thomas
Creek Area. The Umatilla Forest Collaborative Group previously developed a filter chart to do this but
have opted instead to compose a values statement similar to the Kahler process. The group will work on
this values statement by (date)? and add it to the final draft of this document.
The purpose of the Thomas Creek Project is to restore forest conditions to a resilient landscape by moving
the project area towards its range of variability in forest structure, tree density, species composition, and
associated wildlife and aquatic habitat.
Treatment of the project area will help move stand composition and structure towards the historic range of
variability, lead to increased individual tree vigor, and increased resilience to natural disturbances that
will incorporate and address wildlife and aquatic habitat issues associated with the current landscape.
PLACEHOLDER FOR PROPOSED ACTION, CONNECTED ACTIONS, COMMENTS
2