Jon Roselles
Chemistry II
1-13-03
Land and Resource Management Plan
The theme of this plan is conservation. Reliance on the forest needs to minimize
as much as possible. Recycling and saving need to be used as much as possible. Tree
farms will also be employed this year. Tree farms will provide less dependence on the
natural forest.
1.)
Protect basic soil, air, water, and cave resources
Soil, water, air, and caves are the basic blocks of which the forest grows and relies
on. The protection of these resources is imperative to the longevity of the forest and of
those that reside in it. Protecting the soil, air, and water are the most basic ways to protect
the forest.
To protect the soil, water, and wildlife the development of wastes and
litter will be kept to a minimum if they cannot be eliminated entirely. The
collection of wastes will pollute the natural habitat particularly any water
environment, may also do harm to some specific species, and make the forest look
disorderly.
90% of crowned trees that were burnt entirely during a forest fire must be
cut down before the following winter to help the area re-grow and prevent the
trees from snapping in high wind conditions. When trees are exposed to intense
fire, the tree’s outer shell hardens greatly. It is a defense mechanism possessed
naturally by the tree to resist fire. The tree stops growing and becomes very solid.
Burnt trees can snap violently in winter wind, and cause damage to power lines
that may be nearby, wildlife, or any person that is nearby.
Soil in high intensity burn areas will be tested immediately after a fire, and
bi-weekly to see if any damage was sustained to the soil. Tests taken after the
Yellowstone fires in Wyoming show that areas of very high intensity burning
have had massive soil damage. The fires burned so hot that it sterilized several
layers of the ground. If the damage to the soil is known then steps can be taken to
repair that area so it can be restored to normal conditions.
Trees exposed to fire on National Forest Service property can be harvested
promptly. A year after a burned area is harvested; there are little signs of any
damage made by logging trucks or tree pulling machines. The area is grown over
by the next season. Repetitive logging of an area year after year will be avoided
for protection of the soil.
Areas exposed to high intensity burning that lie on slopes will be
monitored before the following spring to prevent erosion and mudslides from rain
fall. The roots of plants can hold together several layers of soil on a slope. It is
highly possible that a slope with no vegetation on it can be greatly prone to
mudslide danger. If an area is considered a mudslide danger than that area’s
natural plant life will be restored to prevent any damage. Mudslide dangers close
to roads, buildings, and bodies of water will take priority in being dealt with.
Wildlife will be allowed to roam freely in burned areas. Evidence shows
that even though very little vegetation is present in an area, wildlife such as deer
or elk roam in large herds. They will also provide manure for the region.
Motor vehicles will not be allowed in wetland areas or swamp areas to
prevent damage to sensitive land.
Wetlands, natural ponds, streams, and lakes that are publicly accessible
will be monitored regularly to forecast, calculate, and prevent any damage to the
area. If a body of water is considered damaged or in danger it will be closed until
the problem can be resolved. Water tests will be taken bi-weekly for a more direct
indication of the problem.
2.)
ecosystems
Provide for a variety of life through the management of biological diverse
Wildlife rely on the forest for food, water, and protection. The forest must be
managed not only for the people that reside in it, but also the wildlife. Endangered or
threatened species must always be taken care of. If not, extinction will certainly occur for
that species.
Monitor food and water sources of local habitat. To monitor the food and
water sources of the local habitat is a form of protecting the local wildlife.
If the primary food source of a species is in low supply, immediate steps
will be taken to replenish that food supply.
Wildlife will be allowed to roam freely. They will be allowed to move
unrestricted to follow their food sources.
Grasslands will be observed after fires to ensure that they become restored
once again. Grasslands can present large food sources for a variety of species. If
grasslands show critical damage then steps will be taken immediately to restore
the area.
Preserve and monitor habitat for resident, non-resident, threatened, and
endangered species. No meaningless destruction of an area will be allowed.
Monitor areas of suspected diseased trees to detect any outbreaks of
infestation or disease. If an area is found to be in danger of infestation, it will be
closely monitored and taken care of.
5% of post fire burnt trees must stay standing. Wildlife such as certain
species of birds and squirrels can nest in dead trees. Some trees must be left
standing to allow for nesting of these animals
All trees that died of natural causes, not including fire, must stay standing
to provide habitat for tree-dwelling species.
3.)
Provide for sustained commodity uses in an environmentally acceptable
manner
Resources other than the forests must be used as much as possible. Tree farms and
recycling will be employed more this year than any other year. The key is to rely less on
the forest for resources.
Forest Service owned tree farms will be developed and put to use as much
as possible to lessen dependence on the natural forest for harvest.
Areas of National Forest that were harvested must be replenished with the
tree or plant life that was harvested.
Recycling will be employed as much as possible not only to forest
resources but also office materials. Using recycling as much as possible will keep
reliance on the forest to a minimum.
4.)
Provide for scenic quality, recreational opportunities, and protection of
heritage resources in response to the needs of the forest visitors and local communities
Visitors provide large amounts of income to the Black Hills region. The scenery is
a huge attraction to the area and is what makes the Blacks Hills a special area. The Black
Hills area provides a large number of recreational opportunities; the Black Hills has
everything from scenic drives to national monuments. The Forest Service must keep all
areas in high quality, not only scenic areas but public and town areas.
All scenic areas, tourist attractions, and public facilities will be protected
from forest fires or any other natural disasters. If these attractions or any building
public or private is in danger, they must be protected to the fullest extent.
City borders and the half mile of land will be kept clean and in proper
order to give the town an appropriate looking
All scenic areas will be managed to keep the local area in proper order and
keep the scenery attractive.
All scenic roads will kept in good condition. It will provide scenic quality
and better and easier travel. Keeping roads in good quality will eliminate
All hiking and horseback trails will be kept in proper order to look orderly
and to make travel easier. Keeping up of the trails can improve safety of the
hikers and horseback riders.
Clean all trails after major storms.
Develop new trails when they are in demand.
5.)
In cooperation with other landowners, strive for improved landownership
and access that benefit both public and private landowners
Cooperation with private landowners is necessary to manage 100% of the forests
and to achieve management objectives and gain total cooperation with the people.
Citizens can also help monitor their areas and they can call the Forest Service if they feel
the area needs attention.
Private landowners will be surveyed to see if they would cooperate with
the Forest Service or allow management of their lands. Those who allow
management of there lands will have there lands managed. Promptly manage land
of those who wish to have there lands managed. Those who live in or very near to
wilderness areas will need to be contacted above all to see if there are any
potential hazards to wildlife.
Allow all landowners, organizations, agencies, and experts to submit
ideas, questions, concerns, or grievances.
Seek to exchange land with private owners.
Provide assistance to private landowners. Answer any questions that will
be asked by citizens.
6.)
Improve financial efficiency for all programs and projects
Projects need to researched and budgets need to be carefully planned as though
not to waste money. Steps need to be taken to reduce costs and revenues for most projects
and plans.
Compare programs and projects with other similar projects of other areas
to determine effects and efficiency. If any strategies or policies can be applied to
The Black Hill Forest Management plan they will be researched fully to see the
effects it can have on the Black Hills
Attempt to reduce costs when ever possible to save money.
Allow separate budgets for each different project so no funds are taken
from any other budgets. Research all budgets thoroughly.
7.)
Emphasize cooperation with individuals, organizations, and other agencies
while coordinating planning and project implementation
Forest management and planning necessitates the coordination with all patrons
and organizations that deal the forest daily. All people and organizations will be able to
voice their opinions and concerns about management of the forest and also all plans that
will impact the local area.
Private landowners will be surveyed to see if they would cooperate with
the Forest Service, private owners, or private organizations or express any ideas
or grievances about planning or projects. If the people are involved then the
observed more easily.
Research other Forest Management Plans in other areas to see if any ideas
can be assimilated into the Black Hills Forest Management Plan.
8.)
Promote rural development opportunities
Taking advantage of rural areas will provide more opportunities for projects and
shelters. Lands up for sale will be researched for any possible development.
Examine and study all private lands 20 acres and up that are up for sale to
explore any possibilities of converting that land into a sanctuary or habitat.
Animal sanctuaries
Make plans to trade lands with private owners.
9.)
Provide high quality customer service
The correct treatment of the Black Hills visitor will compel them to return at a
later a date. This of course is vital to the forest area. Visitors will provide income. All that
needs to be done is to keep the customers happy.
Listen and take notice to the needs of visitors and the public. This will
allow the Forest Service to make improvements and make the area a more attractive place
for all.
Take notice of all complaints. All complaints will show the Forest Service
what is wrong and we can promptly fix it.
Provide access to all ages, handicaps, and nationalities.
Provide information to before and after hour’s demands.