Susitna Forestry Guidelines

SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES

December, 1991

Alaska Department of Division of Land NATURAL Lan Resourced& s Section RESOURCES P.O. BOX 107005 Anchorage, Alaska 99510-7005 HOW TO USE THE SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES

TO FIND... SEE...

I Background information on the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Chapter 1 • Introduction

I Overview of forest management program Chapte , Sectior2 - nI Susitne inth a valley, including- Forest Management Program + Total amount of timber on state land + Annual allowable cut + Persona prograe us l m

I Guidelines for designing timber sales, such as - Chapte , Sectior2 • I nI + Size Timber Sale Design and Management + Shape + Harvest methods + Reforestation

I Guidelines for managing timber in Chapter 2, Section HI • special areas such as - Management of Special Areas + Special habitats + Important recreation areas + Wetlands + Agricultural lands + Cultural and historic (heritage) sites

I Guidelines for road design, Chapter 2, Section IV - construction managemend an , - t Access Desig Managemend nan t

I Guidelines for public notice- Chapter 2, Section V - Public Notice and Interagency Coordination

I Directions for changing the guidelines - Chapte Implementation- r3 , Procedure Guidelinr sfo e Modification

I Information on other topics • Index

I Definitions - Appendix A - Glossary

I Information on specific sites - Map in back pocket - finsubunie dth tsite e namth ,r efo then look up the subunit name in the index.

Three main tasks guided by the Susitna Forestry Guidelines are designing timber sales and personal use areas, authorizing individual persona permitse us designinl d an , g timber roads. guidelinee th e us thesr coloree o sfo t th Chartew n tasko ho d e f pageso sar s (pp.vi ix.)o t . . SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES

Prepared by Alaska Department of Natural Resources Divisio Lanf no d Divisio Forestrf no y

in cooperation with

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

December 1991

Providing jobs, habitat, wood, recreatio othed nan r benefits from state- owned forests is part of the Department of Natural Resources7 mission. Many idea besw s fulfil o exist ho n lto this task Susitne .Th a Forestry Guidelines were developed with extensive input from other agencies and the public to balance different demands on Susitna valley forests and help achieve this mission. The Guidelines direct management of forest resources, set standards for timber management and access, identify areas availabl r timbeefo r harvesting, summarize current timber volumes establisd ,an annuae hth l allowable cut.

Alaska Department of NATURAL RESOURCES Tabl f Contenteo s

Susitne th e aus ForestrSummaro t w yHo f Guidelineyo s ...... inside cover Lis Mapsf o t , Figures Tabled ,an s ...... v .i Acronyms and Abbreviations ...... v Usin Susitne gTh a Forestry Guideliner sfo Timber Sales, Persona Permitse lUs Roadd ,an s ...... vi

Chapter 1 -INTRODUCTION ...... 1 Summary of Purpose ...... 1 . Relationshi Lan Plano p e Legislatiot d dUs s an n ...... 1 . State lanplane dus s ...... 1 . Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management Plan ...... 3 Forest Practices Act...... 3 Five-year Schedule of Timber Sales and Forest Lan Plane dUs s ...... 3 . Area Affected by Susitna Forest Guidelines ...... 4 Planning Process ...... 5 Planning Team ...... 5 Citizens'Advisory Committee ...... 5 Public Review ...... 5 Ho Guidelinee wth s Were Developed ...... 5 . Who Implements the Guidelines ...... 6

Chapter -FORES2 T MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES ...... 7 . Section I - Forest Management Program ...... 7 Timber Sale Progra Timbed man r Base ...... 7 . Personal Use Wood ...... 12 Research Natural Area Experimentad san l Forests ...... 4 1 . Fire Management ...... 17 Section II - Timber Sale Design and Management ...... 17 Public Use ...... 17 Timber Sale Design ...... 17 Harvesting Systems ...... 20 Harvesting Schedules ...... 0 2 . Slash Disposal...... 21 Site Preparation ...... 22 Reforestation ...... 2 2 . Use of Chemicals ...... 23

Section III - Management of Special Areas ...... 23 Agricultural Lands ...... 3 2 . Bald Eagle Habitat ...... 4 2 . Brown Bear Habitat ...... 5 2 . Deception Creek ...... 25 Fish and Wildlife Habitat - General ...... 26 Heritage Sites ...... 6 2 . Marten Habitat ...... 7 2 . Moose Habitat ...... 27 Private Lands ...... 7 2 . Recreation and Scenic Resources ...... 28 Rivers, Streams Laked ,an s ...... 2 .3 Trail Corridors ...... 35 Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areas ...... 36 Wetlands ...... 6 3 .

Section IV • Access Design and Management ...... 37 Access Locatio Desigd nan n ...... 7 .3 Road Construction ...... 39 Road Management ...... 39

Section V-Public Notice and Interagency Coordination ...... 40

u Chapter3 -IMPLEMENTATION ...... 3 4 . Procedures for Guideline Modification ...... 43 Periodic Review ...... 3 4 . u. Change Guidelinee th o st s ...... 3 4 . Research ...... 45 Recommended Changes in Land Use Plans ...... 46 Fundin Enforcemend gan t ...... 7 4 . Rights-of-way ...... 48

; APPENDICES Appendix A - Glossary ...... 49 ^ Appendi Citizens- xB ' Advisory Committee PartidpatingOrganizations ...... 57 w Appendix C- Grosl- s Timber Acreag Subuniy eb t ...... 9 5 . Appendix C-2 - Gross Timber Volume by Subunit ...... 67 L, Appendix D - Forest Land Use Plan Requirements ...... 73 Appendi Recreatio- xE n Opportunity Spectrue th r mfo Susitna Forestry Guidelines Area ...... 75 Appendi Requirement- xF Winter sfo r Travel ...... 7 7 . Appendix G - Acknowledgments, Planning Team, Staff, Technical Advisors and Signature Pages ...... 79 Appendix H - Publications Related to the Guidelines ...... 83

INDEX ...... 5 8 .

111 List of Maps, Figures, and Tables

Summary Map: showThip sma s land ownership, designations, phase boundaries, land use plan and subunit names, and recommended recreation sites...... Pocket in Back

Map 1: Location of Planning Area ...... 2 Maps 2a, 2b: Experimental Forests ...... 15,16 Map 3: Generalized Fire Protection Levels ...... 18 Ma Recreatio: p4 n Sites ...... 1 3 . Figure 1: Examples of Cutting Units and Harvest Units ..... 18a Figure 2: Examples of Harvesting Setbacks on River Islands . . 34a

Tabl Estimate: e1 d Acreag Lany eb d Ownership ...... 4 .

Tabl Estimate: e2 d Gross Acreag Lanf eo e dUs Designations on Statelands in the Guidelines Area ...... 4

IV Acronyms and Abbreviations

AAC Alaska Administrative Code AS Alaska Statute bf board foot DEC Alaska Departmen Environmentaf to l Conservation DFG Alaska Department of Fish and Game R AlaskDN a Departmen Naturaf to l Resources DivisioR DN Forestrf no F yDO DPOR DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation FLUP Forest Land Use Plan FMR Forest Management Report FPA Alaska Forest Practices Act FY fiscal year (State of Alaska) INHT Iditarod National Historic Trail Mbf thousand board feet MMbf million board feet OHA DPOR Offic Historf eo Archaeologd yan y RNA Research Natural Area SAP Susitna Area Plan SFG Susitna Forestry Guidelines SHPO DPOR State Historic Preservation Office USC US Code USDI US Department of the Interior USING THE SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES FOR TIMBER SALES, PERSONA PERMITSE LUS ROADD AN , S

Susitne th Ae naus overvieForestro t w ho ywf Guidelineo e th n o s i inside front cover of this document. Three main tasks subject to the Susitna Forestry Guideline designine sar g timber sale personad san arease lus , authorizing individual persona permitse us l designind an , g timber roads. More detailed direction usinr s fo guidelinee gth thesr sfo e eth taskn i e sar charts that follow.

In the charts, the starting point for using the guidelines is indicated by a triangle /\. Ovals (^~^) show questions to answer before proceeding. Final task showe sar rectanglen i s

VI F-

Designin Timbega r Sal Personar eo Aree aUs l

Is designation: Forestry Co-primary, Is designation Forestry• Foresrty Secondaryr ,o NO J Personal Use and is proposal Is a special exception or Do not proceed Resource Management? a personal use area? plan amendment warranted? with design. (see map in back pocket (see map in back pocket for designation). for designation).

Is sale size allowed? Use procedures for Is proposed area in Phase 1? (see Phase 1, Phase 2, (see map in back pocket for guideline modification, Phase 3 guidelines, pp. 43 -45. phase boundaries). pp.7-Sand 10).

Use Timber Sale Guidelines (pp. 17 - 23), Special Area Guidelines (pp.23 37)- , and Public Notice Guidelines (pp.41 42)- . Check subunit names in index for guidelines specifi subunitsco t . Read management intent for subunit lan splansn i e dus . backin (see pocketmap tor subunit landand use plan names) Authorizing Persona Timbee Us l r Harves individuay tb l Permit

START

Is designation Forestry Co-primary, Forestry NO lan plae e ddeterminSe nus o t e if Secondary, Forestry Personal User ,o personal use permit Is consistent with Resource Management? management inten subunfr tfo t backin (see pocketmap backin (see pocketmap landfor for designation). use plan andsubunit names).

YES

Review Management of Special Areas Guideline 2. 3s pp • 37 anthose dus e applicabl trieo t e permit site. Check subuntt name(s) in index for guidelines specifi subuntte th co t s backin (see pocketmap for subunit name),

Vlll Designing Road Access to a State Timber Sale or Personal Use Area

Is the new road or road upgrade proposed for access to a timber sale Susitna Forestry or persona aree statn alus o e land? Guidelines apply t dono .

YES

Does proposed road cross state I speciasa l exceptior no proceet Dono d land only in Phase 1 area? amendment warranted? with design. (see map in back pocket)

Use procedurer sfo guideline modification, Use Access Guidelines pp. 43-45. (pp. 37-40 Publid an ) c Notice Guidelines (pp. 41 -42). Check subunit name(s inden )i r xfo guidelines specifi subunitco t s backn i (sep pocketema r fo subunit names).

IX Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION

Susitne goae th f Th lo a Forestry Guidelines (SFG) timber managemen statn to e lands.t Theno o yd is to ensure that state forest lands continue to con- chang lane eth d designation managemenr sno - tin tribute to the quality of life and economy in the tent from the land use plans (see Relationship to Susitna valley by: Land Use Plans and Legislation in this chapter). 4 providing wood for personal and These guidelines are intended to guide forest commercial use managemen e nex yearn th te tr sfo t (through 2001). Change guidelinee th mad e o b st y e sma 4 supporting tourism, maintaining through amendment speciad san l exceptions (see opportunitie diversr sfo e recreational Chapter 3 - Procedures for Guideline Modification). activities in a variety of settings, and protecting scenic quality, * protectin enhancind gan g fisd han wildlife habitatd ,an 4 protecting air, land, and water quality.

The state forest landSusitne th n si a Valley wile lb STATE LAN PLANE DUS S managed to provide a balanced, sustained yield of State land use plans determine the main uses of these public benefits. To provide wood, fish, game, state land. State land use plans in the Susitna recreation, and other benefits, state-owned forest Forestry Guidelines area include the - lands will include both natural ecosystemd san » Susitna Area Plan, actively managed forests. The guidelines in this document describ requiremente eth s for managing e> Willow Subbasin Area Plan, timber and for mitigating negative impact otheso t r e> Kashwitna Management Plan, resources and land uses when timber is harvested from state lands. e> Deception Creek Land Use Plan, and The Susitna Forestry Guidelines: » Fish Creek Management Plan (see map 1). 4 establish rules for timber management The designations in land use plans determine and timber acces statn so e land, whether forestr allowen a ys i d use ifd allowed,an , 4 describ areae eth s wheref forestro e on s yi whethe primara s i t ri secondarr yo y use. These the designated uses under the current area designations determine wher Susitne eth a Forestry and management plansd ,an Guidelines apply guidelinee :th s appl unitl al yo st 4 describe the current timber volume on state where forestry is one of the designated uses under lands where forestry is one of the designated these lan plane dus s withi boundare nth p Ma n yo uses. 1. The units referenced in these guidelines are the units establishe lan e planse th d us y db . These guidelines apply only to state land managed The Susitna Forestry Guidelines were developed by the Department of Natural Resources where to provide more detailed guidanc timben eo r forestry is one of the designated uses. They do not management within these units. Forestry issues are apply on private, borough, mental health, or among the most controversial land use issues in the university land, nor in legislatively designated Susitna valley l unitAl . s designate forestrr dfo y areas (state parks, recreation rivers, or refuges). als designatee oar fiswildlifr d dfo han e habitat. These guidelines provide detailed guidancr efo Public recreation, water resources, resource

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 1 . Locatio1 p Ma Planninf no g Area

Q_ CO 03

- 2Swsifn a Forestry Guidelines management d agricultuiran , alse ear o common co-designations with forestry. The land use plans FIVE-YEAR SCHEDUL TIMBEF EO R SALES require that co-primary uses be managed to be AND FOREST LAND USE PLANS compatible with each other. The intent of the Susit- The land use plans determine where timber har- na Forestry Guideline ensuro t s i e that forestrs yi vesting is allowed. The Susitna Forestry Guidelines compatible with the other designated uses. Forese th d t Practicean determint sAc timbew eho r Land use plans are updated approximately every will be managed. Detailed decisions on when in- five years. The Susitna Area Plan and Willow Sub- dividual timber sales will be held and how big each basin Area Plan are due for updating. However, sale will be, will be made through the Five-Year schedule th e for completing these update uncers i - Schedul Timbef eo Forese r Saleth d t sLanan e dUs tain becaus staffinf eo g level othed san r depart- Plan (FLUP) for each sale. The Five-Year Schedule ment priorities, such as completing the state land d FLUPan s als t stipulationose individuar fo s l selections project. If an amendment to the area sales ,size succuttinf th e o s ha g units, meanf so plans deletes forestry as an allowed use in a unit, access, and site-specific site preparation require- the Susitna Forestry Guidelines will no longer ments. appl thayo t t unitamendmenn a f .I t adds forestry The Forest Practice t requiresAc s thaDNe th t R unitallowea n foressa e n i th , e td us guideline s Divisio Forestrf no y prepar eFive-Yeaa r Schedule will appl thao yt t unit. Site-specific guideliner sfo of Timber Sales annually. This schedule will tha developee b t uniy tma d throug lane e hth dus describe proposed sales, accessalese d th o an ,st plan amendmen througr to amendmenn ha e th o tt reforestation plans for the next five years. Timber Susitna Forestry Guidelines. sales (including personal use harvest areas) must appear on the Five-Year schedule for at least two years unless exempted by regulation (AS SUSITNA BASIN RECREATION RIVERS 38.05.113(b) and (c)). DNR did not adopt regula- MANAGEMENT PLAN tion exemptionr sfo s prio adoptioo rt SFGe th f .no The Susitna Forestry Guidelines do not apply to If regulations are adopted in the future, the Five- land within the Susitna Basin State Recreation Year Schedule wil consistene lb t wit regulae hth - River corridors. The statute establishing the recrea- tions. Interagency review and public notice th f eo tion rivers prohibits commercial timber harvesting schedule occurs annually. in the river corridors except commercial harvesting The passage of legislation in 1991 proposed a set- incidental to access development or habitat enhan- tlement to the lawsuit between the Mental Health cemen 41.23.470(b))S (A t e SusitnTh . a Basin State Trus th Alaska f ed o tlegislatioan e .Th n iden- Recreation Rivers Management Plan guides har- tified forest land in the Susitna Forest Guidelines vestin corridorse th gn i . Recreation River corridors Are par lans a a f tdo pool for possible selectioy nb exist along the Talkeema, Talachulitna, Deshka, the Trust. Until these selections are complete, DNR Littld an e Susitna river Laked san , Alexanderd ,an cannot takactiony ean s which will diminise hth Clear creeks. valu f theseo e Truste landth o st . Thereforee th , Division of Forestry withdrew its draft Five-Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sales for FY 92-9 wild t 6an l no FOREST PRACTICET SAC offer any timber sales or designated personal use The Alaska Forest Resource Practiced S san (A t sAc areas in FY 92. 41.17, commonly referred to as the Forest Practices The Forest Practices Act also requires that the Act or FPA) is the primary law governing forestry Division of Forestry prepare a Forest Land Use activities on state, municipal, and private land, Plan for every timber sale. Isolated personal use including the Susitna Forestry Guidelines area. harvests (i.e., harvests under individual personal The Act establishes minimum statewide standards use permits) do not require an FLUP. The report is for multipl sustained an e eus d yield management a site-specific plan that describes the sale in detail, of forest lands, reforestation, protection of riparian including cutting units, secondary roads, and site- areas, and enforcement procedures. Standards for specific stipulations (AS38.05.112(a)) Appendixe .Se specifi increasee cb Susitne sitey th ma sy db a Forestry Guideline lanr plansse o dSusitnus e .Th a D-Forest Land Use Plan Requirements for a list of the Forestry Guidelines are consistent with the re- subjects covere FLUPn a dn i . quirements of the Act.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 3 Remaining lands (9%) are owned by private individuals, Native corporations Universite th , f yo Alaska, and the Mental Health Trust Authority (see Table 1). Approximately 13,700 private parcels occur within the Susitna Forestry Guidelines area. The Susitna Forestry Guidelines boundary encom- About 1,10 f thes0o withie ear n subunits where passes approximatel millioo tw y ne acreth n i s forestry is one of the designated uses2 Susitna valley (see Map 1 and the map in the back pocket). This are"Susitne s referreth i a s a ao t d Forestry is one of the designated uses on ap- Forestry Guidelines (SFG) area thin "i s document. proximately one million acres of state land in the These land generalle sar y below 1000' elevation guidelines area (Table 2 and map in back pocket). outsidd an maie eth n population centere th n i s The Susitna Forestry Guidelines apply to these valley. lands. The remaining 0.9 million acres are non-state lands, or lands designated to other uses such as Approximatel millio6 y1. n acres (84% lane th df )o state recreation rivers, wildlife refuges, agricul- are state-owned and managed by the Department ture, or settlement. of Natural Resources. About 160,100 acres (8%)are owned by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

TABL. E1 TABLE 2. ESTIMATED ACREAGE BY LAND OWNERSHIP ESTIMATED GROSS ACREAGE OF LAND USE Within Percenf to DESIGNATIONS ON STATE LANDS IN Guidelines Guidelines THE GUIDELINES AREA Area Area LANDOWNER DESIGNATION Acreage State Land 1 State 1,618,500 84% Forestry Co-primary _ 458,600 28% Matanuska/ Forestry Secondary3 352,500 22% Susitna Borough 160,100 8% 3 Forestry Personal Use 52,500 3% Native Corporations 15,600 1% 3 Resource Management 90,700 6% University 29,400 2% Agriculture 76,000 5% Mental Health 1,200 <1% Settlement 385,900 24% Other Private 96,400 6% Recreation Rivers 130,200 8% Other 72,100 4% TOTAL 1,921,200 100%

TOTAL State Land' 1,618,500 100% 1 Small, dispersed private land includee sar state th en d i lan d tota Tabln li . e1 Large blocks of private land are shown as "Other Private" in Table 1. morr 2Fo e informatio lann no d ownershi lan d designatione pan d us plannine th n si backgrounge areath e ,se d report, "Land Ownership - Susitna Region Forest Plan" published by DNR in Feruary, 1989. Copies are available from the DNR Division of Land. 3 Note: Approximately 1,100 parcels totalling 10,600 acre patentef so d private lan lanr do d lease privatr dfo e eus are dispersed within state lands wher designatee th e f forestro e includee on d s yar usei totals e d th s an n di .

- 4Susitna Forestry Guidelines PUBLIC REVIEW Forest management issues were identifiee th y db publi seriea t ca publif so c meeting fale f o th l n si PLANNING TEAM 198 througd 7an h written comments o nproposea d The Susitna Forestry Guidelines were developed timber sale newslette.A r abou guidelinee tth s swa by an interagency team with representatives sent to all landowners within the guidelines area. from: The draft guidelines were reviewed at meetings • Department of Natural Resources in Anchorage, Wasilla-Palmer (Cottonwood Creek), Willow, Trapper Creek, Talkeetna, • Divisio Agriculturf no e Skwentna, Alexander Creek Tyoned e an , th n ki • Divisio Forestrf no y falf commente 1990o l Th . s were reviewed dan considered in revising the draft guidelines. A • Division of Land summar commentf yo proposed san d changeo st • Divisio Parkf n o Outdood san r Recreation drafe sens th everyono wa t t commentedo ewh . • Department of Fish and Game There were 30 days for final public comments befor guidelinee eth s were adopted. Public com- • Department of Transportation ments on the guidelines were accepted by mail, and Public Facilities phone person i r ,o n throughou processe tth . • Department ofEnvironmenta l Conservation • Department of Commerce HOW THE GUIDELINES WERE DEVELOPED and Economic Development Identify Issues. Land designation generad san l land • Matanuska-Susitna Borough use guidelines come from the land use plans for this area. The planning team identified additional The planning team developed the Susitna Forestry issues fro mpublia c meeting o nproposea d timber Guidelines in consultation with the Citizens' Ad- sale in the Susitna valley, from the Citizens' Ad- visory Committee and with technical advice from visory Committee, and from other public and federal resource agencie locad san l soiwated lan r agency comments (Spring 1988). conservation districts. Technical advisors repre- Collect Information. Resource information was sented the USDA Forest Service, USDA Soil Con- gathered by the planning team with mapping servation Service, USDI Fish and Wildlife and computer assistance from the DNR Service, and the Wasilla and Upper Susitna Soil Geographic Information System Unit. Back- and Water Conservation districts. ground reports were publishe Timben o d r Resources, Land Ownership, Fish and Wildlife Habitat, Public Recreation, Cultural Resources, CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE Transportatiod an Accesd nan s (Summer 198- 8 Citizense Th ' Advisory CommitteG SF e th r efo Winter 1989). Copies of these are available from consist f representativeso s from approximately the DNR Division of Land, Land and Resources 70 organizations, businesses locad an , l govern- Section. An atlas showing subunit boundaries, ments interested in forest management issues in vegetation types, existing access, anadromous the guidelines area. The committee reviewed and streams, and eagle and trumpeter swan nesting commented on draft guidelines and will review areas was compiled for the Susitna Forestry and comment on the public and agency review Guidelines project. A copy of this atlas is avail- e guidelinesdraftth f o s . Periodic newsletters able for consultation at the DNR Division of Land wer e committe th sen o t t keeo et p the- min offices in Wasilla and Anchorage, the Division of formed on the planning process. Appendix B lists Forestry offices in Big Lake and Anchorage, the organizations represente committeee th n do . DFG Divisio f Habitano t offic Anchoragen i e , Matanuska-Susitne th d an a Borough Planning Departmen Palmern ti .

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 5 Develop Agency Review Draft plannine Th . g tead man working groups developed draft guidelines and implementation recommendations. These proposals were reviewe Citizense th y - db Ad ' visory Committe revised e planninean th y db g team. The proposals were reviewed by the plan- DNe Th R Divisio f Forestrno s responsiblyi r efo ning team and advisory committee (Summer 1990). implementin e Susitnth g a Forestry Guidelines Public Reviews Draft Guidelines e drafTh . t guidelines when designing, reviewing, and offering timber were revised following agency and advisory com- sales, writing timber sale contracts, developing mittee comment revisee .Th d draf distributes wa t d new access, and monitoring and enforcing timber for public review and discussed at public meetings sales. The DNR Division of Land is responsible for in January,1991. maintaining the guidelines, including organizing periodic updates and review of proposed amend- Develop and Adopt Final Guidelines. The guidelines ment speciad san l exceptions Divisioe .Th n of Land were revised following public comment. A sum- also issues permits for rights-of-way, winter travel, mary of comments and changes to the draft othed an r use publif so c domain land. guidelines were sent to the planning team, advisory committee mailind ,an g list notice A . th f eo intent to adopt the final guidelines were published, and 30 days allowed for final comment. The final guidelines were signed by the Commissioners of the Department of Natural Resources on October 23,1991 and by the Commissioner of the Depart- ment of Fish and Game onNovembe r 4,1991 (see Appendix Acknowledgments,- G Planning Team, Staff, and Technical Advisors, Signatured an Page). Forest management decision guidelinee th n si s area must be consistent with the guidelines.

6 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines Chapter 2 FOREST MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES Chapter 2- FOREST MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Timber operations on state lands must comply wit guidelinee hth thin s i stat e s chapteth en i d ran lan plane dus s for this region. These guidelines also apply to timber harvesting and forest clearing for habitat enhancemen area followG e .SF Th e -th n ti ing land use plans must be consulted prior to This section describe overale sth l forest manage- designing timber operations within their boun- ment program, including programs for timber daries: sales and harvesting for personal use. It also provides background information on the amount of timber in the Susitna valley, sets the annual e» Susitna Area Plan allowable cut and rotation length, sets guidelines ®> Willow Subbasin Area Plan for establishing research natura- l ex area d an s ®> Kashwitna Management Plan perimental forests, and describes the existing wildfire management program. e> Fish Creek Management Plan s^ Deception Creek Land Use Plan. TIMBER SALE PROGRA TIMBED MAN R BASE General Inten timbegoale e th tTh f so r sale program These guideline managemen e basee th s ar n do t are to make timber available for existing timber inten designated tan d uses establishe lane th d y db harvesting and processing businesses, and to ex- use plans, and on the background reports on Tim- pand harvesting and processing to provide addi- ber Resources, Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, Cul- tional jobincomd an s e while being compatible tural Resources, Transportatio Accessd nan d an , 1 with other designate dwil areae R useth l f .DN s o Land Ownership. (See also Chapter Relationship- 1 develop Five-Year Schedules of Timber Sales for to Land Use Plans.) a regular, predictable series of sale offerings unde 38.05.11S regulationss rA it d 3an . Timber sales shoul offeree db ranga n di volume f eo d san duratio accommodatno t e different sectore th f so industry and the public. Sale offerings will be subject to access, markets, the limits of the annual allowable cut, public comment, and DOF staffing to desig administed nan r sales. Coordination with Other Landowners wilR l DN .coor - dinate its timber sale offerings with timber sale offering f otheo s r landowners whe t wilni - in l crease the viability of the offerings or provide other public benefits. Opportunitie r coorfo s - dinating timber sales wil identifiede lb partn i , , through public and agency review of the Five- Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sales. Phas Phas, e1 SusitnPhase d 2Th an , . e3 a Forestry Guidelines (SFG) are divides ai d into three areas — Phas Phas Phas, d e1 - an fo , e3 e r2 timing timber management program developmend san t of access to timber on state land (see map in back pocket for 1 Copies of these reports are available from the DNR Land & Resources Section, P.O. Box 107005, Anchorage, AK, 99510-7005.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines7 - phase boundaries). Units in Phase 1 are relatively 3 area until after 2001. Individual permits for per- near existing access. Phase 1 includes all South sonal use, community woodlots, or small commer- Parks Highway subunits, all Petersville Road sub- cial sale t r upgraderequiro s no tha w o d etne d units excep portioe tth subunif no wesa tl t of Kroto acces allowee sPhasar e th n dareei 3 a before 2001 Creek, all Willow Subbasin units except unit 8 (See Commercial Sales in Phase 2 and Phase 3 in this (Susitna Corridor), Susitna Lowlands lOa (Chijuk section) decisioe Th . defeo nt r activities requiring Creek), and the west blocks of Mount Susitna 2b new access in the Phase 3 area will be reviewed when and 2c. Timber management and construction of the Susitna Forestry Guidelines are updated. accesw timbene r sfo r managemen takn tca e place within the Phase 1 area at any time, subject to the Other Land Ownership Landd an Uses, Restrictions roaw ondne acces PhasPhasn sd i an eapple2 3 y Susitna Forestry Guidelines lan e planse ,th d us d ,an onl acceso yt r timbefo s r managemen statn o t e the Forest 38.05.112-.11PracticeS (A t S sAc A d 3an land t appl. Theno acceso o yt yd r othe- sfo ac r 41.17). The Mount Susitna subunits are near existing tivitie statn so e rights-of-wa o landt r no , y across winter roads. Harvesting in the west blocks of these state land for access to land in other ownerships for subunits could occur in conjunction with harvesting any purpose, including timber managementr Fo . in the Tyonek area. example borouge th f ,i h applie right-of-waa r sfo y Units in Phase 2 are more remote. Phase 2 includes across state lan reaco dt h timbe borougn ro h land, Susitna Lowlands e unitth , s, 11,12 14 9 10 , d an , usee shalb denG tht do t right-of-way ee lSF no yth . portio Petersvillf no e Road 1a wes Krotf to o Creek, Timber Base. Gross Timber Base. Timber resource and Willow uni (Susitnt8 a Corridor). Existing road estimates are based on the inventory of timber acces limites si winteo dt r northerroade th n si n resources prepared by the U.S. Forest Service, US bridgee areic e parr th ao f so t acros Susitne sth a Soil Conservation Service, and Alaska Department River. Land use designations in this area are con- of Natural Resource 1978-80n si . Appendices1 - C troversial and will be reviewed when the Susitna and C-2, Timber Acreage by Subunit and Gross Timber Area Pla updatedns i accesw commerciad .Ne san l Volume by Subunit shows estimates of the gross timber sale statn so e land that will requirw ene acreag volumd ean timbef eo eacn ri h subunite .Th access (including new or upgraded winter roads) gross timber base totals about 526,000 acres of high are prohibited in the Phase 2 area until after 1996 or unti Susitne lth a Area Plan updat adoptedes i f .I sitw elo foressitd ean t which support abou3 46 t the update is adopted before 1996, timber sales will MMc timberf o f . allowee b Phasn do d lande2 an G s subjecSF e th o t Prohibited Areas. Within the units where forestry the designations of the updated plan. If the designateupdate th f o ee on d s i uses, ther some ear e sites t completeno s musi G e SF b y 1996t d b e th , where harvestin r mosgfo t use s prohibitedi s . amended before sales requiring new access are These areas reduc amoune eth timbef to r available allowed in the Phase 2 area on state land. In- for harvesting. Prohibited areas includ followe eth - dividual permit r personafo s l use, community ing. Estimated acreag f foreseo t land withie nth woodlots r smalo , l commercial salet s no tha o d t prohibited areas is shown in parentheses. requirupgrader o w ene d acces allowee sar e th dn i «• Land within 100' of lakes and most streams, Phase 2 area before 1996 (See Commercial Sales in 200'-300 islandn o ' largn si e braided rivers, 200' PhasePhased thin an i 2 s3 section). alonwithid shore an , gth n Willo8a n e i d an w6 mosPhasee th s ti remot3 areae G par,SF twes e ofth t 1/4-mil f Littleo e Willow Creek (see Rivers, Kahiltne oth f lowed aan r Yentna rivers includet I . s Streams, Lakesd an Sectio n i n Ithif Eo s chapter). all Sunflower Basi Alaskd nan a Range units, Susitna (22,080-47,900 acres) Lowland ease th t, block13 sd sunitan o8 f Mouns1- t * Land withi nright-of-wae 330th f 7o y alone gth Susitna 2b and 2c, Mount Susitna 3, 4, 5 and 6. Willer-Kash (Kashwitna) Road (see Fish and Building access for timber harvesting will be expen- Wildlife Habitat - General, Willer-Kash Roadin sive becaus distancef eo barrierd san se sucth s ha Section IE of this chapter). (890 acres) Yentna, Skwentna d Kahiltnan , a rivers statn O . e * Land withi nKashwitne th 300 f o ' a River fo r land, new timber access and commercial timber sales 1/4-mile upstream and downstream of the that will require new access (including new or Parks Highway crossing (see Recreationd an upgraded winter roads prohibitee )ar Phase th n dei Scenic Resources - Parks Highway Scenic Values in Sectio thif o sI n chapter)II acres0 .(1 )

8 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines * Land within 300 knowf o ' n historic sites listed Net Timber Base. The net timber base is the gross in the Alaska Heritage Resource Survey, in- timber base minus the prohibited areas. The es- cluding land withi nIditaroe 300th f - o ' dNa timate timbet dne r bas eacr efo h phase follows. tional Historic Trail (see Heritage Sitesn i Sectio thif o sI nchapter)II . (320-600 acres) Area Acreage Volume «• Land within 330' of bald eagle nesting sites. Phase 1 • (Some sitehavy sma e larger buffers Balde Se . East side 97,500-106,10c 0a 90-97 MMcf Eagle Habitat Section i thif o sI nchapter.II ) (180-250 acres) Mt. Susitna 19,000-1 9,400 ac 13-14 MMcf *• Five recreation sites in the Petersville Road Phase2 131, 000-135,80c 0a 117-121 MMcf area and Kashwitna Management Plan (see Recreation and Scenic Resources - Petersville Phases 21 7,900-230,300 ac 190-200 MMcf Kashwitnad Roadan 1b d a l in an a Sectiol I nII of this chapter). (230 acres) Harvesting in the Mount Susitna subunits in Phase «• South Parks Highway 12b and the portion of 1 will likely occur in conjunction with harvesting 12a between the Kashwitna River and the in the Tyonek area. Timber in the Mt. Susitna units North Fork Kashwitna River (see Recreation of Phase 1 will be considered part of the timber base and Scenic Resources - South Parks Highway 12a d annuaan l e Divisioallowablth n i f t no cu e and 12b in Section III of this chapter). Forestry's Kenai Area. The annual allowable cut for (11,120 acres) Phase 1 in the Susitna valley will be include only the east side (South Parks Highway, Petersville «• Land within 300' each sid centerlinf eo e along Petersville th e Roa Petersvilldn i e Road Subunit Road Willowd ,an ) units. 3 (see Moose Habitat - Petersville Road 3a in Sec- Th timbet ene r base figures include state landn si tion III of this chapter). (0-70 acres) the guidelines area that are designated with primare th f o forestr secondarr e yo on s ya y uses, An estimated 14-20% of the gross timber base in and lands designated resource management. (See Phas withis i e1 n these no-harvest area 5-8d s%an Appendix - Gross 2 C- Timberd C-lan Acreagey b timbee ofth r bas Phasen i Approximatel. e2 y 3-8% Subunit Grosd an s Timber Volume Subunity e b th r fo of the Phase 3 timber base is in standard no-harvest acreag eacn ei h designation.) They include lands areas such as stream setbacks or eagle nest areas, where forestr s designatei y r personadfo e us l but Phas habeeet 3 sno n reviewed for unique sites. only; lands open only to personal use comprise The majorit lanf yo no-harves n di t area setn i s -si about 5% of the volume in the net timber base. backs from streams. See Appendices C-l and C-2 - figuret include no Th o sd e lands designater dfo Gross Timber Acreage by Subunit and Gross Timber disposal as settlement or agriculture lands. The Volume Subunity b r estimatefo e acreagth f so e figures include both hig sitw ehlo foressitd ean t affected in each phase. lands (see Appendix Glossary- A definitionr fo f so sites)w forese lo hig th d . f Abouhto an lan% dt80 The lOO' stream setback and the 330' zone around acreag timbee 9d 1th e %an f o r volum hign o hes i eagle nesting tree establishee sar Alaske th y dab site forest lands. Forest Resource Practiced san s Actt . Theno o yd timbey alloan r wrfo harvesting e otheTh . r All units are managed for multiple use - forestry prohibited area establishee sar thy deb SF lanGr o d is only one of the designated uses. All co-primary planse us . Harvestin allowee b y specialr gdma fo , uses mus accommodatede b t subunitn I . s where limited purposes in these areas. For example, har- forestry is a secondary use, it is allowed only when vestin allowegs i prevendo t contror to l outbreaks consistent wit primare hth y designatione th d san of insects or disease, to suppress wildfire, or to management intent. Therefore, these figuree sar remove hazards to public safety in the other areas the upper limit of timber volume and acreage avail- under certain conditions. In some areas, harvesting abl harvesr efo eacn ti h phase. Some reductioo nt alss i o allowe enhanco dt e wildlife habita- im r o t the volume and acreage available for harvest will prove scenic vistas under certain conditions. occu accommodato rt e other use thesn so e lands.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines9 - The area from which DOF determines timber can tional areas such as stream and trail corridors, but feasibl harvestee yb changinformay w dma ne s ea - Phase 3 has not been reviewed for unique sites. tio gatheres ni soin do l drainage, vegetation type, Most lan conditionan di shoreline l th area n i s si e feasibility of regeneration, and other factors that management zones along rivers and streams. See affect tree growth. If land use designations change Appendix C-1 and C-2 - Gross Timber Acreage by when the land use plans are updated, the new Subunit d Grosan s Timber Volume y Subunitb r fo designations will also change the amount of timber estimates of the amount of timber land in conditional available. (See also Annual Allowable Cut and Rota- area eacn si h working circle. tion Length thin i s section.) Commercial Sale Phas n Phassd i an eCommercia. 2 e 3 l Conditional Areas. Some land within the net tim- harvestin Phasgn i prioe2 adoptioe 199o rth t r 6o n ber conditionabasn i s ei l harvest areas. Timber of the updated Susitna Area Plan and in Phase 3 harvesting is allowed in these areas, but review of prior to 2001 is subject to the following limitations. site-specific factor conditionan i s l harvest areas . Harves1 t operations mus e existinus t g access. during timber sale plannin likelgs i reduco yt e eth Harvests requiring new access or upgrading of timber availabl sitessome n eo th f .eo Conditiona l existing access (for example, converting a foot areas include the following. Estimated acreage in trairoada o lt allowede ) b wil t lno . the conditional areas is shown in parentheses. 2. Sales harveste seey db d tree method clearr so - *• Shoreline management zones. Thes e 200ar e ' cuts (see Appendix A - Glossary) will be limited wide along lakes and most streams adjacent to acre5 a tota2 f cuttinf o t o so l g units. Sales the no-harvest zone, but wider zones are estab- harvested by selective methods will be limited lished for certain rivers and streams in the Phase Mbftota0 a 8 o f t .o l 1 area (see Rivers, Streams, and Lakes in Section IIthif Io s chapter). (37,400 -89,000 acres) Annual Allowable Cut The annual allowable cut is the average amount of timber that may be cut from a 4- Land in the Iditarod National Historic Trail forest that will maintain a balance between net corridor that are more than 300' from the trail growth and harvest while meeting the manage- landd an s regionawithif o ' n150 l public trails men t forese intenth r t fo tland t estimateI . e th s (see Trail Corridors - Iditarod Trail, Regional maximum amount of timber that can be harvested Trails Section i thif o I sn II chapter) . each year without cutting more timber than grows (3,900-4,830 acres) back. * Land within 1/4-mile of trumpeter swan nest- areag in s (see Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areasn i The annual allowable cut for the SFG area is set by Sectio thif o I sn II chapter) . (2,090-4,890 acres) the Susitna Forestry Guidelines. Revisions of the annual allowable cut will be done through updates «• Land outsid no-harvese eth t zon withid ean n or amendments to the Guidelines. Site-specific 500' of the Willer-Kash (Kashwitna) Road reconnaissance of forest lands is done during timber right-of-way (see Fish and Wildlife Habitat - sale planning for the Five-Year Schedule of Timber General, Wilier Kash Road in Section III of this Sales. This reconnaissance may identify changes to chapter). (450 acres) the timber base that will be incorporated when the «• Land on slopes 40% in the Deception Creek annual allowabl reviseds i t annuaee cu Th . l allow- Lan e PlaUs dn (see Deception Creek - Slope able cut will be reviewed, and if appropriate, revised Restrictions in Section III of this chapter). at least every five years. Revisions may occur more (340 acres) often if warranted by new information on growth * Recreation site in Susitna Lowlands Subunit rates, regeneration, or other factors that affect harves- 11 c (see Recreation and Scenic Resources -Susitna table volume lanf i pla e r d,o us n updates change eth Lowlands 11c- Recreation site Sectionn i f o I II amoun lanf o t d wher desige th ef o -forestr e on s yi this chapter). (0-640 acres) nated uses. The initial annual allowable cut follows. The annual An estimated 17-31 % of the net timber base in Phase allowable cut was developed based on volume t timbe ne 16-25 d e an rth 1 basf %o Phasn ei s i e2 regulation - the standing volume of each species in within areas where timber harvesting is subject to the net timber base is divided by the rotation length special guidelines that may affect the amount of to determin amoune eeact th cu he tyearb than .tca timber that can be harvested. Approximately 5-17% See Rotation Length in this section for the of the Phase 3 net timber base is in standard condi- guideline rotationsn so .

10 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines Phase Met/year throughou rotatioe th t thad lande e nth an th t n si Phase 1- guidelines area continu supporo et t foresta f o s East side 880-930 variet f ageyo supporo t s t wildlife, recreation, tourism, and other public uses. Mt. Susitna 130-140 Rotation Length. Stand rotation length in the Susitna Phase2 1,110-1,140 Forestry Guidelines area shal e basee th b l n do management intent and use designations set by the Phase3 1,460-1,520 land use plans. TOTAL 3,580-3,730 Some values, such as marten and grouse habitat or recreation in traditional, semi-traditional, or semi- Prior to 1996, most commercial harvesting is primitive settings (see Appendix E - Recreation Op- limite Phase th d o areet 1 a (see Phase Phase, 1 an, 2 d portunity Spectrum for the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Phase 3 in this section). In the Phase 1-East side Area) require older forests and relatively long stand area initiae ,th l annual allowable cu 890-94s ti 0 Mcf rotations. Wood production, moos hard ean e per year: about 220-240 Mcf spruce, 380-400 Mcf habitat, and related recreation activities such as birch and aspen, and 290-300 Mcf cottonwood. moose hunting e optimizear , d with younger This volume is equivalent to the volume on about forest shorted san r rotations schedule .Th e for cut- 940-990 acres. individuay tinan n go l site wil determinee lb y db the management intent for that site (see also Timber Five-Year Schedul f Timbeeo r Sale Mentad san l Health Sale Design - Cut and Leave Areas in Section n of this Lands annuae .Th l allowabl sett maximue ecu s th m chapter). amoun timbef to offeree rb tha salen r e tdca fo .Th actual amount propose Fivee dth -y fob rt salse es i The intent of the SFG is to create and maintain a Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sales prepared annually mix of stand ages to provide a balance of all these by the DNR Division of Forestry, and reviewed by uses. Therefore, a portion of the state-owned land the public. where forestr designate e oe fth on s yi d uses wile lb managed on "standard" rotations that produce The passag legislatiof eo 199n i 1 propose dseta - relatively young forests, and "long" rotations that tlement to the lawsuit between the Mental Health maintain older forests. In the Susitna Forestry Trust and the State of Alaska. This law identified Guidelines, rotation definee sar followss da : forest land in the Susitna valley as part of a land pool for possible selectio Truste th y n.b Until these selection completee sar cannoR - ,DN t ac tak y ean Standard Long tions that would diminis value hth thesf eo e lands Species Rotation Rotation to the Trust. Therefore, the Division of Forestry White spruce 100 years 140 years withdrew the draft Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales for FY 92-9 cannod 6an t offe timbey ran r sales Paper birch 80 years 100 years or designated persona areae lus F. n sYi 92 Cottonwood 75 years 95 years Sustained Yield. Sustained yield is defined in AS Aspen 60 years 80 years 41.17.950 (15) (see Appendix A - Glossary for definition). In addition, on state lands in the Susitna Forestry Guidelines area, harvesting in The standard rotations approximate the age at any five-year period shal t exceeno l d five times which timber is mature enough to provide natural the annual allowable cut. The amount of timber regeneration and large enough to provide a mix of availabl yeay an r equalen i s five time annuae sth l wood products such as fuelwood and sawtimber. allowabl minut ecu volume sth e harvestee th dn i The long rotation provides approximatel year0 y4 s previous four years exampler Fo . harvese th f ,i t of mature spruce forest between cutting cycled san on state lands in one year is five times the annual extends the mature hardwood forests to the ap- allowable cut for the Phase 1 area, state timber proximate age at which significant decay occurs. shall not be harvested from that area for the fol- Rotations could change as more information be- lowing four years. This guideline is intended to comes availabl conditioe th n eo n of tree foresd san t allow flexibilit schedulinn i y g harvesto t s stands at different ages. Rotation ages will be respon fluctuationo dt timben si r markets, while reviewed whe guidelinee nth updatede sar . (See ensuring that timber is available for harvest Chapter Periodic- 3 Review Research.)and

Susitna Forestry Guidelines -11 Timber managemen allowe n landa n o s i te sdus where forestr designates y i primar e th f o r e yo don PERSONA WOOE LUS D secondar resourcyn o uses d an ,e management General Intent. Continuing to provide wood lands (see Appendix - Glossary A definitionr fo f o s products for personal use is one of the goals for these terms) proportioe Th . timbef no r managed forest lands in the SFG area. DNR will continue under standard and long rotations will depend on mako t e wood availabl personar efo withie us l n the land use designation for the affected area, and constrainte th budgetf so , annua e accessth d l,an goae maintaith o lt n o least na t 40 eac%f o h subunit allowable cut. Source woof so personar dfo e lus in cover habitat at all times (see Timber Sale Design include individual permits in remote areas, -Cut and Leave Areas in Section II of this chapter) .The designated personal use harvesting areas in ac- rotation lengths that wilt annuausee se b l o dt l cessible regions, designated community wood- allowable cut follow. lots, negotiated persona woof salese o us le dus , residue n commerciai s l harvesting areasd an , Landsn O With Forestry Co-primaryA Use:% 60 harvest of dead and down wood. Personal use of the operable timber base will be managed on harvestin allowes gi subunitn di s where forestry standard rotations. This will provide wood is one of the designated uses and in areas desig- product d maintaian s r enhanco n e habitar fo t nated Settlement permio .N needes ti harveso dt t species that benefit from younger forests. The wood that is both dead and down in the SFG area. remaining 40% will be managed on long rotations provido t e wood product maintaid san n habitat for Regulations on Personal Use. Wood obtained for per- species that benefit from older forests, and solde mainb t , no bartere- y ma sona r usede o r us dlfo tain opportunities for recreation that benefits from commercial purposes. Negotiated personae us l less disturbanc olded ean r forests. sales are subject to the regulations in 11 AAC 71.050. Permits for personal use wood are issued On Lands With Forestry A Secondary Use: 40% of 320o t fop 0u r linear fee houselogsf o t Mb0 1 ,f o f the timber will be managed on standard rotations. sawlogs cord0 1 fuelwoodr f s,o o eacr Fo .h estab- In these subunits, habita recreatiod tan usuale nar - lished personal use harvesting area, the Division of primare lyth designationse yus . Habitat needs for Forestry sets the number of cords allowed per per- moose are likely to be the main impetus for timber mit. harvesting. For estimating annual allowable cut, it assumes i d that timbe activelt no s ri y managen do Personal Use Subunits Susitne .Th a Area Plan directs the remaining land; management will depenn do that timbe managee b r harvestinr dfo g onlr yfo the primary uses. persona Soutn i e hlus Parks Highway subunit, s4a 4f, 4g, and lOb, Susitna Lowlands 4b, Mount Susit- Resource Management Lands: 40% of the timber na 4a, and Alaska Range Ib. These areas have scarce will be managed on standard rotations and 60% on wood resource currend san proposer to d concentra- long rotation benefitsf provido o st x e mi Th .ea tions of private lands that are likely to result in high proportio reverse levele th ns th primari r f eso fo y demand for the limited wood resources. use areas because the long-term designation of thes beeet landno ns determinedsha . In addition, the Susitna Forestry Guidelines establish the following subunits as area where tim- Specific sites or subunits may be managed on rota- ber wil managee b l personar dfo onlye lus . tions shorter than the standard rotation if the management intent is to manage for younger Petersville Road Becaus. hig2b e th hf e o deman d forests. For example, where supplying moose for persona e frous lm surrounding landd an s brows emphasise th s ei , shorter rotatione b y sma potential conflicts between public recreatioe nus used as long as the annual allowable cut for the d roaan d access, timbe thin i r s unit wile b l working circle is not exceeded. manage personar dfo undee us l r individual permits. Petersville Road 3g. Because of the demand for timber for personal use from surrounding lands, timbe thin ri s subunit wil managee lb d for personal use.

12 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines Petersville Road 7c. In general, timber in subunit + Susitn adjacena 3 a d Lowlandan o t , t 2f , s2d 7c will be managed for personal use. It is accessible Onestone Lake and Shell Hills subdivisions, by road and close to areas where demand for fuel- * Susitna Lowlands 5f and 13e adjacent to woo highds i stud e .Th y Scenic Highway Study for Kutna Creek subdivision, the Parks Highway recommends additional openings to improve views along the highway in the «• Susitna Lowlands 6e near Otter Lakes sub- northern part of this subunit. North of the line division, between sections 20 and 29 T25N R5W S.M., com- + Susitn adjacenb a 13 Lowland d Neio t tan la s12 mercial timber harvests with cutting units up to Lake remote parcel area, fiv designee b acre y s ma improv do t e views from * Mount Susitn adjacenc a2 Alexandeo t t r Creek e highwayth minimizo T . e conflicts between West subdivision, moos d motoristsan e , remaining standd an s reforestation shoul e managedb provido t d e * Mount Susitn adjacenc a3 Dinglishno t t a Hill wildlife cover rather than browse production. subdivision. Selective harvesting, harvesting of birch and leav- Areas where deman personar dfo wooe y lus dma ing spruce othed ,an r techniques for creating open- exceed supply in the next five to ten years if addi- ings without adversely impacting visual quality tional parcels are patented and developed include: and habitat may be used in this area. Cutting areas * Susitna Lowland adjacena sl Whiskeo t y Lake designe improvo dt e visual quality shoule db subdivision, designed by DPOR in consultation with DOF and DFG. «• Susitna Lowlands 2f adjacent to Shell Lake North subdivision, Willow 12d. Because of the limited extent of timber in this subunit, the SFG recommend that the Wil- 4- Susitna Lowland d Mounan a 3 st Susitna 5 a low Subbasin Area Plan update reconsidee th r adjacent to Canyon Lake subdivision, designation in this subunit (See Chapters - Recom- * Susitna adjacenLowlande 6 d Kutnan o t ta s6 a mendations for Changes in Lan Plans/Willoe dUs w remote parcel areTraillridgd an a e sub- interime 12d)th n limite,I e ,th d timber resourcesn i division, this subunit will be managed for individual per- + Susitna Lowlands 11a and 12a adjacent to sona permitse lus . Parker Lake and Kahiltna Flats subdivisions, Subunits designate r personadfo e wile us lb l * Susitna Lowlands 12a and 13b adjacent to managed for a sustained yield of wood for personal Lockwood Lake subdivision. use. Coordination with Commercial Sales. Demand for per- Compliance with Other Guidelines. Persorial use har- sonal use wood may .exceed the supply available vesting is subject to the same guidelines as com- within disposal boundaries or on private parcels mercial harvesting for stream buffers, trails, eagle outside disposal areas in the following disposal nests, heritage site othed san r guideline protecso t t areas. The FLUP for timber sales inthese areas will fish, wildlife, and recreation values. Timber state whether or not there will be wood residues in volumes harvested for personal use will be subject sale th e area availabl personar efo l use. to the annual allowable cut for the area in which harvestine th g occurs (see also Timber Sale Pro- Areas where deman personar dfo wooe us l s di gram and Timber Base - Annual Allowable Cut in this likely to exceed supply in the next five to ten years based on the amount of private land already section). patented include: South Parks Highway 9c • Talkeetna Woodlot The Talkeetna Community Counci interestes li - es dn i •» South Park a adjacen12 s Bartleto t t t Hills sub- tablishing a community woodlot. This subunit is a division, candidat woodloa Talkeetne r th efo r fo t a area, «• Petersville Road la and 3g adjacent to Amber particularly if a woodlot could be established on Lak Ambed ean r Lake North subdivisions, both stat borougd ean h lands.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines13 - RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS Experimental forests may be established in the Susitna Forestry Guidelines. Proposal- ex r fo s AND EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS perimental forests identified after the guidelines Research natural areas (RNA's) may be established adoptee ar d wil recommendee b l directoe th o dt r in the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Area. Proposals of the DNR Division of Land. The director will for research natural areas identified aftee th r review the proposal and make a determination on guidelines are adopted will be recommended to the site. The director will make his determination the director of the DNR Division of Land. The in consultatio DivisionR n witDN e hForestrf th s o y director will revie proposae wth makd lan edetera - and Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) and the minatio whethen no site erth shoul establishee db d Departmen Fis f Gamed to han . as an RNA. The director will make the determina- Management Ran managemenA . t plan shoule db tion in consultation with the DNR Division of prepared for each research natural area and ex- Forestry and the Department of Fish and Game. perimental forest. Each management plan should DNR will provide public notic proposeeof d estab- state the goals for managing the RNA or ex- lishment of an RNA to organizations and in- perimental forest. The management plan should dividuals on the mailing list described in Public emphasize the process for approving and monitor- Notice and Interagency Coordination - Five Year ing researc othed han r activitie thesn si e areast ,no Schedule of Timber Sales - Annual Notice 2. in Section identifying specific research projects. thif Vo s chapter warrantef .I levee th conf o ly db - troversy, the director my hold a public meeting Until a plan is adopted, DNR will manage these before making a determination. areas to protect the features for which they were established. Activitie allowee s b wil t lno d that will Objectives for research natural areas are to estab- adversely impact those features. Management of lish sites that: experimental forests includes manipulative re- * preserve undisturbed examples of vegetation search; management of research natural areas does types or communities (including forest types), not. unique ecological sites, or geologic features for comparison with those influenced by humans, Research Outsid e Guidelineseth . Most researcn hi experimental forests will comply wit Susitne hth a * provide educational and research areas for Forestry Guidelines. However, experiments may ecological and environmental studies, be needed to assess the effectiveness of the * preserve gene pool typicar fo srard d an elan guideline identifr so y better techniques for achiev- endangered plant animalsd san . ing forest management goals. Research projects ma exemptee yb d fro guidelinee mth s only with RNAs in the SFG area should protect features that prior public notice and prior approval by the DNR t alreadareno y protecte legislativy db - ad r eo divisions of Forestry and Land and consultation ministrative actio othen no r public lands. with DFG and only if consistent with the managemen experimentae t plath r nfo l forest manageA . - RNAs should be of the minimum size necessary to ment plan for the experimental forest must be protect the features of interest. No significant human adopted before exceptions to the guidelines may intervention or manipulation will be allowed in re- be granted. search natural areas except where require maindo t - tain features for which the area was set aside. Willow Experimental Forest and Houston Demonstration Forest Willoe .Th w Experimental Forest northwest Experimental Forests. The objectives for experimental of Wasilla (T18N R2W sect. 25 El /2) and the Hous- forests are to: ton Demonstration Forest (T18N R3W S.M. section * provide research area foresr sfo t management subjec16 e Susitne )ar th o t t a Forestry Guidelines wildliffisd d han an e habitat studies, including (see Maps 2a and 2b, pages 15 and 16). manipulative research on vegetation and habitat. * protect existing gene pool managd san e areao st provide seed for reforestation. «• provide educational areas for resource managemen environmentad tan l studies.

14 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines c ;;>m Map 2a. i; Willow Experimental Forest f a x " : •*• ^ ^ v t,» • -\ i ( !/**>

)t EXPERIMENTAL

1. ' /19' ^ri Map2b. Houston Demonstration Forest

;rr DEMONSRTATION FIRE MANAGEMENT TIMBER SALE DESIGN Fire management is directed by the Alaska Inter- Overall Intent Forest managemen Susitne th n i t a agency Fire Management Plan for the Matanus- Forestry Guidelines area is intended to create and ka/Susitna area2. Fire management practices, maintain a mosaic of age classes that will provide including suppression prioritie prescribed san d for a mixture of cut and uncut areas to provide and burning, are designed to implement the land protect wildliffisd han e habitat producd ,an e tim- management policies laid out in the land use plans ber. Forests will als managee ob providdo t e areas for this area. for public recreation in a variety of settings (also highese Th t leve f protectioo l n from wildfirs i e Appendix Recreation- E Opportunity Spectrum).o T give criticao nt l protection area pag, s3 (sep e eMa meet this intent, DOF will use the practices 18). Thes e populateear d area aread an s s with described hi this section when designing timber physical developments. In this region, critical sales. These general guideline variee b a y n do s ma protection areas includ roadee eth d area from Pal- site-by-site basis by DOF in consultation with DFG. mer to Willow, the Talkeetna and Trapper Creek Multiple Use. Forested lands ope timbeno t r harvest- areas cabid ,an n sites scattered throug valleye hth . ing shal managee lb mannea n di r consistent with Most of the remaining lowlands are in the next e maintenancth e site-specifith f eo c conditions leve f protectiono l fule th ,l protection zonee Th . necessary for multiple use and with the manage- third level of protection, the modified action area, ment intent for the subunit. applie Susitne th so t a Flats State Game Refugee th , Cut and Leave Areas. To ensure that adequate year- high elevation areas from Mount Susitn Belugao t a round cover is available to meet wildlife species Mountain, the lower slopes of the Talkeetna Moun- needs, harvests wil designee b l leavo dt leso en s tains, upper Lak eHappe Creekth d yan , River than 40% of the cover habitat in each subunit in valley. In the area affected by the Susitna Forestry cover at all times. Leave areas can be cut after the Guidelines, only the upper Skwentna drainage original harvests regenerate enough to function as receives the lowest level of protection — a limited cover habitat simila uncue th o rt areas bufferl .Al s action area Appendixe .Se Glossary- A for definitions set aside from harvesting that mee criterie tth r afo of the protection levels. cover habitat (see Appendix A - Glossary) are included in the cover area calculations. Vegetation left as cover habitat may contain either commercial forest non-commerciar so l vegetation must ,bu e tb suitable cover. Visual qualit recreatiod yan n needs will als consideree ob determininn di g what per- This section sets guidelines that apply throughout centag covef eo retaio rt n hi each subunit. areaG theSF . These guidelines cover timber sale DNe Th R Divisio Forestryf no , after interagency design, harvesting system schedulesd san , slash review with the DNR divisions of Land and Parks disposal, site preparation reforestationd ,an d an , and Outdoor Recreation and the Department of chemicalf o e us s for forest management. Fish and Game, will determine the rotation age, reentry timing specied ,an s compositio eacr nfo h stand. These decisions wil basee lb co-primarn do y PUBLIC USE designations and management intent, site charac- Timber harvest areas wil available lb publir efo c teristics, markets, habitat conditions, and objec- use except when special restrictions are necessary tive r wildliffo s e management, recreationd an , to protect public safety, prevent damage to natural visual qualit ysure th withi -n i stane nd th dan resources including regrowth protecr ,o safete tth y rounding forest. (See Appendix E - Recreation Oppor- e operatooth f d securit e operator'an r th f yo s tunity Spectrum for the Susitna Forestry Guidelines equipment or materials. Area for the range of recreation opportunities and See also: setting considere SFG.e th dn )i Road Management -Public Use RsWildlifed wilhan G lDF . identif e maiyth n fish in Section IV of this chapter. and wildlife species managed in each timber sale area. This information wil includee b l d e hth i 2 ADNR. 1986. Alaska Interageney Fire Management Plan- Five-Year Schedul f Timbeeo r Sale d Foressan t Mat/Su Planning Area. Anchorage, AK pp.1 .5 + maps

Susitna Forestry Guidelines -17 Ma . Generalizep3 d Fire Protection Levels

Critical Areas Full Protection Modified Action

PLANNING AREA

5 2 0 2 IS -t 1—5 SCALE IN MILES

PALMER.

18 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines FIGUR. E1 Examples of Cutting Units and Harvest Units

f *) Cutting Unit Boundary Qearcut Harvesting System: 55-acre clearcut with 50-acre cutting unit and 5-acre island

Harvest Unit Boundary B Seed Tree Harvesting System: 50-acre harvest unit and cutting unit, harvest unitand Uncut Vegetation cutting unit boundaries samethe are

:I V» - •: *?--£i-Bi,*»1

Seed Trees Group Selection System: 150-acre harvest unit with twelve 1-5 acre cutting units 5 Acres

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 18a 18b- Susitna Forestry Guidelines Lan Plane dUs s (FLUPs individuar )fo l salese .Th Orientation. arean I heavf so y snow accumulation public will be able to comment on the guidelines where drifting may bury browse, harvest openings for habitat management by commenting on the shoul orientee db d downwind. Openings shall also schedule and FLUPs. be oriented to minimize blowdown and loss of Cutting Unit SizShaped ean . Size. e totaTh l aref ao moose habitat. In other areas, a variety of cutting cutting units withi nharvesa t unit shal 5-5e b l 0 opening orientations shal includee b l timben di r acre optimizo st e benefit wildlifr sfo e habitat (see harvest plans to cover the range of conditions that Figur pag, e1 e 18a)50-acre Th . e limit appliel al o st may be important to moose. harvesting systems except single-tree selection. South Parks Highway 9c. To disperse moose Total cutting unit area may be increased on a site- browse and minimize conflicts between moose and by-site basi DOy sb consultatioFn i d nan witG hDF motorists in revegetating harvest areas, timber har- DPOR onl enlargee lono th ys s ga d cutting area vest opening Soutn si h Parks Highwa wilc y9 e lb continue meeo s t othe e tth r guideline thisn i s docu- limite acres0 1 o dt . ment that address fish and wildlife habitat, recreationd visuaan , l qualitymeeo t e d th t an , South Parks Highway 14b. minimizo T e conflicts management intent for the subunit. Preliminary between moose and travel along the highway cutting unit design wil includee lb Forese th n di t d railroadan , timber harvest Soutn i s h Parks Lan Plae dnUs available for publi interagencd can y Highway 14b will be designed to minimize review. If a proposed cutting unit is greater than 50 moose browse production nea roa e raild rth dan - acres Forese ,th t Lan Plae dnUs fotimbee rth r sale road. Timber sale Parke s th eas f so t Highway will state the reasons for enlarging the cutting unit should be by single-tree selection only. In- describd an techniquee eth s that wil usee b l o dt dividual cutting units west of the highway address the other uses in the area. shoul largeo n e db r than five acres. Unharvested strip least sfeea 0 t33 wide shale lb Petersville Road Timbe. 3a Petersvilln ri e Roaa d3 left between harvest units. Leave- stripin e sar wil managee b l maintaio dt enhancr no e wildlife tended to provide escape cover, thermal cover, habitat, especially for moose. Timber in this sub- resting cover, visual screen huntinn si g areasd ,an harvestee b uniy t ma persona r dfo l us commerr eo - travel corridors for marten, moose, bear, and other cial sales with harves acres0 3 o tt . unitp u f so wildlife. See also: Personal WoodUse Petersville- Road7c Shape. Timber stands shall be designed for shape edgd an e contras provido tt e for wildlife needd san in Sectio thif o nsI chapter. visual quality generaln I . , cuts shal designee b l d Site Preparation Site- Reconnaissance thin i s section. with irregular borders to increase the amount of Arrangement of Cutting Units. Wildlife habitat, includ- forage-producing edge habita habitad tan t diver- ing escape and thermal cover, refuges from deep sity. snow, and alternate food sources, shall be considered when designing the arrangement of cut- Width. Cutting openings generally o shaln e b l ting unit leavd san e areas locatioe .Th maturf no e wider than approximately 660 feet to allow access conifer stands near early winter moose concentra- to cover for bears and moose and to encourage full tion areas will benefit moose. utilizatio browsef no arean I . s wher idenG e-DF tifies important marten populations, openings Well-drained upland sites that produce abundant shall be no wider than approximately 330 feet, to browse are preferred sites for clearing; poorly- avoid creating open areas tha barriere tar maro st - drained upland sites that produce less browse are ten travel. better suite maintenancr dfo wildlifs ea e coven ri Where maximum cutting opening widths are moose winter range. greater than approximately 660 feet, or in cuts Recreation and Visual Quality. The size and shape of larger than 50 acres, residual islands of dense cover cutting areas will be designed with consideration shall be left within the opening to provide cover, of recreation values and scenic quality. Cutting bedding shelted ,an r for moose. Islands shall b5 e0. areas will reflect local topography an designee db d - 5 acres, spaced 660-990 feet apart. Where possible, to appear simila naturao t r l openings after islands shoul designee db maximizo dt e conifer revegetation. Sales will be designed by DOF in cover to provide snow interception and have trees consultation with DPOR. The Department of at least 13-20 feet high for hiding cover. Commerce and Economic Development Division

Susitna Forestry Guidelines19 - of Tourism will have the opportunity to comment Minimum Number 01 on proposed sales during interagency review e ofth Average Trees LefAcrr Pe te Five-Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sales. Stand Diameter High sites Low sites Resource Management Lands. Timber harvesting is an ^14 inches 50 trees/ac 90 trees/ac allowe subunitn i e dus s designated resource 12-1 3.9 inches 60 trees/ac 100 trees/ac management. However, becaus appropriate eth e long-term designation of these lands has not been 10-1 1.9 inches 75 trees/ac 120 trees/ac determined, timber sale contracts shall not exceed five years. Subunits designated for resource 8-9.9 inches 90 trees/ac 150 trees/ac management are: Susitna Lowlands 2f, 5b, 6b, 8b, 6-7.9 inches 110 trees/ac 190 trees/ac Mound an a t 12 Susitn . 9cd 6c ,an 4d, d a3c ,an

HARVESTING SYSTEMS HARVESTING SCHEDULES Preferred Systems. Where birch is the primary species harvested, seed tree harvesting (see Appen- Concentrate Harvesting. Logging activities shoule db dix A - Glossary) is the preferred harvesting system concentrated in the shortest possible time for each for wildlife habitat and timber production. Seed unit. Where timber sales are planned to progress tree harvests provid ea natura l seed sourcr fo e through a series of adjacent subunits, harvest activity regeneration exposed ,an d mineral sunlisoid lan t shoul completee db subunie on n di t before starting openings that are needed for abundant germina- nexte inth . Intensive harvest activit singla n yi e tion and growth of birch seedlings. Where white season typically causes less disturbance to wildlife spruc primare th es i y species harvested, single-tree tha levew nlo l activity over several seasons. selection is the preferred system. Single-tree selec- Moose Concentration Areas. DFG will identify winter tion allows harvest of spruce large enough to pro- moose concentration areas in individual subunits vide house logs and sawtimber while leaving forest before a timber sale is offered. DFG will provide DOF sitee coveth . n Sprucro more ear e toleran shadf to e with recommendations on harvest scheduling in than birc cad hnan grow under forest cover. Single- winter concentration areas during the timber sale tree selection, group selection shelterwoor ,o d cut- design process. Recommendations will reflect the ting may be prescribed on certain sites where size of the proposed timber operation and the likely beneficial for wildlife, timber management, recrea- severit f winteyo r conditions r exampleFo . , small tion, visual quality other ,o r considerations. operations with little equipment may provide browse with little disturbance to moose, while large Full-tree Logging. Full-tree loggin encouragegs i n di operations might disrupt use patterns. Similarly, most areas to provide disturbance of the organic moos arean ei s that receive high snowfal havd an l e soil for site preparation and to achieve maximum difficult condition traver s fo mor e ar l e sensitivo et wood utilization from harvested areas. Other logging systems may be used where appropriate be- disturbance. caus f topographyo e , economic factorsr o , Coordination with Other Activities. Where possible, tim- managemen othef to r resources. ber harvest schedules shoul coordinatee db d with Single-tree Selection. Where single-tree selection other activities to reduce overall impacts. harvesting is used, stands will be managed to Seasonal Scheduling. Most current timber harvesting retain forest cover, maintai nvarieta tref yo e ages, is don winten ei r when acces easies si disturd ran - and keep openings small. Residual stand arean si s banc aquatieo t c habitats, wetlands bead ,an r activity harvested by single-tree selection must meet the areas is lowest. Winter logging also benefits sucker- following standards for trees per acre. (See Appendix ing in aspen and cottonwood. On the other hand Glossary- A definitionr fo sites.w lo higf s)o d han winter harvestin makn gca e site preparation more difficult. Future harvesting will also be concentrated in the winter. Schedules for harvesting may be specified in individual sales based on considerations of access, site preparation foresd an , t regeneration. Summer

20 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines harvesting wil directee b l well-draineo dt d sites should contact DEC before stacking slash and where summer harvest sitd ai e preparationn sca . designing their burning program. DOF burning Potential contractors wil advisee b l f requiredo - permits are required on all projects, from May 1 ments for winter operations (e.g. neee ,leavth do t e through Septembe . Burr30 n barrels warmingr ,o , equipmen siten o t ) befor contracea issueds i t . cooking signar ,o l fire exempe sar t per froF -mDO Data Collection. Where practical shoulG DF , d com- mit requirements. plete site-specific habitat evaluations of units Fire Prescriptions, burninf I proposegs i slasr dfo h scheduled for timber harvest before harvesting oc- disposal, the Forest Land Use Plan for the timber curs particularn I . shoulG DF , d evaluate moose sale will state whether broadcast burning or piling browse quantity, quality utilizationd ,an . These data and burning will be used. Fire prescriptions and a can be use bettedo t r define moose range distribution burn plan specific to the residue and topography and quality. of the site will be prepared by DNR after harvesting See also: is completed broadcaso N . t burning wil cone b l - Bald Eagle Habitat and Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areas ducted outside the area described in the burning in Section III of this chapter. prescription heliotorc.A usee b roadlesdn y i hma s areas for controlled burning for regeneration or other silvicultural purposes heliotorca f o e Us .h SLASH DISPOSAL require bursa n plan. Slash disposal burns using the pilburd ean n method wilrequirt lno ebura n General. Slash disposal benefits reforestation, helps plan, except where the Area Forester determines a avoid insect and disease outbreaks, reduces the plan is in the best interest of the State. amoun f fueo t l availabl r wildfiresefo , improves habitat, and aids movement through cutover Public Notice. Members of the public who will be areas. Slash disposal can also be designed to affected by the burn will be contacted by DOF. The benefit visual quality, and aid recreational use of publi locad can l community councils will receive cutover areas. Logging and road construction written notic f burnineo g activities wheF nDO slash should be disposed to avoid hindering prepares the burn plan. Signs will be posted on wildlife from using cutover areas. Disposal can be major roadways to notify the public of any ongoing accomplished either mechanically burningy b r ,o , controlled burnin processgn i . or by a combination of both methods. Slash that Private Land. No broadcast burning operation will falls on uncut lands adjacent to harvest areas conductee b d within 1/4-mil privatelf eo y owned should be cleaned up or removed to facilitate buildings or improvements nor within 1 /8-mile of mooscovef o feedin d e ran eus g areas. undeveloped private land. preferree Th d metho slasf do h x disposami o t s i l Windrows f extensivI . e windrow builte sar , open- the mineral soil and organic matter. This mini- ings should be cut through the windrows to allow mizes the amount of piled material that could moose passage, especiall moosn yo e trails. hinder public access throug degradsitd e heth an e visual quality. The Division of Forestry and the Marten Habita arean I t identifies s ha wher G eDF d Department of Fish and Game are cooperating on important marten populations, slash piled san experiment determino st bese eth t techniquer sfo other logging debris that will protrude through the mixin minerae gth l soiorganid lan c matter. snow should be retained to provide marten access to prey beneath the improve snoo t d wan d denning Controlled Burning. Controlled burning may be used coved an r habitat. as a means of manipulating vegetation, as a method of site preparation and/or as a means of Winter Operations. Prio sprino t r g break-up each slash disposal. Controlled burning is recom- year, winter roads and skid trails must be cleared mended when climate, soilfued ,an l load condi- of all logging debris and slash in the areas over and tions are conducive to safely removing slash, immediately adjacen bodiel al o t watef d so an n ri maintaining forest openings improvind an , e gth adjoinin harvese gth t 70.020.uniC t AA (Se)8 1 e qualit quantitd yan moosf yo e forage. Solid Waste Management. Non-wood solid waste DEC Permits are required for all open burning must be removed from the site of forest operations used for forest management (18 A AC 50.030(e)). properld an y dispose permittea n i f do d landfill All open burns must comply regulation witC hDE s facility 60.20C 95.130.d .AA 0 (Sean 8 1 e ) for open burnin A8 1 A Cn gi 50.050. Applicants

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 21 See also: Soil Exposure. Mineral soil shoul e exposedb d Road Construction - Right-of-way Slash uniformly over the harvested area to encourage Section i thif o s V nchapterI . uniform distribution of trees. Mineral soil must be e harvesteth f exposeo t leasa % d n 50 tareado . Mineral soil patches should be as large as feasible. SITE PREPARATION See also in this section: General. Site preparation promotes quicker refores- Harvesting Systems - Full Tree Logging tation and reduces grass competition. This Harvesting Schedules - Seasonal Scheduling benefits habita visuad tan l quality. Where natural Slash Disposal - Controlled Burning regeneration, artificial seeding, or planting will be used for reforestation, a bed adequate for regeneration will be required after timber harvest. The site REFORESTATION preparation method used will depend on site char- GoaJe goa f Th reforestatio.o l e Susitnth n i n a acteristics and vegetation desired for reforestation Forestry Guidelines reestabliso aret s ai h forests habitatd an . Requirements for site preparatiod nan that include a mix of the species currently present recommended site preparation methods will be (spruce, birch, aspen d cottonwood)an , e Th . included in the Forest Land Use Plan for individual primary species on each reforested site will vary sales. depending on site conditions, the original forest Site Reconnaissance. During reconnaissanca f eo type managemend ,an t subunitintene th r tfo . Har- potential timber sale wil areaF l asses,DO s ground vested areas will generally be regenerated to the cover to determine whether grass is likely to in- original forest type. Non-native species will be vade after timber is harvested. DOF will develop planted only for research purposes such as deter- recommendation sitr sefo preparation techniques mining species survival and growth rates, not for timind an reducgo t e grass competition with estab- forest management operations that would convert lishment of new forest cover. These recommenda- large areas to new forest types. tions wil includee lb Forese th n di t Lan Plae dnUs Statutes and Regulations. AS 41.17.060 and 11 AAC for the sale. 95.100 and .170 govern regeneration of forest land. Choice of Techniques shoulfollowine F th .DO e dus g The regulations require regeneration of stands that practices when determining site preparatio t intendenno e r conversioar dfo otheo nt r uses strategie r timbefo s r sales. These general within seven years in Region n (interior forest) and guidelines may be varied on a site-by-site basis by within five year Region si n(CoastaI l forest). Cur- DO consultatioFn i n with DFG. rentlyRegion arei G s i aSF . ,nII e mosth f o t Proposed revisions to these regulations are likely Diskin other go r mechanical disturbance shoule db to include all of the SFG area in Region II. Where considere breao dt soilp ku s thacompactee ar t d specific regeneration goal e knowar s n (fo- rex during harvesting. Compactio reducy nma e see- ample, managin cottonwoor gfo convertinr do go t dling growt causr ho e mortality. white spruce), they will be specified in individual On aspen sites, cleared areas should be heavily management units. scarified or lightly burned to produce maximum Regeneration Information. Forest management sucker response. reports for timber sales shall specify target species On paper birch sites, scarification should mix the and stocking levels, site preparation requirements, organic layer into the upper mineral soil layer (A regeneration methods, and a schedule for inspect- horizon) providing optimum conditions for seed regeneratiog in sitee th . n no germinatio seedlind nan g survival. Regeneration Methods. Natural regeneration is the Timing. Areas should be scarified no later than two main regeneration method currently used in the growing seasons following completio harvesf no t SFG area. Natural regeneration will continue to be to minimize grass invasion. Scarification should be use area mos G n seedint do ,SF bu t e siter th g o n si done just prior to peak annual seedfall or just prior plantinspecifia usee b r dfo y cgma timber sale to artificial seedin ensuro gt e optimum seedbed resultbasee th reforestatioa n df o s o n stude th n yo receptivity. sale. Reforestation surveys are generally per- forme yearo dtw s after scarification.

2 - 2Susitna Forestry Guidelines USE OF CHEMICALS wildlife habitat and human uses from direct toxicological effects. Pesticides will not be applied Preventio Pesf no t Outbreaks. Forest pest manage- within 250' of undeveloped private land avoio st d ment will emphasize prevention of pest outbreaks. adverse impact privatn so e property. An annual insect and disease detection survey will conductee b DNe th Ry d b Divisio Forestrf no n yi Plan of Operations. Any use of pesticides or her- cooperation wit USDe hth A Forest ServiceR DN . bicides shall requir ewrittea n pla operationf no s will emphasize silvicultural practices that enhance describing in detail the pesticides or herbicides to natural mortality of pests and improve tree vigor usede b reasone th , user sfo ; potential effecn o t to reduce the risk of outbreaks. Examples include humans, wildlife, and vegetation types, the ex- harvesting mature tree f susceptiblo s e species, pected results; the area where the chemicals will be using group selection cuts, suppressing inter- used methoe ,th applicationf do applicae th d ,an - mediate host species, using lethal trap trees around tion rates. In addition, the plan shall describe how harvest areas, disposing of slash, and establishing whed an evaluation a effectivenese th f no s wile lb utilization standards that minimize slash. prepared afte applicatione th r . DOF has not used pesticides operationa an ta l scale Public Notice. Public notice mus givee b t n prioo rt in the SFG area. Pesticides may be used as a fores pesticidef o e t us e herbicidesr sth o signd ,an s must management too controo t l l vegetative competi- be poste arean di s where pesticide herbicider so s tion, assis establishinn ti g regeneration contror ,o l have been used. forest damage from insects and diseases. If chemi- Evaluation. After pesticid herbicidr eo e application, cal use is proposed for a specific timber sale, public evaluation a n effectivenes e ofth s wil preparede lb . salnotice th e r wilefo l includ edescriptioa e th f no Fertilization. Fertilization can improve the nutrition- proposed s likelactioit d y nan effect foresn o s t al status of nutrient-poor soils and make sites more growth and the environment. hospitabl seedlingso et . Nitrogen fertilizatiof no DEC Authority. The Department of Environmental mineral soils should be considered early in the Conservatio EnvironmentaS n U (DEC d an ) l post-logging perio improvdo t seedbede eth . Protection Agency have primary authority for regulating pesticide use, which includes herbicide use. DEC regulations cover pesticide use and disposal regulationC .DE s require applicant pesr sfo - ticide permits to give public notice of the proposed action. If a local government or 50 residents so request, a public hearing will be held to review the proposed action. The guidelines in this section apply only to portions of the Susitna Forestry Guidelines area. They Herbicides. Herbicide application can help promote apply eithe speciao rt l type landsf so , for examples establishmen desiref to d forest species, especially shoreline wetlandsr so particulao t r ,o r subunits, conifers. However, herbicides have not been wide- for example Willow 2 or Susitna Lowlands 11g. See ly use foresr dfo t managemen areaG SF .A e th n ti bace th kn i pocke p the locatma o tt e subunito t r so study of herbicide effects on fish and wildlife fin name subunitdth a f eo . population habitad san t shoul conductee db d prior to operational herbicide use in the Susitna Valley. See Chapter 3 - Research for recommendations on AGRICULTURAL LANDS this study. Rsh Creek. The Fish Creek Management Plan was Aerial Application. Generally, pesticide application amended in 1987 to allow timber harvesting prior would be done through ground application to to agricultural sale harvestinf si dons gi e before remove grass. It is unlikely aerial application will 1995. DNR will not propose new sales in the Fish be used. Aerial applicatio by e usenma prevendo t t Creek area before 1995. After 1995 amendmene th , t a large disease or insect outbreak. Pesticides will terminate timbed san r sales must wait until after not be applied within 1/4-mile of private dwell- design and sale of agricultural parcels. After 1995, ings, anadromous streams, or lakes with fishing or if timber sale proposee sar d before agricultural other recreational potentia proteco t l t d fisan h development, the Fish Creek plan must be amended.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 23 South Parks Highway 13b. Timber in this subunit will Seasonal Restrictions e Susitnth n I . a Forestry harvestee b d only afte lane th solrs d agriculi r dfo - Guidelines area, forestry activities wile b l ture unless sales will not be held for at least 10 years prohibited from Marc throug5 1 h h Augus1 3 t after harvesting f timbeI . s harvestei r d before within 660 feet of known eagle nesting trees. If a agricultural sales are scheduled, scarification and nestin goccupiet treno s ei Juny operation, db e15 s reforestation wil requirede b l . DOF will consult can occur betwee nAugusd Junan 5 betweee1 1 t3 n wit Divisioe hth Agriculturf no desigo et n timber fee0 66 t fro 0 d feee nesan 33 mth t t tree. This sale accessd san . guideline reflects existing constraints on summer Agricultural Homesteads. Susitna Lowlands subunits harvesting alon majoe gth r rivers where nesting 1 Willo13d d lagriculturage an an ar wa 2 l homes- occur d wilan sl help protect local bald eagle tead subunits. Unles designatioe sth thir nsfo sub- populations. These constraints include lacf o k unit is changed under the SAP, timber on these summer access across most streams and wetlands. lands wil sole lb d wit agriculturae hth l rights. Nesting and Perching Habitat. In addition to known Kashwitna Knobs. Susitna Lowlands 14b is desig- nesting wilsitesR l DN ,provid d maintaian e n nated for agriculture. It will not be offered for sale nesting and perching habitat approximately fot leasa r t five years r untino , l year-round roads every two miles along major rivers with cotton- have been funded five-yeae Th . r holding periods i wood stands on state land. Sites managed for this intende alloo dt w sufficient inventor) tim1 o et y purpose woul approximatele db acre0 y4 s each d plaan n timber harves) t 2 fro e sited mth an , and would include cottonwood or white spruce review and evaluate the results of previous agricul- trees of various sizes. Eagles prefer to nest in tural disposals to determine the economic cottonwoods; they require the tallest or largest feasibilit f farmino y t Kashwitnga a Knobse Th . cottonwoods for nesting. Eagles use conifers as Susitna Area Plan will determine whether or not roosting areas. Both cottonwoods and white timber can be sold before agricultural sales are spruc usee r perchingear dfo portioA . e th f no designe thin di s subunit. cottonwood trees shall be suitable for eagle nesting. Harvestin takn gca e place within these sites as long as the remaining stand meets these con- BALD EAGLE HABITAT ditions proposef I . d harvesting woul t leavdno e sufficient cottonwoods to meet these require- Eagle Nest Setbacks. Under 11 AAC 95.120 (d), har- ments wilt i , allowee lb d onl anothef yi r site will vesting is prohibited within 330 feet of eagle nest- identifiee b replaco dt Replacemen. eit t sites must treesg in . Wider setback establishee b y sma r dfo meet the criteria in this guideline for suitable bald individual nes FisS tU h sitee th sr o wher G eDF eagle nesting siteswilF l DO .consul t witG hDF d Wildlifan e Service (USFWS) identifie- ac s on forest management on these sites. tivities or site-specific factors that make special provisions necessary. Determination of where This guideline applies to state land along the fol- wider setbacks are appropriate will be made with lowing rivers: due deference to DFG. DFG will consult with * Susitna River in South Parks Highway 2,9c, and USFWS before making recommendationo t s 14b; Petersville Road 7d; Susitna Lowlands 9a, DNR on setbacks. lla, 14a14ed , an ; Willo8a d an w6 DNS, DFG, and USFWS are reviewing existing * Chulitna Rive Soutn ri h Parks Highwa, y2 eagle nest policies and may develop new statewide policies. If new policies are adopted by DNR, they 4- Yentna Rive Susitnn ri a Lowlands 12b. withouG ca appliee SF n b amendmene n ta th o dt t USFWS Authority. The US Fish and Wildlife Service to these guidelines. Known nests exis : Soutin t h (USFWS) has authority for managing bald eagle Parks Highway subunits 2, and 9c; Susitna Lowlands populations proteco .T t bald eagle populationn si la, Ib, 3a, 4b, 5f, 9a, 13d, 13e, 14a, and 14e; Mount the SFG area, USFWS will be notified of all planned SusitnWillod 8ad an ; .an w, 3f a 6 3cd ,an sales. Notification will occur through interagency notificatio Five-Yeae th f no r Schedul f Timbeeo r Sales and Forest Land Use Plans for individual sales. Where timber sales contain eagle nesting treeswilF l desig,DO sale nconsultatioth en i n with DF USFWSd Gan .

24 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines Under the Bald Eagle Protection Act (16 USC 688a), Peregrine Falcon Nests. Peregrine falcon nests shale lb individual logging contractor legalle sar y respon- protected as required by federal law. There will be sibl r avoidinefo y time,y e takinan g th an n t i g"a no disturbance of natural vegetation within a330 ' manner baldany of eagle...or part,any nest,egg or radius of any peregrine falcon nesting site. thereof." Taking is defined as "pursue, shoot at, Unique Habita Planr o t t Communities. Timber harvest poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest, or shal restrictee b l certain di n limited areas with disturb." unusual habitats. Examples include isolated stand f over-maturso e timber valuabl treer efo - BROWN BEAR HABITAT hole nesting bird othed lifean r wildlife specier so plant species such as Calypso orchid habitats. Brown Bear Habitat Cover types which satisf- yim DNR will consult with DFG and the US Fish and portant brown bear habitat requirements occur in Wildlife Service prio resourco rt e developmenn ti all regions of the SFG area. However, the extent the area of rare or endangered species if any are numbed an r of areas tha importane tar t brown bear identified. habitat limite e theio st ar e r dspecifidu c composition. Important brown bear habitat types include Slope Restrictions. Special consideration will be given denning areas, activity centers, moderately moist to any timber harvest/habitat enhancement projects habitat types where soil disturbance from forest on slopes exceeding 40% steepen .O r slopes, rubber- operations coul highe dslopeb d ,an s greater than tired skidders may slip, causing erosion. Mechanical 35%. These habitat types are rare in the lowlands scarification is discouraged where a slope is greater areaG SF . e Carefuoth f l managemen f theso t e than 40%. Research projects on contoured mechani- limited area importans si continuino t t g healthy cal scarificatio allowede nar . Finding increasy sma e populations of brown bear in the Susitna valley. acceptable th e slope for scarification applications. Timber sales shal designee lb avoio dt d negative Riparian Managemen e no-harvesTh t t zonn eo impacts on areas identified by DFG as important Deception Creek will be 200' on either side of the brown bear habitat, for example by scheduling creek consistent with the Deception Creek harvestin avoio gt d brown bear concentration Management Plan guidelines, "Lakeshores and areas durin seasoe gth n when the activele yar y Stream Corridors". See Rivers, Streams, and Lakes usedwilG l DF .identif y important brown bear guidelines in this section for shoreline manage- habita individuan i t l subunits durin timbee gth r ment zone othen so r waterbodies. sale design process. Reforestation. All harvested units shall be reforested See also: originae toth l forest type. Access Location and Design - Bear Habitat in Sectio thif o sV nchapteI r See DivisioR d treesDN e n .oTh f Forestry shall iden- amountife yth locatiod tan n of birch seed trees that shall be left standing in timber cuts to produce DECEPTION CREEK seeds for birch reproduction. Typically, 4-8 trees acrr lefe pe etar standin t regeneratioge go t n that The Deception Creek Land Use Plan (see map in meets C standard AA 41.17.06S 1 A 1 n i sd 0an back pocket) must be consulted prior to timber sale 95.170. design informatio guideliner nfo : son Pre-commercial Stand Management. Mechanical * Timber Harvest And Wildlife Enhancement, crushing, hydro-axing, or chain-saw thinning may «• Areas Where Timber Harvest/Habitat be used independently oconjunction ri n with other Enhancement Activities Will Be Limited, and, methods to manipulate vegetation changes as a * Ter Typd man e of Timber Sale. metho f pre-commerciado l stand management. These methods will be used only where salvage of forest products is not feasible. interime Th forestry guideline Deceptioe th n si n Creek Lan Plae replacee dn Us guidelinear e th y db s in this chapter, includin followine gth g guidelines specifi Deceptioe th o ct n Creek planning area.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines25 - FISWILDLIFD HAN E HABITA - TGENERA- L Land adjacen buffee th importano s t i tr addir fo t - tional wildlife cover and public use. A special General. Fish and wildlife habitat is one of the uses management zone next to the buffer will be for which state-owned forests will be managed. All managed to provide cover, minimize the attraction state Susitnlande th n si a Forestry Guidelines area of game to the road, minimize displacement of provide habita varieta r tfo speciesf yo Forese .Th t wildlife, and provide diverse recreational settings. Management Program, Timber Sale Desigd nan This zone 170' from the edge of the road buffer. Management and Access Design and Management DOF will design timber harvests in this area in Sections of this chapter contain guidelines to consultation wit e Departmenhth f Fisd o t han protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat Game and the Division of Parks and Outdoor wherever timber is harvested. Riparian and Recreation. lakeshore habita particularls ti y importan fisr htfo See also thin i s section: and many wildlife species e guidelineTh . n o s Rivers, Streams d Lakean , thin i s s sectioe nar Recreation Scenic& Resources- designe protecdo t t this important habitat. Specific South Parks Highway 12a and 12b, guidelines are also provided in this section for Bald Recreation & Scenic Resources - Susitna Lowlands llf Eagle Habitat, Brown Bear Habitat, Moose Habitat, Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areas, and Wetlands. Recreation & Scenic Resources - Susitna Lowlands 14e Moun . Timbet2c Susitnd an r b harvesta2 thesn si e Recreation Scenic& Resources Willow- 4a subunits will be designed to minimize adverse impact visuan so lmain o qualitt d -an yr froai e mth HERITAGE SITES tain or enhance fish and wildlife habitat. DOF will consult with DFG and DPOR to design sales in Known Heritage Sites. The Division of Parks and these subunits. Outdoor Recreation Offic - f Historo eAr d yan chaeology (OHA) will review proposal timber sfo r Willer-Kash Road. The Kashwitna Management Plan management activities through the interagency establishes a buffer and special management zone review processes for the Five-Year Schedule of to provide wildlife cover and protect scenic values Timber Sale Foresd san t Lan - Plane in r dUs sfo alon Willer-Kase gth h Road. dividual sales. A buffer zone to provide wildlife cover, provide Alaske Th a Historic Preservatio 41.35S (A t ) nAc recreation opportunities, and protect visual quality governs state management of heritage resources. exists alon roade buffege th .Th r extends 380' from Thi t statesAc s that, "If [DNR] determines that his- centerline th roae th df e o (330 ' fro edge e mth th f eo toric, prehistoric, archaeologicalor sites, locationsor right-of-way). This distanc reserves ei providdo t e remains will adverselybe public affectedthe by con- hiding cove traved an r l corridor moosr sfo d ean struction or improvement, the proposed public con- other wildlife, and to provide visual screening be- struction or improvement may not be commenced until tween cuttin roadge areath .d san departmentthe performedhas necessarythe investiga- Vegetation management (including timber har- tion, recording salvagesite,and the of location or vest allowes )i d withi buffee nth r onl maintaiyo t n remains. inpestigation,All recording salvageand work or enhance wildlife habitat, recreation r visuao , l shall be performed as expeditiously as possible so that no quality cleao ;t right-of-wa e rth transportatior yfo n state construction project will be unduly impaired, im- and public safety; or to prevent or control out- peded, or delayed." break insectsf so , disease, wildfire hazardr o , o st Areas of known historic, archaeological paleonr ,o - public safety exampler Fo . , treeo t s t coulcu e db tological sites shouldisturbede b t dno . Timber open scenic vistas and increase visual diversity operations shall not occur within 300 feet from the alon roade Departmenge th .Th Fis f Gamd to han e boundaries of known sites unles State sth e Historic and the DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Preservation Office (SHPO) determines, in consult- Recreation wil e consulteb l e desigth n f no o d ation with DOF, that certain activitie occun sca r vegetation management project thin i s s zone. without significantly impacting the cultural Vegetation managemen wil R designee lb DN y tb d resource. On unique sites, a larger buffer may be and conducted with due deference to the Depart- needed SHPe .Th O shall, withi limite nth stafff so - men Fis f Gamed to han . fundingind gan , asses extene ssignificancth d tan e

26 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines culturae oth f l resourc d worean o t k F withDO See also Section i thif o snn chapter : develop site-specific mitigation measures to Harvesting Systems - Felling and Limbing protec culturae th t l site while allowing timber management Harvesting Schedules Moose- Concentration Areas Harvesting Schedules - Data Collection Known sites exist in Susitna Lowlands subunits 1b (4 sites) 2d, sites)3 ,sites),2a ( sites)2f4 ( b 2 ( ,f 4 ,5 a ,6 , Slash Disposal Right$-of-way- sites)2 ( d 13e6be 6 an ,; South Parks Highway Section i thif o s V nchapterI : subuni Willo; t2 w subunit 12dd sites)3 ( an ;s, 6 ,8a and in the Fish Creek Management Plan. These Access Location & Design - Moose Forage Areas sites are identified on maps maintained by the Access Location & Design - Straight Stretches SHPO. Access Location Design& Cuts- Fills and Access Management Restrictions- Sensitivein MARTEN HABITAT Moose Areas See in this chapter: Timber Sale Design Cutting- Unit Size Shape& PRIVATE LANDS Slash disposal - Marten Habitat Liability. To prevent damage to private lands from trespass, blowdown other o , r hazards createy db MOOSE HABITAT timber harves statn o t e lands adjacen privato t t e Moose Winter Range winten I . r moose range areas lands wilF l us followin,DO e eth g guidelines when identified by DFG where slopes are steep and cause designing timber sales: extensive shade, timber harves south-facinn o t g Avoid Conflicts. Timber management activities near slope preferres si d over harves north-facinn o t g private land wil designee b l avoio dt d conflicts slopes. North-facing slopes accumulate more snow withadjacent landowners to the extent feasible and and hol longerdt i . Moose conserve energ feedy yb - prudent. ing on south-facing slopes with more winter sun- Buffer buffeA . r adjacen privato t t e land wile b l light. Areas where this guideline should beapplied established on a site-by-site basis. The minimum will be identified in individual management units. widt thif ho s buffer will equa average lth e height Petersville Road 3aprovido T . e escape cover fo r of codominant tree statn so e land adjoinine gth moose, especially during rutting seasono t d an , private landwilF l DO .determin e average minimize moose-motorist conflicts, there wila e lb codominant tree height durin reconnaissance gth e no-harvest zone along the Petersville Road in or desig timbea f no r sal r personaeo areae us l . Petersville Road 3a. This zone extends 300' from Average codominant tree heigh buffed tan r width the centerline of the Petersville Road. Vegetation will be included in the Forest Land Use Plan for the managemen allowes ti thidn i s zone follow foe rth - sal r personaeo areae us l . Within this buffer, ing purposes. management will: 4 For maintenance or enhancement of habitat . Minimiza e impact timbef so r managemend an t and recreation values. timber harvestin privatn go e land, preveno *T r controo t l outbreak insectf o s r so &. Consider insect and disease prevention, blow diseas suppreso t r eo s wildfire. Harvestino gt down, wildfire, and public safety hazards when preven contror to l outbreak insectf so disr so - designing timber management activities. ease will require prior public notice and prior Harvest Methods. All harvest methods, including approval by DOF. Harvest operations for these purpose thin si s buffer must comply wite hth selective harvesting and other forms of partial cut- requirements for reforestation in the SFG, AS ting will be considered when designing timber 41.17.060, and 11AAC 95.170. management activitie bufferse th n si . DNR will invite affected private landowners to review and removo 4T e hazard publio st c safety exampler .Fo , comment on proposed buffer management. overhanging trees along roadways may be removed if they endanger road users.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 27 RECREATION AND SCENIC RESOURCES South Parks Highway 12a and 12b. Fish and wildlife habitat values, recreation values, scenic values, General. Recreation (see Appendix A - Glossary) and huntind an ver e fishind ar gy an e higgus h along scenery are two of the uses for which state-owned the Kashwitna River, North Fork Kashwitna River, forests wil managede lb Forese .Th t Management and Sheep Creek. Timber resources in these areas Program and the Timber Sale Design and Manage- are limited and access is difficult. Therefore, timber ment section f thiso s chapter contain guidelines sale allowee s b wilt no lSout n di h Parks Highway which help protect or minimize adverse impacts portiote o betweea th n 12 i f r n12b o Kashwit e no n,th - recreation opportunitie visuad san l quality where Norte th a Rive n d h an Forr k Kashwitna River. timbe s harvestedi r e AccesTh . s Desigd an n Vegetation management is allowed in these areas Management section contains guidelines which for maintenanc r enhancemeneo f habitao t d an t help provide opportunitie r road-accessiblfo s e recreation values. recreation activities additionn I . guidelinee ,th n si this section contain measures to help protect Timber sale allowee sresar e subunif th o t n di t 12a, specific recreation and scenic resources. north of the North Fork of the Kashwitna River. To protect the high non-timber values, timber sales and Recreation activitie dispersee sar d throughoue tth persona harvestine lus thign i s area wil limitee lb do t SFG area, with concentration f activitieso s along sales wit acre h5 totaa 4 lesr f s o o lcuttin n si g units rivers, roads, and trails, and near clusters of private and with a duration of five years or less. parcels. The impact of timber operations on recreation depends on the type of recreation, harvesting Vegetation managemen s allowei t d throughout guidelines, and how timber access is develope preveno t d b r contro12 o tsubunit d an la out12 s - managedd an . Timber operation benefin sca t some break insectf so diseasr so suppreso t r eo s wildfire. recreation activities and scenic resources, for ex- Harvestin preveno gt contror o t l outbreak- in f so ample by providing road access to a trailhead for sect diseasr so e will require prior public noticd ean snowmachining or opening views along a road. prior approva DOFy b l . Harvest operationr sfo Harvestin timbed gan r access wil incompatible lb e these purposes must comply with the require- with some recreation activities and scenery, such ment reforestatior sfo SFGe 41.17.060th S n nA ,i , as those that requir wildernesea s setting. and 11 A AC 95.170. Vegetation management also allowes i removo dt e hazard publio st c safetyr Fo . Design of timber operations and timber access will example, overhanging trees alone gb traily sma consider the likely impacts on recreation, such as remove thef di y endanger trail users. changes in levels of use, displacement of existing uses, including commercial recreation activities, Susitna Lowlands 11f. This is a narrow subunit be- changed typean e th recreatiof n si o n experiences twee Moose nth e Cree Krotd kan o Creek branches available. See Appendix E - Recreation Opportunity of the Deshka State Recreation River corridor. Tim- Spectrum for the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Area for ber harvest and access design in this subunit will a description of the types of recreation oppor- conside minimizd ran e potential adverse impacts tunities currently available in the Susitna Forestry on the recreation and habitat values of the cor- Guidelines area. Forest lands will be managed to ridors. ensure that the range of opportunities described in Susitna Lowlands 14e. Subuni vers i e y t14 importan t Appendix E continues to be available in the Susitna for fish, wildlife habitat d publian , c recreation. Forestry Guidelines area. Timber harvest accesd san thin si s subunit wile lb Commercial Recreation Sites. Design of timber opera- designed to protect riparian and aquatic habitat, tions adjacent to lodges and other commercial provide continued browse and cover for moose, recreation sites will consider impacts of timber and protect sceni recreatiod can n values. Timber harvesting, timber access noisd an ,r visua eo l harvests and access will be designed by DOF in quality and recreation opportunities provided at consultation with DFG and DPOR. recreatioe th n stafsitesF encouragee ar f DO . o dt Willow protec4ao T . t scenic values, recreation op- consult commercial recreation operators when portunities importand ,an t riparian habitat, timber designing timber operation. sale personad san harvestine us l prohibitee gar d withi n/4-mil1 e of Little Willow Creek. Vegetation management is allowed in this subunit to maintain or enhance habitat or recreation values.

28 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines Visual Quality fro Aire mth . Visual quality contributes Petersvilli Road 7c. This subuni higs tha h valuer sfo to the value of commercial and private aircraft scenery, recreation, fisheries moosd an , e habitat, areaG SF .activit e Harvesth n yi t areas wile b l road access. To protect these values, designed to reduce visual impacts of harvesting. pr public usewilF l, DO work with Cutting units should be designed to reflect natural i?G to design timber harvests and vegetation patterns, natural openings in the forest ig joint field review of harvest sites. cover topographyd an , . Unde Timbee th r r Sale Scenic Resources in Susitna Lowlands 11 a, 11c, and 11f. Desig Managemend nan t guideline thin si s chap- Scenic values are important to recreational boating ter, cutting areas will be small and irregularly alon Susitnae gth , Kahiltna Deshkd ,an a rivern si shaped. Other techniques such as leaving more these units. To protect scenic values in these sub- seed trees or using shelterwood cuts, and leaving units, timber harvest accesd san s wil designee lb d parts of subunits uncut will be considered to to minimize adverse impact visuan o s l quality reduce impact scenio st c areas. fro Susitnae mth , Kahiltna Deshkd ,an a rivers. Susitna and Chulitna Rivers. The scenic values along Parks Highway Scenic Values. Views alon Parke gth s the Susitn Chulitnd aan a river Soutn si h Parks Highway are important for recreation and tourism, Highway 2, Susitna Lowlands 14a and 14e, and especially durin summergthe protecTo . the t e importanar a 8 Willo r boatingd fo tan w6 o T . visual quality along the highway, protect scenic values, timber harvest accesd san sn i these subunits will be designed to minimize ad- Timbe4 r harvest Soutsn i h Parks Highway 2,11, verse impact on views from the Susitna and Chulit- 14bd an , Petersvill eWillod Roaan , wildwa 7c 4 l na rivers. e designeb maintaio dt r enhancno e visual quality alon Parke gth s Highway wilF l con.DO - The Willow Subbasin Area Plan additionally sult the report Scenic Resources along the Parks prohibits clearcuts within 200' of the shore of both Highway when designing timber sale perr so - mainlane th islandd dan s viewee whicb n hca d sona harvese lus t area thin si s subunit. from the main channel of the river in Willow sub- 4 Staging area logginr sfo g (including yarding, units 6 and 8a. "This distance may be modified decking equipmend ,an t storage Soutn )i h Parks based on site specific visual analysis. This buffer Highway 2,11, and 14b should not be visible also applies adjacent to heavily used boating routes fro highwae mth y durin summee gth r months smallen i r channelislandn o rivee d th san f r so (June 1-August 31). Exception thio st s guideline easily viewed from shore. DOF will pla timbel nal r may be made when necessary to protect public sales and analyze visual impacts in consultation safety. Staging areas will be put-to-bed follow- with the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recrea- ing completion of harvesting. tion." These sales should also be planned in con- stude *Th y Scenic Resources along Parkse th High- sultation with DFG. way recommend buffesa r wher highwae eth y The guideline for Willow 6 and 8a differs from crosse Kashwitne th s a Rive Soutn i r h Parks the regionwid guidelineG eSF Shorelinn so e Highway 14b. Timber sale personad san e us l Management Zones and Islands and Upwelling harvesting will no allowee tb d within 3007 e ofth Areas aree aTh . plan update should review these Kashwitna River in the area 1 /4-mile upstream standard whereved san r possible develop consis- downstread an m Park e ofth s Highway. Vegeta- tent guidelines for the area. tion managemen allowes i t thin di s buffeo t r prevent or control outbreaks of insects or dis- Little Susitna River Corridor. No clearing or use of land ease or to suppress wildfire. Harvesting to for residential, commercia industriar lo shale lus l prevent or control outbreaks of insects or dis- occu arean ri s viewed fro Little mth e Susitna River ease will require prior public notic priod ean r in Willo . Roadw8a s shal prohibitee b l d within approva DOFy lb . Harvest operation thesr sfo e 1 /4-mile of the river except as approved by DPOR. purposes in this buffer must comply with the Efforts shall be made to protect water quality and requirement reforestatior sfo SFGe th S n nA i , to prohibit noise impacts on the corridor. 95.170C 41.17.060AA .1 1 Vegetatio d an , n management also is allowed to remove hazards to public safety. For example, overhanging trees along roadways may be removed if they endanger road users.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 29 Talkeetna Cutoff, Petersville Road Alaskd ,an a Railroad 55-acrA 4 e e westerparceth n o l n shorf o e Scenic Values. Views along the Talkeetna Cutoff, Schneider Lake. The parcel includes ap- Petersville Road, and Alaska Railroad are impor- proximatel acre3 yacre4 2 1 f foress o f d so an t tant for recreation and tourism, especially during wetlands roaf .I d access develop thio st s lakt ei the summer proteco T . visuae th t l quality along coul destinatioa e db n for camping. these highways, and the railroad, Susitna Lowlands 11c Recreation Site. This subunit + Timber harvests will be designed to maintain or designates i drecreatioa n site unde Susitne rth a enhance visual quality alon e Talkeetngth a Area Plan. Prio desigo rt recreatiof no n facilities Cutoff in South Parks 9c, along the Alaska Rail- for this site, timber harvestin thign i s subunit will roa Soutdn i h Park sWillod 9can w alon 4ad ,an g occur only at the request of DPOR. Vegetation Petersville Roa Petersvilln di e Road 3a. management is allowed in this subunit to prevent * Staging areas for logging (including yarding, or control outbreaks of insects or disease or to decking, and equipment storage) should not be suppress wildfire. Harvesting to prevent or con- visible from the Talkeetna Cutoff, Petersville trol outbreak f insecto s r diseaso s e will require Road r Alasko , a Railroad durin summee gth r prior public notice and prior approval by DOF. months (June 1-August 31). Exceptions to this Harvest operations for these purposes in this buff- guidelin e madb y e ma whee n necessaro yt er must comply wit requiremente hth reforesr sfo - protect public safety. Staging areas will be put- tationin the SFG, AS 41.17.060, and 11 AAC95.170. to-bed following completio harvestingf no . Vegetation management also is allowed to remove Petersville Road 1a. The following sites will be hazards to public safety. For example, overhang- managed for public recreation (seeMap4,page31). ing trees along roadways may be removed if they Commercia personaland timbeluse r harvestingis endanger road users. not allowed in these sites. Vegetation management Susitna Lowlands 12a and 12b. If timber sales are allowes i thesn di e site preveno st contror o t l out- designed adjacent to the lakes in T20N R7W sec- breaks of insects or disease or to suppress wildfire. tions 9-1 T20sectiod W 0an N, recreatioR8 n29 n Harvesting to prevent or control outbreaks of in- sites shoul identifiede db . These lake large sar e sect diseasr so e will require prior public noticd ean enough for floatplane landings. If road or trail prior approva DOFy b l . Harvest operationr fo s access is developed for timber sales, increased these purposes in this buffer must comply with the public recreation use is likely and will necessitate requirement r reforestatiofo s e SFGth S A n ,i n establishmen recreatioa f o t n site. 41.17.060 11AAd ,an C 95.170. Vegetation manage- Willow Willo e 4aTh . w Subbasin Area Plan iden- ment als allowes oi removo dt e hazard publio st c tifie recreatioa s n site (Site #79 lowen )o r Little safety. For example, overhanging trees along road- Willow Creek. This site will be managed for removee wayb y sma d if they endanger road users. proteco t d publian t e opportunitiecus develoo st p 4 Approximately 150 acres at the Peters Creek recreation facilities such as campgrounds and boat confluence. This site includes approximately launches, and to protect public access to trails, 100 ac of high site forest and 50 acres that in- streams, and wilderness areas. cludes black spruce, wetlands riverse th d f .I ,an road access develops into this area, it will Willow Creek State Recreation Area. This recreation receive high public use for camping and fishing. areestablishes awa legislature th y db e aftee th r Enough land shoul retainee d b recrea e th n di - Willow Subbasin Area Plan was adopted. It in- tion site to allow for campground development. cludes part of Willow subunit 6. Lands within the A recreation site reserved from harvesting should Willow Creek State Recreation Area are managed establishee b confluence th t da Peterf eo s Creek by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Kahiltna River. This site should be large and are not available for timber harvesting. enough to accommodate camping and a staging Willow 8a. DPOR will identify opportunitier fo s fishinr are fo rafr e afo tg us trips y wels da ,a s a l recreation sites during interagency reviee th f wo and picnicking. Five-Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sale d Foressan t * Five-acre parce statf lo norte lanth hn do shor e Lan Plane individuadr Us sfo l sale sucf si h sales of Amber Lake. This land adjoins a parcel of are proposed. borough land. Together, the state and borough lands could provide public accesnorte th ho st shore of the lake.

- Susitna 0 3 Forestry Guidelines MAP 4. Recreation Sites

Recreation sites

»--l-^-"/-! I I Peters Creek - Kahiltna River confluence a -T f ~^6 S^.-^Sl 2 I Schneider Lake Scale in Miles kV :* -.1 3I Ambe r Lake Kashwitn trailheao a1bd 1Tw .a an d recreation sites Recreation Objectives. Recreation activities occur are identified on state lands in the Kashwitna throughout the SFG area but particularly con- Management Plan retaio .T n flexibilit designr yfo - centrate along rivers, streams, and lakeshores. ing appropriate trailhead facilities, timber har- Waterbodies provide access routes and support vesting is not allowed on these sites. recreatio boatsy nb , snowmachines, floatplanes See also: an planesi dsk . Waterbodiesar elementy eke s e ofth Fish Wildlifeand Habitat General,- Mount Susitna2b beauty and diversity of the landscape. The and 2c, Willer-Kash Road in this section. management objective for recreation is maintenance of diverse recreation opportunities in waterfron adjacene t th area d an st ripariad nan RIVERS, STREAMS LAKED AN , S woodland areas maintenancd ,an enhancemenr eo t of the scenic values of these lands. (See Appendix E Rsh Habitat and Water Quality Objectives. Under AS - Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Susitnathe for 41.17.115 e DNth , R commissioner shall protect Forestry Guidelines Area for the range of oppor- riparian areas from the significant adverse effects of tunities currently available) timber harvest activitie fisn so h habita wated an t r quality managemene .Th t objective fisr shfo habitat 0-100"{0-30m} Zone. Anadromous and High Value and water qualit statn yo e lands adjacen lakeo t d san Resident Fish Waterbodies. Under the AS anadromous or high value resident fish waterbody, 41.17.118(a)(2), harvests of timber may not occur are adequate preservation of fish habitat by main- within 100 feet (30 meters) immediately adjacent to taining a short-and long-term source of large woody an anadromous or high value resident fish water- debris, stream bank stability, channel morphology, body. water temperatures, stream flows, water quality area, G no-harvese SF ,th Lakes.e th n I t zone also adequate nutrient cycling, food sources, clean applie lano st d within 100' (30mpermanenl al f )o t spawning gravels sunlightd ,an . lakes. Exceptions may be made for lakes less than Wildlife Habitat Objectives. The management objec- 10 acres if they do not have significant recreation tive for wildlife habitat is to maintain or enhance or habita contait no t o valud n d anadromouean r so existing riparian habita protectiny b t maind gan - high value resident fish. The determination of sig- tainin followine gth g wildlife habitat components: nificance wil made lb DOy eb F wit deference hdu e habitar fo G t valueDF DPO o t o t d recrear Rsan fo - 4 a diverse mosaic of early through late succes- tion values. On lakes that are not anadromous or sional vegetation communities, high value fish waters, vegetation managemens ti sufficien4 t structural diversity amon varioue gth s allowe thin di s zon preveno et r controo t l out- overstory and understory layers to meet the break insectf so diseasr so suppreso t r eo s wildfire. habitat need f terrestriaso aviad an l n wildlife Harvesting to prevent or control outbreaks of in- species, sects or disease will require prior public notice and 4 adequate availability of cover habitat, including prior approval by DOF. Harvest operations for securit r hidinyo g cover, thermal coverd an , these purposes in this buffer must comply with the snow interception cover, requirement r reforestatiofo s e SFGth S n A i n, *• sufficient forage biomass productio wildlifr nfo e 41.17.060, and 11AAC 95.170. Vegetation manage- species dependen browsen to , ment als allowes oi removo dt e hazard publio st c safety. For example, overhanging trees along road- 4 sufficient cover for daily movements and removee wayb y sma thedf i y endanger road users. seasonal migrations, Shoreline Management Zones. Anadromous and High *• adequate water quality, streambank stability, Value Resident Fish Waterbodies.UnderS A regulad an r stream flow rate aquatir sfo c fur- 41.17.118(a)(2), a shoreline management zone exists bearers, and for the area 100'-300' (30m-90m) from all *• acces minerao st l licks. anadromous and high value resident fish waterbodies. Timber harves shoreline th n i t e management zone allowe in sa d use must ,consistenbu e tb t with maintenance of important fish and wildlife habita wated t an area G r qualitySF , harvese th n .I t must als consistene ob t with sceni recreatiod can n values.

- Susitna 2 3 Forestry Guidelines Lakes. In the SFG area, this zone also applies to Unstable Stream Channels. If there is evidence or land within lOO'-3OO' (30m-90m) of permanent lakes. a high likelihood tha streata m could change course Exceptions may be made for lakes less than 10 acres if and move into the existing 100' (30m) no-harvest they do not have significant recreation or habitat value area withi year5 n1 s afte proposea r d timber har- and do not contain anadromous or high value resident vest, then harvestin aree th a gn 100-300i ' (30-90m) fish. The determination of significance will be made beyond the waterbody will not occur. Along water- by DOF with due deference to DFG for habitat values ways with shoreline management zones wider DPOo t d recreatior Ran fo n values. tha 100-300e nth ' (30-90m) zone- neee ex r th , dfo The Susitna Forestry Guidelines widen the shoreline panding the no-harvest area beyond 300' (90m) management zon certain eo n river streamd san s with wil consideree lb d case-by-case. unusually high public use, scenic values, or fish and Wildlife Habitat. Wildlife concentration areas, wildlife habitat values (see list of river streamd san t sa particularly for moose, bears, and furbearers, will the end of this guideline) intene .Th widet e ofth r zones preclud logginy ean g activit aree th a n y100-300i ' is to protect the scenic and recreation values, provide (30-90m) beyon e waterbodydth , unlese th s high quality recreation experiences along the water- proposed harvesting will maintai enhancr no - eim ways identifd ,an y habitat areas that merit extra con- portant wildlife habitat shorelinn .I e management sideration. zones wider tha standare nth d 100-300' (30-90m) In shoreline management zone followine th s g zone, timber harvest may occur if wildlife con- guidelines apply: centration areas wil maintainee lb enhancedr do . DFG shall identify wildlife concentration areas Road Crossings. minimizo T e adverse impacto st withi widee nth r shoreline management zoned san the environment and risks of degradation to fish provide informatiomaintaio t - w en ho r no n no wildlifd an e habita wated tan r quality, timbe- rac hance these areas during the review of the Five- cess road locatee s b wil t lno d withi shoreline nth e Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sales. Final decisionn so management zone except wher eroaa d must cross timber sale desig Foresnn i t Lan Plane dUs s wile lb a strea r accesmo a cuttins g unit withie th n made with due deference to DFG in identified shoreline management zone and there exists no wildlife concentration areas. See Appendix A - feasible alternative. Road construction will occur Glossary for the definition of due deference. only where road design, construction, use, and maintenance will maintain important d fisan h Public Use. Timber harvest design withie nth wildlife habitat. shoreline management zone will consider existing zonee th publin .i Timbee cus r harvestiny gma Windfirmness Risk. Timber harvest design within occur in the shoreline management zone if it can be the shoreline management zone will consider the demonstrated that existing public uses including risk of blowdown in residual stands. Risk of blow- sport fishin d huntingan g , trapping, d fisan h down will be evaluated on a site-specific basis. wildlife viewing, hiking campind an , g wile b l Minimum buffer widths will not be reduced be- maintained or enhanced. cause of a risk of blowdown. Scenic Values. Timber harvest design withina Fish Habitat. Site-specific stream conditions in- shoreline management zone will consider scenic cluding stream flow rate, dissolved nutrient levels, values along the waterbody. To protect scenic large woody debris sources, water temperatures, values, timber harvest accesd san thesn si e zones probabilit f surfacyo e erosion, stream gradient, will be designed to minimize adverse impacts on water quality, stream type (glacial vs. dearwater views fro e waterbodiesmth . Design will vary types), soil type, steepness of adjoining slopes, ad- base topographn do vegetationd yan exampler .Fo , joining timber stand typ conditiond ean othed ,an r dense vegetatio higr no h bluff hidy esma harvest- local physical characteristics will be considered ing beyond the 1OO' no-cut buffer in some areas, but befor timbey ean r harvesting occurs wilG l pro.DF - sparse cover and gradual slopes may reveal im- vide recommendation desige th n f no o F DO o st pacts over a wider area. timber sales and road access based on these considerations during interagency revie Five-e th wf o Year Schedule of Timber Sales and Forest Land Use Plans.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines3 3 - River Phasn d Phasi s an 1 ewit2 e h shoreline If timber sale offeree sar d with less tha yearo ntw s management zones wider than 100-300' (30-90m) notice, DNR will try to limit the number of stream follow. Waterbodie Phasn i s ehav3 t beeeno n reviews neede locatiny db g sale arean i s s pre- reviewed to determine whether wider shoreline viously reviewed through the Five-Year Schedule management zones are appropriate. Zone width of Timber Sale Foresa r so t Lan Plane d Us area n ,i s wil establishee lb time th et d Phasa consideres i e3 d already field-checked for anadromous streams, or for new access or commercial harvesting. arean i s without streams. (See Public Notice Five-- 4 Susitna River - 1 /4-mile from the ordinary high Year Schedule of Timber Sales and Forest Land Use water mark on either side of the river in South Plan in Section V of this chapter.) Park 14bsd 2,4a;an , Petersvill,9c e Roa Susit; d7d - Island Upwellind san g Areas. Timber harvest- is n so na Lowlands lla and 14e; and Willow 6 and 8a, lands in braided rivers will be designed to prevent 4 Chulitna River 1/4-mil— e fro ordinare mth y island erosio protecd nan t upwelling e areath n si high water mark on either side of the river in river channels and sloughs. There will be a no-har- South Parks 2, vest zone that extends inland 200' fro bounde mth - 4 Kahiltna River — 1/4-mile from the ordinary betweey ar n mature forest stand nonforesd san r o t high water mark on either side of the river in sapling vegetation upstreae th thesf t o A . p meti Petersville Road la, islands harveso n e th , t zone will includ eminia - f 300o ' m inlanmu d fro boundare mth f heryo - 4 Yentna River — 1 /4-mile from the ordinary high baceous vegetatio r 200no ' fro boundare mth f yo water mark on either side of the river in Susitna mature th e forest, whicheve greaters ri Figure .Se e Lowlands 12b, 2, page 34a for examples. DOF will consult with *• Theodore River - 1/4-mil- e fro ordinare mth y DFG to design sales in this unit. high water mar eithen ko rrivee sidth n f ri e o Vegetation managemen habitar fo t t enhancement Moun, t2c Susitn d an b a2 allowes i d in this zone, except for timber harvesting 4 Chijuk Creek — 400' from the ordinary high withi e 100th n ' no-cut required undeS A r water mark on either side of the creek in Susitna 41.17.118(a) (2). Decisions on sale offerings and sale Lowlands lla, design for timber sales for habitat enhancement 4 Montana Creek, south middled an forks 1/2— - will be designed with due deference to DFG. mile fro e ordinarmth y high water marn ko Vegetation management als s alloweoi thin di s either side of the creeks in South Parks 12a, zone to prevent or control outbreaks of insects or * Peters Creek --1 /4-mile from the ordinary high diseas suppreso t r o e s wildfire. Harvestino gt water mark on either side of the creek in prevent or control outbreaks of insects or disease Petersville Roa, dla will require prior public notic priod ean r approval by DOF. Harvest operations for these purposes in 4 Moose Creek - lan d in T28N R6W S.M. sections this buffer must comply wit requiremente hth s for 28,33 Ml /2, Nl /2S1 /2, and 34 NW1 /4NW1 /4, reforestation in the SFG, AS 41.17.060, and 11A AC W1/2SW1/4NW1/4 Susitne Th . a Basin 95.170. Vegetation management is allowed to Recreation Rivers Management Plan recom- remove hazards to public safety. For example, mends that this lan addee Deshke db th o dt a overhanging trees along roadways may be recreation river corridor. The SFG will no longer appl thio yt s parce legislature th f li e addo t t si removed if they endanger road users. the recreation river. This guideline applies islands in the Susitna, Trapper Creek Shoreline Management Zone estabP SA . - Chulitna, and Yentna rivers in the following units: lishe 1/4-mila s e "natural setting" guidelinn eo South Parks Highway 2, Petersville Roa Susit, d7d - Trapper Creek in Susitna Lowlands 14b. Timber na Lowlands 5f, lla, 12b, 13d, 13e, 14a,and 14e; and harvesting within 1 / 4-mile o f Trapper Creek in 14b Willow Subbasin 6 and 8a. will be by single-tree selection only. Lakeshore Habita Mooser fo t . Timber withi fee0 n33 t Review of Uncatalogued Streams. DOF should iden- of the wetted perimeter of ponds and lakes should tify stream whicr sfo h field revie wneedes i y db maintainee b provido dt e security cove moosr rfo e year 2 of the Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales to feeding on aquatic plants. Selective removal of allow enough time to plan field review during the merchantable timber from lake fringes beyone dth seasons when salmon are likely to be present. 100' no-cut zone require 41.17.118(a)(2S A y db ) would be encouraged to maintain shorter (^50 ft)

- Susittw 4 3 Forestry Guidelines FIGURE 2. Examples of Harvesting Setbacks on River Islands

300 feet

200 fee

200 feet

^y.^ziS. Non-forest Vegetation Directio Rivef nO r Current

Forest Vegetation 200 Feet

No-harvest Buffer 300 Feet

Swsj'taa Forestry Guidelines - 34a 34b - Susitna Forestry Guidelines stands with less crown closure (<60%) for habitat Regional Trails. Trails other than the Iditarod Trail enhancement. A more open canopy would en- mapped in the SFG Atlas are classified as follows. courage the establishment of shade-intolerant Mapped trails in the Susitna Area Plan are con- browse species such as willow or aspen. This sidered "regional trails" unless otherwise specified. guideline applies to lakes greater than 10 acres in Mapped Willoe trailth n si w Subbasin Area Plan size thasupporn tca t aquatic vegetation that supp- are considered "other recreation trails" unless ly sodiu mooser mfo . otherwise specified. "Regional trails" and "other See also: recreation trails" are subject to the following Recreation General:- Willow 4athin i s section, guidelines. Access Location & Design - Stream Buffers Trail Buffer Width. Trails shal protectee b l y db in Section IV of this chapter publicly-owned corridors that hav eminimua m width of 150 feet each side of the centerline. TRAIL CORRIDORS Land Use in Corridors. The standards for trail management in the Willow and Susitna area plans Iditarod Trail. The Susitna, Willow, and Fish Creek differ. The Susitna and Willow plan updates plans establish the guidelines for determining the should revie traie wth l guideline develod san p width of the Iditarod National Historic Trail consistent standard r traifo s l corridor manage- (INHT) corridor. Within the SFG, the corridor ment. In both plans, trail buffers are intended to width will be determined in accordance with these protec qualite experiencte th th f yo e of the used ran guidelines. If changes in these guidelines are to minimize negative effects such as noise or dust proposed, they wil consideree lb d durin upe g-th from adjacent land uses. Land uses immediately date of the Susitna and Willow plans, not in the adjacen traie th l o shoult adverselt dno y affece th t SFG. recreational enjoyment of the trail. Examples of The INHhistorin a s Ti c site. Timber saled san negative effects are trees blown down, removal of permits for personal use harvesting will not be protective trees pollutior ,o streamf no s causey db allowed within300 fee ttrai e ofth l (see also Heritage timber operation timber so r access. Sites in this section). Selective commercial timber Unde Susitne rth a Area extenPlane th o ,t t feasible harvesting will be permitted in the remainder of and prudent, timber operations withi ntraia l cor- the INHT trail corridor only if such harvests ridor adverselwilt managee no lb o t s a yo d affecs t protec r enhanco t visuale eth , sound othed an , r trail use or the aesthetic character of the trail. characteristic traile th f .s o Other harvesting techniques, such as dearcutttng or seed tree harvesting, Unde Willoe rth w plan, 'Trail corridor availe sar - ma permittee yb d subjec consultatioo t t n with able for personal and selective commercial timber DPOR where necessary to prevent or control out- harvest only if such harvests protect or enhance the breaks of insects, disease, wildfire, or hazards to visual, sound othed ,an r characteristics trail e ofth . public safety. Harvest practices, timing d transportatioan , n shoul coordinatee db d wit Divisioe hth Parkf no s Persona harvestine lus individuay gb l permits will and Outdoor Recreation, DFG, and the Matanus- be permitted in the remainder of the corridor only ka-Susitna Borough Trails Committee." if such harvests protect or enhance visual, sound, othed an r characteristic strail e ofth . Timber cutting Both plans allow trail crossing r reroutinso f go incidental to recreation will be allowed throughout trails where necessary. Where necessary for timber the trail corridor. Use of only dead and down wood road croso st s trail corridors, crossings shoule db wil encouragee b l r harvestindfo g incidentao t l as near to perpendicular as possible. An exception recreation. is when a trail corridor is deliberately combined with a public facility or transportation corridor. All timber harvests within the Iditarod Trail corridor will be designed in consultation with the Trail Mapping and Identification of New Trails. Field DNR Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. wor finy dk ma error duplicationr so traile th sn si atlasG mappeSF . Traie th n ldi mappine b y gma The INHT crosses the following subunits: Susitna revised in consultation with DPOR. 13ed d an an , 6e , , 6a6b ,4b , Lowland2f , 2d , s2a Willo 12dd an .a w8

Susitna Forestry Guidelines35 - Additiona identifiee l b trail y sma d during review Site-specific Buffers. Site-specific buffers to mini- of the Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales and mize visual disturbance to identified trumpeter Forest Land Use Plans. Steps for identifying addi- swan nesting sites will be established by the tional trails follow. These steps should be com- Division of Forestry in consultation with the pleted befor finae eth l FLU publishePs i alloo dt w Departmen Fist S d ofU h an Fis e Gamd th h an d ean for public review. Wildlife Service at the time individual sales are *• Identify actively used trails within proposed designed. Known nests exis Petersvilln i t e Road harvesting units or timber access corridors. subunits 2b and 6c; Susitna Lowlands 1 b, 2a, 3a, 3c, 8b, ,7a , lla6e , 12a6b , , 6a 12b 5a, ,5f , 13b, 13d, 13e, consultation 4I n with DFG, e DPORth d an , 14a14bd an ,; Mount Susitn ; Willoa2b w d 8aan ; Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Director of the Sunflower Basi. n6c Division of Land will decide what trails qualify unde standarde rth lan e plae th d us n si foe rth See also: area in question. Access Location Design& Trumpeter- Swan Nesting Areas Section i thif o sV n chapterI . 4 Assig appropriate traie th nth o lt e categord yan appl e lane playth us dn guideline r thafo st category. WETLANDS South Parks Highway 12a. Trails that provide access Definition. The definition of wetlands is the defini- through this subunit to more remote lands to the tion adopte e Stat th f Alask o ey db a undee th r east shoul maintainee db improved dan d during regulations Coasta e ofth l Management Program6 ( forestry operations. AAC 80.900(19)): "Freshwater wetlands mean those South Parks Highway 13b. The fisherman's trail to the environments characterized by rooted vegetation which North Kashwitne Forth f ko a River through sub- is partially submerged either continuously or peri- wil0 t T22section2 n i no lW unid b Nan R3 13 t 9 s1 odically surfaceby freshwater with less than parts05 be used for timber sale access. This route should be per thousand salt con tent and not exceeding three meters maintained as a recreational trail. The Susitna Area depth."in Plan update should consider establishing a ROW For purposes of these management guidelines, for this trail that would be limited to trail use only. wetland dividee sar d into three classes: * CLASS I.- wetlands larger than 100 acres and all TRUMPETER SWAN NESTING AREAS wetlands wit hlocatabla e stream outlete Th . Seasonal Restrictions. Forestry activities that may stream shal consideree lb dwetlande parth f to ; damage trumpeter swan nesting habitat or cause 4 CLASS II: wetlands between 40 and 100 acres visual or noise disturbance shall be prohibited wit outleto hn d ;an from April 1 through August 31 within at least 4 CLASS III wetlands less than 40 acres with no 1 /4-mile of waterbodies that have identified trum- outlet. peter swan nesting site staginr so g areas aree aTh . Wetlands Managemen e ArmTh t y - CorpEn f o s to which seasonal restrictions apply may be in- gineers regulates all activities that result in dis- crease r decreaseo d e potentiath f di l levef o l charg placemenr eo dredgef o t r fildo l materian i l damage or disturbance warrants change as deter- wetlands. Corps permit thesr sfo e activitiee sar mined by the Division of Forestry with due reviewe e Departmenth y db f Environmentao t l deference to the Department of Fish and Game. Conservation, DFG, and the Division of DFG will consul FisS Wildlifd t U withan e hth e Governmental Coordinatio Governor'e th n i - sof Service before making recommendations to DOF. fice. National wetlands polic currentls yi y being If a waterbody that has been used for nesting is not reviewed, unde federae leae th rf th d o l Domestic occupie trumpetey db r swan Juny sb e 15, forestry Policy Council State Alaskaf Th .eo , througe hth activities may be allowed between June 15 and Governor's office participatins i , thign i s review. August 31 within the 1 /4-mile zone.

- Susitna 6 3 Forestry Guidelines Wetland Buffers. Wetlands help protect water quality and stabilize water supply, provide important feeding, rearing breedind an , g groundr sfo wildlife, provid winter efo r recreationo t d ad d ,an landscape diversity. Buffers adjacent to wetlands extene willth o t t, feasibl prudentd ean , protect The guideline thin si s section cove locatione th r , these important wetland functions. Buffers should design, constructio managemend nan timbef o t r include public lands within 100 feet of Class I access roads. They apply to timber access roads wetland publid san c lands within fee 0 Clasf 6 o t s throughout the SFG area. II wetlands. Harvesting near Wetlands. Only single-tree selection harvestin allowegs i d withi fee0 nt10 of Clasd an sI ACCESS LOCATION AND DESIGN II wetlands except when other harvesting techni- General. The location, design, and development of ques are necessary to prevent or control outbreaks roads shall consider multipl valuee eus statf so e of insects, disease, wildfire hazardr o , publio st c lands reflecd an managemen,e th t t intend an t safety. For example, overhanging trees along trails primar yaffectee useth r sfo d area goae o t s .Th li may be removed if they endanger trail users. See optimize long term public use benefits from new Appendix Glossary- A definitior fo Clasf nd o an sI access while minimizing adverse effects on exist- II wetlands. publig in c uses, including maintainin range gth e of See also: recreation opportunities described in Appendix E - Access Location and Design - Access Across Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. Wetlands Section i thif o sV n chapterI . Access Information. Descriptions of proposed access corridors and type of access will be included in the Five-Year Schedul Timbef eo r Sale saler sfo s that will be offered in the current year or the two subsequent years. The Forest Land Use Plan for each sale will include preliminary locatioy an f no proposed primary and secondary roads and identify the type of access. Sensitive Vegetative Cover. Permanent logging roads generally shal e aligneb l avoio dt d sensitive vegetative cover types such as riparian zones, wetlands, aquatic feeding sites (ponds) naturalld ,an y occurring forest openings. Road thesn si e cover types will be designed in concurrence with DFG. Bear Habitat Roads should be planned to minimize potential increase vulnerabilitn si blacf yo k and brown bears to hunting and physical displacement from important foraging and denning habitats by avoiding locations near important feeding wil sitesG l DF provid. e DOF informatio feedinn no g sites durin timbee gth r sale design process. (See also Brown Bear Habitat in Section in of this chapter.) Moose Forage Areas. Natural terrain features should usee b ensuro dt usabilite eth moosf yo e forage areas wels , a othes la r important seasona arease lus , by shielding these forage areas from road traffic. Permanent logging roads generally shal locatee lb d in dense timber away from forest openings.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines37 - Roads along Waterways. Road crossings within Trumpeter Swan Nesting Areas. Specific guidelines shoreline management e 0-100zoneth r o 's for development and management of access within shoreline buffers may be allowed when such roads mile waterbodief on eo s with identified trumpeter bettea e ar r alternativ protectinr efo g water quality swan nesting sites wil e developeb l e th y db or when they are the only feasible access to timber. Divisio f Forestrno n consultatioi y n wite th h Feasible access is not necessarily the least costly Departmen FisS d hU an Fis e f Gamd to th han d ean (see Appendix - Glossary A r definitiofo f o n Wildlife Service at the time access is designed. "feasible"). Rights-of-way for stream crossing must Facilitie permanend san t road timber sfo r manage- minimizede b . (See also Rivers, Streams, Lakesd an - ment should be at least one mile from waterbodies 0-100' and Shoreline Management Zones in Section III used for trumpeter swan nesting. The distances of this chapter.) between facilities and mainline roads and these Access across Wetlands. Where access crosses wet- waterbodies may be increased or decreased based lands, only winter access should be used whenever site-specifin o c environmenta economid an l c fac- feasible. tors by the Division of Forestry with due deference Departmene toth f FisGamed o twil G han lDF . Straight Stretches. Minimize straight stretchef o s consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service roa f mordo e than 1/4-mil foresten ei d areao st before making recommendation DOFo st . increas covee eth r valu moosr e fo minimizd ean e effecte th huntinf o s g from road locan so l moose Willer-Kash Road. The Willer-Kash (Kashwitna) numbers. extendee b Roay d ma provid o dt e mainline road accesportioe th o s t Soutf no h Park souta s12 f ho Visual Quality. Timber access wil designee lb d with the Kashwitna River. This roa buile db wilt t no l consideration of recreation values and scenic closer than 1/2-mile from the Kashwitna River. quality. Sales will be designed by DOF in consult- Timber access roads within this portion of subunit ation with DPOR. 12a wil designee lb minimizo dt e vehicle acceso st Clearing. Minimize the width of the clearing along the Kashwitna River. Secondary roads and spur roads. roads in this area will be put-to-bed after harvesting. (See also Fish Wildlifed an General,- Willer-Kash Road Standards. In important d fiswildlifan h e Road in Section III of this chapter.) habitat areas, forestry access roads shall be constructe minimudo t m standard discourago st e high Petersville Road 2b. Because of the potential conflicts volume t maintaivehiclbu e eus - n en safet d yan between public recreatio road an d e accessnus o ,n vironmental condition meed san t management ob- roaw ne d acces r timbefo s r harvest wile b l jectives. These will generall sloe yb w speed, single proposed in this subunit. (See also p. 36 of Susitna lane roads without large cuts and fills. DFG will Area a descriptioPla r fo n f roadlesno s area identify important habitat areas as part of the in- proposal thin decision-makine i s sth unid an t g teragency review o f the Five-Year Schedule of Tim- process for these proposals.) ber Sales and Forest Land Use Plans. Susitna Lowlands 9a and 9c. Year-round road access Cuts and Fills. Avoid steep cuts and fills that would in the Susitna Lowlands subregion will require block moose travel routes. public funding. In the near term (5-10 years), access to timber sales in these subunits will be by Landing Areas. Locate log landing areas to minimize winter road unles year-rounsa d public roa builds i t the amount of road and skid trail construction. to support other land uses. Avoid Interconnections. To reduce impacts from road See also: huntin allod gan w greater control of acces locan si l Trails - Regional Trails areas, secondary logging road systems shall not be in Section III of this chapter. designe interconneco dt forr to m loop systems. Water Transportation. Wood may be transported on boat bargesr so raftg e usee Lo s.th b wilt n di no l SFG area. Navigable waterway Susitne th n si a valley are heavily traveled in the summer, and log rafts could increase hazard publio st c transportation.

38 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines ROAD CONSTRUCTION ROAD MANAGEMENT Wildlife Concentration Areas. Road construction General. The management of roads after timber times shoul schedulee db road dan d locations harvesting and implementation of the reforesta- selecte avoido t d displacing wildlife from seasonal tion plan shall consider multiple use values of state concentration areas. lands, and reflect the management intent and Topsoil. Where feasible, topsoil from road con- primar affecteye useth r sfo d area. Road closures, struction should be stored on site for later use in or restrictions on types, times, or levels of use will restoration. be considered as a means of balancing resource management goals somn I . e locationse b y ma t i , Winter Roads generae Th . l standar adequatr dfo e necessary to limit after-harvest use of a road or ground protection from vehicle damage wille beon manage other resources along the road, for ex- fooe foofrostf snoon f o t o t d .w an This standard ample to protect wildlife, maintain recreation op- may be varied to allow for variation in winter portunity settings, ensure regeneration, or conditions. For example, deep snow may prevent minimize timber management impacts on existing freezing but provide adequate ground protection. land uses. Proposals for road management after If the ground is not frozen to a depth of at least one forest operations are completed shall be included foot, additional snow dept s requirehi d before Forese inth t transportatioLane Plae th r dnUs o n winter travel can occur. The amount of additional schedule Five-Yea e ofth r Schedule of Timber Sales. snow required will depend on the type of vehicle The FLUP or transportation schedule shall state and must be adequate to support the vehicle. For whethe roadt no r sro wil permanene lb put-tor to - example, vehicles with higher ground pressure bed and whether or not roads put-to-bed will be require more sno supporwo t t them than light ope off-roano t d vehicle use. ground pressure vehicles. Public Use. Prior to spring break-up each year, winter roads and skid trails must be cleared of all logging debris Primary Roads. Primary timber access roads are extending ove int r body ro oan y of water. (See also permanent roads. Primary roads on state land will 18 AAC 70.020(b)(C) and 11AAC 95.120(a)(l). opee b publino t excepe cus t during spring break- up, periods of excessive rainfall, or other condi- Cross-country travel by dozers, sleighs, tracked tions whe roadbee nth d woul damagee db y db vehicles rubber-tired ,an d equipment must alse ob vehicle traffic or when necessary to protect sensi- consistent wit requiremente hth statewide th f so e tive wildlife populations or other public resources Coastal Management Program Appendixe Se . - F along the road. Road closures will be done subject Requirements for Winter Travel for a list of Coastal to the regulations in 11 AAC. [Note: Regulations for Management Program requirement informad san - road closure are currently being developed by DNR. stipulationR DN tio n no r overlan fo s d winter When adopted, they will guide road closure decisions travel permits. statewide. Public notice requiredis prior adoptionto of Material Sites. Prior to the design of the Oilwell regulations.]the Road extension, permanent material sites along the Secondary Roads. Secondary roads wile b l road corridor should be identified and established. managed o ncase-by-casa e basis dependine th n go Gravel will be needed for road construction and management intent for lands along the route and maintenance and is available only along portions funding. If built with public funds as a permanent of the road corridor. road, a secondary road will be managed under the Right-of-way Slash. Dispose of right-of-way slash so same rules as primary roads (see above). If a secon- inhibio t t asno t moose movement. dary roa buils dtemporari a s a t y road wilt i , e lb put-to-bed (see Road Management - Putting-to- bed in this section). Proposed management for secondary roads wil describee b l Forese th n di t Land Use Plan. Spur Roads. Unless otherwise specified in a Forest Land Use Plan, spur roads will be put-to-bed.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines39 - Restriction Sensitivn si e Moose Areas. Restrict public harvesting areas that wil e ope b lr multipl nfo e acces sensitivn i s e moose area closiny sb g spur personal use permits will be included on the Five- roads during critical seasonal periods. DFG will Year Schedule of Timber Sales. These designated identify sensitive moose area proposen si d timber personal use areas will be subject to the notice sales by May 1 each year so that this information requirement commerciar sfo l salesDeparte Th . - can be included in Forest Land Use Plans for the ment may adopt regulations exempting small and sales. emergency sales from the Five-Year Schedule re- Putting-to-bed. Non-permanent secondary roads quirements. If regulations are adopted, timber spud an r roads wil put-to-bee lb d (see AppendixA sales in the SFG must comply with the regulations. - Glossary definitior fo put-to-bed)f no . Roads put- (See also Forest LandPlane thin Us i s section.) to-bed should be treated to encourage estab- Interagency Notice. Interagency notice shale b l lishmen f foreso t t vegetation immediately after given prior to public notice to allow for resolution forest operations have been completed. In south- of interagency disagreements befor e publith e c central Alaska, browse plants include most willow comment period. species, birch, aspen, cottonwood, high-bush cran- Annual Notice. Annual public notice shale b l berry, labrador tea, and other woody shrubs and provide e Five-Yeath r fo d r Schedul f Timbeeo r forbs. Sales unde followine rth g guidelines. Willo timbeww 8aNe . r acces northere th n si n part . Notic1 e shall include display advertisements of the subunit (approximately that part in T19N) that appear at least twice in Anchorage and will be kept available for additional road vehicle Matanuska-Susitna Valley newspapers. acces recreatior sfo n after harvestin completes gi . Timber access roads extending farther south will Divisioe 2.Th n of Forestry shall maintai nmailina g be closed to road vehicle access after harvesting is lis locaf to l governments, post offices comd an ,- complete. The Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales munity councils, and of interest groups and should include 1:63,360 or larger scale maps of sale individuals that request notification of the Five- Year Schedule of Timber Sales. Annual noticf eo location, access corridors, and identify the type of the Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales should access proposed (e.g., year-round v. seasonal, and partie l mailinsene e al b th o t n so g list. Notices temporary v. permanent) for sales proposed for may be brief, but shall include a map and text offering in the current year or the two subsequent sufficien recipientt le o t t s know whethet no r ro years. sales are proposed in their areas of interest, and shall include directions for obtaining more detailed information on the sale schedule. DNR will mak egooa d faith effor notifo t t y interested parties throug e mailinhth g list. However, failur givo t e e notice under this guideline does not constitute a legal basis for invalidation or delay of this action. For example, Public notice is required for proposed timber sales, notice may fail to reach a party if the party does Forest Lan Planse habitadd Us ,an t enhancement not provide DOF with a current address or if the projects. This section set guidelinee sth publir sfo c party misses a notice while on vacation. notice. . Additiona3 l method notifyinf so publie gth f co General. DOF will provide interagenc publid yan c the sale schedul alsy usede oeb ma . notice of proposed timber sales before decisions are made on sale offerings. See Chapter 1 - Five-Year wilF l4 DO .notif y landowner r lesseeso statf so e Schedule of Timber Sales and Forest Land Use Plans lands near proposed sales proposed for offering followine inth g year. Notification shoule db for more informatio e revieth n wno procesr sfo sent to landowners and lessees within 1 /4-mile proposed sales. of a proposed sale boundary. Notice shall in- Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales. Under AS clud directiond elocatioa an p obtainnr ma sfo - 38.05.113, all timber sales must appear on the Five- ing more detailed information. Borough tax Year Schedule of Timber Sales for at least two records will be used to identify landowners; years. In the SFG area, designated personal use informatio lesseen no s ca obtainee nb d froe mth DNR Division of Land.

- Susitna 0 4 Forestry Guidelines annuaf I . 5 l operating plans propose changes that boundar sala f yeo exempted fro Five-Yeae mth r significantly deviate fro e FLUPmth F DO , Schedule requirement. Notice should be sent when should notify the same landowners notified of the draft Forest Land Use Plan is developed. The the sale through the FLUP or Five-Year notice will includ directiond elocatioa an p nma s Schedule of Timber Sales. Significant devia- for getting more detailed information. tions include actions that would affect nontimber resources, for example, expansion of AS 38.05.945 38.05.94S A . 5 requires public notict ea sale th e boundary, change locatioe th n si f no leas day0 3 t s l timbeprioal o t r r sales other than cutting units, change harvestine th n si g sys- negotiated sales under AS 38.05.115. Notice is not tem, or changes in access routes, or changes in required for personal use harvests less than or the type of access proposed. equal to lOMbf per person. Notice must include newspaper ads, mailing lists, notice to Annual Meetings. DOF will hold one or more municipalities, Native corporations d locaan , l public meetings each year to review proposed tim- postmasters; and at least one other method of ber sales. Meetings will be scheduled to follow publi areaG cSF , noticenewspapee th n I . s ad r distribution of the Five-Year Schedule of Timber should be display ads. Sales. Isolated Personal Use. No public notice is required Map Scale. Five-Yeae Th r Schedule of Timber Sales for individual permit personar sfo wooe lus d har- will include locating timber sales and timber access vesting. Personal use permits may be offered for a at a scale of 1:63,360 or greater for sales proposed maximum of 10 Mbf. for offerin currene subth o n tw i g- te yeath r o r sequent years. The Five-Year Schedule of Timber Habitat Enhancemen DivisioR DN e f Lanno Th td Sales will also identif type yth e of access proposed, should notify the public and affected agencies of for example, whether roads wil permanene lb r o t proposed habitat enhancement activities tha- in t temporary r whetheo , r they wil seasonae b l r o l volve timber harves foresr to t clearing durine gth year-round roads. permit review process. Notice shoul providee db d to organizations and individuals on the mailing list Forest Land Use Plan. A Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) describe guideline th dn i Five-Yearn eo Schedule of is required for all timber sales and harvesting ex- Timber Sales —Annual Notice 2 in this section. cept isolated persona e timbeus l r harvesS (A t 38.05.112) FLUn A . s requirePi r negotiatedfo d During interagency revie drafe th f wt o Five-Year sales unde 38.05.115S rA . Schedule of Timber Sales wilG l notif,DF yR theDN Division of Forestry of forest sites in the SFG area areaG SF , publie Inth c notic FLUPr efo s should that have been identified as candidates for habitat include notice to the DOF mailing list (see Five-Year enhancement. (Forest sites includes high sitd ean Schedule of Timber Sales - Annual Notice 2 in this low site forest types. See Appendix A - Glossary for section). DNR also will notify landowners and les- definition higf ssites.o w h lo site )d san sees of state lands within 1 /4-mile of the proposed

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 41 - Susitna 2 4 Forestry Guidelines Chapter 3 IMPLEMENTATION Chapter 3 - IMPLEMENTATION

This chapter describes specific actions needed to will supersede the procedures for guideline support implementatio guidelinese th f no . They modification in this document and direct modifica- include recommendation r researcfo s h projects, tion procedures. In the interim, the procedures in change lan o st planse dus , plattin rights-off go - this chapter will direct modifications. way, enforcement, and funding. This chapter also Guideline Amendments n amendmenA . t per- includes procedures for changin guidelinee gth o st manently changes the guidelines by adding to or keep them up-to-date. modifying the basic management intent for one or more subunits changiny b r o , g allower do prohibited activities, policies, or guidelines. For example, an amendment might close to clearcut- tin aren ga a where this activit previousls ywa y allowed, allo wparticulaa r activit aren a an yi The policies, implementation actions managed ,an - wherpreviousls wa t ei y prohibited r chango , e ment guideline thif so s documen changee b y tma d guidelinee th lengte th r timbef hsfo o r rotations. if conditions warrant. The Susitna Forestr 55.030C y AA )1 (1 Guidelines (SFG) will be updated periodically as An amendmen revisioa s i t n unde 38.04.065S rA . new data and new technology become available Revisions must by adopted by the Commissioner s changina d an g socia r economio l c conditions of DNR. The Department of Natural Resources will place different demands on state lands. This sec- provide for review by affected agencies and will tion discusses three topics concerning SFG convene the planning team as necessary to make modification: periodic review, changee th o t s recommendations on amendments. guidelines discretiod ,an n within guidelines. Procedures for Amendment. 1. Taking into accoun e requirementth t S A f so PERIODIC REVIEW 38.04.065 (b), the commissioner will prepare a The Susitna Forestry Guidelines wil reviewee lb d written document that specifies: approximately once every five years to determine reason e amendmene *Th th r sfo t such if revision necessarye sar . An interagency planning as changed social or economic conditions; team will conduct this review. * the alternative course of action (what the guidelines are being changed to); and CHANGES TO THE GUIDELINES «• why the amendment is in the best public There are three types of changes to these interest. guidelines: amendments, special exceptions, and 2. Where practical decisioe ,th n shoul pare db f o t minor changes. Amendments and special excep- or circulated with a finding required by AS tions are revisions subject to the planning process 38.05.035(e). requirement 38.04.06S regulatione A th f so d 5an s 3. Before making the final decision on the amend- 55.250C AA ;1 mino1 n i r change note e sar .Th ment e commissioneth , r will providr efo directo DNe th f Rro Divisio Lanf no d determines meaningful public participation and public what constitutes an amendment, special exception, notice consistent with AS 38.04.065(b)(8) and or a minor change. Changes to the guidelines may 38.05.945. This notification will include eth be propose agenciesy db , municipalities memr ,o - points described in 1. and may be combined bers of the public. Requests for changes should be wit publie hth c notice require ape th - y db DivisioR submitteDN Lande f no th o dt . plicable permitting procedure f warranteI . d by the degree of controversy, the commissioner The regulations for plan modification are being may hol dpublia c meeting before makinga revised. When new regulations are adopted, they decision.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 43 Special Exception. A special exception does not 2. Where practical decisioe th , n shoul pare db f to permanently change the provisions of the or circulated with a finding required by AS guidelines and cannot be used as the basis for a 38.05.035(e). ^classification of the subunit. Instead, it allows a 3. Before making the final decision, the commis- one-time, limited purpose variance th f o e sioner will request comments and give public guidelines, without changing their general intent. notice consistent wit 38.04.065(b)(8S hA d an ) For example, a special exception might be used to 38.05.94 affecteo 5t d local governments, state allow specifia c harves habitaa n ti t buffer closeo dt and federal agencies, adjacent landowners, and harvesting if DFG requested the cut to benefit the general public. This notification will include wildlife habitat. (11 A AC 55.030) point combinee e b th y s describema d an . 1 dn i with the public notice required by the applicable Special exception alsy oma s occur whee nth permitting procedure. If warranted by the de- proposed activity requires onl ysmala l para f o t gree of controversy, the commissioner may hold management subunit, does not change or modify a public meeting before makin gdecisiona . the general intenguidelinese th f o t served ,an o st clarif r facilitato y e implementatioth e e th f o n guidelines. An example would be allowing a Minor Change. A minor change is not considered a prohibite basee d us mor n do e detailed data n ai revision under AS 38.04.065. A minor change is a small area on the edge of a management subunit change e thath to t doe t d modifno sad r o y next to a subunit where it is allowed. guidelines basic intent, and that serves only to clarif guidelinese th y , make them consistent, A special exception migh madee b t complyin^f i g facilitate their implementation, or make technical wit guidelinee hth s woul excessivele db y burden- corrections A1 A(1 .C 55.030) som r impracticaeo f complianci r o l e woule db inequitable to a third party, and if the purposes and Minor change discretiomade e sth ar t e ea th f no spirit of the guidelines can be achieved despite the DNR Division of Land Southcentral Region Manager exception. (11 A AC 55.030) and do not require public review. Affected agencies wil notifiee b l havd opportunitdan n e a como yt - A special exception canno usee tb reclassifdo t n ya ment; the comment period may be provided area. Special exception apply sma prohibiteo yt d through existing inter-agency review processes for uses or guidelines. associated actions e regionaTh . l manager's decision appealee b directore y th sma o e dt Th . Special Exceptions to Guidelines Modified by director's decision may be appealed to the commis- "Will" "Shall".r o Special exception guidelineo st s sioner. modified by the word "will" or "shall" may be allowed for individual actions. The decision not Discretion Within Guidelines. Some guidelines, like to follow a pertinent guideline modified by the those modifie e termth y sb d "feasibl prud an e - term "will" will be consistent with the procedures dent," "feasible, "shouldd an " writtee "ar allono t w for special exceptions. for exception conditione th f si s describee th n di Procedures Specialfor Exceptions. policy are met. See Appendix A - Glossary for the definition thesf so e terms proceduree .Th - al r sfo 1. Taking into accoun requiremente tth s of AS 38.04 lowing exception theso st e guidelines follow- Al . 065(b), the director will prepare a written lowing exceptions following these procedures are decision that specifies: neither revision changer sguidelinesno e th o st . * the reasons for the special exception (i.e., why a varianc guidelinee th f eo needed)s i ; Guidelines Modified "Feasibleby Prudent"and or *• the alternative action or course of action to be "Feasible". Exceptions to guidelines modified by followed; the phrase "feasible and prudent" or "feasible" (see «• why the special exception is in the best public Appendix - Glossary A r definitions- fo al e b y ma ) interest; and lowed afte stepe th r s outlined below have been taken. * how the general intent of the guidelines managemend an e th ty unib t t wilme e lb alternative course of action.

44 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines regionae 1Th . l manager will prepar ewrittea n document that specifies: * the conditions that make compliance with the guideline not feasible or not feasible Information on forest management in the Susitna and prudent; are relativels ai y limited. Additional researcs hi + the alternative course of action to be necessar tailoo yt r forest managemen soilse th o ,t followedd ;an vegetation, wildlifefisd han othed an , r resources intenguidelinee e th th f w to ho «d • san of southcentral Alaska plannine Th . g team iden- management unit will be met by the tifie followine dth g particular concern strongd san - alternative course of action. ly supports researc thesn ho e topics. 2. Where practical decisioe th , n shoul pare db f o t Regeneration. Little information exist reforestan so - or circulated wit ha findin g requireS A y db tion that is specific to the Susitna Forestry 38.05.035(e). Guidelines area. Grass competition, browsingd ,an wet soils can hinder both natural regeneration and . Befor3 e makin finae gth l decision directoe th , r planting. Additional researc s needehi apn do - will give notification required by the applicable permitting procedur d requesean t propriate methods of site preparation and refores- comments on the proposed action. This Susitne tatioth r nfo a Forestry Guidelines area. notification will include the points described Needed studies include: in1 . * Effect fertilizatiof so scarifief no d soin lo forest regeneration. Guidelines Modified by "should". Exception to «• Effect fertilizatiof so seedlinn no g establishment guidelines modified by the word "should" can be vegetativd an e competition. made by the DNR Division of Land Southcentral * Escapement of hardwood seedling moosn si e Region manager manager'e th r ,o s designeese .Th browse areas. guideline does, however, stat intenn ea t that shoul mete db , using the best managerial practices «• Post-harvest impact recreatiof so othed nan r for the given situation. These exceptions require a public uses on forest regeneration. written justificatio administrative th n ni e record. Rotation Ages. Rotations based on site indices are The justification should briefly outline how the tailore individuado t l site conditions. Estimatef so action meet e intenguideline e th s th th y f to wh r eo appropriate rotations based on site indices should particular circumstances justify deviation from the be developed when updated information for the intended actio conditionsr no . Susitna valley is available from the USDA Soil Conservation Service. DOF should determine whether these rotations should replace existing rotations and recommend appropriate changes durin update g th SFG e th f e.o (See Chapter Timber- 2 Sale Program and Timber Base, Rotation Length). Forest Succession. Little information exist foresn so t successio Susitne th n i a valley. Information that would contribute to wise management of Susitna valley forests includes studie foresf so t succession patterns d historian , c frequenc f fireo y , windthrow, disease, and other disturbances. Shoreline Management. The Forest Practices Act and Susitna Forestry Guidelines are intended to help protect streams and lakes and the fish, wildlife, recreation, and scenic resources associated with them. However, information of the effectivenes f existino s g shoreline management techniques in boreal forests is scarce, and very

Susitna Forestry Guidelines - 45 littl specifis ei southcentrao ct l Alaska. Analysif so the effects of existing shoreline management techniques, and determination of the most appropriate techniques for the Susitna valley are high priorities for research. Winter Roads. Little information on winter road con- resourcG GeneralSF e eTh .reports , summarf yo struction exist r southcentrafo s l Alaska. Snow resource informatio r individuafo n l unitsd an , depth d soian sl temperatures vary significantly public comments will be provided to the Susitna from conditions in the interior Alaska and North and Willow Subbasin area plan update process as Slope area f Alasko s d Canadan a a where most background information. research has been conducted. Studies are needed Land Disposals Susitne Th . a Area Plan (SAP) upon: date should consider whether or not unsold lots in 4 Long-term impacts of winter roads in forested areas wher demane eth personar dfo wooe lus s di and muskeg regions of the Susitna Forestry likely to exceed supply should be kept in public Guidelines area, ownership or the number of new lots offered for sale limited. Appropriat* e standards for winter road construc- Susitne tioth n i a Forestry Guidelines are- ain Recreation and Habitat. More specific management cluding ground, snow r froso , t conditions intent for areas designated for public recreation needed prio constructiono rt d ,an or fish and wildlife habitat is needed. Current * Appropriate standards for ice bridge construc- intent statement insufficiene sar resolvo t t e land tion in the SFG area. use conflicts between recreation and habitat, and between these activitie othed san r land usesn I . Experimental Forests & Natural Areas. There is no com- determining management intent for recreation, prehensive inventor f candidato y - e ex site r fo s the Susitna Area Plan update should consider the perimental forests and research natural areas in the rang f recreatioeo n opportunities describen di Susitna Forestry Guidelines area. The Susitna Area Appendix Recreation- E Opportunity Spectrumfor Plan update should coordinate with the Alaska the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Area. Natural Heritage Program to review state lands for candidate sites. Eagles. The SAP update should review the litera- tur disturbancn eo f eaglo e e nesting sited an s Herbicides studA . herbicidf yo e effect fisn d so h an review existing guideline determino st changef ei s wildlife and habitat should be conducted prior to needee ar proteco dt t eagle nesting sites from dis- operational herbicide use in the SFG area. The turbances other than logging. study should cover: Research Natural Areas and Experimental Forests. The * Direct adverse effect herbicidef so non-tarn so - area plan update should consider establishmenf to get fish and wildlife species, and a contingency research natural area experimentad san l forestn si plan for mitigating impacts on fish and wildlife, the Susitna valley. * Effects of shrub competition on growth and Trailsaree Th a . plan update should reviee wth surviva sprucf lo bircd ean h regeneration; iden- Susitna and Willow Subbasin area plan standards tificatio whaf no t amoun duratiod tan comf no - petition suppresses tree growth, for trail corridor width and management of trail corridors. Unless differences are merited by public * Effects of herbicides on riparian habitat; iden- use or site characteristics, consistent standards tificatio size buffef th e o f no r neede prevendo t t shoul plannindevelopeo e db tw e th gr areasdfo . contamination of aquatic habitats, South Park . This2 s unilarga s i t e heterogeneous * Effect herbicidf so amoune th n eo t of browsed ,an area. The plan update should review the topog- * Persistence of herbicide residues in soil and raphy, vegetation, land uses othed an , r charac- method monitorinr sfo g herbicide persistence. teristics of this unit, determine appropriate subunit Grazing. The team also supports the research on the boundaries develod an , p management intenr fo t impact grazinf so timben go wildlifd ran e manage- each subunit. ment recommended in Chapter 4 of the Kashwitna Management Plan.

46 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines South Parks 11. The SAP update should reconsider Susitna Lowlands 14a and 14e. The SAP update the Forestry - co-primary designation on state should consider adding the forested part of 14a to lands in this subunit. The designation of forestry Subunit 14e. This is the land along the Susitna as a primary use does not reflect the resource River in or south of T22N, R5W, Sections 34: value statn so e lands. Forest land thin si s subunit SV4SV4 and 35: SV4SV6. The update should also are nearly all on borough lands. State forest lands determine if the appropriate designation for the in this subunit sufficienno e tar suppor o t t t com- remainder of 14a is to keep forestry as a secondary mercial sales. use, to specify that timber will be managed for South Parks 12a and 12b. During the update of the personal use, or to drop forestry from the desig- Susitna Area Plan, the planning team should nated uses. revie reconsided wan lan e designatione rth d us s updatP SA e WilloshoulTh . w4b d reconsidee rth legislativd an e recommendation subunitr sfo s 12a appropriate designation for the part of Subunit 4b and 12b. In most of subunits 12a and 12b, eleva- nort Littlf ho e Willow Creek. Current soils infor- tion highee sar r than 1000', timber resourcee sar mation indicates that this area may not merit an limited accesd ,an difficults i . agriculture designation. Areat sno thae ar t South updatParkP SA s e 13b shoulTh . d consider propose agriculturar dfo othele salth ern i partf so establishing a ROW for this trail that would be subunie th t shoul consideree db additior dfo o nt limite trai o donlye t lus . Subuni. t4a Petersville Road 1a. The SAP update should desig- Willow 6 and 8a. The update should review the nate recreatioe th n sites identifie Subunin di . la t Willow Subbasin Area Plan guidelin harvestr efo - The update should develop management inteno tt along Susitnin e gth a Rive thesn ri e subunits. This guide use of these parcels until recreation facilities guideline differs from the regionwide SFG sitee fodesignede th rs ar guidelinee Th . s should guidelines for Shoreline Management Zones and minimize harvestin othed gan r activities that could Islands and Up welling Areas (see Chapter! - Rivers, decreas e valu eth r recreatio efo n development. Streams, and Lakes). Unless difference meritee sar d The plan should also determine if harvesting is by site characteristics or public use, consistent allowe landn d o t necessar s no recreatioe th r yfo n standards should be established. site after site desig completens i . Willow 12d. The Willow Subbasin Area Plan update Susitna Lowlands. The SAP update should review should reconsider the designations in this subunit. access option Susitne th n si a Lowlands timbef I . r The Forestry - co-primary designation does not harvest planninsG occurSF e gth , team recom- reflect the resource values. Timber resources in the mends that the preferred route for timber access is unit can be made available for individual personal a single corridor through the central part of subuni largt t no permitse ee us enougar t ,bu supporho t t route Th 1 e. 1 shoula closelt dno y parallel eithee rth commercial sale establisher so d persona hare lus - Kahiltna River nor Kroto Creek, to minimize ad- vest areas. verse impacts on these important recreational waterways. Acces Kroto st o Creek, Peters Creek, and the Kahiltna River should be by spurs, rather than access routes parallelin riverbanke gth . Susitna Lowlands 9c and 12a. The SAP update should Adequate staf fielr fo fd research, timber sald ean designate specific primary uses for the resource road design, monitoring, and enforcement are es- management land Susitnn si a Lowlands subunits sential to implementation of the Susitna Forestry 12ad 9can . Change accessn i interesd san activn ti e Guidelines. Current staff levels are inadequate for timber management on these lands and adjacent these tasks Susitne Th . a Forestry Guidelines borough lands make these units inappropriatr efo recommend that additional funds be obtained and continued resource management designations. dedicated to staff for these activities. The Susitna Forestry Guidelines recommend that the legislature give DNR authority to enforce timber trespass, activities that exceed those allowedn i timber sale contracts othed ,an r unauthorized uses of state forest lands.

Susitna Forestry Guidelines47 - Trails identifie Susitne th n di a Forestry Guidelines shoul recordee db statun do s plats afte plae th rs n i completed.

48 - Susitna Forestry Guidelines APPENDICES Appendix A- GLOSSARY

AAC. Alaska Administrative Code. Clearcuts. Cuts wher treel e harvesteal e sar d within All-season road. A road constructed and intended a cutting unit, and where the cutting unit is five seasonl usete oal yearb e n di th f .so acres or greater in size. Amendment. An amendment permanently changes Closed forests. Forest lands on which trees cover the guidelines by adding to or modifying the basic more than 50% of the surface area. management inten morr o t foe er subunitson y b r ,o Codominant trees. Trees with crowns which form changing allowe prohibiter do d activities, policies, the general level of the forest canopy and receive or guidelines. For example, an amendment might full light from abov t relativelebu y little froe mth close to clearcutting an area where this activity was sides. previously allowed, allo wparticulaa r activitn yi Commercia e woodus l . Wood harveste r saledfo , an area s wherpreviouslwa t ei y prohibitedr o , barter r otheo , r commercial purposes. Thi- in s change the guidelines for the length of timber rota- cludes wood use construco dt t lodge othed san r tions. commercial facilities heao t r to , these facilities Anadromous fish stream. Streams identified by DFG during the period of commercial operation. Cataloge th n i of Anadromous Waters anadromoue ar s Commissioner. The Commissioner of the Depart- streams 41.17.118(cS A . ) clarifies tha lien i tf uo men f Naturao t l Resources, unless otherwise site-specific determinations that a stream does or specified. doe t contaisno n anadromous fish shouldt i , r ,fo planning purposes, be presumed that a stream is Conditional area. Area where timber harvestins gi anadromous if it is connected to anadromous allowed as long as special guidelines (conditions) waters without DFG-documented physical are met. Meeting these condition reducy sma e eth streablockaga s ha m d gradienlessr ean o .% 8 f to amoun f timbeo t r availabl r harvestingefo r Fo . Wher previouea s sit t beeeno visins madeha t , example, a shoreline management zone allows DFG will, at the operator's request, conduct a timber harvestin f speciagi l guideline r thisfo s field revie o documenwt e presencth t f o e zon mete ear . anadromous fish. The field review will be Consultation. Processes followed by the Depart- scheduled when anadromous fislikele e har b yo t ment of Natural Resources under existing sitpresene accessibles eth i d tan . statutes, regulations and procedures to inform Annual allowabl average Th t ecu volum timbef eo r other group intentioe th f so takno t e some action, t frocu m foresa e b thay t thatma t will maintaina seed an k their advic assistancr eo decidinn ei g balance between net growth and harvest while what to do. Consultation is not intended to be meeting the management intent for the forest land. binding on a decision. It is a means of informing affected organization d individualan s s about AS. Alaska Statutes. forthcoming decisions and getting the benefit of Board foot. A unit of measure for wood equal to a their expertise replieR DN partieo s.t s offering block of wood one-foot square and one inch thick advice or assistance by sending them the decision a"xl2'"xl2"). reasone th d san for whic decisioe hth mades nwa , Broadcast burning. The management technique o fnotifyiny b r o g them tha decisioe th t findd nan - burning slas other ho r vegetation withinan area for ing available sar reviewr efo . purpose th enhancemenf eo foresf to t regeneration, Co-primary use. Designation where more than one fire hazard reduction, or habitat improvement. primara s i e us y use. Wildlife Habita Publid an t c Burn plan documenA . t includin gfira e prescription Recreatio alse nar o primary use landn so s where and an assessment of likely impacts to air quality, Forestr designates yi dprimara y use thesn O . e water quality, and other resources such as wildlife lands Wildlife Habitat, Public Recreationand , habita recreationd tan burA . n plan also specifies Forestr co-primare yar y uses. Co-primary uses measure controllinr sfo proposee gth d burn. must be managed to be compatible with each other.

Appendix A-49 Co-primary uses have equal status: no co-primary Due deference. That deference whic appropriats hi e use is more important than the others. in the context of the commented s expertise and Cover habitat. Cover habitat includes hiding cover, area of responsibility, and all the evidence avail- snow interception cover, and thermal cover. See able to support any factual assertions. Where due the individual definitions of these terms. deference is given, if the commissioner does not agree wit ha commentin g agency e commisth , - Critical protection area or sites. The highest level of sioner shall prepare a written statement of the wildfire suppression. This designatio uses ni r dfo reasons for the disagreement. (AS 41,17.098) area sited san s where fire present- im reasa d an l mediate threat to human safety and designated Eagle nesting sites. Nesting sites mapped by physical developments. Fires burnin thesn gi e USFWS from their bald eagle survey showd san n areas will be immediately and aggressively sup- on the map "Bald Eagle Nesting Sites" accompany- pressed. ing these guidelines .e adde r b o Site n o dt ca s deleted from the map based on new information Cutting aren uniA at withi na timbe r sale from from USFWS eagle survey inspectior so n of specific which trees are actually removed. (See Chapter 2 - sites. Additions or deletions will be made by DNR Figure1.) concurrencn i USFWSd ean witG h.DF Changeo st DEC. Department of Environmental Conservation. the map will be based on physical characteristics for nestin evidencd gan usef eo . Decking piline .Th logsf go . Experimental forest Forest land retained for forest Designated personal use area. See Personal use. research that involves site manipulation or long- Designated use. The land use(s) identified by desig- term observation (e.g., timber management re- nations (see following definition) in a land use search, habitat enhancement research). plan. Designated uses include primary, co- Feasible. Capabl beinf eo g accomplishe suca n di - primary, and secondary uses. Forestry is one of the cessful manner withi nreasonabla e perio timef do , designated use landn so s wit followine hth g desig- taking into account economic, environmental, nations: Forestry - co-primary, Forestry - secon- technical, and safety factors. (11 A AC 95.900) dary, Forestry - personal use (this may be either a primar secondarr yo y use) Resourcd ,an e Manage- Feasible and prudent Consistent with sound en- ment. gineering practice and not causing environmental, socia r economio l c problems that outweige hth Designation categorA . f lanyo d allocation deter- public benefi derivee b o t d from compliance with mine lan a plan e y ddb us . Designations identife yth the guideline. (6 AAC 80.900) primary and secondary uses for state lands. Desig- nations where forestr s allowei y d include land Fire prescription. A document stating the objectives where Forestr s designateyi da primar e yus oproposea f d burn (for example amoune th , f o t (Forestry - co-primary) or a secondary use slash to be removed and the intensity of the burn), (Forestr - ysecondary) d lanan , d designated and identifies the weather conditions needed to Resource Management. Forestry - co-primary or mee objectivese tth . Forestr ysecondar- y designation specify sma y that Forestry. Any activity or structure for the harvest timber harvest is allowed only for personal use. or management of timber resources. Thes Forestrs a p e areama y - showe e sar th n no Forestr yco-primary• . Land wheref forestro e on s yi personal use designations. the designated primary uses. Timber harvest for DFG. Alaska Departmen Fisf Gameo td han . commercia personad lallowean s i e lus d consistent DNR. Alaska Department of Natural Resources. with the Susitna Forestry Guidelines and the management inten guidelined an t s fro lane mth d DOF. Alaska Departmen f Naturao t l Resources, use plan for the affected area. Division of Forestry. Forestr personay• l use. Land where timber harvest DPOR. Alaska Department of Natural Resources, is a primary or secondary use, but is allowed only Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. for personal use. DOT/PF. Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

Appendix- 0 5 A Forestr ysecondary• . Land wheref forestro e on s yi Identified trumpeter swan nesting sites. Nesting sites the designated secondary uses. Timber harvest for mapped by USFWS in their 1975,1980, and 1985 commercia personad lan l vis allowees i d when con- swan surveys and shown on the map "Trumpeter sistent with the management intent for the primary Swan Nesting Sites" accompanying this uses. Harvesting must also be consistent with the guidelines adde.e deleter b Site o n o dst ca d from Susitna Forestry Guideline guidelined san s from the map based on new information from USFWS affecte e lan e plae th th r dus n fo d area. swan surveys or inspection of specific sites. Addi- Full protection area. The second highest category of tion deletionr so s wil made lb e by DN concurRn i - wildfire suppression. Fire thin si s category wile lb rence with DFG and USFWS. Changes to the map controlled through immediate and aggressive sup- will be based on physical characteristics for nest- pression. ing, evidence of use for nesting within the prior 20 years, and presence or absence of human distur- Goal. A statement of basic intent or of a general bance. condition desired in the long term. Goals usually are not quantifiable nor do they have specified Landing cleareA . dwoode areth n awhici o st h logs are yarded for loading onto trucks for shipment to dates for achievement. a processing plant. Group selection cuts. Cuts wher l tree eal hare sar - vested within a cutting unit, and where the cutting Land use designations. See "Designation". unit is less than five acres in size. (See diagram on Land use plan. A plan developed and adopted last page.) unde 38.04.06S rA 5 that determines management Guideline specifiA . c cours actiof eo n that muse tb intent, designations guidelined ,an statr sfo e land. followed when a resource manager permits, leases, Land use plans in the SFG area include the Susitna or otherwise authorize statf o e slandsus . Some Area Plan, Willow Subbasin Area Plan, Kashwitna guidelines stat intene eth t that mus followee b t d Management Plan, Fish Creek Management Plan, and allow flexibility in achieving it. Guidelines Deception Creek Lan Plane Susitnd Us ,an a Basin range from giving general guidanc decisionr efo - Recreation Rivers Management Plan. making or identifying factors to consider, to setting Large woody debris. Any large piece of relatively detailed standards for on-the-ground decisions. stable woody material having a least diameter of Harvest unit. One or more cutting units plus the greate lengta (4"d r m thac an )h 0 greaten1 r than uncut areas between them totae .Th l area of cutting 1m (3.3ft) that intrudes into the stream channel. units within a harvest unit is generally 5-50 acres. Legislatively designated area. An area established by Unless otherwise specifie particulaa r fo d r sale, an act of the legislature for special management. harvest units will be separated by a buffer of at least Legislatively designated areas in the SFG vicinity 330 feet. include: Susitna Basin State Recreation Rivers (five Hiding cover. Hiding cove vegetatios ri n capablf eo river corridors), Susitna Flats State Game Refuge, hiding 90% of a standing adult moose from the and Willow Creek State Recreation Area. view of a human at a distance of 200 feet. General- Limited action area. The lowest level of wildfire sup- ly, hiding cover is provided by vegetation that is at pression. Fires in limited action areas will be al- least 13 to 20 feet high. lowe buro dt n wit e exceptiohth f necessarno y High site. Forest lands with open mixed forest, action to prevent undesirable escape from the area. closed mixed forest, open cottonwood, closed cot- Critical sites within such areas will receive specific tonwood closer ,o d white spruce cover definie Se . - protection. tions of open forest and closed forest. Low site. Forest lands with open white spruce, open Ice bridge bridg acrosA e . ic f eo lakesa , riverr o , black spruce, or closed black spruce cover. See stream, either natural or constructed to a specified definition opef so n fores closed tan d forest. thicknes safelo st y accommodate specified vehicle Mainline road. A permanent, year-round road built loads. to provide acces continuino st g harvest operations and identified by DOF as a mainline road at the time the road is designed.

Appendix A-51 Management intent statement. The statements that Personal use (timber harvest). Timber harvest for use defin e department'th e s near d long-teran - m by the harvester. Wood harvested for personal use management objective e methodth d o an st s solde b ma t , ybarteredno user ,commerciao r dfo l achieve those objectives. purposes (11 AAC 71.050). Personal use wood Minor change. A change that does not modify of add may not be used to build lodges or other commer- guidelinee toth s basic intent thad ,an t serves only cial facilitie heao t r to s these facilities durine gth to clarify the guidelines, make them consistent, perio commerciaf do l operation. Harves woof to d facilitate their implementation makr o , e technical for personal use is authorized in personal use har- corrections. A minor change is not considered a vest areas designate Divisioe th y db Forestrf no y revision to the guidelines. throug Five-Yeae hth r Schedul Timbef eo r Saler so remotn i e areas under individual permit perr sfo - Modified action areae thirTh .d highest categorf yo sonal use. Designated personal use areas are lo- wildfire suppression. Fires wil containee b l - dun cated near road opee acces multiplr ar nfo d san e less otherwise directe lane th dy dmanageb r o r persona permitse us l . (See also Forestry-Personal owner upon completion of an annual evaluation. Use in this appendix. Multiple use. The term "multiple use" as defined in Pesticide. Any chemical or biological agent in- Alaske th a Forest Resource Practiced S san (A t sAc tended for use as an insecticide, herbicide, roden- 41.17.950) means: ticide, fungicide, or other biocide. (18 AAC 1. The management of all the various resources of 90.060(9)) forest land so that they are used in the com- Phase (area). One of three regions of the Susitna bination that will best mee neede e th th t f so Forestry Guidelines area that determinee th s citizens of Alaska, making the most judicious timing of timber management and development of use of the land for some or all of these resour- access to timber on state land. See p.7 for a descrip- cer relateo s d values, benefits d servicean , s tion of the three phases. over areas large enough to provide sufficient latitude for periodic adjustment in use to con- Policy intenden A . d cours actiof eo principla r no e for changinmo t g need conditionsd san ; for guiding actions. DNR policie r land fo s dan 2. That some land will be used for less than all of resource management give thesn ni e guidelines the resourcesd ;an include goals, management intent statements, management guidelines designationse us d ,an - ,im 3. Harmoniou coordinated san d managemenf o t plementation plan proceduresd san varioud an , s the various resources, each with the other, other statement DNR'f so s intentions. without significant impairmen produce th f to - tivity of the land and water, with considera- Primary road. A permanent road which provides tion being relativgivee th o nt e valuee th f so access to within at least five miles of the manage- various resources t necessarilno d an ,e yth ment site. It is built to accommodate two way combinatio usef no s that will giv greatese eth t traffic at moderate speeds. dollar return or the greatest unit output. Primary use designatedA . , allowe f majoo e rdus Multipl roade roaeus A . d constructe intended dan d importance in a particular management unit. to be used for more than one use, such as timber Resource e unith t n i swil e manageb l - en o dt harvest, recreation, hunting access, and mining. courage, develo r protecpo t this use. Wherea Off-highway vehicle. A vehicle designed or adapted management unit has two or more designated for cross-country operation over unimproved ter- primary uses, the management intent statement rain, ice, or snow, and which has been determined and guidelines for the unit - together with existing by the Department of Transportation and Public regulation d procedurean s - swil l direcw ho t Facilitie unsuitable b o st e for general highway use. resource managee sar avoio dt minimizr do e con- (ISAAC 40.010) flict between these primary uses. Off-road vehicle. Same as off-highway vehicle. Prohibited area aren A .a where timber harvestings i not allowed. Open forest. Forest land on which trees cover 10- 50% of the surface area.

Appendix- 2 5 A Prohibited Use. A use not allowed in a management agricultural areas designated resource manage- unit because of conflicts with management intent, men agriculturae lons th a t s ga l potentiat no s i l designated primar secondarr yo y uses manager ,o - diminished. Resource management designations ment guidelines. Uses not specifically prohibited will be reevaluated when land use plans are nor designated as primary or secondary uses in a reviewed or when conditions affecting the poten- management unit are allowed if compatible with thf o e tia e arelus a change, for example, when road primar secondard yan y uses managemene ,th - tin access is improved or when better information is tent statemente plan'th e unitd sth an r , fo s availabl benefite th costn d eo san s o possiblfa e use. guidelines. Rotation. The period of years required to establish Put-to-bed. A process to stabilize and terminate the and grow timber to a specified condition of o e logginfa us g road, trail other ,o r means of access maturity. by highway vehicles. Roadbed scarifiee b y sma d Salvage cutting. A harvest of trees killed or injured to encourage revegetation; culverts, bridges, etc., to recove mucs ra h useable woo possibls da e prior may be removed; scarification is done; final grad- to deterioration and decomposition. dons i g preveno et in t erosion; watee rb bary sma constructed, barricade e erectedn b i y d ma san , Scarification. Mechanical proces f exposino s g some cases the surface is seeded to reduce erosion. minera forese l th soi n tl o floo orden ri enhanco rt e establishmene th developmend tan foresw ne ta f to Recreation e SFGth n I , .recreatio n includee th s crop. range of opportunities and settings described in Appendix Recreation- E Opportunity Spectrum forthe Seasonal wildlife concentration area. Area in which Susitna Forestry Guidelines Area. densite th animalf yo givea f so n species exceeds the density of that species in the surrounding Remote cabin. Cabin constructed under a permit area and is necessary to the perpetuation of the issued through the Remote Cabin Permit program population. authorize 38.05.07S A n di furthed 9an r described in ll AAC67.700-.790. Secondary road. A road constructed and main- taine standarddo t s sufficien timber fo t r transpor- Research natural area. Ecologically representativr eo tation that provides acces harveso t s t areas. unique sites maintained in a natural state for Secondary roads connect spur roads to primary education, long-term observation research, and en- roads. vironmental monitoring. Secondary use designatedA . , allowe e condus - Resource management Resource management areas sidered important but intended to receive less em- are designated by land use plans. This designation phasis than a primary use because it (a) has less uses i d whe followine l fouth n al f lan o rs dha g potential tha primarna contributer o e yus s leso st characteristics: 1) significant existing or potential achievin managemene gth t intenunie th tf thato n valu morr efo e tha lan e whee n don poten us e nth - a primary use or, (b) occurs only on limited sites. tia compatiblt more lr useo no th f e e eo s ar on d ean In those very site-specific situations where a secon- potential uses requires land disposal (i.e., settle- highes ha dar e ry us valu e tha nprimara y usee ,th ment or agriculture); 2) inadequate existing infor- secondar taky ema precedence yus e ovee th r matio establisno t highese hth t value lane th df so primary use but only for a limited area of the lone foth r g existintermo n ) 3 ; g road accessr no , management unit. Management for a secondary likelihoo accesf do s being develope nexe th tn di use will recognize and protect primary uses yearsn fivte o et . Accessible land definee sar s da through application of guidelines, regulationsd ,an those within five miles of roads that can be traveled procedures. However, if a secondary use can not by 4-wheel drive vehicles; and 4) resource take place without detrimentally affecting a development (e.g., farm development, timber har- managemene primarth n i e yus t wholeunia s a t , vests, habitat enhancement) is unlikely in the next the secondary use will not be allowed. If more than five to ten years. Land under a resource manage- one secondary use is identified in a subunit, the ment designation will be available for public use in uses are co-secondary. Co-secondary uses must be the near term, provided that the uses are not managed to be compatible with each other. Co- detrimenta potentiae th o t l l long term uses iden- secondary uses have equal status: no co-secondary tified when the designation was established. For use is more important than the others. example, timber may be harvested from potential

Appendix A-53 Seed tree harvesting harvestinA . g syste mwhicn i h Silviculture theore Th practicd . yan controllinf eo g most trees are removed from a stand and openings forest establishment, composition growthd ,an . are created. Openings are similar in size to clearcuts but about 5-10 of the best mature trees are left Single-tree selection. A harvesting system in which standin n eacgo h acr provido t e ea goo d seed harvested tree selectee e basie sar th th f so n do source for forest regeneration. characteristic f individuao s l trees, suc s sizeha , form healthd an , . Stands manage single-trey db e Selective harvesting. Remova f maturo l e timber, selection have trees of many ages and sizes. Open- usuall oldese yth largesr o t t trees, eithe singls ra e ing standn si s manage single-trey db e selectioe nar scattered trees or in small groups at relatively short small, usually created by harvesting an individual intervals, commonl years0 2 o t , y5 repeate - din adjacenw fe trea r eto trees. (See also Chapter• 3 definitely, by means of which the continuous es- Harvesting Systems, Single-tree Selection.) tablishmen naturaf to l reproductio encouragens i d Site preparation activity An . preparyo t reforesr efo - and an uneven-aged stand is maintained. Selective tation land where timber harves s occurredha t . harvesting includes both single-tree selectiod nan Site preparation includes scarification to prepare a group selection harvesting. seedbe r naturadfo r artificiao l l seedin- ac d gan Settlement designatioA . n used where state land tivities to prepare a harvested area for tree plant- has been sold for propose s privati r o e eus d for sale. ing. Persona forestre lus allowes yi secondara s da e yus Skid. To pull logs from the stump to the skidroad in areas in the SFG designated for settlement. and landing. Shall. Requiring a course of action or a set of con- Slash. Debris left after logging; also, larg- eac dition achievede b o st guidelinA . e modifiey db cumulations of debris after wind or fire. It includes e worth d "shall s requirei " e followeb o dt y b d logs, chunks, bark, branches, stumps broked ,an n resource managers or users. If a guideline con- understory or brush. strained by the term "shall" is not complied with, a written decision justifyin variatioe gth requirens i d Snags. Dead standing trees or portions thereof. (see Chapter 3 - Proceduresfor Guideline Modification). Snow interception cover. Snow interception cover is Shelterwood. A timber harvesting system in which vegetation that reduces snow e depthth n o s morr ao serieo e cuttingtw f so usee s ar ensur do t e ground. Shallower snow reduces the energy regeneration while keeping some cover on the site needed for wildlife movement. In southcentral at all times. Cuttings may be in strips, blocks, or Alaska, stands with 70% coniferous trees with a dispersed throughou harvese tth t area. mean height of 35 feet provide optimal snow interception cover. Forest stands with lower propor- Shoreline management zone. Land betwee fee0 n10 t tion coniferouf so s trees offer proportionally less fee0 t30 frod man anadromou higr so h value resi- snow interception cover. dent fish waterbodies (AS 41.17.118(a)(2)) and land between 100 feet and 300 feet from lakes. See also Sound cull treA . e that becaus rotf eo , curvesr o , Chapter 2 - Rivers, Streams, and Lakes - Shoreline other defect suitablt e no b s si lumber n efo ca t rbu Management Zones, used for pulp and fiber. Should. Stating inten coursa r tfo t actiof ese o a r no Special exception. A special exception does not per- of conditions to be achieved. A guideline modified manently change the provisions of the guidelines. by the word "should" states the intent of the Instead t allowi , a one-times , limited-purpose guideline and allows a resource manager to use varianc guidelinese th f eo , without changing their judgmen discretiod tan decidinn i g e eitheth ) r(a general intent For example, a special exception specific means for best achieving the intent or (b) might be used to allow a specific harvest in a whether particular circumstances justify deviation habitat buffer close o harvestindt reG - DF f gi fro intendee mth conditionsf do actiot se r no A . queste harvese dth benefio t t wildlife habitat. guidelin y includma e e criteri r decidinfo a g Spur road roaA . d constructe accesr dfo s within whether such a deviation is justified. a timber sale. These roads are generally temporary roads less tha mile nlengthon n e i . Spur roads connect the cutting units to secondary (or occasionally primary) roads.

5 4Appendix- A State land. All land, including uplands, tidelands, Trumpeter swan staging areas. Areas traditionally submerged an d lands resourcer ,o s belonginr o go t use flocky db f trumpeteo s r swans, usuall- yes acquired by the State. State patented, tentatively tuaries and tide flats, for feeding and resting approved, and state selected lands are included in during fall or spring migration. this definition. USDA. United States Department of Agriculture. Subunit. Areas of land that are generally Will. Used interchangeably wit meanind han e gth homogeneous with respect to resources, topog- sam "shalls ea " (see above). raphy land ,an d ownership designated ,an d uses. Subunit boundaries are determined by land use Wetlands. Wetlands include both freshwated an r bace th kn i pocke p plan ma f show d to e san th n no saltwater wetlands. Freshwater wetlands means theSFG. those environments characterized by rooted vegetation whic s partiallhi y submerged either Sustained yield 38.04.91S A . 0 (11) defines multiple continuousl periodicallr yo surfacy yb e freshwater foe rus state land manage DNy db R"Thes a achieve- with less than .5 parts per thousand salt content ment and maintenance in perpetuity of a high level and not exceeding three meters in depth; annual regularor periodic output various ofthe renew- saltwater wetlands means those coastal areas able resources of the state land consistent with multiple along sheltered shorelines characterizey b d use." AS 41.17.950(15) is specific to forest land and halophilic hydrophytes and macro-algae extend- adds that sustained yield "does requiret no that timing from extreme low tide to an area above ex- ber be harvested in a non-declining basis over a rotation treme high tide whic influences hi spraa se y db period." or tidally-influenced water table changes. (6 Thermal cover. Thermal cove s vegetatioi r n that A AC 80.900). Class I wetlands e wetlandar s moderates adverse climatic condition providy sb - large rl wetland al thaacre0 d n10 an s s witha ing summer shad trappind ean g radiant energyn i locatable stream outlet. Class II wetlands are wintere th . In southcentral Alaska, stands with 70% wetlands between 40 and 100 acres with no out- coniferous trees with a mean height of 35 feet pro- let. Class III wetlands area wetlands less 40 vide optimal thermal cover. Forest stands with acres wit outleto hn . lower proportions of coniferous trees offer propor- Wildlife concentration area. An area in which the tionally less thermal cover. densit f animalyo s exceed e densite th s th f yo Timber base. The amount of forested land where species in the surrounding area and which is neces- forestry is an allowed use, and the volume of tim- sary to perpetuate the population. ber supported by that land. The gross timber base Winter road roaA . d constructe intended dan r dfo includes all forested state land where forestry is a winte onle us ry whe groune nth frozes di d nan co-primar secondarr yo land dan e designateyus d snow dept greatehs i r tha nspecifiea d minimum. resource management. The net timber base is the gross timber base minus prohibited areas. Yarding. The process of pulling or skidding logs to a centralized poin landinr to g where the pilee yar d Timber sale. One or more harvest units offered for prior to loading or hauling away. sale for commercial use under a single contract under AS 38.05.110 .12- describe d 0an d i nForesa t Five-Yeae th n I . Year5 r • Schedul1 s Timbef eo r Lan Plane dUs . Sales currene , th Yea s i r5 t year yeae ,th r salee sar offere r purchasefo d e firs.th tYea s i yea 1 r r propose schedulee th n fouo s i d e t i r,b sale n sca years propose e prioth o rt d sale date.

Appendix A-55 56 Appendix B- CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

Alaska Air Carriers Association Fish and Game Advisory Council Alaska Airman's Association Flathorn Lake Association Alaska Board of Forestry Forest All lance Alaska Boating Association Alaska CenteEnvironmene th r rfo t Greater Wasllla Chamber of Commerce Alaska CenteEnvironmente th r rfo , Valley Office Iditarod Trail National Historic Trail Advisory Committee Alaska Forest Association Alaska Flyf ishers Kenal Peninsula Fishermen's Association Alaska Frontier Trappers Association KerAssociated ran s Alaska Hotel and Motel Association Klukwan Forest Products, Inc. Alaska Husky Wood Koncor, Inc. Alaska Loggers' Association Alaska Miners' Association Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Assembly Alaska Outdoor Council Matanuska-Susltna Borough, Mayor's Office Alaska Professional Sportfishing Association Matanuska-Susitna Convention Alaska Sportfishing Association and Visitors Bureau Alaska Survival Matanuska-Susitna Port Commission Alaska Visitors Association Matanuska Valley Sportsmen Mat-Su Economic Development Corporation Big Lake Chamber of Commerce Mat-Su Loggers Association Board of Forestry Mat-Su Motor Mushers Mat-Su Property Owners Association Chase Area Mat-Su Valley Alliance Chase Community Council Municipality of Anchorage, Department Cit f Houstoyo n of Development and Planning Cit f Palmeyo r Cit Waslllf yo a National Audubon Society, Alaska Regional Office Coalitio Borear nfo l Forest Development National Wildlife Federation, Cook Inlet Coalition Alaska Regional Office Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Cook Inlet Regional Planning Team

Appendix57 - B Palmer Chamber of Commerce Talkeetna Chambe f Commercro e The Nature Conservancy Resource Development Council Tokosha Citizens' Council Rlversong Lodge Tyonek Native Corporation Rolejo Lake Association Upper Cook Inlet Drift Association Sealaska Corporation Upper Susltna WateSoid an l r Sierra Club, Alaska Chapter Conservation District Skwentna Community Association Society of American Foresters, Wasllla Soil and Water Conservation District Cook Inlet Chapter Wildlife Federation of Alaska Southcentral Regional Council of Fish Willow Area Community Council and Game Advisory Committees Willow Chamber of Commerce Southeast Alaska Conservation Council World Trade Center Anchorage Steve Jacoby and Associates Susltna Basin Charter Operators Y Community Council Susltna Valley Association Yen-Su Property Owners Association Susitna Valley Association, Talkeetna Chapter Susltna Valley Association, Wasllla Chapter Susltna Valley Lodge Operator's Association Susltna Valley State Park Citizens' Advisory Board

58 - Appendix B Appendix C-l GROSS TIMBER ACREAGE BY SUBUNIT

The estimated gross acreages in each subunit where forestry is one of the designated uses are listed below.

This informatio timbebasee s ni th n do r inventory don Foresthy S eeb U t Service SoiConservatiod S ,U lan n Service Alaskd an , a Departmen Naturaf o t l Resource 1978-80n si . 1 High site forest mixee sar d forests, cottonwood forests, and closed white spruce forests. Low site forests are black spruce forests and open white spruce forests. These tables also list estimate acreage th f so arean ei s where harvestin prohibitegs i conditionan i d dan l harvest area eacn si h working circle alse oSe . Chapter Forest- 2 Management Program descriptioa r fo f no these areas.

SSSeSsSSsSeEsE^SSHS&BwS ftS^^Sffl^S^^^^sS;S;^K PHAS1 E - EAST SIDE S536sSw53w>B3S53!S3!S!»:Sw

AREA (acres) SiteHigw shLo Sites TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Deception Creea k3 1,770 1,580 3,350 Deception Creeb k3 1,380 1,080 2,460 Deception Creek 4 230 290 520 Deception Creek 5a 3,590 2,480 6,070 Deception Creeb k5 1,930 910 2,840 Deception Creek 6 350 360 710 Deception Creek 7a 1,640 390 2,030 Deception Creek 7b 2,420 730 3,150

Kashwitna al 4,060 2,610 6,670 Kashwitna Ib 9,710 6,050 15,760

Willow6 9,750 460 10,210 Willow 12d 180 1,490 1,670

South Parks Highway 2 13,790 150 13,940 South Parks Highway 11 610 -0- 610 South Parks Highway 12a 6,440 4,470 10,910 South Parks Highway 12b 6,990 2,980 9,970

1 For information on the inventory methodology, see USDA Soil Consevation Service. 1986. Timber & Vegetation Resources of the Susitna River Basin - Alaska Report. Anchorage, AK 49 pp.+ appendices.

Appendix C-l - 59 I11J-VWI 1 . 1./-VWI W 1 LS b , WVIII.

AREA (acres) High Sites Low Sites TOTAL Forestry Co-primary (cent.) Petersville Road la (east) 11,100 260 11.360 Petersville Road 6d -0- -0- -0- Petersville Road 7d 170 -0- 170 Subtotal 76,110 26,290 102,400 Forestry Secondary South Parks Highwac y9 780 -0- 780 South Parks Highway 14b 850 380 1,230 Willow 4a 4,060 1,230 5,290

Petersville Roaa d3 570 <10 570 Petersville Roag d3 100 -0- 100 Petersville Roac d6 2,170 400 2,570 Petersville Roac d7 1,960 80 2,040 Subtotal 10,490 2,090 12,580 Personae Us l South Parks Highwaa y4 1,360 40 1,400 South Parks Highway 4f 4,200 220 4,420 South Parks Highwag y4 580 80 660 South Parks Highway l0b 660 560 1,220 Petersville Road 2b 2,940 20 2,960 Subtotal 9,740 920 10660

PHASE1 • EAST SIDE: TOTAL 96,340 29,300 125,640

PHASE1 •EAST SIDE: NET 75,430- 22,050- 97,480- (excludes prohibited areas) 81,990 24,070 106,060

Prohibited Areas 14,350- 5,230- 19,580- 20,910 7,250 28,160

Conditional Areas 15,160- 2,990- 18,150- 25,030 5,750 30,780

60 - Appendix C-l PHASE 1 - MT. SUSITNA

AREA (acres) High Sites Low Sites TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Mount Susitna 2b 5,420 70 5,490 Mount Susitn (westc a2 ) 14,720 240 14,960 Subtotal 20,140 310 20,450

Personal Use Mount Susitn (westa a4 ) 60 -0- 60

PHASE 1-MT. SUSITNA: TOTAL 20,200 310 20,510

PHAS SUSITNA. E 1-MT T :NE 18,680- 290 18,970- (excludes prohibited areas) 19,110 19,400

Prohibited Areas 1,090- 20 1,110- 1,520 1,540

Conditional Areas 3,070- 10-40 3,080- 4,750 4,790

Appendix 61 C-l - ;^*5&s$S&£SssS??»w&S^$M£5;3$3So&

AREA (acres) High Sites Low Sites TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Willowa 8 7,820 3,090 10,910

Susitna Lowlands lla 31,270 10,190 41,460 Susitna Lowlandb s12 8,910 3,220 12,130 Susitna Lowlands 14e 5,780 250 6,030

Petersville Road la (west) 15,010 3,700 18,710 Subtotal 65,790 20,450 89,240

Forestry Secondary Susitna Lowlanda s9 3,420 1,920 5,340 Susitna Lowlands l1c 620 <10 620 Susitna Lowlands llf 610 40 650 Susitna Lowlanda s14 9,600 12,490 22,090 Subtotal 14,250 14,450 28,700

Resource Management Susitna Lowlandc s9 6,230 2,970 9,200 Susitna Lowlands 12a 12,960 2,480 15,440 Subtotal 19490 5,450 24,640

PHAS TOTA: E2 L 102,230 40,350 142,580

PHAST NE : E2 93,080- 37,170- 131,040- (excludes prohibited areas) 96,870 38,870 135,750

Prohibited Areas 5,350- 1,480- 6,830- 8360 3,180 11,540

Conditional Areas 9,480- 2,340- 11,820- 20,900 6,750 27,650

6 - 2Appendix C-l PHASE3

AREA (acres) High Sites Low Sites TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Susitna Lowlands 3a2 3,040 30 3,070 Susitna Lowlands 5a 3,430 30 3,460 Susitna Lowlandf s5 7,410 1,250 8,660 Susitna Lowlands 6e 4,720 3,860 8,580 Susitna Lowlands 7a 22,630 1,140 23,770 Susitna Lowlandb s13 2,530 580 3,110

Mount Susitna 2c (east) 9,930 2,430 12,360 Mount Susitnf a3 90 90

Alaska Range 1b Subtotal 53,780 9,320 63,100

Forestry Secondary Sunflower Basia n6 3,160 1,580 4,740 Sunflower Basin 6c 1,440 830 2,270

Susitna Lowlands la and 1b 32300 8,110 40,610 Susitna Lowlands 2a2 34,740 2,590 37,330 Susitna Lowlands 2d 940 50 990 Susitna Lowlands 3c2 370 -0- 370 Susitna Lowlanda s6 12,430 2,780 15,210 Susitna Lowlands 13d 10,320 2,060 12,380 Susitna Lowlande s13 2,220 160 2,380

Mount Susitna a5 2,660 -0- 2,660 Subtotal 100,780 18,160 118,940

2 The acreages listed in this subunit do not indude the western part of this subunit. The western part is outside the area where detailed maps (1:63,360 scale) of vegetation are available. The existing inventory in the western part subunie ofth inadequats ti estimatinr efo g acreag volumed ean . 3 This subunit is outside the area for which detailed vegetation maps (1:63,360 scale) are available. Existing information is inadequate to estimate the timber acreage and volume in this subunit.

Appendix C-l - 63 PHASE 3, cont.

AREA (acres) SiteHigw sLo h Sites TOTAL Resource Management Susitna Lowlands 2f 3,710 250 3,960 Susitna Lowlands 5b 400 0 400 Susitna Lowlandb s6 7,130 1/390 8,520 Susitna Lowlands 8b 13,660 3,320 16,980

Mount Susitna 3c 770 -0- 770 Mount Susitnd a4 11,110 580 11,690 Mount Susitna 6c 4 - - Subtotal 36,780 5,540 42,320

Personal Use Susitna Lowlands 4b 11,310 1,090 12,400

Mount Susitna 4a (east) 1,160 -0- 1,160 Subtotal 12,470 1,090 13,560

PHASE 3: TOTAL 203,810 34,110 237,920

PHASE 3: NET 186,710- 31,610- 218,320- (excludes prohibited areas) 197,380 33,340 230,720

Prohibited Areas 6,430- 770- 7,200- 17,100 2,500 19,600

Conditional Areas 9,500- 1,540- 11,040- 31,460 5,320 36,780

4 This subunit is outside the area for which detailed vegetation maps (1 -.63360 scale) are available. Existing information is inadequate to estimate the timber acreage and volume in this subunit.

6 - 4Appendix C-l GROSS TOTAL FOR STATE LANDS DESIGNATED FOR FORESTRY (Forestry co-primary use, secondary use, resource management, reserved use, personalor use)

High Sites Low Sites TOTAL

422,580 104,070 526,650 ESTIMATE TOTAT DNE L 374,690 91,120- 465,810- (excludes prohibited areas) 395,360 96,570 491,930

Total prohibited areas 27,220- 7,500- 34,720- 47,890 12,950 60,840

Total conditional areas 37,210- 6,880- 44,090- 82,140 17,860 100,000

STATE LAND DESIGNATET SNO FORESTRR DFO Y (Settlement lands, Agriculture lands, Legislatively Designated areas, otherd an state lands) 339,140 83,030 422,170

BOROUGH LANDS (Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Kenai Peninsula Borough lands) 105,250 10,270 115,520

PRIVATE LANDS (Native corporation lands, other private lands, university lands, railroadand grant lands) 79,270 12,610 91,880

Appendix 65 C-l - 66 Appendix C-2 GROSS TIMBER VOLUME BY SUBUNIT

The estimated gross volume eacn si h subunit where forestr designate e oe fth on s yi d use listee sar d below.

This information is based on the timber inventory done by the US Forest Service, US Soil and Conservation Service Alaskd an , a Departmen Naturaf o t l Resource 1978-80.n si 1 High site forest mixee sar d forests, cottonwood forests, and closed white spruce forests. Low site forests are black spruce forests and open white spruce forests. Approximatel volume "birce th f th aspen d o r hean fo % y98 " categor birchys i .

PHASE 1 - EAST SIDE

VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)- - VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet). Spruce Birch & Aspen Cottonwood High site Low site TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Deception Creek 3a 930 1,150 20 1,500 600 2,100 Deception Creeb k3 630 930 10 1,240 330 1,570 Deception Creek 4 130 160 <10 210 90 290 Deception Creea k5 1,590 2,430 40 3,270 780 4,060 Deception Creek 5b 720 1,330 20 1,790 280 2,070 Deception Creek 6 180 240 <10 320 110 420 Deception Creek 7a 490 950 20 U10 140 1,460 Deception Creek 7b 800 1,640 20 2,220 250 2,460

Kashwitna la 2,630 2,700 30 3,810 1,540 5,360 Kashwitna 1b 3,410 4,240 190 6,350 1,480 7,840

Willow 6 1,190 480 17,310 18340 140 18,980 Willow 12d 450 160 <10 170 450 610

South Parks Highway2 3,260 4,950 11,230 19360 70 19,440 South Parks Highway 11 160 360 <10 520 -0- 520 South Parks Highwaa y12 3,970 4,080 40 6,630 1,450 8,090 South Parks Highway 12b 3,530 3,540 60 6,220 900 7,130

Petersville Road la (east) 4,800 6,990 -0- 11,660 130 11,790 Petersville Road 6d -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- Petersville Road 7d 60 120 <10 180 -0- 180

Subtotal 28J30 36,450 28,990 85,600 8,740 94,370

informatior 1Fo inventore th n no y methodolgy USe ,se D A Soil Conservation Service. 1986. Timbe Vegetatiod ran n Resources of the Susitna River Basin - Alaska Report. Anchorage, AK 49 pp. + appendices. n Includes white spruc blacd ean k spruce.

Appendix C-2 - 67 PHASE 1 - EAST SIDE, conf.

•VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)——, •——VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)———• Spruce Birch & Aspen Cottonwood High site Low site TOTAL Forestry Secondary South Parks Highway 9c 290 540 <10 840 -0- 830 South Parks Highway 14b 220 330 780 1,200 130 1,330

Willow 4a 1,440 1,500 100 2,550 490 3,040

Petersville Road 3a 320 250 <10 570 <10 570 Petersville Road 3g 40 70 <10 110 -0- 110 Petersville Road 6c 910 1,500 10 2,300 120 2,420 Petersville Roac d7 750 1,370 10 2,100 30 2,130 Subtotal 3,970 5,560 900 9,670 770 30,430 Personae Us l South Parks Highway 4a 510 950 <10 1,460 10 1,460 South Parks Highwaf y4 1,200 2,570 30 3,770 30 3,800 South Parks Highway 4g 140 330 10 480 10 480 South Parks Highway l0b 320 290 480 930 170 1,050

Petersville Roab d2 920 2,020 20 2,960 10 2,960 Subtotal 3,090 6,160 540 9,600 230 9,790

PHASE 1 • EAST SIDE: TOTAL 35,990 48,170 30,430 104,870 9,740 114,590

ESTIMATED PHASE 1 • EAST SIDE: NET 3 82,290- 7,280- 89,570- (excludes prohibited areas) 88,730 8,000 96,730

t volumeNe estimatee sar d from (Net acreage/gross acreage gros)X s volume. Site specific volumee sar not available for prohibited and conditional areas.

68 - Appendix C-2 PHAS . SUSITNEMT - 1 A

• VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)——. .——VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet). Spruce Birch & Aspen Cottonwood High site Low site TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Mount Susitna 2b 1,720 1,380 400 3,450 40 3,500 Mount Susitn (westc a2 ) 5,180 5,010 370 10,430 130 10,560 Subtotal 6,900 6,390 770 13,580 170 14,060 Personal Use Mount Susitn (westa a4 ) 20 40 -0- 60 -0- 60

PHAS- E1 MT. SUSITNA: TOTAL 6,920 6,430 770 13,940 170 14,120

ESTIMATED PHASE 1-MT. SUSITNA: NET 12,890- 160 13,050- (excludes prohibited areas) 13,190 13,350

Appendix C-2 - 69 PHASE 2

. VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)——, ,——VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)———, Spruce Birch & Aspen Cottonwood High site Low site TOTAL Forestry Co-primary Willow 8a 3,140 4,970 1,430 8,040 1,500 9,540

Susitna Lowlands lla 14,310 21,630 1,450 33,430 3,970 37,390 Susitna Lowlandb s12 4,390 6,150 30 9,470 1,100 10,570 Susitna Lowlands 14e 1,900 3,330 1,830 6,930 130 7,060

Petersville Road la (west) 7,190 10,270 150 15,770 1340 17,610 Subtotal 30,930 46,350 4,590 73,640 8,540 82,170 Forestry Secondary Susitna Lowlands 9a 2,290 2,560 30 3,570 1,310 4,880 Susitna Lowlands lie 230 430 <10 660 <10 660 Susitna Lowlands llf 260 430 <10 650 40 690 Susitna Lowlands 14a 8,200 7,160 280 10,020 5,620 15,640 Subtotal 10,980 10,580 310 14,900 6,970 21,870 Resource Management Susitna Lowlands 9c 3,790 4,600 40 6,590 1,830 8,430 Susitna Lowlanda s12 5,650 9,180 40 13,880 980 14,870 Subtotal 9,440 13,780 80 20,470 2,810 23,300

PHAS TOTA: E2 L 51,350 70,710 5,280 109,010 18,320 127,340

ESTIMATED PHASE 2: NET 100,090- 16,870- 116,960- (excludes prohibited areas) 103,290 17,680 120,970

70 - Appendix C-2 PHASE 3 i—— VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet) ————, •——VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet)——,

Spruce Birch & Aspen Cottonwood sitw eHig Lo h sitTOTAe L Forestry Co-primary Susitna Lowlands 3a4 800 1340 1,090 3,220 10 3,230 Susitna Lowlands 5a 1,090 2360 20 3,460 20 3,470 Susitna Lowlands 5f 2,860 5,180 60 7350 740 8,100 Susitna Lowlande s6 2,160 3,410 30 5,070 520 5,600 Susitna Lowlands 7a 8,790 15,880 70 24,290 440 24,740 Susitna Lowlands 13b 950 1,760 20 2^50 170 2,730

Mount Susitna 2c (east) 3,930 4,140 310 7,040 1340 8380 Mount Susitna 3f 30 60 <10 100 <10 90 Subtotal 20,610 34,230 1,600 53,050 3,240 56340

Forestry Secondary Sunflower Basia n6 1,120 670 120 1,420 480 1,910 Sunflower Basin 6c 540 730 30 1,070 230 1300

Susitna Lowlands Id blaan 13,720 19,090 2,630 32,270 3,170 35,440 Susitna Lowlands 2a4 13,400 12370 1,710 26310 1,170 27,980 Susitna Lowlands 2d 320 250 30 580 20 600 Susitna Lowlands 3c4 90 250 <10 350 -0- 340 Susitna Lowlands 6a 5330 8,760 40 13,280 840 14,130 Susitna Lowlands 13d2 3,340 6,040 3340 11,450 1,280 12,720 Susitna Lowlands 13e 850 1,490 50 2350 50 2390

Mount Susitna 5a 530 1,110 190 1330 -0- 1330

Alaska Range Ib 5 Subtotal 39,240 51,260 8,140 91,410 7,240 98,640

Resource Management Susitna Lowlandf s2 1,190 890 430 2,430 80 2^10 Susitna Lowlandb s5 140 270 0 410 0 410 Susitna Lowlands 6b 3,050 5,030 20 7,650 450 8,100 Susitna Lowlands 8b 6,230 9,660 130 13,410 2,600 16,020 Mount Susitna 3c 280 540 <10 820 -0- 820 Mount Susitnd a4 4310 7300 30 11,930 210 12,140 Mount Susitna 6c Subtotal 15,200 24,190 610 36,650 3340 40,000

The western part of this subunit is outside the area where detailed vegetation maps (1:63360 scale) are available. Existing data is inadequate to estimate the timber acreage or volume in this part of the subunit. 5 This subunit is outside the area where detailed vegetation maps (1:63,360 scale) are available. Existing data are inadequate to estimate the timber acreages or volumes in this part of the subunit 6 This subunit is outside the area where detailed vegetation maps (1:63,360 scale) are available. Existing data are inadequate to estimate the timber acreages or volumes in this part of the subuniit.

Appendix71 - C-2 •—— VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet) —i ^——VOLUME (Thousand cubic feet) -^

Spruce Birc Aspeh& n Cottonwood sitw eHig Lo h sitTOTAe L Personal Use Susitna Lowlandb s4 3,120 7,490 120 10390 340 10,730

Mount Susitn (easta a4 ) 430 790 10 1,220 -0- 1,230 Subtotal 3,550 8,280 130 11,610 340 11,960

PHAS TOTA: E3 L 78,600 117,860 10,480 192,750 14,160 206,910

ESTIMATED PHASET 3:NE 176,570- 13,090- 189,610- (excludes prohibited areas) 186,430 13,810 200,240

GROSS TOTA STATR LFO E LANDS DESIGNATE FORESTRR DFO Y (Forestry co-primary use, secondary use, resource management, reserved use, or personal use) 172,860 243,170 46,960 420,570 42,390 462,990

ESTIMATE TOTAT DNE L 371,840- 37,420 409,360- (excludes prohibited areas) 391,640 39,650 431,290

7 - 2Appendix 2 C- Appendix D FOREST LAND USE PLAN REQUIREMENTS

AS 38.05.112 requires that a forest land use plan be prepared prior to harvesting. Statutory requirement quotee sar d below.

Sec. 38.05.112 FOREST LAND USE PLANS. (a) The department may not sell or harvest timber, except for isolated personal use timber harvest, unti site-specifila c forest lan pla e bees dus n ha n adopted fores.A t lan plae dus ns i required whethe regionaa t no r arer ro l o a lan plae dus n unde 38.04.065(aS rA foresa r )o t management plan under AS 41.17.230 has been adopted. commissionee (b)Th r shall bas eforesa t lan plae thdn us n o e best available data, including information provided by other agencies describing the immediate and long-term effects of individua collectivd lan e forest activitie timbee th n othesn o r o bas d r eresourcean usesd san . additiona(cn I ) requiremente th o lt 38.04.06S A f so 5 (b) fores,a t lan plae dus n shall consider:

(1) commercial timber, including related activities; (2) harvestin foresf go t product personar sfo l use; (3) fish and wildlife habitat, including: (A) identification and protection of important wildlife habitat; (B) retentio riparianf no , wetland ocean-shorelind ,an e vegetation critical for fish and wildlife habitat; and (C) classification of water bodies according to physical characteristics; (4) uses of forest land for nontimber purposes, including: (A) recreation, tourism related ,an d activities; (B) mining, mining claims, mineral leaseholds, and material extraction; (C) uses of fish and wildlife; (D) agriculture, including grazing; and (E) other resources and uses appropriate to the area, including compatible traditional uses; (5) soil characteristics and productivity; (6) water qualityd ;an (7) watershed management.

Appendix73 - D 74 Appendix E RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM FOR THE SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES AREA

Forest lands in the Susitna Forestry Guidelines area currently offer opportunities for recreation in a variety of settings. The major types of opportunities are described below. The type of opportunity available may vary by season. For example, an area that is intensively used during hunting season may get little use durin yeare resth e f g.th t o Thi s area would offe semi-traditionaa r l opportunity durin buse gth y hunting season traditionad ,an l opportunit summeryn i wid.A e variety of activitie takn sca e plac eacen i h setting; examplew afe listede sar .

EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLE AREAF SO S ACTIVITIES CHARACTERISTICS OFFERING THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THIS SETTING

/. TRADITIONAL Little modification e toth Most of the remote lowlands in Snowmachining. natural environment. Susitne th a Forest Guidelines Area. Fly-in or hike-in fishing and hunting. Low levels of encounters with other Dogmushing. people and signs of human use. Dispersed hiking and cross-country skiing. No facilities for human use. Highest levels of physical challeng riskd ean . Highest outdoor skill levels needed. Mucrecreatioe th f ho n uses motorized access. No roads.

//. SEMI-TRADITIONAL Little modification to the BoataWe rivers. Boatin raftingd gan . natural environment. Trail systems. Hiking, skiing mushind ,an train go l systems. Moderate levels of encounters with Area near access by Parks Highway Snowmachining. other peopl signd e an humaf so n use. and Petersville Road. Huntin fishingd gan . Limited facilitie humar sfo e nus Flightseeing. (e.g., portage trails, bridges, pit toilets). Fly-In Lodges. High levels of physical challeng riskd ean . High outdoor skill levels needed. Much of the recreation uses motorized access. No roads.

Appendix E - 75 EXAMPLES OF EXAMPLE AREAF SO S ACTIVITIES CHARACTERISTICS OFFERING THIS OPPORTUNITY IN THIS SETTING

///. SEMI-PRIMITIVE Little modification to the Portions of the Susitna Basin State Canoeing and rafting. natural environment. Recreation River corridors. Hiking, skiing mushind an , g Moderate levels of encounters with Portions of Nancy Lakes State Park. on trail systems. other people and signs of human use. Fly-in or hike-in fishing. Limited facilitie humar sfo e nus Flightseeing. (e.g., portage trails, bridges Fly-In Lodges. pit toilets, scattered lodges). High levels of physical challenge and risk High outdoor skill levels needed. Recreatio durine n us busies e gth t season is non-motorized except for drop-off by plane. No roads.

IV. ROADED NATURAL Isolated resource development present Collinsville mining area. Sightseeing. (seasonal or year-round roads, Tyonek I timber sale area. Picnicking. mining, timber harvesting, oil and Petersvill Oilweld ean l road corridors Swimming. gas wells). Developed recreation sites. Walking, skiing, snowmachining High level f encounterso s with other Alaska Railroad route north on seasonal roads. people and signs of human use. of Talkeetna, Bicycling. Some facilities for convenience of Fishing and hunting on road users. accessible streams. Moderate to low levels of physical RV and tent camping in campgrounds. challeng riskd ean . Railroad tours. Low outdoor skill levels needed.

V. DEVELOPED I ntensively developed (year-round Residential and commercial areas Sightseeing. roads, residential and commercial along Parks Highway, Souvenir shopping. areas). Agricultural areas. Bus tours. Highest levels of encounters with other Communities or industrial areas Waterskiin boatin d Lakeg gan Bi n .go people and signs of human use. (Houston, Skwentna, Beluga Walking in residential areas Many facilitie user sfo r convenience power plant). and developed parks, and comfort. City parks. Lowest level physicaf so l challenge and risk. Lowest outdoor skill levels needed.

76 - Appendix E Appendix F REQUIREMENTS FOR WINTER TRAVEL

Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) re- 4 Snow ramps bridgese , ic sno d wcribr an o , - quirements appl roadyo t s that requir agency ean y bing approved by the DFG shall be used to permit and occur within the coastal zone bound- provide access across frozen rivers, streams ary. If a road project requires a federal permit or and lakes so as to preclude cutting, eroding two or more state permits, then it will be coor- or degrading of their banks. Alteration of dinated by the state Division of Governmental banke th watef so r course prohibiteds si . Coordination. 4 Snow ramps and snow and ice bridges Unde statewide rth e Coastal Management Program shall be composed only of snow or ice and there is general concurrence for movement of shall be substantially free of soil and debris. "dozers, sleighs, tracked vehicles, and rubber tired 4 Snow and ice bridges shall be of sufficient equipment cross country during winter" when thicknes supporo st vehiclesl tal . There shall conducted under the following conditions. be no vehicles or equipment operated within the open water of any river, stream or lake 4 Winter cross country trave begiy ma ln when unless waived by DFG. adequate snow cover and frost depth conditions exist for the activities intended as deter- 4 Snow and ice bridges must be removed or mined by an authorized field representative of breached cribbind ,an g removed immediately DNR. Certain cross country activitiey sma after final use or prior to breakup, whichever begin sooner than others dependine th n go occurs first. impac magnitudr to operationse th f eo . avoio 4T d additional freezedow deef no p water 4 Vehicles shal operatee b l mannea n di r such pools harboring overwintering fish, water that the vegetative mat of the tundra is not courses shal crossee lb shallot da w riffle areas disturbe bladind dan r removago tundrf o l a from poino point r tba t bar. Compactior no vegetative cove prohibiteds ri . remova insulatine th f lo g snowcover froe mth deep-water pool area riverf so prohibiteds si . 4 Existing road traild an s s shal usee b l d wherever possible. Trail widths shall be kept 4 Fuel storage facilitie placese shalb t dlno within to the minimum necessary. Trail surface may 100' of water bodies and must be within an be cleared of timber, brush, stumps, and impermeable diked are t 110aa % capacitf yo snags. the largest independent fuel container. Manifolded tanks or bladders must be con- 4 Trails and campsites must be kept clean. All sidere containera s da . Vehicle refueling shall solid waste including incinerator residue shall not occur within the annual floodplain. be backhauled to a solid waste disposal site approve DECy db . 4 Movement through willow (Salix) stands shall be avoided wherever possible. 4 All oil and hazardous material spills shall be cleaned up and reported per 18 A AC 75. 4 Abandonment of vehicles is prohibited.

Appendix77 - F DNR permits issued by the DNR Division of Land are required for overland winter travel on state lan heavy db y equipmen geard tan . Permitt no e sar required for small vehicles suc snowmachines ha s and 4-wheelers. Permits are issued only for activitie landn o s s under unde e managementh r t jurisdiction of the State of Alaska. ACMP stipula- tion includee sar d wit Divisioe hth n of Land permit if the operation is within an ACMP management area. General DNR Division of Land permit stipulations are universally applie constraid dan applicane nth t to conduct activit mannea n yi r that minimizes surface impact and causes the least possible inter- ference with other authorised uses of state land. Other more specific DNR Division of Land permit stipulations and bond requirements are crafted from considerations suc managemens ha t plans for the area traveled, terrain, ecological factors, weathe frosd an r t conditions type th ,f equip eo - ment used othed ,an r special conditions associated wit activitye hth . Often stipulations are suggested by agencies that revie permie wth t application. These might include consideration of waste disposal, fire suppression, the size of trees that can be disturbed in the course of operation, procedure e reportinth r fo sd gan clean-up of spills of oil or other hazardous substan- ces, construction and breaching of snow and ice bridges, vehicle refueling and maintenance, and historic and archaeological impacts.

Appendix F - 78 Appendix G ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, PLANNING TEAM, STAFF, TECHNICAL ADVISORS, SIGNATURD AN E PAGES

PLANNING TEAM Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture — Dan Allison Division of Forestry - Jim Eleazer The Susitna Forestry Guidelines staff would like to than followine kth g people. Division of Land — Al Samet Rich McMahon, Jean Tarn, and Hal Brackett of the Divisio Parkf no Outdood san r Recreation — DNR Land Records Information Section for Al Meiners managin e computerizegth d databasr fo d ean Department of Fis Gamd han e — Steve Albert designing and printing the computerized reports and maps that are the foundation for much of the Department of Transportation and Public planning work. J.P. Zellar for analyzing timber Facilities — Roger Maggard volume data. Department of Environmental Conservation- Steve Trickett Odid Dulcan nn BrudieBe compilinr efo g background information on recreation and transporta- Matanuska-Susitna Borough - John Duffy tion in the planning area. Gloria Weinberge r organizinfo r g mailingr fo s TECHNICAL ADVISORS newsletter plad san n drafts. Department of Fish and Game - John Westlund, Pearl Reamer, Nanci Adeszko d Debbian , e Don McKay Chubi r preparinnfo d maintainingan g mailing lists. USDA Forest Service - Gene Wheeler Susan Peck, Robin Hall, and Elaine Thomas for USDA Soil Conservation Service - Tom Ward preparing the text layout, maps, figures, and cover USDI Fish and Wildlife Servic e- Gar y Wheeler, plane forth . Jill Parker Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation Distric Petersot t ~Ar n Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District - Dick Zobel

The Susitna Forestry Guidelines was prepared by an interagency planning team representing state PLANNING STAFF agencieMatanuska-Susitne th d an s Kenad aan i DNR Divisio Lanf no d - boroughs. Staff from the Land and Resources Sec- Martha Welbourn (Project Manager), Dulcn eBe tion of the DNR Division of Land and Water coor- (through May 1989), Matt Graves (from November dinate planninwore e dth th f ko g team. Staff from 1990) several federal agencies and soil and water conservation districts were technical advisors to the planning team and staff.

Appendix79 - G 80 - Appendix C WALTER HICKEL,J. GOVERNOR

LAND & RESOURCES SECTION DEPARTMEN NATURAF TO L RESOURCES 3601 C STREET 10700P.OX .BO 5 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99510-7005 DIVISION OF LAND AND WATER PHONE: (907) 762-2680

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources hereby adopts the Susitna Forestry Guidelines Departmene Th . Naturaf o t l Resources will manage state forest lanresourced dan s withi Susitne nth a Forestry Guidelines area consistent with these guidelines.

Harold C. Heinze, Commissioner DatT DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL OURCES

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game assisted the Department of Natural Resources in preparing the Susitna Forestry Guidelines. We appreciate the opportunity to represent fish and wildlife habitat, harvest, and public use values during the development of the guidelines. The Department of Fish and Game will use the guidelines when implementing its authorities and when reviewing and commenting on proposed uses of state lands in the planning area.

Carl L. Rosier, Commissioner Date DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

Appendix G - 81 82 - Appendix G Appendix H PUBLICATIONS RELATED TO THE GUIDELINES

Alaska Dept Fisf Gamed o . han . April, 1991. Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. December, Fis Wildlifd han e Resource sSusitn- a Forestry 1990. Timber Resource - sSusitn a Forest Guidelines. 186pp. Anchorage, AK Guidelines, 2nd. ed. 36 pp. + Appendices. Anchorage, AK Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. February, 1989. Land Ownership - Susitna Regional Alaska Dept Naturaf o . l Resources. December, Forest Plan. 10pp. Anchorage, AK 1991. Susitna Forestry Guideline sRegiona- l Map Atlas. Anchorage, AK. I Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. 1981. Scenic Resources alon Parke gth s Highway- Inven- Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. May 1991. tord Managemenyan t Recommendations. Susitna Forestry Guidelines - Response to Com- Anchorage, AK ments on the Public Review Draft. 130 pp. Anchorage, AK I Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. March, 1989. Heritage Resource s- Susitn a Regional Forest Alaska Interagency Fire Management Plan - Plan. 15pp. AnchorageK ,A Mat-Su Planning Area. Marc+ . pp h 1 19865 . map. AnchorageK ,A I Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. April, 1989. Recreation Resource sSusitn- a Regional Forest Jacoby, Stephe . FebruarnC y 1989. February Appendices+ . Planpp 1 3 . . AnchorageK ,A 1989. Matanuska Susitna Borough Forest Management Plan - Forest Inventory. 35 pp. + Appendices. Palmer, AK Alaska Dept f Naturao . l Resources. October, 1989. Transportation and Access - Susitna Regional Forest Plan, 2nd ed. 43 pp. + Appen- I Seymour, Frank. Alaska Dept Commercf .o e and dices. Anchorage, AK Economic Development. January, 1991. Economic Prospec Forese th r tfo t Product- sIn dustry Mat-S e inth u Borough. 28pp. Juneau, AK Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources. October, 1990. Memo: Background Information for the Susitna Area Plan update. 74 pp. + Abstract. Anchorage, AK

Appendix83 - H INDEX

V,-.

L INDEX

anadromous waterbodie s5,32-33,34- , define9 4 d- 100'-300'zone-32 Anchorage - 5 abbreviationv s- annual allowabl 7,10-11,12,13- t ecu , define9 4 d- access - 21 aquatic habita wetlandse se t- rivers,d an streams, lakes& see also transportation and access area plan landplanse e se -us access across wetland8 3 s- Army Corps of Engineers - 36 access design and management - 37-40 AS 38.04.065-43-44,73 access locatio design& n3,7/8,10,31/33,37-38,4- 7 AS 38.05.035-43-45 background report - 5 AS 38.05.112-3,8,73 road crossing3 3 s- AS 38.05.113-3,7,8,41 road management and closures - 39 AS 38.05.945-41,43-44 road construction - 39,46,77, clearing - 38 AS 41.17 3,8,22,25,27,28,3032,7- 3 road standards - 38 AS 41.23.470-3 water transportation - 38 aspen-11,20,22,34,40 acknowledgments - 79 atla vegetatiof so 5 n- ACMP - see Alaska Coastal Management Program off-highwayATe se V- vehicle acronyms - v advertisement1 4 s- B agency review - 41 background reports - 5,46 Agriculture, Division of - 5,24,79 bald eagles - see eagles agricultural land s4,9,23-24,73- , Bartlett Hills -13 acreag volume& 5 e6 bears-19,20,25,3337 air quality -1 brown bear habita5 2 t- Alaska Coastal Management Program 36,77,7- 8 Beluga Mountain -17 Alaska Historic Preservatio6 2 - t nAc birch-11,13,20,22,25,40,46, acreage and volume - 67-72 Alaska Natural Heritage Program - 46 black spruce -11,30,59, acreag volumed ean - 67-72 Alaska Railroad - 30 blowdow n273- 3 Alaska Range subunits - 8 Alaska Range Ib -12, acreage & volume- 63,71 borough land - see Matanuska-Susitna Borough Alaska Forest Resource Practiced san - t sAc boundary of Susitna Forestry Guidelines area - 2,4 see Forest Practices Act broadcast burning - 21, defined - 49 Alaska Heritage Resource Survey - 9 buffers-17,26,27,29,46 Alexander Cree k3,5,1- 3 rivers, streams, and lakes - 32-35 all-terrain vehicle - see off-highway vehicle trail s35-3- 6 Amber Lake-1330 trumpeter swan6 3 s- amendmen 3,6,10,43t- , define9 4 d- burn pla n21- , define9 4 d-

Index-85 Calypso orchid - 25 Environmentale se - C DE Conservation, Department of campground - 30 Deception Creek Land Use Plan (all subunits) - 25, Canyon Lake -13 acreage and volume - 59,67 change guidelinee th o st s43-4- 5 decking - 29, defined - 50 chemicals foresn i e t,us managemen3 2 t- Deshka Rive 3,28,29,3r- 4 Chijuk Cree k8,3- 4 designated use - see designation Chulitna River - 24,29,34 designation -1,4,7,8,9,10,12,17, defined - 50 Citizens' Advisory Committee - 5,6,57 DFG - see Fish and Game, Department of Clear Creek - 3 Dinglishna Hill-13 clearcut - 10,18a,29,35, defined - 49 discretion within guidelines - 44-45 see also harvesting systems disease - 9,21,23,26,27,28,29,30,32,34,35,37 Coastal Managemen Alaskae se t- Coastal disking - 22 Management Program diversity-1,17,3237 Commerce and Economic Development, DNR - see Natural Resources, Department of Departmen 5,20,8- f o t 3 DOF - see Forestry, DNR Division of commercial use -1,10,11,13,19,30,73, defined - 49 see also timber sales DOT&P Transportatione se F - Publicd an Facilities, Department of commercial recreation site8 2 s- DPO Parkse Outdoord se R - an Recreation, conditional areas -10, defined - 49, DNR Division of acreag volume& e60-7- 2 draft guidelines - 5 controlled burnin1 2 g- deference du define, 33 e- 0 5 d- coordination with other landowner7 s- co-primar 4,9,12- e yus , define, 49 d- acreage & volume - 59-72 cotton wood -11,20,22,24,40,59, eagles - 5,24-25,46, nest sites defined - 50 acreag volume& e67-7- 2 nest setback s9,2- 4 cover habitat -12,13,17,19,26,27,28,32,38, East side-Phase 1-9,11, define0 5 d- acreage & volume - 59-60,67-68 cultural resources - see also heritage sites enforcemen7 4 - t cut and leave areas -17 Environmental Conservation, Alaska Departmen 5,21,23,26,7- f to 9 cutfill8 d 3 ssan - DEC permit1 2 s- cutting units - 3,10,18a, defined - 50 arrangement -19 DEC authorit pesticider yfo 2 2 s- orientation -19 equipment storage - 29 sizshapd ean e -19,28,29 exotic species - see non-Native species experimental forests -14,46, defined - 50

86 - Index feasible and prudent - 44-45, defined - 50 geographic information system (GIS5 )- fertilizatio n23,4- 5 glossar9 4 y- fire managemen 9,17,21,26,27,28,29,30,32,34,35,3t- 7 grass competition - 22,45 broadcast and controlled burning - 21 grazing, research needs - 46,73 fire prescriptions - 21, defined - 50 gross timber bas8 e- interagency fire management plan -17,83 group selection - 18a,20,22, defined - 51 Fish and Game, Department of - see also selective harvesting 5,6,13,14,17,19,21,22,24,26,27,28,293233,34, grouse-11 3536,37,38,40,41,44,79 guideline modification procedure s43-4- 5 fish and wildlife habitat - 1,7,8,10,11,13,17,19,20,22,26,28,46,7377 background report - 5 fish and wildlife habitat in riparian areas - 32-35 H habitat enhancement - 9,13,27,28,34,41 habita seet- wildlife fishd an habitat research need5 4 s- Happy River -17 wildlife concentration area s333- 8 harvestin timbere se g - harvest FisWildlifd han e Service 5,24,25,363- S ,U 8 hazards - 9,26,27,28,293032,343537,77,78 Fish Creek Management Plan -1,7,23,2735 herbicid e23,4- 6 Five-Year Schedule of Timber Sales - 3,7,10,11,17, heritage resources - 7,26-27 see also historic sites 19,24,26,303335,3739,40,41 background report - 5 flightseein g30,75,7- 6 high site s8,930- , define, 51 d- acreage and volume - 59-72 FLUP - see Forest Land Use Plan historic site s9,35,7- 8 see also heritage resources FMR - see Forest Land Use Plan houselogs-12,20 Forest Lan Plae d n3,13,17,19,21,22,24,26,27Us - , 30,33,35,37,39,40,41,73 Houston Demonstration Forest -14 forest management guideline7 s- How to Use the Susitna Forestry Guidelines - inside cover, vi-ix Forest Management Repor Foreste se t- Land Use Plan Forest Practices Act - 3 i Forest Service, US - 5,8,23,79 ice bridges - 8,46,76,77, defined - 51 forest succession - 45 Iditarod National Historic Trail - 9,1035 Forestry, DNR Division of - 33/6,7,9,10,11,13,14,17, implementatio n43-4- 7 19,21,22,24,25,26,27,28,2930323334,3637, 38,40,41,45,79 INH Iditarode se T - National Historic Trail FPA - see Forest Practices Act insects - 9,21,23,26,27,28,293032343537 fuel wood -12 interagency review - 41 fuel storag7 7 e- interagency fire management plan- full-tree loggin0 2 g- see fire management funding - 47 inventory - 8 islands-29,3434a,47 furbearer 323s- 3

Index-87 K M Kahiltna River - 8,29,30,34,38,47 management plan - see land use plans Kashwitna Knob4 2 s- map atlas - 5,83 Kashwitna Management Plan -1,7,9,26 marten-11,19,21,27 Kashwitna la - 9,32, acreage & volume - 59,67 Matanuska-Susitna Boroug h4,8,13,30,35,36,40,79- , Kashwitna Ib 9,32- , acreag volume& e59,6- 7 acreag volumd ean 5 6 e- Kashwitna River - 8,9,28,29 material sites - 39 Kashwitna Roa Willer-Kashe se d- Road Mental Health Trus 3,4,1t- 1 Kroto Creek - 7,28,47 mineral lick2 3 s- Kutna Creek -13 mining - 73 minor chang e43-44- , define2 5 d- modifying the guidelines - 43-45 Lake Creek-3,17 Montana Creek - 34 lakeshores - 8,10,30,32-35,45 moose-12,13,19,26,2933,34,38,40 see also rivers, streams, lakesand browse and forage areas - 21,28,32,37,45 Land, DNR Division of-5,6,14,17,36,40,41,43,44, concentration areas -19,20 45,78,79 data collectio1 2 n- land disposals - 46 lakeshore habita4 3 t- land ownershi (table)4 p- ,7 background report - 5,83 winter range - 27 land use designation - see designation Moose Creek - 2834 land use plans -1,2,36,46,47 Mount Susitna-17 landing areas - 38, defined - 51 Mount Susitna-Phase 1-9,11, acreage and volume - 61,69 legislatively designated areas -1, defined - 51, acreag volumd ean 5 6 e- Mount Susitna subunit9 8, s- Mount Susitn 8,263436- b a2 , liabilit7 2 y- acreag volumd ean e61,6- 9 Little Susitna River - 3,29 Mount Susitna 2c - 8,13,2634, Little Willow Cree k8,28,30,4- 7 acreag volumd ean e61,63,69,7- 1 Lock wood Lake -13 Mount Susitna 3c - 8,13,20,24, acreage and volume - 64,71 lodges-28,75,76 Mount Susitna 3f - 8,24, logging - see timber harvesting acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 low site s8,9- , define, 51 d- Mount Susitna 4a -12, acreage and volume - 59-72 acreage and volume - 61,64,69,72 Mount Susitna 4d - 8,20, acreage and volume - 64,71 Mount Susitn 8,13- a a5 , acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 Mount Susitna 6 c8,20- , acreag volumd ean e64,7- 1 multipl 3,17- e e,us define2 5 d-

I - Index N Peters Creek - 30,34,47 Native Corporations - 4 Petersville Roa d9,273- 0 natural areas - see research natural areas Petersville Road subunit9 8, s- Petersville Road la - 8,9,133034,47, Natural Resources, Alaska Departmen- tof acreage and volume - 60,62,67,70 1,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,21,23,24,253439,40,41,43,47 Petersville Roa -1236b d2 , DNR permit for overland winter travel - 78 acreage and volume - 60,68 Neil Lake -13 Petersville Road 3a - 9,19,27,30, net timber bas e9,1- 0 acreage and volume - 60,68 nois e28,293- 5 Petersville Road 3g -12,13, acreag volumd ean e60,6- 8 non-Native species - 22 Petersville Road 6c, North Fork Kashwitna River - 9,2836 acreag volumd ean e60,6- 8 Petersville Road 6d, acreag volumd ean e60,6- 7 off-highway vehicl e39,77,78- , define2 5 d- Petersville Roa -13,29c d7 , Office of History and Archaeology - 26 acreag volumd ean e60,6- 8 Officee se - oA f HistoryOH Archaeologyd an Petersville Road 7d - 2434, acreag volumd ean e60,6- 7 Oil well Road-39 Phase 1,2, and 3 - 7,9,10,1134, defined - 52, Onestone Lake -13 acreage and volume - 59-72 orientatio cuttinf no g units -19 planning team 5,7- 9 ORV - see off-highway vehicle planning process - 5 Otter Lakes -13 planning staff-79 pre-commercial stand management - 25 primary road - 39, defined - 52 Palmer-5,17 primar -1,9e yus , define se2 5 ed- also co-primarye us Parker Lake -13 private land - 4,21,27,40, acreage and volume - 65 parks -1 procedure guidelinr sfo e modificatio n43-4- 5 Parks and Outdoor Recreation, DNR Division of- prohibited areas (for timber harvest )8,283233,34- , 5,13,14,17,19,20,26,28,29,303233353638,79 defined - 52, acreage and volume - 60-72 Parks Highway 8,12,19,2- 9 see also Scenic Resources public meeting s5,41,43-4- 4 peregrine falcon nest5 2 s- public notice - 6,14,21,23,40-41,43-45 periodic review of guidelines - 43 for contro insectsf lo , disease, wildfire, or hazard 26,27,28,29303234,353s- 7 personal use wood harvesting -13/4,7,8,9,12,13,19, 28,29,30,35,41,73, define 503d- 2 public recreatio recreatione se n- acreage and volume - 60-72 public safety - 9,17,26,27,28,29303234,3537 compliance with other guidelines -13 publi -1733,373e cus 9 pests - see insects, disease put-to-bed - 3839,40, defined - 53 pesticide define, 23 s- 2 d5

Index-89 railroad - see Alaska Railroad Schneider Lak0 3 e- Recommendation Changer sfo s seasonal guidelines - 20,24,2936 in Lan Plane dUs s46-4- 7 secondary roads - 38,39,40,53 recreation -1,7,11,17,19,20,27,28-32,46-47,73, define3 5 d- secondar -1,9,11e yus , define, 53 d- acreag volumd ean e59-7- 2 see also visual quality, scenic resources, trails, and rivers, streams, and lakes seed tree harvestin g10,18a,20,25,29,35- , background report - 5,83 define4 5 d- selective harvesting -10,13,19,20,273435,37, commercial recreation sites - 28 define4 5 d- in riparian areas - 32-35 settlemen 4,9- t , define acreag, 54 d- volume& 5 6 e- recreation opportunity spectrum -11,2832,46,75,76 Sheep Creek - 28 Recreation Rivers -1,4 SheU Hills and Lake -13 see also Susitna Basin Recreation River Management Plan shelter-wood - 20,29, defined - 54 recreation sites -1030 shoreline management -10,45 shoreline management zon e2932-3438,47- , research need5 4 s- defined - 54 reforestation/regeneration -10,20,22,25,28,45 "should", guidelines modifie define, 45 - 4 5 y dd- b refuges -1 SHP Statee Ose - Historic Preservation Office 2 2 - I RegioI d an nI shrub competitio6 4 n- research-14,45-46 single-tree selection -10,2034,37, defined - 54 Research Natural Areas -14,46, define3 5 d- see also selective harvesting resident fish - 32-33 site preparation - 20,21,22,25, defined - 54 resource management lands - 4,12,19, defined - 53 skid trail 21,25,39s- , define4 5 d- Rights-of-wa y26,39,4- 8 Skwentn8 5, a- riparian managemen 25,28,37,46,7t- 3 Skwentna River - 8,17 see also rivers, streams, and lakes slash disposal - 2139, slash defined - 54 rivers, streams laked an , 8,10,28,32-35,4s- 6 slope restriction steed san p slope s25,273- 2 RNA - see Research Natural Areas snowmachines - 32,75,76,77,78 road sse- e access SoiWated lan r Conservation District s5,7- 9 rotation for timber harvest -11-12,17,45, defined - 53 Soil Conservation Service, US - 5,8,45,59,79 salvage - 25, defined - 53 soils -10,39,46,73 sawlogs -12,20 exposur sitr efo preparatio n20-2- 2 scarification - defined - 53 solid waste managemen1 2 t- see site preparation South Parks Highway subunit9 8, s- scenic resources -1,8,9,13,28-32,45- South Parks 2 - 24,27,29,34,46, see also visual quality acreage and volume - 59,67 in riparian areas - 32-35 South Parks 4a -1234, Parks Highway -13,29,83 acreage and volume - 60,68 South Parks 4f-12, acreage and volume - 60,68

9 0Index- South Park -12g s4 , Susitna Lowlands subunits acreage and volume - 60,68 Susitna Lowlands la - 8,13,24, South Park 13,19,24,30,34- c s9 , acreage and volume - 63,71 acreage and volume - 60,67 Susitna Lowlands Ib 8,24,27,36- , South Parks lOb-12, acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 acreage and volume - 60,68 Susitna Lowland 8,24,27,36- a s2 , South Parks 11-29,47, acreage and volume - 63,71 acreage and volume - 59,67 Susitna Lowland 8,13,20,27- d s2 , South Parks 12a - 9,13,28,34,36,38,47, acreage and volume - 63,71 acreage and volume - 59,67 Susitna Lowlands 2 8,13,27f- , South Parks 12b - 9,28,47, acreage and volume - 64,71 acreag volumd ean e59,6- 7 Susitna Lowlands 3a - 8,13,24,36, South Parks 13b - 24,36,47 acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 South Park -19,24,29,34b s14 , Susitna Lowlands 3 c8,36- , acreage and volume - 60,67 acreage and volume - 63,71 special areas management - 23-36 Susitna Lowland 8,12,24,27- b s4 , acreage and volume - 64,72 special exception - 43-44, defined - 54 Susitna Lowlands 5a - 8,36, species composition -17,22 acreage and volume - 63,71 spruce - see black spruce, white spruce Susitna Lowlands 5b - 8,20, spur roads - 38,39,40, defined - 54 acreag volumd ean e64,7- 1 staging area9 2 s- Susitna Lowlands 5f - 8,13,24,27,34,36, acreage and volume - 63,71 State Historic Preservation Offic 26-2e- 7 Susitna Lowland 8,13,27,36- a s6 , stocking level2 2 s- acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 streams - 8,10,33,45 Susitna Lowland 8,20,27,36- b s6 , see also anadromous waterbodies, rivers, acreage and volume - 64,71 streams, and lakes Susitna Lowlands 6e - 8,13,27,36, subunit s5- , define5 5 d- acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 summar purposf yo e -1 Susitna Lowland 8,36- a s7 , summer harvestin g20-2- 1 acreage and volume - 63,71 Sunflower Basin subunits - 8 Susitna Lowland 8,2036- b s8 , Sunflower Basin 6a - acreag volumd ean e64,7- 1 acreag volume& e63,7- 1 Susitna Lowlands 9a - 8,24,38, Sunflower Basin 6c - 36, acreage and volume - 62,70 acreage & volume - 63,71 Susitna Lowlands 9c - 8,2038,47, Susitna Area Plan -1,3,7,8,10,24,30,35,38 acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Susitna Lowlands lO8 a- Management Plan - 33* Susitna Lowland 8,13,24,29,34,36,47s- 1a l , Susitna Corridor - 8 acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 Susitna Flats State Game Refuge -17 Susitna Lowlands lie - 8,10,29,30, acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 Susitna Lowlands ll 8,28,29f- , acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0

Index-91 Susitna Lowlands 11 g - 8,24 timber sales -19,28,29,35, define5 5 d- Susitna Lowlands 12a - 8,13,20,30,36,47, see also commercialuse acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 design and management -1,17-23,25,2733 Susitna Lowlands 12b - 8,24,30,34,36, management of special areas - 23-36 acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 public notice - 41 Susitna Lowlands 13b - 8,13,36, acreage and volume - 63,71 sales in Phase 2 and Phase 3 -10 Susitna Lowland 8,24,34,36- d s13 , sale progra timbed man r bas e7-1- 2 acreag volumd ean e63,7- 1 sale size - 7,28 Susitna Lowland 8,13,24,27,34,36- e s13 , tourism-11,20,29,30,73 acreage and volume - 63,71 trails -10,283035-36,46,76 Susitna Lowland4 2 - g s13 see also Iditarod National Historic Trail Susitna Lowland 8,24,293436,47- a s14 , Trail Ridge -13 acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 transportation and access - see access Susitna Lowlands 14b - 8,24,34,36,47 Transportatio Publid nan c Facilities, Susitna Lowlands 14e - 8,24,28,2934, Department of-5,79 acreage and volume - 62,70 Trapper Creek (town) - 5,17; 34 (creek) Susitna River - 8,24,2934,47 trumpeter swans - 5,1036,38, nest site defined - 51, sustained yield -13/11,13, define5 5 d- staging area defined - 55 Tyone k5,8,- 9

Talachulitna Rive3 r- U Talkeetn 5,17a- , woodlot -13 unique habitat or plant communities - 25 Talkeetna Mountains -17 Universit Alaskf yo 4 a- Talkeetna River - 3 upwelling areas - 29,34,47 Talkeetna Cutoff-30 US FisWildlifd han e Service see Fish Wildlifeand Service,US technical advisor9 7 s- Theodore River - 34 _ thinnin5 2 g- varianc4 4 e- timber harvest - see also timber sales, personal use harvest unit - 18a,19, defined - 51 vegetation types - 5,10,3237 harvesting schedules - 20 visual quality -17,19,20-21,22,26,29,3538 see also scenic resources harvesting systems - 20,27 volume regulation -10 summer harvesting - 20-21 winter operation s20-2- 1 W timber resources - 7,8 background repor 5,8t- 3 Wasilla -5 timber acreage - 8,939-65 water quality -1,29,303233,37,38,73 timber bas e8,9,10- , define5 5 d- water transportatio8 3 n- timber volume - 8,9,67-72 wetlands - 20,36-37,38,73, defined - 55 Whiskey Lake -13

92 -Index white spruc e20,22,24,46,59- , y—————————————— acreage and volume - 67-72 wildfir.,,« e -see fire,. management, Jyardin define, 29 ° g- 5 5 d- wildhf.,,,.,e habita, ' ,.^. t.- see fish ,.an , d wildlife, .,.,. habitat,, , ,., , Yentna River - 8,24,34 habitat enhancement "wiU" and "shall", guidelines modified by - 44-45, define 54,5d- 5 Willer-Kash Road - 8,10,26,38 willow (plant species 34,40,7)- 7 Willow (town 5,1)- 7 Willow Creek State Recreation Are0 3 a- Willow Experimental Forest -14 Willow Subbasin Area Plan -1,3,7,29,30,35,47 Willow subunits - 8,9 Willow 2a-24 Willow 4a- 28,29,30, acreage and volume - 60,67 Willo7 4 - wb 4 Willo 8,24,27,29,30,34,47- w 6 , acreag volumd ean e59,6- 7 Willow 8a - 8,24,27,29,30,34,36,40,47, acreag volumd ean e62,7- 0 Willow 12d-13,27,47, acreage and volume - 59,67 windfirmness ris3 3 k- windrow1 2 s- winter travel-77-78 winter road s8,21,38,39,46,77- , define5 5 d- winter operation s20-2- 1 woodlots - 8,12,13 woody debris - 32,33, large woody debris defined - 51

Index - 93 This publication was released by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land, for the purpose of identifying areas availabl r timbeefo t standardr se harves o t d san t for timber managemen timbed an t r accesst a , cose f th $6.2o t r book0pe . R17W R14W R12W FHOW

SUSITNA FORESTRY GUIDELINES LEGEND

State Land Where Forestry is One of the Designated Uses

Susitne Th a Forestry Guidelines apply to lands wit followine hth g designations.

Forestry - Co-Primary

Forestr ySecondar- y

Forestry - Personal Use

Resource Management

Other State Land

To determine whethe forest no r tro management activities are allowed on lands with these designations, lan e plae th d us n e fose r these areas.

Agriculture

Settlement

Legislatively Designated Areas Other Designations «?n-&' imlihtc In ml with Wildlife Habitat. Public Recrmhmi, ami Water Resource dtfignalicms witfrc Farcftni in not a dff imitated use)

Non-State Land

Private, Native, University, and Mental Health Land Note: Pan-ek of land smaller than T60 acres ire not sliwen an this ttu Borough Land

Phase Timber sfo r Management

O Phase 1-East Side Phase 1-Mt. Susitna

Phase 2

Phase 3

I and Use Plan & Subunit Names

State-owned subunits outside legislatively-designated areae sar labeled on the map. for example, SI. 14e. The capital letters identify the land use plan that includes the subunit, the number indicates the management unit (a group of related subunits), and the tower-case letter indicate subunie sth L It ther onls ei e yon subunit in a management unit, the lower-case letter is dropped. Ther severae ear l subregion thn i se Susitna Area e Planth o ,s subunit name for these units also indicates the subregion that includes the subunit. Por example, subunit SL 14e is in managemen Susime th t n i uni n4 1 Lowlandt s subregio Susitne th f no a Area Plan.

Susitna Area Plan Subunits

Alaska Range subunits Mount Susitna subunits Petersville Road subunils Sunflower Basin subunits Susitna Lowlands subunits South Parks Highway subunits Talkeelna Mis. subunits

Subunits Otherin Planning Areas

DC Deception Creek Land Use Plan subunits FC Fish Creek Management Plan subuniis KP Kashwilna Management Plan subunits Wl Willow Subbasin Area Plan subunits

Recreatiow Ne n Sites Recommended Guidelinee th y b s

Alaska Department of SUSITNA ii NATURAL ^RESOURCES FORESTRY GUTOEIJNES