2008 Medicine Bow 5 Year
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Medicine Bow National Forest Routt National Forest 200 8 Monitoring Report Medicine Bow NF 5 Year Evaluation Routt NF 10 Year Review Fiscal Years 2004 to 2008 October 1, 200 3 through September 30, 2008 United States Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region Table of Contents Table of Contents .......................................................................................... 2 Certification .............................................................................................. 4 Introduction .............................................................................................. 5 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................... 7 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................... 7 Forest Plan and Policy Updates ........................................................................ 9 Adjustments to the Forest Plans .................................................................... 9 New Laws and Regulations ............................................................................ 10 Projects and Ongoing Activities ......................................................................... 12 Community Involvement ............................................................................ 12 Projects Completed During FY08 ..................................................................... 15 Monitoring items ........................................................................................... 18 Ensure Sustainable Ecosystems ....................................................................... 18 Watershed Condition ................................................................................ 18 Riparian and Wetland Conditions .................................................................. 21 Stream flows .......................................................................................... 24 Soil Productivity ...................................................................................... 26 Air Quality ............................................................................................. 28 Water Quality ......................................................................................... 29 Vegetation Composition and Structure .............................................................. 41 Restoration, Enhancement and Commodity Production ........................................... 43 Ensure Sustainable Ecosystems ....................................................................... 46 Habitat Improvement ................................................................................ 46 Old Growth and Late Successional Forest Structure ............................................ 50 Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive Species and MIS Habitat and Populations.............. 60 Terrestrial Wildlife .................................................................................. 71 Fire Management Plans .............................................................................. 95 Fuels Treatments..................................................................................... 96 Insects and Disease .................................................................................. 97 Invasive Species ...................................................................................... 99 Landscape Patterns .................................................................................102 Multiple Benefits to People ..........................................................................105 Effects of Recreation Activities ...................................................................105 Recreational Opportunities ........................................................................108 Outdoor Recreation .................................................................................111 Recreation Infrastructure ..........................................................................116 Effects of Off-Road Vehicles ......................................................................117 Scenery ...............................................................................................120 Wilderness Opportunities ..........................................................................122 Wilderness Monitoring Plans .......................................................................122 Wilderness Rehabilitation ..........................................................................123 Protected Areas .....................................................................................124 Livestock Use ........................................................................................124 Big Game .............................................................................................126 Miscellaneous Products .............................................................................127 Snowy Range Scenic Byway ........................................................................128 Research Natural Areas ............................................................................129 Land Ownership .....................................................................................130 2 Rights of Way Acquisition ..........................................................................131 Harvested Land Adequately Restocked ..........................................................131 Costs ..................................................................................................132 Comparison of Estimated and Actual Outputs and Services ..................................134 Communities .........................................................................................134 Scientific and Technical Assistance .................................................................140 Collaboration ........................................................................................140 Partnerships..........................................................................................141 Interpretation and Watchable Wildlife ..........................................................143 Knowledge Base .....................................................................................147 Effective Public Service ...............................................................................148 Road System .........................................................................................148 Roads – Road Decommissioning ...................................................................151 Facilities – Safety and Security ....................................................................151 Implementation Monitoring ..........................................................................152 Endangered Species Act ............................................................................152 Implementation of Standards and Guidelines ...................................................154 Implementation Monitoring /Scientific and Technical Assistance: ..........................193 References ................................................................................................194 Interdisciplinary Team ...................................................................................200 Acronyms - ...............................................................................................201 Appendix A ................................................................................................204 3 Certification The Medicine Bow National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Medicine Bow Plan) Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on December 29, 2003. The Routt National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Routt Plan) Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on February 17, 1998. The Plans are dynamic documents, subject to change based on annual monitoring and evaluation as we implement them. Monitoring is intended to provide me with information necessary to determine whether the Plans are sufficient to guide management of the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests for the subsequent year or whether modification of the Plans or if modifications of management actions are necessary. I have reviewed the Five Year Review and 2008 Annual Implementation and Monitoring Report for the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests that was prepared by the Forest Interdisciplinary Team (IDT). Overall, the 2008 Monitoring and Evaluation results indicate that the management of both Forests meets goals, objectives, standards and guidelines, and management area prescriptions. I believe that the results of monitoring and evaluation for FY08 meet the intent of Chapter 4 of the two Forest Plans. I also believe that the monitoring and evaluation requirements displayed in Chapter 4 of the Forest Plans have been met, and that the decisions made in the Forest Plans are still valid. The Forest IDT has not identified any modifications to the Plans or adjustments to management actions. The Medicine Bow Plan and Routt Plan are sufficient to continue to guide management of the Forests. Please contact Frank Romero at the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, Wyoming, 82070, or call (307) 745-2300, if you have any specific concerns, questions, or comments about this report. /s/ Phil Cruz 09/29/2010 PHIL CRUZ Date Acting, Forest Supervisor 4 Introduction The Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland are managed under the administrative unit known