DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERTOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Final EnvironmerLtal Assessment fbr the proposed Bungalow Mines Forestry Project on the Colville Indian Rerservation, Okanogan County, Washington
AGENCY: Bureau of krdian Affairs
ACTION: Notice of Availability
SUMMARY: This notice is to advirie interested parties that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead federal agency, with the Conflederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, has prepared a final Environmenta.l Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) foi ttre proposed Bungalow Mirres Forestry Project on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington. This notice also announces the EA and FONSI are now available in hard copy at the address below.
ADDRESSES; You may request ahard copy of the EA and FONSI by writing the BIA Colville Agency, PO Box 1.50, Nespelem, Washington, 99155, ancl the Colville Tribe, PO Box 111, Nespelem, Washington, 99 I 55.
FOR FURTHER IINFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Wulff, BIA Colville Agency Superintendent, at (509) 634-2316, and Chasity Swan, Colville Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) Coorclinator, at (509) 634-2323.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: The Colville Tribe, through contractual obligations to the BIA, has proposed the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project. The activities under the agency proposed action are for the Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation to harvest approximately 5 million board feet of timber from T,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington. The activities will occur under guidelines in the IRMF and associated Environmental Impact Statement.
AUTHORITY: This notice is published pursuant to 43 CFR 46.305 of the Department of Interior Regulations (43 CFR 46 et seq.), the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 437I et seq.), and in accor /.ldara tJt^ t.t,.70>l Ag"*y' Srp"r,"t*d;fri- Date Colville Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Deparlment of the Interior Finding of No Significant Impact Bungalow Mines Forestry Project Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington Based on the attached final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project for a proposal for the Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation to harvest approximately 5 million board feet of timber from 1,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area on the Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan County, Washington, I have determined that by implementation of the agency proposed action with associated activities, and environmental mitigation measures as specified in the EA, the proposed Bungalow Mines Forestry Project will have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. In accordance with section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. This determination is supported by the following findings: 1. Agency and Tribal Interdisciplinary Team involvement was conducted and environmental issues related to development of the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project were identified. Alternative course of action and mitigation measures were developed in response to environmental concerns and issues. Tribal community outreach was conducted (EA section 1.6; Colville Integrated Resource Management Plan [IRMP] Final Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]). 2. The EA discloses the environmental consequences of the “proposed action” and “no action” alternatives. 3. Protective measures will be levied to protect air (Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), noise, and water quality (Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), as outlined in the mitigation measures (EA section 4.3; Colville IRMP EIS). 4. The proposed action will not jeopardize threatened or endangered species (Endangered Species Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (EA section 4.4; Colville IRMP EIS). 5. There are no adverse effects on historic properties for the purpose of 36 CFR 800.9(b) by preserving archeological value through conduct of appropriate research in accordance with applicable standards and guideline (National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 470). Should undiscovered archeological remains be encountered during ground-disturbing activities, work will stop in the area of discovery and the stipulations of 36 CFR 800.11 will be followed (EA section 4.5; Colville IRMP EIS). 6. Impacts to public health and safety are mitigated through implementation of safety measures (Colville IRMP EIS). 7. The proposed action will not cause a significant effect to energy resources (Energy Policy Act of 2005), water resources, wetlands (E.O. 11990), or flood plains (E.O. 11988). The Bungalow Mines Forestry Project will not result in discharge of pollutants into waters of the U.S. or in surface water quality issues (Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (EA section 4.3; Colville IRMP EIS). 8. The cumulative effects of the environment are mitigated to avoid or minimize effects of implementation of the proposed project. 9. The proposed action would improve the economic and sociial conditions of the affected Indian community. 10. The Bungalow l\4ines Forestry Project will not have significant impacts on: natural and unique geographic features such as historic or culfural resources; park, recreation, or refuge lands; wildemess areas; wild and scenic rivers; national natural landmarks; s()le or prime drinking water aquifers; prime and unique farmlands, wetlands, floodplains; national monumenti; eagles and migratorybi.dr, und other ecologically significant areas. 1 l. The proposed action will not produce highly controversial effects on the quality of the human environment, and will not have unresolved conflicts concerning altemate uses bf available resources. 12. The proposed action will not have highly uncertain effects on the human environment or involve unique or rurkno,wn risks. 13. The proposed acrtion will not establish a precedent for future actions with sienificant efl'ects or represent a decision in principle about a consideration. 14. The Bungalow Mines Forestry Project is not related to otherr actions with individual insienificant but cumulatively si gnifi cant environmen tal effects. 15. There will be no disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effer:ts on minority or low-jincome communities (Environmental Justice E.O. 12898; Title VI of the Civil Riqhts Act of 1964). 16. The proposed ac1;ion will not affect.American Indian Religious Freedom (42 U.S.C. 1996). The action will not limit access to, and ceremonial use of, Indian sacred sites on federal lands, by Indian religious practitioners, andlor adversely affect the physical integrity of such sites Q.{ative American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,25 U,S.C. 32). 17. The action will not contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of noxious weeds or non-native invasjve species known t.o occur in the area, or may promote the introduction, growth, or expansion ofthe range ofsuch species. 18. The proposed action will not contribute to the disposal of solid or hazardous waste (Resource Conservation ancl R"ecovery Act of 1976;43 U.S.C. 6901, et seq.). 19. The proposed action will not threaten a violation of federal, state, local, or tribal law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment. l-I7VDI Agency Superintende: Date Colville Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Department of the Interior Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Colville Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation Proposed Action: The Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation proposes harvest of approximately 5 million board feet of timber from 1,340 acres in the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area of tribally owned land in the Nespelem District. Official Decision Maker: Debra Wulff, Superintendent, Colville Agency, BIA For further information: Chasity Swan IRMP Coordinator PO BOX 111 Nespelem, WA 99155 (509) 634-2323 [email protected] January 7, 2021 Colville Indian Reservation 1 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 1.0 Purpose and Need ...... 3 1.1 Introduction ...... 3 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action ...... 3 1.3 Issues, Concerns and Objectives ...... 3 1.4 Compliance with Other Codes and Regulations ...... 5 1.5 Determination...... 5 1.6 Public Involvement ...... 6 2.0 Alternatives Considered ...... 6 2.1 General Discussion: Alternative Design ...... 6 2.2 Alternative A: No Action ...... 7 2.3 Alternative B: Proposed Action ...... 7 3.0 Affected Environment ...... 9 3.1 Forestry ...... 9 3.2 Soils ...... 12 3.3 Hydrology ...... 12 3.4 Fish and Wildlife ...... 12 3.5 Cultural Resources ...... 15 3.6 Range Management ...... 18 4.0 Environmental Consequences ...... 19 4.1 Forestry ...... 20 4.2 Soils ...... 21 4.3 Hydrology ...... 22 4.4 Fish and Wildlife ...... 23 4.5 Cultural Resources ...... 27 4.6 Range Management ...... 28 4.7 Cumulative Impacts ...... 29 5.0 List of Preparers ...... 29 6.0 Literature Cited ...... 30 7.0 Appendices ...... 32 7.1 Appendix A: Activity Table and Project Maps ...... 32 7.2 Appendix B: Consultation ...... 35 7.3 Appendix C: Army Corps of Engineers BPMS ...... 37 8.0 Technical Supplement Prescription Descriptions ...... 39 2 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 1.0 Purpose and Need 1.1 Introduction The Bungalow Mines Forestry Project Area encompasses the Bungalow Creek and Lower Gold Creek watersheds and is bounded by the San Poil District to the north and east, Upper Gold Creek to the south and Strawberry, King and Deerhorn Creeks to the west. The project area is approximately 7,952 acres. The Omak-Nespelem Forestry District of the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) propose to harvest approximately 5 million board feet (MMBF) of timber from 1,340 acres, 321 acres of Pre- Commercial Thin (PCT) and 686 acres of conifer planting. There are an estimated 608 acres of mechanical site preparation associated to harvest unit prescriptions with an additional 338 acres of wildfire reforestation and 348 acres of chemical site preparation related to wildfire reforestation. The proposed harvest will require approximately 0.86 miles of new road construction and approximately 24.94 miles of road reconstruction, including 9.77 miles of BIA road. 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action The federal action (40 CFR 1508.18) is the BIA approval of the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project, which triggers BIA compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 USC § 4321-4375) and associated regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508, 43 CFR 46). This Environmental Assessment is prepared to meet the BIA’s NEPA responsibilities. The purpose of the action is to be able to implement the forestry and associated activities under the federal action to meet the primary need of revenue for the Tribe. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation are in the business of growing timber for profit. Timber growing, harvesting, and processing are major sources of income for the Colville Tribes, the tribal membership and the local population. The Colville Reservation’s Plan for Integrated Resource Management 2000-2014 (PIRM) (Klock 2001), calls for an annual harvest of 77.1 MMBF of timber. The PIRM also stresses the need for a healthy forest ecosystem with habitat that would contribute toward and support populations of native species, particularly those associated with cultural use and provides for the protection and restoration of watersheds on the Reservation so as to ensure they continue to provide high quality water and fish habitat (Klock 2001). The Colville Tribes interdisciplinary Project Proposal Process (3P) Team synthesized the proposed action to minimize impacts on other natural resources. 1.3 Issues, Concerns and Objectives Forestry Forest Health Most forested ecosystems in the Douglas-fir and Subalpine Fir zones on the Colville Reservation exhibit stocking levels and species compositions that have never existed. Timber stands in unstable ecosystems may experience catastrophic and unacceptable loss to insects or disease or to increased fuel loads and detrimental fuel configurations. Managed timberlands are more productive than unmanaged lands, the more timberland brought under management, the closer we are to meaningful regulation of the timber harvest and therefore to a sustained yield condition. 3 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 1. To reduce the risk of loss of timber to insects, disease and fire. 2. To improve general forest health. 3. To expand forest regulation. Indicator: A. Acres treated by each alternative. Income for the Colville Tribes, Support of Tribal Businesses and Employment for the Tribal Membership The income from the sale of timber accrues directly to the Tribal Government and, through that governing body, to the Tribal membership. It is therefore in the best interest of the Tribes to realize income from the sale of Reservation timber. The Colville Tribal Sorting Yard (owned by the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation) and businesses owned by Tribal members in the region rely on the sale of timber from Tribal lands. These and other wood-based businesses also employ Tribal members. These firms are engaged in logging, transporting, milling, marketing, and processing of timber into dimension lumber and other products. 1. To provide income for the Colville Tribes. Indicator: A. Estimated stumpage produced by each alternative. 1. To provide employment for the tribal membership. 2. To provide profit for tribally owned businesses. Indicator: A. Estimated volume of timber harvested per alternative. Soil Resource Objectives 1. To avoid causing detrimental soils conditions on more than 25% of the treatment (logged) area. Indicators: A. Displacement: movement or removal of topsoil. B. Compaction: topsoil is noticeably compressed or flattened, decreasing several inches in depth in contrast to nearby undisturbed soils of similar character. C. Fire damage: most of the topsoil is consumed and the top layer of mineral soil has changed color. D. Rutting of soil in the bottom of swales and draws. Hydrology Objectives 1. To minimize erosion and sediment delivery to surface waters and prevent streambank/wetland disturbance. Indicators: 4 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment A. Road construction and use. B. Road construction/use within 200 ft. of surface water. C. Harvest within 200 ft. of surface water. Fish and Wildlife Objectives 1. To maintain and restore critical forest structure; old growth forests, deciduous stands, wetlands, large woody debris, etc. (Klock 2001). Indicator: A. Wetland and stream adjacency acres. 2. To reduce alterations to fish and wildlife habitat in order to sustain viable populations and communities through maintained thermal, forage and travel cover and reduction of habitat fragmentation (Klock 2001). Indicators: A. Block size and adjacency, acres. B. Road density, mi/mi2. C. Miles of new road construction. 3. To maintain or increase the quantity and quality of habitat necessary to sustain and restore fish populations through high quality habitat and water (Klock 2001). Indicators: A. Miles of new road construction. B. Density of stream crossings (new, existing, removed). C. Miles of stream adjacency. 1.4 Compliance with Other Codes and Regulations The CCT PIRM provides an in-depth reservation wide analysis that addresses many of the concerns and issues outlined in the following section. Issues and concerns related to forest management were intensively analyzed in the IRMP Environmental Impact Statement. This project is designed to be compliant with Colville Tribal Forest Practices Code (208), CTC 4-9: Hydraulic Project Permitting, 4-10: Water Resources Use and Permitting, the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and other applicable Tribal and Federal Regulations. 1.5 Determination The Colville Agency Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent with the concurrence of the Colville Business Council (CBC) would determine which alternative is selected for implementation. a) To take no action (Alternative A). b) To approve the proposed action (Alternative B). c) To direct an additional alternative be created. The BIA Superintendent would also determine whether the environmental consequences are significant and prepare either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or determine that Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be required. 5 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 1.6 Public Involvement The public scoping related to the Record of Decision (ROD) process started in 1994 (Klock 2001). Through numerous “visioning sessions” with the Tribal membership and detailed input by Tribal staff and management, 15 goals for management of natural resources were identified. These goals were used to identify key planning issues that were the focus of the Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) FEIS (Klock 2000). In July of 2001 the ROD and PIRM were approved by the Colville Tribal Business Council. The Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project was presented to the Colville Tribes interdisciplinary 3P Team on March 18, 2020 as Tribal public involvement. The 3P Team had a field tour of the project area on August 26, 2020, but no public field tour followed due to COVID-19 restrictions. This project is a part of that 15-year plan for Forestry Resource Management on the Reservation (Klock 2001, Table F-19). Major Relevant Issues: Direct • Road Density • Soil Disturbance Indirect • Potential for future landslides and mass wasting events • Water quality/hydrologic process/aquatic habitat degradation Cumulative • Total road densities • Total soil disturbance associated with past and proposed harvest • Water quality/hydrologic process/aquatic habitat degradation 2.0 Alternatives Considered 2.1 General Discussion: Alternative Design The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have developed regulations that require that a reasonable range of alternatives be considered in NEPA documentation, including the “Proposed Action” and “No Action” alternatives. For this project, Alternative A (No Action) is included to fulfill the requirements of NEPA and to provide baseline values by which to measure the effects of other alternatives. For the purposes of this document, “no action” means that no harvest or other resource manipulation would occur if this alternative were adopted. Alternative B (the Proposed Action) was constructed to fulfill the purpose and need. That is, Alternative B was designed to: • Reduce risk of loss of timber to insects, disease and fire (secondary fire effects) • Provide stumpage income for the Tribal Government of the Colville Tribes, • Provide employment for Tribal members, 6 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment • Provide opportunity for profit for Tribally owned businesses, • Improve general forest health, • Expand forest regulation. All alternatives are designed to meet all legal and procedural requirements to which the Colville Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs must adhere. 2.2 Alternative A: No Action The “No Action Alternative” includes the BIA not approving the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project at this time and/or the BIA and Tribe not implementing activities under the project. Under this alternative no timber harvest, road reconstruction, or other manipulation of resources would take place. 2.3 Alternative B: Proposed Action The Proposed Action Alternative includes the BIA approving the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project and the BIA and Tribe implementing the activities under the proposal. This Alternative does meet the Purpose and Need of the project. This alternative was proposed by Forestry to meet forest health needs and provide volume for the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) of 77.1 MMBF outlined in the IRMP. Timber Harvest of roughly 5 MMBF from approximately 1,340 acres, with 321 acres of PCT, 686 acres of conifer tree planting and 205 acres of PCT-weeding (PCT after harvest to release desirable residual understory) treatment in the Bungalow Mines Project Area. There are an estimated 946 acres of mechanical and 348 acres of chemical site preparation associated with the various silvicultural treatments this entry. See Technical Supplement, Section 8.0, for more detail. Table 1. Prescription Summary for Alternative B of the Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project. Prescription Acres Pre-commercial Thin (PCT) 321 Pre-commercial Thin-weeding (PCT-weeding) 205 Seed Tree / Overstory Removal (ST/OR) 182 Seed Tree (ST) 504 Shelterwood (SW) 309 Improvement Cut (IC) 345 Total Non-Commercial Thinning 526 Total Commercial Harvest 1,340 Tree Planting – artificial regeneration 686 Site preparation – mechanical (harvest Rx, natural) 608 Site preparation – mechanical (reforestation Rx, artificial) 338 Site preparation – chemical (reforestation Rx, artificial) 348 Total Regeneration Development 1,979 7 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment The harvest system acres are shown in Table 2. The acres are estimated. Operational decisions would be made on the ground to determine how each acre would be harvested. Generally, areas over 35% slope would be cable logged, but there are small, steep inclusions that may be harvested using a ground-based system such as tractor or forwarder. Non-commercial thinning units are not included in these estimates because no logging equipment would be used for those treatments. Table 2. Alternative B harvest systems. Logging Method Acres Ground-Based 1,340 Approximately 0.86 miles of new road construction, and 24.94 miles of reconstruction, including 9.77 miles of BIA road, would occur to facilitate logging operations. All new construction and reconstruction proposed for closure would be closed upon completion of harvest operations, site preparation, and planting activities. Table 3. Alternative B road construction and reconstruction. Roads Miles New Construction 0.86 Reconstruction 24.94 Road Closure Plan All newly constructed roads would be closed following post-harvest activities. Other Project Design Features There are many other project design features that are included in this alternative. These are included to help protect other resources such as fish and wildlife, and riparian areas. Some of these design features are outlined below. These design features would help mitigate most of the issues and concerns raised by Fish and Wildlife, Soils and Hydrology. These design features would make the project meet the standards of the PIRM and Forest Practices Code and help to mitigate some of the potential negative impacts of the project. • All newly constructed roads would be closed following implementation. • Habitat patches would be left in the large units to break up the “continuity” on the landscape and provide refuge for wildlife. • Scattered over-story trees would be left on all units to provide a future source of snags and down woody debris. • Streams and wetlands would be buffered as required by the current 208 guidelines. • A combination of cable logging and ground-based systems would be used, depending on steepness of the units and road placement. • Summer and winter seasonal restrictions would be placed on units to protect the sensitive ash cap soils from erosion. Summer would be dry soil conditions; winter restrictions would require frozen ground and/or 2 feet of snow. • Archeological sites would be buffered and protected from logging damage. • Corridors would be in place on the landscape to allow wildlife to travel across the project area while being secure. 8 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment • Continued monitoring for specific wildlife species would occur and operational adjustments can be made if needed. • Skid trails would be spaced at least 100 feet to reduce soil compaction and displacement. • Army Corps of Engineers BMPs (Appendix C) will be implemented for culverts, associated with the forestry project, to be exempt from obtaining a Clean Water Act section 404 permit. When timber harvest takes place, Best Management Practices (BMP’s) outlined in the Colville Confederated Tribes Forest Practices Handbook (208 Handbook), dated October 2006, would be employed. Timber contract compliance by the Timber Sale Officer (TSO) would be the foremost method ensuring that the BMP’s are followed and implemented. Proper maintenance of roads and skid trails after logging operations would be implemented to reduce erosion. Designated skid trails and cable logging would help reduce impacts to the soil resources. Slash treatments, on the ground and at the landings, would be either lop & scattered, slash, excavator piled & burned, prescribed burned or left on site. The continual management of the stands including monitoring from initial stand development to the maturity of the stand would be completed by various forestry staff such as Silviculturists, Timber Sale Officers, and forest development staff. The monitoring would ensure the individual stands are going down the anticipated pathway to the desired future conditions. Culverts would be replaced at certain locations depending on the necessity which would be determined by the TSO’s, District Officer, the road engineer, or Environmental Trust Department (ETD) Non-Point Source (NPS) Management Coordinator. Also, new culverts would be installed to allow the continual flow of water to remain in the same established channel and accommodate the estimated discharge of a 100-year flood event. Water sources would be identified on the FPA/HPA application as potential sites to obtain water for road watering, dependent on approval from the Water Administrator. Calcium chloride may be used on sections of road as an alternative to road watering. Riparian Management Zones (RMZ) would be identified in the planning process using stream classification maps and determined by Presales Department personnel during block boundary layout. RMZ buffers would follow requirements of the Forest Practices Code (CTC 4-7), dated October 2006. During implementation of road construction activities and logging operations, some trees may need to be harvested, if they present a safety hazard. 3.0 Affected Environment 3.1 Forestry Affected Environment General Discussion The Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area is in the Nespelem District of the Colville Reservation located in northeastern Washington State in east central Okanogan County. The project area is located northeast of Moses Mountain, southwest of West Fork, WA within the Bungalow Creek and Upper Gold Creek Watershed Management Units, bounded north and east by the San Poil District, Upper Gold Creek to the south and Strawberry, King and Deerhorn Creeks 9 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment to the west. Approximately 7,952 acres are within the project area boundary, with majority of acres in the commercial timber cut base. Forest Health From the early 1920’s to the late 1960’s single tree selection or a selective harvest was the most common logging practices. The objective was to remove the larger more desirable tree species, Ponderosa pine, and Western larch. There is much evidence of this throughout the Bungalow Mines 2021 Project Area, but more recent improved, scientific-based forest management practices are apparent as well. Favorable topography and access have facilitated extensive past logging activity. Around the same time, land managers also began to actively and aggressively put out wildfires. Historically, the forest types in this project area would have been open and “park-like”, with frequent fires removing many of the understory trees, and creating an open condition that would have favored shade intolerant species such as Ponderosa pine and Western larch. These openings have been encroached with conifers and shrubs over the last 80-year period. Years after Selective Harvest and Fire Suppression Selective harvest not only removed a much desirable species composition, but it also removed much of the fire tolerant tree species and size classes. The species composition has shifted so heavily to Douglas-fir, Subalpine and Grand Fir and Lodgepole Pine that intensive management such as site preparation and/or planting would be needed to shift the area back to a Ponderosa pine/Western larch dominated forest. Douglas-fir, Subalpine/Grand Fir and Lodgepole Pine are much more prone to insects and diseases, and far less tolerance to fire and drought. Because of the dense level of Douglas-fir, Subalpine/Grand Fir and Lodgepole Pine in the understory, the proposed treatment units are at very high risk for catastrophic fire and insect outbreaks, as well as continued mortality related to secondary fire effects from the 2015 NorthStar Fire. Past Treatments Management implemented changes in the early 1980’s and 1990’s from uneven-aged to even aged practices like commercial thinning, clear-cuts, seedtree, regeneration with reserve trees, and shelterwoods. The Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Area had last been managed around the 2010’s with a majority the silvicultural prescriptions being improvement cuts, seedtree cuts or regeneration cut with reserve trees and pre-commercial thinning. This was to revert the species composition back to Western larch/Ponderosa pine and release these species where established by previous entries. The table below shows the past treatments: Table 4. Past treatments. Historical Treatments Acres Improvement Cut 304 Regeneration with Reserves 469 Seed Tree 237 Commercial Thin 89 Overstory Removal 24 Sanitation 40 10 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Salvage – Fire 662 Pre-Commercial Thin 818 Total Treated Acres 2,643 Insects & Diseases There are several insects and diseases that are causing forest health issues within the project area. Many of these have been exacerbated by past selective harvest practices and fire suppression, as discussed earlier in this section. Dwarf Mistletoe Dwarf mistletoe is the most common disease affecting forest health in the project area. Dwarf mistletoe is endemic to the reservation but is more abundant than historic levels due to past management practices. Effects of Dwarf Mistletoe • Robs the tree of nutrients and water. • Severe growth loss and decreased survival. • Small trees are unlikely to ever grow into large tree dominated forests. • Causes bunched growths of branches called witches brooms. • Causes large branches and knots which decreases the wood quality. Armillaria Root Rot Armillaria root rot pockets of various sizes and infection rates were found scattered throughout the project area. Root rot is a fungus that kills host cambium, decays root wood, and plugs water conducting tissue. The effects of root rot are: • Creates openings in the forest by killing trees. • Kills infected trees or weakens them so beetles can kill them. • Reduces diameter growth. • Can cause butt rot, which reduces the value of individual trees. Some of the proposed units within the project area have root rot infections, and post-harvest planting operations are planned. Insects Signs of several insects throughout the project area are evident in declining tree growth and form coupled with increased and accelerating mortality. The primary insect concerns are: • Overstocked lodgepole at risk of epidemic for mountain pine beetle • Overstocked Douglas-fir, Engelmann Spruce, Subalpine and Grand Fir at risk of epidemic for Western Spruce Budworm and Tussock Moth • Western pine beetle, Douglas fir beetle, fir engraver and other wood borers. These are usually found in conjunction with overstocked stands or root rot pockets Some of the proposed units within the project area have insect infections, and post-harvest slash and site preparation treatments are planned and needed for conifer regeneration establishment and fuel hazard reduction. 11 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Road Conditions: • Washed out culverts • Poor water drainage off roads • Overgrown vegetation Many roads in the project area are improperly placed near streams. Water runs down many of these roads causing ruts and erosion. Overgrown vegetation has closed numerous roads up which makes travel more difficult on most roads. 3.2 Soils Soil, water, and vegetation are intrinsically linked through the water cycle and all three components functioning properly are vital to a robust and resilient watershed (Brady & Weil 1996; Hunner 2014). Soils also provide habitat for micro- and macro-organisms and perform nutrient recycling functions (Brady & Weil 1996). As a medium and ecosystem soil and soil functions are key to plant productivity. Vegetative contributions to soil (coarse woody debris, litter, root growth, physical cover, etc.), natural hydrologic processes, subterranean biological processes, and inherent soil characteristics/components are necessary to sustain productive forest growth (Brady & Weil 1996; Hunner 2014). The landscape throughout the project area is dominated by mountain slopes, hillslopes, hills and mountains. Soils are formed predominantly from volcanic ash, loess, and metamorphic rock. Soil parent materials derived from a mantle of volcanic ash and loess over glacial till and colluvium derived from volcanic and metamorphic rock. Table 5 shows the general soil types and their landscape characteristics. Soils data for the Colville Indian Reservation comes from the detailed soil survey of the Colville Indian Reservation (NRCS 2002). Table 5. General soil types and their landscape characteristics of the project area. General Soil Map Unit Names Landform Types Rock Outcrop Inkler, Baldknob-Thout Mountain Slopes, Hills, Complex Mountains Silt Loam Nevine, Inkler Mountain Slopes, Hillslopes 3.3 Hydrology This project area is 7,952 acres, which contains the Bungalow Creek, and Lower Gold Creek Watershed Management Units. The area is bounded to the north and east by the San Poil District, and by the King, Strawberry, and Upper Gold drainages to the west and south. The proposed project would involve approximately 1,979 acres of treatment, with 1,340 acres of timber harvest, and 686 acres of tree planting. Table 6. Hydrologic features within Bungalow Mines Project Area footprint. Hydrologic Feature Potentially Affected Size Mapped Streams 30.4 mi Mapped Wetlands 189.1 ac 3.4 Fish and Wildlife 12 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Wildlife The Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project Area supports habitat for a variety of birds including Northern goshawks, great gray owls, other raptors, pileated woodpeckers and other cavity nesters, gold and bald eagles, owls, and a wide range of songbirds. Habitat components that provide requirements for the highest concentration of birds are found in and around riparian areas and areas with deciduous vegetation. Other critical habitat components include large diameter trees, snags and an abundance of large woody debris. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c), of 1940, as amended, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), of 1918, as amended, prohibits anyone, without a permit, from “Taking” eagles or any bird, including their parts, nests, or eggs. Within this Act, eagles/nests/eggs/young are not to be “Disturbed” including agitated or bothered. Aerial surveys are conducted annually by the Colville Tribe to identify eagle and raptor nests. All known nests are buffered and have seasonal restrictions. Currently there are no known bald or golden eagle territories within the project area. Other Species The Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a large forest raptor, strongly associated with mature forests where there is dense and closed canopy cover, open understory for flyways, and multiple canopy layers for protection. These attributes are critical for nesting and foraging Northern goshawks. Great gray owls (Strix nebulosi) share similar habitat requirements as the Northern goshawk with the additional requirement of open meadows for hunting. Pileated woodpeckers (Hylatomus pileatus) and white-headed woodpeckers (Picoides albolarvatus) are residents of the project area. Woodpeckers seek habitat that contains large diameter trees and mature stands of timber with an abundance of woody debris. The Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project Area contains habitat that meets the life requirements of a variety of mammal species including but not limited to; snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), mice (Cricetidae spp.), voles (Cricetidae spp.), beaver (Castor canadensis), several species of bat (Chiroptera spp.), coyotes (Canus latrans), black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus) and cougars (Puma concolor). Reptiles and amphibians are also residents of the project area and are sensitive to habitat changes. Areas used for reproduction are among the most important areas to protect for these species. Each of these species would react differently to the impacts of logging operations but maintaining species diversity and structural complexity would ensure the continuance of the greatest suite of species. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Rocky mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and Moose (Alces alces) are culturally significant species to tribal members for both subsistence and ceremonial uses and are found within and adjacent to the project area throughout the year. Mule deer can be found throughout the area from steep forested ridges to lowland shrub-steppe habitat at all elevations. White-tailed deer are primarily found using riparian associated habitat adjacent to streams, rivers, meadows or agriculture at elevations below 3,500 feet. Elk are known to use portions of the area throughout the year, including calving grounds and winter range. The Colville Reservation is currently home to five known wolf packs. Gray wolves (Canis lupus) as an apex predator play an important role in ecosystem function, preying primarily on ungulates 13 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment such as deer, elk and moose. Currently, there is a wolf pack utilizing the project area, with habitat and prey existing to support wolves. This area provides travel habitat and movement for resident and migrant wolves. Wolves in Eastern Washington are state threatened species, but not a federal listed species. Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) may also be present in the project area. This area is located east of the Omak Mountain Lynx Management Zone (LMZ) and lynx life requirements should be maintained. The project area serves as an important wildlife corridor. Additionally pine marten (Martes martes), wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus), and fishers (Pekania pennant) historically have been documented on the Colville Reservation. These rare forest carnivores are extremely susceptible to logging and harvesting of old growth forests. Snags are used for denning sites and the bigger snags should be left when possible. Fish The Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project is located within the Upper Columbia River Basin in the Sanpoil River Watershed. The project area includes Gold Creek, Bungalow Creek, and their tributaries. Fish species of primary concern located within and adjacent to the project area include Redband Trout (Onchoryncus mykiss gairdneri), Kokanee (O. nerka), and Eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Other native species within the families Cyprinidae (minnows), Catostomidae (suckers) and Cottidae (sculpins) are also present in the Sanpoil River and its tributaries. The Upper Columbia River Basin includes Lake Roosevelt and the Sanpoil River Watershed and is included in the Northeast Washington Research Needs Area of the Mid- Columbia Recovery Unit for Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; USFS 2002). Bull trout Threatened and Endangered Species federal status is currently listed as “threatened” while Washington State considers bull trout a candidate for listing. Bull trout in the Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project Area and surrounding areas are extremely rare and believed to be extirpated. Historically, populations likely occurred in several tributaries to the Columbia River above Grand Coulee Dam (Lake Roosevelt). However, currently no spawning populations are known to exist within the project area. Federally Threatened or Endangered Species Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) of 1973 as amended, and its implementing regulations found at 50 CFR 402, require federal agencies to insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat. The project would not directly or indirectly impact any living resources. Information for Planning and Conservation was acquired from the United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (USDOI-FWS) for Endangered Species Act Species List. An Official Species List from the United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (USDOI-FWS) consultation code is included in the official project file. The following species, listed in Table 7, have no critical habitat and no potential to occur within or adjacent to the project site based on the appropriate USGS 7.5- minute quadrangle map. Species Scientific Name Status Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis Threatened Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Threatened Gray Wolf Canis lupus Proposed Endangered 14 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Yellow-billed Cuckoo Coccyzus americanus Threatened Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus Threatened Table 7. US-DOI-Fish and Wildlife Service: Official Species List. Migratory Birds: Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The birds listed below in Table 8, are birds of particular concern either because they occur on the USDOI-FWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list or warrant special attention in the project location. .Species Scientific Name Status Cassin’s Finch Carpodacus cassinii BCC Rangewide (CON) Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus BCC Rangewide (CON) Table 8. US-DOI-Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Birds List. USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC); Continental USA and Alaska (CON). Habitat The project area supports a variety of cottonwood and aspen (Populus spp.) stands possessing multiple stand characteristics. Riparian areas within the project area are associated with seeps and springs, intermittent and perennial streams, and wetlands. There are many seeps and springs in this area that may not be visible until the ground is disturbed; this along with soil type and slope could result in washouts and landslides. Deciduous trees and shrubs are present in the lower elevations of the project and in the saddles and draws of the higher elevations; these areas are considered riparian habitat if they are linked to a seasonal or perennial water source. Within the project there are areas that contain sufficient woody debris both in the uplands and riparian habitats. These areas would be impacted by the removal of large recruitment trees, the reduction of snags and the removal of downed wood due to site prep and equipment operation. 3.5 Cultural Resources National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) as amended, and its implementing regulations found at 36 CFR Part 800, require federal agencies to identify cultural resources for federal action. The significance of the resource must be evaluated using established criteria outlined at 36 CFR 60.4. If a resource is determined to be a historic property, Section 106 of the NHPA requires that effects of the undertaking on the resource be determined. A historic property is “…any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, including artifacts, records, and material remains related to such a property…” (NHPA, 16 USC 470w, Sec. 301[5]). “Cultural resources” include archaeological sites, standing structures, and locations or landforms that are important to the identity of the indigenous people of the area (i.e., traditional cultural properties [TCPs]). For more details on the affected cultural environment, please consult the CCT Cultural Resource Management Plan (CCT 2007), the cultural resources overview for the Colville Reservation (Gough 1990), and the FEIS for the PIRM (Klock 2000). The Bungalow Mine Forestry Project is within the ancestral lands of the Okanogan, Nespelem Sanpoil Tribes, who can identify their ancestry back over a thousand years in this area. The languages of the twelve tribes comprising the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have been grouped into general Salishan and Sahaptian language families. The majority spoke the 15 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Interior Salish languages of nxaɁamcín and nsləxcín, though the Sahaptian languages of the Nez Perce (nímípuɁ) and Palus (palús) were also spoken. The language of the Okanogan, Nespelem and Sanpoil is nsləxcín. This project includes various forest and fire management treatments for approximately 1,979 acres of land within the Omak/Nespelem Forestry District (OND). The project area encompasses approximately 7,952 acres. Additionally, this project will require approximately 0.86 miles of road construction and 24.94 miles of road reconstruction. For the purposes of consultation with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the 2,065 acre timber treatment areas and attendant landings, as well as the 25.8 miles of road construction and reconstruction shall be considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Approximately 1,455 acres were previously surveyed within and immediately adjacent to the Bungalow Mine Forestry Project Area (Table 9). A review of the Colville Confederated Tribe History/Archaeology (CCT H/A) Program databases. These inquiries have resulted in the formal documentation two cultural resources within the Bungalow Mine Forestry APE (Table 10) and twelve cultural resources are documented within one mile of the project APE (Table 11). For the current project, a predictive model was used to select areas within the Bungalow Mine Project area for a cultural resource survey. Table 9. Previous Survey within and immediately adjacent to the Bungalow Mines Forestry Project. Date Survey Report Author 1990 A Cultural Resources Overview, Sampling Survey, and Gough, Stan Management Plan, Colville Indian Reservation. 2003 Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project. Fish, Adam 2007 Roaring Creek Forest Management Project. Marchand, Amelia Table 10. Cultural Resources Recorded within the Bungalow Mine Forestry Area of Potential Effect (APE)*. Site ID Number Site Name Site Description 45OK928 Bungalow Dance Hall Historic Commercial Structures 45OK2111 N/A Historic Mining Property/Structure *Archaeological and sacred site locations are not provided in this document because disclosure of site locations may put these resources at risk to vandalism and looting (see the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Section 304a; and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, Section 9a) or jeopardize their access, integrity and ceremonial use ( see Executive Order No. 13007). Table 11. Cultural Resources Recorded within 1 Mile of the Bungalow Mine Forestry Area of Potential Effect. Site ID Number Site Name Site Description 16 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment N/A Bungalow Mine Historic Mining Property 092513-1-AMC N/A Historic Cairn/Rock Alignment 092601-2-SH N/A Historic Mining Property 060503-1 N/A Historic Scatter 061103-1 Frank’s Site Historic Structure 45FE303 N/A Historic Camp 45FE318 N/A Pre-contact Scatter 45OK720 King Creek Ridgeline Cairn Pre-contact Cairn 45OK1041 Park City Saw Mill Historic Structure 45OK1042 King Creek Memorial Historic Memorial 45OK1043 King Creek Mining Cairn Historic Cairn CCT-WA-ZZ-1521 Central Peak Berry Gathering Traditional Cultural Property Two cultural resources have been identified within the APE for the current project. One site has been recorded as 45OK928, the Bungalow Dancehall historic mining structures. This site may be considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as described in 36 CFR Part 60.4. The second site has been recorded as 45OK2111 and may be eligible for NRHP. All TCPs and archaeological sites must meet at least one of the following criteria to be considered eligible for evaluation to the National Register: A) they must be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history, B) they must be associated with the lives of persons significant to our past, C) they must embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or they represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components make individual distinction, or D) they must have yielded, or be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Additionally, to be a “property” a TCP must have tangible boundaries (36 CFR 60.4; Parker & King 1998). Shannon and Moura (2007) have aptly observed that due to the unique nature of TCPs, the standards identified above must also be evaluated with perception of Native American history. When reviewing TCPs for continued use of at least 50 years, for instance, it must be recalled that federal and state policies common in the 1800s restricted, regulated and denied access to property to Tribal people which had previously been in their exclusive territory. Oftentimes, Indian people may shift their area of use to adjacent or nearby locations if a previously utilized property suddenly (and beyond Tribal control) became unavailable. Therefore, a location may still retain value and continue to be a TCP when access is restored (Shannon & Moura 2007). 17 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment In pre-contact and historic times, the knowledge of these TCPs and their locations and use provided people with a means for subsistence and important cultural items for personal use or trade, cultural practices which continue to this day. Additionally, the nature of these sites and their close proximity to other documented cultural resources, including pre-contact, historic and additional TCP sites increases their potential to yield information important to the CCT. Oral history accounts of the region identify the general areas of Gold Creek, 19 Mile Creek, Bungalow Creek, West Fork Sanpoil, Bald Knob and Central Peak as possessing traditional value in addition to those locations observed during the archaeological survey. It is the position of the CCT that “A place is significant due to its location and the meaning assigned to it, not the language of the name by which it is known. While recording place names in the original languages is of immeasurable value, the places will continue to have meaning and significance regardless of the language used to describe them (George 2011). It is likely that cairns, rock alignments, and other rock features may be found throughout the area due to the prominent landscape of the mountains in the area. Small pre-contact camps may be present on the upland areas adjacent to springs or creeks, or in sheltered canyons, where people would have camped while taking advantage of upland resources. Evidence of early historic-period occupation, logging and mining features and\or graves may be present within the project area. The project area is located within the West Fork Sanpoil River Watershed, which contains all or portions of Roaring Creek, Gold Lake, West Fork of the San Poil River, Lime Creek, King Creek, Deerhorn Creek, Strawberry Creek, Gold Creek, and three springs. Land-based cultural activities occur in the summer and fall within this watershed, with the most prevalent use during the summer. Traditional harvest of culturally significant plant species perpetuates across the landscape. Two locations within the watershed have been documented as important areas for water-related resources and legendary landscapes; these include Central Peak and Strawberry Mountain. The project area falls within a portion of the watershed which is documented as a principle gathering location for at least nine native plant species for consumption, construction, weaving, and religious purposes (Table 12). Table 12. Traditional Cultural Plants gathered within the Upper Sanpoil Watershed (Marker et al. 2011). Huckleberry, Wild Raspberry, Wild Thimbleberry, Vaccinium spp Rubus spp Rubus spp Wild Strawberry, Canby’s Lovage, Fir, Fragaria vesca Ligusticum canbyi (xusxus) Multiple Species Red Willow, Lodgepole Pine, Western Larch, Cornus stolonifera Pinus contorta Larix occidentalis 3.6 Range Management The Range Units affected by the proposal are Range Units 4 and 9. Average rainfall for these sites ranges from 15-20” (snow in winter months) at the higher elevations and an average of 20-25” at the lower elevations. Elevations vary from 1,400 to 2,600 feet and with a diversity of habitats in the mixed conifer types; douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), along with various plant 18 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment communities such as common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), mallow ninebark (Physocarpos malvaceus), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicada), Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis), and pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens). The Colville Confederated Tribes Range Program currently has grazing permit on range unit 4 which is located within the timber salvage area. The season of use begins May 1st through May 31st. Range Unit 9 is currently not utilized. Table 13. Usage of Range Units within the Bungalow Mines Project Area. Range Unit # of permittees # of livestock Season of Use (months) 4 1 104 1 9 0 0 6.5 4.0 Environmental Consequences Summary Table of Issues Indicators Table 14. Summary Table of Issue Indicators for IRMP Goals and Objectives. Resource Issue Issue Indicator Alt. A Alt. B Vegetation Forest Health Acres Treated 0 1,979 /Timber Support of Tribal Timber Volume 0 5 MMBF Wood Processing for Processing Tribal Income Projected $0 $500,000 Stumpage Hydrology Sediment Road 0 miles 0.86 miles new Fish & Delivery/Erosion Construction construction Wildlife Habitat 24.94 miles reconstruction Hydrology Sediment Delivery Road 0 miles 18.1 miles use to Surface Water Construction/use .39 mi within 200 ft. of construction Surface Water Hydrology Sediment Delivery Harvest within 0 acres 356.7 acres to Surface Water 200 ft of Surface Water Fish and Critical Forest Wetland and No Change 1,306 acres Wildlife Structure, Old Stream Growth, Adjacency Wetlands, LWD 19 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Road Density Lower Gold Creek 3.44 (mi/mi2) 3.51 (mi/mi2) Bungalow Creek 5.61 (mi/mi2) 5.72 (mi/mi2) 4.1 Forestry Impacts to Forestry Resources Alternative A: No Action • No profits for Colville Tribe and would not meet the AAC of 77.1 MMBF. • Forest management would not receive the 10% funds. • No timber industry employment would be generated. • Forest health would decline. • No Improvements in forest roads. • Area would move farther away from the Desired Future Condition’s in the Plan for Integrated Resource Management. If Alternative A is chosen, CCT would not receive profit from their timber. This means that forest management would not receive the 10% funds needed to plant trees, thin trees, and collect pinecones. Moreover, this means less work for tribal members and higher unemployment. Finally, all the forest health problems outlined in the Affected Environment section of this document would continue and too worsen. Tree mortality would increase, and forest health would decline. Douglas- fir encroachment would continue, and there would be an increased likelihood of catastrophic fire and a severe insect outbreak. Impacts to Forestry Resources Alternative B: Proposed Action • $500,000 of profit for the Colville Tribe with a harvest of 5 MMBF. • Species composition on 1,979 acres will be shifted to Ponderosa pine and Western larch. • Forest health would improve, diseased trees will be removed and disease-resistant species will be regenerated naturally and with planting. • Understory Douglas-fir, Subalpine/Grand Fir, Lodgepole Pine encroachment would be piled and/or burned, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic fire and prepare site for regeneration of desirable species. • Density would be reduced in overstocked stands, creating a healthier forest. • Desired Future Condition’s outlined in the IRMP would be met over time. • 0.86 miles of new road construction to facilitate logging. 24.94 miles of road reconstructed. Some of the potential negative impacts that a timber sale may create, include the following: Visual landscape changes or disturbances would occur. Man-made “signs” (ribbon, tags, paint) are introduced into the area to guide the forest management. Noise and dust are created from logging operations. Existing vegetation is temporarily disturbed, but their resiliency to disturbances would allow them to come back. Skid trails and landings are created. Woody slash material is created. 20 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 4.2 Soils Impacts to Soil Resources Alternative A: No Action The “no action” alternative would have no impact on the soil resource within the project area. Impacts to Soil Resources Alternative B: Proposed Action Soil would be impacted by ground-based logging and excavator piling and burning operations. Approximately 1,340 acres would undergo ground-based logging, Approximately 613.5 acres of prime farmland exist within the project blocks. Generally, areas with slopes exceeding 35% are less well suited to use of ground-based machinery and soil impacts would be greater. Only 7% or 117 acres of the treatment area have slopes exceeding 35%. Anticipated soil impacts include displacement of topsoil, rutting, compaction, and erosion or soil loss. Ratings of potential for soil degradation are provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Table 15 shows the number of acres of ground-based harvest classified by soil displacement, rutting, compaction, and erosion hazard ratings: Table 15. Ground-based harvest acres with soil degradation ratings. Soil Degradation Type High Potential Moderate Potential Low Potential Acres Acres Acres Displacement 8.3 1,471.3 159.8 Rutting 500.9 159.9 978.6 Compaction 1,462.7 176.7 0 Erosion 429.8 921.1 288.4 The Natural Resources Conservation Service rates most soils with slopes exceeding 20% as poorly suited or unsuited for surface mechanical site preparation. Approximately 78 percent of the total harvest acres blocks in this project have slopes exceeding 20%. The primary factor limiting suitability is hill slope. Anticipated soil impacts include displacement of topsoil and erosion. Skid trails and pile burning generally cause severe impact to the upper soil layer (Cooley 2004). Skid trail impacts include compaction, rutting, and erosion or soil loss. Pile burning consumes most soil organic matter, nutrients, while changing the texture of soil surface layers. Some prescribed broadcast burning is proposed in this project. Of the entire project area all 95 percent of the total area is considered by NRCS to be susceptible to fire damage, primarily due to subsequent water and wind erosion. Higher impact is associated with higher burn severity, with low severity burns posing less risk of soil damage. Any new road construction involves clearing and grubbing, excavation, and compaction of multiple acres of soil depending on the mileage of new road. According to the project proposal sheet, approximately 0.86 miles of new road construction and 24.94 miles of road reconstruction will occur. Standard Operating Procedures and Mitigation Measures All applicable Best Management Practices (BMP) specified in Tribal Code CTC 4-7 Forest Practices are required to limit soil damage (CCT 2015). Some notable provisions follow: Provision 4-7-64 provides BMP to maintain site productivity, requiring operational measures to limit detrimental soil conditions to less than 25% of each treatment area or block. These typically 21 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment are soil displacement, compaction, and fire damage created by skid trails, landing activity, and pile burning. Designating skid trails to limit their frequency, and placing piles on skid trails are two possible means to stay below the 25% limit. Provision 4-7-66 requires location of skid trails away from low moist ground to avoid interception of subsurface water and to enable installation of cross drainage to prevent erosion that is skid trails should not be located down the bottom of swales or draws. Cross drainage of skid trails is required to maintain natural drainage patterns and prevent erosion, using outsloping, waterbars, or other effective measures. Provision 4-7-68 requires a minimum of two reserve trees per acre, well distributed, and two snags per acre to be left standing unless they pose a safety hazard to workers or the public. This requirement is intended to maintain some woody debris which is important to soil nutrients, texture, and soil fauna across the project area. Provision 4-7-72 requires BMP limiting mineral soil exposure from site prep to no more than 50% of each treatment area or block. It also requires at least five pieces per acre of large dead wood (15 inches in diameter and 10 feet long or larger) to be left scattered throughout treatment areas. Provision 4-7-74 requires fire trails to have adequate dips, water bars, and cross drainage to prevent erosion, and prohibits use of heavy equipment for building advance fire trail within Riparian Management Zones. Overall, activities should be performed when soil conditions are not likely to result in excessive erosion or soil movement, considering soil types, slopes, and climatic conditions. Avoid developing prime farmland where possible to preserve those portions of the reservation which contain prime agricultural soils for agricultural purposes. 4.3 Hydrology Impacts to Hydrology Resources Alternative A: No Action The no action alternative would allow for the natural ecological process to continue. Stream channel hydraulics and associated riparian vegetation would not be impacted by harvest related activities. Impacts to Hydrology Resources Alternative B: Proposed Action • .86 miles of road construction and 24.94 miles of road reconstruction • At least 18.1 miles of road use within 200ft of surface water, including 5.1 mi of road reconstruction and 0.39 mi of new construction • Harvest activities within 200ft of surface water – 356.7 ac, including 278.6 ac within 200 ft of streams, and 78.1 ac within 200 ft of wetlands All road construction and use associated with proposed timber harvest activities will lead to soil disturbance and loss as well as alteration of watershed hydrology (Hunner 2014). Specifically, road miles within 200ft of surface water are statistically likely to deliver sediment/erosion to surface water (Dubé et al 2004). Road reconstruction (5.1 miles of road reconstruction within the 200 ft riparian management zone) effects on water quality, hydrologic processes, and aquatic habitat will be the longest-on-going, longest-lasting, and highest-degree negative impacts resulting from the proposed action. Often new road construction has the largest impact on water quality, but in the case of the Bungalow Mines timber sale, the minimal amount of new construction will have 22 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment less of an impact than the extensive reconstruction efforts. Although this construction will occur on roads that are already in place, the use of heavy machinery to redo these roads will result in immediate sediment delivery to adjacent waterbodies, as well as soil compaction and disturbance, both causes of decreased soil health and eventual runoff channelization and continued erosive losses. Harvest related activities are planned to occur within 200ft of surface water along 356.7 acres of mapped streams and wetlands. Standard Operating Procedures and Mitigation Measures Operators must ensure that all BMPs and standards for timber harvest identified in Colville Tribal Code (CTC) Chapter 4-7: Forest Practices are followed in order to minimize hydrologic disturbance resulting from actions taken under this alternative. During road construction and reconstruction Planners and Operators must ensure that new/re-constructed roads meet the BMPs and standards for roads identified in CTC Chapter 4-7: Forest Practices, and CTC Chapter 4-9 Hydraulic Projects if doing any culvert/bridge work. By meeting these BMPs Planners and Operators would minimize the water quality, hydrologic process, and aquatic habitat degradation associated with roads as a result of the actions taken under this alternative. At this planning stage there is no final transportation plan. Planners and Operators should develop practices that would effectively mitigate for the increased road surface erosion. Such practices should include a plan for permanent road decommissioning to meet the IRMP objectives and comply with CTC Forest Practices Code. Upon completion of harvest or haul operations the following maintenance & monitoring actions shall be performed: • Clear all drainage improvements of obstructions. • Stabilize or remove unstable material and forest debris with potential to block drainage improvements. • Repair or replace all damaged drainage improvements to fully restore their function. • Leave road surface in a condition that would prevent subsequent erosion, and keep runoff within natural drainages, by outsloping, removing berms from the outside of roads, providing drain dips, waterbars, rolling grade or other methods. 4.4 Fish and Wildlife Impacts to Fish and Wildlife Resources Alternative A: No Action The “no action’ alternative would not have adverse effects on fish and wildlife habitat in the project area. Leaving the timber intact would allow the area to follow natural succession patterns and would benefit wildlife species both terrestrial and aquatic. Fires and/or insect/disease die offs could affect the project area but the timing and severity of these disturbances is not known. Natural disturbances may even benefit fish and wildlife species by increasing habitat values. Overstocked and diseased stands may show a decline in value for some species of wildlife. Impacts to Fish and Wildlife Resources Alternative B: Proposed Action Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Within the Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project boundary there are no known bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) territories. Per code 4-7-68 a 23 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment minimum of two reserve trees per acre, well distributed, shall be left standing (CCT 2015). Due to this being suitable habitat for eagle species it is requested that these reserve trees consist of the largest diameter and tallest living trees. If during harvest activities a bald or golden eagle nest is thought to have been found please contact the 3P wildlife biologist immediately. Within the project area there are no known active great gray owl or Northern goshawk territories. If a great gray or goshawk nest is located, a no harvest activity buffer of 750ft would be put into place, with a 0.5 mile seasonal (March 1- August 31) buffer to protect fledging activates. With the timbered habitat bordering open habitat there is the available structure to support both great gray owls and goshawks. If at any time during harvest activities goshawk or great gray owls are observed the 3P biologist should be contacted. Other Fish and Wildlife Species The Proposed Action would have impacts on fish and wildlife species and habitat within the project area. Removal of timber from 1,340 acres could have negative impacts on wildlife populations that use the habitat in the project area to meet their life requirements. Impacts to the habitat within the project area would include but are not limited to: an increase in soil compaction and ground disturbance, an increase and introduction of noxious weeds, the creation of large openings, a decrease in water quality, degradation of instream and riparian habitats, a reduction and loss of large diameter snags, future snags and large diameter downed wood, a deterioration or loss of mature and old growth coniferous forest, a loss of large diameter trees, a decline or loss of wildlife travel corridors, a decrease in hiding, escape and thermal cover, and a reduction in canopy cover. These changes to the habitat structures and functions within the project area would have effects on a variety of wildlife species. The implementation of this project would decrease effective wintering, calving and summer/fall range for resident and migrant big game species, reduce the amount of suitable habitat for pileated and white headed woodpeckers, reduce the quality and quantity of instream and riparian habitat and impact the ecological function of aspen stands wetlands, seeps, and springs. Being that the Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project Area supports lynx travel habitat additional caution and protection should take place when working in these blocks for potential denning sites or animals. Additionally any fisher or pine marten sightings or denning sites should be forwarded to the tribe’s 3P wildlife biologist. In the Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project Area there is approximately 1,306 acres of blocks that are adjacent to streams; that is of the 14 blocks in the project area, 13 (93%) contain or are adjacent to streams. These bodies of water include tributaries to Gold Creek that eventually flow into the Columbia River and all contributing streams in the watershed. Harvesting close to or near these bodies of water would allow for increased sedimentation, temperature, decreased supply of woody debris for invertebrates, an increase in turbidity, all of which would lead to a reduction in fish habitat as well as water quality. These streams and their associated riparian habitat have some of the highest fish and wildlife richness and diversity and are very susceptible to any change in the environment. Infrastructure (culverts) should allow for passage of fish, flow, sediment, and debris. Undersized culverts may lead to channel avulsion, head cutting, and/or failure of the structure completely. Constricting flow through undersized culverts may contribute to velocity barriers limiting instream 24 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment movement of resident fish at early or all life stages. The failure of inadequately sized structures typically occurs long after work has been completed. The proposed action of the Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project falls within two of the Reservation WMUs which is Lower Gold Creek WMU, and Bungalow Creek WMU. Road densities on the reservation are calculated using the WMU boundaries; Table 16 depicts the current road density for the affected WMUs. Table 16. Road Density by WMU. WMU Roads WMU WMU Road (mi) (ac) (mi2) Density (mi/mi2) Lower 36.26 6,742 10.53 3.44 Gold Creek Bungalow 10.62 1,210 1.89 5.61 Creek The Bungalow Creek WMU exceeds the IRMP objective of 4.0 mi/mi2 road density. There are .33 miles of proposed new road construction and approximately 5.44 miles of reconstruction within Alternative B (Table 17). Table 17. Road Density by WMU for Alternative B. WMU Roads Proposed Proposed Total Rd WMU New (mi) New Rd Recon Rd (mi) (mi2) Density (mi) (mi) (mi/mi2) Lower Gold 36.92 .66 8.6 211.47 10.53 3.51 Creek Bungalow 10.82 .2 7.23 10.82 1.89 5.72 Creek It is the suggestion of the Fish and Wildlife Department that unnecessary segments and all reconstructed roads should be closed so that a total road density of 4.0 mi/mi2 can be reached or maintained. Forest road systems fragment wildlife habitat, reduce available habitat, create barriers for population movement and create an increased opportunity for take. These miles of road construction also have the potential to affect the surrounding fish habitat and water quality and quantity. Federally Threatened and Endangered Species The BIA and CCT Tribal Wildlife Biologist determined that the proposed actions and associated activities would have ‘No Effect’ to threatened or endangered species, or candidate or proposed species, or suitable or critical habitat within the action area. Documentation is found in Section 7.2 Appendix B: Consultation. 25 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Mitigation for Fish and Wildlife Mitigating for the loss and reduction of habitat structures and functions discussed above would minimize the negative impacts to wildlife habitats and species. The following mitigation efforts are requested by the Fish and Wildlife department for any alternative that is chosen and implemented: • Fawning/calving habitat: all areas of deciduous trees within wet areas and draws should be protected from disturbances. • All native fruit bearing shrub and tree species should be protected and retained. • In order to reduce disturbance, harassment and increased hunting pressure, all roads that are not considered main access routes should be closed following the project. Multilayered cover should be left along all access roads that have high vehicular use. • Minimize the amount of use on stream adjacent roads and prioritize them for permanent or seasonal closure. • Leaving more than the required 2 snags per acre would help mitigate some of the losses of large woody debris and recruitment trees. • Wildlife corridors should be setup to allow for natural movement between seasonal and daily habitats. • Snags in harvest units would be retained in clumps with their associated understory vegetation intact to insure their retention after site preparation. • Green leave trees would be identified and retained as future snags in all areas. The majority of large diameter trees should be left standing. Blocks that would be treated under the RRT prescription should have more than 2 trees per acre after the harvest. • All large diameter woody debris should be left on the ground to insure habitat for a wide range of species. • All wetlands should be protected with maximum RMZ lengths and should all be protected from equipment entry. • Implementation of bank stabilization, sediment traps and road surface improvements to decrease risk of sediment delivery and runoff into surrounding watersheds. • Areas where there is considerable soil disturbance should be planted to reduce encroachment and establishment of noxious weeds. • If at any time during harvest a bald or golden eagle nest is found, cease work within .25 miles of nest and contact the 3P wildlife biologist; all timber harvest is prohibited within 660 feet of active bald eagle nests (Klock 2001). • If at any time during harvest a Northern Goshawk or Great Gray nest and/or territory are thought to have been found, cease work within 750 feet and please contact the 3P wildlife biologist. • Infrastructure (culverts/bridges) should allow for passage of all life stages of fish, and for water, sediment, and wood/debris during Q100 flow events. Determined by the BIA Forester and CCT Wildlife Biologist table 18 identifies the harvest blocks that require reserve patches under Tribal Code and their respective sizes Table 18. Harvest blocks and their required reserve patches. 26 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Harvest Block Number Block 16 Block 10 Block 26 Block 21 Block 21 4.5 Cultural Resources Impacts to Cultural Resources Alternative A: No Action Although there may be a number of direct and indirect effects to the Reservation’s resources from the implementation of Alternative A, it is important to recognize that cultural resources are, for the most part, non-renewable resources. The ‘No Action’ alternative would have a number of various effects to the known cultural resources identified within the project area. The historic exclusion of fire on the Reservation has resulted with an overabundance of vegetation. Although Alternative A would leave the timber intact and allow for natural succession patterns; overstocked and diseased stands have increased ladder fuels which must be addressed by current management practices. Potential impacts of Alternative A include vegetation encroachment to sites which exhibit surface features. This encroachment may reduce visibility of the site, potentially affecting its integrity and increasing the likelihood of adverse effects to it from wildland or prescribed fire. Invasive non- native plant species within this area would likely perpetuate and increase, competing with native plant species of traditional and cultural significance. The ‘No Action’ alternative may also cause physical damage to sites from snags or trees falling upon them, dismantling, destroying or otherwise impacting surface features. Fallen trees may also expose buried subsurface cultural materials, which otherwise would have remained intact. Impacts to Cultural Resources Alternative B: Proposed Action There are currently fourteen known cultural resource sites recorded in the Bungalow Mine Forestry Project Area. An official determination of National or Colville Register eligibility for these sites has not been made, but most of these sites appear to be eligible. Two site is located within the APE of Alternative B; they have been documented as 45OK928, a historic mining commercial property and 45OK2111 a historic mining property. There is also one location within the APE of Alternative B which contains Traditional Cultural Plant, Huckleberry, and will require mitigation for protection. These sites may be considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, as described in 36 CFR Part 60.4. The ‘Proposed Action’ will result in no adverse effects to this site. The other twelve sites within and adjacent to the Bungalow Mine Forestry Project Area are outside the APE and will not be affected by the project. Mitigation for Cultural Resources Fourteen sites have been documented within the Bungalow Mine Forestry Project Area. These sites have been documented as 092513-1-AMC, 092601-2-SH, 060503-1, 061103-1, 45OK720, 27 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 45OK1041, 45OK1042, 45OK1043, 45FE303, 45FE318, CCT-WA-ZZ-1521, with 45OK928 and 45OK2111 which are located within the APE of the Stand 27 and Stand 5 respectively, both of which will require extreme care when harvesting around the structures as to not disturb or damage these historic structures; however, the Proposed Action should have no adverse effect to historic properties. Portions of Stand 27 contain a population of the Traditional Cultural Plant, Huckleberry, which will require protection from damage and no slash piles shall be placed within the patches. The Resource Archaeologist will brief the TSO and others working in the Bungalow Mine Forestry Project Area regarding the steps to be taken to identify and report cultural resources. If resources are found, the TSO shall insure that all work stops in the vicinity of the find, that steps are taken to protect the find, and that the Resource Archaeologist is called immediately. No work shall resume until the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) has approved a management plan. 4.6 Range Management Impacts to Range Resources Alternative A: No Action No additional cost or impacts of range resources would occur under the No Action Alternative. Fuel loads from accumulating duff and downfall would continue to increase fire risks. There would be an increase in insects and diseases raising the mortality rate of unmanaged stands. Also if no harvest takes place the timber canopy would not be opened up allowing the shade to continue to reduce the amount of available grasses, which threaten the available range grasses and increase concentration of livestock to limited areas such as riparian areas and open meadows. Over time more timber would fall, creating a barrier to livestock and wildlife movement. Also fallen timber would impact available forage. With the no action alternative, invasive species would continue to spread within the proposed action area, but the spread would potentially occur at a much slower rate than with the proposed action alternatives. The proposed action alternatives would increase the use of equipment into the area and increase the amount of ground disturbance, increasing the likelihood of invasive species spread. Impacts to Range Resources for Alternative B: Proposed Action There are limited potential negative impacts to rangeland resources when considering the timber sale proposal. Slash and litter from a timber sale may reduce livestock movements within the project area. Those grasses and forbs that go un-utilized form slash, become non-usable forage and further reduce the amount of available forage within a range site or unit. The short term effects could reduce available AUM’s in that range unit. Other potential impacts include the damage to any range improvements within the range unit from logging activities. Range staff check the conditions of fences, springs, and cattle guards before harvest begins. If any damages occur to range infrastructures during the harvest it is the responsibility of the logging contractor to replace and/or repair damages. Logging can introduce new invasive species to a site via un-cleaned equipment and soil disturbing activities, or cause present invasive species to spread more rapidly. This project area contains the following weed species; hoary alyssum, diffuse and spotted knapweed, sulfur cinquefoil, common St. Johnswort, bull thistle and dalmatian toadflax. Land Operations recommends the following; cleaning equipment prior to using on site, washing equipment in a centralized area, re-seeding 28 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment heavily disturbed sites such as skid trails and stacking sites, the use of biological controls on large weed infestations and herbicides as needed primarily along roadsides. The Land Operations Program recommends that loggers, forestry and Land Operations/Range staff work together to reduce the amount of weed infestations and treat disturbed areas post harvests. There are also positive impacts for logging the proposed site. By opening up the forest canopy and thinning the density of trees, grasses such as Pine grass and Idaho fescue would thrive better in open conditions. Pinegrass is stimulated by disturbances such as fire and logging and once established become viable forage for elk to utilize and other ungulates presumably graze it as well. Bluebunch wheatgrass is more readily established on open, southerly slopes. By increasing the grasses to forbs ratio to greater than 60/40, livestock would use that portion of the range unit more frequently, provided there is adequate and accessible water. Mitigation for Range: • Allocate funding to develop an Integrated Invasive Species Plan to include herbicide, mechanical and biological treatments, if possible. • Seed all disturbed areas using the current native seed mix recommendations. • Impacts of weeds within the project area should be minimized by ensuring the under-carriage of vehicles are free of seed heads and plant residues. 4.7 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts are addressed in the FEIS for the Colville Indian Reservation Integrated Resource Management Plan (Klock 2000). Activities in this area that can result in cumulative impacts include domestic cattle grazing, fire management activities, road construction and forest management activities. These activities combined could result in soil disturbance often associated with soil degradation and increased sediment delivery to surface waters. The vegetation removal can also decrease soil stability and lead to increased water temperatures. All of these impacts can impact resident fish and aquatic life. These activities could also result in establishment of noxious weeds in the area, which can push out native species and decrease wildlife habitat quality. 5.0 List of Preparers Name Contributions Spus Wilder, Megan Crim Forestry Tyrone Rock Soils Sam Rushing Fish and Wildlife Dennis Moore Fish and Wildlife Brandton Harvey Range/Noxious Weeds Charlotte Axthelm Hydrology Guy Moura History/Archaeology Amanda Hoke History/Archaeology Chasity Swan Editor 29 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 6.0 Literature Cited Boyce, R. and B. Dumas. 1997. Integrated resource management plan – Forest Vegetation/Timber resources; phase I. Colville Confederated Tribes. Boyce, R, B. Dumas, D. Ledlin, R. Fleenor, and M. Clark. 1997. Integrated Resource Management Plan Phase I: Inventory and Analysis Reports. Forestry, Range and Agriculture. Colville Confederated Tribes, Nespelem, WA. Boyce, R. Clark, M. Dumas B. Fleenor, R. Hruska, C. Hunner, W. Jones, C. St. Pierre, J. and Tonasket, D. 1998. Integrated resources management plan; phase II – Goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines Colville Confederated Tribes. Wormer & Associates, Spokane, WA. Brady, Nyle C., and R. R. Weil. 1996. The Nature and Properties of Soils. 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 2018. General Land Office Patent Records. Available online at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/. Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT). 2015. Colville Tribal Law and Order Code Title 4-7. Forest Practices Handbook. Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/572d09c54c2f85ddda868946/t/58249b4dcd0f68cb5 5394371/1478794061865/4-7%2BForest%2BPractices.pdf Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT). 2007. Cultural Resource Management Plan of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Prepared by the CCT History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. Colville Confederated Tribes (2010). CCT Chapter 4-8 Water Quality Standards. Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/572d09c54c2f85ddda868946/t/5824a1774402431a6 8a34e9d/1478795640147/4-8-Waterqualitystandards.pdf Cooley, Skye. 2004. Monitoring Harvest Impacts on Forest Soils of the Colville Indian Reservation. Dubé, K., Megahan, W., McCalmon, M. (2004) Washington road surface erosion model prepared for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Olympia, WA. Fish, Adam. 2003. Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project. On file at the Colville Tribes History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. George, Matilda (ed.). 2011. Traditional Cultural Property Overview Report and Native American Place Name Document for Traditional Territories of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Grand Coulee Dam Project Area, North Central Washington. CCT History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. Gough, Stan. 1990. A Cultural Resources Overview, Sampling Survey, and Management Plan, Colville Indian Reservation, Okanogan and Ferry Counties, Washington. Eastern Washington University Reports in Archaeology and History 100-74. Archaeological and Historical Services. Cheney, WA. Hess, S. 2001. Predictive Model for Use on the Colville Indian Reservation. On file at the CCT History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. 30 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment Hunner, Walt. 2014. Draft: Hydrology Report. Technical. Nespelem, WA: CTCR. Hunt, Clair. 1916. Diminished Colville Indian Reservation (map). General Land Office, Department of the Interior. Klock, Glen O. 2000. Colville Indian Reservation: Integrated Resource Management Plan 2000- 2014: Final Environmental Impact Statement. Western Resources Analysis, Inc. Wenatchee, WA. Klock, Glen O. 2001. Colville Indian Reservation: Record of Decision and Plan for Integrated Resources Management. Western Resources Analysis, Inc. Wenatchee, WA. Marchand, Amelia. 2007. Roaring Creek Forest Management Project. On file at the Colville Tribes History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. NRCS. 2002. Soil Survey of Colville Indian Reservation, Washington - Parts of Ferry and Okanogan Counties. Technical. Colville Indian Reservation: Natural Resources Conservation Service. Parker, P.L. & T.F. King. 1998. Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties. National Register Bulletin #38, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Shannon, D. & G. Moura. 2007. Chief Joseph Dam and Rufus Woods Lake Traditional Cultural Property Research 2006 Technical Report. Prepared for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. Prepared by CCT History/Archaeology Program. Nespelem, WA. USDOI-FWS. 2020. Washington Fish and Wildlife Office. http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/ Wilder, Spus. April 27, 2020. Project Proposal Form: Bungalow Mines Forest Management Project. Nespelem, WA: BIA 31 Bungalow Mines 2021 Forestry Project Environmental Assessment 7.0 Appendices 7.1 A: Activity Table and Project Maps 32 33 EP = excavator pile PCT = pre-commercial Thin L&S = lop and scatter Chemical = spot or strip herbicide application Mechanical = hand tool or heavy equipment 34 7.2 Appendix B: Consultation 35 36 7.3 Appendix C: Army Corp of Engineers BMPs 37 38 8.0 Technical Supplement Prescription Descriptions The following silvicultural treatments pertain to density management in combination with insect and disease preventative management and forest protection: Seed Tree / Overstory Removal (ST/OR), and Pre-commercial Thinning (PCT). Density management is a preventative treatment to help reduce the risk of potential bark beetle infestation and improves the overall health of individual trees by reducing the competition for limited resources such water and nutrients. Bark Beetle activity including western pine beetle, mountain pine beetle, pine engraver beetle, and Douglas-fir beetles is present and typically occurs on overly dense stands of conifers, and sometimes after some kind of natural or man-made disturbance. At preferred stocking levels, the individual conifer trees are more vigorous and able to fight off bark beetle attacks with their natural defenses. In addition density management treatments will help to reduce the risk of a wildfire becoming a catastrophic disturbance; by reducing the amount of ladder fuels present and the potential of a wildfire moving into the crowns of the trees. Stands with high densities are prone to insect attacks and increased mortality. This section is supplemental information regarding the prescriptions for cutting of timber treatments. It does not contain site specific information on the project area but it does give a background regarding the various prescriptions prescribed in each block. A detailed stand prescription for every unit is available at the Omak-Nespelem Forestry District Office. Seed Tree/Overstory Removal (ST/OR) is a combination of a regeneration method and an intermediate treatment. ST/OR blocks contain a mixture of desirable tree species, of various ages, with manageable levels of insects and diseases. These stands contain stocking levels of non-commercial sized trees (i.e. seedlings, saplings, and pole sized) of a species that are desirable to manage. Typical concerns include overstocking of non-commercial sized trees, over mature trees, dwarf mistletoe in the overstory trees, and under-stocked areas that could allow the encroachment of non-native species (i.e. noxious weeds). The DFC of a ST/OR block is a naturally regenerated stand of healthy, desirable seral species such as ponderosa pine and/or western larch at the desirable stocking level. This is achieved by maintaining and protecting the established regeneration during logging operations, removing overstory trees with dwarf mistletoe, and by leaving overstory trees for a seed source to regenerate the under-stocked areas. After a stand has been regenerated naturally or artificially, an Overstory Removal treatment may be prescribed to remove the remaining overstory trees, especially if dwarf mistletoe is present. Typically, after the Overstory Removal is completed, a pre-commercial thinning will be implemented to thin the stand to the desired stocking level (150 to 300 trees per acre). There will be 5 to 15 trees per acre left to provide a seed source, depending on how much of the stand still needs to be regenerated. Improvement Cut (IC) is a combination of a regeneration method and an intermediate treatment. IC blocks contain a mix of undesirable and desirable tree species of multiple-ages that need a variety of silvicultural treatments to address the typical concerns such as overly dense stands. predominance of climax tree species, over mature trees, impending tree mortality due to forest insect and disease problems, high severity of dwarf mistletoe in all conifer species, root-rot diseases, defoliating insects, bark beetles, and competing vegetation. Typically, an IC treatment occurs on stands that have clumps of multiple-age classes of ponderosa pine with low severity of dwarf mistletoe. For example some areas of the stand may have clumps that need density management similar to Commercial Thin, while an area containing openings with established advanced regeneration of a preferred seral species can be managed like an Overstory Removal to 39 release the natural regeneration, and another area dominated by Douglas-fir with unmanageable dwarf mistletoe with scattered, large sawtimber of ponderosa pine and western larch could be managed similar to a Seed Tree or Shelterwood treatment. In other words, these stands are very variable and diverse in different age-classes and structures (3 or more layers). The stand could have trees that range from 5 to 150 years old. It would not be feasible to break each type of treatment into small blocks because the stand’s high variability occurs in small patches or clumps. The Desired Future Condition (DFC) for this type of stand is to manage the saplings, poles, and small sawtimber with a density management regime (i.e. Commercial Thin), and to retain seed trees to regenerate any natural or created openings with natural regeneration of a preferred, seral species. Eventually the stand should look more even-aged after the openings are naturally regenerated, and an Overstory Removal has been implemented to remove the large seed trees. Seed Tree (ST) is a regeneration method treatment. Seed Tree blocks are similar to RRT’s, except they have enough healthy over-story trees of ponderosa pine and western larch to provide a seed source for natural regeneration. ST blocks contain a majority of undesirable tree species, of various ages, with some type of need to initiate the initial stand development stage with natural regeneration. Typical concerns include; the age of the stand, species composition of the stand, insufficient stocking level of the stand, and unmanageable levels of insect and disease problems such as high severity of dwarf mistletoe in all conifer species, root-rot diseases, defoliating insects, bark beetles, and competing vegetation. There are a sufficient number of seral, tree species within the block that can left on site to produce seed for natural regeneration of seedlings. These blocks have serious health and productivity concerns. The DFC of a ST block is a naturally regenerated stand of healthy, seral tree species such as ponderosa pine or western larch. This is achieved by retaining specific seed trees, approximately 7-15 trees per acre, to remain on site, harvesting all other trees of commercial size. Follow logging operations with a slashing and/or weeding if feasible of all remaining, non-commercial trees, especially if the advance regeneration is showing symptoms of insect and disease problems such as dwarf mistletoe. Next, some type of site preparation (broadcast burning or excavator scarification) will need to be implemented, to prepare the site for the establishment of natural regeneration. Potentially some artificial regeneration may be implemented in a ST block to speed up occupancy of the site, and supplement the desired natural regeneration. Ten years after the implementation of the site preparation, the desired stocking for the stand would be at least 300 trees per acre or supplemental planting of conifers will need to occur. When the stand has been adequately regenerated to desired levels approximately 5 to 20 years, an Overstory Removal may be implemented at any time, especially if the overstory trees are showing symptoms of insect & disease problems such as dwarf mistletoe. Shelter Wood (SW) is a regeneration method treatment. SW blocks contain a mix of undesirable and desirable tree species, of various ages with some type of need to initiate the initial stand development of natural regeneration such as the age of the stand, species composition of the stand, insufficient stocking level of the stand, and insect and disease problems. Typically, there is a large number of the preferred seral, tree species on-site to provide both a seed source and shelter for initial stand development stage. Some underlying concerns such as harshness of the site (dry and rocky), the need to provide shade and shelter (i.e. create micro-environments) for the development of a new stand, aesthetic appeal, and the desire to utilize the existing stand as much as possible necessitate the requirement to leave a larger number of trees per acre compared to a ST treatment. The DFC of a SW block is a naturally regenerated stand of healthy, seral tree 40 species. This is achieved by retaining specific seed trees, approximately 12 to 30 trees per acre, to remain on site, harvesting all other trees of commercial size. Follow logging operations with a slashing and/or weeding if feasible of all remaining, non-commercial trees, especially if the advance regeneration is showing symptoms of insect and disease problems such as dwarf mistletoe. Next, some type of site preparation (broadcast burning or excavator scarification) will need to be implemented, to prepare the site for the establishment of natural regeneration. Potentially some artificial regeneration may be implemented in a SW block to speed up occupancy of the site, and supplement the desired natural regeneration. Ten years after the implementation of the site preparation, the desired stocking for the stand would be at least 300 trees per acre or supplemental planting of conifers will need to occur. When the stand has been adequately regenerated to desired levels in approximately 5 to 20 years, an Overstory Removal may be implemented, especially if the over-story trees are showing symptoms of insect & disease problems such as dwarf mistletoe. Pre-commercial Thin (PCT) is a cutting of non-merchantable sized trees to favor preferred conifer species and phenotypically superior trees, at a determined spacing guideline such as 12 to 16 foot spacing. At preferred stocking levels, the individual conifer trees are more vigorous and able to combat insect and disease problems with their natural defenses. This treatment does not yield trees of commercial value. Thinning the stand increases individual tree growth. This creates larger diameter trees than a non-thinned stand, and subsequently improves merchantability and value. Forest Health Protection (FHP) is the felling or “girdling” of overstory trees infected with Dwarf Mistletoe in stands with a fully stocked understory. There is not enough volume in these stands to treat commercially, but the overstory poses serious risk of infection to the understory. Felling the trees to facilitate cone collection is the preferred alternative to girdling. Site Preparation Techniques Typically, Regeneration Method Treatments (RRT, ST, and SW) on tractor logging ground will have Excavator/Scarification/Pile for site preparation which will involve pile burning afterwards. Some of the Chemical/Excavator/Scarification/Pile objectives are: 1) to reduce the amount of hazardous ladder fuels, 2) reduce vegetative competition for artificial and natural seedlings, 3) to scarify the duff layer down to bare mineral soil, to create a seed bed for natural regeneration of ponderosa pine and western larch, 4) to create a planting spot for artificial regeneration. Mechanical site preparation also allows for the protection of existing regeneration. Periodic underburning on a 7 to 15 year return interval is also part of the long range DFC for the lower elevations of the project area, especially the areas dominated by ponderosa pine and western larch. Herbicide application (strip or spot) will take place on certain units that are too steep for mechanical site prep equipment such as excavators or have brush competition that other site prep techniques would not work effectively to control. This technique will allow for regeneration of the site after large, severe wildfire and salvage logging. With the burn and/or herbicide taking place the following fall after harvest and planting the spring after being sprayed/burned. The burn/spray will kill back the brush and grass component which would out compete the seedlings which will be planted on these units. With spraying units, the seedlings will have adequate resources to grow tall and develop a root system that would allow it to out compete the brush competition once it does come back in. 41