2012 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report

Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Sumter National Forest

September 23, 2013

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION ______4 RESULTS AND REPORT FINDINGS ______4 ECOSYSTEM CONDITION, HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY ______4 Forest Health ______7 Watershed Condition and Riparian Areas ______8 Recreational Opportunities ______8 Heritage Resources ______9 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ______10 CHAPTER 2 MONITORING RESULTS AND FINDINGS ______11 ISSUE 1. ECOSYSTEM CONDITION, HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY ______11 Sub-Issue 1.1 – Biological Diversity ______11 Sub-Issue 1.3 – Watershed Condition and Riparian Areas ______53 ISSUE 2. SUSTAINABLE MULTIPLE FOREST AND RANGE BENEFITS ______56 Sub-Issue 2.1 – Recreational Opportunities ______56 Sub-Issue 2.2 – Roadless Areas/Wilderness/Wild and Scenic Rivers ______57 Sub-Issue 2.3 – Heritage Resources ______58 ISSUE 3. ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS ______60 CHAPTER 3 FY 2013 ACTION PLAN AND STATUS ______64 APPENDIX A - LIST OF PREPARERS ______69 APPENDIX B – AMENDMENT TO FOREST PLAN ______70

Executive Summary of Monitoring and Evaluation Results and Report Findings

The Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan) provides guidance on how the Sumter National Forest will be managed. Monitoring is used to assess how well goals and objectives are being met, if standards are being properly implemented, and whether environmental effects are occurring as predicted. A summary of key results and findings is listed below. Ecosystem Condition, Health and Sustainability

Approximately 4,024 acres of commercial thinning, 263 acres of pre-commercial thinning and 2,804 acres of herbicide release treatments were either planned or implemented to increase oak and hickory forest types on the Enoree and Long Cane Ranger districts (piedmont districts). Silvicultural prescriptions generally emphasize release of desirable oaks and hickories where they occur with loblolly pine, especially in stands with regeneration harvest prescriptions.

The Forest Service participated with the Carolina Vegetation Survey to sample native plant communities on 80 sites using 60 volunteers on the Enoree Ranger District and adjacent areas in July, 2012. Basic mesic and mesic oak-hickory communities were identified on 150 acres in Chester and Fairfield counties. Several notable bottomland hardwood communities were sampled in Union and Chester counties.

The Andrew Pickens (AP) Ranger District is making progress on restoration of natural communities and habitats (forest plan goal #8) by removing non-native loblolly pine stands that were established 20 to 50 years ago. The forest has already both planned or implemented loblolly pine removal and reestablishment of native forest communities on 953 acres. The Geographic Information System (GIS) database now shows 4,568 acres of stands typed as loblolly pine on the district. A number of other stands still have a component of loblolly pine remaining even though they may not be typed as such. The AP Loblolly Pine and Removal and Restoration Project Environmental Impact Statement delineate plans to treat about 5,542 acres, effectively removing most of the remaining loblolly pine on the district. The few scattered stands remaining will be targeted for treatment in future planning.

The GIS database currently shows 3,077 acres of shortleaf pine on the piedmont districts, an increase of 20 acres from the 3,057 acres reported in FY 2011. However, because historic erosion from agricultural practices in the Piedmont Region has generally left few places where the soil is adequate to support shortleaf pine communities, the forest is unlikely to meet restoration objectives during the planning period. Shortleaf pine requires at least eight inches of well-drained to moderately well-drained soil in order to stay relatively free from littleleaf disease. Thus far, the suitable areas found tend to be very small, isolated parts of ridges and flats.

Early successional habitat, particularly woodland/savanna habitat, continues to be in short supply across all districts. However, decisions are currently in place that will establish more woodland habitat on all three districts.

The Forest Service Southern Research Station, Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer implemented a long term mussel monitoring program for the Chattooga River in 2012. Twelve sites totaling over 44.2 km were sampled from the confluence of Camp Creek and up river to the confluence with Lick Log Creek. The goal of the distributed sampling was to assess the overall mussel population condition throughout the entire sample area. At least one mussel species was found at each of 12 sample sites. The brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), was found approximately 10 km further upstream than in past surveys. Population estimates declined for Elliptio spp. upstream of site 11 (Adeline Branch) despite the fact that there was no noticeable change in stream habitat. Brook floater, also, was not found above this site. Corbicula fluminea, the introduced Asian clam was present in only the two most downstream sites of the river (Krause and Roghair 2012).

In 2011 and 2012, Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. conducted surveys for the federally endangered Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) in Mountain Creek on the Long Cane Ranger District Those surveys documented only five live Carolina heelsplitters, with no juveniles or young adults observed.

Thirty fish species were documented from 17 streams on the Enoree Ranger District. Thirty-eight fish species were documented from 14 streams on the Long Cane Ranger District. Thirty two fish species were documented from 27 streams on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The fish species diversity in the Chattooga River watershed has not changed in more than 20 years of sampling the main stem of the river. Southern brook trout populations are considered stable in two recently restored streams. An additional stream was stocked with southern brook trout in 2012 on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

The preliminary results of a 2012 large wood survey on the Chattooga River from the confluence of West Fork Chattooga River to the confluence of Green Creek in North Carolina show that the amount of large wood and associated obstructions increased in some reaches and decreased in others, but the overall distribution and amount were similar to conditions in 2007. In 2012, cut/sawn wood1 was most abundant in the upstream reaches of the river, though there were additional reaches containing large sawn wood further downstream.

On the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, large wood was added to Moody Creek, a stream targeted for brook trout restoration, to enhance aquatic habitat. More streams are being reviewed for the potential to add large wood.

Georgia aster is listed as a candidate species for federal protection by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Georgia aster populations occur along utility line rights-of-way (ROW) on the Enoree Ranger District. The Forest Service is working with Broad River Power Company and Fairfield Electric to minimize impacts to these plant populations during maintenance of their ROWs. Both the Enoree and Long Cane districts plan to restore shortleaf pine and longleaf pine woodlands which will also improve habitat conditions for Georgia aster.

1 Cut or sawn wood in the Chattooga River is an indicator of the amount of recreation use occurring on the river. Past studies have linked sawn wood to adjacent campsites and to recreational boating. Large wood provides habitat for aquatic species and is an important component for the restoration of native brook trout in the Chattooga River and tributaries.

The Forest Service continues to monitor and map federally endangered Florida gooseberry along Stevens Creek on the Long Cane Ranger District. Six new sub-colonies were found, all part of a larger population shared with the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve, of which 16 colonies occur on the Sumter National Forest. Trifoliate orange, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle (non- native invasive species) are invading the floodplain and impacting some of the colonies. Control of non-native invasive plants is ongoing on the state heritage preserve and was initiated on national forest system lands in the area in 2012. The Florida gooseberry population appears to be stable.

On the Andrew Pickens district, the sensitive plant species smooth coneflower was monitored along Rifle Range Road, Cedar Creek Road including Blue Hole and Barton Creek #1. Prescribed burned in 2012, these sites showed increases in the number of plants and improvement in habitat conditions along the first ridgeline at Barton Creek, as well as an abundance of commonly associated companion plants such as rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) and wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium)]. Prescribed fire was also employed to maintain marl-influenced pitch pine and shortleaf pine/oak woodlands associated with smooth coneflower habitat at Cedar Creek, Rifle Range Road and on 2,020 acres at Pine Mountain.

Forest Service personnel monitored small whorled pogonia populations along lower King and Bone Camp creeks on the Andrew Pickens district. No plants were found at Bone Camp Creek and only 13 plants were found at lower King, down from a high of 27 in 2008. Both populations received only minimal vegetation management treatments to increase sunlight in the understory in 2001.

Bobwhite quail numbers continue to show declines statewide. However, on portions of the Enoree and Long Cane Ranger Districts —particularly in areas that are managed as fire- dependent woodlands such as the Indian Creek Project (Enoree) and the RENEW Project (Long Cane)— quail numbers appear to show stable to upward trends.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources turkey brood surveys indicate that, as opposed to the last two years, statewide turkey recruitment decreased in 2012. Average brood size of 4.2 poults remained constant; however, the total recruitment ration2 of 1.9 was down about 15 percent. This figure was driven by a high percentage of hens that had no poults (55%).

Black bears occur in the upstate and coastal counties of South Carolina. Bear populations are increasing and their range is expanding. Based on a 2003 DNA study, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) estimates the upstate bear population to be more than 1,000 bears.

According to SCDNR’s 2012 Deer Harvest Report, it is estimated that 116,673 bucks and 101,181 does were harvested for a statewide total of 217,854 deer. This figure represents a 3.8 percent decrease in harvest from 2011 (226,458) and is 31.9 percent below the record harvest established in 2002 (319,902).

2 Recruitment ration is a measure of young entering the population based on the number of hens in the population.

The Sumter National Forest offers twelve recreational fishing ponds, totaling 94 acres on the Sumter National Forest. Largemouth bass and bream are the primary game fish, although a few ponds have been stocked with catfish. Forest Service personnel improved fish habitat in 70 acres of Strom Thurmond Reservoir on the Long Cane Ranger District and in 36 acres of five fishing ponds on the Enoree Ranger District with the addition of trees and brush; monitored pond populations and water quality; and created fish structures in forest ponds.

Forest Health

Forest Service personnel prescribed burned nearly 30,000 acres of hazardous fuels during the 2012 fiscal year. This exceeded the desired 25,000 acres specified annually to meet forest plan objectives. This accomplishment doubled FY 2011 acres burned. The increase in acres treated was due primarily to favorable weather conditions.

Wildland fire preparedness funding and staffing (equipment, personnel, and leadership) was still below an efficient level and is not consistent with the designed Fire Program Analysis (FPA) organization. Due to the funding shortfall, the forest was unable to minimize wildland fire losses. Currently, the forest is unable to provide seven day coverage, staff for multi-fire days or an ongoing prevention program.

When wildfire and prescribed fire operations occur on the same day, firefighting resource shortages are common. The forest followed recommendations to continue requesting wildland fire preparedness funding and pursue alternative funding sources, as well as to increase partnerships with cooperators to offset funding shortfalls.

An agreement established in 2010, between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Forest Service utilizes a TNC prescribed fire burn module (consisting of leadership, firefighters and equipment) to assist burn crews in planning and implementing prescribed fire treatments on national forest lands.

The number of acres in Fire Regime Condition Class 1 (FRCC)3 decreased by 4,576 acres forest- wide while FRCC 2 acres increased by 18% to 62,842 acres forest-wide. FRCC 3 decreased by 57,819 acres forest-wide. Although the forest did not meet its goal to increase FRCC 1 acres, it succeeded in increasing overall forest health. By overall percentage, there are currently fewer acres in FRCC 3 than have been recorded since FRCC monitoring began.

All air quality monitors near the Sumter National Forest show that ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations meet air quality standards. No negative impacts either to forest visitors or to forest vegetation are anticipated. Prescribed fire emissions did not hinder the state’s ability to meet air quality standards and visibility goals.

3 FRCC is a classification of the amount of departure from the natural regime in terms of the following ecological components: vegetation characteristics (species composition, structural stages, stand age, canopy closure, and mosaic pattern); fuel composition; fire frequency; severity, and pattern; and other associated disturbances (e.g. insect and disease mortality, and drought). The three condition classes are based on low (FRCC 1), moderate (FRCC 2), and high (FRCC 3) departure from the natural (historical) regime.

The forest documented 8,885 acres of non-native invasive plant species (NNIS) in FY 2012, with a total inventoried acreage of 37,889 since FY 2007. The forest applied treatments to eliminate NNIS on 500 acres, including 60 acres in the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River corridor, 138 acres within riparian areas along Stevens Creek and Tyger River corridors, and 120 acres along roadsides. The remaining treatments were conducted in other areas where NNIS were determined to be impacting forest health.

Watershed Condition and Riparian Areas

The forest reviewed a total of five timber sales and approximately one mile of fire line in 2012 for compliance with South Carolina’s Best Management Practices for Forestry (BMPs). Timber sale activity affected riparian areas only minimally, no significant issues were found and BMPs were met.

The forest planned wetland restoration projects on both the Enoree and Long Cane ranger districts and implemented a five-acre project on the Enoree district to improve and restore structural diversity and composition within riparian corridors.

Forest personnel conducted walk-throughs on approximately 100 acres of riparian areas and associated wetlands on the Enoree district to review and document their condition and wetland function.

Current riparian conditions need to be more formally assessed in conjunction with upland vegetation treatments and, where possible, riparian treatments should be integrated into project design. Riparian condition assessments/inventories need to be included in the early stages of project planning. LiDAR is a tool that will increase available information on riparian conditions, stream network, soil and other condition boundaries, and help evaluate needs or the potential to improve conditions.

Recreational Opportunities

National visitor use monitoring survey (NVUM) was last conducted on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in FY 2008 and the results reported in FY 2009. The forest will again conduct NVUM surveys in FY 2013 with reporting scheduled for FY 2014.

The Sumter National Forest completed an environmental assessment and issued a decision, including a forest plan amendment, regarding recreation uses in the upper segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River (Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor). The decision was appealed and was later affirmed by the regional forester. The Forest Service’s Washington office decided not to conduct a discretionary review. Implementation of the decision is set to move forward while litigation continues. Additional information is available on the Forest Service website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/scnfs/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRDB5253595

Heritage Resources

The forest has identified priority heritage assets and monitors them at least once every five years. It has identified a need to develop a heritage preservation plan for “at risk” sites and implement regularly scheduled monitoring. Plowed wildlife openings should be inventoried for heritage resources, and any significant sites protected if found. A forest heritage curation plan should be developed to assess curatorial needs. The effect of dispersed recreation on archeological sites needs assessment, and site management plans should be written for priority heritage assets and significant threatened sites.

Organizational Effectiveness

The Sumter National Forest sold 5.7 MMCF of forest products in management prescription 10B. Total Sumter volume sold (all management prescriptions) was 11.4 MMCF.

The forest’s road program continued to emphasize the reconstruction of roads to meet intended traffic volumes safely and lessen the impacts on forest resources. Road reconstruction and maintenance continued to focus on improving watershed health and replacing culverts to improve aquatic organism passage. Road work associated with timber sales primarily focused on road resurfacing, culvert replacement and removal of vegetation encroaching on the roadway. The total mileage of maintained roads increased significantly from 462 miles in FY 2011 to 637 miles in FY 2012 due to the emphasis shift towards executing additional maintenance through timber sales and integrated target accomplishment.

Approximately 7.8 miles of roads were decommissioned, primarily associated with legacy and stewardship work on newly acquired lands on the Enoree Ranger District.

The forest continued to assess the backlog of deferred maintenance needs with a focus on open roads classified as maintenance level 3, 4 and 5.

The forest continues to work with local counties and organizations to fund projects to improve forest health. Projects may range from those pertaining to forest resources such as fish, wildlife, soils, watersheds and noxious weeds, to those related to forest infrastructure such as road and trail maintenance. Local counties again received payments in 2012 through The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The act supplies payments to counties to a) provide funding for schools and roads and b) to make additional investments in projects that enhance forest ecosystems and improve cooperative relationships. In the last five years (2008 - 2012) payments to counties have gradually declined.

No lands were acquired on the Sumter National Forest in FY 12.

Chapter 1 Introduction

The Sumter National Forest is 365,134 acres in size and is located in the central piedmont and western mountains of South Carolina. It is composed of three districts: Andrew Pickens, Enoree and Long Cane. The Revised Land and Resource Management Plan, Sumter National Forest (forest plan), approved on January 15, 2004, guides management activities on the forest. These lands are managed to provide goods and services for timber, outdoor recreation, water, wildlife, fish and wilderness following multiple-use goals and objectives.

Forest plan monitoring and evaluation is conducted to determine if the forest is moving toward or achieving the desired conditions for resources. Forest Service resource specialists, universities, state resource agencies and contract specialists conduct surveys and inventories on a variety of natural resources annually.

Chapter 2 Monitoring Results and Findings Issue 1. Ecosystem Condition, Health and Sustainability

Sub-Issue 1.1 – Biological Diversity

MQ 1: Are rare ecological communities being protected, maintained, and restored?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goal 12, objectives 12.01 and 12.02 and standards FW- 30, FW-31, and FW-32. Objective 12.01 is to restore 500 to 2,500 acres of Table Mountain pine forest over the 10-year planning period. Objective 12.02 is to restore 1 percent to 5 percent of the riparian corridor on slopes less than 8 percent in the canebrake community over the 10-year planning period in the Piedmont. The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Baseline acreage, condition, and distribution of rare communities on the Forest.

Results

The Forest Service participated with the Carolina Vegetation Survey to sample native plant communities on 80 sites using 60 volunteers on the Enoree Ranger District and adjacent areas in July, 2012. Basic mesic and mesic oak-hickory communities were identified on 150 acres in Chester and Fairfield Counties, and also confirmed by Forest Service personnel. Several notable bottomland hardwood communities were noted in Union and Chester Counties.

Forest Service personnel inventoried the lower Long Cane analysis area for rare plant communities during project-level botanical surveys. One rare community was found – a small dwarf palmetto flatwoods area (located in Reedy Creek which is in a smaller part of the analysis area).

Basic mesic and rich cove communities were monitored in May in the Turkey/Stevens Creek botanical area on the Long Cane Ranger District and on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in Opossum Creek, Tamassee Creek, Station Mountain Cove, Brasstown Creek and the East Fork of the Chattooga River botanical areas in April and May, 2012. Select rare plant populations were monitored within these communities, and the community condition was ranked 1 (low quality) to 5 (high quality) based on species composition, stand age and structure, evidence of human disturbance, and evidence of non-native invasive species. In the East Fork of the Chattooga, Forest Service personnel monitored one population (three patches) for the locally rare umbrella leaf (Diphylleia cymosa) – last visited in 2009 (SC-6417 in database), and the sensitive jeweled wakerobin (Trillium simile) – 55 plants dispersed among three areas along trails (SC-5252 and SC-6174) and near a large rock face. Other Clinton’s Lilies along the East Fork of the Chattooga River 11

plant species observed included Clinton’s lily (Clintonia umbellata), white cohosh (Actaea pachypoda), Vasey’s trillium (Trillium vaseyi), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), sweetflag (Acorus sp.), yellow mandarin (Prosartes lanuginosa), and Catesby’s trillium (Trillium catesbaei). User impacts were minimal along the trails. Few non-native invasive plants species were observed, however, one patch of Japanese spirea was noted (seeding into the streambed) along with several patches of Japanese stiltgrass. The incidence of hemlock wooly adelgid was common. The condition of the basic mesic rare community is above average.

In Opossum Creek botanical area, one population of more than 500 piedmont strawberry plants (Waldsteinia lobata), a sensitive species, was found, along with two patches of ginseng. No jeweled wakerobin were relocated at this site but other species found included toadshade trillium (Trillium cuneatum), Vasey’s trillium, foamflower, and spotted geranium. User impacts to plants were observed at the campsite along the river. Few invasive plants were observed, though Japanese stiltgrass was present in patches. Hemlock wooly adelgid was prevalent and there was evidence of past tornado damage. The condition of the basic mesic rare community is above average.

In Tamassee Creek botanical area, Forest Service personnel observed the sensitive butternut (Juglans cinerea) adjacent to the parking area, two patches of ginseng, one rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium), the locally rare fernleaf phacelia (Phacelia bipinnatifida) and the locally rare plantain-leaved sedge (Carex plantaginacea). User impacts to plants are limited to the trail corridor. A few non-native invasive plants were observed within the forest interior away from the wildlife openings. The condition of the basic mesic rare community is above average.

In smooth coneflower and associated woodland stands (Rifle Range Road, Cedar Creek, Flint Creek burn units) Forest Service personnel observed over 1,000 plants of the locally rare Blue Ridge bindweed (Calystegia catesbeiana).

2. Rare communities restored. Specifically, Table Mountain pine dominated communities and canebrakes.

Results

During project implementation within the Compartment 61 timber sale project area of the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, Forest Service personnel identified several Table Mountain pine communities. The Forest Service is restoring these communities through selective harvest of shortleaf and Virginia pines and selective treatment of commonly competing hardwoods and shrubs such as blackgum and mountain laurel.

The forest employed prescribed fire to maintain 2,020 acres of marl-influenced pitch pine and shortleaf pine/oak woodlands associated with smooth coneflower habitat at Cedar Creek, Rifle Range Road and at Pine Mountain on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The district also removed loblolly pine and selectively treated unwanted hardwoods and shrubs on 500 acres of

woodlands. The Enoree and Long Cane Ranger districts implemented plans to restore shortleaf and longleaf pine woodlands to benefit the Georgia aster, a federally listed candidate species and both the Enoree and Andrew Pickens Ranger districts are engaged in ongoing native giant cane restoration projects.

The Enoree district completed non-native invasive Gabbro Upland Depression Forests on the plant removal from native giant cane communities. Long Cane Ranger District The Long Cane Ranger District removed NNIS from basic mesic forests, and also initiated an upland depression swamp restoration project in 2012.

Findings

1. Marl-influenced plant communities containing smooth coneflower should be recommended for rare community designation.

2. Station Mountain Cove and Tamassee Knob botanical areas/rare communities need to be remapped to include steep north-facing slopes (add compartment 27, stand 8).

3. Table Mountain pine communities in Compartment 61 timber sale are being delineated and will be added to the rare community GIS layer and/or FSVEG.

4. Recommend inventory and monitoring of Table Mountain and smooth coneflower sites at Poor Mountain along with an assessment of invasive plant control needs.

MQ 2: Are landscape-level and stand-level composition and structure of major forest communities within desirable ranges of variability?

This monitoring question is responsive to goal 8, objectives 8.01, 8.02, 8.03, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06.

Objective 8.01 is to restore 2,000 - 6,000 acres of native communities on sites occupied by loblolly pine on the Andrew Pickens District over the 10-year planning period.

Objective 8.02 is to provide 8,000 - 11,000 acres of woodlands in the piedmont and 4,000 – 5,000 acres of woodlands in the mountains on dry-xeric sites in woodland, savanna, open grassland or shrubland conditions with fire-associated rare communities preferred over the 10- year planning period.

Objective 8.03 is to create conditions to restore dry-mesic oak, oak-pine, and pine-oak forest communities on 20,000 acres currently in loblolly pine forest in the piedmont over the 10-year planning period.

Objective 8.04 is to increase shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine/oak communities on 2,000 - 10,000 acres in the piedmont. This will be done on sites with low risk of littleleaf disease.

Objective 8.05 is to increase structural diversity by creating canopy gaps in one to five percent of closed canopy mid and late-successional mesic deciduous forest (including mixed mesophytic and mesic oak forests). Gaps are defined as small openings (smaller than 2 acres in size) and are designed to release mast-producing species, particularly hard mast (e.g., oak, hickory, walnut) and soft mast bearing trees (e.g. cherry, black gum, persimmon) over the 10-year planning period.

Objective 8.06 is to restore more diverse native communities on 1,000 - 2,000 acres currently occupied by white pine stands. Prioritize xeric to intermediate sites over the 10-year planning period.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Restore native communities on sites occupied by loblolly pine forest on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

2. Prefer rare communities on dry-xeric sites in the piedmont and mountains.

3. Create conditions to restore dry-mesic oak, oak-pine, and pine-oak communities on the piedmont.

4. Increase shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine/oak communities on the piedmont.

5. Restore sites currently occupied by white pine stands to diverse native communities.

6. Increase structural diversity by creating gaps in 1 to 5 percent of closed canopy mid- and late-successional mesic deciduous forests.

7. What are the trends in management indicator species (MIS) population indices in relationship to major forest community/conditions? Frequency of occurrence trends for hooded warbler, scarlet tanager, pine warbler, Acadian flycatcher and brown-headed nuthatch.

Results

1. The forest has already both planned or implemented loblolly pine removal and reestablishment of native forest communities on 953 acres. The GIS database now shows 4,568 acres of stands typed as loblolly pine on the district. A number of other stands still have a component of loblolly pine remaining even though they may not be typed to reflect that fact. The AP Loblolly Pine and Removal and Restoration Environmental Impact Statement outlines plans to treat about 5,542 acres, effectively removing most of the remaining loblolly pine on the district. The few scattered stands remaining will be

targeted in future projects. Table 1 shows the acreage of loblolly pine removal harvests accomplished or planned to date.

Table 1. Andrew Pickens Timber Sales with Loblolly Pine Removal Timber Sale Environmental Assessment Acres Village Creek Village Creek 167 Hell Hole Chauga Loblolly 90 Chauga 1 Chauga Loblolly 134 Mt Grove Church Chauga Loblolly 34 Hell Stone Branch Chauga Loblolly 126 Cedar Creek Cedar Creek 106 Tamassee Knob Ross Mt/Tamassee 38 Cherry Cove Ross Mt/Tamassee 85 Fine Alley Ross Mt/Tamassee 54 Compartment 26 Ross Mt/Tamassee 119 Total 953

2. Objective 8.02. Existing and planned woodland habitat areas:

Table 2. Existing and Planned Woodlands on the Sumter National Forest Ranger District Area or Project Acres Andrew Pickens Garland Tract 360 Andrew Pickens Cedar Creek Project 207 Andrew Pickens Compartment 61 Project 144 Andrew Pickens Loblolly Pine Removal and Restoration Project 784 Enoree Lower Enoree./Indian Creek Project 447 Enoree Indian Creek Woodlands Project 840 Long Cane RENEW Project 964 Long Cane Post Oak Savanna 130 Total 3,800

Though this acreage is significant, it is also below the plan objective.

3. Objective 8.03. Activities to increase oak types on the piedmont in FY 12 included • 4,024 acres of commercial thinning • 263 acres of precommercial thinning • 2,804 acres released by herbicide applied with a directed foliar spray • 20 acres loblolly pine removal (C-352, S-13).

Silvicultural prescriptions generally emphasize release of desirable oaks and hickories where possible. This is especially significant in stands that are regenerated. Oak species are favored for retention and other species are discriminated against in the commercial thinning, precommercial thinning and herbicide release treatments listed above.

The 9.G.2 management prescription emphasizes restoration of upland oak-hickory and mixed pine-oak-hickory forest. Of the 4,024 acres reported above, 1,807 acres occur in the 9.G.2 management prescription. Harvest and stand improvement activities depend upon where environmental assessments/decisions have been completed and are not spread evenly across management prescriptions in any given year.

Table 3 summarizes queries in the GIS database and indicates the number of acres of loblolly pine/Virginia pine on the districts and the number of acres in the 9.G.2 management prescription where the emphasis should be on re-establishing oak and hickory forests. It also presents the actual number of acres classified as oak types.

Table 3. Number of Acres on the Piedmont Districts in Loblolly Pine vs. Oak Types Loblolly and Virginia Pine Oak Types Area (acres) (acres) Piedmont Districts 205,974 59,458 9.G.2 Management Prescription 29,491 10,829

4. Objective 8.04. The GIS database currently shows 3,077 acres of shortleaf pine on the piedmont. This is an increase of 20 acres from the 3,057 acres reported in FY 11.

5. Objective 8.05. No activities were implemented to create small canopy gaps in FY 12.

6. Objective 8.06. The GIS database currently shows 6,688 acres of white pine type on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. This figure is unchanged from last year. The district has a project in the early planning stages to meet this objective.

Findings

1. Steady progress is being made toward Objective 8.01. The forest should be able to meet this objective within the planning period. The Andrew Pickens Ranger District completed an environmental impact statement (EIS) that is designed to restore native communities and woodlands.

2. The forest is unlikely to fully meet Objective 8.02 during the planning period given current funding and staffing levels and the number of woodland, grassland, savanna and shrubland projects planned. A woodland and longleaf pine restoration project in the Stevens Creek analysis area (estimated at 900 acres) on the Long Cane Ranger District is in the planning stages. Prescribed burning is increasing the amount of shrubland throughout the piedmont.

3. Loblolly pine stand thinning will help stimulate advanced regeneration (Objective 8.03) of oaks and hickories by increasing light levels to the forest floor. Where opportunities exist, the forest is implementing loblolly pine removals to convert loblolly pine stands to oak. The oak component is typically increasing in regenerated stands, as well as in pre- commercially and commercially thinned stands.

4. Because few areas with adequate soil conditions have been found the forest is unlikely to meet its objective (Objective 8.04) to restore shortleaf pine communities during the planning period. To stay relatively free from littleleaf disease, shortleaf pine needs good soil depth (approximately 8” or more of topsoil) with well-drained to moderately well- drained soils. Past land use erosion has generally left very few places where the soil is adequate to support shortleaf restoration. The areas found thus far tend to be very small, isolated parts of certain ridges or flats.

5. The forest did not implement any projects in 2012 to create canopy gaps in response to Objective 8.05. Prescribed burning has created small canopy gaps in some young loblolly stands.

6. The forest did not implement any projects in 2012 in white pine stands in response to Objective 8.06. However, there is a project is in the early planning stages that should allow the forest to meet this objective.

MQ 3: Are key successional stage habitats being provided?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 8 and 13; desired conditions for management prescriptions 7.E.2, 8.A.1, 8.B.2, 9.A.3, 9.G.2, and 10.B, and standard FW-33. The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Trends in early, mid and late successional habitat by management prescription group.

2. The number of acres, conditions and distribution of existing old growth.

3. Trends in MIS population indices in relationship to major forest community/conditions to help indicate the effects of management on successional habitats. Frequency of occurrence trends in prairie warbler, Swainson’s warbler, field sparrow and American woodcock.

Results

1. Trends in early, mid and late successional habitat by management prescription have changed little in the last several monitoring reports.

Table 4. Amount of Early, Middle and Late Successional Habitat by Management Prescription Total Management Forested Successional AP EN LC Desired Actual Prescription Acres Stage (acres) (acres) (acres) Percentage Percentage Early 0 773 525 4-10 2% 7E2 59,860 Mid to Late 10,110 22,793 21,589 50+ 91% Late 7,302 11,826 12,163 10+ 52%

Early 813 - - 4-10 2% 8A1 34,588 Mid to Late 29,684 - - 50+ 86% Late 20,055 - - 10+ 58%

8B2 7,596 Early - 14 393 10-17 5%

Early - 50 - 4-10 >1% 9A3 11,223 Mid to Late - 11,188 - 50+ >99% Late - 5,864 - 10+ 52%

Early - 505 805 4-10 3% 9G2 41,606 Mid to Late - 22,280 15,737 50+ 91% Late - 7,251 8,761 10+ 38%

Early - 4,554 3,227 10-17 6% 10B 136,156 Mid to Late - 64,732 53,535 20+ 87% Late - 36,000 29,522 10+ 48%

2. There is no new information to report on acres, conditions and distribution of existing old growth in FY 12.

3. There is no new information to report.

Findings

1. As Table 4 indicates, there is an abundance of mid-to late successional stage acreage and late successional stage acreage in comparison with desired conditions. In contrast, all management prescriptions are below to far below the desired condition for early successional stage forest. Thinning sales have been a point of emphasis to meet desired stand conditions. However, the forest has implemented many projects to address this need and recent decisions are awaiting implementation. NEPA process compliance and costs, budgets and personnel are limiting factors in significantly increasing the amount of early successional habitat.

2. The Possible Old Growth GIS Layer needs to be redone based on current stand ages in FSVEG in FY 14.

3. The Long Cane continued implementation of its Goldmine Timber Sale Project in 2012. This project, in part, will directly benefit species that are dependent upon early successional habitat. 4. The forest implemented the Cuffytown Timber Sale Project in 2012. This project will thin densely stocked loblolly stands, create woodland habitat, restore mast-producing hardwood stands and regenerate approximately 249 acres.

5. NEPA analysis for Reedy Project (1,273 acres of early successional) began in 2012.

6. Implementation of the Zebra Project provided 391 acres of early successional habitat in the Lower Little River analysis area. Planning has identified more opportunities in the Lower Long Cane and Watson Hill analysis areas.

MQ 4: How well are key terrestrial habitat attributes being provided?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 3, 4, 8 and 9, Objective 9.01 and standard FW- 18. Objective 9.01 is to construct or restore wetlands on 600 acres in the riparian corridor on the piedmont over the 10-year planning period.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Acres, conditions, and distribution of wetland habitats and ephemeral wetlands.

2. Trends in MIS population indices in relationship to major forest communities/conditions. Frequency of occurrence trends in pileated woodpecker.

3. Trends in hard mast production capability.

Results

1. During FY 12, the Enoree Ranger District implemented wetland restoration projects in the following areas: a) along the Enoree River in the Brazzlemans Bridge area in Compartment 122 (approximately 5-10 acres); b) near the confluence of the Enoree River and Indian Creek in the Willow Oak Flats area in Compartment 124 (approximately 10-15 acres); and c) near the confluence of the Tyger River and Rennicks Branch in Compartment 104 (approximately 15-20 acres). Review of LiDAR and field inspections indicate that many isolated wetlands are not functioning properly due to past agricultural ditches that drained these areas. Vegetative management projects that generate funds for stewardship projects and Knutson-Vandenberg Funds could be used to finance this project work.

Wetlands restoration on the Enoree Ranger District improves habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, wild turkey, bats, crustaceans such as fairy shrimp, amphibians such as the spotted salamander, river frogs and other species of reptiles and amphibians dependent upon riparian and palustrine wetlands. The wetlands are designed specifically to provide habitat for rare species, such as the wood stork and bald eagle. In addition, wetlands restoration cleans run-off, reduces flooding and recharges groundwater, benefitting communities located downstream of the projects. Wetlands increase wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities and add to the beauty of the landscape. The restored wetlands appear natural and require little, if any, maintenance.

There were no wetland restoration projects planned or implemented on the Long Cane Ranger District in FY 12.

2. Pileated woodpeckers are a primary indicator of large snag habitat. They also are a good indicator of older forests that have mixtures of live hollow trees and dead trees. The technical report Population Trends and Habitat Occurrence of Forest Birds on Southern National Forests, 1992-2004 (General Technical Report NRS-9) indicates that the mean observations per count for pileated woodpeckers are increasing on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District and declining on the two piedmont districts. The increasing trend in the mountains most likely reflects the large number of pine snags that were created during past southern pine beetle infestations from 2001- 2003. Larger dead trees and older forest habitat are in short supply on the two piedmont districts and occur mainly in riparian areas.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources conducts annual hard mast (the fruit or seed of trees and woody shrubs) surveys between August 25th and September 15th each year. All survey routes are a minimum of ten miles long with stops at approximately one mile intervals. A survey route is located on national forest lands on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Table 2-3 compares 2011 and 2012 results. The results can be compared with the five-year trends (2005-2009) located in the Sumter National Forest’s 2009 5-Year Review and Recommendations.

3. All silvicultural prescriptions, whether in Management Prescription 9.G.2 or not, generally emphasize release of desirable oak and hickory species where possible.

Table 5. Hard Mast Crop Quality on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012 Crop Quality Hard Mast Species 2011 2012 White Oak Poor Poor Red Oak Excellent Fair Chestnut Oak Poor Poor Hickory Poor Poor 1 Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

No data was collected relative to trends in hard mast production capability on the Enoree or Long Cane Ranger Districts.

Findings

1. Wetland habitat development needs to be incorporated into vegetative management projects and other activities on the Forest.

2. Per Standard FW-18, standing snags, bird peck trees and living den trees shall not be cut or bulldozed during vegetation management treatments unrelated to timber regeneration treatments, unless necessary to provide for public or employee safety. Refinements to the Region 8 Bird Database still need to be made in order to analyze avian trends at the district level. At present, analysis can only be conducted for the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests as a whole.

3. Release of hard mast will continue to be emphasized in all management prescriptions on the three districts. Both thinning and regeneration harvest treatments will the primary method for enhancing hardmast production.

MQ 5: What is the status and trend in aquatic habitat conditions in relationship to aquatic communities?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 3 and 4 and Objective 11-OBJ-2. Objective 11-OBJ-2 is to restore and enhance stream habitat and aquatic communities on 50 miles of streams. This includes woody debris, stream bank stabilization, brook trout restoration and in- stream habitat improvement.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Trends in the composition and abundance of macroinvertebrate communities.

2. Trends in the composition and abundance of stream fish communities.

3. Trends in aquatic habitat conditions. Perennial and intermittent streams are managed in a manner that provides a source for large wood to channels.

4. Improve, rehabilitate, or restore aquatic habitat.

Results

1. The Long Cane Ranger District conducted mussel surveys in Mountain Creek in 2012 to assess Carolina heelsplitter population trends over the years. Also in 2012, the Andrew Pickens district implemented mussel monitoring in the Chattooga River. Refer to the Sumter National Forest 2005 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report (2005

Monitoring Report) for more detailed inventory information on crayfish. Aquatic insect sampling was conducted in the Chattooga River watershed in October 2007 and September 2008.

The Enoree Ranger District last conducted mussel in 2009 (Alderman 2009), and as mentioned above, the Long Cane Ranger District in 2012 (Alderman 2012) and the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in 2012 (Krause and Roghair 2012). Mussel species inventoried on the Sumter National Forest are listed in Table 6.

Table 6. Mussel Species Sampled on the Sumter National Forest Scientific Name Common Name 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 Enoree Ranger District Elliptio angustata Carolina lance x x x x Elliptio complanata Eastern elliptio x x x x Pyganodon cataracta Eastern floater x Villosa delumbis Eastern creekshell x x x x Long Cane Ranger District Alasmidonta varicosa Brook floater x x x x x Elliptio angustata Carolina lance x x x x x x Elliptio complanata Eastern elliptio x x x x x x Elliptio icterina Variable spike x x x x x Elliptio producta Atlantic spike x x x x x x Lampsilis cariosa Yellow lampmussel x x x x x Lasmigonia decorata Carolina heelsplitter x x x x x x Pyganodon cataracta Eastern floater x x x x x Strophitus undulatus Creeper x x x x x Uniomerus carolinianus Florida pondhorn x x x Utterbackia imbecilis Paper pondshell x x Villosa delumbis Eastern creekshell x x x x x x Villosa vibex Southern rainbow x x x Andrew Pickens Ranger District Alasmidonta varicosa Brook floater x x x Elliptio angustata Carolina lance x x Elliptio producta Atlantic spike x x Elliptio spp. x

Alderman (2012) reported a downward trend in abundances for most mussel taxa in Mountain Creek from 2009 to 2012. However, he stated that the suggested trend must be tempered by the understanding that survey conditions were not identical during the sampling years.

The Forest Service Southern Research Station, Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer implemented a long term mussel monitoring program for the Chattooga River in 2012. Twelve sites totaling over 44.2 km were sampled from the confluence of Camp Creek and up river to the confluence with Lick Log Creek. The goal of the distributed sampling was to assess the overall mussel population condition throughout the entire sample area. Crews found at least one mussel species at each of the 12 sample sites and the brook floater (a sensitive species) was found approximately 10 km further upstream than in past surveys. Population estimates declined for Elliptio spp. upstream of site 11 (Adeline Branch) despite no noticeable change in stream habitat. Brook floater was also not found

above this site. Corbicula fluminea, the introduced Asian clam was present in only the two most downstream sites of the river (Krause and Roghair 2012).

The Carolina heelsplitter is a federally listed endangered species and is rated as G1 by NatureServe (2013). The G1 rating denotes that a species is at very high risk of extinction due to extreme rarity (often five or fewer populations), very steep declines or other factors. The brook floater is rated as G3 and the Atlantic spike as G3Q by NatureServe. The G3 rating denotes that a species is at moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines or other factors. Q denotes questionable taxonomy of a species which may reduce conservation priority. The yellow lampmussel is rated as G3G4. The Carolina lance, Eastern creekshell and Florida pondhorn are rated as G4 species. G4 denotes a species that is uncommon but not rare and that there is some cause for long term concern due to declines or other factors. The G3G4 denotes a range of uncertainty associated with the rating for the species. All other species are ranked G5, a rating that denotes a species that is common, widespread and abundant.

The Carolina heelsplitter is listed as endangered by the American Fisheries Society (Williams, et. al. 1992). This listing refers to a species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a threatened. Threatened refers to a species that is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The Carolina lance and Atlantic spike are listed as species of special concern. This listing refers to a species that may become endangered or threatened by relatively minor disturbances to its habitat and therefore warrants careful monitoring of its abundance and distribution.

The South Carolina Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (Kohlsaat et. al., 2005) includes the South Carolina priority species list. These species warrant conservation concern to maintain diversity in South Carolina waters. The species are ranked in priority as moderate, high and highest. Carolina heelsplitter, creeper, yellow lampmussel, Southern rainbow and brook floater are ranked as highest priority. The Atlantic spike, Carolina lance, Eastern creekshell, variable spike and Eastern elliptio are ranked as moderate priority.

Freshwater snails sampled on the Enoree Ranger District include Elimia catenaria and Campeloma decisum in 2007 and 2008. In addition Helisoma anceps and Physa sp. were sampled in 2008. Elimia catenaria, Campeloma decisum, Physa sp. and Helisoma anceps were also sampled on the Long Cane Ranger District during 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Somatogyrus virginicus was sampled in 2010 and Pseudosuccinea columella and Ferrissia rivularis in 2012. Elimia proxima was sampled in the Chauga River on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in 2008.

Corbicula fluminea, the introduced Asian clam, was present in all surveyed watersheds.

Crayfish species were collected during stream surveys in 2003. Refer to the Sumter National Forest 2005 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report for more detailed inventory information on crayfish. Additional species sampled since 2003 include

Cambarus hobbsorum on the Enoree Ranger District and Procambarus clarkii on the Long Cane Ranger district, both in 2009. Cambarus hobbsorum has a NatureServe rank of G3G4. This species is also ranked as moderate on the South Carolina priority species list.

Aquatic insect surveys were conducted in the Chattooga River from 1986-89 by English (1990), in 2007-08 by English and Pike (2009), and in 1994 by Weber and Isely (1995). Weber and Isely concluded that water quality in the Chattooga River basin was good to excellent using macroinvertebrates as biological indicators of water quality. Analysis of macroinvertebrate data in the English 1990 report indicated the water quality in the Chattooga River watershed was good. The average density over the entire Chattooga River watershed suggested that the river was neither over nor under productive compared to streams in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sites from the 1990 report were resampled in fall 2007 and 2008 (English and Pike 2009) and encompass sample sites from the headwaters downstream to just above Tugaloo Lake, including some tributaries. A comparison of the combined data from the 1990 and 2009 reports for both sampling periods in the entire watershed indicated that the upper Chattooga river area (upstream of Highway 28) had better water quality than the lower Chattooga River area and the tributaries. Taxa richness and diversity metrics in the 1990 report indicate better water quality throughout the watershed than in the 2009 report. This may be attributed to lower water discharges in 2007 than in 1989. An evaluation of the collected data from all watershed areas for both sampling periods indicates that: water quality was better in the tributaries during the 1990 report sampling period when compared to tributary water quality in the 2009 report sampling period; the upper Chattooga River had better water quality than the lower section of the river in the 2009 report sampling period; and most of the watershed had excellent or very good water quality for both sampling periods. Of all the watershed areas sampled for the 2009 report, the upper Chattooga River area had the highest taxa richness, diversity and EPT index (an index of water quality based on the abundance of three pollution-sensitive orders of macroinvertebrates relative to the abundance of a hardy species of macroinvertebrate) indicating the best water quality. The biotic index indicated that the lower Chattooga River area had comparatively the poorest water quality.

2. Stream fish inventory and monitoring surveys in Sumter National Forest streams were conducted in 2002-2005 for all the districts (refer to the 2005 Monitoring Report). In addition, fish monitoring was conducted in Hunting Creek in 2008 and 2011; and an unnamed tributary to Enoree River C155 in 2009 and 2011 on the Enoree Ranger District. A fish inventory was conducted on an unnamed tributary to Long Branch in 2009 on the Enoree Ranger District. Refer to the Sumter National Forest 2011 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Report (2011 Monitoring Report) for more detailed inventory information on fish species. Trout streams are monitored annually on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

The Andrew Pickens district conducted stream fish inventory and monitoring surveys in 2012. Of seven sites sampled in four streams (Table 7), a total of 14 species were

captured (Table 3).Twenty seven different streams were sampled from 2002 through 2012.

Table 7. Fish Surveys Sites on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District # Species Captured Stream Site # Watershed 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Chauga River 2 Chauga River 10 10 Chattooga River Big Bend Site Chattooga River 11 14 13 Ellicott Rock Site Chattooga River 12 14 15 Spoonauger Site 14 16 16 East Fork Site 9 Highway 28 Site 17 Pigpen Branch 1 Chattooga River 3 3 4 3 4 2 2 3 3 3 Tamassee Creek 1 Chattooga River 9 9 2 5 3 1 1 1 Crane Creek 1 Cheohee Creek 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Left Trib. Site 1 Jacks Creek 1 Chattooga River 1 1 1 1 Townes Creek 1 Cheohee Creek 7 Yellow Branch Coneross Creek 4 Bee Cove Creek Whitewater River 1 1 0 Howard Creek Whitewater River 5 Lower 5 Upper 1 2 2 Limber Pole Creek Whitewater River 1 1 Moody Creek Cheohee Creek 1 1 0 Wilson Creek Cheohee Creek 0 EF Chattooga River 1 Chattooga River 12 2 4 3 2 3 3 3 King Creek 1 Chattooga River 5 5 Lower 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Middle 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Upper 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Indian Camp Branch 1 EF Chattooga River 1 2 2 1 Ira Branch Chattooga River 1 1 Fall Creek Chattooga River 4 Bad Creek Chattooga River 1 Corbin Creek Whitewater River 7 Lower 3 Upper 3 Laurel Fork Creek Whitewater River 5 Coley Creek Whitewater River 0 Whetstone Creek Chattooga River 8 Swafford Creek 1 Long Creek 4 Toxaway Creek 9 Rocky Fork Creek 5

Table 8. Species Captured in Andrew Pickens Ranger District Streams Species 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Catostomidae Catostomus commersoni White sucker x x x x x x x Hypentelium nigricans Northern hogsucker x x x x x Moxostoma rupiscartes Striped jumprock x x x x x x x x x x Centrarchidae Lepomis auritus Redbreast sunfish x x x x x x x x Lepomis cyanellus Green sunfish x Lepomis gulosus Warmouth x Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill x x x x x Lepomis microlophus Redear sunfish x Micropterus coosae Redeye bass x x Cottidae Cottus bairdi Mottled sculpin x x x x x x x x x Cyprinidae Campostoma anomalum Central stoneroller x x x x x x x x Clinostomus funduloides Rosyside dace x x x x x x Cyprinella nivea Whitefin shiner x Hybopsis rubrifrons Rosyface chub x x x x Luxilus coccogenis Warpaint shiner x x x x x x x x Nocomis leptocephalus Bluehead chub x x x x x x x x x Notropis leuciodus Tennessee shiner x Notropis lutipinnis Yellowfin shiner x x x x x x x x x Notropis spectrunculus Mirror shiner x x x x x x Rhinichthys cataractae Longnose dace x x x x x x x x x Rhinichthys atratulus Blacknose Dace x x x x x x x Semotilus atromaculatus Creek chub x x x x x x Ictaluridae Ameriurus brunneus Snail bullhead x x Ameiurus platycephalus Flat bullhead x Noturus insignis Margined madtom x Percidae Etheostoma hopkinsi Christmas darter x Etheostoma inscriptum Turquoise darter x x x x x x x x x Perca flavescens Yellow perch x Percina nigrofasciata Blackbanded darter x x Salmonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow trout x x x x x x x x x x Salmo trutta Brown trout x x x x x x x x x x x Salvelinus fontinalis Brook trout x x x x x x x x x x x

All fish species surveyed were ranked secure (G5) or apparently secure (G4) by NatureServe (2013). The flat bullhead is listed as vulnerable by the American Fisheries Society (Jelks et. al. 2008). This indicates that the species is in imminent danger of becoming threatened throughout all or a significant portion of its range due to present or threatened destruction, modification, or reduction of its habitat or range. Of the 32 species (2002-2012) captured in Andrew Pickens Ranger District streams, five are considered non-indigenous or introduced species to the watershed (Warren, et al. 2000). These include the white sucker, green sunfish, yellow perch, rainbow trout and brown trout. The remaining species captured are native to the watershed.

The brook trout is a designated as a S2 species (imperiled due to rarity or other factors) by the South Carolina Heritage Program. It has also been identified as a species of conservation concern in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (Kohlsaat et. al., 2005). The Christmas darter and redeye bass which are ranked as highest priority are also included as species of conservation concern in South Carolina. The turquoise darter is ranked as high priority. The blacknose dace, central stoneroller, flat bullhead, longnose dace, mirror shiner, rosyface chub, snail bullhead, Tennessee shiner and warpaint shiner are ranked as moderate priority. The population status of these species is currently considered to be stable throughout all or a significant portion of their range. The fish species diversity of the management indicator community in the Chattooga River watershed has not changed in more than 20 years of sampling the main stem of the river. Southern brook trout populations are considered stable in two recently restored streams. An additional stream was stocked with southern brook trout in 2012 on the Andrew Pickens.

3. A large wood survey was conducted in the Chattooga River in 2012 from the confluence of West Fork Chattooga River to the confluence of Green Creek in North Carolina. Preliminary results show that the amount of large wood and associated obstructions increased in some reaches and decreased in others, but the overall distribution and amount were similar to conditions in 2007. In 2012, cut (sawed) wood was most abundant in the upstream reaches of the river, though there were additional reaches containing cut large wood further downstream. A 2010 aquatic habitat monitoring survey conducted to assess the addition of large wood in King Creek on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District revealed a 28% increase in pool habitat with the addition of tree boles to the stream. It also indicated a 61% decrease in riffle fines resulting in more suitable spawning habitat. Stream monitoring showed significant increases in brook trout density and biomass and in aquatic insect density and diversity. An aquatic habitat monitoring survey will be conducted in 2013 to assess the addition of large wood in Crane Creek on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Results will be available in 2014.

3. Large wood was added to a brook trout restoration stream, Moody Creek, in 2012 on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. The forest is reviewing more streams for the addition of large wood to enhance aquatic habitat. Two aquatic organism passage culverts were installed in two streams on the Long Cane Ranger District, resulting in one mile of expanded stream habitat in 2011. An additional 2.75 miles of stream was opened to aquatic organism passage with two culverts on the Long Cane in 2012. Two additional culvert replacements are planned for 2013. The culvert replacements are located in the endangered Carolina heelsplitter watershed.

Findings

1. A long term mussel monitoring program for the Chattooga River initiated in 2012 found that there was at least one mussel species at each of the 12 sample sites and that the brook floater was found approximately 10 km further upstream than in past surveys. Population estimates declined for Elliptio spp. upstream of site 11 (Adeline Branch) despite the fact

that there was no noticeable change in stream habitat. Brook floater was not found above this site. • Three mussel species have been surveyed in the Chattooga River watershed on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. • No mussel species have been found in the Chauga River watershed. • Four mussel species have been surveyed in the Broad River watershed on the Enoree Ranger District. • Thirteen mussel species have been surveyed in the Savannah River watershed on the Long Cane Ranger District. Corbicula fluminea, the introduced Asian clam was present in only the two most downstream sites of the river (Krause and Roghair 2012). Freshwater snails and crayfish individuals were identified incidentally during other surveys. Aquatic insect surveys indicated that the upper Chattooga River area had the highest taxa richness, diversity and EPT index indicating the best water quality within the watershed.

2. The fish species diversity of the Management Indicator Community in the Chattooga River watershed has not changed in more than 20 years of sampling the main stem of the river. Southern brook trout populations are considered stable in two recently restored streams. An additional stream was stocked with southern brook trout in 2012 on the Andrew Pickens. • Thirty fish species have been sampled from 17 streams on the Enoree Ranger District. • Thirty eight fish species have been sampled from 14 streams on the Long Cane Ranger District. • Twenty seven streams have been inventoried across the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. • Thirty two species have been captured across the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

3. Large wood was added to a brook trout restoration stream in 2012 on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. A 2010 aquatic habitat monitoring survey conducted to assess the addition of large wood in King Creek on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District revealed a 28% increase in pool habitat with the addition of tree boles to the stream. It also indicated a 61% decrease in riffle fines resulting in more suitable spawning habitat. Stream monitoring showed significant increases in brook trout density and biomass and aquatic insect density and diversity. An aquatic habitat monitoring survey will be conducted in 2013 to assess the addition of large wood in Crane Creek on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

4. Two aquatic organism passage culverts were installed in two streams on the Long Cane Ranger District, resulting in 2.75 miles of expanded stream habitat in 2012. The culvert replacements are located in the endangered Carolina heelsplitter watershed.

MQ 7: What are the status and trends of federally listed species and populations or habitats for species with viability concerns on the Sumter National Forest?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 4, 10 and 12, Objectives 10.01 and 10.02, and standards 9F-1 through 9F-8 and FW-25 through FW-28. Objective 10.01 is to maintain or restore at least eight self-sustaining populations for smooth coneflower and, if possible, four populations for small whorled pogonia on the Andrew Pickens, including the habitat to support them. Objective 10.02 is to maintain or restore at least eight self-sustaining populations for Georgia aster and one population for Florida gooseberry on the piedmont districts and the habitat to support them. The monitoring element is defined as follows:

1. Trends in recovery of threatened and endangered species (TES), and status and distribution of some viability concern species that are not specifically identified under other elements. Species targeted under this element will be determined through periodic review of each species’ status and conservation priority. Priorities will likely vary through the life of the forest plan as new information is available.

Results

1. The following species were monitored:

Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) Forest Service personnel monitored Rifle Range Road, Cedar Creek Road – including Blue Hole, and Barton Creek #1 in 2012. Each of thes sites was prescribed burned in 2012; the Rifle Range Unit in February and Barton/Flint/Cedar Creek Burn unit in May of 2012. Increases in numbers of plants and in habitat condition were observed along the first ridgeline at Barton Creek, where the companion plants rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) and wild quinine (Parthenium integrifolium) occurred in abundance. At Barton Creek #1, there were 45 rosettes along the ridgeline, including 10 flowers (compared to 18 rosettes and one flower in 2010), and 175+ plants at the Rifle Range Road site (compared to 193 in 2010), including 150+ within the interior of compartment 38 stand 24. Crews located 19 plants at each of two adjacent sites along Cedar Creek Road, including 13 flowers (compared to 18 plants in 2010). At Blue Hole, crews located 16 plants including five flowers (compared to 22 plants in 2010). Other pollinator species observed blooming included: butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosus), squarehead (Tetragonotheca helianthoides), Appalachian flat-topped white aster (Doellingeria infirma), spreading sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus), and rosinweed (Silphium astericus).

Small Whorled Pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) Forest Service personnel monitored lower King Creek and Bone Camp Creek populations in 2012. No plants were found at Bone Camp Creek, and only 13 were found at lower King Creek, down from a high of 27 in 2008. Both populations had low intensity management to increase light levels in 2001.

Georgia Aster (Symphiotrichum georgianum) Forest Service personnel monitored Georgia aster on the Long Cane after Duke Energy replaced some power poles in the right-of-way and updated the numbers and locations of the plants in GIS. Clemson University Botanical Garden successfully propagated seed collected from the population in the Gold Mine analysis area. Crews completed loblolly removal and understory herbicide Small Whorled Pogonia at projects at the future planting site in the post oak Lower King Creek savanna botanical area.

On the Enoree Ranger District, Forest Service personnel discovered that the Bucks Grave population of Georgia aster (>200 plants) had been illegally broadcast sprayed with herbicide in the fall of 2012. The majority of the population occurs in a utility right-of- way that is under special use permit by the Forest Service to Fairfield Electric Coop. The permit specifies that herbicide application is prohibited. The Forest Service sent a letter dated November 19, 2012 to the company’s vice president of operation and conducted site visits to discuss appropriate mitigation practices. Four Georgia aster populations occur along utility lines on the Enoree Ranger District. The forest communicates regularly with Broad River Power Company and Fairfield Electric regarding the management of these populations.

Atkins North America, Inc. working for Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC surveyed approximately 90,000 feet of stream corridor for Georgia aster and other rare species in the Chester County/Woods Ferry area. They verified 21 occurrences for Georgia aster, of which ten represented new populations, totaling over 553 individuals.

Planning continues on the both the Enoree and Long Cane districts to restore shortleaf pine and longleaf pine woodlands for the candidate species Georgia aster. Although the districts have identified numerous plant occurrences, few occur in native woodland habitat.

Carolina Heelsplitter and Brook Floater Two 2012 monitoring surveys were completed for freshwater mussels. Alderman Environmental Services conducted a survey for the federally endangered Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata) in Mountain Creek, and the Southern Research Station, Center for Aquatic and Technology Transfer (CATT) surveyed for the sensitive brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) in the Chattooga River.

Brook floater In 2004/2005 the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests first partnered with CATT to develop a long-term monitoring proposal to a) detect population trends in brook floater and the Elliptio species complex and b) document distribution of exotic Corbicula fluminea (Asian clam) in the Chattooga River upstream of Tugaloo Lake. In 2012, they found live or relic brook floaters at eight sites, Elliptio spp. at all 12 sites, and the introduced Corbicula fluminea at only the two most downstream sites. Previous inventories found brook floater only as far upstream as site #9, while the 2012 survey found live brook floater 9.6 km further upstream.

As in previous inventories, crews found Elliptio spp. at sites throughout the sample area, with population estimates for brook floater at the 12 sites ranging from 0 to 436 individuals. The bell-shaped length-frequency distributions are indicative of healthy populations, with the occurrence of least one mussel species at each of the 12 sample sites. It was especially encouraging to expand the known range of brook floater within the Chattooga River by nearly 10 km.

Figure 1. Population estimates (upper graphs) and population density estimates (mussels/m2; lower graphs) for Alasmidonta varicosa and Elliptio spp. at each sample site along the Chattooga River (USDA-FS, SRS, Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer, 2012, Blacksburg, VA).

Carolina heelsplitter Based on a report from John Alderman, from 1995 through 2012, inventories of Mountain Creek on the Long Cane Ranger District documented 47 live and 29 shells of

the Carolina heelsplitter. With the exception of two live animals—one documented in 1997 up river from Sheppard Road and the other documented in 2009 upstream from US 378 (1/3 the distance up river between US 378 and Sheppard Road)—all live Carolina heelsplitters have been found from the area just up river from US 378 to an area just up river from the Turkey Creek confluence. During 2011 and 2012 surveys, only five live Carolina heelsplitters were observed within Mountain Creek. No juveniles or young adults were documented during 2011 and 2012. Alderman speculated on general declines in the species since 2009, particularly downstream from US378 to the Turkey Creek confluence in 2012 (Alderman, 2012).

The Long Cane Ranger District installed two aquatic organism passage culverts in two streams in 2012, expanding stream habitat for the endangered Carolina heelsplitter by 2.75 miles.

Florida Gooseberry (Ribes echinellum) Long Cane Ranger District personnel continued to monitor and map the federally endangered Florida gooseberry along Stevens Creek in 2012. Six new sub-colonies were found, all part of a larger population shared with the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve, of which 16 colonies occur on the Sumter National Forest. Trifoliate orange, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle are invading the floodplain and impacting some of the colonies. Non-native invasive plant control of these species is ongoing at the State Heritage Preserve and was initiated in this area on national forest lands in 2012. The Florida gooseberry population on the Long Cane Ranger District appears to be stable.

Lance-leaved Trillium (Trillium lancifolium) Forest Service personnel continued to monitor and map this species along Stevens Creek on the Long Cane Ranger District in 2012 within the same stand as the Florida gooseberry. Crews mapped over 5,500 plants within a single population. The lance- leaved trillium population on the Long Cane appears to be stable.

Webster’s Salamander (Plethodon websteri) The forest received an interim progress report from Buhlmann Ecological Research and Consulting, containing a summary of the expanded sites surveyed for the inventory and monitoring of the endangered Webster’s salamander on the Long Cane Ranger District. A total of 22 unique sites were visited through March, 2012. The Webster’s salamander was found at 18 of these sites. Surveys were conducted during the months when temperatures and moisture levels were most conducive to detect salamander presence under surface cover objects. For each site, data was collected on the habitat description and condition. Data was also collected to document threats and conservation concerns and/or to make habitat management recommendations. Salamanders from samples found at each site were measured and sexed. Several salamanders from each site were photographed. Substrate temperatures were taken at the location of capture at the time that each salamander found. A full summary of this information and all photographic documentation will be provided with the final report, which will rank all sites visited by their quality of habitat and abundance of Webster’s Salamanders. The Webster’s salamander population on the Long Cane appears to be stable.

Oglethorpe Oak (Quercus oglethorpensis) Forest Service personnel revisited 77 locations for Oglethorpe oak in 2012, as opposed to 19 in 2011. Trees, saplings or seedlings were found at all but five sites. Occurrences were generally small (<10 individuals) and only 12 contained more than 10 individuals.

Indigo bush (Amorpha schwerini) The one population on the Long Cane Ranger District was monitored and remapped in GIS in 2012. The population that was flagged and mapped included two areas (one north and one south). The north (lower slope) area included 166 clumps (one stem with fruit and three stems with two flowering clumps). The south area (mid slope) included 132 clumps (three stems with fruit on three different clumps). No plants were found at the original (old) coordinates. No non-native invasive species were observed.

Piedmont Strawberry and Jeweled Trillium The Andrew Pickens district monitored these species in applicable botanical areas, and noted stable populations throughout, with the exception of the absence of jeweled trillium at Opossum Creek.

Findings

1. Low intensity management of small whorled pogonia needs to be reinitiated on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

2. The NEPA decisions regarding management of smooth coneflower and small whorled pogonia need to be updated on the Andrew Pickens. Decisions dating back to 2001 cover most of the sites for hand control but many sites would benefit from use of herbicide as a management tool. One of the small whorled pogonia sites that occur in Ellicott Rock wilderness is not currently covered for any management. The number of plants at this site has declined from a documented high of 45 plants to its current low of 3 plants.

3. The forest should address sweet gum control using prescribed burning followed by herbicide treatment to increase light levels for the indigo bush population on the Long Cane.

4. The Long Cane District should expand its hardwood communities containing Oglethorpe oak.

MQ 8: What are the trends for demand species and their use?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 8, 22 and 23 and Objective 23.01. Objective 23.01 is to maintain or improve 150 acres of ponds/lake habitat for recreational fisheries.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Trends in harvest data for bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, Eastern wild turkey, and black bear; Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permits sales, turkey tags, and bear permits issued.

2. Trends in MIS population indices in relationship to major forest community/conditions. Frequency of occurrence trends in bobwhite quail, Eastern wild turkey, and black bear.

3. Maintain or improve ponds/lakes for recreational fisheries.

Results

1. Every year since 1988 the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has conducted the Bobwhite Quail Hunter Survey. The purpose of the survey is to collect quantitative information on hunter success which aids biologists in tracking quail population trends. Statewide, the 2011-2012 survey shows that hunters flushed an average of 0.46 coveys per hour, a slight increase over the 2010-2011 season. From 1988 to present, there has been a steady decline in coveys found per hour across the state.

During the 2012 spring turkey season an estimated total of 18,977 adult gobblers and 2,575 jakes were harvested for a statewide total of 21,552 turkeys. This figure represents a 20 percent increase in harvest from 2011 (17,085). However, although harvest was up substantially in 2012 from the previous year, this harvest represents a 15 percent decrease from the record harvest established in 2002. Even though all hunters who obtained a set of SCDNR-issued turkey transportation tags were licensed to hunt turkeys, only 48 percent actually hunted turkeys. Based on this figure, approximately 41,420 hunters participated in the 2012 spring turkey season, a 2.5 percent increase from 40,454 hunters who participated in 2011.

During the 2012 black bear season, 83 bears were harvested (mountain harvest only), an increase of three bears when compared to the 80 harvested during 2011. The 2012 harvest represents the second greatest harvest since 1970. There were 1,102 hunters permitted to harvest bears in 2012 (mountain permits only), an insignificant decrease from the 1,110 permitted hunters in 2011.

Through the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Forest Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and private landowners, wildlife management areas (WMAs) are provided for the enjoyment of all wildlife enthusiasts. Funds generated from the sale of WMA permits enable the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to lease approximately 1.1 million acres of land for wildlife conservation and management. With 629,906 acres enrolled in the WMA program, the U.S. Forest Service is the largest landowner in the program. In 2012, there were 58,254 WMA permits sold (7,883 resident

WMA permits, 1,743 non-resident WMA permits, 44,118 sportsman’s licenses, 4,154 junior outdoor licenses, and 356 one-day permits). The number of WMA permits sold in 2012 slightly exceeds the number sold in 2011 (total 57,280 permits).

2. Bobwhite quail numbers continue to show declines statewide. However, on portions of the Enoree and Long Cane Ranger Districts —particularly in areas that are managed as fire-dependent woodlands such as the Indian Creek Project (Enoree) and the RENEW Project (Long Cane)— quail numbers appear to show stable to upward trends

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources turkey brood surveys indicate that, unlike the last two years, statewide turkey recruitment decreased in 2012. Average brood size of 4.2 poults remained consistent; however, the total recruitment ration of 1.9 was down about 15 percent. Recruitment ration is a measure of young entering the population based on the number of hens in the population. This figure was driven by a high percentage of hens that had no poults (55%).

Black bears occur in the upstate and coastal counties of SC. Bear populations are increasing and their range is expanding in South Carolina. Based on a 2003 DNA study, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources estimates the upstate bear population to be over 1,000 bears.

3. The Sumter National Forest offers twelve recreational fishing ponds, totaling 94 acres on the Sumter National Forest. Largemouth bass and bream are the primary game fish, although a few ponds have been stocked with catfish. Forest Service personnel assessed populations and water chemistry/quality in forest ponds in 2012. Crews improved fish habitat in with the addition of trees, brush and fish structures in 70 acres of Strom Thurmond Reservoir on the Long Cane Ranger District and in 36 acres of five fishing ponds on the Enoree Ranger District.

Findings

1. Wildlife management activities, timber management, and prescribed burning on the Sumter National Forest continue to provide high-quality habitat for bobwhite quail, eastern wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and black bear. The enrollment of National Forest land in the state WMA program provides excellent hunting opportunities to resident and nonresident hunters. Continued management on the forest is needed to sustain populations of consumptive wildlife species and the recreational opportunities.

2. Stable to upward trends for quail on the piedmont Districts—the Enoree and Long Cane—likely reflects an emphasis on fire-maintained forests. The districts continue to develop early successional woodland habitat but it still comprises less than one percent of the total. Continued emphasis should be placed on thinnings, woodland habitat creation, regeneration harvest, and use of prescribed fire.

Like quail, turkeys will benefit from projects that increase early successional woodland habitat, thinnings and prescribed fire that keeps understories open. This should improve and increase brood-rearing habitat as well.

The upward trend in black bears on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District reflects the amount of mature habitat found there.

3. Ponds will be periodically monitored to determine condition and will be appropriately maintained if resources are available.

ub-Issue 1.2 – Forest Health

MQ 6: What are the status and trends of forest health threats on the Sumter National Forest?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 7, 15, 16, and 20; Objectives 15.01, 17.01 and 20.01; and standards 9F-8 and FW-27. Objective 15.01 is to control non-native invasive plants on, at a minimum, 1,000 acres by the end of the 10-year planning period, emphasizing management prescriptions where biodiversity or restoration is a primary objective. Objective 17.01 is to improve forest health on 10,000 – 50,000 acres of pine forests by reducing stand density. Objective 20.01 is to maintain fire regime condition class 1 by restoring historic fire return intervals and reducing the risk of losing ecosystem components to wildlife on approximately 250,000 acres over the 10-year planning period.

The criteria for classifying lands in fire regime condition class (FRCC) 1 are:

• Fire regimes are within or near the historical range. • The risk of losing key ecosystem components is low. • Fire frequencies have departed from historical frequencies by no more than one return interval. • Vegetation attributes (species composition and structure) are intact and functioning within an historical range.

Where appropriate, these areas can be maintained within the historical fire regime by treatments such as fire use.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Condition and trends of forest fuels and acres of hazardous fuels treated through wildland fire use, prescribed fire and mechanical treatments.

2. Maintain fire regime condition class 1 by restoring historic fire return intervals and reduce the risk of losing ecosystem components to wildfire.

3. Compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) air particulate emissions from National Forest system lands [36 CFR 219.27(a) (12)].

4. Improve forest health in pine stands by reducing stand densities.

5. Treatments to eliminate or control non-native invasive species. Emphasize treatments for PETS or to specific areas. Baseline acres infested with non-native plants by species.

Results

1. Preparedness and hazardous fuels personnel achieved nearly 30,000 acres of hazardous fuels reduction during the 2012 fiscal year, doubling the total of FY 2011 acres burned. Favorable weather was the primary factor responsible for the increase in treated acres.

Wildland fire preparedness funding and staffing (equipment, personnel, and leadership) was still below an efficient level and is not consistent with the designed Fire Program Analysis (FPA) organization. Due to the funding shortfall, the forest was unable to minimize wildland fire losses. Currently, the forest is unable to provide seven-day coverage or to staff for multi-fire days or an ongoing prevention program.

The forest in FY 2012 partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to develop a TNC prescribed fire burn module consisting of leadership, firefighters, and equipment to assist Forest Service burn crews in planning and implementing prescribed fire treatments on federal lands. This agreement was originally developed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The following table shows hazardous fuels treated on the Sumter National Forest through both mechanical and prescribed fire methods.

Table 9. Hazardous Fuels Treated on the Sumter National Forest Andrew Pickens Long Cane Enoree Treatment Total Treatment (Acres) (Acres) (Acres) Acres Prescribed Fire-Hazardous Fuels 4,598 5,976 20,596 31,170 Prescribed Fire-Wildlife 2,680 9,560 413 12,653 District Total RX Acres 7,278 15,536 21,009 43,823

2. It is difficult to measure Condition Class 1 (CC1) using GIS data. The forest modeled CC1 in GIS by looking at fire intervals (burn history), mechanical treatments and stand age for some forest types: in 2004 the Sumter CC1 was 35,627 acres; in 2010 the Sumter CC1 was 67,400 acres; and in 2012 the Sumter CC1 was 58,078 acres. The processes and technologies used to calculate change in Fire Regime Condition Classes (FRCC) are

evolving. Advancements in data collection and dissemination methods continue to refine FRCC acreage breakdowns across the forest.

Figure 2 displays the distribution of the Fire Regime Condition Classes (FRCC) on each district.

Figure 2. FRCC on each District

The following table depicts a breakdown of FRCC per district after 2012 prescribed burning.

Table 10. Acreage in each FRCC by Ranger District Enoree Ranger Andrew Pickens Long Cane Total FRCC District Ranger District Ranger District Acres Total % 1 25,963 9,377 22,738 58,078 16% 2 61,539 24,319 31,052 116,909 33% 3 75,864 41,679 62,208 179,751 51%

3. Air quality status and trends for forest health and wilderness character are best measured by comparing measured air pollutant concentrations to air quality standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been directed by Congress to set national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This standard is reviewed every few years, and revised (strengthened) if the most recent scientific research indicates that the current standard is not protective enough of sensitive populations. The criteria pollutants of most concern on the Sumter National Forest are particulate matter and ozone. Levels of these two pollutants are measured at air monitoring sites near all three districts of the national forest. Fine particulate matter is the leading cause of regional haze (also known as visibility impairment), while ozone can harm sensitive vegetation within the forest. At elevated concentrations these pollutants can also impair the health of the forest’s employees and its visitors.

Particulate Matter Particulate matter is a mixture of extremely small particles made up of soil, dust, organic chemicals, metals, and sulfate and nitrate acids. The size of the particles is directly linked to health effects, with smaller particles causing the worst

impacts to human health. As a result, EPA has set a primary NAAQS for ultra-small (less than 2.5 microns in diameter) particulate matter on both a short-term (24-hour) and annual basis. The 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM2.5) NAAQS is currently set at 35 3 3 µg/m , while the annual PM2.5 NAAQS is 12 µg/m . The graphics below show the measured PM2.5 levels at the four fine particulate matter monitoring sites located near the Sumter National Forest. As shown, levels are below the 24-hour and annual air quality standards and continue to improve.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control (DHEC) operates fine particulate matter monitoring sites throughout the state, including several near the three noncontiguous ranger districts of the Sumter National Forest.

• Andrew Pickens Ranger District. This portion of the Sumter National Forest is located in the northwestern corner South Carolina, in Oconee County. The only wilderness area within the Sumter National Forest is Ellicott Rock and it is located within this district. Although PM2.5 concentrations were measured at a monitoring site in Oconee County in the past, that site has not operated since 2010.

• Enoree Ranger District. The Enoree Ranger District is located in north-central South Carolina. Portions of the District fall within Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry and Union Counties. A nearby monitoring station in Spartanburg County (21.7 miles northwest of the district) measures PM2.5 concentrations in the area.

• Long Cane Ranger District. This district is located along the border between South Carolina and Georgia, with portions of the forest falling in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties. Currently there are three PM2.5 monitoring stations nearby—one in Edgefield County, 8.1 miles east of the district, and two located south of the district in Richland County, Georgia. These sites are located 6.8 miles and 8.7 miles south of the district, respectively.

The maximum measured values and trends at the above monitoring sites as compared to both the daily and annual PM2.5 NAAQS are shown in the graphs on the next page (data source: http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_rep_mon.html). The blue columns depict measured annual averages, and the green columns depict measured daily values; the annual and daily NAAQS are shown by light and dark red lines. Note that for the most recent years, none of the fine particulate matter monitors near the national forest are exceeding the current fine particulate matter NAAQS.

As shown, measured particulate matter pollution near the three ranger districts is not exceeding either the 24-hour or the annual PM2.5 standard. At this time, fine particulate matter concentrations near the three ranger districts is neither causing negative impacts to visitors, nor causing significant harm to visibility within the forest.

Ozone Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause human health concerns and have negative impacts to vegetation. As with fine particulate matter, a national air quality standard for protection of both public health and the environment has been set for ground level ozone. The current ozone NAAQS is set at 0.075 ppm.

There are several monitoring sites that measure ozone near the three ranger districts of the Sumter National Forest.

• Andrew Pickens Ranger District. Ozone concentrations are currently measured at two monitoring sites near the district. The ozone monitor in Oconee County is adjacent to the district; the ozone monitor in Pickens County is located 17.4 miles east of the district. • Enoree Ranger District. Two air quality monitoring stations currently measure ozone near this ranger district. One is located in Spartanburg County, 28 miles west of the district; the other is in York County, approximately 26 miles away from the Enoree Ranger District. • Long Cane Ranger District. There are five ozone monitoring stations currently operating near the Long Cane Ranger District. A monitor in Columbia County is less than 0.6 miles west of the district. There are also monitors located in Abbeville County, 6.8 miles north of the district; Edgefield County, 8.1 miles east of the district; Aiken County, 21.1 miles south of the district; and in Richmond County, GA, 8.7 miles south of the district.

The graphs on the next two pages show the ozone concentrations at the monitors near each ranger district for the years 2007-2012, calculated in the same form as the NAAQS (a three year average of the 4th highest eight-hour ozone concentration). The NAAQS is indicated by the red line on the graphs. The Spartanburg County monitors are measuring concentrations equal to or exceeding the NAAQS standard. (Data Source: http://www.epa.gov/airdata/ad_rep_mon.html)

Emissions from wildland and prescribed fire

Emissions from wildland fire include carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides. Carbon dioxide and water generally make up over 90 percent of the total emissions. The most important pollutant from wildland fire emissions is fine particulate matter (PM2.5) due to the amount emitted and the effects on human health and on visibility.

With the increasing prescribed fire program, it is important to assess whether there is any indication that levels of local and regional PM2.5 levels are increasing. The graphs below show

the daily and annual fine particulate matter concentrations near the Long Cane and Enoree Ranger districts from 2007 through 2012 as compared to acres burned from prescribed fire conducted during that same time period. Since fine particulate matter is no longer measured near the Andrew Pickens Ranger District, a comparison between prescribed fire acres burned and measured PM2.5 could not be made for that district. As shown, local and regional PM2.5 concentrations do not appear to be correlated with PM2.5 emissions from prescribed fires.

Daily and Annual Fine Particulate Matter Trends Compared to Acres Burned from Prescribed Fires Long Cane Ranger District-Sumter National Forest 2007-2012

35 Annual Acres Burned Prescribed by Fire

25 ( x 1000 x 20 )

24-Hour Average PM2.5 Concentrations Annual Average PM2.5 Concentrations

Annual Acres Burned by Prescribed Fires (x 1000)

Daily and Annual Fine Particulate Matter Trends Compared to Acres Burned from Prescribed Fires Enoree Ranger District-Sumter National Forest 2007-2012

35 Annual Acres Burned Prescribed by Fire

25 (x

20 1000 ) 15

24-Hour Average PM2.5 Concentrations Annual Average PM2.5 Concentrations

Annual Acres Burned by Prescribed Fires (x 1000)

4. In FY 12, the forest sold 4,024 acres of commercial thinning to reduce the risk of southern pine beetle outbreaks. Table 11 displays acres sold from 2004 – 2012.

Table 11. Acres of Commercial Thinning Sold from 2004 to 2012 Fiscal Year Acres 2004 2,699 2005 2,786 2006 2,482 2007 1,757 2008 2,571 2009 3,039 2010 3,076 2011 4,492 2012 4,024 Total 23,688

The forest conducted treatments to eliminate non-native invasive plants on 500 acres in FY 12, including: 60 acres in the Chattooga wild and scenic river corridor (habitat for brook floater and Fraser’s loosestrife); 138 acres within riparian areas along Stevens Creek (Florida gooseberry habitat) and Tyger River corridors (native cane habitat); and 120 acres along roadsides (Georgia aster and Bachman’s sparrow habitat). The remaining treatments occurred in other areas where non-native invasive plants were determined to be impacting forest health. The Long Cane Ranger District treated a total of 74 acres of NNIS in the southern portion of compartment 314. The forest implemented two agreements to control non-native invasive plants on eight acres of adjacent lands belonging to Wallace Wood and Linda Floyd under a Wyden Agreement. This type of agreement allows the Forest Service to treat private lands to prevent the spread of NNIS onto national forest system lands. The forest conducted NNIS inventories and mapped affected areas during stand exams and completed PETS surveys in Reedy, Cyper, Inman and Lower Little River analysis areas.

The forest documented 8,885 acres of inventories for non-native invasive plants in FY 2012, and has documented 37,889 acres of inventories on the Sumter since FY 2007. Table 12 is a list of non-native invasive plant species that have been documented on the Sumter since FY 2007, and the total and actual infested acreage mapped during that time.

Table 12. Non-Native Invasive Plants Documented on the Sumter National Forest from 2007-20124 Genus and Species Common Name Total Acres Infested Acres Ailanthus altissima Tree of heaven 135 26 Albizia julibrissin Silktree 223 25 Arundo donax Giant reed 1 trace Dioscorea oppositifolia Chinese yam 3 trace Elaeagnus umbellata Autumn olive 1,362 498 Hedera helix English ivy 2 2 Lespedeza cuneata Sericea lespedeza 1,176 549 Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet 3,873 1,761 Lolium arundinaceum Tall fescue 151 118 Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle 2,530 860 Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern 5 trace Mahonia bealei Beale's barberry 7 trace Melia azedarach Chinaberrytree 272 41 Miscanthus sinensis Chinese silvergrass 11 5 Microstegium vimineum Nepalese browntop 1,918 603 Nandina domestica Sacred bamboo 9 2 Paspalum notatum Bahiagrass 30 20 Paulownia tomentosa Princesstree 43 2 Phyllostachys aurea Golden bamboo 18 11 Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese knotweed trace trace Poncirus trifoliata Hardy orange 765 91 Pueraria lobata Kudzu 257 98 Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose 191 16 Schedonorus arundinaceus Tall fescue 36 6 Sorghum halepense Johnsongrass 31 18 Spiraea japonica Japanese meadowsweet 4 3 Vinca major Bigleaf periwinkle 61 21 Vinca minor Common periwinkle 2 1 Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria 1,001 217 GRAND TOTAL 14,118 4,995

In 2012, 200 hogs were removed from the Long Cane Ranger District from six different watersheds, resulting in approximately 6,000 acres5 of control; seven hogs were removed from the Andrew Pickens Ranger District from two different watersheds, resulting in approximately 2,000 acres of control; there were no hogs removed on the Enoree Ranger District.

4 5 This is based on the estimated home range size for feral hogs.

Findings

1. Returning and maintaining fire in fire-adapted communities is a critical component to the maintenance of a healthy forest. Habitats on the Sumter range from two- to three-year fire return intervals. Two-year fire return interval habitats include the Long Cane district’s Lick Fork Lake woodland area and the Enoree district’s Indian Creek woodland area. Table 13 displays fire frequency of less than three-year intervals across the Enoree and Long Cane over the past six years.

Table 13. Fire Frequency of Less than Three-year Intervals Accomplished on the Enoree and Long Cane Ranger Districts over the Past Six Years Enoree Ranger Long Cane Fire Frequency (Years) District Ranger District Grand Total 2007-2012 (Acres Burned) (Acres Burned) (Acres Burned) 0.75 0.33 0.33 0.79 49.71 49.71 0.83 3.24 3.24 0.94 0.56 700.61 701.17 1.07 3.63 0.19 3.82 1.15 0.31 0.31 1.25 636.10 452.60 1088.70 1.36 1.01 1.01 1.50 729.52 0.07 729.59 1.67 8.35 0.26 8.61 1.88 341.02 1244.55 1585.57 Total (<2 Year) 1773.44 2398.61 4172.05 2.14 1.89 5.72 7.61 2.50 1754.31 132.90 1887.22 3.00 2.57 1211.77 1214.33 Total (2-3 Year) 1758.78 1350.39 3109.16 Grand Total (<3 Year) 3532.22 3749.00 7281.22

Table 14 further breaks these fire frequency accomplishments down to acres completed in 2012.

Table 14. Fire Frequency Rotation of Less than Three-year Intervals Accomplished in 2012 Across the Enoree and Long Cane Ranger Districts over the Past Six Years Fire Frequency Rotation District Acres District Acres Total Acres Less than 2 Years Long Cane 2,399 Enoree 1,773 3,984 2-3 Years Long Cane 1,350 Enoree 1,758 1,917 Total Acres 3,749 3,532 7,280

To maintain fire dependent habitats, 3,984 acres were treated on lands having a less than a two-year fire frequency rotation (2007-2012). Three-year fire return intervals are desired to maintain fire-adapted pine and pine-hardwood habitats throughout the Sumter National

Forest. In FY 2011 forest crews treated 14,408 acres of these fire-adapted habitats, and in FY 2012 crews treated a total of 29,647 acres, exceeding the desired 25,000 acres prescribed for treatment annually as outlined in the Sumter’s 2004 Revised Land Management Plan.

Uncertain budgets, rising operational costs and a series of congressional continuing resolutions all limited the availability of resources and prescribed burning opportunities in 2012. Still, despite the challenge of conducting operations in only half the normal operating period, the three districts shared personnel and equipment to achieve more than half the year’s targeted treatment acres.

2. The Sumter National Forest saw a shift in Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) from the previous FY 2011 to FY 2012. FRCC 1 decreased 4,576 acres (2 percent) forest wide while FRCC 2 increased 62,842 acres (18 percent) forest wide. FRCC 3 decreased by 57,819 acres (16 percent) forest wide.

Based on the above numbers, this year’s analysis included 447 additional acres over last year’s analysis. Due to the increased use of prescribed fire, non-commercial and commercial mechanical treatments of forest stands, FRCC 3 acres continue to decrease and shift into FRCC 1 and FRCC 2. Stewardship contracts and timber sales are providing more opportunities for fuels treatment than in past years. The forest is installing monitoring plots to track these changes empirically.

Although the forest did not meet its goal to increase FRCC 1 acres, it succeeded in increasing overall forest health. By overall percentage, there are currently fewer acres in FRCC 3 than have been recorded since FRCC monitoring began.

3. All air quality monitors near the Sumter National Forest show that ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations meet air quality standards. No negative impacts either to forest visitors or to forest vegetation are anticipated. Emissions from prescribed fire will not hinder the state’s ability to attain air quality standards and visibility goals.

4. From FY 2005 through FY 2012, the Sumter National Forest sold 23,668 acres of commercial thinning, which is within the range of objective 17.01.

5. Non-native invasive plant species on the forest continue to increase and threaten forest health, biodiversity, and ecosystem function. Current treatment levels are not nearly enough to offset the problem. The forest is conducting re-treatments to establish control within priority areas.

Feral hogs—by their rooting, trampling, and soil compaction—adversely affect soil structure, water quality, and plant regeneration. Hog activities directly threaten sensitive plant species and increase the spread of non-native invasive plants. These non-native invasive species in turn threaten game and nongame wildlife by predation, competition for resources and the spread of disease and parasites.

Sub-Issue 1.3 – Watershed Condition and Riparian Areas

MQ 15: Are watersheds maintained (and where necessary, restored) to provide resilient and stable conditions to support the quality and quantity of water necessary to protect ecological functions and support intended beneficial uses?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 1, 2, 3 and 5 and objectives 1.01, 2.01, and 5.01. Objective 1.01 is to improve soil and water conditions on 1,500 acres through stabilization or rehabilitation of actively eroding areas such as gullies, barren areas, abandoned roads or trails, and unstable stream banks over the 10-year planning period. Objective 2.01 is in-stream flows needed to protect steam processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and aesthetic values will be determined on 50 streams. Objective 5.01 is to improve soil productivity on 8,000 acres of disturbed, low productivity, eroded soils with loblolly and shortleaf pine in the piedmont during the 10-year planning period.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Are State BMPs and forest standards being implemented to protect and maintain soil and water resources?

2. Improve soil and water conditions through stabilization or rehabilitation of actively eroding areas such as gullies, barren areas, abandoned roads or trails, and unstable stream banks.

3. Improve soil productivity on disturbed, low productivity, eroded soils with loblolly and shortleaf pine in the piedmont.

4. The in-stream flows needed to protect stream processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and aesthetic values will be determined.

Results

1. Timber harvest activities are monitored by sale administrators and inspectors to ensure the implementation and effectiveness of erosion control and water quality protection measures. Contract language is consistent with the intent of Best Management Practices (BMPs).

2. In 2012, a total of 206 acres were treated to improve soil and water conditions. This included the decommissioning of four acres of user created trails/roads; 100 acres of low site fertilization; 40 acres of post treatment stabilization; 50 acres of native grass seed planted to rebuild soils; and 12 acres of gully head and other site stabilization. Most of the soil and water improvement work continues to take place on the Enoree Ranger District, in part due to severe erosion, gullying and the associated loss of productivity, stream stability and water quality. Native grasses are used for erosion control on treated

gullies, trails and other exposed areas. CWKV funds have been an important funding source as the appropriated funding in NFVW has declined. Regarding the 10-year planning level, the forest is below the projected numbers needed to achieve its goal of 1,500 acres over the decade. However, recent proposals in the area of compensatory mitigation have the potential to allow the forest to meet or exceed these objectives.

3. The forest treated a total of 100 acres of severely eroded, low-site lands in poor watershed condition with fertilizer after ensuring by field review or sampling that they met the criteria to warrant fertilization. This number falls below the desired annual acreage of soil productivity improvements specified in the forest plan, but expectations for future work should allow the forest to meet the planned level of 8,000 acres over a decade.

4. There were no 2012 accomplishments toward developing a protocol process to meet objective 2.01 relative to determining in-stream flow needed to protect streams, habitats, recreation and aesthetic values.

Findings

1. Compliance with Forestry BMPs are implemented through forest plan guidance, sale analysis and preparation, quality sale marking, and sale administration-which includes interaction with logging contractors who are typically BMP trained and certified by the state. A total of five timber sales were reviewed in 2012. There was little, if any, timber sale activity that affected riparian areas. Approximately one mile of fire line was reviewed in FY 2012. No significant issues were found and BMP’s were met.

2. The acres of soil and water improvements under Objective 1.01 were slightly above the 150 acre annual average needed to meet plan direction.

3. The100 acres fertilization of severely eroded, low site lands in poor watershed condition is substantially below the planning objective level needed for soil productivity improvements.

4. Attention to water rights and determining in-stream flows to meet resource needs per forest plan objectives is still needed. (Goal 2, Objective 2.01)

MQ 16: What are the conditions and trends of riparian area, wetland and floodplain functions and values?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 3, 4, 8 and 9, objectives 4.01 and 11-OBJ-1 and standards 11-1 thru 11-25. Objective 4.01 is to create and maintain dense understory of native vegetation on 1 to 5 percent of the total riparian corridor during the 10-year planning period. Objective 11-OBJ-1 is to improve structural diversity and composition within the riparian corridor on 2,000 acres on the piedmont as canebrake habitat restoration.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Are management strategies in riparian areas adhering to forest plan riparian guidelines? Are conditions in riparian areas or corridors providing for soil conservation, associated habitats and necessary shade and cover for aquatic habitats?

2. Create and maintain a dense understory within riparian corridors. Improve structural diversity and composition within the riparian corridor on the piedmont.

3. Acres of riparian area inventoried for condition (i.e. terrestrial habitat, vegetative composition, woody debris recruitment, and non-native invasive plants).

Results

1. Riparian condition is typically assessed during project planning. All forest projects reviewed showed appropriate levels of compliance with standards and BMPs.

2. The forest planned wetland restoration projects and created, improved or restored structural diversity and composition on five acres within riparian corridors on the Enoree Ranger District in 2012. Although the riparian corridor seldom completely burns during prescribed burning activities, a mosaic of burning occurs within some riparian areas and, where burning intersects areas with openings, some temporary development of dense understories may occur.

3. Forest personnel conducted walk-throughs on approximately 100 acres of riparian areas and associated wetlands on the Enoree district to review and document their condition and wetland function.

Findings

1. Forest and district staffs are implementing the riparian prescription. Riparian identification, delineation, functions and values are considered in field assessments. Increased availability of LiDAR is helping to facilitate this analysis.

2. Current riparian conditions need to be more formally assessed in conjunction with upland vegetation treatments and, where possible, riparian treatments should be integrated into project design.

3. Riparian condition assessments/inventories need to be included in the early stages of project planning. LiDAR is a tool that will increase available information on riparian conditions, stream network, soil and other condition boundaries, and help evaluate needs or the potential to improve conditions.

Issue 2. Sustainable Multiple Forest and Range Benefits

Sub-Issue 2.1 – Recreational Opportunities

MQ 9: Are high quality, nature-based recreational experiences being provided, and what are the trends?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 22 and 23.

The monitoring element is defined as follows:

1. Results and trends in user satisfaction ratings relative to nature-based recreational experiences.

Results

1. The latest visitor use monitoring survey (NVUM) was conducted on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in FY 2008 and results reported in 2009. NVUM surveys will be conducted again in FY13.

Findings

1. Results of the new survey will be available in 2014.

MQ 10: What are the status and trends of recreational use impacts on the environment?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 22, and 23, desired condition for management prescription 11 and standards FW-2, FW-10, FW-11, FW-14, FW-70, FW-76, and FW-77.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Recreation activities impact to riparian areas and/or water quality. 2. Impacts associated with OHV activities. 3. Are motorized and non-motorized trails being maintained?

Results

1. No change from FY11.

2. No change from FY11.

3. No change from FY11.

Findings

1. No change from FY11.

2. No change from FY11.

3. No change from FY11.

MQ 13: Are the scenery and recreational settings changing and why?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 13, 28 and 30 and Objective 23.02. In the piedmont (Objective 23.02), increase acreage that is at least ½ mile from an open road to 35,000 acres, emphasizing lands blocks that are at least 2,500 contiguous acres in size.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Acres of national forest land that meet or exceed established scenic integrity (SIO) and recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) objectives.

Results

1. No change from FY11.

2. No change from FY11.

Findings

1. No change from FY11.

2. No change from FY11.

Sub-Issue 2.2 – Roadless Areas/Wilderness/Wild and Scenic Rivers

MQ 11: What is the status and trend of wilderness character?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 26 and 27.

The monitoring element is defined as follows:

1. Is visitor use within limits that do not impair wilderness characteristics?

Results

Implementation of the January 2012 Decision for Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor includes monitoring requirements for the portion of Ellicott Wilderness within the wild and scenic river boundary.

Findings

The forest is working to develop a monitoring plan.

MQ 12: What are the status and trend of wild and scenic river conditions?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 1, 28 and 29 as well as compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Clean Water Act and South Carolina Water Quality Standards.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Are free-flowing conditions and outstandingly remarkable values being protected for eligible and designated rivers? 2. Are water quality standards being met for eligible and designated rivers?

Results

Specific monitoring requirements discussed in the January 2012 Decision for Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor have not yet been implemented. However, the Chattooga Self Registration Float Permit was revised and a new forest supervisor’s closure order was completed to reflect the 2012 decisions.

Findings

Preliminary monitoring results will be reported in FY 13.

Sub-Issue 2.3 – Heritage Resources

MQ 14: Are heritage sites protected?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goal 31. The forest manages areas with special paleontological, cultural, or heritage characteristics to maintain or restore those characteristics

The monitoring element is defined as follows:

1. Effectiveness of heritage protection measures.

Results

1. The results of site monitoring are presented below.

Table 15. Archaeological Sites Monitored in 2012 Reason for Review Total Number of Sites Monitored ARPA investigations 0 Other vandalism /damage 4 Damaged by logging 2 Sites damaged by forest users 1 Sites damaged by fire 0 Sites undisturbed 45 Total 52

Nine Priority Heritage Assets including Ellicott Rock had condition assessments completed. Vandals and artifact collectors continue to use metal detectors to search historic sites and remove artifacts, but less evidence of metal detecting was identified on the Enoree Ranger District in 2012. Two protected prehistoric lithic scatter sites (38NE266, 38MC804) were found to have been logged by mistake. Damage was minimal in each instance. Fallen tree limbs damaged grave stones at 38NE371, Gilders Creek Cemetery and 38MC2036, the Talbert Cemetery. Upturned trees which caused holes were found at the Cresswell Cemetery 38GN509. A private individual erected an unauthorized post and an American flag at the Key Cemetery 38MC252. No damage was done to any graves.

Water erosion is damaging several sites along the shoreline of the Strom Thurmond Lake on the Long Cane Ranger District. Unauthorized use of woods roads, ATVs, horse and bike trails are causing erosion and disturbance on sites. The woods road to 38CS224 was illegally reopened to traffic. No artifacts were seen on the road bed. Protection boundaries were repainted on several unevaluated archeological sites. Eight fire lookout towers are historic sites in need of repair, restoration and documentation. Restoration work was completed at Civilian Conservation Corp era recreation shelters including the Chattooga picnic Shelter, Yellow Branch picnic shelter, and Molly’s Rock picnic shelter.

Findings

1. The forest has identified Priority Heritage Assets and is monitoring them at least once every five years. The forest needs to develop Heritage Preservation Plans for at risk sites and implement regularly scheduled monitoring. Plowed wildlife openings should be inventoried for heritage resources and any significant sites found should be protected. A Forest Heritage Curation Plan should be developed to assess curatorial needs. The effects on archeological sites due to dispersed recreation should be assessed. Site management plans should be written for priority heritage assets and significant threatened sites.

Issue 3. Organizational Effectiveness

MQ 17: How do actual outputs and services compare with projected levels?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 14 and 18 and Objective 10B-OBJ-1. Objective 10B-OBJ-1 states provide local economies with 4.7 to 7.4 MMCF of wood products annually.

The monitoring element is defined as follows:

1. Emphasize high quality forest products on the Piedmont.

2. Are roads being maintained, constructed or reconstructed to reduce sediment delivery to water bodies? Provide a transportation system that supplies safe and efficient access for forest users while protecting forest resources.

3. Determine the costs of doing management.

4. Estimate the returns to counties.

Results

1. The Sumter NF sold 5.7 MMCF of forest products in management prescription 10B in FY 12. Total Sumter volume sold (all management prescriptions) in FY 12 was 11.4 MMCF.

2. The roads constructed, reconstructed and maintained are shown in Table 2-12.

Table 16. Trend Data on Management Activities from FY2005 to FY2012

Unit of FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY 10 Year Plan Activity Measure 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Estimate Volume Sold MMCF 3.7 6.0 7.1 7.1 8.7 9.5 10.9 14.5 13.9 Road Construction Miles 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 Road Reconstruction Miles 4.3 3.6 3.2 6.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.6 342.0 Timber Roads Miles 20.0 28.1 37.0 30.7 38.4 34.2 69.3 40.0 N/A Roads Decommissioned Miles 5.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 7.86 0.0 System Mileage Miles 1,059 1,062 1,062 1,067 1,067 1,069 1,071 1,073 N/A Roads Maintained Miles 782 734 754 720 570 400 462 6377 8,450

6 Primarily associated with legacy and stewardship work on Enoree Ranger District newly acquired lands 7 Emphasis has shifted to accomplishing maintenance through timber sales and integrated target accomplishment

3. The budget allocation includes both the Sumter and Francis Marion National Forests and is not tracked separately. The budget in FY 2012 was $16,985,722.

4. The FY 2008 to FY 2012 payments to the 12 counties within the Sumter National Forest are displayed in Table 17.

Table 17. Trend Information on the Secure Rural School Act Payments to Counties County 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Abbeville $136,376 $122,738 $110,616 $109,513 $105,951 Aiken $2726 $2453 $2211 $914 $874 Chester $72,812 $65,531 $59,058 $52,583 $52,545 Edgefield $182,127 $163,914 $147,725 $104,370 $92,265 Fairfield $65,122 $58,610 $52,821 $48,818 $50,839 Greenwood $62,883 $56,595 $51,005 $40,461 $39,189 Laurens $123,137 $110,824 $99,878 $95404 $80,291 McCormick $288,618 $259,757 $234,101 $252,904 $219,814 Newberry $332,812 $254,601 $269,947 $234,308 $185,730 Oconee $470,064 $389,213 $381,284 $254,785 $227,538 Saluda $25,698 $23,128 $20,844 $13,431 $12,406 Union $352,377 $317,140 $285,817 $251,878 $268,514 Sumter NF Total $2,114,752 $1,824,504 $1,715,307 $1,459,369 $1,335,956

Findings

1. Results were within plan expectations in FY 2012. The amount of timber sold in management prescription 10B varies significantly from year to year depending on where timber sales are located.

2. The roads program continued to emphasize the reconstruction of roads to meet the intended traffic volumes safely and lessen the impacts to forest resources. Road designs emphasized the mitigation of negative impacts to resources with a focus on improving watershed health and removing barriers to aquatic organism passage. System road projects associated with timber sales mainly targeted resurfacing, culvert replacement and removal of vegetation encroaching on the roadway.

Road decommissioning was emphasized through budget direction and funding allocations.

The forest continued to assess the backlog of deferred maintenance needs with a focus on open roads classified as maintenance level 3, 4, and 5.

Forest road mileage remained relatively steady while corporate data continues to be reviewed and updated.

3. The forest budget has declined slightly from the previous year but has remained relatively flat in recent years.

4. Local counties again received payments in 2012 through The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The act supplies payments to counties to a) provide funding for schools and roads and b) to make additional investments in projects that enhance forest ecosystems and improve cooperative relationships. In the last five years (2008 -2012) payments to counties have gradually declined.

MQ 18: Are silvicultural requirements of the forest plan being met?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to goals 14 and 18.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Are lands being adequately restocked within 5 years of regeneration treatments?

Results

1. Most stands are now regenerated by natural regeneration (seed trees vs. planted seedlings). These stands typically have regeneration far in excess of minimum numbers.

Findings

1. No additional action is needed.

MQ 19: Are forest plan objectives and standards being applied and accomplishing their intended purpose?

Information

This monitoring question is responsive to desired conditions, goals, objectives and standards in the plan.

The monitoring elements are defined as follows:

1. Are projects being managed according to requirements and making progress toward achievement of desired condition for vegetation?

2. Management of newly acquired lands.

Results

1. The forest has implemented timber sales and prescribed burns on a yearly basis since the forest plan was signed in 2004.

2. First thinnings on newly acquired lands on the Enoree Ranger District are in the planning stages. Associated roads will be reconstructed, maintained or obliterated to reduce adverse resource effects.

Findings

1. Timber sales and prescribed burns continue to be the major vegetation management treatments that the forest uses to create or maintain desired vegetation conditions. Non- native invasive species control and wildlife management activities also help to achieve desired vegetation conditions particularly for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species.

2. The Lower Enoree First Thinning project and associated road work will be implemented in 2013.

Chapter 3 FY 2013 Action Plan and Status

Actions Not Requiring Forest Plan Amendment or Revision

a) Action: Baseline acreage, condition and distribution of rare communities on the Forest.

Responsibility: Forest biologists and biological technicians

Date: FY13

Status: Continue to survey the location and condition of rare communities on the forest— including but not limited to canebrakes, basic mesic forests, glades, barrens, woodlands, and table mountain/pitch pine communities—to be collected and tracked in GIS. Project effects on rare communities and the introduction and spread of invasive plants in understory plant communities are to be addressed in project analysis.

------b) Action: Integrate plans to restore forest structure, rare communities, native understory, shortleaf pine and hardwood communities into timber projects and analysis areas.

Responsibility: Forest biologists

Date: FY13

Status: The Compartment 61 Timber Sale has been sold and will be implemented in 2013 on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District.

------c) Action: Incorporate wetland, riparian habitat and hardwood restoration activities into GIS corporate layer information and identify potential projects on the forest.

Responsibility: Forest biologists and soil scientist

Date: FY13

Status: Wetland restoration areas were identified and some projects (compartment 122, 5 acres) were restored in 2012. Work continues to evaluate and inventory new wetland and ephemeral wetland areas for future restoration work. ------

d) Action: The forest will work with the State of South Carolina and supply information relative to prescribed burning on the forest in order to help the state meet air quality standards relative to fine particulates and ozone.

Responsibility: Districts and SO.

Date: ongoing

Status: Forest personnel work closely with state personnel in order to help the state meet air quality standards. Air quality standards were met in FY 2012.

------e) Action: The forest will research and develop protocols to monitor bats and frog populations.

Responsibility: SO Wildlife Biologist and Sumter Wildlife Biologist

Date: ongoing

Status: Bat monitoring using an anabat device was completed on the Sumter in FY 2012.

------f) Action: The forest will work with power companies to incorporate language into their special use permits to protect rare plant species and rare plant communities located along rights-of-way.

Responsibility: Biological and lands personnel

Date: FY13

Status: Biological issues and standards need to be communicated to lands and special uses personnel and partners. Plant surveys of utility corridors need to be incorporated into plans of work. Special use permits should be modified to develop language on management and protection of Georgia aster and other rare species and communities.

------g) Action: Objective 15.01 is to control non-native invasive plants on, at a minimum, 1,000 acres by the end of the 10-year planning period, emphasizing management prescriptions where biodiversity or restoration is a primary objective.

Responsibility: Biological personnel

Date: FY13

Status: Decisions and treatments have been implemented to treat NNIS plants on the forest. Since 2006, 7,260 acres of non-native invasive plants have been treated and about 1,000 acres of feral hog trapping has been completed.

Actions Which Require Forest Plan Amendment or Revision

No actions require a forest plan amendment.

References

Alderman, J.M. 2008. Freshwater mussel surveys within the upper Chattooga River basin for the US Forest Service. Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC. 37 pp.

Alderman, J.M. 2009. Freshwater mussel surveys within the Enoree Ranger District. Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC. 69 pp.

Alderman, J.M. 2009. Freshwater mussel surveys within the Stevens Creek sub-basin. Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC. 95 pp.

Alderman, J.M. 2010. Freshwater mussel surveys within the Long Cane Ranger District. Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC.72 pp.

Alderman, J.M. 2010. Beaverdam Creek mussel survey ( Long Cane Ranger District). Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC.9 pp.

Alderman, J.M. 2012. Carolina heelsplitter monitoring within Mountain Creek, Long Cane Ranger District. Alderman Environmental Services, Inc. Pittsboro, NC. 55 pp.

English, W.R. 1990. An assessment of water quality in the Chattooga River and tributaries through analysis of the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure. Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. 14 pp.

English, W.R. and J. Pike. 2009. Assessment of the Chattooga River Watershed. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. 80 pp.

Jelks, H.L, S.J. Walsh, N.M. Burkhead, S. Contreras-Balderas, E. Diaz-Pardo, D.A. Hendrickson, J. Lyons, N.E. Mandrak, F. McCormick, J.S. Nelson, S.P. Platania, B.A. Porter, C.B. Renaud, J.J. Schmitter-Soto, E.B. Taylor and M.L. Warren, Jr. 2008. Conservation status of imperiled North American freshwater and diadromous fishes. Fisheries 33(8):372-407.

Kohlsaat T, L. Quattro, and J. Rinehart. 2005. South Carolina comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy 2005-2010. 2005. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, SC. 278 pp.

Krause, C. and C. Roghair. 2012. Initial implementation of a long-term freshwater mussel monitoring program for the Chattooga River, Francis Marion-Sumter National Forest, South Carolina. USDA FS, Southern Research Center, Blacksburg, VA. 45 pp.

NatureServe. 2013. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life (web application). Version 6.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed July 9, 2013).

Warren Jr., M.L, M.B. Brooks, S.J. Walsh, H.L. Bart, R.C. Cashner, D.A. Etnier, B.J. Freeman, B.R. Kuhajda, R.L. Mayden, H.W. Robison, S.T. Ross, and W.C. Starnes. 2000. Diversity,

distribution, and conservation status of the native freshwater fisheries of the Southern United States. Fisheries 25(10):7-29.

Weber, L.M, and J.J. Isely. 1995. Water quality assessment using a macroinvertebrate biotic index. Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina. 5 pp.

Williams, J.D., M.L. Warren, Jr., K.S. Cummings, J.L. Harris, and R.J. Neves. 1992. Conservations status of the freshwater mussels of the United States and Canada. Fisheries 18(9):6-22.

Appendix A - List of Preparers

The following individuals contributed to this report:

Jim Bates Forest Archaeologist Larue Bryant Forest Engineer Jason Jennings Forest Soil Scientist Robert Morgan Forest Archaeologist Jeff Magniez Sumter Zone Wildlife Biologist Robin Mackie Forest Ecologist/Botanist Jay Purnell Forest Silviculturist Allan Hepworth Fuels Specialist Brian Schaffler Forest Fire Management Officer Geoff Holden GIS Specialist Dan Stratton Air Resource Specialist, Region 8 Air Resource Team Jeanne Riley Fisheries Program Manager Jim Knibbs Environmental Coordinator Mary Morrison Forest Planner Peggy Nadler Lands Program Michelle Burnett GIS, Public Affairs, Planning Staff Officer Mae Lee Hafer Natural Resources Staff Officer James R. Anderson Fire, Lands and Minerals Staff Officer Tony White Safety, Heritage, Interpretation, Recreation, and Engineering Staff Officer

Appendix B – Amendment to Forest Plan

Amendment #1 to the 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Sumter National Forest was signed on January 31, 2012 for Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor.

SUMTER NATIONAL FOREST FISCAL YEAR 2012 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ANNUAL REPORT

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