Management Direction

LTBMU Forest Plan IV. Management Direction A . Introduction .................................................... B . Forest Goals and Predicted Future Condition ..................... 1v-1 C . Forest Objectives - Average Annual Outputs .................... 1v-11 . Forestwide Summary of Acreage Allocations by Management ............................................. E . Management Practices and Forestwide Standards and Guidelines .... F . Management Prescriptions ....................................... G . Management Area Direction ...................................... 1. Blackwood .................................................. 1v-57 2 . Desolation ................................................. 3 . East Shore Beaches .......................................... Echo Lakes .................................................. 5 . Emerald Bay ................................................. 6 . Fallen Leaf ................................................. 7 . ....................................................... 8 . Genoa Peak ................................................ IV-101 . Heavenly .................................................. 10 . Lower Truckee River ........................................ 11 . Marlette ................................................... 12 . Martis ..................................................... McKinney ................................................... 14. Meeks ...................................................... Meiss ...................................................... 16. Mt. Rose .................................................. .................................................. 18 . Tahoe Valley ............................................... Urban Lots ................................................. IV-163 20 . Ward ...................................................... 21 . Watson ..................................................... Contents ~ LTBMU Forest Plan IV. DIRECTION A. Introduction This chapter presents the management direction for the selected alternative, also referred to as the forest plan. The forest plan provides forestwide management direction, as well as specific management area direction. Forestwide management direction is provided through: (1) management goals, (2) management objectives, and (3) forestwide standards and guidelines. The management goals describe the desired future condition of the LTBMU that this forest plan is designed to achieve. The management objectives of the forest plan are planned measurable results (annual outputs) that respond to the management goals. These objectives provide long-term direction for the development of annual budget requests. Forestwide standards and guidelines establish the baseline conditions for each recognized management practice that must be maintained by the LTBMU to carry out forest plan direction. For forest planning purposes the LTEIMU is divided into 21 management areas (MA). These management areas represent areas of land having similar character and/or use. The following sections contain the (1) forestwide goals and the predicted future condition; (2) forestwide objectives; (3) management practices and forestwide standards and guidelines; (4) management prescriptions; and (5) management area direction. This direction along with laws, regulations, and national and regional policies stated in Forest Service manuals, provide the long range direction for managing the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. B. Forestwide Goals and Predicted Future Condition The goals describe the desired future state or condition of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit expected as a result of implementing the plan. Successful achievement of the goals is dependent upon accomplishing the activity and production levels described as objectives. employing the standards and guidelines, and receiving appropriate funding. Additionally, achievement of the goals is subject to adjustment of objectives and standards and guidelines that may occur to the plan due to monitoring and evaluation. Many of the goals established for the national forest system lands are closely related to goals and environmental thresholds established by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). Thus, the TRPA Regional Plan for the basin will of necessity be referenced and monitored to assure that national forest programs and projects are compatible. The following statements describe changes (that will probably occur) and conditions (that are expected to exist) in 10 to 20 years as a result of implementing this plan. Management Direction LTBMU Forest Plan SOCIAL ECONOMIC GOAL - Continue to produce goods and services for national and regional markets, while also being a responsive neighbor to the local communities. Predicted Condition - of the Forest Service will continue to be important to the Lake Tahoe Basin. Recreation programs, especially skiing, contribute to employment and support. Important social benefits will result from the purchase of land to protect and restore the environment and provision of recreation facilities for both visitors and residents. Visual quality of the forested landscape will add substantially to attractiveness and thus to the tourism and appeal of the area. To a lesser degree, the forest is an important source of firewood for local consumption and provides land for numerous uses that support the community. The LTBMU staff provides valuable technical assistance in resource management for other agencies. Economic benefits will include financial relief to property owners who cannot develop their land because of environmental sensitivity and development of recreation facilities, such as ski areas and resorts, which stimulate the economy. HUMAN RESOURCE GOAL - Use human resource programs to offer training, employment, and other social benefits while meeting resource management objectives. Predicted Condition - Programs intended to offer training and employment opportunities or to utilize the skills and time of volunteers, will continue to be a significant factor in meeting plan objectives. Fluctuations will occur in these programs based upon the national or State level sensing of where the need may be most critical. QUALITY GOAL - Maintain and, where necessary, restore the clear, clean air important to the aesthetic enjoyment of the area and the health of the people. Predicted Condition - Activities will be conducted to aid in reversing declining air quality to achieve standards established for the These standards are described in Appendix E. Smoke will be managed so as to reduce the amount of particulate matter (TSP and emitted. Prescribed burning of vegetation debris will not be increased and may be reduced by employing other forms of treatment such as leaving more material to naturally decompose. Following best available control technology (BACT). such as increasing the efficiency and timing of debris burning, will also reduce particulates. Wood stoves in Forest Service or permittee facilities will produce less particulate per ton of fuel burned through use of certified stoves and education on proper firing of the wood burning stoves. Fugative dust from roads and land disturbing activities will be maintained at or below current levels through dust abatement practices and through traffic reductions. Ozone, nitrates and carbon monoxide will have a net reduction from Forest Service activities. This should result from less vegetation treatment by prescribed burning. use of certified wood burning stoves along with educated Management Direction IV-2 LTBMU Forest Plan firing of them, reduced vehicular travel by public utilization of transportation alternates to the automobile. NOISE GOAL - Maintain noise levels at, or quieter than, that which is compatible with the primary use of the area. Predicted Condition - Sources of noise will be managed to achieve the Cumulative Noise Event Level (CNEL) and the Single Noise Event Level thresholds established by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. This will help to reduce or prevent the adverse affects upon wildlife and upon the health of people. These thresholds are described in Appendix E. DIVERSITY GOAL - Provide for diversity of plant and animal communities to at least the present level. See Appendix E. Predicted Condition - Vegetation and wildlife habitat diversity will be increased through management practices including natural successional progression. There will be more older and younger seral stages, especially in the mixed conifer type. Visual and water quality requirements will limit the amount of change on environmentally sensitive lands where treatment is restricted. GOAL - Improve energy efficiency related to national forest activities in support of national policy. Predicted Conditions - Recreation activities may become increasingly energy efficient if an enlarged basinwide public transit system is put into place. Bicycle and pedestrian improvements will also in reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. Forest Service administrative employees will become more knowledgeable of energy conserving techniques through training and awareness programs. Firewood production will continue at a moderate level (about 4,000 cords) from vegetation management practices, but will not meet the local demand. The Forest Service will assist the local agencies in promoting more efficient woodstoves to reduce smoke production and improve heat output. It is unlikely that other energy sources will be developed at a significant level in the basin. Little, if any, hydroelectric development will occur in

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