Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests –Travel Analysis Report Page 2
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Contents I. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 3 A. Objectives of Forest-Wide Transportation System Analysis Process (TAP) ...................................... 3 B. Analysis Participants and Process ..................................................................................................... 3 C. Overview of the Francis Marion National Forest Road System ........................................................ 5 D. Key Issues, Benefits, Problems and Risks, and Management Opportunities Identified ................... 5 E. Forest Plans and Roads ..................................................................................................................... 7 F. Comparison of Existing System to Maintained Road System as Proposed by the TAP .................. 10 II. Context ................................................................................................................................................ 10 A. Alignment with National and Regional Objectives ......................................................................... 10 B. Coordination with Forest Plan ........................................................................................................ 11 C. Budget and Political Realities .......................................................................................................... 11 D. 2012 Transportation Bill Effects (MAP-21) ..................................................................................... 11 E. Alignment with Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) .............................................................. 12 III. Overview of the FMS and the supporting Transportation System ................................................. 13 A. General Description of the FMS Land Ownership Patterns, Land Use and Historic Travel Routes 13 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 20 Appendix A – Map of the Existing Road System. .................................................................................... 21 Appendix B – Map of the Unneeded Roads. ........................................................................................... 21 Appendix C – Motor Vehicle Use Maps. ................................................................................................. 21 Appendix D – Existing Road System Benefits and Risks .......................................................................... 22 Appendix E – Existing Road System and Suggested MRS showing Maintenance Costs ......................... 23 Appendix F – Comparison of Existing and Suggested Minimum Road System Miles by Maintenance Level ........................................................................................................................................................ 33 Appendix G – Chief’s Letter .................................................................................................................... 31 Appendix H – Southern Region’s Expectations ....................................................................................... 34 Appendix I – Other .................................................................................................................................. 41 Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests –Travel Analysis Report Page 2 I. Executive Summary A. Objectives of Forest-Wide Transportation System Analysis Process (TAP) The objectives of Forest-Wide TAP conducted were to: - identify key issues related to the Francis Marion National Forest (Forest) transportation system, in particular affordability and cumulative effects; - identify benefits, problems and risks related to the Forest’s transportation system; - identify management opportunities related to the existing transportation system to suggest for future consideration as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decisions (examples included items such as road decommissioning within priority watersheds and needed aquatic passage improvement projects); - create a map to inform the identification of the future Minimum Road System (MRS); - indicate the location of unneeded roads and possible new road needs. (Note: Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR 212.5(b) (1) requires the Forest Service to identify the minimum road system needed for safe and efficient travel and for administration, utilization and protection of National Forest System (NFS) lands.) B. Analysis Participants and Process The TAP was conducted by interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) made up of District and Supervisor’s Office resource specialists and the District Ranger for each ranger district. An Access database and interactive system road map was developed for each ranger district. Use of the Access database allowed for consistent evaluation of information and for generating any reports needed. Access databases were developed individually for each district and then compiled into one database with summary information provided in this report. Appendix D describes the risk and benefit categories and scoring system used by the IDT to evaluate each road on all four districts. Risk and benefit criteria were developed based on ongoing interaction with the public with district employees. The IDT rated each road based on the criteria identified in Appendix D. The IDT then met to discuss the rationale used in making individual road risk and benefit determinations. Recommendations on each road were made by the IDT to the appropriate district ranger who was also present at the meetings. Recommendations were determined based on continued implementation of the current Forest Plans. The Access database contains the following information on each road: Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests –Travel Analysis Report Page 3 • Risk/Benefit Rating (refer to appendix D for an explanation of criteria used) • Objective maintenance level • Operational maintenance level • Proposed maintenance level recommendation from IDT and Ranger agreement • Minimum road system1 • Existing road cost • Proposed road cost (reflecting recommended changes) • Existing route information from INFRA • Comments Appendix I includes a narrative evaluation of each ranger district relative to ecological, social and economic considerations using the publication Roads Analysis: Informing Decisions about Managing the National Forest Transportation System (FS-643). The IDT participants were: Name Position Amy Fore Francis Marion Natural Resource Assistant Beth LeMaster Enoree District Ranger Bill Hammond Assistant Fire Management Officer Bill Hansen Forest Hydrologist Bill Twomey Francis Marion District Silviculturist Danny Carlson Francis Marion Biological Technician Geoffrey Holden Forest GIS Coordinator Glen Kansanback Long Cane Natural Resource Specialist Hector Socias Enoree Forest Planner Jannah Dupre Deputy Director Sewee Visitor Center Jason Jennings Forest Soil Scientist Jay Purnell Forest Silviculturist Jeanne Riley Forest Fisheries Biologist Jeff Magniez Sumter Zone Wildlife Biologist Jim Knibbs Forest Environmental Coordinator, TAP Team Leader John Hodges Enoree Engineering Technician JR Kirkaldie Long Cane District Ranger LaRue Bryant Forest Engineer Marcus Beasley Assistant Fire Management Officer Mark Danaher Francis Marion Wildlife Biologist Mike Crane Andrew Pickens District Ranger Orlando Sutton Francis Marion District Ranger Randall Phillips Long Cane Engineering Technician Robbin Cooper Forest Landscape Architect Robin Mackie Forest Botanist/Ecologist 1 Determination of the minimum road system was based on the determination: Is the road being evaluated needed to implement the current Forest Plan? Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests –Travel Analysis Report Page 4 Name Position Sandra Wilkins Francis Marion Engineering Technician Steve Cobb Enoree Forest Technician Todd Bennett Enoree Forest Technician (Fire) C. Overview of the Francis Marion National Forest Road System The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (FMS) road system currently comprises 1,648 miles, providing access to national forest system lands, as well as to interspersed private tracts and nearby local communities. The system currently supports public recreation, resource management and is an integral part of the transportation infrastructure for adjacent communities and private landowners. It is comprised of a combination of old “public” roads and roads constructed to primarily access timber but also provide other resource management benefits. Road types range from double lane paved roads to single lane gravel or native surface roads that are used by passenger cars and some designated as suitable only for high clearance vehicles. Funding for the construction or reconstruction of all types was generally either provided by congressional appropriations, or authorized as a component of a timber sale. Maintenance funding is primarily by congressional appropriations, although timber sales generally funds any maintenance required during the life of a particular sale operation. D. Key Issues, Benefits, Problems and Risks, and Management Opportunities Identified The inter-disciplinary team (IDT) used an analytical approach to evaluate risks and benefits associated with the Forest road system. The analysis was completed in an “Access” database and is integrated with a district road map. Ecological, social and economic considerations relative to the Forest transportation