Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest THIS IS WHO Values based. WE Purpose driven. ARE Relationship focused.

Forest Service 2020 Year in Review OUR MISSION: To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future

generations. Forest Botanist/Invasive Plant Program Supervisor Dirk Netz presents his program accomplishments.

FOREST SUPERVISOR MESSAGE For more than 100 years, the USDA Forest The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest employees Service has brought people and strongly believe and share in the Forest Service mission of sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity communities together to answer the of National Forest System lands to meet the needs of call of conservation. present and future generations. This mission not only defines who we are, but also drives our values, purpose, and relationships.

Driven by personal and agency values, our purpose focuses on our relationships with each other and the people we serve. We are VALUES BASED, PURPOSE DRIVEN, and RELATIONSHIP FOCUSED. We strive to be caring, respectful, trustworthy, inclusive, and responsive and hope our partners and communities share that view of us. Bill Dunkelberger Forest Supervisor 2 3 We especially leaned on our values, purpose, and ThisIn short, “Year this inpublication Review” describes report WHO is based WE ARE on relationships in 2020, when our business and personal worlds were drastically altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. the Forest Service’s “THIS IS WHO WE The pandemic led to a significant increase in recreation and visitation on the Forest as people sought mental and ARE” publication. It has been modified to physical renewal. We also experienced an extremely busy showcase the Humboldt-Toiyabe National wildfire year in 2020, hosting eight Incident Management Teams with significant fires occurring as early as April Forest and its 2020 accomplishments. and as late as November. By staying true to the Forest Service’s mission, we were able to overcome the challenges presented by this unprecedented year.

Amid the disruption of work and home life, Forest employees stepped up and found ways to provide safe recreation opportunities to a record number of visitors, mitigate virus spread while successfully mobilizing large wildfire suppression efforts, continue to meet or exceed targets, and address the safety needs of all employees.

The past year has taught us that we are capable of much more than we previously thought. Thanks to all employees, volunteers, partners, and community members for your patience, resilience, creativity, and determination Santa Rosa Ranger District during these tough times. Because of you, we were able in Northern Nevada. to accomplish more than we ever would have thought In 2020, Jon Stansfield was possible during these challenging times. While it is hired as the new Deputy Forest impossible to say what 2021 will be like, I am confident we Supervisor. will meet any challenges it may bring as we continue caring for the land and serving people.

Sincerely, The Forest Service’s “This is Who We Are” publication can be viewed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/this-is-who-we-are

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s “Year In Review” can be viewed at Bill Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/maps-pubs/?cid=FSEPRD573288 4 5 ;

OUR PURPOSE AND VALUE Why we do what we do

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is the The Forest Service was created on the largest national forest in the lower 48 states, is essential to the ecological, physical, biological, economic, cultural, principle of managing the Nation’s natural and social well-being of communities in Nevada and resources “for the greatest good, for the portions of eastern California. greatest number, for the longest time.” The Forest manages its 6.3 million acres for multiple uses to meet the diverse needs of people, ensure the health of natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, manage wildfire, guard against invasive threats, and work with state and private forest landowners, cities, and communities. The Forest also supports sustainable stewardship through direct natural resource management; the pursuit and exchange of knowledge; and partnerships with private, PHOTO: Forest Fuels and Vegetation Program Manager Duncan Leao explains tree county, state, and other federal landowners. health on the Carson Ranger District to a television reporter.

6 7 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Signed a Shared Stewardship Agreement with the Nevada Governor, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in November 2019. This agreement committed state and federal agencies to expand working relationships, jointly set priorities and implement projects at the appropriate scale, co-manage risk, and share resources. In 2020 the Nevada Shared Stewardship Executive Committee members worked with staff to identify priority landscapes for wildfire risk reduction using the best available science and collaboratively sourced data. Also, agencies continue to work with local partners in the top two identified areas in developing specific area projects. • Currently implementing $18 million in Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act projects on Carson, Ely, and Mountain City-Ruby Moun- tains-Jarbidge Ranger Districts, as well as Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. These projects include land acquisition, recreation facilities upgrade, fuels reduction, invasive weed control, and wildlife habitat improve- ment. The Carson and Ely Ranger Districts, and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area submitted proposals requesting funding for the next round of TOP: Automation Assistant Linda Bernardi works the front desk at the Austin-Tonopah Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act funding. Ranger District’s Tonopah Office in Tonopah, • Received $150,000 through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Part- Nevada. BOTTOM: Ely District Ranger Jose Noriega sells Christmas tree permits in front of nership to help restore the landscape that was burned in the 233,462-acre one of the local grocery stores in Ely, Nevada. South Sugarloaf Fire on the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District in 2018. This funding, along with additional funding received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Forest Service Intermountain Regional Office, was used to treat invasive weed species, im- Mission prove the safety of road infrastructure, and replace damaged range infrastruc- To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity ture, such as fences and troughs. of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the • Completed the Austin-Tonopah Vegetation Analysis, Prioritization, and Res- toration Strategy for 2.1 million acres across six mountain ranges in Central needs of present and future generations. Nevada. This strategy paves the way for federal, state, local, and non-profit partners to collaborate in identifying priorities across administrative boundar- Motto ies for landscape planning and funding. Virtual meetings are slated for Spring 2021 and will focus on wildland urban interface planning. Caring for the Land and Serving People • Sold over three tons of commercial pine nuts, 2,000 cords of personal use fuelwood, and 8,000 Christmas tree permits. Transitioned sales of forest To view the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fact sheet, please visit: products to mail-in or non-contact sales to minimize the impacts and spread https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd498235.pdf of COVID-19. 8 9 OUR DYNAMIC TENSIONS Teaching us to think outside the box

Operating in an unfamiliar The COVID- 19 pandemic presented enormous challenges for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in 2020. The environment allowed the Forest Forest met these challenges head-on by working together to come up with creative solutions with partners as well as local, state, and other federal agencies to find creative solutions to minimize the impact to accomplish our mission. and spread of the virus. Various mitigation measures were put in place to ensure employee and public health while still providing necessary public services, handle the substantial increase in recreation use, complete conservation work, and fight wildfires.

PHOTO (left to right): Recreation Staff Officer Lindsey Steinwachs, Developed Recreation Director Jonathan Stein, and Recreation Technician Taylor Tims share camping tips on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area with Outdoor Nevada crew members. 10 11 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Developed strategies at all Forest offices to allow the public to continue to obtain maps, recreation passes, and forest products and wilderness permits while protecting the health and safety of all, in accordance with federal and state COVID-19 guidelines. Many virtual services developed because of COVID-19 mitigation were successful and some aspects will continue into the future. • Worked tirelessly to provide a safe and quality recreation experience for Forest visitors. In response to COVID-19, the Forest developed new safety protocols to deep clean all recreation facilities. Additionally, Forest em- ployees hosted state/federal recreation coordination calls to align recreation messaging, identify best management practices to ensure the safety of agency staff and visitors while protecting facilities and natural resources, and to coordinate closures. • Developed numerous protocols and procedures associated with COVID-19 mitigation for the safety of field personnel. A Forest decision tree was devel- oped to analyze the risk of field work versus the risk of COVID exposure. • Safely managed a busy fire season amidst challenges presented by COVID-19. Effective measures were put in place to protect firefighters in the office, field, and camp in order to maximize the effectiveness of firefighting resources while mitigating risk of COVID-19 exposure. • Continued to address employee well-being and morale throughout the pandemic by modifying some of the action items in the Positive Workplace Initiative, which was launched in 2013. These included producing a weekly newsletter from March through May that provided key local, state, and fed- eral COVID-19 mitigation information. While staff teleworked, all meetings, including the bi-monthly all-employee meetings, were held via collaborative videoconferencing platforms. A few in-person District meetings were also held in an outdoor setting to allow employees to interact while abiding by appropriate mitigation measures.

TOP: Recreation Technician Taylor Tims shows off personal protective equipment worn when cleaning Forest Service restrooms. LEFT: Forest recreation crew wears masks and maintain social distancing during an outdoor meeting. RIGHT: Temperatures are taken before anyone enter the fire camp on the Slink Fire that burned on the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts. 12 13 TRIBAL RELATIONS Leverage partnerships with Tribes to maximize mutual success.

Redeem our trust responsibilities and The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the ancestral home to 30 federally and three non-federally recognized protect American Indian reserved rights Tribes. The Forest works with Tribal partners to achieve as they pertain to agency programs, healthy and resilient landscapes. In doing so, the Forest is fulfilling treaty obligations, meeting trust responsibilities, projects, and policies. and finding new opportunities to work together. 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Contributed funds to support interagency agreements with BLM and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with Bridgeport Indian Colony, and in support of Traditional Ecological Knowledge. • Continue to coordinate with Tribes throughout Nevada and California on the Forest Service and BLM Pine Nut Harvesting Program. PHOTO: Forest Tribal Relations Specialist Melyssa Navis and former Washoe Tribe Environmental Director Norm Harry together at a 2019 Earth Day event in Markleeville, • Improved heritage report sharing with Tribes. California. Norm, who recently passed away, was an incredible partner of the Forest and is greatly missed. 14 1515 THE STORY OF CONSERVATION Preserving our place in it

Conservation depends on all of us The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest strives to use an all-lands, landscape-scale conservation approach in doing our part. forest management. The array of resource programs on the Forest includes botany, engineering, fire management, fuels reduction, fisheries, forestry, heritage, hydrology, lands, minerals, noxious and invasive weeds range, recreation, soils, wilderness, and wildlife.

The goal is to collaborate with communities and other partners to manage the Forest so that it is resilient to catastrophic impacts while continuing to provide sustainable benefits. Despite the challenges of 2020 with a shortened field season, reduced staffing, and new safety protocols, numerous lasting conservation efforts were PHOTO: Forest Soil Scientist James Hurja points out damage caused by the Carpenter 1 Fire achieved. in the Harris Springs Canyon Watershed area on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. 16 17 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS BOTANY PROGRAM • Co-authored the Nevada Seed Strategy for the Nevada Native Seed Partner- ship. The Nevada Native Seed Partnership is a federal, state, and non-profit partnership that aims to ensure adequate supply of native seeds to aid in main- taining diverse and functioning lands by utilizing appropriate seed mixtures in restoration and rehabilitation activities. This partnership intends to boost outreach efforts by connecting with communities to explain the importance of native seeds and raising awareness of the importance of investing in native landscapes in Nevada. • Coordinated, managed, and taught local seasonal interns from the Chicago Botanical Garden’s Conservation Land Management Internship Program as well as those from the Great Basin Institute’s program to collect seeds for the Nevada Native Seed Partnership. Routinely met with federal, state, local and non-profit partners to help guide fieldwork and issue permits for Forest collection. FISHERIES PROGRAM • Restored or enhanced 16 miles of streams. This included non-native fish removal for Lahontan cutthroat trout on the Bridgeport, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge, and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts and restocking efforts for Paiute cutthroat trout on the Carson Ranger District. • Continued to support Lahontan cutthroat trout recovery actions in the Reese River Sub-Basin in the Arc Dome Wilderness on the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District with the completion of the Arc Dome Fish Restoration Project Na- tional Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This project will eventually return Lahontan cutthroat trout to 23 miles of its historical habitat.

HERITAGE PROGRAM • Provided support to fire and Burn Area Emergency Response teams when TOP: Recreation Technician Adam Floyd leads the repair work, supported by volunteers and multiple fires occurred on the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts as well pack llamas, on a retention wall along the Cathedral Rock Trail on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. LEFT: Wearing personal protection equipment, Rangeland as the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area to help protect threatened Management Specialist Amery Sifre demonstrates the proper use of an agricultural herbicide/ heritage resources and provide mitigation techniques to the affected sites. The pesticide chemical spray truck to Great Basin Institute AmeriCorps Technicians. RIGHT: Forest National California Trail System and Native American petroglyphs sites were Fisheries Biologist Rachel Van Horne releases a Paiute cutthroat trout into its historic habitat some of the heritage resources protected. in the Silver King Creek in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness on the Carson Ranger District. • Continue to work on our relationship with the Nevada State Historic Preser- Paiute Cutthroat Trout Recovery Effort Continues Despite the 2020 Slink Fire vation Office (SHPO). The Forest meets quarterly with SHPO staff to help to https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd852811.pdf foster more open communication between organizations. 18 19 MINERALS PROGRAM sites were selected, but implementation only occurred on the Carson Ranger • Permitted a large mineral exploration plan of operation that allows Newcrest District site. Additional planning and analysis continue on the Mountain Mining Limited to conduct mineral exploration in the field on the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge and Santa Rosa Ranger District sites. City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District. In addition, significant prog- • Issued a contract to perform a NEPA analysis for reauthorizing grazing on ress was made on processing three other multi-phase large mineral explora- vacant allotments on the Austin-Tonopah Ranger District. Also, completed an tion plans of operation on the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge and environmental assessment on the Carson Ranger District that led to reautho- Santa Rosa Ranger Districts. rizing grazing on two allotments, and consultation with the USFWS on 22 • Assisted Nevada State and the Jerritt Canyon Mine, the largest gold mine allotments on the Austin-Tonopah and Mountain City-Ruby Mountain-Jar- on National Forest System lands, to complete installation of a $40 million bidge Ranger Districts with Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat. water treatment plant on the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District to meet requirements to improve water quality. SOILS PROGRAM • Continued partnering with NRCS to create a comprehensive inventory of • Completed the final reclamation of the Taylor Mill building removal, which soil resource data across the Forest. In 2020, the NRCS finished initial field is an old mill site on the Ely Ranger District. The Forest was able to work mapping of the 1.2 million-acre Mountain City-Ruby Mountain-Jarbidge collaboratively with a company to remove and recycle the remaining metal Ranger District with the final completed survey expected in 2021. This report, buildings, which were structures from a mine that operated in the 1980’s. All including maps and soil data, will be available to soil specialists to use for the metal from the buildings was either recycled or re-purposed as shops and project analysis to assist with land use management decisions. hay barns in and around Ely, Nevada. • Initiated the Interagency Spring Stewardship and Restoration Project with • Completed all requirements to allow four geothermal parcels on the Bridge- BLM, USFWS, and the National Park Service, which will partner with the port Ranger District to be offered in an October 2020 BLM geothermal com- Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Spring Stewardship Institute to develop a petitive lease sale. Only one 4,500-acre parcel sold during the sale. comprehensive inventory of springs in Southern Nevada through the recruit- ment and training a volunteer network of citizen scientists. This project is NOXIOUS AND INVASIVE WEED PROGRAM funded through Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. • Accomplished more than 7,434 acres of noxious and invasive weed treat- ments through application of herbicide and manual methods, such as shovels WILDLIFE PROGRAM and hand clipping seed heads, on the Bridgeport, Carson, Santa Rosa, Ely, • Improved 39,291 acres of terrestrial habitat for wildlife on the Forest. This and Mountain City-Ruby Mountain-Jarbidge Ranger Districts and Spring included pinyon-juniper treatments, bat gates, fence marking, invasive weed Mountains National Recreation Area. Of note were the Burn Area Emergency treatments, targeted grazing, watershed restoration, and reseeding activities. Response treatments that occurred on 1,771 acres on the South Sugarloaf Fire, 2,085 acres on the Corta Fire, and 422 acres on the Cherry Fire areas on • Contributed to two Good Neighbor Authority agreements with Nevada the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District. Department of Wildlife in support of vegetation and lek monitoring for sage- grouse on the Austin-Tonopah, Bridgeport, Carson, Ely, Mountain City-Ruby RANGE PROGRAM Mountains-Jarbidge, and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts. • Began implementing an agreement with University of Nevada, Reno, for tar- geted grazing research on Carson, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge, and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts. This research will help inform the Forest on various adaptive management strategies to help reduce fine fuels and restore landscapes that are impacted by annual invasive grasses. In 2020, three

20 21 h

FIRE AND FUELS MANAGEMENT Answering the call

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Fire and Aviation Program Provide safe and efficient wildfire is made up of highly trained firefighters and support staff that oversee fire, aviation, and fuels management, as well response and forest management as fire prevention and education activities.

before, during, and after a wildfire. The program has a wide variety of fire resources who respond when a wildfire breaks out on any of the Forest’s 6.3 million acres located in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California. These resources include fifteen engines, one hotshot crew, one helicopter with helitack crew, ten fire prevention patrol units, and numerous overhead operations specialists.

The Forest’s Fire and Aviation Program also works in conjunction with local, state and federal cooperators who work across jurisdictional boundaries to protect public lands throughout Nevada and California. PHOTOS: Black Mountain Hotshots (pages 22-23) and Bridgeport Helitack Crew (page 24). 22 23 2020 FIRE SEASON AT A GLANCE h 88 (Cause: 56 lightning/32 human) fires burned a total of 57,221 acres. h Hosted eight Incident Management Teams (five Type II, three Type III) and these teams stayed on the Forest for a combined total of 71 days. h 353 Forest resources supported regional or national fire efforts. h The Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts on the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, located in both California and Nevada, saw the most fire activity. h Forest-wide fire restrictions were implemented for the For information on the different Forest’s resources, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/htnf/fire first time ever and remained in place for 69 days.

Fuels Technician Tony Alvarez lights h Forest-wide Energy Release Component (ERC) values, piles as part of a prescribed burn on the the number that represents the potential heat release Bridgeport Ranger District. of a fire which is important in determining fire danger, were above the 90th percentile for 130 days. 2020 FUELS ACCOMPLISHMENTS h The National Preparedness Level remained at the • Completed 18,345 acres of hazardous fu- els treatments helping the Forest become maximum level of 5 through Oct. 1, the latest into the more fire-resilient and healthy. Fuels fall it has ever gone. and vegetation treatments were focused within the wildland urban interface h Because of unprecedented extreme fire conditions, the and identified sage-grouse habitat areas. Multiple methods of treatment were used, including a combination of targeted grazing (fine fuels reduction), hand Forest aligned with California in closing the California thinning, prescribed burning, mastication, chipping, and public green/dead portion of the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts to fuelwood removal. all public access to prevent further catastrophic fires or • Initiated the Forest-Wide Prescribed Fire Restoration Project to increase the evacuation scenarios. pace and scale of prescribed burning on the Forest. This project allows the h After 40 years in Bridgeport, California, the Forest’s Forest to conduct prescribed burns over the next several years in specific areas Helicopter Program moved to Minden, Nevada, to and burn units that could range from approximately 500 to 10,000 acres in size. These burns will be conducted within established guidelines, law, regu- improve response times to different parts of the Forest lation, and policy, and be consistent with the Humboldt and Toiyabe Land and and Region. The program also hosted and staffed two Resource Management Plans. additional helicopters (Chinook, Bell 212). 24 25 SUSTAINABLE RECREATION Inspiring passion for the land

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest provides diverse outdoor recreation opportunities, connecting people Recreation is the portal through with nature in variety of settings. The Forest’s six ranger which most people connect to their districts and one National Recreation Area provide visitors year-round activities such as biking, camping, fishing, national forests. hiking, horseback riding, hunting, riding off-highway vehicles, picnicking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

The Forest is building a recreation program that is ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable for present and future generations. Recreation staff continue to address recreation areas impacted by declining ecosystem health, wildfire, and inappropriate use through planned and properly designed trails and facilities, combined with

PHOTO (left to right): Assistant Fire Engine Operator Jon Griffin and Fire Prevention Tech- education and partnerships, as well as field presence to nician Tyler Mundy educate campers about campfire safety at Grover’s Hot Springs on the reduce the impacts of visitor use on the landscape. Carson Ranger District. 26 27 2020 RECREATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Working through the process to increase recreation fees on the Ely Ranger District. The proposed changes will ensure the fees remain comparable to • Released two Records of Decision and Final Environmental Impact State- similar public and private campground facilities in the area and will provide ments for the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Atoma Area Expansion and Lee Canyon Ski consistency throughout the Forest. Fees will be used to maintain and improve Area Expansion Development projects. The selected alternatives considered sites to ensure people can continue to use and enjoy these locations into the comments received during the scoping periods. These alternatives also future. minimized impacts to cultural and natural resources when expanding the Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Area on the Carson Ranger District near Reno, Nevada, and • Completed a three-year project to re-open the Griffith Peak Trail on the updating and renovating the Lee Canyon Ski Area on the Spring Mountains Spring Mountains National Recreation Area with the help of more than 80 National Recreation Area near Las Vegas. The purpose of these projects is to Friends of Nevada Wilderness volunteers and residents of the Spring Moun- improve the quality of recreational offerings on National Forest System lands. tains Youth Camp. The trail was extensively damaged and closed after the 2013 Carpenter 1 Fire. Thousands of hours of volunteer work resulted in the • Solicited applications through a competitive prospectus process for outfitting trail reopening in September 2020. and guiding, recreation events, and other recreation services on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area near Las Vegas. The National Recreation Area is looking for businesses, nonprofit organizations, community organiza- tions, and educational institutions that can facilitate recreation experiences for individuals or groups by providing services, education, experiences, training, and/or equipment on National Forest System lands. • Successfully transitioned the Hoover Wilderness Permit Reservation System to Recreation.gov. With this transition, the Bridgeport Ranger District is now consistent with neighboring national forest and park units who are working toward a centralized reservation system for the public. • Completed agreement with the Eastern Sierra Sustainable Recreation Part- nership and Town of Mammoth Lakes, California, to secure a Sierra Nevada Conservancy grant for $80,000 for the Bridgeport Ranger District to make improvements to the Buckeye Hot Springs Area to address water quality issues from human waste, erosion, and trash. The project will include grading and graveling the parking area as well as constructing a single trail to the tubs and creek. It also includes rehabilitating remaining user trails, constructing barriers to keep users on the trail, developing and installing interpretive signs, TOP: Forest visitors enjoy a day of and placement of a vault and dumpster. hiking in the Hoover Wilderness on the Bridgeport Ranger District. • Conducting National Visitor Use Monitoring survey from Oct. 1, 2020, BOTTOM: Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District through Sept. 30, 2021 at various recreation sites on the Forest. The infor- partners with the BLM’s Elko Office to mation will be used for Forest and local community tourism planning. The host a snowshoeing event in Lamoille goal is to provide an estimate of how many people visit the Forest and what Canyon. activities they engage in. The survey results will also show levels of visitor satisfaction and impact on the local economy.

28 29 BENEFITING FROM PARTNERSHIPS Making a difference

Helping to complete mission-critical work The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest partners with various stakeholders, organizations, and county, state, that supports and cares for our forests. federal, and tribal government agencies to fulfill its motto of “caring for the land and serving people.” The joining of resources by forging partnerships has greatly enhanced the Forest’s ability to achieve social, economic, and land stewardship goals. In 2020, the Forest’s partners made significant contributions to the Forest’s natural resources, heritage, and recreation programs and will continue to do so into the future.

PHOTO: AmeriCorps members Jackie Spicer and Melissa Guerrero pose with their crosscut saw on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area’s Griffith Peak Trail. 30 31 In 2020, over 987 volunteers and service partners logged approximately 32,868 hours of service on HIGHLIGHTS OF A FEW PARTNER the Forest despite COVID-19. They assisted with 2020 ACCOMPLISHMENTS cultural resource site stewardship, campground • Friends of Nevada Wilderness staff, AmeriCorps, and volunteers maintained hosting, backcountry and off-highway trail 36.6 miles of trail on the Forest, including removing over 200 downed trees and installing over 40 drainage structures. Volunteers also cleaned up an patrolling, trail and facility maintenance, wildlife abandoned outfitter camp in Cleve Creek in the High Schells Wilderness on the Ely Ranger District, including packing out over 500 pounds of gear and habitat restoration, and education and outreach. trash with the High Desert Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen. This service is valued at nearly $894,010. In • Great Basin Institute staff, Research Associates, AmeriCorps, and Nevada Conservation Corps treated a total of 911 acres of noxious and invasive weeds 2019, the Forest had and monitored over 10,000 acres of past treatments on the Forest. Nevada the most volunteers Conservation Corps crews also repaired 8.85 miles of fence and cleared 17.9 miles of brush and trees from the Green Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Trail and service hours in the on the Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District as well as planted 1,210 plants that support endemic butterflies on 1.49 acres on the Intermountain Region, Spring Mountain National Recreation Area. valued at nearly $3 • The Southern Nevada Conservancy (SNC) hosted 36 events on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, managing 553 volunteers who collected million. 23,442 pounds of litter and 675 pounds of recycling for removal from the mountain. One innovative approach to volunteering under COVID restrictions was the month-long Green the Mountain Virtual Cleanup which resulted in 75 people picking up more than 300 pounds of trash and sharing their efforts on social media. SNC also recruited volunteers to help National Recreation Area employees plant 1,372 ponderosa seedlings at the Cathedral Rock Picnic Area as well as 180 Joshua trees and 32 native grasses in the Harris burn area.

TOP: The High Desert Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen, in concert with the Friends of Nevada Wilderness, work to further leave no trace principles in the back country of the High Schells Wilderness on the Ely Ranger District. Bottom: Students from the University of California, Davis, record a rock ring feature at the Tunna’ Nosi’ Kaiva’ Gwaa Archaeological District on the Bridgeport Ranger District. 32 33 OUR UNIFORM Wearing it well

When we put on the Forest Service By wearing the uniform, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest employees represent the Forest Service’s rich uniform, we represent something heritage of conservation and the USDA’s legacy of–and bigger than ourselves. commitment to–service. And while many of the reasons we wear the uniform are deeply personal–and inspire both pride and confidence–we also wear the uniform to advance the agency’s mission.

PHOTO: INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONAL FORESTER’S COVID-19 RESPONSE AWARD - FIELD OPERATIONS: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Recreation Team: Front Row (left to right): Nicholas Rupp, Michael Van Riper, Joseph Smith, and Zach Williams. Middle Row: Taylor Tims. Back Row: Quentin Hays, Paul Carrillo, Franz Hahn, and Kassidy Merritt. Not pictured: Adam Floyd, Roger Haga, Lorrie Brittingham, Jared Deal, and Jonathan Stein. (See page 38 for more details.) 34 35 2020 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

WHEN TO WEAR THE UNIFORM h U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES The Forest Service uniform is a symbol of our agency’s RECOVERY CHAMPION: Paiute Cutthroat core values: Trout Recovery Team h Wearing the uniform is a reminder to others–and The tireless efforts of the Paiute Cutthroat Trout Recovery Team have been instrumental in reintro- to ourselves–of the proud tradition of public ducing the rarest trout in North America back into SERVICE of which we are part. its historical native habitat after an almost 100-year h When we wear the uniform, we invite others absence—a significant recovery milestone for the species. The team members included staff from the USFWS, Humboldt-Toiyabe to engage and learn with us, reflecting our National Forest, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and recognition of the INTERDEPENDENCE at the JC High Country Outfitters. heart of our collaborative efforts to steward the Over the past 30 years, the team has implemented various conservation efforts for whole. the species that were vital for its successful reintroduction into Silver King Creek h The Forest Service uniform has always been–and in 2019. Efforts to restore habitat through management of livestock grazing and non-native fish removal within the watershed, along with diligent planning, col- always will be–a symbol, inviting people to join us lection of effectiveness monitoring data, Wilderness Act compliance, and funding in answering the call of CONSERVATION. acquisition efforts were critical in ensuring the project’s success. h When others see the diversity of people who h wear the same Forest Service uniform, they see INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONAL FORESTER’S LAW ENFORCEMENT a reflection of our respect for DIVERSITY in all INVESTIGATION AWARD: Officer things. Dan Reardon and Officer Nicholas Laprade h Our uniform can be a trusted beacon to help ensure the SAFETY of those who engage with and On May 12, 2020, Law Enforcement Officers Nicholas Laprade and Dan Rear- rely on our national forests and grasslands. don demonstrated outstanding customer service and a steadfast commitment to Left to Right: Law Enforcement Officers Dan BECOMING MORE VISIBLE IS THE FIRST STEP IN ENGAGING public safety. The officers responded to Reardon and Nicholas Laprade. PEOPLE AS PARTNERS IN STEWARDING THE WHOLE, FOR THE a Search and Rescue medical report of a dirt bike rider who had an accident. The BENEFIT OF US ALL. incident occurred on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. The officers were the first on scene and located a critically injured victim with a broken collar bone and a severe laceration on his knee. The officers quickly determined the laceration on the man’s leg required life saving measures to prevent For articles featuring Forest employees, visit the “Boots in the Forest” page at further loss of blood. Officer Reardon made the quick decision to apply a tourni- https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/about-forest/?cid=fseprd552334 quet on the man’s leg just above the knee to restrict the bleeding. Officers Laprade 36 37 and Reardon continued to provide treatment and reassurance until the Las Vegas PHOTOS Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue team could arrive. However, due to the remote area, and no landing zone available for the medivac FRONT COVER (left to right): Firefighters Mario Ruiz, Kate Lewis, helicopter, the victim was loaded up in the back of Officer Reardon’s patrol truck Josh Thalacker, Nate Brackney, and Matt Hansvick participated in a bed and transported an hour down the canyon to the life flight landing zone. From mentorship day at a local camp on the Spring Mountains National there, the victim was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital in Las Vegas. Recreation Area. The actions of officers Laprade and Reardon embody the core value of service. Due BACK COVER (left to right): Forest Prevention Officer Jennifer Dia- to their swift actions, medical professionals were able to save the victim’s life, as mond, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Fire Management well as his leg. He is expected to make a full recovery. Officer Marty Woods, Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investiga- tions Caption Don Harris, and Forest Fire Public Information Officer Withanee Milligan attend the Work for Warriors Nevada Law Enforce- h INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONAL FORESTER’S COVID-19 RESPONSE ment and Emergency Services Career Fair in Reno, Nevada. AWARD - FIELD OPERATIONS: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area Recreation Team When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, visitation on the Spring Mountains National Recreation increased exponentially. The Recreation Team sought ways to continue Some photos in this report serving the public through remote and contract services until appropriate personal protection equipment could be obtained for team members. Although the Spring were taken pre-pandemic. Mountains Visitor Gateway complex had to be physically closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Recreation Team continued to provide seven-day a week phone service to answer a record numbers of phone calls. The team later extended service hours to answer the explosive volume of calls received during multiple fire incidents and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. The Recreation Team took on the challenge created by the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying cleaning and public contact procedures to ensure all employees and visitors were able to recreate in a safe environment. Despite being in a designated “hot spot,” the team’s proactive efforts enabled the Spring Mountains National Rec- reation Area to safely open and manage the developed campsites and day use areas before Memorial Day weekend, as well as the dispersed camping and 85 miles of popular trails. The team met the increased visitation demands with purpose-driven professionalism and exemplifies the Forest Service values of safety and customer service.

Smoke seen from downtown Reno, Nevada, of the Poeville Fire burning on Peavine Mountain. The fire was reported on June 26, 2020. 38 39 STATISTICAL INFORMATION

The Forest’s spectacular 6.3 million acres make it the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. This report provides facts and financials from October 2019 through September 2020, which is the federal government’s fiscal year.

Budget Forest Budget Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Appropriated Funds $17,462,963 Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) $4,104,937 Funds Received Wildland Fire Preparedness Funds Received $11,069,125 Wildland Fire Suppression Cost $14,788,836

Revenues to Federal Government Programs Receipts Forest Product Permits $105,620 Forest Service Maps $6,720 Grazing Fees $232,932 Recreation Fees $423,856 Recreation Passes $14,021 Recreation Special Use Permits $10,223 Total Receipts $793,372

*Payments to Counties with National Forest System Lands County *Payments County *Payments Carson $117,542 Alpine $188,243 Clark $3,715,229 Lassen $2,157,909 Douglas $718,132 Mono $1,329,250 Elko $3,687,149 Nevada $479,311 Eureka $393,149 Sierra $251,117 Humboldt $1,907,119 Lander $1,083,620 Lincoln $951,374 Lyon $2,354,218 Mineral $819,517 Nye $3,688,666 Washoe $3,767,957 White Pine $1,347,436 Nevada Total $24,551,108 California Total $4,405,830 Grand Total NV & CA $28,956,936 *Payments in Lieu of Taxes (https://www.doi.gov/pilt) plus Secure Rural Schools Payments (http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/securepayments/projectedpayments) *Payments in California includes acreage from other National Forests.

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*Federal Contracts Awarded to Private Sector (excluding fire) Type Value Goods $946,789 Services $5,025,075 Non-Contractual Purchases $111,609 Total $6,083,473 *As reported by the Intermountain Regional Contracting Office.

Partnership Funding Received through Grants and Agreements (including fire) Data Total Funding Received $872,292 Funding Match by Partners $106,338

Personnel Workforce Positions Permanent Employees 258 Temporary Employees 100 Total Number of Employees 358

Volunteers Number of Volunteers Total Hours Value 988 3,4138 $928,554

Number of Congressional Districts Nevada California Total 3 3 6

Acreage Nevada California Total Acreage 5,607,959 acres 645,981 acres 6,253,940

Acreage by Ranger District Unit Nevada California Total Acreage Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 2,116,384 2,116,384 Bridgeport Ranger District 637,654 375,721 1,013,375 Carson Ranger District 135,632 270,260 405,892 Ely Ranger District 1,007,438 1,007,438 Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District 1,104,100 1,104,100 Santa Rosa Ranger District 289,564 289,564 Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 317,187 317,187

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Acreage by County County Nevada County California Carson 11,347 Alpine 237,235 Clark 279,741 Lassen 1,254 Douglas 63,845 Mono 375,747 Elko 1,067,794 Nevada 3,427 Eureka 144,091 Sierra 28,318 Humboldt 289,564 Lander 296,557 Lincoln 29,467 Lyon 276,371 Mineral 323,908 Nye 1,963,039 Washoe 97,815 White Pine 764,419 Nevada Total 5,607,958 acres California Total 645,981 acres Grand Total NV & CA 6,253,939 acres

Wilderness Areas Wilderness Managing Unit Acreage Alta Toquima Wilderness Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 35,581 Arc Dome Wilderness Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 120,555 Bald Mountain Wilderness Ely Ranger District 22,374 Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Carson Ranger District 77,862 Currant Mountain Wilderness Ely Ranger District 47,311 East Humboldt Wilderness Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District 32,364 Grant Range Wilderness Ely Ranger District 52,451 High Schells Wilderness Ely Ranger District 121,467 Hoover Wilderness Bridgeport Ranger District 99,538 Jarbidge Wilderness Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District 110,471 La Madre Mountain Wilderness Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 19,047 Mokelumne Wilderness Carson Ranger District 20,027 Mt. Charleston Wilderness Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 54,641 Mt. Moriah Wilderness Ely Ranger District 79,963 Mt. Rose Wilderness Carson Ranger District 28,617 Quinn Canyon Wilderness Ely Ranger District 26,310 Rainbow Mountain Wilderness Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 4,599 Red Mountains Wilderness Ely Ranger District 20,521 Ruby Mountains Wilderness Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District 92,652 Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness Santa Rosa Ranger District 32,072 Schellback Wilderness Ely Ranger District 36,151 Table Mountain Wilderness Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 92,627 White Pine Range Wilderness Ely Ranger District 40,041 Wovoka Wilderness Bridgeport Ranger District 49,151 Total 1,316,393

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Special Designation Areas Areas Acreage Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area 7,250 National Recreation Area 317,187 Research Natural Areas 36,175 Roadless Areas 3,310,775 Wild Horse and Burro Territories 1,621,843 Wilderness Study Areas 155,186 Total 5,448,416

*Special Use Permits Type Quantity Total Total Number of Recreation Special Use Permits 187 • Recreation Residences 96 • Ski Areas 2 • Organization Camps 5 • Resorts/Pack Stations 7 Total Number of Lands Special Use Permits 745 • Communication Sites (40) 136 • Linear rights of way (power, telephone, fiber, roads, 432 authorizations = 939 miles water transmission) • Military Training Area 2 Total Number of Special Use Permits 932 *Only a portion of the total number/and type of permits are highlighted in chart.

Recreation Program Recreation Numbers Annual Visitors Total 4 million

Recreation Sites Total 138 • Boating Sites 2 • Campgrounds 60 • Day Use Areas 14 • Interpretive Sites 3 • Ski Area 2 • Sno-Parks 1 • Trailheads 53 • Visitor Center/Gateway 2 • Winter Recreation Area 1 Trails Total 3,569 miles • Motorized Trails 1,656 miles • Non-Motorized Trails 1,913 miles Special Designated Trails Total 4 • National Recreation Trails 2 • National Scenic Trails 1 • Pony Express Trail 1

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Road System Mileage by Ranger District Designated Road Unit Miles Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 1,394 Bridgeport Ranger District 1,053 Carson Ranger District 588 Ely Ranger District 665 Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge RD 1,126 Santa Rosa Ranger District 471 Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 298 Total 5,595

Cultural Resource Activit Sites Recorded Sites Recorded Sites Listed on Percent of Forest Resources FY 2020 to Date National Register Surveyed Prehistoric and Historic Sites 162 12,637 18 8%

Tribal Relations Federally Recognized Tribes Non-Federally Recognized Tribes Total 30 3 33

Natural Resources Program Resources Quantity Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Botanical Species 92 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Terrestrial Species 23 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Aquatic Species 8 Endangered Species (1 mammal, 1 amphibian, and 1 insect) • Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep 3 • Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog • Mt Charleston Blue Butterfly Threatened Species (4 fish, 1 amphibian, and 1 plant) • Yosemite Toad • Lahontan Cutthroat Trout • Bull Trout 6 • Paiute Cutthroat Trout • Railroad Valley Springfish • Webber’s Ivesia Proposed Endangered Species (1 mammal) 1 • Sierra Nevada Red Fox Proposed Threatened Species (1 plant) 1 • Whitebark Pine Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas 2,412,424 acres Bi-State Sage-Grouse Habitat 425,380 acres Perennial Streams 4,418 miles Intermittent Streams 19,745 miles Lakes, reservoirs, and other water bodies 7,228 acres

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Minerals Program Project Quantity Active Hard-Rock Mining Operations Plans and Notices 439 Closure of Abandoned Mines Posing a Public Safety Hazard 9 Mineral Material Permits for Small Quantities of Personal-Use Rock 5 Geothermal Leases Processed and Conveyed to BLM for Leasing 4 Locatable mineral notices processed 9 Locatable Plans of Operation processed 32 Geologic Resources Managed 34

Noxious Weed Management Program Activity Acreage Infested Acres Inventoried 51,920 Treatments Completed 7,434 Burn Area Emergency Response Treatment South Sugarloaf Fire 1,770 Burn Area Emergency Response Treatment Corta Fire 2,085 Burn Area Emergency Response Treatment Cherry Fire 422

Range Program Active *Authorized Unit Permits Acreage Allotments Livestock Use Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 16 34 30,304 AUM 1,433,971 Bridgeport Ranger District 20 47 19,051 AUM 838,343 Carson Ranger District 8 15 3,679 AUM 185,365 Ely Ranger District 17 30 25,760 AUM 907,346 Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge RD 69 119 110,708 AUM 996,263 Santa Rosa Ranger District 17 12 35,586 AUM 271,605 Totals 147 257 225,088 AUM 4,632,893 *AUM = Animal Unit Month *Number of permits varies year to year due to permit waivers. Authorized Livestock Use also varies each year primarily due to full or partial non-use by permittees for personal convenience or in response to wildfire, drought, or excessive wild horse and burro use.

Timber/Forest Products Program Activity *Measurement Christmas Tree Permits 7,964 permits sold Personal Use Firewood Permits 2509 cords sold Posts, Poles, etc. Permits 10 ccf* sold Commercial Timber Sales 0 acres Commercial Pine Nut Sales 3 tons sold *ccf = hundred cubic feet

Fuels Treatment Activity Acreage Austin-Tonopah Ranger District 1,125 Bridgeport Ranger District 4,590 Carson Ranger District 2,661 Ely Ranger District 6,531 Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge RD 2,268 Spring Mountains Recreation Area 1,170 Total 18,345 45

Burned Area Emergency Reponses (BAER) Fires with BAER Assessments BAER Emergency Stabilization Treatment Funds Secured Range II Fire BAER Implementation $39,979 Corta Fire BAER Implementation $275,760 Cherry Fire BAER Implementation $431,782 Cottonwood Fire BAER Implementation $750 Mahogany Fire BAER Implementation $34,699 Taft Fire BAER Implementation $3,614 Gance Fire BAER Implementation $4,483 South Sugarloaf Fire BAER Implementation $22,933 Poeville Road Fire BAER Implementation $206,933 Loyalton Fire BAER Implementation $34,942 Slink Fire BAER Implementation $85,532 Total $1,141,407

Prescribed Burning Unit Acreage Bridgeport Ranger District 240 Carson Ranger District 71 Ely Ranger District 942 Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger District 156 Spring Mountains National Recreation Area 77 Total 1,486

*Forest Wildfires Cause Number Acreage Lightning 56 35,930 Human 32 21,291 Total 88 57,221 *Originated on National Forest System lands.

*Interagency Fire Dispatch Incident Response Interagency Prescribed Smoke Check/ Search and Wildfires Law Enforcement Dispatch Center Burn False Alarms Rescue Central Nevada 100 4 63 6 3 Elko 125 2 20 0 0 Ely 112 2 52 0 0 Las Vegas 280 2 133 4 58 Sierra Front 322 2 72 1 49 Total 939 12 340 11 110 *Includes all incidents handle not just Forest Service.

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Fire Resources Resources Quantity Permanent Personnel 38 Permanent Seasonal Personnel 101 Seasonal Personnel 50 Fire Stations 13 *Type 2 Fire Use Module 1 *Type 3, 4, and 6 Engines 15 Patrol Units 11 Hotshot/Handcrew 1 *Incident Command System Levels: Type 5 least complex, while Type I is the most complex.

*Bridgeport Helitack Helicopter Hours Flown Type III 14HX 163.3 Type II 3KA Surge 226.4 Type I 1CH Sky Crane 247.3 Total 637 *Incident Command System Levels: Type 5 least complex, while Type I is the most complex.

Black Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Activity Wildfire Days on Incidents Training Days Project Days 21 111 24 4

Prevention Events Events Attended Schools 9 Parades 0 Other Special Events 1 Prevention Teams 2 Prevention/Fire Education Related Social Media Posts 63 *Due to COVID-19, the Forest’s Fire Prevention Team focused on reaching audiences virtually.

Historical Fire Overview Since 2011 Data Quantity Total *Number of Fires 992 • Lightning Caused 625 • Human Caused 367 **Incident Management Teams on Forest 2020 Total Since 2011 43 • Type 1 Fires 0 5 • Type 2 Fires 5 13 • Type 3 Fires 3 25 Sage-Grouse Habitat Burned in Wildfires 202,750 Data Bi-State Greater Quantity 2011-2017 5,000 2018 7,037 161,788 168,825 2019 16 12,690 12,706 2020 15,938 281 16,219 *Originated on National Forest System lands. **Incident Command System Levels: Type 5 least complex, while Type I is the most complex. 47

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