Catamount Ranch Open Space Forest Stewardship Management Plan

Colorado State Forest Service Teller County Division of Parks November, 2000

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Purpose

In July of 1998 Teller County adopted the Management Plan for the Catamount Ranch Open Space, a document providing general goals and objectives for the next five years. The Planning Team agreed to the following vision statement:

The Catamount Ranch Open Space will be managed primarily for long- term natural resource conservation and will remain commercially undeveloped.

The Planning Team decided that the vision statement should be complemented by a set of broad principles that would govern Catamount Ranch Open Space. The principles are more specific than the ideas expressed in the vision statement and apply generally to the entire Open Space. The list of operating principles is as follows:

• The Catamount Ranch Open Space will be essentially undeveloped and managed primarily for long-term, natural resource conservation. • Secondarily, management will provide opportunities for people to enjoy and learn about the land, the wildlife, and the history of the area while respecting the primary purpose of long-term resource conservation through limited access and low-key human impact. • Management of the Catamount Ranch Open Space will respect the neighbors and complement adjoining land uses. • Management will use wise and prudent practices that minimize negative impacts on the land, flora, and fauna that might arise from public use of the property.

The Planning Team also developed a list of goals and objectives for the Open Space. The goals are the desired outcome of management on the property. An objective is a statement that is specific, measurable, achievable, and bounded in time and space. All of the objectives are meant to be consistent with the associated goals.

Vegetation Goals

• Maintain a mosaic of different native vegetation types on the property (spruce forest, mixed conifer forest, aspen forest, montane grassland, riparian shrubland, and wetland). • Maintain the current extent of wetlands and riparian areas. • Reduce the hazard of wildfire. • Manage insect and disease outbreaks for forest health.

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Vegetation Objectives

• Decrease the current number of noxious weed species (per State and County lists). • Decrease the abundance of noxious weed species (per State and County lists). • Maintain or increase the number of native perennial plant species. • Maintain populations of any rare plant species that are tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. • Maintain occurrence(s) of any rare plant communities that are tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program.

Wildlife Goal

• Maintain viable populations of native wildlife species.

Wildlife Objectives

• Maintain elk calving at appropriate levels. • Maintain populations of or use of the property by any rare animal species that are tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. • Exclude populations of non-indigenous animals, including fox squirrels, starlings, and feral dogs and cats.

Recreation Goals

• Provide the public opportunities for passive, non-motorized recreation and education, as can be accommodated with minimal impact to the natural and cultural resources. • The Open Space will be a "good neighbor" to nearby land owners with respect to public use and access.

Recreation Objectives

• Open Catamount Ranch Open space to public use in the fall of year 2000. • Create one new public access point to the property by the time the property is open to the public in year 2000. • Reduce soil erosion that occurs on trails / roads. • Avoid trespass conflicts with neighbors.

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Hydrology Goal

• Conserve the natural water resource.

Hydrology Objectives

• Increase the proportion of precipitation that infiltrates into the soil, versus running off the land. • Trout, Horseshoe, Crystola, and Catamount Creeks will meet all applicable state water quality standards. • Increase the proportion of the soil surface that is covered by live plants and reduce the proportion that is bare soil. • Increase the volume of stream flow in Trout, Horseshoe, Crystola, and Catamount Creeks during base flow periods. • Increase the time during the summer when Trout, Horseshoe, Crystola, and Catamount Creeks have surface flows.

Historic / Cultural / Education / Scenic Goals

• Protect, maintain, and stabilize any significant historic structures or archaeological features. • Increase visitors’ understanding of the natural, historic, and cultural values of Catamount Ranch Open Space. • Maintain the outstanding views of Pikes Peak and surrounding areas.

Historic / Cultural / Education / Scenic Objectives

• Provide educational and interpretive information to enrich the visitors’ experiences with an understanding of the property’s natural, historic, and cultural values. • Provide low-impact access to selected historic, cultural, and scenic features.

This forest stewardship plan looks at current conditions of the forested lands on the Catamount Ranch Open Space and provides guidelines for maintaining and improving forest health, and reducing wildfire hazard. Development of this plan is listed in the management plan as a high priority action to achieve the vegetation goals and objectives.

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Location

The Catamount Ranch Open Space encompasses 1320 acres of land owned in fee by Teller County. The Open Space is located in Teller County about 5.5 miles southwest of Woodland Park (Figure 1). The property is bordered on the northeast, north, and west sides by private property. The southern edge of the property is bordered by the Pike National Forest, and the southeastern edge abuts the City of Colorado Springs Northslope Watershed (Figure 2).

The Catamount Ranch Open Space lies within the planning area of the Pikes Peak Multi- Use Plan (Figure 3), a regional planning document produced for the City of Colorado Springs and the USDA Forest Service. The Pikes Peak Multi-Use Plan is a vision for the Pikes Peak Region based upon common community values.

Figure 1, General Location

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Figure 2, Property Ownership

Broken Wagon Ranch 8 9 10 Markus Ranch

Elk Valley Estates Catamount Ranch Catamount Open Space Institute 17 16 15

City of Colorado Springs Watershed

Finley Johnson USDA, U.S. Forest Service

Text Section Numbers Section Boundaries

Property Boundaries N 0.5 0 0.5 Miles W E

S

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Figure 3, Pikes Peak Regional Vision Plan

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Geology

The geology of the Catamount Ranch Open Space is dominated by Pikes Peak granite. Estimated to be more than one billion years old, Pikes Peak granite is coarse-grained, light pink, easily cracked by frost, and weathers in large round masses. As Pikes Peak granite weathers, iron is released, intensifying the pink color of the feldspar.

There are two main soil types found on the Open Space. The most common is the Catamount-Guffy complex of soils which is found in the upland areas of the property. These soils are made up largely of weathered granitic material and are generally between two and three feet deep. These soils typically have low fertility, low water holding capacity, and high permeability. Therefore, The Catamount-Guffy soils are not very productive and are subject to sheet and rill erosion where plant cover is disturbed.

The less common group of soils is Histic Cryaquolls, found in drainages and low-lying areas, primarily along the tributaries of Trout Creek, Upper Crystola Creek, and the Horseshoe meadows areas. These soils are composed of alluvian and organic material and can be up to 60 inches deep. These soils are typically saturated or flooded and have very poor drainage.

Slopes vary from moderate to very steep on the Catamount Ranch Open Space. The property is characterized by a series of ridges and valleys coming off a main ridge running northeast from the top of Raspberry Mountain, which lies south of the Open Space on the Pike National Forest. Two valleys run south and east from the ridge, while five valleys run north from the main ridge (Figure 4) .

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Figure 4, Topography

Broken Wagon Ranch 8 9 10 Markus Ranch

Elk Valley Estates Catamount Ranch Catamount Open Space Institute 17 16 15

City of Colorado Springs Watershed

Finley Johnson USDA, U.S. Forest Service

Text Section Numbers Section Boundaries

Property Boundaries 0.5 0 0.5 Miles N Contour Lines W E

S

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Climate

Elevation plays an important role in the climate and local weather of the Pikes Peak region. The Catamount Ranch Open Space ranges in elevation from 9,200 feet to 10,200 feet. Precipitation averages about 18 inches a year. Most precipitation occurs as high intensity summer storms, usually in July and August. January is usually the driest month of the year. Mean annual temperatures average 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wildlife

Elk, Hawks, and other wildlife are as much a part of the natural ecosystem as are the trees. No land management activities should be undertaken without addressing the effects on wildlife. As long as wildlife numbers are kept within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, wildlife use is compatible with forest management. Appendix 1 gives a listing of common wildlife species found on the Open Space and special habitat requirements of selected species.

Hydrology

The Catamount Ranch Open Space lies along the hydrologic divide between the Arkansas River and South Platte River systems, with the majority of the property generally draining north to the South Platte River. The Open Space contains two small ponds that were created by damming West Trout Creek. There are no other surface water resources currently developed on the property. Groundwater resources are not being used and have not been quantified for the property. Wetlands are found in most of the valley bottoms.

Because of the erosive nature of the areas soils, and the need to protect water quality, it is important to plan forest management activities appropriately. Vegetation management recommendations will take into account Best Management Practices as provided by the document Colorado Forest Stewardship, Guidelines to Protect Water Quality (Appendix 2).

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Insects and Disease

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) is one of the more serious insects to attack ponderosa pine. Other species of pine, such as limber pine, are also susceptible to attack. When populations of beetles get out of control it is not uncommon to see entire stands of pine killed. Ponderosa pine weakened by overcrowded conditions, environmental damage, or other insect and disease problems are most at risk. Mountain pine beetle populations reach epidemic levels on a 15 to 20 year cycle. Forest management can reduce the risk of mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Removing infected trees interrupts the beetle breeding cycle and prevents new generations of insects from developing within the stand. Thinning of over crowded stands reduces the stress on residual trees making them more vigorous and better able to defend themselves against attack. Removal of trees in poor condition or under attack by other insects and diseases will make a stand less attractive to beetles looking for breeding sites.

Douglas-fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) and spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis) are important pests of Douglas-fir. High population levels of these insects can be linked to larger and higher density stands of Douglas-fir than would historically be found in this region. Separating these larger stands into smaller, isolated stands, should help reduce the probability of large scale outbreaks. Evidence of past damage associated with spruce budworm and Douglas-fir beetle can be seen on the Catamount Ranch Open Space.

Dwarf mistletoe is a parasitic plant that reduces the vigor of, and can eventually kill, the host plant. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir are both susceptible to species of mistletoe (Arceuthobium Vaginatum and A. douglasii, respectively) although the ponderosa pine species is far more common in this area. Mistletoe will make the host tree less vigorous and thereby more susceptible to other insects and diseases. In the long run, mistletoe can eventually kill its host and regeneration of the host species is thwarted by the rain of mistletoe seed from the infected overstory. By using forest management to achieve a more variable mosaic of species and size classes, and to remove infected trees, the spread of mistletoe can be kept in check.

While these and other insects and diseases will always be a natural part of the forest ecosystem, There does not seem to be any evidence of unusual problems at this time on the Open Space. Forest management should concentrate on breaking up large homogenous stands into smaller isolated stands of varying species and age classes. This will serve the purpose of isolating outbreaks to smaller areas and make control more realistic as well as removing the large uncontained habitats needed for these problems to reach epidemic levels. It is also advisable that periodic surveys of the property be conducted so that problems can be treated before they get out of hand.

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Vegetation

Vegetation on the Catamount Ranch Open Space varies primarily with aspect. Trees common on the property include ponderosa pine (Pinus Ponderosa), limber pine (Pinus flexilis), aspen (Populus tremuloides), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). Less common species include white fir (Abies concolor), Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), and bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata). Ponderosa and limber pine is primarily found on south facing slopes, while Douglas-fir and Engelmann spruce are found on cooler, north facing slopes. Limber pine is widespread throughout the Open Space. Aspen can be found both in pure stands or intermixed with other species.

The majority of the site is covered with coniferous forest stands, with areas of wetland, grassland, and open water along the Crystola Creek drainage. The coniferous stands can be divided into two types. The first type is mixed conifer dominated by limber pine, which is found on dry south-, east-, and west-facing slopes. The second type is spruce/fir dominated by Engelmann spruce and Douglas-fir, found on cooler, moister north-facing slopes and drainage bottoms. Aspen dominates a number of small stands on the Open Space. Aspen is a successional species that will colonize sites that are cleared by natural or man-made disturbances such as fire or logging. Over time these aspen stands will be shaded out and replaced by more dominant species.

In many places, the forest has been significantly altered by logging, particularly along Aspen and Ridge trails. There were apparently at least two episodes of logging on the property. The earlier logging was associated with the demand for timber by the railroad and mining industries of the late 1800’s and early 20th century. Subsequent logging occurred from around 1950 through 1990. This later episode of logging consisted of mainly thinning to promote forest health and small patch cuts to encourage aspen regeneration. No old growth stands are known to exist on the Open Space.

The Catamount Ranch Open Space has a number of dry, open meadow, grasslands. These meadows are dominated by bunch grasses, annuals, and shrubby cinquefoil. There are also some wetlands on the Open Space that are considered to be in excellent condition. These wetlands are extremely important biological resources and are very sensitive to disturbance. Great care must be taken not to damage these wetlands. Access to other areas should avoid these sites and forest management activities adjacent to or upstream from wetlands must be carefully planned to prevent negative impacts.

No noxious weeds are known to exist on the property except for a patch of Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) near Goddard’s. However, Noxious weeds are always a threat. The State of Colorado maintains a noxious weed list and the property should be consistently monitored, especially as visitation to the Open Space increases.

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No federally listed threatened and endangered plant species are known to exist on the Open Space. According to the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, a number of species of state significance are found in the area and may be present on the property. These species include Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquililegia saximontana), yellow lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus ssp. Parviflorum), reflected moonwort (Botrychium echo), and pale moonwort (Botrychium pallium). Grassfern (Asplenium septentrionale), a species that is potentially imperiled in Colorado, was found on a rock outcrop on the adjacent Catamount Institute property and may be present on the Open Space as well.

Fire History

Fire is probably the most important ecosystem process on Catamount Ranch Open Space that is influenced by land management. Past wild fires have significantly altered most forests in the Pike Peak region. Management of fire is necessary to efficiently manage the vegetative resource on the Open Space.

Wildfire has always been a common occurrence in the Pikes Peak area. Since Europeans first settled the region, many wildfires have been documented. Evidence and human testimony collected by the United States Forest Service, Pikes Peak Ranger District, show that several major fires occurred between 1850 and 1853 affecting the majority of forested land on Pikes Peak. W.J. Gardner, in his 1903 report “The Problem of Reforestation in the Pikes Peak Reserve”, gives the following account:

“That there were general fires in the Central Rockies in the late 40’s and early 50’s is, however, practically certain. George F. Ruxton, an English traveler, who was hunting at the east base of Pikes Peak in March and April, 1847, describes…a large fire which started near the present Manitou Springs, burned over the neighboring east slope, and ran out into the plains between the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers. It is impossible to tell just how extensively this fire burned within the limits of the present Pikes Peak Forest Reserve. Ruxton’s fire has sometimes been assumed to be the fire that destroyed the main part of the timber south of the Peak. But this assumption is apparently not based on fact.”

In 1923 Charley Love gave the following account to J.H. Patterson of the U.S. Forest Service regarding the fire of 1880:

“A fire originating south of what is known as the town of Victor,…[was] the result of clearing done in June by an old settler, and spread northeasterly over Bull Mountain,…burned out the head of Bison Creek across to the Seven Lakes to the west slopes of Bald Mountain, thus clearing out the timber on the head of Middle Beaver Creek.”

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Love also claimed that he, along with his brother and four or five other men, worked several days attempting to put this fire out but were unable to do so. The fire of 1880 burned several thousand acres.

During the last several years, no major wildfires have occurred in the area of the Open Space, although the potential exists. However, wildfires were common in the region until the 1892 establishment of the Pikes Peak Timberland Reserve (now the Pike National Forest) sought to stop the rather common exploitation of natural resources during the time.

Before the reserve was established, frequent wildfires were caused by lightning, trains, lumber mills, and human carelessness. Between 1846 and 1860, three fourths of the forested area on the south slope of Pikes Peak was burned over. Since that time, every effort has been made to eliminate wildfires. Unfortunately, this has had negative effects on the forests. The absence of frequent, low intensity wildfires has caused overcrowded, unhealthy forests which have attracted insects such as mountain pine beetle. These conditions also affect the behavior of fires that do occur in today’s forest. Increases in fuel loading, and denser canopies mean that fires occurring now burn much more intensely and create more damage than in the past.

Silvicultural Prescriptions

Silviculture is the art of developing and maintaining a forest within the constraints set forth by the landowners objectives. A silvicultural system designates a planned program of forest management treatment throughout the life of the forest, including timber harvesting, thinning, and, in some cases, tree planting. Before a silvicultural system is chosen, the forest manager must consider (1) management objectives, (2) environmental concerns, (3) wildlife, water, soils, and other natural resources, (4) forest condition and structure, (5) aesthetics, and (6) fire hazard.

Thinning is done to increase growth rate, obtain desired species composition, promote stand health, and reduce competition. Lower wildfire hazards, improved aesthetics, and increased land and timber values are all benefits of thinning. For best results, a stand should be thinned before serious competition develops between trees.

Several types of thinning may be used by the forest manager. These include thinning from above, thinning from below, and selective thinning. Thinning from above removes the larger, taller trees to provide more space, water, and nutrients for the residual trees. Thinning from below reduces competition by removing over-topped and poorly formed trees. Most trees removed are from the smaller size classes. With selective thinning, trees from all size classes may be removed as the specific conditions dictate.

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Figure 5 shows the stands that were delineated during the forest inventory. Table 1 lists information for these stands such as stand type, number of trees per acre, basal area, average tree height, and average diameter (measured at 4.5 feet above the ground, “breast height”). On the Catamount Ranch Open Space, forest stands can be grouped into four categories:

1. Spruce/fir (S/F), consisting of primarily blue spruce, Engelmann spruce, and Douglas-fir. These stands tend to be found mainly on northern slopes. 2. Mixed conifer (MC), dominated by limber pine with ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and blue spruce. Aspen may also be found scattered through these stands. 3. Aspen (A), sunny sites dominated almost exclusively by aspen. Typically small stands created by disturbance events that create openings in the forest canopy such as wildfires or logging. These stands will often contain an understory of shade tolerant spruce and fir. 4. Meadow, open grasslands without significant tree cover. These stands are important feeding grounds for wildlife, separate forested stands to reduce fire and insect problems, and often act as filtration systems within wetlands.

The column in Table 1 labeled “Basal Area” is of particular importance, as this is a measure of stand density. As stand density increases, wildfire hazards and susceptibility to many forest pests increase. Basal area on spruce/fir stands ranges from 110 to 160, basal area of the mixed conifer stands ranges from 65 to 108, and basal area on the aspen stands ranges from 91 to 198.

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Figure 5, Forest Communities

Broken Wagon Ranch 8 9 10 28 Markus 22 Ranch 20 18 21 19 26 14 13 23 16 Elk Valley Estates 27 Catamount 12 Ranch Catamount Open Space 11 Institute 1 17 15 1716 15

25 2 24 10 City of 8 3 Colorado Springs Watershed

4 9 7 5 6 USDA, Text Section Numbers U.S. Forest Service Section Boundaries

Tree Stands Aspen Mi xed Coni fer

Spruce-Fir Mix N 0.500.5Miles Meadow W E

S

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Table 1, Stand Data # Stand Acres Number of BA BT BF Average Average Type Trees/Acre Diameter Height (inches) (feet) 1 A 41.44 264 91 7.9 53 2 S/F 32.27 308 114 80 1.425 8.2 36 3 MC 124.29 135 76 60 1.267 10.2 28 4 S/F 15.78 372 141 80 1.763 8.4 55 5 A 11.07 521 198 8.4 55 6 MC 6.43 171 83 60 1.383 9.4 30 7 S/F 24.84 386 130 80 1.625 7.9 42 8 S/F 9.57 322 110 80 1.375 7.9 38 9 MC 10.53 280 108 60 1.800 8.4 28 10 MC 41.33 374 104 60 1.733 7.2 27 11 MC 100.20 217 99 60 1.650 9.1 27 12 S/F 11.33 138 100 80 1.250 11.5 47 13 MC 92.81 171 91 60 1.517 9.9 29 14/15 S/F 195.29 237 102 80 1.275 8.9 38 16 MC 51.12 179 92 60 1.533 9.7 28 17 S/F 69.18 183 124 80 1.550 11.2 56 18 S/F 53.63 274 138 80 1.725 9.6 48 19 MC 37.58 207 78 60 1.300 8.3 25 20 S/F 3.68 249 110 80 1.375 9.0 42 21 MC 69.41 256 108 60 1.800 8.8 33 22 S/F 5.98 208 160 80 2.000 11.9 54 23 S/F 2.15 544 150 80 1.875 7.1 42 24 MC 110.37 251 98 60 1.633 8.5 39 25 MC 109.05 231 106 60 1.767 9.2 33 26 MC 65.58 203 65 60 1.083 7.7 36 27 S/F 46.54 274 128 80 1.600 9.3 54 Note: The Basal Factor (BF) is computed by dividing the actual Basal Area (BA) by the desired Basal Target (BT). Basal Factors > 1 serve as management indicators for tree stand thinning

Statistics: Total Acres Measured:…...... 1341.45 Average Number of Trees/Acre:...... 257.59 Average Basal Area: ...... 108.00 Average Basal Factor:...... 1.49 Average Diameter (inches) for All Stands: 8.65 Average Height (feet) for All Stands:...... 37.89

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Spruce/Fir Prescription

Stands 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14/15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, and 27 are defined in this plan as spruce/fir stands for a total of 470.2 acres. The recommended prescription for these stands is selective thinning. Individual tree selection will maintain a high forest cover while reducing wildfire hazards. Selective thinning will remove over-topped and suppressed trees, insect and disease damaged trees, and over-mature trees no longer producing seed. The overall stand diversity can be improved by favoring small pockets of aspen and individual healthy pines. Thinning will also separate tree crowns. Also, the crowns in a given group of trees can be separated from other groups, which achieves the same benefits of reduced wildfire hazard as separating individual trees, but leaves the stand appearing more natural. Basal area in these stands should be reduced to 80. Additional thinning may be needed periodically to keep wildfire hazards at an acceptable level and to maintain the stands in a vigorous, healthy condition. Fire behavior within this forest type can be severe and unpredictable. Prescribed fire is not recommended for use in these stands.

Mixed Conifer Prescription

There are approximately 818.7 acres of mixed conifer forest on the Open Space, found in stands 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 19, 21, 24, 25, and 26. Although limber pine is the dominate species, aspen, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and Engelmann spruce are also present. Most limber pine is found on south and west facing slopes. If left alone, stand composition will probably not change dramatically, although the presence of aspen may decrease and the percent of Douglas-fir will increase as will wildfire hazard and insect and disease problems.

Individual tree selection should be used to remove damaged trees and improve overall stand diversity and structure. Desired basal areas of 60 can be obtained by removing trees damaged by insects and diseases, trees that are over-topped and suppressed, and over-mature trees no longer producing seed. Healthy ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir should be favored over limber pine. Prescribed fire can be used following mechanical treatments to clean up logging debris and reduce fuel loading. Fire can also be introduced periodically to maintain healthy stocking levels and stand structure.

Aspen Prescription

Stands 1 and 5 are aspen forests totaling 52.5 acres. No mechanical treatment is recommended for these stands. Prescribed fire should be used as the stands become over- mature. Fire will rejuvenate the ground cover plants and grasses, improving foraging

______Catamount Ranch Open Space Forest Stewardship Management Plan Page 18 conditions for wildlife. Fire will also aid in the regeneration of aspen from already existing rhizominous root systems.

Wildfire Hazard Prescription

In addition to the previous forest management prescriptions, steps may be taken to reduce the wildfire hazards on the property. Existing road systems should be maintained or improved for two purposes. First, this road system provides access for both fire fighting and forest management activities. Secondly, these road systems act as fuel breaks that can help contain fire within them. Additional roads, fire breaks, or heavy thinning should be considered around the edges of the property, particularly the west and north boundaries where private land is concerned, as well as around any structures or sites of importance (Appendix 3, Defensible Space).

All personnel working on the Open Space should be aware of information that will aid firefighters attempting to control a wildfire. Personnel should be familiar with the road system as well as the location of water sources, hazards, structures, and sites warranting extra protection. All responsible parties should be familiar with the Teller County Annual Operating Plan. This document provides information regarding the responsibilities of the various firefighting organizations of the area as well as interagency agreements.

Slash Treatment

Because not all parts of the tree are merchantable, slash is an inevitable by product of forest management work. Slash generally consists of limbs, and tops of trees being harvested as well as smaller diameter trees in their entirety. If not treated properly, slash can present a hazard. Concentration of slash can act as a fire ladder providing a route for a ground fire to reach the crowns of the trees. Slash can also add fuel to a fire increasing the severity of its behavior. In certain situations slash can lead to insect and disease problems such as Ips beetle. Large amounts of slash can also be a safety hazard to travel through the forest affecting fire fighting efforts, forest management, and recreational uses.

Some methods of slash treatment can be prohibitively expensive. Examples of this include hauling the slash off-site, and on-site chipping. While both of these methods are very effective ways to clean a site up, the costs far out weigh the benefits. One common method used is to cut the slash into smaller pieces, less then three feet in length, and scatter it on the forest floor (no more then twelve inches deep). This will put the woody debris in a position where it can stay moist for longer periods of time thus reducing its hazard as a fuel for fire as well as speeding up the rate at which it decays. Even so, it can still take a long time for this wood to decompose, resulting in lower visual benefits. Another popular method is to pile the slash away from residual trees and burn them. Pile

______Catamount Ranch Open Space Forest Stewardship Management Plan Page 19 burns are usually done in the winter with appropriate snow cover which reduces any risk of escaped fire significantly. This method is very cost effective and the visual results are a vast improvement over scattering. Not all slash piles need to be burned. Some piles may be designed and left in place to benefit the wildlife. These piles should contain larger materials with significant air spaces within them so that small mammals and birds can use them for cover, and den habitat.

The adjacent Pikes Peak Watershed has been using pile burning as its method of slash disposal for the last six years. They have had great success with this program and anticipate continuing it into the foreseeable future. Although smoke can be an issue, it can be easily managed with proper planning.

Implementation

The first step in achieving the forest management goals outlined in this plan is to contract with a professional forester to plan, mark, and administer the desired prescriptions. This type of work can be done by the Colorado State Forest Service or any of the qualified consulting foresters working in the region.

One method available for achieving the thinning goals is to contract with local contractors to cut the wood. Currently, the only realistic market for this wood is firewood. This market has been steadily declining in recent years making it difficult to find contractors. Price for standing green wood ranges from $5.00 to $12.00 per cord. On the adjacent City of Colorado Springs watershed property revenues from wood product sales help recover about ten percent of the annual cost of forest management. While this may seem like an unreasonable loss, it is in fact a benefit of conducting forest management activities that are desired regardless of economic return.

Another option available is to hire seasonal crews to do the thinning work and then sell the wood directly to the public. If the crew fells, limbs, and bucks the trees, the public can then be issued permits to remove the wood from the forest. Currently, prices for this type of permit range from $30.00 to $40.00 per cord. The wood could also be split and delivered to the public for as much as $150.00 per cord. Another method of achieving the forest management goals is to issue permits to the public to fell green trees. This requires intense on-site administration and the results tend to be disappointing. There are also issues of safety and liability with this type of program.

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Implementation Schedule

The following work schedules are to be used to implement forest management activities on the Open Space. The acres to be harvested may need modification as forest conditions, wood product markets, and County goals change. The field forester should have the authority to make the necessary changes. Implementation of this plan should begin as soon as all issues regarding access have been cleared up and a budget has been established for this work. Supplemental work schedules should be developed every five years.

An annual operating plan should be developed prior to each field season. This plan should include, but is not limited to, the following:

• The acres and stands to be harvested. • Location of areas to be harvested. • Harvesting plans which include road and skid trail layout, access roads, slash disposal/treatment, and erosion control techniques needed. • A brief discussion of forest product markets available for the operating year.

The work schedule is presented in order of priority without a predetermined time table. Work should begin with the highest priorities. The quicker the work can be completed the better, however a goal of completing within twenty years should be considered a maximum time frame. With the maximum time frame a minimum of 58 acres would need to be treated on an annual basis.

The priority here is a suggestion, and the actual implementation can be changed to suit the needs of the County.

High Priority

Defensible space and fire mitigation work around inhabited structures is the first priority followed by similar work around historic sites and structures. Priority should also be given here for fire mitigation work along established and planned roads, trails, and access points (Figure 6).

Priority should also be given to controlling insect and disease problems as they are discovered on the property.

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Figure 6, High Priority Implementation

Broken Wagon Ranch 8 9 10 Markus $$$ $$ $$ Ranch $ $ $

Catamount Elk Valley Estates Ranch Open Space

$

$ Catamount 17 16 Institute 15

$ $ $$

$ City of Colorado Springs Watershed

Finley Johnson USDA, $ Historic Sites U.S. Forest Service Inhabited Structures

Helicopter Landing Zones

Ground Access Routes Prim ary N Secondary 0.5 0 0.5 Miles Tr ail s W E

Lakes S

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Medium priority

Following work involving fire mitigation the next priority should be given to returning the forest to a healthy condition. This work will consist of implementing the prescriptions for the individual stands to meet the desired conditions. The specific implementation of this work will be determined by need, access, and marketability.

Low Priority

Once work has been completed bringing the forest to the desired conditions it is time to think about maintaining those conditions. This requires constant monitoring of conditions and reentry for management. It would not be unusual if a given stand required reentry every 20 years to maintain desired conditions.

Maintenance also includes the possible use of other tools, such as prescribed fire and grazing, to maintain forest conditions.

Costs

This section is not something that is normally covered as a specific in this type of management plan. Due to the highly variable market for wood products, changes in management goals, job markets, sudden changes in forest conditions, etc., it is difficult to apply dollar figures to the cost of forest management that will have any significance in the future. However, for the purposes of budget development and planning, I will attempt to give a feeling for some of the costs as they occur today on the adjacent Pikes Peak Watershed.

Cost for professional forester services from the Colorado State Forest Service are currently set at $28.00 per hour. Private forestry consultants will tend to charge a little more, roughly in the $40.00 to $60.00 per hour range. The amount of time a forester spends on a project varies greatly with the needs of the landowner. A forester can be hired to plan annual work schedules, cruise and mark trees, administer contract work, conduct prescribed fires, or all of these and more.

Another cost that may be considered is that of hiring seasonal crews to do some of the physical work. The Watershed currently employs a four man seasonal crew at an average pay rate of $9.00 per hour. With equipment and vehicle maintenance, fuel, and miscellaneous expenses this works out to about $1500.00 per week. This crew can get approximately one half of an acre of high quality work done per week. Again, the rate of work and associated costs are heavily dependent on things like accessibility and weather conditions and are highly variable.

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Summary

In 1998 Teller County acquired the piece of property now known as the Catamount Ranch Open Space. A general management plan for this property was developed which, among other things, called for a forest stewardship/fire management plan. In 1999 the Colorado State Forest Service was contracted to produce this plan. Using the Pikes Peak Multi-use Plan and Best Management Practices for Colorado as guides, this forest stewardship plan highlights the existing condition of the Open Space and provides recommendations to achieve a healthy forest ecosystem and reduced wildfire hazard.

The forest of the Catamount Ranch Open Space consists primarily of stands of mixed conifer, spruce/fir, and aspen. Due largely to the exclusion of fire, these stands have become overcrowded. This condition makes the forest more susceptible to insects and disease, and extreme fire behavior.

Selective thinning by private contractors or seasonal crews can return these stands to a healthier condition and reduce the wildfire hazard. While the market dictates that this work be done at a net loss, revenues from the sale of wood can help offset the costs involved. The use of prescribed fire and re-entry for thinning can maintain these stands in a healthy condition. The Colorado State Forest Service or a private consulting forester can assist in the implementation of this plan.

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Appendix 1, Wildlife Species List

Sisken, Pine Carduelis pinus Birds Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sphyrapicus varius Bluebird, Mountain Sialia currucoides Williamson’s Sphyrapicusthyroideus Chickadee, Black-capped Parus atricapillus Solitaire, Townsend’s Myadestes townsendi Mountain Parus gambeli Sparrow, Lincoln’s Melospiza lincolnii Crow, American Corvus brachyrhynchos Chipping Spizella passerina Dipper, American Cinclus mexicanus White-crowned Zonotrichia leucophrys Dove, Mourning Zenaida macroura Swallow, Bank Riparia riparia Duck, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Tree Tachycineta bicolor Eagle, Golden Aquila chrysaetos Violet-green Tachycineta thalassina Falcon, Prairie Falco mexicanus Swift, White-throated Aeronautes saxatalis Flicker, Red-shafted Colaptes cafer Tanager, Western Piranga ludoviciana Yellow-shafted Colaptes auratus Teal, Green-winged Anas crecca Flycatcher, Hammond’s Empidonax hammondii Thrush, Hermit Catharus guttatus Olive-sided Contopus borealis Swainson’s Catharus ustulatus Western Empidonax difficilis Towhee, Green-tailed Pipilo chlorurus Goose, Canada Branta canadensis Rufous-sided Pipilo erythrophthalmus Grebe, Eared Podiceps nigricollis Turkey, Wild Meleagris gallopavo Western Aechmophorus occidentalis Vireo, Solitary Vireo solitarius Grosbeak, Black-headed Pheuticus melanocephalus Warbling Vireo gilvus Evening Coccothraustes vespertinus Warbler, Audubon’s Dendroica auduboni Pine Pinicola enucleator Orange-crowned Vermivora celata Grouse, Blue Dendragapus obscurus Wilson’s Wilsonia pusilla Gull, Blue Larus californicus Woodpecker, Downy picoides pubescens Hawk, Marsh Hawk Circus cyaneus Hairy Picoides villosus Northern Goshawk Accipter gentilis Northern Three-toed Picoides tridactylus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Wren, Canyon Catherpes mexicanus Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni Rock Salpinctes obsoletus Hummingbird, Broadtailed Selasphorus platycercus House Troglodytes aedon Jay, Blue Cyanocitta cristata Gray Perisoreus canadensis Stellar’s Cyanocitta stelleri Mammals Junco, Dark-eyed Junco hyemalis Bear, Black Ursus americanus Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Beaver Castor canadensis Kinglet, Golden-crowned Regulus satrapa Bobcat Lynx rufus Ruby-crowned Regulus calendula Chipmunk, Colorado Eutamias quadrivittatus Lark, Horned Eremophila alpestris Least Eutamias minimus Magpie, Black-billed Pica pica Cottontail, Nuttall’s Sylvilagus nuttalli Nighthawk, Common Chordeiles minor Coyote Canis latrans Nuthatch, Pygmy Sitta pygmaea Deer, Mule Odocoileus hemionus Red-breasted Sitta canadensis Elk, American Cervus canadensis White-breasted Sitta carolinensis Gopher, Pocket, Northern Thomomys talpoides Nutcracker, Clark’s Nucifraga columbiana Hare, Snowshoe Lepus americanus Owl, Flammulated Otus flammeolus Lion, Mountain Felis concolor Great horned Bubo virginianus Marmot, Yellowbelly Marmota flaviventris Pigeon, Band-tailed Columba fasciata Mouse, Deer Peromystus maniculatus Pipit, Water Anthus spinoletta Muskrat Ondatra zibethica Plover, Mountain Charadrius montanus Pika Ochotona princeps Ptarmigan, White-tailed Lagopus leucurus Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum Raven, Common Corvus corax Raccoon Procyon lotor Robin, American Turdus migratorius Sheep, Bighorn Ovis canadensis Sandpiper, Spotted Actitis macularia Appendix 1, Wildlife Species List

______Catamount Ranch Open Space Forest Stewardship Management Plan Appendix 1

Mammals (continued) Shrew, Dwarf Sorex nanus Masked Sorex cinereus Wandering Sorex vagrans Water Sorex palustris Skunk, Striped Mephitis mephitis Squirrel, Abert Sciurus aberti Ground, Golden-mantled Citellus lateralis Ground, Richardson Citellus richardsoni Pine Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Rock Citellus variegatus Vole, Longtail Microtus longicaudus Mountain Microtus montanus Weasel, Longtail Mustela frenata Shorttail Mustela erminea Woodrat, Bushytail neotoma cinerea

Reptiles and Amphibians Snake, Western Garter Thamnophis elegans Salamander, Tiger Ambystoma tigrinum Toad, Western Bufo boreas

______Catamount Ranch Open Space Forest Stewardship Management Plan Appendix 1