USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region DESIGNATION ORDER for the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain Research Natural Area on the Chugach Nati
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USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region DESIGNATION ORDER for the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain Research Natural Area on the Chugach National Forest Seward Ranger District, Alaska Background: In September 2000, the Forest Supervisor recommended establishment of four new Research Natural Areas (RNAs) in his Preferred Alternative for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan of the Chugach National Forest. The Record of Decision for the Revised Forest Plan, [which I] signed in May 2002, documented the decision to follow the Forest Supervisor’s recommendation to designate four Research Natural Areas on the Forest. Among these is the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain RNA north of Seward, Alaska. That decision was the result of an analysis of the factors listed in 36 CFR 219.25 and Forest Service Manual 4063.41. Results of that analysis are documented in the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Chugach National Forest, the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Chugach National Forest Land Management Plan Revision, and the Establishment Record for the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain RNA. All of these documents are available to the public from the Chugach National Forest, 3301 “C” Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99503-3998. The Forest Plan documents are also available on the internet at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/forest_plan/plan_docs1.html Designation: Accordingly, by virtue of the authority delegated to me by the Chief of the Forest Service in Forest Service Manual 4063, and under regulations at 7 CFR 2.42, 36 CFR 251.23, and 36 CFR Part 219, I hereby establish the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain Research Natural Area. It shall be comprised of 5,829 acres (2,359 hectares) of land on the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest, Alaska. The Kenai Lake-Black Mountain RNA shall include part or all of T3N R1W Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 and T4N R1W Sections 34, 35, 36 on the U.S. Geological Survey 1:63,360 scale topographic map for the Seward B-7 quadrangle, Alaska, as described in the section of the Establishment Record entitled "Legal Description." This is an administrative step to implement the decision to designate this area as RNA as discussed in the Record of Decision for the Revised Land and Resource Management Plan. The Kenai Lake-Black Mountain RNA will be managed in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and Forest Service Manual direction regarding RNA's, and in accordance with the management direction identified in the Revised Forest Plan. Designated by /s/ Dennis E. Bschor 8/22/07 DENNIS E. BSCHOR Date Regional Forester, Alaska Region Concurrence of /s/ Bov B. Eav 8/6/07 DR. BOV B. EAV Date Station Director, Pacific NW Research Station 2 SIGNATURE PAGE for RESEARCH NATURAL AREA ESTABLISHMENT RECORD Kenai Lake-Black Mountain Research Natural Area Chugach National Forest Alaska The undersigned certify that all applicable land management planning and environmental analysis requirements have been met and that boundaries are clearly identified in accordance with FSM 4063.21, Mapping and Recordation and FSM 4063.41, Establishment Record Content, in arriving at this recommendation. Prepared by /s/ Robert L. DeVelice Date 7/12/07 Robert L. DeVelice, Forest Ecologist, Chugach National Forest, with contributions by Judy Sherburne, formerly of Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska. Recommended by /s/ Jeni Evans Date 8/1/07 Jeni Evans, District Ranger, Seward District Recommended by /s/ Joe L. Meade Date 8/1/07 Joe L. Meade, Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest Concurrence of /s/ Bov B. Eav Date 8/6/07 Dr. Bov B. Eav, Station Director, Pacific Northwest Station 3 Establishment Record for the Kenai Lake-Black Mountain Research Natural Area within the Chugach National Forest, Alaska July 12, 2007 4 Table of Contents IDENTIFICATION ............................................................................................................ 7 Location Map .............................................................................................................. 7 Boundary Map ............................................................................................................ 7 Legal Description ....................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 9 JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................................................. 9 Justification Statement ............................................................................................. 9 Principle Distinguishing Features ............................................................................ 9 Objectives ................................................................................................................ 10 LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING .............................................................................. 10 MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION ................................................................................ 10 USE OR CONTROL OF FIRE AND GRAZING ............................................................ 11 ECOLOGICAL EVALUATION ...................................................................................... 11 Physical Site Description and Climatic Conditions .............................................. 11 Location ................................................................................................................ 11 Size ........................................................................................................................ 11 Elevation Range ................................................................................................... 11 Access ................................................................................................................... 11 Climatic Data ........................................................................................................ 12 Ecological Description ............................................................................................ 14 Eco-region ............................................................................................................ 14 Plant Community Types ...................................................................................... 14 Values .................................................................................................................... 17 Flora ................................................................................................................... 17 Fauna................................................................................................................. 17 Geology ............................................................................................................. 33 Soils ................................................................................................................... 35 Topography ....................................................................................................... 35 Aquatic / Riparian ............................................................................................. 35 Rare, Threatened, Endangered or Sensitive Species .................................... 36 Rare Elements & Rare Plant Communities ..................................................... 36 Resource Information .......................................................................................... 36 Minerals ............................................................................................................. 36 5 Grazing .............................................................................................................. 36 Plants ................................................................................................................. 36 Watershed Values ............................................................................................. 38 Recreation Use ................................................................................................. 38 Wildlife ............................................................................................................... 38 Transportation / Road System ......................................................................... 38 Historical Information .......................................................................................... 39 Research / Education Use & Interest .............................................................. 39 Cultural / Heritage ............................................................................................. 39 Disturbance History ......................................................................................... 39 Occurrence of Exotic Species ......................................................................... 39 Other Information ................................................................................................. 40 Permanent Research Plots and/or Photo Points ........................................... 40 Potential Research Topics ............................................................................... 40 Evaluation of Specific Management Recommendations .................................. 40 Potential or Existing Conflicts ......................................................................... 40 Special Management Area ..............................................................................