Revised Land and Resource Management Plan United States Department of Agriculture Sumter National Forest Forest Service Southern Region Management Bulletin R8-MB 116A January 2004 Revised Land and Resource Management Plan Sumter National Forest Abbeville, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Saluda, and Union Counties Responsible Agency: USDA–Forest Service Responsible Official: Robert Jacobs, Regional Forester USDA–Forest Service Southern Region 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, GA 33067-9102 For Information Contact: Jerome Thomas, Forest Supervisor 4931 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29212-3530 Telephone: (803) 561-4000 January 2004 The picnic shelter on the cover was originally named the Charles Suber Recreational Unit and was planned in 1936. The lake and picnic area including a shelter were built in 1938-1939. The original shelter was found inadequate and a modified model B-3500 shelter was constructed probably by the CCC from camp F-6 in 1941. The name of the recreation area was changed in 1956 to Molly’s Rock Picnic Area, which was the local unofficial name. The name originates from a sheltered place between and under two huge boulders once inhabited by an African- American woman named Molly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1 — Introduction To The Forest Plan Purpose of the Forest Plan .................................................................................. 1-1 Relationship of the Forest Plan to Other Documents Plan Structure .................. 1-1 Plan Structure ...................................................................................................... 1-2 Forest Description ................................................................................................ 1-2 Summary of the Analysis of Management Situation ........................................... 1-3 Summary of the Issues ......................................................................................... 1-3 Chapter 2 — Forestwide Direction Riparian Area Management, Water Quality, Aquatic Habitats, Soil and Air ....... 2-1 Wildlife Habitat and Vegetation .......................................................................... 2-5 Proposed, Endangered, Threatened, Sensitive, (PETS) and Locally-rare Species ................................................................................. 2-8 Special Areas, Rare Communities and Old Growth ............................................ 2-9 Forest Health ...................................................................................................... 2-11 Wood products and Special Forest Products ..................................................... 2-15 Fire Management ............................................................................................... 2-18 Recreation—Developed, Dispersed and Backcountry ....................................... 2-21 Roadless Areas and Wilderness Management ................................................... 2-23 Wild and Scenic Rivers ..................................................................................... 2-24 Aesthetics/Scenery Management ....................................................................... 2-26 Heritage Resources ............................................................................................ 2-27 Minerals and Geology ........................................................................................ 2-28 Access and Road Management .......................................................................... 2-29 Lands and Special Uses ..................................................................................... 2-30 Chapter 3 – Management Prescriptions 1A—Designated Wilderness Area ....................................................................... 3-1 1B—Recommended Wilderness Study Areas ...................................................... 3-6 2A—Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor ................................................ 3-8 2A1—Designated Wild River Segments (Chattooga River) ............................. 3-13 2A2—Designated Scenic River Segments (Chattooga River) .......................... 3-15 2A3—Designated Recreational River Segments (Chattooga River) ...................................................................................................... 3-16 4D—Botanical / Zoological Areas ..................................................................... 3-18 4F—Scenic Areas .............................................................................................. 3-19 4G1—Calhoun Experimental Forest ................................................................. 3-20 5A—Administrative Sites ................................................................................. 3-21 5B—Designated Communication/Electronic Sites ........................................... 3-21 5C—Designated Utility Corridors ..................................................................... 3-22 6C —Old Growth Areas managed with a Mix of Natural Processes and Restoration Activities ........................................................ 3-22 7A—Scenic Byway Corridor ............................................................................. 3-23 7D—Concentrated Recreation Zone .................................................................. 3-24 7E1—Dispersed Recreation Areas .................................................................... 3-25 7E2—Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management .................... 3-26 8A1—Mix of Successional Forest Habitats ...................................................... 3-27 8B2—Woodland and Grassland/Savanna Habitats ........................................... 3-29 9A3—Watershed Restoration Areas .................................................................. 3-31 9F—Rare Communities ..................................................................................... 3-32 9G2—Restoration of Upland Oak-Hickory and Mixed Pine-Oak-Hickory Forests ......................................................... 3-37 10B—High Quality Forest Products (Piedmont Only) ...................................... 3-38 11—Riparian Corridors ..................................................................................... 3-39 12A—Remote Backcountry Recreation—Few Roads ...................................... 3-44 Chapter 4 – Management Areas Management Area 1—Turkey Creek and Upper Stevens Creek ......................... 4-2 Management Area 2—Chattooga River ............................................................... 4-5 Management Area 3—Blue Ridge Foothills ........................................................ 4-8 Management Area 4—Piedmont ....................................................................... 4-10 Chapter 5 — Implementation Interpretation of Desired Condition Percentages of Successional Habitat ....................................................................................... 5-1 Monitoring and Evaluation .................................................................................. 5-2 Appendixes Appendix A—Relevant Statues, Regulations, Policies and Agreements Appendix B—Glossary Appendix C—Riparian Corridors Appendix D—Suitability for Timber Production and Timber Sale Program Appendix E —Monitoring Summary Table Appendix F—Possible Outputs and Activities for the First 10 Years (Average Annual) Appendix G—Mining Proposal Evaluation Process Appendix H—Vegetation Management Practices Appendix I—Resource Maps Preface This Revised Land and Resource Management was developed and defines goals, objectives and Plan (Forest Plan) has been prepared according standards. Followed by the specific goals, to Secretary of Agriculture regulations (36 CFR objectives and standards. 219) which are based on the Forest and The “ Management Prescriptions” section Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act provides 27 unique land allocations on the (RPA) as amended by the National Forest Sumter. Within this section, management Management Act of 1976 (NFMA). The Forest prescriptions are defined. Each prescription Plan has also been developed in accordance with includes an emphasis, desired condition, regulations (40 CFR 1500) for implementing the objectives (if needed) and standards (if needed). National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 At the beginning of this section you will find a (NEPA). A detailed statement (Environmental map showing the location of each prescription Impact Statement) has been prepared as required and the acreage. by NFMA (36 CFR 219.10). The Forest Plan The “Management Areas” section provides represents the selected alternative as identified in four unique management areas on the Sumter. the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Within this section, the two types of the