Appendix a Analysis of Proposed Management Area Changes Prepared to Support the Izenbrown Corners Project Environmental Assessment and Implementation Plan
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Appendix A Analysis of Proposed Management Area Changes Prepared to Support the Izenbrown Corners Project Environmental Assessment and Implementation Plan USDA Forest Service Allegheny National Forest Bradford Ranger District Warrants 5248, 5226, 5275, 5227, and 5228, in Watson Township, Warren County; Warrants 5276, 5225, 5224, 5277, 5205, 5206, 5222, 5278, 5279, 5204, 5207, 5208, 5280 and 5203 in Limestone Township, Warren County; and Warrants 5280, 5203, 5207, 5208, 5209, 1259, 5202, 5201 and 3693 in Hickory Township Forest County, Pennsylvania. Prepared and signed by: Steve Dowlan Bradford Ranger District Planning Team Leader Edited and Reviewed by: Glenn Howard Allegheny National Forest NEPA Coordinator Izenbrown Corners Project Appendix A - Analysis of Management Area Changes Page i Table of Contents Analysis Framework ........................................................................................................ 1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 1 Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................... 3 Effects Common to Both Alternatives ............................................................................................. 3 No Action ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Proposed Action ............................................................................................................................... 4 Tables Table 1 Comparison of Management Area suitability for activities and uses _________________________ 4 Table 2 Change in percentage of MAs within the project area and within ANF _______________________ 6 Figures Figure 1 Extent and arrangement of wildlife openings, red pine plantations and mowed corridors in the Economite area _________________________________________________________________________________________ 2 Figure 2 Aerial views of habitat in the area proposed for MA changes in the Economite area _________________ 2 Figure 3 Examples of habitat conditions in the Izenbrown Corners project area ____________________________ 3 Izenbrown Corners Project Appendix A - Analysis of Management Area Changes Page ii Analysis Framework Site-specific forest plan amendments may be proposed to allow projects or other activities to deviate from certain forest Plan direction. These amendments occur only for a specific area or a specific project. They do not lead to changes in forest plan language, and if changes are made to management area map layers, they are made only for the area affected. The most recent planning rule requires a plan amendment to add, modify, or remove one or more plan components, or to change how or where one or more plan components apply to all or part of the plan area (including management areas or geographic areas) (36 CFR. 219.13(a); 77 Federal Register 21268). The proposed ANF Forest Plan amendment to adjust management areas is based on an evaluation of vegetation conditions, as well as historical and current Forest Service and public uses boundaries in an area known as Economite. Economite is a loosely-defined area of Forest Service land in Limestone Township, Warren County, historically owned and managed for timber production by a religious society known as the Harmony Society (Grishaver 2013). Because they named their main community along the Ohio River in Pennsylvania “Economy”, they were locally referred to as the “Economites”. This historical context for the name of the area has no relevance or relationship to any proposed management activities. This analysis applies available geospatial information and field observations, including aerial photographs to conduct: • A qualitative analysis of proposed changes to the location and configuration of management area units based on specific management area objectives for the affected management areas, including suitable uses and activities and management emphasis and; • A quantitative analysis of changes to the overall amount (in acres) of affected management areas within the project area and the Allegheny National Forest as a whole. Affected Environment The proposed change to MA designation applies specifically and only to 761 acres, or 0.15% of Forest Service land within ANF (excludes area covered by water). It does not change any statement regarding contribution to desired condition, objectives, standards or guidelines as contained in ANF Forest Plan for any of the MAs affected. Proposed changes do not alter boundaries for MA 5.1 (Designated Wilderness), MA 8.1 (Wild and Scenic River), or MA 8.2 (National Recreation Area). Within the portion of Economite currently designated as MA 2.2, but proposed for MA 1.0 (Figure 1 and Figure 2), 108 acres are composed of red pine stands between 71 and 83 years old, and 95 acres are composed of hardwood timber stands of varying species composition between 27 and 113 years old. Red Pine stands were established as plantations on the ANF, and the ranked rows of trees, many of which are in declining health, lack the natural complex structure, diversity, and appearance of a naturally established forest. Most of these stands have a vigorous understory composed of non-native invasive plant species. Although 34 acres are typed as “open” and currently managed as permanent grassy wildlife openings, these mapped boundaries do not accurately reflect portions of both red pine and mixed hardwood stands that are mowed and maintained as open corridors by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. These areas increase the total number of open acres. Within the portion of Economite currently designated as MA 3.0, but proposed for MA 1.0, approximately 14 acres are composed of red pine plantations, 56 acres of hardwood stands in a similar age-class range. Mowed corridors are also prevalent in this area. Maintenance of mowed corridors was initiated prior to the 2007 ANF Forest Plan revision. Izenbrown Corners Project Appendix A - Analysis of Management Area Changes Page 1 Figure 1 Extent and arrangement of wildlife openings, red pine plantations and mowed corridors in the Economite area Crosshatched areas represent managed wildlife openings and red pine plantations. Other lines represent open roads and corridors mowed and maintained by Pennsylvania Game Commission. Figure 2 Aerial views of habitat in the area proposed for MA changes in the Economite area Red pine plantations, permanent grassy openings and mowed corridors are clearly visible in the photo at left (Proposed MA 1.0). The broken line is the project area boundary adjacent to Hickory Creek Wilderness. Within the portion of Economite that is currently MA 3.0, but proposed for MA 2.2, 193 acres are composed of hardwood stands between 27 and 89 years old, 92 acres are composed of eastern white pine, eastern hemlock stands, or a mix of these species between 73 and 88 years old, and seven acres are open or are composed of an upland shrub community. Recreational uses in the Economite area include equestrian trail riding, hunting, hiking, and birdwatching. All recreational trails, including those used by equestrian riders have been user created, and none have been designed or built to any standard. The designated EUA in the Economite area crosses MA Izenbrown Corners Project Appendix A - Analysis of Management Area Changes Page 2 boundaries now, and includes portions of MA 2.2 and MA 3.0. Cross-country and on-trail equestrian use is suitable in both MAs. Recreation trails and other developments would be constructed and maintained to the appropriate development level associated with a Roaded Natural Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) class within both MAs (USDA – FS 2007a, pp. 110 and 114). Figure 3 Examples of habitat conditions in the Izenbrown Corners project area Structure of a typical Structure of a typical naturally- Structure of a typical mowed plantation red pine stand in generated hardwood stand in opening in the Izenbrown the Izenbrown Corners project the Izenbrown Corners project Corners project area. Mowed area. The shrub layer is area. The shrub layer is corridors may be wider or composed largely of non- composed largely of native narrower than this example native invasive plants and plants, and little or no Photo by S. Dowlan. little or no diversity of native occurrence of non-native plants is present within or invasive plants. Photo by S. immediately below the canopy. Dowlan. Photo by A. Moore. Environmental Consequences Effects Common to Both Alternatives All components of the Izenbrown Corners Project Proposed Action could be implemented without any change to MA designation. All of the stands or permanent grassy openings could be treated as described under the Proposed Action without changes to MA designation. No specific proposed activity is inconsistent with any suitability factor, objective, or management standard for MA 2.2 or MA 3.0. Management objectives for MA 2.2 include providing early structural habitat (0 to 20 years old) on 4 to 6 percent of the MA in oak forest types, and on 2 to 4 percent in non-oak forest types (Forest Plan page 109). No Action The area currently designated as MA 2.2 would continue to be managed as a late structural linkage between Hickory Creek Wilderness and the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River Corridor. Within forested stands, characteristics of late structural forests (Forest Plan page 109), including a continuous high forest canopy, large