Green Mountain United States Department of Agriculture National Forest Forest Service Eastern Region R9-GM-FP Land and Resource February 2006 Management Plan This document is available in large print. Contact the Green Mountain National Forest Supervisor’s Office 1-802-747-6700 TTY 1-802-747-6765 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, 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, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250- 9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (2006 Forest Plan) Eastern Region Milwaukee, Wisconsin February 2006 Responsible Agency USDA Forest Service Responsible Official Randy Moore, Regional Forester Gaslight Building, Suite 700 626 E. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53203 414-297-3765 For further information contact Melissa Reichert, Forest Planner Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests 231 N. Main St. Rutland, VT 05701 802-747-6754 [email protected] Green Mountain National Forest Addison County Bennington County Rutland County Washington County Windham County Windsor County As the population of the country rises and demands on the timber, forage, water, wildlife, and recreation resources increase, the national forests more and more provide for the material needs of the individual, the economies of the towns and States, and contribute to the Nation’s strength and well-being. Thus the national forests serve the people. - Edward P. Cliff, Ninth Chief of the USDA Forest Service, The USDA Forest Service – The First Century, FS 650, Washington DC, July 2000. Table of Contents Table of Contents List of Tables v List of Figures vi Chapter 1 – Introduction Introduction 2 Implementing the 2006 Forest Plan 4 Chapter 2 – Forest-wide Management Direction Role of the Forest 8 Forest-wide Goals and Objectives 10 Forest-wide Standards and Guidelines 19 Chapter 3 – Management Area Direction Introduction 46 Diverse Forest Use 47 Wilderness 49 Remote Backcountry Forest 54 Diverse Backcountry 58 Remote Wildlife Habitat 60 Alpine Ski Areas 63 Appalachian National Scenic Trail 66 Long National Recreation Trail 73 Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area 79 Alpine/Subalpine Special Areas 82 Green Mountain Escarpment 86 Existing and Candidate Research Natural Areas 90 Ecological Special Areas 94 Recreation Special Areas 98 Moosalamoo Recreation and Education Area 100 Alpine Ski Area Expansion 103 Eligible Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers 105 Green Mountain National Forest Page iii Table of Contents Chapter 4 – Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and Evaluation 110 Chapter 5 – Literature Cited Literature Cited in the 2006 Forest Plan 119 Chapter 6 – Glossary Glossary Terms 121 Chapter 7 – Index Index 158 Appendices Appendix A. Analysis of the Management Situation Summary A-1 Appendix B. Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Mapping Criteria B-1 Appendix C. Management Indicator Species C-1 Appendix D. Proposed and Probable Practices and Goods Produced D-1 Appendix E. Relevant Statutes, Regulations, Policies, and Agreements E-1 Appendix F. Maps F-1 Smokey Bear and Fisherman at the Fish Derby, photo courtesy of Scott Wixsom Page iv Green Mountain National Forest Table of Contents List of Tables Table Number Page Table 2.2-1: Long-term Composition Objectives for all GMNF Lands 11 Table 2.2-2: Age Class Objectives for Suitable Lands 11 Table 2.2-3: Rotation Ages 12 Table 2.3-1: Protective Strip Width Guide (based on AMPs) 20 Table 2.3-2: Visual Condition Guidelines for On-Site and Off-Site Views 38 Table 2.3-3: Visual Condition Guidelines Related to Timber Harvesting Activities for the 39 GMNF Table 3.1-1: Designated Wilderness 50 Table 3.1-2: Average Rotation Length by Forest Type 80 Table 3.1-3: Existing Research Natural Areas 90 Table 3.1-4: Candidate Research Natural Areas 90 Table 3.1-5: Ecological Special Areas and Related Special Values 94 Table 3.1-6: Recreation Special Areas and Related Special Values 98 Table 3.1-7: Rivers Eligible as Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers 106 Table 4.1-1: Monitoring Categories 111 Table 4.1-2: Required Monitoring Elements 114 Table 4.1-3: Other Monitoring 117 Green Mountain National Forest Page v Table of Contents List of Figures Figure Number Page Figure 1.1-1 Location of the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont 2 Figure 4.1-1 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Management 112 View from Appalachian Trail, photo courtesy of David Lacy Page vi Green Mountain National Forest Chapter 1 Introduction to the Forest Plan 1.1.1. Introduction 2 The Green Mountain National Forest 2 Purpose of the Forest Plan 2 Revising the 1987 Forest Plan 3 Consultation with Tribes 3 1.1.2 Implementing the 2006 Forest Plan 4 Basic Principles of Management 4 Tools and Techniques 4 Site-Level Projects 5 Operational Activities Exempt from National Environmental Policy Act 5 Procedures Budgets 6 Forest Plan Amendments 6 Introduction Chapter 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE FOREST PLAN 1.1.1 Introduction The Green Mountain National Forest The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) encompasses more than 400,000 acres in southwestern and central Vermont, forming the largest contiguous public land area in the State (Figure 1.1-1). Characterized by striking scenery that combines rugged mountain peaks with quintessential Vermont villages, the Forest is an attraction for many visitors. The GMNF signifies a multiple-use ethic through its role of providing ecological and science-based forest stewardship, clean water, diverse vegetation, high-value, high-quality forest products, economical and educational contributions, and trail-based backcountry recreation. Located within a day’s drive of more than 70 million people, the GMNF is a destination for visitors seeking a variety of recreation opportunities. The Forest includes three nationally designated trails: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Long National Recreation Trail, and the Robert Frost National Recreation Trail. The Forest also includes three alpine ski areas, seven Nordic ski areas, and approximately 900 miles of multiple-use trails for hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, and bicycling. In addition to Figure 1.1-1: Location of the Green recreation opportunities, the Forest includes a Mountain National Forest in Vermont variety of species of plants and animals. Northern hardwoods, softwoods, rare and Purpose of the Forest Plan unique plants, fish, birds, and numerous animals of all sizes are part of the attraction for The Forest Plan, also known as the Land and visitors. Resource Management Plan, guides all natural resource management activities for the GMNF. The USDA Forest Service manages the GMNF, It describes Forest-wide goals and objectives, aided by partners, other agencies, and management area desired resource conditions, individuals. There are two Ranger Districts: the standards and guidelines for implementation of Manchester in southwest Vermont and the projects, levels of resource production and Rochester-Middlebury in central Vermont. The management, and the availability of suitable Forest Headquarters is currently located in land for resource management. Rutland, Vermont. Page 2 Green Mountain National Forest Chapter 1 Introduction The purpose of the Forest Plan is to provide (Section 2.1.7) of the Final EIS. The Forest management direction to ensure that Plan is a result of extensive analysis and ecosystems are capable of providing a considerations addressed in the accompanying sustainable flow of beneficial goods and Final EIS. The 2006 Forest Plan completely services to the public. More specifically, the replaces the 1987 Forest Plan. Plan establishes: • How the Forest should look if the Forest Forest Plan Revision in the Future Plan is fully implemented (Goals and Desired Conditions) The GMNF Forest Supervisor is required to • Measurable, planned results that review conditions of the land at least every five contribute to reaching the desired years to determine if the Forest Plan needs to conditions (Objectives) be revised. If monitoring and evaluation • Required action or resource status indicate that immediate changes are needed designed to meet the desired conditions and these needed changes cannot be handled and objectives (Standards) by a Plan amendment, then it would be • Preferable action used to reach desired necessary to revise the Plan. conditions and objectives (Guidelines) • Management Direction that is applicable Forest Service Planning Rules Forest-wide • Management direction that is applicable This Forest Plan revision process was only to specific management areas conducted under the 1982 version of the Forest • Management direction that is applicable Service planning rules as stated in 36 CFR 219. only to specific landscape ecosystems The Forest Service developed revised planning rules that were approved in 2005; however, • Monitoring and evaluation requirements they were not adopted by the GMNF during • Designation