Forest Management Guidebook An Outcome-Based Approach to Water Quality Protection A publication of Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Inc. Authors: Kevin Drake and Michael Hogan Contributors: Martin Goldberg, Patricia Sussman, Dylan Eichenberg, Shelly Thomsen Content Editors: Debbie Hogan Document Layout and Graphic Design: Alexa Burke Project Manager: Kevin Drake This research was supported using funds provided by the Bureau of Land Man- agement through the sale of public lands as authorized by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), and was funded in part through a grant from the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station. The views in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station or the Bureau of Land Management. Forestry Handbook Acknowledgements This Guidebook is the outcome of interest and energy from a wide range of Thank you to Chad Praul and Trish Sussman (Environmental Incentives) for individuals and organizations. The idea of developing a document that fo- their assistance with early project scoping, targeted document review and cused on outcomes and a practical scientific process has been an out- input on policy integration. growth of two other efforts: The Sediment Source Control Handbook and the We would also like to thank the folks at the US Forest Service—Lake Tahoe Watershed Management Guidebook. Both of these products came out of Basin Management Unit for supporting this project, the Southern Nevada many years of discussion and work with Martin Goldberg, John Loomis, Har- Public Land Management Act for funding this project, and the US Forest Ser- old Singer, Scott Ferguson and many others. The real heavy lifting and clear vice—Pacific Southwest Research Station staff (Jonathon Long and Tiff van vision of how this document looks and feels came from Kevin Drake (IERS), a Huysen) for grant administration and ongoing encouragement. true partner, teacher and all-around inspiration. A special thanks also goes out to Dr. Ken Busse and Dr. Matt Hubbard from We believe this document is also the result of an unusual alignment of indi- the US Forest Service—Pacific Southwest Research Station for their input and viduals within organizations and agencies. It is likely that if just one of these clear-eyed approach to forestry issues and research. individuals was not present and supportive of this work, it may not have hap- pened, since whenever change is proposed, a great deal of resistance is This project has confirmed my belief that there are many very dedicated encountered. It is through these folks that we were encouraged to carry on. and capable individuals within public agencies and research organizations We feel fortunate to have their support and friendship. They include (in no who truly put good work and positive outcomes first. Thank you all. particular order): Martin Goldberg (Lake Valley District), Stewart McMorrow (formerly with North Tahoe Fire), Dave Jaramillo (Whole Earth Forestry), Mike We hope that this document can serve a small part in protecting and im- Vollmer (TRPA), Doug Cushman (Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control proving our watersheds throughout the West and can continue to lead to Board), and Kim Boyd (Tahoe Resource Conservation District). And last but new understanding of how those watersheds work and how we can find certainly not least, Dr. Mark Grismer (UC Davis), who is an ongoing inspiration that sweet spot between needed forestry vegetation management and and mentor to the rest of us ‘mere mortals’. water quality protection. A special thanks goes to Brian Hirt, Juan Carlos Urizar and Milan Yeates of the California Tahoe Conservancy for their support, special brand of enthusi- asm, flexibility and commitment to this project. Without their willingness to Michael Hogan make their fuels treatment sites available for study, we might still be in the planning phase of this project. Soil Scientist, Restoration Practitioner, There have been a number of folks who have offered encouragement, in- Integrated Environmental Restoration Services, Inc sight and support at various times during this project. During conversations with these folks, we recognized that there is a larger understanding of a need for focusing on actual outcomes. Elwood Miller, Rich Adams and For- est Schafer particularly come to mind. To others who we haven’t men- tioned, we truly hope that this document and the ideas it contains does jus- tice to your interest and support. Forestry Handbook 2 Forest Management Guidebook: An Outcome-Based Approach to Water Quality Protection AN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION SERVICES, INC. PUBLICATION June 2015 Table of Contents PAGE # Manifesto and Invitation ...………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………….. 6 User’s Guide ……………………...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…. 7 Navigation Guide …………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…………………........ 8 Quick Reference Guide ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………...….. 9 Integration with the Watershed Management Guidebook …………………………………………………………………………...……………….……………………….. 10 Video Links ………………..………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………...... 11 PART ONE: OUTCOME-BASED MANAGEMENT 13 Outcome-Based Management Overview…………...…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....…….. 14 PART TWO: TOOLKIT 17 Toolkit Table of Contents …………………………………...……………………………………………………………………………………...………………………...…..…….. 18 Introduction to the Toolkit …..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....………,.... 19 Step 1: Aiming ………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………...…..……. 20 Step 2: Gaining Understanding ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………...…. 28 Step 3: Doing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………...….. 60 Step 4: Achieving ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………...….. 106 Step 5: Improving ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……..……….. 132 PART THREE: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 139 Annotated Bibliography Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…………….... 140 Introduction to the Annotated Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….……. 140 Pile Burning …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……..…….. 141 Broadcast Burning …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……..……. 141 Mechanical Treatment …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………..…… 143 Road and Travel Management ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………...… 144 Assessment Tools ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…... 147 Targeted Water Quality Monitoring …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……. 148 Forestry Handbook 4 5 Forestry Handbook Manifesto Invitation This Guidebook is a departure from the standard ‘how to’ approach to envi- This Guidebook is an invitation to participate in creating a different sort of ronmental protection practices. There is no shortage of prescriptive guid- future than is currently outlined: a future where outcomes, and learning from ance for a wide range of environmental protection and improvement activ- those outcomes, is embraced, and where innovation and improvement is ities, including forestry projects. However, we recognized a significant gap in incentivized. Accepting this invitation requires humility, commitment and the the literature regarding carrying projects through to a desired outcome, ra- willingness to swim upstream against the strong currents of ‘common sense’. ther than assuming that the action taken would produce the outcome in- However, if this invitation is accepted by a significant number of practition- tended. With that in mind, we set out to produce a document that provides ers, planners and regulatory staff, we believe that we can reverse the trends guidance that can, if used intentionally, actually help achieve forest vege- toward soil degradation in many forest treatment projects and can produce tation management goals, specifically as those goals relate to water quality substantial improvements in watershed function and condition. protection. Some amount of soil damage and loss is generally considered to be inevita- What we have come to believe, through years of field observations and ble in forest vegetation management. That may not be the case in all cir- measurements, is that regulatory rules and predictive models alone do not cumstances. We believe the future holds the clear possibility that vegetation always produce the intended outcomes in the field and on the ground. We management and other forestry activities can play a key role in improving have come to the conclusion that a different way of approaching projects water quality and watershed-wide resilience. And we believe that these is required. That is, we have come to realize that we need to CHECK or AS- outcomes can be achieved in a very cost-effective manner. We hope that SESS project outcomes in order to have any real sense of whether those pro- this Guidebook provides a healthy mix of guidance and encouragement for jects are actually achieving the intended goals. But beyond checking we those of you who accept this invitation. believe that taking follow-up actions when goals are not met can be the crux of the outcome-based management process and also the foundation