MOHAWK/McGOWAN WATERSHED ANALYSIS BLM MAY 1995 Chapter 1 Introduction What Is Watershed Analysis Watershed analysis is a systematic procedure for characterizing watershed and ecological processes to meet specific management and social objectives. Throughout the analytical process the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is trying to gain an understanding about how the physical, biological, and social processes are intertwined. The objective is to identify where linkages and processes (functions) are in jeopardy and where processes are complex. The physical processes at work in a watershed establish limitations upon the biological relationships. The biological adaptations of living organisms balance in natural systems; however, social processes have tilted the balance toward resource extraction. The BLM attempt in the Mohawk/McGowan analysis is to collect baseline resource information and understand where physical, biological and social processes are or will be in conflict. What Watershed Analysis Is NOT Watershed analysis is not an inventory process, and it is not a detailed study of everything in the watershed. Watershed analysis is built around the most important issues. Data gaps will be identified and subsequent iterations of watershed analysis will attempt to fill in the important pieces. Watershed analysis is not intended to be detailed, site-specific project planning. Watershed analysis provides the framework in the context of the larger landscape and looks at the "big picture." It identifies and prioritizes potential project opportunities. Watershed analysis is not done under the direction and limitations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). When specific projects are proposed, more detailed project level planning will be done. An Environmental Assessment will be completed at that time. Watershed analysis is not a decision making document. Products and Outcomes of Watershed Analysis The watershed analysis will provide some of the following: A description of the resource capabilities, needs and opportunities. Spatially explicit information that will identify processes and functions operating within the watershed, and help facilitate environmental and cumulative effects analysis for NEPA. Identification of data gaps. Guidance for developing monitoring strategies and objectives. Guidance for designation of Riparian Reserves at the landscape level. A list of potential opportunities that are appropriate to the watershed under the Forest Plan. The Legal Basis for Watershed Analysis Watershed analysis is required by the Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (ROD) and the Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (S&Gs). The term "Forest Plan" is used to denote the document that contains the ROD and S&Gs. Chapter 1, M/M Watershed Analysis, 6/ 9/95, 1409 1 The Forest Plan provides a scientifically sound and legally responsible approach to managing Federal forest lands that takes into consideration all elements of the ecosystem. It focuses on reducing fragmented late- successional forests and restoring watersheds to provide healthy riparian and fish habitats. The Forest Plan is notable for focusing on all the components that make up the ecosystem rather than focusing on a single resource. Watershed analysis focuses on implementing the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) of the Forest Plan. The Record of Decision for the Forest Plan states that "Watershed Analysis is required in Key Watersheds, for roadless areas in Non-Key Watersheds, and Riparian Reserves prior to determining how proposed land management activities meet Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives. Ultimately, watershed analysis should be conducted in all watersheds on Federal lands as a basis for ecosystem planning and management" (USDA, USDI Record of Decision, 1994). Watershed analysis was recognized as an evolutionary process whereby a system of pilot projects were initiated to test the Federal Agency Guide for Pilot Watershed Analysis (Regional Ecosystem Office, 1994). During an interim period, Fiscal Years 1994-96, non-pilot watershed analysis would consider using the FY 1994-96 Watershed Analysis Guidelines (Interagency Watershed Analysis Coordination Team, 1994). The Mohawk/McGowan watershed is not a pilot project and has followed the aforementioned "interim" guidance. Steps Utilized in Watershed Analysis The steps utilized in watershed analysis include: Identify issues and formulate key questions Identify and prioritize key processes and functions Assemble analytic information Analyze information using the Federal Agency Guide, the Eugene District Guide, or Washington's TFW (Timber, Fish, Wildlife) process Describe the past and current watershed conditions Describe key processes, functions, and linkages Describe likely future scenarios List management opportunities Develop guidance for monitoring strategy and objectives Management Direction and Data Utilized The Eugene District Leadership Team identified 3 watersheds as high priority for watershed analysis in 1995. These watersheds contain numerous potential projects for implementing the Forest Plan in 1995, 1996, and beyond. Mohawk/McGowan is one of those 3 watersheds. The following core team was formed to conduct the Mohawk/McGowan watershed analysis. These members relied on a network of District personnel to aid in data gathering and arrangement. Member Responsibility Mabel Alejandro Physical Chris Haubrich Geographical Information System Lynn Larson Vegetation Lee Lauritzen Management Raul Morales Biological Patricia Wilson Social Jerry Richeson Team Lead 2 Chapter 1, M/M Watershed Analysis, 6/ 9/95, 1409 This analysis was conducted using existing data; the time frame for analysis completion did not allow for additional data/information collection. The Area Manager (Lee Lauritzen) was satisfied with the data used to develop conclusions/opportunities in this analysis. If data did not exist to make a conclusion, then the conclusion was not made. An area identified as the Coburg Hills Fringe lies just outside the watershed to the west. Due to their "connectedness," certain values/issues (see Chapter 3) for this fringe area are included in this analysis. Weyerhaeuser Company has conducted a watershed analysis for the upper Mohawk River and Mill Creek. Weyerhaeuser and BLM have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share data. Various elements of Weyerhaeuser's analysis were reviewed, and the M/M core team decided to use the data and interpretations for some of those elements. The elements/areas where Weyerhaeuser's data/interpretations are used will be noted in the representative narratives. Maps created for those elements are a composite of BLM and Weyerhaeuser data/interpretations. Public Involvement On October 13, 1994, letters were sent to 24 key public contacts. Lee Lauritzen, Area Manager, contacted some key public contacts by phone or in person to discuss with them the Mohawk/McGowan analysis area. Public notices were published in the Eugene Register Guard and Springfield News to obtain comments from the public regarding the Mohawk/McGowan analysis area. Flyers were mailed to 110 individuals who had through a questionnaire expressed an interest in knowing when the Eugene District BLM would be conducting watershed analysis. Flyers were posted at 3 businesses within the Mohawk/McGowan watershed to let the public know we were doing watershed analysis and who they could contact to obtain information or give comments. The December 1994 Eugene District mailer includes an announcement about the Mohawk/McGowan watershed analysis process beginning and who to call for more information. There was very little public response to the BLM letters and flyers. Upon the completion of the document, a briefing will be held for interested publics. H:\RES\WP\CHAPT'1.M&M Chapter 1, M/M Watershed Analysis, 6/ 9/95, 1409 3 References Interagency Watershed analysis Coordination Team. 1994. FY 1994-96 Watershed Analysis Guidelines. Regional Ecosystem Office, June. Regional Ecosystem Office. 1994. A Federal Guide for Pilot Watershed Analysis. January. Portland, OR. USDA, Forest Service and USDI, BLM. 1994. "Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Norther Spotted Owl, Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Fores related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl." April. p.B-20. 4 Chapter 1, M/M Watershed Analysis, 6/ 9/95, 1409 Chapter 2 Description of Mohawk/McGowan Watershed Watershed Location The Mohawk/McGowan Watershed is located northeast of Eugene/Springfield and covers 87,887 acres (see Figure 1). The watershed is within the Willamette Province established by the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) and the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO). Mohawk/McGowan Watershed lies in the McKenzie Resource Area of the Eugene District, Bureau of Land Management. The Mohawk River is the lowest major watershed in the McKenzie River system. Coburg Hills Fringe Area - Approximately 3,952 acres that are not in the Mohawk/McGowan Watershed are included in this analysis for specific values/issues (see Chapter 3). This area is identified as the Coburg Hills Fringe Area and is in the upper elevations of the Coburg Hills west of the Mohawk/McGowan Watershed.