GPNF Land and Resource Management Plan, 1990 00_Preface.doc,1 Land and Resource Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement Gifford Pinchot National Forest Preface This Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) has been prepared according to Secretary of Agriculture regulations (36 CFR 219) which are based on the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA). The Plan has also been developed in accordance with regulations (40 CFR 1500) for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Because this Plan is considered a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, a detailed statement (environmental impact statement) has been prepared as required by NEPA. The Forest Plan represents the implementation of the Preferred Alternative as identified in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Forest Plan. If any particular provision of this Forest Plan, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, is found to be invalid, the remainder of the Forest Plan and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. Additional information about this Plan is available from: Forest Supervisor Gifford Pinchot National Forest PO Box 8944 6926 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98668-8944 (206) 696-7500 GPNF Land and Resource Management Plan 01_Introduction.doc, 1 Chapter I Forest Plan Introduction Purpose of the Forest Plan The Forest Plan guides all natural resource management activities and establishes management Standards/Guidelines for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It describes resource management practices, levels of resource production and management, and the availability and suitability of lands for resource management. The Forest Plan: 1. Establishes Forest-wide multiple-use goals and objectives. 2. Establishes Forest-wide Standards/Guidelines applying to future activities. 3. Establishes management direction including Management Area Prescriptions and Standards/Guidelines applying to future management activities in that Management Area. 4. Establishes the allowable sale quantity for timber and identifies land suitable for timber management. 5. Establishes Monitoring and Evaluation requirements. 6. Establishes nonwilderness multiple-use allocations for the Wobbly Roadless Area that was reviewed under 36 CFR 219.17 and not recommended for Wilderness designation. The Forest Plan embodies the provisions of the National Forest Management Act, the implementing regulations, and other guiding documents. Land use determinations, Prescriptions, and Standards/Guidelines constitute a statement of the Plan's management direction; however, the projected outputs, services, and rates of implementation are dependent upon the annual budgeting process. The Plan will be revised on a 10-year cycle, or at least every 15 years. Relationship of the Forest Plan to Other Documents Relationship to the EIS and Record of Decision This Forest Plan sets forth the direction for managing the land and resources of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. the Plan results from extensive analysis and considerations addressed in the accompanying Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). The planning process and the analysis procedures used to develop this Plan are described or referred to in the FEIS. The FEIS also describes other alternatives considered in the planning process. Specific activities and projects will be planned and implemented to carry out the direction of this Plan. The Forest will perform environmental analyses on these projects and activities. Subsequent environmental analysis will use the data and evaluations in the Plan and Environmental Impact Statement as its basis. Environmental analysis of projects will be tiered to the FEIS accompanying this Forest Plan. GPNF Land and Resource Management Plan 01_Introduction.doc, 2 Relationship to the Regional Guide The Regional Guide for the Pacific Northwest Region as amended December 8, 1988, provides direction for National Forest Plans. It includes Standards and Guidelines addressing the major issues and management concerns considered at the regional level to facilitate Forest planning. Relationship to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument The eruption of Mount St. Helens occurred in May of 1980 In August 1982, Congress passed an Act establishing the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. It required development of a detailed Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) for the area. Prepared after extensive public involvement, the CMP was approved in October 1985, and is incorporated into this Forest Plan. This complies with 36 CFR 219.2(b) which states, ì...in a particular case, special area authorities require the preparation of a separate special area plan, the direction of any such plan may be incorporated without modification in plans prepared under these regulations. The CMP is incorporated as a part of the Forest Plan because it is a current and long-term plan, providing research, recreation, and other opportunities. In addition, the CMP provides for the construction of roads and recreational and other facilities expected to be worth more than $60 million by the time they are completed. All construction contracts related to the CMP are expected to be awarded by the end of 1991. To date, approximately $40 million in contracts have been awarded. The May 1989 budget provided for an additional $17.7 million in federal funds and $5.9 million in state and county matching funds. Congress is expected to approve additional funding for the Coldwater Lake/Johnston Ridge Recreation Area, scheduled for completion in 1993/94. Inasmuch as the design, construction, and funding of these projects requires a number of years for completion, it is desirable that the CMP remain in force for that period of time. When the Forest Plan is revised (scheduled for 10 - 15 years after approval), the CMP shall be integrated with, and periodically revised as a component of, the Forest Plan. Relationship to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area The recently-created Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area includes lands within and adjacent to both the Mt. Hood and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. Plans for the National Scenic Area will not be included in the Forest Plans presently being prepared for each Forest. When completed, these Forest Plans may be amended or revised to include all or portions of plans for the National Scenic Area, if the Regional Forester determines that such changes are desirable. Relationship to the Vegetative Management Plan The Forest Plan incorporates the Pacific Northwest Region’s FEIS for Managing Competing and Unwanted Vegetation. In implementing the Forest Plan through project activities, the Forest will comply with the Record of Decision issued by the Regional Forester dated December 8, 1988, and the Mediated Agreement of May, 1989. Use of vegetation treatment methods (biological, manual, technical, prescribed fire, and herbicides) is allowed only when other strategies (e.g., prevention) are ineffective or will unreasonably increase project costs. Relationship to Other Plans GPNF Land and Resource Management Plan 01_Introduction.doc, 3 The Forest Plan serves as the single Land Management Plan for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This plan replaces the following land management plans: Clear Creek Unit Plan 10/21/76 Upper Lewis Unit Plan 11/03/76 Trapper/Siouxon Unit Plan 09/20/77 Bear Creek Unit Plan 04/20/78 Upper Cispus Unit Plan 05/12/78 Lone Tree Unit Plan 05/16/78 Cowlitz Unit Plan 06/21/79 Mount St. Helens Land Management Plan 10/15/81 Multiple Use Plans on those portions of the Forest not covered by unit plans. In addition, this plan replaces the "Part One Land Management Plan" (11/01/79) Upon implementation of this plan, all management activities must comply with it. In addition, all permits, contracts, and other instruments for the use and occupancy of National Forest System lands and resource uses must be made to conform with the Forest Plan as soon as possible (36 CFR 219.10(e)). Certain implementation and action plans providing detailed direction are under the "umbrella" of this Forest Plan. They either conform to direction in the Forest Plan or will be brought into compliance. All other resource management plans are invalid upon approval of the Forest Plan. Included under the umbrella of the Plan are: • Plant and Wildlife Sensitive Species Management Guides • Plant Association and Management Guides • Five-Year Nursery Improvement and Development Plan • Tree Improvement Plan • Soil Management Guidelines • Geologic Resource and Conditions Map • Rock Resource Management Plan • Road Management Plan • Forest Travel Plan • Peeled Cedar Management Plan • Management Policy Statement for Bear Creek Watershed, 1967 • "1932 Handshake Agreement" between Chief Yallup and Forest Supervisor Bruckert granting Native American exclusive berrypicking rights to a portion of the Sawtooth Berryfields east of Forest Road 24. • "Establishment Reports and Management Prescriptions for each Research Natural Area." GPNF Land and Resource Management Plan 01_Introduction.doc, 4 Plan Structure The Forest Plan is organized into five chapters, a glossary, and appendix material. It includes: Chapter I - An Introduction describes the purpose of the Forest Plan, summarizes its contents, describes the land to which it will be applied, and places