Forest Management Plan Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Trust Lands May 5, 2016 Prepared by Forest Stewards Cullowhee, NC Forest Management Plan May 5, 2016 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Concur: _______________, 2016 Superintendent Cherokee Agency Approved: ____________, 2016 Approved: ____________, 2016 Patrick H. Lambert, Regional Director Principal Chief Eastern Regional Office Eastern Band Cherokee Indian By Tribal Resolution No. 230 Contents Page Figures................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables .................................................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. 1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2. Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 3 3. Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................................................... 5 4. EBCI Trust Land Description ............................................................................................................ 8 Topography and Climate ................................................................................................................ 8 Location/Infrastructure/Land Use .................................................................................................. 9 5. History .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Ownership History........................................................................................................................ 11 Land Use History .......................................................................................................................... 12 Forest History ............................................................................................................................... 12 6. Forest Recreation and Tourism ........................................................................................................ 14 Outdoor Recreation ...................................................................................................................... 14 Scenic Views ................................................................................................................................ 14 7. Water Resources .............................................................................................................................. 15 8. Wildlife Resources ........................................................................................................................... 16 Rare Animal and Plant Species .................................................................................................... 16 9. Forest Conditions ............................................................................................................................. 19 The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Overall Forest ................................................................ 19 Present and Future Concerns ................................................................................................... 24 Forest Type Descriptions .............................................................................................................. 27 Chestnut Oak Forest (17,081 acres) ........................................................................................ 27 Montane Oak-Hickory Forest (9,660 acres) ............................................................................ 34 Acidic Cove Forest (6,220 acres) ............................................................................................ 40 Rich Cove Forest (5,228 acres) ............................................................................................... 47 i Early Successional Forest (3,647 acres) .................................................................................. 53 Pine-Oak/Heath Forest (3,537 acres) ...................................................................................... 59 White Pine Forest (1,652 acres) .............................................................................................. 64 Northern Hardwood Forest (912 acres) ................................................................................... 70 Montane Alluvial Forest (737 acres) ....................................................................................... 76 Virginia Pine Successional Forest (345 acres) ........................................................................ 81 10. Resource Protection Program Implementation Plan ...................................................................... 86 Fire Management Program ........................................................................................................... 86 Insects and Disease ....................................................................................................................... 86 European Gypsy Moth ............................................................................................................. 87 Southern Pine Beetle ............................................................................................................... 90 Hemlock Woolly Adelgid ........................................................................................................ 91 Emerald Ash Borer .................................................................................................................. 93 Beech Bark Disease ................................................................................................................. 94 Thousands Cankers Disease .................................................................................................... 94 Invasive Plant Species .................................................................................................................. 95 Cultural Resources........................................................................................................................ 97 Sacred Sites ............................................................................................................................. 97 Artisan Resources .................................................................................................................... 98 Culturally Significant Plants.................................................................................................... 99 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................. 102 Threatened and Endangered Species ..................................................................................... 103 Forest Trespass ........................................................................................................................... 108 Water .......................................................................................................................................... 109 Recreation ................................................................................................................................... 110 11. Forestland Management ............................................................................................................... 111 Forest Management General Operational Guidelines ................................................................ 111 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................... 115 Silvicultural Prescriptions .......................................................................................................... 125 Chestnut Oak Forests ............................................................................................................. 125 ii Montane Oak-Hickory Forests .............................................................................................. 127 Acidic Cove Forests .............................................................................................................. 130 Rich Cove Forests.................................................................................................................. 132 Early Successional Forests .................................................................................................... 133 Pine-Oak/Heath Forests ......................................................................................................... 135 White Pine Forests ................................................................................................................. 138 Northern Hardwood Forests .................................................................................................. 139 Montane Alluvial Forests ...................................................................................................... 142 Harvest Policy and Schedule ...................................................................................................... 142 Annual Allowable Cut ...............................................................................................................