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Proposal: The project area is located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District in Larimer County, west of the Greenridge Road (NFSR 319), east of the Greenridge West Roadless Area, and north of the Deadman Creek. The legal location is T 10N, R75W, Sec(s) 20, 21, 28, 29, 32, 33; 6th PM. Primary access to the site is off Larimer County Road 86.
To recover economic value of stands of suitable timber impacted by the bark beetle outbreak, 330 acres are proposed for analysis, with no more than 250 acres of that analysis area proposed for harvest per 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(13) specifications. The gross acreage (330 acres) will provide sale prep personnel the best possible acreage for salvage stands to be identified up to the allowable 250 acres. Trees to be harvested include all dead and dying conifer trees greater than or equal to 5 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Implementation would target areas where stands are declining with mixed mortality and will remain a functioning stand post treatment, or those stands that are near total mortality and would benefit from active management. Harvest of live trees would occur only where operationally necessary such as for landings, skid trails, access, construction clearings, and would occur on a limited basis. Whole tree logging would be used, and all created slash would be brought to landing locations and piled.
Ideally, the harvest would be accomplished contractually through a timber sale contract.
All logging operations would be implemented mechanically by contractors, and all merchantable timber would be removed from the forest.
All perennial, intermittent streams, and riparian areas will be protected in accordance with the National Best Management Practices for Water Quality Management on National Forest System Lands. Ten snag trees per acre will be retained in clumps and the silvicultural prescription will specify the criteria for retention.
No more than ½ miles temporary road construction will occur per 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(13) specifications. All temporary roads and landings will be obliterated according to the standard timber sale contract provisions. Specific locations of temporary roads would be determined after field-truthing to avoid sensitive areas.
Forest Service system roads will be used for hauling timber, and the purchaser will be responsible for the standard pre, during and post-haul maintenance on these roads.
Authorities
The environmental and social effects of this proposed action will be determined under categorical exclusion 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(13); Salvage of dead and/or dying trees not to exceed 250 acres, requiring no more than ½ mile of temporary road construction. The Forest will consult with U.S Fish and Wildlife on the potential effects to threatened or endangered species. No final decision on this project would be made before consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife is complete to comply with the Endangered Species Act.
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