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2007 MONUMENT PROGRAM OF WORK
The following projects are being implemented and/or proposed within the Giant Sequoia National Monument for the 2007 fiscal year (Oct.1 thru Sept.30).
EXISTING PROJECTS (IMPLEMENTATION)
Hume Lake Ranger District
Trail Maintenance and Trail Bridge Replacement — Finish trail maintenance along the Kanawyer Trail (F.S. Trail 30E04) and finish the replacement hiking trail/stock bridge over Horse Corral Creek.
Woodward Plantation Thinning — Finish masticating 159 acres of plantations in the Woodward Creek/ Stony Creek Area.
Prescribe under-burning on the Hume, Tornado, Dry Eshom, and Burton sale areas. Continue burning piles (machine and hand) throughout the District.
Burton Thinning Sale — There are two units left on the Burton Thinning Timber Sale. Anticipate those units to be completed late spring early summer.
Princess Campground — finish the capital improvement project that was started last year, including the installation of new tables, fire rings, barrier posts, water faucets, ADA accessibility, and paving (overlay).
Tule River and Hot Springs Ranger District
Osborne Ranch Fuel Reduction Project — With this 170-acre project we will remove a large percentage of brush within an extended brush stand and some small trees 6 inches or less in oak stands (Decision Memo 2006). Material will be cut, piled, and burned or chipped. Located in the Blue Ridge area at about 3000 to 4000 feet; work will begin this spring.
Camp Nelson Fuels Reduction Project — This project began in 2006, accomplishing about 500 acres of the 960 planned for treatment. Expected completion is by the end of 2008. The treatment is to thin trees 10 inches dbh or smaller and decreasing fuels in brush stands on 960 acres adjacent to the communities of Camp Nelson and Pierpoint Springs (Decision Memo 2005). Vegetative material will be cut, piled and burned or chipped. The elevation ranges from about 4,500 feet to 5,500 feet.
Tule River Urban Interface Project — A portion of the project area located along Balch Park road will be treated this year, which includes cutting and piling vegetation material 10 inches or smaller (Decision Memo 2001). One-hundred feet on each side of road will be treated. Piles will be burned.
Coffee Prescribed Burn — Maintenance of fire lines in "Unit C" will be conducted this winter, which includes cutting vegetative material (mostly brush) that has encroached along the line.
Slick Rock — Reduced fuels by thinning and prescribe burning adjacent to Mountain Home. The piles have been created and need to be burned. (Decision signed March 27, 1997)
Loggy Meadow Restoration Project — Restoration work was accomplished summer of 2006 (Decision Memo 2006). A fence enclosure will be built this year around this portion of stream channel. Willow cuttings will also be planted.
Freeman Creek Trail Project — During 2006, the Freeman Creek Trail was reconstructed from the North Road to the Lloyd Meadow Road. Hardening of about ½ mile of trail to the George Bush Tree, aimed at promoting universal access, will be implemented this summer (Decision Memo 2001).
Tule River - West Grazing Project — The construction of fenced enclosures (as described in the Tule River -West Grazing Decision Notice) will be initiated this spring. (Decision Notice September 15, 2006)
PROJECT PLANNING
Hume Lake Ranger District
McKenzie Ranch Fuels Reduction Project — This project covers approximately 778 acres of masticating/piling of small trees and brush less than 10 inches in diameter and prescribe burning 728 acres.
Bearskin Diabetic Youth Camp Renovation — Upgrade facilities at this diabetic youth camp. The camp has been in existence since 1960.
Roadside Salvage — Removal of potential hazard trees along the major road systems (Highway 180, Generals Highway, Hume Road, Burton Pass Road, and Big Meadows Road) on the District. Part of this work will be in conjunction with hazard tree removal work being done by the Park Service on roads common to both administrative units.
Big Meadows Restoration Project — Restoration work in Big Meadows and on Big Meadows Creek in conjunction with the Fresno Flyfishers for Conservation, Fresno State University, and Jim Wilcox of the Feather River Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) group. This project will utilize a "plug and pond" technique directly affecting 15 acres and indirectly affecting 500 acres.
Big Meadows Trail Bridge Replacement — replacing the hiking and equestrian trail bridge and crossing across Big Meadows Creek at the Big Meadows Trailhead. This crossing access one of the major trails leading into the Jennie Lakes Wilderness and backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park.
National Forest Recreation Residences — The permits for 58 recreation residences on the District are up for renewal in December of 2008. The environmental analysis concerning the re-issuance of these permits will begin this summer.
Stony Creek Lodge Expansion — This is a request by the special use permittee to expand their current operations. They proposed adding an additional 20 rooms, new general store, and restaurant.
Horse Camp II Campground Development — A proposal to build another Horse Camp in the Big Meadows Area to compliment the existing Horse Camp. This would be a joint venture project with the Backcountry Horsemen (High Sierra and San Joaquin Sierra Units).
Tule River and Hot Springs Ranger District
Ponderosa Fuels Reduction Project — This fuel reduction project is proposed adjacent to the community of Ponderosa, two camps under special use (Quaker Meadow and Camp Cotyac) and Quaking Aspen Campground. Treatments proposed includes removal of trees 12 inches dbh and smaller, thinning existing plantations, and broadcast burning to treat ground and ladder fuels in an identified unit. Limited activity (hand crew work) is proposed for a small portion (about 19 acres) of the Wheel Meadow Giant Sequoia Grove. Elevation ranges from 7,100 to 7,200 feet. The project has been scoped, and the District is currently analyzing public comments and effects of implementation. The Decision is expected in April 2007.
Tule River Indian Reservation Protection Project — Project has been initiated under the Tribal Forest Protection Act. The project would reduce fuels along the north boundary of the Tule River Indian Reservation and surrounding Roger's Camp. The proposal is currently being developed in detail. The total acres have not been determined at this time.
Buckhorn Fuels Reduction Project — Thinning and pruning of small trees, removal of brush, and reduction of snags and downed woody debris within the Mountain Home Intermix Zone will be proposed. Project area is south-west of Mountain Home State Forest. Currently District staff is developing the proposal. Total acres have not yet been determined.
Johnsondale Reforestation Project — Planting 40-200 conifer trees is proposed in stands totaling about 1,200 acres burned during the McNally Fire. About half of the acreage is within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. We are currently developing a detailed proposal and conducting field evaluations. No pesticides or heavy machinery is proposed at this time. Existing roads would be used to access the area.
North Road Hazard Tree Project — Cutting and removing hazardous trees along 41 miles of road and eight recreation or administrative sites is proposed. Trees determined to have commercial value will be sold and removed. Project area is located about 2 ½ miles north of Ponderosa. Public scoping will begin in the immediate future.
Highway 190 Hazard Tree Project — Activities proposed would include cutting and removing hazardous trees along Highway 190 between Camp Nelson and Quaking Aspen campground. A detailed proposal will be developed in the spring of 2007.
Utility Corridor Tree Removal Project — Trees encroaching along utility lines would be removed. Utility Corridors are located on the Tule River and Hot Springs Ranger Districts. A detailed proposal will be developed in the spring of 2007.
Range — Livestock grazing activities will be analyzed on four allotments (Rube, Powder Magazine, White River, and Capinero).
National Forest Recreation Residences — The permits for 132 recreation residences on the District are up for renewal in December of 2008. The environmental analysis concerning the re-issuance of these permits will begin this summer.
