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Kupreanof Timber Sale Summary

Abstract:

The USDA Forest Service proposes to harvest up to 70.2 million board feet (MMBF) of timber in the
Central Kupreanof project area on Kupreanof Island, Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass National Forest.
Timber volume would be offered through the Tongass timber sale program. The actions analyzed in this
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) are designed to implement direction contained in the 2008
Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) and the Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA).
The DEIS describes four alternatives, which provide different combinations of resource outputs and spatial
locations of harvest units. The action alternatives would make between 28.1 and 70.2 MMBF of timber
available for harvest within the project area. The significant issues addressed by the alternatives and the
Final EIS include: Timber Economics, Roadless and Road Management/Access. The preferred alternative
at this point is Alternative 3. However, any of the alternatives may be selected in the Record of Decision
for the Final EIS.
Also analyzed in this document are Projects Common to All Action Alternatives. They are analyzed as
common to all action alternatives and include such possible activities as; culvert replacement, second
growth thinning, and road, cabin and trail maintenance. These projects will provide potential stewardship
contracting opportunities in the local area.

Summary

Introduction

The Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest project area is located centrally on the western portion of Kupreanof Island, on the
Petersburg Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest, Alaska Region (Region 10) of the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (see Vicinity Map, Figure 1-1). This chapter discusses the background of the Central Kupreanof
Timber Harvest project and tiers to the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (referred to as the Forest Plan in this
document). It includes the steps taken to identify environmental issues and public concerns related to implementation of the project.

Purpose and Need

The purpose and need for the proposed action responds to the goals and objectives identified by the Tongass Land and Resource
Management Plan, and helps move the area toward the desired conditions as described in the Forest Plan. The Forest Supervisor is
the Responsible Official for this action and will decide whether or not to harvest timber from the Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest area,
and if so, how this timber will be harvested. The decision will be based on the information that is disclosed in the environmental impact
statement. The Responsible Official will consider comments, responses, the disclosure of environmental consequences, and
applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making the decision and will state that rationale in the Record of Decision.

The purpose of the Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest project is to:

• Manage the timber resource for production of sawtimber and other wood products from suitable lands made
  available for timber harvest on an even-flow, long-term sustained yield basis, and in an economically efficient manner.
• Seek to provide a timber supply sufficient to meet the annual market demand for Tongass National Forest timber
  and the market demand for the planning cycle.
• Provide for a diversity of opportunities for resource uses
  that contribute to the local and regional economies of Southeast Alaska.
  

Appendix A of this document provides information on how this project relates to the overall Tongass National Forest timber sale program, and
why the project is being scheduled at this time.

Proposed Action (Alternative 2)

The proposed action, as published in the Federal Register, provides for multiple timber sale opportunities and would result in the production of
approximately 40 million board feet (mmbf) of timber from approximately 2,025 acres of forested land. Up to 11.1 miles of National Forest System
(NFS) roads and 7.0 miles of temporary roads may be necessary for timber harvest. Through two field seasons and the interdisciplinary process, the
proposed action has been adjusted to respond to on the ground conditions and resource concerns while remaining within the scope of the original
proposed action. The Proposed Action for this project still provides for multiple timber sale opportunities and will result in the production of
approximately 46.8 mmbf (about 39.4 mmbf of sawlog and 7.4 mmbf of utility) from 2,506 acres of forested land. Up to 7.3 miles of new NFS and
up to 3.9 miles of temporary road would be constructed for timber harvest. A range of alternatives, responsive to significant issues, has been
developed and includes a no action alternative.

The interdisciplinary team has identified several projects within the project area that could serve as stewardship opportunities along side the
timber harvest proposal. These projects consist mainly of trail maintenance, pre-commercial thinning opportunities (both for silvicultural
and wildlife purposes), fisheries and hydrology opportunities, and road maintenance activities. These projects will be analyzed as common to all
action alternatives. (See Chapter 2, pages 8 and 9.)

Decisions to be Made

Based on the environmental analysis in this EIS, the Forest Supervisor will decide whether and how to implement activities within the Central
Kupreanof Project Area in accordance with Forest Plan goals, objectives, and desired conditions. The decision may include the following:

• The location, amount, and method of timber harvest, road construction, marine access facilities, and silvicultural
  practices.
• 
  Road management objectives for constructed, reconstructed and existing roads associated with the timber sale.
• 
  Any necessary project-specific mitigation design, mitigation measures and monitoring requirements.
• 
  Whether to implement the Project Opportunities common to all action alternatives.
• 
  A determination of whether there may be a possibility of a significant change in subsistence uses and access.
• 
  A Microsale program along existing NFS Roads 6030, 6040, 6314, 6314S, 6326, 6328, 6334, 6336, 6339, and 6367.
  

Significant Issues

Significant issues are used to formulate and design alternatives, prescribe mitigation measures, and analyze significant effects.
Significant issues for the Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest have been identified through public and internal scoping. Similar issues are
combined where appropriate. Issues can arise from a variety of sources, including:

• Issues, concerns, and opportunities identified in the Forest Plan,
  
• Issues identified for similar projects (past actions),
  
• Current internal issues,
  
• Changes in public uses, attitudes, values, or perceptions,
  
• Issues raised by the public during scoping, and
  
• Comments from other government agencies.

Measures of the significance of an issue are based on the extent of the geographic distribution, the duration of the related effects, or the
intensity of interest or resource conflict surrounding the issue. For an issue to be considered significant at the project level, it must be
relevant to the specific project so that it can be appropriately addressed at the project level. Some issues have already been resolved through
national level direction or analyzed at the Forest Plan level. Once a significant issue is identified, measures are developed to
analyze how each alternative responds to the issue. Measures are chosen that are quantitative (where possible), predictable, responsive to the issue, and linked to cause and effect relationships. These measures describe how the alternative affects the resource(s) at the
heart of the issue. Monitoring and mitigation of the anticipated environmental effects of the project are also designed to be responsive
to significant issues. These issues are addressed through the proposed action and the alternatives.

Issue statement: Optimizing volume and net return on timber harvest will provide for flexibility, in both the long and short term, for offering
economically viable timber sales.

This issue relates to the viability of the local economies, both on Kupreanof Island and within Southeast Alaska. It concerns proposed
timber sales, the potential employment and revenues generated by the project, and the ability of smaller companies to compete for timber
sales in the project area. It also relates to the availability of a timber supply and overall ability to respond to ever-changing future markets.
This issue addresses both maximizing timber harvest and “best” economics. While looking at financial efficiency analysis is one tool to gauge economics, a greater number of units/larger volume available allows for greater diversity and flexibility in responding to future
market demands and to appropriately packaging potential sales. Also, with the 2008 Forest Plan decision and implementation of the adaptive
management strategy, timber economics must consider maximizing opportunities in the Phase 1 land base.

Units of Measure
The unit of measure to compare alternatives will include timber volume measured in million board feet (MMBF), logging costs per
thousand board feet (MBF), indicated bid in dollars per MBF, employment in number of direct job years, direct income based on projected employment, and logging systems by harvest method (acres). The unit of measure will also include a qualitative discussion of an
alternative’s ability to provide for greater diversity and flexibility in responding to future market demands and packaging a variety of
potential sales.

Issue statement: Timber harvest and building roads in inventoried roadless areas will reduce roadless acres within the project area and
affect roadless values as identified in the 2003 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan Revision Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement – Roadless Area Evaluation for Wilderness Recommendations ( 2003 Forest Plan SEIS).
This issue relates to timber harvest and the related construction of new roads to facilitate timber harvest in inventoried roadless areas.

Additional roads and harvest would result in reducing acres of roadless area in the project area, and could affect roadless values as identified
in the 2003 Forest Plan SEIS. Nationally, inventoried roadless areas are considered to have valuable qualities. Several comments were
received from the public concerning management of roadless in the project area. Three of the four inventoried roadless areas within the
project area may be directly affected by proposed activities.

Unit of Measure
Comparison of alternatives will include acres of inventoried roadless
areas affected, percent of inventoried roadless areas affected, and the
effects to the roadless values of each inventoried roadless area as
identified in the 2003 Forest Plan SEIS.

Issue statement: Road building, reconstruction and closures associated with the timber sale may change access within the project
area.

The construction and use of forest roads is the focus of much concern on both a national and local scale. Comments ranged from requesting
no more new roads and closure of most existing roads to requests to increase access by new roads and opening more existing roads.
Decisions made from the analysis in this EIS will include proposed road construction in each alternative (new construction and
reconstruction), use of existing NFS roads, and the status of these roads after timber harvest.

Roads influence wildlife populations, water quality, subsistence use, the type of recreational opportunities available. Concerns were also
expressed over the ability to maintain open roads. The District will look at road management objectives across the district, including the
entire Kake Road System during the District Road Analysis Process (RAP). Recommendations for roads not associated with the proposed
activities will be carried forward and analyzed through the District’s NEPA Access Travel Management (ATM) process by 2009.

Unit of Measure
Comparison of alternatives will include miles of road (NFS and temporary) constructed, miles of reconstructed road, miles of road to
be left open, miles of road to be closed associated with timber harvest activities, miles of new NFS and temporary road to be constructed in
inventoried roadless areas, cost of maintenance for open roads, reconstruction, and new (NFS and temporary) road construction.

Projects Common to all Action Alternatives
The following projects were identified by the Interdisciplinary Team as possible stewardship opportunities within the project area. These
projects are not design criteria or mitigation measures to reduce the effects of the alternatives, but could be used to improve or enhance
resources or to complete obligations within the project area. These project opportunities are common to all action alternatives and are
suitable for potential stewardship contracting opportunities. Funding for project contracting may come from a combination of
timber receipts and other appropriated dollars. The receipts from the value of the timber would be used to finance the contractual
requirements, and a priority listing of the project area activities would be included in the contract. These projects would either be
accomplished as part of the contract or independently. There will be a list of mandatory projects to be completed with timber receipts,
combined with the possibility of using other appropriated dollars available at the time to maximize the number of projects completed.
See Figure 2.5 for more information regarding Projects Common to all Action Alternatives.

The Road Analysis Process (RAP), updated with decisions made with this project, recommends road management objectives for the Kake
Road System. Ultimate storage/closure of these roads and these fisheries/hydrology projects will depend on the analysis and decisions
made in the District Access and Travel Management Plan. Implementation of the recommended road management objectives
would result in the removal of 19 culverts that do not meet fish passage standards.

Maintain the four recreational hiking trails in the area: Cathedral Falls (0.5 mi.), Goose Lake (0.75 mi.), Hamilton Creek (1.0 mi.), and Big
John Bay (1.75 mi.) The total length of all trails combined is about four miles. The work could include annual brushing, condition
surveys and replacement of gravel as needed. Structure work on the trails could also be included depending on the extent and difficulty of
the work. Gravel for trail maintenance in the past has been obtained locally in Kake.

Conduct annual maintenance for the Big John Bay Cabin including preparing it for occupancy in the spring and winterizing it at the end of
the season. In addition, deferred maintenance and repairs could also be considered for this project. The cabin can be accessed by hiking the
1.75-mile trail off Road 45001or by boating to Big John Bay.

Hand-pull a small population of spotted knapweed located on the 6337 Road. Work could involve up to a half-day of work annually for at
least five years and possibly monitoring and/or hand-pulling beyond that depending on how well the plants respond to hand-pulling. Proper
disposal of the pulled weeds would be specified as part of the project design, most likely burning in a controlled manner. Other roadside weed populations could also be included, if new populations are discovered.

Currently there are 325 acres of precommercial thinning to accomplish in second growth stands that could potentially be done under a
stewardship contract on the Kake road system. These stands are approximately 25 years old. By modifying thinning prescriptions to
include spacing varying from 14x14 to 18x18 feet, thinning in these stands would also benefit wildlife. It would provide cover and allow
side lighting to reach the forest floor. There is the possibility of using the cut material for some type of product if the contractor is interested.
(See Figure 2-5)

There are approximately 114 miles of Forest Service System roads in the Kake road system, which encompasses the Central Kupreanof EIS
project area. Of those 114 miles of roads there are approximately 94 miles of open roads that need maintenance to remain open. This
maintenance generally includes brush cutting, blading of the road surface, ditching and cleaning of culverts to keep proper drainage. Of
the 94 miles of open road there are approximately 38 miles of mainline roads (6040, 6328, 6314, 6314S) that take first priority for
maintenance.

Petersburg Ranger District historically has approximately $70,000 per year to spend on road maintenance on the Kake Road System. On the
average it costs $2,000 per mile to maintain roads, which equates to 35 miles of road per year that can be done in Kake. Generally, two thirds
of the mainline roads are done and the remaining portion is spent on selected side roads.

Alternatives Considered in Detail

The No-Action Alternative (Alternative 1), Proposed Action (Alternative 2) and two other action alternatives (Alternatives 3 and 4)
are considered in detail in this chapter. Alternatives 3 and 4 provide alternate means of satisfying the Purpose and Need for this project
than does the Proposed Action. They respond differently to the significant issues that are discussed in this chapter. Maps of all
alternatives considered in detail are provided at the end of Chapter 2. The map for Alternative 1, the No-action Alternative, represents the
current condition of the project area (See Figures 2-1 through 2-4, at the end of this chapter, for maps of each alternative). Larger-scale
maps of the alternatives are contained in the project record.)

Alternative 1 proposes no new timber harvest or road construction in the Central Kupreanof Timber Harvest project area at this time. It
does not preclude future timber harvest or other activities from this area. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40
CFR 1502.14d) requires that a “No Action” alternative be analyzed in every EIS. This alternative represents the existing condition against
which the other alternatives are compared.

Alternative 2 is the Proposed Action and was designed to meet the Purpose and Need for this project. It would offer up to 46.8 MMBF
(sawlog and utility) of timber from 2,506 acres. It would provide 2,031 acres (81%) of clearcut (CC), 33 acres (1%) clearcut with
reserves (CCR), and 442 acres (18%) uneven-aged management. There would be 7.3 miles of new NFS road constructed, 2.9 miles of
reconstructed road, and 3.9 miles of temporary road construction to access timber.

Alternative 2 was designed to address concerns related to timber economics and deer habitat.

Alternative 3 would provide the largest amount of volume of all the alternatives. It proposes harvesting 70.2 MMBF (sawlog and utility)
from 3,647 acres. It would provide 3,127 acres (86%) of clearcut (CC), and 520 acres (14%) uneven-aged management. This
alternative proposes helicopter yarding for those units where access by road construction is not feasible. Ground based systems and
associated road construction are analyzed for this alternative. There would be 25.1 miles of new NFS road constructed, 9.1 miles of
reconstructed road and 6.1 miles of temporary road constructed.

This alternative would respond to the direction to maximize timber harvest opportunity while meeting Forest Plan standards and
guidelines (Cole, 2005). It addresses the timber economics issue by maximizing the proposed volume available and would allow the Forest
Service the flexibility to respond to current and future market demands.

Alternative 4 was developed in response to public concerns about the impacts of increased access, timber harvest, and road building on
roadless area characteristics. This alternative offers the lowest amount of volume at 28.2 MMBF (sawlog and utility) from 1,327 acres. All
units would be clear-cut (CC). There would be no new NFS road construction, 2.6 miles of road would be reconstructed and 2.2 miles of
temporary road would be built.

Alternative 4 has been designed to address all of the significant issues to some extent. It does not propose harvest and road building within
the boundary of any inventoried roadless area, although there would be effects to the zone of influence. Harvest would be limited to units in
close proximity to existing roads. No new NFS road and only 2.2 miles of temporary road are proposed, which addresses concerns
related to increased access. Less road building equals out to shorter haul distances which also satisfies timber economics concerns related to today’s market, but does not take into account the need for flexibility in the long term.

Design Criteria Common to All Action Alternatives

All alternatives are consistent with the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). All applicable Forest Plan
Standards and Guidelines have been incorporated into the design of the proposed units and alternatives. While some alternatives have been
designed to provide a greater measure of protection than is required by the Forest Plan for some resources, such as additional consideration
for potential wildlife travel corridors, all alternatives were designed to meet Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for these and all other
resources. Additional direction comes from applicable laws and Forest Service manuals and handbooks. Site-specific descriptions and
resource considerations for each potential harvest unit are included as unit cards and road cards in Appendix B of this Draft EIS. These
cards serve as the prescription or design narrative for the project as well as detail design elements for the construction and reconstruction
needed for existing National Forest System roads.

The small old growth habitat reserves were evaluated and redesigned in the 2008 Forest Plan and adjustments adopted. Figure 2-1 in this
chapter outlines these reserves.

Beach and estuary fringe extend 1,000 feet inland from mean high tide along all marine coastlines. The Forest Plan classifies the beach and
estuary fringe as unsuitable for planned commercial timber harvest (Forest Plan pages 4-5). No timber harvest or new roads are proposed
in beach or estuary fringe.

Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for riparian areas are applied to all fish streams (Class I and II) within the project area and to non-fish
bearing Class III streams.

Hydrologic and fisheries resource analysis for the project has included landscape, watershed, and site-level considerations. Unit cards and
road cards in Appendix B indicate which streams are likely to need special attention during implementation, such as applying timing
restrictions for in-stream activities, or using larger-than-normal culverts or bridges.

All applicable Best Management Practices (BMPs) would be incorporated during sale design and harvest administration. A
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is still valid for the Hamilton Bay LTF.

This permit provides for protection of water quality by eliminating discharge of surface water directly from the working area to the
environment through the use of settling ponds and a drainage system.

Areas considered as having a high probability of containing heritage resources (cultural sites) have been intensively surveyed by heritage
resource specialists. No heritage resources have been identified in the project area. A detailed Heritage Resource Report was submitted to
the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) as per the R10 Programmatic Agreement with the Alaska State Historic Preservation
Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. If heritage resources or items protected by the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act are discovered during implementation, work should cease in the immediate vicinity. The sale administrator
should be contacted, who will contact the appropriate archaeologist. The Petersburg District Ranger in consultation with the appropriate
Native organization and the State Historic Preservation Office will determine a course of action.

On October 19, 2007, the Tongass National Forest implemented a supplement to the Forest Service Manual 2080 concerning invasive
plant species (Supplement No.: R10 TNF-2000-2007-1). An invasive plant species risk assessment has been completed and
recommendations to reduce risk of spread are included in Chapter 3.

All activities have been designed to avoid high-vulnerability karst and to meet Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines for low and moderate
vulnerability karst areas.

Potential harvest units with slopes greater than 72 percent have received an on-site analysis of slope and class IV channel stability and
an assessment of potential down stream effects. At the project planning level, the Forest Supervisor may approve timber harvest on
slopes of 72 percent or more on a case-by-case basis, based on the results of an on-site analysis of slope Class IV channel stability and on
an assessment of potential impacts of accelerated erosion on downslope and downstream fish habitat, other beneficial uses of water,
and other resources. Areas with moderate risk are included in the proposed units where the potential for downstream effects is low.

Road locations generally avoid slopes greater than 67 percent, unstable areas, and slide-prone areas where it is feasible to do so. Roads on
slopes in excess of 67% or on unstable soils require geotechnical investigation and appropriate designs.

All roads would be located to avoid wetlands to the extent practicable. Where wetlands cannot be avoided, 33CFR 323.4 baseline provisions
and State approved BMPs are followed to minimize impacts to wetlands (see road cards and unit cards, Appendix B).

Potential harvest units within the viewshed of a Visual Priority Travel Route and Use Area were evaluated for consistency with the Scenic
Integrity Objectives as required in the Forest Plan. Where needed, unit boundaries and silvicultural prescriptions were designed to be
consistent with the Forest Plan.

Temporary (or NFS) roads were proposed in all units where shovelyarding distances exceeded 500 feet to provide a surface for log
hauling. Temporary road locations on the maps are estimated. Temporary road locations are subject to approval by the Forest
Service. Temporary road decommissioning will be part of the timber sale contract.

Road closures will occur up to ten years after the completion of timber harvest. Road closure, storage and decommissioning are described in
the Road Management/Access section in Chapter 3 and in the Glossary of Chapter 4.

Existing rock quarries may be expanded or new rock quarries may be developed to support new road construction and road maintenance.
Quarry sites would be developed within 500 feet of a road and avoid Class I and Class II stream buffers, old-growth habitat reserves, eagle
and goshawk nest tree buffers and non-developmental LUDs. With either the expansion of an existing quarry or the development of a new
site, the area footprint would not exceed five acres.

The existing permitted LTF located in Hamilton Bay would be used to transport logs by saltwater to a processing facility. The operator has
the option to barge or raft the logs. Hamilton Bay was placed on the 1996 Section 303 (d) list for debris. Past dive surveys had indicated
that excessive bark existed on the bottom of Hamilton Bay as a result of logging operations on Kupreanof Island that used the Hamilton Bay
log transfer facility. Dive survey reports from September 2000 of 0.6 acre bottom coverage and the June 2002 of 0.6 acre document that this
water is compliant with standards. This water was removed from the Section 303 (d) list in 2002/2003.

No land camp is proposed in the project area for any of the alternatives. The town of Kake or a floating camp could be used
during harvest activities. Appropriate permits would need to be acquired by the operator for use of a floating camp.

All alternatives have been evaluated in compliance with ANILCA, Title VIII, Section 810 and 811. Alternatives will have no significant
effects on subsistence. Subsistence hearings will be held as required between the Draft and Final EIS for this project.

A service and staging area for helicopter logging operations would be needed in Alternatives 2 and 3. This site would consist of an existing
developed site adequate for helicopter maintenance and fueling operations. This area may require the removal of existing vegetation or
if a rock pit is used minor expansion may be required for safety or the movement of existing material to level the pit floor and clear obstacles.

Table S-1. Comparison of Alternatives by Issue and Effects
( Note-Numbers may not add up to the totals shown due to rounding)

Table 2-1. Comparison of Alternatives by Issues and Effects

(Numbers may not add up to the totals shown due to rounding)

Note:

For a CD of the complete DEIS, please contact Tiffany Benna, tbenna@fs.fed.us or 907-772-3871.

Summary_CKdeis_final.pdf (146KB)

01_CKdeis_final.pdf (372 KB)

02_CKdeis_final.pdf (1,756 KB)

03_CKdeis_final.pdf (1,821 KB)

04_CK_final.pdf (551 KB)

Appendix_A_CKdeis.pdf (104 KB)

Appendix_B_final_CKdeis.pdf (39,495 KB)

Appendix_C_CKdeis.pdf (377 KB)

Central Kupreanof CoverA_final.pdf (82 KB)

Central Kupreanof CoverB_final.pdf (82 KB)

Central Kupreanof Back Cover and spine VolA final.pdf (18 KB)

Central Kupreanof Back Cover and spine VolB final.pdf (18 KB)

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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: December 08, 2008