Angora Fire Restoration Project
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Angora Fire Restoration Project Overview of Issues - May 22, 2008
The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is seeking comments on opportunities, described below,
to restore the Angora Fire Area. This information and detailed maps may be found on the LTBMU website at
www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/, or at the Forest Supervisor's Office front desk at 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe,
California.
Input during this part of the process will be most helpful if received by June 23, 2008. Written comments may be
submitted via mail or fax addressed to Terri Marceron, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Supervisor's Office, 35 College
Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150; FAX (530) 543-2693; or email
comments-pacificsouthwest-ltbmu@fs.fed.us using Subject:
Angora Fire Restoration Project. Oral comments may be directed to project leader, Duncan Leao at (530) 543-2660. The
LTBMU will post comments received on its website under the link for Angora restoration. This opportunity to provide input
is in advance of the National Environmental Policy Act process. Once a proposal for restoration is developed, there will
be additional opportunities for comment during the environmental analysis.
- Stream, wetland and meadow ecosystems within the Angora Fire area function as habitat for a diverse
group of aquatic and terrestrial (land-based) species and influence the quality and quantity of water in the Upper
Truckee River.
- Historic management along Angora Creek and its tributaries has caused streams to downcut into
associated valleys and current channel locations, increasing the supply of fine sediment downstream and causing the
loss of both quality and quantity of aquatic habitat and the degradation of meadow and wetland ecosystems. Effects
from the Angora Fire resulting from high intense burn severities exacerbated these conditions.
- Aquatic biologists and hydrologists have identified a suite of stream, meadow and wetland
restoration opportunities to reclaim channel form/function, improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat and
riparian/wetland vegetation. For restoring channels, options include abandoning the current channel and constructing
a new one, designing features to improve the channel in its current location, or allowing the channel to stabilize
on its own. The first two options provide more aquatic habitat in a shorter amount of time. The third option may
take longer to provide habitat improvements and produce increased levels of sediment until stabilization occurs.
- Restored aspen stands and riparian corridors (a river or stream and its surrounding environment)
would benefit aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species-richness and abundance, water quality, and geomorphic processes
(physical and chemical interactions that alter landforms including stream channels). Options for aspen management
include removing conifers, including both standing and fallen trees, as well as other coarse woody debris, to accelerate
aspen re-growth. Whether, when, where and how aggressively to remove other vegetation are the key questions.
- Retaining some burned areas would increase wildlife habitat diversity on the forest and benefit
species that prefer burned areas such as the black-backed woodpecker.
- Planting trees in some burned areas would contribute, in the long term, toward replacing spotted owl
and goshawk habitat lost in the fire. Suitable habitat around the burned area is being monitored for these species.
- There are existing invasive weed occurrences within and adjacent to the burn area, including Tall
whitetop, Dalmatian toadflax, St. John's wort, and Bull thistle.
- Currently we are treating these species by hand pulling. Our goal is to eradicate them, or at least
contain their spread.
- These invasive species are opportunistic competitors. When introduced or pre-existing near or in
disturbed areas, they can expand their populations, displacing native plants and causing changes in the natural
environment.
- All the National Forest System lands in the fire area are considered Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
Right now, the amount of fuel, in the form of downed trees, grasses, forbs, and shrub species, is low at less than 5
tons/acre in most areas of the fire. Fuels accumulation is expected to increase over the next 20 years as dead trees
fall and other fuels such as grass, brush, and trees grow back (60-90 tons/acre is some areas). The target fuel loading
for most FS fuels reduction projects across the basin in the WUI defense zone is less than 15 tons/acre on the average.
- Excessive large woody debris (generally greater than 20 tons/acre) provides a source for firebrands
that can carry a fire (spotting). It can also slow fireline construction rates and make it more difficult to suppress
future wildfires.
- If we wish to use prescribed fire for ecosystem health and fuels reduction in the future, we must
first reduce the density and loading of dead trees and some downed wood. while balancing soil and wildlife needs.
- Treatment to reduce fuel accumulation will provide an environment where natural disturbance regimes
(such as the natural occurrence of fire) can retain or re-establish some of their historical influence in maintaining the
diversity and productivity of the regional landscapes.
- Treating 100% of the dead fuels (trees) is not necessary in order to meet desired conditions for fire
behavior and fireline construction over the long term.
- Approximately 2000 acres of forest burned with high vegetation severity, resulting in a deforested
condition.
- It is expected that natural reforestation of trees and understory plants would occur in many areas
of the fire. In high severity burned areas, minimal to no natural reforestation of conifers is expected because of a
consumed seed bank and a lack of nearby seed sources (within 100-200 ft).
- In some areas of the fire where shrub species dominate the site, reforestation could take 50-100
years without some active management. This is because brush species are expected to establish and make it difficult
for tree seedlings to grow in a competitive environment for resources (soil, water, light).
- The early establishment of native conifers through reforestation will expedite forest regeneration
and allow conifers to out compete regenerating shrubs for light, soil and water. We would plant natives species that are
shade-intolerant and drought tolerant: Jeffrey and sugar pines and incense cedar.
- Approximately 6.5 miles of native surface road and 25 miles of trails currently exist within the
Angora Burn Area. Approximately 3.5 miles of the roads and 12 miles of the trails are managed, Forest Service system
roads and trails.
- Some areas of the transportation system are susceptible to erosion and movement of fine sediment.
The project could address erosion from roads and trails that have the potential to impact water quality in streams and
wetlands. Possible Best Management Practices (BMPs) that could be used include: water bars, re-contouring to restore
natural drainage, mulching, and re-vegetation.
- There is a need to provide sufficient access for future FS administrative needs and public
recreation. The project could adopt some non-system roads and trails as system trails and upgrade with BMPs, and
obliterate others. A thoughtfully planned road and trail system should reduce the occurrence of user created trails
and reduce maintenance needs. Many user created trails within the Angora Burn Area lack Forest Service design
standards and cause concern for resource protection.
- Other restoration activities may require the development and use of temporary vehicle access to
remove fuel and construct restoration improvements where Forest Service system roads do not currently exist. The
project could provide temporary vehicle access and, when the work is complete, either mitigate the temporary access
by using BMPs or restoring it to natural conditions in sensitive resource areas.
Angora Ecosystem Restoration Project - Possible Actions
- In areas where mortality is high and in a natural group and clump arrangement in widely spaced
clusters to emulate a naturally established forest, rather than a plantation.
- To include shade intolerant and drought tolerant native species: Jeffrey Pine, Sugar Pine and
Incense Cedar.
- Leave unplanted areas within to provide for different types of vegetation.
- Prep the site by clearing brush prior to planting.
- Clear competing brush by hand to allow for survival of seedlings until they reach a sufficient
height.
- Retain leave islands (clusters of standing dead trees) for wildlife habitat on a minimum of
10% of the area.
- Remove fuels on up to 1550 acres within the Angora Fire WUI Defense Zone
(based on topography and prevailing winds).
- 1200 acres ground based equipment and 340 acres aerial removal.
- Would require approximately 7.1 miles of existing non-system roads and 1.4 acres of new
temporary roads. Temporary roads would be restored after project activities are complete.
- Restore floodplain on an estimated 1200 feet of stream to reduce erosion/sedimentation downstream.
- Place large woody debris placement on approximately 2 miles of stream to restore fish habitat and reduce
erosion and sedimentation.
- Activities would occur above Lake Tahoe Blvd, along Angora Creek and its tributaries.
- Restore channel to Pope marsh.
- Seneca Pond management - maintain manmade pond structure or allow to return to a more natural wetland
condition.
- Fish passage restoration: removing barriers that prevent fish from reaching needed habitats.
- Meadow management - tributaries to Pope marsh and other meadows within fire.
- Removal of conifer seedlings in SEZs to allow for return of streamside (riparian) vegetation.
- Aspen management - remove standing and downed trees and coarse woody debris in aspen stands to
encourage re-growth of aspen.
- Develop a sustainable transportation system to ensure future access needs for recreation and
administrative use.
- Upgrade/adopt/re-route/reconstruct/decommission system and non-system roads/trails.
- Depends on fuel reduction/removal.
- To reduce erosion/sedimentation.
- Evaluate stream crossings for impacts to aquatic species/habitat and water quality.
Table 1. Approximate Range of Actions for Road and Trail Restoration In Angora Fire Area
|
Trails (Mi) |
Roads (Mi) |
Decommission legacy |
3-5 |
1-3 |
New/Reroute |
1-3 |
1-2 |
Upgrade |
5-7 |
1-2 |
- Continue removing noxious (harmful) weeds throughout burned area by pulling or using chemical
treatments.
- Incorporate or adopt a rapid response plan for removal of new noxious weeds in burned area.
Note: PDF format links require the
Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.
Select Maps below for a larger view.
Existing Road & Trail System Eco Rest. & Invasive Weeds
Fuels & Veg. Opportunities Reforestation Opportunities
Post-Fire Treatments Pre-Fire Treatments
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