Riparian Thinning: Riparian Thinning: Logic Paths for Silvicultural Logic Paths for Silvicultural

PrescriptionsPrescriptions

Mt. Hood National ForestMt. Hood National ForestClackamas River Ranger DistrictClackamas River Ranger District

Glenda Goodwyne, District SilviculturistGlenda Goodwyne, District Silviculturist03/20/0803/20/08

Riparian Condition AssessmentRiparian Condition Assessment(project scale)(project scale)

Bank stabilityBank stability Pool: riffle ratiosPool: riffle ratios Sediment levelsSediment levels Presence/Absence of erosionPresence/Absence of erosion Stand densityStand density Species/Size distributionSpecies/Size distribution Stand health (overall)Stand health (overall)

Programmatic/Project Programmatic/Project Goals and ObjectivesGoals and Objectives

Riparian/Silvicultural:Riparian/Silvicultural: Improve habitat for aquatic & riparian-dependent speciesImprove habitat for aquatic & riparian-dependent species Grow large trees, fast (for future large woody debris Grow large trees, fast (for future large woody debris

recruitment into channel and riparian environments)recruitment into channel and riparian environments) Maintain/improve riparian health Maintain/improve riparian health Maintain stream temperaturesMaintain stream temperatures Enhance structural diversity and habitat complexityEnhance structural diversity and habitat complexity Minimize soil and habitat disturbance Minimize soil and habitat disturbance NLAA (Not Likely to Adversely Affect) CallNLAA (Not Likely to Adversely Affect) Call No deficit salesNo deficit sales

Management and GuidanceManagement and Guidance

Governing Bodies, Documentation, and Governing Bodies, Documentation, and Research:Research:

Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) ObjectivesAquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) Objectives Forest Plan Standards & GuidesForest Plan Standards & Guides Clackamas Stewardship Partners (CSP)Clackamas Stewardship Partners (CSP) NOAA Fisheries– Programmatic Biological Opinion NOAA Fisheries– Programmatic Biological Opinion

(for low risk timber sales)(for low risk timber sales) The Sufficiency Analysis for Stream TemperaturesThe Sufficiency Analysis for Stream Temperatures

Design Criteria Elements:Design Criteria Elements:

No-Cut Protection Buffers (along streams, ponds, seeps No-Cut Protection Buffers (along streams, ponds, seeps and wet areas considered skips)and wet areas considered skips)

No-Equipment Buffers No-Equipment Buffers Variable Density Thinning (in-stand as well as between Variable Density Thinning (in-stand as well as between

–stand diversity)–stand diversity) Gaps (created w/in RRs but outside protection buffers, Gaps (created w/in RRs but outside protection buffers,

1/101/10 to ¼ acre in size) to ¼ acre in size)

Design Criteria Elements:Design Criteria Elements:

Minimum Stream Protection Buffer Widths by Type Minimum Stream Protection Buffer Widths by Type and Proximity to Listed Fish Habitat (LFH)and Proximity to Listed Fish Habitat (LFH)

Adjacent to LFH Adjacent to LFH habitathabitat

Within 1 mile of Within 1 mile of LFH on Perennial LFH on Perennial and Intermittent and Intermittent StreamsStreams

> 1 mile upstream > 1 mile upstream from LFH from LFH Perennial StreamsPerennial Streams

> 1 mile upstream > 1 mile upstream from LFH from LFH Intermittent Intermittent StreamsStreams

Maintain a Maintain a minimum 100’ minimum 100’ bufferbuffer

Maintain a Maintain a minimum 50’ bufferminimum 50’ buffer

Maintain a Maintain a minimum 50’ bufferminimum 50’ buffer

Maintain a Maintain a minimum 50’ bufferminimum 50’ buffer

Primary and Primary and secondary shade secondary shade zone protection, zone protection, maintain 50 % maintain 50 % canopy cover (CC)canopy cover (CC)

Primary shade zone Primary shade zone protectionprotection

Primary shade zone Primary shade zone protectionprotection

Primary shade zone Primary shade zone protection, normally protection, normally 30’ buffer (CSP) 30’ buffer (CSP) 50’50’

Meeting the Objectives on the Meeting the Objectives on the GroundGround

The Silvicultural Prescription:The Silvicultural Prescription: Designed to increase stand growth, vigor and Designed to increase stand growth, vigor and

resiliencyresiliency Analyze Stand DataAnalyze Stand Data Determine Residual Stand CharacteristicsDetermine Residual Stand Characteristics Determine the appropriate BA/RDDetermine the appropriate BA/RD Use Designation by Description (DXD)Use Designation by Description (DXD)