Kahler RHCAs and Vegetation Condition SOME NUMBERS*: ~5000
Acres RHCA ALL in planning area, majority (3700 ac) Cat 4
Intermittent, ~1200 ac RHCA in proposed units (most Cat 4),
>1000 ac Dry Upland Forest Cat 4 RHCA in proposed units, >800
acres Cat 4 High density stands. From March 8, 2013 public scoping
letter: Approximately 800 acres of dry upland, high density forest
stands are within intermittent stream riparian habitat conservation
areas (category 4 RHCAs) in proposed units and would be treated to
maintain or restore riparian habitat and upland vegetation
including improvement of channel function and floodplain
connectivity using a variable width no-mechanical zone adjacent to
the stream channels. *numbers are approximate and based on
December, 2012 proposed units and veg data
Slide 4
The Kahler Proposal Active commercial thinning and fuel
treatment over a 32,840 acre landscape, including approximately
1200 acres of PACFISH Riparian Habitat Conservation Areas.
Slide 5
Watershed Analysis Strategy Use GIS to identify mapped RHCA
segments in 131 proposed units. Field reconnaissance of low risk
segments where active vegetation treatments would be consistent
with PACFISH objectives. Verify stream class, valley form, slope
class, bank stability, existing disturbance, and vegetation. Locate
restoration opportunities and other aquatic features.
Slide 6
Watershed Analysis Strategy After field surveys, 155 mapped
miles of class 4 streams have changed to 110 miles class 4 and 41
miles ephemeral. Perennial streams increased from 30 to 38 miles.
Three previously unmapped streams have been located. Mapped springs
have more than doubled.
Slide 7
Unit 14 Springbrook
Slide 8
Water quality-sedimentation.
Slide 9
Kahler Water Quality The Water Erosion Prediction Project
(WEPP) model has been used to model sediment delivery to streams.
Based on the analysis, unit slope and skid trail length are the
important factors relating to delivery of sediment to streams.
Slide 10
low slope
Slide 11
steep slope
Slide 12
long slope
Slide 13
Design Elements In order to support harvest and burning in
RHCAs, a balance must be achieved between mechanical equipment use
and sediment delivery. Design elements need to protect streams from
sediment, and need to be implementable on the ground. With lower
slopes, heavy equipment trails may be longer. They would need to be
shorter with steeper slopes. Harvest may occur close to streams
when there is full suspension.
Slide 14
Design Elements Highlights Trees that support stream banks
would be left. All stream beds and banks are protected. Heavy
equipment exclusion zones are assigned to all streams, springs,
wetlands, and ponds. Stream crossings are limited. Log hauling is
limited to dry or frozen conditions.
Slide 15
bank tree
Slide 16
Stable Crossing
Slide 17
Kahler Water Quality Benefits The big one is reducing the risk
of high severity fire.