East-Central Wet Mountains Forest Health & Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Project Summary
Completion Date: October 2011
Partners
US Forest Service
JW Associates was the prime consultant on an Environmental Assessment through Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) authority for the San Carlos Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest.
The EA has been been through the Objection Period, without any objections filed. Brad Piehl was the project manager and watershed lead. Jessica Wald was the public involvement lead and writer/editor. John Baas was the socio-economics, recreation and visuals lead. Zoe Ghali was the wildlife lead.
Project Actions
Write an environmental assessment for the US Forest Service, addressing the impacts of the proposed project
Facilitation of 2 scoping meetings
Development and refinement of proposed actions, issues and alternatives, including:
Thinning
Mulching
Tree removal
Prescribed burning to reduce forest canopy densities, and ground and ladder fuels in areas across the landscape
Management of the drafting and revising of 8 specialist reports, including the Biological Evaluation/Biological Evaluation Assessment
Treat approximately 18,800 acres within the 111,627 acres East Central-Wet Mountains Project Area. This area contains:
Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, upland shrublands, aspen & Pinyon juniper
Benefits
Reduce fire intensity and behavior
Provide a stronghold for fire management resources to defend in the event of large wildfire(s) in that area
Restoration of portions of the project area that have moved away from historic forest conditions due to the lack of disturbances
Create more sustainable forest conditions that are resilient to fire, insects and diseases
Provide for diverse wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, sustainable watershed conditions and increased fire fighter safety