Decision and Rationale

It is my decision to move forward with the Elden Urban Wildfire Reduction Project. This project is located on the Coconino National Forest Peaks Ranger District within the Grand Canyon Forests Partnership planning boundary (180,000 acres). The project area is located just north of Paradise Road at the base of Mount Elden. The area is located adjacent to Shadow Mountain and Lockett Ranch subdivisions, Buffalo Park and is bounded on the eastern edge by the gas pipeline.

The following document describes a management scenario for the "Elden Project Area" (193 acres), which is one of four areas the Partnership, is focusing their efforts in the year 2000. The other three project areas are Mountainaire, Airport and Arboretum.

This decision will allow the Peaks Ranger District to take advantage of funding that will be available after October 1, 2000 to begin Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Reduction work this fall. This project is categorically excluded under 1909.15 Sec. 31.2 category 6. There are no extraordinary circumstances and no significant affects to the environment as documented in the project record file.

Purpose and Need

The purpose of this project is to improve ecosystem functions and structure and reduce fuel loading, fuel ladders, and overall fire hazard within the project area. The decline in environmental health and the increased likelihood of catastrophic fires and their potential impact on the forests and towns of northern Arizona concerns many local citizens. The possibility of catastrophic fires and the need to restore forest ecosystem health in the Urban Wildland Interface--where homes and other human development intermingle with wildland vegetation--are particular concerns for land managers, fire service personnel, landowners, and other concerned citizens.

The Elden project specifically will reduce wildfire potential to adjacent private property at Locket Ranches and Shadow Mountain subdivisions. There is also concern for loss of scenic value on Mount Elden if a wildfire event like the Radio fire of 1977 were to occur. Old growth and Threatened and Endangered species habitat are at risk of a wildfire starting in our project area and spreading north. Recreational values of the project area are very high and will be retained.

In order improve ecological processes and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire in the Elden Project Area, the Grand Canyon Forests Partnership proposes the following strategies to meet project objectives:

• Create conditions necessary for reintroduction of low-intensity ground/grass fires (an important ecosystem process) in young, mid-aged, and mature forest stands by reducing buildup of forest litter.
  
• Develop a more discontinuous "clumped" tree canopy structure; a forest quality important to reducing the threat of continuous crown fires and characteristic of historic ponderosa pine forests.
  
• Create stand conditions less susceptible to fires entering the crowns by reducing ladder fuels. It is the Partnerships objective to have most of the area rated as low to moderate fire potential following treatments.
  
• Accelerate the development of larger trees for the benefit of wildlife species that depend on late-succession (mature or old growth) stand conditions.
  
• Retain existing old yellow-barked pine trees and snags, oaks and mature junipers.

Specific Management Planned

Apply forest restoration and fire prescriptions to stands totaling 193 acres (see map) as follows:

1) A light thinning from below is proposed for this area. The thinning would be similar to what has occurred around Thorpe Park, Sinagua high school and on Observatory Mesa. Most trees removed will be less than 9" diameter, however in some areas trees up to 12" diameter would be removed. Thinning will work to maintain and create a "clumpy tree pattern" using uneven spacing. Trails in the area will be incorporated into the thinning, as to maintain screening between trails and maintain esthetic values of the area. Gambel oak, old growth ponderosa pine and juniper will be retained and enhanced. This treatment will reduce the risk of catastrophic fire in the project area, but will not eliminate crown fire potential. Thinning actions to further lessen crown fire potential would be difficult in this area due to a lack of current motorized vehicle access. A more aggressive thinning approach (thinning trees larger than 12") would require building roads. This is a concern in that it may lead to more use, which might increase the risk for an ignition.

2) Within 150' of private land (shown on map in dark beads)- where requested by the adjacent land owner, managers will work with landowners and decide to leave more trees, have the adjacent prescription applied, or work out other treatments which would help to meet fire reduction objectives.

3) Apply treatment systems to thin sites in items 1 and 2 above as follows:

• Possible use of small machinery including a Bobcat and ATV's to move material
• The most likely use of the trees cut will be for firewood for the community.

4) Apply fuel treatment methods within treated sites in item 1- 4 above as follows:

• Pile slash and burn piles or;
• Chip slash
• Prescribed fire may occur concurrent with burning slash piles.

5) Use prescribed fire on 193 acres as follows:

• Prescribed ground/grass fire using USFS crew and city fire personnel.
• Follow prescribed burning prescription as specified in burn plan.
• Protect snags and large old growth yellow pines during burning.

6) Temporary paths to skid trees may be needed to move the cut trees to areas, which can be accessed by the public for removal of the trees from the site. Paths will be naturalized following treatment.

7) An access point will be selected for use by fire personnel to bring engines into the area in the event of a future wildfire.

Public Scoping

The Grand Canyon Forests Partnership, US Forest Service, private individuals and groups developed this plan in a cooperative venture. Several meetings were held to design the project and those who assisted included:

•Grand Canyon Trust
•Forest Alliance
•Arizona Game and Fish
•State Land Department
•Northern Arizona University
•Nature Conservancy
•USFWS
•Flagstaff Fire Department
•Rocky Mountain Research Station
•Coconino County

On April 19 a public meeting was held at Mount Elden Middle School. Flyers were hand delivered to adjacent landowners; organizations and individuals that expressed previous interest were contacted. Three individuals attended this meeting. This project was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA) in February and all subsequent issues. The SOPA is mailed to approximately 500 addresses. Three organizations wrote letters in response to the SOPA asking to receive any NEPA documents related to this project. They were Forest Conservation Council, Center for Biological Diversity and Forest Guardians. A copy of this NEPA document will be mailed to all three organizations as requested. A field trip to the site was planned with the Forest Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity, FAN, and Grand Canyon Trust on October 10, 2000, however these groups cancelled the review. The Forest Alliance attended one meeting on February 9, 2000. The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, FAN and Forest Guardians were contacted multiple times, however none of the groups attended the open houses or planning meetings. We have made every effort possible to include Forest Guardians, FAN and Center for Biological Diversity. The Grand Canyon Trust has participated in all planning sessions for this project.

Findings Required by Other Laws

The areas under this decision are located in Management Area 3 as detailed in the Coconino Forest Plan and actions are consistent with the Standards and Guidelines of the Plan and all amendments. These activities are also consistent with Regional and National Forest Service direction, and all Arizona State and Federal laws.

There are no effects to threatened and endangered species and a BA&E has been prepared. The cultural resource clearance is completed for this project with concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).

Implementation
This project may be implemented immediately. It is anticipated the project will begin in the fall of 2000.

Appeal
This decision is not subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215.

Contact Person
For more information contact Tammy Randall-Parker - Team Leader, Peaks Ranger Station 928-527-8254.

GENE WALDRIP
Peaks
District Ranger
October 10, 2000

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