Download Nantahala and Pisgah Forest Plan

Introducing DRAFT
Forestwide Plan Components
Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
Jan. 2016
COMING SOON…

In February 2016, the FS will
provide an opportunity to see
DRAFT plan components as they
are being developed

We are trying to be transparent
about how the plan is developing


No black box here –
just lots of clear building blocks.
Commenters will see their ideas
reflected in plan content
We have an opportunity to adjust
before a draft comes out
Today’s agenda
Introducing a couple of sections, to provide an overview of
content and how it was developed

Overview of forestwide content (Michelle Aldridge)

Ecozones
 Terrestrial (Gary Kauffman)
 Aquatic (Sheryl Bryan)

Vegetation Management (Jason Rodrigue)

Recreation (Michelle)
*breaks between sections for questions*
Overview of Forestwide Content
The Role of Forestwide Direction
Forestwide direction
+ Management Areas
+ Special Areas
------------------------= Total Plan Direction
(also must
follow law
regulations,
and policy
not written
in the plan)
What is covered in Forestwide direction?












Geological Resources
Soils
Water
Air
Climate
Aquatic Systems*
Streamside Zones*
Terrestrial Ecozones*
Unique Habitats*
Threatened and Endangered
Species and Species of
Conservation Concern*
Vegetation Management*
Fire












Forest Health and Invasive
Species
Lands and Special Uses
Facilities
Transportation and Forest
Access
Recreation
Scenery
Cultural Resources
Tribal Resources
Minerals and Energy Resources
Forest Products (Nontimber)
Community Connections
Conservation Education
Sections marked by * include direction for wildlife
What is covered in Forestwide direction?












Geological Resources
Soils
Water
Air
Climate
Aquatic Systems*
Streamside Zones*
Terrestrial Ecozones*
Unique Habitats*
Threatened and Endangered
Species and Species of
Conservation Concern*
Vegetation Management*
Fire












Forest Health and Invasive
Species
Lands and Special Uses
Facilities
Transportation and Forest
Access
Recreation
Scenery
Cultural Resources
Tribal Resources
Minerals and Energy Resources
Forest Products (Nontimber)
Community Connections
Conservation Education
Sections marked by * include direction for wildlife
Reminder about plan components

Desired Conditions

Standards

Guidelines

Management
Approaches
Ecozones
How is the Ecozones section organized?

All terrestrial ecozones


(Plan direction that is the same for all zones goes here)
Then separate direction for each ecozone







Floodplain forest
Rich Cove Forest
Acidic Cove Forest
Northern Hardwood Forest
Spruce-Fire Forest
High elevation Red Oak
Mesic Oak




Dry-mesic oak
Dry oak
Pine-oak
Shortleaf time
Where’s Wildlife?


Not a standalone section
Built into the systems components





Terrestrial Ecozones
Vegetation Management
Riparian/Streamside Forests
Unique Habitats and Communities
Federally-listed Species (proposed, endangered, and
threatened) and Species of Conservation Concern
Are there other/better ways to organize wildlife habitat plan
components for consistency and easier reference?
What is an ecozone?

Discrete units of land that can support a specific plant
community or plant community group based under historical
disturbance regimes.

Why ecozones?






They delineate the most common plant systems present across the
southern Appalachians
They capture the common plant and animal diversity as well as
associated rare species
They operate at the broader landscape scale
They have an ecological integrity defined by their composition,
structure and function
They have multiple drivers and stressors and can demonstrate
resilience
They are consistent with other forests and agencies ecological
delineations across the southern Appalachians and Region 8.
Ecozone Development






Ecozones units were based on higher resolution separations of
NatureServe's Ecological Systems, which is a nationally consistent set of
mid scale ecological units.
Individual ecozones were identified from local field data --- over 5800 plots
Developed spatial database with field plots by characterizing 29 landform
(slope length, aspect, terrain shape index, landform index, etc.) and
environmental (geology, precipitation, temperature, stream influence, etc.)
variables
Use statistical function, in this case Maximum Entropy (Maxent) modeling
software
Model provides predicted distribution map of ecozones
Current model is 3rd approximation and is modeled across 8 million acres
Plot Distribution (5000 plus)
Plant Communities in Southern Appalachian
Landscape
Grassy Bald
Spruce-Fir
Beech Gap
Northern
Hardwood
Northern
Hardwood
High Elevation
Red Oak
Pine-Oak/
Heath
Mesic Oak
Mesic Oak
Dry-Mesic Oak
Dry-Mesic Oak
Shortleaf Pine-Oak
Floodplain Forest
Spruce-fir
High Elevation Red
Oak
High Elevation > 4200
Feet
10% of Nantahala
& Pisgah NFs
Northern Hardwood
Mid
Elevation:
2300- 4200
Feet
Acidic Cove
85% of
Nantahala &
Pisgah NFs
PineOak/Heath
Rich Cove
Dry Oak
Dry-Mesic Oak
Mesic Oak
Low Elevation < 2300
Feet
Shortleaf Pine Forest
5% of Nantahala &
Pisgah NFs
Floodplain Forest
Considering Natural Range of Variation

Whatever projects we develop for site specific
habitat, restoration, or management, ecological and
functional resilience should be the overall goal.

Planning directives say that understanding NRV is a
guide to understanding how to restore a resilient
ecosystem. NRV can provide insight into temporal
dynamics and key characteristics of ecological
systems, part of definition for ecological integrity.

NRV is one of the tools to develop plan components.
The FS may also use other information, based on
scientific and ecological understanding including
traditional ecological knowledge. The FS may also
recognize that it is desirable to achieve social,
economic, cultural objectives for uncommon
conditions.

Defining Natural Range of Variation

What you need to consider:







Define a geographic area --- Nantahala & Pisgah and surrounding
landscape
Determine appropriate ecozones -- 11 selected
Correlate Landfire biophysical setting (BPS) modeled vegetation units
with ecozones – derive 10 models with two cove, acidic and rich
combined, with similar disturbance histories
Review other local Landfire modeling examples in Southern Apps -inconsistencies – develop local models for Nantahala/Pisgah
Develop age and successional classes for Nantahala/Pisgah –
incorporated old growth for all
Determine appropriate disturbance regimes (type and frequency)
for each separate BPS
Run state and transition simulation models (STSMs) for each
separate BPS; incorporate variability for all disturbance regimes
Defining Natural Range of Variation

What we did:


Added old growth classes for all models, these varied from 6-7 boxes
(classes) per model
Calibrated age classes based on dominate tree species growth an
changes in understory composition/structure
Ecozones
Age Class
Early
Mid
Late
Old Growth
Spruce-Fir
0-35
36-70
71-120
120+
High Elevation Red Oak
0-20
21-70
71-130
130+
Northern Hardwood
0-15
16-75
76-130
130+
Cove (Rich or Acidic)
0-10
Mesic Oak
0-10
11-80
81-130
130+
Dry-Mesic Oak
0-15
16-75
76-130
130+
Dry Oak
0-20
21-70
71-100
100+
Pine-Oak heath
0-20
21-70
71-130
130+
Low Elevation pine
0-15
16-70
71-100
100+
Floodplain
0-10
11-100 101-140
11-100 101-140
140+
140+
Defining Natural Range of Variation

What we did:

Incorporated disturbance events with frequency of
occurrence either from literature or where data deficient
estimates were determined based on landscape
position/relative scales across ecozones

Ice/Hoar Frost
Hurricanes
Wind
Insects
Diseases
Surface Fire
Mixed Fire
Replacement Fire
Flooding








Defining Natural Range of Variation

What we did:
 We tested each model for a 1000 year simulation
 Each model was completed across 10,000 simulation cells.
1 cell represents 1 acre on the landscape
 No real difference observed between 100 and 300
iterations, settled on 100 iterations for all models
Defining Natural Range of Variation

What we found:





As expected a variety of ranges were derived indicating the diversity
of ecozone state classes present across the southern Appalachians
The greatest variation was present by multiple classes within high
elevation red oak forest
Young forest varies from a low of 4-5% of cove forest to a high of
14-18% of high elevation red oak forest
Closed old growth forest varies from a low of 1-3% for pine-oak
heath forest to a high of 46-54% for cove forest.
Important to note spatial scale for model delineations is across the
entire forest – not for each project site
Ecozone plan components
All Ecozones Desired Conditions
• Composition Emphasis
• Age Class Emphasis
• Structural Emphasis
• Wildlife Emphasis
Individual Ecozone Areas
• Composition
• Natural range of variation
• Fire Adaptively
• Threats
• Non-timber forest products
Age and Structural Diversity Emphasis
Desired Conditions
Samples:
• Each ecozone, classified by composition of overstory and understory
species, provides a variety of habitats distributed across a range of
ages and functioning structural layers. These age and structural
conditions, denoted as classes, represent the natural range of
variation or other appropriate distribution of conditions.
•
Habitats that are in short supply, such as young forest and old
growth forests, are available.
•
Individual age classes may be under or over represented at smaller
scales, but will be within their representative ranges across each
forestwide ecozone.
Wildlife Emphasis Desired Conditions

Samples:



Wildlife habitat conditions are present in amounts, arrangements,
and conditions to support a diversity of native species typical of the
Southern Appalachians within the planning area, resulting in natural
population dynamics.
Open understory conditions across all elevations enhance wildlife
habitat conditions such as bird nesting and foraging, bat roosting
and foraging, and deer migration routes.
Grassy and shrubby areas, and early successional and young forests,
are present across all ecozones and elevations, but particularly in
montane oak areas and at higher elevations for species requiring
this habitat for nesting and foraging such as bobwhite quail, ruffed
grouse, golden-winged warbler, and elk.
Mesic Oak (sample)



Desired Conditions:
The overstory is dominated by both red and white oak and
contains a variety of hickory and other deciduous tree species.
Aggressive native tree species, such as red maple, tulip poplar,
and white pine, are present but do not dominate. Deciduous
shrubs occur in groups and generally provide less than 30
percent cover. Herbaceous species are diverse both within
open and closed canopy forests. Grasses are a minor
component.
A greater portion of the landscape supports closed canopy
forest, 47-59%, compared to open canopy forest, 37-48%.
Open canopy conditions are distributed across all age classes.
Mesic Oak (sample)

Young forest is represented, 4-6% of the landscape, across this ecozone.
Old-growth conditions, from 47-61% of the landscape, are present in amounts
that support species diversity. With the older closed canopy forest, a mosaic of
different size openings are dispersed throughout providing structural and age
class diversity. About half of the old-growth class, representing 20-25% of the
landscape, is open canopy.
Mesic Oak NRV
40
• Wildland fire occurs
across this ecozone at
intervals ranging from
18-25 years.
• Periodic burns
regenerate the
dominant oak species.
35
30
Percent Landscape

25
20
15
10
5
0
Young
Mid-Open
Mid-Closed
Late-Open
Late-Closed
OG-Open
OG-Closed
All ecozones (sample)
•
Sample standards
•
Permanent grass/forb openings shall be located such that (1)
wildlife habitat diversity is enhanced through the juxtaposition of
grassy, brushy, open, and forested habitats, and conflicts with
recreation uses (e.g. dispersed camping, mountain biking) are
avoided , and (3) stream temperature and channel integrity are not
compromised.
•
Retain and/or increase the diversity of native tree species in rich
cove and acidic cove ecozones.
•
Retain ¼ acre patches or larger of eastern hemlock when
completing vegetation management projects within ecozones with
this species, such as acidic coves.
All ecozones (sample)






Sample Guidelines:
“Irregular” forest edges (i.e. not straight) and vegetative transition (e.g. open area
to brushy area to forest) should be emphasized to maximize structural diversity in
smaller landscapes for wildlife species depending on a variety of habitats in
proximity to each other such as ruffed grouse, golden-winged warbler, and black
bear.
Open understory conditions should be enhanced, through a reduction in
ericaceous shrubs such as Rhododendron spp. and Kalmia latifolia to benefit
many species of birds, bats, and other animals.
Sample Management Approach
When restoring woodlands in pine-oak/heath, shortleaf pine, dry oak, and drymesic oak ecozones minimize disturbance in dense patches of native grasses,
such as little bluestem and Indian grass, if present.
Expand existing or create new grass/forb openings to restore or enhance wildlife
habitat diversity that are compatible with the surrounding management area and
landscape features, emphasizing brushy and shrubby inclusions and edges.
Aquatic Ecozones
Aquatic Ecozones
Streams and Rivers:
Coldwater: 3,460 miles (93%)
Transitional: 246 miles (7%)
Warmwater: 1.5 miles (<1%)



Ponds:
Small number of acres (<50 acres total)

Reservoirs:



Shoreline is public land, but not
waterbody
Managed primarily for recreational
access
Habitat enhancement through Wyden
authority
Desired Conditions: Habitat Emphasis

Aquatic ecosystems are diverse, with properly functioning streams
providing high quality habitat for all native and desired non-native
(e.g. brown and rainbow trout) aquatic species, resulting in
populations that are robust and resilient.

Habitat in streams, rivers, and lakes provides opportunities for fish
and other aquatic organisms (e.g. crayfish, mussels, insects, and
salamanders) to hide, spawn, and forage.

Other themes addressed:



Riparian/streamside forest influence on habitat quality and quantity
Habitat conditions to promote angling success
Reservoir shoreline habitat diversity and complexity
Standards:

Laws, regulations, and policy carry the load

Samples

Aquatic habitats shall be protected from thermal, chemical, and sediment
pollution caused by management activities and existing roads and trails.
Resource management activities that may affect aquatic habitat shall
follow all applicable North Carolina and federal best management
practices (BMPs) and other laws, regulations, and policies.

Management activities shall be designed to avoid, minimize, or mitigate
impacts on aquatic habitats and species. For example, road and trail
stream crossings shall not permanently bisect populations of native aquatic
species.
Guidelines:

Most are linked to other sections of the plan

Topics include;



Compliance with existing herbicide regulations,
vegetation management EIS, etc. but allowances for
restoration under some parameters
Aquatic organism passage restoration in relation to
road and trail crossings, dam removal, etc.
Emphasis on spanning structures, portable bridges,
and stream simulation
Management Approach

Emphasis on partnerships and collaboration

Sample:

Aquatic habitat characteristics for species identified in other
landscape-scale planning efforts such as the Eastern Brook Trout
Joint Venture’s Roadmap to Restoration and Conservation Strategy,
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program’s Aquatic Natural Areas,
and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s Aquatic
Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as identified in the 2015
North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan are maintained, restored, or
enhanced.
Vegetation Management
Introduction
Genesis:
1)
FSH 1909.12 – Chapter 60
2)
Current Forest Plan Guidance
3)
Recommendations from Forest and ID Team
4)
Review of Public Comments
Introduction
continued
64 - Exhibit 01
Reference Table for Required Plan Components That Limit Timber Harvest
Chapter
60
Requirement Summary
Section
Requirements for all timber harvest
No harvest for purposes of timber production on lands not suited
64.11
for timber production.
Timber harvest would occur only where soil, slope, or watershed
64.12
conditions would not be irreversibly damaged.
Timber will be harvested only where protection is provided for
64.13
streams, streambanks, shorelines, lakes, wetlands, and other bodies
of water.
Timber harvest would be carried out consistent with the protection
64.13
of soil, watershed, fish, wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic
resources.
Timber harvest will be harvested only where there is assurance that
64.14
such lands can be adequately restocked within 5 years after harvest.
Timber will be harvested only where the harvesting system is not
64.15
selected primarily because it will give the greatest dollar return or
unit output of timber.
Requirements for only even-aged timber harvest
64.21,
Limits to the maximum size for openings that may be cut in one
64.21a-c harvest operation and exceptions.
64.22
Clearcutting will be used only where determined to be the optimum
method.
64.22
Other cuts to regenerate an even-aged stand of timber will be used
only where determined to be appropriate.
64.23
Even-aged regeneration cutting will be used only where the
interdisciplinary review has been completed.
Even-aged regeneration cutting will be used where cuts are shaped
64.24
and blended with the natural terrain.
Timber harvest would be carried out consistent with the protection
64.25
of soil, watershed, fish, wildlife, recreation, and aesthetic
resources.
Even-aged stands shall generally have reached culmination of
64.26
mean annual increment to regeneration harvest and exceptions.
Limitation on volume that can be sold
64.3,
The sale of timber from each national forest shall be limited to a
64.31-34 quantity equal to or less than a quantity which can be removed
from such forest annually in perpetuity on a sustained-yield basis
and exceptions (departures, decade, salvage and sanitation
harvests).
Title 16, U.S.
Code Section
Subsection
of 219.11
1604 (k)
(d)(1)
1604
(g)(3)(E)(i)
1604
(g)(3)(E)(iii)
(d)(2)
Requirements for all timber harvest
(d)(5)
(d)(3)
1604
(g)(3)(E)(ii)
1604
(g)(3)(E)(iv)
(d)(5)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(iv)
(d)(4)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(i)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(i)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(ii)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(iii)
1604
(g)(3)(F)(v)
(d)(5)
1604 (m)
(d)(7)
1611 (a) and
(b)
(d)(6)
(d)(5)
Requirements for only even-aged timber harvest
(d)(5)
(d)(5)
(d)(5)
(d)(3)
Limitation on the volume that can be sold
Desired Conditions

Themes Covered:

Considerations for vegetation management

Goals for tools used

Management of mast producing and advanced growth
dependent species

Forest products and regeneration

The relationship to research
Desired Conditions

continued
Samples:




Silvicultural tools provide a wide variety of options to meet many
different resource objectives to provide for species composition,
structure and function throughout age classes and lifecycles.
Development of advanced grown dependent species is promoted at
densities that support multiple use objectives.
Regeneration openings maximize benefits for wildlife habitat,
compositional and structural diversity, restoration opportunities and
consider scenery objectives.
Vegetation management supports forest, ecological or biological
research needs by maintaining existing research plots and providing
opportunities for future relevant research. Meanwhile, management
options are informed by the best available scientific information.
Standards

Themes Covered:

Chapter 60 requirements

Harvest of trees

Control and protection of water

Stocking requirements

Retention requirements

Rotation ages

Temporary opening sizes

Temporary opening design and location

Optimality

Appropriateness

Culmination of mean annual increment
•
Vt.edu
Standards continued

Samples
• Timber harvest shall be carried out consistent with the
protection of soil, watershed, fish, wildlife, recreation, and scenic
and heritage resources (64.25).
•Timber harvest shall occur only where




a site specific finding determines that soil, slope, or watershed
conditions would not be irreversibly damaged (64.12).
there is assurance that such lands can be adequately restocked within 5
years after harvest (64.14).
protection is provided for streams, streambanks, shorelines, lakes,
wetlands, and other bodies of water (64.13).
the harvesting system is not selected primarily because it will give the
greatest dollar return or unit output of timber (64.15).
Standards continued

Samples
•
Design, construct, and maintain erosion control features to
meet soil and water quality. In particular:

Follow North Carolina performance standards as outlined in Forest
Practices Guidelines Related to Water Quality (FPGs) using effective
soil and water Best Management Practices.

Minimize stream crossings and avoid seeps and hydric soils

During skidding operations, choose skid trails (not excavated) over
skid roads (excavated) and skid logs over logging slash placed in the
travel way when feasible to avoid long-term soil impacts.

Avoid skidding during wet soil periods and through wet areas.
Standards continued

Samples
When selecting retention vegetation:

Hard and soft mast producing species shall be emphasized,
including grapes, berries, and fruit trees at old home sites to
enhance wildlife habitat diversity and foraging for species such
as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and black bear.

Downed woody debris of various sizes, including, where
available, some that are at least 10” DBH and 10 feet long, shall
be retained during vegetation management activities to provide
habitat for salamanders and other cover- and moistureassociated wildlife and drumming logs for grouse.
Standards continued

Samples




Even-aged regeneration cutting will be used where cuts are
shaped and blended with the natural terrain (64.24) to meet
scenery, wildlife, and restoration objectives.
Separate even-aged or two-aged harvest units from each other
by a minimum distance of 330 feet (5 chains). In areas of high
scenic interest (Class A) a distance of 660 feet may be desired.
Clearcutting will be used only where determined to be the
optimal method or where site specific finding is determined to
be optimal method for one of the purposes described below
(64.22).
Use other even-aged regeneration methods only where
determined to be appropriate and where a project specific
finding determines the even-aged cut is appropriate (64.22b).
Guidelines

Themes covered

Soil and water protections

Soil productivity

Regional progeny tests and seed production areas

Soft mast production

Forest regeneration

Stand improvement practices
J. Rodrigue, 2015
Guidelines continued

Samples

Existing, shortleaf, oak, and black cherry Regional progeny
tests and improved seed production areas should be
maintained.

Develop of advance growth dependent species should be
promoted utilizing treatments that ensure establishment and
growth or promote the development of advanced
competitive regeneration.

Stand improvement practices should be used to manage
stages of intermediate stand development.
Guidelines continued

Samples

When regenerating forest stands:

Regeneration should be native tree species that commonly occur
naturally on similar sites within that community or ecozone and
that are expected to be resilient to climatic changes.

Natural regeneration should be emphasized in all communities
but especially hardwood forest types and ecozones.

Artificial regeneration should be used where needed to increase
future mast production, increase species diversity or abundance,
or restore lost species.

Artificial regeneration should use genetically local and native
improved seeds and seedlings, and selection of planting stock
should be appropriate for reasonably anticipated changes to
climate.
Recreation
Recreation section

Contains 4 subsections:





Settings
Opportunities
Concentrated Use Areas
Trails
Other related content (not
covered in this section)
includes transportation and
access, scenery, cultural
resources, community
connections, and more…
Settings

Sample Desired Conditions

Forest settings reflect healthy and resilient landscapes, provide a
diverse sense of place for community residents and visitors, and
enhance high quality sustainable recreation opportunities.

A full range of recreation settings are available, ranging from
primitive, unroaded and challenging backcountry areas to roaded
settings easily travelled and convenient for connecting communities
to the forest.

Recreation settings retain their natural character as development
and populations in the region continue to grow and new forms of
recreation emerge.
Opportunities

Sample Desired Condition

Visitors to the national forest connect to nature and cultural
heritage through a variety of high quality, resource-based
opportunities that:




feature the unique quality of the forest’s special places,
protect ecological integrity and stability of the natural, cultural and
scenic environment,
expand visitors’ understanding of public lands, and
enable long-term connections to inspire a stewardship ethic.
Opportunities

Other DC topics include










Quality of life for residents,
Providing tourist destinations for visitors,
Contributing to the vitality of local communities
Enabling healthy lifestyles
Minimizing user conflicts
Accessibility and inclusivity
Risks
Access to large blocks of land, and water
Accurate high quality visitor information
Use managed within capacity
Opportunities

Standard & Guideline Topics



Address when new recreation sites would be considered
Where geocaching and recreational metal detecting would be
allowed
Management Approach Topics

Using a mosaic of funding sources (including volunteers,
permittees, partners, and concessionaires) to provide
recreation opportunities
Concentrated Use Areas

Sample Desired Conditions:
 At highly developed sites, well-maintained forest roads and
well-marked trails provide relatively easy access for users, such
as urban visitors and recreationists with special access needs.

In dispersed campsites, visitors expect limited rustic amenities,
fewer signs, and minimal development.

Fisheries and wildlife habitat improvements and viewing
opportunities compliment developed sites.
Concentrated Use Areas

Standards and Guidelines Topics





Design standards for new and rehabilitated facilities and sites
Floodprone area considerations
Soil and water resource protections
Safety zones for discharging firearms
Guidance for when areas can be expanded

Sample: Existing recreation areas, including parking facilities, can be
expanded only if use exceeds the site’s capacity for five or more nonholiday days per year, and all maintenance and rehabilitation at the
site has been accomplished.
Concentrated Use Areas

Sample Management Approach

Based on priorities identified through public input, the portfolio of
available developed sites is gradually transitioned to a level and
distribution that is predicted to be financially sustainable. Facility
maintenance decisions prioritize investments at sites that will be
sustainable.

Other topics





Deferred maintenance
Bear proof containers
Camping
Vegetation management in these sites
Cooperative agreements
Trails

Sample Desired Conditions




Unsustainable trails are transitions to a sustainable condition using state of
the art trail design systems or are closed and rehabilitated.
Partner groups and communities are involved with and supportive of
sustainable trail management efforts.
Nationally designated trails maintain the characteristics for which they
were established.
Other topics:





Connector trails,
Trailheads,
Designated routes,
Trail information
and more…
Trails

Standards


What to do if damage occurs
When would additional trail opportunities be considered




Trail expansion or improvements
Motorized trails
Designated Trail Uses
Protected species and unique habitat considerations

Sample: New trails shall not traverse or approach unique rocky areas.
Existing trails are relocated away from rocky areas known to support PET
species, SCC or other unique habitat characteristics.
Trails

Sample Management approach

The following attributes are used as indicators of trails that are of
higher priority to operate and maintain:




Day use hiking opportunities, particularly those associated with visitor
attractions such as scenic views and waterfalls.
Nationally recognized hiking trails, such as the Appalachian National Scenic
Trail, National Recreation and National Historic Trails.
The existing network of designated motorized trails to the extent they are
sustainable using fees and RTP grant funding.
Mountain bike, equestrian, and backcountry hiking trails as further
prioritized by Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Trail Strategy or
identified as compatible with district recreation focus areas.
Remember – all of these topics are included












Geological Resources
Soils
Water
Air
Climate
Aquatic Systems*
Streamside Zones*
Terrestrial Ecozones*
Unique Habitats*
Threatened and Endangered
Species and Species of
Conservation Concern*
Vegetation Management*
Fire












Forest Health and Invasive
Species
Lands and Special Uses
Facilities
Transportation and Forest
Access
Recreation
Scenery
Cultural Resources
Tribal Resources
Minerals and Energy Resources
Forest Products (Nontimber)
Community Connections
Conservation Education
Sections marked by * include direction for wildlife
Key themes of the Plan
1.
2.
3.
Clean and Abundant Water
Connecting People to Land
Enhancing and Restoring Resiliency
*All of the pieces of the plan will support these
themes*
Questions?
Nantahala and Pisgah Plan Revision Team
January 2016