Introduction

The National Forests in North Carolina are comprised of 1.3 million acres of public forest land sustainably managed to provide outdoor recreation, timber, water, wildlife and fish, and wilderness, to add to the quality of life for all citizens. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are in the western mountains of the state, while the Uwharrie National Forest is in the piedmont and the Croatan National Forest is on the coastal plain. Land and Resource Management Plans guide the management activities that occur on the these forests.

Monitoring and evaluation programs are specifically designed to ensure the goals and objectives set out in the Forest Plans are being achieved; directions are being followed and standards adhered to; and environmental effects are occurring as predicted. The cumulative effect of all management activities on the National Forests in North Carolina should be to move the forests toward a desired future condition specified in the Plans.

The Forest Service Handbook specifies certain items that must be monitored. These items are derived from requirements in the National Forest Management Act. Also, the Land and Resource Management Plans outline additional items for monitoring. Finally, regulations require that the management plans themselves be periodically reviewed.

The findings outlined in the Monitoring and Evaluation Report are followed with recommendations for follow-up action. Findings may lead to recommendations to change the forest plans; to change the way forest plans are being implemented; or that more information is needed on a particular topic. One important function of the report is to identify the need to make changes in the forest plans through amendments or revisions.

Forest Supervisor's Certification

I have evaluated the monitoring results and recommendations in this report. I accept the Action Plans and Staff are directed to begin implementing these. I have considered funding requirements in the budget necessary to implement these actions.

Any amendments or revisions to the Forest Plans made in response to monitoring findings will be made using the appropriate NEPA procedures.

/S/ JOHN F. RAMEY
FOREST SUPERVISOR

DATE May 22, 1998

Evaluation of Findings

The extent to which the Forest Plans can be implemented continues to be limited due to reduced budgets and fewer employees. Implementation of the Land and Resource Management Plan-Amendment 5, Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, was in its fourth year during FY 97. The LRMP revision for the Croatan National Forest is currently underway and a draft should be available some time in FY 98.

Several general observations are listed below:

• In the area of outdoor recreation, for Forests continue to provide a wide variety of recreational
• uses. Progress is made each year in increasing the number of fully accessible facilities.
• In the area of timber management, more 2-age and group selection treatments occurred in FY 97, better reflecting the direction in the Nantahala/Pisgah LRMP- Amendment 5.
• Wildlife managers report animal populations in general appear to be thriving across the Forests. New monitoring efforts are underway for various animal species, most notably for birds.
• Keeping roads and trails maintained is one of our biggest challenges, and has not been made easier by substantial recent storm damage.

Emerging Issues

Two issues predominate recent IRR findings. These are the constraints imposed by declining budgets and the loss of experienced personnel due to attrition and the "buyout." These are related in that no funds have been available to replace key personnel. The result is a reduced ability to meet targets, increased maintenance costs, increased exposure to health and safety problems, and the possibility of increased liability.

Recommendations?

The Forest needs to continue to train and cross train personnel and to develop new, better, or different streamlined ways of doing work with the people we have.

Issues Indicating Changes Needed to the Forest Plans

No new issues were identified in FY 97. Issues identified in previous reports will still need to be dealt with through amendments and/or revisions.

FY 97 Monitoring and Evaluation Report

Outdoor

Recreation

DFC/Goal 1: There is increased sensitivity for visually sensitive areas.

DFC/Goal 2: A wide variety of recreational opportunities are provided with increased opportunities for nonmotorized recreation. Activities, facilities, and programs are accessible to the extent practicable.

Monitoring Questions

-> Visual Quality Objectives (VQO's) met?

Almost always. Most Districts requested input from a landscape architect on planning projects in visually sensitive areas. For the most sensitive projects, a scenery management specialist was usually included on the Interdisciplinary Team.

The following projects were evaluated for affects to scenery during FY 1997. In each case, analysis showed that VQO's would be met as proposed or with implementation of specific mitigation:

Nantahala National Forest

Highlands Ranger District -

Rocky Knob timber sale

Tusquitee Ranger District -

Bates Creek timber sale

Wayah Ranger District -

Lambert Cove timber sale

Big Choga timber sale

Lee Branch timber sale

Crawford land exchange

Cheoah Ranger District -

Obadiah timber sale

Pisgah National Forest

Grandfather Ranger District -

Alton Taylor quarry special use

permit

Appalachian Ranger District -

Bluff Mountain timber sale

Sprout timber sale

Warden Road timber sale

Preacher timber sale

->Is the forest moving toward a more continuous, natural-appearing canopy in visually sensitive areas?

Yes . With the use of 2-age and group selection replacing clearcutting, current and future timber sales will leave a more "continuous, natural-appearing" canopy. Obviously timber harvest of any type reduces the amount of canopy cover, but areas clearcut in the past will blend in with the adjacent forest as the regenerating trees grow up -- while many of the newer "scenery friendly" harvest areas will go unnoticed by most viewers.

-> Is the scenery being maintained or enhanced?

Yes. As previously stated, the shift from clearcutting to the use of other harvest methods has allowed commercially harvested National Forest System lands to be more "natural-appearing." With these new techniques being used while old harvest areas grow back and road cuts heal, the scenery is being enhanced where modified by heavy cutting in years past. In areas which have little evidence of past timber cutting, lower impact harvest methods will help maintain existing scenic conditions.

-> Are management activities appropriate for moving areas of the Forest toward the desired condition for recreation?

Yes. All recreation related management activities reviewed during FY 97 were appropriate for achieving the desired conditions set forth in the LRMPs. The seven projects listed below are good examples of planning and scoping internally and externally:

Appalachian District -

• Mountain bike trails in the Golden Ridge area
• Loop hiking trail at Bluff Mountain
• Design for Max Patch fishing pier and integrated trails

Grandfather District -

• ·Planning for dispersed recreation sites along Curtis Creek.

Uwharrie District -

• Mountain bike trails in the Wood Run area.

Wayah District -

• Segment of the Bartram trail completed and dedicated.
• Work ongoing on Wine Springs horse trails.

->Are health and safety hazards corrected? Has accessibility improved.

Yes. Imminent health and safety hazards are immediately corrected or the area is closed to the public. Closure, due to hurricane damage on the Croatan National Forest and Davidson River due to sewerage problems, are recent examples. Accessibility continues to improve every year with additional facilities being renovated or constructed to provide for disabled access.

Recommendations?

• Project planning teams should involve scenery specialists at the earliest possible stages and set reasonable deadlines for completion of analysis.
• In visually sensitive areas which are managed for timber production, continue the use of high basal area shelterwood, thinning, individual tree selection, helicopter logging and other appropriate harvest techniques. Try to limit the need for new road construction in sensitive areas.
• Maintenance or enhancement of high quality scenery should be done in conjunction with maintenance or creation of vistas from which to see the scenic landscape. Work more closely with the partners such as state agencies, Bartram Trail Society, Appalachian Train Conference, and local hiking clubs to identify new opportunities to manage existing vistas in conjunction with other forest resources. This is especially critical along National Forest System travel corridors such as the Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, Mountains to Sea Trail, and Scenic Byways.
• Begin planning for Fires Creek trail work on the Tusquitee Ranger District, as specified in the FY 97 IRR action plan.
• Continue evaluation of management activities through Functional Assistance trips and Integrated Resource Reviews.
•  

Timber

DFC/Goal 3: A variety of silvicultural treatments are used to provide a continuous supply of wood products with emphasis on high quality hardwoods.

Monitoring Questions

-> Are silvicultural treatments and other management activities effective in providing for stand regeneration?

Incomplete information available - Regeneration success is measured by survival checks for planted stands and by stocking surveys for stands with natural regeneration. Stands planted in FY 94 had third year survival checks during FY 97. See Table 1 for a summary of survival percentages for planted stands. Stocking surveys are not kept on hand in the Supervisor's Office. The Forest foal for plantation survival is 80% or more. Survival averages for FY 97, 3rd year checks, have fallen short of that goal. Ranges for survival rated include many stands that are well above the 80% level but within a species group, several rates in the 50's and 60's will bring the average below the desired 80% level. Reasons for the shortfalls in some stands will vary among species and districts. Common reasons for poor survival in FY 97 include:

1. Competition from competing vegetation due to poor site preparations and no follow up release immediately after plating. This is often a result of accomplishing part of the site prep, slash down, and not carrying through with the prescribed burn due to weather conditions and timing.
2. In the case of shortleaf pine, seedling quality was not consistent.
3. Contract quality and inspection of contractors is not consistent.

Table 1. Summary of 3rd year average survival percentages for stands planted in FY 94

-> Is emphasis on producing high quality hardwood sawtimber in MA 1B and MA 3B?

To the extent possible given the existing forest types in harvest areas - Data from the Cut and Sold Report for FY 97 indicates that high quality hardwood sawtimber made up approximately 25% of the total volume sold. High quality hardwood sawtimber for this report includes northern red oak, white oak, black cherry, sugar maple, yellow poplar, and cucumbertree. See Table 2 for sales percentages by species group.

Table 2. FY 97 Sold Volume

->Is a continuous supply of high quality hardwood sawtimber available for harvest?

Yes. High quality hardwood sawtimber appears to be available to meet from 20% to 30% of the Nantahala/Pisgah volume target. White pine and yellow pine sawtimber account for 29% of the sale volume. These species should also be considered high quality sawtimber. This would bring the sold volume in quality sawtimber to 70% of sold volume on SO sales. See Figure 1, Trends in Product Volumes.

-> Are silvicultural treatments in compliance with the forest plan?

Yes. From Integrated Resource Reviews conducted annually it appears regeneration methods used are in compliance with the Plan. Acres regenerated by method are found in Table 20 of the Annual Reforestation and Timber Stand Improvement Accomplishment Report. See Figure 2 for trends in harvest methods.

Figure 2. Trends in Harvest Methods

ä Are there significant changes in land productivity?

There are no major changes in land productivity known. Some minor changes in productivity may take place when roads are constructed or where small areas of erosion occur.

ä Have lands identified as not suitable for timber production become suitable?

There are lands in MA's where timber management is not provided under Nantahala/Pisgah Amendment 5, which should have been included in the suitable base. The total number of acres in this category has not been determined.

-> Are maximum size limits for opening being met and should they be continued?

Maximum openings for stand regeneration are being followed, based on annual integrated resource reviews. In most cases stand conditions, topography, and early successional habitat standards limit size of regeneration areas below the maximum allowed in the LRMP.

Recommendations?

• Do site visits on Districts with survival < 70%.
• Ask Districts for stocking surveys and keep on file in SO.
• Work toward limiting pulpwood and low quality sawtimber to less than 30% of total sales volume.
• Begin tracking method of cut and species groups for permits (2400-4's).
• Continue review of regeneration methods on all IRRs.
• Continue to discuss and encourage districts to identify needed management area boundary changes during annual integrated resource reviews.

Wildlife

and Fish

DFC/Goal 4: Maintain, and where possible, enhance the diversity of plant and animal communities. Maintain viable populations of existing native wildlife, fish, and plants.

Monitoring Questions

-> MIS and/or habitat monitored?

-> What MIS population trends are apparent, and what is the condition of the MIS habitat?

Black Bear

Black bear population trends are monitored utilizing several indices of abundance and/or habitat quality. The Forest Service and NC Wildlife Resources Commission jointly conduct annual black bear bait station survey lines across ranger districts on the Nantahala, Pisgah, and Croatan National Forests. Initial trend data indicates an upward trend in the bear population across the mountain districts, and stable population trends on the Croatan National Forest.

Black bear habitat quality across the Nantahala, Pisgah and Croatan National Forests continues to increase. As the forests increase in age, hardmast availability and production levels continue to expand in the mountain forests. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission conducts annual mast surveys across four National Forests in North Carolina. Pocosin habitats on the Croatan National Forest remain secure, and continue to support a strong core black bear population.

Several factors indicate potential problems on the horizon. With less timber harvesting occurring in the mountain forests, early successional habitat is progressively declining. In years such as 1997, when an almost total hardmast failure occurred, bears expanded their home ranges in search of food. This resulted in increased legal harvest, elevated depredation levels, and elevated highway mortality rates. Early successional areas can partially mitigate the lack of hardmast by providing sources of softmast such as wild grape, dogwood, black cherry, viburnum, and blackgum. Lower cub production and survival is anticipated for 1998 following the 1997 hardmast failure.

With increased recreational use levels has come substantially elevated levels of human-induced disturbance. On a landscape scale, traditional bear habitats are being modified by residential development and public highway projects. This is projected to continue for the next ten-year period. The black bear population and amount of quality black bear habitat is likely at its highest level right now.

White-tailed Deer

Deer population and habitat quality trends are monitored using a combination of hunter harvest data, availability of early seral habitats, and annual mast surveys.

Based on annual harvest figures provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the deer harvest continues to experience slight annual increases. However, the projected rate of population increase still continues to lag behind habitat potential for much of the western mountain forests. Reasons may include lack of early seral habitat and poaching. Reported deer harvest for the Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests appear to remain at much higher rates and appear to be stable.

With reduced timber harvesting, the availability of early seral habitats continues to decline across Forests, and this trend is expected to continue. Poor hardmast production in 1997 will manifest itself in reduced fawn production and survival in 1998.

Gray Squirrel

Based on hunter harvest reports, gray squirrel populations continued to improve somewhat during 1997. However, poor hardmast production is expected to result in reduced populations in 1998.

Eastern Wild Turkey

Turkey population trends and habitat quality are monitored through annual turkey brood surveys, reported spring turkey harvest data, mast surveys, and hunter reports.

Forest Service personnel participate each year in the Statewide Turkey Observation Survey, conducted by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Results of this year's survey indicate below normal turkey poult production for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, and normal production for the Croatan and Uwharrie National Forests. The low poult observation is believed to be the result of an abnormally late, wet and cold spring, which resulted in poor poult survival for 1997.

Reports from hunters indicated a very poor spring turkey season in the mountains in 1997. However, statewide the reported legal spring turkey harvest was generally up. The most notable increases in reported spring harvest came from the Croatan National Forest, which has just recently opened up for spring turkey hunting.

As with many other wildlife species, an extremely poor hardmast crop in 1998 should result in subnormal turkey poult production in 1998. Reports by personnel on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests indicate heavy use of maintained grass/forb wildlife openings across the Forests, as animals search out alternate food sources.

The long-term trend for turkey populations across the four national forests has been upward and it is projected that this will continue, with occasional bad years such as 1997-1998. However, the availability and distribution of quality grass/forb habitat may decline due to reduced timber harvesting operations and the resulting fewer miles of roads that can be seeded for wildlife food plots. Increased recreational use of seeded roads could eventually reach a level of disturbance that would impact turkey populations.

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse population trends are monitored based on hunter surveys conducted by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Reports from hunters indicate a decline in grouse numbers in 1997. Speculation is that the late, cold, wet spring resulted in reduced grouse chick survival. However, reports by hunters indicate flushing many broods of young grouse, indicating second nesting.

The outlook for ruffed grouse on national forest lands is not promising, given the declining trend in the availability of early seral habitat.

Bobwhite Quail

Bobwhite quail populations are monitored using quail hunter surveys, and quail call counts conducted by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Quail numbers remain low across national forest lands. Higher quail population levels are associated with areas having a greater proportion of grass/forb habitat and agricultural land than is found on national forest.

Neotropical Migratory Birds

Neotropical migratory bird population trends are monitored across the Forest using permanent bird points and US Fish and Wildlife Service Breeding Bird Survey route data. 1997 represented the first year in which point counts were run across the Forest, with over 3400 points surveyed on the four national forests. No data is currently available from which to make an assessment of bird species diversity and abundance trends.

Through a Challenge-Cost Share agreement with the University of Tennessee, research personnel working under the direction of Dr. David Buehler conduct annual monitoring of known cerulean warbler breeding sites on the Forest. Forest Service wildlife biologists, through annual inventories of potentially suitable habitat, have increased the number of known cerulean warbler breeding sites on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.

Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel

NFsNC initiated a comprehensive monitoring program to document the distribution and abundance of the federally endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has been monitoring over 300 nest boxes on national forest lands as part of a study to test the predictability of a GIS-based northern flying squirrel habitat suitability model. Results thus far indicate at least a 75-80 percent success rate in predicting suitable habitat. This study has also demonstrated a much larger population than originally thought.

NFsNC will also be erecting at least 400 monitoring boxes each year over the next three to five years to expand the database of known occupied habitat across the Forests, with the objective of ultimately developing a landscape conservation plan for this species on national forest lands.

->What are the relationships between MIS populations, habitat conditions, and management activities?

With regard to the USFWS Breeding Bird Census Data, the trends clearly depict progressive declines in bird species that are associated with early successional habitats, especially grassland birds. Declines have also been documented for early-seral species, such as ruffed grouse, golden-winged warbler, common yellow-throat, yellow-breasted chat, and white-eyed vireo. These trends are expected to continue, given the decline in acres treated with timber harvesting and loss of high-elevation grass/forb habitats. Less road construction and more mid- and late-seral habitat may favor those species who prefer older, less disturbed forest conditions. There is concern that the continuing increases in visitor use will soon reach a level that will impact wildlife populations. This will need close watching.

-> Is early successional dispersion within standard?

There is no known case where early successional habitat exceeds the stated desired condition in the Forest Plan. However, in some areas the amount of early successional habitat is below the desired condition.

-> Are forest interior areas managed to provide blocks of continuous canopy?

Yes. Most ranger districts have reviewed and/or delineated minimum interior blocks of continuous canopy forest conditions. All districts are complying with the Forest Plan standards that address habitat conditions for interior bird species.

-> Are blocks of forest without internal edge of more benefit to forest interior birds than forest with internal edge?

At the time that the Nantahala-Pisgah LRMP was being amended, there was a considerable degree of concern and attention directed to the potential impacts of forest fragmentation on interior-dependent bird species and the potential need for allocating blocks of mature forested habitat with little to no interspersion of internal edge. While this concept remains a valid one, long term research efforts across the two mountain forests have failed thus far to detect any differences in bird species diversity and abundance between interior forest habitats and those with some internal edge.

-> Are directions and standards being met for old growth?

Old growth in small patches is being identified in all projects where there is an Environmental Assessment. However there is no forestwide tracking mechanism in place, such as tracking through the CISC database or placing them on a map. For the most part they are just identified in the EA. Furthermore, medium and large patches that were allocated in the LRMP have not been digitized. This makes spatial analysis difficult. A few districts are tracking their small patches in the CISC database, however it is not done in a uniform or consistent manner among districts.

-> Are old growth ecosystems being restored?

There are no activities specifically being used to "restore" old growth, i.e. no down woody debris or snags are purposely being created in old growth restoration areas. Prescribed burning is being used in large old growth patches to create more open understory conditions and promote natural grass and herb production. For the most part, old growth restoration is being left to natural processes and the passage of time.

Recommendations?

• Add an additional 20-30 bird monitoring transects (200-300 additional permanent bird monitoring points) across the nine ranger districts in order to have an adequate database for monitoring bird population trends. Continue the Challenge-Cost Share agreement with the University of Tennessee to expand the monitoring program and to provide statistical analysis of bird trend data. Add additional bird monitoring points in unique, and thus far unsampled, habitat to address species such as alder flycatcher, golden-winged warbler, and other locally rare birds.
• Continue to identify potentially suitable habitat for golden-winged warbler and cerulean warbler across the ranger districts on the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests, and conduct annual spring surveys to determine occupancy.
• During 1998, construct, erect, and monitor at least 400 flying squirrel boxes, concentrating on the Highlands and Pisgah Ranger Districts.
• Implement a monitoring program to document populations trends at known Junaluska salamander site on the Cheoah Ranger District.
• Establish bobwhite quail call-count survey lines on the Uwharrie National Forest, with particular emphasis on the Thornburg Tract. Also monitor for quail on the Long Point Upland Gamebird Demonstration Project on the Croatan National Forest.
• Establish ruffed groused drumming-count survey lines in the Sugar Creek Wildlife Project area on the Highlands Ranger District.
• Develop and implement a reptile and amphibian monitoring program for the Croatan National Forest. First year surveys should be targeted to determine baseline data.
• Revisit all known green salamander sites to monitor population trends.
• Institute a bat monitoring program across the four national forests, with special emphasis on species such as Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat, and Rafinesque's big-eared bat.
• Explore opportunities for expanding the distribution and availability of early seral habitats in management areas which are well below the stated desired condition in the Forest Plan. Use pooled funding from wildlife, timber, ecosystem management, and outside partners.
• Establish a standardized method for tracking all old growth patches (small, medium, large) in the CISC database. Forest silviculturists, botanists, and wildlife biologists need to make sure all old growth patch selections that were made in the past are brought forward from the EA's and entered into CISC and added to the forest GIS maps.

Watershed

DFC/Goal 5: Riparian areas, floodplains, wetlands, and their existing ecosystems are perpetuated and enhanced.

DFC/Goal 6: Water Quality and soil productivity are maintained.

Monitoring Questions

-> Are directions and standards being met for riparian areas?

Not always. Recent IRRs have noted numerous instances where areas adjacent to streams have become denuded and compacted by forest visitors repeatedly using streamside spots for camping and day use. Also, streambanks have broken down due to recreation users, their vehicles and their animals using unhardened paths to streamside. These conditions result in an increased likelihood of sediment entering the adjacent streams. The situation is difficult to resolve since people naturally want to be next to water, and so many public roadways follow streams - providing easy access for streamside car-camping.

-> Are management activities effectively achieving the desired conditions for large woody debris in streams? Are associated activities being coordinated with scenery and recreation?

Large woody debris inputs resulting from storm damage tree- falls has occurred at a number of sites. Streamside vegetation is also being maintained that will provide inputs over a long period of time.

Recommendations?

• Through IRRs and associated Action Plans, identify specific streamside dispersed camping sites that need attention to correct erosion/compaction problems. Concentrate efforts on hardening these sites, or redirecting use to more appropriate areas.
• Be on the lookout for opportunities to supplement natural processes with targeted placement of large wood in areas where large woody debris in streams is still in limited supply.

-> Are management practices in compliance with NC FPGRWC? Are there water quality standards violation? Identify problem areas and corrective actions.

One problem area, Davidson River road construction, required close monitoring and extensive work to keep sediment out of Davidson River. No other specific monitoring of North Carolina Forest Practices Guidelines was accomplished by the Supervisor's Office staff during FY 97. District personnel continue to monitor compliance through their sales administrators' inspection of contracts. Current emphasis is on project planning to ensure adequate design to reduce risk of non-compliance.

Recommendations?

· None.

Other forest-wide monitoring questions

DFC/Goal 7: Attributes and resources of special interest areas including wilderness, research natural areas, and areas registered by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program are maintained.

Monitoring Questions

-> Are directions for Special Interest Areas being followed? Are management activities maintaining the special attributes of these areas?

-> Are directions for Research Natural Areas being followed?

Yes. All SIAs and RNAs are being protected from ground disturbing activities and natural disturbance is being allowed to occur as much as possible. No salvage is being allowed in these areas. A database is being maintained to track activities such as research, and the research is being coordinated with local universities.

-> Are directions for Wilderness being followed? Are management activities maintaining the special attributes and resources of wilderness? Are there instances where we are outside the limits of acceptable change?

Yes. Directions for Wilderness are followed and management activities are maintaining the wilderness values. However, use levels continues to be higher than desired in Shining Rock and Linville Gorge. Solitude is compromised at times in these Wildernesses. Also, some trail maintenance problems are surfacing in our wilderness areas. We have begun emphasizing back country areas (not in wilderness) and directing some use to these areas that might otherwise go to Wilderness. Hopefully this will relieve some of the pressure.

Recommendations?

· Continue current management.

DFC/Goal 8: Threatened and endangered plant and animal species are protected, managed, or recovered consistent with the Endangered Species Act; and sensitive species are conserved.

Monitoring Questions

-> Are directions for T & E and sensitive species being met?

Yes. Biological evaluations are being completed to determine the effects of proposed activities to TE&S species and to design mitigation to reduce those effects. Habitat maintenance and enhancement activities are being incorporated in burn plans and silvicultural treatments for these species.

Recommendations?

· Continue current management.

DFC/Goal 9: Utilization of mineral resources is provided in an environmentally sound manner.

Monitoring Questions

-> Are new mineral leases limited to those where the minerals activity can occur and still maintain the other resource objectives for the area?

Yes.

Monitoring not related to a DFC

Monitoring Questions

->Are constructed roads designed according to standards appropriate for the planned use?

Yes. Design standards are determined by the Interdisciplinary Team through the NEPA process, recreation narratives and site plans. Design standards are determined by the resources involved and include factors such as slope, type of use, location, and cost criteria. In August, 1997, a policy was adopted limiting the construction of temporary roads by application of certain criteria.

Recommendations?

· Continue current management. Monitor for correct implementation of temporary road policy.

-> Are Heritage Resources being protected?

In FY 97, 9,700 acres were surveyed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA). Three permanent archeologist positions were added to the workforce to help get the job done. Table 2 shows the acres inventoried and sites located.

TABLE 2. Acres Inventoried and Sites Located - Heritage Resources

Thirty-eight (38) archeological sites regarded as susceptible to vandalism, looting, or potential impacts from project implementation, visitor use, and/or storm damage were visited and formally assessed and recorded.

Several sites on the Croatan and Uwharrie show continued illegal metal detector use. Ten sites on the Croatan are still eroding after Hurricanes Bertha and Fran. These sites are now being preserved by investigations and stabilization conducted through CCS agreements with 2 state universities (ECU & ASU). Numerous significant sites on the Uwharrie are being adversely impacted by illegal vehicle use. Law enforcement patrols have been conducted and need to be increased.

One site on the Pisgah has been monitored several times. It is in an area prone to high visitor use and flooding. Erosion is the impact that needs to be stopped. Plans are being developed to bring a solution to this problem.

At least one site on every district within a project implementation area has been visited and monitored. Two sites were found to have adverse impacts from project implementation. Impacts were the result of inappropriate location of a road and a toilet building. Steps have been taken to mitigate these impacts.

Three sites were adversely impacted as a result of uncoordinated activities. At one site the damage has been mitigated. At another site the salvage and mitigation is about 1/3 complete. At the last site a plan is being developed to mitigate the impacts. These projects have incurred increased and unfunded costs and required that other planned projects be pushed back on the schedule.

One site was found to be looted and vandalized. This site has required an ARPA assessment and investigation (on-going). Stabilization and mitigation will then be conducted.

Recommendations

• Law enforcement activity must be increased in those areas where sites may incur damage from looting and vandalism.
• Heritage resources compliance and awareness training must continue across the Forests (all districts scheduled to be completed by March 31, 1998).
• The Forest NEPA process needs to more clearly and consistently consider heritage resources. More timely identification of the need for heritage surveys is clearly needed.
• Continue the public archeology program and develop Passports in Time projects on additional districts as funding permits.
• Work to increase the INFER funding in the Forest budget to further accomplishment of these tasks.
• Prepare and implement an action plan to address the issues identified in the Regional heritage program review.
• Conduct a 106 compliance refresher training course for line officers in FY 98.
• Continue to increase interpretive work.
• Continue work of probability models using a GIS contour layer to identify high probability sites.

->Are prescribed burns performed within the parameters of the prescribed burn plan?

Yes. Forest Service Manual (FSM), National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) Supplement 5100-94-1 (Prescribed Burn Plan), Exhibit 01 has a table for Prescribed Parameters and Onsite Observations. These are completed for every prescribed burn. The Washington Office recently revised FSM 5100. When the Regional Office receives this revision, they will revise the Region 8 Supplement, and NFsNC will revise in turn.

Recommendations?

NFsNC has recommended that R8 parameters be relaxed slightly to allow certain prescribed burns (for example stand replacement in mountain pines) to be conducted on high fire danger days. These type burns need to be conducted at low humidities and higher temperatures to achieve the objectives. NFsNC will also increase allowable KBDI for site preparation burns.

->Are prescribed burn objectives being met?

Incomplete information. Immediate objectives are usually met and are documented on the Prescribed Burn Plan - Immediate Post Burn Evaluation (day or day after the burn). The Follow-Up Post Burn Evaluation is supposed to be done 6-8 months following, but is usually not done thoroughly if at all. With shrinking budgets and work forces, it tends to be a low priority.

Recommendations?

We need more training in Monitoring and Evaluation. For Prescribed Fire, a simple cookbook method on easy sampling and data collection techniques would help. However, this doesn't address the lack of time, money, and people, so it remains low priority work.

-> Are the predicted activities, costs, and outputs occurring as estimated in the Plan?

-> How valid were the unit cost and price assumptions used in developing the forest plan?

While the cost of implementing the Land and Resource Management Plans for the four national forests may have been accurately predicted, the appropriated budgets received by the Forest have not allowed for full implementation or achieving the desired future conditions and goals of the plans. For example, Amendment 5 to the Nantahala and Pisgah LRMP projected a sustainable supply of timber in the first decade of 34,649 MBF (FEIS, B-60). The average for the three years since implementation of Amendment 5 (FYs 1995,1996,1997) has been 26,981 MBF or 77.9 percent of the LRMP projection.

Findings from recent IRR's related to these monitoring questions are listed below:

• Trail maintenance costs vary greatly. It cost more to maintain ORV and horse trails than moderately traveled hiking trail. As a result, hiking trail maintenance may suffer if a high proportion of trail maintenance dollars goes toward maintaining the ORV and horse trails.
• Special Use Management is an area repeatedly cited by district personnel as needing additional funding and additional staffing.

Recommendations?

See recommendation for Emerging Issues on page 2.

-> What are the effects of national forest management on adjacent land, resources, and communities?

The four national forests are within an hour's drive of approximately three-quarters of the over 7 million people who live in North Carolina. National forest recreational areas complement other public and private recreation facilities from the mountains in western North Carolina to the Atlantic coast. Recreation and tourism is the third largest industry in North Carolina

The national forests in this state generate receipts to the U.S. Treasury from the sale of timber, recreation user fees, mineral leases, and other sources. Twenty-five percent of these receipts are returned to the state of North Carolina and made available to counties in which national forest land is located for education and roads. The average yearly payment to the state from FY 1993 through FY 1997 has been $750,396. This is approximately 60.4 cents for each acre of national forest land.

Recommendations?

Continue to utilize recreation user-fees and emphasize the production of high-value sawtimber.

-> What are research needs to support or improve national forest management?

• The Forest needs better information regarding the levels of use, wants, and needs of visitors. The resources are available in the state in universities or Forest Service Research to conduct surveys, but funding support would be required.
• A draft document dated 12/97, Forest Health Issues and Related Needs in the Eastern US, identifies thirteen issues related to forest health in the ecoregions covered by the National Forests in North Carolina. Each issues has research needs associated with it. Portions of this draft document are included in this report as Appendix A.

Recommendations?

· Consider requesting tourism development funding from the Regional Office to conduct user surveys.

· See Appendix A for a list of forest health research recommendations.

Forest Health Protection Monitoring

What is the status of insect and disease problems in the Forests?

Forest Health Protection (FHP) is a unit of State and Private Forestry within the Southern Region. The Asheville, NC FHP Field Office is a partner with the National Forests in North Carolina in monitoring and evaluation of insect and disease conditions.

Monitoring Efforts and Trends for Major Insect and Disease Pests:

Southern Pine Beetle (spb): Outbreak forecasting is done by sampling populations of the insect and its chief predator, the clerid beetle. The relative abundance of the two insects indicates whether spb populations are expected to increase, remain stable, or decrease. Table 1 shows the predicted and actual population trends for spb on four districts where monitoring has been conducted since 1992.

Table 1. Southern pine beetle outbreak trend for selected districts, National Forests in North Carolina. Shaded cells indicate where actual trends differed from the predicted ones.

/\ = increasing trend; 0 = static trend; \/ = decreasing trend

*Outbreaks occurred on districts without trapping programs. Cheoah in `94, `95, `96; French Broad (Appalachian) `95.

Forecasting was nearly always accurate. Discrepancies between predicted and actual trends occurred on two districts in 1993 and 1997 only. The cyclical pattern of southern pine beetle outbreaks is illustrated for the Uwharrie, with developing outbreaks in 1992 and again in 1995-96; and for the Grandfather, with a developing outbreak in 1994-95. High, increasing populations were observed only on the Croatan in 1997.

Oak Decline: Oak decline can be monitored through the use of OAKHAZ, a risk rating system that uses CISC inventory data. Conditions can be summarized at the Forest, District, project, or landscape scale. Table 2 shows the distribution of area in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests by risk class, as summarized in the Southern Appalachian Assessment.

Table 2. Oak decline status for the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, by District from OAKHAZ risk rating system. (Data source: Southern Appalachian Assessment).

These data represent a snapshot in time. Temporal trends are not meaningful at this time due to the short period since the Southern Appalachian Assessment.

Gypsy Moth: Gypsy moth monitoring is accomplished with pheromone-baited traps that lure male moths. This method has been used on all districts of the National Forests in North Carolina since 1982 with the exception of the Highlands District during 1991 and 1992. North Carolina National Forests are outside the generally infested APHIS quarantine zone, so outbreaks are eradicated when detected. There have been three outbreaks detected on North Carolina National Forests. The first was detected in 1985 on the Tusquittee District followed by one on the Appalachian (Toecane) District in 1993 in the Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area. Most recently, an outbreak was detected on the Highlands District in 1996. All outbreaks involved both National Forest and private lands.

Temporal trends are difficult to establish with only three introductions to National Forest lands in NC, but two have occurred during the past 5 years. As the generally infested area encroaches closer to National Forests in NC, detections and eradication projects can be expected to increase. The Croatan is presently the Forest closest to the limit of the generally infested area. Male moths have been trapped regularly in the area but levels have not indicated an established population requiring eradication. At present spread rates and under present gypsy moth management regimes, the generally infested area is expected to include the Croatan by the year 2005, the Uwharrie by 2010, and the Pisgah-Nantahala by 2020

Other Monitoring Efforts: FHP works as a partner with the state of North Carolina and with other federal agencies (e.g. USDI National Park Service, Dept. of Defense) in monitoring work that could have a direct bearing on national forests in the state. Monitoring efforts are currently underway involving hemlock woolly adelgid, beech bark disease, butternut canker, and dogwood anthracnose in addition to those discussed above.

Current Management Practices Influencing Pest Damages

Southern Pine Beetle: Once significant spb activity is detected, suppression efforts are initiated. The ``cut-and-leave'' method is used when infested areas are small in area, inaccessible, or non-commercial but still pose a threat to resources. When commercial volume can be salvaged in accessible areas, ``cut-and-remove'' is used. Chemical insecticides are used only when extremely high-value resources are at risk, such as in seed orchards, ornamentals, or red cockaded woodpecker nest sites. Both cutting methods have been used in North Carolina National Forests in the past. Table 3 summarizes spb suppression efforts since 1992.

Table 3. Summary statistics for southern pine beetle suppression on National Forests in North Carolina , 1992-1997 (volume in ccf).

Clearly, cut-and-remove was the preferred management response to spb outbreaks. The variation in acres and/or volume treated indicates the years when outbreaks were underway. The data for 1997 show the response to the large outbreak on the Croatan. This outbreak was likely due to damage caused by Hurricane Opal in 1996, followed by a droughty growing season in 1997 that left damaged pines attractive to spb. Timely salvage of storm damage just after it occurred may have helped in dampening the outbreak. The outbreak would have been more extensive and the losses far greater were suppression not conducted in 1997.

Reducing stress in pole- and sawtimber size stands by thinning is a pro-active management practice that reduces spb risk by increasing resistance to attack. While thinning is a standard forest management practice in pine stands on NC national forests, we are unaware of any situations where thinning was prescribed for this purpose, or where this benefit was claimed. Commercial concerns drive the thinning decision in most cases but the collateral effect of reducing spb risk is often accomplished. Assessing spb risk before and after thinning is a tool that could be used to monitor the effects of this management practice on the potential of spb damage.

Oak Decline: The progress of decline diseases is slow, but decline status of forest landscapes can change with or without management action. Actions that can reduce decline risk include cutting practices that alter age class distribution and/or species composition. However, the same practices can increase damage when misapplied. Without action, decline risk changes slowly as stands age and become more vulnerable to stress. Assessing oak decline risk with OAKHAZ before and after management actions is a tool that could be used to monitor these effects, but such summaries are not available.

Gypsy Moth: Eradication of gypsy moth infestations with chemical insecticides is the management response when such infestations are found outside of the APHIS quarantine zone. Table 4 summarizes gypsy moth eradication projects for outbreaks detected on the forests since 1987.

Table 4. Gypsy moth detection and eradication for National Forests in North Carolina.

Pro-active management to decrease impacts in the certain future when gypsy moth becomes established in NC national forests consists of thinning to reduce the oak component (reducing susceptibility), and thinning to improve stand vigor by removing trees that are likely to die if they become defoliated in the future (reducing vulnerability). Management plans do not consider these options at this time.

Recommendations

• Routinely use OAKHAZ and other appropriate hazard rating systems as part of stand examinations and compartment prescription landscape analyses.
• Run OAKHAZ and other appropriate hazard rating systems before and after management actions (such at timber harvest, thinning, sanitation, and salvage) to determine the effects of management practices on pest risk at the stand and landscape levels.
• Work with FHP personnel to develop systems for gathering these change data in a way that can be reported annually. Presently, summary statistics for spb management actions can be gathered by SPBIS (Southern Pine Beetle Information S ystem), but a method is needed for monitoring the effects of other forest management practices not specifically undertaken against an existing pest condition.

Air Quality Monitoring

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) modified and implemented new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in 1997 for particulate matter and ground-level ozone. The NAAQS are designed to protect people's health and welfare from the harmful effects of air pollution. The Forest has been cooperating with the Western North Carolina Air Pollution Control Agency in conducting ambient air monitoring for ground-level ozone and visibility conditions near Shining Rock Wilderness.

The EPA maintained a PM10 (those particles 10 microns and smaller size) standard for particulate matter and added a new standard for fine particles (those which are 2.5 microns or smaller in size, called PM2.5). The visibility monitoring includes collecting data for both PM10 and PM2.5. Particulate matter samples have been collected twice a week (24 hours for each sample) between July 20, 1994, and August 30, 1997, at the Shining Rock monitoring site. The PM2.5 data is important because it provides the most reliable indication in western North Carolina if the new particulate matter NAAQS is likely to be violated. The following table shows that current levels of particulate matter in the region are unlikely to cause a violation of the NAAQS. Sulfates are the primary fine mass particle (about 48 percent) when PM2.5 concentrations are the greatest.

*NAAQS and Shining Rock values are micrograms per cubic meter

The North Carolina Air Quality Division has performed an analysis, by concerting PM10 data, to determine which areas in the state are likely to violate the PM2.5 NAAQS. There is a potential for Mitchell and McDowell counties to violate the standard. This means that some restriction could occur to those activities on the Appalachian and Grandfather Ranger Districts which emit particulates.

Ground-level ozone is another important pollutant which can impact people and vegetation. The Forests' efforts are focused on understanding the impacts ozone is having on vegetation. Seventy-six plots were established across the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests when ozone symptoms were at their peak in 1997. Symptoms of ozone injury were found on one or more plant species at greater than 90 percent of the plots. The presence of ozone symptoms indicates the plants had a physiological response, called injury, to the ozone exposure. The presence of injury does not mean the health of the ecosystem is threatened, or that damage to vegetation is occurring. The Forest examines ozone monitoring data to determine if there is a high likelihood of damage occurring. Our definition of damage is when the ozone exposure is high enough to cause a 10 percent growth loss to ozone sensitive plant species. Growth loss is used as an indicator (or surrogate) that the health of a portion of the exposures are causing damage, but only to those species which are highly sensitive (such as black cherry) to ozone. Overall, we believe ozone exposure is causing minor damage to forest vegetation.

As with particulates, the North Carolina Air Quality Division has performed analysis to determine which areas may violate the ozone standards. Portions of the Pisgah and Appalachian Ranger Districts and all of the Uwharrie National Forest have a high likelihood of being designated as nonattainment for ozone. Therefore, the Forests may be restricted on activities that would emit a pollutant called nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides are emitted during combustion of fossil fuels, such as operating motor vehicles, and their pollutants contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone on hot, sunny days.

FY 1997 IRR - Fires Creek Watershed

Summary of Findings

Overall, management activities in the watershed are appropriate for the applicable management areas, but additional actions are needed to correct resource damage occurring as a result of drainage and erosion problems from area roads and trails. Actions will also be necessary to alleviate health and safety concern.

The area along the open Fires Creek road is managed as 2C, which is intended as a scenic travelway through the forest. The setting provided along Fires Creek Road is appropriate for this management area. Management Area 3B is intended to emphasize a sustainable supply of timber with few open roads or vehicular disturbance. The districts managing the 3B area appropriately. Management Area 4C is intended to provide pleasing scenery and habitat for wildlife requiring older forest, and these conditions are met in the 4C area. Management Area 5 is intended to provide an unroaded environment with older forest and a near primitive setting where the visitor is unlikely to encounter other people. This is in fact the setting provided in the Fires Creek MA5.

There are considerable drainage and erosion problems on roads and trails. In particular, the Little Fires Creek road and trail from the Little Fires Creek up to the Rim Trail have areas where water runs for long distances and is depositing sediment directly into streams.

Action Plan

· Inventory Fires Creek trail system using GPS technology. This would provide for: an accurate map location for existing trails; an inventory of signs, bridges, etc.; a thorough condition survey. The inventory and condition survey of all trails in Fires Creek should be accomplished as the Tusquitee share of actual FY 98 trail maintenance targets. An ID Team should complete an analysis of which trails should be kept open, closed, or reconstructed. A soil scientist, hydrologist, and/or fisheries biologist should be a part of the team. The plan can be developed in FY 98 and implementation should be completed within three to five years, provided that funding is available to accomplish the work.

• The Fires Creek picnic area has several items that need to be addressed:

a. The safety sign on the bridge at the picnic area will be posted by the first quarter of FY 98.

b. The metal posts in the rocks at the old fish barrier will be removed by the first quarter of FY 98.

c. The action plan for the hazardous white pines at the picnic area needs to be developed in FY 98 and implemented within the next five years.

d. A site plan for this area needs to be completed during FY 98 and before any implementation takes place. Runoff and sedimentation control measures, site stabilization and revegetation needs should be a part of this plan. The plan should address time frames for completing each item.

• Install/create slip proof surfaces on the two foot bridges at the Bristol Horse Camp during FY 97.
• The Hunter's Camp should have some restrictive devices constructed to keep motorized vehicles and horses at least 30 feet from the stream. Richard Burns and Dan Manning should work with the district in finding a solution to the current situation at the junction of Huskins Branch and Fires Creek. Any ground disturbing proposals should include input from the archeologists. This work will be completed during FY 98 if funding is adequate.
• The district should write a letter for the Forest Supervisor's signature to the NCWRC requesting that they move the designation of general trout waters from the vehicle bridge upstream to the vehicle bridge at the junction of Rockhouse Creek and Fires Creek.
• The vegetation transects on the balds should be monitored. This data and other work on the balds should be collected/completed in time to be used for the revision of the LRMP.

FY 1996 IRR Action Plan Follow-Up

Middle Tuckaseegee Watershed

Lower Pigeon Watershed

Implementation Status

of FY 1996 Recommendations

Outdoor Recreation

Watershed

Wildlife and Fish

Minerals

Roads

Heritage Resources

APPENDIX A

FOREST HEALTH ISSUES AND RELATED NEEDS

IN THE EASTERN U.S.

(By Ecoregion)

Eastern Forest Health Consortium

draft 12/97

CENTRAL APPALACHIAN ECOREGION

Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest - Coniferous Forest - Meadow

Objectives: Diversity, resiliency, and sustainability

NEEDS:

Objectives: Nutrient conservation, water quality, sustainability, threatened and endangered species, and hardwood management.

NEEDS:

Objective: Conservation of Biodiversity.

NEEDS:

Objective: Hardwood management (regeneration, etc.) quantity and quality of timber, sustainability.

NEEDS:

Objectives: Age class distribution, hardwood management, increase/maintain biological/genetic diversity, sustainability, wildlife management.

NEEDS:

SM. SOUTHEASTERN MIXED FOREST ECOREGION

Objectives: Productivity and sustainability.

NEEDS:

Objectives: Maintain economic values.

NEEDS: