14 



U.S. Department of Agriculture, 



Six Rivers National Fores, 



Eureka, CA, July 24, 1996. 

 Subject: Salvage Direction 

 To G. Lynn Sprague, R-5 Regional Forester 



The Six Rivers National Forest received the July 2, 1996, Memorandum from the 

 Secretary of Agriculture giving Revised Direction for Emergency Salvage Sale Con- 

 ducted Under Section 20001(b) of P.L. 104-19. I concur with the intent of the direc- 

 tion to ensure that sales prepared under this law meet required environmental 

 standards and are able to withstand normal review and appeal. I am also committed 

 to sustaining the public's confidence in out stewardship of national forests. 



Attached to this letter is a Blowdown Situation Analysis for a portion of the Six 

 Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests that received extreme damage from 

 storms this past winter. I am requesting that you review this analysis and forward 

 to the Washington DC office and the Department for their consideration. The work 

 proposed is not consistent with the Secretary's direction to avoid salvage sales in 

 inventoried roadless areas. 



To highlight the points made in the Situation Analysis, I believe that an extreme 

 threat of fires exist as a result of the fuels brought down in this uncommonly severe 

 season of storms. I am proposing treatments in the areas of heaviest concentration 

 of down timber across a much larger affected area, to reduce the probability of cata- 

 strophic fire. The values at risk include a large Late Successional Reserve, the Trin- 

 ity Alps Wilderness, and the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. Our concerns focus 

 on public and fire fighter safety on the event of fire within this area. 



The Forest has undertaken a major public involvement effort. I have hosted sev- 

 eral field trips, a public meeting, and solicited the views of local scientists and advi- 

 sors, including the Salvage Subcommittee of the Klamath Provincial Advisory Com- 

 mittee. In addition to these groups, we have had the involvement of the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service who concur with our 

 concern for potential loss of fish and terrestrial habitat. 



The affected area is adjacent to the Hoopa Reservation and overlays areas of spir- 

 itual significance on national forest lands. We have consulted with the Tribal Coun- 

 cil and individual spiritual leaders and are incorporating their interests and con- 

 cerns in out proposed actions. 



REGIONAL FORESTER 



I believe that the treatments proposed in the severely affected areas are consist- 

 ent with the objectives of the Northwest Forest Plan. Activities will be consistent 

 with the Aquatic Conservation Strategy and enhancement of habitat for old growth 

 dependent species in LSD's. 



If we do not go forward with the proposed sale of some of the merchantable timber 

 in these areas, the forest will be face with dealing with the fuels buildup using only 

 appropriated funds which, on this Forest, are not typically sufficient to manage this 

 massive occurrence. It seems far preferable to be able to utilize KV and BD funds 

 generated from the sale of the down timber, augmented with PF2 funds, to admin- 

 ister the follow-up work that will be required to reintroduce natural fire in this 

 area. Without fuels reduction, a catastrophic fire very likely and would damage the 

 resources we are committed to protect. 



I appreciate your review of the Situation Analysis and request that you forward 

 it to the Department for their consideration. I will be happy to provide any addi- 

 tional information or field review of the proposed actions that may be required in 

 the consideration of this request. 



Martha J. Ketelle, 



Forest Supervisor. 



Situation Analysis under Secretary Glickman's Salvage Direction Six Rivers 

 and Shasta-Trinity National Forests, 7/24/96 



CURRENT SITUATION 



During the winter of 1995/1996, several storms resulted in extensive damage to 

 high elevation forests stands on the Lower Trinity and Orleans Ranger Districts of 



