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ALERT - December 4, 2006: Protect Our Woods joins allies to submit a response to the Draft Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the German Ridge Restoration Project in Hoosier National Forest28a. Soil Analysis Is Incomplete – Soils Could Be Harmed Permanently (Part 1 of 3)Below is what the German Ridge Documents have to say about the impact of their projects on Soil.DSFEIS p. 47 Skid TrailsThough re-establishment of vegetation and soil stabilization is likely to occur within 2 years after disturbance, recovery from potential compaction on landings and skid trails may take 5 to 10 years with the natural processes of weather cycles and root penetration. Accordingly, the timeframe considered for cumulative effects to soils is 10 years. This is when revegetation, soil stabilization, and recovery from potential compaction would occur (Aubertin and Patric 1974)The timeframe considered for cumulative effects to soils is 10 years because this is when revegetation, soil stabilization, and recovery from any potential compaction would occur (Aubertin and Patric 1974). German Ridge FEIS p. 166“All pine would be removed from each treatment stand during a short period and within one harvestseason. This type of disturbance typically has fewer impacts on soil resources (Richter 2000; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2003). The increased rate of erosion would likely last for only 1 to 3 years and would be dependant upon the amount of time necessary for soil conditions to stabilize. Once soil conditions become stabilized (through revegetation), the rate of erosion would likely resemble predisturbance levels. With proper implementation of mitigation measures, impacts are expected to be limited.” FEIS P. 167“Traffic from construction and logging equipment would cause an increase in soil compaction and a decreasein soil productivity. The decrease in soil productivity and increased soil compaction would occur in pine removal areas and on log landings, skid trails, and roads. There is also potential for a slight decrease in productivity through the removal of nutrients in material such as tree boles, limbs, and branches. Use of heavy equipment could cause puddling, rutting, erosion, and displacement of soil particles. Damaged soils could contribute to increased runoff due to reduced rates of infiltration, increased sedimentation, lower permeability, and reduced site productivity (Pritchett and Fisher 1987; Walstad et al. 1990). Research conducted on a hardwood forest in south central Indiana has indicated that soil compaction, due to equipment operation on skid trails and landings, was significantly reduced and approached pre-harvest conditions after 2 to 4 years (Reisinger et al. 1992). Table 4-13 summarizes effects on soils by alternative for the indicators assessed.” FEIS p. 168“Construction of new and temporary roads, landings, equipment traffic, and other activities associated with pineremoval (skidding, decking, site preparation, machine piling of slash, and skid trails) would affect soil resources. Table 4-12 lists the total number of acres for the three erosion hazard ratings determined by NRCS (2000) based on the total number of acres mapped as pine removal and prescribed burning. See section 4.5.1.1 for definitions of the rating terms. Under Alternative A, 150 acres have a slight erosion potential, 280 acres have a moderate erosion potential, and 45 acres have a severe erosion hazard rating. Severe erosion hazard areas are defined as being those on slopes in excess of 35 percent. The intent in any action alternative is to avoid all such slopes.” The acres listed in the text are just for pine removal, if burning is included then the affected acres for Alternative A increase to: (Table 4-13, p. 168) Alt. A 540 acres - Slight 1,180 acres - Moderate 925* acres - Severe Click here for Part 28b. Soil Analysis Is Incomplete – Soils Could Be Harmed Permanently (Part 2 of 3)Protect Our Woods
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