Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log near Georgetown’s water supply

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THP 4-14-014 ELD (Oui Oui THP) Sierra Pacific Industries; 1,044 acres; 51% clearcut, 31% fuelbreak, 13% commercial thin, 4% selection, 1% roadside logging.  Little Grizzly Canyon, Upper Pilot Creek, Onion Creek (MD: T12N R12E Sec.2, 11, 12, 13, 14; T12N R13E Sec.2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19).  Winter operations, moderate erosion hazard, slopes up to 50%, oversized units, herbicides, near stumpy meadows campgrounds, picnic area and boat lunch, rubicon roadless area, 10 CA spotted owls within 1.64 mi, 4 goshawk territories within 1.9 mi, 2 osprey nests within .25 mi, bald eagle sightings, 2 Cooper 's hawk sightings within .74 mi, 1995 fisher sighting, foothill yellow legged frog sighting within 1 mi, sierra bayberry, scattered large trees.  Estimated public comment deadline: 09/05/14. VIEW

This THP is about 9 miles NW of Pollock Pines at Stumpy Meadows Reservoir which supplies water to the city of Georgetown, CA.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut and fuel break tractor and cable logging operation in white fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, Douglas fir and incense cedar forests at an elevation of 4,280 to 5,100 feet.  The THP area is adjacent to and within .2 mi of Stumpy meadows campgrounds, picnic area and boat lunch.  12,950 feet of temporary roads, and 13,125 feet of seasonal roads are planned, including the use of an existing road inside a watercourse in unit 901.  SPI is requesting an exception to the rules to be able to construct and use temporary roads during the winter period.  They also want to use ground based equipment within cable logging unit 201, and tractors for pilling slash on slopes between 40% grade and 50% grade, including slopes over 30% grade that do not flatten before reaching a watercourse.  Sections 2, 7, and 12 are adjacent to the Rubicon Roadless Area.  10 California spotted owl territories are located in the THP area, from .10 mi to 1.64 mi away.  There are 4 goshawk territories within 1.2 mi to 1.9 mi of THP units, and 2 osprey nests within .01 mi and .25 mi of THP units.  Other sightings include 2 Cooper's hawks within .05 mi to .74 mi of THP units, and a 1995 pacific fisher sighting within .19 mi of harvest units.  Sierra bayberry was reported at 9 locations. More information is available on the THP Tracking Center website.
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