Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log on steep and unstable slopes SE of Weaverville, CA.

PANORAMIO Photo By Steve Schmorleitz

THP 2-17-054 TRI (Celeste THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 901 acres; 77% clearcut, 15% fuelbreak, 5% selection, 2% roadside, 1% shelterwood, 1% no-harvest logging.  Upper Grass Valley Creek, Lower Indian Creek, Tom Lang Gulch, Lower Grass Valley Creek, Middle Indian Creek (MD: T32N R8W Sec.6, 7, 8, 17, 18; T32N R9W Sec.1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15; T33N R8W Sec.31; T33N R9W Sec.35, 36).  Winter operations, high erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 70%, landslide terrain, 47 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, oversized units, herbicides, coho watershed, spotted owl, 3 sensitive plant species, scattered large trees.  Estimated public comment deadline: 11/30/17. VIEW

This THP is 5 miles east of Douglas City, CA, 5.8 miles SE of Weaverville, CA and a few miles south of Highway 299 at an elevation of 1,880 to 4,800 feet.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation on steep and unstable slopes in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and white fir forests.  The THP area flows into the Trinity River which is listed as an impaired watershed for sediment and siltation.  There are 13 landslide terrain sites including unstable areas in or around units 4605, 415, 3603, 412, 4592, 603, 405, 4921, 4901 and 4934.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to use tractors on slopes over 50% grade with a high erosion hazard rating in units 602 and 603, and use ground based equipment on steep slopes over 65% grade in units 415 and 4545.  They also are planning to use ground based equipment in areas designated for cable logging for fire line construction, and on slopes up to 65% grade with a moderate erosion hazard rating.  Ground based equipment is proposed for use on skid trails in unstable areas in units 4899 and 4901, and on 3 existing landings and associated skid trails within class I (year round) and class II (mid sized) watercourses, and on 4 existing skid trails within class II watercourse areas.  47 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction, ditch cleaning and culvert repair/replacement.  Three populations of clustered lady’s slippers were found outside of units 4545 and 4605, blushing wild buckwheat was found near units 4930 and 4932, and Congdon’s buckwheat was found within units 4899, 4932, 403, 4579, 4592, 4599 and 4605.  There are 3 spotted owl nesting territories within 1.3 miles of the THP area.
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