Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log by the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area (Rush Creek Trail) north of Weaverville, CA.

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THP 2-19-163 TRI (Slingshot THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 541 acres; 87% clearcut, 10% selection, 3% shelterwood logging. Mule Creek, Stoney Creek, Trinity Alps Creek (MD: T34N R09W Sec 3; T35N R09W Sec 13, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33).  Winter operations, high erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 70%, landslide terrain, road failure sites, 11 road drainage work sites, trinity alps wilderness, rush creek trail, oversized units, herbicides, spotted owl, bald eagle, osprey, 10 sensitive plant species, trees up to 30” dbh.  Estimated public comment deadline: 12/10/19. SUBMIT COMMENTS,  VIEW THP

This THP is about 9 miles north of Weaverville, CA and about 1 mile north of Highway 3 and Trinity Lake near the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area (section 33 is adjacent, and clearcut unit 33C is within .25 miles of the Rush Creek Trail) at an elevation of 2,500 to 4,500 feet. Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation on steep and unstable slopes in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, white fir and sugar pine forests.  There are multiple road failure sites and 11 landslide terrain sites in the THP area including; 1 unstable area in unit 33B, 1 unstable area in unit 33F, 1 unstable area adjacent to unit 27A, 3 unstable areas adjacent to unit 23A, 4 unstable areas adjacent to unit 23C and 1 unstable area in unit 13C (special treatment area).  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to remove individual trees from watercourse areas, and construct roads and landings during the winter period. They also are planning to use ground based equipment on steep slopes over 50% with a high erosion hazard rating in unit 13A, and use ground based equipment across unstable areas (small historic slides) within unit 13C.  11 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction, ditch cleaning and culvert repair/replacement. Bald eagle and osprey are known to occur at Trinity Lake within 1 mile of the THP area.  There are 10 sensitive plant species in the THP area including; Clustered lady’s slipper was found in units 23A, 23B and 24E, Heckner’s lewisia was found in unit 33A, Threadleaf beardstongue was found in unit 27D, Klamath Catchfly was found in units 23F and 24E, Purdy’s fritillary was found near unit 27D, Redwood lily was found unit 24D, Tracy’s lupine was found in unit 23F and 24D, English peak greenbriar was found in units 24C, 24E and 27G, Glaucous umbrellawort was found in units 3B, 24C, 24D and 24E and Slender golden banner was found in units 27A, 13D, 23F and 33C. There are 8 spotted owl nesting territories within 1.3 miles of the THP area.
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