WSP09419 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

002938 I 2. Multiple Use Plans In developing a timber management plan,. it is necessary to look at the timber resource within the management framework. for all resources and activities. This framework is currently provided by Multiple Use Plans. Broad direction for land use management on the. San Juan National Forest comes from the ~ocky Mountain Region Multiple Use Guide. This Guide sets objectives, policies, const~aints, and coordinating measures common to the National Forests in the five state Rocky Mountain Region. From this Guide, specific Multiple Use Plans have been prepared for each Ranger District. The San Juan National Forest is divided into broad '~ple Uoe Manageme~ Zon.. selected on the basis of similarities in management situations and objectives. These Zones are portrayed in Figure 3 and described as follows: a. The C~..t Zone consists of the higher elevations generally above 10,500 feet. It is characterIzed by rugged, ba.rren peaks, rock slopes, alpine meadows. shaJJow,j_ture soils, severe climatic conditions and a limited number of trees. It. is a prima~ysource of water. b. The I~eNnediate Zone extends from the c.eJt Zone to the lower limits of commercial timber growing areas (about 10,500 to 6,000 feet elevation). It is the largest and most productive zone for growing trees on the San Juan National Forest. .c. The FootIrA-f.U Zone extends from the r~eJlmediateZone down to the Forest Boundary at the lower elevatIons (below 6,000 feet). It is characterized by rolling to steep topography, open grasslands, scrubby pinyon-juniper trees, oak brush, and scattered stands of ponde~sa pine trees. It provides important winter feeding grounds for deer and elk. d. The Tll4ve.f . In6fuenee ZOne (TlZ) includes areas .of varying widths along .selected highways, roads, and traIls. WIdth is influenced by vieWing distance and varies from a few hundred feet to a mile or more. It includes occupancy sites such as camp and picnic grounds, resorts, homes, commercial publiC service developments, etc. e. The C~...tn6fueneeZone (WIZ) includes areas of existing or anticipated significant public outdoor recreatlonal occupancy, use, and enjoyment along streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other bodies of water. The basic values in this zOne are aesthetics, water quality, and fish habitat. . 3. Within some of the above five broad Multiple Use Zones are theWeminuehe W<ld~..., IIlU60n MountlUn PMmi.tive Mea, and New study Mea.!. Management direction for these areas comes from sources other than Multiple Use Plans. The Weminuche W<id~eJ. is managed by the direction provided by the Wilderness Preservation Act of 1964. The Wit&on Mountain PMmi.tive Me<< and contiguous areas proposed for inclusion with the Primitive Area for consideration as Wilderness, is managed by direction provided by the Wilderness Preservation Act of 1964. New study M'" are managed as provided in the Chief's Environmental Impact Statement which states that they will be held in their present condition until studies determine whether they will be recommended for Wilderness or for other purposes. Also within these MUltiple Use Zones are Roadl... M.... These Areas require only limited multiple use management in 'that no construction of roads or commercial cutting of trees can be initiated unless the N.E.P.A. process is completed which permits such actiVity. 4. Also within the Multiple Use Zones are the Na/rJ!J1guinnep N<<t1.ll!l1l Mea (which is managed to perpetuate a natural ponderosa pine forest ecosystem) and the Chimney Rock Mehaeolog<cal Me<< which is managed to protect and preserve the archaeological values. Timber harvest on .the San Juan National Forest is limited. to the Intermediate,Travel Influence and Water Influence Zones. 6