North Platte - Pine Beetle _Water Activity Summary Shee (2)

Home Browse Search

Water Activity Summary: The proposed research addresses the effects of disturbance and management of the Mountain Pine Beetle on North Platte and Upper Colorado River water resources, both quantity and quality. This study will compare how four management alternatives commonly used in beetle-killed pine forests influence snow accumulation, streamflow, water quality, soil productivity and forest recovery. The management alternatives result in distinct amounts of aboveground structure, surface roughness and soil disturbance. The No Action option retains standing snags, downed wood and maximum surface roughness. Logging conducted using Watershed Protection goals retains logging residue to maintain roughness and avoid soil disturbance. In contrast, the Fuel Reduction option removes slash, and the Forest Regeneration option combines slash reduction and mechanical scarification to enhance seedling establishment. Assessment of these management alternatives will improve decisions on how to sustain delivery of clean water and forest productivity from lands impacted by mountain pine beetle. Threshold and Evaluation Criteria The proposed research meets Section 37-75-104(2), Colorado Revised Statutes, in that the research will develop methods and help quantify changes in water available following disturbance by mountain pine beetle and subsequent management activities. The proposal addresses multiple issues: forest health, fuels reduction, forest management, mountain pine beetle epidemic, all in a water quantity and quality context. The proposal promotes collaboration in forest and water management activities between the US Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, and basin interests statewide where beetle infestation is occurring and management strategies are needed. Without the funding, the proposed research will not be completed. The North Platte Roundtable portion of the proposal provides partial funding, but the work cannot be completed without entire funding. Sound management tools and decisions are needed to effectively manage affected forests. Matching support in the form of in-kind contributions is substantial in salaries, instruments, equipment and vehicles needed to complete the proposed research. Discussion: This project is consistent with research needs identified in last year's Board commissioned study by S.S. Papadopulous, "Action plan: Guidelines Prioritizing HB 1130 Spending for the Protection of Water Supplies." It also involves personnel and in-kind services from the Colorado State Forest Service, and is endorsed by that entity. Some more specificity is needed as to the hydrologic parameters and relationships which will be determined through the research and how that information will be presented and supported in published reports. The applicant needs to do more than collect and archive data for this research to have a benefit to water managers. Issues/Additional Needs: 1. Prior to contract award specify and agree on the number and location of test plots. 2. Prior to contract award specify and agree on precise deliverables to be provided and a peer review process. Make sure deliverables completely document runoff and other hydrologic relationships developed in study. 3. Simplify apportionment of budget between basin and statewide funds to facilitate invoicing and accounting. All products, data and information developed as a result of this grant must be provided to CWCB in hard copy and electronic format as part of the project documentation. This information will in turn be made widely available to Basin Roundtables and the general public and will help promote the development of a common technical platform. 2