HomeMy WebLinkAboutForest Plan
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FOREST PLAN
City of Ashland Forest Lands
Prepared By
R.J. McCormick & Associates
R. McCormick
J. Hoffman
B. Lichlyter
May, 1992
Purpose and
Need
Exis ting
Condition
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Ashland owns 795 acres within
Ashland Creek, 150 acres in Rocca Creek. and
130 acres in the Hamilton Creek watershed.
The lower portions of each of these blocks is
within the Urban/Wildland Interface - a
critical wild-fire zone.
The community is dependent on the Ashland
Watershed for its municipal water supply.
This plan focuses on maintaining water quality
and quantity, managing vegetation. reducing
wildfire fuels. and being compatible with
management plans for the adjoining Rogue River
National Forest and other properties.
This is the first integrated resource
management plan for City's forest lands. The
City has recently updated its Comprehensive
Management Plan. It contains seven ~oals
applicable to forest lands. This plan
incorporates those goals and establishes seven
new goals with attendant policies and action
items.
Eight decades of aggressive fire suppression
within both the Ashland Creek and Hamilton
Creek watersheds has altered "normal"
ecosystem processes that feature fire as a
major agent of disturbance. The result is a
change from an open grown pine/fir forest with
a sparse shrub understory, to a dense fir/pine
forest with brush fields occupying areas
recently visited by high intensity fire. The
volume of vegetation (bio-mass) has increased.
water production has likely decreased.
During this same period the City has grown and
residential areas have entered the heavily
vegetated foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains.
There has been a corresponding increase in the
recreational use of the adjacent forest lands.
This combination of more vegetation,
residential occupancy of the interface, and
heavy recreation use has increased the risk of
fire frequency and severity.
Summary
ISSUES, CONCERNS, OPPORTUNITIES
The ICO'S were developed through public meetings, interviews, and
interaction with a Planning Advisory Group. The. issues are
interrealted and complex. Their resolution, and the utilization of
opportunities are the basis for this plan's Goals, Policies and
Action items.
Ecosystem
Health
Recreation Use
Stewardship
Fire
Managemen t
Implementa-
tion
Community
How to regain and maintain biological
diversity and resiliency of the City's forest
lands, and the surrounding watershed? This
encompasses vegetative management, fuels
reduction and old-growth retention.
How to manage the increasing hiking, mountain
biking, horseback riding and sightseeing on
City lands?
How should the City organize to manage the
resources and uses of its growing inventory
of forest lands?
How to further coordinate inter-department,
inter-agency fire planning, prevention and
suppression activities. How to provide
technical assistance to urban/wildland
interface residents?
How to utilize existing programs, grants and
funding sources, and engage citizen in
efficient and practical implementation.
An opportunity to build community
cohesiveness and effectiveness. Further
citizen and visitor knowledge and
appreciation of City watershed and forest
land values.
Summary
'~....
Fish and
Wildlife
IMPROVE THE AQUATIC HABITAT IN ASHLAND CREEK
BELOW REEDER RESERVOIR FOR BOTH ANADROMOUS
AND RESIDENT FISH.
Policies: (a) Obtain technical assistance
from the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife. (b) Develop agreement with Rogue
Flyfisher's for project work. (c) Retain all
snags along the stream and tributaries.
Community
UTILIZE THE INTEREST, ENTHUSIASM AND
KNOWLEDGE OF ASHLAND RESIDENTS THROUGH
COOPERATIVE PROJECTS AND VOLUNTEER
ORGANIZATIONS.
Stewardship
PROVIDE THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND
DEFINE THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WILL ENSURE
CAREFUL PROTECTION AND THOUGHTFUL MANAGEMENT
OF THE CITY'S FOREST LANDS AND NATURAL
RESOURCES.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
This section of the plan outlines strategies for implementing
Goals, policies and Action items effectively and efficiently.
. CHARTER AN INTER-AGENCY/CITIZEN IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
. USE VOLUNTEERS AND ORGANIZED GROUPS TO ACCOMPLISH WORK
. USE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING
Summary
~""""""--'-
Ecosystem
Vegetation
Recreation
Fire
GOALS MU POLICIES
PROMOTE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF TERRESTRIAL
AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS.
Policies: (a) Winburn parcel as ecosystem
study area in conjunction with Southern
Oregon State College. (b) Partnership with
Rogue River National Forest and other
ownerships.
PLAN AND MANAGE FOREST LAND VEGETATION AND
OTHER RESOURCES IN A MANNER THAT EMULATES
NATURAL PROCESSES.
Policies: Conduct all logging via helicopter
unless analysis indicates otherwise.
PLAN AND MANAGE RECREATION USE IN A MANNER
THAT COMPLIMENTS OR IS COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER
WATERSHED AND FOREST VALUES.
Policies: (a) Manage all public use.
(b)Direct use to lower elevation parcels.(c)
Limit to day use. (d) Emphasize non-motorized
uses. Ie) Limit access to Reeder Reservoir.
(f) Establish an Ashland Forest-land Citizens
Patrol. (g) Use services of Park and
Recreation Department for interim management.
REDUCE. FUELS IN A MANNER THAT ENHANCES
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND LONG TERM SOIL
PRODUCTIVITY.
Policies: Retain snags in areas important for
wildlife and not'critical to fire control;
use prescribed fire to reduce fuels and
emulate ecosystem function.
Summary
--
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
~ COLOGICALLY SOUND, REALISTIC AND IMPLEMENTABLE. THOSE WERE
THE "MARCHING ORDERS" GIVEN US BY THE CITIZENS OF ASHLAND FOR
PREPARING THIS PLAN. THEIR ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION HELPED
ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE.
We are especially indebted to the members of the Ashland
Watershed Advisory Group who participated in both pUblic
meetings and Advisory Group work sessions. Their creativity,
constructive criticism and skillful editing was invaluable.
ASHLAND WATERSHED ADVISORY GROUP
Pat Acklin
Claude Curran
Bill Robertson
Mary Smelcer
Tim Brewley
Myra Erwin
Wes Reynolds
Ken Mickleson
Pam Barlow, Project Coordinator for the City, provided
information, scheduled meetings, made arrangements and
generally helped the process move along.
And finally our congratulations to both the professional and
citizen leadership of the City for their vision and fortitude
in deciding to prepare this plan.
'....-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1
OVERVIEW
1
CHAPTER 2 FIRE OVERVIEW
6
INTRODUCTION
6
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
6
RESPONSIBILITIES . . .
City Of Ashland . . .
Oregon Department Of Forestry
Jackson County Fire District #5
Rogue River National Forest
7
..,
I
7
8
8
FIRE MANAGEMENT . . .
Fire Prevention
Fire Suppression
Fuels-
Weather-
Topography-
8
9
10
10
11
12
CHAPTER 3 RESOURCE CONDITION
15
WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM
15
VEGETATION
Forest Lands .
Old-growth
Immature and Mature
Shrubs
The Interface . . . . .
Old-Growth . . . .
Mature and Immature
Shrubs
17
17
17
17
18
18
18
18
18
WILDLIFE
19
FISH
20
IMPROVEMENTS
Roads in the forest lands
Roads in the interface
Trails in the interface
Rock Pits-
23
23
23
24
24
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
. . . . . . .
24
WATER .
25
-.'
RECREATION . . .
Forest Lands
Interface
CHAPTER 4 SOCIAL POLITICAL CONDITION
OVERVIEW
URBANIZATION AND THE INTERFACE
City Planning . . . . .
Jackson County Planning
City-County Coordination.
Summary
. . . . . . . .
ADMINISTRATIVE
Organization
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
City Lands . . . .
Private Land in the Interface
. . . . . .
CHAPTER 5 ISSUES, CONCERNS, & OPPORTUNITIES
OVERVIEW
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Ecosystem Health
Recreation Use:
Land Management Organization.
Implementation. . . . . . .
Fire Suppression Coordination
OPPORTUNITIES .
CHAPTER 6 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION
INTRODUCTION
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION . . .
Fores t 1 and . . . . . . . . . .
Desired Future Condition
Interface .........
Desired Future Condition
NEW GOALS AND POLICIES
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Ashland Mayor And City Council
City Administration Management Team
Ashland Forest Plan Board Of Directors
. . . . .
AFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Ecosystem . . . . . .
Vegetation Management
26
26
27
30
30
31
31
32
33
33
33
33
34
34
35
38
38
38
38
39
39
39
40
40
42
42
42
43
43
44
45
45
46
48
49
49
50
52
52
52
Recreation Management
Fuel Reduction - .
Aquatic Habitat Improvement
Cooperative Community Projects.
Stewardship
53
53
53
53
53
APPENDIX A
INTRODUCTION
54
Parcel 1 . .
Parcel 2
Parce I 3 .
Parcel 4
Parcel 5
Parcels 6 and 7
Parcel 8 .
Parcel 9 .
Parce I 10
Parce I 11
54
55
56
57
58
60
61
62
63
65
APPENDIX B . . .
68
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INTRODUCTION
DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING
PURPOSE AND NEED,
"~"."'.'.""~-'
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
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Ashland is an environmentally conscious community
located in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains.
Citizens primary concerns are the protection of the
14,000 acre watershed at the base of Mt. Ashland, the
prevention of loss of life and property in
the urban-wildland interface, and the
"quality of life" in the community.
Presently there is no forest management
plan for 1075 acres owned by the City
within and near the watershed. The City
desires a plan with the following
attributes:
.
Maintains the preservation of water
quality and quantity as the highest
priority for resource management.
.
Establishes management practices for
all City owned lands outside the City
limits.
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· The plan be coordinated and compatible with the
Rogue River National Forest Land and Resource Man-
agementPlan. and other plans of the Ashland Rang-
er District.
· Establishes management guidance for the private
lands within or adjacent to the urban growth boun-
dary - the Urban/Wildland Interface.
· The City specifically requests this plan be based
on concepts and practices pioneered by Dr. Jerry
Franklin, known generally as "New Forestry".
In addition to including the above attributes, the Plan
should also have the following characteristics.
· Public participation and support in the develop-
ment and implementation of this plan.
· Provide for periodic review and modification. as
necessary, when conditions change.
......
Introduction
- CHAP 1
. Be practical, economical, and implementable.
The City has a unique opportunity to be a model for
others in providing for both the needs of its people
and the environment. As it is aptly stated in its
Comprehensive Plan, It... and reflect what most
citizen's treasure: a community at the baseaf the
Siskiyou Mountains, that works with rather than fights
with nature.It It is hoped that this Plan is one small
step toward realizing that vision.
Description of Planning Area
The City owns 1.075 acres of forest land. The vicinity
map in this chapter shows their location and lists them
by parcel number for reference purposes. This document
will refer to these lands as forest lands. Seven
hundred ninety five acres is within the Ashland water-
shed, mostly in small parcels adjacent to Ashland
Creek. The primary use is the maintenance of water
quality. Parcels 1 to 3 are granite pits or water
system facilities.
There is an additional 280 acres that the City has
recently acquired as part of its long range plans to
establish a Siskiyou Mountains recreation park along
the urban interface boundary. Its primary use is for
open space.
This document also provides guidance to lands
comprising the Urban/Wildland Interface, both inside
and outside of the city limits. These lands will be
referred to as the Interface. The Interface is, as the
name implies, a transition zone between the forest
lands and the city environment. It contains both the
strong influences of human settlement and the natural
forest ecosystem.
The Interface is also the critical Wildfire Land Zone
along the city limits and the Urban Growth Boundary, as
well as an area between Tolman Creek on the South,
Wrights Creek on the North, the city limits on the
east, and the Rogue River National Forest boundary on
the west. See the vicinity map for its location.
Purpose and Need of the Plan
The City wishes to place its 1,075 acres of forest land
under a workable regime of protection and management.
Officials also want guidelines for dealing with the
2
.....
CHAP 1 - Introduction
development of the Interface, and the associated fire
risk.
Other than protection from wildfire, management of
forest lands has been passive. This plan establishes a
pro-active management theme we believe necessary to
accomplish the Action items, carry out the P~licies,
and attain the Goals it proposes.
The key characteristics of this management theme are:
1. Ecosystem based planning and management -
Planning is done within an ecosystem context. All
ownerships are involved.
? Integrated resource management - A holistic
approach to developing direction and carrying out
management that considers the form, function and inter-
relationships of both the forest and resource objec-
tives.
3. Integrated administration - An interdisciplin-
ary or management team approach to plan implementation.
The Ashland Comprehensive Plan has well-established
goals for the management of lands within the city
limits and for the watershed. This Plan adopts those
goals that are appropriate for forest
lands, and proposes seven new goals.
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The Rogue River National Forest Land
and Resource Management Plan appears
to have compatible goals. However,
periodic reviews by Ashland Ranger
District and City personnel is sug-
gested in order to insure consistency.
Ecosystem processes operate indepen-
/)/.......,. dently of ownership boundaries. If
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this Plan are to be successful, it is
essential that common goals be esblished and integrated
ecosystem planning be done that involves all land
owners within the watershed.
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Although this Plan adopts many of the existing City
goals, there is a significant departure from past
philosophy on how both these and the new goals should
be attained. In our Judgement, created disturbance
that emulates natural ecological processes must be
reintroduced into the watersheds. This means vegetative
manipulation and prescribed fire. If this does not
occur, there is a very high risk of catastrophic wild-
3
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I ntrod uction
- CHAP 1
fire and a rapid loss of old-growth and other age
classes through insects and disease.
Recreation use of these lands has grown to a point
where active management is also necessary. This in-
volves providing some minimum facilities, recreation
information and appropriate regulation.
4
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INTRODUCTION
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
RESPONSI 81 LITI ES
FIRE MANAGEMENT '
~
CHAPTER 2
FIRE OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
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Ranget
August
Attainment of the natural resource goals in the City's
Comprehensive Plan and
this Forest Plan will
depend, to a large
measure, on preventing
large, destructive wild-
fire. There is also a
high potential for the
loss of life and property
and it will increase as
the fuels continue to
build up and development
proceeds. In addition,
the watershed coild be
severely impacted with
serious consequences to
the City's domestic water
supply. The gravity of
the problem cannot be overstated and, although much has
been done, there is still much to be accomplished.
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Ecology plots in the watershed bear witness to the
frequent fires in the area. An early narrative of the
Siskiyou division of the Crater Forest, which included
the watershed, describes the watershed as ... "large
areas of this district are denuded of forest growth and
covered with grass or brush." Frequent fires periodi-
cally reduced the fuel and high intensity, stand de-
stroying fire was the exception and not the rule.
The Ashland Forest Reserve, which included most of the
Ashland Creek watershed, was established by executive
proclamation on September 23, 1893. The first Rangers
were hired in 1899 to oversee protection of the re-
serve. Fire suppression efforts began shortly after-
wards. In 1913, Ranger Erickson wrote -
". ..it is important to give the Ashland wa-
tershed special fire protection. ..Campers are
quite numerous in the headwaters of streams,
and some of them need careful watching in
6
CHAP 2 - Fire Overview
order to see that carelessness is not exer-
cised. "
Grazing of sheep and cattle was forbidden along
"light burning" to maintain the grazing lands.
breaks were started in 1903. Timber harvesting
also halted.
wi th
Fire-
was
Despite these efforts, wildfire was not totally
excluded and there are historical references to several
large fires in, or near, the watershed. A fire history
map in this chapter shows their locations if it is
known. Although the state-of-the-art for wildfire
suppression has advanced dramatically since those early
days, the chances of catastrophic wildfire are probably
higher today because the decrease in the acreage burned
during the last century has created ~ high fuel build-
up. The increased number of people in, or adjacent to,
the watershed increases the risk of a fire starting.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The financial, legal, and administrative responsibili-
ties for prevention and suppression of wildfire is
divided between three organizations. Each is governed
by different laws and regulations.
City Of Ashland
The City is responsible for both structural and
wildland fires within the city limits. This dual
responsibility requires different skills, equipment,
and organizational needs. The fire department does not
have strong wildfire suppression capability.
The City does not have any agreements at this time with
other wildland fire suppression agencies to utilize
their suppression resources if needed. However, conver-
sations are currently underway with the Oregon Depart-
ment of Forestry on this subject.
Oregon Department Of Fores~ry
The State is responsible for protecting all private and
City land outside the City limits and the National
Forest. This responsibility does not include the
protection of structures.
7
Fire Overview - CHAP 2
The State and the Forest Service have implemented a
"Closest Forces Agreement" that provides for certain
fire suppression forces to the initial attack of a fire
without compensation for the first 24 hours. After
that time, the requesting agency will reimburse the
other for the cost of these services. It allows the
closest suppression forces to attack the fire- without
regard to ownership.
Jackson County Fire District #5
The district provides structural protection by sub-
scription to individuals outside the city limits and
within the district boundary. However. the boundary
does not include all of the Interface and not all of
the structures within the boundary have subscribed for
fire protection.
The district does not have significant wildland fire
capability.
Rogue River National Forest
The portion of the watershed in Federal ownership is
protected by the Forest Service. As explained above.
they share initial attack responsibilities with the
State for lands adjacent to the National Forest bound-
ary. This responsibility does not include structural
fires although limited action would be taken i.f there
was a clear threat of wildfire to the watershed. The
Agency does not have structural firefighting
capability.
FIRE MANAGEMENT
Fire management primarily involves two problems: [1]
the risk of a fire starting and the prevention activi~
ties that can be taken to reduce that risk and [2] the
hazards of a fire reaching a certain size and the
actions required to keep that from happening. This
section discusses the current situation of these two
problems.
Fire Prevention
The wildfire agencies in the Rogue Valley have formed
the Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Cooperative to imple-
8
'-
ment and coordinate a
fire prevention program
throughout the area. It
has become a model for
other groups throughout
the state. Although the
number of human caused
fires have undoubtedly
been reduced, they have
not been eliminated and
the potential continues
to increase.
CHAP 2 - fire Overview
The Interface has
TOTAl NUMBER OF HUMAN CAUSED FIRES BY TYPE
LOQlIItIQ .'; !
CAIINA ;~' !
FIGURE 3
PERCENT OF FIRE BY CAUSE
figure 2
under-
gone steady development over
the past several years. The
foothills are a favored place
to build and live due to the
views of the valley, and the
vegetation and wildlife of a
mountain environment.
Approximately 95 individuals or
families own 100 tax lots
outside the city limits/urban
growth boundary. The lots
range from 5 to 90 acres in
size. They average 10 acres in
size and contain approximately
30 structures.
In addition. there are 800 dwellings inside of the City
limits within the Interface and 1,183 acres of
undeveloped land. Of that amount.
468 acres are zoned for develop-
ment. While the total development
cannot accurately be predicted. it
is clear that the number of
residences in the Interface will be
far greater inside the city limits
than outside.
.,'-',. '. .,..-......-..'...-'..-.....
.,' ...-,..... -. . '..- ...-'.-:....:.::.. ........
-"-", "-.... " ---.. .
.. . it .. is cl eartna t .... ..
. the number of.
. - .-- .. '., . '..' -' -","
. . re~i~e.ric:es irittH~
......lh'etfa.pe wi 11.l>~u/.
. ..... ~:~~:i::t:~rd:'::!~!u...<
.tttihpu:~side~ ..
lRose. Bill Fire Management Officer
. Rogue River National Forest, Ashland Ranger District. unpub-
lished data.
9
"^~.
Fire Overview - CHAP 2
The following chart illustrates the causes of these
fires. Only 7% of the fires were caused by lightning
and most of them occurred in June during the early part
of the fire season. They were in the higher elevations
and each one burned less than * acre.
The remaining 93% were started by people and .most of
them [70%] occurred in August and September - the
severest part of the fire season. The average fire is
also larger than the lightning fires.
A fire analysis has not been done for the Interface
inside the city limits. However, it can be concluded
that the risk of a fire occurring inside the city
limits is much higher than outside because of much
higher human activity.
Fire Suppression
The behavior of a fire will determine how difficult it
is to control and the potential to reach a large size.
It is governed by three major variables : the
characteristics of the fuels, the weather conditions.
and the type of terrain.
Fuels-
Three characteristics are important to fire behavior.
They are -
· Arrangement of the fuel
Fuel that is compacted together and close to the
ground, such as duff, does not pose a serious fire
problem because sufficient quantities of oxygen
necessary for rapid combustion is not available.
At the other extreme, fuels that exist from the
forest floor to the upper canopy pose a very seri-
ous threat. These "ladder fuels" can carry a
ground fire into the forest canopy and create high
intensity, fast moving crown fires. Effective
fire suppression under these conditions is
impossible.
Snags are a difficu~t problem because once ignited
they can easily spread fire across fire lines.
This problem is greatest on ridge tops and natural
fire control lines, such as roads, power line
rights-of-way, and cleared areas.
10
'.._It"'''
CHAP 2 - Fire Overview
. Fuel continuity.
The more uniform the ground and aerial fuels there
are in an area, the faster it will spread. Fire
suppression is, in its simplest form, removing
fuel from the fire with a fireline. The same
results can be attained by interrupting ,the
continuity by shaded fuel breaks, hand piling of
fuels in areas prone to fire starts, and along
natural fire control lines.
. Fuel quantity.
Small fuels [less than 1/4 inch in diameter] are
easy to ignite and will be a major factor in how
fast a fire will spread. They are very sensitive
to weather conditions and the flammability can
change rapidly.
The larger fuels do not ignite as easily and do
not respond as rapidly to weather changes as the
smaller fuels. However, they can produce very hot
fires that are difficult to control.
An aggressive fire suppression program during the last
century has created an abnormally high fuel loading in
the watershed. This has dramatically increased the
potential for high intensity, stand destroying fires.
Fuel is accumulating at a faster rate than it is decom-
posing and unless modified. will
further accentuate the problem.
...........-.'".-...........-_..-,'..._-..
""_C_"':"_":_:':';'-""'-';"':':_:'-,_'-,_;,:_._:,:,-,"-""-., . ,................_ ,.._.....__...
....;~~~1,[s.....th:e"6~'L;........ .
fact:o:t' that < i.' ..
. .....:;:~~,:ec:~l::.f:~.......
;.::;.:t:o~~;:.;..~;f:[tie.;::-::;~:;f:;:i::r~jj::;.:~:::;';::::,;::.
..probi~m....u.S;t........\ ". .,. ............
ifQetl$:Qtr;~i ;t:.~ }{i,!;;}(,:}
....-,.........,........-.,......:-.....,.
. ,.......,.........-.........,......
Appendix A describes the amount of
fuel in each parcel and assigns a
rating of low to extreme. Although a
similar process was not done for the
private lands in the Interface.
similar or higher ratings would
probably occur.
fuels], fuels is
and the solution
Of the 3 primary factors influencing
fire behavior [topography, weather,
the only factor that humans can alter
to the fire problem must focus on it.
Weather-
The long, hot summers in Southwestern Oregon create a
difficult fire situation. The absence of summer
moisture and low air humidity dry the fuels and make
them more flammable. The most severe fire weather
usually occurs in August and September.
1 1
Fire Overview - CHAP 2
Wind-is a major factor in determining fire intensity.
direction, and rate of spread. The difference of a few
miles per hour in wind speed can make the difference
between success and failure in fire suppression.
Unfortunately, afternoon winds are common in the
Ashland area because of the heating of the valley air
and its' movement up the canyon.
Wind also picks up burning material and drops it long
distances in front of the fire and is a prime source of
ignition of structures if it lands on a shake roof. It
also starts spot fires that can negate the value of
fuel breaks and natural fire barriers.
The 1959 Ashland fire and the 1973 Hillview fire are
classic examples of the affects of weather on fire
behavior. They both spread in the same direction due to
afternoon winds. During the afternoon, winds on the
Ashland fire increased its size by I,OOO acres an
hour. Effective fire suppression is impossible during
these conditions.
Topography-
Fire generally burns uphill during the day. It is
difficult to suppress a high intensity fire until it
reaches the ridgetops or other natural barriers.
Therefore. a fire that occurs at the lower part of a
drainage has a much higher potential to reach a large
size than one that starts in the upper portion.
Topographic features are ideal for the rapid spread of
a high intensity fire from the Urban/Wildland Interface
into the watershed. Unfortunately, the terrain is not
suited to the rapid deployment of initial attack forces
into. or out of, the canyon bottoms and safety
considerations will complicate the suppression efforts.
In addition, it would be very difficult to get ef-
fective aerial retardant drops into the canyons.
There have been impressive efforts by the Rogue River
National Forest and several landowners to construct
shaded fuel breaks.2 They do not require the total
removal of the vegetation and retain an open "park-
like" appearance. In many cases, they have enhanced
the recreational value of the area and promote the
biological diversification of the vegetation.
Unfortunately, they do not extend across City lands and
21991 Hamilton Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan.
unpublished document.
12
CHAP 2 - Fire Overview
the gaps may be fatal flaws to effective fire
suppression efforts. The location of these shaded fuel
breaks is shown on the following map.
In summary, the combination of abnormally high buildups
of dead and green fuels, the steep and inaccessible
topography of the watershed, and long, hot summers
create a very difficult fire suppression situation.
is further aggravated by the
increasing risk of human- caused fire
in the Urban/Wildland Interface. The
success of fire management in the
Interface is the key to the protection
of the Ashland watershed from the
catastrophic fire.
It
;;_;~Iijl;~tl!..'~t'~;~r....'" .
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.~,;["$
':i~~I~~!llli!jill!ii:i "
.....a..;tb~.........:A.$hl..Bi..i....;;..:.. ,....,
/'ii~~t~hij'i",""
Strong, cooperative fire prevention
and suppression must be continued.
However, the chances of failure are
high unless the basic cause of the
fire problem is addressed -the need to
manage the vegetation by emulating the
natural processes of "vegetative
thinning by fire" that is an integral part of the
ecosystem function.
...... .....
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n )H~~ ,- ( 'j ,--,:'01 v wr};,;J!r8') / ~ ::.:;CjJp( '~ ' , c '0!.<t~',\\ ~)/~~" -- ~\\:~, ," ,/, !ir:;-\
) \\ \W'~'6 ::~::f;;,___,';J i(r:(-:A'!/fu(f;ib!X'Wf!~I)\'~\ ~I,;~~~~, I~:, i':';\~t;~~f0t~~,~~~" ~1\~,~~,I~~'dJ~t.~
,1
FUEL
BREAKS
r_-_-.J EXISTING
- - - PROPOSED
, /,.-... "
,.~----", - . t,il \. -~.. \ \ -(~.
....
WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM
VEGETATION
WI LOLl FE
FISH
IMPROVEMENTS
GEOLOGY AND SOilS
WATER
RECREATION
. "., - - .-
--.-- ".........--
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
CHAPTER 3
RESOURCE CONDITION
WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM
Wildfire plays a dominant
disturbance role in the
normal functioning eco-
system. Figure 1 is a
summary of the agents of
disturbance in the long-
term ecology plots estab-
lished by the Rogue River
National Forest in the
watershed.3 Generally,
fires occurred more fre-
quently in the lower ele-
vations but were of lower
intensity and provided
"vegetative thinning" that reduced fuel buildup and
"thinned" the understory vegetation. Consequently, the
forest was more open grown with fewer, healthier
trees. Trees of several ages and species often
occurred on the same acres. Insects played an endemic
role and not an epidemic one in the ecosystem.
PERCENT OF FIRE BY CAUSE
NfII3.~1
F... 2
....-.. ....-......... ....... ..-...._..........:,;.::~~:...:.l::,;':."=~.:::.:::.;~::..:.:.: .".'.'. ......._'...:~::.:..,;;.-::::~~: .:::::~:.;~.::~ ....... .. .
People have intervened in the
ecosystem function by aggressively
suppressing wildfire. Paradoxically,
the success of these efforts, while
protecting short term water quality,
has increased the risk of catastrophic
wildfire because of the unnatural
buildup of both live and dead fuels.
.., -- .". ..-, .,-... ,... ........ , --- .. .._-.-., --. .....
.:c:;::",::_::<::,::::::::;:;::_,::,;-::_.>:;:::;:;::;::.._:,":::;:::;>:::::::;:;:::;:;',',_::::"::::>::::_':::::.::;::::,:;:::-.>.:::::;.:.:"
:-;::::::::;:::::::;:.:.:=:.:::,;:::::;:::::::;:;::-::;::;:::::~:;;:::;::~:~:::;::;:;;:~::::::;::::--:~:;;>::.::;:;::;:~,:;:::.::;;::::;;:.:::;.:;:-;-;-.:.;;:
.~~n.YP~tQ~~Qld- .... .
. growth, tree$;. .. ...... ...
......'......:h:i.i.::.~.~....k i..l'.1..~4'.......'."....
....x~maiQ'<l~:r Juepat .. ....
....< risk.
:'--:'-'-'-:.;"-:""-:-:-;';-'-'.-:-;';.:"-;':--:-...':.:-:.;',:.;.:.;-:-_.;-:-;.:.;.:-:.
:.:;.~::: :::;:;: ;;.:--.. ,::' :::> ::::::'.:;- :-:' :.:::::. ;.:::;:::::. .-:~:-:.:::::::::::-::::; ;
......;.......~..,..,........'",>;';..A,....;:...,...r..,.....u,;
.:.-,:;-..;.;-:::.:-:.:.;;;
.... ..:.:.;.:-:.-.;;~:.::;;;.;-:.;.::.
The lack of low intensity "vegetative
thinning" fire has also created a forest overstocked
with trees that are placing additional demands on the
growing environment for limited moisture and soil
nutrients. This is reducing the vigor of the forest
and insects are attacking the drought weakened trees.
Many of the old growth t~ees have been killed and the
remainder are at risk. The problem is further
3Atzet, Thomas, unpublished data, V.S.D.A. Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Region, Siskiyou National Forest.
15
^"~~-..~- ~..."'_.-
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
compounded by the fact that the old growth
"replacement" trees must come from overstocked, poorly
growing stands where replacement, if it occurs. will be
slow and uncertain. Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and
the oaks are slowly being lost and are being replaced
by Douglas fir and white fir.
Fire has not played a large role in the riparian zone.
Consequently, the vegetation has retained much of its
historical "richness" and is in good ecological health.
These areas are critical for the maintenance of water
quality, wildlife habitat, and functions of both
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Except for the Winburn area. all of the city owned
lands are within the Douglas fir plant series - an
ecological grouping of similar plant communities. This
series is characterized by fire resistant Douglas fir
and/or ponderosa pine in the overstory with a wide
variety of hardwoods in the understory. The following
species indicate site conditions.4
Pacific madrone - indicates disturbance.
golden chinquapin - indicates limited soil nutrition.
canyon live oak - indicates shallow soils.
white fir - the best growing sites.
This series is the most resistant to fire effects of
those in the watershed. Natural fire occurred about
every 25 years and would be a high intensity burn only
about 15% of the time. A moderate burn will stimulate
seedling germination and the existing younger stands of
dense. slow growing Douglas fir probably originated
after the 1910 fire. and others of that period" that
covered much of the lower elevations in the watershed.
The Winburn area is within the white fir plant associa-
tion. Ponderosa pine. sugar pine, incense-cedar. and
white fir occupy the overstory. This series occurs at
a higher elevation than the Douglas fir series and
receives more snow and total precipitation and is more
productive. Fire occurrence is about every 50 years
with the burn intensity similar to the lower
elevations. Since white fir is very susceptible to
fire, it does not usually occupy a dominant position in
the overstory.
~artinez, P. and Atzet. T. 1991. Vegetation Map for the
Ashland Watershed. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region,
Siskiyou National Forest.
16
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
VEGETATION
Forest Lands
The vegetative patterns in the Ashland. Rocca and
Hamilton Creek watersheds reflect the long fiye history
of the area, and occur at random across the landscape.
Two age classes are most common. They are -
Old-growth
Ponderosa pine and sugar pine are the predominant old-
growth species with some Douglas fir in the lower
elevations. It does not occur in large, even-aged
stands. Instead, it is scattered over younger Douglas
fir. incense cedar, and white fir.
The recent increase in insect activity has eliminated
about one-half of the old-growth in some of the stands
and created some openings large enough for
regeneration to occur. The remainder is not vigorous
and is subject to additional insect attack. The remains
of past mortality are present on the forest floor and
are especially numerous in the Winburn area. The old-
growth in some stands was removed by logging about 100
years ago.
It appears that there is less old-growth than there was
a century ago. Its replacement is uncertain under the
vegetative management practices of recent history. An
old growth component is important to the functioning of
this ecosystem.
Immature and Mature
Younger stands of predominantly Douglas fir occur under
a scattered old-growth overstory. Incidental amounts
of incense cedar and white fir are present but there is
an absence of ponderosa pine, sugar pine and oak.
Several species of hardwoods also occur if the site is
not completely occupied by conifers. Pacific madrone
is the most common hardwood.
The stands usually have a high amount of biomass.
Individual trees exhibit poor growth rates and crown
ratios. The lack of tree vigor will delay the time
until they have old-growth characteristics and the
existing old-growth may be depleted before this occurs.
Some of the stands are large enough to commercially
thin. It should be done by helicopter but the areas
are too small and scattered to make ~it economically
17
'....-
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
feasible. However. this could change if the Forest
Service were to have a commercial thinning program on
their lands. Unfortunately, the most overstocked
stands are presently too small for commercial thinning.
Precommerciat thinning would create intolerable slash
problems unless it was disposed of by chipping,
burning, or other methods.
Shrubs
The 1959 Ashland fire created dense stands of manzanita
and other post-fire shrubs in the lower areas. The
brush is very dense and decadent with large amounts of
dead material. The site faces to the south and is hot
and dry making reforestation difficult and expensive.
The Interface
The Interface has a long history of frequent fires and
the resulting vegetation illustrates this legacy.
Old-Growth
There is very little old-growth. Its absence is
probably due to old logging activity as much as the
fire history.
Mature and Immature
Dense stands of pole-size Douglas fir occurs on the
North facing slopes and canyon bottoms. The hotter.
dryer South facing slopes usually have scattered
ponderosa pine and Douglas fir with moderate to heavy
amounts of manzanita beneath them.
Shrubs
Manzanita and other post-fire shrub species are very
common in this area. The 1973 Hillview fire created
very dense stands of hardwood "brush" with few tree
seedlings beneath it. Older "old-growth" manzanita
testify to earlier fires.
Appendix A contains a description of the vegetation for
each parcel.
There are no known Threatened and Endangered plant
species on City owned lands.
18
"~""""""-"---
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
WILDLIFE
A 1974 survey of the Ashland Research Natural Area
conducted by Stephan P. Cross, Professor of Biology,
Southern Oregon State University, listed 56 species of
mammals, 103 bird species, and 27 species of reptiles
and amphibians. Not all of these species are' to be
found on City lands, but it does provide an idea of the
wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians
found in the area. The riparian habitats along Ashland
Creek are particularly rich in species diversity.
.'..-.....,.-,' -...'....,.,..,.-'...
.-...".....-., --.,-.' -.
."......... ..... ...-....
There are several species on the
"sensitive" list prepared by the
Forest Service, USDA. These are not
yet classified as threatened or
endangered under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, but in the
judgement of the Forest Service
population viability is a concern, and
requires special management
consideration. Currently on the list
is the red legged frog and Townsends
western big eared bat. There is an indication the
sensitive list may soon be expanded to include the
tailed frog, pileated woodpecker, pine marten and
ringtailed cat. All of these existing and proposed
sensitive species are known to inhabit the Ashland
watershed. Their presence within other City parcels has
not been documented.
::;.::.>;(:~:\:_::;:::~.;:~;;: ::\;::.:":<..;.:: .-..... '.' .:.~:', ,. ..". -." -..... ...:.........
The:r i pa.r i liP. ..' .....
.. habitats along ...
;A$bland~reet...... .. .
....aj!eparJcu 1 at ly .
.....richiJl,~pecies ....
. .... diversity ~.... ... .
The most significant species, now listed as threatened
(with extinction) is the northern spotted owl. The
entire watershed has been designated a Habitat
Conservation Area (HCAl by the Rogue River National
Forest. The Forest Service Owl Management Plan Record
of Decision was published in early March, but further
court activity seems likely. The Fish and Wildlife
Service Owl Recovery Plan, as required by the
Endangered Species Act, is due in final form by July
1992. In addition. the Fish and Wildlife Service has a
team defining and developing critical habitat areas.
This HCA is one of the most important on the Rogue
River National Forest as it provides a part of the link
between the Cascade Mountains and Siskivou Mountain
5 .
populations of spotted owls.
5 Interview with Greg Clevenger, Resources Staff Officer,
Rogue River National Forest, 2/13/92.
19
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
In the midst of all this agency activity. Congress is
working on various legislative offerings intended to
protect old growth and owls. and define forest
management sideboards in owl habitat. There is no way
to forecast how these parallel planning and legislative
efforts might ultimately be resolved.
Under the state Forest Practices Act. forest management
activities on private land can be permitted within owl
habitat. and near nesting sites if a proper plan is
prepared that protects the habitat and the owls. and is
approved by the State. Presently it
appears that sanitation - salvage
logging (similar to that done in
1991). commercial thinning and fuels
treatment would likely be approved
if the objective was to protect and
perpetuate owl habitat.6
,..........c....:......_..'._. .
.....,,-..'.-.._..'...........-.-.... .....-................ .,....,
...........,-..., ,. ................._-.....-- ," '-'
. Tbereare two. ...
.nestingpai rof
$pot.tedowl$oear .
.. ....,,-- .,.... -.. ...-.--
...~~:.r:n~:fl~~=i~el ·
... this. is/part ..()f .
their. home ..... . .
.tertitoryfor ... .
. hunting..
this parcel
hunting.7
There are from 6 to 9 breeding pairs
of owls in the National Forest
portion of the watershed. Although
none are nesting on City properties.
there are two nesting pair near the
Winburn parcel. and it is likely
is part of their "home territory" for
The implications of this for City lands within the
watershed are not clear, and may not be until either
the Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan is
completed, or Federal legislation is enacted.
FISH
Ashland Creek is an important tributary to Bear Creek.
Bear Creek is considered a sensitive aquatic habitat by
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and
historically an important spawning tributary to the
Rogue River for fall run Chinook and Coho salmon. sea
run cutthroat trout, and summer and winter steelhead.
Ashland Creek, from the confluence with Bear Creek, to
Reeder Reservoir, supports a small summer steelhead
run, a January - May winter steelhead, and November _
6Interview with Tuck Koreiva. Oregon Department of Forestry.
2/12/92
7Interview with Wildlife Biologist Fred Way, Ashland Ranger
District. Rogue River National Forest. 2/ /92
20
--'
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
December Coho salmon run if water levels are adequate.
Ashland Creek contains about 5~ miles of spawning and
smolt rearing area. There is also a resident rainbow
trout population from the dam to the confluence.
Native cutthroat trout are apparently no longer present
in this reach.s
Stream flows in Ashland Creek are usually adequate for
fish production. Temperatures are within limits for
spawning and rearing. Riparian vegetation and shade -
important to keeping water temperature low - are good.
Structural habitat (pools, gravel, and hiding cover) is
only fair, however. According to the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife (ODF&W) there are opportunities
for structural habitat improvement projects.
The Rogue Fly Fishers have "adopted" the Bear Creek
system and have initiated many cooperative projects to
improve fisheries habitat and water quality. The ODF&W
receives many requests from service clubs, high
schools and others to cooperate and participate in
fisheries and stream improvement projects.
Sediment is a major concern and often a deterrent to
good habitat conditions in both Ashland and Bear
Creeks. In the past, artificial surges of sediment
from sluicing Reeder Reservoir has had detrimental
effects on fisheries spawning habitat, invertebrate
food sources, water temperatures and ultimately fish
numbers.
The advent of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
City, County and State agencies, executed on April 12.
1988, seems to have done a lot to mitigate adverse
impacts of sluicing operations. The key points of this
agreement are:
. Reeder Reservoir may be sluiced every third year,
if needed,and an adequate snowpack exists to
refill it.
. Limit any Single sluicing event to 6,000 cubic
yards, to occur during the high water periods of
February through March.
8rnterview with Jerry MacLeod, Fisheries Biologist, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2/7/92 .
21
.~-_..
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
· Install a diversion structure at the mouth of
Ashland Creek to trap sediments, and prevent up-
stream passage of fish preceding a sluicing event.
This structure has been completed.
· City of Ashland will monitor the results.
This process was implemented in 1986 and was successful
in trapping the majority of sediments produced by the
sluicing event. The reservoir has not been sluiced
since 1986.
Approximately f of amile of the West Fork of Ashland
Creek flows through the Winburn parcel.
The Forest Service conducted stream surveys of both the
East and West forks in 1969-1970, and again in 1990.
The following table is a summary of conditions found in
the West Fork:
West Fork of Ashland Creek
July 23. 1969 September 17, 1990
Water Temperature 58 degrees F 55 degrees F.
Stream Flow 8-9 CFS 3.3 CFS
Fish Species Cutthroat Cutthroat
Pool/Riffle ratio 10% pools 3% pools, 1 U;;
g I ide s
Large Wood Material unknown 153 pieces/mile
The West Fork supports a pure strain of cutthroat
trout. Habitat conditions are fair to good. Large
woody material exceeds the desired amount of 100 pieces
per mile, but this is not necessarily a problem. Pool
to riffle ratio is low. Riparian vegetation is in good
condition, providing ample shade, although more conifer
vegetation would be desi~able: 'This survey made the
following management recommendations:
· Retain the woody material presently in the system.
· Increase the pool to riffle ratio via blasting
holes in the bedrock. An ideal ratio would
22
-.-'
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
approach 40/60 - 40% of the stream length should
be pools and the remaining 60% should be riffl~s.
· Increase instream scour elements with tree length
logs and boulder elements. Also increase cover
elements for spawning adults.
IMPROVEMENTS
Roads in the forest lands -
There are approximately four miles of road on City
lands for the primary purpose of providing access to
the filtration plant and Reeder Reservoir. The road is
closed by gate. and not open to public travel.
The roads are single lane, have sharp curves. and are
often steep. Alignment "fits the ground" and there was
not excessive earth movement in construction. Much of
the main access road is within or
adjacent to the riparian zone along
Ashland Creek and Reeder Reservoir. In
a few instances. raw fill slopes are
within a few feet of the reservoir
shoreline. The road is not surfaced
and its close proximity to water makes
it a prime source of sediment into
Ashland Creek. The lack of sufficient
culverts and infrequent maintenance
compounds the problem.
,.-.' -',...........-..-,..-... -...'....-...-.,.....'.
Th~rop.d .... i s not
surfaced. and. fts ......
.':(~O~:t;~O~~:l'~Y ...........
it'aprime sQuce ..
.. .......A~~~:~~~~*l~~;.l~ ....,
. . - '. . ,-,
".. -",.,. "", -, . ,'-'
. ..- -...---.-............-......:...,.-..
'.. ...._.........,...,-......
The upper half of the road from the reservoir to
Winburn camp is impassable. There is a section on very
steep side slopes where material has rolled into the
road from the unstable cut bank. If not removed very
carefully. it would end up in the West Fork of Ashland
Creek. Some erosion is still occurring in the wheel
tracks.
Roads in the interface-
There are a wide variety of road conditions ranging to
wide paved roads on gentle grades to unimproved one-way
dirt roads with no provisions for turning around. It
would be difficult to rapidly get fire fighting
equipment into some areas or to evacuate people.
The dirt roads are on highly erosive granitic soils and
often have steep grades. They are a significant source
of erosion.
23
-.-
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
Trails in the interface-
There is a user established t~ail system within parcels
10 and 11 adjoining private lands. They generally
utilize old logging spurs and firelines. Some sections
have erosion problems, some are poorly located, and
some lead into private property. They are heavily used
by local residents.
Rock Pits-
The granite pit next to the Ashland Loop Road has
several acres of exposed soil with no provisions for
drainage. The uncontrolled water has created large
gullies and the eroded material is being dumped
directly into Ashland Creek.
The pit is also an eyesore and detracts from the scenic
values of the area.
The granite quarry in parcel 5 has not been used as a
quarry for several years and vegetation is slowly
reclaiming the site. It appears to be used as a
construction dump site and there are large piles of
material partially covered with plastic. Asphalt
appears to be mixed in with this material.
The road leading to the site does not have any drainage
with a gully over a foot deep running part of its
length.
GEOLOGY AND SOILS
The area is within the Klamath Mountain geologic prov-
ince. Intrusive igneous rocks formed about 150 million
years ago during the Jurassic Age. Uplifting exposed
these granite like rocks with quartz diorite being the
most common. They are deeply weathered and partially
to fully decomposed. Granitic soils are developed from
this geology and they have the following
characteristics:
They are coarse textured and do not bind
together very well. 'When the protecting duff
layer is removed, the exposed soil particles
can be easily moved by water and have a high
potential for sheet erosion and mass soil
failures. Road construction disturbs large
volumes of soil and is a primary course of
24
~..,..._.,...".__.-
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
erosion. The lack of proper road maintenance
aggravates the situation.
The combination of shallow soil with a coarse
texture does not retain water and they are
generally "droughty". There is also a lack
of organic material and these two fact6rs
produce a soil with low to moderate
productivity. Revegetation of denuded areas
can be slow and uncertain.
Chapter IV of the City Comprehensive Plan contains an
excellent write-up of the geology and soil of the area.
The reader is referred to it for additional detailed
information.
WATER
The community is very dependent upon a fire and
erosion prone watershed for its domestic water. While
some additional water is available from the Talent
Irrigation District during the summer, it is not an
adequate substitute source of water if a catastrophic
event occurs in the watershed.
Water quality and quantity is very important to the
community. A "hands off" management approach has, at
least in the short-term, produced high quality water.
While'it is more difficult to measure, quantity has
probably been reduced because of the additional water
demands of the vegetative biomass. A reduction in the
amount of vegetation should increase water yield while
reducing the fire hazard.
Ashland Creek has a steep gradient. Natural erosion
causes accumulations of decomposed granite to be
"stored" in the stream bed, and periodically flushed
down the drainage by high intensity storms.~ This
affects water quality to downstream users as well as
domestic use. Bear Creek is also impacted.
9Rolle, S. et. al. 1987 Origins and Characteristics of
Sedimentation in Reeder Reservoir, USDA Forest Service, Pacific
NorthWest Region, Rogue River National Forest.
25
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
RECREATION
Forest Lands
The primary access road to the water treatment plant
and Reeder Reservoir is closed year around to public
entry by locked gates.
The posture of the City has been one of discouraging
public use of the watershed. The watershed is closed,
when fire conditions warrant, to both vehicle and foot
traffic under a Memorandum of Understanding with the
City and via an order of the Forest Supervisor. Rogue
River National Forest.
During the winter the Ashland Loop road is partially
closed to vehicle use on weather and road conditions.
This is to prevent rutting of the road system and
erosion. The section from town to Four Corners is left
open. Hiking and biking into the watershed is
permitted during this period.
The Forest Service considers both the fire season and
winter partial closures to be generally effective in
achieving the objective of protecting the watershed.
Cooperative and joint administration of the closures by
the Forest Service and the City is the key to continued
success.
Considerable public use of the watershed occurs year
around. For example. there is a well-used hiking and
mountain bike trail from the Crowsan Hill reservoir
that generally follows the main north-south ridge
paralleling the Ashland Loop Road. Locals call it the
"Alice in Wonderland" trail for the feeling it evokes
as it meanders beneath a dense stand of manzanita and
madrone.
The Forest Service maintains a trail head parking lot
for the Ashland Loop Nature Trail. From this parking
lot a user established, unnamed trail winds downhill
and ends at the upper end of Reeder Reservoir. Another
user established trail, the "Toothpick" trail leaves
the Loop Road near the same parking lot and proceeds
easterly along an old wafer ditch through the Epstein
property and intersecting the Tolman Creek Road in
Section 29.
The old maintenance roads and trails along the various
water ditches just above the City are also well used by
26
CHAP 3 - Resource Condition
residents for hiking, walking the dog, and relaxing
strolls.
The Forest at Ashland's Doorstep", 10 a study of
visitation to the Ashland Creek watershed completed in
1986 set forth these major findings:
· The watershed is visited by a significant portion
of Ashland residents (41% of total residents
interviewed. )
· The area plays an important role in providing for
Ashland residents' recreation needs.
· There is little information readily available on
the area's sensitivity.
· Visitation will increase even if nothing is
done.. .unmanaged use of the area could result in
overuse and increased fire risk.
In summary, there is substantial year around public use
of various trails and roads adjOining and within the
watershed. Hiking and mountain biking are the predomi-
nant uses. There have been instances of seasonal
occupancies on both the National Forest and City owned
land, ranging from overnight camping to longer term
abodes -usually consisting of pole and plastic tent
structures.
Interface
There is an extensive trail system within parcel 10
that local residents use for mountain biking, hiking.
horseback and occasional motorcycle riding. Visitors
access this system through the Ordsen- Todd Woods
parcel and private lands.
This "user developed" system of trails follows old
logging spurs and firelines. As such they are not
always located and designed to accommodate the kind and
level of use they are experiencing, and will be
difficult to maintain.
Some trails are steep, most are without water-bars or
other erosion prevention 'measures. There is no parking,
1~ess, Jurgen A. 1986 The Forest at Ashland's Doorstep.
Clemson University, Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism
Management, 50 pages
27
Resource Condition - CHAP 3
rest rooms, signing and other use information
available. Some of the trails are accessed by
trespassing over private property.
This area of recreation use is also a critical wildfire
zone. Careful planning of recreation facilities and
use, combined with appropriate management arid
regulation is essential in order to mitigate the
increased fire risk.
28
II
\\ VEGE7A710N 7YPES
1/
"
-//
/;-
ij .3
'-
~
~17
\\
II
II
\I S
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. II
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. 1/
,=:-;:::.q
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11
"
.~
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~
"
I
I
OG
MH
MM
MN,
MT
P
S
N
- -----<--
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0--0
1000 0
1--4 _,_
-- ,-'" ,.... ," .".,~.._--". - .- ......__.__W"',._,. "_~_;~_""'_'_~__"_"_"_"~~"'__''''''__''''__'__'___ '~"'_"'_""""_~"_~""~
LEGEND
Old Growth
Mature Habitat
Mature
Small Saw Timber/No Thin
Small Saw Timber /ThIn
Poles
Sapling
11
~If
t::",'I'
(ASHLAND SW)
SCALE 1:24000
o
1000 2000 3000
4000 5000
_ . 7IlOO FEET
I
~
1 KlLOMETER ;..;
,
OVERVIEW
URBANIZATION AND THE INTERFACE
ADMI N ISTRATIVE
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
. ..' _. '''''., ,-
OVERVIEW
CHAPTER 4
SOCIAL POLITICAL CONDITION
The Ashland community, both inside and outside of the
city limits, is environmentally aware and citizens
share a similar environmental ethic. Some of these
shared views include-
· Preservation of the scenic beauty and mountain
backdrop to the City.
· Protection of the watershed from catastrophic wild
fire, especially from the Interface.
· Protection of residents and property from
wildfire.
These strongly held values are reflected in citizen
interactions with City, County. and federal government.
and demonstrated in the City of Ashland Comprehensive
Plan and City ordinances. Individuals are
actively involved as volunteers for a wide
variety of projects. They are willing to
" do as they say."
.., '. - 0.._,... .
....:.:....... ..,', . .....
.-. . ..,. . ---.
", .... . ,d.., . .'._. __.'
. The .. hea Itb
. of Ashl and
cJ;'e.et:.a.ri(i... ......
.......~e:~!"~:~~i...... .....
..p~r~moutlt .... ..
. .concei'nto ...
-',' .....,..-.,.."."".-.-.. .---., .....
. . reside~t~::q
....-- ..... ""', ,'.-... ,-.,. .,....... '.....:-:<-.,..-:......-..,--..'.....
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"",-,..., .....,.-.... '-' ....,...........
.....-.-...............-..,....-...........,.:c...-,'.......'-.--......
...... ... ",-'- ..,"..s.._.,....-.
Many of the residents know each other. and
share a mutual concern about wildfire,
preservation of scenic beauty. wildlife,
and other amenities that attracted them to
this area. Except for the people living
in the Hamilton Creek area, there is no
formal organization or association of
people residing in the Interface.
The health of Ashland Creek and the watershed is of
paramount concern to residents for environmental and
economic reasons. Thev are aware that a continuous,
dependable supply of clean, cold water is a key factor
to the continued well being of the community. and in
many ways the barometer of their environmental
stewardship.
Generally, the community supports management within the
watershed that is specifically designed to:
· Reduce fire hazard and risk.
· Preserve water quality and quantity
30
.........
CHAP 4 - Social - Political Condition
· Permit a level of public day use consistent with
fire protection and water quality protection.
There is a plethora of existing plans. goals,
decisions. direction and data for the forestland and
the Interface that are designed to maintain and enhance
the community's environmental ethic. A summary of
existing directions can be found in Appendix B.
URBANIZA TION AND THE INTERFACE
The area of land called the Urban\Wildland Interface is
difficult to precisely delineate.
Generally it is the transition zone between the City
and the forest lands to the west. It's bounded by
Tolman Creek on the Sputh. Wrights Creek on the North.
the city limits on the east and the National Forest
Boundary on the west.
.. The Interface. is
an 80Q pound
. go l' i .11a . with .a ..
match.
Within the City's Urban Growth
Boundary IUBG) there are approximately
1,188 acres of undeveloped land. of
which 468 acres are zoned for
potential development. With the
exception of areas near Wrights Creek
and Crowsan road, all of these 468
acres are projected to be needed for
future urban growth. 11
Glaude curran
Within the Jackson County portion of
the Interface there are approximately 100 tax lots
ranging in size from 5 to 90 acres. with one ownership
of 900 acres. There is currently an estimated 30
structures scattered among these parcels.
City Planning
The City's Goal: "It is the City of Ashlands' goal to
maintain a compact urban form and to include an
adequate supply of vacant land in the City so as not to
hinder the natural market forces within the City, and
to ensure an orderly and sequential development of land
in t l} e c i t Y 1 i m its. ,Il 2
11 Ashland Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 12
12 Ibid.
31
......
Social-Political Condition - CHAP 4
The City's policy is to maintain undeveloped lands
within city limits and the UOB in a rural state until
annexed by the City.
Jackson County Planning
The Jackson County goal regarding future development is
Npreservation of open space. forest lands and agricul-
tural areas and maintenance of the over all rural
character of the county. ,,13
The County's area within the Interface is zoned either
Forest Resource. Woodland Resource or Open Space
Reserve. The policy is to permit minor home occupation
as an accessory use, provided that such use does not
adversely affect forest resource management activities,
or constitute a fire hazard.
There are opportunities for other uses, such as
churches, campgrounds and guest ranches, to name a few.
They must meet certain conditions, and are termed
"Conditional Uses".
Minimum parcel size for dwellings is 160 acres in
Forest Reserve. and 20 acres in Woodland Resource.
In addition,. the County has designated the Ashland
Watershed as an Area of Special Concern: "The County
shall. to the extent of its legal authority. provide
for the protection of the Ashland Municipal Watershed
from uses that could impact quality of water and
increase erosion. ,,14
The County has a special policy regarding wildfire:
Ncounty land use actions shall be based upon a
determination of acceptable risk of wildfire hazards.
and such hazards shall be reduce through positive
county action in terms of guiding development and
improving fire protection services. N
"a) discourage intensive development ou.tside of
rural fire protection districts through zoning
until fire service can be provided, or until such
development can be made fire safe. "
City-County Coordination
13 Jackson County Comprehensive Plan, 1989
14 Jackson County Land Development Ordinances. 1984
32
-.-
CHAP 4 - Social-Political Condition
Development along (both inside and outside) the City's
UGB is subject to a joint management agreement between
the City and the County where both jurisdictions wi! 1
be able to comment on the effect of land use decisions.
while the County retains the final authority.
Summary
Current planning by both the City and the County permit
continued, but careful development of lands within the
Interface. There is, then, the potential for
significant additional residential and other forms of
development in this Critical Fire Zone".
Through existing City and County Planning, citizens
have processes available to influence both how much,
and in what manner development occurs in the Interface.
It is beyond the purpose and scope of this planning
process to pass jUdgement on how much. if any,
additional development is prudent and necessary. It is
appropriate to point out the obvious - that additional
development will increase the risk of wildfire.
Further urbanization of the Interface will be decided
on a case by case basis, as parcels are either proposed
for annexation to the City. or residential and
conditional development is proposed in lands zoned by
the County.
This Forest Management Plan does recommend policies and
action items, in addition to those already contained in
City/County plans and ordinances, designed to decrease
the odds of catastrophic fire starting from within the
Interface.
ADMINI STRA TIVE
Organiza tion
Ashland has an elected, five-member Parks and
Recreation Commission which administers all lAnds owned
by the City of Ashland that have been dedicated for
park or open space purposes. This commission was
created by City Charter and is empowered to levy taxes
for park maintenance and improvements from an annual
budget. While they use the levy to maintain lands, the
Parks and Recreation Commission has no authority to
purchase or acquire new land. This must be
33
......
Social-Political Condition - CHAP 4
accomplished by the City Council, and the lands then
dedicated to the Parks Commission by mutual
agreement.15
The City has recently acquired the Superior property
[parcel 10] and the Brevit property [parcel 11] for
ope n spa c e asp art 0 f the S i ski you M 0 u n t a i n p'a r k p I an.
These lands have not been dedicated to the Parks
Commission at this time.
The City administration is currently responsible for
the management of all City owned lands outside of the
city limits. This responsibility appears to be
fragmented throughout the organization and there is no
one, except for the City administrator, assigned the
total responsibility for the management of these lands.
Further, integrated resource input in decision making
is often lacking. The organization also lacks the
necessary natural resource skills for forest
management. However. these skills are abundant in the
community with other government agencies. institutions
and citizens.
The 1929 Cooperative Agreement between the City of
Ashland and the Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service provides for the management of the watershed
for it's water values. It is essentially an Agreement
of Principles with no requirements for cooperative
planning efforts or sharing of natural resource skills.
Requirements for coordinated fire closures is lacking.
ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
City Lands
The timber resource on the parcels have economic value.
The greatest value is in the old-growth trees in the
Winburn area. However, the implied constraints in
existing and proposed natural resource goals would
preclude their harvesting for many years. The
exception is salvaging the dead and dying trees.
There are also scattered, commercial size timber stands
that should be thinned as soon as possible to improve
their growing condition. The economic returns on these
stands will be minimal with costs roughly equaling the
revenues. While there ar~ long term economic values
that can be realized for the management of the
l~shland Comprehensive Plan, Chapter VIII, 1991
34
...,..
CHAP 4 - Social-Political
Condition
forestland, the economic returns from timber harvest in
the next 5 years will be negligible.
A conservative estimate to complete the projects listed
in Appendix A is $80,000. It does not include overhead
or other indirect costs or any volunteer involvement.
Private Land in the Interface
Fuel management on private land within the interface.
both inside and outside of the city limits, is the key
to an effective fire management program for the Ashland
watershed. Although the city must lead by example, the
completion of fire hazard reduction projects on their
land will not be sufficient to substantially reduce the
risk of catastrophic fire.
Some financial assistance to the private landowner for
forest improvement projects may be available from the
Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.
The following is a summary of three programs that are
available. The landowner should contact the ASCS for
additional information. They are located at 1109 Ellen
Ave. in Medford. The phone number is 776-4270.
. Stewardship Incentives Program [SIP]
Eligibility'- Non-industrial private landowners with
at least 5 acres and not more than 1000 acres can
participate in the program. The policy is to apply
this program to forestland with existing tree cover or
other rural lands suitable to the conversion to program
practices.
Purpose - The purpose of the program is to assist
private landowners meet a variety of economic,
environmental, and social benefits. The integration of
all resource values are to be considered in developing
a long-term management plan.
Practices - A long-term Stewardship Plan must be
developed by a resource professional and certified by
the local service forester of the Oregon Department of
Forestry before cost-sharing funds will be approved for
any on-the-ground activities. A wide range of resource
projects are considered for funding.
. Agricultural Conservation Program [ACP]
Eligibility - Any individual, group, association or
corporation may be eligible and is no ownership size
35
Social-Political Condition - CHAP 4
restrictions.
forestation or
The land must be suitable for
improved forest management.
Purpose - Forestry practices are used as a conservation
measure to maintain long-term soil productivity and
water quality.
Practices - Cost-sharing for help with tree planting
and timber stand improvement is provided. Although
timber production is a consideration, the primary
purpose of the forest management activities is for
general soil and water conservation purposes.
. Forest Incentives Program [FIP]
Eligibility - Any landowner is eligible provided they
are not regularly engaged in manufacturing forest
products. The land must be capable of producing
marketable timber crops and meeting minimum
productivity standards. There is a maximum of 1,000
acres that can qualify for the program.
Purpose - The goal of this program is to increase
timber production on the more productive privately
owned forest lands.
Practices - Reforestation and timber stand improvement
practices that increase the tim~er productivity are
eligible.
36
'-'-~-'--' -"....".."..,,- '-' --
THE ICO'S
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
OPPORTU N ITI ES
CHAPTER 5
ISSUES, CONCERNS, & OPPORTUNITIES
OVERVIEW
A major step in the development of this Plan has been
the identification of Issues. Concerns, and
Opportunities. These "ICO's" are related to the
protection and management of the City lands within and
near the Ashland watershed, and the management of the
Urban-Wildland Interface fronting the watershed.
The "ICO's" were developed through meetings with the
Ashland Planning Advisory Group, the public, and
individuals. The consultants also applied their own
knowledge and experience. These are a consolidation of
the original set of "ICO's".
The resolution of key issues and concerns, and the
utilization of opportunities are the basis for the
plan's management recommendations, guidelines. and
action plan items.
ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Ecosystem Health
How do we regain and maintain the biOlogically
diversity and resiliency of City's forest lands. within
the context of the larger watershed managed b)' the
Forest Service. V.S.D.A.?
- including soil protection
- including retention of an old growth component
- inclUding production of high quality water
Discussion - This issue is the result of the long term.
successful exclusion of fire from the watershed. It is
a fundamental issue that underlies other pressing
problems that are symptomatic of this issue; e.g.,
threat of catastrophic fire. A more complete discussion
of this phenomenon can be found in the "Existing
Conditions", chapter 3.
38
-"
CHAP 5 - Issues, Concerns, & Opportunities
Recreation Use:
How should the City manage the growing recreational
use - hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking - of
City forested lands?
Discussion - In the interest of protecting water
quality, and reducing fire risk, the City has limited
public access to their lands. Through cooperation with
the Forest Service, portions of the watershed is closed
during periods of high fire danger, and during wet
periods when road damage could occur.
The City has recently acquired 280 acres of forest land
in the Hamilton Creek and Rocca Creek watersheds.
Although formally privately owned, these lands have a
history of public recreation use.
City lands both within and outside the Ashland Creek
watershed are experiencing hiking, biking and other
forms of daytime recreation use. Use appears to be
increasing as the community grows in population. The
City is faced with managing this use to provide outdoor
experiences wanted by residents, and regulating the use
to protect watershed and other resource values from
wildfire, erosion and illegal activities.
Land Management Organization
How should the City organize to manage the
resources and uses of the growing inventory of wildland
and forested acres under its stewardship?
Discussion - The City's
not reflect its growing
managing forest lands.
clarified.
organizational structure does
role and responsibility in
Responsibilities need to be
Implemen ta tion
What programs and funding sources are there to
implement the Plan's recommendations, management guide-
lines,and action plan?
Discussion - The public is concerned that a good plan
might be developed without any practical way to fund
and implement it. There is a strong interest in a
39
Issues, Concerns. and Opportunities
- CHAP 5
practical. "hands on" plan that citizens can help
implement.
Fire Suppression Coordination
How can the City and citizens achieve further
coordination of City, County, and State fire'
suppression organizations, and get on-site technical
help to Urban-Wildland Interface dwellers?
Discussion- People who own land or have residences
within the Urban/Wildland Interface, due to an educa-
tional effort by fire agencies, understand they do not
have structural fire protection. They accept this
dilemma, but point out that transcending their
immediate problem is the need for the best in fire
emergency coordination and preparation by existing fire
agencies. They correctly point out that a major
conflagration will affect all in Ashland, not just
Interface dwellers.
OPPORTUNITIES
What can citizens do to:
. Achieve a greater sense of community. more
networking, productive relationships, and new
friendships during the planning and implementation
process?
. What can the City and citizens do to further peo-
ples - children and adults,alike -knowledge,
understanding and support of the importance and
sensitivity of the City lands and watershed, and
their protection and management?
Discussion- As Pogo said "We find ourselves surrounded
by insurmountable opportunities." This planning
process. and particularly plan implementation. will
afford citizens a chance to become strongly involved in
management of City forest lands and the watershed. The
energy and interest demonstrated at the public meetings
can be directed toward positive results during
implementation.
40
..
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS
NEW GOALS AND POLICIES
ROLES AND RESPONSIBiliTIES
..,~-...' _.'_".~........_..~,.__._".~.~"_....,_.__....,,...,~ -_."~.._-,,-~.
CHAPTER 6
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION
INTRODUCTION
Chapter III and IV describe the historical and current
condition of the natural resources on City lands
outside of the city limits. It is the basis for
determining how well the City's Comprehensive Plan is
being achieved and what barriers prevent its
implementation.
Chapter V evaluates the conditions described in
Chapters III and IV, and together with concerns voiced
by the general public,describes the problems that need
to be resolved in this document. It must be emphasized
that our limited understanding of biological processes.
as affected by human history and management over the
past century is very incomplete yet forms our clues for
future management. Consequently, the proposed
direction should be reviewed periodically as new
information becomes available and this document changed
as necessary.
This chapter provides guidance in resolving the
problems described in Chapter IV. It contains a
general description of a Desired Future Condition - a
vision for the next century. The goals and policies
described in this document and the City's Comprehensive
Plan indicate what [goals) needs to be achieved and how
[policies] it will be accomplished. The Action Items
describe when and where things need to be done.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
The following actions are key to the implementation of
the Plans' goals. policies, and action items.
· A "Board of Directors" representing the community
and affected government agencies should be
appointed by the City Council to resolve pressing
natural resource issues that are beyond the scope
of this Plan. Specifically. three additional
project-level resource plans are needed to resolve
the community's concerns. They are -
1. A Fire Management Plan for the Interface
including lands within the city limits.
42
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
2. A Recreation Plan for the Interface.
including some Rogue River National Forest
lands. that utilizes. the recreational
potential in ways that are consistent with
fire management and other re~ource goals.
3. An Ecosystem Management Plan for th~ Ashland
watershed. Biological diversity goals cannot
be attained for City lands until adjacent
lands are considered and common goals
established and implemented for all
ownerships.
. Develop a strong community volunteer program to
assist in the implementation of this Plan. Two
efforts should be especially effective.
1. A volunteer "Good Host" citizen patrol would
establish a positive City presence with
recreationists. and improve the quality of
the recreation experience while aChieving
compliance with resource restrictions.
2. An "Adopt a Forest" program where community
organizations would complete natural resource
projects on a given area would greatly reduce
the cost of implementing this Plan and
provide a sense of "ownership".
· Amend the Cooperative Agreement with the Forest
Service to provide for use of Forest Service
resource specialists on City projects on a
reimbursable basis.
DESIRED FUTURE CONDITION
Forestland
The Rogue River National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan describes a future condition for the
watershed as follows:
"The landscape will achieve a near natural
condition over time, with the exception of
roads, fuel breaks and developments required
to manage the watershed".
This description provides a good starting place for
articulating a desired future condition for the City's
forestland. It is assumed in this chapter that parcel
10 [ the Superior property] and parcel 11 [ the Brevit
43
Management Direction - CHAP 6
property ] is part of the Interface and is not included
in this section.
Desired Future Condition
Ecologically sound processes will continue to be the
primary focus affecting the watershed. The City
parcels will have a natural appearance to the casual
observer.
An increase in some vegetative management activities
(tree salvage, thinning, fuels reduction) will be
apparent to the close or knowledgeable observer.
In order to emulate the historical role of fire in the
ecosystem, a carefully applied program of tree salvage,
thinning and prescribed fire will be introduced.
Wildfire and judicious amounts of planned "stand renew-
able" harvesting will provide for natural regeneration.
As a result a more diverse vegetative pattern will
gradually re-emerge. The landscape will appear as more
of a mosaic of vegetative species, ages, sizes and
openings.
The vigor of the remaining old-growth will increase.
The next generation old growth will be identified and
is thriving.
Water quantity will increase as the amount of live
vegetation is reduced. Although natural processes will
continue to deposit sediment in the streams, water
quality will be high and have a positive affect on Bear
Creek.
Shaded fuel breaks will cross some of the City's
parcels as part of a larger system of fuel breaks
constructed on National Forest lands. The vegetation
within the fuel breaks will contribute to the
biological diversity and recreation opportunities of
the area.
Forest fuels will steadily decreased in volume and
continuity as dying trees have been salvaged, dense
stands thinned, a system of fuel breaks completed, and
prescribed (broadcast) burning and other fuel disposal
projects completed.
Streamside (riparian) areas will retain their
ecological integrity. Habitat improvement projects
below the reservoir have increased both anadromous and
rainbow trout spawning success and numbers.
44
--
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
The soils resource will be protected and long-term
productivity maintained. Project activities will be
carefully"executed to minimize soil erosion and compac-
tion.
Recreationists will use the roads and trails in areas
open to public use, and be aware of the closures on
other portions of the watershed. Forestland parcels
will become an integral and important part of the
system of parks and natural areas at the community's
back door.
An assertive fire prevention and education program will
be in place and recreation development and use strongly
reflect responsiveness to fire and soil erosion issues.
The City's management of its forestland becomes a model
of state-of-the-art ecosystem protection and
management. These lands provide a significant
contribution to the community's "quality of life".
Interface
Desired Future Condition
Homeowners will have formed an Ashland Interface
Homeowners Association and accept the responsibility to
reduce the wildfire risk in their area on both
developed and undeveloped parcels.
Measures will have been taken to ensure adequate struc-
tural and wildfire suppression capabilities through a
variety of means including zoning, education, coopera-
tive agreements, and suppression contracts. Fire
suppression agencies will develop into an integrated,
well-rehearsed organization to deal with both
structural and wild fire prevention and suppression.
Past accumulations of vegetation (fuels) will be
reduced to or below natural amounts. This will be
thoroughly planned and carefully accomplished in order
to maintain a diversity of vegetative species, provide
wildlife habitat, and minimize soil erosion.
General citizen awareness of fire prevention and
suppression needs will be high.
New development and construction will be done with fire
prevention and suppression a high priority
consideration.
45
.........,
Management Direction - CHAP 6
NEW GOALS AND POLICIES
GOAL: UTILIZE THE INTEREST, ENTHUSIASM AND KNOWLEDGE OF
ASHLAND RESIDENTS THROUGH COOPERATIVE PROJECTS AND
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS.
Policy
A. Acquire the organizational capability to develop and
maintain strong community volunteer efforts in programs
such as "Adopt a Forest", a community "Good Host"
patrol on City owned lands, etc.
GOAL: PROVIDE THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND DEFINE
THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WILL ENSURE CAREFUL
PROTECTION AND THOUGHTFUL MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY'S
Forestland AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Policy
A. Have the necessary natural resource management
skills within the City administration to provide for
the integration and coordination of resource issues on
City lands.
GOAL: PROMOTE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF TERRESTRIAL AND
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS.
Po Ii cy
A. Establish a partnership with the Rogue River
National Forest to develop and implement specific
criteria to attain the biological diversity goals for
the Ashland watershed.
B. Designate the Winburn parcel as an ecosystem study
and interpretative area in partnership with Southern
Oregon State College. Access to be authorized by
written permit.
C. Monitor critical components of the ecosystem for
Changes in condition.
D. Encourage the use of City lands as an "ecosystem
learning center" by Southern Oregon State College, the
local school system. and interested local
organizations.
E. Retain existing old-growth as long as possible and
manage younger trees in a manner that they will become
the "replacement" old-growth as rapidly as feasible.
46
-
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
GOAL: PLAN AND MANAGE WILDLAND VEGETATION AND OTHER
RESOURCES IN A MANNER THAT EMULATES NATURAL PROCESSES.
Po lie y
A. Use prescribed fire and timber harvesting In a way
that emulates natural ecosystem disturbances ~f various
intensities.
B. All logging activity will be done by helicopter or
horses unless an evaluation by hydrologists and soil
scientists indicates that unacceptable erosion will not
occur.
GOAL: REDUCE THE FUELS IN A MANNER THAT ENHANCES
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND LONG-TERM SOIL PRODUCTIVITY.
Policy.
A. Retain 4 to 7 snags and/or large down logs per acre
on sites outside of natural wildfire control lines.
B. Encourage the reduction of the fire hazard on
undeveloped land within the city limits.
C. The City shall work with the Oregon Department of
Forestry. interested landowners. and other government
agencies to develop and implement a co~prehensive fire
management plan for the Urban/Wildland Interface.
D. Strengthen the capabilities to suppress wild fires
within the city limits by contracting with the Oregon
Department of Forestry for wildfire suppression.
GOAL: TO PLAN AND MANAGE RECREATION USE IN A MANNER
THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH PRIMARY WATERSHED VALUES AND
GOALS.
Policy
A. Invite and encourage public use where it can be
managed. Be clear on what uses are prohibited. and
what lands are closed to the public, and the reasons
thereto.
B. Limit recreation use to day use only. Emphasize
non-motorized uses such as hiking, mountain biking.
horseback riding and interpretation.
C. Direct recreation use to the lower elevation
properties, specifically parcels 3, 4, and 5 if/where
fire risk can be managed.
47
Manag,ement Dii:ection - CHAP 6
D. Continue to limit public access in the immediate
vicinity of Reeder Reservoir,[ parcels 6, 7, 8] and the
Winburn area [ parcel 9 ].
E. Establish a community volunteer "Good Host" program
to provide a high profile presence on City forested
lands in the watershed where needed to ensure'
acceptable public use.
F. Develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Parks
and Recreation Department to manage recreation
improvements the administer recreation use until these
lands are dedicated to the department by the City
Counci I.
G. Ensure integration of fire. soil erosion. and other
watershed issues in developing and managing recreation
use.
GOAL: IMPROVE THE AQUATIC HABITAT IN ASHLAND CREEK
BELOW REEDER RESERVOIR FOR BOTH ANADROMOUS AND RESIDENT
FISH.
POlicy
A. Obtain the assistance of the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife and/or the U.S.D.A. Forest Service
for the selection, design and technical oversight of
the installation of fisheries habitat improvement
projects.
B. Develop a cooperative agreement with the Rogue
Flyfishers organization to construct projects under a
volunteer arrangement.
C. Reintroduce native cutthroat trout in Ashland creek
from Reeder reservoir to Lithia Park.
D. Retain most snags in the riparian zone to provide
for the aquatic diversity of Ashland Creek.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following is a summary of the organizational roles
and responsibilities for implementing this Plan.
Ashland Mayor And City Council
UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS REQUIRED
SUCH AS ZONING, ORDINANCES, ETC. TO IMPLEMENT PLAN
GOALS AND POLICIES.
48
~--
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
APPOINT AN ASHLAND FOREST PLAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO
FACILITATE AND COORDINATE INTERAGENCY PLANNING.
Membership should include the following members -
. A member of the City Councilor City Management
Team.
. Faculty of Southern Oregon State College.
. District Ranger of the Ashland Ranger District.
. Parks and Recreation Department.
. Citizens in the community and the Interface.
INITIATE AN ORGANIZATIONAL REVIEW OF THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO DETERMINE HOW TO IMPROVE THE
EFFECTIVENESS IN RESOLVING NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES.
FORMAL ADAPTION OR MODIFICATION OF THIS PLAN.
City Administration Management Team
COMPLETE THE PROJECTS LISTED IN APPENDIX A.
DEVELOP COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES.
. Revise the 1929 Cooperative Agreement with the
U.S.D.A.. Forest Service to provide for the use of
Forest Service resource specialists on City pro-
jects on a cost reimbursable basis. Strengthen
coordination requirements for decisions that
affect both organizations.
. Develop an agreement with the Oregon Department of
Forestry to provide assistance in wildfire
suppression within the City limits.
. Develop an agreement with the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife to provide for technical assis-
tance in fish enhancement projects in Ashland
Creek below Reeder Reservoir. The agreement would
provide for accomplishment of the projects by the
Rogue Flyfishers organization.
· Complete an agreement with Southern Oregon State
College to implement the Winburn Ecological Study
Plan that was developed under the guidance of the
"Board of Directors."
49
--
Management Direction - CHAP G
INCORPORATE ASHLAND FOREST PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES INTO
THE CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
Ashland Forest Plan Board Of Directors
PROVIDE INTEGRATED, INTERDISCIPLINARY DIRECTION AND
OVERSIGHT TO PLANNING TEAMS PREPARING THE FOLLOWING
PLANS.
Interface Fire Management Plan -
Membership of this planning team should include -
· Representatives from the Oregon Department of
Forestry, Jackson County Fire District #5. Ashland
Ranger District. the City Fire Department, and the
Parks and Recreation Department.
· Property owners within the Interface both inside
and outside of the city limits.
Attributes of the plan would be -
· Developing standards for the amount of acceptable
fuels on undeveloped land.
· The analysis of existing fuel conditions and the
necessary project actions to reduce them to estab-
lished standards.
· A comprehensive integrated fire suppression plan.
· Compatibility with other resource plans for the
area.
. An emergency fire evacuation plan for people
living in the Interface.
· Methods to strengthen information and education
efforts on fire, coordination of fire plan imple-
mentation efforts. and the necessary enforcement
practices.
· Recommendations on the necessary administrative
actions for implementation of the plan.
50
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
Recreation Management Plan -
Membership of this planning team should include _
· Representatives of the Ashland Ranger District.
Parks and Recreation Department, and the City
administration.
. Members of local recreation user groups.
The attributes of this plan should include. as a
minimum-
. Minimum impact to private land.
· Provides for a variety of uses while minimizing
conflicts between user groups.
· Compatibility with all natural resource goals for
the area.
Ecosystem Management Plan for the Ashland Watershed.
Membership of this planning team should include _
. Dr. Thomas Atzet. Area Ecologist. Siskiyou
National Forest.
· Faculty from Southern Oregon State College.
Ashland Ranger District resource specialists, and
citizens with a background in ecology.
The plan should have the following attributes _
· Define the standards and guidelines to be used ]n
determining the biOlogical diversity of the
watershed.
· Evaluate the current biological conditions in the
watershed against the standards and guidelines for
diversity and determine what changes need to be
made.
· A Winburn Ecosystem Study Plan for implementation
by Southern Oregon State College.
· An evaluation of the need to collect new data or
initiate research programs to improve ecosystem
management planning including New Forestry
techniques.
51
.......
Management Direction - CHAP 6
· A monitoring plan to measure ecological changes
over time and the need to change the direction in
this Plan.
· Project proposals for consideration and evaluation
by the appropriate land manager.
PROVIDE OVERSIGHT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN.
AFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTATION
This section provides brief forecasts of some of the
more significant environmental and social consequences
of implementing the plan. This acknowledges that both
positive and adverse consequences are possible. It is
usually possible to mitigate adverse consequences.
The forecasts are organized around each of the seven
new goals proposed in the plan.
Ecosystem -
This approach to management will require a greater
degree of coordination with adjacent landowners. The
end result should be a greater awareness of
interactions within the ecosystem, and eventually
greater plant and animal diversity.
Vegetation Management -
Priodic logging activity. the majority by helicopter,
may cause some residents concern from both a
philosophical and physical standpoint (trucks,
aircraft). Fuelwood would be made available on City
lands. benefitting those who have woodstoves. but
running counter to the effort to reduce woodsmoke in
the valley. Alternative markets for fuelwood may be
found.
Recreation Management -
An increase in the number of people using City lands
near the Interface will increase fire risk. There will
be a cost to providing facilities and management.
Illegal occupancies (long term camps) will decrease.
52
--
CHAP 6 - Management Direction
More outdoor recreation opportunities will be provided.
Knowledge about the watershed and other City lands will
increase.
Fuel Reduction -
The risk of smoke intrusions into the valley and over
the city will increase. Fire suppression opportunities
will be improved. The risk of catastrophic wildfire
will be reduced.
Aquatic Habitat Improvement -
The number of resident trout and anadromous fish will
increase. The enjoyment of seeing fish in Ashland Creek
and ponds will be an added attraction. Fishing
pressure may increase.
Cooperative Community Projects -
The City liability question will need to be resolved.
Training and supervision of volunteer groups will be
required. Knowledgeable and committed residents could
accomplish a great deal of beneficial work.
Stewardship
The City will take on greater responsibilities for
forest land management, which will require time. energy
and funds. Improved integration of resource decision
making and creative problem solving would be the desir-
able result.
53
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-.or
APPENDIX A
INTRODUCTION
The following is a parcel by parcel description, and a
listing of projects to be completed. The par~el
numbers correspond to the map in this appendix. The
projects highlited in a light shade of gray in the
tables are high priority and should be completed within
the next 12 months.
Parcel 1
DESCRIPTION
This 5 acre parcel is the site for a new 500.000 gallon
water storage tank. The vegetation is thick manzanita.
about 5 feet tall. Attached to the manzanita from the
top to the ground are thick lichens. This parcel is
located in a critical spot. west of Ashland. The
summer afternoon winds are northwesterly in this area.
Slope are low to moderate steepness. Fuel loading is
estimated to be 25 to 41 tons per acre.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Reduce the volume of fuel by cutting the
manzanita in irregular shaped openings to retain a
natural appearance. Use tractors on gentle slope. hand
cutting and piling on steeper slopes. Cover the piles
and burn in the winter. Cut brush sprouts annually.
VEGETATION - Plant about 250 ponderosa pine per acre in
a random spacing to provide a natural appearance. Sow
grass seed on erosion susceptible slopes one year after
the trees have been planted.
54
-r-
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE I'OTAL COST
Fuel reduction ~ $350 $1,050
.J
Tree planting 3 $350 $1,050
Grass seeding 1 $75 $75
TOTAL $2,175
Parcel 2
DESCRIPTION
This 5 acre parcel has a 2.2 million gallon reservoir
and a pump station. It is bisected by a city street.
There is a user established mountain bike trail across
the area. which. is referred to as "Alice-In-Wonderland"
trail. It climbs the ridge parallel to the Loop Road.
Slope varies from low to moderate steepness.
The area holds a thick stand of manzanita 7 to 9 feet
tall with a few scattered conifers. Fuel loading is
estimated between 25 to 41 tons per acre. The fuel
rating is moderate.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS- Fall the remaining snags. Reduce the amount of
fuel by hand piling and burning the manzanita in a
natural shaped openings. Selectively cut the manzanita
along the trail to reduce the risk of human caused
fire. Prune the dead branches from the existing trees.
RECREATION - Place waterbars along the "Alice-In-
Wonderland" trail.
VEGETATION - Cut the shrubs from around the scattered
trees to reduce moisture competition. Plant about 250
ponderosa pine per acre in a random spacing in
openings.
55
-r-
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. COST/ACRE OTAL COST
ACRES
Hand pile and burn brush 4 $350 $1,400
Plant ponderosa pine 4 $300 $1 ,200
Place waterbars on trail .25 $400 $100
TOTAL $2,700
Parcel 3
DESCRIPTION
This 80 acres is steep, with an east aspect. It is a
mixture of conifers, hardwoods and shrubs species. The
ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are in poor condition
and mortality appears to be accelerating. This area
burned in the 1959 fire. The amount of fuel is
estimated to be 32 to 51 tons per acre with a moderate
to high rating. The site contains an active granite
quarry with active erosion within and below the site.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Break up the continuity of the fuel by hand
cutting, piling. and burning patches of brush.
VEGETATION - Conduct a helicopter sanitation-salvage
operation of the dead and dying pine and fir in
connection with the next Forest Service timber sale in
the watershed.
Plant about 300 ponderoSa pine on a random basis in
areas where the brush was removed.
SOILS - The granite quarry:
Close and restore the upper-half of the quarry to as
near a natural condition as possible by -
. Constructing a mid-s)ope water diversion ditch to
channel the runoff into a natural drainage
adjacent to the quarry. Large rock should be
placed in the ditch to prevent scouring.
56
--
. Stabilizing the exposed soil using a straw mulch
held in place by "chicken wire" and long wire
"staples" driven into the ground. The mulch will
also help retain the soil moisture.
. Planting ponderosa pine on a 6 x 6 foot spacing
where conditions permit. Plant manzanita or other
d r 0 ugh t res i s tan t n a t i ve s h rub s p e c i e s o.n a sma 1 I
scale to determine its' effectiveness in erosion
control.
Mitigate the adverse affects of the lower half of the
quarry on water quality and the visual impacts by -
. Planting ponderosa pine along the lower edge of
the quarry to screen it from sight.
. Stabilizing the gullies in the quarry and below
the access road by constructing small check dams
or other structures as recommended by the Soil
Conservation Service.
. Shaping the waste dump site to natural contours
and to divert runoff. Sow grass seed to help
stabilize the slopes.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
Hand pile and burn brush
Plant ponderosa pine
Sow grass seed
10
11
2
TOTAL
$400
$300
$350
$4,000
$3.300
$700
$12,500
Parcel 4
DESCRIPTION
This 20 acre site contains an inactive granite quarry
situated on two levels. The lower level has
construction debris stored on it.
There is an 80 to 100 year old Douglas Fir stand in the
small basin behind the upper granite pit. It was
57
--~'".-'--._.-
sanitation-salvage logged in 1990. The residual stand
is relatively healthy.
The area is bisected by at three roads, one of which is
now used as a mountain bike and hiking trail that
proceeds into parcel 5 and parallels the road up
Ashland Creek. Slopes are of gentle to moderately
steep. Through this parcel is the main acceas road to
Reeder Reservoir. Fuel loading is estimated at 25 to
51 tons per acre with a rating of moderate.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
VEGETATION - Conduct a sanitation salvage and/or
commercial thinning in 1995. The moderate terrain
would permit a horse logging operation if a helicopter
is not an option.
SOILS - Close the access road with water bars and
excavate a drainage ditch along the road. Push the
construction debris against the vertical face on the
lower level and shape to natural contours.
Plant a mixture of about 60% ponderosa pine and 40%
Douglas fir on a 6 x 6 foot spacing in areas that do
not have natural revegetation occurring.
RECREATION - Manage the "Pipeline" trail as a
combination hiker and mountain bike trail.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE I'OTAL COST
Planting 2 $""7" $550
...I~
Close access road 1 $900 $900
Reshape pit 1 $350 $350
TOTAL $1,800
Parcel 5
DESCRIPTION
This 160 acre parcel is ~isected by Ashland Creek and
the access road to Reeder Reservoir. A mountain bike
trail parallels the road and intersects it about a half
mile above the gate. The road is a main access to the
watershed by vehicle, foot or mountain bike.
58
Some of the area has heavy concentrations of natural
fuels. The debris from the salvage logging is heavy but
is in small pockets and not continuous throughout the
area~ The amount of fuel throughout the area is rated
as moderate to high with 85 to 136 tons per acre.
The parcel is mostly covered with conifers in fair
condition. The area was part of the 1990 sanitation-
salvage helicopter logging operation. The creek bottom
(riparian area) is mostly comprised of hardwoods, with
some conifers and shrubs.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Hand pile and burn the heavy concentrations of
logging slash and prescribe burn. Work with the Forest
Service to develop a site specific burning prescription
and for technical advice during implementation. Cover
the existing slash piles along the road with plastic
and burn in the winter to reduce air quality problems.
Construct a shaded fuel break to tie into the completed
Forest Service one.
VEGETATION - Conduct additional sanitation-salvage
and/or commercial thinning timber sales in 1995.
preferably in conjunction with the Forest Service.
FISHERIES - In cooperation with the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife and the Rogue Flyfishers
organization construct in-stream habitat improvement
projects. Examples are log weirs, pool construction
and side channel smolt rearing areas.
RECREATION - Move the access control gate to a location
just above the intersection of the Pipeline trail.
SOILS - The road to the reservoir is steep in places
and not surfaced except for the parking lot at the
water plant. Stabilize the inside ditch to provide
drainage, repair breaches in the out-slope berm, and
surface the steeper parts of the road with rock.
59
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE TOTAL
COST
Hand pI Ie and burn 10 $375 $3 , 750
Prescribe burn 20 $150 $3 , 000
,: . ,', ..' < . .. -.- ,-. ..
Road maintenance .' ... ... 2 , $1500 ..$3,000
. "....... i.
Construct shaded fuel break 5 $500 $2,500
TOTAL $ 1 2 . 250
Parcels 6 and 7
DESCRIPTION
Douglas fir about 90 to 100 years old dominate this 165
acre area with hardwoods and shrubs in the openings. A
few old-growth are scattered throughout the area.
Hardwoods are found along the creek. Shrubs species arE:
found throughout. but mostly along the creek. rock out-
croppings. and the draws.
Some large woody material remains on the ground but is
not abundant. The southern half of thi5 area-was burned
in the 1910 fire. The fuel rating is moderate with an
estimated 59 to 85 tons per acre.
The access road is not surfaced and contributing
sediment to Ashland Creek. In addition. several
drainage culverts are plugged and adding to the
problem. There are also some spur roads below the
reservoir that are eroding.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Burn the existing brush piles.
VEGETATION - Same as parcel 5
FISHERIES - Same as parcel 5
SOILS - Same as parcel 5. In addition. close the spur
road below the dam by constructing water bars, seeding
grass and planting trees. Road culverts on the access
road should also be cleaned and additional ones
instal led as needed to improve road drainage.
RECREATION - Exclude recreation use from this parcel.
60
.~
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE TOTAL
COST
... ....
Burn hand piles 2 $125 $250
Prescribe burn 10 . $150 $] .500
... .... . .. ...
Road maintenance 3 .. .... $1500 . $4,500
TOTAL $6,250
Parcel 8
DESCRIPTION
This 40 acre parcel contains most of Reeder Reservoir.
It supports scattered old growth ponderosa pine and
Douglas fir are dying out. and are being replaced by
fire intolerant species. The canopy is closed for the
most part. with moderate amounts of large woody materi-
al on the ground. The slopes are moderate. This area
was also burned in the 1910 fire. The fuel rating 18
moderate to high with 70 to 90 tons per acre.
A road system surrounds the reservoir just above full
pool level. Fill slopes on the road are eroding and
depositing decomposed granite soils into the reservoir.
Areas just above the road were heavily salvage of dead
and dying conifers in 1990. There are accumulations of
slash that need to be treate4.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Hand pile and burn the scattered accumulations
of slash. Prescribe burn the area periodically with the
technical assistance of the Forest Service.
Construct a shaded fuel break to tie into the existing
Forest Service one.
VEGETATION - Conduct a sanitation-salvage andfor com-
mercial thinning logging operation using helicopters
before 1995.
Plant alder cuttings along shoreline to stabilize fill
slopes on the road and to minimize shoreline erosion.
61
--
SOILS - Study the feasibility of either paving, or
relocation of the road along the reservoir outside of
the riparian area.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK
NO. ACRES COST/ACRE
TOTAL
COST
Plant alder cutt
fuels
3
,. ,," , -
. --'- _ ,"-,- --_......-. .-..,-...-.....-.,. . ',- '- --........
, -""-.'-,- ..........,-,--. ...-. ......
.......-- ..-........ .....
..- ..,.... ... - '.' ..'.
Cons t rue t~ fuefbr
TOTAL
$3,475
Parcel 9
DESCRIPTION
The Winburn parcel is accessed by a poor road that has
been partially blocked by small bank sluffs and rocks.
There is no drainage on the road and water is running
in the wheel tracks and creating erosion.
The area is the most productive and has the highest
volume of conifers of any of the City's parcels with
substantial amounts 'of old growth. It was sanitation--
salvage logged in 1990 and logging debris is scattered
over most of the area. There are some hardwoods. mainly
along the streams. The Winburn cabin site is a small
grass meadow which is being invaded by conifers. This
parcel has not been recently burned and lies between
the two large fires of 1910.
The steep draws are full of logging
logging has caused the fuel loading
estimated 168 to 268 tons per acre.
high to extreme.
slash. Recent
to double with an
The fuel ra(ing is
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Hand pile and burn the heavy concentrations of
logging slash. especially in the steep. narrow draws.
After this is accomplished. request the Forest Service
or the Oregon Department of Forestry to develop a
prescribed burning prescr'iption and provide technical
advice on it's implementation.
VEGETATION - Conduct a sanitation-salvage and/or
commercial thinning harvest using helicopters in 1995.
62
~'_....,,<.,..._.
SOILS - Stabilize the access road, and install water
bars periodically along its length. Convert it from a
road to a trail. Construct a small turn around and
parking area near the juncture with the main road at
the reservoir.
RECREATION - Designate this as an Ecosystem Study Area
in conjunction with Southern Oregon State Col.lege.
Permit academic groups and scientists access through
permits issued by sase.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE TOTAL
COST
Handpi Ie and burn slash 8 $425 $3,400
Prescribe burn 10 $200 $2,000
Close access road 3 $400 $1.200
TOTAL $6,600
Parcel 10
DESCRIPTION
This 160 acre parcel was acqUired in 1990 following a
heavy selective harvest with a helicopter by the
Superior Lumber Company. Most of the larger trees were
removed. The residual stand is composed of 6" to 12"
diameter Douglas fir in poor growing condition. There
are some large hardwoods scattered through out. The
southeast corner was burned in the 1973 Hillview fire
and is covered by shrubs 6 to 7 feet tall.
The slopes vary from low to moderate steepness.
There was no disposal of the logging debris and the
amount of fuel has doubled over previous levels to an
estimated 168 to 268 tons per acre. The fuel rating is
high to extreme. The risk of a human caused fire is
high because of the high recreational use of the area.
There are two roads and one trail across the area.
Local residents actively use the old logging spurs for
hiking, mountain biking and occasional firewood
collection. The area is also very visible from the
community. There is no deeded public access to the
parce I .
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
63
.~.
FUELS - The recent logging has created a serious fuels
situation. Due to the parcels critical fire location
and high recreation use. a high degree of slash
disposal must be accomplished as soon as possible.
In general. the heavy concentrations must be hand pi led
and burned and followed by a prescribed burn to further
reduce the amount of fuel and to create a seedbed for
natural regeneration or interplanting of the open
areas.
Construct a shaded fuel break to connect the Forest
Service shaded fuel break and the Epstein one together.
VEGETATION - Evaluate the timber stand for a commercial
thin in about 10 years. If deeded access is gained to
the property, consider a pre-commercial thin fuel wood
sale along the existing logging spurs.
RECREATION - Designate the two logging spurs as hiking
trails and correct alignment and grade on portions to
minimize soil erosion. Tie this system to the trail
system in the adjoining parcel 11 (see map). Acquire
and easement for an extension of Pinecrest and provide
a trailhead parking area. Develop a sign plan and
signs (and/or a brochure) explaining uses permitted.
fire safety, and location of private lands.
Acquire a public easement on the extension of
Timberline Terrace road to the bottom of parcel 10.
tying to the old logging spur.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK
NO. ACRES COST/ACRE
TOTAL
COST
Pile andbufn logging slash.
TOTAL
$12,750
Parcel 11
DESCRIPTION
This 120 acre parcel was acquired in 1992 primarily for
open space as set forth in the City Comprehensive Plan.
Most of the area was burned in the 1973 Hillview fire.
There are two stands of Ponderosa Pine/Douglas fir
64
,.,~
trees. one in the Northern (bottom) edge of the
property, and another near Hamilton Creek on the east
side of the property.
These stands were apparently salvage logged following
the fire. Generally the logging was well done. in that
skid roads and logging spurs have been waterbarred. and
the residual stand of pine and fir is relativ~ly
thrifty. Much of the balance of the parcel is covered
with a dense stand of White leaf Manzanita and Pacific
Madrone.
Soils are of granitic origin. and highly erosive.
Slopes in the area of the existing tree siands are
relatively gentle and the upper reaches of the parcel
get progressively steeper.
Hikers. mountain bikers and horseback riders use the
logging spurs and fireline trail extensively. The
parcel adjoins the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
(Ordson-Todd woodland) parcel, which has it's own
public trail system along Hamilton Creek. These trails
are heavily used by local residents, and tie to the
system in parcel 11. There is publ ic access to the
property via an easement off the end of Park Street.
PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT NEEDS
FUELS - Selectively thin and create a mosaic of
openings in the dense brush fields to break up the fuel
continuity and promote wildlife diversity while
protecting slopes from erosion. Use a small tractor in
the lower, gentle slopes and hand piling and burning on
the steeper terrain.
Prune the dead branches on the ponderosa pine to reduce
fuels. Do not prune any Douglas fir because of the
potential for "sun scald" on the trunk of the trees.
Build a shaded fuel break along the existing fireline
trail on the main Northeast to Southwest ridge system.
VEGETATION - Conduct periodic sanitation-salvage
harvests in the existing two tree stands, the first one
in about 5 years depending on tree health and vigor.
Plant ponderosa pine and sugar pine on a random spacing
on the cleared openings and in the fuel break to
maintain a natural appearance. Interplant with Douglas
fir on the better growing sites.
Cut brush around the existing trees to reduce moisture
competition and to maintain the vigor of the stands.
65
-.-
SOILS - Repair any failed waterbars on the existing
logging spur system. and generally put these spurs "to
bed" if not designated as part of the trail system.
Correct the grade and alignment of the "Fireline" trail
to eliminate erosion problems.
RECREATION - Designate a principal multi-pur~ose trail
from the end of a Park Street trailhead to a junction
with the Hamilton Creek system. Designate a hiker\
horseback only trail proceeding on to the parcel 10
system. Close and obliterate all other trails on the
parce 1 (See Map).
Feature the large granite rock outcroppings along the
Fireline trail as a destination viewpoint.
Coordinate trail planning and signing with the Hamilton
Creek Coordinated Resource Management Plan and adjacent
SOLG property.
Establish an "Ashland Forestland Volunteer Patrol" In
cooperation with local private landowners and the
Forest Service. Their role would be to act as "hosts"
for the City. dispense fire prevention, recreation
opportunity. and general resource management
information. and encourage good outdoor behavior and
manners.
66
-r
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS
TYPE OF WORK NO. ACRES COST/ACRE TOTAL
COST
Site preparation 20 $200 $4,000
Fuel reduction 10 $375 $3,750
Planting 25 $275 $6,875
Erosion control ,., $100 $300
J
Construct recreation trails 2 $700 $1,400
TOTAL $16,325
67
" ........-....-...""...-..-
APPENDIX B
This appendix lists the various plans or other
documents that have been or are about to be completed,
and pertain to the forest lands or the Interface.
A. USDA - City of Ashland Cooperative Agreement - 1929
Before.. .cutting of timber.. .full consider-
ation will be given to any requirements the
City of Ashland may desire to impose as
necessary for the safeguarding of the water
supply. .. .full consideration shall ,be given
to the preservation of the volume and purity
of the City water supply.
B.JACKSON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
See Chapter 4 for a discussion of the relationship
of this plan to the Forest Plan.
C. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - CITY OF ASHLAND
This section lists the pertinent existing goals and
policies in the Ashland Comprehensive Plan.
GOAL: TO MAINTAIN A CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM THAT
ENSURES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO BE INVOLVED IN
ALL PHASES OF THE PLANNING PROCESS.
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4. The City shall sponsor informal workshops
during the development of significant elements of
the Plan or implementing ordinances. so that
complex issues may be better understood by the
public.
GOAL: TO GUARANTEE THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY Of
GRANITE AVAILABLE FOR USE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF
ASHLAND. WHILE ENSURING THAT THE INCOMPATIBLE EFFECTS
OF MINING ARE SUFFICIENTLY MITIGATED.
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4. Ensure that all the existing private and public
quarries are reclaimed and revegetated after
mining activities are completed.
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GOAL: HAVE SOUND SOIL CONSERVATION AND EROSION CONTROL
PRACTICES IN AND AROUND ASHLAND.
Policy
6. Prevent development and land management
practices which result in rapid runoff and
accelerated erosion.
GOAL: REDUCE THE IMPACT OF URBANIZATION AND OTHER LAND
USES ON THE QUALITY OF WATER IN AND AROUND ASHLAND IN
ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY WATER SUPPLY IS OF THE
HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY AND IS DRAWN FROM DEPENDABLE
SOURCES.
Policy
14. Encourage public awareness of problems of the
Ashland watershed and their causes.
17. Cooperate with agencies. firms and citizens'
groups in improving water quality and the
condition of the watershed.
GOAL: PROTECT THE QUALITY OF RIPARIAN RESOURCE LANDS,
AND PRESERVE THEIR WILDLIFE HABITATS.
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19. Encourage more public access to waterways, but
define what public activities can take place.
Ensure that such access does not result in water
and visual pollution.
GOAL: PRESERVE FOREST AREAS WITHIN AND AROUND THE CITY
FOR THEIR VISUAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, WILDLIFE HABITAT. AND
WATER QUALITY VALUES.
37. Emphasize the preservation of forest
vegetation to the extent feasible as forested
areas of the City are converted to urban uses.
GOAL: TO PRESERVE EXISTING WILDLIFE HABITATS AND
NATURAL AREAS WITHIN THE CITY WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
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39. Encourage educaiional programs documenting the
value of Ashland's environmental resources and
current trends in their quality.
40. As a means to provide habitat, implement an
open space program that will 1) ensure open space,
2) protect scenic and natural resources for future
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generations and 3) promote a healthy and visually
attractive environment in harmony with the natural
landscape.
GOAL: PROTECT LIFE, PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOURCES IN ASHLAND'S URBAN/WILDLAND INTERFACE AREA
FROM THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE. LESSEN THE
POSSIBILITY OF WILDFIRE SPREADING TO THE ASHLAND
WATERSHED FROM THE URBAN/WILDLAND INTERFACE AREA.
Policy
43. Require installation and maintenance of a 40
foot fuel break around each dwelling unit or
structure.
46. Require more than one ingress/egress route or
road widths wide enough to accommodate incoming
fire apparatus and evacuating residents simulta-
neously in an emergency situation.
50. Install all new electrical distribution cir-
cuits in the Urban/Wildland Interface underground
if technically feasible.
C. Rogue River National Forest Plan, 1990
Standards and Guidelines (4-265)
-Provide water for domestic supply, restrict
land management activities to watershed pro-
tection and maintenance.
-Resolve conflicts in favor of the watershed
resource.
-No construction of new recreation sites.
-Rehabilitate areas receiving damage from
recreation use.
-Manage fuels in a manner not in conflict with
watershed resource values.
-No scheduled, regular timber harvest. Limit
harvest to that necessary to provide water-
shed protection or enhance water quality, and
salvage catastrophi~ events such as fire,
blowdown, insects. and disease.
-Allow commercial fuelwood contracts for fuel
reduction.
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-Use prescribed fire to obtain desired fuel
loadings.
-Construct and maintain fuel breaks.
D. ASHLAND WATERSHED PERSPECTIVES, USDA FOREST SERVICE,
1990
Findings:
-Ponderosa pine (serall vegetation in this
part of interior southwest Oregon is depen-
dent. as typified in tqe natural environment.
upon periodic. low intensity fire to perpetu-
ate and predominate (Atzet. Hall, Franklin).
Presently the majority of the Ashland Creek
watershed. ..below 4,800 feet elevation has a
dense multilayered canopy brought about by
fire exclusion. This dense vegetation is
under moisture stress due to competition for
limited water...
-The greatest threat today is wild fire igni-
tions outside of the watershed at lower ele-
vations.
Objectives:
-Use prescribed fire to set back or eliminate
the shade tolerant understory vegetation
encroaching on the ponderosa pine vegetation.
and reduce and eliminate the rapidly accumu-
lating dead and down forest debris that is
significantly contributing to the fire haz-
ard. . .
-Construct shaded fuel breaks at strategic
locations.
-Manually cut. pile and burn vegetation at
selected sites.
E. FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE ASHLAND WATERSHED,
RRNF, 1981,1985
-Develop fuel breaks at strategic locations
and key ridges.
-Treat existing sIaih concentrations. remove
or reduce fuels along roadside strips and
other high hazard areas.
-Prescribed burning.
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JACKSON COUNTY CURRENT ZONING
Jackson County has zoned the areas just beyond the city
limits as either Woodland Resource or Forest Resource,
and in a few small areas. Exclusive Farm Use (Jackson
County Comprehensive Plan. Chapters 210, 212, 218, and
280). In each case restrictive fire safety
requirements and guidelines apply as most of the area
has been designated a "hazardous wildfire area"
(280.10). The following requirements apply:
A. Maintain a 100 foot fuelbreak.
B. Class A or B fire retardant roof
coverings.
C. Wood shakes prohibited.
D. Other standards and conditions the county
deems necessary, such as automatic fire
sprinkler systems. 50.000 pound bridge
access, emergency water storage facilities.
CITY OF ASHLAND CURRENT ZONING
The City's Ordinance 18.62.090 outlines extensive
development standards for wildfire lands. In summary.
it requires:
1. Development of a detailed fire prevention
and control plan by subdividers. to be re-
viewed by the Fire Chief, and to include
vegetation mapping, location of fuel breaks,
and emergency vehicle access.
2. Construction standards which include class
B or better non-wood roofing materials.
primary and secondary fuel breaks. control
measures. spark arrester caps or screens.
underground electrical distribution circuits
where technically feasible.
In recent months a number of separate but overlapping
planning efforts involving the Interface have been
undertaken, and are either finished or proceeding more
or less concurrently:
- The Jackson County Comprehensive Plan
- City of Ashland Comprehensive Plan
- Rogue River National Forest. Ashland Ranger
District, Interface Integrated Resource
Management Plan
- Hamilton Creek Coordinated Resource Plan,
led by the Soil Conservation Service
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- Lithia Park Forest Plan. Parks and Recre-
ation Department.
- City of Ashland Forest Plan
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