Special Set Aside Areas. In addition to the baseline habitat blocks, two categories of special set-aside areas (SSAs), totaling approximately 210 acres, are established on the LCT. There are approximately 20 acres of old-growth management areas (OMAs) which are retained for the benefit of late-successional wildlife. There are also approximately 190 acres of permanent mixed forests (PMFs) which are retained to provide mature mixed forest habitat. SSAs will not be harvested during the term of the agreement. The SSAs are well distributed across the LCT and will often serve as functional buffers between potential habitat and operational activities.
Special Set Aside Areas. The Applicants propose two major special set aside reserves (SSA’s) for the term of the SHA on the covered land. The set aside of these lands will provide immediate benefits to the owls in the first year of the SHA and continuing through the term of the SHA (Figures 4-1 and 4-2). Little White Salmon Special Set Aside Area (411 acres). One reserve is approximately 411 acres of approximately 80 years and older forest with YFM and Sub-mature habitat characteristics along a 2.9-mile section of the Little White Salmon River. Under current rules, approximately 70 acres of these 411 acres are restricted from any timber harvest and an additional 70 acres can be partial cut (30% every ten years). Outside of these buffer zones, there is currently no regulatory prohibition from conducting harvest on the remaining property. The allowed partial cutting and other harvest activities in this area could result in fragmentation and loss of the quality and function of this habitat. Under the SHA, no timber harvest will occur in this area for the term of the SHA. This reserve is situated in an area of owl habitat along the Columbia River. This SSA will benefit owl dispersal in this area and is consistent with, and supports past efforts to preserve habitat on USFS property immediately to the west in Late Successional Reserves and in the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. As previously mentioned, most of this Little White Salmon set-aside currently consists of older forest stands (80 year +) and will immediately continue to provide benefit to spotted owls. Figure 4-1. Little White Salmon Special Set Aside Area Figure 4-2. Xxxxxx Creek Special Set Aside Area Nest Habitat Core Area SSA (240 acres). The second reserve is approximately 240 acres around the one nest site on the Applicants’ covered lands (site #753; South Xxxxxx Creek). Recent survey efforts by WDNR have not detected spotted owls at this site, however, the site is considered active for forest practices review, and the potential for spotted owl return does exist. Within the 240-acre reserve being created by Applicants, no timber harvest will occur for the term of the SHA. This reserve is designed to provide a sufficient nest core for any current or future occupancy by spotted owls and to further the owls' ability to continue or resume use of the site as a nesting territory. This SSA mirrors and complements nest cores established by WDNR on the remainder of the White Salmon SOSEA and links to WDNR habitat immediately ad...
Special Set Aside Areas. The Applicants propose two major special set aside reserves (SSA’s) for the term of the SHA on the covered land. The set aside of these lands will provide immediate benefits to the owls in the first year of the SHA and continuing through the term of the SHA (Figures 4-1 and 4-2). Little White Salmon Special Set Aside Area (411 acres). One reserve is approximately 411 acres of approximately 80 years and older predominately Xxxxxxx-fir forest with YFM and Sub- Mature habitat characteristics along a 2.9-mile section of the Little White Salmon River. This area has been considered important for conservation purposes for some time. As recently as 2010, the USFWS and DNR negotiated with BLC to acquire this habitat using funds available Figure 4-1. Little White Salmon Special Set Aside Area
