Chapter 3 - Part 1 - Forest-wide Direction

MANAGEMENT DIRECTION 

INTRODUCTION

This is the heart of the Plan.  This section contains guidance needed to help meet goals and objectives.  The Forest has identified environmentally sound management practices to help achieve these goals and assured the needs of the public are met.  Some guidance is applied Forest-wide, while other parts are specific to individual management areas.  This guidance sets the framework for making future site-specific decisions at the project level.  The management area maps in Appendix J show the location of different management areas.

Guidance

The goals discussed in Chapter 2 necessitate different treatment in different areas of the Hoosier National Forest.  Management direction provides guidance for managing resources and uses on NFS lands. 

Guidance is the direction governing how and where management activities can take place.  The guidance includes both standards and guidelines as prescribed by the implementing regulations for the National Forest Management Act (36 CFR 219.11[c]).

We present guidance in two sections.  The first section is Forest-wide guidance, applicable to all but specifically noted exceptions.  The second section presents guidance for specific management areas, but does not repeat Forest-wide guidance.  It further refines Forest-wide guidance by providing additional considerations, restrictions, activities, and direction that are to be applied to meet the specific objectives of each management area.  Consult both sections before determining which management activities are appropriate in a management area.

We incorporate by reference the direction and guidance from Forest Service manuals and handbooks.  The plan is designed to supplement, not replace, direction from laws and regulations.  

This document identifies management areas, outlines activities compatible in each one, and provides guidance toward designing projects.  Final decisions, however, will be based on project implementation and additional site-specific analysis.

Standards and guidelines are the specific technical direction for managing resources on the ground.  They provide another link in moving toward the desired condition. 

Only measures that are specific to the Hoosier are included in the standards and guidelines.  Laws, regulations, and policies that apply to the entire National Forest System are not reiterated in the standards and guidelines.  In addition, desired conditions and objectives that have a prescriptive component are not reiterated in the standards and guidelines.

Guidance includes standards and guidelines. 

*       Standards are shown with an asterisk.  These must be implemented to achieve Forest goals and objectives.  Deviation from a standard requires an amendment to the Forest Plan. 

Guidelines (shown without an asterisk) should be implemented in most cases to achieve the goals and objectives.  Deviation from a guideline does not require a Forest Plan amendment, but the rationale must be disclosed in the project decision documents.  In some cases a guideline grants permission.

Forest-wide Guidance

Conservation of Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat

Refer to Appendix C for more information on threatened and endangered species on the Forest. 

*       Evaluate lands affected by Federal land adjustment activities and evaluate management activities to avoid or minimize effects on Federally designated threatened and endangered species habitat.

*       Identify lands with known threatened or endangered species habitat as a top priority for acquisition.

Determine and implement management activities that will maintain and improve habitat features for threatened and endangered species.

Locate new activities away from areas that might negatively impact any threatened or endangered species.

Human entry within 1/4 mile horizontal distance of an active nest during bald eagle courtship, nest building, incubation, or brooding periods will be discouraged.

Indiana Bat

Management of Hibernacula

*       Establish a zone with a one-quarter mile radius around each known hibernacula of Indiana bats on the Forest.  This zone may be irregular in shape to take into account likely flight paths, foraging habitat, and areas where Indiana bats are likely to swarm.  Prohibit new construction activities within this zone.

*       Considering both public and private ownerships, maintain or promote at least 70 percent forest canopy cover within a one mile radius of known hibernacula of Indiana bats.  Timber harvest should be conducted within this zone only during hibernation and is restricted to single-tree and group selection. 

*       Implement prescribed fire within a five mile zone around hibernacula only when bats are unlikely to be swarming or staging.  Burns should be conducted under conditions that will reduce or eliminate smoke dispersing into hibernacula. 

*       Develop management goals and directives (conservation plan) for each known hibernaculum at micro-topographical level, taking into consideration current conditions and future restraints and/or challenges.  A five mile radius should be included from the entrance of the known hibernacula.

Management of Roosting Habitat

*       Maintain a component of large, mature trees in harvest areas, retaining at least three live trees per acre greater than 20 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) of these preferred species (leave trees will be located along edges of the harvest area or in clumps to maximize their benefit to bats): 

• silver maple (Acer saccharinum)

• bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis)

• shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa)

• shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)

• white ash (Fraxinus americana)

• green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

• eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

• white oak (Quercus alba)

• northern red oak (Quercus rubra)

•  post oak (Quercus stellata)

• black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

• American elm (Ulmus americana)

• slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)

*       If a stand possesses no trees greater than 20 inches DBH, leave 16 live trees per acre (leave trees will be located along edges of the harvest area or in clumps to maximize their benefit to bats) of these preferred species remaining in the stand.

*       Shellbark hickory or shagbark hickory trees will not be harvested or killed for the purpose of timber stand improvement, unless the density of trees of these two species combined exceeds 16 trees per acre.  If present, at least 16 live shagbark and shellbark hickory trees (combined) greater than 11 inches DBH must be maintained per acre.

*       Firewood cutting permits must clearly state that standing dead trees may not be taken unless specific trees are identified in the permit by the Forest Service.  When approved for removal, standing dead trees would be designated by Forest Service personnel and described in the firewood cutting permit.

*       When demolition of abandoned buildings is considered, inspect buildings as necessary to confirm the presence or absence of maternal roosts prior to initiating operations.   Delay operations until bats have departed buildings used as maternal roosts and provide suitable roost replacement. 

*       Any hazard tree that has characteristics of a potential maternal roost tree (splintered bole that provides crevices, evidence of decay so that either their bark is exfoliating, it possesses cavities, or dead portions of the tree have been used, excavated, or occupied by species such as woodpeckers or other cavity nesting birds and, most importantly, exposure of the roost to sunlight) will not be removed until consultation with a Forest Service biologist has been completed.  An exception is, trees may be cut that are an immediate saftey danger to an individual.

*       Consultation will occur with the USFWS any time a hazard tree is identified as being used by bats.

All personnel tasked with the removal of hazard trees will attend training with a biologist to learn how to identify potential maternal roost trees.

When even-aged management is conducted, leave trees will be left along the edges of clearcuts or in large clumps (1/10th acre) to maximize their benefit to bats.

Retain dead and dying trees that have characteristics for potential maternal roost trees (leave trees) unless they are safety hazards.  Characteristics for leave trees include evidence of decay so that either their bark is exfoliating, they possess cavities, or dead portions of the tree have been used, excavated, or occupied by species such as woodpeckers or other cavity nesting birds and, most importantly, exposure of the roost to sunlight.  In addition,retain any tree that has a splintered bole providing crevices that can be used as roosts by eastern forest bats. 

When possible, delay removal of hazard trees until bats are likely to occupy hibernacula, between September 15 and April 15.

If potential primary roosts are located during single-tree and group selection harvest planning, design harvests to create gaps that border these trees so as to improve their suitability as roosts. 

When there are not at least three standing dead trees greater than 11 inches DBH per acre during single-tree or group selection harvest, consider girdling live trees.

In the event that an occupied primary roost is located on NFS land, designate a zone extending in a radius of 300 feet from the roost.  Prohibit land management activities within this zone during the breeding season (April 15 - September 15). 

Restrict prescribed burning within a radius of one mile from occupied roosts during the breeding season.

Management of Foraging Habitat

*       When conducting uneven-aged hardwood timber harvests or conducting hardwood timber stand improvements, maintain at least 60 percent canopy cover on a stand-by-stand basis.  Design boundaries of timber harvest areas to be irregular in shape so as to enhance foraging by bats.

Management of Water Sources

When conditions allow and need is determined, create shallow water extensions of existing waterholes and ponds to enhance insect diversity and abundance for foraging bats. 

Gray Bat

*       When caves are found to contain gray bats, coordinate with the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service and other appropriate groups or agencies to determine if access to caves needs to be restricted. 

*       Establish a zone with a one-quarter mile radius around each known hibernacula of gray bat on the Forest.  This zone may be irregular in shape to take into account likely flight paths, foraging habitat, and areas where gray bats are likely to swarm.  Prohibit new construction activities within this zone.

*       Considering both public and private ownerships, maintain or promote at least 70 percent forest canopy cover within a one mile radius of known hibernacula of gray bats.  Timber harvest should be restricted to single-tree and group selection within this zone.  Implement vegetation management to maintain or improve bat habitat for staging, swarming, roosting, or foraging.  Implement prescribed fire within this zone only when bats are unlikely to be swarming, hibernating, or staging.

Fanshell

*       Prohibit any activity that might negatively affect the known but limited population in the East Fork of the White River, or any population located in the future.

*       Prohibit the application of pesticides within the riparian corridors of the sixth level watersheds of the East Fork White River where the species has known occurrences.  Currently, known sites in sixth level watersheds that contain some parcels of NFS lands are the E. Fork White River - Henshaw Bend and the E. Fork White River - Poplar/Willow Creeks.

Rough Pigtoe

*       Prohibit any activity that might negatively affect recovery of the rough pigtoe in the East Fork of the White River or any population located in the future.

*       Prohibit the application of pesticides within the riparian corridors of the sixth level watersheds of the East Fork White River where the species has known occurrences.  Currently, known sites in sixth level watersheds that contain some parcels of NFS lands are the E. Fork White River - Henshaw Bend and the E. Fork White River - Poplar/Willow Creeks.

Maintain and Restore Sustainable Ecosystems

Manage Vegetation to Provide Diverse Ecosystems

*       Prohibit adverse modifications to the landscape within 660 feet of known active osprey nests and heron rookeries.  Seasonally restrict management activities within 1/4 mile of known osprey nests and heron rookeries to avoid disturbance during nest building, egg laying, incubation, and fledgling stages. 

Design projects in a manner that ensures management activities would not adversely affect habitat of sensitive species, unless there is a higher priority concern, such as habitat for threatened and endangered species.

Avoid planting, seeding, or introducing nonnative species.

Consider planting mixed species where suitable to reduce insect and disease damage, increase visual variety, and add habitat diversity.

Where possible, restore native ecosystems. 

Retain where appropriate large diameter trees and mature or over-mature stands around ponds, lakes, wetlands, and stream shorelines.

Wherever appropriate, manage cliff faces, springs, caves, barrens, and glades as special habitats to protect or enhance physical, historical, and ecological characteristics.

Leave downed logs, limbs, and other scattered ground materials resulting from vegetative management or natural causes on the site where appropriate. 

Use sanitation and salvage harvests to remove dead, dying, diseased, or potentially affected trees except in Management Areas 5.1 and 8.1.

Skid roads should be designated by Forest Service personnel and should not exceed a gradient of 35 percent. 

Where applicable, clearcutting may only be used where it has been found to be the optimum method of regeneration to meet multiple-use objectives and is essential to meet forest plan objectives, involving one or more of the following circumstances:

• To establish, enhance, or maintain habitat for threatened, endangered, or sensitive species.
• To enhance wildlife habitat or water yield values or to provide for recreation, scenic vistas, utility lines, road corridors, facility sites, reservoirs, or similar development.
• To rehabilitate lands adversely impacted by events such as fire, windstorms, or insect or disease infestations.
• To preclude or minimize the occurrence of potentially adverse impacts or disease infestations, windthrow, or other factors affecting forest health. To provide for the establishment and growth of desired trees or other vegetative species that are shade intolerant.
• To rehabilitate poorly stocked stands due to past management practices or natural events.

Accomplish regeneration primarily through natural means.  Planting or seeding may be used if adequate stocking, desired species composition, or acceptable genetic quality cannot otherwise be achieved.  Refer to Appendix B for minimum stocking standards following timber harvest for even-aged management and uneven-aged management using group selection. 

As needed, use salvage to reduce hazardous fuels from disturbances such as storm events, fires, and insect or disease infestations. 

Consider the experience of trail users when conducting activities near and along trails.

Regional Forester Sensitive Species

*       Aerial flights associated with national forest projects will not be permitted within 1/4 mile horizontal distance and 500 feet vertical distance of any known active bald eagle nest.

When vegetation management is planned within one mile of a body of water greater than 40 acres, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife will be consulted about protection of potential bald eagle nesting, roosting, and feeding areas.

Human entry within 1/4 mile horizontal distance of an active bald eagle nest during courtship, nest building, incubation, or brooding periods will be discouraged.

*       Prohibit adverse modifications to the landscape within 660 feet of known nests of sensitive raptor species.  Seasonally restrict management activities within 1/4 mile of known sensitive raptor species nests to avoid disturbance during nest building, egg laying, incubation, and fledgling stages. 

*       Prohibit timber harvests within a distance of 100 feet from the top and base of large cliffs or overhangs (see Appendix A, Glossary) except for the salvage of dead and dying trees, or sanitation harvest.  Trees harvested outside but near this zone would require directional felling away from the cliff area.  These rock outcrop habitats are not limited to solid cliffs and may include discontinuous rock faces (i.e. fractured cliffs, discontinuous large blocks). 

*       Prohibit planting of exotic or nonnative invasive plants within or near barrens, glades, and other sensitive plant communities.

When evaluating the need for harvest within 50 feet of a perennial or intermittent stream, consider the presence of sensitive species and potential effects.    

In areas potentially affected by land exchange, surface-disturbing activities or vegetation management, assess the need for and, as needed, conduct surveys or inventories for Regional Forester sensitive species. 

Maintain or enhance barrens or glades habitat.  Removal of woody vegetation by burning, cutting, or mowing may be desirable to maintain or enhance these areas. 

Avoid soil-disturbing activities in barrens or glades unless required to meet management objectives (i.e. provide for management access, put in fire lines for prescribed burns, or remove tall fescue or other nonnative invasive plants).

Identify other areas that are not barrens or glades, that harbor botanical Regional Forester sensitive species requiring full sun.

Nest Boxes and Other Structures

For conservation and educational purposes, supplement natural cavities with nest boxes for cavity-nesting mammals and birds.  Use nesting platforms or other structures as appropriate.

Forest Openings

Whenever possible, create and maintain larger openings or opening complexes to provide habitat for species that are area sensitive.

Generally manage forest openings to provide early successional habitat to benefit wildlife species, provide habitat for native plant communities, add visual variety, and provide for recreation opportunities.  Manage the edges of most forest openings as shrubby edge or thickets.  Develop and maintain other areas, or portions of shrubby areas, in native forbs and grasses.

Where possible, improve wildlife forage and native plant diversity on transmission lines and pipeline right-of-ways.

Where conditions allow, locate openings away from heavily traveled roadways. 

Consider public access and recreation when establishing openings.

Mow openings from August to October when possible to minimize disturbance to nesting birds while maintaining some herbaceous food and cover over winter.

Restore native plant communities and replace exotic pasture grasses and other nonnative plants wherever possible.

Retain standing dead trees in created openings as needed, in conjunction with opening development and maintenance.

Caves and Other Karst Features

*       Prohibit timber harvesting and prescribed burning within 200 feet of cave entrances, direct drainage inputs, such as sinkholes and swallow holes, and any streams flowing into a known cave, except for research purposes.  

*       Do not discharge drilling muds into a karst hydrologic system. 

*       Do not conduct surface disturbing activities on any slopes steeper than 30 percent adjacent to cave entrances without use of mitigation measures.

*       Do not promote caves as available for general public use unless the Forest develops adequate protection measures to control and manage this use and can clearly establish that no substantial risk, harm, or vandalism of the cave would occur.

*       Do not conduct seismic surveys within 200 feet of known cave passages or conduits.

*       Location of caves on NFS lands will not be disclosed.

*       Cave management will be integrated into general land management practices to protect cave resources from subterranean and surface impacts.

*       Inventory and evaluate caves in accordance with the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act, Forest Service Manual direction, and Memorandum of Understandings with other organizations.

*       All caves and karst features shall be excluded from leasing and mineral activities and no drilling will occur within the boundaries of any cave.  Boundaries are defined as the area within the known cave plus a buffer zone of 200 feet around the cave. 

Cease drilling operations and notify the authorized officer when anyone encounters previously undiscovered voids (more than 12 inches) within 300 feet of the surface. 

Do not allow sediment from access roads and other activities to wash into caves or karst features. 

Examine and inventory to the extent possible each cave and karst feature.  Prepare management prescriptions and plans describing considerations and criteria for protection of cave resources whenever feasible. 

Where practical and beneficial, restore cave and karst hydrologic systems choked with debris from non-natural causes or sediment.

Take corrective action if damage to karst or other resources exists and is likely to continue. 

Whenever possible, remove non natural debris from sinkholes to improve water quality entering directly into karst systems.  

Gating of cave entrances will only be considered as a last resort on a case-by-case basis for safety, and after evidence demonstrates this to be the only option to protect cave species and other resources.

Under normal circumstances, do not place signs with cave names or other information that would reveal cave locations outside of caves.  Small signs or registers inside caves (20 to 100 feet) that discuss cave conservation or safety are acceptable.

The Forest will be careful not to promote or dissuade the recreational use of caves; unless it becomes necessary to control access to protect cave resources.

Information on caving basics, ethics and safety, and locations of broad regions of karst topography may be provided.  Information about a particular cave may be exchanged with individuals who demonstrate a pre-existing personal knowledge of a cave's location, extent, and layout.

Aquatic Habitat and Species Management

Manage vegetation canopies in and along streams and other aquatic habitats to maintain appropriate water temperatures and chemistry for fish and other aquatic species. 

Incorporate habitat needs of animal and plant communities associated with wetlands into wetland design (islands, peninsulas, and standing live and dead trees).  Consider the habitat needs of waterfowl, aquatic flora and other wildlife.

As opportunities arise, restore or enhance fisheries habitat in lakes, ponds, and streams by introducing large woody debris and maintaining or improving streambank and shoreline stability.  Trees should be removed from dams of maintained lakes and ponds.

Avoid blocking fish passage in streams.

Consider improvement and enhancement of aquatic habitats in all management activities associated with lakes.  Incorporate consideration of habitat needs of animals attracted to lakes into lake design including islands, peninsulas, and standing live and dead trees.  Determine the type of access and boat and motor restrictions on lakes on an individual basis. 

Maintain or enhance the habitat quality of waterholes as necessary.

Where other objectives do not conflict, reduce aquatic vegetation to 20 to 30 percent coverage on lakes and ponds for the purpose of fisheries.

Maintain, enhance, or create ephemeral wetlands where feasible to provide breeding sites for reptiles and amphibians, as well as to provide drinking sites for bats.

Special Areas and Research Natural Areas

Consider nominating newly acquired land as Special Areas if those areas have significant natural characteristics or represent relatively undisturbed examples of important forest ecosystems.

Pest and Nonnative Invasive Species Management

*       Evaluate pest and nonnative invasive species problems and use integrated pest management to control them, as needed.  This includes manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods.

*       When applying pesticides, identify measures required to reduce off-site movement, drift potential, and adverse effects on threatened and endangered species and their habitat, sensitive species and their habitat, human and wildlife health, non-target vegetation, water quality, and any other relevant environmental elements. 

*       Pesticides will only be applied in accordance with State regulations. 

*       Include appropriate clauses for the prevention or treatment of nonnative invasive species in Forest contracts and permits.

For projects having moderate to high risk of introducing or spreading nonnative invasive plants, incorporate nonnative invasive species assessments in project planning and include nonnative invasive species prevention and treatment methods in project development, analysis, and implementation.

Generally prioritize nonnative invasive species management as follows:

1.      Prevention of new infestations

2.      Early detection and treatment of new infestations

3.      Treatment of sites with the greatest potential for spreading such as trailheads, boat ramps, parking lots, recreation areas, and administrative sites

4.      Protection of known endangered, threatened, and sensitive plant and animal sites susceptible to harm from invasive species

5.      Protection of Forest special areas and Research Natural Area

6.      Containment and control of established infestations

Fire and Fuels Management

Consider prescribed fire, mechanical treatment, and isolation in addition to timber sales and other utilization options as tools for fuel treatment after natural disturbance events.

 Use prescribed fire to accomplish silvicultural objectives such as oak regeneration.

 Where possible, use natural or existing man made barriers for fire control and as boundaries on prescribed fire. 

 When using prescribed fire in riparian areas, use backing fires when possible and avoid lighting directly in the riparian area. 

 Avoid using tilled fire lines in riparian corridors.

Maintain and Restore Watershed Health

Soil and Water Conservation

*       Stabilize areas disturbed by management activities as soon as practical, or at least within the same growing season. 

*       Improve or maintain water quality by designing and maintaining roads in accordance with Appendix G. 

*       Reduce compaction and rutting by prohibiting heavy equipment use when the soils are in a saturated condition, thereby reducing surface runoff, soil erosion, and loss of soil nutrients.

With exceptions such as emergency release of water, manage flows from dams and impoundments so that downstream aquatic habitats, reservoir habitats, and aquatic species are minimally impacted. 

Permission to remove sand, gravel, or other materials from streams will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and may include, but is not limited to these activities:

• Excavation of deep holes in stream channels to improve fisheries or other wildlife habitat

• Incidental excavation operations for culverts, bridges, fords, dams, trails, or other new or existing facilities.

• Restoration to a more natural or stable stream channel that has been filled by sediment from other land-disturbing activities.

• Removal of materials from sediment basins that have been installed to trap sediment from some upstream activity.

Give priority to stabilizing areas discharging soil into watercourses, especially those that affect the watershed of municipal or recreational reservoirs. 

Water bodies may be created if there are adequate watersheds and soil conditions are conducive to construction of water-holding structures. 

Maintain functioning wetlands and streams, and restore or enhance wetlands and streams in areas with historical hydrology or appropriate soil characteristics (floodplain characteristics).   

Guide soil protection and management for all activities according to site capabilities as identified by interpretation of soil and other ecological site factors.

Prohibit log skidding and heavy equipment within streambeds.

Construct and maintain waterbars on skid trails to slow surface runoff before it creates channels and gullies or moves excessive amounts of sediment into streams.

Soil disturbing operations that extend over a number of operating seasons may require mulching of exposed areas to reduce surface erosion.

Designate log landings on site by Forest Service personnel.  Locate landings on upland, well-drained, nearly level sites to minimize surface runoff and soil erosion.

When operations are complete, prepare landings to provide favorable site conditions for seed germination.  The landings should be seeded with approved Forest Service seed mixtures and mulched to prevent erosion until vegetation becomes reestablished on the site.  These actions should be taken as soon as practical after disturbance.

Logging or site preparation equipment should avoid plastic soils (soils that can be molded or shaped like clay) when the water table is within 12 inches of the surface or when soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit.  Soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit if the soil can be rolled to pencil size (approximately 1/4 -inch diameter and 6 inches long) without breaking or crumbling. 

Resource management activities that may affect soil or water quality must follow Logging and Forestry BMP's for Water Quality in Indiana (IDNR 1998), or most recent version, as a minimum to achieve soil and water quality objectives.  When Forest Plan standards exceed Indiana BMPs or water quality standards, Forest Plan standards take precedence. 

Where topsoil is less than one inch thick or where organic matter is less than 2 percent, retain logging slash in place (perform limbing at the stump).

Designate the location of roads, trails, main skid trails, and similar features that disturb soils.  Stabilize disturbed sites during use and revegatate after use to control erosion.

Utilize the "Indiana Handbook for Erosion Control in Developing Areas" (IDNR 1992) as well as "Best Management Practices for Erosion and Sedimentation Control" (USDOT 1995) for guidance on limiting sedimentation.

In disturbed areas, generally stockpile topsoil and return it to the site.

Restoring natural wetlands will be the highest priority to maintain and restore watershed health.

Riparian Corridors

This guidance is applicable to the entire riparian corridor, which includes the riparian area and a portion of the terrestrial ecosystem along a stream channel.  Appendix I further describes the riparian corridor. 

Riparian corridors are not excluded from management activities.  These are zones where the application of mitigation measures and forethought must be applied to ensure water quality and riparian values are protected. 

Protect, enhance, or restore natural water flows when feasible. 

Riparian corridors will consist of the riparian area and the adjacent terrestrial ecosystem for a combined 25 to 100-foot corridor depending on the type of stream.  Permanent water bodies and perennial streams will consist of a 100-foot riparian corridor.  This can be adjusted based on site specific analysis. 

Intermittent streams will have a minimum 50 foot corridor from each stream bank and ephemeral streams will have a 25 foot minimum riparian corridor. 

Waterholes or small ponds up to 0.5 acre with adjacent slopes no more than 5 percent should have a 25 foot riparian corridor.  If adjacent slopes are steeper, wider corridors may be needed. 

In general, roads and trails will not be constructed in riparian corridors unless no practical alternatives exist.  Road and trail approaches to streams will be located to minimize erosion and sediment introduction to the stream. 

Roads and trails will generally cross channels at right angles.  Channel crossings will be accomplished using bridges, culverts, fords, or other appropriate crossing structures according to site specific conditions.  Remove unnecessary crossings when a road or trail is decommissioned. 

Limit heavy equipment crossings in riparian corridors. 

Minimize cuts and placement of fills while building new roads in wetlands and riparian corridors in accordance with safety and other engineering road design criteria.  Provide sufficient drainage to ensure that the absorption capacity of the riparian corridor is not exceeded. 

Reconstruction and stabilization of existing roads, trails, and other facilities within riparian corridors is permitted.

Design and maintain roads and trails in riparian corridors to sustain natural hydrologic patterns and allow for passage of aquatic species.  Install appropriate drainage and crossing structures for all new roads and trails to prevent sedimentation.

Road and trail surfaces within riparian corridors should be stabilized with aggregate or other suitable material. Normally, the Hoosier will maintain four inches of gravel surfacing on roads in riparian corridors while they are open to vehicular traffic. 

Management within riparian areas will include the maintenance of shade suitable for aquatic organisms over the stream corridor, minimize soil disturbance, and promote mesic native species along perennial, intermittent, and some ephemeral streams dependent on site-specific aquatic resources.

Keep slash out of water bodies, stream channels, floodplains, and areas where it may be swept into streams, rivers, and water bodies except to meet other habitat objectives.

Soil-disturbing activities of approved practices within designated riparian corridors will require effective erosion control.  Implement, as needed, erosion control measures such as straw bales in ditch lines and small drainages, berms in road embankments during construction, diversion ditches, slash and unmerchantable logs across slopes and trails, check dams in ditch lines, sediment detention basins, and sediment fences.

Preserve the integrity of stream channels, maintain the beneficial values of floodplains and wetlands, and protect the interest of the public when structures and facilities are constructed or rehabilitated.  

Forest openings may be developed and maintained within riparian corridors.

Permit emergency construction of fire lines or other earth disturbing measures within riparian corridors, but these disturbed areas will be stabilized as soon as possible.
 

Protect Our Cultural Heritage

*       Inventory affected lands prior to conducting ground-disturbing projects.  This includes, but is not limited to, such activities as prescribed burns, vegetation management, and proposed land exchanges.  

*       If heritage resources are discovered during project implementation, cease all activity in the vicinity until an archaeologist has made an on-site assessment.

*       Conduct inventories in non-project areas to locate and identify all significant heritage resources managed by the Forest. 

*       Complete all heritage resource investigations with archaeologists, archaeological technicians, or paraprofessional archaeological technicians.  Volunteers may assist if under the supervision of an archaeologist. 

*       Evaluate sites for significance and potential listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).  Nominate significant sites to the NRHP. 

*       Consider sites that have not been formally evaluated as potentially eligible to the NRHP and protect them.  Sites not eligible to the NRHP do not require protection but may have interpretive potential.  Protect all unevaluated, eligible, and listed sites from ground-disturbing activities.  Implement protective measures, including avoidance buffers and site condition monitoring, as recommended during site-specific project development and analysis.  If a project cannot be redesigned and would adversely affect a NRHP-eligible heritage resource, the heritage resource staff will develop and implement a mitigation plan to minimize the affects.  Develop the plan in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

*       Periodically assess the nature and degree of damage to heritage resources due to vandalism, visitor use, and natural deterioration.  Identify and implement protective measures.

*       Do not disclose heritage site locations without the approval of the Forest Supervisor.

*       Appropriately curate heritage resource collections.  All archaeological and historic materials recovered from NFS lands are the property of the Federal government.

Design activities to avoid damage to heritage resources. 

Conduct stabilization, rehabilitation, and restoration activities when appropriate.

Use accurate and up-to-date site and survey information with a graphic and tabular data base to efficiently and effectively manage the resources.

To the extent possible, offer and maintain an array of heritage interpretive opportunities and experiences including on-site signs, trails, presentations, tours, exhibits, volunteer projects, special events, heritage tourism, and internet web pages.  The Forest may develop an interpretive plan to identify specific opportunities and coordinate a systematic approach.   

Develop a strategy to systematically evaluate all sites on the Forest through use of thematic evaluations or other applicable models or strategies.

Prefer in-situ (in-place) management as the method for the preservation of human remains and associated grave goods, regardless of age or ethnicity.  Treat human remains with dignity and respect.

Provide for a Visually Pleasing Landscape

Meet the visual quality objectives (VQO) indicated on the VQO map in Appendix J where not overridden by management area guidance. 

Consult Handbook Number 462, National Forest Landscape Management, Volume 2, Chapter 1 where not overridden by the VQO map in Appendix J.

Rehabilitate the visual aspects of most projects as soon as possible.  

Provide for Recreation Use in Harmony with Natural Communities

*       Camping is permitted anywhere unless restricted by Forest Order or other regulation.

*       Prohibit public off-highway vehicle use. 

Prohibit paintball activity in Management Areas 5.1, 7.1, and 8.1 or where otherwise prohibited by regulation.  Paintball guns are considered firearms and all applicable firearm regulations apply.  Substances used in the paintballs and other devices must be water soluble and biodegradable. 

Limit administrative use of off-highway vehicles to activities such as: trail or recreation site maintenance and construction, search and rescue, law enforcement, fire fighting, prescribed fire, permit administration, and maintenance of managed forest communities.  Permit use of off-highway vehicles in activities such as contracts, volunteer and cooperative agreements, and special use permits only when specifically authorized by a line officer.

When possible, design roads, trails, and other facilities to enhance recreational experiences.  Consider public health and safety, accessibility, and environmental quality as integral parts of recreation facility design and management.

Design or reconstruct roads open to the public to increase recreational opportunities by providing features such as parking, turnouts, overlooks, and points of interest.

Trails

*       Design trails to meet the standard of the highest impact user. 

*       Allow foot travel on any trail as well as off trails, unless otherwise prohibited.

*       Allow horses, and other pack stock, on trails designated as open to horse use and on roads open to public vehicle travel, unless prohibited.

*       Allow mountain bicycles on trails designated as open to mountain bicycle use, and on roads open to public vehicle travel, unless prohibited.

*       Camping is not permitted at or within 300 feet of a designated trailhead, unless located in a campground or otherwise permitted. 

Provide single and multiple-use trails. 

Harden trails with appropriate material if conditions dictate.  Motorized earth moving equipment may be used for trail maintenance.

Designate trails as system trails or special use permit trails. 

Maintain a Forest-wide trail plan. 

Provide a Useable Landbase

Land Ownership and Adjustment

Give high priority to land adjustments through purchase or exchange, that consolidate forest ownership, provide access to existing NFS land and water, and protect or enhance threatened and endangered species habitat or other special areas. 

Give high priority to obtaining lands to protect significant cultural sites; acquire or retain areas with caves or outstanding examples of karst features; permit protection, development, and management of wetlands, lakes, and ponds or recreation facilities; and protect water quality (See Appendix E).

Satisfy one or more of the following purposes when implementing land adjustments:

• Accomplish objectives of Federal law or regulation

• Meet demand for national forest resources, including recognized special areas

• Result in more efficient land ownership patterns

• Result in lower resource management costs

Land adjustments, such as purchases, exchanges, or donations, should assume the land allocation of the surrounding area, unless circumstances warrant placement into Management Area 9.2 for study as a special area or nomination of a research natural area.

Avoid encumbering land available for exchange with land uses that compromise land exchange opportunities.

Do not acquire land by condemnation except in extreme cases to acquire right-of-ways or clear title, if all other reasonable efforts fail.  Land acquisition program deals with willing sellers and exchange proponents.

Consider acquiring subsurface rights under NFS land when the rights and funding are available.

Whenever possible, landlines will be located and marked to standard.

Transportation System

Maintain effective closures (to public motorized vehicles) on Maintenance Level 1 (See Appendix A, Glossary) roads. Closure devices should be visually compatible with the surrounding area.

Decommission unneeded roads when possible.

Follow guidelines in Appendix G for Hoosier National Forest road design.

Access Rights

Consider on an individual basis requests for easements or special-use permits for new or improved road access across NFS land by State or local units of government, private landowners, or other interests.

Consider requests for access to other ownerships across NFS land when no other reasonable access exists.  Consider alternative access, management area objectives, and public input when evaluating access requests.

Public Parking

Parking lots may be provided. 

Avoid locating new parking sites and access points within sight distance of springs, seeps, and mineral licks to minimize disruptions to wildlife.

Provide for Human and Community Development

Special Uses and Utility Corridors

*       Do not allow sanitary landfills on or beneath NFS lands.

Wherever possible, combine utility right-of-ways across NFS land into shared right-of-ways or corridors to reduce total forest impacts.

Consider visual qualities in the design of permitted activities and, where feasible, bury all new utility lines.

Approval of applications for distribution systems crossing NFS lands (such as utility right-of-ways serving individual residences) will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Evaluate applications on an individual basis for other special uses involving NFS lands, including but not limited to wind, solar, and hydro power generation sites and communication towers.

Where possible, manage lands under special-use permits for overall plant and animal diversity and enhancement of native communities.

Base qualification for a special use permit trail on a case-by-case evaluation of ability to meet Forest Service criteria established in the Trail Plan.

Minerals and Geology

*       Allow for the exploration and development of gypsum in Martin and Orange counties.

*       Prohibit surface disturbing mineral development (including oil and gas) when the Federal government owns the subsurface rights.   

*       When the minerals are owned by other parties, require reclamation plans for all proposed surface-disturbing activities on Federal lands. The affected lands must be reclaimed to their natural state using the best scientific knowledge and principles available.

Any proposal to lease minerals from the Federal government, with no surface occupancy, would require consultation with USDI Fish and Wildlife Service during environmental analysis or prior to leasing.  Such consultation will occur on a project by project basis.

Allow for mineral exploration that does not disturb the land surface.

Do not preclude the ability of private mineral owners to exercise their outstanding or reserved mineral rights as defined by deed and public law.

Recreational gold panning may be allowed except in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness or within 200 feet of caves.  Gold panning is restricted to active stream beds or unvegetated gravel bars.  Digging in stream banks is not allowed and no more than two cubic yards of material may be moved within the site.  Commercial ventures are not allowed and tools are limited to hand tools such as a shovel and a gold pan.

Recreational mineral collection may be allowed except in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness or caves.  Only negligible surface disturbance is allowed for recreational mineral collection.  Tools are limited to rock hammers, garden trowels, or shovels.

Buildings and Structures

Ensure that building design and appearance are compatible with the forest environment.

Provide communication sites to support resource management objectives.  Some commercial use may be provided if space is available and the commercial use would not conflict with Forest equipment or frequencies. 

Consider adaptive re-use of historic structures in lieu of constructing new ones.

Public Health

Emphasize and promote "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" methods of disposal and the Leave No Trace ethic.

Provide educational materials at offices and trailheads to aid the public in awareness and avoidance techniques for health risks such as tick borne diseases and poison ivy.